Aaron Cockerill joins Hojgaard twins and DP World Tour elite in Abu Dhabi playoff

 DP World : Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Entry List

Højgaard twins Rasmus and Nicolai earned their places in the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs after qualifying for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, taking place at Yas Links from November 7-10.

The Danish pair join the world class field set to compete in Abu Dhabi in the fourth Rolex Series event of the season, which is the first tournament in the new-look season-ending Play-Offs. The top 70 available players from the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex will compete next week in Abu Dhabi, with the top 50 then advancing to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Also teeing it up at Yas Links will be four-time Major winner and defending Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy, fellow Major Champions Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Adam Scott and Olympic Silver Medalist Tommy Fleetwood among a host of DP World Tour stars including Canadian Aaron Cockerill who is enjoying his best season, this his 5th, placing 47th in the  Race to Dubai standings having risen as high as 9th after a T4 in January at the Dubai Desert Classic which was won by McIlroy.

" It was fun, that's where you want to be in that situation, he said of the big money atmosphere, there are great crowds, it was a great tournament with such a cool vibe. Playing some of those holes looking at the massive skyline in the background, it doesn't even look real"  Cockerill and his wife Chelsea and daughter Addison are enjoying life in their new home in Dubai as he prepares for the season finale.

Rasmus Hojgaard, winner of last year's DP World Tour Championship, returns to the UAE next week to take part in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. Getty Images

Rasmus is currently in third position on the Race to Dubai Rankings, thanks to an impressive 2024 campaign which also saw him win his fifth DP World Tour title at the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down in September.

He is just under 2,000 points behind McIlroy in the season-long standings, but a strong performance at Yas Links would give him an outside chance of claiming the Race to Dubai if he were to emulate his twin brother’s success from last year and win the DP World Tour Championship.

It will be his fourth appearance in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with his best result to date coming on his last outing in 2022 when he finished in a share of 20th place.

Nicolai earned his place in the field in Abu Dhabi after finishing in a share of ninth at last week’s Genesis Championship. Following on from successive top-20 results at the FedEx Open de France and Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, the 2023 Ryder Cup star, moved up to 67th on the Rankings to claim a place as he hopes to ascend further still and defend his DP World Tour Championship crown.

“One of my goals for this year was to defend my DP World Tour Championship title, so I’m hoping for a big week at Yas Links to move further up the Rankings and make that Top 50."

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Bryan Angus (edit)

DP World Tour final rankings.. Aaron Cockerill 47th..Playoff scenario..

 DP World Tour : Rankings

The regular season on the DP World Tour is over and the top 114 have earned their 2025 playing cards. For the rankings click on my link above.

Rory McIlroy won the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai title for a fifth time in 2023

McIlroy, Lawrence, Hojgaard R, Horschel, Fleetwood, Manassero, Nørgaard, Svensson, MacIntyre and Hoshino are the top 10 with Adam Scott just behind at #11.  

PLAYOFF

Now the top 70 advance to Abu Dhabi on the Yas Links course to play for a place in the top 50 who will play the Tour Championship finale on the Earth Course in Dubai.

Despite missing the cut, Aaron Cockerill dropped just one place to #47 after what has been his best season so he automatically qualifies for Abu Dhabi beginning  next week November 7th.

He will then need a good week to maintain that top 50 spot to qualify for the Tour Championship.

Bryan Angus

An beats Kim in Korea....Final results..

DP World Tour : Genesis Korean Championship...Results

Byeong Hun An defeated fellow South Korean Tom Kim in a play-off to secure his second DP World Tour title at the Genesis Championship.

Birdies were dropping in from the start by the contenders as six players held the lead in some capacity at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club on Sunday.

The carousel at the top of leaderboard was in full flow until Kim jumped one shot clear heading down the last when An lipped out for bogey at the penultimate hole.

Both landed their approach to eight feet for birdie putts, with An applying the pressure by draining his effort to move back alongside Kim at 17 under.

Kim needed to sink his to claim the one-shot victory, but he lipped out and the two home favourites were forced into a play-off.

Both played risky second shots when replaying the par-five last, but Kim was left in a precarious position which resulted in him shooting into the main stand with his third and carding a bogey. 

An had two putts for the title on home soil and only needed one to seal his first victory on the DP World Tour since lifting the 2015 BMW PGA Championship, nine years and 156 days ago.

"It's great, I've had a great season obviously, it's been too long (to win) on the main Tour," An said.

"All I tried to do is show some great golf in front of the home fans, it's been a while since I've played in front of them.

"It feels amazing, it's a bit of a shame that Tom had a bit of mess there, but it's been a great tournament for me, I've really enjoyed it.

"There has been a lot of fans out there supporting me and Tom and I feel like we had a great battle today. I just got a little bit lucky to be a winner out there today I think.

"It's a sweet ending for this year, it's been a great year. This feels amazing, I'm going enjoy it for a while then I've got to get back on it."

European tour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Top Koreans Kim, An lead into Sunday...Genesis Championship.. full results/leaderboard

 DP World Tour : Genesis Championship Leaderboard

Byeong Hun An was forced to endure an attritional Moving Day to join fellow South Korean Tom Kim at the summit of the Genesis Championship.

The home favourite had birdied the most holes during the first two rounds and looked set to accelerate from the chasing pack when he picked up a shot at the first on a glorious Saturday at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

However, the World Number 36 only picked up two more shots, alongside two bogeys, in his one under 71 to sit alongside Kim at 12 under par.

The pair are one shot ahead of Frenchman Antoine Rozner, who carded a seven under 65 to initially set the clubhouse target, Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and Italian Francesco Laporta in Incheon.

"I struggled a little bit today," An said. "The last two rounds have been almost perfect. I didn't have many birdie chances out there and when I did, I would just miss it by a little bit.

"It was one of those days. It's golf. It's been great the last few days, it happens and hopefully better tomorrow."

"I don't think it can get any better. I said at the start of the week that I would love to play with Tom in the final group on Sunday and hopefully one of us can come out on top"

Tom Kim : "Obviously I've made a few mistakes this week, but those little things are coming together to back up those mistakes.

"What happened on 15, you can't control it, you know, one bad swing. You are really unlucky, hit the cart path and it's out of bounds. I had no idea!

"I told myself going up to that next tee that I'm making sure I'm birdieing a few holes coming in."

Rozner rolled in eight birdies and a bogey to catapult himself into contention, with Laporta recording a roller coaster round of seven gains, three dropped shots and a double bogey.

Gouveia, who started the week in 154th place, moved up to provisional 107th in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex after carding a -3 69 to boost his chances of earning his playing rights for next season at -11

Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Japan's Rikuya Hoshino and Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey are at -10

South African Brandon Stone, New Zealand's Daniel Hillier and first round leader Ivan Cantero are one shot further back at -9

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Bryan Angus (edit)

Canadians out of contention, Spaniard Echavarria leads in Japan...full results..

 DP World Tour : ZOZO Championship 2024  Tee Times

Nick Taylor leads the Canadian contingent in Japan at this no cut ZOZO Championship after 36 holes. T16, 68 67 -5, while fellow countryman Ben Silverman T31 69 68 -3 and Adam Svensson T71 72 72 +4.

Wanting to expand their footprint internationally the PGA Tour hooked up with Japan based ZOZO, an E Commerce giant that includes Internet on line shopping websites for this annual event in golf mad Japan.

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Tiger was paid a fortune to play and become the first winner in 2019, his last and record tying 82nd PGA Tour win. Yes, this is another of those unofficial appearance money events, which is why top players like Morikawa (defending champion) and Schauffelle are playing, both of whom have Japanese roots.

Spaniard Nico Echavarria 64 64 -12 leads by 2 shots over Taylor Moore 63 67 -10 and Justin Thomas 66 64 10 on this low scoring Accordia Golf Narashino CC in Chiba.

WEATHER

It will be quite breezy 19mph -24mph from SE but mainly sunny today. There may be some early morning fog. 

Bryan Angus

Korean Ben An leads Genesis Championship in Korea.. Cockerill M/C.. 36 hole results

DP World Tour : Genesis Championship Leaderboard

Byeong Hun An delighted home fans with a second round of 66 to move into a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Genesis Championship.

The World Number 36 known as "Ben" was a huge draw for local crowds alongside Tom Kim, both of whom recently represented South Korea at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Presidents Cup, and they showed their class with great displays on Friday in Incheon.

An had rolled in seven birdies and two bogeys to sit one adrift of overnight leader Ivan Cantero before pressing the accelerator during the second day at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

He added another eight birdies and two dropped shots to climb to the summit at -11 with Italian Francesco Laporta and South Africa's Casey Jarvis at -9 and four players sitting one shot further back.

"I feel like I made a lot of putts of ten-footers, 15-footers so I think that helps for making birdies," An said. "They weren't the easiest of putts, but I've rolled in some nice putts in the last two days.

"I love to see the fans out here cheer for me. It doesn't matter whether things go well for me or not, they are still there.

"It would be nice to hold the trophy at the end of the day but I haven't been here for the last five years - six years in a tournament - so all I'm trying to do is show some good golf because they don't see much of me, so I'll try my best and see what happens."

Jarvis mixed seven birdies with three dropped shots to join Laporta at -9 in a share of second place.

Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia, who began the week in 154th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, improved his chance of retaining his playing rights after carding six birdies and a bogey to reach -8

American Johannes Veerman was also at that mark following a matching 67 alongside Hoshino and Cantero in a tie for fourth.

Kim was flawless in his three-under round of 69 to lead a trio at -7 with Alejandro Del Rey and Matthew Southgate, another player battling to save his card.

Marco Penge, who was in 115th position heading to South Korea, nervelessly birdied the last to make the cut on the line and boost his chances playing on the DP World Tour next year.

edit *** It was a tough day for Canada's Aaron Cockerill who opened with a bogey free -2 70 but today, playing the back nine first was +1 at the turn but was soon +5, including three to get out of the greenside bunker onto the green at the 2nd. His +4 76 +2 total, dropped him below the cut line which fell at -1.

He is projected to drop 3 places to #49 with two rounds to go to complete the regular season before the top 70 head to Abu Dhabi on November 7th. Aaron has a home in Dubai with his wife Chelsea and daughter Addison so will be there for a rest and practice before the playoff. 

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Bryan Angus (edit)

Genesis Championship : Spaniard Cantero leads.. full results

 DP World Tour : Genesis Championship Leaderboard

Ivan Cantero boosted his chances of securing his DP World Tour card for 2025 with an opening 66 to hold a one-shot lead at the Genesis Championship.

 The final tournament of the Back 9 will determine who will retain their playing rights for next year, with the top 114 after the event slated to keep their card.

The Spaniard began the week on the bubble in 117th place, but he rolled in seven birdies and dropped a solitary shot to set the pace at -6 66 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

Home duo Byeong Hun An and Hongtaek Kim, Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat, South Africa's Casey Jarvis, Scotland's Scott Jamieson, Swede Jonas Blixt and Englishman Richard Mansell sit one adrift -5 67 with a further ten players at -4. 

Play was suspended with six players, including Blixt, yet to complete their opening rounds.

"Obviously I need a good week or I am out of the the main Tour, but I have one more week, one more chance and my game is in good condition," Cantero said.

"I hit good drivers and with this course, if you are in good position, it is possible to have a good score.

"Today I made putts and the last couple of weeks I missed a lot of putts and my confidence was down all the time, and now I am confident with my putting and my driver.

"Of course playing with Pablo (Larrazábal) is always good, he gave me a lot of advice on the golf course and I am very happy."

Jarvis enjoyed a roller coaster first round by recording eight birdies and three bogeys, An mixed seven gains and two dropped shots, while Aphibarnrat and Kim both picked up six shots with a bogey.

Mansell was flawless in his 67 with five birdies and Jamieson carded three gains and a dropped shot before a birdie-eagle finish catapulted him into contention. Blixt had registered six birdies and a bogey before teeing off at the penultimate hole when play was halted.

Defending champion Larrazábal and fellow Spaniards Alejandro Del Rey and Manuel Elvira were at -4 68 alongside Korean pair Tom Kim and Seunghyuk Kim, New Zealand's Daniel Hillier, Italian Renato Paratore, Dane Søren Kjeldsen, Germany's Marcel Schneider and Englishman Todd Clements.

edit... Canada's Aaron Cockerill currently ranked #44 in the Race to Dubai had a solid bogey free -2 70, just four shots off the pace as he prepares for the top 70 playoff in Abu Dhabi in a fortnight.

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Bryan Angus (edit)

Bogey free Cockerill in Korea, Genesis Championship... round 1 results

 DP World Tour : Genesis Championship ..Leaderboard

It was a solid start to the Genesis Championship in South Korea for Aaron Cockerill posting a bogey free 34,36 -2 70 to sit in a large group at T29.

He is managing his game well recently, keeping it in play off the tee, laying up to around 100 yards on the par 5's relying on his short game and putter, he made a few 12-15 footers to get under par with the lead only at -6 66 by Spaniard Ivan Cantero.

Byeong Hun "Ben" An leads the South Korean contingent T2 -5 67

The weather is cool in the morning but sunny and warm by afternoon, only a slight chance of a shower late Sunday afternoon on this Jack Nicklaus GC Korea.

more to follow...

Bryan Angus

What you need to know Genesis Championship in South Korea

 The Genesis Championship brings the DP World Tour regular season to a close with things to play for all over the Race to Dubai. Here are key things to know.

Back 9 concludes

This week sees Phase Two of the DP World Tour season - the Back 9 - conclude and it is all to play for in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex. The final event of the regular season always brings drama and as it stands, the top 114 players on the Race to Dubai will secure full playing privileges for next season. Last year's Qualifying School winner Freddy Schott is currently the man everyone is looking to catch at 114th, with 2023 Road to Mallorca champion Marco Penge the player currently on the outside looking in. Four-time DP World Tour winner Wu Ashun will be looking over his shoulder at 113th, while the likes of Rafa Cabrera Bello, Adri Arnaus and Eddie Pepperell all need a good week to avoid a trip to Qualifying School.

Battle for the Play-Offs

There is not just plenty to play for at the wrong end of the Race to Dubai, the battle to make the season-ending Play-Offs is sharing centre stage, with players battling to make the top 70. Those in the top 70 at the end of this week will head to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with the top 50 after that making their way to the DP World Tour Championship where the winner of the Harry Vardon Trophy will be crowned. Tony Finau and Andrea Pavan dropped out of the top 70 last week and while Finau's DP World Tour season is now over, Pavan could fight his way back to the right side of the line in Korea. Adrien Saddier is the man they are all looking to catch, while Sean Crocker in 69th will also be looking over his shoulder as he does not tee it up at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.

Two championships come 

Two championships come together

The Genesis Championship this week sees two events come together as the DP World Tour's Korea Championship and the KPGA TOUR’s Genesis Championship merge to become the Genesis Championship. The field comprises 90 DP World Tour players and 30 KPGA TOUR players, with the co-sanctioned event building on the Strategic Alliance that was agreed between the two Tours in May 2023, which expanded the pathway for KPGA TOUR players to play on the DP World Tour. Having won his eighth DP World Tour title at last year's Korea Championship, Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal will defend his title at the unified 2024 Genesis Championship at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club against Park Sang-hyun, the winner of the Genesis Championship held at the same location. The event is the last of five Asian events on the DP World Tour this season, following the Porsche Singapore Classic, Hero Indian Open, ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP and the Volvo China Open.

Local heroes top the bill

South Korean superstars Tom Kim and Byeong Hun An are sure to take big crowds with them as they return to their homeland this week. An burst onto the scene in 2015 when he won the BMW PGA Championship, European Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year and Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year awards. Kim was another player who first made his mark on the DP World Tour with a third-place finish at the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open and since then he has gone on to win three times on the PGA TOUR and was a team-mate of An's at this year's Olympic Games and Presidents Cup. Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard is also in the field this week as he makes his first appearance in Korea, with Global Swing winners Guido Migliozzi and Sebastian Söderberg also teeing it up

Genesis continues commitment to golf

This year marks the first of a three-year title partnership agreement with Genesis which elevates its partnership with the premier men’s professional golf tournament in Korea, where it was previously the presenting partner of the inaugural Korea Championship in 2023. Genesis has shown a strong commitment to golf with a history of tournament partnerships. This includes the Genesis Invitational, which has been part of the PGA TOUR since 2017, and the Genesis Scottish Open – a co-sanctioned tournament between the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR – where it has been Title Partner since 2022. Genesis has also supported other renowned golf tournaments including The CJ Cup, The Presidents Cup, and the KPGA TOUR’s Genesis Points list. And Genesis is also committed to sustainability, with 17 of its courtesy car fleet being electric and the airport bus for players making the 35-minute trip to Jack Nicklaus Golf Club being powered by hydrogen this week.

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Bryan Angus (edit)

Cockerill in Korea : Genesis Championship TEE TIMES

 DP World Tour : Genesis Championship : Tee Times

It's called the DP World Tour for a reason, this week the field has caught a flight from Spain to Incheon South Korea, at the Jack Nicklaus GC Korea.

Aaron Cockerill has made the trip he is paired at 1140hrs off the 1st tee with veteran Springbok Thomas Aiken and Junghwan Lee one of 30 Koreans in the field, led by Tom Kim and Ben An back off their trip to the Presidents Cup in Montreal.

This is a big week for players around the last ranking #114. Guys on the "bubble" have their 2025 Tour cards at stake.  (110 plus 4 already ins)

This is the last regular season event before the top 70 gather in Dubai for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the Yas Links in two weeks, November 7th.

Aaron is ranked #46 with an owgr #251 so will be playing in Abu Dhabi, with real shot at the Tour Championship but he is close to that #50 so another good week in Korea would give him a nice cushion. He had a top15 in France and T43 last week in Spain in his last 2 outings.

The  Tour Championship on the Earth Course in Dubai for the top 50 wraps up the year November 14, before the wrap around events in Australia and South Africa.

Bryan Angus

New father Poston wins Schriners Children's Open....Pendrith 8th...Final Results

 PGA Tour : Shriners Children's Open..Past Results

JP Poston and his wife welcomed Katherine Scott Poston into their world back in March, their first child.

He hasn't played in a tournament since the BMW six weeks ago,, but he managed to hold off Doug Ghim by a shot with a final round -4 67 -22 for his 3rd PGA Tour win.

You wont be surprised to hear why this career journeyman managed to play so well this week, where he only made 3 bogeys

"I would say perspective ids the KEY to performing out here. At time's I was guilty of taking it all too seriously out here, often being too hard on myself. Since Scottie was born I have made a 180 turn, just finally realizing golf is not the most important thing. It's far from it honestly. 

Too have that extended time at home with them has been amazing. She changes every day,, every week so to be home with her and my wife has been incredible. This win has freed me up, to go home no matter how I play, I get to hold and hug her, that's now huge in my book."

Welcome to fatherhood JP...welcome to the winners circle..

Canadians:

The week began in Vegas with five, Hadwin, Sloan and Svensson all missed the cut.

Taylor Pendrith back after a break following the Presidents Cup found his groove quickly with a career best -10 61 for the early lead. When the weather finally cleared after a four hour delay he stayed in the top 10 with 71 67 68 -17 to finish 8th. ($215,780

Nick Taylor was never in contention 68 69 7172 -4 T54 ($16,478)

Ben Silverman opened brightly with 64 but could not duplicate that score finishing T59 71 75 71 -3. ($15,960)

Bryan Angus

9 hole playoff at Andalucia Masters. who won ? Final results

 DP World Tour : Estrella Damm R.A Andalucia Masters Results

Julien Guerrier ended his long wait for a maiden DP World Tour title as he beat Jorge Campillo in a record-equaling nine-hole play-off following a roller-coaster final round to win the 2024 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

The huge crowds at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande were treated to a thrilling battle between home favourite Campillo and Frenchman Guerrier on Sunday, with the lead changing hands throughout the afternoon before a mammoth play-off was required to break the deadlock after Guerrier holed his clutch 16-foot par putt on the 18th to join his playing partner at -21 following 72 holes.

And it was Guerrier who came out on top at the ninth extra hole, nervelessly holing from eight feet to enter the winner's circle for the first time on his 230th start.

He said: "I'm feeling great and I can't believe I made it. Because it's been a really long time I've been waiting for it.

"We work really hard every week for that but we have to stay patient.

"I know Jorge Campillo is a great player but today it goes my way so I'm very happy."

Leading by one on the 18th tee, Campillo bogeyed the last to open the door for Guerrier, and the Frenchman walked right through it, showing great guts to hole his must-make putt and take it to a play-off.

It was Campillo's turn to hole a vital putt at the first play-off hole as he knocked in from range for par to keep the competition alive.

And after both players parred the second extra hole, Campillo had a seven-foot birdie putt to win at the third play-off hole but sent it just wide.

The fourth, fifth and sixth extra holes were halved in pars, before Guerrier's chip from the rough lipped out on the seventh play-off hole.

The contest was finally settled on extra hole number nine as Guerrier slotted in his par putt to secure the trophy.

After his win, an emotional Guerrier said: "I can't believe it because Jorge is a great player.

"I knew it would be really hard because his putting is amazing. Also my iron game was not in good shape today but my putting was really good.

"So I was trying to do my best and I'm really happy.

"On the last putt, I was thinking of my kids to give me the strength to hit it, so thanks to my family and my team.

"It's a long wait and I'm very happy."

Englishman Dan Brown finished alone in 3rd, two shots behind Guerrier and Campillo on -19 one ahead of Jordan Smith and Rasmus Højgaard in joint-fourth both -18...

edit ... Canada's Aaron Cockerill has finished T43 down 3 spots to 46th in the Race to Dubai 71 69 71 70 -7..

One week left in Korea... top70 play in Abu Dhabi and the final 50 at the Tour Championship

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Bryan Angus (edit

Round 3 suspended at Shriners Children's Open..Pendrith T7... Results..

 PGA Tour : Shriners Children's Open ..Leaderboard

Winds blowing a hooly on Friday morning, up to 50mph resulting in a 4 hour delay in the desert at Los Vegas have made this field at the Shriners Children's Open play catch up and they still are heading into Sunday at TPC Summerlin.

Two players JT Poston and Matti Schmid had made the most of it with excellent -6 65's to share the 36 hole clubhouse lead at -13 before beginning their 3rd rounds.

As it stands Doug Ghim and new father Poston are at -15 with 16 players within 2 shots including Canada's Taylor Pendrith who went backwards with a -1 71 after opening with 61.

He is -3 through 13 to finish his 3rd round Sunday morning at -13 total.

Nick Taylor T44 68 69 71 -5 and Ben Silverman T61 64 71 75 -3 have made the cut.

Weather : A nice sunny cool Sunday with a breeze 8mph should help the field get this one finished in time on Sunday..

Bryan Angus

Guerrier catches Campillo in Spain...Cockerill T40.. 54 hole results..

 DP World Tour : Estrella Damm R.A Andalucia Masters...Leaderboard

FYI Estrella Damm is Spain's best selling lager beer.. for all of you who have been asking.

Julien Guerrier made two eagles in the space of three holes as his brilliant 63 saw him catch Jorge Campillo at the top of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters leaderboard.

France's Guerrier had already made five birdie in his first ten holes before firing a sensational second to four feet at the par-five 12th and another to nine feet at the long 14th.

Converting both putts saw Guerrier catch Campillo, who began the day with a four-shot lead, with both players heading into the final round on -19 at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.

Spain's Campillo made four birdies in his 68 as he remained bogey-free for the week, with English pair Dan Brown and Jordan Smith third and fourth on -16 and -15  respectively after matching rounds of 67.

Guerrier said after his round: “The key is the short game - it's where I made my score. I hit two great shots on the par fives and a little bit of luck as well; I was not playing exactly there but it finished well.

“It's not a sprint of a tournament, it's a marathon, so I just try to enjoy every moment.

“I just try to play my game and stay focused.”

Campillo made birdies at the second, fourth and seventh as he set about preserving his halfway lead in more perfect conditions in southern Spain.

Campillo said: "I played quite solid – apart from nine I hit all the other greens so it was stress-free. “I hit some great shots coming in but I didn't make the putts. I felt I was hitting great putts so hopefully tomorrow I can make some of the putts.

“I was feeling good all day. I was pretty calm all day. I hit it quite good so that helped as well – so tomorrow I will try to do the same thing.

“It's always great to win in your home country. The weather is great this year and this golf course is beautiful so I'll try to win.”

edit... Canada's Aaron Cockerill hit errant drives at 14 and 18 resulting in 2 bogeys to spoil an otherwise solid day, 71 69 71 -5 T40 and he will play at 9.54 local time on Sunday with Spaniard Nacho Elvira and England's John Parry as he tries to improve on his #43 in the Race to Dubai standings.

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Bryan Angus (edit)

Taylor Pendrith sensational 61 to lead Shriners Children in Vegas... full results..

 PGA Tour : Shriners Children's Open Tee Times

How about Canada's Taylor Pendrith, back after a fortnight off, playing TPC Summerlin in this version of the Shriners Children's Open, in an opening -10 61.

He only missed one fairway and green in regulation and that was on his last hole par 5 9th where he could have scored the elusive 59 with an eagle.

"Pendy" to his pals is one of the tours big hitters, on Friday they were all hitting the fairways, then his wedge play was stellar, and he's always been a good putter.

He and Adam Scott electrified the crowds in Montreal in the Presidents Cup going 2-1-0 in match play, leading that epic Friday 5-0 comeback for the International team.

"I feel rested and ready to play, I didn't really expect -10 I thought I would be a little more rusty than that. I'm obviously thrilled, just gotta get back into the rhythm of things over the next  days"

His fellow countryman Ben Silverman added to the Canadian story, in a group T2 at -7 65.

More to follow.......

Bryan Angus

 

Spaniard Jorge Campillo torches Real Club, Cockerill improves, 36 hole results..

 DP World Tour : Estrella Damm N.A Andalucia Masters Leaderboard

The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande apparently can be tricky in the wind, not so for veteran Spaniard Jorge Campillo who has stolen all the headlines from Jon Rahm

Jorge Campillo

His 64 65 on this par 72 features not one bogey but 13 birdies and an eagle 2, and 22 pars in 36 holes to grab the clubhouse lead at -15, his closest rivals at -10 include overnight leader from France Julien Guerrier who was 10 shots worse today, with 72 after opening  with -10 62.

With the late wave in play Aaron Cockerill is currently T22 with 71 69 -4 easily in play for the weekend with the cut projected at -2

He had a poor lie in the greenside bunker on the par4 1st and couldn't get up and down for his lone bogey. All the rest consisted in 4 birdies and 13 pars. 

This is a second shot course, so he used lots of 3 woods of the tee in position for more stellar iron play, giving him plenty of looks at birdie.

More to follow.. click on Leaderboard for all the scoring...

Bryan Angus