FairwaysPlus: November 2022

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Mike Weir the new International Team captain for 2024 in Montreal

As I announced last week Weirsy is the new Captain of the International Team for the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal

Here is the europeantour.com release..

Presidents Cup and PGA TOUR officials announced today, Canadian and Masters champion Mike Weir has been named captain of the International Team for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will return to Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for the first time since 2007.

Primed for his first captaincy, Weir has served as captain’s assistant in three consecutive playings, most recently under the leadership of Trevor Immelman at the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club. He was an assistant for Ernie Els in 2019, which saw the International Team build its biggest lead in Presidents Cup history before falling to a Tiger Woods-led U.S. Team, 16-14, at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, in Melbourne, Australia. His first appearance dates back to 2017, serving for Nick Price at Liberty National Golf Club.

“Presidents Cup has become such a big part of my career, so to be here in this moment announced as captain of the 2024 International Team is surreal,” said Weir. “When I look back, I have so many incredible memories associated with this event whether it be my debut in 2000; winning my Singles match against Tiger in 2007 at Royal Montreal; witnessing Ernie create the shield in 2019; and then seeing Trevor carry that momentum in 2022. Now as I look with anticipation toward 2024, I couldn’t be more excited to lead the International Team into my home country of Canada for what will surely be the experience of a lifetime.”

Weir, who was the first Canadian to ever compete in the Presidents Cup, has appeared in five Cups (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009). An eight-time PGA TOUR winner, he is 13-9-2 all-time at the Presidents Cup and one of six International Team members with 10 or more match wins in competition. In 2007, the Presidents Cup was staged in Canada for the first time, with Weir delivering a 3-1-1 record highlighted by a 1-up victory over Tiger Woods in Singles.

“As the International Team Captain in 2024, Mike Weir will continue the upward trend of the Internationals with his unwavering support for his players and the Presidents Cup,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “With his pedigree as a player combined with his history with the Presidents Cup both as a player and a captain’s assistant, Mike is the right leader at the right time as the Presidents Cup returns to Montreal. As an icon in his homeland, he certainly will have the full support for the Canadian fans in building a distinct homefield advantage for the International Team.”

After turning professional in 1992, Weir won his first PGA TOUR title at the 1999 Air Canada Championship with a two-stroke victory over Fred Funk, becoming the first Canadian to win on TOUR since Richard Zokol. He went on to win seven additional titles, including the 2003 Masters – one of three victories collected that season. The 52-year-old currently competes on PGA TOUR Champions, where he notched his first victory at the 2021 Insperity Invitational.

“We couldn’t be more excited to congratulate Mike and his family on this incredible honor,” said Presidents Cup Executive Director Ryan Hart. “It will be a momentous occasion to welcome him home to Canada for what will be a historic moment in this country’s sports history, as evidenced by the incredible level of interest and support we have received from partners and fans in the city and throughout the country. It’s no secret that Canadian fans love their golf, so we’re excited to see the momentum build toward 2024 knowing one of their own has the reins of the International Team.”

Founded in 1873, The Royal Montreal Golf Club is the oldest club in North America. Its Blue Course was designed by Dick Wilson and updated by Rees Jones in 2004 and 2005. In addition to hosting the Presidents Cup, Royal Montreal also held the RBC Canadian Open on 10 occasions, most recently in 2014.

“Captaining the team at this golf course is going to carve out an entire new piece of history in my career that can’t be replaced,” Weir said. “I have such a deep sense of pride bringing the team home knowing that in my opinion, the people of Canada are the most loyal and passionate sports fans in the world. We are hopeful to have a few Canadians on the team that will help muster up some of the loudest roars the event has ever heard.”

The 2024 Presidents Cup will be held at Royal Montreal Golf Club, September 24-29. For more information about the Presidents Cup, please visit PresidentsCup.com.

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Cockerill back in action at South African Open Championship... full scoreboards

DP World Tour : Investec South African Open Championship Leaderboard

Having missed the cut last week at the Joburg Open Aaron Cockerill has had plenty of time to practice as the tour moves across the city to the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate for this week's South African Open national championship sponsored by Investec.

Aaron Cockerill

It is the 2nd of three events, next week is the Alfred Dunhill Championship, all in South Africa and all co sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the Sunshine Tour.

He is in the late wave at 1300hrs local time currently ranked 393 in the world and having begun the year #104 on the DPWTR. You will remember all the drama a month ago in Portugal in the 2022 regular season finale when the top 117 were awarded their 2023 DP World Tour cards.

DP World Tour : ISPS Handa Australian Open Leaderboard

Meanwhile further south on the globe in Melbourne at the Victoria GC and the Kingston Heath GC its the week for the Australian Open (ISPS Handa sponsor) first contested in 1904.

Cam Smith fresh off his win last week at the Aussie PGA Championship is in the field and he leads the Aussie contingent of 125 by my count, for their national championship.

There are no Canadians, or Americans for that matter, only a smattering of other country's players have made the trip down under.

However of interest the ISPS Handa Women's Open will play the same courses at the same time as will the Australian All Abilities Championship.

Fox

So Minjee Lee and her brother Min Woo will play in the same tournament, other major winners Adam Scott, Karrie Webb and Ashleigh Buhai along with Ryan Fox will all be in action.

Bryan Angus

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Dan Bradbury wins Joburg Open wire to wire for first victory.... Final results

DP World Tour : Joburg Open Leaderboard

Dan Bradbury secured a life-changing wire-to-wire victory at the Joburg Open to claim his maiden DP World Tour title in just his third start, and with it a place at The 151st Open Championship.

The 23-year-old Englishman, who only turned professional in the summer, came into the week with no status on any tour but made the most of a sponsor’s invite at Houghton Golf Club, clinching a magnificent three-shot win as the 2023 season got off to a memorable start.

Having gone into the final round with a narrow one-stroke lead, Bradbury produced a brilliant display of frontrunning on Sunday, stretching his lead throughout the day before signing for a closing 67 to finish the tournament on 21 under par.

Bradbury carded five birdies, with his only blemish coming at the final hole, but the highlight of his round was a par-saving chip-in at the sixth which kept the chasing pack at bay at a crucial moment.

Sami Välimäki finished alone in second on 18 under, one shot ahead of Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Daniel van Tonder in a tie for third.

Bradbury said: "It won't sink in for a few days, I don't think.

"It's just a lot of pressure taken off your back - that's nice - but it hasn't sunk in yet and I don't think it will for a while.

"I was a bit worried there on the 15th when Välimäki rolled that monster in but it was kind of the same thing all week, just keep playing my own game and I knew I was playing good enough.

"It turned out that way in the end."

Speaking about his mother being there to witness the win, he added: "It made it a little bit more special."

Despite a closing bogey, Bradbury closed out a phenomenal victory, booking his ticket to The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2023 as part of The Open Qualifying Series, along with Välimäki and Bezuidenhout.

Bradbury was grateful for the invite which enabled him to tee it up this week.

He said: "It means the world, I wouldn't be stood here without it. I wouldn't have anywhere to play this year really without it.

"It's been life-changing now. So hopefully I make the most of it."

europeantour.com

edit Bryan Angus

Cam Smith wins Australian PGA... FINAL Scorebaord

DP World Tour: Fortinet Australian PGA Results

Cameron Smith won the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship for a third time with a three-shot victory after a weather-affected final round at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

The 150th Open Champion held an overnight three-shot lead but was caught early on the back nine, shortly after the second of two separate suspensions because of lightning which saw more than two hours of play lost.

Three birdies in a five-hole stretch from the 12th saw the World Number Three reassert his command as a closing three-under-par 68 saw him claim victory in the season-opening tournament, which is co-sanctioned with the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

Australian Jason Scrivener and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune finished in a share of second at 11 under after posting rounds of 67 and 65, respectively.

Another home favourite Min Woo Lee was two shots further back in fourth alongside England’s Challenge Tour Graduate John Parry, who along with Hisatsune made a closing 65 to match the best score of the week.

Smith who is being allowed to play pending a judge's decision in February on the eligibility of players who have jumped to the LIV Series, won this event back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, is now a four-time winner on the DP World Tour having made his Major Championship breakthrough at St Andrews in July.

“I really didn’t think I had it in me at the start of the week," he said in his post-round interview.

“I was a bit scratchy and the game has got better and better as the week went on, other than the front nine today."

Reflecting on the weather-enforced delays in play, he added: “You are in the mojo a little and for it to be stopped not once but twice was a little frustrating but I just held on and played really solid those last eight holes.

"I knew that I had to kind of step it up a little bit," Smith said.

"Obviously Scrivy (Jason Scrivener) is a great player and I knew he’d keep putting the pressure on me. It was a good last seven holes.

"I mean, lots of pressure and the golf course really wasn’t letting up even though it was a little bit softer."

europeantour.com

edit Bryan Angus

Saturday, November 26, 2022

It's still the rookie Bradbury on Sunday at Joburg Open... full leaderboard

DP World Tour: Joburg Open

Leaderboard

Dan Bradbury remains on course for a stunning wire-to-wire victory at the Joburg Open after firing a third-round 67 to sit one shot clear heading into the final round.

The 23-year-old continued to make the most of a sponsor’s invite as he carded six birdies and two bogeys on Saturday to move to 17 under par and hold off a charging Sami Välimäki.

Bradbury began the third round with a one-shot advantage and, although he was briefly overtaken in the early stages, led the way for most of the day before playing partner Välimäki joined him at the summit after 13 holes.

The Englishman's bogey at the 16th handed Välimäki the outright lead with two holes remaining but the pendulum swung back Bradbury's way at the last as the Finn surrendered a double bogey after getting into significant tree trouble.

Välimäki was alone in second place on 16 under after carding an eagle, six birdies, one bogey and a double bogey in his third round.

Home favourite Daniel van Tonder sat two shots further back in third, two ahead of fellow South Africans Casey Jarvis and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Bradbury, playing in just his third DP World Tour event this week, led by one shot after 36 holes, with the chasing pack unable to catch him when the weather-affected second round resumed on Saturday morning.

Bradbury, who could go from having no status on any tour to securing a DP World Tour card and a spot at The Open Championship with a win on Sunday, said: "I'm really, really happy with my situation. It's nice when you're hitting good golf shots and enjoying it. Yeah, everything's just good at the minute.

"I just knew that if I just played my own game and kept playing solid golf, I'd be somewhere near where I need to be at the end of the day. And that's how it's worked out.

"I've never really been (in this position) before but I've won tournaments - college golf kind of set me up for that, so that's quite nice.

"I don't feel out of place, which is the biggest thing. It's just keeping a positive mindset and believing you should be here and you deserve it."

europeantour.com

Smith returns from LIV series to lead Fortinet Australian PGA.. full leaderboard

DP World Tour : Fortinet Australian PGA Leaderboard

Cameron Smith leads the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship by three shots after posting a third-round two-under-par 69 at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

The Australian carded six birdies and four bogeys in blustery conditions on Saturday to head into the final round on 11 under par, with Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura and China’s Liu Yan Wei his nearest challengers on eight under.

Two-time DP World Tour winner Min Woo Lee and halfway leader Jason Scrivener were part of a four-strong group of Australians with Brad Kennedy and Jake McLeod a shot further back in Brisbane.

Smith, who won The Open Championship earlier this year before he decided to jump to the renegade LIV Series for guaranteed money, began day three a shot adrift of Scrivener, but was two ahead after he made his second birdie of the day with a near ace at the par-three fourth and his countryman made a bogey.

The Major winner made his third birdie of the day at the sixth to lead by three, before another followed at the seventh, but he bogeyed the par-five ninth to hit the turn in 33.

Back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th — where playing partner Kawamura made a birdie — saw Smith’s lead disappear.

But two birdies in a row from the 15th helped him open a four-stroke lead before he bogeyed the 18th for the first time this week to sign for a 69 which left him wanting more.

"I’d like to be six or seven ahead, to be honest, but it’s a good spot to be in," said Smith.

"I can’t complain. Everything’s feeling really good, so feeling really confident and really looking forward to tomorrow."

Smith is targeting his third title in this event, having won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, with the 29-year-old also in the field at next week's ISPS HANDA Australian Open, another tournament co-sanctioned with the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

"Like I said at the start of the week, I wouldn’t complain with another one of these," he added.

"My big thing down here was to have a really big crack at the Aussie Open. I haven’t won one of those yet and I think that would be a really good end to a really good year. I’ll be trying my best tomorrow still."

Smith's future playing in these events may well rest in the hands of a judge who will rule on the eligibility of LIV Series players in February 2023.

europeantour.com

edit Bryan Angus

Friday, November 25, 2022

Dan Bradbury continues to lead after round 2.. Cockerill misses cut... Saturday morning leaderboard..

DP World Tour : Joburg Open

Leaderboard

Dan Bradbury equalled the course record at Houghton GC to lead the Joburg Open when day one was ended early by thunderstorms.

The Englishman, playing on a sponsor's invite in only his second DP World Tour event, fired two eagles in three holes in an -8 round of 63.

That gave him a one-stroke lead ahead of Germany's Nick Bachem (64) on a day twice disrupted by the weather as lightning threatened the area. Bachem had the clubhouse lead that stood until Bradbury, having also started on the back nine, eagled the third and fifth to move to eight under.

The Yorkshireman briefly went nine under with a seventh birdie of the day at the eighth but finished with a bogey - in a round also featuring a double-bogey six at the 15th, seven birdies and seven pars.

Bradbury said: “It was pretty good to be fair – I can’t really complain with a 63 can I? This is my first time really playing at altitude. Keegan, the local caddie, he’s been great getting me used to all that but yeah, the ball’s going miles. Both those par fives, I had I think 180 and 188 (yards) in - it just doesn’t make sense.”

Friday : He has followed that up this morning with a second round 65 to take the clubhouse lead at -13. Today 6 more birdies and an eagle, but this time mixed in with 3 bogey's.

Canada's Aaron Cockerill has begun his full status 2023 with an opening +3 74. Today in round 2 the cut has been projected at -1. He began on the back nine with 3 birdies and a bogey out in -2 33 so he begins his last 9 holes at +1 so need to find 2 more shots coming in to stick around for the weekend.

*****Due to fading light play has been suspended in round 2 and will resume at first light on Saturday//

***edit.. Cockerill made a birdie but then 2 bogey's in his last 7 holes to finish 74 70 +2 to miss his first cut of the season

Bryan Angus (edit)

(europeantour.com)

Cameron Smith trails Scrivener by a shot Fortinet Australian PGA after 36 holes...full scoreboard

DP World Tour: Fortinet Australian PGA Championship Leaderboard

Jason Scrivener leads the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship by one shot at the halfway stage after firing a flawless 67 on day two.

First-round co-leader Scrivener started from the tenth tee early on Friday morning and made one birdie on his front nine before picking up three further shots after the turn to head into the clubhouse on ten under par.

None of the later starters were able to catch the 33-year-old Australian, with countryman Cameron Smith his nearest challenger on -9 after his 65.

Angus Opinion : Smith in a recently released interview says he spoke with Rory McIlroy, Keith Pelley, Jay Monahan as well as Greg Norman before he decided to turn his back on the established world of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour to take the guaranteed money of the LIV series and is being allowed as are others to continue to play DP World Tour events pending a judge's ruling in February 2023.

"I could hardly sleep for 3 months or so, I was so worried about what people would think of me, After winning the Open, I had all that Greg had offered me in my head, but I hadn't signed any paperwork, or made my final decision despite speculation that I was going to LIV."

Smith decided the money was too easy to pass up on and he eventually jumped and won shortly thereafter so he plays this week with all that money now in his bank account awaiting to see what his future holds, and in fact his legacy. His friend and countryman Marc Leishman also made the jump to LIV.

Japan's Masahiro Kawamura and Australia's Cameron John were in a tie for third one shot further back.

Scrivener, who is searching for his maiden DP World Tour triumph, came into the second round tied alongside John Lyras and Min Woo Lee at the summit after kicking off his 2023 campaign with a 65 on Thursday.

Bryan Angus (edit)

europeantour.com

Thursday, November 24, 2022

2023 season underway DP WORLD TOUR... live scoreboards

Sonny and Cher had the epic hit "The Beat Goes On" and if they played walk up music in golf it should have been blaring this morning on the first tee of the Joburg Open at the Houghton GC, and at Royal Queensland GC in Brisbane for the Fortinet Australian PGA.

Those are the venues that kick off this 2023 season on the DP World Tour, just a week after Rory and Jon Rahm put the finishing touches on the 2022 version in Dubai..

Here are the live scoreboard links for you to follow your favourites.

DP World Tour: Joburg Open Leaderboard

Dan Bradbury is a 23 year old Englishman ranked 1397 in the world and he has begun his year in spectacular style with 7 birdies and 2 eagles along with a double, and a bogey at the last for -8 63 to lead the field by a shot.

Aaron Cockerill is the lone Canadian and he has opened with a disappointing +3 74 T131.

DP World Tour: Fortinet Australian PGA Championship Leaderboard

I always have admired the Aussies and Kiwi's who play pro golf. They have to leave their families every winter down under to play the PGA and European Tours. Now they are all home to support their DP World Tour co-sanctioned Australasian Tour.

3 Aussies have opened with -6 65, Minjee Lee, John Lyras and Jason Scrivener. Veteran Adam Scott is in at -5 66.

Ryan Fox fresh off his sensational 2022 season, finishing 2nd to Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai, hit the first tee shot at 6am on his way to +1 72.

Bryan Angus

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Mike Weir to captain 2024 International Team at Presidents Cup

It comes as no surprise to those of us in the Canadian golf media that Mike Weir will be announced as the next captain of the International Team, following the tenure's of Trevor Immelman and Ernie Els.

The announcement is expected to be made official at at press conference Wednesday November 30th at the Bell Center in Montreal.

The 2024 Presidents Cup will be return to Royal Montreal where "Weirsy" as he is known famously beat Tiger Woods in singles in 2007. US beat Internationals 1.5 - 14.5 that year.

Weir has recently been the assistant captain 3 times and has a strong record as a player 13-9-2.

The International team narrowly lost under Ernie Els in Melbourne in 2019 and the template for success he produced was followed by Trevor Immelman this year in Quail Hollow where the US won 17.5-12.5

Weir has been through both of those matches so will be well prepared to proceed with his team this time around.

note **** He is currently well established on the PGA Tour Champions tour along with fellow Canadian Stephen Ames.

The final stage of that tour's Q School gete underway DCC 6-9 at TPC Scottsdale where Alan McLean, Dennis Henderschott and Michael Bruchet have qualified.

Only the top 5 will win full status. 6-30 will be allowed to Monday qualify.

Bryan Angus

Monday, November 21, 2022

LPGA 2023 Schedule tops $100 million... full details

2023 LPGA Tour schedule: here

The new schedule will top $100m in official prize money for the firsst time, click above for full details.

The CP Women's Open is in BC at Shaughnessy G&CC Aug 24-27 and the tour will be coming to it after 4 weeks of a European swing including the Amundi Evian Championship, where Brooke Henderson will be defending and the AIG Women's British Open at Walton Heath in Surrey, England.

The US Women's Open is at Pebble Beach.

Bryan Angus

Lydia Ko wins LPGA Player of the Year, Brooke Henderson finishes 7th... final results

LPGA: CME Group Tour Championship final results here.

Lydia Ko has scooped all the hardware this year after winning the CME Group Tour Championship.. more on that in a minute.

Brooke Henderson T7 68 74 65 72 -9. She wraps up her year with 10 top 10's in 22 starts, with 2 wins one a major in France the Amundi Evian Championship.

" It was nice to bounce back from my year last year, it wasn't my best. So I really wanted to come out strong which I did. I had a bunch of top 100''s earlt in the season then those two wins in the middle section felt nice.

To finish the year with a top 10 feels good. I didn''t have my best stuff today but we did grind it out to make the top 10, I'm proud of that."

****She ends her year ranked 6th in the world, with the 3rd best scoring average 69.513 and 4th on the money list $2,413,251

Meanwhile Lydia Ko has won the 2022 Rolex Player of the Year Award with her win on the weekend. She also won the Vare Trophy for the season's lowest scoring average 68.9 just behind Annika Sorenstam's 68.7 on 2002.

Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

She finished -17 and won the biggest cheque in women's golf $2,000,000. She had 3 wins and 11 top 10's this year and is now a 19 time winner

Ko now has accumulated 25 points toward her ineveitable entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame.. 27 points are required.

She entered the week as one of 4 women who could have won POY, the others Minjee Lee, Brooke Henderson and Atthaya Thitikul.

Bryan Angus

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Sensational Svensson gets first PGA Tour win..RSM Classic final results

PGA Tour: RSM Classic final results here

After another ho hum 73 to begin his week in Sea Island, Georgia at this version of the RSM Classic you'd have forgiven Adam Svensson for wondering when all his off camera hard work, his family's belief was ever going to pay off.

Playing a "B" field wrap around event Surrey BC native Adam was one of many in the 156 man field hoping to catch lightning in a bottle..

The story: Friday another birdie bogey start..out in 34 -1 no big deal...then suddenly 3 birdies, an eagle bogey free back nine 30 and a 64 !!

Saturday was special.. a front nine 29 !! with a back nine 33!! -8 62 right back in contention.

Sunday closer: Front nine bogey free -2 33...birdies at 10, 11, 16, 17 back in 31 for -6 64 and a winning -19 263 winning total..

Following in the footsteps of fellow countryman Mac Hughes who won here 6 years ago, Adam Svensson gets his first PGA Tour win at the RSM Classic in his 70th event.

He was overwhelmed and so he should be, he indeed caught lightning in a bottle 64 62 64, worth $1.4m a 2 year exemption, a place in the Masters and it all starts with a trip to Hawaii in January to play in the Tournament of Champions. He jumps from 174th raning in the world in the world to 72nd.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was 10, it's just incredible I don't think the money does anything, it's the feeling of coming down the stretch and winning and all that stuff, you just can't beat it"

This changes my schedule a lot, I'll be in a lot more events, I can chose now, I'll have more time at home now to practice and prepare for bigger events now, so I'm excited"

He told the media about the turning point in his career after his stint down on the Korn Ferry tour in 2020.

" When I was younger I relied on my talent, I didn't put enough work in. I wasn't that disciplined, two years ago I was about to try something else but I decided to give it 100%.

I'm up at 6am, I don''t drink anymore, I go to the golf course everyday. You can say you work hard but in the end you really have to do it, 100%. I'm so proud of myself today for doing that.

We also really work on the flow in my putting stroke, sometimes it's too fast, the improved flow helps my speed control"

Taylor Pendrith finished T15 69 66 65 6 -13.

Bryan Angus

Svensson, Pendrith right in contention Sunday at RSM Classic... live scoreboard

PGA Tour: RSM Classic leaderboard here

Adam Svensson has gone 64 62 over the last 2 days at the RSM Classic to elbow his way into T3 -13 just a shot off the lead of England's Ben Martin and Patrick Rodgers at -14.

Svensson birdied 6 of his last 8 holes yesterday with an iron play clinic. " I didn't hit it as well as yesterday, just kind off hit the fairways and my iron play has been pretty good. I don't know, just kind of hitting it well, putting it well, Ive put a lot of hard work in and it's paying off right now."

Meanwhile Taylor Pendrith who's gone 66 65 to move up to -12 T6. "The last 2 days have been really good, I've been driving it well, nice to see some putts going in. It's obviously nice to be in this position, I haven't had the best year, made every cut, but had some poor weekends, so it's nice to be here."

Bryan Angus

Jon Rahm wins DP World Tour Championship, Rory win Race to Dubai.. final results

DP World Tour Championship Results

Jon Rahm made history as he saw off a world-class chasing pack to become the first player to win five Rolex Series titles with a record third victory at the DP World Tour Championship worth $3,000,000.

The 2022 season drew to a close in dramatic fashion as overnight leader Rahm held off Ryder Cup team-mates Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren and Rory McIlroy to win by two shots.

The Spaniard went into the final round with a narrow one-stroke lead but reeled off three opening birdies to stretch that advantage before bouncing back from a bogey on the fourth with three more gains to sign for a closing 67 and finish the tournament on 20 under par.

Rahm's victory continues his love affair with Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course, where he now has three wins and another top-five finish in four visits.

He also adds a fifth Rolex Series title to his collection, becoming the first person to achieve the feat.

McIlroy won the other prize on offer on Sunday, topping the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex to win the Harry Vardon Trophy for the fourth time.

The World Number One arrived at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the season-ending event in Dubai holding a slender advantage over Ryan Fox in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

But going into Sunday’s final round, McIlroy’s nearest rankings rival was U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick – a fellow two-time winner at the Earth Course.

A closing four-under-par 68, coupled with a tie for fifth for Fitzpatrick at the final Rolex Series event of the year, ensured the four-time Major Champion topped the season-long standings again.

He capped a hugely-successful year by becoming the European Number One, World Number One and FedExCup Champion at the same time for the first time in his career.

He is awarded $1,000,000 bonus along with $440,000 for his 4th place finish.

Rahm never relinquished the lead on day four but did not look totally comfortable on the back nine, as a series of missed fairways gave hope to his challengers, who were queuing up behind him.

He took a two-shot lead to the last but there was a late twist as an errant tee-shot landed him in tree trouble and he only just cleared the penalty area with his second shot.

But his gamble paid off as he two-putted for par on the 18th green to storm to victory.

Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Noren finished in a tie for second on 18 under, with McIlroy two shots further back in fourth.

Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick were in a share of fifth place on 13 under.

Rahm was thrilled with his victory. He said: "Because of Covid I never got the chance to defend my 2019 title.

"Even though I decided not to come last year I came here with the mentality of 'Well, nobody beat me in the last two years so they're going to have to beat me again. I came in with that confidence. A lot of similarities to the past - the last time I won here I started at 15 under, had a heck of a front nine and I shot 20 under as well to win it.

"I like this course and this course likes me! I hope this is the third of many more.

"Hopefully people can stop telling me that it was a bad year. Three wins worldwide, three wins in three different continents.

"Yeah, it wasn't a Major Championship but it's still a really, really good season.

"We had a second boy this year, a lot of changes at home - it also helps. I got a lot of videos from my kids back home laughing and doing things.

"I do draw from some memories. Kelley (Rahm's partner) sent me a video of our youngest when he was clapping, and that's what I was thinking on the last few holes, hopefully try to make him clap a little bit more."

Henderson at her best 65 to get back in contention CME Globe Tour Championship... full scoreboard

LPGA Tour: CME Globe Tour Championship leaderboard

Here's the scoop.. Lydia Ko 65 66 -13 led by 5 shots heading into Saturday's moving day in the golf ventricular.

She stumbled a bit on Saturday -2 70 to finish -15 and let Irish women Leona Maguire in with her record tying -9 63 -15 total to tie for the lead..5 shots clear of the field..

So, Lydia or Leona has to come back to the field on Sunday or its between these two...

Meanwhile Brooke Henderson began round three, with 2 birdies and an eagle in her first 6 holes out in -4 32.. More good stuff coming in with a birdie at 12 and an eagle at the par 5 17th for her -7 65 -9

She will need another of the same and a fall back by Maguire -15 and Ko -15

Still her 3 birdies, 2 eagles and all pars -7 65 was as good as it gets on moving day and we'll see what Sunday brings,,, That +2 74 on Friday may well come back to haunt her.

After her round she had this to say. " Coming into this week I wasn't even sure if I could play, I was just aining to make it through 4 days. Now having the day I had on Friday (74) when I wasn't feeling so well it's really to have a score like that when you know you can be so much better, so I just tried to bounce back, to be gritty out there.

Today everything seemed to go well, getting two eagles on the par 5's gives you that little extra bonus, they gave me some momentum, which was great.

Now standing here after the 3rd day I feel pretty good so Im excited to play tomorrow and finish the event"

Bryan Angus

with Bryan Angus

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Friday, November 25, 2022

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Monday, November 21, 2022

Sunday, November 20, 2022