PGA Tour Honda Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Paddy Harrington has the clubhouse lead at 67 66 -7 with all players having now completed round 2.
However as I mentioned this morning the threatening weather has moved right in, wind, black skies, rain, lightning and only 24 players got out for round 3 before both players and spectators were moved off the course. The wind has knocked the scoreboard down on the 18th.
Third-round play was halted at 12:51 p.m. ET less than an hour after it began. With sunset projected for 6:21 p.m., the delay means that it is unlikely that third-round play will be completed. 71 players had made the cut at +4 144 or better.
Adam Hadwin is the lone Canadian left and he is at +4.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Coetzee leads jam packed leaderboard in Joburg
European Tour Joburg Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015014/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
Wallie Coetsee takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Joburg Open after a -2 70 earlier today. Chasing a first European Tour title, Coetsee extended his overnight lead by a shot with five birdies and two bogeys to go -14 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington.
There are four players tied for second behind him, with fellow South Africans Tjaart van der Walt and Jacques Blaauw, and Englishmen David Howell and Steve Webster all -12. 20 players are within 3 shots of the lead.
Webster rediscovered his form to set the clubhouse target earlier. His last top-ten finish on The European Tour came more than a year ago, he led the way for most of the day with a flawless -7 65. That put the 40 year old, who captured the last of his two titles in 2007, -12 in a share of the clubhouse lead with South African, Jacques Blaauw, who turned in a -5 32 on his front nine.
South Africans have won the last five stagings of this event, and with Garth Mulroy, Tjaart van der Walt and Justin Walters joining England’s Simon Dyson a shot behind there was every chance of that run continuing.
europeantour.com
Lewis leads in Thailand, Ko leads in New Zealand
Honda LPGA Thailand scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
In Siam, Thailand round 3 is in the books and the field has closed on Stacy Lewis who still leads at -13 but Amy Yang is now -12, and Sandra Gal is at -11 going into the final round.
Meanwhile down in New Zealand Lydia Ko broke the course record and career-best -11 61 overnight to take the early second-round lead in her national championship, the New Zealand Women's Open.
The 17-year-old Kiwi, coming off a victory last Sunday in the Women's Australian Open, broke the Clearwater record of 63 set last year by Mi Hyang Lee in her victory.
England's Charley Hull was second at -10 after a 64.
In Siam, Thailand round 3 is in the books and the field has closed on Stacy Lewis who still leads at -13 but Amy Yang is now -12, and Sandra Gal is at -11 going into the final round.
Meanwhile down in New Zealand Lydia Ko broke the course record and career-best -11 61 overnight to take the early second-round lead in her national championship, the New Zealand Women's Open.
The 17-year-old Kiwi, coming off a victory last Sunday in the Women's Australian Open, broke the Clearwater record of 63 set last year by Mi Hyang Lee in her victory.
England's Charley Hull was second at -10 after a 64.
McIlroy, DeLaet will miss cut at rain plagued Honda Classic
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
So far the story from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens has been the weather and the sloppy play of the world's best Rory McIlroy who won't be around for the rest of this soggy weekend.
Prior to this event, McIlroy had four victories and four runner-up finishes in his last 12 worldwide starts, but he could never get on track at PGA National. He double-bogeyed his first hole on Thursday and ended up with a 73. After bogeying his first hole Friday morning, he endured two rain delays and managed just one birdie. Consecutive bogeys at the sixth and seventh holes (his 15th and 16th) 74 +7 pretty much ended his chances of playing on the weekend. He hit just 14 of 28 fairways and only 6 on Friday. He also hit just 18 of 36 greens.
The cut is projected at +4. I say projected because none of the late starters had enough light to play more than 12 holes before the second round was suspended, and play is due to resume at 645am this morning.
Patrick Reed recovered from a double-bogey early in his round by playing bogey-free the rest of the way for another 67. He is the clubhouse leader at -6 134
Canadians Adam Hadwin is at +3 thru 9 David Hearn is +5 70 75, Graham DeLaet MC 75 75 +10
Weather Variably cloudy with 65% chance of showers, hot humid, lightning in the area
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC,Reuters, AP..)
So far the story from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens has been the weather and the sloppy play of the world's best Rory McIlroy who won't be around for the rest of this soggy weekend.
Prior to this event, McIlroy had four victories and four runner-up finishes in his last 12 worldwide starts, but he could never get on track at PGA National. He double-bogeyed his first hole on Thursday and ended up with a 73. After bogeying his first hole Friday morning, he endured two rain delays and managed just one birdie. Consecutive bogeys at the sixth and seventh holes (his 15th and 16th) 74 +7 pretty much ended his chances of playing on the weekend. He hit just 14 of 28 fairways and only 6 on Friday. He also hit just 18 of 36 greens.
The cut is projected at +4. I say projected because none of the late starters had enough light to play more than 12 holes before the second round was suspended, and play is due to resume at 645am this morning.
Patrick Reed recovered from a double-bogey early in his round by playing bogey-free the rest of the way for another 67. He is the clubhouse leader at -6 134
Canadians Adam Hadwin is at +3 thru 9 David Hearn is +5 70 75, Graham DeLaet MC 75 75 +10
Weather Variably cloudy with 65% chance of showers, hot humid, lightning in the area
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC,Reuters, AP..)
Friday, February 27, 2015
Play suspended again at Honda Classic.. resume at 1230pm
PGA Tour Honda Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
As I reported earlier this morning there is an 80% chance of rain today and 90% tomorrow.
Well it's 100% now as the rain is just hammering down on PGA National at Palm Beach Gardens. Play started at 645am to try and get a jump on the weather. The horn blew at 823am
Officials say they hope to resume play at 1030am, but it's going to be a long haul for all concerned over the next 3 days..
****update Play resumed at 1030am but was halted again at 1055, more rain and lightning in the area and they now hope to resume at 1230 EST, so they have already lost 4 hours. There is no way round 2 will be completed today, in fact the leaders will attempt to play most of their round 2 on Saturday which has a worse forecast than today.
Because they started so early most of the 1st wave was on course but nobody has played more than 8 holes.
Rory McIlroy teed off at 7:45 a.m. but had completed only two holes, a bogey on No. 10 and a par on No. 11. Then he made par on No. 12 after the first resumption of play, so he is at +4.
Over all these years I have spent in rain delays, or weather delays as they are called now, I've seen guys do all kinds of things to pass time, smoke, drink, play poker, TV, the trailer gym, phone home or whoever, Richard Zokol had the best one when he'd find a quiet spot to fall asleep...Now the guys are all into their headphones, video games and agents..
Bryan
As I reported earlier this morning there is an 80% chance of rain today and 90% tomorrow.
Well it's 100% now as the rain is just hammering down on PGA National at Palm Beach Gardens. Play started at 645am to try and get a jump on the weather. The horn blew at 823am
Officials say they hope to resume play at 1030am, but it's going to be a long haul for all concerned over the next 3 days..
****update Play resumed at 1030am but was halted again at 1055, more rain and lightning in the area and they now hope to resume at 1230 EST, so they have already lost 4 hours. There is no way round 2 will be completed today, in fact the leaders will attempt to play most of their round 2 on Saturday which has a worse forecast than today.
Because they started so early most of the 1st wave was on course but nobody has played more than 8 holes.
Rory McIlroy teed off at 7:45 a.m. but had completed only two holes, a bogey on No. 10 and a par on No. 11. Then he made par on No. 12 after the first resumption of play, so he is at +4.
Over all these years I have spent in rain delays, or weather delays as they are called now, I've seen guys do all kinds of things to pass time, smoke, drink, play poker, TV, the trailer gym, phone home or whoever, Richard Zokol had the best one when he'd find a quiet spot to fall asleep...Now the guys are all into their headphones, video games and agents..
Bryan
Wallie Coetzee has a 1 shot lead at Joburg Open...
European Tour Joburg Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
europeantour.com Wallie Coetzee playing on the west course with no cameras on him, quietly went out on what he describes as an easy day, and shot 65 to get to -12 and a one shot lead at the Joburg Open going into the weekend.
Earlier in the day, Simon Dyson had put himself in contention for a first European Tour title in four years as he grabbed a share of the clubhouse lead midway through the second round. The six-time European Tour winner, added a -5 67 on the East Course to his opening 65 on the West Course to post an -11 halfway total.
Earlier in the day, Simon Dyson had put himself in contention for a first European Tour title in four years as he grabbed a share of the clubhouse lead midway through the second round. The six-time European Tour winner, added a -5 67 on the East Course to his opening 65 on the West Course to post an -11 halfway total.
He was joined by South Africans Garth Mulroy 68 and Tjaart van der Walt 69 also on the East course, with the latter having led for most of the morning until he failed to get up-and-down from greenside bunkers at the 17th and 18th for a bogey-par finish.
The cut fell at -4 and now the field all move to the tougher east course for the weekend..
The cut fell at -4 and now the field all move to the tougher east course for the weekend..
Lewis is the class of the field in steamy Siam
Honda LPGA Thailand scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
While you slept overnight the gals were playing in Siam, Thailand and Stacy Lewis has taken a 3 shot lead over Amy Yang after round 2.
Lewis shot -8 64 on the back of four straight birdies on the front nine, then four more on the back to get to -14, 130 going into this weekend.
Meanwhile Yang had five birdies and an eagle -6 66 to lie at -11 as she continues her fine form which has produced three top-five finishes in her last four events.
Four players were another three shots back at -8 and they are South Koreans Jenny Shin and Mirim Lee, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and German Caroline Masson.
Bryan Angus
While you slept overnight the gals were playing in Siam, Thailand and Stacy Lewis has taken a 3 shot lead over Amy Yang after round 2.
Lewis shot -8 64 on the back of four straight birdies on the front nine, then four more on the back to get to -14, 130 going into this weekend.
Meanwhile Yang had five birdies and an eagle -6 66 to lie at -11 as she continues her fine form which has produced three top-five finishes in her last four events.
Four players were another three shots back at -8 and they are South Koreans Jenny Shin and Mirim Lee, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and German Caroline Masson.
Bryan Angus
Only 19 break par at windy PGA National
PGA Tour Honda Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Last week in LA it was the tricky upside down greens and kikuyu grass at Riviera that yielded onLY 6 shots to par for the winner James Hahn, this week it is the wind and water of PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens that is the test.
So far it'd proving to be a tough one. Only 19 players broke par in round 1, none called McIlroy or Mickelson who headline a stellar field.
The weatherman brought a gusty breeze for the morning flight which turned downright blustery for the afternoon. Par was a good score, so was bogey at times..
All said and done it was a difficult day for nearly everyone, Jim Herman shot -5 65 in the morning to take the lead. Padraig Harrington is -3 67 and U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer shot 68 to finish three behind.
Phil Mickelson, saying he enjoyed the challenge provided by the wind had a credible +1 71. Rory had 2 doubles on his front nine and salvaged his day with 2 late birdies shot +3 73, his worst score since a 76 back in November while he was in Australia.
"The conditions were obviously very tricky from the start," McIlroy said. "From the first hole, it was always going to be a day like that. I feel like I salvaged something out of the round the last couple holes, but it was just a day to keep trying, not to give up and know that anything around level, 1-, 2-over par still isn't out of it"
The group of McIlroy, 73, Dustin Johnson 77 and Brooks Koepka 78 played in a combined +18 !!
Canadian scores; David Hearn T20 70 E, Adam Hadwin T61 72 +2, Graham DeLaet T118 75 +5
Weather today, Friday.. 80% chance of rain, humidity 86% high 77*f wind 9mph early, increasing in the afternoon, not as gusty as Thursday..
Bryan Angus ( notes from BBC, Reuters, AP..)
Last week in LA it was the tricky upside down greens and kikuyu grass at Riviera that yielded onLY 6 shots to par for the winner James Hahn, this week it is the wind and water of PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens that is the test.
So far it'd proving to be a tough one. Only 19 players broke par in round 1, none called McIlroy or Mickelson who headline a stellar field.
The weatherman brought a gusty breeze for the morning flight which turned downright blustery for the afternoon. Par was a good score, so was bogey at times..
All said and done it was a difficult day for nearly everyone, Jim Herman shot -5 65 in the morning to take the lead. Padraig Harrington is -3 67 and U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer shot 68 to finish three behind.
Phil Mickelson, saying he enjoyed the challenge provided by the wind had a credible +1 71. Rory had 2 doubles on his front nine and salvaged his day with 2 late birdies shot +3 73, his worst score since a 76 back in November while he was in Australia.
"The conditions were obviously very tricky from the start," McIlroy said. "From the first hole, it was always going to be a day like that. I feel like I salvaged something out of the round the last couple holes, but it was just a day to keep trying, not to give up and know that anything around level, 1-, 2-over par still isn't out of it"
The group of McIlroy, 73, Dustin Johnson 77 and Brooks Koepka 78 played in a combined +18 !!
Canadian scores; David Hearn T20 70 E, Adam Hadwin T61 72 +2, Graham DeLaet T118 75 +5
Weather today, Friday.. 80% chance of rain, humidity 86% high 77*f wind 9mph early, increasing in the afternoon, not as gusty as Thursday..
Bryan Angus ( notes from BBC, Reuters, AP..)
Thursday, February 26, 2015
3 tied for the LPGA lead in Thailand
Honda LPGA Thailand scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
AP...Yani Tseng shot an opening 6-under 66 early today to take a share of the lead with American rivals Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lang at the LPGA Thailand.
Tseng, a former No. 1 from Taiwan who won the title in Chonburi in 2011 and 2012, had seven birdies and a bogey at Siam Country Club.
Lewis, who only got her clubs back on Wednesday after an airline had misplaced them, started with an eagle on the opening hole on her way to a front nine 29.
Weir has to WD from windy Honda Classic
PGA Tour Honda Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
I was just reading Mike Weir's blog circulated by his brother Jim this morning on Twitter and in it he explained that he wasn't ready for the west coast swing and why he had to WD from Pebble Beach after shooting 44 on his back nine without even a par on the card. He said he felt 'tightness in my elbow that although I was gripping the club lightly I felt like I was choking it"
He said he had it x-rayed and there was no sign of damage to the ligaments he had the operation on, got some massage and acupuncture and felt well enough to enter the Honda this morning..
While he started with a birdie at the second he followed with 2 doubles and 2 bogey's to go out in 40, took a bogey 5 at the 10th then had to pack it in..
He did say he has been hitting the ball a treat on the range but can't bring that game to the course so far, but feels he is close. He has a new Taylor Made driver which he loves..
Adam Hadwin +2 72, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn are also in the field..
Right now Rory Sabbatini and Jim Herman lead at -3, Mickelson is E thru 14 and Rory is off at 1245 EST on a windy day that will make scoring difficult today..
Bryan
I was just reading Mike Weir's blog circulated by his brother Jim this morning on Twitter and in it he explained that he wasn't ready for the west coast swing and why he had to WD from Pebble Beach after shooting 44 on his back nine without even a par on the card. He said he felt 'tightness in my elbow that although I was gripping the club lightly I felt like I was choking it"
He said he had it x-rayed and there was no sign of damage to the ligaments he had the operation on, got some massage and acupuncture and felt well enough to enter the Honda this morning..
While he started with a birdie at the second he followed with 2 doubles and 2 bogey's to go out in 40, took a bogey 5 at the 10th then had to pack it in..
He did say he has been hitting the ball a treat on the range but can't bring that game to the course so far, but feels he is close. He has a new Taylor Made driver which he loves..
Adam Hadwin +2 72, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn are also in the field..
Right now Rory Sabbatini and Jim Herman lead at -3, Mickelson is E thru 14 and Rory is off at 1245 EST on a windy day that will make scoring difficult today..
Bryan
Henning ties course record to lead after 1st round of Joburg Open
European Tour JoBurg Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015014/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
The tour has swung from New Delhi to South Africa for the next three weeks. This week a huge field has gathered at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC where the 210-man field are split between the West and East courses for the first two rounds before descending on the more difficult east track for the weekend, and it was no surprise that most of those on the leaderboard were tackling the west set-up first.
The 45 year old, who won four times on the co-sanctioning Sunshine Tour between 1999 and 2005, had five birdies and an eagle two in a remarkable outward 29 at a venue where he won the South African Amateur Championship back in 1991.
The tour has swung from New Delhi to South Africa for the next three weeks. This week a huge field has gathered at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC where the 210-man field are split between the West and East courses for the first two rounds before descending on the more difficult east track for the weekend, and it was no surprise that most of those on the leaderboard were tackling the west set-up first.
At the end of the day it was South African Nic Henning who produced a sensational course-record equalling 62 on that West Course to lead by a shot.
The 45 year old, who won four times on the co-sanctioning Sunshine Tour between 1999 and 2005, had five birdies and an eagle two in a remarkable outward 29 at a venue where he won the South African Amateur Championship back in 1991.
In the early going it was Belgium’s Thomas Pieters who narrowly missed out on matching the record, but still enjoyed a share of the clubhouse lead with an -8 63 and he was matched by South African Titch Moore, who had six birdies and a hole-in-one at the short fifth and they were later joined by Tjaart van der Walt on a day of low scoring.
Pieters has already had two top-ten finishes in 2015 to climb to 26th on The Race to Dubai, had five birdies in an outward 31and actually had a shot at 59 as did Henning.
Pieters has already had two top-ten finishes in 2015 to climb to 26th on The Race to Dubai, had five birdies in an outward 31and actually had a shot at 59 as did Henning.
Another South African, Dean Burmester, was T3 on -7 64, with Joachim B Hansen, Scott Henry and Byeong-hun An, all round in 65.
England’s Sam Hutsby and South African Wallie Coetsee posted the best scores from the East Course, both at -6 66 to sit in a share of 8th.
England’s Sam Hutsby and South African Wallie Coetsee posted the best scores from the East Course, both at -6 66 to sit in a share of 8th.
Two thirds of the field are under par, and for those of you needing a geography reminder Johannesburg is located in the eastern plateau area of South Africa known as the Highveld, at an elevation of 5,751 ft.
Bryan (notes from europeantour.com)
Monday, February 23, 2015
Yet another young female golf phenom..
On Sunday morning I was at my usual radio spot on TSN 1050 on the International Sports Report with Pete Irving (you can hear the full interview on the ISR podcast at TSN.ca ) and we were talking about Lydia Ko the 17 year old world #1 who had just won the Australian Open and is the youngest person on any tour to win a pro event, the New South Wales Championship when she was but 14 !!
This wave of extraordinary young women, teenage girls really, reminds me of pro tennis back in the early 80's when the likes of Carling Basset and Tracy Austin were playing all over the world and winning at the ages of 14, 15 and 16 and the argument raged about whether they should be allowed to play so young instead of growing up normally then pursuing their tennis careers, certainly Carling had her struggles before she became the loving mum of three that she is today.
Brooke Henderson our 17 year old star from Smith's Falls comes from a strong Christian family who recently agreed that she should turn down a full scholarship to the University of Florida and turn pro, and she is now travelling and playing golf, with her older sister Brittany, who is also pursuing her pro dreams.
Charlie Hull from England is 17 and has already won the European Ladies Tour Order of Merit, the list goes on and on, all of these little girls from South Korea are in their teens or early twenties, heck Michelle Wie who turned 26 in October is like a grizzled veteran now, she's been in the spotlight for so long.
I think there are so many girls on tour now who are in their teens it makes it easier for the likes of Brook Henderson's parents to let her turn pro. This week there were 12 young Canadian women in the Gateway Classic on the Symetra Tour. None of them won but here's a story on yet another young phenom who did..
AP...Hannah O’Sullivan became the youngest winner in Symetra Tour history Sunday, shooting a 3-under 69 for a four-stroke victory in the season-opening Gateway Classic.
This wave of extraordinary young women, teenage girls really, reminds me of pro tennis back in the early 80's when the likes of Carling Basset and Tracy Austin were playing all over the world and winning at the ages of 14, 15 and 16 and the argument raged about whether they should be allowed to play so young instead of growing up normally then pursuing their tennis careers, certainly Carling had her struggles before she became the loving mum of three that she is today.
Brooke Henderson our 17 year old star from Smith's Falls comes from a strong Christian family who recently agreed that she should turn down a full scholarship to the University of Florida and turn pro, and she is now travelling and playing golf, with her older sister Brittany, who is also pursuing her pro dreams.
Charlie Hull from England is 17 and has already won the European Ladies Tour Order of Merit, the list goes on and on, all of these little girls from South Korea are in their teens or early twenties, heck Michelle Wie who turned 26 in October is like a grizzled veteran now, she's been in the spotlight for so long.
I think there are so many girls on tour now who are in their teens it makes it easier for the likes of Brook Henderson's parents to let her turn pro. This week there were 12 young Canadian women in the Gateway Classic on the Symetra Tour. None of them won but here's a story on yet another young phenom who did..
AP...Hannah O’Sullivan became the youngest winner in Symetra Tour history Sunday, shooting a 3-under 69 for a four-stroke victory in the season-opening Gateway Classic.
The 16-year-old O’Sullivan, a junior at nearby Chandler Hamilton, broke the age record of 17 set by LPGA Tour star Cristie Kerr in the 1995 Ironwood Futures Classic in Gainesville, Florida.
O’Sullivan is the first amateur winner since Kellee Booth in the 1999 Pacific Bell Futures Classic in Riverside, California, as she finished at 15-under 201 at Longbow.
She opened with rounds of 69 and 65 to take a four-stroke lead into the final day.
O’Sullivan has verbally committed to play at the University of Southern California. She was a semifinalist last year in the U.S. Women’s Amateur and played on the winning U.S. team in the Junior Ryder Cup in Scotland. She won Arizona high school titles in 2012 and 2013.
Haley Italia was second. She birdied two of the last three holes for a 69.
Maude-Aimée LeBlanc led the way for the Canadian contingent, carding a 2-under 70 to tie for 4th. Samantha Richdale finished T14 following a 3-under final round. Brittany Henderson’s 2-under 214 was good for a share of 25th place while Augusta James completed her pro debut T34.
Bryan Angus
Hahn outshines the stars at Riviera
PGA Tour Northern Trust Open final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
After what I thought was an enthralling afternoon with so many storylines all evolving as it went on, it was a little known American of south Korean heritage, James Hahn ranked #297 in the world who outlasted and eventually outshone the stars.
Riviera may have been the biggest star, yielding only 6 shots to par over 4 days for the winning score and even threw in a good afternoon soaking for the players and fans, making the old course play even tougher.
Hahn went out and looked great shooting -2 69, to finish at -6 with Dustin Johnson and Paul Casey, then made two birdies in the three man, three hole playoff, to grab his first PGA Tour title and his first trip to the Masters.
His wife, Stephanie, is expecting their first child, a daughter, the week after the WGC Championship at Doral. "I'm going to have to talk to my wife about naming her 'Riviera.' I think that's a good name"
Truly humble afterwards he said "I never would have thought I would win this tournament" No wonder ; so many big names were in contention with their own chances to win
Dustin Johnson is playing great golf in his 3rd event back from his break for personal reasons. He hit into a bunker and made bogey on the par 5 17th and then narrowly missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th to win it. He shot 69.
Paul Casey, commited to the PGA tour this year made a late surge only to bogey the last hole for a 68 to join Hahn at -6, a par would have won it for him.
Sergio Garcia had a one-shot lead playing 17, but three-putted from 50 feet on the fringe for a bogey, and then chipped weakly to 25 feet on the 18th for another bogey and 71 T4. Some are saying he choked, I disagree because 3 putting from 50 feet on these Riviera greens is easy to do, and he really made bogey on 18 after he snap hooked his drive.
Jordan Spieth, for example, four-putted from just off the green at No. 4, nearly chipped in on the 18th, and like so many it ran 8 feet by, and he missed that one for a bogey and a 70 to finish one shot out of the playoff. So did Hideki Matsuyama (67) and Keegan Bradley (68).
What about the old brigade ? well it wasn't a great Sunday. Retief Goosen now 46, the 54-hole leader, had a bad stretch on the back nine where he made double-bogey on No. 13. He followed with two more bogeys. He did make two birdies to finish which gave him a 75 T8
Vijay Singh, who turned 52 on Sunday, was tied for the lead with a beautiful bunker shot to 10 feet on No. 10 for birdie but stalled and didn't made another birdie and then, fell back with a bogey in the driving rain on the 15th, double-bogey on the par-3 16th to shoot 72 T12. Angel Cabrera shot himself out of contention with 76...
Bae Sang-Moon also had his chances and was tied for the lead until bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes. He closed with a 72 T8.
Speaking of chances Graham DeLaet dressed in his Sunday red and white, started Sunday T2, battled all day, starting with a birdie on the 1st, but quickly followed with double bogey, bogey out in +2 37, got back in with even par 36 for 73 T8.
Adam Hadwin got better as the week went on, 73 71 71 69 E T22.
Now it's off to the Florida swing, the Honda at PGA National this week, then the WGC Cadillac Championship at the new Donald Trump designed Blue Monster at Doral.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC, Reuters, AP, europeantour.com)
After what I thought was an enthralling afternoon with so many storylines all evolving as it went on, it was a little known American of south Korean heritage, James Hahn ranked #297 in the world who outlasted and eventually outshone the stars.
Riviera may have been the biggest star, yielding only 6 shots to par over 4 days for the winning score and even threw in a good afternoon soaking for the players and fans, making the old course play even tougher.
Hahn went out and looked great shooting -2 69, to finish at -6 with Dustin Johnson and Paul Casey, then made two birdies in the three man, three hole playoff, to grab his first PGA Tour title and his first trip to the Masters.
His wife, Stephanie, is expecting their first child, a daughter, the week after the WGC Championship at Doral. "I'm going to have to talk to my wife about naming her 'Riviera.' I think that's a good name"
Truly humble afterwards he said "I never would have thought I would win this tournament" No wonder ; so many big names were in contention with their own chances to win
Dustin Johnson is playing great golf in his 3rd event back from his break for personal reasons. He hit into a bunker and made bogey on the par 5 17th and then narrowly missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th to win it. He shot 69.
Paul Casey, commited to the PGA tour this year made a late surge only to bogey the last hole for a 68 to join Hahn at -6, a par would have won it for him.
Sergio Garcia had a one-shot lead playing 17, but three-putted from 50 feet on the fringe for a bogey, and then chipped weakly to 25 feet on the 18th for another bogey and 71 T4. Some are saying he choked, I disagree because 3 putting from 50 feet on these Riviera greens is easy to do, and he really made bogey on 18 after he snap hooked his drive.
Jordan Spieth, for example, four-putted from just off the green at No. 4, nearly chipped in on the 18th, and like so many it ran 8 feet by, and he missed that one for a bogey and a 70 to finish one shot out of the playoff. So did Hideki Matsuyama (67) and Keegan Bradley (68).
What about the old brigade ? well it wasn't a great Sunday. Retief Goosen now 46, the 54-hole leader, had a bad stretch on the back nine where he made double-bogey on No. 13. He followed with two more bogeys. He did make two birdies to finish which gave him a 75 T8
Vijay Singh, who turned 52 on Sunday, was tied for the lead with a beautiful bunker shot to 10 feet on No. 10 for birdie but stalled and didn't made another birdie and then, fell back with a bogey in the driving rain on the 15th, double-bogey on the par-3 16th to shoot 72 T12. Angel Cabrera shot himself out of contention with 76...
Bae Sang-Moon also had his chances and was tied for the lead until bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes. He closed with a 72 T8.
Speaking of chances Graham DeLaet dressed in his Sunday red and white, started Sunday T2, battled all day, starting with a birdie on the 1st, but quickly followed with double bogey, bogey out in +2 37, got back in with even par 36 for 73 T8.
Adam Hadwin got better as the week went on, 73 71 71 69 E T22.
Now it's off to the Florida swing, the Honda at PGA National this week, then the WGC Cadillac Championship at the new Donald Trump designed Blue Monster at Doral.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC, Reuters, AP, europeantour.com)
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Lahiri beats Chawrasia in a playoff to win Indian pen
European Tour Hero Indian Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015012/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
Anirban Lahiri beat compatriot S S P Chawrasia in a play-off to claim an emotional home triumph at the Hero Indian Open and a second European Tour title just two weeks after his maiden victory.
Lahiri, who won the Malaysian Open a fortnight ago, began the final round seven shots off the lead but a closing 69 was enough to force extra holes as overnight leader Chawrasia stumbled to a 76.
The home pair returned to the par five 18th for the play-off and with Chawrasia unable to make par after hooking his tee shot into the trees, Lahiri holed from ten feet for birdie.
Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, Sri Lanka's Mithun Perera and Australian Marcus Fraser all finished on six under, with Perera the only player to birdie the par five 18th
Lahiri, who won the Malaysian Open a fortnight ago, began the final round seven shots off the lead but a closing 69 was enough to force extra holes as overnight leader Chawrasia stumbled to a 76.
The home pair returned to the par five 18th for the play-off and with Chawrasia unable to make par after hooking his tee shot into the trees, Lahiri holed from ten feet for birdie.
Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, Sri Lanka's Mithun Perera and Australian Marcus Fraser all finished on six under, with Perera the only player to birdie the par five 18th
europeantour.com
Ko wins Aussie Open !
LPGA Tour Women's Australian Open final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Kiwi Lydia Ko has added another national title to her young resume while most of you slept, shooting a -2 71 for a two-stroke victory over South Korea's Amy Yang for the Women's Australian Open. She already has won 2 Canadian Opens.
She ended up with a 72-hole total of -9 283 at Royal Melbourne. Yang shot a final-round 72. Pehaps the turning point came when the leading groups were making the turn, play was suspended for about an hour due to nearby thunderstorms and the threat of lightning.
"I think that break was really good for me," Ko said. "I had some lunch and got my stuff together there and I played much better after that."
World #1 Ko also is the youngest golfer to win a professional event after capturing the New South Wales Open when she was merely 14.
Canada's Alena Sharp finished T37 at +7
Bryan Angus (files from BBC, Reuters, AP, lpgatour.com)
Kiwi Lydia Ko has added another national title to her young resume while most of you slept, shooting a -2 71 for a two-stroke victory over South Korea's Amy Yang for the Women's Australian Open. She already has won 2 Canadian Opens.
She ended up with a 72-hole total of -9 283 at Royal Melbourne. Yang shot a final-round 72. Pehaps the turning point came when the leading groups were making the turn, play was suspended for about an hour due to nearby thunderstorms and the threat of lightning.
"I think that break was really good for me," Ko said. "I had some lunch and got my stuff together there and I played much better after that."
World #1 Ko also is the youngest golfer to win a professional event after capturing the New South Wales Open when she was merely 14.
Canada's Alena Sharp finished T37 at +7
Bryan Angus (files from BBC, Reuters, AP, lpgatour.com)
Delaet leads pack chasing the Goose..
PGA Tour Northern Trust Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Canadian Graham DeLaet shot a hard fought 70 to get to -6 which leads a pack of 4 players at -5 and 8 more at -4 with top class names like Sergio Garcia, Angel Cabrera, Bubba Watson, Jordan Speith, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and JB Holmes who are chasing a rejuvenated Retief Goosen 66 70 69 -8 on a very tough Riviera course with it's gnarly kikuyu grass and difficult greens.
The South African who is 46 and coming up on the six-year anniversary of his last win had disk replacement surgery in 2012 when protein injections didn't work, and feared his career might be over.
DeLaet caught Goosen with an eagle on the opening hole, fell back with consecutive bogeys and did his best to stay close. He will be in the final group with Goosen and Bae Sang-Moon, who matched the best score of the week with a 66 and was three shots behind.
After his round DeLaet had this to say about playing with Goosen. "He's a great guy to play with, especially under pressure circumstances, because you can just kind of look at him and see how cool and collected he is with that silky-smooth bomb that he hits off the tee. I'm a little bit more of an emotional player than that, but I've learned over the years to not get too amped up or too down low. I think playing with him is a good way to just keep the calm and just go about business"
Sergio Garcia birdied only the 17th on the back nine and shot 68, putting him in contention in his first U.S. tournament of the year. Rookie Carlos Ortiz of Mexico also had a 68 and will play with Garcia, one of his mentors on tour. J.B. Holmes shot a 69 and joined them at 208.
Bubba Watson is hanging around. He shot 70 and as I mentioned, joined seven others at 4-under 209, still in range just four shots behind. The group included Singh (69) who turns 52 on Sunday, Johnson (67), Furyk (68), Spieth (70) and Cabrera (71).
Canada's Adam Hadwin is T39 +2 73 71 71
So a great Sunday shootout is in store, the weather is due to change with 60*F temperatures and a 60% change of rain.
Bryan Angus ( files from BBC,AP, Reuters)
Canadian Graham DeLaet shot a hard fought 70 to get to -6 which leads a pack of 4 players at -5 and 8 more at -4 with top class names like Sergio Garcia, Angel Cabrera, Bubba Watson, Jordan Speith, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and JB Holmes who are chasing a rejuvenated Retief Goosen 66 70 69 -8 on a very tough Riviera course with it's gnarly kikuyu grass and difficult greens.
The South African who is 46 and coming up on the six-year anniversary of his last win had disk replacement surgery in 2012 when protein injections didn't work, and feared his career might be over.
DeLaet caught Goosen with an eagle on the opening hole, fell back with consecutive bogeys and did his best to stay close. He will be in the final group with Goosen and Bae Sang-Moon, who matched the best score of the week with a 66 and was three shots behind.
After his round DeLaet had this to say about playing with Goosen. "He's a great guy to play with, especially under pressure circumstances, because you can just kind of look at him and see how cool and collected he is with that silky-smooth bomb that he hits off the tee. I'm a little bit more of an emotional player than that, but I've learned over the years to not get too amped up or too down low. I think playing with him is a good way to just keep the calm and just go about business"
Sergio Garcia birdied only the 17th on the back nine and shot 68, putting him in contention in his first U.S. tournament of the year. Rookie Carlos Ortiz of Mexico also had a 68 and will play with Garcia, one of his mentors on tour. J.B. Holmes shot a 69 and joined them at 208.
Bubba Watson is hanging around. He shot 70 and as I mentioned, joined seven others at 4-under 209, still in range just four shots behind. The group included Singh (69) who turns 52 on Sunday, Johnson (67), Furyk (68), Spieth (70) and Cabrera (71).
Canada's Adam Hadwin is T39 +2 73 71 71
So a great Sunday shootout is in store, the weather is due to change with 60*F temperatures and a 60% change of rain.
Bryan Angus ( files from BBC,AP, Reuters)
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Ko tied for lead after 3 rounds at Royal Melbourne
LPGA Tour Women's Australian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
I watched a lot of this Aussie Open overnight, the women all feeling the effects of a blistering hot summer's day in Melbourne, and after all was said and done on this very international leaderboard, Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn shot -1 72s to share the lead after the third round.
Ko and Jutanugarn are at -7 212, one better than South Korea's Amy Yang (70.)
Julieta Granada of Paraguay and Australia's Katherine Kirk, also with 70s, are T4 three behind the leaders. Kirk had the Aussie crowd cheering with four consecutive birdies on her back nine.
England's Charley Hull shot 76 and dropped back into a group tied for seventh with American Jessica Korda (75), the 2012 champion at Royal Melbourne.
Only one player broke 70 and that was first-round leader Ilhee Lee with a 69. Canada's Alena Sharp is T36 at +4
Bryan Angus
I watched a lot of this Aussie Open overnight, the women all feeling the effects of a blistering hot summer's day in Melbourne, and after all was said and done on this very international leaderboard, Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn shot -1 72s to share the lead after the third round.
Ko and Jutanugarn are at -7 212, one better than South Korea's Amy Yang (70.)
Julieta Granada of Paraguay and Australia's Katherine Kirk, also with 70s, are T4 three behind the leaders. Kirk had the Aussie crowd cheering with four consecutive birdies on her back nine.
England's Charley Hull shot 76 and dropped back into a group tied for seventh with American Jessica Korda (75), the 2012 champion at Royal Melbourne.
Only one player broke 70 and that was first-round leader Ilhee Lee with a 69. Canada's Alena Sharp is T36 at +4
Bryan Angus
Chawrasia tames tight New Delhi course..leads after 3 rounds
European Tour Hero Indian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
If you think people honking their car horns at you is annoying where you live, just watch this event in New Delhi and listen to the constant cacophony going on outside the gates of this old tight tree lined course.
Chawrasia went 52 holes without a bogey before dropping a shot on the 17th this morning and remember he has already won twice on this his home course, so short and tight that a lot of players don't carry a driver.
Richard T Lee made the cut. He opened with a brilliant 65, but has followed with 75 75 T38.
Bryan Angus
If you think people honking their car horns at you is annoying where you live, just watch this event in New Delhi and listen to the constant cacophony going on outside the gates of this old tight tree lined course.
S S P Chawrasia remains on course for a third European Tour title on home soil, despite his remarkable bogey-free run coming to an end at the Hero Indian Open. He has just posted 69 for a -12 total, two shots ahead of the other course specialist Raman Siddikir from Bangladesh (70) -10.
Chawrasia went 52 holes without a bogey before dropping a shot on the 17th this morning and remember he has already won twice on this his home course, so short and tight that a lot of players don't carry a driver.
Richard T Lee made the cut. He opened with a brilliant 65, but has followed with 75 75 T38.
Bryan Angus
Delaet T2 behind Goosen at Riviera.. Weir forced to WD
PGA Tour Northern Trust Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
On a Riviera course that's playing fast and hard the cut fell at +2, just 8 shots behind the leader, 46 year old Retief Goosen who rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on his final hole for a -1 70,-6 136 the highest 36-hole score to lead on the PGA Tour since the Quicken Loans National at Congressional. It is his first 36-hole lead in more than four years.
He is one shot ahead of Ryan Moore (68), Graham DeLaet (67) and rookie Justin Thomas (69). Moore summed up the Riviera greens, often described as upside down saucers. "The greens are so firm and so bouncy. I hit a handful of what I would say are as good of shots as I could possibly hit the last couple days and ended up with 45-footers."
It's a packed leaderboard, Bubba Watson was at +2 going into the weekend last year and he came out of a similar pack to win. Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera (68) and is two shots behind. Watson (69), Spieth and J.B. Holmes (69) were in the group three shots behind.
DeLaet, who rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt from the fringe on No. 4, said afterwards the key to his round were the par putts of 10, 7, 6 and 5 feet the rest of the front nine for a solid round with just one bogey. He is 33 now and still looking for his first win.
Mike Weir withdrew on his front nine with soreness in his right elbow. He said he would see a doctor and likely not be ready for the Honda Classic
Adam Hadwin made the cut on the number T48 73 71 +2 while Nick Taylor 76 73 and David Hearn 78 71 both missed the cut
Bryan Angus
On a Riviera course that's playing fast and hard the cut fell at +2, just 8 shots behind the leader, 46 year old Retief Goosen who rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on his final hole for a -1 70,-6 136 the highest 36-hole score to lead on the PGA Tour since the Quicken Loans National at Congressional. It is his first 36-hole lead in more than four years.
He is one shot ahead of Ryan Moore (68), Graham DeLaet (67) and rookie Justin Thomas (69). Moore summed up the Riviera greens, often described as upside down saucers. "The greens are so firm and so bouncy. I hit a handful of what I would say are as good of shots as I could possibly hit the last couple days and ended up with 45-footers."
It's a packed leaderboard, Bubba Watson was at +2 going into the weekend last year and he came out of a similar pack to win. Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera (68) and is two shots behind. Watson (69), Spieth and J.B. Holmes (69) were in the group three shots behind.
DeLaet, who rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt from the fringe on No. 4, said afterwards the key to his round were the par putts of 10, 7, 6 and 5 feet the rest of the front nine for a solid round with just one bogey. He is 33 now and still looking for his first win.
Mike Weir withdrew on his front nine with soreness in his right elbow. He said he would see a doctor and likely not be ready for the Honda Classic
Adam Hadwin made the cut on the number T48 73 71 +2 while Nick Taylor 76 73 and David Hearn 78 71 both missed the cut
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 20, 2015
Woods out of Honda Classic
Tiger Woods will not play next week's Honda Classic at PGA National, electing to take more time away from the game rather than compete in the PGA Tour event nearest to his Jupiter, Florida, home.
Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, alerted tournament officials Thursday that Woods would not be entering."He doesn't look at this with any time deadline right now," Steinberg said. "Does he expect to be at the Masters? Yes, of course. But that doesn't mean that is where he expects to debut. He just doesn't know where. I think Tiger would tell you he'd be shocked if he wasn't at the Masters."
"He's working at it. When that time comes, he's going to do some things in practice to replicate whatever he can under the gun and then put it in play."
Steinberg added on Thursday: "He's working hard on his game, but as the statement said last week very candidly, he'll be back when he feels like he's game-ready and can compete at a high level. He's only been at it here for 3½ days. It's not there yet. I don't think that's a shock.
"There's been no setbacks. In talking to him, his back is feeling good. He's working hard. He's been practicing. There's been no issues at all."
I don't expect to see Tiger until the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a month at Bay Hill, where he has seven professional victories.
Bryan
Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, alerted tournament officials Thursday that Woods would not be entering."He doesn't look at this with any time deadline right now," Steinberg said. "Does he expect to be at the Masters? Yes, of course. But that doesn't mean that is where he expects to debut. He just doesn't know where. I think Tiger would tell you he'd be shocked if he wasn't at the Masters."
"He's working at it. When that time comes, he's going to do some things in practice to replicate whatever he can under the gun and then put it in play."
Steinberg added on Thursday: "He's working hard on his game, but as the statement said last week very candidly, he'll be back when he feels like he's game-ready and can compete at a high level. He's only been at it here for 3½ days. It's not there yet. I don't think that's a shock.
"There's been no setbacks. In talking to him, his back is feeling good. He's working hard. He's been practicing. There's been no issues at all."
I don't expect to see Tiger until the Arnold Palmer Invitational in a month at Bay Hill, where he has seven professional victories.
Bryan
Ko tied for lead at Women's Aussie Open
LPGA Tour Women's Australian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Round 2 is in the books and world #1 Lydia Ko is tied for the lead with South Korea's Jang Ha-na and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand
Ko shot a -3 70 while Jang finished with a 69 and Jutanugarn had a 71, giving the leaders 36-hole totals of 6-under 140. England's Charley Hull, the Ladies European Tour's top money winner last year, was in fourth place after a 71, two strokes behind.
American Jessica Korda, the 2012 champion at Royal Melbourne, shot 71 and was in fifth place, three strokes off the lead and tied with South Korean Amy Yang, who shot 70.
Round 2 is in the books and world #1 Lydia Ko is tied for the lead with South Korea's Jang Ha-na and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand
Ko shot a -3 70 while Jang finished with a 69 and Jutanugarn had a 71, giving the leaders 36-hole totals of 6-under 140. England's Charley Hull, the Ladies European Tour's top money winner last year, was in fourth place after a 71, two strokes behind.
American Jessica Korda, the 2012 champion at Royal Melbourne, shot 71 and was in fifth place, three strokes off the lead and tied with South Korean Amy Yang, who shot 70.
Lee slips out of the lead at the Indian Open
European Tour Hero Indian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
S S P Chawrasia produced another masterful display at Delhi Golf Club to lead the Hero Indian Open, but fellow course specialist Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh is only one stroke behind at the halfway stage.
Chawrasia and Rahman were part of a five-way tie for the first-round lead, and it was Rahman who initially pulled clear with a second round 68 around the narrow tree-lined course.
Chawrasia, among the later starters, then produced a flawless 67, he is yet to drop a shot this week, for a -10 total.
Chawrasia and Rahman were part of a five-way tie for the first-round lead, and it was Rahman who initially pulled clear with a second round 68 around the narrow tree-lined course.
Chawrasia, among the later starters, then produced a flawless 67, he is yet to drop a shot this week, for a -10 total.
Two more of the leading quintet from day one, Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, shot level par rounds of 71 to share third place on -6
Richard T Lee slipped to T13 after a +4 75.
Singh, Goosen turn back the clock at Riviera
PGA Tour Northern Trust Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh, turned back the clock at Riviera yesterday to be part of the pack atop the leaderboard in the Northern Trust Open.
Vijay is now 51 and pain free, and he rode a back nine of 32 to a -5 66, his lowest opening round on the PGA Tour since 2012. He has not won since 2008 and remember he's won 3 majors
With 2 US Opens to his name, Goosen now 46 and coming off of back surgery, made a pair of late birdies to join Singh at 66 and he hasn't won since 2009.
Nick Watney continued his fine form with 66 as did James Hahn, Daniel Summerhays and Derek Fathauer on another beautiful day on the West Coast
Canadians: Graham DeLaet T17 -1 70, Adam Hadwin T68 +2 73, Nick Taylor T112 +5 76, David Hearn, Mike Weir T129 +7 78
Bryan
Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh, turned back the clock at Riviera yesterday to be part of the pack atop the leaderboard in the Northern Trust Open.
Vijay is now 51 and pain free, and he rode a back nine of 32 to a -5 66, his lowest opening round on the PGA Tour since 2012. He has not won since 2008 and remember he's won 3 majors
With 2 US Opens to his name, Goosen now 46 and coming off of back surgery, made a pair of late birdies to join Singh at 66 and he hasn't won since 2009.
Nick Watney continued his fine form with 66 as did James Hahn, Daniel Summerhays and Derek Fathauer on another beautiful day on the West Coast
Canadians: Graham DeLaet T17 -1 70, Adam Hadwin T68 +2 73, Nick Taylor T112 +5 76, David Hearn, Mike Weir T129 +7 78
Bryan
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Alena Sharp in contention in Australia
LPGA Tour Women's Australian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Taking advantage of calm morning conditions at Royal Melbourne, Ilhee Lee fired a -5 68 for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Women's Australian Open.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn (19) who is the youngest player ever to qualify for an LPGA event when she was only 11, bogeyed her final hole to finish with a 69.
Lydia Ko shot 70 T3 with Alena Sharp of Hamilton and Kwak Min-seo all just 2 shots back. Ko says she already is planning to retire from golf by the time she's 30 and become a psychologist. She moved to New Zealand from South Korea when she was 6, and now travels from her Florida base with her mother, Tina. Her older sister, Sura, has an architecture degree.
Taking advantage of calm morning conditions at Royal Melbourne, Ilhee Lee fired a -5 68 for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Women's Australian Open.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn (19) who is the youngest player ever to qualify for an LPGA event when she was only 11, bogeyed her final hole to finish with a 69.
Lydia Ko shot 70 T3 with Alena Sharp of Hamilton and Kwak Min-seo all just 2 shots back. Ko says she already is planning to retire from golf by the time she's 30 and become a psychologist. She moved to New Zealand from South Korea when she was 6, and now travels from her Florida base with her mother, Tina. Her older sister, Sura, has an architecture degree.
Richard T Lee tied for lead in India
European Tour Hero Indian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
Round one is done at the Indian Open and S.S.P. Chawrasia who has won twice in European Tour events and has opened with a -6 65 and he's joined by in-form Canadian playing partner Richard T Lee who's enjoyed top five finishes in the last two events. Lee is -31 in his last nine European Tour rounds.
Lee had this to say after his round..
Bryan
Round one is done at the Indian Open and S.S.P. Chawrasia who has won twice in European Tour events and has opened with a -6 65 and he's joined by in-form Canadian playing partner Richard T Lee who's enjoyed top five finishes in the last two events. Lee is -31 in his last nine European Tour rounds.
Chawrasia, who won the Indian Masters in 2008 and Avantha Masters in 2011 is also joined by Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman and Swede Joakim Lagergren on top of the leaderboard.
Lee had this to say after his round..
"It takes a little time to get used to playing so many different courses and conditions. I played great in Malaysia and Thailand but the challenge there was so different. Here it’s tight and bouncy so to play well here after the last two weeks is pretty satisfying.
“I have played here for the last two years though, so I definitely knew what to expect from this golf course. It was great to play with SSP today because not many guys have played as well as he has round here. He has won twice here and I have to say I learned a lot about managing this course by watching him hit certain shots today.”
“I have played here for the last two years though, so I definitely knew what to expect from this golf course. It was great to play with SSP today because not many guys have played as well as he has round here. He has won twice here and I have to say I learned a lot about managing this course by watching him hit certain shots today.”
Five of the last 10 winners on this New Delhi course did not carry a driver in their bag.
Bryan
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
"The Prince' ..Darren Clarke named 2016 Ryder Cup captain
No surprise then minutes ago when the official announcement was posted that the man known affectionally as " The Prince", Darren Clarke will captain the European Ryder Cup team in Hazeltine next year... Here is the official release
europeantour.com..Darren Clarke has been announced as the European captain for The 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota, from September 30 - October 2, 2016.
The 2011 Open Champion becomes the first Northern Irishman to lead Europe against the United States, having played in the biennial contest five times, featuring on the winning side on four occasions. He was also a vice captain under Colin Montgomerie and José MarÃa Olazábal in the European wins in 2010 and 2012 respectively, and succeeds Irishman Paul McGinley, who captained Europe to a 16 ½-11 ½ triumph at Gleneagles last September
Clarke takes the reins for the 41st Ryder Cup with the aim of leading Europe to a record fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest. The 46 year old was chosen by a five man selection panel consisting of those three most recent European Ryder Cup Captains - McGinley, Olazábal and Montgomerie – as well as the Chief Executive of The European Tour, George O’Grady, and European Tour Tournament Committee member David Howell, which met at Wentworth Club today (Wednesday February 18)
Clarke said: “I am naturally extremely proud to be selected as European Ryder Cup captain for 2016. The Ryder Cup has been a massive part of my life and my career, so to have the chance to lead Europe next year is a huge honour.
“I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains in my seven Ryder Cups to date, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine next year.”
The 14-time European Tour winner made his Ryder Cup debut in 1997 at Valderrama in Spain under Seve Ballesteros, partnering Montgomerie to defeat Fred Couples and Davis Love III in the fourballs before losing narrowly to Phil Mickelson in the singles.
The 2011 Open Champion becomes the first Northern Irishman to lead Europe against the United States, having played in the biennial contest five times, featuring on the winning side on four occasions. He was also a vice captain under Colin Montgomerie and José MarÃa Olazábal in the European wins in 2010 and 2012 respectively, and succeeds Irishman Paul McGinley, who captained Europe to a 16 ½-11 ½ triumph at Gleneagles last September
Clarke takes the reins for the 41st Ryder Cup with the aim of leading Europe to a record fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest. The 46 year old was chosen by a five man selection panel consisting of those three most recent European Ryder Cup Captains - McGinley, Olazábal and Montgomerie – as well as the Chief Executive of The European Tour, George O’Grady, and European Tour Tournament Committee member David Howell, which met at Wentworth Club today (Wednesday February 18)
Clarke said: “I am naturally extremely proud to be selected as European Ryder Cup captain for 2016. The Ryder Cup has been a massive part of my life and my career, so to have the chance to lead Europe next year is a huge honour.
“I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains in my seven Ryder Cups to date, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine next year.”
The 14-time European Tour winner made his Ryder Cup debut in 1997 at Valderrama in Spain under Seve Ballesteros, partnering Montgomerie to defeat Fred Couples and Davis Love III in the fourballs before losing narrowly to Phil Mickelson in the singles.
He then contributed two points at each of the next two Ryder Cups, at Brookline in 1999 and The Belfry in 2002, and three-and-a-half points in Europe’s record 18½-9½ victory at Oakland Hills Country Club in 2004.
But his most memorable, and emotional, Ryder Cup performance came two years later when he inspired Europe to victory by the same record equalling margin in front of passionate Irish galleries at The K Club, just six weeks after his first wife Heather passed away. Clarke won all three of his matches in Co. Kildare, joining forces with Lee Westwood to defeat Mickelson and Chris DiMarco then Tiger Woods and Jim Fuyrk in the fourballs, before beating Zach Johnson 3 and 2 in the singles. His two victories alongside Westwood mean the duo are joint second in the all-time list of most successful Ryder Cup partnerships, with six points from their eight matches together, while overall Clarke has contributed a total of 11½ points in the blue of Europe.
He returned to The Ryder Cup fold four years later as a vice captain under Montgomerie at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, as Europe beat the United States by 14½-13½, and he gained further experience as part of the backroom team under Olazábal at Medinah in 2012.
That came a year after the finest individual achievement of his distinguished career, when he held off Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to win The 140th Open Championship at Royal St George’s, adding the Claret Jug to the two World Golf Championship titles he won in the early 2000s, when he became just the second player after Tiger Woods to win more than one WGC crown.
Clarke is the first captain to be chosen using Ryder Cup Europe’s new selection process – the third method used to pick The Ryder Cup captain since players from Continental Europe joined the fold for the 1979 contest, under the captaincy of John Jacobs, at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
From then until 1997, when the late Seve Ballesteros led Europe in his homeland at Valderrama, the European Ryder Cup captain was identified by the Ryder Cup Committee, who selected Jacobs again in 1981, Tony Jacklin in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989, and Bernard Gallacher in 1991, 1993 and 1995.
However, in 1999, Mark James was the first European captain to be nominated by the European Tour’s Tournament Committee and ratified by the Ryder Cup Board, a process which went on to select Sam Torrance (2002), Bernhard Langer (2004), Ian Woosnam (2006), Sir Nick Faldo (2008), Montgomerie (2010), Olazábal (2012) and McGinley (2014).
But his most memorable, and emotional, Ryder Cup performance came two years later when he inspired Europe to victory by the same record equalling margin in front of passionate Irish galleries at The K Club, just six weeks after his first wife Heather passed away. Clarke won all three of his matches in Co. Kildare, joining forces with Lee Westwood to defeat Mickelson and Chris DiMarco then Tiger Woods and Jim Fuyrk in the fourballs, before beating Zach Johnson 3 and 2 in the singles. His two victories alongside Westwood mean the duo are joint second in the all-time list of most successful Ryder Cup partnerships, with six points from their eight matches together, while overall Clarke has contributed a total of 11½ points in the blue of Europe.
He returned to The Ryder Cup fold four years later as a vice captain under Montgomerie at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, as Europe beat the United States by 14½-13½, and he gained further experience as part of the backroom team under Olazábal at Medinah in 2012.
That came a year after the finest individual achievement of his distinguished career, when he held off Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to win The 140th Open Championship at Royal St George’s, adding the Claret Jug to the two World Golf Championship titles he won in the early 2000s, when he became just the second player after Tiger Woods to win more than one WGC crown.
Clarke is the first captain to be chosen using Ryder Cup Europe’s new selection process – the third method used to pick The Ryder Cup captain since players from Continental Europe joined the fold for the 1979 contest, under the captaincy of John Jacobs, at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
From then until 1997, when the late Seve Ballesteros led Europe in his homeland at Valderrama, the European Ryder Cup captain was identified by the Ryder Cup Committee, who selected Jacobs again in 1981, Tony Jacklin in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989, and Bernard Gallacher in 1991, 1993 and 1995.
However, in 1999, Mark James was the first European captain to be nominated by the European Tour’s Tournament Committee and ratified by the Ryder Cup Board, a process which went on to select Sam Torrance (2002), Bernhard Langer (2004), Ian Woosnam (2006), Sir Nick Faldo (2008), Montgomerie (2010), Olazábal (2012) and McGinley (2014).
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Peter Lawrie says he was addicted to Coca-Cola
BBC Sport.. Irishman Peter Lawrie said he was drinking several litres of cola a day and had a near
breakdown when he tried to quit. Lawrie slumped from just outside the world's top 100 players to a ranking of
896 at the end of 2014, such was his dramatic dip in form.
"I cut it out completely and went from such a high on sugar to a dramatic low," he said. "I never recovered."
Lawrie stopped drinking Coke shortly after finishing 10th at the 2013 Irish Open
Talking to Irish radio station Newstalk, he said: "I lost all confidence in myself. I wouldn't say I went through a breakdown but I definitely got exceptionally emotional.
It was very difficult to deal with all of the situations coming at me. Whether that had anything to do with my mental state in any shape or form, I have no idea.
"I drink two or three cans a day (now) but I was drinking litres of the stuff. Even in the hottest country, like Malaysia, I'd have a Coke on the golf course because I was addicted to it."
Lawrie, who has one win on the European Tour, claiming the Open de Espana in 2008, has made the cut in his last three starts and finished tied for 16th at the recent Malaysia Open, his best result since the Irish Open.
"I cut it out completely and went from such a high on sugar to a dramatic low," he said. "I never recovered."
Lawrie stopped drinking Coke shortly after finishing 10th at the 2013 Irish Open
Talking to Irish radio station Newstalk, he said: "I lost all confidence in myself. I wouldn't say I went through a breakdown but I definitely got exceptionally emotional.
It was very difficult to deal with all of the situations coming at me. Whether that had anything to do with my mental state in any shape or form, I have no idea.
"I drink two or three cans a day (now) but I was drinking litres of the stuff. Even in the hottest country, like Malaysia, I'd have a Coke on the golf course because I was addicted to it."
Lawrie, who has one win on the European Tour, claiming the Open de Espana in 2008, has made the cut in his last three starts and finished tied for 16th at the recent Malaysia Open, his best result since the Irish Open.
Darren Clarke to be named European Ryder Cup captain on Wednesday
Darren Clarke who has won the cup four times as a player, expects an announcement on the new captain to be made this Wednesday. Clarke is favourite for the coveted role, ahead of Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez who has said he wants to play on the team.
A five-man European Tour selection panel, including 2014-winning captain Paul McGinley, will make the decision. Europe retained the trophy at the 40th Ryder Cup 16½-11½ against the United States at Gleneagles in September. It was the eighth win in 10 meetings for Europe
Bryan Angus
Shiv Kapur desperate to win his national championship in New Delhi
europeantour.com Shiv Kapur has more reason than most to desperately want to win this week’s Hero Indian Open, having spent his entire golfing life playing at the host venue, Delhi Golf Club.
The 33 year old is also supported by title sponsor Hero, and he will have hundreds of friends and family members in attendance backing his bid to become the first home winner of his national Open since Chinnaswamy Muniyappa in 2009
' It’s very exciting because it’s got elevated status this year, being part of The European Tour,” he said. “It’s at my home club, it’s my sponsor and it’s my national Open, so I’ve got three reasons to win. I’ll be playing the course I’ve played nearly every day of my life since I learned to play golf.”
A T11 place finish at last week’s True Thailand Classic means Kapur is heading home in good form, and he admits victory would mean even more now the event has become part of The European Tour International Schedule for the first time.
“The course is very different from what we’ve played on Tour the last few weeks and especially the Middle East,” he said. “You hit very few drivers off the tee but lots of irons. It’s all about position off the tee so it’s not a bomber’s golf course. You need to be patient and bide your time. It would suit someone like Miguel (Angel Jiménez) down to a tee
Alongside Kapur in the home challenge are Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, who won the Maybank Malaysian Open two weeks ago, SSP Chawrasia and Jyoti Randhawa, who has a hat-trick of Indian Open titles to his name, winning in 2000, 2006 and 2007.
A T11 place finish at last week’s True Thailand Classic means Kapur is heading home in good form, and he admits victory would mean even more now the event has become part of The European Tour International Schedule for the first time.
The historic Delhi Golf Club is a test of accuracy over power, according to Kapur, and the 7,014-yard, par 72 layout will be a test of patience.
“The course is very different from what we’ve played on Tour the last few weeks and especially the Middle East,” he said. “You hit very few drivers off the tee but lots of irons. It’s all about position off the tee so it’s not a bomber’s golf course. You need to be patient and bide your time. It would suit someone like Miguel (Angel Jiménez) down to a tee
Alongside Kapur in the home challenge are Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, who won the Maybank Malaysian Open two weeks ago, SSP Chawrasia and Jyoti Randhawa, who has a hat-trick of Indian Open titles to his name, winning in 2000, 2006 and 2007.
Davis Love to be named again as US Ryder Cup captain
Davis Love III, whose U.S. team lost to Europe in 2012 at Medinah, is expected to be named the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain during a PGA of America announcement later this week, according to AP and the Golf Channel. Love would become the second straight repeat captain, following Tom Watson.
Love is a member of an 11-member U.S. task force formed to bring a new approach to the process of selecting captains, assistants, the formation of the team and even the practice structure going into the 2016 matches at Hazeltine in Chaska, Minnesota.
They met two weeks ago in San Diego and it is unclear if it made a recommendation or if the PGA of America decided to go in this direction on its own.
In 2012 Love's squad blew a Sunday 10-6 lead you will remember as the European team stormed back for their most famous win 14½ to 13½. Some of the other favourites in the mix include Fred Couples, given his 3-0 record as U.S. Presidents Cup captain. He also served as an assistant on Love's 2012 team. Steve Stricker was mentioned as well, as was Paul Azinger, who was the last U.S. captain to win, in 2008.
The Europeans are expected to name Darren Clarke as their captain on Wednesday.
Bryan Angus (files from BBC,AP Reuters )
Monday, February 16, 2015
Another teen sensation, Su Oh wins Aussie Masters..
Most of the golfers at this week's Aussie Masters will be joined by the rest of the tour regulars as they head to Royal Melbourne next week for the Women's Australian Open, a co-sanctioned event with the LPGA Tour, but this weekend it was another young sensation grabbing the spotlight.
AP....South Korean-born Australian teenager Su Oh shot a -4 69 to win the Australian Ladies Masters by three strokes in only her second start as a professional.
Oh, the co-leader after the first round, finished with at -7 285 on the Royal Pines resort course, making birdies on her final four holes. Consider this, the 18-year-old Oh finished second at the Victorian Open last week in her professional debut
Katherine Kirk of Australia and Florentyna Parker each shot 69s while Parker's English countrywoman Charley Hull, one of the overnight leaders, had a closing 73. and they all finished T2
The 18-year-old Oh finished second at the Victorian Open last week in her professional debut
AP....South Korean-born Australian teenager Su Oh shot a -4 69 to win the Australian Ladies Masters by three strokes in only her second start as a professional.
Oh, the co-leader after the first round, finished with at -7 285 on the Royal Pines resort course, making birdies on her final four holes. Consider this, the 18-year-old Oh finished second at the Victorian Open last week in her professional debut
Katherine Kirk of Australia and Florentyna Parker each shot 69s while Parker's English countrywoman Charley Hull, one of the overnight leaders, had a closing 73. and they all finished T2
The 18-year-old Oh finished second at the Victorian Open last week in her professional debut
Janzen beats Bryant in Ace Group playoff
Champions Tour Ace Group Classic final scoreboard
http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
I thought Monty was going to win this one the way he was in such command Friday and Saturday but he slipped up on his back nine on Sunday, ended up with 72, good for 5th.
It was Bart Bryant who fought his way back into contention when he shot -10 62 tying a course record, while Monty's playing partner Lee Janzen had a -5 67 including a birdie putt on 18, so both ended up -16.
The playoff didn't last long after Bryant hit a short drive, leaving him 180 yards to the pin and he hit that shot onto the railroad ties before it bounced back into the water. Janzen on in two, two putted for the win, his first on the senior circuit. The U.S. Open champion in 1993, 1998, hadn't won an individual tournament for more than 16 years, over 413 starts.
Bernhard Langer withdrew from the tournament and returned home to Boca Raton to be with daughter Christina who is suffering after she had back surgery five weeks ago.
Canadians Stephen Ames 71 67 74 -4 T16 Rod Spittle 71 71 71 -3 T25 Jim Rutledge 77 74 68 +3 T56
Bryan
http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
I thought Monty was going to win this one the way he was in such command Friday and Saturday but he slipped up on his back nine on Sunday, ended up with 72, good for 5th.
It was Bart Bryant who fought his way back into contention when he shot -10 62 tying a course record, while Monty's playing partner Lee Janzen had a -5 67 including a birdie putt on 18, so both ended up -16.
The playoff didn't last long after Bryant hit a short drive, leaving him 180 yards to the pin and he hit that shot onto the railroad ties before it bounced back into the water. Janzen on in two, two putted for the win, his first on the senior circuit. The U.S. Open champion in 1993, 1998, hadn't won an individual tournament for more than 16 years, over 413 starts.
Bernhard Langer withdrew from the tournament and returned home to Boca Raton to be with daughter Christina who is suffering after she had back surgery five weeks ago.
Canadians Stephen Ames 71 67 74 -4 T16 Rod Spittle 71 71 71 -3 T25 Jim Rutledge 77 74 68 +3 T56
Bryan
Emotional Snedeker wins Pebble Beach
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach National final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
The billionaires have said good-bye to the millionaires and the week that once started as the Bing Crosby clambake and has grown into arguably golf's biggest corporate smooze on three of the world's most expensive properties is over and our 2013 Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker was brilliant 64 67 67 67 -22 265, a new tournament record, breaking the one he set here two years ago for a 3 shot win over Nick Watney.
Pebble Beach costs $495 US for you or I to play and the fee per amateur in the AT&T pro-am is $16,500 according to Golf Week, of course I'm sure many of the celebrities don't pay since they bring so much publicity to the event. Snedeker takes home $1.25m for the win.
It was the seventh win of Snedeker's career, his second title in three years at Pebble Beach, and now after a dismal 2014 which saw him slip out of the top 60, and a change in coaches to Butch Harmon, he's back in the Masters and the victory moved him to #31 in the world, which will qualify for WGC events, starting with Doral in three weeks.
David Hearn 67 66 71 70 -13 T21 Graham DeLaet 76 65 64 76 -6 T57
Bryan
The billionaires have said good-bye to the millionaires and the week that once started as the Bing Crosby clambake and has grown into arguably golf's biggest corporate smooze on three of the world's most expensive properties is over and our 2013 Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker was brilliant 64 67 67 67 -22 265, a new tournament record, breaking the one he set here two years ago for a 3 shot win over Nick Watney.
Pebble Beach costs $495 US for you or I to play and the fee per amateur in the AT&T pro-am is $16,500 according to Golf Week, of course I'm sure many of the celebrities don't pay since they bring so much publicity to the event. Snedeker takes home $1.25m for the win.
It was the seventh win of Snedeker's career, his second title in three years at Pebble Beach, and now after a dismal 2014 which saw him slip out of the top 60, and a change in coaches to Butch Harmon, he's back in the Masters and the victory moved him to #31 in the world, which will qualify for WGC events, starting with Doral in three weeks.
David Hearn 67 66 71 70 -13 T21 Graham DeLaet 76 65 64 76 -6 T57
Bryan
Adam Scott is a daddy !...
Over the years in talking to women golf fans most all say that Columbia's Camilo Villegas, has that smoldering Latin look that makes them catch their breath, but it's Adam Scott they all want to take home to mom..
Well last year Adam quietly, privately got married in his Bahamas backyard, after the Masters, and yesterday Scott said his wife, Swedish architect Marie Kojzar gave birth to a girl they named Bo Vera Scott. She was born Sunday in Australia.
Scott has not played this year. His last event was a tie for second in the Australian PGA Championship. Scott skipped the PGA Tour events in Hawaii with his Marie in the final stages of pregnancy. He is expected to return at the Florida Swing, either the Honda Classic or Doral.
Bryan
Well last year Adam quietly, privately got married in his Bahamas backyard, after the Masters, and yesterday Scott said his wife, Swedish architect Marie Kojzar gave birth to a girl they named Bo Vera Scott. She was born Sunday in Australia.
Scott has not played this year. His last event was a tie for second in the Australian PGA Championship. Scott skipped the PGA Tour events in Hawaii with his Marie in the final stages of pregnancy. He is expected to return at the Florida Swing, either the Honda Classic or Doral.
Bryan
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Monty leads by one over Janzen..Ames T8 at Acer Classic
Champions Tour Acer Group Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Colin Montgomerie shot his second straight -6 66, good for a 1 shot lead over playing partner Lee Janzen heading into the final round of the ACE Group Classic at TwinEagles Golf Club
Monty birdied four of his last six holes and is -12 132 for the tournament. Janzen shot a -7 65, -11. After their rounds he reminisced about the Ryder Cup in 1993 at the Belfry, where he and Lee met in the Sunday singles and Monty beat him 1up, a score he'll be happy with today.
Esteban Toledo and Scott Dunlap are at 8-under 136. Three other players are at -7, including Bernhard Langer, while Stephen Ames is T8 71 67 -6
Rod Spittle T25 -2 71 71, Jim Rutledge T71 +7 77 74
Bryan Angus
Colin Montgomerie shot his second straight -6 66, good for a 1 shot lead over playing partner Lee Janzen heading into the final round of the ACE Group Classic at TwinEagles Golf Club
Monty birdied four of his last six holes and is -12 132 for the tournament. Janzen shot a -7 65, -11. After their rounds he reminisced about the Ryder Cup in 1993 at the Belfry, where he and Lee met in the Sunday singles and Monty beat him 1up, a score he'll be happy with today.
Esteban Toledo and Scott Dunlap are at 8-under 136. Three other players are at -7, including Bernhard Langer, while Stephen Ames is T8 71 67 -6
Rod Spittle T25 -2 71 71, Jim Rutledge T71 +7 77 74
Bryan Angus
Furyk leads at Pebble Beach, ...Hearn, DeLaet continue fine play
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach National scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Veteran Jim Furyk hasn't played competitive golf in seven months but on Saturday he went out and made seven birdies over his last 10 holes at Pebble Beach for his best round in 20 years at the AT&T. His -9 63 -18 gives him a one-shot lead over Matt Jones (67) and Brandt Snedeker (67)
Furyk hasn't won in 4 years and has had at least a share of the lead after 54 holes without converting 8 times in that period, so has been playing some great golf.
The best weather in memory on the Monterey Peninsula, has the beach full of swimmers, and the scores low on the 3 courses with the cut falling at -7 which was to low for John Daly whose 73 at Spyglass means he missed the cut along with Mike Weir, Nick Taylor and Roger Sloan..
However David Hearn is T17 67 66 71 -11 is 7 shots back and Graham DeLaet T24 who opened with 76, has bounced back with superb 65 64 to get to -10.
Bryan Angus
Veteran Jim Furyk hasn't played competitive golf in seven months but on Saturday he went out and made seven birdies over his last 10 holes at Pebble Beach for his best round in 20 years at the AT&T. His -9 63 -18 gives him a one-shot lead over Matt Jones (67) and Brandt Snedeker (67)
Furyk hasn't won in 4 years and has had at least a share of the lead after 54 holes without converting 8 times in that period, so has been playing some great golf.
The best weather in memory on the Monterey Peninsula, has the beach full of swimmers, and the scores low on the 3 courses with the cut falling at -7 which was to low for John Daly whose 73 at Spyglass means he missed the cut along with Mike Weir, Nick Taylor and Roger Sloan..
However David Hearn is T17 67 66 71 -11 is 7 shots back and Graham DeLaet T24 who opened with 76, has bounced back with superb 65 64 to get to -10.
Bryan Angus
Dodt delivers in Thailand..Lee finishes T4
European Tour True Thailand Classic final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
Andrew Dodt has won the first staging of the True Thailand Classic.
The Australian outsider closed with a round of 67 for -16 to edge out home favourite Thongchai Jaidee and another Aussie, Scott Hend, by one stroke. It's Dodt's second European Tour title, having won in India five years ago.
Canadian Richard T Lee is enjoying another prominent finish in Asia. 5th at last week's event in Malaysia, he's now closed with a 66 for -14 good for T4. He called it a perfect round, made putts to save par an added 6 birdies, no bogey's and paid tribute to his Dad who has always been his coach.
Miguel Jimenez slipped to 73 to finish T7..
Bryan Angus
Andrew Dodt has won the first staging of the True Thailand Classic.
The Australian outsider closed with a round of 67 for -16 to edge out home favourite Thongchai Jaidee and another Aussie, Scott Hend, by one stroke. It's Dodt's second European Tour title, having won in India five years ago.
Canadian Richard T Lee is enjoying another prominent finish in Asia. 5th at last week's event in Malaysia, he's now closed with a 66 for -14 good for T4. He called it a perfect round, made putts to save par an added 6 birdies, no bogey's and paid tribute to his Dad who has always been his coach.
Miguel Jimenez slipped to 73 to finish T7..
Bryan Angus
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Monty leads by a shot at the Acer in Florida
Champions Tour Ace Group Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Colin Montgomerie shot -6 66 to lead another stellar Champions Tour field by a shot on the Talon course at the Twin Eagles Club in Fllorida.
Canadian : Stephen Ames and Rod Spittle are T17 71, while Jim Rutledge struggled to +5 77.
Hend leads Jimenez, Jaidee after round 3 in Thailand
European Tour True Thailand Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
Round 3 is in the books in Thailand and power hitting Aussie Scott Hend shot -6 66 to get to -15, a shot ahead of Miguel Jimenez 69 -14 and Thongchai Jaidee 67 -14.
Canadian Richard T Lee is T20 at -8 after slipping to +1 73.
More to follow..
Bryan Angus
Round 3 is in the books in Thailand and power hitting Aussie Scott Hend shot -6 66 to get to -15, a shot ahead of Miguel Jimenez 69 -14 and Thongchai Jaidee 67 -14.
Canadian Richard T Lee is T20 at -8 after slipping to +1 73.
More to follow..
Bryan Angus
Hearn T4 at Pebble Beach..Snedeker, Jones lead..
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Brandt Snedeker, who won here two years ago, played bogey-free on a beautiful day at at Spyglass for a -5 67 to share the 36-hole lead with Matt Jones who shot 66 also at Spyglass Hill. They are at -12, 131. At -11 is rookie Justin Hicks (68) at Monterey Peninsula.
Billy Horschel, had a 65 at Spyglass Hill and was part of a large group two shots behind. Jason Day, who picked up a virus from his son posted the lowest score of the day, a 62 at Monterey Peninsula putting him only three shots out of the lead, along with Jim Furyk (70) and Nick Watney (69)
John Daly birdied his opening hole at Monterey Peninsula, but then stalled ending up with +1 72 -6 T37th and will have to play well Saturday at Spyglass to avoid missing the cut for the 11th straight time. The top 60 and ties make the cut, and 60th place was at 4-under par.
Canadians David Hearn is T4 67 66 -10, Graham DeLaet T77 76 65 -3, Nick Taylor T134 +2 76 70, Mike Weir T150 +8 74 77 Roger Sloan T154 +10 72 82
Bryan Angus
Brandt Snedeker, who won here two years ago, played bogey-free on a beautiful day at at Spyglass for a -5 67 to share the 36-hole lead with Matt Jones who shot 66 also at Spyglass Hill. They are at -12, 131. At -11 is rookie Justin Hicks (68) at Monterey Peninsula.
Billy Horschel, had a 65 at Spyglass Hill and was part of a large group two shots behind. Jason Day, who picked up a virus from his son posted the lowest score of the day, a 62 at Monterey Peninsula putting him only three shots out of the lead, along with Jim Furyk (70) and Nick Watney (69)
John Daly birdied his opening hole at Monterey Peninsula, but then stalled ending up with +1 72 -6 T37th and will have to play well Saturday at Spyglass to avoid missing the cut for the 11th straight time. The top 60 and ties make the cut, and 60th place was at 4-under par.
Canadians David Hearn is T4 67 66 -10, Graham DeLaet T77 76 65 -3, Nick Taylor T134 +2 76 70, Mike Weir T150 +8 74 77 Roger Sloan T154 +10 72 82
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 13, 2015
Pete and Alice Dye to build course "north of Toronto"
As the Golf Channel continues to grow and emerge, many staffers have come and gone, one new guy I've really enjoy is Matt Ginella who has just wrapped up Architects II week. Matt has been lucky enough to travel the world playing and reporting on his travels and he has learned, like all of us who have played in places like Britain, Spain, Portugal, to appreciate the game from an international perspective, which is refreshing on a channel totally dedicated to golf and far to often from a totally American point of view. (Golf Channel broadcasts from studio's out of Florida)
This morning he posted his review of the week and it included this nugget..
It's hard to believe that after 65 years of marriage and both pressing 90 years old, Pete and Alice Dye are currently working on 13 new projects, including three new courses, one of which is north of Toronto. (Alice Dye, soon to be 88, just renewed her passport.)
Stay tuned I have my sleuths out to find out where and why. I just spoke to my pal Ian Hutchinson, veteran golf writer and host of his blog http://GolfNewsNow and it was news to him..
I find it hard to believe he would be building another high end Muskoka project considering the difficulties that market is experiencing.
Bryan
This morning he posted his review of the week and it included this nugget..
It's hard to believe that after 65 years of marriage and both pressing 90 years old, Pete and Alice Dye are currently working on 13 new projects, including three new courses, one of which is north of Toronto. (Alice Dye, soon to be 88, just renewed her passport.)
Stay tuned I have my sleuths out to find out where and why. I just spoke to my pal Ian Hutchinson, veteran golf writer and host of his blog http://GolfNewsNow and it was news to him..
I find it hard to believe he would be building another high end Muskoka project considering the difficulties that market is experiencing.
Bryan
Nicklaus joins Palmer, Byron Nelson receives Congressional Gold Medal
AP...Jack Nicklaus will receive the Congressional Gold Medal on March 24.
The medal, an expression of appreciation to distinguished citizens and the highest civilian honor delegated by Congress, has been awarded to the likes of Neil Armstrong, Jesse Owens and Rosa Parks. Nicklaus joins Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson as the only golfers to earn the recognition. The legislation received President Barack Obama's signature for approval in December.
He is now 75, and is the all-time leader in major championship victories with 18, was born in Columbus and played at Ohio State. "I had the fortunate pleasure in 2012 to attend and participate in Arnold's Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, and I witnessed how special and meaningful it was to him," Nicklaus said. "I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to experience that, as well, and to be a part of a very special group of past recipients."
"Jack Nicklaus is a legend, and without a doubt the greatest golfer of all time. Yet in addition to the Golden Bear's career in golf, he is a dedicated philanthropist who has made a difference in communities across America," said Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Nicklaus' native Ohio, who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio.
The medal, an expression of appreciation to distinguished citizens and the highest civilian honor delegated by Congress, has been awarded to the likes of Neil Armstrong, Jesse Owens and Rosa Parks. Nicklaus joins Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson as the only golfers to earn the recognition. The legislation received President Barack Obama's signature for approval in December.
He is now 75, and is the all-time leader in major championship victories with 18, was born in Columbus and played at Ohio State. "I had the fortunate pleasure in 2012 to attend and participate in Arnold's Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, and I witnessed how special and meaningful it was to him," Nicklaus said. "I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to experience that, as well, and to be a part of a very special group of past recipients."
"Jack Nicklaus is a legend, and without a doubt the greatest golfer of all time. Yet in addition to the Golden Bear's career in golf, he is a dedicated philanthropist who has made a difference in communities across America," said Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Nicklaus' native Ohio, who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio.
Daly of old shoots 65 at Pebble Beach.. Canadian scores..
PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
In a recent conversation with RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bill Paul, we were going back over our 30 years together, at the Abbey mainly, and I asked him who the guys were that could sell tickets for our national championship since 1985.
Keep in mind Jack Nicklaus who designed the Abbey but never won, was near the end of his career, despite his win at Augusta in 1986, so we left him out of the equation. Two names won't surprise you, Tiger of course who won with the shot in 2000, and Mike Weir, who came oh so close, losing to VJ Singh in a playoff in 2004.
The other two ?? Greg Norman who won in 1984, 1992 and John Daly...
Well Daly, who continues to travel the world, where ever a sponsor will have him to help pay his bills, was at his best yesterday at Pebble Beach with a -7 65 T3, his best score in 10 years, to sit just a shot off the lead held by JB Holmes and Justin Hicks -8 64. They each played at Pebble Beach, typically the easiest course in the rotation in what are gloriously benign conditions, and more of the same is in the forecast.
Daly is in a group of seven which includes Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk..His last official win was at Torrey Pines in 2004, and his record at this event is brutal, he T20 in his rookie season in 1991 and he hasn't made the cut in 10 tries since. His weight as you know is up and down just like his game, right now he is somewhere in between, but he is unmistakeable with his dyed white hair, and loudmouth pants, not to mention the long smooth swing that has never changed..
Canadian scores... David Hearn T15 -5 67, Roger Sloan T99 72 E, Mike Weir T134 +2 74, Graham DeLaet, Nick Taylor T147 +4 76
Bryan
In a recent conversation with RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Bill Paul, we were going back over our 30 years together, at the Abbey mainly, and I asked him who the guys were that could sell tickets for our national championship since 1985.
Keep in mind Jack Nicklaus who designed the Abbey but never won, was near the end of his career, despite his win at Augusta in 1986, so we left him out of the equation. Two names won't surprise you, Tiger of course who won with the shot in 2000, and Mike Weir, who came oh so close, losing to VJ Singh in a playoff in 2004.
The other two ?? Greg Norman who won in 1984, 1992 and John Daly...
Well Daly, who continues to travel the world, where ever a sponsor will have him to help pay his bills, was at his best yesterday at Pebble Beach with a -7 65 T3, his best score in 10 years, to sit just a shot off the lead held by JB Holmes and Justin Hicks -8 64. They each played at Pebble Beach, typically the easiest course in the rotation in what are gloriously benign conditions, and more of the same is in the forecast.
Daly is in a group of seven which includes Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk..His last official win was at Torrey Pines in 2004, and his record at this event is brutal, he T20 in his rookie season in 1991 and he hasn't made the cut in 10 tries since. His weight as you know is up and down just like his game, right now he is somewhere in between, but he is unmistakeable with his dyed white hair, and loudmouth pants, not to mention the long smooth swing that has never changed..
Canadian scores... David Hearn T15 -5 67, Roger Sloan T99 72 E, Mike Weir T134 +2 74, Graham DeLaet, Nick Taylor T147 +4 76
Bryan
Ageless Jimenez leads in Thailand.. Lee T3
European Tour True Thailand Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
Round 2 is in the books, on another warm humid day on this Black Mountain GC and the ageless, but ailing Miguel Angel Jimenez has continued the fine form that saw him win in Hawaii 3 weeks ago as he has posted -6 66 to reach -11 for a one shot lead over Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat -5 67 -10. Jimenez is suffering from what appears to be a heavy cold, but is swinging beautifully, playing his patented draw to perfection.
Canadian Richard T Lee is still playing great golf, he also posted -5 67 this morning and is T3 at -9.
Meanwhile Panuphol Pittayarat has won a house for a hole-in-one. The young Thai player, widely known as Coconut, aced the par 3 14th with a 6 iron from 201 yards and wins a property that's currently being built at the resort near Hua Hin. The 4 story townhouse is worth 12 million Thai Baht, around £250 or $482,000 Canadian.
Bryan
Round 2 is in the books, on another warm humid day on this Black Mountain GC and the ageless, but ailing Miguel Angel Jimenez has continued the fine form that saw him win in Hawaii 3 weeks ago as he has posted -6 66 to reach -11 for a one shot lead over Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat -5 67 -10. Jimenez is suffering from what appears to be a heavy cold, but is swinging beautifully, playing his patented draw to perfection.
Canadian Richard T Lee is still playing great golf, he also posted -5 67 this morning and is T3 at -9.
Meanwhile Panuphol Pittayarat has won a house for a hole-in-one. The young Thai player, widely known as Coconut, aced the par 3 14th with a 6 iron from 201 yards and wins a property that's currently being built at the resort near Hua Hin. The 4 story townhouse is worth 12 million Thai Baht, around £250 or $482,000 Canadian.
Bryan
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Father Time catching up with Tiger..
In case you missed it Tiger issued a statement on his website last night saying his golf is not acceptable for the PGA Tour and he will not return until it is.. No kidding..
He went on to say that the injury that forced him to WD last week at Torrey Pines is not related to the back surgery he had last spring. He said he is having physical therapy every day and feeling better.
"Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me," he said. "My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back."
In my opinion and it's just one of millions, good old Father Time is catching up with Tiger, physically and mentally..
We all go through it, golf is no exception, the PGA Tour is littered with guys in their 40's who have ventured into the no man's land of golf that doesn't end until they turn 50 and are reborn as rookies on the Champions Tour..
Tiger is 39, losing his hair, and while he is an exceptional physical specimen, he just has to look at 25 year old Rory who is bombing his drives 310, 20 30 40 and 50 yards with all the accuracy, power and flexibility of youth, and Tiger who for years of course was the bomber simply cannot compete with his go to trap drive 3 wood stinger.
We all get to the point where we just can't keep up physically and Tiger is now there.
Mentally I'm sure after a lifetime of being the man, he still thinks he can compete, and maybe he will, but he will never dominate like the Tiger we were so privileged to watch, again.
In his statement he said he wants to play the Honda Classic that starts Feb. 26. But he won't play if he's not tournament-ready and unless he finds his confidence and fitness in the seclusion of his course The Medalist that's a big if..
Of course missing the Honda means he won't be eligible for the WGC-Cadillac Championship since he is now down to #62 in the world. Bigger question is will he be ready to go to Augusta?
Consider this chronology of Tiger's health. He won the 2008 U.S. Open limping with a left knee injury so bad he needed reconstructive surgery, which really never worked when you consider he had to withdraw in 2010 and '11 from The Players with the same problem. He had an Achilles' tendon injury that forced him to withdraw in March 2012, an elbow injury had him out for a month in 2013, surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his back in 2014.
He is stalled on 79 wins, 5 short of Sam Snead, and 14 majors, 4 short of Jack Nicklaus.
"I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game" he went on to say, and I am sure he is and will be giving it is best shot.
Unfortunately Father Time waits for no man, not even one as talented as Tiger..
Bryan Angus
He went on to say that the injury that forced him to WD last week at Torrey Pines is not related to the back surgery he had last spring. He said he is having physical therapy every day and feeling better.
"Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me," he said. "My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back."
In my opinion and it's just one of millions, good old Father Time is catching up with Tiger, physically and mentally..
We all go through it, golf is no exception, the PGA Tour is littered with guys in their 40's who have ventured into the no man's land of golf that doesn't end until they turn 50 and are reborn as rookies on the Champions Tour..
Tiger is 39, losing his hair, and while he is an exceptional physical specimen, he just has to look at 25 year old Rory who is bombing his drives 310, 20 30 40 and 50 yards with all the accuracy, power and flexibility of youth, and Tiger who for years of course was the bomber simply cannot compete with his go to trap drive 3 wood stinger.
We all get to the point where we just can't keep up physically and Tiger is now there.
Mentally I'm sure after a lifetime of being the man, he still thinks he can compete, and maybe he will, but he will never dominate like the Tiger we were so privileged to watch, again.
In his statement he said he wants to play the Honda Classic that starts Feb. 26. But he won't play if he's not tournament-ready and unless he finds his confidence and fitness in the seclusion of his course The Medalist that's a big if..
Of course missing the Honda means he won't be eligible for the WGC-Cadillac Championship since he is now down to #62 in the world. Bigger question is will he be ready to go to Augusta?
Consider this chronology of Tiger's health. He won the 2008 U.S. Open limping with a left knee injury so bad he needed reconstructive surgery, which really never worked when you consider he had to withdraw in 2010 and '11 from The Players with the same problem. He had an Achilles' tendon injury that forced him to withdraw in March 2012, an elbow injury had him out for a month in 2013, surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his back in 2014.
He is stalled on 79 wins, 5 short of Sam Snead, and 14 majors, 4 short of Jack Nicklaus.
"I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game" he went on to say, and I am sure he is and will be giving it is best shot.
Unfortunately Father Time waits for no man, not even one as talented as Tiger..
Bryan Angus
Police make arrest in Robert Allenby case..
HONOLULU AP.-- Honolulu police say there's been an arrest in connection with credit cards stolen from Australian golfer Robert Allenby.
Allenby was in Honolulu for the Sony Open when he said was beaten and robbed after missing the cut on Jan. 16, but has no memory of a part of that night.
The Honolulu Star-Advertise reports police said Wednesday a 32-year-old man already in custody at Oahu Community Correctional Facility was arrested.
Allenby posted photos of a bloodied forehead and swollen eye to his Facebook account. He says he has no recollection of anything from about 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. the night he was at a wine bar.
Police opened investigations into second-degree robbery and fraudulent charges on Allenby's credit cards.
Allenby was in Honolulu for the Sony Open when he said was beaten and robbed after missing the cut on Jan. 16, but has no memory of a part of that night.
The Honolulu Star-Advertise reports police said Wednesday a 32-year-old man already in custody at Oahu Community Correctional Facility was arrested.
Allenby posted photos of a bloodied forehead and swollen eye to his Facebook account. He says he has no recollection of anything from about 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. the night he was at a wine bar.
Police opened investigations into second-degree robbery and fraudulent charges on Allenby's credit cards.
Hoey sets course record in the heat of Thailand
European Tour True Thailand Classic leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015010/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
It was a hot humid day at this Black Rock resort, the early wave had the advantage with not much wind until their final 3 holes, while the late wave played in a steady breeze. The book on this beautiful course is there isn't much trouble off the tees due to little or no rough, the emphasis is on the approach shot as the greens are big but lightning fast and tricky. Miguel Jimenez who is feeling ill after shooting -5 67, summed it up by saying "if you are above the hole here you are lost "
It was a hot humid day at this Black Rock resort, the early wave had the advantage with not much wind until their final 3 holes, while the late wave played in a steady breeze. The book on this beautiful course is there isn't much trouble off the tees due to little or no rough, the emphasis is on the approach shot as the greens are big but lightning fast and tricky. Miguel Jimenez who is feeling ill after shooting -5 67, summed it up by saying "if you are above the hole here you are lost "
Michael Hoey from NIR, played in the early wave and took advantage, but needed a course record -8 64 to take the lead on a low scoring opening day. He has won 5 times on this tour, but has been finishing well down the field so far this year, saying afterwards that he has been concentrating on keeping double bogey's off his card, and he did that this morning.
He leads lead Spain’s Carlos Pigem, Taiwan’s Chien-yao Hung and American David Lipsky by a single shot
Lipsky, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit, finished with back-to-back birdies to join Asian Tour regulars Hung and Pigem on -7 one ahead of India’s Shiv Kapur.
Canadian Richard T Lee continued his fine play with 5 birdies and just one bogey for -4 68 T14
Fan favourite Thongchai Jaidee Danish veteran, Thomas Bjørn both opened with rounds of 69
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Six stars of the future announced to Team Canada's Young Pro squad
I pass this on from Golf Canada minutes ago, in particular for those of you who often ask me for background information on our young up and coming players..
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six athletes – three female and three male – who have been selected to the 2015 Team Canada Young Pro Squad for the program’s second year of operation.
Comprising the team for 2015 is: Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.); Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Toronto); Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.); Albin Choi (Toronto); Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) and Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.).
Developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and supported by founding partner Canadian Pacific, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation Women’s Fund, the Young Pro Squad program bridges the gap for top graduating amateurs transitioning into professional golf.
Headlining the female contingent is Team Canada National Amateur Team graduate Brooke Henderson. The 17-year-old declared herself as a professional golfer in conjunction with signing on with IMG as her management group in December of 2014.
In September 2014, Henderson made history by becoming the first Canadian to occupy the world’s No. 1 spot on the Women’s World Amateur Ranking. Henderson earned spots in the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2015 ANA Inspiration Championship (formerly the Kraft Nabisco Championship) as a result of her tie for 10th at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. In addition, Henderson is able to accept up to a maximum of six LPGA sponsor exemptions and is also eligible for Monday qualifiers.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey the past few years and now I’m excited for what lies ahead as a professional,” said Henderson, who won her first event as a professional (Suncoast Series Tour) and this past week qualified for the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic where she finished T-33. “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the National Team program during my amateur career and now I’m proud to continue representing Team Canada as a pro.”
Joining Henderson are two returning members of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad – Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Sue Kim. Both Lee-Bentham and Kim are also graduates of Team Canada’s National Amateur Team and maintain conditional status on the LPGA Tour for the 2015 season.
Lee-Bentham, 22, was the second-highest earning Canadian on the LPGA Tour last season. She played 18 events on tour, highlighted by a tie for 12th at the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & O-I. She earned conditional status on the LPGA Tour in 2015 by finishing inside the top 125 on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe.
Sue Kim, 23, finished as No. 120 on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe to earn conditional status for 2015. Her best finish, a tie for 35th, came at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.
Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi return as members of the Team Canada Young Pro Men’s Squad. They will be joined by newly turned professional Taylor Pendrith.
All three athletes will attend PGA TOUR Canada qualifying school in April with hopes of earning full status. Hughes, 24, is a two-time former Canadian Amateur champion. This year he hopes to repeat the success he had in 2013, when he captured the No. 1 spot on PGA TOUR Canada’s Order of Merit.
Choi, 22, is also a former Canadian Amateur champion. His 2014 season on the Web.com Tour was highlighted by four top-30 finishes and a tie for 19th at the United Leasing Championship presented by TPI.
Pendrith, 23, will look to hit the ground running after a successful amateur career which included winning the prestigious Monroe Invitational in 2014, as well as earning the Gary Cowan trophy (low amateur honours) at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.
Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro players. In addition to funding as part of the program, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff which includes Psychologist Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, Nutritionist Nicole Springle and Physiotherapist & Strength Coach Greg Redman.
Throughout the season, Golf Canada will closely monitor the performance of elite Canadian amateurs transitioning to professional golf with the possibility of program expansion.
Click here for Team Canada player bios.
Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six athletes – three female and three male – who have been selected to the 2015 Team Canada Young Pro Squad for the program’s second year of operation.
Comprising the team for 2015 is: Brooke Henderson (Smiths Falls, Ont.); Rebecca Lee-Bentham (Toronto); Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.); Albin Choi (Toronto); Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ont.) and Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ont.).
Developed in partnership with the PGA of Canada and supported by founding partner Canadian Pacific, as well as supporting partners Citi Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation Women’s Fund, the Young Pro Squad program bridges the gap for top graduating amateurs transitioning into professional golf.
Headlining the female contingent is Team Canada National Amateur Team graduate Brooke Henderson. The 17-year-old declared herself as a professional golfer in conjunction with signing on with IMG as her management group in December of 2014.
In September 2014, Henderson made history by becoming the first Canadian to occupy the world’s No. 1 spot on the Women’s World Amateur Ranking. Henderson earned spots in the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2015 ANA Inspiration Championship (formerly the Kraft Nabisco Championship) as a result of her tie for 10th at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. In addition, Henderson is able to accept up to a maximum of six LPGA sponsor exemptions and is also eligible for Monday qualifiers.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey the past few years and now I’m excited for what lies ahead as a professional,” said Henderson, who won her first event as a professional (Suncoast Series Tour) and this past week qualified for the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic where she finished T-33. “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the National Team program during my amateur career and now I’m proud to continue representing Team Canada as a pro.”
Joining Henderson are two returning members of the Team Canada Young Pro Squad – Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Sue Kim. Both Lee-Bentham and Kim are also graduates of Team Canada’s National Amateur Team and maintain conditional status on the LPGA Tour for the 2015 season.
Lee-Bentham, 22, was the second-highest earning Canadian on the LPGA Tour last season. She played 18 events on tour, highlighted by a tie for 12th at the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & O-I. She earned conditional status on the LPGA Tour in 2015 by finishing inside the top 125 on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe.
Sue Kim, 23, finished as No. 120 on the LPGA Tour’s Race to the CME Globe to earn conditional status for 2015. Her best finish, a tie for 35th, came at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.
Mackenzie Hughes and Albin Choi return as members of the Team Canada Young Pro Men’s Squad. They will be joined by newly turned professional Taylor Pendrith.
All three athletes will attend PGA TOUR Canada qualifying school in April with hopes of earning full status. Hughes, 24, is a two-time former Canadian Amateur champion. This year he hopes to repeat the success he had in 2013, when he captured the No. 1 spot on PGA TOUR Canada’s Order of Merit.
Choi, 22, is also a former Canadian Amateur champion. His 2014 season on the Web.com Tour was highlighted by four top-30 finishes and a tie for 19th at the United Leasing Championship presented by TPI.
Pendrith, 23, will look to hit the ground running after a successful amateur career which included winning the prestigious Monroe Invitational in 2014, as well as earning the Gary Cowan trophy (low amateur honours) at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.
Men’s National Squad coach Derek Ingram and Women’s National Team coach Tristan Mullally will provide coaching to their respective Young Pro players. In addition to funding as part of the program, the athletes will have access to Team Canada’s sport science staff which includes Psychologist Dr. Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, Nutritionist Nicole Springle and Physiotherapist & Strength Coach Greg Redman.
Throughout the season, Golf Canada will closely monitor the performance of elite Canadian amateurs transitioning to professional golf with the possibility of program expansion.
Click here for Team Canada player bios.
McGinley gets ripped off heading for AT&T
Having gone through the disappointment of having my golf clubs and a lifetime of scorecard collection stolen from the trunk of my car, I could only commiserate with Paul McGinley when I saw this report last night.
At least my clubs were locked out of site in the trunk, and the underground thieves were stealing our spare tires for whatever reason when they stumbled upon my clubs. Paul's were in full view in the back of his SUV, but it was broad daylight in a pretty toney part of the Monterey Peninsula.. Never give a thief a chance !!
AP...Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley had his golf clubs and some Ryder Cup mementos stolen in a smash-and-grab not long after arriving for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that McGinley went from the airport to Ocean Beach to get some fresh air and have lunch. When he returned to his SUV outside the restaurant, he was startled to see the back window shattered.
McGinley says his golf clubs and travel bag, a carry-on bag, travel documents and his passport were taken. He says the thief also took Ryder Cup items he had set aside for a charity auction. Europe's winning Ryder Cup captain was testing new equipment on Tuesday.
At least my clubs were locked out of site in the trunk, and the underground thieves were stealing our spare tires for whatever reason when they stumbled upon my clubs. Paul's were in full view in the back of his SUV, but it was broad daylight in a pretty toney part of the Monterey Peninsula.. Never give a thief a chance !!
AP...Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley had his golf clubs and some Ryder Cup mementos stolen in a smash-and-grab not long after arriving for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that McGinley went from the airport to Ocean Beach to get some fresh air and have lunch. When he returned to his SUV outside the restaurant, he was startled to see the back window shattered.
McGinley says his golf clubs and travel bag, a carry-on bag, travel documents and his passport were taken. He says the thief also took Ryder Cup items he had set aside for a charity auction. Europe's winning Ryder Cup captain was testing new equipment on Tuesday.
European Tour moves to the mountains of Thailand this week
European Tour Thailand Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
There is a new event on the European Tour this week, the Thailand Classic at Black Mountain Golf Club, and Richard T Lee our lone Canadian entrant hopes to continue the fine form that saw him T5 last week in Malaysia.
It's the first time the tour has returned to Thailand since 2007 and the course is in perfect condition and it features what Thomas Bjorn described as super fast greens that are extremely tricky.
Thongchai Jaidee is a home favourite and he leads a strong contingent of Thai and Asian players along with stalwarts like Bjorn, Jimenez, Green, Warren and last week's Indian winner Anirban Lahiri..
Bryan Angus
There is a new event on the European Tour this week, the Thailand Classic at Black Mountain Golf Club, and Richard T Lee our lone Canadian entrant hopes to continue the fine form that saw him T5 last week in Malaysia.
It's the first time the tour has returned to Thailand since 2007 and the course is in perfect condition and it features what Thomas Bjorn described as super fast greens that are extremely tricky.
Thongchai Jaidee is a home favourite and he leads a strong contingent of Thai and Asian players along with stalwarts like Bjorn, Jimenez, Green, Warren and last week's Indian winner Anirban Lahiri..
Bryan Angus
Monday, February 9, 2015
Weekend wrap from Malaysia to the Monterey Peninsula..
European Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
The Maybank Malaysian Open was a bit weird this weekend. Llee Weswood was so in charge along with Alejandro Canizares and Bernd Weisberger on Thursday and Friday but all went off the boil over the weekend and little known Anirban Lahiri from India soared into contention on Saturday with his 62, then a -4 68 was enough to do the trick on Sunday. Richard T Lee from Vancouver had a great T5 at -11, his best result of this young year and the best Canadian result I can remember on the European Tour since Jerry Anderson won in Switzerland all those years ago. This week they all move up to Thailand..
PGA Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Sadly the big news here came on Thursday, 11th hole to be precise when you know who's wonky back gave out forcing him to retire. Then Phil and Justin and Jordan and most every other marquee name followed suit on Friday so much of the glamour of the Framers Insurance was everywhere but at Torrey Pines which was playing very difficult. For example the final-round scoring average was 74.05
Nobody could separate themselves from the field enough to win and in the end 4 guys had to playoff. JB Holmes, Scott Stallings, Harris English and the winner with a par on the second hole Jason Day, who now joins the other young hotshots led by Rory in the world's top 5, at #4, ahead of fellow Aussie Adam Scott.
They honoured Billy Casper who grew up in San Diego, and died Saturday night, with a picture of him on the first tee and flowers. He was the best putter I ever saw along with Ben Crenshaw and Bob Charles.
LPGA Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
So as I wrote last week, the motto of these Caribbean jewels is everything is better in the Bahamas, and for those of you who've been there you can find any number of reasons to agree,
However when it comes to golf, they seem to be plagued by weather that would have us asking for our money back, The rain and wind lashed this Pure Silk Bahamas Championship on the Ocean Club GC on Thursday and Friday, last year they only got 36 holes in..
Finally three women most of you have never heard of went to a playoff and South Korean rookie Sei Young Kim won it with a birdie on the first playoff hole over countrywoman Sun Young Yoo and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn.
Lydia Ko tied for seventh at -11 in her first event as the No. 1 player in the world. She shot 70-68 on the weekend.
Champions Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
I know the old adage if if's and buts were candies and nuts we'd all have a very nice Christmas, but here's a but !
Rod Spittle finished T9 (73) at -8. Nice news you say but here's the deal after making 3 birdies in 4 holes on the front nine he took 10 shots to complete the par 5 6th !! Now if he just takes a par 5 he finishes at -13 and wins by a shot !!
They were playing at a course called Broken Sound, and it was an exciting day Sunday, with nine players having a share of the lead at some point, Paul Goydos birdied the last hole and finished at -12 204 to claim the $255,000 first prize
Stephen Ames T32 -3 and Jim Rutledge T51 +2
Bryan Angus
The Maybank Malaysian Open was a bit weird this weekend. Llee Weswood was so in charge along with Alejandro Canizares and Bernd Weisberger on Thursday and Friday but all went off the boil over the weekend and little known Anirban Lahiri from India soared into contention on Saturday with his 62, then a -4 68 was enough to do the trick on Sunday. Richard T Lee from Vancouver had a great T5 at -11, his best result of this young year and the best Canadian result I can remember on the European Tour since Jerry Anderson won in Switzerland all those years ago. This week they all move up to Thailand..
PGA Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Sadly the big news here came on Thursday, 11th hole to be precise when you know who's wonky back gave out forcing him to retire. Then Phil and Justin and Jordan and most every other marquee name followed suit on Friday so much of the glamour of the Framers Insurance was everywhere but at Torrey Pines which was playing very difficult. For example the final-round scoring average was 74.05
Nobody could separate themselves from the field enough to win and in the end 4 guys had to playoff. JB Holmes, Scott Stallings, Harris English and the winner with a par on the second hole Jason Day, who now joins the other young hotshots led by Rory in the world's top 5, at #4, ahead of fellow Aussie Adam Scott.
They honoured Billy Casper who grew up in San Diego, and died Saturday night, with a picture of him on the first tee and flowers. He was the best putter I ever saw along with Ben Crenshaw and Bob Charles.
LPGA Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
So as I wrote last week, the motto of these Caribbean jewels is everything is better in the Bahamas, and for those of you who've been there you can find any number of reasons to agree,
However when it comes to golf, they seem to be plagued by weather that would have us asking for our money back, The rain and wind lashed this Pure Silk Bahamas Championship on the Ocean Club GC on Thursday and Friday, last year they only got 36 holes in..
Finally three women most of you have never heard of went to a playoff and South Korean rookie Sei Young Kim won it with a birdie on the first playoff hole over countrywoman Sun Young Yoo and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn.
Lydia Ko tied for seventh at -11 in her first event as the No. 1 player in the world. She shot 70-68 on the weekend.
Champions Tour scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
I know the old adage if if's and buts were candies and nuts we'd all have a very nice Christmas, but here's a but !
Rod Spittle finished T9 (73) at -8. Nice news you say but here's the deal after making 3 birdies in 4 holes on the front nine he took 10 shots to complete the par 5 6th !! Now if he just takes a par 5 he finishes at -13 and wins by a shot !!
They were playing at a course called Broken Sound, and it was an exciting day Sunday, with nine players having a share of the lead at some point, Paul Goydos birdied the last hole and finished at -12 204 to claim the $255,000 first prize
Stephen Ames T32 -3 and Jim Rutledge T51 +2
Bryan Angus
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Play suspended with Piller leadIng the field in Paradise Island
LPGA Tour Pure Silk Bahamas Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Gerina Piller was leading this weather plagued event on Paradise Island at -10 when third-round play was suspended because of darkness. She was -3 under for the round with nine holes left.
As I reported yesterday play was delayed Thursday and Friday by rain and high wind. Only two groups finished the third round Saturday
Lexi Thompson is a stroke back along with Sandra Gal, Brooke Pancake, Kelly Shon, Sei Young Kim and Perrine Delacour.
Canadians Brooke Henderson was -3 under with one hole remaining, while Rebecca Lee-Bentham (+3) and Alena Sharp (+6) failed to make the 36-hole cut.
Gerina Piller was leading this weather plagued event on Paradise Island at -10 when third-round play was suspended because of darkness. She was -3 under for the round with nine holes left.
As I reported yesterday play was delayed Thursday and Friday by rain and high wind. Only two groups finished the third round Saturday
Lexi Thompson is a stroke back along with Sandra Gal, Brooke Pancake, Kelly Shon, Sei Young Kim and Perrine Delacour.
Canadians Brooke Henderson was -3 under with one hole remaining, while Rebecca Lee-Bentham (+3) and Alena Sharp (+6) failed to make the 36-hole cut.
Rod Spittle tied for lead in Boca Raton..
Champions Tour Allianz Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
Rod Spittle, who you'll remember was 5th last fall at Q school to keep his card took full advantage of his exempt status by making birdies on five of his first seven holes to shoot a 66 and move into a tie for the lead with Bart Bryant who finished with an albatross for a -3 69, Paul Goydos 69, and Tom Pernice Jr.,69.
My pick, Bernhard Langer shot 70 -7 total and he is T5 with Olin Browne (67), Guy Boros (68) and Mark Brooks (69). Twelve players are within three shots of the lead.
Our other Canadians : Stephen Ames T24 -3, Jim Rutledge T63 +3
Sunday shootout in store at tough Torrey Pines
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Many of golf's big names have gone home for the weekend, but there is still an exciting Sunday ahead on the very long and difficult south course at Torrey Pines with 16 players within 3 shots of the lead.
The course is playing so hard, long, hard greens, thick rough and bunkers everywhere, that JB Holmes shot -4 68 to match the low score of the round to join Harris English who fought hard for his +1 73, on top of this crowded leaderboard at -9 207. Today may well be about who makes the least mistakes. "This is a U.S. Open golf course," English said. "And you've got to treat it like that" Only 6 players broke 70.
Lucas Glover with out the beard, holed a bunker shot for eagle on the last hole for 70 and will be in the final group with Holmes and English today
Canadians Adam Hadwin T21 -4, Roger Sloan T62 +1
Note ..Hunter Mahan's wife gave birth to their second child, a boy they named Miller Myles Mahan. He was born Friday with no complications.
Bryan Angus
Many of golf's big names have gone home for the weekend, but there is still an exciting Sunday ahead on the very long and difficult south course at Torrey Pines with 16 players within 3 shots of the lead.
The course is playing so hard, long, hard greens, thick rough and bunkers everywhere, that JB Holmes shot -4 68 to match the low score of the round to join Harris English who fought hard for his +1 73, on top of this crowded leaderboard at -9 207. Today may well be about who makes the least mistakes. "This is a U.S. Open golf course," English said. "And you've got to treat it like that" Only 6 players broke 70.
Lucas Glover with out the beard, holed a bunker shot for eagle on the last hole for 70 and will be in the final group with Holmes and English today
Canadians Adam Hadwin T21 -4, Roger Sloan T62 +1
Note ..Hunter Mahan's wife gave birth to their second child, a boy they named Miller Myles Mahan. He was born Friday with no complications.
Bryan Angus
Rising Indian star wins in Malaysia, Richard T Lee T5..
European Tour Maybank Malaysian Open final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
Going into today's play Bernd Wiesberger held a two-shot lead over Spain's Alejandro Canizares, both had been playing superbly all week, but it takes 4 good rounds to win on pro tours, and they both stumbled, carding two-over 74's, Weisberger finished second on -15, while Canizares finished T3 with Paul Waring(73).
All this opened the door for rising Indian star Anirban Lahiri, who shot a superb -10 62 on Saturday to move into contention. He has won his first European Tour event by firing a -4 68,-16 272, finishing a stroke ahead of the big Austrian
He was 5 shots behind at the start of his round today but finally caught up when he rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt from off the green on the 17th hole.
With the world's top 50 automatically qualifying for the Masters he now should be at Augusta, as he will move into the top 40.
Meanwhile defending champion Lee Westwood, who was in such command after 36 holes seemed to lose his game over the weekend and he also stumbled to a 75 to end up T5 at -11.
One guy who didn't falter was Canada's Richard T Lee who had a great week finishing with a -1 71 -11 T5,his best showing of the year by far. After the round he said, "I still have to work on my putting, but I will go up to Thailand full of confidence. It's always windy there so I'll practice my low shots and putting."
Bryan Angus
Going into today's play Bernd Wiesberger held a two-shot lead over Spain's Alejandro Canizares, both had been playing superbly all week, but it takes 4 good rounds to win on pro tours, and they both stumbled, carding two-over 74's, Weisberger finished second on -15, while Canizares finished T3 with Paul Waring(73).
All this opened the door for rising Indian star Anirban Lahiri, who shot a superb -10 62 on Saturday to move into contention. He has won his first European Tour event by firing a -4 68,-16 272, finishing a stroke ahead of the big Austrian
He was 5 shots behind at the start of his round today but finally caught up when he rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt from off the green on the 17th hole.
With the world's top 50 automatically qualifying for the Masters he now should be at Augusta, as he will move into the top 40.
Meanwhile defending champion Lee Westwood, who was in such command after 36 holes seemed to lose his game over the weekend and he also stumbled to a 75 to end up T5 at -11.
One guy who didn't falter was Canada's Richard T Lee who had a great week finishing with a -1 71 -11 T5,his best showing of the year by far. After the round he said, "I still have to work on my putting, but I will go up to Thailand full of confidence. It's always windy there so I'll practice my low shots and putting."
Bryan Angus
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Big names heading home from Torrey Pines..
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Tiger grabbed his back and all the headlines on Thursday, then headed home to Florida, and on Friday many of his esteemed colleagues followed suit.
Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Speith all join our own Mike Weir heading elsewhere.
Mickelson who 3 putted five times in two days and says his putting is beyond atrocious, shot E 72 on the North course to finish +2 146 to miss the cut by three strokes, his 2nd MC in a row. He is now on vacation with his family because spring break falls over the next two weeks, but he admitted he will need to take time to sort out his flat stick.
Well Bryan who is leading you ask ?!!.. Harris English is at -6 66 -10 134, and has a two-shot lead over Martin Laird (68), Jhonattan Vegas (69) and Nick Watney (65).
Canadians Adam Hadwin 72 69 -3 and Roger Sloan 73 68 are both T33 -3, while as I mentioned Mike Weir 74 74 MC
Bryan Angus
Tiger grabbed his back and all the headlines on Thursday, then headed home to Florida, and on Friday many of his esteemed colleagues followed suit.
Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Speith all join our own Mike Weir heading elsewhere.
Mickelson who 3 putted five times in two days and says his putting is beyond atrocious, shot E 72 on the North course to finish +2 146 to miss the cut by three strokes, his 2nd MC in a row. He is now on vacation with his family because spring break falls over the next two weeks, but he admitted he will need to take time to sort out his flat stick.
Well Bryan who is leading you ask ?!!.. Harris English is at -6 66 -10 134, and has a two-shot lead over Martin Laird (68), Jhonattan Vegas (69) and Nick Watney (65).
Canadians Adam Hadwin 72 69 -3 and Roger Sloan 73 68 are both T33 -3, while as I mentioned Mike Weir 74 74 MC
Bryan Angus
Wind and rain making play difficult for the LPGA in the Bahamas
LPGA Tour Pure Silk Bahamas Classic scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=lpga
Every time we watch golf from the Bahamas, a resort sought out by holiday makers from around the world, it seems to be raining and blowing a gale. Well the rain arrived on Thursday, held off Friday but the wind sure didn't, gusting to 50mph..
Only half of the players were able to finish the second round. In May 2013, the inaugural event was reduced to three 12-hole rounds because of flooding.
Brittany Lincicome and Sun Young Yoo topped the leaderboard with Yoo shooting 70, 69 in the second to match Lincicome at -7, although she has 13 holes left after a 68 on Thursday.
Canadians Brooke Henderson may miss the cut in her first professional LPGA Tour start as she shot 75 on Thursday and is and is +3 overall through five holes in the second round. Rebecca Lee-Bentham was +4 and Alena Sharp was +5 after four holes
Bryan Angus
Every time we watch golf from the Bahamas, a resort sought out by holiday makers from around the world, it seems to be raining and blowing a gale. Well the rain arrived on Thursday, held off Friday but the wind sure didn't, gusting to 50mph..
Only half of the players were able to finish the second round. In May 2013, the inaugural event was reduced to three 12-hole rounds because of flooding.
Brittany Lincicome and Sun Young Yoo topped the leaderboard with Yoo shooting 70, 69 in the second to match Lincicome at -7, although she has 13 holes left after a 68 on Thursday.
Canadians Brooke Henderson may miss the cut in her first professional LPGA Tour start as she shot 75 on Thursday and is and is +3 overall through five holes in the second round. Rebecca Lee-Bentham was +4 and Alena Sharp was +5 after four holes
Bryan Angus
Langer lurking in Boca Raton..3 Canadians in the field..
Champions Tour Allianz Championship scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=champions
The guy I am watching for at the Allianz Championship down in Boca Raton, which by the way was hammered by a tornado this week, is Bernhard Langer who won here in 2010, and has been in the top 3, three out of the last 6 years. He opened with a -5 67, but isn't the leader, yet..
Despite a closing double bogey, Tom Pernice Jr. who was 2nd here last year, fired a -6 66 to share the lead with Paul Goydos and Bart Bryant.
Joining Langer are Fred Funk and Tom Byrum. Defending champion Michael Allen shot 70.
Canadians Rod Spittle opened with -3 69 while Stephen Ames and Jim Rutledge have work to do opening with +2 74's.
Bryan Angus
The guy I am watching for at the Allianz Championship down in Boca Raton, which by the way was hammered by a tornado this week, is Bernhard Langer who won here in 2010, and has been in the top 3, three out of the last 6 years. He opened with a -5 67, but isn't the leader, yet..
Despite a closing double bogey, Tom Pernice Jr. who was 2nd here last year, fired a -6 66 to share the lead with Paul Goydos and Bart Bryant.
Joining Langer are Fred Funk and Tom Byrum. Defending champion Michael Allen shot 70.
Canadians Rod Spittle opened with -3 69 while Stephen Ames and Jim Rutledge have work to do opening with +2 74's.
Bryan Angus
Weisberger continues fine play..leads by 2 in Malaysia
European Tour Maybank Malaysian Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=euro
When I am picking winners for golf tournaments, one of the boxes I need to tick is current form. Big hitting Austrian Bernd Weisberger ( Weez berger )had 3 top 6 finishes in the Middle East swing and has brought that form with him to Kuala Lumpur, shooting a -9 63 overnight (ET), taking a two-shot lead going into the final round.
He is at 199, -17 overall, two strokes ahead of Alejandro Canizares, who finished eagle-birdie-bogey -4 68. Lee Westwood said he struggled all day but made birdies on his final two holes and is now 3rd, three shots behind after his 69, -14 total
as is Paul Waring, who shot a 65, but the low round of the day was Anirban Lahiri, a spectacular -10 62 that moved him all the way to 5th at -12.
Weisberger hasn't won since 2012, the 63 is his career low round, and he has now moved up to #48 in the world. The caddies gave him the nickname Burnt Cheeseburger.
They started play early today to beat the heat and expected thundershowers
Bryan Angus
When I am picking winners for golf tournaments, one of the boxes I need to tick is current form. Big hitting Austrian Bernd Weisberger ( Weez berger )had 3 top 6 finishes in the Middle East swing and has brought that form with him to Kuala Lumpur, shooting a -9 63 overnight (ET), taking a two-shot lead going into the final round.
He is at 199, -17 overall, two strokes ahead of Alejandro Canizares, who finished eagle-birdie-bogey -4 68. Lee Westwood said he struggled all day but made birdies on his final two holes and is now 3rd, three shots behind after his 69, -14 total
as is Paul Waring, who shot a 65, but the low round of the day was Anirban Lahiri, a spectacular -10 62 that moved him all the way to 5th at -12.
Weisberger hasn't won since 2012, the 63 is his career low round, and he has now moved up to #48 in the world. The caddies gave him the nickname Burnt Cheeseburger.
They started play early today to beat the heat and expected thundershowers
Bryan Angus
Friday, February 6, 2015
Tiger's back forces him to WD at Torrey Pines...
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga
Nicholas Thompson had an -8 64 on the North Course for a 1shot lead over Michael Thompson when play was suspended by darkness. Brooks Koepka, the winner last week at the Phoenix Open, had a 66 (NC). Jhonnatan Vegas had an excellent 67 on the tougher South Course.
That story however was lost by the fact Tiger had to WD with a stiff back after 11 holes, claiming "it never loosened up after the 2 hour fog delay and got worse as the round went on"
Having suffered with he same affliction since I hurt mine doing squats when I was 33, I can assure anyone who doesn't have a bad back, you can get fit and try to manage it as carefully as possible, but when it goes wrong you simply can't do much of anything never mind play pro golf..
Canadians Mike Weir was -3 through 10 holes, sadly aided by a triple bogey 7 on the 15th he staggered in with +2 74. Adam Hadwin is E through 14 holes, Roger Sloan +1 73Most of the late wave will be out as early as weather permits this morning to finish round 1.
Bryan Angus
Nicholas Thompson had an -8 64 on the North Course for a 1shot lead over Michael Thompson when play was suspended by darkness. Brooks Koepka, the winner last week at the Phoenix Open, had a 66 (NC). Jhonnatan Vegas had an excellent 67 on the tougher South Course.
That story however was lost by the fact Tiger had to WD with a stiff back after 11 holes, claiming "it never loosened up after the 2 hour fog delay and got worse as the round went on"
Having suffered with he same affliction since I hurt mine doing squats when I was 33, I can assure anyone who doesn't have a bad back, you can get fit and try to manage it as carefully as possible, but when it goes wrong you simply can't do much of anything never mind play pro golf..
Canadians Mike Weir was -3 through 10 holes, sadly aided by a triple bogey 7 on the 15th he staggered in with +2 74. Adam Hadwin is E through 14 holes, Roger Sloan +1 73Most of the late wave will be out as early as weather permits this morning to finish round 1.
Bryan Angus
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