That's right, you can reach me @mummmbles so not the most original headline on a cold, clearing Monday in December, but we are as always still talking about golf.
* Tiger leads it off, and as I posted in my last missive, let's give the guy a few months of tournament play before we make judgement, he did shoot +4 76 on Sunday and he finished 15th in the 17 man field. Most importantly for the game, and leading up to the Masters in April is the fact he is healthy and back playing. He is at 898 in the world, and says he wants to play a full schedule starting in 2017 and his comeback will become the story of the year.
Henrik Stenson summed it up best. “Give him three or four tournaments, maybe six tournaments, maybe around the Masters. It’s easy to overanalyze a very limited amount of golf.”
* Hideki Matsuyama continued his sensational play winning yet again, this time he blew a big lead but hung on to win by 2 shots 73 -18 over Henrik Stenson who closed with 68 -16. It was his 4th win in his last 5 events, the last time he beat Henrik was by 7 shots at the WGC in China. He is ranked #6 in the world heading into 2017.
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html
* Congratulations to young Jennifer Na, who finished 5 rounds at the LPGA Q school T8 at -8 (70-74-69-67-72). With that she earned one of the first 20 spots and joins Brooke Henderson, Maude Aimee LeBlanc and Alena Sharp with full status in 2017. Na is from Calgary.
Bryan Angus
Monday, December 5, 2016
Saturday, December 3, 2016
" Every course is a par 68 to Tiger"
PGA Tour Hero World Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html
The practice green and the driving range are two of the many sacred places for golf pros from the media. In 2000 at Glen Abbey I was waiting patiently for Freddie Couples with my microphone beside the practice green at Glen Abbey for about an hour along with several others, and we were all eventually blown off by a grumpy Freddie, who did offer this gem about Tiger, over his shoulder as he wandered off to the clubhouse..
"This course and every other is a par 68 to Tiger" referring to the par 5's that he reaches with regularity in 2, making 2 putt birdies a common occurrence.
Tiger went on to make the famous shot from the fairway bunker on the 18th and 72nd hole to beat Kiwi Grant Waite ( now a part time senior tour pro and fulltime teacher) to set up a birdie 4 to win his last appearance at our Canadian Open.
He played well again on at his Hero World Challenge on Friday, out in 33, but was better on the back nine and he birdied 4 of the 5 par 5's resulting in a -7 65 to move halfway up the scoreboard at his 18 man invitational, where he played as a single after Justin Rose ironically withdrew with back problems.
Looking slimmer and very fit he told the assembled press he no longer lifts weights or trains like he once does and has cut back on his running because “I’ve had four knee surgeries, three backs. My body’s been through it."
At work last night my boss Corey Burnett pumped his fist and said " Hey Tiger's back man, he shot 65 today"
Well it doesn't behoove me to disagree with the boss, but Tiger can still shoot 65 in his sleep and has done so daily in practice rounds, so doing it playing as a single in this glorified exhibition event doesn't mean he's back anymore than it means he's done if he shoots 75 today..
I will need a much larger sample size to decide how he is progressing when he gets more tournaments, more reps after Christmas.
The practice green and the driving range are two of the many sacred places for golf pros from the media. In 2000 at Glen Abbey I was waiting patiently for Freddie Couples with my microphone beside the practice green at Glen Abbey for about an hour along with several others, and we were all eventually blown off by a grumpy Freddie, who did offer this gem about Tiger, over his shoulder as he wandered off to the clubhouse..
"This course and every other is a par 68 to Tiger" referring to the par 5's that he reaches with regularity in 2, making 2 putt birdies a common occurrence.
Tiger went on to make the famous shot from the fairway bunker on the 18th and 72nd hole to beat Kiwi Grant Waite ( now a part time senior tour pro and fulltime teacher) to set up a birdie 4 to win his last appearance at our Canadian Open.
He played well again on at his Hero World Challenge on Friday, out in 33, but was better on the back nine and he birdied 4 of the 5 par 5's resulting in a -7 65 to move halfway up the scoreboard at his 18 man invitational, where he played as a single after Justin Rose ironically withdrew with back problems.
Looking slimmer and very fit he told the assembled press he no longer lifts weights or trains like he once does and has cut back on his running because “I’ve had four knee surgeries, three backs. My body’s been through it."
At work last night my boss Corey Burnett pumped his fist and said " Hey Tiger's back man, he shot 65 today"
Well it doesn't behoove me to disagree with the boss, but Tiger can still shoot 65 in his sleep and has done so daily in practice rounds, so doing it playing as a single in this glorified exhibition event doesn't mean he's back anymore than it means he's done if he shoots 75 today..
I will need a much larger sample size to decide how he is progressing when he gets more tournaments, more reps after Christmas.
As for the leaders, Dustin Johnson shot his second straight 66 to tie for the lead at -12 with Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama who shot a 67.
They are two shots clear of Louis Oosthuizen (67) and Matt Kuchar (67)
Matsuyama is another of the world wide stars that have emerged in Tiger's absence. He has won three of his last four outings and was 2nd in the other. Kind of Tiger like !!
So he's not back, and he's not done.. let's just say Friday was a good day... we'll see what the weekend and the months ahead bring.
Bryan Angus
Friday, December 2, 2016
Tiger's return a big deal in the golf world...
PGA Tour Hero Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html
PGA Tour schedule http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
Alright, alright, this Hero Challenge only has 18 invited players, playing in what was called the silly season. The majors, the Olympics, the Ryder Cup have all been decided, the individual prizes awarded, Christmas is just 23 days away, but all eyes, and not just in the golfing world are on New Providence in the beautiful Bahamas because Tiger Woods, now nearly 41 has returned to competitive golf.
He hadn't competed in 466 days after being laid low with chronic back problems since 2013. That year he was No. 1 in the world, won 5 tournaments before his back problems began to flare up. He struggled on but finally after he played the Wyndham Championship in late August 2015, he had to stop, subsequently going through two back surgeries.
He started brightly, -4 approaching the turn, but a pair of double bogeys over the final three holes led to a 40 on the back nine at Albany Golf Club and a +1 73, nine shots behind J.B. Holmes, who opened with an -8 64 and had a one-shot lead over Hideki Matsuyama, with U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson at 66.
He hit just 6/13 fairways and 11 of 18 greens. "I haven’t played in a while. Unfortunately, I made some mistakes. I can clean that up. We’ve got three more days. Wind is supposed to pump on the weekend, and I’ll be playing a little bit better"
The winner of 79 PGA Tour events and 14 majors is now ranked 879th, however this little invitational event to raise money for his Tiger Woods Foundation with a purse of $3.5m, paltry by today's standards, has the world's media, including wall to wall coverage on the Golf Channel covering every shot he makes, reporting every comment, analyzing every swing.
For me his return is not as painful as some other greats, like Mohammed Ali who was a flabby shadow of his magnificent glory years when his finances dictated he had to return to fight and lose to the likes of Leon Spinks.
Tiger doesn't need the money, and is fitter than most of the field, and in fact although he is not the Tiger of old, he may still get it all together for a week or more and win again.
However it doesn't really matter, because if he shoots 64 or 84 it still makes the headlines.
Tiger's return is still a big deal for the golf world.
Bryan Angus
PGA Tour schedule http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
Alright, alright, this Hero Challenge only has 18 invited players, playing in what was called the silly season. The majors, the Olympics, the Ryder Cup have all been decided, the individual prizes awarded, Christmas is just 23 days away, but all eyes, and not just in the golfing world are on New Providence in the beautiful Bahamas because Tiger Woods, now nearly 41 has returned to competitive golf.
He hadn't competed in 466 days after being laid low with chronic back problems since 2013. That year he was No. 1 in the world, won 5 tournaments before his back problems began to flare up. He struggled on but finally after he played the Wyndham Championship in late August 2015, he had to stop, subsequently going through two back surgeries.
He started brightly, -4 approaching the turn, but a pair of double bogeys over the final three holes led to a 40 on the back nine at Albany Golf Club and a +1 73, nine shots behind J.B. Holmes, who opened with an -8 64 and had a one-shot lead over Hideki Matsuyama, with U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson at 66.
He hit just 6/13 fairways and 11 of 18 greens. "I haven’t played in a while. Unfortunately, I made some mistakes. I can clean that up. We’ve got three more days. Wind is supposed to pump on the weekend, and I’ll be playing a little bit better"
The winner of 79 PGA Tour events and 14 majors is now ranked 879th, however this little invitational event to raise money for his Tiger Woods Foundation with a purse of $3.5m, paltry by today's standards, has the world's media, including wall to wall coverage on the Golf Channel covering every shot he makes, reporting every comment, analyzing every swing.
For me his return is not as painful as some other greats, like Mohammed Ali who was a flabby shadow of his magnificent glory years when his finances dictated he had to return to fight and lose to the likes of Leon Spinks.
Tiger doesn't need the money, and is fitter than most of the field, and in fact although he is not the Tiger of old, he may still get it all together for a week or more and win again.
However it doesn't really matter, because if he shoots 64 or 84 it still makes the headlines.
Tiger's return is still a big deal for the golf world.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Denmark wins ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf
Australasian Tour ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf final leaderboard
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/isps-handa-world-cup-of-golf/leaderboard.html
In hindsight it was the fourball -12 score of 60 on Friday that made all the difference as Soren Kjeldsen and Thorbjorn Olesen from Denmark went on from there with 70,66 -20 total to win this ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf handily, in fact by 4 shots over China, France and the USA.
It was Denmark's first World Cup victory. Thomas Bjorn and Olesen finished third at Royal Melbourne in 2013
David Hearn and Adam Hadwin got better as the week went on and with scores of 75 68 69 66 finished a creditable T11 at -10.
Bryan Angus
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/isps-handa-world-cup-of-golf/leaderboard.html
In hindsight it was the fourball -12 score of 60 on Friday that made all the difference as Soren Kjeldsen and Thorbjorn Olesen from Denmark went on from there with 70,66 -20 total to win this ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf handily, in fact by 4 shots over China, France and the USA.
It was Denmark's first World Cup victory. Thomas Bjorn and Olesen finished third at Royal Melbourne in 2013
David Hearn and Adam Hadwin got better as the week went on and with scores of 75 68 69 66 finished a creditable T11 at -10.
Bryan Angus
Friday, November 25, 2016
Hearn and Hadwin improve at World Cup of Golf in Melbourne
ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/isps-handa-world-cup-of-golf/leaderboard.html
After a disappointing opening foursome score of +3 75 which featured 3 birdies on the front nine, but was marred by a triple bogey 7 on the par 4 3rd, David Hearn and Adam Hadwin improved by seven shots in today's fourball, with a bogey free -4 68.
At the halfway point in this ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf they are T23 along with Scotland and South Korea, at -1 in windy, cool conditions on this Kingston Heath GC.
The leaders after a tremendous 60 today are Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen at -12 fuelled by 2 eagles and 2 birdies in a front nine of 29.
They are 3 shots ahead of Li and Wu from China (70,65 -9) and 4 ahead of Spaniards John Rahm and Rafa Cabrera Bello (69,67 -8)
Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker are representing USA, they are T4 -7, 70,67.
There are 28 nations of two playing foursomes and fourballs over 4 days. The first World Cup of Golf took place in Montreal in 1953 as the Canada Cup and International Golf Championship and it was the brainchild of an American called John Jay Hopkins and the trophy is named after him. It was his idea to spread goodwill and competition through the game of golf around the world.
Bryan Angus
After a disappointing opening foursome score of +3 75 which featured 3 birdies on the front nine, but was marred by a triple bogey 7 on the par 4 3rd, David Hearn and Adam Hadwin improved by seven shots in today's fourball, with a bogey free -4 68.
At the halfway point in this ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf they are T23 along with Scotland and South Korea, at -1 in windy, cool conditions on this Kingston Heath GC.
The leaders after a tremendous 60 today are Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen at -12 fuelled by 2 eagles and 2 birdies in a front nine of 29.
They are 3 shots ahead of Li and Wu from China (70,65 -9) and 4 ahead of Spaniards John Rahm and Rafa Cabrera Bello (69,67 -8)
Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker are representing USA, they are T4 -7, 70,67.
There are 28 nations of two playing foursomes and fourballs over 4 days. The first World Cup of Golf took place in Montreal in 1953 as the Canada Cup and International Golf Championship and it was the brainchild of an American called John Jay Hopkins and the trophy is named after him. It was his idea to spread goodwill and competition through the game of golf around the world.
Bryan Angus
Monday, November 21, 2016
Brooke Henderson wraps a tremendous 2016 season
Brooke Henderson finished 72 72 69 69 T24 at the season ending CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday and was in contention all year for all of the tour's trophy's.
Her wildly successful year included two wins including a major, an incredible 15 top-10 finishes, along with $1,724,409 in prize money, 3rd on the LPGA official money list and she represented Canada at the Olympics in Rio.
Alena Sharp wrapped up her best year on tour 69 76 72 68 T36.
Congratulations to Brooke and Alena who travelled together all this fall through the Asian swing, and indeed to all the women from Canada who in their own rights, established themselves as solid LPGA pros.
Bryan Angus
Her wildly successful year included two wins including a major, an incredible 15 top-10 finishes, along with $1,724,409 in prize money, 3rd on the LPGA official money list and she represented Canada at the Olympics in Rio.
Alena Sharp wrapped up her best year on tour 69 76 72 68 T36.
Congratulations to Brooke and Alena who travelled together all this fall through the Asian swing, and indeed to all the women from Canada who in their own rights, established themselves as solid LPGA pros.
Bryan Angus
Jutanugarn beats Ko to win Race to CME Globe title
LPGA Tour CME Group Tour Championship final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cme-group-tour-championship/results
The long and winding road that is the LPGA Tour is finally over, and the prizes have been awarded.
A recent excellent documentary by the Golf Channel explored the domination of this tour by South Korean girls, and the reasons behind their stunning rise to excellence led by their hero Si Ri Pak, however despite all their success it was a young women from Thailand, Ariya Jutanugarn who won the biggest prizes.
Those are the LPGA Tour’s player of the year award, the money title and the season-long Race to CME Globe points competition that comes with a $1 million bonus.
She won five tournaments including three consecutive starts in May and with all that she finally managed to beat Lydia Ko for all three of those trophies.
Charley Hull from England won the actual tournament shooting 66 66 on the weekend to finish at -19, two shots ahead of So Yeon Ryu (67)
The final trophy came down to the last putt as In Gee Chun made a 10-footer for birdie on the final hole to win the scoring title to edge Lydia Ko.
She is the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win both the Vare Trophy and rookie of the year in the same season.
Brooke Henderson finished 72 72 69 69 T24 and her wildly successful year included two wins including a major, an incredible 15 top-10 finishes, along with $1,724,409 in prize money, 3rd on the LPGA official money list and she represented Canada at both the Pan Am Games and the Olympics.
Alena Sharp wrapped up her best year on tour 69 76 72 68 T36.
Bryan Angus
The long and winding road that is the LPGA Tour is finally over, and the prizes have been awarded.
A recent excellent documentary by the Golf Channel explored the domination of this tour by South Korean girls, and the reasons behind their stunning rise to excellence led by their hero Si Ri Pak, however despite all their success it was a young women from Thailand, Ariya Jutanugarn who won the biggest prizes.
Those are the LPGA Tour’s player of the year award, the money title and the season-long Race to CME Globe points competition that comes with a $1 million bonus.
She won five tournaments including three consecutive starts in May and with all that she finally managed to beat Lydia Ko for all three of those trophies.
Charley Hull from England won the actual tournament shooting 66 66 on the weekend to finish at -19, two shots ahead of So Yeon Ryu (67)
The final trophy came down to the last putt as In Gee Chun made a 10-footer for birdie on the final hole to win the scoring title to edge Lydia Ko.
She is the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win both the Vare Trophy and rookie of the year in the same season.
Brooke Henderson finished 72 72 69 69 T24 and her wildly successful year included two wins including a major, an incredible 15 top-10 finishes, along with $1,724,409 in prize money, 3rd on the LPGA official money list and she represented Canada at both the Pan Am Games and the Olympics.
Alena Sharp wrapped up her best year on tour 69 76 72 68 T36.
Bryan Angus
MacKenzie Hughes wins RSM Classic in a playoff
PGA Tour RSM Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-rsm-classic/leaderboard.html
"I made the putt of my life right there"
Those were the words from MacKenzie Hughes moments ago after he made a clutch 20 foot par saving putt from off the green on the 3rd playoff hole to go wire to wire and win the RSM Classic, his first PGA Tour win at chilly Sea Island in Georgia this morning.
Camilo Villegas, Blayne Barber and Henrik Norlander all missed their par putts on the par 3 17th hole, Billy Horschel was eliminated on the first playoff hole in the gathering darkness on Sunday evening. Play was eventually called after the 2nd playoff hole.
Apparently he is the first rookie to lead all the way since Tim Herron at the 1996 Honda Classic. Remember MacKenzie got his week off to a great start with a 61 on Thursday and closed with a 69 and finished at -17.
He married Jenna his girlfriend from Kent State a few weeks ago and the US$1.08 million and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour is one heck of a wedding present.
He will be taking her to his first event of 2017 at Kapalua in January, then later to the Masters at Augusta and then later still back to his home in Charlotte NC for the PGA Championship.
Congratulations MacKenzie, what a fall season it's been for you and your family!
Bryan Angus
"I made the putt of my life right there"
Those were the words from MacKenzie Hughes moments ago after he made a clutch 20 foot par saving putt from off the green on the 3rd playoff hole to go wire to wire and win the RSM Classic, his first PGA Tour win at chilly Sea Island in Georgia this morning.
Camilo Villegas, Blayne Barber and Henrik Norlander all missed their par putts on the par 3 17th hole, Billy Horschel was eliminated on the first playoff hole in the gathering darkness on Sunday evening. Play was eventually called after the 2nd playoff hole.
Apparently he is the first rookie to lead all the way since Tim Herron at the 1996 Honda Classic. Remember MacKenzie got his week off to a great start with a 61 on Thursday and closed with a 69 and finished at -17.
He married Jenna his girlfriend from Kent State a few weeks ago and the US$1.08 million and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour is one heck of a wedding present.
He will be taking her to his first event of 2017 at Kapalua in January, then later to the Masters at Augusta and then later still back to his home in Charlotte NC for the PGA Championship.
Congratulations MacKenzie, what a fall season it's been for you and your family!
Bryan Angus
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Matthew Fitzpatrick wins Championship, Stenson wins the Race to Dubai
European Tour DP World Tour Championship final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016090/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
With rounds of 69 69 66 67 -17, another of golf's young guns, England's Matthew Fitzpatrick birdied the last hole to win the DP World Golf Tour championship by a shot over his countryman Tyrell Hatton, who he battled all day, 71 66 67 68 -16.
However earlier Henrik Stenson went out with Rory McIlroy and entertained the crowds with -7 65's, both finished T9, good enough for Henrik to win the Race to Dubai, and unseat Rory as Europe's top player.
With rounds of 69 69 66 67 -17, another of golf's young guns, England's Matthew Fitzpatrick birdied the last hole to win the DP World Golf Tour championship by a shot over his countryman Tyrell Hatton, who he battled all day, 71 66 67 68 -16.
However earlier Henrik Stenson went out with Rory McIlroy and entertained the crowds with -7 65's, both finished T9, good enough for Henrik to win the Race to Dubai, and unseat Rory as Europe's top player.
europeantour.com The Open champion closed his season with that -7 65 in the DP World Tour Championship, bringing the curtain down on a season in which he became the first Swede to win a major with his triumph at Royal Troon in July and claimed an Olympic silver medal. That breakthrough major title along with his BMW International Open win in Germany and three other top two finishes helped Stenson top the Race to Dubai Rankings, ahead of Masters Champion Danny Willett.
Stenson's victory in the Race to Dubai also secured an additional $1.25 million bonus from the $5million Bonus Pool awarded to the top ten at the season's end.
Having previously won the Race to Dubai in 2013, Stenson becomes only the third continental European and 12th player in total to finish Number One on more than one occasion, joining the likes of Seve Ballesteros Bernhard Langer, Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, and Sir Nick Faldo.
Stenson's victory in the Race to Dubai also secured an additional $1.25 million bonus from the $5million Bonus Pool awarded to the top ten at the season's end.
Having previously won the Race to Dubai in 2013, Stenson becomes only the third continental European and 12th player in total to finish Number One on more than one occasion, joining the likes of Seve Ballesteros Bernhard Langer, Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, and Sir Nick Faldo.
Bryan Angus
Jordan Spieth wins Emirates Australian Open in a playoff
The Emirates Australian Open final leaderboard http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores
While Old Man Winter blew into southern Ontario overnight, Jordan Spieth kick started his 2017 season down in the sunny summer in Sydney Australia, winning the Emirates Australia Open for the second time in three years, this time in a 4 way playoff.
Looking like the Spieth of old, his iron game and clutch putting in full display, he fired a final round -3 69 to get into a tie for first with unheralded Aussies, Cameron Smith and Ashley Hall who both shot sparkling -6 66's.
Spieth birdied the first playoff hole with a solid drive, and a wedge approach to within 8 feet. Hall matched his approach, but missed the putt.
You may remember Spieth did exactly the same thing here in 2014 then went on to become world number 1. He has been the forgotten man amongst the big 3 this year, an ordinary one by his standards, but the trip half way around the world will regain his confidence, so watch for him to get back in contention after Christmas.
Bryan Angus
While Old Man Winter blew into southern Ontario overnight, Jordan Spieth kick started his 2017 season down in the sunny summer in Sydney Australia, winning the Emirates Australia Open for the second time in three years, this time in a 4 way playoff.
Looking like the Spieth of old, his iron game and clutch putting in full display, he fired a final round -3 69 to get into a tie for first with unheralded Aussies, Cameron Smith and Ashley Hall who both shot sparkling -6 66's.
Spieth birdied the first playoff hole with a solid drive, and a wedge approach to within 8 feet. Hall matched his approach, but missed the putt.
You may remember Spieth did exactly the same thing here in 2014 then went on to become world number 1. He has been the forgotten man amongst the big 3 this year, an ordinary one by his standards, but the trip half way around the world will regain his confidence, so watch for him to get back in contention after Christmas.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Ko and Jutanugarn to settle CME Globe race, player of the year title on Sunday
LPGA Tour CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cme-group-tour-championship/leaderboard
At 20 years of age, England's Charley Hull is another of the brilliant young stars on the LPGA Tour and after her bogey free -6 66 -13 total, she has a one-stroke lead over Brittany Lincicome (66) and So Yeon Ryu (69) and two-stroke advantage over Lydia Ko (73), Ariya Jutanugarn (65), In Gee Chun (68), Jennifer Song (66) and Lizette Salas (67) as she looks for her first win.
However the big picture has Ko and Jutanugarn battling for all the marbles.
Ko needs to win to catch Jutanugarn in the player of the year race, and also would take the season points title and $1 million CME Globe bonus. Ko also is fighting Jutanugarn for the money title and Chun for the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
Jutanugarn leads the tour with five victories, one more than Ko.
Wrapping up a brilliant year, Brooke Henderson is T34th at -3 after her 69 while her friend, Alena Sharp shot 72 T47 +1.
Bryan Angus
At 20 years of age, England's Charley Hull is another of the brilliant young stars on the LPGA Tour and after her bogey free -6 66 -13 total, she has a one-stroke lead over Brittany Lincicome (66) and So Yeon Ryu (69) and two-stroke advantage over Lydia Ko (73), Ariya Jutanugarn (65), In Gee Chun (68), Jennifer Song (66) and Lizette Salas (67) as she looks for her first win.
However the big picture has Ko and Jutanugarn battling for all the marbles.
Ko needs to win to catch Jutanugarn in the player of the year race, and also would take the season points title and $1 million CME Globe bonus. Ko also is fighting Jutanugarn for the money title and Chun for the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
Jutanugarn leads the tour with five victories, one more than Ko.
Wrapping up a brilliant year, Brooke Henderson is T34th at -3 after her 69 while her friend, Alena Sharp shot 72 T47 +1.
Bryan Angus
MacKenzie Hughes survives triple bogey to maintain lead at Sea Island
PGA Tour RSM Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-rsm-classic/leaderboard.html
MacKenzie Hughes shot a 61 in his opening round of this RSM Classic at Sea Island in Georgia, and has held on to the lead ever since, despite a triple bogey from a fairway bunker today on the 11th hole where he left his first attempt in the sand, and eventually 3 putted for a seven to lose a three shot lead.
However he is right in control of his play from tee to green and has the commentators in awe of his pure putting stroke and he recovered to make 3 birdies in his last four holes. All that led to a -2 68 that gave him a one-shot lead at -16 over Billy Horschel (65), Camilo Villegas (64) and C.T. Pan (67) in windy conditions.
It will be a tough task for the recently married Canuck from Dundas, it is a jam packed leaderboard as usual in this wrap around PGA tour season with 10 guys within 4 shots of the lead.
Brad Fritsch and Nick Taylor both made the cut at -2 but did not finish due to the new rules restricting players making the cut to 70 and ties.
Bryan Angus
MacKenzie Hughes shot a 61 in his opening round of this RSM Classic at Sea Island in Georgia, and has held on to the lead ever since, despite a triple bogey from a fairway bunker today on the 11th hole where he left his first attempt in the sand, and eventually 3 putted for a seven to lose a three shot lead.
However he is right in control of his play from tee to green and has the commentators in awe of his pure putting stroke and he recovered to make 3 birdies in his last four holes. All that led to a -2 68 that gave him a one-shot lead at -16 over Billy Horschel (65), Camilo Villegas (64) and C.T. Pan (67) in windy conditions.
It will be a tough task for the recently married Canuck from Dundas, it is a jam packed leaderboard as usual in this wrap around PGA tour season with 10 guys within 4 shots of the lead.
Brad Fritsch and Nick Taylor both made the cut at -2 but did not finish due to the new rules restricting players making the cut to 70 and ties.
Bryan Angus
Stenson set to win Race to Dubai
European Tour DP World Tour Championship leaderboard
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016090/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
You have to go down to T13 -7 to find Alex Noren (69), down to T22 for Rory MccIlroy (68) and Henrik Stenson (70) then way down to Danny Willett (76) T51.
They are the four guys who can win it all this week, but none are in contention with the French leader Victor Dubuisson 70 69 64 -13 who has picked up Justin Thomas's caddie for last week and this to great effect, T3 last week at the Nedbank and now leading this week.
So I've done the math, If Noren wins, Stenson would need to finish runner up, if Noren finishes as high as 2nd, Henrik has to finish in the top 8 to win it all.
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016090/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
You have to go down to T13 -7 to find Alex Noren (69), down to T22 for Rory MccIlroy (68) and Henrik Stenson (70) then way down to Danny Willett (76) T51.
They are the four guys who can win it all this week, but none are in contention with the French leader Victor Dubuisson 70 69 64 -13 who has picked up Justin Thomas's caddie for last week and this to great effect, T3 last week at the Nedbank and now leading this week.
So I've done the math, If Noren wins, Stenson would need to finish runner up, if Noren finishes as high as 2nd, Henrik has to finish in the top 8 to win it all.
The numbers dictate that Rory McIlroy can still win it all but he needs to win and Stenson finish outside the top 45 to have any chance of retaining his Race to Dubai title for a third successive year. Danny Willett’s hopes ended with a third round 76.
The top ten on the Race to Dubai at the end of the season will share a $5million Bonus Pool with $1.25 million going to the Number One, down to $250,000 for tenth place.
Dubuisson with a hot back nine moved to -13 one stroke clear of nearest challengers Nicolas Colsaerts, Tyrrell Hatton and Matthew Fitzpatrick while Rafa Cabrera Bello's 63 was the lowest score of the day, was another shot back on -11 with Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Thursday, November 17, 2016
MacKenzie Hughes shoots 61, leads RSM Classic
PGA Tour RSM Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-rsm-classic/leaderboard.html
MacKenzie Hughes has posted a -9 61 to take the first round lead at the RSM Classic in Sea Island Georgia.
Veteran Stewart Cink is 2nd with a -8 62
More to follow
Bryan Angus
MacKenzie Hughes has posted a -9 61 to take the first round lead at the RSM Classic in Sea Island Georgia.
Veteran Stewart Cink is 2nd with a -8 62
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Alena Sharp just 3 shots out of the lead at CME Group Tour Championship
LPGA Tour CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Talk about getting hot at the right time ! China's Shanshan Feng has won her last two tournaments and with a -6 66 in the bag she has the first round lead at this season finale on the LPGA Tour in Naples Florida.
Alena Sharp is right in contention, T12 after her -3 69, just 3 shots back, while Brooke Henderson started brightly with a birdie 5 at the first, but dug herself a hole with 3 bogey's in her next 4 holes, out in 38, but back in 34 T32 at E. She is one of the top 3 who can win the Race to CME with a win here this week.
Of the other 2, Ariya Jutanugarn also opened with 72, while Lydia Ko is T16 after her -2 70.
England's Charley Hull and South Korean So Yeon Ryu are T2, at -5 67
Bryan Angus
Talk about getting hot at the right time ! China's Shanshan Feng has won her last two tournaments and with a -6 66 in the bag she has the first round lead at this season finale on the LPGA Tour in Naples Florida.
Alena Sharp is right in contention, T12 after her -3 69, just 3 shots back, while Brooke Henderson started brightly with a birdie 5 at the first, but dug herself a hole with 3 bogey's in her next 4 holes, out in 38, but back in 34 T32 at E. She is one of the top 3 who can win the Race to CME with a win here this week.
Of the other 2, Ariya Jutanugarn also opened with 72, while Lydia Ko is T16 after her -2 70.
England's Charley Hull and South Korean So Yeon Ryu are T2, at -5 67
Bryan Angus
Westwood grabs 1st round lead at DP World Tour Championship
European Tour DP World Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016090/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
There are 4 players who with a win this week, win the whole kit and caboodle, that means this week's $8m DP World Tour Championship, and the $10m Race to Dubai.
None of them opened particularly well. Danny Willett -1 71 along with Alex Noren, Henrik Stenson the front runner, shot E 72, while Rory McIlroy was fighting back after 5 bogey's through 10 holes, with 3 birdies late in his round, but a double bogey at the 16th, put the seal on +3 75.
The leader, playing one of his best rounds of the year is Lee Westwood with a sterling -6 66, a shot ahead of Belgian Nick Coltsaerts and France's Julian Quesne.
Westwood is 43 now, finally settled into divorced life, of course with a new beauty, was on top of the world when he won here in 2009, capping off his Order of Merit title, and remember he finished T2 at the Masters this year which gave him a mess of points in the rankings.
With the pins tucked, nearly half of the 60 man field could not break par, the worst score goes to Frenchman Romain Wattel, +10 82.
Bryan Angus
There are 4 players who with a win this week, win the whole kit and caboodle, that means this week's $8m DP World Tour Championship, and the $10m Race to Dubai.
None of them opened particularly well. Danny Willett -1 71 along with Alex Noren, Henrik Stenson the front runner, shot E 72, while Rory McIlroy was fighting back after 5 bogey's through 10 holes, with 3 birdies late in his round, but a double bogey at the 16th, put the seal on +3 75.
The leader, playing one of his best rounds of the year is Lee Westwood with a sterling -6 66, a shot ahead of Belgian Nick Coltsaerts and France's Julian Quesne.
Westwood is 43 now, finally settled into divorced life, of course with a new beauty, was on top of the world when he won here in 2009, capping off his Order of Merit title, and remember he finished T2 at the Masters this year which gave him a mess of points in the rankings.
With the pins tucked, nearly half of the 60 man field could not break par, the worst score goes to Frenchman Romain Wattel, +10 82.
Bryan Angus
Monday, November 14, 2016
Happy 125th birthday, Dr Fredrick Banting
Today is another noteable day for all type 1 diabetics, a day we say a quiet prayer, and wish Dr. Fredrick Banting a happy 125th birthday!
He was born on November 14, 1891, in a farm house near Alliston, Ontario and in 1921 along with one of his students Dr. Charles Best and with research by many others discovered and developed insulin to save the lives of diabetics, who prior to their work were simply starved to death, or passed away from complications of out of control blood sugar levels.
It is because of them I am alive and kicking today along with 3 million other Canadian type 1's and countless millions around the world. This is my 45th year of fighting this bloody awful disease day in and day out, it never leaves you alone for a second, but because of Dr Banting, and a lot of determination and will power I can control it.
A "Flame of Hope" was lit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1989 as a tribute to Dr. Banting and all the people that have lost their lives to diabetes. The flame will remain lit until there is a cure for diabetes. When a cure is found, the flame will be extinguished by the researchers who discover the cure. The flame is located at Sir Frederick Banting Square in London, Ontario, Canada beside the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada.
They never have enough money for research, and now type 2 diabetes is running rampant throughout the world, so if you can, get in touch with the Diabetic Association wherever you are reading this and give them a hand.
Thanks,
Bryan Angus
He was born on November 14, 1891, in a farm house near Alliston, Ontario and in 1921 along with one of his students Dr. Charles Best and with research by many others discovered and developed insulin to save the lives of diabetics, who prior to their work were simply starved to death, or passed away from complications of out of control blood sugar levels.
It is because of them I am alive and kicking today along with 3 million other Canadian type 1's and countless millions around the world. This is my 45th year of fighting this bloody awful disease day in and day out, it never leaves you alone for a second, but because of Dr Banting, and a lot of determination and will power I can control it.
A "Flame of Hope" was lit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1989 as a tribute to Dr. Banting and all the people that have lost their lives to diabetes. The flame will remain lit until there is a cure for diabetes. When a cure is found, the flame will be extinguished by the researchers who discover the cure. The flame is located at Sir Frederick Banting Square in London, Ontario, Canada beside the Banting House National Historic Site of Canada.
They never have enough money for research, and now type 2 diabetes is running rampant throughout the world, so if you can, get in touch with the Diabetic Association wherever you are reading this and give them a hand.
Thanks,
Bryan Angus
Weekend wrap..Live final scoreboards
No surprise to see the flood of tributes to Dawn Coe Jones after her passing this weekend, she touched everyone who knew her and she reminded us all once again that life is so short, so enjoy every day as much as you can because when you lose your health, none of the daily problems that seem to engulf us at times, matter at all...
As for the game itself, plenty of storylines as usual as this 2016 year winds down..
Champions Tour, Charles Schwab Cup Championship final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/charles-schwab-cup-championship/leaderboard.html
So Paul Goydos led from the start and with rounds of 62 67 66 -15 he won the championship and $440,000, but Bernard Langer, gimpy knee and all, shot 67 66 64 -13 to finish second, but won the overall Charles Schwab Cup for the 4th time.
For his efforts he won the $1 million annuity, and with his four victories he has added $3,016,959 to his bulging bank account for 2016.
Tip of the old chapeau to the PGA Tour for re setting the points list before the event which made this win more exciting, without it Bernhard would have just had to show up and he would have been awarded the trophy.
Monty 65 66 68 -11 finished 3rd in the tournament, 2nd in the overall race.
PGA Tour OHL Classic at Mayakoba final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/ohl-classic-at-mayakoba/leaderboard.html
It was a good weekend in Mexico for two Canadians as Adam Hadwin T10, 67 66 70 67 -14, and Nick Taylor T15,68 66 68 70 -12, both were well under par for the week. They may not have made the headlines, but the money earned in events like these in this wrap around season are very important to their status on tour when they return in 2017.
The winner was veteran Pat Perez, just back from shoulder surgery who shot a final round -4 67 for a two-stroke victory over Gary Woodland. Perez finished at -21 263.
LPGA Tour Lorena Ochoa Invitational final leaderboard
Spain's Carlota Ciganda rallied to win the Lorena Ochoa Invitational for her second LPGA Tour victory in four starts. She shot a -4 68 for a two-stroke victory over six players.
Brooke Henderson (71) ended up 20th at -4. The tour wraps up the year at the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida this week.
PGA Tour LatinoAmerica Argentina Classic final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/la/en/tournaments/argentina-classic-presentado-por-nec/leaderboard.html
With scores of 67 69 68 -12 Derek Gillespie from Oshawa finished T2 down in Argentina, they never did get a chance to play round 4 when thunderstorms moved into the area to force it's cancellation.
The winner was Spain’s Samuel Del Val at -13.
As for the game itself, plenty of storylines as usual as this 2016 year winds down..
Champions Tour, Charles Schwab Cup Championship final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/charles-schwab-cup-championship/leaderboard.html
So Paul Goydos led from the start and with rounds of 62 67 66 -15 he won the championship and $440,000, but Bernard Langer, gimpy knee and all, shot 67 66 64 -13 to finish second, but won the overall Charles Schwab Cup for the 4th time.
For his efforts he won the $1 million annuity, and with his four victories he has added $3,016,959 to his bulging bank account for 2016.
Tip of the old chapeau to the PGA Tour for re setting the points list before the event which made this win more exciting, without it Bernhard would have just had to show up and he would have been awarded the trophy.
Monty 65 66 68 -11 finished 3rd in the tournament, 2nd in the overall race.
PGA Tour OHL Classic at Mayakoba final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/ohl-classic-at-mayakoba/leaderboard.html
It was a good weekend in Mexico for two Canadians as Adam Hadwin T10, 67 66 70 67 -14, and Nick Taylor T15,68 66 68 70 -12, both were well under par for the week. They may not have made the headlines, but the money earned in events like these in this wrap around season are very important to their status on tour when they return in 2017.
The winner was veteran Pat Perez, just back from shoulder surgery who shot a final round -4 67 for a two-stroke victory over Gary Woodland. Perez finished at -21 263.
LPGA Tour Lorena Ochoa Invitational final leaderboard
Spain's Carlota Ciganda rallied to win the Lorena Ochoa Invitational for her second LPGA Tour victory in four starts. She shot a -4 68 for a two-stroke victory over six players.
Brooke Henderson (71) ended up 20th at -4. The tour wraps up the year at the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida this week.
PGA Tour LatinoAmerica Argentina Classic final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/la/en/tournaments/argentina-classic-presentado-por-nec/leaderboard.html
With scores of 67 69 68 -12 Derek Gillespie from Oshawa finished T2 down in Argentina, they never did get a chance to play round 4 when thunderstorms moved into the area to force it's cancellation.
The winner was Spain’s Samuel Del Val at -13.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Alex Noren wins Nedbank Golf Challenge.
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016088/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
Alex Noren shot a 75 on Saturday and started the final round 6 shots behind the leader JH Wang.
Sunday was a completely different story. Noren started his day with 3 straight birdies, went out in 30 shots, holing putts from all over the greens, eagled the par 5 10th, then incredibly chipped in after short siding himself for birdie 3 at the 11th.
He was -9 through 11 holes and as a result went on to win his 4th title in this, his best year ever on tour. His 63 -14 total was 6 shots better than JH Wang who fell out of the race with a +3 75 to finish 2nd at -8.
He is the first Swede to win 4 times in a year and he has been in the top 10 in 8 of his last 18 outings. This win will see him move up to #9 in the world from 17th.
Bryan Angus
Alex Noren shot a 75 on Saturday and started the final round 6 shots behind the leader JH Wang.
Sunday was a completely different story. Noren started his day with 3 straight birdies, went out in 30 shots, holing putts from all over the greens, eagled the par 5 10th, then incredibly chipped in after short siding himself for birdie 3 at the 11th.
He was -9 through 11 holes and as a result went on to win his 4th title in this, his best year ever on tour. His 63 -14 total was 6 shots better than JH Wang who fell out of the race with a +3 75 to finish 2nd at -8.
Wang was one stroke clear of Ricardo Gouveia, Alejandro Cañizares, Victor Dubuisson, home favourite Branden Grace and Andy Sullivan.
Noren moves up to 3rd in the Race to Dubai going into next week's finale where he joins Henrik Stenson, Danny Willett and Rory McIlroy who can all win the Race with a victory.He is the first Swede to win 4 times in a year and he has been in the top 10 in 8 of his last 18 outings. This win will see him move up to #9 in the world from 17th.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Dawn Coe Jones has passed away 1960-2016
I am deeply saddened today to hear that Dawn Coe Jones has passed away at the age of 56 in Florida. She is survived by her husband Jimmy and her son Jimmy who is on a scholarship at South Florida University.
She had been battling cancer called sarcoma, had surgery for that awful disease in March when she had her knee replaced, but sadly succumbed to it earlier this morning.
All of us in the golf media always looked forward to talking with Dawn, originally from Lake Cowichan in BC, she always had great spirit, was passionately Canadian with a love for her Montreal Canadians and later the Tampa Bay Lightning.
She has remained close to her peers, Nancy Scranton, Gail Graham and Lisa Walters. Dawn was a 3 time winner on the LPGA Tour, and was a regular on my Fairways golf show for 20 years. It was always great to phone her at her home in Florida, and our conversations were always entertaining and insightful.
She won the British Columbia Junior championship in 1978 and 1979 and later the B.C. Amateur title in 1982-83. She also won the 1983 Canadian Amateur title and was a NCAA All-American.
She was inducted to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2011 into the B.C. Golf Hall of Fame
She was humble, down to earth with an endearing sense of humour, a great wife and mother and a heck of a golfer.
RIP Dawn, I miss you already.
Bryan Angus
She had been battling cancer called sarcoma, had surgery for that awful disease in March when she had her knee replaced, but sadly succumbed to it earlier this morning.
All of us in the golf media always looked forward to talking with Dawn, originally from Lake Cowichan in BC, she always had great spirit, was passionately Canadian with a love for her Montreal Canadians and later the Tampa Bay Lightning.
She has remained close to her peers, Nancy Scranton, Gail Graham and Lisa Walters. Dawn was a 3 time winner on the LPGA Tour, and was a regular on my Fairways golf show for 20 years. It was always great to phone her at her home in Florida, and our conversations were always entertaining and insightful.
She won the British Columbia Junior championship in 1978 and 1979 and later the B.C. Amateur title in 1982-83. She also won the 1983 Canadian Amateur title and was a NCAA All-American.
She was inducted to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2011 into the B.C. Golf Hall of Fame
She was humble, down to earth with an endearing sense of humour, a great wife and mother and a heck of a golfer.
RIP Dawn, I miss you already.
Bryan Angus
Weekend golf picture. Hadwin T4 in Mexico, scoreboards, stories..
It's a beautiful weekend in southern Ontario, above seasonal temperatures, lots of sunshine, and of course golf has already moved to warm weather climes, like Mexico where Adam Hadwin goes into the weekend T4, and Brooke Henderson plays in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
The senior circuit has their season finale for the Charles Schab Cup and Paul Goydos has opened up with a -8 62 as they play in Tuscon, and the European Tour is in the warmth of Sun City, South Africa.
Here are the live scoreboards and storylines for all the tours.
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016088/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
With 3 rounds in the books it is South Korea's Jeunghun Wang aided and abetted by a brilliant -8 64 -11 total in tough conditions, who takes a 3 shot lead into the final round over fan favourite Louis Oosthuizen (70) -8 total.
Andy Sullivan is at -7, while Brandon Grace and Alex Noren are -5, with Henrik Stenson and another Springbok Jaco van Zyl in with an outside chance at -4.
Only 15 players are under par in very windy conditions on this Gary Player GC.
PGA Tour OHL Classic at Mayakoba leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/ohl-classic-at-mayakoba/leaderboard.html
Gary Woodland 64 65 -13 has the lead at this Mexican resort course in Mayakoba. He's a shot ahead of Webb Simpson 65 65 -12 with Scott Piercy next 65 66 -11.
Two of the 4 Canadians are doing very well, Adam Hadwin 67 66 -9 T4, and Nick Taylor 68 66 -8 T12.
MacKenzie Hughes 71 71, David Hearn 68 75 both MC.
Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/charles-schwab-cup-championship/leaderboard.html
Paul Goydos shot an -8 62 in the wind to take a 3 shot lead at the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Colin Montgomerie is 2nd at -5 65 while points leader Bernhard Langer is in with -3 67.
As the week began the top five in the standings after Langer are Scott McCarron (69), Montgomerie, Joe Durant (70) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (74)and any of them can take the season title with a victory.
LPGA Tour Lorena Ochoa Invitational leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lorena-ochoa-invitational-presented-by-banamex/leaderboard
Unheralded Australian, Sarah Jane Smith shot a -4 68 -9 total to take a two-stroke lead in Lorena Ochoa Invitational. She is without a win so far on the LPGA Tour and afterwards she acknowledged that fact. “I feel a little bit nervous to be honest. I have never been in this position before”
Playing on her home course Mexico’s Gaby Lopez had a 65 and is at -7 along with South Korea’s Mi Jung Hur (66) and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe (67).
Brooke Henderson is the top ranked player in the field at #7 and has her work cut out for her this weekend after 74 71 +1 T22.
Bryan Angus
The senior circuit has their season finale for the Charles Schab Cup and Paul Goydos has opened up with a -8 62 as they play in Tuscon, and the European Tour is in the warmth of Sun City, South Africa.
Here are the live scoreboards and storylines for all the tours.
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016088/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
With 3 rounds in the books it is South Korea's Jeunghun Wang aided and abetted by a brilliant -8 64 -11 total in tough conditions, who takes a 3 shot lead into the final round over fan favourite Louis Oosthuizen (70) -8 total.
Andy Sullivan is at -7, while Brandon Grace and Alex Noren are -5, with Henrik Stenson and another Springbok Jaco van Zyl in with an outside chance at -4.
Only 15 players are under par in very windy conditions on this Gary Player GC.
PGA Tour OHL Classic at Mayakoba leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/ohl-classic-at-mayakoba/leaderboard.html
Gary Woodland 64 65 -13 has the lead at this Mexican resort course in Mayakoba. He's a shot ahead of Webb Simpson 65 65 -12 with Scott Piercy next 65 66 -11.
Two of the 4 Canadians are doing very well, Adam Hadwin 67 66 -9 T4, and Nick Taylor 68 66 -8 T12.
MacKenzie Hughes 71 71, David Hearn 68 75 both MC.
Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/charles-schwab-cup-championship/leaderboard.html
Paul Goydos shot an -8 62 in the wind to take a 3 shot lead at the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Colin Montgomerie is 2nd at -5 65 while points leader Bernhard Langer is in with -3 67.
As the week began the top five in the standings after Langer are Scott McCarron (69), Montgomerie, Joe Durant (70) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (74)and any of them can take the season title with a victory.
LPGA Tour Lorena Ochoa Invitational leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lorena-ochoa-invitational-presented-by-banamex/leaderboard
Unheralded Australian, Sarah Jane Smith shot a -4 68 -9 total to take a two-stroke lead in Lorena Ochoa Invitational. She is without a win so far on the LPGA Tour and afterwards she acknowledged that fact. “I feel a little bit nervous to be honest. I have never been in this position before”
Playing on her home course Mexico’s Gaby Lopez had a 65 and is at -7 along with South Korea’s Mi Jung Hur (66) and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe (67).
Brooke Henderson is the top ranked player in the field at #7 and has her work cut out for her this weekend after 74 71 +1 T22.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Stenson closing in on European #1 as Willett struggles at Nedbank Golf Challenge
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016088/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
In April Danny Willett was on top of the world after his win at the Masters, since then it has been a different story.
Coming into this week at Sun City he was ranked #2 to Henrik Stenson in the Race to Dubai partially because of the win at Augusta and a 2nd place finish in the Italian Open back in September.
After a poor showing at the Ryder Cup, he has been 143rd in the Alfred Dunhill Links, 75th at the WGC HSBC in China and T68 last week at the Turkish Airlines Open. He has clearly lost his confidence, and it appears all the extracurricular requests on his time as the Masters Champion have messed with the routine that have stood him in such good steed earlier in the year.
Today after a dreaded snowman on the 2nd hole he went out in 40, back in 35 for a +3 75, T47, seven shots of the -4 68 lead held by Filipe Aguliar, Jeunhung Wang and Ross Fisher. more importantly six behind Stenson who birdied 3 of his last 4 holes for -3 69.
Next week is the tour finale in Dubai where Rory McIlroy will be in attendance to have his say in matters as Willett struggles to find his form.
Gary Player is the host this week and in his commentary today he says Danny is cocking his wrists too soon in the back swing and has lost the feel required to get the clubface back onto the ball squarely, and that was evident with several tee shots well off line into the jungle.
Stenson meanwhile continues his sensational season highlighted by his silver medal at the Olympics after his epic win over Mickelson at the Open Championship.
Bryan Angus
In April Danny Willett was on top of the world after his win at the Masters, since then it has been a different story.
Coming into this week at Sun City he was ranked #2 to Henrik Stenson in the Race to Dubai partially because of the win at Augusta and a 2nd place finish in the Italian Open back in September.
After a poor showing at the Ryder Cup, he has been 143rd in the Alfred Dunhill Links, 75th at the WGC HSBC in China and T68 last week at the Turkish Airlines Open. He has clearly lost his confidence, and it appears all the extracurricular requests on his time as the Masters Champion have messed with the routine that have stood him in such good steed earlier in the year.
Today after a dreaded snowman on the 2nd hole he went out in 40, back in 35 for a +3 75, T47, seven shots of the -4 68 lead held by Filipe Aguliar, Jeunhung Wang and Ross Fisher. more importantly six behind Stenson who birdied 3 of his last 4 holes for -3 69.
Next week is the tour finale in Dubai where Rory McIlroy will be in attendance to have his say in matters as Willett struggles to find his form.
Gary Player is the host this week and in his commentary today he says Danny is cocking his wrists too soon in the back swing and has lost the feel required to get the clubface back onto the ball squarely, and that was evident with several tee shots well off line into the jungle.
Stenson meanwhile continues his sensational season highlighted by his silver medal at the Olympics after his epic win over Mickelson at the Open Championship.
He leads Danny Willett by 252,163 points and could win his second Harry Vardon Trophy in four years if he wins this week and Willett finishes outside the top ten.
Right now he is deserving of the top spot in European golf, and is playing like the champion he is.. however as I mentioned, Rory and others are in Dubai practising this week, so the Race to Dubai is far from over..Bryan Angus
Re-vamp breathes life into Charles Schwab Cup finale
Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is the third and final event in the inaugural PGA TOUR Champions playoff series, and due to a revamped format, it has a chance to be an exciting finale to the senior circuit's season.
Bernhard Langer who will go down as the most prolific player in the young history of this tour has won four times this year, is rarely out of the top 10 and had amassed such a points lead with 2,589,456, with hard charging Scott McCarron closest at 1,900,802, that this week would have been a foregone conclusion without this years points reset.
In the points reset, Langer begins at the top with 2,000 points, 200 more than McCarron and 400 more than Colin Montgomerie. Joe Durant begins with 1,440 points and Miguel Angel Jimenez is fifth on 1,280 points. If any of them wins the tournament they will also win the Charles Schwab Cup and the $1 million bonus for the season-long competition. (pgatour.com)
The 36 man field will play Friday-Sunday in keeping with the regular schedule on the Cochise course at Desert Mountain outside Scottsdale, Arizona.
There are no Canadians in the field.
Bryan Angus
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is the third and final event in the inaugural PGA TOUR Champions playoff series, and due to a revamped format, it has a chance to be an exciting finale to the senior circuit's season.
Bernhard Langer who will go down as the most prolific player in the young history of this tour has won four times this year, is rarely out of the top 10 and had amassed such a points lead with 2,589,456, with hard charging Scott McCarron closest at 1,900,802, that this week would have been a foregone conclusion without this years points reset.
In the points reset, Langer begins at the top with 2,000 points, 200 more than McCarron and 400 more than Colin Montgomerie. Joe Durant begins with 1,440 points and Miguel Angel Jimenez is fifth on 1,280 points. If any of them wins the tournament they will also win the Charles Schwab Cup and the $1 million bonus for the season-long competition. (pgatour.com)
The 36 man field will play Friday-Sunday in keeping with the regular schedule on the Cochise course at Desert Mountain outside Scottsdale, Arizona.
There are no Canadians in the field.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson is in the field at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational
LPGA Tour Lorena Ochoa Invitational leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson played 5 of the 6 weeks of the Asian Tour swing and after a week off she is playing in the 36 player field at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at Club de Golf Mexico.
Despite the fact there are only 36 players, the top 20 will get full points towards next week's finale of the Race to CME Globe. Henderson is currently third with 3,186 points, Lydia Ko is 2nd 4,365 while Ariya Jutanugarn leads with 4,491.
As it stands, any of these top 3 will win the Race outright, if they win the Tour Championship. Defending champion Inbee Park has withdrawn due to her thumb injury.
Apart from the points race, the players come to play here to support Ochoa's endeavours, remember she quit in her prime to become a mother, and she could really play.
She finished her career with 27 LPGA wins (tied 16th all-time), including two major championships. She won the Rolex Player of the Year award and Vare Trophy in four consecutive seasons from 2006-2009. Ochoa was ranked No. 1 in the world for 158 weeks (most all-time) from 2007-2010 and was the first Mexican golfer (male or female) to reach number one in the world; she will also be the first Mexican golfer to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame (lpgatour.com)
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson played 5 of the 6 weeks of the Asian Tour swing and after a week off she is playing in the 36 player field at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational at Club de Golf Mexico.
Despite the fact there are only 36 players, the top 20 will get full points towards next week's finale of the Race to CME Globe. Henderson is currently third with 3,186 points, Lydia Ko is 2nd 4,365 while Ariya Jutanugarn leads with 4,491.
As it stands, any of these top 3 will win the Race outright, if they win the Tour Championship. Defending champion Inbee Park has withdrawn due to her thumb injury.
Apart from the points race, the players come to play here to support Ochoa's endeavours, remember she quit in her prime to become a mother, and she could really play.
She finished her career with 27 LPGA wins (tied 16th all-time), including two major championships. She won the Rolex Player of the Year award and Vare Trophy in four consecutive seasons from 2006-2009. Ochoa was ranked No. 1 in the world for 158 weeks (most all-time) from 2007-2010 and was the first Mexican golfer (male or female) to reach number one in the world; she will also be the first Mexican golfer to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame (lpgatour.com)
Bryan Angus
Graham DeLaet withdraws from OHL Classic in Mexico
PGA Tour OHL Classic at Mayakoba leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/ohl-classic-at-mayakoba/leaderboard.html
Graham DeLaet has decided to withdraw from this OHL Classic at Mayakoba with a sore back. He apparently "tweaked" it at last weeks Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at Las Vegas and after consulting with traveling physio, Dr Craig Davies, they made the decision to rest it for at least another week.
That leaves 4 Canadians as play is now under way I round one. Adam Hadwin is -3 through 5, Nick Taylor E through 5, David Hearn has just begun playing the back nine first, and MacKenzie Hughes is in the late wave.
As this season winds down there isn't a particularly strong field here, a real combination of veterans like Angel Cabrera and Ken Duke along with young guns like Cody Gribble, Bryson DeChambeau and Danny Lee.
Bryan Angus
Graham DeLaet has decided to withdraw from this OHL Classic at Mayakoba with a sore back. He apparently "tweaked" it at last weeks Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at Las Vegas and after consulting with traveling physio, Dr Craig Davies, they made the decision to rest it for at least another week.
That leaves 4 Canadians as play is now under way I round one. Adam Hadwin is -3 through 5, Nick Taylor E through 5, David Hearn has just begun playing the back nine first, and MacKenzie Hughes is in the late wave.
As this season winds down there isn't a particularly strong field here, a real combination of veterans like Angel Cabrera and Ken Duke along with young guns like Cody Gribble, Bryson DeChambeau and Danny Lee.
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Nedbank Golf Challenge preview
European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016088/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Sun City and the Gary Player GC is once again the host for the Nedbank Golf Challenge which is the second week of the Final Series. In fact Gary Player is the host.
It once boasted the biggest first prize in golf at $1m and only had a field of 12 then 18. It is now a 72 man field and is an official tour event rather than just an exhibition.
The top ranked players are Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson who have both won the event and are the top 2 players in the Race to Dubai which concludes next week and they tee off last at 11.55 (3.55am EST). Louis Oosthuizen is one of the home favourites.
Bryan Angus
http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016088/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Sun City and the Gary Player GC is once again the host for the Nedbank Golf Challenge which is the second week of the Final Series. In fact Gary Player is the host.
It once boasted the biggest first prize in golf at $1m and only had a field of 12 then 18. It is now a 72 man field and is an official tour event rather than just an exhibition.
The top ranked players are Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson who have both won the event and are the top 2 players in the Race to Dubai which concludes next week and they tee off last at 11.55 (3.55am EST). Louis Oosthuizen is one of the home favourites.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Adam Hadwin best of Canadians at Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
PGA Tour Shriners Hospitals for Children Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/shriners-hospitals-for-children-open/leaderboard.html
Veteran Aussie Rod Pampling followed his opening 60 with 68 and at -14 leads this Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas, by a shot from Brooks Koepka heading into this weekend.
Four of the five Canadians have made the cut and the best of the bunch so far is Adam Hadwin with rounds of 70 64 -8 T12. Nick Taylor 68 68 -6, MacKenzie Hughes 69 70 and Graham DeLaet 69 70 are both at -3.
David Hearn 70 70 just missed the cut at -2.
Bryan Angus
Veteran Aussie Rod Pampling followed his opening 60 with 68 and at -14 leads this Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas, by a shot from Brooks Koepka heading into this weekend.
Four of the five Canadians have made the cut and the best of the bunch so far is Adam Hadwin with rounds of 70 64 -8 T12. Nick Taylor 68 68 -6, MacKenzie Hughes 69 70 and Graham DeLaet 69 70 are both at -3.
David Hearn 70 70 just missed the cut at -2.
Bryan Angus
McIlroy not the most popular man in troubled Turkey
European Tour Turkish Airlines Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016086/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
For those who don't follow world affairs, there was an attempted coup to overthrow the government in Turkey this summer and today many leaders of the opposition are being held in prison despite pressure from the United Nations.
America used Turkey as a base to send airstrikes in their crisis with ISIS which adds to the mix and this week they denied any involvement with this civil war during these politically charged times.
Last Friday in Shanghai I am told it was 50/50 whether this first of the Race to Dubai playoffs would go ahead. There have been car bombings and rocket attacks in Antalya so Keith Pelley and the European Tour needed some assurances regarding security before deciding to go ahead.
The headliner was world #3 Rory McIlroy whose face is plastered on billboards all over the region, so when he decided to withdraw on Saturday night, officials were left with egg on their face, and a lot of explaining to do.
You'll remember in 2012, Rory and Tiger were paid a fortune to play in an eight man exhibition match by Turkish Airlines who also flew media members from around the world to report on it at this lavish resort course and complex on the Mediterranean.
That led to a European Tour event which has now been elevated to one of the three playoffs, called the Final Series, in the Race to Dubai. Turkey has gone all in to promote tourism and to grab their share of the lucrative winter European holiday golf business which has traditionally been cornered by Portugal in the Algarve.
So far this week there hasn't been a hint of trouble in fact veteran European Tour correspondent Nick Dye tells me there is less security than at the Open.
The resorts in this area are suffering of course, and there are hardly any spectators, but the players are getting on with it as always at this Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g312725-d5484934-Reviews-Regnum_Carya_Golf_Spa_Resort-Belek_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html#photos;geo=312725&detail=5484934
For the record Thorbjorn Olesen, playing with new equipment is running away with the tournament with rounds of 65 62 68 -18, seven full shots ahead of a pack of five players at -11. He has had a poor year before arriving in Turkey, in fact has only made 3 of his last 12 cuts.
The tournament wraps up tomorrow (overnight here in the EST).
Bryan Angus
For those who don't follow world affairs, there was an attempted coup to overthrow the government in Turkey this summer and today many leaders of the opposition are being held in prison despite pressure from the United Nations.
America used Turkey as a base to send airstrikes in their crisis with ISIS which adds to the mix and this week they denied any involvement with this civil war during these politically charged times.
Last Friday in Shanghai I am told it was 50/50 whether this first of the Race to Dubai playoffs would go ahead. There have been car bombings and rocket attacks in Antalya so Keith Pelley and the European Tour needed some assurances regarding security before deciding to go ahead.
The headliner was world #3 Rory McIlroy whose face is plastered on billboards all over the region, so when he decided to withdraw on Saturday night, officials were left with egg on their face, and a lot of explaining to do.
You'll remember in 2012, Rory and Tiger were paid a fortune to play in an eight man exhibition match by Turkish Airlines who also flew media members from around the world to report on it at this lavish resort course and complex on the Mediterranean.
That led to a European Tour event which has now been elevated to one of the three playoffs, called the Final Series, in the Race to Dubai. Turkey has gone all in to promote tourism and to grab their share of the lucrative winter European holiday golf business which has traditionally been cornered by Portugal in the Algarve.
So far this week there hasn't been a hint of trouble in fact veteran European Tour correspondent Nick Dye tells me there is less security than at the Open.
The resorts in this area are suffering of course, and there are hardly any spectators, but the players are getting on with it as always at this Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g312725-d5484934-Reviews-Regnum_Carya_Golf_Spa_Resort-Belek_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html#photos;geo=312725&detail=5484934
For the record Thorbjorn Olesen, playing with new equipment is running away with the tournament with rounds of 65 62 68 -18, seven full shots ahead of a pack of five players at -11. He has had a poor year before arriving in Turkey, in fact has only made 3 of his last 12 cuts.
The tournament wraps up tomorrow (overnight here in the EST).
Bryan Angus
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Pampling flirts with 59 in Vegas at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
This week the wrap around, or Fall schedule of the PGA Tour stops in Las Vegas at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and their are 5 Canadians in the field. Nick Taylor -3 68 and Graham DeLaet -2 69 were out in the early wave. Adam Hadwin, David Hearn and MacKenzie Hughes are in the late.
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/shriners-hospitals-for-children-open/leaderboard.html
As you can see the pros are just killing the TPC Summerlin, Rod Pampling is the clubhouse leader at -11 60 after going out in 29, you have to go down to T81 to find anyone who didn't break par.
Play continues in round 1.
Bryan Angus
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/shriners-hospitals-for-children-open/leaderboard.html
As you can see the pros are just killing the TPC Summerlin, Rod Pampling is the clubhouse leader at -11 60 after going out in 29, you have to go down to T81 to find anyone who didn't break par.
Play continues in round 1.
Bryan Angus
Monday, October 31, 2016
Seven not so lucky for DeLaet at Sanderson Farms Championship
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
In hind sight I don't know if Graham DeLaet could have matched a Texan rookie called Cody Gribble's 5 birdie back nine 31 capping off a -7 65 Sunday to run away with the Sanderson Farms Championship by 4 shots at -20.
What we do know is Graham was cruising along buoyed by 3 birdies on his front nine at -16 a shot ahead, until the long par 5 11th. He just hammered a perfect drive, well over 300 yards, right down the middle.
He caught his 6 iron a little heavy, immediately turning his head as his approach tailed off to the right and bounced 30 yards short of the green, into the pond. Five strokes later including a dreaded shank, he had to mark an unlucky 7 on his card dropping him to -14, then he compounded the matter with a bogey 5 at the 12th and his hopes of a first tour win were gone.. for now.. the GOOD news is he led the field in putting for most of the week and was T6 in greens in regulation. Being right in contention will only improve his confidence and confirm, if he needs it, that he isn't far from that break through win.
Gribble is 26, finished 40th on the Web.com tour to barely earn his playing privileges, in fact this was only his 8th event. He is now exempt through 2018.
Incidentally if you are wondering where you heard his name before... He was Jordan Spieth's team mate on the 2012 Texas Longhorns national championship team
Chris Kirk and Luke List each shot 70 with England’s Greg Owen (68) to all finish T2. Owen at 44 is still looking for his first PGA Tour win.
Canadian scores: on the bright side all four Canucks placed in the top 30.
Graham DeLaet T8 66 69 68 72 -13, Nick Taylor T23 68 68 69 74 -9, Mackenzie Hughes T26 68 74 70 68 -8, Brad Fritsch T29 71 70 68 72 -7
Bryan Angus
In hind sight I don't know if Graham DeLaet could have matched a Texan rookie called Cody Gribble's 5 birdie back nine 31 capping off a -7 65 Sunday to run away with the Sanderson Farms Championship by 4 shots at -20.
What we do know is Graham was cruising along buoyed by 3 birdies on his front nine at -16 a shot ahead, until the long par 5 11th. He just hammered a perfect drive, well over 300 yards, right down the middle.
He caught his 6 iron a little heavy, immediately turning his head as his approach tailed off to the right and bounced 30 yards short of the green, into the pond. Five strokes later including a dreaded shank, he had to mark an unlucky 7 on his card dropping him to -14, then he compounded the matter with a bogey 5 at the 12th and his hopes of a first tour win were gone.. for now.. the GOOD news is he led the field in putting for most of the week and was T6 in greens in regulation. Being right in contention will only improve his confidence and confirm, if he needs it, that he isn't far from that break through win.
Gribble is 26, finished 40th on the Web.com tour to barely earn his playing privileges, in fact this was only his 8th event. He is now exempt through 2018.
Incidentally if you are wondering where you heard his name before... He was Jordan Spieth's team mate on the 2012 Texas Longhorns national championship team
Chris Kirk and Luke List each shot 70 with England’s Greg Owen (68) to all finish T2. Owen at 44 is still looking for his first PGA Tour win.
Canadian scores: on the bright side all four Canucks placed in the top 30.
Graham DeLaet T8 66 69 68 72 -13, Nick Taylor T23 68 68 69 74 -9, Mackenzie Hughes T26 68 74 70 68 -8, Brad Fritsch T29 71 70 68 72 -7
Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 30, 2016
DeLaet, Taylor vie for victory at Sanderson Farms
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
There are 4 Canadians in today's final round at this Sanderson Farms championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Mackenzie Hughes is at -4 and Brad Fritsch is -7, both having solid weeks.
Nick Taylor loves this course, he won here in 2014 and goes into today's final round T10, 68 68 69 -11 while Graham DeLaet is even 2 better, T3 66 69 68 -13.
Both are right it in the thick of the race led by Luke List (65) and Chris Kirk (65) both at -14. List has never won in three years on tour, in fact has only had 3 top 10's.
There are 9 players within 3 shots of the lead.....Looks like a playoff to me!
Bryan Angus
There are 4 Canadians in today's final round at this Sanderson Farms championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Mackenzie Hughes is at -4 and Brad Fritsch is -7, both having solid weeks.
Nick Taylor loves this course, he won here in 2014 and goes into today's final round T10, 68 68 69 -11 while Graham DeLaet is even 2 better, T3 66 69 68 -13.
Both are right it in the thick of the race led by Luke List (65) and Chris Kirk (65) both at -14. List has never won in three years on tour, in fact has only had 3 top 10's.
There are 9 players within 3 shots of the lead.....Looks like a playoff to me!
Bryan Angus
Shanshan Feng wins the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/sime-darby-lpga-malaysia/leaderboard
She may not look very athletic, rolls of fat a testament to her love of food, but she certainly has game, and as she has done since she won the Bronze medal in Rio2016, Chinese star Shanshan Feng continued her great play to win this Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia shooting -4 67 -17 total to beat Suzann Pettersen (66) by three strokes. She has been in the top 4 in her last 6 outings, so she was due.
Feng won the event for the second time, the last was in 2014, and it was her 5th LPGA Tour victory.
This tour completes it's Asian swing in Japan next week.
Canadian scores: Maude Aimee LeBlanc 69 76 71 69 +1 T43, Alena Sharp 71 75 70 73 +5 T52, Brooke Henderson 70 79 74 70 +9 T63
Bryan Angus
She may not look very athletic, rolls of fat a testament to her love of food, but she certainly has game, and as she has done since she won the Bronze medal in Rio2016, Chinese star Shanshan Feng continued her great play to win this Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia shooting -4 67 -17 total to beat Suzann Pettersen (66) by three strokes. She has been in the top 4 in her last 6 outings, so she was due.
Feng won the event for the second time, the last was in 2014, and it was her 5th LPGA Tour victory.
This tour completes it's Asian swing in Japan next week.
Canadian scores: Maude Aimee LeBlanc 69 76 71 69 +1 T43, Alena Sharp 71 75 70 73 +5 T52, Brooke Henderson 70 79 74 70 +9 T63
Bryan Angus
Matsuyama laps the field at WGC HSBC Champions
WGC HSBC Champions final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/wgc-hsbc-champions/leaderboard.html
24-year-old Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama closed with a -6 66 for a seven-shot victory the first time an Asian has won a WGC tournament and it wasn't even close.
If you didn't see this performance, consider he made 29 birdies and lapped a world class field finishing at -23 265, one short of the Dustin Johnson's tournament record. He won by seven over Open champion Henrik Stenson (65) and last years PGA Tour rookie of the year,Daniel Berger (69).
He will move up to #6 in the world just a week after becoming the first Japanese player since Jumbo Ozaki in 1998 to reach the top 10.
It was the largest margin of victory in a WGC event since Tiger Woods won by seven in the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational.
It was the 10th win in his career, and his third PGA Tour-sanctioned victory tied him with Shigeki Maruyama for most by a Japanese player. Remember he won the Memorial in 2014, and he won the Phoenix Open in February in a playoff over Rickie Fowler.
He is the real deal...
Bryan Angus
24-year-old Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama closed with a -6 66 for a seven-shot victory the first time an Asian has won a WGC tournament and it wasn't even close.
If you didn't see this performance, consider he made 29 birdies and lapped a world class field finishing at -23 265, one short of the Dustin Johnson's tournament record. He won by seven over Open champion Henrik Stenson (65) and last years PGA Tour rookie of the year,Daniel Berger (69).
He will move up to #6 in the world just a week after becoming the first Japanese player since Jumbo Ozaki in 1998 to reach the top 10.
It was the largest margin of victory in a WGC event since Tiger Woods won by seven in the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational.
It was the 10th win in his career, and his third PGA Tour-sanctioned victory tied him with Shigeki Maruyama for most by a Japanese player. Remember he won the Memorial in 2014, and he won the Phoenix Open in February in a playoff over Rickie Fowler.
He is the real deal...
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 29, 2016
DeLaet, Taylor in contention at Sanderson Farms
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
23-year-old PGA Tour rookie Grayson Murray shot a -7 65, -12 for a two-shot lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Murray made eight birdies to lead England's Greg Owen and Ireland's Seamus Power (65 69). 44 year old Owen has never won a tournament on tour, but has a good chance after consecutive 67s.
The interesting thing about Murray who is playing just his 3rd PGA event is that he went to 4 different colleges, Wake Forest, East Carolina, UNC Greensboro and Arizona State.
Graham DeLaet is in contention after rounds of 66 69 -9 have him in a group at -9 and former champion Nick Taylor has shot 68 68 -8, however with 13 players within four shots of the lead there is a real horse race in ideal scoring conditions which have led to low scoring on this Jackson CC.
The cut fell at -2. Brad Fritsch with T51 71 70 -3 and MacKenzie Hughes T68, 68 74 -2 will both be playing this weekend.
Bryan Angus
23-year-old PGA Tour rookie Grayson Murray shot a -7 65, -12 for a two-shot lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Murray made eight birdies to lead England's Greg Owen and Ireland's Seamus Power (65 69). 44 year old Owen has never won a tournament on tour, but has a good chance after consecutive 67s.
The interesting thing about Murray who is playing just his 3rd PGA event is that he went to 4 different colleges, Wake Forest, East Carolina, UNC Greensboro and Arizona State.
Graham DeLaet is in contention after rounds of 66 69 -9 have him in a group at -9 and former champion Nick Taylor has shot 68 68 -8, however with 13 players within four shots of the lead there is a real horse race in ideal scoring conditions which have led to low scoring on this Jackson CC.
The cut fell at -2. Brad Fritsch with T51 71 70 -3 and MacKenzie Hughes T68, 68 74 -2 will both be playing this weekend.
Bryan Angus
Matt Kuchar gets ripped off at WGC HSBC Champions
Now Matt Kuchar doesn't need to work or play another day in his very charmed life. He has all the money he and all his family will ever need, but that aside he got ripped off yesterday at the par 3 17th playing the WGC HSBC Champions.
Playing with Henrik Stenson he made a hole-in-one with a Cadillac on offer for whoever turned the trick.
The hole was playing at 193 yards which is important because Kuchar happened to read the fine print while they were waiting to tee off and because the tee had been moved forward from the back tee, there was a notice that the car would not be awarded Saturday because insurance only covered a tee shot of 200 yards or more.
“That was probably one of the saddest hole-in-ones I’ve ever had,” Kuchar said after a 68 to finish eight shots behind.
Now come on Cadillac! or whoever was responsible. The world wide bad press you are getting over this cheapo' clause is not what your publicity department needed.
I'm guessing we will hear a reversal of this decision some time today..
Matsuyama continues fine play to lead WGC HSBC Champions in China
WGC HSBC Champions leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/wgc-hsbc-champions/leaderboard.html
Most pro golfers go on streaks when everything in their game comes easily, the hole seems bigger, they are in a great rhythm, full of confidence and Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama is in one of those streaks right now.
He won the Japan Open two weeks ago, then finished 2nd last week at the CIMB Classic and after a -4 68 yesterday he will take a three-shot lead into Sunday at this WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
He is at -17 as he goes for his first World Golf Championship title and joining him at -14 in the final group will be the defending champion Russell Knox (68) and Daniel Berger (67) who is at -13.
Rory McIlroy shot 70 which included a nifty little chip and run over the creek, under the tree, into the bank to make birdie on the 8th, but he is 8 shots back at -9.
Bryan Angus
Most pro golfers go on streaks when everything in their game comes easily, the hole seems bigger, they are in a great rhythm, full of confidence and Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama is in one of those streaks right now.
He won the Japan Open two weeks ago, then finished 2nd last week at the CIMB Classic and after a -4 68 yesterday he will take a three-shot lead into Sunday at this WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
He is at -17 as he goes for his first World Golf Championship title and joining him at -14 in the final group will be the defending champion Russell Knox (68) and Daniel Berger (67) who is at -13.
Rory McIlroy shot 70 which included a nifty little chip and run over the creek, under the tree, into the bank to make birdie on the 8th, but he is 8 shots back at -9.
Bryan Angus
Feng leads weather delayed Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia leaderboard
http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/sime-darby-lpga-malaysia/leaderboard
It's the monsoon season in Malaysia and yesterday play was delayed for over 4 hours by lightning and heavy rain before the field was allowed to return.
Chinese star Shanshen Feng has continued her great form, remember she was was the bronze medal winner at the Olympics in August, and since has had a run of five top-four finishes.
She has one hole left to play this morning as she is at -7 on the day, -13 overall for a one-stroke lead over Anna Nordqvist when play was stopped. The Swede will return to complete the 16th.
http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/sime-darby-lpga-malaysia/leaderboard
It's the monsoon season in Malaysia and yesterday play was delayed for over 4 hours by lightning and heavy rain before the field was allowed to return.
Chinese star Shanshen Feng has continued her great form, remember she was was the bronze medal winner at the Olympics in August, and since has had a run of five top-four finishes.
She has one hole left to play this morning as she is at -7 on the day, -13 overall for a one-stroke lead over Anna Nordqvist when play was stopped. The Swede will return to complete the 16th.
Amy Yang is 3rd -11 with three holes left while Suzann Pettersen (66) and Candie Kung (three holes left) are -9. Lydia Ko (65) playing her first tournament since splitting with caddie Jason Hamilton and Chella Choi (67) are -8.
Canadian scores: Alena Sharp T52 71 75 70 +3, Maude Aimee LeBlanc T52 69 76 71 +3, Brooke Henderson T68 70 79 74 +10
Friday, October 28, 2016
Matsuyama's birdie barrage leads WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai
WGC HSBC Champions leaderboard
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/wgc-hsbc-champions/leaderboard.html
Hideki Matsuyama 66 65 -13 has made 19 birdies in 36 holes in the rain and cold of Shanghai on the Sheshan International course to lead the field by 3 shots as they head into the weekend.
Defending champion Russell Knox is T2 after a 68 with Bill Haas who shot a 67. Both are at -10.
Meanwhile Rory McIlroy, was about the same as Thursday from tee to green but he made some putts today and had only bogey on his way to 66 -7 total.
The course and the cold windy weather are ensuring the course is not as easy as Matsuyama is making it look. For example Adam Scott shot an 80, Kevin Kisner took a 9 on the 18th for an 80 and he was second here last year, while Si Woo Kim shot 81.
Bryan Angus
http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/wgc-hsbc-champions/leaderboard.html
Hideki Matsuyama 66 65 -13 has made 19 birdies in 36 holes in the rain and cold of Shanghai on the Sheshan International course to lead the field by 3 shots as they head into the weekend.
Defending champion Russell Knox is T2 after a 68 with Bill Haas who shot a 67. Both are at -10.
Meanwhile Rory McIlroy, was about the same as Thursday from tee to green but he made some putts today and had only bogey on his way to 66 -7 total.
The course and the cold windy weather are ensuring the course is not as easy as Matsuyama is making it look. For example Adam Scott shot an 80, Kevin Kisner took a 9 on the 18th for an 80 and he was second here last year, while Si Woo Kim shot 81.
Bryan Angus
Bad day for Canadians at Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/sime-darby-lpga-malaysia/leaderboard
South Korean Amy Yang has posted rounds of 63 69 to lead the field by 3 shots at -10 as she continues her mastery of this Kuala Lumpur GC.
It wasn't the same story for the 3 Canadians. Maude Aimee LeBlanc had 3 bogey's and a double on her front nine 39 and ended up with a 76 T49 +3. Alena Sharp was out is a sparkling 32, but had a horrendous back nine with 2 doubles and a quadruple on her way to 43, T54 +4. Brooke Henderson went out in 39 and ended her day with a triple and a double for 40 so finishes at 79 T65 at +7.
There are 3 players at -7 and 6 at -6 including Michelle Wie who is looking tanned and fit and it shows in her game 66 70. Wie has missed 12 cuts this year and has been bitten by the injury bug, but she had a top 10 last week and says she’s feeling great finally after some time off to regain her fitness, both physically and mentally.
Play was suspended at 2:03 p.m. local time due to thunderstorms in the area and resumed at 3:45 p.m.
Bryan Angus
South Korean Amy Yang has posted rounds of 63 69 to lead the field by 3 shots at -10 as she continues her mastery of this Kuala Lumpur GC.
It wasn't the same story for the 3 Canadians. Maude Aimee LeBlanc had 3 bogey's and a double on her front nine 39 and ended up with a 76 T49 +3. Alena Sharp was out is a sparkling 32, but had a horrendous back nine with 2 doubles and a quadruple on her way to 43, T54 +4. Brooke Henderson went out in 39 and ended her day with a triple and a double for 40 so finishes at 79 T65 at +7.
There are 3 players at -7 and 6 at -6 including Michelle Wie who is looking tanned and fit and it shows in her game 66 70. Wie has missed 12 cuts this year and has been bitten by the injury bug, but she had a top 10 last week and says she’s feeling great finally after some time off to regain her fitness, both physically and mentally.
Play was suspended at 2:03 p.m. local time due to thunderstorms in the area and resumed at 3:45 p.m.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, October 27, 2016
DeLaet leads Canadians at Sanderson Farms Championship
PGA Tour Sanderson Farms leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sanderson-farms-championship/leaderboard.html
While the top players are in Shanghai at the WGC HSBC Champions, the wrap around season on the PGA tour continues for the mere mortals at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.
There are 4 Canadians in the field including past champion Nick Taylor who is off to a great start at -4 68. Also at -4 and in the clubhouse with a 68 is newly married MacKenzie Hughes, but it was Graham DeLaet looking in fine form with 4 straight birdies to start his round, leading to a -6 66 good to T6.
Brad Fritsch shot -1 71
The leader in warm sunny conditions is Kevin Streelman with a red hot -9 63 with a group of 4 at -7 65 including American Trey Mullinax and Ireland's Sean Power.
update: Round 2 is now well underway.
Bryan Angus
While the top players are in Shanghai at the WGC HSBC Champions, the wrap around season on the PGA tour continues for the mere mortals at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.
There are 4 Canadians in the field including past champion Nick Taylor who is off to a great start at -4 68. Also at -4 and in the clubhouse with a 68 is newly married MacKenzie Hughes, but it was Graham DeLaet looking in fine form with 4 straight birdies to start his round, leading to a -6 66 good to T6.
Brad Fritsch shot -1 71
The leader in warm sunny conditions is Kevin Streelman with a red hot -9 63 with a group of 4 at -7 65 including American Trey Mullinax and Ireland's Sean Power.
update: Round 2 is now well underway.
Bryan Angus
Canadian women who qualified for LPGA Q school finals last weekend
Last week I posted the LPGA qualifying stage scoreboard along with the stories on the Canadian women who were vying to make the final stage. After many requests here are the four who have qualified posted by Golf Canada..
Four Canadians were among 84 competitors that advanced to Stage III of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament on Sunday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club.
Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C., led all 10 Canadians in the field, finishing at 5-over par (72-72-73-76) to grab a share of 30th. Team Canada graduate and Calgary product Jennifer Ha was the next Canadian in line, closing at 7-over par (69-71-79-76) to end in a tie for 47th.
Fossambault, Que., native Sara-Maude Juneau—also a Team Canada graduate—carded her lowest round of the tournament (73) to solidify her place in the final stage with a T62 result.
Paris, Ont., native and former Team Canada member Jennifer Kirby finished one stroke clear of the cut line to become the fourth Canadian to advance to the final stage. Kirby struggled out of the gate with an opening-round 80 (+8), but fought her way back into contention with three consistent rounds to finish the event tied for 76th.
The final stage will commence from Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach. The top 20 finishers at final stage will earn LPGA Tour membership for the 2017 season.
Four Canadians were among 84 competitors that advanced to Stage III of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament on Sunday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club.
Megan Osland of Kelowna, B.C., led all 10 Canadians in the field, finishing at 5-over par (72-72-73-76) to grab a share of 30th. Team Canada graduate and Calgary product Jennifer Ha was the next Canadian in line, closing at 7-over par (69-71-79-76) to end in a tie for 47th.
Fossambault, Que., native Sara-Maude Juneau—also a Team Canada graduate—carded her lowest round of the tournament (73) to solidify her place in the final stage with a T62 result.
Paris, Ont., native and former Team Canada member Jennifer Kirby finished one stroke clear of the cut line to become the fourth Canadian to advance to the final stage. Kirby struggled out of the gate with an opening-round 80 (+8), but fought her way back into contention with three consistent rounds to finish the event tied for 76th.
The final stage will commence from Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach. The top 20 finishers at final stage will earn LPGA Tour membership for the 2017 season.
WGC HSBC in China, LPGA Sime Darby in Malaysia this week
The first round scores are now in from the European Tour WGC in Shanghai and the women are at the same Kuala Lumpur complex in Malaysia the men played last week. They’re playing the East Course, a week after Justin Thomas successfully defended his title on the West Course.
Here are the leaderboards..
European Tour WGC HSBC Champions leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016084/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Sweden's Rikard Karlberg playing in his first WGC event, opened with -8 64 for a one shot lead over Rickie Fowler as 40 of the world's top 50 are on a very soft Sheshan International course in Shanghai. It has been raining all week and it continued today.
Karlberg won the 2015 Italian Open to qualify.
Defending champion Russell Knox is at -6 66. Rory McIlroy with his new Nike woods is at -1 71 and Race to Dubai leader Danny Willett opened with a disappointing +2 74.
LPGA Tour Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/sime-darby-lpga-malaysia/leaderboard
The leader is Amy Yang with a -8 63.
Canadian scores: Maude Aimee LeBlanc is T14 -2 69, Brooke Henderson T21 -1 70, Alena Sharp T30 E 71
Bryan Angus
Here are the leaderboards..
European Tour WGC HSBC Champions leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016084/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Sweden's Rikard Karlberg playing in his first WGC event, opened with -8 64 for a one shot lead over Rickie Fowler as 40 of the world's top 50 are on a very soft Sheshan International course in Shanghai. It has been raining all week and it continued today.
Karlberg won the 2015 Italian Open to qualify.
Defending champion Russell Knox is at -6 66. Rory McIlroy with his new Nike woods is at -1 71 and Race to Dubai leader Danny Willett opened with a disappointing +2 74.
LPGA Tour Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/sime-darby-lpga-malaysia/leaderboard
The leader is Amy Yang with a -8 63.
Canadian scores: Maude Aimee LeBlanc is T14 -2 69, Brooke Henderson T21 -1 70, Alena Sharp T30 E 71
Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Justin Thomas recovers with 64 to win CIMB Classic
PGA Tour CIMB Classic final leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Yesterday Anirban Lahiri was in control of this CIMB Classic, today after an 18 handicappers wild, wide right slice off the par 5 3rd tee, a thinned wedge and a missed 3 footer he took a quadruple 9 and his lead was gone.
Justin Thomas on the other hand came out all calm and composed, played like the defending champion and posted -8 64 for a three shot win at -23 win over Hideki Matsuyama (66) -20.
Lahiri fought hard for 72 and ended up -19 T3.
Adam Hadwin T21, 71 69 67 70 while David Hearn added a pair of 68's over the weekend to finish E T66.
Bryan Angus
Yesterday Anirban Lahiri was in control of this CIMB Classic, today after an 18 handicappers wild, wide right slice off the par 5 3rd tee, a thinned wedge and a missed 3 footer he took a quadruple 9 and his lead was gone.
Justin Thomas on the other hand came out all calm and composed, played like the defending champion and posted -8 64 for a three shot win at -23 win over Hideki Matsuyama (66) -20.
Lahiri fought hard for 72 and ended up -19 T3.
Adam Hadwin T21, 71 69 67 70 while David Hearn added a pair of 68's over the weekend to finish E T66.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson finishes 8th as Minjee Lee wins Blue Bay LPGA
Blue Bay LPGA final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/blue-bay-lpga/results
Minjee Lee captured her third career win on the LPGA Tour on Sunday at the Blue Bay LPGA where the 20-year-old held off a charging Ariya Jutanugarn for her second win of the season. Lee carded a two-under par, 70 to win by one-stroke at -13, one ahead of Jessica Korda and two-strokes ahead of Jutanugarn.
Canada's Brooke Henderson who battled Lee all through her amateur career, posted scores of 69 75 70 71 -3 for an 8th place finish while Alena Sharp T37 +5 and Maude Aimee LeBlanc battled back from an opening 84 with rounds of 74 71 73.
You'll remember Lee held both the first and second round leads, which she extended to six-strokes heading into the weekend but yesterday she blew that lead as Korda came from seven-strokes back to catch her, putting the pair in a share of the 54-hole lead.
Jutanugarn and Lee stood on the final tee in a share of the lead at -12 with Korda trailing by one at -11. The Thai star drove her 3 wood into the water and made bogey, but Lee matched Korda's birdie for the win.
Lee also won the 2016 LOTTE Championship in Hawaii and the 2015 Kingsmill Championship
Next week the tour moves to Malaysia.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)
Minjee Lee captured her third career win on the LPGA Tour on Sunday at the Blue Bay LPGA where the 20-year-old held off a charging Ariya Jutanugarn for her second win of the season. Lee carded a two-under par, 70 to win by one-stroke at -13, one ahead of Jessica Korda and two-strokes ahead of Jutanugarn.
Canada's Brooke Henderson who battled Lee all through her amateur career, posted scores of 69 75 70 71 -3 for an 8th place finish while Alena Sharp T37 +5 and Maude Aimee LeBlanc battled back from an opening 84 with rounds of 74 71 73.
You'll remember Lee held both the first and second round leads, which she extended to six-strokes heading into the weekend but yesterday she blew that lead as Korda came from seven-strokes back to catch her, putting the pair in a share of the 54-hole lead.
Jutanugarn and Lee stood on the final tee in a share of the lead at -12 with Korda trailing by one at -11. The Thai star drove her 3 wood into the water and made bogey, but Lee matched Korda's birdie for the win.
Lee also won the 2016 LOTTE Championship in Hawaii and the 2015 Kingsmill Championship
Next week the tour moves to Malaysia.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)
Paddy Harrington returns to winners circle at Portugal Masters
European Tour Portugal Masters final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016082/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
He can drive you crazy, heck he drives himself crazy, but this week all of his fidgeting, practice swings, agonizing over clubs were working and with rounds of 66 63 67 65 Paddy Harrington played the Victoria GC in 23 strokes under par, good for a one shot victory over a surging defending champion, Andy Sullivan (65) who was cheered all the way by Sully's Army, his mates who all took a week off work to enjoy the sun, surf and suds down in Vilamoura.
He can drive you crazy, heck he drives himself crazy, but this week all of his fidgeting, practice swings, agonizing over clubs were working and with rounds of 66 63 67 65 Paddy Harrington played the Victoria GC in 23 strokes under par, good for a one shot victory over a surging defending champion, Andy Sullivan (65) who was cheered all the way by Sully's Army, his mates who all took a week off work to enjoy the sun, surf and suds down in Vilamoura.
The three-time Major Championship winner's last triumph on Tour was his 2008 win at the US PGA Championship.
"I haven't won yet this year, so I know the year is nearly done, it's always important to get a win every year, a winning year, it's a big win. Portugal Masters is a big tournament. I've been coming here for ten years so I've always liked it down here. I've always liked coming down to Portugal.
"There's so many Irish people here. It always felt like a home away from home, so it's really nice to win the tournament
"There's so many Irish people here. It always felt like a home away from home, so it's really nice to win the tournament
This was also the last tournament for players to get into the top 111 in the Race to Dubai playoffs. Two shots back at -21 were semi-retired Anders Hansen and Finn Mikko Korhonen - who secured his playing privileges after starting the week 116th on the Race to Dubai. Oli Fisher, Jason Scrivner, are also in while David Howell and Daniel Im also just secured their cards at 111 and 110.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Minjee Lee blows 6 shot lead, caught by Korda at Blue Bay LPGA
LPGA Tour Blue Bay LPGA leaderboard
http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/blue-bay-lpga/leaderboard
On Thursday and Friday Minjee Lee could do no wrong, but as is often the case, today in warm, calm conditions, she could do no right.
Standing on the first tee after rounds of 65 67, with a 6 shot lead over her nearest rival, the 20 year old Aussie star didn't know she was about to shoot a messy 73 to let the rest of the field back into the tournament, including American Jessica Korda who's 66 moved her to -11, T1 with Lee.
Lurking just 2 shots behind at -9 is 20 year old Thai star, Ariya Jutanugarn with the round of the day, a 65 as she looks for her sixth victory of the season. She leads the tour in victories and has caught and passed Lydia Ko in the player of the year points race.
Brooke Henderson who was in that race, continued her steady play as she birdied three of last five holes for a 70, -2 total good for T9.
Alena Sharp 73 72 76 +5 T41, Maude Aimee LeBlanc 84 74 71 +13.
Bryan Angus
http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/blue-bay-lpga/leaderboard
On Thursday and Friday Minjee Lee could do no wrong, but as is often the case, today in warm, calm conditions, she could do no right.
Standing on the first tee after rounds of 65 67, with a 6 shot lead over her nearest rival, the 20 year old Aussie star didn't know she was about to shoot a messy 73 to let the rest of the field back into the tournament, including American Jessica Korda who's 66 moved her to -11, T1 with Lee.
Lurking just 2 shots behind at -9 is 20 year old Thai star, Ariya Jutanugarn with the round of the day, a 65 as she looks for her sixth victory of the season. She leads the tour in victories and has caught and passed Lydia Ko in the player of the year points race.
Brooke Henderson who was in that race, continued her steady play as she birdied three of last five holes for a 70, -2 total good for T9.
Alena Sharp 73 72 76 +5 T41, Maude Aimee LeBlanc 84 74 71 +13.
Bryan Angus
Anirban Lahiri in control of CIMB Classic after 3 rounds
PGA Tour CIMB Classic http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Most golfers are notoriously streaky aren't they. Time and time again they go on runs where they are winning or in the top 10 for a few weeks before returning to the obscurity of the pack. Only the greats stay at the top for prolonged periods of time.
Anirban Lahiri finished second at the Asian Tour’s Macau Open last week and has brought that form with him to TPC Kuala Lumpur and after defending champion Justin Thomas started bogey, bogey, double bogey, the Indian star took over with 9 birdies on his way to 65 and a 4 shot -19 lead over Thomas heading into the final round.
Thomas to his credit finished with 5 straight birdies to recover with a -1 71 -15 total.
Scotland’s Russell Knox remains in contention with a 68, -15 T2 with Thomas. Derek Fathauer, James Hahn and Hideki Matsuyama are all -14.
Bryan Angus
Most golfers are notoriously streaky aren't they. Time and time again they go on runs where they are winning or in the top 10 for a few weeks before returning to the obscurity of the pack. Only the greats stay at the top for prolonged periods of time.
Anirban Lahiri finished second at the Asian Tour’s Macau Open last week and has brought that form with him to TPC Kuala Lumpur and after defending champion Justin Thomas started bogey, bogey, double bogey, the Indian star took over with 9 birdies on his way to 65 and a 4 shot -19 lead over Thomas heading into the final round.
Thomas to his credit finished with 5 straight birdies to recover with a -1 71 -15 total.
Scotland’s Russell Knox remains in contention with a 68, -15 T2 with Thomas. Derek Fathauer, James Hahn and Hideki Matsuyama are all -14.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 21, 2016
Canadian women's scores at LPGA Tour school...updated
LPGA and Symetra Tour qualifying school leaderboard http://scoring.symetratour.com/public/QSLeaderboard.aspx#
Ten Canadians are among 210 competitors vying to punch their tickets to the third and final stage of LPGA Qualifying School from Oct. 20-23 at the Plantation Golf & Country Club.
Playing on the Bobcat and Panther courses, all athletes will compete in the 72-hole stroke-play event (with no cut) to earn one of the Top 80 slots (plus ties) to advance to the third stage at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., from Dec. 1-4.
Round 3 is currently underway.
Canadians in the field:
Players failing to advance to the final stage will receive 2017 Symetra Tour status depending on completion of 72 holes.
Ten Canadians are among 210 competitors vying to punch their tickets to the third and final stage of LPGA Qualifying School from Oct. 20-23 at the Plantation Golf & Country Club.
Playing on the Bobcat and Panther courses, all athletes will compete in the 72-hole stroke-play event (with no cut) to earn one of the Top 80 slots (plus ties) to advance to the third stage at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., from Dec. 1-4.
Round 3 is currently underway.
Canadians in the field:
- Aram Choi, Surrey, B.C. +12 80 77
- Christina Foster, Toronto, Ontario +8 76 76
- Jennifer Ha, Calgary, Alberta T5 -4 69 71
- Sara-Maude Juneau, Quebec City, Québec +2 74 72
- Anna Kim, Richmond Hill, Ontario +11 75 80
- Taylor Kim, Surrey, B.C. T52 +8 73 79
- Jennifer Kirby, Paris, Ontario +9 80 73
- Megan Osland, Kelowna, B.C. T20 E 72 72
- Elizabeth Tong, Thornhill, Ontario +8 76 76
- Vivian Tsui, Markham, Ontario +15 80 79
Players failing to advance to the final stage will receive 2017 Symetra Tour status depending on completion of 72 holes.
Asia takes center stage for CIMB Classic, Blue Bay LPGA
With one last blast of the summer of 2016 on Wednesday, we soaked up the sun and warm air as the Blue Jays finally succumbed to the stellar pitching and clutch hitting of the Cleveland Indians before clearing out their lockers, just in time for a cold wet front to move, perhaps appropriately, into the Golden Horseshoe signally the real start of fall.
The PGA and LPGA Tours like many of our snowbirds have also moved on to warmer climes, the men are in hot humid Malaysia for the CIMB Classic while the women are on the 4th leg of their Asia swing this time back in China on Hainan Island for the Blue Bay LPGA.
Here's what's happening after two rounds of both..
PGA Tour CIMB Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Justin Thomas obviously loves this TPC Kuala Lumpur course, he won on it last year in a record -26, and after posting 14 strokes under par 64,66 he leads by 2 shots over Indian star Anirban Lahiri 66 66 -12 at the halfway stage.
Hideki Matsuyama, Russell Knox, and American James Hahn are T3 at -11.
Canadian scores: Adam Hadwin T34 71 69 -4, David Hearn 77th 79 73 +8. There is no cut for this 78 man field.
Next week the big boys are due to show up for the WGC HSBC Champions in the sprawling city of Shanghai in China
LPGA Tour Blue Bay LPGA leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/blue-bay-lpga/leaderboard
There was some doubt as to whether the weather would allow a full event on Hainan Island after Typhoon Sarika hammered this South China Sea resort on Monday and Tuesday, but the grounds keeping crew did a remarkable job to get the course ready and play began on time in calm conditions on Thursday.
The wind finally blew in this afternoon and most scores rose with it, except for Australia's Minjee Lee who is running away from the field with scores of 65 67 -12, a full 6 shots ahead of Germany’s Caroline Masson 69 69 -6.
Lee is only 20, she was the world #1 amateur and the 2012 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion has two wins previously this year.
Canadian scores: Brooke Henderson T18 69 75 E, Alena Sharp 73 72 +1 T24, Maude Aimee LeBlanc 84 74 +14.
The Asian swing moves on next week to Malaysia then finally Japan.
Bryan Angus
The PGA and LPGA Tours like many of our snowbirds have also moved on to warmer climes, the men are in hot humid Malaysia for the CIMB Classic while the women are on the 4th leg of their Asia swing this time back in China on Hainan Island for the Blue Bay LPGA.
Here's what's happening after two rounds of both..
PGA Tour CIMB Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Justin Thomas obviously loves this TPC Kuala Lumpur course, he won on it last year in a record -26, and after posting 14 strokes under par 64,66 he leads by 2 shots over Indian star Anirban Lahiri 66 66 -12 at the halfway stage.
Hideki Matsuyama, Russell Knox, and American James Hahn are T3 at -11.
Canadian scores: Adam Hadwin T34 71 69 -4, David Hearn 77th 79 73 +8. There is no cut for this 78 man field.
Next week the big boys are due to show up for the WGC HSBC Champions in the sprawling city of Shanghai in China
LPGA Tour Blue Bay LPGA leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/blue-bay-lpga/leaderboard
There was some doubt as to whether the weather would allow a full event on Hainan Island after Typhoon Sarika hammered this South China Sea resort on Monday and Tuesday, but the grounds keeping crew did a remarkable job to get the course ready and play began on time in calm conditions on Thursday.
The wind finally blew in this afternoon and most scores rose with it, except for Australia's Minjee Lee who is running away from the field with scores of 65 67 -12, a full 6 shots ahead of Germany’s Caroline Masson 69 69 -6.
Lee is only 20, she was the world #1 amateur and the 2012 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion has two wins previously this year.
Canadian scores: Brooke Henderson T18 69 75 E, Alena Sharp 73 72 +1 T24, Maude Aimee LeBlanc 84 74 +14.
The Asian swing moves on next week to Malaysia then finally Japan.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 16, 2016
MacKenzie Hughes in contention at rain delayed Safeway Open
PGA Tour Safeway Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/safeway-open/leaderboard.html
Not only have many of the media who flew out to this Safeway Open in the Napa Valley to cover the return of Tiger Woods been disappointed by his late withdrawal, they have endured a miserable week of rain and cool temperatures in a region reknown for the sunshine that produces some of this world's great wines.
Playing catch up all day on Saturday, play was finally halted due to darkness with Johnson Wagner in the lead at -15 through 15 holes.
None of that matters to the young Canadian MacKenzie Hughes, who has shot 3 straight rounds of 69, -9 in a T10 with Phil Mickelson, in his first PGA Tour event.
Hughes admits he is playing pressure free golf with another big event in mind...He is getting married next week !
Other Canadian scores: Brad Fritsch, David Hearn, Adam Hadwin, Graham DeLaet and Nick Taylor all missed the cut.
Bryan Angus
Not only have many of the media who flew out to this Safeway Open in the Napa Valley to cover the return of Tiger Woods been disappointed by his late withdrawal, they have endured a miserable week of rain and cool temperatures in a region reknown for the sunshine that produces some of this world's great wines.
Playing catch up all day on Saturday, play was finally halted due to darkness with Johnson Wagner in the lead at -15 through 15 holes.
None of that matters to the young Canadian MacKenzie Hughes, who has shot 3 straight rounds of 69, -9 in a T10 with Phil Mickelson, in his first PGA Tour event.
Hughes admits he is playing pressure free golf with another big event in mind...He is getting married next week !
Other Canadian scores: Brad Fritsch, David Hearn, Adam Hadwin, Graham DeLaet and Nick Taylor all missed the cut.
Bryan Angus
Carlota Ciganda wins Keb Hana Bank Championship
LPGA Tour Keb Hana Bank Championship final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lpga-keb-hanabank-championship/results
Overnight in rainy, misty Incheon, South Korea, Spain's Carlota Ciganda managed to beat Alison Lee in a playoff for her first LPGA win at the Keb Hana Bank Championship.
It wasn't pretty but that didn't matter to the jubilant Ciganda who was hugged and soaked by her fellow Spanish players and her caddie Terry McNamara when she made an 8 footer for the win on the first playoff hole (70 -10) after Lee's 40 foot chip and run from just off the green stopped right on the lip. McNamara used to be Annika Sorenstam's caddie.
Ciganda started 5 shots behind Lee, got all of them back and led by 5 on the 14th tee, then lost them all and only got into the playoff when Lee hit her 3rd into the water for bogey on the final hole. Looking for her first win, Lee shot 75 to finish runner up at -10.
Brooke Henderson finished T56 +5 after a 78 72 weekend, while Alena Sharp T39 +1. Lydia Ko finished at +3
They will all be at the next stop of this Asian swing in China on Hainan Island, before events in Malaysia and Japan.
Bryan Angus
Overnight in rainy, misty Incheon, South Korea, Spain's Carlota Ciganda managed to beat Alison Lee in a playoff for her first LPGA win at the Keb Hana Bank Championship.
It wasn't pretty but that didn't matter to the jubilant Ciganda who was hugged and soaked by her fellow Spanish players and her caddie Terry McNamara when she made an 8 footer for the win on the first playoff hole (70 -10) after Lee's 40 foot chip and run from just off the green stopped right on the lip. McNamara used to be Annika Sorenstam's caddie.
Ciganda started 5 shots behind Lee, got all of them back and led by 5 on the 14th tee, then lost them all and only got into the playoff when Lee hit her 3rd into the water for bogey on the final hole. Looking for her first win, Lee shot 75 to finish runner up at -10.
Brooke Henderson finished T56 +5 after a 78 72 weekend, while Alena Sharp T39 +1. Lydia Ko finished at +3
They will all be at the next stop of this Asian swing in China on Hainan Island, before events in Malaysia and Japan.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 14, 2016
Saturday update:...Where the Canadians are playing this weekend.
PGA Tour Safeway Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/safeway-open/leaderboard.html
**** Round 2 was delayed for 2 1/2 hours due to rain and play was finally suspended due to darkness with half the field due to return early this Saturday morning to finish
Welcome Brad Fritsch (-1 70) and MacKenzie Hughes T10 (-6 69 69) to the wrap around season on the PGA Tour. They join David Hearn (+2 72 74), Graham DeLaet (+2 71 75), Nick Taylor (+5 73 76) and Adam Hadwin (-2 73, 69) in Napa California for the Safeway Open.
Tiger Woods dealt the event a terrible blow after he pulled out at the last minute declaring his game not yet ready for tournament play. Media from all over the world who would not normally cover the event arrived in San Francisco, only to find out the news.
Scott Piercy shot a course record 62 -10 in his first round, and with round 2 being called due to darkness he will return at 7.45am this morning with all the others in the field who will have to finish before round 3 begins. Piercy is -4 through 12 holes, still in the lead.
LPGA Tour Keb HanaBank Championship http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lpga-keb-hanabank-championship/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson T60, 70 73 78 +5 and Alena Sharp T32, 73 71 71 E are in South Korea this week as the LPGA continues it's six week long Asian Swing
UCLA student, Alison Lee leads after 3 rounds 65 70 68 -13. Brittany Lang is next at -10. Lee balances a playing schedule with her university classes. She is after her first pro win, and is currently ranked 44th.
Champions Tour SAS Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/sas-championship/leaderboard.html
Rod Spittle +1 73 and Stephen Ames +3 75 are in Cary NC this week for the SAS Championship.
The leader is Doug Garwood on -7 65. The top 72 players on the money list after the tournament, and one player in the top 10 in the event but outside the top 72 for the season, will get spots in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs opener – the PowerShares QQQ Championship at Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, on Oct. 28-30
Currently, Ames is 38th and Spittle 48th.
Symetra Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.symetratour.com/tournaments/symetra-tour-championship/leaderboard
Six of the ten Canadians playing in this Symetra Tour Championship in Longwood Florida have made the cut. After 2 rounds the best of the bunch is Sara Maude Juneau T17, 71 69 -4. The others are Liz Tong -3, Augusta James -1, Jessica Wallace +1, Anne Catherine Tanguay +3, Brittany Marchand +4
Follow their progress on the above leaderboard link.
Bryan Angus
**** Round 2 was delayed for 2 1/2 hours due to rain and play was finally suspended due to darkness with half the field due to return early this Saturday morning to finish
Welcome Brad Fritsch (-1 70) and MacKenzie Hughes T10 (-6 69 69) to the wrap around season on the PGA Tour. They join David Hearn (+2 72 74), Graham DeLaet (+2 71 75), Nick Taylor (+5 73 76) and Adam Hadwin (-2 73, 69) in Napa California for the Safeway Open.
Tiger Woods dealt the event a terrible blow after he pulled out at the last minute declaring his game not yet ready for tournament play. Media from all over the world who would not normally cover the event arrived in San Francisco, only to find out the news.
Scott Piercy shot a course record 62 -10 in his first round, and with round 2 being called due to darkness he will return at 7.45am this morning with all the others in the field who will have to finish before round 3 begins. Piercy is -4 through 12 holes, still in the lead.
LPGA Tour Keb HanaBank Championship http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/lpga-keb-hanabank-championship/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson T60, 70 73 78 +5 and Alena Sharp T32, 73 71 71 E are in South Korea this week as the LPGA continues it's six week long Asian Swing
UCLA student, Alison Lee leads after 3 rounds 65 70 68 -13. Brittany Lang is next at -10. Lee balances a playing schedule with her university classes. She is after her first pro win, and is currently ranked 44th.
Champions Tour SAS Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/sas-championship/leaderboard.html
Rod Spittle +1 73 and Stephen Ames +3 75 are in Cary NC this week for the SAS Championship.
The leader is Doug Garwood on -7 65. The top 72 players on the money list after the tournament, and one player in the top 10 in the event but outside the top 72 for the season, will get spots in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs opener – the PowerShares QQQ Championship at Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, on Oct. 28-30
Currently, Ames is 38th and Spittle 48th.
Symetra Tour Championship leaderboard http://www.symetratour.com/tournaments/symetra-tour-championship/leaderboard
Six of the ten Canadians playing in this Symetra Tour Championship in Longwood Florida have made the cut. After 2 rounds the best of the bunch is Sara Maude Juneau T17, 71 69 -4. The others are Liz Tong -3, Augusta James -1, Jessica Wallace +1, Anne Catherine Tanguay +3, Brittany Marchand +4
Follow their progress on the above leaderboard link.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Tyrrel Hatton gets first pro win, Alfred Dunfill Links at St Andrews.
European Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016078/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
After producing a stunning 62 to equal the course record at St Andrews on Saturday, Englishman Hatton posted a closing 66 at the Old Course to finish the week on 23 under par.
Hatton's playing partner and countryman Ross Fisher and South Africa's Richard Sterne finished in a tie for second on 19 under.
Swede Joakim Lagergren was another two strokes back after Sunday's 68, one shot ahead of Scot Marc Warren on 16 under.
Tyrrell Hatton (Getty Images)
Hatton's playing partner and countryman Ross Fisher and South Africa's Richard Sterne finished in a tie for second on 19 under.
Swede Joakim Lagergren was another two strokes back after Sunday's 68, one shot ahead of Scot Marc Warren on 16 under.
Brooke Henderson finishes T3 in Taiwan
LPGA Tour Fubon Taiwan Championship http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/fubon-lpga-taiwan-championship/leaderboard
In the rain and wind that was Taiwan today, Brooke Henderson battled a balky putter but birdied the last 2 holes and shot -2 70 to finish T3 at -10, seven shots behind the winner Ha Na Jang -1 71 -17.
Brooke is in the middle of the six week tour through Asia. Today she hit 16/18 Greens in Reg., but needed 32 putts.
Jang had an 8 shot lead at one time, and just managed to hold off the hard charging Chinese champion Shanshan Feng -6 66 -16 total for her third win of the year.
Alena Sharp didn't have her best week...78 76 65 70 T42
It is the third win in a row for South Korea, and as the LPGA is on their season ending Asian swing next week they are at home for the LPGA Keb Hana Bank Championship in Incheon, South Korea.
Bryan Angus
In the rain and wind that was Taiwan today, Brooke Henderson battled a balky putter but birdied the last 2 holes and shot -2 70 to finish T3 at -10, seven shots behind the winner Ha Na Jang -1 71 -17.
Brooke is in the middle of the six week tour through Asia. Today she hit 16/18 Greens in Reg., but needed 32 putts.
Jang had an 8 shot lead at one time, and just managed to hold off the hard charging Chinese champion Shanshan Feng -6 66 -16 total for her third win of the year.
Alena Sharp didn't have her best week...78 76 65 70 T42
It is the third win in a row for South Korea, and as the LPGA is on their season ending Asian swing next week they are at home for the LPGA Keb Hana Bank Championship in Incheon, South Korea.
Bryan Angus
Friday, October 7, 2016
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship ..perfect cure for Ryder Cup hangover
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016078/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
It's a grey, windy, rainy day on Scotland's east coast, just the way the great golfing god likes it for the historic links at St Andrews, Carnoustie and the new kid on the block Kingsbarns, which looks like it's been around as long as the other two.
After the week of enormous stress and tension that is the Ryder Cup, and the well documented loss to the USA, this is the perfect week to cure the Hazeltine hangover for the likes of Thomas Pieters, newly engaged Rafa Cabrera Bello, Danny Willett and Martin Kaymer.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, played over these three magnificent courses is the European Tour equivalent of the old Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the pros paired with celebrities, family or champions of the corporate world in a relaxed albeit lucrative format. If you have never made the trip, you must save up your pennies or your golfing career will never be complete.
This is it, the home of the game, the graveyard of old and young Tom Morris, the Road Hole where we scattered my brothers ashes. You simply have to be there on a day like today, the fresh smell of the salt sea air, the sound of the magnificent albatross soaring over the North Sea, the roar of the occasional jet at nearby Leuchars, the comradeship over a pint or two at any of the many hotels, it is a magical part of the world.
It's a grey, windy, rainy day on Scotland's east coast, just the way the great golfing god likes it for the historic links at St Andrews, Carnoustie and the new kid on the block Kingsbarns, which looks like it's been around as long as the other two.
After the week of enormous stress and tension that is the Ryder Cup, and the well documented loss to the USA, this is the perfect week to cure the Hazeltine hangover for the likes of Thomas Pieters, newly engaged Rafa Cabrera Bello, Danny Willett and Martin Kaymer.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, played over these three magnificent courses is the European Tour equivalent of the old Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the pros paired with celebrities, family or champions of the corporate world in a relaxed albeit lucrative format. If you have never made the trip, you must save up your pennies or your golfing career will never be complete.
This is it, the home of the game, the graveyard of old and young Tom Morris, the Road Hole where we scattered my brothers ashes. You simply have to be there on a day like today, the fresh smell of the salt sea air, the sound of the magnificent albatross soaring over the North Sea, the roar of the occasional jet at nearby Leuchars, the comradeship over a pint or two at any of the many hotels, it is a magical part of the world.
Alex Noren tied the course record at Carnoustie with -8 64 on opening day for a one-shot lead over Englishman Ross Fisher -7 65. Matt Ford and Joakim Lagergren were T3, 66 when play began this morning.
Round two is well underway with Fisher currently in the lead at -11.
Whoever emerges victorious will be a worthy champion, but as importantly everyone who was lucky enough to play will go away a winner, for the amateurs, memories of a lifetime, for the pros a nice paycheck, and for the losing European team members, a great cure for their Ryder Cup hangover.
Bryan Angus
Round two is well underway with Fisher currently in the lead at -11.
Whoever emerges victorious will be a worthy champion, but as importantly everyone who was lucky enough to play will go away a winner, for the amateurs, memories of a lifetime, for the pros a nice paycheck, and for the losing European team members, a great cure for their Ryder Cup hangover.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Back to business!..USA win at Hazeltine good for the Ryder Cup..
Hi all, just back in at 630 this morning from 3 wonderful days on Lake Coochiching where the fishing was chronic, (where have all the perch gone?) but all the rest was great. Beautiful scenery especially at the top of the lake into the Trent river...fall colours in full swing already.
I got back off the lake on Sunday in time to see the wrap up of the Ryder Cup matches and of course the Jays edging Boston 2-1 to set up tonight's all or nothing tilt against the Orioles at the Rogers Center.
Ryder Cup final scores http://www.rydercup.com/scoring
Obviously after Darren Clake's men closed the gap in the Saturday morning foursomes, I thought the USA's 3-1 win in the fourballs in the afternoon gave them enough of cushion to play a little more relaxed on Sunday, especially after the Miracle at Medinah when Europe roared back to win all those singles on that Sunday..
When Patrick Reed managed to edge Rory 1up in Sunday's first match, it was a huge "here we go, here we go' moment for Davis Love's men. Furthermore, after Henrik and Thomas Pieters won their matches at 2 and 3 in the batting order, Rickie Fowler managed to stop that momentum, edging Justin Rose 1up over 18 holes.
I thought the par 3 8th hole epitomized what this Ryder Cup has become. Rory holed an improbable putt of some 70 feet for birdie then jumped up full of the moment and incited the crowd by putting his hand to his ear taunting the many who had called him and his mates everything from a turd to much worse.
Then in a moment you couldn't script, nor likely repeat, Reed then holed a birdie putt of his own from nearly 40 feet, turning to wag his finger at McIlroy and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
In true Ryder Cup spirit the two combatants did the equivalent of shaking hands, they bumped fists and patted each other on the back, as they went to the ninth, both incidently -5 through 8 !!
All in all in my opinion, this win at home by the American team, in front of a nasty but boisterous Minnesota crowd was just what the Ryder Cup needed, and of more importance we'll see if they can carry on building on this template when they next meet at the National outside Paris in 2018. The final score was 17-11, the biggest rout for the United States since 1981
It was significant to me that Tiger, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Tom Lehman, and even Bubba were now on the outside as vice captains or coaches, it was a real changing of the guard apart from evergreen Phil Mickelson, who still gets into it and fought Sergio to a draw on Sunday, earning 2 1/2 points in all.
In Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth they finally have a pairing any captain can count every two years, and for years to come. Europe always had that over them. Seve and Olazabal, then Olazabal and Sergio were next to unbeatable.
Lee Westwood may have played his last and will be a future captain. He was 2up standing on the 16th tee and somehow lost the last 3 holes to Ryan Moore for the cup winning point, not a very savory way for Lee to wrap up his stellar Ryder Cup career, although it must be mentioned Moore finished eagle, birdie, par.
I have been broadcasting and writing about sports and this game for over 30 years, and this Ryder Cup, although 17-11 this time, remains the 3 best days in golf, and with this win it will continue to be so for year's to come.
Bryan Angus
I got back off the lake on Sunday in time to see the wrap up of the Ryder Cup matches and of course the Jays edging Boston 2-1 to set up tonight's all or nothing tilt against the Orioles at the Rogers Center.
Ryder Cup final scores http://www.rydercup.com/scoring
Obviously after Darren Clake's men closed the gap in the Saturday morning foursomes, I thought the USA's 3-1 win in the fourballs in the afternoon gave them enough of cushion to play a little more relaxed on Sunday, especially after the Miracle at Medinah when Europe roared back to win all those singles on that Sunday..
When Patrick Reed managed to edge Rory 1up in Sunday's first match, it was a huge "here we go, here we go' moment for Davis Love's men. Furthermore, after Henrik and Thomas Pieters won their matches at 2 and 3 in the batting order, Rickie Fowler managed to stop that momentum, edging Justin Rose 1up over 18 holes.
I thought the par 3 8th hole epitomized what this Ryder Cup has become. Rory holed an improbable putt of some 70 feet for birdie then jumped up full of the moment and incited the crowd by putting his hand to his ear taunting the many who had called him and his mates everything from a turd to much worse.
Then in a moment you couldn't script, nor likely repeat, Reed then holed a birdie putt of his own from nearly 40 feet, turning to wag his finger at McIlroy and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
In true Ryder Cup spirit the two combatants did the equivalent of shaking hands, they bumped fists and patted each other on the back, as they went to the ninth, both incidently -5 through 8 !!
All in all in my opinion, this win at home by the American team, in front of a nasty but boisterous Minnesota crowd was just what the Ryder Cup needed, and of more importance we'll see if they can carry on building on this template when they next meet at the National outside Paris in 2018. The final score was 17-11, the biggest rout for the United States since 1981
It was significant to me that Tiger, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Tom Lehman, and even Bubba were now on the outside as vice captains or coaches, it was a real changing of the guard apart from evergreen Phil Mickelson, who still gets into it and fought Sergio to a draw on Sunday, earning 2 1/2 points in all.
In Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth they finally have a pairing any captain can count every two years, and for years to come. Europe always had that over them. Seve and Olazabal, then Olazabal and Sergio were next to unbeatable.
Lee Westwood may have played his last and will be a future captain. He was 2up standing on the 16th tee and somehow lost the last 3 holes to Ryan Moore for the cup winning point, not a very savory way for Lee to wrap up his stellar Ryder Cup career, although it must be mentioned Moore finished eagle, birdie, par.
I have been broadcasting and writing about sports and this game for over 30 years, and this Ryder Cup, although 17-11 this time, remains the 3 best days in golf, and with this win it will continue to be so for year's to come.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Brooke Henderson 2nd after 3 rounds in China at Reignwood LPGA Classic
Reignwood LPGA Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/reignwood-lpga-classic/leaderboard
With all eyes on the Ryder Cup, it would be remiss of me not to mention a stellar performance by Brooke Henderson who is halfway around the world in Beijing, China and with rounds of 66 66 68 -19 she is just a shot out of the lead going into the final round.
The leader is another South Korean, Mi Jung Hur at -20.
The LPGA Tour moves into their Asian swing and Brooke plans to play all six events in Asia.
“I’m looking forward to being really in Asia for the first time,” Henderson said. “I’ve visited a few other times, but this will really be the true taste of a bunch of different countries and language and culture. I am really looking forward to it.”
“It’s been an awesome year so far, and to have Brittany there caddying for me, travelling together, you know, she’s my best friend and my sister, and I really enjoy it a lot.”
Maude Aimee LeBlanc 72 66 76 -5 T28, Alena Sharp 74 73 73 +1 T58 are the other Canadian scores.
The sidebar story is who will win Player of the Year. Lydia Ko leads but 20-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn is trying to catch her and remember she leads the LPGA Tour with five victories after she won three straight events in May, the Women’s British Open in July and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August.
Bryan Angus
With all eyes on the Ryder Cup, it would be remiss of me not to mention a stellar performance by Brooke Henderson who is halfway around the world in Beijing, China and with rounds of 66 66 68 -19 she is just a shot out of the lead going into the final round.
The leader is another South Korean, Mi Jung Hur at -20.
The LPGA Tour moves into their Asian swing and Brooke plans to play all six events in Asia.
“I’m looking forward to being really in Asia for the first time,” Henderson said. “I’ve visited a few other times, but this will really be the true taste of a bunch of different countries and language and culture. I am really looking forward to it.”
“It’s been an awesome year so far, and to have Brittany there caddying for me, travelling together, you know, she’s my best friend and my sister, and I really enjoy it a lot.”
Maude Aimee LeBlanc 72 66 76 -5 T28, Alena Sharp 74 73 73 +1 T58 are the other Canadian scores.
The sidebar story is who will win Player of the Year. Lydia Ko leads but 20-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn is trying to catch her and remember she leads the LPGA Tour with five victories after she won three straight events in May, the Women’s British Open in July and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in August.
Bryan Angus
European fourball fightback sets up an intriguing Saturday at the Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup scoreboard/pairings http://www.rydercup.com/scoring
After getting blanked 4-0 by USA in the morning foursomes, this Ryder Cup was in danger of being over before it got started without a much improved performance by Darren Clarke's team in the afternoon fourballs, and that is just what they got.
Stenson and Rose finally got their putters working and as a result thumped Reed and Spieth 5 and 4 after losing to them 3 and 2 in the morning.
Captain Clarke's biggest mistake of the day, and remember hindsight is 20/20, was sticking with out of form Martin Kaymer all day. The German didn't help Garcia in a 4and2 loss in the morning, and was just as bad for Danny Willett in the afternoon fourballs, resulting in a 5and4 thrashing by Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka.
Clarke paired the Spaniards Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello with immediate success as they went on to dominate Ryan Moore and JB Holmes despite their late rally, 3and2.
Rory and Thomas Pieters were 3up for most of the day against the powerhouse pair Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar running out 3and2 winners..
So from 4-0 when the afternoon started, Europe came home 3and 1 winners for a 5-3 USA lead when play begins with this morning's foursomes
Davis Love has made only one change today, from Friday mornings foursomes replacing DJ and Kuchar with Snedeker and Koepka
Meanwhile Darren Clarke will bring in Chris Wood with Justin Rose and Matthew Fitzpatrick with Henrik Stenson, leaving Rory with Pieters in the first match and the Spanish pair Sergio and Rafa for the final foursomes match against Reed and Spieth.
Use the scoreboard link http://www.rydercup.com/scoring to follow the results starting a 9am this morning with another round of fourballs this afternoon.
I don't think you'll see Kaymer until Sunday's singles for the Europeans, and it will be interesting to see if Davis Love breaks up some pairings in this afternoon's fourballs.
Weather : After a mainly sunny day there is rain in the forecast for later (around 4pm) in the afternoon, temperature around 23*c without a lot of wind, so not a bad day to play.
The crowds so far, especially in the morning when the scoreboard was all red have been boisterous for sure, rude for sure, when they cheer European misses for example, but they have sold out, so their support continues to be a huge ally to the team in red white and blue..
All in all another gripping day in store. I expect the Europeans to do better this morning, heck they couldn't be worse, so it should still be a close match at the end of play.
On a personal note I am heading away for a couple of days fishing so will not have access to the computer, but will be watching and listening, and for goodness sake let's hope our beloved Blue Jays with Jay Happ on the mound at Fenway today, can scrape into these MLB playoffs after losing 4 in a row.
That's a whole other story !
Enjoy it all
Bryan Angus
After getting blanked 4-0 by USA in the morning foursomes, this Ryder Cup was in danger of being over before it got started without a much improved performance by Darren Clarke's team in the afternoon fourballs, and that is just what they got.
Stenson and Rose finally got their putters working and as a result thumped Reed and Spieth 5 and 4 after losing to them 3 and 2 in the morning.
Captain Clarke's biggest mistake of the day, and remember hindsight is 20/20, was sticking with out of form Martin Kaymer all day. The German didn't help Garcia in a 4and2 loss in the morning, and was just as bad for Danny Willett in the afternoon fourballs, resulting in a 5and4 thrashing by Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka.
Clarke paired the Spaniards Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello with immediate success as they went on to dominate Ryan Moore and JB Holmes despite their late rally, 3and2.
Rory and Thomas Pieters were 3up for most of the day against the powerhouse pair Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar running out 3and2 winners..
So from 4-0 when the afternoon started, Europe came home 3and 1 winners for a 5-3 USA lead when play begins with this morning's foursomes
Davis Love has made only one change today, from Friday mornings foursomes replacing DJ and Kuchar with Snedeker and Koepka
Meanwhile Darren Clarke will bring in Chris Wood with Justin Rose and Matthew Fitzpatrick with Henrik Stenson, leaving Rory with Pieters in the first match and the Spanish pair Sergio and Rafa for the final foursomes match against Reed and Spieth.
Use the scoreboard link http://www.rydercup.com/scoring to follow the results starting a 9am this morning with another round of fourballs this afternoon.
I don't think you'll see Kaymer until Sunday's singles for the Europeans, and it will be interesting to see if Davis Love breaks up some pairings in this afternoon's fourballs.
Weather : After a mainly sunny day there is rain in the forecast for later (around 4pm) in the afternoon, temperature around 23*c without a lot of wind, so not a bad day to play.
The crowds so far, especially in the morning when the scoreboard was all red have been boisterous for sure, rude for sure, when they cheer European misses for example, but they have sold out, so their support continues to be a huge ally to the team in red white and blue..
All in all another gripping day in store. I expect the Europeans to do better this morning, heck they couldn't be worse, so it should still be a close match at the end of play.
On a personal note I am heading away for a couple of days fishing so will not have access to the computer, but will be watching and listening, and for goodness sake let's hope our beloved Blue Jays with Jay Happ on the mound at Fenway today, can scrape into these MLB playoffs after losing 4 in a row.
That's a whole other story !
Enjoy it all
Bryan Angus
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