Adam Scott returns to the winners circle, wins Australian PGA...Cockerill finishes T27

Australian PGA Championship final scoreboard https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/australian-pga-championship-2020/results

There's a touch of grey creeping into his head of hair, but his game is still as good looking, distinguished as ever, and with a final round -3 69 and a -13 total Adam Scott held off a Kiwi, Micheal Hendry (69) -11 and a pack of Aussies to win the Australian PGA by 2 shots for the first time since 2013.

Canadian Aaron Cockerill T27 with a final round 73 -3 total. Defending champion Cameron Smith finished T10.

The turning point for Scott on a topsy turvy day came when he made a birdie at the 14th followed by an eagle 3 at the 15th to open up a 2 shot cushion over Hendry who was playing with damaged ribs.

" I'm pretty stoked actually, I kind of grinded it out this week and I feel like I outsmarted the golf course a little bit which feels good, and it was just  good enough to beat everybody.

It's been a long time between drinks for me and maybe only once or twice did the thought cross my mind that I'd never win again. It feels very good to win here, especially to finish the year off winning  at home. 

I think it is very difficult to win, I'm on the wrong side of this age thing now (40 in July) where these young  guys are really good and I played some really good golf a couple of weeks this year and fell short to record setting scores. You have to be sensational to win these days."

It was Scott's first win since 2016 when he won the WGC Cadillac Championship. He of course became the first Australian to win the Masters in 2013.


Bryan Angus

Aaron Cockerill just 4 shots off Adam Scott's lead at Australian PGA

Australian PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/australian-pga-championship-2020/leaderboard

Aaron Cockerill has been a model of consistency through 3 rounds of the Australian PGA on the RACV Royal Pines GC at the sweltering Gold Coast, near Brisbane.

He has only made 3 bogey's, with 9 birdies and all the rest pars (42) in rounds of 70, 71, 69 -6 good for a T9 just 4 shots off the lead held by Aussie idol, Adam Scott 70 67 69 -10.

Cameron Smith looking to win his 3rd straight PGA title has been hot and cold, 74,65,72 -5.

Early starter Nick Flanagan equaled the course record with -8 63 to move into a T3 -8 in the best conditions of the day.

Scott won here in 2013, and the fan favourite birdied 2 of his last 3 holes to the delight of the RACV Royal Pines crowd.

" It's incredibly bunched, and if it's windy tomorrow it will be hard for anyone to separate themselves from the field unless they pl pay an incredible round and roll in a lot of putts.

My strategy will remain the same. Unless I roll in some long putts I just don't see myself running away with this thing. I'm in for a fight tomorrow."

This is the last event of the Australian swing, the European Tour breaks for Christmas before returning for the South African Open in Johannesburg on January 9th, then heading to the Middle East swing.

Aaron Cockerill will return home to Manitoba for Christmas before finalizing his early 2020 schedule. What a Christmas present he has in store with another steady round tomorrow in only his 3rd start on this European Tour.

Bryan Angus

Steady Cockerill T15 after opening round of the Australian PGA Championship

Australian PGA Championship leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/australian-pga-championship-2020/leaderboard

Aaron Cockerill, ranked #755, opened his challenge for the Australian PGA Championship with a birdie, then followed with 13 straight pars, before adding 2 more birdies and a lone bogey for a -2 70 T15 in the sweltering heat on the RACV Royal Pines near Brisbane on Australia's Gold Coast. Temperatures were in the mid 30*c or over 90*f.

Australia is trapped in a heat dome with record temperatures soaring over 50*c and bush fires raging in areas around the entire coastline. Some residents near Sydney to the south, are being evacuated, the smoke hangs in the air like an eerie smog, visibility is down to zero in some particularly hot spots.

The leaders at -5 67 are Aussies, Lucas Herbert and Brett Rankin. Adam Scott is in at -2 70 and Cameron Smith vying for his 3rd straight PGA title was 4 over par through 4 holes and battled back for +2 74.

Former Aussie star, Robert Allenby opened double, triple, double and staggered home at +13, 85. My how the mighty have fallen..

Bryan Angus

Canadian Aaron Cockerill is playing in record temperatures at the Australian PGA Championship

Australian PGA Championship tee times https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/australian-pga-championship-2020/tee-times?round=1

Manitoba's Aaron Cockerill's European Tour adventure continues this week at the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast, Queensland at the venerable RACV Royal Pines GC, north of Brisbane.

While temperatures in the Canadian prairies are in a deep freeze, reaching temperatures -40*c, Aaron started his first year on tour in +45*c at Leopard Creek in South Africa, the first time pro's were allowed to play in shorts. The following week he was in 35*c at the Afrasia Bank championship on the island of Mauritius.

This week with fires raging around the coastline of Australia, the highest temperatures in that countries history are forecast, surging above 50*C.

Cockerill returns home for Christmas next week. You can only imagine his face when he steps off the plane in Winnipeg !!

Adam Scott is the headliner on a field made up of mainly Aussie's and Kiwi's. Presidents Cup star Cameron Smith is from Brisbane and is vying for his 3rd consecutive title and the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

Follow the scoring Wednesday night (EST) by clicking on my link above.

Bryan Angus

International Team's fighting performance pumps new life from around the world into the Presidents Cup

Presidents Cup teams, complete, scoring summary https://www.presidentscup.com/leaderboard.html

Somewhere early in the week before this most compelling version of the Presidents Cup had begun, the International team's beloved captain Ernie Els was talking about the exhaustive preparation he, his assistants and his underdog team had put into their game plan, and he opined " we know on paper everybody considers the Americans as overwhelming favorites, but I have a game plan and we will stick to it and see how things go.

It's important for the event we play well because as you know with all the different countries we have, their could be 2 billion people around the world watching"

As you know by now the Americans rallied 8-4 in the Sunday singles to win for the 11th time which would normally be another death knell in the future of the Presidents Cup, 11-1-1 is hardly a compelling storyline, but of course this one was different with Tiger guaranteeing full US TV coverage, Patrick Reed making headlines for all the wrong reasons and the ever popular David vs Goliath theme and the magnificent Royal Melbourne GC.

It would have been a Hollywood ending if Ernie's gutsy lads had crossed the finish line first, but they will forever be proud of the race they ran.

Consider this, audiences from Australia, Canada, Korea, China, Japan, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and you'd have to think all of Europe and Scandinavia (Ryder Cup) were tuned in cheering for the International Team, and were heartbroken at the result, but full of pride for their efforts.

A note here. I hope they all did not have to endure the NBC broadcast we have here in Canada.

Paul Azinger was chosen to replace Johnny Miller in February, in part for his outspoken, edgy personality. He is of course proudly American, a former USA Ryder Cup captain and an unapologetic pom pom wearing homer for the USA. Dan Hicks shares the booth and the rest of the crew Roger Maltbie, Gary Koch, Notah Begay, Steve Sands all just follow suit. Only David Feherty who hails from Northern Ireland inserted a smidge of balance.

For the millions around the world watching, you'd think NBC would have brought in some International balance. Frank Nobilo, a Florida based Kiwi and former International Team player and assistant captain was reduced to hits for the Golf Channel.

Where was say, Greg Norman, Wayne Grady or Sam Torrance who would have taken no nonsense, Ian Baker Finch is with CBS, so unavailable.

Summary
For those who have followed me on air and in print for over 30 years, you'll know I have insisted unless the International team starts winning this event would die a slow death.

The final score was 16-14 USA, their 11th victory, but this time the Presidents Cup was a winner, so was golf around the world because of the International team's diversity, and the brilliant performance they produced.

Oh yes, and the USA remain the villains which every good mystery needs. 

As Feherty said to Azinger during the broadcast, " C'mon Zinger, you know EVERYbody wants to beat the Americans"

Bryan Angus

Presidents Cup : Day 4, USA WINS 16-14, Sunday singles match results.

Presidents Cup Sunday singles matches https://www.presidentscup.com/leaderboard.html

After building a 9-5 lead on the Day 3 fourball matches, the USA rallied as they traditionally do in the foursomes, to win the afternoon session 3-1, leaving the score 10-8 in favour of captain Ernie Els and his International team heading into the Day 4 singles where Tiger Woods led off against an undefeated Abraham Ancer from Mexico.

Adam Hadwin  played to a halve with Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed beat CT Pan 4&2. Reeds brother in law caddie was suspended for pushing a heckler who told Reed "You f*****g suck!"

In the Saturday afternoon foursomes USA could have swept the if not from a brilliant rally by Abraham Ancer and a struggling Marc Leishman who were 5 down to Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas with 8 holes to play, but flipped the match to catch the Americans for a fighting tie.

Another rookie Joaquin Niemann paired with Ben An after Adam Hadwin reported under the weather, never led but battled superbly all day to earn a halve with steady Matt Kuchar and in form Tony Finau.

update:  Here are the results of the Sunday singles.

Tiger Woods led off against an undefeated Abraham Ancer from Mexico and strated the comeback with a close 3&2 win.


Adam Hadwin  played to a halve with Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed beat CT Pan 4&2. Reeds brother in law caddie was suspended for pushing a heckler who told Reed "You f*****g suck!

USA went on to wipe out the International Team's 10-8 lead by match 4 with Dustin Johnson's 4&3 win over an overwhelmed rookie Haotong Li and they never trailed.

Match 1
Abraham Ancer vs 3&2 Tiger Woods

Match 2
Hideki Matsuyama  halved vs Tony Finau

Match 3
CT Pan  vs 4&2 Patrick Reed

Match 4
Haotong Li  vs  4&3 Dustin Johnson

Match 5
Adam Hadwin halved vs Bryson DeChambeau

Match 6
Sungjae Im 4&3  vs Gary Woodland

Match 7
Joaquin Neimann  vs  3&2Patrick Cantley

Match 8
Adam Scott  vs  2&1 Xander Schauffele

Match 9
Byeong Hun An vs  2&1Webb Simpson

Match 10
Cameron Smith 2&1 vs Justin Thomas

Match 11
Louis Oosthuizen vs halved Matt Kuchar

Match 12
Marc Leishman vs  halved Rickie Fowler

Bryan Angus

Presidents Cup: Day 3 International Team lead 10-8 .. live scoring

Presidents Cup day 3 foursome matches / live scoring https://www.presidentscup.com/leaderboard.html

Tiger Woods decided to sit out Day 3, Adam Hadwin will also sit out

Also sitting in the afternoon are Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed who are winless 0-3 to the delight of the Aussie crowd. Reed's caddie apparently got into a dispute with a fan after his loss this morning...no surprise..

Update : Here are the afternoon foursome match results with USA rallying to win 2 matches with the teams halving 2, so USA 3 Internationals 1, with Internationals hold a 10 - 8 lead heading into the Sunday singles.

Marc Leishman was having a brutal day, particularly with his putter where he looked lost on Royal Melbourne's legendary greens and as a result he and Abraham Ancer were 5 down with 8 to play, but they fought back to earn a tie with Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas.

Meanwhile with Adam Hadwin off, fighting a flu bug, Joaquin Neimann and Ben An never gave up and fought in form Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar to a draw to lead the International Team to their first lead going into the singles in 16 years.

Match 1
Louis Oosthuizen/ Adam Scott vs  2&1 Gary Woodland/ Dustin Johnson

Match 2
Marc Leishman/ Abraham Ancer halved  vs Rickie Fowler / Justin Thomas

Match 3
Sungjae Im/ Cameron Smith  vs 2&1 Patrick Cantley/ Xander 
Schauffele

Match 4
Joaquin Neimann/ Byeong Hun An halved vs Matt Kuchar/ Tony Finau



Bryan Angus

Presidents Cup: Day 3 Morning fourball matches / Internationals expand their lead 9-5

Presidents Cup Day 3 Fourball Matches / Results https://www.presidentscup.com/leaderboard.html

With the International winning the Thursday fourball matches 4-1 and splitting the Friday foursomes 2 1/2- 2 1/2, they have a solid 6 1/2 to 3 1/2 lead going into Saturday's play.

The schedule calls for fourballs in the morning starting at 7am local then foursomes in the afternoon after lunch.

Here are the fourball match ups, and follow the scoring by clicking on my link above. The International team expanded their lead winning the 4 matches 2 1/2 - 1 1/2

Match 1
Haotong Li/ Marc Leishman  vs   3&2 Justin Thomas/Rickie Fowler

Match 2
Abraham Ancer / Sungjae Im 3&2  vs Patrick Cantley/ Xander Schauffele

Match 3
Hideki Matsuyama/ CT Pan 5&3  vs  Webb Simpson / Patrick Reed

Match 4
Adam Scott/ Byeong Hun An  halve vs Tony Finau / Matt Kuchar


Bryan Angus

Presidents Cup Day 2: International Team leads 6 1/2 - 3 1/2.. live scoreboard and results..

Presidents Cup matches https://www.presidentscup.com/leaderboard.html

Against all the odds, Ernie Els rolled the dice in Thursday's four ball matches at the Presidents Cup, and following his "all for one and one for all" battle cry his troops stunned the experts, rookies and veterans alike, matching the USA stroke for stroke, making a few huge putts deep into the rounds and coming out on top 4-1 going into todays (Friday in Australia) foursomes (alternate shot).

The captains and their assistants made the draw for today's foursome matches, Tiger standing pat with 3 of his pairings, sitting Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau, while Ernie continued to send out all of his players except Haotong Li who sits for the second day.

Follow all today's results by clicking on the link above.

Friday summary: After a day when the International Team looked like they were going to blow the Americans out, the teams split the days play at 2 1/2 a piece. Patrick Cantley made a 20 footer to eek out a win against Adam Hadwin/ Joaquin Niemann and 10 minutes later Justin Thomas made the same putt to just edge Matsuyama/An to salvage the day for USA.

If anyone told you USA would be losing after 2 days play you would have had their heads examined, however if you listened to the American broadcast team of Dan Hicks and Paul Azinger you'd think they just won the Cup, yet again..

Saturday features fourball matches at 7am local, followed by foursomes in the afternoon, before Sunday singles.

Watch here for the fourball pairings later tonight.

Match 1
Louis Oosthuizen/ Adam Scott 3&2  vs  Dustin Johnson/ Matt Kuchar

Match 2
Adam Hadwin/ Joaquin Niemann  vs 1up Xander Schauffele/ Patrick Cantlay

Match 3
Marc Leishman/ Abraham Ancer 3&2  vs Webb Simpson/ Patrick Reed

Match 4
Hideki Matsuyama/ Byeong Hun An  vs 1up Tiger Woods / Justin Thomas

Match 5
Sungjae Im/ Cam Smith halved  vs Gary Woodland/ Rickie Fowler


Bryan Angus

Ernie Els rolls the dice in four ball matches at the President's Cup...Result International Team 4- USA 1

Presidents Cup Thursday fourball matches
https://www.presidentscup.com 

" It's not probable, it's not likely but it is possible "

These words from Frank Nobilo, former International Team stalwart and vice captain sums up the rallying cry for Ernie Els and his underdog team as the four ball matches have just been announced at this year's Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia.

" We all know on paper the USA look favourite to win, but this is all about opportunity. It takes 2 years to make this team so you are here for a reason. We are all in this together, we have a plan, we have a system and I'll tell you about it on Sunday night."

So the stage is set, David vs Goliath once again, a chance for 7 rookies from around the world to become legends in their homes, nothing to lose, everything to gain.

As you look at the opening matches you'll see what overwhelming favourites the USA team seem to be, starting with Tiger leading the way with Justin Thomas against Marc Leishman who has never won a 4ball match and a talented but unheralded match play rookie from Chile Joaquin Neimann

Canada's Adam Hadwin has been paired with Rookie of the Year, Korean Sungjae Im in the second match against a deadly duo in Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.

For all the matches and results click on my link above. International team has lost the last seven matches, haven't won since 1998, and have only won once.

" It doesn't seem probable, but it is possible "


Match 1
Tiger Woods /Justin Thomas 4&3 vs Marc Leishman /Joaquin Neimann

Match 2
Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele vs 1up  Sungjae Im / Adam Hadwin

Match 3
Tony Finau / Bryson DeChambeau vs  2&1 Byeong Hun An /Adam Scott

Match 4
Webb Simpson / Patrick Reed vs  1up CT Pan / Hideki Matsuyama

Match 5
Gary Woodland / Dustin Johnson vs  4&3 Louis Oosthuizen /Abraham Ancer

International Team 4   vs USA 1

Remember Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of EST, so stay up with me in the wee hours of the morning, leave me your comment or at twitter @mummmbles 



Bryan Angus

Weekend results from smokey Sydney, Mauritius and Bahamas

If ever Global Warming wasn't an issue in your world, this weekend in pro golf may make you a believer.

While weather fluctuates wildly here in Canada with winter temperatures ranging from -40*c to 15*c, with more snow falling earlier and deeper than in recent years, players across the world in South Africa played an entire week in their shorts in 100+*F at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Days later, now in Sydney Australia, it is so hot and dry, forest fires have been raging out of control in New South Wales doing irreparable damage, with a NE wind choking players and spectators at the Australian Open.

Meanwhile Tiger Woods and 17 invited pros, gathered in Albany, to raise money ($12m targeted) for the One Bahamas Fund, to help those islands that were flattened recently by the violence from hurricane Dorian, part of a particularly violent hurricane season, (which also played havoc with the World Rugby tournament in the battered island of Japan.)

The Presidents Cup gets underway this upcoming week in Melbourne, meanwhile here are the results from today's final rounds.

Emirates Australian Open final scoreboard https://www.ausopengolf.com/scores

In the end it came down to Matt Jones (69) and Louis Oosthuizen (66) to see who would lift the fabled Stonehaven Cup, and after Louis made a brilliant eagle 3 at the 72nd hole to post -14, it was Jones who made the required par 5 at the last to edge the in form South African by a shot at -15, to join an elite group of Aussies to win two Australian Opens.

Considered by Australians as a local boy who has done good in America, Jones was surrounded by his family, wife Melissa and their 3 girls, Savannah, Saber and Simone with the coveted trophy and had this to say afterwards.

" “Something like this has been coming and it’s very special when it’s your national Open and to do it two times in a row is something that’s pretty unbelievable right now,” he said. “But I’m going to build on this. If I can play as calm on the US Tour as I did these four days, I think I’ll have a very good year.”


Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open final leaderboard https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/afrasia-bank-mauritius-open-2020/results?round=4

Another young gun,18 year old Dane, Rasmas Hojgaard is the 3rd youngest winner in European Tour history with his victory today at the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open on the 3rd playoff hole.

He made an eagle 3 the 3rd time that he and Italian Renato Paratore and Frenchman Antoine Rozner played it for the win.Only Italian Matteo Manassero and Aussie Danny Lee were younger.


Hero World Challenge scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html

This is not an official PGA Tour event but does award world ranking points. Henrik Stenson has won it. 10 players from the 18 man field will now head to Melbourne Australia for the Presidents Cup.

Tiger Woods hosts the event and was hoping to raise $12m for the One Bahamas Fund to held rebuild the Bahamas that were flattened by hurricane Dorian.


Bryan Angus

Matt Jones leads Emirates Australian Open heading into Sunday.. live scoring..

Emirates Australian Open leaderboard https://www.ausopengolf.com/scores

With a round to go Aussie Matt Jones added a -3 68 to reach -13 and a three shot lead over jorneyman American Cameron Tringale (69) -10 and Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Casey and Japanese amateur Takuma Kanaya all at -9.

Jones whose trophy wife former Miss Idaho, Melissa Weber Jones garners as much media attention as he does, lives in Scottsdale, and hails from Sydney won here in 2015, and has all of Australia rooting him on.

With swirling winds, choked with the smoke from the fires raging in New South Wales, and tough pin placements, par 71 swelled to just over 72, low scoring obviously at a premium.  

" I was very calm out there today, my caddie said to me on the first tee, are you not nervous?, I was very comfortable and excited to go out and play"

International Team members scoring: Louis Oosthuizen 68 66 70 -9, Marc Leishman 69 67 70 -7, Cameron Smith 68 72 70 -3, Abraham Ancer 72 66 773 -2, Adam Scott 75 67 MC. 

Bryan Angus

Tiger's Hero World Challenge hopes to raise $12 million for the One Bahamas Fund.

Hero World Challenge leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/hero-world-challenge/leaderboard.html

I will not be reporting on the scores at the Hero World Challenge, although the PGA Tour has given it tournament status, it is in fact an 18 man exhibition match/ holiday by a few guys who have accepted Tigers invitation to help him raise funding for his Tiger Foundation which of course is admirable for all the great work it does.

Just click on the leaderboard link above if you are interested. 

What is very much more news worthy is that Tiger is contributing half of the money raised to the One Bahamas Fund, the players are contributing money for their birdies and eagles which totalled $43,000 in round 1. 

One Bahamas Foundation was founded by Tiger, the Nexus Luxury Collection, and wealthy members of the Albany community after the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian on September 9th they are matching money raised dollar for dollar hoping for a total of $12,000,000.

Bryan Angus

Amateurs lead smokey Emirates Australian Open.. live scoreboard

Emirates Australian Open leaderboard https://www.ausopengolf.com/scores 

Keeping with the international theme that will pervade at next week'd Presidents Cup, Takumi Kanaya from Japan  and China's Chun-An Yu shot -6 65's to lead this smoke ridden Emirates Australian Open at the Australian Club in Sydney by 2 shots heading into round 2.  (remember Sydney is 16 hours ahead of EST). 

Kanaya recently won the Taiheiyo Masters on the Japan Tour and Yu was a stand-out at the University of Arizona.

Dozen's of forest fires are still burning in New South Wales and the swirling winds from the NE blew choking smoke over Sydney as the afternoon and evening approached, leading to veteran Aussie Matt Jones saying " I've never seen anything like it, it's tough to see your golf ball, you're eyes are burning and I have this cough"

As for International team members, Cameron Smith and Louis Oosthuizen both shot -3 68's, Marc Leishman -2 69, Abraham Ancer 71, Adam Scott 75.

For full scoring click on my link above.

Bryan Angus

Mike Weir part of an International Team contingent at this week's Australian Open.... tee times.

Emirates Australian Open tee times https://www.ausopengolf.com/tee-times

With the Presidents Cup looming from Dec. 9-15 at Royal Melbourne, there is a strong contingent from the International Team in the field for the Emirates Australian Open, at the Australian GC in Sydney this week.

Led by Abraham Ancer from Mexico who won here by 5 shots last year, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, are all playing as is Ernie and his assistant coaches, Mike Weir, KJ Choi, and Geoff Ogilvy.

It's the 104th edition of this Aussie Open,and between  it, then the Presidents Cup then the Australian PGA it's quite a December for golf in Australia.

Captain Ernie Els realizes his squad this year with 7 rookies are heavy underdogs to another star studded American team led by playing captain Tiger Woods no less.

 In a recent blog, Ernie says he is leaning heavily on veteran Adam Scott who has returned to some of his former glory this 2019 season. Scott is in his 9th Presidents Cup and has been asked to take a leadership role.

Always the ambassador for the game he points out that with 6 different nationalities on his team there will be a potential for a billion viewers with markets from Mexico, China, Taiwan, Canada, Japan and Korea all adding to the Australian and American TV audiences.

" This is monumental in helping to grow this game world wide, and is another motivation for our team to perform well, and with the help of our Australian crowds cheering us on, hopefully winning the Cup".

First it's the Australian Open, follow the live scoreboard on the link above, starting overnight EST in the early hours of the morning.


Bryan Angus

Aaron Cockerill, Richard T Lee, Canadians in the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open.. Tee times

European Tour Afrasia Mauritius Bank Open tee times https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/afrasia-bank-mauritius-open-2020/tee-times?round=1

Playing in the island paradise of Mauritius, on the Heritage GC for the final week of this 2020 wrap around season on the European Tour, the AFRASIA Mauritius Open which is part holiday, and part serious business begins on Thursday.

Last year Kurt Kitiyama kicked off what would be a race with Scotland's lefty, Robert McDonald for the Rookie of the Year with his maiden win here. The Scot edged him out at the Race to Dubai.

Six of the International Team for the Presidents Cup are joining captain Ernie Els in Sydney for the Australian Open this week before the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Dec. 9-15.

There are 2 Canadians in the field this week. Aaron Cockerill missed the cut by a shot last week in South Africa and Richard T Lee who plays most of his golf in Japan, Korea and Australia is making his first start on this tour in a while. 

Bryan Angus

Larrazabal limps to 75 to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship... final scoreboard

European Tour Alfred Dunhill Championship final scoreboard https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/alfred-dunhill-championship

Pablo Larrazabal started the day three shots clear but struggled with blisters and swing problems throughout the final round at Leopard Creek, carding six bogeys and a double bogey to fall three shots behind at one stage.

However, the 36-year-old regrouped to make three birdies in his last four holes to seal victory with a 75 and eight under par total. That was one better than Sweden’s Joel Sjöholm, who completed a remarkable weekend effort with a 69.

Dutchman Wil Besseling held at least a share of the lead for most of the final round but bogeyed the last after his second shot finished on rocks behind the green and a 74 left him tied for third with home favourites Branden Grace (73) and Charl Schwartzel (70). Only 5 players managed to break 70 in the extreme heat and swirling winds.

“I woke up this morning and I didn’t think I was going to play,” said Larrazábal. “I couldn’t put my shoe on, I couldn’t walk to the buggy. I really struggled on the back nine, I have a big blister on my right toe and I said to myself ‘If Tiger can win a US Open with a broken leg…’ and I just fought hard

Larrazábal had gone four-and-a-half years without a European Tour victory and added: “It’s been a long road the last few years and this is where I want to be. I want to thank all my family and my wife. This is a place that I really love and I will come back until I cannot play anymore.

Being a winner again means so much. I’ve been working hard, I put as many hours in as I’ve put in in my golfing career and this is what for" 

Bryan Angus 
(europeantour.com)