Web.com Tour Latinamerica final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/la/en/tournaments/69-avianca-colombia-open-presentado-por-bbva/leaderboard.html
Corey Conners held on to finish solo third Sunday, despite struggling in his final round with a +2 74 at PGA Tour Lationamérica’s Avianca Colombia Open presented by BBVA.
The 23-year-old from Listowel, Ont., ran into trouble early in the final round, posting a triple-bogey on the par-4 6th. The 2015 Masters top-amateur wasn’t able to make up the strokes, but held off the field with a late birdie on the par-4 15th to secure third place with a one-stroke advantage over a trio of competitors.
Justin Hueber, 28, fired four consecutive rounds in the 60s at Club Campestre de Medellin Llano Grande to record the victory, his second on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica. The Mandeville, La., native
The third place finish matches Conners’ best result on the PGA Tour Lationamérica—he finished T3 last year at the Bridgestone America’s Golf Cup presented by Value.
Winning Qualifying School earlier this season, Conners is slated to tee-it-up in the next event kicking off Mar. 17. He will split events with the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada when the season stars on Mar. 22.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Scott deserves to win Honda Classic
PGA Tour Honda Classic final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-honda-classic/leaderboard.html
Adam Scott closed with an E 70 on Sunday to win the Honda Classic in just his third start since a new rule banning the stroke used for the long putter that he had the past five years with Steve Williams on his bag.
It was the handsome Australian’s first victory since Colonial in May 2014, and his first using a conventional putter since the 2010 Singapore Open. He led the weekend in every category in relation to iron play as he continued his world #1 form..
This was a two-man race from the start. Scott and Sergio Garcia were tied with eight holes to play until Garcia missed a 3-foot par putt on No. 11 and Scott hit out of a fairway bunker to 2 feet for birdie on the 12th. Garcia never caught up.
Graham DeLaet shot a disappointing 75 Sunday to finish +6 T53rd.
So Adam Scott adds his name to the ever increasing number of young guns who are weekly winners on this tour as we head into next week at the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral...
Bryan Angus
Adam Scott closed with an E 70 on Sunday to win the Honda Classic in just his third start since a new rule banning the stroke used for the long putter that he had the past five years with Steve Williams on his bag.
It was the handsome Australian’s first victory since Colonial in May 2014, and his first using a conventional putter since the 2010 Singapore Open. He led the weekend in every category in relation to iron play as he continued his world #1 form..
This was a two-man race from the start. Scott and Sergio Garcia were tied with eight holes to play until Garcia missed a 3-foot par putt on No. 11 and Scott hit out of a fairway bunker to 2 feet for birdie on the 12th. Garcia never caught up.
Graham DeLaet shot a disappointing 75 Sunday to finish +6 T53rd.
So Adam Scott adds his name to the ever increasing number of young guns who are weekly winners on this tour as we head into next week at the WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral...
Bryan Angus
Scott and Garcia atop the roller coaster ride at the Honda Classic
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-honda-classic/leaderboard.html
Imagine shooting a -4 66 with a quadruple bogey on your card ! That's what Adam Scott did on a dramatic Saturday and this water riddled PGA National Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
He played brilliantly all day, in complete control of his magnificent game with seven birdies through 14 holes. He leads nearly every category with his iron play in proximity to the pin and is driving with power and precision.
Then came the par 3, water everywhere 15th where he had a 3 shot lead over Sergio Garcia. Scott put two balls into the water, his first a 6 iron that ballooned up in the wind, the second from the drop zone went right over the flag, but long and he made a quadruple bogey 7 to lose the lead.
Imagine shooting a -4 66 with a quadruple bogey on your card ! That's what Adam Scott did on a dramatic Saturday and this water riddled PGA National Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
He played brilliantly all day, in complete control of his magnificent game with seven birdies through 14 holes. He leads nearly every category with his iron play in proximity to the pin and is driving with power and precision.
Then came the par 3, water everywhere 15th where he had a 3 shot lead over Sergio Garcia. Scott put two balls into the water, his first a 6 iron that ballooned up in the wind, the second from the drop zone went right over the flag, but long and he made a quadruple bogey 7 to lose the lead.
Sergio who is striking the ball as well as ever, lost that lead with a bogey on the 17th, but the roller coaster ride continued with a clutch birdie at the last for a -3 67 to join Adam in the lead at -9, 201.
Blayne Barber had a 69 and is four shots back at -5.
What about Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker (who the 1st tee emcee introduced as Jimmy Fowler..!!
Rickie you'll remember had a one-shot lead going into Saturday going bogey-free through the opening 36 holes in the process. Suddenly he couldn’t make a birdie and wound up with a +2 74 to fall five shots behind.
After his embarrassing introduction, Walker briefly took the lead with an early birdie but nothing went right after that and he didn’t make another birdie until the 18th hole for a 79, 11 behind.
Canadian score: Graham DeLaet T22 72 70 69 +1
Bryan Angus
Louis Oosthuizen hangs on to win ISPS Handa Perth International
European Tour ISPS Handa Perth International final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016014/leaderboard/index.html#W8JLeQT0RWjRxBkw.97
World ranked #21 and pre tournament favourite, Louis Oosthuizen has hung on to win the ISPS Handa Perth International at the lake Karrinyup Country Club on the stunning west coast of Australia.
He started play this morning with a 3 shot lead and after an early bogey he was briefly caught by local man Jason Scrivener, but the 2010 Open Champion called on all his experience, playing steadily to a -1 71 to finish on -16 just a shot ahead of Frenchman Alexander Levy (66)
Scrivener had a 69 to finish 3rd -14 with Grégory Bourdy (66) and Peter Uihlein (71) a further shot back on -13 under.
Bryan Angus
He started play this morning with a 3 shot lead and after an early bogey he was briefly caught by local man Jason Scrivener, but the 2010 Open Champion called on all his experience, playing steadily to a -1 71 to finish on -16 just a shot ahead of Frenchman Alexander Levy (66)
Scrivener had a 69 to finish 3rd -14 with Grégory Bourdy (66) and Peter Uihlein (71) a further shot back on -13 under.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson finishes T8 at RACV Ladies Masters in Australia
Ladies European Tour RACV Ladies Masters final leaderboard http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
With a 74 75 weekend in very difficult, windy conditions Brooke Henderson has finished a very creditable T8 -5 on the Gold Coast of Australia at the RACV Ladies Masters.
5 bogey's on a front nine of 41 was her undoing, despite a much better 34 coming home including an eagle 3 at the last for her +2 75.
The winner is South Korea's Shin Ji-yai after shooting a -4 69 -14 early this morning for a three-stroke victory at the Royal Pines Resort over England's Holly Clyburn who had an -11 total of 281
27 year old Shin handled the windy conditions better than anyone this week and remember she was the British Open champ in 2008 and 2012 and has won 11 LPGA Tours and 21 LPGA of Korea Tours in her distinguished career so far.
Nordic pair Camilla Lennart (Sweden) and Nicole Broch Larsen (Denmark) shared third on -10.
Bryan Angus
With a 74 75 weekend in very difficult, windy conditions Brooke Henderson has finished a very creditable T8 -5 on the Gold Coast of Australia at the RACV Ladies Masters.
5 bogey's on a front nine of 41 was her undoing, despite a much better 34 coming home including an eagle 3 at the last for her +2 75.
The winner is South Korea's Shin Ji-yai after shooting a -4 69 -14 early this morning for a three-stroke victory at the Royal Pines Resort over England's Holly Clyburn who had an -11 total of 281
27 year old Shin handled the windy conditions better than anyone this week and remember she was the British Open champ in 2008 and 2012 and has won 11 LPGA Tours and 21 LPGA of Korea Tours in her distinguished career so far.
Nordic pair Camilla Lennart (Sweden) and Nicole Broch Larsen (Denmark) shared third on -10.
Bryan Angus
Lexi Thompson drives away with Honda Classic Thailand
LPGA Tour Honda LPGA Thailand leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
21 year old Lexi Thompson has won the Honda LPGA Thailand by 6 shots at -20 on Sunday morning after she shot a final round -4 68.
In Gee Chun was second 70, -14 while Jessica Korda had the round of the day, -8 64 to finish T3 at -13 with Amy Yang who had a closing 70.
Bryan Angus
21 year old Lexi Thompson has won the Honda LPGA Thailand by 6 shots at -20 on Sunday morning after she shot a final round -4 68.
In Gee Chun was second 70, -14 while Jessica Korda had the round of the day, -8 64 to finish T3 at -13 with Amy Yang who had a closing 70.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Oosthuizen leads ISPS Handa Perth International, Canadian Richard Lee T6
European Tour ISPS Handa Perth International leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016014/leaderboard/index.html#QQMTmXeuiVJFO7k0.97
Playing in ideal conditions, pre tournament favourite Louis Oosthuizen will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the ISPS HANDA Perth International after posting a -5 67 despite 2 late bogey's, to get to -15. He shot 64 on Friday.
The pack is led by American Peter Uihlein (71) and France's Romain Wattel (65), who are both -12 and a shot clear of Australian Jason Scrivener (69)
The pack is led by American Peter Uihlein (71) and France's Romain Wattel (65), who are both -12 and a shot clear of Australian Jason Scrivener (69)
Perth native Brett Rumford was struggling at +4 for the day through 13 holes but went eagle-eagle with the help of a holed bunker shot on the 14th and goes into the weekend at -10, a shot clear of Marcus Fraser (65), Mikko Korhonen (66), Alexander Levy (70) and Mardan Mamat (69)
Canadian Richard T Lee had 4 birdies in a row to go out in 32, came back in 36 including a birdie at 18 and he is also at -9.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Brooke Henderson is 4th going into final round at RACV Ladies Masters
Ladies European Tour RACV Ladies Masters leaderboard http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
In very windy conditions Brooke Henderson has gone out early this morning on Australia's Gold Coast and shot +1 74 to begin Sunday's final round at -7, just 3 shots off the lead.
The wind was already gusting to more than 55km/h to greet the players at this RACV Royal Pines course this morning and the scores soared with it.
The lead changed several times during a difficult day, for example Holly Clyburn was at the top of the leader board at -10 through 16 holes, however she had a bogey, bogey finish to drop back to -8 after her -1 72.
Jiyai Shin had the only bogey-free round of the day, a -2 71 to get to -10. It is a remarkable score given the wind, but she has done this before when she won the 2012 British Open at Royal Liverpool in the wind, by nine strokes over Inbee Park.
Her 54 hole total of -10 gives her a two shot lead over Clyburn 72, and Camillia Lennarth 75.
Henderson was out in 35 with 2 birdies and a bogey, and battled hard coming home in 39 with 3 bogey's but a sweet birdie 4 to end the day.
Bryan Angus
In very windy conditions Brooke Henderson has gone out early this morning on Australia's Gold Coast and shot +1 74 to begin Sunday's final round at -7, just 3 shots off the lead.
The wind was already gusting to more than 55km/h to greet the players at this RACV Royal Pines course this morning and the scores soared with it.
The lead changed several times during a difficult day, for example Holly Clyburn was at the top of the leader board at -10 through 16 holes, however she had a bogey, bogey finish to drop back to -8 after her -1 72.
Jiyai Shin had the only bogey-free round of the day, a -2 71 to get to -10. It is a remarkable score given the wind, but she has done this before when she won the 2012 British Open at Royal Liverpool in the wind, by nine strokes over Inbee Park.
Her 54 hole total of -10 gives her a two shot lead over Clyburn 72, and Camillia Lennarth 75.
Henderson was out in 35 with 2 birdies and a bogey, and battled hard coming home in 39 with 3 bogey's but a sweet birdie 4 to end the day.
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 26, 2016
Fowler in control of Honda Classic...Rory misses cut.
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-honda-classic/leaderboard.html
With the morning wave safely in the clubhouse it is Rickie Fowler who has been the best player on either side of the Atlantic so far in 2016 in charge of the Honda Classic with another bogey free 66 to get to a -8 total heading into the weekend.
His Ryder Cup team mate Jimmy Walker matched that score and is at -7, alone in 2nd, while Sergio Garcia got it around in 69 strokes to sit 3rd at -6. Of the afternoon wave Adam Scott was tied for the best with a -5 65 to start the weekend in 4th place at -5. Hudson Swafford also shot 65 and leads a group at -4.
Rickie has had 4 wins in the last 8 months. He began this calendar year 5th at the Hyundai then flew from Hawaii to the middle east and went out and beat world # 1 (Jordan Spieth), 3 (Rory McIlroy), 5 (Henrik Stenson) to win in Abu Dhabi, then 2 weeks ago lost in a playoff in Phoenix to Hideki Matsuyama after standing on the 16th tee with a two shot lead.
He is only listed at 5'9" (more like 5'7") and 150 pounds soaking wet, but this little guy now being coached by Butch Harmon has become the ultimate pro, travelling the world playing in all conditions with a quiet confidence that has grown significantly over the last year.
With his exciting fresh Puma gear, single status, he is knocking on the front door week in and week out of the houses that Rory and Jordan live in with smart aggressive golf that is a joy to watch. Under Butch Harmon's tuteledge he has developed a trustworthy swing that has helped him eliminate the big mistakes that used to plague his game, and his increased club head speed has given him increased length off the tee that belies his little frame.
Speaking of Rory he has shot 72 72 +4 and has missed the cut which fell at +3. Phil Mickelson will be around his 69 74 is right on the number.
Adam Hadwin rescued a miserable day with 3 birdies in his last 4 holes (15, 17, 18) but his 68, 77 score of +5 means he will miss the cut as will Mike Weir 75 73 and David Hearn 77 71.
Graham DeLaet is T45 72 70 +2.
Bryan Angus
With the morning wave safely in the clubhouse it is Rickie Fowler who has been the best player on either side of the Atlantic so far in 2016 in charge of the Honda Classic with another bogey free 66 to get to a -8 total heading into the weekend.
His Ryder Cup team mate Jimmy Walker matched that score and is at -7, alone in 2nd, while Sergio Garcia got it around in 69 strokes to sit 3rd at -6. Of the afternoon wave Adam Scott was tied for the best with a -5 65 to start the weekend in 4th place at -5. Hudson Swafford also shot 65 and leads a group at -4.
Rickie has had 4 wins in the last 8 months. He began this calendar year 5th at the Hyundai then flew from Hawaii to the middle east and went out and beat world # 1 (Jordan Spieth), 3 (Rory McIlroy), 5 (Henrik Stenson) to win in Abu Dhabi, then 2 weeks ago lost in a playoff in Phoenix to Hideki Matsuyama after standing on the 16th tee with a two shot lead.
He is only listed at 5'9" (more like 5'7") and 150 pounds soaking wet, but this little guy now being coached by Butch Harmon has become the ultimate pro, travelling the world playing in all conditions with a quiet confidence that has grown significantly over the last year.
With his exciting fresh Puma gear, single status, he is knocking on the front door week in and week out of the houses that Rory and Jordan live in with smart aggressive golf that is a joy to watch. Under Butch Harmon's tuteledge he has developed a trustworthy swing that has helped him eliminate the big mistakes that used to plague his game, and his increased club head speed has given him increased length off the tee that belies his little frame.
Speaking of Rory he has shot 72 72 +4 and has missed the cut which fell at +3. Phil Mickelson will be around his 69 74 is right on the number.
Adam Hadwin rescued a miserable day with 3 birdies in his last 4 holes (15, 17, 18) but his 68, 77 score of +5 means he will miss the cut as will Mike Weir 75 73 and David Hearn 77 71.
Graham DeLaet is T45 72 70 +2.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson is 2 shots off the lead at RACV Ladies Masters in Australia
Ladies European Tour RACV Ladies Masters leaderboard http://ladieseuropeantour.com/leaderboard/
Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth (-5 68) and Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen (-4 69) are tied for the lead at -10 heading into the weekend at the 2016 RACV Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
Meanwhile first round leader Brooke Henderson has followed up her opening -6 67 with a -2 71 this morning and along with former world number one Jiyai Shin are just 2 shots behind at -8.
At #11 Henderson is the highest ranked player in the field.
Bryan Angus
Sweden’s Camilla Lennarth (-5 68) and Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen (-4 69) are tied for the lead at -10 heading into the weekend at the 2016 RACV Ladies Masters at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
Meanwhile first round leader Brooke Henderson has followed up her opening -6 67 with a -2 71 this morning and along with former world number one Jiyai Shin are just 2 shots behind at -8.
At #11 Henderson is the highest ranked player in the field.
Bryan Angus
Amy Yang leads after 2 rounds of Honda LPGA Thailand
LPGA Tour Honda LPGA Thailand leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/honda-lpga-thailand/leaderboard
Playing on lightning fast greens at the Siam CC defending champion Amy Yang shot a -3 69 earlier this morning to grab the second round lead at -9 of this Honda LPGA Thhailand, just a shot ahead of Q Baek -1 71, Lexi Thompson E 72 and Jessica Korda who along with last week's winner Haru Nomura had the low rounds of the day -6 66.
Bryan Angus
Playing on lightning fast greens at the Siam CC defending champion Amy Yang shot a -3 69 earlier this morning to grab the second round lead at -9 of this Honda LPGA Thhailand, just a shot ahead of Q Baek -1 71, Lexi Thompson E 72 and Jessica Korda who along with last week's winner Haru Nomura had the low rounds of the day -6 66.
Bryan Angus
Uihlein and Rumford lead Oosthuizen at the ISPS Perth International after 2 rounds
European Tour ISPS Perth International leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016014/leaderboard/index.html#TVHhHDF3mZxFoXVI.97
American Peter Uihlein shot a -7 65 in the wind on Thursday and followed it up with a 68 early this morning in the worst of the wind again to share the lead on -11 with local lad Brett Rumford who made 8 birdies in the calmer late conditions to shoot 65, and they are a shot ahead of pre tournament favourite Louis Oosthuizen who got hot on the 12th with 5 birdies in 6 holes for a 64, -10 total on the Lake Karrinyup Country Club course in Perth.
Uihlein is playing with a torn tendon in his wrist, but a cortisone injection is enabling him to continue before he will ultimately have to have surgery.
Rumford has had injury problems of his own missing most of last year after having a foot or so of his small intestine removed.
American Peter Uihlein shot a -7 65 in the wind on Thursday and followed it up with a 68 early this morning in the worst of the wind again to share the lead on -11 with local lad Brett Rumford who made 8 birdies in the calmer late conditions to shoot 65, and they are a shot ahead of pre tournament favourite Louis Oosthuizen who got hot on the 12th with 5 birdies in 6 holes for a 64, -10 total on the Lake Karrinyup Country Club course in Perth.
Uihlein is playing with a torn tendon in his wrist, but a cortisone injection is enabling him to continue before he will ultimately have to have surgery.
Rumford has had injury problems of his own missing most of last year after having a foot or so of his small intestine removed.
Australian Rhein Gibson is at -9 after a 68, with countryman Jason Scrivener at -8 after a 67. Frenchman Alexander Levy also had a 67 -7 total as he continues to regain the form he showed 2 years ago.
Bryan AAngus
Sergio Garcia ties for early lead at windy Honda Classic..
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-honda-classic/leaderboard.html
Even when he isn't scoring well the trademark of Sergio Garcia's game has been solid driving, great iron play and a seemingly typical Spanish flair around the greens. He is one of the game's best ball strikers. It's his putter that has been his Achilles tendon..
On Thursday in only his 3rd start of 2016, he got off to a great start holing out from 140 yards into the wind on the second hole for an eagle on a cool windy (30 mph.) Florida morning, missed another eagle on 18 for -5 65 to share the lead with Michael Thompson who won here in 2013.
They are one shot ahead of Rickie Fowler (66) and William McGirt (66)
Phil Mickelson who was T2 last week kept up his recent form with -1 69 in the heaviest of the wind, as the early wave got the worst of the day.
Rory had a frustrating day finishing with a 3 putt bogey after a double at 14
and a bogey at 16 for +2 72.
Rickie with his now trademark high tops is back after a week off playing golf with his pals. Remember he blew a two-shot lead to let Hideki Matsuyama beat him in a playoff two weeks ago in Phoenix. He had the only bogey free round of the day.
Even when he isn't scoring well the trademark of Sergio Garcia's game has been solid driving, great iron play and a seemingly typical Spanish flair around the greens. He is one of the game's best ball strikers. It's his putter that has been his Achilles tendon..
On Thursday in only his 3rd start of 2016, he got off to a great start holing out from 140 yards into the wind on the second hole for an eagle on a cool windy (30 mph.) Florida morning, missed another eagle on 18 for -5 65 to share the lead with Michael Thompson who won here in 2013.
They are one shot ahead of Rickie Fowler (66) and William McGirt (66)
Phil Mickelson who was T2 last week kept up his recent form with -1 69 in the heaviest of the wind, as the early wave got the worst of the day.
Rory had a frustrating day finishing with a 3 putt bogey after a double at 14
and a bogey at 16 for +2 72.
Rickie with his now trademark high tops is back after a week off playing golf with his pals. Remember he blew a two-shot lead to let Hideki Matsuyama beat him in a playoff two weeks ago in Phoenix. He had the only bogey free round of the day.
Canadian scores: Adam Hadwin had a -2 68 T10,
Graham DeLaet +2 72 T65, Mike Weir had a +5 75, David Hearn +7 77
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Golf this week February 25-28..tee times/pairings
After working until midnight I awake to a positively filthy freezing wet snowy/rainy Wednesday morning in Toronto, so fortified by a steaming mug of tea and a toasted bacon sandwich my thoughts turn to the sandy beaches of Perth and the Gold Coast of Australia, Palm Beach Gardens down in Florida and the Siam CC in Chonburi Thailand, the destinations where all the pros have flown to for this weekend's golf.
PGA Tour
Honda Classic on The Champion at PGA National Resort
Palm Beach Gardens
Tee times/pairings http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-honda-classic.html
Last year Paddy Harrington beat rookie Daniel Berger in a Monday playoff after a rainy weekend. This year Rory who won here in 2012 is in the field with Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott as the headliners..
They played the Ryder Cup here away back in 1983, and this begins a four week swing through Florida with stops at Doral for the WGC Cadillac (Trump's new toy), the Valspar at Innisbrook then Arnie's place at Bay Hill.
Mike Weir has an invite and will be joined by David Hearn, Adam Hadwin and Graham DeLaet as the Canadian contingent.
European Tour
ISPS Handa Perth International at Lake Karrinyup CC
Perth Australia
Tee times/pairings http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016014/teetimes/index.html#ZlDJDd8R1WxfwU43.97
Even the hard bitten Aussie's comment on the beautiful beach that borders this most westerly of Australian cities, just another reason to make the long trip to this famous event sanctioned by three tours.
He's carrying a flu bug, the Norwegian star Thorbjorn Olesen is here to defend his title that he won last year over Frenchman Victor Dubuisson who is sporting a new set of clubs this week.
Louis Oosthuizen is the top ranked player over a whack of Aussies including Marcus Fraser who won last weekend in Malayasia and is glad to be home for 3 weeks.
Ernie Els obliterated this course in 2003 with the lowest score to par in European Tour history -29 259.
LPGA Tour
Honda LPGA Thailand, Siam CC, Pattaya Old Course
Chonburi, Thailand
Tee times/pairings http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
You international travellers will already know that Thailand, much like Dubai has become one of the world's must visit tourist destinations over the last 25 years, and the travelling band that makes up the LPGA Tour are either here or on Australia's Gold Coast if they are playing this weekend.
Amy Yang beat Stacy Lewis who still hasn't won since 2014, Mirim Lee and Yani Tseng here last year and Inbee Park returns to action after hurting her back earlier this year in the Bahamas.
There are no Canadians in the field
Ladies European Tour (LET)
RACV Australian Ladies Masters, RACV Royal Pines Resort
Gold Coast, Australia
Tee times/pairings http://ladieseuropeantour.com/?tournament=2016-racv-ladies-masters
Brooke Henderson leads the Canadians who have piled up their air miles points this weekend with their flights to Australia's east coast.
Lorie Kane, Nancy Harvey and Kyla Inaba are the others in this truly international field. The Graham Marsh redesign of Royal Pines was unveiled at last years Australian PGA Championship.
The defending champion is Aussie teenager Su Oh who won in only her 2nd pro start last year. For those who care, Cheyenne Woods (Tigers' niece) is in the field and deserves a mention since she won this event in 2014.
Bryan Angus
PGA Tour
Honda Classic on The Champion at PGA National Resort
Palm Beach Gardens
Tee times/pairings http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-honda-classic.html
Last year Paddy Harrington beat rookie Daniel Berger in a Monday playoff after a rainy weekend. This year Rory who won here in 2012 is in the field with Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott as the headliners..
They played the Ryder Cup here away back in 1983, and this begins a four week swing through Florida with stops at Doral for the WGC Cadillac (Trump's new toy), the Valspar at Innisbrook then Arnie's place at Bay Hill.
Mike Weir has an invite and will be joined by David Hearn, Adam Hadwin and Graham DeLaet as the Canadian contingent.
European Tour
ISPS Handa Perth International at Lake Karrinyup CC
Perth Australia
Tee times/pairings http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016014/teetimes/index.html#ZlDJDd8R1WxfwU43.97
Even the hard bitten Aussie's comment on the beautiful beach that borders this most westerly of Australian cities, just another reason to make the long trip to this famous event sanctioned by three tours.
He's carrying a flu bug, the Norwegian star Thorbjorn Olesen is here to defend his title that he won last year over Frenchman Victor Dubuisson who is sporting a new set of clubs this week.
Louis Oosthuizen is the top ranked player over a whack of Aussies including Marcus Fraser who won last weekend in Malayasia and is glad to be home for 3 weeks.
Ernie Els obliterated this course in 2003 with the lowest score to par in European Tour history -29 259.
LPGA Tour
Honda LPGA Thailand, Siam CC, Pattaya Old Course
Chonburi, Thailand
Tee times/pairings http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
You international travellers will already know that Thailand, much like Dubai has become one of the world's must visit tourist destinations over the last 25 years, and the travelling band that makes up the LPGA Tour are either here or on Australia's Gold Coast if they are playing this weekend.
Amy Yang beat Stacy Lewis who still hasn't won since 2014, Mirim Lee and Yani Tseng here last year and Inbee Park returns to action after hurting her back earlier this year in the Bahamas.
There are no Canadians in the field
Ladies European Tour (LET)
RACV Australian Ladies Masters, RACV Royal Pines Resort
Gold Coast, Australia
Tee times/pairings http://ladieseuropeantour.com/?tournament=2016-racv-ladies-masters
Brooke Henderson leads the Canadians who have piled up their air miles points this weekend with their flights to Australia's east coast.
Lorie Kane, Nancy Harvey and Kyla Inaba are the others in this truly international field. The Graham Marsh redesign of Royal Pines was unveiled at last years Australian PGA Championship.
The defending champion is Aussie teenager Su Oh who won in only her 2nd pro start last year. For those who care, Cheyenne Woods (Tigers' niece) is in the field and deserves a mention since she won this event in 2014.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Aussie Marcus Fraser wins the Maybank Championship Malaysia...
European Tour Maybank Championship Malaysia final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016012/leaderboard/index.html#0HjvZ381lQ7BSILm.97
Often one man's bad luck is another's good fortune and that was the case in the dramatic finale of this Maybank Championship Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Marcus Fraser fired a closing 68 for the win at Royal Selangor Golf Club, however the veteran Australian was two shots behind Soomin Lee as he stood on the 16th tee, but a double-bogey from the South Korean coupled with a nearly-holed chip opened the door for Fraser to win his third European Tour title.
A clutch ten-foot putt on the 17th kept the 37 year old in a share of the lead at -15 but when Lee double-bogeyed again on the 72nd hole, a par was enough to make Fraser the first ever winner of the Maybank Championship Malaysia Tiger Trophy.
That closing double-bogey dropped Lee (73) into T2 with Miguel Tabuena (68) at -13, a shot clear of Jorge Campillo (69) and Julien Quesne (68)
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Marcus Fraser fired a closing 68 for the win at Royal Selangor Golf Club, however the veteran Australian was two shots behind Soomin Lee as he stood on the 16th tee, but a double-bogey from the South Korean coupled with a nearly-holed chip opened the door for Fraser to win his third European Tour title.
A clutch ten-foot putt on the 17th kept the 37 year old in a share of the lead at -15 but when Lee double-bogeyed again on the 72nd hole, a par was enough to make Fraser the first ever winner of the Maybank Championship Malaysia Tiger Trophy.
That closing double-bogey dropped Lee (73) into T2 with Miguel Tabuena (68) at -13, a shot clear of Jorge Campillo (69) and Julien Quesne (68)
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Nomura edges Lydia Ko to win the Women's Australian Open, Brooke Henderson T9
LPGA Tour ISPS Handa Woman's Australian Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/isps-handa-womens-australian-open/leaderboard
Haru Nomura and Jenny Shin were tied for the lead at -9 entering the final round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, both looking for their first victories on the LPGA Tour with 41-time winner Karrie Webb and 10-time LPGA winner and defending champion Lydia Ko just a shot back at -8.
However in the final round it was the little Japanese star Haru Nomura who was too good on the day, with a final round of 65, -16 total, three shots ahead of defending champion Lydia Ko who tried hard all afternoon, finishing with 67 -13, in second place. Aussie legend Karrie Webb (Webbie) was alone in 3rd 71, -9.
The day started as the Karrie Webb (vying for her 6th) and Lydia Ko show as the two former Australian Open winners battled back-and-forth for the majority of the front nine before Nomura took over thanks to birdies on 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17 for her first LPGA win.
Brooke Henderson fired a final round 67 to get into the clubhouse at -7, T9 while Alena Sharp finished with 71,-1.
Next week the tour is in Thailand.
Bryan Angus
Haru Nomura and Jenny Shin were tied for the lead at -9 entering the final round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, both looking for their first victories on the LPGA Tour with 41-time winner Karrie Webb and 10-time LPGA winner and defending champion Lydia Ko just a shot back at -8.
However in the final round it was the little Japanese star Haru Nomura who was too good on the day, with a final round of 65, -16 total, three shots ahead of defending champion Lydia Ko who tried hard all afternoon, finishing with 67 -13, in second place. Aussie legend Karrie Webb (Webbie) was alone in 3rd 71, -9.
The day started as the Karrie Webb (vying for her 6th) and Lydia Ko show as the two former Australian Open winners battled back-and-forth for the majority of the front nine before Nomura took over thanks to birdies on 9, 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17 for her first LPGA win.
Brooke Henderson fired a final round 67 to get into the clubhouse at -7, T9 while Alena Sharp finished with 71,-1.
Next week the tour is in Thailand.
Bryan Angus
South Korean Lee Soo-min leads Maybank Championship in Malaysia
European Tour Maybank Championship Malaysia Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016012/leaderboard/index.html#fezQ7W7XPRgp94Va.97
South Korea’s Lee Soo-min put on a sizzling display with his irons to top the Maybank Championship Malaysia leaderboard on Saturday, opening a three-shot lead over closest rival Australian, Marcus Fraser after the third round.
Lee fired home nine birdies, including four in a row on the back nine, for a -7 64 to move to a total of -15198 at Royal Selangor Golf Club.
Fraser had a 66 to be outright second, a stroke ahead of Australian compatriot and second-round leader Nathan Holman, who struggled with four birdies and a double bogey en route to a 73.
Lee, ranked 221 in the world, last won a title at the Gunsan CC Open on the Korean Tour last year.
The trio of Masahiro Kawamura, Jorge Campillo and Miguel Tabuena trail Lee by five shots in a tie for fourth
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
South Korea’s Lee Soo-min put on a sizzling display with his irons to top the Maybank Championship Malaysia leaderboard on Saturday, opening a three-shot lead over closest rival Australian, Marcus Fraser after the third round.
Lee fired home nine birdies, including four in a row on the back nine, for a -7 64 to move to a total of -15198 at Royal Selangor Golf Club.
Fraser had a 66 to be outright second, a stroke ahead of Australian compatriot and second-round leader Nathan Holman, who struggled with four birdies and a double bogey en route to a 73.
Lee, ranked 221 in the world, last won a title at the Gunsan CC Open on the Korean Tour last year.
The trio of Masahiro Kawamura, Jorge Campillo and Miguel Tabuena trail Lee by five shots in a tie for fourth
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Riviera all set for a Sunday shoot out with Bubba in the lead..
PGA Tour Northern Trust leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/northern-trust-open/leaderboard.html
The 18th at Riviera has been the difference maker for as long as they have played this LA golfing landmark.
The dogleg right is as are many of golf's great holes, difficult in it's simplicity. Drive too far left and get hung up in deep rough, too far right and get stymied by the eucalyptus trees and your approach if hit with too much fade can run down the hill next to the concessions stand. The green is contoured from the top to the bottom..
On Saturday Bubba Watson made a par from that stand for a -4 67 to grab the lead from even bigger names at -12 201 one shot ahead of Dustin Johnson (68), Jason Kokrak (70) and Chez Reavie (69) all at -11
Rory McIlroy (67), Adam Scott (67), Kevin Chappell (66), KJ Choi (67), Marc Leishman (68) are all just 2 shots back at -10 and Hideki Matsuyama (68) leads the rest of the the 10 players within three shots of the lead.
So Sunday is wide open as McIlroy told the gathered scribes in his post round interview..“It’s one of these golf courses, if you just stay around, hang in there and not make too many mistakes, stay patient, your time will come and it will present itself with a few opportunities and thankfully on the back nine, I was able to take some of them.”
Canadian scores: Nick Taylor shot +1 72 T41 at -3. Adam Hadwin is T50 at -2
Bryan Angus
The 18th at Riviera has been the difference maker for as long as they have played this LA golfing landmark.
The dogleg right is as are many of golf's great holes, difficult in it's simplicity. Drive too far left and get hung up in deep rough, too far right and get stymied by the eucalyptus trees and your approach if hit with too much fade can run down the hill next to the concessions stand. The green is contoured from the top to the bottom..
On Saturday Bubba Watson made a par from that stand for a -4 67 to grab the lead from even bigger names at -12 201 one shot ahead of Dustin Johnson (68), Jason Kokrak (70) and Chez Reavie (69) all at -11
Rory McIlroy (67), Adam Scott (67), Kevin Chappell (66), KJ Choi (67), Marc Leishman (68) are all just 2 shots back at -10 and Hideki Matsuyama (68) leads the rest of the the 10 players within three shots of the lead.
So Sunday is wide open as McIlroy told the gathered scribes in his post round interview..“It’s one of these golf courses, if you just stay around, hang in there and not make too many mistakes, stay patient, your time will come and it will present itself with a few opportunities and thankfully on the back nine, I was able to take some of them.”
Canadian scores: Nick Taylor shot +1 72 T41 at -3. Adam Hadwin is T50 at -2
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 19, 2016
Aussie Nathan Holman leads the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur
European Tour Maybank Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016012/leaderboard/index.html#WES9g9URAFX301iV.97
Nathan Holman is the current Australian PGA Championship champion and buoyed by that win he will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Maybank Championship Malaysia after a late birdie surge at Royal Selangor Golf Club which opened over 100 years ago under British rule, right in the heart of this throbbing Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur.
The 24 year old has dropped just one shot so far this week and followed up his opening 64 with a 65 this morning to move clear of Richard Bland, who also registered a 65.
Holman was playing in just his 16th European Tour event when he won the Australian PGA Championship in December and is now in the running to make it two wins in his first 20 starts.
Bland from England, in contrast, is looking for his first win at the 378th attempt but has yet to make a bogey this week and has made a steady start to the season, securing a tie for seventh at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The 24 year old has dropped just one shot so far this week and followed up his opening 64 with a 65 this morning to move clear of Richard Bland, who also registered a 65.
Holman was playing in just his 16th European Tour event when he won the Australian PGA Championship in December and is now in the running to make it two wins in his first 20 starts.
Bland from England, in contrast, is looking for his first win at the 378th attempt but has yet to make a bogey this week and has made a steady start to the season, securing a tie for seventh at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Danny Willett, Jorge Campillo, Soomin Lee and Miguel Tabuena are all five shots behind the leader at -8. Willett ran out of gas late in his round suffering from a cold and a little jet lagged.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Jordan Spieth shoots +8 79, Camilo Villegas -8 63 at rainy Riviera
PGA Tour Northern Trust leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/northern-trust-open/leaderboard.html
A the top of the first round leaderboard is the man voted the sexiest on tour by Golf Digest in 2006, Camilo Villegas with a -8 63. He nearly equalled the course record of 61 that Ted Tryba set in 1999.
At the bottom of the leaderboard is Jordan Spieth who shot an +8 79, his worst start ever as a pro, and his highest score since an 80 in the third round of the 2014 Tour Championship.
This isn't a typo !
Golf has a pecking order called the official world ranking, there are 156 or so entrants to each event and they all have their story. They all book a room, they all have a car parking pass, they all have their big or little support group, and they all tee it up all square every Thursday, then add them up on either Friday or Sunday evenings before moving on to their next stop...
This goes on all over the world every week, PGA Tour, European Tour, Asian Tour, Japanese Tour, Web.com Tour etc etc and all the results go into the big world ranking computer to keep track of it all.
Camilo Villegas got his tour card back in 2006, made headlines with his smouldering good looks, his spiderman pose when reading the greens and his 2 wins in 2008 at the BMW and the Tour Championship after which he was ranked as high as #7.
Since then he has had little success, hasn't made a cut yet this year, made a visit to Q school in 2012, but crucially won the Wyndham Championship in 2014 which has given him his current 2 year exempt status...thus his hotel room and parking spot here at Riviera, near Hollywood this week.
The weather is a factor every week, and in practice Riviera was firm and fast in the Californian sunshine, but on Wednesday night a front moved in with a steady rain that greeted the players with a soft, yielding track for play on Thursday. That changed everything, with 4 irons sticking like wedges.
Bubba Watson twice a champion here, opened with a 66 along with in form Chez Reavie and Luke List.
Rory McIlroy, making his debut at Riviera, opened with two birdies on his way to -4 67.
Canadian scores : Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin T39 -1 70. David Hearn +3 74, Graham DeLaet +4 75
Bryan Angus
A the top of the first round leaderboard is the man voted the sexiest on tour by Golf Digest in 2006, Camilo Villegas with a -8 63. He nearly equalled the course record of 61 that Ted Tryba set in 1999.
At the bottom of the leaderboard is Jordan Spieth who shot an +8 79, his worst start ever as a pro, and his highest score since an 80 in the third round of the 2014 Tour Championship.
This isn't a typo !
Golf has a pecking order called the official world ranking, there are 156 or so entrants to each event and they all have their story. They all book a room, they all have a car parking pass, they all have their big or little support group, and they all tee it up all square every Thursday, then add them up on either Friday or Sunday evenings before moving on to their next stop...
This goes on all over the world every week, PGA Tour, European Tour, Asian Tour, Japanese Tour, Web.com Tour etc etc and all the results go into the big world ranking computer to keep track of it all.
Camilo Villegas got his tour card back in 2006, made headlines with his smouldering good looks, his spiderman pose when reading the greens and his 2 wins in 2008 at the BMW and the Tour Championship after which he was ranked as high as #7.
Since then he has had little success, hasn't made a cut yet this year, made a visit to Q school in 2012, but crucially won the Wyndham Championship in 2014 which has given him his current 2 year exempt status...thus his hotel room and parking spot here at Riviera, near Hollywood this week.
The weather is a factor every week, and in practice Riviera was firm and fast in the Californian sunshine, but on Wednesday night a front moved in with a steady rain that greeted the players with a soft, yielding track for play on Thursday. That changed everything, with 4 irons sticking like wedges.
Bubba Watson twice a champion here, opened with a 66 along with in form Chez Reavie and Luke List.
Rory McIlroy, making his debut at Riviera, opened with two birdies on his way to -4 67.
Canadian scores : Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin T39 -1 70. David Hearn +3 74, Graham DeLaet +4 75
Bryan Angus
Thursday, February 18, 2016
A Canuck leads the Women's Australian Open..
LPGA Tour ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/isps-handa-womens-australian-open/leaderboard
Canadian-based South Korean SooBin Kim shot a course-record -9 63 overnight to leave top-ranked Lydia Ko and Canadian Brooke Henderson seven strokes behind at the Women’s Australian Open.
Her bogey-free opening round came after starting on the 10th hole of The Grange’s West course. She had a three-stroke lead over American Casey Grice (66) and Caroline Masson of Germany (66). Five-time champion Karrie Webb led a large group at -5 when she shot an opening 67
Canadian-based South Korean SooBin Kim shot a course-record -9 63 overnight to leave top-ranked Lydia Ko and Canadian Brooke Henderson seven strokes behind at the Women’s Australian Open.
Kim, who moved to Canada from South Korea with her family when she was 10 and is based in Langley, B.C., birdied seven of her first 12 holes.
Ranked 256th in the world, Kim was playing her first LPGA tournament round this year because her low ranking failed to gain her direct entry into the initial two LPGA events in the Bahamas and Florida.
Her bogey-free opening round came after starting on the 10th hole of The Grange’s West course. She had a three-stroke lead over American Casey Grice (66) and Caroline Masson of Germany (66). Five-time champion Karrie Webb led a large group at -5 when she shot an opening 67
P.K. Kongkraphan of Thailand, Jenny Shin and amateur Choi Hye-jin had 67s and were T3.
Ko, who won last year’s title at Royal Melbourne, bogeyed two holes on her first nine after starting on the 10th, but the New Zealander had three birdies on the back nine for her 70.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)
The stars come out at Riviera for the Northern Trust Open
PGA Tour Northern Trust Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/northern-trust-open/leaderboard.html
David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Graham DeLaet and Adam Hadwin are the Canadian contingent amongst the stars who have arrived in Hollywood to play one of America's iconic courses, Riviera this week.
The icing on the cake for the sponsors would be the debut here of Rory McIlroy who begins his run at the Masters with 5 events in his next 6 weeks. He is in the morning wave off #10 with Hideki Matsuyama and Matt Kuchar.
Jordan Spieth is in a featured group with Fred Couples and young Justin Thomas in the late wave, so plenty of them on TV later today.
A series of rain cells moved through the area, so the course is a little soft today and the rough penal.
Bryan Angus
David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Graham DeLaet and Adam Hadwin are the Canadian contingent amongst the stars who have arrived in Hollywood to play one of America's iconic courses, Riviera this week.
The icing on the cake for the sponsors would be the debut here of Rory McIlroy who begins his run at the Masters with 5 events in his next 6 weeks. He is in the morning wave off #10 with Hideki Matsuyama and Matt Kuchar.
Jordan Spieth is in a featured group with Fred Couples and young Justin Thomas in the late wave, so plenty of them on TV later today.
A series of rain cells moved through the area, so the course is a little soft today and the rough penal.
Bryan Angus
Danny Willett in contention again, this time at Maybank Championship
European Tour Maybank Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016012/leaderboard/index.html#mQzyAjcjL8ArU2vP.97
Danny Willett has continued his impressive start to the European Tour season with a 65 this morning at the Maybank Championship Malaysia.
The English star you'll remember won his last tournament at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which made it two top fives in his first three events this year and of course he finished second to Rory in the Race to Dubai in 2015, all of that raising his official ranking to #13.
The English star you'll remember won his last tournament at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which made it two top fives in his first three events this year and of course he finished second to Rory in the Race to Dubai in 2015, all of that raising his official ranking to #13.
Malayasia is a tough gig for many of the top players, although Kuala Lumpur is a fascinating city, it is sickeningly hot and humid, and it's a long flight to get there.
Willett turned in -1 34, then got hot, chipping in for eagle on the 13th and following that with back-to-back birdies before sinking a huge putt on the 18th to be in a group -6 65 including Tommy Fleetwood and Peter Uihlein to get within a shot of first-round leader, Australian Nathan Holman who shot -7 64.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Langer now second in all time wins behind Trevino and Irwin
AP....Bernhard Langer won the Chubb Classic for his 26th PGA Champions Tour title, closing with a +1 73 for a three-stroke victory.
Canada’s Stephen Ames and Rod Spittle each had a share of 17th at 6-under
Seven strokes ahead after opening with rounds of 62 and 66, the 58-year-old German star finished at -15 201 at TwinEagles. He also won in 2011 and 2013, was second in 2012 and tied for second in 2014.
Fred Couples had a 66 to finish second.
Langer completed his sixth wire-to-wire triumph. He’s second on the Senior tour’s victory list, behind Hale Irwin (45) and Lee Trevino (29).
Couples drew within two shots with a birdie on 17 and Langer’s bogey on 15. Couples had a three-putt bogey on 18, and Langer birdied 17 to push the margin to four. On 18, Langer put his second shot in the water and salvaged a bogey.
Canada’s Stephen Ames and Rod Spittle each had a share of 17th at 6-under
Mickelson's little miss at Pebble Beach puts him in good company on a dubious list
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
In Scotland there is a famous rugby fly half who had just missed a little 20 yard kick in front of the nation and 75,000 on a Saturday afternoon at Murrayfield to lose their Calcutta Cup match by a point to the old enemy, England.
In the post game trauma he tearfully told the assembled media he could make that kick 10 times in a row in his slippers.
Later that night under a full moon when all but a few of his closest friends had long since gone, there he was, with a bag of rugby balls, in his slippers, in the empty stadium, kicking one after another with a slight draw right through the uprights, as if to erase the scar the big one he had missed hours before had left on his psyche, not to mention his heart.
I could imagine "Lefty" out there last night on the 18th green just before midnight at Pebble Beach, in his slippers with a shag bag of balls, sinking that little 5 footer with a slight draw over and over, right into the center of the cup.
For the record, his stunning miss left Vaughn Taylor the unlikely winner after a hard charging -7 65 was at the right place at the right time for his first win in 10 years and all the bobbles and trinkets that go with it, including a trip to Augusta in a few short weeks.
Mickelson said all the right things afterward about how well he played all week, how close he is getting, how good it was to be in contention.. etc etc etc..
However this one is going to sting and not for the first time in his career (2006 US Open at Winged Foot) but if I were his shrink this morning, after I'd had him reassess his lovely wife Amy and her fight with cancer, and his beautiful daughters who never have to worry about a red cent for the rest of their and their children's lives I would remind him he is also a member of a dubious list, that have some pretty talented names on it.
Just speak to Doug Sanders about his 2 footer for the Open Championship, or Jean Van de Velde or Scott 'wide right" Norwood of the Buffalo Bills, or Bill Buckner, or members of the Stanford Cardinal and their band after "the Play" against the Golden Bears in 1982, or when Saskatchewan had thirteen players on the field during the last second Montreal field goal attempt to cost them the 2009 Grey Cup.
Oh the list goes on and on, yesterday Leicester City lost a hard fought game at Arsenal on the last kick of the game after 6 minutes of extra time, it's a long list, it's a dubious one to be on.... but it's full of great people, full of champions..like Phil Mickelson..
Bryan Angus
In Scotland there is a famous rugby fly half who had just missed a little 20 yard kick in front of the nation and 75,000 on a Saturday afternoon at Murrayfield to lose their Calcutta Cup match by a point to the old enemy, England.
In the post game trauma he tearfully told the assembled media he could make that kick 10 times in a row in his slippers.
Later that night under a full moon when all but a few of his closest friends had long since gone, there he was, with a bag of rugby balls, in his slippers, in the empty stadium, kicking one after another with a slight draw right through the uprights, as if to erase the scar the big one he had missed hours before had left on his psyche, not to mention his heart.
I could imagine "Lefty" out there last night on the 18th green just before midnight at Pebble Beach, in his slippers with a shag bag of balls, sinking that little 5 footer with a slight draw over and over, right into the center of the cup.
For the record, his stunning miss left Vaughn Taylor the unlikely winner after a hard charging -7 65 was at the right place at the right time for his first win in 10 years and all the bobbles and trinkets that go with it, including a trip to Augusta in a few short weeks.
Mickelson said all the right things afterward about how well he played all week, how close he is getting, how good it was to be in contention.. etc etc etc..
However this one is going to sting and not for the first time in his career (2006 US Open at Winged Foot) but if I were his shrink this morning, after I'd had him reassess his lovely wife Amy and her fight with cancer, and his beautiful daughters who never have to worry about a red cent for the rest of their and their children's lives I would remind him he is also a member of a dubious list, that have some pretty talented names on it.
Just speak to Doug Sanders about his 2 footer for the Open Championship, or Jean Van de Velde or Scott 'wide right" Norwood of the Buffalo Bills, or Bill Buckner, or members of the Stanford Cardinal and their band after "the Play" against the Golden Bears in 1982, or when Saskatchewan had thirteen players on the field during the last second Montreal field goal attempt to cost them the 2009 Grey Cup.
Oh the list goes on and on, yesterday Leicester City lost a hard fought game at Arsenal on the last kick of the game after 6 minutes of extra time, it's a long list, it's a dubious one to be on.... but it's full of great people, full of champions..like Phil Mickelson..
Bryan Angus
Sunday, February 14, 2016
David Hearn/ David Dube finish 8th at Pebble Beach Pro-Am
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am amateur leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/at-t-pebble-beach-national-pro-am/amateur-leaderboard.html
With an early birdie on his first hole David Hearn and his agent David Dube tied for the lead at -24 on the amateur leaderboard at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Saskatoon’s Dube is chairman of the SportBox Entertainment Group, which represents Hearn. Despite finishing with a birdie 4 at the 18th Hearn fought hard for a disappointing 74, leaving the pair at -25, good for 8th place.
With Mickelson missing his little 5 footer on the 18th leaving Vaughn Taylor not only the unlikely winner of the tournament with his -7 65, but also the Pro-Am with his partner Gregg Ontiveros at -30. For Ontiveros who is CEO of Milan based Group 0, it is his 2nd Pebble Beach title in 5 years, as he won here in 2012 with Brian Harmon.
Ontiveros lives in Quad Cities, Illinois, about 230 kilometers west of Chicago, and was recognized by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2012 as the HBE Hispanic Businessman of the Year while his brother and company founder Robert Ontiveros was presented with the Order of Lincoln Award in 2013, recognized as the state of Illinois' highest honor.
In a generation, Group O has expanded to an international business with over 1,500 employees and is recognized as one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S.
Final Canadian scores David Hearn T30 -5 67 70 71 74, Nick Taylor T30 -5 71 68 72 71, Austin Connelly T60 +1 70 73 71 74
Bryan Angus
With an early birdie on his first hole David Hearn and his agent David Dube tied for the lead at -24 on the amateur leaderboard at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Saskatoon’s Dube is chairman of the SportBox Entertainment Group, which represents Hearn. Despite finishing with a birdie 4 at the 18th Hearn fought hard for a disappointing 74, leaving the pair at -25, good for 8th place.
With Mickelson missing his little 5 footer on the 18th leaving Vaughn Taylor not only the unlikely winner of the tournament with his -7 65, but also the Pro-Am with his partner Gregg Ontiveros at -30. For Ontiveros who is CEO of Milan based Group 0, it is his 2nd Pebble Beach title in 5 years, as he won here in 2012 with Brian Harmon.
Ontiveros lives in Quad Cities, Illinois, about 230 kilometers west of Chicago, and was recognized by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2012 as the HBE Hispanic Businessman of the Year while his brother and company founder Robert Ontiveros was presented with the Order of Lincoln Award in 2013, recognized as the state of Illinois' highest honor.
In a generation, Group O has expanded to an international business with over 1,500 employees and is recognized as one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S.
Final Canadian scores David Hearn T30 -5 67 70 71 74, Nick Taylor T30 -5 71 68 72 71, Austin Connelly T60 +1 70 73 71 74
Bryan Angus
Langer leads by a touchdown in Naples, Florida
Champions Tour Chubb Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/schwab-cup.html
After all the hullaballoo about what Bernhard Langer would possibly do without being able to anchor his long putter, nothing has changed for the always fit 58-year-old German star who has called Boca Raton home for over 25 years.
After all the hullaballoo about what Bernhard Langer would possibly do without being able to anchor his long putter, nothing has changed for the always fit 58-year-old German star who has called Boca Raton home for over 25 years.
Langer followed his opening -10 62 with a 66 yesterday to lap the field, increasing his lead to seven strokes at the Champions’Tour Chubb Classic at TwinEagles in Naples.
It's the largest in the event after 36 holes. At -16 128, he’s closing in on the tournament-record -20 that he set in 2011 and Kenny Perry matched in 2012.
Langer is going for his 3rd win here and since he turned 50 has 25 victories amongst his peers, who are playing for second place again this week.
Rod Spittle T20 -4, while Stephen Ames T33 -1.
Bryan Angus
(notes from pgatour.com)
Mickelson leads the charge at Pebble Beach Pro-Am...Weir's struggles continue..
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/at-t-pebble-beach-national-pro-am/leaderboard.html
In typical dramatic style, Phil Mickelson hooked his 260 yard approach on the 18th (his 9th) hole, nearly stymieing himself behind a tree, chipped out from under it, went long into the fringe, then promptly chipped in for the birdie on his way to -6 66 and a two shot lead at -16 199, going into another spectacular Sunday at this Pebble Beach Pro-Am
He won the Scottish Open you will remember in 2013, then buoyed by the three wood of his career at #17, won over an international field at Muirfield the following week.
He hasn't won since, but ironically leads an international field here. Japan's Hiroshi Iwata (69) is at -14, Sweden's Freddie Jacobsen (68) and South Korean Sung Kang (70) are at -13. Another Swede Jonas Blixt (67) is at -12 and a pair of Aussie's Jason Day (68) and Matt Jones (67) are at -10.
Mark O'Meara, one of the games most gregarious players has won here a record 5 times, so Mickelson who is putting very well this week is after his record after his 4 previous triumph's.
Other big names struggled in the wind on Saturday. Jordan Spieth had to get up-and-down for par on the par-5 18th for a 74 just to make the cut, Bubba Watson shot 74 as well.
Watch out for 17 year old Aussie sensation Ryan Ruffels who is at -5 after rounds of 67 70 73. He is another star of the future.
Canadian scores: David Hearn T17 -7 67 70 71, Nick Taylor T29 -4 71 68 72, Austin Connelly T54 -1 70 73 71... Mike Weir MC 77 76 79 +17
Schwartzel shreds the field, wins Tshwane Open easily.
European/Sunshine Tour Tshwane Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016010/leaderboard/index.html#iLJxLDGPCV5l3MJI.97
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel had a one-shot lead as he teed off this morning in the final round of the Tshwane Open, and he went out in 31 strokes to stretch that lead to 5 before closing in style with a -7 63 -16 total, for his eighth win in South Africa, this time by 8 shots over Denmark's Jeff Winther who shot 64 and finished second on -8, with Anthony Michael another two shots further back in third at -6.
The 31 year old has clearly shaken off the rust from his winter break and declared himself delighted with his putting in particular. "In the first three rounds I gave myself so many chances. If I had the stroke I had today, it probably would have been my best tournament ever."
This is his second win of this 2016 season after he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in November.
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel had a one-shot lead as he teed off this morning in the final round of the Tshwane Open, and he went out in 31 strokes to stretch that lead to 5 before closing in style with a -7 63 -16 total, for his eighth win in South Africa, this time by 8 shots over Denmark's Jeff Winther who shot 64 and finished second on -8, with Anthony Michael another two shots further back in third at -6.
The 31 year old has clearly shaken off the rust from his winter break and declared himself delighted with his putting in particular. "In the first three rounds I gave myself so many chances. If I had the stroke I had today, it probably would have been my best tournament ever."
This is his second win of this 2016 season after he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in November.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Schwartzel in contention in round 3 at Tshwane Open
European Tour Tshwane Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016010/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#JOP1wkecDHYCksqW.97
Before play was delayed on Friday Charl Schwartzel made a charge up the leaderboard at the European Tour’s Tshwane Open getting to -6 to sit two shots off the lead.
Before play was delayed on Friday Charl Schwartzel made a charge up the leaderboard at the European Tour’s Tshwane Open getting to -6 to sit two shots off the lead.
Schwartzel had four birdies and an eagle in his 64 to move to -5 second behind South African compatriot Anthony Michael.
Michael carded a -69 to set the clubhouse target before a thunderstorm and then hail forced a suspension in play at Pretoria Country Club.
Daniel Im of the United States (68) and Theunis Spangenberg (71) of South Africa were tied for third on -4 as is Haydn Porteous, who won the tour’s Joburg Open last month.
This morning when play resumed Toby Tree reached the turn in a -5 30 to propel himself into contention on day three
The 21 year old was one over par heading into his third round after posting scores of 70 and 71 on Thursday and Friday respectively but he slipped to +2 early this morning after following up a par at the first with a bogey at the par-four second.
But the Englishman bounced back in style, firing three straight birdies from the fourth, before making another at the eighth to go -2, then an eagle at the long ninth moved him to -4 just three shots behind the overnight lead held by Anthony Michael.
South Africa's Zander Lombard also started brightly on day three, following pars at the opening five holes with gains at the sixth and seventh before rolling in from four feet for another birdie at the eighth to join Tree on four under.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
But the Englishman bounced back in style, firing three straight birdies from the fourth, before making another at the eighth to go -2, then an eagle at the long ninth moved him to -4 just three shots behind the overnight lead held by Anthony Michael.
South Africa's Zander Lombard also started brightly on day three, following pars at the opening five holes with gains at the sixth and seventh before rolling in from four feet for another birdie at the eighth to join Tree on four under.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Mickelson the headliner at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/at-t-pebble-beach-national-pro-am/leaderboard.html
There is a South Korean, Sung Kang 72 60 -11 and a Japanese, Hirosi Iwata 66 66 -11 on top of this years Pebble Beach Pro-am where the busiest staff are the scorekeepers on these very private links that get over run every February with billionaires from all over the world, hacking and slashing up the Monterrey Peninsula.
However make no mistake the minute Phil Mickelson posted his 68 and 65 at Monterrey Peninsula -10, he became the much needed headliner going into this weekend.
Hi putter, not his driver was red hot on his front nine using it only 11 times, however after making an excuse me eagle bomb at 10 he cooled off making bogey's at the two par 5's, but happily settled fro 65 just a shot off the lead a position he has held before, with his 4 previous wins
He is joined at -10 by Freddie Jacobson (69 SH) and Chez Reavie (70 PB) while Justin Rose had a 68 (MP) -9
Jordan Spieth (70 MP) is 8 shots back at -3, so needs to get his act in gear today to get any TV time come Sunday. Jason Day had a 66 at Monterey Peninsula to get within five shots of the lead.
Canadian scores; David Hearn(PB) is playing nicely at -6 67 70 Nick Taylor (MP)is -4 71 68. Austin Connelly (SH) T59 is -1 70 73 while Mike Weir (PB) 77 76 + 9.
By the way a tip of my cap to Rich Lerner and the producers of the Golf Channel who did a real nice job with background info on all the celebrities playing yesterday and of course his never ending geography lessons on that most expensive and beautiful coastline of southern California.
Bryan Angus
There is a South Korean, Sung Kang 72 60 -11 and a Japanese, Hirosi Iwata 66 66 -11 on top of this years Pebble Beach Pro-am where the busiest staff are the scorekeepers on these very private links that get over run every February with billionaires from all over the world, hacking and slashing up the Monterrey Peninsula.
However make no mistake the minute Phil Mickelson posted his 68 and 65 at Monterrey Peninsula -10, he became the much needed headliner going into this weekend.
Hi putter, not his driver was red hot on his front nine using it only 11 times, however after making an excuse me eagle bomb at 10 he cooled off making bogey's at the two par 5's, but happily settled fro 65 just a shot off the lead a position he has held before, with his 4 previous wins
He is joined at -10 by Freddie Jacobson (69 SH) and Chez Reavie (70 PB) while Justin Rose had a 68 (MP) -9
Jordan Spieth (70 MP) is 8 shots back at -3, so needs to get his act in gear today to get any TV time come Sunday. Jason Day had a 66 at Monterey Peninsula to get within five shots of the lead.
Canadian scores; David Hearn(PB) is playing nicely at -6 67 70 Nick Taylor (MP)is -4 71 68. Austin Connelly (SH) T59 is -1 70 73 while Mike Weir (PB) 77 76 + 9.
By the way a tip of my cap to Rich Lerner and the producers of the Golf Channel who did a real nice job with background info on all the celebrities playing yesterday and of course his never ending geography lessons on that most expensive and beautiful coastline of southern California.
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 12, 2016
Round 2 suspended at Tshwane Open in Pretoria, RSA.
European/Sunshine Tour Tshwane Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016010/leaderboard/index.html#Smb9LLIEZo62r4WQ.97
After 3 weeks in the middle east, what's left of the European Tour, bolstered by a strong contingent from the Sunshine Tour are in the beautiful northern city of Pretoria, one of 3 capital cities in South Africa.
There were 11 Springboks, 1 American and 1 Swede in the top 10 when play was suspended due to a dangerous situation at 1648 local time.
Charles Scwartzel is the headliner and he was at -6 on his round today with a hole to play. He is part of 5 groups who will return to play tomorrow morning.
After 3 weeks in the middle east, what's left of the European Tour, bolstered by a strong contingent from the Sunshine Tour are in the beautiful northern city of Pretoria, one of 3 capital cities in South Africa.
There were 11 Springboks, 1 American and 1 Swede in the top 10 when play was suspended due to a dangerous situation at 1648 local time.
Anthony Michael set the clubhouse target to move into a share of the lead on day two of the Tshwane Open.
The South African had entered the second round a shot behind overnight leader Justin Harding and he eventually shot -1 69 to join Harding at -7 with his countryman due out in the afternoon wave.
Monday qualifier Theunis Spangenberg (who?) shot -4 68 along with the American Daniel Im on a day of high scoring on this difficult tree lined Pretoria CC.
Charles Scwartzel is the headliner and he was at -6 on his round today with a hole to play. He is part of 5 groups who will return to play tomorrow morning.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
No names lead big names after round 1at Pebble Beach
PGA Tour ATT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
There are apparently six of the world's top ten at Bing's old Clambake being contested over 3 courses again this weekend on some of the world's most expensive real estate called the magnificent Monterey Penninsula, all paid for by the sponsor AT&T and the $5000 per round paid for by the corporate giants who gladly write off their green fees to play with the pros.
I didn't see many of them because the only one who broke 70 was Justin Rose who was on TV because he was being followed by teenage girls...because he is paired with Justin Timberlake...
Lesser known Chez Reavie from Wichita, Kansas (remember he won our Canadian Open as a rookie at the Abbey in 2008) shot -8 63 at Monterey Peninsula, the easiest of the three courses. Reavie has struggled with surgery on his knee and wrist which caused him to miss 2014, over the last few seasons.
Sweden's short game specialist Freddie Jacobson made five birdies for -7 65 at Pebble Beach, the only course to play over par while Cameron Smith of Australia and Bronson Burgoon each had -7 64 at Monterey Peninsula.
As for the big names, Jordan Spieth (71) failed to get up-and-down for birdies three times on the par 5s at Spyglass Hill as did Jason Day. Dustin Johnson (70) at Spyglass, while Bubba Watson was disappointing,(73) and Patrick Reed could only manage 72.
Canadians : Mike Weir (PB) +5 77 is back from his travels to the middle east while David Hearn (MP) T16 -4 67. T39 Austin Connelly (PB) -2 70, T65 Nick Taylor (SH) -1 71
Bryan Angus
Monday, February 8, 2016
Tearful Fowler blows Phoenix Open...Matsuyama wins..
PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/waste-management-phoenix-open/leaderboard.html
“It didn’t look very good, then Rickie opened the door for me, and I was able to walk through it.”
"Surprised and sad that Rickie finished that way, but all I can do is my best,” Matsuyama said through a translator. “I was lucky to come out on top.”
“This one hurts, the hard part is having all my friends and family and grandpa and my dad who haven’t seen me win,” Fowler said. “But I will be able to kind of hang with them tonight. I’ll be all right.”
Brave words from the hottest guy in golf these days, Rickie Fowler who broke down in tears after his playoff loss Sunday in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, overcome by emotion after he let the tournament get away from him, and the culprit was the par4 17th
He was leading Matsuyama by 2 shots in front of a another massive Super Bowl Sunday crowd of 66,330 ( record total for the week was 618,365) and the way he has been playing it looked lie he was going to win his his fifth worldwide title in nine months. Remember his win back in May at The Players Championship, then at Gullane for the Scottish Open followed by the Deutsche Bank Championship in September and then of course in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago.
After narrowly missing a 10 footer at 16th for birdie to go 3 ahead he stepped up to the tee on the 317 yard 17th. Rickie is a tiny guy folks, 5'7 maybe 145 pounds soaking wet, but these days after his work with Butch Harmon, he can simply pound the ball when he needs to.
On the 17th tee he pounded one, too far, as he blew his two-shot lead when hit it some 360 yards through the green and into the water for bogey while Matsuyama made birdie to suddenly tie for the lead.
Fowler recovered to force the playoff after Matsuyama birdie the 18th, with a 12 foot birdie putt of his own and off they went to the playoff after they both fired -4 67's -14 270.
They played the 18th twice, then halved the 10th before arriving back at the 17th where Rickie changed tactics, using a 3-wood, but with the same result, this time pulling it into the lake just short of the green. He made bogey leaving the Japanese star with a 2 putt par for the win.
Third-round leader Danny Lee shot 73 T4 -11 after starting the day three strokes ahead of Fowler and Matsuyama.
Bryan Angus
(notes from BBC, pgatour.com)
“It didn’t look very good, then Rickie opened the door for me, and I was able to walk through it.”
"Surprised and sad that Rickie finished that way, but all I can do is my best,” Matsuyama said through a translator. “I was lucky to come out on top.”
“This one hurts, the hard part is having all my friends and family and grandpa and my dad who haven’t seen me win,” Fowler said. “But I will be able to kind of hang with them tonight. I’ll be all right.”
Brave words from the hottest guy in golf these days, Rickie Fowler who broke down in tears after his playoff loss Sunday in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, overcome by emotion after he let the tournament get away from him, and the culprit was the par4 17th
He was leading Matsuyama by 2 shots in front of a another massive Super Bowl Sunday crowd of 66,330 ( record total for the week was 618,365) and the way he has been playing it looked lie he was going to win his his fifth worldwide title in nine months. Remember his win back in May at The Players Championship, then at Gullane for the Scottish Open followed by the Deutsche Bank Championship in September and then of course in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago.
After narrowly missing a 10 footer at 16th for birdie to go 3 ahead he stepped up to the tee on the 317 yard 17th. Rickie is a tiny guy folks, 5'7 maybe 145 pounds soaking wet, but these days after his work with Butch Harmon, he can simply pound the ball when he needs to.
On the 17th tee he pounded one, too far, as he blew his two-shot lead when hit it some 360 yards through the green and into the water for bogey while Matsuyama made birdie to suddenly tie for the lead.
Fowler recovered to force the playoff after Matsuyama birdie the 18th, with a 12 foot birdie putt of his own and off they went to the playoff after they both fired -4 67's -14 270.
They played the 18th twice, then halved the 10th before arriving back at the 17th where Rickie changed tactics, using a 3-wood, but with the same result, this time pulling it into the lake just short of the green. He made bogey leaving the Japanese star with a 2 putt par for the win.
Matsuyama won Jack's Memorial in 2014 for his only other PGA Tour title, beating Kevin Na on the first extra hole and you may remember he T2 here last year, a shot behind Brooks Koepka.
Canadian scores: Adam Hadwin -3 68 T17th -6 278 total while Nick Taylor, +2 73 +5 289.
Bryan Angus
(notes from BBC, pgatour.com)
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Kiwi Danny Lee leads Waste Management in front of golf's biggest crowd.
PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/waste-management-phoenix-open/leaderboard.html
The crowds are always huge at TPC Scottsdale and yesterday after an estimated 201,003 came through the turnstiles they set the record for the largest crowd in golf history.
Lee is at -13 200 and you will remember the 25-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander beat David Hearn in a playoff to win the Greenbrier Classic last year for his first PGA Tour title.
The crowds are always huge at TPC Scottsdale and yesterday after an estimated 201,003 came through the turnstiles they set the record for the largest crowd in golf history.
Danny Lee who recently asked fellow pro Pat Perez to help him find a girlfriend, shot a -4 67 to move three strokes ahead of Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama going into Super Bowl Sunday'
The previous largest crowd at the Stadium Course was 189,722 in 2014. The event also set a day record Friday at 160,415, and has drawn 535,035 for the first six days – close to the weekly mark of 564,368 set last year
Lee is at -13 200 and you will remember the 25-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander beat David Hearn in a playoff to win the Greenbrier Classic last year for his first PGA Tour title.
Fowler won two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi for his fourth worldwide victory in nine months.
Matsuyama chipped in for birdie on the par-4 14th and two-putted for birdie on 15. The 23-year-old Japanese player T2 last year, a stroke behind Brooks Koepka.
Bryce Molder (64) and Boo Weekley (65) are -9 under. Phil Mickelson is at -8 after 65.
Canadian scores : Adam Hadwin T31 73 68 69 -3 Nick Taylor T62 73 69 74 +3 David Hearn and Graham DeLaet MC
Bryan Angus
(notes from pgatour.com, AP, BBC)
Brooke Henderson finishes 2nd at Coates Championship in rainy Ocala, Florida.
LPGA Tour Coates Championship final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/coatesgolfchampionshippresentedbyrlcarriers/results
Mother nature took a hand in the outcome of this rain soaked final round of the Coates Championship in Ocala Florida, but as the old saying goes " it was the same for everyone"
Brooke Henderson had the lead until she made a pair of three-putt bogeys over the final five holes as the rain worsened, forming puddles on the edges of the green. The greens crew used leaf blowers on some of the puddles to help the water evaporate.
She then tried to lay up on the par-5 18th with a hybrid and came within an inch of the hazard. With an awkward stance and a tough lie, she chunked a wedge to the front of the green, some 75 feet away, and did well to two-putt for par.
So she was drying out in the clubhouse at (72) -9 279, waiting to see if it would be enough for a playoff
Sadly for her she had to settle for second as she eventually finished two shots back of South Korean Ha Na Jang, who captured her first career LPGA Tour title making a late birdie to take the lead en route to a final-round 72 -11 277.
However always the optimist she had this to say afterwards “Starting the day, if I would have finished second, I would have been very happy,
a couple putts on the back nine kind of cost me, but overall it was a good day, and I’m right in position where I want to be.”
Lydia Ko, the LPGA player of the year making her 2016 debut, was tied with Jang after they completed the third round Saturday morning at Golden Ocala.
Ko, however, fell apart in the middle of the final round. She made three straight bogeys to finish the back nine, then hit her tee shot into the water and made double bogey on the par-3 11th to fall five shots behind. She ran off three straight birdies late in her round to try to stay in it. Ko closed with a 75 and tied for third, three shots behind.
Jang was 15th on the LPGA money list last year as a rookie, when she was runner-up four times. The player of the year on the Korean LPGA in 2013. She was a runner-up here last year.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com, CP. AP)
Mother nature took a hand in the outcome of this rain soaked final round of the Coates Championship in Ocala Florida, but as the old saying goes " it was the same for everyone"
Brooke Henderson had the lead until she made a pair of three-putt bogeys over the final five holes as the rain worsened, forming puddles on the edges of the green. The greens crew used leaf blowers on some of the puddles to help the water evaporate.
She then tried to lay up on the par-5 18th with a hybrid and came within an inch of the hazard. With an awkward stance and a tough lie, she chunked a wedge to the front of the green, some 75 feet away, and did well to two-putt for par.
So she was drying out in the clubhouse at (72) -9 279, waiting to see if it would be enough for a playoff
Sadly for her she had to settle for second as she eventually finished two shots back of South Korean Ha Na Jang, who captured her first career LPGA Tour title making a late birdie to take the lead en route to a final-round 72 -11 277.
However always the optimist she had this to say afterwards “Starting the day, if I would have finished second, I would have been very happy,
a couple putts on the back nine kind of cost me, but overall it was a good day, and I’m right in position where I want to be.”
Lydia Ko, the LPGA player of the year making her 2016 debut, was tied with Jang after they completed the third round Saturday morning at Golden Ocala.
Ko, however, fell apart in the middle of the final round. She made three straight bogeys to finish the back nine, then hit her tee shot into the water and made double bogey on the par-3 11th to fall five shots behind. She ran off three straight birdies late in her round to try to stay in it. Ko closed with a 75 and tied for third, three shots behind.
Jang was 15th on the LPGA money list last year as a rookie, when she was runner-up four times. The player of the year on the Korean LPGA in 2013. She was a runner-up here last year.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com, CP. AP)
Willett wins Omega Dubai Desert Classic
European Tour Omega Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016008/leaderboard/index.html#1kbzAKgiWfcJHfvm.97
Breaking news ....Danny Willett has just hung on to win Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Danny Willett has just made a 12 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by a shot over Andy Sullivan and Rafa Cabrara Bello.
Willet shot -3 69 -19 269 and held off the hard charging field including the Spaniard Bello -3 69 -18 270 T2 and Willett's talented countryman Sullivan -4 68 -18 270 T2.
previously..
For years stalwarts like Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have been the standard bearers for English golf, and while they hardly all said and done, the future of the game for that country is on full display yet again playing round 4 this morning in spectacular Dubai.
After second successive round of -7 65 Danny Willett held a one-shot after the third round Saturday at -16. Remember that name if you haven't been paying attention, he's no flash in the pan, battling right to the end before finishing second to Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai last year.
Red hot Spaniard, Rafa Cabrera Bello who won here in 2012 began play this morning in second place at -15 after a third consecutive -5 67 with Willett's fellow country man little Andy Sullivan (-6 66), who finished runner-up to McIlroy in November’s DP World Tour Championship third at -14 202
Breaking news ....Danny Willett has just hung on to win Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Danny Willett has just made a 12 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by a shot over Andy Sullivan and Rafa Cabrara Bello.
Willet shot -3 69 -19 269 and held off the hard charging field including the Spaniard Bello -3 69 -18 270 T2 and Willett's talented countryman Sullivan -4 68 -18 270 T2.
previously..
For years stalwarts like Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have been the standard bearers for English golf, and while they hardly all said and done, the future of the game for that country is on full display yet again playing round 4 this morning in spectacular Dubai.
After second successive round of -7 65 Danny Willett held a one-shot after the third round Saturday at -16. Remember that name if you haven't been paying attention, he's no flash in the pan, battling right to the end before finishing second to Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai last year.
Red hot Spaniard, Rafa Cabrera Bello who won here in 2012 began play this morning in second place at -15 after a third consecutive -5 67 with Willett's fellow country man little Andy Sullivan (-6 66), who finished runner-up to McIlroy in November’s DP World Tour Championship third at -14 202
Defending champion McIlroy again got off to a slow start on Saturday but saved his round with another brilliant back nine to shoot -4 68 starting today eight shots behind Willett at 208 but he has been charging hard this morning shooting -7 65 -15 T5 including 3 straight birdies at 13,14,15, .
One of the great stories this week has been the play of Ernie Els who who started Saturday just one shot behind the leader but stumbled a little in the middle of his round ending up with a +2 74 T28 at -7. However he back on form this morning, firing a very solid -5 67 and he is in the clubhouse at -12
With young guns like Matt Fitzpatrick, Eddie Pepperall, Tyrrel Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood all vying for England's 2 spots at the Olympics and places in future Ryder Cup teams that country is going through a real purple patch in the men's game, with Willett and Sullivan right at the top.
Making a run this afternoon along with Rory were South Korean star Byeong An who birdied the first 4 holes of the back nine, -7 65 -16 4th, and Henrik Stenson -6 66 -15 6th, Alvaro Quiros -7 65 -16 4th
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 5, 2016
Ernie turns back the clock, Rory recovers at Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
European Tour Omega Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016008/leaderboard/index.html#kOV3Q0mhbWfzkcKr.97
Ernie Els has shot 68 67 to get to -9 just a shot behind leader Rafa Cabrera Bello 67 67 -10 who won here in 2012 and is in great form after last week's T2 at the Qatar Masters following a top 15 finish in Abu Dhabi .
Dressed in bright blue slacks and a big pink shirt the big Easy talked after his round about how he is falling in love on the greens again, after he got so bad earlier in South Africa he was grinding over 18"ers. It's hard to imagine this gentle giant has slipped to #205 in the world.
With a new left hand low grip, and a new comfortable set up, he is rolling in putts the way he did in his prime especially here where he is the three-time champion with another 5 top 10's.
He is joined by Danny Willett (65) and Trevor Fisher Jnr at -9. Joost Luiten, Thorbjørn Olesen, Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood are all at -8
Henrik Stenson, who won here in 2007, and 2011 winner Alvaro Quiros are a further shot behind alongside Brett Rumford at -7
Defending champion Rory McIlroy rescued his round with a birdie-birdie-birdie finish for 72. It was one of those rounds for Rory where he had a lot of bad luck on this Emirates Course which seems much firmer this year with less rough in crucial run off areas. On a few occassions superb towering drives kept on just trickling into fairway bunkers, and his putter was cold on his front nine where he had 4 bogey's to go out in 38.
Ernie Els has shot 68 67 to get to -9 just a shot behind leader Rafa Cabrera Bello 67 67 -10 who won here in 2012 and is in great form after last week's T2 at the Qatar Masters following a top 15 finish in Abu Dhabi .
Dressed in bright blue slacks and a big pink shirt the big Easy talked after his round about how he is falling in love on the greens again, after he got so bad earlier in South Africa he was grinding over 18"ers. It's hard to imagine this gentle giant has slipped to #205 in the world.
With a new left hand low grip, and a new comfortable set up, he is rolling in putts the way he did in his prime especially here where he is the three-time champion with another 5 top 10's.
He is joined by Danny Willett (65) and Trevor Fisher Jnr at -9. Joost Luiten, Thorbjørn Olesen, Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood are all at -8
Henrik Stenson, who won here in 2007, and 2011 winner Alvaro Quiros are a further shot behind alongside Brett Rumford at -7
Defending champion Rory McIlroy rescued his round with a birdie-birdie-birdie finish for 72. It was one of those rounds for Rory where he had a lot of bad luck on this Emirates Course which seems much firmer this year with less rough in crucial run off areas. On a few occassions superb towering drives kept on just trickling into fairway bunkers, and his putter was cold on his front nine where he had 4 bogey's to go out in 38.
Els, McIlroy and Stenson will all be going for a fifth title in the Gulf States, while a win for McIlroy would also see him match Ernie's record of three wins at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Fowler, Lowery and Matsuyama lead the Phoenix Open..
PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/waste-management-phoenix-open/leaderboard.html
This is the Phoenix Open with the stadium par 3 16th, fuelled by some 16,000 beer soaked fans.... These days with Waste Management as the title sponsor we have to pay homage to guys who make porta potties and have stumped up some $10m as title sponsor to tell everyone their s--- doesn't stink..
Round one is well underway and there are 4 Canadians. David Hearn +3 74 and Nick Taylor +2 73 were out early and didn't do so well.
Graham DeLaet playing late just about aced the 17th ended up E 72 while Adam Hadwin shot +1 73
The leaders are Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowery and Hideki Matsuyama at -6 65. Indian star Anibar Lahiri is 3rd at -5 67
Bryan Angus
This is the Phoenix Open with the stadium par 3 16th, fuelled by some 16,000 beer soaked fans.... These days with Waste Management as the title sponsor we have to pay homage to guys who make porta potties and have stumped up some $10m as title sponsor to tell everyone their s--- doesn't stink..
Round one is well underway and there are 4 Canadians. David Hearn +3 74 and Nick Taylor +2 73 were out early and didn't do so well.
Graham DeLaet playing late just about aced the 17th ended up E 72 while Adam Hadwin shot +1 73
The leaders are Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowery and Hideki Matsuyama at -6 65. Indian star Anibar Lahiri is 3rd at -5 67
Bryan Angus
Rory and Noren a familiar story at Dubai Desert Classic
European Tour Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016008/leaderboard/index.html#GJOyobtxLzRudl7U.97
Rory McIlroy is a familiar story where ever he goes, and as far as this tournament is concerned so is Denmark's Alex Noren who finished 2nd to Rory here last year.
McIlroy had a shaky start but recovered for a -4 68 leaving him two shots off the lead held by guess who.. Alex Noren -6 66
Rory McIlroy is a familiar story where ever he goes, and as far as this tournament is concerned so is Denmark's Alex Noren who finished 2nd to Rory here last year.
McIlroy had a shaky start but recovered for a -4 68 leaving him two shots off the lead held by guess who.. Alex Noren -6 66
McIlroy bogeyed two of the easiest holes on the course, but also had six birdies to sit in a large group at -4 which included evergreen Ernie Els, the most successful player in the history of the tournament with three titles and eight other top-10 finishes
Four players were tied at -5 67, Sweden’s Peter Hanson, Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Australia’s Brett Rumford and South African Trevor Fisher Jr.
Henrik Stenson playing alongside McIlroy, opened with a -3 69.
The new changes in the course, where the fairways have been made firmer and grass has been shaved off the fringe of the greens have made the course tougher and at times they troubled McIlroy, who has never finished outside the top 10 in his last six starts at the Emirates Golf Club.
If you want to join me at 2.30amEST we can watch Rory and Henrik etal in round 2... Why not ?!... the wife is snoring, the kids are in la la land..
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Dubai is spectacular.. but Rory may be the story this weekend..
European Tour Omega Dubai Desert Classic tee times http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016008/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#8BcLGQIXELHBS2P1.97
While the European Tour's HQ has been at Wentworth since 1981, since 2009 their international HQ have been located at the lavish Jumeirah Estates in Dubai, and for those of you who join the annual migration of snowbirds to Florida, or swear by fill in your favourite blank in the Caribbean, or Mexico....you might want to take a deep breath, get international and take the flight to Dubai, one of seven Emirates that make the UAE.
With the never ending riches of oil dwindling and set to dry out altogether Dubai led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is bound and determined to be the holiday resort of the world, and there are no shortage of breath taking activities to make your day a memorable one.
Although it's in the desert and you are guaranteed all the sun you can handle, particularly in the summer, you can go snow skiing. indoors no less, or play all the hockey you want, in fact they host Canadian tournaments every year.
Burj Khalifa has taken over from the CP Tower as the tallest, the Dubai Mall is like Rodeo drive on steroids, Burj Al Arab is that 10 star hotel shaped like a sail that has themed rooms (James Bond room, etc) that only the richest can afford, take the kids to Dolphin Bay, Aquaventure waterpark or Wild Wadi Waterpark and they'll love you.
Off road ATVing in the desert, a beautiful Sikh Temple that is the only Gurdwara in the Middle East, or the Jumeirah Mosque, the world famous man made Palm Islands, heck there is even an underwater zoo...on and on it goes..
With generous tax breaks, great weather and a central location for the 27 countries this tour travels to many pros have a home here so it's just a drive to this week's Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where Rory McIlroy lives and is going for a three peat of sorts. He explains...
“It’s always nice to be back in Dubai, and I guess the last couple of times I’ve played here I’ve done pretty well, so I’m sort of going for three in a row in Dubai with winning here last year and then winning the DP World Tour Championship at the end of last season. So it seems to bring out my best golf. I think this is my tenth year here – I played twice as an amateur. So I’ve got a lot of great memories and I get a lot of support here. There are a couple of little things that I took from Abu Dhabi and worked on last week. So hopefully you’ll see my game just a little bit sharper, and I’ll be trying to win again here, win for the third time to join Ernie as the only people to win three times.”
It's a strong field with tour regulars like Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and of course Ernie Els making sure it should be a great week..
For years guys like Ernie and Sergio to name just two had to compete with Tiger at every turn and Rory was talking in Dubai about the parallel of that to Andy Murray and tennis I thought you might like to hear..
While the European Tour's HQ has been at Wentworth since 1981, since 2009 their international HQ have been located at the lavish Jumeirah Estates in Dubai, and for those of you who join the annual migration of snowbirds to Florida, or swear by fill in your favourite blank in the Caribbean, or Mexico....you might want to take a deep breath, get international and take the flight to Dubai, one of seven Emirates that make the UAE.
With the never ending riches of oil dwindling and set to dry out altogether Dubai led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is bound and determined to be the holiday resort of the world, and there are no shortage of breath taking activities to make your day a memorable one.
Although it's in the desert and you are guaranteed all the sun you can handle, particularly in the summer, you can go snow skiing. indoors no less, or play all the hockey you want, in fact they host Canadian tournaments every year.
Burj Khalifa has taken over from the CP Tower as the tallest, the Dubai Mall is like Rodeo drive on steroids, Burj Al Arab is that 10 star hotel shaped like a sail that has themed rooms (James Bond room, etc) that only the richest can afford, take the kids to Dolphin Bay, Aquaventure waterpark or Wild Wadi Waterpark and they'll love you.
Off road ATVing in the desert, a beautiful Sikh Temple that is the only Gurdwara in the Middle East, or the Jumeirah Mosque, the world famous man made Palm Islands, heck there is even an underwater zoo...on and on it goes..
With generous tax breaks, great weather and a central location for the 27 countries this tour travels to many pros have a home here so it's just a drive to this week's Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where Rory McIlroy lives and is going for a three peat of sorts. He explains...
“It’s always nice to be back in Dubai, and I guess the last couple of times I’ve played here I’ve done pretty well, so I’m sort of going for three in a row in Dubai with winning here last year and then winning the DP World Tour Championship at the end of last season. So it seems to bring out my best golf. I think this is my tenth year here – I played twice as an amateur. So I’ve got a lot of great memories and I get a lot of support here. There are a couple of little things that I took from Abu Dhabi and worked on last week. So hopefully you’ll see my game just a little bit sharper, and I’ll be trying to win again here, win for the third time to join Ernie as the only people to win three times.”
It's a strong field with tour regulars like Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and of course Ernie Els making sure it should be a great week..
For years guys like Ernie and Sergio to name just two had to compete with Tiger at every turn and Rory was talking in Dubai about the parallel of that to Andy Murray and tennis I thought you might like to hear..
“You’re not going to find a more driven, more dedicated professional athlete in the world than Andy Murray. He does absolute everything in his power to get the most out of his game. He’s Wimbledon Champion, US Open Champion, Olympic Champion. He’s one of the best British sportspeople ever in my opinion. But he’s been unlucky. He’s come up in an era with Roger (Federer) to start, Rafa (Nadal) and now Novak (Djokovic), and Novak looks like he could potentially be better than all of them. He could win more Grand Slams than Roger and could ultimately be the best ever"
This is the final leg of the desert swing and gets underway in the wee small hours EST Thursday morning and I'll be right here and on TSN1050, Sunday morning covering it and the other desert event in Phoenix with you as always..
Bryan Angus
Monday, February 1, 2016
Snedeker's Sunday 69 trumps the field at wind blown Farmers Insurance
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/farmers-insurance-open/leaderboard.html
Nick Faldo, now Sir Nick Faldo is considered a bit of a pratt by the Scottish public at large, a spoiled English whiner obsessed with himself and his golf swing in his early years, however with 3 Open Championships (all in Scotland) to his credit and three Masters titles, even the dourest of Scots has been forced to doff their cap to his ability.
The school is out again on his earthy English broadcasting style, but early this morning he did point out that with the wind howling shortly after the 1pm EST broadcast time, it would be tough for KJ Choi (-6) Jimmy Williams (-7) etal who had to play their back nines today to score their final 5 holes from 14 in, in the worst of the wind, in even par or better to match Brandt Snedeker's magnificent 69 from Sunday and force a playoff.
Canadian scores:..Adam Hadwin was +9 T63rd. Graham DeLaet T69th at +12
Bryan Angus
Nick Faldo, now Sir Nick Faldo is considered a bit of a pratt by the Scottish public at large, a spoiled English whiner obsessed with himself and his golf swing in his early years, however with 3 Open Championships (all in Scotland) to his credit and three Masters titles, even the dourest of Scots has been forced to doff their cap to his ability.
The school is out again on his earthy English broadcasting style, but early this morning he did point out that with the wind howling shortly after the 1pm EST broadcast time, it would be tough for KJ Choi (-6) Jimmy Williams (-7) etal who had to play their back nines today to score their final 5 holes from 14 in, in the worst of the wind, in even par or better to match Brandt Snedeker's magnificent 69 from Sunday and force a playoff.
Remember Snedeker shot that 69 when the scoring average was 78, in nasty wind and rain on Sunday. As I wrote this morning the wind was just as bad and no one could top his score of -6 282
It was comical with the best players on tour being humbled by Mother Nature and eventually Choi missed a long birdie putt on the 18th that would have forced a playoff and Snedeker who was T3 at the Hyundai and lost in a playoff at the Sony continued his fine play to win at Torrey Pines.
Choi closed with a 76 and finished one shot behind at 283 Jimmy Walker made bogey on four of the eight holes he played and wound up three shots behind.
Bryan Angus
Monday finishes.. Spieth 2nd in Singapore.. Snedeker waiting in San Diego..
The wild weather that blew through Singapore and San Diego may have been miles apart, but had the same result...Monday finishes..
Asian Tour SMBC Singspore Open final scoreboard http://www.asiantour.com/tournaments/520/leaderboard/
In Singapore it's all over and Jordan Spieth has come up just a shot short of winning. That honour has come to South Korean Younghan Song who says he survived a ‘crazy’ sleepless night then hung on to win the US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open by one-shot on Monday.
When he returned this morning he holed his crucial par saving putt on the 16th when play resumed at 7.30am before going on to close his finishing two holes with pars to finish -1 70 -12 270 just enough to edge Spieth who made a birdie putt on 18 to make things interesting.
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/farmers-insurance-open/leaderboard.html
Brandt Snedeker has been playing great golf this year with his new Bridgestone driver and ball, and new lessons from his new coach Butch Harmon.
Sunday in a howling wind at Torrey Pines he posted another beauty, a 69 when the average score for the field was over 78, and he is in the clubhouse with the lead at -6.
The final round was suspended three times because of conditions and remarkably
Snedeker was the only player to shoot par or better. When play was haltedJimmy Walker was at -7 one shot ahead of Snedeker and Choi. The final group was through 10 holes and play will resume at 11am this morning ET..
More foul weather is in today's forecast..
Bryan Angus
Asian Tour SMBC Singspore Open final scoreboard http://www.asiantour.com/tournaments/520/leaderboard/
In Singapore it's all over and Jordan Spieth has come up just a shot short of winning. That honour has come to South Korean Younghan Song who says he survived a ‘crazy’ sleepless night then hung on to win the US$1 million SMBC Singapore Open by one-shot on Monday.
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/farmers-insurance-open/leaderboard.html
Brandt Snedeker has been playing great golf this year with his new Bridgestone driver and ball, and new lessons from his new coach Butch Harmon.
Sunday in a howling wind at Torrey Pines he posted another beauty, a 69 when the average score for the field was over 78, and he is in the clubhouse with the lead at -6.
The final round was suspended three times because of conditions and remarkably
Snedeker was the only player to shoot par or better. When play was haltedJimmy Walker was at -7 one shot ahead of Snedeker and Choi. The final group was through 10 holes and play will resume at 11am this morning ET..
More foul weather is in today's forecast..
Bryan Angus
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