Rory's weekend play wasn't close to matching his start at the BMW PGA Championship, Corey Connors and Ben Silverman had solid weeks in Texas, the Women's US Open goes this week while the men are at Shinnecock Hills next month, with former champion Justin Rose in great form heading into it.
This and more in my Tuesday twosomes..
* Today is National Golf Day in Canada, with courses encouraging all people to play at low cost, mostly at off peak times. $20 walking is not uncommon. Yesterday my pal Kevin Thistle and his PGA of Canada team were lobbying MP's and Senators on Parliament Hill. By the way Mark Patterson from Saskatchewan is their President for this year.
* Rory McIlroy's 67 65 start to the BMW PGA had us all "blinded by the light" as it turns out. He was at his mercurial best on Thursday and Friday, making this game look so easy, when we all know it isn't. After finishing second to a very worthy Francesco Molinari after fighting his game all weekend he told us " My game isn't quite there yet, it's very close, but there were enough loose shots even on Thursday and Friday to make me realize that. The changes in my swing we've been tweaking need more than a weekend's practice to imbed them, and it showed this weekend."
* In my last post I chronicled Corey Connors career best 63 on Saturday at the Fort Worth Invitational. That propelled him to a -1 69 on Sunday and his first ever PGA Tour top 10, T8 -9. More good news, he is now 109th in Fed Ex Cup standings
* Ben Silverman finished strongly with a -5 65 and just missed at top 10 of his own, T11 -8 (he shot a 29 front nine!). He is now 124th on the Fed Ex list.
* Justin Rose won the US Open in 2013 and his winning performance over the weekend at the Colonial makes him one of the favourites for this year's event at Shinnecock Hills next month. Justin who missed the first 23 cuts when he turned pro away back when, thrives on straight driving and a strong iron game, When his putter gets hot is when he wins. He is now world #3 and with a win this week he can become #1.
* Brooke Henderson (#16th) and Alena Sharp (#133rd) took last week at the Volvik Championship off, but this week they are in the Women's US Open field in Alabama at Shoal Creek, along with amateur rookie Celeste Dao.
* This week it's Jack's tournament, the Memorial at Muirfield Village with Adam Hadwin and Mac Hughes in the field. Jack won the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1966 where the rough was so high, they cut it and sold it as a hay concession after the event so the members could play their course ! He named Muirfield Village in honour of that win.
* As many of you know I spent the better part of 20 years at the Fan590 and a pal of mine Doug Smith, the fine sports writer for the Star, mainly basketball, was a regular on all of our shows, always entertaining and insightful. He had a hectic schedule and may not taken the best care of his health, and had a massive heart attack at the ACC back in April. It was with great joy I caught his blog a few days ago and he chronicles the absolutely unbelievable work this city's heart doctors do on a daily basis to save our lives. Doctors my father never knew gave him another 25 years with us until he passed at 97.
Welcome back Smitty, as the old saying goes "You never appreciate your health til you lose it"
* I caught a little of Gail Graham on my old Fairways show on the Fan590, now called the Golf Show with Scott Metcalfe still showing up on Saturday mornings (when are you ever going to retire Scott). Gail wasn't our best female pro, but she was a stalwart in the Canadian game, as a player, coach, administrator and broadcaster so tip of my cap as she gets inducted to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame this summer.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Corey Connors brilliant 63 moves him to T4 at the Fort Worth Invitational
PGA Tour Fort Worth Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/fort-worth-invitational/leaderboard.html
On a day of low scoring, Corey Connors had eight birdies over his last 12 holes for a career-best round of 63, T4 -8 total, the 63 tied for the best of the day.
He will be 6 shots behind the leader, Justin Rose who has a 4 shot lead at -14. Rose,, an Englishman, has received a little criticism for choosing this event over the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club, but has answered by playing head and shoulders above the rest of the field so far.
Connors only made one bogey and he will be in the second last group today with Emiliano Grillo who is at -10, T2. In his last two events when he was in the lead or in contention after 54 holes, Corey has disappointed, so we'll see if he can improve on that today.
Other Canadians: Mac Hughes -3 T38, Ben Silverman -3 T38, Adam Hadwin -2 T47.
Bryan Angus
On a day of low scoring, Corey Connors had eight birdies over his last 12 holes for a career-best round of 63, T4 -8 total, the 63 tied for the best of the day.
He will be 6 shots behind the leader, Justin Rose who has a 4 shot lead at -14. Rose,, an Englishman, has received a little criticism for choosing this event over the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club, but has answered by playing head and shoulders above the rest of the field so far.
Connors only made one bogey and he will be in the second last group today with Emiliano Grillo who is at -10, T2. In his last two events when he was in the lead or in contention after 54 holes, Corey has disappointed, so we'll see if he can improve on that today.
Other Canadians: Mac Hughes -3 T38, Ben Silverman -3 T38, Adam Hadwin -2 T47.
Bryan Angus
Rory struggles, Molinari soars at BMW PGA Championship
European Tour BMW PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018044/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
We're not sure who coined the phrase " the toughest course in the world is the one between your ears", but yesterday Rory McIlroy surely epitomized it as he began his 3rd round. Wild off the tee, missing little putts he went +3 through 6 holes. Gone was the confident demeanour of his 67 65 start. As they say in Ireland " he was playing like a diddy !"
As they play the 9th Molinari is in front and playing full of confidence, -3 so far, -16. Two shots behind, -1 on the day at -14 is McIlroy who is still driving it wildly at times for some reason and still struggling, so far. Will he battle back again?
Alex Noren is at -12 and Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard is next at -11...
Follow their progress on the leaderboard link above..
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
We're not sure who coined the phrase " the toughest course in the world is the one between your ears", but yesterday Rory McIlroy surely epitomized it as he began his 3rd round. Wild off the tee, missing little putts he went +3 through 6 holes. Gone was the confident demeanour of his 67 65 start. As they say in Ireland " he was playing like a diddy !"
He entered day at the BMW PGA Championship, the first Rolex Series event of the season with a three-shot lead but eventually carded a -1 71 in windy conditions to leave the door open for last season's runner-up Francesco Molinari who was in fine form, posting a brilliant -6 66.
It was Molinari who made an early birdie to edge into a one-shot lead at -14 and he is immediately looking the sharpest of the three. Remember he was a runner-up here last season and has five top tens in his last six appearances at Wentworth Club. Talk about horses for courses!
Rory eventually settled down, started driving properly, hitting his irons more accurately and to his credit battled back and had this to say afterwards. "I scrambled well for the most part. I was four under for the last 12 holes in this wind, which was pretty good, but it wasn't the calibre of golf that I played yesterday. I need to start hitting more quality shots and put the ball in play "
With round 4 now underway, the Tour moved the tee times up, paired the field in threesomes with McIlroy, Molinari at -13 playing with Ross Fisher at -9. Stormy weather is expected later today
As they play the 9th Molinari is in front and playing full of confidence, -3 so far, -16. Two shots behind, -1 on the day at -14 is McIlroy who is still driving it wildly at times for some reason and still struggling, so far. Will he battle back again?
Alex Noren is at -12 and Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard is next at -11...
Follow their progress on the leaderboard link above..
Bryan Angus
(notes from europeantour.com)
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Rose leads, Silverman, Connors and Hadwin all playing the weekend at Fort Worth Invitational
PGA Tour Fort Worth Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Justin Rose shot a -6,64 and goes into the weekend at this Fort Worth Invitational in the lead at -10. Next comes Florida based Argentinian Emiliano Grillo 67 -9. U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka (63) and Japan's Satoshi Kodaira (67) are at -7
Ben Silverman is still the top Canuck. His -1 69, -5 total is good for T6. Corey Conners (68) is at -1, Adam Hadwin (72) E, while Mac Hughes (68) is +1.
David Hearn (73) and Nick Taylor (74) failed to make the cut.
Defending champion Kevin Kisner (68) E and headliner, Texan Jordan Spieth (68) is at -3. Notably rookie sensation Aaron Wise who won last week at the Byron Nelson, missed the cut.!
Bryan Angus
Justin Rose shot a -6,64 and goes into the weekend at this Fort Worth Invitational in the lead at -10. Next comes Florida based Argentinian Emiliano Grillo 67 -9. U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka (63) and Japan's Satoshi Kodaira (67) are at -7
Ben Silverman is still the top Canuck. His -1 69, -5 total is good for T6. Corey Conners (68) is at -1, Adam Hadwin (72) E, while Mac Hughes (68) is +1.
David Hearn (73) and Nick Taylor (74) failed to make the cut.
Defending champion Kevin Kisner (68) E and headliner, Texan Jordan Spieth (68) is at -3. Notably rookie sensation Aaron Wise who won last week at the Byron Nelson, missed the cut.!
Bryan Angus
Rory is the story as the weekend begins at the BMW PGA Championship
European Tour BMW PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018044/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/leaderboard
As the weekend's play gets underway at the Wentworth Club, all eyes at this years BMW PGA Championship are on Rory McIlroy (67 65) who begins his 3rd round 3 shots clear of the field at -12 after his 7 birdie -7 65 on Friday.
The best of the bunch so far is a Swede, Marcus Kinhult with 2 eagles and 2 birdies on his card as he plays the final 2 holes. He shot 74 67 and is now at -8, amongst others.
It's moving day of course, I think it will be tough for Rory to replicate what he did on Friday, often players don't follow a really low round with another the next day, so I'll be watching to see if he can get off to a solid start and settle into a good positive mind set, and remember this Burma Road course, although it has been severely re designed, still has 3 par 5's on the back nine. Yesterday his 65 included just one birdie on those 3 holes.
Rory is just off the first in a grey and black shirt, light grey pants along with beefy young Sam Horsfield in a pink shirt and dark grey pants, with funky white sunglasses I might add. Rory had a solid par, just missing the birdie, while Horsfield made a birdie 3 to get to -10.
Bryan Angus
As the weekend's play gets underway at the Wentworth Club, all eyes at this years BMW PGA Championship are on Rory McIlroy (67 65) who begins his 3rd round 3 shots clear of the field at -12 after his 7 birdie -7 65 on Friday.
Frenchman Sébastien Gros (69 66) and England's Sam Horsfield (67 68) are next at -9, a shot clear of reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood (70 66).
It's another warm sunny day 25 miles west of London, with the breeze finally getting up, which has changed the scoring so far today for the worse.
The best of the bunch so far is a Swede, Marcus Kinhult with 2 eagles and 2 birdies on his card as he plays the final 2 holes. He shot 74 67 and is now at -8, amongst others.
It's moving day of course, I think it will be tough for Rory to replicate what he did on Friday, often players don't follow a really low round with another the next day, so I'll be watching to see if he can get off to a solid start and settle into a good positive mind set, and remember this Burma Road course, although it has been severely re designed, still has 3 par 5's on the back nine. Yesterday his 65 included just one birdie on those 3 holes.
Rory is just off the first in a grey and black shirt, light grey pants along with beefy young Sam Horsfield in a pink shirt and dark grey pants, with funky white sunglasses I might add. Rory had a solid par, just missing the birdie, while Horsfield made a birdie 3 to get to -10.
Bryan Angus
Friday, May 25, 2018
Ben Silverman leads Canadians at the Fort Worth Invitational
PGA Tour Fort Worth Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/fort-worth-invitational/leaderboard.html
Out in 34, back in a bogey free 32 has Thornhill's Ben Silverman at T9 66 -4 after the first round of the Fort Worth Invitational at the Colonial, home of the legendary Ben Hogan.
Adam Hadwin is at -2 68, Corey Connors +1 71, David Hearn +2 72 and Mac Hughes +3 73. The cut is projected to fall at E par later today.
The leader after an unexpected -8 62 highlighted by a chip in birdie 3 at the last is veteran Kevin Na.
Bryan Angus
Out in 34, back in a bogey free 32 has Thornhill's Ben Silverman at T9 66 -4 after the first round of the Fort Worth Invitational at the Colonial, home of the legendary Ben Hogan.
Adam Hadwin is at -2 68, Corey Connors +1 71, David Hearn +2 72 and Mac Hughes +3 73. The cut is projected to fall at E par later today.
The leader after an unexpected -8 62 highlighted by a chip in birdie 3 at the last is veteran Kevin Na.
Bryan Angus
McIlroy posts 65, leads round 2 at BMW PGA Championship
European Tour BMW PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018044/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
Graeme McDowell posted a fine -5 67, for a -6 total this morning in benign conditions on the newly re designed West Course at Wentworth, and the northern Irishman was asked what it would take to catch his pal, Rory McIlroy who'd just fired a classic -7 65 to take the clubhouse lead at -12.
" When Rory is on his game he's incredibly hard to catch, especially in conditions like these. He can use his tremendous length and play target golf, and that's why I think you're seeing these low scores this morning"
"When Rory is on his game", really describes the main difference for me, between him and Tiger, who seemingly could always find a way to be on his game, especially in big events, like this BMW PGA Championship. I think you can say the same about Dustin Johnson. When he is on his game he looks unbeatable, rendering the toughest courses to par 68's with his ridiculous length.
This morning Rory was at his best, hitting his 3 wood 25 yards past his playing partners Alex Noren and Lee Westwood, and he's making the putts so far. Result? 7 birdies, no bogey's 65, and his -12 total is 3 ahead of the rest, with the late wave now on course.
Bryan Angus
Graeme McDowell posted a fine -5 67, for a -6 total this morning in benign conditions on the newly re designed West Course at Wentworth, and the northern Irishman was asked what it would take to catch his pal, Rory McIlroy who'd just fired a classic -7 65 to take the clubhouse lead at -12.
" When Rory is on his game he's incredibly hard to catch, especially in conditions like these. He can use his tremendous length and play target golf, and that's why I think you're seeing these low scores this morning"
"When Rory is on his game", really describes the main difference for me, between him and Tiger, who seemingly could always find a way to be on his game, especially in big events, like this BMW PGA Championship. I think you can say the same about Dustin Johnson. When he is on his game he looks unbeatable, rendering the toughest courses to par 68's with his ridiculous length.
This morning Rory was at his best, hitting his 3 wood 25 yards past his playing partners Alex Noren and Lee Westwood, and he's making the putts so far. Result? 7 birdies, no bogey's 65, and his -12 total is 3 ahead of the rest, with the late wave now on course.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, May 24, 2018
European Ryder Cup vice captains announced
European Captain Thomas Bjørn has announced that Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood will join Robert Karlsson to complete the European Vice Captain line-up for The 2018 Ryder Cup against the United States at Le Golf National, in France, from September 28-30.
The quartet will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Dane’s backroom team courtesy of a combined 24 Ryder Cup appearances, joining Swede Karlsson, who featured in the 2006 and 2008 contests, to bring that total figure to 26. Between them, Donald, Harrington, Karlsson, McDowell and Westwood have also amassed a grand total of 56 points for Europe over the 19-year spell from 1997 to 2016.
Outside The Ryder Cup arena, the newly revealed quartet are also hugely respected for their individual golfing achievements on the global stage, with Harrington and McDowell both Major Champions, while Donald and Westwood have each held the World Number One spot on the Official World Golf Ranking. Added to that, of course, Karlsson is a former European Number One.
Donald has featured in four victorious European Ryder Cup Teams, winning 10½ points from his 15 matches, including a critical victory in the opening singles match against Bubba Watson during the Miracle of Medinah in 2012. The 40-year-old Englishman has won seven European Tour titles, and in 2011, the year he claimed the World Number One spot, he became the first player to win the money lists in Europe and America in the same year.
Harrington played in six Ryder Cups between 1999 and 2010, featuring as part of a winning European Team on four occasions, and was a vice captain at Gleneagles in 2014 and again two years ago at Hazeltine National. The 46-year-old Irishman was Europe’s Number One in 2007 after winning The Open Championship at Carnoustie, and he retained the Claret Jug the following year, before claiming his third Major Championship at the US PGA Championship a month later.
McDowell has appeared in the biennial contest on four occasions, famously claiming the winning point at The Celtic Manor Resort in 2010, three months after becoming the first European in 40 years to win the US Open. The 38-year-old Northern Irishman claimed three points from his three matches at Gleneagles four years ago, setting the tone for a European triumph with a 2&1 victory in the lead singles match against Jordan Spieth, and has won a total of nine points from his 15 Ryder Cup matches.
Westwood made his debut at Valderrama in 1997, the only previous occasion that Continental Europe has hosted The Ryder Cup, and has played in each of the last ten Ryder Cups - eight of them as part of a winning European Team - with Sir Nick Faldo the only player to have made more appearances against the United States. The 45 year old Englishman has contributed an impressive 23 points in the blue of Europe to rank as the continent’s fourth highest points scorer in the biennial contest. He has also enjoyed considerable individual success in the global game, winning 23 European Tour titles, topping the European money list in 2000 and 2009, and holding the World Number One spot in 2010, when he ended Tiger Woods’ five-year reign.
The 2018 Ryder Cup itself, the 42nd staging of the contest, will be played at Le Golf National, France, from September 28-30, where Europe will try to regain the trophy following defeat at Hazeltine National last year, with the aiming of extending an impressive winning record on home soil which stretches back to Valderrama in 1997.
Donald has featured in four victorious European Ryder Cup Teams, winning 10½ points from his 15 matches, including a critical victory in the opening singles match against Bubba Watson during the Miracle of Medinah in 2012. The 40-year-old Englishman has won seven European Tour titles, and in 2011, the year he claimed the World Number One spot, he became the first player to win the money lists in Europe and America in the same year.
Harrington played in six Ryder Cups between 1999 and 2010, featuring as part of a winning European Team on four occasions, and was a vice captain at Gleneagles in 2014 and again two years ago at Hazeltine National. The 46-year-old Irishman was Europe’s Number One in 2007 after winning The Open Championship at Carnoustie, and he retained the Claret Jug the following year, before claiming his third Major Championship at the US PGA Championship a month later.
McDowell has appeared in the biennial contest on four occasions, famously claiming the winning point at The Celtic Manor Resort in 2010, three months after becoming the first European in 40 years to win the US Open. The 38-year-old Northern Irishman claimed three points from his three matches at Gleneagles four years ago, setting the tone for a European triumph with a 2&1 victory in the lead singles match against Jordan Spieth, and has won a total of nine points from his 15 Ryder Cup matches.
Westwood made his debut at Valderrama in 1997, the only previous occasion that Continental Europe has hosted The Ryder Cup, and has played in each of the last ten Ryder Cups - eight of them as part of a winning European Team - with Sir Nick Faldo the only player to have made more appearances against the United States. The 45 year old Englishman has contributed an impressive 23 points in the blue of Europe to rank as the continent’s fourth highest points scorer in the biennial contest. He has also enjoyed considerable individual success in the global game, winning 23 European Tour titles, topping the European money list in 2000 and 2009, and holding the World Number One spot in 2010, when he ended Tiger Woods’ five-year reign.
The 2018 Ryder Cup itself, the 42nd staging of the contest, will be played at Le Golf National, France, from September 28-30, where Europe will try to regain the trophy following defeat at Hazeltine National last year, with the aiming of extending an impressive winning record on home soil which stretches back to Valderrama in 1997.
BMW PGA Championship at legendary Wentworth is underway...live scoring
European Tour BMW PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018044/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
The flagship event of the European Tour, and the first in the lucrative Rolex Series is underway at it's home, the Wentworth Club in the county of Surrey, a very leafy affluent part of the country 25 miles NE of London.
Rory McIlroy is the headliner, he came from 7 shots behind to win here 4 years ago to start his best season yet, 2014, while Alex Noren is the defending champion and as always there is a stellar field, stars and favorites from Europe and around the world.
For me and many of my era, Wentworth became famous back in the mid 60's when the Piccadilly World Match Play was played here. IMG founder Mark McCormack had become Arnold Palmer's agent and capitalizing on Arnie's phenomenal popularity in the UK he wanted a format to feature his star.
Arnie was joined by Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino amongst American stars in an 18 man field including international stars like Gary Player and Peter Thompson to accompany British stars of the day like Peter Alyss, Neil Coles, and later Tony Jacklin.
They were ferried around in a fleet of Rolls Royces and the format was knockout Match play. Apart from the one sided Ryder Cup it was the only match play event and the chance for British players to beat one of the big boys made it must see TV in Europe.
Today of course it all has changed, golf is now global and the players are fabulously wealthy, but this was a big deal with legendary matches in it's day.
As round 1 gets underway under overcast skies, following rain overnight, a pair of South Africans Dean Burmester and Darren Fichardt have the clubhouse lead at -6 66 followed by veteran Englishman Richard Bland and young gun Matthew Fitzpatrick in at -5 67.
Bryan Angus
The flagship event of the European Tour, and the first in the lucrative Rolex Series is underway at it's home, the Wentworth Club in the county of Surrey, a very leafy affluent part of the country 25 miles NE of London.
Rory McIlroy is the headliner, he came from 7 shots behind to win here 4 years ago to start his best season yet, 2014, while Alex Noren is the defending champion and as always there is a stellar field, stars and favorites from Europe and around the world.
For me and many of my era, Wentworth became famous back in the mid 60's when the Piccadilly World Match Play was played here. IMG founder Mark McCormack had become Arnold Palmer's agent and capitalizing on Arnie's phenomenal popularity in the UK he wanted a format to feature his star.
Arnie was joined by Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino amongst American stars in an 18 man field including international stars like Gary Player and Peter Thompson to accompany British stars of the day like Peter Alyss, Neil Coles, and later Tony Jacklin.
They were ferried around in a fleet of Rolls Royces and the format was knockout Match play. Apart from the one sided Ryder Cup it was the only match play event and the chance for British players to beat one of the big boys made it must see TV in Europe.
Today of course it all has changed, golf is now global and the players are fabulously wealthy, but this was a big deal with legendary matches in it's day.
As round 1 gets underway under overcast skies, following rain overnight, a pair of South Africans Dean Burmester and Darren Fichardt have the clubhouse lead at -6 66 followed by veteran Englishman Richard Bland and young gun Matthew Fitzpatrick in at -5 67.
Bryan Angus
Monday, May 21, 2018
Rookie sensation Aaron Wise wins Byron Nelson
PGA Tour AT&T Byron Nelson leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/at-t-byron-nelson/leaderboard.html
I listed the amateur accomplishments of Aaron Wise in my last post, and so it was no surprise that the 21 year old rookie has added a pro win to his glittering CV.
Wise shattered the Byron Nelson record at -23, shooting a -6 65 to beat Marc Leishman by three strokes as both became the first to finish the event at -20 or better. Leishman, who shared the third-round lead with Wise after leading the first two days, shot 68 to finish 2nd.
A 4 hour rain delay softened the new Trinity links style course and with no wind it was left defenseless.
Nick Taylor finished T32 -9, while Corey Connors was T53 -7.
Bryan Angus
I listed the amateur accomplishments of Aaron Wise in my last post, and so it was no surprise that the 21 year old rookie has added a pro win to his glittering CV.
Wise shattered the Byron Nelson record at -23, shooting a -6 65 to beat Marc Leishman by three strokes as both became the first to finish the event at -20 or better. Leishman, who shared the third-round lead with Wise after leading the first two days, shot 68 to finish 2nd.
A 4 hour rain delay softened the new Trinity links style course and with no wind it was left defenseless.
Nick Taylor finished T32 -9, while Corey Connors was T53 -7.
Bryan Angus
Jutanugarn wins Kingsmill Championship, Henderson shoots 65,65
LPGA Kingsmill Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kingsmill-championship/results
Brooke Henderson shot 70 65 65 -13 at this rain delayed Kingsmill Championship, and despite her brilliant play which included 7 birdies on Sunday, she ended up just a shot out the winners circle held by three players at -14. She was 4th.
"I was in the groove and I felt like I could make birdies and I could make a charge, so I was really happy I was able to do that,” Henderson said
The event was reduced to 54 holes after play was rained out on Saturday,
Ariya Jutanugarn closed with a -5 66 to match Nasa Hataoka (67) and In Gee Chun (68) at -14 199. They went to a playoff which the Thai star, 22 year old Jutanugarn won on the 2nd hole.
Brittany Marchand T42 -3, while Maude Aimee LeBlanc T67 +1
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson shot 70 65 65 -13 at this rain delayed Kingsmill Championship, and despite her brilliant play which included 7 birdies on Sunday, she ended up just a shot out the winners circle held by three players at -14. She was 4th.
"I was in the groove and I felt like I could make birdies and I could make a charge, so I was really happy I was able to do that,” Henderson said
The event was reduced to 54 holes after play was rained out on Saturday,
Ariya Jutanugarn closed with a -5 66 to match Nasa Hataoka (67) and In Gee Chun (68) at -14 199. They went to a playoff which the Thai star, 22 year old Jutanugarn won on the 2nd hole.
Brittany Marchand T42 -3, while Maude Aimee LeBlanc T67 +1
Bryan Angus
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Spaniard Adrian Otaegui wins new Belgian Knockout on European Tour
European Tour Belgian Knockout leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018042/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
This week in Antwerp the European Tour continued on its path to make golf more exciting, more watchable for the fans with the inaugural Belgian Knockout and it has just wrapped up after a very busy week with Spaniard Adrian Otegui winning his 2nd title, beating Frenchman Benjamin Hebert by 2 shots at this 9 knockout hole match medal play.
Here's how it works.
This week in Antwerp the European Tour continued on its path to make golf more exciting, more watchable for the fans with the inaugural Belgian Knockout and it has just wrapped up after a very busy week with Spaniard Adrian Otegui winning his 2nd title, beating Frenchman Benjamin Hebert by 2 shots at this 9 knockout hole match medal play.
Here's how it works.
A 144-man field came to Rinkven International Golf Club as the European Tour returned to Belgium for the first time since 2000 and that field was cut to 64 after two days and 36 holes of straight forward stroke play - with a little help from an 11-man play-off.
There were then six rounds of nine-hole stroke play knockout to determine the winner, with bumper crowds lining the fairways over all four days of the event, which was organised and hosted by Belgium's Thomas Pieters and his family.
Next week it's the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event at the wonderful tree lined Wentworth GC in Surrey, England.
Bryan Angus
Rookie Aaron Wise the next young gun, poised to win the Byron Nelson
PGA Tour AT&T Byron Nelson leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/at-t-byron-nelson/leaderboard.html
*Weather warning. Round 4 tee times delayed for an hour due to inclement weather
Look out Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler etal, here comes the next young American gun, Aaron Wise the 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie is ready for another run at his first victory.
He shot a -3 68 to tie Aussie veteran Marc Leishman at -17, four shots ahead of Matt Jones and Kevin Na going into the final round of the wind blown Byron Nelson at the new Trinity links style course south of Dallas.
It’s not the first time Wise has been in this position. Two weeks ago, he finished T2 at the Wells Fargo Championship, two shots behind Jason Day.
Wise has won at every level, including the 2016 NCAA individual title while helping Oregon win the team championship just before turning pro. He was the first player in eight years to pull that NCAA double. He was born in South Africa but raised in the United States.
Jordan Spieth couldn’t make a move from eight shots back, shooting par 71 and falling 10 strokes behind.
Nick Taylor (69) is the top Canadian at -7 under. Corey Conners (73) is -2.
Bryan Angus
(notes pgatour.com)
*Weather warning. Round 4 tee times delayed for an hour due to inclement weather
Look out Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler etal, here comes the next young American gun, Aaron Wise the 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie is ready for another run at his first victory.
He shot a -3 68 to tie Aussie veteran Marc Leishman at -17, four shots ahead of Matt Jones and Kevin Na going into the final round of the wind blown Byron Nelson at the new Trinity links style course south of Dallas.
It’s not the first time Wise has been in this position. Two weeks ago, he finished T2 at the Wells Fargo Championship, two shots behind Jason Day.
Wise has won at every level, including the 2016 NCAA individual title while helping Oregon win the team championship just before turning pro. He was the first player in eight years to pull that NCAA double. He was born in South Africa but raised in the United States.
Jordan Spieth couldn’t make a move from eight shots back, shooting par 71 and falling 10 strokes behind.
Nick Taylor (69) is the top Canadian at -7 under. Corey Conners (73) is -2.
Bryan Angus
(notes pgatour.com)
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Henderson starts Sunday 4 shots behind at Kingsmill Championship
LPGA Kingsmill Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kingsmill-championship/leaderboard
Heavy rain in Virginia forced officials to cancel play on Saturday at this Kingsmill Championship reducing the event to 54 holes beginning early Sunday morning.
Nobody was any hotter than Brooke Henderson who posted a rain delayed -7 65 on Friday to move into a T8, four shots behind leader In Gee Chun who is in the clubhouse at -11.
Brittany Marchand starts Sunday T20 at -5 while Maude-Aimée LeBlanc is T30 -3.
Henderson and Chun were two of only 60 players who completed their 2nd rounds.
Those who didn't will hopefully complete their 2nd rounds on Sunday morning, a cut will be made and the third and final round will begin around 10.30am.
There is no more rain in the forecast with a mainly cloudy hot day predicted on Sunday.
Bryan Angus
Heavy rain in Virginia forced officials to cancel play on Saturday at this Kingsmill Championship reducing the event to 54 holes beginning early Sunday morning.
Nobody was any hotter than Brooke Henderson who posted a rain delayed -7 65 on Friday to move into a T8, four shots behind leader In Gee Chun who is in the clubhouse at -11.
Brittany Marchand starts Sunday T20 at -5 while Maude-Aimée LeBlanc is T30 -3.
Henderson and Chun were two of only 60 players who completed their 2nd rounds.
Those who didn't will hopefully complete their 2nd rounds on Sunday morning, a cut will be made and the third and final round will begin around 10.30am.
There is no more rain in the forecast with a mainly cloudy hot day predicted on Sunday.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Justin Thomas is the new World #1
Yesterday 25 year old Justin Thomas became just the 21st player to be crowned World Number One since the Official World Golf Ranking started in 1986. He sealed his first Major title with a two-shot victory at the 2017 US PGA Championship and ended the year as the leading player on the PGA Tour, recording five victories on his way to claiming his maiden FedEx Cup title.
Thomas has continued that form into the 2018 season winning two titles on the PGA Tour at the CJ Cup and Honda Classic, a second-place finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship and fourth at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March, before recording his best-ever result at the Masters Tournament where he finished tied 17th.
Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Tommy Fleetwood round out the top 10.
Adam Hadwin is the top Canadian at #45.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday morning shag bag..Tiger, Weirsy, 2019 PGA Tour schedule..
It's a dreary rain soaked Tuesday morning, it's actually like Saturday for me as I work Thursday- Monday, so I have a chance to sit and post my Shag bag. By the way do you have a lawn to care for. This time of year with all this rain, then sun we are all mowing every few days just to keep up with the grass, which is growing like it's on steroids !! ( so are the dandelions)
1. Webb Simpson like Adam Scott suffered from the ban on anchored putting, he is only now emerging and his confidence in his new putting stroke was in evidence to say the least with his command performance last weekend at the Players. Last year at this time Tim Clark suggested he change to the claw grip which made all the difference to the former US Open champion who hadn't won since 2013.
2. Tiger's 65,69 weekend wasn't the only one, but has the hype machine in high gear again posting him a favourite to win next months US Open. I'll say this, he's healthy and is getting more consistent with reps. What did you expect? He didn't forget how to play while he was recovering.
3. Mac Hughes growth as a young professional took a leap forward paired with Tiger on Saturday then Justin Thomas, the new world #1 on Sunday. Knowing you can play with these guys without being embarrassed is a real confidence builder.
4. Speaking of the Players, it will be part of the changes in the 2019 PGA Tour schedule which will be posted soon. The PGA Championship is moving into it's spot in May, with the Players going back into March.
5. Also the St Jude Classic has lost it's sponsor (Fed Ex) so the week before the US Open is open, so to speak. Speculation has the RBC Canadian Open as a possibility, more likely according to several sources in the US, the Houston Open with a brand new sponsor will get the spot. There are more changes as well as these, I'll post the new schedule here asap.
6. Mike Weir recently turned a youthful 48, and he will begin his series of events on the Web.com this week at their big pro-am, the BMW Charity in S.C. Weirsy has always had an indefatigable spirit, and despite the elbow injuries that knocked him out of his glory years in 2003-04, he continues to fight his way back to being competitive playing on the European Tour around the world and more reps on the Web.com can only help in my opinion.
7. The Canadians left on the PGA Tour are at the Byron Nelson in Dallas this week. Corey Connors, David Hearn, Nick Taylor and Ben Silverman will be there.
8. The women are back in action in Virginia at the Kingsmill. Brooke Henderson is joined by Alena Sharp, Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Brittany Marchand and Anne Catherine Tanguay.
9. A combination of a long overdue raise in minimum wages and this impossible spring of cold weather, and soaking rain is really tough on many golf courses across Canada. They look green but are very soft, in fact staff have only recently been able to get machinery on them without rutting, while staff on summer contracts are being paid to do odd jobs around the facilities to keep busy. Throw in a sharp drop in attendance that has cities like Calgary and Toronto contemplating the selling off of their public courses, you can see it's a hard time in this industry.
Bryan Angus
1. Webb Simpson like Adam Scott suffered from the ban on anchored putting, he is only now emerging and his confidence in his new putting stroke was in evidence to say the least with his command performance last weekend at the Players. Last year at this time Tim Clark suggested he change to the claw grip which made all the difference to the former US Open champion who hadn't won since 2013.
2. Tiger's 65,69 weekend wasn't the only one, but has the hype machine in high gear again posting him a favourite to win next months US Open. I'll say this, he's healthy and is getting more consistent with reps. What did you expect? He didn't forget how to play while he was recovering.
3. Mac Hughes growth as a young professional took a leap forward paired with Tiger on Saturday then Justin Thomas, the new world #1 on Sunday. Knowing you can play with these guys without being embarrassed is a real confidence builder.
4. Speaking of the Players, it will be part of the changes in the 2019 PGA Tour schedule which will be posted soon. The PGA Championship is moving into it's spot in May, with the Players going back into March.
5. Also the St Jude Classic has lost it's sponsor (Fed Ex) so the week before the US Open is open, so to speak. Speculation has the RBC Canadian Open as a possibility, more likely according to several sources in the US, the Houston Open with a brand new sponsor will get the spot. There are more changes as well as these, I'll post the new schedule here asap.
6. Mike Weir recently turned a youthful 48, and he will begin his series of events on the Web.com this week at their big pro-am, the BMW Charity in S.C. Weirsy has always had an indefatigable spirit, and despite the elbow injuries that knocked him out of his glory years in 2003-04, he continues to fight his way back to being competitive playing on the European Tour around the world and more reps on the Web.com can only help in my opinion.
7. The Canadians left on the PGA Tour are at the Byron Nelson in Dallas this week. Corey Connors, David Hearn, Nick Taylor and Ben Silverman will be there.
8. The women are back in action in Virginia at the Kingsmill. Brooke Henderson is joined by Alena Sharp, Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Brittany Marchand and Anne Catherine Tanguay.
9. A combination of a long overdue raise in minimum wages and this impossible spring of cold weather, and soaking rain is really tough on many golf courses across Canada. They look green but are very soft, in fact staff have only recently been able to get machinery on them without rutting, while staff on summer contracts are being paid to do odd jobs around the facilities to keep busy. Throw in a sharp drop in attendance that has cities like Calgary and Toronto contemplating the selling off of their public courses, you can see it's a hard time in this industry.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Simpson steals the show, Super groups flop, Mac plays with Tiger at Players Championship
PGA Tour Players Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/the-players-championship/leaderboard.html
Webb Simpson stole the show, while the so called "Super Groups" flopped and all three Canadians will compete this weekend at the Players Championship.
Simpson just drove the ball perfectly all sunny Friday at TPC Sawgrass, then putted just as well as he tied the course record of -9 63, -15 total, to break out of the 6 way tie for the lead that existed on Thursday night, giving him a 5 shot lead over Charl Schwartzel, Danny Lee and Patrick Cantley.
If you missed it Simpson would have shattered the record but for a double bogey at the 17th, his tee shot joining tens of thousands in the water around the island green.
Meanwhile Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, then Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy who my colleagues in the media hyped into the Super Groups were a collective flop.
Tiger, Spieth and Thomas barely made the cut on the -1 number, while Fowler, Rory and Phil are off doing whatever bazillionaires do with a free weekend.
As for the Canadians, Adam Hadwin had a 68 to move to -4 T34 and he is paired with Patrick Reed today, Mac Hughes recovered brilliantly from an opening 76, with -5 67 and at -1 is paired with Tiger today. Nick Taylor after an opening 69, survived a triple and a double bogey on his way to 74, making the cut at -1.
Bryan Angus
Webb Simpson stole the show, while the so called "Super Groups" flopped and all three Canadians will compete this weekend at the Players Championship.
Simpson just drove the ball perfectly all sunny Friday at TPC Sawgrass, then putted just as well as he tied the course record of -9 63, -15 total, to break out of the 6 way tie for the lead that existed on Thursday night, giving him a 5 shot lead over Charl Schwartzel, Danny Lee and Patrick Cantley.
If you missed it Simpson would have shattered the record but for a double bogey at the 17th, his tee shot joining tens of thousands in the water around the island green.
Meanwhile Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, then Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy who my colleagues in the media hyped into the Super Groups were a collective flop.
Tiger, Spieth and Thomas barely made the cut on the -1 number, while Fowler, Rory and Phil are off doing whatever bazillionaires do with a free weekend.
As for the Canadians, Adam Hadwin had a 68 to move to -4 T34 and he is paired with Patrick Reed today, Mac Hughes recovered brilliantly from an opening 76, with -5 67 and at -1 is paired with Tiger today. Nick Taylor after an opening 69, survived a triple and a double bogey on his way to 74, making the cut at -1.
Bryan Angus
Friday, May 11, 2018
Some of golf's big names struggle, Taylor leads Canadians at the Players Championship
PGA Tour the Players Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/the-players-championship/leaderboard.html
As round 2 begins today at the Players championship Nick Taylor is T24 at 69 -3 which is the good news. The bad news is it could have been much better, on a benign sunny Florida Thursday at TPC Sawgrass.
With 5 birdies including a red hot 4 in a row, he went off the 10th tee, out in -5 31 strokes, but after the turn, playing the front nine last, he made bogey's on the 1st, 4th and 9th, with a birdie at the 2nd, back in +2 38 for the -3 69 total. All in all a good if somewhat disappointing start for Nick who has missed the cut in 8 of his last 9 starts.
Adam Hadwin shot E 72, while Mac Hughes was +4 76.
The featured group or "super group as the media have tabbed them, was a flop. Tiger 72, Phil 79, Rickie 74 and they are out in the early wave under more sunny skies this morning.
At the end of the day six players were T1 at -6 66 including Dustin Johnson. Steve Stricker is one of a pack including defending champion Si Woo Kim at 67, and big Jon Rahm, who could be world #1 by the end of the week is in the group at 68, as are Sergio, Bubba and Justin Rose.
Rory is at -1 71, Justin Thomas +1 73, Jordan Spieth +3 75, so a few of golf's brightest stars have a lot to do today if they want to stick around Jacksonville for the weekend, with the cut forecast to fall at -1.
The early wave this morning are taking advantage of perfect weather, the late wave will have a freshening breeze to deal with.
Bryan Angus
As round 2 begins today at the Players championship Nick Taylor is T24 at 69 -3 which is the good news. The bad news is it could have been much better, on a benign sunny Florida Thursday at TPC Sawgrass.
With 5 birdies including a red hot 4 in a row, he went off the 10th tee, out in -5 31 strokes, but after the turn, playing the front nine last, he made bogey's on the 1st, 4th and 9th, with a birdie at the 2nd, back in +2 38 for the -3 69 total. All in all a good if somewhat disappointing start for Nick who has missed the cut in 8 of his last 9 starts.
Adam Hadwin shot E 72, while Mac Hughes was +4 76.
The featured group or "super group as the media have tabbed them, was a flop. Tiger 72, Phil 79, Rickie 74 and they are out in the early wave under more sunny skies this morning.
At the end of the day six players were T1 at -6 66 including Dustin Johnson. Steve Stricker is one of a pack including defending champion Si Woo Kim at 67, and big Jon Rahm, who could be world #1 by the end of the week is in the group at 68, as are Sergio, Bubba and Justin Rose.
Rory is at -1 71, Justin Thomas +1 73, Jordan Spieth +3 75, so a few of golf's brightest stars have a lot to do today if they want to stick around Jacksonville for the weekend, with the cut forecast to fall at -1.
The early wave this morning are taking advantage of perfect weather, the late wave will have a freshening breeze to deal with.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, May 10, 2018
PGA Tour flagship : "The Players", round 1 scoring
PGA Tour The Players leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/the-players-championship/leaderboard.html
It's that time of spring again, the PGA Tour's flagship event with 49 of the world's top 50 in competition in Ponte Verdra Beach on the TPC Sawgrass course with the famous 17th island green, simply known as the Players. Play is under way in round 1.
Right away I must tell you Canada's Nick Taylor who has been struggling early this year, is -3 thru 4 holes playing the back nine first. Par at 10, then 3 birdies in a row.
The other Canadians are Adam Hadwin and Mac Hughes who are in the late wave, which is headlined by a trio of Tiger, Phil and Rickie !
The leaders, all on course are currently at -4, Dustin Johnson is one of them and that is changing by the minute. Follow the leaderboard link with shot tracker I have provided above.
Jordan Spieth of note has missed the cut at the Players 3 years in a row, has 3 bogey's and a double, along with an eagle 2 +3 through 7 holes playing the back nine.
It's a hot sunny benign day on Florida's east coast, ideal for scoring if there is such a thing on this water infested TPC Sawgrass course.
Bryan Angus
It's that time of spring again, the PGA Tour's flagship event with 49 of the world's top 50 in competition in Ponte Verdra Beach on the TPC Sawgrass course with the famous 17th island green, simply known as the Players. Play is under way in round 1.
Right away I must tell you Canada's Nick Taylor who has been struggling early this year, is -3 thru 4 holes playing the back nine first. Par at 10, then 3 birdies in a row.
The other Canadians are Adam Hadwin and Mac Hughes who are in the late wave, which is headlined by a trio of Tiger, Phil and Rickie !
The leaders, all on course are currently at -4, Dustin Johnson is one of them and that is changing by the minute. Follow the leaderboard link with shot tracker I have provided above.
Jordan Spieth of note has missed the cut at the Players 3 years in a row, has 3 bogey's and a double, along with an eagle 2 +3 through 7 holes playing the back nine.
It's a hot sunny benign day on Florida's east coast, ideal for scoring if there is such a thing on this water infested TPC Sawgrass course.
Bryan Angus
European Tour in Sicily: Rocco Forte Sicilian Open round 1
European Tour Rocco Forte Sicilan Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018040/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
This is the ninth country the European Tour has travelled to this 2018 season, the first time to Italy on the sun soaked island of Sicily for the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open where long hitting Alvaro Quiros will do his best to defend his title. The Rocco Forte Collection operates eleven hotels in Europe, Russia, northern Africa and the Middle East. Forte's family wealth in 2013 was listed as £250,000,000
The Verdura Golf has a stunning setting right down to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. With round 1 well underway Lucas Bjerregaard continued his recent return to form as he fired an excellent 65 to set the clubhouse target.
This is the ninth country the European Tour has travelled to this 2018 season, the first time to Italy on the sun soaked island of Sicily for the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open where long hitting Alvaro Quiros will do his best to defend his title. The Rocco Forte Collection operates eleven hotels in Europe, Russia, northern Africa and the Middle East. Forte's family wealth in 2013 was listed as £250,000,000
The Verdura Golf has a stunning setting right down to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. With round 1 well underway Lucas Bjerregaard continued his recent return to form as he fired an excellent 65 to set the clubhouse target.
The big-hitting Dane has missed five of his first seven cuts this season but finished sixth at the Volvo China Open last month and only a play-off prevented him and team-mate Thorbjørn Olesen progressing to the knockout stages at last week's GolfSixes.
The 26 year old with a fear of flying, won the Portugal Masters for his first European Tour title last season and was trending in the right direction for number two, getting to -6 and leading the way by two from English trio Marcus Armitage, Daniel Brooks and Andy Sullivan, and Spaniard Scott Fernandez.
The lone Canadian in the field is Austin Connelly who has just posted an opening -1 70.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Hadwin, Henderson in contention: The Sunday Story
Congratulations to jockey Mike Smith for guiding Justify through the torrential rain to win the wettest Kentucky Derby in history, and that rain has been causing havoc elsewhere, just ask the people of New Brunswick.
LPGA Tour Volunteers of America Texas Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/volunteers-of-america-lpga-texas-classic/leaderboard
It has also curtailed the LPGA event, the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic in Dallas to 36 holes after wiping out Thursday and Friday, play began yesterday and Brooke Henderson nearly finished all 36 !
Her first round was E 71, then she went right back out and got it to -4 through 15 which is a T6, 2 shots behind a group of 6 women at various stages of play. Brooke will be back to wrap up her remaining 3 holes today.
Brittany Marchand shot 71 E, and has 18 to play. Anne Catherine Tanguay also shot 71 E and has 9 to play, Alena Sharp shot 70 -1 and has 6 to play, Lorie Kane shot +9 80, and Maude Aimee LeBlanc has withdrawn after a 75.
PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/wells-fargo-championship/leaderboard.html
Meanwhile at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C, at the Wells Fargo Championship, bad weather has not been a factor, but the horses to use a Kentucky Derby terminology, are positioned at the top of the stretch for the run to the wire.
Adam Hadwin made a big move in the backstretch with a -6 65 and is in contention at -4 T11, but 6 shots (lengths!) off the lead held by a resurgent Jason Day 69 67 67 -10 who has a two shot lead over long shot, Nick Watney 72 67 66 -8.
The pack is tightly bunched behind, with Phil Mickelson firing a 64 making a charge to -5, pre race favourites Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed wearing new blinkers at -4, Rory McIlroy at -3.
Sentimental favourite Tiger Woods seems to far behind at -1 but will be wearing his traditional black and red silks today none the less.
Other Canadian breds, Corey Connors 75 69 69 E, and Mac Hughes 71 73 70 +1 are out of the running.
The wind is expected to pick up a race time so we'll see how that affects the track, it should be dry and fast !
Bryan Angus
LPGA Tour Volunteers of America Texas Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/volunteers-of-america-lpga-texas-classic/leaderboard
It has also curtailed the LPGA event, the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic in Dallas to 36 holes after wiping out Thursday and Friday, play began yesterday and Brooke Henderson nearly finished all 36 !
Her first round was E 71, then she went right back out and got it to -4 through 15 which is a T6, 2 shots behind a group of 6 women at various stages of play. Brooke will be back to wrap up her remaining 3 holes today.
Brittany Marchand shot 71 E, and has 18 to play. Anne Catherine Tanguay also shot 71 E and has 9 to play, Alena Sharp shot 70 -1 and has 6 to play, Lorie Kane shot +9 80, and Maude Aimee LeBlanc has withdrawn after a 75.
PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/wells-fargo-championship/leaderboard.html
Meanwhile at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C, at the Wells Fargo Championship, bad weather has not been a factor, but the horses to use a Kentucky Derby terminology, are positioned at the top of the stretch for the run to the wire.
Adam Hadwin made a big move in the backstretch with a -6 65 and is in contention at -4 T11, but 6 shots (lengths!) off the lead held by a resurgent Jason Day 69 67 67 -10 who has a two shot lead over long shot, Nick Watney 72 67 66 -8.
The pack is tightly bunched behind, with Phil Mickelson firing a 64 making a charge to -5, pre race favourites Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed wearing new blinkers at -4, Rory McIlroy at -3.
Sentimental favourite Tiger Woods seems to far behind at -1 but will be wearing his traditional black and red silks today none the less.
Other Canadian breds, Corey Connors 75 69 69 E, and Mac Hughes 71 73 70 +1 are out of the running.
The wind is expected to pick up a race time so we'll see how that affects the track, it should be dry and fast !
Bryan Angus
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Tiger, Rory etal are in for the weekend at the Wells Fargo Championship
PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/wells-fargo-championship/leaderboard.html
In 2010, Rory McIlroy just made the cut at the Wells Fargo Championship, and went on to win it.
He and others will be hoping to duplicate that feat this weekend. The cut fell at +4, letting a lot of guys who looked in danger in. Rory couldn't figure out the greens on Friday, slumping to a +5 76 featuring a back nine of 40. Tiger made one birdie in his +2 73. Both are at +2, nine shots off the lead held by American Peter Malnati, 67 68 -7.
Other notables Rickie Fowler is at -1, Justin Thomas who borrowed a putter from Rickie is at E, Phil Mickelson is at +2.
Jason Day 69 67 -6 is back in contention, currently T2 with rookie Aaron Wise 68 68 -6.
Canadians Adam Hadwin, Mac Hughes who lives in Charlotte, and Corey Conners are all T48 at +2.
Bryan Angus
In 2010, Rory McIlroy just made the cut at the Wells Fargo Championship, and went on to win it.
He and others will be hoping to duplicate that feat this weekend. The cut fell at +4, letting a lot of guys who looked in danger in. Rory couldn't figure out the greens on Friday, slumping to a +5 76 featuring a back nine of 40. Tiger made one birdie in his +2 73. Both are at +2, nine shots off the lead held by American Peter Malnati, 67 68 -7.
Other notables Rickie Fowler is at -1, Justin Thomas who borrowed a putter from Rickie is at E, Phil Mickelson is at +2.
Jason Day 69 67 -6 is back in contention, currently T2 with rookie Aaron Wise 68 68 -6.
Canadians Adam Hadwin, Mac Hughes who lives in Charlotte, and Corey Conners are all T48 at +2.
Bryan Angus
LPGA Tour stalled in Texas
Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/volunteers-of-america-lpga-texas-classic/leaderboard
High winds, severe weather systems have all but wipes out 2 days of play at the Volunteers of America LPGA Classic in Dallas, Texas forcing officials to reduce it to a 36 hole event.
Only 4 groups have completed their first round. There is fog in the forecast for this morning, and play may have to carry over to Monday, however once the fog has cleared the weather will be hot and sunny today.
None of the Canadians except Brittany Marchand who has played 12 holes at E, have teed off.
Bryan Angus
High winds, severe weather systems have all but wipes out 2 days of play at the Volunteers of America LPGA Classic in Dallas, Texas forcing officials to reduce it to a 36 hole event.
Only 4 groups have completed their first round. There is fog in the forecast for this morning, and play may have to carry over to Monday, however once the fog has cleared the weather will be hot and sunny today.
None of the Canadians except Brittany Marchand who has played 12 holes at E, have teed off.
Bryan Angus
Friday, May 4, 2018
Tiger struggling to make cut on Friday at Wells Fargo Championship
PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/wells-fargo-championship/leaderboard.html
Round 2 is underway under sunny skies and a fresh breeze at the Wells Fargo Championship on the venerable Quail Hollow course in Charlotte NC.
Tiger Woods who struggled with his driver and putter in round one but still managed an E 71, is out early and is currently +2 through 5 holes, playing the back nine first. The cut is projected to fall at +1
He made only 4 putts longer than 5 feet, including a three putt bogey on the 16th. He also hit only 6 of 14 fairways on this long course to end the day 6 shots off the lead.
Here's what you need to know:
The leader is veteran American John Peterson -6 65 who has declared he is all set to retire to work in commercial real estate if he doesn't make the $300,000 he needs in his next 3 rounds to retain his card.
Two time winner Rory McIlroy shot yet another sub par round, -3 68 and is now -56 here since 2012 which apparently is 18 better than anyone else.
I can't think of any other top pro who has been affected by the ban on the anchored putter than Adam Scott. The former world #1 and Masters Champion shot +4 75. He is currently #68 and in danger of missing the US Open.
If you're wondering what's happened to world #8 Hideki Matsuyama who shot +6 77, he suffered a wrist injury that has limited his tournament play to 6 events this year.
Watch out for the little Jack Russell terrier that is England's Tyrrell Hatton -4 67. He is a tough guy to beat when he is in form, as he has been recently.
Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson opened with +1 72, Justin Thomas +2 73.
Canadian scores: Mac Hughes E 71, Adam Hadwin +2 73, Ben Silverman, Corey Connors +3 74, Nick Taylor +6 77
Bryan Angus
Round 2 is underway under sunny skies and a fresh breeze at the Wells Fargo Championship on the venerable Quail Hollow course in Charlotte NC.
Tiger Woods who struggled with his driver and putter in round one but still managed an E 71, is out early and is currently +2 through 5 holes, playing the back nine first. The cut is projected to fall at +1
He made only 4 putts longer than 5 feet, including a three putt bogey on the 16th. He also hit only 6 of 14 fairways on this long course to end the day 6 shots off the lead.
Here's what you need to know:
The leader is veteran American John Peterson -6 65 who has declared he is all set to retire to work in commercial real estate if he doesn't make the $300,000 he needs in his next 3 rounds to retain his card.
Two time winner Rory McIlroy shot yet another sub par round, -3 68 and is now -56 here since 2012 which apparently is 18 better than anyone else.
I can't think of any other top pro who has been affected by the ban on the anchored putter than Adam Scott. The former world #1 and Masters Champion shot +4 75. He is currently #68 and in danger of missing the US Open.
If you're wondering what's happened to world #8 Hideki Matsuyama who shot +6 77, he suffered a wrist injury that has limited his tournament play to 6 events this year.
Watch out for the little Jack Russell terrier that is England's Tyrrell Hatton -4 67. He is a tough guy to beat when he is in form, as he has been recently.
Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson opened with +1 72, Justin Thomas +2 73.
Canadian scores: Mac Hughes E 71, Adam Hadwin +2 73, Ben Silverman, Corey Connors +3 74, Nick Taylor +6 77
Bryan Angus
Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic, round 2 delayed due to bad weather
LPGA Tour Volunteers of America leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/volunteers-of-america-lpga-texas-classic/leaderboard
High winds and dangerous weather at the Old American Golf Club with gusts reaching over 30 miles an hour blowing balls off the green forced officials to blow the horns and cancel the first round of this Volunteer of America LPGA Texas Classic in Dallas.
Rain and lightning started around 10:00 a.m. and continued through the early afternoon. Officials began to assess the course after the storms passed around 2:00 p.m. and every effort was made to resume play to no avail. The course was closed to the public.
This morning play continues to be delayed with the wind still blustery and a steady rain falling. It's due to ease off by 10:30am local time.
As I mentioned in my last post there are 6 Canadians, Brooke Henderson, Lorie Kane, Brittany Marchand, Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Anne Catherine Tanguay and Alena Sharp all set to go.
Bryan Angus
High winds and dangerous weather at the Old American Golf Club with gusts reaching over 30 miles an hour blowing balls off the green forced officials to blow the horns and cancel the first round of this Volunteer of America LPGA Texas Classic in Dallas.
Rain and lightning started around 10:00 a.m. and continued through the early afternoon. Officials began to assess the course after the storms passed around 2:00 p.m. and every effort was made to resume play to no avail. The course was closed to the public.
This morning play continues to be delayed with the wind still blustery and a steady rain falling. It's due to ease off by 10:30am local time.
As I mentioned in my last post there are 6 Canadians, Brooke Henderson, Lorie Kane, Brittany Marchand, Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Anne Catherine Tanguay and Alena Sharp all set to go.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Back from assignment! Tuesday Shag Bag: Rory, Tiger return, Lean Lydia Ko, Golf Sixes explained..
Good Tuesday morning, and thanks for all the texts, emails, facebooks and concern about me being MIA here. Its great to be back from my recent assignment, where I have been appointed one of four Park Rangers at Thompson Park here in Toronto. I have been in training since last Thursday, so over the weekend I had no access to a computer.
It doesn't mean I haven't been paying attention, so here is my Tuesday shag bag.
1. I remember six years ago when a pig tailed little Korean- Kiwi wearing glasses and braces on her teeth came to Canada and won our national women's championship as an amateur. The sensation that was Lydia Ko went on to become world #1 with 14 world titles, hands down the best player on LPGA Tour, at times the best on any tour.
This weekend I was shocked to see her emerge as a 21 year old woman, lean and fit, all the baby fat gone as she secured her 15 title, the LPGA Mediheal Championship in chilly San Fran on a Lake Merced course she had previously won on in 2014, 2015 and she did it in style with the shot of the week, a towering 3 wood at the par 5 18th that nearly went in. The playoff eagle 3 topped Minjee Lee's birdie for her first win since July 2016.
As I noted earlier I could see her game was finally coming around this year after changing coaches and equipment and her swing. 43 tournaments in the wilderness, where apparently she was becoming a young woman !
2. Brooke Henderson T43, Alena Sharp T51, and they will be in Dallas this week along with Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Brittany Marchand, Lorie Kane and Anne Catherine Tanguay at the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic
3. How about David Hearn and his Irish partner young Seamus Power posting a Sunday foursome score of -4 68 to get into the top 10 at the Zurich Classic, -16 total, six shots behind winners Scott Piercy and Billy Horschel. It was worth $73,000 each while the winners got $1.4m each.
4. The pros rank the Quail Hollow course in Charloote NC, as one off the best on the PGA Tour so after a little time off, Rory, Tiger and Rickie will return to a stellar field at the Wells Fargo Championship where Rory is installed as the 8-1 favourite. Adam Hadwin is 81-1 and he joins Corey Connors, Ben Silverman, Mac Hughes and Nick Taylor as the Canadian contingent.
Rory has won here in 2010 and 2015.
5. I noted Tony Romo missed out in his bid to qualify for this years US Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, NY, June 14-17. He's not alone as some 9,049 entrants have been received. By the way one of the qualifiers has been moved to Weston GC in Toronto's west end, from Beacon Hall up in Aurora due to winter damage that has plagued so many. Weston is as many will know is where Arnie started his winning ways back in 1955 at the Canadian Open, and there is a statue of him hugging the trophy there in remembrance.
It's been 10 years my friends since Tiger has won a major, and he will be playing.
6. I am interested in the European Tour's continuing trend towards making golf more fan friendly and this week they return from China to St Albans GC in Hemel Hempstead, England for the second year of the Golf Sixes.
It doesn't mean I haven't been paying attention, so here is my Tuesday shag bag.
1. I remember six years ago when a pig tailed little Korean- Kiwi wearing glasses and braces on her teeth came to Canada and won our national women's championship as an amateur. The sensation that was Lydia Ko went on to become world #1 with 14 world titles, hands down the best player on LPGA Tour, at times the best on any tour.
This weekend I was shocked to see her emerge as a 21 year old woman, lean and fit, all the baby fat gone as she secured her 15 title, the LPGA Mediheal Championship in chilly San Fran on a Lake Merced course she had previously won on in 2014, 2015 and she did it in style with the shot of the week, a towering 3 wood at the par 5 18th that nearly went in. The playoff eagle 3 topped Minjee Lee's birdie for her first win since July 2016.
As I noted earlier I could see her game was finally coming around this year after changing coaches and equipment and her swing. 43 tournaments in the wilderness, where apparently she was becoming a young woman !
2. Brooke Henderson T43, Alena Sharp T51, and they will be in Dallas this week along with Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Brittany Marchand, Lorie Kane and Anne Catherine Tanguay at the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic
3. How about David Hearn and his Irish partner young Seamus Power posting a Sunday foursome score of -4 68 to get into the top 10 at the Zurich Classic, -16 total, six shots behind winners Scott Piercy and Billy Horschel. It was worth $73,000 each while the winners got $1.4m each.
4. The pros rank the Quail Hollow course in Charloote NC, as one off the best on the PGA Tour so after a little time off, Rory, Tiger and Rickie will return to a stellar field at the Wells Fargo Championship where Rory is installed as the 8-1 favourite. Adam Hadwin is 81-1 and he joins Corey Connors, Ben Silverman, Mac Hughes and Nick Taylor as the Canadian contingent.
Rory has won here in 2010 and 2015.
5. I noted Tony Romo missed out in his bid to qualify for this years US Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, NY, June 14-17. He's not alone as some 9,049 entrants have been received. By the way one of the qualifiers has been moved to Weston GC in Toronto's west end, from Beacon Hall up in Aurora due to winter damage that has plagued so many. Weston is as many will know is where Arnie started his winning ways back in 1955 at the Canadian Open, and there is a statue of him hugging the trophy there in remembrance.
It's been 10 years my friends since Tiger has won a major, and he will be playing.
6. I am interested in the European Tour's continuing trend towards making golf more fan friendly and this week they return from China to St Albans GC in Hemel Hempstead, England for the second year of the Golf Sixes.
16 teams of 2 will compete over six holes in a group stage, with teams split into four groups of four, before the top two teams from each group progress to the knockout stages - the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, a third/fourth place play-off match and the final - on Sunday May 6.
In the group stages, three points will be given for victory with one point awarded for a draw and the matches will be played in a greensomes match play format.
They have spiced things up with the six holes being themed, with the popular shot clock hole returning, with a penalty imposed if players take longer than 30 seconds per shot as well as the long drive and closest to the pin holes. Amongst the 6 holes there is a Fan Zone full of entertainment for all the family.
Group A
Denmark – Lucas Bjerregaard and Thorbjørn Olesen
Thailand – Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee
USA – Daniel Im and David Lipsky
European Women – Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid
Group B
Australia – Sam Brazel and Wade Ormsby
South Korea – Jeunghun Wang and Soomin Lee
Spain – Pablo Larrazábal and Adrian Otaegui
European Captains – Thomas Bjørn and Catriona Matthew
Group C
France – Alexander Levy and Romain Wattel
Italy – Edoardo Molinari and Renato Paratore
Scotland – Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay
Ireland – Paul Dunne and Gavin Moynihan
Group D
England – Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace
South Africa – George Coetzee and Haydn Porteous
Sweden – Alexander Björk and Joakim Lagergren
England Women – Georgia Hall and Charley Hull
Bryan Angus
Denmark – Lucas Bjerregaard and Thorbjørn Olesen
Thailand – Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee
USA – Daniel Im and David Lipsky
European Women – Carlota Ciganda and Mel Reid
Group B
Australia – Sam Brazel and Wade Ormsby
South Korea – Jeunghun Wang and Soomin Lee
Spain – Pablo Larrazábal and Adrian Otaegui
European Captains – Thomas Bjørn and Catriona Matthew
Group C
France – Alexander Levy and Romain Wattel
Italy – Edoardo Molinari and Renato Paratore
Scotland – Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay
Ireland – Paul Dunne and Gavin Moynihan
Group D
England – Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace
South Africa – George Coetzee and Haydn Porteous
Sweden – Alexander Björk and Joakim Lagergren
England Women – Georgia Hall and Charley Hull
Bryan Angus
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