Senior Open final leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/seniortour/tournaments/2017/senior-open-championship-presented-by-rolex/#leaderboard
In the end only 2 players broke par after 4 days of this Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl GC. Thursday and particularly Friday were in some of the worst playing conditions, torrential rain and howling winds coming in off the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel. Saturday was as nice as it gets in Cardiff, and today was sunny with the breeze getting up to 25kph at times.
Bernhard Langer won here by 13 shots in 2014, and today he did it again shooting a +1 72 for a -4 total and a 3 shot win over Corey Pavin (71) -1 total.
Freddie Couples 68, Billy Andrade 68 and Aussie Peter Lonard 71 all T3 at E.
Langer never did win the claret jug in his illustrious international career, finishing in the top 3 four times, but since he turned 50 he has won 10 majors and he joins Gary Player and Tom Watson as the only players to have won the Senior Open three times.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Hoffman leads the Sunday shoot-out at the RBC Canadian Open
PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/rbc-canadian-open/leaderboard.html
"You have to stay super aggressive. There’s nothing else you have to be thinking of,” . “There’s a lot of birdies out here. We have to find a way to make a few more birdies than everyone tomorrow and see what happens"
Those the words of defending champion Jhonattan Vegas the defending champion that sum up perfectly what will happen to day at this sun soaked version of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey.
For the record Charley Hoffman is the 54-hole leader at the after carding a 7-under-par 65 for a -17 total and a one shot lead over Kevin Chappell who shot -6 66.
Robert Garrigus earlier tied the course record with a -10 62 to T3 at -15 along with Gary Woodland, and there should be much more of that today.
Ideal weather and a soft course equal low scores on this tour, so whoever makes the most birdies today will be holding the trophy come 6pm this evening.
Sadly our two Canadians didn't take advantage and have dropped out of contention. Graham DeLaet T41 at -7 after a 73 and Mackenzie Hughes posted a +2 74 T55
There are 15 guys with 4 shots of Hoffman's -17, and you can bet someone will post 63 or 64 to make it interesting.
Bryan Angus
"You have to stay super aggressive. There’s nothing else you have to be thinking of,” . “There’s a lot of birdies out here. We have to find a way to make a few more birdies than everyone tomorrow and see what happens"
Those the words of defending champion Jhonattan Vegas the defending champion that sum up perfectly what will happen to day at this sun soaked version of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey.
For the record Charley Hoffman is the 54-hole leader at the after carding a 7-under-par 65 for a -17 total and a one shot lead over Kevin Chappell who shot -6 66.
Robert Garrigus earlier tied the course record with a -10 62 to T3 at -15 along with Gary Woodland, and there should be much more of that today.
Ideal weather and a soft course equal low scores on this tour, so whoever makes the most birdies today will be holding the trophy come 6pm this evening.
Sadly our two Canadians didn't take advantage and have dropped out of contention. Graham DeLaet T41 at -7 after a 73 and Mackenzie Hughes posted a +2 74 T55
There are 15 guys with 4 shots of Hoffman's -17, and you can bet someone will post 63 or 64 to make it interesting.
Bryan Angus
Langer, Pavin and Mayfair contesting the final holes at the Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl
Senior Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/seniortour/tournaments/2017/senior-open-championship-presented-by-rolex/#leaderboard
They are playing the back nine at Royal Porthcawl in Wales to see who will win this year's Senior Open Championship as I pen this.
After the wild weather on Thursday and Friday, the skies cleared on Saturday as did Bernhard Langer's health and the fantastic German who turns 60 next month played his best golf of the week posting a 65 for a 4 shot lead heading into today.
So far on his round he is +1 -4 total and his playing partner Corey Pavin who also posted 65 yesterday is at -1 -2 total. Billy Mayfair is -4 so far today, -1 total, with 3 holes to play.
So Langer is holding on by 2 shots, trying to win his 10th Senior major, Pavin is pressing and Mayfair has an outside chance.
The weather is cool, partly sunny with the breeze around 20kph from the southwest.
I have posted a live scoring link as always.
Bryan Angus
They are playing the back nine at Royal Porthcawl in Wales to see who will win this year's Senior Open Championship as I pen this.
After the wild weather on Thursday and Friday, the skies cleared on Saturday as did Bernhard Langer's health and the fantastic German who turns 60 next month played his best golf of the week posting a 65 for a 4 shot lead heading into today.
So far on his round he is +1 -4 total and his playing partner Corey Pavin who also posted 65 yesterday is at -1 -2 total. Billy Mayfair is -4 so far today, -1 total, with 3 holes to play.
So Langer is holding on by 2 shots, trying to win his 10th Senior major, Pavin is pressing and Mayfair has an outside chance.
The weather is cool, partly sunny with the breeze around 20kph from the southwest.
I have posted a live scoring link as always.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, July 29, 2017
RBC Canadian Open, superstar or relative unknown, "This is our Open"
PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/rbc-canadian-open/leaderboard.html
This year's slogan is, "This is our Open", appropriate perhaps for the event following last week's Open at Royal Birkdale. On one of our Fairway's shows I remember former Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons responding to my question about their slot in the schedule following the Open by saying. " Well ,we consider our event as the Open, Bryan"
For we Canadians this is our national championship and although our last champion was Pat Fletcher way back in 1954, we view it differently than the rest of the world.
I have been at every one at the Abbey as a volunteer or a broadcaster since crabby Curtis Strange won in 1985 and the winners have been a real mixed bag.
Past champions
http://rbccanadianopen.com/past-champions/
Stars like Tiger (2000) with "the shot", Greg Norman (1984, 1992) Nick Price (1991, 1994) and others like Vijay Singh when he broke our hearts beating Mike Weir in that 2004 playoff, Jim Furyk back to back at Hamilton then Angus Glen north, Jason Day during his summer of 2015, and of course going way back to the glory days of Lee Trevino (1971,77, 79) and further to where it all started for Arnie at Weston in,1955
However it has also had it's fair share of lesser lights who will always hold their victory here as a career highlight. Remember guys like Ken Green (1985) with his little 36 inch putter, Wayne where is he now Levi (1990), Dudley Hart beating David Duval in 1996, Billy Andrade beating a guy called Bob Friend in 1998, John Rollins at Angus Glen in 2002, Chez Reavie (2008), Nathan Green (2009).
As this weekend gets under way the trend continues. Most of you have never heard of the leader, 35 year old grinder form Texas, Martin Flores who has shot 66 66 at Glen Abbey Golf for a -12 total and a 1 shot lead as he looks for his first career PGA TOUR victory.
Matt Every, Gary Woodland and Brandon Hagy are at -11, Woodland, the best known of that bunch had the round of the day -9 63.
However super star, and world #1 Dustin Johnson with father in law Wayne Gretzky in tow is lurking in a group at -8
As for the Canadian contingent two remain standing of the 17 who qualified or were invited. Graham DeLaet 68 68, and Mackenzie Hughes 67 69, are with DJ at -8. David Hearn and Nick Taylor missed the cut which fell at -4 by a shot.
Vijay Singh now 54 passed on the Senior Open to play here, shot 66 T5 -10 as he looks to beat Sam Snead's oldest player to win title, and defending champion Jhonattan Vegas is at -9
So let's see how it all plays out in what will be a gorgeous sunny weekend at the Abbey this weekend. There are 27 players within 4 shots, so it should be tight.
Bryan Angus
This year's slogan is, "This is our Open", appropriate perhaps for the event following last week's Open at Royal Birkdale. On one of our Fairway's shows I remember former Golf Canada CEO Scott Simmons responding to my question about their slot in the schedule following the Open by saying. " Well ,we consider our event as the Open, Bryan"
For we Canadians this is our national championship and although our last champion was Pat Fletcher way back in 1954, we view it differently than the rest of the world.
I have been at every one at the Abbey as a volunteer or a broadcaster since crabby Curtis Strange won in 1985 and the winners have been a real mixed bag.
Past champions
http://rbccanadianopen.com/past-champions/
Stars like Tiger (2000) with "the shot", Greg Norman (1984, 1992) Nick Price (1991, 1994) and others like Vijay Singh when he broke our hearts beating Mike Weir in that 2004 playoff, Jim Furyk back to back at Hamilton then Angus Glen north, Jason Day during his summer of 2015, and of course going way back to the glory days of Lee Trevino (1971,77, 79) and further to where it all started for Arnie at Weston in,1955
However it has also had it's fair share of lesser lights who will always hold their victory here as a career highlight. Remember guys like Ken Green (1985) with his little 36 inch putter, Wayne where is he now Levi (1990), Dudley Hart beating David Duval in 1996, Billy Andrade beating a guy called Bob Friend in 1998, John Rollins at Angus Glen in 2002, Chez Reavie (2008), Nathan Green (2009).
As this weekend gets under way the trend continues. Most of you have never heard of the leader, 35 year old grinder form Texas, Martin Flores who has shot 66 66 at Glen Abbey Golf for a -12 total and a 1 shot lead as he looks for his first career PGA TOUR victory.
Matt Every, Gary Woodland and Brandon Hagy are at -11, Woodland, the best known of that bunch had the round of the day -9 63.
However super star, and world #1 Dustin Johnson with father in law Wayne Gretzky in tow is lurking in a group at -8
As for the Canadian contingent two remain standing of the 17 who qualified or were invited. Graham DeLaet 68 68, and Mackenzie Hughes 67 69, are with DJ at -8. David Hearn and Nick Taylor missed the cut which fell at -4 by a shot.
Vijay Singh now 54 passed on the Senior Open to play here, shot 66 T5 -10 as he looks to beat Sam Snead's oldest player to win title, and defending champion Jhonattan Vegas is at -9
So let's see how it all plays out in what will be a gorgeous sunny weekend at the Abbey this weekend. There are 27 players within 4 shots, so it should be tight.
Bryan Angus
Wild weather in Wales at the Senior Open, live tour of Royal Porthcawl
Senior Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/seniortour/tournaments/2017/senior-open-championship-presented-by-rolex/#leaderboard
When everyone flies into the UK, especially for the first time they all comment on how beautifully green the British Isles are.
Well as a Scot, I can tell you there is a price to pay for that, it rains a lot, an awful lot...
Friday at Royal Porthcawl the world's best over 50's contested the Senior Open in what several called the worst weather they had ever played in. Please have a look at this link to see this magnificent Welsh links set right on the Bristol Channel.
https://www.royalporthcawl.com/
In 2014 Bernhard Langer won this championship by 13 shots on these links. He is tied for the lead with 5 others at +1 going into this weekend, despite the fact he is ill. He called it the worst weather he'd ever played in, and he has played everywhere.
Consider this. There were more scores in the 90's that the 60's. The average score was +7 78. The cut fell at a whopping +12. Why ??
The rain was drenching particularly as the tide came in during the afternoon wave and it was whipped by a howling wind, gusting to 50mph.
Today the rain has moved out but the wind is still going to be a factor, but not nearly as severe a test as Friday.
So 5 are tied in the lead at +1 along with Langer, Steve Flesch who wore 2 gloves all day, Tom Lehman, Billy Mayfair and Argentina's Mauricio Molina, however with the wind the championship is wide open, with guys like Monty, Tom Watson, Corey Pavin and local man, Phillip Price at +5.
Langer may win it again, but it won't be by 13 shots this time around..
Bryan Angus
When everyone flies into the UK, especially for the first time they all comment on how beautifully green the British Isles are.
Well as a Scot, I can tell you there is a price to pay for that, it rains a lot, an awful lot...
Friday at Royal Porthcawl the world's best over 50's contested the Senior Open in what several called the worst weather they had ever played in. Please have a look at this link to see this magnificent Welsh links set right on the Bristol Channel.
https://www.royalporthcawl.com/
In 2014 Bernhard Langer won this championship by 13 shots on these links. He is tied for the lead with 5 others at +1 going into this weekend, despite the fact he is ill. He called it the worst weather he'd ever played in, and he has played everywhere.
Consider this. There were more scores in the 90's that the 60's. The average score was +7 78. The cut fell at a whopping +12. Why ??
The rain was drenching particularly as the tide came in during the afternoon wave and it was whipped by a howling wind, gusting to 50mph.
Today the rain has moved out but the wind is still going to be a factor, but not nearly as severe a test as Friday.
So 5 are tied in the lead at +1 along with Langer, Steve Flesch who wore 2 gloves all day, Tom Lehman, Billy Mayfair and Argentina's Mauricio Molina, however with the wind the championship is wide open, with guys like Monty, Tom Watson, Corey Pavin and local man, Phillip Price at +5.
Langer may win it again, but it won't be by 13 shots this time around..
Bryan Angus
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Kuchar and Spieth tied for lead in worsening weather at Royal Birkdale
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Four bogey's including a pair of missed short putts, and a birdie have Jordan Spieth out in 38 for a -8 total and he and Matt Kuchar who has 2 bogey's and 2 birdies 34 strokes are tied for the lead playing the back nine.
The weather has closed in with the wind blowing in gusts up to 20mph and it is raining intermittently.
Chinese golfer Haotong Li got in before the weather worsened with a -7 63 and he is the clubhouse leader at -6.
Brooks Koepka is +1 thru 12 -4 total and his Canadian playing partner Austin Connelly is at -3 after going out in a tough 38, but he has just birdied the 11th and 12th, currently T11.
Rory is at -3 after he lost his ball and made bogey 6 at the par 5 15th.
Jordan Spieth has opened the barn door, and now we have a horse race...
Bryan Angus
Four bogey's including a pair of missed short putts, and a birdie have Jordan Spieth out in 38 for a -8 total and he and Matt Kuchar who has 2 bogey's and 2 birdies 34 strokes are tied for the lead playing the back nine.
The weather has closed in with the wind blowing in gusts up to 20mph and it is raining intermittently.
Chinese golfer Haotong Li got in before the weather worsened with a -7 63 and he is the clubhouse leader at -6.
Brooks Koepka is +1 thru 12 -4 total and his Canadian playing partner Austin Connelly is at -3 after going out in a tough 38, but he has just birdied the 11th and 12th, currently T11.
Rory is at -3 after he lost his ball and made bogey 6 at the par 5 15th.
Jordan Spieth has opened the barn door, and now we have a horse race...
Bryan Angus
It's Spieth's to lose on Championship Sunday at the Open, Connelly T3
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Let's get this out of the way. With rounds of 65 69 65 -11, playing completely in control with a 3 shot lead, putting better than anyone else, having won 8 out of 9 times with a 54 hole lead, two firsts and 2 seconds in his last 4 majors, and with a second consecutive ideal day for scoring at Royal Birkdale, Jordan Spieth has one hand on the Claret Jug, and it would be a bigger story if he loses it than if he wins.
His closest challenge is good guy and Ryder Cup team mate, Matt Kuchar 65 71 66 -8 and they will go out last at 9.30am EST.
A bigger story on this side of the border, getting absolutely no attention is the 20 year old Canadian kid Austin Connelly who is T3 in his first major 67 72 66 -5 and he will be in the penultimate pairing with US Open champion Brooks Koepka 65 72 68 -6 at 9.20EST. His round included a birdie, eagle start ( 9 iron holed from 130 yards at the par 2nd)
"I never felt nerves from the first tee on which was surprising to me, I feel very calm. I'm very confident with how I'm hitting it. I feel like I'm hitting it straight and solid and that is making me very calm"
Whatever happens to Austin today, he is already a winner this week. He is not likely to catch Spieth who is 6 shots ahead, but then who is? Connelly has gained a ton of confidence this week on the biggest stage. He knows he can play with, and this week, better than the rest of the field with 3 exceptions, and that is priceless as his career moves forward. He'll get a great reception at the RBC Canadian Open next week if he can make it. He has an invitation and wants to play, but he also needs to secure his European Tour card, so a lot depends on this afternoon.
Another caveat; the top 4 and ties receive an invitation to the Masters.
There are 65's and maybe 64's or 63's out there today, the sun is shining, barely a breath of wind, which will pick up a little when the tide comes in this afternoon, so let's see who from the supporting cast will get hot to make it interesting. Aaron Baddeley has already posted a 64.
I thought Rory would get into it yesterday and he started with 3 birdies early on, but gave them back mid round with a couple of bogey's and a double, ending up with a 69 instead of the 64 or 5 he needed. He's at -2 T11.
Ian Poulter disappointed with three bogeys on the back nine and shot 71 -2 total to end the hopes for an English victory.
Dustin Johnson shot 64, Henrik Stenson 65 and they are paired together at -3, teeing off at 9am EST and don't forget the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama 68 72 66 -4 who is playing with Branden Grace who will have trouble topping his history making 62 yesterday. They are off at 9.10am EST.
That's about it. Spieth will become the first guy to win 3 majors before his 24th birthday apart from Jack Nicklaus, unless something unexpected happens...
It's his to win, it's his to lose.. that's why we watch !
Bryan Angus
Let's get this out of the way. With rounds of 65 69 65 -11, playing completely in control with a 3 shot lead, putting better than anyone else, having won 8 out of 9 times with a 54 hole lead, two firsts and 2 seconds in his last 4 majors, and with a second consecutive ideal day for scoring at Royal Birkdale, Jordan Spieth has one hand on the Claret Jug, and it would be a bigger story if he loses it than if he wins.
His closest challenge is good guy and Ryder Cup team mate, Matt Kuchar 65 71 66 -8 and they will go out last at 9.30am EST.
A bigger story on this side of the border, getting absolutely no attention is the 20 year old Canadian kid Austin Connelly who is T3 in his first major 67 72 66 -5 and he will be in the penultimate pairing with US Open champion Brooks Koepka 65 72 68 -6 at 9.20EST. His round included a birdie, eagle start ( 9 iron holed from 130 yards at the par 2nd)
"I never felt nerves from the first tee on which was surprising to me, I feel very calm. I'm very confident with how I'm hitting it. I feel like I'm hitting it straight and solid and that is making me very calm"
Whatever happens to Austin today, he is already a winner this week. He is not likely to catch Spieth who is 6 shots ahead, but then who is? Connelly has gained a ton of confidence this week on the biggest stage. He knows he can play with, and this week, better than the rest of the field with 3 exceptions, and that is priceless as his career moves forward. He'll get a great reception at the RBC Canadian Open next week if he can make it. He has an invitation and wants to play, but he also needs to secure his European Tour card, so a lot depends on this afternoon.
Another caveat; the top 4 and ties receive an invitation to the Masters.
There are 65's and maybe 64's or 63's out there today, the sun is shining, barely a breath of wind, which will pick up a little when the tide comes in this afternoon, so let's see who from the supporting cast will get hot to make it interesting. Aaron Baddeley has already posted a 64.
I thought Rory would get into it yesterday and he started with 3 birdies early on, but gave them back mid round with a couple of bogey's and a double, ending up with a 69 instead of the 64 or 5 he needed. He's at -2 T11.
Ian Poulter disappointed with three bogeys on the back nine and shot 71 -2 total to end the hopes for an English victory.
Dustin Johnson shot 64, Henrik Stenson 65 and they are paired together at -3, teeing off at 9am EST and don't forget the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama 68 72 66 -4 who is playing with Branden Grace who will have trouble topping his history making 62 yesterday. They are off at 9.10am EST.
That's about it. Spieth will become the first guy to win 3 majors before his 24th birthday apart from Jack Nicklaus, unless something unexpected happens...
It's his to win, it's his to lose.. that's why we watch !
Bryan Angus
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Branden Grace makes golf history with 62 at Royal Birkdale
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
63 was the record for the lowest score ever is golf's majors, and there have been quite a few, by 29 different players, and quite a few close calls at 62... But they were just that, close calls.. until now..
Branden Grace, the 29 year old South African started today T45 at Royal Birkdale, in calm conditions on a soft course that received yet another inch of rain over night... He knew right away scoring was going to be easier, and essential to get into contention..
Driving the ball with an accurate straight penetrating flight and making putts from all over the green, he went out in 29, and just made par at the 18th to come home in 33.. add them up -8 62.. to stand alone in major history.
He is now T2 at -4 with the leaders getting set to tee off.
However mark my words, there may be several more 62's out there today. Dustin Johnson for example is -5 through 12 holes on today's round
Bryan Angus
63 was the record for the lowest score ever is golf's majors, and there have been quite a few, by 29 different players, and quite a few close calls at 62... But they were just that, close calls.. until now..
Branden Grace, the 29 year old South African started today T45 at Royal Birkdale, in calm conditions on a soft course that received yet another inch of rain over night... He knew right away scoring was going to be easier, and essential to get into contention..
Driving the ball with an accurate straight penetrating flight and making putts from all over the green, he went out in 29, and just made par at the 18th to come home in 33.. add them up -8 62.. to stand alone in major history.
He is now T2 at -4 with the leaders getting set to tee off.
However mark my words, there may be several more 62's out there today. Dustin Johnson for example is -5 through 12 holes on today's round
Bryan Angus
Spieth leads, Austin Connelly contends as Saturday begins in calm conditions at the Open
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Saturday pairings/ tee times https://www.theopen.com/TeeTimes#!/R3
Round 3 began at 4.20am EST as you can see by clicking on the link above, with South African Shaun Norris playing with a club player as a marker, 39 groups in all with the leaders Jordan Spieth (-6) and Matt Kuchar (-4) at 10.55am.
The wind and rain have blown through and right away you'll see that today is calm with overcast skies and not much of a breeze and that is expected to be the case all day, and with a softer course, scoring is much lower, there have already been a handful of 65's.
Austin Connelly is the only Canadian remaining as Adam Hadwin missed the cut, and despite the fact he was disappointed with 3 bogey's to finish early yesterday with 72, he is in a group at -1 T6 just 5 shots off the lead. He is paired with Scotland's Richie Ramsay in the third last group at 1035am.
Connelly plays out of Claire G&CC in Church Point, Nova Scotia is only 20 and had to qualify to get into the field. He was in the late wave on Thursday so missed the worst of the weather and posted a -3 67. He played a practice round with Spieth who told the media they would be surprised when they saw how well Austin could perform here this week.
Connelly responded. " I feel like this place suits me very well and I think I can go around there composed all week"
Jordan Spieth won his last tournament The Travellers from wire to wire and much has been made of his collapse at the 2016 Masters but in fact his record when leading majors is two wins and two seconds. He hasn't had his A game from tee to green so far this week but on these slow relatively flat greens he is putting magnificently for 65 69 -6, justifying his 14-1 favourite status with the bookies.
All of the crowd will be cheering on Ian Poulter who after 67 70 is at -3 and plays in the penultimate group with Brooks Koepka. Sir Nick Faldo was the last Englishman to win the Open in 1992. Poulter has re invented himself in recent months, and he did finish T2 here back in 2008.
There are so many story lines to talk about. How about US Open champion Brooks Koepka, the American who decided to play his way onto the PGA Tour via the European Challenge and regular tours. He could join the legendary Lee Trevino who in 1971 came to Royal Birkdale as US Open champion and went on to beat Mr Lu and hoist the Claret Jug. Tiger Woods did it in 2000 and Tom Watson in 1982.
However possibly the biggest story today is Rory McIlroy who was on his way out of this championship at +5 until his caddy gave him a bollocking and the kick in the pants worked and at 71 68 he is T6 -1. He tees off with big hitting Gary Woodland at 10.25pm and with Rory on a roll I'd expect him to post a score that will have a huge crowd roaring. The Open record is 63. Remember Royal Birkdale is par 70.
Many past champions missed the cut which fell at +5, including Phil Mickelson who's long time caddy Jim Bones McKay is in the broadcast booth after Phil fired him.
Padraig Harrington (2008), missed by shot (73,73). Tom Lehman (1996) ,Darren Clarke (2011), Paul Lawrie (1999) all missed the cut as did the likes of Stewart Cink with scores of (150), David Duval (151) Mark O’Meara (151) Louis Oosthuizen (152) John Daly (152), Sandy Lyle (153) and Todd Hamilton (158).
Other notables, Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas, all missed out by two shots on seven over par 147.
It's the 146th Open steeped in history, with more to be written this weekend. For sure on a traditional Saturday moving day, will ideal scoring conditions, the leaderboard will look a lot different come dinner time tonight, with one exception in my opinion, Jordan Spieth will still be on top.
We'll see..
Bryan Angus
Saturday pairings/ tee times https://www.theopen.com/TeeTimes#!/R3
Round 3 began at 4.20am EST as you can see by clicking on the link above, with South African Shaun Norris playing with a club player as a marker, 39 groups in all with the leaders Jordan Spieth (-6) and Matt Kuchar (-4) at 10.55am.
The wind and rain have blown through and right away you'll see that today is calm with overcast skies and not much of a breeze and that is expected to be the case all day, and with a softer course, scoring is much lower, there have already been a handful of 65's.
Austin Connelly is the only Canadian remaining as Adam Hadwin missed the cut, and despite the fact he was disappointed with 3 bogey's to finish early yesterday with 72, he is in a group at -1 T6 just 5 shots off the lead. He is paired with Scotland's Richie Ramsay in the third last group at 1035am.
Connelly plays out of Claire G&CC in Church Point, Nova Scotia is only 20 and had to qualify to get into the field. He was in the late wave on Thursday so missed the worst of the weather and posted a -3 67. He played a practice round with Spieth who told the media they would be surprised when they saw how well Austin could perform here this week.
Connelly responded. " I feel like this place suits me very well and I think I can go around there composed all week"
Jordan Spieth won his last tournament The Travellers from wire to wire and much has been made of his collapse at the 2016 Masters but in fact his record when leading majors is two wins and two seconds. He hasn't had his A game from tee to green so far this week but on these slow relatively flat greens he is putting magnificently for 65 69 -6, justifying his 14-1 favourite status with the bookies.
All of the crowd will be cheering on Ian Poulter who after 67 70 is at -3 and plays in the penultimate group with Brooks Koepka. Sir Nick Faldo was the last Englishman to win the Open in 1992. Poulter has re invented himself in recent months, and he did finish T2 here back in 2008.
There are so many story lines to talk about. How about US Open champion Brooks Koepka, the American who decided to play his way onto the PGA Tour via the European Challenge and regular tours. He could join the legendary Lee Trevino who in 1971 came to Royal Birkdale as US Open champion and went on to beat Mr Lu and hoist the Claret Jug. Tiger Woods did it in 2000 and Tom Watson in 1982.
However possibly the biggest story today is Rory McIlroy who was on his way out of this championship at +5 until his caddy gave him a bollocking and the kick in the pants worked and at 71 68 he is T6 -1. He tees off with big hitting Gary Woodland at 10.25pm and with Rory on a roll I'd expect him to post a score that will have a huge crowd roaring. The Open record is 63. Remember Royal Birkdale is par 70.
Many past champions missed the cut which fell at +5, including Phil Mickelson who's long time caddy Jim Bones McKay is in the broadcast booth after Phil fired him.
Padraig Harrington (2008), missed by shot (73,73). Tom Lehman (1996) ,Darren Clarke (2011), Paul Lawrie (1999) all missed the cut as did the likes of Stewart Cink with scores of (150), David Duval (151) Mark O’Meara (151) Louis Oosthuizen (152) John Daly (152), Sandy Lyle (153) and Todd Hamilton (158).
Other notables, Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas, all missed out by two shots on seven over par 147.
It's the 146th Open steeped in history, with more to be written this weekend. For sure on a traditional Saturday moving day, will ideal scoring conditions, the leaderboard will look a lot different come dinner time tonight, with one exception in my opinion, Jordan Spieth will still be on top.
We'll see..
Bryan Angus
Friday, July 21, 2017
Austin Connelly amongst the leaders, round 2 at Royal Birkdale
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Round 2 is well under way at Royal Birkdale and here's what you need to know about the weather.
The wind is blowing completely the opposite from round 1, for example the first was dead into the wind yesterday, today Rory nearly drove the 425 yard first with a 379 yard 3 wood !! ( He made his birdie and is currently back to E)
It will be gusting up to 40mph, and the rain is scheduled to arrive for the late wave. Players are all talking about playing along the ground today, get a few breaks and make a few putts.
Even par is a very good score today.
Canada's Austin Connelly is playing in the early wave, he has a birdie already and is at -4 through 12 holes, just 2 shots off the lead currently held by Matt Kuchar at -6.
More to follow..
Bryan Angus
Round 2 is well under way at Royal Birkdale and here's what you need to know about the weather.
The wind is blowing completely the opposite from round 1, for example the first was dead into the wind yesterday, today Rory nearly drove the 425 yard first with a 379 yard 3 wood !! ( He made his birdie and is currently back to E)
It will be gusting up to 40mph, and the rain is scheduled to arrive for the late wave. Players are all talking about playing along the ground today, get a few breaks and make a few putts.
Even par is a very good score today.
Canada's Austin Connelly is playing in the early wave, he has a birdie already and is at -4 through 12 holes, just 2 shots off the lead currently held by Matt Kuchar at -6.
More to follow..
Bryan Angus
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Open weather at Royal Birkdale.. sees Spieth, Koepka. Kuchar in an American lead
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
Royal Birkdale was much more kind than it was nine years ago when Paddy Harrington won, in raging wind and rain. The 146th Open began in cool temperatures, a light rain but a strong wind.
Two great bunker shots by leaders Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka one for par, one for eagle led to a -5 65 who along with Matt Kuchar led to the opening round lead of the Open.
Austin Connelly was the top Canadian in his first major, sitting just two strokes back of the leaders with -3 67. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., opened at 1 over 71.
The American Ryder Cup trio have a joint first round lead of one stroke over England’s Paul Casey (66) and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (66). Two strokes further adrift are six others, including a fired up Ian Poulter (67) along with Connelly.
Spieth, the bookies 14-1 favourite had this to say post round. "Everything was strong,” he said. “I give it a nine across the board for everything - tee balls, ball-striking, short game and putting. So things are in check"
Rory is at +5.. and struggling. However there may be a silver lining. After dropping the five shots in the first six holes, his caddie, J P Fitzgerald, read the riot act to him: “You’re Rory McIlroy, what the hell are you doing?”
It had the desired effect. McIlroy finished the day on one over par, and still within reach of the leaders. The four-time major champion did not drop a shot after the sixth, and picked up birdies at the 11th, 15th, 17th and 18
Henrik Stenson, seeking back-to-back victories in the championship, had an opening -1 69 as did former world No.1 Jason Day, all in black with white high topped shoes. Stenson had this to say. “I will definitely take that start. I think I could have been one or two shots better and finished two to three under. That would have been a pretty good reflection of how I played"
On a sad note Tommy Fleetwood who has been in great form this year and is from Southport, finds himself 11 shots behind after a disappointing +6 76.
More wind and rain are in the forecast for round 2 which begins at 1.32 am EST. https://www.bing.com/search?q=10%20day%20weather%20for%20southport%20england&pc=cosp&ptag=C1A9C7EDF55B3&form=CONMHP&conlogo=CT3210127
Bryan Angus
(notes from theopen.com)
Royal Birkdale was much more kind than it was nine years ago when Paddy Harrington won, in raging wind and rain. The 146th Open began in cool temperatures, a light rain but a strong wind.
Two great bunker shots by leaders Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka one for par, one for eagle led to a -5 65 who along with Matt Kuchar led to the opening round lead of the Open.
Austin Connelly was the top Canadian in his first major, sitting just two strokes back of the leaders with -3 67. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., opened at 1 over 71.
The American Ryder Cup trio have a joint first round lead of one stroke over England’s Paul Casey (66) and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (66). Two strokes further adrift are six others, including a fired up Ian Poulter (67) along with Connelly.
Spieth, the bookies 14-1 favourite had this to say post round. "Everything was strong,” he said. “I give it a nine across the board for everything - tee balls, ball-striking, short game and putting. So things are in check"
Rory is at +5.. and struggling. However there may be a silver lining. After dropping the five shots in the first six holes, his caddie, J P Fitzgerald, read the riot act to him: “You’re Rory McIlroy, what the hell are you doing?”
It had the desired effect. McIlroy finished the day on one over par, and still within reach of the leaders. The four-time major champion did not drop a shot after the sixth, and picked up birdies at the 11th, 15th, 17th and 18
Henrik Stenson, seeking back-to-back victories in the championship, had an opening -1 69 as did former world No.1 Jason Day, all in black with white high topped shoes. Stenson had this to say. “I will definitely take that start. I think I could have been one or two shots better and finished two to three under. That would have been a pretty good reflection of how I played"
On a sad note Tommy Fleetwood who has been in great form this year and is from Southport, finds himself 11 shots behind after a disappointing +6 76.
More wind and rain are in the forecast for round 2 which begins at 1.32 am EST. https://www.bing.com/search?q=10%20day%20weather%20for%20southport%20england&pc=cosp&ptag=C1A9C7EDF55B3&form=CONMHP&conlogo=CT3210127
Bryan Angus
(notes from theopen.com)
The Open at Royal Birkdale begins in the wind and rain
The Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
In the wee hours of this morning this year's Open got underway at Royal Birkdale on England's NW coast at Southport in a driving rain and a testing wind and a result scoring is at a premium so far.
The very early leaders, Ian Poulter and Alex Noren are at -1. Remember Southport is 5 hours ahead of EST, so as I pen this at 5am EST, it is 10am there, and the rain has now blown through, but the wind will be around all day.
Henrik Stenson is the defending champion after his epic final round with Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon which is just up the coast.
There are 2 Canadians to follow Adam Hadwin and Austin Connelly.
This is the 10th time Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open from 1954 through 2017. Winners at the course include Pádraig Harrington, Mark O'Meara, Ian Baker-Finch, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer and Peter Thomson (twice).
For you who have followed golf as long as I have you will remember this is the course where in 1969 the Ryder Cup ended in a 16–16 tie when Jack Nicklaus generously conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin to halve their match, which later became known as "The Concession."
One of the features of the course is that no 2 consecutive holes are played in the same direction, so you have different conditions on each tee, and with it's huge sand dunes it has more elevation changes than most links and there are some blind tee shots like the very difficult par 4 6th.
Jordan Spieth starts the week as the bookies favourite at 14-1.
So the sun is out now but the breeze is fresh, I will be back here around dinner time tonight with my summary, I have provided the link to https://www.theopen.com/ so you can follow all the action and your favourites.
Bryan Angus
In the wee hours of this morning this year's Open got underway at Royal Birkdale on England's NW coast at Southport in a driving rain and a testing wind and a result scoring is at a premium so far.
The very early leaders, Ian Poulter and Alex Noren are at -1. Remember Southport is 5 hours ahead of EST, so as I pen this at 5am EST, it is 10am there, and the rain has now blown through, but the wind will be around all day.
Henrik Stenson is the defending champion after his epic final round with Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon which is just up the coast.
There are 2 Canadians to follow Adam Hadwin and Austin Connelly.
This is the 10th time Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open from 1954 through 2017. Winners at the course include Pádraig Harrington, Mark O'Meara, Ian Baker-Finch, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer and Peter Thomson (twice).
For you who have followed golf as long as I have you will remember this is the course where in 1969 the Ryder Cup ended in a 16–16 tie when Jack Nicklaus generously conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin to halve their match, which later became known as "The Concession."
One of the features of the course is that no 2 consecutive holes are played in the same direction, so you have different conditions on each tee, and with it's huge sand dunes it has more elevation changes than most links and there are some blind tee shots like the very difficult par 4 6th.
Jordan Spieth starts the week as the bookies favourite at 14-1.
So the sun is out now but the breeze is fresh, I will be back here around dinner time tonight with my summary, I have provided the link to https://www.theopen.com/ so you can follow all the action and your favourites.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Ian Poulter tied for the lead at AAM Scottish Open
European Tour AAM Scottish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/aberdeen-asset-management-scottish-open/#leaderboard
Well as I mentioned yesterday, the wind and rain that Scots endure as so much of their daily lives blew through the west coast yesterday, flooding parts of the course, preferred lies were in effect, and as is the custom over there, play continued, and at the end of the day an Englishman of all people, Ian Poulter continued his golfing resurrection 67 69 71 to sit atop the AAM Scottish Open leaderboard at -9, along with another Englishman, unheralded Callum Shinkwin 67 68 72, and veteran Aussie Andrew Dodt 67 69 71.
Poulter and Dodt will be the final pairing at 1535, or 9.35am EST.
Poulter, recently plagued by injury, seemed out of the game earlier this year when he was told he had lost his playing privileges on the PGA Tour, only to find there was an administrative gaffe, and he was back in, barely. Today he has a chance to put all that behind him on this Dundonald Links with next week's Open in mind.
The rain has gone, the wind has died down, although it may get up as the tide comes in later this afternoon, and the course is soft so scoring will be lower today.
The scoreboard is bunched behind the leaders, Rickie Fowler is at -5 after his 74 yesterday so watch for him to make a move as he did at Gullane two years ago.
Bryan Angus
Well as I mentioned yesterday, the wind and rain that Scots endure as so much of their daily lives blew through the west coast yesterday, flooding parts of the course, preferred lies were in effect, and as is the custom over there, play continued, and at the end of the day an Englishman of all people, Ian Poulter continued his golfing resurrection 67 69 71 to sit atop the AAM Scottish Open leaderboard at -9, along with another Englishman, unheralded Callum Shinkwin 67 68 72, and veteran Aussie Andrew Dodt 67 69 71.
Poulter and Dodt will be the final pairing at 1535, or 9.35am EST.
Poulter, recently plagued by injury, seemed out of the game earlier this year when he was told he had lost his playing privileges on the PGA Tour, only to find there was an administrative gaffe, and he was back in, barely. Today he has a chance to put all that behind him on this Dundonald Links with next week's Open in mind.
The rain has gone, the wind has died down, although it may get up as the tide comes in later this afternoon, and the course is soft so scoring will be lower today.
The scoreboard is bunched behind the leaders, Rickie Fowler is at -5 after his 74 yesterday so watch for him to make a move as he did at Gullane two years ago.
Bryan Angus
US Women's Open led by China's Feng, dominated by South Koreans
LPGA US Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/leaderboard
Much is being made of the appearance of Donald Trump this week at this Old Course, at Trump National, the course he owns, and where he lives in Bedminster NJ. As he travels the globe introducing himself and his game plan to world leaders, he returns home to a "problem" even a guy with his immense ego can't solve.
While the stars and stripes fly's over his golf course, the flags of China, and South Korea, and Spain, and New Zealand, and England and Sweden and yes Canada fly over the leaderboard.
Shanshan Feng from China shot a -1 71 to reach -9 207 while South Korean amateur Hye-Jin Choi and Amy Yang are T2 tied for second at -8 in this American national championship where the South Koreans are overwhelmingly dominant.
The top six players chasing Feng are all from South Korea, the only American is in eighth place. Cristie Kerr, who is at -4. Of the top 26 players, only 6 are American and only Kerr has an outside chance. Stacy Lewis used to be #1, but she has not won since 2014, made a mess of her back nine yesterday, finishing with a 10 at the last in front of her President, leaving her at +2 and out of it.
A whopping 13 of the 26 are from South Korea. "Yes, quite a few Korean players on the top leaderboard,” said Sung Hyun Park who shot 67 to get to -6, "the course is similar to some in South Korea. I think most of them, if not all, have strong capability to play really well"
World #1, So Yeon Ryu (71), Mirim Lee (67) and Jeongeun Lee (73) are -5
Kerr, who has won the US Open is at shot 70, -4 total with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (72).
Brooke Henderson had a bogey and a birdie, out in 36, then 2 bogey's and a birdie coming home in 37, 73 and starts today at -2 under when she tees off at 1.08pm. She hit 10/14 fairways, but needed 32 putts .
Because of my Scottish heritage, I have always had an international view of what it is like to immigrate to Canada, and therefore to the USA. From abroad the USA is always viewed as the land of milk and honey. Better weather, opportunity, houses, cars, clothes,,, just everything, than you left at home.
South Koreans view it the same way, and schooled by their parents they will do whatever it takes to succeed and grab their share of the riches that abound here, and in the world of women's golf they are.
In general American born girls are just not cut from the same cloth. They weren't born with the same DNA, they don't come from the same desperation, therefore they are not as driven.
Golf has become a world wide game, the LPGA spends 6 straight week's in Asia at the end of every season. However if the game is to flourish in America where the LPGA Tour is, they need American champions to promote.
With absolutely no disrespect intended, not enough sports fans in mainstream American care about the LPGA, and certainly don't know or care if a young woman from China or South Korea or anywhere else takes their national championship, and more importantly the LPGA cannot use their win to promote their tour, especially if there is a language barrier.
Bryan Angus
Much is being made of the appearance of Donald Trump this week at this Old Course, at Trump National, the course he owns, and where he lives in Bedminster NJ. As he travels the globe introducing himself and his game plan to world leaders, he returns home to a "problem" even a guy with his immense ego can't solve.
While the stars and stripes fly's over his golf course, the flags of China, and South Korea, and Spain, and New Zealand, and England and Sweden and yes Canada fly over the leaderboard.
Shanshan Feng from China shot a -1 71 to reach -9 207 while South Korean amateur Hye-Jin Choi and Amy Yang are T2 tied for second at -8 in this American national championship where the South Koreans are overwhelmingly dominant.
The top six players chasing Feng are all from South Korea, the only American is in eighth place. Cristie Kerr, who is at -4. Of the top 26 players, only 6 are American and only Kerr has an outside chance. Stacy Lewis used to be #1, but she has not won since 2014, made a mess of her back nine yesterday, finishing with a 10 at the last in front of her President, leaving her at +2 and out of it.
A whopping 13 of the 26 are from South Korea. "Yes, quite a few Korean players on the top leaderboard,” said Sung Hyun Park who shot 67 to get to -6, "the course is similar to some in South Korea. I think most of them, if not all, have strong capability to play really well"
World #1, So Yeon Ryu (71), Mirim Lee (67) and Jeongeun Lee (73) are -5
Kerr, who has won the US Open is at shot 70, -4 total with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (72).
Brooke Henderson had a bogey and a birdie, out in 36, then 2 bogey's and a birdie coming home in 37, 73 and starts today at -2 under when she tees off at 1.08pm. She hit 10/14 fairways, but needed 32 putts .
Because of my Scottish heritage, I have always had an international view of what it is like to immigrate to Canada, and therefore to the USA. From abroad the USA is always viewed as the land of milk and honey. Better weather, opportunity, houses, cars, clothes,,, just everything, than you left at home.
South Koreans view it the same way, and schooled by their parents they will do whatever it takes to succeed and grab their share of the riches that abound here, and in the world of women's golf they are.
In general American born girls are just not cut from the same cloth. They weren't born with the same DNA, they don't come from the same desperation, therefore they are not as driven.
Golf has become a world wide game, the LPGA spends 6 straight week's in Asia at the end of every season. However if the game is to flourish in America where the LPGA Tour is, they need American champions to promote.
With absolutely no disrespect intended, not enough sports fans in mainstream American care about the LPGA, and certainly don't know or care if a young woman from China or South Korea or anywhere else takes their national championship, and more importantly the LPGA cannot use their win to promote their tour, especially if there is a language barrier.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Brooke Henderson T10, 5 shots off the lead at US Women's Open
US Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/leaderboard
27-year-old Chinese player Shanshan Feng shot a -2 70 and has a 36-hole total of -8 136 on this water logged 6732 yard Trump course in Bedminster NJ.
Brooke Henderson is scrambling beautifully at has shot 70 71 -3 T10. Alena Sharp 76 72 +4 T69, and amateur Maddie Szeryk 72 77 +5 both missed the cut.
Lydia Ko is also at -3 with Henderson.
The soaking rain over the last 2 days has really softened the course, so play favours the long hitters.
Brooke is amongst the longest and she tweeted this: I'm a few shots back. Hopefully I can make that up the next 2 days & put myself in contention on Sunday"
Bryan Angus
27-year-old Chinese player Shanshan Feng shot a -2 70 and has a 36-hole total of -8 136 on this water logged 6732 yard Trump course in Bedminster NJ.
Brooke Henderson is scrambling beautifully at has shot 70 71 -3 T10. Alena Sharp 76 72 +4 T69, and amateur Maddie Szeryk 72 77 +5 both missed the cut.
Lydia Ko is also at -3 with Henderson.
The soaking rain over the last 2 days has really softened the course, so play favours the long hitters.
Brooke is amongst the longest and she tweeted this: I'm a few shots back. Hopefully I can make that up the next 2 days & put myself in contention on Sunday"
Bryan Angus
Scottish weather strikes AAM Scottish Open, McIlroy misses another cut.
European Tour AAM Scottish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/aberdeen-asset-management-scottish-open/#leaderboard
"Due the threat of high winds the leaders will now tee-off at 11.58 local time, three hours ahead of scheduled, play is therefore to finish just before 16.00 local time".
Thus round 3 is already under way at 6am EST at the AAM Scottish Open with all the leaders in play. Paddy Harrington dropped a shot early and is at -8.
Scores are changing as you can imagine but the leaders are a mix of guys you've never heard of and stars so follow your favourites on my leaderboard link above.
Besides Harrington and his 3 majors, Rickie Fowler is the biggest name remaining and after 67 70 on these Dundonald Links in Ayrshire he has made an early birdie to get to -8. Ian Poulter, 67 69 is now at -9.
The biggest name, Rory McIlroy shot 74 71, but barely missed the cut which fell at E, as his putting woes continued.
Unknowns like England's Callum Shinkwin 67 68 -9, Alexander Knappe of Germany 70 65 -9 are also tied for the lead.
Aussie veteran Andrew Dodt 67 69 -8 is having a great week.
So look for great wind players like Harrington and Fowler to excel in this wind at the end of play today.
Bryan Angus
"Due the threat of high winds the leaders will now tee-off at 11.58 local time, three hours ahead of scheduled, play is therefore to finish just before 16.00 local time".
Thus round 3 is already under way at 6am EST at the AAM Scottish Open with all the leaders in play. Paddy Harrington dropped a shot early and is at -8.
Scores are changing as you can imagine but the leaders are a mix of guys you've never heard of and stars so follow your favourites on my leaderboard link above.
Besides Harrington and his 3 majors, Rickie Fowler is the biggest name remaining and after 67 70 on these Dundonald Links in Ayrshire he has made an early birdie to get to -8. Ian Poulter, 67 69 is now at -9.
The biggest name, Rory McIlroy shot 74 71, but barely missed the cut which fell at E, as his putting woes continued.
Unknowns like England's Callum Shinkwin 67 68 -9, Alexander Knappe of Germany 70 65 -9 are also tied for the lead.
Aussie veteran Andrew Dodt 67 69 -8 is having a great week.
So look for great wind players like Harrington and Fowler to excel in this wind at the end of play today.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Brooke Henderson -2 70 T12 at Womens' US Open
LPGA Tour US Womens Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson has opened her challenge for the US Women's Open with a T12 -2 70, 4 shots behind chubby Chinese super star Shanshan Feng at -6 66.
Other Canadian scores : Alena Sharp +1 at the turn Maddie Szeryk T46 E 72
As usual the South Koreans are in the mix. Amy Yang -5 67 and So Reon Ryu -4 68..
Its a huge week for this tour, playing at the Trump course at Bedminster NJ...
Lydia Ko is also -4 68. Defending champion Brittany Lincicome shot E 72
Round 1 is still under way...
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson has opened her challenge for the US Women's Open with a T12 -2 70, 4 shots behind chubby Chinese super star Shanshan Feng at -6 66.
Other Canadian scores : Alena Sharp +1 at the turn Maddie Szeryk T46 E 72
As usual the South Koreans are in the mix. Amy Yang -5 67 and So Reon Ryu -4 68..
Its a huge week for this tour, playing at the Trump course at Bedminster NJ...
Lydia Ko is also -4 68. Defending champion Brittany Lincicome shot E 72
Round 1 is still under way...
Bryan Angus
Finland's veteran Mikko Ilonen leads AAM Scottish Open
European Tour AAM Scottish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/aberdeen-asset-management-scottish-open/#leaderboard
The morning wave was in with Rickie Fowler leading the pack at -5 67, until veteran Finn Mikko Ilonen went out and shot -7 65 to grab a two shot lead, before Glenfiddich's and pints of heavy tonight at Dundonald Links on the Scottish Ayrshire coast.
Ilonen shot 31 34 -7 65 with no bogey's in easy conditions for Ayrshire. He is a part time European Tour player these days ranked in the low 400's world wide.
The Finn arrived at Dundonald Links for the fourth event of the Rolex Series off the back of four missed cuts and with just four sub-70 rounds all season.
He is a five-time winner on the European Tour, though - with one of those victories coming on links at the 2014 Irish Open - and he showed all his class on the Ayrshire coast to get to -7 and make an excellent start in the hunt for a share of the seven million dollar prize fund.
World Number ten Rickie Fowler was then in a group of 6 players at -5 67 alongside Paul Peterson, three-time Major Championship winner Padraig Harrington, English duo Ian Poulter and Callum Shinkwin, and Australian Andrew Dodt.
Rory McIlroy has no short game right now and he battled to a +2 74.
The morning wave was in with Rickie Fowler leading the pack at -5 67, until veteran Finn Mikko Ilonen went out and shot -7 65 to grab a two shot lead, before Glenfiddich's and pints of heavy tonight at Dundonald Links on the Scottish Ayrshire coast.
Ilonen shot 31 34 -7 65 with no bogey's in easy conditions for Ayrshire. He is a part time European Tour player these days ranked in the low 400's world wide.
The Finn arrived at Dundonald Links for the fourth event of the Rolex Series off the back of four missed cuts and with just four sub-70 rounds all season.
He is a five-time winner on the European Tour, though - with one of those victories coming on links at the 2014 Irish Open - and he showed all his class on the Ayrshire coast to get to -7 and make an excellent start in the hunt for a share of the seven million dollar prize fund.
World Number ten Rickie Fowler was then in a group of 6 players at -5 67 alongside Paul Peterson, three-time Major Championship winner Padraig Harrington, English duo Ian Poulter and Callum Shinkwin, and Australian Andrew Dodt.
Rory McIlroy has no short game right now and he battled to a +2 74.
Tis the season for links golf..AAM Scottish Open this week
European Tour AAM Scottish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/aberdeen-asset-management-scottish-open/#leaderboard
Last week it was the Irish Open on the links at Portstewart in Northern Ireland, hard by the Irish Sea where big John Rahm wrote his name in history lapping the field by 6 shots with a winning score of -24.
This week it's the AAM Scottish Championship on the beautiful Dundonald Links on Scotland's SW coast in Ayrshire, not far from Royal Troon where Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson put on their epic battle last year with the big Swede shooting 63 to win his first major, the Open championship.
Next week is the Open at Royal Birkdale near Southport just down the coastline in England, near the holiday town of Blackpool.
Three great week's on the links, with all of the weather, heather and creative shot making that we just don't see much of during the regular target golf season.
Play is already under way at Dundonald, and I have provided the leaderboard link.(pun intended !!)
Bryan Angus
Last week it was the Irish Open on the links at Portstewart in Northern Ireland, hard by the Irish Sea where big John Rahm wrote his name in history lapping the field by 6 shots with a winning score of -24.
This week it's the AAM Scottish Championship on the beautiful Dundonald Links on Scotland's SW coast in Ayrshire, not far from Royal Troon where Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson put on their epic battle last year with the big Swede shooting 63 to win his first major, the Open championship.
Next week is the Open at Royal Birkdale near Southport just down the coastline in England, near the holiday town of Blackpool.
Three great week's on the links, with all of the weather, heather and creative shot making that we just don't see much of during the regular target golf season.
Play is already under way at Dundonald, and I have provided the leaderboard link.(pun intended !!)
Bryan Angus
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Nick Taylor T8, as rookie Munoz continues to lead Greenbrier Classic
PGA Tour Greenbrier Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-greenbrier-classic/leaderboard.html
The 24 year Columbian rookie Sebastien Munoz has led this Greenbrier Classic from the get go, and after yesterday's -2 68 he has a 2 shot lead at -14 over Robert Streb who is at -12.
Rookie Xander Schauffele and Jamie Lovemark are -11 after 66s.
Stealing all the headlines is Davis Love III who is at -10 after a 68. At 53, he’s trying to become the oldest winner on the PGA Tour chasing record-holder Sam Snead who won the last of his eight titles at Greensboro in 1965 at 52 years, 10 months, 8 days. Snead was the long-time head pro and at The Greenbrier resort until he died in 2002. The last time I spoke with the legend was when I called him to come on with us on "Fairways" in 1999. His son called him in from mowing his lawn and he was as entertaining as always.
Canadian scores : Nick Taylor (69) is at -8 T8 but 6 shots off the lead. David Hearn (70) is -6 under, Graham DeLaet (71) is -5, Mackenzie Hughes (71) is -3.
Bryan Angus
The 24 year Columbian rookie Sebastien Munoz has led this Greenbrier Classic from the get go, and after yesterday's -2 68 he has a 2 shot lead at -14 over Robert Streb who is at -12.
Rookie Xander Schauffele and Jamie Lovemark are -11 after 66s.
Stealing all the headlines is Davis Love III who is at -10 after a 68. At 53, he’s trying to become the oldest winner on the PGA Tour chasing record-holder Sam Snead who won the last of his eight titles at Greensboro in 1965 at 52 years, 10 months, 8 days. Snead was the long-time head pro and at The Greenbrier resort until he died in 2002. The last time I spoke with the legend was when I called him to come on with us on "Fairways" in 1999. His son called him in from mowing his lawn and he was as entertaining as always.
Canadian scores : Nick Taylor (69) is at -8 T8 but 6 shots off the lead. David Hearn (70) is -6 under, Graham DeLaet (71) is -5, Mackenzie Hughes (71) is -3.
Bryan Angus
Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic is Kirk's to lose at -20
LPGA Tour Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/thornberry-creek-lpga-classic/leaderboard
With rounds of 63 65 so far this weekend Aussie veteran Katherine Kirk has reached -20 at this inaugural Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic near Green Bay and she takes a 4 shot lead into today's final round, so it's her's to lose.
However she has only won twice in 14 years on tour, so hasn't been this far in front before, so let's see how she copes. She sounded cautiously confident in her post game presser.
" I’ve been playing pretty well lately, trending at least in the right direction. I like this golf course. It suits my eye, and I think it’s going to take another low one tomorrow. You saw some really good scores out there today. It’s not over until it’s over, right"
So with the tour's top stars off this week, who is chasing Kirk?
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai is second at -16 after a 65. She’s winless on the LPGA Tour. Then comes Japan’s Ayako Uehara (65) and England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff (66) T3 at -13. Suzann Pettersen (66) is another stroke back at -12 along with Tiffany Joh (66), Cristie Kerr (67), Angel Yin (67), Megan Khang (67), Jaye Marie Green (70) and Sandra Gal (72).
Canadian scores: Alena Sharp (70) - 9, Brooke Henderson (69) -8 under, Augusta James (69) -7 under and Samantha Richdale (71) -6.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)
Coming off a career-best 63 on Friday, the 35-year-old Australian reached 20-under 196 in the first year event at Thornberry Creek _ the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay
With rounds of 63 65 so far this weekend Aussie veteran Katherine Kirk has reached -20 at this inaugural Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic near Green Bay and she takes a 4 shot lead into today's final round, so it's her's to lose.
However she has only won twice in 14 years on tour, so hasn't been this far in front before, so let's see how she copes. She sounded cautiously confident in her post game presser.
" I’ve been playing pretty well lately, trending at least in the right direction. I like this golf course. It suits my eye, and I think it’s going to take another low one tomorrow. You saw some really good scores out there today. It’s not over until it’s over, right"
So with the tour's top stars off this week, who is chasing Kirk?
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai is second at -16 after a 65. She’s winless on the LPGA Tour. Then comes Japan’s Ayako Uehara (65) and England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff (66) T3 at -13. Suzann Pettersen (66) is another stroke back at -12 along with Tiffany Joh (66), Cristie Kerr (67), Angel Yin (67), Megan Khang (67), Jaye Marie Green (70) and Sandra Gal (72).
Canadian scores: Alena Sharp (70) - 9, Brooke Henderson (69) -8 under, Augusta James (69) -7 under and Samantha Richdale (71) -6.
Bryan Angus
(notes from lpgatour.com)
Coming off a career-best 63 on Friday, the 35-year-old Australian reached 20-under 196 in the first year event at Thornberry Creek _ the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay
Rahm my favourite in the rain at Dubai Duty Free Irish Open
European Tour Duty Free Irish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/dubai-duty-free-irish-open-hosted-by-the-rory-foundation/#leaderboard
After Saturday's blinding sunshine at Portstewart GC, the beautiful links hard by the Irish Sea, the more traditional overcast skies with the accompanying rain showers has arrived overnight.
The winds however are what locals consider a breeze, and ask any pro, rain is ok, but the wind is their main weather concern. Whatever, the course should get a little longer and the greens a little slower and softer which mean the guys could get more aggressive with their approaches.
The leaders at -17 are American Daniel Im who has had part of the lead all week, and Spain's next super star big Jon Rahm who is looking to add his name to other Spanish greats like Seve (3) and Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio who have won this Irish national championship.
Young Frenchman Ben Hebert is at -16, Japan's Hideto Tanihara has moved up to -15 with another Frenchman Julien Quesne at -14. There are four players at -13 including Justin Rose who I would pick to be the one who is more than capable to make a challenge from the pack.
For my money Rahm is the favourite, he has gotten much better at controlling his temper, and is longer and more talented than any of his nearest pursuers with the exception of Olympic champion and US Open winner Rose.
Rahm is in the last pairing, so also has the advantage of seeing what those in front of him are doing.
The Irish fans have stood in the pouring rain to watch this tournament many a time including a torrential soaking when Shane Lowry won as an amateur in 2009 at County Louth. They are scheduled to get wet again today, however I expect Jon Rahm to provide a ray of Spanish sunshine come dinner time tonight !
Bryan Angus
After Saturday's blinding sunshine at Portstewart GC, the beautiful links hard by the Irish Sea, the more traditional overcast skies with the accompanying rain showers has arrived overnight.
The winds however are what locals consider a breeze, and ask any pro, rain is ok, but the wind is their main weather concern. Whatever, the course should get a little longer and the greens a little slower and softer which mean the guys could get more aggressive with their approaches.
The leaders at -17 are American Daniel Im who has had part of the lead all week, and Spain's next super star big Jon Rahm who is looking to add his name to other Spanish greats like Seve (3) and Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio who have won this Irish national championship.
Young Frenchman Ben Hebert is at -16, Japan's Hideto Tanihara has moved up to -15 with another Frenchman Julien Quesne at -14. There are four players at -13 including Justin Rose who I would pick to be the one who is more than capable to make a challenge from the pack.
For my money Rahm is the favourite, he has gotten much better at controlling his temper, and is longer and more talented than any of his nearest pursuers with the exception of Olympic champion and US Open winner Rose.
Rahm is in the last pairing, so also has the advantage of seeing what those in front of him are doing.
The Irish fans have stood in the pouring rain to watch this tournament many a time including a torrential soaking when Shane Lowry won as an amateur in 2009 at County Louth. They are scheduled to get wet again today, however I expect Jon Rahm to provide a ray of Spanish sunshine come dinner time tonight !
Bryan Angus
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp lead Canadian contingent at the Thornbury Creek LPGA Classic
LPGA Tour Thornbury Creek LPGA Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/thornberry-creek-lpga-classic/leaderboard
The LPGA tour is playing at the brand new event at Thornberry Creek, the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay. Many on the tour have shown up to lend their support including Canadians Brook Henderson (71 68 -5), Alena Sharp (67 -1 thru 13), Augusta James ( 71 69 -4) and Jennifer Ha (74 73 +3)
However world #1, So Yeon Ryu, #3 Lexi Thompson and #4 Lydia Ko are taking the week off before the U.S. Women’s Open next week at Trump International in New Jersey.
Aussie veteran Katherine Kirk shot a career-best -9 63, -13 total to take a three-stroke lead in the weather-delayed second round. She only has two wins in 14 years but she took full advantage of the soft course, playing her back nine in a career best -7 29.
Jaye Marie Green shot 66 to get to -10 while long legged Sandra Gal of Germany was also -10 through 13 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.
In Gee Chun, the highest-ranked player remaining in the field at #5, was -5 through 12 holes and as I mentioned #8 Brooke Henderson is also at -5 coming off her gut wrenching runner-up position in last week’s Women’s PGA Championship.
Bryan Angus
The LPGA tour is playing at the brand new event at Thornberry Creek, the Oneida Nation-owned resort near Green Bay. Many on the tour have shown up to lend their support including Canadians Brook Henderson (71 68 -5), Alena Sharp (67 -1 thru 13), Augusta James ( 71 69 -4) and Jennifer Ha (74 73 +3)
However world #1, So Yeon Ryu, #3 Lexi Thompson and #4 Lydia Ko are taking the week off before the U.S. Women’s Open next week at Trump International in New Jersey.
Aussie veteran Katherine Kirk shot a career-best -9 63, -13 total to take a three-stroke lead in the weather-delayed second round. She only has two wins in 14 years but she took full advantage of the soft course, playing her back nine in a career best -7 29.
Jaye Marie Green shot 66 to get to -10 while long legged Sandra Gal of Germany was also -10 through 13 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.
In Gee Chun, the highest-ranked player remaining in the field at #5, was -5 through 12 holes and as I mentioned #8 Brooke Henderson is also at -5 coming off her gut wrenching runner-up position in last week’s Women’s PGA Championship.
Bryan Angus
4 Canadians in the weekend top 25 at the Greenbrier Classic
PGA Tour Greenbrier Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-greenbrier-classic/leaderboard.html
24 year old Columbian Sebastien Munoz has shot 61 67 -13 to take a 3 shot lead into this weekend down in White Sulphur Springs,WV, at the Greenbrier Classic.
Munoz won the Conference USA individual title at playing at North Texas in 2015 and earned his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour last year. He’s still looking for his first top-10 finish this year.
Next are Hudson Swafford (66 -9) who won the CareerBuilder Challenge in January and has two other top 10 finishes this season and Ben Martin who has one Tour win, and shot 67 -9 total.
Good news for Canadian golf fans as 4 players are inside the top 25 led by Nick Taylor T7 (69) -8, while David Hearn T12 (69) and Graham DeLaet T12(70) are -6. Mackenzie Hughes T22 (67) -5. Brad Fritsch MC.
Davis Love III, seeking to become the oldest-ever winner on the PGA Tour, followed up his first-round 63 with a 69 -8 total and speaking of old guys Phil Mickelson has made the cut here for the first time as he ramps up for the Open in 3 weeks time. Of note his long time caddy Jim Bones McKay is now in the broadcast booth with NBC.
Bryan Angus
24 year old Columbian Sebastien Munoz has shot 61 67 -13 to take a 3 shot lead into this weekend down in White Sulphur Springs,WV, at the Greenbrier Classic.
Munoz won the Conference USA individual title at playing at North Texas in 2015 and earned his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour last year. He’s still looking for his first top-10 finish this year.
Next are Hudson Swafford (66 -9) who won the CareerBuilder Challenge in January and has two other top 10 finishes this season and Ben Martin who has one Tour win, and shot 67 -9 total.
Good news for Canadian golf fans as 4 players are inside the top 25 led by Nick Taylor T7 (69) -8, while David Hearn T12 (69) and Graham DeLaet T12(70) are -6. Mackenzie Hughes T22 (67) -5. Brad Fritsch MC.
Davis Love III, seeking to become the oldest-ever winner on the PGA Tour, followed up his first-round 63 with a 69 -8 total and speaking of old guys Phil Mickelson has made the cut here for the first time as he ramps up for the Open in 3 weeks time. Of note his long time caddy Jim Bones McKay is now in the broadcast booth with NBC.
Bryan Angus
Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.. Rory misses the cut...
European Tour Dubai Duty Free Irish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/dubai-duty-free-irish-open-hosted-by-the-rory-foundation/#leaderboard
With rounds of 72 73 the host and star attraction of this Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has bowed out, as Rory McIlroy missed the cut for the 4th time in 5 years, after winning it last year !
Rory hasn't played worth a lick since he got married back in May to Erica Stoll. No, seriously it may have more to do with his equipment change. When Nike got out of the equipment business in 2016, he signed up for 10 years and $100m with TaylorMade’s M2 metal woods, wedges, a set of prototype blade irons and the company’s new TP5x golf ball.
Obviously disappointed he will now spend the weekend shaking hands and kissing babies, and "sharpening up my short game" in preparation for next week's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, then the Open at Royal Birkdale.
They are playing this week at the scenic Portstewart Links and the leaderboard is crowded with 13 players within 4 shots of the lead held by Frenchman Benjamin Martin 64 67 -13 and American Daniel Im with the same scores. Big Spaniard Jon Rahm is next at -12 65 67.
Watch for Justin Rose -7 and last week's winner,Peter Uihlein -8 today, they are in the late wave under unusually sunny skies on the coast of the Irish Sea in Northen Ireland.
Bryan Angus
With rounds of 72 73 the host and star attraction of this Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has bowed out, as Rory McIlroy missed the cut for the 4th time in 5 years, after winning it last year !
Rory hasn't played worth a lick since he got married back in May to Erica Stoll. No, seriously it may have more to do with his equipment change. When Nike got out of the equipment business in 2016, he signed up for 10 years and $100m with TaylorMade’s M2 metal woods, wedges, a set of prototype blade irons and the company’s new TP5x golf ball.
Obviously disappointed he will now spend the weekend shaking hands and kissing babies, and "sharpening up my short game" in preparation for next week's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, then the Open at Royal Birkdale.
They are playing this week at the scenic Portstewart Links and the leaderboard is crowded with 13 players within 4 shots of the lead held by Frenchman Benjamin Martin 64 67 -13 and American Daniel Im with the same scores. Big Spaniard Jon Rahm is next at -12 65 67.
Watch for Justin Rose -7 and last week's winner,Peter Uihlein -8 today, they are in the late wave under unusually sunny skies on the coast of the Irish Sea in Northen Ireland.
Bryan Angus
Friday, July 7, 2017
Brooke Henderson, Rory McIlroy back in action.. live leaderboards
This weekend Rory McIlroy hosts the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and Brooke Henderson who came just a roll of the ball from defending her Women's PGA Championship last weekend is at the new Thornbury Creek LPGA Classic outside Green Bay Wisconsin and the first rounds are in the books.
Meanwhile the PGA Tour is at the Greenbrier Classic in Sulphur Springs, Virginia.
Thornbury Creek LPGA Classic leaderboard
http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/thornberry-creek-lpga-classic/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson -1 71, Alena Sharp -5 67 T5, Augusta James -1 71, Jennifer Ha +2 74. The leaders at -7 65 are Sei Young Kim and Spain's Laura Gonsalez Escallon.
PGA Tour Greenbrier Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-greenbrier-classic/leaderboard.html
There are 5 Canadians in the field, 3 of them in the top 10 after the first round.
Graham DeLaet and Nick Taylor are -6 T5 with 64's. Taylor had seven birdies, while DeLaet was bogey-free with six birdies.
David Hearn -5 65 while Mackenzie Hughes and Brad Fritsch are both -1 70
The scoring is low, the leader at -9 61 is Sebastien Munoz. Players were allowed to lift and clean their golf balls in the fairway because of the wet conditions. It took a full year after the June 2016 floods that killed 23 statewide to get Old White back to playing conditions.
European Tour Dubai Duty Free Irish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/
This is part of the new lucrative Rolex Series and Rory is the host. Playing rond 2, American D.Im is leading at -10, with Spanish star Jon Rahm at -9, atop a very strong field at Portstewart GC in Northern Ireland.
Bryan Angus
Meanwhile the PGA Tour is at the Greenbrier Classic in Sulphur Springs, Virginia.
Thornbury Creek LPGA Classic leaderboard
http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/thornberry-creek-lpga-classic/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson -1 71, Alena Sharp -5 67 T5, Augusta James -1 71, Jennifer Ha +2 74. The leaders at -7 65 are Sei Young Kim and Spain's Laura Gonsalez Escallon.
PGA Tour Greenbrier Classic leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/the-greenbrier-classic/leaderboard.html
There are 5 Canadians in the field, 3 of them in the top 10 after the first round.
Graham DeLaet and Nick Taylor are -6 T5 with 64's. Taylor had seven birdies, while DeLaet was bogey-free with six birdies.
David Hearn -5 65 while Mackenzie Hughes and Brad Fritsch are both -1 70
The scoring is low, the leader at -9 61 is Sebastien Munoz. Players were allowed to lift and clean their golf balls in the fairway because of the wet conditions. It took a full year after the June 2016 floods that killed 23 statewide to get Old White back to playing conditions.
European Tour Dubai Duty Free Irish Open leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/
This is part of the new lucrative Rolex Series and Rory is the host. Playing rond 2, American D.Im is leading at -10, with Spanish star Jon Rahm at -9, atop a very strong field at Portstewart GC in Northern Ireland.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Ames T8, Triplett, Perry running away with US Senior Open
US Senior Open leaderboard http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2017/u-s--senior-open/scoring.html
Kirk Triplett 62 67 66 -15 and Kenny Perry 65 64 67 -14 will play for the US Senior Open title tomorrow at the Salem CC in Peabody, Mass.
Brandt Jobe at -9 is the closest of the rest of the field, with Freddie Couples and Tom Lehman at -7.
Stephen Ames has had a fine week 70 66 69 -5 to T8, but as I mentioned this is a 2 horse race.
Bryan Angus
Kirk Triplett 62 67 66 -15 and Kenny Perry 65 64 67 -14 will play for the US Senior Open title tomorrow at the Salem CC in Peabody, Mass.
Brandt Jobe at -9 is the closest of the rest of the field, with Freddie Couples and Tom Lehman at -7.
Stephen Ames has had a fine week 70 66 69 -5 to T8, but as I mentioned this is a 2 horse race.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson 3 shots back at KPMG Women's PGA
LPGA Tour KPMG Women's PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kpmgwomenspgachampionship/leaderboard
Chella Choi with a -4 67 shares the lead with Danielle Kang at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Saturday and they will be in the final pairing.
KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services.
Jiyai Shin, yet another South Korean had the best round of the day -7 64, to get to -8 and she will be in the penultimate pairing with defending champion Brooke Henderson who is at -7 after a 69.
Brooke had 5 birdies and 3 bogey's in her round and begins Sunday spotting the leaders 3 shots in her effort to successfully defend her title.
Alena Sharp shot -2 69 to sit T27.
The total purse is $3,500,000 and this is the 2nd major of the year. The LPGA Tour has 3 majors in the next 6 weeks.
Bryan Angus
Chella Choi with a -4 67 shares the lead with Danielle Kang at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Saturday and they will be in the final pairing.
KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services.
Jiyai Shin, yet another South Korean had the best round of the day -7 64, to get to -8 and she will be in the penultimate pairing with defending champion Brooke Henderson who is at -7 after a 69.
Brooke had 5 birdies and 3 bogey's in her round and begins Sunday spotting the leaders 3 shots in her effort to successfully defend her title.
Alena Sharp shot -2 69 to sit T27.
The total purse is $3,500,000 and this is the 2nd major of the year. The LPGA Tour has 3 majors in the next 6 weeks.
Bryan Angus
Stephen Ames T12 at US Senior Open.. Triplett, Perry share lead
US Senior Open leaderboard http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2017/u-s--senior-open/scoring.html
Stephen Ames is one of 3 Canucks who teed it up at this years US Senior Open at Salem CC in Peabody Mass., and he has added a -4 66 to his opening E70 to sit T12 after play was suspended due to lightning in the area last evening.
Philip Jonas 75 77 and John Kelly 75 82 both MC.
The leaders are just tearing up this soft Salem course. Kirk Triplett 62 67 and big hitting Kenny Perry 65 64 are both at an unusual major championship -11 after 2 rounds, two shots clear of the field.
The cut fell a +1 sending past favourites like Nick Faldo 73 69, Loren Roberts 71 72, Tom Kite 74 73, Mark Calcavecchia 76 72, Mark O'Meara 75 74, Hale Irwin 72 77, and Peter Jacobsen 77 76 all packing... or back to the broadcast booth !
Bryan Angus
Stephen Ames is one of 3 Canucks who teed it up at this years US Senior Open at Salem CC in Peabody Mass., and he has added a -4 66 to his opening E70 to sit T12 after play was suspended due to lightning in the area last evening.
Philip Jonas 75 77 and John Kelly 75 82 both MC.
The leaders are just tearing up this soft Salem course. Kirk Triplett 62 67 and big hitting Kenny Perry 65 64 are both at an unusual major championship -11 after 2 rounds, two shots clear of the field.
The cut fell a +1 sending past favourites like Nick Faldo 73 69, Loren Roberts 71 72, Tom Kite 74 73, Mark Calcavecchia 76 72, Mark O'Meara 75 74, Hale Irwin 72 77, and Peter Jacobsen 77 76 all packing... or back to the broadcast booth !
Bryan Angus
Nick Taylor T6, trails Lingmerth at Quicken Loans National
PGA Tour Quickens Loans National leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/quicken-loans-national/leaderboard.html
Sweden's David Lingmerth is playing flawless, accurate golf on a very tricky TPC Potomac course near Washington DC, he hasn't made a bogey in 34 holes, is leading the field in fairways hit and GIR (greens in regulation), is a past winner albeit on a different tour, and his 2 rounds of 65 -10 are better that the 4 rounds of -8 he won here with in 2012 on the Web.com.
"It’s definitely as tough as advertised, so I’m hoping to keep plugging away, making more birdies over the weekend.”
Nick Taylor spoiled a 5 birdie round with doubles at the 1st and 18th for a E70 that find him T6 -4, but 6 shots behind Lingmerth.
I am pleased to see Aussie nice guy Geoff Ogilvy back in contention. Winner of the 2006 US Open and once ranked world #3 he has slipped all the way to #232 and is using a special exemption for being in the world top 50 just so he can play this year.
He needs a big week to get into the Open later this month and after shooting 65 in the calm early morning conditions he is at -8 in 2nd place and knows that the top four players this week who aren’t already exempt will qualify, provided that they finish inside the top 12.
He had this to say afterwards. “I have to get the job done here. Back in the day when I was top 50 in the world, you have long-term exemptions, I would have considered going to play France this week.”
Other Canadian scores. Mackenzie Hughes is T37 at +2. David Hearn is T47 at +3
The wind got up in the afternoon and the cut fell at +4 so both Hearn and Hughes will join Taylor this weekend.
Bryan Angus
Sweden's David Lingmerth is playing flawless, accurate golf on a very tricky TPC Potomac course near Washington DC, he hasn't made a bogey in 34 holes, is leading the field in fairways hit and GIR (greens in regulation), is a past winner albeit on a different tour, and his 2 rounds of 65 -10 are better that the 4 rounds of -8 he won here with in 2012 on the Web.com.
"It’s definitely as tough as advertised, so I’m hoping to keep plugging away, making more birdies over the weekend.”
Nick Taylor spoiled a 5 birdie round with doubles at the 1st and 18th for a E70 that find him T6 -4, but 6 shots behind Lingmerth.
I am pleased to see Aussie nice guy Geoff Ogilvy back in contention. Winner of the 2006 US Open and once ranked world #3 he has slipped all the way to #232 and is using a special exemption for being in the world top 50 just so he can play this year.
He needs a big week to get into the Open later this month and after shooting 65 in the calm early morning conditions he is at -8 in 2nd place and knows that the top four players this week who aren’t already exempt will qualify, provided that they finish inside the top 12.
He had this to say afterwards. “I have to get the job done here. Back in the day when I was top 50 in the world, you have long-term exemptions, I would have considered going to play France this week.”
Other Canadian scores. Mackenzie Hughes is T37 at +2. David Hearn is T47 at +3
The wind got up in the afternoon and the cut fell at +4 so both Hearn and Hughes will join Taylor this weekend.
Bryan Angus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)