Champions Tour Hoag Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/hoag-classic/tee-times.html
David Morland is playing some of the best golf of his life. The veteran from Aurora had 3 top 10 finishes during a patchy PGA Tour career in the late 90's and early 2000's, but he hung in, playing Monday qualifiers and tours where and whenever he could,
In 2011 a bad car accident put an end to his career after struggling through 14 withdrawals. He had several back and shoulder operations and quit the game for 4 years.
Not happy with the terms in which he was forced to quit, he decided the begin the long road back to pro golf via Monday qualifiers on the PGA Tour Champions.
This year he qualified for the European Senior Tour (Staysure Tour), and this week he Monday qualified for the Hoag Classic in Newport Beach, California. The qualifier was limited to 9 holes because of local forest fires.
He shocked the golf world with an opening -10 61 on Friday and backed it up with a 70 yesterday and at -11 he is just a shot behind the legend, Ernie Els (66 64 -12) who is looking for his 1st win on the over 50's circuit.
" If you asked me at the start of the week I'd be a shot out of the lead I'd be happy said Morland who can put a capper on his long road back with a win and the 2 year exemption that goes with it.
That is a big if playing with Ernie (-12) and Scott McCarron (-11) in the last group with Freddie Couples lurking at -9.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Heartbreak for David Drysdale at Qatar Masters. final scoreboard
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters final scoreboard https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/commercial-bank-qatar-masters-2020/results?round=4
Sometimes in sports you get blown out in a game, called a laugher, or you blow a game, called a choke, or you give it your all and just plain get beat.
David Drysdale is a journeyman Scottish pro from Edinburgh, his caddie Vicky is his wife and was his childhood sweetheart. He is 44, turned pro 25 years ago in 1995, has lost his card and re-qualified 4 times through Q school is ranked 475 in the world.. and has never won in 498 starts.
Today he and newly married Jorge Campillo of Spain went to a playoff to decide the winner of this year's Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Campillo has one win one his resume.
Five times DD as he's known smashed his drives down the par 4 18th, 5 times he hit really good 6 or 7 irons into the green.
Three times he was inside Campillo and twice the Spaniard made unbelievable 20+ foot birdie putts to halve the hole, then made the third and last, a curling 20 footer on the 5th playoff hole for the win when David finally could not respond with a 25 footer of his own. It was his 4th runner up finish.
While Jorge was on the green getting all the plaudits, David and Vicky walked off, hurting, but with heads high onto next week, I hope buoyed by the fact they didn't lose, they were just beaten, and this week 498, it was really close and with this form who knows, win #1 may come before week #500...
Bryan Angus
Sometimes in sports you get blown out in a game, called a laugher, or you blow a game, called a choke, or you give it your all and just plain get beat.
David Drysdale is a journeyman Scottish pro from Edinburgh, his caddie Vicky is his wife and was his childhood sweetheart. He is 44, turned pro 25 years ago in 1995, has lost his card and re-qualified 4 times through Q school is ranked 475 in the world.. and has never won in 498 starts.
Today he and newly married Jorge Campillo of Spain went to a playoff to decide the winner of this year's Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Campillo has one win one his resume.
Five times DD as he's known smashed his drives down the par 4 18th, 5 times he hit really good 6 or 7 irons into the green.
Three times he was inside Campillo and twice the Spaniard made unbelievable 20+ foot birdie putts to halve the hole, then made the third and last, a curling 20 footer on the 5th playoff hole for the win when David finally could not respond with a 25 footer of his own. It was his 4th runner up finish.
While Jorge was on the green getting all the plaudits, David and Vicky walked off, hurting, but with heads high onto next week, I hope buoyed by the fact they didn't lose, they were just beaten, and this week 498, it was really close and with this form who knows, win #1 may come before week #500...
Bryan Angus
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Despite 73, Rory just 2 shots off the lead at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
For those who don't follow this game closely, Tyrrell Hatton is an Englishman who has a million dollar game when he's on, but at times a ten cent brain which is his achilles heel. He is his own worst critic. This week so far he's on, particularly his short game which helped him to -3 69 yesterday for a share of the lead at -7 with steady Korean Sung Kang who posted -4 68. Hatton was T4 here in 2017 and Kang T6.
Korean Aussie Danny Lee with 69 68 is quietly alone a shot back at -6. Seven of the top 10 are International players.
On another tough scoring day the field's average was 74.08.
Weather Today: the wind will blow up to 25kph NE and it's cool by Florida standards 18*c.
Rory came out with his B game, didn't drive it all that well by his standards, and had that hold your breath day on the greens, missing those 4 and 5 footers that curse his perfection. But hold on, despite all that, he shot 73 and is at -5 going into this weekend along with last week's winner Sungjae Im (69) and Harris English (70).
Watch out for Patrick Reed who won his last time out in Mexico, and had 70 to sit in a group at -4 along with Marc Leishman and a South African you haven't heard of, Christiaan Bezuidenhout who is in rich form, (68,72 -4).
Nick Taylor made the cut with 73 73 +2.
As I wrote yesterday a lot of the big boys are gone, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson opened with 77's, Lee Westwood, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Bubba Watson and our own Corey Connors all missed the +3 cut.
Sadly Jason Day had to W/D yet again due to his back.
Bryan Angus
For those who don't follow this game closely, Tyrrell Hatton is an Englishman who has a million dollar game when he's on, but at times a ten cent brain which is his achilles heel. He is his own worst critic. This week so far he's on, particularly his short game which helped him to -3 69 yesterday for a share of the lead at -7 with steady Korean Sung Kang who posted -4 68. Hatton was T4 here in 2017 and Kang T6.
Korean Aussie Danny Lee with 69 68 is quietly alone a shot back at -6. Seven of the top 10 are International players.
On another tough scoring day the field's average was 74.08.
Weather Today: the wind will blow up to 25kph NE and it's cool by Florida standards 18*c.
Rory came out with his B game, didn't drive it all that well by his standards, and had that hold your breath day on the greens, missing those 4 and 5 footers that curse his perfection. But hold on, despite all that, he shot 73 and is at -5 going into this weekend along with last week's winner Sungjae Im (69) and Harris English (70).
Watch out for Patrick Reed who won his last time out in Mexico, and had 70 to sit in a group at -4 along with Marc Leishman and a South African you haven't heard of, Christiaan Bezuidenhout who is in rich form, (68,72 -4).
Nick Taylor made the cut with 73 73 +2.
As I wrote yesterday a lot of the big boys are gone, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson opened with 77's, Lee Westwood, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Bubba Watson and our own Corey Connors all missed the +3 cut.
Sadly Jason Day had to W/D yet again due to his back.
Bryan Angus
Friday, March 6, 2020
Rory leads as stars struggle to make the cut at tough Bay Hill.... live scoreboard
Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html
Rory McIlroy shot -6 66, and Matt Every a -7 65. They were only 2 of 18 players to break par on another tough Florida golf course. Last week it was PGA National at the Honda Classic this week it's the Bay Hill course for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The rough is lush and thick framing the fairways, the greens are firm and fast, there is water everywhere, and when the breeze blows, the scores soar.
Rory has become a top 10 machine, he's been inside the top six at every event this year, won here in 2018 so his score is almost expected, and Matt Every with his 2 wins here (2014/15) is a course specialist although is struggling so far today.
However look at the list who will have to be superb this afternoon if they are to make the cut projected at +1.
Tony Finau 75, Bubba Watson, Lee Westwood and Jason Day 74's, Tommy Fleetwood 76, and Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh all 77.
Corey Connors and Nick Taylor both shot 73's.
Follow their scores and all the rest on my link above.
Bryan Angus
Rory McIlroy shot -6 66, and Matt Every a -7 65. They were only 2 of 18 players to break par on another tough Florida golf course. Last week it was PGA National at the Honda Classic this week it's the Bay Hill course for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The rough is lush and thick framing the fairways, the greens are firm and fast, there is water everywhere, and when the breeze blows, the scores soar.
Rory has become a top 10 machine, he's been inside the top six at every event this year, won here in 2018 so his score is almost expected, and Matt Every with his 2 wins here (2014/15) is a course specialist although is struggling so far today.
However look at the list who will have to be superb this afternoon if they are to make the cut projected at +1.
Tony Finau 75, Bubba Watson, Lee Westwood and Jason Day 74's, Tommy Fleetwood 76, and Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh all 77.
Corey Connors and Nick Taylor both shot 73's.
Follow their scores and all the rest on my link above.
Bryan Angus
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Arnold Palmer Invitational.. Thursday Tee times. past champions..
Arnold Palmer Invitational tee times https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/tee-times.html
This 2nd week of the Florida Swing always produces a strong field at the request of Arnie Palmer, who would let it be known if you turned down his invitation.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational begins at 7am EST on Thursday, Rory McIlroy the 2018 winner and world #1 is the headliner, Tiger is on holiday citing some stiffness, just as well since he's won it 8 times.
It's a truly international field with Francesco Molinari defending his title. 2018's winner of it all has had a few nagging injuries, was burnt out and to be fair he just couldn't keep up the form he displayed in that summer culminating in winning the Open, and going a perfect 5-0 in Paris at their victorious Ryder Cup.
Corey Connors joins Nick Taylor, back in action after his win at Pebble Beach as the two Canadians in the field. The late George Knudson T2 with Arnie when Julius Boros won in 1967.
Click here for a complete list of past winners https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/past-winners-and-runners-up.html
Bryan Angus
This 2nd week of the Florida Swing always produces a strong field at the request of Arnie Palmer, who would let it be known if you turned down his invitation.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational begins at 7am EST on Thursday, Rory McIlroy the 2018 winner and world #1 is the headliner, Tiger is on holiday citing some stiffness, just as well since he's won it 8 times.
It's a truly international field with Francesco Molinari defending his title. 2018's winner of it all has had a few nagging injuries, was burnt out and to be fair he just couldn't keep up the form he displayed in that summer culminating in winning the Open, and going a perfect 5-0 in Paris at their victorious Ryder Cup.
Corey Connors joins Nick Taylor, back in action after his win at Pebble Beach as the two Canadians in the field. The late George Knudson T2 with Arnie when Julius Boros won in 1967.
Click here for a complete list of past winners https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/past-winners-and-runners-up.html
Bryan Angus
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Mackenzie Hughes, Albin Choi write a Canadian golf chapter at Honda Classic.. final scoreboard
PGA Tour Honda Classic final scoreboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/the-honda-classic/leaderboard-old.html
Albin Choi and MacKenzie Hughes grew up playing golf together and against each other in Canada.
In story tale fashion they wrote another chapter in the book of Canadian Golf history on Sunday afternoon.
MacKenzie who'd missed 9 of 11 cuts this year was buoyed by a message from Canadian coaching legend Herb Page who told him after he made it on the number, "you've done the hard part now." He relaxed, found his game with the low score 66 on Saturday then with a hot putter another 66 on Sunday ended up losing by a single shot at -5 275.
By now you'll know he lost to Korean star Sungjae Im and here's the twist. Im's regular caddie had to attend a wedding. Im who's English is poor contacted Korean Canadian Albin Choi who is caddying in Florida while nursing a wrist injury to carry his bag this week.. Choi and Hughes have both won Canadian amateur championships.
Despite his recent struggles, Hughes who is now a new dad has life in perspective, and in particular this week, after losing a close friend Daniel Meggs from Wake Forest whom he dedicated the week to with DM on his golf ball. " I knew Daniel would give anything just to play another round of golf anywhere, and I know I am blessed to be able to play this great game".
It was a hell of a Sunday, besides Mac and Im, Tommy Fleetwood and Brendan Steele also had a chance to win. Only 16 players ended under par and the average score was over 72.0 with par being 70.
Fast Facts:
*Ernie Els told his Presidents Cup team they needed to start winning on Tour to become bi annual contenders. So far with Sungjae Im, Adam Scott, Cameron Champ and Marc Leishman have all done just that.
* Sungjae Im has played in 168 recent PGA Tour events, more than any other player and he plans on playing every week.
* With Nick Taylor's win at Pebble Beach and Mackenzie's 2nd this past week things are looking good for Canada on the PGA Tour.
* Nick and Corey Connors are playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week.
Bryan Angus
Albin Choi and MacKenzie Hughes grew up playing golf together and against each other in Canada.
In story tale fashion they wrote another chapter in the book of Canadian Golf history on Sunday afternoon.
MacKenzie who'd missed 9 of 11 cuts this year was buoyed by a message from Canadian coaching legend Herb Page who told him after he made it on the number, "you've done the hard part now." He relaxed, found his game with the low score 66 on Saturday then with a hot putter another 66 on Sunday ended up losing by a single shot at -5 275.
By now you'll know he lost to Korean star Sungjae Im and here's the twist. Im's regular caddie had to attend a wedding. Im who's English is poor contacted Korean Canadian Albin Choi who is caddying in Florida while nursing a wrist injury to carry his bag this week.. Choi and Hughes have both won Canadian amateur championships.
Despite his recent struggles, Hughes who is now a new dad has life in perspective, and in particular this week, after losing a close friend Daniel Meggs from Wake Forest whom he dedicated the week to with DM on his golf ball. " I knew Daniel would give anything just to play another round of golf anywhere, and I know I am blessed to be able to play this great game".
It was a hell of a Sunday, besides Mac and Im, Tommy Fleetwood and Brendan Steele also had a chance to win. Only 16 players ended under par and the average score was over 72.0 with par being 70.
Fast Facts:
*Ernie Els told his Presidents Cup team they needed to start winning on Tour to become bi annual contenders. So far with Sungjae Im, Adam Scott, Cameron Champ and Marc Leishman have all done just that.
* Sungjae Im has played in 168 recent PGA Tour events, more than any other player and he plans on playing every week.
* With Nick Taylor's win at Pebble Beach and Mackenzie's 2nd this past week things are looking good for Canada on the PGA Tour.
* Nick and Corey Connors are playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week.
Bryan Angus
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Can Mac Hughes go low back to back at the Honda Classic.. Sunday live scoring
Honda Classic leaderboard https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2020/the-honda-classic/leaderboard.html
" Now on the first tee, from HY WYcom, England, the, eh 2016 winner of the Honda Classic, Luke MmmMcDonald"
Not exactly right sir, not even close. Luke is from Hemel Hempstead, won the 2006 Honda and although we Scots would take him, we never did appoint the Mc in front of his real last name, Donald.
As usual, the easy going former world #1 (2011) shrugged it off with a joke, then went out with his mate Lee Westwood and scrambled his way to a 71 to go into today's final round at -3, the same as Westwood and two behind their other countryman, leader Tommy Fleetwood who had the lucky putter going for 67 and -5, 205 total.
Apart from American Brendan Steele (71) at -4, it's like the All England club atop the leaderboard at this real tough PGA National course.
Only 11 players broke par yesterday, firm greens, a good breeze and the ever present water lurking for even the good shots. The average score for the field is +2 73, so the field is still very bunched.
Daniel Berger 69, Charl Schwartzel 70 and rookie of the year, Korean Sungjae Im 70, are all in at -2.
The best of the bunch however was Canadian Mac Hughes who flew in under the radar with what I think was his best round of the year, -4 66 to move from T35 to a T8 at -1, suddenly just 4 shots off the lead. He gained 6 strokes on the field.
After making the cut on the line with 71 72 +3, Mac had nines of 33 (6 birdies, 2 bogey's) and going into today his 14 birdies are T2, he's scrambling so well he's 1st in strokes gained around the green, and he's also 2nd in putts per green in regulation.
Players all have different approaches going into a final round when they are in contention, and if you take all the -1's as the benchmark, there are 17 guys within 4 shots of Tommy.
Lee Westwood who I'm sure was ribbing Donald about his new found Scottish heritage, is playing pressure free during his resurgence, he has finally realized he doesn't need the money or the glory anymore and is having the most fun playing the game ever.
Repeating his 66 of Saturday would be a tall task for Mac Hughes, if he did it could well be enough to win, but whatever thought process he enjoyed yesterday would be one to follow today whether the putts fall again or not.
It is going to be an exciting Sunday afternoon. Follow my customized scoreboard on my link above.
Bryan Angus
" Now on the first tee, from HY WYcom, England, the, eh 2016 winner of the Honda Classic, Luke MmmMcDonald"
Not exactly right sir, not even close. Luke is from Hemel Hempstead, won the 2006 Honda and although we Scots would take him, we never did appoint the Mc in front of his real last name, Donald.
As usual, the easy going former world #1 (2011) shrugged it off with a joke, then went out with his mate Lee Westwood and scrambled his way to a 71 to go into today's final round at -3, the same as Westwood and two behind their other countryman, leader Tommy Fleetwood who had the lucky putter going for 67 and -5, 205 total.
Apart from American Brendan Steele (71) at -4, it's like the All England club atop the leaderboard at this real tough PGA National course.
Only 11 players broke par yesterday, firm greens, a good breeze and the ever present water lurking for even the good shots. The average score for the field is +2 73, so the field is still very bunched.
Daniel Berger 69, Charl Schwartzel 70 and rookie of the year, Korean Sungjae Im 70, are all in at -2.
The best of the bunch however was Canadian Mac Hughes who flew in under the radar with what I think was his best round of the year, -4 66 to move from T35 to a T8 at -1, suddenly just 4 shots off the lead. He gained 6 strokes on the field.
After making the cut on the line with 71 72 +3, Mac had nines of 33 (6 birdies, 2 bogey's) and going into today his 14 birdies are T2, he's scrambling so well he's 1st in strokes gained around the green, and he's also 2nd in putts per green in regulation.
Players all have different approaches going into a final round when they are in contention, and if you take all the -1's as the benchmark, there are 17 guys within 4 shots of Tommy.
Lee Westwood who I'm sure was ribbing Donald about his new found Scottish heritage, is playing pressure free during his resurgence, he has finally realized he doesn't need the money or the glory anymore and is having the most fun playing the game ever.
Repeating his 66 of Saturday would be a tall task for Mac Hughes, if he did it could well be enough to win, but whatever thought process he enjoyed yesterday would be one to follow today whether the putts fall again or not.
It is going to be an exciting Sunday afternoon. Follow my customized scoreboard on my link above.
Bryan Angus
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