Merry Christmas and a look ahead for 2016.

It sure doesn't look or feel like Christmas eve here in the GTA at 14*c and raining while the rest of Canada is in a deep freeze, nonetheless I have it on good information that Santa is getting the reindeer ready and will be heading your way whatever the weather.

Before I look ahead at what will be as jam packed a golf season as there has ever been here's who I know should be having a great Christmas..

* Brooke Henderson can't drink legally yet, but her eggnog is fortified with the thoughts of her break through year of 2015 as she goes into the festive season as the highest ranked Canadian pro at #18 in the world, well on her way to what should be a fantastic 15 years vying for the #1 ranking along with Lydia Ko, Inbee Park and a slew of young international but mainly Asian players.

* all the members of the American Solheim Cup team who were trailing Europe 10-6 going into the 12 Sunday singles but the European squad could only win three and draw another and Julie Inkster's team rallied around rookie Alison Lee who was penalized for picking up the ball when she thought her putt was conceded in the morning fourballs. The 20-year-old missed a birdie putt on the 17th hole and then picked up the ball only for Suzann Pettersen to claim Europe hadn’t conceded the short putt.

That galvanized the Americans and later in the afternoon controversial pick Paula Creamer silenced the German crowd as she defeated Germany’s Sandra Gal to complete the turnaround and secure a 14½-13½ victory for the United States

* all the members of the American Presidents Cup team who travelled to South Korea and were seemingly down and out going into the singles, but rallied and won a storybook 9th trophy when Bill Haas was conceded his birdie putt on the final hole by Korean hero Sangmoon Bae for a 2-up victory for the 15½-14½ triumph.

There were many twists and turns along the way with seven matches being decided on the 18th green none more dramatic than Bae, needing to win the hole to halve the match and make it a 15-15 tie, chunked his third shot from just short of the green and watched in shock as it rolled back towards him and then pitched his 4th long. missed the putt and conceded to end the closest match since the teams tied 17-17 in South Africa 2003.

* Jordan Spieth and Jason Day for obvious reasons, Spieth with his 5 wins including the Masters and US Open for Player of the Year and Day for the tremendous fall run he made starting with his win at our RBC Canadian Open followed by the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, then wins at the  The Barclays and the BMW Championship, two of the first three events in the FedEx Cup playoffs and the world #1 ranking.

* Zach Johnson who will forever be known as the "Champion golfer of the year" after his improbable win of the Open Championship in a playoff at St Andrews.

There are many others, and with the 2016 season about to resume at Kapalua on Maui, there will be many more.

The majors this year are all at great courses. The Masters of course at Augusta then the US Open at Oakmont CC where I remember Angel Cabrera beating Tiger and Jim Furyk by a shot in 2007, and before that Ernie Els beating a distraught Monty in a playoff in 1994...

The Open Championship is back on Scotland's west coast at Royal Troon where I narrowly escaped from the members after my late brother Rodney, and our touring partners Bill Bruce and Glen Whitebread hit the jackpot on their clubhouse slot machine and cleaned it out.  The PGA Championship wraps up  the majors at venerable Baltusrol in Springfield NJ, where Jason Day will defend his title.

However the year is far from over as the world's best head for the Olympics in Rio in mid August where golf makes it's first return since 1904, then fourteen days later the Fed Ex Cup playoffs begin, wrapping up with the Tour Championship on September 25.

As if that weren't enough, the juggernault that is now the Ryder Cup will be contested on American soil this year at the fabulous Hazeltine National GC in Minnesota the following week.

Don't forget the scene then shifts to the Race to Dubai where Rory McIlroy defends his title and speaking of Rory, what about the players who will be challenging for all these titles with him.

I believe we are in for an era of great parity with Rory and Jordan right at the top, with Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Patrick Reed just to name a few right up there just behind. The age of young guns winning right out of the Web.com or Challenge tours is here with stars like Matt Fitzpatrick, Danny Lee, Justin Thomas, Emiliano Grillo, Smylie Kaufman set to vie with established veterans like Kevin Kisner, Graeme McDowell, Jimmy Walker and so many more.

Then of course the old guard comes into the story, with Phil and Ernie still competitive when they get their confidence rolling and what of Tiger and his inevitable return to the game he had dominatedfor fifteen wonderful years.

What a year and I haven't even mentioned the whole Canadian story with David Hearn leading the way for the men and I get back to Brooke leading the women..

First I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas with your families, then let's get this great season ahead off with a safe and happy New Year's.

All the very best

Bryan

Renolds slips to 73, Tabeuna wins Philippine Open

Asian Tour Philippine Open final leaderboard http://www.asiantour.com/tournaments/486/leaderboard/

It's back to Q school for Canadian Lindsay Renolds who led after two rounds of 66,68, but slipped to a +1 73 to finish T10 and outside the top 63 who have earned their Asian Tour cards for 2016.

The winner is Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines who fired a superb -6 66 to take the Philippine Open for his first Asian Tour title.

The 21-year-old fired six birdies on his homeward nine to seal the deal with a winning total of -14 202 as this event was reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather earlier this week.

Scott Barr of Australia missed out on winning his first Asian Tour title following a 68 but his lone second place result ensured that he would retain his Tour card for 2016 after jumping 15 spots to 49^th place on the Order of Merit.

Tabuena thrilled the crowds as he became the first Filipino to win his National Open since 2008.

Renolds has the lead with a round to play at the Philippine Open

Asian Tour Philippine Open leaderboard http://www.asiantour.com/tournaments/486/leaderboard/

Lindsay Renolds has the lead as he seeks his first Asian Tour title after shooting a second round -4 68 to lead by a shot at -10 134 just ahead of veteran Scott Barr of Australia, who jumped up the leaderboard with a solid -6 66, -9 at this rain shortened US$300,000 Philippine Open

At -8 is local crowd favourite Miguel Tabuena  following a 69 and he is T3 with five-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar (69) of India, Kalle Samooja (67) of Finland and Giwhan Kim (68) of Korea, all on 136 at this soggy, long Luisita Golf and Country Club.

As I wrote yesterday, Renolds who lives in Phuket, needs a win this week to secure his Asian Tour card for 2016. He is currently 93rd on the money list and needs to get into the top 63.

“It is exciting to be in this position. My game feels good and I feel good. I’m not really worried or nervous. We will see what tomorrow brings. It is just another round of golf for me.
“It is a game which you win or lose. You can only think of it that way. Obviously there’s a lot on the line tomorrow but if I play good golf then things will work out the way it should,”

The cut fell at E 144 with a total of 68 players qualifying for the 3rd and final round.

Bryan Angus

Canada's Lindsay Renolds leads Philippine Open

Asian Tour Philippine Open leaderboard http://www.asiantour.com/tournaments/486/leaderboard/

Lindsay Renolds who lives in Phuket but represents Canada and is looking to win his Asian tour card shot a -6 66 for the first round lead at the weather-shortened Philippine Open. (More on Lindsay's background later.)

He leads a pack led by home favourites Miguel Tabuena, Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand, Gaganjeet Bhullar of India and Korean rising star Jeunghun Wang, who posted matching 67s at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.

Officials had to postpone the opening round and reduce the Philippine Open to 54 holes due to inclement weather and the course is very wet, playing long.

Renolds, now 29 and ranked 93rd on the Order of Merit, has this final chance to save his Asian Tour card for next year. He needs a win this week to break into the top-63 on the Order of Merit

“It is a case of winning or going back to Qualifying School for me this week. I got nothing to lose. I’m trying to stay motivated and focussed,” said the 29-year-old Renolds.

“It was a good day. I hit my driver and irons well. Everything was good and I played the best I could. I don’t have one single highlight, my proximity to the hole was good all day,” he added

Lindsay was born in Lyon, France and brought up in Asia most of his life. He has travelled the world including his time in Vancouver and has represented Canada, but does consider Thailand as his home.

In 1998 at the age of 12 he was inspired to take up golf seriously when he met Tiger Woods at the Johnny Walker Classic, at Blue Canyon in Phuket, Thailand.  He started to practice at a local course after the members had finished for the day and soon got into junior tournaments in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

The family moved the the States when he was16 to help him continue his golf career and he joined the IJGA golf academy, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

In 2004 In 2004 he was offered a scholarship at Coastal Carolina University where his team mate for three years was Dustin Johnson. in 2009 he was selected to play for RCGA TEAM CANADA team along with Matt Hill, Nick Taylor, and Eugene Wong and shortly after that he turned professional on the Canadian tour.

He is married and has a daughter.

Bryan Angus

Typhoon Melor delays the start of Philippine Open

Asian Tour Philippine Open leaderboard http://www.scoreboard.com/golf/asian-tour/philippine-open/

Officials of the Philippine Open have delayed the opening round of the Asian Tour event until today due to inclement weather.

The US$300,000 Asian Tour event, which was scheduled to start on Thursday, has also been reduced to 54 holes due to persistent rain caused by Typhoon Melor which hit central Philippines on Tuesday.

Asian Tour Tournament Director Wanchai Meechai said: “Typhoon Melor did not make landfall at the Luisita Golf and Country Club which is located about a two-hour drive from Manila but heavy rainfall has forced us to postpone the start of the event and reduce it to three rounds.”

This is the final event on the 2015 Asian Tour season. Marcus Both of Australia will defend his title against an elite field consisting of two Order of Merit champions and no fewer than 15 Asian Tour winners.

The storied Philippine Open has celebrated many worthy champions in the past including Australia’s Peter Thomson, Lu Liang-huan and Hsieh Min-nan of Chinese Taipei, Mardan Mamat of Singapore and Filipino stars Frankie Minoza, Angelo Que, Larry Montes, Celestino Tugot, Ben Arda and Luis ‘Golem’ Silverio, who won as an amateur in 1966.

Manila is 13 hours ahead of EST...

Ryder Cup heading for Rome in 2022

Come on everybody name your favourite Italian golfer ??

Footballers too many to choose from, Sophia Loren, endless TV cooking show hosts, Mussolini, the Godfather, on and on it goes. As for golf it is Constantina Rocca and Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero.

Well all that will change because the Ryder Cup is headed to Italy for the first time, with the Marco Simone club in Rome chosen Monday to host golf’s biggest team event in 2022.

Italy beat rival bids from Germany, Spain and Austria to secure hosting rights for the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup.

 

It will be the third time the event is staged in continental Europe, after Valderrama in Spain in 1997 and Le Golf National in Paris in 2018.

 

The Jim Fazio-designed course, which hosted the 1994 Italian Open, is located in Guidonia, 27 kilometers northeast of central Rome. The course will undergo a complete reconstruction for the Ryder Cup.

 

The course will likely form part of Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympics. Rome is competing against Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest, Hungary for the games. Golf is returning to the Olympics next year in Rio de Janeiro.

 

Hazeltine National in Minnesota will host the Ryder Cup next year, followed by Le Golf National in 2018 and Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in 2020

 

Bryan Angus

Jamie Donaldson wins Thailand Championship for his first win of the year in his last event

Asian Tour Thailand Championship final leaderboard

Before I get to Jamie Donaldson, remember this name, 16-year-old Thai Phachara Kongwatmai, who in sixth with a total of 275 and with that he will tee it up with the world's best at Royal Troon in the Open Championship next July.

The prize money at this Thailand Championship isn't much over $10,000 but the perks that go with it are priceless,

Four spots in the Open Championship were up for grabs, as well as the second last chance to get into the world's top 50 and subsequent invitation to all the spoils for 2016.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson achieved all of that closing in style with a -7 65 to win his first title of a mediocre 2015 in his last event of the season.

He beat young Frenchman, Clement Sordet and a fit looking defending champion Lee Westwood by three strokes at the Amata Country Club with it's signature 17th, with it's dramatic island green.

He started the week ranked 68th with no spot in the Open, This morning he is ranked 43rd http://www.owgr.com/ and will be in Troon as by the way will Westwood who seems to be in a good spot in his life after the split with his long time wife over the summer. He shot 67 for his T2 and had this to say, I’ve played every one since 1995 so it’s great to keep that run going. It’s been 21 years now and I’ve not missed one, so I’m happy,”

Sergio Garcia (69) the 2013 winner, and Byeong-hun An (70) T4 with -14 274.

Bryan Angus

Adam Svensson's remarkable win at Web.com Q school

Web.com Q School final results http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/web-com-tour-qualifying-tournament/leaderboard.html

Six out of the 15 Canadians who began Web.com Q school on Thursday in Palm Beach Gardens have secured some level of status for the 2016 season.

One of them has full status all year in what is becoming a Canadian tradition. Adam Svensson had one of the week's of his golfing career and his scores of  64 65 65 72 -20 were a full seven shots better than anyone else in the field.

Ironically we were discussing Brad Fritsch at this time last year as he did exactly the same thing when he shot a brilliant -27, albeit over 6 rounds, to win by seven shots as well.

For those who have been contacting me for more info on Adam, he is a 21 from Surrey BC who won a golf scholarship at Barry University in Miami, and after 2 years and a Player of the Year award, he decided leave and turn pro. He split his year between the Mackenzie Tour and the Web.com Tour where he had 3 top 25's in 7 outings after finishing 9th on the Order of Merit on the McKenzie, where he finished 2nd twice.

Albin Choi of Toronto (T14); Taylor Pendrith (T14) of Richmond Hill, Ont.; Benjamin Silverman of Thornhill, Ont.; Mackenzie Hughes (T21) of Dundas, Ont.; and Ryan Yip (T34) of Calgary will all have status through the tour’s second re-shuffle.

Tip of my cap to contributor Graham Jansen who noted that the Champion Course at PGA National plays host to The Honda Classic on the PGA Tour's Florida swing and you will all remember it features “The Bear Trap,” with those tough par 3s at 15 and 17.

Svensson's win was all the more remarkable when you consider there were nearly 1,000 entries for the tournament, many having to work their way through pre-qualifying, then two more stages just to get to the final.

With the win he gets $25,000 and is guaranteed fully-exempt status next year while players finishing next (2nd-10) will be exempt until the third reshuffle then players 11th-45th will make it to the second reshuffle.

Jason Millard (70) and Ian Davis (69) T2 -13-under 273.

So it's off to Panama, then South America for the start of the Web.com tour in January with a list of goals to achieve for young Adam. Topping that list ? “My goal is to win out there and get my PGA TOUR card, followed quickly by “I would love to play in the Olympics”

All of that and much more lies ahead, but none of it would have been possible without his remarkable win this weekend.

Bryan Angus

Little known Frenchman Clement Sordet leads Thailand Open after 3 rounds

Asian Tour Thailand Golf Championship leaderboard http://www.scoringsolutions.asia/golf/livescor.htm

Thailand's best known golfer, veteran Thongchai Jaidee is the host here this week and with scores of 73 67 72 -4 he is not going to win, but the number of big names who have made the trip to Chonburi at the Amata Springs CC in what is Thailand's rainy season is a mark of the respect with which he is held by his peers.

But minutes ago it was a much lesser known pro, France's Clement Sorbet who has added a 63 to yesterday's 66 for a -16 total, to shots clear of Jamie Donaldson who slipped to a 71, -14 total.

Clement Sordet is ranked 481, has been playing on the Challenge Tour and was the last international player invited to play, this is his first time in Thailand.

Now come the big names, defending champion Lee Westwood 71 68 63 -13, rookie of the year Byeonghun (Ben) An 69 67 68 -12, Sergio Garcia 66 69 70 -11, Martin Kaymer 68 65 72 -11. Bubba Watson is well back T34 71 70 72 -3 and is saying he just can't gauge the slower speed of the greens.

Another of the selling points for this event is that it is the last event of the year for guys the grab one of the 4 spots available in the 2016 Open Championship.

Bryan Angus

Canada's Adam Svensson leads Web.com Q School by 5 shots

Web.com Q School leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/web-com-tour-qualifying-tournament/leaderboard.html

Adam Svennson has picked a great week to be playing some of the best golf of his very brief pro career. As you can see from the link above, with scores of 64 65 -14 he is not only 5 shots clear at the halfway stage, he is 10 shots better than any of the other 14 Canadians, with Ryan Yip 67 72 at -4.

Playing the par 72 Fazio course he got off to a perfect start with 4 birdies in a row for that 5 shot lead over former World Amateur #1 Ollie Schniederjans of the States, 66 68 -9. Several of you have been asking me about Adam, he is 21, from Surrey BC, and was a two-time All-American at Barry University in Miami.

For those of us who have followed his development through the Canadian junior ranks, we know Adam can really drive the golf ball and this week through two rounds, he is first in driving accuracy finding 25 of 28 fairways. Combine that with the fact that having gone to school in Miami he is very familiar with PGA National as he won the individual title there as he led the Barry Buccaneers to a 19 shot win at the NCAA Division II National.

Svensson’s 36-hole total of 129 (-14) is the lowest of his professional career.

Please check the attached link for all Canadian scores. I have personalized it for easy reference.

Bryan Angus

Five teams within five shots at Franklin Templeton Shootout

Franklin Templeton Shootout leaderboard http://leaderboard.franklintempletonshootout.com/

Mike Weir and Sean O'Hair are just happy to be playing considering they are both on golfing comeback trails, the fact they are 62 68 -12 going into today's  final round is just gravy.

The leaders, playing the event for the first time, at -20 are Charlie Hoffman and rookie of the year Daniel Berger after scores of 60 64.They lead Brandt Snedeker and Jason Dufner and opening-day leaders Matt Kuchar and Harris English by a stroke but with best ball ahead today, five teams are within five shots of the lead and that is why this event sponsored by Franklin Templeton is called a
"Shootout"

Kuchar and English posted a scramble score of -14 58 for the first-round lead and remember they won in 2013 and were second a year ago. Consider this, in seven rounds here they are -79 !!!

My picks, Patrick Reed and JB Holmes are T7, 62 68 -14, just a little too far behind. The weather for today down in Naples is why all my golfing buddies have winter homes in Florida. It is more of the same.. beautiful blue skies, and hot 26*c with very little wind.

Bryan Angus

Follow 15 Canadians at Web.com Q school here.

Web.com Q school leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/web-com-tour-qualifying-tournament/leaderboard.html

I have just written about golf's silly season, but for guys looking to play or improve their status on the Web.com, this weekend at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fazio and Champion courses in Florida is arguably the most important of their season.

The first of four rounds is already underway and there are 15 Canadians in the field and here they are courtesy of Golf Canada :

Wil Bateman of Edmonton, Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont., Devin Carrey of Burnaby, B.C., Albin Choi of Toronto, Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Lucas Kim of Toronto, Matt McQuillan of Kingston, Ont., Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., Chris Ross of Dundas, Ont., Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C., Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., Kevin Spooner of Vancouver, Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C., and Ryan Yip of Calgary will all get their chance to determine their priority ranking for the Web.Com Tour’s 2015-16 season.

Follow them all with me right here.

The winner and ties receives full status. The top 10 and ties earn exempt status through the Tour’s third reshuffle. The top 45 and ties earn exempt status through the second reshuffle. And, players finishing 46th and higher earn conditional status.

The good news is Taylor Pendrith and Eugene Wong are already exempt through the first reshuffle by virtue of top-5 finishes on Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour China respectively.

Bryan Angus

Mike Weir returns to play for charity at the Franklin Templeton Shoot-Out

Franklin Templeton Shootout leaderboard http://leaderboard.franklintempletonshootout.com/

Mike Weir is in Naples Florida this week as he begins his long road back to what he hopes will be a return to full status on the PGA Tour. He is paired with Sean O'Hair in the Franklin Templeton Shoot-out, one of the fun events in this the Silly Season for golf, but it has a deadly serious purpose

This is Greg Norman's event and he is a trustee of CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, who are the principal benefactor of the tournament.

It is a national non-profit foundation that accelerates the cure for children's cancer by solving the field's most challenging problems. CureSearch is in the fight to make treatment possible and a cure probable for the 43 children diagnosed with cancer daily.

There is a purse of $3.1 million at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, and everyone stays at the on-site Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. There are 12 teams of two as usual. It's a full week, they have already raised a ton of money in the two-day Pro-Ams, now the 54-hole modified alternate shot, better ball and scramble formats start at 940am this morning.

 

Norman isn't playing this year, in fact he doesn't play much at all anymore, but he is the host and will put on an instructional clinic after play on Friday, and host a 5k run on Saturday morning, both raising more money for this charity.

 

Understandably it's not the strongest field ever with golfers spread out all around the world, most taking 3 weeks off until the start of the new year.

The first winners back in 1989 were Curtis Strange and Mark O'Meara 66 62 62 190. Fred Couples and Ray Floyd had the all time low score in 1990, -34, 64 57 61 182 matched in 2013 by Matt Kuchar and Harris English 64 60 58. 

 

Jason Day and Cameron Tringale won it last year 55 64 65 184, but Day is not here this year, taking time off with his new daughter in Ohio, after his incredible late run this summer

 

As for Weirsy he hasn't had a lot of success here, but has been a regular. His first year was 2010 with KJ Choi 67 62 63 -24 T5, he returned from injury in 2012 with Mark Calcavecchia and finished last at -10, teamed up with Graham DeLaet in 2013, 73 64 60 -19 and last year paired with Retief Goosen 60 74 67 -15

 

This year I am picking JB Holmes and Patrick Reed to win it all, edging Zach Johnson and Patrick Rodgers, but the $385,000 the winners each get doesn't really matter...the money they raise for charity does..

 

Bryan Angus

 

 

Bubba flies to Thailand after winning Tiger's Hero World Challenge

PGA Tour Hero World Challenge final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html

Last night Bubba headed to New York from Nassau to catch a flight to Asia for the Thailand Open for his friend Thongchai Jaidee where he is the defending champion. Last year he donated his prize money to Jaidee with whom he has forged a strong friendship. He extended his gesture as a way to help young golfers and children in need in Thailand. The first prize to the Jaidee Foundation was $9,750US

This time he has an extra $1m in his jeans after he cruised to victory with a -6 66 for a three-shot win over Patrick Reed at Albany Golf Club finishing at -25 263, one shot from Jordan Spieth’s record last year at Isleworth.

Reed finished of his world tour with his fifth T10 in six events, he also had a 66 to finish alone in second, moving him to No. 10 in the world for the first time. Rickie Fowler had a 64 to finish third.

Justin Rose who has a home at Albany GC set a course record with a final round 62, while Jordan Spieth ended up his spectacular year with a 67 and is off to play Augusta with his dad this weekend, then is off on holiday for 3 weeks before starting 2016 in Maui.

Bryan Angus

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc wins full status at LPGA Tour Q school

LPGA Tour Q School final results http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

Maude-Aimée LeBlanc fired a final round 71 -10 total to finish T4, earning her full LPGA Tour card for 2016. She played the tour in 2011 so should be better prepared in her second year with full status.

Meanwhile Anne-Catherine Tanguay also from Quebec finished T36 E, 360, and Samantha Richdale finished at 361 (T41) and both have earned conditional status.
Jessica Wallace earned Symetra Tour status for 2016  T64th at +6 366.

Simin Feng originally from China but living in Florida for the last 10 years, coached by David Leadbetter won the tournament by a whopping 7 shots, 65 70 69 69 69 -18

Bryan Angus

Bubba shoots 63 for a 2 shot lead at Tiger's Hero World Challenge

PGA Tour Hero World Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html

It was a rare dead flat calm day at the wide open Ernie Els designed Albany GC in the Bahamas and as a result with 18 players from the world's top 50 in attendance, the scoring was low, and the two lowest, Bubba Watson and Paul Casey who both shot course record 63's are in first and second place going into today's final round.

Bubba had seven birdies, and an eagle for a 2 shot lead at -19, 197 and is only here because Jason Day has a new daughter and decided like all good dad's to stay at home with the family and withdrew. Bubba has brought the family with him for a week of fun in New Providence Island.

Chris Kirk 66, and Patrick Reed 66, are just three shots behind, followed by Jordan Spieth 68, and Bill Haas 68.

 

Play is now underway in round 4...

 

Bryan Angus

 

 

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc T2 as final round is underway at LPGA Tour Q School

LPGA Tour Q School leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc has started play in today's final round of LPGA Tour Q school T4 after her -3 under 69 yesterday and she is the top Canadian of the 10 who started play in Daytona Beach on Wednesday.

 

The top 20 at the end of today's fifth and final round will earn full-time status on the tour. Five Canadians are left to play today after four missed the 72-hole cut.

 

China’s Simin Feng has a five-stroke lead after her -3 69 yesterday and play is well under way today.

 

Canadian scores at the start of play Sunday

Maude-Aimee Leblanc T4 71 67 72 69 -9

Anne Catherine Tanquay T29 72 73 68 73 -2

Samantha Richie T34 70 74 70 73 -1

Jessica Wallace T65 74 75 69 73 +3

Sara-Maude Juneau WD 68 77 69 75

 

Rebecca Lee Bentham MC

Lori Kane MC

Augusta James MC

 

Bryan Angus

 

 

Nathan Holman hits the jackpot with Australian PGA Championship win

European Tour Australian PGA Championship final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015095/leaderboard/index.html#GxZPhBpFXPueUjCC.97

Earlier this morning young Australian Nathan Holman hit the jackpot with his first professional victory on home soil no less, as he edged South African Dylan Frittelli and American, Harold Varner III in a play-off to win the Australian PGA Championship.

 

With the win he becomes a full Member of The European Tour, he wins the Australian PGA’s Order of Merit for 2015, and with it a place in the 2016 Open at Royal Troon as well as entry to World Golf Championships in the USA and China. Like I said.. the jackpot....

 

It was another windy day at RACV Royal Pines, and Holman was two shots clear with two holes to play but made bogey's at them both and was in the clubhouse at E after a 73, then watched as both Varner  and Frittelli couldn't close with a birdie which would have given either the win and to make matters worse for them at the first extra hole, they both missed the green, made bogey 5's and Holman won it all with a par 4

 

None of the field could break par when it was all said and done.

 

Bryan Angus

Leishman pulls away to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge

European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015094/leaderboard/index.html#oZayy02FIitBwDlO.97

It was a close race for a while today but in the end Australia's Marc Leishman pulled away with four birdies on the back nine from Henrik Stenson to win the 35th edition of the Nedbank Golf Challenge by six shots on another hot day in Sun City.

His scores of 68 68 66 67 -19 were the class of the week and while he and Stenson were in virtual match play all afternoon, the big Swede could only manage E 72 to finish alone in second at -13.

With Leishman up by 3 shots I thought the final nail in the coffin for Stenson came at the 15th where he drove into the trees on the left to drop a shot as Leishman rolled in long one for birdie, giving the Aussie a five-shot lead with 3 to play.

It is Leishman's first European Tour win, and afterwards he summed it up like this. "I’m pretty happy to have this year over, to be honest. Audrey (his wife) got very sick and I lost an uncle who I was very close to. This tops off what was otherwise not a great year. Three weeks ago we moved into a new house, so this will help pay for that.”

Chris Wood finished in third place at -9 with defending champion Danny Willett, Victor Dubuisson, Branden Grace and Robert Streb all at -8

Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)

Leishman passes Stenson for the lead in searing heat at Sun City

European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015094/leaderboard/index.html#rPW7t3Z6KrYfkfPH.97

It's was so hot today in Sun City, 45*c, the spectators weren't following the players out along the course, preferring to stay in the stands around the air conditioned hospitality tents and clubhouse, many opting for the man made wave pool that is part of this luxurious resort.

To make matters worse, a flu bug has invaded the clubhouse and several of the players are suffering from the effects, in fact Henrik Stenson was so sick he withdrew after nine holes of the Wednesday pro-am after 2 days in bed and only just decided to play on Thursday.

Still be big straight hitting Swede who won here in 2008 continued to lead as they came down to the closing holes of round 3 at this 35th edition of what is now called the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Remember despite being 2nd in 3 of the 4 Fed Ex Cup playoffs he is still looking for his first win of the year.

However after opening rounds of 66 67, he was -2 70 today and at -13 he has been caught and passed by Aussie Marc Leishman who added a strong -6 66 today to his opening 68 68 to get to -14 with a birdie, birdie finish. Remember he lost the playoff to Zach Johnson at the Open Championship this year.

Jaco Van Zyl 72 is third at -10 while Robert Streb 72 is fourth at -9. Those four are 2 shots clear of the pack.

Bryan Angus

Spieth tied atop a crowded leaderboard at the Hero World Challenge

PGA Tour Hero World Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html

The holiday in the Bahamas continues for 18 of Tiger's invitees and their families at the Hero World Challenge and three of them are already at -11 after two rounds, with three more right behind them at -10.

Jordan Spieth 66, Bill Haas 66 and Jimmy Walker 67 share the lead -11, while Bubba Watson 67, Patrick Reed 65 and Chris Kirk 65 are -10. Walker says his new swing under the tutelage of Butch Harmon has allowed him to drive the ball better than he ever has.

Patrick Reed continues his world tour, and good golf. He's been in China (Shanghai), Dubai, and before that in Hong Kong, and Malaysia, with a slew of T10 finishes, so he's due for a win.

Spieth shot 63,66 last year on the weekend and won by 10 shots but this year after a very calm, sticky day ideal for scoring half of the field are within three shots.

Only one player is above par, Hideki Matsuyama 75 73 +4.

Bryan Angus

A good day for the Canadian women at LPGA Tour Q School

LPGA Tour Q School leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

Simin Feng (Beijing, China) who was the 2014 SEC Freshman of the Year at Vanderbilt continues to lead at the Final Stage of LPGA Qualifying Tournament. She finished in style with an eagle at the 18th for 69 -12 for the tournament to lead American, Cydney Clanton by two-shots.

The top 20 players following fifth round play on Sunday will earn LPGA membership in category 12 on the priority list. There are currently 17 players at -4, 212, or better and eight players in a tie for 18th at -3, 213.

Of the 13 players T8 or better, six have had LPGA Tour status in the past including the top three and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc 71 67 72 -6 (T8) who led a better day in Daytona Beach for most of the Canadian women.

Anne Catherine Tanquay 72 73 68 -3 T18
Samantha Richdale 70 74 70 -2 T26
Sara Maude Juneau 68 77 69 -2 T26
Jessica Wallace 74 75 69 +2 T66
Rebecca Lee Bentham 77 69 73 +3 T78
Jennifer Kirby 71 74 74 +3 T78
Augusta James 70 80 72 +6 T107
Lorie Kane 76 72 75 +7 T120
Sue Kim WD

Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)

Three way tie on top, down under at Australian PGA

European Tour Australian PGA Champonship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015095/leaderboard/index.html#vm4XeSXQ7FgO1hlr.97

The redesigned RACV Royal Pines Resort, tough pin placements and a stiff breeze have combined for a difficult test of golf at this Australian PGA Championship and as a result there are only 4 players under par and three of them, all looking for their first pro wins are tied at the top.

 

South Africans Dylan Frittelli (71), Zander Lombard (71) and Web.com graduate Harold Varner III (66) are all at -3 while Aussie Nathan Holman (70) is -1.

 

Another Australian, Matthew Millar and halfway leader David Lingmerth (75) are T5 E.

 

Bryan Angus

 

South Korean " Ben An" wins European Tour Rookie of the Year award

An Byeong-Hun has been named as the European Tour's Rookie of the Year as well as the Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year.

The young American based South Korean, known to all as " Ben An" won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and also had a wealth of other good finishes in the 2015 season, and he's been chosen ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick and Anirban Lahiri for the honour

He was the youngest ever winner of the US Amateur at the age of 17 in 2009, He finished 7th in this year's Race to Dubai boosted by top 4 finishes in 3 of the Final Series events.

He is the first Asian player to win the award, and joins a who's who of golf on the Sir Henry Cotton trophy.

Bryan Angus

Play resumes after a thunderstorm at the Nedbank Challenge

European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015094/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#wxrboLyVvWvFPlzo.97

In form South African Jaco Van Zyl started his second round in great style, birdie, eagle and had a one shot lead over Robert Streb and two over Henrik Stenson before play was halted at 230pm local time when lightning moved into the area with Stenson and Van Zyl both having played their second shots at the 10th, a par 5.

A subsequent thunderstorm has cleared the air and play has resumed on what is now a lovely sunny afternoon, and the soaking has made the greens very receptive. Danny Willett the defending champion has tweaked his back and was in obvious pain unable to turn properly, subsequently going out in 40 shots.

Round 2 will have to be  finished tomorrow morning

More to follow

Bryan Angus

LeBlanc is the top Canadian at LPGA Q school

LPGA Tour Q school final stage leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

China’s Simin Feng (70) and South Korea’s Julie Yang (69) shared the second-round lead at -9 after 2 rounds at the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.

The top 20 finishers Sunday will earn full LPGA Tour cards, and Nos. 21-45 and ties will receive conditional status.

The top Canadian of the ten entered is Maude-Aimee LeBlanc 71 67 who is T5 at -6 in fact she had a 67 on the Hills Course, the best round there of the day and she had this to say afterward. “Everything seemed to be working today, I didn’t make any putts on the front nine, but I made five birdies on the back and no bogeys so it was just a solid round.”

It wasn't such a good day for the other Canadians

Samantha Richie T43 70 74 E
Sara Maude Juneau T58 68 77 +1
Jennnifer Kirby T58 71 74 +1
Catherine Ann Tanquay T58 72 73 +1
Rebecca Lee Bentham T70 77 69 +2
Lorie Kane T95 76 72 +4
Jessica Wallace T112 74 75 +5
Augusta James T122 70 80 +6
Sue Kim WD

Bryan Angus

David Lingmirth leads the Australian PGA after two rounds

European Tour Australian PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015095/leaderboard/index.html#U36HsdIXsCvWPPYP.97

Round two is in the books down in Queensland, Australia and it is the promising young Swede David Lingmirth 73 68 -3 who has a narrow lead, one of only 12 players to break par in the wind at the RACV Royal Pine Resort course, recently redesigned and toughened up by Aussie legend Graham Marsh.

The wind is making the new course very difficult, for example defending champion Greg Chalmers 76 75 +7 and top seed Brandt Snedeker 84 75 +15 have missed the cut.

Lingmirth, 57th in the world, now lives in the States and you'll remember he won the Memorial Tournament back in June and has decided to join the European Tour for 2016 to try and make the Ryder Cup team.

England’s Mark Foster, Peter Uihlein and  Spain’s Pablo Martin Benavides are in the pack at -2.
 

This event, now in it's 110 year has finally been included for the first time in The Race to Dubai International Schedule.

 

Bryan Angus

Wounded Tiger talks with Rube, hosts his Hero World Challenge

PGA Tour Hero World Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html

The last time I was with my friend and colleague Lorne Rubenstein was at Dick Grimm's funeral when he was one of several who gave a eulogy on the great man who has contributed so much to the game in Canada.

Lorne and I hit it off from the get go and he would always come on my Fairways golf show and provide his trademark clear and concise, straight forward analysis of whatever the topic was, he and Stephen Brunt were the two guys you would always get the Globe and Mail sports section to read.

He has since been spending even more time in Florida with his own golf radio show, and this week had his very open sit down with Tiger published in Time magazine. I have put the link to Lorne's entire interview here.

The bottom line for me is that Tiger, still trying to recover from his third back operation is now grown up, and far enough removed from the game and the spotlight that he can start to open up with guys who he trusts in the media about himself, his ex wife, his children, his game and it is must read stuff for all who follow this game and the most important man in it for the last 20 years or so.

CLICK HERE TO READ LORNE RUBENSTEIN’S TIME INTERVIEW WITH TIGER WOODS

Well Tiger is in the broadcast booth hosting his Hero World Challenge, now being played at the very posh Albany Golf Club in Providence, Bahamas.  It was at his Isleworth club last year in Florida, but I associate it the most at the Sherwood Country Club in California.

This event and the Nedbank should never count in the PGA or European Tour standings in my opinion, for goodness sake there are only 18 players (30 in Sun City), with no cut obviously, and a purse of $3.5m, but more importantly a ton of cash mainly from the sponsor and TV, raised for the Tiger Woods foundation.

They should just leave it as it is, a nice exhibition over 2 days if you like, for some of Tiger's buddies and their families on holiday down in Nassau. Heck there are hardly any spectators, not more than 25 fans were seen around any green yesterday.

For the record, Paul Casey who hasn't won anything all year, birdied the final hole at for a -6 66 to give him the lead along with Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson

If you were wondering about Walker, he is now being coached by Butch Harmon and  hasn’t played since October and believe it or not after finally starting to win and enjoy all the trappings that go with winning late in his pro career.... he is changing his swing !

Jordan Spieth has flown up from Australia and he made a hole-in-one with a 6-iron on the second hole and is in a pack with 67 that includes Adam Scott, who has one of his several homes at the course.

The play, and that's what this event is, continues today through Sunday, and if you want to take the 3 hour flight down to Nassau there are plenty of tickets available.

Bryan Angus

Stenson, Van Zyl lead the Nedbank Golf Challenge

European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.nedbankgolfchallenge.com/leaderboard.aspx

Round one for this elite invitational field of 30 is over and was played for most of the day under partly cloudy skies in Sun City, South Africa.

Your leaders are Henrik Stenson who is the course joint record holder at -9 63 who was is -6 through 13 holes and stalled right there coming in with a -6 66 and he shares the lead with in form Jaco Van Zyl and they lead by 1 shot from defending champion Danny Willett -5 67 and by 2 over Branden Grace and Aussie Marc Leishman -4 68



Bryan Angus

Sara-Maude Juneau leads Canadian scores at LPGA Tour Q school..

LPGA Tour Q School final stage leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

In her fifth career LPGA Qualifying Tournament, Christine Song (Fullerton, Calif.) posted a -7 65, her career best round at Qualifying Tournament, to share the first-round lead with Simin Feng (Beijing, China). Both scores came from the Jones Course. The best score on the Hills Course was posted by Julie Yang (Seoul, South Korea), who is one shot back at 6-under 66.

Here are the Canadian scores.

Sara-Maude Juneau T5 -4 68
Augusta James T18 -2 70
Samantha Richdale T18 -2 70
Maude-Aimee LeBlanc T35 -1 71
Jennifer Kirby T35 -1 71
Anne-Catherine Tanquay T60 E 72
Sue Kim T102 +2 74
Jessica Wallace T102 +2 74
Lorie Kane T133 +4 76
Rebecca Lee Bentham T144 +5 77

Bryan Angus
(lpgatour.com)

Top seed Snedeker opens Australian PGA with an 84...

European Tour Australian PGA leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

I wrote yesterday about the lack of star power at this week's Australian PGA Championship, well after a windy first round where only 6 players finished under par, what little there was has been severely diminished as top seed Brandt Snedeker has opened with a +12 84 which included 8 bogey's a double and a triple, 45 out 39 in... good to T150.

Having put health issues with knee, rib and hip injuries behind him he says he is back to full health and feels he was playing much better although he has missed cuts in two of his three events so far but he flew down to Australia to play at this RACV Royal Pines Resort course and had this to say in his press conference. "I'm here to win and obviously I think I'm playing some good golf. The results haven't really shown it lately but I'm playing pretty well. I'm playing a lot better than I have been.

As for the leaders it was South African rookie Zander Lombard who dominated the opening day with a 5 birdie 67 to establish a two shot lead over England’s Mark Foster.

Lombard you might remember shot to fame when he was beaten by Scotland’s Bradley Neil in last year’s British Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush, so we know he can handle the wind.

He was quietly confident in the press tent after his round..“I played really well, hit the ball solidly and it always helps things when you strike it well. It definitely got tricky out there, some of the greens with the wind, to read them and get the pace right was tough but I think I managed well.  But it’s still early days. See how the rest of the week goes."

The 40 year old Foster lost his European Tour card for the first time since 2002 last season, but made a promising start to his 401st event with seven birdies and four bogeys for his 69.

Two more former amateur stars, England’s Tom Lewis and Ireland’s Paul Dunne both of whom you'll remember for having leads at the Open Championship,  went round in E 72.

 

Bryan Angus

(notes from europeantour.com)

Good luck this week to 10 Canadian women at LPGA Tour school

LPGA Tour Q school leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/qualifying-tournament/live-scoring

The Final Stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament begins this morning and concludes on Sunday, December 6 at LPGA International, Jones and Hills Courses in Daytona, Florida.

There are 157 players in the field – including 10 Canadians – competing for LPGA Tour membership on the 2016 LPGA priority list.

The top 20 finishers (not including ties) come Sunday earn category 12 membership, while players who finish 21 through 45 plus ties will earn membership through category 17. In layman’s terms, the top 20 finishers will have “full” LPGA membership while those that finish 21-45 will have “conditional” status.

Players will rotate between the Jones and Hills courses over the first four days. There will be a 72-hole cut made on Saturday to the top 70 and ties. The final round will take place on the Hills Course. Play is expected to begin at 8 a.m. all five days.

Players that finish a minimum of 72 holes will earn Symetra Tour membership in category D.
Although secondary to earning LPGA membership, there is a $50,000 (U.S.) purse for the event with the medalist earning $5,000.

There are three ways that players could have earned entry into the field this week: by finishing in the top 80 at Stage II, by finishing 11-33 on the Symetra Tour’s Volvik Race for the Card money list or by having 2015 LPGA Tour membership (61 players had 2015 LPGA status).

Headlining the Canadians in the field is 4-time LPGA Tour winner Lorie Kane of Charlottetown (2000 Michelob Light Classic, 2000 New Albany Golf Classic, 2000 Mizuno Classic and 2001 LPGA Takefuji Classic). At 50 years of age, Kane is the oldest player in the field.
The other Canadians include:

• Augusta James (Bath, Ont.)
• Sara-Maude Juneau (Fossambault, Que.)
• Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.)
• Jennifer Kirby (Paris, Ont.)
• Maude-Aimée LeBlanc (Sherbrooke, Que.)
• Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Toronto)
• Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, B.C.)
• Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Québec, Que.)
• Jessica Wallace (Langley, B.C.)

Golf Canada/ LPGAtour.com

Mike Weir settles family problems, set to return to golf...

We are all human, Mike Weir is no different in that respect and after all the upheaval of a divorce from his long time wife Bricia and subsequently his relationship with his daughters 17 year old Elle and 15 year old Lili he announced on his website yesterday that he is healthy, happy and ready at 45 to make a comeback...

Here is the transcript penned by Adam Stanley of CP... 

Motivated by his daughters and fresh off a break from golf, Mike Weir is ready to start his comeback.
The Canadian golfer will play his first tournament since taking a months-long hiatus when he tees off at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. He must make a certain amount of money within the first eight events of the 2015 season to hold on to his PGA Tour playing privileges.

After withdrawing from the John Deere Classic in July, the native of Bright’s Grove, Ont., said he was going to be taking an “indefinite leave of absence from golf.”

Once the No. 3 golfer in the world, Weir slid down to 620th. He was divorced last December, and, after fighting a myriad of injuries, the eight-time PGA Tour champion and 2003 Masters winner decided enough was enough.

He needed a reset.

Weir admitted he didn’t swing a club for seven weeks after his announcement. He enjoyed spending time with his daughters, 17-year-old Elle and 15-year-old Lili. They went to the south of France, they went to visit family in Southwestern Ontario, and family visited them.

But once the girls got back to school, Weir began practising again during the day. He would travel to Florida to work with his coach David Leadbetter – one of the world’s most renowned teachers.

All the while, his daughters kept him motivated.

“We talk all the time when I get home. They’re asking how my practice is going and they can see how things are coming along, and see how I’m excited,” Weir said. “They definitely want me to go out there and do well” I just want to get back to playing good golf, which I think I’m capable of doing. Right now I’m very motivated and I’m giving it one good go.”

There was a slight pause when Weir said, “good,” as if he was holding himself back from saying “last.”

Time is catching up to the 45-year-old, and the past five years have been a struggle for Weir.
In 2012, he played in 14 events, and didn’t make a single cut. Weir was injured often over the next few seasons and had only made one cut in 2015 before his announcement in July.

He has used both of his career money list exemptions, but he will be entered into eight PGA Tour events in 2016 thanks to a combined major and minor medical exemption awarded to him by the Tour.
He said he is open to playing on other golf tours.

“I might mix in a few Web events to stay sharp, and I may even look at some events in Europe,” he said. “I need to play, and play a lot to get back mentally as much as physically. That just takes you playing.”

Despite the ongoing mathematics that will determine if Weir will be a full-fledged PGA Tour member through 2016, he is just trying to play good golf.

“A lot of the ‘life’ stuff is behind me now, and things are going pretty good. I can get back focused, and have a clear path in my mind,” he said. “I’m at a stage right now with my girls and the age they’re at that they’re fully on board.”

While the veteran begins his 20th year on the PGA Tour, he’s encouraged at what he sees from the future of Canadian golf. And, he’s happy to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of golfers.

“Watching them brings back memories of what I had to go through, and the way they go about it now,” Weir said. “It’s a little different times, but it’s fun to watch them.”

Weirsy and all his assets have an estimated value of $32.5 million..

This week's Australian PGA Championship lacks star power..

Australian PGA Championship tee times http://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pga-tour/event/tee-times?season=2015&tour=pga&id=1077

The 2015 Australian PGA Championship, Australia's richest golf tournament, gets underway this week at the Graham Marsh redesigned RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Greg Chalmers is the defending champion and he will have to contend with Tour Pro's Brett Rumford, John Senden, Peter O'Malley, David Lingmerth, Peter Lonard, Ryan Fox, and Ollie Goss

Do any of them send you scurrying to set your PVR for late Wednesday evening ?

Peter Uihlein (184), Brandt Snedeker (38), John Senden (72) are the featured pairing and here are their rankings. http://www.owgr.com/ranking?pageNo=1&pageSize=200&country=All

Up against the select 30 man field at the Nedbank Golf Challenge on the Gary Player Course in Sun City, South Africa, this year's Aussie PGA with a purse of $1,750,000 is dwarfed by the $6.500,000 in South Africa where much more prominent players like Branden Grace (15), Victor Dubuisson, Lee Westwood, Keegan Bradley, Miguel Jimenez, Martin Kaymer (26), Webb Simpson, Henrik Stenson (7), Louis Oosthuizen (18) Robert Streb, Charl Schwartzel (35) and Andy Sullivan (34) are showing up for a top prize of $1,250,000 and even Aussies like Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch have chosen Sun City instead of the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile others who have played the Australian PGA in the past like Jason Day (2) and Adam Scott (10) Danny Lee (42) Marc Leishman(47) and last week's winner Matt Jones (51) are not playing.

There is an awful lot of golf to be played for huge prizes all year long in the Fed Ex Cup and the Race to Dubai, last week at Leopard Creek Louis Oosthuizen told the audience he had left his home in South Africa 9 months earlier to fulfill his schedule around the world, and remember Hall of Famer Gary Player claims to this day to have flown more miles as a golfer from his home there, than anyone else, some 12 million over his storied career.

While the Australian PGA managed to lure #1 ranked Jordan Spieth with unofficial huge appearance money to play their  Open Championship last year then lucked out when he won it and returned to defend and finish T2 last week, this week's PGA has fallen out contention as far as the stars and even those you might not consider stars are concerned..

Bryan Angus

Schwartzel wins a record 4th Alfred Dunhill Championship

European Tour Alfred Dunhill Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015092/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#i37drtOqKKwFU0OW.97

Charl Schwartzel has now won this championship 4 times at Leopard Creek, although after a front nine in 36 it looked like it was going to be a struggle.

Jaco Van Zyl had posted an earlier -8 64 and was in the clubhouse at -7, so the guys behind him knew a low score is possible, but none of Schwartzel's pursuers could post one, and when he came home in 34 strokes for a 70 -15 total, it was enough for a four shot victory over 3 Frenchmen, Gregory Bourdy at -11, Benjamin Hebert at -10 and Sebastien Gros at -9.

Schwartzel has not won except for here, since his 2011 Masters. He had won at Leopard Creek in 2005, 2013 and 2014. With his fourth Alfred Dunhill Championship he becomes the first and youngest South African to win an official European Tour event four times and the third of his countrymen to win ten events behind Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

To say he plays well on this magnificent course that runs adjacent to the Kruger National Park is an understatement. He is 122 under par in his 11 visits to Leopard Creek.

The victory puts him back in the top 40 and he said afterwards he is glad to see his hard work paying off. "It feels good, the way I've played the last few years, I've been down in quite a slump, I didn't really see myself coming out and winning. But we've put in so much hard work in the last 18 months and it's frustrating when week-in, week-out you're playing and it feels like it's never going to turn. I guess there's no better fit than for it to turn around here. This place has treated me really well. I got my first win here and now my tenth so I think it's pretty fitting

Bryan Angus

Bryan Angus

Matt Jones edges Spieth, Scott to win Emirates Australian Open

Emirates Australian Open final leaderboard http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores

It's unusual to say a double bogey was one of the keys to winning your national championship, but for Matt Jones that indeed was what happened down in beautifully sunny Sydney, Australia overnight.

Playing with his young friend, neighbour from Dallas and world #1 Jordan Spieth, Jones admitted he was nervous at the start of his round and it showed as he started bogey, double bogey, and having given up the 3 shot lead to the chasing pack it settled his nerves and as he said in his post round interviews, "I knew I still had lots of holes left to make birdies"

He did just that at the fourth and sixth, but then he gave it all away again at the ninth where his second hit top of a tree in front of him and dove into the water resulting in a triple bogey seven and suddenly he was tied for the lead with first Rod Pampling who had a remarkable career round of 61, then Adam Scott playing beautifully and ending with a 65, both players would finish before him at -7, so Jones playing in that final pair knew what he needed to do.

He ended up with what he called a 'sloppy"73 and there were many twists and turns on the back nine but the two keys for me came on the 12th where drove into the trees, punched out and put his 3rd into the greenside bunker, and promptly holed his 4th for par, a shot gained when Spieth made bogey.

Then the second came at the 16th where he hit a perfect 5 iron draw to 10 feet and made the birdie putt to get to -8.

He scrambled down the 17th for par after another wayward drive, and after Spieth added to a grandstand finish by getting on the par 5 18th in 2 with an eagle putt coming from just 15 feet, Jones almost hit his 3rd in the water but as the golfing gods would have it, it bounced onto the green 25 feet away from his name on the famous Stonehaven Cup

Jordan missed the eagle, Jones lagged up to 3 feet, then all the emotion was released as the winning putt just crept into the left side... "I was just lucky it caught the left lip and went in. I thought I'd missed it left but one of those things ... it just went in and I was very, very happy"

"To have my name on this trophy with like (Jack) Nicklaus, (Jack) Newton, Norman, all those guys, it’s a dream come true for me and it's something that I can’t have taken away from me.''

So it wasn't pretty but it was dramatic, Scott 65, Spieth 71 and Pampling 61 all finished a shot behind at -7 but it was the highlight of his career for Jones, who was born and learned to play in Sydney, in fact is a member at the Australian. He moved away for a golf scholarship in the States, became a pro, settled in Scottsdale and had to wait until he was 34 last year for his first win, the Houston Open which got him into the Masters but as I said this 100th playing of the Aussie Open is the big one.

He set off for a night of celebration surrounded by his friends, family including his lovely wife and two gorgeous little blonde haired daughters, and now forever by his heroes and peers as the champion golfer of Australia, with his name on the Stonehaven Cup to prove it.

Bryan Angus

.

 

Frenchman Gros cuts into Schwartzel's lead at Alfred Dunhill Championship

European Tour Alfred Dunhill Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015092/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#bOIaeRCAK0fup7l8.97

When round 3 began this morning, Charl Schwartzel had followed up his opening 66 with a 67 to get to -11 to lead Benjamin Hebert, Joost Luiten, Pablo Martin and Richard Sterne by a commanding five shots.

 

However that has all changed after European Tour rookie Frenchman Sebastien Gros, who is playing just his second European Tour event after finishing second on The Challenge Tour last season, made nine birdies in his first 16 holes for the week's best -9 63 to move to -10 for the clubhouse lead, currently just one shot behind Schwartzel, the 3 time winner at spectacular Leopard Creek.

 

Meanwhile defending champion Branden Grace who barely made the cut, moved well up the leaderboard by firing a 66 to get to -6 currently T7.

 

Schwartzel is on course right now in the 3rd round late wave..

 

More to follow

 

Bryan Angus

 

 

 

A lecture from his caddy turns Spieth into a contender at the Emirates Australian Open

Emirates Australian Open leaderboard http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores

They are good friends, mates as they say in Australia, both live and practice together back home in Dallas, Texas and tomorrow they will be in the final pair playing for a lot more that a $100 Nassau.

Jordan Spieth, with a talking to by his caddie of the year Michael Greller after 3 bogey's in his first 4 holes burst into contention with three birdies and a spectacular eagle in his closing seven holes to shoot -4 67 -7 total, just 3 shots behind Aussie, Matt Jones who fired a second consecutive 68, -10 for the lead at his national championship, the Emirates Australian Open.

Jones at 35, only has one win in his pro career, the 2014 Houston Open that placed him at an all time high #41 in the world rankings. Spieth at 22 is of course the world #1, and remember he kicked off his player of the year 2015 season with a final round 63 here last year to get his name on the treasured Stonehaven Cup.

The supporting cast include Rhein Gibson (68) at -5, while Aron Price and first round leader Lincoln Tighe are at -4 after respective 70's.

Geoff Ogilvy is next at -3 (71), with Adam Scott (68), Brett Rumford (69), Darren Clarke (70) and Todd Sinnott (74) being the only others under par at -1 in very windy conditions.

As for the talking to by Greller, Spieth revealed afterwards that after another bogey at the 8th, "Michael did a great of setting the goal for me there,' he said, 'Right, let's get to even par for the day by the time we step on 18 tee box. That way we can shoot under par and move on'.

“He said, 'Enough of this crap. No bad self-talk. Let's hit some greens, you've got some easy holes coming up.That's all I really needed to hear to help turn it around.''

Turn it around he did, highlighted with a holed 8 iron from 170 yards for eagle 2 at 17, then a tap in birdie on 18 to set the stage for later today, Sunday in Australia as Jones tries to join Aussie greats like Greg Norman as their national champion, and his mate Spieth tries to defend.

I'll talk with you then..

Bryan Angus

Schwartzel sets the standard during round 2 of the Alfred Dunhill Championship

European Tour Alfred Dunhill Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015092/leaderboard/index.html#cF7MBkD8HWvpMls5.97

Former Masters champion and three times the winner here at Leopard Creek, Charl Schwartzel, playing in the early wave in a neon green shirt and snappy dark blue pants and hat, has added a 67 to his opening 66 to set the clubhouse lead at -11.

Adding to his nine European Tour titles he has had two wins and been second twice in the last four years, so seeing his name atop the leaderboard is old news and he told the press he feels he  is swinging it "better than it's ever, ever been"

First round leader after a stunning 64 is Christiaan Basson who is in the late wave today. Playing with his girlfriend as his caddie, and physio, Eddie Pepperell posted the low round of the day so far with a 65. Starting on the 10th he picked up eight shots in nine holes in the middle of his round

There is a large group now finished at -4 led by Thomas Aiken 68 and Ben Evans 69.

The projected cut is E, and Louis Oosthuizen at +4 can blame the par 3 7th if he's not around for the weekend, as he made the dreaded snowman (8) this morning and is +5 on the hole over 2 rounds.

The wind has freshened and is swirling around this beautiful Leopard Creek course making club selection difficult for the afternoon wave.

More to follow

Bryan Angus

Jones leads, Spieth in contention at Australian Open

Emirates Australian Open leaderboard http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores

Matt Jones was born in Sydney, lives in Texas and at 35 has golfed all around the world, but has never won his national championship, but after a -3 68 -7 total he is halfway to etching his name on the Stonehaven Cup.

After two rounds down under he leads by three shots from 23 year old rookie Todd Sinnott 70 -4 total, who takes heart from the achievements of #1 Jordan Spieth who moved into contention to defend his title with -3 68, along with Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts 66, and former champion Geoff Ogilvy 71, all four shots behind Jones.

First round leader Lincoln Tighe slipped to 73 and Web.com Tour player Aron Price 68 are also -3 while PGA Tour pro Rhein Gibson 68 is alone at -2

It looks like the majority of the fans are following Spieth who had it going but spoiled a really great day with two late bogeys for his 68 then had this to say. "I feel like I've still got the best golf yet to be played, that's what's positive, that's what I'm going with.''

Adam Scott needs a big weekend at +2 after today's 73, he is 9 shots behind his countryman Jones.

Bryan Angus

Spieth, Scott open Emirates Australian Open with even pars

Emirates Australian Open leaderboard http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores

Long hitting Lincoln Tighe has opened the Emirates Australian Open with a brilliant round of -5 66  in the wind to take the lead at the course they call The Australian today.

Tighe is ranked #1022 in the world so this was one of his best tournament rounds in a tough hot wind with temperatures hovering at 40*c. He won NSW PGA Championship last year and plays most of his golf on the Australasian Tour, although he has reached the final stage of the Web.com Tour school in the United States, where he intends to be playing next year.

 

The Australian played incredibly tough with a strong north-westerly that had the scoring average well above 74 and only one hole averaged under par, the par-five 14th which played downwind.

 

Hometown man Matt Jones who is a member here, is his closest challenger after a -4 67 in the tougher afternoon conditions while Geoff Ogilvy, Todd Sinnott and Taiwanese amateur Chun-An Yun are a further shot back at -3 68.

 

Ogilvy played alongside world #1 and defending champion Jordan Spieth who opened with a steady if unspectacular E 71, while the other headliner Adam Scott, now #12 in the world, started his day with a birdie at the first, but faltered with double bogeys at the seventh and ninth to also shoot 71.

Bryan Angus

 

 

 

 

2016 Race to Dubai underway at stunning Leopard Creek CC, RSA..

European Tour Alfred Dunhill Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2015092/leaderboard/index.html#Ah71wdDfOJ8mlMKE.97

The Leopard Creek CC is arguably one of the most stunning settings in golf. Situated near the town of Malalane the course and it's housing estate are separated by an electrified fence and a river from magnificent Kruger National Park, with the entire spectrum of wildlife, elephants, crocodiles, water buffalo, eagles, springboks and of course leopards on full view from many of the golf course vantage points. Louis Oosthuizen was saying that the park is very dry this year, so big game sighting is even better because the bush is not as thick as usual.

It is here that the 2016 Race to Dubai gets underway in conjunction with the Sunshine Tour every year, with a strong fields of South Africans led by Presidents Cup partners Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace, along with Masters champion Charles Schwartzel and a sprinkling of European Tour regulars looking  to get their seasons off to a lucrative start. Many of these top players have been away from South Africa for 9 months, so it is always a joy for them to return.

The weather today is simply stunning, big blue skies, a hot wind, lush jungle vegetation, mountains a valley, it is overwhelming.

28 year old Christiaan Basson who has the clubhouse lead with a very solid -8 64. He is a four-time Sunshine Tour winner and has a three-shot lead over Matt Ford, Mark Williams and Jeff Inglis

More to follow

Bryan Angus

Kevin Kisner a winner..at last !

PGA Tour RSM Classic final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-rsm-classic/leaderboard.html

For those of you who were asking this event, the last of the wrap around season on the PGA Tour was called the McGladery prior to the sponsors changing their name to RSM. It is a a licensed CPA firm, and serves clients around the world through RSM International, a global network of independent accounting, tax and consulting firms

For those of you who have been asking if Kevin Kisner, certainly one of the most consistent players in the game in 2015, would ever win the answer happily is "Yes !"

He lost in playoffs most recently in Shanghai at the WGC HSBC, but also earlier at Hilton Head, Sawgrass and the Greenbrier. However yesterday he capped of another great week's play, going one better for the win and for once it wasn't even close, after a masterful  -6 64, good by six shots over Kevin Chappell with a tournament record -22, incidently making him the 6th first time winner of this 2016 season.

Afterwards he stated the obvious "I’ve just been playing so well all year. I knew one day it was going to happen when I was going to make all the putts. I did it on the front nine" (he shot 30)

As for the race for 2nd place, Chappell shot 67 to grab that spot with last week's winner

Graeme McDowell closing with a 67 for 3rd.

 

There was a very nice story reported by Doug Ferguson of AP, one of our great writers, for one of golf's world travellers and nice guys, Sweden's Freddie Jacobson. Last year his young boy had to go through open-heart surgery and that's the reason we never saw Freddie for the last part of the year.

 

The tour gave him a major medical extension with a goal of earning over $326,000 to keep his card.

 

He shot 67 to finish 5th and that cheque for $228,00, makes his tally $356,000 good enough to secure his playing rights for 2016.

 

It was another solid week for David Hearn with scores of 64 72 67 69 T9 -10. Adam Svensson who Monday qualified and Austin Connelly both missed the cut.

 

Bryan Angus

 

 

 

 

 

He shot 67 to finish 5th and that cheque for $228,00, makes his tally $356,000 good enough to secure his playing rights for 2016.

 

 

 

Christmas came early at the Race to CME Globe finale..

LPGA Tour CME Group Tour Championship final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cme-group-tour-championship/results

Christmas came early in Naples, Florida and like every good Christmas there was something nice for everyone under the tree.

From a local point of view Brooke Henderson capped off a very successful rookie year with a solid 72 70 71 66 -9 13th place finish while Alena Sharp finished off her best season  74 70 72 72 E T46.

However the main story we'd been talking about all week was the race between Lydia Ko and Inbee Park and would you know it they finished just a shot apart. Lydia T7  68 67 69 72 -11 and Inbee 6th, 71 69 67 69 -12.

That means Lydia wins the Race to CME Globe with the million dollar bonus again and the Player of the Year, while Inbee wins the Vare scoring average giving her the 27th point she needed to get into the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile the Tour Championship winner with scores of 68 69 66 68 -17 was Christie Kerr edging out Gerina Piller and Ha Na Jang by a shot for her 18th tour win.

For the record, Lydia had wins this year (ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, The Evian Championship and Fubon LPGA Taiwan) giving her 10 for her career and making her the youngest player in golf history to reach 10 wins.

She was also awarded a Kia car for a tour best 12 additional top-10 finishes in her 24 tournaments.

Meanwhile Park clinched her second career scoring average title with a final round -3 69 and finished with a 69.41 scoring average for the year. Ko finished at 277, -11 one shot behind Park with a 69.44 final scoring average. It’s Park’s second Vare Trophy title and first since 2012 good enough to put her into the Hall of Fame after she completes her 10th year which will be next season.

Don't forget she also won two major championship victories with five wins overall, including her third straight KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and she completed the Career Grand Slam at the RICOH Women’s British Open. She also held the world #1 for a total of 24 weeks.

As for the winner Christie Kerr was the best all week and she finished in style  when she eagled the 17th hole to take a two-shot lead and made par at 18 to secure the one-shot victory over hard charging Gerina Piller who birdied five of her last six holes but it wasn’t enough.

Still like I said there was something for everyone under the tree and Gerina finished her best season on Tour, 18th on the money list.

Christie is 38 years young now, still in her prime and consider these. She owns 3 homes in Florida, Scottsdale and New York City, is #3 in the world and with the $500,000 first-place check, she passes the $17m mark in career earnings and to pay the  bills she remains 3rd on the LPGA Career Money List with $17,285,587, and her numbers for this year are, 25 events played, 22 cuts made, $1,294,301, 2 victories, 6 additional top-10s...

Like I said,Christmas came early in Naples, and a lot of little ladies went home very happy with Santa..again..

Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)

Ko in the drivers seat for the Race to the CME Globe

LPGA Tour CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cme-group-tour-championship/leaderboard

Only 18 holes separate Lydia Ko from holding every season-ending award the LPGA has to offer. Ko leads the Race to the CME Globe, Player of the Year, Vare Trophy and money list title races, and only trails co-leaders Cristie Kerr and Ha Na Jang by two shots in her bid to defend her title at the CME Group Tour Championship.

Kerr (66) and Jang (69) hold the 54-hole lead at -13, but Ko shot 69 on Saturday to get to -11 and remember she made history last year winning the biggest single payday in women’s golf history when she came from three shots back on Sunday to sweep both the inaugural Race to the CME Globe and the CME Group Tour Championship with a -4 68 on Sunday, so she's come from behind to  win before.

Ko leads Inbee Park who got back into the tournament with a 67 on Saturday, by three points in the Rolex Player of the Year standings and needed to beat Park by two shots this week to overtake her in the Vare Trophy standings. She’s currently up two shots on Park who sits at -9 and will win the money list title as long as Park doesn’t win today.

Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)

McIlroy finishes off the Race to Dubai double in style

European Tour DP World Tour Championship final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015090/leaderboard/index.html#z6hvxXUliks6PXIj.97

Andy Sullivan backed by his smiley faced family and friends were magnificent and they pushed Rory McIlroy all the way to the 72nd hole where he narrowly missed a birdie putt to tie or force a playoff, leaving Rory with 2  putts, which he used to win the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai.

There were many turning points in what turned out to be match play between the two, but I thought the 17th was it for me. Standing on the par 3 tee with a 2 shot lead, Rory made one of a very few bad swings of the day, 40 yards off line into the water, and after taking his penalty and drop, he had a twenty five footer for bogey which he promptly holed, taking a one shot lead up the last.

For the record he really got going when he made four birdies in five holes from the 11th and ended up with a 66 that left him at -21 and one shot clear of Sullivan who on any other day would have been the champion. To give you an example of what he was up against, on the 16th he drove the ball 320 yards, and found himself 45 yards behind Rory who was back to driving at his best. He did have one honour on the day as he was the last player announced by long-time European Tour starter Ivor Robson, who is retiring after 40 years in the role this week.

Danny Willett bogeyed two of his last three holes to drop to -13 T4, while Branden Grace closed with a 67 securing third at -15.

Rookies Byeong-hun An 71,and Matthew Fitzpatrick 70, were both at -13 under with Emiliano Grillo 71, Francesco Molinari 68, and Charl Schwartzel 69.

 

Rory moves to 4,727,253 points in The Race to Dubai and is officially European Tour Number One for a third time after 2012, 2014 and now 2015, and he remains #3 in the world behind Jason Day and Jordan Spieth who is down in Australia to defend his Aussie Open championship.

By the way my old colleague and sometimes boss from TSN and Sportsnet, Keith Pelley was almost giddy in the midst of it all today, saying all the right things as the newly appointed CEO of the European Tour. His main man Rory won it all, and will fly home to Florida proudly waving the European Tour flag if there is such a thing.

Now our attention in the men's game shifts next week to the Australian Open with Jordan Spieth defending while the European Tour's 2016 season begins in South Africa with the Alfred Dunhill.

 

Bryan Angus

Confident McIlroy in charge at DP World Tour Championship

European Tour DP World Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015090/leaderboard/index.html#to54YTljL4aRBG80.97

At the beginning of the week I was speculating along with yourselves about the various permutations that were possible amongst the seven players who had a shot at winning this Race to Dubai, however after today's play there is really only one...Rory McIlroy..

Thursday he didn't have his A game, was errant with his driver, sloppy with a few irons and wasn't hot with his putter, but he still managed  -4 68, a score he matched on Friday although you could see the rust was shaking off, his body language was good as was his balance, his game badly in need of competitive reps was getting better.

Today he was the Rory we've all come to know. Quietly confident, ripping huge accurate drives with that 15 foot draw, all in perfect balance, solid iron play and most importantly putting well, both lags and the shorties that turn a 69 into a -7 65 which is what he has posted today although he did miss a 4 footer for birdie on the last. He is at -15, currently a shot behind little Andy Sullivan.

Sullivan continues to delight all his travelling supporters, he is putting like a magician, has just holed another long birdie putt on 17 to get into the lead at -16.

Byeong Hun An vying for the title and the rookie of the year award shot 66 to get to -12, while his main competitor Matthew Fitzpatrick shot 68 for a -11 total.

Danny Willett is now the only one who can beat Rory for the title was buoyed by an eagle 2 at the driveable 15th and a closing birdie shot 67 to also get to -11 to make it interesting should Rory slip up on Sunday but he is spotting him 4 shots.

Patrick Reed is at -12 playing 18 and Thongchai Jaidee 69 is -11.

So with 17 world wide wins, 4 majors and twice the winner of the Race to Dubai the stage is set for Rory tomorrow, he may not win the tournament, but I can't see him losing the Race...

More to follow

Bryan Angus