LPGA Tour Cambia Portland Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cambia-portland-classic/leaderboard
Playing the week after a big win can go either way for a player. Either it's a complete letdown after all the success and ballyhoo that goes with it, or they can be freed up not expecting much from themselves, and go out and play great, albeit often on fumes.
Well it was the latter for Brooke Henderson on a course she loves at the Cambia Portland Classic which she won in 2015 and 2016.
She birdied five of the last six holes for a bogey free -8 64 coming off her victory at the CP Women’s Open in Regina.
“I could see the scores were really low today, so I wanted to go low on the back nine, and I was able to get five birdies. I’m really happy with this round.
She and Minjee Lee, also at eight under are two shots behind American Marina Alex, who opened with a sensational -10 62.
“I didn’t think that they were going to go that low, so I kind of had to do some readjusting,” said Henderson.
“I knew that the birdies were out there. I felt like the pins were in places where you could attack, but you also had to play smart and I felt like I did a good job of hitting to the wide parts of the greens and giving ourselves good birdie looks.”
Henderson sits second in the Race to the CME Globe, a season-long points contest that awards a US$1 million bonus to the winner. She trails Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn by 1,098 points with eight events left.
“I feel like it was a big move for my CME and also my world ranking winning last week, which is really exciting to see those numbers go closer to the top. Hopefully I can just finish strong and put myself in a good position going into CME"
Other Canadian scores. Brittany Marchand -3 69. Alena Sharp and Anne-Catherine Tanguay E 72. Lori Kane +4,76. Maude-Aimee Leblanc +6,78.
Sharp's special Humboldt Bronco's green and yellow bag raised $19,000 at auction.
Of note England's Karen Stupples who is an LPGA commentator on the Golf Channel and has been suffering with ADT had a -3 69 in her first tour start in more than two years.
Bryan Angus
Friday, August 31, 2018
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Tee times for Dell Technologies Championship
PGA Tour Dell Technologies Championship tee times https://www.golfchannel.com/tours/pga-tour/2018/dell-technologies-championship/
This is the 2nd of four weeks of playoffs for the Fed Ex Cup and it's the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston.
Justin Thomas is the defending champion, there are 97 players in the field, the top 70 will progress to the BMW Championship next week.
Adam Hadwin is the lone Canadian, he is off at 8.27 and after his T11 last week he is projected to finish 52nd before play starts tomorrow.
Notable pairings:
Woods, Spieth, Snedeker 8.51
McIlroy, Perez, Thomas 9.03
Mickelson, Reed, Stanley 1.40
Remember play begins on Friday as this is the long Labour Day weekend.
Bryan Angus
This is the 2nd of four weeks of playoffs for the Fed Ex Cup and it's the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston.
Justin Thomas is the defending champion, there are 97 players in the field, the top 70 will progress to the BMW Championship next week.
Adam Hadwin is the lone Canadian, he is off at 8.27 and after his T11 last week he is projected to finish 52nd before play starts tomorrow.
Notable pairings:
Woods, Spieth, Snedeker 8.51
McIlroy, Perez, Thomas 9.03
Mickelson, Reed, Stanley 1.40
Remember play begins on Friday as this is the long Labour Day weekend.
Bryan Angus
Monday, August 27, 2018
Adam Hadwin T11 at Northern Trust, moves on to the BMW Championship
Fed Ex Cup Playoffs Northern Trust leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
While Brooke Henderson was the story this weekend, the Fed Ex Cup playoffs are in full swing, and while Bryson DeChambeau won by 4 shots at -18 over Tony Finau, I was keeping my eye on the lone Canadian left standing, and Adam Hadwin did very well.
With a round of -1 70, he finished T11 -10 which moved him to a projected T52 in the Fed Ex Cup standings so he could be in the top 70 who get into the BMW Championship in two weeks time depending on how he does at this week's Dell Technologies at TPC Boston.
The PGA playoffs will move from 4 events to 3 next year, the Northern Trust, the BMW then the Tour Championship which I applaud, I'd scrap them all together because the format isn't exciting anyone. The $10m bonus is only of interest to the 30 guys left come time for Atlanta, in fact it annoys many people, just rich guys getting richer..
However it is Ryder Cup year which are the 3 most exciting days in the game, and American captain Jim Furyk still has 4 picks to make, and DeChambeau must now be a front runner along with Tiger..
Bryan Angus
While Brooke Henderson was the story this weekend, the Fed Ex Cup playoffs are in full swing, and while Bryson DeChambeau won by 4 shots at -18 over Tony Finau, I was keeping my eye on the lone Canadian left standing, and Adam Hadwin did very well.
With a round of -1 70, he finished T11 -10 which moved him to a projected T52 in the Fed Ex Cup standings so he could be in the top 70 who get into the BMW Championship in two weeks time depending on how he does at this week's Dell Technologies at TPC Boston.
The PGA playoffs will move from 4 events to 3 next year, the Northern Trust, the BMW then the Tour Championship which I applaud, I'd scrap them all together because the format isn't exciting anyone. The $10m bonus is only of interest to the 30 guys left come time for Atlanta, in fact it annoys many people, just rich guys getting richer..
However it is Ryder Cup year which are the 3 most exciting days in the game, and American captain Jim Furyk still has 4 picks to make, and DeChambeau must now be a front runner along with Tiger..
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson's historic week in Regina at CP Women's Open
LPGA Tour CP Women's Open final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cp-womens-open/leaderboard
She didn't just squeak in, nobody else blew it letting her in the back door. Brooke Henderson made 9 birdies including 4 in a row from 12 through 15 on Sunday to pull away from, and with 4 rounds of 66 66 70 65 -21, to dominate a world class field and win her national championship, the CP Women's Open, the only Canadian to do so since Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years ago.
Only 20 years old, she rose to the occasion to win for family and country under the most intense pressure. She joins Sandra Post, Marlene Streit, Moe Norman, George Knudsen, Mike Weir etal as Canadian golfing icons and she's just getting started.
She now joins Ariya Jutanugarn, and Sung Hyun Park in the player of the year race.
For the record she won by 4 shots over American Angel Yin 68 -17 and by 6 over Jennifer Song 67 -15. Mo Martin had the low round of the day -10 62 T13.
Alena Sharp 71 70 70 71 -6 T36, Anne Catherine Tanguay 70 71 70 73 -4 T36 were the other Canadian scores.
As I wrote earlier last week Brooke warmed up by firing a 63 in the final round of the Indy Women in Tech Championship in Indianapolis and carried that form to Regina.
“I definitely feel like it was meant to be this week. Everything just kind of seemed to fall my way and I feel like when you win on the LPGA Tour, it is so difficult that you kind of need those breaks and you kind of need that feeling that it’s yours and I had that this week, which is really cool. I knew it wasn’t over until basically 18, but I just had that good feeling..
This was like the first time ever that I’ve played my absolute best in front of the hometown crowd and on home soil. I just tried to be kind of laser-focused, focusing on the next shot, what I had to do and to make putts, to make birdies. It was really fun. It was really exciting. I think I did a really good job of that, of just not really letting outside things bother me too much."
What a moment as she posed with the trophy with her dad/coach Dave, mother Darlene and sister/caddy Brittany. Her story is really a family affair, and always will be. "I think just all the hard work that my family has put into this, my dad and my coach, my mom, my best supporter, and my sister, who’s also my caddie. This was a big dream and a big goal for all of us and I think it’s just a cumulative effort of all of us that gave me the chance to be able to lift that trophy"
She summed up how it is also a country wide affair. “To hear my name and then to hear O Canada right after, yeah, just an incredible experience overall. I don’t know, 10 minutes from when I hit my second shot in on 18 to when I made that putt and when the celebrations all happened, those are the things that I’ll remember forever"
With her next victory, she will tie Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian on the LPGA Tour with eight, which also equals the late George Knudsen and Mike Weir for wins by Canadians on the PGA Tour, and with that in mind the tour moves further west to Portland this week where Brooke won in 2015 and 2016.
Like I said with seven wins, she's just getting started, but she is already our Canadian superstar.
Bryan Angus.
She didn't just squeak in, nobody else blew it letting her in the back door. Brooke Henderson made 9 birdies including 4 in a row from 12 through 15 on Sunday to pull away from, and with 4 rounds of 66 66 70 65 -21, to dominate a world class field and win her national championship, the CP Women's Open, the only Canadian to do so since Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years ago.
Only 20 years old, she rose to the occasion to win for family and country under the most intense pressure. She joins Sandra Post, Marlene Streit, Moe Norman, George Knudsen, Mike Weir etal as Canadian golfing icons and she's just getting started.
She now joins Ariya Jutanugarn, and Sung Hyun Park in the player of the year race.
For the record she won by 4 shots over American Angel Yin 68 -17 and by 6 over Jennifer Song 67 -15. Mo Martin had the low round of the day -10 62 T13.
Alena Sharp 71 70 70 71 -6 T36, Anne Catherine Tanguay 70 71 70 73 -4 T36 were the other Canadian scores.
As I wrote earlier last week Brooke warmed up by firing a 63 in the final round of the Indy Women in Tech Championship in Indianapolis and carried that form to Regina.
“I definitely feel like it was meant to be this week. Everything just kind of seemed to fall my way and I feel like when you win on the LPGA Tour, it is so difficult that you kind of need those breaks and you kind of need that feeling that it’s yours and I had that this week, which is really cool. I knew it wasn’t over until basically 18, but I just had that good feeling..
This was like the first time ever that I’ve played my absolute best in front of the hometown crowd and on home soil. I just tried to be kind of laser-focused, focusing on the next shot, what I had to do and to make putts, to make birdies. It was really fun. It was really exciting. I think I did a really good job of that, of just not really letting outside things bother me too much."
What a moment as she posed with the trophy with her dad/coach Dave, mother Darlene and sister/caddy Brittany. Her story is really a family affair, and always will be. "I think just all the hard work that my family has put into this, my dad and my coach, my mom, my best supporter, and my sister, who’s also my caddie. This was a big dream and a big goal for all of us and I think it’s just a cumulative effort of all of us that gave me the chance to be able to lift that trophy"
She summed up how it is also a country wide affair. “To hear my name and then to hear O Canada right after, yeah, just an incredible experience overall. I don’t know, 10 minutes from when I hit my second shot in on 18 to when I made that putt and when the celebrations all happened, those are the things that I’ll remember forever"
With her next victory, she will tie Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian on the LPGA Tour with eight, which also equals the late George Knudsen and Mike Weir for wins by Canadians on the PGA Tour, and with that in mind the tour moves further west to Portland this week where Brooke won in 2015 and 2016.
Like I said with seven wins, she's just getting started, but she is already our Canadian superstar.
Bryan Angus.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Henderson chasing history at CP Women's Open
LPGA Tour CP Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cp-womens-open/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson has put herself in position to chase history as she wakes up this morning.
With bad weather in the Regina forecast officials have moved tee times way up and she will tee off at 9.01am local (10.01am EST) with a 1 shot lead at this CP Women's Open after posting her 66 66 70 -14 total so far this week.
I think getting out early is a good break for Brooke who would normally have to wait all day to tee off, thinking about all those who have tried and failed before her.
She will go off the first tee paired with Japanese star Nasa Hatoka 64 70 69 -13 and American Angel Yin 64 70 69 -13. The field begins play off split tees at 7am (8am EST)
Chasing Brooke there are 16 women within 5 shots and they include world #1 and defending champion from Korea Sung Hyun Park -12, three time winner of this championship Lydia Ko at -10 and Ariya Jutanugarn at -9 just to name a few.
Only Pat Fletcher at the Canadian Open in 1954, Mike Weir at the 1999 Air Canada Open and Jocelyne Bourassa at the 1973 Canadian Women's Open have turned the trick on home soil.
So the best field in the women's game will be up and at her early as well so we'll see if our Canadian superstar can close out what has been a sensational week for her in front of an adoring crowd and a hopeful nation.
It will only be 7*c in Regina at 7am, the high will be 18*c. The wind will be blowing at up to 20kph, and there is a 60% chance of rain at 1pm.
Also playing today Alena Sharp 71 70 70 -5 T29 and Anne Catherine Tanguay 70 71 70 -5 T29.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson has put herself in position to chase history as she wakes up this morning.
With bad weather in the Regina forecast officials have moved tee times way up and she will tee off at 9.01am local (10.01am EST) with a 1 shot lead at this CP Women's Open after posting her 66 66 70 -14 total so far this week.
I think getting out early is a good break for Brooke who would normally have to wait all day to tee off, thinking about all those who have tried and failed before her.
She will go off the first tee paired with Japanese star Nasa Hatoka 64 70 69 -13 and American Angel Yin 64 70 69 -13. The field begins play off split tees at 7am (8am EST)
Chasing Brooke there are 16 women within 5 shots and they include world #1 and defending champion from Korea Sung Hyun Park -12, three time winner of this championship Lydia Ko at -10 and Ariya Jutanugarn at -9 just to name a few.
Only Pat Fletcher at the Canadian Open in 1954, Mike Weir at the 1999 Air Canada Open and Jocelyne Bourassa at the 1973 Canadian Women's Open have turned the trick on home soil.
So the best field in the women's game will be up and at her early as well so we'll see if our Canadian superstar can close out what has been a sensational week for her in front of an adoring crowd and a hopeful nation.
It will only be 7*c in Regina at 7am, the high will be 18*c. The wind will be blowing at up to 20kph, and there is a 60% chance of rain at 1pm.
Also playing today Alena Sharp 71 70 70 -5 T29 and Anne Catherine Tanguay 70 71 70 -5 T29.
Bryan Angus
Friday, August 24, 2018
Brooke Henderson leads a wave of Red and White at CP Women's Open
LPGA Tour CP Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cp-womens-open/leaderboard
Brooke is single handedly changing the game of golf for young girls in Canada the way Weirsy did for us in the early 2000’s. She’s a superstar
This tweet from the injured Graham DeLaet kind of sums up what's been happening and what you are seeing this week in Saskatchewan with Brooke Henderson at this wildly successful CP Women's Open.
She is paired again today with world #1 and defending champion Sung Hyun Park, who is sitting in the back seat with Brooke driving as far as the red and white clad crowd in Regina is concerned.
Officials are predicting some 60,000 locals will show up, and so far after an opening 66, she is out early and up to -7, right amongst the leaders which is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Brooke is already a national treasure, she is only 5'6", but is polite, genuine, gracious and very very good, all qualities which not just Canadians but all golf fans admire.
People in this country are tuning in to see how she is doing when they'd pay no mind without her. Pictures of little girls on their daddies shoulders watching from behind the ropes abound.
Remember when Mike Weir won the Masters in 2003, this country held it's breath as he stood over that 12 footer at the 72nd, and made it to end up in the playoff with Len Mattice, which he won on their first hole to become the first and only Canadian to win a major and the first lefty to win the Masters.
It was and is one of this young country's greatest sporting moments, and Brooke is only 20, so has all of her already stunning golf career ahead of her, many triumphs and tragedies to chronicle, many moments for us all to share.
I have provided a live scoring link including all 16 Canadian scores at the top as usual, including the one from our Canadian superstar, in the words of Graham DeLaet.
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
CP Women's Open tee times announced
LPGA Tour CP Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/cp-womens-open/leaderboard
The tee times are set for this years CP Women's Open at the Wascana CC in Regina Saskatchewan, and it all gets underway at 7am tomorrow.
Brook Henderson leads a pack of 16 Canadians, 12 pros and 4 amateurs and she is off in the late wave's feature pairing at 1.43 with Sweden's Anna Norqvist and World #1 and defending champion, Sung Hyun Park.
At 8.28 British Open champion Georgia Hall is paired with Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko.
Brooke had this to say about her game at her press conference yesterday. "I feel it’s in a really good place right now – at least the last few weeks. Golf is sort of weird and (the) short game is really weird. You can putt great one day and putt terrible the next. It’s all about energy and staying positive and kind of believing that you can make everything. I feel like I’m getting closer to that spot, so I’m excited"
Bryan Angus
The tee times are set for this years CP Women's Open at the Wascana CC in Regina Saskatchewan, and it all gets underway at 7am tomorrow.
Brook Henderson leads a pack of 16 Canadians, 12 pros and 4 amateurs and she is off in the late wave's feature pairing at 1.43 with Sweden's Anna Norqvist and World #1 and defending champion, Sung Hyun Park.
At 8.28 British Open champion Georgia Hall is paired with Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko.
Brooke had this to say about her game at her press conference yesterday. "I feel it’s in a really good place right now – at least the last few weeks. Golf is sort of weird and (the) short game is really weird. You can putt great one day and putt terrible the next. It’s all about energy and staying positive and kind of believing that you can make everything. I feel like I’m getting closer to that spot, so I’m excited"
Bryan Angus
Monday, August 20, 2018
Brooke Henderson warms up for CP Women's Open with season best 63
LPGA Indy Women in Tech Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson put in a spectacular performance during Sunday’s final round at the Indy Women in Tech Championship, finishing T7 with a bogey free, 9 birdie 63 -18 total, a great way to warm up for this week's CP Women’s Open in Saskatchewan.
It is her best round of the year so far, as she leads the Canadian contingent, all hoping to win their national championship.
Korean Sung Hyun Park made a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff to beat Lizette Salas and win the Indy Women in Tech Championship and reclaim the No. 1 spot
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson put in a spectacular performance during Sunday’s final round at the Indy Women in Tech Championship, finishing T7 with a bogey free, 9 birdie 63 -18 total, a great way to warm up for this week's CP Women’s Open in Saskatchewan.
It is her best round of the year so far, as she leads the Canadian contingent, all hoping to win their national championship.
Korean Sung Hyun Park made a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff to beat Lizette Salas and win the Indy Women in Tech Championship and reclaim the No. 1 spot
Bryan Angus
Hadwin and Taylor make the Fed Ex Cup playoffs, Svensson wins PGA card.
Fed Ex Cup playoffs 125 list https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/fedexcup-top-125/
Adam Hadwin was always going to be in this years' Fed Ex Cup playoffs, he finished 70th fuelled by his early season form (T3 Humanitarian Challenge, T12 Valspar, T24 Masters), the question was who was going to join him flying the Canadian flag.
Brandt Snedeker opened the season ending Wyndham Championship with that 59 and closed with 65 to win going from wire to wire at -21.
https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/wyndham-championship/leaderboard.html
Of the 5 Canadians in the field, it was Nick Taylor who stepped up to the plate on Sunday with a brilliant -9 63 to finish at -15 T8 which vaulted him to 119th and into the field at this week's 1st playoff, the Northern Trust in New Jersey.
After rounds of 64 67 64, David Hearn started Sunday T3 but his final round 70 wasn't enough. He was T8 -15 as well, but finished 138th, Corey Connors finished 130th, Ben Silverman finished 136th so they are all off to the Web.com playoffs.
Speaking of the Web.com, the top 25 there were decided this weekend and Canadian Adam Svensson finished the regular season at No. 14 thanks to four top-10 finishes and one victory at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, thus securing his PGA Tour card for 2019.
Dustin Johnson finished 1st edging out Justin Thomas 2nd and a hard charging Brooks Koepka 3rd.
Tiger is in at #20, Rory is #21 and is skipping this week, Rickie Fowler is 17th. Notably Sergio Garcia (128) will miss the playoffs for the first time.
Bryan Angus
Adam Hadwin was always going to be in this years' Fed Ex Cup playoffs, he finished 70th fuelled by his early season form (T3 Humanitarian Challenge, T12 Valspar, T24 Masters), the question was who was going to join him flying the Canadian flag.
Brandt Snedeker opened the season ending Wyndham Championship with that 59 and closed with 65 to win going from wire to wire at -21.
https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2018/wyndham-championship/leaderboard.html
Of the 5 Canadians in the field, it was Nick Taylor who stepped up to the plate on Sunday with a brilliant -9 63 to finish at -15 T8 which vaulted him to 119th and into the field at this week's 1st playoff, the Northern Trust in New Jersey.
After rounds of 64 67 64, David Hearn started Sunday T3 but his final round 70 wasn't enough. He was T8 -15 as well, but finished 138th, Corey Connors finished 130th, Ben Silverman finished 136th so they are all off to the Web.com playoffs.
Speaking of the Web.com, the top 25 there were decided this weekend and Canadian Adam Svensson finished the regular season at No. 14 thanks to four top-10 finishes and one victory at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, thus securing his PGA Tour card for 2019.
Dustin Johnson finished 1st edging out Justin Thomas 2nd and a hard charging Brooks Koepka 3rd.
Tiger is in at #20, Rory is #21 and is skipping this week, Rickie Fowler is 17th. Notably Sergio Garcia (128) will miss the playoffs for the first time.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Hearn, Hughes,Connors, Taylor vying for Fed Ex playoffs at Wyndham Championship
Wyndham Championship leaderboard https://www.golfchannel.com/tours/pga-tour/2018/wyndham-championship/
Good news for Canadian golf fans as David Hearn, Corey Connors ,Nick Taylor and Mac Hughes have not only made the cut, but all are in contention with the weekend ahead to get into the top 125 who will contend for this year's Fed Ex Cup.
Hearn started the week at 156, but after Friday's -3 67 he is T4 -9 5 shots off the lead and has climbed to a projected 134. So he needs to continue this fine form to have a real chance.
Nick Taylor who began at 129 has a stronger position after his -3 67, T10-8 see him projected at 123 as play begins today.
Corey Connors posted -1 69 on Friday and is T26 -6, projected 128th.
MacKenzie Hughes is T43 68 68 -4 total and with his 2 year exemption running out and a 159th place in the Fed Ex Cup, a big weekend from him would go a long way to deciding his future for the 2019 season.
Sadly Ben Silverman missed the cut and will now have to go to the Web.com Tour playoffs to regain his card.
You can see how an innocent looking, regular end of season tournament has such a pressure packed inner game going on for the guys close to the top 125, with all the money available to them in the Fed Ex Cup.
Brandt Snedeker with his record setting 59 on Thursday holds a two shot lead at -14.
Bryan Angus
Good news for Canadian golf fans as David Hearn, Corey Connors ,Nick Taylor and Mac Hughes have not only made the cut, but all are in contention with the weekend ahead to get into the top 125 who will contend for this year's Fed Ex Cup.
Hearn started the week at 156, but after Friday's -3 67 he is T4 -9 5 shots off the lead and has climbed to a projected 134. So he needs to continue this fine form to have a real chance.
Nick Taylor who began at 129 has a stronger position after his -3 67, T10-8 see him projected at 123 as play begins today.
Corey Connors posted -1 69 on Friday and is T26 -6, projected 128th.
MacKenzie Hughes is T43 68 68 -4 total and with his 2 year exemption running out and a 159th place in the Fed Ex Cup, a big weekend from him would go a long way to deciding his future for the 2019 season.
Sadly Ben Silverman missed the cut and will now have to go to the Web.com Tour playoffs to regain his card.
You can see how an innocent looking, regular end of season tournament has such a pressure packed inner game going on for the guys close to the top 125, with all the money available to them in the Fed Ex Cup.
Brandt Snedeker with his record setting 59 on Thursday holds a two shot lead at -14.
Bryan Angus
Friday, August 17, 2018
Henderson leads 15 Canadians into next weeks CP Women's Open
Final field CP Women's Open https://cpwomensopen.com/field/
Brooke Henderson will lead 15 Canadians into next week's CP Women's Open in Regina at the Wascana CC. There is another strong LPGA field including newly crowned #1 Ariya Jutanugarn, and defending champion Sung Hyun Park.
Lexi Thompson returns to Canada after some time away from golf to get her head together, and even the lovely and not so talented Natalie Gulbis returns to action from her home in Las Vegas.
I have a funny feeling about Lydia Ko this week, she is trending as they say, and of course has such a great history at this event as a two time champion, when she was still in pig tails...
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson will lead 15 Canadians into next week's CP Women's Open in Regina at the Wascana CC. There is another strong LPGA field including newly crowned #1 Ariya Jutanugarn, and defending champion Sung Hyun Park.
Lexi Thompson returns to Canada after some time away from golf to get her head together, and even the lovely and not so talented Natalie Gulbis returns to action from her home in Las Vegas.
I have a funny feeling about Lydia Ko this week, she is trending as they say, and of course has such a great history at this event as a two time champion, when she was still in pig tails...
Bryan Angus
Big weekend for Canadians at Wyndham Championship
PGA Tour Wyndham Championship leaderboard https://www.golfchannel.com/tours/pga-tour/2018/wyndham-championship/
This week after the PGA Championship is an off week for many of golf's stars, before the Fed Ex Cup playoffs begin. However it's a crucial week for many who have one last chance to get into the top 125.
That is exactly the case for 5 Canadians, and by the way, the scoring is low, led by the latest "Mr. 59" Brandt Snedeker who becomes the 10th golfer to join that magical club. and he leads going into today's 2nd round at -11.
Mac Hughes is at #159 and is still playing with full privileges off his RSM Classic win 18 months ago, so he needs a big week to get into the 125.
Corey Connors who started the year red hot, has been plugging away and he's at 128, while Nick Taylor is 129, Ben Silverman 134, David Hearn 156 and they would all rather make the 125 or else they will have to go down and play in the four Web.com finals later this month to regain full PGA Tour status.
Hearn has opened with a -6 64, Taylor and Connors -5 65, Hughes -2 68 and Silverman +1 71.
So you can see how crucial this week is for these guys and many more. Hearn and Hughes are in the early wave, the others are late today and you can follow their scores on the live scoring link above.
This used to be the Greater Greensboro Open and it is in Greensboro, NC where they are suffering through the same hot humid air mass we are here in Toronto. So hot and sticky for today with the chance of thunder storms this afternoon.
Henrik Stenson is the defending champion and he opened with -3 67.
Bryan Angus
This week after the PGA Championship is an off week for many of golf's stars, before the Fed Ex Cup playoffs begin. However it's a crucial week for many who have one last chance to get into the top 125.
That is exactly the case for 5 Canadians, and by the way, the scoring is low, led by the latest "Mr. 59" Brandt Snedeker who becomes the 10th golfer to join that magical club. and he leads going into today's 2nd round at -11.
Mac Hughes is at #159 and is still playing with full privileges off his RSM Classic win 18 months ago, so he needs a big week to get into the 125.
Corey Connors who started the year red hot, has been plugging away and he's at 128, while Nick Taylor is 129, Ben Silverman 134, David Hearn 156 and they would all rather make the 125 or else they will have to go down and play in the four Web.com finals later this month to regain full PGA Tour status.
Hearn has opened with a -6 64, Taylor and Connors -5 65, Hughes -2 68 and Silverman +1 71.
So you can see how crucial this week is for these guys and many more. Hearn and Hughes are in the early wave, the others are late today and you can follow their scores on the live scoring link above.
This used to be the Greater Greensboro Open and it is in Greensboro, NC where they are suffering through the same hot humid air mass we are here in Toronto. So hot and sticky for today with the chance of thunder storms this afternoon.
Henrik Stenson is the defending champion and he opened with -3 67.
Bryan Angus
Monday, August 13, 2018
Koepka wins PGA Championship, Tiger wins hearts, US Ryder Cup team
It was quite a PGA Championship, with a thrilling finale driven by Tiger back in full flow. Here are my thoughts in this Monday morning shagbag.
PGA Championship final leaderboard https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/leaderboard/2018
*The cover picture on the PGA of America's website is not Brooks Koepka holding the famous Wannamaker trophy, a remarkable history making double, US Open and PGA Championship in the same season.
*It is Tiger who was the runner up, in full fist pump mode, and when did you ever see the 2nd place finisher getting that kind of top billing.
*Well it is because Brooks won the championship with a final -4 66 -16 total, but Tiger who shot -6 64 -14 total who won everyone's hearts, and it wasn't until he sliced his tee shot at the 71st hole into the hazard that we knew he'd run out of holes to capture the trophy himself.
* Tiger had everyone tuning in to golf once again, the crowds at Bellerive CC surrounded every hole, even with the brilliance of the Spieth's, Thomas's, McIlroy's and Fowler's, Tiger as he always has, simply transcends golf.
* The 8 men who have now qualified for captain Jim Furyk's Ryder Cup squad are set and can be viewed on this link https://www.rydercup.com/rankings, but I can assure you that Tiger who is currently an assistant captain, will now be on the team. How could he be left off. 6th place at the Open, now 2nd at the PGA Championship.
* Francesco Molinari continued his monster year with a T6 -10 total, which has increased his lead in the Race To Dubai.
* It was a good final leaderboard for the Europeans as well, with Jon Rahm T4, Thomas Pieters T6, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Tyrrell Hatton T10 joining Moinari in the top 10.
* Despite the tough pin placements on Sunday, the early over watering of the Bellerive CC to save the course from the searing St Louis heat prior to the PGA Championship, left a tough long course defenseless, not a tough enough test for a major.
* disappointed ? : Rickie Fowler and Jason Day closed with +1 71's to fall out of the race. Webb Simpson finished T19 and fell out of the 8th place spot for the Ryder Cup, immediately asking if he could be an assistant captain. I also have to include Adam Scott despite finished 3rd at -13. He had makeable putt after putt that he couldn't convert on the back nine which was the difference. He played like the Scott of old all week long.
Bryan Angus
PGA Championship final leaderboard https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/leaderboard/2018
*The cover picture on the PGA of America's website is not Brooks Koepka holding the famous Wannamaker trophy, a remarkable history making double, US Open and PGA Championship in the same season.
*It is Tiger who was the runner up, in full fist pump mode, and when did you ever see the 2nd place finisher getting that kind of top billing.
*Well it is because Brooks won the championship with a final -4 66 -16 total, but Tiger who shot -6 64 -14 total who won everyone's hearts, and it wasn't until he sliced his tee shot at the 71st hole into the hazard that we knew he'd run out of holes to capture the trophy himself.
* Tiger had everyone tuning in to golf once again, the crowds at Bellerive CC surrounded every hole, even with the brilliance of the Spieth's, Thomas's, McIlroy's and Fowler's, Tiger as he always has, simply transcends golf.
* The 8 men who have now qualified for captain Jim Furyk's Ryder Cup squad are set and can be viewed on this link https://www.rydercup.com/rankings, but I can assure you that Tiger who is currently an assistant captain, will now be on the team. How could he be left off. 6th place at the Open, now 2nd at the PGA Championship.
* Francesco Molinari continued his monster year with a T6 -10 total, which has increased his lead in the Race To Dubai.
* It was a good final leaderboard for the Europeans as well, with Jon Rahm T4, Thomas Pieters T6, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Tyrrell Hatton T10 joining Moinari in the top 10.
* Despite the tough pin placements on Sunday, the early over watering of the Bellerive CC to save the course from the searing St Louis heat prior to the PGA Championship, left a tough long course defenseless, not a tough enough test for a major.
* disappointed ? : Rickie Fowler and Jason Day closed with +1 71's to fall out of the race. Webb Simpson finished T19 and fell out of the 8th place spot for the Ryder Cup, immediately asking if he could be an assistant captain. I also have to include Adam Scott despite finished 3rd at -13. He had makeable putt after putt that he couldn't convert on the back nine which was the difference. He played like the Scott of old all week long.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Koepka leads an all star pack into Sunday at PGA Championship
PGA Championship tee times https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/tee-times
PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/leaderboard/2018
US Open champion Brooks Koepka almost won this 100th PGA Championship on Saturday with a 5 shot lead heading down the home stretch however bogey's at 14 and 15 let an all star pack back into the race.
Still his -4 66 has him in the lead by two shots at -12 on a very soft Bellerive CC in sunny, hot St. Louis.
Koepka is in the last group today with resurgent Adam Scott who posted his 2nd straight 65, to sit at -10.
Before them comes Jon Rahm 66 and Rickie Fowler 69 at -9. Fowler was one of those up at 4.45am to finish his 2nd round.
All eyes will be on Tiger who is -10 on the front nine this week, but +2 on the back. He played 29 holes on Saturday and had it going with 5 birdies on his front nine, out in 31 but seemed to run out of gas with 9 pars on the way in for a -4 66 in a large group at -8. He is in the third last pairing along with Gary Woodland who is at -9
Others at -8 are defending champ Justin Thomas (68), Jason Day (67) Charl Schwartzel (69) and good old Stewart Cink (66)
So it will take another low round today to win it with burly big hitting Koepka the 5/4 odds on favourite to win it and Tiger already a winner this week even if he doesn't!
Bryan Angus
PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/leaderboard/2018
US Open champion Brooks Koepka almost won this 100th PGA Championship on Saturday with a 5 shot lead heading down the home stretch however bogey's at 14 and 15 let an all star pack back into the race.
Still his -4 66 has him in the lead by two shots at -12 on a very soft Bellerive CC in sunny, hot St. Louis.
Koepka is in the last group today with resurgent Adam Scott who posted his 2nd straight 65, to sit at -10.
Before them comes Jon Rahm 66 and Rickie Fowler 69 at -9. Fowler was one of those up at 4.45am to finish his 2nd round.
All eyes will be on Tiger who is -10 on the front nine this week, but +2 on the back. He played 29 holes on Saturday and had it going with 5 birdies on his front nine, out in 31 but seemed to run out of gas with 9 pars on the way in for a -4 66 in a large group at -8. He is in the third last pairing along with Gary Woodland who is at -9
Others at -8 are defending champ Justin Thomas (68), Jason Day (67) Charl Schwartzel (69) and good old Stewart Cink (66)
So it will take another low round today to win it with burly big hitting Koepka the 5/4 odds on favourite to win it and Tiger already a winner this week even if he doesn't!
Bryan Angus
Saturday, August 11, 2018
PGA Championship round 3 leaderboard and tee times, summary
PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
PGA Championship round 3 tee times https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/tee-times
The cut has fallen at E par and as I post there are still a few pairings wrapping up their second rounds, then round 3 tee times which will be in 3's off split tees #1 and #10 will be announced.
I have provided the live leaderboard and tee times links above.
As Saturday's round 3 gets underway here are a few things you should know.
* the greens will be lightly rolled after round 2 is over and new pin placements will be cut. I expect them to be tougher than round 2 and I expect the tees to be pushed back.
* Bellerive CC is defenseless it is so soft with all the rain and an over watering program by the course staff to save it during the earlier heat wave St Louis and in fact most of us endured and are enduring.
* so expect scoring to be low, record setting low with players becoming very aggressive to take advantage.
* guys like Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar,Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Adam Hadwin and many more stars have missed the cut.
* with the course so soft, most all of these guys will be able to score, so this will become a birdie competition.
* the lead held by Gary Woodland is -10 so everybody is within 10 shots.
Bryan Angus
PGA Championship round 3 tee times https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/tee-times
The cut has fallen at E par and as I post there are still a few pairings wrapping up their second rounds, then round 3 tee times which will be in 3's off split tees #1 and #10 will be announced.
I have provided the live leaderboard and tee times links above.
As Saturday's round 3 gets underway here are a few things you should know.
* the greens will be lightly rolled after round 2 is over and new pin placements will be cut. I expect them to be tougher than round 2 and I expect the tees to be pushed back.
* Bellerive CC is defenseless it is so soft with all the rain and an over watering program by the course staff to save it during the earlier heat wave St Louis and in fact most of us endured and are enduring.
* so expect scoring to be low, record setting low with players becoming very aggressive to take advantage.
* guys like Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar,Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Adam Hadwin and many more stars have missed the cut.
* with the course so soft, most all of these guys will be able to score, so this will become a birdie competition.
* the lead held by Gary Woodland is -10 so everybody is within 10 shots.
Bryan Angus
Long Saturday ahead after weather suspends round 2 at PGA Championship
PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
With tees moved up and pins accessible poor old Bellervie CC was being torched on Friday at this 100th PGA Championship, until Mother Nature took over and drew a halt to the carnage.... for now.
Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner were part of the early wave that got their 2nd rounds in. Woodland shot -4 66 for a record setting total of -10 130, the lowest 36 hole total in tournament history.
Kisner continued his fine play with -6 64 -9 total, just a shot behind.
Brooks Koepka went lower with 63 (-8) and Charl Schwartzel 63 (-7) tying the PGA Championship lowest score. Dustin Johnson is moving along nicely after a -4 66, -7 total.
Then severe weather blew into St Louis in the afternoon, thunder, lightning, rain, hail finally halted play with the late wave forced to pack it in at varying stages of their rounds, leaving the likes of Tiger, Rickie and Rory a long day ahead as they have reported at 8am EST, this morning to complete round 2, then freshen up and begin round 3.
The good news is it's going to be a hot, sunny weekend so they will get all 72 holes in by Sunday night.
The greens have been cut and rolled overnight so they are soft but pristine this morning which is a big advantage.
Tiger starts at -3 playing the 8th, Rory is back at E through 9, while Rickie is at -7 through 13.
Adam Hadwin is well behind, currently +4 through 13
To catch up the 3rd round will be paired in 3's off split tees and won't start until round 2 has been completed.
So while some guys get a long lie in this morning it will be a long, hot day for the others who got up at 5am, and are currently finishing off their 2nd rounds.
The course is soft, so expect low scoring to continue, I suspect the PGA will tuck the pins for round three to provide a tougher test for those who make the cut.
Follow the scoring on my live leaderboard link above.
Bryan Angus
With tees moved up and pins accessible poor old Bellervie CC was being torched on Friday at this 100th PGA Championship, until Mother Nature took over and drew a halt to the carnage.... for now.
Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner were part of the early wave that got their 2nd rounds in. Woodland shot -4 66 for a record setting total of -10 130, the lowest 36 hole total in tournament history.
Kisner continued his fine play with -6 64 -9 total, just a shot behind.
Brooks Koepka went lower with 63 (-8) and Charl Schwartzel 63 (-7) tying the PGA Championship lowest score. Dustin Johnson is moving along nicely after a -4 66, -7 total.
Then severe weather blew into St Louis in the afternoon, thunder, lightning, rain, hail finally halted play with the late wave forced to pack it in at varying stages of their rounds, leaving the likes of Tiger, Rickie and Rory a long day ahead as they have reported at 8am EST, this morning to complete round 2, then freshen up and begin round 3.
The good news is it's going to be a hot, sunny weekend so they will get all 72 holes in by Sunday night.
The greens have been cut and rolled overnight so they are soft but pristine this morning which is a big advantage.
Tiger starts at -3 playing the 8th, Rory is back at E through 9, while Rickie is at -7 through 13.
Adam Hadwin is well behind, currently +4 through 13
To catch up the 3rd round will be paired in 3's off split tees and won't start until round 2 has been completed.
So while some guys get a long lie in this morning it will be a long, hot day for the others who got up at 5am, and are currently finishing off their 2nd rounds.
The course is soft, so expect low scoring to continue, I suspect the PGA will tuck the pins for round three to provide a tougher test for those who make the cut.
Follow the scoring on my live leaderboard link above.
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Tee times for the PGA Championship, a look at Bellerive Country Club
PGA Championship tee times https://www.pga.com/events/pgachampionship/tee-times
This week it's the last major of the year, the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive CC in St Louis. Next year it moves to a new date in May. The weather is scheduled to be hot and muggy with rain for Saturday and Sunday.
Bellerive opened in 1897, Gary Player won the US Open there in 1965, Robert Trent Jones Sr designed the present course in 1960 and his son Rees restored it in 2006.
Here is a look at this demanding parkland course thanks to Golf Digest https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pga-championship-2018-bellerive-country-club-course-tour
Adam Hadwin is the lone Canuck, and Justin Thomas is the defending champion.
Notable groups:
7.39 Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, Ian Poulter
745 Adam Hadwin, Brian Harmon, Y Ikeda
8.23 Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods
1253 Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott
115 Patrick Reed, Brooke Koepka, Frankie Molinari
137 Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose
Odds
Dustin Johnson 12-1
Tiger Woods 12-1
Justin Rose 15-1
Rory McIlroy 15-1
Jordan Spieth 15-1
Rickie Fowler 15-1
Jason Day 15-1
Justin Thomas 15-1
Jon Rahm 20-1
Brooks Koepka 20-1
Paul Casey 20-1
Bryan Angus
This week it's the last major of the year, the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive CC in St Louis. Next year it moves to a new date in May. The weather is scheduled to be hot and muggy with rain for Saturday and Sunday.
Bellerive opened in 1897, Gary Player won the US Open there in 1965, Robert Trent Jones Sr designed the present course in 1960 and his son Rees restored it in 2006.
Here is a look at this demanding parkland course thanks to Golf Digest https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pga-championship-2018-bellerive-country-club-course-tour
Adam Hadwin is the lone Canuck, and Justin Thomas is the defending champion.
Notable groups:
7.39 Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, Ian Poulter
745 Adam Hadwin, Brian Harmon, Y Ikeda
8.23 Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods
1253 Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott
115 Patrick Reed, Brooke Koepka, Frankie Molinari
137 Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose
Odds
Dustin Johnson 12-1
Tiger Woods 12-1
Justin Rose 15-1
Rory McIlroy 15-1
Jordan Spieth 15-1
Rickie Fowler 15-1
Jason Day 15-1
Justin Thomas 15-1
Jon Rahm 20-1
Brooks Koepka 20-1
Paul Casey 20-1
Bryan Angus
Monday, August 6, 2018
Monday morning shag bag...Georgia Hall leads the list...
Of all the golf played this weekend the most compelling by far was the Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes where a plucky little Thai called Pornanong Phatlum played out of her mind and held the lead most of the week until she was tracked down and caught at the wire by a gutsy English star call Georgia Hall, with her coach and father on the bag. Canada's Brooke Henderson was in contention, did her best 69 70 69 74 -6 T11.
These stories and more in my Monday morning shag bag.
LPGA/ LET Ricoh Women's British Open final leaderboard https://ricohwomensbritishopen.com/
England’s Georgia Hall created a major slice of history when she produced the performance of her life to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The-then 16-year won the 2012 British Girls’ Championship at Tenby and then added the British Ladies’ title 12 months later and now just five years later she has become the first player to complete the national treble by carding a closing 67 to add the British Women’s Open title to her name.
Thailand’s Pananong Phatlum started the final round one shot ahead of Hall and two in front of two-time major winner So Yeon Ryu. Sung Hyun Park, Mamika Higa and Minjee Lee were also in close attendance but it turned out to be a two-horse race.
With her win Hall becomes just the third British player after Karen Stupples and Catriona Matthew to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open since it became a major in 2001 and just the fourth English major winner after Laura Davies (four majors) Alison Nicholas (one major) and Stupples (one major).
WGC Firestone Invitational final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018064/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/results
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus
These stories and more in my Monday morning shag bag.
LPGA/ LET Ricoh Women's British Open final leaderboard https://ricohwomensbritishopen.com/
England’s Georgia Hall created a major slice of history when she produced the performance of her life to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The-then 16-year won the 2012 British Girls’ Championship at Tenby and then added the British Ladies’ title 12 months later and now just five years later she has become the first player to complete the national treble by carding a closing 67 to add the British Women’s Open title to her name.
Thailand’s Pananong Phatlum started the final round one shot ahead of Hall and two in front of two-time major winner So Yeon Ryu. Sung Hyun Park, Mamika Higa and Minjee Lee were also in close attendance but it turned out to be a two-horse race.
With her win Hall becomes just the third British player after Karen Stupples and Catriona Matthew to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open since it became a major in 2001 and just the fourth English major winner after Laura Davies (four majors) Alison Nicholas (one major) and Stupples (one major).
WGC Firestone Invitational final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018064/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/results
europeantour.com
Justin Thomas cruised to his maiden World Golf Championship title with a commanding four-shot victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
As Firestone Country Club - playing host to this tournament for the final time before it moves to Memphis next year - made life difficult for the world's best players on day four, overnight leader Thomas kept out of trouble, carding two birdies and a single bogey to get to -15 and secure a comfortable victory.
As Firestone Country Club - playing host to this tournament for the final time before it moves to Memphis next year - made life difficult for the world's best players on day four, overnight leader Thomas kept out of trouble, carding two birdies and a single bogey to get to -15 and secure a comfortable victory.
Thomas, who will defend his US PGA Championship title at Bellerive Country Club next week, was the only man in the final two groups to break par on Sunday with a closing 69 - his fourth straight round in the sixties this week.
Kyle Stanley finished alone in second place on -11 after mixing five birdies with three bogeys, one stroke clear of Dane Thorbjørn Olesen and World #1, Dustin Johnson after they closed with matching 64s.
Kyle Stanley finished alone in second place on -11 after mixing five birdies with three bogeys, one stroke clear of Dane Thorbjørn Olesen and World #1, Dustin Johnson after they closed with matching 64s.
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Sunday, August 5, 2018
McIlroy, Poulter spot Justin Thomas 3 shots WGC Bridgestone Invitational
WGC Bridgestone Invitational leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2018/tournamentid=2018064/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
europeantour.com
Justin Thomas will take a three-shot lead into today at this WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after producing a stunning 67 on a Saturday of tougher scoring at Firestone Country Club.
europeantour.com
Justin Thomas will take a three-shot lead into today at this WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after producing a stunning 67 on a Saturday of tougher scoring at Firestone Country Club.
With the course firming up throughout the afternoon, the scoring average soared on day three but halfway co-leader Thomas seemed unfazed, mixing six birdies with three bogeys to get to -14.
He has a star-studded chasing pack breathing down his neck, however, with 2014 champion Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter in a tie for second on -11.
McIlroy posted a bogey-free 67, with his birdies coming at the second, ninth and 17th, while Poulter's 70 was made up of four birdies and as many bogeys.
Jason Day was another shot back on -10 after his third-round 69, which included a chip-in birdie at the short 15th
McIlroy posted a bogey-free 67, with his birdies coming at the second, ninth and 17th, while Poulter's 70 was made up of four birdies and as many bogeys.
Jason Day was another shot back on -10 after his third-round 69, which included a chip-in birdie at the short 15th
World #3 Thomas, who will defend his US PGA Championship title at Bellerive Country Club next week, began the day alongside Poulter and Tommy Fleetwood but took the outright lead when he opened his birdie account from four feet at the long second.
"For the most part, I just need to go out on Sunday and have a blemish-free round and feel like the field's going to need to kind of chase after me a little bit, which can be done on this golf course, but it's definitely getting a little firmer and faster."
Marc Leishman and Kyle Stanley were T5 -9 one shot ahead of Spain's Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler, who made five birdies and no bogeys on Saturday.
Marc Leishman and Kyle Stanley were T5 -9 one shot ahead of Spain's Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler, who made five birdies and no bogeys on Saturday.
Henderson's late birdies give her a chance at Ricoh Women's British Open
Ricoh Women's British Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/ricohwomensbritishopen/leaderboard
If Brooke Henderson was driving a standard she'd be chugging along the highway in 3rd gear, unable to shift into 4th.
On Saturday,with 2 birdies and all pars in a front nine -33 she was at -7, with the leader, tiny Thai player Pornanong Phatlum at -13 she wasn't keeping pace. More pars from 10-13, then a bogey at 14 had Brooke moving the wrong way.
However she rallied to birdie the par 5 15th and closed with another at the 18th to finish with another 69 -8 total and that has given her an outside chance today as she begins play today 5 shots behind.
She is paired again with American Mina Harigae at 9am (est) who also shot 69 and they are both at -7 in the 4th last group.
Brooke hit 13/14 fairways, and 14/18 greens in regulation, but she just didn't take advantage, taking 30 putts, which is just too many if she is going to post the low score she'll need today.
The weather is great, calm, sunny and warm, the fairways are firmer, the greens are holding at this historic Lytham and St Annes links so low scoring is possible.
The final pair are a great story. Phatlum has no pedigree on this course but she is driving it straight, hitting greens and putting her pink ball well to take the lead at -13 into the final round, She is paired with England's Georgia Hall who made clutch putt after clutch putt, just 26 in all to save her round of 69 for a -12 total and she has the weight of the country on her slender shoulders.
Lurking in the penultimate pairing, South Koreans So Yeon Ryu -11, and Sung Hyun Park -10 and I think the winner will come from this pair, if not in form Aussie Minjee Lee -10 in the game before them.
Did you know there are 39 South Koreans in the top 100 in the world of women's golf. Staggering numbers don't you think.
Women's golf is a truly international game. This could be the third week in a row a player from Thailand wins....or a Canadian...
Bryan Angus
If Brooke Henderson was driving a standard she'd be chugging along the highway in 3rd gear, unable to shift into 4th.
On Saturday,with 2 birdies and all pars in a front nine -33 she was at -7, with the leader, tiny Thai player Pornanong Phatlum at -13 she wasn't keeping pace. More pars from 10-13, then a bogey at 14 had Brooke moving the wrong way.
However she rallied to birdie the par 5 15th and closed with another at the 18th to finish with another 69 -8 total and that has given her an outside chance today as she begins play today 5 shots behind.
She is paired again with American Mina Harigae at 9am (est) who also shot 69 and they are both at -7 in the 4th last group.
Brooke hit 13/14 fairways, and 14/18 greens in regulation, but she just didn't take advantage, taking 30 putts, which is just too many if she is going to post the low score she'll need today.
The weather is great, calm, sunny and warm, the fairways are firmer, the greens are holding at this historic Lytham and St Annes links so low scoring is possible.
The final pair are a great story. Phatlum has no pedigree on this course but she is driving it straight, hitting greens and putting her pink ball well to take the lead at -13 into the final round, She is paired with England's Georgia Hall who made clutch putt after clutch putt, just 26 in all to save her round of 69 for a -12 total and she has the weight of the country on her slender shoulders.
Lurking in the penultimate pairing, South Koreans So Yeon Ryu -11, and Sung Hyun Park -10 and I think the winner will come from this pair, if not in form Aussie Minjee Lee -10 in the game before them.
Did you know there are 39 South Koreans in the top 100 in the world of women's golf. Staggering numbers don't you think.
Women's golf is a truly international game. This could be the third week in a row a player from Thailand wins....or a Canadian...
Bryan Angus
Friday, August 3, 2018
Players torch soft Firestone south at WGC Bridgestone Invitational
WGC Bridgestone Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Tiger Woods has won an unprecedented 8 championships on this Firestone south course at the WGC Bridgetone Invitational.
In round one he opened with a -4 66 on the tight tree lined course and still found himself four shots off the lead as Ian Poulter led the cavalry charge with his -8 62. In fact as round two gets under way today there are only 15 players over par in this restricted field and Bryson DeChambeau of all people posted the highest score of +5 75.
The vaunted South Course which was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones in 1959 for the 1960 PGA Championship which Jay Hebert won with a score of 281 +1, nobody broke par, is playing as soft as it ever has and these pros are just taking it apart with 62's 63's and 64's.
Jones added 50 new bunkers, 7 new tees and made the 16th a 625 yard par 5 and to make sure nobody could go for it in 2, he put a pond in front of the green. When Arnold Palmer made a triple bogey at it to knock him out of that 1960 PGA, he called it a monster and that's what it still called today. It now plays 667 yards.
Poulter birdied it, relying on a 3rd shot wedge and single putt. Most players made par, DJ made bogey 6 but he was in the minority. I believe John Daly was the first player to get it over the pond in two into a greenside bunker back in his hey day, but many more could reach with today's technology, it's just not worth the risk.
This is the last year the event will be held here, moving to Memphis next year, and unless it firms up over the weekend we'll see a repeat of Jose Maria Olazabal's 61 in 1990, since matched by Tiger in his last win in 2013, Sergio Garcia when he was 2nd to Rory in 2014 and Hideki Matsuyama when he won last year.
The record low score is Tiger's -21 259 in 2000 when he won by 11. Nobody will win by 11 this weekend, but could match the 259 unless the course firms up.
Bryan Angus
Tiger Woods has won an unprecedented 8 championships on this Firestone south course at the WGC Bridgetone Invitational.
In round one he opened with a -4 66 on the tight tree lined course and still found himself four shots off the lead as Ian Poulter led the cavalry charge with his -8 62. In fact as round two gets under way today there are only 15 players over par in this restricted field and Bryson DeChambeau of all people posted the highest score of +5 75.
The vaunted South Course which was redesigned by Robert Trent Jones in 1959 for the 1960 PGA Championship which Jay Hebert won with a score of 281 +1, nobody broke par, is playing as soft as it ever has and these pros are just taking it apart with 62's 63's and 64's.
Jones added 50 new bunkers, 7 new tees and made the 16th a 625 yard par 5 and to make sure nobody could go for it in 2, he put a pond in front of the green. When Arnold Palmer made a triple bogey at it to knock him out of that 1960 PGA, he called it a monster and that's what it still called today. It now plays 667 yards.
Poulter birdied it, relying on a 3rd shot wedge and single putt. Most players made par, DJ made bogey 6 but he was in the minority. I believe John Daly was the first player to get it over the pond in two into a greenside bunker back in his hey day, but many more could reach with today's technology, it's just not worth the risk.
This is the last year the event will be held here, moving to Memphis next year, and unless it firms up over the weekend we'll see a repeat of Jose Maria Olazabal's 61 in 1990, since matched by Tiger in his last win in 2013, Sergio Garcia when he was 2nd to Rory in 2014 and Hideki Matsuyama when he won last year.
The record low score is Tiger's -21 259 in 2000 when he won by 11. Nobody will win by 11 this weekend, but could match the 259 unless the course firms up.
Bryan Angus
Henderson makes hole in one, T8 at Ricoh Women's British Open
Ricoh Women's British Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
I have been watching Brooke Henderson ' s demeanor on this dull rainy Lancashire morning at the Ricoh Women's British Open and I must say it has been matching the weather.
Until minutes ago that is...She hit a sweet 9 iron on the par 3 ninth right on line. It took one hop and disappeared. She looked hopefully at her caddie/sister Brittany whose smile and "in" gesture brought a welcome smile to Brooke's face and as she shared high fives all round you could see the immediate change in her body language as she strode happily down to pick out her ball on the green.
Despite her uninspired start, loose off the tee with several one handed finishes, poorly struck irons and a bit of bad luck, her birdie at 8 and the ace at 9 have her at -6 just 4 off the lead heading into the wind on the back nine.
Brooke declared herself pleased with her play overall in round 2, a birdie at the 15th offset bogey's at 13 and 14, home in 38 for a final -2 70 and a T8 at -5. She had putts for birdie several times but they didn't fall leaving her "a bit frustrated". However she is 5 shots off the lead held by Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum 67 67 -10 going into this weekend.
Brittany Marchand missed the cut..
Bryan Angus
I have been watching Brooke Henderson ' s demeanor on this dull rainy Lancashire morning at the Ricoh Women's British Open and I must say it has been matching the weather.
Until minutes ago that is...She hit a sweet 9 iron on the par 3 ninth right on line. It took one hop and disappeared. She looked hopefully at her caddie/sister Brittany whose smile and "in" gesture brought a welcome smile to Brooke's face and as she shared high fives all round you could see the immediate change in her body language as she strode happily down to pick out her ball on the green.
Despite her uninspired start, loose off the tee with several one handed finishes, poorly struck irons and a bit of bad luck, her birdie at 8 and the ace at 9 have her at -6 just 4 off the lead heading into the wind on the back nine.
Brooke declared herself pleased with her play overall in round 2, a birdie at the 15th offset bogey's at 13 and 14, home in 38 for a final -2 70 and a T8 at -5. She had putts for birdie several times but they didn't fall leaving her "a bit frustrated". However she is 5 shots off the lead held by Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum 67 67 -10 going into this weekend.
Brittany Marchand missed the cut..
Bryan Angus
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Brooke Henderson in contention at the Ricoh Women's British Open
Ricoh Women's British Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/ricohwomensbritishopen/leaderboard
Brooke Henderson was +2 after her first 3 holes this morning at this edition of the Ricoh Women's British Open, at breezy Royal Lytham and St Annes on England's NE coast in Lancashire.
She got one back with a birdie on the 7th to go out in +1 36, however she really got in gear with 3 birdies in a row at 11, 12 and 13, adding two more at 15 and 17 to come storming home in 33 for her -3 69, which was right amongst the leaders in the morning wave. She hit 11/14 fairways, but used only 27 putts which is always the key to Brooke's scoring
Aussie Minjee Lee had the score of the day -7 65 to take the first round lead. She has had 2 wins and 2 runner ups this year including last week at Gullane in the Scottish Open.
The other Canadian Brittany Marchand shot a +2 74.
The weather provided the story of 2 different days with Brooke and the early wave in the rain and wind but the late wave benefiting from benign weather as the tide went out..
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson was +2 after her first 3 holes this morning at this edition of the Ricoh Women's British Open, at breezy Royal Lytham and St Annes on England's NE coast in Lancashire.
She got one back with a birdie on the 7th to go out in +1 36, however she really got in gear with 3 birdies in a row at 11, 12 and 13, adding two more at 15 and 17 to come storming home in 33 for her -3 69, which was right amongst the leaders in the morning wave. She hit 11/14 fairways, but used only 27 putts which is always the key to Brooke's scoring
Aussie Minjee Lee had the score of the day -7 65 to take the first round lead. She has had 2 wins and 2 runner ups this year including last week at Gullane in the Scottish Open.
The other Canadian Brittany Marchand shot a +2 74.
The weather provided the story of 2 different days with Brooke and the early wave in the rain and wind but the late wave benefiting from benign weather as the tide went out..
Bryan Angus
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