with Bryan Angus

Thanks for joining me today. I look forward to your comments . They are always welcome here on FairwaysPlus. Bryan Angus bryanangus4@gmail.com



Saturday, October 31, 2020

Canadian round up heading into Saturday's play... Live scoreboards /stories

The strong winds that will strip the leaves from our trees here in the GTA over the next 3 days were blowing in Cyprus and Bermuda earlier today and on Friday, playing havoc with scoring, but Canadians faired pretty well with three in the T20 at the Port Royal GC and Aaron Cockerill hanging in there at the Aphrodite Golf Resort.

Bermuda Championship Saturday leaderboard here 

As is so often the case with golf in Bermuda and indeed over in the Bahamas, the wind got up yesterday making it hard to stand up, never mind play golf. Scores soared into the 80's but apart from a recovering Graham DeLaet who M/C the others did very well before darkness halted play.

Roger Sloan was T6 67 70 -5 just 3 shots off the lead. He is E through 5 holes today.

David Hearn is out early today and is -4 on his round making the turn at -6 after 68, 72.

Michael Gligic 68 71 is -2 today through 9 holes and -5 total.

WEATHER: It is 74*f overcast with the wind from the NE at 20mph, so not as bad as Friday.


Cyprus Championship Saturday leaderboard Leaderboard

Aaron Cockerill from Manitoba is exempt this year on the European Tour, which is housed and playing at the Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort on the SW tip of Cyprus for the next fortnight.

Today he was at -11 on the 11th tee right amongst the leaders after rounds of  69 66 and an opening nine of 33. However as the wind picked up he made 5 straight bogey's, before recovering with 2 more birdies for a final -1 70 to stand T27 -8.

The leaderboard is packed, 43 year old Jamie Donaldson playing on a medical exemption leads by one with 65 65 69 -14 


Also playing in Boca Raton at the Timber Tech Championship on the Senior circuit Mike Weir opened with -3 69, and Stephen Ames was dead last after +7 79 

The leaders at -8 64 John Daly and Jim Furyk who has already won twice in his rookie year. Watch out for defending champ Bernhard Langer at -7. He has lived in Boca Raton for over 30 years. 


Bryan Angus



 

 

Friday, October 30, 2020

Sloan T13 leads Canadians at the Bermuda Championship.. Friday scoreboard

 Bermuda Championship leaderboard here 

Roger Sloan was the best of the four Canadians at this Bermuda Championship with just 1 bogey in his opening -4 67 T13 and he is off early at 9.05am this morning.

Michael Gligic (1.35pm) and David Hearn (rd2) both shot -3 68 and they begin round 2 T25.

Graham DeLaet (1.15pm) who continues his return to play from a debilitating back injury is T116 after +3 74 so will have to find some form to Make the cut projected at -1. 

The leader at -8 63 is in form American Peter Malnati who has two T10's in his last 2 outings.

This is the first event to allow limited spectators albeit 500 per day, and although it is an alternative event to the HSBC in China which was cancelled, it carries full points, prize money and an invite to the Masters.

Follow all the action in round 2 by clicking on the link above.

Bryan Angus

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Bermuda Championship ... Canadians,.. Thursday tee times

 Bermuda Championship Thursday  Tee times

There are 4 Canadians in this week's Bermuda Championship on the island's main course Port Royal GC.

Graham DeLaet  10th tee 845am

Michael Gligic  1st tee  905am

David Hearn  10th tee 105pm

Roger Sloan 1st tee  135pm

Most of golf's top pros are off this week both on the European Tour which is in Cyprus for two weeks for the first time, and the PGA Tour in Southampton on the beautiful, wealthy island of Bermuda.

However a win at either carries full privileges, just ask Brendon Todd who had missed the cut in 43 of 55 starts before shooting a final round 62 last year to win in his first trip to Bermuda. He then went on to  win the Mayakoba Golf Classic and is now enjoying the good life, a secure membership, 18th in the Fed Ex Cup, playing in the US Open, hoping to play on either the Ryder or President's Cup teams.

You'll see guys like Tommy Gainey, Alex Cjeka, DA Points, Bo Hoag, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, Paul Stankowski and many more playing on a sponsor's invitation, or one of many PGA Tour categories like medical exemptions for Graham DeLaet.

All are hoping for that week when it all goes their way once again, just like Brendon Todd.


Bryan Angus


Monday, October 26, 2020

Corey Connors T8 at ZOZO Championship, Cantley wins, final results..

 ZOZO Championship final leaderboard here.

This ZOZO Championship will return to South Korea in it's original time slot next year if the world is in a healthier place than it is right now, that's good news for the billionaire Japanese sponsor, for golf in Korea and for the tournament itself.

Sherwood CC and it's $15m facelift stepped up to the plate on short notice, so no surprise the strong field in ideal conditions birdied it into submission, with Patrick Cantlay and his 67 65 68 65 -23 passing Jon Rahm 68 67 63 68 -22 and Justin Thomas 65 65 67 69 -22 for the win.

Other big names were well back, Rory T17 -15, Tiger T72nd -1 and Phil after his win on the Senior circuit last week was 2nd last after a closing 78.

Corey Connors gained some confidence as he turned in the best Canadian result T8 69 67 68 66 -18, Mac Hughes T41 67 72 68 70-11, Nick Taylor T63 70 68 71 74 -5 and Adam Hadwin dug himself a hole with an opening 75, 67 70 71 -5.

Next week it's the Bermuda Championship which has a weak field. Michael Gligic, David Hearn and Roger Sloan are in the field while all of the big boys are off before the Houston Open, then the Masters where there will be 4 Canadians for the first time, Connors, Hadwin, Taylor and Mike Weir.


Bryan Angus

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Ross McGowan... Nice win for good guy veteran at the Italian Open... final results

 Italian Open final Results 

Ross McGowan birdied two of his last three holes to win his second European Tour title at the 2020 Italian Open - 11 years and 15 days after he claimed his first.

The 38-year-old has not finished in the top 150 on the Race to Dubai since 2010, graduating from the Qualifying School in 2015 and 2017 but, after claiming a third European Challenge Tour win last season, he is now back to his best and back on the European Tour.

"I can't believe it," he said. "I hit the ball terrible today but luckily the putter kept me in it again"

The Englishman entered the final day at Chervò Golf Club alongside countryman Laurie Canter three shots clear of the field but they were reeled in on a dramatic afternoon in Brescia.

At one point late in the day there were eight players within one shot of the lead before McGowan holed a spectacular bunker shot at the 16th to knock Canter out of the lead for the first time in over 72 hours.

Canter hit back with a birdie from six feet on the par three 17th but McGowan put his third into the par five last to 20 feet and holed the putt for a 71, a 20 under par total and a one shot victory over Canter and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.

McGowan came within a whisker of making the European Ryder Cup team in 2010 after a 2009 season that saw him claim that first win at the Madrid Masters and finish 12th on the Race to Dubai.


Corey Connors T20, Thomas, Rahm atop the Sunday scoreboard at ZOZO Championship.. live scoring

 ZOZO Championship Sunday leaderboard here.

The scoring average at this week's birdie barrage on the Sherwood CC has crept up to 69.3, from 67.5 on Friday, still the lead at -19 through 54 holes is held by Justin Thomas (67) with Jon Rahm at -18 right behind him after his -9 63 on moving day.

The Sunday scoreboard sees 14 players within 4 shots of the leaders, and with 5 short par 5's anyone of them can be the winner later today out in a Thousand Oaks, California at this ZOZO Championship.

Corey Connors has played well enough to be leading many tournaments with a sterner test, 69 67 68 -12 in a T20, however with this small no cut field, all the players in these ideal conditions will be flag hunting all day, someone is going to shoot 62 or 61.

The other Canadians; Mac Hughes 67 72 68 -9 T36, Nick Taylor 70 68 71 -7 T48 and Adam Hadwin 75, 67 70 -4 T64 will be trying to pad their paychecks this afternoon.

Big first names: Rory 73 67 67 -9, Phil 72 74 67 -3, Tiger 76 66 71 -3, Jordan 70 66 74 -6, none in the winners frame this week.

Next week is the Houston Open, then it's off to a rare Fall trip for the postponed 2020 Masters at Augusta, where amongst all the rich steep tradition, many of us will be keeping an eye on Bryson DeChambeau who is off this week gearing up much publicized, controversial game for Augusta National.

By the way for those who have been asking about ZOZO.. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa owns the largest fashion online retail business in Japan called Zozotown. He also has the Zozosuit which he sends to clients to get their personal measurements, among other ventures.

Bryan Angus

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Sherwood CC playing "easy" for ZOZO Championship ... live Saturday scoring

ZOZO Championship Saturday scoreboard  here.

The debate over what affect today's equipment is having on the scoring in professional golf has been going on for years. It has reached the offices of the R&A and the USGA, and their final report is due in March with many opining it will need the co-operation of the PGA and European Tours to ever come to a solution.

Well, I'm not going to argue with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player amongst others who have been calling for a restriction on the ball, and of course the guy who is currently pouring fuel on the fire, Bryson DeChambeau is now boasting he can carry a drive 400 yards in ideal weather.

If you need a nudge either way in your stance on this just have a look at what's happening at Sherwood CC and the ZOZO Championship.

The course has 5 short par 5's, it's a par 72, the stroke average on Friday was 67.3, the course record was 62 held by Tiger who has won here 5 times until Dustin Johnson topped it with a 61.

It was the host of the Shark Shoot-Out for 10 years, then the World Challenge, Tiger's limited field (18 -32) invitational for 13 years.

This course, like many is no longer a strong test in today's game, in fact it's easy. Just listen to former player Paul Azinger, now commentating for NBC/Golf Channel gushing about what a birdie fest he is watching. "These guys can't take their eye's off the flagstick"

Justin Thomas who leads after 2 rounds with 65 65 -14 has played the back nine 29, 31 in just 60 strokes over 2 days. 

Richy Werenski a fine young American player tied the course record with his 61, three players shot -9 63, four shot 64, thirteen shot -7 65, you get the picture, and none of them were called Tiger, (76 66 ) Phil (72 74) or Rory ( 73 67) 

Canadians: Mac Hughes who opened with a fine -5 67, went absolutely backwards on Friday with even 72 and begins the weekend T48 in this no cut 70 man field. Corey Connors 68 67 -8 T27, Nick Taylor 70 68 -6 T40, Adam Hadwin 75 67 -2 T66.

At some point the game as it stands and continues to move has to change. Recently veteran golf writer John Huggan suggested " I almost hope DeChambeau wins the Masters by 10 shots thus reducing Augusta National to pitch  and putt status. That will surely be a tipping point on re action in equipment" 

If not at Augusta, how about at St Andrews in 2022 if the wind doesn't blow at the Open ?

Either way the show down is coming, the R&A/ USGA are going to suggest a restriction in equipment for pros, the PGA Tour will resist with all the money they have invested in equipment companies, and the wow factor they enjoy about 400 yard drives.

Something has to give...

Bryan Angus



Friday, October 23, 2020

Mac Hughes, Tyrrell Hatton brilliant, Tiger rusty..ZOZO Championship.. Friday leaderboard

 ZOZO Championship Friday tee times -Pairing

Mac Hughes and Tyrrell Hatton have one thing at least in common. They are both playing the best golf of their professional careers right now. Tiger Woods on the other hand has left those days far behind as he approaches 45, playing in virtual semi - retirement.

Hughes first round bogey free T9 -5 67 is typical of his 4 top 10 finishes since the return from COVID. Full of confidence, his short game saves him when needed, his swing is right on plane, he's the guy we expected to see back when he was winning Canadian amateur championships and starring at Kent State. He is a joy to watch.

Tyrrell Hatton is ranked a career high 9th, has 5 professional wins, is a Ryder Cupper and is in what is called "a purple patch" back home at High Wycombe, England.

Let's go back to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March before the COVID break where he won. When he returned to action he was 3rd at the RBC Heritage, T4 at the Rocket Mortgage and 5th at the Tour Championship. Returning to Europe he won the flagship BMWPGA Championship at Wentworth and flew 20 hours back to Las Vegas and placed 3rd at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek, before posting an opening T2 -7 65 yesterday at this week's ZOZO Championship at Sherwood CC in a Thousand Oaks, California.

Tiger is playing once a month these days and it shows. He is rusty, yesterday he had a case of the "rights" off the tee leading to an untidy +4 76. Many refuse to say it, but this great champion is playing out of semi retirement while guys like Tyrrell and Mac just to name a couple who still revere him, have passed him by.

However he keeps "moving the needle", the question is ow for how long.

The leader is Columbian, Sebastian Munoz who has 4 recent top 10's, and has a one stroke lead -8 64.

Other Canadians: Corey Connors T3 -3 69, Nick Taylor T39 -2 70, Adam Hadwin T73 75 +3.

Bryan Angus




Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Thursday Tee Times for the ZOZO Championship.. Official World Rankings

 ZOZO Championship Thursday tee times -Pairing

There are 4 Canadians at this weeks ZOZO Championship, moved from Japan to California at the Sherwood CC due to COVID, where Tiger Woods is the defending champion.

1st tee : Mac Hughes is first off at 9.50am. Corey Connors is off at 10.12, Adam Hadwin at 12.02, 

10th tee:  Nick Taylor is off 11.29.

Most of the official world ranking top 30 players are in the field except #1 Dustin Johnson who is self isolating from COVID. CURRENT RANKING

Click on my link above for all pairings.

Bryan Angus

 


Monday, October 19, 2020

Tyrrell Hatton finishes T3, Kokrak wins CJ Cup.. final leaderboard

 CJ Cup at Shadow Creek final leaderboard here.

Tyrrell Hatton and his well known ability to get in his own way is no surprise to European Tour fans, he is as hard on himself as anybody in today's game, totally self absorbed while he is playing, tough on himself, his caddie and to be honest his fellow players.

At the heart of all that, this immature young Englishman is one helluva' golfer, a Ryder Cupper, most recently acquiring his 5th win, a glittering BMWPGA Championship at Wentworth to join the elite group of European Tour players to win their flagship event.

He then got on a plane in London and flew across half a dozen time zones, 20 hours to Las Vegas, to a tough Shadow Creek course he'd never seen and with 5 hours sleep, and his cranky meter on red, went out and shot 65 to take a share of the lead.

He followed that with a 68 before it all caught up with him with a Saturday 73 that included a club toss that's had a million views on twitter.

In typical Hatton fashion he went and calmed down off the course, came out on Sunday, and posted another 65, resplendent with bows to himself, for a T3 -17 total. " He's quite a character" in the words of a bemused analyst Curt Bynum.

The 65 was second only to eventual winner, journeyman Jason Kokrak, who's played over 20 rounds at Shadow Creek and finished 70 66 68 64 -20.

Canadians : Adam Hadwin T28 75 69 69 70 -5, Nick Taylor T61  71 74 72 74 +3 Corey Connors T61 77 70 72 72 +3,  Mac Hughes T65 73 75 69 77 +5

Bryan Angus

Weirsy hangs on for 2nd to Mickelson.. Sunday Dominion Energy Charity Classic final leaderboard

 PGA Tour Champions leaderboard here 

Mike Weir "played well enough to win, but I didn't putt well enough, I putted terrible today, I had three 3 putts"

That's how he summed up his battle with Phil Mickelson who fired a -7 65 to Mike's -1 71 to win the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

2nd was Weir's best finish in his brief Champions Tour career, his 3rd top 10 and it was worth $176,000. Mickelson earned $300,000.

In the battle of lefties Mickelson overcame Weir's 3 shot lead with 4 birdies in 7 holes while Mike could only manage a string of pars until he made a 3 putt bogey at the 7th, but they were even at -13 after he birdied the 9th while Phil mad his first bogey.

Weir actually went ahead with his birdie at 12, but Mickelson got that back at the 13th, both now at -14. I thought the match between the two hinged on the par 3 14th when Mike had another 3 putt bogey to go one behind at -13.

Mickelson birdied the15th to go 2 ahead at -15, they both birdied the 16th and Mickelson birdied the last for his 65 -17 total. He also has won both his starts played on the Champions Tour.

Mike's 2nd place the his best finish since the 2014 Byron Nelson. 

That's golf, after 9 birdies on Saturday afternoon's 63, and 4 more in his morning 68, the putts just weren't falling on Sunday, but still, Weirsy displayed his trademark grit and tenacity on a day when all but Canadians gave him little chance against one of golf's great champions.

The next event is October 30th at the Timber Tech Championship in Boca Raton where Bernhard Langer has lived for the past 30 years and is the defending champion.


Bryan Angus


Sunday, October 18, 2020

Spaniard Adrian Otaegui storms to victory at the Scottish Championship.. final leaderboard

Scottish Championship final scoreboard Leaderboard

Pro golf is generally played over 4 rounds and this inaugural Scottish Championship is a perfect example. On a leaderboard stacked with Englishmen, one with the most Scottish of names, Matt Wallace was in complete charge over 3 rounds, only one bogey albeit in benign conditions on the Sam Torrance course, minutes from St Andrews, he shot 65 67 66 and was 3 shots clear heading into today's final round.

Four shots back after opening with a 62,70 70 was young Spaniard Adrian Otaegui, in the chasing pack.

Wallace for the first time opened with a bogey. Hmmmmm...then after a birdie at 4, another bogey at the 8th which he got right back at 9, but he was out in E 36, instead of 30,33,33 in the previous 3.

Meanwhile his Spanish playing partner started with a birdie, added 4 more out in 31 making putts all over the greens and the whole game had changed. He had made up 5 shots in 9 holes.

Wallace made another bogey to begin the back nine, then could only muster 2 birdies for 71 while the Spaniard's tail was up, he came in with a -4 32 for his -9 63 and a four shot win, his first in stroke play on the European Tour.

After qualifying 3 different times from Q school and graduating from the Challenge Tour he has been a European Tour regular since 2015.

He summed it up best " I like stroke play, I think its the proper way, you have to play well and consistently over 4 rounds to win

Matt Wallace will testify to that, ending up 2nd and maybe the hottest player on tour right now, Aaron Rai who was 2nd in Ireland, won the Scottish Open at the Renaissance, and was 3rd this week with a final bogey free 66.

Next week this travelling circus flies down to Italy for the Italian Open.

They can leave all their wooly hats, hand warmers and all weather gear behind, along with fond memories of another week on the Golf Coast of Scotland..

Bryan Angus




Weirsy leads Mickelson in Sunday final pairing at Dominion Energy Classic... live scoring

 PGA Tour Champions Sunday scoreboard here.

If you haven't seen Mike Weir since he began his career on the Champions Tour back in August, you'll have no trouble recognizing him. Hasn't gained a pound, swing and everything look just the same as he was in his prime, once up to #3 in the world when he was winning the Masters back in 2003.

In 7 events his best finish is a T4, his worst score 73 with a scoring average of 70, and yesterday on his super Saturday he had his best with 68,63 -13 to take a 3 shot lead into today's final round of this Dominion Energy Classic.

It rained all night and day on Friday in Richmond Virginia, thus the reason for 36 holes yesterday. "With 36 holes to play I just wanted to get into a good rhythm and I did. I'm super excited, I can't remember the last time I slept on a lead, but it feels good

He only made one bogey in two rounds, 9 birdies bogey free for his 63, and now a date today with the other lefty, who of course is getting all the publicity, Phil Mickelson 68, 66 is at -10. They will be in the final pairing with Retief Goosen at 12.10pm EST, which won't faze Mike at all, in fact he has a history of rising to those occasions, just remember his stellar record in the Presidents Cup, non more memorable than beating Tiger in singles at Royal Montreal in 2007.

The course is playing long with all the rain so Phil and Retief will be yards ahead of Mike off the tee, however it's station to station golf this week, and Weirsy has it figured out so far better than anyone else. 

We all know it's hard to follow a really low score with another,, but remember with the rest of the field charging he is 3 up on Mickelson, 5 ahead of Retief Goosen and Brandt Jobe and 6 ahead of Bernhard Langer.

Click on my link above to follow the live scoring

Bryan Angus


Saturday, October 17, 2020

Wallace leads the English charge at the Scottish Championship.. live scoreboard

 Scottish Championship leaderboard Leaderboard

The terrific golf writer Alistair Tait (@GolfTait) wrote in his blog earlier this week "Scotland's Time to Shine" about how far English professional male golfers have advanced over the years in comparison to their Scottish colleagues.

Now  for those of you have no Scottish blood in your veins, you may not get any of this, nor have I been watching Braveheart recently, but with Alistair's blog in mind I couldn't help but notice how many English players led by an in form Matt Wallace ( of all last names to have for an Englishman) are atop the leaderboard heading into Sunday at the Scottish Championship, being played on a Sam Torrance designed course, just a walk around the coast up to the Old Course at St Andrews.

It's all a bit much !!

Wallace with rounds of  65 67 66 -18 seems to have his emotions under control so far and he is the first of the English invasion, 3 shots clear. Then we have Garrick Porteous at -15, Chris Paisley and Eddie Pepperell at -12, Aaron Rai at -11, Paul Waring at -10, Matthew Jordan, Matthew Southgate and Ben Stow all at -9, heck even the old horse Lee Westwood is getting in the act these days, at -7.

The first of the 15 Solitaire's on the leaderboard are 10 shots behind, Marc Warren and Calum Hill at -8. The best of the bunch in recent times is lefty Robert MacIntyre and he W/D after an opening 78.. ouch !

I'll leave you to read Alistair's blog with his reasons for hope in the future, but for now I think either they'll need to hire the pipers for the first tee tomorrow, they've always been our ace to rally the troops, and install fear into the hearts of the English, or Mother Nature had best re-appear again since Saturday 3 weeks ago at North Berwick in the Scottish Open.

Sadly the weather forecast is fair.."nae wind, nae golf"

Bryan Angus

Canadians need a big moving day.. Saturday at the CJ Cup... live scoring

  CJ CUP at Shadow Creek Saturday leaderboard  here.

Saturday's are known as moving days in pro golf, the four Canucks at this CJ Cup at the elite Shadow Creek course in Las Vegas will need a big one to move up the no cut 78 man field.

Adam Hadwin T45 75 69 E, Nick Taylor T50 71 74 +1, Corey Connors T57 77, 70 +3, Mac Hughes T61 73 75 +4 are all well behind the leader Xander Schauffele 66,64 -14 who went out with a personal best 29, before stalling as the course backed up on the back nine.

He is 3 shots clear of Tyrrell Hatton 65 68 -11 who is having a great run of form after winning the BMWPGA Championship, a glittering addition to his resume. He will be over his jet lag by the time today's 3rd round gets underway.

Defending champion Justin Thomas is T8 -6 72 66. Ian Poulter T13 -5 69 70 is sporting some flashy new tailor made Las Vegas styled pants resplendent with dice, roulette wheels, cards in the patterns.

For all the scoring click on my live scoreboard above.


Bryan Angus


Friday, October 16, 2020

Nick Taylor leads Canadians while Tyrrell Hatton leads the CJ CUP in Las Vegas ... LIVE SCOREBOARD

 CJ CUP at Shadow Creek Friday leaderboard  here.

While watching the guys all decked out in winter wear at the Scottish Championship at the luxurious Fairmont St Andrews, just a couple of miles down the road from the Old Course, I was getting a little chilly until I turned over to the PGA Tour, in it's second week in the sunny warmth of the desert surrounding Las Vegas at the equally luxurious Shadow Creek course, where members need at quarter of a million US dollars credit just to get an invite to play. It's the CJ CUP which is normally at the Nine Bridges GC on JeJu island in Seoul South Korea.

After a 20 hour flight from London where he won the BMWPGA Championship, and only 5 hours sleep a very grumpy little Tyrrell Hatton went out a played the course he'd never seen, -5 through 5 holes on his way to a record tying -7 65 for a one shot lead over Xander Schauffele's 66, with big Jon Rahm in a group at 67.

CANADIANS: Nick Taylor was the best of the four with -1 71 T22. Mac Hughes is back after two weeks at home in North Carolina where he and Jenna are expecting their 2nd boy late in November. He got around in +1 73. Adam Hadwin is +3 75 and Corey Connors is off to a slow start +5 77.

Next week another imported tournament due to COVID its the ZOZO Championship from Tokyo to the Sherwood CC in Thousand Oaks, California where Tiger Woods is set to defend, then it's the Houston Open and then the Masters in November for something different !

Bryan Angus

Scottish Championship builds on great TV ratings in luxury at Fairmont St Andrews. Friday leaderboard

 Scottish Championship Friday leaderboard Leaderboard

Sky Sports in the UK has announced that their TV audience watching the Scottish Open at the Renaissance with that wild weather Saturday which Tommy Fleetwood lost to Aaron Rai in the playoff, then the BMWPGA Championship last week at Wentworth won handily in the end by Tyrrell Hatton and his infamous hoodie, was up by a whopping 81% from 2019 !

Great news for the European Tour with the no spectator rule still in place, showing people are turning on their TV's instead and I also think enjoying a spill over from the AIG Women's Open in all that brutal weather at Royal Troon won of course in fairy tale fashion by Sophia Popov.

With COVID travel restrictions in place, the Sky Sports broadcast teams have been getting great international exposure as well with the likes of Ken Brown, Richard Kaufman, Ewen Murray, Nick Dougherty, Andrew Coltart, Wayne Riley, Tim Baxter and Richard Boxall amongst others all being introduced to North American audiences while the Golf Channel/NBC staff, or what's left of them stay at home.

This week we are being treated to the Scottish Championship sponsored by AXA at the fairly new Fairmont St Andrews now owned by a group of Hong Kong investors with the French hospitality legends Accor operating the 5 star hotel just 20 minutes down the road from the Old Course at St Andrews. It is the height of luxury at around $500 a night (275 pounds).

The Torrance course (designed in part by Sam Torrance) played along the links at St Andrews Bay is getting rave reviews for it's greens, Lee Westwood called them some of the "best he's ever putted on".

Adrian Otaegui from Spain set the pace on Thursday with -10 62 for a 4 stroke lead which stood up all day until Matt Wallace and Bryce Easton who posted late 65's reduced it to 3.

Today with round 2 well under way and the field decked out in warm weather gear, including winter touques, Wallace has taken the lead at -12 with Rai continuing his great form at -11. Of note a re-jeuvinated Paddy Harrington, the new Ryder Cup captain is in the clubhouse 66 69 -9.

Click on my live scoring link above for all the latest.

Bryan Angus






.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Four Canadians at CJ Cup this week in Vegas.. Johnson withdraws with COVID..

 CJ CUP TOURNAMENT INFO

You may remember the inaugural CJ Cup @Nine Bridges being held in South Korea in 2017 and played at the Nine Bridges GC on JeJu Island. Justin Thomas won it that year and last year with Brooks Koepka lifting the trophy in 2018.

This year it has moved to the Shadow Creek GC in Vegas due to COVID travel restrictions. The sponsor CJ Group has it's HQ in Seoul, and is a large conglomerate holding company for a myriad of business's from food services to home shopping.

The tournament is part of the PGA Tour expanding it's footprint, and does provide several places in the strong field for players from the Korean Tour.  

Canadians: Corey Connors is paired with Ian Poulter off #10 at 9.56, Adam Hadwin off #10 at 11.57, Mac Hughes off #1 at 11.57 and Nick Taylor off #10 with Tommy Fleetwood at 10.07 They are all part of the no cut 78 man field.

Dustin Johnson has contacted COVID so has had to W/D. Rory has returned from learning to be a daddy and he is the headliner playing with Sergio and Si Woo Kim off #10 at 10.40 and  many of the field from last week's Shriners will spend their second week in Vegas

Tyrrell Hatton winner of the BMWPGA Championship has flown over from London with Justin Rose amongst others who have been allowed to miss the 14 day quarantine.

Bryan Angus

Monday, October 12, 2020

The R&A must decide to prevent the game today from becoming a joke!

 Shriners Hospitals for Children final leaderboard here

" Did you hear about the cut over in America ?... Yes I did, 7 under par.. what a joke "

These words from the veteran broadcast crew at the BMWPGA Championship at Wentworth's west course where Tyrrell Hatton won with 66 67 69 67 -19.. The cut fell at E par.

At TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas in perfect weather Ted Potter Jr shot 71, 65 and missed the cut by a shot, Scott Harrington 63,73 missed on the number.. That is a joke.

Pro golfers are remarkably talented. Millions of us play the game, 500 or so men around the world are good enough to make a great living as pros. Martin Laird is one of them, a Scot who lives in Florida, hasn't won in seven years, but grinds it out week in and out with various degrees of status and shot 65 63 65 68 -23 and survive a 3 man playoff to hit the Vegas jackpot on Sunday. No problem, he had to play very well, make putts, hit the shots better than the other 156 players and the score of -23 is around the norm for this event.

Here's my problem, and I admit I am a veteran Scot, steeped in the tenets of the game my father, my country of birth instilled in me. 

Christie O'Connor the legendary Irishman was surveying the first hole at St Andrews in the 1960 Open, with the rain pelting the brim of his cap, the wind cutting in from the North Sea. He turned to his poor caddie, about to be soaked to the skin for the next 4 hours, "Let me sign right now for 3 over, and we'll go a watch from the bar and be on top by the end of the day!"

Golf has par 3's, 4's and 5's for a reason. The par 5's are supposed to need a helluva' drive and then another helluva' 3 wood to reach in 2 shots. This week at TPC Summerlin and at many other PGA Tour courses, average players were hitting driver, 7 iron and less ... That is a joke.

Players were driving or nearly driving the short par 4's, DeChambeau drove one with a long iron... That is a joke...

What Bryson DeChambeau is doing, as Matthew Fitzpatrick put so succinctly this week "is a bit of a joke, he's taking all the skill out of the game"

If you want to let this great game, with all of it's history and legendary courses reduced to a drive and a flip, with a ball that the now retired Paul Lawrie says " just goes for miles", and equipment that makes mishits a thing of the past, then you are on the right flight as things stand today.

You will also want basketball scores to end up 178-176, with no defence, nobody hustling back, You'll want the NFL scores 61-60 with passing on every down, little pass rush and your NHL team winning 9-8 with no hitting or back checking, just shinny.

The R&A and USGA issued findings of their report on distancing last February where amongst the recommendations was encouraging a restriction on equipment that was compromising the par courses were intended to be played on and the final touches on their investigation into of all of this is due in March 2021 and remember the Open is at St Andrews in 2022. 

Should Mother Nature not give the Old Course the protection she needs, the course record of 61 could be obliterated. Amateurs are already driving the 18th with ease, Jack had to take off his sweater in 1971 when he was the longest on tour.

The PGA Tour has issued their statement, talking nicely about how all parties will serve the game best, being on the same page, however remember they don't set the rules, but are the driving force in the popularity of the game and are responsible for the financial well being of their members. They are heavily invested in all the companies who make the equipment, (balls, clubs) that are at issue, and the TV giants who televise it all.

We are all eagerly awaiting March for the next step in the process.

The R&A will never let the game they oversee, never mind their historic home course become a joke..

That's what I'm counting on, they really have no other choice..


Bryan Angus


Sunday, October 11, 2020

LPGA's truly International field needs American domination for a big TV payday

A few weeks ago I listened to a Stacy Lewis interview lauding the efforts of LPGA commissioner Michael Whan in promoting and growing the LPGA brand, and of course the players desire to play for much larger purses, not unlike women in pro tennis where the winner at Wimbledon gets equivalent money to her male counter part.

Tennis like golf is covered mainly on cable TV except for the majors, and the women's game is also truly international, but their TV ratings for the US Open, Wimbledon of course and the French are much higher than any of the majors in women's golf.

Perhaps indicative of the LPGA the only 8 players under par at this week's KPMG Women's PGA were from South Korea(2) Japan, Spain, Sweden, Canada, England and USA in that order. It is a truly International tour, dominated for the last 10 years by the South Korean wave. 

With the Golf Channel and NBC splitting the coverage this week the top American in the field was rookie Jennifer Kupcho who T7 with Symetra Tour graduate Lauren Stephenson and veteran Brittany Lincicomb T9. Bigger and importantly more well known names to the American audience were Lexi Thompson T30 and Stacy Lewis T33.

Had you ever heard of Bianca Pagdangadan T9, or Nanna Koerstz Madsen T13, Ashley Buhai T18, Jasmine Suwannapura T23 with Matilda Kastren...I could fill this page, along with perhaps 15 American women only their state or college and family would know about, along with their stories.

It has always been my belief that with the LPGA located in the USA and produced for TV by American networks, it will always be difficult for them to get a big long term contract with major TV network like NBC or CBS which would provide them with prize money closer to their male counterparts as long as there aren't American women the sponsors can promote, dominating and winning most weeks.

While some Korean girls have learned enough English to do a brief interview, many others like Miriam Lee who sensationally won the ANA Inspiration couldn't express herself with one word of English to Jerry Foltz before tip toeing into Poppy's Pond, and what's more American on the LPGA Tour than that moment.

Sophia Popov may be German by birth but she's lived most of her life in the US most recently in Arizona, went to an American college and when she won the AIG Women's Scottish Open in cinderella style her sponsors and AIG got a huge bang for their buck as she was interviewed around the world for a week including on "Good Morning America"

The LPGA / LET got a huge boost in popularity and they would not have if nobody could understand what she was saying. The fact she is blue eyed and blond may also have resonated with many American golf fans.

This year with COVID restricting travel, two of the most compelling Tournaments, the AIG Women's Open from Royal Troon and the ASI Scottish Open from North Berwick were piggy backed by the Golf Channel and NBC on broadcasts produced by Sky Sports out of Great Britain, which is also how we see the weekly European Tour events.

A great deal for viewers but it does nothing for the coffers of the LPGA.

With the great American hope and projected super star, Michelle Wie long gone to motherhood and perhaps commentating, I'm not sure how the present composition of the LPGA will ever improve their lot financially.

Dame Laura Davies, now in her 4th decade, says the Korean wave is just like other waves before it, like Annika and the Swedes for example, so maybe she's right and time will tell.

I hope she is.

Bryan Angus

Henderson T5 at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship final scoreboard

 KPMG PGA Championship Sunday scoreboard here.

Although Sunday didn't turn out as well as Saturday with her -5 65, Brooke Henderson has wrapped up another successful week at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship T5 -3, some 11 shots behind run away winner of her first major, South Korean Sei Young Kim -14.

While Inbee Park 65 -2 2nd, Nasa Hataoka 64 -7 and Carlota Cigunda 65 -7 made runs at her they were too far behind, leaving Kim a pressure free walk through the final holes of the stunning leafy green, but difficult Aronimink GC.

Brooke ended with +2 72, 2 bogey's on her front nine 37, another at 12 offset by a near hole in one at the par 3 14th was all her scoring on a windy day.

She hit the pin on her approach at the 10th and I thought she might get the spark she needed, but it rolled away leaving her with a par 4.

Her record at this event, 2015 T5, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd, 2018 T6, 2019 T30 and 2020 T5 is incredibly good and on this Thanksgiving Sunday I give thanks again for having such fabulous players and even better people representing our country, along with Alena Sharp who finished T48 71 73 73 72 +9.  

Bryan Angus






Tyrrell Hatton fulfills his dream, wins BMWPGA Championship...Final scores

BMWPGAChampionship Leaderboard

Home favourite Tyrrell Hatton realised his boyhood dream as he won the 2020 BMW PGA Championship by four shots to secure his third Rolex Series title. Earlier in the week, Englishman Hatton spoke of his desire to win this event having visited Wentworth Golf Club as a fan with his father when he was five years old.

And although he was pushed all the way by Victor Perez in a tense final round battle, Hatton produced a short game masterclass to put his name alongside the European Tour greats who have won this iconic trophy before him.

Hatton, who moves into the top ten on the Official World Golf Ranking after claiming his fifth European Tour title, finished the tournament on 19 under par after making six birdies and a single bogey in his closing 67.

Perez finished alone in second on 15 under after bogeys on the 13th and 17th saw his challenge fade.

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed and Englishman Andy Sullivan were in a share of third another shot further back after finishing their final rounds strongly.

After clinching the title, Hatton said he was thrilled to achieve two career ambitions at the same time.

"It's a dream come true for me really," said Hatton. "As a five-year-old walking around here I always wanted to be inside the ropes playing when I grew up.

"This is such a massive event and to get over the line and win here is such a special feeling.

"It was definitely a goal in my career to win here and I'm very thankful that I managed to get the job done today.

"Like I said yesterday I kind of expected someone to get off to a fast start and I just had to manage myself and not allow myself to get in my own way.

"It was a career goal to break inside the top ten in the World Rankings so to win here and achieve that in the same week is very special.

"I'll take confidence from this win in the remainder of the season".

 

Saturday, October 10, 2020

A terrific -5 65 has Henderson right in contention to win the KPMG Women's major again.. live scoring

  KPMG PGA Championship Saturday scoreboard here.

"Our plan for today is to be patient, play smart and take our chances when we can"

Brooke Henderson and her sister/caddie Brittany carried out that game plan to near perfection, after posting a low round of the day bogey free -5 65 on a tough Aronimink GC at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Off to a great start with 3 birdies in 6 holes, Brooke was out in -4 31 which moved her right into the top 3, where she stayed all day.

She added another at the 12th, adding 8 pars for a terrific Saturday moving round, and if you weren't watching she had several more good looks for birdie and just shaved the hole for eagle on the par 5 9th.

She leads the LPGA in GIR with 78.57%, is 2nd in scoring average 69.38 and 3rd in rounds in the 60's. 

Today she hit 17/18 fairways and 10/14 fairways with 31 putts, several of those were short ones for par.

Alena Sharp had her 2nd 73 and at +7 is T49.

With round 3 wrapping up Korean Sei Young Kim is at -7 playing 16 and Swede, Anna Nordqvist -6 playing 17.

Follow all the scoring by clicking on my link above.


Bryan Angus

Friday, October 9, 2020

Sharp and Henderson in contention for the weekend at KPMG PGA Championship.. live scoring

 KPMG PGA Championship Friday scoreboard here.

On a sunny breezy Friday outside Philadelphia at the fabled Aronimink GC playing the KPMG PGA Championship, Brooke Henderson has just wrapped up her second round with a -1 69 to go with her opening 71 and at E par she is in the clubhouse just 3 shots off the lead.

With 3 birdies and a bogey she went out in -2 33. With bogey's at 10,14 offset by birdies on 13 and 15 she came to the 18th still at -2, hit a massive drive right up the middle, but pulled her 130yd approach into the left greenside rough, drew a scratchy lie, and her chip out ran all the way nearly off the green. She recovered with a good long lag, and made the 3 footer for a bogey that made he shoulders slump, however on hindsight I'm sure she will be pleased at E when the late wave is done.

Earlier Alena Sharp who also opened with 71, went out in +2 37 with 3 bogey's and a birdie, but tightened up well with 8 pars and 1 bogey in with 37 and 73 +4 two day total, currently beating the cut which is projected at +5. I think it will fall to +6 at day's end.

The low score of the day so far -5 65 by the leader -3 Jennifer Kupcho from America. The best recovery was from defending champion, Aussie Hannah Green 79 66 +5, hoping the cut stays there.


Bryan Angus




Henderson, Sharp out in Friday early wave T26 at KPMG PGA Championship... live scoring

 KPMG PGA Championship Friday scoreboard here.

Aronimink GC has proved to be as tough as expected, after 18 holes the lead was only at -3 with Kelly Tan and Brittany Lincicome posting solid 67's.

Brook Henderson and Alena Sharp were in the late wave both battling their way to +1 71 and begin this morning 4 shots behind

Alena has just begun her round and is even through 2, Brooke is off at 8.27, she had a bogey and a birdie in round one all the rest pars, while Alena featured 3 birdies, 2 bogey's and a double.

There are currently 22 players between them and the leaders. Remember par is a good score in these cold heavy conditions, and 3 putts are not unusual if the approach shots are not in the right part of the huge sloping greens.


Bryan Angus

Players scorch TPC Summerlin in round 1 Shriners Hospitals for Children.. live Friday scoring

 Shriners Hospitals for Children Friday leaderboard here

Las Vegas is the home for 2 weeks of PGA Tour play a smart move for the "bubble" as COVID rages in America. This week in dead calm, under clear blue sunny skies the field has been torching the poor old TPC Summerlin at the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The new darling of the media, who just 6 months ago was the goat for his dreadfully slow play, is Bryson DeChambeau who is in town grabbing all the headlines, and with his slam bam thankyou mam style he tore a defenseless Summerlin par 71 apart with an opening -9 62.

That is about all that is being reported, and I get it, he has become "the story" which does draw attention to golf, especially in USA with the NBA finals, World Series and the NFL underway.

The truth of the matter is 5 players shot 63, 6 shot 64 and 8 shot 65. Only 18 players in a field of 156 were over par.

You haven't heard about any of Austin Cook or Harold Varner etal but rest assured there are others besides DeChambeau playing like our Canadians.

Micheal Gligic T13 -6 65, Adam Hadwin -4 67 T32, Nick Taylor -3 68 T59, Graham DeLaet T136 +3 74.

The cut is projected to fall at a ridiculous -6 65 and that is about what par actually is, not 71. The only defense I see is the desert wind is supposed to pick up over the weekend, if not another -30 is entirely possible.

Not my cup of tea, rather the test provided by Winged Foot, or Royal Troon in the wind and rain, or the drama at the Scottish Open or the test of Aronimink near Philly for the LPGA KPMG major this week where -2 is good enough to lead.

So prepare for more about the whole DeChambeau circus and if you want to see how your favourite is playing just click on my live scoring link above.

Bryan Angus

Fitzpatrick, Lowry charge into clubhouse lead at soft Wentworth, BMW PGA Championship.. live Friday scoring

 BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard

" Mostly cloudy with isolated showers, temperature 13*c, wind WSW 8-12 KPH" is what is expected to happen with the weather as the early wave are well into their 2nd rounds, at noon on Friday at the Wentworth west course at the BMW PGA Championship. However the sun is out for the morning starters and there is a breeze.

Ian Poulter played very well at the ASI Scottish Open, his bid for the title only derailed when he drove OB at the 13th on Sunday, still ending up in the T10.

He finished round 1 here birdie, birdie, eagle and has continued that form this morning on the very soft, long west course where -6 was the overnight lead.

Playing the back 10 first (play begins on the 9th tee for the "back 9") he has 2 birdies and 2 eagles to get to -8 however bogey's at 3 and 7 and a double at his last, the 8th for -2 70 leave him -5 for 36 holes. 

Shane Lowry was going very well again this morning, the defending Open champion after opening -5 67, played the back nine bogey free -4 33 and came home with 3 more birdies, 32 for a sparkling bogey free-7 65 and a fabulous -12 total heading into the weekend.

However stealing the show of the morning wave, was young English gun Matt Fitzpatrick was also bogey free playing the back nine -4 33 and with 3 more birdies and an eagle he stood on the par 4 8th, his last hole -14, -9 on his round needing a par for 63. However his approach hit a branch, fell into the water, resulting in a double bogey 6, and like Lowry -7 65 tied for the lead at -12 in the clubhouse. 

There is a long way to go in round 2 with the projected cut providing the target at E par.


Bryan Angus


Thursday, October 8, 2020

Hatton, Harding and Arnaus lead BMW PGA Championship at soggy Wentworth.. live scoreboard

 BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard

What a difference a few days make. A five hour drive down the M1 from North Berwick in Scotland to Virginia Water the leafy, wealthy neighbourhood 20 miles from London that is the palatial home of the European Tour and of venerable Wentworth with it's world famous west course, home of the World Match Play for so  many years and now the BMW PGA Championship, the tour's flagship event.

Normally played in May. the move to October sees the parkland trees in full bloom, and with all the rain, very soft, therefore very long.

Round 1 is nearly done as I post this. -6 66 is the low score by England's Tyrrell Hatton, South African Justin Harding and Spain's Adri Arnaus. There are four 67's and seven 68's including Ian Poulter who finished birdie birdie eagle, and Justin Rose.

There is no roll on the fairways although preferred lies are not being offered. With the soft greens you have to look down to a T50th to find someone not under par. It was damp, overcast and cool for the early wave before the sun came out, and I expect the course to dry out and toughen up as the week goes on

For all the scores click on my link above.

Bryan Angus


Wednesday, October 7, 2020

BMW PGA Championship..Thursday live scoring/tee times

BMW PGA Championship

Tomorrow the glittering flagship event of the European Tour takes place on the historic West Course at Wentworth in Surrey, the regal HQ of the European Tour headed up by Canadian CEO Keith Pelley, former President of TSN, the Argos and head of Media at Rogers.

 Here is the Leaderboard

There are no Canadians, Patrick Reed  who leads the Race to Dubai has flown over from USA and done the quarantine to defend his title.

Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell have flown over from Florida, Justin Rose and various other European Tour Stalwarts will play for the $7m Rolex Series prize money... 

Of the world top 10, no DJ #1,  Rory #4 or Jon Rahm #2, Justin Thomas #3, Collin Morikawa #5, Bryson DeChambeau #6, Webb Simpson #7 or Xander Schauffele #8, Brooks Keopka #10 will be here which is more a COVID isolation problem than any other media speculation

Wentworth usually hosts this event in May, now in October it is soft and playing longer than usual, so expect great iron players hitting 2 irons instead of wedges for their approaches to have an advantage,

Still all of the European Tour regulars and more are here, follow my live leaderboard by clicking on the link above..

Bryan Angus



Brooke Henderson thrives at KPMG Women's PGA Championship... Thursday tee times

 KPMG Women's PGA Championship Tee Times

There are horses for courses, it's no secret that golfers have their favourites, courses that "suit their eye". Bruce Lietzke only played courses routed left to right to suit his go to fade, Tiger won 8 times at Bay Hill, 7 at Torrey Pines are just a couple of examples. Davis Love won at Harbour Town Golf Links 5 times.

Brooke Henderson thrives at this week's major, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, so you'd think it would be at the same course each year.

That however is not the case.

Her first year as an invite was 2015 at Westchester GC, NY where she T5. In 2016 it moved across America to Washington State at Sahalee GC where she shot 67 73 73 65 -6, good enough to beat Lydia Ko in a playoff for her 2nd pro win and first major. "Everything went perfect that week including a hole in one on Thursday, it was a life changer for us"

In 2017 she was at it again, this time at Olympia Fields near Chicago 68 69 69 66 -12, finishing 2nd a shot behind Danielle Kang. They moved to Kemper Lakes, Illinois in 2018 she T6, 67 71 70 74 -6, then last year (2019) at Hazeltine GC in Chaska, Minnesota she T30.

For some reason in her 6 years on tour the KPMG has "been a huge part of my career so far". The old adage about "the toughest course in the world is the one between your ears" may well be the case at this event for Brooke.

This week is at a classic old Donald Ross designed par 70 Aronimink GC outside Philadelphia that has hosted several professional events with it's huge, sloping greens, and an emphasis on the approach shots to them, and it prompted her to say " I have such a great history at this event, and this course just looks amazing so I am excited"

Since missing the cut at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on her first event after COVID, she lost the ANA Inspiration in a playoff, and T6 last week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey so is in good form.

Her sister/caddie Brittany has been with her in preparation since Monday. She says it is soft, playing long, and she's been practicing with her hybrid clubs in anticipation. 

With her exceptional length and an LPGA leading 80% of Greens in Regulation, this week sounds ideal for Brooke to continue her outstanding play at this major. I think it will come down to her putter, we'll see how she and Brittany can read the big greens

Alena Sharp and Jaclyn Lee are also in the field, click on my link for tee times above.


Bryan Angus



Monday, October 5, 2020

Henderson finishes ShopRite LPGA Classic T6

 ShopRite LPGA Classic final leaderboard here.

On my last post yesterday Brooke Henderson had 3 birdies, 2 bogey's on  her front nine, -1 for the day, and she ended up that way with -1 70 for a -11 total, T6 for her 2nd top 10 since her return from the COVID break.

The winner by 2 shots was English star Mel Reid at -19, who began the day 5 up on Brooke, stretching that to 8 shots with her 68 64 66 67 totals. 

Alena Sharp T40 72 66 71 71 -4.  She will join Jaclyn Lee and Brooke at the LPGA'S next major KPMG Women's PGA this week, which Brooke won in 2016.

Bryan Angus

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Brooke Henderson battling to close lead in round 4 at ShopRite LPGA Classic.. live scoring

 ShopRite LPGA Classic leaderboard here.

After a brilliant 7 birdie, one bogey 65 on Saturday, Brooke Henderson shot up the leaderboard T7 at-10, leaving her 5 shots off the lead held by England's Mel Reid at -15.

In her post game presser, she said " I sure hope I can make some more of the putts I made today tomorrow, II got off to a great start 5 birdies in nine holes I think"

Well today she has made 3 birdies but also 2 bogey's in her first 9 holes to sit -1 -11 at the turn, while behind her Jennifer Song -2 -16, Mel Reid -1 -16, and Jennifer Kupcho -1 -15 are keeping the lead.

So with a great birdie, she almost made the eagle putt, at the par 5 ninth she will begin her final nine still 5 shots off the lead.

Alena Sharp is at -3 late in her round.

Bryan Angus

Fleetwood loses Scottish Open to Aaron Rai in dramatic style... final leaderboard

 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open... final leaderboard Leaderboard

I've spent this morning, in fact most of the week watching the drama unfold at this ASISO (Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open), and like a good Agatha Christie "whodunnit'" we had to wait until the final putt, or in this case "missed putt" to reveal the result.

The Renaissance Club and the Aberdeen Standard Investments are the 2nd biggest winners this week. Reversing most of the two nines to feature the holes along the Firth of Forth on the finishing stretch provided panoramic views shot by TV around the world that will keep international travellers coming whenever that's possible again.

Californian type weather on Friday provided views that were typical of Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula, then to no surprise for the local Scots, in complete contrast, the wildest weather Ian Poulter says he's ever played in moved in on Saturday, driving rain, howling wind, it was just about survival, scoring soared.

Today dawned calm, damp, overcast but the sun saved the day when it arose, the soft course suddenly became a birdie fest, none better than a relatively unknown young Englishman with Indian heritage, Aaron Rai who was 2nd last week at the Irish Open, continued that form with 70 69 70 64 -11, which gave him the clubhouse lead.

Marc Warren had Scottish hearts fluttering, (Monty bring the only Scot to win their national championship,) as he made 3 birdies and an eagle in 4 holes late in his round to get to -10, only to drive it into a terrible lie at the 18th resulting in a bogey.

Meanwhile with the day winding down, Tommy Fleetwood and Robert Rock were going neck and neck down the stretch. 

Pick it up at the downwind par 5 16th, the easiest hole on the course today. Both were around the green in two, Tommy chipped to 2 1/2 feet then missed the gimme, only a par, still -10. Rock stubbed his chip leaving 12 feet and holed it for the birdie, now -11.

Pars at par3 17, then Tommy hit a great wedge approach 12 feet right over the pin at 18. Rock hit his approach fat, then played a clumsy chip well past the pin. Tommy stood up and holed the clutch birdie to get into a playoff with Rai at -11. Then Rock slumped to hands on knees as his par putt missed low to miss the playoff.

Final Act: Playing the 18th Rai took too much club and drove into a fairway bunker, Tommy's 3 wood was perfect. He then came up just short with his 9iron, but just off the green, Rai wedged out of the bunker then hit a sweet pitch from 50 feet down the fairway to 3 feet.

Tommy putted up to the same distance It was a 'good, good" gimme situation in our weekend matches. Not so for the Scottish title. 

Rai made his calmly, Tommy, maybe with the 16th in mind, hit his low all the way, missed the hole all together, to hand a shocked Rai his first Rolex Series event, the Scottish Open and a $1m to go with it.

That made him the biggest winner of the day, and of another exhausting, exciting week in Scottish golf, keeping in mind Sophia Popov's emotional win in the wind and rain of Royal Troon a few week's ago in the Women's Open on the west coast.


Bryan Angus

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Poulter, Westwood playing in the rain, Saturday at the ASI Scottish Open .. live scoring

ASI Scottish Open  Leaderboard

There is an old Scottish saying, "if you don't like the weather, wait a moment " After the most glorious, picturesque day on Friday on Scotland's Golf Coast, just 20 miles south east of Edinburgh, the weather changed completely overnight to a dull dreich morning, followed by a steady rain which has set in for the day.

" Dreich" is another of those descriptive Scottish words which means wet, cloudy, windy, uncomfortable all rolled into one.

With caddies taking a soaking trying to keep their boss's and their equipment dry, Ian Poulter and Robert Rock wearing a rare cap today are tied for ever changing lead early in this Saturday morning at -11 approaching the turn.

Lee Westwood is right behind at -9 with Aussie's Wade Ormsby and Lucas Herbert the overnight leader who made bogey's on his first two holes.

The greens have slowed right down in the rain, level par will be a good score -2 exceptional.

I am from this part of the world by birth, and have played so many rounds in this kind of weather and strange as it might sound, playing in the rain can be enjoyable as long as you have a good pair of shoes, waterproofs and a good big brolly. It's like you're staying warm and dry despite mother nature. It's quiet walking on the beautiful sand based spongy fairways. The gulls are often sitting down, just bobbing along on the incoming tide.

Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood echoed my sentiments during on course interviews this morning and I believe many Brits have an edge over guys I hearing complaining about the cold and wet like some of the Aussies who are used to the warmth of the sun.

Bryan Angus


Connors, Gligic, Sloan in contention, Saturday at Sanderson Farms.. live scoring

 Sanderson Farms Championship leaderboard here.

The lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi is at -13 heading into today's play, held by "the Fidget" Keegan Bradley (66 65)who hasn't had a top 10 since 2019. If you watch him play you'll know why I gave him the nickname, he is such a bundle of nerves. However he is putting well this week and says he's having fun.

Corey Connors birdied the last 2 holes for -2 70 T12 at-7, 6 shots behind. I note that Corey who is as good a ball striker as there is, is standing a little taller over his putts, and has gone cross handed like so many others to keep that face square and on line.

Both Roger Sloan( 67 71) and Michael Gligic (65 73) are at -6, David Hearn and Nick Taylor have missed the cut.

After the low scoring in the opening round, tour officials tucked the pins on Friday making the course much more difficult, and scores reflected that, Taylor had 77 and Hearn 74 for example.

The cut fell at -3. Do you remember Kevin Stadler? His dad is the "walrus" Craig Stadler. Kevin hasn't been playing so well these days, and shot 80,78 +16 this week to finish dead last.

The weather will continue warm and sunny with barely a breeze all weekend.

Bryan Angus