Yani Tseng sets a pro golf record with her 5th major..

After a final round blow out by 54 hole leader Caroline Masson (78) and a spirited charge by Brittany Lang (67), it was once again the best player in the women's game by far, maybe the best player in the game period, Yani Tseng (69) who birdied the last two holes to win the 2011 Women's British Open at Carnoustie by 4 shots at -16.

Her 5th major at only 22 years of age, a golf record, Tiger was 24 before he won 5. Annika Sorenstam, who's old house Yani lives in has 10 majors, and it is only a matter of time until Tseng beats that record.

Yani's proudest possession is the certificate on her wall that says she has learned to speak English, and in my opinion with this tour being dominated by Asian girls with no end in sight, the LPGA will be forced to become more global, especially China, and Yani Tseng from Taiwan will be the girl to bridge that gap between the USA and the Far East.

Finally what the heck are American women going to do, who will step up to be as consistant as this little girl from Taiwan, and others from South Korea, Japan etc..

We all thought it would be Michelle Wie, but she is merely a run of the mill pro these days. I'd love to hear a round table of Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Stacy Lewis and maybe an older pro like Juli Inkster to hear what they really think..

1 2 TSENG, Yani -16 F -3 71 66 66 69 272

2 T6 LANG, Brittany -12 F -5 70 70 69 67 276
3 T6 GUSTAFSON, Sophie -11 F -4 68 71 70 68 277
4 T14 YANG, Amy -10 F -5 68 70 73 67 278
T5 T3 MATTHEW, Catriona -9 F E 70 69 68 72 279
T5 1 MASSON, Caroline -9 F +6 68 65 68 78 279
T7 T9 NORDQVIST, Anna -8 F -2 70 71 69 70 280
T7 T9 YOO, Sun Young -8 F -2 71 70 69 70 280
T7 5 CHOI, Na Yeon -8 F E 69 67 72 72 280
T7 T3 PARK, Inbee -8 F +1 70 64 73 73 280

Lorie Kane ended up with a creditable T43, +1, 289, 69,76,73,71.

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Green bogey's 18 to hand Irish Open to Simon Dyson

Richard Green needed birdie  to win, par to tie on the 18th minutes ago after Simon Dyson had birdied 2 of the final 3 holes to sit at -15 in the clubhouse..

Green pushed his drive on 18, but found a good lie in the first cut of rough. His approach from 150 yards was 40-50 feet short. He then raced his putt 15 feet past and missed it coming back for a bogey 5, handing the Irish Open to Dyson..

Dyson now gets to play in next week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. He said afterwards his coach Pete Cowan has him playing the best golf of his life. He finished 9th at the Open Championship and said it gave him confidence that he could play with the world's best..

It is yet another win for  manager Chubby Chandler's prolific stable, Darren Clarke having won the Open just 2 weeks ago..

It was a disappointing week for the 4 Irish champions, GMac McIlroy, Clarke and Harrington who by the way is taking a break from his coach of 15 years Bob Torrance who has been at odds with a stubborn Harrington who insists he needs to change his swing again..

This Irish Open lost it's sponsor this year, prize money slashed in half from 3m euros to 1.5m so it is in big trouble on an island whose economy was ravaged by the recent world recession..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Tseng set to make LPGA history

Yani Tseng is running away with the Women's British Open at Carnoustie as German star Caroline Masson has imploded after setting a 54 hole scoring record.

Masson is at +5 on today's round through 11 holes. while Tseng is -2, -15 total playing with her. Scotland's Catriona Matthew is 2nd at -11 playing 13..

This will be Tseng's 5th major win and she is only 22, that is the LPGA record, she is already the LPGA's #1 ranked player.

She currently has a 4 shot lead over Matthew...


1 2 TSENG, Yani -15 11 -2 71 66 66 203

2 T3 MATTHEW, Catriona -11 12 -2 70 69 68 207
T3 T14 YANG, Amy -10 17 -5 68 70 73 211
T3 T6 LANG, Brittany -10 13 -3 70 70 69 209
T3 1 MASSON, Caroline -10 11 +5 68 65 68 201
6 5 CHOI, Na Yeon -9 12 -1 69 67 72 208
T7 T6 GUSTAFSON, Sophie -8 13 -1 68 71 70 209
T7 T3 PARK, Inbee -8 12 +1 70 64 73 207

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Three horse race as they make the final turn at the Irish Open

Veteran Aussie lefty Richard Green and quick playing Englishman Simon Dyson are T1 at -14, with another Englishman David Howell at -12. Howell and Green are in the final pairing with Dyson a hole ahead

Austrian Bernard Weisberger is running out of holes playing 17 at -11..

Defending champ Ross Fisher is back at -8 after a promising 3 birdies in his front 9 have been negated by 2 bogey's. His infant son was taken to hospital late last night and has been kept in for observation today.

Simon Dyson seems to be playing the best of the group..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

McIlroy and McDowell stall while Howell charges at Irish Open

europeantour.com;   David Howell stormed into contention for a first victory in five years at the Irish Open  in Killarney.

The former Ryder Cup star reignited his career with a superb -7, 64 in the windiest and wettest conditions of the week. He has droped to #282 in the world after a series of injuries, he was at #9 four years ago.

Playing partner Rory McIlroy, the US Open Champion and World Number Four, started with a double bogey and managed only a 72, the same as Graeme McDowell on his 32nd birthday.The two Northern Irish stars were left deep in the pack on -3 T32, while Howell moved alongside German Marcel Siem on 11 under par.

McIlroy said: "It was not a great start, but I got it together at the end and one over is not too bad considering how I played at the start."

McDowell stated: "I just missed too many fairways and was seriously cold on the greens. They have me seriously confused - I just can't read them at all

Watching this live England's quick playing Simon Dyson and veteran Aussie lefty Richard Green have just posted -4 67's to T1 with Howell at -11

Defending champ Ross Fisher is now T6 at -8 after his -1 70 today.

There are still 3 or 4 holes left to play for some of the overnight leaders like Marcel Siem who is at +1 so far today and has slipped to -9..

Complete scoreboard click on European Tour.

LPGA Womens British Open

This morning I reported that rain was in the forecast for Carnoustie all weekend after checking with the weather office,, then the women came on TSN, playing under bright blue sunny skies as they have been all week so far.....  Hmmmm..

Well the ideal conditions are being reflected in the scores..

Here is the top 10 leaderboard as they play round 3 and it's not often I can say the leader is at -14 on Saturday at Carnoustie, but that is where a very solid Caroline Masson from Germany is.. She has the same coach as Martin Kaymer and he gave her a few tips on playing links golf and they are paying off. She has been rock solid wiith her putter from what I have seen this morning..

Scotland's Catriona Matthew has moved from T12 to 3rd after her -468 today but is  5 shots back at -9..and she will have a huge gallery tomorrow.

Lorie Kane had a wild back nine with 2 birdies and an eagle and 2 bogey's and a double for a ho hum E 36. She shot 73 and is at +2 T56..

1 1 MASSON, Caroline -14 13 -3 68 65 133
2 7 TSENG, Yani -12 15 -5 71 66 137
3 T12 MATTHEW, Catriona -9 F -4 70 69 68 207
T4 T4 CHOI, Na Yeon -8 14 E 69 67 136
T4 T2 PARK, Inbee -8 13 +2 70 64 134
T6 T18 LANG, Brittany -7 F -3 70 70 69 209
T6 T12 GUSTAFSON, Sophie -7 17 -2 68 71 139
T6 T8 YANG, Amy -7 17 -1 68 70 138
T9 T23 YOO, Sun Young -6 F -3 71 70 69 210
T9 T23 NORDQVIST, Anna -6 F -3 70 71 69 210
T9 T12 CREAMER, Paula -6 17 -1 69 70 139
T9 T8 MIYAZATO, Mika -6 15 E 69 69 138
T9 T4 PAK, Se Ri -6 14 +2 72 64 136
T9 T4 SCHREEFEL, Dewi Claire -6 14 +2 70 66 136

The big event in Scotland today is the marriage of the Queen's grand daughter Zara Phillips to  England's rugby captain Mike Tindall.. in Edinburgh at the Royal Mile. She is the daughter to Princess Anne and Mark Phillips and the Queen, Kate and Prince William were all in attendance along with many other top sports personalities.

Thanks for the heads up to my mother in Edinburgh who is still drying her eyes !

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Lorie Kane struggling at Womens British Open

Round 3 is well underway at Carnoustie in Scotland, just up the road or rail or river Tay from my home town of Perth and I hate to say but after a sparkling opening round of -3 69, Lorie Kane shot +4 76 yesterday and is 2 over after 3 holes this morning T62 at +3.

It is cool today 17*c but calm with rain in the forecast for the weekend and beyond.

The leader is a German girl, Caroline Masson at -11 68,65 and she is being chased by 4 South Koreans including Inbee Park and Meena Lee at -10. There are 6 South Koreans within 6 shots of the lead.

Both Stephanie Sherlock and Alena Sharp missed the cut

Catriona Matthew gave the Scots something to cheer about with a -3 69 she is currently T12 at -5, 6 shots off the pace and the only American in the top 10 is Brittany Lincicome T8 at -6.

For a complete leaderboard click on LPGA Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Baryla in the mix at the Greenbrier Classic

Chris Baryla got hot yesterday on this toughened up Old White course making five birdies in an eight-hole stretch to surge to the top of the leaderboard at -8, but then made triple-bogey 7 on the par-4 sixth to take the shine off his best round of the year but still he shot 69 and was in a group of six at -4. David Hearn and Adam Hadwin also made the cut.

The leader is a Zimbabwean who played his college golf locally at Virginia Tech, Brendon de Jonge. He shot a -3 67 and is tied with Webb Simpson (68) at -7 after 2 rounds.
Phil Mickelson, whose streak of making 17 straight cuts ended, John Daly and defending champion Stuart Appleby all missed the cut.

Canadian Scores
T9 2 214 Chris Baryla -4 F* -1 info 67 69 136

T22 15 113 David Hearn -2 F 2 info 66 72 138
T61 19 -- Adam Hadwin 1 F* 1 info 70 71 141

CUT 146 Matt McQuillan 74 71 145

For a full leaderboard click on PGA Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

McIlroy and McDowell get back in contention at the Irish Open

Graeme McDowell (66) and Rory McIlroy (68) moved up the leaderboard giving the Irish fans two of their favourites to cheer for as they stand 6 shots off the pace, set by Marcel Siem, at -4

Darren Clarke who has been suffering from the flu and Paddy Harrington who is having an indifferent year both missed the cut.

McIlroy said: “I'm only six back going into the weekend so I have a great chance – we all know how much can happen in 36 holes so if I can get out there on Saturday and make a good start I really feel like I can post a number. To play in front of these crowds is phenomenal and that's one of the great things about the Irish Open, the crowds turn up in force, and it's really a great atmosphere to play in.”

Meanwhile Marcel Siem (66) had a strong finish, picking up three shots in his last three holes to take the lead at -10. He has only 1 win and that was back in 2004.

First round leader Jeev Milkha Singh (70) and Danish Ryder Cup star Søren Hansen (66) are a shot further back.

For a complete leaderboard click on European Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Second round of US Senior Open to resume at 7.15 this morning

Down in Toledo at the US Senior Open on the Inverness GC, second round was delayed by two hours and 45 minutes by rain, then was suspended because of darkness at 8:56 p.m. It will resume at 7:15 a.m this morning Seven groups (21 players) did not finish second round play.

When they do resume they will be chasing Olin Browne who followed a record-tying 64 with a -2 69, to take a one-shot lead. He birdied the last 2 holes to stand at -9 133, matching the all time low for 36 holes.

Mark O'Meara (68) was one shot back, with Mark Calcavecchia (67), Joey Sindelar (66) and Michael Allen (69) at 135. Peter Senior (67) was three back, with Corey Pavin (69), Trevor Dodds (69) and Kiyoshi Murota (69) at 137

Jim Rutledge is T54 at +2 73,71 and has made the cut, while Rod Spittle is T62 at +3 74,71 and is in danger of missing the cut which is the top 60 and players within 10 shots of the lead. He will have to wait and see what happens this morning.

For a complete leaderboard click on PGA Tour
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Tiger to return next week....

Here is an AP report of his announcement on his website, sad but that is the way he communicates..

AP..Tiger Woods returns to golf under a new set of circumstances.
He no longer has the caddie he employed for the last 12 years, having fired Steve Williams a month ago. He no longer is among the top 20 in the world, his lowest ranking since Allen Iverson was an NBA rookie. And he might not even be eligible to play on the PGA Tour after a couple of weeks.

After missing two majors during an 11-week break to make sure his left leg was fully healed, Woods announced Thursday evening on Twitter and on his website that he would return next week at the Bridgestone Invitational.

"Feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week. Excited to get back out there!" he tweeted.

By missing three months - but only four tournaments he would typically play - Woods has gone from No. 81 to No. 133 in the FedEx Cup standings. Only the top 125 players qualify for the opening round of the playoffs at The Barclays, likely leaving him only the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship next week to make up ground. Otherwise, he would have at least five weeks off without being able to play on the PGA Tour.

This was the third-longest layoff of his career, and there is as much uncertainty as ever about his future. He has gone more than 20 months without winning, and was last seen in golf shoes on May 12 at The Players Championship when he hobbled off the course after a 6-over 42 on the front nine and withdrew.

He already has had four surgeries on his left knee, and the left Achilles' gave him just as much trouble. He hurt both of them during the third round of the Masters, although the injuries were described as "minor" when he first mentioned the pain in May.

Along with his health, there has been change off the golf course. Woods left IMG when the contract of longtime agent Mark Steinberg was not renewed. The only endorsement deal for Woods since he returned from a devastating sex scandal was with a Japanese company to promote a heat rub.

Then came the firing of Williams, who caddied for Adam Scott at the U.S. Open, then angered his boss by working for the Australian again at the AT&T National without seeking permission.

The Golf Channel reported Thursday night that Bryon Bell, a childhood friend and president of Tiger Woods Design, would caddie for him at the Bridgestone Invitational. Bell has caddied for Woods three times - a win at the 1999 Buick Invitational, a tie for second at the Buick Invitational when Woods gave him a chance to help defend, and a tie for second in 2003 at the Disney Classic when Woods gave Williams the week off for a car race in New Zealand.

Steinberg declined to confirm Bell would be on the bag, saying in a text message that "no long term been discussed yet as he just decided tonight he was fit and ready to go next week."

Bell would bring a level of familiarity to Woods, although Bell was implicated during Woods' sex scandal as allegedly arranging travel for one of his mistresses.Woods has plunged to No. 21 in the world - his lowest ranking since Jan. 26, 1997 - and he could not get back to No. 1 even if he were to win his next three tournaments.

During his absence, Luke Donald rose to No. 1 in the ranking and 22-year-old Rory McIlroy shattered his scoring record in the U.S. Open at Congressional. Woods had said in July, when he appeared at the AT&T National because it benefits his foundation, that he learned his lesson and would not play again until he was fully healed.

Swing coach Sean Foley said he has talked with Woods twice in the last few weeks, although he has not been with him on the practice range. Woods said on his website that he only recently began practicing.

At least he is returning to a friendly course - Woods has won seven times at Firestone, matching the most he has won on any course as a pro. However, he was at his low point on the course in the Bridgestone Invitational last year when he finished 78th in an 80-man field with the worst 72-hole score of his career. Before that, Woods had never finished out of the top five.

Much to do about nothing I say since this guy hasn't strung 4 rounds together in over a year.. But he is Tiger and we all love a car wreck  right ??

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Lorie Kane isthe only Canuck to make the cut at US Womens Open

LPGA Tour

At Carnoustie in calm conditions Caroline Masson shot 65 to lead the pack by a shot at this British Womens Sr Open

Here is the updated scoreboard ( for a full scoreboard click on LPGA Tour)
1 1 MASSON, Caroline -11 2:00 PM 68 65 133

T2 T2 PARK, Inbee -10 2:00 PM 70 64 134
T2 T2 LEE, Meena -10 1:50 PM 65 69 134
T4 T4 PAK, Se Ri -8 1:50 PM 72 64 136
T4 T4 CHOI, Na Yeon -8 1:40 PM 69 67 136
T4 T4 SCHREEFEL, Dewi Claire -8 1:40 PM 70 66 136
7 7 TSENG, Yani -7 1:30 PM 71 66 137
T8 T8 MIYAZATO, Mika -6 1:30 PM 69 69 138
T8 T8 HEDWALL, Caroline -6 1:20 PM 69 69 138
T8 T8 LINCICOME, Brittany -6 1:20 PM 67 71 138
T8 T8 YANG, Amy -6 1:10 PM 68 70 138
T12 T12 CREAMER, Paula -5 1:10 PM 69 70 139
T12 T12 GUSTAFSON, Sophie -5 1:00 PM 68 71 139
T12 T12 WESSBERG, Linda -5 1:00 PM 73 66 139
T12 T12 GIQUEL-BETTAN, Sophie -5 12:50 PM 71 68 139
T12 T12 MATTHEW, Catriona -5 12:50 PM 70 69 139


Canucks..
T57 T57 KANE, Lorie +1 8:35 AM 69 76 145

CUT SHARP, Alena +5 77 72 149

CUT SHERLOCK, Stephanie +6 77 73 150

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Now a German leads the Irish Open.. Clarke and Harrington MC

Marcel Siem picked up three shots in his last three holes to snatch the halfway lead at the Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland.The German, who won his only European Tour title in 2004, fired a second consecutive 66 to be ten under par at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club.

First round leader Jeev Milkha Singh and Danish Ryder Cup star Søren Hansen are a shot further back, with Spain’s Ignacio Garrido fourth on eight under.

Late in the day Siem eagled the long 16th and sank a 25 foot birdie putt on the next to move one ahead of Singh and Hansen.

While two of Ireland's four Major Champions will not be around for the weekend after Clarke and Padraig Harrington both missed the cut, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will spearhead the Irish challenge after rounds of 66 and 68 respectively.


Rory said: “I'm only six back going into the weekend so I have a great chance – we all know how much can happen in 36 holes so if I can get out there on Saturday and make a good start I really feel like I can post a number. To play in front of these crowds is phenomenal and that's one of the great things about the Irish Open, the crowds turn up in force, and it's really a great atmosphere to play in.”

McDowell posted six birdies in his round to join his compatriot on four under par, six shots behind Siem. “The event has got exactly what it needs," he said. "It's got some sunshine, a great venue and massive crowds. Of course we are disappointed that Pádraig and Darren are not here for the weekend but myself, Rory and the rest of the Irish boys will try and make a great weekend of it and see if we can get a home winner.”

For a full leaderboard click European Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Hearn and Baryla in contention at Greenbrier Classic

I was looking at the scores from this Greenbrier Classic where Stuart Appleby shot 59 last year, but the field's stroke average was a ridiculous 68.3.

Players who played the tough Shaughnessy course at our Canadian Open last week with a stroke average of 73+ must think this Old White course is a piece of cake.

Well the Old White TPC course has undergone a makeover. The renovations included lengthened tee boxes and reseeded greens that are less receptive to approach shots.As a result it surrendered only 41 rounds under par as opposed to 81 last year.

Trevor Immelman's best round of the year a 6-under 64, gives him a 1 shot lead over 5 others. He is finally recovering from wrist surgery 2 years ago.

Shooting 65s were Gary Woodland, Billy Mayfair, Derek Lamely, Webb Simpson and Australian Steven Bowditch. (for a full scoreboard click on PGA Tour)

Canadians

David Hearn continues his solid year with an opening -4 66 T7, and nice to see Chris Baryla at T11 wiith a -3 67..

T7 104 David Hearn -4 1:30pm info 66 66

T11 215 Chris Baryla -3 8:40am* info 67 67
T42 -- Adam Hadwin E 1:50pm* info 70 70
T133 147 Matt McQuillan 4 8:30am* info 74 74

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Browne leads the Senior US Open at Inverness GC in Toledo

As it always seems to be in Toledo in July, it's hot and humid, and veteran player and sometimes announcer Olin Brown is your 1st round leader at the tough Inverness GC hosting this US Senior Open.

Browne eagled two holes in a five-hole span coming down the stretch and finished with a 7-under 64. Two strokes back were Mark O'Meara and Michael Allen, who each shot bogey-free 66s. O'Meara who has not been a factor of note on this Champions tour, did win the 1998 Open Championship, and if you ever wondered about the opportunities winning that major provides you with look at his travel schedule over the last month.


He played in the Champions Tour event at Pebble Beach, then the Open Championship at Sandwich, then the Senior Open at Walton Heath, then he flew back across the Atlantic on Sunday night to his home in Houston, where he spent two days before flying up to Toledo for this US Senior Open.

A shot behind them is amateur Damon Green (67),who is Zach Johnson's regular caddie, along with Steve Jones and Mark Wiebe.


In the pack at 68 are Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin and Jeff Sluman.

Jim Rutledge is at +2 73 and Rod Spittle +3 74

Of note Hale Irwin, winner of three U.S. Opens, including the one held 32 years ago at Inverness, was once again in contention in a major at age 66. He shot a 69.

For a full leaderboard click on PGA Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Lorie Kane off to a solid start at the Women's British Open

Play is well underway in Carnoustie at the Womens British Open and Lorie Kane got off to a solid -3 69 start yesterday, in a round that included a double bogey. She is off late today, 2pm local or 9am EST.

Alena Sharp and Stephanie Sherlock both opened with +5, 77's and are on course right now.

Current leaderboard, for a full scoreboard click on LPGA Tour
1 T15 PARK, Inbee -8 8 -6 70 70

2 1 LEE, Meena -7 3:17 PM 65 65
3 T7 MIYAZATO, Mika -6 14 -3 69 69
T4 T7 CREAMER, Paula -5 16 -2 69 69
T4 T30 TSENG, Yani -5 14 -4 71 71
T4 T48 PAK, Se Ri -5 12 -5 72 72
T4 2 LINCICOME, Brittany -5 12:21 PM 67 67
T8 T3 GUSTAFSON, Sophie -4 13 E 68 68
T8 T3 MASSON, Caroline -4 3:28 PM 68 68
T8 T3 YANG, Amy -4 2:55 PM 68 68
T8 T3 STANFORD, Angela -4 12:10 PM 68 68
T12 T48 *KANG, Danielle -3 F -3 72 69 141
T12 T15 PRESSEL, Morgan -3 14 -1 70 70
T12 T30 GAL, Sandra -3 12 -2 71 71
T12 T62 WESSBERG, Linda -3 8 -4 73 73
T12 T15 SCHREEFEL, Dewi Claire -3 2 -1 70 70
T12 T7 KANE, Lorie -3 2:00 PM 69 69

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

McIlroy, Townsend twitter spat, as India's Singh leads Irish Open

I was watching a replay of the new Feherty show on the GC with Rory McIlroy at his home in Holywood NIreland, thinking what a nice young kid (22) Rory is while he and Feherty played football on his little backyard pitch, all very nice, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth type of thing..

Rory is T45 at -1, 70 but he made double bogey 6 on the 18th, playing the Irish Open in Killarney, after he drove into the fairway bunker, then hit his 9 iron approach into the pond beside the green.

Jay Townsend, a regular on the European broadcast team was critical of Rory taking driver off the tee, just because he didn't have to bring the bunkers into play with a 3 wood. Later on twitter he described his course management as “shocking” and “some of the worst I have ever seen beyond under-10 boys' golf competition”.


McIlroy responded: “Shut up ... you're a commentator and a failed golfer, your opinion means nothing!”
Townsend then stated "Sorry but that's the way I see it and I stand by my comments " and McIlroy then said: “Well, I stand by my caddie.”

So now I am looking forward to this morning's broadcast !!

Meanwhile Jeev Milka Singh had the low round of his life -8 63 while Darren Clarke, McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Paddy Harrington have yet to provide the fireworks the crowd are anticipating. 


Singh had an eagle and six birdies, 6 shots ahead of Open winner Clarke (69),  7 ahead of US Open champion McIlroy (70) and 9 better than last year's US Open winner McDowell (72).

Current leaderboard with play underway in Rd2.. (complete leaderboard click European Tour)
1 SINGH, Jeev Milkha -8 8 Par 63 - - - 63

T2 GAGLI, Lorenzo -5 12 -2 68 - - - 68
T2 WAKEFIELD, Simon -5 11 -3 69 - - - 69
T2 MCGRANE, Damien -5 9 -3 69 - - - 69
T2 CAMPBELL, Michael -5 7 Par 66 - - - 66
T2 RAMSAY, Richie -5 6 -2 68 - - - 68
T2 NILSSON, Christian -5 14:20 - 66 - - - 66
T2 SIEM, Marcel -5 15:10 - 66 - - - 66

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

This week's golf and analysis.. Majors on the LPGA, and Champions Tour

Another big week in golf with major Championships on the Champions Tour, the US Senior Open at Inverness in Toledo, Ohio and the LPGA has the Women's British Open at a very tough Carnoustie in Scotland.

In addition the Irish Open has a week of week's with McIlroy, Harrington, Clarke and McDowell with all their major trophy's in a very strong European Tour field.

PGA Tour
Event: Greenbrier Classic
Where: The Greenbrier, Old White Course (7,274 yards, par 70) in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
Purse: $6 million; winner's share $1.08 million.
Canadians : Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Chris Baryla, Matt McQuillan. Hadwin gets his reward for his T4 last week at Shaughnessy.
Complete tee times http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r490/tee-times.html
Last year: Stuart Appleby shot the fifth 59 in PGA Tour history to win the inaugural event by a stroke.

Tom Watson is in the field instead of playing the US Senior Open and that is one of the big story lines here this week.
 pgatour.com: Watson has a relationship with The Greenbrier that runs very deep. Sure, there are financial ties involved; Watson is the golf professional emeritus at the resort. But there are intensely deep personal ties that bind him to Greenbrier owner Jim Justice and the resort. Those turned out to be too strong to overcome, even for a major championship.

Justice and Watson go way back.Watson was a member of the Ryder Cup team that routed the Europeans 17-11 at The Greenbrier in 1979. But Watson's wife was expecting a child and he was summoned home to be with her and wasn't able to compete. It was Justice's father who piloted the small propeller plane back to Kansas City so Watson could be there for the birth of his daughter Meg.

But that was only the beginning of Watson's love for The Greenbrier. He began to bring sponsors to the resort for a few days of friendly golf starting in 1980, something he continues to do. And shortly after Sam Snead died in 2002, Watson was asked to assume the role of golf professional emeritus that Snead had embraced for many years.

Champions Tour
Event: U.S. Senior Open
Where: Inverness Club (7,143 yards, par 71) in Toledo, Ohio
Purse: TBA ($2.6 million in 2010); winner's share: TBA ($470,000 in 2010).
Canadians: Rod Spittle, Jim Rutledge
Complete tee times click http://www.usga.org/ChampEventScore.aspx?id=17179869345&year=2011&type=tee1
Last year: Bernhard Langer completed a British Senior-U.S. Senior Open sweep, beating Seattle favorite Fred Couples by three strokes at Sahalee in Washington.


LPGA Tour
Event: Women's British Open
Where: Carnoustie Golf Links (6,490 yards, par 72) in Carnoustie, Scotland.
Purse: $2.5 million; winner's share $408,700 million.
Canadians : Alena Sharp, Lorie Kane, Stehanie Sherlock, although they have her listed as an American on the leaderboard !!
Complete scoreboard click http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/leaderboard.aspx?TournamentID=27836
Last year: Yani Tseng won at Royal Birkdale for her second major victory of the year. Tseng made a 6-foot par putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Katherine Hull.

European Tour
Event: Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland
Where: Killarney Golf & Fishing Club
Purse : 1 €250,000 2 €166,660 3 €93,900 4 €75,000 5 €63,600
Defending Champion : Ross Fisher of England
Complete tee times click http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2011/tournamentid=2011053/teetimes/index.html

Big year for the Irish Open with Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Paddy Harrington in the field and the celebrations are already underway with McIlroy and Clarke being presented with Honourary Lifetime Memberships to the European Tour last night..

Now remember this, as I was so rudely reminded yesterday by an Irish friend of mine, Seamus from County Kerry where Killarney is. Like the Scots the Irish are a feuding bunch. First of all Clarke, McIlroy and McDowell are all from Northern Ireland, a wee chunk of land on the NE corner of Eire (Ireland) that is British and mainly Protestant and you should know about the troubles in Belfast between the minority Catholics and the Protestants... Hatred is not strong enough a word. It is not considered part of Ireland or Eire by those in the 'south'
Paddy Harrington is the only one from Ireland, he was born in Dublin.

So all the rest of Eire or Ireland is predominantly Catholic and have a historical distrust for the Protestants from the "north". The IRA would run and hide in the 'south' at the height of the "troubles".
Further the "county's" that make up Eire like the clans that make up Scotland have been at each other's throats in that country's long history.. Said Seamus " I'm not sure who I dislike more, a big Proddy from the north or a bas---d from County Limerick !!"

So while on the surface "Irish Eyes will be Smilin'" with all their major champions in Killarney this week, they'll be keepin' at least one of those eyes on who's around them !!

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles



.

Johnny Vegas in awe of Banff Springs at Teleus Skins

BILL GRAVELAND The Canadian Press


Banff, Alta. — Venezuelan golfer Jhonattan Vegas was the top money earner on the first day of the Telus Skins Game on Monday, but it was Paul Casey's arm that had the gallery tongues wagging.

Casey, of Cheltenham, England, finished with a birdie putt to win $20,000 on the final hole of the day and managed to save face in his play with Vegas, Canadian Stephen Ames and Americans Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover.

Casey made an impressive throw on the 132-yard par 3 eighth hole, with the ball landing on the green. He followed it up with a wedge shot that dropped closer to the pin but then rolled into the rough. Casey ended up at par on the hole.

“I was a little disappointed I didn't get the wedge shot closer than my throw. I played a lot of cricket growing up and I am good at throwing balls,” Casey told reporters. It just looked like the perfect yardage and I thought why not. I was hoping I was going to bet these guys for charity.”


Perfect weather greeted the five competitors with bright sunshine and a high of 23 C. A gallery of more than 4,000 spectators was on hand to watch their every shot.

The original 18-hole Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course designed by Stanley Thompson was built in 1928 and winds alongside the Bow River beneath the peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. An additional nine holes were added in 1989 designed by Cornish and Robinson, resulting in the current total of 27 holes of championship golf. The course is believed to be one of the 10 best golf courses in the world.

Vegas, the first Venezuelan to win a PGA event, was also playing in his first ever skins game. He won two skins for a total of $55,000. Ames walked away with three skins for $45,000, Kim won two skins for $30,000 and Casey picked up $20,000 after Vegas missed a putt on the ninth hole. “I was feeling sorry for Paul. It's as simple as that. I wanted Paul to have a good time,” Vegas said with a chuckle. “The morning was a little cool but it's an absolutely amazing place. I've never been here. I absolutely love it,” he said. The mountains, the atmosphere's unbelievable and I am having a great time. The course is in great shape. As a rookie, getting to do this kind of stuff is fun.”
.
It wasn't exactly a stellar outing for the top-ranked golfers. There were 14 birdies but no eagles on the first nine.

Both Vegas and Kim turned pro in 2008 and now in their mid-20's couldn't resist a shot at the older, more experienced golfers. “If one young guy does it the others are going to look up and say they can do it too. You're going to see a lot of Rory McIlroy performances which is good to see, and it's good to give these old guys a run for their money,” said Vegas.

Glover of the U.S. was the only player to walk away empty handed. The first day saw more than $28,000 raised for the Alberta Cancer Foundation

They are playing the back nine right now, and I will give you the results as soon as they are done..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Weekend Wrap.. Sean Foley instrumental in weekend's winners.

PGA Tour
Sean Foley's hand is all over that fine RBC Canadian Open trophy that his long time protege Sean O'Hair hoisted minutes after he beat Kris Blanks on the first playoff hole yesterday.

O'Hair who admitted he was "lost"on Wednesday as he hit the low point of a dismal season fired Foley and his Canadian caddie Brennan Little earlier this season. He has missed 10 cuts this year.

Sean Foley who was our golf insider for 5 years on Fairways has always insisted that O'Hair was the purest ball striker in his stable (that was pre Tiger) in fact he got quite a reaction one Saturday morning when he told our audience that " you can hear the air coming out of the ball when Sean hits it, it's so pure !!"

Most of O'Hair's problems seem to stem from that toughest of courses, "the mind" and he said afterwards that a little inner voice was telling him "just let it go" as he searched the bible for answers to his unhappy state of mind.

It would not surprise me if that voice belonged to Sean Foley, and I know the professor was smiling and nodding I told you so as he watched the kid he has molded finally step up to become our national champion..

Pretty neat.. eh.!

Adam Hadwin was our big story of course, he sure made it interesting and I  got a little chocked as he dialed that 7 iron into the final hole, a beauty that ended up 10 feet. He has proved he possesses Tour quality game, he qualifies for this event next year and for this week's PGA stop in Virginia, The Greenbrier Classic.

Matt McQuillan of Kingston, Ont., playing his first Canadian Open shot a 70 to leave him in a T31st. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont.,with a final round 74 to finished T34th. Ottawa's Brad Fritsch finished with a 73 which leaves him T71st. Dustin Risdon of Strathmore, Alta., shot 77 to finish 73rd.

All in all our Canucks did enough to keep us interested with Matt and David in it early then Adam taking the baton right to the finish dressed oh so Canadian in his red and white..

Senior Open Championship, Walton Heath England

I was busy tweeting this one on Sunday morning, our Canuck Rod Spittle was within 2 shots of the lead at one point but Russ Cochrane the born again lefty  made six birdies in the first 10 holes - two coming on the first two holes - to open up a week-high five-shot lead as Calcavecchia, who shared the overnight lead with Cochran and South Africa's David Frost, dropped back by four-putting from 15 feet on the par-3 No. 9.

While he faltered a little as Calc charged, that first 10 holes was enough to get Cochrane, who was a flop on the PGA tour, only 1 win in 1991 the Western Open, his first major, finally winning by 2 shots at -12. Tom Watson and Corey Pavin T3 at -9.

Spittle of Niagara Falls, Ont., finished eight shots back in a T12th after shooting an even par 72. Victoria's Jim Rutledge was six over for the tournament after carding a final-round 75.

LPGA

I only saw some highlights of this as the women were in Paris so here is an AP report

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France - Ai Miyazato clinched her first title of the year at the Evian Masters on Sunday and pledged to share her prize money with the people still suffering in the aftermath of the disasters back home in Japan.


Miyazato shot a 2-under 70 to protect her two-shot lead and hold off a surge from Stacy Lewis of the United States, the Kraft Nabisco winner who missed a golden chance to level the scores on the 16th hole.

The 26-year-old Miyazato will now donate at least part of her $487,500 first prize to the relief efforts in Japan.


European Tour
see my report yesterday "Swede Alex Noren wins. in Sweden"


Nationwide Tour
How do you finish 2nd by a shot, but win the 1st prize money ?

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Harris English became the second amateur to win on the Nationwide Tour this year, rolling in a 10-foot birdie on the last hole for a 1-under 70 to capture the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational.


English, who just finished his senior year at Georgia, joined fellow Bulldog Russell Henley as Nationwide Tour winners this year. In what looked more like a college tournament on the Scarlet course at Ohio State, a two-shot swing on the last hole gave English a one-shot victory over another amateur, John Peterson of LSU, and Kyle Reifers.

English and Peterson could not accept prize money as amateurs, so Reifers was awarded first prize of $144,000 which moved him from No. 52 to No. 5 on the Nationwide Tour money list, making it likely that Reifers will return to the PGA Tour next year.

English was coming off a win in the Southern Amateur last week, while Peterson won the NCAA individual title in June.

The win at least gives English status on the Nationwide Tour next year depending on how he fares at PGA Tour qualifying later this year.
Matthew Richardson of Woodbridge, Ont., closed with a 71 to finish at 3-under and in a tie for 34th


Futures Tour
Here is the report on another SeanFoley pupil who won this weekend besides Sean O'Hair.. Jessica Shepley

Concord, N.H. — Canadian Jessica Shepley fired a final round of 6-under 66 Sunday to win The International at Concord event on the LPGA's developmental Futures Tour.


Shepley, from Oakville, Ont., carded a bogey-free round with six birdies including a 10-footer on No. 18 for he win to finish 13-under 203. The victory was worth US$14,000, which moved her into the top-20 on the money list. The top 10 at the end of the season will earn their LPGA Tour card.

"This is what I came here to do this week," said Shepley. "For so long, everybody has said, 'be patient, be patient,' and there have been times when I doubted. But I guess it doesn't matter how you start anything - it's how you finish."

Hamilton's Ashley Sholer (70) finished tied for 37th, Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., (73) tied for 53rd and Quebec City's Sara Maude Juneau (74) tied for 66th.

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Swede Alex Noren wins Nordea Masters...in Sweden !

On a day when all of Canada is hoping Adam Hadwin can win our national champonship, Alex Noren of Sweden has just won his, the Nordea Masters by 7 shots in high winds just outside Stockholm..

europeantour.com  Alex Noren may not have reproduced his majestic third round display at the Nordea Masters, but he still registered a comprehensive seven shot victory.
The 29 year old, who was quite brilliant in setting a course record 63 on Saturday, carded a closing 77 for a 15 under par aggregate of 273 at Bro Hof Slott.

Having birdied the first, Noren then had five bogeys and a double bogey at the 14th, but successfully negotiated the fearsome par three 17th, which has an island green with a stroke average of 4.78 !!

After signing off with a birdie at the last he said: "I am so relieved. The only thing I thought of all day was the 17th I said it doesn't matter how I play up to that, I just have to survive 17 and I did.

"I've never seen wind like this in Sweden. Every hole was super tough and even downwind it was hard to choose the clubs."

Speaking about winning on home soil, Noren added: "It's even more amazing at home, everyone cheering you on and you don't really feel that somewhere else.It's amazing, you see some friendly faces in the crowd and it's unbelievable. I'm very happy."

With an 11 shot advantage at the start of the day Noren was never likely to be caught – nobody had ever come from more than ten shots behind in the final round to win a European Tour event.

England’s Richard Finch was the only man to break par in strong winds, his three under 69 good enough for second place.

For a full scoreboard click on European Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Today is "all gravy" for Hadwin

"Regrets I've had a few but then again too few to mention" the words from the great Sinatra hit 'My Way". One of mine is that in my lifetime I have always had to work for a living and always will, but I often wish I had found the guts to pack it all in and become a full time tour caddy for a year... ( I also wish I had kept up my piano lessons !!)

I have always been a better caddy than a player, and have also spent much of my working days listening, advising and motivating, which are the 3 other things you'd better do as a caddy besides the old "show up, keep up and shut up "

If I were Adam Hadwin's caddy today I would be preaching the fact that this is all gravy, you have already had a great week, nobody expects you to win, so let's have a nice walk in a beautiful setting and have some fun, enjoy this day and the good shots you are going to make..

That thought process is a win win. If we happen to shoot another 68, it might just be our week, if not it's no disgrace to get beat by veteran pros like Ogilvy, Daly, Van Pelt etal..

Keep the pressure off, forget no Canuck has won since '54,let the swing flow, it's all gravy

For a full leaderboard click on PGA Tour
For today's tee  times click http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r032/tee-times.html

Hadwin is paired with Van Pelt and Romero at 9.50 PST, 1250pm EST..and is 1 shot behind Van Pelt.

By the way for those of you who don't know Anders Romero he is 30, qualified for the PGA tour in 2008 having played most of his career on the European Tour and in South America, you might remember him in the 2007 Open at Carnoustie with Paddy and Sergio when he finished with a double on 17 and a bogey on 18 to miss out on the playoff. He is from Argentina and is more than capable of winning today. He has 8 pro wins including 1 on this tour at the 2008 Zurich.


1 Bo Van Pelt -5 F -5
2 Adam Hadwin -2 F -4
T3 Kris Blanks -1 F -3
T3 Andres Romero -3 F -3
T5 John Daly -3 F -2
T5 Sean O'Hair -4 F -2
T5 Geoff Ogilvy E F -2
T5 Aron Price -1 F -2
T9 Ryan Moore -3 F -1
T9 David Mathis -1 F -1

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Spittle still in contention despite slipping to 75

Rod Spittle has just finished round 3 at the Senior Open Championship a Walton Heath. His +3 75 has him T9 at -4.

Yesterday he made 7 birdies, today only 1 with 4 bogey's. Still he will start Sunday just 3 shots off the lead. He hit 12/15 fairways and had 14 GIR but 34 putts as opposed to 24 yesterday was the killer..

David Frost has charged from the pack with a brilliant -6 66 to tie for the lead at -7 along with Russ Cochrane (65) and Mark Calcavecchia who has just birdied the 18th to shoot E 72 -7 despite a triple bogey 7 on the 13th.

T1 FROST, David -7 18 -6 69 74 66 - 209

T1 COCHRAN, Russ -7 18 -5 72 70 67 - 209
T1 CALCAVECCHIA, Mark -7 18 Par 68 69 72 - 209
T4 PAVIN, Corey -6 18 -3 72 69 69 - 210
T4 LANE, Barry -6 18 -3 71 70 69 - 210
T6 BECK, Chip -5 18 -3 73 69 69 - 211
T6 GOODES, Mike -5 18 -1 70 70 71 - 211
T6 RINKER, Lee -5 18 +2 70 67 74 - 211
T9 WATSON, Tom -4 18 -3 75 68 69 - 212
T9 COOK, John -4 18 Par 73 67 72 - 212
T9 SPITTLE, Rod -4 18 +3 70 67 75 - 212
T9 FOWLER, Peter -4 18 +1 71 68 73 - 212

As they are paired in 3's there is a good chance Rod will play with Tom Watson tomorrow, the tee times aren't out yet..

For a full leaderboard click on European Tour

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Weir out, 5 Canucks left at Shaughnessy..

For we Canadians Mike Weir was the story yesterday for all the wrong reasons, in case you missed it he has re-injured his elbow and had to WD after 6 holes.  He will get an MRI and hasn't ruled out surgery. His golfing future is certainly up in the air right now..

Five Canadians made the cut..
David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., both T5 at -2.  Hadwin fired a -4 66, converting five birdies before making bogey at No. 18. The 23-year-old Canadian Tour member said “Feels great. I kind of proved it today,I felt really good out there, felt really calm, especially the putter with the short game. Those two things held me in there a little bit. Just got to continue what I’m doing.”  

Also advancing to weekend play are Canadians Brad Fritsch of Manotick, Ont., and Matt McQuillan of Kingston, Ont., both of whom are T28 at +1 and Dustin Risdon of Calgary, who sits T66 at +4

Here are all 17 Canadian scores..

T5 – Hadwin, Adam, Abbotsford, B.C. 72-66 – 138 (-2)T5 – Hearn, David, Brantford, Ont. 70-68 – 138 (-2)T28 – Fritsch, Brad, Manotick, Ont. 71-70 – 141 (+1)T28 – McQuillan, Matt, Kingston, Ont. 68-73 – 141 (+1)T66 – Risdon, Dustin, Calgary, Alta. 75-69 – 144 (+4)--- CUT ---CUT – Taylor, Nick, Abbotsford, B.C. 71-74 – 145 (+5) CUT – Wallace, Darren, Langley, B.C. 73 – 73 – 146 (+6)CUT – Baryla, Chris, Vernon, B.C. 74-72 – 146 (+6)CUT – Choi, Albin (a), Toronto, Ont. 74-72 – 146 (+6)CUT – Ames, Stephen, Calgary, Alta. 72-75 – 147 (+7)CUT – Sloan, Roger, Merritt, B.C. 73-76 – 149 (+9)CUT – Wong, Eugene (a), North Vancouver, B.C. 74-76 – 150 (+10)CUT – Hill, Matt, Bright’s Grove, Ont. 72-78 – 150 (+10)CUT – Bunker, Dave (a), Woodbridge, Ont. 79-75 – 154 (+14)CUT – Evanecz, Mitchell (a), Red Deer, Alta. 79-77 – 156 (+16)CUT – Hutton, Brian, Burlington, Ont. 79-77 – 156 (+16)WD – Weir, Mike, Bright’s Grove, Ont. 74-WD

As for the leaders, Michael Thompson and Chad Campbell are T1 at -4 through 36 holes. Thompson carded a -4,66 that included five birdies, three of which came on the back-nine at No. 15, No. 16, and again at No. 18. He is a 26-year-old from Tuscon, Ariz., who turned pro in 2008. 'I'm having a great tournament. I’ve been working hard on the range this week and really trying to be confident with the swings that I make because this is a tight golf course, I’ve been playing really well, putting well. Excited to have the opportunity to be in one of the last groups tomorrow. I’m just going to have fun.”

Campbell who is coming off a T5 finish at the Open Championship last week carded a 3-under par 67  that included 5 birdies and only 2 bogeys. He is typical of the kind of player suited for Shaughnessy. Not long but plays that controlled gentle draw, re known ball striker with a decent short game.

Lots of nice story's on the leaderboard with Paul Goydos just a shot back, Lee Janzen at 46 from out of nowhere, Ricky Fowler, now with an entourage all dressed in electric orange yesterday and of course our 2 Canucks.

The stroke average is over 73, for this tough par 70, and the weather for the weekend is more of the fine fare we have seen thus far.

T1 12 22 Chad Campbell -4 F* -3 color info 69 67 136

T1 21 33 Michael Thompson -4 F -4 color info 70 66 136
T3 1 54 Paul Goydos -3 F* -1 color info 68 69 137
T3 10 135 Lee Janzen -3 F -2 color info 69 68 137
T5 31 19 Charl Schwartzel -2 F* -3 color info 71 67 138
T5 17 76 Geoff Ogilvy -2 F -2 color info 70 68 138
T5 8 37 Rickie Fowler -2 F* -1 color info 69 69 138
T5 31 62 Jerry Kelly -2 F* -3 color info 71 67 138
T5 4 95 Kris Blanks -2 F 1 color info 67 71 138
T5 17 103 David Hearn -2 F -2 color info 70 68 138
T5 45 -- Adam Hadwin -2 F -4 color info 72 66 138

For a full leaderboard click on PGA Tour
For 3rd round pairings click http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r032/tee-times.html
They continue to be paired in split tees and in threesomes

I will be heading out this morning but will be back to this site in time for the leaders and to report on our Rod Spittle at the Senior Open..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Rod Spittle T1 at Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath

Round 3 is underway at Walton Heath in England but Rod Spittle, Lee Rinker and Mark Calcavecchia won't tee off until 1500hrs (9am est) because they are tied for the lead at this Senior Open Championship.

Calc is getting all the ink because he is bidding to become only the 4th player to win both the Open and the Senior Open.

However Spittle made it a three-way tie at the top late in the day after matching Rinker’s round of 67 courtesy of seven birdies.


He said: “It’s very exciting. The challenge now is to slow down and breathe, try not to fall down, and continue to do the things I’ve done these last couple of days. I’ve driven it really well, and kept it out of the long stuff. If you can drive it on the fairways, you have a chance to score. So that will be my game plan for the next two days.”

For a full leaderboard click on European Tour

T1 SPITTLE, Rod -7 15:00 - 70 67 - - 137

T1 RINKER, Lee -7 15:10 - 70 67 - - 137
T1 CALCAVECCHIA, Mark -7 15:10 - 68 69 - - 137
4 FOWLER, Peter -5 15:00 - 71 68 - - 139
T5 COOK, John -4 14:50 - 73 67 - - 140
T5 GOODES, Mike -4 14:50 - 70 70 - - 140
T7 TWAY, Bob -3 14:30 - 70 71 - - 141
T7 PAVIN, Corey -3 14:40 - 72 69 - - 141
T7 LANE, Barry -3 14:40 - 71 70 - - 141
T10 FUNK, Fred -2 14:00 - 72 70 - - 142
T10 HARWOOD, Mike -2 14:00 - 68 74 - - 142
T10 FRANCO, Angel -2 14:10 - 70 72 - - 142
T10 BRAND JNR, Gordon -2 14:10 - 70 72 - - 142
T10 BECK, Chip -2 14:20 - 73 69 - - 142
T10 COCHRAN, Russ -2 14:20 - 72 70 - - 142
T10 BELSHAM, Mark -2 14:30 - 71 71 - - 142

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Mike Weir has withdrawn from the RBC Canadian Open

After an opening round +4 74 Mike Weir has been forced to WD from the RBC Canadian Open. He pulled out after six holes of today's second round. Weir bogeyed No. 3 before making double bogeys on the next two holes to drop to 8 over. He decided to stop after a par at No. 6.


He said  his elbow was tender coming into this week but all the shots from the thick rough yesterday made it so sore this morning that he had trouble opening a water bottle, but decided to try and play through the pain.
He said he will return home to Utah and have an MRI to see if their has been further damage. He had been rehabbing his elbow for a year before declaring himself fit to play this season.

He is not sure when he will return to action..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Stevie Williams " I have basically wasted 2 years of my life"

Tiger's caddy of 12 years spoke out earlier this morning, about being let go at Tiger's AT&T tourney several week's ago, for the first time, from his home in Wellington, New Zealand..

Wellington, New Zealand — Steve Williams says he wasted the last two years of his life standing by Tiger Woods through injuries and eruptions in the golfer's private life.

In frank interviews about his dismissal published Friday in his native New Zealand, the 47-year-old caddie said he had lost “a tremendous amount of respect” for the game's biggest star.

Williams told the New Zealand Herald “realistically I could look back, and I've wasted the last two years of my life because he's played infrequently, he's been injured and played poorly. I was prepared to hang in there through thick and thin,” Williams said, “so I find the timing extraordinary.”

Williams said he had no idea he was going to be fired after a dozen years as Woods' caddie until Woods called him to a meeting at the AT&T National tournament two weeks ago.

“Sometimes you get an inkling that something's going to happen ... And I basically didn't have much to say with him. I was somewhat in a state of shock, but I just listened to what he thought,” Williams told the Herald. “I didn't agree with what he was telling me but at the end of the day that wasn't going to make a difference so I just took it on the chin.”

Williams told the newspaper he was not upset at being fired, but at its timing and after his staunch loyalty to Woods' during the upheaval in his private life.

“I understand that's part of the game ... To be let go after staying incredibly loyal during the most difficult time in his life and then for him to decide that he needs a change, I think that the timing has been very poor,” he said. “When Tiger went through the Tiger scandal, as it's known, I was obviously very disappointed in him, as everyone was. Obviously I lost a tremendous amount of respect for him ... and I told him that he had to earn back my respect. Whatever respect he may have earned back, he's just lost.”

Williams said he had not spoken to Woods since their working relationship was terminated. In a separate interview with Television New Zealand, Williams said he felt his loyalty to Woods had not been repaid.

“I'm a very big stickler for loyalty and I stuck with Tiger through his difficult period when a lot of people thought I should have left his side,” he said. “That was the most difficult period that I've ever been through in my life. I'm pretty hardheaded and took it probably a lot better than my wife and family did, but there's no way that I should have been put through that.”

Williams said he felt like he'd been considered guilty by association after sticking with Woods during the scandal. “My name should have been cleared immediately. It wasn't and that's what makes it even more disappointing what's transpired.” he told TVNZ. “I never really got pardoned from that scandal so the timing of it is extraordinary. You could say I've wasted two years of my life.”

Williams also repeated his previous assertions he had no knowledge of Woods' extramarital affairs. “I had no idea what was going on and that was the hardest part ... it was a difficult time,” he told the New Zealand Herald. “I'm a straight-up person, I'm a loyal person — if I knew something, then I'd say I did.”

Williams is often described as New Zealand's highest-paid sportsman — a definition stretched to encompass the caddie who may have banked around US$9 million during his association with Woods. He operates a charitable foundation which makes regular donations to an Auckland children's hospital and is highly respected by New Zealanders.

Williams has been caddying all his life including 10 years with Ray Floyd, and time with Greg Norman.. FYI here is the way he tells his story on Kiwicaddie.co.nz

From the age of ten I spent all my weekends caddying at my home club of Paraparaumu Beach. My days would often include 36 holes of caddying and practising until dark myself. Despite getting to as low as a two handicap by the age of thirteen I found myself enjoying caddying more than playing.



In 1976 my Father arranged for me to caddy for Australian great Peter Thomson in the New Zealand Open, which was held at Wellington Golf Club. Peter finished third and was amazed at my skill level as a Caddy despite being only thirteen years old. From that week on I knew I wanted to be a professional golf caddy. I continued to caddy for Peter when he played in New Zealand and I would travel to Australia in the school holidays to caddy in some tournaments. During my trips to Australia I would quiz as many caddies as I could to learn what the World of Professional Caddying involved.


With my savings from Caddying at Paraparaumu I headed to the European tour in 1979 and began my career as a caddy. From 1979 to 1988 I caddied on the European tour, Asian tour, Japanese tour and Australasian tour. During this time I caddied for Australian pros Mike Clayton, Terry Gale and Ian Baker-Finch. It was during this time I met Greg Norman and from 1982 I caddied for Greg in all his Australian and Asian events as well as some European events. In 1988 I moved to the United States and would work full time for Greg. Sadly this arrangement despite great success would only last midway through 1989.


Fortunately I joined Ray Floyd immediately after and would enjoy ten great years with Raymond. During the 1999 Doral Open I received a phone call from Tiger Woods enquiring whether I would be interested in caddying for him. Whilst it was an easy decision to join Tiger it was a difficult one to leave Raymond who was like a father to me.

Williams is now caddying fulltime for Aussie Adam Scott.

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Shaughnessy GC 1 vs. Canadian Open field 0

Only 21 players broke par on a beauty of a day at Shaughnessy GC. Consider that it rained a little early to make the greens reasonably receptive, but this could have been the best day for scoring.

As I mentioned in yesterday's preview, US Open style rough, narrow fairways, small greens, par 4's over 460 yards, only 2 par 5's and par of 70 makes this Doug Carrick redesigned Shaughnessy course a stern test for our national championship..

Kristoffer Douglas Blanks has a 1 shot lead at -3. His Dad was in the Air Force so he has lived all over the US, he'll be 39 in November, 3rd year on tour, wife Tamie is from just south of Vancouver and is a golf pro now at Hilton Head and he has no wins on this tour. Oh yes, he was named after Kris Kristofferson the actor/singer?? because his mum thought he was cute

1 33 Kris Blanks -3 1:20pm color info 67 67

T2 51 Jimmy Walker -2 1 E color info 68 68
T2 59 Paul Goydos -2 1* E color info 68 68
T2 172 Brett Quigley -2 12:20pm color info 68 68
T2 102 Ernie Els -2 12:40pm* color info 68 68
T2 83 Bill Lunde -2 1:00pm color info 68 68
T2 152 Kevin Kisner -2 1:30pm color info 68 68
T2 115 Matt McQuillan -2 2:00pm* color info 68 68
T2 132 Ben Martin -2 8:30am color info 68 68
T2 137 Aron Price -2 9:00am* color info 68 68

For a full list of tee times click on http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r032/tee-times.html
For a full leaderboard click on PGA Tour. In the bunch at -2, Matt McQuillan from Kingston who MC in his first 10 events while changing his golf swing from a low hook to a high fade, T3 last week at the John Deere and is obviously playing with confidence.
"I’m pleased with the whole day,” McQuillan said. “I executed my game plan well with fairways and greens and made the odd putt. It’s a real privilege to play in our National Championship. Just really excited to get off to a good start.”

He has a late tee time today and starts off on the tough back nine that starts with a 453yd and a 485yd par 4's that are so narrow they have to walk down the fairway in single file. Not quite but the old Lee Trevino quip fits around this course..

Scores for the 17 Canucks.
T2 – McQuillan, Matt, Kingston, Ont. 35 - 33 – 68 (-2)T22 – Hearn, David, Brantford, Ont. 37 – 33 – 70 (E)T36 – Taylor, Nick, Abbotsford, B.C. 35 – 36 – 71 (+1) T36 – Fritsch, Brad, Manotick, Ont. 35 – 36 – 71 (+1)T50 – Ames, Stephen, Calgary, Alta. 38 – 34 – 72 (+2)T50 – Hill, Matt, Bright’s Grove, Ont. 35 – 37 – 72 (+2)T50 – Hadwin, Adam, Abbotsford, B.C. 36 – 36 – 72 (+2)T66 – Sloan, Roger, Merritt, B.C. 36 – 37 – 73 (+3)T66 – Wallace, Darren, Langley, B.C. 40 – 33 – 73 (+3)T90 – Wong, Eugene (a), North Vancouver, B.C. 36 – 38 – 74 (+4)T90 – Weir, Mike, Bright’s Grove, Ont. 38 – 36 – 74 (+4)T90 – Baryla, Chris, Vernon, B.C. 37 – 37 – 74 (+4)T90 – Choi, Albin (a), Toronto, Ont. 38 – 36 – 74 (+4)T114 – Risdon, Dustin, Calgary, Alta. 36 – 39 – 75 (+5)T148 – Bunker, Dave (a), Woodbridge, Ont. 39 – 40 – 79 (+9)T148 – Evanecz, Mitchell (a), Red Deer, Alta. 39 – 40 – 79 (+9)T148 – Hutton, Brian, Burlington, Ont. 41 – 38 – 79 (+9)

Many of you who may have tuned in to see Mike Weir for the first time will have been shocked at how far this poor guy has fallen from the #3 player in the world in 2004.
He simply is lost off the tee, hooks it right, blocks it left and only a superb wedge game and a few lucky bounces kept him from being worse than T90, +4, 74.

World #1 Luke Donald battled back from 2 double bogey's to finish T22 E70..

David Hearn started on the back nine and shot E,70 . "this particular golf course is as hard as we're going to get at the Canadian Open."


Ernie Els is also at -2, playing as part of Team RBC,and with a wonky back I might add and he was asked about the course and the tough rough..  "You know, it's Canada's National Open, and I've played many a national open and Scottish Opens, British Opens, South African Opens. You know, this is the way a national open should be played. It should be played as tough as possible on a very stern test, and that's what you've got here" He has former NHLer Dan Quinn on the bag this week.

Senior British Open
If you were wondering why Mark Calcavecchia is not at Shaughnessy defending the title he won there in 2005, he is leading the British Senior Open at Walton Heath in England after round 1, with round 2 now in progress.

Here is the AP story
WALTON ON THE HILL, England - Rod Spittle carded a bogey-free round of -2,70 on Thursday to sit two shots off the lead at the Senior British Open.

The Niagara Falls, Ont., golfer birdied the par-3 fifth and par-5 11th and trails  Mark McNulty, Australia's Mike Harwood and Mark Calcavecchia who defied the afternoon rain to shoot bogey-free -4, 68's.

Bidding to become the fourth player to win both the Open Championship and the senior version, the 51-year-old Calcavecchia had two birdies on either side of the turn before parring the final five holes.
“The weather moved in when we were on No. 11—it wasn’t horrible but it made it tougher for sure,” said Calcavecchia, one of three players not to drop a shot in their first rounds. “Not making any bogeys was nice, so it was a good score, a good start.”

The Zimbabwean-born McNulty (68) marred an otherwise flawless round with a bogey on the par-4 No. 18, while Harwood (68) in the following group - made seven birdies but dropped shots at Nos. 16 and 17 in the tough closing stretch.

Unheralded Scot Albert MacKenzie, a club professional playing his first round on the senior tour, was a shot behind (69) along with South African David Frost (69) Defending champion Bernhard Langer (70) of Germany was among a cluster of players on -2 which included Spittle.

Next I will post Stevie Williams transcript on how he has wasted 2 years of his life standing by Tiger through his scandal only to be fired at Tiger's AT&T recently

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

2004..The year Weirsy should have won the Canadian Open at the Abbey..

Most of us are hoping against hope that any Canadian will get in contention this week, and because he has been the face of Canadian golf for more than a decade, perhaps Weirsy more than the rest.

He apparently has returned to the Stack and Tilt guru's Bennett and Plummer in an attempt to return to the player he once was.

He will likely never have as good a chance to win his National Championship as he did at the Abbey in 2004, and I was there to broadcast Fairways that year along with colleagues Scott Metcalfe and Bob Weeks.

He had never done well at the Glen Abbey,never even making the cut but he was at his peak, having won the Masters and T3 at the US Open at Olympia Fields in 2003. He was ranked #3 in the world..

He opened with 68,65 to take a 1 shot lead over Vijay going into the weekend.  By Saturday night his round of 70 gave him a 3 shot lead. The pressure was unbelievable.

Scott and I were scheduled on air throughout that Sunday, coming back on after the Jays game around 4pm and were calling the play off a little TV screen Scott had brought from home in our booth in the media center which is at the bottom of the players car park, not far from the 10th green.

We were invited up to the Pengrowth suite for lunch, and we went first to watch Weirsy warm up. He was last on the range, a lone figure in his Sunday black, just striping 3 wood after 3 wood like laser beams into the wind. It was he and caddy Bennan's last moments of solitude, just a hundred yards away from an insanely expectant and massive Canadian crowd. "Every step of the way, every shot, good or not so good, they were cheering me on. There were times when it was so loud, I was almost deaf from the screams"

It was 50 years since Pat Fletcher had won at Point Grey GC in Vancouver, it was the RCGA's 100 anniversary, and we had also lost one of our greats, Moe Norman earlier in the year. The stage was set..

He began in the worst way with a double bogey, but then had 4 birdies and a bogey at 7 to go out in -1 35. He still kept his 3 shot lead after a birdie on 10 as he went into the valley. He made bogey at the tough 11th then again at the par 5 13th before parring his way in.Vijay Singh was hanging around out in 33, he ended up shooting -3 69 with birdies at 16 and crucially at 18, to finish at -9. Mike could only make par on that 18th "On the 72nd hole, the ball just curled to the right in front of the cup" he said later. He also finished at -9 and the sudden death playoff was on starting at 18.

By now Scott and I were doing play by play, one of our greatest days on Fairways and I had the shotlink service from the PGA tour up on the computer so we knew the yardages.

18 was playing downwind and Vijay had been driving the ball right up to the pond, almost 375 yards, leaving himself with just 9 irons in, a huge advantage, and that's what he did on that 1st playoff hole, while Mike's drive ended up in a strip of grass between the two fairway bunkers on the left side
He couldn't have had a stance if he wasn't left handed, but he played an unbelievable 5 iron as I recall to within 25 feet, on almost the same line as the putt on the 72nd. Vijay missed his eagle, now Weirsy for the win.. "I had almost the same line and I expected the ball to take the same turn, but it never did. It stayed out to the left on the high side" The crowd's groan was audible over our headsets in the media centre !

Off to the par 4 17th, festooned with bunkers, I remember Vijay made bogey 5 and Mike had just 5 feet for par to win.. "On the second playoff hole, on the 17th, I expected my putt to break left. I had just seen Vijay's lip out after moving sharply to the right and I thought my ball, from the other side, would do the same thing"
The crowd, indeed the nation stood still.... He missed, he missed !!

That was the knockout punch in my opinion...You couldn't give Vijay who would have been quite happy to see Mike win, that many chances..

Back to 18 for the third playoff hole, and as if the golf God couldn't stand it, the media center was hit by a power black out !! We lost everything, TV, computers, all that was working was our phone line back to the station, but we couldn't see a damn  thing !!

Finally the back up generator kicked in and we got a picture back just in time to see Mike who had hit a poor drive, then laid up, hit his third shot into the water.Vijay, huge off the tee again was safely on the green in two, then just two putted for the Championship and became the world's #1 player. He whispered to Mike, "I'm happy to win but sorry it isn't you"

(Singh finished the 2004 season with a career-best nine victories, 18 top-10s, and a record $10,905,166 in earnings and was named the PGA Tour's and PGA of America's Player of the Year. He was also the European Tour Player of the Year)

We were just crushed, and when Mike came into the media center with his IMG rep he was as beat up as I have ever seen him, "In shock" was how Scott described him on air.. He could barely talk, although I do remember him saying he would recover and be back strong again.. In fact he didn't win again until 2007 at the Fry's.

The next day he released this on his website...
No one wanted to win the Bell Canadian Open more than I did.

It would have been a great way to do it, too, with the 100th anniversary of the tournament, 50 years since the Pat Fletcher won and with Moe's passing.

It just wasn't to be. I certainly had chances to finish it off, but I wasn't able to capitalize on them. And after coming so close, it's a tough way to lose. I can't say I didn't have chances to win it. I hit three putts that I thought were going to give me the win. On the 72nd hole, the ball just curled to the right in front of the cup. And then in the playoff, I had almost the same line and I expected the ball to take the same turn, but it never did. It stayed out to the left on the high side.


On the second playoff hole, on the 17th, I expected my putt to break left. I had just seen Vijay's lip out after moving sharply to the right and I thought my ball, from the other side, would do the same thing. As good a player as Vijay is, you just can't give him that many lives and expect to win the golf tournament


I want to thank everyone of you who came to the Abbey or watched on TV.Every step of the way, every shot, good or not so good, they were cheering me on. There were times when it was so loud, I was almost deaf from the screams...
 
I hope this has helped you remember that most dramatic day in Canadian golf, a day when all the stars we aligned in the sky, but as Mike Weir said later "It just wasn't to be."
 
Maybe this year ???.....
 
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles
 

So why didn't Tiger tell Stevie ???

Tiger ....
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said. "Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments. I wish him great success in the future."


Stevie...
Following the completion of the AT&T National I am no longer caddying for Tiger after he informed me that he needed to make a change. After 13 years of loyal service needless to say this came as a shock. Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger's scandal, a new coach and with it a major swing change and Tiger battling through injuries I am very disappointed to end our very successful partnership at this time. I have had the opportunity to work of late for Australian Adam Scott and will now caddy for him on a permanent basis. Having started my caddying career with Australian great Peter Thompson and working for Greg Norman in the 80's I am excited about the future working for another Australian.

Huh ???

Now I have not been on my twitter account to hear all the latest, but my initial thought is why oh why didn't Tiger call Stevie, his caddy, his friend, his confident maybe even his pimp... at least the guy who he has leaned on and trusted for 13 years and talk this decision through with him ??

Tiger has had all sorts of counselling since his shite hit the fan, did none of it involve communicating your feelings with those you love and respect ??

Did Stevie fail Tiger outside of the ropes somehow by declaring his dismay at Tiger's extra marital liaisons?? Did Tiger say "Pluuueeeese" when Stevie told the world he had no idea Tiger was fulfilling his teenage dreams on a daily basis with every high heeled short skirted white girl who crossed and uncrossed her legs in his favour. Did Stevie actually go the whole nine yards to set his boss up with these bimbos and in addition did Stevie  take part in the leftovers himself ??

We may never know, nothing surprises anymore right ??

But whatever the truth, and it may just be a caddy/player thing which happens all the time, I do know that no matter, if at all, Tiger felt the need to do this, it is only the normal human thing to do, to talk to the person you are gassing before you release some typed out statement on your website...... Come on for God's sake

Tiger Woods needs to talk long and hard to his Buddha about this nonsense...and by the way... I am available at half of what Stevie was getting !!!

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

RBC Canadian Open preview, tee times..

There is a mixed bag of weather in the forcast for Shaughnessy GC, but heh it's in Vancouver. There was a lot of rain last week so this field that features 12 0f the world's top 50 will find it receptive.

Marc Calcavecchia won the last time it was played here with a total score of -5, 275 because receptive or not, Shaughnessy is a tight par 70 with smallish, undulating greens, narrow fairways and for the Canadian Open, very thick and penal rough. A ball strikers course for sure..

It overlooks the mouth of the Fraser River and Strait of Georgia and it is celebrating it's 100th birthday. Since 1911 at the old CPR site called the Shaughnessy Heights Golf Course, then since 1960 with land acquired from the Musqueam Indian Band for the present 162-acre site called Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

Featured Groups
While most of the experts are picking Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar or Ryan Moore, my pick is going to be a guy I have grown to realize is not just a slow player, but a pretty funny and very dedicated family man, Ben Crane, who was T2 last time here, his straight game suits this course..

These are my feature groups of the early flight off of #1
7:30 am Schwartzel, Charl Els, Ernie Casey, Paul

7:40 am Glover, Lucas Kim, Anthony Fowler, Rickie
8:50 am McQuillan, Matt Baryla, Chris Panzeri, Joe

Then the early flight off of #10
7:40 am Mahan, Hunter Oosthuizen, Louis Ogilvy, Geoff
8:00 am Flesch, Steve Daly, John Levin, Spencer
8:30 am Hearn, David Hicks, Justin Cauley, Bud
9:00 am Andrade, Billy Hill, Matt Hadwin, Adam

Then the late flight off of #1
12:30 pm McNeill, George Austin, Woody Waldorf, Duffy
12:40 pm Frazar, Harrison Van Pelt, Bo Gay, Brian
1:10 pm Reavie, Chez Campbell, Chad Goydos, Paul

Then the late flight off of #10
12:40 pm Bradley, Keegan Furyk, Jim Pettersson, Carl
12:50 pm Donald, Luke Kuchar, Matt Weir, Mike
1:00 pm Appleby, Stuart O'Hair, Sean Turnesa, Marc

For full tee times click here..http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r032/tee-times.html

The RBC Team
Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Anthony Kim, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald are all playing. Freddie Couples is not here but he played last year at St Georges and Morgan Pressel has not entered !!

17 Canadians and their tee times
Stephen Ames 7:30am* info

David Hearn 8:30am* info
Mike Weir 12:50pm* info
Chris Baryla 8:50am info
Matt McQuillan 8:50am info
Nick Taylor 8:30am info
Albin Choi (a) 9:00am info
Brad Fritsch 8:40am info
Dustin Risdon 9:00am info
Darren Wallace 8:50am* info
Matt Hill 9:00am* info
Adam Hadwin 9:00am* info
Eugene Wong (a) 1:40pm info
Roger Sloan 2:00pm info
Dave Bunker (a) 2:10pm info
Mitch Evanecz (a) 2:10pm* info
Brian Hutton 2:10pm* info

Later today, 2004, the year Mike Weir should have won the Canadian Open

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Low Canucks at the Canadian Open since 1985..

This year I am not going to be at our Canadian Open out in Vancouver at Shaughnessy, along with many of my colleagues like Ian Hutchinson, in the continuing trend of newspapers reflecting effects of the world wide recession in cutting back on staff and where they send them..

Personally, I started in 1985, the year Curtis Strange beat Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman at the Abbey, the first of Strange's 2 Canadian Opens. I would take a week's holiday to volunteer as a dispatcher for the transportation committee.

Dick Grimm was the tournament director,Bill Paul his young assistant and it was a magical time when the biggest names in the game would come to play.

There was no Tiger Woods yet, but he was to come,and did he ever in 2000 when he beat a red hot, but seldom heard from since Kiwi, Grant Waite with "the shot", that 180 yard beauty from the fairway bunker over the pond to within 15 feet, simply astonishing.

In 1995 I started producing and broadcasting our Fairways Golf Show and our weekend at the Canadian Open was our highlight each year. I will share some of those stories as I write this week, but every year we would ask the same question, who will be the top Canadian, or heaven help us, could one win !

Well in 2004 Mike Weir could've, should've but didn't when he lost in that playoff to Vijay Singh, and tomorrow I will tell you the story, as I broadcast that event with Scott Metcalfe for our Fairways Radio Show from the media center at the Abbey..

Here for your interest are the low Canadian finishers since 1985.

Year/ Player/ Finish /Course/ No. of Canadians making cut

2010 Adam Hadwin T37 St. George's 3
2009 Stephen Ames, Chris Baryla T8 Glen Abbey 4
2008 Mike Weir T5 Glen Abbey 5
2007 Stephen Ames T27 Angus Glen 4
2006 David Hearn T20 Hamilton 4
2005 Stephen Ames T7 Shaughnessy 1
2004 Mike Weir 2 Glen Abbey 3
2003 Mike Weir 10 Hamilton 6
2002 Ian Leggatt T16 Angus Glen 8
2001 David Morland IV T5 The Royal Montreal 5
2000 Derek Gillespie T42 Glen Abbey 2
1999 Richard Zokol T29 Glen Abbey 4
1998 Ashley Chinner T13 Glen Abbey 6
1997 Richard Zokol T13 The Royal Montreal 8
1996 David Morland IV T46 Glen Abbey 7
1995 No Canadians made the cut N/A Glen Abbey 0
1994 Dan Halldorson T31 Glen Abbey 2
1993 Ray Stewart T45 Glen Abbey 2
1992 Dave Barr, Dan Halldorson, Jerry Anderson T43 Glen Abbey 5
1991 Ray Stewart T10 Glen Abbey 5
1990 Ray Stewart T15 Glen Abbey 2
1989 Dave Barr T8 Glen Abbey 4
1988 Dave Barr T4 Glen Abbey 2
1987 Richard Zokol T7 Glen Abbey 6
1986 Dave Barr T16 Glen Abbey 7
1985 Richard Zokol T18 Glen Abbey 5

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

What an Irish Open this year will be...

As we get ready for our national Championship this week at the beautiful Shaughnessy GC, I was thinking about the hoopla that would surround it if we had 3 of the last 4 major champions as Canadians in the field. Just imagine for a moment that Mike Weir had beaten the Masters field by 8 shots, then Stephen Ames had won the Open Championship with the type of golf Darren Clarke displayed, and they were joined by David Hearn who had won the US Open the year before !! Then throw in Graham DeLaet who had won 2 Open Championships and a PGA title !!!

Can you just imagine how proud we would be and what that would mean to golf in this country !!

Well that is what is happening in Ireland for their Irish Open championship next week..

Here is the official release from Gordon Simpson, Director of Communications European Tour.

Irish golf fans will be able to give their two reigning Major Champions a rousing homecoming to remember when Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy tee it up in the Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club next week. 

Clarke’s emotional victory in The Open Championship at Royal St George’s on Sunday meant historic back-to-back Major triumphs for Northern Ireland, following McIlroy’s record breaking eight shot victory in the US Open Championship last month. Now Ireland’s golfing public will be able to cheer on both Major Champions in their national Open next week.(July 28-31).

 Clarke and McIlroy will also be joined by Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, Ireland’s two other recent Major Champions, for what is set to be a celebration of the country’s remarkable achievements on the world stage over the last four years, which was sparked by Harrington’s 2007 Open Championship win.

  “The Irish Open promises to be extra special this year with Rory and I bringing back the US Open Trophy and the Claret Jug,” said Clarke. “We always enjoy an amazing reception from the fans in Ireland but I’ve got a feeling next week could be like nothing we’ve seen before. We are both really looking forward to coming home and celebrating Irish golf’s achievements and we will both be hoping to win the Irish Open to give the fans yet another reason to celebrate.”

McIlroy added: “Darren’s magnificent victory at Royal St George’s means the Irish Open will be even more of a celebration next week.  “The reception I received last month when I brought the US Open Trophy home was unbelievable and I’m sure it will be even better in Killarney when Darren also has the Claret Jug with him. It’s an amazing time for Irish golf at the moment and I’m sure the fans will help make the Irish Open a truly special event.”

More than 82,000 people flocked to Killarney Golf and Fishing Club last year when England’s Ross Fisher held off a final day Harrington charge to capture the title

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

In case you missed my play by play blog earlier today here is the europeantour.com version

Darren Clarke became the oldest Open Champion since 1967 and sparked yet another party across Northern Ireland

Just a month after Rory McIlroy became the youngest US Open winner since 1933 and a year after Graeme McDowell's triumph in the same event, Clarke joined them in the Major club with an astonishing performance at Sandwich.

The 42 year old, 111th in the Official World Golf Ranking, lifted the Claret Jug at his 20th attempt.He did so by three shots from Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, extending The European Tour’s record winning streak in the four Majors to six going back to Mickelson's victory in last year's Masters Tournament.

"It's incredible - it really is," said Clarke, becoming emotional when mention was made of his two sons, left motherless in 2006 when his wife Heather died of breast cancer.
"It's for the kids," he added.
Nobody has ever waited so long and then won The Open, yet with a closing 70 in more wind and rain Clarke finished his 54th Major with a five under par total of 275.

The former Ryder Cup star - hero of the 2006 victory six weeks after he lost his wife  could even enjoy the walk up the final fairway knowing the job was done.

He had just dropped a shot on the 17th and could even afford to three-putt the last for another bogey.

With that Clarke, with his two sons at home in Portrush, punched the air repeatedly, took his cap off and waved it to all parts and hugged caddie John Mulrooney.

Dane Thomas Bjorn, fourth this time, failed to hang on to a three shot lead with four to play on the course in 2003, but Clarke never looked like tossing away a four shot lead handed to him when Johnson went out of bounds on the 14th and Mickelson ran up four bogeys in six holes.
"I'm a bit speechless," Clarke stated. "The last couple of holes I was trying not to make stupid mistakes and just play really careful."

Mickelson, who like Clarke made his debut in 1991, had earlier charged into the joint lead by playing the first seven in an incredible five under par, but he came home in 38 and had to settle for improving his previous best Open finish of third at Troon seven years ago.

Only two players have ever won their first Major when older than Clarke – 45 year old Jerry Barber at the 1961 US PGA Championship and 44 year old Roberto De Vicenzo at the 1967 Open.

And in The Open alone only three champions have been older than Clarke - De Vicenzo, Harry Vardon and Old Tom Morris.Not that he was the lowest-ranked player to triumph at Royal St George's, however. Ben Curtis was 396th eight years ago.

Clarke had the vital initial boost of a 15 foot par putt on the first, then went two ahead with a five footer on the next and three in front when he saved par on the difficult short third from nine feet and Johnson missed from six.

A drive into rough on the fourth - the hardest hole on the course all week - led to his first bogey of the day, but he could never have expected that as he parred the next he would be caught by Mickelson.Plenty had birdied the second, but when he added another from 14 feet for only the second one all weekend on the fourth the charge was on.

Mickelson went to three under for the day by finding the target from almost 30 feet on the short sixth, then hit his second to 25 feet at the 564 yard next and eagled it to go joint top.

The weather was starting to turn nasty at that stage, but Clarke has often prospered in such conditions in the past and he did again when he answered Mickelson's eagle with one of his own from slightly shorter range.

Two in front again as a result, he stayed there with a real "luck of the Irish" moment at the 412 yard ninth when his low recovery from the left rough skipped over a bunker and found the green.

His par there took him to the turn in 33, brilliant in its own right but outshone by Mickelson's remarkable best-of-the-week 30 - and that he had missed ten foot chances at the eighth and ninth.

There was one between them when the American made an 18 footer on the next, but he missed a three foot par attempt on the next, a six footer at the 13th, had another bogey after driving into sand two holes later and three-putted the 16th.

Johnson was four back at the turn, birdied the tenth and 12th to move into second place, but then hit his second shot out of bounds down the long 14th - the hole where Swede Henrik Stenson had taken 11 earlier in the day.

His double bogey seven gave Clarke an even bigger cushion than Bjorn had had in 2003. Bjorn could not complete the task, but Clarke did - and let the party begin.

He had just become £900,000 richer and at a stroke - or rather 275 of them - had moved back into the game's top 30.

Darren Clarke played the wind better than the rest this week, and today lagged beautifully and made every 3 footer except at the last, but he had won by then...

It's 11pm in the UK and where ever the Prince, Chubby and his posse are partying, all the best, have a Guinness on me..

You are forever the Open Champion, and well deserved...

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles

Clarke is 4 clear at the Open Championship

Phil Mickelson has just made the turn in -5 30 with 5 birdies to charge into 2nd place behind crowd favourite Darren Clarke who is playing #9 at -7 having just eagled the downwind par 5 7th.

Clarke started his day by making a 12 foot par saver at the first, and has played steadily, if not brilliantly at times in a stiff SW wind, with the occasional squall thrown in.

Mickelson's putter is as hot as it has ever been at the Open Championship,remember he has only 1 T10 finish in 17 starts, but he is making everything and in fact has now just made a 20 footer at 10 to go to -6.

9th Clarke  just got a enormous break when his mishit approach from the rough skipped over deep bunkers 30 yds in front of the green and rolled up to within 30 feet and he 2 putted for par.. -7..
11th Mickelson just missed a tiddler to make bogey and drop back to -5
10th Clarke hits a solid drive on the par 4 into the light rough
12th Mickelson drive finds a deep fairway pot bunker.Has a good lie from 110 but pulls it right into green side rough

Johnson and Bjorn are hanging in at -3, Rickie Fowler is at -2

10th Clarke Has a good lie, knocks the ball down, rolls up to 10 feet
12th Mickelson chips it stone dead for par -5
10th Clarke   lips out makes par  -7  DJohnson makes birdie at 10 -4
13th Mickelson splits the fairway with a solid drive
11th Clarke hits 4 iron on the par 3 into greenside bunker, firm lie middle of bunker, huge ovation as he strides onto green..
13th Mickelson misses the green with 145 yard approach, makes a poor chip has 10 feet left for par, sloppy play from Phil who was red hot earlier on the front 9..
11th Clarke nice bunker shot to 4 feet
13th Mickelson misses 10 footer !! crucial drops to -4
11th Clarke  makes his 4 footer... -7 and a 3 shot lead
14th Mickelson drives it into the left rough on the par 5 in a rain squall
12th Clarke  drives in a squall onto the left side of the fairway on this par 4

Squalls keep blowing through RSG of the English Channel while the wind continues to blow with gusts up to 40kph. Players are getting a work out changing clothes to cope !!

14th Mickelson second shot lay up into the fairway
12th Clarke  160 yd approach. bounces it onto the green from the right side in 2 putt range.. Dustin Johnson plays a similar shot to 20' He is at -4 as well
14th Mickelson  133 yd 3rd on this par 5.. Nice shot 8' for birdie.
12th Clarke  rolls it up nicely not quite stone dead.. makes par -7 Dustin Johnson is now at -5 after making his birdie on 12
14th Mickelson misses again fron 8' stalled at -4
13th Johnson drives middle of the fairway..Clarke in the light rough right side
15th Mickelson running out of holes drives into fairway bunker on this par 4

Clarke -7  Johnson -5 Mickelson -4

13th Clarke approach bounces beside the flag just runs through the green. Johnson hits a nice gap wedge to within 12' good birdie chance
15th Mickelson out of bunker but short of the green
13th Clarke lags up to 2 feet, makes par  DJohnson has 12 footer to get to -6.. misses makes par  -5
14th Johnson in the fairway Clarke in the fairway on this par 5 with OB all down the right..

(for a full scoreboard click on European Tour)

14th Clarke lays up nicely right side of the fairway  Johnson  265 into the wind hits it OUT OF BOUNDS !! Clarke's 3rd inside 20'

15th Mickelson makes bogey....  -3
16th Mickelson onto the green on par 3 16th, misses birdie putt, misses par putt Now at -2
14th Clarke makes par.. -7  Johnson double bogey drops to -3

15th Clarke par 4 Drives his tee ball over the bunkers into right rough, depends on lie.. Johnson just hammers an angry drive right into the middle of the fairway

Darren Clarke is 4 shots clear with 4 to play

15th Clarke from deep rough bounces another over the bunkers just short of the green Johnson's short approach beside the green but not close Clarke lags up to 3 feet Johnson chips up stone dead makes par... -3.... Clarke makes par....   -7

Darren Clarke is 4 clear with 3 to play

16th Clarke to the middle of the green on par 3... Johnson same shot inside Clarke's
Clarke 35 feet left to right..lags it inside 3 feet below the hole..Johnson lags up taps in for par 3...Clarke rolls in his par -7

ESPN commentators making much of the Johnson's collapse after that iron approach back on 14 OB..  Looking back at US Open collapse at Pebble Beach then at Whistling Straights in the PGA..What about Mickelson who was so hot on the front nine and has made 5 bogey's on the back !

Darren Clarke is 4 clear with 2 to play

17th Clarke drives to the right side of the fairway, hits the approach just short of the green right..Johnson with a nice drive, 2nd 150 yards in, hits the green
18th Mickelson finishes with a big smile and a par on 18   -2  what a collapse.
17th Clarke with approach putt to within 3 feet  Johnson from the back of the green stone dead par 4  -3.. Clarke misses !! bogey 5  -6

Darren Clarke heads to a hero's welcome on the last hole 3 shots clear

18th Thomas Bjorn -1 and Rickie Fowler E are finishing up. Nice tourney by Thomas who was the story on Thursday and Friday, and Rickie who played so well in that wind and rain (68) on Saturday..
18th Clarke just smoked his drive, in great shape in the fairway Johnson alsoinplay after a drop  Clarke's 2nd just off the green in 2.. Johnson into greenside bunker

Here comes the greatest walk in golf, standing ovation for Darren Clarke, doffs his cap, fairway is 10 deep, holding the crowd back unlike the old days when they were allowed to follow the final pair up the fairway

Johnson explodes out to 15', Clarke putts across the green, 6 feet past.. Johnson misses par putt, bogey leaves him T2nd with Mickelson at -2

Clarke misses, taps in for bogey 5 he is your winner !! -5

So the man his friends call "The Prince", Darren Clarke is the Champion Golfer of the Year as we are about to hear at the presentation 68,68,69,70 275 -5 and is amazingly the 3rd golfer from Northern Ireland in 13 months to win a major, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and now Darren. It must be the greatest year in that little country's history.
He played brilliantly, with cunning and guile that a lifetime of links golf has endowed in him. He also played in a great spirit with a positive attitude in some awful weather, and was the best ball striker in the wind all week.

He is a very deserving winner of the 140th Open Championship..

Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles