Harrington vies for history, leads British Senior Open ... 54 hole results, Sunday TEE TIMES

 R&A : ISPS HANDA Senior Open : Leaderboard Tee Times

With scores of 67 65 65 -13 Paddy Harrington holds a slender lead over a tightly bunched pack at this British Senior Open (sponsor ISPS HANDA).

He is trying to join an elite group who have won both the Open Championship and the British Senior Opens. Gary Player, Bob Charles, Darren Clarke and Tom Watson are the only 4 players to win both.

Justin Leonard 2nd 69 65 65 -11 and Thomas Bjorn 3rd 70 63 67 -10 are followed by a pack of 4 on -8 playing in ideal conditions on the Old Course at Sunningdale GC.

Canada's Stephen Ames is well back T50 6 72 70 +1

more to follow...

Bryan Angus

Svensson slumps T32 at 3M Open... Saturday scoreboard, TEE TIMES

  PGA Tour : 3M Open Tee Times Leaderboard

There is good news and bad news for the Canadian contingent at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities after 36 holes in Minnesota.

Good news: all 5 have made the cut which fell at -5.

Ben Silverman T32 66 69 -7

Mac Hughes T58 66 71 -5

Taylor Pendrith T58 68 69 -5

Adam Hadwin T58 66 71 -5

**** Pendrith /Hadwin are paired together 1st 7.43am edt.

Bad news : Adam Svensson as is so often the case, couldn't capitalize on his opening 60.

Adam Svensson T32 60 75 -7

Leaders :

Thorbjorn Olesen 1st 62 66 -14

Jake Knapp 2nd 64 65 -13

Pierceson Coody T3 65 65 -12

Sam Stevens T3 62 68 -12

Bryan Angus

Harrington leads after 36 holes, British Senior Open... Live scoreboard, TEE TIMES

 R&A : ISPS HANDA Senior British Open : Leaderboard Tee Times

Pádraig Harrington capped a bogey-free second round of 65 with a closing birdie to snatch a one-shot lead at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.

The Irishman made five birdies in a flawless performance over the Old Course at Sunningdale to hit the front at -8, with defending champion KJ Choi and Thomas Bjørn just behind him -7.

Choi, who is bidding to become the first player to win back-to-back Senior Open titles in 25 years, had appeared set to lead the way at the halfway stage when he reached -9 through 14 holes but he made back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th.

On a day of largely glorious sunshine, Bjørn – a fellow former Ryder Cup Captain – had earlier set the clubhouse target with a brilliant 63 that featured an eagle and seven birdies.

Justin Leonard surged into contention with a 65 to sit alongside Ernie Els, Ricardo Gonzalez and Cameron Percy in a tie for fourth at -6.

Harrington, who began the day four shots adrift of the overnight lead, opened with a birdie before a further gain at the ninth saw him hit the turn in 33.

He birdied the 11th to reach -6, and then quickly overcame the disappointment of a three-putt at the par five 14th to birdie the long par-three 15th, before adding a final flourish on the 18th green.

"I rode my luck a lot today," said Harrington, who is bidding to emulate Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke as just the fifth player win both the Open Championship and Senior Open.

"Got my head in the game. Did a lot of good stuff mentally. Short game was sharp."

For much of the afternoon, Choi, who won at Carnoustie 12 months ago, appeared in complete control as he made three birdies over his opening six holes.

However, an errant tee shot in a fairway bunker resulted in a dropped shot at the 16th and he three-putted the 17th to drop back to -7 before he showed a touch of class to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the last to save par.

edit>>>>> Canada's Stephen Ames made the +2 cut, 69 72 +1 while CPGA playing professional Gordon Burns MC 70 74. 

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Bjorn 63, charges into lead British Senior Open... live scoreboard

 R&A : ISPS HANDA Senior Open Leaderboard Tee Times

Thomas Bjørn used his day one disappointment to his advantage as he fired a stunning round of 63 to put himself right in contention for a maiden Senior Major title heading into the weekend at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.

Thomas Bjorn has played against some of the greatest names in modern golf history, including 15-time Major Winner Tiger Woods

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Dane was on track for an excellent opening round before he bogeyed the 15th and made a double on the last to card a level par 70.

He admits he stewed on that disappointment all night but he was able to channel his anger into four birdies in his opening five holes of round two, going on to match the lowest round of the week so far.

"I was just very angry yesterday when I got home," he said. "I woke up at about 2:00 in the morning still angry from my finish yesterday, three over for the last four.

"I just got out here in that mode of I know I played well yesterday and I was hitting the ball well. I knew I was playing well but I was just angry. Just angry.

"I wanted to get off to a start and hit a great shot on two, which it's not like a given birdie, and then I hit some good shots from there

"The first 12 holes was just an absolute joy and then I hit a ropey drive on 14 and when I go after one hard I normally miss right and I missed this one left, so I got a little bit confused on what was going on.

"This golf course has those short par fours, three, nine and 11, but you've got to hit some really, really good tee shots to get them in position around the green.

"I got it in position on nine and 11 today and took advantage of it."

"Thank God I holed that putt on the last. It helped."

Edit >>> Round 2 is still wrapping up. Canada's Stephen Ames has made the +1 cut 69 72. Gordon Burns the playing professional M/C 70 74.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus ((edit)

Record setting Adam Svensson leads 3M Open ... Live scoreboard..

 PGA Tour : 3M Open Tee Times Leaderboard

For someone who covers our Canadians every day, news that Adam Svensson went out and tied the TPC Twin Cities course record -11 60 to take a 2 shot lead after 18 holes at this year's 3M Open was a very pleasant surprise. It is the lowest round in the tournament's 7 year history.

His only PGA Tour win was in 2022, the RSM Classic. In 21 starts this year he has missed 11 cuts, had 1 T25 finish as he fights to keep his card. 

" I had a great warm up on the range today, made a whole lot of putts, a bunch of breakers. This was probably the best putting round I have ever had". 

His 60 was the 2nd lowest round on Tour this year, Jake Knapp shot a 59 in Palm Beach last February.

Adam (Svenny!) is ranked #234 owgr and Fed Ex Cup #70 which would get him in the playoffs. 

This is why these guys keep showing up every week, they all are looking for that break through that will transform there lives, fuel up their confidence, give them and their family security. 

His fellow countryman Ben Silverman is in the same boat #216 owgr, #151 Fed Ex Cup.

Both are staring Q school and the Korn Ferry Tour right in the face, a route they have gone before, and without saying, would like to avoid again.

Ben Silverman T18 -5 66

Adam Hadwin T18 -5 66

Mac Hughes T18 -5 66

Taylor Pendrith T53 -3 68

***** One of the hottest property's in golf right now Chris Gotterup T4 -8 63 !

Bryan Angus

British Senior Open: Ames T16, Alker leads... Live scoreboard, TEE TIMES..

 R&A : British Senior Open : Leaderboard Tee Times

Steven Alker continued his excellent record at this year’s senior majors as he set the early pace on the opening day of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale.

Steven Alker has two top-five finishes at the Senior Open

The New Zealander, who has a runner-up finish and two further T10's in the four prior prestige events in the 50 and over ranks this season, holds a one-shot lead after carding a -7 63.

Australia’s Mark Hensby, a fellow starter in the morning wave, is his nearest challenger after he had initially set the clubhouse target with a -6 64 that featured five birdies over the opening five holes.

Defending champion KJ Choi of South Korea, who is experiencing the challenge posed by the historic Old Course at Sunningdale for the first time, is in a T3 at -4 alongside American Joe Durant, with wet and cool conditions making scoring tougher for the afternoon groups.

Alker, who turns 54 on Monday, is bidding to win his second Senior major title, three years on from his first at the Senior PGA Championship.

He mixed three birdies with a bogey over the front nine, before producing a flawless back nine that featured three further birdies and an eagle at the par five 13th.

"I was just efficient today," he said.

"Drove it in the fairway when I needed to and iron play was solid and just made some putts, especially on the back nine, just kind of kept things rolling.

Alker, who won his first Legends Tour title in Mexico last year, is making his first competitive appearance at this week's venue since competing in a boys amateur championship in 1988.

"I remember walking around here on Monday and I recognized about five holes, he said. but I just love the walk. I knew I was coming to a special place with some good vibes. So it's been a long time but it has not changed much at all."

Hensby flew out of the blocks on Thursday and was six under at the turn. Of the latter starters, Ernie Els and Miguel Ángel Jiménez, who produced his trademark jig of delight after a hole-out eagle at the third, were among a big group to finish the day at -3 alongside Pádraig Harrington, Retief Goosen and Arjun Atwal among others.

"I was with a good group," said Els, who played alongside Jiménez and Angel Cabrera. The guys were scrambling and grinding, so it kind of kept everybody going. I've got to be satisfied with a three under first round, you know.  I'm not out of it. Try and move tomorrow."

edit>>> Canada's Stephen Ames opened with a -1 69 T16 while Canadian Golf Professional of the Year 2024, Gordon Burns was T43 E 70. 

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus

Five Canadians in Minnesota for 3M Open...TEE TIMES/Leaderboard

 PGA Tour : 3M Open Tee Times Leaderboard

While the crews are recovering the grandstands and tented city, picking up all the litter at Royal Portrush, the world's male pros have scattered out of Shannon, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, each with their story to tell, each with their goals for 2025 reset.

Most of the big boys have stashed their bags, gone on holiday until the Fed Ex Cup playoffs on the PGA Tour and the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour with places in Ryder Cup teams also front of mind.

Can you name the 6 tours that were in action last week besides the PGA/DP World at the Open ?..... Korn Ferry, HotelPlanner, CLUTCH, FGA, all Thailand, and Tartan Tour...

So with plenty to play for now that the majors have been settled, Rory the Masters & Grand Slam,  Scheffler the PGA & Open Championship and JJ Spaun the US Open, the rank and file have gathered in Blaine Minnesota for the annual 3M Championship on TPC Twin Cities, the penultimate venue before the PGA Tour playoffs.

Canadians

Corey Conners has a superb fortnight in the UK culminating in a 66 66 T10 weekend, this is his best season, now comfortably placed #24 owgr, he is off this week.

Taylor Pendrith was ranked #48 in 2024, is now #37 owgr. He is playing this week.

Mac Hughes lost in a playoff in Texas back in early March, since then he hasn't been doing himself any favours, he was owgr #56, as high as #50 in 2024, he is now down to #60, hanging to qualify for the playoffs where the top 70 qualify but then cut to 50 and 30, and then there are all the top 50 perks. That's why he is in the field this week

Adam Hadwin is falling like a stone. Owgr #59 in 2024 he is now #144, seemingly lost in those spirals of struggling to make cuts. He is here to make one this week. 

Ben Silverman, Adam Svensson are getting my ironmen award, showing up every week possible to try and get their PGA Tour cards for 2026, a long shot for both. They are here this week.

Chris Gotterup is about to start enjoying the fruits of his past fortnight 1st at Scottish Open T3 Open Championship he was  owgr #191 in 2024. Two weeks ago #49, this week a heady #27 with a whole new calendar in front of him including the PGA Tour playoffs, a possible captain's Ryder Cup pick, the Race to Dubai, and the entire 2026 season including the Masters. He is rewarded with the top pairing today with Wyndham Clark and Adam Scott.

* For live scoring and tee times click on my links above..

Bryan Angus

British (ISPS Handa) Senior Open, Thursday TEE TIMES

 R&A : British Senior Open Tee Times

It's not the Open, now in the books after a remarkable week in N.I at Royal Portrush, but all the guys in this week's British Senior Open had their days on the big tour, and are now gathered at another of Britain's iconic courses, Sunningdale GC, a parkland gem just 30 miles SW of London founded in 1900.

This year one of the DP World Tour's strongest partners, ISPS HANDA has become the main sponsor. International Sports Promotion Society was founded by Japanese philanthropist Haruhisa Handa 30 years ago. His belief is that sport has the power to inspire, transform and unite people and communities across social, racial and socio-economic barriers.

You will know most of the 148 players, who include the leading players this year from the senior circuit, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paddy Harrington, Steve Alker, Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer to name a few.

Two Canadians, Stephen Ames, and Gordon Burns who T1 68 68, in the Monday qualifier are in the field. 

He was awarded the George Knudson's PGA of Canada teacher of the year award in 2024 and also won Player of the Year. He is from Holland Landing near Bradford in Ontario. 

Bryan Angus

Ryder Cup heading back to Spain !

 

THE 2031 RYDER CUP TO BE PLAYED AT CAMIRAL
IN COSTA BRAVA, NEAR BARCELONA, SPAIN

The Ryder Cup will return to Spain in 2031 when Camiral in Costa Brava, near Barcelona, hosts the biennial contest between Europe and the United States for the first time.

Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, president of the Consejo Superior de Deportes, said: “The Government of Spain welcomes the selection of Camiral as the host venue for the 2031 Ryder Cup — a global sporting event that will showcase our country to millions of viewers around the world.

 
Camiral will follow Bethpage Black in New York (2025), Adare Manor in Ireland (2027) and Hazeltine National in Minnesota (2029) as the venue for golf’s greatest team contest.
 
It will be the second time Spain has hosted the Ryder Cup, 34 years after the legendary Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to victory at Valderrama in 1997, becoming the first country in Continental Europe to host more than one Ryder Cup. That honour recognizes the hugely significant contribution that Spanish golf has played in the history of the Ryder Cup, with 11 Spaniards having represented Team Europe, the joint second highest of any European country after England.
 
The stunning Costa Brava and Barcelona will provide the backdrop for the 2031 Ryder Cup, welcoming international visitors from across the world to a region renowned for its breathtaking coastline, world-class hospitality and vibrant cultural heritage.

Costa Brava and Barcelona have a rich legacy of hosting major international sporting events, including the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the F1 Spanish Grand Prix, the MotoGP Catalunya, and Champions League and La Liga football at Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona.

As part of the agreement for the region to host the Ryder Cup in six years time, Estrella Damm, the brewing company founded in Barcelona in 1876, will become the Official Beer of the 2031 Ryder Cup. 

Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive of the European Tour Group, said: “Today’s announcement not only recognizes Camiral as one of Europe’s leading venues, but also the considerable contribution Spanish golf has made to the proud history of the Ryder Cup.

“The Ryder Cup has grown significantly since Spain last hosted it in 1997. It is one of the world’s leading sporting events, which brings significant economic benefits and global exposure to a host region and country, so we could not be happier to be taking it to Costa Brava and Barcelona for the first time, and to Spain for the second time

Spanish players have been part of some notable European Ryder Cup successes since 1979, with Sergio Garcia the all-time record points scorer from either side with 28½ points from his ten appearances.
 
The partnership between Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazábal is also the most successful of all time, the legendary pair having won 12 points together for Team Europe, and like Ballesteros in 1997, Olazábal also captained Europe to an iconic victory, masterminding the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012.

Ballesteros and fellow countryman Antonio Garrido were the first players from Continental Europe to represent Europe in the contest in 1979 at The Greenbrier, and were later joined in Team Europe by José María Cañizares, Manuel Piñero and José Rivero. Subsequently, Olazábal and Antonio's son Ignacio were part of the winning team captained by Ballesteros at Valderrama 18 years later, along with vice-captain Miguel Angel Jiménez, who went on to play in four Ryder Cups.
 
More recently, Rafa Cabrera Bello was part of the European Team in 2016 and Jon Rahm has featured in the last three Ryder Cups, including the home victories in Paris in 2018 and in Rome two years ago. Both players formed successful partnerships with Garcia in 2016 and 2021 respectively.

Camiral, ranked Spain’s number one golf and wellness resort, opened in 1999 and was acquired by Irish businessman Denis O’Brien in 2008. It has previously hosted the DP World Tour’s Open de España on three occasions, in 2000, 2009 and 2014.

Camiral, a Quinta do Lago Resort, is located just five minutes from Girona-Costa Brava Airport and one hour from Barcelona in north-eastern Spain. 

europeantour.com Press Release

Bryan Angus (edit)

Final thoughts from 153rd Open Championship.. additional edit***

    R&A...153rd Open Championship.. Tee Times Leaderboard

Its the dreaded morning after for many of us not related to the Scheffler family, while I have attended 15 Open's and volunteered and broadcast over 20 Canadian Opens, this week was from home, up at 3am, listening to much on the Open radio feed off my computer.

Some final thoughts...

* Wouldn't you know it has been raining steadily in Belfast all day today and will be until Wednesday ! Mother Nature certainly smiled on the last 2 weeks at both the Scottish Open and the Open Championship.

* In 2019 Shane Lowry's 6 shot win was anticlimactic but was celebrated across the Emerald Isle for a week after his historic walk up the 18th. This year Scott Scheffler had his A game and won by 4 shots, but the triumphant walk up the 18th happened 10 minutes before when the home crowd, many in tears welcomed Rory, their favourite son.

To say Scheffler spoiled a perfectly good Irish afternoon at Portrush may be true to many, but is unfair as his performance particularly over the weekend was simply better in all aspects of his game than the other 155, and that was reflected in praise from his peers postgame. 

He has 3 majors before 30, will, barring injury, likely join Rory as a Grand Slam winner.

Personally I see Scheffler as a brilliant golfer wonderful to watch his golfing skills, but boring to watch as an entertainer. That's is just his personality, and please stop the Tiger comparison's.

If you didn't hear the Jordan Spieth interview re Scheffler, I'll paraphrase. "He has no interest in being a super star, no interest in being world #1, he just wants to play, then get away from it all. He doesn't take it to the non golfing world like Tiger. He doesn't want to take it home with him. He doesn't do any of the things we all do, corporate outings wise, he has his hobbies, like he is always with his family. He is unlike any star player in any sport of our era in that sense, He is just different that way."

As the world #1 golfer you do have some responsibility to entertain the masses, smile, talk to the crowd, embrace them with a joke, a smile, a reaction, an acknowledgement for goodness sake. Lee Trevino, Tiger, Arnie, Gary all had charisma, "Arnie's Army"... Scottie sadly has none in my opinion.

* Corey Conners had an outstanding week especially the weekend. He made the cut just on the number, was first out on Saturday morning with Matty Schmidt and shot -5 66 and backed that up on Sunday to finish T10 -9 

* I wish I had stock in Chris Gotterup who had no thoughts about playing the Open, until the big lad from New Jersey, unknown in the UK, but a Haskin Award winner as the best collegiate golfer in America, a graduate from the Korn Ferry Tour, a winner of the alternate Myrtle Beach Championship with a 5 time New Jersey amateur champion for a father, arrived in North Berwick, beat Rory to win the Genesis Scottish Open, then compound matters by finishing 3rd at the Open !!. What a revelation !

* Bryson DeChambeau opened with a 78, came on TV said "I just want to go home" Fast forward 3 days 65 68 64 -9 T10 he was all bubbly Bryson again, still all wrapped up in himself, still immature but slowly growing up. Ryder Cup ??

* Brian Harmon was in the lead after 36 holes 69 65 until a Saturday 73 ended his chances.  Yes, he won the Open in 2023 ! He is 5'7" 150 pounds, with a popgun for a driver comparatively speaking but he proves on links courses where the ball runs forever, where you are accurate off the tee and with your irons, and you can putt, you have a formula to be a champion. 

* 3 of 4 Canadians missed the +1 cut, Hughes, Taylor, Pendrith, however they were not alone. Morikawa, Scott, Day, Koepka, Harrington, Fox amongst other well knowns went home early.

* old guard Garcia, Westwood, Mickelson, DJ, Oosthuizen, Clarke, Stenson all once were Headliners, all retired to life on LIV with lovely expensive pension plans in the hundreds of millions of dollars from some unfiltered Saudi princes.

* Royal Portrush never received the wind links courses rely on and when the ugly Sunday forecast didn't arrive until Monday she was defenseless. Mid and low 60's were the norm, when once a beloved Irish legend Christie O'Connor, looking out the clubhouse window at the driving rain on opening day said " give me 2 over par right now and we'll just sit here and drink until Sunday!" 

Bryan Angus

Rory's legendary return to Portrush...looking forward to Ryder Cup..

 Rory McIlroy hailed an "awesome week" after finishing in a share of seventh on home soil in the 153rd Open.

The World Number Two went out in the penultimate group during the final round at Royal Portrush, the course situated only an hour from where he grew up in Holywood.

However, Scottie Scheffler proved his new credentials of Champion Golfer of the Year by claiming his maiden Open Championship by four shots.

A double bogey at the tenth derailed any slim hopes of pushing Scheffler as McIlroy signed for a final round of 69 to sit alongside Robert MacIntyre and Xander Schauffele at ten under, seven adrift of the World Number One.

Despite being unable to challenge for the title, McIlroy is desperate to return to County Antrim for another tilt in the future.

"I tried as best as I could to keep my emotions in check, especially walking up the last there and that reception," the five-time Major Champion said.

"It's been an awesome week. I've gotten everything I wanted out of this week apart from a Claret Jug and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us.

"I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this, I get to do this in front of this crowd.

"Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R&A decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am.

"It's just been incredible to come back here and to play and at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. Just an awesome week.

"Honestly, I think Portrush has quickly turned into one of the best two or three venues that The Open goes to.

"I'm not sure Portrush is going to have The Open every six years, that would be nice, but I would obviously love it to keep coming back."

McIlroy has relished his return to form since arriving back in the United Kingdom - finishing second in last week's Genesis Scottish Open before his top ten finish here - but he is looking forward to bigger targets ahead.

"I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset," he added. "All I can do is focus on myself and try to play the best golf that I can. I know that, when I do that, I'll have my weeks where I'll contend and hopefully win.

"I feel like I'm getting back to where I want to be and we've still got a lot of golf left this year, with obviously Ryder Cup being the big one in there in September.

"I don't want to play too much leading up to that because I want to be fresh. So I'm looking forward to a few weeks off here.

"I'll reflect on what's been already a good year and start to get myself ready for that run up to the Ryder Cup."

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Scheffler caps another grand week at Royal Portrush...

 World Number One Scottie Scheffler strolled to a four-shot victory to secure the 153rd Open title. Leaderboard

The 29-year-old held a four-shot advantage heading into the final round at Royal Portrush, but he showed nerves of steel with a closing 68 to seal his first Open Championship.

He carded six birdies and a double bogey to finish with a -17 total, and briefly led by eight shots at one point, as the chasing pack failed to challenge against the newly-crowned Champion Golfer of the Year.

Americans dominated the top of the leaderboard as Harris English proved to be Scheffler's closest rival at -13 under, with Chris Gotterup backing up last week's Genesis Scottish Open win in solo third -12.

Scheffler's triumph means he has now secured three of the four Major Championships, with only the U.S. Open eluding him from completing the career Grand Slam, and fourth overall.

"It's a very special feeling. It takes a lot of work to get to this point in my career," Scheffler said.

"This was a tough week. It was challenging. The golf course was playing really tough and I had to focus very hard over the course of the weekend.

"Being able to walk up 18 with the tournament in hand is a really tough thing to describe. It's a really cool feeling. I have a lot of gratitude towards being able to accomplish something like this.

"It's a high level of focus over 72 holes of a tournament. This was, I felt like, one of my best performances mentally."

Despite parring his way home, Scheffler became only the second player since James Braid in 1908 to win each of their first four Major Championships by three of more shots.

English carded an eagle, four birdies and a dropped shot in his 66 for solo second, while Gotterup continued his meteoric rise with a closing 67 to finish in third at -12

Wyndham Clark, who won the 2023 U.S. Open, climbed up to fourth after a final-round 65 and was joined by Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick and Li at -11.

Home favourite Rory McIlroy sat alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Robert MacIntyre and defending champion Xander Schauffele one shot further back in a share of seventh -10.

edit >>> Canada's Corey Conners had a sensational weekend 66 66 to finish a very credible T10 -9.  

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Sunday at the OPEN : Scheffler in command, Rory still the Story, TEE TIMES, Live scoring

   R&A...153rd Open Championship.. Tee Times Leaderboard

WEATHER : Some fine weather forecast for the final day of the 153rd Open. While there is a small chance of some drizzly showers in the morning, conditions are expected to stay dry and bright in the main, some clouds are expected to move in as we move towards evening.

Light winds for the most part, gusting to 15mph NNE later in the day. High 21*c.

World Number One Scottie Scheffler sits in pole position to claim his first Open Championship title after stretching his lead at Royal Portrush to four shots with a flawless third-round 67.

Scheffler, who won his third Major crown at the US PGA Championship in May, went into the day with a slender one-stroke advantage before being caught at the summit after opening his round with six straight pars.

But he regained the outright lead in style with an eagle on the seventh and never surrendered it again as birdies at the eighth and 16th moved him to -14

Chinese star Haotong Li was his nearest challenger on -10 after mixing four birdies with two bogeys in his 69, with Matt Fitzpatrick another shot back in solo third -9.

Home hero Rory McIlroy was among the group on -8 following a stunning 66 which featured one of the shots of the day - a monster eagle putt on the 12th which sparked wild celebrations from his adoring fans, he hailed it "one of the coolest moments I've ever had on a golf course"

Sitting seven shots off the lead at the halfway stage, Northern Irishman McIlroy needed to get off to a strong start at Royal Portrush on Saturday and he did just that, carding three birdies in his first four holes.

McIlroy, who birdied the 15th to head into Sunday on -8 enjoyed his magic moment on the 12th green, saying: "It's absolutely incredible out there, the atmosphere has been electric all day.

"Just an absolute pleasure to play in front of my home crowd, my fans and I'm really just trying to hang in there and stay in it.

"Obviously the leaders are still a few shots in front but I played well enough today to at least feel like I have a chance going into tomorrow."

He added: "Scottie Scheffler, he's inevitable. Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's become a complete player. He's so good around the greens, he's improved so much with his putter. It's going to be tough to catch him tomorrow if he keeps playing the way he does.

"But if I can get out tomorrow and get off to a similar start to what I did today and get the crowd going, hopefully he feels that a couple of groups behind me and you never know.

"I just need to go out and play another really good round of golf tomorrow and we'll see what happens."

Scheffler has a great opportunity to add the third leg to his career Grand Slam quest on Sunday, having won the US PGA Championship and the Masters Tournament twice he takes a commanding four-stroke lead into the final round.

He said: "I like being out here competing. This is why we work so hard, it's to have opportunities like this, and I'm excited for the challenge of tomorrow.

"Winning Major Championships is not an easy task, and I've put myself in a good position.

"Going into tomorrow I'm going to step up there on the first tee and I'm going to be trying to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I'm going to be trying to get that ball on the green.

"There's not really too much else going on."

edit **** Canada's Corey Conners had one of the rounds of the day, finished off with a long birdie putt on the 18th -5 66 T22 -4. He will play with veteran Englishman Lee Westwood in the final round

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Day 3 the Open Championship: Weather, storylines..

  R&A...153rd Open Championship.. Tee Times Leaderboard

* WEATHER : Low cloud and patchy drizzle will quickly clear to make way for brighter conditions in the afternoon. Dry conditions will prevail into the evening with little chance for rain heading into Sunday. Wind SSE gusting to 20mph, high 22*c

* RAIN is in the Sunday forecast : a greater chance of wet conditions, with showers of rain, heavier at times possibly through the middle of the day NNE winds gusting to 17mph, high 20*c

* Corey Conners 74 69 +1 and German Matt Schmidt were the first pairing out this morning as the field plays in reverse order of the standings after the cut fell at +1.

Corey was the only Canadian to make the cut. Mac Hughes, Nick Taylor, Taylor Pendrith all flew out earlier than they hoped. 

* Scheffler 64 -10 and Matt Fitzpatrick 66 -8 are in the final pairing. Both caught a break in the weather forecast playing late. The heavy rains never came, the wind died down, Portrush played at it's easiest so far. 

* Rory battled again all day, drove it better, 12 pars, 4 birdies, 2 bogeys 70 69 -3. He spoke afterwards how proud he is to be "playing as a Grand Slam champion with the nation right at his back". He will need to go on a run this weekend, especially today to make all their dreams come true. 

* Shane Lowry 70 72 E just made the cut, he had his moment here in 2019 ! What a stunning mural of him with the claret jug are a reminder on the side of a local house.

* Brian Harman, all 5'7'' of him, knows how to get the best out of his game to play links golf, and said "I love thinking my way around, using all my clubs, playing a variety of shots, like those low stingers that run for miles." He and Chinese star Haotong Li 67 67 -8 are in the penultimate pair.

* there are 5 players all bunched at T5 -5 who are closest to the leaders -8. Chris Gotterup having the time of his life, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Hojgaard who's twin Nicolai is at -4, Robert MacIntyre and Harris English round out the group.

* old favourites who sold out to LIV are playing the weekend, Henrik Stenson with 3 birdies, an eagle so far today is at -4, Lee Westwood -3, Dustin Johnson -2, Sergio Garcia +1, Jon Rahm E, Phil Mickelson E all had their days on the links.

* follow all the action by clicking on my links above, and if you don't have TV coverage, you can listen free on the Open website's radio coverage. 

Bryan Angus

153rd Open at Royal Portrush : Saturday set up... TEE TIMES..

 R&A...153rd Open Championship.. Tee Times Leaderboard

World Number One Scottie Scheffler produced the lowest round of the week so far to lead by one shot at the halfway stage of The 153rd Open but he has fellow Major Champion Matt Fitzpatrick breathing down his neck heading into the weekend.

May’s US PGA Championship winner Scheffler carded eight birdies and a single bogey on Friday afternoon to sign for a -7 64 and head into the weekend on -10.

The American turned in 32 after following up a birdie at the first with a hat-trick of gains from the fifth before a late flourish saw him overtake 2022 U.S. Open champion Fitzpatrick at the top of the leaderboard.

Scheffler said: "It felt like I did a lot of things well.

"I holed some nice putts, hit a lot of really good iron shots and I definitely hit a few more fairways than I did yesterday so I'm pretty proud of the number I was able to post.

"I'm excited. Two more days, the tournament's only halfway down and I got off to a good start.

Englishman Fitzpatrick sits one shot off the lead after shooting a -5 66 that featured four consecutive birdies from the tenth.

Fitzpatrick said: "I felt like every facet of my game was on today and I felt like I really played solid. To take advantage of the opportunities I had out there was obviously really positive.

"I've given myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there's still a long way to go.

Chinese star Haotong Li and 2023 Open Champion Brian Harman share third place on -8.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is not afraid to attack Royal Portrush when he feels he has a chance to make a move. The three-time DP World Tour winner shot a second-round 66, featuring six birdies and a bogey, to propel himself from level par to -5 and within striking distance of the lead heading into the weekend at The 153rd Open.

"I’m not scared. I’m not going to back away. It’s completely different to Oakmont," said MacIntyre of his intent for the weekend on a course where he finished tied for sixth in 2019.

"Oakmont, I couldn’t roll the dice. It was never ‘Let’s press, let’s press’. It was always, ‘Right, let’s go out here with pars’. "This week, hopefully come the 69th, 70th hole, I’ve got a chance. If I’ve got a chance, I’m going to roll it.

"I’ve got so much more confidence and so much more belief that I am good enough."

edit *** Canadian Corey Conners fought back from an opening 74 with a Friday 69 to make the cut at +1.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)