European Tour Turkish Airlines Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015088/leaderboard/index.html#LyHm3F17RmscAjZl.97
Watching this opening playoff event of the Race to Dubai I keep getting the feeling Rory McIlroy is chugging along in 3rd gear, just waiting for him to pop the clutch and roar off in 4th.
His new driver isn't at it's best, his wedges aren't either, the new ball and all it's spin are't completely under his control, yet here he is after three rounds of 67 at -15, just a shot behind Jaco Van Zyl (70) and 2013 winner Victor Dubuisson (67) -16.
McIlroy did hit top gear briefly after an unbelievable second shot, a towering 5 iron up and over the trees to inside three feet on the par five 13th to make an eagle then a 25-foot putt for birdie at the 14th to pick up 3 shots to get to -14 within one of the lead
I'd be remiss to leave out the Thai birdie machine Kiradech Aphibarnrat (66) who is also at -15 and is after his third win of the season after victories at the Shenzhen International and Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play, and in fact he was in the lead but a bogey on the last saw him slip back to -15 .
So it's all set for a grandstand finish tomorrow, my money is on McIlroy..
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Sharp looking for her first LPGA win at Blue Bay LPGA in China
LPGA Tour Blue Bay leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Alena Sharp, seeking her first LPGA Tour win, is just 2 shots behind the leaders after a windy 3rd round at the Blue Bay LPGA. She has shot 74 70 74 +2 and remember par is a good score in these tough weather conditions on Hainan Island in China.
Nobody in the field is under par through the first three rounds. The third-round scoring average was76.2 with the average for the week over 75 and the weather for tomorrow is more of the same or worse, so patience and controlling the ball will be key for whoever emerges the winner.
Leading are Sei Young Kim 74 looking for her 3rd win of the year and Candie Kung 73, who is looking to earn her first win in seven years and that pair are at even-par just one shot ahead of a Stacy Lewis, 73 +1
Three players are T4 with Alena at +2 including Suzann Pettersen, Kim Kaufman,and Haru Nomura
Bryan Angus
Alena Sharp, seeking her first LPGA Tour win, is just 2 shots behind the leaders after a windy 3rd round at the Blue Bay LPGA. She has shot 74 70 74 +2 and remember par is a good score in these tough weather conditions on Hainan Island in China.
Nobody in the field is under par through the first three rounds. The third-round scoring average was76.2 with the average for the week over 75 and the weather for tomorrow is more of the same or worse, so patience and controlling the ball will be key for whoever emerges the winner.
Leading are Sei Young Kim 74 looking for her 3rd win of the year and Candie Kung 73, who is looking to earn her first win in seven years and that pair are at even-par just one shot ahead of a Stacy Lewis, 73 +1
Three players are T4 with Alena at +2 including Suzann Pettersen, Kim Kaufman,and Haru Nomura
Bryan Angus
Na second again going into the final round at CIMB Classic
PGA Tour CIMB Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/cimb-classic/leaderboard.html
Some of the guys who have been in contention this wrap around season are at it again this week going into the final round at the CIMB Classic in hot, muggy Kuala Lumpur.
Brendan Steele who you will remember led into the final round of the Frys.com Open only to shoot a 76 on Sunday, had a bogey-free 66 to get to -20 196 along with Justin Thomas who birdied the final two holes to shoot a -5 67 and they are shot clear of last year's runner-up Kevin Na, who was 2nd at the Fry's.Com then the Shriners Hospitals for Children last week, who matched the best round of the day with a 64.
"Eight times in my career I finished second. I've got to keep the streak alive. Worst case, I win, right?" joked Na, who finished runner-up to Ryan Moore a year ago.
Canadian scores: David Hearn 70 69 74 -7 T37 Nick Taylor 74 70 69 -3 T59
It looks like a race to the wire to me with 10 players within 4 shots. Adam Scott (66) and first-round leader Scott Piercy (69) are lurking at -16, a shot behind James Hahn (64), Brian Harman (66) and Spencer Levin (68) as well as in form Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (68).
It would be nice for Na to finally get off that 2nd place schnide.
Bryan Angus
Some of the guys who have been in contention this wrap around season are at it again this week going into the final round at the CIMB Classic in hot, muggy Kuala Lumpur.
Brendan Steele who you will remember led into the final round of the Frys.com Open only to shoot a 76 on Sunday, had a bogey-free 66 to get to -20 196 along with Justin Thomas who birdied the final two holes to shoot a -5 67 and they are shot clear of last year's runner-up Kevin Na, who was 2nd at the Fry's.Com then the Shriners Hospitals for Children last week, who matched the best round of the day with a 64.
"Eight times in my career I finished second. I've got to keep the streak alive. Worst case, I win, right?" joked Na, who finished runner-up to Ryan Moore a year ago.
Canadian scores: David Hearn 70 69 74 -7 T37 Nick Taylor 74 70 69 -3 T59
It looks like a race to the wire to me with 10 players within 4 shots. Adam Scott (66) and first-round leader Scott Piercy (69) are lurking at -16, a shot behind James Hahn (64), Brian Harman (66) and Spencer Levin (68) as well as in form Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (68).
It would be nice for Na to finally get off that 2nd place schnide.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 30, 2015
Alena Sharp is in contention in China
LPGA Tour Blue Bay leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/blue-bay-lpga/leaderboard
Alena Sharp has posted rounds of 74, 70 for E, which is not normally near the lead, however only five players broke par on Friday on Hainan Island in China and only the top-5 on the leaderboard are under par through 36 holes. She is just 2 shots behind going into today's play.
It is rookie of the year candidate Sei Young Kim with a steady 72 who has the second-round lead at this Blue Bay LPGA in blustery conditions at -2 just one shot ahead of a group of four including Suzann Pettersen (69), Candie Kung (72), Ryann O’Toole (73) and Austin Ernst (75).
Kim said she thrives in the windy conditions keeping hitting a low cut to control her ball in the wind and she reminded everyone in the media center that she has won twice already this year in similar conditions in the always windy Bahamas and Hawaii.
Other notables include Stacy Lewis (71-73) T6 at E while Lydia Ko improved by two shots (77-75) T47th at +8 with 2 rounds to play.
Bryan Angus
Alena Sharp has posted rounds of 74, 70 for E, which is not normally near the lead, however only five players broke par on Friday on Hainan Island in China and only the top-5 on the leaderboard are under par through 36 holes. She is just 2 shots behind going into today's play.
It is rookie of the year candidate Sei Young Kim with a steady 72 who has the second-round lead at this Blue Bay LPGA in blustery conditions at -2 just one shot ahead of a group of four including Suzann Pettersen (69), Candie Kung (72), Ryann O’Toole (73) and Austin Ernst (75).
Kim said she thrives in the windy conditions keeping hitting a low cut to control her ball in the wind and she reminded everyone in the media center that she has won twice already this year in similar conditions in the always windy Bahamas and Hawaii.
Other notables include Stacy Lewis (71-73) T6 at E while Lydia Ko improved by two shots (77-75) T47th at +8 with 2 rounds to play.
Bryan Angus
The pack has closed on Van Zyl after round two in Turkey..
European Tour Turkish Airlines Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015088/leaderboard/index.html#9spH5s7ceVwiPj7A.97
Round two on the Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course under ideal weather conditions at this plush resort in southern Turkey is in the books and it is South African Jaco Van Zyl who continues to lead following his opening 61, with a -3 69 to go into the weekend at -14, but now only two shots clear.
It's was a close race for 2nd in the early part of Friday with Van Zyl leading by 5 shots at -15 with both Lee Westwood and Chris Wood chasing at -10 with a whole gaggle at -9 and -8.
However with a couple of bogey's slowing his progress, he allowed the chasing pack back in. England's Richard Bland shot -7 65 -12 to grab 2nd place along with in form Chris Wood, 66.
Spaniard Fabrizio Zenotti with 67 66 is at -11 along with Frenchman and former champion Victor Dubuisson 64.
Rory McIlroy playing with a new ball and a new driver this week was -2 today through 10, but made 3 more birdies coming in, despite driving wildly into another unplayable lie on the 18th before scrambling for par and a -5 67 for -10 total. He is joined on that number by Alex Levy (65)
Lee Westwood missed a lot of putts that he made on Thursday but hung around for 71 -9 total along with Graeme McDowell who had a great day with -7 65, looking more like his old self.
Bryan Angus
Round two on the Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course under ideal weather conditions at this plush resort in southern Turkey is in the books and it is South African Jaco Van Zyl who continues to lead following his opening 61, with a -3 69 to go into the weekend at -14, but now only two shots clear.
It's was a close race for 2nd in the early part of Friday with Van Zyl leading by 5 shots at -15 with both Lee Westwood and Chris Wood chasing at -10 with a whole gaggle at -9 and -8.
However with a couple of bogey's slowing his progress, he allowed the chasing pack back in. England's Richard Bland shot -7 65 -12 to grab 2nd place along with in form Chris Wood, 66.
Spaniard Fabrizio Zenotti with 67 66 is at -11 along with Frenchman and former champion Victor Dubuisson 64.
Rory McIlroy playing with a new ball and a new driver this week was -2 today through 10, but made 3 more birdies coming in, despite driving wildly into another unplayable lie on the 18th before scrambling for par and a -5 67 for -10 total. He is joined on that number by Alex Levy (65)
Lee Westwood missed a lot of putts that he made on Thursday but hung around for 71 -9 total along with Graeme McDowell who had a great day with -7 65, looking more like his old self.
Bryan Angus
Thomas breaks course record to lead in sweltering Kuala Lumpur
PGA Tour CIMB Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/cimb-classic/leaderboard.html
Kuala Lumpur is very hot and humid at this time of year, you are going to be hot and sweaty when you are outside, and for some who have never been in that part of the world it can be oppressive, especially if you are jet lagged..
All of those describe the condition of 22 year old phenom Justin Thomas who has just polished off a round that had 59 written all over it, with an eagle and nine birdies and a brand new course-record 61 at this CIMB Classic on Friday good for a 1 shot lead over Brendan Steele (63) at -15 129 as the pro's continue to torch the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club
"I never have been to this part of the world before and my body is still adjusting. Today was a little better. I even slept in, until 5.30 a.m."
That made his score even more remarkable and in fact he had done all the hard work and required birdies on two of the last three holes, but as always 59 is elusive, which is why only 6 guys have managed it.
First-round leader Scott Piercy who set the course record on Thursday with 62 had a 69 T3, two shots behind, along with Spencer Levin (64), and Hideki Matsuyama (66)
There are some big names in this field, for example Adam Scott is at -10 under, and course specialist, two-time defending champion Ryan Moore at -8. Sergio Garcia shot 67 -8 under, Paul Casey (69) and Henrik Stenson (67) -7, Padraig Harrington (72) -4 under, and world traveller Ernie Els (69) is at -3.
David Hearn got in on the low scoring and is T12 70 65 -9, Nick Taylor is T66 74 70 E
Bryan Angus
Kuala Lumpur is very hot and humid at this time of year, you are going to be hot and sweaty when you are outside, and for some who have never been in that part of the world it can be oppressive, especially if you are jet lagged..
All of those describe the condition of 22 year old phenom Justin Thomas who has just polished off a round that had 59 written all over it, with an eagle and nine birdies and a brand new course-record 61 at this CIMB Classic on Friday good for a 1 shot lead over Brendan Steele (63) at -15 129 as the pro's continue to torch the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club
"I never have been to this part of the world before and my body is still adjusting. Today was a little better. I even slept in, until 5.30 a.m."
That made his score even more remarkable and in fact he had done all the hard work and required birdies on two of the last three holes, but as always 59 is elusive, which is why only 6 guys have managed it.
First-round leader Scott Piercy who set the course record on Thursday with 62 had a 69 T3, two shots behind, along with Spencer Levin (64), and Hideki Matsuyama (66)
There are some big names in this field, for example Adam Scott is at -10 under, and course specialist, two-time defending champion Ryan Moore at -8. Sergio Garcia shot 67 -8 under, Paul Casey (69) and Henrik Stenson (67) -7, Padraig Harrington (72) -4 under, and world traveller Ernie Els (69) is at -3.
David Hearn got in on the low scoring and is T12 70 65 -9, Nick Taylor is T66 74 70 E
Bryan Angus
Thursday, October 29, 2015
PGA Tour in Malaysia.. Pirecy leads at -10
PGA Tour CIMB Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/cimb-classic/leaderboard.html
The PGA tour is in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Scott Piercy’s bogey-free 62 in the first round of was one shy of tying his career-best round in relation to par on the PGA TOUR. He fired an 11-under 61 in the third round of the 2011 Barracuda Championship, including an eagle on the final hole. He went on earn his first TOUR win that week.
There was one constant in those two low rounds: his putting was spot on. The three-time TOUR winner needed just 23 putts at Montreux Golf and Country Club in 2011. He had 25 putts Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Piercy, a Las Vegas native, arrived in Malaysia down on himself after his tough week (T25) in front of his hometown crowd.
“I was really frustrated, especially being at home,” Piercy said. “I felt like I played the absolute worst I could have played and still finished top-25.“
Today was a much different story. Piercy was in good spirits after his round, even joking with the media when asked what his plan was for Friday’s second round. "another 62"
Canadians David Hearn shot -2 70 and Nick Taylor +2 74..
pgatour.com
The PGA tour is in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Scott Piercy’s bogey-free 62 in the first round of was one shy of tying his career-best round in relation to par on the PGA TOUR. He fired an 11-under 61 in the third round of the 2011 Barracuda Championship, including an eagle on the final hole. He went on earn his first TOUR win that week.
There was one constant in those two low rounds: his putting was spot on. The three-time TOUR winner needed just 23 putts at Montreux Golf and Country Club in 2011. He had 25 putts Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Piercy, a Las Vegas native, arrived in Malaysia down on himself after his tough week (T25) in front of his hometown crowd.
“I was really frustrated, especially being at home,” Piercy said. “I felt like I played the absolute worst I could have played and still finished top-25.“
Today was a much different story. Piercy was in good spirits after his round, even joking with the media when asked what his plan was for Friday’s second round. "another 62"
Canadians David Hearn shot -2 70 and Nick Taylor +2 74..
pgatour.com
Van Zyl shoots 61 to lead in sunny Turkey..
European Tour Turkish Airlines Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015088/leaderboard/index.html#M522HRReJgMV83uc.97
The playoffs for the Race to Dubai kicks off on the south coast of Turkey with most of Europe's top stars in the field with round one well under way.
Lee Westwood is enjoying his return Europe from Florida after the split with his long time wife over the summer, he's was all over the flag this morning and shot -8 64 to sit 2nd to a stunning -11 61 by
South African Jaco Van Zyl to beat the record of 62 held by Raphaël Jacquelin, although his achievement will not go in the record books as preferred lies were in play due to recent heavy rain.
Bryan Angus
The playoffs for the Race to Dubai kicks off on the south coast of Turkey with most of Europe's top stars in the field with round one well under way.
Lee Westwood is enjoying his return Europe from Florida after the split with his long time wife over the summer, he's was all over the flag this morning and shot -8 64 to sit 2nd to a stunning -11 61 by
South African Jaco Van Zyl to beat the record of 62 held by Raphaël Jacquelin, although his achievement will not go in the record books as preferred lies were in play due to recent heavy rain.
He has four top tens this year but has yet to break through with a win on this European Tour
Lanky Chris Wood who is -44 to par in his last 11 rounds was the early clubhouse leader at -6 66 and that stood up al day while scrambling Rory McIlroy is in a pack at -5 67. He finished his day like this on the 18th. ....His drive was away left and ended up by a tree, he had to play out left handed before putting his third shot short of the green, followed by a poor chip some 10 feet shy but he holed the putt for a momentum giving par !!
There are 78 players in the field and scoring is low, you have to go down to 62nd place to find anyone over par. The weather is ideal, sunny calm and hot, this Montgomerie Maxx course has 5 par fives so plenty of room for birdies and better..Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Justin Rose edges Bjerregaard to win UBS Hong Kong Open
European Tour UBS Hong Kong Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015082/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#TDEgCp1jazFDfRZZ.97
europeantour.com Justin Rose won the UBS Hong Kong Open by one shot after a final round battle with Lucas Bjerregaard on a tense and dramatic final day in Fanling.
The pair had been neck-and-neck for two days at Hong Kong Golf Club, coming into the final day with a share of the lead and they still could not be separated as they stood on the 12th tee on Sunday.
But a double bogey from Bjerregaard on the 14th proved crucial and Rose came home in 34 to get to 17 under and win a European Tour title for the fourth season in a row.
"Lucas played incredible golf," said Rose. "It was the first time I had the chance to play with him. I was thoroughly impressed, not just his game but his temperament and how he is as a person. Bjerregaard is best known for leading the tournament at Leopard Creek in South Africa after 3 rounds then shooting 89 on the final day, so this was a break through week for the big Dane.
The pair had been neck-and-neck for two days at Hong Kong Golf Club, coming into the final day with a share of the lead and they still could not be separated as they stood on the 12th tee on Sunday.
But a double bogey from Bjerregaard on the 14th proved crucial and Rose came home in 34 to get to 17 under and win a European Tour title for the fourth season in a row.
"Lucas played incredible golf," said Rose. "It was the first time I had the chance to play with him. I was thoroughly impressed, not just his game but his temperament and how he is as a person. Bjerregaard is best known for leading the tournament at Leopard Creek in South Africa after 3 rounds then shooting 89 on the final day, so this was a break through week for the big Dane.
Rose's eighth European Tour win takes him above Shane Lowry into fourth in the Race to Dubai and the 2007 Order of Merit winner would love to finish top of the pile again at the DP World Tour Championship.
Ian Poulter, who was a late entry as he tried to make certain of playing the 13 events to maintain his European Tour membership for 2016, finished at five under after a closing 69.
Nick Taylor in contention in Las Vegas
PGA Tour Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/shriners-hospitals-for-children-open/leaderboard.html
With rounds of 66 70 67 -10 Canada's Nick Taylor has put himself in contention, just 3 shots off the lead at this Shriners Hospitals for Children at the TPC Summerlin course just 10 miles west of the strip in Las Vegas.
The leader is still Brett Stegmaier in only his fifth career PGA Tour start, who birdied the final hole for a -3 68 -13 and a one-stroke lead over Morgan Hoffman who is second after a -5 66.
Jimmy Walker 69, Chad Campbell 70 and 2011 winner and Las Vegas resident Kevin Na 68 are T3 at -11 while Alex Cejka had a hole in one on his way to a 66 that left him at -10 along with Taylor (67), Jason Bohn (69) and Cameron Tringale (70).
Taylor will have his work cut out for him as the course has been getting firmer as the week goes on and the 64's of Thursday have dried out with the greens.
David Hearn is T16 after rounds of 64 70 72 -7.
Bryan Angus
With rounds of 66 70 67 -10 Canada's Nick Taylor has put himself in contention, just 3 shots off the lead at this Shriners Hospitals for Children at the TPC Summerlin course just 10 miles west of the strip in Las Vegas.
The leader is still Brett Stegmaier in only his fifth career PGA Tour start, who birdied the final hole for a -3 68 -13 and a one-stroke lead over Morgan Hoffman who is second after a -5 66.
Jimmy Walker 69, Chad Campbell 70 and 2011 winner and Las Vegas resident Kevin Na 68 are T3 at -11 while Alex Cejka had a hole in one on his way to a 66 that left him at -10 along with Taylor (67), Jason Bohn (69) and Cameron Tringale (70).
Taylor will have his work cut out for him as the course has been getting firmer as the week goes on and the 64's of Thursday have dried out with the greens.
Bryan Angus
Ko laps the field, makes history with win in Taiwan
LPGA Tour Fubon Taiwan Championship final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/fubon-lpga-taiwan-championship/results
69 67 67 65 -20, 268 $300,000 Those are the numbers that tell the story of Lydia Ko's run away win this week in Taiwan as the 18-year reclaimed the No. 1 spot with her 9 shot win at the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship.
It was her 10th career LPGA Tour victory making her the youngest male or female to reach 10 wins at 18 years, 6 months and 1 day old breaking Nancy Lopez’s record by nearly 3 ½ years.
Ko dedicated the win to former New Zealand Golf President Patsy Hankins who passed away earlier this week and someone Ko considers a mentor in her junior days.
“ I think I was really playing for Patsy this week,” said Ko. “I think just hearing that on Friday morning broke my heart. She was such a huge factor into my life in my junior golf. To hear that she had passed away was very hard to hear that before you’re entering a round. But kind of just played for her the last three days, and I’m so happy that I can bring this win to her and her family.”
Bryan Angus
69 67 67 65 -20, 268 $300,000 Those are the numbers that tell the story of Lydia Ko's run away win this week in Taiwan as the 18-year reclaimed the No. 1 spot with her 9 shot win at the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship.
It was her 10th career LPGA Tour victory making her the youngest male or female to reach 10 wins at 18 years, 6 months and 1 day old breaking Nancy Lopez’s record by nearly 3 ½ years.
Ko dedicated the win to former New Zealand Golf President Patsy Hankins who passed away earlier this week and someone Ko considers a mentor in her junior days.
“ I think I was really playing for Patsy this week,” said Ko. “I think just hearing that on Friday morning broke my heart. She was such a huge factor into my life in my junior golf. To hear that she had passed away was very hard to hear that before you’re entering a round. But kind of just played for her the last three days, and I’m so happy that I can bring this win to her and her family.”
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Ko in contention again, in Taiwan
LPGA Tour Taiwan Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/fubon-lpga-taiwan-championship/leaderboard
The LPGA tour are in Taiwan, the third stop on their 5 event Asian swing and Lydia Ko is in the headlines as usual, this time she is a shot behind leader, South Korea's Ji Eun-hee who took a one-stroke lead into the weekend in blustery conditions at Miramar.
The LPGA tour are in Taiwan, the third stop on their 5 event Asian swing and Lydia Ko is in the headlines as usual, this time she is a shot behind leader, South Korea's Ji Eun-hee who took a one-stroke lead into the weekend in blustery conditions at Miramar.
Ji shot a -3 69, -9 135 and you may remember she won the 2008 LPGA Championship and 2009 U.S. Women’s Open, her only two wins on the LPGA tour.
Meanwhile Ko, currently ranked #2 behind defending champion South Korea’s Inbee Park, birdied the par-5 18th for a -5 67. She has four LPGA Tour victories this year, the last a major victory last month in France in the Evian Championship.
England’s Charley Hull and China’s Lin Xi-yu, both 19, were tied for third at -7. Hull had a 69, and Lin a 70.
The only Canadian making the trip to Asia, Alena Sharp fired a second-round 73 T55 +5
The tour moves to the Blue Bay LPGA next week in China, then over to Japan weather permitting, for the Japan Classic.
Bryan Angus
Hearn slips out of the lead in Las Vegas
PGA Tour Shriners Hospitals for Children Open http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/shriners-hospitals-for-children-open/leaderboard.html
Brett Stegmaier who earned his tour card at the Web.com finals is on top of the leaderboard in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and if you hadn't heard of him it's because this is only his 5th event.
Brett Stegmaier who earned his tour card at the Web.com finals is on top of the leaderboard in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and if you hadn't heard of him it's because this is only his 5th event.
He is a late bloomer, now 32 who played his college golf at the University of Florida didn't finish his round but is at -6 under, -11 total with three holes left when play was halted due to darkness.
Chad Campbell is 41 now, still plugging away without much success is a stroke back (67) along with Morgan Hoffmann (66) and Tyler Aldridge (68). Campbell hasn't won since 2007.
David Hearn started the day tied for the lead shot -1 70 and is T11 at -8. Nick Taylor shot 70 as well and is T22 -6. Graham DeLaet is T81 72,69 and Adam Hadwin is T96 70 72 E.
The always popular Rickie Fowler fired a -6 65 to reach -5 after a snappy back nine of 30.
Bryan Angus
Bjerrgaarde and Rose tied for the third round lead in Hong Kong
European Tour UBS Hong Kong Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015082/leaderboard/index.html#TDUPwHQbPWLhScep.97
Lucas Bjerregaard and Justin Rose are tied for the lead heading into Sunday at the UBS Hong Kong Open.
Rose recorded two eagles and two birdies in a very impressive 64 that saw him move to -15 while the Dane with the name that is spelt like your keyboard is sticking, Bjerregaard matched him shot for shot and despite a closing bogey, got into the clubhouse with a 63 to give him a great shot at his first European Tour title.
Long hitting Indian star, Anirban Lahiri is 4 shots back at -11 after a 65 with countryman Jeev Milkha Singh (65) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (66) another shot back
Rose recorded two eagles and two birdies in a very impressive 64 that saw him move to -15 while the Dane with the name that is spelt like your keyboard is sticking, Bjerregaard matched him shot for shot and despite a closing bogey, got into the clubhouse with a 63 to give him a great shot at his first European Tour title.
Long hitting Indian star, Anirban Lahiri is 4 shots back at -11 after a 65 with countryman Jeev Milkha Singh (65) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (66) another shot back
Ian Poulter was a late entry into the tournament as he seeks to play the 13 events required to keep his European Tour card dropped out of contention after a 73 dropped him to -4.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 23, 2015
Justin Rose leads UBS Hong Kong Open after two rounds
European Tour UBS Hong Kong Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015082/leaderboard/index.html#QIvkAIPLfvELUIPe.97
The second round of play at the UBS Hong Kong Open is over with some familiar names at the top.
The second round of play at the UBS Hong Kong Open is over with some familiar names at the top.
Justin Rose, ranked world #7, has fired a 66 to go with his opening 65 for a narrow one shot lead (-9) at Hong Kong Golf Club over Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark (66) and his pal Ian Poulter (66) and China's Lu Wei-chih (69) a further shot back.
Poulter had to make a last minute entry this week after dropping out of the top 50 in the World Rankings he suddenly had to play to guarantee he played the 13 European Tour events necessary to secure his membership for 2016. After some frantic phone calls, Rich Beem playing on a sponsors exemption gave up his spot so Poulter could play, but not before he managed to procure a passport in just 4 hours... Now you try doing that !! Poulter won this event in 2010.
Poulter had to make a last minute entry this week after dropping out of the top 50 in the World Rankings he suddenly had to play to guarantee he played the 13 European Tour events necessary to secure his membership for 2016. After some frantic phone calls, Rich Beem playing on a sponsors exemption gave up his spot so Poulter could play, but not before he managed to procure a passport in just 4 hours... Now you try doing that !! Poulter won this event in 2010.
For those of you who are wondering, Lucas Bjerregaard has three top tens in his last five starts and is a big hitting Dane with a fine touch.
Up and coming stars and indeed Rookie of the Year contenders Matthew Fitzpatrick and Anirban Lahiri both shot second consecutive 67s and are at -6 alongside YE Yang (66)
Graeme McDowell is playing better and as a result is at -5 under after a 69, meanwhile Patrick Reed fired a 69 and is at -3 but Dustin Johnson missed the cut at +1 after a 72.
Reed is playing a lot over the next month as he needs 13 European Tour events to keep his card for next year, this week is his 10th.
Bryan Angus
Graeme McDowell is playing better and as a result is at -5 under after a 69, meanwhile Patrick Reed fired a 69 and is at -3 but Dustin Johnson missed the cut at +1 after a 72.
Reed is playing a lot over the next month as he needs 13 European Tour events to keep his card for next year, this week is his 10th.
Bryan Angus
What a start to the 2016 season for David Hearn !
PGA Tour Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/shriners-hospitals-for-children-open/leaderboard.html
With the new season on the PGA Tour already one tournament old with Emiliano Grillo's win in the Napa Valley last week the travelling pack has moved it's dolls and dishes to the bright lights and sunny days of Las Vegas at the TPC Summerlin and what a great start to the season for David Hearn who is part of a four way tie for the lead at -7 64 after the opening round.
Michael Thompson, Mark Hubbard and Tyler Aldridge are tied with Hearn although Aldridge had two holes left when darkness fell in the desert.
Hearn is practising with the regular length putter, but will continue to use the anchored long handle which helped him to his best season ever last year, until the pending ban on anchoring kicks in this coming January. He's 36 now and remember he had five top 25 finishes last year and damn near made history at Glen Abbey, eventually finishing third. He was -4 playing the back nine, made a bogey at the 17th then played the front nine in -4 finishing with birdies on his final three holes to shoot 64.
The course was playing pretty much perfect as it’s going to get, the greens were great this morning. I think that there’s a reason there’s a lot of good scores on that board. It’s because the course is in such good shape.”
Other Canadian scores : Nick Taylor T16 -5 66, Adam Hadwin T79 -1 70 Graham DeLaet T113 +1 72
Bryan Angus
With the new season on the PGA Tour already one tournament old with Emiliano Grillo's win in the Napa Valley last week the travelling pack has moved it's dolls and dishes to the bright lights and sunny days of Las Vegas at the TPC Summerlin and what a great start to the season for David Hearn who is part of a four way tie for the lead at -7 64 after the opening round.
Michael Thompson, Mark Hubbard and Tyler Aldridge are tied with Hearn although Aldridge had two holes left when darkness fell in the desert.
Hearn is practising with the regular length putter, but will continue to use the anchored long handle which helped him to his best season ever last year, until the pending ban on anchoring kicks in this coming January. He's 36 now and remember he had five top 25 finishes last year and damn near made history at Glen Abbey, eventually finishing third. He was -4 playing the back nine, made a bogey at the 17th then played the front nine in -4 finishing with birdies on his final three holes to shoot 64.
The course was playing pretty much perfect as it’s going to get, the greens were great this morning. I think that there’s a reason there’s a lot of good scores on that board. It’s because the course is in such good shape.”
Other Canadian scores : Nick Taylor T16 -5 66, Adam Hadwin T79 -1 70 Graham DeLaet T113 +1 72
Bryan Angus
Thursday, October 22, 2015
All to play for on the European Tour...this week it's in Hong Kong
European Tour UBS Hong Kong Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015082/leaderboard/index.html#si6p2RLz8lCEdDQ3.97
For one of my Fairway's shows in 1995 I went through my pals at the European Tour office and managed to hook up with a tournament official at the World Golf Championships at the inaugural event in China at the time on a sketchy phone line, and we did an interview in which he spoke passionately about the explosion that was about to take place in professional golf in Asia..
My how right he was. The LPGA Tour is in the midst of a 6 event swing in Asia and the Far East, their tour of course dominated by players from South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, and we have just recently been thrilled by the Presidents Cup also from South Korea.
This week round one is already in the books at the Hong Kong Open on the famous tight tree lined Fanling GC with Wei Chih Lu and Italian Andrea Pavan leading at -6 64. However stars like Justin Rose (-5 65) and Graeme McDowell (-4 66) and Dustin Johnson (-1 69) are in the field and they will soon be joined in Asia by stars like Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson, etal as they prepare to start the playoffs for the Race to Dubai...and Asia and the Middle East will be the setting...
Not the UK, not hot spots in Europe...Asia, the Middle East... how the game has changed in 20 years.
The Final Series begins on the Mediterranean coast at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal resort for the Turkish Airlines Open next weekend, a $7m purse up for grabs as the Turkish government strives to divert some of that lucrative European holiday golf business away from traditional resorts in Spain and Portugal.
All the stars will be in Shanghai for the WGC HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International GC worth $8.5 from November 5-8
The following week is still in Shanghai across town in that massive city of some 20 million people at the Lake Malaren GC for the BMW Masters worth a mere $7m
The grand finale moves to the Middle East headquarters of the European Tour for the DP World Tour Championship on the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai UAE, where the Race to Dubai winner will be crowned and bestowed with the lion's share of $10 and all the spoils that go with it. That all wraps up on November 22
If you think that's the end of it, remember after a little silly season with the likes of the Nedbank Golf Challenge and Tiger's World Golf Challenge....Australia comes calling with their version of the Masters, PGA Championship topped by the Aussie Open which kick started Jordan Spieth's fabulous 2015 campaign.
Golf is all over the world now and growing in places like India, Russia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and it is highlighted for the next four weeks in places where most of the population didn't know what a seven iron was just 20 years ago !
It's all to play for with plenty of drama and excitement to come and I'll have it all for you right here and every Sunday morning on your radio at TSN1050 between 7-9am on the International Sports Report.
Bryan Angus
For one of my Fairway's shows in 1995 I went through my pals at the European Tour office and managed to hook up with a tournament official at the World Golf Championships at the inaugural event in China at the time on a sketchy phone line, and we did an interview in which he spoke passionately about the explosion that was about to take place in professional golf in Asia..
My how right he was. The LPGA Tour is in the midst of a 6 event swing in Asia and the Far East, their tour of course dominated by players from South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, and we have just recently been thrilled by the Presidents Cup also from South Korea.
This week round one is already in the books at the Hong Kong Open on the famous tight tree lined Fanling GC with Wei Chih Lu and Italian Andrea Pavan leading at -6 64. However stars like Justin Rose (-5 65) and Graeme McDowell (-4 66) and Dustin Johnson (-1 69) are in the field and they will soon be joined in Asia by stars like Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson, etal as they prepare to start the playoffs for the Race to Dubai...and Asia and the Middle East will be the setting...
Not the UK, not hot spots in Europe...Asia, the Middle East... how the game has changed in 20 years.
The Final Series begins on the Mediterranean coast at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal resort for the Turkish Airlines Open next weekend, a $7m purse up for grabs as the Turkish government strives to divert some of that lucrative European holiday golf business away from traditional resorts in Spain and Portugal.
All the stars will be in Shanghai for the WGC HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International GC worth $8.5 from November 5-8
The following week is still in Shanghai across town in that massive city of some 20 million people at the Lake Malaren GC for the BMW Masters worth a mere $7m
The grand finale moves to the Middle East headquarters of the European Tour for the DP World Tour Championship on the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai UAE, where the Race to Dubai winner will be crowned and bestowed with the lion's share of $10 and all the spoils that go with it. That all wraps up on November 22
If you think that's the end of it, remember after a little silly season with the likes of the Nedbank Golf Challenge and Tiger's World Golf Challenge....Australia comes calling with their version of the Masters, PGA Championship topped by the Aussie Open which kick started Jordan Spieth's fabulous 2015 campaign.
Golf is all over the world now and growing in places like India, Russia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and it is highlighted for the next four weeks in places where most of the population didn't know what a seven iron was just 20 years ago !
It's all to play for with plenty of drama and excitement to come and I'll have it all for you right here and every Sunday morning on your radio at TSN1050 between 7-9am on the International Sports Report.
Bryan Angus
Monday, October 19, 2015
Grillo wins the Fry's.com Open in a playoff..
PGA Tour Fry's.com Open final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/frys-com-open/leaderboard.html
This version of the Fry's.com Open was in doubt right until the final hole as nine players had at least a share of the lead on Sunday including Brendan Steele who led all week and was holing putts and playing with great confidence until he let it all get away closing with five bogeys for a 76 to fall out of contention.
Sadly so did Graham DeLaet who finished at -7 after a 77. The winner is no surprise to me as those who follow me here and on the air know I've been touting Tony Finau and Emiliano Grillo as two to watch and it was the young Argentinian Grillo who beat Kevin Na with a birdie 4 on the 2nd playoff hole for his first PGA Tour win in his rookie year debut. He cemented his card when he won the Web.com Tour Championship two weeks ago.
His win was not without a lot of drama. Do you remember earlier this year when he played in the Puerto Rico Open and missed a little 3 footer for the win then lost it in a playoff. Well he had that same 3 footer for the win in the first playoff hole yesterday and missed it as well !
On the next hole he drove into the fairway bunker, but Na opened the door for him by hooking his driver from the fairway behind the trees ending up with bogey while Grillo hit a great shot out of the trap to 12 feet which sealed the win.
He is at #36 in the world today, and gets to play in the Masters as well as the PGA Championship and other WGC events. He is a graduate of the David Leadbetter golf academy and you may remember him leading the Canadian Open this year after shooting 64 in the first round. He turned pro in 2011 and spent the next four years on the European Tour.
He is only 23, and joins all the other young guns that are the future of golf world wide.
Jason Bohn (70), Justin Thomas (69) and Tyrone Van Aswegen of South Africa (68) all finished one shot out of the playoff and all had their chances to win.
This version of the Fry's.com Open was in doubt right until the final hole as nine players had at least a share of the lead on Sunday including Brendan Steele who led all week and was holing putts and playing with great confidence until he let it all get away closing with five bogeys for a 76 to fall out of contention.
Sadly so did Graham DeLaet who finished at -7 after a 77. The winner is no surprise to me as those who follow me here and on the air know I've been touting Tony Finau and Emiliano Grillo as two to watch and it was the young Argentinian Grillo who beat Kevin Na with a birdie 4 on the 2nd playoff hole for his first PGA Tour win in his rookie year debut. He cemented his card when he won the Web.com Tour Championship two weeks ago.
His win was not without a lot of drama. Do you remember earlier this year when he played in the Puerto Rico Open and missed a little 3 footer for the win then lost it in a playoff. Well he had that same 3 footer for the win in the first playoff hole yesterday and missed it as well !
On the next hole he drove into the fairway bunker, but Na opened the door for him by hooking his driver from the fairway behind the trees ending up with bogey while Grillo hit a great shot out of the trap to 12 feet which sealed the win.
He is at #36 in the world today, and gets to play in the Masters as well as the PGA Championship and other WGC events. He is a graduate of the David Leadbetter golf academy and you may remember him leading the Canadian Open this year after shooting 64 in the first round. He turned pro in 2011 and spent the next four years on the European Tour.
He is only 23, and joins all the other young guns that are the future of golf world wide.
Jason Bohn (70), Justin Thomas (69) and Tyrone Van Aswegen of South Africa (68) all finished one shot out of the playoff and all had their chances to win.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sullivan is the runaway winner of the Portugal Masters
European Tour Portugal Masters leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015080/leaderboard/index.html#YQgT3ypxTdDfhBku.97
After a night of heavy rain in the Algarve, play was delayed until 10am local time this morning, and as I mentioned yesterday the field was under a shot gun start and Andy Sullivan became the first man to win three European Tour events this season as he claimed a stunning wire-to-wire victory at the Portugal Masters.
Westwood is reportedly dating a 38 year old model Helen Storey as they have a mutual connection in Graham Wylie, the Sage Group co-founder, who owns Close House golf course near Newcastle, where Westwood is the resident professional and is married to Storey's sister Andrea. He was not in the field this week.
Bryan Angus
After a night of heavy rain in the Algarve, play was delayed until 10am local time this morning, and as I mentioned yesterday the field was under a shot gun start and Andy Sullivan became the first man to win three European Tour events this season as he claimed a stunning wire-to-wire victory at the Portugal Masters.
The Englishman came into the final round with a five shot lead and a 66 extended that to nine shots over Chris Wood as he finished on -23 to become the fifth wire-to-wire winner of the season and blew away the record winning margin at the event which had been Alexander Levy's three shot victory last year.
The win moves Sullivan into the top 50 of the World Rankings and means he has three wins in 23 events after not claiming a victory in his first 84 on the European Tour and he will celebrate tonight with his parents and other family who are with him in Portugal for a holiday.
On another note, Lee Westwood who split up with his long time wife Laurae this summer has moved back to England after 3 years in Palm Beach, Florida to be closer to his two children. She is living back in Edinburgh with the kids, Sam14 and Poppy10.
The win moves Sullivan into the top 50 of the World Rankings and means he has three wins in 23 events after not claiming a victory in his first 84 on the European Tour and he will celebrate tonight with his parents and other family who are with him in Portugal for a holiday.
On another note, Lee Westwood who split up with his long time wife Laurae this summer has moved back to England after 3 years in Palm Beach, Florida to be closer to his two children. She is living back in Edinburgh with the kids, Sam14 and Poppy10.
Westwood is reportedly dating a 38 year old model Helen Storey as they have a mutual connection in Graham Wylie, the Sage Group co-founder, who owns Close House golf course near Newcastle, where Westwood is the resident professional and is married to Storey's sister Andrea. He was not in the field this week.
Bryan Angus
DeLaet has a chance to match Weir and win the Frys.Com today
PGA Tour Frys.Com leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/frys-com-open/leaderboard.html
Brendan Steele had a steady -3 69 on Saturday to maintain a one-shot lead over Andrew Loupe who matched Steele's course record of 63 and Kevin Na (64), but there are sixteen players who are separated by only four shots and one of them is Graham DeLaet who is trying to become the first Canadian since Mike Weir to win the Frys.Com Championship. He shot -2 69 and is at -12.
Weir won it when it was called the Fry's Electronics Open in 2007 with scores of 69 64 65 68 -14 for his last PGA Tour win.
Adam Hadwin is T39 at -6 after -1 71 as is Rory McIlroy who can't make a putt despite a lesson from Dave Stockton.
Bryan Angus
Brendan Steele had a steady -3 69 on Saturday to maintain a one-shot lead over Andrew Loupe who matched Steele's course record of 63 and Kevin Na (64), but there are sixteen players who are separated by only four shots and one of them is Graham DeLaet who is trying to become the first Canadian since Mike Weir to win the Frys.Com Championship. He shot -2 69 and is at -12.
Weir won it when it was called the Fry's Electronics Open in 2007 with scores of 69 64 65 68 -14 for his last PGA Tour win.
Adam Hadwin is T39 at -6 after -1 71 as is Rory McIlroy who can't make a putt despite a lesson from Dave Stockton.
Bryan Angus
Lexi Thompson wins Keb Hana Bank in South Korea
LPGA Keb Hana Bank Championship final scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lpga-keb-hanabank-championship/leaderboard
With scores of 68 67 69 69 -15 long hitting Lexi Thompson has won the Keb Hana Bank Championship by a shot over Yani Tseng (68) and Sung Hyun Park (71).
It is her second victory of 2015 and sixth win of her career. Amy Yang made history tying the course record with a final round 62 as she birdied every hole on the back nine, a first in the history of the LPGA Tour, finishing -13 for the championship.
Yang finished T4 with Gerina Piller and Lydia Ko who had the opportunity to move to No.1 in the world but she had a poor day on the greens and struggled to an even par 72.
The LPGA Asia swing moves to Taiwan next week.
Bryan Angus
With scores of 68 67 69 69 -15 long hitting Lexi Thompson has won the Keb Hana Bank Championship by a shot over Yani Tseng (68) and Sung Hyun Park (71).
It is her second victory of 2015 and sixth win of her career. Amy Yang made history tying the course record with a final round 62 as she birdied every hole on the back nine, a first in the history of the LPGA Tour, finishing -13 for the championship.
Yang finished T4 with Gerina Piller and Lydia Ko who had the opportunity to move to No.1 in the world but she had a poor day on the greens and struggled to an even par 72.
The LPGA Asia swing moves to Taiwan next week.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Sullivan tames the wind to lead by 5 in Portugal.
European Tour Portugal Masters leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015080/leaderboard/index.html#RX7CjxherQssjLEb.97
The bad weather forecast forced the tournament organizers to play a shot gun start which I must admit I have never seen in a pro event, but it worked as they have just completed round three and Andy Sullivan has extended his lead to 5 shots at -18 after following up his opening 64's with a -5 67.
The rain and storms stayed away in the morning, but the wind was playing havoc with scoring far more difficult than the first two days but Sullivan is playing so well it didn't affect him as his nearest competitor is Spain's Eduardo de la Riva (68)
Chris Wood had a remarkable round of the day, -6 65 moving him up to -11 along with Spaniard Jorge Campillo (67)
And with more bad weather expected on Sunday, there will be another 0800 shotgun start.
Bryan Angus
Bryan Angus
Ames in contention deep in the heart of Texas
Champions Tour San Antonio Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/san-antonio-championship/leaderboard.html
Wes Short Jr. who won his only Champions Tour event in Quebec last year opened with a -5 67 for a one-stroke lead in the San Antonio Championship, not far from where he played his college golf at the University of Texas.
Wes Short Jr. who won his only Champions Tour event in Quebec last year opened with a -5 67 for a one-stroke lead in the San Antonio Championship, not far from where he played his college golf at the University of Texas.
Stephen Ames with 3 straight birdies from the 5th-7 and another on the 14th played a bogey free round of 68 and is in the group at -4 with Duffy Waldorf, Scott Dunlap, Paul Goydos and Jeff Sluman, all T2.
Defending champion Michael Allen had a 69 while Charles Schwab Cup leader Colin Montgomerie opened with a 71 and he has a narrow 39-point lead over Jeff Maggert with three events left in the season-long competition. Maggert had a 72.
Bryan Angus
Lydia Ko tied for lead after 3 rounds in South Korea
LPGA Tour Keb Hanabank Championship http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lpga-keb-hanabank-championship/leaderboard
Play for round three is in the books over in South Korea, and Lydia Ko 69 65 69 -13 is tied for the lead with Sung Hynn Park 62 74 67 playing the Sky 72 Golf Club Ocean course in Incheon South Korea.. Mirim Lee and Lexi Thompson are a shot behind at -12.
Ko led by one stroke at the start of the day got off to a great start with four birdies in her first six holes but had her problems on the back nine with bogey's at 11 and 12 and a double at 14 before recovering with birdies at 15 and 17 to regain her share of the lead.
Her remarkable career continues and with a win on Sunday, she would re-take the number one spot from Inbee Park and would also mark the 10th of her career on the LPGA Tour, which would make her the youngest winner in the history of the game to capture 10 victories.
Bryan Angus
Play for round three is in the books over in South Korea, and Lydia Ko 69 65 69 -13 is tied for the lead with Sung Hynn Park 62 74 67 playing the Sky 72 Golf Club Ocean course in Incheon South Korea.. Mirim Lee and Lexi Thompson are a shot behind at -12.
Ko led by one stroke at the start of the day got off to a great start with four birdies in her first six holes but had her problems on the back nine with bogey's at 11 and 12 and a double at 14 before recovering with birdies at 15 and 17 to regain her share of the lead.
Her remarkable career continues and with a win on Sunday, she would re-take the number one spot from Inbee Park and would also mark the 10th of her career on the LPGA Tour, which would make her the youngest winner in the history of the game to capture 10 victories.
Bryan Angus
DeLaet just 2 behind at Frys.com
PGA Tour Frys.com Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/frys-com-open/leaderboard.html
Brendan Steele followed his opening 63 with -2 70 and at -11 he is 2 shots clear of Graham DeLaet (68) , Will Wilcox (67), Jhonattan Vegas (71) and Harold Varner III (70) all at -9. There is a large group at -8 that include Justin Rose (69), Russell Henley (69 and Martin Laird (71) and Justin Thomas (70)
DeLaet is driving it long averaging over 316 yards but is also hitting 83% of his greens in regulation as a result had 5 birdies and just the one bogey.
Other Canadians; Adam Hadwin is at -5 62 67, the rest of the guys MC, David Hearn E 71 73, Corey Renfrew +1 73 72, Nick Taylor +2 71 75..
The Silverado course playing firmer, with tougher pins was playing a shot harder than Thursday and the cut is at -2 142, and because 81 players made it there will be a 54-hole cut at the end of play today.
All eyes are on Rory McIlroy who is hitting the ball well from tee to green but isn't making many putts. He shot 71 and is at -5.
Bryan Angus
Brendan Steele followed his opening 63 with -2 70 and at -11 he is 2 shots clear of Graham DeLaet (68) , Will Wilcox (67), Jhonattan Vegas (71) and Harold Varner III (70) all at -9. There is a large group at -8 that include Justin Rose (69), Russell Henley (69 and Martin Laird (71) and Justin Thomas (70)
DeLaet is driving it long averaging over 316 yards but is also hitting 83% of his greens in regulation as a result had 5 birdies and just the one bogey.
Other Canadians; Adam Hadwin is at -5 62 67, the rest of the guys MC, David Hearn E 71 73, Corey Renfrew +1 73 72, Nick Taylor +2 71 75..
The Silverado course playing firmer, with tougher pins was playing a shot harder than Thursday and the cut is at -2 142, and because 81 players made it there will be a 54-hole cut at the end of play today.
All eyes are on Rory McIlroy who is hitting the ball well from tee to green but isn't making many putts. He shot 71 and is at -5.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 16, 2015
DeLaet leads Canadian contingent at Frys.com in California
PGA Tour Fry's.com Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/frys-com-open/leaderboard.html
There has just been a two week break since the 2015 season ended, along with all the excitement of the Solheim and President Cups, but here we go again already with the 2016 season officially underway in the beautiful Napa valley and I must say there is a pretty strong field
Graham DeLaet seems to be fully recovered from the thumb injury that forced him to withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open ending his season as he leads the 5 Canadians here this week after a -5 67, T7. Nick Taylor and David Hearn both had -1 71 while Adam Hadwin is in at 72. Cory Renfrew won the Monday qualifier shot +1 73.
Rory McIlroy is on his way from Florida to Asia for the finale to the Race to Dubai and he has stopped off here on route for some much needed competitive play. He opened with -4 68 and trails the leader Brendan Steele who posted a 29 on the back nine before making the turn and finishing with -9 63 for a one-shot lead over Jhonattan Vegas in ideal scoring conditions at Silverado. Vegas really needs to save himself as he has lost his card, didn't make the Web.com Tour Finals and is playing here as part his limited status as a past champion (2011 Humana Challenge)
Rookie Harold Varner III, had a nice debut with a 65 a shot ahead of a group at 66 then Justin Thomas and Justin Rose are in another pack at 67.
Sang-Moon Bae is the defending champion, and he is in the army now in South Korea, so is unable to defend.
There has just been a two week break since the 2015 season ended, along with all the excitement of the Solheim and President Cups, but here we go again already with the 2016 season officially underway in the beautiful Napa valley and I must say there is a pretty strong field
Graham DeLaet seems to be fully recovered from the thumb injury that forced him to withdraw from the RBC Canadian Open ending his season as he leads the 5 Canadians here this week after a -5 67, T7. Nick Taylor and David Hearn both had -1 71 while Adam Hadwin is in at 72. Cory Renfrew won the Monday qualifier shot +1 73.
Rory McIlroy is on his way from Florida to Asia for the finale to the Race to Dubai and he has stopped off here on route for some much needed competitive play. He opened with -4 68 and trails the leader Brendan Steele who posted a 29 on the back nine before making the turn and finishing with -9 63 for a one-shot lead over Jhonattan Vegas in ideal scoring conditions at Silverado. Vegas really needs to save himself as he has lost his card, didn't make the Web.com Tour Finals and is playing here as part his limited status as a past champion (2011 Humana Challenge)
Rookie Harold Varner III, had a nice debut with a 65 a shot ahead of a group at 66 then Justin Thomas and Justin Rose are in another pack at 67.
Sang-Moon Bae is the defending champion, and he is in the army now in South Korea, so is unable to defend.
Sullivan leads by 4 shots halfway through the Portugal Masters
European Tour Portugal Masters scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015080/leaderboard/index.html#x7sgeOoWo0CHOPLw.97
The Atlantic coast of Portugal has long been a golfing holiday local for many northern Europeans including Britain but his week at the Oceanico Victorio GC in the Algarve, it's all business for the guys on the European tour looking for a late season win or to improve their Race to Dubai standings.
The Atlantic coast of Portugal has long been a golfing holiday local for many northern Europeans including Britain but his week at the Oceanico Victorio GC in the Algarve, it's all business for the guys on the European tour looking for a late season win or to improve their Race to Dubai standings.
Andy Sullivan at 28 has had a career year and is looking for a third title after winning the The South African Open Championship and the Joburg Open earlier and he has opened up a 4 shot lead with a second straight -7 64, -14 total as the morning wave wrap up their rounds.
The Englishman had held a share of the lead overnight alongside Nicolas Colsaerts and he enjoyed the beautiful sunny morning along with Bernd Wiesberger 68 64 -10, Eduardo De La Riva 65 67 -10 and Tommy Fleetwood 69 64 -9.
The two Belgians, Colsaerts 64, and Thomas Pieters 65 are just starting their rounds and I must add there is bad weather in the forecast for the weekend, so we will see what mother nature has to say about the eventual outcome but for now little Andy Sullivan is home and dry with the lead.
The Englishman had held a share of the lead overnight alongside Nicolas Colsaerts and he enjoyed the beautiful sunny morning along with Bernd Wiesberger 68 64 -10, Eduardo De La Riva 65 67 -10 and Tommy Fleetwood 69 64 -9.
The two Belgians, Colsaerts 64, and Thomas Pieters 65 are just starting their rounds and I must add there is bad weather in the forecast for the weekend, so we will see what mother nature has to say about the eventual outcome but for now little Andy Sullivan is home and dry with the lead.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Dramatic finish makes Presidents Cup a winner
Presidents Cup singles results http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
Finally the Presidents Cup got what it needed, well almost..
As many on this side of the pond slept, as dramatic and exciting finish as you could script capped off a tremendous week of golf in South Korea and in the end the Presidents Cup came out the winner.
For the record the US are the winners of this 11th edition 15.5- 14.5, but it all came down to the final pairing, on the final green, with captain Jay Haas son Bill playing South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae, or simply "Moon" to his friends.
Guys who were supposed to win didn't, guys who weren't supposed to win did. There were great shots, there were terrible shots, there were chip ins, there were duffed chips, there were long snaking putts, and critically there were missed gimme's. There was passion, there were tears, there was sportsmanship, there was camaraderie....there was a Presidents Cup to remember.
I said from the start the International team had to win this year for the event to start to matter and I was wrong. What it needed was the International team, the media underdogs, to be in contention right to the end, and that's what happened, and the way it happened provided all the drama you could ask for.
With the matches and points all square, Bill Haas was in the greenside bunker in two at the 18th. Sang-Moon Bae was just short of the elevated green in two, needing to win the hole to halve the match. He chose a wedge to chip it up over the steep slope, took a long time practising his stroke, then with his entire nation holding their breath, with his team mates unable to look, he stuck his wedge into the ground, chunked it, the ball rolled up the slope, stopped then rolled right back towards him.
Bae sank down on his haunches, buried his face in his hands, his chance and his team's lost in a flash, as Haas splashed out of the bunker to 6 feet, Bae had to chip again and understandably chipped well past and ended up conceding.
To blame Bae is totally unfair, he was brilliant all week, in fact had made clutch shots on 16 and 17 to stay just 1 down, there were many other dramatic moments in the other matches, this was a team loss and a team victory, but as I said off the top, it was a victory for the Presidents Cup and for golf.
Here are the match recaps..
Patrick Reed halved Louis Oosthuizen This match was why they have halves ! Patrick Reed didn't have a great week but his was back at his firey best in fact was 2 up until Oosthuizen squared the match with birdies at 12 and 14 but made a bogey on 16 to trail by 1. Then dramatically on the 18th which would be such a pivotal hole all day he hit his shot of the day from 220 yards right onto the green to just 12 feet and then holed the putt for eagle 3 and the halve. Great match.
Adam Scott def. Rickie Fowler 6 and 5: Scott’s return to the regular length putter was painful to watch all week as he struggled to find his touch. Playing Rickie he found it on the 7th green with an 8 footer, then made 2 more to win 8 and 9 and suddenly was 3up. He kept it going with more putts and more wins on the back nine and ran out a 6&5 winner over a subdued Fowler. and afterwards explained “It’s the first week I’ve putted with the short putter in a while and just getting a feel for it.
Dustin Johnson def. Danny Lee 2 and 1: To say Danny Lee wears his heart on his sleeve is an understatement and it showed again all day today after he bogeyed the first three holes to fall 3down but he suddenly started to make some putts including a 20 footer to tie the match at the 11th and his emotional rollercoaster continued when he won the 14th to go 1up then just as promptly lost the next three holes with bogeys to give DJ the 2&1 win.
Hideki Matsuyama def. J.B. Holmes 1 up: Here was another great match and just the kind of win the International team is going to need to beat their higher ranked American opponents. Matsuyama and Holmes were close all day until the Japanese star won the 16th to go 1up, then Holmes squared it on 17 with a birdie. They were both short of the 18th green in two shots. Matsuyama chipped his closer than JB, who came up short and missed the putt as Hideki made his for the win. Johnny Miller called JB's miss a choke which in my opinion was very harsh.
Bubba Watson halved Thongchai Jaidee Nobody but the International team gave the diminutive Thai a chance against his good pal Bubba, who incidently had donated his entire first prize cheque to Thongchai's charity when he won in Malaysia. Watson led by a hole all day but Jaidee squared the match with a par at 17. Then in true Bubba fashion he hit a brilliant chip and runner 3rd on the 18th to within 5 feet, then as he had done on Saturday missed the putt for the win and afterward promptly threw his caddie under the team bus !“I hit a great shot, and then Ted had the putt read right and I said, ‘I just can’t see it going that way,’”
Steven Bowditch def. Jimmy Walker 2 up: This was another good win for the Internationals, and remember Bowditch and his Aussie mates did not have a great week but he played well and Walker is not in good form, but was grinding out a 1up lead at the turn before Bowditch won three in a row to get 2up. Walker won 17 but Bowditch finished in style with a birdie at the 18th.
Phil Mickelson def. Charl Schwartzel 5 and 4: In the post match greenside interviews Jordan Spieth paid tribute to the leadership of veterans Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson who was playing an out of sorts Charl Schwartzel who won just two holes. Mickelson won 2 holes with pars and when he had his 3rd chip-in of the week, this time on the 11th it was his first birdie of the match. Poor showing by the South African when his team needed him the most, but Phil was one of the stars of the show this week.
Chris Kirk def. Anirban Lahiri 1up : This one was painful and crucial from the International perspective. It was very close all day and they came to the 18th A/S. Lahiri hit a brilliant spinning chip which stopped a mere 3.5 feet away. Kirk's chip was long but dramatically he made the double breaking downhill 15 footer putting the pressure on the 0-2 Indian star. As fate would have it, Lahiri’s birdie putt lipped out, he dropped his putter in disbelief as Kirk and his team celebrated his vital 1up win.
Marc Leishman def. Jordan Spieth, 1 up: I said earlier that some guys who weren't supposed to win did, and you can put this match firmly in that category as the Aussie Marc Leishman struck the ball beautifully all day and putted well. Spieth was 2 up after 2 and it looked like he was settling in but Leishman squared the match with a birdie at 14 and then won 15 and was suddenly 1up. He finished a solid day's work with another birdie at 18 to hang on for a famous win over the Player of the Year.
Zach Johnson def. Jason Day, 3 and 2: Lets be blunt. Jason Day was 0-4-1 this week and it was remarkable his team kept the score so close without him. Zach Johnson on the other hand 3-0-1 for the week and that right there, along with a 4-1 thumping in the Thursday foursomes, are the major reasons why it's the US and not the Internationals are drinking champagne tonight. Johnson won the 2nd with a par, he never trailed and led the rest of the way. Day is so out of gas that Johnson only made 2 birdies and still won handily.
Branden Grace def. Matt Kuchar, 2 and 1: The undoubted star of the week was Branden Grace who didn't lose a match finishing a perfect 5-0. After he won the first two holes he never looked back and had luck on his side with an across the green 60 footer on the 9th to go 5up. Kuchar regained some form won four times on the back nine to make a match of it, but just ran out of holes.
I've been watching Grace win for years on the European Tour and if he decides to make the move from South Africa to the US, he will become a force on the PGA Tour.
Bill Haas def. Sangmoon Bae 2 up: Do you think somewhere in a back room like wrestling, the promoter gets together with the two captains and says " OK first Haas will get Bae in a camel clutch then gouge his eyes," I mean you couldn't have a finish like this unless it was scripted.
As I said earlier, it all came down to the final match and the final hole and after Bae's brilliant up-and-downs at 16 and 17 he gave himself a chance but as it turned out Haas won the hole anti-climatically, though, after Bae's chunked chip. The South Korean is heading to the army for 2 years and that's a long time to remember that chip, but I really think his time there will put into perspective what life and living is all about and he will realize that in the big picture of this world and all it's problems, playing golf is just a game...
But thanks to him and his 23 other pals, it was a hell of a game this week, and the best news is the Presidents Cup is back and we can all look forward to Liberty National in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty in 2017.
Bryan Angus
Finally the Presidents Cup got what it needed, well almost..
As many on this side of the pond slept, as dramatic and exciting finish as you could script capped off a tremendous week of golf in South Korea and in the end the Presidents Cup came out the winner.
For the record the US are the winners of this 11th edition 15.5- 14.5, but it all came down to the final pairing, on the final green, with captain Jay Haas son Bill playing South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae, or simply "Moon" to his friends.
Guys who were supposed to win didn't, guys who weren't supposed to win did. There were great shots, there were terrible shots, there were chip ins, there were duffed chips, there were long snaking putts, and critically there were missed gimme's. There was passion, there were tears, there was sportsmanship, there was camaraderie....there was a Presidents Cup to remember.
I said from the start the International team had to win this year for the event to start to matter and I was wrong. What it needed was the International team, the media underdogs, to be in contention right to the end, and that's what happened, and the way it happened provided all the drama you could ask for.
With the matches and points all square, Bill Haas was in the greenside bunker in two at the 18th. Sang-Moon Bae was just short of the elevated green in two, needing to win the hole to halve the match. He chose a wedge to chip it up over the steep slope, took a long time practising his stroke, then with his entire nation holding their breath, with his team mates unable to look, he stuck his wedge into the ground, chunked it, the ball rolled up the slope, stopped then rolled right back towards him.
Bae sank down on his haunches, buried his face in his hands, his chance and his team's lost in a flash, as Haas splashed out of the bunker to 6 feet, Bae had to chip again and understandably chipped well past and ended up conceding.
To blame Bae is totally unfair, he was brilliant all week, in fact had made clutch shots on 16 and 17 to stay just 1 down, there were many other dramatic moments in the other matches, this was a team loss and a team victory, but as I said off the top, it was a victory for the Presidents Cup and for golf.
Here are the match recaps..
Patrick Reed halved Louis Oosthuizen This match was why they have halves ! Patrick Reed didn't have a great week but his was back at his firey best in fact was 2 up until Oosthuizen squared the match with birdies at 12 and 14 but made a bogey on 16 to trail by 1. Then dramatically on the 18th which would be such a pivotal hole all day he hit his shot of the day from 220 yards right onto the green to just 12 feet and then holed the putt for eagle 3 and the halve. Great match.
Adam Scott def. Rickie Fowler 6 and 5: Scott’s return to the regular length putter was painful to watch all week as he struggled to find his touch. Playing Rickie he found it on the 7th green with an 8 footer, then made 2 more to win 8 and 9 and suddenly was 3up. He kept it going with more putts and more wins on the back nine and ran out a 6&5 winner over a subdued Fowler. and afterwards explained “It’s the first week I’ve putted with the short putter in a while and just getting a feel for it.
Dustin Johnson def. Danny Lee 2 and 1: To say Danny Lee wears his heart on his sleeve is an understatement and it showed again all day today after he bogeyed the first three holes to fall 3down but he suddenly started to make some putts including a 20 footer to tie the match at the 11th and his emotional rollercoaster continued when he won the 14th to go 1up then just as promptly lost the next three holes with bogeys to give DJ the 2&1 win.
Hideki Matsuyama def. J.B. Holmes 1 up: Here was another great match and just the kind of win the International team is going to need to beat their higher ranked American opponents. Matsuyama and Holmes were close all day until the Japanese star won the 16th to go 1up, then Holmes squared it on 17 with a birdie. They were both short of the 18th green in two shots. Matsuyama chipped his closer than JB, who came up short and missed the putt as Hideki made his for the win. Johnny Miller called JB's miss a choke which in my opinion was very harsh.
Bubba Watson halved Thongchai Jaidee Nobody but the International team gave the diminutive Thai a chance against his good pal Bubba, who incidently had donated his entire first prize cheque to Thongchai's charity when he won in Malaysia. Watson led by a hole all day but Jaidee squared the match with a par at 17. Then in true Bubba fashion he hit a brilliant chip and runner 3rd on the 18th to within 5 feet, then as he had done on Saturday missed the putt for the win and afterward promptly threw his caddie under the team bus !“I hit a great shot, and then Ted had the putt read right and I said, ‘I just can’t see it going that way,’”
Steven Bowditch def. Jimmy Walker 2 up: This was another good win for the Internationals, and remember Bowditch and his Aussie mates did not have a great week but he played well and Walker is not in good form, but was grinding out a 1up lead at the turn before Bowditch won three in a row to get 2up. Walker won 17 but Bowditch finished in style with a birdie at the 18th.
Phil Mickelson def. Charl Schwartzel 5 and 4: In the post match greenside interviews Jordan Spieth paid tribute to the leadership of veterans Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson who was playing an out of sorts Charl Schwartzel who won just two holes. Mickelson won 2 holes with pars and when he had his 3rd chip-in of the week, this time on the 11th it was his first birdie of the match. Poor showing by the South African when his team needed him the most, but Phil was one of the stars of the show this week.
Chris Kirk def. Anirban Lahiri 1up : This one was painful and crucial from the International perspective. It was very close all day and they came to the 18th A/S. Lahiri hit a brilliant spinning chip which stopped a mere 3.5 feet away. Kirk's chip was long but dramatically he made the double breaking downhill 15 footer putting the pressure on the 0-2 Indian star. As fate would have it, Lahiri’s birdie putt lipped out, he dropped his putter in disbelief as Kirk and his team celebrated his vital 1up win.
Marc Leishman def. Jordan Spieth, 1 up: I said earlier that some guys who weren't supposed to win did, and you can put this match firmly in that category as the Aussie Marc Leishman struck the ball beautifully all day and putted well. Spieth was 2 up after 2 and it looked like he was settling in but Leishman squared the match with a birdie at 14 and then won 15 and was suddenly 1up. He finished a solid day's work with another birdie at 18 to hang on for a famous win over the Player of the Year.
Zach Johnson def. Jason Day, 3 and 2: Lets be blunt. Jason Day was 0-4-1 this week and it was remarkable his team kept the score so close without him. Zach Johnson on the other hand 3-0-1 for the week and that right there, along with a 4-1 thumping in the Thursday foursomes, are the major reasons why it's the US and not the Internationals are drinking champagne tonight. Johnson won the 2nd with a par, he never trailed and led the rest of the way. Day is so out of gas that Johnson only made 2 birdies and still won handily.
Branden Grace def. Matt Kuchar, 2 and 1: The undoubted star of the week was Branden Grace who didn't lose a match finishing a perfect 5-0. After he won the first two holes he never looked back and had luck on his side with an across the green 60 footer on the 9th to go 5up. Kuchar regained some form won four times on the back nine to make a match of it, but just ran out of holes.
I've been watching Grace win for years on the European Tour and if he decides to make the move from South Africa to the US, he will become a force on the PGA Tour.
Bill Haas def. Sangmoon Bae 2 up: Do you think somewhere in a back room like wrestling, the promoter gets together with the two captains and says " OK first Haas will get Bae in a camel clutch then gouge his eyes," I mean you couldn't have a finish like this unless it was scripted.
As I said earlier, it all came down to the final match and the final hole and after Bae's brilliant up-and-downs at 16 and 17 he gave himself a chance but as it turned out Haas won the hole anti-climatically, though, after Bae's chunked chip. The South Korean is heading to the army for 2 years and that's a long time to remember that chip, but I really think his time there will put into perspective what life and living is all about and he will realize that in the big picture of this world and all it's problems, playing golf is just a game...
But thanks to him and his 23 other pals, it was a hell of a game this week, and the best news is the Presidents Cup is back and we can all look forward to Liberty National in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty in 2017.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Presidents Cup Sunday singles match details
Match Schedule -- Saturday-Sunday -- Golf Channel -- 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET | ||
| Session 5 -- 12 Singles matches | U.S. | International |
| 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday / 9:15 a.m. local Sunday | Patrick Reed | Louis Oosthuizen |
| 8:27 p.m. ET Saturday / 9:27 a.m. local Sunday | Rickie Fowler | Adam Scott |
| 8:39 p.m. ET Saturday / 9:39 a.m. local Sunday | Dustin Johnson | Danny Lee |
| 8:51 p.m. ET Saturday / 9:51 a.m. local Sunday | J.B. Holmes | Hideki Matsuyama |
| 9:03 p.m. ET Saturday / 10:03 a.m. local Sunday | Bubba Watson | Thongchai Jaidee |
| 9:15 p.m. ET Saturday / 10:15 a.m. local Sunday | Jimmy Walker | Steven Bowditch |
| 9:27 p.m. ET Saturday / 10:27 a.m. local Sunday | Phil Mickelson | Charl Schwartzel |
| 9:39 p.m. ET Saturday / 10:39 a.m. local Sunday | Chris Kirk | Anirban Lahiri |
| 9:51 p.m. ET Saturday / 10:51 a.m. local Sunday | Jordan Spieth | Marc Leishman |
| 10:03 p.m. ET Saturday / 11:03 a.m. local Sunday | Zach Johnson | Jason Day |
| 10:15 p.m. ET Saturday / 11:15 a.m. local Sunday | Matt Kuchar | Branden Grace |
| 10:27 p.m. ET Saturday / 11:27 a.m. local Sunday | Bill Haas | Sangmoon Bae |
Presidents Cup to be decided in Sunday singles
Presidents Cup results and Singles pairings http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
The bottom line after a marathon session of Saturday foursomes and four-ball matches is that the teams split the eight points that were available and the USA leads Internationals by a single point 9.5 to 8.5.
They have just concluded the election process for Sunday singles and the captains have decided not to match up Jordan Spieth vs Jason Day instead Korean star Bae Sang-Moon will play in the anchor match vs Bill Haas. The full list of matches are in the link above.
Here is a recap of the foursomes and four-ball matches that have happened overnight.
Morning Foursomes
The points were split right down the middle as the USA won a match as did the Internationals and two matches were halved. So the US led 7.5-6.5 going into the afternoon.
Louis Oosthuizen/Branden Grace def. Patrick Reed/Rickie Fowler 3 and 2: This International pairing are undefeated (3-0) this week after they took over this match at the 11th, making birdie in three of the next five holes. They are leading the way for Nick Price's men with some superb wedge play from Oosthuizen and clutch chipping and putting from Grace.
Bubba Watson/J.B. Holmes halved with Adam Scott/Marc Leishman: Bubba and JB were leading his match until they 3 putted the 16th to lose to a par to cut their lead to 1up then they let Scott and Leishman off the hook by 3 putting the par 5 18th for par as Bubba missed a 5 footer for the match. Leishamn summed it up best..“You never know what can happen, and we got out of that one,”
Sangmoon Bae-Hideki Matsuyama halved with Bill Haas-Matt Kuchar: This was a very tight match which was decided to the crowds delight on the 18th with Bae and Matsuyama combining to win the par-5 18th with a birdie to halve the match.
Bae who will join the army next week, has been great to watch and he provided one of the day's highlights when he holed his chip shot for birdie at the 15th after Kuchar had rolled in a birdie putt from 45 feet.
Dustin Johnson-Jordan Spieth def. Jason Day-Charl Schwartzel 1 up: Day and Schwartzel will rue this loss as they were 3 up after nine holes and lost the match on the 18th to par after Day drove into the fairway bunker with a steep lip and Schwartzel failed to clear it resulting in a bogey and the loss as Spieth rolled in his par putt. The US won 3 of the last 5 holes, Speith calling it a match like no other he'd been part of
Afternoon four-balls
Sangmoon Bae-Hideki Matsuyama def. Jimmy Walker-Chris Kirk 6 & 5: This turned out to be the most lopsided win of the event so far and it really got started after the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama’s iron shot into the first landed close and he made the birdie to win the hole and backed by the crowd favourite Bae they never looked back as the Korean star made birdies at the eighth and ninth to go 4 up as the crowd around the ninth green chanted his name. You couldn't write a better script.
Phil Mickelson-Zach Johnson def. Adam Scott-Anirban Lahiri 3 & 2: Captain Haas decided to rest his pair in the morning letting them sleep in and Johnson said afterwards he really appreciated that and it showed in their play as they made an early birdie to take the lead and never trailed. Scott and Lahiri failed to birdie the par-5's, and Adam Scott's putting woes are painful to watch.
Louis Oosthuizen-Branden Grace def. Bubba Watson-J.B. Holmes 1 up: The South Africans are the other top story for the Internationals along with Sangmoon Bae as they became just the second Presidents Cup duo to go 4-0 after winning a match that saw them get off to a great start with 3 quick birdies, a fight back by Bubba and JB to square the match, then the coup de grace with Grace chipping in for birdie at the par-4 16th to win the hole and then a brilliant finish as both he and Bubba halved the hole in birdie after hitting their approach shots inside of 3 feet !
Jordan Spieth-Patrick Reed def. Jason Day-Charl Schwartzel 3 & 2: Captain Haas re-united Ryder Cup partners Spieth and Reed and it was Spieth who was dazzling with five birdies on the front nine to put them up by 2 at the turn. They were 4 up after 12 and finished in darkness as 3&2 winners to finish the day splitting the matches and the points with the US leading 9.5 to 8.5 with it all to play for in the Sunday singles.
Bryan Angus
The bottom line after a marathon session of Saturday foursomes and four-ball matches is that the teams split the eight points that were available and the USA leads Internationals by a single point 9.5 to 8.5.
They have just concluded the election process for Sunday singles and the captains have decided not to match up Jordan Spieth vs Jason Day instead Korean star Bae Sang-Moon will play in the anchor match vs Bill Haas. The full list of matches are in the link above.
Here is a recap of the foursomes and four-ball matches that have happened overnight.
Morning Foursomes
The points were split right down the middle as the USA won a match as did the Internationals and two matches were halved. So the US led 7.5-6.5 going into the afternoon.
Louis Oosthuizen/Branden Grace def. Patrick Reed/Rickie Fowler 3 and 2: This International pairing are undefeated (3-0) this week after they took over this match at the 11th, making birdie in three of the next five holes. They are leading the way for Nick Price's men with some superb wedge play from Oosthuizen and clutch chipping and putting from Grace.
Bubba Watson/J.B. Holmes halved with Adam Scott/Marc Leishman: Bubba and JB were leading his match until they 3 putted the 16th to lose to a par to cut their lead to 1up then they let Scott and Leishman off the hook by 3 putting the par 5 18th for par as Bubba missed a 5 footer for the match. Leishamn summed it up best..“You never know what can happen, and we got out of that one,”
Sangmoon Bae-Hideki Matsuyama halved with Bill Haas-Matt Kuchar: This was a very tight match which was decided to the crowds delight on the 18th with Bae and Matsuyama combining to win the par-5 18th with a birdie to halve the match.
Bae who will join the army next week, has been great to watch and he provided one of the day's highlights when he holed his chip shot for birdie at the 15th after Kuchar had rolled in a birdie putt from 45 feet.
Dustin Johnson-Jordan Spieth def. Jason Day-Charl Schwartzel 1 up: Day and Schwartzel will rue this loss as they were 3 up after nine holes and lost the match on the 18th to par after Day drove into the fairway bunker with a steep lip and Schwartzel failed to clear it resulting in a bogey and the loss as Spieth rolled in his par putt. The US won 3 of the last 5 holes, Speith calling it a match like no other he'd been part of
Afternoon four-balls
Sangmoon Bae-Hideki Matsuyama def. Jimmy Walker-Chris Kirk 6 & 5: This turned out to be the most lopsided win of the event so far and it really got started after the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama’s iron shot into the first landed close and he made the birdie to win the hole and backed by the crowd favourite Bae they never looked back as the Korean star made birdies at the eighth and ninth to go 4 up as the crowd around the ninth green chanted his name. You couldn't write a better script.
Phil Mickelson-Zach Johnson def. Adam Scott-Anirban Lahiri 3 & 2: Captain Haas decided to rest his pair in the morning letting them sleep in and Johnson said afterwards he really appreciated that and it showed in their play as they made an early birdie to take the lead and never trailed. Scott and Lahiri failed to birdie the par-5's, and Adam Scott's putting woes are painful to watch.
Louis Oosthuizen-Branden Grace def. Bubba Watson-J.B. Holmes 1 up: The South Africans are the other top story for the Internationals along with Sangmoon Bae as they became just the second Presidents Cup duo to go 4-0 after winning a match that saw them get off to a great start with 3 quick birdies, a fight back by Bubba and JB to square the match, then the coup de grace with Grace chipping in for birdie at the par-4 16th to win the hole and then a brilliant finish as both he and Bubba halved the hole in birdie after hitting their approach shots inside of 3 feet !
Jordan Spieth-Patrick Reed def. Jason Day-Charl Schwartzel 3 & 2: Captain Haas re-united Ryder Cup partners Spieth and Reed and it was Spieth who was dazzling with five birdies on the front nine to put them up by 2 at the turn. They were 4 up after 12 and finished in darkness as 3&2 winners to finish the day splitting the matches and the points with the US leading 9.5 to 8.5 with it all to play for in the Sunday singles.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 9, 2015
Saturday's foursome preview at Presidents Cup
Presidents Cup results and foursome match pairings http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
After their brilliant rally in the Friday four-balls it is imperative that the Internationals don't throw it all away with another poor showing in the Saturday morning foursomes. They have to play inspired golf again. A split of the matches would be a good result for captain Price's men in my opinion and it starts at 7am local time or 6pm EST tonight.
Eight points are on the line, as the four-balls will follow the mornings play and will be announced during the foursome matches.
Now to the captains picks, where Jay Haas has brought back two of his four teams from Friday, Bubba Watson & J.B. Holmes, and also Jordan Spieth & Dustin Johnson and remember they all won their foursomes matches on Thursday.
Meanwhile Nick Price would be daft if he broke up Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace who are 2-0 and as a result are paired for the third straight session, but he has put together 3 new teams in an effort to improve those foursome results. Remember there is a lot of strategy in foursomes as the guys play alternate shots. Often something as simple a pairing guys who play the same type of ball can be a big factor.
Louis Oosthuizen & Branden Grace vs. Patrick Reed & Rickie Fowler (6:05 p.m. ET Friday)
Oosthuizen and Grace are a solid 2-0 and are coming off a huge win over Spieth and Johnson in four-balls after they beat Reed and Matt Kuchar in foursomes on Thursday. Reed can be a real sparkplug for the US team when he gets rolling, even so I pick the South Africans until somebody beats them.
Adam Scott & Marc Leishman vs. Bubba Watson & J.B. Holmes (6:16 p.m. ET Friday)
Scott and Hideki Matsuyama lost in Thursday's foursomes to Watson and Holmes, 3 & 2, The American pairing are 2-0 and despite some wildly inaccurate play off the tee, they pull off some amazing recovery shots and Holmes in particular has been putting well, something I can't say for Adam Scott who'd be smart if he returned to the long putter while he still can in 2015. Again I pick the Americans until somebody beats them.
Sangmoon Bae & Hideki Matsuyama vs. Bill Haas & Matt Kuchar (6:27 p.m. ET Friday)
Danny Lee will sit the foursomes out, a smart move since he is struggling with nerves in this format but Sangmoon Bae is full of confidence and will now partner Matsuyama and I sense a win here against the steady if unspectacular Bill Haas and Matt Kuchar who will make the Asian youngsters earn a point. A halve will not be a surprise.
Jason Day & Charl Schwartzel vs. Jordan Spieth & Dustin Johnson (6:38 p.m. ET Friday)
Spieth and Johnson lost to Oosthuizen and Grace on Friday but that was four-balls, this is foursomes where they played very well on Thursday, also I don't expect Spieth to play as badly as he did today again, however Day had very little help from Scott in this mornings halve with Mickelson and Johnson and his pairing with in form Schwartzel should be a good move. I see a halve here in a tight match.
Bryan Angus
After their brilliant rally in the Friday four-balls it is imperative that the Internationals don't throw it all away with another poor showing in the Saturday morning foursomes. They have to play inspired golf again. A split of the matches would be a good result for captain Price's men in my opinion and it starts at 7am local time or 6pm EST tonight.
Eight points are on the line, as the four-balls will follow the mornings play and will be announced during the foursome matches.
Now to the captains picks, where Jay Haas has brought back two of his four teams from Friday, Bubba Watson & J.B. Holmes, and also Jordan Spieth & Dustin Johnson and remember they all won their foursomes matches on Thursday.
Meanwhile Nick Price would be daft if he broke up Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace who are 2-0 and as a result are paired for the third straight session, but he has put together 3 new teams in an effort to improve those foursome results. Remember there is a lot of strategy in foursomes as the guys play alternate shots. Often something as simple a pairing guys who play the same type of ball can be a big factor.
Louis Oosthuizen & Branden Grace vs. Patrick Reed & Rickie Fowler (6:05 p.m. ET Friday)
Oosthuizen and Grace are a solid 2-0 and are coming off a huge win over Spieth and Johnson in four-balls after they beat Reed and Matt Kuchar in foursomes on Thursday. Reed can be a real sparkplug for the US team when he gets rolling, even so I pick the South Africans until somebody beats them.
Adam Scott & Marc Leishman vs. Bubba Watson & J.B. Holmes (6:16 p.m. ET Friday)
Scott and Hideki Matsuyama lost in Thursday's foursomes to Watson and Holmes, 3 & 2, The American pairing are 2-0 and despite some wildly inaccurate play off the tee, they pull off some amazing recovery shots and Holmes in particular has been putting well, something I can't say for Adam Scott who'd be smart if he returned to the long putter while he still can in 2015. Again I pick the Americans until somebody beats them.
Sangmoon Bae & Hideki Matsuyama vs. Bill Haas & Matt Kuchar (6:27 p.m. ET Friday)
Danny Lee will sit the foursomes out, a smart move since he is struggling with nerves in this format but Sangmoon Bae is full of confidence and will now partner Matsuyama and I sense a win here against the steady if unspectacular Bill Haas and Matt Kuchar who will make the Asian youngsters earn a point. A halve will not be a surprise.
Jason Day & Charl Schwartzel vs. Jordan Spieth & Dustin Johnson (6:38 p.m. ET Friday)
Spieth and Johnson lost to Oosthuizen and Grace on Friday but that was four-balls, this is foursomes where they played very well on Thursday, also I don't expect Spieth to play as badly as he did today again, however Day had very little help from Scott in this mornings halve with Mickelson and Johnson and his pairing with in form Schwartzel should be a good move. I see a halve here in a tight match.
Bryan Angus
Internationals' brilliant rally brings Presidents Cup alive..
Presidents Cup teams http://www.presidentscup.com/
Friday four-ball results, Saturday foursome pairings http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
There was some awful golf, there was some brilliant shots, there was a rarely invoked penalty, but most important there was a tremendous rally by the Internationals in front of massive crowds to breathe life back into this Presidents Cup and set up an enthralling set of foursome and four-ball matches on Saturday.
After trailing 4-1 at the completion of the foursomes on Thursday, which Charl Schwartzel said "really woke us up" they went out overnight (here) and won 3 matches and halved another and as a result the U.S. will go into Saturday's morning foursomes with a 5.5 to 4.5 lead.
After a strong pep talk from captain Nick Price following Thursday's debacle Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace got them off to a massive start handily beating the heavily favoured Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson, 4 & 3 after Oothuizen rolled in a long birdie putt on the eighth, and then Grace won nine and ten with birdies of his own. Spieth said afterwards it was the "worst round of golf I've played in a long time, so yeah Merry Christmas to them"
In the second match Danny Lee let nerves get the better of him but his partner, Sangmoon Bae delighted the enormous Korean crowd when he dramatically rolled in a 20 foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to clinch the win over Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler. That putt will be one of the lasting memories of this first Presidents Cup played in Asia.
Charl Schwartzel back in the team after a bout with a vicious virus played beautifully and along with his partner Thongchai Jaidee gave the Internationals their third win by beating Bill Haas and Chris Kirk 2 & 1 after both Americans drove into the water on the 18th.
The only U.S. win was supplied by Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes, who beat Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch 2 up in a sloppy match full of sprayed tee shots, missed putts and some brilliant recoveries.
Now to the feature match where Australia's two best, Adam Scott and Jason Day managed a halve for the Internationals playing Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson who as usual was at the center of attention after he lost a hole when he was penalized for changing his ball to a different type at the 7th hole, then holed a brilliant 140 yard bunker shot
First Phil on the changed ball incident. "It threw me for a loop that we have a one-ball rule that we've never really had and I didn't think much about it. But it's my responsibility to know that. I should have at least asked about before I teed off."
He explained that since Day and Scott were so long they could reach the par 5 7th, he changed to a firmer ball in order to get more distance off the tee. Now the plot thickens because after he was informed he had violated the One-Ball Condition, an official incorrectly told Mickelson to pick up his ball when Mickelson actually could have continued playing in an attempt to win or halve the hole. The U.S., which was all square in the match, lost No. 7 to Day’s birdie
As a result captain Jay Haas was informed that, as a penalty for Mickelson’s violation, another hole was added to the team’s deficit, dropping them to 2 down in the match.
Later we received this missive from the Match Committee read: “The penalty for breach of (the one-ball rule) is a one-hole adjustment to the state of the match. This means that at the conclusion of the seventh hole … the state of the match is adjusted by one hole.”
The problem I have with all this is that Mickelson could have continued playing the hole in order to win or halve it. Had he halved Day’s birdie at No. 7, the U.S. would have been just 1 down after the penalty was applied.
Next the bunker shot. After he drove into a fairway bunker with a pretty steep lip at the 12th Mickelson took his stance then cleanly clipped a pitching wedge from 140 yards, and we all watched as it landed on the green, jumped to the right and went straight in the hole for an eagle to give the United States the lead, his second holed bunker shot this week.
Jason Day got that one back with a birdie at the par-5 15th hole but his partner Adam Scott who has changed back to a traditional length putter missed opportunities at the next two holes failing to make a 20 footer at the 16th and 10 footer at 17. He changed back and forth from a crossed handed grip, to the claw, to a normal grip and that tells you all you need to know about his putting woes.
In fact despite getting the 2 hole penalty in their favour it took a pressure packed 7 foot putt at 18 by Day to salvage a halve in the match.
So there are 8 matches on the slate for Saturday (they start around 7pm EST tonight) and I have posted the morning foursomes which the US have dominated so far in the link above and they will be followed by four-balls and there is rain is in the morning forecast in the morning.
Rain or shine, we now have a match to look forward to after the International rally.
Bryan Angus
Friday four-ball results, Saturday foursome pairings http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
There was some awful golf, there was some brilliant shots, there was a rarely invoked penalty, but most important there was a tremendous rally by the Internationals in front of massive crowds to breathe life back into this Presidents Cup and set up an enthralling set of foursome and four-ball matches on Saturday.
After trailing 4-1 at the completion of the foursomes on Thursday, which Charl Schwartzel said "really woke us up" they went out overnight (here) and won 3 matches and halved another and as a result the U.S. will go into Saturday's morning foursomes with a 5.5 to 4.5 lead.
After a strong pep talk from captain Nick Price following Thursday's debacle Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace got them off to a massive start handily beating the heavily favoured Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson, 4 & 3 after Oothuizen rolled in a long birdie putt on the eighth, and then Grace won nine and ten with birdies of his own. Spieth said afterwards it was the "worst round of golf I've played in a long time, so yeah Merry Christmas to them"
In the second match Danny Lee let nerves get the better of him but his partner, Sangmoon Bae delighted the enormous Korean crowd when he dramatically rolled in a 20 foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to clinch the win over Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler. That putt will be one of the lasting memories of this first Presidents Cup played in Asia.
Charl Schwartzel back in the team after a bout with a vicious virus played beautifully and along with his partner Thongchai Jaidee gave the Internationals their third win by beating Bill Haas and Chris Kirk 2 & 1 after both Americans drove into the water on the 18th.
The only U.S. win was supplied by Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes, who beat Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch 2 up in a sloppy match full of sprayed tee shots, missed putts and some brilliant recoveries.
Now to the feature match where Australia's two best, Adam Scott and Jason Day managed a halve for the Internationals playing Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson who as usual was at the center of attention after he lost a hole when he was penalized for changing his ball to a different type at the 7th hole, then holed a brilliant 140 yard bunker shot
First Phil on the changed ball incident. "It threw me for a loop that we have a one-ball rule that we've never really had and I didn't think much about it. But it's my responsibility to know that. I should have at least asked about before I teed off."
He explained that since Day and Scott were so long they could reach the par 5 7th, he changed to a firmer ball in order to get more distance off the tee. Now the plot thickens because after he was informed he had violated the One-Ball Condition, an official incorrectly told Mickelson to pick up his ball when Mickelson actually could have continued playing in an attempt to win or halve the hole. The U.S., which was all square in the match, lost No. 7 to Day’s birdie
As a result captain Jay Haas was informed that, as a penalty for Mickelson’s violation, another hole was added to the team’s deficit, dropping them to 2 down in the match.
Later we received this missive from the Match Committee read: “The penalty for breach of (the one-ball rule) is a one-hole adjustment to the state of the match. This means that at the conclusion of the seventh hole … the state of the match is adjusted by one hole.”
The problem I have with all this is that Mickelson could have continued playing the hole in order to win or halve it. Had he halved Day’s birdie at No. 7, the U.S. would have been just 1 down after the penalty was applied.
Next the bunker shot. After he drove into a fairway bunker with a pretty steep lip at the 12th Mickelson took his stance then cleanly clipped a pitching wedge from 140 yards, and we all watched as it landed on the green, jumped to the right and went straight in the hole for an eagle to give the United States the lead, his second holed bunker shot this week.
Jason Day got that one back with a birdie at the par-5 15th hole but his partner Adam Scott who has changed back to a traditional length putter missed opportunities at the next two holes failing to make a 20 footer at the 16th and 10 footer at 17. He changed back and forth from a crossed handed grip, to the claw, to a normal grip and that tells you all you need to know about his putting woes.
In fact despite getting the 2 hole penalty in their favour it took a pressure packed 7 foot putt at 18 by Day to salvage a halve in the match.
So there are 8 matches on the slate for Saturday (they start around 7pm EST tonight) and I have posted the morning foursomes which the US have dominated so far in the link above and they will be followed by four-balls and there is rain is in the morning forecast in the morning.
Rain or shine, we now have a match to look forward to after the International rally.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, October 8, 2015
USA dominates foursomes at Presidents Cup, Friday four-ball pairings, preview
Presidents Cup Teams http://www.presidentscup.com/
Presidents Cup foursome results, and Friday fourball pairings http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
Official world rankings http://www.owgr.com/ranking
If you are just getting up and about and thinking of watching a little Presidents Cup action, you are too late.!!
Korea is 13 hours ahead of EST, and play for day one foursomes is already in the books and I have good news and bad news..
First the good news is for the American team and supporters as they have got off to a dream start, up 4-1. The bad news is for the event itself. The last thing the Presidents Cup needs is another USA win
especially another whitewash. With a losing 8-1-1 record, it is time for the International Team to make a match of it.
Only the South African pairing of Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen managed a win, 3&2 over Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed.
Playing with his Aussie mate Steven Bowditch, Jason Day did manage to make a monster putt on the 17th to get to 1 down against Mickelson and Zach Johnson, but ended up conceding the match on the 18th. Phil has now won 21 Presidents Cup matches, second to Tiger's 24.
Big bombers Bubba Watson and fill in JB Holmes got just the start International captain Nick Price didn't want, a sold 3&2 win over Adam Scott who has gone off the radar since winning the Crown Plaza in May 2014, after he got married following the Masters and subsequently had a daughter Bo Vera Scott, and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
Anirban Lahiri is Indian and has had a dream year, now ranked 39th in the world and the little Thailand star Thongchai Jaidee is a great competitor but they were just overwhelmed by Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker who won 3 of the first 4 holes and never looked back winning 5&4.
Now who is going to beat Jordan Spieth and the guy he asked captain Jay Haas to play with, Dustin Johnson in foursomes? Certainly not Kiwi Danny Lee and Aussie Marc Leishman who can both make a ton of birdies when they are hot, but with DJ hitting all the par 5's and Spieth making a lot of putts they are a deadly combo and were 2 up after 2 winning 4&3.
Here is a link with videos to the pgatour.com recap http://www.presidentscup.com/news/2015/10/08/match-recaps-day1.html
Friday preview
So obviously the Internationals can make a game of it on Friday in the fourballs, and they better or this one is all over.. again.
Captain Haas has left all his winning pairings together, and has replaced Kuchar and Reed with Chris Kirk and his son Bill Haas
Captain Price has put his winning pair Grace and Oosthuizen out first, but they are up against DJ and Spieth, so good luck.
Korean star Sangmoon Bae has a dream come true as he makes his Presidents Cup debut at home, and he and Danny Lee who is a Kiwi although born in Korea, have a very tough assignment against Rickie and Jimmy Walker, so we could easily be looking at 6-1 ??
I like the pairing of Adam Scott with Jason Day, I mean just say here's our best, see what you can do boys. They play Phil and Zach Johnson though, the Aussies simply must play up to their potential for the win, remember they won the 2013 World Cup together.
Honestly if I put down Bubba and JB Holmes against Steven Bowditch and Marc Leishman you'd say who and who for the last two, right? With all due respect to these two fine Aussies who grew up together as amateurs, only Bubba and JB can beat Bubba and JB in this one, and although Bubba is one of the all time flakes, JB is a very solid under rated pro.
Bill Haas and Chris Kirke play Thongchai and Charl Schwartzel who has been sick with a virus, but is the best player of the four and I pick an International win here.
Prediction: 3-2 USA 7-3 total.
Bryan Angus
Presidents Cup foursome results, and Friday fourball pairings http://www.presidentscup.com/livescoring.html
Official world rankings http://www.owgr.com/ranking
If you are just getting up and about and thinking of watching a little Presidents Cup action, you are too late.!!
Korea is 13 hours ahead of EST, and play for day one foursomes is already in the books and I have good news and bad news..
First the good news is for the American team and supporters as they have got off to a dream start, up 4-1. The bad news is for the event itself. The last thing the Presidents Cup needs is another USA win
especially another whitewash. With a losing 8-1-1 record, it is time for the International Team to make a match of it.
Only the South African pairing of Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen managed a win, 3&2 over Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed.
Playing with his Aussie mate Steven Bowditch, Jason Day did manage to make a monster putt on the 17th to get to 1 down against Mickelson and Zach Johnson, but ended up conceding the match on the 18th. Phil has now won 21 Presidents Cup matches, second to Tiger's 24.
Big bombers Bubba Watson and fill in JB Holmes got just the start International captain Nick Price didn't want, a sold 3&2 win over Adam Scott who has gone off the radar since winning the Crown Plaza in May 2014, after he got married following the Masters and subsequently had a daughter Bo Vera Scott, and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
Anirban Lahiri is Indian and has had a dream year, now ranked 39th in the world and the little Thailand star Thongchai Jaidee is a great competitor but they were just overwhelmed by Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker who won 3 of the first 4 holes and never looked back winning 5&4.
Now who is going to beat Jordan Spieth and the guy he asked captain Jay Haas to play with, Dustin Johnson in foursomes? Certainly not Kiwi Danny Lee and Aussie Marc Leishman who can both make a ton of birdies when they are hot, but with DJ hitting all the par 5's and Spieth making a lot of putts they are a deadly combo and were 2 up after 2 winning 4&3.
Here is a link with videos to the pgatour.com recap http://www.presidentscup.com/news/2015/10/08/match-recaps-day1.html
Friday preview
So obviously the Internationals can make a game of it on Friday in the fourballs, and they better or this one is all over.. again.
Captain Haas has left all his winning pairings together, and has replaced Kuchar and Reed with Chris Kirk and his son Bill Haas
Captain Price has put his winning pair Grace and Oosthuizen out first, but they are up against DJ and Spieth, so good luck.
Korean star Sangmoon Bae has a dream come true as he makes his Presidents Cup debut at home, and he and Danny Lee who is a Kiwi although born in Korea, have a very tough assignment against Rickie and Jimmy Walker, so we could easily be looking at 6-1 ??
I like the pairing of Adam Scott with Jason Day, I mean just say here's our best, see what you can do boys. They play Phil and Zach Johnson though, the Aussies simply must play up to their potential for the win, remember they won the 2013 World Cup together.
Honestly if I put down Bubba and JB Holmes against Steven Bowditch and Marc Leishman you'd say who and who for the last two, right? With all due respect to these two fine Aussies who grew up together as amateurs, only Bubba and JB can beat Bubba and JB in this one, and although Bubba is one of the all time flakes, JB is a very solid under rated pro.
Bill Haas and Chris Kirke play Thongchai and Charl Schwartzel who has been sick with a virus, but is the best player of the four and I pick an International win here.
Prediction: 3-2 USA 7-3 total.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Thorbjorn Olesen recovers to win the Dunhill Links...
European Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015076/leaderboard/index.html#oBX5qZ635e9rOLhg.97
Olesen has struggled to regain his form this year after injuring his wrist, and Fritsch is part time because he has a fear of flying so only plays tournaments he can drive to ! He shot a 64 playing with John Daly who he said relaxed him to the point he wasn't even thinking about what score he was posting until he added them all up at the end.
The Old Course had dried out since Thursday and the fairways were playing fast and hard, it was much cooler and the breeze was up, so the low scoring of the first 3 days was well earned today.
So ends a great week for golf in St Andrew's played for 3 days in glorious sunshine and calm conditions before the breze got up today. The players have 3 tournaments left before the "Final Series" and next week it is the British Masters at Woburn GC down in central Bedfordshire in the historic town of Woburn.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Bryan Angus
Thorbjørn Olesen held his nerve to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and claim his third European Tour title.
The Dane came second at this event in 2012 and went one better just minutes ago, posting -1 71 to finish the week on -18, two shots clear of American duo Brooks Koepka 67, and Chris Stroud 68.
Englishman Chris Wood closed with a bogey free 65 to finish a shot further back alongside Benjamin Hebert 70, Bernd Wiesberger 66, Joakim Lagergren 69 and Kiradech Aphibarnrat 69.
Starting play this morning on a cooler, breezy partly sunny day at St Andrews Olesen had a 3 shot lead over Florian Fritsch a part time player from Belgium, but after making a birdie on the first he made a double at the second and a bogey at the third to let the charging pack back in.
The Dane came second at this event in 2012 and went one better just minutes ago, posting -1 71 to finish the week on -18, two shots clear of American duo Brooks Koepka 67, and Chris Stroud 68.
Englishman Chris Wood closed with a bogey free 65 to finish a shot further back alongside Benjamin Hebert 70, Bernd Wiesberger 66, Joakim Lagergren 69 and Kiradech Aphibarnrat 69.
Starting play this morning on a cooler, breezy partly sunny day at St Andrews Olesen had a 3 shot lead over Florian Fritsch a part time player from Belgium, but after making a birdie on the first he made a double at the second and a bogey at the third to let the charging pack back in.
Olesen has struggled to regain his form this year after injuring his wrist, and Fritsch is part time because he has a fear of flying so only plays tournaments he can drive to ! He shot a 64 playing with John Daly who he said relaxed him to the point he wasn't even thinking about what score he was posting until he added them all up at the end.
The Old Course had dried out since Thursday and the fairways were playing fast and hard, it was much cooler and the breeze was up, so the low scoring of the first 3 days was well earned today.
So ends a great week for golf in St Andrew's played for 3 days in glorious sunshine and calm conditions before the breze got up today. The players have 3 tournaments left before the "Final Series" and next week it is the British Masters at Woburn GC down in central Bedfordshire in the historic town of Woburn.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Crowded leaderboard into the weekend at Dunhill Links in Scotland
European Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015076/leaderboard/index.html#hCcYYQlSriCyuk7U.97
As play got under way this morning Jimmy Mullen and Anthony Wall shared a one-stroke lead after Mullen, who I mentioned yesterday is making his pro debut, added a -3 69 at St. Andrews to his opening 64 at Kingsbarns to finish on -11, 133 alongside fellow England's Wall.
Remember they play over three courses, alternating between St. Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie with the final round at the Old Course on Sunday.
Mullen, just 21 turned professional after winning all 4 points in September’s Walker Cup victory over the United States. Meanwhile Wall shot a -4, 68 at St. Andrews with seven birdies and three bogeys.
It's a crowded leaderboard as just a shot behind Mullen and Wall is Ireland’s Paul Dunne (70), veteran Welshman Jamie Donaldson (65), Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen (66) and American Chris Stroud (66).
Scoring conditions were just ideal and the lowest rounds of the day came at Kingsbarns, where Bradley Dredge -8 and Kiradech Aphibarnrat -6 both shot -9,63
Defending champion Oliver Wilson could only card a second consecutive 74 to finish +4 and will likely miss the cut projected at -4.
Of note Ernie Els is -4 on today's round at the turn, playing the Old Course and has move up to -9 T8
There is a Canadian in the field. Richard T. Lee of Toronto sits T102 after a second-round -4 68.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Spieth wins Player of the Year, Furyk withdraws from Presidents Cup
No surprise here as Jordan Spieth was voted PGA Tour player of the year, giving him a sweep of the awards board. Winning the Tour championship removed any doubt that Jason Day's fabulous summer had provided.
Just to remind you, Spieth had five wins this year, including the Masters and U.S. Open to become the youngest player since Tiger Woods to win the Jack Nicklaus Award. Spieth also won the Arnold Palmer Award by topping the money list with a record $12 million, and the Vardon Trophy for having the lowest adjusted scoring average. Woods is the only other player to sweep the awards, win a major and the FedEx Cup.
Spieth will lead the Presidents Cup against Day and his International mates in South Korea next week. The Americans are 8-1-1 in the ten events so far and are heavy favourites again. Jim Furyk has had to withdraw with a wrist injury. JB Holmes will replace him
Daniel Berger was voted rookie of the year.
Bryan Angus
Just to remind you, Spieth had five wins this year, including the Masters and U.S. Open to become the youngest player since Tiger Woods to win the Jack Nicklaus Award. Spieth also won the Arnold Palmer Award by topping the money list with a record $12 million, and the Vardon Trophy for having the lowest adjusted scoring average. Woods is the only other player to sweep the awards, win a major and the FedEx Cup.
Spieth will lead the Presidents Cup against Day and his International mates in South Korea next week. The Americans are 8-1-1 in the ten events so far and are heavy favourites again. Jim Furyk has had to withdraw with a wrist injury. JB Holmes will replace him
Daniel Berger was voted rookie of the year.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 2, 2015
Walker Cup team mates leading Dunhill Links in glorious sunshine
European Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015076/leaderboard/index.html#KFiUPOmsIiBQ7BbX.97
You will never see Carnoustie, the Old Course or Kingsbarns in more pristine conditions than we are watching over these first two days of this Dunhilll Links Championship. Emerald green with nothing but blue skies and brilliant sunshine are showing off these three jewels in the golfing world.
Spectators are in for free for the first 3 days, they haven't erected the huge stands that are necessary to house the Open Championship so the courses look more like they are day in and day out. I am so impressed with the new Kingsbarns which looks like a links but isn't really in that it hasn't been built on land linking the sea to the mainland, but it looks like it's been there for a long time and I am glad they built a stone clad traditional looking Scottish clubhouse instead of some monster 5 star hotel. It like the rest of the course, fits..
Two young Walker Cup team mates England's Jimmy Mullen (-11) and Irishman Paul Dunne (-10) both playing St Andrews today and both playing their first pro tournament, lead the way after opening 64's in round one and continue to do so as play is under way in round two.
Martin Kaymer and Jamie Donaldson, much more well known, are lurking just behind at -9 currently, playing Kingsbarns. As always Carnoustie is playing the toughest of the three courses. There are 5 players at -8, so a long way and many twists and turns to come
Consider Paul Dunne's life recently. He led the Open championship going into the final round, then won the Walker Cup in convincing fashion, turned pro and here he is leading his first tournament ! Mullen won all 4 of his matches in the Walker Cup, only the fourth man to do so. Mullen ranks 1695th in the World Rankings while Dunne is World Number 942.
They both will try and get their cards via Q school, however a win here by either would change all that.
The weather will get partly cloudy tomorrow with rain in the forecast for Sunday, but more importantly no significant wind.
Bryan Angus
You will never see Carnoustie, the Old Course or Kingsbarns in more pristine conditions than we are watching over these first two days of this Dunhilll Links Championship. Emerald green with nothing but blue skies and brilliant sunshine are showing off these three jewels in the golfing world.
Spectators are in for free for the first 3 days, they haven't erected the huge stands that are necessary to house the Open Championship so the courses look more like they are day in and day out. I am so impressed with the new Kingsbarns which looks like a links but isn't really in that it hasn't been built on land linking the sea to the mainland, but it looks like it's been there for a long time and I am glad they built a stone clad traditional looking Scottish clubhouse instead of some monster 5 star hotel. It like the rest of the course, fits..
Two young Walker Cup team mates England's Jimmy Mullen (-11) and Irishman Paul Dunne (-10) both playing St Andrews today and both playing their first pro tournament, lead the way after opening 64's in round one and continue to do so as play is under way in round two.
Martin Kaymer and Jamie Donaldson, much more well known, are lurking just behind at -9 currently, playing Kingsbarns. As always Carnoustie is playing the toughest of the three courses. There are 5 players at -8, so a long way and many twists and turns to come
Consider Paul Dunne's life recently. He led the Open championship going into the final round, then won the Walker Cup in convincing fashion, turned pro and here he is leading his first tournament ! Mullen won all 4 of his matches in the Walker Cup, only the fourth man to do so. Mullen ranks 1695th in the World Rankings while Dunne is World Number 942.
They both will try and get their cards via Q school, however a win here by either would change all that.
The weather will get partly cloudy tomorrow with rain in the forecast for Sunday, but more importantly no significant wind.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, October 1, 2015
A wonderful week of golf at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
European Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015076/leaderboard/index.html#8YmEk1QzIfU20TbE.97
For those of you who have never travelled over to Scotland to visit and in particular play golf it is hard for me to put into words exactly how wonderful an experience it is. In fact as a golfer your journey is not complete until you do. The links courses, the people, the history, the food and drink, the smell of the salt sea air and the camaraderie are unsurpassed.
This week is a marvellous event, now called the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where most of the top European Tour stars are paired with a combination of celebrities, family members or, and I could do without this, giants of industry, and they all play St. Andrews, Carnoustie and the relatively new Kingsbarns over 4 days, with a format similar to the annual AT&T pro-am at Pebble Beach,
The weather as always is embraced, or endured depending on your point of view, but it is usually a factor on the famous links courses on Scotland's south east coast. Today the sun is shining, it's calm, so the lads and a few lasses are in short sleeves and the scoring will be low.
I was asked earlier this week why this prestigious event was sponsored by a company that makes it's billions making cigarettes, considering that line of sponsorship is banned in Canada and all I can say is that I never thought for a minute when Peter Jackson or du Maurier were sponsoring the Canadian Open that it made one child or adult anywhere run out and start smoking. Many other factors are responsible for that, peer pressure for kids, or mom's and dad's who smoke are much more responsible than Alfred Dunhill spending millions to sponsor a golf tournament.
A Swede called Kristoffer Broberg is taking advantage of the benign weather on the Old Course and is at -8 through 15 having started on #10 and played the back nine in 32 strokes. The course record is -10 62 held by 5 players and considering the sport was first played on the Links at St Andrews in the early 1400s it's a tribute to this venerable layout that only 5 guys have shot that score.
FYI, Scotland's Tom Kidd won the first Open Championship in 1873 with a score of 91,88 179 !
Bryan Angus
For those of you who have never travelled over to Scotland to visit and in particular play golf it is hard for me to put into words exactly how wonderful an experience it is. In fact as a golfer your journey is not complete until you do. The links courses, the people, the history, the food and drink, the smell of the salt sea air and the camaraderie are unsurpassed.
This week is a marvellous event, now called the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where most of the top European Tour stars are paired with a combination of celebrities, family members or, and I could do without this, giants of industry, and they all play St. Andrews, Carnoustie and the relatively new Kingsbarns over 4 days, with a format similar to the annual AT&T pro-am at Pebble Beach,
The weather as always is embraced, or endured depending on your point of view, but it is usually a factor on the famous links courses on Scotland's south east coast. Today the sun is shining, it's calm, so the lads and a few lasses are in short sleeves and the scoring will be low.
I was asked earlier this week why this prestigious event was sponsored by a company that makes it's billions making cigarettes, considering that line of sponsorship is banned in Canada and all I can say is that I never thought for a minute when Peter Jackson or du Maurier were sponsoring the Canadian Open that it made one child or adult anywhere run out and start smoking. Many other factors are responsible for that, peer pressure for kids, or mom's and dad's who smoke are much more responsible than Alfred Dunhill spending millions to sponsor a golf tournament.
A Swede called Kristoffer Broberg is taking advantage of the benign weather on the Old Course and is at -8 through 15 having started on #10 and played the back nine in 32 strokes. The course record is -10 62 held by 5 players and considering the sport was first played on the Links at St Andrews in the early 1400s it's a tribute to this venerable layout that only 5 guys have shot that score.
FYI, Scotland's Tom Kidd won the first Open Championship in 1873 with a score of 91,88 179 !
Bryan Angus
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