Longshot Austrian Straka pips Lowry at the 72nd, top 10 for Svensson...Honda Classic final results.

 PGA Tour: Honda Classic final results here.

I signed off on Saturday saying that Daniel Berger had avoided a big score for 54 holes, if he did for 72 he would be a worthy winner, but that was a big "if"

As has happened so often for players with big Sunday leads, Berger played his first 6 holes on Sunday in +4 and his lead was gone to a 3 birdie Shane Lowry and suddenly it was game on.

Aaron Gilbert/Icon Sportswire

Sepp Straka who's lived in Georgia, USA since his family immigrated from Austria when he was 14 has been making up the numbers on Tour for 4 years, hit 92% of fairways and 83% of GIR, managed to birdie 3 of the last 4 holes to get it to -10 and dash into the scorers office as a sudden Florida downpour soaked the course with Lowry standing in the left rough down the fairway. 

As bad a break as the Irishman has "had in a while" as he put it. He couldn't match the Austrians birdie, posted another bogey free 67 -9 to finish 2nd worth $872,000 by the way.

Berger ended up with 74, good for 4th place. 

Canadians: Adam Svensson forced his way into the NBC TV coverage with his play this week. For the Coles notes edition he chipped in from the fringe at the 10th to get a shot off the lead at -7.

However, as it did for all of the field, the TPC National Champions took it's toll, bogey's followed at 11,12, then the Bear Trap, a double at the 15th, a bogey at 16 and a final 73 -2 T9 worth $194,000.

Jim Bones McKay commentating for NBC said " I hadn't seen him play, but I like his move, a very repeatable swing that should serve him well"

Tip of the cap to Nick Taylor who began with a 77 but fought back with a tie for the lowest round of the week 65 to make the cut on the number at +2. A 71 67 weekend saw him T16 at E $106,500.

Taylor Pendrith with 3 69's got into the T25 at +1 $62,800.  It wasn't Mac Hughes week 70 70 70 74 +4 T48, $20,800, while Roger Sloan T55 and $18,160 for his efforts.

PGA Tour: This week is a double header. The Arnold Palmer Invitational where Corey Conners, Nick Taylor, Adam Svensson and Taylor Pendrith are in the field

Then the "B" event is the Puerto Rico Open with Michael Gligic, David Hearn and Austin Connelly looking to catch lightning in a bottle, as it carries full PGA Tour status.

LPGA : Brooke Henderson has flown over to Singapore where the LPGA Tour re surfaces HSBC Women's World Championship.

Champions Tour: Mike Weir and Stephen Ames who finished well down the field over the weekend  in Tuscon where Miguel Jimenez won the Cologuard Classic by 4 shots, have flown over to Newport Beach, California for this week's Hoag Classic

Bryan Angus

Local boy Berger by 5, Svensson in the pack chasing, at tough TPC National Champions....SUNDAY live scores

 PGA Tour: Honda Classic SUNDAY leaderboard here

TPC National Champions course with just a little wind has been providing a tough exam again at this 50th version of the Honda Classic.

Daniel Berger. Andy Lyons

Only 13 players who made the cut at +2  managed to break par on moving day. Daniel Berger lives next door and he will begin today 65 65 69 -11 which is 5 shots clear of  the pack at -6, while Adam Svensson is alone at -5 (69 65 71).

With another breezy, warm, partly sunny day in store on this tight water strewn Florida course, it's Berger's to lose on his home course. Par is a good score here, unlike other week's nobody is going to be able to shoot low 60's. Shane Lowry who will be in the final pairing had the low round on Saturday -3 67.

Adam Svensson played well on moving day. He rolled in 3 birdies in 4 holes in the middle of his front nine including a holed bunker shot at the 6th, but with bogey's at 1 and 8 he was only out in -1 34 but was T2 at -7

After a perfect lay up at the short par 4 11th he hit his approach into the water, ended up with a double bogey 6, then 3 putted the 14th for bogey 5 and suddenly he was heading the wrong way with the Bear Trap lurking. However he was still striking the ball well, got through 15-17 with 3 pars, and played another great bunker shot from 22 yards stiff for a well deserved birdie 4 at the last. 34, 37 71.

He is off at 1.15 today in the 3rd last group with Chris Kirk. Golf Digest calls him a relative longshot and points out that 9 of the top 12 are outside the world's top 100.

Mac Hughes has 70 70 70 E, great scoring on this course, but T19 11 shots behind.

Taylor Pendrith 74 and Roger Sloan 75 are T35 +2, and Nick Taylor posted 15 pars on his way to 71 is T43 +3.

Opinion: So far Berger has avoided that big number through 54 holes, if he does again he'll be the worthy winner, however that's a pretty big "if"

Bryan Angus

Ames fires 9 birdies, 2 shots off the lead at the Cologuard Classic in Tuscon....SATURDAY leaderboard.

PGA Tour Champions: Cologuard Classic Saturday leaderboard 

Mike Weir finished 2nd here last year, but has opened his account with at +2 74 T59, so lot's to do on "moving day" Saturday in Tuscon at this Cologuard Classic, where the lead is -6. 

However his colleague Stephen Ames had lots of circles and squares on his card. Consider 2 bogey's and a double countered by 3 birdies for +1 going out, but then a red hot 6 birdies and just one bogey coming in, add them all up for T6, -4 68, with only 5 pars all day !!

The leaders at -6 are little Jeff Sluman who has been more involved in golf course design, making a rare start, and globe trotter, the most interesting man in golf, Miguel Jimenez.

Three others including Tom Lehman are at -5, then Ames is in a pack of six including Jerry Kelly.

Bryan Angus

Svensson leads five Canadians in contention at Honda Classic this weekend..SATURDAY live scoreboard

 PGA Tour: Honda Classic Saturday leaderboard here

With the cut falling at +2 Michael Gligic 70,80 +10 is the only Canuck who will not be in play at the Honda Classic this weekend.

Nick Taylor fought back after an opening 77 with a brilliant - 65, Playing the course backwards he had a hole out eagle 2 at the 13th, and birdied 2 of the 3 holes at the vaunted "Bear Trap" going out in 30 shots.

He stalled with a bogey 5 at the first, steadied the ship with all pars despite some great birdie looks, before closing with a birdie at his last, the 9th to make the cut on the number at +2. T53.

Mac Hughes is nearly back where he was in 2020 when he made the cut on the number then had that 66 66 weekend to finish 2nd. This time with 70 70 E he is T31.

Further up the scoreboard, Taylor Pendrith has a pair of 69's T12 -2, then it's Roger Sloan T8 69 68 -3.

The best of the bunch as play begins this morning is Adam Svensson T4 at -6 69 65 and this is what he had to say after becoming only the 2nd player in the 50 years of the Honda Classis to hit all 18 greens in regulation " I hit the ball pretty good, especially the driver. There are a lot of tight holes out there. I hit the irons great, made a couple of nice putts, I think I 3 putted the 7th, but played really well. I felt confident out there, just had fun today, and enjoyed myself."

Svensson had a 63 recently to set the Monterey Beach course record at the Pebble Beach pro-am where he was T2 heading into that weekend.

The leader, is local man Daniel Berger 65 65 -10. Chris Kirk and Kurt Kitayama are next at -7, then Svensson at -6.

The weekend weather is partly cloudy and warm with Easterly breezes around 10mph playing their part in the outcome, which is all to play for with "moving day" ahead of us today with 5 Canadians in the mix.

Bryan Angus

Steady start by 3 Canadians at TPC National Champions course Honda Classic....FRIDAY scoreboard live

 PGA Tour: Honda Classic Friday leaderboard here

Ths PGA National Champions course at this Honda Classic demands the utmost respect from the pros. " there are no easy holes" "when the wind blows it will beat you up if you don't stay right on top of it" ans "any score under par here is very good" just a few of the analysis after round 1.

Kurt Kitayama is a short muscular American of Asian descent who has spent most of his time on the old European Tour, playing his trade around the world. Coming into this week he'd missed 5 straight cuts.

On Thursday after what he described as "having lots of time off to work out my putting" he went out fast and finished strong with the day's best -6 64.

Compared to that Nick Taylor had a real tough +7 77. 

So -1 69 was a steady start from Taylor Pendrith, Roger Sloan and Adam Svensson, all T28.

Right behind them at  E 70  was Dundas, Ontario native Mac Hughes who many would say turned his pro career around here in 2020, when after missing 9 cuts in 2019/20 he was on his way out again. Then his caddie Jace Walker gave him a pep talk to settle him down, he made the cut on the number then went out and shott 66 66 on the weekend to finish 2nd to Sungjae Im.

Michael Gligic also in at E, while Nick Taylor slumped to +7 77.

*breaking story: Nick Taylor is playing round 2 at -5 thru 8 holes. He started on tee 10, birdied 11, holed out for eagle 2 at the par 4 13th then at the "Bear Trap" incredibly, he has birdied 16 ad 17. Par at 18 sees him out in 30, now just +2.

Bryan Angus

 

Golf Canada announces goal of 30 players on PGA/LPGA by 2032.

 Golf Canada has issued it's plan to enhance its player development program with a  goal of getting 30 players in total on the PGA and LPGA Tours by 2032. Here is their release.

Golf Canada is undertaking an integrated and multi-faceted enhancement of its high-performance program to accelerate Canada’s position in the global professional golf landscape. 

The National Sport Federation announced today a strategic framework for its player development program with a stated primary objective to increase the cumulative number of Canadian athletes on the LPGA and PGA TOUR to 30 by 2032. 

The enhancements to Golf Canada’s player-development program are outlined in a detailed update authored by Chief Sport Officer Kevin Blue and will be presented in full at Golf Canada Annual General Meeting on March 2. 

“Canada has made significant progress in the development of world-class golfers in the past decade and is poised to take another step forward,” said Blue. “Over the past year, we undertook an in-depth analysis of global golf, consulted with numerous stakeholders who are involved in Canadian high-performance golf, and created the framework for an updated strategic plan for Canada to develop more world-class golfers.” 

PHOTO BY JEFF VOGAN/ GOLF CANADA

Golf Canada’s enhanced investments in player development are financially supported by a group of generous donors who have made initial major gifts totalling $13.5 million through the Golf Canada Foundation. Paul McLean, CEO of Turf Care and former president of Golf Canada and Golf Canada Foundation has made a lead gift of $5 million – the single largest gift ever directed towards Canadian high-performance golf. 

“The achievement of our players on tour is a source of pride for everyone involved in Canadian golf,” said McLean who served as president of Golf Canada in 2015.

Major gifts were also committed by The Kavelman Fonn Foundation, John Francis, Jean Monty, David Kaufman, Steve Lister and Dr. Molly Rundle, and a pair of donors who wished to remain anonymous. These generous donors are part of the Golf Canada Foundation Trustee program, which provides critical philanthropic support for important Canadian golf initiatives such as player development and First Tee. Golf Canada Foundation is continuing to identify Trustees who are interested in supporting the Team Canada player development program and expanding First Tee across Canada. 

The strategic enhancements for the Team Canada player development program were shaped by in-depth feedback from numerous stakeholders in Canadian high-performance golf and a global comparative analysis of other countries’ efficiency success in producing world top-200 players. The analysis considered factors such as participation base, culture, and financial investment into high-performance golf, with particular focus on countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Australia, and England that that are geopolitically and culturally similar to Canada. 

“Canadian performance on the world golf stage continues to advance significantly since the original implementation of the player-development program and this is a transformational moment for Canada to take the next step forward towards the top-levels of global golf,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum.

One of the first enhancements to occur in 2022 will be the creation of a national infrastructure for identifying and developing the most promising early-stage juniors in Canada (i.e., ages 10-14), with Team Canada Women’s Head Coach Tristan Mullally transitioning to the newly created position of National Talent Identification Director. In this new capacity, Mullally will provide additional resources to the parents and coaches who work with the most promising young juniors in Canada. He will also facilitate the development and implementation of local talent identification camps in every province. 

Mullally will transition into the new role over the coming months and a search will begin immediately for a head coach to oversee the women’s program as well as an additional assistant coach to complete the women’s coaching staff. 

The enhancements to Golf Canada’s High-Performance program build on the support that Canadian athletes have received in their development years from their family, member clubs, personal coaches, university programs and provincial golf associations. In addition to Golf Canada Foundation and the generosity from the major donor Trustee program, Golf Canada’s High-Performance Program and Team Canada are proudly supported by RBC, Canadian Pacific, Audi, Titleist, FootJoy, COBRA PUMA GOLF, Foresight Sports, Heritage Canada, Bear Mountain Resort, Citi Canada (Young Pro) and the Canadian Olympic Committee. 

Golf Canada will continue to seek stakeholder feedback on the systemic enhancements to the player development system over the coming weeks. A formal presentation will be made on March 2 as part of Golf Canada’s Annual Meeting. 

Honda Classic THURSDAY tee times.. Five Canadians in the field..

 PGA Tour: Honda Classic This THURSDAY TEE TIMES

The PGA Tour has moved east for the beginning of the "Florida swing" the Honda Classic

It's a soft field at PGA National, Sungjae Im was the winner in 2020 and Mac Hughes finished 2nd. this is one of Mac's favourite courses so we'll watch him closely.

 Aussie veteran Matt Jones won it last year.

Some south Florida guys like Brooks Koepka and his brother Chase are in the field, but with the Arnold Palmer (AP Invitational and the Players coming up a lot of the big names are off.

Notables like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuizen, Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood make up the field.

Canadians:  

Mac Hughes 7.56 10th with Joaquin Niemann who won last week, and Brooks Koepka

Adam Svensson 8.51 1st tee. Michael Gligic 8.51 10th tee

Taylor Pendrith 11,56 1st tee

Nick Taylor 12.18 1st tee

Roger Sloan 12.51 10th tee

Bryan Angus

Full apology from Phil Mickelson

 As I mentioned yesterday I expected a full apology from Phil Mickelson on the day the Players Meeting was being held at the Honda Classic, site of this week's PGA Tour stop.

His full statement follows and it's important to know that the  Players Meeting was held prior to his release, they did not get a copy until they were finished, so there is no further comment at this time from them. They did discuss other matters which I will discuss later. Following his statement he and his long standing sponsor KPMG parted ways by way of mutual agreement.

"Although it doesn't look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans. There is the problem of off record comments being shared out of context and without my consent, but the bigger issue is that I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.

“Golf desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by disruption. I have always known that criticism would come with exploring anything new. I still chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits publicly to do the work behind the scenes.

“My experience with LIV Golf Investments has been very positive. I apologize for anything I said that was taken out of context. The specific people I have worked with are visionaries and have only been supportive. More importantly they passionately love golf and share my drive to make the game better. They have a clear plan to create an updated and positive experience for everyone including players, sponsors, networks, and fans.

“I have incredible partners, and these relationships mean so much more to me than a contract. Many have been my most influential mentors and I consider all to be lifelong friends. The last thing I would ever want to do is compromise them or their business in any way, and I have given all of them the option to pause or end the relationship as I understand it might be necessary given the current circumstances. I believe in these people and companies and will always be here for them with or without a contract.

“I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public. My intent was never to hurt anyone and I’m so sorry to the people I have negatively impacted. This has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of the doubt.

“Despite my belief that some changes have already been made within the overall discourse, I know I need to be accountable. For the past 31 years I have lived a very public life and I have strived to live up to my own expectations, be the role model the fans deserve, and be someone that inspires others. I’ve worked to compete at the highest level, be available to media, represent my sponsors with integrity, engage with volunteers and sign every autograph for my incredible fans. I have experienced many successful and rewarding moments that I will always cherish, but I have often failed myself and others too. The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level. I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.”

 “KPMG U.S. and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to end our sponsorship effective immediately. We wish him the best,” read a statement from a company spokesperson. “KPMG continues to sponsor brand ambassadors on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour and is the title sponsor of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a major on the LPGA Tour.”

Bryan Angus

Expecting an important announcement today re Mickelson from the PGA Tour's players meeting..

Today there is a players meeting at this week's Honda Classic regarding the status of Phil Mickelson, the Saudi "Super League" amongst other issues.

Mickelson as most know self imploded recently with an outrageous attack against the PGA Tour, and indeed an indictment against the regime in Saudi Arabia.

That led to strong criticism from Rory McIlroy amongst others and indeed confirmation from stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson that they were staying with the PGA Tour. Both were in the 'rumour mill" having played in and been paid appearance money at the PIF Saudi International.

I expect a last minute apology and his side of the story from Mickelson to head off a likely suspension, or even expulsion from the PGA Tour, perhaps even the Masters.

This also takes all the air out of any chance the Saudi Super League ever had of existing as anything but a 2nd tier tour in my opinion...

Stay tuned !

Bryan Angus 

Joaquin Niemann tames Riviera...Weir, Ames scores.....final results

 PGA Tour: Genesis Invitational final results here

In the end, 23 year Chilean, Joaquin Niemann held off the charging pack, led by Colin Morikawa for a very popular win at this years Genesis Invitational after a week of ideal golfing weather.

After setting the 36 and 54 hole scoring records, he held his nerve, took advantage of his lead and his closing E 71 was good for a 2 shot win at -19 over Morikawa who made the big run -6 65 to get to -17 along with Cameron Young (70)

As it happens Lanny Wadkins long standing -20 record set in 1985 is still intact, but that hardly mattered to Chile's best golfer who was met at the 18th by his pals in the Latino Posse, Carlos Ortiz, Mito Pereira, Jhonattan Vegas and Sebastian Munoz. In their 30 weeks on tour they are inseparable, all travelling and living together often with a rented cook to prepare the meals they miss from back home.

His mentor Sergio Garcia also waited behind with a big welcoming hug.

He becomes the 4th wire to wire winner, and the second youngest winner at 23, moving to 7th in the Fed Ex Cup, and 5th on the Presidents Cup list.

Niemann and his Chilean girlfriend took 3 months off to go home to be with their families and friend's and as is the case with so many who don't live in the USA, he was homesick, so the visit was just what they needed, as his performance this week proved.

"There's nothing better than what I'm feeling right now. Winning a PGA Tour event, getting a trophy, having Tiger there, all the history behind it, there's nothing that can compete with this."

PGA Tour Champions : Chubb Classic final results

Bernhard Langer now 64 picked up his 43rd Champions Tour victory 64 68 68 -16, just 2 behind all time leader Hale Irwin. It was the 4th time he has won the Chubb Classic and the 3rd time he has gone wire to wire. He won by 3 shots over Tim Petrovic.

Canadians Stephen Ames shot a 71 T26 -1, while Mike Weir was T46 +2 after a closing 72.

Bryan Angus

Niemann leads by 3 lengths as they come down the stretch on Sunday at Riviera..

PGA Tour : Genesis Invitational, Sunday leaderboard  here

Many of you will have watched a horse race, when one horse rushes out to a big lead, then holds on to it in front of the pack pounding along behind him, around the far turn some of the pack can be seen closing then the excited race caller says "and down the stretch they come !!"

That's exactly what we have at Riviera this sunny Sunday in LA at the Genesis Invitational.

Chilean Joaquin Niemann 63 63 68 -19 would have been a 50-1 shot with the punters, relatively unknown to the average American golf fan, but a valued member of the International team at the Presidents Cup. He is just a shot off the track record of -20 set by the little stallion, Lanny Wadkins in 1985.

He has led all the way and at the top of the stretch, he has a 3 length lead on a young American, Cameron Young 66 62 69 -16, he's one of five Cameron's in the field this week, Close behind 6 lengths back at -13 comes another international challenger, an in form Norwegian Victor Hovland 71 64 65, who is trailed closely at 7 lengths back -12 by a track regular Justin Thomas 67 64 70 and the last of the chasing pack, 8 full lengths behind at -11 the brilliant American colt out of Asia, Colin Morikawa 67 67 68.

So it remains to see who your money is on, the wagering gates open 30 minutes before opening time at 8.13am local (PST). 

The track is listed as fast and dry under sunny skies with a temperature around 60*f.

A big crowd is expected, so get there early to see if the brilliant young upstart from Chile can hold off an all star challenge for his first win since 2019 on a PGA Tour track.

Follow the race from start to finish here

Bryan Angus

Weir and Ames back in play at Chubb Classic on Champions Tour... live scoreboard

 PGA Tour Champions : Chubb Classic leaderboard here.

Mike Weir and Stephen Ames are back in action after a long delay on the Champions Tour in Naples Florida, and they may have been a bit rusty.

With Florida resident Bernhard Langer showing no signs of slowing down with a 2 shot lead after -8 64,  , Weir is T44 +1 73, and Ames is T59 +3 75.

Bryan Angus

Canadians sent home early, Niemann scorches Riviera...Saturday leaderboard

 PGA Tour: Genesis Invitational Saturday leaderboard  here

With Joaquin Niemann scorching this vaunted Riviera course with a career and course record 63 63 -16 and the leaderboard showing nothing but scores in the 60's, all 5 Canadians couldn't break par and have failed to make the cut which fell at E. That cut at 142 is 16 shots behind the leader, the largest on the PGA Tour since 2019 at Bethpage Black.

  

Canadians : Corey Connors 72 71 +1, Mac Hughes 72 72 +2, Taylor Pendrith 73 72 +3, Adam Hadwin 73 73 +4, Roger Sloan 78 70 +6  are all out but not alone. 

Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Brooks Koepka are other big names who have left sunny, warm LA at this low scoring Genesis Invitational.

Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama and in form Patrick Cantlay just made the cut on the number, Rory has struggled to -3 along with Xander Schauffele and last weeks winner Scottie Scheffler 66 72 -4. Sahith Theegala has come back down to earth at -1, 

The 36 hole course record held by Mike Weir, Davis Love, Shigeki Matsuyama and Sam Burns was 130. The 72 hole winning score was set by diminutive Lanny Wadkins in 1985, -20 264 and that is the longest standing record on the PGA Tour. All of those are about to be shattered.

At the top end of the leaderboard American Cameron Young kept this from being a runaway with 66 62 -14. Justin Thomas is 3rd 67 62 -11, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth are at -9 going into play this morning.

"Cameron's" :There are a lot of Cameron's this weekend !!! Cameron Young, American, 2nd, Cameron Smith an Australian T7, Cameron Tringale, American T14, Cameron (Cam) Davis, Australian T60, Cameron Champ, American T60

More sunny, warm, calm weather is in the forecast on moving day, there isn't a score above par 71 until you get down the list to T22.

The officials involved today, inclined to save their blushes, have tucked the pins, barely on the greens in many cases..

Bryan Angus

Slow start for Canadians as Niemann sets the standard at Genesis Invitational.. full leaderboard

 PGA Tour: Genesis Invitational Friday leaderboard here 

"This is what we practice every day for, days like this when everything goes your way"

Michael Owens

Those words from Chilean, Presidents Cup star Joaquin Niemann who was the class of the field, in track and field terms "the rabbit" rushing out to a 3 shot lead after his event tying low round -8 63 at Riviera in this version of the 2022 Genesis Open. 

He leads Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, pals who were paired together and had the clubhouse lead at -5 66 until Joaquin shot past them. Americans Max Homa and Cameron Champ are also at -5.

Consider this, Niemann drove the ball so well, and hit his irons so close he didn't have to hole a single putt over 9' in length. He made 9 birdies in all. "Yeah, it was one of my best days on the golf course especially at a place like this, with this history. Riviera is one of my favourite course and this event is my favourite during the year"

Canadians: Corey Connors and Mac Hughes are well down the field T77 after opening +1 72's, already 9 shots off the lead. Adam Hadwin and Taylor Pendrith are next T89 with +2 73 and Roger Sloan has it all to do after a disappointing opening in 2nd last place 118th +7 78.

Opinion: With more ideal sunny warm weather with little wind in store today I expect the Chilean to come back to the field, there is an all star cast all jammed up behind him who will be vying to make their moves before the cut falls tonight. 

All the live Friday scoring is here 

 Bryan Angus

Strong field, 5 Canadians at the GENESIS Invitational. THURSDAY TEE Times

 PGA Tour: Genesis Invitational leaderboard TEE TIMES

There are 5 Canadians at Riviera this week, the venerable old course in LA and 10 of the top golfers are in the best field of the year. Everybody is in LA this week.

Photo: Todd Kelly/Golfweek

Adam Hadwin gets rewarded for his solid play last week by getting aa 6.51am PST tee time off the 10th no less. That's what happens when you shoot 74 on Sunday !!

Now back to EST, Taylor Pendrith got in as an alternative, 2.37 1st tee. Corey Connors 2.48 10th, Mac Hughes 3.32 10th, Roger Sloan 3.43 10th, 

Look at these pairings..

Scheffler, Rahm, Spieth 1034, Morikawa Schauffelle, Champ 1035 Cameron Smith, Thomas. Burns 1046

Varner, Theegala, Spaun 1108,   Matsuyama, Hovland, McIlroy 2.59,   DJ, Adam Scott, Homa 3.10,

Cantlay, Koepka, Reed 3.21   

WEATHER:  easy to forecast.. sunny little, wind, 60*f for all 4 days...

Bryan Angus

Sad Sunday for Hadwin..Scheffler survives the marathon to win... what COVID?....FINAL LEADERBOARD

 PGA Tour: Waste Management Phoenix Open final leaderboard  here.

When it finally came down to the short strokes at this sunny warm version of the Waste Management Phoenix Open their were 5 guys at the table. 

The deal: Defending champion Brooks Koepka bowed out first, he ran out of holes at -15, so did Xander Schauffele. Many were pulling for underdog rookie Sahith Theegala, who defied all the odds even being in this company, ran out of the race with a drive into the water at the 17th. He'll have another crack at it at home this weekend at Riviera.

Then it was down to Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler. Cantlay a quiet assassin had it all won with a 5 footer at the 72nd which he misread right, it never touched the hole.

So then the pair stick handled their way up and down the 18th three times until Scheffler holed a 20 foot birdie putt, and Cantlay missed, game set and match in front of an enormous crowd, the biggest you'll see this year, all spilling out from the 16th grandstand to surround the 18th...

What Covid ? Not one mask, not a chance of spacing, no thought of COVID or OMICRON, and over 700,000 showed up like that all week. Meanwhile for what ever your stance is, the Leafs/Raptors are still playing in an empty arena in front of tarpaulins up here in Toronto.

Adam Hadwin in my opinion had a really good experience this week, he was right in the thick of things from Thursday- Saturday with some terrific play 66 68 68 -11.

By Sunday the leaderboard as we knew, was really tightly bunched with 16 big name guys who had a chance. The air was rarified, there wasn't a lot of room for bogey's, unless like Scheffler you got on a run of 4 birdies to catch up..

That wasn't the case for Adam. Saturday he birdied the first 3 holes with all the rest pars. Sunday he made bogey's at 2 and 3 turning 2 over. Another bogey at the 10th and now he was -8 and out of it without a birdie run. A birdie at the par 5 13th was negated by another bogey at 14, he parred his way in for that +3 74 and a final T26.

Corey Connors got as high as -9, but got into bogey trouble, ended up T38 with a 72 and -5.

This week Hadwin, Connors and Sloan will fly over to LA for the Genesis at Riviera, joined by Mac Hughes. Waiting for a call are Pendrith, Svensson and Taylor all on the alternative list.

Tiger will steal all the media time as he is there hosting the event, so let's hope he holds the presser on Tuesday, says whatever he has to say and gets the speculation over with.

Bryan Angus

Bounce back birdie at 16 keeps Hadwin in contention on Super Bowl Sunday in Phoenix...LIVE SCOREBOARD

 PGA Tour: Waste Management Phoenix Open leaderboard here.

After opening with 3 straight birdies on Saturday at this Waste Management Phoenix Open, something special seemed on the cards for Adam Hadwin, however the putts stopped falling but a steady run of pars kept him amongst the leaders at -11.

Then at the par 4, 14th he couldn't get up and down missing a 6 footer for par for his first bogey, then the par 15th saw him drive it 300 yards into the water eventually missing a 14 footer for par and suddenly his round was slipping away, and so were his chances.

However in my opinion his play at the par 3, jam packed cauldron at the 16th was his turning point. His tee shot was pure, finishing pin high just right of the hole, then he brought the crowd, some adorned with the Canadian flag to their feet as he holed the 14 footer for the bounce back birdie. He raised his arm in acknowledgement, I'm sure relief flooding through his veins.

Confidence buoyed, he striped his drive 300 yards, just short of the short par 4 17th, on the apron, hit a lovely pitch and run to 4 feet, for back to back birdies, and back to -11, and he damn near birdied the 18th with a drive into the  middle of the fairway, an approach pin high to 16 feet and the putt left right on the hole's edge  for his 2nd consecutive 68, T7 -11 with a large group chasing rookie leader Sahith Theegala who won't go away, at -14. Defending champion and two time winner Brooks Koepka is 2nd at -13 with half of the US Ryder Cup team lined up behind.

Corey Connors shot 69 and has climbed to T29th at -6.

Super Bowl Sunday is all set, more sunny calm weather in store in the desert around Phoenix. 

Theegala -14 on his biggest day, Koepka -13 defending champion and Scheffler -12 are the final pairing at 105pm EST.

Cantlay -12,  Gooch -12, and Schauffele -12 are next at 12.54, then Matsuyama -11, Hoge -11 who won for the first time last week at Pebble Beach, and Homa -11 at 12.43 EST.

4th pairing off then, the international pairing, Canadian Hadwin -11, Sweden's Noren -11 and the little lefty from South Africa Garrick Higgo -10 all off the first tee 12.32EST.

You'd think the winner will come from this dozen players. The field is off split tees again to clear the decks for the Super Bowl.  

Personally I think Adam has done all the hard work, and can just go out full of confidence and play, buoyed by the fact he's in the featured groups with a chance to win.

In horse racing parlance "the field in bunched as they round the clubhouse turn, and down the stretch they come" !!

Bryan Angus

  

Fox trots home the winner at Ras Al Khaimah...Final scoreboard

 DP World Tour. Ras Al Khaimah final Results

Ryan Fox claimed his second DP World Tour victory as he eased to a five-shot win at 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Classic.

The Kiwi, looking every inch like his famous All Black fly half father Grant, had turned a two-shot first-round lead into a three-shot advantage at the midway point and he doubled that heading into day four at Al Hamra Golf Club.

He saw the gap trimmed to two just after the turn as Pablo Larrazábal made a move but Fox signed for a 69 that moved him to 22 under and gave him an ultimately comfortable victory, worth nearly $400,000 cdn.

England's Ross Fisher finished alone in second, a shot clear of Spaniard Larrazábal, South African Zander Lombard and German Hurly Long.

Fox's victory is his first in a 72-hole stroke play event on the DP World Tour having claimed the 2019 ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth title to go with two European Challenge Tour victories.

He becomes the second wire-to-wire winner of the 2022 season after Thriston Lawrence, with the South African lifting the trophy at the weather-affected 36-hole Joburg Open.

The last wire-to-wire winner over 72 holes was Nacho Elvira at the 2021 Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale and the last Kiwi to achieve the feat was Michael Campbell at the 2000 Johnnie Walker Classic, which was played in November 1999.

"It was a bit of a struggle today," said the two-time Olympian who now moves into the top ten on DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex. "Sleeping on a six-shot lead I did not sleep very well last night and obviously a couple of guys came at me early.

"I was a bit nervous and had that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach all day but I'm very happy with how I played. I hit a couple of great shots coming down the stretch and it was certainly nice walking up the last with my putter in my hand knowing I had six putts for it."

Fox's daughter Isabel was born in December 2020 and the 35-year-old could not wait to get home and see her - after spending ten days in hotel quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I was definitely thinking about the family coming down the last couple of holes, it's pretty big for them," he added. "They've got to come over to London every year and it's a little bit harder with a little one now and this win makes it a little bit easier for them to do that.

"I'm a bit disappointed that I missed her walking and I've got ten days in a hotel when I get home to think about that as well and I'm very much looking forward to seeing them when I get out late February."

Long was bogey-free as he matched his lowest ever DP World Tour round - posted over this layout last week - with a 64, while Lombard dropped a single shot in a 65.

Japan's Masahiro Kawamura, Pole Adrian Meronk and Scot Connor Syme finished at 15 under, a shot clear of a group of 11 players.

Bryan Angus (europeantour.com)

Fabulous Fox laps the field with a round to go at Ras Al Khaimah Classic...FULL LEADERBOARD

 DP World Tour: Ras Al Khaimah Classic leaderboard Leaderboard

Ryan Fox will take a commanding six-shot lead into the final round of the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Classic as he looks for a first 72-hole stroke play victory on the DP World Tour.

The big-hitting Kiwi entered day three with a three-shot advantage and doubled that as he carded a 65 to get to 19 under at Al Hamra Golf Club.

Spanish duo Adri Arnaus and Pablo Larrazábal were at 13 under alongside Scotland's Scott Jamieson and Pole Adrian Meronk.

A 2016 European Challenge Tour graduate, Fox is looking to add to the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth title he won in 2019 and two European Challenge Tour victories.

Fox's 54-hole advantage is the largest of the season so far and a victory would see him join Thriston Lawrence as a 2022 wire-to-wire winner, with the South African lifting the trophy at the weather-affected 36-hole Joburg Open.

The last wire-to-wire winner over 72 holes was Nacho Elvira at the 2021 Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale.

A win would also complete a memorable Desert Swing for Fox, who made his first DP World Tour hole-in-one at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago.

"My head is in a pretty good place," he said. "Ask me that on the first tee tomorrow and I might have a slightly different answer but I felt like I had really good control over the ball today, only hit a couple of bad shots and holed some putts as well.

"I've put myself exactly where I want to be and it's that cliché - it's all on me tomorrow.

"Somebody is going to have to go out and shoot something really low or I'm going to have to play poorly so hopefully I can keep playing how I've played the last couple of days and put it out of reach.

"I've made six bogeys all week and bounced back every time, it's just been one of those weeks where it felt like every part of my game has kind of worked and when I've hit a bad shot I haven't let it get to me too much.

"For the most part everything has worked which is kind of rare for me, to be honest, I've always had something for the week that hasn't worked. Hopefully I can keep that going for one more day."

Meronk and Jamieson were both bogey-free as they cared rounds of 64 and 65 respectively, with Arnaus starting birdie-birdie-eagle in a 66 and Larrazábal making seven birdies and three bogeys in a 68.

German Marcel Siem matched the best round of his DP World Tour career with a 64 that was his lowest effort since the 2013 Trophée Hassan II and left him at 12 under alongside Japan's Masahiro Kawamura and Scot Robert MacIntyre who's driver broke on him on Friday leaving him unsure of what's happening off the tee with the replacement.

There was then a group of eight players eight shots off the lead.

europeantour.com

Short game helps Hadwin to T5, 4 shots behind for the weekend Waste Management Phoenix... Saturday scoreboard

 PGA Tour: Waste Management Phoenix Open Saturday leaderboard here.

With the cut falling at -2, four of the six Canadians have packed their bags and headed elsewhere for the weekend at this Phoenix Waste Management Open, that's the bad news.

The good news is Corey Connors who's off to a slow start this year recovered from an opening T84 72, with a -5 66 and at -4 he is T34 heading into the weekend. He made 7 birdies and 2 bogey's.

Adam Hadwin who opened with a flourish 5 birdies in his last 7 holes for a -5 66 T3, admitted " I wasn't confident in what I was doing" in round 2 "but I didn't shoot myself out of the tournament, I could have done that easily, shooting even or one over I would have needed two really good rounds to get back in it, so to get in at -3, I'm really in a good spot"

I did a really good job of managing the golf ball, I stayed out of trouble, I didn't hit it nearly as well as I did on Thursday. My short game was good, I made a couple of putts on the front and my speed control on the greens on the way back was key and will serve me well on the weekend. It's massive, my short game was solid, drove it in the water on 17, but got up and down for par. Little things like that go a long way".

At -8 T5 he is 4 shots of the lead of rookie Sahith Theegala 64 64 -12 who is playing on a sponsors invite and has been driving his car from event to event on this west coast swing, has had it all going his way so far and he's 2 shots ahead of two time winner here, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele at -10 and they are in the last group today at 1.45pm EST.

The field are off split tees, so Adam is in the 2nd last group with Patrick Cantlay and Talor Gooch off the 1st at 1,34pm EST. Connors is 11.55am off the 10th.

Weather: Nothing but warm sunshine for the weekend with a gentle breeze, so ideal for scoring.

Bryan Angus

Fox continues fine play to lead after 2 rounds at Ras Al Khaimah Classic.. FULL SCOREBOARD

 DP World Tour : Ras Al Khaimah Classic 

• Leaderboard

Ryan Fox revealed a missed cut last week may have been the key to his success as he carded a 69 on day two to open up a three-shot lead heading into the weekend at the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Classic.

The Kiwi was suffering with back trouble at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital and missed out on the weekend by one shot seven days ago.

A weekend of treatment looks to have done the trick, however, and after an opening 63 in round one of the second consecutive event at Al Hamra Golf Club, he moved to 12 under on day two to lead the way from Oliver Bekker - who carded a course-record 62 - two more South Africans in Justin Harding and Zander Lombard, Italy's Francesco Laporta, Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal and Australian Jason Scrivener.

A 2016 European Challenge Tour graduate, Fox won the 2019 ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth but is still seeking a first 72-hole stroke play win on the DP World Tour.

And should he claim one this week, he believes the key may have been having last weekend off to recover from his injury.

“I struggled with my back last week and I was fighting, everything was crossed over and I didn’t know where I was aiming," he said. "I was just pretty much trying to hit the ball to be honest and I was probably quite glad I had a weekend off.

“Had a lot of physio work over the weekend with the tour physios and then with my physio from Tuesday onwards. That loosened everything up and I felt like I could turn through it again, I felt like I could start the ball where I wanted to and from that point it was kind of easy. I felt like I could hit my shot where I wanted to which was a nice place to be."

He added: "It was a bit scrappier than yesterday, I didn’t drive it quite as well, a little sloppy hitting in the water on the last - that doesn’t help - but hit my irons really good and gave myself plenty of chances.

"I made seven birdies today so hopefully I can just keep it going the next couple of days, but it’s been a lot of fun out there."

Fox started the day with a two-shot lead and while he made five pars to start his second round, he put approaches to five feet at the sixth and ninth to turn in 34.

He dropped a shot on the 12th but then got up and down from the sand at the driveable par-four 13th, took advantage of the par-five next and put his tee-shot to 14 feet at the 15th for a hat-trick of gains.

Sand off the tee at the 16th led to a bogey but he recovered the shot from 13 feet on the next before finding water on the last for a closing bogey.

Lombard looked like he might equal Bekker's effort as, after turning in 33 from the tenth as he went birdie-eagle on the 13th and 14th, he picked up shots at the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth.

The 27-year-old found sand with his second at the ninth, however, and had to settle for a par and a 63.

Harding and Larrazábal both carded rounds of 67, while Laporta and Scrivener registered 69s.

18 year old Jordanian teenager Shergo Al Kurdi signed for a second consecutive 68 to make his first cut in his eighth start and sit at eight under alongside Swede Alexander Björk, Japan's Masahiro Kawamura, German Maximilian Kieffer and Scottish pair Robert MacIntyre and Connor Syme.

The cut fell at -3.

europeantour.com