Sunday play unlikely at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am... latest scoreboard

 PGA Tour ; AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Leaderboard

Once again this Pebble Beach Pro-Am is in the hands of Mother Nature.

With overnight winds picking up with gusts up to 60mph, continuing into Sunday with up to 3'' of rain expected on an already soaked course the PGA Tour officials will be on sight at 5am PST to assess the situation, and will inform the players by text at 5.15am.

A decision not to allow spectators for safety sake, has already been made.

American Wynham Clark had a career round and tournament record -12 60 (72 67 60 -17) for a one shot lead after 54 holes, see leaderboard above for all scores.

With more rain still in the forecast for Monday he may well be declared the winner, although with $20,000,000 and national TV coverage etc.,  on the line every effort will be made to get 72 holes done one way or another.

Gary Young is the Chief Referee, here is his timeline. Every effort to play 72 holes must be addressed.

Sunday (all times PST)

5am  Inspect course conditions, 

515   Inform players of possible delay to 745 start of play (likely)

9.30 Inspect course conditions with sustained winds 35-40mph and rain expected, further delay.. Continue to monitor weather

12pm  Earliest possible start (unlikely)

At some point play for the day would be cancelled or allowed, with officials saying the course must be considered playable by professional standards.

Monday

5am  Course Inspection

515 Inform players of possible delay to 745am start.

1015  Drop dead time to start play. Play will not be allowed to start if officials know  it cannot be completed on Monday. If play did begin and weather rolled in again, more than half the field must have finished to extend play into Tuesday..

54 hole leader declared winner with all other results standing.

There have already been Monday finishes in 2019 and 2023.

Canadians:

Corey Conners T31 70 70 69 -7

Adam Hadwin T39  73 67 70 -6

Adam Svensson T47  70 73 68 -5

Mac Hughes T71  76 70 70 E

Nick Taylor T71 71 77 68 E

Bryan Angus

 

Three tied for lead as stormy weather approaches Pebble Beach Pro-Am...leaderboard TEE TIMES

 PGA Tour : AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Leaderboard Tee Times

Before I begin, heading into the weekend remember this is a no cut "signature event" for 80 players worth $20,000,000.

Both rounds 3 and 4 are on Pebble Beach, the Pro-Am part is over with Rory McIlroy (71 74) and his partner Jeff Rhodes from TGL Capital (+9 handicap) winning it at -18.

Three lead at -11 : Thomas Detry from Belgium 63 70 who finished 54th in the 2023 Fed Ex Cup standings, as such qualified to play here, and finished T20 at Torrey Pines last week.

Ludvig Aberg the Swedish sensation 68 65 also from the DP World Tour

Scottie Scheffler had his round of the week, where it all went his way 69 64 -11

WEATHER:

So far most of the rain has fallen over night, you can see the Pacific has whitecaps in the blustery wind so far, however,...

Saturday ; 81% chance of rain as the day goes on, wind still light 6mph NW

Sunday : 98% certainty of rain and the wind a big factor 35mph N 

Canadians

Corey Conners T34 70 70 -4

Adam Hadwin T34  73 67 -4

Adam Svensson T58 70 73 -1

Mac Hughes T70 76 70 +2

Nick Taylor T75 71 77 +4

I mentioned Rory earlier winning the Pro-Am. After losing 6 shots in 3 holes yesterday, he still came in with 71.

On Friday playing PB he began with a bogey 5, added a double, another bogey with 2 birdies out in +2 38, coming in he made 7 pars mixed with a birdie at 16 after a bogey at 12 for +2 74  T64 +1.

Weekend

The early starts today will get the best of the weather, with most of the rain scheduled to arrive after lunch, but with the light wind, scoring will be paramount because everyone is scheduled to be in a full blown gale and rain on Sunday.

Last year there was a Monday finish when Justin Rose won, there is a 50% chance of rain on Monday this year. 

There are 80 different storylines this weekend but for me Mattieu Pavon who is on an all-time high, playing with no pressure, and with house money T5 65 70 -9 is in horse parlance, in a great position at the clubhouse turn !!

Bryan Angus

Dylan Frittelli leads in windy Bahrain, Cockerill T26, full scoreboard.. TEE TIMES

DP World Tour : Bahrain Championship Leaderboard Tee Times

Dylan Frittelli matched the lowest round of the day with a 69 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Bahrain Championship presented by Bapco Energies.

The South African entered the weekend with a share of the lead and while it was not quite as windy as it had been on day two, there were still testing conditions for the field at Royal Golf Club.

That showed in the early stages as the lead moved backwards but Frittelli made a hat-trick of birdies around the turn and forged ahead, moving to 12 under and clear of countryman Ockie Strydom.

Strydom also carded a 69 to sit at ten under, one clear of Swede Jesper Svensson who signed for a 72, with seven players then five shots off the lead.

Frittelli was a European Challenge Tour graduate in 2016 and made an instant impact in his first year on the DP World Tour, winning the LYONESS OPEN powered by ORGANIC+ and then the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open - which was part of the 2018 season.

The University of Texas alumnus - who holed the winning putt as the Longhorns won the national championship in 2012 - claimed a PGA Tour card to return to the United States in 2018 and impressed again, winning the 2019 John Deere Classic.

He endured a difficult 2023, however, and has taken up a route back onto the DP World Tour for those who finished outside the top 125 on the FedEx Cup Fall Points List, securing two top 20s in six events so far.

"I'm happy, it was another tough day in the wind and I seemed to handle it pretty well," he said. "It's a pity about the two bogeys I made out there but I fought really hard today.

"I was struggling the first seven or eight holes to make a putt but then finally got one to go on eight, then nine was an easy birdie and ten was a pretty easy putt as well.

"It was not easy, it probably looked easy on TV but there was a lot of shots crosswind and downwind and I had to trust my numbers and my shot shape and I seemed to execute pretty well today.

Swiss Girrbach, Dane Nørgaard, England's Sam Bairstow, Spaniard Sebastian Garcia, Scotland's Scott Jamieson, Frenchman Frederic Lacroix and South African Zander Lombard were at -7

edit***** Canada's Aaron Cockerill like the rest of the field battled the wind and was very steady with 12 pars, 2 birdies and 4 bogeys +2 74 heading into the final round T26 -3.

Looking at his card he began with 2 bogey's. He missed the green with a wedge into a fairway bunker and didn't get up and down at the par 4 1st, then made a 3 putt on the par 3 2nd.

All pars until he missed a 3 footer for par at the par 3 7th, however he bounced back with a big drive at the 8th then stuck his 130yd approach to 5 feet for a birdie at the 8th..out in +2 38.

Back 9 : Started brightly at the short par 4 10th where he holed out 18 feet from the fringe for birdie 3. He made a bogey at the par 3 12th when his tee shot went over the green, taking 3 to get down from there. He steadied the ship with 6 straight pars, in at E 36 for his +2 74 which was about the score for par on this windswept Royal GC

More wind for the Sunday finale.

9.19am 1st  Aaron Cockerill, Jamie Donaldson, Connor Syme 

europeantour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

Scores soar, Cockerill rallies, Bahrain Championship full leaderboard, TEE TIMES

 DP World Tour : Bahrain Championship Leaderboard  Tee Times

As I wrote yesterday, the wind was going to get up, particularly this afternoon in Bahrain and it did especially for the late wave, and it will continue to dominate play for the weekend 15-20mph NNW at this Bahrain Championship on the Royal GC.

Guys like Swiss star Joel Girrbach (7am,) T1 65 70 -9 took advantage of lighter winds in the early hours.

Swede Jesper Svensson managed the wind well T1 70 65 -9 as did South African Dylan Frittelli T1 67 68 -9

Those 3 take the lead into the weekend, atop a tightly pack leaderboard with 16 players within 4 shots of them.

Canada's Aaron Cockerill was out late in the worst of it, beginning on the 10th tee he was out in -1 35 with 2 birdies and a bogey.

With the wind now whipping he made the turn at the 1st, with 4 bogey's in 7 holes, he looked like he was dropping right out of contention.

However he rallied as he has been for the last two weeks, At the par 4 8th a centre cut 330yd drive, his approach to 15', he drained the putt for birdie 3.

Now at his last, the par 5 9th with a 200yd approach from the rough on board 35' from the pin, resulting in a 2 putt birdie 4 and his 66 73 -5 total, keeping him right in contention for the windy weekend.

The cut is projected at E par.

Listening to 23 year veteran Welsh star Jamie Donaldson T5 6 68 -7 the key in the wind in to be patient.  

You’ve got to be patient, you’ve got to give yourself every opportunity to hit the best shot you can. I managed to do that today and maybe these older years helped a little bit. 

"Warming up this morning, the wind is just pumping across that range. As we got onto the course and holes altered on the angle, it became easier in places. You had to make birdies when you could and hold on for the rest of it.

I’ve played a lot in the wind and enjoy playing in the wind, you’ve just got to be on it. 

Today I played really well, hit the ball really well and put the ball in the fairway on most of the holes. That makes it easier.

Three players did not finish so play was suspended for them to finish 1 hole in the morning before round 3 begins.

Bryan Angus 

Pavon, Detry still hot, McIlroy late trouble, Canadian scores Pebble Beach Pro-Am TEE TIMES..

 PGA Tour : AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Leaderboard Tee Times

The Strategic Alliance between the PGA and DP World Tours continues to pay big dividends for European players. 

After winning at Torrey Pines, French star Matthieu Pavon with -7 65 on a blustery day at Pebble Beach was only topped by his Belgian friend Thomas Detry with an astonishing -9 63 at Spy Glass Hill and veteran American Patrick Cantlay -8 64 also on Spy Glass Hill.

South Korean Si Woo Kim (PB), and Florida based Argentinian Emiliano Grillo (SH) are T4 with -6 66.

Rory McIlroy was cruising along in the lead at -6 having started on the 10th until he arrived at the 6th with a 3 putt bogey.

At the par 5 7th after a wild drive into bushes was unplayable, he took a penalty stroke with what turned out to be an illegal drop, resulting in another 2 shot penalty and a consequent triple bogey 8. Apparently the ruling had been changed in 2019, which Rory put in play, forgetting it was changed again last year, thus the 2 shot penalty.

He made another bogey at the 8th, staggering home at -1 71 T39, 8 shots off the lead.

Canadians

Adam Svensson PB T29 -2 70

Corey Conners SH T29 -2 70

Nick Taylor T39 PB -1 71

Adam Hadwin T62 PB +1 73

Mac Hughes T76 SH +4 76

WEATHER

Bad weather moving in for the weekend as you can see, remember it was a Monday finish here last year when Justin Rose won.

Friday: Mainly sunny cool 55*f  breeze 11mph E

Saturday : Rain 85% cool 53*f  breeze 11mph NW

Sunday : Rain 98% cool 60*f  wind 30mph N

Monday : Rain 59%, some sun, cool 56*f  breeze 11mph NE 

Bryan Angus 

PGA Tour announces "PGA Tour Enterprises" equity program for players..

I have read through this huge new cash infusion for the PGA Tour involving a collaboration with some of America's wealthiest sports owners (Strategic Sports Group or SSG) led by John W Henry principal owner of Fenway Sports Group.

Jay Monahan Commissioner PGA Tour    Photo: John David Mercer-USA TODAY

Players are being given the opportunity to be equity holders in PGA Tour Enterprises.

Quotes from players

Jordan Spieth : "The coolest thing about it is the players are now owners," said Jordan Spieth, one of six players on the PGA Tour board. "So not only do they benefit with the tour, they now are equity owners so they want to push it themselves, they want to make the product better themselves. Not that they didn't before, but you directly benefit from owning a piece."

Tiger Woods: "As the tour grows, we grow," Woods told players, according to Golf.com, which obtained access to the call. "So the more we invest into the tour, the more we get the benefits of it, which has never been — it's never happened in sports history. So we're the first. Exciting for me to be able to be part of that."

The agreement leaves room for investment from the Saudi PIF as negotiations with them continue as they begin their 3rd season in Mexico this week, still in relative obscurity.

However the relationship with the DP World Tour  " remains a focus. As close partners, the DP World Tour was included in the original framework discussions and agreement announced last year, and the TOUR is in active discussions on how to best work together for the continued benefit of all."

I have picked out the highlights from pgatour.com

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA TOUR – in partnership with Strategic Sports Group (SSG) –announced Wednesday the launch of PGA TOUR Enterprises, a new commercial venture under the PGA TOUR’s control, and in a first-of-its kind program, nearly 200 PGA TOUR members will have the opportunity to become equity holders in this new company. PGA TOUR Enterprises is also considering participation by future PGA TOUR players that would allow them to benefit from the business’s commercial growth. Under this program, players would collectively access over $1.5 billion in equity in PGA TOUR Enterprises. These grants – which vest over time – will be based on career accomplishments, recent achievements, future participation and services and PGA TOUR membership status, and grants are only available to qualified PGA TOUR players.

The transaction announced today allows for a co-investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in the future, subject to all necessary regulatory approvals.

“Today marks an important moment for the PGA TOUR and fans of golf across the world,” said Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR and CEO of PGA TOUR Enterprises. “By making PGA TOUR members owners of their league, we strengthen the collective investment of our players in the success of the PGA TOUR.

“We were proud to vote in unanimous support of this historic partnership between PGA TOUR Enterprises and SSG,” said PGA TOUR Player Directors Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods in a joint statement. “It was incredibly important for us to create opportunities for the players of today and in the future to be more invested in their organization, both financially and strategically. This not only further strengthens the TOUR from a business perspective, but it also encourages the players to be fully invested in continuing to deliver – and further enhance – the best in golf to our fans. We are looking forward to this next chapter and an even brighter future.”

As part of PGA TOUR Enterprises, SSG, a consortium of American sports team owners led by Fenway Sports Group, today closed on a major financial and strategic investment of up to $3 billion. SSG is investing an initial $1.5 billion into PGA TOUR Enterprises

In addition, today the PGA TOUR confirmed progress in its ongoing negotiations with PIF on a potential future investment and both parties are working towards an ultimate agreement. SSG has consented to an investment by PIF, subject to any necessary regulatory review and approvals.

Additionally, the PGA TOUR’s Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour remains a focus. As close partners, the DP World Tour was included in the original framework discussions and agreement announced last year, and the TOUR is in active discussions on how to best work together for the continued benefit of all.

pgatour.com

Bryan Angus (edit)

EDITED VERSION >>>Aaron Cockerill T1 in clubhouse, Bahrain Championship.. Live leaderboard.. TEE TIMES

 DP World Tour : Bahrain Championship Leaderboard  Tee Times

***EDIT :  Round 1 now completed the leader from France, Tom Vaillant -8 64. 

T2 Zander Lombard (RSA) -7 65, Joel Girrbach (Swiss) -7 65

T4   Aaron Cockerill (CDN) -6 66, Ockie Strydom (RSA) -6 66, Alejandro Del Rey (SP) -6 66, Sebastian Friedrichsen (DEN) -6 66

Friday Tee Times     Aaron Cockerill 1150hrs 10th tee with very windy weather expected, continuing through the weekend 

Canada's Aaron Cockerill has brought his good form to the Kingdom of Bahrain with an opening round -6 66 to tie the clubhouse lead at this DP World Tour Bahrain Championship.

After an opening 3 putt bogey 5, he reeled off 4 birdies on in his next 8 holes highlighted by a 40' putt on the par4 4th, out -3 33.

The birdies continued at the turn with 3 more in 4 holes including the par3 12th with a tee shot to 3'. After a 3 putt bogey 4 on the par 3 16th, he closed his morning in style with a 20' birdie putt at the par 4 18th, a back nine -3 33 for the 66.

South African Ockie Strydom and Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey joined him at -6 from the early wave in the clubhouse with the late wave still in play.

With a lot of wind in the forecast for the next 3 days, all these early low scores are going to be very valuable come Sunday afternoon.

WEATHER 

Aaron is in the late wave tomorrow and I have posted the weather forecast which shows he may get caught in blowing sand as the wind picks up, and continues very windy in the sunshine for the weekend   Weather

Bryan Angus