Paul Casey cruises to title at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.. final leaderboard

 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard

None of the contenders including his closest challenger managed to put any pressure on veteran 43 year old Paul Casey who has just won his 14th European Tour title with a final round -2 70 for a four shot win at -17 of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Young Scot Robert MacIntyre playing with Casey got an early birdie at the 2nd, but 4 bogey's in a row from the 7th ended his chances with an eventual 74 good to finish 3rd -12 behind Brandon Stone 72 -13.

Casey moves back into the world's top 20 with his 3rd win here in the UAE following his wins in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009. One of the game's real nice guys he was very emotional in his post game interviews, and has talked all week about getting back into the European team at the Ryder Cup. 

This win in front of captain Padraig Harrington will go a long way to ensuring that happens.

The next stop on the 'desert swing" is a controversial one, in Saudi Arabia, with their record of atrocities in human rights is well documented.

Bryan Angus

Reed. Ortiz lead the sprint to the finish at Farmers Insurance Open.. Sunday leaderboard...

 Farmers Insurance Open Sunday leaderboard here

Patrick Reed (70) and Carlos Ortiz who's -6 66 on a tough south course at Torrey Pines was the best of the day are tied for the lead at -10 going into today's final round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

There was some discussion about Reed again, this time his drive into the soft rough he deemed embedded and he picked it up before calling for the referee to confirm. He didn't think it had bounced, although TV proved it had, and many thought he should have left it for the ref to decide, however the official in question deemed his actions "textbook" giving the oft beleaguered pro the benefit of the doubt.

However they are being chased by a lot of high quality players like defending champion Jon Rahm 72, Adam Scott 72 and Victor Hovland 73 all at -8, then Rory McIlroy 70 at -7 along with Korn Ferry Tour leader Will Zalatoris 70.

Adam Hadwin T20 73 -4 is the only Canadian in the top 20, six shots back, with Corey Connors T45 E 73 and Roger Sloan T67 78 +3 looking to improve his paycheck. 

There is no rain n the forecast and very little wind for this championship Sunday with overcast skies, and temperatures in the mid 60's F, ideal for scoring I'd say.

Bryan Angus

Paul Casey's grandstand finish leads the Omega Dubai Desert Classic....Full leaderboard

 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard

Paul Casey at 43 can still hit it out there with the young guys and today he made 5 birdies in 10 holes then made a birdie eagle finish to grab the lead at -15, a shot ahead of young Scottish lefty Robert MacIntyre (68) -14.

Casey smashed a drive over the corner of the iconic 564 yard par 5 dog leg left, then a 3 iron up and over th pond guarding the green, settling 15 feet below the pin. He made the putt and had this to say afterwards.

"We always say if you stand still out there you'll go backwards, the young guys come up every year longer and stronger and they putt it better. I'm lucky my physical attributes allow me to get it out there, maybe for another 5 years. Westy at 47 is an inspiration, I saw him today and he is still looking fit."

So it will be and Englishman and a Scot, Casey -15 and MacIntyre -14 in the final group on Sunday, with some strong competition from Brandon Stone (66) -13, Sergio Garcia (67) -10 amongst those chasing.

Bryan Angus

Hadwin leads Canadians at sunny Farmers Insurance Open.. Saturday leaderboard

 Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard here

Adam Hadwin has taken his turn this year to lead the Canadian contingent after a -2 70 finds him 4 shots off the lead at T14 -5 heading into Saturday at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Adam Hadwin (File/PGA Tour)

Super Norwegian Victor Hovland shot a very credible -7 65 on the tough south course to lead at -9 over a group of six including Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed and Adam Scott all bunched up at -8. The weather I mentioned yesterday hit San Diego, with rain and wind overnight spilling into Friday causing a suspension of play for an hour.

Weather : All the players will play the south course at Torrey Pines today and tomorrow, where the US Open is scheduled latter in the summer. There was no more rain over night which had made the rough very tough and the sun will be out all day albeit cool by California standards at 55*f, with very little breeze, so expect scores to be lower than Friday.

Roger Sloan T29 -3 68 73, Corey Connors T54 -1 72 71, the cut fell at -1 so Mac Hughes 70 74, Jared du Toit 70 75, David Hearn 74 77, and Michael Gligic 79 77 all M/C.

Bryan Angus

Rain, lightning forecast for 2nd round of Farmer's Insurance with Reed, Noren leading...all Canadian scores..

 Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard here

With round 2 scheduled to begin at 9am local time on the North and South courses at Torrey Pines, rain is forecast to move in on a cool (55*f) day in San Diego, at around 11am and continuing until around 5pm. There is also a chance of thunderstorms in the early afternoon, which would suspend play.

Patrick Reed who has been globe trotting early this year, from Abu Dhabi, to Hawaii and now California and Alex Noren the Swede who lives in Florida are atop the leaderboard after -8 64's on the North Course, that played 4 shots easier than the south. 

The field is bunched up behind them with a long day ahead.

Roger Sloan (file photo)

Canadians: Roger Sloan (NC) is T21 -4 68, Adam Hadwin (SC) T32 -3 69, Jared du Toit (NC) and Mac Hughes (NC) T48 -2 70, Corey Connors (SC) T88 E 72, David Hearn (NC) T119th +2 74, Michael Gligic (SC) had a tough day T151 +7 79

Bryan Angus

Thomas Detry leads after 36 holes at Omega Dubai Desert Classic....Live scoreboard

 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard

28 year old Belgian Thomas Detry has surged to the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes at this Omega Dubai Desert Classic after a second consecutive bogey free -5 67 and a -10 total.

When asked about it after his round he said " The first thing that comes to mind is bogey free, that's pretty good around here. I've been playing some good golf recently, keeping it in the fairway and hitting every single green and getting up and down a couple of times, so I'm pleased. I'm moving in down here in a couple of weeks so to get my first win at home would be special"

Scotland's best golfer right now, Robert (Bob) MacIntyre is 2nd after a 68 sees him at -9.

Veteran stalwarts Tommy Fleetwood 68 -8, Lee Westwood 68 -7 and Paul Casey 70 -7 are all in contention, not so Ian Poulter who missed a 4 foot putt on the 18th 76,69 +1 which highlighted how difficult the greens have become, Poulter being one of the best putters on tour. Paul Casey was critical saying they have dried out and become bumpy later in the day making reads very difficult.

70 players have made the cut.

Bryan Angus

South African Richard Sterne 64 leads after 1st round Omega Dubai Desert Classic...full leaderboard

 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Leaderboard

Sergio Garcia was delighted with his early -6 66 at this Omega Dubai Desert Classic  and it stood up as the clubhouse lead for much of the day until Richard Sterne rolled in his 9th birdie for an unexpected -8 64 as the sun set on another picture perfect day in the desert surrounding this space age city of Dubai.

Garcia won here in 2017 before going on to win the major he so badly wanted to add to his Hall of Game career, the Masters at Augusta. Sterne

Sterne has won 6 times in his career but has only played 5 times since wrist surgery last March before the COVID break. Asian American Kurt Kitayama who plays entirely on the European Tour joined Sterne late in the day with a -7 65, pushing Garcia and Justin Harding into T3. 

Paul Casey led for much of the day before stalling at -5 67 in a group that includes Scotland's Bob MacIntyre

Last week's winner Tyrrell Hatton found the tricky greens problematic on his way to +4 76.

Bryan Angus

 

Strong European Tour field at Omega Dubai Desert Classic... TEE TIMES

Omega Dubai Desert Classic Tee Times

Veteran golf writer Alistair Tait (@GolfTait) penned a blog this week about what a debt of gratitude European Tour players have for golf in the middle east, and in particular to this event in Dubai in where it all started in 1989, when enormously oil rich Arab sheiks announced their desire to bring the eyes of the world to their booming desert cities with professional golf.

Since former CEO, Scotsman Ken Schofield more than willingly led the tour into unchartered sands, it now has lucrative stops in Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia, millions of dollars in prize money, and untold riches in appearance fees, on no money spared golf courses in simply stunning  dry sunny weather while the rest of Europe is in the clutch of winter.

This week the Omega Dubai Desert Classic plays against arguably the world's most stunning backdrop of brand new skyscrapers, luxury hotels, almost anything your heart desires, as Dubai strides on to become the world's #1 tourist attraction as the supply of oil dwindles.

I have listed the tee times for Thursday above.

Tour stalwarts like Sergio Garcia (above) Poulter, Rose, Westwood, Fleetwood, Els, Jimenez, Stenson,  Harrington, Kaymer, McDowell, Lowry, Willett and a host of others are joined by American Collin Morikawa, all paired in three off split tees.

Bryan Angus

Seven Canadians this week at Torrey Pines, Farmers Insurance.. TEE TIMES

Farmers Insurance TEE TIMES here.

While the LPGA and Champions Tour are off this week there are 7 Canadians in this week's Farmers Insurance out in San Diego at the north and south courses of Torrey Pines.

Jared du Toit 

Jared du Toit (11am 1st tee N) of Kimberely BC made a splash at the RBC Canadian Open a few years ago has been working his way up the professional ranks despite the Mackenzie Tour being cancelled last year. He has managed to Monday qualify for this week by making a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.

TEE TIMES : He joins Corey Connors 9.30am 1st tee S, Adam Hadwin 10.50am,10th tee S, David Hearn 9.40am 1st tee N, Roger Sloan 10am 1st tee N, Mac Hughes 10.40 10th tee N and Micheal Gligic 10am 10th tee S.

Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka are in the field as is local resident Phil Mickelson, but it's not as strong as I've seen it.

Bryan Angus

Canadians well back as Si Woo Kim wins American Express... final results

 American Express Championship results here

The best news I can give Canadian golf fans is that Adam Hadwin shot -6 66 on Sunday, to finish T32 -10. Roger Sloan began Sunday 4 shots off the lead but slipped to a 75 T40 -8. Nick Taylor had a 74 73 weekend after a promising start to finish T47 -7 while David Hearn T64 at -1.

Adam Hadwin , The Canadian Press

Si Woo Kim hadn't won in since the Players 4 years ago, but he shot -8 64 - 23 to hold off  Patrick Cantley who was doing a Jessica Korda impersonation of his own with a ridiculously good -11 61 -22.

Bryan Angus

Kang leads Diamond Resorts TOC four rounds, loses to Korda, top 10 for Henderson.. final results

Diamond Resorts TOC final results  here

Danielle Kang must have left the Diamond Resorts Championship wondering what the heck happened !! She says she "wasn't upset, says she wasn't playing that well after two brushes with COVID in the off season, so it was a bonus she played so well, and had fun"..

With 64 65 63 68, 25 birdies and just 1 bogey to get to -24, she set the 36 and 54 hole records, led all the way and was in total command.. until Jessica Korda set all kinds of  records of her own with a Saturday back nine of 28, on her way to -11 60, then birdied 4 of her last 6 holes on Sunday for -5 66 to catch and tie Kang, while sister Nelly was posting a 64 of her own to finish just 2 behind.

Jessica then rolled in that 20 footer on the first playoff hole to snatch the title, her 6th. Brooke Henderson was 9th at -13 after a Sunday 70

 

Roger Sloan 4 shots off the lead at American Express Championship...Sunday scoreboard

American Express Championship Sunday scoreboard here

On another day of low scoring on the Stadium course in this American Express Championship, it was Roger Sloan who leads the Canadian contingent with -3 69 -11 total, just 4 shots off the lead T13

.

Roger Sloan (file photo)

Nick Taylor dropped out of contention with a +2 74 -8 now t31, Adam Hadwin 74, -4 T55 and David Hearn 75, -2 T63 all moved the wrong way on Saturday. 

Three guys are tied at -15 for the lead, Tony Finau 67, Max Homa 65, and Si Woo Kim 67, but there are 12 players within 3 shots of each other and another 7 including Sloan within 4.

Bryan Angus

Henderson 65, Korda shoots a record 60 at Diamond Resorts TOC..Sunday scoreboard

 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Sunday scoreboard  here. 

Brooke Henderson shot -6 65 -12 total yesterday at this Diamond Resorts TOC to move into 5th place, but he round was lost in all the publicity created by tall Jessica Korda who had a course record and career best -11 60 including another record back nine of 28 with 7 birdies and an eagle.

All that and she is still not in the lead at -19, because front runner Danielle Kang has posted rounds of  64 65 63 -21 with another 8 birdies and she hasn't made a bogey all week.

That's how hard it is to win on this LPGA Tour. Granted this resort course near Orlando in ideal scoring conditions isn't providing much of a stern test, however it's not this easy !

Brooke had 7 birdies of her own, out in a spectacular 30, back in 35 with her one bogey, however it looks like unless Kang and Korda (pictured below) cool right off to let the field catch up, the title will go to one of them, however I will remind you how tough it is to follow a really low round with another.

Jessica Korda hits a shot on

Mike Weir 66 T7, Darren Clarke wins Mitsubishi Electric Championship.. final scoreboard..

 Mitsubishi Electric Championship final results here.

I watched a lot of Mike Weir and the guys on the Champions Tour at the Mitsubishi Electric sponsored Championship on the Big Island, Hawaii.

He shot -6 66 for a solid -12 T7 finish, a it could have been 64 or 63 easily, he was in such control of his game and was unlucky to leave at least 3 shots right on the lip. Stephen Ames shot 73 T21 at -6.

 

Big Darren Clarke, now 52 and enjoying life on the senior circuit won his last Champions Tour event in November, the TimberTech Championship in early November, shot a final round 64 -21 total to win by two shots over Retief Goosen, so this makes two in a row.

Clarke credits going down to a resort in the Abaco Islands 180 miles south of Florida with a group of friends to play and practice over the Christmas break to stay sharp. Many of them were flooded completely by hurricane Dorian and are still struggling to recover.

Bryan Angus

Terrific Tyrrell Hatton wins HSBC Abu Dhabi.. final scoreboard

 HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship Leaderboard

Tyrrell Hatton had a week when all facets of his game were in full control, including his legendary temper. He drove it well and made a ton of putts, including a few long ones at crucial moments and as a result he shot -6 66 a few moments ago for an -18 total, four shots clear of Aussie Jason Scrivener who closed in 29 shots for 66 -14 and 5 ahead of Rory Mcllroy (72) -13.

The mercurial little Englishman who played with Rory all day, will likely find himself at #5 in the world. He won on the PGA Tour last season, this was his 4th Rolex Series title and his 6th European Tour win

He gets 500 Ryder Cup points, and having made the 2018 team, he's well on his way to being selected again by captain Padraig Harrington for this year's event.

"It's surreal really, even after sinking the last putt there, I don't really feel like I've won the trophy. I've always enjoyed starting my year her in Abu Dhabi, and am very happy to get all those Ryder Cup points, making the team is a goal of mine this year, so we'll have a few beers and enjoy tonight."

Several of these players including Rory will be on a plane headed for San Diego for Torrey Pines next week.

Bryan Angus

McIlroy back on top at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship... Live scoreboard

HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship Leaderboard

Rory McIlroy opened up with -8 64, followed with an early morning finish  to round two at E 72 at this HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.

Then after a little breakfast he went out again and minutes ago posted a -5 67 with an chip in eagle and 5 birdies in a swirling breeze to take back the lead at -13, a shot ahead of Tyrrell Hatton who shot 71 and Tommy Fleetwood who had the lead a couple of times, putting the lights out at -11.

Rory has been 2nd here 4 times in 11 tries. Remember he 

has won 3 Race to Dubai titles, 3 WGC titles and 4 majors, not

to mention a Fed Ex Cup at only 31.

Bryan Angus

   

Ames 13th, Weir 15th playing the weekend at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii...live scoreboard

 Mitsubishi Electric Championship leaderboard here. 

It's the turn of the older guys and their families to be in Hawaii this week, this time at spectacular Four Seasons Hualalai, and going into today, Its Darren Clarke (68) and Jerry Kelly (67) who will be in the final pairing, leading at -13.

Stephen Ames (PGA Tour Photo)

Meanwhile Stephen Ames who loves playing in warm weather had just 1 bogey in his -6 66 and is T13 at -7, and just a shot behind him Mike Weir with  71,67's is at -6.

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jiminez is well back T19, 69 71 -4.

Bryan Angus

Taylor surges into T2 at the American Express.. Saturday tee times, scoreboard..

 American Express Saturday scoreboard/ tee times here

With last week in mind, where Nick Taylor was tied for the lead after 36 holes, he went out on the Stadium course on Friday with a bogey free -6 66 to head into today's play -10 in a group T2, just a shot behind Korean Sungjae Im who posted a -7 65.

(courtesy Jeff Brooke/getty images)

Taylor who defends his win at Pebble Beach in 3 weeks had this to say after his round. "My game is in pretty good shape right now, hopefully it keeps peaking. It was a lot of intimidating tee shots, iron shots into greens, I feel like I missed in the right places. I drove it nicely on the par 5's and gave myself some easy looks on some of them"

Canadians: Roger Sloan T8 -8, 69 67, Adam Hadwin T26 -6 72,66, David Hearn T37 -5 68 71, and the cut fell at -4, so Michael Gligic 71,77 +4 didn't make it. 

Im,Taylor and Tony Finau are in the last group off the 1st tee at 11.10am

Bryan Angus

Henderson needs a big weekend to catch Kang at Diamond Resorts Championship...Saturday Tee times

Diamond Resorts Championship leaderboard here.

Brooke Henderson and her sister Brittany will need a big weekend to catch Danielle Kang if she wants to finally win this Diamond Resorts Championship.

With rounds of 67,69 -6 she is T7. Meanwhile Kang is bogey free so far with 13 birdies, leading with -13 with the Korda sisters chasing, Nelly 65 66 -11 and Jessica 65,69 -8.

There isn't anything to worry about with the weather this weekend, low 20's, plenty of Florida sunshine, today there will be a little breeze from the NE, up to 16kph.

Bryan Angus

Hatton charges into the lead in Abu Dhabi... live scoreboard

HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship Leaderboard

Play has been suspended in round 2 due to darkness with Tyrrell Hatton well on top at -12 through 13 holes.

Rory McIlroy who opened with a 64 is +1 with 4 holes to play in round 2, and five others are next at -7. Hatton, currently ranked 9th in the world, had an eagle, 4 birdies in a row and a bogey in his 13 holes and will return at 7.30 local time. He opened with a 65 on Thursday. 

Bryan Angus

David Hearn/Nick Taylor start well with 68's at American Express... Friday leaderboard..

 American Express Friday scoreboard here

In typical warm, dry, sunny weather in the California desert at La Quinta, the PGA Tour has their traditional first full field event on the mainland, now sponsored by American Express.

It's the first time out for many of the guys who didn't make the trip to Hawaii, the weather and the courses are an easy way to shake of any rust. The Stadium course and the Nicklaus Tournament course are among the easiest on the tour rota.

As I mentioned yesterday there are 5 Canadians this year. David Hearn and Nick Taylor are T15 in a logjam of 24 players on -4 68.

(Michael Gligic)

Roger Sloan T39 -3 69, Michael Gligic T91 -1 71, and Adam Hadwin T103 E 72.

A relatively unknown Californian Brandon Hagy who is playing in place of Jon Rahm opened with -8 64 for a one shot lead heading into today's 2nd round. Due to COVID there are none of the celebrities this year, so the field has been paired in two's.

Bryan Angus

Weir shoots 59 in Pro-Am, then joins Stephen Ames with 71's at the Mitsubishi Electric.. Friday scoreboard and tee times..

 Mitsubishi Electric After Championship Friday scoreboard here.

After posting a 59 on his own ball in the Wednesday Pro-Am, Mike Weir and Stephen Ames shot -1 71's to begin today's 2nd round T24th.

The "Goose", Retief Goosen, playing with contact lens and back to a regular length putter set the standard with -10 62, followed by another fan favourite Darren Clarke -9 63.

Defending champion Miguel Jimenez -3 69 as was the "Big Easy" Ernie Els. Bernhard Langer -4 68.

Bryan Angus

Henderson opens with 67 at Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions ...Friday scoreboard

Diamond Resorts TOC Friday leaderboard here. 

With just 1 bogey on her card at the Diamond Resorts TOC in Orlando, Brooke Henderson's -4 67 has her T7 heading into today's 2nd round.

Playing in her usual black pedal pushers and shirt with white PING visor and shoes she played her front 9, -2 32 then came in with all pars and 2 more birdies on a back nine where a lot of the leaders were taking advantage of the three par 5's.

PING recently renewed their sponsorship with Brooke who plays entirely with their clubs and has done since she debuted on tour in 2015.

Danielle Kang who had been battling COVID during her time off showed no signs of it with her 7 birdie, bogey free round of 64 for a one shot lead with the Korda sisters right behind with 65's. 

Bryan Angus

McIlroy takes the clubhouse lead at HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship... live leaderboard

 HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship  Tee Times

Rory McIlroy continued his tradition of starting the new year strongly as he produced his

lowest ever round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the weather affected first day of the 2021 Race to Dubai season.

After morning fog had caused a delay of almost three hours, early starter McIlroy fired a flawless 64 to set the early clubhouse target at eight under par and open up a one shot lead over nearest challenger Tyrrell Hatton.

World Number Six McIlroy gave himself a birdie chance at nearly every hole and putted beautifully throughout the round to continue his love affair with Abu Dhabi Golf Club, where he has secured eight top five finishes in ten previous appearances.

Starting at the tenth tee, the Northern Irishman made four birdies and no bogeys on both nines, taking advantage of every single one of the course's four par fives on the opening day of the season's first Rolex Series event.

Hatton, meanwhile, bookended his front nine with eagles at the tenth and 18th before making three birdies down the stretch to sign for a bogey free 65.

Fabrizio Zanotti was a single stroke further back after starting with a sparkling 66, one shot ahead of Romain Langasque and Rafa Cabrera Bello in a tie for fourth.

The afternoon starters will resume their rounds from 07.40 on Friday morning after running out of daylight following the earlier delay.

McIlroy, who is still searching for his maiden win here, was delighted with his first round performance, particularly on the greens. 

He said: "A lot of it was very good. I felt like I drove the ball well for the most part. Distance control was really good. 

"I think I started off really well and hit a lot of nice iron shots.

"But honestly it was probably the best I've putted these greens in Abu Dhabi probably in my whole career.

"I've shot some really good scores here but I held some really good ones today. 

"And I've always struggled to read them here, but I sort of got my eye in early and kept it going"

Bryan Angus (europeantour.com)

Weir and Ames begin 2021 today Mitsubishi Electric Championship..TEE TIMES

 Mitsubishi Electric Championship Thursday tee times here 

Mike Weir 12.20pm local and Stephen Ames 10.10am local, kick off the 2nd half of their Champions Tour season out at Hualalai in Hawaii.

Miguel Angel Jimenez is the defending champion at Hualalai. (Chris Condon/PGA  Tour) 

It's Mike Weir's debut in this 42 man field with some of the great names in golf. Miguel Angel Jimenez will defend and try to win for the 3rd time.

Due to the COVID cancellations from 2020, the two seasons are being combined.

Bryan Angus

Tee times for the American Express....Nick Taylor leads Five Canadians

 PGA Tour American Express tee times here 

To many older fans it will always be the Bob Hope, today it's called the American Express being played at Nicklaus Stadium course and PGA West tournament course in the California desert.

It was always a treat when Hope who lived to 103, was in his prime, a decent player but a legendary comedian, who's tastiest stuff was aimed at American presidents, most of whom came out and played in the celebrity pro-am. Arnie won it 5 times and he always had a president as a partner, with Hope providing the colour commentating

On Gerald Ford " President Ford never has any trouble remembering his score on a hole...he just counts the bodies being attended to in the fairway"....

Sadly the pro-ams are much more corporate these days, raising tons of money for charity, but not much entertaining. This year country star Jake Owen and ex soccer star Landon Donovan will play a 9 hole Charity Challenge for $1m teamed up with Tony Finau and Paul Casey and emceed by Phil Mickelson today.

Canadians: Nick Taylor 1040am, Roger Sloan 1110am, Adam Hadwin 10.00am, Michael Gligic 10.10am, David Hearn 10.20am.

Bryan Angus 

Brooke Henderson the bookies favourite, returns to play this week Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions... Tee times

 

After only 10 tournaments in 2020 Brooke Henderson returns from holidays to play this week. She spent Christmas at home where she self isolated for 14 days before joining her family for a month. She then returned to her home in Florida to practice.

" Last year was a change for sure only playing in 10 events when I'm used to more than 30. My dad and I have looked at this year's schedule, and we have a plan, starting this week, then two  more events in Florida, and we'll go from there, and we'll see what happens with COVID of course."

There is a full season ahead, including the Tokyo Olympics in August and the Solheim Cup in September. All the majors are back, including the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie, and the Evian Championship in France.

This week winners from the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons are at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club in Orlando, with 2020 DRTOC winner Gaby Lopez and World No. 4 Nelly Korda, No. 5 Danielle Kang and Brooke at No. 6 

The restricted field of 25 includes 53 celebrities who will tee alongside the LPGA Tour players all four days. Notable celebrities include two-time defending DRTOC celebrity winner and World Series champion John Smoltz, Anika Sorenstam and avid golfer and actor Jack Wagner.

The celebrities play a modified stableford, while the pros have a no cut 72 hole stroke play. Brooke is playing with Kirk Cousins and Josh Donaldson and by the way she is the bookies favourite at 6-1. She T4 last year.

Results

Bryan Angus 

Rory McIlroy headlines Thursday Tee Times for the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship

Rory McIlroy. (Adrian Wyld/CP)

Rory McIlroy has finished 2nd four times at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship and has been in the top 5 eight times in 10 starts. He returns in the marquee pairing off the 10th tee with Lee Westwood, the  European Tour Player of the Year and Justin Thomas the world's #3..

Check out all the Thursday tee times and pairings below 

HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship  Tee Times

Bryan Angus

Rory Mclroy, Justin Thomas headline the season opener in Abu Dhabi...My thoughts on Justin Thomas

Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington joins Major champions Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Martin Kaymer, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett in the world class field, as the prestigious Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship restarts the European Points List this weekend, for players targeting qualification at this year’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

McIlroy will return after nearly 3 months to kick off his 2021 campaign.

My opinion:  Justin Thomas has made the trip from Hawaii, surrounded by a twitter world full of condemnation after he quietly called himself a "faggot" for missing a 6 foot putt that was picked up on a greenside microphone.

He quickly apologized after the round to anyone he offended, admitting it was in sensitive and improper, however in the squeaky clean world of golf, and the unfiltered world of twitter everybody is having a go. I only wonder if every NBA,NHL,NFL, WFC athlete etal that cursed or defamed an opponent, never mind himself in the heat of a game has been so vilified. Has anyone, now quick to criticize ever heard of "living in glass houses", and if we are so keen to mike up the players, should we not be ready to hear the odd insensitive comment or profanity? Pro golfers are mostly all gentlemen, call the rules against themselves and by in large are a pretty boring lot when it comes to off course shenanigans in comparison to other pro sports. 

Justin Thomas fits right into that category, the amount of abuse he has been receiving far out ways the comment, and I trust after somebody in the press tent brings it up one more time this week, we will move on.

World Number Ten Tyrrell Hatton and 2020 DP World Tour Championship champion Matthew Fitzpatrick are the latest international stars confirmed to tee it up in the United Arab Emirates, alongside Ryder Cup heroes Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter, victorious 2018 European Captain Thomas Bjørn and defending champion Lee Westwood.

The qualification process for golf’s greatest team event resumed with the World Points List at the Sentry Tournament of Champions on the PGA TOUR last week, while next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will restart the European Points List. The qualification period will conclude at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, the third Rolex Series event of the season, on Sunday September 12, 2021.

The 12-man European Team will comprise the first four players from the European Points List, followed by the leading five players from the World Points List. Captain Harrington then has three wild card picks to complete his line-up, a decision which will be unveiled in the week after the 2021 BMW PGA Championship.

“I’m excited to return to competitive golf at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship,” said Harrington. “It’s obviously a tournament which has always been incredibly important to the European Tour, especially now forming part of the Rolex Series, so there is no better place for us to restart qualification for our European Points List as players vie to represent Team Europe at The Ryder Cup.”

Fleetwood, who made his Ryder Cup debut at Le Golf National in 2018, currently leads the European Points list while Hatton, who also made his first Ryder Cup appearance in Paris, is currently the first qualifier from the World Points List.

First staged in 2006, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is hosted at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the 16th consecutive year from January 21-24, 2021, with a prize fund of US$8 million and 8,000 Race to Dubai points available.

I will post the tee times as soon as they are available.

Bryan Angus (europeantour.com)

Hughes, Taylor have top 20 finishes at Sony Open.. final results

 Sony Open final results here

Buoyed by his career low 62 on Friday Nick Taylor went on for a 68 67 weekend to finish T11 -17 at this Sony Open while Mac Hughes shot 65 66 to finish T19th -15. Good top 20 finishes for the two Canadians in the 144 man  field.

Nick Taylor

Mike Weir making a rare start on the PGA Tour had a solid if unspectacular week 68 66 68 68, T47th -10 

With tee times moved up on Sunday to beat the heavy rain forecast the low scoring on the vulnerable Waialae GC continued and in the end veteran Kevin Na who had only 1 win in 369 starts on tour, but has now won 4 times in the last 4 years, and moved up to 23rd in the World Rankings. He shot 61 65 to get to -21 a shot ahead of  Joaquin Niemann (63 66) -20 and Chris Kirk who shot four consecutive 65's. Niemann was 2nd twice for his efforts in Hawaii.

Next week it's the old Bob Hope, now called the American Express at PGA West and LaQuinta There are no celebrities this year...

Bryan Angus

Taylor T9th going into a Sunday shoot out at the Sony Open... tee times/live scoreboard

 Sony Open Sunday tee times/live scoring here.

The track meet at the Sony Open will come to a final conclusion later tonight as the field charges down the home stretch as they say in horse racing parlance.

A -9 61 by Brendan Steele on the Waialae course that has been abused all week and was left even more vulnerable by over night rain and no wind, gave him a two shot lead at -18. You may remember he lost this tourney in a playoff to Cameron Smith last year, after leading until the last 3 holes.

Kevin Na also shot 61, he had two holes (17 & 18) to shoot 59, and he's second along with young Chilean, Joaquin Niemann (63) who was 2nd last week, both at -16.

Nick Taylor who posted his 62 on Friday to lead by two, was cruising along until he took 2 bogey's on his back nine and had to settle for -2 68 to sit at -14 T9th, still in contention, but he'll need another round like Friday's if he's going to win it.

As for the other Canadians, Mac Hughes shot 65 T23 -11, and Mike Weir had a 68 T47 -8.

The average score was 66.7 and 10 guys shot 64 or better. The leaderboard is packed ready for a Sunday shootout.

Weather forecast:  The tee times are moved up 2 hours with heavy rain expected around 5pm. Sunny and calm to start will will become partly cloudy with a breeze getting up to 10kph as the day goes on.

Nick Taylor

Bryan Angus

Taylor takes the lead after 36 holes of the Sony Open...Saturday tee times/ live scoreboard

 Sony Open Saturday tee times/ live scoring here.

To show you how low the scoring is after a picture perfect Friday at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, both Roger Sloan and David Hearn opened with 67 and 65 respectively on Thursday, but missed the cut which fell at -4 on Friday as did Michael Gligic (72 70)

Going in the other direction it was Nick Taylor's turn to post a -8 62, to go with his opening -4 66 and that puts him 2 shots clear of the field going into this weekend at -12. Starting on the 10th, his chip in eagle at the 18th got his round going, out in -3 32, he added 5 birdies coming in with 30.

(courtesy jeff gross.getty images)

Mike Weir (66) and Mac Hughes (69) join him, T35 at -6 and they are paired together today. There are 14 players within 3 shots at the top of the leaderboard.

Weather forecast: Another glorious hot sunny day, with just a slight breeze (9kph SSW), so expect the scoring bonanza to continue.

Bryan Angus