It's 3.30pm on a very rainy mild (4*c) soaking wet New Year's Eve here in Toronto.
The people, mainly kids that will congregate at various New Year's gigs like City Hall and Mel Lastman's Square will be absolutely soaked, and they can have it, having been there and done that.
Many of my New Year's activities can't be published here, but I might give you a hint to say they usually involved my love interest at the time, some selected lingerie and a bottle of champagne....along with.. well, you get it..
One of the best however was in Scotland where Hogmanay is the biggest night of the year. I was in a rural community and followed the Scottish tradition of " first footing" your neighbours, it was considered good luck to receive a dark haired stranger with a lump of coal and a dram of whiskey right after midnight.
The 'first footing" went on all night from house to house, with many a dram shared, along with shortbread cookies, hot chocolate, mugs of tea and great comradeship. The local farmer, arrived with his tractor and trailer when the sun came up on the New Year and we all piled on and were dropped off along the way to our homes.
After a quick shower it was off to Royal Burgess GC for the annual New Years Day breakfast and round of golf !!!
Full Scottish breakfast, square sausage, Ayrshire bacon, black pudding, potato scones, fried eggs, toast and tea. Off to the first tee to play foursomes (alternate shot) all wrapped up, and warmed by a pewter dram of Royal Burgess whiskey, which was available on every other hole by the way.
The walk, fresh air and the odd good shot was a fantastic way to walk off the night before and kick off the New Year.
I'm happy to say my late brother Rodney and I continued that tradition back home here in Canada at golf courses we snuck onto with a handful of pals until the police arrived one year after an over exuberant club member called us out !
It will be a quiet night for me, a nice meal, a dram or two, team Canada at the juniors and a good movie. I'll leave the hootin' and hollerin' to the amateurs and will hit the gym to start the new year tomorrow.
All the very best my friends for 2019, and remember, "you never appreciate your health until you lose it," so take care and thanks for joining me all year..
The PGA pros are all in Hawaii already getting ready to start the season on January 3.
Bryan Angus
Monday, December 31, 2018
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Brooke Henderson wins Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year...again
After winning the CP Women's Open, the first time for a Canadian since Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973 to bring her 2018 tally to 2 wins and 11 top 10's, Brooke Henderson has been awarded the Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year for a third time in four years...repeating last year's Bobbie Rosenfeld award.
She garnered 30 of 54 votes. " This is a dream come true especially being a winter Olympic year with all those great athlete's. It's a really big honour and I'm just proud to bring home this trophy again"
Bryan Angus
She garnered 30 of 54 votes. " This is a dream come true especially being a winter Olympic year with all those great athlete's. It's a really big honour and I'm just proud to bring home this trophy again"
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Women's Golf 2018 Trophy winners..
20 year old Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand is, in the opinion of most pundits and players head and shoulders the best female player in the world and this year she did nothing to change those opinions. She goes into 2019 as the world #1.
From a Canadian point of view Brooke Henderson had another strong year, was narrowly beaten in the Lou Marsh awards, and of course arguably produced this country's sporting moment when she won the CP Women's Open in Regina.
While they take a well earned Christmas break here's a look back at who won what in 2018.
Official World Rankings https://www.rolexrankings.com/rankings
The Majors
ANA Inspiration, Mission Hills CC : Pernilla Lindberg
US Women's Open, Shoal Creek Alabama : Ariya Jutanugarn
KPMG Women's PGA Championship Kemper Lakes GC, Illinois : Sung Hyun Park
Ricoh Women's British Open, Royal Lytham St Annes : Georgia Hall
Evian Championship, Evian Resort GC, France : Angela Stanford
Notables
CP Women's Open, Regina : Brooke Henderson
UL International Crown, Jack Nicklaus GC, South Korea : South Korea
CME Group Tour Championship, Tiburon GC Naples Florida : Lexi Thompson
Race to CME Globe winner : Ariya Jutanugarn
Money list winner : Ariya Jutanugarn $2,743,949
Scoring Average leader: Ariya Jutanugarn 69.415
Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year : Jin Young Ko
Bryan Angus
From a Canadian point of view Brooke Henderson had another strong year, was narrowly beaten in the Lou Marsh awards, and of course arguably produced this country's sporting moment when she won the CP Women's Open in Regina.
While they take a well earned Christmas break here's a look back at who won what in 2018.
Official World Rankings https://www.rolexrankings.com/rankings
The Majors
ANA Inspiration, Mission Hills CC : Pernilla Lindberg
US Women's Open, Shoal Creek Alabama : Ariya Jutanugarn
KPMG Women's PGA Championship Kemper Lakes GC, Illinois : Sung Hyun Park
Ricoh Women's British Open, Royal Lytham St Annes : Georgia Hall
Evian Championship, Evian Resort GC, France : Angela Stanford
Notables
CP Women's Open, Regina : Brooke Henderson
UL International Crown, Jack Nicklaus GC, South Korea : South Korea
CME Group Tour Championship, Tiburon GC Naples Florida : Lexi Thompson
Race to CME Globe winner : Ariya Jutanugarn
Money list winner : Ariya Jutanugarn $2,743,949
Scoring Average leader: Ariya Jutanugarn 69.415
Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year : Jin Young Ko
Bryan Angus
Monday, December 17, 2018
Francesco Molinari wins SPOTY World Sports Star of the year award
After his sensational 2018 season which included becoming the first Italian to win the Open Championship, a perfect 5-0 record at the Ryder Cup rout of the USA and was capped by his win of the Race to Dubai, Francesco Molinari has been awarded the prestigious 2018 SPOTY World Sports Star of the year award in Birmingham, England.
He edged out Simone Biles, Ester Ledecka, Oleksandr Usyk. Roger Federer won it four years in a row.
Thomas Bjorn summed it up best " Frankie has won a lifetime of awards in one year !!"
Bryan Angus
He edged out Simone Biles, Ester Ledecka, Oleksandr Usyk. Roger Federer won it four years in a row.
Thomas Bjorn summed it up best " Frankie has won a lifetime of awards in one year !!"
Bryan Angus
Men's Golf, 2018 trophy winners
There are just a few days to go until Christmas believe it or not, it's been quite mild in the GTA and the mild spells will continue into next week. These are truly the few weeks there is no pro golf on the schedules, Q schools are done, the trophies have been decided, so here's a review of who won what on the men's side. (Women to follow tomorrow)
The Majors.
Masters, Augusta National : Patrick Reed (273 -15)
US Open, Shinnecock Hills : Brooks Koepka (281 -1)
Open Championship, Carnoustie GC : Francesco Molinari (276 -8)
PGA Championship, Bellerive CC : Brooks Koepka (264 -16)
WGC Events.
Mexico Championship, Club de Golf Chapultepec : Phil Mickelson
Dell Technologies Match Play, Austin CC : Bubba Watson
Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone CC South: Justin Thomas
HSBC Champions : Sheshan International, Shanghai : Xander Schauffele
Notables:
The Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass Ponte Verde: Webb Simpson
BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth GC, England : Francesco Molinari
RBC Canadian Open, Glen Abbey : Dustin Johnson
Playoffs:
Northern Trust, New Jersey: Bryson DeChambeau
Dell Technologies, Massachusetts: Bryson DeChambeau
BMW Championship, Pennsylvania : Keegan Bradley
Tour Championship, Atlanta, Georgia : Tiger Woods
Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, Turkey : Justin Rose
Nedbank Golf Challenge, Sun City, RSA : Lee Westwood
DP World Tour Championship, Dubai : Danny Willett
Ryder Cup Le Golf National, Paris
Europe 17 1/2 USA 10 1/2
Fed Ex Cup winner : Justin Rose
Race to Dubai winner : Francesco Molinari
PGA Tour Player of the Year ( Jack Nicklaus Trophy) : Brooks Koepka
European Tour Player of the Year : Francesco Molinari
PGA Tour Rookie of the Year : Aaron Wise
European Tour Rookie of the Year : Shubhankar Sharma
Money winner (Arnold Palmer Trophy) : Justin Thomas
Scoring winner ( Vardon Trophy ) : Dustin Johnson
Official World Ranking : http://www.owgr.com/
Bryan Angus
The Majors.
Masters, Augusta National : Patrick Reed (273 -15)
US Open, Shinnecock Hills : Brooks Koepka (281 -1)
Open Championship, Carnoustie GC : Francesco Molinari (276 -8)
PGA Championship, Bellerive CC : Brooks Koepka (264 -16)
WGC Events.
Mexico Championship, Club de Golf Chapultepec : Phil Mickelson
Dell Technologies Match Play, Austin CC : Bubba Watson
Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone CC South: Justin Thomas
HSBC Champions : Sheshan International, Shanghai : Xander Schauffele
Notables:
The Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass Ponte Verde: Webb Simpson
BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth GC, England : Francesco Molinari
RBC Canadian Open, Glen Abbey : Dustin Johnson
Playoffs:
Northern Trust, New Jersey: Bryson DeChambeau
Dell Technologies, Massachusetts: Bryson DeChambeau
BMW Championship, Pennsylvania : Keegan Bradley
Tour Championship, Atlanta, Georgia : Tiger Woods
Turkish Airlines Open, Antalya, Turkey : Justin Rose
Nedbank Golf Challenge, Sun City, RSA : Lee Westwood
DP World Tour Championship, Dubai : Danny Willett
Ryder Cup Le Golf National, Paris
Europe 17 1/2 USA 10 1/2
Fed Ex Cup winner : Justin Rose
Race to Dubai winner : Francesco Molinari
PGA Tour Player of the Year ( Jack Nicklaus Trophy) : Brooks Koepka
European Tour Player of the Year : Francesco Molinari
PGA Tour Rookie of the Year : Aaron Wise
European Tour Rookie of the Year : Shubhankar Sharma
Money winner (Arnold Palmer Trophy) : Justin Thomas
Scoring winner ( Vardon Trophy ) : Dustin Johnson
Official World Ranking : http://www.owgr.com/
Bryan Angus
Sunday, December 16, 2018
David Lipsky wins Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek GC
European Tour Alfred Dunhill Championship http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019006/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/results
After missing his last two cuts in Mauritius, then Johannesburg, Asian American David Lipsky had lots of time to practice, and this week it paid off as he won his second European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, after a dramatic final round of 2018 at Leopard Creek Country Club, which is separated by the Crocodile River from the Kruger National Park with all of it's magnificent African wildlife.
After missing his last two cuts in Mauritius, then Johannesburg, Asian American David Lipsky had lots of time to practice, and this week it paid off as he won his second European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, after a dramatic final round of 2018 at Leopard Creek Country Club, which is separated by the Crocodile River from the Kruger National Park with all of it's magnificent African wildlife.
The American was making his first visit to Leopard Creek but he was also making himself right at home as he opened up a six-shot lead at one point and led by four stood on the 16th tee.
That advantage was cut to one after a late wobble but Lipsky signed for a -4 68, -14 two shots ahead of Scotland's David Drysdale, with Scott Jamieson and Zander Lombard who had 2 late bogey's a further shot back.
Lipsky won the European Masters in 2014 in his first season as an Affiliate Member and had been a picture of consistency before securing just a single top ten last season.
That saw him finish outside the top 100 in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex for the first time but he will not be fighting for his card in 2019 after handing himself the perfect Christmas present in Malelane.
“It's been five years since the last one and to come off this year where I haven't played that well and to finish it off like this, this win couldn't be any better,” he said.
Lipsky is 30 now, born in LA and lists his home as Las Vegas, although his passport shows that he is a true world traveller. He began to golf as a 10 year old and despite his small stature (5'9") he had great success as a junior which got him into Northwestern University in Chicago, where he was an All-American.
His first win came on the Asian Tour, at the 2012 HANDA FALDO Cambodian Classic, before finishing 11th on the Order of Merit as a rookie. He qualified for the Web.com Tour in 2013.
As I mentioned his breakthrough came back on the European tour in Switzerland by winning the 2014 Omega European Masters, where he beat Graeme Storm in a play-off which earned him a 2 year full status. He was ranked 340th in the world before his win today.
That brings to a conclusion the five event wrap around start to the 2019 season and the players will take their Christmas holidays and next appear in the middle east on January 16 2019 in Abu Dhabi.
That brings to a conclusion the five event wrap around start to the 2019 season and the players will take their Christmas holidays and next appear in the middle east on January 16 2019 in Abu Dhabi.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Monday, December 10, 2018
Brad Fritsch shoots a clutch 62 at Web.com Q school
Web.com Q School final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/web-com-tour-qualifying-tournament/leaderboard.html
Congratulations to the 3 Canucks who have earned partial status at Web.com Q school led by good guy Brad Fritsch who was T37 going into Sunday's play at the Whirlwind GC in Chandler Arizona, but fired a bogey free -10 62 to get to -24 T8. That means he will have full status for the first 12 starts before the first reshuffle in 2019. His scores 72 66 64 62.
Micheal Gligic shot 70, T13 and Albin Choi 67, T34 will both have exempt status for the first 8 events before reshuffles. Seann Harlingten ended up T74 at -14 which means he’ll maintain his conditional status just because he made it through to the final stage.
All will be looking for good starts early in the season to solidify their respective positions.
The winner or medallist was an American, Danny Walker who will be fully exempt on the Web.com Tour after finishing at -27.
Bryan Angus
Congratulations to the 3 Canucks who have earned partial status at Web.com Q school led by good guy Brad Fritsch who was T37 going into Sunday's play at the Whirlwind GC in Chandler Arizona, but fired a bogey free -10 62 to get to -24 T8. That means he will have full status for the first 12 starts before the first reshuffle in 2019. His scores 72 66 64 62.
Micheal Gligic shot 70, T13 and Albin Choi 67, T34 will both have exempt status for the first 8 events before reshuffles. Seann Harlingten ended up T74 at -14 which means he’ll maintain his conditional status just because he made it through to the final stage.
All will be looking for good starts early in the season to solidify their respective positions.
The winner or medallist was an American, Danny Walker who will be fully exempt on the Web.com Tour after finishing at -27.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Oosthuizen laps the field to win South African Open
European Tour South Africa Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019004/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/results
He took a three shot lead into today's final round but after a sluggish start with his lead down to one after three holes, he steadied the ship then drained a long birdie at the 7th and never looked back.
Louis Oosthuizen shot -4 67 to win his national championship by 6 clear shots for his first win in 3 years in front of his President's Cup captain Ernie Els who ended up T15 himself.
An emotional Oosthuizen was sprayed with champagne by his fellow South Africans and embraced by Branden Grace. Those two had a 5-0 record as one of the International Team's bright spots the last time out.
He took a three shot lead into today's final round but after a sluggish start with his lead down to one after three holes, he steadied the ship then drained a long birdie at the 7th and never looked back.
Louis Oosthuizen shot -4 67 to win his national championship by 6 clear shots for his first win in 3 years in front of his President's Cup captain Ernie Els who ended up T15 himself.
An emotional Oosthuizen was sprayed with champagne by his fellow South Africans and embraced by Branden Grace. Those two had a 5-0 record as one of the International Team's bright spots the last time out.
Frenchman Romain Langasque shot a closing 66 -12, 2nd that earned him one of three spots available for The Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club next summer, with 2011 Masters Tournament winner Charl Schwartzel and England's Oliver Wilson claiming the other two.
Bryan Angus
Oosthuizen joined Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Bob Charles, Ernie Els and Henrik Stenson as the only players to win The Open and South African Open as he claimed a first victory since the 2016 ISPS HANDA Perth International.
"I knew today was either going to be very special or heartbreaking. I know there's only a few that have won The Open and the SA Open so I'm very chuffed to have my name on this. We had a tough start today and my caddie just told me, 'you're swinging it well, just go for it'. I just got back to basics, to try and hit fairways and greens. I know I'm putting well, I just needed to give myself putting opportunities for birdie."
“This feels very special. This is perfect.”
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Oosthuizen excels in the wind at South African Open
European Tour South African Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019004/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
When Louis Oosthuizen was asked how he managed his game to win the 2010 Open at St Andrews in blustery conditions he said " I grew up playing in the wind. The more it blows the more of an advantage I feel it gives me"
Well it was blowing again at the South African Open in Johannesburg today and he tied for the low round of the day with -4 67 to take a 3 shot lead at -14 over three golfers including his team mate Charl Schwartzel ,England's Matt Wallace and Zambian Madalitso Muthiya all at -11, with a group of eight players then six shots off the lead.
Oosthuisen is looking for his first win in 3 years, he has never won his country's Open Championship.
Bryan Angus
When Louis Oosthuizen was asked how he managed his game to win the 2010 Open at St Andrews in blustery conditions he said " I grew up playing in the wind. The more it blows the more of an advantage I feel it gives me"
Well it was blowing again at the South African Open in Johannesburg today and he tied for the low round of the day with -4 67 to take a 3 shot lead at -14 over three golfers including his team mate Charl Schwartzel ,England's Matt Wallace and Zambian Madalitso Muthiya all at -11, with a group of eight players then six shots off the lead.
Oosthuisen is looking for his first win in 3 years, he has never won his country's Open Championship.
Four-time Major Champion Ernie Els has won this event 5 times and he was in the group at -8, alongside fellow South Africans Branden Grace and Jbe Kruger, Scot Robert McIntyre, German Bernd Ritthammer, Dane Jeff Winther, Brazilian Adilson da Silva and Zimbabwe's Mark Williams.
Bryan Angus
Bryan Angus
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Globe trotting Els amongst the leaders at South African Open
European Tour South African Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019004/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Gary Player is quick to tell one and all that he is the most travelled golfer of all time, logging some 15 million miles since he started travelling the world to play golf back in 1953. Pro golf was all about the USA back then, with the Open as the only significant championship in Europe, so great players like Gary and others from South Africa and Australia had to travel a long way and stay for a long time. Player would be away from home and his wife Vivienne for 9 months at a time.
Things have changed, golf is global now and travel is much more comfortable. Still, this new season International Team's globe trotting captain Ernie Els has flown from Melbourne, Australia up to Brisbane, across the Indonesian Sea and on for 12 1/2 hours to the island of Mauritius and this week the 4 1/2 hour flight to Johannesburg for the South African Open as the European Tour continues it's 2019 season.
He'll be hosting the Cup at this time next year at the Royal Melbourne GC under a new flag and hopefully some new players that can make this an event instead of a cake walk by the Americans.
Back on home soil this week where he is simply revered, he has opened his challenge with a -5 66 on the easier, shorter Bushwillow course. The other course being used this week is the Firethorn. His fellow countryman Louis Oosthuizen is the leader with a -9 62 on the Bushwillow.
Last week's winner in Mauritius, playing full of confidence, American Kurt Kitayama is going well at -8 64 on Firethorn.
There are 3 spots available from this week's play for players who haven't qualified at the Open in July, which is another great incentive to have a great week.
Bryan Angus
Gary Player is quick to tell one and all that he is the most travelled golfer of all time, logging some 15 million miles since he started travelling the world to play golf back in 1953. Pro golf was all about the USA back then, with the Open as the only significant championship in Europe, so great players like Gary and others from South Africa and Australia had to travel a long way and stay for a long time. Player would be away from home and his wife Vivienne for 9 months at a time.
Things have changed, golf is global now and travel is much more comfortable. Still, this new season International Team's globe trotting captain Ernie Els has flown from Melbourne, Australia up to Brisbane, across the Indonesian Sea and on for 12 1/2 hours to the island of Mauritius and this week the 4 1/2 hour flight to Johannesburg for the South African Open as the European Tour continues it's 2019 season.
He'll be hosting the Cup at this time next year at the Royal Melbourne GC under a new flag and hopefully some new players that can make this an event instead of a cake walk by the Americans.
Back on home soil this week where he is simply revered, he has opened his challenge with a -5 66 on the easier, shorter Bushwillow course. The other course being used this week is the Firethorn. His fellow countryman Louis Oosthuizen is the leader with a -9 62 on the Bushwillow.
Last week's winner in Mauritius, playing full of confidence, American Kurt Kitayama is going well at -8 64 on Firethorn.
There are 3 spots available from this week's play for players who haven't qualified at the Open in July, which is another great incentive to have a great week.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, December 2, 2018
American rookie Kurt Kitayama wins Afrasian Bank Mauritis Open
European tri sanctioned tours Afrasian Bank Mauritius Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019003/leaderboard/index.html#/results
Kurt Kitayama has had an incredible year going from the Web.com Tour to the Asian Tour to European Tour Q School and now to the winners circle and a 2 year exemption after shooting 65 65 70 68 -20 to win the Afrasian Bank Open on this paradise island resort at the Four Seasons Mauritius.
The muscular young American of Korean descent is following in the footsteps of Brooks Koepka and Peter Uihlinen who went from university overseas to hone their pro games with great success.
Bryan Angus
Kurt Kitayama has had an incredible year going from the Web.com Tour to the Asian Tour to European Tour Q School and now to the winners circle and a 2 year exemption after shooting 65 65 70 68 -20 to win the Afrasian Bank Open on this paradise island resort at the Four Seasons Mauritius.
The muscular young American of Korean descent is following in the footsteps of Brooks Koepka and Peter Uihlinen who went from university overseas to hone their pro games with great success.
Bryan Angus
Cameron Smith defends Australian PGA title, Nick Taylor T9
Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman finished T2 at last week's World Cup and they brought that form with them to South Queensland at this Australian PGA Championship where they ended up 1,2 again.
Smith began the final round with a three shot lead but Leishman went out in 32 to lead by two shots at the turn. However he stumbled coming in while Smith came back in a 32 of his own to shoot 70 -16 total to defend his title, winning by 2 shots from Leishman 69 -14.
Meanwhile Nick Taylor fashioned a 70 71 weekend to finish T9 -5 while Aaron Cockerill had a solid start to his European Tour T19 71 73 weekend -3. Austin Connelly T34 -1.
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Smith began the final round with a three shot lead but Leishman went out in 32 to lead by two shots at the turn. However he stumbled coming in while Smith came back in a 32 of his own to shoot 70 -16 total to defend his title, winning by 2 shots from Leishman 69 -14.
Meanwhile Nick Taylor fashioned a 70 71 weekend to finish T9 -5 while Aaron Cockerill had a solid start to his European Tour T19 71 73 weekend -3. Austin Connelly T34 -1.
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Tough luck for Jim Rutledge at Champions Tour Q school
PGA Champions Tour Q school final leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html
After leading going into the final round, Victoria's Jim Rutledge has lost out on full status in a four man playoff at Champions Tour Q school.
Rutledge played well all week in cool windy conditions in Lutz, Florida after a solid previous week of practice. He shot 70 71 68 73 -2
He opened his final round with 2 straight bogey's and battled all day making a birdie at the 18th to get into a playoff with Stephen Leaney, Craig Bowden and Greg Kraft for the final 4th and 5th spots. He lost out on the 4th playoff hole to Leaney, when he hit his approach into the water and will now have to go back to Monday qualifying.
Gibby Gilbert III shot 65 including a lucky 70 footer at the last to win medalist honours at -4. Skip Kendall shot an amazing 70 78 64 69 to qualify along with Cliff Kresge. Leaney and Kraft rounded out the top 5 in what is the toughest Tour to qualify for via Q school.
Bryan Angus
After leading going into the final round, Victoria's Jim Rutledge has lost out on full status in a four man playoff at Champions Tour Q school.
Rutledge played well all week in cool windy conditions in Lutz, Florida after a solid previous week of practice. He shot 70 71 68 73 -2
He opened his final round with 2 straight bogey's and battled all day making a birdie at the 18th to get into a playoff with Stephen Leaney, Craig Bowden and Greg Kraft for the final 4th and 5th spots. He lost out on the 4th playoff hole to Leaney, when he hit his approach into the water and will now have to go back to Monday qualifying.
Gibby Gilbert III shot 65 including a lucky 70 footer at the last to win medalist honours at -4. Skip Kendall shot an amazing 70 78 64 69 to qualify along with Cliff Kresge. Leaney and Kraft rounded out the top 5 in what is the toughest Tour to qualify for via Q school.
Bryan Angus
Taylor, Cockerill, Connelly make the cut at Australian PGA
Australian PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pga-tour/event/leaderboard?season=2018&tour=pga&id=1077
Defending champion Cameron Smith fired a third round -5 67 to take a commanding 3 shot lead into the final round of the Australian PGA at -14. His Aussie teammate at the World Cup last week, Marc Leishman is 2nd at -11 after a -3 69 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast.
The Canadian trio have all made the cut. After opening with 74 Nick Taylor has climbed up into T13 at -4 after 68, 70 along with Aaron Cockerill who shot 72 69 71 -4. Austin Connelly shot 75 but made the cut on +2 T60.
Bryan Angus
Defending champion Cameron Smith fired a third round -5 67 to take a commanding 3 shot lead into the final round of the Australian PGA at -14. His Aussie teammate at the World Cup last week, Marc Leishman is 2nd at -11 after a -3 69 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast.
The Canadian trio have all made the cut. After opening with 74 Nick Taylor has climbed up into T13 at -4 after 68, 70 along with Aaron Cockerill who shot 72 69 71 -4. Austin Connelly shot 75 but made the cut on +2 T60.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, November 29, 2018
AIG Insurance to sponsor Women's British Open
Good news this morning arrived in my in box from the R&A that the insurance giant AIG (American International Group) will be the title sponsor for the Women's British Open after Ricoh withdrew following this years championship.
Here is part of the release.
"Exciting news for women's golf today with the news that AIG will become the title sponsor for the Women's British Open. We look forward to the AIG Women's British Open being played at Woburn in 2019.
Here is part of the release.
"Exciting news for women's golf today with the news that AIG will become the title sponsor for the Women's British Open. We look forward to the AIG Women's British Open being played at Woburn in 2019.
Established in 1976, the Women’s British Open is a Major championship in women's professional golf, owned by The R&A and sanctioned by both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. In 2018, the Women’s British Open hosted one of the year’s strongest international fields with competitors from 28 countries, and England’s Georgia Hall won the trophy at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
For AIG, the Women’s British Open is its first title sponsorship in professional golf."
The deal is for 5 years and couldn't come at a better time considering such an iconic major, by far the biggest internationally didn't have the security of a title sponsor. It would have been a disaster for the LPGA/LET to lose it. AIG was a major sponsor in the England's Premier League amongst their other sporting portfolio's.
Several years ago the Canadian Open with all it's rich history was in dire straits when Du Maurier was forced to withdraw it's sponsorship when the Canadian government banned advertising for tobacco and at the time alcohol. The RCGA as it was, pieced together 6 secondary sponsors to keep it afloat until the RBC stepped up to the plate. Both CN and CP have been godsends to the Canadian Women's Championship.
The LPGA is still without a major TV network, relying on the Golf Channel to broadcast their schedule which reduces visibility that sponsors require in return for their involvement. However the British and the US Women's Open's are nationally televised which is a huge carrot for the title sponsor with world wide operations like AIG.
Bryan Angus
Canadian scores after round 1 at Australian PGA
Australian PGA leaderboard https://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pga-tour/event/leaderboard?season=2018&tour=pga&id=1077
The trio of Nick Taylor (74 T109) Aaron Cockerill (72 T61) and Austin Connelly (72 T61) have opened their challenges at the Australian PGA in South Queensland.
The leaders at -6 are a pair of Aussies, Jake McLeod who was T3 recently at the Aussie Open and Matt Jager both with 66.
Bryan Angus
The trio of Nick Taylor (74 T109) Aaron Cockerill (72 T61) and Austin Connelly (72 T61) have opened their challenges at the Australian PGA in South Queensland.
The leaders at -6 are a pair of Aussies, Jake McLeod who was T3 recently at the Aussie Open and Matt Jager both with 66.
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Three Canadians playing in th Australian PGA this week.. live scoreboard
European/ Australasian Tour Australian PGA Championship tee times https://championship.pga.org.au/scores/tee-times/
It's summer down under and this week on the Australasian Tour it's what they hail as the oldest tournament in the world, the Australian PGA in South Queensland.
Looking through the field it's glory days are obviously gone when your headliners are Andrew "Beef" Johnson along with Aussie stalwarts Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith who finished 2nd last week as a team at the World Cup in Melbourne.
However there are 3 Canadians in the field. Aaron Cockerill, Austin Connelly who is a regular on the European Tour and Nick Taylor who decided to stay another week after pairing with Adam Hadwin to T4 last week in Melbourne.
Cockerill is a member of the European Tour this year because he made eight top 30 finishes on the MacKenzie Tour from 2017-18. He's 26 out of Winnipeg.
Follow their progress on my scoring link above.
Bryan Angus
It's summer down under and this week on the Australasian Tour it's what they hail as the oldest tournament in the world, the Australian PGA in South Queensland.
Looking through the field it's glory days are obviously gone when your headliners are Andrew "Beef" Johnson along with Aussie stalwarts Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith who finished 2nd last week as a team at the World Cup in Melbourne.
However there are 3 Canadians in the field. Aaron Cockerill, Austin Connelly who is a regular on the European Tour and Nick Taylor who decided to stay another week after pairing with Adam Hadwin to T4 last week in Melbourne.
Cockerill is a member of the European Tour this year because he made eight top 30 finishes on the MacKenzie Tour from 2017-18. He's 26 out of Winnipeg.
Follow their progress on my scoring link above.
Bryan Angus
Ernie Els returns to play in Mauritius paradise this week
European Tour Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open tee times http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019003/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
Last week the pairing of Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin had the best Canadian result in 25 years at the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, T4 and while Hadwin made the 14 hour flight back to Abbotsford in B.C., Taylor has decided to stay and play in the Australian PGA Championship and I'll have live scoring and details on that in my next post.
Meanwhile if you ever wonder how far this game has spread around the world, this week some of the players at the World Cup and the rest of the European Tour has flown into a tiny island paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean called Mauritius. for the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open.
It is 2000 kilometers off the SE coast of Africa and was a British colony until 1965 when it gained independence. The religion is mainly Hindu with English and French listed as the main languages.
Ernie Els designed the Four Seasons Golf Club there and has returned to play it for the first time in 10 years. Ernie was in Melbourne as the captain of this year's Presidents Cup team so he decided to stop off on his way back to South Africa.
We've done quite a few courses since then but it comes flooding back to you.
I played the front nine earlier, I'll play the back nine now and get myself reacquainted with things - get my memory going again and remember why I put certain things where I did because ten years ago I was a different person playing golf and designing.
I would like to see what I have done well and what I've done badly.
Last week the pairing of Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin had the best Canadian result in 25 years at the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, T4 and while Hadwin made the 14 hour flight back to Abbotsford in B.C., Taylor has decided to stay and play in the Australian PGA Championship and I'll have live scoring and details on that in my next post.
Meanwhile if you ever wonder how far this game has spread around the world, this week some of the players at the World Cup and the rest of the European Tour has flown into a tiny island paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean called Mauritius. for the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open.
It is 2000 kilometers off the SE coast of Africa and was a British colony until 1965 when it gained independence. The religion is mainly Hindu with English and French listed as the main languages.
Ernie Els designed the Four Seasons Golf Club there and has returned to play it for the first time in 10 years. Ernie was in Melbourne as the captain of this year's Presidents Cup team so he decided to stop off on his way back to South Africa.
"It's really exciting to be back, I haven't been back here since we opened the course. It's so nice to have a tournament of this stature played on our golf course. It's been ten years since we opened the course and that was the last time I played it.
We've done quite a few courses since then but it comes flooding back to you.
I played the front nine earlier, I'll play the back nine now and get myself reacquainted with things - get my memory going again and remember why I put certain things where I did because ten years ago I was a different person playing golf and designing.
I would like to see what I have done well and what I've done badly.
Els said the course was in good shape but issued a warning to the strong field assembled in Mauritius this week about the challenging greens. "We have wider fairways but most of the holes were built thinking about the winds off the ocean. The greens are pretty small and they are quite undulating so that is where your challenge will be this week.
Steven Lecuyer is a 30 year old Canadian who has a residence in Bear Mountain, Rockland County, New York, and has been playing this year on something called the Vodacom Tour which is the winter swing of the Sunshine Tour. He Monday qualified to play here this week.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, November 25, 2018
England's Aaron Rai leads from wire to wire to win the Honma Hong Kong Open
European Tour Honma Hong Kong Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019000/leaderboard/index.html#/results
After opening 65, and a new course record 61, English rookie Aaron Rai never looked back and despite a furious finish -6 64 by fellow countryman Matthew Fitzpatrick, he posted his 4th round in the 60's, this time a -1 69 to win the Honma Hong Kong Open by a shot after leading by 6 at the start of the day.
After 3 wins on the Challenge Tour this was his first win on the European Tour in only his 46th start, as they begin their 2019 Race to Dubai. Rai's mother is from Kenya and came to England in 1970.
Rai had this to say in his post round interview.
Scot David Drysdale shot -4 66 -10 5th, while India's Rookie of the Year Shubhankar Sharma and Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello T6 -9.
Garcia capped off a terrific end to his year which was ignited at the Ryder Cup. He couldn't make enough putts today, and is now off to his homes in Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland and Austin, Texas where his in laws live.
Bryan Angus
After opening 65, and a new course record 61, English rookie Aaron Rai never looked back and despite a furious finish -6 64 by fellow countryman Matthew Fitzpatrick, he posted his 4th round in the 60's, this time a -1 69 to win the Honma Hong Kong Open by a shot after leading by 6 at the start of the day.
After 3 wins on the Challenge Tour this was his first win on the European Tour in only his 46th start, as they begin their 2019 Race to Dubai. Rai's mother is from Kenya and came to England in 1970.
Rai had this to say in his post round interview.
"It definitely hasn't sunk in just yet. I'll probably need a few days for that to happen.
It's incredible to win on any Tour, let alone the European Tour and let alone the Hong Kong Open. It's an incredible course, incredible event, very well supported. The crowds have been amazing. I'm just very grateful.
"Matt played incredibly all day. It was tough but again, I really just tried to play the course as much as possible rather than Matt or anyone else who was playing well today. I luckily managed to do that for most of the way around. It was tough considering the situation but I'm very pleased"
Fitzpatrick's sensational 64 saw him finish alone 2nd -16, with another Challenge Tour graduate Victor Perez and Australian Jason Scrivener T3 -11.It's incredible to win on any Tour, let alone the European Tour and let alone the Hong Kong Open. It's an incredible course, incredible event, very well supported. The crowds have been amazing. I'm just very grateful.
"Matt played incredibly all day. It was tough but again, I really just tried to play the course as much as possible rather than Matt or anyone else who was playing well today. I luckily managed to do that for most of the way around. It was tough considering the situation but I'm very pleased"
Scot David Drysdale shot -4 66 -10 5th, while India's Rookie of the Year Shubhankar Sharma and Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello T6 -9.
Garcia capped off a terrific end to his year which was ignited at the Ryder Cup. He couldn't make enough putts today, and is now off to his homes in Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland and Austin, Texas where his in laws live.
Bryan Angus
Hadwin and Taylor strong finish T4 at ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup
ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup final scoreboard https://www.asiantour.com/newsdetails/isps-handa-melbourne-world-cup-of-golf-final-results-n52444
After opening on Thursday in a T23 out of 28 teams Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor climbed steadily up the leaderboard and after a sterling -6 66 in this morning's foursomes they have finished T4 -17 at this ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup.
The two boyhood friends from Abbotsford, BC shot 68, 73, 64, 66 and earned $181,000 each. T4 with them were defending champions from Denmark Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen.
Third round leaders Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry went on to win the cup for Belgium for the first time by shooting -4 68 -23. The win was worth $1.12m US per player.
That was 3 shots clear of hard charging Aussies Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith -7 63 -20 and the Mexicans Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz -6 66 -20
From my memory that's the best finish since 1985 for a Canadian team since Dave Barr and the late Dan Halldorson won in California.
Bryan Angus
After opening on Thursday in a T23 out of 28 teams Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor climbed steadily up the leaderboard and after a sterling -6 66 in this morning's foursomes they have finished T4 -17 at this ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup.
The two boyhood friends from Abbotsford, BC shot 68, 73, 64, 66 and earned $181,000 each. T4 with them were defending champions from Denmark Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen.
Third round leaders Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry went on to win the cup for Belgium for the first time by shooting -4 68 -23. The win was worth $1.12m US per player.
That was 3 shots clear of hard charging Aussies Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith -7 63 -20 and the Mexicans Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz -6 66 -20
From my memory that's the best finish since 1985 for a Canadian team since Dave Barr and the late Dan Halldorson won in California.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Hadwin and Taylor T8 at ISPS Hana World Cup...Rai leads in Hong Kong
The golf scene has moved to Hong Kong and down under to Melbourne, Australia and oh yes briefly to Las Vegas to that staged Phil vs Tiger $10m match.
As for the latter Phil edged Tiger on a 4th playoff hole to take home $9m of the sponsors not so hard earned money...Personally I had no interest..found it to be rather obscene. .
ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
In Melbourne, Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor are plugging away at the ISPS Handa World Match Play and after opening T23 they have moved up to a T8 at -11 after a bogey free -8 64 in today's fourball. They opened with 69 in fourballs on Thursday, managed E 72 in a howling gale and wind on Friday in foursomes before today's 64.
There is one more round of foursomes (best ball) to go at the Metropolitan Golf Course in Melbourne where the Belgian pair of Thomas Peters and Thomas Detry have a 5 shot lead after their -9 63 got them to -19.
There are 28 teams of 2. They play 4 rounds alternating between fourball and foursome formats.
European Tour Honma Hong Kong Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019000/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Meanwhile at the Honma Hong Kong Open, England's Aaron Rai leads Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick by 6 shots at -16 heading into Sunday's final round.
He is after his first win on the European Tour as their 2019 season gets underway and has been outstanding shooting 65, 61, 68. He won 3 times on the Challenge Tour.
However the star of the week so far has been Sergio Garcia whose shotmaking has been spectacular, including a 200 yard slice from the rough around a huge tree, over a pond which hit the pin on the smallest part of the green and dropped stone dead. He is at -9 T4. He also drove the par 4 10th with a three wood, soaring over the pond and settling 5 feet away for an eagle 2. His 64 was the round of the day.
For those who have asked me, Honma is a high end Japanese golf club and apparel company, famous for its gold-plated clubs who are trying to become a major player in the golf business after having been purchased by Chinese businessman Liu Jianguo and who have recently hired several ex Taylor Made executives to bolster their North American operations.
Justin Rose has only ever played with Taylor Made, is rumoured to be leaving them and their star studded line-up including Tiger Woods, this season to join Honma.
Bryan Angus
As for the latter Phil edged Tiger on a 4th playoff hole to take home $9m of the sponsors not so hard earned money...Personally I had no interest..found it to be rather obscene. .
ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
In Melbourne, Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor are plugging away at the ISPS Handa World Match Play and after opening T23 they have moved up to a T8 at -11 after a bogey free -8 64 in today's fourball. They opened with 69 in fourballs on Thursday, managed E 72 in a howling gale and wind on Friday in foursomes before today's 64.
There is one more round of foursomes (best ball) to go at the Metropolitan Golf Course in Melbourne where the Belgian pair of Thomas Peters and Thomas Detry have a 5 shot lead after their -9 63 got them to -19.
There are 28 teams of 2. They play 4 rounds alternating between fourball and foursome formats.
European Tour Honma Hong Kong Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019000/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Meanwhile at the Honma Hong Kong Open, England's Aaron Rai leads Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick by 6 shots at -16 heading into Sunday's final round.
He is after his first win on the European Tour as their 2019 season gets underway and has been outstanding shooting 65, 61, 68. He won 3 times on the Challenge Tour.
However the star of the week so far has been Sergio Garcia whose shotmaking has been spectacular, including a 200 yard slice from the rough around a huge tree, over a pond which hit the pin on the smallest part of the green and dropped stone dead. He is at -9 T4. He also drove the par 4 10th with a three wood, soaring over the pond and settling 5 feet away for an eagle 2. His 64 was the round of the day.
For those who have asked me, Honma is a high end Japanese golf club and apparel company, famous for its gold-plated clubs who are trying to become a major player in the golf business after having been purchased by Chinese businessman Liu Jianguo and who have recently hired several ex Taylor Made executives to bolster their North American operations.
Justin Rose has only ever played with Taylor Made, is rumoured to be leaving them and their star studded line-up including Tiger Woods, this season to join Honma.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Lexi Thompson wins LPGA Tour Championship....Ariya Jutanugarn wins Race to CME Globe...Henderson a strong 2nd
Lexi Thompson was untouchable this weekend walking away with CME Group Tour Championship by 4 shots over Nelly Korda. She shot 65 67 68 70 for8 total.
Ariya Jutanugarn shot a final 66 T5 to clinch the Race to CME Globe and the $1m bonus and has swept the LPGA awards while Brooke Henderson finished 2nd in the Race with a gutsy finish T10 -4 68
Bryan Angus
Ariya Jutanugarn shot a final 66 T5 to clinch the Race to CME Globe and the $1m bonus and has swept the LPGA awards while Brooke Henderson finished 2nd in the Race with a gutsy finish T10 -4 68
Bryan Angus
Big Sundays for Brooke Henderson and David Hearn
LPGA CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda and Carlota Ciganda will be in today's final pairing at this CME Group Tour Championship. Lexi has a 3 shot lead over Nelly and 6 over Carlota at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples Florida. Through 54 holes Thompson has only missed 2 fairways she is driving so well.
However none of them can win the Race to CME Globe. It's between Ariya Jutanugarn who shot 69 yesterday for a T12, 210 total, and Brooke Henderson who also shot 69 to move to T16. The Thai star has a commanding 28 shot cushion, so is odds on favourite to win the CME Globe bonus of $1m and in fact to make a clean sweep of all the LPGA awards, including the Vare trophy for the lowest scoring average. She has already won Player of the Year.
PGA Tour RSM Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/the-rsm-classic/leaderboard.html
Everyone's favourite golfer from Gilligan's Island Charles Howell III, the tour's ultimate grinder leads this RSM Classic after a 68 got him to -16 194 as he tries to end 332 starts on the PGA Tour without winning.
He has a one shot lead over red hot PGA Tour rookie Cameron Champ and Jason Gore, who each shot 66 and made up ground on the back nine of the Seaside course at Sea Island. Gore has been selling insurance since he packed up his pro golf career a few months ago.
However I'll be watching for nice guy David Hearn (67) who is having a great week so far, T7 at -11 under to be one of ten players within five shots of the lead. David has lost his full time playing privileges on the PGA Tour and is relying on sponsor exemptions for this season so a big Sunday could go a long way to resolving that.
Other Canucks: Ben Silverman (65) T32nd at -7. Corey Conners (70) is in a group T43rd at -6. Roger Sloan (71) T75th at -1
Bryan Angus
Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda and Carlota Ciganda will be in today's final pairing at this CME Group Tour Championship. Lexi has a 3 shot lead over Nelly and 6 over Carlota at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples Florida. Through 54 holes Thompson has only missed 2 fairways she is driving so well.
However none of them can win the Race to CME Globe. It's between Ariya Jutanugarn who shot 69 yesterday for a T12, 210 total, and Brooke Henderson who also shot 69 to move to T16. The Thai star has a commanding 28 shot cushion, so is odds on favourite to win the CME Globe bonus of $1m and in fact to make a clean sweep of all the LPGA awards, including the Vare trophy for the lowest scoring average. She has already won Player of the Year.
PGA Tour RSM Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/the-rsm-classic/leaderboard.html
Everyone's favourite golfer from Gilligan's Island Charles Howell III, the tour's ultimate grinder leads this RSM Classic after a 68 got him to -16 194 as he tries to end 332 starts on the PGA Tour without winning.
He has a one shot lead over red hot PGA Tour rookie Cameron Champ and Jason Gore, who each shot 66 and made up ground on the back nine of the Seaside course at Sea Island. Gore has been selling insurance since he packed up his pro golf career a few months ago.
However I'll be watching for nice guy David Hearn (67) who is having a great week so far, T7 at -11 under to be one of ten players within five shots of the lead. David has lost his full time playing privileges on the PGA Tour and is relying on sponsor exemptions for this season so a big Sunday could go a long way to resolving that.
Other Canucks: Ben Silverman (65) T32nd at -7. Corey Conners (70) is in a group T43rd at -6. Roger Sloan (71) T75th at -1
Bryan Angus
Willett and Molinari the big winners in Dubai
European Tour DP World Golf Championship final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018090/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
Danny Willett won the 2016 Masters, and hadn't won since. Francesco Molinari has done nothing but win this year. Both wrapped up this 2018 season today as the big winners at the DP World Golf Championship
Molinari his started his dream season with a win at the BMWPGA at Wentworth then 2nd at the Italian Open followed by another win at the Quicken Loans, Tiger's tournament on the PGA Tour, and he never looked back all summer, 2nd at the John Deer Classic, adding the Open title at Carnoustie and a perfect record at the Ryder Cup. All of that earned him enough points to coast to the Race to Dubai title which he did this morning T26 -6.
Danny Willett shot 67 67 68 68 -18 to return to the winners circle for the first time in 2 1/2 years. The Masters win for this modest Englishman and the subsequent birth of his son were all too much to handle. Most on this side of the Atlantic remember that Masters as the one Jordan Spieth blew but in Europe and in particular in the UK it elevated Willett into legendary status along with Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin and Rory McIlroy.
When he emerged from all the media attention and corporate demands he couldn't replicate his form, lost his confidence and his game just spiralled dropping out of the top 400 all the way to 462.
Finally his game returned late this year after hiring Canada's Sean Foley as his coach in 2017, with his name popping up on the leaderboard and the long road back must have been a massive relief with his win today.
Danny Willett won the 2016 Masters, and hadn't won since. Francesco Molinari has done nothing but win this year. Both wrapped up this 2018 season today as the big winners at the DP World Golf Championship
Molinari his started his dream season with a win at the BMWPGA at Wentworth then 2nd at the Italian Open followed by another win at the Quicken Loans, Tiger's tournament on the PGA Tour, and he never looked back all summer, 2nd at the John Deer Classic, adding the Open title at Carnoustie and a perfect record at the Ryder Cup. All of that earned him enough points to coast to the Race to Dubai title which he did this morning T26 -6.
Danny Willett shot 67 67 68 68 -18 to return to the winners circle for the first time in 2 1/2 years. The Masters win for this modest Englishman and the subsequent birth of his son were all too much to handle. Most on this side of the Atlantic remember that Masters as the one Jordan Spieth blew but in Europe and in particular in the UK it elevated Willett into legendary status along with Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin and Rory McIlroy.
When he emerged from all the media attention and corporate demands he couldn't replicate his form, lost his confidence and his game just spiralled dropping out of the top 400 all the way to 462.
Finally his game returned late this year after hiring Canada's Sean Foley as his coach in 2017, with his name popping up on the leaderboard and the long road back must have been a massive relief with his win today.
"It's been a lot of hard work. It's been tough. I'm just massively proud of myself and everyone that's been around me. You never quite know when a win is around the corner and with all the things that have happened, I was never quite sure if it was going to happen again. To happen here at the end of year, we've battled long and hard through this season to come out at the end, regardless of what happened today, a better person and a better athlete. It's a special place. It's been a hell of a lot of work and it's just nice to be back"
Willett made three birdies in his last five holes to get to -18, two shots clear of fellow Englishman Matt Wallace (68) and reigning Masters Champion Patrick Reed (70).
Defending champion Jon Rahm (68) finished at -14 alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui (69) and South African Dean Burmester (68)
Bryan Angus
Defending champion Jon Rahm (68) finished at -14 alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui (69) and South African Dean Burmester (68)
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Reed, Willett share the lead, Molinari closing on Race to Dubai title.
European Tour DP World Golf Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018090/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
In the battle to win the Race to Dubai, Francesco Molinari (70 -5) is on course to take the title, with closest rival Tommy Fleetwood (74 -6) eight shots off the lead and needing a win. Fleetwood virtually ended his chances today with 16 pars and 2 bogey's.
In the battle to win the Race to Dubai, Francesco Molinari (70 -5) is on course to take the title, with closest rival Tommy Fleetwood (74 -6) eight shots off the lead and needing a win. Fleetwood virtually ended his chances today with 16 pars and 2 bogey's.
Danny Willett and Patrick Reed will share the lead heading into the final round of the 2018 European Tour season as the DP World Tour Championship was set for a dramatic finish at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Reigning Masters champion Reed made four birdies in six holes on the back nine to sign for a 67 and set the target at -14 with Willett making three in a row from the 14th to join him with a 68. Reed is looking for his first victory since he donned the Green Jacket in April, while Willett's last win also came at Augusta National in 2016.
England's Jordan Smith (69) produced a big finish of his own to get to -13 under, one shot clear of countrymen Matt Wallace (71) and Lee Westwood (65), and South African Dean Burmester (68)
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Henderson shoots 69 at Tour Championship moves to #2 in Race to CME Globe
LPGA CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
With an improved -3 69 -2 total Brooke Henderson has moved into the T25 in this CME Group Tour Championship and into the #2 spot in the Race to CME Globe.
Starting on the back nine she posted 4 birdies and a bogey on her way to 33 and had one of each coming in for 36. She is driving superbly hitting 13/14 fairways again, and her iron play improved to 14/18 greens in regulation with 29 putts.
She is off at 9.03 Saturday morning.
With a -1 71 141 total Ariya Jutanugarn has regained the #1 spot after Nasa Hataoka slipped to #4 with her +4 76. Minjee Lee is at #3 while Sung Hyun Park remains at #5.
Anyone of them will win the Race to CME Globe if they win the Tour Championship.
Meanwhile leading the Tour Championship is a rejuvenated Lexi Thompson who was 18/18 in greens in regulation on her way to -5 67 -12 total good for a three shot lead over Amy Olson (72) and Brittany Lincicome (71) who led for most of the day until a late collapse with a double and two bogey's in her last 4 holes.
Thompson who is only 23, has taken a leave of absence this year citing mental fatigue which is not surprising since she has been playing on tour since she was 17 with all the pressures and behaviour expected of an adult. She like other young prodigies never had a chance to live a normal teenage life.
"I’m definitely having a lot of fun. I know that whether I play good or bad, I have my family friends and fans out here.”
Nelly Korda (67) and Marina Alex (67) are at 136 with Charley Hull (68), Carlota Ciganda (71) and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (70) at 137.
Bryan Angus
With an improved -3 69 -2 total Brooke Henderson has moved into the T25 in this CME Group Tour Championship and into the #2 spot in the Race to CME Globe.
Starting on the back nine she posted 4 birdies and a bogey on her way to 33 and had one of each coming in for 36. She is driving superbly hitting 13/14 fairways again, and her iron play improved to 14/18 greens in regulation with 29 putts.
She is off at 9.03 Saturday morning.
With a -1 71 141 total Ariya Jutanugarn has regained the #1 spot after Nasa Hataoka slipped to #4 with her +4 76. Minjee Lee is at #3 while Sung Hyun Park remains at #5.
Anyone of them will win the Race to CME Globe if they win the Tour Championship.
Meanwhile leading the Tour Championship is a rejuvenated Lexi Thompson who was 18/18 in greens in regulation on her way to -5 67 -12 total good for a three shot lead over Amy Olson (72) and Brittany Lincicome (71) who led for most of the day until a late collapse with a double and two bogey's in her last 4 holes.
Thompson who is only 23, has taken a leave of absence this year citing mental fatigue which is not surprising since she has been playing on tour since she was 17 with all the pressures and behaviour expected of an adult. She like other young prodigies never had a chance to live a normal teenage life.
"I’m definitely having a lot of fun. I know that whether I play good or bad, I have my family friends and fans out here.”
Nelly Korda (67) and Marina Alex (67) are at 136 with Charley Hull (68), Carlota Ciganda (71) and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras (70) at 137.
Bryan Angus
Friday, November 16, 2018
Fleetwood closes the gap, Molinari drops back at DP World Golf Championship
European Tour DP World Golf Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018090/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Tommy Fleetwood 69 67 -8 T6, Francesco Molinari 68 73 -3 T27 are the important numbers at the halfway point of the DP World Golf Championship.
Matt Wallace 68 65 -11 is the leader looking for his 4th win of the year. Countryman Danny Willett fired a 67 2nd -10, alongside first-round leaders Adrian Otaegui (68) and Jordan Smith (68), with reigning Masters Champion Patrick Reed at -9 after a bogey-free 66
Notables : Rory McIlroy 69 67 -8, Patrick Reed 69 66 -9, Jon Rahm 67 70 -7, Henrik Stenson 71 66 -7.
Remember Fleetwood has to win, no matter what Molinari does, so although he has closed the gap, he still has a long way to go.
Bryan Angus
Tommy Fleetwood 69 67 -8 T6, Francesco Molinari 68 73 -3 T27 are the important numbers at the halfway point of the DP World Golf Championship.
Fleetwood needs victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates to have a chance of defending his title as Europe's #1, with Race to Dubai leader Francesco Molinari finishing worse than a T5. Molinari was a shot ahead of his pal after day one but while Fleetwood fired a -5 67 on Friday to sit just three shots off the lead at -8, the Italian was eight back at -3 after a +1 73.
"It's still a very difficult task. I've only won once this year, it's not like I'm a prolific winner this year. I've had chances and missed them. So I'm still trying to knock on that door and win a tournament, the same as everybody is. There's so many different things going on but the situation is pretty black and white, just keep going and just put everything into it for another two days.
“We've got two rounds of golf left of all the rounds of golf that have been played by all the players on Tour and you're still in with a chance to win the Race to Dubai. It's pretty cool and you'll always take it."
“We've got two rounds of golf left of all the rounds of golf that have been played by all the players on Tour and you're still in with a chance to win the Race to Dubai. It's pretty cool and you'll always take it."
Matt Wallace 68 65 -11 is the leader looking for his 4th win of the year. Countryman Danny Willett fired a 67 2nd -10, alongside first-round leaders Adrian Otaegui (68) and Jordan Smith (68), with reigning Masters Champion Patrick Reed at -9 after a bogey-free 66
Notables : Rory McIlroy 69 67 -8, Patrick Reed 69 66 -9, Jon Rahm 67 70 -7, Henrik Stenson 71 66 -7.
Remember Fleetwood has to win, no matter what Molinari does, so although he has closed the gap, he still has a long way to go.
Bryan Angus
Henderson off to a battling start at CME Group Tour Championship
LPGA CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Try as she may Brooke Henderson could only muster +1 73 in the opening round of the CME Group Tour Championship on a day when only 17 players were over par.
She made a bogey at the par 5 1st, had 4 bogey's in her first 13 holes, but she battled back with 3 birdies in her last 5 for a 39,34 73. She drove the ball well with 13/14 fairways and used 28 putts, but her greens in regulation was only 10/18.
In round 2 she is out in the early wave playing the back nine first.
The leader at -9 63 is Amy Olson. Nasa Hataoka and Brittany Lincicome are T2 -8 64. The Japanese star was the only one of 5 top seeds to threaten the lead. #1 Ariya Jutanugarn and #2 Minjee Lee shot 70's. #3 Brooke had to rally for her 73 while #5 Sung Hyun Park shot 71.
Olson set an NCAA record with 20 wins during her college career at North Dakota State. Lexi Thompson opened with -7 65. Lydia Ko a -2 69.
The weather for Naples, Florida on Friday is mainly sunny with a breeze blowing up to 18kph.
Bryan Angus
Try as she may Brooke Henderson could only muster +1 73 in the opening round of the CME Group Tour Championship on a day when only 17 players were over par.
She made a bogey at the par 5 1st, had 4 bogey's in her first 13 holes, but she battled back with 3 birdies in her last 5 for a 39,34 73. She drove the ball well with 13/14 fairways and used 28 putts, but her greens in regulation was only 10/18.
In round 2 she is out in the early wave playing the back nine first.
The leader at -9 63 is Amy Olson. Nasa Hataoka and Brittany Lincicome are T2 -8 64. The Japanese star was the only one of 5 top seeds to threaten the lead. #1 Ariya Jutanugarn and #2 Minjee Lee shot 70's. #3 Brooke had to rally for her 73 while #5 Sung Hyun Park shot 71.
Olson set an NCAA record with 20 wins during her college career at North Dakota State. Lexi Thompson opened with -7 65. Lydia Ko a -2 69.
The weather for Naples, Florida on Friday is mainly sunny with a breeze blowing up to 18kph.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Brooke Henderson set to go at CME Group Tour Championship.. live scoring
LPGA CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Play is underway under cloudy skies in Naples, Florida, with a few showers sprinkled in at the season ending CME Group Tour Championship to determine who will win the Race to the CME Group Globe.
Brooke Henderson is off #1 at 10.41am EST seeded #3 along with Korean Aussie Minjee Lee (#2) and Thailand's fun loving Ariya Jutanugarn (#1). Brooke and Ariya are two of the game's longest hitters..
Follow all their scoring live on my leaderboard link above..
Bryan Angus
Play is underway under cloudy skies in Naples, Florida, with a few showers sprinkled in at the season ending CME Group Tour Championship to determine who will win the Race to the CME Group Globe.
Brooke Henderson is off #1 at 10.41am EST seeded #3 along with Korean Aussie Minjee Lee (#2) and Thailand's fun loving Ariya Jutanugarn (#1). Brooke and Ariya are two of the game's longest hitters..
Follow all their scoring live on my leaderboard link above..
Bryan Angus
Molinari solid in round one at DP World Golf Championship
European Tour DP World Golf Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018090/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Here 's the deal in Dubai as round one wraps up at the DP World Championship in the Race to Dubai. If Tommy Fleetwood wants to win the Race he needs to win this weekend and have Francesco Molinari finish outside the top 5. Otherwise Frankie will win it. No other players can win the Race.
The top 10 players in the Race share the $10m prize pool with $250,000 to 10th and $1.4m to first.
In addition there is the prize money from this weekend's tournament as well with $1.6m going to the winner. Jon Rahm is the defending champion.
With round 1 in the books Spain's Adrian Otaegui and England's Jordan Smith lead at -6 66. Rahm and Danny Willett are at -5 67.
Molinari made 2 late bogey's after a flawless 14 holes to shoot -4 68 while his pal Tommy Fleetwood birdied the last for -3 69.
China's Haotong Li who gave the Turkish Airlines Open away to Justin Rose, continues his great form at -4 68, Rory McIlroy is in a big group at -3 69 as is Patrick Reed.
They are playing in absolutely ideal weather at the fabulously wealthy Jumeirah Golf Estates, no wind, clear blue desert skies, it is a very opulent setting for the European's Middle East HQ.
At the day's end Francesco Molinari has improved his already dominant position in the Race to Dubai.
Bryan Angus
Here 's the deal in Dubai as round one wraps up at the DP World Championship in the Race to Dubai. If Tommy Fleetwood wants to win the Race he needs to win this weekend and have Francesco Molinari finish outside the top 5. Otherwise Frankie will win it. No other players can win the Race.
The top 10 players in the Race share the $10m prize pool with $250,000 to 10th and $1.4m to first.
In addition there is the prize money from this weekend's tournament as well with $1.6m going to the winner. Jon Rahm is the defending champion.
With round 1 in the books Spain's Adrian Otaegui and England's Jordan Smith lead at -6 66. Rahm and Danny Willett are at -5 67.
Molinari made 2 late bogey's after a flawless 14 holes to shoot -4 68 while his pal Tommy Fleetwood birdied the last for -3 69.
China's Haotong Li who gave the Turkish Airlines Open away to Justin Rose, continues his great form at -4 68, Rory McIlroy is in a big group at -3 69 as is Patrick Reed.
They are playing in absolutely ideal weather at the fabulously wealthy Jumeirah Golf Estates, no wind, clear blue desert skies, it is a very opulent setting for the European's Middle East HQ.
At the day's end Francesco Molinari has improved his already dominant position in the Race to Dubai.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Tuesday morning shag bag...includes McIlroy giving up European Tour membership
With snow flying all around us this 2018 gold season "kinda" comes to an end this weekend in Dubai for the European Tour and Naples, Florida. for the LPGA.
Not to confuse you but the wrap around season on the PGA Tour continues in Sea Island, Georgia with the RSM Classic where six Canadians tee it up. 2016 champion Mac Hughes, David Hearn, Roger Sloan, Adam Svensson, Ben Silverman and Corey Connors.
Congratulations albeit a tad tardy to Brad Fritsch who made it through to the final stage of the Web.com Tour Q School (Dec 6-9 Chandler Arizona). He just made it on the number and will be joined by Seann Harlington, Micheal Gligic and Albin Choi.
Adam Hadwin shot in the 60's all week to finish T10 in Mexico at the Mayakoba Resort where Matt Kuchar turned a working family holiday into a $1.6m payday with his first win in 3 years.
Stephen Ames had a very impressive run through the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs T15, T3, T5 to finish 21st on the Senior Circuit's money list. He was in contention on Sunday until VJ Singh went out and shot 61 to win the tournament and leave Bernhard Langer with his 5th Charles Schwab Cup.
Rory McIlroy has announced that due to the re-scheduling of the Players Championship and the PGA Championship being brought forward to March and May and the BMWPGA Championship at Wentworth being moved back to September he won't be playing in European Tour events apart from the Open and WGC events for at least the first half of next year which means he will have to relinquish his membership for the season.
" Everything next year is condensed between March and August so I will take some time off after this week to get ready for that schedule in the States".
Race to CME Group Tour Championship:
After a week off, recovering from 4 weeks in Asia, Brooke Henderson goes into the LPGA season's finale ranked 3rd. Anyone of the top 5 who wins this weekend will win the Race and the $1m bonus. Ariya Jutanugarn is ranked #1. Throughout her last 4 weeks of play Brooke's putter wasn't hot. When it is, she is very hard to beat.
Race to Dubai DP World Championship:
No matter who wins this weekend's season ending tournament in Dubai, only Francesco Molinari or Tommy Fleetwood will win the Race to Dubai, and between these Ryder Cup heroes and best pals, Frankie has a clear cut lead based on the phenomenal year he has produced, including the Ryder Cup heroics, and the Open Championship.
Bryan Angus
Not to confuse you but the wrap around season on the PGA Tour continues in Sea Island, Georgia with the RSM Classic where six Canadians tee it up. 2016 champion Mac Hughes, David Hearn, Roger Sloan, Adam Svensson, Ben Silverman and Corey Connors.
Congratulations albeit a tad tardy to Brad Fritsch who made it through to the final stage of the Web.com Tour Q School (Dec 6-9 Chandler Arizona). He just made it on the number and will be joined by Seann Harlington, Micheal Gligic and Albin Choi.
Adam Hadwin shot in the 60's all week to finish T10 in Mexico at the Mayakoba Resort where Matt Kuchar turned a working family holiday into a $1.6m payday with his first win in 3 years.
Stephen Ames had a very impressive run through the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs T15, T3, T5 to finish 21st on the Senior Circuit's money list. He was in contention on Sunday until VJ Singh went out and shot 61 to win the tournament and leave Bernhard Langer with his 5th Charles Schwab Cup.
Rory McIlroy has announced that due to the re-scheduling of the Players Championship and the PGA Championship being brought forward to March and May and the BMWPGA Championship at Wentworth being moved back to September he won't be playing in European Tour events apart from the Open and WGC events for at least the first half of next year which means he will have to relinquish his membership for the season.
" Everything next year is condensed between March and August so I will take some time off after this week to get ready for that schedule in the States".
Race to CME Group Tour Championship:
After a week off, recovering from 4 weeks in Asia, Brooke Henderson goes into the LPGA season's finale ranked 3rd. Anyone of the top 5 who wins this weekend will win the Race and the $1m bonus. Ariya Jutanugarn is ranked #1. Throughout her last 4 weeks of play Brooke's putter wasn't hot. When it is, she is very hard to beat.
Race to Dubai DP World Championship:
No matter who wins this weekend's season ending tournament in Dubai, only Francesco Molinari or Tommy Fleetwood will win the Race to Dubai, and between these Ryder Cup heroes and best pals, Frankie has a clear cut lead based on the phenomenal year he has produced, including the Ryder Cup heroics, and the Open Championship.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Stephen Ames ties course record at Charles Schwab Cup Championship
PGA Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/champions/competition/2018/charles-schwab-cup-championship/leaderboard.html
To be honest with you there was a time when Lee Trevino, Jack, Arnie and Gary were all on the Senior Tour it was a way more exciting than the PGA Tour. Recently with Bernhard Langer's dominance and lack of star power, it has become a little boring from my point of view.
However Stephen Ames has been playing well this year with 3 top 10's including T3 at the Senior Open Championship. He is currently ranked 36th.
Yesterday he eagled the 18th to tie the Phoenix CC record -10 61. It was his best score on this tour and on the PGA Tour and it puts him in 2nd place at 68 67 61 -17 just a shot behind Scott McCarron who is vying with Langer to win the Charles Schwab Cup.
Stephen will be in the final group for the 3rd week in a row and should he win it would be his biggest victory since the Players Championship in 2006.
Bryan Angus
To be honest with you there was a time when Lee Trevino, Jack, Arnie and Gary were all on the Senior Tour it was a way more exciting than the PGA Tour. Recently with Bernhard Langer's dominance and lack of star power, it has become a little boring from my point of view.
However Stephen Ames has been playing well this year with 3 top 10's including T3 at the Senior Open Championship. He is currently ranked 36th.
Yesterday he eagled the 18th to tie the Phoenix CC record -10 61. It was his best score on this tour and on the PGA Tour and it puts him in 2nd place at 68 67 61 -17 just a shot behind Scott McCarron who is vying with Langer to win the Charles Schwab Cup.
Stephen will be in the final group for the 3rd week in a row and should he win it would be his biggest victory since the Players Championship in 2006.
Bryan Angus
Veteran Lee Westwood shoots 64 to win Nedbank Golf Challenge
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018089/leaderboard/index.html#/results
From tee to green England's veteran Lee Westwood has been as good as anyone on the European Tour throughout his 20 plus year career, in fact as well as anyone anywhere during his stint as world # 1 in 2010. He's also won the Order of Merit, Player of the Year 4 times, starred in 10 Ryder Cups, and has been awarded the OBE.
These days at 45 the Ryder Cup stalwart has been reduced to the coaching ranks along with another former world #1 Luke Donald.
Since Paris he's been playing steadily, this week in Sun City the putts started falling and today after an eagle at his 2nd hole he caught and joined his great pal Sergio Garcia, and Louis Oosthuizen atop the leaderboard for a terrific afternoon on this Gary Player course at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
It was Westwood who birdied 5 of his last 8 holes for a 64 -15 to pull away from Sergio who shot 70 -12 and Oosthuizen who made a double bogey on 18 for a 69 -11 and 3rd place.
It's his 24th European Tour win..43 world wide and he was moved to tears after his round.
" I'm a bit emotional to tell you the truth. At my age you never know if you will do it again. I'm going through a bit of a thing with my swing and recently have been seeing better results. That 7 iron I hit into 17 was one of the best of my life "
Hugged by his girlfriend/ caddy Helen Storey, Westwood returns to the winners circle for the first time in 3 years and a win in the lucrative Rolex Series worth over $1.2m.
Next week he'll be in the field for the season finale for the Race to Dubai which he won in 2009, with another Ryder Cup hero, Frankie Molinari firmly in the drivers seat.
Bryan Angus
From tee to green England's veteran Lee Westwood has been as good as anyone on the European Tour throughout his 20 plus year career, in fact as well as anyone anywhere during his stint as world # 1 in 2010. He's also won the Order of Merit, Player of the Year 4 times, starred in 10 Ryder Cups, and has been awarded the OBE.
These days at 45 the Ryder Cup stalwart has been reduced to the coaching ranks along with another former world #1 Luke Donald.
Since Paris he's been playing steadily, this week in Sun City the putts started falling and today after an eagle at his 2nd hole he caught and joined his great pal Sergio Garcia, and Louis Oosthuizen atop the leaderboard for a terrific afternoon on this Gary Player course at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
It was Westwood who birdied 5 of his last 8 holes for a 64 -15 to pull away from Sergio who shot 70 -12 and Oosthuizen who made a double bogey on 18 for a 69 -11 and 3rd place.
It's his 24th European Tour win..43 world wide and he was moved to tears after his round.
" I'm a bit emotional to tell you the truth. At my age you never know if you will do it again. I'm going through a bit of a thing with my swing and recently have been seeing better results. That 7 iron I hit into 17 was one of the best of my life "
Hugged by his girlfriend/ caddy Helen Storey, Westwood returns to the winners circle for the first time in 3 years and a win in the lucrative Rolex Series worth over $1.2m.
Next week he'll be in the field for the season finale for the Race to Dubai which he won in 2009, with another Ryder Cup hero, Frankie Molinari firmly in the drivers seat.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Garcia leads after 3 rounds at a very difficult Nedbank Golf Challenge
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018089/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Sun City is a magnificent resort built in a crater of an extinct volcano in the North West province of South Africa about 2 hours from Johannesburg. World class facilities including the Palace of the Lost City, a huge wave machine, entertainment center and a neighbouring nature reserve it has a bit of everything a holiday destination could offer.
Gary Player was hired to give it a fitting championship golf course and his creation with it's sloping tight fairways and smallish undulating tricky greens is once again providing a tough challenge for this top class international field, even with idealic weather, hot and sunny, under a clear azure blue sky. Only 8 players managed to score in the 60's.
Sun City is a magnificent resort built in a crater of an extinct volcano in the North West province of South Africa about 2 hours from Johannesburg. World class facilities including the Palace of the Lost City, a huge wave machine, entertainment center and a neighbouring nature reserve it has a bit of everything a holiday destination could offer.
Gary Player was hired to give it a fitting championship golf course and his creation with it's sloping tight fairways and smallish undulating tricky greens is once again providing a tough challenge for this top class international field, even with idealic weather, hot and sunny, under a clear azure blue sky. Only 8 players managed to score in the 60's.
Sergio Garcia fired a -1 71 on day three of this Nedbank Golf Challenge to open up a two-shot lead as he looks for a wire-to-wire victory in the seventh Rolex Series event of the season.
He will enter the final day at -10 as he looks to make it back-to-back wins after winning his Andalucia Valderrama Masters. Louis Oosthuizen ground out an E 72 to sit in second at -8.
Belgian Thomas Detry (68), Finn Mikko Korhonen (71) and England's Lee Westwood (69) are at -7, a shot clear of another Englishman in Ross Fisher who had the low score of the day (67).
“To win would be great. Winning any tournament is always amazing but winning here, a Rolex Series Event, obviously is extra special. It would be really nice and we're going to try to do that. It's going to be tough, there's no doubt about that, but it's great to come with some good momentum, playing nicely and in the lead. It should be a fun day.I think if I can manage to shoot somewhere in the 60s, maybe 70 might be enough. I'm going to see if I can shoot below 70 and see if that's good enough.”
Belgian Thomas Detry (68), Finn Mikko Korhonen (71) and England's Lee Westwood (69) are at -7, a shot clear of another Englishman in Ross Fisher who had the low score of the day (67).
Bryan Angus
Gabby Lopez hangs on to win the Blue Bay LPGA
Blue Bay LPGA final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
It wasn't pretty, bogey, bogey finish, +1 73, but it was just enough to give Gabby Lopez her first LPGA win one shot ahead of Ariya Jutanugarn in the Blue Bay tournament in China. She finished at -8 280. She was dressed in the colours of the Mexican flag.
Playing with Lopez, Jutanugarn had a birdie on the final hole to also finish on 73 -7 total 281 while Celine Boutier was 7 shots better with a 66 -6 282 total good for 3rd place.
Lopez is the first winner from Mexico since the great Lorena Ochoa. "I mean, she's been my inspiration my entire life," Lopez said of Ochoa. "That's why I'm actually a professional golfer."
Ochoa retired in her prime in 2010 to raise a family. She was the LPGA's top-ranked golfer for several years winning 27 LPGA Tour events.
Lopez said she was also thinking of her grandfather, Jose Lopez, who died recently.
"I always told him that I was going to give him my first trophy. Sadly I didn't, but he was with me all week long and I couldn't be more lucky, more fortunate to have him still alive in me."
Canadian scores : Alena Sharp 69 76 75 75 +7 T33, Brittany Marchand 72 75 77 78 +14 T61
This wraps up the 5 event Asian swing and the field returns to Naples, Florida next week for the Race to CME Globe final to end the 2018 season. Brooke Henderson is projected at #3. http://www.lpga.com/race-to-cme-globe/projected-points-standing.
Bryan Angus
It wasn't pretty, bogey, bogey finish, +1 73, but it was just enough to give Gabby Lopez her first LPGA win one shot ahead of Ariya Jutanugarn in the Blue Bay tournament in China. She finished at -8 280. She was dressed in the colours of the Mexican flag.
Playing with Lopez, Jutanugarn had a birdie on the final hole to also finish on 73 -7 total 281 while Celine Boutier was 7 shots better with a 66 -6 282 total good for 3rd place.
Lopez is the first winner from Mexico since the great Lorena Ochoa. "I mean, she's been my inspiration my entire life," Lopez said of Ochoa. "That's why I'm actually a professional golfer."
Ochoa retired in her prime in 2010 to raise a family. She was the LPGA's top-ranked golfer for several years winning 27 LPGA Tour events.
Lopez said she was also thinking of her grandfather, Jose Lopez, who died recently.
"I always told him that I was going to give him my first trophy. Sadly I didn't, but he was with me all week long and I couldn't be more lucky, more fortunate to have him still alive in me."
Canadian scores : Alena Sharp 69 76 75 75 +7 T33, Brittany Marchand 72 75 77 78 +14 T61
This wraps up the 5 event Asian swing and the field returns to Naples, Florida next week for the Race to CME Globe final to end the 2018 season. Brooke Henderson is projected at #3. http://www.lpga.com/race-to-cme-globe/projected-points-standing.
Bryan Angus
Friday, November 9, 2018
Sloppy finish by Garcia opens the floodgates at the Nedbank Golf Challenge
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018089/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
Sergio Garcia began his day with a 4 shot lead after a masterful -8 64 on Thursday and soon extended that to five, but some sloppy play and a charge by Louis Oosthuizen reduced the lead to 1, and opened the floodgates for the rest of the contenders in this Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Garcia signed for a 71 -9 total but fellow major Champion Oosthuizen came home in 32 for a 67 -8 total and emerge as the nearest challenger at Gary Player Country Club.
However with 36 holes to play guys like Finn Mikko Korhonen -6, Dylan Frittelli, English pair Aaron Rai and Lee Westwood, and Ireland's Shane Lowry all at -4 are right back in contention.
Sergio was cruising along out in 33 -11 total, however 3 bogey's in his last 6 holes, including a 3 putt at the 18th dropped him to -9.
However he still has the lead despite his finish and the way he is striking the ball on this shot maker's golf course should keep him in contention come Sunday afternoon.
Bryan Angus
Garcia signed for a 71 -9 total but fellow major Champion Oosthuizen came home in 32 for a 67 -8 total and emerge as the nearest challenger at Gary Player Country Club.
However with 36 holes to play guys like Finn Mikko Korhonen -6, Dylan Frittelli, English pair Aaron Rai and Lee Westwood, and Ireland's Shane Lowry all at -4 are right back in contention.
Sergio was cruising along out in 33 -11 total, however 3 bogey's in his last 6 holes, including a 3 putt at the 18th dropped him to -9.
However he still has the lead despite his finish and the way he is striking the ball on this shot maker's golf course should keep him in contention come Sunday afternoon.
Bryan Angus
Adam Hadwin just one off the lead at Mayakoba Golf Classic
PGA Tour Mayakoba Golf Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/mayakoba-golf-classic/leaderboard.html
Matt Kuchar hasn't won in 4 years so he decided to bring his family to Mexico for a working holiday at this Mayakoba Golf Classic resort and proceeded to fire a -7 64 to share the lead with Jordan Spieth's Texas roommate Kramer Hickok and Domenic Bozelli.
Hickok is a PGA Tour rookie looking for new digs as Spieth who shot 71 is getting married next week.
Meanwhile Adam Hadwin who has played well here in the past shot a strong bogey free -6 65 T4 just a shot behind. The highlight of his round was an eagle on the par 5 13th.
Other Canadians: Nick Taylor 68 T42, Adam Svensson 70 T77, Corey Connors 72 T109, Mac Hughes 73 and Roger Sloan 75
Rickie Fowler posted a 66, as over half of the field shot in the 60's. Of note Mexican Abraham Ancer shot a 65 and his T4 last week in Las Vegas moved him to No. 98 in the world. That made Ancer the first Mexican golfer to crack the top 100 in the world ranking.
Bryan Angus
Matt Kuchar hasn't won in 4 years so he decided to bring his family to Mexico for a working holiday at this Mayakoba Golf Classic resort and proceeded to fire a -7 64 to share the lead with Jordan Spieth's Texas roommate Kramer Hickok and Domenic Bozelli.
Hickok is a PGA Tour rookie looking for new digs as Spieth who shot 71 is getting married next week.
Meanwhile Adam Hadwin who has played well here in the past shot a strong bogey free -6 65 T4 just a shot behind. The highlight of his round was an eagle on the par 5 13th.
Other Canadians: Nick Taylor 68 T42, Adam Svensson 70 T77, Corey Connors 72 T109, Mac Hughes 73 and Roger Sloan 75
Rickie Fowler posted a 66, as over half of the field shot in the 60's. Of note Mexican Abraham Ancer shot a 65 and his T4 last week in Las Vegas moved him to No. 98 in the world. That made Ancer the first Mexican golfer to crack the top 100 in the world ranking.
Bryan Angus
Mexican Gabby Lopez leads Blue Bay LPGA..Sharp, Marchand drop back
Blue Bay LPGA leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Mexican Gabby Lopez turned 25 on Saturday and promptly went out to shoot a sparkling -6 66 highlighted by a hole in one at the par 3 17th to take a 1 shot lead at -9 going into the final round at this Blue Bay LPGA. She is looking for her first LPGA win.
She will be paired again tomorrow with Ariya Jutanugarn who slipped to a -1 71 -8 total.
It seems to be a two horse race with the nearest challenge coming from Sei Young Kim and Sung Hyun Park at -4.
Alena Sharp who opened brightly with a 69 has slipped out of contention with 76 75 T23 +4 while Brittany Marchand is T51 +8.
This is the final event of the Asian swing as the players will return to Naples, Florida next week for the season finale, The Race to CME Globe.
Bryan Angus
Mexican Gabby Lopez turned 25 on Saturday and promptly went out to shoot a sparkling -6 66 highlighted by a hole in one at the par 3 17th to take a 1 shot lead at -9 going into the final round at this Blue Bay LPGA. She is looking for her first LPGA win.
She will be paired again tomorrow with Ariya Jutanugarn who slipped to a -1 71 -8 total.
It seems to be a two horse race with the nearest challenge coming from Sei Young Kim and Sung Hyun Park at -4.
Alena Sharp who opened brightly with a 69 has slipped out of contention with 76 75 T23 +4 while Brittany Marchand is T51 +8.
This is the final event of the Asian swing as the players will return to Naples, Florida next week for the season finale, The Race to CME Globe.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Sergio Garcia stars in the first round at Nedbank Challenge
European Tour Nedbank Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018089/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
The Nedbank Challenge is played in Sun City, RSA and the Gary Player CC course features tight undulating fairways and small sloping greens. It's a second shot venue with a premium on accuracy of the tee.
As soon as I saw the field I thought Sergio Garcia should do well here this week especially after his recent win on a similar course set up at Valderrama.
It's no surprise he has been the star of round 1 with a superbly controlled -8 64. He birdied the first and never really looked back. He leads by 4 shots in ideal sunny South African weather.
Fellow countryman Charl Schwartzel leads 3 players on -4 after a 68. the others are
Bryan Angus
The Nedbank Challenge is played in Sun City, RSA and the Gary Player CC course features tight undulating fairways and small sloping greens. It's a second shot venue with a premium on accuracy of the tee.
As soon as I saw the field I thought Sergio Garcia should do well here this week especially after his recent win on a similar course set up at Valderrama.
It's no surprise he has been the star of round 1 with a superbly controlled -8 64. He birdied the first and never really looked back. He leads by 4 shots in ideal sunny South African weather.
The Spaniard has won twice before at Gary Player Country Club before this event joined the European Tour International Schedule and his -8 was his lowest round in Sun City since he claimed his first title in 2001 when it was an 18 man
invitational.
invitational.
Since being selected as a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup by Thomas Bjørn, Garcia has had a T10 at the Portugal Masters, won three points at Le Golf National to become Europe's all-time leading scorer and won the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.
Finn Mikko Korhonen and Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera.
Bryan Angus
Sharp and field face windy conditions at Blue Bay LPGA
Blue Bay LPGA leaderboard
http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Alena Sharp was not alone in the wind during round 2 of the Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island, China. On a day when only 8 players broke par she got around in +4 76 after opening with -3 69 so she finds herself T11 +1 heading into the weekend. The wind was gusting up to 28mph.
The best of today's scoring was powerful world #1 Ariya Jutanugarn with a remarkable -4 68 and she leads the field by 4 shots at -7.
Her older sister Moriya leads the chasing pack at -3 and they may be paired together on Saturday. Ariya says they are staying together but get along better on course than they do off it.
"She is very professional, neat and tidy while I throw everything. She yells at me every day !"
Brittany Marchand is T23 after rounds of 72 75 +3
Bryan Angus
http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Alena Sharp was not alone in the wind during round 2 of the Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island, China. On a day when only 8 players broke par she got around in +4 76 after opening with -3 69 so she finds herself T11 +1 heading into the weekend. The wind was gusting up to 28mph.
The best of today's scoring was powerful world #1 Ariya Jutanugarn with a remarkable -4 68 and she leads the field by 4 shots at -7.
Her older sister Moriya leads the chasing pack at -3 and they may be paired together on Saturday. Ariya says they are staying together but get along better on course than they do off it.
"She is very professional, neat and tidy while I throw everything. She yells at me every day !"
Brittany Marchand is T23 after rounds of 72 75 +3
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Alena Sharp returns in fine form, T2 at Blue Bay LPGA in China
LPGA Tour Blue Bay LPGA leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
After 6 weeks off, she hadn't played since the Evian Championship, she played and won an event on the Cactus Tour as a warm up last week, Alena Sharp has opened with a -3 69 T2 at the windswept Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island in China.
" I didn't have a great year last season, played a lot and it seemed to drag me down, so I've been at home getting caught up, answering mail and all those everyday things. I spent a couple of weeks with my coach getting ready. "
Alena's story has had many twists and turns, but from my experience she has always been a very shy woman, who was very hard on herself and pretty gruff with the media. However at 35 she seems happier in her own skin, the fact that she openly came out for the first time to talk about the fact she is gay last year, and in love with her bubbly caddy Sarah Bowman may have had a co-relation.
Diminutive Thai golfer Thidapa Suwannapura shot a -4 68 to lead the tournament by one shot from her compatriot Ariya Jutanugarn and Alena.
Six other players, including three other Thai players, were two shots back and five others were three off the lead in the 72-hole tournament, which concludes the LPGA's Tour's Asian swing.
Brittany Marchand is T15 E 72.
Bryan Angus
After 6 weeks off, she hadn't played since the Evian Championship, she played and won an event on the Cactus Tour as a warm up last week, Alena Sharp has opened with a -3 69 T2 at the windswept Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island in China.
" I didn't have a great year last season, played a lot and it seemed to drag me down, so I've been at home getting caught up, answering mail and all those everyday things. I spent a couple of weeks with my coach getting ready. "
Alena's story has had many twists and turns, but from my experience she has always been a very shy woman, who was very hard on herself and pretty gruff with the media. However at 35 she seems happier in her own skin, the fact that she openly came out for the first time to talk about the fact she is gay last year, and in love with her bubbly caddy Sarah Bowman may have had a co-relation.
Diminutive Thai golfer Thidapa Suwannapura shot a -4 68 to lead the tournament by one shot from her compatriot Ariya Jutanugarn and Alena.
Six other players, including three other Thai players, were two shots back and five others were three off the lead in the 72-hole tournament, which concludes the LPGA's Tour's Asian swing.
Brittany Marchand is T15 E 72.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Justin Rose beats Haotong Li in a playoff at Turkish Airlines Open
European Tour Turkish Airlines Open final scoreboard
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018088/leaderboard/index.html#/results
Live : Talk about pressure ! Justin Rose has just made bogey at both the 17th and 18th while Haotong Li missed one of his own to win at the 17th to force a playoff at this spectacular Turkish Airlines Open.
Li started the day with a 3 shot lead. Rose was fighting to defend his title and regain the world #1 spot.
Both missed their birdie putts in the first playoff hole, the 18th..Rose tapped in for par while Li missed his 3 footer for par giving the title to Rose. Li 3 putted from 12 feet.
Bryan Angus
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018088/leaderboard/index.html#/results
Live : Talk about pressure ! Justin Rose has just made bogey at both the 17th and 18th while Haotong Li missed one of his own to win at the 17th to force a playoff at this spectacular Turkish Airlines Open.
Li started the day with a 3 shot lead. Rose was fighting to defend his title and regain the world #1 spot.
Both missed their birdie putts in the first playoff hole, the 18th..Rose tapped in for par while Li missed his 3 footer for par giving the title to Rose. Li 3 putted from 12 feet.
“A tough day for me, honestly,” said Li. “The play-off, I saw that ball definitely go in. I think I played well the whole week but didn't hole a few putts on the last and that was it."
While Li will smart for a while and probably never forget that 3 putt, he will take solace from the fact he led by three shots after three rounds, opening with a -9 63, and played superbly all week. The 23 year old Chinese player is already a star, and I believe will be at the front of a new wave of players from his country, which as little as 40 years ago had just one golf course under that communist regime.
The victory sees Rose join Jon Rahm and Alex Noren as a multiple Rolex Series winner and represents the first successful title defence of his career. It also adds another $1.6m to his massive bank account.
Bryan Angus
Hataoka leads Japanese charge to win the Toto Japan Classic
LPGA Toto Japan Classic final scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
As if she wasn't popular enough before, 19 year old Nasa Hataoka has won the Toto Japan Classic 66 69 67 -14 by two shots and to the absolute joy of all golf fans in her country two other Japanese players T2.!
Saki Nagamine 68 68 68 -12 and Momoko Ueda 69 67 68 -12 made sure it was a banner day for Japanese golf. They were joined at -12 by Spain's Carlota Ciganda 68 68 68 -12.
Hataoka started the day four shots behind leader Minjee Lee who didn't bring her "A" game with a front nine at +7 43, good news for Hataoka, who played those holes in 36. Lee ended up with a 78.
The win was Hatoaka's 2nd of the year on the LPGA Tour.
Brooke Henderson who sent Canadian golf fans into a tizzy when she won the CP Canadian Women's Open earlier this year completed her Asian swing well down the field T41 69 72 73 -2.
Bryan Angus
As if she wasn't popular enough before, 19 year old Nasa Hataoka has won the Toto Japan Classic 66 69 67 -14 by two shots and to the absolute joy of all golf fans in her country two other Japanese players T2.!
Saki Nagamine 68 68 68 -12 and Momoko Ueda 69 67 68 -12 made sure it was a banner day for Japanese golf. They were joined at -12 by Spain's Carlota Ciganda 68 68 68 -12.
Hataoka started the day four shots behind leader Minjee Lee who didn't bring her "A" game with a front nine at +7 43, good news for Hataoka, who played those holes in 36. Lee ended up with a 78.
The win was Hatoaka's 2nd of the year on the LPGA Tour.
Brooke Henderson who sent Canadian golf fans into a tizzy when she won the CP Canadian Women's Open earlier this year completed her Asian swing well down the field T41 69 72 73 -2.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Rose and Levy chasing Chinese star Haotong Li in Turkey
European Tour Turkish Airlines Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018088/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
This Turkish Airlines Open has grown from an exhibition match a few years ago to help promote the game and more importantly the destination as a holiday resort for the massive European holiday market pouring into Portugal and Spain every winter, to the final event in the lucrative Rolex Series ,the prime regular season events on the tournament schedule.
They are playing and staying at the ultra luxurious Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort overlooking the Mediterranean in Southern Turkey.
Chinese star Haotong Li is in front by three shots after 3 rounds 66 67 63 -17 and his nearest pursuers at -14 are defending champion Justin Rose (69) and Frenchman Alexander Levy (66)
Rose is looking to close the gap on Frankie Molinari in the Race to Dubai, and return to the world #1 in the process. Remember folks, Rosey is a very wealthy man these days having just won the Fed Ex Cup along with it's $10m bonus..
Bryan Angus
This Turkish Airlines Open has grown from an exhibition match a few years ago to help promote the game and more importantly the destination as a holiday resort for the massive European holiday market pouring into Portugal and Spain every winter, to the final event in the lucrative Rolex Series ,the prime regular season events on the tournament schedule.
They are playing and staying at the ultra luxurious Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort overlooking the Mediterranean in Southern Turkey.
Chinese star Haotong Li is in front by three shots after 3 rounds 66 67 63 -17 and his nearest pursuers at -14 are defending champion Justin Rose (69) and Frenchman Alexander Levy (66)
Rose is looking to close the gap on Frankie Molinari in the Race to Dubai, and return to the world #1 in the process. Remember folks, Rosey is a very wealthy man these days having just won the Fed Ex Cup along with it's $10m bonus..
Bryan Angus
Henderson loses ground at Toto Japan Classic
LPGA Toto Japan Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
On a Saturday when Aussie, Minjee Lee led the charge with a -8 64 to take the lead at -13 and more than half the field was under par, Brooke Henderson stalled with an E 72 to remain at -3 but now T25, 10 shots off the lead with just one round to play at the Toto Japan Classic.
Brooke posted 16 pars, 1 birdie and 1 bogey on a day where she hit 17/18 greens in regulation but used 36 putts which tells the story of her round.
22 year old Lee who vied with Henderson as the world #1 during their amateur careers, is three strokes ahead of local favorite, Japan's Sakura Koiwai, who had seven birdies and a lone bogey for a 66 -10 total.
Japanese star 19 year old Nasa Hataoka managed a -3 69 and is T3 at -9 which is delighting her adoring fans.
Bryan Angus
On a Saturday when Aussie, Minjee Lee led the charge with a -8 64 to take the lead at -13 and more than half the field was under par, Brooke Henderson stalled with an E 72 to remain at -3 but now T25, 10 shots off the lead with just one round to play at the Toto Japan Classic.
Brooke posted 16 pars, 1 birdie and 1 bogey on a day where she hit 17/18 greens in regulation but used 36 putts which tells the story of her round.
22 year old Lee who vied with Henderson as the world #1 during their amateur careers, is three strokes ahead of local favorite, Japan's Sakura Koiwai, who had seven birdies and a lone bogey for a 66 -10 total.
Japanese star 19 year old Nasa Hataoka managed a -3 69 and is T3 at -9 which is delighting her adoring fans.
Bryan Angus
Friday, November 2, 2018
Justin Rose leads the Turkish Airlines Open heading into the weekend.
European Tour Turkish Airlines Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018088/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
Defending champion Justin Rose will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Turkish Airlines Open after firing a second consecutive -6 65 at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.
Defending champion Justin Rose will take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the Turkish Airlines Open after firing a second consecutive -6 65 at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.
The Englishman would go back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking with a win on Sunday and he would also become the first player to mount a successful defence of a Rolex Series title.
A win would also be a first successful defence of any title for Rose but the man with five top tens in his last six European Tour events has an elite chasing pack behind him.
England's Tom Lewis fired the lowest round of the week so far with a 63 to get to -10 alongside countryman and Masters Champion Danny Willett (65), and Danish Ryder Cup star Thorbjørn Olesen (67).
This is the 3rd last event of the year on the European Tour, the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa goes next week, before the Race to Dubai wraps up the following week in the UAE with Francesco Molinari in the lead.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Brooke Henderson T15 after opening round in Japan
LPGA Toto Japan Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/
In her last tournament of the LPGA Asian Swing, Brooke Henderson has opened with -3 69 good for T15 at the Toto Japan Classic. She went out in +1 37 but got her game going with 4 birdies including back to back at 17 and 18, for 32. Brooke hit 8/14 fairways, but 14/18 greens in regulation and used just 28 putts. She also scrambled well with 3/3 sand saves.
The leader at -7 65 is South Korean world #3, So Yeon Ryu who posted a back nine 31 and used just 27 putts.
The lead story however is Japanese teenage sensation Nasa Hataoka who is T2 -6 66. Hataoka earned her first career win at the 2018 NW Arkansas Championship then the following week, she shot a 64 to get into a playoff at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she ultimately fell to Sung Hyun Park. She is just 19.
Bryan Angus
In her last tournament of the LPGA Asian Swing, Brooke Henderson has opened with -3 69 good for T15 at the Toto Japan Classic. She went out in +1 37 but got her game going with 4 birdies including back to back at 17 and 18, for 32. Brooke hit 8/14 fairways, but 14/18 greens in regulation and used just 28 putts. She also scrambled well with 3/3 sand saves.
The leader at -7 65 is South Korean world #3, So Yeon Ryu who posted a back nine 31 and used just 27 putts.
The lead story however is Japanese teenage sensation Nasa Hataoka who is T2 -6 66. Hataoka earned her first career win at the 2018 NW Arkansas Championship then the following week, she shot a 64 to get into a playoff at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she ultimately fell to Sung Hyun Park. She is just 19.
Bryan Angus
Monday, October 29, 2018
Connors finishes 2nd at Sanderson Farms Championship
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
At the turn on Sunday, Cory Connors was tied for the lead the Sanderson Farms Championship, having caught Cameron Champ, who had a four shot lead but played the front nine in +1.
However the 23 year old American, playing in only his 9th PGA Tour start, birdied five of his last six holes finishing with a -4 68 -21 to regain the lead for his 1st win.
Connors also shot -4 68 to finish 2nd at 217 and that is his best finish on the PGA Tour. His best finish in life came just a week ago when he got married !
Nick Taylor finished with a 69 T26th -8. Ben Silverman shot 71 T39 and Adam Svensson also T39 after his 68.
Bryan Angus
At the turn on Sunday, Cory Connors was tied for the lead the Sanderson Farms Championship, having caught Cameron Champ, who had a four shot lead but played the front nine in +1.
However the 23 year old American, playing in only his 9th PGA Tour start, birdied five of his last six holes finishing with a -4 68 -21 to regain the lead for his 1st win.
Connors also shot -4 68 to finish 2nd at 217 and that is his best finish on the PGA Tour. His best finish in life came just a week ago when he got married !
Nick Taylor finished with a 69 T26th -8. Ben Silverman shot 71 T39 and Adam Svensson also T39 after his 68.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Nelly Korda wins Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan
Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship final scoreboard/prize money http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Wei-Ling Tsu started play on Sunday tied for the lead in front of her adoring fans with Nelly Korda at -9 at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.
However the diminutive Taiwanese star slumped to a 74 while Korda went on to post -4 68 -13 275, to win by 2 shots from a charging Minjee Lee (66) for her 1st LPGA title and the $330,000 that goes with it.
"Truthfully, I cannot put it into words," Korda said. "It still hasn't hit. It's definitely one of the best days of my entire life. I can finally check that off of my list, winning an LPGA event, something that I dreamed of ever since I started playing"
Local favorite Wei-Ling Hsu had five bogeys to finish T6 with Lydia Ko (72).
Brooke Henderson shot 75 to end up T38 worth just over $12,000
Bryan Angus
Wei-Ling Tsu started play on Sunday tied for the lead in front of her adoring fans with Nelly Korda at -9 at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.
However the diminutive Taiwanese star slumped to a 74 while Korda went on to post -4 68 -13 275, to win by 2 shots from a charging Minjee Lee (66) for her 1st LPGA title and the $330,000 that goes with it.
"Truthfully, I cannot put it into words," Korda said. "It still hasn't hit. It's definitely one of the best days of my entire life. I can finally check that off of my list, winning an LPGA event, something that I dreamed of ever since I started playing"
Local favorite Wei-Ling Hsu had five bogeys to finish T6 with Lydia Ko (72).
Brooke Henderson shot 75 to end up T38 worth just over $12,000
Bryan Angus
Corey Connors shoots 64 takes 2nd place at Sanderson Farms
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
He has delayed his honeymoon but newly married Corey Connors may well be paying for it this week in sunny Jackson Mississippi at this Sanderson Farms Championship where his colleague Nick Taylor won in 2015.
Connors fired a -8 64 -13 to soar up the leaderboard to take 2nd place and he will be in the final pairing with American rookie Cameron Champ who shot a 64 of his own at -17.
Connors had 5 birdies on the front nine for a 31, 4 more on the back with just one bogey for 33. He's 4th in Greens in regulation 44/54, 1st in sand saves 4/4 and 6th in scrambling. He is also T3 with 16 birdies.
Nick Taylor (71) and Ben Silverman (71) are T38 at -5 while Adam Svensson (72) is T58
Bryan Angus
He has delayed his honeymoon but newly married Corey Connors may well be paying for it this week in sunny Jackson Mississippi at this Sanderson Farms Championship where his colleague Nick Taylor won in 2015.
Connors fired a -8 64 -13 to soar up the leaderboard to take 2nd place and he will be in the final pairing with American rookie Cameron Champ who shot a 64 of his own at -17.
Connors had 5 birdies on the front nine for a 31, 4 more on the back with just one bogey for 33. He's 4th in Greens in regulation 44/54, 1st in sand saves 4/4 and 6th in scrambling. He is also T3 with 16 birdies.
Nick Taylor (71) and Ben Silverman (71) are T38 at -5 while Adam Svensson (72) is T58
Bryan Angus
Schauffele beats Finau in playoff to win WGC HSBC Champions
WGC HSBC Champions final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018086/leaderboard/index.html#/results
2017 Rookie of the Year, Xander Schauffele birdied his last two holes to catch Tony Finau, then birdied the par 5 18th in a sudden death playoff for his first win of the year, the 3rd of his young career. Finau found a bunker with his drive and had to lay up.
Schauffele's -4 68 was the low score of the day at this WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai and it was worth 550 Fed Ex Cup points and well over $1 million dollars. He also moves in 4th place in the Race To Dubai.
Defending champion Justin Rose (72) was 3rd at -10. That meant that a successful title defence is still missing from Rose's remarkable golfing CV, something he is hoping to put right with two more defences coming up soon, starting with next week's Turkish Airlines Open.
Bryan Angus
2017 Rookie of the Year, Xander Schauffele birdied his last two holes to catch Tony Finau, then birdied the par 5 18th in a sudden death playoff for his first win of the year, the 3rd of his young career. Finau found a bunker with his drive and had to lay up.
Schauffele's -4 68 was the low score of the day at this WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai and it was worth 550 Fed Ex Cup points and well over $1 million dollars. He also moves in 4th place in the Race To Dubai.
"I felt like I was playing great all day," he said. "We kept our heads down. Even when I was signing my card I was like, 'oh, wow, I actually went birdie-birdie to get in the play-off'. I was just in my own world out there. It means a lot, it was my birthday this week. To have my family out here, especially with the win, it's really special."
Defending champion Justin Rose (72) was 3rd at -10. That meant that a successful title defence is still missing from Rose's remarkable golfing CV, something he is hoping to put right with two more defences coming up soon, starting with next week's Turkish Airlines Open.
Adam Hadwin shot 75 to end up T30 +3.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Corey Connors leads Canadians at Sanderson Farms Championship
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
While many of the world's best are in Shanghai, the wrap around 2019 season is well under way, this week it's the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.
Corey Conners (68) is the low Canadian, sitting in a tie for T15th -5 under just 4 shots off the lead. Nick Taylor (71) and Ben Silverman (65) T31st -4 under. Adam Svensson (71) T50th at -2.
David Hearn and Roger Sloan both missed the cut.
A 19 year old called Norman Xiong shot a -5 67 for a share of the lead at the Country Club of Jackson in just his seventh career start. He’s even with American,Cameron Champ who shot 70, both are at -9.
Bryan Angus
While many of the world's best are in Shanghai, the wrap around 2019 season is well under way, this week it's the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.
Corey Conners (68) is the low Canadian, sitting in a tie for T15th -5 under just 4 shots off the lead. Nick Taylor (71) and Ben Silverman (65) T31st -4 under. Adam Svensson (71) T50th at -2.
David Hearn and Roger Sloan both missed the cut.
A 19 year old called Norman Xiong shot a -5 67 for a share of the lead at the Country Club of Jackson in just his seventh career start. He’s even with American,Cameron Champ who shot 70, both are at -9.
Bryan Angus
Crowded leaderboard at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship
Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Nelly Korda shot a -3 69 to share the lead with Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu after three rounds of the LPGA Taiwan Championship on Saturday.
Playing in front of a home crowd, Hsu finished with an E 72 on Saturday after shooting 68 and 67 in the first two rounds.
Korda and Hsu have a total of -9 207 and both will be looking for their first LPGA titles in Sunday's final round at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club.
"I think I'll definitely be a little nervous," Korda said of Sunday's round. "Anyone who is in contention on a Sunday will obviously feel those types of feelings. But I'll also be excited and just happy to be in that position."
She will be playing in the final round with Hsu, who she knows will be the crowd favorite. "Wei-Ling was playing right behind me (today), but you heard a couple roars," she said. "I think it's awesome to see how much they support women's golf out here and just how they support a home player is really great. It's really nice to see."
Korda is the sister of fellow LPGA player Jessica Korda.
Five players are within two shots of the leaders: Jin Young Ko (69), Bronte Law (69), Megan Khang (70), Lydia Ko (72) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (73).
Brooke Henderson has moved into the top 25 with rounds of 70 74 73 +1. Her stats indicate she has been driving the ball very well and accurately with 36/42 fairways hit, but she is just 36/54 in greens in regulation and has used 27 32 32 = 91 total putts
By way of example the leader Hsu has used 29 24 25 = 71 putts through 3 rounds.
Bryan Angus
(lpgatour.com)
Nelly Korda shot a -3 69 to share the lead with Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu after three rounds of the LPGA Taiwan Championship on Saturday.
Playing in front of a home crowd, Hsu finished with an E 72 on Saturday after shooting 68 and 67 in the first two rounds.
Korda and Hsu have a total of -9 207 and both will be looking for their first LPGA titles in Sunday's final round at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club.
"I think I'll definitely be a little nervous," Korda said of Sunday's round. "Anyone who is in contention on a Sunday will obviously feel those types of feelings. But I'll also be excited and just happy to be in that position."
She will be playing in the final round with Hsu, who she knows will be the crowd favorite. "Wei-Ling was playing right behind me (today), but you heard a couple roars," she said. "I think it's awesome to see how much they support women's golf out here and just how they support a home player is really great. It's really nice to see."
Korda is the sister of fellow LPGA player Jessica Korda.
Five players are within two shots of the leaders: Jin Young Ko (69), Bronte Law (69), Megan Khang (70), Lydia Ko (72) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff (73).
Brooke Henderson has moved into the top 25 with rounds of 70 74 73 +1. Her stats indicate she has been driving the ball very well and accurately with 36/42 fairways hit, but she is just 36/54 in greens in regulation and has used 27 32 32 = 91 total putts
By way of example the leader Hsu has used 29 24 25 = 71 putts through 3 rounds.
Bryan Angus
(lpgatour.com)
Tony Finau continues to lead WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghi
WGC HSBC Champions leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018086/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
Tony Finau's decision to get out of the States to become an international player is turning out to be a good one particularly after he birdied his last three holes in the third round to take a three-shot lead into the final day of the WGC-HSBC Champions.
The American started Saturday with that advantage before defending champion Justin Rose (70)reeled him in and moved two ahead with two to play on a dramatic day at Sheshan International Golf Club.
But while Finau completed his big finish to get to -13, Englishman Rose dropped three shots on the final two holes to sit three off the lead alongside American duo Patrick Reed (70) and Xander Schauffele (69).
Reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood (72) is five shots off the lead alongside America's Andrew Putnam (67).
Finau's round of 70 put him in pole position to claim his first European Tour win at just the 20th attempt but the chasing pack have plenty to play for in Shanghai
Adam Hadwin has shot 74 68 74 E T26th.
The American started Saturday with that advantage before defending champion Justin Rose (70)reeled him in and moved two ahead with two to play on a dramatic day at Sheshan International Golf Club.
But while Finau completed his big finish to get to -13, Englishman Rose dropped three shots on the final two holes to sit three off the lead alongside American duo Patrick Reed (70) and Xander Schauffele (69).
Reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood (72) is five shots off the lead alongside America's Andrew Putnam (67).
Finau's round of 70 put him in pole position to claim his first European Tour win at just the 20th attempt but the chasing pack have plenty to play for in Shanghai
"It was great to birdie the last three. It's always a nice way to finish no matter what position you're in. I didn't have a lot going my way for the first half of the day and Rosey was making his run. I was just really pleased I was able to finish that way and get some momentum going into tomorrow"
A win for Rose could move him back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking, while a Reed victory could put him top of the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex. Fleetwood could also move to the top of the Race to Dubai standings, while Schauffele and Putnam are both still seeking their first European Tour wins
Adam Hadwin has shot 74 68 74 E T26th.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Friday, October 26, 2018
Lydia Ko moves into contention at Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan.. live scoreboard
Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Wei-Ling Hsu was feeling the love from her home crowd at the LPGA Taiwan Championship on Friday and it inspired her to a -5 67 and a one-stroke lead after two rounds.
Hsu had a total of -9 135 on the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club, one ahead of first-round leader Jodi Ewart Shadoff (71).
"That was probably the most people I had around me, I felt a lot of support," Hsu said. "It also helped that I didn't look around much or check the scoreboards."
If she had, she would have seen that former No. 1 Lydia Ko was the big mover Friday with a round-of-the day -6 66 to move into third place and within two strokes of her lead.
The South Korean-born New Zealander had five birdies on her front nine but then stalled somewhat on the back nine. She birdied the 10th and had a bogey on the 11th, then had all pars until her approach to one foot on the par-4 17th gave her a late tap-in birdie.
"Probably one of the best shots of my career," Ko said.
Mirim Lee (67) and Nelly Korda (71) were tied for fourth, three shots off the lead.
Brooke Henderson has shot 70 74 T29 at E. Her undoing was 4 bogey's in 5 holes from the 1st-5th.
Bryan Angus
(lpga.com)
Wei-Ling Hsu was feeling the love from her home crowd at the LPGA Taiwan Championship on Friday and it inspired her to a -5 67 and a one-stroke lead after two rounds.
Hsu had a total of -9 135 on the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club, one ahead of first-round leader Jodi Ewart Shadoff (71).
"That was probably the most people I had around me, I felt a lot of support," Hsu said. "It also helped that I didn't look around much or check the scoreboards."
If she had, she would have seen that former No. 1 Lydia Ko was the big mover Friday with a round-of-the day -6 66 to move into third place and within two strokes of her lead.
The South Korean-born New Zealander had five birdies on her front nine but then stalled somewhat on the back nine. She birdied the 10th and had a bogey on the 11th, then had all pars until her approach to one foot on the par-4 17th gave her a late tap-in birdie.
"Probably one of the best shots of my career," Ko said.
Mirim Lee (67) and Nelly Korda (71) were tied for fourth, three shots off the lead.
Brooke Henderson has shot 70 74 T29 at E. Her undoing was 4 bogey's in 5 holes from the 1st-5th.
Bryan Angus
(lpga.com)
Tony Finau leads WGC-HSBC Champions heading into the weekend.. live leaderboard
WGC-HSBC Champions leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018086/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Tony Finau will take a three-shot lead into the weekend at the WGC-HSBC Champions after firing a -5 67 on a day of twists and turns at Sheshan International Golf Club. Finau has decided to expand his golfing CV after playing in Paris at the Ryder Cup. He had a top 10 finish in Scotland at the Dunhill Links 2 weeks ago.
The San Diego native entered the second round two shots behind overnight leader Patrick Reed but soon overhauled him and led by three before an unfortunate double-bogey on the 11th.
Three birdies in his last five holes then moved the 29 year old back to -11 under, three shots ahead of Masters Tournament champion Reed, defending champion Justin Rose and reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood.
American Xander Schauffele was then at -7, a shot ahead of countryman Patrick Cantlay.
Fleetwood and Reed are currently second and third respectively in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex as they look to chase down Francesco Molinari, while Rose could go back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking should results go his way over the weekend.
Adam Hadwin recovered from an opening 74 with a -4 68 and at -2 he is T21.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Three birdies in his last five holes then moved the 29 year old back to -11 under, three shots ahead of Masters Tournament champion Reed, defending champion Justin Rose and reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood.
American Xander Schauffele was then at -7, a shot ahead of countryman Patrick Cantlay.
Fleetwood and Reed are currently second and third respectively in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex as they look to chase down Francesco Molinari, while Rose could go back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking should results go his way over the weekend.
Adam Hadwin recovered from an opening 74 with a -4 68 and at -2 he is T21.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Brooke Henderson at Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan.. tee times..
Here are the pairings and tee times for the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/swinging-skirts-lpga-taiwan-championship/pairings
The LPGA's Asian Tour has moved to Taiwan this week for the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan. I have listed the pairings and tee times above. Remember Taiwan is 12 hours ahead of EST.
Brooke Henderson is the lone Canuck and she is off the 1st tee at 950am (9.50pm Wednesday EST) local with Katherine Kirk and Yu-Chaing Hu.
Bryan Angus
The LPGA's Asian Tour has moved to Taiwan this week for the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan. I have listed the pairings and tee times above. Remember Taiwan is 12 hours ahead of EST.
Brooke Henderson is the lone Canuck and she is off the 1st tee at 950am (9.50pm Wednesday EST) local with Katherine Kirk and Yu-Chaing Hu.
Bryan Angus
Rose leads the world's best at WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai
Defending champion Justin Rose will look to become the first player to retain a WGC-HSBC Champions trophy when he tees it up at Sheshan International Golf Club this week.
The World Number Three, who came roaring back in last year’s final round to erase an eight-shot deficit, would follow Tiger Woods as the only other player to successfully defend a WGC tournament if he is able to overcome the star-studded field assembled in Shanghai.
The 38 year old, who briefly topped the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career last month, has had a season to remember on the European Tour.
The Englishman went on to win the Turkish Airlines Open off the back of his WGC victory last year, and has continued that form into 2018 recording five top ten finishes, including a tied second at The Open Championship, before going on to play an integral role in Team Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup victory at Le Golf National in September and hosting the Sky Sports British Masters earlier this month.
Nine of his Ryder Cup teammates join him in the field this week including Open Champion and current Race to Dubai leader Francesco Molinari. The Italian became the first European – and just the fourth player ever – to win five matches out of five in France, and is a former winner of this event in 2010.
Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy has five top ten finishes in his six appearances at Sheshan International and with three tournaments remaining on his schedule for the 2018 season, the 29 year old knows big results are required to keep him in contention for a fourth Race to Dubai title.
Meanwhile, new World Number One Brooks Koepka is eyeing a long spell on top of the world as he prepares for the European Tour's final World Golf Championships event of the season. The American's victory at last week's CJ Cup moved him to the summit of the Official World Golf Ranking at a time when the battle to be golf's top dog has never been more competitive.
Justin Rose: “It's been a special year. It's been a special month, a couple of those things you mentioned, going to Number One, The Ryder Cup, the FedEx all happened pretty much off the back of one another. British Masters was a huge honour to host that. It's been a really exciting couple of months to be honest with you.
“It's always a funny time of year, really, because the new season has started but you're also coming to what feels like the end of the year. You're trying to get off to a great start for your 2019 campaign on the PGA TOUR and trying to finish strong on the 2018 European Tour Race to Dubai, but you are also looking forward to a break at the same time.
“My manager, Mark Steinberg, walked nine holes with me at this tournament last year during the Pro-Am, and we were talking. I said, listen, I think it's really time to go on a bit of a run here and let's put some great golf here. I felt very hungry and motivated to just try and find another level, really.
“We kind of look back now and that nine holes was kind of poignant, just the discussions that we had out there, and the fun that we had out there, and the intention that I had to go and try and start to play at another level. So this tournament absolutely did kick-start some great golf for me that's lasted the best part of the year."
Rory McIlroy: “I've played well here in the past. I haven't quite got the win, but I've consistently finished quite high and I feel like it's a good golf course for me.
“I'm in a much better place this year than I was this time last year in terms of injury, and I've played very consistent golf. Maybe haven't quite had the wins I've wanted but I have three tournaments this year to try to add to that, so I'm excited for this week and the next few weeks.
“I feel like I need one win, maybe two out of the next three, to have any sort of a chance. So you know, I'm playing with Francesco the first couple of days, so it's good to keep an eye on him, I guess.
“I need to play some very, very good golf over these next few weeks to at least have a chance. If I can go there, if I can go to Dubai with a mathematical chance of winning, you know, you never know what can happen. Still open to it, but I know it's a long shot."
Francesco Molinari: “I've got some great memories here. It's one event I always look forward to. The course is in great shape, so it's nice to be back. It's been quite a journey since 2010, but especially this year, it's been incredible. It's nice to be here. I've got a couple more events to go, this one an Dubai, and it would be nice to finish off the season in style.
“Potentially it will be massive (in the Race to Dubai standings). I know that there's a lot of guys still in with a chance and there's a lot of money to play for the next few weeks. I know it definitely won't be easy for the Europeans. It's the main goal remaining in the season, and everyone will do their best to try and catch me.”
Brooks Koepka: “To start the year off with a win is something you always want to do. One-for-one is always nice. Just got to build on that. I feel like I've built a lot of momentum throughout the year and obviously only a week off in between, it felt like, so there wasn't much of a gap.
“To build that momentum and kind of build on what I've done this year was key, and hopefully it rolls over into this week and then have a few weeks off to kind of figure out what I need to work on and what needs to get better, and go from there.”
Dustin Johnson: “I always look forward to coming here. I like the golf course. It's a great tournament. HSBC does a great job here. I don't really get to play in Asia much, so it's good for me to come over here and play. I've had a lot of success on this golf course, so it's a tournament that I look forward to coming to play.”
Rose and Dustin Johnson have both held top spot in recent weeks and both of those players could replace Koepka should results go their way this week, however the 28 year old has no intention of giving his position up, and is aiming for yet another milestone as he seeks a first WGC win to go with his three Major Championships.
The World Number Three, who came roaring back in last year’s final round to erase an eight-shot deficit, would follow Tiger Woods as the only other player to successfully defend a WGC tournament if he is able to overcome the star-studded field assembled in Shanghai.
The 38 year old, who briefly topped the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career last month, has had a season to remember on the European Tour.
The Englishman went on to win the Turkish Airlines Open off the back of his WGC victory last year, and has continued that form into 2018 recording five top ten finishes, including a tied second at The Open Championship, before going on to play an integral role in Team Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup victory at Le Golf National in September and hosting the Sky Sports British Masters earlier this month.
Nine of his Ryder Cup teammates join him in the field this week including Open Champion and current Race to Dubai leader Francesco Molinari. The Italian became the first European – and just the fourth player ever – to win five matches out of five in France, and is a former winner of this event in 2010.
Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy has five top ten finishes in his six appearances at Sheshan International and with three tournaments remaining on his schedule for the 2018 season, the 29 year old knows big results are required to keep him in contention for a fourth Race to Dubai title.
Meanwhile, new World Number One Brooks Koepka is eyeing a long spell on top of the world as he prepares for the European Tour's final World Golf Championships event of the season. The American's victory at last week's CJ Cup moved him to the summit of the Official World Golf Ranking at a time when the battle to be golf's top dog has never been more competitive.
Justin Rose: “It's been a special year. It's been a special month, a couple of those things you mentioned, going to Number One, The Ryder Cup, the FedEx all happened pretty much off the back of one another. British Masters was a huge honour to host that. It's been a really exciting couple of months to be honest with you.
“It's always a funny time of year, really, because the new season has started but you're also coming to what feels like the end of the year. You're trying to get off to a great start for your 2019 campaign on the PGA TOUR and trying to finish strong on the 2018 European Tour Race to Dubai, but you are also looking forward to a break at the same time.
“My manager, Mark Steinberg, walked nine holes with me at this tournament last year during the Pro-Am, and we were talking. I said, listen, I think it's really time to go on a bit of a run here and let's put some great golf here. I felt very hungry and motivated to just try and find another level, really.
“We kind of look back now and that nine holes was kind of poignant, just the discussions that we had out there, and the fun that we had out there, and the intention that I had to go and try and start to play at another level. So this tournament absolutely did kick-start some great golf for me that's lasted the best part of the year."
Rory McIlroy: “I've played well here in the past. I haven't quite got the win, but I've consistently finished quite high and I feel like it's a good golf course for me.
“I'm in a much better place this year than I was this time last year in terms of injury, and I've played very consistent golf. Maybe haven't quite had the wins I've wanted but I have three tournaments this year to try to add to that, so I'm excited for this week and the next few weeks.
“I feel like I need one win, maybe two out of the next three, to have any sort of a chance. So you know, I'm playing with Francesco the first couple of days, so it's good to keep an eye on him, I guess.
“I need to play some very, very good golf over these next few weeks to at least have a chance. If I can go there, if I can go to Dubai with a mathematical chance of winning, you know, you never know what can happen. Still open to it, but I know it's a long shot."
Francesco Molinari: “I've got some great memories here. It's one event I always look forward to. The course is in great shape, so it's nice to be back. It's been quite a journey since 2010, but especially this year, it's been incredible. It's nice to be here. I've got a couple more events to go, this one an Dubai, and it would be nice to finish off the season in style.
“Potentially it will be massive (in the Race to Dubai standings). I know that there's a lot of guys still in with a chance and there's a lot of money to play for the next few weeks. I know it definitely won't be easy for the Europeans. It's the main goal remaining in the season, and everyone will do their best to try and catch me.”
Brooks Koepka: “To start the year off with a win is something you always want to do. One-for-one is always nice. Just got to build on that. I feel like I've built a lot of momentum throughout the year and obviously only a week off in between, it felt like, so there wasn't much of a gap.
“To build that momentum and kind of build on what I've done this year was key, and hopefully it rolls over into this week and then have a few weeks off to kind of figure out what I need to work on and what needs to get better, and go from there.”
Dustin Johnson: “I always look forward to coming here. I like the golf course. It's a great tournament. HSBC does a great job here. I don't really get to play in Asia much, so it's good for me to come over here and play. I've had a lot of success on this golf course, so it's a tournament that I look forward to coming to play.”
Rose and Dustin Johnson have both held top spot in recent weeks and both of those players could replace Koepka should results go their way this week, however the 28 year old has no intention of giving his position up, and is aiming for yet another milestone as he seeks a first WGC win to go with his three Major Championships.
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