PGA Tour Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/corales-puntacana-resort-club-championship/leaderboard.html
Graeme McDowell one-putted the first 15 greens Saturday and shot his second straight -8 64 to take a one-stroke lead at -15 in the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship going into today's final round.
He last won in Mexico in 2016, now the father of 2 young children who he admits has taken away his total focus on being a golf pro.
Meanwhile Mackenzie Hughes has continued his fine play from the Valspar Championship and he's T5 -11 under (69 70 66). Ben Silverman T13 -9 (70 68 69) and David Hearn T18 -8 (72 70 66).
Roger Sloan, Corey Connors and Adam Svensson all missed the cut.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Bjerregaard becomes a Danish celebrity, beats Tiger at Dell Match Play..live scoring
WGC Dell Technology Match Play scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Canadians all remember when Mike Weir beat Tiger at the 2009 President's Cup in Montreal. It was a career highlight which Weirsy will always dine out on.
27 year old Dane Lucas Bjerregaard is well known on the European Tour but was an unknown in America. All that changed on a windy, wet Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas at the Dell Technology Match Play when he stood toe to toe with Tiger and after sinking an enormous eagle putt across the green to square their match on the 16th he walked away the winner when the legend missed a 5 footer for par on the 18th.
Bjerregaard walked right into this morning's semi final with Matt Kuchar as well as immortality.
Kuchar beat Sergio Garcia 2 up with his usual blend of steady and at times brilliant play while smiling all the way.
In the other semi final undefeated Francesco Molinari will play last year's runner up Kevin Kisner. Molinari hammered Kevin Na 6&5 and he hasn't even had to play the 18th hole yet this week.
The brilliant Italian has now gone 10 straight matches undefeated including the 5 he won leading his Ryder Cup team to their drubbing of the USA in Paris.
Kisner edged Louis Oosthuizen who had led for most of the match, 2&1.
Follow all the live semi finals scoring starting just after 10am EST this morning.
Bryan Angus
Canadians all remember when Mike Weir beat Tiger at the 2009 President's Cup in Montreal. It was a career highlight which Weirsy will always dine out on.
27 year old Dane Lucas Bjerregaard is well known on the European Tour but was an unknown in America. All that changed on a windy, wet Saturday afternoon in Austin, Texas at the Dell Technology Match Play when he stood toe to toe with Tiger and after sinking an enormous eagle putt across the green to square their match on the 16th he walked away the winner when the legend missed a 5 footer for par on the 18th.
Bjerregaard walked right into this morning's semi final with Matt Kuchar as well as immortality.
Kuchar beat Sergio Garcia 2 up with his usual blend of steady and at times brilliant play while smiling all the way.
In the other semi final undefeated Francesco Molinari will play last year's runner up Kevin Kisner. Molinari hammered Kevin Na 6&5 and he hasn't even had to play the 18th hole yet this week.
The brilliant Italian has now gone 10 straight matches undefeated including the 5 he won leading his Ryder Cup team to their drubbing of the USA in Paris.
Kisner edged Louis Oosthuizen who had led for most of the match, 2&1.
Follow all the live semi finals scoring starting just after 10am EST this morning.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Molinari undefeated, Tiger edges Rory...Live Dell Match Play scoring quarter-finals
WGC Dell Match Play quarter final matches live scoring https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
After a terrific, tense morning in the round of 16, this afternoons 4 quarter final matches are set, and in fact have just begun at this WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. Follow the live scoring on my link above.
In the feature match Tiger edged an out of sorts Rory McIlroy 2&1. Tiger, dressed all in grey with a white hat and shoes was 3up on the front nine as Rory couldn't make a putt to save himself, however the little Irishman began his fight back on the 13th and was 1 down with Tiger in trouble at the 16th and Rory 400 yards off the tee right in the middle of the fairway. He then proceeded to hit his 9 iron fat to an awkward lie between the bunkers, chipped it over the green up against some railways ties, took an unplayable back to where he chipped from, dumped his 5th into another bunker, made 7 to put Tiger dormie 2.
Such is match play !!!
Other notable moments. Lucas Bjerregaard putted his brains out to beat Henrik Stenson 3&2 and was full value. Kevin Kisner just steamrolled Haotong Li 6&5, he was 4 up after 5 holes. Kevin Na played some marvellous, gutsy iron shots to edge Justin Rose 2up.
Francesco Molinari remains undefeated in 9 straight matches including the Ryder Cup as he handily beat his pal Paul Casey 5&4
Molinari and Kisner are playing the best of the bunch, Na has caught lightning in a bottle.
Importantly the bad weather has set in, strong gusty wind and rain, so watch out for Sergio and Louis Oosthuizen the two notoriously good wind players.
Afternoon matches :
* Tiger Woods vs Lucas Bjerregaard
* Sergio Garcia vs Matt Kucher
* Kevin Kisner vs Louis Oosthuizen
* Kevin Na vs Francesco Molinari
Bryan Angus
After a terrific, tense morning in the round of 16, this afternoons 4 quarter final matches are set, and in fact have just begun at this WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. Follow the live scoring on my link above.
In the feature match Tiger edged an out of sorts Rory McIlroy 2&1. Tiger, dressed all in grey with a white hat and shoes was 3up on the front nine as Rory couldn't make a putt to save himself, however the little Irishman began his fight back on the 13th and was 1 down with Tiger in trouble at the 16th and Rory 400 yards off the tee right in the middle of the fairway. He then proceeded to hit his 9 iron fat to an awkward lie between the bunkers, chipped it over the green up against some railways ties, took an unplayable back to where he chipped from, dumped his 5th into another bunker, made 7 to put Tiger dormie 2.
Such is match play !!!
Other notable moments. Lucas Bjerregaard putted his brains out to beat Henrik Stenson 3&2 and was full value. Kevin Kisner just steamrolled Haotong Li 6&5, he was 4 up after 5 holes. Kevin Na played some marvellous, gutsy iron shots to edge Justin Rose 2up.
Francesco Molinari remains undefeated in 9 straight matches including the Ryder Cup as he handily beat his pal Paul Casey 5&4
Molinari and Kisner are playing the best of the bunch, Na has caught lightning in a bottle.
Importantly the bad weather has set in, strong gusty wind and rain, so watch out for Sergio and Louis Oosthuizen the two notoriously good wind players.
Afternoon matches :
* Tiger Woods vs Lucas Bjerregaard
* Sergio Garcia vs Matt Kucher
* Kevin Kisner vs Louis Oosthuizen
* Kevin Na vs Francesco Molinari
Bryan Angus
Rare missed cut for Brooke Henderson, tough day for Canadians at Kia Classic
LPGA Tour Kia Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kia-classic/leaderboard
After opening with a solid 69 on Thursday, Brooke Henderson had a tough Friday at this Kia Classic, with 3 double bogey's on her way to a +5 77 +2 total, and a very rare missed cut. The cut fell at +1. As far as I can remember her last missed cut was at the Australian Open in February 2018.
She wasn't alone. Jaclyn Lee and Brittany Marchand 75 74, and Alena Sharp 75 77 also went home early.
Anne Catherine Tanguay will carry the Canadian flag alone into the weekend, she rebounded from an opening 76 with at 67 and is T46 -1.
Sung Hyun Park shot a -6 66 to take a share of the lead into the weekend. Thidapa Suwannapura also had a 66 to match Park at -10 134 in the in the final event before the major ANA Inspiration next week in Rancho Mirage.
The Thai player also is bogey-free through 36 holes. Inbee Park and first-round leader Chella Choi are a stroke back at -9
Bryan Angus
After opening with a solid 69 on Thursday, Brooke Henderson had a tough Friday at this Kia Classic, with 3 double bogey's on her way to a +5 77 +2 total, and a very rare missed cut. The cut fell at +1. As far as I can remember her last missed cut was at the Australian Open in February 2018.
She wasn't alone. Jaclyn Lee and Brittany Marchand 75 74, and Alena Sharp 75 77 also went home early.
Anne Catherine Tanguay will carry the Canadian flag alone into the weekend, she rebounded from an opening 76 with at 67 and is T46 -1.
Sung Hyun Park shot a -6 66 to take a share of the lead into the weekend. Thidapa Suwannapura also had a 66 to match Park at -10 134 in the in the final event before the major ANA Inspiration next week in Rancho Mirage.
The Thai player also is bogey-free through 36 holes. Inbee Park and first-round leader Chella Choi are a stroke back at -9
Bryan Angus
Rory vs Tiger headline as European Tour dominates Saturday at Dell Match Play
WGC Dell Technology Dell Match Play live scoreboard (includes scoring from all matches) https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
International members of the European Tour continue to dominate play in the USA as play begins in the round of 16 at the Dell Technology Match Play today.
Following hard on the heels of victories on the Florida swing by Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey, 12 of the 16 players playing each other today are international players headlined by the dream match between Rory McIlroy vs Tiger Woods.
American stars like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas have all been eliminated.
For what it's worth there are 5 players going into today's round of 16 who are undefeated. At the top of the list is "Frankie" Molinari who was 5-0 at the Ryder Cup and is now 3-0 here and of course getting paid absolutely no attention by the media on this side of the Atlantic, who of course are swallowed up by Tiger's presence.
Others undefeated at 3-0 are Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Branden Grace and Marc Leishman.
Saturday morning matches
*Aussie Marc Leishman plays South African Louis Oosthuizen.
*China's Haotong Li plays American Kevin Kisner
*Italian Francesco Molinari plays England's Paul Casey
*England's Justin Rose plays American Kevin Na
*Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard plays Sweden's Henrik Stenson
*Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy plays American Tiger Woods
*American Matt Kuchar plays England's Tyrrell Hatton
*South African Branden Grace plays Spain's Sergio Garcia
Bryan Angus
International members of the European Tour continue to dominate play in the USA as play begins in the round of 16 at the Dell Technology Match Play today.
Following hard on the heels of victories on the Florida swing by Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey, 12 of the 16 players playing each other today are international players headlined by the dream match between Rory McIlroy vs Tiger Woods.
American stars like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas have all been eliminated.
For what it's worth there are 5 players going into today's round of 16 who are undefeated. At the top of the list is "Frankie" Molinari who was 5-0 at the Ryder Cup and is now 3-0 here and of course getting paid absolutely no attention by the media on this side of the Atlantic, who of course are swallowed up by Tiger's presence.
Others undefeated at 3-0 are Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Branden Grace and Marc Leishman.
Saturday morning matches
*Aussie Marc Leishman plays South African Louis Oosthuizen.
*China's Haotong Li plays American Kevin Kisner
*Italian Francesco Molinari plays England's Paul Casey
*England's Justin Rose plays American Kevin Na
*Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard plays Sweden's Henrik Stenson
*Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy plays American Tiger Woods
*American Matt Kuchar plays England's Tyrrell Hatton
*South African Branden Grace plays Spain's Sergio Garcia
Bryan Angus
Friday, March 29, 2019
Mac Hughes leads Canadian scoring at the Corales Puntacana Championship
PGA Tour Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship leaderboard
Continuing his fine play at the Valspar Championship, Mackenzie Hughes was the top Canadian at this week's windy Corales Puntcana Championship at -3 69. Ben Silverman shot -2 70, Roger Sloan had a 71, David Hearn and Corey Conners both shot E 72 and Adam Svensson carded a +1 73
Joel Dahmen fired a -6 66 to tie for the lead with veteran Aussie Matt Jones and Irishman Paul Dunne. Dahmen is 31 now and has never won on the PGA Tour.
Bryan Angus
Continuing his fine play at the Valspar Championship, Mackenzie Hughes was the top Canadian at this week's windy Corales Puntcana Championship at -3 69. Ben Silverman shot -2 70, Roger Sloan had a 71, David Hearn and Corey Conners both shot E 72 and Adam Svensson carded a +1 73
Joel Dahmen fired a -6 66 to tie for the lead with veteran Aussie Matt Jones and Irishman Paul Dunne. Dahmen is 31 now and has never won on the PGA Tour.
Bryan Angus
Strong start for Henderson at the Kia Classic.. live scoreboard
LPGA Tour Kia Classic leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kia-classic/leaderboard
Chella Choi opened with a sensational -7 65 for the first-round lead in the Kia Classic. Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow is 2nd at -5 67.
9/10 top ranked players are in the field, with only #6 Nelly Korda taking the week off. #1 Sung Hyun Park, #2 Ariya Jutanugarn, #3 Minjee Lee, #4 Jin Young Ko and #8 Inbee Park topped a large group at -4 68. Sung Hyun Park won last month in Singapore and Ko is coming off a victory Sunday in the Founders Cup in Phoenix
Defending champion Eun-Hee Ji and Brooke Henderson shot -3 69 T16.
Brooke was bogey free, she played the back nine first in 34 with 2 birdies and added another coming home in 35. She hit 10/14 fairways, used 32 putts but hit 16/18 greens in regulation. She birdied 2 of the 4 par 5's.
The other Canadians are off to a slow start. Jaclyn Lee, Alena Sharp and Brittany Marchand all shot +3 75. Anne-Catherine Tanguay had a +4 76.
Bryan Angus
Chella Choi opened with a sensational -7 65 for the first-round lead in the Kia Classic. Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow is 2nd at -5 67.
9/10 top ranked players are in the field, with only #6 Nelly Korda taking the week off. #1 Sung Hyun Park, #2 Ariya Jutanugarn, #3 Minjee Lee, #4 Jin Young Ko and #8 Inbee Park topped a large group at -4 68. Sung Hyun Park won last month in Singapore and Ko is coming off a victory Sunday in the Founders Cup in Phoenix
Defending champion Eun-Hee Ji and Brooke Henderson shot -3 69 T16.
Brooke was bogey free, she played the back nine first in 34 with 2 birdies and added another coming home in 35. She hit 10/14 fairways, used 32 putts but hit 16/18 greens in regulation. She birdied 2 of the 4 par 5's.
The other Canadians are off to a slow start. Jaclyn Lee, Alena Sharp and Brittany Marchand all shot +3 75. Anne-Catherine Tanguay had a +4 76.
Bryan Angus
Knock-out Friday at the Dell Technology Match Play...live scoring and group scenario links.
WGC Dell Technology Match Play leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/wgc-dell-technologies-match-play/leaderboard.html
Today is the last day of the Group Stage of this year's Dell Technology Match Play with a match in all 16 groups in action. By tonight, weather permitting there will be 16 guys left in play for Saturday mornings 8 matches, who will then decide the 4 match quarter finals Saturday afternoon.
That's why today is known as Knock-out Friday. All the matches (past and current) are on my live scoring link above. If 2 or more players are tied with the same points there will be a sudden death playoff to decide the winner.
Friday Group Scenarios:
Today's group scenarios are endless, that's why it's an exciting day. Even if you are 2-0-0 you may still not qualify. Here is the complete breakdown from pgatour.com.
https://www.pgatour.com/news/2019/03/28/group-scenarios-day-3-wgc-dell-technologies-match-play.html
I can tell you Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson and Jason Day are amongst the notables who are eliminated before their matches today, but they can still affect the outcome of the group.
Tiger is still very much in play in a very tight group 13. He beat Aaron Wise on Wednesday but lost to Brandt Snedeker yesterday. He plays Patrick Cantlay today.
Bryan Angus
Today is the last day of the Group Stage of this year's Dell Technology Match Play with a match in all 16 groups in action. By tonight, weather permitting there will be 16 guys left in play for Saturday mornings 8 matches, who will then decide the 4 match quarter finals Saturday afternoon.
That's why today is known as Knock-out Friday. All the matches (past and current) are on my live scoring link above. If 2 or more players are tied with the same points there will be a sudden death playoff to decide the winner.
Friday Group Scenarios:
Today's group scenarios are endless, that's why it's an exciting day. Even if you are 2-0-0 you may still not qualify. Here is the complete breakdown from pgatour.com.
https://www.pgatour.com/news/2019/03/28/group-scenarios-day-3-wgc-dell-technologies-match-play.html
I can tell you Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson and Jason Day are amongst the notables who are eliminated before their matches today, but they can still affect the outcome of the group.
Tiger is still very much in play in a very tight group 13. He beat Aaron Wise on Wednesday but lost to Brandt Snedeker yesterday. He plays Patrick Cantlay today.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Brooke Henderson leads Canadians at the Kia Classic
LPGA Kia Classic leaderbaord http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/kia-classic/leaderboard
This week the LPGA Tour is in sunny Carlsbad California for the Kia Classic where Brooke Henderson leads a Canadian contingent of five into action later today.
She is joined by Alena Sharp, Anne Catherine Tanguay, Jaclyn Lee and Brittany Marchand. All of them are highlighted at the top of my live scoring link above.
Brooke is off early at 7.44am 10th tee with Minjee Lee and Danielle Kang and here's a look ahead at her featured pairing thanks to lpgatour.com
Minjee Lee has found herself nearly holding up a trophy twice this year, with back to back second place finishes in the Honda LPGA Thailand and HSBC Women’s World Championship. The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 3 golfer is looking to hold a trophy up this week at the Kia Classic in her fifth appearance in the event. She improved in every round in Carlsbad last year, finishing the weekend with a 69-68 to finish T26.
Brooke Henderson has had a strong opening to the season, finishing in the top 15 in all four events she’s played so far. Henderson finished T10 in her first appearance at Kia in 2016, and has played in the event the last three years. She’s found her groove on Sunday at Aviara Golf Club, averaging 67 in the final round of the tournament.
Danielle Kang makes her first appearance in the stateside part of the schedule, coming off two top 20 finishes in her first two starts of the season. Kang found herself in the mix heading into moving day last year at the Kia Classic, sitting in 7th place at (-6) through two rounds. The Team USA Solheim Cup member has played in the event six times.
Recently engaged Michelle Wie who is a spokesperson for Kia has had to W/D again due to a continuing injury to her wrist.
Bryan Angus
This week the LPGA Tour is in sunny Carlsbad California for the Kia Classic where Brooke Henderson leads a Canadian contingent of five into action later today.
She is joined by Alena Sharp, Anne Catherine Tanguay, Jaclyn Lee and Brittany Marchand. All of them are highlighted at the top of my live scoring link above.
Brooke is off early at 7.44am 10th tee with Minjee Lee and Danielle Kang and here's a look ahead at her featured pairing thanks to lpgatour.com
Minjee Lee has found herself nearly holding up a trophy twice this year, with back to back second place finishes in the Honda LPGA Thailand and HSBC Women’s World Championship. The Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 3 golfer is looking to hold a trophy up this week at the Kia Classic in her fifth appearance in the event. She improved in every round in Carlsbad last year, finishing the weekend with a 69-68 to finish T26.
Brooke Henderson has had a strong opening to the season, finishing in the top 15 in all four events she’s played so far. Henderson finished T10 in her first appearance at Kia in 2016, and has played in the event the last three years. She’s found her groove on Sunday at Aviara Golf Club, averaging 67 in the final round of the tournament.
Danielle Kang makes her first appearance in the stateside part of the schedule, coming off two top 20 finishes in her first two starts of the season. Kang found herself in the mix heading into moving day last year at the Kia Classic, sitting in 7th place at (-6) through two rounds. The Team USA Solheim Cup member has played in the event six times.
Recently engaged Michelle Wie who is a spokesperson for Kia has had to W/D again due to a continuing injury to her wrist.
Bryan Angus
Six Canadians playing at the Corales Puntacana Championship.. live scoreboard
PGA Tour Corales Puntcana Resort and Club Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/corales-puntacana-resort-club-championship/leaderboard.html
Good morning! Remenber a few weeks ago when we had the WGC Mexico for the world's top 60 and all the rest were in Puerto Rico.
This week is the same deal, only the WGC is in Texas for the Dell Technology Match Play while the others are in the sunny Dominican Republic for the Corales Puntacana Championship.
There are 6 Canadians in the mix with the usual group of regular and not so regular tour pros. Guys like David Duval and Trevor Immelman are out of the broadcast booth along with others like DA Points, Robert Allenby, John Rollins who have little or no status
Adam Svensson, David Hearn, Ben Silserman, Corey Connors, Mac Hughes and Roger Sloan are in and I have highlighted their tee times in my live scoring link above.
Bryan Angus
Good morning! Remenber a few weeks ago when we had the WGC Mexico for the world's top 60 and all the rest were in Puerto Rico.
This week is the same deal, only the WGC is in Texas for the Dell Technology Match Play while the others are in the sunny Dominican Republic for the Corales Puntacana Championship.
There are 6 Canadians in the mix with the usual group of regular and not so regular tour pros. Guys like David Duval and Trevor Immelman are out of the broadcast booth along with others like DA Points, Robert Allenby, John Rollins who have little or no status
Adam Svensson, David Hearn, Ben Silserman, Corey Connors, Mac Hughes and Roger Sloan are in and I have highlighted their tee times in my live scoring link above.
Bryan Angus
Dell Technology Match Play leaderboard.. live scoring
WGC Dell Technology Match Play leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/wgc-dell-technologies-match-play/leaderboard.html
Format: There are 16 groups of 4 in the initial Group Stage where all 4 players have a match with each other to decide the Group winner. That happens Wed-Fri with sudden death playoffs if necessary to decide the winner.
On Saturday there is the round of 16 who play their way down to the semi finals and finals on Sunday.
Bubba Watson is the defending champion.
Wednesday, Day1 Group Stage:
Of the top 10 players only Justin Thomas #5 lost 3&2 to Lucas Bjerrejaard #50 (Denmark) while Brooks Koepka #3 halved with Tom Lewis #60 (England)
Tiger Woods #13 beat Aaron Wise #61 3&1, Henrik Stenson (31) beat Phil Mickelson #20 2&1. Jim Furyk #52 beat Jason Day #12, 2up
Jon Rahm #8 had the shortest match, beating Si Woo Kim, 7&5. Rory McIlroy #4 needed only 14 holes to beat Luke List, while top seed Dustin Johnson #1 closed out Chez Reavie on the 15th hole.
Defending champion Bubba Watson lost his opening match for the first time. Watson needed to win the 18th against Kevin Na, but his second shot out of the bunker in front of the green came back down the slope and into his footprint and he lost 2&1.
Thursday, Day 2 Group Stage: https://www.pgatour.com/news/2019/03/27/wgc-dell-technologies-match-play-match-previews-day-2.html
Notables;
Phil Mickelson #20 vs Jim Furyk#52
Dustin Johnson #1 vs Branden Grace #40
Rory McIlroy #4 vs Justin Harding #47
Tiger Woods #13 vs Brandt Snedeker #44
Justin Thomas # vs Matt Wallace #33
Jason Day #12 vs Henrik Stenson #37
Brooks Koepka #3 vs Haotong Li
There are no Canadians in the field.
Bryan Angus
Format: There are 16 groups of 4 in the initial Group Stage where all 4 players have a match with each other to decide the Group winner. That happens Wed-Fri with sudden death playoffs if necessary to decide the winner.
On Saturday there is the round of 16 who play their way down to the semi finals and finals on Sunday.
Bubba Watson is the defending champion.
Wednesday, Day1 Group Stage:
Of the top 10 players only Justin Thomas #5 lost 3&2 to Lucas Bjerrejaard #50 (Denmark) while Brooks Koepka #3 halved with Tom Lewis #60 (England)
Tiger Woods #13 beat Aaron Wise #61 3&1, Henrik Stenson (31) beat Phil Mickelson #20 2&1. Jim Furyk #52 beat Jason Day #12, 2up
Jon Rahm #8 had the shortest match, beating Si Woo Kim, 7&5. Rory McIlroy #4 needed only 14 holes to beat Luke List, while top seed Dustin Johnson #1 closed out Chez Reavie on the 15th hole.
Defending champion Bubba Watson lost his opening match for the first time. Watson needed to win the 18th against Kevin Na, but his second shot out of the bunker in front of the green came back down the slope and into his footprint and he lost 2&1.
Thursday, Day 2 Group Stage: https://www.pgatour.com/news/2019/03/27/wgc-dell-technologies-match-play-match-previews-day-2.html
Notables;
Phil Mickelson #20 vs Jim Furyk#52
Dustin Johnson #1 vs Branden Grace #40
Rory McIlroy #4 vs Justin Harding #47
Tiger Woods #13 vs Brandt Snedeker #44
Justin Thomas # vs Matt Wallace #33
Jason Day #12 vs Henrik Stenson #37
Brooks Koepka #3 vs Haotong Li
There are no Canadians in the field.
Bryan Angus
Monday, March 25, 2019
Brooke Henderson finishes T8 at Bank of Hope Founders Cup
LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Founders Cup final leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/bank-of-hope-founders-cup/results
Continuing her fine play with 4 rounds in the 60's last week at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup including a closing (67 68 69), -6 66 -18 total, Brooke Henderson has posted her 3rd top 10 in 4 outings this time T8.
She finished her week with a 6 birdie, bogey free nines of 33. She drove very well 12/14 fairways and used a week low 26 putts. 13/18 greens in regulation and 1/1 in sand saves.
A 23 year old South Korean, Jin Young Ko closed with bogey-free rounds of 64 and 65 at Desert Ridge to rally for a one-stroke victory Sunday. She birdied Nos. 14-16 and parred the final two to finish at -22, 266, then won when third-round leader Yu Liu missed a 15-foot par putt on the par-4 18th.
Liu shot a 70 to T2 with playing partner Carlota Ciganda and sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda. Ciganda closed with a 69, Jessica Korda eagled the two back-nine par 5s in a 64, and Nelly Korda shot 66, all finished a shot back at -21.
The Korda sisters are quickly becoming a big story, particularly in American women's golf. Jessica the eldest is just back from an arm injury, Nelly has been in the top 10 eight times this year. Tall for women at 6', from an athletic family they are easy on the eye and extremely talented, and single.
Speaking of tall, Michelle Wie has announced her engagement to Jerry West's son Jonnie.
She will be in the field for this week's Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California.
Bryan Angus
Continuing her fine play with 4 rounds in the 60's last week at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup including a closing (67 68 69), -6 66 -18 total, Brooke Henderson has posted her 3rd top 10 in 4 outings this time T8.
She finished her week with a 6 birdie, bogey free nines of 33. She drove very well 12/14 fairways and used a week low 26 putts. 13/18 greens in regulation and 1/1 in sand saves.
A 23 year old South Korean, Jin Young Ko closed with bogey-free rounds of 64 and 65 at Desert Ridge to rally for a one-stroke victory Sunday. She birdied Nos. 14-16 and parred the final two to finish at -22, 266, then won when third-round leader Yu Liu missed a 15-foot par putt on the par-4 18th.
Liu shot a 70 to T2 with playing partner Carlota Ciganda and sisters Jessica and Nelly Korda. Ciganda closed with a 69, Jessica Korda eagled the two back-nine par 5s in a 64, and Nelly Korda shot 66, all finished a shot back at -21.
The Korda sisters are quickly becoming a big story, particularly in American women's golf. Jessica the eldest is just back from an arm injury, Nelly has been in the top 10 eight times this year. Tall for women at 6', from an athletic family they are easy on the eye and extremely talented, and single.
Speaking of tall, Michelle Wie has announced her engagement to Jerry West's son Jonnie.
She will be in the field for this week's Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California.
Bryan Angus
Paul Casey completes an all European Florida swing..
PGA Tour Valspar Championship final leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/valspar-championship/leaderboard.html
The lowest score of the day was -3 68 while the scoring average was 72.143 the highest Sunday since that horrible cold rainy final day at Riviera. The Copperhead course at the venerable Innisbrook Resort did nothing but enhance it's reputation as a magnificent test of golf.
Through it all, plus a freshening breeze and slick greens England's Paul Casey took his renewed confidence and played a steady and at times stunning round of golf, a +1 72 and a -8 total which turned out to be good enough for a one shot victory over Louis Oosthuizen (69) an Jason Kokrak (71).
He became the first to defend his Valspar title which he won at -10 last year when he held off Tiger. This year he beat the heavy favourite Dustin Johnson who couldn't make a single birdie and slumped to T6 74..
In doing so he capped off an incredible Florida swing for players from the victorious European Ryder Cup team. Frankie Molinari at Arnie's place, Rory at the Players and now Paul Casey at the Valspar.
Canadian scores: Mackenzie Hughes emerged as the top Canuck after Nick Taylor and Roger Sloan slumped in Sunday's difficult conditions.
Mac Hughes 70 72 68 71 -3 T13, Nick Taylor 71 70 67 75 -1 T24, Roger Sloan 70 72 70 77 +5 T60.
This week the top pros are in Austin Texas for the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, while the rest are off to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship.
Bryan Angus
The lowest score of the day was -3 68 while the scoring average was 72.143 the highest Sunday since that horrible cold rainy final day at Riviera. The Copperhead course at the venerable Innisbrook Resort did nothing but enhance it's reputation as a magnificent test of golf.
Through it all, plus a freshening breeze and slick greens England's Paul Casey took his renewed confidence and played a steady and at times stunning round of golf, a +1 72 and a -8 total which turned out to be good enough for a one shot victory over Louis Oosthuizen (69) an Jason Kokrak (71).
He became the first to defend his Valspar title which he won at -10 last year when he held off Tiger. This year he beat the heavy favourite Dustin Johnson who couldn't make a single birdie and slumped to T6 74..
In doing so he capped off an incredible Florida swing for players from the victorious European Ryder Cup team. Frankie Molinari at Arnie's place, Rory at the Players and now Paul Casey at the Valspar.
Canadian scores: Mackenzie Hughes emerged as the top Canuck after Nick Taylor and Roger Sloan slumped in Sunday's difficult conditions.
Mac Hughes 70 72 68 71 -3 T13, Nick Taylor 71 70 67 75 -1 T24, Roger Sloan 70 72 70 77 +5 T60.
This week the top pros are in Austin Texas for the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, while the rest are off to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Brooke Henderson T15 after 3 rounds of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup
LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Founders Cup leaderboard. http://www.lpga.com/leaderboard
Canada’s Brooke Henderson (69) is T15th at -12 when the final round of this Bank of Hope Founders Cup gets under way this morning in Phoenix, Arizona.
She fired another 6 birdies, this time with 3 bogey's. She hit 9/14 fairways, her worst of the week, and 13/18 greens in regulation with 28 putts, She was also 1/1 in sand saves. Brooke has made 18 birdies in her 54 holes so far.
The leader is a rather shy young Chinese woman, Yu Liu who was nervous in her final-group pairing Saturday, outplaying top-ranked Sung Hyun Park with a -7 65 -19 197, and she'll be in the final group again today with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda who shot -9 63, 2nd -18.
“I’m not very comfortable and not very used to playing in the last group,” said Liu, the 23-year-old in her second year on the tour, “I’ve had two experiences before and I didn’t do very well"
Hyo Joo Kim (64), Jin Young Ko (64), Women’s Australian Open champion Nelly Korda (66) and Lydia Ko (67) are at -15.
Bryan Angus
Canada’s Brooke Henderson (69) is T15th at -12 when the final round of this Bank of Hope Founders Cup gets under way this morning in Phoenix, Arizona.
She fired another 6 birdies, this time with 3 bogey's. She hit 9/14 fairways, her worst of the week, and 13/18 greens in regulation with 28 putts, She was also 1/1 in sand saves. Brooke has made 18 birdies in her 54 holes so far.
The leader is a rather shy young Chinese woman, Yu Liu who was nervous in her final-group pairing Saturday, outplaying top-ranked Sung Hyun Park with a -7 65 -19 197, and she'll be in the final group again today with Spaniard Carlota Ciganda who shot -9 63, 2nd -18.
“I’m not very comfortable and not very used to playing in the last group,” said Liu, the 23-year-old in her second year on the tour, “I’ve had two experiences before and I didn’t do very well"
Hyo Joo Kim (64), Jin Young Ko (64), Women’s Australian Open champion Nelly Korda (66) and Lydia Ko (67) are at -15.
Bryan Angus
Nick Taylor leads Canadians at the Valspar Championship
PGA Tour Valspar Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/valspar-championship/leaderboard.html
Saturday is moving day in pro golf and at the Valspar Championship at the luxurious Innisbrook Resort just NW of Tampa, the three Canadians made the most of this tough Copperhead course which has only allowed the leader Paul Casey 70 68 68, to get to 9 strokes below par.
Nick Taylor T6, 71 70 67 -5 leads the Canadians into today's final round with Mac Hughes T14,70 72 68 -3 and Roger Sloan T27, 70 72 70 -1 also playing very nicely.
Despite ideal scoring conditions, nobody can run away from the field on this traditional old tree lined Florida course where water only comes into play on 3 holes, and where par is good, and birdies are at a premium. Accurate drives and approach shots are required to have any chance at success.
Casey will have a chance again to do what he has failed to do often before, close out the deal to win on Sunday's. Recently he and his coach Peter Kostis met to devise a strategy which would see him play with more assertiveness both mentally and physically.
He will have to be at his best as he's paired with world #1 Dustin Johnson 69 69 67 -8.
There are 10 players within 4 shots as play begins today.
Bryan Angus
Saturday is moving day in pro golf and at the Valspar Championship at the luxurious Innisbrook Resort just NW of Tampa, the three Canadians made the most of this tough Copperhead course which has only allowed the leader Paul Casey 70 68 68, to get to 9 strokes below par.
Nick Taylor T6, 71 70 67 -5 leads the Canadians into today's final round with Mac Hughes T14,70 72 68 -3 and Roger Sloan T27, 70 72 70 -1 also playing very nicely.
Despite ideal scoring conditions, nobody can run away from the field on this traditional old tree lined Florida course where water only comes into play on 3 holes, and where par is good, and birdies are at a premium. Accurate drives and approach shots are required to have any chance at success.
Casey will have a chance again to do what he has failed to do often before, close out the deal to win on Sunday's. Recently he and his coach Peter Kostis met to devise a strategy which would see him play with more assertiveness both mentally and physically.
He will have to be at his best as he's paired with world #1 Dustin Johnson 69 69 67 -8.
There are 10 players within 4 shots as play begins today.
Bryan Angus
Scott Hend survives weather and a playoff to win Maybank Championship
European Tour Maybank Championship final scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019028/leaderboard/index.html#/results
Scott Hend claimed his third European Tour title in dramatic circumstances as he beat Nacho Elvira at the first play-off hole to win the weather affected Maybank Championship.
Scott Hend claimed his third European Tour title in dramatic circumstances as he beat Nacho Elvira at the first play-off hole to win the weather affected Maybank Championship.
The 45-year-old began the fourth round three shots behind overnight leader Elvira but went in front courtesy of five birdies on the front nine and remained ahead by one stroke as the final group arrived at the 18th tee.
But there was late drama as the heavens opened, with a clap of thunder on Elvira's backswing disrupting his approach into the 18th green just before play was suspended at 1450 local time.
But there was late drama as the heavens opened, with a clap of thunder on Elvira's backswing disrupting his approach into the 18th green just before play was suspended at 1450 local time.
That left the Spaniard with a 30 foot putt to keep his hopes alive and when play resumed at 1630, he coolly drained his birdie effort to join Hend on -15 and force a play-off.
Hend got a lucky break when his tee shot at the first extra hole hit the base of a tree and landed on the fairway, while Elvira's ball went straight into a fairway bunker.
The Australian hit another tree with his second shot but holed his birdie putt from three feet to clinch the title and banish memories of previous play-off defeats at the Omega European Masters in both 2016 and 2017.
The victory is Hend's first since the 2016 True Thailand Classic and takes him into the top ten of the 2019 Race to Dubai Rankings.
The victory is Hend's first since the 2016 True Thailand Classic and takes him into the top ten of the 2019 Race to Dubai Rankings.
Elvira's runner-up finish was his second in as many starts after he ended the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in a T2 in his last outing
Meanwhile, four time Major Champion Ernie Els secured his 300th career top ten finish after closing with a 71 to join the large group in a T7.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Paul Casey tops the Saturday story at the Valspar Championship..Live scoring
PGA Tour Valspar Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/valspar-championship/leaderboard.html
Nick Taylor T23 71,70 -1, Mac Hughes T34 70,72 E, and Roger Sloan T34 70,72 E, have all made the cut for this weekend at the Valspar Championship on a very tough Copperhead course at the Innisbrook Resort, just outside Tampa, Florida.
The leaders at 70 66 -6 are the defending champion Paul Casey who has been 2nd and 3rd already this year, and American Austin Cook 68 67 -6.
Casey spent some time recently with his long time coach/ TV analyst, Peter Kostis who told him he has to be more aggressive both mentally and physically when it comes to closing out tournaments when he's leading going into Sunday.
The Copperhead course with it's famed snakepit finish is playing tough as always with the winning score traditionally being around 10-12 shots under par over 4 rounds, one of the lowest outside of the majors on tour. Par is a good score, bogey's are expected while birdies are at a premium, and remember conditions this week have been ideal.
As a result, besides 5 of our Canadians, lot's of big names missed the cut at +1. Jason Day, Gary Woodland (who'd made 22 straight), Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed are among many who have headed elsewhere as of last night.
Nice to see good guy Luke Donald back playing well after a year off recovering from back surgery, he's at -5 and with scoring so low the leaderboard is jammed with notables, DJ at -4, Jon Rahm -3, Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson are at -2.
Bryan Angus
Nick Taylor T23 71,70 -1, Mac Hughes T34 70,72 E, and Roger Sloan T34 70,72 E, have all made the cut for this weekend at the Valspar Championship on a very tough Copperhead course at the Innisbrook Resort, just outside Tampa, Florida.
The leaders at 70 66 -6 are the defending champion Paul Casey who has been 2nd and 3rd already this year, and American Austin Cook 68 67 -6.
Casey spent some time recently with his long time coach/ TV analyst, Peter Kostis who told him he has to be more aggressive both mentally and physically when it comes to closing out tournaments when he's leading going into Sunday.
The Copperhead course with it's famed snakepit finish is playing tough as always with the winning score traditionally being around 10-12 shots under par over 4 rounds, one of the lowest outside of the majors on tour. Par is a good score, bogey's are expected while birdies are at a premium, and remember conditions this week have been ideal.
As a result, besides 5 of our Canadians, lot's of big names missed the cut at +1. Jason Day, Gary Woodland (who'd made 22 straight), Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed are among many who have headed elsewhere as of last night.
Nice to see good guy Luke Donald back playing well after a year off recovering from back surgery, he's at -5 and with scoring so low the leaderboard is jammed with notables, DJ at -4, Jon Rahm -3, Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson are at -2.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson heads into the weekend 3 shots behind at the Founders Cup.
LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Founders Cup leaderboard
The top-ranked Sung Hyun Park shot her second straight -6 66 yesterday on the Desert Course in ideal conditions at the Founders Cup for a share of the lead with China's Yu Liu (64), at -12, 132. She has six victories in her first three years on the tour including the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open and 2018 Women’s PGA Championship.
Lydia Ko (67) is at -10 under with first-round leader Celine Boutier (70), Amy Yang (66), Mi Jung Hur (66), Angel Yin (67), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (69) and Monday qualifier Cheyenne Knight (68).
Brooke Henderson (68) is in a group with defending champion Inbee Park at -9 and Women’s Australian Open champion Nelly Korda (67), all T11, 3 shots back.
Brooke made just 1 bogey on her first hole (the 10th) with 5 birdies for 35 33 -4 68. She hit 13/14 fairways, 15/18 greens in regulation, 2/2 sand saves and 29 putts.
These Canadians missed the cut: Brittany Marchand (73) T86th E, Anne-Catherine Tanguay (71) and Alena Sharp (72) +2 , Jaclyn Lee (75) +4.
Bryan Angus
The top-ranked Sung Hyun Park shot her second straight -6 66 yesterday on the Desert Course in ideal conditions at the Founders Cup for a share of the lead with China's Yu Liu (64), at -12, 132. She has six victories in her first three years on the tour including the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open and 2018 Women’s PGA Championship.
Lydia Ko (67) is at -10 under with first-round leader Celine Boutier (70), Amy Yang (66), Mi Jung Hur (66), Angel Yin (67), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (69) and Monday qualifier Cheyenne Knight (68).
Brooke Henderson (68) is in a group with defending champion Inbee Park at -9 and Women’s Australian Open champion Nelly Korda (67), all T11, 3 shots back.
Brooke made just 1 bogey on her first hole (the 10th) with 5 birdies for 35 33 -4 68. She hit 13/14 fairways, 15/18 greens in regulation, 2/2 sand saves and 29 putts.
These Canadians missed the cut: Brittany Marchand (73) T86th E, Anne-Catherine Tanguay (71) and Alena Sharp (72) +2 , Jaclyn Lee (75) +4.
Bryan Angus
Friday, March 22, 2019
World traveller Ernie Els in contention at the Maybank Challenge
European Tour Maybank Challenge leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019028/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
The godfather of South African golf is Bobby Locke or Gary Player, depending what era you choose. Locke played before jet travel was in vogue, Player made up for that travelling by his estimation, some 15 million miles, curled up in his plane seat.
I don't know how many Ernie Els has travelled, it's a lot more than most, and this week he's back on the other side of the world in Kuala Lumpur, and he is continuing the fine form he has re discovered since turning 49 and now ranked #361 in the world.
Going into the weekend at this Maybank Challenge he is at -6 T4, two shots behind Belgian Thomas Pieters 67 69 -8.
Consider the dedication he has to this international game. Before Christmas, he played down under in Australia while he visited Royal Melbourne, site of the Presidents Cup this year.
He flew up to Mauritius to support the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open, then back home for the SA Open T15, The Alfred Dunhill T26, then off to the Middle East, Dubai Desert Classic T12, Saudi International T89.
In February he was back in a plane to Pebble Beach T28, Riviera T56, then the Honda Classic T20, and Arnold Palmer Invitational M/C and now he's back in Malaysia.
All of that in 4 months, and we haven't even played the Masters yet.
He said in a recent interview that his last 4 years were pretty tough, however inspired by guys like Phil Mickelson, Davis Love and Vijay Singh who are winning late in their careers, he is back and competeing.
His health is good, as is his legendary ball striking, and his putter has become his friend again.
" I feel like I can compete with these guys on the weekend again, and that has kinda' been my goal" and that is great news for his fans who have followed the Big Easy through all these years.
* 47 International wins, 19 PGA Tour wins, 6 others, 4 majors (2 US Open, 2 Open) $49,247,724 career earnings. Hall of Fame in 2011.
Bryan Angus
The godfather of South African golf is Bobby Locke or Gary Player, depending what era you choose. Locke played before jet travel was in vogue, Player made up for that travelling by his estimation, some 15 million miles, curled up in his plane seat.
I don't know how many Ernie Els has travelled, it's a lot more than most, and this week he's back on the other side of the world in Kuala Lumpur, and he is continuing the fine form he has re discovered since turning 49 and now ranked #361 in the world.
Going into the weekend at this Maybank Challenge he is at -6 T4, two shots behind Belgian Thomas Pieters 67 69 -8.
Consider the dedication he has to this international game. Before Christmas, he played down under in Australia while he visited Royal Melbourne, site of the Presidents Cup this year.
He flew up to Mauritius to support the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open, then back home for the SA Open T15, The Alfred Dunhill T26, then off to the Middle East, Dubai Desert Classic T12, Saudi International T89.
In February he was back in a plane to Pebble Beach T28, Riviera T56, then the Honda Classic T20, and Arnold Palmer Invitational M/C and now he's back in Malaysia.
All of that in 4 months, and we haven't even played the Masters yet.
He said in a recent interview that his last 4 years were pretty tough, however inspired by guys like Phil Mickelson, Davis Love and Vijay Singh who are winning late in their careers, he is back and competeing.
His health is good, as is his legendary ball striking, and his putter has become his friend again.
" I feel like I can compete with these guys on the weekend again, and that has kinda' been my goal" and that is great news for his fans who have followed the Big Easy through all these years.
* 47 International wins, 19 PGA Tour wins, 6 others, 4 majors (2 US Open, 2 Open) $49,247,724 career earnings. Hall of Fame in 2011.
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson starts strong at Bank of Hope Founders Cup
LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Founders Cup leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/bank-of-hope-founders-cup/leaderboard
Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson have opened their challenge at this Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Arizona with -5 67's,T12.
Brooke posted 7 birdies and 2 bogey's in her 34, 33 round and she capitalized on the par 5's making birdie on them all. She hit 11/14 fairways, 14/18 greens and used 28 putts. Today she is off the 10th tee at 8.06am local time.
Brittany Marchand (71) was T62nd, Jaclyn Lee (73) T90th, Alena Sharp (74) T11th, and Anne-Catherine Tanguay (75) T128th.
Celine Boutier closed her late round with a 4' birdie putt for -8 64. The Frenchwoman won the Vic Open last month in Australia for her first LPGA Tour title.
“It’s definitely made me more confident in my game, my ability to win out here,” Boutier said. “I feel like I was kind of lacking that confidence last year.”
Alana Uriell, Charlotte Thomas, Jin Young Ko and Nanna Koerstz Madsen joined Na Yeon Choi at -7 65 T2.
Bryan Angus
Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson have opened their challenge at this Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Arizona with -5 67's,T12.
Brooke posted 7 birdies and 2 bogey's in her 34, 33 round and she capitalized on the par 5's making birdie on them all. She hit 11/14 fairways, 14/18 greens and used 28 putts. Today she is off the 10th tee at 8.06am local time.
Brittany Marchand (71) was T62nd, Jaclyn Lee (73) T90th, Alena Sharp (74) T11th, and Anne-Catherine Tanguay (75) T128th.
Celine Boutier closed her late round with a 4' birdie putt for -8 64. The Frenchwoman won the Vic Open last month in Australia for her first LPGA Tour title.
“It’s definitely made me more confident in my game, my ability to win out here,” Boutier said. “I feel like I was kind of lacking that confidence last year.”
Alana Uriell, Charlotte Thomas, Jin Young Ko and Nanna Koerstz Madsen joined Na Yeon Choi at -7 65 T2.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Rory McIlroy to play in this year's RBC Canadian Open for the first time
Golf Canada has just released this bulletin, great news for golf fans in and around Hamilton, Ontario and right across the country.
Here is the PGA Tour 2019 schedule https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
Today, RBC and Golf Canada announced that world ranked No. 4, Rory McIlroy will compete in the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
Fresh off an impressive victory at the 2019 PLAYERS Championship, McIlroy joins an already strong field of players, including world No. 1 and Team RBC Ambassador Dustin Johnson, alongside team members Jim Furyk, Adam Hadwin, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker.
I‘m really excited to play in my first RBC Canadian Open,” said McIlroy. “There continues to be a lot of momentum around this historic tournament, with a new date, new location and now a new concert series. I’ve had the opportunity to see the passion that Canada has for our sport and I look forward to seeing the energy of Canadian golf fans first hand. I’m also looking forward to squaring off with DJ, Adam and the rest of Team RBC for Canada’s National Open Championship.”
The 29-year old international superstar from Northern Ireland currently holds the No. 1 spot on the 2019 FedEx Cup Ranking. His results also include:
McIlroy’s commitment to play in his first RBC Canadian Open builds on an earlier announcement this week introducing a two-night RBCxMusic Concert Series at the tournament. The concerts will feature Grammy nominated and internationally acclaimed duo Florida Georgia Line on Friday, June 7, and JUNO award-winning homegrown rock band The Glorious Sons on Saturday, June 8.
In the coming weeks, additional players, including Canadians and tournament exemptions, will be announced. PGA TOUR players have until Friday, May 31 to commit to the field of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open
More information about the 2019 RBC Canadian Open including tickets, corporate hospitality and volunteer information is available at www.rbccanadianopen.com.
* Here is what Rory who now lives in Florida with his American wife, has committed to on the PGA Tour. This does not include his European Tour stops.
Here is the PGA Tour 2019 schedule https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
Today, RBC and Golf Canada announced that world ranked No. 4, Rory McIlroy will compete in the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, June 3-9 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.
Fresh off an impressive victory at the 2019 PLAYERS Championship, McIlroy joins an already strong field of players, including world No. 1 and Team RBC Ambassador Dustin Johnson, alongside team members Jim Furyk, Adam Hadwin, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker.
I‘m really excited to play in my first RBC Canadian Open,” said McIlroy. “There continues to be a lot of momentum around this historic tournament, with a new date, new location and now a new concert series. I’ve had the opportunity to see the passion that Canada has for our sport and I look forward to seeing the energy of Canadian golf fans first hand. I’m also looking forward to squaring off with DJ, Adam and the rest of Team RBC for Canada’s National Open Championship.”
The 29-year old international superstar from Northern Ireland currently holds the No. 1 spot on the 2019 FedEx Cup Ranking. His results also include:
- Four-time Major Champion (US Open 2011, PGA Championship 2012, 2014, and The Open Championship 2014)
- Two-time WGC Champion (2014, 2015) and 2019 The PLAYERS Champion
- 15-time PGA TOUR Winner including 2016 FedEx Cup Champion, 24 worldwide wins overall
- Five appearances (four Team Europe wins) in the biennial Ryder Cup
- Two-time PGA TOUR Player of the Year (2012 and 2014)
- Three-time Race to Dubai Champion (2012, 2014 and 2015)
- Held world #1 in Official World Golf Ranking for 95 weeks over his career
McIlroy’s commitment to play in his first RBC Canadian Open builds on an earlier announcement this week introducing a two-night RBCxMusic Concert Series at the tournament. The concerts will feature Grammy nominated and internationally acclaimed duo Florida Georgia Line on Friday, June 7, and JUNO award-winning homegrown rock band The Glorious Sons on Saturday, June 8.
In the coming weeks, additional players, including Canadians and tournament exemptions, will be announced. PGA TOUR players have until Friday, May 31 to commit to the field of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open
More information about the 2019 RBC Canadian Open including tickets, corporate hospitality and volunteer information is available at www.rbccanadianopen.com.
* Here is what Rory who now lives in Florida with his American wife, has committed to on the PGA Tour. This does not include his European Tour stops.
March 14th-17th: The Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass – 1st
Apr 11th-14th: The Masters, Augusta National
May 16th-19th: USPGA Championship, Bethpage Black
June 6th-9th: RBC Canadian Open, Hamilton G&CC
June 13th-17th: US Open, Pebble Beach
July 18th-21st: The Open, Royal Portrush
August 8th-11th: The Northern Trust, Liberty National
August 15th-18th: BMW Championship, Medinah
August 22nd-29th: Tour Championship, East Lake
Bryan Angus
Apr 11th-14th: The Masters, Augusta National
May 16th-19th: USPGA Championship, Bethpage Black
June 6th-9th: RBC Canadian Open, Hamilton G&CC
June 13th-17th: US Open, Pebble Beach
July 18th-21st: The Open, Royal Portrush
August 8th-11th: The Northern Trust, Liberty National
August 15th-18th: BMW Championship, Medinah
August 22nd-29th: Tour Championship, East Lake
Bryan Angus
Brooke Henderson returns at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.. Tee times
LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Founders Cup featured groups/tee times http://www.lpga.com/news/2019-featured-groups-opening-rounds-founders-cup
The LPGA Tour returns to Phoenix this week for the ninth edition of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, which celebrates the 13 Founding Members of the LPGA Tour. The Bank of Hope Founders Cup kicks off a stretch of 15 consecutive tournaments in the United States.
Seven of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are competing this week: Sung Hyun Park, Ariya Jutanugarn, Minjee Lee, Inbee Park, Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Brooke Henderson.
Defending champion Inbee Park returns to Arizona looking to successfully defend her title and pick up her 20th LPGA Tour title and first win on Tour since capturing the Bank of Hope Founders Cup title last season
Brittany Marchand, Alena Sharp, Jaclyn Lee, Anne Catherine Tanguay join Henderson in the Canadian contingent.
Bryan Angus
(lpgatour.com)
The LPGA Tour returns to Phoenix this week for the ninth edition of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, which celebrates the 13 Founding Members of the LPGA Tour. The Bank of Hope Founders Cup kicks off a stretch of 15 consecutive tournaments in the United States.
Seven of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are competing this week: Sung Hyun Park, Ariya Jutanugarn, Minjee Lee, Inbee Park, Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Brooke Henderson.
Defending champion Inbee Park returns to Arizona looking to successfully defend her title and pick up her 20th LPGA Tour title and first win on Tour since capturing the Bank of Hope Founders Cup title last season
Brittany Marchand, Alena Sharp, Jaclyn Lee, Anne Catherine Tanguay join Henderson in the Canadian contingent.
Bryan Angus
(lpgatour.com)
Eight Canadians in play at the Valspar Championship.. live scoreboard
PGA Tour Valspar Championship tee times / live scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/valspar-championship/leaderboard.html
The luxurious Innisbrook resort in Palm Harbour, Florida (NW of Tampa) has been a winter haven for Canadian snowbirds for many years, and it's tight Copperhead course the home to a PGA Tour event since 2000.
In 2017 Adam Hadwin kick started his spot on the PGA Tour when he won for the first time, just two weeks before his wedding. Apart from the $1.2m, he earned a two year exemption and a trip to the Masters.
This year there are 7 Canucks joining him today. Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan, Austin Connelly, David Hearn, Ben Silverman, Mac Hughes, Adam Svensson . Follow their progress on my live scoring link above.
Corey Connors who led after 3 rounds here last year, finishing T17 is not in the field.
Paul Casey shot a Sunday 65 to edge Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed last year
Feature groups: Webb Simpson, Jason Day, Jon Rahm; Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Patrick Reed are in the morning wave.
Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey, Gary Woodland; Brandt Snedeker, Jim Furyk, Bubba Watson are in the late wave.
Bryan Angus
The luxurious Innisbrook resort in Palm Harbour, Florida (NW of Tampa) has been a winter haven for Canadian snowbirds for many years, and it's tight Copperhead course the home to a PGA Tour event since 2000.
In 2017 Adam Hadwin kick started his spot on the PGA Tour when he won for the first time, just two weeks before his wedding. Apart from the $1.2m, he earned a two year exemption and a trip to the Masters.
This year there are 7 Canucks joining him today. Nick Taylor, Roger Sloan, Austin Connelly, David Hearn, Ben Silverman, Mac Hughes, Adam Svensson . Follow their progress on my live scoring link above.
Corey Connors who led after 3 rounds here last year, finishing T17 is not in the field.
Paul Casey shot a Sunday 65 to edge Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed last year
Feature groups: Webb Simpson, Jason Day, Jon Rahm; Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Patrick Reed are in the morning wave.
Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey, Gary Woodland; Brandt Snedeker, Jim Furyk, Bubba Watson are in the late wave.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Rory beats Furyk again, wins Players on St Patrick's Day !
PGA Tour Players Championship final scoreboard https://www.theplayers.com/
As predicted right here, Rory survived the calamity lurching towards the finish line at this 2019 Players, it was very pretty at times... pretty ugly at others, which is what TPC Sawgrass will do to you, and did to most of the contenders on a very entertaining St Patricks Day Sunday.
For the leaders it was a struggle early on but nobody from below was charging...
There is an old Irish ditty " I don't want her you can have her,, it's alright by me.."
That's the way Sunday was in the early rain... Nobody grabbed hold of the event.. All the leaders struggled early on letting the contented contenders back in !!!
As usual at TPC Sawgrass it is a marathon... so it came right down to an exciting finish with Rory edging US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk (64 67 weekend) by a shot to win. I'm sure JF is just a little tired of Rory, after this and the drubbing he took in Paris.
McIlroy made two late birdies to regain the lead, was at his best when the pressure was the highest, and he closed with a -2 70 for a one-shot victory
Furyk now 48, nearly pulled off an upset as he capped off his 67 with a 7-iron into the 18th that came down 3 feet from the hole for a birdie to take the lead.
As for Rory, he'd made bogey at the 14th then drove into the bunker at the 15th, but ala Tiger at the 18th in the 2000 Canadian Open, he drilled a 6-iron from 180 to within 15 feet which he called “the best shot of the day, by far,”after he made the birdie 3 to tie.
At 16 he hammered a 350 yard drive on the par-5 16th, that left him a short iron to 20 feet for another birdie and the lead.
He made par on 17, then , nailed another huge drive down the 18th fairway to set up the win at -16-under 272 and another $2.25 million for his never overdrawn bank account !
Remember, as I mentioned yesterday Rory had not finished worse than T6 in his five previous starts and the copy cat media were after him, questioning his new found attitude governing his performances.
There were eight different leaders all in a pack separated by two shots on SSunday afternoon, so the winner wasn't clear until Rory's drive at the final hole.
“I think the toughest part is seeing yourself up there, whatever score you’re on, and seeing 10 or 11 guys with a chance, I guess that was the hardest thing was just getting yourself to the point mentally where you say, ‘Well, why not me? This is my tournament. I’m going to finish it off.”’
Eddie Pepperell of England, in his Sawgrass debut, ran off four birdies in a five-hole stretch to briefly share the lead sensationally capped by a putt from just inside 50 feet on the 17th. Next came Jhonattan Vegas to the island green to hole one from 70 feet, the longest putt made on the island green that gave him a share of the lead, too
Nick Taylor had a great Sunday, -5 67 T16th -10, his best result this season on TOUR. Corey Connors 74 -4 T41.
While the bookies have Tiger as the early Masters favourite, you'd best not bet against Rory now that he's made it to the winners circle again.
Bryan Angus
As predicted right here, Rory survived the calamity lurching towards the finish line at this 2019 Players, it was very pretty at times... pretty ugly at others, which is what TPC Sawgrass will do to you, and did to most of the contenders on a very entertaining St Patricks Day Sunday.
For the leaders it was a struggle early on but nobody from below was charging...
There is an old Irish ditty " I don't want her you can have her,, it's alright by me.."
That's the way Sunday was in the early rain... Nobody grabbed hold of the event.. All the leaders struggled early on letting the contented contenders back in !!!
As usual at TPC Sawgrass it is a marathon... so it came right down to an exciting finish with Rory edging US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk (64 67 weekend) by a shot to win. I'm sure JF is just a little tired of Rory, after this and the drubbing he took in Paris.
McIlroy made two late birdies to regain the lead, was at his best when the pressure was the highest, and he closed with a -2 70 for a one-shot victory
Furyk now 48, nearly pulled off an upset as he capped off his 67 with a 7-iron into the 18th that came down 3 feet from the hole for a birdie to take the lead.
As for Rory, he'd made bogey at the 14th then drove into the bunker at the 15th, but ala Tiger at the 18th in the 2000 Canadian Open, he drilled a 6-iron from 180 to within 15 feet which he called “the best shot of the day, by far,”after he made the birdie 3 to tie.
At 16 he hammered a 350 yard drive on the par-5 16th, that left him a short iron to 20 feet for another birdie and the lead.
He made par on 17, then , nailed another huge drive down the 18th fairway to set up the win at -16-under 272 and another $2.25 million for his never overdrawn bank account !
Remember, as I mentioned yesterday Rory had not finished worse than T6 in his five previous starts and the copy cat media were after him, questioning his new found attitude governing his performances.
There were eight different leaders all in a pack separated by two shots on SSunday afternoon, so the winner wasn't clear until Rory's drive at the final hole.
“I think the toughest part is seeing yourself up there, whatever score you’re on, and seeing 10 or 11 guys with a chance, I guess that was the hardest thing was just getting yourself to the point mentally where you say, ‘Well, why not me? This is my tournament. I’m going to finish it off.”’
Eddie Pepperell of England, in his Sawgrass debut, ran off four birdies in a five-hole stretch to briefly share the lead sensationally capped by a putt from just inside 50 feet on the 17th. Next came Jhonattan Vegas to the island green to hole one from 70 feet, the longest putt made on the island green that gave him a share of the lead, too
Nick Taylor had a great Sunday, -5 67 T16th -10, his best result this season on TOUR. Corey Connors 74 -4 T41.
While the bookies have Tiger as the early Masters favourite, you'd best not bet against Rory now that he's made it to the winners circle again.
Bryan Angus
It will be "Rory in the rain on St Patrick's Day" at the Players Championship
PGA Tour Players Championship scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
Happy St Patrick's Day to all the Irish where ever you are, and as my tribute today I'm saying it will be "Rory in the rain" for everyone who is wearing green!... and why not !!!
First of all the weather today at the Players is as predicted, rain, albeit light, which has moved in and will hang about on and off most of the day, and that is certainly not unusual for the Irish. The wind will freshen to around 15-18kph in the afternoon, and although that's considered a wee breeze in the Emerald Isle, on this TPC Sawgrass course it can be a difference maker. The greens are wet and softer, but the rough is now wet and tougher.
Check the live scoreboard link above to follow all the action, and when you do you'll be reminded there are 3 Ryder Cuppers' from the European Tour atop the leaderboard.
Jon Rahm cut loose with the low score of Saturday -8 64 (69 68) to take a one stroke lead at -15. Rory got off to a bad start with a bogey at the first and a shaky bogey 6 at the second, but steadied the ship with 3 birdies, out in 35, and back in with steady pars and 1 more birdie for his -2,70 -14 (67 65) total. Tommy paired with Rory, struggled early as well, double at the first, bogey's at 4 and 7 out in 38, but what a recovery, back in 32 for his 70 -14 (65 67).
I will add 2016 champion Jason Day 70 66 68 -12 in 4th and outsider Abraham Ancer from Mexico 69 66 70 -11 to the top five.
So why pick Rory ?
* there are 6 players at -10, including Dustin Johnson (69 68 69) who is completely capable of -8 64, but that only gets him to -18. There are too many players including Rory, ahead of him for that to be enough.
* Jon Rahm had everything go his way for his Saturday 64, it's tough to repeat a round like that, and also as he continues to grow up, he is still a couple of shots away from losing his composure.
* Jason Day is driving it as well as anyone this week, I just think he has to overtake the 3 guys above him, so I wouldn't be betting the wife's shopping money on that.
* Tommy is in the last pairing, and as humble as he is, don't be fooled, he got his struggling round done yesterday, and like Rory recovered well. He is one of the European Tour's premier drivers, a leader in Fairways in Regulation every year, so I expect him to be right there at the finish today.
* Rory's worst finish all year is T6, I think he got his struggling round out of the way early yesterday, and he admits he can play the par 5's better to take advantage of his supreme driving. I watch him closely early on, when he just bounces up to the first, rips it. knocks in an iron, putts for birdie/par, he is off and running, and mentally free. He can't start worse that he did yesterday (5,6 +3). Also he's not in the last group, playing with Jason Day, so that will free him to go and post a number.
So there you have it, why not pick Rory, especially in the rain, especially on St Patrick's Day.
May the "luck of the Irish" be with him !!!
Bryan Angus
PS: Corey Connors 72 70 68 -6 T24, Nick Taylor 73 69 69 -5 T38.
Happy St Patrick's Day to all the Irish where ever you are, and as my tribute today I'm saying it will be "Rory in the rain" for everyone who is wearing green!... and why not !!!
First of all the weather today at the Players is as predicted, rain, albeit light, which has moved in and will hang about on and off most of the day, and that is certainly not unusual for the Irish. The wind will freshen to around 15-18kph in the afternoon, and although that's considered a wee breeze in the Emerald Isle, on this TPC Sawgrass course it can be a difference maker. The greens are wet and softer, but the rough is now wet and tougher.
Check the live scoreboard link above to follow all the action, and when you do you'll be reminded there are 3 Ryder Cuppers' from the European Tour atop the leaderboard.
Jon Rahm cut loose with the low score of Saturday -8 64 (69 68) to take a one stroke lead at -15. Rory got off to a bad start with a bogey at the first and a shaky bogey 6 at the second, but steadied the ship with 3 birdies, out in 35, and back in with steady pars and 1 more birdie for his -2,70 -14 (67 65) total. Tommy paired with Rory, struggled early as well, double at the first, bogey's at 4 and 7 out in 38, but what a recovery, back in 32 for his 70 -14 (65 67).
I will add 2016 champion Jason Day 70 66 68 -12 in 4th and outsider Abraham Ancer from Mexico 69 66 70 -11 to the top five.
So why pick Rory ?
* there are 6 players at -10, including Dustin Johnson (69 68 69) who is completely capable of -8 64, but that only gets him to -18. There are too many players including Rory, ahead of him for that to be enough.
* Jon Rahm had everything go his way for his Saturday 64, it's tough to repeat a round like that, and also as he continues to grow up, he is still a couple of shots away from losing his composure.
* Jason Day is driving it as well as anyone this week, I just think he has to overtake the 3 guys above him, so I wouldn't be betting the wife's shopping money on that.
* Tommy is in the last pairing, and as humble as he is, don't be fooled, he got his struggling round done yesterday, and like Rory recovered well. He is one of the European Tour's premier drivers, a leader in Fairways in Regulation every year, so I expect him to be right there at the finish today.
* Rory's worst finish all year is T6, I think he got his struggling round out of the way early yesterday, and he admits he can play the par 5's better to take advantage of his supreme driving. I watch him closely early on, when he just bounces up to the first, rips it. knocks in an iron, putts for birdie/par, he is off and running, and mentally free. He can't start worse that he did yesterday (5,6 +3). Also he's not in the last group, playing with Jason Day, so that will free him to go and post a number.
So there you have it, why not pick Rory, especially in the rain, especially on St Patrick's Day.
May the "luck of the Irish" be with him !!!
Bryan Angus
PS: Corey Connors 72 70 68 -6 T24, Nick Taylor 73 69 69 -5 T38.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Rory and Tommy 2 British kids on top of the world at the Players.. Saturday tee times, live scoring
PGA Tour Players Championship tee times https://www.theplayers.com/tee-times.html
PGA Tour Players Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/the-players-championship/leaderboard.html
Saturday has dawned bright and sunny at TPC Sawgrass, just a slight breeze, cooler at 66*f (that's the high for the day.).Again ideal scoring for the early pairings. Cloud cover will take over as the day goes on with the breeze getting up from the NE.
https://www.theplayers.com/weather.html.
The field is paired in two's, 80 players made the cut at -1. As the day/ weekend begins Rory (67 65) and Tommy Fleetwood (65 67) begin in the lead at -12, 3 shots clear.
Now remember these guys are Ryder Cup brothers in arms, and also remember Tommy's Ryder Cup partner Frankie Molinari won last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Here they are a little lad at 5'9" from Holywood in Northern Ireland, and another less celebrated at 5'11" from Southport, England both in their late 20's standing up on the first tee in the lead at the Players, in Jacksonville, Florida, a place their parents could only dream of going to on holiday.
They have already lived most of their dreams, fabulously wealthy by any standards, their parents and families all paid for, Rory has all the majors, Tommy's time will come to add to his trophy case which includes the Race To Dubai. This is the bond these guys quietly share, this is their British DNA as they walk together down these pristine fairway's in front of all the crowds and all the cameras. What a blast it must be, again !!
The opening pair went out at 8.10am EST, the final pair at 2.40pm. Tiger is already on course with Kevin Na and remember this week apart from the 7 at the 17th yesterday has been playing beautifully 70 71 -3, so expect him to post a low score as all eyes are on him this morning.
Corey Connors 72 70 -2 and Nick Taylor 73 69 -2 are the two Canadians playing this weekend.
More to follow
Bryan Angus
PGA Tour Players Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/the-players-championship/leaderboard.html
Saturday has dawned bright and sunny at TPC Sawgrass, just a slight breeze, cooler at 66*f (that's the high for the day.).Again ideal scoring for the early pairings. Cloud cover will take over as the day goes on with the breeze getting up from the NE.
https://www.theplayers.com/weather.html.
The field is paired in two's, 80 players made the cut at -1. As the day/ weekend begins Rory (67 65) and Tommy Fleetwood (65 67) begin in the lead at -12, 3 shots clear.
Now remember these guys are Ryder Cup brothers in arms, and also remember Tommy's Ryder Cup partner Frankie Molinari won last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Here they are a little lad at 5'9" from Holywood in Northern Ireland, and another less celebrated at 5'11" from Southport, England both in their late 20's standing up on the first tee in the lead at the Players, in Jacksonville, Florida, a place their parents could only dream of going to on holiday.
They have already lived most of their dreams, fabulously wealthy by any standards, their parents and families all paid for, Rory has all the majors, Tommy's time will come to add to his trophy case which includes the Race To Dubai. This is the bond these guys quietly share, this is their British DNA as they walk together down these pristine fairway's in front of all the crowds and all the cameras. What a blast it must be, again !!
The opening pair went out at 8.10am EST, the final pair at 2.40pm. Tiger is already on course with Kevin Na and remember this week apart from the 7 at the 17th yesterday has been playing beautifully 70 71 -3, so expect him to post a low score as all eyes are on him this morning.
Corey Connors 72 70 -2 and Nick Taylor 73 69 -2 are the two Canadians playing this weekend.
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Friday, March 15, 2019
Weather to change for the weekend at Players Championship.. live scoring
PGA Tour Players Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/the-players-championship/leaderboard.html
Breaking News: Tommy Fleetwood has begun his 2nd round, birdie, eagle, birdie to take the outright lead at -11.
The players who make the cut this weekend will face a completely different course than they have yesterday and today, where it's been hot (86*f) and partly sunny with a light breeze SSW, which got a little fresher in the afternoon.
A new front moves in overnight, bringing some cooler days, rain showers and the wind flipping from SSW to NNE. Sunday's high is only 61*f with rain
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/jacksonville-fl/32202/daily-weather-forecast/347935?day=2
With that in mind I expect the leading score by dinner time tonight after 36 holes, may well be the winning score come Sunday night.
Keep in mind the early wave are all finished and the best of them is veteran Jim Furyk to lives locally, knows this course better than anyone, and used that knowledge to his advantage for -8 64 -9 to hold the clubhouse lead.
So Tommy has a golden chance after his start today, to really separate himself from the rest, heading into the weekend. Also what he posts will affect the cut line which is currently predicted at -2. Tiger for example is at -3.
Canadians: Nick Taylor 73,69 -2 total, Corey Connors (72 E) and Adam Hadwin (+4 76) are in this late wave.
More to follow..
Bryan Angus
Breaking News: Tommy Fleetwood has begun his 2nd round, birdie, eagle, birdie to take the outright lead at -11.
The players who make the cut this weekend will face a completely different course than they have yesterday and today, where it's been hot (86*f) and partly sunny with a light breeze SSW, which got a little fresher in the afternoon.
A new front moves in overnight, bringing some cooler days, rain showers and the wind flipping from SSW to NNE. Sunday's high is only 61*f with rain
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/jacksonville-fl/32202/daily-weather-forecast/347935?day=2
With that in mind I expect the leading score by dinner time tonight after 36 holes, may well be the winning score come Sunday night.
Keep in mind the early wave are all finished and the best of them is veteran Jim Furyk to lives locally, knows this course better than anyone, and used that knowledge to his advantage for -8 64 -9 to hold the clubhouse lead.
So Tommy has a golden chance after his start today, to really separate himself from the rest, heading into the weekend. Also what he posts will affect the cut line which is currently predicted at -2. Tiger for example is at -3.
Canadians: Nick Taylor 73,69 -2 total, Corey Connors (72 E) and Adam Hadwin (+4 76) are in this late wave.
More to follow..
Bryan Angus
Tiger takes 7 at the par 3 island green.. Round 2 scores at Players Championship
PGA Tour Players Championship leaderboard https://www.theplayers.com/
It's another picture perfect Friday at the Players Championship in Jacksonville, Florida. Clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine, just a zephyr for a breeze, it's the very reason we snowbirds flock there every winter.
So the scoring is low again, or in Tiger's case was low. Playing the back nine first he was playing like the weather, perfect, with 3 birdies on his card as he stood on the 17th tee, the famous par 3 with the island green. The hole is 146yards today pin, back center.
He pulled his wedge a little, took a few bounces into the pond by the footpath. From the drop zone he hit a sloppy pitch and run which bounced recklessly into the pond left of the pin. Another pitch, 2 putts for an improbable quadruple bogey 7. He is now playing holes 1-9, which are his back nine today at -1.
This is typical of TPC Sawgrass, where just one mistake can lead to a big number. Justin Rose is the #2 ranked player in the world and he took a 7 at the par 4 1st yesterday.
Just like last week at the Honda Championship, Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley took the first round lead with -7 65's. I'm surprised there weren't more, but as it turned out the breeze got up enough in the afternoon, and the difficult pins protected the course a little more than I expected. The morning rounds have the weather advantage.
Kevin Kisner is taking advantage of his early start -4 through 11 holes and he leads at -8, early in this day. Rory had a solid start -5 67.
69 -3, was a popular score on Thursday, DJ, Jon Rahm, Sergio, Matt Kuchar, Patrick Reed are all on that mark as they start their play today.
Canadians: not a great start for the guys. Nick Taylor +1 73, Corey Conners E 72, Adam Hadwin +4 76.
*( Nick has it going this morning -3 so far through 13 holes)
More to follow
Bryan Angus
It's another picture perfect Friday at the Players Championship in Jacksonville, Florida. Clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine, just a zephyr for a breeze, it's the very reason we snowbirds flock there every winter.
So the scoring is low again, or in Tiger's case was low. Playing the back nine first he was playing like the weather, perfect, with 3 birdies on his card as he stood on the 17th tee, the famous par 3 with the island green. The hole is 146yards today pin, back center.
He pulled his wedge a little, took a few bounces into the pond by the footpath. From the drop zone he hit a sloppy pitch and run which bounced recklessly into the pond left of the pin. Another pitch, 2 putts for an improbable quadruple bogey 7. He is now playing holes 1-9, which are his back nine today at -1.
This is typical of TPC Sawgrass, where just one mistake can lead to a big number. Justin Rose is the #2 ranked player in the world and he took a 7 at the par 4 1st yesterday.
Just like last week at the Honda Championship, Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley took the first round lead with -7 65's. I'm surprised there weren't more, but as it turned out the breeze got up enough in the afternoon, and the difficult pins protected the course a little more than I expected. The morning rounds have the weather advantage.
Kevin Kisner is taking advantage of his early start -4 through 11 holes and he leads at -8, early in this day. Rory had a solid start -5 67.
69 -3, was a popular score on Thursday, DJ, Jon Rahm, Sergio, Matt Kuchar, Patrick Reed are all on that mark as they start their play today.
Canadians: not a great start for the guys. Nick Taylor +1 73, Corey Conners E 72, Adam Hadwin +4 76.
*( Nick has it going this morning -3 so far through 13 holes)
More to follow
Bryan Angus
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Round 1 scoring conditions ideal at the Players Championship
PGA Tour Players Championship leaderboard https://www.theplayers.com/
The early wave is well under way on this Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and if ever the course was there for the taking, it's this morning. Mostly sunny, very light breeze, the course is very green and soft and scoring is low already. Expect lot's of 68's and surely a couple of 63's or so.
In looking at the pin placements it is worth noting the officials have set the pins on 14 of 18 holes near the edges of the greens, in many cases just 5 yards from water.
Out in early pairings : Dustin Johnson -2, Sergio Garcia -2 and Jon Rahm -2. Phil Mickelson E, Rory McIlroy -2 and Matt Kuchar-1
Billy Horshel a Florida native from Jacksonville, is near the lead at -4, playing the back nine first, while South Korean star Ben An leads at -5 through 13*
Tiger is out late with Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed at 1.27pm. Rickie Fowler Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth are at 1.59.
Corey Connors is E thru 12* while Adam Hadwin has 2 bogey's and a double +3 early in his round.
updates to follow
Bryan Angus
The early wave is well under way on this Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and if ever the course was there for the taking, it's this morning. Mostly sunny, very light breeze, the course is very green and soft and scoring is low already. Expect lot's of 68's and surely a couple of 63's or so.
In looking at the pin placements it is worth noting the officials have set the pins on 14 of 18 holes near the edges of the greens, in many cases just 5 yards from water.
Out in early pairings : Dustin Johnson -2, Sergio Garcia -2 and Jon Rahm -2. Phil Mickelson E, Rory McIlroy -2 and Matt Kuchar-1
Billy Horshel a Florida native from Jacksonville, is near the lead at -4, playing the back nine first, while South Korean star Ben An leads at -5 through 13*
Tiger is out late with Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed at 1.27pm. Rickie Fowler Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth are at 1.59.
Corey Connors is E thru 12* while Adam Hadwin has 2 bogey's and a double +3 early in his round.
updates to follow
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Good luck trying to pick a winner on TPC Sawgrass at the Players Championship
PGA Tour Players Championship tee times https://www.theplayers.com/tee-times.html
Average golf fans remember TPC Sawgrass and the Players Championship for one hole. The 17th, par 3 island green with it's slightly over served crowd behind the tee provides great theatre and has been pivotal in the tournaments outcome too many times to list here.
My pal and long-time colleague on our Fairways golf show, Bob Weeks is in Ponte Verde this week for TSN and has been pumping out tweets from the press tent like this one today. " Since 2003 the best record of hitting the 17th green belongs to Graham DeLaet 18/18 and Adam Hadwin who is 14/14."
Graham is still rehabbing from back surgery, and Adam is one of three Canucks (Nick Taylor and Corey Connors the others) in the field and Weeksy best find a port a loo to hide in if Adam falls to the announcers curse and puts one in the pond this week.
As I mentioned yesterday the 50 top ranked players are here chasing a 1st prize of $2.25m. While the top six, DJ, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau are all in good recent form, none have won or come second here, in fact only Rosey played here in March previously when Canada'a Stephen Ames got in the zone in 2006, and shot -5 67 which included a double bogey to win by six shots.
Trying to pick a winner anywhere is always a crap shoot, particularly here. TPC Sawgrass leads to extremes, guys going well, controlling their ball flight can go very low, guys who aren't can shoot 80 in a heartbeat. There is water everywhere, the course has been left to grow and is very green so will play long and the winds at this time of year are from the north turning the closing holes from driver wedge, putt, into driver 4 iron, long lag putt.
Webb Simpson returned from relative obscurity to win last year, In 2017 the winner was a 21 year old South Korean Si Wo Kim, KJ Choi topped his career with a win in 2011, little South African Tim Clark won in 2010, I mentioned Stephen Ames got hot and won by 6 in 2006, Fred Funk in 2005, Greg Perks edged Ames in 2002, Jody Mudd, (1990) Sandy Lyle (1987), Calvin Peete (1985) were all non betting favorites to change their career forever with a win.
This week Tiger returns so all eyes will be on him, he has two wins here (2001,2013) and has been playing well recently. Frankie Molinari has the exact precision game to win here right after last weekend's heroics.
There are 144 different and compelling stories to unfold, and two things I do know. Picking the winner is near impossible, but the winner like Stephen Ames in 2006, will get in the zone come this Sunday.
Bryan Angus
Average golf fans remember TPC Sawgrass and the Players Championship for one hole. The 17th, par 3 island green with it's slightly over served crowd behind the tee provides great theatre and has been pivotal in the tournaments outcome too many times to list here.
My pal and long-time colleague on our Fairways golf show, Bob Weeks is in Ponte Verde this week for TSN and has been pumping out tweets from the press tent like this one today. " Since 2003 the best record of hitting the 17th green belongs to Graham DeLaet 18/18 and Adam Hadwin who is 14/14."
Graham is still rehabbing from back surgery, and Adam is one of three Canucks (Nick Taylor and Corey Connors the others) in the field and Weeksy best find a port a loo to hide in if Adam falls to the announcers curse and puts one in the pond this week.
As I mentioned yesterday the 50 top ranked players are here chasing a 1st prize of $2.25m. While the top six, DJ, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau are all in good recent form, none have won or come second here, in fact only Rosey played here in March previously when Canada'a Stephen Ames got in the zone in 2006, and shot -5 67 which included a double bogey to win by six shots.
Trying to pick a winner anywhere is always a crap shoot, particularly here. TPC Sawgrass leads to extremes, guys going well, controlling their ball flight can go very low, guys who aren't can shoot 80 in a heartbeat. There is water everywhere, the course has been left to grow and is very green so will play long and the winds at this time of year are from the north turning the closing holes from driver wedge, putt, into driver 4 iron, long lag putt.
Webb Simpson returned from relative obscurity to win last year, In 2017 the winner was a 21 year old South Korean Si Wo Kim, KJ Choi topped his career with a win in 2011, little South African Tim Clark won in 2010, I mentioned Stephen Ames got hot and won by 6 in 2006, Fred Funk in 2005, Greg Perks edged Ames in 2002, Jody Mudd, (1990) Sandy Lyle (1987), Calvin Peete (1985) were all non betting favorites to change their career forever with a win.
This week Tiger returns so all eyes will be on him, he has two wins here (2001,2013) and has been playing well recently. Frankie Molinari has the exact precision game to win here right after last weekend's heroics.
There are 144 different and compelling stories to unfold, and two things I do know. Picking the winner is near impossible, but the winner like Stephen Ames in 2006, will get in the zone come this Sunday.
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Players Championship returns to March date this week.. Thursday Tee Times
PGA Tour Players Championship tee times/leaderboard https://www.theplayers.com/tee-times.html
PGA Tour pros are spoiled when it comes to attending tournaments with expensive courtesy cars, luxurious accommodation and clubhouses, complimentary everything including tickets, sightseeing, fishing and hunting trips, sea do's, helicopter and balloon rides, Disneyland.. you name it, sponsors never stop giving to the games elite.
Having said that Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDelaet) tweeted that this week's Players Championship was his favourite to attend, adding nobody takes better care of the players and their families, so Lord only knows what more they can do for them.
With the WGC in Mexico 3 weeks ago began the condensed summer schedule announced by the PGA Tour back in November 2018. Their idea was to get a big event/major each month beginning in March https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
Most big names skipped the Honda Classic (3 of the top 20) to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational, then the Players this week. Many will skip the Valspar at Innisbrook next week to play the WGC Match Play in Texas the following week, and some will stay in Texas to play the Valero in preparation for the Masters (April 11-14), some will take a few days off before heading to Augusta.
The PGA Championship is now in May (16-19) at Bethpage Black, the US Open in June at Pebble Beach, the Open in July (18-21) at Royal Portrush and the Tour Championship in August (22-25)
There is a little trip to Australia for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Dec 9-15.
The top 50 in the world are here this week, 1st prize is a staggering $2.25m. Molinari, Tiger, Mickelson DJ etal are in the field as a result and there are 3 Canadians, Adam Hadwin, Corey Connors and Nick Taylor.
I've posted the tee times link above..
Bryan Angus
PGA Tour pros are spoiled when it comes to attending tournaments with expensive courtesy cars, luxurious accommodation and clubhouses, complimentary everything including tickets, sightseeing, fishing and hunting trips, sea do's, helicopter and balloon rides, Disneyland.. you name it, sponsors never stop giving to the games elite.
Having said that Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDelaet) tweeted that this week's Players Championship was his favourite to attend, adding nobody takes better care of the players and their families, so Lord only knows what more they can do for them.
With the WGC in Mexico 3 weeks ago began the condensed summer schedule announced by the PGA Tour back in November 2018. Their idea was to get a big event/major each month beginning in March https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/schedule.html
Most big names skipped the Honda Classic (3 of the top 20) to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational, then the Players this week. Many will skip the Valspar at Innisbrook next week to play the WGC Match Play in Texas the following week, and some will stay in Texas to play the Valero in preparation for the Masters (April 11-14), some will take a few days off before heading to Augusta.
The PGA Championship is now in May (16-19) at Bethpage Black, the US Open in June at Pebble Beach, the Open in July (18-21) at Royal Portrush and the Tour Championship in August (22-25)
There is a little trip to Australia for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Dec 9-15.
The top 50 in the world are here this week, 1st prize is a staggering $2.25m. Molinari, Tiger, Mickelson DJ etal are in the field as a result and there are 3 Canadians, Adam Hadwin, Corey Connors and Nick Taylor.
I've posted the tee times link above..
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Sensational Molinari returns to win Arnold Palmer Invitational
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational final leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
After being named as the best golfer in the world last season..5-0 hero of the Ryder Cup..Open Champion...Winner of the Race to Dubai...multiple winner on European and PGA Tours. .Francesco (Frankie) Molinari posted a brilliant -8 64 including a Tiger like 45' curling birdie 3 at the 72nd to beat a pack of his European Tour teammates and friends to win Arnie's Invitational for 2019. (and I don't hate to say I told you so !)
Featuring his straight and sneaky long drives.. world class iron play and the best putter of the week...neither Rory (72 -8) or Tommy (68 -9) or Rafa (69 -9) or Matthew (71 -10) could catch him..Keith Mitchell to his credit closed with the 2nd lowest round of the day -6 66 -8 T6 after his win at the Honda last week.
It was an incredible week for the European Tour with 10 /14 players in the top 10 holding or have held membership in their tour. The top 5 were all European.
Canadian scores: Roger Sloan 70 69 74 71 -4 T23, Adam Hadwin 70 75 68 73 -2 T33
Bryan Angus
After being named as the best golfer in the world last season..5-0 hero of the Ryder Cup..Open Champion...Winner of the Race to Dubai...multiple winner on European and PGA Tours. .Francesco (Frankie) Molinari posted a brilliant -8 64 including a Tiger like 45' curling birdie 3 at the 72nd to beat a pack of his European Tour teammates and friends to win Arnie's Invitational for 2019. (and I don't hate to say I told you so !)
"It is very special to get a win here at this place," Molinari said. "I know I'm saying the same things but the team around me just keeps pushing me and we are not done yet, it's as simple as that.
The 36 year old also credited the hard work in the off season for his chip in at the eighth hole, he added: "(It is) Massive, massive. I did a lot of work over the winter on my technique. The chipping is improving, it was an area where I thought it could get a little better but it is just a process.
It's great, but that's why we planned the winter that we did. For me, golf is the number one priority and we work hard in the off time, especially after Christmas.
I've never started the seasons too quickly, to win in two or three events is something new and hopefully it is a sign of things to come in the season."
Featuring his straight and sneaky long drives.. world class iron play and the best putter of the week...neither Rory (72 -8) or Tommy (68 -9) or Rafa (69 -9) or Matthew (71 -10) could catch him..Keith Mitchell to his credit closed with the 2nd lowest round of the day -6 66 -8 T6 after his win at the Honda last week.
It was an incredible week for the European Tour with 10 /14 players in the top 10 holding or have held membership in their tour. The top 5 were all European.
Canadian scores: Roger Sloan 70 69 74 71 -4 T23, Adam Hadwin 70 75 68 73 -2 T33
Bryan Angus
Molinari leads a pack of European Tour players dominating Sunday afternoon at Arnold Palmer Invitational
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
We're well into Sunday afternoon at this Arnold Palmer Invitational and the jam packed leaderboard is being dominated by the European Tour.
My pick Francesco Molinari leads in the clubhouse after just holing a 45 foot birdie at the 18th for a 64, -12 total, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Matt Wallace, Tommy Fleetwood, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Henrik Stenson make up a pretty damn good Ryder Cup team and they are all right in contention chasing him, playing the back nine at Bay Hill.
Bryan Angus
..
.
We're well into Sunday afternoon at this Arnold Palmer Invitational and the jam packed leaderboard is being dominated by the European Tour.
My pick Francesco Molinari leads in the clubhouse after just holing a 45 foot birdie at the 18th for a 64, -12 total, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Matt Wallace, Tommy Fleetwood, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Henrik Stenson make up a pretty damn good Ryder Cup team and they are all right in contention chasing him, playing the back nine at Bay Hill.
Bryan Angus
..
.
Justin Harding wins Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
European Tour Commercial Bank Qatar Masters final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019024/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y#/results
So far this year the European Tour has played in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman and this week they were in Qatar...Hardly countries in that you think of as golfing powers, however such is today's game as it's spreads with unprecedented speed through out the world.
So far this year the European Tour has played in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman and this week they were in Qatar...Hardly countries in that you think of as golfing powers, however such is today's game as it's spreads with unprecedented speed through out the world.
South African, Justin Harding birdied three of his last four holes to claim a first European Tour win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. He arrived at Doha Golf Club without full playing privileges after finishing third on last season's Asian Tour but now has his breakthrough in his 54th European Tour start
Harding made three early birdies to share the lead but his chance looked to have gone as he made two bogeys and South Korea's Jinho Choi signed for a brilliant 64 to set the clubhouse target at -11.
Birdies on the 10th and 12th put him back in contention and further gains on the 15th, 17th and 18th handed him a two shot lead at -13 after a 66. He faced a nervous wait as the final groups finished up but nobody could catch him, with countrymen Christiaan Bezuidenhout, George Coetzee and Erik van Rooyen, Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira, Swede Anton Karlsson, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera, England's Oliver Wilson and Choi in a European Tour record nine way T2.
The victory is a fifth in nine months and four different countries worldwide for the 33-year-old after he claimed back-to-back Sunshine Tour wins in May and repeated the feat on the Asian Tour in July.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Birdies on the 10th and 12th put him back in contention and further gains on the 15th, 17th and 18th handed him a two shot lead at -13 after a 66. He faced a nervous wait as the final groups finished up but nobody could catch him, with countrymen Christiaan Bezuidenhout, George Coetzee and Erik van Rooyen, Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira, Swede Anton Karlsson, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera, England's Oliver Wilson and Choi in a European Tour record nine way T2.
The victory is a fifth in nine months and four different countries worldwide for the 33-year-old after he claimed back-to-back Sunshine Tour wins in May and repeated the feat on the Asian Tour in July.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Fitzpatrick and McIlroy top a jam packed Sunday leaderboard at Arnie's Invitational..
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard
https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
The breeze picked up on Saturday, blowing the palm trees at Palm Beach..one of Florida's swankiest resorts..and the scores blew up to match it..
Bay Hill's greens have become so firm players were hard pressed to find their pitch marks.
The two leaders Tommy Fleetwood (76) and Keegan Bradley (75) moved the wrong way, squandering their 4 shot lead, letting the challengers back in.
Rory McIlroy had a great day, his -6 66 see him at -8 in defense of his title, just a shot behind his friend and European Tour member Matthew Fitzpatrick -5 67 -9 who's 54 hole lead of 207 is the highest since Ben Crenshaw 210 in 1993.
Fitzpatrick has 5 European Tour wins, the young Englishman is a former Rookie of the Year. Rory strangely enough has never successfully defended any of his 22 world wide titles
They will be the final pairing with 14 players within 4 shots. While the weather was hot and partly cloudy as predicted the breeze, heat and sun were enough to dry out the greens which will be slick again today.
Rory said " anything around -2 70 on this course the way it is is a heck of a score"
Roger Sloan 74 and Adam Hadwin 68 are T23 at -3.
Bryan Angus
https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
The breeze picked up on Saturday, blowing the palm trees at Palm Beach..one of Florida's swankiest resorts..and the scores blew up to match it..
Bay Hill's greens have become so firm players were hard pressed to find their pitch marks.
The two leaders Tommy Fleetwood (76) and Keegan Bradley (75) moved the wrong way, squandering their 4 shot lead, letting the challengers back in.
Rory McIlroy had a great day, his -6 66 see him at -8 in defense of his title, just a shot behind his friend and European Tour member Matthew Fitzpatrick -5 67 -9 who's 54 hole lead of 207 is the highest since Ben Crenshaw 210 in 1993.
Fitzpatrick has 5 European Tour wins, the young Englishman is a former Rookie of the Year. Rory strangely enough has never successfully defended any of his 22 world wide titles
They will be the final pairing with 14 players within 4 shots. While the weather was hot and partly cloudy as predicted the breeze, heat and sun were enough to dry out the greens which will be slick again today.
Rory said " anything around -2 70 on this course the way it is is a heck of a score"
Roger Sloan 74 and Adam Hadwin 68 are T23 at -3.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Roger Sloan in contention on "moving day" at Arnold Palmer Invitational
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
Saturday's in pro golf are known as "moving day", the cut has been made and those who want to be in contention on Sunday have to get moving today.
That's really the situation this weekend as Keegan Bradley 67 68 -9 and Tommy Fleetwood 69 66 -9 have separated themselves from the pack by 4 clear shots. Tommy poured in 2 eagles to aid and abet his cause.
Frankie Molinari (69 70) I mentioned in my pre tournament notes as one to watch is in that pack of seven players at T3 -5. He and Tommy Fleetwood of course are now legends in Europe after their thrilling display at the Ryder Cup in Paris, all part of a career year for Molinari.
Canada's Roger Sloan has continued his fine form 70 69 -5 T3. After a slow start on Thursday, out in 38 he caught fire on the back nine with 5 birdies in 6 holes 32 for his 70. On Friday on made 6 birdies in with 3 bogey's for his 69 on this tough Bay Hill course. He is T3 in the all important Strokes Gained total and is 1st in Putts per Green in regulation 1.5. He is also T3 with 12 birdies so far, you can see why he is in contention.
Adam Hadwin also made the cut 70 75 -2 T36. Adam Svensson shot 78 on Friday to M/C.
Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka also M/C. Defending champion Rory McIlroy 70 72 -4 is T11 and is another one who will need to get moving today. There are 12 players at -4.
Note: I might mention I am happy to see Keith Mitchell who won the Honda Classic last week with that wonderful curling clutch putt on the 72nd green is in this chasing pack at -5. He of course was treated so unfairly with the Palm Beach newspaper's " No Name Champion" headline. To this day, the casual fan is only interested in the result of Tiger's score when he's playing, and not interested at all when he's not.
For my entire career for those who follow me both on air and in print, I have stood by the adage that the game of golf is bigger than any one player. Each and every week there are 156 players all with their own story, should we wish to tell it, and any one of them is capable of winning. Keith Mitchell was proof of that last week.
Another hot (81*f) partly cloudy day is forecast, with the slightest of a breeze, so weather will not be an issue and this morning's low scoring reflects that so far.
Bryan Angus
Saturday's in pro golf are known as "moving day", the cut has been made and those who want to be in contention on Sunday have to get moving today.
That's really the situation this weekend as Keegan Bradley 67 68 -9 and Tommy Fleetwood 69 66 -9 have separated themselves from the pack by 4 clear shots. Tommy poured in 2 eagles to aid and abet his cause.
Frankie Molinari (69 70) I mentioned in my pre tournament notes as one to watch is in that pack of seven players at T3 -5. He and Tommy Fleetwood of course are now legends in Europe after their thrilling display at the Ryder Cup in Paris, all part of a career year for Molinari.
Canada's Roger Sloan has continued his fine form 70 69 -5 T3. After a slow start on Thursday, out in 38 he caught fire on the back nine with 5 birdies in 6 holes 32 for his 70. On Friday on made 6 birdies in with 3 bogey's for his 69 on this tough Bay Hill course. He is T3 in the all important Strokes Gained total and is 1st in Putts per Green in regulation 1.5. He is also T3 with 12 birdies so far, you can see why he is in contention.
Adam Hadwin also made the cut 70 75 -2 T36. Adam Svensson shot 78 on Friday to M/C.
Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka also M/C. Defending champion Rory McIlroy 70 72 -4 is T11 and is another one who will need to get moving today. There are 12 players at -4.
Note: I might mention I am happy to see Keith Mitchell who won the Honda Classic last week with that wonderful curling clutch putt on the 72nd green is in this chasing pack at -5. He of course was treated so unfairly with the Palm Beach newspaper's " No Name Champion" headline. To this day, the casual fan is only interested in the result of Tiger's score when he's playing, and not interested at all when he's not.
For my entire career for those who follow me both on air and in print, I have stood by the adage that the game of golf is bigger than any one player. Each and every week there are 156 players all with their own story, should we wish to tell it, and any one of them is capable of winning. Keith Mitchell was proof of that last week.
Another hot (81*f) partly cloudy day is forecast, with the slightest of a breeze, so weather will not be an issue and this morning's low scoring reflects that so far.
Bryan Angus
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Play under way at Arnold Palmer Invitational... Tiger, Jason Day withdraw
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
I have spent a lifetime debating who has been the greatest golfer, and there is no definitive answer for a variety of reasons, era and equipment come to the forefront.
If you ask who is the most important there is one answer.. Arnold Palmer.
Many of the world's best are at Bay Hill this week as round one gets underway to play his Arnold Palmer Invitational. Tiger who has won it a Sam Snead like 8 times and Jason Day the 2016 winner have had to withdraw. Tiger with a stiff neck, Jason's back gave out after 6 holes this morning.
Rory McIlroy is the defending champion, I watched his press conference and he continued to talk about how he has finally at 29, and happily married, got his priorities in life and in golf in order. Winning is very important, but playing as well as he can each week is more important and allows him to leave the course happy every day.
There are 3 Canadians in play: Corey Connors, Roger Sloan and Adam Hadwin.
It is early in the season for Frankie Molinari, coming off the career year of all years, ultimately winning the prestigious World Athlete of the Year award. He played well in Mexico gaining 4.7 strokes on approach shots with his brand new irons. Bay Hill requires great long iron play, especially on the long par 3's, and he is one of the best iron players in the game. At 35-1 this Open champion is worth a flutter, and remember he has been in the top 10 three of the last five years at Bay Hill.
Follow live scoring on my link above..
Bryan Angus
I have spent a lifetime debating who has been the greatest golfer, and there is no definitive answer for a variety of reasons, era and equipment come to the forefront.
If you ask who is the most important there is one answer.. Arnold Palmer.
Many of the world's best are at Bay Hill this week as round one gets underway to play his Arnold Palmer Invitational. Tiger who has won it a Sam Snead like 8 times and Jason Day the 2016 winner have had to withdraw. Tiger with a stiff neck, Jason's back gave out after 6 holes this morning.
Rory McIlroy is the defending champion, I watched his press conference and he continued to talk about how he has finally at 29, and happily married, got his priorities in life and in golf in order. Winning is very important, but playing as well as he can each week is more important and allows him to leave the course happy every day.
There are 3 Canadians in play: Corey Connors, Roger Sloan and Adam Hadwin.
It is early in the season for Frankie Molinari, coming off the career year of all years, ultimately winning the prestigious World Athlete of the Year award. He played well in Mexico gaining 4.7 strokes on approach shots with his brand new irons. Bay Hill requires great long iron play, especially on the long par 3's, and he is one of the best iron players in the game. At 35-1 this Open champion is worth a flutter, and remember he has been in the top 10 three of the last five years at Bay Hill.
Follow live scoring on my link above..
Bryan Angus
Monday, March 4, 2019
Keith Mitchell wins Honda Classic, Canadian scores, final scoreboard
PGA Tour Honda Classic final scoreboard https://www.pga.com/news/golf-leaderboard/pga-tour-leaderboard
There were only 3 of the tour's top 20 at the Honda Classic, which probably is a reflection of this year's condensed spring schedule, none the less there was a terrific finish which included 3 of the games marquee names, none of whom won.
Rookie Keith Mitchell holed a bending down hill left to right 15 footer for a birdie 4 at the last to shoot -3 67 and his -9 total was just good enough to edge Brooks Koepka (66) and Rickie Fowler (67) both at -8 for his first PGA Tour victory and a spot in the Masters.
He had to wait and watch as Vijay Singh was turning back the clock, until he drove into the water at the 17th resulting in a bogey and ending his bid to become the oldest winner of an official PGA Tour event at 56. He finished with 70 -6 total good for 6th place.
Canadian scores:
Roger Sloan T30 71 71 66 72 E, Nick Taylor T30 72 66 70 72 E, Ben Silverman T36 66 71 75 69 +1, Adam Svensson T59 72 64 72 75.
This week it's up to Bay Hill for the Arnie Palmer Invitational where Rory defends, with Tiger, and an all star cast, many coming in tribute for the late King..
Bryan Angus
There were only 3 of the tour's top 20 at the Honda Classic, which probably is a reflection of this year's condensed spring schedule, none the less there was a terrific finish which included 3 of the games marquee names, none of whom won.
Rookie Keith Mitchell holed a bending down hill left to right 15 footer for a birdie 4 at the last to shoot -3 67 and his -9 total was just good enough to edge Brooks Koepka (66) and Rickie Fowler (67) both at -8 for his first PGA Tour victory and a spot in the Masters.
He had to wait and watch as Vijay Singh was turning back the clock, until he drove into the water at the 17th resulting in a bogey and ending his bid to become the oldest winner of an official PGA Tour event at 56. He finished with 70 -6 total good for 6th place.
Canadian scores:
Roger Sloan T30 71 71 66 72 E, Nick Taylor T30 72 66 70 72 E, Ben Silverman T36 66 71 75 69 +1, Adam Svensson T59 72 64 72 75.
This week it's up to Bay Hill for the Arnie Palmer Invitational where Rory defends, with Tiger, and an all star cast, many coming in tribute for the late King..
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Vijay Singh vying to be oldest winner, 3 Canadians in contention at Honda Classic
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard https://www.pga.com/news/golf-leaderboard/pga-tour-leaderboard
I am old enough to have watched the legendary Sam Snead playing and winning on the PGA Tour when he was 52. His silky swing was still intact, he could still kick his height, but he was forced at times to putt side saddle to combat the yips.
Today at the Honda Classic, Vijay Singh could obliterate Sam's record. At 56, he fired a -5 65 -6 total to surge up the leaderboard into a group just a shot behind the leader, a rookie called Wyndham Clark (67 -7).
The wind and the tough PGA National course with the legendary Bear Trap finish surrounded by water has put a premium on birdies. As a result there are 27 players within 5 shots of the lead including Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Brooks Koepka.
Also in that group are 3 Canadians all T19 at -2. Roger Sloan, Adam Svensson and Nick Taylor.
Ben Silverman has slipped to T64 +2 and Drew Nesbitt MDF at +9.
Bryan Angus
I am old enough to have watched the legendary Sam Snead playing and winning on the PGA Tour when he was 52. His silky swing was still intact, he could still kick his height, but he was forced at times to putt side saddle to combat the yips.
Today at the Honda Classic, Vijay Singh could obliterate Sam's record. At 56, he fired a -5 65 -6 total to surge up the leaderboard into a group just a shot behind the leader, a rookie called Wyndham Clark (67 -7).
The wind and the tough PGA National course with the legendary Bear Trap finish surrounded by water has put a premium on birdies. As a result there are 27 players within 5 shots of the lead including Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Brooks Koepka.
Also in that group are 3 Canadians all T19 at -2. Roger Sloan, Adam Svensson and Nick Taylor.
Ben Silverman has slipped to T64 +2 and Drew Nesbitt MDF at +9.
Bryan Angus
Kurt Kitayama wins Oman Open... final scoreboard
European Tour Oman Open final leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019022/leaderboard/index.html#/results
The wind finally subsided and in the desert sunshine, American Kurt Kitayama has just won his second title in just 11 starts on the European Tour, the Oman Open. He shot -2 70 -7 total to win by a stroke over 4 players.
This win was more remarkable when you consider he was a single shot off the lead after 36 holes of the weather delayed event but started his third round with a quadruple bogey eight and dropped further shots on the second and third before darkness ended proceedings on day three, seven shots off the lead going into today where he had to play 33 holes.
By the way there were 10 different countries represented in the top 11 spots on this truly international tour.
Bryan Angus
The wind finally subsided and in the desert sunshine, American Kurt Kitayama has just won his second title in just 11 starts on the European Tour, the Oman Open. He shot -2 70 -7 total to win by a stroke over 4 players.
Spaniard Jorge Campillo, German Maximilian Kieffer, Frenchman Clément Sordet and Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti all finished at -6.
With the field playing catch up all weekend after high winds and sandstorm wiped out play on Thursday, the outcome of this event was in doubt until the last two holes where the young American emerged, outlasting the contesting pack by a shot.This win was more remarkable when you consider he was a single shot off the lead after 36 holes of the weather delayed event but started his third round with a quadruple bogey eight and dropped further shots on the second and third before darkness ended proceedings on day three, seven shots off the lead going into today where he had to play 33 holes.
By the way there were 10 different countries represented in the top 11 spots on this truly international tour.
Bryan Angus
Henderson finishes T15..Sung - Hyun Park wins HSBC Women's World Championship
HSBC Women's World Championship final scoreboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/hsbc-womens-world-championship/results
South Korean star Sung Hyun Park shot the lowest round of the day, a nine birdie -8 64 -15 to win this HSBC Women's World Championship going away, 2 shots clear of Minjee Lee (68 71 67 69 -13) who was runner up for the 2nd week in a row. It is Park's 6th LPGA title. She began the day 4 shots behind leader Ariya Jutanugarn who slipped to a disappointing +3 75.
Park gave credit to Tiger Woods who she met in February on set at a TaylorMade brand shoot. “If Tiger is watching this interview, then I would want to say that because we met, you gave me such a good energy, that made me win this tournament.”
Brooke Henderson shot 75 71 67 72 -3 T15 which wasn't a bad result considering her opening round. It's fair to say Brooke didn't have her A game this week, taking into consideration the Sentosa GC was very fast, hard, bouncy and the greens slick and tricky. Her two weeks in Asia, T6, T15.
Her numbers for the week : Fairways hit 36/56, Driving distance 277yds, Putts per round 29 (32 today compared to 26 on Saturday) Greens in regulation 50/72, Sand saves 2/2.
The tour leaves Asia to return to USA for the Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Pheonix in 3 weeks.
Bryan Angus
South Korean star Sung Hyun Park shot the lowest round of the day, a nine birdie -8 64 -15 to win this HSBC Women's World Championship going away, 2 shots clear of Minjee Lee (68 71 67 69 -13) who was runner up for the 2nd week in a row. It is Park's 6th LPGA title. She began the day 4 shots behind leader Ariya Jutanugarn who slipped to a disappointing +3 75.
Park gave credit to Tiger Woods who she met in February on set at a TaylorMade brand shoot. “If Tiger is watching this interview, then I would want to say that because we met, you gave me such a good energy, that made me win this tournament.”
Brooke Henderson shot 75 71 67 72 -3 T15 which wasn't a bad result considering her opening round. It's fair to say Brooke didn't have her A game this week, taking into consideration the Sentosa GC was very fast, hard, bouncy and the greens slick and tricky. Her two weeks in Asia, T6, T15.
Her numbers for the week : Fairways hit 36/56, Driving distance 277yds, Putts per round 29 (32 today compared to 26 on Saturday) Greens in regulation 50/72, Sand saves 2/2.
The tour leaves Asia to return to USA for the Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Pheonix in 3 weeks.
Bryan Angus
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Round 3 suspended due to darkness at Oman Open.. live scoreboard
European Tour Oman Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019022/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
None of the field were able to complete round three on Saturday and all of the players will restart at 7.15am, with the final group facing 33 holes on a marathon Sunday.
Kieffer made a trio of pars in round three to stay at -5, a shot clear of playing partner Joachim B. Hansen, and Gaganjeet Bhullar and Brandon Stone, who had both completed four holes and are all -4.
None of the field were able to complete round three on Saturday and all of the players will restart at 7.15am, with the final group facing 33 holes on a marathon Sunday.
Maximilian Kieffer played just three holes on day three of the very windy Oman Open but that was enough to hand him the solo lead at Al Mouj Golf.
The German was one of just 11 players to complete their second round on Friday due to high winds and sandstorms and he entered the weekend a shot off the lead at -5. He was in a share when round two was completed this morning as more strong winds made scoring very difficult and, when darkness brought an end to play in Muscat, he led on his own.
Kieffer made a trio of pars in round three to stay at -5, a shot clear of playing partner Joachim B. Hansen, and Gaganjeet Bhullar and Brandon Stone, who had both completed four holes and are all -4.
Frenchman Benjamin Hebert, Swede Peter Hanson, Chilean Hugo Leon, Japan's Hideto Tanihara and Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti are all at -3.
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Bryan Angus
(europeantour.com)
Adam Svensson leads 5 Canadians into weekend at Honda Classic
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard https://www.pga.com/news/golf-leaderboard/pga-tour-leaderboard
On Thursday it was Ben Silverman -4 68 that T2 at the Honda Classic, yesterday it was another Canadian who grabbed the baton and ran with it, Adam Svensson who matched the low score of the day, a sparkling -6 64 in tough breezy conditions on PGA National and at -4 he is T4 just 2 shots off the lead held by South Korean rookie Sungjae Im (64) and Keith Mitchell (66), both at -6 and both looking for their first win.
I think 5 Canadians making the cut may be the most this year, correct me if I'm wrong.
Besides Svensson, Ben Silverman (71) is right in contention at -3, Nick Taylor (66) -2 T22, Roger Sloan (71) +2 T 67 and Drew Nesbitt who stripped down to his undies to play out of a pond and save par at the 6th is also +2 T67 after Monday qualifying.
Notables Brooks Koepka is at -4 while Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia are at -3 heading into moving day today where birdies are at a premium and par is a good score.
Bryan Angus
On Thursday it was Ben Silverman -4 68 that T2 at the Honda Classic, yesterday it was another Canadian who grabbed the baton and ran with it, Adam Svensson who matched the low score of the day, a sparkling -6 64 in tough breezy conditions on PGA National and at -4 he is T4 just 2 shots off the lead held by South Korean rookie Sungjae Im (64) and Keith Mitchell (66), both at -6 and both looking for their first win.
I think 5 Canadians making the cut may be the most this year, correct me if I'm wrong.
Besides Svensson, Ben Silverman (71) is right in contention at -3, Nick Taylor (66) -2 T22, Roger Sloan (71) +2 T 67 and Drew Nesbitt who stripped down to his undies to play out of a pond and save par at the 6th is also +2 T67 after Monday qualifying.
Notables Brooks Koepka is at -4 while Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia are at -3 heading into moving day today where birdies are at a premium and par is a good score.
Bryan Angus
Henderson continues to charge up the leaderboard in Singapore
HSBC Women's World Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/hsbc-womens-world-championship/leaderboard
After dropping 4 shots in 2 holes on her way to a 75 on Thursday, Brooke Henderson has battled her way up the leaderboard. On Friday she birdied her last 2 holes to post -1 71 T33, and yesterday was her best yet, -5 67 to move to a T14 -3 at this HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
She fired 8 birdies, including 4 in her last 6 holes, mixed with 3 bogey's. Her numbers : 10/14 fairways, only 26 putts, 13/18 greens in regulation and 1/1 sand saves. She is as usual amongst the leaders in driving distance averaging 275yds for the week so far.
World #1 Ariya Jutanugarn leads at -11 after matching the low score of the day -6 66. Red hot Aussie Minjee Lee is right behind her at -10.
Bryan Angus
After dropping 4 shots in 2 holes on her way to a 75 on Thursday, Brooke Henderson has battled her way up the leaderboard. On Friday she birdied her last 2 holes to post -1 71 T33, and yesterday was her best yet, -5 67 to move to a T14 -3 at this HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
She fired 8 birdies, including 4 in her last 6 holes, mixed with 3 bogey's. Her numbers : 10/14 fairways, only 26 putts, 13/18 greens in regulation and 1/1 sand saves. She is as usual amongst the leaders in driving distance averaging 275yds for the week so far.
World #1 Ariya Jutanugarn leads at -11 after matching the low score of the day -6 66. Red hot Aussie Minjee Lee is right behind her at -10.
Bryan Angus
Friday, March 1, 2019
High winds cancel round two at Oman Open
European Tour Oman Open leaderboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2019/tournamentid=2019022/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard
At 11.38am local time high winds blew a desert sand storm over the course at the Oman Open forcing the suspension of play. Round two had begun under light winds but only a few of the early wave completed play.
High winds continued all afternoon so play was cancelled and will resume at 7.40am Saturday.
Check all the scores on my link above.
Bryan Angus
At 11.38am local time high winds blew a desert sand storm over the course at the Oman Open forcing the suspension of play. Round two had begun under light winds but only a few of the early wave completed play.
High winds continued all afternoon so play was cancelled and will resume at 7.40am Saturday.
Check all the scores on my link above.
Bryan Angus
Ben Silverman is T2 at the Honda Classic after round 1... live scoring link
PGA Tour Honda Classic leaderboard https://www.pga.com/news/golf-leaderboard/pga-tour-leaderboard
Ben Silverman didn't even know he was playing in this Honda Classic, as of Tuesday morning he was the 1st alternative.
He's made the most of his selection firing a -4 66 on the PGA National to sit T2 in a group that includes ever green Ernie Els, two shots behind 34 year old Venezuelan Jonathan Vegas who took advantage of benign conditions for a bogey free -6 64.
"Me and my caddie have a great strategy for this week for kind of moving forward"
Silverman has been living Florida for 13 years, having gone to Atlantic State University.
“It’s really comfortable. It’s like a second home. I’ve been here since ’06, and I’m 31, so it’s almost half my life I’ve been down here really, so I’m used to the weather, I’m used to the Bermuda (grass), the style of course, and I’ve played this course a ton of times – mini-tour events plus Q-school.”.
"I’m slowly getting more comfortable out here. I know the courses now, so I’m working more on my game in the practice area and less on practice rounds, and I think it’s going to pay off moving forward"
Monday qualifier Drew Nesbitt and Roger Sloan each shot +1 71, Nick Taylor and Adam Svensson had 72 and Mackenzie Hughes carded a 76
Bryan Angus
Ben Silverman didn't even know he was playing in this Honda Classic, as of Tuesday morning he was the 1st alternative.
He's made the most of his selection firing a -4 66 on the PGA National to sit T2 in a group that includes ever green Ernie Els, two shots behind 34 year old Venezuelan Jonathan Vegas who took advantage of benign conditions for a bogey free -6 64.
"Me and my caddie have a great strategy for this week for kind of moving forward"
Silverman has been living Florida for 13 years, having gone to Atlantic State University.
“It’s really comfortable. It’s like a second home. I’ve been here since ’06, and I’m 31, so it’s almost half my life I’ve been down here really, so I’m used to the weather, I’m used to the Bermuda (grass), the style of course, and I’ve played this course a ton of times – mini-tour events plus Q-school.”.
"I’m slowly getting more comfortable out here. I know the courses now, so I’m working more on my game in the practice area and less on practice rounds, and I think it’s going to pay off moving forward"
Monday qualifier Drew Nesbitt and Roger Sloan each shot +1 71, Nick Taylor and Adam Svensson had 72 and Mackenzie Hughes carded a 76
Bryan Angus
Henderson moves up leaderboard at HSBC Women's World Championship
HSBC Women's World Championship leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/hsbc-womens-world-championship/leaderboard
On another sweltering day of gusty winds and slick greens Brooke Henderson managed to avoid any big numbers, shot -1 71 and at +2 has moved up to a T33 following her opening round 75 at this HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
It was a battling 71 for Brooke. After 3 birdies in her first 7 holes, she proceeded to card 4 bogey's in her next 7. However she finished strong with birdies on 17 & 18. Her numbers; 8/14 Fairways in regulation, 27 putts, 11/18 greens in regulation 1/1 sand saves.
She is 9 shots behind the lead held by American Amy Olsen who shot a -3 69 to emerge from the pack at -7, two shots clear heading into the weekend. Five players are tied at -5. Inbee Park (69), Azahrara Munoz (68), Jodi Ewart Shadoff (70), Ariya Jutanugarn (71) and Minjee Lee (71).
Bryan Angus
On another sweltering day of gusty winds and slick greens Brooke Henderson managed to avoid any big numbers, shot -1 71 and at +2 has moved up to a T33 following her opening round 75 at this HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
It was a battling 71 for Brooke. After 3 birdies in her first 7 holes, she proceeded to card 4 bogey's in her next 7. However she finished strong with birdies on 17 & 18. Her numbers; 8/14 Fairways in regulation, 27 putts, 11/18 greens in regulation 1/1 sand saves.
She is 9 shots behind the lead held by American Amy Olsen who shot a -3 69 to emerge from the pack at -7, two shots clear heading into the weekend. Five players are tied at -5. Inbee Park (69), Azahrara Munoz (68), Jodi Ewart Shadoff (70), Ariya Jutanugarn (71) and Minjee Lee (71).
Bryan Angus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)