Team Cups provided all the excitement that golf needs...

Ryder Cup 2023 Europe 16.5 USA 11.5

Curtis Cup 2024  GB&I  10.5  USA 9.5

Solheim Cup 2023  Europe 14  USA 14  (Europe retains Cup)

Solheim Cup 2024 USA 15.5  Europe 12.5

Presidents Cup 2024  USA 18.5  Europe 11.5

All of the Team Cup matches above provided us all with the great drama, great joy great sorrow, great pride and of course great entertainment that the usual stroke play game so often sorely lacks.

They provide unforgettable moments, make legends heroes and yes villain's.

The Internationals celebrates their win in 1998 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo: Craig Jones /Allsport)

In the 2007 Ryder Cup in Montreal the International Team lost 19.5 to 14.5 to the USA, but what everyone in Canada remembers about those matches was Mike Weir beating Tiger Woods in singles. Weirsy has been and will be dining out on that forever.

Si Woo Kim along with Tom Kim became the stars of the International Team with their exuberant play, the Kim's will be remembered forever, especially in Canada and Korea. Do you remember Si Woo winning the 2017 Players Championship as a 21 year old ?

Nothing highlighted my premise here better than the college women's Curtis Cup Matches at Sunningdale on a weekend when across the Atlantic the PGA Tour Championship along with the Fed Ex Cup were being decided.

After a week of intense competition the young women (amateurs) from GB&I held their nerve to edge the USA team 10.5 to 9.5 in front of huge galleries' and a world wide TV audience, most I might add who had never watched any university women's golf at all.

Social media exploded " Thrilling matches, top notch stuff, great drama, we enjoyed it all, thank you ladies !!" just an example of the millions of posts.

Meanwhile, ho hum Scottie Scheffler was being awarded the trophy and another $25,000,000 in what was widely panned as a snore fest with the PGA Tour being urged from all quarters to turn at least the Tour Championship into a 30 man knock out match play.

Xander Schauffele had a career year winning 2 majors (PGA, Open Championship) Scheffler won the Masters... was there any Mike Weir moments you'll never forget in there ?

Probably the major we all will remember this year was Rory missing 2 putts inside 3 feet to lose the US Open to Bryson DeChambeau ? Why because there was great drama, Rory with the Grand Slam in his hands, the bad guy played by Bryson, the LIV defector, the loud mouthed bomber from the John Daly grip it and rip it era.

There are always recent shots in stroke play that are memorable, Rory's 2 iron at the Scottish Open to steal the trophy from Scotland's Bob MacIntyre last year comes to mind immediately for example and moments like the Stenson /Mickelson epic at Royal Troon 2016, Henrik shot 63, Phil 65 in what became gripping match play over the last 18 holes in which the Swede prevailed.

However, pull on a team shirt, get selected to represent your country or national team, throw away any need to be paid,  fill yourself with pride and desire, and comradeship, feel the your country right behind you, then send you out to meet the enemy over 3 or 4 days and do battle.

This is team match play, much more powerful than individual match play and nearly always much more exciting, passionate than stroke play.

It's the stuff that makes instant legends, makes us all proud, or sad, but make us impatient to watch again.

Last word to Weirsy post greenside, late on Sunday...'' this has been a phenomenal week for us all, players, coaches, caddies, families and our fans. It is always disappointing when you lose, but this thing is so close, so many matches went their way after 18 holes. We put this team together to win, we didn't, but we will "

Bryan Angus

Hidalgo beats LIV Jon Rahm in a playoff to win Spanish Open..final results

 DP World Tour : Spanish Open Results

Angel Hidalgo held off three-time champion Jon Rahm in a play-off to win the 2024 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

He had  gone head-to-head in an all-Spanish final group with David Puig, with Rahm's birdie-birdie finish leaving them tied at 14 under par.

birdied the first extra hole but after Rahm's chip slipped past second time, Hidalgo holed a two-foot putt for victory.

He said: "Two or three years ago, I was in the first tee, in the trees, supporting Jon - without playing, I just come here to Madrid to see the tournament.

"To be here and win the tournament is unreal. Oh, my gosh, it's amazing."

It was the first all-Spanish final group at the national Open since 2019, when Rahm won comfortably ahead of Rafa Cabrera Bello and Samuel Del Val.

It was closer this time, right from the off as Hidalgo's two-shot overnight advantage was wiped out at the first hole - he missed a three-foot putt and made bogey while Rahm, also champion in 2018 and 2022, started with a birdie, as did Puig to lie one shot behind.

Playoff

Rahm's tee-shot second time headed off towards the grandstand and after he chipped through the green, Hidalgo could nurse his ball close before holing a two-foot winning putt.

He said: "I was pretty relaxed all day, even the first tee, I don't know why. Even when I missed the short putt (at the first) - or this one, hole 72 - I was not discouraged.

"On the eighth tee, I thought David Puig is going to win the tournament by eight because he was hitting amazing, and Jon and myself made a few mistakes.

"That's amazing. That's for everyone that was there and believed in me, and yeah, my team, my family, especially my caddie, he's my best friend

Rahm paid tribute to Hidalgo and hailed the impact of Sunday's finale on Spanish golf.

"May he enjoy it," he said. "Winning at home, winning a Spanish Open with all the support that there has been. You could tell how much he felt it and how important it was for him. 

"What happened today helps. Having a final like this, no matter who wins, helps those kids who were watching here or on TV to want to try playing golf to experience moments like today’s.".

europeantour.com\

Bryan Angus Edit

USA pulls ahead heading into Sunday singles at Presidents Cup.... live scoreboard

 Presidents Cup : Scoring

After a long day of close matches, the USA has settled into a 4 point lead 11-7 heading into the Sunday singles.

After the historic 5-0 International team comeback on Friday, one Canada will never forget it was down to 8 matches on Saturday 4 fourball and 4 foursomes.

In the morning Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim beat Bradley and Clark in what would turn out to be the widest margin of the day 4&3.

All the rest were close, 2&1 twice and 1 up on another two occasions and 3&2 twice, there was not a lot between these two sides.

Unfortunately it was only Taylor Pendrith and Adam Scott who prevailed 2up over Harman and Homa that could secure the win in the afternoon foursomes.

Scottie Scheffler

Captain Jim Furyk sent Scottie Scheffler out first in both matches and he narrowly won both with Morikawa then Henley. 

So another tall task for Weirsy and his Internationals who were unlucky not to get more out of Saturdays play, for all the scores click Scoring

Here are the 12 Sunday singles beginning at noon EST.

note ****The first team to 15.5 wins the Cup if the score is tied 15-15 both teams will share the Cup.

Jason Day  vs Xander Schauffele

Tom Kim  vs  Sam Burns

Hideki Matsuyama vs Scottie Scheffler

Russell Henley  vs  Sungjae Im

Taylor Pendrith  vs Patrick Cantlay

Si Woo Kim  vs Keegan Bradley

Corey Conners  vs  Tony Finau

Min Woo Lee  vs Wyndham Clark

Ben An   vs Sahith Theegala

Adam Scott  vs Collin Morikawa

Christiaan Bezuidenhout  vs  Brian Harman

Mac Hughes  vs Max Homa 

Bryan Angus

Rahm in Sunday shootout in Madrid...live scoreboard

 DP World Tour : Spanish Open Leaderboard

Leader Angel Hidalgo and three-time champion Jon Rahm played themselves into an all-Spanish final group at the 2024 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

The pair will play Sunday’s round alongside compatriot David Puig, with all three under par by double figures as Hidalgo leads by two strokes on -13 under 68

Rahm played much of the round without his damaged driver but birdied two of the last three holes to reach 11 under, with Puig a further shot back as both carded 65s.

“I know David really well, I played with him when I was young. Jon, what can I say? He's the G.O.A.T. in this tournament. I can't wait to arrive at the first tee tomorrow.”

Rahm needed repairs to his driver after experiencing issues with it early in his round. 

He insisted the absence of his driver “didn't really affect me too much” but added: “I was happy to hear on 12 that I was going to have it by 14. I think it might have been a little moment of happiness that gave me a boost for the rest of the round.”

Looking ahead to Sunday, he said: “I'm very excited. I have yet to be paired with (Puig) in any tournament, I'm glad our first time is going to be here in the final group."

England's Joe Dean and American Patrick Reed share fourth place at eight under, with Sweden's Jens Fahrbring and another Spaniard in Adri Arnaus a shot further back.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Thrilling day by Internationals brings Presidents Cup to life in Montreal.. Saturday morning matches

 Presidents Cup : Saturday Scoring

Well I have to say I told you so, didn't I !!

As you know by now, in one of the most thrilling days in this brief history of the Presidents Cup, Mike Weir's Internationals or "I.N.T "as the crowd has been chanting turned the tables after being swept 5-0 on Thursday with an even more impressive 5-0 sweep of their own.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

They won 3 of 5 matches by at least 5 holes, including an opening 7&6 win by Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im over Schauffele and Cantlay.

All 3 Canadians got the monkey off their backs, like I said yesterday, put on a show for their adoring fans who are now right into it.

Conners and Hughes thumped Finau and Clark 6&5, and Taylor Pendrith teamed with Adam Scott to beat Theegala and Morikawa 5&4.

Now everyone concerned feels better, confirms to themselves they can win...

It will be a different feel early on Saturday, tough to come down off the fantastic high, but  just follow the same formula, don't lose the first hole..

Now it's game on..

Saturday 4ball matches

702am  Scott / Pendrith  vs Scheffler / Morikawa

720am  Conners/ Hughes  vs  Finau / Schauffelle

738am  Si Woo Kim / Tom Kim   vs  Bradley / Clark

756am  Matsuyama/ Kim  vs  Cantlay / Burns

Bryan Angus

Spanish Open Leader Hidalgo by 4..Cockerill M/C.. Results..

 DP WORLD Tour : Spanish Open Leaderboard

Angel Hidalgo leads by four shots after a 67 in round two of the 2024 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

The home hope followed up his opening 65 in similarly impressive style to reach -10 and pull clear of a chasing pack headed by England's Joe Dean on -6 

Three-time champion Jon Rahm was in a group of five players a further shot back at -5.

"I already said to my caddie, I feel every shot today. Yesterday, I was completely blind and I was just hitting the ball and I don't know why it was directly to the pin.

"But today I played really good. Two bad drivers to finish the round on four and seven, probably the birdie chances from the back nine for me today, but really happy with the way I play."

Dean enjoyed two eagles, including a chip-in at the fourth, in an impressive round of 65.

After also making five birdies and three bogeys, he said: "It's been great, felt a little scrappy in places but overall a great day.

"Par-fives have been very good to me, just some delicate hands the last two days. I think I rubbed some 'Spanish hands' off on me. Great chip-in."

Rahm also eagled the fourth, helping him to a two-under-par 69 that also included four birdies and four bogeys.

He said: "It's a little frustrating after such good work yesterday in the heavy winds to not take advantage of the easier conditions today - especially my first 11 holes, barely any wind.

"Everything just felt one or two levels below what I would have liked to feel. There's a couple of moments, making that eagle putt was something that kind of renewed the energy in me, but just a few too many mistakes."

He was alongside compatriot Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Frenchman Julien Guerrier, England's Sam Bairstow and United States Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed on five under.

Two more Spaniards, Adri Arnaus and David Puig, were at four under alongside England's Tommy Fleetwood and American Jimmy Walker.

Fleetwood was desperately unlucky at the ninth, his tee shot hitting the base of the pin on the full only to ricochet more than 50 feet away - from where he three-putted for bogey.

He made just one birdie and one bogey the rest of the way and said: "Started off really well and just turned out to be a bit frustrating. Bad break on nine, if you like. 

"It's not the worst position to be in but after such a hot start, felt like I was playing well, a bit frustrating to not shoot a better score. But that's golf."

Spanish amateur Luis Masaveu made the cut at two under while the round of the day belonged to Japan's Hoshino, with 10 birdies - including six in a row from the 14th to the second holes, and another run of three before a closing bogey at the ninth.

edit... Canadian Aaron Cockerill missed the cut which fell at +2. He shot 70 75 +3

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Cockerill T12, Spaniard Hidalgo leads.. live scoring

 DP World Tour : Spanish Open Leaderboard

Angel Hidalgo delighted the home fans with a -6 65 for a two-shot first-round lead at the 2024 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

On an otherwise tough day of scoring at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the big-hitting Hidalgo demolished the front nine in just 30 strokes and maintained his score despite a late wobble.

His nearest challengers were Julien Guerrier, Sepp Straka and Sam Bairstow after rounds of -4 67, with three-time champion Jon Rahm in the group a further shot back -3 68

"I played really, really good today. It's a long time since I stroked the putts as well as today. Unlucky the last few shots, two bad swings with the irons, but pretty happy and looking forward the next three days.

"I holed an important (par) putt on number six, I think that was the key for the next three birdies - this course has this type of stretch that you can make a few birdies in a row."

"It's different (playing at home), I'm not going to lie. You feel the love, you feel the support. Yeah, it's incredible playing at home, and I wish that we could play more tournaments here."

Guerrier, who tied for sixth at this tournament last year, had set the earlier target with a battling 67 built around an eagle at the seventh and three birdies in four holes after the turn.

Straka went out in 33 with birdies at the fifth, seventh and ninth and responded to two bogeys straight after the turn with three more birdies.

Englishman Bairstow joined the group with a closing birdie, his fourth of the day in a round also featuring an eagle and two bogeys.

Rahm - winner of his home Open in 2018, 2019 and 2022, the latter two at this venue - sandwiched birdies at the fourth, eighth and 13th with bogeys at the third and 16th.

Rahm was alongside compatriot Adri Arnaus and China's Ashun Wu at -3. 

Two more Spaniards, amateur Luis Masaveu and Rahm's Olympic team-mate David Puig, were at two under alongside England's Tommy Fleetwood and Sam Jones of New Zealand.

Defending champion Mathieu Pavon was in a large group at -1 70

edit***  Canadian Aaron Cockerill had a solid T12, -1 70 start to his week

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

The Presidents Cup 5-0 USA isn't over.. here's why.. Friday Matches, live scoring

 Presidents Cup : Scoring// Friday Matches..Scoring

Okay, here is the public sentiment after the USA came out of Thursday 5-0 whitewash.. the Internationals can't recover from it's over.. TV ratings around the world have plummeted... Mike Weir and his Internationals are done before we even get to Friday...

I say not so fast..

Presidents Cup

Here is what Weirsy, Ernie, Camillo, and Trevor are talking to their team about..

* Most all the matches were close, 3 went to the 18th green, and Internationals did not play their best for a myriad of reasons, (like hitting the first fairway !) and most of all  "it cant get worse than 5-0 so that's out of the way."

* a lot went the USA's way today, breaks always even out..

* There are 5 rounds of matches this is only round 1, plenty of time...

* We may not win but you guys are too close and too talented to go down with without a fight and let's see what happens..

* Just play the game that got you here, relax, trust your partner..

* You Canadian guys, your fans love you, put on a show for them...

* You guys have a chance to make an epic comeback, let's all just pull together to get us in with a chance come Sunday. 

* It's not in the interest of the future of this event to have another lopsided score unless its in our favour so let's, go chest out, shoulders back. that's what our Shield is all about..

* don't lose the first hole, play whatever club you know you can hit the fairway with.. not necessarily the driver.

Here are Friday 4somes ( alternate shot )

105pm  Hideki Matsuyama /Sungjae Im vs Patrick Cantlay/ Xander Schauffele

119pm  Sahith Theegala / Collin Morikawa vs Adam Scott / Taylor Pendrith

133pm  Maxx Homa / Brian Harman vs  Jason Day / Christiaan Bezuidenhout 

147pm  Wyndham Clark / Tony Finau vs  Corey Conners / Mac Hughes

201pm  Russell Henley / Scottie Scheffler vs  Ben An / Si Woo Kim

Today will be very interesting and 5-0 does not represent the run of play on Thursday.

Bryan Angus

Thursday 4ball matches announced at Presidents Cup

 Here are the five 4ball matches for Thursday at the Presidents Cup. 

• Scoring

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

1. Jason Day / Ben An vs Xander Schauffele / Tony Finau

2. Adam Scott/ Min woo Lee vs Collin Morikawa / Sahith Theegala

3 Tom Kim / Sungjae Im vs Scottie Scheffler / Russell Henley

4. Taylor Pendrith / Christian Bezuidenhout vs Keegan Bradley / Wyndham Clark

5. Hideki Matsuyama/ Corey Conners vs Patrick Cantlay / Sam Burns

Selection Process

Unlike the Ryder Cup where the pairings are drawn blind the Presidents Cup captains and assistants match wits with each other with alternate selections..

Jim Furyk selected first as defending champion and he deferred so Mike Weir selected first so Furyk picked 2nd and 3rd.. etc

Weir set the tone saying to Jason Day "we believe in you"... Schauffelle and Finau have nothing to prove.. but Day does IMO.. this theme of David vs Goliath will continue this week..

Bryan Angus 

Presidents Cup preview.... Weirsy and his team set to make Canada proud..

 I have read a lot of the prognosis, most of it American, about this year's Presidents Cup about to get underway on the Royal Montreal GC on Friday.

You can get lost in all the past stats, we know USA  has dominated with in a row and 12 of the 14, we know they have great depth and more highly ranked players, are overwhelming favourites, yes its David vs Goliath again...but that's the formula that has fed Europe in the Ryder Cup forever.

Remember for years away back to 1926, the USA were just too good in the Ryder Cup to the point that it's popularity on this side of the pond was waning..

Until a guy named Seve came along in 1979, and Jack Nicklaus suggested GB&I became Europe to get his brilliance into the team, everything began to change.

There was and always will be just one Seve, but this International team is changing their status in this event, they have come very close recently, they are stocked with young guys who don't have scars from the past, and more importantly believe they now can win..

Mike Weir has been part of this event both as a gutsy, clutch player who famously beat Tiger in singles here in Montreal in 2007, and as an assistant coach, along with Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy they are following the blueprint that then captain Ernie Els laid down in 2019 at Royal Melbourne when only a furious comeback in singles resulted in a 16-14 loss under the banner of their new "Shield".

These four have done all they can to set this team up to succeed against all the odds.

A Presidents Cup victory this week by International team captain Mike Weir, left, and his players, including three Canadians, would be only the second since the event began in 1994, The job of U.S. counterpart Jim Furyk, right, is to extend his team's dominance in the event to 10 consecutive victories. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

Weirsy is not only beloved in Canada but more important respected and I mention that because his Canadian picks Mac Hughes, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith have not fared well at all in this venue.

I believe that was then, this is now. Conners and Pendrith in particular are playing well, and I just can't see them not making themselves Weir and this country proud with their performances this week win or lose..

Also this team is loaded with the DNA of young Asian guys that are the real deal led by Tom Kim who can beat anyone on the USA team on any given day. Byeong (Ben)) Hun An, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee from Australia, are all ready and really able to make this weekend happen, they are all established very talented pros in this new world order.

Further, veterans Hideki Matsuyama is in form as is Adam Scott who has found his game again as has Jason Day after two years in the wilderness and I believe he has something to prove.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout from South Africa will be virtually unknown to many Americans and Canadians, but not so in the International world where he has become a star, and importantly a great putter along with Mac Hughes which I believe will become a key to a great performance for this team.

There is a lot of rain in Montreal's forecast for today and Thursday so Royal Montreal will be soft, the rough will be tough, under partly sunny skies to begin the weekend, where there is no precipitation expected.

So, there you have it, my gut just is telling me, this time, here in Canada everything is in place for a famous performance in front of a sold out Canadian crowd and a huge international TV audience.

A little help from Lady Luck would also be appreciated !

They have nothing to lose and everything to gain...

I will bring you the match pairings as soon as they are announced.

Bryan Angus

 

What winning BMW PGA Championship means for Billy Horschel

 DP World Tour : BMW PGA Championship Results

edit ***Now a big time supporter of West Ham in the English Premier league American Billy Horschel who lives in Florida, engraced himself further amongst the British public, with his 2nd victory at the DP World Tour flagship event at Wentworth, the BMW PGA Championship.

• 
  

His playoff win over Rory McIIlroy and South African Thirston Lawrence was a proper golf tournament, on a historic albeit soft course. Great play by great players, with drama and excitement right until the last putt. Rory and Billy embraced in true gentlemanly fashion, and were gracious in victory and defeat. 

Here are the results for Horschel.

• His third DP World Tour title in his 82nd appearance and his first since his 2021 BMW PGA Championship victory, three years and ten days ago

• Just the third win for a player from the United States at the BMW PGA Championship following his own victory and Arnold Palmer in 1975, when the event was played at Royal St George’s Golf Club

• The first American to win a Rolex Series title with his victory at Wentworth in 2021

• Move up to third on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex on 2,480 points, up from 22nd

• Rises to 17th on the Official World Golf Ranking, up from 24th

• His third top ten in the 2024 DP World Tour season after he finished tied second at The Open and tied eighth at the US PGA Championship

• He has eight PGA TOUR victories, most recently at the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship, and won the FedEx Cup in 2014

• The seventh win for an American player on the 2024 Race to Dubai following Xander Schauffele (The Open, US PGA Championship), Nick Dunlap (Barracuda Championship), Bryson DeChambeau (U.S. Open), Scottie Scheffler (The Masters) and Jordan Gumberg (SDC Championship)

• The 268th win by a player from the United States on the DP World Tour

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

 

Good guy Horschel wins BMM PGA Championship in a playoff.. Final results..

 DP World TOUR : BMW PGA Championship : Results

Billy Horschel lifted the BMW PGA Championship for the second time in his career after seeing off Thriston Lawrence and Rory McIlroy in a thrilling play-off at Wentworth Club.

The World Number 24 had been a picture of consistency at Virginia Water, which included a career-best seven straight birdies during Moving Day, and carded four rounds in the 60s.

The American, who nearly holed out his third shot at the par-five last, ended with a birdie-birdie finish to climb alongside the leading pair at 20 under before the trio returned to the 18th hole for the play-off.

Lawrence blinked first after a wayward tee-shot and then found the fairway bunker and water to be the first to be eliminated as McIlroy and Horschel calmly rolled in birdies to force a second extra hole.

The rivals could not be separated as they both found the green in two before McIlroy narrowly slid by his eagle effort.

However, Horschel only needed one putt for a stunning eagle to win this Rolex Series event for the second time in four years.

"I mean I'm thrilled, excited for the way I played," the 37-year-old said. "It was a battle out there today and at the same time a little bit disappointed, Rory is a good friend of mine and I think the world of him.

"I think he's a generational talent and I know how close he's been this year so I can feel for him, but at the same time I'm pretty excited for being able to get it done today.

"I had to have a little bit of luck. After the bogey at 15, I knew I was a little behind the eight ball. Thriston didn't birdie the last two par fives so it gave us an opening.

"Listen, Rory could have easily birdied the last hole, he was in prime position to. So a lot of luck on my side to get this victory today.

"I grind my butt off, I always do and always will. I got at every shot, I ground it out and did that today. I hit some really good shots out there and made some really good putts, that's what you have to do when you aren't firing on all cylinders.

"I do enjoy coming over here," added Horschel. "I do enjoy all parts of the U.K. I do fancy London, especially Surrey. I've made some great friends over here that I hang out with and spend time with.

"As I've told people over the years, it wouldn't shock me if somewhere down the road I do buy a little place over here and spend some time over here in the summer when my kids are grown up and out of the house."

edit *** Canada's Aaron Cockerill finished his week T35 70 67 71 71 -9 worth 57,500 euros ($87,030 cdn) now ranked 38th in the Race to Dubai.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus

Sunday morning in the rain at BMW PGA Championship... Live scoring

 DP World Tour : BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard

Play is underway in the rain at Wentworth, for the final day of this BMW PGA Championship. Rain is in the forecast on and off all day but the wind early on is just 4-8mph.

The final pairing at 1205 GMT

Matteo Manassero -18, Rory McIlroy -15 Billy Horschel -15

Canadian

1050 GMT  Aaron Cockerill -8  Paddy Harrington -8 Niklas Norgaard -8

Follow all the action by clicking Leaderboard

Bryan Angus

Will it be Rory and Billy on Sunday at BMW PGA Championship... TEE TIMES

 DP World Tour: BMW PGA Championship.. Leaderboard

Former champions Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel are gunning for more Wentworth glory as they look to overhaul leader Matteo Manassero in the final round of the BMW PGA Championship.

McIlroy has not lifted the trophy at the Rolex Series event in ten years, while American Horschel was the winner at Wentworth Club in 2021.

Both surged into contention in a high-class three-ball which included the leading Italian on Moving Day in Virginia Water.

The Northern Irishman was flawless in his 66 after kickstarting his round with an eagle at the fourth before adding another four birdies to sit three adrift of Manassero, who was blemish-free in his 63 to set the lowest 54-hole score in the tournament's history at 18 under.

"It's exciting. I'm looking forward to tomorrow," McIlroy said. "Matteo and I played in the final round together in Scotland, played in the final round together last week in Ireland and looks like we are going to do it again this week.

"Obviously it's good to see him back playing the golf that he is and where he's supposed to be, so it's going to be an exciting day.

"I don't have to come from -7 tomorrow, just three. It's still a tough task, especially with how good he's playing. But if I get off to a fast start, it's game on.

"Since I won here in 2014, I've had a few good chances I've let slip by. Yeah, given myself another chance to win this championship. I'm basically a resident at Wentworth now. Building a house here, too. I love it here. It would be amazing to get my name on the trophy again.

"It's amazing. The crowds have been absolutely incredible. I remember being 11, 12 and coming here at The World Match Play and following all my heroes at the time.

Horschel was also at -15  courtesy of a career-best seven successive birdies from the eighth to catapult him into contention.

That birdie blitz was bookended with bogeys, but the World Number 24 picked up another two shots for a round of 65.

"The hole looked like the size of the Atlantic Ocean," Horschel said. "I made some long putts, and had some close ones, as well. It was pretty special.

"After my bogey on number seven, I got started. We were all feeding off each other. Rory could easily have shot two or three better. He hit some putts there at the end that could easily have gone in.

"But yeah, really good round of golf with two really good guys and looks like we're going to be grouped together again tomorrow.

"I look back all the time (at his victory in 2021), especially when I start coming over here. Tonight I'll reminisce a little bit. But I know it's going to be a shoot-out tomorrow.

"I don't know how bad the weather is going to be but the leaderboard is tight. No one is running away with it. So you have to come out and play some really good golf to try to hoist this trophy again."

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Magnificent Manassero 63 leads by three at BMW PGA Championship.....54 hole results

 DP World Tour : BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard

Wentworth GC was very gettable today at this version of the BMW PGA Championship, where low scoring was the story on moving day. Rain early in the day softened this historic course, making it soft but also long.

Italian Matteo Manassero emerged as the best of the bunch with his bogey free -9 63 -18 where he birdied 6 of his last 8 holes to pull away from the pack in what he called "one of the best rounds I have ever played" 

His playing partners were producing sensational scoring themselves.

Rory was near his best, bogey free -6 66, he found water at the last after going for the green in two, but managed to get up and down to T2 -15 with Billy Horschel who made an incredible 7 straight birdies in holes between the 8th and 14th for -7 65 -15.

Overnight leader Matthew Baldwin is 4th -14 after 71 today, while Frenchman, Antoine Rozner 69 and South African Thriston Lawrence 65 are T5 -13.

Canadian Aaron Cockerill was treading water with his -1 71 to head into Sunday at -8 T21 70 67 71, ten shots of the lead.

Weather : There is rain in the forecast overnight and right through Sunday listed as heavy at times so expect more of the same tomorrow. 

For complete results and Sunday tee times click Leaderboard

Bryan Angus

After 36 holes journeyman Matthew Baldwin leads by 2....Big boys lurking..Live Scoring..

 DP World Tour : BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard

Matthew Baldwin consolidated his strong start with a brilliant -6 66 to sit two shots clear after the second day of the weather-affected BMW PGA Championship.

The Englishman was one of two players - the other was Frenchman Jeong weon Ko - to keep a clean card during Thursday's opening round of 65 to top the leaderboard and he continued his fine form on Friday.

Matthew Baldwin is bidding to become the first English winner of the BMW PGA Championship since Tyrrell Hatton in 2020

He rolled in six birdies and just one bogey - his only dropped shot of the tournament so far - through 16 holes before the threat of lightning suspended play after he had teed off at the penultimate hole.

But not even a delay of an hour and 17 minutes could distract the 38-year-old as he immediately added another gain at the 17th to set the clubhouse target of 13 under, which equalled the tournament record set by Paul McGinley in 2008.

Niklas Nørgaard, who won his maiden DP World Tour title at the Betfred British Masters earlier this month, carded an eagle, four birdies and a bogey to reach 11 under and become the closest challenger.

"Incredibly pleased. Incredibly proud of how I've played so far," Baldwin said. "There's a long way to go. Keep doing the same things, should be a good week.

"Just playing sensible golf, really, I guess. I'm trying not to hit it too close, which obviously then forces you, sometimes you can get short-sided and things like that.

"I think my putting has been very good. Mentally I've been very good. I have a tendency to get in my own way. So I allowed myself to hit good golf shots and good putts and things like that has been great."

"I learned a lot from that. I learned that there are other things that I could do in life, but I also learned that I really wanted to play golf."

Nørgaard was flawless on the front nine with birdies at the first, fifth and sixth before he produced a stunning approach at the par-five 12th to six feet for an eagle to become Baldwin's closest rival.

A bogey followed at the 14th, but he got on the par-five last in two for a tap-in birdie to sit two shots adrift of the leading Englishman.

Frenchman Antoine Rozner birdied six of the last seven holes, including five in a row to finish his round, to catapult himself into third at ten under following his 65.

Rory McIlroy was one shot back alongside Italian Matteo Manassero, Horschel was in sixth at eight under, while Canada's Aaron Cockerill, Scot Robert MacIntyre, Germany's Yannik Paul and English trio Tommy Fleetwood, Harry Hall and Oliver Wilson remained in contention at -7

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)