Swede Lagergren 65 leads the Springboks at South African Open... Friday scoreboard

 DP World Tour : Investec South African Open Leaderboard

Joakim Lagergren carded an excellent bogey-free round of 65 to take a one-shot lead after day one of the Investec South African Open Championship.

One of the most consistent performers on the DP World Tour in recent years, the Swede is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 season and looked back to his best at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate.

He carded seven birdies in his lowest round since March to lead the way from local favourite Casey Jarvis, with 2015 champion Andy Sullivan and home favourites Louis de Jager and Jovan Rebula  (nephew of Ernie Els ) at five under.

Lagergren finished in the top 100 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex for eight consecutive seasons after graduating from the Qualifying School for the third time in 2014.

An ankle injury in the summer hindered his play last season as he finished 170th and a sixth career trip to Q School was unsuccessful, resulting in a medical exemption for the Opening Swing which he is looking to make the most of.

"Golf was fun today," he said. "It is a tough course, it's long so to shoot seven under around here, I'm very pleased with that. Lag putting is going to play a huge part this week when you're going to hit a lot of greens but be maybe 20 meters way. I did that well today.

The longest course in DP World Tour history, Blair Atholl contains five par fives, with four of them playing over 600 yards, and Jarvis birdied every one in the opening round.

There was a group of ten players at four under including December 2020 champion Christiaan Bezuidenhout and four-time DP World Tour winner Matteo Manassero.

edit******* Canadian Aaron Cockerill who has been in South Africa for nearly a month opened with 3 birdies and 3 bogey's E72 T61 well down the field T61.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Aussies Cam Davis, Rachel Lee lead ISPS Handa Australian Open... leaderboard

 DP World Tour : ISPS Handa Australian Open ..Leaderboard

Former champion Cam Davis produced a clinic for the home fans as he carded a flawless 63 to lead the way after the opening round of the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

The 28-year-old, who won his national open with his first professional title in 2017, mixed seven birdies with an eagle at The Lakes Golf Club on Thursday to sit one stroke ahead of American Patrick Rodgers.

Australia's national open is being held in Sydney at both The Lakes and The Australian golf clubs with 252 players taking part across the men's, women's and All Abilities championships.

In the women’s event, 16-year-old amateur Rachel Lee shot a six-under 67 at The Lakes as she finished her opening round in torrential rain to hold a share of the clubhouse lead alongside Jenny Shin after the American carded a 66 at The Australian. Minjee Lee like her brother is in contention as they seek a family double this week, T6 -3 70

World Number 43 Davis, a winner on the PGA TOUR, comes into the second leg of the Australian golf majors double after finishing in a tie for seventh at last week’s Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.

After teeing off from the tenth among the morning starters, Davis played his opening eight holes in six under par, including an eagle at the par five 14th, before he made three birdies on his back nine to set the early pace.

With preferred lies in operation following heavy rain on Wednesday, his bogey-free 63 does not equal the course record held by countryman John Senden but he was understandably delighted with his fine start.

World Number 43 Davis, a winner on the PGA TOUR, comes into the second leg of the Australian golf majors double after finishing in a tie for seventh at last week’s Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.

After teeing off from the tenth among the morning starters, Davis played his opening eight holes in six under par, including an eagle at the par five 14th, before he made three birdies on his back nine to set the early pace.

“It was a good round of golf,” said Davis. His nearest challenger at -8 is Rodgers, with fellow Australian Hayden Hopewell and Scotland's Connor Syme one shot further back.

While Davis, Rodgers and Hopewell all made the most of the easier scoring conditions at The Lakes, Syme continued his encouraging start to the 2024 Race to Dubai with a -7 64 at The Australian.

Fan favourite and three-time DP World Tour winner Min Woo Lee is well placed at five under after a blemish free 67 at The Lakes as he goes in search of back-to-back wins on home soil.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

After a one sided win in Rome, Luke Donald will return as European Ryder Cup Team captain.

 Luke Donald has been named as the European Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.

The 45 year old Englishman returns to the role having led Europe to a 16½ - 11½ victory against the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, earlier this year.

He will become Europe’s first repeat Captain since Bernard Gallagher performed the role in three consecutive Ryder Cups, in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

Donald will be aiming to become only the second Captain to lead Europe to victories both home and away, following Tony Jacklin who achieved the double at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987, retaining the Ryder Cup following his team’s victory two years previously at The Belfry, in England, in 1985.

Donald said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have been given the chance to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup once again. Great opportunities don’t come along very often in life and I’m a great believer that when they do, you need to grab them with both hands – this is one of these moments.

“I’ve been fortunate as a player to have had many amazing times in the Ryder Cup over the years and so to add being a winning Captain to that, to form bonds with the 12 players like we did in Italy and to get the result we did, was very special indeed.

“The Ryder Cup means so much to me, so to be Captain again and have the chance to create more history by becoming only the second European Captain to win back-to-back is exciting.

“There is no question that being a Captain away from home is a tough task. But I have never shied away from challenges throughout my career and it is precisely the kind of thing that motivates me. I can’t wait to get another 12-strong team to Bethpage in 2025.”

Guy Kinnings, Executive Director - Ryder Cup, said: “Luke was a superb Captain in Rome and we are delighted that he will be returning to the role for the 2025 Ryder Cup in New York.

“He demonstrated clear, calm and meticulous leadership skills in Rome, and all those qualities will be big assets again for Luke and Team Europe as they take on the considerable challenge of trying to retain the Ryder Cup against a strong US Team backed by passionate support in New York.

In total, he represented Europe in the Ryder Cup four times as a player, being part of a winning team on all four occasions, contributing 10½ points from his 15 matches.

Donald also has an impressive in individual playing career having been World Number One for a total of 56 weeks, while in 2011 he became the first player in history to top the money lists on the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) and the PGA TOUR in the same year.

edit****  I couldn't help but thinking none of this would have happened for Luke had LIV not turned Henrik Stenson's head after being offered the privilege that comes with this captaincy. Look back at that week in Rome, the history that was made, the drama, the joy that all Europeans celebrated, the legacy that Luke will carry forever, while Henrik toils in obscurity for a ' few dollars more" 

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Its holiday time for Tiger and friends for charity, Hero World Challenge...TEE TIMES

 PGA Tour : Hero World Challenge 

• Leaderboard

Back in the early 1990s the NHL Old-timers persuaded some of their former greats from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens to re unite and play a series of games to raise money for the Alumni.

I took my dad, for the first time in our lives to a sold out MLG for $10 per ticket and had a wonderful night together watching Dave Keon, Carl Brewer, the Big M and company help us relive some of our fondest sporting memories. John Ferguson (Fergie ) and Dan Maloney (snowshoes) even got carried away in a bit of a fight ! 

There is a bit of that going on in ultra rich Albany, Bahamas where Tiger who is hosting a 20 man exhibition sponsored by Hero, grabbed all the headlines on a quiet news day Tuesday morning in late November with much of Canada in an early deep freeze, when asked if he could win again "Absolutely" shot around every sports desk in the western world.

Even if his game is rusty after 6 months of walking the beach at his Florida home, his timing for the limelight is as sharp as ever.

Now 48, he gave us all something like this to write, talk etc. etc. and of course many of my peers couldn't resist opining on 'what if" yet again, for old times sake !

So I have posted a TEE TIMES/ Leaderboard link for your perusal above.

Like those NHL old-timers games, many should enjoy watching the legend, well past his days in the sun, hit some great shots, forget all the missed putts, and flubs, and enjoy the memories.

But please...it is hit and holiday for these guys with their families, all expenses paid for, even prize money $1m to the winner $4.5 prize fund.

This is an unofficial event, an exhibition but for some reason, maybe because its Tiger, they are awarding OWGR points. There are no Canadians in the field this year.

The aim of course a worthy one, The Tiger Woods foundation, here is their impact statement 

"Founded in 1996, TGR Foundation empowers young people with the tools and support they need to discover their passions, deepen their knowledge and and gain real-world experiences to achieve their dreams". 

Enjoy, sorry about all the over the top gushing you are about to see and hear on TV..It's inevitable, he paid the  bills and made millions for all the major networks not to mention the players during his era.

Bryan Angus

Inside this week's ISPS Handa Australian Open...TEE TIMES

 DP World Tour : ISPS Handa Australian Open Tee Times

The DP World Tour’s Opening Swing remains in Australia and South Africa for the second week running as two national Opens take place in Sydney and Johannesburg respectively. Here's a look inside the Aussie Open with TEE TIMES..

The ISPS HANDA Australian Open has a new home for 2023 with two of Sydney’s finest courses to test men, women and all-abilities golfers.

The Australian and The Lakes golf clubs will host the joint tournament format, with the men’s field consisting of 156 players with 84 in the women’s field.

Only one cut will be made, after 36 holes, reducing the field to the top 60 professionals plus ties in the men’s Open and the top 32 professional plus ties making the cut in the women’s Open.

The Australian Golf Club will be the host venue across the four days with the The Lakes Golf Club co-hosting for the first two days of play.

Poland’s Adrian Meronk is the defending champion of the men’s event, while South Africa’s Major Champion Ashleigh Buhai is aiming to retain the Stonehaven Cup she won in Melbourne 12 months ago.

Among the headline acts in Australia will be Min Woo Lee and his older sister, Minjee Lee as they make it a family affair in their home country.

Last month, Min Woo won the Asian Tour’s Macau Open, a week before two-time women’s Major champion Minji captured the LPGAs BMW Championship in South Korea.

Days after landing his third DP World Tour title at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane, this could their be a repeat of back-to-back success stories for the Lee siblings.

Since finishing third in last year’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club, the 25-year-old Min Woo's stock has grown globally.

He finished tenth on the Race to Dubai Rankings last year, registering five top tens in his 15 DP World Tour appearances, as he earned 2024 dual playing rights with the PGA TOUR.

Victory in Brisbane over the weekend was his second title in quick succession.

A firm fan favourite, Lee is among a strong contingent of home stars competing in their national Open alongside Adam Scott, Lucas Herbert, Cam Davis, Marc Leishman and Cam Smith among others. Smith remains the highest ranked player in this field at #20.

Newly crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, 21 year old Japan's Ryo Hisatsune is playing. He is Japan's first winner, after he won The French Open and had seven top 10 finishes. 

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre who has won his PGA Tour card as well as his DP World status has made the trip down under. The Ryder Cup star is currently owgr #57.

The leading three players not already exempt who make the cut in the ISPS HANDA Australian Open will earn places in The 152nd Open at Royal Troon from 14-21 July.

The co-sanctioned DP World Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia event is the second in the Open Qualifying Series, which offers players opportunities around the world to qualify for golf’s original championship.

Last week, Dean Burmester, Darren Fichardt and Dan Bradbury earned their spots for the fourth and final Major Championship of next year in Scotland through the Joburg Open in South Africa.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

The DP World Tour 2024 season, with new innovations..

 DP World Tour 2024

The DP World Tour announced its schedule for the 2024 season, one which will feature a minimum of 44 tournaments in 24 countries and across five continents, underlining its status as golf’s global Tour. 

With play beginning last week at the Joburg Open I received several questions so I thought I'd clear it up this morning.

Luke Walker

The main point is the 2024 season began in 2023, last week in Joburg where Dean Burmester won, so all the Race to Dubai rankings have begun anew.

Showcasing diverse international players, cultures, countries and venues, the 2024 season also features a host of new enhancements across its entire 13 month global odyssey, with members competing for an overall record prize fund of $148.5 million (excluding the Majors). Click here to view the full schedule.

The 2024 Race to Dubai will feature three new and distinct phases – five innovative ‘Global Swings’ from November 2023 to August 2024; an historic ‘Back 9’ from September 2024 to October 2024; and two ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’ in November 2024.

As in previous years, the consistent thread throughout the course of the season will be the five Rolex Series events – the premium category of events on the DP World Tour. In 2024 these will be: the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January), the Genesis Scottish Open (July), the BMW PGA Championship (September), the Abu Dhabi Championship (November) and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November) – tournaments which will continue to showcase the Tour’s leading players and innovation.

PHASE ONE – THE ‘GLOBAL SWINGS’.

This phase will comprise five individual ‘Swings’ - the Opening Swing, the International Swing, the Asian Swing, the European Swing and the Closing Swing - and will run from November 2023 to August 2024. Each Swing will have its own individual Swing Rankings.

• The Opening Swing will run from November 2023 (Fortinet Australian PGA Championship) to December 2023 (AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open)
• The International Swing will run from January 2024 (Dubai Invitational) to March 2024 (Jonsson Workwear Open)
• The Asian Swing will run from March 2024 (Singapore Classic) to May 2024 (Volvo China Open) (*)
• The European Swing will run from May 2024 (Soudal Open) to July 2024 (BMW International Open) (*)
• The Closing Swing will run from July 2024 (Genesis Scottish Open) to August 2024 (Danish Golf Championship) (*)

(*) While points accrued in the Major Championships will count on the Race to Dubai Rankings, they will not count in the Swing Rankings.

PHASE TWO – THE ‘BACK NINE’

This phase will encompass nine of the DP World Tour’s most historic tournaments and national Opens and will run from August 2024 to October 2024.

It will begin with the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo (August 29 – September 1, 2024) and will end with a tournament to be confirmed from October 24-27, 2024.

In addition to exempt DP World Tour members, the leading 15 non-members from the top 70 on the FedEx Cup will be eligible to play in these events and qualify for the DP World Tour Championship.

The top 110 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings at the conclusion of this phase in October will earn their DP World Tour cards for 2025 while the top 70 qualify for Phase Three, the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

PHASE THREE – THE DP WORLD TOUR PLAY-OFFS

This phase, running in November 2024, will comprise the two final Rolex Series events of the season: the Abu Dhabi Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi Championship, which moves from its traditional January slot to a new date of November 7-10, (replacing the Nedbank Challenge) will feature the leading 70 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings while the top 50 at the end of that tournament, qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai from November 14-17, where the DP World Tour’s Number One player will be crowned.

At the conclusion of the DP World Tour’s 2024 season, the leading ten players will share a $6million Bonus Pool.

Finally, as per at the end of the current 2023 season, the top ten DP World Tour members on the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings (not otherwise exempt) will earn PGA TOUR cards for the 2025 season

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Dean Burmester wins Joburg Open...Aaron Cockerill full results.. (edited version)

 DP World Tour : Joburg Open Leaderboard

With his best round of the week Canada's lone representative on the DP World Tour, Aaron Cockerill moved 16 places up the Joburg Open leaderboard early this morning (EST) with a 3 birdie, one bogey -2 68 to finish T32 69 70 70 68 -3.

He is now 39th on the new 2024 Race to Dubai list and is scheduled to play 2 more weeks in South Africa at the South African Open this week, the the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek, Malelane,

Overnight leader Thriston Lawrence posted a double and 2 bogey's in his first 5 holes and finished with a disappointing +5 75 T7 -10.

 Dean Burmester emerged from the pack with a bogey free, 6 birdie -6 64 to win by 3 shots (68 62 68 64) over another veteran South African Darren Fichardt who posted a final round 64 of his own to finish at -15. The win is worth almost $254,000 cdn and perhaps more important a place in the field for the Open at Royal Troon.

Fichardt had just regained his 2024 playing status through Q school, will also now play at the Open as will defending champion Dan Bradbury who finished 3rd -13 after a closing 64.

" The fans are always fantastic at home in South Africa, and I'm so happy to be playing at home, eating some braai meat and having a good time. Thriston is an amazing competitor and had a 3 shot lead so I knew I had to do something special and fortunately I was able to do that."

Burmester jumped to play on the LIV series golf for guaranteed prize money so why was he allowed to play while others who jumped are banned from the DP World Tour ?

He is banned from the PGA Tour, but retained status on the South African Sunshine Tour which co-sanctioned this event with the DP World Tour allowing him to be exempt with his national status. 

Next week it's the South African Open over on the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, also in Joburg.

Bryan Angus

Win Moo Lee wins Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.. Results

 DP World Tour  Fortinet Australian PGA Championship Results

Min Woo Lee confidently claimed his third DP World Tour title and second on home soil with a three-stroke victory at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.

The 25-year-old, who has been out in front since round two, held off an early charge from Rikuya Hoshino that had them tied after two holes but quickly found his stride, almost recording an ace at the fourth and chipping in for eagle at the ninth on his way to a three under 68 at Royal Queensland GC.

Standing up to the pressure of holding the overnight lead, Lee delighted the home crowds and was surrounded by friends and family as he tapped in for a final hole bogey to secure the Joe Kirkwood Cup and finish his week on 20 under par.

"Yeah, unbelievable," said Lee, who follows Nathan Holman (2016), Cam Smith (2018, 19 and 22) and Adam Scott (2019) as the fourth Australian winner of this event since it was first played on the DP World Tour’s Global Schedule in 2016.

"I've always thought I could win, but it took a while to get over the hump, but two wins in the last month or so. Yeah, I'm really proud of my team and myself and yeah, I made it interesting early on and through the middle, but ended up hanging on, so I'm really proud.

"I know Rikuya is a really good player and he kept knocking on the door, but it was the exactly same as my last win, just the playing point. I just kept coming, so I knew I just needed to keep playing well and do my thing and I did. Yeah, I'm really proud of the way I made some up and downs and some putts."

It's his second victory in a month, having earned his third professional victory at the Macao Open on the Asian Tour in October, and ends a wait of two years and 138 days since his last win at the 2021 Scottish Open on the DP World Tour.

His parents are from South Korea and emigrated to western Australia in the 1990's. His older sister Minjee Lee is ranked world #5 playing on the LPGA Tour.

This win is worth approximately $360,000 cdn.

Hoshino parred his way in from the 12th to secure second place and his highest ever position on the DP World Tour, with Australian Marc Leishman one further back thanks to an impressive seven-under 64 on the final day.

Lee and Hoshino's playing partner Curtis Luck finished in solo fourth, with Joaquin Niemann in fifth thanks to an ace at the fourth hole, and two-time champion Adam Scott in seventh.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Saturday at Joburg Open: Thriston Lawrence leads by 3, Cockerill 1under par...Sunday leaderboard

 DP World Tour : Joburg Open Leaderboard

Aaron Cockerill has finished his third round on the Houghton GC in Joburg RSA well down the field after 54 holes, T48, a stroke under par after scores of 69 70 70 -1

His card shows a commendable 12 birdies, however they have been offset by 7 bogey's and 2 doubles.

 The 31 year old Canadian, still looking for his maiden DP World Tour begins this 2024 season ranked #286 in the world and 75th on the Race to Dubai points list. 

Meanwhile at the top of the leaderboard South African Thriston Lawrence has emerged from the pack with rounds of 62 66 67 -15.

Three of his fellow Springboks follow,  veteran Dean Burmester, 2nd 68 62 68 -12, and rookie Nikhil Rama T3 65 62 72 -11 along with Jacques Kruyswijk 66 64 69 -11

Those are the top 3 in this first of two weeks in South Africa to begin the 2024 DP World Tour season.

Bryan Angus 

Lee improves his lead after 54 holes Fortinet Australian PGA Championship... full Sunday scoreboard

 DP World Tour : Fortinet Australian PGA Championship Leaderboard

Min Woo Lee was paired with Adam Scott on Saturday downunder at the Australian PGA Championship.

He shot 66 with 7 birdies and 2 bogey's on the Royal Queensland GC to extend his lead at -17 while his countryman and friend Adam Scott shot 71 slipped down to 4th at -11.

Lee : "I’ve been hitting the ball so well all year and the results have been there. I just feel like it was just a couple of moments that I stuffed up, like on 8 today, I pulled an iron where I can look back and just hit a 7-iron and draw it off the right side and not be in the trees on the left. Stuff like that, I think everything’s been pretty up to par with how I think I’m going and how I have been going. Yeah, that’s pretty much it. It’s just those little moments.

It’s a course where you can shoot low, so you’re going to be aggressive no matter what. There’s probably a couple of holes where you don’t need to hit driver where I did the last three days. It just all depends. It’s obviously score dependent but I’m here because I played aggressive and I played the way that the game plan has been. So, hopefully I can just do the same."

Three shots behind Lee on -14 is Rikuya Hoshino, who birdied six of his final eight holes to cap off a back-nine 29 and tie Scotsman Connor Syme for a round of the day -7 64 to surge through the leaderboard on moving day.

Adding to rounds of 67 and 68, the six-time Japan Tour winner's first outing in Australia has him firmly in contention to contend for a first DP World Tour title.

“My iron shots were the best, I hit them very close and I had a lot of chances," he said.

"It’s my first time in Australia, so I’m enjoying it. The atmosphere on the 17th hole is great, it’s the most exciting I’ve ever been a part of.

“I want to win on the DP World Tour, I expect a big result. I might be nervous, but I’ll try to sleep well.”

One shot behind him is Australian Curtis Luck on -13, with Adam Scott two further back on -11  Syme, who shot a front nine of 30, enters the final round seven behind on -10 with Lucas Herbert.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Joburg Open leader Nikhil Rama ranked #1214, Cockerill makes cut...full scoreboard

 DP World Tour : Joburg Open Leaderboard

He's ranked #1214 in the world but South African Nikhil Rama has shot a bogey free 62 on Friday to take a one shot lead into the weekend

 

Here courtesy of a recent 4th place finish on the Sunshine Tour he has made only 2 cuts in 10 DP World Tour starts he is at -13

Round 1 leader Thurston Lawrence is 62, 66 -12.

Dean Burmester matched Rama's 62 to sit at -10 alongside Jacques Kruyswijk, one clear of Zander Lombard as South Africans took every spot in the top seven.

Rama will now go out alongside four-time DP World Tour winner Lawrence in the final group on Saturday but the 22-year-old insists he is enjoying the pressure of what could be a life-changing week.

"What can I say, it was a great round," he said. "It's my lowest score on tour so far so I'm really excited about that.

Jaco Prinsloo recovered from bogeys on the second and third to post six birdies in a 66 that left him at eight under, one clear of Darren Fichardt, who made four birdies before bogeying the last in a 67.

There was then a group of nine players at five under including defending champion Dan Bradbury.

EDIT >>> Canada's Aaron Cockerill  69 70 -1 has made the cut which fell at E.  After an up and down round with 5 birdies, 4 bogey's and a double he will be out early on Saturday at 8.01 local with South African Jacques de Villiers hoping to clean up his card. 

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Cam Smith shoots 78, Lee leads Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.. full leaderboard

 DP World Tour : Fortinet Australian PGA Championship 

• Leaderboard

Min Woo Lee will take a one shot lead into the weekend over compatriot Adam Scott after a five under 66 on day two at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship

The Australian, who is a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, quickly built on his opening round of 65 to set the pace in front of home crowds with four birdies in a flawless front-nine 32 in windy condition.

His first mistake came at the tenth but he recovered with two more gains at the 13th and 15th holes before requiring three par saves over the closing stretch to keep his nose in front at the mid-way stage.

"Just hit a couple bad swings on the last three holes, but overall, really happy with the way I went," Lee reflected after his round.

"Very solid and kept doing the right things. Today was a bit more shaky than yesterday, but felt like I've made up and down when I needed to.

The 25-year-old, who is seeking a second victory on home soil to add to his 2020 ISPS HANDA Vic Open success, has finished inside the top five in both of his previous starts in this event.

Now poised at the top heading into the weekend, Lee will tee up with Former Masters Tournament winner Adam Scott, who carded a six under par 65 to move to within one stroke of the lead.

Scott, whose bogey-free round was the best of the day over Royal Queensland, is searching to complete a hat-trick of Joe Kirkwood Cup victories this week. He first won this event in 2013, the same year as his triumph at Augusta National, and again in 2019.

Crediting his play in the wind, Scot said that he felt comfortable with every part of his game. Yeah. But I'm really pleased with the way the game feels. And that's positive going into the weekend."

Cameron Smith reacts after a shot during the 2023 Australian PGA (Jono Searle AP)

Defending champion now playing on the LIV TOUR Cameron Smith shot 78 to miss the cut by 9 shots in what he called the worst round of  his career.

John Lyras currently occupies third place on the leaderboard on ten under, with Australian duo Lucas Herbert and Curtis Luck two further back alongside first-round leader Joel Moscatel.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

DP World Tour: Joburg Open / Fortinet Australian PGA Championship leaderboards

 DP World Tour : Joburg Open Leaderboard

Thriston Lawrence matched the lowest round of his DP World Tour career with a stunning -8 62 to take a three-shot lead after day one of the Joburg Open.

The South African made history at this event two years ago as he became the first winner of the DP World Tour era with his maiden victory on Tour.

He has since won three more times, securing the 2022 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award in the process, and he was once again making waves in a new era as the Opening Swing got under way.

"The putter was hot and I just felt like I was reading them really nicely," he said. "The speed was good and compared to last year the greens are quite firm so you can play some nice shots and coming in with an eight iron you can plan the shot with all the undulations on these greens.

"I got the wind right today, I was pin high quite a few times and the proximity to the greens was good as well. The putter was on fire so I'm quite happy with the opening round

Another South African in World Number 1,214 Nikhil Rama was his nearest challenger at Houghton Golf Club, one clear of a group of ten players that included defending champion Dan Bradbury and former Ryder Cup players Stephen Gallacher and Andy Sullivan.

EDIT....Canada's Aaron Cockerill opened T31 -1 69

DP World Tour : Fortinet Australian PGA Championship Leaderboard

Joel Moscatel carded a course-record equaling-8 63 to take the early lead at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.

The Spaniard, making his first appearance on the DP World Tour as a professional, sits one stroke ahead of home favourite Min Woo Lee after his bogey-free effort at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

"(Missing out at Qualifying School) was hard but, at the same time, (last year) I was playing on a satellite tour and some invites on Challenge Tour. So being able to plan full schedule on Challenge Tour this year was a big thing for me. I wanted to have it, but one shot in six days is nothing. So, it is what it is."

“It was a crazy round. We were so present, (my caddie and I) were enjoying a lot,” he said. “He’s a good friend of mine too. He’s been caddying this year on tour for six months for Adri Arnaus, a good player on DP World Tour, so we just, we were so present that we were really enjoying the moment, so I think maybe that’s the secret.

“I didn’t even know it was the course record, we just played our golf and it was so nice to equal that record. It was so fun today.

Lee sits one stroke back after carding a seven under 64 as he hunts a second professional victory on home soil to follow up his ISPS HANDA Vic Open success in 2020.

One stroke further back is Lee’s compatriot John Lyras on six under par, with former World Number One and Masters Tournament winner Adam Scott and Scotsman Connor Syme sharing fourth on five under.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Aaron Cockerill begins 2024 season at Joburg Open this week.. TEE TIMES

 DP World Tour : Joburg Open Tee Times

The tee times are out and low and behold Aaron Cockerill is in the field for this 2024 season opening Joburg Open where his journey from Winnipeg to the 26 country 45 event DP World Tour begins.

He was 116 at this time last year, now after a full 2023 ranked  #76 on DP World Tour  season with new daughter Madison and wife Chelsea to look after he begins his journey..

Despite a desperately poor communications from his sponsors and Aaron etal, I will once again follow his every move this year and keep you informed especially with the passing of our pal Ian Hutchinson  who along with Flagstick Golf  among others is on top of all things Canadian.

7.30GMT Aaron Cockerill , Tarrio Santiago, Lyle Rowe..

Bryan Angus

Top 10 DP World Tour Players who have won PGA Tour full status for 2024.

Earlier this year I wrote about the new Strategic Alliance between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, and part of the package was the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai standings who aren't already PGA Tour members would be awarded full PGA Tour status for 2024 to run concurrently with their status in Europe.

While the 10 who I will list here, are celebrating, there are those, especially involved one way or another with the DP World Tour that argue this is just further draining their talent pool, weakening fields, making them less attractive to sponsors.

Others like Rory McIlroy disagree saying in part the mandate of the DP World Tour is to provide a platform for players to develop and compete to the best of their ability to make a living playing professional golf, and their is no more lucrative place to do that than on the PGA Tour.

The following 10 had no full PGA Tour status despite playing some PGA Tour events, until Sunday night after the DP World Tour Championship concluded.

1, Adrian Monk, Poland, age 36 owgr 46...won 3 times on DP World Tour

2. Ryan Fox, New Zealand, age 36 owgr 28 . won the BMW PGA Championship

3. Victor Perez, France age 31, owgr 74...won the Rolex Series Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

4. Thorbjorn Olsen, Denmark  age 33 owgr 74  ,won Thailand Open with 5 top 20's in first 7 events

5. Alexander Bjork, Sweden age 33, owgr 75..2 runner ups, 8 top 10's

6. Sami Valimaki, Finland, age 25  owgr 105  won Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

7. Robert MacIntyre, Scotland age 27 owgr 57.. runner up Genesis Scottish Open , undefeated at Ryder Cup

8. Matteau Pavon, France age 31  owgr 107..won the Spanish Open

9. Jorge Campillo, Spain age 37 owgr 18  won the Magical Kenya Open

10. Ryo Hisatsune, Japan, age 21 owgr 83..won French Open

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Yang wins CME Group Tour Championship, Vu wins Player of the Year.. final results..

 LPGA Tour : CME Group Tour Championship  Tee Times

In the end it took a 72 hole record 68 63 64 66 -27 to win the CME Group Tour Championship by veteran Korean Amy Yang worth a record $2,000,000. It was her 5th win, the first on US soil the other 4 in LPGA events abroad.

She outlasted Japan's Nasa Hataoka 63 67 65 6 -24 and American 66 64 68 66 -24

Canada's Brooke Henderson finished her year 12th 69 67 66 71 -15.

America rookie Lilia Vu won 2 majors, is ranked world #1 finished her week 4th with a 65 and won the LPGA Player of the Year award.

Bryan Angus

Sensational Swede Aberg edges Hughes at RSM Classic .. final results

 PGA Tour : RSM Classic Leaderboard

Consider this. Mac Hughes shot 60 63 on the weekend at the RSM Classic...and still lost by 4 strokes...

That's because Ludwig Aberg tied a PGA Tour record 67 64 61 61 29, his 61 61 on the weekend an all time PGA Tour record for his 2nd professional win, his first of many on the PGA Tour worth $1,512,000 and 500 points.

After tying Jon Rahm with 2 Ben Hogan awards at Texas Tech he has only played in 14 events between the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour

After tying Jon Rahm's 2 Ben Hogan awards in college at Texas Tech, he has only played 14 events between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

He has only been outside the top 25 three times, has 2 wins, a runner up and played in the Ryder Cup. He worst score in his last 8 starts is a T14.

Many pro golf fans on this side of the Atlantic hadn't heard the plaudits from Europe, until they saw him in full flight this weekend. He only made 1 bogey, only missed 10 fairways and 10 GIR...read up on his stats, they tell the story. He is in the world's top 50, Fed Ex Cup top 60, as such qualifies for the big $20m signature events in 2024 as well as the Masters.

At 6'3" he is also blessed with a quiet, calm almost shy demeanor, reminding many of Adam Scott, with an almost robotically repetitive swing. He will be a mainstay on the European Ryder Cup team for years to come.

Canadians

Mac Hughes 2nd 68 66 60 63 -25 $915,600   moved to #51 Fed Ex Cup standings

Adam Svensson T5 68 66 67 62 -19  $310,800 remained at #37 Fed Ex Cup standings

Corey Conners T44 72 65 66 68 -11 $24,238

Bryan Angus