Too little too late for MacKenzie Hughes as Dustin Johnson prevails at the Travelers... final scoreboard

Travelers Championship final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html

If you tuned in late last night after the weather delay that had been threatening all afternoon, and saw MacKenzie Hughes make a 47 foot, downhill curler for birdie, followed by a 43 footer from off the green at 18, you'd have thought this is easy !

In fact, though he putted well all week, especially with his 60 on Thursday, those two bombs were just too little, too late as he finished with 67 T3 at -17, just 2 shots behind Dustin Johnson's winning 67 -19 at the Travelers Championship on TPC River Highlands.

It's been 2 very good weeks for Mac Hughes. He had struggled mightily MC on 6 of his last 7 events, however at the Honda Classic in January before the COVID break he finished 2nd 71 72 66 66 -5 and said this week "everything finally fell into place" 

Last week he was right in contention at the RBC Heritage 66 68 69 -10 until he blew out a Sunday 78. This week he flirted with 59 on Thursday and while he made everything that day, I noted his swing is so good right now, completely on plane, and that never changed all week. 60, 68 68 67 -17. Just a couple of putts falling here and there would have seen him holding the trophy. Apart from that 78 he played 7 rounds at -27 and he only made 2 bogeys here all week.

He made $436,600 and think of this, one more putt meant $806,600 and two more meant $1.332m. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/here-is-the-prize-money-payout-for-each-golfer-at-the-2020-travelers-championship

DJ was in the untouchable Dustin mode this weekend, powering his way to an easy 61 on Saturday, and was cruising with 4 birdies 32 on Sunday, before he went walkabouts on 13,15 and 16 with 2 bogey's and a save from the water. However he stood up and parred 17 then smashed a 350 yarder dead center on 18, leaving just a wedge to prevail at -19 for his 21st tour win, this time with only a few officials and players on the course to see it. (69 64 61 67)

Brendon Todd lost all that was working for the previous 3 days, slipping to 75 without a birdie T11. 

A nice story for a young American Will Gordon who was in on a sponsors invite, and was supposed to be playing on our MacKenzie Tour  here in Canada before it was cancelled, who fought back from a Saturday 71 with 64 on Sunday to finish T3, and qualify for special PGA Tour exemption.

Next week its quietly up to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic over the July 4th weekend with the COVID-19 virus just exploding over USA, particularly in Florida and the SW. 

Bryan Angus

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Sunday tee times at the Travelers Championship... Thunderstorms in hot muggy weather forecast

Travelers Championship weather forecast https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/travelers-championship/weather.html

Travelers Championship tee times https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/travelers-championship/tee-times.html

Travelers Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html 

Weather : There is a hot muggy day ahead at TPC River Highlands for the final round of the Travelers Championship, cooler in the morning but by the time the leaders tee off at 2.10pm it will be 86*f with 96% humidity.

There are thundershowers in the forecast starting around 1pm, which is when the rain started yesterday. Click on my weather forecast link above.

Tee Times : Ian Poulter and Greg Chalmers are first off at 8.35am. The field has been paired in two's all off the 1st. Interesting choice with a similar forecast as Saturday when they moved tee times up and played threesomes off split tees. Either they are confident the weather forecast is wrong, or CBS who had to broadcast a tape delay yesterday wants it live today. Click above

MacKenzie Hughes and Kevin Streelman are off at 1.55pm with Dustin Johnson and Brendon Todd the final pairing at 2.10pm

Roger Sloan is off at 8.55am with Rafa Cabrera Bello


Leaderboard : Tall lanky Brendon Todd was nearly out of this game 18 months ago, so bad was his form both mentally and physically. His recovery at the end of 2019 was remarkable and without missing a fairway in 3 rounds, his 66 65 61 -18 has spread the leaderboard a little. He is 2 ahead of DJ (-16), 3 ahead of Streelman (-15) and 4 ahead of Mac Hughes (-14).

Then there are 7 within 6 shots including Phil Mickelson who says he'll throw caution to the wind today ("bombs!!") and Bryson DeChambeau. 

There will be another day of low scoring for sure, and as Rory said yesterday " it's all about making putts to win here this week with the course so soft. "

Todd is the odds on favourite to start, but that's why they play the game.

Bryan Angus

Steady Hughes hangs in at Travelers Championship 4th place going into Sunday.. Live scoreboard

Travelers Championship leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html

Sir Nick Faldo summed up MacKenzie Hughes 3rd round -2 68. "He's played well, but just didn't make a score out of it"

Hughes is 4th alone at -14 and will be in the penultimate group on Sunday with Kevin Streelman -7 63, -15. The leader is Brendon Todd who hit every fairway on his way to -9 61 -18 total. Dustin Johnson who also had 61, has a-16 total and will be in the final pairing with him.

So, Mac opened up with that -10 60 on Thursday when everything went his way. As usual the following round is a battle, and he did, making a -2 68 to keep him right in contention.

Today he went out in -2 33 with birdies at 2 and 9. He came back with 9 straight pars with excellent birdie chances at 12 and 13 that had him muttering to himself, but then again he made at least 4 par savers from 6 foot or less. He is T3 in scrambling.

Apart from a distracted approach to the 18th when something made a noise in his backswing, Mac drove the ball well all day, his swing is beautifully on plane. He ranks 2nd this week with only 2 bogeys in 3 rounds. None again today.

With the rain pouring down to soften the greens for tomorrow, his opening 60 and steady play since, ( 68 68 ) have kept him right in it. He is due to make some putts, while the leaders will have a tough time re producing the 61's they shot today.

I like his chances tomorrow and remember he will have learned from his final round 78 last week.

We'll see how it all unfolds in the silence at TPC River Highlands tomorrow. Expect some low scores early from guys like Rory McIlroy 69 -10 and Phil Mickelson +1 71 -12  but there is an 80% chance of rain and thunder storms tomorrow and Monday.

Bryan Angus

Hughes tied for lead..Early start for round 3 Travelers Championship..Live scoring

Travelers Championship round 3 leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html

With severe thunderstorms due to roll through TPC River Highlands starting around 1pm this afternoon the field at the Travelers Championship has been sent out at first light off split tees in threesomes.

Mac Hughes is in the final group with Will Gordon and Phil Mickelson and as they approach the 10th green he is -2 -14 tied for the lead.

Dustin Johnson is hot, -8 through 15 holes on his round in eerie silence. He will soon have a share of the lead as round 3 proceeds in the muggy air. Brendan Todd is also going well, -6 (-15) through 12.  It's dead calm right now, ideal scoring conditions as they try to beat the weather. Remember if there is lightning within 20 miles they will call the players in.

Weather  forecast https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/travelers-championship/weather.html

Roger Sloan made the cut and is at -3 late in round 3.

As you can see from my customized leaderboard above Corey Connors and David Hearn missed the cut which fell at -4.

As I post this at 11.54am est, the lead is at -15 with Mac Hughes and the final group playing #11 at -14. Let's see if they can beat the weather into the clubhouse.

The lead will probably end up around -18, maybe -19.


Bryan Angus

Career round 60 has Mac Hughes leading into round 2 at Travelers Championship. Live scoring

Travelers Championship round 2 scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html

Mackenzie Hughes will start off  the 1st tee at 1.40pm today with Sam Ryder and Fabian Gomez, his playing partners from yesterday when he posted that career best -10 60 after leaving a 45 footer short by 4 feet on the 18th to become the 12th player to shoot 59. He leads this Travelers Championship by 3 shots..

Jim Furyk fired a 58 at TPC River Highlands four years ago. " I kinda joked walking off there that 59 wasn't even the record because of Jim's 58. It's probably not even that special around here. But as a personal milestone it would have been neat." said Hughes.

Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland all had -7 63. As I mentioned yesterday the morning wave had calm conditions so scoring was very low.

106 players broke par 70 with the record being 111 in 2011.

Canadians: Roger Sloan -3 67, David Hearn +2 72, Corey Connors +3 73.

Notables: Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen all -4 66,  Bryson DeChambeau -5 65, Dustin Johnson -1 69, Jordan Spieth -3 67.

The cut is projected at -2.  For live scoring click on my link above.

Weather forecast https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/travelers-championship/weather.html

Bryan Angus

MacKenzie Hughes flirts with 59 to take the clubhouse lead at Travelers Championship.. View scorecard

Travelers Championship scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html

Early this morning I talked here about the day dawning perfectly still at TPC River Highlands for the Travelers Championship, and to expect low scoring for the early wave. 

Well Mac Hughes who was in contention for 3 rounds last week at the RBC Heritage before blowing up to a 78 on his final round, has had it all go his way today, playing the back nine first in 29 strokes including 5 birdies in a row, and came home in 31, with a 45 footer for 59 on his last hole the par 4 ninth, a career best bogey free -10 60 to take the clubhouse lead.

Rory McIlroy is next with -7 63, and there are a slew of golfers currently at 64 including Sergio Garcia.

Adam Hadwin became the first Canadian to shoot 59 at the Career Builder Challenge in Palm Springs in 2017. He had 13 birdies on the par 72.

The late wave are now on course with Roger Sloan and Corey Connors. David Hearn shot a +2 72 this morning.

Bryan Angus

Surging COVID crisis in USA raises concerns at Travelers Championshp..Live scoring round 1

PGA Tour Travelers Championship  leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/travelers-championship/leaderboard.html

This week the PGA Tour has taken over TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., with growing concerns as COVID_19 is making a big surge in America, recording the highest total of positive cases today, over 36,000 with the virus surging in Florida, Texas, Nevada, California, South Carolina and counting.

Brooks Koepka and his brother Chase, Webb Simpson, Graeme McDowell and Cameron Champ have all W/D with COVID related issues. 

With the pandemic raging again in USA and around the world, many who supported the no fan return of the PGA Tour are questioning the validity of it's wealthy stars playing amongst themselves while the nation is facing this crisis. Respected Golf columnist @AlanShipnuck, wrote today " with a heavy heart its' time to pull the plug on the PGA Tour http://golf.com/news/pga-tour

Round 1 is well underway, click my live scoring link above for all the scores and features.

Their are 4 Canadians in the field Mac Hughes, Roger Sloan, David Hearn (in for Koepka) and Corey Connors.

The early wave arrived to perfectly calm weather, not a breath of wind so expect low scoring.

Bryan Angus

2020 PGA Championship will be played with no spectators in San Francisco

The City of San Francisco and the PGA of America have announced that the first major of
the year, the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, will be contested without 
spectators from August 3-9.

The decision was made in coordination with the state of California and city and county of San Francisco, with the health and well-being of all involved cited as the top priority.and despite recording over 4000 cases per day in the State, most in Southern California.

“We are thrilled to welcome the PGA Championship to San Francisco,” said San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed. “We are able to safely take this step toward reopening because of the ongoing sacrifices of our citizens, the continued committed work of our healthcare workers and the early action we took to battle COVID-19.

The tournament was originally due to be held from May 14-17, but was postponed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It remains scheduled for August, and the PGA of America will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and work in concert with the state of California and San Francisco city and county public health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention through Championship Week.

"We are both inspired and honored to ‘play on,’” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

The PGA Tour made it's return without spectators at the Charles Schwab Challenge on June 11, while two dual-ranking events - the Austrian Open and Euram Bank Open - will mark the return of the European Tour and Challenge Tour (also without spectators) on July 9 prior to the Tour’s full return at the Betfred British Masters from July 22-2.

Bryan Angus (edit)

europeantour.com

Ryder Cup to be cancelled until 2021

Golf writer Alistair Tait blogs this morning that Ewan Murray writes in today's Guardian what we all suspected, PGA of America is set to announce the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits will be cancelled and re scheduled to 2021 due to COVID_19.

With the pandemic surging again in 18 states, nearly 40,000 new cases in one day in America, world wide travel restrictions and quarantines and importantly no guarantees regarding fan safety as well as opposition to play with no fans from stars like Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka the call to cancel is the right one.

Needless to say TV networks with huge vested interests like Sky Sports will be hurt financially, however this world pandemic has left organizers with little choice.

The announcement is expected next week.

Bryan Angus

Webb Simpson wins RBC Heritage, T25 for Corey Connors.. Final scoreboard

RBC Heritage final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html

With rounds of 65 65 68 64 -22 it's fair to say Webb Simpson, whose career took a dive after the ban on anchored putters, was well worth the win on the soft Harbour Town course at the RBC Heritage.

Even with those scores, and the fact he held the lead in the 2nd and 3rd rounds he still had to come from behind over the back nine to catch and pass Tyrrell Hatton, Abraham Ancer and Joaquin Neimann all of whom were tearing it up in front of him. He did it in style with 5 birdies in his last 7 holes.

Nice "Fathers Day" present for the guy with 5 kids and is now ranked 5th in the world.

Corey Connors started the day at -13, 2 shots behind, but he just couldn't make enough putts to keep pace, ending up T21 after his -1 70 left him at -14.

Adam Hadwin T41 at -11 after a closing 69, and Mac Hughes would rather forget Sunday with the high score of the day +7 78, T70 -3.

COVID-19 is going into phase 2 in several states with Florida leading the way with consecutive days of over 4000 new cases, numbers are up in 18 states, but the people of Hilton Head like many Americans are just ignoring it.

" I don't think they are taking it seriously around here" said Justin Thomas, " beaches are packed, restaurants are packed, nobody is wearing a mask"

This week the PGA Tour takes over the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut for the Travelers Championship, where Corey Connors, Mac Hughes and Roger Sloan will join most of the same cast from last week. David Hearn is an alternative.

Bryan Angus









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Canadians in the packed leaderboard, Sunday charge to the finish at RBC Heritage.. Live 4th round

RBC Heritage 4th round leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html

While the Saturday leaders stalled Webb Simpson 68. Bryson DeChambeau 70, Corey Connors 69, the rest of the field closed the gap with a scoring average of 67.7, so now we have a cavalry charge to the finish with 35 players at -10 and 4 tied at the top with -15.

Six players posted 63's in the early going to set the stage and now as they say in horse racing, " they're rounding the clubhouse turn and down the stretch they come !!"

Tyrrell Hatton, Abraham Ancer, Webb Simpson and Ryan Palmer are in the lead -15.

Corey Connors had 3 birdies in his first 5 holes, then a bogey at the 8th for 34 out, but had 2 bogey's with 2 birdies coming in 35 for 69, so today he sits at T8 -13. Mac Hughes was out in 36 but came in 33 69 T28, while Adam Hadwin shot 67 T36 -9 , out in 32 including an eagle 3 at the 2nd, but lost that with a double bogey at the 14th.

Tyrrell Hatton the emotional little Englishman who won the "Arnie Palmer Invitational" before the break summed it up best " It wouldn't be surprising on Sunday if someone around 20th goes out and shoot poteentially a really low score to win the tournament"

75 players made the cut at -4, a record 223 under par. Webb Simpson explaine why " There's a softness to the golf course, so more balls have stayed in the fairway that would have run off through the pine straw and the greens are way softer, we are used to really firm greens at Hilton Head, and cooler temperatures so in the spring the ball didn't go as far. We're also used to a lot more wind.

All those factors play a role. Any time we get soft  greens we will shoot low scores. So I think all that combined is why the par 71 is playing like a 67."

Hatton and Ancer are the final pairing at 2.10pm.

Canadian pairings : Corey Connors -13 is off at 1.00pm with Brice Garnett, Mac Hughes -10 with Matt Jones at 11.20 and Adam Hadwin -9 with Marc Hubbard at 10.50

Jordan Spieth who the commentary crew at the almost silent Harbour Town course declared "back again" after his 8 birdies in round 1 must be "gone again" after his closing 75

Rory shot 66 -10, DeChambeau (70) is at -12 so is Dustin Johnson(67) and Brooks Koepka (68).

Abraham Ancer, a Presidents Cup star from Mexico " Definitely anybody's tournament"

Pity there's nobody there to see it...

Bryan Angus


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Corey Connors T2, Mac Hughes T11 in round 3 at RBC Heritage.. Live 3rd round scoring.

RBC Heritage Saturday tee times / leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html

This week would normally be the RBC Canadian Open, and as such it's fitting that Corey Connors and MacKenzie Hughes will be amongst the late pairings at this RBC Heritage.

The final pairing today Webb Simpson 65 65, with his iron play and short game suited to Harbour Town and Bryson DeChambeau 67 64 just overpowering it will go out at 2.10pm

Corey Connors with his career best round on Friday, a bogey free -8 63  which included 2 misses for birdie within 10 feet on his last 2 holes is in the penultimate pairing with Ryan Moore at -11 (2.00pm) Corey is 1st in strokes gained tee to green again this week 31/36.

MacKenzie Hughes 66,68 -8 is paired with Dustin Johnson at 1.20pm.  Adam Hadwin 72,65 -5 is playing with Justin Rose at 10.10am

News: Nick Watney has tested positive for COVID-19 and been withdrawn and placed in isolation. He wasn't feeling well on Friday morning and reported for testing after making it to the practice putting green where he was close to Brooks Koepka,  Rory McIlroy. All precautions are being followed he is in 10 day isolation, and his playing partners on Thursday, Luke List and Vaughn Taylor, and their caddies and officials are all being re tested.  So far play will continue today with no spectators.

The morning weather at this Hilton Head resort has been benign so some of the big names like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson will join Adam Hadwin early on perfect greens and a real chance to post a low round.

There are lots of story lines, so use my live scoring link above to follow your favourites

Bryan Angus

Connors shoots 63 T2 at RBC Heritage, Hughes, Hadwin in contention. Live round 3 scoring

RBC Heritage leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html

On a day of low scoring on the Harbour Town course at the RBC Heritage, Corey Connors fired a bogey free 8 birdies on route to an -8 63 and at -11, he is just a shot off the lead of -12 held by Webb Simpson 65 65 130.

Joining him at -8 is Mac Hughes T11 66 68 and Adam Hadwin who recovered from an opening 72 with -6 65 to stand T45 -5. Hughes spoiled a great round with a double bogey 6 at the 8th and a bogey 5 at the 18th.

This event is usually played in April, but the move to June in the schedule shuffle, means little rough and the soft conditions and little wind leaves Harbour Town defenseless, the only player to shoot over par and make the cut was 1st round leader Mark Hubbard 64 72.

Rory McIlroy opened with +1 72 but recovered with -6 65 T45 -5. Bryson DeChambeau has muscled his way to 67 64 T2 with Connors.

With the cut falling at -4, Michael Gligic 72 70 E, David Hearn 75 69 +2 and Roger Sloan 70 73 +2 did not make the weekend.

Lots of big names just made the cut, which means they will have early tee times with perfect greens on Saturday. Xander Schauffele -4, Justin Thomas -5, Rory -5, Bubba -5, Jon Rahm -5.

With this being the scheduled week originally for the RBC Canadian Open, it seems poetic that Corey and Mac at least will be in the mix at RBC's other event !!



Bryan Angus

Hughes leads Canadians, Poulter has a hot 64 to lead the RBC Heritage.. Live round 2 scoring..

PGA Tour RBC Heritage leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/rbc-heritage/leaderboard.html

Apart from Roger Sloan (-1 70) the other five Canadians are in the early wave this morning as round 2 gets under way the the RBC Heritage at the posh resort of Hilton Head in South Carolina.

Mac Hughes got off to a great start with his -5 66, Corey Connors -3 68, Adam Hadwin and Michael Gligic +1 72 and David Hearn +4 75.

Hadwin was miked up and in a humorous moment when being assessed a penalty he asked if he "could turn it off" before accepting the penalty, then as the official left, said " screw you, but thanks !"

Ian Poulter had one of his better rounds -7 64 with a 30 foot birdie at 17 and a long iron stiffed to 3 feet at the last for another. Mark Hubbard is also at -7 64.

Last year I talked about a young Norwegian called Viktor Hovland. He is a prolific scorer and is in the hunt again at -5 65 with Micheal Thompson and Sebastian Munoz.

Jordan Spieth drove OB and 3 putted the 12th for a 7 playing the back nine first, but got hot and ran off 6 straight birdies for -5 66.

I loved to see Ernie play so well, ending up with -4 67 after taking the lead, playing partners Bernhard Langer and Jin Furyk had -2 69.

Rory struggled to +1 72 and the  cut is projected to be at -2 today, so he'll need to get a move on this afternoon.

It's all eerily quiet as per the new norm, like a very expensive members day at Harbour Town, nobody allowed except essential staff, no atmosphere, no buzz as COVID-19 continues to re- surge in the USA, with numbers back up in 18 states as of yesterday with more to follow.

None the less the PGA Tour plods ahead, everyone being tested and re tested, heaven help them if one guy tests positive.

Bryan Angus

Tee times for the RBC Heritage..6 Canadians...No spectators..

PGA Tour RBC Heritage leaderboard /tee times https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/rbc-heritage/tee-times.html 

It's another week for the strong silent guys as they take over the fairways from the members at Harbour Town Links. for the RBC Heritage..

The tour and the players want this to work for TV so Rory and the boys have shown up again after having their noses, throats and temperatures checked and I have the pairings listed on my link above..

Six Canadians with RBC as the sponsor.. Corey Connors, Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Roger Sloan, Michael Gligic and Mac Hughes an expectant dad again. 

Harbour Town isn't long, 2nd shot course, so Bryson best leave his driver in the trunk of his sponsors car..

Bryan Angus

Connors slips to T19 as Daniel Berger wins the Charles Schwab Challenge in complete silence

PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/charles-schwab-challenge/leaderboard.html  

Starting his day with a bogey 6 wasn't what Corey Connors had in mind as he began Sunday just 3 shots off the lead, however he steadied himself with an even par 35 going out, but after T3 in birdies all week, he couldn't make any coming in, all pars, 1 bogey 71 for a -9 271 total, T19.

Daniel Berger was 107th in the world starting the week but had 3 top 10 finishes in his last events before the season was shut down.

He and Colin Morikawa ended up in a playoff, after the latter missed a 6 footer for the win on his last hole, then missed a 3 footer for par in the playoff, leaving Berger with the win.

Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau shot 66, Jason Kokrak 64 and Xander Schauffele 69 to all end up -14 T3..

Berger stood alone on the 18th in the tartan jacket, hoisted the trophy in complete silence while a few photographers were allowed to take the pictures you've seen today.

Adam Hadwin shot a final round 72 T43 at -4. Many of the big names floundered as well, Rory shot 74, Spieth and Thomas 71, Varner 72.

The good news is the members of the Colonial Club won't need a clean up crew at their course today.

Next week it's the RBC Heritage up at Hilton Head with another strong but silent cast including 5 Canadians.

Bryan Angus

Connors right in the shoot-out at the Charles Schwab Challenge Live scoring

PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge Live scoring https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/charles-schwab-challenge/leaderboard.html

"It really just feels like I'm playing a round with my friends" says leader Xander Schauffele after his -4 66 -13 total, and it is, except today 14 of the top players on the PGA Tour are within 3 shots of him as this quiet stroll along the iconic fairways and greens of the Colonial Golf Club in Fort Worth gets decided later this evening.

No roars on the back nine, no trophy presentation, media sequestered in trailers, neighbours cutting their lawns or watching from their balconies, all very unlike any Sunday before COVID_19 changed all our lives and continues to ravage Americans, surges in Brazil, India, Sweden the UK and now in Africa.

Justin Thomas, Branden Grace, Jordan Spieth, Gary Woodland and Colin Morikawa are all at -12. Harold Varner is at -11, Rory McIlroy is at -10 and they will all have their say today for the tartan jacket, 500 Fed Ex points and oh yes a very hefty paycheck.

So will Corey Connors who has had a great week 66 67 67 -10 and he is right in the thick of this challenge which seems likely to go to a playoff. He is paired with the quiet English gentleman Justin Rose.

Connors, like the late great George Knudson is one of the games best ball strikers, and he leads the field in greens in regulation with a staggering 81.48% including 16/18 yesterday. He is T3 in birdies with 17.

Adam Hadwin is currently T34 65 71 68 -6 with round 4 now well under way and their is already a -6 64 on the board from American, Brian Stuard.

For live scoring click on my link above.

Bryan Angus

Connors moves into contention at Charles Schwab Challenge

PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge leaderboard  https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/charles-schwab-challenge/lehtmladerboard.

Corey Connors 66 67 -7 T12  has moved into contention in the Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Club in Fort Worth Texas. He's 4 shots behind the leader Harold Varner III at -11.

Adam Hadwin slipped from his opening 65 to a +1 71 and at -4 is T26.  The cut fell at -2 and Mac Hughes narrowly missed it 69 71 E

All 3 players will be in the RBC Heritage next week at Harbour Town.

Varner began play on the 10th and drove wildly through the trees, had to take a penalty and ended up with a triple bogey. However with that out of the way he recovered with 8 birdies for -4 66 and leads the star studded field at -11 going into this weekend.

Right behind him playing at home in Texas in front of no fans, just like he has for so many rounds at Colonial with his buddies, Jordan Spieth shot his second 65 along with Bryson DeChambeau to sit second at -10. Once the darling of the PGA Tour Spieth hasn't won since 2017.

Rory McIlroy summed the weekend up after his -7 63 -9 " This leaderboard is a who's who of golf right now and I'm just happy to be in the mix".  For complete scores click on my link above.

Bryan Angus

No Canadians made the cut Korn Ferry Tour at TPC Sawgrass

Korn Ferry Tour at TPC Sawgrass leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/tournaments/korn-ferry-challenge-at-tpc-sawgrass/leaderboard.html 

It wasn't a great resumption of play for the five Canadians on the Korn Ferrry Tour at TPC Sawgrass.

The cut fell at -1 with 4 players sharing the lead at -7.

Adam Svensson +1 68,73, Taylor Pendrith +2 68 74, David Hearn +2 71 71, Mike Weir +3 68 75, Michael Gligic +5 69 74.

Michael Gligic and David Hearn will play next week on the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage at Harbour Town

Bryan Angus

Adam Hadwin leads Canadians T6 at Charles Schwab Challenge.. LIVE Scoring

PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/charles-schwab-challenge/leaderboard.html

An ideal Texas day at the iconic Colonial Country Club, sun drenched with a little breeze greeting the return of the wealthy young men who make up the PGA Tour as pro golf returns in the unusually quiet, private fairways that are generally reserved for members only.

In a marked contrast not far away at the Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth deals with a record number of COVID-19 sick Texans, as the pandemic surges in the Lone Star state where nearly 2000 new patients were admitted on June 8th and 75,000 Texans have tested positive for the virus.

Questioning the decision by the PGA Tour to go ahead with a compromised edition of this 2020 season will continue, however for golf fans sitting safely at home at least it was a welcome sight, albeit a very sedate one. 

Justin Rose and "HVIII" or Harold Varner opened with -7 63's to take the lead after round 1. I will remind you that Varner is one of a few black golfers in pro golf, which of course became a bigger story as America deals with the murder of  George Floyd.

Adam Hadwin had a great return with a T6 -5 65 with 8 birdies and 3 bogeys, hitting 10/14 fairways.

Corey Connors was a shot behind T15 -4 66 with a front nine -5 30 his only blemish a double at the par 3 13th.

MacKenzie Hughes is T57 -1 69 and that is where the cut is projected.

Headliners Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy -2 68, Phil Mickelson -169, Jon Rahm -1 69.

Bryan Angus

2021 RBC Canadian Open goes to St Georges GC in Toronto.

Golf Canada and title sponsor RBC have confirmed that the membership of St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto has agreed to host the 2021 RBC Canadian Open, with nearby Islington Golf Club housing the official practice facility for the tournament.

The two facilities were scheduled to host the 2020 RBC Canadian Open this week (June 8-14), prior to the event being cancelled because of international travel and government restrictions related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

We are thrilled to host the 2021 RBC Canadian Open at St. George’s Golf and Country Club,” said Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, RBC. “As one of the top five golf courses in Canada, and one of the top 30 in the world, St. George’s is not only an incredible golf course but a world-class venue. Building off of last year’s momentum, we look forward to working together with our partners at Golf Canada and the PGA TOUR to make next year’s event one to remember.”

This year's CP Women's Open may well get the axe this year, due to be held at Shaughnessy GC in Vancouver September 3-6 as the Canadian/ US border is unlikely to be open by then with COVID-19 raging in the States.

Live Leaderboards :Canadians playing this week on PGA and Korn Ferry Tours..

PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge field https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/charles-schwab-challenge/tee-times.html.

There is a pretty strong field at the Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Club in Texas as you'd expect with everyone off for the last 12 weeks or so, the top 5 and most of the top 20 will play with no spectators, and full self isolation rules in place.

Corey Connors, Adam Hadwin, Mac Hughes, are the 3 Canucks with the full field listed on my link above.

I'm torn about  this with the USA leading the world by far with positive cases of the COVID-19 and to be frank having watched recent resumptions of play in the Korean Baseball League and the German Bundisliga in vast empty stadiums with no passion or atmosphere all, this is not going to be an "on the edge of your seat"return to play for whoever tunes in to the PGA broadcast this week 

This event was originally slated fro May 21-24. Kevin Na shot a final round 62 last year for the win. McIlroy, DJ, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and Phil (50) Mickelson are all in the field. 

Leaderboard; click on link above


Korn Ferry Challenge at TPC Sawgrass leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/leaderboard.html

Michael Gligic, David Hearn, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson and Mike Weir return to play in Florida with the same rules, no fans, limited media, only essential production crew, and yes caddies are allowed. Mike Weir and David Hearn are paired together at 8.28am

Leaderboard: click on link above.

Bryan Angus