US Open TEE TIMES for Thursday/Friday.. Six Canadians

 US Open TEE TIMES

All eyes will be on the Country Club in Brookline Mass., for this week's US Open. Not many of the players have played the course, the last championship was in 1988, the Ryder Cup was in 1999.

The Country Club will host the 122nd U.S. Open. (Courtesy of John Mummer)

If the crowds greeting the LIV Series players is only nearly as raucous as the ones who heckled and booed the European Team that year, this could turn ugly.

Jon Rahm is the defending champion. Expect rock outcroppings, tight fairways, thick, narly rough and small greens at the home of the USGA, the first 3 holes were built in 1893. Francis Quimet won the 1st US Open in 1913.

Canadians :

1st tee Thurs / 10th tee Friday

8.24/2.09 Mac Hughes, Branden Grace, Guido Migliozzi

8.46/2.31 Roger Sloan, Richard Mansell, Tomoyasu Sugiyama

8.57/2.42 Ben Silverman, Caleb Manuel (a), Keith Greene

1.58/8.13 Nick Taylor, Danny Lee, Keita Nakajima

2.09/8.24 Adam Hadwin, Jim Furyk, Nick Dunlap (a)

10th tee Thurs / 1st tee Friday

1.36/7.51 Corey Connors, Luke List, Austin Greaser (a)

For full tee times click on TEE TIMES

Bryan Angus 

 

Rory, Brooke top a great weekend for golf in Canada... US Open Thoughts..

After being buried at work since Saturday morning I've now had time to reflect on what turned out to be a great weekend for golf in this country... and beyond.

Last Thursday dawned gloomy and raining in Toronto at St George's G&CC, despite that, thousands turned up at 7am to follow Mike Weir, Mac Hughes and Adam Hadwin, and that was a theme that would continue all weekend.

All that momentum was soon quashed by an email leaked from PGA Tour Comish, Jay Monahan to his players suspending 13 of his members who chose to play in the rival LIV Series event in London including Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell....That pushed the RBC Canadian Open off the front pages.

However despite the world wide interest in the LIV,  without any TV coverage it soon went on in relative obscurity, and with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas in contention along with 6 Canadians and record, boisterous crowds packing the venerable old course in Etobicoke, the long awaited Canadian championship ended in the Sunday afternoon sunshine with Rory (62) successfully defending after an afternoon duel with Tony Finau  (64) Justin Thomas (64)

" Just to play in a final group like that with that atmosphere all day, I mean the fans here this week have been just absolutely unbelievable, like so good and so cool to play in an atmosphere like that, so boisterous, loud but respectful, it was really really cool " He now moves up to world #3

To top it off, Corey Connors who is off to play in the US Open finally got the putts to fall with a final round of -8 62 to finish 6th as the low Canadian. Adam Svensson (67) T21, Mac Hughes, Nick Taylor T28 -4, Adam Hadwin -3 T35 and Aaron Cockerill E T48th,

Meanwhile Brooke Henderson was stuck in a T9th down in New Jersey at the ShopRite LPGA Classic and as the crowd was filing out of St George's news came out that Brooke had fired a brilliant bogey free final round of -7 64 to win her record 11th LPGA title in a playoff with an incredible 200 yard approach leading to an eagle 3.

She had 3 birdies and an eagle for a front nine -5 32 putting with her left hand low to propel her and Corey Connors had this to say " I'm blown away, she's incredibly talented, From all Canadians congrats to Brooke, that's really special, Eleven wins on the LPGA Tour is amazing, I'm sure she's far from done with that. She's an incredible young lady" She now moves up to world #8. Final scoreboard here.

US Open : What a weekend, and the fireworks will continue at the Country Club in Brookline Mass., for this week's US Open where Rory McIlroy will be joined by Corey Connors, Mac Hughes, Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan, Ben Silverman and Nick Taylor who are the Canadian  contingent. 

Flying in from London, to play,  Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer will be joined by Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed with bullseyes on their backs as newly minted members of the LIV Series, and former members of the PGA Tour.

Their story will cause plenty of distraction all week.

Bryan Angus 

There won't be a Canadian champion this year... final Saturday results...

 PGA Tour: RBC Canadian Open...Saturday results...LEADERBOARD

There won't be a Pat Fletcher this year at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open, the last Permanent resident Canadian to win the national championship in 1954.

The best of the 6 Canadians who are playing this weekend is currently, T15 Nick Taylor 70 68 67 -5 that is six shots behind lanky San Diego American Tony Finau 66 71 62  -11 and 7 behind Rory McIlroy 66 68 62 -12

Justin Thomas is in the clubhouse T3 69 69 63 -10

Other Canucks:

Corey Connors T20 71 69 66 -4, Adam Svensson T31 72 68 67, 

Adam Hadwin T36 69 70 67 T36

Mac Hughes T41 68 75 68 

Aaron Cockerill T54 +1 70 68 73 +1

Bryan Angus

The Canadian story for Friday at RBC Canadian Open.. Friday tee times

 PGA Tour: RBC Canadian Open leaderboard TEE TIMES  here.

There are 20 players representing Canada in play on this sunny 2nd day of their national men's championship, the RBC Canadian Open at St George's, in Etobicoke.

First this may be the best weather day, sunny, warm, breezy but the course is soft and with showers on Saturday and persistent rain on Sunday afternoon it will stay soft.

The grounds crew have let the rough grow, it is penal and the PGA Tour has the pins tucked on what Rory calls the "slopey" greens to protect the course's integrity.

Of the 20 players, only 2 are under par, with the lead at -7 as today begins, the cut is projected at +1.

Mac Hughes -4 66 had an interesting comment " Starting on the 9th, as we did today, you get 3 par 5's in 7 holes, whereas when we tee off on Friday at the first you play 8 holes without a par 5 "

Mac, Adam Hadwin -1 69 and Mike Weir +2 72 were off at 7am in the rain but were delighted to be greeted by a big crowd in the morning gloom. "It was great to see so many up early to welcome us " said Weirsy.

They will have a bigger crowd at 12.42 today at the 1st tee.

Canadian scoring, TEE TIMES

Roger Sloan E 70 (thru 6), Nick Taylor E 70 (1.15 1st tee), Aaron Cockerill E 70 (8.50am 1st tee) Stuart MacDonald E 70 (8.52 9th tee) Corey Connors +1 71 (12.53 1st tee), Jared du Toit +1 71 (2.12 9th tee), Miles Creighton +2 72 (2.12 9th tee) , David Hearn +2 72 (-1 thru 8) AJ Ewart (a) +3 73 (9.01 1st tee) Wes Heffernan +4 74 (9.12 1st tee) Max Sekulic +5 75 (2,32 1st tee) Callum Davison +6 76 (2.10 1st tee) Johnny Travale +6 76, Albin Choi +8 78, Brendan Lleonard +8 78 (1.50pm 10th tee) Michael Gligic W/D

Bryan Angus 

63 -7 clubhouse leads RBC Canadian Open by American Wyndham Clark

 PGA Tour : RBC Canadian Open scoreboard here.

Wyndham Clark from Seattle ranked #293 leads the @RBCCanadianOpen after an opening -7 63. On a dull rainy morning, with St George's softened I feared low scoring would be the norm and although the rough is penal and the pins were tucked, that was the case. 

St. George’s Golf and Country Club

One of the games best iron players Matt Fitzpatrick put on a clinic with -6 64, followed by Harold Varner -5 65 who thrilled the big crowd with some monster putts and a chip in on the slopey greens and veteran Doug Ghim. 

In all 43 players broke par 70 and the cut is projected to fall at just +1. Carl Pettersen won here in soft conditions in 2010 with -14 after flirting with 59 on Saturday. The lead is already half of that after one round. 

Today has dawned sunny and bright, a bit gusty for the field and and a high of 22*c. There are 20 Canadians playing today and I'll right about them next. Mac Hughes leads them with -4 66 

Bryan Angus

PGA Tour suspends 17 players, LIV Series responds... both statements

Jay Monahan and Greg Norman

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has come down hard on 17 players who have chosen to play in the LIV Series, suspending them indefinitely, removing them from the Fed Ex Cup points list, and the Presidents Cup

Below is his statement. 

I wish to provide you with an update and share information regarding the current and former PGA Tour players who are participating in the Saudi Golf League's event in London today Thank you for your trust, patience and loyalty.

We have followed the tournament regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation.

Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup. This applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry, the PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica ... As you know, players listed below did not receive the necessary conflicting event and media rights releases -- or did not apply for releases at all -- and their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf events is in violation of our tournament regulations. The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our regulations.

Players who resigned will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list when the statistics are posted following the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday evening. To be clear these players will not be permitted to play in PGA Tour events as non-members or via sponsor exemptions.

For those who haven't yet resigned, we will ensure they will not negatively impact your tournament eligibility, your Priority Rankings or your eligibility to compete in the Fed Ex Cup playoffs. We will update you as we work through this process.

You probably have more questions. What's next ? Can these players come back. Can they eventually play on the PGA Tour Champions ? Trust we are prepared to deal with those questions and will approach them in the same way we have this entire process by being transparent, and respecting the PGA Tour regulations you have have helped establish.

These players have made their choice for their own financial reasons, but they can't demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platforms as you. The expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.

You have made a different choice, which is to abide by the Tournament Regulations you agreed to when you accomplished the dream of earning a PGA Tour card, and more importantly to compete as part of the preeminent organization in the world of professional golf.

I am certain our fans and partners -- who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money -- will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner's circle.

You are the PGA Tour, and this moment is about what we stand for: the PGA Tour membership as a whole. It's about lifting up those who choose to not only benefit from the TOUR but also play an integral role in building it . I know you are with us and vice versa. Our partner are with us too. The fact that your former TOUR colleagues can't say that should be telling.

This week the RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you have built, a star studded field, a committed sponsor, sold out hospitality offerings, record crowds, and a global broadcast distribution. 

These elements are part of the PGA Tour DNA, built by the likes of Jack and Arnie, followed by Tiger and countless others whose legacies are inextricably linked with each other and the PGA Tour. This collectively legacy cannot be bought or sold. 

The LIV Series responded with this statement:

Today's announcement by the PGA Tour is vindictive and it deepens the divide between the Tour and its members," said LIV Golf in a statement provided as a response to the suspensions. "It's troubling that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity blocking golfers from playing. This certainly is not the last word on this topic. The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London, and beyond.

Sweden is front and Center on the DP World Tour..

 DP World Tour: Scandinavian Mixed...Tee Times

The image of Annika Sörenstam and Henrik Stenson must be credited to Getty Images and used in conjunction with this release only. Please click on image to download a high-resolution version. For all tournament information, including broadcast content, please visit the European Tour group Media Hub.

Tournament Preview Henrik Stenson and Annika Sörenstam are delighted to have the fans back as they get ready to host the second edition of the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed. The inaugural staging of the event - which sees 78 men and 78 women battle it out over the same course for one prize fund and one trophy - was a huge success in 2021 but had to be played without fans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This season, spectators will be lining the fairways at Halmstad Golf Club and the home hero hosts cannot wait to see them. Stenson is playing his second event on European soil since being appointed Ryder Cup Captain, having produced one of the moments of the week last time out in Germany as he made a spectacular eagle on his 36th hole to make the cut. And while he admits he is busy with Ryder Cup business, he is still very much focused on competing. Sörenstam herself knows what it is like to lead your continent, having been Captain at the 2017 Solheim Cup, and she was proud that the men can now also boast a Swedish leader. The 51-year-old teed it up professionally on home soil for the first time in 13 years at this event last season, going on to win the U.S. Senior Women's Open just weeks later. That earned her a place in the field for last week's U.S Women's Open and she is happy to get the competitive juices flowing again. Defending champion Jonathan Caldwell would love to go toe-to-toe with a woman on the back nine on Sunday as he makes his first DP World Tour title defence. The Northern Irishman carded a closing 64 almost 12 months ago to lift the trophy, finishing two shots ahead of Ladies European Tour player Alice Hewson, who finished in third. He is joined in the field by a host of Swedes including ten time DP World Tour winner Alex Noren, Race to Costa del Sol leader Maja Stark, and Linn Grant, who only entered the paid ranks last year but has already claimed five wins across the Ladies European Tour, Sunshine Ladies Tour and LET Access Tour. Home favourite Peter Hanson will make his final appearance on the DP World Tour in Sweden at this week’s event before retiring from competitive golf. Since making his first appearances on Tour in 2001, Hanson has won six titles, played in two European Ryder Cup-winning teams, and formed part of a successful generation of Swedish golfers. Player Quotes Henrik Stenson: “It’s great to be back home playing in Sweden and the sun is out, hopefully big crowds. That would be the one big difference that we really missed last year at the first event, we couldn’t have crowds due to the pandemic, so really looking forward to playing in front of the Swedish crowds again. “We are in for the long term with all the partners and everyone involved, we just try and make it better and better, and it was a success last year and we had a lot of fun, so excited to get going again for the second time." “I have been working a lot on the long game over the past six months and I feel like it has been trending in the spring, I haven’t really had any results to show of that, but it has been moving in the right direction. "Maybe a little bit of a setback last week, it didn’t quite feel as good in Hamburg, but we keep on working away and patience and hard work normally pays off." Annika Sörenstam: “I am super excited to be here, you know this is one of the nicest places in Sweden and you know Halmstad Golf Club has been hosting some big championships throughout the years. "To be here for the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed is a big deal and to be here hosting with Henrik, and this year we get to have some fans, so we are ready to party." "I'm super excited for Henrik and his family, he's such a great ambassador for the game in a lot of ways and to be the first Swedish Captain is a great honour," she said. "He's been a trailblazer for men's golf so I think he's going to do a great job. He's a very likeable guy, and I think he will be prepared. I'm sure he's got some good Vice Captains and a team around himself so I'm happy for him. It's big step in his career so if he needs any tips or any advice or any pointers, he can always call me. "I've enjoyed the last year-and-a-half playing and practising so we'll see. It's great to be here. Obviously this is a tough competition, some of the best European players on the men's and women's side but I feel pretty good about my game. I just want to have a good time, play the best I can and be a good hostess, so we'll see." Jonathan Caldwell: “I have been thinking about last year a little bit, obviously we are at a different venue this year, a beautiful venue mind you, but it would have been lovely to go back to where I won last year but yeah, I have been thinking about it a little bit so I will try and get it out of my head on Thursday morning when I need to get back to playing golf. “Obviously lots of satisfaction. It was a dream come true from being a small kid at home, to then win on Tour, to do it and feel that, not the relief but the excitement of winning and knowing that you can do it and compete was hugely satisfying. “It gave me that belief that I could win. My form hasn’t been great since, I haven’t given myself too many chances to win, but knowing that I have done it under the pressure of having a chance and having been able to see it out gives me great belief. “It is great to be able to play against the girls and the prize money is up this year, so I think the field has got stronger, and hopefully the course stands up for both men and women and they get the setup correct, and we can have a good battle with the ladies. We can compete together and hopefully it comes down to a man and a woman on Sunday fighting it out for the event.” Alex Noren: “I wanted to come home when I had the chance and I couldn’t really come home last year because I needed more points in the FedEx and this year I played a little bit better early on in the Spring, so I was able to come home and then I wanted to play the memorial pro-am for Fredrik Andersson Hed yesterday to show how great of a guy he was. It’s nice, I want to play in Europe, but it is not so easy to play both Tours with the points here and there, it’s pretty competitive on both. “I hope it will be a good atmosphere. There are a lot of Swedes to hope for and that is the fun thing. You know at some Majors we aren’t many but here you have a lot. “It has been good. It is tough to win and there are a lot of good players. You know the chances I have had have fallen a little short, there is always somebody, but if I can tidy a few things up and get the confidence back. I think confidence is a huge thing, if you have confidence you can play with anything, if you don’t have the confidence it is tough, so I am sort of trying to fix a few things to get my confidence going. Linn Grant: “I guess it will be quite scary actually. I have never seen Annika play and never played with her before, I have met her a couple of times. It will be interesting and I’m sure there will be a lot of people watching. “A crazy high rollercoaster – it has been really amazing! If someone had told me the day I turned pro that this was going to be my year ahead, I would take it and run probably. It has been super fun to get to experience everything and come out and start on Tour and win. “I think I was part of a group of girls in Sweden who had been preparing for this for a couple of years now. We had done a really good work with our coach, and we had the right back up for it and right training.” “Even though I won two weeks ago, I think golf is always changing and I have been on the range and the swing thoughts I had a couple of weeks ago are gone, which is sad. It is almost like you have to find something new and I haven’t found it yet, so I will go to the range and try and find it before tomorrow."