Brooke Henderson is not only this country's best female golfer, she may be the best period. As she carries the flag tied for the lead at the Women's PGA on this Canada Day weekend, her story tops the list.
Here are some other Canadian scores from around the world.
http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/u-s--senior-open.html#!Scoring
Stephen Ames shot a 74 in the second round of the Senior US Open in Colorado, and he's T20 +4 at the tough Broadmoor GC. Jerry Kelly is the leader at -5.
All the other Canucks missed the cut, including Rick Todd who WD after an opening 86.
https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Corey Connors had a E 70 at the Quicken Loans National and he is T45 -1 as play begins today in Potomac, Md. Adam Hadwin 69 72 +1 T65, David Hearn 71 69 E 70th. Ben Silverman and Nick Taylor both MC.
Beau Hossler, Brian Gay and Ryan Armour lead at -9, Tiger is at -4.
https://www.pgatour.com/webcom/leaderboard.html
Albin Choi has posted a pair of 67's on the Web.com Tour's Lincoln Land Championship in Springfield Ill., to sit at T25. Adam Svensson 67 68 -7 T39.
Portugal's Carlos Cortiz leads at -14
https://www.randa.org/Championships/LadiesBritishOpenAmateurChampionship/SP-Leaderboard#/competition/1341400/leaderboard
Young Jaclyn Lee (@JaclynLee57) from Calgary lost her semi-final match 4&3 to Leonie Harm of Germany this morning at the Ladies British Amateur in Southport, England.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Brooke Henderson shares the lead KPMG Womens PGA
KPMG Women's PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kpmgwomenspgachampionship/leaderboard
Considering her record at this event, it's no surprise to see Brooke Henderson in the lead at the end of the second round at the Women's PGA Championship.
After her up and down round of -1, 71 she's at -6 under tied with Koreans So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park going into today's play. She will be in the final pairing with Ryu at 12.38 today.
She has finished in the top five at this major the past three years, including her win in 2016.
When I say up and down, she matched four birdies with four bogeys but wrapped her day on a great note with a 12-foot birdie putt at the last as she goes for a 2nd major and a seventh career win this weekend.
She had this to say in her post game interview. “It was kind of up and down all day so to finish off with a really nice birdie putt on 18 gives me a lot of confidence into tomorrow. I love it (the new putter, Ping Craz-E). I feel like you can see the line really well on the course.”
Maude-Aimee Leblanc (77) is +1. Brittany Marchand (76) Alena Sharp (78) are both at +3, Anne-Catherine Tanguay is +6 (74).
The Chicago area weather forecast is much the same as much of central and eastern North America, hot humid, sunny with a breeze getting up to around 20kph as the day gets on.
Bryan Angus
Considering her record at this event, it's no surprise to see Brooke Henderson in the lead at the end of the second round at the Women's PGA Championship.
After her up and down round of -1, 71 she's at -6 under tied with Koreans So Yeon Ryu and Sung Hyun Park going into today's play. She will be in the final pairing with Ryu at 12.38 today.
She has finished in the top five at this major the past three years, including her win in 2016.
When I say up and down, she matched four birdies with four bogeys but wrapped her day on a great note with a 12-foot birdie putt at the last as she goes for a 2nd major and a seventh career win this weekend.
She had this to say in her post game interview. “It was kind of up and down all day so to finish off with a really nice birdie putt on 18 gives me a lot of confidence into tomorrow. I love it (the new putter, Ping Craz-E). I feel like you can see the line really well on the course.”
Maude-Aimee Leblanc (77) is +1. Brittany Marchand (76) Alena Sharp (78) are both at +3, Anne-Catherine Tanguay is +6 (74).
The Chicago area weather forecast is much the same as much of central and eastern North America, hot humid, sunny with a breeze getting up to around 20kph as the day gets on.
Bryan Angus
Friday, June 29, 2018
Stephen Ames T10 after tough opening round at US Senior Open
US Senior Open leaderboard http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/u-s--senior-open.html#!Scoring
The Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs features ankle deep rough, narrow fairway's and difficult, tricky greens. Throw in gusting wind and +40*c temperatures and you can see what a tough test lies ahead for the senior circuit this weekend. Pars are great, bogey is acceptable and birdies are rare. In other words it's another US Open set up.
Only 6 players broke the par of 70 in the morning wave, only 8 all day as the breeze picked up in the sweltering afternoon.
Jerry Kelly got it to -4 through his first 5 holes then held on for -4 66 and has a 2 shot lead over Miguel Jimenez, Deane Pappas, Kevin Sutherland and Rocco Mediate, all at -2 68.
Stephen Ames leads the Canadians at T9 E 70.
Other Canucks: Kendal Yonomoto T94 +7 77, Steve Blake and Ian Doig T112, +9 79, Philip Jonas T123 +10 80 and my old pal, Scarborough's own Rick "Bruiser" Todd, back after 20 years away from competitive tournament golf struggled around +16, 86 T152.
Bryan Angus
The Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs features ankle deep rough, narrow fairway's and difficult, tricky greens. Throw in gusting wind and +40*c temperatures and you can see what a tough test lies ahead for the senior circuit this weekend. Pars are great, bogey is acceptable and birdies are rare. In other words it's another US Open set up.
Only 6 players broke the par of 70 in the morning wave, only 8 all day as the breeze picked up in the sweltering afternoon.
Jerry Kelly got it to -4 through his first 5 holes then held on for -4 66 and has a 2 shot lead over Miguel Jimenez, Deane Pappas, Kevin Sutherland and Rocco Mediate, all at -2 68.
Stephen Ames leads the Canadians at T9 E 70.
Other Canucks: Kendal Yonomoto T94 +7 77, Steve Blake and Ian Doig T112, +9 79, Philip Jonas T123 +10 80 and my old pal, Scarborough's own Rick "Bruiser" Todd, back after 20 years away from competitive tournament golf struggled around +16, 86 T152.
Bryan Angus
Henderson leads a great start for Canadians at KMPG Women's PGA Championship
KMPG Women's PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kpmgwomenspgachampionship/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson led the Canadian contingent to a great start at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. She won it in 2016 and was a shot out of the playoff last year, in fact she has never finished worse that T5.
After 6 birdies on her back nine, she overcame a bogey, bogey start and carded a -5 67 to sit just a stroke back of the lead with Jessica Korda, Jaye Marie Green and Brittany Altomore. She is playing with a new version of the Ping Craz-E putter.
" I shot a 30 on the back nine which gives me a lot of confidence and momentum going into Friday which is nice. I think one thing about having my sister on the bag is she always knows the right thing to say, just kind of getting me to calm down, relax a bit and just to believe I could finish strong"
She's not alone in the top 10 as Maude-Aimee Leblanc shot (68) and Alena Sharp had a fine (69). Further Brittany Marchand who shot 71 won a 2019 Kia Sorento with a hole in one at the 175 yard 17th! Anne-Catherine Tanguay, carded a +4 76
2017 US Open champion, South Korea’s Sung Hyun Park shot a bogey-free -6 66 to take the first-round lead at this Kemper Lakes course outside Chicago.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson led the Canadian contingent to a great start at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. She won it in 2016 and was a shot out of the playoff last year, in fact she has never finished worse that T5.
After 6 birdies on her back nine, she overcame a bogey, bogey start and carded a -5 67 to sit just a stroke back of the lead with Jessica Korda, Jaye Marie Green and Brittany Altomore. She is playing with a new version of the Ping Craz-E putter.
" I shot a 30 on the back nine which gives me a lot of confidence and momentum going into Friday which is nice. I think one thing about having my sister on the bag is she always knows the right thing to say, just kind of getting me to calm down, relax a bit and just to believe I could finish strong"
She's not alone in the top 10 as Maude-Aimee Leblanc shot (68) and Alena Sharp had a fine (69). Further Brittany Marchand who shot 71 won a 2019 Kia Sorento with a hole in one at the 175 yard 17th! Anne-Catherine Tanguay, carded a +4 76
2017 US Open champion, South Korea’s Sung Hyun Park shot a bogey-free -6 66 to take the first-round lead at this Kemper Lakes course outside Chicago.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, June 28, 2018
LPGA major, Tiger at Quicken Loans, French Open in Paris..
We're about to get under way with this week's play with the LPGA staging it's 3rd major of the year in Illinois, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Champions Tour US Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado leading the way, while the European Tour is on the Ryder Cup course for the HNA Open de France, another in the lucrative Rolex Series, Justin Thomas makes a visit to add to a strong field, and the PGA Tour is in muggy Maryland at TPC Potomac for Tiger's Quicken Loans.
Here are the live scoring links, remember Brooke Henderson won this major in 2016 (278 -6), Inbee Park won it 3 years in a row before that.
KPMG Women's PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kpmgwomenspgachampionship/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson leads a Canadian contingent of 5, Alena Sharp, Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Brittany Marchand and Anne Catherine Tanguay are the others.
Brooke took last week off to prepare and she is off the back nine at 1.20 with Paula Creamer and Anna Norqvist. She won the CVS Health Charity Classic event again on Monday playing with Billy Andrade and Keegan Bradley.
Champions Tour US Senior Open leaderboard http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/u-s--senior-open.html#!tee-times
There are 6 Canadians in this field led by Stephen Ames but also including some of our long time golf pros, Ian Doig, Steve Blake, Philip Jonas, Rick Todd and Kendal Yonomoto, all of whom had to qualify, so great good luck to them all.
European Tour HNA Open de France leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018054/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Le Golf National outside Paris will be the venue for all the drama of this year's Ryder Cup, and that coupled with it being part of the Rolex Series has ensured there is a very strong European Tour turnout and a visit from world #2 Justin Thomas.
It's a demanding course and with today's breeze it is playing tough. Veteran Welshman Bradley Dredge is the clubhouse leader at -4 67. The top 3 players in the top 10, not already qualified will be rewarded with a spot in the Open at Carnoustie July 19-22.
PGA Tour Quicken Loans leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
There is very average field, but it's headlined by Tiger and his foundation, along with Rickie Fowler, so will get some attention from Joe Public..
Canadians this week are David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Ben Silverman, Corey Connors and Adam Hadwin.
Bryan Angus
Here are the live scoring links, remember Brooke Henderson won this major in 2016 (278 -6), Inbee Park won it 3 years in a row before that.
KPMG Women's PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kpmgwomenspgachampionship/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson leads a Canadian contingent of 5, Alena Sharp, Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Brittany Marchand and Anne Catherine Tanguay are the others.
Brooke took last week off to prepare and she is off the back nine at 1.20 with Paula Creamer and Anna Norqvist. She won the CVS Health Charity Classic event again on Monday playing with Billy Andrade and Keegan Bradley.
Champions Tour US Senior Open leaderboard http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/u-s--senior-open.html#!tee-times
There are 6 Canadians in this field led by Stephen Ames but also including some of our long time golf pros, Ian Doig, Steve Blake, Philip Jonas, Rick Todd and Kendal Yonomoto, all of whom had to qualify, so great good luck to them all.
European Tour HNA Open de France leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018054/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Le Golf National outside Paris will be the venue for all the drama of this year's Ryder Cup, and that coupled with it being part of the Rolex Series has ensured there is a very strong European Tour turnout and a visit from world #2 Justin Thomas.
It's a demanding course and with today's breeze it is playing tough. Veteran Welshman Bradley Dredge is the clubhouse leader at -4 67. The top 3 players in the top 10, not already qualified will be rewarded with a spot in the Open at Carnoustie July 19-22.
PGA Tour Quicken Loans leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
There is very average field, but it's headlined by Tiger and his foundation, along with Rickie Fowler, so will get some attention from Joe Public..
Canadians this week are David Hearn, Nick Taylor, Ben Silverman, Corey Connors and Adam Hadwin.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Good guy Paul Casey shoots 62 to lead on soft TPC Highlands
PGA Tour Travelers Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
After playing an almost impossible Shinnecock Hills at the US Open last week, TPC Highlands, the site of the Travelers Championship must fell like falling into a big soft feather bed to those to have played both.
English good guy, Paul Casey took full advantage of the soft greens and shot -8 62 on Saturday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round. His win at Valspar in Florida in March was his first PGA Tour title in nine years, but he called the bogey-free round at TPC River Highlands his best of the year.
Casey was second here during his first visit in 2015, came in 17th a year later and had a 5th a year ago and stated the obvious " I love this golf course".
His 62 included six birdies and an eagle. The stats show he hit all 18 greens and has a streak of 23 straight heading into Sunday, at -16, 194. He summed up his round like this: “It was clinical, I did everything I wanted to do. I can’t do any more than that.”
Jason Day shot 66, and Bubba Watson 67, leaving them -10. Watson came from six back to win the 2010 event and beat Casey in a playoff in 2015.
Canadian scores: Mackenzie Hughes shot a +1 71 to finish the round at under-4 while Adam Hadwin shot a +3 73.
Bryan Angus
(notes from pgatour.com)
After playing an almost impossible Shinnecock Hills at the US Open last week, TPC Highlands, the site of the Travelers Championship must fell like falling into a big soft feather bed to those to have played both.
English good guy, Paul Casey took full advantage of the soft greens and shot -8 62 on Saturday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round. His win at Valspar in Florida in March was his first PGA Tour title in nine years, but he called the bogey-free round at TPC River Highlands his best of the year.
Casey was second here during his first visit in 2015, came in 17th a year later and had a 5th a year ago and stated the obvious " I love this golf course".
His 62 included six birdies and an eagle. The stats show he hit all 18 greens and has a streak of 23 straight heading into Sunday, at -16, 194. He summed up his round like this: “It was clinical, I did everything I wanted to do. I can’t do any more than that.”
Jason Day shot 66, and Bubba Watson 67, leaving them -10. Watson came from six back to win the 2010 event and beat Casey in a playoff in 2015.
Canadian scores: Mackenzie Hughes shot a +1 71 to finish the round at under-4 while Adam Hadwin shot a +3 73.
Bryan Angus
(notes from pgatour.com)
Olesen shoots record 61, but Matt Wallace wins BMW International Open
European Tour BMW International Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018052/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
This morning Thorbjorn Olesen went out early and shot a career best -11 61 to get to -9, however his 77 the day before, 16 shots worse, cost him this BMW German Open.
Matt Wallace from England fired a -7 65 to beat the Dane by a shot, 73 69 71 65 -10.
He turned in 34 but made five birdies in seven holes from the turn.
This morning Thorbjorn Olesen went out early and shot a career best -11 61 to get to -9, however his 77 the day before, 16 shots worse, cost him this BMW German Open.
Matt Wallace from England fired a -7 65 to beat the Dane by a shot, 73 69 71 65 -10.
He turned in 34 but made five birdies in seven holes from the turn.
They both were waiting in the clubhouse as home hero Martin Kaymer and in form Finn, Mikko Korhonen got within a shot of the leader but they both finished at -9 as well, handing Wallace the third win of his European Tour career.
Olesen's 61 was the lowest round in BMW International Open history, the joint-lowest round of the season and the lowest round of the campaign so far to par as he piled the pressure on the later starters.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Olesen's 61 was the lowest round in BMW International Open history, the joint-lowest round of the season and the lowest round of the campaign so far to par as he piled the pressure on the later starters.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Saturday, June 23, 2018
The Saturday Story: live scoreboards, Canadian scores.
The week after a major like the US Open is often a let down, however for the rank and file that make up the various tours life goes on with much to play for. The European Tour has the BMW German Open, the PGA Tour is the Travelers in Connecticut and the women of the LPGA are in Arkansas at the Walmart NW Championship.
As always there are Canadians involved, here's how they are doing, along with anything else that tickles my fancy..
PGA Tour Travelers Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Mac Hughes leads Canucks with two fine rounds 67 68 -5 T5 going into this weekend 5 shots off the lead held by the diminutive lefty Brian Harmon at -10 at TPC River Highlands where the greens are soft and the breezes favourable.
There are a some marquee names, for example, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy are T8 -7, Jason Day is -6 and Justin Thomas is -5, defending champion,Jordan Spieth -4.
Adam Hadwin is T38 -3. Corey Connors -1, Ben Silverman +2, Nick Taylor +5 all missed the cut.
LPGA Tour Walmart NW Arkansas Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/walmartnwarkansaschampionshippresentedbypg/leaderboard
Former University of Arkansas star Gaby Lopez shot a career-low -8 63 to take the first-round lead in the Walmart sponsored NW Arkansas Championship at the Pinnacle Country Club.
With Brooke Henderson taking this week off in preparation for next week's PGA Championship, the top Canadian is Brittany Marchand who had a season best -6 65, T9 just 2 shots behind.
Anne-Catherine Tanguay had a -1 70 T79, Alena Sharp was +2 73 T128th and Maude-Aimee Leblanc is +3,74.
Web.com Tour Wichita Open leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/webcom/leaderboard.html
In Kansas Roger Sloan is having a good week 67 68 -5 T5. He is 4 shots off the lead held by Scott Pinckney at -9.
Ryan Yip is T16, Mike Weir, Adam Svenssen are -1 T34, Albin Choi missed the cut at +5.
European Tour BMW International Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018052/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
In Pulheim, Germany the BMW International is well into round 3 with a very tight leaderboard in windy conditions, which is keeping scores from going low.
Canadian Austin Connelly is finished his 3rd round. 73 74 71 -1 has him T42.
Aussie Scott Hend has made the turn in the lead by a shot at -6, but there are 12 players currently within 3 shots.
Bryan Angus
As always there are Canadians involved, here's how they are doing, along with anything else that tickles my fancy..
PGA Tour Travelers Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Mac Hughes leads Canucks with two fine rounds 67 68 -5 T5 going into this weekend 5 shots off the lead held by the diminutive lefty Brian Harmon at -10 at TPC River Highlands where the greens are soft and the breezes favourable.
There are a some marquee names, for example, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy are T8 -7, Jason Day is -6 and Justin Thomas is -5, defending champion,Jordan Spieth -4.
Adam Hadwin is T38 -3. Corey Connors -1, Ben Silverman +2, Nick Taylor +5 all missed the cut.
LPGA Tour Walmart NW Arkansas Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/walmartnwarkansaschampionshippresentedbypg/leaderboard
Former University of Arkansas star Gaby Lopez shot a career-low -8 63 to take the first-round lead in the Walmart sponsored NW Arkansas Championship at the Pinnacle Country Club.
With Brooke Henderson taking this week off in preparation for next week's PGA Championship, the top Canadian is Brittany Marchand who had a season best -6 65, T9 just 2 shots behind.
Anne-Catherine Tanguay had a -1 70 T79, Alena Sharp was +2 73 T128th and Maude-Aimee Leblanc is +3,74.
Web.com Tour Wichita Open leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/webcom/leaderboard.html
In Kansas Roger Sloan is having a good week 67 68 -5 T5. He is 4 shots off the lead held by Scott Pinckney at -9.
Ryan Yip is T16, Mike Weir, Adam Svenssen are -1 T34, Albin Choi missed the cut at +5.
European Tour BMW International Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018052/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
In Pulheim, Germany the BMW International is well into round 3 with a very tight leaderboard in windy conditions, which is keeping scores from going low.
Canadian Austin Connelly is finished his 3rd round. 73 74 71 -1 has him T42.
Aussie Scott Hend has made the turn in the lead by a shot at -6, but there are 12 players currently within 3 shots.
Bryan Angus
Monday, June 18, 2018
Fleetwood nearly nicks US Open. Keopka prevails..Monday morning shagbag
US Open final leaderboard http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html
Here's my Monday morning shag bag, with final thoughts on the US Open and more..
* Tommy Fleetwood may win the award for the most under rated pro golfer out there, at least everywhere but the UK, however after his brilliant record tying -7 63 yesterday all that should change on this side of the pond.
He'll want that 8 footer for birdie on the 18th, and the 62 that would have given him the record and a playoff with Koepka back again for the rest of his life, but on reflection, 4 birdies in his first 7 holes, then 4 more in a row on the back nine, and that gorgeous 200 yard draw to within 8 feet at the last and a 2nd place finish will be a warm memory on many a cold rainy English night in time.
His long hair and scruffy beard, and quiet almost shy demeanour belie his game built around an astonishingly straight driver and brilliant iron play, and remember he won the Race to Dubai last season, the best player in Europe.
* Looking again at the scoreboard I believe Brooks Koepka won his 2nd straight US Open with that 72 out of the carnage on Saturday while the field's average was over 76. Coupled with Johnson's 77, it gave him a share of the lead going into Sunday, where as he put it "I just kept grinding away". His -3 68 was pretty darn good grinding and in the end he had that 2 putts from 20 feet that we all dream about when practising ourselves, "to win the US Open". Curtis Strange was the last guy to win back to back US Opens 29 years ago
* Keopka who won my admiration when he decided to join the European Tour and travel the world on it when he was honing his professional game only has 3 wins on this PGA Tour, but 2 of then are majors and in fact, I saw a stat that in his last 10 majors he has those 2 wins and 9 finishes in the top 13 including T6 at last year's Open Championship, which will be at Carnoustie this year. It's no surprise what a well rounded game he displayed on a links style course like Shinnecock Hills.
* Look back at my post on Saturday morning when I listed several reasons why anointing Dustin Johnson as the winner, after 2 dominating rounds was foolhardy, and once again the big guys MO of brilliant play for 36 or 54 holes without cashing in repeated itself, and that's with a mulligan from me on the unfair conditions he had to endure late on Saturday's 77, however as I mentioned his pal Koepka shot 72 in the same pairing.
* My best Father's Day story from this US Open has to be Matt Parziale, the fire fighter from Brockton, Mass., who had his Dad, Vic on the bag with him as he tied for low amateur at +16. Matt is 31 and Vic retired from the same fire station last year after 32 years service. Matt works two 24 hour shifts to leave him time to practice and compete on his hectic golf schedule, and time for his wedding on August 3rd.
* We had 4 Canadians in action at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids where South Korean So Yeon Ryu won at -21. Jaclyn Lee, an amateur from Calgary was the best of the bunch T35 at -10, Brook Henderson, Alena Sharp and Anne Catherine Tanguay T44, -8.
Bryan Angus
Here's my Monday morning shag bag, with final thoughts on the US Open and more..
* Tommy Fleetwood may win the award for the most under rated pro golfer out there, at least everywhere but the UK, however after his brilliant record tying -7 63 yesterday all that should change on this side of the pond.
He'll want that 8 footer for birdie on the 18th, and the 62 that would have given him the record and a playoff with Koepka back again for the rest of his life, but on reflection, 4 birdies in his first 7 holes, then 4 more in a row on the back nine, and that gorgeous 200 yard draw to within 8 feet at the last and a 2nd place finish will be a warm memory on many a cold rainy English night in time.
His long hair and scruffy beard, and quiet almost shy demeanour belie his game built around an astonishingly straight driver and brilliant iron play, and remember he won the Race to Dubai last season, the best player in Europe.
* Looking again at the scoreboard I believe Brooks Koepka won his 2nd straight US Open with that 72 out of the carnage on Saturday while the field's average was over 76. Coupled with Johnson's 77, it gave him a share of the lead going into Sunday, where as he put it "I just kept grinding away". His -3 68 was pretty darn good grinding and in the end he had that 2 putts from 20 feet that we all dream about when practising ourselves, "to win the US Open". Curtis Strange was the last guy to win back to back US Opens 29 years ago
* Keopka who won my admiration when he decided to join the European Tour and travel the world on it when he was honing his professional game only has 3 wins on this PGA Tour, but 2 of then are majors and in fact, I saw a stat that in his last 10 majors he has those 2 wins and 9 finishes in the top 13 including T6 at last year's Open Championship, which will be at Carnoustie this year. It's no surprise what a well rounded game he displayed on a links style course like Shinnecock Hills.
* Look back at my post on Saturday morning when I listed several reasons why anointing Dustin Johnson as the winner, after 2 dominating rounds was foolhardy, and once again the big guys MO of brilliant play for 36 or 54 holes without cashing in repeated itself, and that's with a mulligan from me on the unfair conditions he had to endure late on Saturday's 77, however as I mentioned his pal Koepka shot 72 in the same pairing.
* My best Father's Day story from this US Open has to be Matt Parziale, the fire fighter from Brockton, Mass., who had his Dad, Vic on the bag with him as he tied for low amateur at +16. Matt is 31 and Vic retired from the same fire station last year after 32 years service. Matt works two 24 hour shifts to leave him time to practice and compete on his hectic golf schedule, and time for his wedding on August 3rd.
* We had 4 Canadians in action at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids where South Korean So Yeon Ryu won at -21. Jaclyn Lee, an amateur from Calgary was the best of the bunch T35 at -10, Brook Henderson, Alena Sharp and Anne Catherine Tanguay T44, -8.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, June 17, 2018
US Open: Sunday update
It is immediately apparent this morning that Mike Davis and his USGA staff have been stung by the severe criticism they received yesterday after Shinnecock became an unfair test to the later tee times.
Water has been applied to the greens and surrounds and the grass has been allowed to grow.
As a result Rickie Fowler has made the turn at -4 which is 10 shots better than Saturday. ..Phil Mickelson has turned with a -3 score.
So keep this in mind as the contenders tee off later today...
Bryan Angus
Water has been applied to the greens and surrounds and the grass has been allowed to grow.
As a result Rickie Fowler has made the turn at -4 which is 10 shots better than Saturday. ..Phil Mickelson has turned with a -3 score.
So keep this in mind as the contenders tee off later today...
Bryan Angus
Eleven players within four shots, Sunday at Shinnecock
US Open leaderboard http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html
A lot of what we talked about in yesterday's post came about, on what was a wild Saturday at the US Open on a Shinnecock course that became almost unplayable at day's end.
Dustin Johnson shot 77 after a terrible front nine of 41, the wind did freshen by the time he went out around 3pm, and the course did dry out and bake, "they lost the course," in the words of Zack Johnson referring to the USGA who did apologize afterwards.
The facts are today there are 11 players within 4 shots of the leading score, 22 within 5 and 4 of them are tied in the lead at +3. They are DJ, Daniel Berger and Tony Finau who both went out early when there was little wind and life in the greens and shot 66, and last year's champion Brooks Koepka.
Justin Rose is +4, Henrik Stenson +5, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jim Furyk of all people, Patrick Reed are all +6, and a slew including Branden Grace, Tyrrell Hatton, Charlie Hoffman and Ian Poulter are at +7
It's now a real horse race with a bunch of great storylines, and despite his 77, Dustin Johnson who did fight back on his inward nine would still be in the lead but for a bogey at the 18th.
The other fact is that the breeze will not be as strong today with 13kph listed as the highest, it will be sunny and warm and after a night of watering, the course should be a fairer test to all, not just the early tee times.
However someone will shoot 66 today, maybe even 65 and with birdies at a premium even in calm conditions at Shinnecock, that somebody could be the winner.
Tee times: Berger and Finau are out last at 2.24, DJ and Koepka at 2.13, Rose and Stenson again at 2.02, Aphibarnrat and Reed at 1.51 and I have a feeling about the star from Thailand who quietly shot 68 yesterday, so don't be surprised if he gets right in the mix.
What about Steady Eddie Jim Furyk, now assistant coaching the Ryder Cup squad, unheard from otherwise all year. 73 71 72 +6. What a shocker he would be!
Let's just stop the hysteria about Phil Mickelson running over to stop his missed putt from rolling down and off the green. It was the wrong thing to do for sure at any professional tournament, never mind the US Open, and I would have been ok with it if he'd been DQ, but to howl about this being his legacy is irresponsible at the least.
As I mentioned earlier there are a bunch of great storylines all locked and loaded, ready to roll this Sunday at Shinnecock, and like a good Agatha Christie mystery we won't know who wunnit til the end.
Bryan Angus
A lot of what we talked about in yesterday's post came about, on what was a wild Saturday at the US Open on a Shinnecock course that became almost unplayable at day's end.
Dustin Johnson shot 77 after a terrible front nine of 41, the wind did freshen by the time he went out around 3pm, and the course did dry out and bake, "they lost the course," in the words of Zack Johnson referring to the USGA who did apologize afterwards.
The facts are today there are 11 players within 4 shots of the leading score, 22 within 5 and 4 of them are tied in the lead at +3. They are DJ, Daniel Berger and Tony Finau who both went out early when there was little wind and life in the greens and shot 66, and last year's champion Brooks Koepka.
Justin Rose is +4, Henrik Stenson +5, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jim Furyk of all people, Patrick Reed are all +6, and a slew including Branden Grace, Tyrrell Hatton, Charlie Hoffman and Ian Poulter are at +7
It's now a real horse race with a bunch of great storylines, and despite his 77, Dustin Johnson who did fight back on his inward nine would still be in the lead but for a bogey at the 18th.
The other fact is that the breeze will not be as strong today with 13kph listed as the highest, it will be sunny and warm and after a night of watering, the course should be a fairer test to all, not just the early tee times.
However someone will shoot 66 today, maybe even 65 and with birdies at a premium even in calm conditions at Shinnecock, that somebody could be the winner.
Tee times: Berger and Finau are out last at 2.24, DJ and Koepka at 2.13, Rose and Stenson again at 2.02, Aphibarnrat and Reed at 1.51 and I have a feeling about the star from Thailand who quietly shot 68 yesterday, so don't be surprised if he gets right in the mix.
What about Steady Eddie Jim Furyk, now assistant coaching the Ryder Cup squad, unheard from otherwise all year. 73 71 72 +6. What a shocker he would be!
Let's just stop the hysteria about Phil Mickelson running over to stop his missed putt from rolling down and off the green. It was the wrong thing to do for sure at any professional tournament, never mind the US Open, and I would have been ok with it if he'd been DQ, but to howl about this being his legacy is irresponsible at the least.
As I mentioned earlier there are a bunch of great storylines all locked and loaded, ready to roll this Sunday at Shinnecock, and like a good Agatha Christie mystery we won't know who wunnit til the end.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, June 16, 2018
DJ's lead at Shinnecock, impressive but far from a sure thing
US Open leaderboard http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html
One of the many pundits covering this 118th US Open at windy Shinnecock Hills used a triple Crown analogy with Belmont race track close by, to describe this weekend ahead " I hate to spoil it for the viewers, this is a 2 horse race with Justify in the inside position, only Justin Rose has any chance of catching Dustin Johnson"
If you have missed it Dustin Johnson (DJ) is the only player under par going into play today at -4, clear of the field by those 4 shots, and as has been the case so often with this supremely talented big guy, he simply looks completely in command.
But to anoint him this years champion is foolhardy for several reasons.
First Shinnecock has been the best player here this week and today there will be a significant breeze (10mph) to test the early tee times which is forecast to freshen by the time DJ and Scott Piercy go off at 3.10pm.
Secondly, DJ has been relying on his short game more than his prodigious driving so far as he is 1st in strokes gained putting and around the green, but 81st in strokes gained approach. He has only hit 21 of 36 greens in regulation. He has scrambled well, but is just a few less putts, or up and downs away from joining the chasing pack.
As for that pack, look at it's quality and tell me anyone of them is not more than capable of winning on their own merit. At +1, Justin Rose, Brooke Koepka (66), Henrik Stenson are all major champions along with Tommy Fleetwood the Race to Dubai champion who also shot 66 yesterday, and there are others...
Finally there's DJ himself. Earlier this year I watched him just like this week, completely in charge of the WGC- HSBC in China, 7 shots clear before he walked on the tee on Sunday. A round of 77 blew that lead and he finished 3rd behind Rose and Stenson. His 18 career wins are a testament to his unquestioned ability, but so is his preponderance for coughing up wins that seem a sure thing for as many as 54 holes.
I saw a stat that he has only won 6 times on 13 occasions when he led going into Sunday. By the way Rose and Stenson, Ryder Cup stalwarts are paired together in the third last group at 2.48pm. Fleetwood and Hoffman are 2nd last at 2.59pm.
I wouldn't bet the mortgage on DJ, as a matter of fact I'd need pretty good odds...
Bryan Angus
One of the many pundits covering this 118th US Open at windy Shinnecock Hills used a triple Crown analogy with Belmont race track close by, to describe this weekend ahead " I hate to spoil it for the viewers, this is a 2 horse race with Justify in the inside position, only Justin Rose has any chance of catching Dustin Johnson"
If you have missed it Dustin Johnson (DJ) is the only player under par going into play today at -4, clear of the field by those 4 shots, and as has been the case so often with this supremely talented big guy, he simply looks completely in command.
But to anoint him this years champion is foolhardy for several reasons.
First Shinnecock has been the best player here this week and today there will be a significant breeze (10mph) to test the early tee times which is forecast to freshen by the time DJ and Scott Piercy go off at 3.10pm.
Secondly, DJ has been relying on his short game more than his prodigious driving so far as he is 1st in strokes gained putting and around the green, but 81st in strokes gained approach. He has only hit 21 of 36 greens in regulation. He has scrambled well, but is just a few less putts, or up and downs away from joining the chasing pack.
As for that pack, look at it's quality and tell me anyone of them is not more than capable of winning on their own merit. At +1, Justin Rose, Brooke Koepka (66), Henrik Stenson are all major champions along with Tommy Fleetwood the Race to Dubai champion who also shot 66 yesterday, and there are others...
Finally there's DJ himself. Earlier this year I watched him just like this week, completely in charge of the WGC- HSBC in China, 7 shots clear before he walked on the tee on Sunday. A round of 77 blew that lead and he finished 3rd behind Rose and Stenson. His 18 career wins are a testament to his unquestioned ability, but so is his preponderance for coughing up wins that seem a sure thing for as many as 54 holes.
I saw a stat that he has only won 6 times on 13 occasions when he led going into Sunday. By the way Rose and Stenson, Ryder Cup stalwarts are paired together in the third last group at 2.48pm. Fleetwood and Hoffman are 2nd last at 2.59pm.
I wouldn't bet the mortgage on DJ, as a matter of fact I'd need pretty good odds...
Bryan Angus
Friday, June 15, 2018
Shinnecock and the wind too tough a test at US Open so far
US Open leaderboard http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html
Round 2 is underway at Shinnecock this morning under grey skies and a fresh wind from the NW. There are also showers in the forecast.
Yesterday was sunny but the wind was from the south and it along with US Open style rough and tricky greens led to the carnage with saw only 4 players break par.. all are tied at -1 starting play today and they are Ian Poulter, Russell Henley, Scott Piercy and Dustin Johnson who is off early this morning with Tiger who I predict will miss the cut after his opening 78 because he can't rely on his driver here, and he along with many aren't putting well enough on a course that doesn't have many birdie chances in this wind.
The average score was over 76 yesterday and I expect it to be lower today but not a lot
Crucial to today's round there are around 60 guys at +6 so if the cut falls at that number many like Jason Day (79) and Rory (80) and all the rest will struggle to make the cut..
So another day where par and sometimes bogey are your friend and birdies are precious. So far the 10th which was dead into the wind yesterday is yielding birdies as it is now downwind.
I saw a stat from round 1 that the world's top 10 combined were 52 over par. Jordan Spieth 78 +8 John Rahm 78 +8, Jason Day 79 +9.
Many players simply couldn't cope on Thursday and shot themselves out of the tournament. Canadian Adam Hadwin 83 +13 is an example as is amateur Garret Rank 83 +13...However Mac Hughes at 76 +6 has a chance
Bryan Angus
Round 2 is underway at Shinnecock this morning under grey skies and a fresh wind from the NW. There are also showers in the forecast.
Yesterday was sunny but the wind was from the south and it along with US Open style rough and tricky greens led to the carnage with saw only 4 players break par.. all are tied at -1 starting play today and they are Ian Poulter, Russell Henley, Scott Piercy and Dustin Johnson who is off early this morning with Tiger who I predict will miss the cut after his opening 78 because he can't rely on his driver here, and he along with many aren't putting well enough on a course that doesn't have many birdie chances in this wind.
The average score was over 76 yesterday and I expect it to be lower today but not a lot
Crucial to today's round there are around 60 guys at +6 so if the cut falls at that number many like Jason Day (79) and Rory (80) and all the rest will struggle to make the cut..
So another day where par and sometimes bogey are your friend and birdies are precious. So far the 10th which was dead into the wind yesterday is yielding birdies as it is now downwind.
I saw a stat from round 1 that the world's top 10 combined were 52 over par. Jordan Spieth 78 +8 John Rahm 78 +8, Jason Day 79 +9.
Many players simply couldn't cope on Thursday and shot themselves out of the tournament. Canadian Adam Hadwin 83 +13 is an example as is amateur Garret Rank 83 +13...However Mac Hughes at 76 +6 has a chance
Bryan Angus
Thursday, June 14, 2018
118th US Open at Shinnecock Hills gets under way
US Open leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/us-open/leaderboard.html
US Open tee times/pairings http://www.usopen.com/tee-times.html
This morning at 6.45am in Southampton NY (Long Island) this 118th US Open gets underway at venerable Shinnecock Hills under clear blue, sunny skies with the breeze gusting up to 25mph. There are some fascinating pairings so check out my tee times link above.
You may remember it was 14 years ago here in 2004 that South African Retief Goosen put on a display of putting on the tricky burnt out greens to win his 2nd major. Before him Ray Floyd won in 1986 and Corey Pavin was at his best in 1995.
It is a links style par 70 course, with six of the par 4's playing over 475 yards, a 610 yard par 5, where long accurate driving will be an asset just to reach the fairways, which are lined with typical US Open 4" rough.
Brooks Koepka won last year at Erin Hills with a score of -16, it's unlikely to be that low on this course this year.
The bookies have Spanish star 23 year old Jon Rahm (#5) as one of the favourites along with Henrik Stenson, who is #1 on tour with strokes gained from the tee, Rahm is #2, so I expect good weeks from them.
It's an incredibly strong field, set to have their games examined by a tricky, tough championship course.
The top 10 are all here.
I like Tommy Fleetwood at #9 for his long accurate drives and one of the best iron games.
Also Jason Day at #7 who is back in form with 2 wins and T2 this year on tough courses, and 4 T10's at the US Open in the last 5 years and he leads the tour in strokes gained putting.
Brooks Koepka at #6, the defending champion, was T2 recently in Fort Worth and his length and all around skills may allow him to win a rare repeat.
Rory McIlroy at #4 has struggled at the US Open since he won in 2011, in fact he has MC 3 of his 6 visits.
#3 Justin Thomas set a US Open record 63 last year and has all the tools should this be his week.
#2 Justin Rose won in 2013 at Merion GC, won 2 weeks ago at Fort Worth, and was T6 last week. Straight off the tee with superb iron play, he can win this week if he is still putting well.
#1 Dustin Johnson is the betting favourite, he won last week so is in form. He is one of the few who can overpower this course.
There are 3 Canadians in the field, Adam Hadwin hasn't missed a cut so far this year and say's " I feel like I’m hitting it well. I’m hitting the ball both ways and I’m seeing different shots. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward that I’m continually doing the right things and I’ve just got to keep at it.”
Mac Hughes shot -10 over a 36-hole qualifier in Tennessee to finish T2 and has played in the US Open in 2013. However he's only made 5 cuts this year.
Garret Rank is a full time NHL referee and a damn good amateur golfer with 3 Canadian Mid Amateur titles to his credit. He won a qualifier in Georgia and will be paired with his pal Mac Hughes today.
It won't be easy, but then the US Open should be the sternest test of golf in America and with the breeze affecting scores, I expect -4 66 to be a great score today.
Bryan Angus
US Open tee times/pairings http://www.usopen.com/tee-times.html
This morning at 6.45am in Southampton NY (Long Island) this 118th US Open gets underway at venerable Shinnecock Hills under clear blue, sunny skies with the breeze gusting up to 25mph. There are some fascinating pairings so check out my tee times link above.
You may remember it was 14 years ago here in 2004 that South African Retief Goosen put on a display of putting on the tricky burnt out greens to win his 2nd major. Before him Ray Floyd won in 1986 and Corey Pavin was at his best in 1995.
It is a links style par 70 course, with six of the par 4's playing over 475 yards, a 610 yard par 5, where long accurate driving will be an asset just to reach the fairways, which are lined with typical US Open 4" rough.
Brooks Koepka won last year at Erin Hills with a score of -16, it's unlikely to be that low on this course this year.
The bookies have Spanish star 23 year old Jon Rahm (#5) as one of the favourites along with Henrik Stenson, who is #1 on tour with strokes gained from the tee, Rahm is #2, so I expect good weeks from them.
It's an incredibly strong field, set to have their games examined by a tricky, tough championship course.
The top 10 are all here.
I like Tommy Fleetwood at #9 for his long accurate drives and one of the best iron games.
Also Jason Day at #7 who is back in form with 2 wins and T2 this year on tough courses, and 4 T10's at the US Open in the last 5 years and he leads the tour in strokes gained putting.
Brooks Koepka at #6, the defending champion, was T2 recently in Fort Worth and his length and all around skills may allow him to win a rare repeat.
Rory McIlroy at #4 has struggled at the US Open since he won in 2011, in fact he has MC 3 of his 6 visits.
#3 Justin Thomas set a US Open record 63 last year and has all the tools should this be his week.
#2 Justin Rose won in 2013 at Merion GC, won 2 weeks ago at Fort Worth, and was T6 last week. Straight off the tee with superb iron play, he can win this week if he is still putting well.
#1 Dustin Johnson is the betting favourite, he won last week so is in form. He is one of the few who can overpower this course.
There are 3 Canadians in the field, Adam Hadwin hasn't missed a cut so far this year and say's " I feel like I’m hitting it well. I’m hitting the ball both ways and I’m seeing different shots. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward that I’m continually doing the right things and I’ve just got to keep at it.”
Mac Hughes shot -10 over a 36-hole qualifier in Tennessee to finish T2 and has played in the US Open in 2013. However he's only made 5 cuts this year.
Garret Rank is a full time NHL referee and a damn good amateur golfer with 3 Canadian Mid Amateur titles to his credit. He won a qualifier in Georgia and will be paired with his pal Mac Hughes today.
It won't be easy, but then the US Open should be the sternest test of golf in America and with the breeze affecting scores, I expect -4 66 to be a great score today.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, June 10, 2018
The Sunday Story.. Canadian scores.. live scoreboards
ShopRite LPGA leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/shoprite-lpga-classic-presented-by-acer/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson T26 (-4 71 67) and Brittany Marchand T34 (-1 71 70) were able to complete their rounds on Saturday at the ShopRite LPGA in New Jersey. Anne Catherine Tanguay T63 (71 70 -1), Maude Aimee LeBlanc T95 (70 74 +2) came back this morning to finish. The cut is projected at -1.
Sei Young Kim birdied seven of her last 10 holes to take the lead at -12 (69 61) with France's Celine Herbin in 2nd (66 66 -10) in the suspended second round. There was a 3 hour delay due to lightning in the area.
Play is underway in round 3.
PGA Tour St Jude Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/fedex-st-jude-classic/leaderboard.html
Andrew Putnam matched the best round of his short PGA Tour career with a -6, 64 and tied Dustin Johnson atop the St. Jude Classic on Saturday. In position to reclaim the No. 1 ranking with a victory, Johnson had a 65 to match Putnam at -15.195
Canadians Corey Conners, Nick Taylor and Ben Silverman also made the cut and head into the final round at +1, 211.
European Tour Shot Clock Masters leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018048/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson T26 (-4 71 67) and Brittany Marchand T34 (-1 71 70) were able to complete their rounds on Saturday at the ShopRite LPGA in New Jersey. Anne Catherine Tanguay T63 (71 70 -1), Maude Aimee LeBlanc T95 (70 74 +2) came back this morning to finish. The cut is projected at -1.
Sei Young Kim birdied seven of her last 10 holes to take the lead at -12 (69 61) with France's Celine Herbin in 2nd (66 66 -10) in the suspended second round. There was a 3 hour delay due to lightning in the area.
Play is underway in round 3.
PGA Tour St Jude Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/fedex-st-jude-classic/leaderboard.html
Andrew Putnam matched the best round of his short PGA Tour career with a -6, 64 and tied Dustin Johnson atop the St. Jude Classic on Saturday. In position to reclaim the No. 1 ranking with a victory, Johnson had a 65 to match Putnam at -15.195
Canadians Corey Conners, Nick Taylor and Ben Silverman also made the cut and head into the final round at +1, 211.
European Tour Shot Clock Masters leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018048/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Mikko Korhonen (68 67 68) maintained a comfortable lead as the final round of the Shot Clock Masters is under way at Diamond Country Club near Vienna in Austria. He is -3 today at -16 total.
This 37 year old Finn has been to the Qualifying School 12 times, winning the Final Stage in 2014 and keeping his card ever since and he is playing his 146th European Tour event this week but is going in search of win number one.
Web.com Tour Rust-Oleum Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/webcom/leaderboard.html
Kyle Jones carded a flawless -4 68 in the third round of the Rust-Oleum Championship to take the first 54-hole lead of his Web.com Tour career. The 24-year-old from California is -15 heading into play today, one ahead of Christian Brand and two clear of Justin Lower and Chase Wright.
Mike Weir had a steady 15 pars, 1 birdie and 2 bogey's for a 73 and is at -5 211 going into play today.
Ryan Yip (-8 64) climbed 32 spots to sit T5 -12 204 going into today's final round, 3 shots off the lead.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Mike Weir is back in contention at Rust-oleum Championship
Web.com Tour Rust-oleum Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/webcom/leaderboard.html
It's great to see Mike Weir back in contention, this time on the Web.com Tour near Chicago where after 71,67 he is T14 at -6 138 at the Rust-Oleum Championship.
His last top-10 in a PGA TOUR event was a runner-up at the 2014 AT&T Byron Nelson, his only top-10 in his last 129 starts on the PGA TOUR.
Over the years many golf fans have given up on Weirsy, but the one person who hasn't is Mike himself. At 47 he is in golf's no man's land, no longer with status on the PGA Tour and 3 years from being a rookie again on the PGA Champions Tour.
His 67 had 7 birdies, including a bogey free back nine of 33.
The leader at -12 is rookie, Texan Maverick McNealy who is the former world #1 amateur.
Follow Mike's progress on the scoring link above, he's off at 12.35 local time today.
Bryan Angus
It's great to see Mike Weir back in contention, this time on the Web.com Tour near Chicago where after 71,67 he is T14 at -6 138 at the Rust-Oleum Championship.
His last top-10 in a PGA TOUR event was a runner-up at the 2014 AT&T Byron Nelson, his only top-10 in his last 129 starts on the PGA TOUR.
Over the years many golf fans have given up on Weirsy, but the one person who hasn't is Mike himself. At 47 he is in golf's no man's land, no longer with status on the PGA Tour and 3 years from being a rookie again on the PGA Champions Tour.
His 67 had 7 birdies, including a bogey free back nine of 33.
The leader at -12 is rookie, Texan Maverick McNealy who is the former world #1 amateur.
Follow Mike's progress on the scoring link above, he's off at 12.35 local time today.
Bryan Angus
Shot clock is working in Austria at "Shot Clock Masters"
European Tour Shot Clock Masters scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018048/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
This week the European Tour is in Austria near Vienna at the Diamond CC playing a new innovation called the Shot Clock Masters where a shot clock is put on the players for every shot in an attempt to speed up play, and the news with round 3 well underway.... it's working !
Here's the deal:
This week the European Tour is in Austria near Vienna at the Diamond CC playing a new innovation called the Shot Clock Masters where a shot clock is put on the players for every shot in an attempt to speed up play, and the news with round 3 well underway.... it's working !
Here's the deal:
The players have a 50-second allowance for a first to play approach shot (including a par three tee-shot), chip or putt and a 40-second allowance for a tee-shot on a par four or par five, or second or third to play approach shot, chip or putt.
Failure to make your shot in the allotted time leads to a one-shot penalty on the hole in question but players are allowed two 40-second time-extensions in any one round.
After 2 rounds there were 79 time extensions requested.
So far the fastest round has been 3 hours 47 minutes, more than an hour faster than normal, there have only been 2 violations, and better still, scoring is lower on this course than it has ever been when the tournament was played without the shot clock.
The first violation was by an Austrian player and here was the official tweet from the European Tour. "Clemens Prader took 54 seconds over a putt on the 6th, 4 seconds above the allotted time. He receives a one-shot penalty for that hole.
The shot clock has been accepted by everyone I've heard interviewed so far, and it is the Finn, Mikko Korhonen, looking for his first win who has extended his lead to 5 shots at -13, as he plays his last few holes.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Brooke and Brittany Henderson lose their grandfather
When Brooke Henderson pulled out of last week's US Open for personal reasons, she announced yesterday that she and her sister have lost their grandfather Bob Moir at the age of 81 to cancer.
This is what Brooke said on behalf of her family.
" The bond that we shared with our Gramps was truly special. Between the golf courses, hockey rinks, our love of nature, just hanging out at home or texting from afar we shared so many laughs, smiles and memories that will be deep in our hearts forever, We will miss him very much as will all his friends and family.
Peace and happiness is found knowing he is welcomed Home by our Father through the gates of heaven where uncle Kenny will greet him with a big hug. You are forever loved. "
Bryan Angus
This is what Brooke said on behalf of her family.
" The bond that we shared with our Gramps was truly special. Between the golf courses, hockey rinks, our love of nature, just hanging out at home or texting from afar we shared so many laughs, smiles and memories that will be deep in our hearts forever, We will miss him very much as will all his friends and family.
Peace and happiness is found knowing he is welcomed Home by our Father through the gates of heaven where uncle Kenny will greet him with a big hug. You are forever loved. "
Bryan Angus
Mac Hughes, Garrett Rank qualify for the US Open
Of the 31 Canadians playing in yesterday's US Open qualifiers, there were several close calls, but just 2 managed to get through.
Mac Hughes shot 66, 67 in Memphis and NHL referee Garrett Rank an amateur from Elmira, T1 in Roswell Georgia, so they will be in the field along with Adam Hadwin representing Canada at Shinnecock Hills.
David Hearn lost his chance in a playoff, as did Corey Connors, who will be the first alternative from the Springfield CC group.
Ben Silverman lost out by a shot, while Wasaga Beach's Mark Hoffman will be the first alternative from the Canoe CC group in New Jersey.
Bryan Angus
Mac Hughes shot 66, 67 in Memphis and NHL referee Garrett Rank an amateur from Elmira, T1 in Roswell Georgia, so they will be in the field along with Adam Hadwin representing Canada at Shinnecock Hills.
David Hearn lost his chance in a playoff, as did Corey Connors, who will be the first alternative from the Springfield CC group.
Ben Silverman lost out by a shot, while Wasaga Beach's Mark Hoffman will be the first alternative from the Canoe CC group in New Jersey.
Bryan Angus
Monday, June 4, 2018
31 Canadians playing in US Open sectionals today
Today is a big day for guys trying to qualify for the US Open later this month at Shinnecock Hills, via various sectionals being held across the US. There are 31 Canadians amongst them by my count.
They include:
Veteran Wes Hefferman at Lake Merced in California
Mike Weir and Taylor Pendrith at the Portland GC
Nick Taylor, Mac Hughes and David Hearn in Memphis at the Colonial CC
Ben Silverman and Brad Fritsch at the Brookside CC in Columbus.
I'll have details for you as they happen. Good luck to all the guys.
Bryan Angus
They include:
Veteran Wes Hefferman at Lake Merced in California
Mike Weir and Taylor Pendrith at the Portland GC
Nick Taylor, Mac Hughes and David Hearn in Memphis at the Colonial CC
Ben Silverman and Brad Fritsch at the Brookside CC in Columbus.
I'll have details for you as they happen. Good luck to all the guys.
Bryan Angus
Monday morning round up, final scoreboards..
It took playoffs to decide the Women's US Open and the Memorial Championship, and if it wasn't for a clutch up and down they would have needed one at the Italian Open. Sadly Brooke Henderson had to withdraw to be with her family, my thoughts and prayers with the Henderson's.
Here are those stories and scoreboards in my Monday morning round up.
US Women's Open final scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/results
Ariya Jutanugarn started the day with a four-shot lead which she stretched to seven at the turn. However the back nine started with a triple bogey and her wheels came off, a bogey, bogey finish for 73 and all those shots were gone forcing her into a playoff with South Korea’s Hyo-Joo Kim.
On the fourth playoff hole, the 18th, both players went into greenside bunkers. Jutanugarn’s shot was terrific ending up right next to the cup and setting up a tap in par putt for the win after Kim missed her 12 footer.
The young Thai star has now won the British and US Women's Open's. Alena Sharp missed the cut, and as I mentioned Brooke had to withdraw.
PGA Tour Memorial Championship final leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Bryson DeChambeau made a 3 putt bogey on the 72nd hole to fall into a playoff at Jack's Memorial Championship, but he made up for it moments later on the 2nd playoff hole, when his approach soared over the flag and settled 15 feet away. After his usual long and protracted read, he made it for the birdie to beat Byeong Hun An. Kyle Stanley was eliminated from the playoff at the first hole.
Tiger shot E 72 and ended in a six-way tie for 23rd. He was second last in putting.
European Tour Italian Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018046/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Here are those stories and scoreboards in my Monday morning round up.
US Women's Open final scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/results
Ariya Jutanugarn started the day with a four-shot lead which she stretched to seven at the turn. However the back nine started with a triple bogey and her wheels came off, a bogey, bogey finish for 73 and all those shots were gone forcing her into a playoff with South Korea’s Hyo-Joo Kim.
On the fourth playoff hole, the 18th, both players went into greenside bunkers. Jutanugarn’s shot was terrific ending up right next to the cup and setting up a tap in par putt for the win after Kim missed her 12 footer.
The young Thai star has now won the British and US Women's Open's. Alena Sharp missed the cut, and as I mentioned Brooke had to withdraw.
PGA Tour Memorial Championship final leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Bryson DeChambeau made a 3 putt bogey on the 72nd hole to fall into a playoff at Jack's Memorial Championship, but he made up for it moments later on the 2nd playoff hole, when his approach soared over the flag and settled 15 feet away. After his usual long and protracted read, he made it for the birdie to beat Byeong Hun An. Kyle Stanley was eliminated from the playoff at the first hole.
Tiger shot E 72 and ended in a six-way tie for 23rd. He was second last in putting.
European Tour Italian Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018046/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Francesco Molinari's fairy-tale fortnight has come to an end. With a pair of 66's a 67 and 65 he did all he could to win his national championship, but in the end it was Thorbjørn Olesen who won the Italian Open after a thrilling final round battle with Molinari and Lee Slattery. Needing a par at the last after Molinari sent the crowd wild with a birdie from 30 feet, the Dane looked in trouble when he pulled his drive a long way left.
But he made an excellent up and down from a greenside bunker to complete a final round 64 and a winning -22, one ahead of last week's Wentworth winner Molinari, with overnight leader Slattery third on -20. Slattery shot a 67, with Rafa Cabrera Bello's 66 enough for 4th at -18.
Ryder Cup vice captains Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell rolled back the years with rounds of 63 and 64 respectively to T5 with Andy Sullivan.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Tiger is not leading, but lurking at the Memorial Championship
PGA Tour Memorial Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Tiger Woods is back at the Memorial Championship for the first time in 3 years, playing beautifully and in fact was tied for the lead yesterday until three-putt bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes spoiled at terrific day, he ended up with -4 68 which at -9 is five shots behind your leader Bryson DeChambeau, who posted a -6 66, -14 total, giving him a one-shot lead going into today's play.
Consider this,Woods has won this title 5 times, the last in 2012. He finished dead last in 2015.
As always seems the case at this time of year, the weather forecast has forced the officials to move the tee times up, pairing the field in 3's off split tees to avoid the thunderstorms.
The greens are soft and holding, low scoring is in the cards. However the weather is beautiful this morning and play began at 7.30am.
DeChambeau has a one-shot lead over Kyle Stanley 70, Patrick Cantlay 66 and Joaquin Niemann, the 19-year-old from Chile 70, all at -13.
Byeong Hun An had a bogey-free for a 69 -12, while Justin Rose who won last week and is bidding to be world #1 shot 69 -10.
Rory McIlroy just made the cut on the number, but bounced back with a bogey-free -8 64 and is at -8 not bad considering he missed three birdie chances from short range.
There were 2 cuts made due to the large number of players who made the original cut, so Adam Hadwin ( 74 70 73) MDF, while Mac Hughes 72 73 MC.
Bryan Angus
Tiger Woods is back at the Memorial Championship for the first time in 3 years, playing beautifully and in fact was tied for the lead yesterday until three-putt bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes spoiled at terrific day, he ended up with -4 68 which at -9 is five shots behind your leader Bryson DeChambeau, who posted a -6 66, -14 total, giving him a one-shot lead going into today's play.
Consider this,Woods has won this title 5 times, the last in 2012. He finished dead last in 2015.
As always seems the case at this time of year, the weather forecast has forced the officials to move the tee times up, pairing the field in 3's off split tees to avoid the thunderstorms.
The greens are soft and holding, low scoring is in the cards. However the weather is beautiful this morning and play began at 7.30am.
DeChambeau has a one-shot lead over Kyle Stanley 70, Patrick Cantlay 66 and Joaquin Niemann, the 19-year-old from Chile 70, all at -13.
Byeong Hun An had a bogey-free for a 69 -12, while Justin Rose who won last week and is bidding to be world #1 shot 69 -10.
Rory McIlroy just made the cut on the number, but bounced back with a bogey-free -8 64 and is at -8 not bad considering he missed three birdie chances from short range.
There were 2 cuts made due to the large number of players who made the original cut, so Adam Hadwin ( 74 70 73) MDF, while Mac Hughes 72 73 MC.
Bryan Angus
Molinari bids for the double, low scoring, packed leaderboard at Italian Open
European Tour Italian Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018046/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Imagine the excitement here if Mike Weir had won the PGA Championship last week and then was leading the Canadian Open going into Sunday this week.
Well that's exactly what is happening just outside Milan in northern Italy, where Francesco Molinari won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, holding off Rory McIlroy last week, and started today in a three way tie for his national championship, the Italian Open at -16.
However this Gardagolf CC isn't proving to be much of a test for these pro's, ideal weather and soft greens make for low scoring.
Miguel Jimenez has already posted -8 63 to move way up the field to -15, but everybody is posting birdies and there is no telling who will win with 15 players within 2 shots of the lead, which is currently -17 by Lee Westwood who is also -8 today with 2 holes to play.
Another theme this week is the return to form from guys who are past champions, but have been struggling mightily in recent times. Danny Willett has lost his game since he won the Masters in 2016 but he finds himself at -16, Martin Kaymer is at -15 along with Graeme McDowell, both former major winners, England's Lee Slattery is at -16, back from the wilderness, Andy Sullivan is finally playing like the Ryder Cup stalwart he was, currently -13.
However it's all about Molinari, bidding for the double who has the crowd on edge. Follow the live scoring link above..
Bryan Angus
Imagine the excitement here if Mike Weir had won the PGA Championship last week and then was leading the Canadian Open going into Sunday this week.
Well that's exactly what is happening just outside Milan in northern Italy, where Francesco Molinari won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, holding off Rory McIlroy last week, and started today in a three way tie for his national championship, the Italian Open at -16.
However this Gardagolf CC isn't proving to be much of a test for these pro's, ideal weather and soft greens make for low scoring.
Miguel Jimenez has already posted -8 63 to move way up the field to -15, but everybody is posting birdies and there is no telling who will win with 15 players within 2 shots of the lead, which is currently -17 by Lee Westwood who is also -8 today with 2 holes to play.
Another theme this week is the return to form from guys who are past champions, but have been struggling mightily in recent times. Danny Willett has lost his game since he won the Masters in 2016 but he finds himself at -16, Martin Kaymer is at -15 along with Graeme McDowell, both former major winners, England's Lee Slattery is at -16, back from the wilderness, Andy Sullivan is finally playing like the Ryder Cup stalwart he was, currently -13.
However it's all about Molinari, bidding for the double who has the crowd on edge. Follow the live scoring link above..
Bryan Angus
Friday, June 1, 2018
Francesco Molinari delights fans at the Italian Open
European Tour Italian Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018046/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
After winning the biggest event of his career last week, the BMW PGA Championship, Italy's Francesco Molinari has brought the same form to his country's national championship, the Italian Open in Brescia at the Gardagolf CC.
While Rafa Cabrera Bello (65 67) and resurgent northern Irishman Graeme McDowell (66 66) are the clubhouse leaders at -10, it is Francesco who is delighting his fans with round and opening 66, and so far he is -3 today playing his back nine at -8 total.
He is playing so well, he didn't make a bogey last week, and hasn't so far this week. He is always solid from tee to green, and as his older brother Eduardo says, "if Frankie could just putt a little better he'd be a super star"
Well he's putting well right now, and I expect him to be up with the leaders at the end of this round 2.
They are playing in sunny but breezy conditions in beautiful Brescia, a city in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, a few kilometres from the lakes Garda and Iseo.
Bryan Angus
After winning the biggest event of his career last week, the BMW PGA Championship, Italy's Francesco Molinari has brought the same form to his country's national championship, the Italian Open in Brescia at the Gardagolf CC.
While Rafa Cabrera Bello (65 67) and resurgent northern Irishman Graeme McDowell (66 66) are the clubhouse leaders at -10, it is Francesco who is delighting his fans with round and opening 66, and so far he is -3 today playing his back nine at -8 total.
He is playing so well, he didn't make a bogey last week, and hasn't so far this week. He is always solid from tee to green, and as his older brother Eduardo says, "if Frankie could just putt a little better he'd be a super star"
Well he's putting well right now, and I expect him to be up with the leaders at the end of this round 2.
They are playing in sunny but breezy conditions in beautiful Brescia, a city in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, a few kilometres from the lakes Garda and Iseo.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson withdraws from US Women's Open
US Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/leaderboard
Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson has withdrawn from the LPGA Tour’s U.S. Women’s Open for personal reasons.
The LPGA tweeted Friday that the native of Smiths Falls, Ont., will be returning home to Ottawa to be with her family. The announcement was made before the second round.
Henderson later took to Twitter to say she was withdrawing for personal reasons and was en route to Ottawa. She thanked the staff of Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club who dealt with more than four inches of rainfall early in the week and said she is looking forward to competing again at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2019 at The Country Club of Charleston
Julia Pine, the manager of championship communications for the United States Golf Association, told The Canadian Press that Henderson advised officials at 6 a.m. on Friday that she would be withdrawing from the tournament. No more details were provided as Pine said she was asked to keep things private.
Pine said Henderson did go to the golf course early Friday to gather her things, but was en route to the airport by mid-morning. Henderson, 20, was tied for 44th after a shooting a 1-over-par 73 in the first round on Thursday. She was six shots back of the lead.
It has been a hot, wet, muggy week at Shoal Creek in Alabama as the fallout from tropical storm Alberto affects much of NE North America. Practice was cancelled on Tuesday with all the rainfall, the course was re opened on Wednesday and play is now underway in round two, with Aussie Sarah Jane Smith leading at -10. Overnight leader Ariya Jutanugarn at -5 is in today's late wave.
Players have been amazed at how well the greens have drained, but the course is soft, for example Smith is -5 through 9 holes so far today, so expect low scoring.
With Henderson's withdrawal, Alena Sharp is at T69 +3 75, and amateur Celeste Dao will miss the cut after an opening +11 83.
Bryan Angus
(statement re Henderson's withdrawal from golf Canada)
Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson has withdrawn from the LPGA Tour’s U.S. Women’s Open for personal reasons.
The LPGA tweeted Friday that the native of Smiths Falls, Ont., will be returning home to Ottawa to be with her family. The announcement was made before the second round.
Henderson later took to Twitter to say she was withdrawing for personal reasons and was en route to Ottawa. She thanked the staff of Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club who dealt with more than four inches of rainfall early in the week and said she is looking forward to competing again at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2019 at The Country Club of Charleston
Julia Pine, the manager of championship communications for the United States Golf Association, told The Canadian Press that Henderson advised officials at 6 a.m. on Friday that she would be withdrawing from the tournament. No more details were provided as Pine said she was asked to keep things private.
Pine said Henderson did go to the golf course early Friday to gather her things, but was en route to the airport by mid-morning. Henderson, 20, was tied for 44th after a shooting a 1-over-par 73 in the first round on Thursday. She was six shots back of the lead.
It has been a hot, wet, muggy week at Shoal Creek in Alabama as the fallout from tropical storm Alberto affects much of NE North America. Practice was cancelled on Tuesday with all the rainfall, the course was re opened on Wednesday and play is now underway in round two, with Aussie Sarah Jane Smith leading at -10. Overnight leader Ariya Jutanugarn at -5 is in today's late wave.
Players have been amazed at how well the greens have drained, but the course is soft, for example Smith is -5 through 9 holes so far today, so expect low scoring.
With Henderson's withdrawal, Alena Sharp is at T69 +3 75, and amateur Celeste Dao will miss the cut after an opening +11 83.
Bryan Angus
(statement re Henderson's withdrawal from golf Canada)
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