After much anticipation I thought Day 1 of the Cadillac Match Play at Harding Park fell flat and I think I know why..
Golf needs more Black Hats...
In all the old westerns, the bad guys all wore black hats, the good guys wore anything but and of course we spent the whole movie wishing for the good guys to go get them ! Clint Eastwood made a career of righting the their dastardly deeds and often he didn't even need to wear a hat..
Tennis was never more compelling than when Jimmy Connors, Ile Nastase, John McEnroe, and Ivan Lendel were wearing the black hats. We wanted a big linesman to drop his silent demeanour and drop McEnroe with a shot to the mouth he was using to question the poor guys parentage..
They were brilliant but they were also compelling, train wrecks about to happen. Nastase would start a match joking and clowning, the crowd in the palm of his magical hands, then "Nasty" would start to take him over, he would get ugly, then surly, our emotions for him were torn..
Mohammed Ali in his prime wore the biggest black hat, half the world wanted to see his big mouth shut, didn't they. Local derby's in soccer, Rangers vs Celtic, Liverpool vs Everton have black hats depending on your perspective, and there are many more examples.
Wednesday at Harding Park was perfect. Sunny, warm, gorgeous course, greens, 64 of the best in this game, big upsets.... but no drama, no "it" It fell flat because there are no black hats..
Apart from the Ryder Cup which is arguably the three best days in all of sport and is full of them , golf has one black hat.. Tiger Woods... John Daly used to have one but his game is such a non factor that he no longer wears a hat... Sergio put one on for a while
Tiger is compelling not just because he is arguably the best of all time, but because at least half of us want to see him lose, want to see him brought down and will tune in week in and week out to see that happen. Even before he added fuel to that fire with his personal fall from grace, he was wearing the hat. Whether it was his aloof manner with the media, or jealousy or heaven forbid because he is black, he had the hat. What is even worse, his game is now so middle of the pack, he is in danger of losing the hat.
Believe it or not Jack Nicklaus used to wear the black hat..In his early days, when he came out of Ohio State and started beating our beloved Arnie, Arnie's Army had Jack as public enemy #1.
When you go through this week's field, you will have your favourites of course... Rory, Rickie, Rosey, Adam Scott, have legions of fans, but none wear the black hat. There is nobody in the field we want to see get his comeuppance.
They are all great golfers, but they are all millionaires, with their own jets, homes beyond our dreams, spoiled, pampered, little in common with our daily drudgery, so who cares if they win or lose.
Unlike wrestling where of course every match has a black hat, those are contrived and nurtured by a never ending publicity machine, you can't just appoint black hats in golf. It has to come naturally, and I'm not sure it ever will again..
I hope for the game of golf it does, or the game like yesterday at Harding Park will continue to fall a bit flat..
Bryan Angus
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday results, Thursday pairings at WGC Cadillac Match Play
WGC Cadillac Match Play Wednesday results http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/cadillac-match-play/livescoring.html
With Tampa ousting the Red Wings, the Jays losing again in Boston, the Raps done and gone as were the Leafs long ago... the good news is that all the guys who lost on Wednesday at this new WGC Cadillac Match Play live to play again today and then again tomorrow..
32 matches, 32 different story lines, some dust ups, some close, Rory, Jordan and Bubba win... all the results are listed above, here are some of the recaps http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/content/worldgolfchampionships/cadillac-match-play/news/2015/04/29/round-one-match-recaps.html
Rory McIlroy def. Jason Dufner, 5 & 4 Dufner matched McIlroy's birdie on the first hole Wednesday but that's about the only positive thing that happened for the American. Five Dufner bogeys later and McIlroy, the World No. 1, had his first victory of the week. "I did what I needed to do out there," McIlroy said. "Jason didn't have his best stuff, obviously. So just tried to put him under pressure from the start, tried to hit fairways, hit greens, and try and make him force a little bit. "Match play, you just need to beat the person that's in front of you and did that today."
Jordan Spieth def. Mikko Ilonen, 4 & 2
The Masters champ posted seven birdies en route to an easy victory over the Finn. Spieth's only stumble was a bogey at the third that squared the match, but once he took the lead with a birdie at the par-4 fifth, he never looked back. Ilonen did cut Spieth's lead to 1 up, but the Texan responded with two straight birdies. Said Spieth: "It's good to get off to a good start. I played solid golf today. It got a little interesting there on the back nine. Big turnaround on 12 and 13 to get 3‑up and close it out on 16. I'm extremely pleased."
Bubba Watson def. Miguel Angel Jimenez, 5 & 4 Five years ago, Jimenez beat Watson 4 and 3 in the Ryder Cup. Wednesday was the American's turn to even things as Watson made the turn 5 up and coasted until the end. Watson has gone on to win two Masters since that match at Celtic Manor while the nimble Spaniard has remained competitive despite crossing over into his 50s. "When you hit a lot of fairways with my length, a lot of wedges, a lot of short irons, and that's going to put pressure on somebody, especially of his length," Watson said. "He's going to have a longer shot, 40, 50 yards longer. So he knows that I'm going to hit the green, so he's got to hit something special. It made it tough on him
WGC Cadillac Match Play Thursday matches http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/cadillac-match-play/tee-times.html
Thursday match/ group previews http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/cadillac-match-play/news/2015/04/29/round-two-match-previews.html
Bryan Angus (notes from pgatour.com, BBC Reuters, AP)
With Tampa ousting the Red Wings, the Jays losing again in Boston, the Raps done and gone as were the Leafs long ago... the good news is that all the guys who lost on Wednesday at this new WGC Cadillac Match Play live to play again today and then again tomorrow..
32 matches, 32 different story lines, some dust ups, some close, Rory, Jordan and Bubba win... all the results are listed above, here are some of the recaps http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/content/worldgolfchampionships/cadillac-match-play/news/2015/04/29/round-one-match-recaps.html
Rory McIlroy def. Jason Dufner, 5 & 4 Dufner matched McIlroy's birdie on the first hole Wednesday but that's about the only positive thing that happened for the American. Five Dufner bogeys later and McIlroy, the World No. 1, had his first victory of the week. "I did what I needed to do out there," McIlroy said. "Jason didn't have his best stuff, obviously. So just tried to put him under pressure from the start, tried to hit fairways, hit greens, and try and make him force a little bit. "Match play, you just need to beat the person that's in front of you and did that today."
Jordan Spieth def. Mikko Ilonen, 4 & 2
The Masters champ posted seven birdies en route to an easy victory over the Finn. Spieth's only stumble was a bogey at the third that squared the match, but once he took the lead with a birdie at the par-4 fifth, he never looked back. Ilonen did cut Spieth's lead to 1 up, but the Texan responded with two straight birdies. Said Spieth: "It's good to get off to a good start. I played solid golf today. It got a little interesting there on the back nine. Big turnaround on 12 and 13 to get 3‑up and close it out on 16. I'm extremely pleased."
Bubba Watson def. Miguel Angel Jimenez, 5 & 4 Five years ago, Jimenez beat Watson 4 and 3 in the Ryder Cup. Wednesday was the American's turn to even things as Watson made the turn 5 up and coasted until the end. Watson has gone on to win two Masters since that match at Celtic Manor while the nimble Spaniard has remained competitive despite crossing over into his 50s. "When you hit a lot of fairways with my length, a lot of wedges, a lot of short irons, and that's going to put pressure on somebody, especially of his length," Watson said. "He's going to have a longer shot, 40, 50 yards longer. So he knows that I'm going to hit the green, so he's got to hit something special. It made it tough on him
WGC Cadillac Match Play Thursday matches http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/cadillac-match-play/tee-times.html
Thursday match/ group previews http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/cadillac-match-play/news/2015/04/29/round-two-match-previews.html
Bryan Angus (notes from pgatour.com, BBC Reuters, AP)
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Who's playing who on Wednesday at the Cadillac World Match Play
Cadillac World Match Play scoreboard http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/cadillac-match-play/livescoring.html
So I have given you the details on the format, venue and players so above is the match ups for Wednesday's first day of round robin play and here are my highlights..
Kicking it off at 2.30pm est Rory and Jason Dufner should be a slam dunk as Jason has lost his weight, his hair, his wife, his game and now will lose to Rory...
At 11.50am est Jordan Speith will lose to first alternative Finland's Mikko Ilonen in group 2 as Mikko has flown in from the Volvo China Open as the replacement for Phil Mickelson and he is so happy just to be playing he is stress free... 1st big upset of the day,,,
How about this Group 4 match at 1.10 est Bubba vs Miguel Jimenez... the world's most interesting golfer vs Bubba who is just back from China... no straight shots here...tight tree lined course favours the Spaniard
All in all 32 matches, plenty to enjoy, then again on Thursday and Friday, as Rory says he is excited about the format and so am I. how about you ??
First match is 950am local or 1250pm EST with Justin Rose (England) vs Marc Leishman (Australia)
Bryan
So I have given you the details on the format, venue and players so above is the match ups for Wednesday's first day of round robin play and here are my highlights..
Kicking it off at 2.30pm est Rory and Jason Dufner should be a slam dunk as Jason has lost his weight, his hair, his wife, his game and now will lose to Rory...
At 11.50am est Jordan Speith will lose to first alternative Finland's Mikko Ilonen in group 2 as Mikko has flown in from the Volvo China Open as the replacement for Phil Mickelson and he is so happy just to be playing he is stress free... 1st big upset of the day,,,
How about this Group 4 match at 1.10 est Bubba vs Miguel Jimenez... the world's most interesting golfer vs Bubba who is just back from China... no straight shots here...tight tree lined course favours the Spaniard
All in all 32 matches, plenty to enjoy, then again on Thursday and Friday, as Rory says he is excited about the format and so am I. how about you ??
First match is 950am local or 1250pm EST with Justin Rose (England) vs Marc Leishman (Australia)
Bryan
Cadillac World Match Play a better deal this year.. Official groups...
Cadillac World Match Play groups http://www.buschleaguesports.com/index.php/wgc-cadillac-match-play-group-draw-is-out/
World Golf rankings http://www.owgr.com/
There is a new and in my opinion much more exciting set up for this week's WGC match play event. First it has moved from Dove Mountain in Arizona, a nice enough spot but void of any significance to Harding Park, a tight, tree-lined public course in San Francisco that hosted the 2009 Presidents Cup and a World Golf Championship in 2005 on the coast in San Francisco
Second this Cadillac Match Play Championship features 16 groups of four players, with the best record from each group advancing to the weekend. Numbers 1-16 serving as the top seed in each group and the other players were broken down into 3 sections numbers 17 to 32, the. 33 to 48, and finally 49 to 64 with a blind draw selecting one from each group, to join the top seed.
For example:
#1 Rory McIlroy drew Billy Horschel (18), Brandt Snedeker (35) and Jason Dufner (53).
#2 Jordan Spieth, drew Lee Westwood (26), Matt Every (40) and Mikko Ilonen (62).
Are you following me ? Further there will be no halved matches during round-robin play. Tiebreakers will be determined by head-to-head matches, and in case of a three-way tie in a group, there will be a sudden-death playoff to see who advances.
So the good news is all the guys get at least 3 matches for their sojourn to San Fran' eliminating the dreaded 1 loss and gone which the guys detested... except for the winners.
The round robin starts on Wednesday, then the round of 16 is on Saturday morning and will be followed by the quarterfinals in the afternoon, and then the semifinals and championship match on Sunday.
I like it, it gives the cream a better chance to rise to the top, and may help eliminate some of the dreadful finals the event has featured in the past like 1999 Jeff Maggert beat Andrew Magee in 38 holes...or Kevin Sutherland beating Scott McCarron in 2002...or the always exciting Aussie Geoff Ogilvy beating Davis Love in 2006 then Paul Casey in 2009.. all ratings killers.
Tiger saved the event winning in 2004, 04 and 08, but now with the change in venue and format and all the young guns from around the world in the field, it's future looks bright, even with Tiger and Phil not competing...
Bryan Angus
World Golf rankings http://www.owgr.com/
There is a new and in my opinion much more exciting set up for this week's WGC match play event. First it has moved from Dove Mountain in Arizona, a nice enough spot but void of any significance to Harding Park, a tight, tree-lined public course in San Francisco that hosted the 2009 Presidents Cup and a World Golf Championship in 2005 on the coast in San Francisco
Second this Cadillac Match Play Championship features 16 groups of four players, with the best record from each group advancing to the weekend. Numbers 1-16 serving as the top seed in each group and the other players were broken down into 3 sections numbers 17 to 32, the. 33 to 48, and finally 49 to 64 with a blind draw selecting one from each group, to join the top seed.
For example:
#1 Rory McIlroy drew Billy Horschel (18), Brandt Snedeker (35) and Jason Dufner (53).
#2 Jordan Spieth, drew Lee Westwood (26), Matt Every (40) and Mikko Ilonen (62).
Are you following me ? Further there will be no halved matches during round-robin play. Tiebreakers will be determined by head-to-head matches, and in case of a three-way tie in a group, there will be a sudden-death playoff to see who advances.
So the good news is all the guys get at least 3 matches for their sojourn to San Fran' eliminating the dreaded 1 loss and gone which the guys detested... except for the winners.
The round robin starts on Wednesday, then the round of 16 is on Saturday morning and will be followed by the quarterfinals in the afternoon, and then the semifinals and championship match on Sunday.
I like it, it gives the cream a better chance to rise to the top, and may help eliminate some of the dreadful finals the event has featured in the past like 1999 Jeff Maggert beat Andrew Magee in 38 holes...or Kevin Sutherland beating Scott McCarron in 2002...or the always exciting Aussie Geoff Ogilvy beating Davis Love in 2006 then Paul Casey in 2009.. all ratings killers.
Tiger saved the event winning in 2004, 04 and 08, but now with the change in venue and format and all the young guns from around the world in the field, it's future looks bright, even with Tiger and Phil not competing...
Bryan Angus
Monday, April 27, 2015
Durant, Andrade top a week of a Legends at Big Cedar Lodge..
Champion Tour Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/bass-pro-shops-legends-of-golf-at-big-cedar-lodge/leaderboard.html
The event with the longest title this week, was the longest on entertainment for me, with all our favourites, all our golfing heroes playing a rather complicated format on simply spectacular par 3 courses in the Ozark mountains down in Missouri.
In the end it was 2 of the lesser lights, Joe Durant who had a hole-in-one and teamed with Billy Andrade to win the Champions Tour's Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf on Sunday at Big Cedar Lodge.
Durant and Andrade finished at 19-under 159 in the 54-hole event, opening Thursday with a better-ball 63 on Buffalo Ridge's regulation Springs course and shooting a 51 on Saturday in high wind on the par-3 course. They each earned $230,000 for their first victories
Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam tied for second, three strokes back after a 51. The former Masters champions took a two-stroke lead into the final round. Larry Nelson and Larry Fleisher won the Legends Division for players 65 and older, beating Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player by two strokes
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters, AP)
The event with the longest title this week, was the longest on entertainment for me, with all our favourites, all our golfing heroes playing a rather complicated format on simply spectacular par 3 courses in the Ozark mountains down in Missouri.
In the end it was 2 of the lesser lights, Joe Durant who had a hole-in-one and teamed with Billy Andrade to win the Champions Tour's Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf on Sunday at Big Cedar Lodge.
Andrade and Durant closed with a -9 45 at the par-3 Top of the Rock course, playing nine holes of modified alternate shot and nine of better ball. Durant aced the third hole on the second nine with a 7-iron.
Durant and Andrade finished at 19-under 159 in the 54-hole event, opening Thursday with a better-ball 63 on Buffalo Ridge's regulation Springs course and shooting a 51 on Saturday in high wind on the par-3 course. They each earned $230,000 for their first victories
Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam tied for second, three strokes back after a 51. The former Masters champions took a two-stroke lead into the final round. Larry Nelson and Larry Fleisher won the Legends Division for players 65 and older, beating Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player by two strokes
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters, AP)
Ko defends her title, Henderson 3rd at Swinging Skirts
LPGA Tour Swinging Skirts Classic final scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/swinging-skirts-lpga-classic/results
Lydia Ko celebrated her 18th birthday, defending her title at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, this time beating Morgan Pressel on the second playoff hole for her seventh career LPGA Tour victory after firing a closing -2 70.
Lydia Ko celebrated her 18th birthday, defending her title at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, this time beating Morgan Pressel on the second playoff hole for her seventh career LPGA Tour victory after firing a closing -2 70.
Pressel missed a 15-footer at the 18th in regulation for the win, closing with a 72. She also just missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole for the win again, then pulled an 8-foot birdie putt on the next hole giving Ko the opening she needed to make her putt and win. It was the first time she had the lead all day !
For me this was a bad loss for Pressel, whose last victory was in 2008. Consider she had a two-shot lead with four holes to play, made bogeys at 16 and 17, and then failed to make that birdie on the 18th
Brooke Henderson holed a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 14th and she did have a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole to join the playoff which she couldn't make and she finished with a +2 74, disappointed I'm sure to finish 3rd, just a shot behind at -7, but at just 17 years of age this result will fill her with confidence, she beat a lot of great players...
Bryan Angus
Rose blooms in the hot soggy weather of New Orleans.
PGA Tour Zurich New Orleans Classic final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/leaderboard.html
Justin Rose began the final round tied with Jason Day for the lead at -16 but while Day, who had to finish most of his third round Sunday morning, hooked his drive into trees lining the left boundary of the second fairway, then on the next swing pulled his shot into a tree, bouncing right back to him ended up with a bogey 6 was looking weary.
After the round he said hot, steamy conditions wore him down over the course of 32 holes. “The early days and the hot days, and just the long days in general kind of finally caught up to me,” Day said. “I played great all week, but this final round just had a lot of mental errors.”
After the round he said hot, steamy conditions wore him down over the course of 32 holes. “The early days and the hot days, and just the long days in general kind of finally caught up to me,” Day said. “I played great all week, but this final round just had a lot of mental errors.”
Rain, wind, fog, thunder, lightning, bright sunshine, hot humid weather, this week had it all testing everyone's patience to the limit.
Meanwhile Rose, 7 years older than Day, perhaps wiser, was looking fit and fresh, and sensing he needed to birdie the final two holes to keep his lead over a charging Cameron Tringale, he pulled it off with aggressive swings and clutch putts for a one-stroke victory, his 7th on the PGA Tour, and a nice one for his sponsor, Zurich.
Rose completed a -7 65 in the rain-delayed third round Sunday morning and closed with a -6 66 at a rain soaked, soft TPC Louisiana for a record score of -22, 266. He has won at least once in six straight seasons, the second-longest streak on the tour behind Dustin Johnson’s eight straight. He’s projected to jump from ninth to sixth in the world ranking this morning.
Rose is coached by Canada's Sean Foley, who teaches life skills as much as technique, and after a slow start to the season with 3 missed cuts, he found his form at Augusta where he finished T2 two weeks ago and carried it with him to New Orleans. He admitted yesterday that he has moved his family to the Bahamas over the new year, and was away from Foley and his normal Florida practice routine enjoying the islands, and it showed in his game.
Tringale looking for his first win birdied the 18th for 65, just a shot behind and our huntin' and fishin' pal Boo Weekley, who led after the first round, finished third at -20 and Jim Herman and Jason Day, T4 at -19.
Canadian scores : David Hearn had a great week, finishing at -18 T6th with rookie Daniel Berger. While Adam Hadwin and Mike Weir missed the cut, Nick Taylor T48 -10 and Roger Sloan was T70 at E.
Now it's off to Harding Park for the WGC World Match Play, a new venue with an exciting new format.. the draw is today at noon...more on that later.
Bryan Angus (notes from BBC Reuters, AP..)
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Lyle and Woosnam turn back the clock..
Champions Tour Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/bass-pro-shops-legends-of-golf-at-big-cedar-lodge/leaderboard.html
Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam have both won the Masters, had storied careers and have been friends since they were 12 years old.
AP....Yesterday they took a two-stroke lead in the Champions Tour’s Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge after they shot a -6 64 in better-play play on Buffalo Ridge’s regulation Springs course to reach -13. On Thursday, they had the best score at the par-3 Top of the Rock course, a -7 47 for nine holes of modified alternate shot and nine holes of better ball. Play will close today on the par-3 course with nine holes of modified alternate shot and nine of better ball.
Former Ohio State teammates John Cook and Joey Sindelar were tied for second with Corey Pavin and Duffy Waldforf. Cook and Sindelar, the first-round leaders after a 60 on the regulation course, had a 53 on the par-3 layout. Pavin and Waldorf shot a 53 on the par-3 course
In the Legends Division for players 65 and older, Larry Nelson and Larry Fleisher had a four-stroke lead at 11 under. They had a 66 at Buffalo Springs after opening with a 47 on the par-3 course.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were tied for second with Butch Baird and Al Geiberger. Nicklaus and Player had a 66 on the regulation course, and Baird and Geiberger shot a 49 on the par-3 course.
Compton, Day lead Hearn by a shot at rain delayed Zurich Classic
PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/leaderboard.html
There is a lot of golf to be played today at this rainy Zurich Classic south of New Orleans, the question is will mother nature co-operate.
Erik Compton (65) birdied three of five holes after a nearly six-hour rain delay, giving him a share of the lead with Jason Day (65) early in the third round at -13, a shot ahead of Justin Rose, Blayne Barber, Jerry Kelly and David Hearn at TPC Louisiana when play was suspended because of darkness. Barber finished eleven holes, Hearn seven, Rose six and Kelly five
Saturday was the third consecutive day rain has either halted or suspended play as a strong storm downed at least one tree and toppled tables. Play was halted around noon and resumed at 5:57 p.m. and was suspended for the day at 7:32 p.m.
Play is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m EST today, and sun and a high near 30*c are forecast. The players will not be repaired for the final round.
There is a lot of golf to be played today at this rainy Zurich Classic south of New Orleans, the question is will mother nature co-operate.
Erik Compton (65) birdied three of five holes after a nearly six-hour rain delay, giving him a share of the lead with Jason Day (65) early in the third round at -13, a shot ahead of Justin Rose, Blayne Barber, Jerry Kelly and David Hearn at TPC Louisiana when play was suspended because of darkness. Barber finished eleven holes, Hearn seven, Rose six and Kelly five
Saturday was the third consecutive day rain has either halted or suspended play as a strong storm downed at least one tree and toppled tables. Play was halted around noon and resumed at 5:57 p.m. and was suspended for the day at 7:32 p.m.
Play is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m EST today, and sun and a high near 30*c are forecast. The players will not be repaired for the final round.
Brooke Henderson leads by a shot at the Swinging Skirts Classic
LPGA Tour Swinging Skirts Classic scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/swinging-skirts-lpga-classic/leaderboard
Winning any pro tournament is never easy and Brooke Henderson is finding that out. The wind made the Pacific air on the tough Lake Merced lay out feel close to 50 degrees, and overnight rain made the course soft and longer. Only 2 players, Morgan Pressel (67) and Min Seo Kwak (69) were able to break 70 and they trail Henderson by just 1 shot. The average score was 74.6
The 17 year old Canadian star was leading by as many as five shots, until she closed with a pair of bogeys. She had been in control all day hitting fairways and greens until the end. From a bad lie in the left rough on the 17th, she was short and left with her second thinned he pitch shot over the green, but made a good up-and-down to get away with no more than a bogey.
Sue Kim shot 77 and is T58
Winning any pro tournament is never easy and Brooke Henderson is finding that out. The wind made the Pacific air on the tough Lake Merced lay out feel close to 50 degrees, and overnight rain made the course soft and longer. Only 2 players, Morgan Pressel (67) and Min Seo Kwak (69) were able to break 70 and they trail Henderson by just 1 shot. The average score was 74.6
The 17 year old Canadian star was leading by as many as five shots, until she closed with a pair of bogeys. She had been in control all day hitting fairways and greens until the end. From a bad lie in the left rough on the 17th, she was short and left with her second thinned he pitch shot over the green, but made a good up-and-down to get away with no more than a bogey.
On the par-5 18th, her 3rd was long and in the rough, and she couldn’t get up-and-down and made bogey 6 to sit at -9 207
So today Morgan and Kwak begin a shot behind, with defending champion Lydia Ko, who shot a 71 three back while Stacy Lewis and Shanshan Feng of China each had 71 and are four shots behind.
Henderson is used to pressure, winning three times on the Canadian Women’s Tour as an amateur, capturing the Canadian Women’s Amateur and finishing runner-up in the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She also was medalist at the Women’s Amateur Team Championship.
She was denied a waiver to the LPGA Tour’s minimum age requirement of 18 last year. Commissioner Mike Whan has granted only two exceptions to the rule, Ko and Lexi Thompson mainly because both had already won on the LPGA, so Henderson playing only her second LPGA event since she turned pro in December, may change all that with a win.
Sue Kim shot 77 and is T58
China's Ashun Wu wins the Volvo China Open
European Tour Volvo China Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015030/leaderboard/index.html
Ashun Wu has become only the 3rd Chinese winner in the history of the European Tour after Englishman David Howell made a costly three putt bogey on the 72nd hole to shoot E 72 to end up at -8, 1 shot behind. Wu is also the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil
Wu shot -1 71 -9. The 29 year old, who predominantly plays on the Japan Golf Tour, started the day in a four-way tie for the lead with compatriot Li Hao-tong, France’s defending champion Alex Levy and Howell.,
It is the former Chinese #1's first European Tour win, and gives him a 2 year exemption, so he and his family have some nice decisions to make regarding his new schedule. He will also move inside the world's top 120 from #247.
I'll be on TSN1050 this morning at 8.15 with Lins and Pete's International Sports Report for my regular Sunday morning spot..
Bryan
Ashun Wu has become only the 3rd Chinese winner in the history of the European Tour after Englishman David Howell made a costly three putt bogey on the 72nd hole to shoot E 72 to end up at -8, 1 shot behind. Wu is also the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil
Wu shot -1 71 -9. The 29 year old, who predominantly plays on the Japan Golf Tour, started the day in a four-way tie for the lead with compatriot Li Hao-tong, France’s defending champion Alex Levy and Howell.,
It is the former Chinese #1's first European Tour win, and gives him a 2 year exemption, so he and his family have some nice decisions to make regarding his new schedule. He will also move inside the world's top 120 from #247.
I'll be on TSN1050 this morning at 8.15 with Lins and Pete's International Sports Report for my regular Sunday morning spot..
Bryan
Saturday, April 25, 2015
France, England and China all atop the international scoreboard in Shanghai
European Tour Volvo China Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015030/leaderboard/index.html
Round 3 is now complete and if you want to watch it tape delayed, and don't want to know what happened don't read this !
Watching Gary Player competing in the Legends at Big Cedar Lodge this weekend it is hard to imagine that he had to go to Arnie way back in the late 50's to get help to be allowed to come and play in America from South Africa; for year's he was referred to as a foreigner at the Masters
Fast forward 55 years to Shanghai, China where Tiger Woods has travelled to put on a one day clinic, while an international field competes next door at the Volvo China Open where there is a Frenchman, an Englishman and 2 Chinese stars atop the leaderboard after 3 rounds
Bryan
Round 3 is now complete and if you want to watch it tape delayed, and don't want to know what happened don't read this !
Watching Gary Player competing in the Legends at Big Cedar Lodge this weekend it is hard to imagine that he had to go to Arnie way back in the late 50's to get help to be allowed to come and play in America from South Africa; for year's he was referred to as a foreigner at the Masters
Fast forward 55 years to Shanghai, China where Tiger Woods has travelled to put on a one day clinic, while an international field competes next door at the Volvo China Open where there is a Frenchman, an Englishman and 2 Chinese stars atop the leaderboard after 3 rounds
Defending champion Frenchman Alex Levy made 4 early birdies but ended up with E 72 and ended day three in a four-way tie for the lead at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club, with England’s David Howell and Chinese pair Li Hao-tong and Wu Ashun on -8.
The 19 year old Li, runner-up in last week’s Shenzhen International, and Wu will both seeking to become the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil.
The 19 year old Li, runner-up in last week’s Shenzhen International, and Wu will both seeking to become the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil.
Sweden’s Magnus A Carlsson had a -7 65 to T5 with England’s Seve Benson, Scot Richie Ramsay and Thailand’s Prom Meesawat on six under.
I can hear Gary Player saying "I told you so" everytime he see's an international field like this and recalls the millions of miles he has flown as one of the first to play golf around the world..
Bryan
Mud bugs and crawfish for Boo and Swafford in stormy New Orleans...
PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/leaderboard.html
As we all know New Orleans has had more than it's share of awful weather, in fact it is still recovering from the devastation of Katrina, on a much less serious note, rain, thunder, lightning and winds blew into the area suspending round 2.
As it stands, the regally named Hudson Swafford is home and dry after rounds of 67 66 -11 and s joined by the former steam fitter, Boo Weekley on that number, but Boo, who used to play in his hunting gear, is only through 15 holes.
Swafford in case you wondered is a southerner who has never won on tour, and I hope he and Boo are paired together for Saturday, just listen to what he was doing last night. "I’m probably going to eat some mud bugs with my wife, some crawfish downtown, just walk around. Got to see the sights here and take in the good food.” Boo probably has some mud bugs in his bag..
Jason Day was -5 through 14 holes pat of a five-way tie for third at -10 with Brandon de Jonge, Cameron Tringale, Jerry Kelly and Daniel Berger. Tringale had a 65, and de Jonge shot 70. Kelley was on the 18th green when play was stopped, and Berger had three holes left
Nick Taylor is at -5 70 69, Adam Hadwin -4 71 69, while Roger Sloan, Mike Weir and David Hearn are still playing their second rounds today. Hearn opened with -7 65 and is -2 through 9 holes.
The cut is projected at -4. Play is due to resume at 9am EST, and the forecast is for more of the same..
Bryan
As we all know New Orleans has had more than it's share of awful weather, in fact it is still recovering from the devastation of Katrina, on a much less serious note, rain, thunder, lightning and winds blew into the area suspending round 2.
As it stands, the regally named Hudson Swafford is home and dry after rounds of 67 66 -11 and s joined by the former steam fitter, Boo Weekley on that number, but Boo, who used to play in his hunting gear, is only through 15 holes.
Swafford in case you wondered is a southerner who has never won on tour, and I hope he and Boo are paired together for Saturday, just listen to what he was doing last night. "I’m probably going to eat some mud bugs with my wife, some crawfish downtown, just walk around. Got to see the sights here and take in the good food.” Boo probably has some mud bugs in his bag..
Jason Day was -5 through 14 holes pat of a five-way tie for third at -10 with Brandon de Jonge, Cameron Tringale, Jerry Kelly and Daniel Berger. Tringale had a 65, and de Jonge shot 70. Kelley was on the 18th green when play was stopped, and Berger had three holes left
Nick Taylor is at -5 70 69, Adam Hadwin -4 71 69, while Roger Sloan, Mike Weir and David Hearn are still playing their second rounds today. Hearn opened with -7 65 and is -2 through 9 holes.
The cut is projected at -4. Play is due to resume at 9am EST, and the forecast is for more of the same..
Bryan
Big Cedar Lodge is a big hit for the legends..
Champions Tour Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/bass-pro-shops-legends-of-golf-at-big-cedar-lodge/leaderboard.html
I found myself smiling as I watched most of our golfing heroes, Lee, Jack, Gary etal playing this week, but it wasn't just them, it was the thought of playing and staying at this magnificent piece of property in Ridgedale Missouri.
Jack was getting some fly rod tuition and promptly hooked into a 24lb steelhead. You cn do it all at his place, golf, fish, hunt, hike..eat, drink, heck what more could a guy want... wait a minute, you could probably get that too..
John Cook and Joey Sindelar shot a -10 60 in better-ball play Friday to take the first-round lead after they birdied the final four holes on Buffalo Ridge’s regulation Springs course in the round that was delayed an hour at the start because of rain.
Jay Don Blake-David Frost and Mark Brooks-John Huston were tied for second at -9. They also opened at Buffalo Ridge, while Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle had the best score at the par-3 Top of the Rock course, a -7 47 for nine holes of modified alternate shot and nine holes of better ball.
I found myself smiling as I watched most of our golfing heroes, Lee, Jack, Gary etal playing this week, but it wasn't just them, it was the thought of playing and staying at this magnificent piece of property in Ridgedale Missouri.
Jack was getting some fly rod tuition and promptly hooked into a 24lb steelhead. You cn do it all at his place, golf, fish, hunt, hike..eat, drink, heck what more could a guy want... wait a minute, you could probably get that too..
John Cook and Joey Sindelar shot a -10 60 in better-ball play Friday to take the first-round lead after they birdied the final four holes on Buffalo Ridge’s regulation Springs course in the round that was delayed an hour at the start because of rain.
Jay Don Blake-David Frost and Mark Brooks-John Huston were tied for second at -9. They also opened at Buffalo Ridge, while Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle had the best score at the par-3 Top of the Rock course, a -7 47 for nine holes of modified alternate shot and nine holes of better ball.
Larry Nelson and Larry Fleisher led the Legends Division for players 65 and older, shooting a 47 on the par-3 course. John Bland and Graham Marsh were second after a 66 at Buffalo Ridge.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were tied for third at 3 under after a 51 on the Nicklaus-designed par-3 layout.
It's a great idea, all par 3's and it's a great resort...kinda wish I was there..
Bryan
Move over Lydia, here comes Brooke..
LPGA Tour Singing Skirts Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/swinging-skirts-lpga-classic/leaderboard
Lydia Ko was getting all the headlines with her stellar play and her 18th birthday, but on Friday it was another teenager with a few records of her own, newly minted Ontario athlete of the year 17 year old Brooke Henderson who went out and set a new course record -7 65 to take a 2 shot lead into the weekend at the Swinging Skirts in San Francisco.
She is at -9 at the Lake Merced Golf Club, while defending champion Ko shot an even-par 72 to remain at -5. Na Yeon Choi is two strokes back at after a 68, while Yueer Cindy Feng of China stands in third place at -6, along wit Japan's Sakura Yokomine (67)
Henderson eagled the 14th, hitting a 3-wood approach and making a 15-foot putt. She also had six birdies in just her 10th pro event. She and her older sister, Brittany, T2 in last month’s Natural Charity Classic on the Symetra Tour which put $10,000 each in their jeans.
Sue Kim is T47 +2 72 74..
Bryan Angus
Lydia Ko was getting all the headlines with her stellar play and her 18th birthday, but on Friday it was another teenager with a few records of her own, newly minted Ontario athlete of the year 17 year old Brooke Henderson who went out and set a new course record -7 65 to take a 2 shot lead into the weekend at the Swinging Skirts in San Francisco.
She is at -9 at the Lake Merced Golf Club, while defending champion Ko shot an even-par 72 to remain at -5. Na Yeon Choi is two strokes back at after a 68, while Yueer Cindy Feng of China stands in third place at -6, along wit Japan's Sakura Yokomine (67)
Henderson eagled the 14th, hitting a 3-wood approach and making a 15-foot putt. She also had six birdies in just her 10th pro event. She and her older sister, Brittany, T2 in last month’s Natural Charity Classic on the Symetra Tour which put $10,000 each in their jeans.
Sue Kim is T47 +2 72 74..
Bryan Angus
Friday, April 24, 2015
Why wouldn't Tiger play in the Volvo China Open ?
Before I start, I am no more aware of Tiger's day to day schedule than anyone else other than his inner circle, and therefore don't hear about all the many corporate, charity outings he performs as the most sought after person in the game of golf.
However when I heard that he would be visiting Asia from today and over this weekend, in fact he is in Shanghai today putting on a clinic as an ambassador for the sport of golf, I thought how crushed the organizers of the Volvo China Open, being played right in Shanghai must be to have him right around the corner, garnering all the media attention instead of being in their field !!
If he was going to pack his suitcases and fly all the way to China and Japan why not go a few days earlier and draw all those fans he will be inspiring to the tournament ? His trip to Asia in 2011 was wildly successful according to his media spokesmen, which must make it more difficult for the tournament organizers as well as the European Tour..
Look, nobody has done a better job of spreading the gospel of golf around the world than Tiger, it just seems to me the timing of the trip to a city that is holding an important golf tournament, struggling to draw fans in a country that is just emerging in it's interest for the game seems to be ill advised to say the least.
Bryan Angus
However when I heard that he would be visiting Asia from today and over this weekend, in fact he is in Shanghai today putting on a clinic as an ambassador for the sport of golf, I thought how crushed the organizers of the Volvo China Open, being played right in Shanghai must be to have him right around the corner, garnering all the media attention instead of being in their field !!
If he was going to pack his suitcases and fly all the way to China and Japan why not go a few days earlier and draw all those fans he will be inspiring to the tournament ? His trip to Asia in 2011 was wildly successful according to his media spokesmen, which must make it more difficult for the tournament organizers as well as the European Tour..
Look, nobody has done a better job of spreading the gospel of golf around the world than Tiger, it just seems to me the timing of the trip to a city that is holding an important golf tournament, struggling to draw fans in a country that is just emerging in it's interest for the game seems to be ill advised to say the least.
Bryan Angus
Players torch rain softened TPC Louisiana...Weekley, De Jonge lead
PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/leaderboard.html
Pro golf's version of the country bumpkin Boo Weekley shot an -8 64 in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for a share of the first-round lead with Brendon de Jonge.
Weekley one of the games best ball strikers had been struggling until he changed the shafts in his irons on Tuesday and as a result had an eagle, seven birdies at the soggy TPC Louisiana. De Jonge had eight birdies in his flawless round.
Players were allowed to lift, clean and place their balls as rain arrived in the afternoon, suspending play for over an hour and that coupled with no wind left the course at the players mercy.
Canada’s David Hearn shot a brilliant -7 65 along with Sean O'Hair. Other Canadian scores Nick Taylor T50 -2 70, Roger Sloan, Adam Hadwin T75 -1 71, Mike Weir T130 +2 74
Tour rookie Mark Hubbard shot a -6 66 to tie with Erik Compton, Brian Davis, Greg Owen and Daniel Berger.
Dustin Johnson continues his fine return to golf with a -5 67 as part of a group which includes former Zurich winner K.J. Choi and Jason Day.
Bryan Angus
Ko celebrates her 18th birthday with Swinging Skirts lead
LPGA Tour Swinging Skirts scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/swinging-skirts-lpga-classic/leaderboard
As she got ready to celebrate her 18th birthday top-ranked Lydia Ko returned from two weeks off to take the first round lead Thursday at -5 67 in San Francisco at the Swinging Skirts.
She has a one-stroke lead over three others, including Julie Inkster who is 3 times her age and shot 68 on a cool breezy morning to take the clubhouse lead. Stacy Lewis, last year’s runner-up to Ko at Lake Merced, is two strokes back at 69.
As she got ready to celebrate her 18th birthday top-ranked Lydia Ko returned from two weeks off to take the first round lead Thursday at -5 67 in San Francisco at the Swinging Skirts.
She has a one-stroke lead over three others, including Julie Inkster who is 3 times her age and shot 68 on a cool breezy morning to take the clubhouse lead. Stacy Lewis, last year’s runner-up to Ko at Lake Merced, is two strokes back at 69.
Ha Na Jang also shot a 68, as did P.K. Kongkraphan and it was a good day for Canadian Brooke Henderson who is T9 after an opening-round 70 on he day she was announced as Ontario athlete of the year !
British Columbia’s Sue Kim shot 72 to T28th.
Bryan Angus
The French flag is flying in Shanghai
European Tour Volvo China Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015030/leaderboard/index.html
The French tricolour flies atop the flagpoles at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong GC as France’s Julien Quesne holds a one shot halfway lead over his countryman Alex Levy who shares second with American Peter Uihlein after an overcast, smoggy day at the Volvo China Open in Shanghai.
For those who've never heard of him, Quesne is now 34 and has won twice on the European Tour. He fired a -5 67 to get to -8 going into the weekend.
Levy who is defending his title, missed a birdie putt at 14 to get to -10 then, then made a double at 16 and a bogey at 17, before making birdie at the last for his -4 68. Uihlein eagled the 18th to highlight his 68.
For those who've never heard of him, Quesne is now 34 and has won twice on the European Tour. He fired a -5 67 to get to -8 going into the weekend.
Levy who is defending his title, missed a birdie putt at 14 to get to -10 then, then made a double at 16 and a bogey at 17, before making birdie at the last for his -4 68. Uihlein eagled the 18th to highlight his 68.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Matteo Manassero, had morning rounds of 68 to set the clubhouse target at -5
They are 4th heading into the weekend, along with last week’s runner-up Li Hao-tong, his fellow Chinaman Wu Ashun, and two more of the French contingent in Jérôme Lando Casanova and Romain Wattel
They are 4th heading into the weekend, along with last week’s runner-up Li Hao-tong, his fellow Chinaman Wu Ashun, and two more of the French contingent in Jérôme Lando Casanova and Romain Wattel
Bryan Angus (notes from europeantour,com)
Thursday, April 23, 2015
St. Andrews will be special again this summer
My morning show partner at the Fan590 for many years the late great Pat Marsden knew he could always get my goat when the Open Championship was at the Old Course by saying "Mumbles, it looks like a cow pasture"....a sentiment shared by Sam Snead and other American golfers like Bobby Jones when they first saw golf's most famous links.
Of course they all came to love St Andrews and all it's secrets, all it's history, in time,, and this summer whether it's grey and howling or in brilliant sunshine, it will be a special place again.
Adding to the storylines heading into the week is news that three-time champion Nick Faldo will make his final appearance at the tournament. Sir Nick as he is now known will turn 58 during the tournament in July, and will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his second Open Championship title at the Old Course in 1990. Faldo also won the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1987 and 1992, in addition to three Masters titles
Of course they all came to love St Andrews and all it's secrets, all it's history, in time,, and this summer whether it's grey and howling or in brilliant sunshine, it will be a special place again.
Adding to the storylines heading into the week is news that three-time champion Nick Faldo will make his final appearance at the tournament. Sir Nick as he is now known will turn 58 during the tournament in July, and will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his second Open Championship title at the Old Course in 1990. Faldo also won the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1987 and 1992, in addition to three Masters titles
In addition Scotland's adopted son, Tom Watson will also be making his final appearance after all the memories and thrills he provided with his 5 championships. In fact one of the most memorable Opens' was the one he lost in 2009 at Turnberry at the tender age of 59 when he made a bogey at the 72nd hole to fall into a 4 hole playoff with Stewart Cink. Remember Watson beat Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in their famous Duel in the Sun in 1977 when he shot 65 65 on the weekend.
While you have to have an R&A pass to sit in selected stands at St Andrew's most are first come first serve and I understand this year they will build new grandstand areas for spectators around the first, 17th and 18th holes which will provide an additional 10,000 seats.
If you have never been either to play or just to watch, your golf career is incomplete until you do. I have spent days sunbathing amongst the cathedral ruins that house the Old and Young Tom Morris graves. and have been there when the wind blew the tented village into the Firth of Forth. You can stand in the famous phone box right at the 18th green and make a call back home as many have before you..or try walking down to the Old course as he sun is setting around 10pm and watch all the shadows in stark contrast to the golden glow bathing the links before she turns out the lights for the night...
Ah yes it will be a special time again this summer at St Andrew's.....even if you think it looks like a cow pasture when you first see it !
Bryan Angus
A Kiwi, Welshman and Englishman lead in Shanghai..
European Tour Volvo China Open scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015030/leaderboard/index.html
England’s David Howell who won the last of his 5 European Tour events in 2013 continued his excellent start to the year as he grabbed a share of the first round lead at the Volvo China Open overnight.
He was 2nd in Johannesburg earlier this year and 4th in last week’s Shenzhen International, and went out in the late wave and shot -4 68 at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club in Shanghai to join Wales’ Bradley Dredge and New Zealand’s Michael Hendry at the top of the leaderboard. Dredge and Hendry played in the in the morning, while Howell had to contend with a slight breeze in the afternoon
I was watching Robert Karlsson, now ranked 148th who you will remember was Europe's #1 player in 2008, played in the Ryder Cup and paired with Henrik Stenson led Sweden to a World Cup win. In 2009 he started suffering from blurred vision and was forced to take 6 months off. He bounced back with 2 of his 11 wins in 2010, but has been struggling to regain that form ever since. He shot +3 75.
He was 2nd in Johannesburg earlier this year and 4th in last week’s Shenzhen International, and went out in the late wave and shot -4 68 at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club in Shanghai to join Wales’ Bradley Dredge and New Zealand’s Michael Hendry at the top of the leaderboard. Dredge and Hendry played in the in the morning, while Howell had to contend with a slight breeze in the afternoon
Watching this overnight it is obvious it’s the firmness of the greens that is making it difficult for everyone. It never seemed easy for the players to get the ball close to the hole with slopes on the greens and the firmness.
Defending champion Alex Levy -3 69 was one behind the leaders, alongside fellow Frenchman Julien Quesne and Australian Marcus Fraser.
I was watching Robert Karlsson, now ranked 148th who you will remember was Europe's #1 player in 2008, played in the Ryder Cup and paired with Henrik Stenson led Sweden to a World Cup win. In 2009 he started suffering from blurred vision and was forced to take 6 months off. He bounced back with 2 of his 11 wins in 2010, but has been struggling to regain that form ever since. He shot +3 75.
Bryan Angus (files europeantour.com)
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
York Downs members take $412m offer, will disband the club
To many this will seem a case of the rich just getting richer after the membership at York Downs in Markham voted 82% last night in favour to accept a developer's offer of $412m for the club, disband and wait for the smoke to clear to see how much they each make off their equity membership..
A year ago they were offered $274m and the club was split with a "No" segment and a "Yes" segment.
My pal Robert Thompson http://canadiangolfer.com has all the details, please give him a read.
In any case, while they lose their historic club, they will get a damn fine membership at other courses like say Summit just up the road who I'm told are already considering lowering their rate to attract their share of the pay out money the York Downs members will be looking to re invest..
Bryan
A year ago they were offered $274m and the club was split with a "No" segment and a "Yes" segment.
My pal Robert Thompson http://canadiangolfer.com has all the details, please give him a read.
In any case, while they lose their historic club, they will get a damn fine membership at other courses like say Summit just up the road who I'm told are already considering lowering their rate to attract their share of the pay out money the York Downs members will be looking to re invest..
Bryan
Canadian Golf industry gets a double bogey from the Feds..
Considering the amount of business we do on this nations golf courses, and considering the tax breaks other sports have received from the Federal Government, we were all hopeful the long awaited tax breaks our sport is overdue would be addressed at this year's budget..
Not so again, as per this report from Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons
As you may have seen, the 2015 Budget was just released, and despite the fact that the Federal Government announced a sizable surplus, we are disappointed to see that the National Allied Golf Associations’ (NAGA) request to amend the Income Tax Act was not included in this year’s Budget.
Given the price of oil, we weren’t optimistic going into the Budget process, but it seems that while the Budget is overall enormously business friendly, the government was unwilling to go the extra step and establish tax fairness for the golf industry. Tomorrow morning, on behalf of NAGA, Jeff Calderwood (CEO of the NGCOA Canada) will be attending a Post-Budget breakfast featuring comments from Senior Cabinet officials and will get further information on NAGA’s ask at that time.
NAGA will be re-grouping with a view to pushing the golf industry as an election issue. This continues to be an issue of tax fairness and one that all political parties need to hear about before going to the polls.
NAGA has an extensive plan to deal with the pre-election period and will be making final decisions on that when wemeet as a group post-Budget. The plan will be shared with the entire industry once finalized.
Please feel free to express your disappointment with your local MP…. They need to hear from the golf industry.
Bryan Angus
Not so again, as per this report from Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons
As you may have seen, the 2015 Budget was just released, and despite the fact that the Federal Government announced a sizable surplus, we are disappointed to see that the National Allied Golf Associations’ (NAGA) request to amend the Income Tax Act was not included in this year’s Budget.
Given the price of oil, we weren’t optimistic going into the Budget process, but it seems that while the Budget is overall enormously business friendly, the government was unwilling to go the extra step and establish tax fairness for the golf industry. Tomorrow morning, on behalf of NAGA, Jeff Calderwood (CEO of the NGCOA Canada) will be attending a Post-Budget breakfast featuring comments from Senior Cabinet officials and will get further information on NAGA’s ask at that time.
NAGA will be re-grouping with a view to pushing the golf industry as an election issue. This continues to be an issue of tax fairness and one that all political parties need to hear about before going to the polls.
NAGA has an extensive plan to deal with the pre-election period and will be making final decisions on that when wemeet as a group post-Budget. The plan will be shared with the entire industry once finalized.
Please feel free to express your disappointment with your local MP…. They need to hear from the golf industry.
Bryan Angus
The beat goes on with golf this week..Shanghai to San Francisco with New Orleans in between !
The scene in China this week is north from Shenzhen to historic Shanghai for the Volvo China Open and the PGA Tour is in the big Easy for the Zurich, the senior guys are playing a unique par 3, the women are in San Francisco and there is a Q School for the PGA Tour Canada in Lompoc California..Lot's to enjoy, here are all the links.
European Tour Volvo China Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015030/leaderboard/index.html
This is a good field with a core of regulars, including 32 at my count Chinese players, did you even know there were 32 Chinese pros?..Bubba has jetted his way home and will re appear next week at the World Match Play at Harding Park in an Francisco.
PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/leaderboard.html
5 Canadians to watch for Mike Weir keeps fighting to find that elusive form, Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan, David Hearn, Nick Taylor on this Pete Dye TPC Louisiana, gators and all. Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson are the headliners..
Champions Tour Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/bass-pro-shops-legends-of-golf-at-big-cedar-lodge/field.html
The Champions Tour returns this week to Ridgedale, Missouri, for the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge. What makes this event enticing is the venue – the Top of the Rock par-3 course – and the format. The Legends is the only PGA TOUR-sanctioned tournament ever on a par-3 layout.
The Champions Division is a 54-hole, two-man better-ball competition with a new, modified alternate shot format this year. The Legends Division (65-years and older) is a 45-hole two-man better-ball and also offers the modified format. The Legends field includes defending champions Jim Colbert and Jim Thorpe. The field for the Legends, not surprisingly, is distinguished. It includes Jack Nicklaus, designer of the par-3, and Gary Player again teaming up, along with Lee Trevino and Mike Hill.
PGA Tour Canada California Q School scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/canada/en_us/tournaments/pga-tour-canada-q-school-california/leaderboard.html
14 Canadians in this field with round one already in the books. When I look at all the guys vying for 20 odd spots on the PGA Tour Canada it just reminds me again how many guys are out there all around the world trying to get to the big tours, and further to that, just how bloody good the guys at the top like Rory etal really are to have moved through all these lower ranks to get to where they are.
Bryan Angus
European Tour Volvo China Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015030/leaderboard/index.html
This is a good field with a core of regulars, including 32 at my count Chinese players, did you even know there were 32 Chinese pros?..Bubba has jetted his way home and will re appear next week at the World Match Play at Harding Park in an Francisco.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat looks to become the first player to win back-to-back European Tour events since Rory McIlroy last August. The big-hitting Thai star snatched a second European Tour title in dramatic fashion at last week’s Shenzhen International, eagling the 71st hole then producing a birdie on the first play-off hole to deny home favourite Li Hao-tong
PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/zurich-classic-of-new-orleans/leaderboard.html
5 Canadians to watch for Mike Weir keeps fighting to find that elusive form, Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan, David Hearn, Nick Taylor on this Pete Dye TPC Louisiana, gators and all. Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson are the headliners..
Champions Tour Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/bass-pro-shops-legends-of-golf-at-big-cedar-lodge/field.html
The Champions Tour returns this week to Ridgedale, Missouri, for the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge. What makes this event enticing is the venue – the Top of the Rock par-3 course – and the format. The Legends is the only PGA TOUR-sanctioned tournament ever on a par-3 layout.
The Champions Division is a 54-hole, two-man better-ball competition with a new, modified alternate shot format this year. The Legends Division (65-years and older) is a 45-hole two-man better-ball and also offers the modified format. The Legends field includes defending champions Jim Colbert and Jim Thorpe. The field for the Legends, not surprisingly, is distinguished. It includes Jack Nicklaus, designer of the par-3, and Gary Player again teaming up, along with Lee Trevino and Mike Hill.
PGA Tour Canada California Q School scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/canada/en_us/tournaments/pga-tour-canada-q-school-california/leaderboard.html
14 Canadians in this field with round one already in the books. When I look at all the guys vying for 20 odd spots on the PGA Tour Canada it just reminds me again how many guys are out there all around the world trying to get to the big tours, and further to that, just how bloody good the guys at the top like Rory etal really are to have moved through all these lower ranks to get to where they are.
Bryan Angus
Monday, April 20, 2015
It's a big fortnight of golf in China.
European Tour Shenzhen International final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015028/leaderboard/index.html
Bubba Watson flew half way around the world from Augusta Georgia to Shenzhen China, saying that "China is the next frontier of golf and I want to do what I can to help develop the game here" He finished in a tie for 29th place at 5-under 283, finally figuring out the slower greens and shooting 65 on Sunday. Now many in the field are up north to Shanghai for this week's Volvo China Open capping off two big week's of golf, highlighting the recent growth of the game that was once banned as a waste of good arable land in the days of complete Communist rule.
In the end it was an emotional win for Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat who captured the inaugural Shenzhen International after rallying in regulation with an eagle on the 17th hole and beating Chinese teenager Li Haotong in a playoff.
Bubba Watson flew half way around the world from Augusta Georgia to Shenzhen China, saying that "China is the next frontier of golf and I want to do what I can to help develop the game here" He finished in a tie for 29th place at 5-under 283, finally figuring out the slower greens and shooting 65 on Sunday. Now many in the field are up north to Shanghai for this week's Volvo China Open capping off two big week's of golf, highlighting the recent growth of the game that was once banned as a waste of good arable land in the days of complete Communist rule.
In the end it was an emotional win for Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat who captured the inaugural Shenzhen International after rallying in regulation with an eagle on the 17th hole and beating Chinese teenager Li Haotong in a playoff.
Kiradech and Li shared the lead after the turn, but the 19-year-old Chinese player looked to be heading for the biggest title of his career when he birdied the 17th and Kiradech bogeyed the par-4 15th to open up a two-stroke lead.
Kiradech rebounded, however, with an eagle on the par-5 17th to pull even with Li again and force the playoff. He had a chance to win on the 18th, but his birdie putt skirted to the right of the hole.
On the playoff hole, Kiradech hit his approach shot to the middle of the 18th green and made a birdie, while Li two-putted for par.
The 19-year-old Li shot a 5-under 67 in the final round, while Kiradech, the overnight leader, had a 72. Both finished at 12-under 276.
Augusta James gets her first pro win
Symetra Tour Chico's Patty Berg Memorial final scoreboard http://www.symetrascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx
Look out, the Canucks are coming. Canadian woman are playing great golf on the Symetra Tour and this weekend Augusta James won the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title – and her first win as a professional.
With the first place check of $22,500, James moves from 58 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list to the top spot.
James had an incredible week off the tee. She hit 51 of 56 fairways. The flatstick was also working all week as she needed only 26 putts on the final day.
Canadians have been the story in the early part of the Symetra Tour season. Sue Kim of Langley, British Columbia won the last event in Lake Wales, Florida. Four of the top 10 and five of the top 12 on the money list are Canadians. Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Samantha Richdlae of Kelowna, B.C., tied for 4th at 5 under this week.
Look out, the Canucks are coming. Canadian woman are playing great golf on the Symetra Tour and this weekend Augusta James won the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title – and her first win as a professional.
The 22-year-old James, a former North Carolina State player making her fourth start on the tour, closed with a 5-under 67 for a four-stroke victory over Laura Kueny and Brianna Do.
James, a Bath, Ont., native finished at 10-under 278 at Cypress Lake Country Club. Named Augusta after being born on the first day of the 1993 Masters, James won the Canadian Women’s Amateur last year by an impressive six shots. Kueny and Do each shot 72.
James had an incredible week off the tee. She hit 51 of 56 fairways. The flatstick was also working all week as she needed only 26 putts on the final day.
Canadians have been the story in the early part of the Symetra Tour season. Sue Kim of Langley, British Columbia won the last event in Lake Wales, Florida. Four of the top 10 and five of the top 12 on the money list are Canadians. Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Samantha Richdlae of Kelowna, B.C., tied for 4th at 5 under this week.
New computer !!!
After years of using my little Walmart notebook. it was a demo Acer I bought for $150, I finally had to bite the bullet and now am sitting at this shiny new laptop.. feels strange but it is so fast compared to Ace.
The downside of course s that in the transfer, I have lost a lifetime of favourites, all the sites I have acquired all these years, and what about all the passwords !!
The type looks tiny, man I have a lot to figure out, just as well it's pouring of rain today !!
Bryan
The downside of course s that in the transfer, I have lost a lifetime of favourites, all the sites I have acquired all these years, and what about all the passwords !!
The type looks tiny, man I have a lot to figure out, just as well it's pouring of rain today !!
Bryan
Brown wins weather shortened Gwinnett
Olin Browne won the Greater Gwinnett Championship after rain washed out Sunday’s final round. He finished Saturday’s second round with a one-shot lead over Langer, the 2013 winner. Langer has one win and two second-place finishes in the tournament’s three years.
The 55-year-old Browne set the tournament record with a second-round 64 to take the lead at 12 under. He then watched as Langer matched the record to move into second place.
Rain forced Friday’s first round to be suspended and completed early Saturday. There was light rain, but no delays, in Saturday’s second round, followed by more downpours Saturday night and Sunday morning
Rocco Mediate, the leader until his double bogey on No. 11 on Saturday, was third at 9 under. Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez tied for 10th at 5 under. First-round leader Tommy Armour III tied for eighth at 6 under
A pair of Canadians finished within the top-10 as Stephen Ames tied for 4th at 7-under, while Rod Spittle tied for 8th at 6-under
The 55-year-old Browne set the tournament record with a second-round 64 to take the lead at 12 under. He then watched as Langer matched the record to move into second place.
Rain forced Friday’s first round to be suspended and completed early Saturday. There was light rain, but no delays, in Saturday’s second round, followed by more downpours Saturday night and Sunday morning
Rocco Mediate, the leader until his double bogey on No. 11 on Saturday, was third at 9 under. Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez tied for 10th at 5 under. First-round leader Tommy Armour III tied for eighth at 6 under
A pair of Canadians finished within the top-10 as Stephen Ames tied for 4th at 7-under, while Rod Spittle tied for 8th at 6-under
Furyk finally wins again..
PGA Tour RBC Heritage http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html
In Sunday's final round, Jim Furyk shot a 63 and Kevin Kisner a 64, leaving them in a playoff, both at 18-under 266. Third-round leader Troy Merritt was at 16 under after a 69. Defending champion Matt Kuchar (68) was at 14 under, and Masters winner Jordan Spieth (70) was eight shots back.
Furyk was ahead by a stroke when Kisner birdied the 72nd hole to force the playoff, the fourth in the last six tournaments at Harbour Town Golf Links. On the first extra hole, Kisner rolled in a second straight birdie putt on the 18th. But Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champion, answered with a birdie to keep the playoff going.
After Kisner missed his birdie try on No. 17, Furyk sank a 12-foot putt for his 17th career PGA Tour win. He dropped his putter and punched the air in celebration.
Furyk found his game Friday with eight birdies on the way to a 64. He had a 68 Saturday then the 63 on Sunday for his second win at Harbour Town, remember he won there in another playoff in 2010, when Brian Davis tied him on the final hole, but Davis struck a loose impediment on his swing and called a penalty on himself leaving Furyk the winner.
Spieth had a whirlwind media tour in New York on Monday and Tuesday before arriving at Hilton Head. Now the 21-year-old Texan wants to get back to Dallas in time to attend the Academy of Country Music Awards. He’ll return to golf in two weeks at the World Golf Championship Match Play event.
Nick Taylor was the lone Canadian to make the cut. The Abbotsford, B.C., golfer finihsed 74th at 4 over
In Sunday's final round, Jim Furyk shot a 63 and Kevin Kisner a 64, leaving them in a playoff, both at 18-under 266. Third-round leader Troy Merritt was at 16 under after a 69. Defending champion Matt Kuchar (68) was at 14 under, and Masters winner Jordan Spieth (70) was eight shots back.
Furyk was ahead by a stroke when Kisner birdied the 72nd hole to force the playoff, the fourth in the last six tournaments at Harbour Town Golf Links. On the first extra hole, Kisner rolled in a second straight birdie putt on the 18th. But Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champion, answered with a birdie to keep the playoff going.
After Kisner missed his birdie try on No. 17, Furyk sank a 12-foot putt for his 17th career PGA Tour win. He dropped his putter and punched the air in celebration.
Furyk found his game Friday with eight birdies on the way to a 64. He had a 68 Saturday then the 63 on Sunday for his second win at Harbour Town, remember he won there in another playoff in 2010, when Brian Davis tied him on the final hole, but Davis struck a loose impediment on his swing and called a penalty on himself leaving Furyk the winner.
Spieth had a whirlwind media tour in New York on Monday and Tuesday before arriving at Hilton Head. Now the 21-year-old Texan wants to get back to Dallas in time to attend the Academy of Country Music Awards. He’ll return to golf in two weeks at the World Golf Championship Match Play event.
Nick Taylor was the lone Canadian to make the cut. The Abbotsford, B.C., golfer finihsed 74th at 4 over
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Pelley leaves Rogers to become CEO European Tour
Rogers Communications has announced that its President, Keith Pelley, will leave the company to become the new Commissioner and CEO of The European Tour – a global golf tour featuring 48 events in 26 countries. He will remain President of Rogers Media until his departure this summer.
"Rogers is a terrific company with the best collection of media assets in the industry. Guy has a clear vision for the company and it’s been exciting to be a part of it. This truly is a dream job that only comes up once in a lifetime. It was a very difficult decision,” said Pelley. “I know I’ll never be a professional golfer, so this is the next best thing. The Tour already has a highly regarded reputation and I look forward to building on this using my experience here at Rogers Media to ensure it remains at the forefront of the game across the globe. We’ve got a great team at Rogers Media, they know what we need to do. We’re in good shape"
South Korean players sweep the leaderboard.. Kim wins Lotte
LPGA Tour Lotte Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lotte-championship/results
South Korean players swept the first 5 places and in the end it was Sei Young Kim who holed out from 154 yards for eagle to win the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship on the first hole of a playoff Saturday with Inbee Park.
After driving into the water in regulation on the par-4 18th, Kim forced the playoff with an 18-foot chip-in for par. She then won on the hole with her 8-iron shot that barely cleared the water.
The 22-year-old South Korean player became the first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year. She won in the Bahamas in February in her second start as a tour member.Kim rebounded from a disappointing final round two weeks ago in the ANA Inspiration when she squandered the lead and ended up tying for fourth.
She closed with a 1-over 73 in wind gusting to 30 mph at Ko Olina to match Park at 11-under 277. Park finished with a 71.I.K. Kim bogeyed the final two holes for a 74 that left her two strokes back.
Hyo Joo Kim (69) and Chella Choi (72) tied for fourth at 7 under as South Korean players swept the first five places. German Sandra Gal (69) finished sixth at 6 under.
Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., tied for 55th at 8 over; while Alena Sharp of Hamilton and Rebeca Lee-Bentham of Toronto shared 63rd spot at 11 over
South Korean players swept the first 5 places and in the end it was Sei Young Kim who holed out from 154 yards for eagle to win the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship on the first hole of a playoff Saturday with Inbee Park.
After driving into the water in regulation on the par-4 18th, Kim forced the playoff with an 18-foot chip-in for par. She then won on the hole with her 8-iron shot that barely cleared the water.
The 22-year-old South Korean player became the first two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year. She won in the Bahamas in February in her second start as a tour member.Kim rebounded from a disappointing final round two weeks ago in the ANA Inspiration when she squandered the lead and ended up tying for fourth.
She closed with a 1-over 73 in wind gusting to 30 mph at Ko Olina to match Park at 11-under 277. Park finished with a 71.I.K. Kim bogeyed the final two holes for a 74 that left her two strokes back.
Hyo Joo Kim (69) and Chella Choi (72) tied for fourth at 7 under as South Korean players swept the first five places. German Sandra Gal (69) finished sixth at 6 under.
Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., tied for 55th at 8 over; while Alena Sharp of Hamilton and Rebeca Lee-Bentham of Toronto shared 63rd spot at 11 over
Spieth after another 'jacket".. Merritt leads
PGA Tour RBC Heritage leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html
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Troy Merritt shot a 2-under 69 to take a three-stroke lead over defending champion Matt Kuchar, Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner. Jim Furyk, No. 10 in the world, was four shots behind, with Masters champ Jordan Spieth another stroke back and eager to win another jacket – this one tartan.
Merritt finished at 14-under 199, two off the 54-hole scoring record set by Justin Leonard in his 2002 victory.
Todd made the big move with a 63, the day’s lowest round. Kisner shot 67, and Kuchar 68.
Furyk led a group another stroke behind after a 68, with Spieth five shots back, also following a 68.
The pack of seven players at 8 under included 2013 winner Graeme McDowell, past British Open champ Louis Oosthuizen and former world No. 1 Luke Donald.
All of them will have to chase down Merritt, the 54-hole leader for the first time in his career. His best finish on the PGA Tour is a second in Memphis last year.
Spieth thrilled the gallery with his bounce-back 62 on Friday and it was a full house around the first tee when the 21-year-old Texan got started. But Spieth played more like he did in Thursday’s opening 74 than in the second round, fighting to put shots close and make putts on the way to his 68.
Still, it was Spieth’s 18th time breaking par in his past 19 rounds, a monthlong run of success that included the Valspar Championship title, seconds at Texas and Houston and that record-tying Masters win from last week where he matched Tiger Woods’ mark of 18-under from 1997
Canada’s Nick Taylor carded a 77 Saturday to drop 27 spots down the leaderboard into a tie for 75th.
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Troy Merritt shot a 2-under 69 to take a three-stroke lead over defending champion Matt Kuchar, Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner. Jim Furyk, No. 10 in the world, was four shots behind, with Masters champ Jordan Spieth another stroke back and eager to win another jacket – this one tartan.
Merritt finished at 14-under 199, two off the 54-hole scoring record set by Justin Leonard in his 2002 victory.
Todd made the big move with a 63, the day’s lowest round. Kisner shot 67, and Kuchar 68.
Furyk led a group another stroke behind after a 68, with Spieth five shots back, also following a 68.
The pack of seven players at 8 under included 2013 winner Graeme McDowell, past British Open champ Louis Oosthuizen and former world No. 1 Luke Donald.
All of them will have to chase down Merritt, the 54-hole leader for the first time in his career. His best finish on the PGA Tour is a second in Memphis last year.
Spieth thrilled the gallery with his bounce-back 62 on Friday and it was a full house around the first tee when the 21-year-old Texan got started. But Spieth played more like he did in Thursday’s opening 74 than in the second round, fighting to put shots close and make putts on the way to his 68.
Still, it was Spieth’s 18th time breaking par in his past 19 rounds, a monthlong run of success that included the Valspar Championship title, seconds at Texas and Houston and that record-tying Masters win from last week where he matched Tiger Woods’ mark of 18-under from 1997
Canada’s Nick Taylor carded a 77 Saturday to drop 27 spots down the leaderboard into a tie for 75th.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Hello !!
Hi everyone after 4 days I am finally back, new computer, plus this my old trusty with all the virus's taken out and hopefully a lot faster !!
Lot's to catch up on with golf in China, Georgia, South Carolina so watch here for all that and more right after work tonight..
Thanks for your patience
Bryan
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Frank Stronach bids to bring Ryder Cup to Austria
This morning as we wait for this week's golf to get underway in Shenzhan China, and at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head SC, and the Greater Gwinnett Championship in Georgia, I thought you might like this insight on just how popular hosting the Ryder Cup has become.
Those who have listened to me on Fairways over the last 20 years and read me here, know I believe it has become the most exciting, pressure packed, patriotic 3 day event in sports ever since Europe became competitive back in the mid 80's, thanks to Jack Nicklaus and the arrival of the late Seve Ballesteros.
Last year you'll remember Europe soundly beat USA at Gleneagles for their 8th win in the last 10 outings.
In 2016 Darren Clarke will take his men to the Hazeltine National course in Chaska, Minnesota to face Davis Love and his squad led by young guns like Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed etal..
2018 will be staged at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris. 2020 will be at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin where Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship. 2024 will be at Bethpage Black in New York State.
2022 is currently up for grabs, so I attach this mornings missive from europeantour.com the recent trip of the Ryder Cup selection committee to the 4 sites competing for the prestige of hosting..
Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria have each hosted Bid Inspection visits from a delegation of Ryder Cup Europe officials – led by Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills – as part of their quest to host The 2022 Ryder Cup.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE FOUR VISITS First on the agenda was a visit to Germany, where the Golf Resort A-ROSA Scharmützelsee in Badsarrow was presented as the potential host venue. Located on the fringes of the German capital, Berlin, the inland links-style course was designed by former European Number One and six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo. The Ryder Cup has never been held in Germany.
Next, Ryder Cup Europe’s delegation travelled to the north-east of Spain to evaluate the Costa-Brava-Barcelona candidacy. The two-day trip consisted of a tour of the iconic cities of Barcelona and Girona, as well as the proposed future host venue, PGA Catalunya Resort, where the delegation met with owner Denis O’Brien. Spain’s bid enjoys support from the highest levels, including from His Royal Highness King Felipe VI, who has accepted the Honorary Presidency of the Costa Brava-Barcelona 2022 bid for The Ryder Cup.
Next they journeyed east to view the Italian bid centred on the Marco Simone Club on the outskirts of capital Rome. The Jim Fazio-designed Simone course, which was founded by and is still owned by celebrated fashion designer Laura Biagiotti and her family, hosted the 1994 Open de Italia while the Eternal City – whose Mayor Ignazio Marino also joined the delegation - is visible from parts of the layout.
Final stop for the delegation came in Austria and centred around the Fontana Golf Club to the south of the capital Vienna, a venue which has already staged tournaments on both The European Tour and the Challenge Tour. After a tour of the golf course and a meeting with founder Frank Stronach and owner Siegfried Wolf, the delegation were then shown the many iconic buildings and locations within Vienna itself.
One nation who will not be submitting a bid, however, is Portugal, who informed Ryder Cup Europe officials that they are no longer in the running due to the struggling economy that nation is enduring.
Following the inspection visits, the prospective host nations for what will be the 44th staging of The Ryder Cup, will make their formal submission of Official Bids on or before the closing date of Thursday April 30, 2015.
So there you have it, kings, Prime Ministers, Presidents all rolling out the red carpet along with our own Magna magnate Frank Stonach, all after the prestige, fame and fortune that goes to the successful bidder..
Samuel Ryder, the honest seed merchant that proposed these matches back in 1926 must be turning in his flowerbed !!
Bryan Angus..
Those who have listened to me on Fairways over the last 20 years and read me here, know I believe it has become the most exciting, pressure packed, patriotic 3 day event in sports ever since Europe became competitive back in the mid 80's, thanks to Jack Nicklaus and the arrival of the late Seve Ballesteros.
Last year you'll remember Europe soundly beat USA at Gleneagles for their 8th win in the last 10 outings.
In 2016 Darren Clarke will take his men to the Hazeltine National course in Chaska, Minnesota to face Davis Love and his squad led by young guns like Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed etal..
2018 will be staged at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris. 2020 will be at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin where Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship. 2024 will be at Bethpage Black in New York State.
2022 is currently up for grabs, so I attach this mornings missive from europeantour.com the recent trip of the Ryder Cup selection committee to the 4 sites competing for the prestige of hosting..
Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria have each hosted Bid Inspection visits from a delegation of Ryder Cup Europe officials – led by Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills – as part of their quest to host The 2022 Ryder Cup.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE FOUR VISITS First on the agenda was a visit to Germany, where the Golf Resort A-ROSA Scharmützelsee in Badsarrow was presented as the potential host venue. Located on the fringes of the German capital, Berlin, the inland links-style course was designed by former European Number One and six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo. The Ryder Cup has never been held in Germany.
Next, Ryder Cup Europe’s delegation travelled to the north-east of Spain to evaluate the Costa-Brava-Barcelona candidacy. The two-day trip consisted of a tour of the iconic cities of Barcelona and Girona, as well as the proposed future host venue, PGA Catalunya Resort, where the delegation met with owner Denis O’Brien. Spain’s bid enjoys support from the highest levels, including from His Royal Highness King Felipe VI, who has accepted the Honorary Presidency of the Costa Brava-Barcelona 2022 bid for The Ryder Cup.
Next they journeyed east to view the Italian bid centred on the Marco Simone Club on the outskirts of capital Rome. The Jim Fazio-designed Simone course, which was founded by and is still owned by celebrated fashion designer Laura Biagiotti and her family, hosted the 1994 Open de Italia while the Eternal City – whose Mayor Ignazio Marino also joined the delegation - is visible from parts of the layout.
Final stop for the delegation came in Austria and centred around the Fontana Golf Club to the south of the capital Vienna, a venue which has already staged tournaments on both The European Tour and the Challenge Tour. After a tour of the golf course and a meeting with founder Frank Stronach and owner Siegfried Wolf, the delegation were then shown the many iconic buildings and locations within Vienna itself.
One nation who will not be submitting a bid, however, is Portugal, who informed Ryder Cup Europe officials that they are no longer in the running due to the struggling economy that nation is enduring.
Following the inspection visits, the prospective host nations for what will be the 44th staging of The Ryder Cup, will make their formal submission of Official Bids on or before the closing date of Thursday April 30, 2015.
So there you have it, kings, Prime Ministers, Presidents all rolling out the red carpet along with our own Magna magnate Frank Stonach, all after the prestige, fame and fortune that goes to the successful bidder..
Samuel Ryder, the honest seed merchant that proposed these matches back in 1926 must be turning in his flowerbed !!
Bryan Angus..
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Augusta to Shezhen, Shanghai then San Francisco.. Bubba's excellent adventures
European Tour Shenzhen International leaderboard.. http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015028/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y
There are times when we all get into or onto our mode of transportation and head into work, or school or where ever. Many have the constant aggravation of facing crippling gridlock as we head across the city, unless of course we rise and return well before dawn and return well after sundown, and often for not nearly enough recompense!!
Then there is the world of pro golf..
Jordan Spieth of course just etched his name in the history books with his dazzling win at the Masters on Sunday evening...then the mass exodus from Augusta began, by car, coach, bus and plane...
How about Bubba. Being the two time Masters champion certainly brings it's perks, lot's of greenback perks.. but they also come with demands..
Yesterday, just 24 hours and about nine time zones, 13,602 kilometers or 8452 miles, 17 hours and 30 minutes away via Atlanta, New York, Beijing (northern China) then Shenzhen (southern China), Bubba was out there along the banks of the lake beside the clubhouse at Genzon Golf Club at the inaugural Shenzhen International where he helped launch the new event with a 'hit the gong" challenge along with Alex Levy and Matteo Manessero...Oh by the way, Shenzhen is 12 hours ahead of EST so you lose half a day on the way..
Next he will fly to Shanghai to play in next week's Volvo China Open, before jetting back to San Francisco for the WGC Cadillac World Match Play...
There are times when we all get into or onto our mode of transportation and head into work, or school or where ever. Many have the constant aggravation of facing crippling gridlock as we head across the city, unless of course we rise and return well before dawn and return well after sundown, and often for not nearly enough recompense!!
Then there is the world of pro golf..
Jordan Spieth of course just etched his name in the history books with his dazzling win at the Masters on Sunday evening...then the mass exodus from Augusta began, by car, coach, bus and plane...
How about Bubba. Being the two time Masters champion certainly brings it's perks, lot's of greenback perks.. but they also come with demands..
Yesterday, just 24 hours and about nine time zones, 13,602 kilometers or 8452 miles, 17 hours and 30 minutes away via Atlanta, New York, Beijing (northern China) then Shenzhen (southern China), Bubba was out there along the banks of the lake beside the clubhouse at Genzon Golf Club at the inaugural Shenzhen International where he helped launch the new event with a 'hit the gong" challenge along with Alex Levy and Matteo Manessero...Oh by the way, Shenzhen is 12 hours ahead of EST so you lose half a day on the way..
Watson won the 2014 WGC-HSBC Champions title in Shanghai in spectacular fashion last November, holing a bunker shot on the 72nd hole to force a play-off with Tim Clark, which he won courtesy of a birdie on the first extra hole.
The field for the Shenzhen International will comprise 100 players from The European Tour, 50 players from the CGA (China Golf Association) and six sponsors’ invitations.
The tournament, which is being promoted by IMG, is the first of four events being held in China on The 2015 European Tour International Schedule
The tournament, which is being promoted by IMG, is the first of four events being held in China on The 2015 European Tour International Schedule
Watson said: “This is a great opportunity for me to come back to China and play in a new event, which will make a big contribution to the development of golf in southern China. I’ve been looking forward to coming to Shenzhen and playing my part in making some history"
With prize money worth $2.5 million, and an unofficial $1.5m appearance money in his jeans, Bubba, like most of the guys no longer travels commercial, rather owns or rents his own ride https://www.google.com/search?q=bubba+watson+private+jet&biw=1024&bih=455&tbm=isch&imgil=nSNjUxy3hn9luM%
Ho hum, another month in the life of Bubba and his family, from Georgia, around the world to China and back to San Francisco, not quite the same as standing in line waiting for the #47 bus every morning... is it..
Bryan Angus (notes from europeantour.com)
Monday, April 13, 2015
Jordan Spieth was just too good.
2015 Masters final scoreboard http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/index.html
On the weekend Mickelson shot 67 69 -14, Justin Rose 67 70 -14, Rory McIlroy 68 66 - 12 all good enough to win this 2015 edition of the Masters. They finished T2 and 4th..
It was just the case that an exceptional performance 64 66 70 70 from an exceptional 21 year old Texan called Jordan Spieth was just too good over 4 days for any of the rest.
Heck if it wasn't for exceptional performances by Jimmy Walker at the Valero and JB Holmes at the Shell Houston Open, Spieth would have been just too good for the last month...
Instead he has 2 seconds and 2 wins, the biggest of course is his new place in history as the 79th Masters champion.
This run of form is not unprecedented. Remember Rory got to the world #1 spot last summer when he won 3 in a row, including the Open Championship and the PGA...just mull that over..
Now he has a new #2, and if he's not careful there will be a new #1. Spieth's run won't last, that's the way golf is, but I'm not alone in thinking as well grounded as he is, as brilliant as his game is, he is going to be one of the games' best for a long time.
Hideki Matsuyama 70 66 -11 quietly here but not in Japan was 5th, Ian Poulter's 67 67 weekend saw him finish at -9 T6 along with Dustin Johnson 73 69 and Paul Casey 74 68...
Others had their moments, remember Ernie opening with a -5 67.. he ended up 72 75 72 T22, Tiger of course was a winner this week 73 69 68 73 -5 T17, as was Sergio 68 74 71 70, Henrik Stenson 73 73 70 68 -4 got better as the week rolled on...
There were many stories like that, but in the end only one story line and it was the headline.. Jordan Spieth was just too good for any of them
For the record or records...Spieth closed with a -2 70, missing a short putt on the final hole that would have set yet another record. Instead, he tied the score set by Tiger Woods in 1997 at -18 270. He has the 36-hole record at -14 130, the 54-hole record at -16 200, the most birdies for the tournament at 28, the lowest opening round by a champion at 64, and is the youngest player to lead after the opening round.
Like I said, just too good and there was no real drama as Spieth showed early he was not going to be caught as Rose, starting the final round four shots behind, made a birdie on the first hole, but Spieth as confident as ever made his birdie putt from just inside him, in fact his 35 front nine was good enough to take his lead to five shots, and it was effectively all over..
Bryan Angus
On the weekend Mickelson shot 67 69 -14, Justin Rose 67 70 -14, Rory McIlroy 68 66 - 12 all good enough to win this 2015 edition of the Masters. They finished T2 and 4th..
It was just the case that an exceptional performance 64 66 70 70 from an exceptional 21 year old Texan called Jordan Spieth was just too good over 4 days for any of the rest.
Heck if it wasn't for exceptional performances by Jimmy Walker at the Valero and JB Holmes at the Shell Houston Open, Spieth would have been just too good for the last month...
Instead he has 2 seconds and 2 wins, the biggest of course is his new place in history as the 79th Masters champion.
This run of form is not unprecedented. Remember Rory got to the world #1 spot last summer when he won 3 in a row, including the Open Championship and the PGA...just mull that over..
Now he has a new #2, and if he's not careful there will be a new #1. Spieth's run won't last, that's the way golf is, but I'm not alone in thinking as well grounded as he is, as brilliant as his game is, he is going to be one of the games' best for a long time.
Hideki Matsuyama 70 66 -11 quietly here but not in Japan was 5th, Ian Poulter's 67 67 weekend saw him finish at -9 T6 along with Dustin Johnson 73 69 and Paul Casey 74 68...
Others had their moments, remember Ernie opening with a -5 67.. he ended up 72 75 72 T22, Tiger of course was a winner this week 73 69 68 73 -5 T17, as was Sergio 68 74 71 70, Henrik Stenson 73 73 70 68 -4 got better as the week rolled on...
There were many stories like that, but in the end only one story line and it was the headline.. Jordan Spieth was just too good for any of them
For the record or records...Spieth closed with a -2 70, missing a short putt on the final hole that would have set yet another record. Instead, he tied the score set by Tiger Woods in 1997 at -18 270. He has the 36-hole record at -14 130, the 54-hole record at -16 200, the most birdies for the tournament at 28, the lowest opening round by a champion at 64, and is the youngest player to lead after the opening round.
Like I said, just too good and there was no real drama as Spieth showed early he was not going to be caught as Rose, starting the final round four shots behind, made a birdie on the first hole, but Spieth as confident as ever made his birdie putt from just inside him, in fact his 35 front nine was good enough to take his lead to five shots, and it was effectively all over..
Bryan Angus
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Tiger is back...the "other" story at Augusta..
While Jordan Spieth has been just remarkable at this 79th Masters, ushering in a new era in American golf, the hot favourite to ride out all the demons that lurk around Sunday at the Masters with his 4 shot lead, for me the other remarkable story is the return of Tiger Woods, and make no mistake he is back.
After his opening sloppy 73 he has shot solid 69, 63 T5 with Rory, out of contention, but considering where he has come from, the improvement is remarkable.
3 months ago he shot 82 at Phoenix, flubbing, thinning simply chips, spraying the ball like a high handicapper, no confidence in his putter, or any of his game..
Now he is back, shaping his shots right to left with good yardage control on his irons, solid reliable pitching and chipping, and he believes in his putter again. After each round he has gone out and practiced with 1 club, his driver, but he has never been the best off the tee, even when he was winning it all..
He is confident again, he is already a winner this week, and the pressure is now off, I believe he will go out today and shoot 68, to put the finishing touches on his comeback.
He needs to shoot 62 to catch Spieth and that will not happen, but we all need to walk before we can run... He's jogging right now, the running is coming..
Bryan Angus
After his opening sloppy 73 he has shot solid 69, 63 T5 with Rory, out of contention, but considering where he has come from, the improvement is remarkable.
3 months ago he shot 82 at Phoenix, flubbing, thinning simply chips, spraying the ball like a high handicapper, no confidence in his putter, or any of his game..
Now he is back, shaping his shots right to left with good yardage control on his irons, solid reliable pitching and chipping, and he believes in his putter again. After each round he has gone out and practiced with 1 club, his driver, but he has never been the best off the tee, even when he was winning it all..
He is confident again, he is already a winner this week, and the pressure is now off, I believe he will go out today and shoot 68, to put the finishing touches on his comeback.
He needs to shoot 62 to catch Spieth and that will not happen, but we all need to walk before we can run... He's jogging right now, the running is coming..
Bryan Angus
This Sunday at the Masters.."Not quite a horse race yet"
2015 Masters scoreboard http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/index.html
I didn't wish any ill will on Jordan Spieth on Saturday, he is a great young man and a fabulous golfer, a soon to be world #1. I just wanted him to shoot 72 to give the rest of the guys a chance to get to within a couple of shots...
Well, after posting 64 66, he went out and shot 70, -16 with a gutsy flop shot up and down for par at the 18th to cap it off. He actually made some bogey's for the first time this week but every time he did he bounced back. Bogey at 4, birdie 2 at 6, bogey at 7 birdie 3 at 9, birdies at 12, 13 but bogey at 14, followed by birdies at 15 and 16, double bogey at 17, staring at bogey at 18, but then the flop shot...
Remember he has been 1st, 2nd 2nd in his last three outings and he played in the final group at Augusta with Bubba last year, so this is not the Rory who had the 4 shot lead in 2011 at 21 and fell apart on the back nine...
Others did try to make it interesting. Justin Rose birdied 5 of the last 9 for a fine -5 67 and he will play with Spieth today in the final group at -12, but is spotting the young Texan 4 shots.
Phil Mickelson, the crowds darling also shot 67 and is at -11, while Charlie Hoffman continues his fine Masters with 71 for -10.
Rory shot 68 and along with Tiger's 68, are at -6, twelve shots back..
So folks, it's not quite the horse race I'd hoped for......yet..
Bryan Angus
I didn't wish any ill will on Jordan Spieth on Saturday, he is a great young man and a fabulous golfer, a soon to be world #1. I just wanted him to shoot 72 to give the rest of the guys a chance to get to within a couple of shots...
Well, after posting 64 66, he went out and shot 70, -16 with a gutsy flop shot up and down for par at the 18th to cap it off. He actually made some bogey's for the first time this week but every time he did he bounced back. Bogey at 4, birdie 2 at 6, bogey at 7 birdie 3 at 9, birdies at 12, 13 but bogey at 14, followed by birdies at 15 and 16, double bogey at 17, staring at bogey at 18, but then the flop shot...
Remember he has been 1st, 2nd 2nd in his last three outings and he played in the final group at Augusta with Bubba last year, so this is not the Rory who had the 4 shot lead in 2011 at 21 and fell apart on the back nine...
Others did try to make it interesting. Justin Rose birdied 5 of the last 9 for a fine -5 67 and he will play with Spieth today in the final group at -12, but is spotting the young Texan 4 shots.
Phil Mickelson, the crowds darling also shot 67 and is at -11, while Charlie Hoffman continues his fine Masters with 71 for -10.
Rory shot 68 and along with Tiger's 68, are at -6, twelve shots back..
So folks, it's not quite the horse race I'd hoped for......yet..
Bryan Angus
Saturday, April 11, 2015
It's all Spieth but it's not all over at Augusta..Rain forecast..
79th Masters scoreboard http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/invitees_2015.html
So as solid as he seems, as calm, mature, in form and just down right in control as he seems, not to mention as record breaking at -14 with a 5 shot lead, Justin Spieth 64 66, has not yet won this 79th Masters..
Don't tune out. Just because Rory 40,31 71 -2 isn't challenging, nor Tiger 73 68 -3, I remind you it all comes down to the last nine on Sunday at Augusta..Golf is full of seeming impossible collapses..
Just remember Rory in 2011, and how in control he was until his four-shot lead at the turn quickly disappeared into the trees on the left of the 10th fairway.?
At the Olympic Club in San Francisco in 1966 in the US OPen, Arnie was three shots clear of Billy Casper to start the fourth round. With nine left to play he led by seven. Casper shot 32 on the back and caught Palmer to get into a playoff where Arnie gave up 6 shots over the last 8 holes to give Casper the win...
Greg Norman took a 6 shot lead over Nick Faldo into the final round at Augusta in 1996 and was completely in control. That's right folks, he shot 78, Sir Nick 67 and voila' a 6 shot lead became a 5 shot thumping...
At the 2012 Open Championship, Royal Lytham and St Annes Adam Scott was in total control for nearly 4 days, with a 4 shot lead standing on the 15th tee. He then proceeded to bogey all 4 holes, and when Ernie Els birdied the 18th it was enough to win his 4th major..
So I could go on and on, Mickelson at Winged Foot in 2006, Hoch the choke at Augusta in 1989, it can be a cruel game...
That's all I'm sayin'. Justin Spieth has it all going for him as we head into the weekend and you can list more superlatives here if you wish. He is the overwhelming favourite to win...
However others, much more accomplished than him, have lost seemingly invincible leads before.
Charlie Hoffman is second 67 68 at -9, Dustin Johnson 67, Justin Rose 70 and Paul Casey 68 are all at -7, Phil 68, is at -6 even big Ernie is still at -5
Rory went out in 40 strokes and seemed to be heading home but fought back in 31 to make the cut at -2, while Tiger shot 73, 68 -3 to make the weekend, if not the podium.
Weather forecast for Masters http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Augusta+GA+USGA0032:1:US
100% chance of rain on Saturday with winds 10mph from NE, high of 81*f is the forecast for later today, so softer greens, longer course to throw into the blender..
Bryan Angus
So as solid as he seems, as calm, mature, in form and just down right in control as he seems, not to mention as record breaking at -14 with a 5 shot lead, Justin Spieth 64 66, has not yet won this 79th Masters..
Don't tune out. Just because Rory 40,31 71 -2 isn't challenging, nor Tiger 73 68 -3, I remind you it all comes down to the last nine on Sunday at Augusta..Golf is full of seeming impossible collapses..
Just remember Rory in 2011, and how in control he was until his four-shot lead at the turn quickly disappeared into the trees on the left of the 10th fairway.?
At the Olympic Club in San Francisco in 1966 in the US OPen, Arnie was three shots clear of Billy Casper to start the fourth round. With nine left to play he led by seven. Casper shot 32 on the back and caught Palmer to get into a playoff where Arnie gave up 6 shots over the last 8 holes to give Casper the win...
Greg Norman took a 6 shot lead over Nick Faldo into the final round at Augusta in 1996 and was completely in control. That's right folks, he shot 78, Sir Nick 67 and voila' a 6 shot lead became a 5 shot thumping...
At the 2012 Open Championship, Royal Lytham and St Annes Adam Scott was in total control for nearly 4 days, with a 4 shot lead standing on the 15th tee. He then proceeded to bogey all 4 holes, and when Ernie Els birdied the 18th it was enough to win his 4th major..
So I could go on and on, Mickelson at Winged Foot in 2006, Hoch the choke at Augusta in 1989, it can be a cruel game...
That's all I'm sayin'. Justin Spieth has it all going for him as we head into the weekend and you can list more superlatives here if you wish. He is the overwhelming favourite to win...
However others, much more accomplished than him, have lost seemingly invincible leads before.
Charlie Hoffman is second 67 68 at -9, Dustin Johnson 67, Justin Rose 70 and Paul Casey 68 are all at -7, Phil 68, is at -6 even big Ernie is still at -5
Rory went out in 40 strokes and seemed to be heading home but fought back in 31 to make the cut at -2, while Tiger shot 73, 68 -3 to make the weekend, if not the podium.
Weather forecast for Masters http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Augusta+GA+USGA0032:1:US
100% chance of rain on Saturday with winds 10mph from NE, high of 81*f is the forecast for later today, so softer greens, longer course to throw into the blender..
Bryan Angus
Friday, April 10, 2015
It's all Spieth halfway through Friday at Augusta
79th Masters scoreboard http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/invitees_2015.html
Jordan Spieth has 4 birdies on his card today as I write through 12 holes, he has the 2 par fives to go at 13 and 15 and is currently at -12 leading by 5 shots over Charlie Hoffman who is -2 today playing his front nine, -7 total.
Big Ernie has battled well all day, made bogey at 10 and 11 but birdied 13 and 15 and is at E, -5 total after a 72.
All Spieth's contenders after round 1 are either standing still or going backwards. Ernie is E 72, Jason Day +1 thru 9, Justin Rose +1 thru 2, Russell Henley +2 thru 7, Sergio Garcia +4 thru 9...
Now Tiger is -2 today heading into Amen Corner, Rory -1 and Phil -2 are off at 1.48 and they best make a move to stay in touch with young Mr Spieth who has just birdied #13 to get to -13.
Mike Weir is +4 today thru 7, but Corey Connors is -3 today thru 7.
Finally if you need a good cry, Ben Crenshaw has just played his 1st hole so around 5.30pm he will walk up the 18th for the last time after 44 years, 2 wins and a million memories.. His long time caddy Carl Jackson will walk the 18th with him, he is recovering from cancer treatment and his brother will carry Ben's bag during the round..
Bryan Angus
Jordan Spieth has 4 birdies on his card today as I write through 12 holes, he has the 2 par fives to go at 13 and 15 and is currently at -12 leading by 5 shots over Charlie Hoffman who is -2 today playing his front nine, -7 total.
Big Ernie has battled well all day, made bogey at 10 and 11 but birdied 13 and 15 and is at E, -5 total after a 72.
All Spieth's contenders after round 1 are either standing still or going backwards. Ernie is E 72, Jason Day +1 thru 9, Justin Rose +1 thru 2, Russell Henley +2 thru 7, Sergio Garcia +4 thru 9...
Now Tiger is -2 today heading into Amen Corner, Rory -1 and Phil -2 are off at 1.48 and they best make a move to stay in touch with young Mr Spieth who has just birdied #13 to get to -13.
Mike Weir is +4 today thru 7, but Corey Connors is -3 today thru 7.
Finally if you need a good cry, Ben Crenshaw has just played his 1st hole so around 5.30pm he will walk up the 18th for the last time after 44 years, 2 wins and a million memories.. His long time caddy Carl Jackson will walk the 18th with him, he is recovering from cancer treatment and his brother will carry Ben's bag during the round..
Bryan Angus
Ernie tops my list after a compelling Thursday at Augusta.
2015 Masters scoreboard http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/index.html
After spending the morning yesterday blogging the tough day Mike Weir ( 82) and Corey Connors (80) had, and I'm sure they will be better today, I had to go to work on what was just an awful day weather wise around the GTA, but that certainly wasn't the case at Augusta.
For me of all the compelling cases that made up day one, 45 year old Ernie Els and his opening -5 67 was the best. He has 4 majors now, his last win was the 2012 Open Championship when Adam Scott collapsed over the last 4 holes at Royal Lytham and St Annes, and Ernie who shot 32 on his back nine was left the winner.
His loss at the 2004 Masters that Phil Mickelson won while Ernie was warming up expecting a playoff was the closest he has come to winning, his 67 yesterday was only his 4th below 70 in 32 rounds. He is off at 8.40 this morning, it's calm and warm already with possible rain forecast to arrive around 5pm this afternoon.
I think it is just too much to ask of the big fella to win this 79th Masters, he just isn't as good as many here anymore, but I like many are hoping he can stay close enough to the lead to make Sunday afternoon really compelling !
Speaking of compelling, Jordan Spieth leads -8 64 with half of his round in birdies, yes 9 of them, he simply went out and took Augusta apart and lived up to his advance billing as tournament favourite, He is off today at 9.57EST
Ben Crenshaw's scores don't matter here anymore, and that's the reason why there will be tears streaming down his gentle face as he walks up the 18th hill for one last time after 44 years and 2 wins, with his faithful caddy Carl Jackson by his side.
Jason Day with 5 birdies in a row from 12-16 led to his fine -5 67, typical of his talent, Justin Rose out of form this year found it again with his -5 67, remember this guy is a proven 1st class iron player and we all watched him putt the lights out at the Ryder Cup, so no surprise he can score low here.
Sergio's -4 68 had 5 birdies in it, more importantly just one bogey at the par 3 6th. He is the best ball striker in the world when he is on, will it be his week on the greens.
Watch for Paul Casey -3 69, I like the way he's been playing and Phil Mickelson at -2 70 looks fit and aggressive. He finally seems to have grown out of the disaster that was always lurking at key moments in his game.
Now what about Tiger (73) and Rory (71). Tiger is rusty of course, played some real clunkers, but made some sublime chips like the one on 12 after putting his tee shot in the water proved his chipping woes are over. I think he will make the cut which would fall at +2 (top 50 and those within 10 shots)
Rory had little in the way of fireworks with 3 birdies and 2 bogey's -1 71 and he just needs a solid day today to stay within range come the weekend. He is off at 1.48 and may run into some bad weather late in his round.
Finally what about crusty old Tom Watson, now 65 who won the last of his 2 titles at Augusta in 1981, 34 years ago, who has a bag full of Adams hybrids these days and went out like Rory in -1 71. Amazing..
Now for more compelling stories today...
Bryan Angus
After spending the morning yesterday blogging the tough day Mike Weir ( 82) and Corey Connors (80) had, and I'm sure they will be better today, I had to go to work on what was just an awful day weather wise around the GTA, but that certainly wasn't the case at Augusta.
For me of all the compelling cases that made up day one, 45 year old Ernie Els and his opening -5 67 was the best. He has 4 majors now, his last win was the 2012 Open Championship when Adam Scott collapsed over the last 4 holes at Royal Lytham and St Annes, and Ernie who shot 32 on his back nine was left the winner.
His loss at the 2004 Masters that Phil Mickelson won while Ernie was warming up expecting a playoff was the closest he has come to winning, his 67 yesterday was only his 4th below 70 in 32 rounds. He is off at 8.40 this morning, it's calm and warm already with possible rain forecast to arrive around 5pm this afternoon.
I think it is just too much to ask of the big fella to win this 79th Masters, he just isn't as good as many here anymore, but I like many are hoping he can stay close enough to the lead to make Sunday afternoon really compelling !
Speaking of compelling, Jordan Spieth leads -8 64 with half of his round in birdies, yes 9 of them, he simply went out and took Augusta apart and lived up to his advance billing as tournament favourite, He is off today at 9.57EST
Ben Crenshaw's scores don't matter here anymore, and that's the reason why there will be tears streaming down his gentle face as he walks up the 18th hill for one last time after 44 years and 2 wins, with his faithful caddy Carl Jackson by his side.
Jason Day with 5 birdies in a row from 12-16 led to his fine -5 67, typical of his talent, Justin Rose out of form this year found it again with his -5 67, remember this guy is a proven 1st class iron player and we all watched him putt the lights out at the Ryder Cup, so no surprise he can score low here.
Sergio's -4 68 had 5 birdies in it, more importantly just one bogey at the par 3 6th. He is the best ball striker in the world when he is on, will it be his week on the greens.
Watch for Paul Casey -3 69, I like the way he's been playing and Phil Mickelson at -2 70 looks fit and aggressive. He finally seems to have grown out of the disaster that was always lurking at key moments in his game.
Now what about Tiger (73) and Rory (71). Tiger is rusty of course, played some real clunkers, but made some sublime chips like the one on 12 after putting his tee shot in the water proved his chipping woes are over. I think he will make the cut which would fall at +2 (top 50 and those within 10 shots)
Rory had little in the way of fireworks with 3 birdies and 2 bogey's -1 71 and he just needs a solid day today to stay within range come the weekend. He is off at 1.48 and may run into some bad weather late in his round.
Finally what about crusty old Tom Watson, now 65 who won the last of his 2 titles at Augusta in 1981, 34 years ago, who has a bag full of Adams hybrids these days and went out like Rory in -1 71. Amazing..
Now for more compelling stories today...
Bryan Angus
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Weir, Connors fail to break 80, Hoffman with 67 clubhouse lead at Augusta
2015 Masters leaderboard click here http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/index.html
After Arnie, Jack and Gary teed it up at 740am it was fitting that a guy who features green shoes as his trademark Charlie Hoffman, playing in just his second Masters hit the first official shot of this year at 7.45 EST
Weather forecast for Augusta https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=weather+forecast+for+augusta+Georgia
It's was already 70*f at 6am with no rain in today's forecast and little wind with a high of nearly 90*f so ideal for scoring.
Thursday's pin placements click here http://www.masters.com/pdf/2015_R1_Thursday_Pin_Placements.pdf
So find below my hole by hole blog on what obviously was a tough day for our 2 Canucks, Mike Weir +10 82, I'll wait to hear if his elbow is right, this is not the score of a Masters champion who is still on tour. He drove wildly at times, didn't make a putt all day, put it in the water twice at 15, just a bad day. Amateur Corey Connors fell apart with bogey, bogey, double bogey,bogey from 5-8 to go out in 41 after starting with 4 straight pars, came back in 39 with his lone birdie at 18.
Charlie Hoffman the first guy out holds the clubhouse lead with a -5 67, but Tiger and Rory etal are out this afternoon...
Latest scoring Mike Weir par #1, bogey 6 #2 par 4 #3 bogey 4 (bunkered) #4 double bogey 6 at #5 par 3 at #6, hooked drive into next fairway but saves par 4 at #7, 3 putt bogey 6 at #8, another wild hook into he trees but scrambles for par 4 +5 thru 9 out in 41 ...
10th par 4 good drive, approach into bunker couldn't get up and down bogey 5 +6
11th par 4 on in regulation as they get into Amen Corner, 3 putt bogey 5 +7
12th par 3 nice tee shot just on the fringe behind the green, 2 putt par 3 +7
13th par 5 drive 261 goes for green 252 3 wood just gets over Raes Creek then chips in for eagle 3 now +6
14th par 4 pushes his drive left into the trees, leaves his 2nd in them then hits a great 3rd to 30', 2 putts bogey 5 now +7
15th par 5 After a great drive 290yds hits approach into the pond, drops, hits it into pond again, drops, wedges to 5', makes double bogey 7 +9
16th par 3 tee shot into top bunker, just gets out, 2 putt bogey 4 +10
17th par 4 great drive, approach to 10', misses birdie par 4 +10
18th par 4 nice drive short of fairway bunkers, hole high approach just 18', 2 putts for par 4 +10 82
Corey Connors all pars E thru 4, bogey 5 at #5, bogey 4 at #6, double bogey 6 at #7, 3 putt bogey at #8, missed birdie putt par 4 at #9 +5 thru 9 out in 41..
10th par 4 good drive approach into bunker couldn't get up and down bogey 5 +6
11th par 4 on in regulation as they get into Amen Corner, 2 putt par 4 +6
12th par 3 tee shot finds front bunker, doesn't get up and down bogey 4 +7
13th par 5 lays up then goes and 3 putts for bogey 6 now +8
14th par 4 nice drive, hits approach to 22', 2 putts for par still +8
15th par 5 lays up then stuffs wedge 3rd to 6', misses birdie, makes par 5 +8
16th par 3 great tee shot to 10' misses birdie putt, par 3 +8
17th par 4 pushes drive right into trees, chips out on in 3, misses putt bogey 5 +9
18th par 4 nice straight drive in fairway, stuffs it to 7' makes birdie putt finishes +8 80
Bryan Angus
After Arnie, Jack and Gary teed it up at 740am it was fitting that a guy who features green shoes as his trademark Charlie Hoffman, playing in just his second Masters hit the first official shot of this year at 7.45 EST
Weather forecast for Augusta https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=weather+forecast+for+augusta+Georgia
It's was already 70*f at 6am with no rain in today's forecast and little wind with a high of nearly 90*f so ideal for scoring.
Thursday's pin placements click here http://www.masters.com/pdf/2015_R1_Thursday_Pin_Placements.pdf
So find below my hole by hole blog on what obviously was a tough day for our 2 Canucks, Mike Weir +10 82, I'll wait to hear if his elbow is right, this is not the score of a Masters champion who is still on tour. He drove wildly at times, didn't make a putt all day, put it in the water twice at 15, just a bad day. Amateur Corey Connors fell apart with bogey, bogey, double bogey,bogey from 5-8 to go out in 41 after starting with 4 straight pars, came back in 39 with his lone birdie at 18.
Charlie Hoffman the first guy out holds the clubhouse lead with a -5 67, but Tiger and Rory etal are out this afternoon...
Latest scoring Mike Weir par #1, bogey 6 #2 par 4 #3 bogey 4 (bunkered) #4 double bogey 6 at #5 par 3 at #6, hooked drive into next fairway but saves par 4 at #7, 3 putt bogey 6 at #8, another wild hook into he trees but scrambles for par 4 +5 thru 9 out in 41 ...
10th par 4 good drive, approach into bunker couldn't get up and down bogey 5 +6
11th par 4 on in regulation as they get into Amen Corner, 3 putt bogey 5 +7
12th par 3 nice tee shot just on the fringe behind the green, 2 putt par 3 +7
13th par 5 drive 261 goes for green 252 3 wood just gets over Raes Creek then chips in for eagle 3 now +6
14th par 4 pushes his drive left into the trees, leaves his 2nd in them then hits a great 3rd to 30', 2 putts bogey 5 now +7
15th par 5 After a great drive 290yds hits approach into the pond, drops, hits it into pond again, drops, wedges to 5', makes double bogey 7 +9
16th par 3 tee shot into top bunker, just gets out, 2 putt bogey 4 +10
17th par 4 great drive, approach to 10', misses birdie par 4 +10
18th par 4 nice drive short of fairway bunkers, hole high approach just 18', 2 putts for par 4 +10 82
Corey Connors all pars E thru 4, bogey 5 at #5, bogey 4 at #6, double bogey 6 at #7, 3 putt bogey at #8, missed birdie putt par 4 at #9 +5 thru 9 out in 41..
10th par 4 good drive approach into bunker couldn't get up and down bogey 5 +6
11th par 4 on in regulation as they get into Amen Corner, 2 putt par 4 +6
12th par 3 tee shot finds front bunker, doesn't get up and down bogey 4 +7
13th par 5 lays up then goes and 3 putts for bogey 6 now +8
14th par 4 nice drive, hits approach to 22', 2 putts for par still +8
15th par 5 lays up then stuffs wedge 3rd to 6', misses birdie, makes par 5 +8
16th par 3 great tee shot to 10' misses birdie putt, par 3 +8
17th par 4 pushes drive right into trees, chips out on in 3, misses putt bogey 5 +9
18th par 4 nice straight drive in fairway, stuffs it to 7' makes birdie putt finishes +8 80
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
My top 10 for Augusta ...
Weather : First of all the weather for the next three days is hot and humid, then a little cooler on the weekend, with only 20% chance of rain Thursday, Friday and very little wind. After rain yesterday and last night the greens are softer than usual, and the course is playing long right now.
However with the superb drainage system at Augusta, the hilly terrain and the warm weather I expect to see a hard fast course come the weekend.
When I make these top 10 Masters picks for your pool sheets I look for guys in form, guys with good track records at Augusta, great iron players (2nd shot course), creative short games, good putters, guys with bottle (nerve).
Here are my ten, and any of them could win, or none for that matter !
1. Jordan Spieth With a win and two seconds in his last three outings he is in great form and of course his only appearance at Augusta was T2 last year. More important he seems quietly confident and unflappable.
2. Matt Kuchar Top finishes in 2015 include a T2 at the Humana Challenge and a T3 at the Sony Open earlier this year, He has been T5, T8 T3 in his last three trips to Augusta. Also Matt is so consistent, rarely makes a big number, he is completely under the radar here this week. Watch out for the smiling assassin..
3. Adam Scott has gone back to the long putter this week, T14, 1st T8 T2 in his last four trips, was T4 at Doral in a very limited schedule. I think his biggest loss has been caddie Stevie Williams on the bag for most of Tiger's wins and of course for Scott's win in 2013.
4. Rory McIlroy is not my first pick this week and I hope he proves me wrong. He is not in top form like JB Holmes, Speith and Walker, and his record in 6 tries at Augusta are not great although he was T8 last year and we all remember the meltdown in 2011. However, however folks if the driver is working like it did last summer, he is better than anyone in the field.. and that's not such a big if with Rory..
5 JB Holmes has just been brilliant all year. He won last week at the Shell Houston Open and before that finished second at the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Championship and 2nd at 2015 Farmers Insurance Open to Jason Day then had a T10 at the AT&T Pebble Beach. He has only played once at the Masters last year T25. He hits it long and high so seems suited for Augusta.
6. Jimmy Walker is as hot as anyone after 3 top 5 finishes including a win at the Sony to start the year then his win at the Valero 2 weeks ago he wisely withdrew from the Shell last week to prepare for Augusta. Walker seems to have found a genie bottle after nine so so years as a pro he has 5 wins in his last 36 starts, is amongst the leaders for the Fed Ex Cup, was solid for captain Watson at the Ryder Cup, hits it long and high, is paired with Tiger and was T8 in his only Masters last year. Must be considered a favourite.
7. Ryan Moore has also been solid all year and I have a funny feeling about him. His Masters record isn't that great although he was low amateur at -1 in 2005. He has a weird swing but moves the ball with a reliable draw, perhaps not as high a ball flight as Rory and the big boys.. He is paired with Tiger and Jimmy Walker and may well beat them both.. Hunch...
8. Jason Day is healthy again and in 4 appearances has been 2nd 3rd and T20 at Augusta. He won earlier at Torrey Pines this year and it's only a matter of time until he wins a major.
9. Bubba Watson I have to include in this ten because he simply over powers this course, is in my mind the most creative shot maker in golf and has been playing well this year. I don't think he will win just because he has already won twice in the last three years, but then Bubba lives in his own little world, and he may just stun not only us but himself again !
10. Henrik Stenson has not won a major, does not have a great record at Augusta (9 trips best finish last year T14) but he is just too good not to contend here. He drives the ball long and high, is perhaps the best long iron, fairway wood player in the game, great ball striker and iron player with a nice short game. Again a bit of a hunch..but with good reason...
There is so much parity in the game now, just consider all these names I could easily put in the top 10, not to mention a certain Tiger Woods who feels he is ready to compete again, and may just shock us all, although I think making the cut and playing all four days would be a reasonable result on his return to the game.
Dustin Johnson, Angel Cabrera, Paul Casey, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Brandt Snedeker, Bernd Weisberger, Keegan Bradley, Victor Dubuisson, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Hunter Mahan, Gary Woodland, Charl Schwartzel, Jonas Blixt....
Bryan Angus
However with the superb drainage system at Augusta, the hilly terrain and the warm weather I expect to see a hard fast course come the weekend.
When I make these top 10 Masters picks for your pool sheets I look for guys in form, guys with good track records at Augusta, great iron players (2nd shot course), creative short games, good putters, guys with bottle (nerve).
Here are my ten, and any of them could win, or none for that matter !
1. Jordan Spieth With a win and two seconds in his last three outings he is in great form and of course his only appearance at Augusta was T2 last year. More important he seems quietly confident and unflappable.
2. Matt Kuchar Top finishes in 2015 include a T2 at the Humana Challenge and a T3 at the Sony Open earlier this year, He has been T5, T8 T3 in his last three trips to Augusta. Also Matt is so consistent, rarely makes a big number, he is completely under the radar here this week. Watch out for the smiling assassin..
3. Adam Scott has gone back to the long putter this week, T14, 1st T8 T2 in his last four trips, was T4 at Doral in a very limited schedule. I think his biggest loss has been caddie Stevie Williams on the bag for most of Tiger's wins and of course for Scott's win in 2013.
4. Rory McIlroy is not my first pick this week and I hope he proves me wrong. He is not in top form like JB Holmes, Speith and Walker, and his record in 6 tries at Augusta are not great although he was T8 last year and we all remember the meltdown in 2011. However, however folks if the driver is working like it did last summer, he is better than anyone in the field.. and that's not such a big if with Rory..
5 JB Holmes has just been brilliant all year. He won last week at the Shell Houston Open and before that finished second at the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Championship and 2nd at 2015 Farmers Insurance Open to Jason Day then had a T10 at the AT&T Pebble Beach. He has only played once at the Masters last year T25. He hits it long and high so seems suited for Augusta.
6. Jimmy Walker is as hot as anyone after 3 top 5 finishes including a win at the Sony to start the year then his win at the Valero 2 weeks ago he wisely withdrew from the Shell last week to prepare for Augusta. Walker seems to have found a genie bottle after nine so so years as a pro he has 5 wins in his last 36 starts, is amongst the leaders for the Fed Ex Cup, was solid for captain Watson at the Ryder Cup, hits it long and high, is paired with Tiger and was T8 in his only Masters last year. Must be considered a favourite.
7. Ryan Moore has also been solid all year and I have a funny feeling about him. His Masters record isn't that great although he was low amateur at -1 in 2005. He has a weird swing but moves the ball with a reliable draw, perhaps not as high a ball flight as Rory and the big boys.. He is paired with Tiger and Jimmy Walker and may well beat them both.. Hunch...
8. Jason Day is healthy again and in 4 appearances has been 2nd 3rd and T20 at Augusta. He won earlier at Torrey Pines this year and it's only a matter of time until he wins a major.
9. Bubba Watson I have to include in this ten because he simply over powers this course, is in my mind the most creative shot maker in golf and has been playing well this year. I don't think he will win just because he has already won twice in the last three years, but then Bubba lives in his own little world, and he may just stun not only us but himself again !
10. Henrik Stenson has not won a major, does not have a great record at Augusta (9 trips best finish last year T14) but he is just too good not to contend here. He drives the ball long and high, is perhaps the best long iron, fairway wood player in the game, great ball striker and iron player with a nice short game. Again a bit of a hunch..but with good reason...
There is so much parity in the game now, just consider all these names I could easily put in the top 10, not to mention a certain Tiger Woods who feels he is ready to compete again, and may just shock us all, although I think making the cut and playing all four days would be a reasonable result on his return to the game.
Dustin Johnson, Angel Cabrera, Paul Casey, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Brandt Snedeker, Bernd Weisberger, Keegan Bradley, Victor Dubuisson, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Hunter Mahan, Gary Woodland, Charl Schwartzel, Jonas Blixt....
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Weir and Connors paired together. Masters Tee Times, analysis
Masters 2015 Round 1 tee times http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/pairings/
There are a lot of exciting pairings just announced for rounds 1 and 2 at Augusta. Here are my comments..
Group 4 ; First off our 2 Canucks Mike Weir and Corey Connors are paired with slow poke Ben Crane at 8.18am
Group 8 has the all emotion pairing is at 9.02am with fiery Patrick Reed, the fidget, Keegan Bradley and the always colourful Ian Poulter..
Group 9 at 9.13am has the world's most interesting golfer, ageless Miguel Jimenez, always the bridesmaid Lee Westwood and the man all of India will be up through the night watching Anirban Lahiri...
Group 10 9.24 has Bubba with out of sorts Justin Rose and the 21 year old US Amateur champion from South Korea, Gunn Yang..
Group 11 9.35am two pre tournament favourites Adam Scott and Dustin Johnson along with 19 year old Aussie who won the Asia Pacific amateur Antonio Murdaca.
Group 13 at 10.08am I mention because Gentle Ben Crenshaw plays in his 44th and last Masters paired with Bill Haas and skinny Jason Dufner who has split with wife Amanda... she gets $2.5m for her time and effort while Jason keeps both Alabama houses...
Group 16 at 10.41 has the fireworks display as Rory is paired with Phil and in form Ryan Moore
Group 17 at 10.52 speaking of in form.. JB Holmes plays with Martin Kaymer and Brandt Snedeker..
Group 22 at 11.47 I am watching to see the ever fit course specialist Bernhard Langer paired with tons of potential and in form Austrian, the first ever, Bernd Weisberger along with the quiet man Geoff Ogilvy ..
Group 24 12,20 I always watch Angel Cabrera here, he just crushes the golf ball around Augusta, Louis Oosthuizen who is half his size but remember he had it won in 2012 until Bubba played "the hook shot"...along with Matias Dominguez from Chile all 5'6" 150 lbs who won the Latin America Amateur
Group 28 1.04 has guys I like this week Matt Kuchar rarely misses a cut, Brooks Koepka a rising super star if he is fit and another battling fitness Graeme McDowell..
Group 29 1.15pm could have the winner in either Jordan Speith, Henrik Stenson who are paired with Billy Horschel ..
Group 32 1.48 and just in time for TV..they just can't resist can they...yes folks no surprise Tiger paired with Jimmy Walker and Jamie Donaldson of Wales who stiffed the shot to clinch the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Group 33 at 1.59 is a great pairing of three of the world's best Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler who were Rory's sidekicks all through last summer along with Jason Day, any of them could win here...I hope the crowds packed around Tigers group ahead won't be a diversion..
Bryan Angus
There are a lot of exciting pairings just announced for rounds 1 and 2 at Augusta. Here are my comments..
Group 4 ; First off our 2 Canucks Mike Weir and Corey Connors are paired with slow poke Ben Crane at 8.18am
Group 8 has the all emotion pairing is at 9.02am with fiery Patrick Reed, the fidget, Keegan Bradley and the always colourful Ian Poulter..
Group 9 at 9.13am has the world's most interesting golfer, ageless Miguel Jimenez, always the bridesmaid Lee Westwood and the man all of India will be up through the night watching Anirban Lahiri...
Group 10 9.24 has Bubba with out of sorts Justin Rose and the 21 year old US Amateur champion from South Korea, Gunn Yang..
Group 11 9.35am two pre tournament favourites Adam Scott and Dustin Johnson along with 19 year old Aussie who won the Asia Pacific amateur Antonio Murdaca.
Group 13 at 10.08am I mention because Gentle Ben Crenshaw plays in his 44th and last Masters paired with Bill Haas and skinny Jason Dufner who has split with wife Amanda... she gets $2.5m for her time and effort while Jason keeps both Alabama houses...
Group 16 at 10.41 has the fireworks display as Rory is paired with Phil and in form Ryan Moore
Group 17 at 10.52 speaking of in form.. JB Holmes plays with Martin Kaymer and Brandt Snedeker..
Group 22 at 11.47 I am watching to see the ever fit course specialist Bernhard Langer paired with tons of potential and in form Austrian, the first ever, Bernd Weisberger along with the quiet man Geoff Ogilvy ..
Group 24 12,20 I always watch Angel Cabrera here, he just crushes the golf ball around Augusta, Louis Oosthuizen who is half his size but remember he had it won in 2012 until Bubba played "the hook shot"...along with Matias Dominguez from Chile all 5'6" 150 lbs who won the Latin America Amateur
Group 28 1.04 has guys I like this week Matt Kuchar rarely misses a cut, Brooks Koepka a rising super star if he is fit and another battling fitness Graeme McDowell..
Group 29 1.15pm could have the winner in either Jordan Speith, Henrik Stenson who are paired with Billy Horschel ..
Group 32 1.48 and just in time for TV..they just can't resist can they...yes folks no surprise Tiger paired with Jimmy Walker and Jamie Donaldson of Wales who stiffed the shot to clinch the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
Group 33 at 1.59 is a great pairing of three of the world's best Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler who were Rory's sidekicks all through last summer along with Jason Day, any of them could win here...I hope the crowds packed around Tigers group ahead won't be a diversion..
Bryan Angus
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