Maybe it is my Scottish heritage, but I and many people from the UK like Rory McIlroy and his parents were brought up to work hard, save our pennies so we'd have enough to enjoy our retirement when we turned 65 with enough money to be comfortable....
I have argued on air so often I've lost count, on hearing today's pro athletes who are already set for life financially at 29 years of age and are being paid millions of dollars to play in a city that adores them, who say they will test free agency to see who wants to pay them even more !!
When you already have $20 million stashed away, why do you need even more ? It is at the heart of what turns hard working fans off more than anything else.
Colleagues of mine from a different ilk, have a different view. They just can't get enough. Dollar signs replace their eyeballs, why stop at $20 million when you can have $40 million.
In an interview this weekend 25 year old Rory McIlroy when asked if he was motivated to get the $10 million dollar bonus, said "Not really, the money doesn't mean that much to me anymore,, that's not what excites me. Playing good golf, winning tournaments, adding the FedEx Cup to my CV is what excites me, not getting a cheque.."
Commissioner Tim Finchem I'm sure must have cringed when he heard those words. Did you ever hear Tiger or Jack or Arnie say that. For them winning a $10 million dollar cheque was nothing more than very important.
How do you think the folks at FedEx felt when they heard Rory. The whole premise of these playoffs was to offer all the final 30 millionaires who make it to the Tour Championship so much money as a bonus they'd get excited, unbelievably motivated..
Here was Rory, who is at the top of the food chain admittedly, casually dismissing the money, reducing it to " it would be nice, if I wanted to buy something nice I could, but that's not what motivates me"
There are those in Player Association offices for all sports who insist that their stars go out and demand the most they can get to drive the money bar higher and higher for their team mates who are not as talented. They remember the old timers who were nothing more than chattels to the billionaire owners. Remember the Black Sox scandal they say.
Those days are long gone and are never coming back. More and more money for players has a knock on effect that ultimately means more and more money for tickets for the fans, who actually need all the money they can get just to survive.
Good for you Rory, you were honest and truthful in what you said as much as many including some of your peers wished you hadn't.
In general pro athletes including golfers are incredibly talented, the very best and do get fabulously rewarded, but we reached the point in my opinion a long time ago when enough is enough.
It was refreshing to hear just that from one of the faces of, and future of, the game of golf this weekend.
Well done Rory..
Monday, September 28, 2015
Who has the trophy's this morning..
As the PGA Tour season wraps up 2015, before the 2016 wrap around season begins again in a few weeks there was as always a lot of golf going on around the world, and there is a lot more to come with the President's Cup and the Race to Dubai..
Here is who won the trophy's this weekend and the final scoreboards.
PGA Tour Championship final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/tour-championship-by-coca-cola/leaderboard.html
Jordan Spieth caps off an MVP year winning the FedEx Cup and the Tour Championship.
European Tour Championship final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015074/leaderboard/index.html#ot1p5FzdFSmGFY2f.97
Thongchai Jaidee wins European Tour Championship by a shot in Germany.
Champions Tour Nature Valley First Tee Open final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/nature-valley-first-tee-open-at-pebble-beach/leaderboard.html
Estaban Toledo edged Tom Watson at Pebble Beach
Web.com Tour Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/nationwide-children-s-hospital-championship/leaderboard.html
Andrew Loupe earned his PGA Tour card with a 2 shot victory in Columbus, Ohio.
Symetra Tour El Dorado Championship final scoreboard http://www.symetrascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx
Jackie Stoelting won the El Dorado Shootout on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title.
US Women's Senior Amateur Championship final scoreboard http://www.usga.org/championships/2015/u-s--senior-women-s-amateur/scoring.html
Canada’s Mary Ann Hayward shot a two-day total of 1-over 145 and earned medalist honors at the 2015 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship
Bryan Angus
Here is who won the trophy's this weekend and the final scoreboards.
PGA Tour Championship final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/tour-championship-by-coca-cola/leaderboard.html
Jordan Spieth caps off an MVP year winning the FedEx Cup and the Tour Championship.
European Tour Championship final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015074/leaderboard/index.html#ot1p5FzdFSmGFY2f.97
Thongchai Jaidee wins European Tour Championship by a shot in Germany.
Champions Tour Nature Valley First Tee Open final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/nature-valley-first-tee-open-at-pebble-beach/leaderboard.html
Estaban Toledo edged Tom Watson at Pebble Beach
Web.com Tour Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship final scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/webcom/tournaments/nationwide-children-s-hospital-championship/leaderboard.html
Andrew Loupe earned his PGA Tour card with a 2 shot victory in Columbus, Ohio.
Symetra Tour El Dorado Championship final scoreboard http://www.symetrascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx
Jackie Stoelting won the El Dorado Shootout on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title.
US Women's Senior Amateur Championship final scoreboard http://www.usga.org/championships/2015/u-s--senior-women-s-amateur/scoring.html
Canada’s Mary Ann Hayward shot a two-day total of 1-over 145 and earned medalist honors at the 2015 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship
Bryan Angus
Two "J's" at the top of my list..
I was working late all weekend as usual, and when I do I have lot's of time on my own to absorb what's going on in golf, sports, news, life in general, and for a guy who has spent the last 25 years covering sports as a broadcaster, producer, and writer this time of year has so many stories going on at once it's hard to keep up with them all.
After another sun drenched weekend two young men are at the top of my list this rainy Monday morning.
Jordan Spieth capped off his dream season with a four shot win at the Tour Championship. At 22 he is the world #1, the tour MVP, has the tour's lowest scoring average, has won $22 million this year alone winning 5 times including the Masters and the US Open, and is about to lead his country into the Presidents Cup in South Korea.
He can stop playing all together today and will have had a great career for most of the professional golfers who are his peers. Most impressive for me in this world of me, me, me pro athletes, is his demeanour.
What a great example and credit he is for the game. There he was with his family front and center, first and foremost, quietly confident, polite, smart, a loving son and brother.. refreshing isn't he!
Josh Donaldson hit yet another walk off home run in front of a suddenly sold out Rogers Center as the Blue Jays swept the Rays and head off on the road to Baltimore and Tampa again as they strive to win the league championship.
I remember an Oakland team mate being interviewed at Spring Training lamenting the fact that the A's brass had just traded away their best player. He is having a career year, playing incredible 3rd base, has hit 41 homeruns as I speak, driven in over 100 runs and counting, coming through in the clutch time after time, making the selection of league MVP an easy one for the voters.
I will not anoint him the best Jay ever as many have already, let him play out his career and he may well be that. Robbie Alomar was pretty damn good and has 2 World Series during his magical career here in Toronto.
My colleague Scott Metcalfe, so long the news director at 680 News once said that sports is a great and important diversion in our lives and as we consider all the serious problems we face in our lives, big and small he is right.
I am glad to have these two "J's" providing us all with great diversions this morning and for years to come..
Bryan Angus
After another sun drenched weekend two young men are at the top of my list this rainy Monday morning.
Jordan Spieth capped off his dream season with a four shot win at the Tour Championship. At 22 he is the world #1, the tour MVP, has the tour's lowest scoring average, has won $22 million this year alone winning 5 times including the Masters and the US Open, and is about to lead his country into the Presidents Cup in South Korea.
He can stop playing all together today and will have had a great career for most of the professional golfers who are his peers. Most impressive for me in this world of me, me, me pro athletes, is his demeanour.
What a great example and credit he is for the game. There he was with his family front and center, first and foremost, quietly confident, polite, smart, a loving son and brother.. refreshing isn't he!
Josh Donaldson hit yet another walk off home run in front of a suddenly sold out Rogers Center as the Blue Jays swept the Rays and head off on the road to Baltimore and Tampa again as they strive to win the league championship.
I remember an Oakland team mate being interviewed at Spring Training lamenting the fact that the A's brass had just traded away their best player. He is having a career year, playing incredible 3rd base, has hit 41 homeruns as I speak, driven in over 100 runs and counting, coming through in the clutch time after time, making the selection of league MVP an easy one for the voters.
I will not anoint him the best Jay ever as many have already, let him play out his career and he may well be that. Robbie Alomar was pretty damn good and has 2 World Series during his magical career here in Toronto.
My colleague Scott Metcalfe, so long the news director at 680 News once said that sports is a great and important diversion in our lives and as we consider all the serious problems we face in our lives, big and small he is right.
I am glad to have these two "J's" providing us all with great diversions this morning and for years to come..
Bryan Angus
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Crowded leaderboard in the final round of European Open
European Tour Championship live scoring http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015074/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#2ajWMYV6fuGT5P8I.97
Swede Magnus A Carlsson was tied for fifth on -11 at the start of play this morning but has made two early birdies and at -13 is tied for the lead with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who held a one shot lead going into this final round of the Porsche European Open after he shot a brilliant -7 64 yesterday at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach.
However there are seven players within 3 shots of the lead including Graeme Storm and Soren Kjeldsen at -12 so it is going to be a close finish by the time they get into the back nine.
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Spieth putting exclamation mark on MVP season
Tour Championship scoreboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/tour-championship-by-coca-cola/leaderboard.html
“No matter what, it’s a dream-come-true season"...those words from Jordan Spieth who posted -2 68, -8 total in a steady drizzle to take a one shot lead at the Tour Championship, and put an exclamation point on his MVP season.
East Lake was playing so long yesterday that the low score was -3 67 by Rickie Fowler. Players were hitting long irons and hybrids into some of the par 4's. Henrik Stenson gutted out a +2 72 to sit 2nd at -7, his first round over par here in his last seven, and I expect him to be better today.
Six guys are within five shots of Spieth including Paul Casey (71) who is with Rickie at -4 206 but it looks to me like a 2 horse race today between Spieth and Stenson. Rory McIlroy is at -3 and Jason Day is at even par.
Spieth had the putter rolling on Saturday including a curling 20 footer for birdie on the 18th and having already set the money list record a win would push him to an absurd $12 million for the season and that doesn't include the $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup.
Remember as I wrote earlier this week, after winning the Australian Open away back in December then Tiger's invitational he continued to dominate in March where in 4 starts he won the Valspar at Innisbrook, was 2nd at the Texas and Houston Opens, then won the Masters.
Back in Texas in May he was T2 at the Crowne Plaza, then went on a tear again starting in June with T3 at Jack's Memorial, then he won the US Open, then the John Deere and was T4 at the Open Championship and don't forget he was 2nd to Day at the PGA
Now how do you stay motivated at 22 years old with over $30 million dollars already locked up and invested in your bank account ? That is where being well grounded, brought up properly by your parents comes in to play, because you know life's history book is full of people who didn't have the tools to cope, and fell prey to the temptations that come with fame and fortune.
With the US Open and the Masters already in the books as part of his dream season, Spieth is playing with house money, and my money says he'll have about $11.5 million more of it come supper time today.
Bryan Angus
“No matter what, it’s a dream-come-true season"...those words from Jordan Spieth who posted -2 68, -8 total in a steady drizzle to take a one shot lead at the Tour Championship, and put an exclamation point on his MVP season.
East Lake was playing so long yesterday that the low score was -3 67 by Rickie Fowler. Players were hitting long irons and hybrids into some of the par 4's. Henrik Stenson gutted out a +2 72 to sit 2nd at -7, his first round over par here in his last seven, and I expect him to be better today.
Six guys are within five shots of Spieth including Paul Casey (71) who is with Rickie at -4 206 but it looks to me like a 2 horse race today between Spieth and Stenson. Rory McIlroy is at -3 and Jason Day is at even par.
Spieth had the putter rolling on Saturday including a curling 20 footer for birdie on the 18th and having already set the money list record a win would push him to an absurd $12 million for the season and that doesn't include the $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup.
Remember as I wrote earlier this week, after winning the Australian Open away back in December then Tiger's invitational he continued to dominate in March where in 4 starts he won the Valspar at Innisbrook, was 2nd at the Texas and Houston Opens, then won the Masters.
Back in Texas in May he was T2 at the Crowne Plaza, then went on a tear again starting in June with T3 at Jack's Memorial, then he won the US Open, then the John Deere and was T4 at the Open Championship and don't forget he was 2nd to Day at the PGA
Now how do you stay motivated at 22 years old with over $30 million dollars already locked up and invested in your bank account ? That is where being well grounded, brought up properly by your parents comes in to play, because you know life's history book is full of people who didn't have the tools to cope, and fell prey to the temptations that come with fame and fortune.
With the US Open and the Masters already in the books as part of his dream season, Spieth is playing with house money, and my money says he'll have about $11.5 million more of it come supper time today.
Bryan Angus
Friday, September 25, 2015
Live scoring from round 2 at European Open
Porsche European Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015074/leaderboard/index.html#ljM1Rt3oOOuwgiwq.97
After round one in Bad Griesbach, Germany it was Benjamin Hebert of France and Bernd Wiesberger of Austria who shared the lead at -7 64, but all that has changed today as Weisberger slumped to a +5 76, and Herbert could only manage +1 72 to drop back to -6.
The clubhouse leader with a second 66 is Charles Schwartzel at -10, but England's Graeme Storm who opened with a 65 is -4 through his front nine today to join Schwartzel at -10.
Albin Choi was -1 70 after his opening round and that is where the cut is projected, he is at -2 today through 4 holes...
Bryan Angus
The Stenson of old shows up at East Lake
Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/tour-championship-by-coca-cola/leaderboard.html
Watching the big Swede Henrik Stenson in the opening round of this Tour Championship reminded me of the Stenson of old, ripping his 3 wood 300 yards off the tee, keeping it out of the tough Bermuda rough, beautiful iron play and a solid putter all of which led to an opening front nine of 29 and an eventual -7 63.
He looked so dominant just like he did in 2013 when he opened with 64 and went on to win this Fed Ex Cup, lapping the field and leading from wire to wire before going across the pond to win the Race to Dubai which he wrapped up with the shot of the year, a 280 yard 3 wood from the fairway to within 3 feet, in Dubai.
Much has been made of the fact he can win this tour's biggest prize without winning a single event all year, he can finish T3 and still be awarded the title, just like Vijay Singh in 2008 when he just had to show up to win, as did Tiger the following year, and that just adds more fuel to the farce that is this playoff system.
Imagine the Blue Jays being awarded the World Series for only making it to the finals.
However I digress, the fact is Henrik has placed 2nd at the Deutsche Bank as he did earlier at the Barclays to move into the all important top 5 at #4, he has got hot at the right time, as Billy Horschel did last year.
East Lake was gettable yesterday, light rain fell for the later pairings in the 28 man field and as a result 16 of the players broke par. Jason Day started on fire with 3 birdies, but took a triple on the 4th with an uncharacteristic drive OB, finishing at -1 69.
The forgotten man Rory McIlroy had a -4 66, as did Open champion Zach Johnson while Jordan Spieth looking relaxed, and paired with Jason Day yet again, shot a 68, part of a group that included Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker.
The weather forecast for today is more overcast skies and rain https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=EcrMVb3XM4WN8QeTx63wAQ&gws_rd=ssl#q=weather+forecast+for+atlanta+georgia+today
so expect the scores to continue to be low, and in this form Stenson will be tough to beat.... but there are some pretty good players who can quickly change all that.
Bryan Angus
Watching the big Swede Henrik Stenson in the opening round of this Tour Championship reminded me of the Stenson of old, ripping his 3 wood 300 yards off the tee, keeping it out of the tough Bermuda rough, beautiful iron play and a solid putter all of which led to an opening front nine of 29 and an eventual -7 63.
He looked so dominant just like he did in 2013 when he opened with 64 and went on to win this Fed Ex Cup, lapping the field and leading from wire to wire before going across the pond to win the Race to Dubai which he wrapped up with the shot of the year, a 280 yard 3 wood from the fairway to within 3 feet, in Dubai.
Much has been made of the fact he can win this tour's biggest prize without winning a single event all year, he can finish T3 and still be awarded the title, just like Vijay Singh in 2008 when he just had to show up to win, as did Tiger the following year, and that just adds more fuel to the farce that is this playoff system.
Imagine the Blue Jays being awarded the World Series for only making it to the finals.
However I digress, the fact is Henrik has placed 2nd at the Deutsche Bank as he did earlier at the Barclays to move into the all important top 5 at #4, he has got hot at the right time, as Billy Horschel did last year.
East Lake was gettable yesterday, light rain fell for the later pairings in the 28 man field and as a result 16 of the players broke par. Jason Day started on fire with 3 birdies, but took a triple on the 4th with an uncharacteristic drive OB, finishing at -1 69.
The forgotten man Rory McIlroy had a -4 66, as did Open champion Zach Johnson while Jordan Spieth looking relaxed, and paired with Jason Day yet again, shot a 68, part of a group that included Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker.
The weather forecast for today is more overcast skies and rain https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=EcrMVb3XM4WN8QeTx63wAQ&gws_rd=ssl#q=weather+forecast+for+atlanta+georgia+today
so expect the scores to continue to be low, and in this form Stenson will be tough to beat.... but there are some pretty good players who can quickly change all that.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Jason Day #1, but not the MVP..
Final scoreboard BMW Championship http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/bmw-championship/leaderboard.html
Jason Day's fabulous summer continued this weekend with his -2 final-round 69 and -22 total at Conway Farms which was good for a six-shot victory over rookie Daniel Berger with former Canadian Open Scott Piercy finishing third, seven strokes back.
Day really won this event with his ridiculous opening rounds of 61, 63 when the course wasn't providing a worthy professional challenge due to the soft yielding fairways and greens and benign conditions.
However the conditions applied to the entire field and Danny Lee summed up Day's recent form best “Whatever Jason Day is doing, or which course he’s playing, it’s ridiculous.”
In my opinion, despite the fact his had now won 5 times this year including the PGA Championship and our national championship, and is undoubtedly head and shoulders the best in the world, he is not the year's MVP..
That honour in the year long race is Jordan Spieth, who may I remind you was nearly as hot starting with his win at the Australian Open back in December followed by a little -26 win at Tiger's World Challenge Invitational, top 10's in February at Phoenix, Pebble Beach and the Northern Trust.
In March he was the man by a mile, in 4 starts he won the Valspar at Innisbrook, was 2nd at the Texas and Houston Opens, then won the Masters.
Back in Texas in May he was T2 at the Crowne Plaza, then went on a tear again starting in June with T3 at Jack's Memorial, then he won the US Open, then the John Deere and was T4 at the Open Championship and don't forget he was 2nd to Day at the PGA.
He is only 22, and those 2 major wins carry a lot of weight. So while Jason has really made a race of it, you must look at the entire year, and when you do, even if Day wins it all this week in Atlanta, Spieth gets the trophy.
I agree that Jason has been a joy to watch since he was a couple of rolls away from the playoff at the Open Championship and now that we all know his story about the affect on his life by Colin Swatton, who’s been his mentor and coach since age 12 and doubles as his caddie now it is even more remarkable.
He is simply overpowering every course, driving the ball close to 350 yards and straight, and putting great and consistently.
Since getting the RBC red eye flight back to Toronto from St Andrews he has won four times in six starts, as I mentioned our Canadian Open, the PGA Championship and the two FedEx Cup events and the stats' guys tell us he is now -101 to par during this stretch.
David Hearn by the way wrapped up his year with a nice -7 64 to finish T28 but will not be in Atlanta, finishing 55th in the Fed Ex Cup race.
Bryan Angus
Jason Day's fabulous summer continued this weekend with his -2 final-round 69 and -22 total at Conway Farms which was good for a six-shot victory over rookie Daniel Berger with former Canadian Open Scott Piercy finishing third, seven strokes back.
Day really won this event with his ridiculous opening rounds of 61, 63 when the course wasn't providing a worthy professional challenge due to the soft yielding fairways and greens and benign conditions.
However the conditions applied to the entire field and Danny Lee summed up Day's recent form best “Whatever Jason Day is doing, or which course he’s playing, it’s ridiculous.”
In my opinion, despite the fact his had now won 5 times this year including the PGA Championship and our national championship, and is undoubtedly head and shoulders the best in the world, he is not the year's MVP..
That honour in the year long race is Jordan Spieth, who may I remind you was nearly as hot starting with his win at the Australian Open back in December followed by a little -26 win at Tiger's World Challenge Invitational, top 10's in February at Phoenix, Pebble Beach and the Northern Trust.
In March he was the man by a mile, in 4 starts he won the Valspar at Innisbrook, was 2nd at the Texas and Houston Opens, then won the Masters.
Back in Texas in May he was T2 at the Crowne Plaza, then went on a tear again starting in June with T3 at Jack's Memorial, then he won the US Open, then the John Deere and was T4 at the Open Championship and don't forget he was 2nd to Day at the PGA.
He is only 22, and those 2 major wins carry a lot of weight. So while Jason has really made a race of it, you must look at the entire year, and when you do, even if Day wins it all this week in Atlanta, Spieth gets the trophy.
I agree that Jason has been a joy to watch since he was a couple of rolls away from the playoff at the Open Championship and now that we all know his story about the affect on his life by Colin Swatton, who’s been his mentor and coach since age 12 and doubles as his caddie now it is even more remarkable.
He is simply overpowering every course, driving the ball close to 350 yards and straight, and putting great and consistently.
Since getting the RBC red eye flight back to Toronto from St Andrews he has won four times in six starts, as I mentioned our Canadian Open, the PGA Championship and the two FedEx Cup events and the stats' guys tell us he is now -101 to par during this stretch.
David Hearn by the way wrapped up his year with a nice -7 64 to finish T28 but will not be in Atlanta, finishing 55th in the Fed Ex Cup race.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Europe collapses, USA rallies to win Solheim Cup..
Solheim Cup complete scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-solheim-cup/leaderboard
It all depends on your perspective. Did Europe choke big time, they certainly collapsed needing only 4 out of 12 points available and could only muster 3.5.
Or did the USA have one of their all time great rallies. winning 8 matches outright and halving 1 to get to 14.5 points and turn the tables on their European opponents.
How much of a factor was Suzann Pettersen's call on Alison Lee on the 17th green in the morning fourballs in motivating Julie Inkster's team..
I am sure as always the answer is a bit of all three. Final score USA 14.5 Europe 13.5
This result is not new in Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup play, remember the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012 when at the start of the final day's play, the U.S. led 10–6 and required 4½ points to win; Europe required 8 points to retain the cup and 8½ to win it outright. Europe achieved one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history by winning eight and tying one of the 12 singles matches.
The drama that unfolds in these matches is just unlike anything in golf, it is the best week for my money for both the men and women, and although my European colleagues are already pointing fingers, mainly at Suzann Pettersen for not only giving the Americans a real focal point, but for reducing her own playing partner and best player, Charley Hull to tears after embarrassing her and the rest of the team by calling out Alison Lee by not conceding her little putt, it was compelling viewing again, even without a rooting cause.
How about the final match with all of Germany rooting for Sandra Gal to win the Cup, and Julie Inkster's controversial pick Paula Creamer shutting all the critics up with her 4 and 3 win.
They'll make a movie of this one at some time...Depending on your outlook it will be a tragedy, or a comedy...
All the matches from the opening foursomes on Friday are in the link above.
Bryan Angus
It all depends on your perspective. Did Europe choke big time, they certainly collapsed needing only 4 out of 12 points available and could only muster 3.5.
Or did the USA have one of their all time great rallies. winning 8 matches outright and halving 1 to get to 14.5 points and turn the tables on their European opponents.
How much of a factor was Suzann Pettersen's call on Alison Lee on the 17th green in the morning fourballs in motivating Julie Inkster's team..
I am sure as always the answer is a bit of all three. Final score USA 14.5 Europe 13.5
This result is not new in Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup play, remember the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012 when at the start of the final day's play, the U.S. led 10–6 and required 4½ points to win; Europe required 8 points to retain the cup and 8½ to win it outright. Europe achieved one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history by winning eight and tying one of the 12 singles matches.
The drama that unfolds in these matches is just unlike anything in golf, it is the best week for my money for both the men and women, and although my European colleagues are already pointing fingers, mainly at Suzann Pettersen for not only giving the Americans a real focal point, but for reducing her own playing partner and best player, Charley Hull to tears after embarrassing her and the rest of the team by calling out Alison Lee by not conceding her little putt, it was compelling viewing again, even without a rooting cause.
How about the final match with all of Germany rooting for Sandra Gal to win the Cup, and Julie Inkster's controversial pick Paula Creamer shutting all the critics up with her 4 and 3 win.
They'll make a movie of this one at some time...Depending on your outlook it will be a tragedy, or a comedy...
All the matches from the opening foursomes on Friday are in the link above.
Bryan Angus
Weather toughens up Conway Farms, Day leads by 6
PGA Tour BMW Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/bmw-championship/leaderboard.html
With storms blowing through the Chicago area, the field were finally struggling with the wet and windy conditions at Conway Farms.
After opening rounds of 61 and 63, Jason Day made his first bogey in 20 holes then added three more mixed in with 6 birdies for a -2 69 -20, 6 shots clear of Scott Piercy who had a solid 67 to sit second, and will play with Day in the final pairing.
Rory McIlroy shot 67 -13 to claim 4th place and he will be in the next-to-last pairing with rookie Daniel Berger who shot 70 and is tied with Piercy for second at -14.
David Hearn fired -2-under 69 T51 so needs a big day to get into the top 30.
Bryan Angus
With storms blowing through the Chicago area, the field were finally struggling with the wet and windy conditions at Conway Farms.
After opening rounds of 61 and 63, Jason Day made his first bogey in 20 holes then added three more mixed in with 6 birdies for a -2 69 -20, 6 shots clear of Scott Piercy who had a solid 67 to sit second, and will play with Day in the final pairing.
Rory McIlroy shot 67 -13 to claim 4th place and he will be in the next-to-last pairing with rookie Daniel Berger who shot 70 and is tied with Piercy for second at -14.
David Hearn fired -2-under 69 T51 so needs a big day to get into the top 30.
Bryan Angus
Europe's 10-6 lead not without controversy..
Solheim Cup live scoring http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-solheim-cup/leaderboard
In my last post I wrote about the US Team making a match of it, fighting back in the afternoon fourballs, trailing 8-4 but leading in 3 of the 4 matches with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson beating the Spanish pair of Munoz and Ciganda 3 and 2 for a point to make it 8-5.
Today dawned cool and cloudy, and the European team who had lost the momentum as their collective putters had gone cold as the darkness fell last night, came out with a fresh start and rock solid Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher beat Salas and Lang 2 and 1, and Suzann Pettersen and their lightning rod Charley Hull won 2up over Lincicome and Alison Lee, to offset a 1up win by Lewis and Piller over Caroline Hedwin and Caroline Masson making the score going into the singles 10-6 for the Europeans.
Controversy : With the match all square on the 17th green Suzannn Pettersen made a very poor decision after Alison Lee missed a putt and then picked up her ball under the assumption Europe had conceded, but Pettersen then claimed Europe had not conceded the short putt. The referee was called in and had no choice as Europe were awarded the hole. Hull birdied the 18th for the 2 up win, but the damage had been done.
Things got heated and personal around the 18th with both Hull and Lee reduced to tears, harsh words spoken completely in contrast to the spirit of sportsmanship that the Solheim Cup is all about.
The result was the difference from 9-7 to 10-6 so it was very significant.
Play in the singles is well under way as you can see from the live scoring link and the European squad just needs 4 points from the 12 matches, so are firmly in the drivers seat.
The US are leading 5 matches, Europe 2 with the other 4 all square and in dramatic style should it come down to the final match it will be Germany's Sandra Gal against the captain's controversial pick Paula Creamer.
Bryan Angus
In my last post I wrote about the US Team making a match of it, fighting back in the afternoon fourballs, trailing 8-4 but leading in 3 of the 4 matches with Cristie Kerr and Lexi Thompson beating the Spanish pair of Munoz and Ciganda 3 and 2 for a point to make it 8-5.
Today dawned cool and cloudy, and the European team who had lost the momentum as their collective putters had gone cold as the darkness fell last night, came out with a fresh start and rock solid Catriona Matthew and Karine Icher beat Salas and Lang 2 and 1, and Suzann Pettersen and their lightning rod Charley Hull won 2up over Lincicome and Alison Lee, to offset a 1up win by Lewis and Piller over Caroline Hedwin and Caroline Masson making the score going into the singles 10-6 for the Europeans.
Controversy : With the match all square on the 17th green Suzannn Pettersen made a very poor decision after Alison Lee missed a putt and then picked up her ball under the assumption Europe had conceded, but Pettersen then claimed Europe had not conceded the short putt. The referee was called in and had no choice as Europe were awarded the hole. Hull birdied the 18th for the 2 up win, but the damage had been done.
Things got heated and personal around the 18th with both Hull and Lee reduced to tears, harsh words spoken completely in contrast to the spirit of sportsmanship that the Solheim Cup is all about.
The result was the difference from 9-7 to 10-6 so it was very significant.
Play in the singles is well under way as you can see from the live scoring link and the European squad just needs 4 points from the 12 matches, so are firmly in the drivers seat.
The US are leading 5 matches, Europe 2 with the other 4 all square and in dramatic style should it come down to the final match it will be Germany's Sandra Gal against the captain's controversial pick Paula Creamer.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Jason Day continues to amaze us all..
BMW Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/bmw-championship/leaderboard.html
First I have to tell you the Conway Farms course is soft and yielding and the weather has been flat calm, the field is firing darts, not golf balls. The average score is -3 68.
Jordan Spieth has shot 65 66 and is 7 shots off the lead, Rory McIlroy 68 65 and he is 9 behind, all because Jason Day has tied the PGA Tour 36 hole scoring record with 61 63 -18.
Daniel Berger and Brendon Todd, have shot 64 and 63 to trail by 5 shots.
Heavy rain suspended the opening round, so Day returned earlyFriday needing to hole short chip shot for an eagle that would have given him a 59. He didn't make it, finishing with the 61, then later in the day was applauded by his playing partners Spieth and Fowler when he poured in an eagle for his 63, Spieth saying afterwards "I felt like I should be paying to watch this "
Day is -97 since he won our RBC Canadian Open, and speaking of which the guy he beat, DavidHearn posted a -2 69 T56.
Conway Farms played at 6,892 yards Friday and several of par-4 holes are reachable with driver, “the par for us out here should be 67 or 66,” said Rory McIlroy, who called his 65 only “a decent score.”
Bryan Angus
First I have to tell you the Conway Farms course is soft and yielding and the weather has been flat calm, the field is firing darts, not golf balls. The average score is -3 68.
Jordan Spieth has shot 65 66 and is 7 shots off the lead, Rory McIlroy 68 65 and he is 9 behind, all because Jason Day has tied the PGA Tour 36 hole scoring record with 61 63 -18.
Daniel Berger and Brendon Todd, have shot 64 and 63 to trail by 5 shots.
Heavy rain suspended the opening round, so Day returned earlyFriday needing to hole short chip shot for an eagle that would have given him a 59. He didn't make it, finishing with the 61, then later in the day was applauded by his playing partners Spieth and Fowler when he poured in an eagle for his 63, Spieth saying afterwards "I felt like I should be paying to watch this "
Day is -97 since he won our RBC Canadian Open, and speaking of which the guy he beat, DavidHearn posted a -2 69 T56.
Conway Farms played at 6,892 yards Friday and several of par-4 holes are reachable with driver, “the par for us out here should be 67 or 66,” said Rory McIlroy, who called his 65 only “a decent score.”
Bryan Angus
USA fighting back at Solheim Cup
Solheim Cup live scoreboard http://www.solheimcup.de/en/livescoring/sc/
It is just after 6pm Saturday evening just outside Frankfurt in Germany and I can report the US Team who are trailing 8-4 are leading in 3 of the 4 fourball matches and are making a match of it.
Lets's recap. After splitting the opening foursomes on Friday morning, they didn't win a match in the weather delayed fourballs, losing 2 and halving 2 in the rain earlier this morning. When today's foursomes got under way European won 3 of the 4 matches, led by Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull who has inspired her partner Suzanne Pettersen, the ageless wee Scot Catriona Matthew and her towering partner Sandra Gal who is having the weekend of her life in front of her German fans.
Europe led 8-4 in front of 20,000 fans and a world wide TV audience and were firmly in charge going into lunch.
However this afternoon the momentum has swung their way so far though you can see from the leaderboard all four matches are very close, but the European women are finally missing some putts while the Americans are making.
The Europeans are in white slacks, hats, shoes with pink shirts and powder blue sweaters while the US team are in dark blue bottoms and white shirts.
Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr have just beat the Spanish pair Munoz and Ciganda 3 and 2 for a point making the score 8-5.
Charley Hull really switched on the emotion for the Europeans this morning and fired up a strangely subdued partner Pettersen, with a near hole in 1 at the par 3 12th which began a comeback from 4 down against Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel who ended up losing the match on the 18th, 1up. Afterwards Pettersen said her 19 year old partner "has a head of steel and is fearless".
It will be too dark to complete play today, they have until about 730pm local time so will be back early in the morning to finish, before playing the 12 singles.
At least with this fight back the Americans have a chance to get back into it, which would set Sunday up for the exciting finish the Solheim Cup has provided over the last two matches, both won by the Europeans.
Bryan Angus
It is just after 6pm Saturday evening just outside Frankfurt in Germany and I can report the US Team who are trailing 8-4 are leading in 3 of the 4 fourball matches and are making a match of it.
Lets's recap. After splitting the opening foursomes on Friday morning, they didn't win a match in the weather delayed fourballs, losing 2 and halving 2 in the rain earlier this morning. When today's foursomes got under way European won 3 of the 4 matches, led by Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull who has inspired her partner Suzanne Pettersen, the ageless wee Scot Catriona Matthew and her towering partner Sandra Gal who is having the weekend of her life in front of her German fans.
Europe led 8-4 in front of 20,000 fans and a world wide TV audience and were firmly in charge going into lunch.
However this afternoon the momentum has swung their way so far though you can see from the leaderboard all four matches are very close, but the European women are finally missing some putts while the Americans are making.
The Europeans are in white slacks, hats, shoes with pink shirts and powder blue sweaters while the US team are in dark blue bottoms and white shirts.
Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr have just beat the Spanish pair Munoz and Ciganda 3 and 2 for a point making the score 8-5.
Charley Hull really switched on the emotion for the Europeans this morning and fired up a strangely subdued partner Pettersen, with a near hole in 1 at the par 3 12th which began a comeback from 4 down against Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel who ended up losing the match on the 18th, 1up. Afterwards Pettersen said her 19 year old partner "has a head of steel and is fearless".
It will be too dark to complete play today, they have until about 730pm local time so will be back early in the morning to finish, before playing the 12 singles.
At least with this fight back the Americans have a chance to get back into it, which would set Sunday up for the exciting finish the Solheim Cup has provided over the last two matches, both won by the Europeans.
Bryan Angus
Friday, September 18, 2015
Solheim Cup.. Day 1 underway.
Solheim Cup leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-solheim-cup/leaderboard
They are playing foursomes (alternate shot) under mainly sunny skies in Germany this morning and as you can see from my scoring link of the 4 matches they are evenly split 2-2 in the early going.
The USA are all decked out in red, white and blue, like walking flags while Europe are more modestly attired in dark blue pants/shorts/skirts and light blue shirts with white caps.
Pressel and Creamer are 3up on the Scandinavian pairing of Norquist and Pettersen through 11. Creamer who has missed her last 2 cuts was a controversial choice by Julie Inkster, but she is such a great team player she hasn't hurt the US team at all so far. Pettersen just missed a 4 footer for par on 11.
Kerr and Lexi Thompson are dominating Spain's Azahara Munoz and France's Karine Icher 4up.
On the European side, England's Melissa Reid and Charley Hull are 1up through 10 over Wie and Lincicome while German star Sandra Gal and Scotland's Catriona Matthew are also 1up over Lewis and Lizette Salas who I think is the sparkplug of this team.
Foursomes this morning and fourballs this afternoon, same thing on Saturday while Sunday is singles.
Watching early this morning, the USA team seems looser and has all the momentum. The European squad seems a little tense.
They are playing foursomes (alternate shot) under mainly sunny skies in Germany this morning and as you can see from my scoring link of the 4 matches they are evenly split 2-2 in the early going.
The USA are all decked out in red, white and blue, like walking flags while Europe are more modestly attired in dark blue pants/shorts/skirts and light blue shirts with white caps.
Pressel and Creamer are 3up on the Scandinavian pairing of Norquist and Pettersen through 11. Creamer who has missed her last 2 cuts was a controversial choice by Julie Inkster, but she is such a great team player she hasn't hurt the US team at all so far. Pettersen just missed a 4 footer for par on 11.
Kerr and Lexi Thompson are dominating Spain's Azahara Munoz and France's Karine Icher 4up.
On the European side, England's Melissa Reid and Charley Hull are 1up through 10 over Wie and Lincicome while German star Sandra Gal and Scotland's Catriona Matthew are also 1up over Lewis and Lizette Salas who I think is the sparkplug of this team.
Foursomes this morning and fourballs this afternoon, same thing on Saturday while Sunday is singles.
Watching early this morning, the USA team seems looser and has all the momentum. The European squad seems a little tense.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Rory no longer the story... Solheim Cup..my focus this weekend.
PGA Tour BMW Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/bmw-championship/leaderboard.html
We are down to the last 70, all in Chicago at Conway Farms for the 3rd playoff of he FedEx Cup vying to get into the final 30 for next week's finale, the Tour Championship in Atlanta..
The main storyline for many is who is #1..is it Jordan or Jason ? and this week will further clarify that issue, Jordan off the boil, but his year of year's is already in the books, and Jason is the best player at the moment, which by the way is great news for the International Team going into the Presidents Cup in South Korea.
Day, Spieth and Rickie Fowler are the marquee pairing at 1,2 and 3 and that for me is another storyline, in that the world #1 Rory McIlroy is not in the first or second (Stenson, Watson and Hoffman) or third ( Johnson, Johnson and Furyk) but the 5th pairing ( Rory, Matsuyama and Snedeker)
Form is fleeting in this game, and the air at the top is very thin, that's why the truly greats Jack, Arnie Gary and Tiger are just that.. great. They have slumps for sure but over the span of their careers, they are consistently the best.
Last summer there was nobody near Rory and after following it up with the crowning glory with the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, we all expected him to go into this year and really establish his status as world #1 and after winning the Wells Fargo and the WGC World Match Play, and a 4th at the Masters he seemed well on his way, until the first weekend in July when he tore up his ankle playing soccer with his mates and he hasn't been the same since...
He only arrived in Chicago Wednesday morning to fulfill his pro-am responsibilities, getting in 13 holes with his ams, citing the fact he preferred to stay home in Florida to prepare, and I'd say to avoid the world's media asking him yet again.. how's the ankle..
Let's see how he plays this week http://www.owgr.com/
The weather today will favour the early pairings as the rain is due this afternoon. They don't start until 1130 local time since it's such a small field.
The Solheim Cup teams, leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-solheim-cup/leaderboard
First the weather in St. Leon-Rot Germany has not been good this week, https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=EcrMVb3XM4WN8QeTx63wAQ&gws_rd=ssl#q=weather+in+st+leon+rot. cool and rainy today and it looks on the link above to be a mixed bag over the weekend.
That won't dull the passion that always unfolds, like the Ryder Cup we get treated to raw emotion that playing for your country evokes, and with Europe winning the last 2 cups, there is an added edge, especially since as always the USA team of big hitters are favoured.
They are ranked much higher 25th in average to 54th for the Europeans. However being underdogs is nothing new to Europe in either the Ryder or Solheim Cups and that in fact may be their greatest strengths. David vs Goliath never gets old, and as we can see from recent results, world rankings just go right out the window in these events..
Golf is a world wide game, and in fact you could argue the strongest team if they had one would be South Korea..
Sandra Gal and Caroline Masson will have the German crowds in a frenzy, they are the first all German pairing and there are many more storylines which will all start to unfold around 2am est tomorrow morning.
Bryan Angus
We are down to the last 70, all in Chicago at Conway Farms for the 3rd playoff of he FedEx Cup vying to get into the final 30 for next week's finale, the Tour Championship in Atlanta..
The main storyline for many is who is #1..is it Jordan or Jason ? and this week will further clarify that issue, Jordan off the boil, but his year of year's is already in the books, and Jason is the best player at the moment, which by the way is great news for the International Team going into the Presidents Cup in South Korea.
Day, Spieth and Rickie Fowler are the marquee pairing at 1,2 and 3 and that for me is another storyline, in that the world #1 Rory McIlroy is not in the first or second (Stenson, Watson and Hoffman) or third ( Johnson, Johnson and Furyk) but the 5th pairing ( Rory, Matsuyama and Snedeker)
Form is fleeting in this game, and the air at the top is very thin, that's why the truly greats Jack, Arnie Gary and Tiger are just that.. great. They have slumps for sure but over the span of their careers, they are consistently the best.
Last summer there was nobody near Rory and after following it up with the crowning glory with the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, we all expected him to go into this year and really establish his status as world #1 and after winning the Wells Fargo and the WGC World Match Play, and a 4th at the Masters he seemed well on his way, until the first weekend in July when he tore up his ankle playing soccer with his mates and he hasn't been the same since...
He only arrived in Chicago Wednesday morning to fulfill his pro-am responsibilities, getting in 13 holes with his ams, citing the fact he preferred to stay home in Florida to prepare, and I'd say to avoid the world's media asking him yet again.. how's the ankle..
Let's see how he plays this week http://www.owgr.com/
The weather today will favour the early pairings as the rain is due this afternoon. They don't start until 1130 local time since it's such a small field.
The Solheim Cup teams, leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-solheim-cup/leaderboard
First the weather in St. Leon-Rot Germany has not been good this week, https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=EcrMVb3XM4WN8QeTx63wAQ&gws_rd=ssl#q=weather+in+st+leon+rot. cool and rainy today and it looks on the link above to be a mixed bag over the weekend.
That won't dull the passion that always unfolds, like the Ryder Cup we get treated to raw emotion that playing for your country evokes, and with Europe winning the last 2 cups, there is an added edge, especially since as always the USA team of big hitters are favoured.
They are ranked much higher 25th in average to 54th for the Europeans. However being underdogs is nothing new to Europe in either the Ryder or Solheim Cups and that in fact may be their greatest strengths. David vs Goliath never gets old, and as we can see from recent results, world rankings just go right out the window in these events..
Golf is a world wide game, and in fact you could argue the strongest team if they had one would be South Korea..
Sandra Gal and Caroline Masson will have the German crowds in a frenzy, they are the first all German pairing and there are many more storylines which will all start to unfold around 2am est tomorrow morning.
Bryan Angus
Monday, September 14, 2015
No surprise the Lydia Ko story is buried in Monday morning headlines
Let's get this clear. On Sunday near the shores of Lake Geneva in France, Lydia Ko became the youngest person to win a major golf tournament since Young Tom Morris won the Open Championship when he was 17 in 1856...
She shot a flawless, bogey free -8 63 for a six-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson. Her story is worthy of headlines in any city considering she won her first professional event on New South Wales, Australia when she was just 14, then became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour after she won the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open as a 15 year old in 2012, and became youngest player of either gender to reach the world #1 ranking earlier this year.
She has 9 professional wins already, and now a major at the age of 18 !
It comes as no surprise to me however to find this remarkable story absolutely buried in the Monday morning dailies.
As a guy who has spent most of the last 25 years, reporting, writing, producing sports, I've passed more time than most prioritizing the day's sports stories.
Today it's the Jays taking 3 of 4 in New York, the NFL scores and stories with the Bills winning their opener, Djokovic beating Federer for the US Open crown, Mayweather hanging up his gloves after his 49th win, the passing of Moses Malone at the age of 60, Mondialiste winning the Woodbine Mile and on and on....
Heck on the Toronto Star on line golf section their last story is Rickie Fowler winning the Deutsche Bank last weekend !
Our job in prioritizing stories for radio, TV and print is always governed by the ratings. Different cities have different priorities. In Toronto it is always the Leafs first and foremost followed by the Blue Jays, Raptors, Argos,TFC and NFL in any particular order depending on the season and who is playing well.
The only golfer who will tempt producers, editors, directors in this town and most others to put golf ahead of the any of the above is Tiger Woods, or if a Canadian won our national championship.
So despite her historic win yesterday, and her remarkable and pleasing story, Lydia Ko is no more than a paragraph on page 5 of today's sports sections.
Not a surprise to me sadly. She would have got more coverage if her name was Michelle Wie and she had won the US Open, but she's not, it's the LPGA who can't get a contract with any of the major TV networks, and she is a south Korean born Kiwi, and it was over in France, in non primetime hours....
Despite all that, how we report sports is slowly changing and when we sense a sport or a personality is driving up the ratings, it will move up the priority list quickly. Fifteen years ago I sat in our program director Nelson Millman's office pleading for more coverage of soccer in our daily reporting and he gave me that pained look, brought out the ratings book and showed me that soccer ranked right down there with 5 pin bowling..
Look how that's changed, as I knew it would, as of today.
Women's golf has now got a brighter future with young women like Lydia Ko, our own Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee from Australia, Charley Hull from England to name a few and Michelle Wie is still only in her mid 20's.
Watch the Solheim Cup this week from Germany to see the passion that will surely unfold as the USA team tries to win back the cup the Europeans have held twice in a row. You will see some of the games brightest young stars showing off their talent.
I hope they have a chance to move up the priority lists if they keep doing something remarkable, setting new records, becoming international personalities.
Some of my more hard bitten colleagues still adhere to the theory that sex sells, and if they ever want to get on the front pages, they'll need to get onto the center fold of Playboy, or start boinking a few notorious celebrities...
Lydia Ko for one, is thankfully here to prove them wrong.
Bryan Angus
She shot a flawless, bogey free -8 63 for a six-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson. Her story is worthy of headlines in any city considering she won her first professional event on New South Wales, Australia when she was just 14, then became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour after she won the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open as a 15 year old in 2012, and became youngest player of either gender to reach the world #1 ranking earlier this year.
She has 9 professional wins already, and now a major at the age of 18 !
It comes as no surprise to me however to find this remarkable story absolutely buried in the Monday morning dailies.
As a guy who has spent most of the last 25 years, reporting, writing, producing sports, I've passed more time than most prioritizing the day's sports stories.
Today it's the Jays taking 3 of 4 in New York, the NFL scores and stories with the Bills winning their opener, Djokovic beating Federer for the US Open crown, Mayweather hanging up his gloves after his 49th win, the passing of Moses Malone at the age of 60, Mondialiste winning the Woodbine Mile and on and on....
Heck on the Toronto Star on line golf section their last story is Rickie Fowler winning the Deutsche Bank last weekend !
Our job in prioritizing stories for radio, TV and print is always governed by the ratings. Different cities have different priorities. In Toronto it is always the Leafs first and foremost followed by the Blue Jays, Raptors, Argos,TFC and NFL in any particular order depending on the season and who is playing well.
The only golfer who will tempt producers, editors, directors in this town and most others to put golf ahead of the any of the above is Tiger Woods, or if a Canadian won our national championship.
So despite her historic win yesterday, and her remarkable and pleasing story, Lydia Ko is no more than a paragraph on page 5 of today's sports sections.
Not a surprise to me sadly. She would have got more coverage if her name was Michelle Wie and she had won the US Open, but she's not, it's the LPGA who can't get a contract with any of the major TV networks, and she is a south Korean born Kiwi, and it was over in France, in non primetime hours....
Despite all that, how we report sports is slowly changing and when we sense a sport or a personality is driving up the ratings, it will move up the priority list quickly. Fifteen years ago I sat in our program director Nelson Millman's office pleading for more coverage of soccer in our daily reporting and he gave me that pained look, brought out the ratings book and showed me that soccer ranked right down there with 5 pin bowling..
Look how that's changed, as I knew it would, as of today.
Women's golf has now got a brighter future with young women like Lydia Ko, our own Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee from Australia, Charley Hull from England to name a few and Michelle Wie is still only in her mid 20's.
Watch the Solheim Cup this week from Germany to see the passion that will surely unfold as the USA team tries to win back the cup the Europeans have held twice in a row. You will see some of the games brightest young stars showing off their talent.
I hope they have a chance to move up the priority lists if they keep doing something remarkable, setting new records, becoming international personalities.
Some of my more hard bitten colleagues still adhere to the theory that sex sells, and if they ever want to get on the front pages, they'll need to get onto the center fold of Playboy, or start boinking a few notorious celebrities...
Lydia Ko for one, is thankfully here to prove them wrong.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, September 13, 2015
GB & Ireland rout USA 16.5 - 9.5 at Walker Cup
Walker Cup leaderboard http://www.usga.org/championships/2015/walker-cup/scoring.html
It is the time of the golf season for Cup play, the Fed Ex Cup on the PGA Tour, the Solheim Cup in Germany next week for the best women from Europe and USA, the Presidents Cup next month in South Korea, but this week it's the world's best amateurs from GB & Ireland and the USA for the Walker Cup
Going into today's play Great Britain and Ireland had a 7-5 lead over United States at this 45th edition on the windy links of Royal Lytham and St Annes not far from Blackpool in NW England and this morning so far Ashley Chesters and Jimmy Mullen secured another point for the hosts with a 3&2 win over Americans Beau Hossler and Denny McCarthy to make the score 8-5 then Paul Dunne and Gary Hurley beat Mike McCCoy and Scott Harvey 1up, 9-5. Next up for GB&Ireland Cormac Sharvin and Jack McDonald beat Hunter Stewart and Lee McCCoy 2up 10-5 before Bryson DeChambeau and Robby Shelton beat Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume 3&2, 10-6 going into the afternoon singles
The USA played hard in the afternoon singles and needed a miracle comeback, but GB&Ireland won 5 matches and halved 3 for 6.5 points and a decisive 16.5 - 9.5 trouncing of the cup holders, atoning for the 17-9 loss to the USA at the National Golf Links of America in New York two years ago. It is the worst drubbing the Americans have taken in the history of the Walker Cup..
Click on the leaderboard link above for all the results..
Bryan Angus
Thomas Pieters wins KLM Open in Holland
European Tour KLM Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015070/leaderboard/index.html#jKD1dL0aOJ8UqDos.97
Thomas Pieters has followed up his 3rd round 62 with -5 65 today to win the KLM Open for his second European Tour victory in 3 weeks. His final score of -19 261 was a shot better than hard charging Spaniard Eduardo De La Riva -7 63 -18 and last week's winner England's Lee Slattery -2 68 -18.
Pieters, just 23 years old, adds his name to the other great young guns, after he won his first title at the D+D REAL Czech Masters two weeks ago.
Next week the tour moves on to play the Italian Open, before heading to Germany for the Porsche European Open.
Bryan Angus
Thomas Pieters has followed up his 3rd round 62 with -5 65 today to win the KLM Open for his second European Tour victory in 3 weeks. His final score of -19 261 was a shot better than hard charging Spaniard Eduardo De La Riva -7 63 -18 and last week's winner England's Lee Slattery -2 68 -18.
Pieters, just 23 years old, adds his name to the other great young guns, after he won his first title at the D+D REAL Czech Masters two weeks ago.
Next week the tour moves on to play the Italian Open, before heading to Germany for the Porsche European Open.
Bryan Angus
Ko shoots 63 to make history at Evian Championship
LPGA Tour Evian Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
What was a close race at the halfway point, turned out to be a romp as Lydia Ko made 5 birdies on her final nine of 31, for a -8 63, good enough for a 6 shot win over Lexi Thompson in the LPGA Tour's final major of the year. Thompson could only manage -1 70 as her playing partner simply pulled away to become the youngest winner on any tour of a major championship since Young Tom Morris in 1856 !!
As play began early this morning it was Mi Hyang Lee at -10 who had a one-shot lead over Thompson with Morgan Pressel a shot further back in 3rd.
Ko has now surpassed Pressel, who won the Kraft Nabisco Championship at 18 years, 10 months, 9 days back in 2007.
Inbee Park who was the main story at the start of the week as she was seeking a career Grand Slam shot -3 68 to finish her bid T8
Brooke Henderson who turned 18 this week, 70 74 72, shot -4 67 to finish up -1 T25 while Alena Sharp 75 68 75 shot 78 today to end up +12 today T70
Next week the best women from the States and Europe gather in Germany for what will be a highly charged Solheim Cup with the European Team winners of the last two.
Lydia Ko isn't eligible, but I'm sure either side would be happy to adopt her !!
Bryan Angus
What was a close race at the halfway point, turned out to be a romp as Lydia Ko made 5 birdies on her final nine of 31, for a -8 63, good enough for a 6 shot win over Lexi Thompson in the LPGA Tour's final major of the year. Thompson could only manage -1 70 as her playing partner simply pulled away to become the youngest winner on any tour of a major championship since Young Tom Morris in 1856 !!
As play began early this morning it was Mi Hyang Lee at -10 who had a one-shot lead over Thompson with Morgan Pressel a shot further back in 3rd.
Ko has now surpassed Pressel, who won the Kraft Nabisco Championship at 18 years, 10 months, 9 days back in 2007.
Inbee Park who was the main story at the start of the week as she was seeking a career Grand Slam shot -3 68 to finish her bid T8
Brooke Henderson who turned 18 this week, 70 74 72, shot -4 67 to finish up -1 T25 while Alena Sharp 75 68 75 shot 78 today to end up +12 today T70
Next week the best women from the States and Europe gather in Germany for what will be a highly charged Solheim Cup with the European Team winners of the last two.
Lydia Ko isn't eligible, but I'm sure either side would be happy to adopt her !!
Bryan Angus
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Presidents Cup Teams...USA heavy favourites .. again
International and USA Presidents Cup teams http://www.presidentscup.com/
If the Presidents Cup is ever going start to approach the lore of the Ryder Cup, the International Team has got to start to win at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, Korea, Oct. 6-11, 2015.
Since the competition started in 1994, the USA team has won 8 and tied 1 of the 10 played.
As I looked at this year's squads captained by Jay Haas and Nick Price respectively. the American team looks so much stronger, especially with the new young lions Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed injecting some much needed life into the regulars who have taken it on the chin for 8 of the last 10 Ryder Cups..
Apart from Bill Haas, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Chris Kirke, the other 8 players in the US squad are the guys who have been atop the leaderboards this year, especially this summer.. Spieth, Walker, Furyk, Johnson's (DJ and Zach) Bubba and Rickie
While Jason Day leads the International team, and he is the world's best player right now others like Anirban Lahiri, Danny Lee, Marc Leishman, Steve Bowditch and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee have all had their moments this year, but are question marks when it comes to the bright lights on this their biggest stage.
Remember the US Team plays every year, and the pressure of the Ryder Cup compared to the Presidents Cup is like playing in the triple A finals in Pawtucket or the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
There are no Canadians in the team this year sadly, especially when you remember how strong Graham DeLaet and Brendon de Jonge were as a team for the Internationals in their 18.5 - 15.5 loss in 2013.
It is the biggest golfing event in golf crazy South Korea and their own Sangmoon Bae has made the team. Hopefully the authorities in the military will let him play before he starts his 2 years service.
25 days to go and counting...
Bryan Angus
If the Presidents Cup is ever going start to approach the lore of the Ryder Cup, the International Team has got to start to win at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, Korea, Oct. 6-11, 2015.
Since the competition started in 1994, the USA team has won 8 and tied 1 of the 10 played.
As I looked at this year's squads captained by Jay Haas and Nick Price respectively. the American team looks so much stronger, especially with the new young lions Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed injecting some much needed life into the regulars who have taken it on the chin for 8 of the last 10 Ryder Cups..
Apart from Bill Haas, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Chris Kirke, the other 8 players in the US squad are the guys who have been atop the leaderboards this year, especially this summer.. Spieth, Walker, Furyk, Johnson's (DJ and Zach) Bubba and Rickie
While Jason Day leads the International team, and he is the world's best player right now others like Anirban Lahiri, Danny Lee, Marc Leishman, Steve Bowditch and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee have all had their moments this year, but are question marks when it comes to the bright lights on this their biggest stage.
Remember the US Team plays every year, and the pressure of the Ryder Cup compared to the Presidents Cup is like playing in the triple A finals in Pawtucket or the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
There are no Canadians in the team this year sadly, especially when you remember how strong Graham DeLaet and Brendon de Jonge were as a team for the Internationals in their 18.5 - 15.5 loss in 2013.
It is the biggest golfing event in golf crazy South Korea and their own Sangmoon Bae has made the team. Hopefully the authorities in the military will let him play before he starts his 2 years service.
25 days to go and counting...
Bryan Angus
Inbee Park poised to make history at the year's last "major"...
LPGA Tour Evian Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/the-evian-championship/leaderboard
The main storyline going into today's start of play at the newly re-vamped Evian Resort Golf Course is that world #1 Inbee Park has a chance to become only the second player in LPGA Tour history to complete the Super Career Grand Slam, that means to win the five different major championships. Karrie Webb is the only player to do so in 2002.
Now whether there should be 5 majors is still a contentious point to many. The women have the US and British Open's which speak for themselves, as does their KPMG PGA, but only the men play the Masters, the women also have the ANA Inspiration which is the old Kraft Nabisco or Dinah Shore as a major and since 2013 the Evian
In a statement explaining their decision they say, "the LPGA did not add a fifth major championship to change history, alter discussion or make the accomplishment of a “grand slam” more difficult. We added a fifth major to create an incremental opportunity for the women’s game."
Many of us in this country feel that if there were to be a 5th major, the obvious one to pick would be the CP Canadian Women's Open.
Park has won an amazing six of the last 14 majors dating back to the 2013 Kraft Nabisco Championship and no other player has won more than one during that span.
Alena Sharp has just finished her 1st round with +4 75, and Brooke Henderson is just teeing off as I write.
The clubhouse leader with a bogey free -5 66 is Lexi Thompson.
Bryan Angus
The main storyline going into today's start of play at the newly re-vamped Evian Resort Golf Course is that world #1 Inbee Park has a chance to become only the second player in LPGA Tour history to complete the Super Career Grand Slam, that means to win the five different major championships. Karrie Webb is the only player to do so in 2002.
Now whether there should be 5 majors is still a contentious point to many. The women have the US and British Open's which speak for themselves, as does their KPMG PGA, but only the men play the Masters, the women also have the ANA Inspiration which is the old Kraft Nabisco or Dinah Shore as a major and since 2013 the Evian
In a statement explaining their decision they say, "the LPGA did not add a fifth major championship to change history, alter discussion or make the accomplishment of a “grand slam” more difficult. We added a fifth major to create an incremental opportunity for the women’s game."
Many of us in this country feel that if there were to be a 5th major, the obvious one to pick would be the CP Canadian Women's Open.
Park has won an amazing six of the last 14 majors dating back to the 2013 Kraft Nabisco Championship and no other player has won more than one during that span.
Alena Sharp has just finished her 1st round with +4 75, and Brooke Henderson is just teeing off as I write.
The clubhouse leader with a bogey free -5 66 is Lexi Thompson.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Slattery leads in Moscow with round 4 underway after a rain delay
European Tour M2M Russian Open http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015068/leaderboard/index.html#KbAY4J1z1wTDuLB7.97
European Tour officials split the field off the 1st and 10th and paired them in 3's starting a 7am local time to try and beat some bad weather in Moscow. However they have just endured a 2 hour delay, and play has resumed.
At the start of play England's Lee Slattery recovered from a double bogey to move into a two-shot lead after the third round.
After taking five shots on the par-three 11th, Slattery recovered with three birdies on the remaining holes to finish off a -4 67. That left Slattery, who won his only European Tour event in 2011, on -13, 200
Scotland’s Craig Lee (66) and Argentina’s Estanislao Goya (67) shared second place at -11
One shot behind in fourth was last year’s winner, David Horsey of England. He and Lee carded the best rounds of the day with 66s..
More to follow...
Bryan Angus
European Tour officials split the field off the 1st and 10th and paired them in 3's starting a 7am local time to try and beat some bad weather in Moscow. However they have just endured a 2 hour delay, and play has resumed.
At the start of play England's Lee Slattery recovered from a double bogey to move into a two-shot lead after the third round.
After taking five shots on the par-three 11th, Slattery recovered with three birdies on the remaining holes to finish off a -4 67. That left Slattery, who won his only European Tour event in 2011, on -13, 200
Scotland’s Craig Lee (66) and Argentina’s Estanislao Goya (67) shared second place at -11
One shot behind in fourth was last year’s winner, David Horsey of England. He and Lee carded the best rounds of the day with 66s..
More to follow...
Bryan Angus
Day still in the hunt..Spieth out, McIlroy just hanging on at Deutsche Bank..
PGA Tour Deutsche Bank Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/deutsche-bank-championship/leaderboard.html
Here is what is happening at the TPC Boston, in beautiful weather, on lightning fast greens.
Here is what is happening at the TPC Boston, in beautiful weather, on lightning fast greens.
Charley Hoffman has had very little form in recent play, indeed this year but he loves this course, remember he had a little 69, 62 weekend to win on it 5 years ago and yesterday this great ball striker combined accurate iron play with a hot putter for a -8 63, -12 total and 3 stroke lead over Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge 65 68 -9. Rickie Fowler (67) and Zach Johnson (65) are at -8.
However what's not happening is the play of the worlds's #1 and 2. Rory McIlroy is clearly rusty and he managed to get up and down from a bunker for par and a 74 +2 total to make the cut which fell at +3. This is only his second round since the US Open as he continues to take the safe route to returning since he ripped up his ankle.
Meanwhile Jordan Spieth shot 75 73 +6 and all the magic and swagger from earlier in the year has gone, but as is the case in these crazy playoffs he still will likely be in the top 5 points wise by the time the final 30 left standing get to the Tour Championship, and he will be back in the field in Chicago for the BMW next week.
Even crazier is he could still become world #1 again if Jason wins and Rory doesn't rally to get inside the top 10. Remember there are still 2 rounds to go.
The world's best player at the moment is Jason Day, and he shot his second 68 T10 -6
David Hearn has missed the cut 73 74 +5
So the weekend gets under way today, minus some of the game's star power, but with lot's of story lines, with Day right in contention at -6, Luke Donald at -4 trying to make it inside the top 70 that will go to his home course Conway Farms next week, and remember the President's Cup teams will be announced on Tuesday so there is a lot at stake for the likes of Brendon de Jonge and Bill Haas who is currently at #11 with his dad Jay the captain of the US team.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Deutsche Bank Championship tee times. Hearn paired with Mickelson..
PGA Tour Deutsche Bank Championship pairings http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/deutsche-bank-championship/leaderboard.html
First for those of you looking for early scoring, a reminder this is the tourney that starts on Friday and ends on Labour Day (Veterans Day in the States) on the TPC Boston.
While the players are paired in order of their Fed Ex Cup rankings 1-100, the PGA Tour and TV reserve the right to put the pairings out as they see fit on Friday and Saturday. So they want a marquee pairing in the morning wave, thus Rory McIlroy (15) Hideki Matsuyama (14) Kevin Kisner (13) at 9.06 off 10, then Jimmy Walker (7) Justin Rose (8) Robert Streb (9) at 9.18 then Jason Day (1) Jordan Spieth (2) and Bubba (3) at 9.30. which gets them all on TV on Saturday afternoon.
There are 99 in the field because Sergio Garcia has chosen not to play.
In the afternoon wave Henrik Stenson (4) Zach Johnson (5) and Dustin Johnson (6) are the featured group at 1.30pm
The only Canadian, David Hearn (50) is paired with Cameron Tringale (51) and Phil Mickelson (52) at 8.42 off #10.
Here is a pgatour.com link to the top 100 and where they have to finish to get into the top 70 for the BMW Championship http://www.pgatour.com/fedexcup/2015/08/31/scenarios-top-70-deutsche-bank-championship.html
Bryan Angus
First for those of you looking for early scoring, a reminder this is the tourney that starts on Friday and ends on Labour Day (Veterans Day in the States) on the TPC Boston.
While the players are paired in order of their Fed Ex Cup rankings 1-100, the PGA Tour and TV reserve the right to put the pairings out as they see fit on Friday and Saturday. So they want a marquee pairing in the morning wave, thus Rory McIlroy (15) Hideki Matsuyama (14) Kevin Kisner (13) at 9.06 off 10, then Jimmy Walker (7) Justin Rose (8) Robert Streb (9) at 9.18 then Jason Day (1) Jordan Spieth (2) and Bubba (3) at 9.30. which gets them all on TV on Saturday afternoon.
There are 99 in the field because Sergio Garcia has chosen not to play.
In the afternoon wave Henrik Stenson (4) Zach Johnson (5) and Dustin Johnson (6) are the featured group at 1.30pm
The only Canadian, David Hearn (50) is paired with Cameron Tringale (51) and Phil Mickelson (52) at 8.42 off #10.
Here is a pgatour.com link to the top 100 and where they have to finish to get into the top 70 for the BMW Championship http://www.pgatour.com/fedexcup/2015/08/31/scenarios-top-70-deutsche-bank-championship.html
Bryan Angus
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