Connors earns spot in TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP.. tee times..

PGA Tour: BMW Championship final leaderboard here

Now that this COVID season on the PGA Tour has finally reached it's final stop (before the Fall season, of course) the top 30 are all lined up in reverse order for Thursday's tee times in the Tour Championship with Corey Connors finishing 21st in the Fed Ex Cup Standings, after his (65)T22 at last week's BMW Championship.

Mac Hughes finished 73 T52 and has missed outside the top 30, so his season is over.

Corey, now 29 had his best year by far.

He finished 33rd in the OWGR and is well established now on tour among his peers as a premier ball striker, with an above putting average with the flat stick. When it's working, Corey is contending like he  did back in the spring when he was 3rd at Bay Hill, T4 at the RBC Heritage and 7th at the Players.

He rode that form on and off all year, culminating in a trip to Tokyo 2020 to represent his country with Mac Hughes.

He earned just over $4m in prize money with 8 top 10 finishes this year. In 116 career starts he has earned $9,164,704 with 1 victory.

Congrats to Adam Svensson on his win at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship cementing his place next year for his second PGA Tour card.

Bryan Angus

 

TOUR Championship TEE TIMES

Tee time	Players
11:40 a.m.	Billy Horschel, Patrick Reed
11:50 a.m.	Erik van Rooyen, Sergio Garcia
12:00 p.m.	Scottie Scheffler, Daniel Berger
12:10 p.m.	Stewart Cink, Joaquin Niemann
12:20 p.m.	Corey Conners, Hideki Matsuyama
12:30 p.m.	Kevin Na, Brooks Koepka
12:40 p.m.	Xander Schauffele, Jason Kokrak
12:50 p.m.	Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy
1:00 p.m.	Viktor Hovland, Louis Oosthuizen
1:10 p.m.	Collin Morikawa, Sungjae Im
1:20 p.m.	Jordan Spieth, Sam Burns
1:30 p.m.	Harris English, Abraham Ancer
1:40 p.m.	Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas
1:50 p.m.	Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm
2:00 p.m.	Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau

 

Hughes, Connors after opening round of BMW Championship... full scoreboard

 Fed Ex Cup : BMW Championship live scoreboard here

After the opening round of this 2nd playoff in the Fed Ex Cup, the BMW Championship Mac Hughes (69) is T29 (projected 62) and Corey Connors (70) is T43 (projected 25)

As you'd expect it's a heavyweight leaderboard with Jon Rahm in the lead at -8 64 joined by Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy who thrilled the crowd with a world class 280 yard 3 wood to 15 feet which he holed for the eagle 3 on his 18th hole.

The Caves Valley course in hot and sweaty Maryland suits McIlroy's game. " When we come to a big course like this it let's you use the driver which is a big advantage" He began the week at 28th in the Fed Ex Cup points, so is one of the bubble boys needing to score well to make sure of the top 30.

Sergio was in form with his -7 65, then a stout group including Dustin Johnson at -5 67

Phil Mickelson is in at -4 68 along with Paul Casey who is having a great year in his quest to make the captain Harrington's Ryder Cup team.

Remember this year there is one less playoff, so only the top 30 in the Fed Ex points race get in to the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Bryan Angus

American Team announced for Solheim Cup

 Solheim Cup:  American Team

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland.  – USA Captain Pat Hurst has selected Brittany Altomare, Mina Harigae and Yealimi Noh as her captain’s picks for the 2021 Solheim Cup, to be held Sept. 4-6 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Altomare will make her second appearance for Team USA at the Solheim Cup, following her 2-1-1 performance at Gleneagles in 2019. Harigae and Noh will make their Solheim Cup debuts.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I’m very happy to have Brittany, Mina and Yealimi as my picks for Team USA,” said Hurst. “Brittany proved that she’s the ultimate team player in 2019 and really came through for us at Gleneagles. Mina and Yealimi have played so well over the last two years, and just because they’re Solheim Cup rookies on paper doesn’t mean they’re rookies inside the ropes. I have no doubt they’ll be great competitors at Inverness.”

The Korda sisters, Jessica and Nelly, will both feature for Team USA at the Solheim Cup

These three players join the nine automatic qualifiers for Team USA who were named following the completion of play at the AIG Women’s Open. Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Ally Ewing, Austin Ernst, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda and Megan Khang qualified off the USA Solheim Cup Team Standings, while Lizette Salas and Jennifer Kupcho qualified off the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Additionally, Hurst has selected Stacy Lewis as the third Assistant Captain for Team USA. She joins the previously announced Angela Stanford and Michelle Wie West. Lewis is a 13-time LPGA Tour winner and has represented the USA on four Solheim Cup Teams (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). She was named to the team in 2019 but served as an unofficial assistant captain after withdrawing from competition due to injury.

“I am really honored that Pat asked me to be part of Team USA as an assistant captain,” said Lewis. “The opportunity to learn from Pat and the other captains in 2019 was fascinating and while I know that I can still keep up with the players, I will always welcome any chance to wear the Red, White and Blue at the Solheim Cup. I can’t thank Pat enough for trusting me and having me join her team.”

The biennial Solheim Cup is the most prestigious international women’s professional golf team event. In 2019, Team Europe earned a 14.5-13.5 victory at Gleneagles in Scotland, a breathtaking win that saw Suzann Pettersen knock in the winning putt on the final hole of the final match. Team USA leads Team Europe, 10-6, all-time in Solheim Cup competition.

With a full week of action at the 2021 Solheim Cup, fans can purchase various ticket and hospitality packages to enjoy every activity in Toledo at Inverness Club. New in 2021 is the Meijer Pavilion, which will give ticketholders a 300-degree view of the surrounding holes, upgraded food and beverage options and much more. Information on ticket options and prices is available at SolheimCupUSA.com.

European Team announced for Solheim Cup

 Solheim Cup Team Europe

• Captains 6 picks:  Leona Maguire, Matilda Castren and Nanna Koerstz Madsen will make their Solheim Cup debuts
• 

  David Cannon/  Leona Maguire

• Madelene Sagstrom, Celine Boutier, and Mel Reid also selected by Catriona Matthew

• The six picks will be joined by Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and England’s Georgia Hall, who qualified on Solheim Cup points.

  Plus, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, Germanys Sophia Popov, England’s Charley Hull and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda – who secured their spots through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

• Carnoustie :  A mixture of new names and experienced players have been chosen to represent Team Europe at the 2021 Solheim Cup as captain Catriona Matthew picks three rookies.

  The conclusion of the AIG Women’s Open saw the qualification window for the Solheim Cup close and Matthew had to make her final decisions on who would make the team that seeks to defend the coveted trophy.

  Three players will get to experience the Solheim Cup for the first time as Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Finland’s Matilda Castren and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen have been chosen by Matthew.

  Castren clinched her first LPGA Tour win this year when she won the 2021 LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship and a few weeks later, she secured LET membership and became eligible for consideration when she won the Gant Ladies Open in her homeland.

  The 26-year-old becomes the first Finn to represent Europe at the Solheim Cup and Castren admits it is a dream come true.

  “I don’t think it has really sunk in yet, but it brings tears of joy into my eyes just thinking about it and how much fun it is going to be and how cool it is going to representing Europe and representing Finland,” she said. 

  “It has been one of my goals and dreams since I was a little girl. It is just so cool to see it happen. I can’t describe it, I’m super happy. It’s hard to contain my excitement. To be the first Finn is such a huge honour and I’m super proud to represent my country.”

  Another player making history is Maguire, who becomes the first Irish player to represent Europe at the Solheim Cup.

  The 26-year-old, who finished T6 at The Amundi Evian Championship, put on a good performance at Carnousite to end the tournament T13.

  “I’m really excited, it is something that I have looked forward to. I have played the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2009 and 2011, it was an incredible thing to be part of the Junior side so to be on the ‘big’ team is something really special and no Irish person has ever done it before,” said Maguire, who sits eighth on the Race to the CME Globe.

  “I think it’s going to be great for Irish golf and to show the young girls coming up that it is possible to do things if you set your mind to it. Catriona is a legend in her own right – a winning Solheim Cup captain and a Major winner. For her to think I’m good enough to be on her team is quite humbling and an honour.”

  While Koerstz Madsen just missed out on automatic qualification through the LET points, her consistent performances and T5 finish at Carnoustie secured her pick.

  Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom who was part of Team Europe in 2017, also returns to the side after putting on a show at Carnoustie this week.

  The 28-year-old finished in a tie for second place and can’t wait to be back with the European team at the Solheim Cup.

  She said: “I feel super excited to represent Europe at the Solheim Cup, yet another time. 2017 was my first time and it’s what everyone dreams about doing. The atmosphere is phenomenal and it’s playing on the world’s biggest stage. It’s an honour to be there.”

  One of the breakout stars from Europe’s winning Solheim Cup team in 2019 was Celine Boutier and Matthew has put her trust in the Frenchwoman once again.

  Boutier said: “Being part of Team Europe for the Solheim Cup this year was a goal of mine and it has been since the last edition in 2019. I’m so happy that Catriona has picked me to represent Europe once again and I can’t wait to play in Toledo.”

  England’s Mel Reid missed out on a pick last time out at Gleneagles and took on vice-captain duties during Europe’s victory.

  The 2020 ShopRite LPGA Classic winner is raring to go and excited to return to the Solheim Cup stage at Inverness Club in September.

  Reid added: “I’m not shy when I speak about how much the Solheim Cup means to me, so to be back on that team again means the world. I think the team is looking strong and I’m already excited to see everyone in just over a week!”

Hughes and Connors qualify for BMW, while Hearn and others continue Korn Ferry Tour playoffs....live scoreboards

 PGA Tour : Northern Trust final scoreboard here.

The torrential rain that dumped 9" of rain on New Jersey forcing the postponement of Sunday's 4th round of the Northern Trust until Monday, has passed with Tony Finau beating Aussie Cameron Smith in a 1 hole playoff.

The 70 survivors and ties have now qualified for the BMW championship in Maryland.

Canadian olympians, Corey Connors 70 69 62 70 -13 T8 and Mac Hughes 67 69 69 70 -9 T27 will be in that field while Adam Hadwin 75 70 +3  and Roger Sloan 79 72 are finished.

Korn Ferry Tour: Albertsons Boise Open The final leaderboard here

The 2nd leg of this tour's playoffs continue this week at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championships in Columbus Ohio where David Hearn (T61 71 67 72 68 -6), Michael Gligic, Adam Svensson (72 65 65 70 -12 T20) , Taylor Pendrith and Stuart MacDonald are in the field. 

The top 25 at the end of the playoffs get their PGA Tour cards.

Bryan Angus

A look inside Henderson's battling T13 at AIG Women's Open....final scoreboard..

 AIG Women's Open: final leaderboard  here.

At first blush Brooke Henderson's 70 72 T13 -6 weekend at this year's AIG Women's Open at a relatively calm Carnoustie is disappointing to many, however I'd suggest in hindsight you may reconsider.

She clearly didn't have her A game which as I illustrated previously is the norm for her at the Women's Open where her best finish in 6 starts was T11, with a MC and the rest out of contention

She drove the ball poorly by her standards just 31/60 fairways, and used 29,32,29,31, average 30 putts on the slower Open greens (10,11 on stimpmeter), and her GIR was 51/72 or middle of the pack.

She played the front nine the best, -8 over 4 days, while she was 2 over on the tougher back nine, where the closing 4 holes 15-18 played 2 shots over par for the field.

At -5 on Friday night (70 69) she was T6 just 3 shots off the lead and had 6 birdies in the rain on Saturday, but just made those tough bogey's at 15 and 17 to turn a 68 into a 70 to leave her with a lot to do.

A promising 2 birdies and all pars thru 8 holes on Sunday got wiped out around the turn with bogey's at 9 and 10, and another at the par 5 12th ended her chances of catching the leaders, Anna Norquist who won it with a 65 69 -12 weekend, and Georgia Hall 73 67, Maddy Sagstrom 69 68, Lizette Salas 70 69 who all ended up a shot back at -11.

Brooke's old amateur adversary Minjee Lee went 72 66 to finish next -10.

So a battling T13 finish, on what turned out to be a tough Carnoustie, but without the wind and brutal rough, never the CarNASTIE we've seen in past men's championships, was about as good as her overall game deserved.

World #1 Nelly Korda also 70,72 on the weekend, Lexi Thompson 71 74, Yuka Saso US Open Champion 74 75, Jessica Korda 77, 72 just a few examples of the weekend other great players who finished with the same -6 or much worse scores.

Brooke is ranked 8th in the world, has played 17 events in 2021, with 1 win (Hugel-Air Premia LA Open), 4 top 10's a MC and a WD.

She is currently 15th in the Race to CME Globe Season. She will be off now until September 16 at the Cambia Portland Classic where she has won twice.

The Solheim Cup is next at Inverness Club in Toledo, on September 4th.

Bryan Angus

Henderson shoots 69, T12 in calm conditions, Friday at AIG Women's Open... live scoreboard

 AIG Women's Open: Friday scoreboard here

Mother Nature has been in a kind mood as the late wave heads out on Friday at a partly sunny Carnoustie for this version of the AIG Women's Open, and Brooke Henderson who posted -1 71 with her late tee time on Thursday was out early this morning, in fine form as it turns out.

Four birdies and all pars in an outward nine of 32 saw her T6 at -5, and she was all pars through 15 holes on her back nine, but for the 2nd day she made a bogey at the par 3 16th to drop to T12 -4. She was on the back of the green at 17 right beside Lexi, but both made fine lags putts, for par 4's heading to the last.

Brooke had a great drive, her second was right on line, 20 feet short, 2 putts for her -3 69. T12 at -4 total

So it was a story of two nines, -4 on the front and +1 on the back, but Brooke did a great job today and at -3 is right in contention going into a rainy weekend.

Others in her group, Lexi Thompson shot 70 to finish at -5 and Yuka Saso shot 71 to finish at -5.

England's Georgia Hall is tied for the clubhouse lead 68 69 -7 as she vies for her 2nd Women's Open championship. Asian American Mina Harigae 70 67 -7 who has the low score of the day so far is tied with her.

Despite the fine weather apart from some early rain yesterday, Carnoustie looking in great condition, green with relatively light rough is still playing tough especially the last 4 holes which are playing a nearly 2 over par. 

Rain but relatively light winds are in the forecast for the weekend, and you can follow all the late wave scoring on my scoreboard link above.

Bryan Angus