PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/farmers-insurance-open/leaderboard.html
After Justin Rose took the lead into the weekend at -7 he said "anyone who made the cut has a chance to win with the weather and the course set up"
That may well prove prophetic, as defending champion Brandt Snedeker (70) and Patrick Rodgers (67) are at -9 207, but 15 players are within three shots of the lead.
Rodgers comes from that high school class of 2011 that includes his best friends Justin Thomas, who has started the year with back to back wins in Hawaii, and Jordan Spieth whose record thus far speaks for itself. Other young guns who also graduated in 2011 are also right in there. C.T. Pan of Taiwan birdied three of his last five holes for a 69, -8 while Ollie Schniederjans managed a 71,-7
How about the Pat Perez angle. His father, Mike, is the starter on the first tee and Pat grew up playing Torrey Pines. He shot a -5 67 to sit at -7.
Adam Hadwin is still in with a chance. He fought hard for his +2 74 which has him at -5, four shots back, but with that out of the way, and another pristine breezy day with those bumpy poa annua greens on the Pacific coast in store, anything can happen, and probably will.
A playoff seems very probable to me, and Snedeker has the best putting record of them all on poa.
Canadian scores : Adam Hadwin T18 66 71 74 -5, Graham DeLaet T42 68 73 73 -2, MacKenzie Hughes T42 70 70 74 -2, Brad Fritsch T52 67 76 72 -1, Nick Taylor T58 69 74 73 E
Bryan Angus
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Jeunghun Wang wins Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in a playoff
European Tour Commercial Bank Qatar Masters final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017006/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
europeantour.com
Rising South Korean star Jeunghun Wang has won his third European Tour title after beating Joakim Lagergren and Jaco Van Zyl in a play-off at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The reigning rookie of the year began Sunday with a three-shot lead but was caught on the back nine before retaking top spot on his own with a birdie on the 16th but another bogey on 17 put him into the three man playoff at -16.
On the first playoff hole, the par 5 18th, he aimed for the flag, ending up over the back of the green but he got up and down for a winning birdie.
The win for Wang comes in just his 29th European Tour event and at 21 years and 144 days old, he is the third youngest player to win three events after Matteo Manassero and Seve Ballesteros
europeantour.com
Rising South Korean star Jeunghun Wang has won his third European Tour title after beating Joakim Lagergren and Jaco Van Zyl in a play-off at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The reigning rookie of the year began Sunday with a three-shot lead but was caught on the back nine before retaking top spot on his own with a birdie on the 16th but another bogey on 17 put him into the three man playoff at -16.
On the first playoff hole, the par 5 18th, he aimed for the flag, ending up over the back of the green but he got up and down for a winning birdie.
The win for Wang comes in just his 29th European Tour event and at 21 years and 144 days old, he is the third youngest player to win three events after Matteo Manassero and Seve Ballesteros
It was the bridesmaid again for South African Van Zyl, who looked the favourite when he got on the green in two on the play-off hole but a second three-putt of the day cost him dear as he finished runner-up on the European Tour for the fifth time in his 150th event.
Meanwhile Sweden's Lagergren who is also searching for his first win, left himself too much work to do when he pulled his second shot in the play-off into the greenside bunker.
Wang won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award last season after his victories at the Trophée Hassan II - also after a play-off - and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and could now climb as high as 39th in the Official World Golf Ranking and earn a potential invite to the Masters Tournament
Meanwhile Sweden's Lagergren who is also searching for his first win, left himself too much work to do when he pulled his second shot in the play-off into the greenside bunker.
Wang won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award last season after his victories at the Trophée Hassan II - also after a play-off - and the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and could now climb as high as 39th in the Official World Golf Ranking and earn a potential invite to the Masters Tournament
Saturday, January 28, 2017
European Tour rookie of the year leads in Qatar
European Tour Commercial Bank Qatar Masters leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017006/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
The European Tour is in the midst of it's Desert Swing, this week it's the Qatar Masters sponsored by the Commercial Bank. Last week Tommy Fleetwood won in Abu Dhabi next week they move to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic
South Korean Jeunghun Wang is the reigning rookie of the year and he fired a brilliant bogey-free 65 to open up a three-shot lead heading into the final round.
The European Tour is in the midst of it's Desert Swing, this week it's the Qatar Masters sponsored by the Commercial Bank. Last week Tommy Fleetwood won in Abu Dhabi next week they move to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic
South Korean Jeunghun Wang is the reigning rookie of the year and he fired a brilliant bogey-free 65 to open up a three-shot lead heading into the final round.
He was one of a record-breaking nine players to come into day three with a share of the lead at Doha Golf Club and he burst out of that pack in spectacular fashion to move to -15, three shots clear of playing partner South African Jaco Van Zyl and Spaniard, Nacho Elvira.
Wang and Elvira could be set to renew their rivalry after the 21 year old beat the Spaniard in a play-off to win his maiden title at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco, with Elvira still looking for that first win.
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Woods, Day, Fowler miss cut. Hadwin a shot behind at Farmers Insurance
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/farmers-insurance-open/leaderboard.html
Torrey Pines is playing with a "US Open tough" set up this week and it has taken it's toll on some of the games marquee names.
Tiger Woods owns it with 8 wins as an amateur and a pro, he missed the cut 76,72, Jason Day is the world's #1, he missed the cut, so did Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka and Jimmy Walker.
However all 5 Canucks will be playing on this weekend, with a red hot Adam Hadwin leading the way.
With rounds of 66 71 he is T2 -7 just a shot behind leader Justin Rose. Hadwin had what he called " a round where you just grind it out to get into the weekend and give yourself a chance".
Other Canadian scores...MacKenzie Hughes T11 70 70 -4, Graham DeLaet T21 68 73 -3, Nick Taylor T47 69 74 -1, Brad Fritsch T47 -1 67 76.
With the deep rough, bumpy greens and a strong breeze in off the Pacific low scores were at a premium, and there is more of the same weather for the weekend, cool, sunny and breezy, as the remaining field all play the tough south course for the next two days.
The cut was at even-par 144, Rose is at -8 and this is how he summed up the weekend.
“I actually think the cut mark is incredibly low for two days around here. Pretty much everyone who’s made the cut is still in the golf tournament"
Bryan Angus
Torrey Pines is playing with a "US Open tough" set up this week and it has taken it's toll on some of the games marquee names.
Tiger Woods owns it with 8 wins as an amateur and a pro, he missed the cut 76,72, Jason Day is the world's #1, he missed the cut, so did Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka and Jimmy Walker.
However all 5 Canucks will be playing on this weekend, with a red hot Adam Hadwin leading the way.
With rounds of 66 71 he is T2 -7 just a shot behind leader Justin Rose. Hadwin had what he called " a round where you just grind it out to get into the weekend and give yourself a chance".
Other Canadian scores...MacKenzie Hughes T11 70 70 -4, Graham DeLaet T21 68 73 -3, Nick Taylor T47 69 74 -1, Brad Fritsch T47 -1 67 76.
With the deep rough, bumpy greens and a strong breeze in off the Pacific low scores were at a premium, and there is more of the same weather for the weekend, cool, sunny and breezy, as the remaining field all play the tough south course for the next two days.
The cut was at even-par 144, Rose is at -8 and this is how he summed up the weekend.
“I actually think the cut mark is incredibly low for two days around here. Pretty much everyone who’s made the cut is still in the golf tournament"
Bryan Angus
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Hadwin's hot hand continues at Torrey Pines
PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/farmers-insurance-open/leaderboard.html
Fresh off his historic -13 59 and subsequent 2nd place finish last week in the California Desert, Adam Hadwin has continued his great form today on the South Course at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open, and he isn't the only Canadian right in contention.
Hadwin shot -6 66 on the usually tough south course in benign conditions to sit in 2nd place a shot behind clubhouse leader Justin Rose and his -7 65 on the North course. He had 7 birdies and a lone bogey completing both nines in 33.
This week he has Canadian company in the top 10 so far, Brad Fritsch is in with -5 67, and Graham DeLaet shot -4 68, both also on the south.
Nick Taylor -3 69 and MacKenzie Hughes -2 70 both played the shorter North course, recently re-designed by Tom Weiskopf.
Phil Mickelson is in at -1 71 (SC) and Tiger Woods is having an awful back nine dropping 5 shots to par in 4 holes, struggling in at +4 76, currently T133 on a south course he has won 8 times on.
Bryan Angus
Fresh off his historic -13 59 and subsequent 2nd place finish last week in the California Desert, Adam Hadwin has continued his great form today on the South Course at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open, and he isn't the only Canadian right in contention.
Hadwin shot -6 66 on the usually tough south course in benign conditions to sit in 2nd place a shot behind clubhouse leader Justin Rose and his -7 65 on the North course. He had 7 birdies and a lone bogey completing both nines in 33.
This week he has Canadian company in the top 10 so far, Brad Fritsch is in with -5 67, and Graham DeLaet shot -4 68, both also on the south.
Nick Taylor -3 69 and MacKenzie Hughes -2 70 both played the shorter North course, recently re-designed by Tom Weiskopf.
Phil Mickelson is in at -1 71 (SC) and Tiger Woods is having an awful back nine dropping 5 shots to par in 4 holes, struggling in at +4 76, currently T133 on a south course he has won 8 times on.
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Wie and Woods back in the news with new deals..
To say that Michelle Wie and Tiger Woods were at one time the driving forces in the women's and men's game is and obvious understatement, both phenoms from their formative years.
Those days are gone now, but both are still making headlines. This week Tiger returns to the Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines to begin his comeback, while Wie will be at the LPGA opener in the Bahamas... both with new deals..
Today Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) announced that it has reached a Staff Pro agreement with Wie. If you need a reminder she has won 4 times including the U.S. Women’s Open, and has competed on 4 U.S. Solheim Cup teams and is still one of the LPGA's biggest stars. She will use Callaway clubs, balls and an Odyssey Putter.
Meanwhile with Nike getting out of the club business, Taylor Made has announced today that Tiger has signed a multi-year contract with them and he has switched to their driver, fairway woods, irons and wedges "with specific product models to be determined at the conclusion of Woods’ and TaylorMade’s extensive testing process."
Those days are gone now, but both are still making headlines. This week Tiger returns to the Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines to begin his comeback, while Wie will be at the LPGA opener in the Bahamas... both with new deals..
Today Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) announced that it has reached a Staff Pro agreement with Wie. If you need a reminder she has won 4 times including the U.S. Women’s Open, and has competed on 4 U.S. Solheim Cup teams and is still one of the LPGA's biggest stars. She will use Callaway clubs, balls and an Odyssey Putter.
Meanwhile with Nike getting out of the club business, Taylor Made has announced today that Tiger has signed a multi-year contract with them and he has switched to their driver, fairway woods, irons and wedges "with specific product models to be determined at the conclusion of Woods’ and TaylorMade’s extensive testing process."
Further, "Tiger will co-create with TaylorMade’s club engineers and have an integral role in the design and development of a new, personalized iron model that will make its debut in Tiger’s bag at a future date to be determined."
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Hadwin loses but wins...Brooke signs new deal with Golf Town..
Its been an extraordinary mild fortnight in the GTA, and as the golfing industry gathers at the annual Golf Show in Orlando, it was an exciting Sunday for Canadian golf fans...
Adam Hadwin has done himself a world of good with his 59 and Sunday 2nd place finish.
" It was kind of an average week until yesterday, really,” said Hadwin. “To go out and do what I did and put myself in the position to win a golf tournament and to be right there coming up the last with a chance to win still, it just sets up the year and puts a lot of pressure off the rest of the year now. Today, mixed with a good fall, it’s just a lot of positive momentum moving forward and confidence that I can compete out here with a 70 after his third-round 59 to finish second.
Hadwin wins nearly $700000 and moves up to 111 from 196th in world rankings, and to #30 in the Presidents Cup standings and remember this is a Presidents Cup year. MacKenzie Hughes is at #29.
Brooke Henderson today signed a new 3 year endorsement deal with Golf Town. So if you were thinking Golf Town was going to play it's final round here in Canada after Golfsmith in the States filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy which resulted in Golf Town being sold to CI Financial and Fairfax Holdings back in the fall, you can think again.
Brooke will be appearing at a Golf Town near you, displaying their logo on her bag along with social media and digital content on their behalf.
Bryan Angus
Adam Hadwin has done himself a world of good with his 59 and Sunday 2nd place finish.
" It was kind of an average week until yesterday, really,” said Hadwin. “To go out and do what I did and put myself in the position to win a golf tournament and to be right there coming up the last with a chance to win still, it just sets up the year and puts a lot of pressure off the rest of the year now. Today, mixed with a good fall, it’s just a lot of positive momentum moving forward and confidence that I can compete out here with a 70 after his third-round 59 to finish second.
Hadwin wins nearly $700000 and moves up to 111 from 196th in world rankings, and to #30 in the Presidents Cup standings and remember this is a Presidents Cup year. MacKenzie Hughes is at #29.
Brooke Henderson today signed a new 3 year endorsement deal with Golf Town. So if you were thinking Golf Town was going to play it's final round here in Canada after Golfsmith in the States filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy which resulted in Golf Town being sold to CI Financial and Fairfax Holdings back in the fall, you can think again.
Brooke will be appearing at a Golf Town near you, displaying their logo on her bag along with social media and digital content on their behalf.
Bryan Angus
Who pays ??
Now, my site after 25 years of broadcasting my Fairways golf show and writing daily on SNET /Fan590 along with TSN.ca and the International Sports Report is called FairwaysPlus because occasionally I cover other topics rather than golf..
This week I need your help in my Comments section..
Who pays ?
At 3am yesterday morning a car came roaring down Pharmacy Ave (police estimate 80 in a 50kph chool zone) , left the road, drove through my 60 year old award winning privet hedge....smashed through a neighbours newly erected wooden fence and crashed into their sunporch...
The driver described as a 30ish year old black women got out the car and surveyed the damage...she had barely missed 2 tree trunks....the occupants of the two houses had been awoken, called 911 and observed her getting out of her car.. assessing the damage..getting back in the car and trying to re start it to leave.... she failed and re emerged.. looked things over and walked away down (south) Pharmacy..
The police arrived 10 mins later... couldn't find her.... spent 3 hours taking photos and removing the car..
Owner was phoned,,, said he /she had lent the car to a friend.... when asked who.. he /she said.... ' I'd rather not say "
' Who PAYS..."
Bryan Angus
This week I need your help in my Comments section..
Who pays ?
At 3am yesterday morning a car came roaring down Pharmacy Ave (police estimate 80 in a 50kph chool zone) , left the road, drove through my 60 year old award winning privet hedge....smashed through a neighbours newly erected wooden fence and crashed into their sunporch...
The driver described as a 30ish year old black women got out the car and surveyed the damage...she had barely missed 2 tree trunks....the occupants of the two houses had been awoken, called 911 and observed her getting out of her car.. assessing the damage..getting back in the car and trying to re start it to leave.... she failed and re emerged.. looked things over and walked away down (south) Pharmacy..
The police arrived 10 mins later... couldn't find her.... spent 3 hours taking photos and removing the car..
Owner was phoned,,, said he /she had lent the car to a friend.... when asked who.. he /she said.... ' I'd rather not say "
' Who PAYS..."
Bryan Angus
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Hadwin's historic 59 will be a tough act to follow..
PGA Tour Career Builders Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/careerbuilder-challenge/leaderboard.html
While most eyes in America today will be on names like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, there will be a few more than usual here north of the border on Adam Hadwin following his historic -13 59 yesterday on the La Quinta course at this Career Builder Challenge
With that he has the lead by a shot at -17. He played the first two days at PGA West in -4, shooting 71 on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and 69 on the Stadium Course where he'll be in the last pairing today.
I hope like all Canucks that he can hang in there to join Mike Weir in 2003 as Canadian winners of this event.
History tells us it will be a tall task for Adam. More often than not a "perfect" round is near impossible to follow. Psychologically every approach is not a close, every putt doesn't drop and every drive isn't center cut.... The result is usually 10 shots or so worse, which feels like a failure, when it actually isn't. This is what Adam said about that "They say one of hardest things in golf is to follow up a low round. I have to figure out a way to convince myself that I just shot 67.”
Someone else is going to get hot and make a run, so let's just hope Adam can do enough today to get his first PGA Tour win.
For the record it was the ninth sub-60 round in PGA Tour history and the second in 2 weeks as Justin Thomas turned the trick in Hawaii.
Whether he wins or not, he's in the record books forever, way to go Adam !!
Bryan Angus
While most eyes in America today will be on names like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, there will be a few more than usual here north of the border on Adam Hadwin following his historic -13 59 yesterday on the La Quinta course at this Career Builder Challenge
With that he has the lead by a shot at -17. He played the first two days at PGA West in -4, shooting 71 on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and 69 on the Stadium Course where he'll be in the last pairing today.
I hope like all Canucks that he can hang in there to join Mike Weir in 2003 as Canadian winners of this event.
History tells us it will be a tall task for Adam. More often than not a "perfect" round is near impossible to follow. Psychologically every approach is not a close, every putt doesn't drop and every drive isn't center cut.... The result is usually 10 shots or so worse, which feels like a failure, when it actually isn't. This is what Adam said about that "They say one of hardest things in golf is to follow up a low round. I have to figure out a way to convince myself that I just shot 67.”
Someone else is going to get hot and make a run, so let's just hope Adam can do enough today to get his first PGA Tour win.
For the record it was the ninth sub-60 round in PGA Tour history and the second in 2 weeks as Justin Thomas turned the trick in Hawaii.
Whether he wins or not, he's in the record books forever, way to go Adam !!
Bryan Angus
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Five Canadians tee it up at the rainy Career Builder Challenge (ie the Hope)
PGA Tour Career Builder Challenge leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
The PGA Tour has moved to the California desert at Palm Springs, albeit in the rain today, for what will always be known as the Bob Hope or just the Hope, this year it's called the Career Builder Challenge.
One of the year's biggest Pro-Ams it is still played on 3 courses, La Quinta, Nicklaus Tournament course and the home course, the Stadium.
Scores are usually very low, so far today a pair of 65's by Americans Patrick Kizzire and Harold Varner III have the clubhouse lead.
There are 5 Canucks in the field, Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Graham DeLaet, Nick Taylor and Brad Fritsch.
There is rain in the forecast for everyday but Saturday and it's cool by desert standards, only 18*c the high.
Jason Dufner is the defending champion, and Phil Mickelson returns to action after recovering from a sports hernia operation.
Bryan Angus
The PGA Tour has moved to the California desert at Palm Springs, albeit in the rain today, for what will always be known as the Bob Hope or just the Hope, this year it's called the Career Builder Challenge.
One of the year's biggest Pro-Ams it is still played on 3 courses, La Quinta, Nicklaus Tournament course and the home course, the Stadium.
Scores are usually very low, so far today a pair of 65's by Americans Patrick Kizzire and Harold Varner III have the clubhouse lead.
There are 5 Canucks in the field, Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Graham DeLaet, Nick Taylor and Brad Fritsch.
There is rain in the forecast for everyday but Saturday and it's cool by desert standards, only 18*c the high.
Jason Dufner is the defending champion, and Phil Mickelson returns to action after recovering from a sports hernia operation.
Bryan Angus
Brilliant Stenson shoots 64 in Abu Dhabi
European Tour HSBC Abu Dhabi leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017004/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
After a career year that saw Sweden's best male golfer win the Silver medal at the Olympics, the most stunning of Open Championships and the Race to Dubai for the second time, big Henrik Stenson opened up the defence of his European #1 status at this prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a bogey-free -8 64 good for a 2 shot lead over three-time winner Martin Kaymer, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, England's Oliver Fisher and Scot Marc Warren all with 66's. Stenson holds the course record, a 62 in 2006.
After a career year that saw Sweden's best male golfer win the Silver medal at the Olympics, the most stunning of Open Championships and the Race to Dubai for the second time, big Henrik Stenson opened up the defence of his European #1 status at this prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a bogey-free -8 64 good for a 2 shot lead over three-time winner Martin Kaymer, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, England's Oliver Fisher and Scot Marc Warren all with 66's. Stenson holds the course record, a 62 in 2006.
Kaymer loves this course, he has five top threes in ten appearances here and he finished his round with three birdies, while Warren made four late birdies while Aphibarnrat made four in a row himself midway through his round.
Other notables Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson opened with disappointing E,72 while stalwarts Lee Westwood shot -4 68 and Ian Poulter -3 69.
Headliner Rory McIlroy had to withdraw with a stress fracture in a rib that will take a few weeks to heal.
Bryan Angus
Other notables Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson opened with disappointing E,72 while stalwarts Lee Westwood shot -4 68 and Ian Poulter -3 69.
Headliner Rory McIlroy had to withdraw with a stress fracture in a rib that will take a few weeks to heal.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Rory loses in a playoff..Justin Thomas cruising in Hawaii
European Tour BMW SA Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017002/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
europeantour.com
Graeme Storm (68) beat Rory McIlroy (71)) in a play-off to win the BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni just 84 days after he thought he had lost his European Tour card.
The Englishman missed a par putt on the 18th green at the Portugal Masters in October to lose his playing privileges by just 100 euros but was handed a reprieve when Patrick Reed opted not to play the Final Series.
He made the very most of his second chance at Glendower Golf Club, overcoming World Number Two McIlroy on the third extra hole after an enthralling closing round.
Storm hit his approach to the heart of the 18th and made his par three times in the play-off, with McIlroy missing the green at the third attempt and leaving himself an eight-foot putt for par that missed on the low side.
Graeme Storm (68) beat Rory McIlroy (71)) in a play-off to win the BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni just 84 days after he thought he had lost his European Tour card.
The Englishman missed a par putt on the 18th green at the Portugal Masters in October to lose his playing privileges by just 100 euros but was handed a reprieve when Patrick Reed opted not to play the Final Series.
He made the very most of his second chance at Glendower Golf Club, overcoming World Number Two McIlroy on the third extra hole after an enthralling closing round.
Storm hit his approach to the heart of the 18th and made his par three times in the play-off, with McIlroy missing the green at the third attempt and leaving himself an eight-foot putt for par that missed on the low side.
McIlroy was playing the event for the first time since 2009 after being drawn to Gauteng by tournament host and great friend Ernie Els, and the huge crowds that flocked to see him and the rest of the field on Sunday were treated to a wonderful spectacle. Unfortunately he has injures his back and is off to have it scanned before he can confirm his spot in Abu Dhabi next week.
PGA Tour Sony Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sony-open-in-hawaii/leaderboard.html
AP....Justin Thomas has turned the first full-field event of the year into a blowout.With three birdies over the last five holes Saturday in the Sony Open – the last for another entry into the PGA Tour record book – Thomas played bogey-free and shot a 5-under 65 to stretch his lead to seven shots going into the final round at vulnerable Waialae Country Club.
He won last week and is lapping the field this week at 22-under 188, tying the 54-hole record that Steve Stricker set in 2010 at the John Deere Classic with caddie Jimmy Johnson on his bag. Johnson now caddies for Thomas, though this performance surely stands out because no one is close to him.
Zach Johnson kept pace with a 65 and is leading the B-flight at 15-under 201.
MacKenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., shot a 68 and is tied for 28th at 9 under. David Hearn and Nick Taylor both missed the cut.
He won last week and is lapping the field this week at 22-under 188, tying the 54-hole record that Steve Stricker set in 2010 at the John Deere Classic with caddie Jimmy Johnson on his bag. Johnson now caddies for Thomas, though this performance surely stands out because no one is close to him.
Zach Johnson kept pace with a 65 and is leading the B-flight at 15-under 201.
MacKenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., shot a 68 and is tied for 28th at 9 under. David Hearn and Nick Taylor both missed the cut.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Jim Furyk is a solid choice as 2018 US Ryder Cup captain..
If you wanted a well respected, squeaky clean, experienced player to be the next captain of the US Ryder Cup team, my guess is you couldn't do better than veteran Jim Furyk to lead the troops next year at the National just outside Paris, France.
He was appointed yesterday as the unanimous choice by the Ryder Cup committee.
He has played on nine consecutive teams starting in 1997, and he was an assistant captain to Davis Love III last year at Hazeltine and Love will be one of his assistants in France to maintain the new continuity of the American squad under the Ryder Cup committee of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Love and 3 top PGA of America officials.
They have not won on the road in 25 years. Furyk is now 46 and still playing well on the PGA Tour. He is currently #37 in the world.
Much of the early debate is whether he should be a playing captain should he qualify, something that hasn't happened since Arnold Palmer in 1963 at East Lake.
Personally I don't think so. There are enough talented young guns who should continue to be blooded in this most pressure packed of all golf events, and the captain's job has evolved completely since Arnie's day when the US could send out any 12 they wanted to beat the old GB and Ireland teams.
Plus the whole world is watching now, with the Europeans holding the upper hand until last year.
Bryan Angus
He was appointed yesterday as the unanimous choice by the Ryder Cup committee.
He has played on nine consecutive teams starting in 1997, and he was an assistant captain to Davis Love III last year at Hazeltine and Love will be one of his assistants in France to maintain the new continuity of the American squad under the Ryder Cup committee of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Love and 3 top PGA of America officials.
They have not won on the road in 25 years. Furyk is now 46 and still playing well on the PGA Tour. He is currently #37 in the world.
Much of the early debate is whether he should be a playing captain should he qualify, something that hasn't happened since Arnold Palmer in 1963 at East Lake.
Personally I don't think so. There are enough talented young guns who should continue to be blooded in this most pressure packed of all golf events, and the captain's job has evolved completely since Arnie's day when the US could send out any 12 they wanted to beat the old GB and Ireland teams.
Plus the whole world is watching now, with the Europeans holding the upper hand until last year.
Bryan Angus
Rory begins his 2017 year at the BMW SA Open
European Tour BMW South African Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2017/tournamentid=2017002/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
The wonderboy as he is referred to privately and publicly on and around the European Tour, Rory McIlroy is making an early and rare appearance at the Glen Gower GC near the city of Ekurhaleni this week at the BMW SA Open, where Ernie Els is the honorary host.
Even Sir Nick Faldo, the former world #1 who has recently lost 20 pounds after being diagnosed with sleep apnoea, has arrived and shot an opening -2 70, just 4 shots off the lead. He is 59 now and hasn't played regularly on tour since 2004.
McIlroy who hasn't played here since he just missed out in a playoff in 2009 was pleased with his first round -5 67 which left him just one shot behind South Africans Trevor Fisher Jnr and Keith Horne who both had -6 66.
McIlroy has been in the top 5 of his first event every year for the last 8.
With Nike getting out of the club and ball business, he has a mixed bag of clubs he's been selecting during a week of practice in Dubai, including a Calloway driver and 3 wood.
Last week he and his cute little blonde American fiancé Erica Stall went off into the bush for a 4 day luxury safari, but he claims the hard work in previous week's have shaken off the rust.
Still his arrival has given this prestigious national championship of South Africa a big boost and my next thought for the 27 year old is what will come first, his next win or announcement of his marriage to the delightful Miss Stall...
Bryan Angus
The wonderboy as he is referred to privately and publicly on and around the European Tour, Rory McIlroy is making an early and rare appearance at the Glen Gower GC near the city of Ekurhaleni this week at the BMW SA Open, where Ernie Els is the honorary host.
Even Sir Nick Faldo, the former world #1 who has recently lost 20 pounds after being diagnosed with sleep apnoea, has arrived and shot an opening -2 70, just 4 shots off the lead. He is 59 now and hasn't played regularly on tour since 2004.
McIlroy who hasn't played here since he just missed out in a playoff in 2009 was pleased with his first round -5 67 which left him just one shot behind South Africans Trevor Fisher Jnr and Keith Horne who both had -6 66.
McIlroy has been in the top 5 of his first event every year for the last 8.
With Nike getting out of the club and ball business, he has a mixed bag of clubs he's been selecting during a week of practice in Dubai, including a Calloway driver and 3 wood.
Last week he and his cute little blonde American fiancé Erica Stall went off into the bush for a 4 day luxury safari, but he claims the hard work in previous week's have shaken off the rust.
Still his arrival has given this prestigious national championship of South Africa a big boost and my next thought for the 27 year old is what will come first, his next win or announcement of his marriage to the delightful Miss Stall...
Bryan Angus
Hawaiian Islands provide a dream start for 2017
Let's be honest, especially for those of us who live in northern climes, a holiday in Hawaii is at or near the top of many of our bucket lists..
It was always on mine and luckily in a previous life I was lucky enough to make the 12 hour flight from Toronto to Honolulu for a holiday every year and got to know the islands very well through my fiancé at the time, who was a long time flight attendant first with Wardair then with Canadian Pacific.
The temperature is never below 55*F and there is always a breeze, just beautiful and once you get away from the tourist beaches and their resorts, the islands have a spectacular and varied topography set in the middle of the Pacific ocean that is simply stunning.
That background is the annual start of the year for pro's on the PGA Tour and then the Champions Tour, and what a soft start to a long grinding season it is.
Last week, another rising young super star Justin Thomas got it all under way holding off the charge of Hideki Matsuyama down the stretch in the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, and this week the first full field of the year are on the island of Oahu for the Sony Open on the tight little Waialea course and Thomas is already -8 through 10 holes to lead early in round 1. MacKenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor and David Hearn are the Canadian contingent. Jordan Spieth is the top ranked player.
PGA Tour Sony Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sony-open-in-hawaii/leaderboard.html
Many of the pros bring their families out a couple of weeks early for a holiday, we saw pictures of Ben Crane and his kids last week watching a huge sea turtle walk across the beach, Crane noting he'd finally found "something that moves slower than he does !!"
Next week they all move to the California desert for the Hope, the seniors take over their empty accommodations as they kick of their year January 19-21 with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
It's a long, but very lucrative season for the 200 or so who have status on the PGA Tour and the older 125 or so on the Champions. They stay and travel first class all the way, and all are millionaires and more who have led a very charmed life.
Still, as you struggle home from work or whatever and tune in this evening to the blue skies and palm trees shrouding the blue Pacific, you must admit it is a dream start to the season.
Bryan Angus
It was always on mine and luckily in a previous life I was lucky enough to make the 12 hour flight from Toronto to Honolulu for a holiday every year and got to know the islands very well through my fiancé at the time, who was a long time flight attendant first with Wardair then with Canadian Pacific.
The temperature is never below 55*F and there is always a breeze, just beautiful and once you get away from the tourist beaches and their resorts, the islands have a spectacular and varied topography set in the middle of the Pacific ocean that is simply stunning.
That background is the annual start of the year for pro's on the PGA Tour and then the Champions Tour, and what a soft start to a long grinding season it is.
Last week, another rising young super star Justin Thomas got it all under way holding off the charge of Hideki Matsuyama down the stretch in the SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, and this week the first full field of the year are on the island of Oahu for the Sony Open on the tight little Waialea course and Thomas is already -8 through 10 holes to lead early in round 1. MacKenzie Hughes, Nick Taylor and David Hearn are the Canadian contingent. Jordan Spieth is the top ranked player.
PGA Tour Sony Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/sony-open-in-hawaii/leaderboard.html
Many of the pros bring their families out a couple of weeks early for a holiday, we saw pictures of Ben Crane and his kids last week watching a huge sea turtle walk across the beach, Crane noting he'd finally found "something that moves slower than he does !!"
Next week they all move to the California desert for the Hope, the seniors take over their empty accommodations as they kick of their year January 19-21 with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
It's a long, but very lucrative season for the 200 or so who have status on the PGA Tour and the older 125 or so on the Champions. They stay and travel first class all the way, and all are millionaires and more who have led a very charmed life.
Still, as you struggle home from work or whatever and tune in this evening to the blue skies and palm trees shrouding the blue Pacific, you must admit it is a dream start to the season.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Ringing in the 2017 season here on 'FairwaysPlus'
Hi everybody, it's a very rainy Tuesday January 3 2017 in the GTA and I hope it finds you all in good spirits, looking forward to a happy, healthy year.
After a very busy holiday season I am back here on a daily basis with the 2017 golfing year about to get underway yet again.
Tiger playing his new Bridgestone ball will be playing a full schedule, at least full by his standards which usually means 15-18 events and I along with everyone else will be watching his progress unfold in one of the year's top stories.
Jason Day begins his season this weekend at the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii as the world's #1 with a brand new clothing sponsor in Nike.
Official world rankings http://www.owgr.com/
Brooke Henderson won twice on the LPGA Tour in 2016 and was also named Player of the Year and the Canadian Golf story of the year by the CJAC. She starts the year ranked #8, with Lydia Ko at #1
Official Rolex world rankings http://www.rolexrankings.com/en/rankings/
They also named MacKenzie Hughes the male Player of the Year.
Here are the schedules for the PGA and European Tours, with the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport with Henrik Stenson defending. Dustin Johnson defends his US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin while Jimmy Walker defends his PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte NC. The Masters is the first week of April with Danny Willett as the champion.
Our Canadian Open is back at Glen Abbey, you'll remember Jhonattan Vegas won last year, and it's a Presidents Cup year, this time under the Statue of Liberty at Liberty National in Jersey City.
PGA Tour http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
European Tour http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/tournament/index.html
Join me as always, your comments, and opinions are always welcome, and listen for my analysis along the TSN Radio network.
All the very best,
Bryan
After a very busy holiday season I am back here on a daily basis with the 2017 golfing year about to get underway yet again.
Tiger playing his new Bridgestone ball will be playing a full schedule, at least full by his standards which usually means 15-18 events and I along with everyone else will be watching his progress unfold in one of the year's top stories.
Jason Day begins his season this weekend at the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii as the world's #1 with a brand new clothing sponsor in Nike.
Official world rankings http://www.owgr.com/
Brooke Henderson won twice on the LPGA Tour in 2016 and was also named Player of the Year and the Canadian Golf story of the year by the CJAC. She starts the year ranked #8, with Lydia Ko at #1
Official Rolex world rankings http://www.rolexrankings.com/en/rankings/
They also named MacKenzie Hughes the male Player of the Year.
Here are the schedules for the PGA and European Tours, with the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport with Henrik Stenson defending. Dustin Johnson defends his US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin while Jimmy Walker defends his PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte NC. The Masters is the first week of April with Danny Willett as the champion.
Our Canadian Open is back at Glen Abbey, you'll remember Jhonattan Vegas won last year, and it's a Presidents Cup year, this time under the Statue of Liberty at Liberty National in Jersey City.
PGA Tour http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
European Tour http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/tournament/index.html
Join me as always, your comments, and opinions are always welcome, and listen for my analysis along the TSN Radio network.
All the very best,
Bryan
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