Official world rankings click here http://www.owgr.com/
While the Masters field is now set with 99 players as I wrote earlier there are still spots reserved for injured players who qualify like Tiger, and Mike Weir who had to pull out of the Valero saying his forearm and elbow tightness are still not right. As of this morning he has not withdrawn from Augusta leaving his decision as late as possible. There is no deadline right up until Thursday for his decision.
Weir now 44, has been bothered by inflammation in his right elbow, the same one he had surgery on in 2011 to repair a damaged tendon.
"It's not pain it's just really tightness and a lack of mobility from that tightness that's bothering me and causing me some problems," he said. "The doctor has assured me it's not re-injured . . . I just have to get it to calm down a little bit."
There is one spot left for the winner of this week's Shell Houston Open and in the field there are 5 Canadians who could still get in with a win..
Graham DeLaet (69), David Hearn (168) Nick Taylor (218), Roger Sloan and Adam Hadwin (182)... Mike Weir by the way is now ranked 358..
Also in the field is Canadian amateur sensation Corey Connors member of Team Canada's National amateur squad and runner up at the 2014 US Men's Amateur Championship
Bryan
Monday, March 30, 2015
Weir may miss Masters... just one spot left..
In the aftermath of Jimmy Walker's win at the Valero and Richie Ramsay's victory at the Trophee Hassan II this weekend the field is all set for Augusta with just a spot for the winner of this week's Shell Houston Open available..
Four players who were not otherwise invited gained a spot in the year's first major via the world rankings: India's Anirban Lahiri (33), South Africa's Branden Grace (41), Austria's Bernd Wiesberger (42) and England's Paul Casey who chose not to play but still moved up a spot to (48)
Just missing were Scotland's Marc Warren at 52 and Harris English at 53.
The field is now at 99 players, and if the winner in Houston is not already in the field, the Masters will have at least 100 players for the first time since 1966.
The status of the following players, Tiger Woods, Kevin Stadler, Graeme McDowell, Brooks Koepka and Steve Stricker and Mike Weir are still in doubt.
Woods has not played since withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open. Stadler has a wrist injury and hasn't played since Hawaii, while Koepka (ribs) and McDowell (ankle) withdrew from the past two tournaments. Stricker has not played since the Hero World Challenge in December and had back surgery shortly thereafter. Weir continues to struggle with tightness in his forearm and elbow.
Official world rankings click here http://www.owgr.com/
The Masters does not have alternates and there is no deadline for entering for those who have qualified.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP)
Four players who were not otherwise invited gained a spot in the year's first major via the world rankings: India's Anirban Lahiri (33), South Africa's Branden Grace (41), Austria's Bernd Wiesberger (42) and England's Paul Casey who chose not to play but still moved up a spot to (48)
Just missing were Scotland's Marc Warren at 52 and Harris English at 53.
The field is now at 99 players, and if the winner in Houston is not already in the field, the Masters will have at least 100 players for the first time since 1966.
The status of the following players, Tiger Woods, Kevin Stadler, Graeme McDowell, Brooks Koepka and Steve Stricker and Mike Weir are still in doubt.
Woods has not played since withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open. Stadler has a wrist injury and hasn't played since Hawaii, while Koepka (ribs) and McDowell (ankle) withdrew from the past two tournaments. Stricker has not played since the Hero World Challenge in December and had back surgery shortly thereafter. Weir continues to struggle with tightness in his forearm and elbow.
Official world rankings click here http://www.owgr.com/
The Masters does not have alternates and there is no deadline for entering for those who have qualified.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP)
It was a Frosty finish in Mississippi...
Champions Tour Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
For me I will remember this event for a stupid rule that will be changed and a four foot putt that neither Tom Lehman nor anyone else could believe didn't break left..
AP....David Frost survived a one-stroke penalty on the par-3 17th and won the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic when Tom Lehman missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the last hole.
The 55-year-old South African finished with a -4 68 at Fallen Oak for a one-stroke victory over 2011 winner Lehman 70, and second-round leader Kevin Sutherland 72.
Frost was penalized after the coin marking his ball on the green moved when he accidentally dropped the ball on it. That left him with a bogey and cut his lead to a stroke.
"I marked the ball and as I picked it up, the ball just kind of slipped out of my hand, hit the coin and moved it," Frost said. "I knew exactly where it was and I just moved it back and didn't think there was a penalty at all because I knew exactly where it was.
"There is some kind of rule that says in the act of marking the ball if you drop your coin. They told me I dropped the ball, which is an act of negligence and had to incur a one-stroke penalty. I was like, `You've got to be kidding me. Last year disqualified and this year a one-shot penalty.'
Frost who was disqualified last year for moving a stone in a bunker, made a testy-5-footer that broke left and just about missed the hole, for par on the final hole to get to -10 206, then waited as Lehman missed virtually the same putt when it didn't break like Frost's, for birdie.
For me I will remember this event for a stupid rule that will be changed and a four foot putt that neither Tom Lehman nor anyone else could believe didn't break left..
AP....David Frost survived a one-stroke penalty on the par-3 17th and won the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic when Tom Lehman missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the last hole.
The 55-year-old South African finished with a -4 68 at Fallen Oak for a one-stroke victory over 2011 winner Lehman 70, and second-round leader Kevin Sutherland 72.
Frost was penalized after the coin marking his ball on the green moved when he accidentally dropped the ball on it. That left him with a bogey and cut his lead to a stroke.
"I marked the ball and as I picked it up, the ball just kind of slipped out of my hand, hit the coin and moved it," Frost said. "I knew exactly where it was and I just moved it back and didn't think there was a penalty at all because I knew exactly where it was.
"There is some kind of rule that says in the act of marking the ball if you drop your coin. They told me I dropped the ball, which is an act of negligence and had to incur a one-stroke penalty. I was like, `You've got to be kidding me. Last year disqualified and this year a one-shot penalty.'
Frost who was disqualified last year for moving a stone in a bunker, made a testy-5-footer that broke left and just about missed the hole, for par on the final hole to get to -10 206, then waited as Lehman missed virtually the same putt when it didn't break like Frost's, for birdie.
Kerr shatters scoring record at Kia Classic..
LPGA Tour Kia Classic final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
For the very first time this 2015 season an American woman has actually won an LPGA event. Whether you see it as good or bad, this tour is now dominated by a 17 year old sensational Kiwi (of South Korean birth) called Lydia Ko, and a steady stream of diminutive stars from South Korea, Taiwan and Japan..
Four birdies in a five-hole stretch helped Cristie Kerr erase a 3 shot deficit in the final round at Aviara Golf Club. Four straight birdies on the back nine enabled her to pull away from Mirim Lee and Lydia Ko.
Kerr closed with a -7 65 for a 2-shot victory, the 17th of her career, this one different from all the others. Before posing with the trophy, Kerr first clutched her 15-month-old son, Mason, to celebrate her first win as a mom.
Kerr ended 42 straight LPGA events without a victory dating to the 2013 Kingsmill Championship. She finished at -20 268, breaking by 6 shots the 72-hole scoring record at a tournament that began in 2010.
As I mentioned it also ended a streak of seven consecutive LPGA events won by South Korean-born players dating to the CME Group Tour Championship last year.
Ko was tied for the lead with a birdie on the par-3 14th hole, but she finished with a three-putt bogey on the 18th for a 67 to finish third for her 28th consecutive round under par on the LPGA Tour, one short of the record Annika Sorenstam.
The 37-year-old Kerr couldn't hold back tears after she won. The father of her caddie, Greg Johnston, died a week ago and Kerr said she wanted to win it for both of them.
Next week they move from San Diego to the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills, the first LPGA major of the year.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP )
For the very first time this 2015 season an American woman has actually won an LPGA event. Whether you see it as good or bad, this tour is now dominated by a 17 year old sensational Kiwi (of South Korean birth) called Lydia Ko, and a steady stream of diminutive stars from South Korea, Taiwan and Japan..
Four birdies in a five-hole stretch helped Cristie Kerr erase a 3 shot deficit in the final round at Aviara Golf Club. Four straight birdies on the back nine enabled her to pull away from Mirim Lee and Lydia Ko.
Kerr closed with a -7 65 for a 2-shot victory, the 17th of her career, this one different from all the others. Before posing with the trophy, Kerr first clutched her 15-month-old son, Mason, to celebrate her first win as a mom.
Kerr ended 42 straight LPGA events without a victory dating to the 2013 Kingsmill Championship. She finished at -20 268, breaking by 6 shots the 72-hole scoring record at a tournament that began in 2010.
As I mentioned it also ended a streak of seven consecutive LPGA events won by South Korean-born players dating to the CME Group Tour Championship last year.
Ko was tied for the lead with a birdie on the par-3 14th hole, but she finished with a three-putt bogey on the 18th for a 67 to finish third for her 28th consecutive round under par on the LPGA Tour, one short of the record Annika Sorenstam.
The 37-year-old Kerr couldn't hold back tears after she won. The father of her caddie, Greg Johnston, died a week ago and Kerr said she wanted to win it for both of them.
Next week they move from San Diego to the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills, the first LPGA major of the year.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP )
Walker takes a walk in the park in San Antonio..
PGA Tour Valero Texas Open final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Before Sunday's final round we talked about the all Texas showdown between Jordan Speith and Jimmy Walker who held a 4 shot lead. In the end they both shot 70, no blood in golfing terms, and Jimmy wrapped up a fine 3 weeks at home with a nice Sunday walk in his local park that is TPC San Antonio, still 4 shots clear of Speith and 7 clear of Billy Horschel.
Both Walker and Speith opened in the wind on Thursday with 71's but the elder gained 2 shots both Friday and Saturday and that was the difference.
Ten players finished under par, with the Oaks Course playing the toughest on the PGA Tour this season with a 74.581 stroke average, more than two shots over par. The previous high was PGA National's Champion course at 1.832 over par for the Honda Classic.
Walker a late bloomer who didn't win in 9 years on tour won the Sony Open in Hawaii by nine shots in January and now has a tour-best five victories in the past two seasons. He and Spieth will move to career highs in the world ranking, with Spieth going from 6th to 4th and Walker from 13th to 10th.
The other headliner besides Speith coming into the week Phil Mickelson, looking for some momentum heading to the Masters, closed with a 76 to drop into a T30 at +4
Next week it's the Shell Houston Open...
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP CP.)
Before Sunday's final round we talked about the all Texas showdown between Jordan Speith and Jimmy Walker who held a 4 shot lead. In the end they both shot 70, no blood in golfing terms, and Jimmy wrapped up a fine 3 weeks at home with a nice Sunday walk in his local park that is TPC San Antonio, still 4 shots clear of Speith and 7 clear of Billy Horschel.
Both Walker and Speith opened in the wind on Thursday with 71's but the elder gained 2 shots both Friday and Saturday and that was the difference.
Ten players finished under par, with the Oaks Course playing the toughest on the PGA Tour this season with a 74.581 stroke average, more than two shots over par. The previous high was PGA National's Champion course at 1.832 over par for the Honda Classic.
Walker a late bloomer who didn't win in 9 years on tour won the Sony Open in Hawaii by nine shots in January and now has a tour-best five victories in the past two seasons. He and Spieth will move to career highs in the world ranking, with Spieth going from 6th to 4th and Walker from 13th to 10th.
The other headliner besides Speith coming into the week Phil Mickelson, looking for some momentum heading to the Masters, closed with a 76 to drop into a T30 at +4
Next week it's the Shell Houston Open...
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP CP.)
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Golf Channel misses the exciting finale of Trophee Hassan II
European Tour Trophee Hassan II scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
As the leaders teed off this morning, the top 20 on the leaderboard were separated by just two shots.
In the end it was Scot Richie Ramsay who ran a streak of 4 birdies in a row then survived a bogey on the seventh, and two duffed chips at the short eighth en route to a triple bogey six. However he recovered with 2 more birdies to get to -10 as every one else couldn't get past -8 except Romain Wattel who made a great birdie at 17 to get to -9, then made Ramsey squirm with a monster drive on 18, and needing a birdie to tie went for the flag and came up short and right to settle for 2nd.
George Coetzee 70, needing a win to get to Augusta, tried his best but ended up T3 at -8 along with 6 others.
I can only imagine the Golf Channel ran out of satellite time as they cut away from Morocco at the last critical moments to go to the Valero and missed the entire finale !! They posted a tweet when it was all over to say " those wishing to see the remainder of the Trophee Hassan II can live stream .."
Talk about too little too late..
Bryan Angus
As the leaders teed off this morning, the top 20 on the leaderboard were separated by just two shots.
In the end it was Scot Richie Ramsay who ran a streak of 4 birdies in a row then survived a bogey on the seventh, and two duffed chips at the short eighth en route to a triple bogey six. However he recovered with 2 more birdies to get to -10 as every one else couldn't get past -8 except Romain Wattel who made a great birdie at 17 to get to -9, then made Ramsey squirm with a monster drive on 18, and needing a birdie to tie went for the flag and came up short and right to settle for 2nd.
George Coetzee 70, needing a win to get to Augusta, tried his best but ended up T3 at -8 along with 6 others.
I can only imagine the Golf Channel ran out of satellite time as they cut away from Morocco at the last critical moments to go to the Valero and missed the entire finale !! They posted a tweet when it was all over to say " those wishing to see the remainder of the Trophee Hassan II can live stream .."
Talk about too little too late..
Bryan Angus
Lee leads Lee at the Kia Classic
LPGA Tour Kia Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
South Korean Mirim Lee shot a -6 66 to reach -16, 200 total at Aviara, leaving her a stroke ahead of American, Alison Lee who also shot 66 -15 total, in the final event before the first major of the season next week.
Lydia Ko shot a -5 67 to move within two rounds of matching Annika Sorenstam's LPGA Tour record for consecutive rounds under par of 29, but she dropped 2 strokes late in her round to go into today's play 4 shots off the lead.
Cristie Kerr,68 and Japan's Sakura Yokomine 67, are at -13 under. Se Ri Pak matched the course record with a 64 to join Ko, Paula Creamer 66 and Jennifer Song 66, at -12 Creamer closed eagle-birdie-birdie.
Lexi Thompson is at -11 after a 65. while Morgan Pressel, tied for the second-round lead with Mirim Lee, slipped down the field with a 72.
South Korean Mirim Lee shot a -6 66 to reach -16, 200 total at Aviara, leaving her a stroke ahead of American, Alison Lee who also shot 66 -15 total, in the final event before the first major of the season next week.
Lydia Ko shot a -5 67 to move within two rounds of matching Annika Sorenstam's LPGA Tour record for consecutive rounds under par of 29, but she dropped 2 strokes late in her round to go into today's play 4 shots off the lead.
Cristie Kerr,68 and Japan's Sakura Yokomine 67, are at -13 under. Se Ri Pak matched the course record with a 64 to join Ko, Paula Creamer 66 and Jennifer Song 66, at -12 Creamer closed eagle-birdie-birdie.
Lexi Thompson is at -11 after a 65. while Morgan Pressel, tied for the second-round lead with Mirim Lee, slipped down the field with a 72.
Sutherland opens a 2 shot lead in Mississippi..
Champions Tour Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Kevin Sutherland birdied three of the final seven holes Saturday for a -5 67 -9 total and a two shot lead at the Champions Tour's Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.
Sutherland, the one-time PGA Tour winner who shot the first 59 in Champions Tour history, has a two-stroke lead over Tom Lehman (66).
Tom Pernice Jr.(69) and David Frost (70) are at -6. Scott Dunlap had a 65, the best round of the week, to join Colin Montgomerie (72), Joe Durant (72), Olin Browne (68) and Woody Austin (71) are at -5.
Canadians Stephen Ames T21 E 71 73, Rod Spittle T31 +2 74 72, Jim Rutledge T69 +9 76 77
Bryan Angus
Kevin Sutherland birdied three of the final seven holes Saturday for a -5 67 -9 total and a two shot lead at the Champions Tour's Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.
Sutherland, the one-time PGA Tour winner who shot the first 59 in Champions Tour history, has a two-stroke lead over Tom Lehman (66).
Tom Pernice Jr.(69) and David Frost (70) are at -6. Scott Dunlap had a 65, the best round of the week, to join Colin Montgomerie (72), Joe Durant (72), Olin Browne (68) and Woody Austin (71) are at -5.
Canadians Stephen Ames T21 E 71 73, Rod Spittle T31 +2 74 72, Jim Rutledge T69 +9 76 77
Bryan Angus
Walker right at home in San Antonio..
PGA Tour Valero Texas Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Jimmy Walker was off for two weeks prior to the Valero, this week makes 3 in a row with all the comforts of home, and so far he is the most comfortable on his home course at TPC San Antonio.
His -3 69 has him four shots clear of a stellar field at -9. Jordan Speith, the pre tournament favourite had -3 33 on the front nine but with the breeze freshening was +2 38 on the back for 71 and a -5 total.
Billy Horschel 71 is next at -3 then five guys are at -2 including Zach Johnson. Phil Mickelson had a 74 and seems out of it at E.
So it's Walker's to lose, with Speith in pursuit and that's all the Texas fans need to know as their favourite sons duke it out on Sunday..
Bryan Angus
Jimmy Walker was off for two weeks prior to the Valero, this week makes 3 in a row with all the comforts of home, and so far he is the most comfortable on his home course at TPC San Antonio.
His -3 69 has him four shots clear of a stellar field at -9. Jordan Speith, the pre tournament favourite had -3 33 on the front nine but with the breeze freshening was +2 38 on the back for 71 and a -5 total.
Billy Horschel 71 is next at -3 then five guys are at -2 including Zach Johnson. Phil Mickelson had a 74 and seems out of it at E.
So it's Walker's to lose, with Speith in pursuit and that's all the Texas fans need to know as their favourite sons duke it out on Sunday..
Bryan Angus
Saturday, March 28, 2015
"Did you hear the one about 2 Scotsmen and a Frenchman in Morocco ? "
European Tour Trophee Hassan II scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html
With round 3 in the books on another gorgeous day in the King's backyard in Morocco, there are 19 players within 3 shots of the lead at this Trophee Hassan II which is held at -7 by 2 Scotsmen, Andrew McArthur 67, Richie Ramsay 71 and Frenchman Romain Wattel 67..
No less than 7 others are tied at -6 including George Coetzee 72 who needs to win tomorrow to book his spot at Augusta and my pick to win, Argentina's Emiliano Grillo 67 who missed a 3 foot putt to win earlier this year, but has simply been in contention nearly every time out this year.
Best round of the day Sweden's Mikael Lundberg -6 66 ... worst ? Aussie Scott Hend +12, 84 !!! sound familiar ....
Bryan Angus
With round 3 in the books on another gorgeous day in the King's backyard in Morocco, there are 19 players within 3 shots of the lead at this Trophee Hassan II which is held at -7 by 2 Scotsmen, Andrew McArthur 67, Richie Ramsay 71 and Frenchman Romain Wattel 67..
No less than 7 others are tied at -6 including George Coetzee 72 who needs to win tomorrow to book his spot at Augusta and my pick to win, Argentina's Emiliano Grillo 67 who missed a 3 foot putt to win earlier this year, but has simply been in contention nearly every time out this year.
Best round of the day Sweden's Mikael Lundberg -6 66 ... worst ? Aussie Scott Hend +12, 84 !!! sound familiar ....
Bryan Angus
Woods not ready yet..will skip Houston..
Tiger Woods officially will not play in next week's Shell Houston Open, the last event prior to the Masters.
The commitment deadline passed Friday, and Woods did not enter. He has never played the Houston tournament and has never played the week prior to the Masters, but given his current plight and still undetermined status for season's first major
championship, the event at Redstone Golf Club loomed as a possibility for many who cover the game.
Just a reminder, Woods has been on an indefinite break since a Feb. 11 announcement in which he said he needed time to work out the issues in his game. He started just two tournaments this year, the Waste Management Phoenix Open (where a second-round 82 led to a missed cut) and the Farmers Insurance Open (where he withdrew after just 11 holes due to stiffness in his lower back).
I still expect to see him at Augusta, where as a past champion he will be eligible for life, but if he doesn't show up after a month and a half of 'practice" on a course he plays better than anyone currently competing, I'd have to say his future in the game starts to be in doubt...
Bryan Angus ( files from BBC Reuters, AP, CP)
The commitment deadline passed Friday, and Woods did not enter. He has never played the Houston tournament and has never played the week prior to the Masters, but given his current plight and still undetermined status for season's first major
championship, the event at Redstone Golf Club loomed as a possibility for many who cover the game.
Just a reminder, Woods has been on an indefinite break since a Feb. 11 announcement in which he said he needed time to work out the issues in his game. He started just two tournaments this year, the Waste Management Phoenix Open (where a second-round 82 led to a missed cut) and the Farmers Insurance Open (where he withdrew after just 11 holes due to stiffness in his lower back).
I still expect to see him at Augusta, where as a past champion he will be eligible for life, but if he doesn't show up after a month and a half of 'practice" on a course he plays better than anyone currently competing, I'd have to say his future in the game starts to be in doubt...
Bryan Angus ( files from BBC Reuters, AP, CP)
Monty and Durant the best in the wind at Mississippi Classic
Champions Tour Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Saying the 20mph wind with higher gusts were a "mere breeze compared to Scotland" Colin Montgomerie went out and posted a fine -5 67 along with veteran Joe Durant to take a narrow lead over 4 players at -4 68.
Monty was much more serious about the course and conditions in his post round interview. "Five-under par is a good score today. Anything under par is a good score today with very testing conditions. Every shot today was different from yesterday because the wind was completely different. This is a very, very good course, perhaps the best we play on this tour, and it's even more challenging in the wind."
Canadian scoring: Stephen Ames T14 -1 71, Rod Spittle T38 +2 74 Jim Rutledge T53 +4 76
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP..)
Lee joined by Pressel atop tight leaderboard at Kia Classic
LPGA Tour Kia Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Morgan Pressel matched the course record with an -8 64 for a share of the second-round lead in the Kia Classic with Mirim Lee. She had eight birdies in her bogey-free morning round at Aviara to match Lee (65 69) at -10 134. The American won the last of her two LPGA Tour titles in 2008.
Many are watching for Lydia Ko who is T9 at -7 after a 70, her 26th straight LPGA Tour round under par. The 17 year old phenom has two worldwide victories this year, winning the tour's Women's Australian Open and the Ladies European Tour's New Zealand Women's Open in consecutive weeks. She has 10 straight top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour.
However this field is really crowded near the top with players like Stacy Lewis and Hyo Joo Kim who won last week all in contention in the final event before the first major of the season, the ANA Inspiration next week in Rancho Mirage
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters and AP)
Alison Lee 66 and Cristie Kerr 68 are at -9.
Morgan Pressel matched the course record with an -8 64 for a share of the second-round lead in the Kia Classic with Mirim Lee. She had eight birdies in her bogey-free morning round at Aviara to match Lee (65 69) at -10 134. The American won the last of her two LPGA Tour titles in 2008.
Many are watching for Lydia Ko who is T9 at -7 after a 70, her 26th straight LPGA Tour round under par. The 17 year old phenom has two worldwide victories this year, winning the tour's Women's Australian Open and the Ladies European Tour's New Zealand Women's Open in consecutive weeks. She has 10 straight top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour.
However this field is really crowded near the top with players like Stacy Lewis and Hyo Joo Kim who won last week all in contention in the final event before the first major of the season, the ANA Inspiration next week in Rancho Mirage
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters and AP)
Alison Lee 66 and Cristie Kerr 68 are at -9.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Walker claims narrow lead at Valero Texas Open
PGA Tour Valero Texas Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Going into this weekend only 14 players are under par, and the cut fell at an unusually high +6 on this tough TPC San Antonio course at the Valero Texas Open. The winds that played havoc on Thursday have subsided to a breeze and that is the forecast for the rest of the weekend.
Jimmy Walker 67, has a slight one shot lead at -6, over Charlie Hoffman 72 -5 and Aaron Baddeley 71 -5. Kevin Na 68 and Jordan Speith 69 are next at -4.
The rest of the pack including Phil Mickelson 72 are all at -2.
David Hearn +13 81 76, Adam Hadwin +8 83, 69 and Graham Delaet +15 82 77 all MC and will head down the road to Houston.
Bryan Angus
Going into this weekend only 14 players are under par, and the cut fell at an unusually high +6 on this tough TPC San Antonio course at the Valero Texas Open. The winds that played havoc on Thursday have subsided to a breeze and that is the forecast for the rest of the weekend.
Jimmy Walker 67, has a slight one shot lead at -6, over Charlie Hoffman 72 -5 and Aaron Baddeley 71 -5. Kevin Na 68 and Jordan Speith 69 are next at -4.
The rest of the pack including Phil Mickelson 72 are all at -2.
David Hearn +13 81 76, Adam Hadwin +8 83, 69 and Graham Delaet +15 82 77 all MC and will head down the road to Houston.
Bryan Angus
Crowded leaderboard going into the weekend at Trophee Hassan II
European Tour Trophee Hassan II scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html
Adrien Saddier's lead was shortlived as the young Frenchman slumped to +5 77 leaving the man they call Rafa, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who divulged he broke his little toe 6 weeks ago and has only today managed to wear golf shoes, who shot 69 to get to -6 along with Richard Green 70 from the early wave along with Oliver Farr 68, and Richie Ramsey 66 from the late wave as the leaders, all at -6.
Richard Bland 70, Pablo Larrazabal 69 and long lanky Chris Wood 72 are all at -5, along with in form George Coetzee 72..
Going into this weekend 25 players are within three shots of the leaders with
Siem shot himself out of the tournament and Augusta with a 79 as did Andy Sullivan's whose dream ended with at 9 on the par 4 fourth, his 74 75 scores not good enough.
Bryan Angus
Adrien Saddier's lead was shortlived as the young Frenchman slumped to +5 77 leaving the man they call Rafa, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who divulged he broke his little toe 6 weeks ago and has only today managed to wear golf shoes, who shot 69 to get to -6 along with Richard Green 70 from the early wave along with Oliver Farr 68, and Richie Ramsey 66 from the late wave as the leaders, all at -6.
Richard Bland 70, Pablo Larrazabal 69 and long lanky Chris Wood 72 are all at -5, along with in form George Coetzee 72..
Going into this weekend 25 players are within three shots of the leaders with
George Coetzee and Tommy Fleetwood remaining in contention for the Masters with a win but Andy Sullivan, Alexander Levy, Marcel Siem and Ross Fisher all missed the cut which fell at +2
Siem shot himself out of the tournament and Augusta with a 79 as did Andy Sullivan's whose dream ended with at 9 on the par 4 fourth, his 74 75 scores not good enough.
Bryan Angus
Lee leads a strong field at Kia Classic in Carlsbad..
LPGA Tour Kia Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
South Korean Mirim Lee using only 25 putts, birdied all four par-5's and finished with a -7 65 in sunny Carlsbad to take the first-round lead in the Kia Classic.
Once nearly unbeatable, Yani Tseng, now winless in 70 starts since her victory in the 2012 event at nearby La Costa, shot a -6 66.
Golf's teen sensation Lydia Ko is two strokes back at -5 67. The 17-year-old Kiwi has 10 straight top-10 finishes and has broken par in her last 25 LPGA Tour rounds, a remarkable four short of Annika Sorenstam's record set in 2004, and that number swells to 28 worldwide. Karrie Webb, Cristie Kerr and Lin Xiyu also shot 67.
Second-ranked Inbee Park, No. 3 Stacy Lewis and No. 4 Hyo Joo Kim are at -4 68 along with Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lang, Austin Ernst, Laura Diaz, In Gee Chun, Jackie Stoelting and Karine Icher.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC, Reuters, AP, lpgatour.com)
South Korean Mirim Lee using only 25 putts, birdied all four par-5's and finished with a -7 65 in sunny Carlsbad to take the first-round lead in the Kia Classic.
Once nearly unbeatable, Yani Tseng, now winless in 70 starts since her victory in the 2012 event at nearby La Costa, shot a -6 66.
Golf's teen sensation Lydia Ko is two strokes back at -5 67. The 17-year-old Kiwi has 10 straight top-10 finishes and has broken par in her last 25 LPGA Tour rounds, a remarkable four short of Annika Sorenstam's record set in 2004, and that number swells to 28 worldwide. Karrie Webb, Cristie Kerr and Lin Xiyu also shot 67.
Second-ranked Inbee Park, No. 3 Stacy Lewis and No. 4 Hyo Joo Kim are at -4 68 along with Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lang, Austin Ernst, Laura Diaz, In Gee Chun, Jackie Stoelting and Karine Icher.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC, Reuters, AP, lpgatour.com)
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Hoffman leads as scores soar in windy San Antonio
PGA Tour Valero Texas Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Gusty winds are the norm in Texas and Thursday morning was no different at the Valero as a result only 2 players from the morning wave were under par, Matt Kuchar and Camilo Villegas at E.
However the wind died down in the afternoon and scoring improved and in the end it was Charley Hoffman without the trademark long blonde locks who took advantage of the calmer conditions to take the first-round lead shooting a -5 67 over the quiet Christian from Australia Aaron Baddeley -4 68 who had the shot of the day, perhaps the year, when he snap-hooked his drive deep into thick woods on the par 4 17th, went back to play 3 off the tee and holed it from 336 yards !!!
Only 11 players broke par, including Max Homa with a 69, and Phil Mickelson and Ryan Palmer who shot 70's at -2.
Talk about horses for courses, Hoffman has eight top10 finishes in nine appearances in San Antonio. He was second in 2011 and third in 2013.
The stroke average for the morning wave was 78.61 and the overall average was 75.9.
From the 69 players in the morning, 23 failed to break 80. I have seen many rounds played in worse wind at the Open championship, but the problem here is the greens are all perched up so players can't land the ball short and run it up like they do on the links courses in Britain..
Graeme McDowell and 2 others withdrew while shooting high numbers, "citing injuries". McDowell said his left ankle and foot were bothering him was at +5 41 on his first nine. Sang Moon Bae (back) was +6 through seven, and Colt Knost (thumb) was at +9 through eight when they all said enough is enough..
Canadian scoring David Hearn T122 +9 81 Graham DeLaet T128 +10 82 at the turn while Adam Hadwin T134 +11 83. Mike Weir did not make the start of play saying his forearm was still not right,
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters and AP)
France's Adam Saddier leads at Trophee Hassan II
European Tour Trophee Hassan II scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html
A young Frenchman ADRIEN SADDIER, making only his second start after he lost his full playing privileges after finishing 127th on The Race to Dubai last year and missed the cut on his only previous appearance in 2015 at the Joburg Open, leads the Trophee Hassan II.
He's shot an excellent -7 65, for a one shot lead over England’s Daniel Gaunt, who made bogey at the 18th for -6 66, and by 2 over George Coetzee who won 2 weeks ago in his home town of Pretoria and is at -5 67 as is Scotsman David Drysdale. Belgian Marcel Siem is in at -4 68..
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC, europeantour.com)
A young Frenchman ADRIEN SADDIER, making only his second start after he lost his full playing privileges after finishing 127th on The Race to Dubai last year and missed the cut on his only previous appearance in 2015 at the Joburg Open, leads the Trophee Hassan II.
He's shot an excellent -7 65, for a one shot lead over England’s Daniel Gaunt, who made bogey at the 18th for -6 66, and by 2 over George Coetzee who won 2 weeks ago in his home town of Pretoria and is at -5 67 as is Scotsman David Drysdale. Belgian Marcel Siem is in at -4 68..
Siem and Coetzee were not the only members of the field with Augusta on their minds, with Alexander Levy, Andy Sullivan, Tommy Fleetwood and Ross Fisher all having chances to move into the top 50 before Monday's deadline.
Fleetwood and Fisher both need to win, but the latter got off to a terrible start with two double bogeys in his first three holes and carded a +5 77 which was matched by defending champion Alejandro Cañizares.
Fleetwood shot -2 70, Levy went round in E 72 and Sullivan +2 74.
Fleetwood shot -2 70, Levy went round in E 72 and Sullivan +2 74.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC, europeantour.com)
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Last chance for the Masters..Golf this week..
PGA Tour Valero Texas Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Yesterday I outlined players with a last chance at getting into the 2015 Masters field either here or at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. Of course a win at the Valero is an automatic invite, Jordan Speith and Phil Mickleson are the headliners this week.
There are 4 Canadians playing this week. Mike Weir is coming back off a little elbow tightness and as the 2003 champion is already in the field for Augusta. Graham DeLaet is ranked #67, so he, David Hearn, and Adam Hadwin all need to win to join Weir in the Masters field.
European Tour Trophee Hassan II scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?
This event played on a the Golf du Palais, within the grounds of the King's private palace, has attracted a strong field, several vying for that Masters spot. They are back on the mainland in Morocco, several hundred miles SE of last weeks rain out on the Madeira Islands, which by the way will be replayed July 30 - August 2. The weather for Casablanca is nothing but sunshine for this week to the relief of the European Tour officials, not to mention the field..
LPGA Tour Kia Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
After a swing through Asia, the tour is in Carlsbad California this week, where Michelle Wie is representing her sponsor, Kia... Field details to follow...
Champions Tour Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Jeff Maggert is the defending champion....Field details to follow
Web.com Tour Chitimacha Louisiana Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=web
This tour also returns stateside after their sojourn through South America, and there are 4 Canadians playing, Brad Fritsch, Ryan Yip, Ted Brown and Roger Sloan who couldn't get into the Valero field this week.
Interesting to see guys like veteran 48 year old Billy Mayfair still playing and padding his bank balance before he joins the Champions Tour in August 2016.
Bryan Angus
Yesterday I outlined players with a last chance at getting into the 2015 Masters field either here or at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. Of course a win at the Valero is an automatic invite, Jordan Speith and Phil Mickleson are the headliners this week.
There are 4 Canadians playing this week. Mike Weir is coming back off a little elbow tightness and as the 2003 champion is already in the field for Augusta. Graham DeLaet is ranked #67, so he, David Hearn, and Adam Hadwin all need to win to join Weir in the Masters field.
European Tour Trophee Hassan II scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?
This event played on a the Golf du Palais, within the grounds of the King's private palace, has attracted a strong field, several vying for that Masters spot. They are back on the mainland in Morocco, several hundred miles SE of last weeks rain out on the Madeira Islands, which by the way will be replayed July 30 - August 2. The weather for Casablanca is nothing but sunshine for this week to the relief of the European Tour officials, not to mention the field..
LPGA Tour Kia Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
After a swing through Asia, the tour is in Carlsbad California this week, where Michelle Wie is representing her sponsor, Kia... Field details to follow...
Champions Tour Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Jeff Maggert is the defending champion....Field details to follow
Web.com Tour Chitimacha Louisiana Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=web
This tour also returns stateside after their sojourn through South America, and there are 4 Canadians playing, Brad Fritsch, Ryan Yip, Ted Brown and Roger Sloan who couldn't get into the Valero field this week.
Interesting to see guys like veteran 48 year old Billy Mayfair still playing and padding his bank balance before he joins the Champions Tour in August 2016.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
A look at Masters spots up for grabs..
Getting into the 2015 Masters is a done deal for many of the big names in golf. The McIlroy's, Mickelson's, Watson's Stenson's, and Scott's of the world have all earned their place at Augusta in one of the many categories that make up the elite 100 (TBD) man field, whether as Past winners, which is why guys like Sandy Lyle the 1988 winner and others who were once great have a spot reserved every year, or top amateurs, or winners of a recent major, or a spot in the world's top 50 published during the week prior to the Masters, there are many ways to get in and they are all listed here...http://www.augusta.com/masters/players/qualifications
For today since there are only two full weeks of play left, lets concentrate on the route via the top 50 which is why The Trophee Hassan II this week in Morocco or the Valero Texas Open are crucial to several players.
Here is the official world golf ranking http://www.owgr.com/...
These 5 guys from the European Tour are playing in Morocco, all with a chance to get into the Masters field.
Alexander Levy :
For today since there are only two full weeks of play left, lets concentrate on the route via the top 50 which is why The Trophee Hassan II this week in Morocco or the Valero Texas Open are crucial to several players.
Here is the official world golf ranking http://www.owgr.com/...
These 5 guys from the European Tour are playing in Morocco, all with a chance to get into the Masters field.
Alexander Levy :
Having made his Major debut at last year’s US PGA Championship, where he finished in the top 30, the Frenchman, winner of both the Volvo China Open and Portugal Masters last year, will need to finish in a two-way tie for second or better at the Trophée Hassan II to break into the top 50 in the world and earn a Masters invite
Andy Sullivan :
He’s won in two of his nine starts so far on The European Tour this season but Andy Sullivan has yet to tee it up in a Major. This well liked Englishman needs to finish second alone or win the Trophée Hassan II to jump into the top 50 from his current position of 61st. It helps him to know he finished second here last season following a final round, -9 63..
Tommy Fleetwood:
He won his first European Tour title in 2013, then enjoyed a breakout year in 2014 with three runner-up finishes along with three other top fives which meant he qualified for the final two Majors of the season, and finished 19th in the Race to Dubai. A Masters invitation would be in the mail with a win this week in Morocco.
Marcel Siem:
This veteran Belgian knows how close you can come to a Masters invitation after winning the Trophée Hassan II in 2013 he looked certain of a place in the top 50. However heartbreak was just across the Atlantic and he watched later that night as strong finishes from Henrik Stenson and Russell Henley meant Siem finished the night ranked 51st and missed out on a Masters invitation by a few points. This time if he wins here again he will be guaranteed of a place in the top 50.
George Coetzee:
Of the above players, none have more Major experience than Coetzee. The South African has played in ten Majors so far with one appearance at Augusta National in 2013. Despite winning the Tshwane Open two weeks ago, Coetzee currently sits at world # 69 and will need a win this week in Morocco to receive a Masters invitation
Honourable mentions:
Ross Fisher is in the Trophée Hassan II field this week and should he win, there is a chance he could be on his way to Augusta. A win would move him to either 48th, 49th or 50th, but he may get bumped by others.
Marc Warren and Francesco Molinari are both in the field at the Valero with a chance of qualifying. Warren, currently world #51, needs to finish 18th or better whilst Molinari, currently 63rd, needs to finish third or better.
For others at the Valero, the only players who can move into the top 50 without winning are Chesson Hadley (No. 56) and Ryan Palmer (No. 62). Everyone else who could make it to the top 50 would have to win.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters europeantour.com, pgatour,com)
Monday, March 23, 2015
Dawie van der Walt wins Chile Classic
Web.com Tour Chile Classic final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/chile-classic/leaderboard.html
AP...Dawie van der Walt won the Chile Classic for his first Web.com Tour title, closing with a birdie for a 6-under 65 and a two-stroke victory.
AP...Dawie van der Walt won the Chile Classic for his first Web.com Tour title, closing with a birdie for a 6-under 65 and a two-stroke victory.
The 32-year-old South African finished at -21 263 at Mapocho and earned $108,000. He won two European Tour events in South Africa in 2013. Erik Barnes was second after a 66. He birdied the final three holes.
Third-round leader Craig Barlow was another stroke back along with Wes Roach. Barlow had a hole a hole-in-one on No. 8, but bogeyed Nos. 15 and 16 in a 69. Roach shot 68.
Canada’s Ted Brown T66 -2 282 while Brad Fritsch missed the cut..
Dawson goes wire to wire to win in Tucson..
Champions Tour Tucson Conquistadoes Classic final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
One of the first guys on the PGA Tour to combine a heavy weights gym routine with the flexibility required of a pro golfer, Marco Dawson muscled his way to a wire to wire win at the first ever Tucson Conquistadores Classic 67 67 69 -13 203.
Dawson won in his 21st start on the 50-and-over tour. He’s winless in 412 PGA Tour starts and has one victory in 161 events on the Web.com Tour.
In form Bart Bryant was second 68 67 70 -11 205. Jesper Parnevik struggled in his Champions Tour debut, shooting 71-74-71 to T42 at even par. The five-time PGA Tour winner turned 50 on March 7
Canadians Rod Spittle T21 -4 72 71 69 Stephen Ames T37 -1 69 78 68 Jim Rutledge T70 +8 78 76 70
One of the first guys on the PGA Tour to combine a heavy weights gym routine with the flexibility required of a pro golfer, Marco Dawson muscled his way to a wire to wire win at the first ever Tucson Conquistadores Classic 67 67 69 -13 203.
Dawson won in his 21st start on the 50-and-over tour. He’s winless in 412 PGA Tour starts and has one victory in 161 events on the Web.com Tour.
In form Bart Bryant was second 68 67 70 -11 205. Jesper Parnevik struggled in his Champions Tour debut, shooting 71-74-71 to T42 at even par. The five-time PGA Tour winner turned 50 on March 7
Canadians Rod Spittle T21 -4 72 71 69 Stephen Ames T37 -1 69 78 68 Jim Rutledge T70 +8 78 76 70
Kim beats Lewis for her 2nd LPGA title...
LPGA Tour the Founders Cup final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Long hitting South Korean Hyo Joo Kim finished with a -5 67 -21, 267 to beat Stacy Lewis by three strokes for her second LPGA Tour title in 13 career starts in the JTBC Founders Cup.
Lewis shot a 68. She matched Kim's birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 15 and pulled within a stroke with a birdie on the par-4 16th but it wasn't enough. Kim who like many is scared of bees was forced to hit under a tree with a beehive buzzing above her head, and to her credit she did and then the 19-year-old South Korean birdied five of the next eight holes.
Talk about dominance consider this. Kim is the fifth South Korean winner in the first six events this year.
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP)
Long hitting South Korean Hyo Joo Kim finished with a -5 67 -21, 267 to beat Stacy Lewis by three strokes for her second LPGA Tour title in 13 career starts in the JTBC Founders Cup.
Lewis shot a 68. She matched Kim's birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 15 and pulled within a stroke with a birdie on the par-4 16th but it wasn't enough. Kim who like many is scared of bees was forced to hit under a tree with a beehive buzzing above her head, and to her credit she did and then the 19-year-old South Korean birdied five of the next eight holes.
Talk about dominance consider this. Kim is the fifth South Korean winner in the first six events this year.
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP)
There's a winner born 'Every" minute..
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Barnum and Bailey coined the phrase "there's a sucker born every minute", at Arnie's place you could say ' there's a winner born Every minute... or at least every year.."
Defending champion Matt Every made an 18-foot birdie putt for a -6 66, gave an abbreviated fist pump and held onto the trophy for one more year with a one-shot victory over Henrik Stenson.
Stenson, T4 for the last 2 weeks took lead with birdies on the 11th and 12th holes as Morgan Hoffmann began to fade, and Stenson had a one-shot lead until a three-putt bogey from 45 feet on No. 15 after being put on the clock, and a three-putt par from 40 feet on the fringe at the par-5 16th. He missed a 20' on 18 to tie leaving Every the winner again.
Afterwards the big Swede said he rushed his first putts on the 15th and 16th, and the three-putts were "really what cost me the tournament."
So apart from Stenson it was some of the lesser lights on tour who took the honours this week. Every of course with the win and a trip to Augusta was full value with all four rounds in the 60's. Matt Jones birdied three of his last four holes for a 68 to finish alone in third. Morgan Hoffman faded to 71 to finish 4th, while Ben Martin finished 5th. Guys called Aphibarnrat, Kokrak and Na were T6 to further my point..
Rory McIlroy, in his final tournament before he goes to the Masters, closed with a 70 and T11. With only one round in the 60s in his three events on the Florida swing he is not firing on all cylinders right now, and he will return to his home in Florida to practice quietly for 2 weeks to prepare.
Canadian scores . Nick Taylor T35 -6 76 65 70 71.. David Hearn T43 -5 69 73 69 72
Now for 2 weeks in Texas for the Valero Texas Open then the Shell Houston Open before Augusta..
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP)
Barnum and Bailey coined the phrase "there's a sucker born every minute", at Arnie's place you could say ' there's a winner born Every minute... or at least every year.."
Defending champion Matt Every made an 18-foot birdie putt for a -6 66, gave an abbreviated fist pump and held onto the trophy for one more year with a one-shot victory over Henrik Stenson.
Stenson, T4 for the last 2 weeks took lead with birdies on the 11th and 12th holes as Morgan Hoffmann began to fade, and Stenson had a one-shot lead until a three-putt bogey from 45 feet on No. 15 after being put on the clock, and a three-putt par from 40 feet on the fringe at the par-5 16th. He missed a 20' on 18 to tie leaving Every the winner again.
Afterwards the big Swede said he rushed his first putts on the 15th and 16th, and the three-putts were "really what cost me the tournament."
So apart from Stenson it was some of the lesser lights on tour who took the honours this week. Every of course with the win and a trip to Augusta was full value with all four rounds in the 60's. Matt Jones birdied three of his last four holes for a 68 to finish alone in third. Morgan Hoffman faded to 71 to finish 4th, while Ben Martin finished 5th. Guys called Aphibarnrat, Kokrak and Na were T6 to further my point..
Rory McIlroy, in his final tournament before he goes to the Masters, closed with a 70 and T11. With only one round in the 60s in his three events on the Florida swing he is not firing on all cylinders right now, and he will return to his home in Florida to practice quietly for 2 weeks to prepare.
Canadian scores . Nick Taylor T35 -6 76 65 70 71.. David Hearn T43 -5 69 73 69 72
Now for 2 weeks in Texas for the Valero Texas Open then the Shell Houston Open before Augusta..
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP)
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Final round at Madeira Island cancelled due to flooding..
The final round of the Madeira Islands Open has been cancelled after four days of strong winds, heavy rain and thick fog meant the requisite 36 holes could not be completed and a result could not be declared.
The picturesque island venue of Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra endured a torrent of rain on Sunday, with 60mm falling overnight and during the morning, meaning the second and final round, after the event had initially been reduced to 36 holes, could not start.
During the delay and as the greenkeeping staff worked hard to prepare the course, more rain fell and the course remained unplayable, meaning the final round did not commence. With a weather warning issued for Monday due to strong winds, it was decided that the tournament be cancelled and all scores null and void.
The European Tour has already begun discussions with the sponsors and host venue to reschedule the event for another week in The 2015 Race to Dubai schedule.
It is just the third event in European Tour history to be subject to a cancellation, after the Compaq European Grand Prix in 1998, due to adverse weather, and the WGC American Express Championship, which was cancelled in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the USA on September 11
During the delay and as the greenkeeping staff worked hard to prepare the course, more rain fell and the course remained unplayable, meaning the final round did not commence. With a weather warning issued for Monday due to strong winds, it was decided that the tournament be cancelled and all scores null and void.
The European Tour has already begun discussions with the sponsors and host venue to reschedule the event for another week in The 2015 Race to Dubai schedule.
It is just the third event in European Tour history to be subject to a cancellation, after the Compaq European Grand Prix in 1998, due to adverse weather, and the WGC American Express Championship, which was cancelled in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the USA on September 11
Kim leads crowded leaderboard in Phoenix..
LPGA Tour Founders Cup scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
They finally got caught up with play at the Founders Cup outside Phoenix and surprise surprise a woman from South Korea is the leader..
Hyo Joo Kim 19 years-old shot a -6 66, -16 to take a two-stroke lead over 2013 winner Stacy Lewis (67) -14 into the final round. She holed her 2 foot par putt on the final hole 10 minutes after sunset, wrapping up a long day in the desert. She won the Evian Championship last year in France for her first major title..
After a 4 hour rain delay on Thursday some of the field had to play 27 holes on Saturday..
Alison Lee, still a student at UCLA after turning pro in December, and second-round leader Kim Kaufman were third at -13. The 20-year-old Lee matched the course record with a 63, and Kaufman shot a 70.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was -12 after a 69. A large pack of players are at -11, setting up what appears to be a Sunday shoot out..
Bryan ngus (notes from BBC Reuters AP)
They finally got caught up with play at the Founders Cup outside Phoenix and surprise surprise a woman from South Korea is the leader..
Hyo Joo Kim 19 years-old shot a -6 66, -16 to take a two-stroke lead over 2013 winner Stacy Lewis (67) -14 into the final round. She holed her 2 foot par putt on the final hole 10 minutes after sunset, wrapping up a long day in the desert. She won the Evian Championship last year in France for her first major title..
After a 4 hour rain delay on Thursday some of the field had to play 27 holes on Saturday..
Alison Lee, still a student at UCLA after turning pro in December, and second-round leader Kim Kaufman were third at -13. The 20-year-old Lee matched the course record with a 63, and Kaufman shot a 70.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was -12 after a 69. A large pack of players are at -11, setting up what appears to be a Sunday shoot out..
Bryan ngus (notes from BBC Reuters AP)
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Dawson leads the Seniors in the Tucson desert
Champions Tour Tucson Conquistadores Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Marco Dawson made a 15-foot par putt on the par-4 18th for a -5 67 and the second-round lead Saturday in the Champions Tour's Tucson Conquistadores Classic at -10 134 in the first-year event on Tucson National's Catalina Course, the longtime home of the PGA Tour's defunct Tucson Open.
Marco Dawson made a 15-foot par putt on the par-4 18th for a -5 67 and the second-round lead Saturday in the Champions Tour's Tucson Conquistadores Classic at -10 134 in the first-year event on Tucson National's Catalina Course, the longtime home of the PGA Tour's defunct Tucson Open.
Marco is winless in 412 PGA Tour starts and has one victory in 161 events on the Web.com Tour.
Wes Short Jr. and Bart Bryant are at -9. Jerry Smith, the first-round leader dropped three strokes on the final two holes to fall to -8 . He made a double bogey after driving into the water on 18.
Canadians Rod Spittle T32 71 -1 Stephen Ames T54 +3 78, Jim Rutledge T75 +10 76
Hansen leads rain soaked 36 hole Madeira Islands slog..
European Tour Madeira Islands Classic scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015020/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
Joachim B Hansen will take a one shot lead into the final round as a sprint finish beckons at the Madeira Islands Open
Play had already been reduced to 54 holes when strong winds prevented any play on Thursday, and the tournament was cut to a 36-hole dash when almost five hours of play was lost on Saturday after heavy rain flooded the Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra course.
Hansen’s -4 68 came under threat numerous times throughout the day, he was initially joined by Finn Jaakko Makitalo and Swede Joakim Lagergren during the hour and 13 minutes of play that were possible this morning, but both bogeyed their first hole after the resumption this afternoon.
Play had already been reduced to 54 holes when strong winds prevented any play on Thursday, and the tournament was cut to a 36-hole dash when almost five hours of play was lost on Saturday after heavy rain flooded the Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra course.
Hansen’s -4 68 came under threat numerous times throughout the day, he was initially joined by Finn Jaakko Makitalo and Swede Joakim Lagergren during the hour and 13 minutes of play that were possible this morning, but both bogeyed their first hole after the resumption this afternoon.
As it was, England’s Andrew Marshall and French pair Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Adrien Saddier, all of whom had completed rounds of 69 on Friday, were joined by Makitalo and compatriots Antti Ahokas and Roope Kakko, Italy’s Alessandro Tadini and Scotland’s Pete Whiteford on -3
Officials at this event are snake bitten. Last year was reduced to 36 holes as well and while a trip to the Madeira Islands is a holiday dream for many Europeans, it has been a rain soaked disaster for the European Tour at this time of year...
.
What a Saturday at Bay Hill..
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
It's been a helluva beautiful calm Florida day.. Everyone's pick sans Tiger and Rory, Henrik Stenson 66 -16 overtook Morgan Hoffman 71 -14, as expected and has a 2 shot lead going into Sunday...He made a 20-foot eagle and a tap-in birdie over the final three holes to take control.
Six players are separated by three shots going into the final round, including defending champion Matt Every
Rory McIlroy looked like he would be among the leaders as he pulled to within one shot of the lead on the back nine until he made three straight bogeys. McIlroy missed a 3-foot par putt on the 15th and took bogey on the par-5 16th. He had to settle for a 71 and is seven back of Stenson at -9
The unknowns are at -13. Jason Kokrak -7 65 led the way, Matt Jones 67 Ben Martin 68 are all in contention...with defending champ Matt Every 69..
Canadians David Hearn 69 and Nick Taylor 70 are T39 -3
There is disaster lurking everywhere on Arnie's long water ridden track, they pros have finally come to terms with the slow bumpy greens, so it's tough to pick a Sunday winner.
Easier to say, it wont be Tiger or Rory... the rest is a guess..For sure it will be exciting, just like Arnie used to make it..
Bryan
It's been a helluva beautiful calm Florida day.. Everyone's pick sans Tiger and Rory, Henrik Stenson 66 -16 overtook Morgan Hoffman 71 -14, as expected and has a 2 shot lead going into Sunday...He made a 20-foot eagle and a tap-in birdie over the final three holes to take control.
Six players are separated by three shots going into the final round, including defending champion Matt Every
Rory McIlroy looked like he would be among the leaders as he pulled to within one shot of the lead on the back nine until he made three straight bogeys. McIlroy missed a 3-foot par putt on the 15th and took bogey on the par-5 16th. He had to settle for a 71 and is seven back of Stenson at -9
The unknowns are at -13. Jason Kokrak -7 65 led the way, Matt Jones 67 Ben Martin 68 are all in contention...with defending champ Matt Every 69..
Canadians David Hearn 69 and Nick Taylor 70 are T39 -3
There is disaster lurking everywhere on Arnie's long water ridden track, they pros have finally come to terms with the slow bumpy greens, so it's tough to pick a Sunday winner.
Easier to say, it wont be Tiger or Rory... the rest is a guess..For sure it will be exciting, just like Arnie used to make it..
Bryan
Smith's ace puts him atop crowded leaderboard in Tucson...Ames T9
Champions Tour Tucson Conquistadores Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Jerry Smith, a rookie again at 50, used a 5-iron on the 212-yard seventh hole, his 16th hole on Tucson National's Catalina Course to make a hole-in-one and shot a -7 65 to take the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's inaugural Tucson Conquistadores Classic. Playing out Scottsdale, Smith earned fully exempt status on the senior tour in November with a T3 at Q-school
Colin Montgomerie, David Frost, Steve Pate and Marco Dawson are T2 at 67 while
Kirk Triplett was three strokes back at 68 along with Bart Bryant and Corey Pavin. Bryant is coming off a playoff loss to Lee Janzen last month in Naples, Florida.
Canadians : Stephen Ames T9 -3 69 Rod Spittle T41 E 72 Jim Rutledge T77 +6 78
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP)
Jerry Smith, a rookie again at 50, used a 5-iron on the 212-yard seventh hole, his 16th hole on Tucson National's Catalina Course to make a hole-in-one and shot a -7 65 to take the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's inaugural Tucson Conquistadores Classic. Playing out Scottsdale, Smith earned fully exempt status on the senior tour in November with a T3 at Q-school
Colin Montgomerie, David Frost, Steve Pate and Marco Dawson are T2 at 67 while
Kirk Triplett was three strokes back at 68 along with Bart Bryant and Corey Pavin. Bryant is coming off a playoff loss to Lee Janzen last month in Naples, Florida.
Canadians : Stephen Ames T9 -3 69 Rod Spittle T41 E 72 Jim Rutledge T77 +6 78
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP)
Jang has clubhouse lead at suspended Founders Cup in Phoenix.
LPGA Tour Founders Cup scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
AP....Ha Na Jang topped the crowded leaderboard Friday when darkness ended play at the LPGA Tour's JTBC Founders Cup. She birdied her final four holes to reach -11 with seven holes left in the second round. She opened with a -4 68 on Thursday at Desert Ridge. Yet another South Korean player Hyo Joo Kim was a stroke back at -9
The tournament fell behind Thursday when rain delayed the start four hours and only half of the 132 players finished the second round.
Stacy Lewis and Kim Kaufman are also at -9. Lewis, the 2013 winner,played 30 holes. She opened with a 64, and had a 71 in the afternoon.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was in the group at -7 with eight holes left. She opened with a 66 on Thursday and was -1 in the second round before darkness fell, so lot's of golf ahead for her and half the field today.
The weather forecast for Phoenix is perfect, no rain, sunny with a high of 86*f both days this weekend..
AP....Ha Na Jang topped the crowded leaderboard Friday when darkness ended play at the LPGA Tour's JTBC Founders Cup. She birdied her final four holes to reach -11 with seven holes left in the second round. She opened with a -4 68 on Thursday at Desert Ridge. Yet another South Korean player Hyo Joo Kim was a stroke back at -9
The tournament fell behind Thursday when rain delayed the start four hours and only half of the 132 players finished the second round.
Stacy Lewis and Kim Kaufman are also at -9. Lewis, the 2013 winner,played 30 holes. She opened with a 64, and had a 71 in the afternoon.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was in the group at -7 with eight holes left. She opened with a 66 on Thursday and was -1 in the second round before darkness fell, so lot's of golf ahead for her and half the field today.
The weather forecast for Phoenix is perfect, no rain, sunny with a high of 86*f both days this weekend..
Friday, March 20, 2015
Hoffman streaks 3 shots clear for the lead at Arnie's..
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Friday's weather was ideal, and the scoring was low. Leading the way is Morgan Hoffman who has followed up his opening -6 66, with a 65 to get in the clubhouse at -13, 3 shots clear of Henrik Stenson 66, defending champion Matt Every 66, and Harris English 66 all at -10. Ben Martin is at -9 after 68 67.
Kiwi sensation Danny Lee is T6 after he went low for the day -8 64 and he's tied with Rory's -6 66, 5 behind the leader. McIlroy had difficulty getting going early, making two birdies over his first nine holes (the back nine) and needing to save par three times, all from bunkers. After making the turn, McIlroy got on a roll starting at the second hole, making five straight birdies, the longest in a row in his PGA Tour career.
Playing on the best of the greens early in the morning Hoffmann ran off six birdies on the front nine, including four in a row, and he finished at -13 131. That's one short of the 36-hole record last matched a year ago by Adam Scott who led by 7 shots going into that weekend.
Every has only one top-10 since he won at Bay Hill a year ago, and he has not finished in the top 25 in his last 17 tournaments. But he is confident he is headed in the right direction with his swing, and it has showed for two days. He ran off four straight birdies at the end of his round for a 66 and was at 134.
Stenson like many torched Bay Hill's back nine with 6 birdies for 30, but could only manage even par on the front nine for 36, 66 total and Harris English didn't have a bogey on his card for his 66.
Nick Taylor opened with 76 but shot a sensational -7 65 and is now T40 -3. David Hearn hung on to make the cut +1 73 T55 -2, while Graham DeLaet improved with a -2 70 but at E still missed the lowest cut ever at Bay Hill -2.
More fine weather is expected today, but in his post round press conference Mr Palmer was talking about keeping water off the fairways and greens to firm them up and I'm sure the PGA Tour will be tucking the pins to try and keep scoring from getting out of hand.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP..)
Friday's weather was ideal, and the scoring was low. Leading the way is Morgan Hoffman who has followed up his opening -6 66, with a 65 to get in the clubhouse at -13, 3 shots clear of Henrik Stenson 66, defending champion Matt Every 66, and Harris English 66 all at -10. Ben Martin is at -9 after 68 67.
Kiwi sensation Danny Lee is T6 after he went low for the day -8 64 and he's tied with Rory's -6 66, 5 behind the leader. McIlroy had difficulty getting going early, making two birdies over his first nine holes (the back nine) and needing to save par three times, all from bunkers. After making the turn, McIlroy got on a roll starting at the second hole, making five straight birdies, the longest in a row in his PGA Tour career.
Playing on the best of the greens early in the morning Hoffmann ran off six birdies on the front nine, including four in a row, and he finished at -13 131. That's one short of the 36-hole record last matched a year ago by Adam Scott who led by 7 shots going into that weekend.
Every has only one top-10 since he won at Bay Hill a year ago, and he has not finished in the top 25 in his last 17 tournaments. But he is confident he is headed in the right direction with his swing, and it has showed for two days. He ran off four straight birdies at the end of his round for a 66 and was at 134.
Stenson like many torched Bay Hill's back nine with 6 birdies for 30, but could only manage even par on the front nine for 36, 66 total and Harris English didn't have a bogey on his card for his 66.
Nick Taylor opened with 76 but shot a sensational -7 65 and is now T40 -3. David Hearn hung on to make the cut +1 73 T55 -2, while Graham DeLaet improved with a -2 70 but at E still missed the lowest cut ever at Bay Hill -2.
More fine weather is expected today, but in his post round press conference Mr Palmer was talking about keeping water off the fairways and greens to firm them up and I'm sure the PGA Tour will be tucking the pins to try and keep scoring from getting out of hand.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP..)
Saturday play suspended again at rain soaked Madeira Islands Open
European Tour Madeira Islands Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015020/leaderboard/index.html
europeantour.com..Denmark’s Joachim B Hansen was pleased to rediscover his form as a -4 68 gave him a one shot clubhouse lead during the first round of the Madeira Islands Open in Portugal.
In a tournament already reduced to 54 holes after strong winds wiped out Thursday’s play, there was a further one hour and 40 minute suspension before the first round began on Friday morning and flooded greens forced an early finish with half the field yet to complete their rounds.
Hansen, who lost his European Tour card last season after failing to register a top-ten finish, birdied two of his first three holes after starting on Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra’s back nine.
In a tournament already reduced to 54 holes after strong winds wiped out Thursday’s play, there was a further one hour and 40 minute suspension before the first round began on Friday morning and flooded greens forced an early finish with half the field yet to complete their rounds.
Hansen, who lost his European Tour card last season after failing to register a top-ten finish, birdied two of his first three holes after starting on Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra’s back nine.
breaking news**** Play has again been suspended this morning due to heavy rain and a flooded course.
Bryan Angus
Ko joint leader as play suspended at Founders Cup
LPGA Tour Founders Cup scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Four players sat tied atop the leaderboard at the JTBC Founders Cup at -6 when first-round play was called for the day due to darkness at 6:30 p.m. PT on Thursday.
Lydia Ko, Tiffany Joh, Kim Kaufman and Sophia Popov were tied for the first-round lead after each shot 66.
Tee times were delayed four hours due to rain that caused unplayable conditions on the Wildfire Golf Club course at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.
For those 66 players not completing their rounds on Thursday incuding Alena Sharp who is at -4 through 4 holes, the resumption of round one will begin at 7:30 a.m. this morning. Round 2 is scheduled to begin at 10:30am off of the 1st and 10th tees
(lpgatour.com)
Four players sat tied atop the leaderboard at the JTBC Founders Cup at -6 when first-round play was called for the day due to darkness at 6:30 p.m. PT on Thursday.
Lydia Ko, Tiffany Joh, Kim Kaufman and Sophia Popov were tied for the first-round lead after each shot 66.
Tee times were delayed four hours due to rain that caused unplayable conditions on the Wildfire Golf Club course at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.
For those 66 players not completing their rounds on Thursday incuding Alena Sharp who is at -4 through 4 holes, the resumption of round one will begin at 7:30 a.m. this morning. Round 2 is scheduled to begin at 10:30am off of the 1st and 10th tees
(lpgatour.com)
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Packed leaderboard at Arnie's place... live scoreboard
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
The greens are slow, the fairways are holding as a result you have to go all the way to T85 to find a score over par.
The leader is Morgan Hoffman at -6 66 but he is merely atop a jam packed who's who of golf leaderboard for the first day at Arnie place. Hoffman may not be around all weekend as he hopes to get to a memorial service in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday for his 97 year old grandmother who passed away last night. It's a short trip in his single-engine plane that he pilots that he recently bought from his buddy David Booth, who plays left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it depends when the service will be.
"Arnie has inspired me very heavily since 2009 when I played the Palmer Cup at Cherry Hills, and we talked for about an hour about flying said Hoffman.. He's inspired me to get my pilot's license and fly myself to tournaments, which I'm now doing. It's pretty cool, and he's been a big inspiration in my life"
David Hearn is the best of the Canucks at -3 69, he flirted with the lead at -4 but bogied his last hole on both nines having started at #10.. Nick Taylor will be disappointed with no birdies on his way to +4 76, and Graham DeLaet couldn't make one either with his +2 74.
Five players are at -5 67 including Ian Poulter who continues to have a fine Florida. Big guns galore at -4 68 including Snedeker, Scott, Stensen, Harrington and Mahan.
Rory hit 17 greens in regulation for his -2 70, but had 34 putts and is off to dinner with Arnie and his entourage. Stay away from Arnie's beer and a shot routine Rory, you are off early tomorrow.
All in all it was a day without great incident, the weather was ok, the course was ok, the play was ok....See you tomorrow.. okay ?!!
Bryan
Kokrak, Duke lead stellar pack including David Hearn..Madeira Islands Open suspended
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
The field are all on course or have finished their first rounds. The weather set to reach 85*f with some showers expected this afternoon. Arnie has declared the course to be ready although he will be closing the course on May 15, and remember that is out of the main Florida tourist season, to rip out all 18 greens and practice greens, to replace the turf with a new strain of Bermuda grass to better withstand the winters. His greens are bumpy this year, not at the top of Tour standards to be polite.
1215am Breaking news***... with 5 birdies, 2 pars 2 bogey's David Hearn was out in 33 having started on the back nine, he came home in 36 T11 -3 halfway through round 1.
The clubhouse leaders are Hearn's playing partner Jason Kokrak at -5 67, along with 44 year old Ken Duke, but they are followed by a stellar pack including at -4 68, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker and Keegan Bradley.
Rory McIlroy playing with Rickie Fowler and Jason Day went off at 12.56pm on the first tee.
Wednesday was a day when Mr Palmer and Rory McIlroy amongst others spoke to the media and for the record this week I like Henrik Stenson who has been T4 last two weeks to win and Keegan Bradley who was 2nd here last year. Ian Poulter gave it all away at Doral, but gets my honourable mention.
* Masters champion Bubba Watson withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Wednesday because a childhood friend died unexpectedly.Watson told the PGA Tour that the friend died Tuesday night. A year ago, he withdrew after an 83 in the opening round because of allergies. A few weeks later, he took out a membership at Bay Hill.
Watson was replaced by Kevin Kisner, who will play the opening two rounds with Brooks Koepka and Adam Scott
* Rory's interview held a lot more interest to us in the media, than the world's #1, however after answering all the mundane, word that he had an unscheduled visit with his Northern Ireland-based instructor Michael Bannon over the weekend, wanting to make sure that some issues in his game of late are resolved was interesting.
"The last five days have been really good work with him just one-on-one, no one else around. It's been really good. Feeling much better about my game now than I was walking off Doral 10 days ago."
* This week is all about Arnie of course, now 85. The Golf Channel has been running his documentary which if you know him at all is all about his stern upbringing by his father Deacon, and of course his loving mother Doris who spoiled him at every opportunity. His father was the superintendent at Latrobe GC, which Arnie bought in 1971 and that is where he considers home. He had this to say about Tiger.
I've known him since he was 3 feet high and he's a great player. He was a very talented young kid with his father instructing him.For me to tell Tiger what he could do ... there's only one thing I can say, and that's practice. And confidence. Regain the confidence he had when he was starting out, and that was what made him what he is and that's the way he'll get it back. Just regain the confidence and the ability to hit the golf ball.
"And this is an opinion that I haven't even given to anybody, and that is he should do what he thinks he should do with his game. I think he should find a coach that he has confidence in and go work on his game, and that's my best advice."
Canadians.. David Hearn paired with Jason Kokrak and Bernd Wiesberger 747 off #10...... Nick Taylor, Hideki Matsuyama Stewart Cink off #10 1.20pm ... Graham DeLaet David Lingmerth, Branden Grace #10 1.56pm
European Tour breaking news ***
Bryan Angus
The field are all on course or have finished their first rounds. The weather set to reach 85*f with some showers expected this afternoon. Arnie has declared the course to be ready although he will be closing the course on May 15, and remember that is out of the main Florida tourist season, to rip out all 18 greens and practice greens, to replace the turf with a new strain of Bermuda grass to better withstand the winters. His greens are bumpy this year, not at the top of Tour standards to be polite.
1215am Breaking news***... with 5 birdies, 2 pars 2 bogey's David Hearn was out in 33 having started on the back nine, he came home in 36 T11 -3 halfway through round 1.
The clubhouse leaders are Hearn's playing partner Jason Kokrak at -5 67, along with 44 year old Ken Duke, but they are followed by a stellar pack including at -4 68, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker and Keegan Bradley.
Rory McIlroy playing with Rickie Fowler and Jason Day went off at 12.56pm on the first tee.
Wednesday was a day when Mr Palmer and Rory McIlroy amongst others spoke to the media and for the record this week I like Henrik Stenson who has been T4 last two weeks to win and Keegan Bradley who was 2nd here last year. Ian Poulter gave it all away at Doral, but gets my honourable mention.
* Masters champion Bubba Watson withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Wednesday because a childhood friend died unexpectedly.Watson told the PGA Tour that the friend died Tuesday night. A year ago, he withdrew after an 83 in the opening round because of allergies. A few weeks later, he took out a membership at Bay Hill.
Watson was replaced by Kevin Kisner, who will play the opening two rounds with Brooks Koepka and Adam Scott
* Rory's interview held a lot more interest to us in the media, than the world's #1, however after answering all the mundane, word that he had an unscheduled visit with his Northern Ireland-based instructor Michael Bannon over the weekend, wanting to make sure that some issues in his game of late are resolved was interesting.
"The last five days have been really good work with him just one-on-one, no one else around. It's been really good. Feeling much better about my game now than I was walking off Doral 10 days ago."
* This week is all about Arnie of course, now 85. The Golf Channel has been running his documentary which if you know him at all is all about his stern upbringing by his father Deacon, and of course his loving mother Doris who spoiled him at every opportunity. His father was the superintendent at Latrobe GC, which Arnie bought in 1971 and that is where he considers home. He had this to say about Tiger.
I've known him since he was 3 feet high and he's a great player. He was a very talented young kid with his father instructing him.For me to tell Tiger what he could do ... there's only one thing I can say, and that's practice. And confidence. Regain the confidence he had when he was starting out, and that was what made him what he is and that's the way he'll get it back. Just regain the confidence and the ability to hit the golf ball.
"And this is an opinion that I haven't even given to anybody, and that is he should do what he thinks he should do with his game. I think he should find a coach that he has confidence in and go work on his game, and that's my best advice."
Canadians.. David Hearn paired with Jason Kokrak and Bernd Wiesberger 747 off #10...... Nick Taylor, Hideki Matsuyama Stewart Cink off #10 1.20pm ... Graham DeLaet David Lingmerth, Branden Grace #10 1.56pm
European Tour breaking news ***
Round One of the Madeira Islands Open, Portugal has been suspended overnight due to strong winds (50mph) and the tournament has been reduced to 54 holes. First Round tee times will remain the same for Friday. Last year it was reduced to 36 holes..
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Another Canadian "Young Gun" turns pro..
Earlier this year it was 17 year old Canadian sensation Brooke Henderson who decided to venture out with her older sister to the big, wide world that is pro golf, yesterday Golf Canasda announced that Surrey's Adam Svensson will do the same in the midst of a sparkling collegiate career.
golf Canada..Winner of his last nine of 14 Division II collegiate starts, he has signed with SportBox Entertainment Group for worldwide management and marketing representation and also has inked deals with Acushnet/Titleist, J.Lindeberg and Freedom 55 Financial. He will also continue to be supported by Golf Canada’s through the Young Pro Squad program.
“After winning my last two starts, my gut was telling me it was the right time to make the move and turn professional,” said Svensson. “I feel my game is ready to be pushed to the next level and I am excited to challenge and better myself against the best players in professional golf.”
In addition to nine collegiate wins, the product of Surrey, B.C. is a two-time NCAA First Team All-American, 2013/14 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year, and was named the 2012/13 Phil Mickelson Award recipient as most outstanding freshman.
Svensson will focus his efforts on PGA Tour Canada and Web.com Tour events in 2015. The Barry University alum spent two years on Golf Canada’s National Men’s Amateur Team following four years on the National Development Squad. He will once again transition his involvement with Golf Canada’s National Team program, becoming a member of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad.
golf Canada..Winner of his last nine of 14 Division II collegiate starts, he has signed with SportBox Entertainment Group for worldwide management and marketing representation and also has inked deals with Acushnet/Titleist, J.Lindeberg and Freedom 55 Financial. He will also continue to be supported by Golf Canada’s through the Young Pro Squad program.
“After winning my last two starts, my gut was telling me it was the right time to make the move and turn professional,” said Svensson. “I feel my game is ready to be pushed to the next level and I am excited to challenge and better myself against the best players in professional golf.”
In addition to nine collegiate wins, the product of Surrey, B.C. is a two-time NCAA First Team All-American, 2013/14 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year, and was named the 2012/13 Phil Mickelson Award recipient as most outstanding freshman.
Svensson will focus his efforts on PGA Tour Canada and Web.com Tour events in 2015. The Barry University alum spent two years on Golf Canada’s National Men’s Amateur Team following four years on the National Development Squad. He will once again transition his involvement with Golf Canada’s National Team program, becoming a member of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad.
Lot's of great golf including Arnie's place this week..live scoreboards
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
This week the world's top 5 led by Rory McIlroy are at Arnie's place at Bay Hill and the field includes 3 Canadians, Nick Taylor, David Hearn and Graham DeLaet..
Of course, by now almost a side story, the guy who owns the course with 8 wins, Tiger Woods is still at home practicing, hoping to find something that will enable him to compete at Augusta..
European Tour Madeira Islands Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015020/leaderboard/index.html
After 3 weeks in South Africa a truly international, albeit weak field has flown into this pristine group of 3 Portuguese islands in the Atlantic, NE off the coast of Morocco. The main Island of Madeira is a popular year-round resort, being visited every year by about one million tourists, noted for its Madeira wine, as well as its annual New Year celebrations that feature the largest fireworks show in the world.
With most of the Euro Tour's best in the States preparing for Augusta after the WGC at Doral and now at Arnie's, this event is important for all the muckers and grinders looking for that all important win..Last year Ricardo Santos from Portugal won a 36 hole weather plagued event for his first tour win.
LPGA Tour Founders Cup scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
This week the women are at the sleek Marriott Resort, Wildlife GC in Phoenix for the Founders Cup, an event that pays tribute to the founders of the LPGA Tour and last year Karrie Webb became it's first two-time winner. The LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member fired a -9 63 in the final round to capture a one-shot victory when she came from six shots back to defeat third-round leader Lydia Ko and four other players who finished at -18, including defending champion Stacy Lewis
Champions Tour Tucson Conquistadors Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
The Senior circuit is also in the Arizona Desert, at Tucson this time playing for that funny looking trophy/ helmet they used to play for when it was the Tucson Open. Here are the details.
It's a new Champions Tour event operated by the Tucson Conquistadores on the Catalina Course at Omni Tucson National Resort. It replaces the WGC World Match Play Championships which have moved to Harding Park, San Francisco in May after Accenture’s contract with the PGA Tour expired last year, after eight years at Dove Mountain.
Web.com Tour Chile Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=web
The great South American adventure that is the Web.com Tour has moved south from Brasil to Chile where Adam Hadwin won last year. Brad Fritsch continues to be the lone Canadian in the field. Next week they return to the USA in Louisiana.
Bryan Angus..
This week the world's top 5 led by Rory McIlroy are at Arnie's place at Bay Hill and the field includes 3 Canadians, Nick Taylor, David Hearn and Graham DeLaet..
Of course, by now almost a side story, the guy who owns the course with 8 wins, Tiger Woods is still at home practicing, hoping to find something that will enable him to compete at Augusta..
European Tour Madeira Islands Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015020/leaderboard/index.html
After 3 weeks in South Africa a truly international, albeit weak field has flown into this pristine group of 3 Portuguese islands in the Atlantic, NE off the coast of Morocco. The main Island of Madeira is a popular year-round resort, being visited every year by about one million tourists, noted for its Madeira wine, as well as its annual New Year celebrations that feature the largest fireworks show in the world.
With most of the Euro Tour's best in the States preparing for Augusta after the WGC at Doral and now at Arnie's, this event is important for all the muckers and grinders looking for that all important win..Last year Ricardo Santos from Portugal won a 36 hole weather plagued event for his first tour win.
LPGA Tour Founders Cup scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
This week the women are at the sleek Marriott Resort, Wildlife GC in Phoenix for the Founders Cup, an event that pays tribute to the founders of the LPGA Tour and last year Karrie Webb became it's first two-time winner. The LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member fired a -9 63 in the final round to capture a one-shot victory when she came from six shots back to defeat third-round leader Lydia Ko and four other players who finished at -18, including defending champion Stacy Lewis
Champions Tour Tucson Conquistadors Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
The Senior circuit is also in the Arizona Desert, at Tucson this time playing for that funny looking trophy/ helmet they used to play for when it was the Tucson Open. Here are the details.
It's a new Champions Tour event operated by the Tucson Conquistadores on the Catalina Course at Omni Tucson National Resort. It replaces the WGC World Match Play Championships which have moved to Harding Park, San Francisco in May after Accenture’s contract with the PGA Tour expired last year, after eight years at Dove Mountain.
Web.com Tour Chile Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=web
The great South American adventure that is the Web.com Tour has moved south from Brasil to Chile where Adam Hadwin won last year. Brad Fritsch continues to be the lone Canadian in the field. Next week they return to the USA in Louisiana.
Bryan Angus..
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Happy St Patrick's Day to my pally....Patrick Francis Marsden..
Today is March 17, St Patrick's Day to much of the civilized world, a happy day to be sure.. Some agency who counts weird things reckons some 12 billion pints will be sunk... no wonder it's a happy day...
April 27 is coming up, it is not a happy day for me and many others.. the day that my pally Pat Marsden was finally taken by cancer in 2006, sleeping in his bed at Sunnybrook.. He was 69.
We all knew him from his sports broadcasting days at CTV and CFRB, mainly his calls of the CFL. I first met him in the Fan590 program director Nelson Millman's office after I'd been hired to produce the morning show, in April 1995 and we hit it off right away. Maybe the fact I'd brought a bottle of Bacardi to he meeting gave me an unfair advantage !...
That was the start of nine great years together on the Morning Show. He retired in 2004, I produced the final show jam packed with an A list of his friends topped by Brian Mulroney who I hooked up live from his private yacht in the Mediterranean where he was attending the 2004 Olympic Games.
At the end of the show I got all our staff, as well as CHFI, and 680 news to form a corridor, and applaud him out of the building. I was at the end waiting, gave him a big hug and he whispered in my ear... "Mumbles, make sure none of these losers steals any of my presents" !
Pat was like me, pretty up beat every morning none more so that on St Patrick's Day where he knew he'd be together with his pals like Dave Draper (Red Wing's Chris Draper's uncle) 'Spy" the late Leif Pettersen, who by the way organized and paid for Pat's magnificent funeral at St Mike's cathedral and Mike Wadsworth former Argo who by then was Canada's ambassador to Ireland.
In 1992, Pat was the Toronto parades' Grand Marshall and Bill Watters told me about about Marsden's Marchers so I joined up paid $110, most of it went to charity and we all met in some army barracks off St George's at 10am on a windy cold St Paddy's day.
I will have a single malt with you anytime you want, but I have always been taught by my father, never before your day's responsibilities are done, and also never before you've thought about the next morning...
I certainly have never been one to start drinking neat rum at 10am, however those barracks had wall to wall cases of Pat's signature drink, Bacardi minatures and slightly warm tins of Canadian, and needless to say when I arrived the Marsden Marcher's were well under way..
We got word to form up in the alleyway between the barracks where we would march out to join our spot in the parade as it passed by.. As always things were delayed and when the whistle went to march out in file, all the Marcher's bladders had succumbed to the cold wind and were relieving themselves up against the barrack wall...
Out we went, pockets stuffed with Bacardi minatures, God knows we needed the walk. I remember marching down Yonge Street where in those days young ladies of dubious design occupied those little lofts above the garish Yonge Street stores and from time to time one of our younger Marcher's would dash from the ranks, up the stairs, only to return 20 minutes later and 20 dollars lighter...
Jack Hutchinson was marching with Billy and me. Jack had been hired from CBC to be the Executive Producer at TSN and he had hired me in 1988. We decided we were tired of Bacardi and needed some good Irish whiskey, so took we each took turns sprinting to a bar 5 minutes ahead of the parade, ordering 3 Jamieson's, waving each other in, toasting Pat, then rejoining the parade again...
The parade wrapped up at City Hall, the Marcher's were to have had a floor on a bar in the Eaton Center reserved, but we were so late it had been taken over, so undeterred we continued to march down to the SkyDome where we had the Sightlines bar reserved..
As if we needed it there was an open bar for the first hour, I remember watching the young men and women who drew the short straw of serving our tables that day who watched with horror as our drunken rabble arrived...It got worse when the free hour was up and they started to try and charge for the drinks...eventually they gave up..
Two teams from Ireland were playing hurly with great difficulty on the artificial pitch, but not many of the Marsden's Marcher's seemed to care..
My last memory of Pat that day was him sitting in sightlines, his usual Bacardi with ice and just a splash of coke, holding court, laughing, surrounded by his pals, knowing that someone would get him home safe and sound..
And that is the way I prefer to always remember him..
Happy St Patrick's Day my old pal.... may you continue to RIP..
Bryan
PS...For those who still ask me Pat was survived by his wife Terryanne (Terry Marsden, former broadcaster with CTV, host of "Toronto Today" 1982 to 1990) and their children Taylor and Connor. Also survived by (ex-wife Barbara) and Pat's children from his first marriage (Mike, Patti-Lee, and Ruth Mary).
April 27 is coming up, it is not a happy day for me and many others.. the day that my pally Pat Marsden was finally taken by cancer in 2006, sleeping in his bed at Sunnybrook.. He was 69.
We all knew him from his sports broadcasting days at CTV and CFRB, mainly his calls of the CFL. I first met him in the Fan590 program director Nelson Millman's office after I'd been hired to produce the morning show, in April 1995 and we hit it off right away. Maybe the fact I'd brought a bottle of Bacardi to he meeting gave me an unfair advantage !...
That was the start of nine great years together on the Morning Show. He retired in 2004, I produced the final show jam packed with an A list of his friends topped by Brian Mulroney who I hooked up live from his private yacht in the Mediterranean where he was attending the 2004 Olympic Games.
At the end of the show I got all our staff, as well as CHFI, and 680 news to form a corridor, and applaud him out of the building. I was at the end waiting, gave him a big hug and he whispered in my ear... "Mumbles, make sure none of these losers steals any of my presents" !
Pat was like me, pretty up beat every morning none more so that on St Patrick's Day where he knew he'd be together with his pals like Dave Draper (Red Wing's Chris Draper's uncle) 'Spy" the late Leif Pettersen, who by the way organized and paid for Pat's magnificent funeral at St Mike's cathedral and Mike Wadsworth former Argo who by then was Canada's ambassador to Ireland.
In 1992, Pat was the Toronto parades' Grand Marshall and Bill Watters told me about about Marsden's Marchers so I joined up paid $110, most of it went to charity and we all met in some army barracks off St George's at 10am on a windy cold St Paddy's day.
I will have a single malt with you anytime you want, but I have always been taught by my father, never before your day's responsibilities are done, and also never before you've thought about the next morning...
I certainly have never been one to start drinking neat rum at 10am, however those barracks had wall to wall cases of Pat's signature drink, Bacardi minatures and slightly warm tins of Canadian, and needless to say when I arrived the Marsden Marcher's were well under way..
We got word to form up in the alleyway between the barracks where we would march out to join our spot in the parade as it passed by.. As always things were delayed and when the whistle went to march out in file, all the Marcher's bladders had succumbed to the cold wind and were relieving themselves up against the barrack wall...
Out we went, pockets stuffed with Bacardi minatures, God knows we needed the walk. I remember marching down Yonge Street where in those days young ladies of dubious design occupied those little lofts above the garish Yonge Street stores and from time to time one of our younger Marcher's would dash from the ranks, up the stairs, only to return 20 minutes later and 20 dollars lighter...
Jack Hutchinson was marching with Billy and me. Jack had been hired from CBC to be the Executive Producer at TSN and he had hired me in 1988. We decided we were tired of Bacardi and needed some good Irish whiskey, so took we each took turns sprinting to a bar 5 minutes ahead of the parade, ordering 3 Jamieson's, waving each other in, toasting Pat, then rejoining the parade again...
The parade wrapped up at City Hall, the Marcher's were to have had a floor on a bar in the Eaton Center reserved, but we were so late it had been taken over, so undeterred we continued to march down to the SkyDome where we had the Sightlines bar reserved..
As if we needed it there was an open bar for the first hour, I remember watching the young men and women who drew the short straw of serving our tables that day who watched with horror as our drunken rabble arrived...It got worse when the free hour was up and they started to try and charge for the drinks...eventually they gave up..
Two teams from Ireland were playing hurly with great difficulty on the artificial pitch, but not many of the Marsden's Marcher's seemed to care..
My last memory of Pat that day was him sitting in sightlines, his usual Bacardi with ice and just a splash of coke, holding court, laughing, surrounded by his pals, knowing that someone would get him home safe and sound..
And that is the way I prefer to always remember him..
Happy St Patrick's Day my old pal.... may you continue to RIP..
Bryan
PS...For those who still ask me Pat was survived by his wife Terryanne (Terry Marsden, former broadcaster with CTV, host of "Toronto Today" 1982 to 1990) and their children Taylor and Connor. Also survived by (ex-wife Barbara) and Pat's children from his first marriage (Mike, Patti-Lee, and Ruth Mary).
Monday, March 16, 2015
Speith curls a 30 footer to win the Valspar in a playoff... final scoreboard..
PGA Tour Valspar Championship final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
I don't think Rory as good as he can be, will ever dominate the way Tiger did and this weekend was another example why.
Patrick Reed, Sean O'Hair and 21 year old Jordan Speith all emerged from a compelling final round at -10 to make a 3 way playoff. It was Speith who had scrambled magnificently all week who got up and down half a dozen times from tough positions who curled in a 30 footer on the 3rd extra hole while Reed and O'Hair could only watch, for the win..
My point regarding Rory is that there are just too many really good young players world wide now who can win on any given weekend, not to mention a solid group of proven veterans who all are hungry to do it again !
Speith's putt put an end to a superb afternoon of birdies and cluch play in fact this year has already had eight playoffs, more ammo to my point about Rory...
Reed nailed a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a -5 66, and then was lounging in a chair waiting to see if anyone could catch him, or how many would join him. Sean O'Hair made the playoff with a 30-foot birdie on the 16th hole and a tough par save on the 18th
Three behind with six holes to play, Spieth closed with a -2 69 to catch a faltering Ryan Moore who shot 72 T5, to win his second PGA Tour title, both in a playoff. It was his fourth win worldwide to reach a career-high ranking of #6 and at 21 he already has $10 million in career earnings.
Although he lost it was a good week for Sean O'Hair now 32 with 4 kids. He hasn't won since the 2011 RBC Canadian Open, and he had to earn back his full PGA Tour card at the Web.com Tour Finals. In contention for the first time in a long time, he was solid. in fact he had a 12-foot birdie putt to win on the second playoff hole, and it caught the right edge of the lip and spun away.
World #3 Henrik Stenson made three straight birdies and closed with a 67 to fall one shot short of the playoff.
Next week Rory returns, and many of these guys will move over to Arnie's place and remember Tiger who owns Bay Hill with 8 wins will be at home chipping and putting and playing with the kids....
Canadian final scores Nick Taylor T24 -2 70 70 70 72, David Hearn T53 +3 70 73 71 73 Adam Hadwin T71 +10 68 75 75 76
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP..)
I don't think Rory as good as he can be, will ever dominate the way Tiger did and this weekend was another example why.
Patrick Reed, Sean O'Hair and 21 year old Jordan Speith all emerged from a compelling final round at -10 to make a 3 way playoff. It was Speith who had scrambled magnificently all week who got up and down half a dozen times from tough positions who curled in a 30 footer on the 3rd extra hole while Reed and O'Hair could only watch, for the win..
My point regarding Rory is that there are just too many really good young players world wide now who can win on any given weekend, not to mention a solid group of proven veterans who all are hungry to do it again !
Speith's putt put an end to a superb afternoon of birdies and cluch play in fact this year has already had eight playoffs, more ammo to my point about Rory...
Reed nailed a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a -5 66, and then was lounging in a chair waiting to see if anyone could catch him, or how many would join him. Sean O'Hair made the playoff with a 30-foot birdie on the 16th hole and a tough par save on the 18th
Three behind with six holes to play, Spieth closed with a -2 69 to catch a faltering Ryan Moore who shot 72 T5, to win his second PGA Tour title, both in a playoff. It was his fourth win worldwide to reach a career-high ranking of #6 and at 21 he already has $10 million in career earnings.
Although he lost it was a good week for Sean O'Hair now 32 with 4 kids. He hasn't won since the 2011 RBC Canadian Open, and he had to earn back his full PGA Tour card at the Web.com Tour Finals. In contention for the first time in a long time, he was solid. in fact he had a 12-foot birdie putt to win on the second playoff hole, and it caught the right edge of the lip and spun away.
World #3 Henrik Stenson made three straight birdies and closed with a 67 to fall one shot short of the playoff.
Next week Rory returns, and many of these guys will move over to Arnie's place and remember Tiger who owns Bay Hill with 8 wins will be at home chipping and putting and playing with the kids....
Canadian final scores Nick Taylor T24 -2 70 70 70 72, David Hearn T53 +3 70 73 71 73 Adam Hadwin T71 +10 68 75 75 76
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP..)
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Coetzee catches Blaauw to win Tshwane Open.. final scoreboard..
European Tour Tshwane Open scoreboard
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015018/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
South African Jacques Blaauw tied a course record -9 61 to take the clubhouse lead at -13 half way through the final round at the Tshwane Open but it turned out to be not enough as hometown boy George Coetzee, playing on the Pretoria Golf course where he learned the game came through with a flawless -5 65 to get to -14, enough to win his 2nd European Tour victory.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters europeantour.com)
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015018/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
South African Jacques Blaauw tied a course record -9 61 to take the clubhouse lead at -13 half way through the final round at the Tshwane Open but it turned out to be not enough as hometown boy George Coetzee, playing on the Pretoria Golf course where he learned the game came through with a flawless -5 65 to get to -14, enough to win his 2nd European Tour victory.
The decisive moment came on the 17th after Coetzee had tried to drive the green on the short par four. His tee shot came up in the trees short and right of the green but with a clear path between two bunkers he took full advantage, chipping to five feet and holing for a birdie to take a one shot lead down the last, where he made par.
One of six players who started the final round tied for the lead, Coetzee who has been a member since he was 10 years old had this to say.." I think I’ve got this course down after 18 years of playing golf! I think it played to my advantage knowing when to be aggressive and when not to."
Next week the tour moves to the Madeira Islands Open followed by the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco
Next week the tour moves to the Madeira Islands Open followed by the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters europeantour.com)
Ryu beats Park at World Womens in China
Ladies European Tour World Women's Championship final scoreboard http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
So Yeon Ryu took a one stroke lead over fellow South Korean Inbee Park after 12 holes in the final round of the World Ladies Championship, despite taking a double bogey six on the seventh hole, after hitting her ball left off the tee into the black lava rocks and having to take a penalty drop.
The 24-year-old from Seoul began the day a stroke behind Park, but was three behind the defending champion after seven holes. Ryu then hit back with three birdies in four holes at the ninth, 11th and 12th then hung on to shoot 69 and beat her friendly foe Inbee Park (71) by a shot for her 4th win with her first coming at the 2011 US Women’s Open.
Ryu also finished 1st in the team event running simultaneously with Park, both a combined -25.
So Yeon Ryu took a one stroke lead over fellow South Korean Inbee Park after 12 holes in the final round of the World Ladies Championship, despite taking a double bogey six on the seventh hole, after hitting her ball left off the tee into the black lava rocks and having to take a penalty drop.
The 24-year-old from Seoul began the day a stroke behind Park, but was three behind the defending champion after seven holes. Ryu then hit back with three birdies in four holes at the ninth, 11th and 12th then hung on to shoot 69 and beat her friendly foe Inbee Park (71) by a shot for her 4th win with her first coming at the 2011 US Women’s Open.
Ryu also finished 1st in the team event running simultaneously with Park, both a combined -25.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
In form Moore has lead going into Sunday at Valspar..
PGA Tour Valspar Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Ryan Moore was in or near the lead last week at Doral until he fell away on Sunday to eventual winner Padraig Harrington . The question today is "can he finish"
It won't be easy, nine players are within five shots, all aiming at Moore. On Saturday after 12 consecutive pars to start the third round of the Valspar Championship, he birdied four of the final six holes to emerge from the pack with a -4 67 that pushed him to -9 204 and a one-shot lead over Jordan Spieth who shot 68. Derek Ernst is another stroke back at -7 after a 69. Speith was tied for the lead with Moore until Ryan birdied the 18th..
"Ryan has been obviously on his game for weeks now, and I've just been starting to trend up where I want to be," Spieth said. "We're both really right where we want to be this week."
Canada's Nick Taylor shot his 3rd straight 70 and is T10 -3. David Hearn is T44 at +1 while Adam Hadwin is T63 +5
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP )
Ryan Moore was in or near the lead last week at Doral until he fell away on Sunday to eventual winner Padraig Harrington . The question today is "can he finish"
It won't be easy, nine players are within five shots, all aiming at Moore. On Saturday after 12 consecutive pars to start the third round of the Valspar Championship, he birdied four of the final six holes to emerge from the pack with a -4 67 that pushed him to -9 204 and a one-shot lead over Jordan Spieth who shot 68. Derek Ernst is another stroke back at -7 after a 69. Speith was tied for the lead with Moore until Ryan birdied the 18th..
"Ryan has been obviously on his game for weeks now, and I've just been starting to trend up where I want to be," Spieth said. "We're both really right where we want to be this week."
Canada's Nick Taylor shot his 3rd straight 70 and is T10 -3. David Hearn is T44 at +1 while Adam Hadwin is T63 +5
Bryan Angus (files from BBC Reuters AP )
"Down the stretch they come" ! at Tshwane Open
European Tour Tshwane Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
Who the heck is going to win this Tshwane Open ? Saturday's play did little to provide the answer..
AP...Six players were tied for the lead today heading into the final round .Adrian Otaegui of Spain had a two-shot lead overnight but shot a +2 72 and was joined atop the leaderboard by David Horsey, South Africans George Coetzee, Trevor Fisher Jr. and Wallie Coetsee, and Scotland's Craig Lee. They were all on -9 201.
Lee made the biggest move with his 66 at the Pretoria Country Club.
Two other South Africans, Ockie Strydom and Erik van Rooyen, were a shot behind at the final event of a three-tournament swing for the European Tour in South Africa.
Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari of Italy was in a T9, but just two shots off the lead.
Who the heck is going to win this Tshwane Open ? Saturday's play did little to provide the answer..
AP...Six players were tied for the lead today heading into the final round .Adrian Otaegui of Spain had a two-shot lead overnight but shot a +2 72 and was joined atop the leaderboard by David Horsey, South Africans George Coetzee, Trevor Fisher Jr. and Wallie Coetsee, and Scotland's Craig Lee. They were all on -9 201.
Lee made the biggest move with his 66 at the Pretoria Country Club.
Two other South Africans, Ockie Strydom and Erik van Rooyen, were a shot behind at the final event of a three-tournament swing for the European Tour in South Africa.
Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari of Italy was in a T9, but just two shots off the lead.
It's all South Korea at World Ladies Championship in China
Ladies European Tour World Ladies Championship at Mission Hills scoreboard http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
ladieseuropeantour.com Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu will be playing together both as rivals and as teammates representing South Korea in the final round of the World Ladies Championship in China on Sunday.
This tournament is unique in professional golf in that it comprises three events in one: an individual professional competition, a team championship in which countries are represented by teams of two and an individual amateur tournament.
After three rounds on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Haikou, the defending champion Park holds a one stroke lead over compatriot Ryu in the individual stroke play competition.
She fired a third round -2 71 to end on -10, ahead of Ryu, who moved into solo second with an -8 65, -9
With a combined score of -19, the second and eighth ranked golfers in the world, who won the team event together last year by a whopping 28 strokes, are also 15 strokes ahead of their nearest rivals in the team competition, ahead of the Norway and Chinese Taipei. Meanwhile, China’s Lei Ye has effectively won the amateur prize as the only non-professional to make the cut.
With a -6 67, the 2013 event champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway climbed into T3 with the recent Sanya Ladies Open champion Xiyu Lin of China (73) and both are also in a strong position to contend, just three from the lead.
ladieseuropeantour.com Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu will be playing together both as rivals and as teammates representing South Korea in the final round of the World Ladies Championship in China on Sunday.
This tournament is unique in professional golf in that it comprises three events in one: an individual professional competition, a team championship in which countries are represented by teams of two and an individual amateur tournament.
After three rounds on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Haikou, the defending champion Park holds a one stroke lead over compatriot Ryu in the individual stroke play competition.
She fired a third round -2 71 to end on -10, ahead of Ryu, who moved into solo second with an -8 65, -9
With a combined score of -19, the second and eighth ranked golfers in the world, who won the team event together last year by a whopping 28 strokes, are also 15 strokes ahead of their nearest rivals in the team competition, ahead of the Norway and Chinese Taipei. Meanwhile, China’s Lei Ye has effectively won the amateur prize as the only non-professional to make the cut.
With a -6 67, the 2013 event champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway climbed into T3 with the recent Sanya Ladies Open champion Xiyu Lin of China (73) and both are also in a strong position to contend, just three from the lead.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Woods to miss Arnie's event at Bay Hill.. Masters in doubt..
Tiger Woods addressed the big news of the day Friday the way so many athletes do these days,, via twitter and the internet..
He will not play in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, skipping the tournament he has won eight times to continue working on his game he said via Twitter. Woods, who also missed the Arnold Palmer tournament last year due to pending back surgery, won the event in 2012 and 2013, but has not been back to the tournament near Orlando, Florida, since.
Now 39, he has missed at least two tournaments he usually plays in, the Honda Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The only other tournaments prior to the Masters are the Valero Texas Open and the Shell Houston Open and he last played the Valero event in 1996 and has never played the Houston tournament.
Shedding more light on the state of Tiger's game is Notah Begay, Woods' longtime friend, who has spent time with Woods in recent weeks.
"I spent quite a bit of time the last couple of weeks down at Tiger's house, trying to be a good running mate and going through workouts and practicing with him,'' Begay said during Golf Channel's coverage, "I can attest to the fact that things are improving and that he is putting in some solid workdays. It is just not at the status that he wants it.
This is what Woods had to say....I've put in a lot of time and work on my game and I'm making strides, but like I've said, I won't return to the PGA Tour until my game is tournament ready and I can compete at the highest level, I hope to be ready for the Masters, and I will continue to work hard preparing for Augusta."
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters, AP)
He will not play in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, skipping the tournament he has won eight times to continue working on his game he said via Twitter. Woods, who also missed the Arnold Palmer tournament last year due to pending back surgery, won the event in 2012 and 2013, but has not been back to the tournament near Orlando, Florida, since.
Now 39, he has missed at least two tournaments he usually plays in, the Honda Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The only other tournaments prior to the Masters are the Valero Texas Open and the Shell Houston Open and he last played the Valero event in 1996 and has never played the Houston tournament.
Shedding more light on the state of Tiger's game is Notah Begay, Woods' longtime friend, who has spent time with Woods in recent weeks.
"I spent quite a bit of time the last couple of weeks down at Tiger's house, trying to be a good running mate and going through workouts and practicing with him,'' Begay said during Golf Channel's coverage, "I can attest to the fact that things are improving and that he is putting in some solid workdays. It is just not at the status that he wants it.
This is what Woods had to say....I've put in a lot of time and work on my game and I'm making strides, but like I've said, I won't return to the PGA Tour until my game is tournament ready and I can compete at the highest level, I hope to be ready for the Masters, and I will continue to work hard preparing for Augusta."
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters, AP)
Wind toughens Copperhead course.. de Jonge leads after 2 rounds
PGA Tour Valspar Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
The normal Florida wind blew in round 2 at Innisbrook near Tampa, and the Copperhead course lived up to it's tough billing as 7 of the world's top 15 found out on Friday..
For example Adam Scott missed four putts inside 5 feet and shot a +4 75 to MC ending the longest active streak on the PGA Tour, 45 straight PGA Tour events, 57 worldwide without missing a cut.
Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge made a couple of of long putts on his way to a -2 69 and the 36-hole lead at -6 136 but only seven shots separated de Jonge from the players who made the cut on the number at +1.
Right behind him at -5 are Jordan Spieth who made a birdie putt from the fringe on the 18th for a -4 67 and Henrik Stenson who made eagle on his first hole and wound up with a 70, along with in form Ryan Moore (68), previous winner Kevin Streelman (69) and Derek Ernst (70).
Lucas Glover 69 -4 is two shots behind, along with Sean O'Hair (72), Ricky Barnes (72) and Ian Poulter (70).
Canadians Nick Taylor T15 70 70 -2 David Hearn T57 70 73 +1 Adam Hadwin T57 68 75 +1
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP )
The normal Florida wind blew in round 2 at Innisbrook near Tampa, and the Copperhead course lived up to it's tough billing as 7 of the world's top 15 found out on Friday..
For example Adam Scott missed four putts inside 5 feet and shot a +4 75 to MC ending the longest active streak on the PGA Tour, 45 straight PGA Tour events, 57 worldwide without missing a cut.
Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge made a couple of of long putts on his way to a -2 69 and the 36-hole lead at -6 136 but only seven shots separated de Jonge from the players who made the cut on the number at +1.
Right behind him at -5 are Jordan Spieth who made a birdie putt from the fringe on the 18th for a -4 67 and Henrik Stenson who made eagle on his first hole and wound up with a 70, along with in form Ryan Moore (68), previous winner Kevin Streelman (69) and Derek Ernst (70).
Lucas Glover 69 -4 is two shots behind, along with Sean O'Hair (72), Ricky Barnes (72) and Ian Poulter (70).
Canadians Nick Taylor T15 70 70 -2 David Hearn T57 70 73 +1 Adam Hadwin T57 68 75 +1
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters AP )
Spain's Otaegui flirts with 59 to lead in Pretoria
European Tour Tshwane Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015018/leaderboard/index.html
europeantour.com Day 2 in South Africa sees the leader, little known Spaniard, Adrian Otaegui who came close to shooting the European Tour's first round of 59 at the Tshwane Open.
The 22 year old, who has not won on the European Tour, remarkably fired nine birdies, including five consecutively from the eighth, in an outstanding -8 62,two clear on -11 at Pretoria Country Club.
His last birdie came at the 16th, two holes, both par 4's, to pick up two shots to make history. He came close to a birdie at the 17th, chipping just to the right of the hole from the edge of the green, made par then needed eagle at the 514 yard last, but made bogey to end up with the 62.
europeantour.com Day 2 in South Africa sees the leader, little known Spaniard, Adrian Otaegui who came close to shooting the European Tour's first round of 59 at the Tshwane Open.
The 22 year old, who has not won on the European Tour, remarkably fired nine birdies, including five consecutively from the eighth, in an outstanding -8 62,two clear on -11 at Pretoria Country Club.
His last birdie came at the 16th, two holes, both par 4's, to pick up two shots to make history. He came close to a birdie at the 17th, chipping just to the right of the hole from the edge of the green, made par then needed eagle at the 514 yard last, but made bogey to end up with the 62.
He has reaped the rewards of his mentoring from fellow Spaniard José MarÃa Olazábal
as he played most of his junior golf at his local club in the northern Spain seaside resort of Fuenterrabia, where 2012 Ryder Cup Captain Olazábal was born and raised.
as he played most of his junior golf at his local club in the northern Spain seaside resort of Fuenterrabia, where 2012 Ryder Cup Captain Olazábal was born and raised.
Otaegui, who has moved to Biarritz but stays in touch with Olazábal, leads by two shots from South Africa's Merrick Bremner, who went round in -4 66 thanks to seven birdies.
Joint overnight leader David Horsey of England is one shot further back, after a mixed round of 69, alongside Italy's Edoardo Molinari plus South Africans Keith Horne and Trevor Fisher Jnr.
Joint overnight leader David Horsey of England is one shot further back, after a mixed round of 69, alongside Italy's Edoardo Molinari plus South Africans Keith Horne and Trevor Fisher Jnr.
Park leads Clyburn by a shot at Mission Hills, China
European Ladies Tour World Ladies Champions at Mission Hills
http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
England’s Holly Clyburn fired a second round of -8 65 -7 total on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Resort Haikou in Hainan, China, earlier this morning to get within one stroke of the defending champion Inbee Park who shot a second straight -4 69 to sit at -8 at the top of the leader board.
Becky Morgan tied with Park at the start of play slipped to a +1 74 -3 total..
Bryan
http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
England’s Holly Clyburn fired a second round of -8 65 -7 total on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Resort Haikou in Hainan, China, earlier this morning to get within one stroke of the defending champion Inbee Park who shot a second straight -4 69 to sit at -8 at the top of the leader board.
Becky Morgan tied with Park at the start of play slipped to a +1 74 -3 total..
Bryan
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Unique Ladies European Tour event sees Park, Morgan tied in China
Ladies European Tour World Ladies Championship at Mission Hills scoreboard http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
The World Ladies Championship is unique in golf in that three titles are contested simultaneously in one event, with an individual professional stroke play, amateur and professional team aggregate prize, for the leading pair representing their country.
In the team competition, South Korean pair Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu set the pace with their combined score of -5 to lead by three over the China A team of Xiyu Lin and Weiyao Lu and Thai pair Srisawang and Yoktuan.
In a share of seventh place on one under par, China’s Lei Ye holds a two stroke lead in the amateur race over compatriot Xiang Sui.
In the main event Welsh golfer Becky Morgan is tied for the lead with the defending champion Inbee Park of South Korea after the opening round with first rounds of -4 69, the pair hold a two stroke lead over four other players. The leading Chinese player Xiyu Lin, South Korean Shin Ae Ahn and Thai duo Nontaya Srisawang and Pavarisa Yoktuan are all on -2
.
Morgan and Park made the most of the more favourable afternoon draw, playing under overcast skies in drizzly conditions after a wet and windy morning
The World Ladies Championship is unique in golf in that three titles are contested simultaneously in one event, with an individual professional stroke play, amateur and professional team aggregate prize, for the leading pair representing their country.
In the team competition, South Korean pair Inbee Park and So Yeon Ryu set the pace with their combined score of -5 to lead by three over the China A team of Xiyu Lin and Weiyao Lu and Thai pair Srisawang and Yoktuan.
In a share of seventh place on one under par, China’s Lei Ye holds a two stroke lead in the amateur race over compatriot Xiang Sui.
In the main event Welsh golfer Becky Morgan is tied for the lead with the defending champion Inbee Park of South Korea after the opening round with first rounds of -4 69, the pair hold a two stroke lead over four other players. The leading Chinese player Xiyu Lin, South Korean Shin Ae Ahn and Thai duo Nontaya Srisawang and Pavarisa Yoktuan are all on -2
.
Morgan and Park made the most of the more favourable afternoon draw, playing under overcast skies in drizzly conditions after a wet and windy morning
England's Brian Davis leads a packed leaderboard at Innisbrook
PGA Tour Valspar Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
When the morning flight came in, down in Innisbrook, Florida on the difficult Copperhead course the clubhouse leader was Sean O'Hair who hasn't won since 2011 and confesses he had lost his game, getting far to technical, and is now playing with the freedom he once had in college.. On a warm humid day on this tight shot makers course, he played beautifully posting -5 66.
He has been caught and overtaken by Brian Davis who chipped in on his final hole and posted -6 65 on a rare windless afternoon, and added to the soft fairways, scoring has been low. Davis has never won on this tour and has been 2nd 5 times,,
Also T2 at 66 was Ricky Barnes. Henrik Stenson, Justin Thomas and Puerto Rico Open winner Alex Cejka are next at -4 67.
Canadians Nick Taylor, David Hearn are T38 -1 70.. Adam Hadwin is the best right now with -3 68 T10..
Bryan Angus
When the morning flight came in, down in Innisbrook, Florida on the difficult Copperhead course the clubhouse leader was Sean O'Hair who hasn't won since 2011 and confesses he had lost his game, getting far to technical, and is now playing with the freedom he once had in college.. On a warm humid day on this tight shot makers course, he played beautifully posting -5 66.
He has been caught and overtaken by Brian Davis who chipped in on his final hole and posted -6 65 on a rare windless afternoon, and added to the soft fairways, scoring has been low. Davis has never won on this tour and has been 2nd 5 times,,
Also T2 at 66 was Ricky Barnes. Henrik Stenson, Justin Thomas and Puerto Rico Open winner Alex Cejka are next at -4 67.
Canadians Nick Taylor, David Hearn are T38 -1 70.. Adam Hadwin is the best right now with -3 68 T10..
Bryan Angus
Eagle, eagle finish for Madsen ties Horsey for lead in Pretoria..
European Tour Tshwane Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015018/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
europeantour.com...Denmark’s Morten Ørum Madsen was an incredible -4 for his last two holes as he joined David Horsey in a share of the lead after the first round of the Tshwane Open.
Madsen, third in last week’s Africa Open, had a hole-in-one at the short eighth, then carded an eagle from 12 feet at the par five ninth, his last to set the pace with -7 63.
That was matched by England’s Horsey in the afternoon, as the three-time European Tour winner produced a flawless display as he turned in a -3 32, and some immaculate iron play on the way in saw him make birdies from inside five feet at the 12th, 14th and 17th, as well as holing a 40 foot effort on the 16th
They are one ahead of home favourite Wallie Coetsee -6 64, a runner-up in the recent Joburg Open, with France’s Raphaël Jacquelin -5 65 a shot further back in third.
Madsen, third in last week’s Africa Open, had a hole-in-one at the short eighth, then carded an eagle from 12 feet at the par five ninth, his last to set the pace with -7 63.
That was matched by England’s Horsey in the afternoon, as the three-time European Tour winner produced a flawless display as he turned in a -3 32, and some immaculate iron play on the way in saw him make birdies from inside five feet at the 12th, 14th and 17th, as well as holing a 40 foot effort on the 16th
They are one ahead of home favourite Wallie Coetsee -6 64, a runner-up in the recent Joburg Open, with France’s Raphaël Jacquelin -5 65 a shot further back in third.
Last week’s winner Trevor Fisher Jnr was in contention after a four under 66, while Andy Sullivan looking for a third title on South African soil this season shot a one over 71.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Where are they golfing this week..
PGA Tour Valspar Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Last week it was the big bombers who dominated at Doral this week up at Innisbrook the par 71, 7300 yard Copperhead course is a completely different test, a tight shot makers course, that's why John Senden, as accurate an iron player as there is, will be defending his championship.
Other favourites, Luke Donald who was 4th here last year, and is in form off a T7 last week in Miami. Ryan Moore who was in contention again last week and 3 of his 4 PGA Tour wins are on tight tree lined course like this.
David Hearn, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin are in the field..
WEB.com Tour Brasil Champions scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=web
Brad Fritsch continues his South American sojourn as this tour moves to Sao Paulo Brasil.
European Tour Tshwane Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
europeantour.com Ross Fisher is bidding to successfully defend a European Tour title for the first time in his career when he tees it up in this week’s Tshwane Open.
Fisher, who has won a total of five times on the Tour, ended a four-year drought 12 months ago when he saw off the challenge of Michael Hoey and Danie van Tonder in Centurion, South Africa.
Read more at =251143.html#CeeogRm7ujjVoMlZ.99
Last week it was the big bombers who dominated at Doral this week up at Innisbrook the par 71, 7300 yard Copperhead course is a completely different test, a tight shot makers course, that's why John Senden, as accurate an iron player as there is, will be defending his championship.
Other favourites, Luke Donald who was 4th here last year, and is in form off a T7 last week in Miami. Ryan Moore who was in contention again last week and 3 of his 4 PGA Tour wins are on tight tree lined course like this.
David Hearn, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin are in the field..
WEB.com Tour Brasil Champions scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=web
Brad Fritsch continues his South American sojourn as this tour moves to Sao Paulo Brasil.
European Tour Tshwane Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
europeantour.com Ross Fisher is bidding to successfully defend a European Tour title for the first time in his career when he tees it up in this week’s Tshwane Open.
Fisher, who has won a total of five times on the Tour, ended a four-year drought 12 months ago when he saw off the challenge of Michael Hoey and Danie van Tonder in Centurion, South Africa.
Fisher will not be returning to the scene of his victory, as the tournament has switched to Pretoria Country Club, which is hosting a European Tour event for the first time a 7,063 yards, par 70 layout, which was re-designed by Gary Player in 2004.
Bryan Angus
Bryan Angus
Read more at =251143.html#CeeogRm7ujjVoMlZ.99
Monday, March 9, 2015
Cejka, Smith... two of the weekend's nice stories..
Alex Cejka winning in Puerto Rico this weekend was a really nice story for one of golf's ultimate grinders, a vagabond who shows up like the ever ready bunny all over the world, always believing in himself, always searching for that PGA Tour win and the cards fell his way yesterday, finally... good story..
Another for me was on Saturday, when 45-year-old Chris Smith had a -4 68 and joined Scott Brown in a tie for the lead at the same event. He ended up 69 73 68 73.. T10
In case you don't know his story, he last had a full PGA Tour card in 2005 and was playing what is now the Web.com Tour when his wife Beth was killed. He has since remarried. His two children are doing well but Smith has trouble getting into tournaments without status on any Tour. He has played no more than 10 tournaments a season since 2009. He has limited status as a past champion, winning the Buick Classic at Westchester in 2002.
Smith’s life changed on Father's Day, June 21, 2009. He played in a golf outing that morning in Chicago after missing the cut at the Nationwide Tour’s Fort Smith Classic in Arkansas.
When Smith turned his cell phone on, he had a message from the hospital.
His wife and kids were headed home to Peru, Ind., from a visit with Beth’s family in Toledo, Ohio. Abigail was driving, Beth sat in the passenger seat and Cameron in the back seat of their Ford Expedition.
At approximately 11:35 a.m., Smith said his daughter passed a car in the left lane driving southbound on Interstate 69 at 70 mph. She lost control when she drove onto the rumble strips, overcorrected and veered across the median near the 151-mile marker in Angola, Ind.
The SUV collided with a Greyhound bus carrying the London Silverbacks, a Canadian semi-pro football team. Smith’s children were hospitalized for 16 days. Abigail shattered her right hip; Cameron broke his right arm and leg and suffered third-degree burns. The collision killed his beautiful wife of 10 years, Beth.
In the days and months to come, Smith like so many other pro athletes discovered just what a huge role she played in raising their family, He said at the time " Let's call it what it was. Beth was a stay at home single mother, everything revolved around her and the children while I was away chasing my dreams"
Riddled with guilt, he threw himself into her role, now basketball practice and grocery shopping were what was important, whether he made another cut or not simply didn't matter.
Finally with the help of 2 older brothers, and parents, but most important the kids he was encouraged to pick up his career again. He entered the Mayakoka Classic in Mexico in 2010 and found a note from Abigail and Cameron saying " you are a golfer, that's what you do, that's what we want you to do"...
That's what he will continue to do, relying on sponsor exemptions, playing where he can, accumulating as much prize money as possible so he can play the Champions Tour in 5 years.
The T10 finish this week will help a little, the win would have helped a lot more...
Bryan Angus ( files from PGA Tour...)
Another for me was on Saturday, when 45-year-old Chris Smith had a -4 68 and joined Scott Brown in a tie for the lead at the same event. He ended up 69 73 68 73.. T10
In case you don't know his story, he last had a full PGA Tour card in 2005 and was playing what is now the Web.com Tour when his wife Beth was killed. He has since remarried. His two children are doing well but Smith has trouble getting into tournaments without status on any Tour. He has played no more than 10 tournaments a season since 2009. He has limited status as a past champion, winning the Buick Classic at Westchester in 2002.
Smith’s life changed on Father's Day, June 21, 2009. He played in a golf outing that morning in Chicago after missing the cut at the Nationwide Tour’s Fort Smith Classic in Arkansas.
When Smith turned his cell phone on, he had a message from the hospital.
His wife and kids were headed home to Peru, Ind., from a visit with Beth’s family in Toledo, Ohio. Abigail was driving, Beth sat in the passenger seat and Cameron in the back seat of their Ford Expedition.
At approximately 11:35 a.m., Smith said his daughter passed a car in the left lane driving southbound on Interstate 69 at 70 mph. She lost control when she drove onto the rumble strips, overcorrected and veered across the median near the 151-mile marker in Angola, Ind.
The SUV collided with a Greyhound bus carrying the London Silverbacks, a Canadian semi-pro football team. Smith’s children were hospitalized for 16 days. Abigail shattered her right hip; Cameron broke his right arm and leg and suffered third-degree burns. The collision killed his beautiful wife of 10 years, Beth.
In the days and months to come, Smith like so many other pro athletes discovered just what a huge role she played in raising their family, He said at the time " Let's call it what it was. Beth was a stay at home single mother, everything revolved around her and the children while I was away chasing my dreams"
Riddled with guilt, he threw himself into her role, now basketball practice and grocery shopping were what was important, whether he made another cut or not simply didn't matter.
Finally with the help of 2 older brothers, and parents, but most important the kids he was encouraged to pick up his career again. He entered the Mayakoka Classic in Mexico in 2010 and found a note from Abigail and Cameron saying " you are a golfer, that's what you do, that's what we want you to do"...
That's what he will continue to do, relying on sponsor exemptions, playing where he can, accumulating as much prize money as possible so he can play the Champions Tour in 5 years.
The T10 finish this week will help a little, the win would have helped a lot more...
Bryan Angus ( files from PGA Tour...)
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