PGA Tour | Theegala sweeps to maiden PGA Tour victory in California

2023-09-18 07:20:26

2023-09-18 07:17:47

Theegala sweeps to maiden PGA Tour victory in California

Sahith Theegala cruised to a maiden PGA Tour title on Sunday, romping to victory by two strokes at the Fortinet Championship in northern California.

Theegala, who started the final round sitting on a two-shot lead, never looked like squandering that advantage during a composed final round on the Silverado Resort's north course in Napa.

The 25-year-old from California carded a four-under-par 68 including seven birdies to finish on 21 under for a comfortable win with a crowd of close family and friends looking on from the galleries.

Theegala's procession to the title was effectively sealed on the 14th hole, when he rolled in a superb 20-foot birdie putt to pull five shots clear.

South Korea's Kim Seong-hyeon, playing in the group ahead, raised hopes of a rally with back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to trim Theegala's lead to three shots, but the leader would not be denied.

Theegala responded to Kim's challenge by drilling a superb second shot from the fairway to seven feet of the hole on the par-four 16th.

He then coolly rolled in the birdie putt to take a four-shot lead with just two holes remaining.

A solid par on the par-three 17th left Theegala four clear heading to the par-five 18th, and although Kim bagged another birdie on the last to cut the lead back to three, the outcome was never in doubt.

Theegala played conservatively to close with a bogey for an aggregate 267.

"It doesn't feel real, it's probably not going to sink in for a while," an elated Theegala said after the win.

"But man, there was a lot of good golf, and that was probably the most fun I've had on a golf course in my life. Family and friends cheering me on, it's mind-blowing.

"This feeling is incredible and I couldn't have done it without my whole team and everyone out here. It's a team effort and for me to put it together like this means the world."

Kim finished on 19 under after a closing four-under-par 68.Australia's Cam Davis finished alone in third on 17 under after a closing 70, one clear of Eric Cole on 16 under, who also finished with a 70.

Two-time major champion Justin Thomas's challenge faded on the final round with a level-par 72 to leave him in fifth on 15 under, six off the lead.

Brendon Todd finished in sixth on 14 under after moving up the leaderboard with a six-under-par 66 to close.

The day's biggest mover was Troy Merritt, whose seven-under-par 65 was good enough to propel him 30 places up the leaderboard into a four-way tie for seventh on 13 under.

Merritt finished alongside Max Homa, who closed with a three-under-par 69, England's Callum Tarren and US veteran Matt Kuchar.

Leading scores after final round of PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort, Napa, California on Sunday:

267 - Sahith Theegala (USA) 68-64-67-68

269 - Kim Seonghyeon (KOR) 65-67-69-68

271 - Cameron Davis (AUS) 68-68-65-70

272 - Eric Cole (USA) 68-66-68-70

273 - Justin Thomas (USA) 69-67-65-72

274 - Brendon Todd (USA) 69-71-68-66

275 - Matt Kuchar (USA) 70-67-65-73, Troy Merritt (USA) 74-67-69-65, Max Homa (USA) 70-66-70-69, Callum Tarren (ENG) 68-69-67-71

276 - Peter Malnati (USA) 71-68-66-71, JJ Spaun (USA) 71-69-69-67, Matthias Schwab (AUT) 71-70-68-67

- AFP

2023-09-17 06:23:31

Birdie spree gives Theegala the edge at PGA Fortinet

Sahith Theegala conjured a back-nine birdie spree to edge into a two-stroke lead after the third round of the PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship in California on Saturday.

Theegala, chasing a first ever individual title on the tour, carded a five-under-par 67 to put daylight between himself and the pack heading into Sunday's final round.

The bogey-free performance included four birdies in the final seven holes of Silverado Resort's North Course in Napa, with Theegala moving to 17 under after 54 holes.

That left the 25-year-old from California two clear of three players locked on 15 under including Justin Thomas, Australia's Cam Davis and South Korea's Kim Seong-hyeon.

"My goal hasn't necessarily been to win, but to keep getting better," said Theegala.

"Keep putting myself in contention on the back nine come Sunday, and that's what I hope to do tomorrow."

Two-time Major champion Thomas vaulted back into contention with a superb seven-under-par 65.

Thomas's round included five birdies and a brilliant eagle three on the par-five 15th, when he chipped in from a greenside bunker.

"I'm putting myself in a lot better positions to have good things happen," said Thomas, who is without a win this season.

"But more than anything, mentally, I truly believe that good things are going to happen, so that's at least a good start."

Davis also posted a seven-under-par round after a scintillating back nine that concluded with four straight birdies.

Six of Davis's seven birdies came after the turn.

"I kept myself out of trouble for the most part and when I did, I got an up and down, which is really good," Davis said.

"To keep bogeys off the card around here isn't easy and I'm always happy when I'm able to keep a whole round together like that."

Kim meanwhile fluffed a chance to move within one shot of the lead after missing a short birdie putt on the 18th green that would have got him to 16 under.

Elsewhere on Saturday, veteran Matt Kuchar was the day's other big mover, posting a seven-under-par 65 to move to 14 under overall, three off the lead.

"Certainly a great leaderboard, some really good names up there at the top," Kuchar said.

"I'm thrilled to be part of those names and looking forward to having some fun out there.

"This is kind of why we all play - golf gets a lot more fun when you've got a chance to win a tournament on Sunday."

Kuchar is tied in fifth alongside Eric Cole, who posted a 68.

- AFP

Leading scores after third round of PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort, Napa, California on Saturday:

199 - Sahith Theegala (USA) 68-64-67

201 - Justin Thomas (USA) 69-67-65, Cameron Davis (AUS) 68-68-65, Kim Seonghyeon (KOR) 65-67-69

202 - Matt Kuchar (USA) 70-67-65, Eric Cole (USA) 68-66-68

204 - Callum Tarren (ENG) 68-69-67

205 - Peter Malnati (USA) 71-68-66, Robby Shelton (USA) 69-68-68, Martin Trainer (FRA) 71-66-68

206 - Lee Kyung-Hoon (KOR) 70-67-69, Scott Harrington (USA) 70-68-68, Max Homa (USA) 70-66-70

207 - Kelly Kraft (USA) 66-69-72, Justin Lower (USA) 67-69-71, Chad Ramey (USA) 69-69-69, Davis Thompson (USA) 70-68-69

2023-09-16 08:10:16

Theegala, Kim lead PGA Fortinet at halfway stage

Sahith Theegala fired an eight-under-par 64 to grab a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship in Napa, northern California on Friday.

The world number 37 reeled off seven birdies and an eagle to surge to 12 under after 36 holes, with South Korea's Kim Seong-hyeon joining him at the top of the leaderboard after a five-under-par 67.

In perfect conditions at the Silverado Resort's north course, Theegala relied on a red-hot putter and some superb approach play to march up the leaderboard.

Theegala and Kim lead by one shot from South Korea's Bae Sang-moon, who is a shot back on 11 under after a six-under-par 66.

Eric Cole, who also shot a 66, is a further shot back on 10 under, two off the lead.

But the low round of the day belonged to Theegala, who made a blistering start with back-to-back 10-foot putts yielding birdies on his third and fourth holes.

He nailed a chip from 48 feet to within two feet of the hole for another birdie on his sixth hole before giving up that shot with a bogey on his seventh.

He made amends just before the turn, when he drilled a 47-yard approach shot to four feet for a simple tap-in birdie.

A monster 48-foot birdie putt on his 11th hole took him to four under for the round, and he then chipped in from a greenside bunker on the par-five fifth, his 14th hole, for an eagle three that took him to six under.

Two more birdies down the stretch followed to leave Theegala firmly in the hunt for his first individual PGA Tour title.

"It was a great round," Theegala said afterward. "It was one of those rounds where I just felt like I needed to give myself chances and if I did, I had a good chance of making it."

Theegala will go into the third round aiming to break clear of co-leader Kim, who shot six birdies and a bogey en route to his 67.

With Kelly Kraft three off the pace on nine under after shooting a 69, a cluster of five players are four off the lead on eight under.

They include Justin Thomas, who showed signs that he is returning to form just in time for this month's Ryder Cup with a five-under-par 67 that included back-to-back birdies on his final two holes.

"I played well, I played really solid, I drove the ball well, felt like I gave myself a lot of chances," Thomas said.

"It was nice to make those putts on the last two holes ... that's why I stay patient, just kind of stay in it and was able to birdie those last two to salvage a good round."

- AFP

Leading scores after second round of PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort, Napa, California on Friday:

132 - Sahith Theegala (USA) 68-64, Kim Seonghyeon (KOR) 65-67

133 - Bae Sang-Moon (KOR) 67-66

134 - Eric Cole (USA) 68-66

135 - Kelly Kraft (USA) 66-69

136 - Justin Thomas (USA) 69-67, Max Homa (USA) 70-66, Justin Lower (USA) 67-69, Sam Ryder (USA) 68-68, Cameron Davis (AUS) 68-68

2023-09-15 07:24:10

2023-09-15 07:10:16

Australia's red-hot Herbert fires 63 to grab early PGA Fortinet lead

Australian Lucas Herbert reeled off six straight birdies before a closing par to grab a two-stroke lead after Thursday's first round of the US PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship.

The 27-year-old made 10 birdies against a lone bogey to fire a nine-under-par 63 at Silverado in Napa, California.

That matched his career-low 18-hole PGA Tour score, which he first managed in last year's final round of the Zozo Championship.

"Found a little groove there," Herbert said. "It felt like anything I did poorly seemed to work out nicely for me and the good shots got rewarded as well.

"Felt like I played OK and just got a lot of good breaks and capitalized on chances as well."

Herbert, who took a seven-week break following a missed cut in July's Open Championship, added: "I felt like coming here I was ready to play again."

South Korea's Kim Seong-hyeon was second after a bogey-free 65.

Six players were a further shot back including England's Harry Hall and South Korea's Kang Sung-hoon.

Herbert's only PGA Tour title came at the 2021 Bermuda Championship.

But he is a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, his most recent in April when he won the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan with a birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Canada's Aaron Cockerill.

After birdies at the third and par-five fifth holes, Herbert took a bogey at six but answered with a 28-foot birdie putt at the seventh and began the back nine with a 24-foot birdie putt.

His epic birdie run, twice as long as his prior PGA career-best streak, began with tap-ins at the par-five 12th and par-four 13th.

He then sank birdie putts from nine feet at 14, just inside five feet at the par-five 15th and 16 feet at 16 and the par-three 17th.

The event launched the PGA's fall season, a series of events after the FedEx Cup playoffs and before the start of the 2024 season that primarily allows players outside the season's top 70 to qualify for spots on next year's tour.

Among the exceptions was two-time defending champion Max Homa, who fired an opening-round 70.

The world number seven, who will play on the US Ryder Cup team later this month, seeks his first win since January.

Justin Thomas, another member of the Ryder Cup team, shot a three-under 69.

- AFP

2023-08-28 07:24:14

2023-08-28 07:16:33

Hovland outduels Schauffele to win PGA Tour Championship

Viktor Hovland outduelledXander Schauffele through Sunday's storm-hit final round to win the PGATour's season-ending Tour Championship, capturing the $18 million FedEx Cup topprize by five strokes.

The 25-year-old Norwegianfired a bogey-free seven-under par 63 to stand on 27-under after 72 holes atEast Lake in Atlanta while American Schauffele was second after matching hisseason-low round with a 62.

"It's just prettysurreal standing here right now, playing basically my best golf the last twoweeks," said Hovland as he held the playoff trophy.

"It couldn't havehappened at a better moment."

World number five Hovlandshook off a storm delay of one hour and 53 minutes early in his round thatdumped nearly half an inch of rain, making four birdies in the first six holesto fight off the reigning Olympic champion.

Starting scores in theFedEx Cup playoff finale were staggered based on season points, with top-rankedScottie Scheffler at 10-under, Hovland next at 8-under and Schauffele on3-under.

Hovland made up thedeficit in the first round and charged from there.

Schauffele, winless thisseason, opened with seven birdies in the first 12 holes but settled for the $6.5million runner-up prize from a $75 million bonus pool.

"The game planbefore starting today was middle of the green, make a lot of pars and makeXander get after it, which he did early so I had to change my game plan alittle bit," Hovland said.

Schauffele sank an18-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th and a 12-foot birdie putt at 12 to pullwithin three to set up the late drama.

Hovland stayed threeahead by sinking a pressure-packed 23-foot putt - his longest of the week - tosave par at the 14th.

"I was happy Ididn't make a bogey," Hovland said. "I was staring at five on 14.When that putt went in, that was just huge for momentum because two shots withfour holes to go is a lot different from three shots.

"That was just a bigone for momentum and after that I really relaxed."

Hovland curled in abirdie putt at 16 from just beyond 10 feet - his first birdie since the sixthhole - and sank a 12-foot birdie putt at 17 to seize a five-stroke edge andseal the triumph.

"He played great. Ididn't do enough," Schauffele said. "I thought 62 would have let meget close to him, but the closest I got was three shots back. He playedunbelievably well. He made important putts and he's just played like a champ.

"I'll hold my headup high. It was the most fun I had losing in quite some time. It's such a weirdfeeling. I shot 62. I lost by five. Just kudos to Havi."

It was the sixth careerPGA Tour victory for Hovland, who also won the Memorial and last week's BMWChampionship this season and managed his best major showing, a runner-up finishat the PGA Championship.

Combined with his victorylast week, Hovland's back-to-back triumphs and those by Lucas Glover the priortwo weeks at Greensboro and Memphis marked the first time since 1950 the PGATour had consecutive back-to-back event winners.

American Wyndham Clark,the US Open winner, was third on 16-under after closing on 65 with four-timemajor winner Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland fourth on 14-under after a 65and American Patrick Cantlay fifth on 13-under after firing 66.

Hovland's six-stroke leadentering the final round matched the largest 54-hole lead on tour this seasonbut was also the margin Rory McIlroy rallied from to defeat Scheffler in 2022,so Hovland knew work remained.

Hovland opened with a16-foot birdie before the storm, then came back to make a 15-foot par putt atthe second.

Schauffele birdied threeholes in a row starting at the third Hovland answered with birdies at five andsix.Schauffele sank an11-foot putt at the eighth.

He shot 30 on the front nine to Hovland's 31 topull within five. They had the event's lowest front-nine Sunday final pairingscore since 2007.

Scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship at par-70 East Lake (USA unless noted, some player scores adjusted up to 10 strokes based on season point totals):

27-under

Viktor Hovland (NOR) 68-64-66-63

22-under

Xander Schauffele 67-64-68-62

16-under

Wyndham Clark 68-67-68-65

14-under

Rory McIlroy (NIR) 70-67-71-6513-underPatrick Cantlay 69-68-68-66

11-under

Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-70-65-66, Scottie Scheffler 71-65-73-70, Collin Morikawa 61-64-73-72

10-under

Sam Burns 66-66-71-67, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 67-68-71-68, Max Homa 70-67-69-68, Adam Schenk 63-70-69-69, Keegan Bradley 63-67-70-73

9-under

Russell Henley 65-71-72-66, Sepp Straka (AUT) 66-71-65-69

8-under

Rickie Fowler 68-73-68-66, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 64-67-72-69

7-under

Lucas Glover 72-67-69-70, Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-65-71-74

6-Under

Kim Si-woo (KOR) 70-72-68-66, Tony Finau 70-68-70-68, Tom Kim (KOR) 67-70-72-67

4-under

Brian Harman 68-70-70-72

3-Under

Im Sung-jae (KOR) 71-71-68-69

2-under

Nick Taylor (CAN) 71-67-69-72

1-under

Corey Conners (CAN) 70-71-66-74

1-Over

Jordan Spieth 69-71-70-71

3-Over

Jason Day (AUS) 67-70-74-73

6-Over

Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 73-72-70-71, Taylor Moore 71-75-72-69

- AFP

2023-08-27 06:36:50

Norway's Hovland grabs six-shot lead at PGA Tour Championship

Viktor Hovland shrugged off severe heat and a storm delay to seize a six-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship.

The 25-year-old Norwegian fired a four-under par 66 to stand on 20-under after 54 holes at East Lake in Atlanta with American Xander Schauffele a distant second.

"I can't remember (when) I've led by that many shots," Hovland said.

Temperatures soared to 37.7 Celsius before a late-round storm stoppage, but neither weather nor rivals could slow fifth-ranked Hovland, who won last week's BMW Championship and became the man to beat for the $18 million top prize.

"I don't think I've ever played this well before, with this stretch, just putting all the short game and stuff together," Hovland said.

"I feel like I've hit the ball better than I have this week and even last week, but it's just about putting it all together and it seemed like the good weeks that I've had before I've always managed to short-side myself or chip a couple times and end up out of contention.

"This year I feel like I've just become a little bit more complete, and I don't have to hit it my best to be in contention. I don't have to hit every shot pure. I can miss it slightly and get up-and-down and move on."

Americans Collin Morikawa and Keegan Bradley shared third on 13-under with Masters champion Jon Rahm of Spain sharing fifth on 11-under with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and his US countryman Wyndham Clark, the US Open champion.

Starting scores in the FedEx Cup playoff finale were staggered based on season points, with top-ranked Scheffler at 10-under, Hovland next at 8-under and rivals at lesser levels.

Hovland shot 68 and 64 to share the lead after the first and second rounds, aided by the unique format.

Now he longs to join such past Cup winners as Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.

"To win the FedEx Cup is pretty cool," Hovland said. "The list of names that's been on that trophy is pretty special.

"It would be awesome to have my name on there."

'Playing unbelievable'

Tokyo Olympic champion Schauffele, who has never fired an over-par round at East Lake, shot 68 while Hovland made five birdies against a lone bogey.

"I need to go out and try and put as much pressure on him tomorrow on that front nine as I can and hope for the best," Schauffele said.

"He has just been playing unbelievable golf. He has been working really hard. I saw him working hard through the playoffs. I was out late and he was one of the guys I always saw until dark as well. So, no surprise."

Hovland was about to tee off at the 12th with a four-stroke lead when a storm halted play for 75 minutes.

When he resumed, Hovland found the fairway and green then hit a 10-foot birdie putt and followed by sinking a 22-foot birdie putt at 13 to reach 20-under and lead Schauffele by six.

Hovland took his first bogey at 14, finding the left rough and pitching to the green then missing a 22-foot par putt from the fringe.

Schauffele answered a bogey at the par-3 15th with a 12-foot birdie putt at 16 to stay five adrift but Hovland responded with a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-3 15th, stretching the lead back to six.

Hovland lipped out on a seven-foot birdie putt at the par-5 18th but still matched the largest 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour this season.

It's also the same margin McIlroy rallied from on Sunday last year to defeat Scheffler and win the Tour Championship.

Morikawa, who hadn't made a bogey all week, shared the lead with Hovland at 16-under until a double bogey at the par-4 fifth.

Hovland birdied the par-5 sixth from three feet and sank a birdie putt at seven from just beyond 11 feet to grab a four-stroke edge at the turn.

Morikawa, a two-time major winner, and Scheffler each fired 73 to fall back.Rahm and McIlroy each fell back with 71s, McIlroy tumbling 11 adrift.

- AFP

Scores after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship at par-70 East Lake (USA unless noted, some player scores adjusted up to 10 strokes based on season point totals):

20-under

Viktor Hovland (NOR) 68-64-66

14-under

Xander Schauffele 67-64-68

13-underKeegan

Bradley 63-67-70, Collin Morikawa 61-64-73

11-under

Wyndham Clark 68-67-68, Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-65-71, Scottie Scheffler 71-65-73

9-under

Patrick Cantlay 69-68-68, Adam Schenk 63-70-69, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 70-67-71

8-under

Sepp Straka (AUT) 66-71-65, Max Homa 70-67-69, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 67-68-71

7-under

Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-70-65, Lucas Glover 72-67-69, Sam Burns 66-66-71, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 64-67-72

6-under

Brian Harman 68-70-705-underCorey Conners (CAN) 70-71-66, Russell Henley 65-71-72

4-under

Rickie Fowler 68-73-68, Nick Taylor (CAN) 71-67-69, Tony Finau 70-68-70

3-under

Tom Kim (KOR) 67-70-722-UnderKim Si-woo (KOR) 70-72, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 71-71-68

Even par

Jordan Spieth 69-71-70, Jason Day (AUS) 67-70-74

5-Over

Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 73-72-70

7-Over

Taylor Moore 71-75-72

2023-08-25 07:22:37

Morikawa fires 61 to share lead at PGA Tour finale

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa fired anine-under par 61 to seize a share of the lead in Thursday's opening round ofthe PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship while top-ranked Scottie Schefflerand injured Rory McIlroy struggled.

Scheffler, this year's Players Championship winner,began the day on 10-under par at East Lake in Atlanta with a two-stroke leadover Norway's Viktor Hovland thanks to staggered scoring based upon seasonpoint totals.

But the American was undone by a triple bogey atthe par-3 15th, finding water off the tee and needing three putts to finish, ashis season points edge evaporated after he fired an opening 71.

Morikawa, who began on 1-under and nine adrift ofScheffler, fired the lowest first round in Tour Championship history, makingseven birdies and an eagle on a bogey-free day.

"I've grinded my butt off. I've spent way toomuch time out there," Morikawa said. "But I figured some things out.It's obviously nice to see."

Due to the odd scoring format, Morikawa was on10-under and sharing the lead with fellow American Keegan Bradley, who openedwith a 63, and Hovland, who shot 68, with Scheffler fourth on 9-under afterfiring 71.

"I'm pretty frustrated with how I played,"Scheffler said. "I guess it's a little bit of a blessing to have a prettybad day and still be in the tournament. So go out there tomorrow and just keepfighting."

The 61 was Morikawa's career-low PGA Tour round,one under his final round at last year's Tournament of Champions, and one offthe course record 60 fired by Zach Johnson in 2007.

Defending champion McIlroy, the world number twoand four-time major winner from Northern Ireland, struggled through back painwith a 70 to finish three off the pace, exactly where he began the day.

McIlroy suffered the injury while exercising athome on Tuesday and had no practice before his round.

"My whole lower back spasmed, seized up. Icouldn't move," McIlroy said. "I honestly couldn't address the ballthis time yesterday. So to get to where I am today is good."

McIlroy was 2-over on the day after 11 holes andeight adrift but made three birdies in four holes and with Scheffler's fade noteven a closing bogey could dim his fightback.

"I hung in there and I just felt like if Icould get through today, it's better than it was yesterday, hopefullytomorrow's better than it was today, and just sort of try to keepprogressing," McIlroy said.

The 30-player fight for an $18 million FedEx Cupseason points playoff top prize tightened greatly with Morikawa stealing theshow.

"You've got to have your foot on thepedal," Morikawa said. "This is the end of our season for a reason.Even though I had a great round today I want to keep doing that for next few.

"I haven't been this pin-high with my irons inquite some time. That's a sign of control. And then being able to make someputts. I still left some out there but I'm not going to complain at all. I'mvery, very pleased with this round."

'One of those days'

Bradley, who began seven off the lead, was thrilledas well after birdies on three of the last four holes to finish a bogey-freeround."It was one of those days where everything wasgoing right," Bradley said.

"I made a bunch of putts, I hit the ballgreat and when I missed some shots I hit them in great spots and got them upand in."

Bradley said it was crucial to make the move earlyto make up his deficit quickly.

"It was so important," he said."When you get here everything sort of amplifies so I'm proud."

Morikawa, whose last win came at the 2021 DP WorldTour Championship in Dubai, sank a three-foot birdie putt at the first, a20-foot birdie putt at the fifth then eagled the par-5 sixth after dropping hissecond shot inside four feet from the hole.

He added a 12-foot birdie putt at 10, a 36-footbirdie putt at the 12th, a 10-footer to birdie 16, a 13-foot birdie putt at the17th and a six-footer at 18.

- AFP

2023-08-21 08:18:16

2023-08-21 08:14:39

Hovland fires course-record 61 to capture BMW Championship

Norway's Viktor Hovland birdied seven of the last nine holes to fire a course-record 61 on Sunday and win the PGA Tour's BMW Championship, the penultimate FedEx Cup playoff event.

The 25-year-old from Oslo made 10 birdies against a lone bogey, shooting 28 on the back nine for a nine-under par total that left him on 17-under 263 after 72 holes at Olympia Fields in suburban Chicago.

"Definitely has to be the best round I've ever played," Hovland said.

"Given the circumstances, playoff round at this golf course and finish the way I did the last nine holes was pretty special."

World number one Scottie Scheffler of the United States and England's Matthew Fitzpatrick, last year's US Open winner, fired 66s to share second on 265 with world number two Rory McIlroy fourth on 268 after a 66.

Hovland sank a birdie putt from just beyond six feet at the 18th to break the old course record of 62, set Friday by American Max Homa and matched Saturday by American Sam Burns.

"Obviously I got some great shots, some nice bounces and the putts went in," Hovland said.

"But it wasn't like I mapped the whole thing out. I was just trying to make the best decision every single shot."

Hovland, this year's Memorial winner and PGA Championship runner-up, was four back at the turn but made eight threes and a four on the back side to claim the $3.6 million top prize with a career-low round.

"I wouldn't say making seven birdies on the back nine is trying to be play conservative going into the greens," Hovland said.

"It just kind of worked out that way.

"It was more of a mindset thing. I think instead of, 'Oh my God, I've got a chance to win, I need to birdie this hole and this hole to have a chance,' it was more. 'What's the right decision right here right now?' and then commit to it."

The top 30 in season points advanced to next week's Tour Championship in Atlanta, Fitzgerald jumping from 40th to 10th to qualify and bumping out American Chris Kirk in the only change of players from last week.

Scheffler took over as season points leader and will start at 10-under next week at East Lake while Hovland, who jumped from seventh to second in points, will start on 8-under, one stroke ahead of McIlroy and two atop reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, who had led when the week began.

"My ball-striking has just been very consistent this year and my chipping around the green has improved massively," Hovland said of his season, which also included a victory at the Memorial in June.

"Just makes it so that even when I'm not on my game I can still scrap it around at even par and make it to the weekend."

No Ryder for Koepka yet

The BMW also was the final US qualifying event for next month's Ryder Cup and the first six spots were decided on points as Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Homa and Xander Schauffele made the squad.

LIV Golf's Brooks Koepka, the PGA Championship winner ineligible for PGA Tour events, had been in the top six but was nudged out of an automatic qualifier spot by Homa and Schauffele and will need a captain's pick to make the squad.

US captain Zach Johnson will reveal six captain's picks on August 29 to complete the squad that will defend the trophy next month against Europe in Italy.

Hovland dropped his approach inches from the hole at the par-5 first and opened with a birdie, added another on a putt from just inside 20 feet at three and birdied the fifth from just outside 15 feet.

After his lone bogey at seven, Hovland tapped in for birdie from three feet at 10, sank a 12-footer to birdie 11 and birdied 12 from just inside five feet.

Hovland put his approach inches from the hole at 14 to set up a birdie, rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-5 15th and another from just inside nine feet at 17 before his closing record-setter.

- AFP

2023-08-18 07:04:16

2023-08-18 07:01:32

McIlroy, Harman share lead at rain-hit BMW Championship

Second-ranked RoryMcIlroy and Open Championship champion Brian Harman sank stunning 17th-hole birdiechip shots to share the lead after Thursday's opening round of the PGA Tour'sBMW Championship, the penultimate FedEx Cup playoff event.

Reigning FedEx Cup championMcIlroy, a four-time major winner from Northern Ireland, and US left-handerHarman, who captured the Claret Jug last month at Royal Liverpool, firedfive-under par 65s at Olympia Fields in suburban Chicago.

That was good enough fora one-shot lead over five Americans - Sahith Theegala, Chris Kirk, RickieFowler, world number one Scottie Scheffler and reigning US Open championWyndham Clark - plus England's Matt Fitzpatrick, last year's US Open winner.

McIlroy, who won histhird Tour Championship last year, made a tricky chip from the left rough thatbounced through a bunker at the par-4 17th and set up his incredible 40-footbirdie chip from behind the green.

"Got lucky. Gotthrough the bunker," he said. "Certainly wasn't expecting to makethree when the tee shot was in the air. It was a nice one to make. It was agreat bonus."

Only minutes later,Harman holed a birdie chip from 32 feet at 17 to match McIlroy for the lead.

That was after sinking a 42-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th.

"Drove it prettygood," Harman said. "When I missed, I got a little lucky to get itback into play. Chipped in twice, made some putts, played a pretty solidround."

In addition to a $3.6million top prize, 50 players are chasing a spot in the top 30 in season pointsto qualify for next week's Tour Championship in Atlanta.

McIlroy, who won lastmonth's Scottish Open, found only three fairways but went bogey-free and madebirdie putts from about 13 feet at seven and nine, just inside 10 feet at 10and, after blasting out of fairway and greenside bunkers, from just beyond fourfeet at the par-5 15th.

"Luckily, the golfcourse is soft," McIlroy said. "It wasn't too good off the tee. Therewere a lot of crosswinds."

McIlroy's new putter, towhich he says he's not married, is a good date so far.

"We've been on fivedates," McIlroy said. "We're still going OK. We're probably still onfor a sixth."

Harman returned last weekafter enjoying his first major triumph.

"It's nice to getoff to a good start," he said. "It was hard to get back into theswing of things but I feel a little more comfortable, a little moreready."

Fowler briefly shared thelead but plunked his tee shot into a creek at 17 and made bogey to fall back.

Fitzpatrick was"really pleased" after solving issues with his driver.

"I've struggled thelast few months," Fitzpatrick said. "Just feeling more comfortableand that's obviously so important."

Theegala had "one ofmy best ball-striking rounds" highlighted by a 167-yard eagle hole-outfrom the 14th fairway with a 9-iron.

"I just had aperfect number," he said. "I knew it was good right away. That wasawesome."

Fourth-ranked AmericanPatrick Cantlay, the two-time defending champion, was in a pack on 68 that alsoincluded playoff points leader Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion fromSpain.

American Lucas Glover,the 2009 US Open champion who won PGA titles the past two weeks, opened on 70.

The BMW is the lastqualifying event for this year's US Ryder Cup team. Six Americans will sealtheir spots on points on Sunday for the US squad that will defend the trophyagainst Europe next month in Italy.

- AFP

2023-08-14 07:03:44

2023-08-14 06:56:47

Glover beats Cantlay in playoff to win St Jude title

Lucas Glover parred thefirst playoff hole to defeat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff on Sunday to win theSt Jude Championship, sealing his second title in as many weeks in the PGATour's FedEx Cup playoff opener.

The 43-year-old American,who won last week in Greensboro just to qualify for the playoffs, became thefirst over-40 winner of consecutive PGA Tour events since Fiji's Vijay Singh in2008.

"You work hard nomatter what, whether you are fighting something or you're playing great,because you never know when it can turn," Glover said."It has turned veryquickly for me and luckily I've been in a good frame of mind to take advantageof it."

Glover, the 2009 US Openchampion, sank several dramatic long putts on the back nine while Cantlay, the2021 playoff champion, charged late to force a playoff, which began at the 18thhole at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

Cantlay's tee shot wentinto water left of the fairway. He blasted his third onto the green just inside22 feet and just inside where Glover's ball sat after two shots.

Glover two-putted forpar, leaving Cantlay a must-make putt. Cantlay's ball rolled past the rightedge and Glover had the victory.

"I was fortunate toget into a playoff," Glover said. "I said the guns would be comingand they came and I was just last man standing this week."

Cantlay fired asix-under-par 64 and Glover shot 69 to each finish 72 holes on 15-under 265.

Glover won his sixthcareer PGA title and became the first over-40 playoff winner since Tiger Woodsin 2018.

The 70-player showdownadvanced the top 50 in season points to next week's BMW Championship, fromwhich only the top 30 qualify for the Tour Championship in two weeks atAtlanta.

Four-time major winnerRory McIlroy, last year's playoff champion from Northern Ireland, fired 65 toshare third with England's Tommy Fleetwood on 266.

American Taylor Moore wasfifth on 268.Second-ranked McIlroywould have overtaken world number one Scottie Scheffler with a victory.

Cantlay chipped in at 10to pull within two of Glover, who sank a clutch seven-foot par putt at 11.Cantlay made aneight-foot birdie putt at 15 to move within one but Glover answered with atense 20-foot par putt at the 13th.

Glover then sent his teeshot at the 14th into water, falling into a share of the lead despite salvagingbogey on a 30-foot putt.

Cantlay seized the leadwith a birdie at the par-5 16th while Glover missed a seven-foot birdie putt at15.

Glover's tap-in birdie at16 gave him a share of the lead but he made yet another intense par putt fromjust inside 12 feet at 17 and parred 18 to force the playoff.

A storm struck justbefore 54-hole leader Glover and Moore were due to tee off, bringing a97-minute delay before play resumed.Moore, one adrift tostart, found a fairway bunker at the first, a bush way left off the second teeand water at the fourth on the way to bogeys to fall back.

Glover birdied the par-5third, boosting his lead to two, the margin he enjoyed at the turn.

Matsuyama advances

Glover began the day 49thon the points list but easily advanced.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama,the 2021 Masters champion, had three birdies and an eagle in the last six holesto shoot 65 and advance, jumping from 57th to 47th in points.

"All I knew is I hadto make birdies, so I just put my head down and did the best I could,"Matsuyama said.

Australian Cam Davisjumped from 62nd to 45th to qualify for the BMW by ending on 269 after aclosing 67.

American Nick Hardy andCanada's Mackenzie Hughes fell out of the top 50 to miss out.

- AFP

2023-08-13 06:59:45

Glover grabs one-stroke lead at St. Jude Championship

Lucas Glover fired a four-under par 66 to seize a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the St. Jude Championship, the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoff opener.

The 43-year-old American, trying to win for the second consecutive week, birdied four of the first six holes on his way to finishing 54 holes on 14-under 196 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

That put Glover, the 2009 US Open champion, one ahead of countryman Taylor Moore, who shot 65, with England's Tommy Fleetwood third on 198 after a third straight 66.

"Scrappy would be how I would describe that day. Parts of it you could remove the 'S,'" Glover said.

"It was a little bit of smoke and mirrors today, just to be honest. I got a lot out of what I had.

"Short game bailed me out a lot early, and missed a couple putts I thought I should have made coming in. But I'm still in a good spot."

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and fellow American Max Homa were on 199 while a sixth-place pack on 201 included world number two Rory McIlroy, South Koreans Tom Kim and Im Sung-jae, American Patrick Cantlay, Norway's Viktor Hovland and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo.

The 70-player showdown will advance 50 to next week's BMW Championship, from which only the top 30 in season points qualify for the Tour Championship in two weeks at Atlanta.

Glover, who snapped a two-year win drought at Greensboro last Sunday, had been in the top six in three of his four PGA starts last month before his breakthrough.

"I'm going to need more of the same," Glover said.

"I'm going to need to make more putts than I did coming down the stretch."

Glover holed out from beyond 43 feet at the first, sank birdie putts of 16 feet at the second and 21 feet at the par-3 fourth then answered his lone bogey at the fifth, when he missed the green on his approach, with an eight foot birdie putt at the sixth.

From there he finished with 11 pars and a five-foot birdie putt at 13.

Moore shared the lead at the 18th tee but found a fairway bunker and needed three to reach the green, leaving himself a putt from just under 14 feet for par.

He came up short and a closing bogey left Glover alone at the top, but Moore was fired up for the closing drama."Just really stoked," Moore said.

"I'm driving the ball well, putting the ball in the fairway and giving myself chances, some good looks coming in on these greens, and I feel like that has been the recipe.

Moore said winning his first PGA title in March at the Valspar Championship could help him capture his second this weekend.

"With a win under my belt, just more mature and more comfortable in that situation," Moore said.

"Get yourself in position on the back nine on Sunday, that's all I can ask for. Looking forward to the challenge."

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour St. Jude Championship at Memphis, Tennessee, first of three FedEx Cup playoff events (USA unless noted, par-70):

196 - Lucas Glover 66-64-66

197 - Taylor Moore 66-66-65

198 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 66-66-66

199 - Max Homa 68-66-65, Jordan Spieth 63-68-68

201 - Viktor Hovland (NOR) 72-64-65, Patrick Cantlay 67-68-66, Rory McIlroy 67-66-68, Tom Kim (KOR) 64-68-69, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 65-67-69, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 67-65-69

202 - Russell Henley 67-68-67, Collin Morikawa 65-70-67, Cam Davis (AUS) 66-67-69, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 67-66-69

203 - Beau Hossler 71-67-65, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 68-67-68, Ben Griffin 69-66-68, Adam Schenk 69-66-68, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 67-68-68, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 69-65-69, JT Poston 66-67-702

04 - Justin Rose (ENG) 76-67-61, Corey Conners (CAN) 67-72-65, Brendon Todd 67-70-67, Eric Cole 66-70-68, Sahith Theegala 67-68-69, Kurt Kitayama 66-69-69, Aaron Rai (ENG) 66-68-70, Xander Schauffele 66-68-70, Scottie Scheffler 67-66-71

2023-08-12 07:07:51

2023-08-12 06:54:22

Glover seizes lead with 64 at St Jude Championship

Lucas Glover, the 2009 US Open champion, fired a six-under-par 64 to grab a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the St. Jude Championship, the FedEx Cup playoff opener.

The 43-year-old American made four birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round to stand on 10-under 130 after 36 holes at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, who led after an opening 63, was second on 131 with a pack on 132 including fellow American Taylor Moore, South Koreans Tom Kim and Im Sung-jae, Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and England's Tommy Fleetwood.

Glover won last week's US PGA Tour Wyndham Championship to seize a spot in the 70-player post-season, with 50 advancing to next week's BMW Championship and only 30 qualifying for the Tour Championship in two weeks at Atlanta.

"It's just kind of a carryover from the last few weeks," Glover said.

"Just trying not to overcomplicate things, make good, positive swings and stay aggressive.

"Playing well and executing pretty much what I'm seeing. Don't over think it and no need to change anything, just keep riding it."

Glover, who snapped a two-year win drought at Greensboro last Sunday, had been in the top six in three of his four PGA starts last month before his breakthrough.

"I'm old enough to know it can change the other way in a hurry, too, so ride the wave and just don't overthink it, keep going, and play until it runs out and then figure it out after that," he said.

Glover, who began on the back nine, made a 31-foot birdie putt at the par-4 13th and, after driving the green in two at the par-5 16th, sank an eagle putt from just beyond 32 feet.

He sank a 20-foot birdie putt at the par-4 third and holed out from the fringe at just over 27 feet on the par-3 fourth.

At six, he dropped he approach three feet from the hole and tapped in for birdie.

"Pleased with how I played," Glover said. "It has been a good few months with the long putter.

"Confidence is high and I'm liking what I'm seeing."

Spieth, the world number 12 who has yet to win this year, had six birdies and four bogeys in shooting 68.

The back-nine starter grabbed second with a 19-foot birdie putt at the seventh hole and a four-footer at the eighth.

"It's funny, I felt like I had better control of my swing today than yesterday," Spieth said.

"I got stuck with a couple numbers where I maybe played the wrong shot, wrong decision, and didn't play patiently early. Then I made a couple bad swings as well."

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy fired a 66 to stand on 133 in a pack that included world number one Scottie Scheffler, who birdied three of the last four holes to shoot 66.

They played alongside reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, the season playoff points leader from Spain who holed out from a bunker to par 18 and shoot 67 to finish on 140.

Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour St. Jude Championship at Memphis, Tennessee, first of three FedEx Cup playoff events (USA unless noted, par-70):

130 - Lucas Glover 66-64

131 - Jordan Spieth 63-68

132 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 67-65, Taylor Moore 66-66, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 66-66, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 65-67, Tom Kim (KOR) 64-68

133 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 67-66, JT Poston 66-67, Lee Hodges 68-65, Scottie Scheffler 67-66, Rory McIlroy 67-66, Cam Davis (AUS) 66-67

134 - Xander Schauffele 66-68, Max Homa 68-66, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 69-65, Aaron Rai (ENG) 66-68

135 - Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 67-68, Andrew Putnam 68-67, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 67-68, Adam Svensson (CAN) 66-69, Sahith Theegala 67-68, Collin Morikawa 65-70, Kurt Kitayama 66-69, Adam Schenk 69-66, Russell Henley 67-68, Patrick Cantlay 67-68, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 68-67, Ben Griffin 69-66

- AFP

2023-08-11 08:53:42

2023-08-11 08:43:22

Spieth grabs first round lead at St Jude Championship

Jordan Spieth grabbed aone stroke lead after the first round of the St Jude Championship in Memphison Thursday, making a strong start to the opening event of the FedEx Cupplayoffs.

Thunderstorms caused a four-hourdelay to the start of play in threesomes off two tees and conditions were wetthroughout the day.

But the wait did no harm toSpieth, who shot a bogey-free seven-under round of 63 which was crowned with aneagle on the par-5 16th where he brilliantly chipped in from 49 feet.

South Korea's Tom Kim wasa stroke behind, dropping out of a share of the lead with a bogey at his 16thhole, the par-four seventh - where he was in the rough off the tee.

Argentine Emiliano Grilloand American Collin Morikawa were both on five-under, two shots behind Spieth.

Three-time major winnerSpieth, the world number 12 who has yet to win this year, said the wet coursewas playing long.

"The pivotal holeswhere you get wedge in your hand, if you hit a nice drive, you're looking toattack. I did hit the fairways on those holes, and that was important. Then thereally hard ones, you're just trying to get it on the surface and tap in forpar," he said after tying his lowest round of the season.

Spieth has missed the cutin two of his last three starts in a season that has yet to take off.

World number one ScottieScheffler and number two Rory McIlroy both shot three-under scores of 67 to sitfour strokes off the lead.

McIlroy made eagle on the16th with a superb approach shot from 205 yards settling just inches from thehole but felt he could have gone lower.

"I don't know if Ican remember a round where I've driven it that well, at least in recent memory.I drove it really well today and gave myself so many looks from thefairway," he said.

"Sort of walking offthe course disappointed with 3-under. I felt on another day when I have been onsong a little bit more, especially with the putter, it could have been a 63 ora 64.

"It was a slowstart, and then the eagle on 16 sort of got me going. I played solid. I justfeel like I left a few out there," he added.

Disappointing Rahm round

Scheffler, who wasplaying with McIlroy and Masters winner Jon Rahm and starting on the back nine,bounced back from a double bogey on the 14th where he found the water off thetee.

Spaniard Rahm had a disappointinground, carding a three-over 73 with a double bogey on the 18th, his ninth hole,where he drove into the water.

Lucas Glover, winner oflast week's Wyndham Championship, continued his positive form with a four-under66 and said he felt high in confidence.

"A hundred percent,of course ... I feel pretty good about it.

"I played prettymuch exactly how I played last week, just didn't make as many putts," hesaid.

Kim, coming back from anankle injury, caused a stir online with his choice of three-quarter lengthwhite trousers.

The South Korean said hewas simply trying to avoid getting his pants wet from the drenched grass.

"A lot of peopleseemed to have a lot of laughs on it, but I just thought it was prettyconvenient," he said.

"I chose the wrong colour,obviously, for the day, but my caddie Joe actually said he doesn't really carewhat I do as long as I make birdies and eagles, so it kind of worked," headded after making seven birdies and a bogey.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour St Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, first of three FedEx Cup playoff events (USA unless noted, par-70):

63 - Jordan Spieth

64 - Tom Kim (KOR)

65 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Collin Morikawa

66 - Lucas Glover, Eric Cole, Adam Svensson (CAN), JT Poston, Taylor Moore, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Kurt Kitayama, Xander Schauffele, Aaron Rai (ENG), Cam Davis (AUS)

67 - Nick Hardy, Tom Hoge, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Cameron Young, An Byeong-hun (KOR), Brendon Todd, Adam Hadwin (CAN), Im Sung-jae (KOR), Sahith Theegala, Corey Conners (CAN), Denny McCarthy, Russell Henley, Tony Finau, Keegan Bradley, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy (NIR), Hayden Buckley, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN), Vincent Norrman (SWE)

- AFP

2023-08-07 06:52:58

2023-08-07 06:49:54

Glover wins PGA Wyndham title as Thomas, Scott miss playoffs

Lucas Glover clinched his fifth career PGA Tour title with a final round of two-under par 68 on Sunday to capture the season-closing Wyndham Championship.

The 43-year-old American won by two strokes over Russell Henley and South Korean An Byeong-hun at Greensboro, North Carolina, in the final event before the PGA playoffs.

The 2009 US Open champion took his first tournament since the John Deere Classic two years ago to ensure his place in the FedEx Cup playoffs, catapulted from 112th to 49th in the season points standings.

Glover has battled with the "yips" frequently through the past decade but said he had found the consistency he needs to win.

"It starts and ends there with me and you know it has been a long road, 10 years of fighting something and to find something that completely changed the momentum and everything was obviously a blessing," he said.

The top 70 players in the standings advance to the playoffs and that prospect added some extra spice to the final round at Sedgefield Country Club.

Two-time major winner Justin Thomas and Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, both missed out on playoff spots by a single stroke.

The FedEx Cup playoffs begin with the St Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee next week before moving on to the BMW Championship in Illinois and conclude in three weeks at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Glover began his round with a bogey on the par-4 first hole but birdies on the fourth, eighth and 11th put him back in contention.

The final groups were forced to wait more than two hours due to a storm delay before coming back onto the course.

Glover kept his cool to finish with pars on each of his remaining four holes while Henley concluded with three straight bogeys.

Henley had no doubt that the delay had impacted his game.

"I just never got comfortable, felt a little jittery out there, just never got into a good sync with my swing, felt kind of rushed from the top of my swing, just didn't do a good job of handling the restart," he said.

Thomas finished one place outside the playoff spots in 71st but came agonizingly close to making it on the final hole.

His chip for birdie from well off the green came out off the flagpole, causing Thomas to collapse on his back in frustration.

"I did my part. I played the best I could and I fought as hard as I could and shot the lowest I possibly could," he said.

Scott had never missed out on the playoffs before and gave his all to keep that streak going with his 63 on Sunday.

"I think I'm actually getting to the point where I've got to put that stuff aside and not play to keep a streak of playing playoffs going but play to win stuff, not just be there to make the numbers up," said the Australian after his round but before his fate was known.

"If it does end, I think it's a good thing. I think it gives me a good chance to have a look at what I need to do differently to be more competitive in whatever competition I'm playing in."

- AFP

2023-08-06 09:23:09

Glover and Horschel share lead at Wyndham Championship

Lucas Glover and Billy Horschel shared the lead on 18-under par at the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina after Saturday's third round.

Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open championship shot an eight-under round of 62, finishing with back-to-back birdies at Sedgefield Country Club.

Horschel shot a bogey 63 while overnight leader Russell Henley slipped back after his 65, ending with birdies on the 17th and 18th.

Glover's only blemish came on the eighth hole, where he three-putted but he bounced back immediately with birdies on the 9th and 10th holes.

"I hit it nice, hit every fairway and missed a green. Irons were pretty sharp today, hit it close a bunch and putted nicely," said Glover, who said his approach on Sunday would be to avoid being too adventurous.

"I think you try to attack this place a little too aggressively and miss some fairways, it can bite you. I learned that quite a while ago," he said.

"I think it's just a 'fairways first' mentality and then if you get some good numbers and hit it close, you've got a good chance to make some birdies," added Glover.

The 43-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina, said he felt at home on the course.

"I've got a lot of family in this area. I've got two or three uncles that were members here years ago and still got a bunch of cousins in the area. We are three hours from where I grew up and I like the course. Just like it. It's a special place," he added.

The 43-year-old Glover will be targeting his fifth win on the PGA Tour with his most recent victory coming at the John Deere Classic two years ago.

Floridian Horschel has seven wins on the PGA Tour already under his belt while Henley is looking to add to his four victories, the last of which came in November 2022 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Horschel knows he needs a win or a solo second to make into the FedEx Cup playoffs and says he is looking forward to going head-to-head with Glover in the final pairing.

"I've played a lot with Lucas and I've always enjoyed playing with him. He's had his up and downs in the game of golf - no one's ever gone through not having a period of that.

"So it's going to be an amazing round of golf, we're both going to be battling out there. We've got Russell Henley right behind us and a couple of other guys not too far back," he said.

South Korean An Byeong-hun is three strokes off the lead after his 65 while German Stephan Jaeger is a further two shots back after ending with three birdies in a row. - AFP

2023-08-04 07:23:46

2023-08-04 07:19:21

Late eagle lifts Henley to Wyndham lead as Scott starts strong

RussellHenley had six birdies and an eagle in an eight-under par 62 on Thursday tograb the first round lead at the Wyndham Championship, where Adam Scott startedstrong in his bid to earn a PGA Tour playoffs berth.

Henley, who admits the memory of his 2021 Wyndham defeat stillstings, put himself in position to challenge again with a solid effort at rainySedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.

He took advantage of an afternoon tee time that let him playmuch of his round after the showers let up, taking the lead with an eagle atthe par-five 15th, where his 227-yard second shot left him a six-foot putt.

"I was just kind of hoping [the rain] would slow down alittle bit," Henley said. "And it did on the back nine, so we werefortunate. I hit a lot of fairways and felt like from there I could attack thegolf course."

He added his sixth birdie at the 17th and had a one-stroke leadover Canadian Adam Svensson and South Korean An Byeong-hun.

Henley has a string of top-10 finishes at Sedgefield including atie for fifth last year.

The one he remembers, however, is a share of seventh in 2021,when he led most of the week but finished a stroke out of the six-man playoffwon by Kevin Kisner and was tied for seventh.

"I think about it a lot," he said. "I was leadingby three going in the final round a couple years ago, and was leading thetournament by a few going into No 11 on the last day and didn't get itdone."

Svensson had seven birdies without a bogey, including three inhis last four holes while An shook off an opening bogey with eight birdies therest of the way.

American Andrew Novak was alone on 64 while Australia's Scottshared fifth on five-under 65 with American JT Poston.

Scott had seven birdies and two bogeys in the morning rain totake the early clubhouse lead.

The 2013 Masters champion is hoping for a high finish to lifthim into the field for the tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

He's 81st in the standings, with only the top 70 at the end ofthis week advancing."At this point, you know, it is what it is," saidScott, who needs a minimum of a two-way tie for ninth to have a chance atforcing his way in.

"I feel like when I come out to play golf, I'm thereto give it my best shot and if I make it, I make it, and if I don't, Idon't."

Former world number one Justin Thomas, who is also trying tomuscle his way into the playoffs from 79th in the standings, was eight off thelead after his even-par 70.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina (USA unless noted, par-70):

62 - Russell Henley

63 - Adam Svensson (CAN), An Byeong-hun (KOR)

64 - Andrew Novak

65 - Adam Scott (AUS), JT Poston

66 - Thomas Detry (BEL), Ludvig Aberg (SWE), Austin Smotherman, Martin Laird (SCO), Lucas Glover, Vincent Norrman (SWE), Kelly Kraft, Peter Kuest, Kyle Westmoreland

- AFP

2023-07-31 07:11:03

2023-07-31 06:49:37

Hodges marches to first PGA Tour title at 3M Open

Lee Hodges fired two eagles in a four-under-par 67 on Sunday to claim his first PGA Tour title with a wire-to-wire, seven-stroke triumph in the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota.

Hodges finished with a 24-under par total of 260 at TPC Twin Cities, where he'd pushed his lead to as many as seven and seen it shrink to three over playing partner JT Poston before Poston's disastrous triple-bogey at the final hole.

That left Poston, who carded a two-under 69, tied for second with Kevin Streelman and Scotland's Martin Laird.

Streelman carded a 66 while Laird produced a seven-under-par 64 that featured five birdies and a 20-foot eagle at 18.

None of them ever really looked like catching Hodges, who started the day with a five-shot lead.

He pushed that to seven after a birdie at the second and an eagle at the sixth, where his 255-yard approach with a three-wood left him an 11-foot putt.

After a bogey at the ninth he eagled the par-five 12th in spectacular style, again using a three-wood and landing his 257-yard second shot within three feet.

"Those were two of the greatest shots I ever hit," said Hodges, who has secured his berth in the FedEx Cup playoffs as well as an invitation to next year's Masters.

"Anytime you win, you really set yourself up for some special stuff," he said. "My caddie was telling me on 18, I honestly didn't even think about it, we get to play Augusta next year. That's something else. That was probably the coolest thing I heard all day."

Hodges responded to a three-putt bogey at 15 with another birdie at 16, and answered a bogey at 17 - that saw his lead reduced to three shots - with a final birdie at the 72nd hole.

He could enjoy the congratulations of the crowd as he walked to the 18th green having stuck his third shot from the fairway a foot from the cup.

"It's just a dream week, the whole thing," said the 28-year-old ranked 110th in the world, who won for the first time in his 65th tour start.

"Honestly, From Monday to Sunday I played really good golf, even in practice rounds."

Not playing for second

Poston had looked a sure bet for solo second, arriving at the tough par-five 18th three strokes behind Hodges but three clear of Laird and Streelman.

His tee shot landed in the right rough, narrowly avoiding the water hazard.

From an awkward stance on the bank he opted to go for the green rather than laying up but his ball ended up in the lake.

"I had to try and give it a shot and see if there was some way I could make three there at the end and put some pressure on Lee," Poston said.

"It was a shot that was going to be hard to pull off, but we weren't playing for second place."

Dylan Wu and Keith Mitchell shared fifth on 268.

Defending champion Tony Finau was a further shot back alongside Sam Ryder and Aaron Baddeley.

Beau Hossler matched the TPC Twin Cities course record with a career-low 62 that featured eight straight birdies from the ninth through the 16th.

That had put Hossler in a tie for fourth as Hodges and Poston teed off.

"Usually, you shoot that kind of number on Sunday and you ideally have a chance to win," said Hossler, who ended up tied for 13th.

Leading scores after the final round of PGA Tour 3M Open at Blaine, Minnesota on Saturday (USA unless noted, par 71):

260 - Lee Hodges 63-64-66-67

267 - Martin Laird (SCO) 68-68-67-64, Kevin Streelman 64-68-69-66, JT Poston 66-66-66-69268 - Dylan Wu 70-67-67-64, Keith Mitchell 68-66-67-67

269 - Sam Ryder 70-66-65-68, Tony Finau 66-66-67-70, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 69-66-65-69

270 - Cam Davis (AUS) 68-67-70-65, Sam Stevens 69-69-66-66, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 65-68-71-66

271 - Beau Hossler 68-69-72-62, Zac Blair 69-66-72-64, Alex Noren (SWE) 71-66-68-66, Garrick Higgo (RSA) 68-69-68-66, Callum Tarren (ENG) 66-68-70-67, Nick Hardy 65-70-67-69, Billy Horschel 66-67-68-70

- AFP

2023-07-30 07:39:50

2023-07-30 07:37:27

Hodges eyes first win after late birdie spree

LeeHodges produced a back-nine birdie blitz to take a stranglehold on the PGATour's 3M Open in Minnesota on Saturday and stay on course for the first tourvictory of his career.

The 28-year-old world number 110 fired a five-under-par thirdround 66 to open up a five-shot lead heading into Sunday's final round.

Hodges, who is yet to win on the PGA Tour, stands on 20 underthrough 54 holes at the TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine - the first time hehas taken a solo lead into the final round.

"I have nothing to lose," Hodges said after Saturday'sround."I'm out here playing with house money. I have a job nextyear on the PGA Tour, this is all great. This is just icing on the cake."

Starting the day four shots clear of the field, Hodges struggledto generate momentum early on with two bogeys and two birdies to reach the turnat level par.

But he caught fire after the turn, with back-to-back birdies onthe 10th and 11th holes before reeling off three more birdies to take a grip onthe leaderboard.

The pick of Hodges' flurry of birdies came on the par-five 18thwhen he blasted a superb third shot out of a greenside bunker to seven feetbefore coolly rolling in the birdie putt.

Hodges said he plans to continue his aggressive approach when hetees up it Sunday's final round.

"It's going to be hard tomorrow," he said. "Notlike I can go shoot even par tomorrow."I'm going to have to keep making birdies. I'm just goingto stay aggressive like I have been."

JT Poston leads the pursuit heading into the final round, fiveadrift after carding a five-under-par 66 on Saturday to stand on 15 under.

Poston believes that it will take something special to overhaulHodges on Sunday.

"Lee's playing some great golf, and I would expect him todo the same tomorrow," Poston said.

"I know he's chasing his first win and it's probably only amatter of time till he gets it done out here.

"For me to get it done I'm going to probably have to shootsomething lower than I have this week."

Tony Finau is a further shot back on 14 under after shooting afour-under-par 67, while Australia's Aaron Baddeley is fourth on 13 under aftera third round 65.

Finau was bullish about his chances of reeling in Hodges inSunday's final round despite the six-shot deficit.

"It's definitely something I can come back from,"Finau said.

But Lee's playing some great golf, there's no question aboutit."

Four players - Sam Ryder, Keith Mitchell, Billy Horschel andKevin Streelman - are tied for fifth spot on 12 under, eight off the lead.

Leading scores after third round of PGA Tour 3M Open at Blaine, Minnesota on Saturday (par 71; USA unless noted):

193 - Lee Hodges 63-64-66

198 - JT Poston 66-66-66

199 - Tony Finau 66-66-67

200 - Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 69-66-65

201 - Kevin Streelman 64-68-69, Billy Horschel 66-67-68, Sam Ryder 70-66-65, Keith Mitchell 68-66-67

202 - Nick Hardy 65-70-67, Tyler Duncan 64-67-71203 - David Lipsky 69-64-70, Chesson Hadley 71-66-66, An Yu-chun (TPE) 70-66-67, Martin Laird (SCO) 68-68-67

- AFP

2023-07-29 07:03:13

Hodges leads 3M Open after dazzling finish

Lee Hodges heads into Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open with a four-stroke lead after shooting an impressive seven-under-par 64 in Blaine, Minnesota on Friday.

A two-hour rain delay meant that play was suspended at TPC Twin Cities due to darkness, with 11 players still on the course, but none of those still to finish their rounds were within 10 shots of the lead after Hodges birdied four of his final six holes.

Tyler Duncan is nearest to Hodges, on 11-under after his bogey-free 67, while Kevin Streelman, J.T. Poston, defending champion Tony Finau and Brandt Snedeker are all five shots behind Hodges.

Overnight leader Hodges was two-under for the day when play was suspended, and returned to drain a 25-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole to seize the solo lead.

He then produced an immaculate back nine with back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 and ended in style with a birdie on the par-3 17th and then the par-5 18th.

Hodges, chasing a first US PGA Tour title, is 74th in the FedExCup standings, with the top 70 heading into the playoffs next month.

"I know where I'm at, but trying harder or changing what I'm doing's not going to make me play better or anything like that. I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing and see how it turns out," said the 28-year-old from Alabama.

"With my caddie...we've committed to every shot we've hit so far, which has been great. We'll continue to do it, because what do we have to lose?" he added.

Streelman and Poston shared the clubhouse lead at 10-under when the storm rolled through.

Streelman had three birdies without a bogey after adjusting to the changed course conditions on Friday morning.

"I didn't make a ton of putts, but kind of did what I was supposed to," he said. "The greens were running beautifully today, much faster than yesterday. We all jammed our first putts pretty far past the hole so that took some on-course adjusting."

Poston carded his second straight 66, rolling in five birdies without a bogey.

Finau had to wait out the delay, but had four of his eight birdies on the back nine as he also carded a second straight 66.Former world number one Justin Thomas, who added the event to his schedule as he battles to make the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs, carded an even-par 71 that left him looking at a missed cut.

Thomas's six birdies included four in his last five holes, but he had two double bogeys, including finding the water twice at the par-five 18th, his ninth hole of the day.

That left him at 2-under, two short of the projected cut.

- AFP

2023-07-28 07:29:39

2023-07-28 07:24:05

Hodges grabs first-round lead at PGA Tour 3M Open

Lee Hodges sizzled in sweltering conditions Thursday, grabbing eight birdies in an eight-under par 63 to take a one-shot first-round lead at the PGA Tour 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota.

Hodges opened with three straight birdies at the 10th, 11th and 12th holes at TPC Twin Cities.

He tapped in from inches away at the 10th then rolled in a 32-footer at 11.

He made another trio of birdies around the turn at 18, one and two, then put together back-to-back birdies at six and seven to break free of a group of four players sharing second on seven-under 64.

"Everything," Hodges said of what went well. "Really committed to every shot out there, hit a lot of really good ones."

Hodges, chasing a first PGA Tour title, said poor starts had contributed to three missed cuts in his last four events, so his strong start was key.

"To see that wedge shot go to an inch on the first hole and then make that 40-footer on the second hole, I was like, "All right, here we go, might as well make a lot of birdies if we're going to make a couple."

The quartet on seven-under included former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who had seven birdies without a bogey.

Brandt Snedeker and Tyler Duncan also had seven birdies and no bogeys while Kevin Streelman joined the group with an eagle at the 18th, capping a round that also featured six birdies and one bogey.

"All in all it was very solid, didn't miss too many and made an awesome finish there, a great three-iron into 18 and then buried the putt," said Streelman after drilling a 16-footer.

Matsuyama played before the worst of the afternoon's gusty winds, but he needed some treatment for mild heat-related symptoms after his round.

"It got really hot out there on the back nine," the Japanese star said.

"I'll relax this afternoon and hopefully get ready to play well again tomorrow."

Americans Justin Suh and Nick Hardy and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo were tied at six-under.

Hardy closed with an unlikely birdie at 18, where the rookie's drive went well right and finished up behind a tree.

"I had an angle to hit the shot, I just had to hook a nine-iron with no follow-through," said Hardy, who ended up bending his club on the shot that nevertheless left him an 11-foot birdie putt.

Defending champion Tony Finau was in another big group on five-under par 66. He teed off on 10 and was five-under through his first four holes thanks to three birdies and a 49-foot eagle at the 12th.

Struggling former world number one Justin Thomas, who added the tournament to his schedule as he tries to avoid missing the FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time since 2014, carded a two-under par 69.

"I played really well," said Thomas, who is also trying to secure a US Ryder Cup berth. "I think everybody that played this afternoon was pretty shocked with that wind. It was not only blowing hard, but it was blowing in different directions."

- AFP

2023-07-24 09:19:01

Bhatia edges Rodgers in playoff to win first PGA Tour title at Barracuda

American Akshay Bhatia birdied the 72nd hole to force a playoff then edged Patrick Rodgers with a par at the first playoff hole to claim his first US PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship.

Bhatia, 21, shook off two early bogeys and a double-bogey at the fifth hole, making six birdies the rest of the way to score nine points under the Modified Stableford scoring system that awards points for birdies and eagles and deducts them for bogeys and worse.

That took him to 40 points, pulling him level with overnight leader Rodgers who couldn't get his own birdie putt at the 72nd hole to fall for the win.

Rodgers had stretched his lead with three birdies in the first eight holes.

But he had two bogeys and just one birdie coming in, finishing with six points as Bhatia surged into contention.

Rodgers, a 31-year-old seeking a first tour title, got a terrible break when they returned for the playoff to 18, where his solid tee shot landed in a sandy divot.

His shot out was in deep rough short of the green as Bhatia blasted a superb drive down the fairway, then gave himself a birdie chance.

He ended up tapping in for a par that was enough for the win after Rodgers's bogey.

"I can't even talk," said Bhatia, whose runner-up finish at the Puerto Rico Open had given him temporary tour status.

The win gives him full tour member status and he's now qualified for the season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs.

Bhatia admitted that he "felt uncomfortable" in the early going at Tahoe Mountain Country Club in Truckee, California.

"I made a really bad double, I hit some really bad shots," the Californian said.

"Then I just kind of made some really nice putts on eight and nine and then started hitting some really good shots coming in.

"It was an agonizing end to the week for Rodgers, who now has four runner-up finishes on tour without a win.

France's Julien Guerrier roared into a share of third place with 10 birdies that gave him a final-round score of 20 points for a total of 37.

He was tied with Sweden's Jens Dantorp who had an eagle and six birdies and two bogeys to score pile up 15 points.

- AFP

Leading scores after Sunday's final round in the US PGA Tour Barracuda Championship at Truckee, California, using the Modified Stableford scoring system that awards points for eagles and birdies and subtracts points for bogeys (x-won at first playoff hole; USA unless noted):

40 - x-Akshay Bhatia 6 8 17 9, Patrick Rodgers 15 11 8

637 - Julien Guerrier (FRA) 11 4 2 20, Jens Dantorp (SWE) 7 6 9

1536 - Ryan Gerard 16 14 3 335 - Chesson Hadley 11 7 3 14, Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 8 3 10 14, James Hahn 14 5 8 8, Beau Hossler 17 5 8

534 - Sean Crocker 10 11 2 15, Sebastian Soderberg (SWE) 9 2 9 14, JC Ritchie (RSA) 5 10 6 13, JJ Spaun 10 4 7 13, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 1 16 6 11, Mark Hubbard 8 7 8 11, Joel Dahmen 10 3 16

533 - Marcus Armitage (ENG) 10 5 8 10, Chad Ramey 10 6 9 8, Cameron Champ 9 11 8 5

2023-07-23 07:36:16

Resilient Rodgers edges into lead at PGA Barracuda Championship

Patrick Rodgers drained a birdie putt worth two points at the 18th hole on Saturday to take a one-point lead over Ryan Gerard heading into the final round of the US PGA Tour Barracuda Championship.

Rodgers shook off mid-round miscues that included back-to-back bogeys at the fifth and sixth and a double bogey at the 10th, his eagle at the par-five 12th giving him a big boost under the Modified Stableford scoring system in use for the event that awards points for birdies and eagles and deducts points for bogeys and worse.

His third birdie of the day put him on 32 points - one behind overnight leader Gerard, and his clutch birdie at the last was enough to put him in front as he chases the first PGA Tour title of his career.

"It was a day of resilience, for sure," Rodgers said.

"I shot myself in the foot more than once today, especially in this format.

"I missed a couple of really tiny putts on the front nine. Other than those, missed a few opportunities, then made a double on 10.

"I was really super proud of the way that I was resilient and turned the round around and knew there was still a lot of points to be had."

Gerard, who is also seeking a first tour title, came into the round with a four-point lead but in tougher afternoon conditions he, too, had to overcome adversity in the form of three bogeys - including two straight at 10 and 11.

He bounced back with a chip in for birdie at the 12th and rolled in a long birdie putt at 13 to get to 33 points - but his five pars coming in didn't earn him any more points.

"I didn't hit it very well at all today," Gerard said.

"I didn't really make too many putts besides the one on 13. So just a lot of a grind out there today."

American Akshay Bhatia was alone in third on 31 points after posting an eagle and six birdies in his round worth 17 points in more benign morning conditions.

The strong showing wasn't something the Californian would have predicted on the Tahoe Mountain Country Club course.

"I wouldn't say this golf course or the altitude really suits my game," said Bhatia, adding that some shots had been "super confusing on the numbers and everything.

"A few adjustments helped him off the tee. More importantly, a few more putts fell to make the difference in a scoring format in which birdie and eagles are big."

Although he finds it tricky, Bhatia said the high-altitude course was a good fit for the scoring system that can reward aggression.

"You've got drivable par-fours, you've got short par-fives. So it's a great format to make a ton of birdies."

- AFP

2023-07-22 07:59:55

Gerard takes 4-point lead in PGA Barracuda Championship

Risingtalent Ryan Gerard had seven birdies without a bogey to take a four-point leadat the halfway stage of the PGA Tour Barracuda Championship in Truckee,California, on Friday.

Gerard's seven birdies earned him 14 points under the ModifiedStableford scoring system that awards points for birdies, eagles and better anddeducts points for bogeys and worse.

His two-round total of 30 points put him four ahead of PatrickRodgers, who had seven birdies and three bogeys to amass 11 points.

Sweden's Vincent Norrman had an eagle and five birdies withthree bogeys, his 12 points taking his two-day tally to 23.

Gerard's strong opening - featuring 16 birdies in the first twodays - has the 23-year-old in position to challenge this weekend for a first PGATour title in his 16th start.

"I played really solid all day," he said. "I'vebeen hitting it great. I think I've hit 16 or 17 greens both rounds out here.So feel really comfortable at the altitude getting the distances to the rightspot where I want them.

"I had a little bit of a mud on my shirt from hitting itout of the water on six, but besides that it was relatively stress-free andalways nice to hole a few par putts coming down the stretch."

While the scoring system inspires some players to be moreaggressive, Gerard said he was trying to focus on hitting "the propershots to the proper sides."

"I know this is a format where guys like to go out and kindof pin their ears back," he said. "But [I've] just been trying topick my spots and play to my strengths."

Rodgers, in contrast, was relishing the green light to attackthe course.

"I'm doing a good job of making a lot of birdies, which isfun," he said. "I really enjoy this format. I feel like it frees meup. It's fun to play aggressive."

Rodgers even enjoyed the vagaries of playing at high altitude onthe Tahoe Mountain Club course.

"We stood there on one of our last holes having about eightdifferent numbers to consider by the time you're doing uphill, downhill,altitude, carry distances, all of that. It's fun, I like the challenge."

- AFP

2023-07-21 08:06:02

Noh soars to Barracuda lead with trio of eagles

SouthKorean Noh Seung-yul grabbed three eagles to soar to a sizeable lead on 23points on Thursday in the first round of the PGA Tour's Barracuda Championshipin Truckee, California.

Noh, chasing a second career PGA Tour title to go with his 2014Zurich Classic of New Orleans win, eagled all three of the par-fives on theTahoe Mountain Club course, especially valuable under the Modified Stablefordscoring system that awards points for birdies and eagles and subtracts them forbogeys and worse.

Noh also had five birdies and a pair of bogeys, his 23 pointsputting him six clear of American Beau Hossler, whose two eagles included anace at the par-three third hole.

Noh said he'd never had three eagles in a PGA Tour round before,and it wasn't the kind of outing he was expecting with the course firming upand winds rising in the afternoon.

"It's just so much fun to play today," said Noh, whoearned five points for each eagle.While some players find the points system an invitation to bemore aggressive, Noh said he tried to use his usual approach.

"Nothing changed ... Every hole, every single shot. It's justa better result today," he said, noting that he hit three greens on thethree par-fives and had one tap-in eagle and one eagle putt of more than 30feet.

"I putted pretty good today," said Noh, who also hadan eagle putt of more than 15 feet.

Hossler had set an early target at 17 points in pursuit of hisfirst PGA Tour title.He eagled the par-five sixth to go along with his hole in one atthe third.

"I was kind of in between clubs," Hossler said of theace. "I think it was like 211 (yards), but at altitude it's playing like190.

"I hit seven-iron and it landed in a good spot and it wentin."His only regret - he couldn't enjoy the highlight footage.

"It looked like it was the only hole on Tour this year thathad no camera," Hossler said.

France's Alexander Levy had eight birdies without a bogey andwas joined on 16 points by American Ryan Gerard - who had nine birdies and twobogeys.

Carson Young, Patrick Rodgers and Germany's Maximilian Kieffershared fifth on 15 points.

The tournament is played opposite the Open Championship atHoylake.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round in the PGA Tour Barracuda Championship at Truckee, California, using the Modified Stableford scoring system that awards points for eagles and birdies and subtracts points for bogeys (USA unless noted):

23 points - Noh Seung-yul (KOR)

17 - Beau Hossler

16 - Alexander Levy (FRA), Ryan Gerard

15 - Carson Young, Patrick Rodgers, Maximilian Kieffer (GER)

14 - James Hahn

13 - Nathan Kimsey (ENG), Martin Laird (SCO), Brent Grant

12 - Carl Yuan (CHN), Kyle Westmoreland, James Morrison (ENG)

11 - Charles Porter, Julien Guerrier (FRA), Wesley Bryan, Chesson Hadley, Vincent Norrman (SWE), Troy Merritt

- AFP

2023-07-17 07:09:21

2023-07-17 07:02:27

Sweden's Norrman beats Kimsey in playoff for PGA Barbasol title

Sweden's Vincent Norrmanwon a playoff over England's Nathan Kimsey with a par on the first extra holeSunday to capture the PGA Tour Barbasol Championship.

The 25-year-old fromStockholm sank a clutch seven-foot bogey putt on the 18th hole in regulationjust to force a playoff, then pitched from the rough to two feet in the playoffand made a par putt for the victory.

"I don't think I canprocess this for a while. I'm at a loss for words," Norrman said."It's even beyond (adream). I don't think I've dreamt this big yet honestly. It's amazing."

Norrman fired a six-underpar 66 to finish alongside Kimsey on 22-under 266 after 72 holes at Keene TraceGolf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

The PGA Tour rookieclaimed his first title in only is 23rd tour start, the 286th-ranked standoutbooking a place in next week's British Open.

Norrman, whose best priorPGA result was a share of eighth in May at the Byron Nelson, wasn't sure howthe triumph would alter his goals and plans.

"We're going tofigure that out tomorrow," he said.Norrman led Kimsey by oneat the 18th tee but his first two shots found the left rough.

Then Norrmanblasted over the green, pitched to just outside seven feet and saw his bogeyputt catch the right edge and fall in to force a playoff.

"I just hit it leftoff the tee and I had a terrible lie," Norrman said. "It was animpossible shot, I felt like. That was a really good bogey."

The playoff began at thepar-4 18th with Norrman finding right greenside rough and Kimsey a leftgreenside bunker.

Kimsey blasted out to 15feet while Norrman pitched to two feet. Kimsey two-putted for bogey and Norrmantapped in moments later for the victory.

"Have a chance towin a PGA Tour event, I can't complain really," Kimsey said. "I feellike I barely missed a shot all day, holed a few nice putts and did a reallygood job of executing the whole back nine."

Kimsey, a 30-year-oldEnglishman who plays on the DP World Tour, missed a chance to become the firstplayer since American Jim Benepe at the 1988 Western Open to win in his PGATour debut.

US rookie Trevor Cone,who made double bogey at the par-3 16th and missed a 12-foot birdie putt at 18to miss the playoff, settled for a share of third with France's Adrien Saddieron 267.

Lucas Glover, the 2009 USOpen champion, fired his 12th consecutive round in the 60s with a 68 to finishfifth on 268 with Canada's Taylor Pendrith sixth on 269.

Unseen leaderboards

With most of the world'stop players at the Scottish Open, the US event offered a prime chance forplayers trying to keep their tour status to grab valuable points or a victory.

Cone and Norrman eachbirdied the par-5 15th to reach 23-under as Kimsey made a late charge withbirdie putts from 31 feet at the par-3 14th, five feet at the 15th and eightfeet at the par-4 17th to finish on 266.

At the par-3 16th,Norrman sank a clutch seven-foot par putt while Cone went into the weeds on theway to a double bogey.

Norrman, one back of Conewhen the day began, birdied the first hole from just inside 10 feet, sank a23-foot birdie putt at the fourth and drove the green in two to set up a tap-inbirdie at the par-5 fifth.

He closed the front ninewith three birdies in a row to reach 22-under and grab a two-stroke edge beforeCone birdied 11 and 13 to pull level.

"I didn't even lookat any leaderboards," Norrman said.

"I was just out there trying topost a number."

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Barbasol Championship in Nicholasville, Kentucky (USA unless noted, par-72, x- won playoff with par on first extra hole):

266 - x-Vincent Norrman (SWE) 66-67-67-66, Nathan Kimsey (ENG) 69-66-67-64

267 - Adrien Saddier (FRA) 68-66-67-66, Trevor Cone 71-65-63-68

268 - Lucas Glover 63-68-69-68

269 - Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 69-66-68-66

270 - Daniel Brown (ENG) 65-68-70-67, Grayson Murray 70-70-63-67

271 - Akshay Bhatia 68-68-70-65, Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) 69-69-68-65, Doc Redman 69-70-65-67, David Ravetto (FRA) 72-64-67-68, Alexander Levy (FRA) 69-68-66-68

272 - Ryan Moore 64-70-70-68, Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 66-70-67-69

273 - Tommy Gainey 70-69-69-65, MJ Daffue (RSA) 70-66-70-67, Christoffer Bring (DEN) 72-65-69-67, Adam Long 66-67-71-69, Ryan Armour 64-71-69-69, Cameron Percy (AUS) 70-69-65-69, Louis de Jager (RSA) 69-65-69-70, Jayden Schaper (RSA) 68-66-68-71

- AFP

2023-07-14 07:07:26

2023-07-14 07:02:37

Former US Open champ Glover leads PGA Barbasol Championship

LucasGlover's switch to a long putter continued to pay off as the former US Openchampion, chasing a first win since 2021, carded a nine-under par 63 to leadthe US PGA Tour Barbasol Championship on Thursday.

Glover fired an eagle and eight birdies against one bogey on theKeene Trace Golf Club course in Nicholasville, Kentucky, and had a one-shotlead over fellow Americans Ryan Armour and Ryan Moore.

It was Glover's ninth straight round in the 60s - a solid run ofform that has seen him finish tied for fourth and tied for sixth in his pasttwo starts.

His improved putting is at "the root of it," the 2009US Open winner said.

"Just got confidence in the putting and making some ofthose midrange putts and very comfortable over the short ones again,"Glover said.

"Anytime you're putting well it takes pressure off the restof your game. You don't feel so much pressure to hit it perfect, which is not possible."

Glover rolled in a 19-foot birdie at the second hole and after abogey at the fourth birdied five straight.

He didn't need the putter at 12, where his pitching wedge from138 yards out spun into the hole for an eagle.

"That's one of those hole locations where you've got achance to get it really close because you've got a backstop behind it," hesaid.

"(You've) just kind of got to get it online and it's going to feedto it, and I did that and it just happened to go in."

Glover said he wasn't surprised that the 63 was his lowest roundsince 2021, when he won the most recent of his four TITLES AT THE John DeereClassic.

"Getting hot at the right time, and 63 anytime, anywhere ispretty good," he said.

Glover, ranked 112th, is the highest-ranked player in the fieldof the event played opposite the Scottish Open, which is sanctioned by both theDP World Tour and the PGA Tour.

In addition to a $3.8 million purse the event offers valuableworld ranking points and FedEx Cup points for players trying to make the UStour's playoff series.

The winner also gains a berth in the Open Championship, thefinal major of the year that starts at Royal Liverpool at Hoylake on 20 July.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Barbasol Championship in Nicholasville, Kentucky (USA unless noted, par-72):

63 - Lucas Glover

64 - Ryan Armour, Ryan Moore

65 - Daniel Brown (ENG), Wesley Bryan, Cody Gribble, Andrew Novak

66 - Marcus Helligkilde (DEN), Marcus Kinhult (SWE), Adam Long, Angel Hidalgo Portillo (ESP), Bo Van Pelt, Vincent Norrman (SWE), Johannes Veerman

67 - Peter Malnati, Clment Sordet (FRA), Niklas Norgaard (DEN), Sean O'Hair, Chad Ramey, Patton Kizzire, JC Ritchie (RSA), Wes Homan, Deon Germishuys (RSA)

- AFP

2023-07-10 08:43:38

Austria's Straka fires 62 to win PGA John Deere Classic

Sepp Straka's bid for a sub-60 final round met a watery grave at the 72nd hole on Sunday but he hung on to win the PGA John Deere Classic.

Despite closing with a double bogey, the 30-year-old Austrian fired a PGA career-low nine-under par 62 in the final round to finish 72 holes on 21-under 263 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

That was good enough for a two-stroke victory over Americans Brendon Todd and Alex Smalley, who couldn't overtake Straka down the last holes.

"It was pretty crazy. I'm just pumped about it. It feels awesome," Straka said about his second career PGA title.

"The putter was hot and I was able to take advantage of it with some good iron play."

Straka was 11-under on the day before finding water at 18 and reaching the clubhouse only two strokes ahead of Todd, who had five holes remaining as he tried to end a four-year win drought.

Todd and Smalley each birdied 14 to pull within one but Todd missed a six-foot birdie putt at 15 and made a three-putt bogey at the par-3 16th to fall two adrift again.

Both closed with back-to-back pars to hand Straka hand the triumph.

"The 59 was nowhere in my head really," Straka said of his closing holes.

"I knew I had a chance but in that situation the only thing that really matters is trying to win the golf tournament."

That seemed in doubt after he found the water on his approach at 18.

"It was not a good shot, pulled it," Straka said.

"Wind was off to the right but I was just trying to go to the middle of the green, let it feed down to the left toward the hole. Pulled it early and then the wind drug it over to the water."

It was unfortunate but that was the first bad shot I hit today so I'll give myself a little bit of slack there. Hit a good putt. Broke a little more than I thought it would."

Straka won his only prior PGA title at last year's Honda Classic but lost two other 2022 events in playoffs.

Straka's impressive round began with a birdie putt from just outside five feet at the first hole, followed by a 20-foot eagle putt at the par-5 second.

"Ball just stopped short of the bunker where I could have a stance and hit a really nice iron shot in there and made the putt," Straka said of his eagle.

After a birdie putt at the fourth from just outside eight feet, Straka landed his approach barely two feet from the hole and birdied the par-4 sixth, then sank a 29-foot birdie putt at the par-3 seventh.

Straka closed the front nine with a 40-foot birdie putt for a 7-under 28 start, his lowest nine-hole score.

He reeled off four birdies in a row with a seven-foot birdie putt at 11, another from just inside 14 feet at the par-3 12th, a nine-foot birdie putt at 13 and another from half that distance at 14.

Straka was just off the left edge of the hole on a 41-foot birdie putt at 15 and saved par from a greenside bunker at the par-5 17th before the double bogey finish. - AFP

2023-07-09 07:44:47

Todd closes strong to grab lead at PGA John Deere Classic

Brendon Todd birdied three of the last six holes, closing with a clutch par putt, to seize a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA John Deere Classic.

The 37-year-old American, seeking his first PGA title since 2019 and fourth overall, fired a bogey-free four-under par 67 to stand on 16-under 197 after 54 holes at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

Alex Smalley, who fired a 62, shared second on 198 with fellow Americans Adam Schenk and Denny McCarthy with American Peter Kuest fifth on 199.

Eight others were only three adrift, including 36-hole leader Cameron Young, who stumbled back with a closing double bogey to shoot 71.

"Probably [need] another round like today," Todd said.

"Looks like there are a lot of pursuers there. It's a pretty bunched leaderboard so I'll have to go out there, play my game, make a bunch of birdies and see what happens."

World number 78 Todd, who has converted two of his five career 54-hole PGA leads into victories, was a runner-up at Pebble Beach earlier this year.

Todd's PGA triumphs came at the 2014 Byron Nelson Championship and the 2019 Bermuda Championship and Mayakoba Classic in Mexico.

Todd sank a 26-foot eagle putt at the par-5 second hole, then closed strong with a six-foot birdie putt at the 13th, a 17-foot birdie putt at 15 and a stunning 45-foot birdie shocker at the par-3 16th.

It took a tense 12-foot par putt at the 18th for Todd to claim the edge over his countrymen.

"Anybody who is within three shots of the lead is looking to go as low as they can, so there's certainly going to be no defense for me," Todd said.

"It's going to be the same stuff."

World number 85 Smalley, who shared ninth two weeks ago at the Travelers Championship for his best finish of the year, matched his career low PGA round to leap into contention.

Smalley, 26, made seven birdies and an eagle to give himself a chance to become the 24th first-time PGA winner in the history of the event.

"I don't see why it couldn't be," Smalley said.

"Just got to go out there and if I play like I did today. I feel like I have a pretty good chance. Just got to have the same mindset."

His successes included an approach to three feet at the par-5 second to set up an eagle and birdie putts of 34 feet at the par-3 12th and eight feet at the first, fourth and 17th.

World number 19 Young, last year's British Open runner-up, birdied 16 and 17 to pull within one of Todd but found a fairway bunker and water at 18 on his way to a closing double bogey.

The 26-year-old American is chasing his first PGA Tour title after six second-place showings, including this year's WGC Match Play. - AFP

2023-07-08 06:37:01

SA's Higgo in the hunt as Young seizes two-stroke lead at PGA John Deere Classic

Cameron Young, last year's British Open runner-up, fired a seven-under par 64 to grab a two-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the PGA John Deere Classic.

The 26-year-old American, chasing his first PGA Tour title after six second-place showings in two years, stood on 13-under 129 after 36 holes at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois."Nice to have two really good days to start the tournament," Young said.

Young, a runner-up most recently in March's WGC Match Play, has as many runner-up showings without a victory as any player in the past 40 years.

"It's really just a 'one foot in front of the other' kind of thing, executing the plan we've made for the week," Young said of chasing his first triumph.

"If I can control my mind and stay in some control of my golf ball, hopefully I'll give myself a chance in a couple of days."

South Africa's Garrick Higgo and Americans Adam Schenk and Brendon Todd shared second on 131. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg was on 132 with Americans Denny McCarthy, William Mouw and Kevin Roy.World number 19 Young credited work on his putting with his successful start.

"Made a few mechanical changes, just really the tempo, and I think it's helping me control my speed a lot better, which is leading to some better green reading," Young said.

"I'm seeing good signs. Even the ones that don't go in, I feel like my speed has been really good and I've been rolling it how I mean to -- I've been able to take a little more confidence."

Back-nine starter Higgo, who shot 66, opened with an eagle and closed with a bogey to fall two adrift.

"I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. I'm not going to change much," Higgo said. "It's good momentum going into the next couple weeks."

US back-nine starter Jim Herman reeled off seven consecutive birdies from the par-3 16th through the par-4 fourth holes on his way to a 63 to share 10th on 134.

Sweden's Jonas Blixt, who led after an opening 62, followed with a 73.

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic at Silvis, Illinois (USA unless noted, par 71):

129 - Cameron Young 65-64

131 - Adam Schenk 65-66, Garrick Higgo (RSA) 65-66, Brendon Todd 66-65

132 - Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 68-64, William Mouw 66-66, Denny McCarthy 68-64, Kevin Roy 69-63

133 - Mark Hubbard 67-66

134 - Grayson Murray 64-70, Lucas Glover 69-65, Kevin Streelman 71-63, Peter Kuest 67-67, Cody Gribble 68-66, Jim Herman 71-63, Chris Kirk 68-66, Nate Lashley 65-69

135 - JT Poston 68-67, Akshay Bhatia 66-69, Yuto Katsuragawa (JPN) 72-63, Greyson Sigg 65-70, Jonas Blixt (SWE) 62-73, Seamus Power (IRL) 66-69, Adam Svensson (CAN) 69-66, Keith Mitchell 68-67, Jimmy Walker 67-68, Doug Ghim 70-65, Tano Goya (ARG) 67-68

- AFP

2023-07-07 08:04:51

Blixt blitzes into lead at John Deere Classic

Sweden's Jonas Blixt snatched a two-shot lead over American Grayson Murray after a superb nine-under 62 in the first round of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic on Thursday.

Blixt was on fire at the TCP Deer Run in Silva, Illinois producing eagles on the par-five second and the par-four 14th.

The only blemish for the 39-year-old, three-time winner on the PGA Tour, was a bogey on the par-four 5th hole where he two-putted after getting in trouble in the rough.

But Blixt was in blistering form on the back nine, shooting 29, with three further birdies following his brilliant eagle on the 14th.The Swede blasted his drive 361 yards to the green and then drained a 43 foot putt.

After, he said his round had come as a surprise after a difficult season so far.

"I had six weeks off and worked a lot with my swing coach back home. I had struggled a lot I feel like (for) a few months and I think I found something this week after playing the Korn Ferry last week," he said.

Blixt's last win was almost six years ago and he had back surgery in 2019.

"At this point when you don't have that much confidence in your game and you find something, you just kind of go out and see where you swing at it, and that's what happened. I mean, 62 doesn't happen very often on the PGA Tour, at least not for me.

"I'm very happy about it. Extremely happy about it," he said.

- AFP

Leaderboard:

62 - Jonas Blixt (SWE)

64 - Grayson Murray

65 - Nate Lashley, Richy Werenski, Adam Schenk, Greyson Sigg, Cameron Young, Garrick Higgo (RSA)

66 - Seamus Power (IRL), Akshay Bhatia, William Mouw, Brendon Todd, Alex Smalley

2023-07-02 23:00:13

Rickie Fowler sank a birdie putt from just inside 12 feet on Sunday to win a playoff for the PGA Rocket Mortgage Classic title and snap a four-year win drought.

Fowler defeated fellow American Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion, and Canada's Adam Hadwin to capture his first victory since the 2019 Phoenix Open and his sixth PGA triumph overall."It's just nice to have this one out of the way," Fowler said.

"I'm obviously going to soak this one in and celebrate a bit. It has just been a long road. I'll get emotional at some point."

Fowler, 34, won the 2017 Players Championship but has struggled in recent years, falling to 185th in the world rankings last year before reviving his form this season with nine top-20 finishes in his past 10 events.

"Had to keep putting the time in, keep grinding, keep pushing," Fowler said.

"Then started to see some positive results and to build some confidence and momentum last fall.

"A lot of great stuff this year. I knew it was a matter of time the way I've been playing."

In the four years, four months and 29 days between his titles, Fowler became a husband and father and smiled as he held his daughter Maya on the 18th green.

"Winning is great," Fowler said.

"But there's a lot more to life than that."

Morikawa, Fowler and Hadwin all finished 72 holes on 24-under par 264 at rain-softened Detroit Golf Club, where players started early in threesomes to escape a stormy afternoon forecast.

Fowler, Morikawa and Hadwin shared the lead at 23-under as they came down the stretch.

Morikawa and Hadwin each birdied the par-5 17th, but Fowler needed three to reach the fringe there and settled for par.

At 18, Fowler dropped his approach just over three feet from the hole and tapped in to reach the playoff."Our back was against the wall," Fowler said.

"Didn't take advantage of some opportunities I had on the back nine to win in regulation, but I'll take it any way we can get it."

The playoff began at 18, and Fowler booked his tee shot right into the crowd with his rivals in the fairway.

But Fowler dropped his approach just inside 12 feet from the hole while Morikawa went over the green and, like Hadwin, ended up just over 21 feet from the hole.

Hadwin's putt rolled past, Morikawa's chip was short, and Fowler then made his putt, standing in place and smiling at his long-sought victory.

"It was a nice moment just to kind of feel like the weight on my shoulders was finally off," Fowler said.

'Old Collin' is back

Morikawa and Hadwin had also been trying to snap victory droughts, with Hadwin's only PGA victory coming at the 2017 Valspar Championship.

"Would have liked to have made a couple more putts," Hadwin said.

"But I did a lot of really good things. I'm proud of the way I kept going and had some fun. Hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come."

Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 British Open winner hasn't won a PGA event since capturing the Claret Jug at Royal St. George's.

His most recent triumph was at the 2021 European Tour's season-ending championship at Dubai.

"You've got to execute the shots, and we did a lot of that really good," Morikawa said.

"It was awesome to see. Haven't seen that for 72 holes in a while. It's kind of the old Collin hopefully back... It will be really exciting for me heading to The Open."

World number nine Max Homa, the highest-ranked player in the field, aced the par-3 15th from 140 yards with a pitching wedge.

Germany's Stephan Jaeger matched the course record with a 63 to share ninth on 270.

- AFP

2023-07-02 07:22:00

Fowler makes late charge to grab PGA lead at storm-hit Detroit

Rickie Fowler, trying to snap a four-year victory drought, birdied six of the last eight holes for a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic.

The 34-year-old American, who last won at the 2019 Phoenix Open, sizzled down the back nine to fire an eight-under par 64 and stand on 20-under 196 after 54 holes at Detroit Golf Club.

"Just felt good," Fowler said. "Swing felt nice. I wanted to keep giving myself as many looks as I could. Good swings and made some putts."

Canadian Adam Hadwin matched the course record with a bogey-free 63 to finish one back of Fowler on 197 with countryman Taylor Pendrith third on 198 after taking his first bogeys of the week at the par-3 15th and 18.

England's Aaron Rai and American Peter Kuest, a Monday qualifier, shared fourth on 199.

Afternoon storms halted play for an hour and 42 minutes and a stormy forecast prompted officials to move Sunday tee times to early morning in threesomes off first and 10th tees.

"I'm just hoping we can finish," Fowler said.

Fowler, a five-time PGA winner whose titles include the 2017 Players Championship, has struggled for the past three seasons but revived his form this year with nine top-20 finishes in his past 10 events.

He's confident a triumph is not far off.

"Whether it happens tomorrow or not, it's going to happen here soon," Fowler said. "I'm not pressing that I need to go get it done tomorrow or it means absolutely nothing.

"I've been playing a lot of really good golf and been putting myself in good positions. This definitely won't be the last, but yeah, it will be fun tomorrow."

Fowler sank a 20-foot birdie putt at the second and birdied all four par-5 holes - the fourth, seventh, 14th and 17th.

After taking his lone bogey at 10 when he landed his tee shot behind a tree in the far left rough, Fowler birdied the 13th with a 12-foot putt, the 14th on a tap-in and the par-3 15th from just outside four feet.

Fowler tapped in for birdie at 15 to match Hadwin for the lead and then dropped his approach just inside three feet at 18 and tapped in for the lead.

Hadwin went four-under over the last five holes with a 17-foot eagle putt at 14, a 12-foot birdie putt at 15 and a tap-in birdie at 17.

"This is the round I needed to give myself a chance tomorrow," Hadwin said.

"Guys are going low. I've got to keep making birdies, keep hitting fairways, staying out of my own way and keep making decisions quickly."

Hadwin, whose only PGA victory came at the 2017 Valspar Championship, fired a 59 at LaQuinta Country Club in the 2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge and pondered another 59 on Saturday.

"It kind of passed through my mind. I did quick match after eagle-birdie on 14-15," he said.

"I just didn't think there were enough holes coming in."

World number 127 Pendrith, chasing his first PGA title, was last year's Detroit runner-up. His only top-10 finish this season was a share of seventh at Pebble Beach.

- AFP

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Michigan (USA unless noted, par-72):

196 - Rickie Fowler 67-65-64

197 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 66-68-63

198 - Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 67-64-67

199 - Peter Kuest 64-70-65, Aaron Rai (ENG) 65-68-66

200 - Carl Yuan (CHN) 70-66-64, Dylan Wu 65-69-66, Collin Morikawa 66-67-67, Justin Lower 68-65-67, Taylor Moore 64-67-69

202 - Lucas Glover 69-69-64, Brian Harman 68-68-66, Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN) 67-68-67, Peter Malnati 69-66-67, Chris Kirk 67-68-67, Adam Schenk 65-68-69

203 - Alex Noren (SWE) 68-68-67, Troy Merritt 68-68-67, Cam Davis (AUS) 69-65-69

2023-07-01 07:41:19

Canada's Taylor Pendrith fired a bogey-free eight-under par 64 to share the lead with American Taylor Moore after Friday's second round of the US PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Pendrith, chasing his first PGA title, and Moore, who won his first tour crown in March, stood on 13-under 131 after 36 holes at Detroit Golf Club.

World number 127 Pendrith has only managed one top-10 effort this season, a share of seventh at Pebble Beach, but is bogey-free so far.

"I played very solid, no bogeys again today, which was great," he said.

"Hit a lot of really good wedge shots on my front nine. Back nine was a little bit more of a grind, but putter kept me in it.

"All in all, super happy and excited for the weekend."

Moore, ranked 51st, was sixth at last year's event and on Thursday shared the 18-hole lead for the first time in any PGA event with an opening 64.

"I got off to a good start, felt like I got into a pretty good rhythm," Moore said.

"Saw some putts go in and was pleased about that. Feeling good for the weekend."

Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg and Rickie Fowler shared third on 132 with two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, fellow Americans Adam Schenk and Justin Lower and England's Aaron Rai sharing fifth on 133.Pendrith was a runner-up last year at Detroit.

"Learned a lot from last year, got to play aggressive," Pendrith said.

"There's still tons of birdies out there, so just stay aggressive and keep making birdies."

Pendrith began with a birdie at 10 after putting his approach just outside three feet, then sank a 31-foot birdie putt at the 12th and reeled off three birdies in a row starting with an 18-foot birdie putt at the par-3 15th.

His approach landed inches from the hole at 16 and he sank a five-foot birdie putts at the par-5 17th and par-4 first.

Pendrith added back-to-back birdies from just inside 18 feet at three and 22 feet at the par-5 fourth to grab a share of the lead at 13-under.

Moore won his first tour title at the Valspar Championship in March but has missed three cuts since finishing 72nd in May at the PGA Championship.

Moore began his round with a birdie at the 10th hole, made bogey at 16 and answered with birdie putts at the next three holes, including a 21-footer at 18 and a 16-footer at the first.

He added birdies at the third and the par-5 fourth and seventh before stumbling with a bogey at the eighth after finding a fairway bunker.

Defending champion Tony Finau shot 71 to stand on 143 and miss the cut.

2023-06-30 06:57:04

2023-06-30 06:48:35

Qualifier Kuest shares PGA Tour lead in Detroit

Monday qualifier Peter Kuest nabbed nine birdies in an eight-under par 64 on Thursday to share the first-round lead with Taylor Moore at the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.

Kuest, who said he would "probably be fishing right now" had he not earned his tournament berth on Monday, got off to a blazing start at Detroit Golf Club with six birdies in the first nine holes.

He followed a birdie at the 12th with three more birdies and held the clubhouse lead until Moore grabbed four birdies in a late five-hole stretch to join him.

"We did it all pretty well," said Kuest, who is ranked 789th in the world and trying to become the first Monday qualifier to win a PGA Tour title since Corey Conners at the Texas Open in 2021.

"We chipped one in on the front, hit a bunch of fairways, hit a bunch of greens, rolled a couple putts in. Just kept it simple."

Moore, who won his first tour title at the Valspar Championship in March, had eight birdies and a chance to tie the course record and take the solo lead at 18, where he couldn't get his 15-foot birdie putt to drop.

"I got off to a better start today and drove the ball pretty good on my front nine," Moore said.

"Got into a good rhythm, and obviously the putter got a little bit hot on the back nine, which was cool to see.

"Very pleased with the start."

The duo were one stroke clear of a group of seven players on 65.

That bunch included Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg, who had a chance to impress playing alongside European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

Aberg was nine-under after seven birdies and a chip-in for eagle at the seventh, his 16th hole, but finished with back-to-back bogeys.

"I think right now it's a little bit disappointing, but when I get some perspective on it I think I'll be pretty OK with that round," said Aberg, who turned pro earlier this month.

Aberg was joined on seven-under by England's Aaron Rai and Americans Sam Ryder, Sam Bennett, Dylan Wu, Justin Suh and Adam Schenk.

Wu carded two eagles, holing out from 262 yards out in the fairway at the 14th and making a three-foot eagle putt at the seventh.

Ryder also holed out for an eagle, Rai and Bennett both eagled the seventh and Suh had seven birdies without a bogey.

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa headlined a trio on 66 but on a low-scoring day defending champion Tony Finau settled for an even par 72 that included four birdies and four bogeys.

Max Homa, the highest-ranked player in the field at ninth in the world, carded a three-under par 69.

- AFP

2023-06-26 07:19:25

Bradley hangs on for emotional Travelers Championship triumph

Keegan Bradley survived a spate of late bogeys to claim an emotional victory on Sunday at the Travelers Championship, the PGA Tour event in Connecticut that the New Englander considers his home tournament.

Bradley led by six strokes after back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th and even three bogeys in the space of four holes - starting with a tee shot into the water at 13 - couldn't prevent him from lifting the trophy.

His two-under par 68 was good enough for a tournament-record total of 23-under par 257 at TPC River Highlands, where he bettered the previous tournament record of 258 and beat Zac Blair and Brian Harman by three shots.

"This is for all the kids who grew up in New England, got to sit through the winters and watch other people play golf," said Bradley, who attended the tournament in Cromwell, Connecticut, as a child.

"I just am so proud to win this tournament."

There was a last bit of drama at the 18th, where Bradley's approach settled under a spectator's folding canvas chair.

But by then the challenges of his rivals had faded and a beaming Bradley marched to the green with his arm raised in salute to cheering fans.

As low scores continued to proliferate, Blair - playing on a major medical exemption after missing two seasons with a shoulder injury - grabbed his share of second with an eight-under par 62.

Harman carded a second straight 64.

World number four Patrick Cantlay applied some late pressure as Bradley began to struggle, stringing together three straight bridies at 13, 14 and 15 to reach 21-under, but he bogeyed 16 and 18 to sign for a 67 that left him tied for fourth on 261.

He was joined by world number one Scottie Scheffler, who carded a 65, and Chez Reavie, who trailed by one entering the final round but settled for a one-over 71.

Rory McIlroy, coming off his one-shot loss to Wyndham Clark in the US Open, carded a 64 and was tied with Denny McCarthy on 262.

After three birdies in his first six holes, Bradley looked like he could be poised to break the PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record of 253 set by Justin Thomas at the Sony Open in 2017.

He stuck his tee shot at the par-three 11th within three feet for birdie and rolled in a nine-foot birdie at the 12th to reach 26-under.

It was a continuation of the form he'd shown all week, after working with his coach in the wake of a missed cut at the US Open.

"Something clicked on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday," Bradley said.

"I played great up until the last five, six holes and luckily enough I had a big enough lead to coast home."

Bradley captured his sixth PGA Tour title, a list that includes a major triumph at the 2011 PGA Championship.

McIlroy called Bradley's performance "amazing" given the pressure of playing in a home tournament.

"I know what that pressure feels like when I go back to Ireland and play the Irish Open," McIlroy said.

"So for him to be doing what he's doing is really impressive."

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Travelers Championship at Cromwell, Connecticut (USA unless noted, par-70):

257 - Keegan Bradley 62-63-64-68

260 - Zac Blair 65-65-68-62, Brian Harman 66-66-64-64

261 - Patrick Cantlay 65-68-61-67, Scottie Scheffler 63-70-63-65, Chez Reavie 64-63-63-71

262 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-64-66-64, Denny McCarthy 60-65-70-67

263 - Min Woo Lee (AUS) 66-65-65-67, Corey Conners (CAN) 67-65-65-66, Alex Smalley 70-62-64-67, Justin Thomas 70-64-62-67

264 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 69-64-65-66, Rickie Fowler 70-65-60-69

265 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-65-69-64, Carson Young 69-66-65-65, Doug Ghim 69-64-67-65, Lucas Herbert (AUS) 67-64-66-68

- AFP

2023-06-25 08:12:49

Bradley leads Reavie by one at Travelers Championship

Keegan Bradley fired six birdies in a six-under par 64 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead over former winner Chez Reavie heading into the final round of the US PGA Tour Travelers Championship.

On another low-scoring day at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, Bradley built a 21-under par total of 189 as Reavie posted a seven-under par 63 for 190.

It was a further four strokes back to world number four Patrick Cantlay, who had nine birdies in his nine-under 61 for 194.

Rickie Fowler went one better with a 10-under par 60 and headed a trio on 195 that also included Adam Scott, who shot 65, and overnight co-leader Denny McCarthy, who settled for an even par 70.

Bradley and Reavie, playing together in the final group, had traded the lead and were tied at 20-under through 15 holes when Bradley landed his tee shot at the par-three 16th six feet from the cup and converted the birdie.

Reavie, meanwhile, missed the green and was unable to get up and down, falling two adrift. He clawed back a shot with a 12-foot birdie putt at 18, where Bradley couldn't get his 18-foot birdie attempt to drop.

"It was just really solid," Bradley said. "Pretty boring honestly until the very end there. I made some nice shots some nice putts. I'm proud of the way I played."

Leaderboard:

189 - Keegan Bradley 62-63-64

190 - Chez Reavie 64-63-63

194 - Patrick Cantlay 65-68-61

195 - Rickie Fowler 70-65-60, Adam Scott (AUS) 62-68-65, Denny McCarthy 60-65-70

196 - Justin Thomas 70-64-62, Scottie Scheffler 63-70-63, Alex Smalley 70-62-64, Brian Harman 66-66-64, Min Woo Lee (AUS) 66-65-65

197 - Corey Conners (CAN) 67-65-65, Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 67-65-65, Lucas Herbert (AUS) 67-64-66

2023-06-24 06:45:57

Bradley, McCarthy share lead as McIlroy climbs at Travelers Championship

Keegan Bradley birdied five straight holes in a seven-under-par 63 on Friday to join Denny McCarthy atop the leaderboard at the US PGA Tour Travelers Championship, where Rory McIlroy was among those in the mix.

McCarthy, who led by two after a 10-under-par first-round 60, followed up with a five-under-par 65 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

Bradley blistered the back nine to join him on 15-under-par 125 -- a 36-hole course record -- rolling in five straight birdies from the 12th through the 16th.

Bradley had kick started his round with a 58-foot birdie putt at the third hole and drained a 10-footer at eight. He sank a 34-foot birdie at the 12th to launch his back-nine surge.

"Felt like I could make every putt I looked at," Bradley said.

"I was just reading them really good. When you're putting good everything feels easy and it's automatic."

McCarthy shook off a bogey at the second hole, where he missed the green, carding six birdies the rest of the way.

That included a 43-foot birdie putt at the 10th and another from just inside 20 feet at 18.McCarthy said it was "nice" to post the 36-hole scoring record for the course, but he remained focused on claiming a first PGA Tour title.

"Golf tournaments aren't 36 holes unfortunately, so I know there is still a lot of golf left," he said.

McCarthy and Bradley -- who played through afternoon showers -- were two strokes clear of Chez Reavie, who carded a 63 for 127. Eric Cole shot a 65 for 129 while Zac Blair and Adam Scott were tied at 130 as the course again yielded a bevy of low scores.

World number two Jon Rahm couldn't take advantage, firing a one-over 71 that left him at two-under, two shots outside the cutline that came at four-under par.

McIlroy was in a group on eight-under-par 132, climbing the leaderboard with an impressive display on the greens and despite a double-bogey disaster at his penultimate hole, the par-three eighth -- the same hole he aced on Thursday.

"Other than that, it was a really good round of golf," said McIlroy, whose tee shot was in the water.

"It just got hit by a little bit of wind," McIlroy said. "Hit a pretty good shot. I just misjudged the wind a little bit and it came up short -- the one place you couldn't miss today on that hole."

The Northern Ireland star, coming off a runner-up finish to Wyndham Clark at the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday, had eight birdies at that point, setting the tone with a 19-foot birdie putt at the 11th.

His five birdies in his first nine holes also included a 13-footer at the 14th and a 14-footer at 17. His three birdies coming in included a 25-footer at the third.

While low scores abounded, world number one Scottie Scheffler couldn't join the birdie fest. He had two birdies and two bogeys in an even-par 70 that left him on seven-under 133.

Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour Traveler's Championship at Cromwell, Connecticut (USA unless noted, par-70):

125 - Denny McCarthy 60-65, Keegan Bradley 62-63

127 - Chez Reavie 64-63

129 - Eric Cole 64-65

130 - Zac Blair 65-65, Adam Scott (AUS) 62-68

131 - Chesson Hadley 66-65, Lucas Herbert 67-64, Min Woo Lee (AUS) 66-65

132 - Greyson Sigg 66-66, Kevin Yu 65-67, Brian Harman 66-66, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 67-65, Rory McIlroy 68-64, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 65-67, Corey Conners (CAN) 67-65, Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 67-65, Austin Eckroat 67-65, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-65, Xander Schauffele 68-64, Alex Smalley 70-62

- AFP

2023-06-23 07:59:18

McCarthy fires 60 for two-shot lead at PGA Traveler's Championship

Denny McCarthy fired 10birdies in a 10-under-par 60 on Thursday to grab a two-shot lead over AdamScott and Keegan Bradley in the PGA Tour Traveler's Championship inCromwell, Connecticut.

McCarthy, chasing a firsttour title, came astonishingly close to a 59, his approach from the fairway athis final hole, the par-four ninth, bouncing short of the green and finding theputting surface to roll past the edge of the cup.

"Saw it kick andcouldn't see the rest," said McCarthy, who had opted to go with a seven-ironfor the 170-yard shot.

"In the air I wasn't expecting it to be anywhereclose to going in, but obviously it was exciting that it had a chance."

McCarthy's late-afternoonround capped a day of low scoring on the par-70 TPC River Highlands course, where91 players shot in the 60s.

"My last two eventshave been US Open and Memorial, so coming into a place that doesn't quite beatyou up as much, it's a little bit of a mindset change," said McCarthy, whofell to Viktor Hovland in a playoff at the Memorial earlier this month.

"It was nice to know from the start that it was gettable."

McCarthy "came outfiring" at the 10th hole and was rewarded with birdies at his first fourholes with another at the 15th.

He put together anotherspurt at the first, second and third and was nine-under after a birdie at thepar-five sixth, where he missed the green but drained a seven-foot birdie putt.

Aussie veteran Scott alsothreatened to break 60. He was nine-under through 15 holes but found the waterwith his second shot from the fairway at 17 on the way to a double bogey.

Scott rolled in a 20-footbirdie putt at 18 to join Bradley on eight-under.Bradley had set thetarget with a round that featured nine birdies, including five in a row fromthe 10th through the 14th to start his round.

"Really good stuffout there today," Scott said. "Plenty of good shots and I was rollingthe putter great."

As for 17, he said, hecould only speculate as to what went wrong."The wind was justmoving around a little bit the last few holes between kind of east andnortheast and north and no wind and felt like there was none really when I washitting.

"But it came up wellshort, so maybe got caught in something, because the next shot the same clubwent 15 yards further. It's a shame, but it's hard to be disappointed with62."

McIlroy ace

World number one ScottieScheffler, coming off a third-placed finish behind Wyndham Clark and RoryMcIlroy at the US Open on Sunday, had seven birdies in his seven-under-par 63.

Ireland's Shane Lowry, ChezReavie and Eric Cole shared fifth on 64.

McIlroy nabbed his firsthole in one on the PGA Tour at the par-three eighth hole, but two late bogeyssaw him settle for a two-under 68.

That left him tied withClark, who acknowledged he might have been experiencing a bit of "brainfog" in the wake of his first major championship.

Even so, Clark said he'sbeen enjoying his week, which has included some "pretty amazing"texts from "some pretty influential people."

A New York media blitzincluded television morning news programmes and ESPN appearances and also"running into some big-time celebrities that knew who I was and wanted totake a picture with me rather than vice versa," Clark said.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the US PGA Tour Traveler's Championship at Cromwell, Connecticut (USA unless noted, par-70):

60 - Denny McCarthy

62 - Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott (AUS)

63 - Scottie Scheffler

64 - Shane Lowry (IRL), Chez Reavie, Eric Cole

65 - Kevin Streelman, Kelly Kraft, Patrick Cantlay, Brendon Todd, Cam Davis (AUS), Zac Blair, Kevin Yu, Im Sung-jae (KOR)

- AFP

2023-06-12 07:59:22

Taylor wins Canadian Open to end 69-year Canada win drought

Nick Taylor sank a stunning 72-foot eagle putt on Sunday's fourth playoff hole to defeat England's Tommy Fleetwood and become the first home-nation player since 1954 to win the Canadian Open.

Taylor ended the 69-year drought for Canadians at their championship after a tension-packed extra session with a dramatic putt on the par-5 18th hole at Oakdale for his third career US PGA Tour title.

"I'm speechless," Taylor said.

"This is for all the guys that are here. This is for my family at home. I'm speechless. This is the most incredible feeling ever."

Taylor was in tears as spectators raced out of the grandstands and onto the green to celebrate the victory after he had fired a six-under par 66 to match Fleetwood on 17-under 271 for 72 holes.

"This was incredible," Taylor said. "This is an unbelievable moment. It was such a special day. This was amazing."

Spectators cheered him all around the course, giving him the energy to outlast Fleetwood.

"Every hole they were egging you on," he said. "Then in the playoff when the rain was coming down, it gives you the energy to keep going, keep focused. This is for all of them."

After each man birdied the 18th to open the playoff, parred it on the second extra hole and parred the par-3 ninth, the playoff returned to 18 for the emotion-packed finish.

World number 23 Fleetwood found a fairway bunker and blasted out short of the green while 69th-ranked Taylor was on the green but 72 feet from the hole.

Fleetwood dropped his approach 12 feet from the hole and Taylor then rolled in the longest putt of his PGA career to become the first Canadian to be a Canadian Open champion since Pat Fletcher in 1954.

"I had a similar line in the second playoff hole," Taylor said. "I knew it was going to be slow with how much rain we've had. I wanted to get as close as I can because Tommy, I thought he's going to make it.

"For that to go in, it was unbelievable."

Fleetwood, a six-time European Tour winner, settled for his fifth PGA runner-up finish. No Englishman has won the Canadian Open since 1981.

"Nice moment for Nick and the fans here," Fleetwood said. "It's great to be a part of that. I had my chances, really. It wasn't to be this time. But congratulations to him."

'Can't dwell on it'

Fleetwood will try to pick himself up for next week's US Open at Los Angeles Country Club.

"I had my chances and didn't take them," Fleetwood said. "I just have to keep practicing, keep playing.

"Have to take the positives from it and start practicing tomorrow. I got a major next week. So can't dwell on it too much."

Taylor, who set a course record of 63 on Saturday, had his right foot in a bunker when he punched from greenside sloped rough to five feet on the first playoff hole at 18.

But he watched Fleetwood make a tense 20-foot birdie putt and then sank his putt to extend the playoff.

Rain began as they played 18 again, Fleetwood sending his second shot into the right grandstand but recovering to have an 11-foot birdie putt to win only to miss and stretch the drama.

At the par-3 ninth, Taylor landed 14 feet from the hole on the right fringe while Fleetwood was 13 feet away on the green. Taylor's putt came up short and he tapped in.

Fleetwood missed left and tapped in and back they went to 18.

England's Tyrrell Hatton birdied the last four holes to shoot 64 and share third on 272 with countryman Aaron Rai, who shot 67, and 54-hole leader Pan Cheng-tsung of Taiwan.

Erik Cole, who birdied the last four holes to match Taylor's course record 63, shared sixth on 274 with fellow American Mark Hubbard.

England's Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, was eighth on 275.

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy shot 72 to share ninth on 276.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday from the PGA Tour Canadian Open in Toronto (USA unless noted, par-72, x- denotes win with eagle on fourth extra hole):

271 - x-Nick Taylor (CAN) 75-67-63-66, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 70-70-64-67

272 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 72-64-72-64, Aaron Rai (ENG) 67-69-69-67, CT Pan (TPE) 70-66-66-70

274 - Erik Cole 69-73-69-63, Mark Hubbard 68-70-66-70

275 - Justin Rose (ENG) 69-69-66-71

276 - Brandon Wu 71-69-67-69, Andrew Novak 69-68-67-72, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71-67-66-72

277 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 71-68-70-68, Harrison Endycott (AUS) 72-68-69-68, Doug Ghim 71-68-69-69, Jonathan Byrd 68-69-70-70, Harry Higgs 71-66-67-73

278 - Nate Lashley 70-68-70-70

279 - Will Gordon 68-74-69-68, Carl Yuan (CHN) 68-67-74-70

280 - Matt Kuchar 71-71-70-68, Sam Bennett 70-72-70-68, Lucas Glover 69-72-70-69, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-73-69-70, Corey Conners (CAN) 67-69-70-74

2023-06-11 06:54:54

Taiwan's Pan grabs Canadian Open lead as McIlroy, Rose charge

Taiwan's Pan Cheng-tsung opened and closed with back-to-back birdies to grab a two-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's Canadian Open.

Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy and England's Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood charged into the hunt but it was Pan, trying to end a four-year PGA win drought, who fired a six-under par 66 to lead after 54 holes at Oakdale on 14-under 202.

Pan capped his second 66 in a row with birdie putts from just outside 10 feet at 17 and the par-5 18th.

"That put me in a good spot, but I still got a lot of work to do," Pan said. "I won't do too much to change.

"But you still have to play aggressive because this course, it's a lot of rough, but if you hit it in the fairway you will have a lot of short irons in and create a lot of birdie opportunities."

A second-place pack included world number three McIlroy, 2013 US Open champion Rose and Fleetwood, a two-time major runner-up chasing his first PGA victory, plus Americans Mark Hubbard, Harry Higgs and Andrew Novak.

McIlroy fired a bogey-free 66, including three birdies on the front nine and three in a row on the back nine on a putt from just inside 17 feet at the par-3 11th, a tap-in after reaching the green in two at the par-5 12th and a 30-foot putt at 13.

"The key to this golf course is getting off to a good start," McIlroy said. "I was able to do that and kept it going through the middle of the round.

"Putter went cold over those last five holes. Feel like I could have squeezed a couple more shots out of the round but overall really pleased with how I played."

McIlroy only played nine holes on the unfamiliar layout before round one.

"Sometimes ignorance is bliss on golf courses and not knowing where the trouble is and not having memories of where not to miss it," he said.

Fleetwood fired an impressive 64, capping his own run of three consecutive birdies with a 20-foot putt at the par-3 ninth. He then birdied five of the last seven holes, including a 14-footer at the 15 and back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 and 17 and 18.

"Got a great round going and you just have to go out and enjoy those days when they come," Fleetwood said. "I drove it great, put myself in position all day and managed to convert, which is a lovely feeling."

Rose birdied six of the last seven holes in shooting 66, including five in a row starting at 12 plus a tap-in after driving the green at the par-5 18th."That was a lot of fun on the back nine," Rose said.

Taylor fires record 63

Canada's Nick Taylor, hoping to be the first Canadian winner of the event since Pat Fletcher in 1954, fired a bogey-free, course-record 63 to share eighth with England's Aaron Rai on 205.

"I'm going to try to win a golf tournament," Taylor said. "Adding the extra pressure, if you want to call it, of being a Canadian and winning the Canadian Open would be on top of that. But I think I'm ready for the moment so we'll see."

Among Taylor's nine birdie putts were a 35-footer at the third, a 15-footer at the par-5 seventh and a 25-footer at the 13th.

Chinese rookie Carl Yuan, who led after 36 holes, fired a 74 to fall back into a share of 16th on 209.

- AFP

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the PGA Tour Canadian Open in Toronto (USA unless noted, par-72):

202 - C.T. Pan (TPE) 70-66-66

204 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 70-70-64, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71-67-66, Mark Hubbard 68-70-66, Justin Rose (ENG) 69-69-66, Harry Higgs 71-66-67, Andrew Novak 69-68-67

205 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 75-67-63, Aaron Rai (ENG) 67-69-69

206 - Corey Conners (CAN) 67-69-70

207 - Brandon Wu 71-69-67, Jonathan Byrd 68-69-70

208 - Doug Ghim 71-68-69, Nate Lashley 70-68-70, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 72-64-72

209 - Harrison Endycott (AUS) 72-68-69, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 71-68-70, Chesson Hadley 67-70-72, Carl Yuan (CHN) 68-67-74

210 - Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-73-69, Ted Potter 73-67-70, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 68-70-72, Brendon Todd 68-69-73

2023-06-10 07:12:24

China's Yuan grabs Canadian Open lead with Hatton on his heels

Chinese rookie Carl Yuanbirdied three of the last four holes to grab a one-stroke lead after Friday'ssecond round of the PGA Tour's Canadian Open.

Yuan, who missed the cutin eight of his prior 10 tour starts, fired a five-under par 67 to stand onnine-under 135 after 36 holes at Oakdale.

"Definitely playedsome great golf," Yuan said. "I had the exact same mindset asyesterday. Just go out, play freely, let the result take care of itself andhave fun. It works out good so far. I think I'm going to keep thatrolling."

England's Tyrrell Hatton,who reeled off five birdies in a row, fired the event's low round with a 64 tomatch countryman Aaron Rai, Taiwan's CT Pan and Canada's Corey Conners forsecond on 136.

Rai and Conners both shot 69. Pan fired a 66.

"I just hit a lot ofgood shots," said Pan, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist. "I gavemyself a lot of good opportunities on the greens."

Conners, in the best 36-holespot by a Canadian since 2004, hopes to be the first host-nation winner of theevent since Pat Fletcher in 1954.

"Having a lot offun," Conners said. "Hopefully can keep hitting it well and get somemore putts to fall in over the weekend.Free-swinging golf wasYuan's plan this week rather than a specific score.

"I try to make theswing. Just let the body take care of itself," he said. "Normallythat works out great. I've been way too technical in past events on tour thisyear."

World number 164 Yuan madeonly five cuts in 16 prior season events, but produced his best 36-hole startsince placing 21st in January at Hawaii.

His best PGA finish was a share of17th at Shanghai in 2019.

Yuan, 26, birdied fromjust inside 14 feet and just outside 12 feet on the first two holes before abogey at three.

He birdied the par-5 seventh and 12th holes on four-foot puttsbefore a bogey at 13 after missing the green with his approach.

Yuan closed in style bysinking a 12-foot birdie putt from the fringe at 15 and a four-foot birdie puttat 16 then pitching to four feet to set up a birdie putt at the par-5 18th.

Greens 'a bit funky'

World number 16 Hatton, atop-20 finisher in his past five starts, answered a bogey at the sixth holewith birdies on the next five holes to match his longest PGA Tour birdiestreak.

"A lot of putts wentin, which was nice," Hatton said. "The greens were a bit funky thisafternoon. I managed to hit my start line, they would bobble off line andthankfully they bobbled back on line and went in."

Hatton, a six-timeEuropean Tour winner, captured his only PGA title in 2020 at Bay Hill butwas second at this year's Players Championship."It would be nice towin again for sure," Hatton said.

"Just trying to stay aggressivethis weekend and hopefully putts keep going in."

Two-time defendingchampion Rory McIlroy, the world number three and a four-time major winner,closed with back-to-back birdies to fire a bogey-free 67 and stand in a pack on138, three off the pace.

"I feel pretty goodwith where I'm at," McIlroy said. "Would have been nice to be one ortwo closer to the lead, but I thought today went well."

- AFP

2023-06-09 07:02:46

Home hope Conners among leading quartet at tense Canadian Open

Canada'sCorey Conners grabbed a share of the first-round lead on Thursday at theCanadian Open, where questions over the PGA Tour's stunning deal with LIVGolf's Saudi backers continued to dominate the conversation.

Conners had five birdies in a five-under par 67 at Oakdale,joining England's Aaron Rai and Americans Justin Lower and Chesson Hadley atopa jam-packed leaderboard that featured another nine players one stroke off thelead.

It's the first time since 2004 that a Canadian has held a shareof the first-round lead in the national open, and no Canadian has lifted thetrophy since Pat Fletcher in 1954.

Conners got off to a hot start, tapping in for an opening birdieat the 10th. He rolled in a four-foot birdie at the 12th and got up and downfor birdie from a greenside bunker at the 18th.

Coming in, he drained a 24-foot birdie at the first and a12-footer at the seventh.

But his sparkling effort couldn't distract attention from thebig news of the week - the surprise announcement on Tuesday that the PGA Tourand DP World Tour would join forces with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - the entity that backed breakaway LIV Golf to launch a rift in the globalgame that has rankled players on both sides for the past two years.

While the news was sinking in, myriad questions remained abouthow the tour would change, who among LIV golfers might be reintegrated and howplayers loyal to the PGA Tour might be rewarded.

"Obviously we just have a very, very broad and generalframework," Hadley said after firing a 67 that included seven birdies andtwo bogeys."So, there's some long-term things that I would like to seeand some short-term things - obviously, we just don't know anythingshort-term.

"Hopefully, they can get a move on it and they can startgiving us some answers to a lot of the questions that we have. I mean, I knownothing."

Hadley, ranked 297th in the world, has one tour title, at thePuerto Rico Open in 2014 - when he was the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

The 35-year-old said he'd heard talk of star players like RoryMcIlroy or Tiger Woods being rewarded for their loyalty to the PGA Tour, and hethinks those rewards should extend beyond the game's stars.

"Those guys didn't do the wrong thing, who went toLIV," Hadley said. "They made a business decision. I don't hold thatagainst anybody. But I would like to be rewarded for my decision to stayloyal."

The leading quartet will have to try to keep their minds on golfwith 21 players within two shots of the lead.

England's Matt Fitzpatrick, warming up for defence of his USOpen title in Los Angeles next week, headed a group of nine on 68.

England's Justin Rose headed a group of 15 on 69 that alsofeatured Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, making an impressive professional debut.

Leading first-round scores in the PGA Tour Canadian Open in Toronto (USA unless noted, par-72):

67 - Aaron Rai (ENG), Justin Lower, Corey Conners (CAN), Chesson Hadley

68 - Jonathan Byrd, Brice Garnett, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Mark Hubbard, Ryan Gerard, Brendon Todd, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR), Will Gordon, Carl Yuan (CHN)

69 - Eric Cole, Justin Rose (ENG), Ludvig Aberg (SWE), Lucas Glover, Roger Sloan (CAN), Cody Gribble, Callum Tarren (ENG), Andrew Novak, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Richy Werenski, Taylor Pendrith (CAN), James Hahn, Ryan Moore, Harry Hall (ENG), Akshay Bhatia

- AFP

2023-06-05 07:16:54

2023-06-05 07:11:10

Hovland beats McCarthy in playoff to win PGA Memorial

Norway's Viktor Hovland parred the first extra hole to defeat American Denny McCarthy in a playoff on Sunday to win the Memorial tournament for his fourth PGA Tour title.

The 25-year-old from Oslo, a runner-up in last month's PGA Championship, had not won on tour since the 2021 World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.

Seventh-ranked Hovland, Sunday's only player to birdie the 17th hole, and McCarthy, whose lone bogey came at 18, each fired a two-under par 70 to finish 72 holes on seven-under 281 at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

In the playoff at the par-4 18th hole, McCarthy found the right rough and pitched into the fairway while Hovland reached the green in two.

McCarthy missed a par putt from just inside 12 feet and Hovland sank a par putt from just inside seven feet for the trophy.

"I've been playing well. I've just been trying to stay within myself and play my own game. Maybe before I would have fired at some pins I shouldn't have fired at.

"I just played smart, played my game and came up clutch this time."

Hovland contended late at the Masters before settling for a share of seventh and shared third at The Players Championship in March as well as his PGA runner-up effort, making the Memorial triumph that much sweeter.

"Feels even better after a few close calls the past few months," he said. "It's fun to win one of these without ball-striking it to death. Now I can rely on some other strengths as well."

It was a gut-wrenching loss for McCarthy, who settled for his best PGA Tour result. He led down the final holes with clutch par putts only to bogey 18 in regulation and the playoff after missing the fairway off the tee.

"I battled really hard," McCarthy said. "Heartbroken right now, but a lot of positives to take from this week. My putter kept me in it when I was a little shaky. Hit a lot of good golf shots this week."

On a day when the average score soared above 75, top-ranked Scottie Scheffler - who made the cut on the number and began Sunday five strokes adrift - fired a 67 to finish third in 282, one shot out of the playoff.

South Korea's Kim Si-woo, a 54-hole co-leader, was fourth after closing on 73 with Americans Jordan Spieth and Andrew Putnam on 284 and American Andrew Schenk on 285 with 54-hole co-leader Rory McIlroy, who stumbled to a 75.

'I putted awesome'

Hovland made three birdies and three bogeys in the first 12 holes to stay within reach, then sank a birdie putt from just outside four feet at the par-5 15th and made a 27-foot birdie putt at the par-4 17th to pull one back of McCarthy.

Hovland found greenside rough at 18 but saved par from inside six feet and reached a playoff when McCarthy found left rough and missed a 23-foot par putt on his 72nd hole.

"I didn't feel like I hit it my best the whole week," Hovland said. "I just played really smart, really conservatively. I really relied on my short game and I putted awesome this week."

McCarthy, ranked 55th, had a best prior finish of third at the 2021 Honda Classic.

World number 38 Kim, seeking his fifth PGA Tour victory, found water off the 14th tee and made double bogey to fall back.

Scheffler, last year's Masters champion and this year's Players Championship winner, made six birdies in the first 16 holes but found a greenside bunker at 17 and made his lone bogey to miss the playoff.

Four-time major winner McIlroy, who won at Dubai in January, had seven bogeys - three in a row from 12-14 - against four birdies.

Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, the world number two from Spain, holed out from the fairway to eagle the par-4 ninth from 159 yards. He shot 74 to share 16th on 288.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Tour Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio (USA unless noted, par-72, x- won playoff with par on first extra hole):

281 - x-Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-71-69-70, Denny McCarthy 71-72-68-70

282 - Scottie Scheffler 74-73-68-67

283 - Kim Si-woo (KOR) 71-68-71-73284 - Andrew Putnam 71-72-71-70, Jordan Spieth 69-72-72-71

285 - Adam Schenk 75-71-68-71, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 72-68-70-75

286 - Adam Scott (AUS) 70-75-70-71, Rickie Fowler 72-68-74-72, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 76-68-70-72

287 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 71-71-73-72, Lee Hodges 72-69-70-76, Wyndham Clark 70-71-70-76, David Lipsky 69-69-72-77

288 - Luke List 73-74-71-70, Sam Burns 71-71-73-73, Shane Lowry (IRL) 69-76-70-73, Jon Rahm (ESP) 70-70-74-74, Sepp Straka 71-69-73-75, Joseph Bramlett 73-70-70-75, Russell Henley 74-71-68-75, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 72-65-75-76

WD - Collin Morikawa 71-73-68

- AFP

2023-06-04 06:59:21

McIlroy grabs share of PGA Memorial lead with Kim, Lipsky

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy birdied two of the last four holes to grab a share of the lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour Memorial Tournament.

World number three McIlroy, who won at Dubai in January but hasn't taken a US PGA title this year, fired a two-under par 70 to stand on six-under 210 after 54 holes at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

David Lipsky, an American chasing his first PGA title, closed with back-to-back bogeys and fell into sharing the lead with McIlroy and South Korean Kim Si-woo, who shot 71.

One stroke back on 211 were Norway's Viktor Hovland and Americans Wyndham Clark, Mark Hubbard, Lee Hodges and Denny McCarthy.

McIlroy, a 23-time PGA winner, had struggled after missing the cut at the Masters and sharing 47th at Quail Hollow, where he's a three-time champion.

But he shared seventh at the PGA Championship two weeks ago at Oak Hill despite feeling uncomfortable over the ball and has found better form with the US Open two weeks away.

"I'm feeling more comfortable than I felt at Oak Hill," McIlroy said. "I wouldn't say I'm 100%. But I'm battling and I'm hanging in there and the course is playing really tough.

"It feels better. I did a lot of real good work last week. I feel like I'm not fighting the club face as much as I have been so I'm able to release it a little bit more and have a little more trust in it.

"And with how tough it's playing this week, you need to trust it."

McIlroy blasted out of a greenside bunker and sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-5 fourth, but made bogey at 10 after missing the fairway and taking four to find the green. He answered with a birdie putt from just outside 25 feet at the par-3 12th then sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 15th and answered a bogey at 16 with a seven-foot birdie putt at 17.

At 18, McIlroy knocked a 70-foot birdie putt almost nine feet past the hole but sank the comeback putt for par and pumped his right fist after booking his place in Sunday's final pairing with Kim and avoiding his first three-putt of the week.

"This course is still very playable from the fairways. I've done a good job of keeping the ball in play, hitting a lot of 3-woods, a lot of irons off tees," McIlroy said.

"What I need to do tomorrow is just stick to that game plan, not try to get ahead of myself, not get too aggressive. If I stick to the game plan I've had for the last three days I'll be in with a great chance."

Kim feels 'great'

World number 38 Kim, who won his fourth PGA title in January at the Sony Open in Hawaii, made his second double bogey of the day at the par-5 11th then answered with birdies at 12, 13 and 15 to own a share of the lead.

"I feel great," said Kim, the 2017 Players Championship winner. "Making two doubles and shoot under par on this course, I'll take it."

Lipsky, ranked 160th, led much of the day and wasn't unhappy despite his poor finish.

"To find myself at the top of the leaderboard, I couldn't be happier," he said. "My short game has always been pretty good. I was able to lean on that today. I was able to hole a few nice par putts as well. Overall pretty happy."

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion and 2014 Memorial winner, made three straight bogeys starting at eight and a triple-bogey at the par-3 12th on the way to a 75 to stand on 212.

American Justin Suh, the 36-hole leader, fired a 77 to finish on 213. Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, the world number two from Spain, shot 74 to stand on 214.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler was on 215 after a 68.

- AFP.

2023-06-04 06:59:02

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio (USA unless noted, par-72):

210 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 72-68-70, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 71-68-71, David Lipsky 69-69-72

211 - Denny McCarthy 71-72-68, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-71-69, Wyndham Clark 70-71-70, Lee Hodges 72-69-70, Mark Hubbard 69-70-72

212 - Keegan Bradley 74-73-65, Collin Morikawa 71-73-68, Patrick Rodgers 70-70-72, Patrick Cantlay 71-67-74, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 72-65-75

213 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-76-67, Russell Henley 74-71-68, JJ Spaun 72-71-70, Joseph Bramlett 73-70-70, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 72-70-71, Austin Eckroat 69-72-72, Jordan Spieth 69-72-72, Sepp Straka 71-69-73, Justin Suh 70-66-77

214 - Adam Schenk 75-71-68, Keith Mitchell 71-74-69, Danny Willett (ENG) 69-76-69, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 76-68-70, Andrew Putnam 71-72-71, Gary Woodland 75-68-71, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 73-70-71, Rickie Fowler 72-68-74, Jon Rahm (ESP) 70-70-74

2023-06-03 07:12:57

Justin Suh shook off a late bogey with a birdie at 18 to grab a one-shot lead ahead of former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama on Friday at the US PGA Tour Memorial tournament.

Suh, a 25-year-old Californian chasing a first tour title, had seven birdies in his six-under par 66 and a 36-hole total of eight-under 136. That put him one in front of Matsuyama, the 2014 Memorial winner who set an early target with a bogey-free seven-under par 65 for 137.

Suh had climbed the leaderboard with three front-nine birdies, including a 20-footer at the fifth. He tied Matsuyama on seven-under with a 17-foot birdie putt at the 14th and took the solo lead with a birdie at the 15th.

But he was unable to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the par-three 16th, dropping back into a tie before rolling in a nine-foot putt for a textbook birdie at the last. Suh said holing a 16-foot putt from off the green at the opening hole was crucial to the round in difficult conditions at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

"That was a big momentum swinger just off the bat," he said. "For that to go in, I thought it just kind of put a little more pep in my step for the next 17 holes."

Suh has plenty of star talent on his heels heading into the weekend, with Matsuyama one stroke clear of world number four and two-time Memorial winner Patrick Cantlay, who was tied on six-under with David Lipsky. Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, the world number two, carded a 68 to join a group on four-under that also featured third-ranked Rory McIlroy.

Matsuyama, who has two other top 10 finishes at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial in addition to his victory, said putting was the key to his sizzling round. He birdied three of his last four holes, including a 25-foot birdie at the seventh and a 33-footer at the eighth.

"To make those putts at seven and eight were huge," said Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion who has struggled with a neck injury over the past year and has just one top-five finish in the last four months.

McIlroy bounces back

McIlroy rebounded from a triple-bogey on 18 on Thursday to card a four-under par 68, and said it wasn't difficult to refocus.

"I got one bad break on 18 with that ball finishing on the bank of the bunker," McIlroy said of his first-round effort.

"I felt like I did a lot of really good things (Thursday), so I can't let that one sort of unlucky break sort of hide the fact that everything else was working pretty well."

Rahm, who could overtake Scottie Scheffler atop the world rankings with a victory this week, joined the group on 140 with his second straight 70.

"I feel really comfortable tee to green all day," said Rahm, who opened with back-to-back bogeys but had four birdies the rest of the way.

"Hit a lot of good putts that just didn't go in."

But I always like to think that things usually even out, and we kind of guessed the wind very well on 16 and made three really good putts on 15, 17, and 18 to post a really good score."

Scheffler, meanwhile, struggled for the second straight day, making the cut on the number at three-over after a one-over par 73.

- AFP

2023-06-02 07:36:43

Riley leads Memorial by one after late birdie spree

DavisRiley birdied three of his last four holes to seize the lead after Thursday'sopening round of the PGA Memorial tournament, where last-hole setbacks deflatedRory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

Riley, ranked 79th, hasn't made a cut since taking his first PGAtitle in April with partner Nick Hardy at the tour pairs event in New Orleans.

But the 26-year-old American, a back-nine starter, sank a13-foot birdie putt at the par-4 ninth to finish on five-under-par 67, onestroke ahead of England's Matt Wallace at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

Riley credited a more relaxed approach for his round, blamingover-eagerness since his maiden PGA win for his string of missed cuts.

"I've been more and more eager to get there and been in myown way a little bit," he said."I felt like I had a hard reset at the beginning of thisweek... I just tried to relax a little out there and hit every shot to the bestof my ability. It was a good day and I had some good shots that kept momentumgoing."

Irishman Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion, andEngland's Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters winner, were in a third-place pack on69 that also included Canada's Adam Hadwin and Americans Spieth, Mark Hubbard,Austin Eckroat and David Lipsky.

Three-time major winner Spieth and playing partner McIlroy, afour-time major winner, were contenders when they reached the 18th hole, butSpieth made bogey and third-ranked McIlroy had a triple-bogey disaster.

McIlroy missed the green with his second shot from the rightrough, found the rough again with his fourth before reaching the green andtwo-putting to salvage level-par 72.

Spieth holed out from a greenside bunker from 43 feet for birdieat the 10th, reached the green in two to set up birdies at the par-5 seventhand 11th and sank a 15-foot birdie putt at 17 before a closing bogey afterfinding fairway and greenside bunkers.

"It was one of those days where I got a couple out of theround, which was kind of nice," Spieth said.

Spieth has overcome the nagging left wrist injury that botheredhim at last month's PGA Championship.

"I feel good. I wouldn't be playing if it was any bit of anissue at all," Spieth said. "I just took enough time off.Riley pitched his third shot inches from the hole to birdie thepar-5 11th and added an eight-foot birdie putt at the fifth before his lonebogey at 18.

After a birdie from just inside four feet at the third, Rileycaught fire late with birdie putts from just outside 12 feet at six, justinside five feet at seven and his closer.

"Those were holes that I kept momentum on and when I was onthe green I felt like I had nice looks and I made putts," said Riley, whoreached 11 of 18 fairways and 9-of-14 greens in regulation.

Masters winner Jon Rahm, the world number two from Spain, openedon 70 while top-ranked American Scheffler fired a 74.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Tour Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio (USA unless noted, par-72):

67 - Davis Riley

68 - Matt Wallace (ENG)

69 - Danny Willett (ENG), Adam Hadwin (CAN), Mark Hubbard, Shane Lowry (IRL), Austin Eckroat, David Lipsky, Jordan Spieth

70 - Patrick Rodgers, Justin Suh, Wyndham Clark, Seamus Power (IRL), Jon Rahm (ESP), Adam Scott (AUS), Im Sung-jae (KOR)

71 - Taylor Montgomery, Denny McCarthy, Keith Mitchell, Harris English, Garrick Higgo (RSA), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Viktor Hovland (NOR), Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, Kim Si-woo (KOR), Sam Bennett, Patrick Cantlay, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Sepp Straka (AUT), Sam Ryder, Andrew Putnam

- AFP

2023-05-29 07:21:31

2023-05-29 07:11:00

Argentina's Grillo wins playoff to capture PGA Colonial crown

Argentina's Emiliano Grillo birdied the second playoff hole to defeat American Adam Schenk on Sunday to win the PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge for his first triumph in eight years.

The 30-year-old South American fired a two-under par 68 and despite a closing double bogey finished level with Schenk on eight-under 272 for 72 holes at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

After both parred 18 to begin the playoff, they went to the par-3 16th and Grillo's tee shot landed just inside five feet.

Schenk, seeking his first PGA title, missed the green but chipped within three feet only for Grillo to make his putt for the long-sought title.

"It has been such a ride," Grillo said. "It makes me think of where I am coming from. It makes me think of my family ... They say the second is harder than the first. It definitely was.

"I'm on top of the world right now. Hopefully I can stay there for at least one more week."

Grillo won his only prior PGA title at the 2015 Frys.com Open, beating American Kevin Na with a birdie on the second playoff hole in his debut as a PGA member.

The only other Argentine winner of the event was Roberto De Vicenzo in 1957, the first Colonial champion from outside the United States.

World number one Scottie Scheffler, who made a hole-in-one in shooting 67, shared third on 273 with England's Harry Hall, who shot 73 after a bogey on 18 to miss the playoff.

"Winning on the PGA Tour is a lot closer than I thought it was," Hall said.

"Coming down the stretch there you don't need amazing golf to get it done."

Grillo, who had four birdies and two bogeys in the first seven holes, made a 17-foot birdie putt at the 12th and curled in a birdie putt from just inside 20 feet at the par-3 16th, little knowing he'd win with another birdie on the same hole after a double bogey at 18.

"I made a double on 18 and honestly I didn't care," Grillo said. "I'd have liked to get it on the 72nd but I closed with some great swings at 18 and two great birdies at 16."

Hall missed a 16-foot par putt to slip two adrift of Grillo, while Schenk made an eight-footer to birdie 16 and reach eight-under.

But Grillo went way right off the 18th tee, took a penalty drop, needed two more to reach the green and two-putted for double bogey to create a three-way tie for the lead.

Hall, ranked 197th, found water off the 18th tee and made bogey.

Schenk missed a 15-foot birdie putt and tapped in for a playoff.

"The last was a little bit funky," Hall said. "I hit a great shot. It overdrew on the went and went really far. I didn't think I could reach that. It went 340 (yards)."

'I'll learn from it'

Hall and Schenk shared the 54-hole lead but stumbled back.

Schenk made a bogey at six after finding a fairway bunker, another at 10 after hitting greenside sand and missed the green at the par-3 13th for a third bogey.

Hall opened with back-to-back birdies but missed four-foot par putts at the fifth and par-3 eighth and made bogey at the par-5 11th.

"Missed a couple inside five feet," Hall said. "I don't normally do that. I'll learn from it."Scheffler aced the 189-yard eighth hole with a 7-iron."It was nice," Scheffler said.

"It landed where I wanted it to, everybody started standing up and I was fortunate it went in."

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas (USA unless noted, par-70, x-won playoff with birdie on second extra hole):

272 - x-Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-65-72-68, Adam Schenk 66-67-67-72

273 - Scottie Scheffler 67-67-72-67, Harry Hall (ENG) 62-66-72-73

274 - Paul Haley 73-68-66-67

275 - Michael Kim 67-71-70-67, Rickie Fowler 68-71-69-67, Sam Burns 67-70-70-68

276 - Max Homa 67-69-71-69, Mark Hubbard 69-69-69-69, Kevin Streelman 68-69-68-71

277 - Justin Rose (ENG) 69-66-72-70, Chad Ramey 68-69-69-71, Aaron Rai (ENG) 71-68-67-71, Harris English 65-66-70-76

278 - Russell Henley 68-71-69-70, Austin Eckroat 69-66-72-71, David Lipsky 67-69-69-73, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-68-66-73, Justin Suh 68-70-66-74

279 - Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 70-71-71-67, Carson Young 69-66-75-69, Kramer Hickok 70-69-71-69, Austin Smotherman 67-73-70-69, Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-68-71-70, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 70-68-70-71, Ryan Fox (NZL) 67-71-69-72, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 67-66-72-74

- AFP

2023-05-28 07:27:14

England's Hall clings to share of lead with Schenk at Colonial

England's Harry Hall sank clutch putts from about 10 feet on the last two holes to share the lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge.

Hall hung tough after back-to-back double bogeys to shoot a two-over par 72 and stand level with American Adam Schenk on 10-under 200 after 54 holes at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hall, ranked 197th in the world and chasing a first ever win on the PGA Tour, reached the top with a birdie at 17, and stayed there with a tense par putt at the 18th.

"To be T1 after today is pretty cool, especially after that front nine," Hall said. "It goes to show how hard the course is, and I did a good job battling it back and getting those two birdies on that back nine."

Schenk, a 31-year-old seeking his first PGA title, fired a 67 that included back-to-back birdies at the start and a birdie at 18 as well.

"We just did a really good job managing everything today," Schenk said. "It was one of those days where right where we were looking was right where I actually hit it. It doesn't happen very often, but it's nice when it does."

American Harris English missed an eight-foot par putt at the 18th hole and stood third on 201 after a 70. Argentina's Emiliano Grillo, who fired a 72, and American Justin Suh, who shot 66, shared fourth on 204.

Hall, in only his 26th PGA Tour event, fell from the lead with back-to-back double bogeys at the sixth and seventh holes.

At the sixth, Hall went over the green beyond a cart path, then needed two more to reach the green and two putts to finish.At seven, Hall went left, needed a penalty drop and missed a 12-foot bogey putt.

Hall, 25, answered with a birdie putt from just inside 12 feet at the 12th.

At 17, Hall dropped his approach just inside 10 feet and sank the birdie putt, but at 18 he missed the green and a poor chip left him just over 10 feet for par. But the Englishman calmly knocked in the putt to keep his share of the lead.

"After two double bogeys, I was still in the tournament," Hall said. "It left me with some hope. I managed to bring it back a little bit."

Leaderboard:

200 - Adam Schenk 66-67-67, Harry Hall (ENG) 62-66-72

201 - Harris English 65-66-70

204 - Justin Suh 68-70-66, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-65-72

205 - Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-68-66, Kevin Streelman 68-69-68, David Lipsky 67-69-69, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 67-66-72

206 - Brian Harman 70-69-67, Aaron Rai (ENG) 71-68-67, Ben Martin 69-69-68, Chad Ramey 68-69-69, Andrew Putnam 66-70-70, Scottie Scheffler 67-67-72

2023-05-27 07:44:50

Hall leads by three at Colonial

England's Harry Hall fired a four-under-par 66 to take a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas on Friday.

Hall, ranked 197th in the world and chasing a first ever win on the PGA Tour, recovered from a shaky start to rattle off a string of birdies at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth and head into the weekend at 12 under.

The 25-year-old from Cornwall had surged into the first round lead after a flawless eight-under-par on Thursday.

Teeing off on the back nine on Friday, Hall bogeyed his fourth hole of the day but then birdied five of his next six holes to get his round back on track.

Although a bogey on the third dropped him to three under for the round, he coolly rolled in an 11-footer for birdie on the seventh on the way to his four-under round.

"I don't think I've played my best golf this year on the PGA Tour yet, and I think it's arrived this week," Hall said.

"Hopefully I can keep it going for the next two days."

Harris English is leading the pursuit of Hall after matching the Englishman's four-under-par 66, leaving him on nine under, three off the lead.

The highlight of a bogey-free round for English came with a brilliant ace on the par-three eighth, where his nine-iron off the tee landed on the green and rolled into the hole.

"It came off just like I wanted to and luckily went in the hole," English said.

"As long as I keep that ball striking going and keep giving myself chances, then some good things will happen this weekend."

Argentina's Emiliano Grillo was a further shot back on eight under after a five-under-par 65, while three players -- Adam Schenk, Robby Shelton and South Korea's An Byeong-hun -- were five off the lead on seven under.

World number one Scottie Scheffler is also in the hunt after posting a second straight 67. Scheffler was tied for seventh alongside Andre Novak on six under.

"I wish I was a little bit further up on the leaderboard, obviously, but I feel like my game is in a really good spot, so excited for the next couple days," Scheffler said.

But while Scheffler was contemplating the weekend, golf's newest cult hero Michael Block was brought back to earth with a bump. Club professional Block delighted crowds at the PGA Championship last week after securing a 15th-place finish.

However the 46-year-old finished bottom of the field and missed the cut on Friday after a second-round 74 left him at 15 over following his first round 81.

Block however had no regrets after his whirlwind week, and was looking forward to going home to play with his labrador, Messy."He's waiting for me," Block said.

"I haven't seen him in almost two weeks, and I can't wait to get home and throw the ball with him."

- AFP

2023-05-26 07:56:52

England's Hall surges clear at Colonial

English journeyman Harry Hall fired an eight-under-par 62 to grab a three-shot lead at the PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas on Thursday.

Hall, ranked 197th in the world, carded eight birdies and 10 pars on a flawless bogey-free round to open up a commanding lead over American Harris English at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.

The 25-year-old from Cornwall in southwest England rattled off five birdies on the front nine to reach the turn at five under before pocketing three more down the stretch - including a birdie on 18 - to create clear daylight at the top of the leaderboard.

"I was really in the moment out there and determined to play some good golf," said Hall, whose round included a 30-foot putt to save par at the 15th and a brilliant chip-in on the 12th for a birdie.

Hall admitted he was as surprised as anyone at his stellar round."I don't tend to see anything coming," he quipped.

"But I played some good golf this season, and I've had a couple of top 10s.

"This feels nice to be on the leaderboard. Hopefully I can keep the gap there between the rest of the field this afternoon."

English had six birdies and a bogey in his 65, which put him a shot clear of Tom Hoge, Adam Schenk, Robby Shelton and Andrew Putnam.

English teed off on 10 and capped his round with a good par save at the seventh followed by back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth.

"Good way to finish off the day," English said.

"I knew kind of how difficult this course can play. It doesn't seem that difficult, but it can always sneak up and bite you. I feel like I played tee to green was great today. Putting was good today. Just kind of all around did what I was supposed to do."

Fifteen other players, including world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Sam Burns - who beat Scheffler in a playoff at Colonial last year - were a further shot back on three under after shooting 67s.

Scheffler, who returned to the top of the world rankings after his share of second at the PGA Championship on Sunday, was slow to get going, making just one birdie on the front nine.

But three birdies after the turn, which included making a 30-foot putt on his penultimate hole, elevated the world number one's round to leave him five shots behind Hall.

"I don't know how to describe my round today," Scheffler said.

"I felt like I could have shot really low, and I feel like I could have went in the opposite direction too really fast.

"Anything in the red around Colonial is typically a pretty good score."

- AFP

2023-05-15 06:56:38

2023-05-15 06:53:16

Australia's Day gets first PGA Tour win in five years

AustralianJason Day clinched his first PGA Tour victory in over five years on Sunday,winning the Byron Nelson tournament with a nine-under-par 62 at TPC Craig Ranchin McKinney, Texas.

The 35-year-old had not won since the Wells Fargo Championshipin May of 2018 but his birdie on the par-5final hole earned him a one strokewin over South Korea's Kim Si-woo and American Austin Eckroat.

Day's first ever win on the PGA Tour had come in the sametournament 13 years ago, albeit at a different venue in suburban Dallas.

"It's been a struggling few years, five years since ourlast win. The way I played today was really special. I'm very pleased and happywith how things have progressed over the last couple of years. 1 835 days to beexact," he said.

Day said battling against a back injury had hampered his formbut that his determination had helped him get back to his best.

"Just non-stop grinding and non-stop wanting to improve andto try and get better. A lot of injuries with my back... just trying to getthrough those three years, just trying to get through a tournament wasdifficult," he said.

"So, to be on the other side of it, to be healthy...reallywinning again. It's so good to be on the other side," he said.

Day found his momentum with three straight bridies from the thirdhole onwards and the highlight of his round was chipping in from 37 feet for abirdie on the par-4 12th.

With Kim having taken a share of the lead, one hole in front ofhim, with a birdie on the 18th, Day knew that a par would only be enough for aplayoff with the Korean.

The Australian rose to the challenge with a superb 80-yardapproach shot on the final hole landing two feet from the hole for a simplebirdie and the win.

Eckroat, in the final group, was left needing an eagle to forcea playoff with Day, but his approach went over the back of the green and he hadto settle for birdie and a round of 65.

"Everything was solid, and I really felt like I played wellenough to win. It's just hard to beat a guy that goes out and shoots9-under," said the 24-year-old.

After his disappointing third round 71, world number two ScottieScheffler had threatened, reaching the turn with four birdies, but he had tosettle for a share of fifth place after missing a simple birdie putt on thelast.

Scheffler will now turn his thoughts to the PGA Championship atOak Hill next week.

Final scores from the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson tournament on Sunday (USA unless stated):

261 - Jason Day (AUS) 64-69-66-62

262 - Kim Si-woo (KOR) 65-66-68-63, Austin Eckroat 69-65-63-65

263 - Pan Cheng Tsung (TPE) 67-66-68-62

264 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-67-65-64, Dou Zecheng (CHN) 63-70-64-67, Scottie Scheffler 64-64-71-65

265 - Ryan Palmer 64-65-68-68, Adam Scott (AUS) 63-71-68-63, Vincent Norrman (SWE) 68-66-65-66

266 - Stephan Jger (GER) 67-71-65-63, Kevin Tway 66-71-66-63, Richy Werenski 64-68-68-66

267 - Peter Kuest 70-67-67-63, Carson Young 70-68-63-66, Kang Sung-Hoon (KOR) 66-68-66-67, An Byeong-Hun (KOR) 67-67-68-65, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 65-64-73-65

268 - Seamus Power (IRL) 69-66-69-64, Scott Piercy 64-69-69-66, Joseph Bramlett 68-67-67-66, Doug Ghim 65-70-69-64

- AFP

2023-05-14 07:53:00

China's Dou Zecheng had seven birdies in his seven-under par 64 on Saturday to grab a share of the 54-hole lead in the US PGA Tour Byron Nelson tournament alongside Ryan Palmer and Austin Eckroat.

Dou, 26, looked right at home on the par-71 TPC Craig Ranch course just minutes away from where he makes his US home in suburban Dallas.

He and Eckroat top the leaderboard after 54 holes for the first time in their PGA Tour careers as they chase a first title, while Palmer claimed the most recent of his four wins in 2019.

"I do feel some nerves already," Dou admitted not long after he capped his 64 with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th.

Eckroat had 10 birdies to overcome a double-bogey in his eight-under 63 while Palmer joined the group on 16-under 199 with his sixth birdie of the day at the par-five 18th Palmer's 35-foot eagle putt was headed for the heart of the cup but stopped on the lip, giving him a three-under par 68.

The leading trio were two strokes in front of a quartet headlined by world number two Scottie Scheffler, who was joined by Australian Jason Day, Sweden's Vincent Norrman and South Korean Kim Si-woo.

On a windy afternoon in north Texas, Dou got things going with a 19-foot birdie at the second and added a 15-footer at the fifth, then blasted out of a bunker to three feet for birdie at the sixth.

He drained a 20-foot birdie at the 13th, and got up and down for birdie at 14 and again at 16 - where he was in a cart path off the tee but gave himself a 28-foot birdie chance and made it.

Dou kept things going with a chip to one foot to save par at the par-three 17th. Along the way, he said, he tried not to pay too much attention to the leaderboard.

"I know I'm playing pretty good. I don't want to have to know who's in the lead, how much back I am to get in my head, and mess up shots," said Dou, who missed eight cuts in 17 prior starts this season.

Scheffler stumbles

Eckroat, a 24-year-old from Oklahoma, also expected to be feeling some nerves on Sunday.

"You put yourself in this position and you kind of feel like a win is the only way that it's a successful week," he said. "But [I'll] just go out tomorrow and try to play the best I can and see what happens.

"When he walked off the 18th green, Eckroat had high expectations of playing in the final group on Sunday alongside Scheffler. But former Masters champion Scheffler, who held the overnight lead, struggled on the greens and after two bogeys and three birdies was one off the lead through 17 holes.

At 18, he was in a fairway bunker off the tee and failed to get the ball out with his second shot on the way to a bogey for an even par 71. Norrman carded a 65, Day shot 66 and Kim signed for a 68.

- AFP.

2023-05-14 07:50:26

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Byron Nelson Tournament at Dallas, Texas (USA unless noted, par-71):

197 - Austin Eckroat 69-65-63, Dou Zecheng (CHN) 63-70-64, Ryan Palmer 64-65-68

199 - Vincent Norrman (SWE) 68-66-65, Jason Day (AUS) 64-69-66, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 65-66-68, Scottie Scheffler 64-64-71

200 - Patton Kizzire 66-70-64, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-67-65, Kang Sung (KOR) 66-68-66, Richy Werenski 64-68 -68

201 - Sean O'Hair 65-69-67, C.T. Pan (TPE) 67-66-68, Carson Young 70-68-63

202 - James Hahn 67-69-66, Scott Harrington 68-68-66, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 71-65-66, Joseph Bramlett 68-67-67, Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 66-68-68, Adam Scott (AUS) 63-71-68, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 67-67-68, Henrik Norlander (SWE) 66-67-69, Sam Stevens 65-68-69, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 65-64-73

2023-05-08 07:14:19

2023-05-08 07:06:30

Clark captures Wells Fargo crown for first PGA victory

Wyndham Clark outclassed reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele in a back-nine battle on Sunday to win the Wells Fargo Championship by four strokes for his first career PGA Tour triumph.

The 29-year-old American fired a three-under par 68 to complete 72 holes on 19-under 265 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina and defeat fifth-ranked Schauffele, who shot 70 to finish on 269.

"I'm a little choked up," Clark said as he fought back tears. "It has been a long five years to get to this point on tour. I thought I would have had one earlier but it was well worth the wait. I'm just so grateful."

Clark squandered the two-stroke lead he had when the day began, then picked up strokes on every hole from the eighth through the 12th to seize command and denied playing partner Schauffele by matching his birdies down the stretch.

"There's so much that goes into this," Clark said.

"There are so many times when I wanted to cry and break clubs, and I did break the clubs sometimes, in this journey and to get to this point is so sweet.

"It's just amazing to finally do this."

Clark said it took a lot of mental fortitude, the very thing he has worked hard upon this year, to pull off the triumph.

"Mentally I was super strong," he said. "Didn't start out great. I was kind of shaky. In years past I might have folded. This time I just stayed patient and hung in there and I caught fire on the back side."

Clark won the $3.6 million top prize at the $20 million event, surpassing his prior best PGA payday of $485 000.

His PGA victory fulfilled a dream he had shared with his late mother, who died of cancer while Clark was in college.

"My mom, obviously, is not here," he said. "I wish she was, but I know she's watching."

England's Tyrrell Hatton and American Harris English shared a distant third on 272 with England's Tommy Fleetwood and Australia's Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, another stroke adrift.

World number 80 Clark, a runner-up at the 2020 Bermuda Championship in his best prior showing, had three top-six finishes in his past five starts before his breakthrough.

Schauffele, seeking his eighth career PGA title and first of the year, settled for a fifth consecutive top-10 result.

Clark stumbles, soars

Clark opened with a bogey, finding a left cart path off the tee, and Schauffele sank a nine-foot birdie putt at the third to pull level.

Schauffele birdied the par-5 seventh after pitching to four feet to seize the lead, but Clark made a four-foot birdie putt at the eighth to pull level.

Schauffele missed a par putt at nine from just inside eight feet to fall behind again at the turn.

Clark blasted out of a bunker to five feet and holed his birdie putt at the par-5 10th, then Schauffele found a bunker at 11 and missed a 10-foot par putt.

Clark followed with a 19-foot birdie putt at the 12th, boosting his edge to four strokes, and kept the margin by sinking a birdie from 3 1/2 feet at 14 just after a Schauffele birdie.

Schauffele made a tap-in birdie at the par-5 15th but again Clark answered, curling in a tense nine-foot birdie putt to reach 20-under par and stay four ahead.

Clark made a pressure-packed par putt from 6 1/2 feet on 16, Schauffele made a bogey at the par-3 17th and Clark closed out matters with a bogey.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina (par 71, USA unless noted):

265 - Wyndham Clark 67-67-63-68

269 - Xander Schauffele 66-69-64-70

272 - Harris English 71-66-66-69, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 69-65-68-70

273 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 65-71-67-70, Adam Scott (AUS) 67-68-67-71

274 - Michael Kim 68-68-69-69

275 - Denny McCarthy 71-67-71-66, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 66-70-71-68, Max Homa 70-67-68-70, Corey Conners (CAN) 70-69-66-70, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 69-66-68-72, Brendon Todd 71-68-65-71

276 - Jimmy Walker 72-68-68-68, Rickie Fowler 71-68-68-69, Justin Thomas 68-67-70-71, Gary Woodland 69-69-67-71

277 - Kevin Streelman 66-71-70-70, Seamus Power (IRL) 69-70-67-71, Alex Smalley 73-65-68-71

278 - Patrick Cantlay 67-71-71-69, Dylan Wu 72-65-69-72

- AFP

2023-05-07 06:49:58

2023-05-07 06:48:32

Clark fires 63 for PGA Wells Fargo lead as Schauffele lurks

WyndhamClark fired an eight-under par 63 to seize a one-stroke lead over hot-closingXander Schauffele after Saturday's third round of the PGA Wells FargoChampionship.

The 29-year-old American, chasing his first PGA title, had eightbirdies in a bogey-free round to stand on 16-under 197 after 54 holes at QuailHollow in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"I felt like I was really mentally strong," Clarksaid. "It's a high pressure, tough golf course and early on guys weremaking birdies.

"I just stayed really patient and I was as they say kind ofin the zone and really focused out there. Felt good about it."

US playing partner Schauffele, the reigning Olympic champion,went four-under over the last five holes to shoot 64 and grab second on 199.

"Monkey see, monkey do is definitely a thing that happensout here," said Schauffele.

"Fortunately it was the guy next to me (playing well)."

Australia's Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion and a formerworld number one, shot 67 and shared third on 202 at the $20 million event withEngland's Tyrrell Hatton, who had 68.

World number 80 Clark, seeking his first PGA title, has hadthree top-six finishes in his past five starts.His only other top-five showing came at the 2020 BermudaChampionship, when he lost a playoff to Brian Gay.

Clark attributes some of this year's success to work on hismental approach.

"I meditate every day if I can, read a lot of books andthen I've been setting mental goals versus outcome goals," he said.

"I'm trying to get myself in the right mindset for the day.If I can do that I'm hoping the scores take care of itself and thus far ithas."

Clark reached the first 17 greens in regulation and was justinto the fringe at the 18th."I missed the green," Clark said.

"I'll takeanywhere on green grass. I'm happy it wasn't wet."

Clark sank a 22-foot birdie putt at the second hole and reeledoff three birdies in a row starting with a putt from just outside six feet atthe par-3 sixth.

He reached the green in two at the par-5 seventh to set up atap-in birdie and sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the eighth.

He made a seven-foot birdie putt at the par-5 10th and an11-foot birdie putt at the par-3 13th, then dropped in a seven-footer forbirdie at 14 and made a four-footer to birdie the par-5 15th.

"It's a tough golf course but he's making it look prettyeasy," US rival Max Homa said of Clark. "I imagine he's quiteconfident."

Schauffele, seeking his eighth career PGA title and first of theyear, has seven top-10 finishes this season, including his past four starts.

Schauffele reeled off four birdies in a row from the par-5seventh to par-5 10th holes and answered a bogey at the 12th with a birdie at14, a 26-foot eagle putt at the par-5 15th and a 12-foot birdie putt at 16 topull within two of Clark.

He could have matched Rory McIlroy's 2010 effort with six threesto close his round but missed an 11-foot birdie putt at 18.

"If you hit really good chips and good putts, you getrewarded," said Schauffele.

"You've got to be in the fairway."World number 18 Hatton, a six-time winner on the European Tour,captured his only PGA title at the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

World number 41 Scott, 42, seeks a 15th PGA victory and hisfirst since 2020 at Riviera.

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the PGA Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina (par 71, USA unless noted):

197 - Wyndham Clark 67-67-63

199 - Xander Schauffele 66-69-64

202 - Adam Scott (AUS) 67-68-67, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 69-65-68

203 - Harris English 71-66-66, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 65-71-67, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 69-66-68

204 - Brendon Todd 71-68-65

205 - Corey Conners (CAN) 70-69-66, Gary Woodland 69-69-67, Max Homa 70-67-68, Michael Kim 68-68-69, Adam Svensson (CAN) 68-67-70, Justin Thomas 68-67-70, Nate Lashley 68-66-71

206 - Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-69-66, Seamus Power (IRL) 69-70-67, Alex Smalley 73-65-68, Dylan Wu 72-65-69

207 - Doug Ghim 71-69-67, Rickie Fowler 71-68-68, Matt Kuchar 72-67-68, Matthew NeSmith 67-71-69, Kevin Streelman 66-71-70, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 66-70-71, JJ Spaun 68-67-72

- AFP

2023-05-06 06:26:14

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the PGA Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina (par 71, USA unless noted):

134 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 69-65, Nate Lashley 68-66, Wyndham Clark 67-67

135 - Xander Schauffele 66-69, JJ Spaun 68-67, Justin Thomas 68-67, Adam Scott (AUS) 67-68, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 69-66, Adam Svensson (CAN) 68-67

136 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 65-71, Michael Kim 68-68, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 66-70

137 - Stewart Cink 71-66, Dylan Wu 72-65, Kevin Streelman 66-71, Beau Hossler 68-69, Max Homa 70-67, Harris English 71-66, Taylor Moore 66-71

138 - Chris Kirk 67-71, Matthew NeSmith 67-71, Ryan Palmer 66-72, David Lingmerth (SWE) 71-67, Denny McCarthy 71-67, Patrick Cantlay 67-71, Webb Simpson 71-67, Gary Woodland 69-69, Alex Smalley 73-65

2023-05-06 06:21:55

Hatton, Clark and Lashley share Wells Fargo lead

England's Tyrrell Hatton made an eagle and two birdies in his last four holes to grab a share of the lead after Friday's second round of the Wells Fargo Championship.

Hatton matched his low round of the season with a six-under par 65 to stand on eight-under 134 after 36 holes at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 31-year-old Englishman shared the halfway lead in the $20 million event with Americans Wyndham Clark and Nate Lashley.

Back-nine starter Hatton's closing heroics included a 33-yard birdie putt at the par-3 sixth, a 26-foot eagle putt at the par-5 seventh and a 31-foot birdie putt at the ninth.

"They're not the type of putts that you hole consistently, so to finish the round that way, I'm obviously very pleased," Hatton said.

"Nice to see some putts go in."

Australia's Adam Scott, reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and 2022 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas were in a fourth-place pack on 135 with South Korean Im Sung-jae, American J.J. Spaun and Canada's Adam Svensson.

South Korea's Lee Kyoung-hoon, who next week seeks a third straight PGA Byron Nelson title, looked set to join the leaders but went way right off the ninth tee and closed with a double bogey to finish on 136 in a group with American Michael Kim and England's Tommy Fleetwood.

World number 18 Hatton, a six-time winner on the European Tour, captured his only PGA title at the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Back-nine starter Hatton opened with a birdie and sank birdie putts from inside 4 1/2 feet at 13, 14 and 15 before taking bogeys at 16 and the par-3 17th.

"Short game helped me out. That kept me in it," Hatton said. "Thankful to have a good finish, start hitting in the middle of the clubface again and hope that continues over the weekend."

World number 209 Lashley, 40, fired a bogey-free 66. His only PGA triumph came at 2019 in Detroit.

Lashley opened with a tap-in birdie and added birdie putts from 17 feet at the third hole, just inside five feet at par-5 seventh, 18 feet at the par-3 13th and seven feet at 14.

"I drove the ball in the fairway, hitting solid irons, getting up and down when I need to and making putts," Lashley said.

"Anytime you get a round at Quail Hollow with no bogeys, it's a great round."

McIlroy just makes cut

Clark, who shot 67, seeks his first PGA title.

Unhappy at squandered early birdie chances, 10th-hole starter Clark birdied the par-3 17th from just inside eight feet and sank a 13-foot birdie putt at nine.

"Kind of got the round going," Clark said. "Felt like it rewarded my patience in not getting frustrated. Then I got into a nice groove on the back nine."

Clark, ranked 80th, sank a 17-footer for birdie at the par-3 fourth and followed a bogey at the par-3 sixth with an eagle at the par-5 seventh from just inside 27 feet.

"I'm glad it hit the cup," he said of the eagle putt. "It might have been off the green; it was hit so hard. The shot in there was very lucky and unbelievable."

World number three Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner and three-time champion at Quail Hollow, made three consecutive bogeys starting at the fifth hole on his way to a 73 but made the cut on the number at 141.

American Mark Hubbard aced the par-3 17th hole using a 6-iron from 198 yards to also finish on 141.

It was his third career PGA hole-in-one and first since last year's Rocket Mortgage Classic.

- AFP

2023-05-05 07:16:50

England's Fleetwood grabs PGA lead at Quail Hollow

England's Tommy Fleetwood closed with back-to-back birdies to fire a bogey-free, six-under par 65 and grab a one-stroke lead after Thursday's first round of the PGA Wells Fargo Championship.

Fleetwood, a six-time European Tour winner chasing his first PGA title, made four birdies and an eagle to take charge at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"I made a couple of good up and downs early doors," Fleetwood said. "Overall I did a really good job of playing my game, hitting the shots I can hit and the score then took care of itself."

Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele had back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15 to seize the lead but bogeys at 16 and 18 dropped him into a share of second on 66 with fellow Americans Kevin Streelman, Ryan Palmer and Taylor Moore and South Korean Lee Kyoung-hoon.

Fleetwood, making his 116th PGA start, birdied three of the last five holes to lead after a round for the first time since last year's Players Championship opening round.

Fleetwood landed his approach eight feet from the hole at the par-5 seventh and rolled in the eagle putt, then sank a birdie from just inside five feet at the eighth and sank a 21-foot birdie putt at 14.

He was still off the pace until making an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th, and at 18 he blasted from a fairway bunker to just inside eight feet and sank the birdie putt to grab the lead.

"Didn't do anything particularly wrong," Fleetwood said.

"I didn't drive it great on the back nine, but I was never out of position that much, never really hit myself in difficult spots.

"That was really good and quite stress free. And then just a good finish on top of that, 17 and 18, unexpected birdies there, but you'll take them when they come."

Bogeys arrived for Schauffele at the finish, crushing his hopes for the 18-hole lead. He found a fairway bunker and came up short of the green at 16 and sent his tee shot into the water at 18.

"I really had it going there. Ball was on a string for a bit, did everything really well," Schauffele said.

"Played really well through 15 holes and then had a little hiccup there coming in."I had a big enough head start on the course that I figured giving some back wouldn't hurt me too much."

Happy Birthday Rory

Schauffele seeks his eighth career PGA title and first since last year's Scottish Open.

Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner and three-time champion at Quail Hollow, celebrated his 34th birthday with a 68, spectators serenading him with birthday best wishes all over the course.

"It's nice to be out there and everyone wishing you a good day," McIlroy said.

"This is my 11th birthday I'm celebrating in Charlotte. I'm sort of getting used to it."I feel just as good now as I did at 24 so with that I still feel like I've got a lot of good years left in me."

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina (par 71, USA unless noted):

65 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

66 - Kevin Streelman, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR), Taylor Moore, Xander Schauffele, Ryan Palmer

67 - Patrick Cantlay, Sahith Theegala, Kramer Hickok, Tom Kim (KOR), Chris Kirk, Adam Scott (AUS), Wyndham Clark, Matthew NeSmith, Emiliano Grillo (ARG)

68 - Beau Hossler, Rory McIlroy (NIR), Adam Svensson (CAN), CT Pan (TPE), Justin Thomas, JJ Spaun, Kim Si-woo (KOR), Nate Lashley, Michael Kim

69 - Keith Mitchell, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Seamus Power (IRL), Gary Woodland, Im Sung-jae (KOR), Lucas Glover, Troy Meritt, Chesson Hadley, Chad Ramey, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Davis Thompson

- AFP

2023-05-01 07:06:38

Finau holds off Rahm to win Mexico Open

American Tony Finau held off the threat from Masters champion and world number Jon Rahm to win the Mexico Open on Sunday, shooting a final round 66 to win by three strokes from the Spaniard and claim his sixth PGA Tour title.

Rahm, the defending champion at Vidanta, put himself in contention after a 10-under course-record 61 in his third round on Saturday put him within two strokes.

But his four-under round of 67 on Sunday was not enough to close the gap on Finau, who produced a calm and solid bogey-free round, completing a consistent week where he had shot 65, 64 and 65 before the final round.

The Vidanta course in Puerto Vallarta is a happy hunting ground for Finau, who ended tied for second behind Rahm last year.

That result sparked an upturn in form for Finau, who went on to win three events in seven starts with victories in Minnesota, Detroit and the Houston Open.

Since that last win, Finau has had eight top-ten finishes in 11 events but not been able to add another title until Sunday.

The 33-year-old finished 24-under for the week and was delighted to have got the upper hand on Rahm this time round.

"Rahmbo is the best, top of the world right now, so I knew I was going to have my hands full with him all the way to the end," he said.

"I didn't know this tournament was mine until I hit this (last) green. It is crazy how this game is, you never think you have it won until its over. So it feels great," he added.

Finau birdied the par-3 fifth, the par-4 seventh, the par-3 11th and then the par-5 14th but missed a short putt for birdie on the final hole, where Rahm made birdie.

Rahm, gave himself a glimmer of hope with a birdie on 15, but said he wasn't surprised at Finau's calm defence of his lead.

"Yeah, I knew I needed a low one again today... It was a day where I didn't do much wrong, but I didn't do much right, either," said the Spaniard.

Rahm, who played the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head in the week after his Masters triumph before attempting his title defence in Mexico, will take a break before the PGA Championship, starting 18 May, in Rochester.

"I probably need a bit of time off, just a little bit of rest. Not too much, just mind, body and soul, I just need it. It's been a lot of golf. I haven't had time to really sit back and rest after the Masters. I'm looking forward to do that," he said

.American Brandon Wu finished third, five strokes behind Finau after making 68 in his final round, but had made a real push early in his round.

Wu birdied the first and third holes before an eagle on the par-5 sixth and a birdie on the seventh.

But he bogeyed the eighth and fell out contention with a double bogey on the par-4 10th, where he drove into the water.

American Akshay Bhatia, the 21-year-old who shot 63 on Saturday, finished fourth after shooting a one-under 70.

- AFP

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the US PGA Tour Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta (USA unless noted, par-71):

260 - Tony Finau 65-64-65-66

263 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-68-61-67

265 - Brandon Wu 66-64-67-68

266 - Akshay Bhatia 68-65-63-70

268 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-68-67-65, Eric Cole 65-68-69-66, Austin Smotherman 63-70-68-67

270 - Cameron Champ 68-66-69-67, Ben Taylor 67-70-66-67

271 - Patrick Rodgers 70-69-68-64, Alejandro Tosti 69-67-71-64, Harry Hall (ENG) 67-71-68-65, Beau Hossler 67-68-70-66, Joseph Bramlett 68-70-67-66

272 - Dylan Wu 68-71-66-67, Jimmy Walker 67-67-70-68, Carson Young 67-71-65-69

2023-04-30 07:06:06

Rahm surges in pursuit of Finau at PGA Tour Mexico Open as SA's Van Rooyen fades

Top-ranked Masters champion Jon Rahm charged into contention with a spectacular 10-under par 61 on Saturday to lie two strokes behind leader Tony Finau at the US PGA Tour Mexico Open.

Spain's Rahm, the defending champion, matched his career-best PGA round score, barely putting a foot wrong in a round that featured 10 birdies without a bogey for a course record at Vidanta Vallarta.

South Africa's Erik van Rooyen could only a manage a 72 as he fell down the leaderboard.

"Today, everything just seemed perfect," Rahm said.

"Made a lot of great swings and the ones that weren't great, still gave myself a good result."

Finau, who started the day with a one-shot lead, didn't bow to the pressure, carding a six-under par 65 for 19-under 194 and a two-shot lead over Rahm and 21-year-old American Akshay Bhatia.

Bhatia had eight birdies and an eagle at 18 in his eight-under par 63 to join Rahm on 17-under.Rahm, making his second start since he claimed a second career major at Augusta National this month, started the day six adrift but wasted no time in making up ground.

He rolled in a 39-foot birdie putt at the first and a 26-footer at the second before rattling in a birdie from two feet at the fourth.He birdied three in a row from the sixth through the eighth, then put together another burst of three at the 12th, 13th and 14th, where he sandwiched birdie putts of seven and five feet around a 24-footer.

With a possible sub-60 round in sight, Rahm parred the 15 and 16 -- missing a seven-footer at the latter.

He rolled in a 37-foot birdie at the par-three 17th, but his hopes of bettering his own career best were dented when his tee shot at the par-five 18th ended up under the lip of a fairway bunker.

He had to punch out and his 30-foot birdie putt never threatened the hole.

Rahm said he couldn't be too disappointed after a round in which he rolled in putts totalling more than 156 feet.

"The fact that I made three putts over 30 feet -- one is already a great bonus, to do it twice, three times, is amazing," he said.

Rahm said he didn't focus on the fact that he was closing in on a possible sub-60 round, but was just trying to keep pace with Finau.

"I know I was behind so I knew birdies were the only thing I had in mind," he said.

"I tried to stay as aggressive as I could and I did a really good job at that."

Finau, who finished tied for second behind Rahm at Vidanta last year, opened with a birdie at the first and tapped in for another at the seventh.

A chip to two feet set him up for a birdie at the 12th and he chipped in from the greenside rough at the par-three 13th before making it three in a row with a birdie at the par-five 14th.

That put him one ahead of Rahm, and he padded that lead with birdies at 16 and 18 around his only bogey of the day at 17.

"The highlight was the chip-in on 13," said Finau, who is chasing his sixth PGA Tour title.

"I hit a great chip on 12 to get it to tap-in and then missed the tee shot on 13, so I thought that gave me some nice momentum on a day where I was hitting it really nicely, wasn't getting that much out of my round."

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta (USA unless noted, par-71):

194 - Tony Finau 65-64-65

196 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-68-61, Akshay Bhatia 68-65-63

197-Brandon Wu 66-64-67

200 - Will Gordon 67-66-67

201 - Austin Smotherman 63-70-68

202 - Andrew Putnam 67-66-69, Eric Cole 65-68-69, Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 64-66-72

203 - Carson Young 67-71-65, Ben Taylor 67-70-66, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-68-67, Cameron Champ 68-66-69

204 - Kevin Roy 67-72-65, Michael Kim 68-67-69, Jimmy Walker 67-67-70

205 - Vincent Norrman (SWE) 67-71-67, Joseph Bramlett 68-70-67, Kevin Chappell 72-67-66, Dylan Wu 68-71-66, Beau Hossler 67-68-70, Raul Pereda (MEX) 65-70-70

2023-04-29 07:35:06

Finau sets pace at PGA Mexico Open, Van Rooyen tied for second, Rahm struggles

American Tony Finau shot a seven-under par 64 at the PGA Mexico Open on Friday to grab the second-round lead on 13-under 129.

The Vidanta course in Puerto Vallarta is a happy hunting ground for Finau, who matched the course record of 63 in his final round last year when he ended tied for second behind Spain's Jon Rahm.

That result sparked an upturn in form for Finau, who went on to win three events in seven starts with victories in Minnesota, Detroit and the Houston Open.

"This was a place where a lot of things changed for me last season," Finau said.

"I was able to post a second-place finish and just have a nice final round, make some putts that were very important and then it carried me into a very nice finish to last season."

Starting on the back nine, Finau made five birdies by the turn, including three in a row before heading to the first hole.

He strung together three more successive birdies just before a bogey on his penultimate hole, the eighth, ruined his chances of another course record-equaling score.

The bogey was just Finau's second in 36 holes after his first-round 65 on Thursday.

"I played really nicely over the last couple days, was able to capitalize with the putter on shots that I hit pretty close," he said.

"That was probably the biggest story."

But, the 33-year-old, who has five career PGA wins, knows there is plenty of work ahead.

"This isn't a time to get ahead of myself," Finau said.

"After 36 holes I'm playing nicely, find myself at the top. With my experience, we're only halfway, there's so much golf to be played.

"You always want to say that you have what it takes to win a golf tournament. I think luckily for me, I've done that a few times over the last year."

South African Erik van Rooyen and American Brandon Wu were a stroke back, van Rooyen carding a 66 and Wu climbing the leaderboard with a seven-under par 64.

Wu shook off an opening bogey to card eight birdies, that included a chip-in birdie at the par-three ninth and three straight birdies to end his round.

That pulled him level with van Rooyen, who had seven birdies and two bogeys in his five-under effort.

First-round leader Austin Smotherman, who captured his first professional title at the 2018 Mexico Open when it was part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica developmental circuit, was among a group of five players sharing fourth on 133.

Masters champion Rahm, the world number one, carded a three-under par 68 that left him six shots off the lead on seven-under 135.

Spain's Rahm rolled in a 42-foot eagle putt at the par-five sixth and followed that with a birdie at the seventh.

But, he found the water for a double bogey at the ninth and bogeyed the 10th before birdies at 11, 12 and 14.

After a bogey at 16, he closed his round with a birdie at the last.

"For a round that for the most part was good, there were two or three swings that were bad that cost me a little bit too much today,"

Rahm said.

"A couple of unforced errors."

Scores

129 - Tony Finau 65-64

130 - Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 64-66, Brandon Wu 66-64

133 - Andrew Putnam 67-66, Will Gordon 67-66, Eric Cole 65-68, Austin Smotherman 63-70, Akshay Bhatia 68-65

134 - Jimmy Walker 67-67, Cameron Champ 68-66, Ben Martin 68-66

135 - Tano Goya (ARG) 64-71, Michael Kim 68-67, Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-68, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 65-70, Beau Hossler 67-68, Raul Pereda (MEX) 65-70, Trevor Werbylo 67-68

- AFP -

2023-04-28 08:25:38

2023-04-28 08:15:17

Smotherman grabs PGA Mexico lead, SA's Van Rooyen second

Austin Smotherman, chasing his second Mexico Open title and first PGA victory, closed with four consecutive birdies to fire an eight-under par 64 for the first-round clubhouse lead on Thursday.

The 28-year-old American captured his first professional title at the 2018 Mexico Open when the event was part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica developmental circuit.

The tournament became a main PGA Tour event last year and was won by Spain's Jon Rahm, the world number one and defending champion who captured his second major title three weeks ago at the Masters.

Smotherman, a college teammate of 2020 US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau at Southern Methodist, fired a bogey-free round and had a one-stroke lead over South AfricanErik van Rooyen and Argentina's Tano Goya.

American Tony Finau, who shared second behind Rahm last year, headlined a group on 65 that also included Canada's Taylor Pendrith, American Eric Cole, Germany's Stephan Jaeger and Mexico's Raul Pereda.

"Nice little finish," Smotherman said. "Just feeling good. I feel like my game's in a good spot."

World number 342 Smotherman, who began on the back nine, unleashed a birdie run with putts from just inside 12 feet at the par-5 12th, nine feet at the par-3 13th and a two-putt birdie from 25 feet at the par-5 14th.

"Just super steady. Then I made a few of those 10-, 12-footers early part of the round," said Smotherman.

At the par-4 third, Smotherman drove into a waste area left of the fairway, then dropped his approach inches from the hole and tapped in for birdie.

"Stole that one on three," he said. "I hit it to a foot out of that left waste area. Had a little full pitching wedge knocked down a little bit and kick-in birdie there was nice."

Smotherman blasted out of a bunker to just outside 13 feet and made the birdie putt at the par-5 sixth then escaped the greenside sand to five feet to birdie seven.

After rolling in a birdie from just outside eight feet at the eighth, he dropped a 37-foot birdie putt at the par-3 ninth to end his day.

Smotherman's only career top-10 PGA finish in 43 events was eighth at last year's Barracuda Championship.

Smotherman's four-stroke victory over Mexico's Juan Pablo Hernandez five years ago was a breakthrough triumph, putting his name among such past winners as Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino, David Graham and Roberto De Vicenzo.

"Still get a little bit of some goosebumps thinking about it, for sure," he said. "Winning an event like that, which has such a deep history. There are names on that trophy that are in the Hall of Fame. A national open anywhere is very special."

Rahm 'happy' with 67

Defending champion Rahm shot 67 to stand four back of Smotherman.

"It's a good score, I'm happy with the score," Rahm said.

"Those first 13 holes we had virtually no wind, about as easy conditions as it can get. I wish I would have taken advantage of it more."

Rahm closed with a 25-foot birdie putt to finish four-under on the back nine.]"I was rolling it really well all day, so to finish it off that way, obviously it always feels like you're stealing one from the field," Rahm said.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the US PGA Tour Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta (USA unless noted, par-71):

63 - Austin Smotherman

64 - Erik van Rooyen (RSA), Tano Goya (ARG)

65 - Stephan Jaeger (GER), Eric Cole, Taylor Pendrith (CAN), Raul Pereda (MEX), Tony Finau66 - Richy Werenski, Austin Cook, Sean O'Hair, Brandon Wu, Scott Harrington

67 - Jon Rahm (ESP), Gary Woodland, Matt Wallace (ENG), Beau Hossler, Ben Taylor (ENG), Carson Young, Harry Hall (ENG), Kevin Roy, Trevor Werbylo, Vincent Norrman (SWE), Jimmy Walker, Andrew Novak, Andrew Putnam, James Hahn, Will Gordon, Sebastin Vzquez (MEX), Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN)

- AFP

2023-04-24 07:30:06

US duo Hardy and Riley combine to win PGA pairs event title

AmericansNick Hardy and Davis Riley captured their first PGA titles on Sunday, winningthe Zurich Classic in record-setting fashion to take the tour's only pairstournament.

Playing in the foursomes (alternate shot) format in the finalround, the US duo combined for a seven-under-par 65 to shoot a tournament-record30-under 258 at TPC of Louisiana at Avondale.

"This is so special and to share it with one of my bestfriends out here on tour is a dream come true," Riley said.

The winners broke the old tournament 72-hole record of 259 setlast year by reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and fellow AmericanPatrick Cantlay.

"It's pretty surreal, Riley said. "I know the workNick puts in and I put in and for it to all pay off and share this moment withNick is pretty cool."

The Americans birdied five of the last eight holes. Riley sank along putt from off the green at the 17th hole for their fourth birdie in fiveholes and they combined to par the last to take a stranglehold of the crown.

"That's definitely up there," Riley said in rankinghis birdie putt at 17 among his best shots.

"It was one of those ones Ijust tried to hit with good speed and just leave Nick a good par putt and I hitit just right and it went in."

Hardy has been friends with Riley since they were 14.

"Really solid down the stretch and it just feels great toclose," Hardy said.

"Davis has been so good this week I knew I just needed toplay my game and be solid because he has been playing so well and we didthat."

Cantlay and Schauffele, ranked fourth and fifth in the worldrespectively, set the foursomes tournament record with a 63 Friday.

But that mark was matched on Sunday by Canadians Nick Taylor andAdam Hadwin, who birdied three of the first four holes and seven in a rowstarting at the par-5 seventh on the way to setting the score to beat at 260.

They settled for second with Americans Wyndham Clark and BeauHossler - the 54-hole leaders - finishing third on 261 after a closing 71.

It marked the fifth time Hossler has held a lead entering thefinal round of a PGA event without winning the title.

Schauffele and Cantlay shared fourth with compatriots TaylorMoore and Matthew NeSmith on 262.

Leading scores after Sunday's foursomes (alternate shot) final round of the PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans two-man team event (par 72):

258 - Nick Hardy/Davis Riley (USA) 64-66-63-65

260 - Adam Hadwin/Nick Taylor (CAN) 66-67-64-63

261 - Wyndham Clark/Beau Hossler (USA) 61-67-62-71

262 - Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (USA) 67-63-66-66, Matthew NeSmith/Taylor Moore (USA) 64-66-63-69

263 - Keith Mitchell/Im Sung-jae (USA/KOR) 62-67-62-72

265 - Kim Si-woo/Tom Kim (KOR) 66-67-64-68, Sean O'Hair/Brandon Matthews (USA) 61-69-64-71

266 - Martin Trainer/Chad Ramey (FRA/USA) 63-67-65-71, Vincent Norman/Matthias Schwab (SWE/AUT) 64-67-62-73

- AFP

2023-04-23 07:32:38

Clark-Hossler cling to PGA pairs lead over Im-Mitchell

Americans Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler, each seeking a first PGA title, combined for a 10-under par 62 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the Zurich Classic.

The US duo thrived in the four-ball (best ball) format at the tour's only pairs event to stand on 26-under 190 after 54 holes at TPC of Louisiana at Avondale.

Clark sank a birdie putt from just inside eight feet at the par-5 18th to lift himself and Hossler ahead of South Korea's Im Sung-jae and American Keith Mitchell, who also fired a 62 in round three.

"We're looking forward to the challenge," Hossler said of the final round. "It's going to be a cool environment and a unique experience frankly to have a chance to win a golf tournament with a partner."

Sharing third on 193 were US duos Nick Hardy and Davis Riley and Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore plus Sweden's Vincent Norman and Austrian Matthias Schwab.

Sunday's final round will be played in a foursomes (four-ball) format.

Hossler and Clark, who shot 61 in best ball on Thursday, have known each other since they were 10 but this is their first time paired together.

"Sometimes when you're alone, it feels like you're out on an island. When the momentum gets going bad, when you're on your own, sometimes it's tough to turn that," Clark said.

"With a teammate, you can kind of feed off each other and really not allow that momentum to get going in the wrong direction. I hope tomorrow we're light and loose like we've been all three days."

Clark and Hossler each contributed five birdies for the duo, with Hossler salvaging pars for the pair on the fifth and par-3 14th.

Im birdied six of the first eight holes to lift his duo into the hunt.

Mitchell contributed a birdie at the par-5 11th and Im birdied 13 and 16 to keep the pair fighting for the lead to the finish.

"He was honestly incredible," Mitchell said of Im.

"The front nine was some of the best golf I've ever seen played ever.

"I could only help him on two holes... but it just didn't matter. He was playing so good. I was high fiving him and watching him roll. All in all, 10-under par, Sung-jae probably could have shot that on his own."

Reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, the defending champions, shot 66 to share 10th on 196.

Cantlay and Schauffele, ranked fourth and fifth in the world respectively, set a foursomes event record with a 63 on Friday.

American Charley Hoffman aced the 210-yard par-3 ninth hole with a 23-degree hybrid for his third career PGA hole-in-one while Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard lipped out with his tee shot on the par-4 16th.

Leading scores after Saturday's four-ball (best ball) third round of the PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans two-man team event (par 72):

190 - Wyndham Clark/Beau Hossler (USA) 61-67-62

191 - Keith Mitchell/Im Sung-jae (USA/KOR) 62-67-62

193 - Vincent Norman/Matthias Schwab (SWE/AUT) 64-67-62, Matthew NeSmith/Taylor Moore (USA) 64-66-63, Nick Hardy/Davis Riley (USA) 64-66-63

194 - Sean O'Hair/Brandon Matthews (USA) 61-69-64

195 - Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (ENG) 62-71-62, Harris English/Tom Hoge (USA) 64-68-63, Martin Trainer/Chad Ramey (FRA/USA) 63-67-65

196 - Billy Horschel/Sam Burns (USA) 64-69-63, Troy Merritt/Robert Streb (USA) 63-69-64, Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (USA) 67-63-66

- AFP

2023-04-22 07:28:39

2023-04-22 07:24:47

Cantlay-Schauffele set records but Clark-Hossler keep PGA lead

ReigningOlympic champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay set records on Fridaybut the US duo of Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler held the lead at the PGAZurich Classic.

Defending champions Cantlay and Schauffele, ranked fourth andfifth in the world respectively, combined to shoot a tournament-recordfoursomes round of nine-under par 63 in the second round of the only PGA pairsevent.

"Xander putted great and hit a lot of really nice wedgeshots and pitches," Cantlay said.

"Left me three feet and in a coupletimes and made a bunch of mid-range 15-20 footers, which is exactly what youneed to do to shoot nine-under par."

Clark and Hossler, who opened with a 61 in four-ball (best ball)to share the 18-hole lead, added a 67 to top the leaderboard at 16-under 128,one stroke ahead of compatriots Doc Redman and Sam Ryder and South Korean ImSung-jae and American Keith Mitchell at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale.

Americans Schauffele and Cantlay were in a fourth-place pack offive duos on 130 as play finished just before dark after a storm delay of justover 2 1/2 hours.

Schauffele and Cantlay, who won two matches together at lastyear's Presidents Cup and the 2021 Ryder Cup, combined for seven birdies and aneagle.

That broke the old 18-hole pairs foursomes record of 65 set bySpain's Jon Rahm - the top-ranked Masters winner who is off ahead of nextweek's PGA Mexico Open title defence - and American Ryan Palmer in 2019 andmatched last year by Australians Jason Day and Jason Scrivener and SouthAfricans Branden Grace and Garrick Higgo.

"Xander is really good, and I can play well," Cantlaysaid. "It helps that we're friends, but when you get two world-classplayers together and we both have a day where we're on like today, we can posta low one."

Cantlay and Schauffele, who won last year with a 72-hole record29-under 259 total, started on the 10th hole Friday with back-to-back birdies.

They followed with birdies at 13 and 16 and eagled the par-518th to set a nine-hole tournament foursomes record with a 30 - a mark latermatched by Americans Nick Hardy and Davis Riley.

"Pat sent a drive right down the centre, left me 256 yardsand hit a hybrid up on the green," Schauffele said.

"He didn't needany help reading the putt. He just knocked it right in."

They also birdied the first and second holes and added anotherat the fifth.

Clark and Hossler, also back-nine starters, birdied the par-511th and par-4 13th, then the par-5 second and par-4 fourth. They birdied thepar-5 seventh after the delay.

Leading scores after Friday's foursomes second round of the US PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans two-man team event:

128 - Wyndham Clark/Beau Hossler (USA) 61-67

129 - Doc Redman/Sam Ryder (USA) 63-66, Keith Mitchell/Im Sung-jae (USA/KOR) 62-67

130 - Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (USA) 67-63, Sean O'Hair/Brandon Matthews (USA) 61-69, Martin Trainer/Chad Ramey (FRA/USA) 63-67, Matthew NeSmith/Taylor Moore (USA) 64-66, Nick Hardy/Davis Riley (USA) 64-66

131 - Henrik Norlander/Luke List (SWE/USA) 62-69, Vincent Norman/Matthias Schwab (SWE/AUT) 64-67, David Lipsky/Aaron Rai (USA/ENG) 62-69

- AFP

2023-04-21 07:17:40

2023-04-21 07:12:19

Clark and Hossler share Zurich Classic lead with O'Hair-Matthews

Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler combined for 11 birdies while Sean O'Hair and Brandon Matthews had nine birdies and an eagle between them to share the first-round lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Thursday.

Both duos carded 11-under par 61s in the four-ball first round of the PGA Tour's only two-man team event.

Hossler had seven birdies and Clark's four birdies included one at the 18th that saw the duo break free of a big group at 10-under par that included US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick of England and his younger brother Alex.

O'Hair and Matthews grabbed their share of the lead with O'Hair's birdie at 18 - his fourth of the day to go with five birdies and an eagle two at the par-four 12th from Matthews.

Hossler called it a "nice" day at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, where he said he and Clark complemented each other perfectly."We took advantage of the hardest holes," Hossler said.

"With that said, I think also we left a couple out there that hopefully we can get in the next few days."

Clark said their mindset wouldn't change much for Friday's foursomes format second round.

"Obviously you just want to keep the ball in play and in front of you, but it's similar to any other tournament," he said.

The Fitzpatrick brothers, with Matt Fitzpatrick coming off a victory at the RBC Heritage on Sunday, were among the early pacesetters.

Matt delivered three of their four birdies in their first nine holes and Alex made four birdies coming in before Matt birdied their penultimate hole, the eighth.

"I didn't play very well (on the front), so it was nice for him to make a few putts and give us a few birdies while I was scrambling around somewhere," Alex said.

"Then, yeah, I played nicely on the back nine and I managed to roll in some birdies, which was great, and we kept it together towards the end and finished with a nice score."

The other teams on 10-under were South Korean Im Sung-jae and American Keith Mitchell, American David Lipsky and England's Aaron Rai, Sweden's Henrik Norlander and American Luke List, and South Korean No Seung-yul and American Michael Kim.

Leading scores after Thursday's four-ball first round of the PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans two-man team event:

61 - Wyndham Clark/Beau Hossler (USA), Sean O'Hair/Brandon Matthews (USA)

62 - Keith Mitchell/Im Sung-jae (USA/KOR), Matt Fitzpatrick/Alex Fitzpatrick (ENG), David Lipsky/Aaron Rai (USA/ENG), Henrik Norlander/Luke List (SWE/USA), Noh Seung-yul/Michael Kim (KOR/USA)

63 - Doc Redman/Sam Ryder (USA), Justin Suh/Sahith Theegala (USA), Troy Merritt/Robert Streb (USA), Joseph Bramlett/Brandon Wu (USA), Martin Trainer/Chad Ramey (FRA/USA), Will Gordon/Davis Thompson (USA)

- AFP

2023-04-17 07:29:07

2023-04-17 07:12:55

Fitzpatrick wins playoff with Spieth to clinch Heritage win

England's Matt Fitzpatrick beat defending champion Jordan Spieth in a thrilling sudden-death playoff on Sunday to win the PGA's RBC Heritage tournament.

The pair, who played in the same group in the final round, both ended regulation play on 17-under 267 after Spieth shot 66 and Fitzpatrick 68 at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

It took until the third hole of the playoff for a champion to be decided when Fitzpatrick produced a brilliant 9-iron approach shot on the par-4 18th and made a simple birdie putt to win.

Spieth, who beat fellow American Patrick Cantlay in a playoff last year, had over-hit his approach going to the back of the green and needed two putts to make par.

Fitzpatrick, the US Open champion, becomes the first Englishman to win the tournament since Nick Faldo in 1984 and he did so in the town where he spent many of his family vacations after first visiting as a six-year-old.

"It's hard to describe. I said to (caddie) Billy (Foster), it doesn't get better than this - walking down here, just looking around. It's a course I dreamed of playing when I was young," he said, with his family congratulating him at the side of the green.

"I managed to play a couple of times with my dad and yes, this one means more than anything."

Spieth had made four birdies in the opening six holes but he missed a short putt for bogey on the par-3 14th and left the door open for Fitzpatrick.

The Englishman then made birdies on the 15th and 16th to grab a share of the lead and could have won it at the death if Spieth hadn't made a tricky six-footer to force the playoff.

"It was a really good round. I got off to a dream start and then just kind of hung in there for a little while and then made a nice putt to get into the playoff, and then played the playoff really well," said Spieth.

"Someone was going to make a birdie. It wasn't going to be a bogey to lose that playoff the way that we were both playing today. He just did what he needed to do on 15 in, when it had been kind of me and Patrick for a little while there. He just snuck in and played some tremendous golf."

Cantlay, the other member of the leading group, finished in third after carding a 68 to leave him one shot behind Fitzpatrick and Spieth.

Cantlay paid the price for bogeys on the par-4 13th and the par-3 14th, where his ball had stuck in the wood barrier by the waterside green.

Xander Schauffele's final-round 66 earned him fourth place, two shots behind the leaders after he ended with a late surge by making birdies on 15, 16 and 17.

World number two Scottie Scheffler's final round of 70 left him 12-under overall and tied for 11th while Masters champion and world number one Jon Rahm shot 68 but was tied for 15th, six shots off the pace.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Heritage tournament at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (par-71, USA unless noted, x- denotes won with birdie on third playoff hole):

267 - x-Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 66-70-63-68, Jordan Spieth 68-67-66-66

268 - Patrick Cantlay 69-65-66-68

269 - Xander Schauffele 67-66-70-66270 - Sahith Theegala 70-68-67-65, Hayden Buckley 69-68-66-67

271 - Brian Harman 65-70-69-67, Cameron Davis (AUS) 70-67-66-68, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-67-68-68, Im Sung-Jae (KOR) 66-72-66-67

272 - Scottie Scheffler 68-65-69-70, Taylor Moore 68-67-67-70, Chez Reavie 72-66-65-69, Mark Hubbard 68-66-68-70

273 - Rickie Fowler 67-68-68-70, Sam Burns 69-70-69-65, Jon Rahm (ESP) 72-64-69-68, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 69-65-68-71

274 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-70-70-66, Patrick Rodgers 68-71-66-69, Carson Young 68-68-69-69, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 71-68-71-64, Matt Kuchar 68-67-68-71, Russell Henley 72-66-66-70

- AFP

2023-04-16 07:18:03

Fitzpatrick soars to lead at PGA Heritage on eagle wings

Reigning US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick of England fired a PGA Tour career-low, eight-under par 63 to seize the lead after Saturday's third round of the Heritage tournament.

Fitzpatrick's bogey-free round - highlighted by holing out for eagle from 149 yards in a fairway bunker at the par-4 third hole - gave him the 54-hole lead on 14-under 199 at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"This is a golf course that has shown there are low scores around here this week, and to do that for myself is a big positive," Fitzpatrick said.

World number four Patrick Cantlay fired a 66 to stand second on 200, one stroke ahead of fellow American Jordan Spieth.

World number two Scottie Scheffler, who could recapture the top spot after losing it to Masters winner Jon Rahm last week, fired a 69 to share fourth with fellow Americans Taylor Moore, Mark Hubbard and Jimmy Walker plus England's Tommy Fleetwood.

Spain's Rahm shot 69, fading to a share of 21st on 205. Fitzpatrick sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 second then made his spectacular eagle from the sand.

"It was obviously a great start to the round," Fitzpatrick said. "It puts you in great position, 3-under through three. For me, that's ideally the start you need on a Saturday.

"Fitzpatrick blasted out of a bunker within three feet to set up a birdie at the par-5 fifth, then birdied from just inside six feet at the par-3 seventh and made a 23-foot birdie putt at the par-4 eighth.

After adding a six-foot birdie putt at the 13th hole, Fitzpatrick made his final birdie at the par-5 15th, blasting out of a greenside bunker to 16 feet and rolling in the putt.

At the par-3 17th, Fitzpatrick sank a 24-foot putt to rescue par.

"It's important for the par save for the round, but just for me personally, I like to have a bogey-free round," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick, who first came to the course on family holidays in his youth, likes the layout.

"Aside from Augusta it's my favorite golf course," he said. "I love coming here to play it. I've not had the best results around here but I really enjoy the design, enjoy the test. It's a great golf course."

Cantlay birdied three of the last six holes to shoot a bogey-free 66.

"Gave myself a lot of chances and was able to hole some putts on the back nine," Cantlay said.

"Made a few I didn't expect to make so it's nice to see some putts go in. Three-time major winner Spieth also birdied three of the last six to shoot 66 but missed a par putt at 17 from just inside 17 that left him two off the lead.

"I thought it was really solid," Spieth said. "Didn't like dropping one on 17. Wish I hit a better putt, but it was a good day."

- AFP.

2023-04-16 07:15:19

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the PGA's Heritage tournament at Hilton Head Island (par-71):

199 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 66-70-63

200 - Patrick Cantlay 69-65-66

201 - Jordan Spieth 68-67-66

202 - Taylor Moore 68-67-67, Mark Hubbard 68-66-68, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 69-65-68, Scottie Scheffler 68-65-69, Jimmy Walker 65-65-72

203 - Chez Reavie 72-66-65, Cam Davis (AUS) 70-67-66, Hayden Buckley 69-68-66, Rickie Fowler 67-68-68, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-67-68, Matt Kuchar 68-67-68, Xander Schauffele 67-66-70

204 - Keegan Bradley 73-67-64, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 66-72-66, Russell Henley 72-66-66, Brian Harman 65-70-69, Patton Kizzire 70-65-69

- AFP.

2023-04-16 06:59:20

Australia's Kim wins LPGA Lotte Championship after playoff

Australia's Grace Kim won the LPGA's Lotte Championship on Saturday after triumphing in a three-woman playoff in Oahu, Hawaii to give the 22-year-old her first tour triumph.

China's Liu Yu held the clubhouse lead on 12-overall 276 but Kim and South Korean Sung Yu-Jin both joined her at the top of the leaderboard after 18 holes after making birdies on the final hole to force the playoff.

The trio went to the par-5, first hole for the sudden death playoff and while Liu made par and Sung bogeyed, Kim produced a birdie for the victory.

Kim, who has picked up five wins on the WPGA Tour of Australasia, was playing just her third event on the LPGA Tour.

The Australian birdied the final two holes to card a four-under 68 and then in the playoff took a 3-wood for her second shot, which fizzed over the water to the edge of the green.

"I think just the birdie on 17 was definitely the big momentum changer. I am just kind of speechless right now," she said. "I will let you know that my second shot on that playoff hole, that wasn't intentional. I kind of got lucky there. I guess it was a good day after all," she said, admitting she had pushed her shot right.

"I think I have done well mentally this week and that paid off for me," she added.

Liu, yet to win on the LPGA Tour, produced the round of the day with a bogey-free eight-under 64 at the Hoakalei Country Club after starting the day five shots off the lead.

She got off to a flying start with four birdies in the opening five holes but said she hadn't felt under any pressure to attack.

She had a long wait for the playoff as the clubhouse leader before losing out in the decider.

"It was a bit unexpected to be honest. I felt pretty over-achieved today. If I knew starting off the day I knew I would end up in a playoff I would be definitely very happy," she said.

Taiwan's Chien Pei-Yun and Sweden's Linnea Strom both finished just a stroke behind the leading trio.

American Lauren Hartlage, Thailand's Natthakritta Vongtaveelap and England's Georgia Hall all finished tied for sixth place, three strokes back of the leaders.

- AFP.

2023-04-15 10:32:18

Leading scores after second round of PGA Tour RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Friday (par-71):

130 - Jimmy Walker (USA) 65-65

133 - Scottie Scheffler (USA) 68-65, Xander Schauffele (USA) 67-66, Justin Rose (ENG) 66-67

134 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 69-65, Aaron Rai (ENG) 63-71, Patrick Cantlay (USA) 69-65, Mark Hubbard (USA) 68-66, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 64-70

135 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-67, Matt Kuchar (USA) 68-67, Jordan Spieth (USA) 68-67, Taylor Moore (USA) 68-67, Ben Griffin (USA) 70-65, Brian Harman (USA) 65-70, Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-68, Patton Kizzire (USA) 70-65

136 - Nate Lashley (USA) 69-67, Doug Ghim (USA) 68-68, Carson Young (USA) 68-68, Jon Rahm (ESP) 72-64, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 66-70

137 - Adam Scott (AUS) 69-68, Cameron Davis (AUS) 70-67, Justin Thomas (USA) 69-68, Beau Hossler (USA) 69-68, Denny McCarthy (USA) 71-66, Hayden Buckley (USA) 69-68, Lee Hodges (USA) 70-67, Davis Thompson (USA) 72-65, Zach Johnson (USA) 66-71, Gary Woodland (USA) 69-68, Brendon Todd (USA) 70-67

138 - Russell Henley (USA) 72-66, Scott Stallings (USA) 66-72, Sahith Theegala (USA) 70-68, Chez Reavie (USA) 72-66, Tony Finau (USA) 70-68, Chris Kirk (USA) 69-69, Adam Svensson (CAN) 71-67, Corey Conners (CAN) 70-68, Im Sung-Jae (KOR) 66-72, Ernie Els (RSA) 68-70, Danny Willett (ENG) 70-68, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-70

2023-04-15 10:31:14

Scheffler in contention, Rahm rises but Walker leads at RBC Heritage

Scottie Scheffler, targeting a return to top spot in the world rankings, set himself up for a weekend push at the RBC Heritage shooting a six-under-par round of 65 to move within three strokes of leader Jimmy Walker.

Victory would see Scheffler overtake freshly crowned Masters champion Jon Rahm and become world number one again.

But the Spaniard, who made a slow start with a one-over 72 opening round, moved up the leaderboard with the best score of the day, a bogey-free seven-under 64.

After starting on the tenth tee, Scheffler chipped in for an eagle on the par-5 2nd hole and ended his round with a bogey and a birdie.

Scheffler is one of three players on nine-under overall, alongside England's Justin Rose and American Xander Schauffele.

It is Scheffler's first appearance at Hilton Head and he said that lack of knowledge has been a factor in his play so far.

"There's a lot of nuances to this golf course, and I'm still kind of learning on the fly," he said.

"It's just those nuances kind of help when you're not really playing your best. I feel like I put myself in a few spots this week that haven't been great. But outside of that, I've played a lot of solid golf," he added.

Rahm had been weary in his first round, after all his exertions at Augusta, but he was back into his groove after making four successive birdies on his front nine.

The Spaniard had to make a ten-footer for par on his last hole, the ninth to keep his round bogey-free but said he was still battling with the after-effects of his Masters win.

"We did play 30 holes on Sunday on one of the hilliest walks all year. So adrenaline keeps you going so far, and then it's going to take a little bit for the body and mind to recover," he said.

Cantlay ace

"I wish I would have been able to take the week off, but it wasn't the case. I took Monday and Tuesday off. I've been getting slightly better each day."So hopefully on the weekend I feel like I do normally on a weekend," he said.

Walker is a surprise leader but one whose return to form will hearten many of his colleagues on the tour.

The 44-year-old has had to cope with the impact of Lyme disease which emerged in 2016 and a series of complications badly affected his form.

Walker, who has six wins on the PGA Tour but none since his major win at the PGA Championship in 2016, shot back-to-back rounds of 65 to lead on 12-under overall.

"When you haven't been playing well, there's even more pressure...to take advantage of what's happening because it hasn't been happening very often," he said.

While it has been seven years since he was winning titles, Walker certainly isn't of the mindset to simply enjoy being back among the frontrunners.

"I've won golf tournaments in all sorts of fashions, big events. Played in the biggest stages. Nothing this weekend is any different than anything I've ever done honestly. I'll just go do it again because it's fun if you win," he said.

Rose was bogey-free in his 67 while Schauffele eagled the par-5 fifth and reached the turn four-under but bogeys on the 11th and 12th hampered his progress before he sank an 11 foot birdie putt on the 18th to earn a share of second place.

English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai were both four shots off Walker along with Norway's Viktor Hovland and Americans Mark Hubbard and Patrick Cantlay.

Cantlay, criticized for slow play during the final round of the Masters, had a hole in one on the par-3 seventh and tweeted a video of his ace with the message 'Playing Faster!'

- AFP

2023-04-14 07:08:33

2023-04-14 07:06:07

Hovland leads at RBC Heritage, weary Rahm struggling

ViktorHovland fired a seven-under-par 64 to take a one-shot clubhouse lead Thursdayas play was suspended at the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage tournament in SouthCarolina.

Hovland, fresh from a seventh-place finish at the Masters,finished with back-to-back birdies to complete a bogey-free first round atHarbour Town Links on Hilton Head Island.

That left him alone atop the leaderboard, one clear of BrianHarman on six under.

Jimmy Walker and England's Aaron Rai were out on thecourse also on six under when play was suspended due to darkness.

Teeing off on the back nine, Hovland started slowly with fourstraight pars before building momentum near the turn with three birdies in fourholes, including a 16-foot birdie putt on the 17th, his eighth hole.

He rolled in another long birdie putt from 18 feet on his 12thhole and then added three more birdies down the stretch to head theleaderboard.

"That was really good," Hovland said afterwards."Hit some really nice shots starting the day but didn't make the putts. Itwas a little frustrating but stayed patient and just kept on hitting greatshots.

"Then the putter started heating up, and it felt verystress-free from there on in."

A group of six players completed their rounds on five underwhile four others, including Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, are a furthershot back on four under, three off the lead.

But newly crowned Masters champion Jon Rahm had a day to forgetafter firing a one-over-par 72.

Although the Spanish world number one started solidly, pickingup an early birdie on the fourth, his round unravelled with three straightbogeys on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes that left him two over at theturn.

He clawed back two shots with back-to-back birdies on the 13thand 14th holes, but then dropped back to one over with his fourth bogey of theday on 16.

"It was what it was," Rahm said of his round. "Itwasn't anything - nothing was particularly good. Nothing was particularlyawful. I would have been happy pretty much with anything under par, but it justwasn't to be."

Rahm admitted he was still struggling with fatigue after hisemotional Masters win on Sunday.

"I hate to make excuses, but a couple of the swings towardsthe end were my body being tired," Rahm said.

"I think for the most part I did a pretty good job. Itcould have been a lot worse, been very ugly. We've got it started. Just threedays to make it back."

- AFP

2023-04-13 07:54:28

PGA Tour releases revamped autumn schedule

ThePGA Tour unveiled a revamped autumn schedule on Wednesday which will compriseseven tournaments worth a total of $56.6 million in prize money.

The schedule, first outlined last year as the PGA Tour scrambledto respond to the rise of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, is officiallybilled as FedEx Cup Fall and gets under way in September at the FortninetChampionship in Napa, California.

After a break for the Ryder Cup in Italy, the schedule resumeswith the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi and includes events inJapan, Mexico and Bermuda before concluding at the RSM Classic in Georgia inmid-November.

"We are launching the most meaningful updates to the PGATOUR season since 2007," PGA Tour President Tyler Dennis said in astatement.

Winners of the seven events included on the schedule will earn atwo-year tour exemption as well as a spot in the field at the 2024 SentryTournament of Champions - the traditional opening event of the PGA Tourcalendar year that takes place in Hawaii each January.

Winners will also earn berths at the Players Championship aswell as majors that normally invite PGA Tour winners.

In addition, tournament winners will earn 500 FedEx Cup points.

Points earned in the seven autumn events will go towards finalising priorityranking for the 2024 campaign.

The revamped schedule means the Houston Open, which has beenplayed in the autumn since 2019, will be shifted to the spring of 2024.

The World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, which has not beenheld since 2019, will not take place in 2023.

The WGC-Dell Technologies MatchPlay is also no longer part of the 2024 FedExCup season.

- AFP

2023-04-03 07:15:23

2023-04-03 07:10:30

Canada's Conners wins Texas Open

CoreyConners warmed up for his sixth Masters appearance with a victory in the TexasOpen, posting a bogey-free 68 on Sunday to capture his second PGA Tour titlein the same event where he won his first in 2019.

Conners' 15-under-par total of 273 gave him a one-stroke winover American Sam Stevens, who piled the pressure on late in his bid to earn afirst PGA Tour title and an invitation to the first major of the year thatstarts at Augusta National on Thursday.

Canada's Conners started the day one stroke behind AmericanPatrick Rodgers, who was also chasing a first PGA Tour title and Mastersinvitation.

As Rodgers struggled on the front nine at windy TPC San Antonio,Conners smoothly took control.

Conners made a three-foot birdie at the second and a five-footerat the sixth, taking firm control with an 18-foot birdie putt from the fringeat the ninth that moved him to 14-under.

Unable to take advantage of the par-five 14th, where he savedpar from a greenside bunker, Conners pushed his lead to three shots with a17-foot birdie at 15, his three pars in the last three holes proving enough toget the job done.

"I was really solid all day," Conners said. "Itwas a battle out here for sure, the conditions were not easy.

"Struck the ball really, really well, gave myself a lot oflooks, kept things under control.

"I can't believe I got my second win here."

It was a confidence-building win as Conners heads to Augusta,where he finished tied for sixth last year.

While Rodgers's challenge faded with four front-nine bogeys onthe way to a one-over 73 that left him in fifth place, Stevens made a strongbid with a six-under-par 66 that included two eagles and four birdies with twobogeys.

"A little disappointed, I played great today," Stevenssaid. "The right things happened - made the putts when I needed to makethem, hit a few great shots when I needed to. It's easy to look back and wishyou had one more, but that's all right."

After a birdie at the 13th, Stevens just missed a five-footeagle attempt at the 14th, settling for another birdie.He pulled within one shot of the lead with an eagle at the 17th,where he drove the green of the short par-four and drained a nine-foot putt.

"I knew that I had to do something pretty cool on the lastcouple holes, kind of freed me up to make a good swing, hit a good shot,"he said.

"I couldn't believe it got as close as it did and was able tomake that one."

He had a chance to pull level at 18 but couldn't get hiseight-foot birdie attempt to drop.Conners, meanwhile, was in a greenside bunker at 18.

His shotout left him 26 feet downhill to the pin, but he two-putted safely to seal thevictory.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Texas Open at San Antonio, Texas (USA unless noted, par-72):

273 - Corey Conners (CAN) 64-72-69-68

274 - Sam Stevens 72-68-68-66

275 - Sam Ryder 71-70-68-66, Matt Kuchar 68-70-69-68

277 - Patrick Rodgers 66-67-71-73278 - Chez Reavie 69-72-72-65, Lee Hodges 74-66-69-69, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 70-71-68-69

279 - Andrew Novak 69-72-70-68

280 - Ben Martin 70-70-73-67, Hayden Buckley 67-73-72-68, Rickie Fowler 71-72-71-66, Padraig Harrington (IRL) 68-73-68-71, Chris Kirk 67-72-69-72

281 - Robby Shelton 73-69-72-67, MJ Daffue (RSA) 68-72-72-69, Lanto Griffin 73-70-69-69, Alex Noren (SWE) 70-71-70-70, Nick Taylor (CAN) 69-71-70-71, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 72-68-70-71, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-72-68-71

- AFP

2023-04-02 07:09:21

Rodgers leads Texas Open by one in bid for first PGA Tour title

Patrick Rodgers fired a one-under-par 71 on Saturday to hang on to a one-stroke lead over Corey Conners heading into the final round of the PGA Tour Texas Open in San Antonio.

Rodgers, 30, is chasing a first tour title in his 235th career start, one which would gain him a spot in the field for the Masters, the first major championship of the year at Augusta National next week.

"It's going to require good golf," Rodgers said. "There's a lot of guys chasing and great players out here.

"Obviously, there's no better place to be than to have an advantage, but it's going to take a great round in order to get it done.

"I think we all know what's at stake with a win out here," he added. "I haven't gotten the job done in my career, but it's quite a thrill. This is why I play, why I compete and I can't wait to get out there tomorrow."

Rodgers's 12-under-par total of 204 at TPC San Antonio left him one stroke in front of 2019 champion Conners, who carded a 69, with veteran Matt Kuchar alone in third after a 69 for 207.

Overnight leader Rodgers led Conners by two after his third birdie of the day at the 17th, where he rattled in a nine-foot putt.But his tee shot at 18 settled under a tree right of the fairway.

Forced to punch out, he found a bunker with his third shot and couldn't get his par-saving 13-foot putt to drop.

Canada's Conners, who got up and down for birdie from a greenside bunker at 17, had a chance to grab a share of the lead but missed a seven-foot birdie putt at the last.

"Didn't get off to the best start," said Conners, who had seven birdies, a double bogey and two bogeys in his three-under effort.

"Made a few mistakes on the first nine, but really happy battling back and making some birdies on the back nine today. Lots of positives and good momentum from that nine holes heading into tomorrow."

Kuchar, chasing a 10th PGA Tour title and his first since the Sony Open in 2019, applied some pressure with six birdies - three each side of a mid-round bogey.

A birdie at 17, where his 35-foot eagle putt burned the edge of the cup, moved him within one of the lead.

But his tee shot at the par-five 18th went left into a mounded cactus, costing him an unplayable lie on the way to a double-bogey.

"This was definitely my best day ball-striking by a long shot, was playing some good golf," Kuchar said but added: "It is a tough, demanding golf course and I paid the price with a poor tee shot on the last. But all in all, listen, it was a good day of golf out there."

- AFP

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Texas Open at San Antonio, Texas (USA unless noted, par-72):

204 - Patrick Rodgers 66-67-71

205 - Corey Conners (CAN) 64-72-69

207 - Matt Kuchar 68-70-69

208 - Sam Stevens 72-68-68, Chris Kirk 67-72-69

209 - An Byeong-hun (KOR) 70-71-68, Sam Ryder 71-70-68, Padraig Harrington (IRL) 68-73-68, Lee Hodges 74-66-69, Augusto Nez (ARG) 70-70-69, Harry Higgs 69-68-72

210 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-72-68, Dylan Wu 70-71-69, Andrew Putnam 71-69-70, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 72-68-70, Nick Taylor (CAN) 69-71-70, Nico Echavarria (COL) 73-66-71

2023-04-01 07:59:16

Rodgers surges to Texas Open lead

Patrick Rodgers birdied five of his last six holes in a five-under-par 67 on Friday to take a three-shot lead at the US PGA Tour Texas Open -- where a victory will get him into the Masters.

Rodgers' storming finish to the second round capped his long day at TPC San Antonio, where he played 23 holes after weather delays disrupted play on Thursday.

He completed his first-round 66 on Friday morning to lie two shots behind Canadian Corey Conners.

After two quick birdies at the second and third in the second round, Rodgers rebounded from bogeys at the sixth and 10th with birdies at 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18.

If he can keep it up over the weekend, a first tour title would come with a ticket to next weeks' Masters, the first major championship of the year at Augusta National.

"It's something I've always dreamt of," Rodgers said.

"It's the reason why I'm out here.

"I love this job because I love to compete, and I do my best to win a golf tournament every time I tee it up. I'm excited for the chance. This is, like I said, why I play. It's going to be a really fun next couple of days."

Rodgers' 11-under total of 133 put him three strokes clear of Conners, the 2019 Texas Open champion who followed his first-round 64 with an even-par 72.

American Michael Thompson was in third after a 68 for seven-under 137.

After fog delayed the start of Thursday's first round for more than three hours, the second round was due to finish on Saturday morning.

When darkness halted play, Rodgers' closest pursuer on the course was Mexico's Roberto Diaz, who was eight-under through 10 holes.

Rodgers, 30, has played in just five major championships in his career, which has seen him tee it up in 234 prior tournaments without a victory.

He put himself in a position to change that with his storming finish, sticking his tee shot at the 198-yard 16th inside eight feet for a birdie and making another birdie from inside 10 feet at 17.

He reached the 593-yard par-five 18th in two for a closing birdie.

Conners, meanwhile, four-putted his seventh hole, the par-three 16th, as he found himself unable to build on the momentum of his first round.

"It was just really windy," Conners said of his trouble on the green at 16. "Just caught a bit of a gust on the first putt, a little mindless trying to knock in my bogey putt and it got away from me as well ... It happens. I feel like I'm rolling it well."

- AFP

2023-03-31 07:02:22

2023-03-31 07:01:03

SA's MJ Daffue shares Texas Open lead as weather wreaks havoc

Matt Kuchar and Padraig Harrington shared a four-way clubhouse lead at the PGA Tour's Texas Open on Thursday as poor weather wreaked havoc with first round play.

Kuchar and Harrington both carded four-under-par 68s to join South Africa's MJ Daffue and Roberto Diaz at the top of the leaderboard when play was halted at The Oaks course in San Antonio.

Kuchar, who is chasing his first PGA Tour win since 2019, relished the challenge of the demanding Oaks layout."It's a tough golf course but I do like it," Kuchar said.

"If you start playing some indifferent golf, this course can really jump up and bite you. I was lucky to get away with a couple of loose ones today."

Thursday's first round had got off to a chaotic start with play delayed by more than three hours early on due to thick fog.

Around half of the field were yet to finish their first rounds when play was suspended for the day in gloomy conditions.

Justin Lower was at five-under through nine holes when players were brought back in.

Daffue meanwhile forced his way into a share of the clubhouse lead with a brilliant eagle three on the par-five 18th.

Daffue reached the green in two and then calmly rolled in a 14-foot putt for an eagle and a share of the lead."It was a good day," Daffue said.

"I didn't necessarily have all my good ball-striking beginning of the round, and obviously with the rain and everything it was kind of tough.

"I've been in positions like this and just told myself like keep grinding."

Diaz meanwhile also joined the leaders after picking up a shot on the 18th, the Mexican journeyman sinking a 14-foot birdie putt on the last.

England's Matt Wallace was among a group of five players who are a shot off the clubhouse lead on three under.

- AFP

2023-03-27 07:45:22

2023-03-27 07:44:50

2023-03-27 07:43:08

England's Wallace wins PGA Puntacana title with birdie binge

Matt Wallace birdied four of the last six holes on Sunday to win the PGA Corales Puntacana Championship for his first triumph in nearly five years.

The 32-year-old Englishman made four consecutive birdies from the 13th through 16th holes to fire a six-under par 66 and finish 72 holes at the Dominican Republic resort on 19-under 269.

That was good enough for a one-stroke victory over Denmark's 22-year-old Nicolai Hojgaard, who missed a 20-foot birdie putt at 18 to force a playoff.

Wallace, who captured his first PGA Tour title, was a four-time winner on the European Tour, the most recent of those having come at Denmark in September 2018.

Wallace capped his birdie run at the windy 16th, where he dropped his approach in swirling winds within inches of the hole and tapped in for a two-stroke lead.

He then closed with back-to-back pars.

"Very happy," Wallace said. "Down those last few holes I knew I could do it. I played great all week. Just came out on top, so very lucky. This is cool."

Hojgaard, a two-time European Tour winner, sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th to give himself a chance on the final hole.

Americans Sam Stevens and Tyler Duncan shared third, two adrift on 271, with American Austin Eckroat another stroke back.

Most of the PGA's top talent was at this week's WGC Match Play Championship in Austin, Texas.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic (par 72, USA unless noted):

269 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 67-66-70-66

270 - Nikolai Hojgaard (DEN) 71-65-66-68

271 - Tyler Duncan 71-65-67-68, Sam Stevens 69-65-68-69

272 - Austin Eckroat 69-69-66-68

273 - Wyndham Clark 69-65-69-70

274 - Ricky Barnes 68-70-66-70

275 - Brent Grant 69-69-70-67, Matthias Schwab (AUT) 71-68-68-68, Ben Martin 66-72-69-68, Brice Garnett 66-70-70-69, Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-68-65-72

276 - Austin Cook 70-68-71-67, Nick Hardy 73-69-67-67, Harry Hall (ENG) 71-68-69-68

277 - Jonathan Byrd 71-69-71-66, Dylan Wu 68-70-72-67, Kevin Chappell 70-70-69-68, Doug Ghim 69-71-69-68, Kelly Kraft 68-73-68-68, Vincent Norman (SWE) 71-70-66-70

- AFP

2023-03-27 06:45:31

Burns routs Young 6&5 to win WGC Match Play final

Sam Burns captured the biggest title of his career by winning the WGC Match Play Championship on Sunday, routing Cameron Young 6&5 in an all-American final.

World number 15 Burns took a $3.5 million top prize at Austin Country Club in Texas by making eight birdies in the last 10 holes to dispatch 17th-ranked Young, last year's British Open runner-up.

"What a week. Man, I'm so tired," Burns said. "It was fun playing Cam. I know he didn't have his best stuff."

It was the fifth career PGA title for Burns, who won all seven of his matches to become the first player to capture the WGC Match Play in his debut since Australian Geoff Ogilvy in 2006.

"I just tried to stack one good swing after another," Burns said. "Really have tried to put the hard work in and it's nice to see it paying off on the golf course."

Burns dethroned top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler in the semi-finals while Young, last year's PGA Rookie of the Year chasing his first tour win, ousted third-ranked Rory McIlroy, with both early matches going extra holes.

"Felt like I found something this morning at the end of my match with Scottie and kind of was able to carry that on this afternoon," Burns said.

"It's huge. I haven't played my best golf the past couple months and was really struggling with my swing the past couple weeks."

In the final, Young won the second hole with a five-foot birdie putt but Burns dropped his approach inches from the hole for a birdie to claim the fifth and pull level.

Burns nearly holed out from 45 yards and birdied to win the par-5 sixth then took the par-3 seventh when Young missed a six-foot par putt and captured his fourth consecutive hole with a 20-foot birdie putt at the eighth, seizing a 3-up advantage.

Burns sank a 12-foot birdie putt to win the 10th for a 4-up lead and made a 24-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th, although Young tied the hole with a 22-foot birdie putt.

Young found water to lose the par-5 12th and fall 5-down then plunked his ball into water shy of the 13th green and moments later surrendered the match.

Results from Sunday's matches at the WGC Match-Play Championship at Austin Country Club (x denotes seed):

Final

Sam Burns (USA x13) bt Cameron Young (USA x15) 6&5

Third-place match

Rory McIlroy (NIR x3) bt Scottie Scheffler (USA x1) 2&1

Semi-finals

Sam Burns (USA x13) bt Scottie Scheffler (USA x1) 21 holes

Cameron Young (USA x15) bt Rory McIlroy (NIR x3) 19 holes

- AFP

2023-03-26 07:06:25

Scheffler, McIlroy rally late to reach WGC Match Play semis

Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and third-ranked Rory McIlroy rallied late for dramatic triumphs on Saturday to reach the semi-finals of the WGC Match Play Championship.

Reigning Masters champion Scheffler, who won the Players Championship earlier this month, birdied five of his last six holes to beat Australian Jason Day 2&1 at Austin Country Club.

"It was a tough match," Scheffler said. "Jason came out of the gates really hot."

Four-time major winner McIlroy took his only lead of the match with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to defeat Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele 1 up on the Texas layout.

"I needed to dig deep," McIlroy said. "I got down early but I battled back."

Scheffler will face pal Sam Burns in an all-American semi-final on Sunday morning while McIlroy, the 2015 WGC Match Play winner from Northern Ireland, will face American Cam Young in the other.

The winners meet Sunday afternoon for the title.

Burns beat Canada's Mackenzie Hughes 3&2 while 2022 British Open runner-up Young defeated compatriot Kurt Kitayama 1 up.

Scheffler, who won three of the last four holes to edge J.T. Poston 1 up in the morning round of 16, made another fightback to dispatch Day, the 2014 and 2016 Match Play winner.

Day won the fourth and fifth holes with birdies and eagled the sixth from just inside six feet to go 3 up, the biggest deficit for Scheffler this week.

Scheffler won the eighth on a Day bogey and the ninth on a 29-foot birdie putt then two-putted from 48 feet for birdie to win the par-5 12th and pull level.

"I just stayed patient," Scheffler said. "He made a mistake on eight and then I birdied nine and it was a match from there on."

Scheffler drove the green at the par-4 13th and tapped in for birdie to win the hole and seize his first lead, then went 2 up when Day made a bogey to lose 14. Both birdied 15 and 16 and Scheffler's tee shot at the par-3 17th ended two inches from the hole to seal a date with Burns.

"Should be a fun match. We'll have a good time out there," Scheffler said. "Should be a good challenge for both of us."

Schauffele sank an 18-foot birdie putt to win the first hole.

McIlroy, who edged Aussie Lucas Herbert 2 up in the morning, and Schauffele each won two more holes with birdies on the front nine.

"I'm 16-under for the two rounds of golf I've played today," McIlroy said. "It just sort of shows you the caliber you need to play at to compete out here."

- AFP

2023-03-25 06:35:23

Rahm ousted while Scheffler, McIlroy advance at Match Play

Second-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm was eliminated after Friday's group stage finales at the WGC Match Play Championship while defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy advanced.

Rahm, a three-time PGA winner this year, lost to 2021 WGC Match Play champion Billy Horschel 5&4 at Austin Country Club in Texas, where 16 group winners, 12 of them Americans, advanced to knockout rounds.

Rahm didn't make a birdie and became the only top-six seed ousted in group play as Horschel never trailed in delivering the Spaniard's second defeat.

"To succeed on a hole-by-hole basis, on a swing-by-swing basis and just add those good swings up one after another, puts a lot of confidence in that tank that I've needed for a little bit of time now," reigning Memorial champion Horschel said.

Scheffler beat South Korean 17th seed Tom Kim 3&2 to win his group at a perfect 3-0.

Reigning Masters champion Scheffler, who won the Players Championship earlier this month, booked a last-16 berth against US 43rd seed J.T. Poston.

"I'm just trying to go out and hit good shots, keep doing what I'm doing and executing," Scheffler said. "I've seen some good results recently and I'm hoping to keep that going moving forward."

McIlroy, the 2015 Match Play winner, never trailed in beating US 20th seed Keegan Bradley 3&2 to reach the last 16.

The four-time major winner from Northern Ireland won the fourth and fifth holes with birdies and the seventh on a Bradley bogey then played level from there to start 3-0.

"As every day goes by... the more and more confidence I'm getting with it, which is great," McIlroy said.

"I struck the ball well and sort of got up early, kept pressure on Keegan. It was nice to get through to the weekend."

Next for McIlroy is Australian 46th seed Lucas Herbert, who never trailed in beating US 62nd seed Ben Griffin 3&1 to finish 3-0.

Herbert sank a 20-foot eagle putt at the par-5 16th and a 17-foot birdie at the par-3 17th to advance.- Kuchar ties Tiger mark -US 59th seed Matt Kuchar, the oldest entrant at 44, routed South Korea's Kim Si-woo 7&6 to advance.

The 2013 Match Play champion equalled the event record set by Tiger Woods with his 36th match win.

"To tie Tiger's mark, I don't know if I have words to put that into perspective," Kuchar said. "I'm hugely proud, grateful, kind of shell-shocked to be in the same sentence with him."

Kuchar, into the round of 16 for a record ninth time, will next face Australian 32nd seed Jason Day, the 2014 and 2016 winner who beat US two-time major champion Collin Morikawa 4&3 to stay perfect.

"He just tied Tiger's record so that just shows how difficult he is to beat," Day said of Kuchar. "If he has a good day on the greens it's going to be difficult to beat him."

Kuchar was among four lowest group seeds to advance.US fourth seed Patrick Cantlay also made a 3-0 start, edging compatriot Brian Harman 2&1 to book a last-16 date with US 13th seed Sam Burns, who reached 3-0 by closing with back-to-back birdies to beat Irishman Seamus Power 2 up.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, forfeited his match against US fifth seed Max Homa with a stiff neck, advancing the unbeaten American into the last 16.

Unbeaten US 61st seed J.J. Spaun birdied the last four holes to rally past Australian Min Woo Lee 2&1 and book a last-16 date with reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, the US sixth seed who sank a 13-foot birdie putt at 18 to edge Tom Hoge 1 up and stay perfect.

Kurt Kitayama, who won three weeks ago at Bay Hill, won a three-man playoff to reach a last-16 date with fellow American Andrew Putnam.

- AFP

Saturday's round of 16 matches (x denotes seed):

Scottie Scheffler (USA x1) v JT Poston (USA x43)

Jason Day (AUS x32) v Matt Kuchar (USA x59)

Max Homa (USA x5) v Mackenzie Hughes (CAN x50)

Sam Burns (USA x13) v Patrick Cantlay (USA x4)

Billy Horschel (USA x22) v Cam Young (USA x15)

Kurt Kitayama (USA x19) v Andrew Putnam (USA x56)

Xander Schauffele (USA x6) v JJ Spaun (USA x61)

Lucas Herbert (AUS x46) v Rory McIlroy (NIR x3)

2023-03-25 06:32:25

2023-03-25 06:29:15

England's Wallace seizes PGA Puntacana lead

England's Matt Wallace, a four-time European Tour winner chasing his first PGA title, birdied his last three holes to grab the lead after Friday's second round of the Corales Puntacana Championship.

Wallace fired a bogey-free six-under par 66 to stand on 11-under 133 after 36 holes at the Dominican Republic resort, one stroke ahead of Americans Wyndham Clark and Sam Stevens, who each shot 65.

Wallace began on the back nine and birdied the par-3 11th and par-5 12th. He birdied the par-5 fourth and seventh holes then closed with birdies at the par-4 eighth and par-3 ninth to seize the lead.

"It's nice to have that in the bank now and confidence has grown," Wallace said. "All these shots are just logging into the book. It's just memory for the next two days, so good start."

The tournament offers a prime chance for a first-time PGA winner with most of the tour's top talent at this week's WGC Match Play Championship in Austin, Texas.

Stevens, chasing his first top-10 finish in only his 16th PGA Tour start, had eight birdies against a lone bogey.

Clark, who had five birdies and an eagle, had his best finish with a playoff loss at the 2020 Bermuda Championship.

Sharing fourth on 136 were Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard and Americans Tyler Duncan, Akshay Bhatia and 18-hole co-leader Brice Garnett, who took his only PGA triumph in 2018 at Puntacana.

- AFP

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the PGA Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic (par 72, USA unless noted):

133 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 67-66

134 - Sam Stevens 69-65, Wyndham Clark 69-65

136 - Tyler Duncan 71-65, Akshay Bhatia 73-63, Brice Garnett 66-70, Nikolai Hojgaard (DEN)

137 - Brandon Matthews 70-67, Rafael Campos (PUR) 72-65

138 - DA Points 68-70, Ricky Barnes 68-70, Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-68, Austin Cook 70-68, Ben Martin 66-72, Austin Eckroat 69-69, Brent Grant 69-69, Kevin Tway 71-67, Dylan Wu 68-70

2023-03-24 07:16:58

Big-driving McIlroy, Scheffler, Rahm win at WGC Match Play

An amazing tee shot by Rory McIlroy led the world number three to join top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Jon Rahm in capturing clutch victories from Thursday's second group matches at the WGC Match Play Championship.

McIlroy made an epic drive with a stunning 375-yard blast at the 18th hole, landing the ball within four feet of the hole for a tap-in eagle that clinched a 2-up triumph over US 48th seed Denny McCarthy.

"It was good," McIlroy said. "I didn't think I could get it on the green."

Scheffler and McIlroy remained unbeaten while Rahm bounced back from an opening loss at Austin (Texas) Country Club, where 16 winners from four-man groups will advance to weekend knockout rounds.

Four-time major winner McIlroy, the 2015 Match Play champion from Northern Ireland, did not lead McCarthy until the par-5 16th hole, when McIlroy had a tap-in birdie and the American missed a seven-foot birdie putt to put McIlroy 1 up.

Then came McIlroy's clinching tee shot, which was airborne for 349 yards, nearly 70 yards longer than the average PGA Tour carry, before rolling up to the cup for a tap-in.

"I just played really well, played really solid," McIlroy said.

"Didn't make a bogey and made some birdies when I needed to and thankfully was able to win."

Also in McIlroy's group, US 20th seed Keegan Bradley won his first WGC match in 11 years, ripping compatriot Scott Stallings 6&5.

McIlroy need only tie Bradley on Friday to advance.

Reigning Masters champion Scheffler, who won the Players Championship earlier this month, downed Swedish 38th seed Alex Noren 5&4 after only edging US 54th seed Davis Riley 1 up in a Wednesday opener.

"I just went out and played solid, no bogeys, and made some key putts," said Scheffler, who lost the first hole but won six, seven and the first four holes on the back nine with birdies.

"I just kind of kept the pressure on him and hit really good shots."

On Friday, Scheffler faces South Korean 17th seed Tom Kim, who lost 1 up to Riley.

"To be able to win my match and get through the group would be nice," Scheffler said.

"What I'll be focused on tomorrow is getting off to a good start."

Rahm, a three-time PGA winner this year, bounced back from an opening loss to Rickie Fowler by beating US 39th seed Keith Mitchell 4&3.

The Spaniard made five birdies and a 14-foot eagle putt at the par-5 12th while never trailing to keep his title hopes alive.

"Not many mistakes tee to green," Rahm said.

"Made a few birdie putts and got a comfortable lead."

Rahm needs a Friday victory over 2021 WGC Match Play champion Billy Horschel to have a chance to advance.

"Not many pairings are going to have more electricity on the course than me and Billy," Rahm said. "I'm going to have to get the win."

Horschel beat Fowler 3&2 after an opening draw with Mitchell.

"Happy to be able to control my destiny tomorrow," Horschel said.

US fourth seed Patrick Cantlay beat South Korea's Lee Kyoung-hoon 4&2 and faces countryman Brian Harman on Friday for a last-16 berth while US fifth seed Max Homa reached 2-0 by beating 2019 Match Play champion and 2022 runner-up Kevin Kisner 3&2.

'Sunday every round'

US seventh seed Will Zalatoris was eliminated with a 5&3 loss to US 37th seed Harris English and Norway's eighth-seeded Viktor Hovland was ousted with a 4&3 loss to South Korean 34th seed Kim Si-woo.

Chris Kirk sank a nine-foot birdie putt to win 18 and tie 2013 Match Play winner Matt Kuchar, keeping the 44-year-old from matching the event record 36 match wins of Tiger Woods.

Australian 32nd seed Jason Day, the 2014 and 2016 Match Play champion, beat France's Victor Perez 2&1 and will play US ninth seed Collin Morikawa for a last-16 berth.

"It feels like you're playing Sunday every round," Day said. "You know he's going to be around all day... I'm excited for the challenge."

Results from Thursday's second set of group-stage matches of the WGC Match-Play Championship at Austin (Texas) Country Club:

Group 1

Scottie Scheffler (USA) bt Alex Noren (SWE) 5&4

Davis Riley (USA) bt Tom Kim (KOR) 1 up

Group 2

Jon Rahm (ESP) bt Keith Mitchell (USA) 4&3

Billy Horschel (USA) bt Rickie Fowler (USA) 3&2

Group 3

Rory McIlroy (NIR) bt Denny McCarthy (USA) 2 up

Keegan Bradley (USA) bt Scott Stallings (USA) 6&5

Group 4

Patrick Cantlay (USA) bt Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 4&2

Brian Harman (USA) bt Nick Taylor (CAN) 3&2

Group 5

Max Homa (USA) bt Kevin Kisner (USA) 3&2

Justin Suh (USA) bt Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 3&1

Group 6

Xander Schauffele (USA) bt Aaron Wise (USA) 2&1

Cam Davis (AUS) bt Tom Hoge (USA) 3&1

Group 7

Harris English (USA) bt Will Zalatoris (USA) 5&3

Andrew Putnam (USA) bt Ryan Fox (NZL) 2&1

Group 8

Kim Si-woo (KOR) bt Viktor Hovland (NOR) 4&3

Chris Kirk (USA) and Matt Kuchar (USA) tied

Group 9

Collin Morikawa (USA) and Adam Svensson (CAN) tied

Jason Day (AUS) bt Victor Perez (FRA) 2&1

Group 10

Tony Finau (USA) bt Adrian Meronk (POL) 4&3

Kurt Kitayama (USA) bt Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 2&1

Group 11

Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) bt Min Woo Lee (AUS) 2&1

JJ Spaun (USA) bt Sahith Theegala (USA) 5&4

Group 12

Taylor Montgomery (USA) bt Jordan Spieth (USA) 2&1

Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) bt Shane Lowry (IRL) 4&3

Group 13

Sam Burns (USA) bt Adam Scott (AUS) 1 up

Seamus Power (IRL) bt Adam Hadwin (CAN) 1 up

Group 14

Lucas Herbert (AUS) bt Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 2&1

Russell Henley (USA) bt Ben Griffin (USA) 5&4

Group 15

Cameron Young (USA) bt Corey Conners (CAN) 1 up

Davis Thompson (USA) bt Sepp Straka (AUT) 4&3

Group 16

JT Poston (USA) bt Im Sung-jae (KOR) 1 up

Maverick McNealy (USA) and Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) tied

- AFP

2023-03-24 07:06:44

2023-03-24 07:05:58

Americans Garnett, Martin share PGA Puntacana lead

AmericansBrice Garnett and Ben Martin each fired a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to sharethe lead after Thursday's opening round of the PGA Corales PuntacanaChampionship.

Martin, 35, won his only PGA crown at the 2014 ShrinersChildren's Open but shared second last year at this Dominican Republic resort.

Garnett, 39, took his only PGA triumph in 2018 at Puntacana.

"Great way to start the week," said Garnett. "Wejust have a lot of good vibes around here. We do a pretty good job guessing thewinds, always putt pretty good on this grass, so it was a great day to startoff a fun week."

England's Matt Wallace, a four-time European Tour winner, wasthird on 67 with a pack on 68 including Americans Dylan Wu, Max McGreevy, DA Points, Sean O'Hair, Kelly Kraft and Ricky Barnes.

The tournament offers a prime chance for a first-time PGA winnerwith most of the tour's top talent at this week's WGC Match Play Championshipin Austin, Texas.

Garnett hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation. He opened with a15-foot birdie at the 10th hole and birdied the course's four par-5 holes plusthe par-4 third as well.

"I putted it really well," he said. "It's a biggolf course and I feel like it's a second shot golf course. We gave ourselves16 opportunities and the putter worked on six of them."

Martin, also a back nine starter, birdied the par-5 14th andpar-4 15th and 18th holes, then birdied the par-3 second plus the sixth andeighth holes to match Garnett.

"I felt like I was in great command out there," Martinsaid.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic (par 72, USA unless noted):

66 - Brice Garnett, Ben Martin

67 - Matt Wallace (ENG)

68 - Max McGreevy, Dylan Wu, DA Points, Sean O'Hair, Ricky Barnes, Kelly Kraft

69 - Martin Trainer (FRA), Doug Ghim, Erik van Rooyen (RSA), Bill Haas, Wyndham Clark, Brent Grant, Austin Eckroat, Sam Stevens

- AFP

2023-03-23 07:39:58

Scheffler, McIlroy win while Rahm falls at WGC Match Play

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world number three Rory McIlroy won while second-ranked Jon Rahm lost to Rickie Fowler in Wednesday's opening group matches at the WGC Match Play Championship.

US seventh seed Will Zalatoris and Norwegian eighth seed Viktor Hovland were also among five top group seeds to fall on day one at Austin (Texas) Country Club.

Sixteen winners from four-man groups will advance to weekend knockout rounds.Reigning Masters champion Scheffler, who won the Players Championship earlier this month, sank a 13-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to edge US 54th seed Davis Riley 2&1.

"Fortunate to come away with a win," Scheffler said. "I'm going to remember that putt on the last hole and take that energy into tomorrow."

Scheffler, who never trailed, holed out from 52 feet for eagle to win the par-4 fifth hole and eagled from 24 feet to take the par-4 13th.

Riley missed a three-foot birdie putt at the par-5 16th that would have pulled him level but Scheffler missed a 3.5-foot putt at the par-3 17th to win the match.

"I got off to a really good start. Outside of that I didn't really play great," Scheffler said.

"Fortunately I saw that putt go in on 18."

South Korean Tom Kim edged Sweden's Alex Noren 2&1 in Scheffler's group.Spain's Rahm fell to US 49th seed Fowler 2&1.

Rahm, a three-time PGA winner this year, missed a par putt from just inside five feet to drop the 15th.

Fowler sank a seven-footer for par at 16 and halved 17 as well to win."Just had to stay patient and rely on iron play," Fowler said.

"I just kept grinding and pushing forward."

It was Fowler's first appearance at the event since 2016 and Rahm's first opening-match loss in six starts.

Four-time major winner McIlroy beat American Scott Stallings 3&1 with a new putter and new driver.

"It was a good first outing for both those clubs," McIlroy said.

"They performed pretty well."

The 2015 Match Play winner from Northern Ireland said the event helps prepare him for stroke-play challenges to come.

"There's a ton of golf left this season but to get a bit of match play in our lives is good, and to get under pressure," McIlroy said.

US 20th seed Keegan Bradley, 4-down after 13, won four of the last five holes, his six-foot birdie putt taking 18 to tie countryman Denny McCarthy in McIlroy's group.

Zalatoris dropped the last three holes to fall 3&2 to 56th-seeded compatriot Andrew Putnam.

US 59th seed Matt Kuchar, the 2013 Match Play champion, won 3&1 over Hovland.

Kuchar, at 44 the oldest in the field, is one shy of Tiger Woods's event record 36 match wins.

Scott: 'satisfying' win

Aussie 33rd seed Adam Scott sank a 26-foot birdie putt at the 18th to grab his only lead in a 1-up victory over Irish 30th seed Seamus Power.

Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, last won a PGA title in 2020 at Riviera."I haven't won anything much in a long time," he said.

"A win feels satisfying."

South Korean 16th seed Im Sung-jae beat US 58th seed Maverick McNealy 8&6, matching the most lopsided group win at Austin.

US 61st seed JJ Spaun never trailed in upsetting England's 11th-seeded Matt Fitzpatrick 5&3.

Spaun won four of the last five holes from the reigning US Open champion with three birdies and an eagle hole-out from 107 yards at the par-4 13th.

"I just slung it with the wind," Spaun said."I could tell it was going to be pretty good, but then it got really good and then it just disappeared and the crowd went nuts."

Scores from Wednesday's opening group-stage matches of the WGC Match-Play Championship at Austin (Texas) Country Club:

Group 1

Scottie Scheffler (USA) bt Davis Riley (USA) 1 up

Tom Kim (KOR) bt Alex Noren (SWE) 2&1

Group 2

Rickie Fowler (USA) bt Jon Rahm (ESP) 2&1

Billy Horschel (USA) and Keith Mitchell (USA) tied

Group 3

Rory McIlroy (NIR) bt Scott Stallings (USA) 3&1Keegan Bradley (USA) and Denny McCarthy (USA) tied

Group 4

Patrick Cantlay (USA) bt Nick Taylor (CAN) 1 up

Brian Harman (USA) bt Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 3&1

Group 5

Max Homa (USA) bt Justin Suh (USA) 3&2

Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) bt Kevin Kisner (USA) 1 up

Group 6

Xander Schauffele (USA) bt Cam Davis (AUS) 4&3

Aaron Wise (USA) bt Tom Hoge (USA) 1 up

Group 7

Andrew Putnam (USA) bt Will Zalatoris (USA) 3&2

Ryan Fox (NZL) bt Harris English (USA) 2&1

Group 8

Matt Kuchar (USA) bt Viktor Hovland (NOR) 3&1

Kim Si-woo (KOR) bt Chris Kirk (USA) 4&3

Group 9

Collin Morikawa (USA) bt Victor Perez (FRA) 2&1

Jason Day (AUS) bt Adam Svensson (CAN) 4&2

Group 10

Tony Finau (USA) bt Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 2&1

Adrian Meronk (POL) bt Kurt Kitayama (USA) 2&1

Group 11

JJ Spaun (USA) bt Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 5&3

Min Woo Lee (AUS) bt Sahith Theegala (USA) 1 up

Group 12

Jordan Spieth (USA) bt Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 4&3

Taylor Montgomery (USA) bt Shane Lowry (IRL) 2&1

Group 13

Sam Burns (USA) bt Adam Hadwin (CAN) 3&2

Adam Scott (AUS) bt Seamus Power (IRL) 1 up

Group 14

Ben Griffin (USA) bt Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 3&1

Lucas Herbert (AUS) bt Russell Henley (USA) 1 up

Group 15

Cameron Young (USA) bt Davis Thompson (USA) 3&2Corey Conners (CAN) bt Sepp Straka (AUT) 6&5

Group 16

Im Sung-jae (KOR) bt Maverick McNealy (USA) 8&6

JT Poston (USA) bt Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 3&2

- AFP

2023-03-20 08:51:05

Unheralded American Moore wins shootout for PGA Valspar title

Unheralded Taylor Moore birdied two of the last four holes to win a back-nine shootout on Sunday and capture the Valspar Championship for his first PGA title.

The 29-year-old American fired a four-under par 67 -- the only round in the 60s among the final 11 pairs on the course -- to finish 72 holes on 10-under 274 at Innisbrook's Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

That was good enough to edge Adam Schenk by one stroke with England's Tommy Fleetwood and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth sharing third on 276.

"It's a pretty awesome feeling," Moore said. "Super happy."

Moore, in only his 46th PGA start, sank a six-foot birdie putt at the par-3 15th and made a 26-foot birdie putt at the par-4 16th, then closed with back-to-back pars while Spieth and Schenk stumbled down the stretch.

"The shot on 15 is really when I kind of locked in for the finish," Moore said. "Hit a great 9-iron there. Then 16. I was trying to just hit the middle of the green there. It got a little closer than I thought it would and made that putt, and finished it off."

World number 103 Moore's best prior PGA finish was a share of fourth in last year's pairs event at New Orleans, but he made all 64 of his putts this week from inside seven feet.

"That was pretty awesome," he said. "I don't think I've ever done anything close to that, so that was really cool. Just a testament to the work I've put in. Yeah, that was pretty sick to see."

Spieth, Schenk and Moore shared the lead at 10-under entering the final holes, but Spieth was undone when his tee shot at the 16th found a watery grave and Schenk went left beyond a cart path then over the green.

Spieth made a clutch 14-foot bogey putt at 16 and Schenk followed with a six-foot par putt to keep a share of the lead.

At the par-3 17th, Schenk found a bunker but saved par on a 16-foot putt to stay tied for the lead while Spieth missed a seven-foot birdie putt and remained one back.

"I tried to die the putt in on 17 and just misread how much it was going to dive at the end," Spieth said.

"All in all, I felt like I played better than 1-under, to be honest. But good week."

- AFP

2023-03-19 06:47:53

Schenk clings to PGA Valspar lead as Spieth, Fleetwood chase

Unheralded Adam Schenk closed with a birdie to grab a one-stroke lead over Jordan Spieth and England's Tommy Fleetwood after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship.

Schenk birdied two of the last three holes in windy conditions to shoot a one-under par 70 and stand on eight-under overall after 54 holes at Innisbrook's Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Chasing his first PGA Tour title in his 165th start, Schenk fired his approach at the last inside five feet, then made the putt to seize the lead.

"Didn't have a ton go our way until the very end. Tough day but overall very pleased," Schenk said. "It was difficult. Wind was up, switching, it got cold at the end. We just stuck to our gameplan, kept our head down."

Schenk, playing for a 10th consecutive week ahead of becoming a father next month, has a career-best of third at the 2021 Shriners Children's Open but will be with three-time major winner Spieth in Sunday's final pairing.

"I just focus on myself," Schenk said. "I knew that last putt was to make it into the final group. Happy I made it. I'm excited for tomorrow."

Spieth, the 2015 Valspar champion, and Fleetwood, seeking his first PGA Tour win after 111 starts, each fired 69s to share second on seven-under with Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open champion, with fellow Americans Cody Gribble and Taylor Moore on six-under.

"Didn't quite have my best stuff on the approach game and lag putting, but overall, I'm in a good spot going into tomorrow," Spieth said.

"Lots of good players up there. Tommy has been in good form... I still think after it rains tonight it's going to take some more scoring than the last couple days."

Fleetwood has won six European Tour titles, his most recent victory at last November's Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, but has four runner-up efforts without a victory on the US circuit.

"We all dream and every time we tee it up, every week we want to win," Fleetwood said. "I haven't done it yet. We can start at any time and start racking them up."

Happy to be in contention again... overall happy with where I feel like my game is heading. Just try to do all the right things tomorrow and see if it's my time or not."

Fleetwood had a tap-in birdie at the par-5 first and sank another birdie putt at the par-5 14th while making 16 pars.

"Started off with a nice birdie and it was like keep putting away," said Fleetwood. "Birdies were very hard to come by."

Spieth's roller coaster

Spieth endured a roller-coaster day with five birdies, five bogeys plus an opening eagle.

A closing bogey cost him a share of the lead heading into the final day."Eventful," Spieth said.

"For the amount of mistakes I made, it's nice to shoot a couple under."

World number 14 Spieth is seeking his 14th PGA Tour title and his first since last April's Heritage event. Spieth dropped his 6-iron second shot eight feet from the opening hole and sank the eagle putt to immediately tie the lead.

"Great way to start, especially on a day where you know you're going to get a lot of wind," Spieth said."Par-5s were great. That's what you need to do in these kind of conditions on this golf course."

He made a birdie at the par-5 fifth, then had four bogey-birdie runs between the seventh and 16th holes.

"I tried to be a little more aggressive with the putter," Spieth said.

- AFP.

2023-03-19 06:39:38

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida (par 71, USA unless noted):

205 - Adam Schenk 66-69-70

206 - Jordan Spieth 67-70-69, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 68-69-69

207 - Webb Simpson 71-68-68, Taylor Moore 71-67-69, Cody Gribble 72-65-70

208 - Patton Kizzire 68-73-67, Wyndham Clark 72-66-70, Matt Wallace (ENG) 71-67-70

209 - Chad Ramey 70-71-68, Zac Blair 71-70-68, David Lingmerth (SWE) 72-68-69, Michael Thompson 74-66-69, JT Poston 70-68-71, Davis Riley 69-68-72

210 - Dylan Wu 71-69-70, Alex Smalley 68-71-71, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 66-72-72, Adam Long 71-68-71

2023-03-18 06:54:14

Schenk grabs PGA Valspar lead with Spieth lurking

Adam Schenk, playing for a 10th consecutive week, fired a two-under-par 69 to grab a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the PGA Valspar Championship.

The 31-year-old American, who shared the 18-hole lead, was on seven-under 135 after 36 holes at Innisbrook's Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

"It really couldn't have been a ton better with the amount of putts I made," Schenk said.

"We're doing a really good job managing the courses."

Countryman Kramer Hickok, chasing his first PGA crown like Schenk, was second on 136 after a second 68 in windy conditions.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Valspar champion, fired a 70 to share third on 137 with fellow Americans Cody Gribble and Davis Riley plus England's Tommy Fleetwood.

"Kind of an off day on approaching the greens, hit pretty rusty wedges," Spieth said. "To shoot one-under on this golf course in the wind is a good score so I feel good about my position going into the weekend."

Schenk made a birdie-birdie start, blasting out of a bunker to seven feet and sinking the putt at the par-5 first hole then dropping his approach inside three feet to set up a tap-in at the second.

After a three-putt bogey on the third, Schenk answered with a 17-foot birdie putt at the par-5 fifth and added another birdie from 4 1/2 feet at the 12th before a closing bogey after finding a greenside bunker.

"I had better control of my golf ball," Schenk said. "Made a few putts, had some nice saves for par which really holds the round together.

"It was another one of those rounds that could have been even par. It wouldn't have been 5- or 6-under ever but we managed it well and very pleased with 2-under."

Schenk, whose best PGA finish was third at the 2021 Shriners Children's Open, is keeping busy before the birth of his son next month."

Having a little baby boy here in about a month and a half," Schenk said. "So trying to make as many points as I can to take as much time off as I can and spend time with him and my wife, which will be very special."

Hickok birdied three par-5 holes and made two birdies on par-3 holes with putts from 30 feet at the fourth and just inside 40 feet at the 15th.

"I've been putting really nice," said Hickok. "Seeing the lines really well and hitting some good putts. I don't really feel like I'm playing that well tee to green but just keeping the ball in front of me and really scoring pretty well."

Spieth birdied the par-5 first, fifth and 11th holes but made bogeys at the par-3 eighth and par-4 10th.

"I drove the ball maybe the best of the year today. Gave myself a lot of chances with some wedges," Spieth said.

"Couldn't quite get my distance control down on some scoring clubs. But when the wind here is gusty like that and the green depths are so small, it gets really tricky."

Patience and attitude

Fleetwood, who shot 69, expects a tense weekend with storms forecast for Saturday.

"Patience and having a good attitude" will be vital, Fleetwood said. "Just hanging around and seeing what the day gives you."

Germany's Stephan Jaeger, an 18-hole co-leader, shot 72 to stand on 138 while American 18-hole co-leader Ryan Brehm was on 141 after a 75.

American Sam Burns, who shot 73 to stand seven adrift on 142, could become the first player to win the same PGA event three consecutive years since Steve Stricker at the 2009-2011 John Deere Classic.

- AFP.

2023-03-18 06:43:45

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the US PGA Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida (par 71, USA unless noted):

135 - Adam Schenk 66-69

136 - Kramer Hickok 68-68

137 - Cody Gribble 72-65, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 68-69, Jordan Spieth 67-70, Davis Riley 69-68

138 - Wyndham Clark 72-66, Matt Wallace (ENG) 71-67, Taylor Moore 71-67, JT Poston 70-68, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 66-72

139 - Adam Long 71-68, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 68-71, Doug Ghim 69-70, Rory Sabbatini (SVK) 74-65, Alex Smalley 68-71, Lucas Glover 67-72, Justin Thomas 69-70, Webb Simpson 71-68

2023-03-17 07:11:47

Brehm aces 17th hole to grab share of PGA Valspar lead

Ryan Brehm, with missed cuts in 14 of 17 starts this season, aced the par-3 17th hole to share the lead after Thursday's opening round of the PGA Valspar Championship.

The 36-year-old American, whose only PGA title came last March at the Puerto Rico Open, matched countryman Adam Schenk and Germany's Stephan Jaeger on five-under par 66 at Innisbrook's Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

"We've been grinding for a little while since then to try and find some good form again," Brehm said.

"It has been showing signs of good play, so we're just going to keep doing it."

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Valpsar winner, shared fourth after a bogey-free 67 with fellow Americans Maverick McNealy and 2009 US Open winner Lucas Glover.

Brehm aced the 196-yard, par-3 17th hole with a 7-iron. It was his first PGA hole-in-one and the first PGA ace at the hole since Kris Blanks in the 2012 final round.

"It kind of surprised me when I saw it go in the hole," Brehm said. "But we got a good reaction. It was a lot of fun.

"I was really just trying to cover the front edge of the green, and we had the wind that was down off of the right. We had 189 to cover the front edge and it probably flew almost 200 yards. So it was pretty fun to see that thing trickle in."

Brehm birdied all four par-5 holes and made his lone bogey at the par-4 sixth.

"We took care of the par-5s and that was nice," Brehm said.

"Had a few up-and-downs and never hit one out of play. That's a recipe to just hang in there."

Jaeger, seeking his first PGA title, opened with a birdie, had bogeys at the par-3 fourth and par-4 seventh, but then birdied five of the next seven holes - four of them on putts from inside six feet.

"I hit some good putts, drove it really nice on the back nine, gave myself a lot of chances to hit it on the greens," Jaeger said.

"These greens are pretty small, so if you've hit 'em in the right spots, you've got a lot of short putts in, and just made the right putts and scored on the par-5s."

Back-nine starter Schenk, playing for the 10th week in a row and chasing his first PGA title, sank a 51-foot birdie putt at the 18th in a run of four straight birdies that began at the 17th, the other birdie putts falling from eight feet.

After taking his lone bogey at the par-3 fourth, he sank an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-4 seventh, a 10-foot par putt at the eighth and got up and down from a bunker at nine to stay level for the lead.

Good fortune, good golf

"Just putted really well," Schenk said. "Fortunate on the last hole. I hit a bunker shot that hit the pin. Probably going to go eight feet by and ended up only four feet."

Schenk, playing so much before becoming a father next month, had a career best of third at the 2021 Shriners Children's Open.

Spieth, a back-nine starter, made three birdies in a row starting at the par-5 14th hole, highlighted by a birdie putt from just beyond 57 feet at the par-3 15th.

He also rolled in a 31-foot birdie putt at the sixth."I was able to get a couple long putts to drop today to push me to 4-under, which is a really good round," Spieth said.

"Playing 14 through 16 at 3-under is a really nice stretch of golf."American Sam Burns, who opened with a 69, is trying to become the first player to win the same PGA event three consecutive years since Steve Stricker at the 2009-2011 John Deere Classic.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida (par 71, USA unless noted):

66 - Ryan Brehm, Stephan Jaeger (GER), Adam Schenk

67 - Jordan Spieth, Lucas Glover, Maverick McNealy

68 - Alex Smalley, Patton Kizzire, An Byeong-hun (KOR), Kramer Hickok, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

69 - Adam Hadwin (CAN), Sam Burns, Justin Thomas, Davis Riley, Ben Griffin, MJ Daffue (RSA), Stewart Cink, Ben Martin, Doug Ghim

- AFP

2023-03-13 06:57:41

2023-03-13 06:57:17

2023-03-13 06:48:48

Scheffler returns to world No 1 after Players triumph

American Scottie Scheffler won The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass by five strokes on Sunday to return to number one in the world rankings.

Scheffler ran away with the PGA Tour showdown at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after making five straight birdies between the eighth and 12th holes while his closest rival, Australian Min Woo Lee imploded.

The defending Masters champion, who ended on 17-under par 271, will replace Spain's Jon Rahm atop the rankings on Monday. Rahm withdrew from the event due to illness.

The 26-year-old from New Jersey won four events on the tour last year, including at Augusta, and now has two more already this season, having won in Phoenix last month.

"I'm just trying to get a little bit better at a time, not over-think things, and fortunately to be able to see some good results and enjoy some wins and I'm very thankful," he said.

The wind might have become a factor in a closer battle but by the time he reached the testing final holes, Scheffler had wrapped things up.

"It was a lot of fun. Long day, tough day," he said. "I knew the conditions were going to get really hard late and I did a really good job of staying patient, not trying to force things, and then I got hot kind of in the middle of the round and tried to put things away as quickly as I could."

Scheffler began the day with a two-stroke lead over Lee, who immediately reduced the deficit with a birdie on the opening hole.

When Scheffler bogeyed the third, the pair were in a tie for the lead but it was soon to change dramatically when Lee had a nightmare on the par-4 fourth hole, where he made a triple bogey.

Lee found the rough off the tee and took his medicine, chipping out back on to the fairway but that cautious decision was followed by his approach shot ending in the water.

A double bogey on the 11th, where he got in trouble in the trees, saw Lee fall totally out of contention and by then Scheffler was in his groove and moving away from the field.

"It happened really quick," said the Australian.

"It's one of those things where it's Sunday and you just make a couple bad decisions and it all kind of falls down.

"To make a seven there, it was pretty gut wrenching after I started really well."

After his streak of birdies, which got under way when he chipped in to birdie the par-three eighth, it was a victory procession for Scheffler over the final holes.

He crowned his victory in style with a superb 21-foot putt on the 18th.

Excited for 'hard test'

Scheffler becomes only the third player to hold the Masters and Players titles at the same time after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods and said the bigger events raise his game.

"I think I get excited for a good hard test," he said. "I feel like I can find a way to make pars and hang in there. This week I think I had five bogeys for the whole week. Around this place that's really hard to do and that's probably what I'm most proud of is just playing so solid."

England's Tyrrell Hatton finished second after a sensational close with five straight birdies to complete the back nine in 29, the lowest score on the back section in a final round.

Hatton ended on 12-under par after his 65 with Norway's Viktor Hovland and American Tom Hoge tied for third, a further two strokes back.

"It was just a pretty mad two and a half hours in the end, from standing on the 10th tee" said Hatton, who birdied seven of his last nine holes.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama shot a four-under 68 to finish fifth, 9-under for the week, with his fine round undone by a double bogey on the 14th where he got in trouble in the rough.

Australia's Cam Davis was third on the leaderboard overnight but had to settle for sharing sixth after shooting 74.

World number three Rory McIlroy had missed the cut.

Leading scores after the final round of the PGA Tour's Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on Sunday (par 72; USA unless noted):

271 - Scottie Scheffler 68-69-65-69

276 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 72-71-68-65

278 - Tom Hoge 78-68-62-70, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-71-70-68

279 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 74-70-67-68

280 - Im Sung-Jae (KOR) 75-69-64-72, Max Homa 72-72-67-69, Justin Suh 68-73-69-70, David Lingmerth (SWE) 72-68-68-72, Cameron Davis (AUS) 69-70-67-74, Min Woo Lee (AUS) 68-70-66-76, Justin Rose (ENG) 69-73-67-71

281 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 71-70-69-71, Adam Svensson (CAN) 68-67-75-71, Rickie Fowler 72-70-68-71, Denny McCarthy 68-72-69-72, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 68-70-69-74, Collin Morikawa 65-73-72-71

282 - Tony Finau 73-72-66-71, Jordan Spieth 69-75-66-72, Russell Henley 72-74-66-70, Patrick Cantlay 72-70-68-72, Brandon Wu 73-69-69-71, Xander Schauffele 72-73-69-68, Jason Day (AUS) 70-70-70-72, Aaron Rai (ENG) 73-69-65-75

283 - Danny Willett (ENG) 72-71-71-69, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 72-70-65-76, Ryan Fox (NZL) 74-68-70-71, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 69-74-68-72, Brendon Todd 71-69-74-69, Chad Ramey 64-75-68-76, Wyndham Clark 69-73-69-72, Eric Cole 73-73-69-68

- AFP

2023-03-12 07:03:33

2023-03-12 06:49:46

Scheffler grabs 2-shot lead at low-scoring Players, SA's Bezuidenhout in the hunt

American Scottie Scheffler birdied the final hole to complete a seven-underpar 65 and take a two-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the Players Championship.

With Spain's world number one Jon Rahm having withdrawn from the tournament with illness and number three Rory McIlroy missing the cut, Scheffler, who is 14-under, can regain the top spot in the world rankings with a top-five finish at TPC Sawgrass.

He faces an international challenge, though, with Australian Min Woo Lee on 12-under after carding 66 and his compatriot Cam Davis a further two strokes back.

English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are level in fourth place, five shots back of Scheffler along with South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout and American Chad Ramey, the 18-hole leader.

Rai made a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole, with its famed island green, following Hayden Buckley, who also eagled the famous hole in the opening round.

American Tom Hoge set a new course record with his round of 62 and after carding 78 in the first round he finds himself six strokes off the lead.

But a sixth tournament win in 13 months is in Scheffler's sights after he got off to a flying start with a birdie on the first followed by an eagle on the par-five third, where he holed a 61-yard chip shot.

A bogey on the par-four seventh was the only blemish for the man who heads to Augusta next month as the defending champion.

"I played really good today. I got off to a nice start, which is always good. Kept it rolling from there, gave myself a lot of looks. Good finish as well," he said.

Tougher test

It was the lowest third-round field score to par since the Players moved to Sawgrass in 1982 with 15 players shooting 67 or better, but Scheffler expects a tougher test on Sunday.

"I think the conditions are going to be pretty tough. From what I saw, it's going to be pretty gusty winds tomorrow in the afternoon, so it should be a good challenge," he said.

Lee made a sensational start to his round, making an eagle on the par-4 first, holing out from 112 yards before sinking a 34-yard putt for birdie on the fourth.

The 24-year-old from Perth made four more birdies before he ended on a slightly sour note with a bogey on the 18th, where he missed a seven-foot par putt.

The Sawgrass crowd warmed to him with chants of 'Woo' booming out around the course."It was amazing, amazing day. Just coming on 17 and 18 and hearing the crowd chant and that's all I'm asking for. Yeah, just had a lot of fun," he said.

"It's really special to get that chant. I had that same thing at Aussie PGA last year. It's even cooler here on 17 at Sawgrass; you can't ask for anything more.

"I love playing in front of a crowd, and I love entertaining them. So I hope they had a good show today and hopefully I can do it again tomorrow."

Hoge had started his day by finishing off the delayed second round and battling to make the cut, saying he had booked a flight home after his opening 78.

But his course record 10-under 62 forced a change in plans as he raced up the leaderboard.

"It has been nice to cancel a few flights," he said. "I didn't even know it was a course record until after we got done in the scoring (hut).

"Today was going to be the day to do it if you were going to out here because it was soft with little wind, so you felt like you could make birdies and keep trying to make birdies. So just felt fortunate and tried to take advantage of it the best I could."

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (par 72; USA unless noted):

202 - Scottie Scheffler 68-69-65

204 - Min Woo Lee (AUS) 68-70-66

206 - Cameron Davis (AUS) 69-70-67

207 - Chad Ramey 64-75-68, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 68-70-69, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 72-70-65, Aaron Rai (ENG) 73-69-65

208 - Im Sung-Jae (KOR) 75-69-64, Tom Hoge 78-68-62, David Lingmerth (SWE) 72-68-68

209 - Denny McCarthy 68-72-69, Taylor Montgomery 70-73-66, Justin Rose (ENG) 69-73-67

210 - Rickie Fowler 72-70-68, Collin Morikawa 65-73-72, Ben Griffin 67-71-72, Jordan Spieth 69-75-66, Patrick Cantlay 72-70-68, Justin Suh 68-73-69, Taylor Moore 70-75-65, Dylan Wu 69-73-68, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-71-70, Jason Day (AUS) 70-70-70, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 71-70-69, Adam Svensson (CAN) 68-67-75

211 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 74-70-67, Garrick Higgo (RSA) 70-73-68, An Byeong-Hun (KOR) 71-70-70, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 69-74-68, Tony Finau 73-72-66, Max Homa 72-72-67, Wyndham Clark 69-73-69, Brandon Wu 73-69-69, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 72-71-68

- AFP

2023-03-11 07:32:07

Bezuidenhout and Svensson in lead before play stopped at Players

South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Canadian Adam Svensson shared the lead at the Players Championship on Friday before the second round was suspended due to an incoming storm.

Bezuidenhout was four-under-par for his round, through 14 holes leaving him on eight-under for the tournament while Svensson was on the same score but had only completed 11 holes.

American Ben Griffin was the clubhouse leader after completing his round, shooting a one-under 71 to leave him two strokes behind the leaders.

Play will resume at 7am local time on Saturday with world number three Rory McIlroy facing the strong risk of missing the cut.

The Northern Irishman was six-over for the tournament having double bogeyed on the par-4 sixth, placing him five shots away from the projected cut.

World number two Jon Rahm of Spain had pulled out of the tournament on Friday morning due to illness.

The 26-year-old Bezuidenhout, who has collected ten wins internationally but has never won on the PGA Tour, was pleased with the way he coped with windy conditions early in his round.

"The first nine holes was tough. It was so windy out there. But it actually died down over the last hour. I just tried to keep the ball in play. In that wind, it was just trying to hit fairways and give yourself looks at the green," he said.

Svensson, who won his first PGA Tour event at the RSM Classic in November, started on the back nine and had just hit consecutive birdies after the turn when play was called for the day.

"I was hitting a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, putting well. Just playing safe, playing aggressive when I can," he said.

American Collin Morikawa and Australian Min Woo Lee sat two strokes behind the leaders in a share of third spot alongside Griffin.

Spieth gets lucky

Australian Jason Day, who came into the tournament on the back of four straight top-10 finishes, made a second consecutive 70 to stand at four-under.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth carded a three-over 75 with double bogeys on the 14th and 5th holes to leave him on even-par.

"I had a bad day. Got off to a great start, and then I just got behind the driver, missed fairways on a few of those holes on the back nine. Almost every hole kind of hit it in the wrong spot," he said.

"It got really challenging, but I didn't help myself with some of the decisions I was making," he added.

Spieth had a spectator to thank for making the cut after making an eagle on his last hole, the par-5 ninth, to keep him in the tournament.

The American's drive off the tee was heading into the water but hit a watching fan, and the ball bounced back into the fairway. Spieth then chipped in from just off the green for his eagle.

"I got an extremely lucky break on nine, or I wouldn't be playing the weekend. I am trying to get that guy's information and see literally whatever he wants this weekend because everything from here on out is because it hit him," he said.

"Very fortunate. I can't say I deserved it, but I tried to hold my attitude together and just keep on focusing, trying one foot in front of the other. I don't know if that means I got rewarded for that or what, but overall I got very, very fortunate".

- AFP

2023-03-10 22:00:22

World No Rahm pulls out of Players Championship with illness

World number one Jon Rahm withdrew from the Players Championship before his scheduled second round on Friday due to illness, the PGA Tour said.

The Spaniard who made a one-under-par 71 in his first round on Thursday was due to play with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on Friday.

Rahm has been in excellent form this season winning three events on the PGA Tour after clinching the DP World Tour Championship in November.

In January, Rahm won the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii and then The American Express tournament in California later that month.

Last month he won the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Club in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood near Los Angeles.

- AFP

2023-03-10 06:55:53

American Chad Ramey, ranked 225th in the world, grabbed a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Players Championship while world number three Rory McIlroy toiled in the rough at TPC Sawgrass on Thursday.

Journeyman Ramey, playing in the tournament for the first time, shot a bogey-free eight-under-par round of 64 to earn a one shot lead over compatriot 2021 British Open winner Collin Morikawa.

This is the first Players Championship taking place without the golfers who quit the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Last year's top three are all missing -- winner, Australian Cameron Smith, who lives near the course, along with 2022 runner-up Anirban Lahiri and third-placed Paul Casey while former winners Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia were also among the LIV absences.

The reduced star power was further emphasised by the absence of two-times winner Tiger Woods, who is playing a limited schedule as he tries to manage the workload on his struggling body.

Canada's Taylor Pendrith shot 67 and was three strokes behind Ramey along with Americans Ben Griffin and Justin Suh on a day in which the big names, playing in the afternoon, struggled to match the early scores.

Scottie Scheffler, ranked second in the world, was in a group of players on four-under while the current top ranked player, Spaniard Jon Rahm was one-under after shooting two birdies and bogeying his penultimate hole, the 8th.

McIlroy the world number three, struggled after making a double bogey on the first hole and he made three more bogeys to card a four-over-par 76.

The 30-year-old Ramey has one win on the PGA Tour, in a weak field at Puntacana in March last year, after working his way up from the lower-tier tours.

He said looking at the leaderboard gave him the belief that, despite being so lowly ranked, he could contend with the big names.

"It gives me the confidence, and deep down I believe I belong out here. I believe I can beat them. It's just a matter of proving to everybody else that I can," he said. "But it's nice to see my name up there with them. I did win an opposite-field event, but a win is a win in my book, so I'm not going to complain."

McIlroy, the 2019 winner, struggled off the tee and said that was something that he could ill-afford on an unforgiving Sawgrass course.

"I feel like this is as penal as I've seen it out of the rough for a long time. I think you'd have to go back to when the tournament was played in May, when we were in Bermuda rough, for it to be as penal as that. Yeah, you don't hit it on the fairway here, you're going to struggle," he said.

McIlroy, who will be battling to make the cut as he sits 12 shots behind Ramey, indicated that he was not comfortable with his new driver

."I wish I could use my driver from last year, but I can't just because of -- you use a driver for so long, and...basically it just wouldn't pass the test."

- AFP

2023-03-06 07:30:09

2023-03-06 07:29:38

Echavarria wins PGA Puerto Rico Open

Colombia's Nico Echavarria held his nerve to seal a maiden professional victory at the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open on Sunday, carding a four-under-par 68 to win by two strokes.

Echavarria, who had taken a two-shot lead after Saturday's third round, took the title after finishing with three birdies on the back nine at Rio Grande's Grand Reserve Golf Club to close on 21 under.

Akshay Bhatia of the United States took second place after a final-round charge that threatened to eclipse Echavarria.

Bhatia started with a bogey but then rattled in eight birdies for a seven-under-par 65, leaving him at 19 under.

His round finished with four straight birdies but it was ultimately not enough to deny Echavarria his first title since turning professional six years ago.

Nate Lashley and Carson Young were tied for third on 16 under, with Michael Kim alone in fifth place on 15 under.

Leading final scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open at Rio Grande (Par-72; USA unless noted):

267 - Nicolas Echavarria (COL) 67-67-65-68

269 - Akshay Bhatia 66-71-67-65

272 - Nate Lashley 71-65-67-69, Carson Young 63-67-71-71

273 - Michael Kim 70-66-71-66

274 - Wesley Bryan 69-69-67-69

275 - Cody Gribble 69-70-71-65, John VanDerLaan 69-71-69-66, Harry Higgs 71-64-71-69, Harry Hall (ENG) 72-64-68-71

- AFP

2023-03-06 07:25:33

2023-03-06 07:23:03

Kitayama seals maiden PGA Tour win in thriller at Bay Hill

Kurt Kitayama kept his cool in a nerve-shredding final round to clinch the first PGA Tour victory of his much-traveled career at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando on Sunday.

The 30-year-old journeyman,who led by one at the start of the final round, held off a ferocious challengefrom some of the biggest names in world golf to card an even-par 72 andcomplete a one-shot victory.

Kitayama's hopes of amaiden win appeared to have faded after a disastrous end to the front nine,when he took a triple-bogey seven to relinquish the lead.

But the 46th-rankedCalifornian steadied the ship to stay in the hunt down the stretch, reeling offseven straight pars before sinking a 13-foot birdie putt at the 17th to reclaimtop spot on the leaderboard on nine under.

Until that point, itlooked as if the tournament was destined for a playoff, with big guns RoryMcIlroy and Scottie Scheffler both firmly in the hunt for the title.

No fewer than fiveplayers shared the lead at one stage with just a few holes remaining.

There was to be nodenying victory to Kitayama however, who approached the 18th knowing that a parwould be enough to hang on to his slender advantage - and pocket a winner'scheque of $3.6 million.

His tee shot flew intothe thick rough down the left hand side of the fairway on 18, but he blasted asecond safely onto the green to leave himself two putts for victory.

He almost sealed it withhis first putt, rolling a 47-footer to the very lip of the cup to roars fromthe packed galleries, before eventually tapping in for par.

"It was really hard.I'm going to sleep really well tonight. It's everything I kind of mentallyprepared myself for," said Kitayama.

"I've always dreamedof winning on the Tour and to finally do it, it's pretty amazing."

The win was especiallysweet for Kitayama, who finished as a runner-up three times in 2022.

Kitayama arrived on thePGA Tour after a challenging start to his career, playing on the developmentalWeb.com Tour with little success after turning professional in 2015 beforemoving to the Asian Tour in 2018.

He switched to theEuropean Tour in 2019, where he has two won twice, before finally earning a PGATour card in 2021.

For long periods onSunday it looked as if it was going to be another near-miss for theCalifornian, as other players began building up a head of steam down thestretch.

But as the tensionmounted, player after player squandered opportunities to take the lead as puttsrefused to drop.

Northern Ireland starMcIlroy just missed a birdie putt on the 18th that would have put him on nineunder, while Scheffler missed a birdie putt on the 17th that could have put himin the leading pack.

McIlroy carded a two-under-par70 to close, finishing tied for second on eight under alongside Harris English,who also shot a 70.

McIlroy looked to beready to sweep to victory after starting the back nine with three birdies inhis first four holes to move into the lead, before back-to-back bogeys on the14th and 15th checked his progress.

McIlroy later revealed hehad not been aware he was in the lead after his birdies on the 12th and 13th -and paid the price for an over-aggressive tee-shot on 14.

"As I was walking tothe 14th green, I looked behind me at the scoreboard, and I was leading byone," McIlroy said.

"If I had of known that, I wouldn't have tried toplay the shot that I played on 14, which was unfortunate."

Although he recoveredwith a birdie on the 16th, the damage had been done.

Scheffler meanwhilefinished in a four-way tie for fourth alongside Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlayand England's Tyrell Hatton on seven under.

Leading scores after the final round of the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida on Sunday (par 72; USA unless noted):

279 - Kurt Kitayama 67-68-72-72

280 - Harris English 69-72-69-70, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-69-68-70

281 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 71-72-66-72, Jordan Spieth 68-69-74-70, Patrick Cantlay 68-71-74-68, Scottie Scheffler 68-72-68-73

282 - Trey Mullinax 69-73-71-69, Davis Riley 70-69-77-66

283 - Keegan Bradley 68-77-71-67, Cameron Young 67-73-72-71, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-71-66-75, Jason Day (AUS) 71-73-69-70

284 - Ryan Fox (NZL) 73-73-71-67, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 69-75-70-70, Max Homa 70-71-71-72, Sahith Theegala 72-70-72-70, Ben Griffin 69-72-73-70, Pierceson Coody 74-71-66-73, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70-69-76-69

285 - Justin Thomas 72-67-72-74, Corey Conners (CAN) 72-66-75-72, Im Sung-Jae (KOR) 71-71-72-71

286 - Thomas Detry (BEL) 69-72-73-72, Adam Svensson (CAN) 72-73-69-72, Webb Simpson 72-72-76-66, Tony Finau 70-72-71-73, Justin Suh 69-73-73-71, Keith Mitchell 72-69-73-72, Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 70-70-73-73

287 - Adam Schenk 68-75-72-72, Adam Scott (AUS) 69-71-75-72, Rickie Fowler 68-73-73-73

- AFP

2023-03-05 07:34:07

Kitayama holds on to Bay Hill lead as Scheffler, Hovland chase

Kurt Kitayama rolled in a long birdie putt on the 18th green to take a slender one-shot lead into the final round of the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday.

Kitayama, who had started the day two shots clear of the field, had looked to have surrendered the initiative during a Jekyll-and-Hyde third round at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida.

The 30-year-old journeyman - who is chasing his first PGA Tour title - looked to be in trouble after a double-bogey and a bogey saw him reach the turn at three over.

But four birdies down the stretch salvaged Kitayama's round, his 16-foot putt on the 18th securing an even-par 72 that left him one clear of an increasingly congested leaderboard on nine under.

"Really proud of how I was able to fight back to even," Kitayama said afterwards. "I've always just felt like there's no giving up. It's just kind of in my nature.

"Even when it's going bad, you can't just pack it in. You fight for every shot."

Until his birdie on the 18th, it looked as if Kitayama would have to settle for a share of the lead alongside Scottie Scheffler and Norway's Viktor Hovland, who are tied for second spot on eight under.

Scheffler's round caught fire with a hat-trick of closing birdies to complete a four-under-par 68, while Hovland conjured a brilliant six-under-par 66 to jump 18 places up the leaderboard.

After an erratic start that included three bogeys and four birdies, defending champion Scheffler ignited his round late on with a 16-foot birdie putt at the 16th before drilling a tee shot to within four feet at the par-three 17th.

After tapping in for birdie, he then picked up another shot on the par-four 18th when he nailed his second to six-feet.

Former world number one Scheffler said afterwards the secret to his success had been trying to stay patient after an erratic start to his round.

"I didn't want to put myself out of the tournament," Scheffler said. "Around this golf course, as you see today, there's guys that have gone from very far behind to in the lead.

"Around this place, if you can get hot, you're never too far out of it. I just tried to keep reminding myself of that."

Rahm fades, McIlroy lurking

Scheffler will reclaim the number one ranking with a victory on Sunday if rival Jon Rahm fails to finish any better than solo second place.

A runner-up finish would be good enough for Scheffler if Rahm finishes worse than a tie for ninth.

Rahm's hopes of hanging on to the top spot faded on Saturday after the Spaniard posted a second straight four-over-par 76.

Rahm's nightmare round included a run of five straight bogeys between the seventh and 11th holes.

Hovland meanwhile produced another sparkling piece of iron play, chipping in from a bunker on the par-three 14th for birdie, as he compiled his bogey-free round.

The 25-year-old from Oslo had already holed out for eagle in Thursday's first round, and followed that up with an ace on the par-three seventh on Friday.

"It was just really, really solid," said Hovland, who finished second at Bay Hill last season behind Scheffler."I wasn't really close to making a bogey the whole day."

England's Tyrrell Hatton meanwhile moved 29 places up the leaderboard with a six-under-par 66.

Hatton saved the pyrotechnics on his bogey-free round for the back nine, where he rattled off five birdies to finish the day alone in fourth on seven under.

Rory McIlroy is also firmly in the hunt after a four-under-par 68 left him three off the lead on six under alongside Harris English.

Major winner Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are a further shot back on five under alongside Pierceson Cody.

- AFP

Leading third round scores at the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida on Saturday (par 72; USA unless noted):

207 - Kurt Kitayama 67-68-72

208 - Scottie Scheffler 68-72-68, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 71-71-66

209 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 71-72-66

210 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-69-68, Harris English 69-72-69

211 - Justin Thomas 72-67-72, Jordan Spieth 68-69-74, Pierceson Coody 74-71-66

212 - Max Homa 70-71-71, Cameron Young 67-73-72

213 - Tony Finau 70-72-71, Patrick Cantlay 68-71-74, Trey Mullinax 69-73-71, Xander Schauffele 68-70-75, Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 70-70-73, Jason Day (AUS) 71-73-69, Corey Conners (CAN) 72-66-75

214 - Adam Svensson (CAN) 72-73-69, Thomas Detry (BEL) 69-72-73, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 69-75-70, Im Sung-Jae (KOR) 71-71-72, Kyle Westmoreland 69-76-69, Rickie Fowler 68-73-73, David Lipsky 72-73-69, Sahith Theegala 72-70-72, Keith Mitchell 72-69-73, Ben Griffin 69-72-73, Danny Willett (ENG) 70-73-71, Ben Taylor (ENG) 72-71-71

215 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70-69-76, Martin Laird (SCO) 71-72-72, Justin Suh 69-73-73, Taylor Moore 73-72-70, Adam Schenk 68-75-72, Taylor Montgomery 75-67-73, Padraig Harrington (IRL) 73-70-72, Adam Scott (AUS) 69-71-75

2023-03-04 06:23:41

Kitayama surges clear at Bay Hill, Rahm blown off course

Kurt Kitayama mastered blustery conditions to grab a two-shot lead in the second round of the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational on Friday.

Despite gusts of up to 30mph lashing the Bay Hill course early on, Kitayama reeled off five birdies on his way to a four-under-par 68 to move to nine under following his opening 67 on Thursday.

The lone blemish on the 46th-ranked Californian's round came on the par-five 16th, where he needed four shots to reach the green and two-putted for a bogey six.

Kitayama will head into the weekend rounds two shots clear of Jordan Spieth, who carded a three-under-par 69 to move to seven under.

Canada's Corey Conners fired the low round of the day with a six-under-par 66 to move into a two-way tie for third on six under alongside Xander Schauffele.

Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Patrick Cantlay and Davis Riley are a further shot back on five under.

"It's always a fun challenge keeping yourself in the moment," Kitayama said later of his successful duel with the testing conditions.

"I feel like when you get conditions like this it's easy to kind of let things get away from you - for me it's just keeping myself focused the entire way."

Kitayama, 30, has taken a circuitous route to the PGA Tour, playing on the developmental Web.com Tour with little success after turning professional in 2015 before moving to the Asian Tour in 2018.

He moved to the European Tour in 2019, where he has two won twice, before finally earning a PGA Tour card in 2021.

Kitayama said the challenges of attempting to forge his career overseas have helped him develop his competitive temperament.

"Not finding success early (in US) was disappointing, but it took me somewhere else to grow," Kitayama said.

"Just dealing with adversity, really. When you're in a random country in Asia and you don't know what you're doing or where you're going, it's pretty frustrating and honestly kind of scary a little bit.

"So I think that helps you just grow, just kind of learn from that experience of being in an uncomfortable situation."

Three-time major winner Spieth meanwhile is lurking menacingly on Kitayama's shoulder. The Texan might have been closer to the lead had it not been for a bogey on the 18th, when his 18ft par putt just caressed the cup before rolling past.

While Kitayama breezed through Friday's treacherous conditions, world number one and overnight leader Jon Rahm was blown off course as he struggled around Bay Hill.

The Spaniard had taken a two-shot lead on Thursday with a seven-under-par 65 but tumbled down the leaderboard on Friday with a four-over-par 76 to head into the weekend on three under, six adrift of Kitayama.

Teeing off on the 10th, Rahm bogeyed his second hole of the day but then birdied the 14th to reach the turn at level par.

But Rahm's round went pear-shaped down the stretch with three bogeys and a double-bogey seven in his final five holes.

Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida (USA unless noted, par-72):

135 - Kurt Kitayama 67-68

137 - Jordan Spieth 68-69

138 - Xander Schauffele 68-70, Corey Conners (CAN) 72-66

139 - Justin Thomas 72-67, Patrick Cantlay 68-71, Davis Riley 70-69, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70-69

140 - Ludvig Aberg (SWE) 70-70, Scottie Scheffler 68-72, Cameron Young 67-73, Adam Scott (AUS) 69-71

141 - Thomas Detry (BEL) 69-72, Jon Rahm (ESP) 65-76, Rickie Fowler 68-73, Ben Griffin 69-72, Harris English 69-72, Max Homa 70-71, Keith Mitchell 72-69

- AFP

2023-03-03 07:03:35

2023-03-03 07:02:03

World No 1 Rahm grabs 2-shot lead at Bay Hill

World number one Jon Rahm started fast and finished strong on the way to a seven-under par 65 on Thursday and a two-stroke lead in the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Rahm, playing the tournament at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida, for just the second time, launched his round with three straight birdies and closed it by picking up four strokes in his last three holes with an eagle and two birdies.

Rahm, who regained the world number one ranking with his third PGA Tour title of 2023 at Riviera last month, was two shots clear of Americans Chris Kirk, Cameron Young and Kurt Kitayama.

"I took advantage of the good swings," Rahm said. "I put myself in a really good spot on one off the tee. Took advantage with a wedge in my hand.

"I can say the two shots on two and 17, to have a combined six feet in those two holes, it just doesn't happen. I hit two really good shots and landed in a very precise spot."

Rahm, who launched his finishing fireworks by rolling in a 24-foot eagle putt from the fringe at 16, said he didn't feel "shaky" in between his opening and closing bursts.

He bogeyed the eighth and birdied 12, and was pleased with par-saving putts at the 10th and 15th.

"I felt like I played a pretty good round of golf, it's just not easy," he said. "Those fairways are getting firm and they're not easy to hit. When you miss the fairway you're going to be chopping it out of the rough and hoping for dear life."

Kirk is coming off his first victory in almost eight years at the Honda Classic on Sunday.

It was his fifth PGA Tour title but his first since he took a break from the tour in 2019 to deal with depression and alcohol misuse.

"So 5:30 came early this morning and felt strange a little bit, like, 'OK, we're really doing this all over again,'" Kirk said.

Kirk's round included a pair of 30-foot birdie putts, at the 11th and second holes. He had seven birdies in all, giving a stroke back at the ninth, his last of the day, which played as the hardest hole on the course.

Young, last season's rookie of the year who also made bogey there, said there was no secret to the trouble caused by the ninth.

"It's 500 yards into the wind with the narrow fairway and four and a half inch rough," said Young, whose five-under effort included a chip-in for eagle at the 12th along with five birdies and a pair of bogeys.

"It's just a really hard hole," he added saying the par-four was "just basically a par-five."

Kitayama was bogey-free with six birdies through 16 holes, but he bogeyed the ninth to fall back into the group at five-under.

World number two Scottie Scheffler, who has a chance to regain the top spot from Rahm this week, headed a group of eight players on 68 that also included Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay.

Rory McIlroy, the 2018 champion at Bay Hill who could also return to number one this week, opened with a one-over par 73 that included a double-bogey at the par-five sixth, where he was in the water off the tee.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida (USA unless noted, par-72):

65 - Jon Rahm (ESP)

67 - Chris Kirk, Cameron Young, Kurt Kitayama

68 - Adam Schenk, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Aaron Rai (ENG), Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley

69 - Andrew Putnam, Thomas Detry (BEL), Harris English, Nick Taylor (CAN), Trey Mullinax, Justin Suh, Ben Griffin, Adam Scott (AUS), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Kyle Westmoreland

- AFP

2023-03-03 06:59:07

2023-03-03 06:58:09

Young soars to Puerto Rico Open lead

Carson Young flew to the PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open lead with three eagles in a nine-under par 63 at Rio Grande on Thursday.

The tour rookie, who has made just three cuts in a dozen starts, had a three-shot lead over fellow Americans Akshay Bhatia and Max McGreevy in the tournament being played opposite the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Florida.

"I drove it pretty well and I made a lot of putts, especially early," Young said. "To get four- or five-under through four or five holes was nice, especially in this wind. Couldn't ask for a better round today so I'm pleased with that."

Young, who shared the first-round lead in the Honda Classic last week before finishing tied for 29th, had two eagles on the front nine and added another at the 15th - where he drilled a three-wood to about 10 feet.

"I had about 255 (yards), straight into the wind, trees in front of me," Young said. "The wind was so strong I decided to just hit this high, draw three-wood over the trees and I flushed it."

Young added four birdies and a bogey, and said he was happy to be playing a course where he made his tour debut two years ago.

In his other 12 starts this season he was playing courses for the first time.

"At least I've seen this course, whereas the West Coast swing, it was a bunch of courses that I've never seen and a bunch of practice rounds," he said.

PGA Tour veterans Bill Haas and Scott Piercy were among those at 67, while former PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner was among a group on 68.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open at Rio Grande (USA unless noted):

63 - Carson Young

66 - Akshay Bhatia, Max McGreevy

67 - Bill Haas, Augusto Nunez (ARG), Nicolas Echavarria (COL), Scott Piercy

68 - Jason Dufner, Camilo Villegas (COL), Matthias Schmid (GER), Estanislao Goya (ARG), Ryan Blaum, Paul Haley, Andrew Novak, Sam Stevens

69 - Brice Garnett, Cody Gribble, Wesley Wesley Bryan, Brandon Harkins, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS), Greg Chalmers (AUS), Vincent Norrman (SWE), Ryan Gerard, Chris Stroud, William McGirt, Brent Grant, John VanDerLaan

- AFP

2023-02-27 07:26:04

2023-02-27 07:21:39

Kirk edges Cole in playoff for PGA Honda Classic victory

Chris Kirk birdied thefirst playoff hole to beat Eric Cole at the Honda Classic on Sunday, ending anear eight-year title drought with his fifth PGA Tour triumph.

It was an emotional winfor the 37-year-old American, whose last victory at Colonial in 2015 wasfollowed by time away from the game in 2019 to deal with depression and alcoholmisuse.

He took a two-shot leadinto the final round and carded a one-under-par 69, shaking off a bogey at the72nd hole with a birdie when they returned again to 18 for the first hole ofthe playoff.

There Kirk spun hisapproach within a foot of the pin while Cole was in a greenside bunker andmissed a 10-foot birdie attempt to extend the playoff.

"I just have so muchto be thankful for," Kirk said. "I'm so grateful. I'm so grateful formy sobriety. I'm so grateful for my family. I'm so grateful for everyone that'ssupported me throughout the past three or four years especially."

Cole, who is a US tourrookie this season at the age of 34 - and with 56 professional wins behind himon the Minor League Golf Tour mini-tour - carded a final-round 67 on the par-70PGA National course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he joined Kirk infinishing with a 72-hole total of 14-under par 266.

He and Kirk duelled allday and finished two strokes in front of third-placed Tyler Duncan, who cardeda 66 for 268.

Kirk got off to a quickstart, rolling in a 17-foot birdie putt at the opening hole.

After a bogey at thesecond he got up and down for birdie from a greenside bunker at the third androlled in a 34-foot birdie at the eighth to take a two-shot lead.

Cole had kept in touchwith birdies at the third, fourth and fifth - where he snaked in a 70-footputt.

He was in the water for abogey at the sixth, but after a birdie at 11 pulled him back within one strokehe grabbed the outright lead at the 13th as he rapped in a seven-foot birdieputt while Kirk bogeyed.

Cole gave back a strokewith a bogey at 15, where he needed two shots to get out of a greenside bunker,and Kirk regained the solo lead with a 19-foot birdie at the 16th.

Cole hangs tough

Kirk couldn't close itout at 18, however, as his second shot from the fairway found the water and hewas unable to convert a 16-foot par-saving putt.

"I was obviouslyvery, very nervous today having not won in so long," Kirk said."Coming down thestretch, I felt good. Obviously that putt on 16 was huge and was in a greatposition on 18, just made a bad swing at the wrong time."

Cole, who is the son offormer PGA Tour player Bobby Cole and former LPGA player Laura Baugh, called ita "great week overall."

"I felt like I hungpretty tough, and I was really proud of that," he said.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (x-won at first playoff hole. USA unless noted, par-70):

266 - x-Chris Kirk 69-62-66-69, Eric Cole 67-66-66-67

268 - Tyler Duncan 67-67-68-66270 - Ryan Gerard 69-63-71-67

271 - Ben Martin 69-64-70-68, Sepp Straka (AUT) 69-68-66-68, Ben Taylor (ENG) 67-65-69-70, Justin Suh 66-64-70-71, Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-68-65-70

272 - Dylan Wu 71-68-67-66, David Lingmerth (SWE) 69-68-68-67

273 - Zach Johnson 68-67-71-67, Cameron Percy (AUS) 69-68-66-70

274 - Brandon Wu 71-68-70-65, Jim Herman 71-70-67-66, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 71-69-67-67, Lee Hodges 71-69-67-67, Adrian Meronk (POL) 67-69-70-68, Ryan Brehm 67-74-64-69, Kramer Hickok 71-68-66-69

- AFP

2023-02-26 07:25:27

Kirk seizes two-shot lead at Honda Classic

Chris Kirk fired six birdies in a four-under-par 66 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead in the Honda Classic, where he's chasing his first US PGA Tour title in eight seasons.

Kirk followed up a sizzling second-round 62 with a solid effort on the par-70 PGA National course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, putting himself in good position to strike for a fifth title, but his first since Colonial in 2015.

The 37-year-old American, who took a break from golf in 2019 to deal with depression and alcohol misuse, had a two-stroke lead over 32-year-old Eric Cole, who posted his second straight 66.

Overnight leader Justin Suh carded an even-par 70 and was three shots off the lead on 200 - one stroke in front of Ireland's Shane Lowry and England's Ben Taylor.

"I made a couple really good driver swings kind of towards the end of my round today, especially on 18," said Kirk, who started the day one off the lead and got things going with a 16-foot birdie putt at the fourth.

"I feel like that's going to be an important thing for me tomorrow, to go out and drive it well."After a six-foot birdie at the eighth and a 27-footer at the 11th he was holding a three-shot lead at 12-under.

He picked up another stroke at 12 before a bogey at 13, and a three-putt bogey from the fringe at the 16th saw his lead dwindle before back-to-back birdies to cap his round.

At the par-three 17th, Kirk rolled in an 18-foot birdie and at the par-five 18th he missed the green, got relief from a cart path and chipped to six feet, calmly sinking the putt.

Cole, a tour rookie who has 50 wins as a professional on various mini-tours, had five birdies in his four-under effort and was looking forward to challenging for a tour title.

"It's a bigger stage and stuff, but the golf ball doesn't know the difference, and I'm just going to try and keep kind of executing the way I have the first three days, and I think it should take care of itself," Cole said.

Suh eagle

Suh's round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-four 12th, where he holed his 153-yard second shot from the fairway.

He had bogeys from greenside bunkers at the fourth and 13th, and missed a birdie putt from inside four feet at the 18th.

"The hole looked pretty small today - couldn't make any putts," he said.

"I was hitting it with good speed and just kept on reading it wrong."

Lowry, who led late last year but came up one shot short of winner Sepp Straka, kept himself in contention with a five-under-par 65 that featured seven birdies.

That included a chip-in at the 11th from the collection area below the green that took one hop and rolled into the cup, the flagstick keeping it from racing by.

"I was just trying to leave myself something inside 10 feet for par," Lowry said.

- AFP

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (USA unless noted, par-70):

197 - Chris Kirk 69-62-66

199 - Eric Cole 67-66-66

200 - Justin Suh 66-64-70

201 - Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-68-65, Ben Taylor (ENG) 67-65-69

202 - An Byeong-hun (KOR) 70-65-67, Tyler Duncan 67-67-68

203 - Sepp Straka (AUT) 69-68-66, Cameron Percy (AUS) 69-68-66, Brice Garnett 69-64-70, Ben Martin 69-64-70, Ryan Gerard 69-63-71

204 - Chesson Hadley 69-66-69, Matt Wallace (ENG) 67-68-69205 - Ryan Brehm 67-74-64, Kramer Hickok 71-68-66, Davis Riley 71-67-67, David Lingmerth (SWE) 69-68-68, Adam Svensson (CAN) 70-66-69

2023-02-25 07:24:46

Suh grabs lead at Honda Classic but Kirk on fire

Justin Suh grabbed a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens with a birdie on the final hole giving him a six-under par round of 64.

Fellow American Chris Kirk was a shot behind after producing the round of the day with an eight-under 62, one short of equalling the course record at PGA National.

Ryan Gerard and England's Ben Taylor were both two strokes behind Suh on eight-under for the tournament.

The 25-year-old Suh is in his first full season on the PGA Tour after enjoying an outstanding year on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour, where he finished top of the season points race.

The Californian got off to a shaky start with a bogey on the par-4 second hole after he missed a four-foot putt.

But he put together a run of four straight birdies from the eighth hole onwards and crowned a fine round with a superb third shot on the 18th, which he landed seven feet from the hole.

"I think we played it pretty conservative, but aggressive to our spots. We definitely left ourselves some opportunities, but I thought we just hit it to the right spots on the green," Suh said.

"We made some long lag putts that fortunately just went in, and that's always a key to some good weeks, so hopefully we just keep it rolling," he added.

Kirk played positive, attacking golf and was rewarded with an eagle on the par-five third hole, where he blasted his second shot 247 yards to just under 20 feet from the hole.

The 37-year-old produced four birdies on the back nine but with a sub-60 score entering the possibilities, he had to settle for pars on the final three holes.

A birdie on the 18th would have equalled the record low round of 61 set by Brian Harman in 2012 and equalled by Australian Matt Jones two years ago, but Kirk missed a 14-foot putt.

"It was a bummer not to make it. I felt like I deserved the birdie at 18 after hitting such a great wedge, but I misread the putt. I definitely won't let that put a damper on a really good day," he said.

Kirk is looking for his fifth win on the tour and first since his victory at Colonial in 2015 but if he can maintain the form he showed on Friday he will have a real chance.

"It was definitely conditions that lent themselves to being able to be a little bit more aggressive, being able to dial in, kind of carry distances and stuff like that with irons and wedges better," he said.

"Usually we're playing for 15, 20 plus yards of hurt going into the wind shots ... but today there was hardly a breath most of the round and so it became a little bit more target practice."

Gerard, who made it into the tournament through an open qualifying playoff on Tuesday, also eagled the third as he made an impressive 63 in just his second start on the PGA Tour.

Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (Round halted by darkness, to resume Saturday. USA unless noted, par-70):

130 - Justin Suh 66-64

131 - Chris Kirk 69-62

132 - Ryan Gerard 69-63, Ben Taylor (ENG) 67-65

133 - Ben Martin 69-64, Eric Cole 67-66, Brice Garnett 69-64

134 - Tyler Duncan 67-67, Tano Goya (ARG) 68-66

135 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 67-68, Zach Johnson 68-67, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 70-65, Carson Young 65-70, Adam Schenk 67-68, Chesson Hadley 69-66

- AFP

2023-02-20 07:22:30

2023-02-20 07:16:14

Rahm wins Genesis Invitational to return to world No 1

Jon Rahm used two latebirdies to power past Max Homa for a victory in the Genesis Invitational onSunday that moved the Spaniard back to number one in the world.

Spain's Rahm grabbed histhird PGA Tour title of 2023 after wins at the Tournament of Champions andthe American Express in La Quinta, California.

It was his fifth win inhis last nine worldwide starts, a run that included his third Spanish Opentriumph in October and victory in the DP World Tour Championship in November.

Rahm was thrilled tocapture a win at Riviera Country Club, the classic course west of downtown LosAngeles that has produced such champions as Ben Hogan but where, Rahm noted,Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have never won.

Woods, who hosted thisweek's event, was in the spotlight as he returned to competition for the firsttime since missing the cut at the Open Championship.

The 15-time majorchampion, still limited by the severe right leg injuries he suffered in aFebruary 2021 car accident, carded a final-round 73 to finish on one-under 283,tied for 45th.

"It's progress, butI didn't win," said Woods, who reiterated that he's targeting the fourmajor championships and perhaps "a couple" of other events thisseason - the most his surgically repaired leg will allow.

"It certainly was alittle bit more difficult than I probably let on," added Woods, who goesthrough an elaborate ice-bath recovery protocol between each round to allow himto continue.

"It's hard," heacknowledged.

"The body is sometimes saying 'no' even though the mind says'yes.'"

While Woods drew massivegalleries all week, those that watched Rahm and Homa duel in the final groupwere also treated to a show.

Rahm, who captured the10th US tour title of his career said it was a "true honour" to winat Riviera.

"I can't reallyexplain it," he said.

For a while, however, itlooked like Rahm might let this one get away.He started the day with athree-shot lead over Homa and was up by three through eight holes.

Homa closed the gap witha birdie at the ninth and Rahm's bogey at the par-four 10th, where he was wellleft off the tee, proved especially costly as Homa rolled in a six-foot birdieto pull level atop the leaderboard at 16-under par.

Rahm fell a stroke behindwith a three-putt bogey at the 12th, where, he said he hit two"abysmal" putts.

"If you tell me onthe ninth tee after that tee shot that I was going to be one back on 13th tee,I wouldn't believe you because I was feeling that good," Rahm said.

"But it's golf and this golf course can get you.

After Homa bogeyed 13,Rahm dropped the hammer.

He recovered from a poordrive himself at 13 to par, then rolled in a 46-foot birdie bomb at 14.

He pushed his lead to twostrokes with an aggressive birdie at the par-three 16th - where his eight-ironoff the tee was "probably the best swing of the week."

It flew straight at theflag and left him less than three feet."I think I'm justmore proud of myself of kind of re-setting when things got difficult,"Rahm said.

Homa, a local favouritefrom nearby Burbank who won the title in 2021, couldn't find an answer,although he added interest at 18 with a third shot from the left rough thatskipped across the cup.

He closed with athree-under par 68 for a 15-under par total of 269 - one stroke in front ofAmerican Patrick Cantlay, who was alone in third after a 67 that featured fivebirdies in his first 11 holes.

"I really justwanted to push him," Homa said. "He is a spectacular golfer. I wantedto make him beat me, and I think I did that."

Rahm, who last held thenumber one ranking in March of 2022, supplanted Scottie Scheffler just a weekafter the American toppled Rory McIlroy with a victory at the Phoenix Open.

With recent changes tothe ranking system, Rahm expects such shifts to be common for some time, and hewon't be using the rankings as a measuring stick.

"I've won five of mylast nine starts, I haven't finished worse than top seven," he said."I don't need a ranking to validate anything."[I'm] having thebest season of my life and hopefully I can keep it going."

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club (USA unless noted, par-71):

267 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 65-68-65-69

269 - Max Homa 64-68-69-68

270 - Patrick Cantlay 68-67-68-67

271 - Will Zalatoris 69-68-70-64

272 - Keith Mitchell 64-69-69-70

273 - Sahith Theegala 71-68-68-66, Collin Morikawa 66-68-72-67

274 - Matt Kuchar 66-70-71-67

275 - Jason Day (AUS) 72-67-71-65, Gary Woodland 69-68-67-71, Adam Svensson (CAN) 67-71-68-69

276 - Harris English 66-73-72-65, Scottie Scheffler 70-68-70-68

277 - Shane Lowry (IRL) 69-69-71-68, Seamus Power (IRL) 71-70-67-69, Denny McCarthy 71-71-64-71, Tom Hoge 67-71-68-71

278 - Danny Willett (ENG) 68-69-71-70, Lee Hodges 67-66-74-71

- AFP

2023-02-19 07:08:44

Rahm seizes three-shot lead at Riveira, where Woods impresses

World number three Jon Rahm fired a bogey-free six-under par 65 on Saturday to grab a three-shot lead at Riviera, where Tiger Woods thrilled fans with a four-under par 67.

Rahm, who can return to number one with a victory, hit just five of 14 fairways but moved past overnight leader Max Homa, putting himself in position to capture a third US PGA Tour title of 2023.

His 15-under par total of 198 put him three clear of Homa, whose two-under par 69 for 201 kept him one in front of Keith Mitchell, who also posted a 69.

"It's a great round of golf," Rahm said. "Really proud of today, heck of a round of golf."

Rahm opened his round with a birdie at the first, just missing a 12-foot eagle attempt. He rolled in birdie putts from inside eight feet at the fourth, eighth and ninth.

He rolled in a two-foot birdie at the 11th, to take the solo lead at 14-under.

Homa, who started the day with a one-shot lead, kept the pressure on. He drained a 19-foot birdie putt at the third and added a five-foot birdie at the sixth. He tied Rahm's lead with a birdie at the 10th and tied him again with a seven-foot birdie at the 13th.

Homa faltered, however, with back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th, and Rahm closed his round with a final flourish -- draining a 23-foot birdie putt at 18

."The only thing I was worried about was getting that ball to the hole," Rahm said. "I've hit that putt a million times, I've seen that putt hit a million times and we all leave it just a couple, a couple rolls short, so I just wanted to get it there. Felt good obviously making it, it's a huge bonus, right?"

Woods has played just three tour-level tournaments since the crash, finishing 47th at the Masters last April, withdrawing from the PGA Championship after three rounds and missing the cut at St. Andrews.

"It's the best I've played," he said of Saturday's effort, which featured an eagle at the par-five first -- where his approach from just off the fairway looked like it might yield an albatross before leaving him a three-footer for the eagle.Woods said there wasn't that much difference between Friday and Saturday, apart from the putts falling.

"I've driven it well the last three days, my iron play has been good," he said.

"I made a few adjustments today and some of the putts went in."

Woods is the host of the tournament, which features 19 of the world's top 20 all chasing a $3.6 million winner's prize from a purse of $20 million. That prize money is bumped up thanks to the tournament's status as one of the tour's new designated events, designed to bring the best players together more often. But even with the wealth of talent on view, Woods was the undisputed star attraction, provoking roars throughout the day from his legion of followers.

"You're fully aware where Tiger is," Rahm said.

- AFP

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the US PGA Tour Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club (USA unless noted, par-71):

198 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 65-68-65

201 - Max Homa 64-68-69

202 - Keith Mitchell 64-69-69

203 - Patrick Cantlay 68-67-68

204 - Gary Woodland 69-68-67

206 - Adam Svensson (CAN) 67-71-68, Denny McCarthy 71-71-64, Tom Hoge 67-71-68, Collin Morikawa 66-68-72

207 - J.J. Spaun 68-72-67, Sahith Theegala 71-68-68, Will Zalatoris 69-68-70, Matt Kuchar 66-70-71, Lee Hodges 67-66-74

208 - Seamus Power (IRL) 71-70-67, Scottie Scheffler 70-68-70, Danny Willett (ENG) 68-69-71

209 - Luke List 70-71-68, Lucas Herbert 70-71-68, Justin Suh 71-70-68, Peter Malnati 68-71-70, Cameron Young 68-74-67, Shane Lowry (IRL) 69-69-71, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 68-70-71, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 67-69-73

210 - Justin Thomas 68-73-69, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-71-70, Kevin Tway 68-73-69, Jason Day (AUS) 72-67-71, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 68-71-71, Kramer Hickok 69-69-72, Tiger Woods 69-74-67

2023-02-18 07:26:47

Homa leads at Genesis Invitation as returning Tiger Woods struggles

Former champion Max Homa fired a four-under-par 68 on Friday to take a one-shot lead in the Genesis Invitational, where Tiger Woods was poised to play the weekend in his return to PGA Tour golf.

Homa's 10-under-par total of 132 gave him a one-shot lead over third-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm and Americans Keith Mitchell and Lee Hodges, with Woods 11 strokes adrift in his first tournament since he missed the cut at the British Open.

Woods was one stroke outside the cut line when he finished his round. After sweating out the afternoon his one-over total of 143 had him making the cut on the number, although even that wasn't quite official since darkness halted play with a handful of players on the course.

"I did not putt well today," Woods said.

"I blocked a lot of putts early and this is probably the highest score I could have shot today.

"I probably should have shot five or six better than this, easily."

Homa, who shared the overnight lead with Mitchell, shook off two front-nine bogeys, notching birdies at the ninth 10th and 11th to power back to the top of the leaderboard.

After saving par from a plugged lie in a bunker at the 12th he rolled in an eight-footer at the 13th to get to 10-under, and was 11-under after a six-foot birdie at 17.

He gave one stroke back at 18 with a bogey in the waning light.

"I was really proud that was the first time I've been leading after day one and I played a good round of golf," Homa said.

"Whether I was leading or not didn't really matter, long way to go, but that was cool."Rahm, who has a chance to regain the world number one ranking from American Scottie Scheffler with a win this week, had two eagles in his three-under-par 68.

The first was an 18-footer at the first hole, which was promptly followed by a bogey at the second.He bogeyed the fifth and ninth before catching fire late.

After back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th he nabbed another eagle at the 17th in unlikely style.

His approach shot from the fairway sailed over the green and struck a grandstand, but the ball bounced back and settled less than four feet from the pin.

"Obviously I got very fortunate to get that bounce not only to go on the green, but to have basically three feet straight up the hill," Rahm said.

"That's arguably the best bounce I've seen in person my whole golf career and it would be hard to beat in the future."

Rahm admitted there was "almost a little hint of embarrassment" at how well the poor shot turned out.

"But I feel like as golfers we get plenty of bad breaks in our lifetime," he added.

"To get one of those we should cherish it because I won't see something like this in a long time."

Mitchell, chasing a second career title after his 2019 Honda Classic victory, was the first in the clubhouse on nine-under 133 after a two-under 69.

Hodges joined the second-placed trio with an impressive five-under par 66.Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa was a further stroke back on eight-under while Patrick Cantlay was at seven-under.

Rory McIlroy, who could also regain the world number one ranking he surrendered to Scheffler on Sunday, was tied for seventh with Matt Kuchar, just four shots off the lead.

"Sort of slow and pedestrian," McIlroy said of his two-under-par 69."I feel like I've left a lot of shots out there the last couple of days, I just haven't got any putts to drop."

Scorecard

132 - Max Homa 64-68

133 - Keith Mitchell 64-69, Jon Rahm (ESP) 65-68, Lee Hodges 67-66

134 - Collin Morikawa 66-68

135 - Patrick Cantlay 68-67

136 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 67-69, Matt Kuchar 66-70

137 - Danny Willett (ENG) 68-69, Gary Woodland 69-68

138 - Scottie Scheffler 70-68, Shane Lowry (IRL) 69-69, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 68-70, Thomas Detry (BEL) 71-67, Kramer Hickok 69-69, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 69-69, Tom Hoge 67-71, Adam Svensson (CAN) 67-71

139 - Harris English -66-73, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 67-72, Adam Schenk 69-70, Sahith Theegala 71-68, Kevin Streelman 68-71, Peter Malnati 68-71, Jason Day 72-67, David Lipsky 68-71

2023-02-17 07:03:02

2023-02-17 06:59:32

Woods impresses in first PGA Tour start in seven months

Tiger Woods birdied his last three holes to wrestle a two-under-par 69 from Riviera Country Club on Thursday and thrill fans cheering his return to PGA Tour action at the Genesis Invitational.

The 15-time major champion hadn't teed it up in a tour-level event since the Open Championship in July as the severe leg injuries he suffered in a February 2021 car accident continued to curtail his schedule.

Woods was greeted by cheers and chants of "Tiger! Tiger!" at the first tee, fans crowding for a glimpse as they would all around the classic course in Pacific Palisades west of downtown Los Angeles.

He opened with a birdie at the par-five first and after a bogey at the fourth he got back under par with a birdie at the eighth, where he landed his second shot from the fairway three feet from the pin.

Bogeys at the 10th and 12th put him one-over, but Woods turned things around - rolling in a five-foot birdie putt at the 16th and then curling in a 23-footer at the par-five 17th, where his approach had left him off the green.

He was in the fairway at 18, where his seven-foot birdie was greeted by massive cheers, Woods tipping his cap to the crowd after a round that left him five off the lead shared by former Genesis Invitational champion Max Homa and Keith Mitchell.

"I happened to actually hit some good shots finally and made a couple putts," Woods said.

"Even though I had a little mishap at 10, I was able to fight back and get it going. It was a nice finish."

Woods said his comfort level increased as the round wore on.

"There's nothing like come game time just the feeling of the butterflies and trying to calm all that stuff down," he said.

Homa had eight birdies in his seven-under 64, including three in a row at his last three holes, the seventh eighth and ninth.

The American ranked 12th in the world won at Riviera in 2021 and has taken his tally of tour titles to six this season with a victory at the Fortinet Championship in September and at Torrey Pines in January.

Mitchell also had eight birdies and a bogey, closing with back-to-back birdies at 17 and 18 for his share of the lead.

They were one stroke in front of world number three Jon Rahm, who had eight birdies and two bogeys in his 65.

Rahm again has a chance to return to the top of the world rankings this week, as does Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy after he was supplanted as number one by American Scottie Scheffler on Sunday.

McIlroy made a solid start with a four-under-par 67. But among a field featuring 19 of the top 20 players in the world, Woods was the undisputed star of the show.

Woods admitted it was "a lot louder" than he expected, and he didn't have time to bask in the fans affection as he tried to put together a solid round.

"I was trying to calm myself down all day, trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing out here because I haven't played," Woods said.

"I probably should have appreciated the fans more than I did, but there was so much going on in my head trying to get the ball in the correct spots and the correct feels just because I haven't done this in a while."

After multiple surgeries in the wake of his accident, Woods made a stunning comeback at last year's Masters, finishing in 47th.

He withdrew from the PGA Championship after 54 holes and missed the cut at the Open Championship at St Andrews.

Woods had been scheduled to compete at the unofficial Hero World Challenge in December, but pulled out because of plantar fasciitis and says he's targeting all four majors and just a few other events this year.

Thursday was a good first step, but Woods's ability to recover from a round and walk 72 holes remains a mystery, even to him.

"There's a lot of ice going on here," he said of his planned post-round treatment.

"As soon as I get back to the hotel, it's just icing and treatment and icing and treatment, just hit repeat throughout the whole night.

"Unfortunately, that's my issue is that this leg will never be what it once was, so we have to adapt to it and my team's been incredible."

Leading first-first round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club (USA unless noted, par-71):

64 - Max Homa, Keith Mitchell

65 - Jon Rahm (ESP)

66 - Matt Kuchar, Collin Morikawa, Harris English

67 - Tom Hoge, Adam Svensson (CAN), Lee Hodges, Adam Hadwin (CAN), Rory McIlroy (NIR), Jhonattan Vegas (VEN), Doug Ghim

68 - Danny Willett (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Patrick Cantlay, David Lipsky, Stephan Jger (GER), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Kevin Streelman, Rickie Fowler, Kevin Tway, Justin Thomas, Peter Malnati, JJ Spaun, Cameron Young

69 - Tiger Woods, Im Sung-Jae (KOR), Viktor Hovland (NOR), Adam Scott (AUS), Shane Lowry (IRL), Nick Taylor (CAN), Hayden Buckley, Gary Woodland, Will Zalatoris, Xander Schauffele, Kramer Hickok, Scott Piercy, Nate Lashley, Alex Smalley, Adam Schenk, Luke Donald (ENG), Ben Taylor (ENG)

70 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Aaron Rai (ENG) Luke List, Lucas Glover, Scottie Scheffler, Taylor Moore, Lucas Herbert (AUS), Matthias Schwab (AUT), Sepp Straka (AUT)

- AFP

2023-02-13 07:10:09

2023-02-13 07:09:42

2023-02-13 07:06:33

Scheffler wins PGA Phoenix Open to reclaim world No 1 spot

Scottie Scheffler outduelled Canada's Nick Taylor down the back nine Sunday to repeat as PGA Phoenix Open champion and overtake Rory McIlroy for the world number one ranking.

It was the 26-year-old American's first title since capturing last year's Masters and returned him to the rankings summit he surrendered to Northern Ireland's McIlroy last October.

"It feels pretty good," Scheffler said.

Scheffler fired a six-under-par 65 in Sunday's final round to complete 72 holes at TPC Scottsdale on 19-under 265 and defeat Taylor by two strokes for the $3.6 million top prize and his fifth career PGA title.

"I'm just proud of how I fought," Scheffler said. "I didn't have my best stuff. I grinded it out today.

"I wasn't hitting it good off the tee. My irons didn't feel as sharp. But I played a great round of golf."

Spain's third-ranked Jon Rahm, who also had a chance to become world number one with a victory, settled for third on 270 after a closing 68 with two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas fourth on 271 and Australian Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, fifth on 272.

Scheffler became the seventh back-to-back Phoenix Open winner and the first repeat champion since Japan's Hideki Matsuyama in 2017.

He joined McIlroy and Max Homa as the only players to successfully defend PGA titles so far this season.

Scheffler won his first PGA title last year at Phoenix to launch an incredible two-month run that included triumphs at Bay Hill and the WGC Match-Play before taking his first major crown at Augusta National.

Taylor and Scheffler were deadlocked for the lead with six holes to play.

Scheffler reached the green in two at the par-5 13th and rolled in a clutch 22-foot eagle putt to reach 18-under while Taylor answered with a seven-foot birdie putt to stay only one adrift.

At the famed par-3 16th hole, with 20,000 rowdy spectators in a stadium atmosphere, Scheffler was booed for missing the green with a 9-iron and Taylor's 8-iron drew boos by rolling off to the left as well.

After relief from a grandstand, Scheffler chipped 15 feet past the hole while Taylor pitched to just inside seven feet.

Scheffler rolled in the tense par putt to spark a loud roar from the crowd, pumping his right fist in joy at the feat, while Taylor missed right of the hole moments later for his first bogey of the day to stumble two back with two holes remaining.

"It was a big putt," Scheffler said. "Definitely a lot of fun to see that one go in."

Taylor had a horseshoe lip-out on a 16-foot birdie putt at the 17th and Scheffler followed with a birdie tap-in from inside five feet to reach 19-under and lead by three.

Taylor birdied 18 to shoot 65 but it only trimmed the final margin.

Scheffler, who began the final round with a two-stroke lead over Rahm and Taylor, sank 10-foot birdie putts at the second and par-5 third holes.

But Taylor sizzled early as well, dropping his approach at the first hole inside four feet to set up a birdie putt and adding a 10-foot birdie putt at the third.

Taylor holed out from just inside 38 feet to birdie the sixth, then joined Scheffler in sinking six-foot birdie putts at the ninth before matching the American for the lead with a three-foot birdie putt at 10.

McIlroy fired a second straight 70 to finish on 280 and share 32nd.

Rickie Fowler aced the par-3 seventh hole with a 6-iron from 216 yards. It was the American's first hole-in-one at a PGA event since 2015.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday from the US PGA Tour Phoenix Open (USA unless noted, par-71):

265 - Scottie Scheffler 68-64-68-65

267 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 66-69-67-65

270 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 68-66-68-68

271 - Justin Thomas 71-68-67-65

272 - Jason Day (AUS) 65-71-68-68

273 - Sam Burns 70-71-64-68, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-67-67-69, Jordan Spieth 71-63-69-70, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 70-67-67-69

274 - Wyndham Clark 68-67-70-69, Xander Schauffele 67-67-70-70, Rickie Fowler 71-66-67-70, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 66-66-71-71

276 - Patrick Rodgers 73-68-70-65, Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 74-65-67-70, Taylor Moore 69-70-67-70, Tony Finau 70-68-67-71, Charley Hoffman 68-71-66-71, Beau Hossler 74-68-71-63277 - Seamus Power (IRL) 71-71-66-69, Sam Ryder 69-68-69-71, Keegan Bradley 69-71-68-69

- AFP

2023-02-12 08:00:26

American Scottie Scheffler takes a two-shot lead over Jon Rahm and Nick Taylor into the final round of the Phoenix Open, where he's in search of a title repeat and a chance to regain the world number one ranking.

Scheffler, who started the round tied for the lead with Canadian Adam Hadwin, had four birdies in a three-under par 68 for a 13-under par total of 200 at TPC Scottsdale.

That was two clear of third-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm, who also carded a 68, and Canada's Taylor, who posted a 67.Rahm, like Scheffler, can overtake Rory McIlroy atop the world rankings on Sunday, the Northern Ireland star looking unlikely to challenge the leaders after a third-round 70 that left him tied for 28th, 10 shots off the lead.

Scheffler kickstarted his round with a 47-foot birdie putt at the second hole and picked up another stroke with a 15-footer at the fourth. After his lone bogey of the round at the 13th he fired out of the rough to four feet at the 14th for another birdie.

He'd add one more at the par-four 17th, where his second shot raced up the side of the green, looking scarily close to rolling into the water before it settled just off the putting surface.

He rolled in an 11-foot birdie putt from there.

Leaderboard:

200 - Scottie Scheffler 68-64-68

202 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 66-69-67, Jon Rahm (ESP) 68-66-68

203 - Jordan Spieth 71-63-69, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 66-66-71

204 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 70-67-67, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-67-67, Rickie Fowler 71-66-67, Jason Day (AUS) 65-71-68, Xander Schauffele 67-67-70

205 - Charley Hoffman 68-71-66, Sam Burns 70-71-64, Tony Finau 70-68-67, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 71-66-68, Wyndham Clark 68-67-70

2023-02-11 09:39:02

2023-02-11 09:30:57

Scheffler leads Rahm as darkness halts Phoenix Open second round

Scottie Scheffler fired seven birdies in a seven-under-par 64 on Friday to take a two-shot clubhouse lead over Jon Rahm as the two chase Rory McIlroy's number one ranking at the Phoenix Open.

World number two Scheffler, the defending champion in Phoenix, had a 10-under-par total of 132 and Spain's third-ranked Rahm was his nearest rival in the clubhouse after a five-under-par 66 for 134.

Overnight co-leader Adam Hadwin of Canada was eight-under through 10 holes when darkness halted play in the US PGA Tour event at TPC Scottsdale, which has been in catch-up mode since a morning frost delay on Thursday.

Both Scheffler and Rahm have a chance to overtake Northern Ireland star McIlroy atop the world rankings this week.

McIlroy was three-under for the tournament through 13 holes of the second round. Scheffler teed off on the 10th and after a birdie at the 12th he electrified the raucous crowd at the par-three 16th with a tee shot that took a bounce and rolled toward the cup - only for a gust of wind to carry it off the green.

"It should have been probably six feet on left side of the hole," Scheffler said. "It ended up being like 20 feet off the green. It was weird. Tough break."

He ended up with a par, but then reeled off four straight birdies - driving the green at the 17th then draining a 23-footer at 18. He made seven-foot birdie putts at the first and second, and short-range birdies at the sixth and ninth.

"I think around this place when you're hitting fairways and you're hitting it well, the golf course can kind of open up for you," Scheffler said. "But the opposite can happen in a hurry because there's trouble lurking on basically every hole with there being desert close by. When you're hitting it well you have to take advantage of it like I did today."

Scheffler posted his first US tour win in Phoenix last year, and went on to win at Bay Hill and The Masters before reaching number one with a victory at the WGC Match Play.

McIlroy has since ascended to number one while Rahm is threatening to return to the summit after victories at the Tournament of Champions and in La Quinta, California, this year.

Rahm also teed off on 10 and after an early bogey he birdied the 13th and eagled 15 with a hole out from a greenside bunker. He added a birdie at 16 and two more coming in at the second and third.

"I played really good," Rahm said. "I hit a lot of great tee shots out there today. A lot of good iron shots that didn't end up in great spots.

"I think seven, eight nine is a clear example of it. None of those was bad. All of them were off the green and I needed to get up-and-down to get the round going.

"It's golf and it's what happens out here."

- AFP.

2023-02-10 07:42:58

Canadians Taylor, Hadwin lead Phoenix Open

Canadians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin carded five-under par 66s on Thursday to share the lead as darkness halted the first round of the PGA Tour Phoenix Open.

The duo - who both live in Arizona - were warmly embraced by fans at the typically raucous event, with spectators in the stadium-style stands at the 16th serenading Hadwin with "O Canada."

Neither was disturbed by the frost delay that pushed back the start of the round by an hour and 45 minutes, or by the blustery winds that greeted golfers once they got underway.

"I feel like a lot of guys that grew up in the cold, we get asked (if we're used to these conditions) a lot," Taylor said.

"We did it a lot, but we probably prefer the heat now because we've moved south.

"I've played enough in it where I kind of know what to expect."

Taylor, who practices regularly at TPC Scottsdale, made a bright start with an eagle at the third hole, but a double-bogey six at the par-four sixth and a bogey at the ninth saw him one-over at the turn.

Things warmed up nicely from there as he nabbed four birdies in a row from the 10th through the 13th, then added two more birdies at the 16th and 17th.

Taylor, whose two PGA Tour titles include the 2020 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, said his second nine was all the tougher in the unusual winds.

"All those holes are playing a lot longer than typical," he said. "I've seen a lot of wind conditions, but this was one of the toughest stretches I've played out here."

Hadwin teed off on the 10th shortly after Taylor and after a bogey at the 11th, he birdied the 12th and 15th before stringing together three birdies around the turn at 17, 18 and one.

He added one more birdie at the fifth but couldn't find another.

"I'm really disappointed I didn't get to six-under because I saw Nick up there, and I wanted to hold it over him tonight," said Hadwin, who claimed his only US tour title at the Valspar Championship in 2017.

World number six Xander Schauffele was in the clubhouse on four-under as he chases a first win at the tournament where he finished tied for second and tied for third the past two years.

Jim Herman and Australian Jason Day were both four-under on the course when darkness fell, Herman through 10 holes and Day through 13.

World number one Rory McIlroy, coming off a victory two weeks ago in Dubai, struggled off the tee on the way to a two-over par 73.

The Northern Ireland star is making just his second start in Phoenix, which this season is one of the US tour's new designated events and he used his one opt-out for the Tournament of Champions.

McIlroy, who played in front of quieter, Covid-reduced crowds in Phoenix in 2021, said it's not the rowdy spectators that are his trouble in the desert but just a lack of affinity for the course.

"I wouldn't say that this is a golf course that sets up terribly well for me," he said.

"I struggle off the tee here. I feel like all the fairway bunkers are right in my landing zones.

"But it's a challenge, and again, I'm trying to embrace that challenge."

Both world number two Scottie Scheffler and third-ranked Jon Rahm have a chance to overtake McIlroy atop the rankings this week.

Rahm was three-under through 13 holes and Scheffler was one-under through 11 when darkness halted play.

- AFP

2023-02-06 21:23:01

Rose wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am to end four-year drought

Justin Rose captured his first title in four years on Monday, making three morning birdies after a back-nine restart to win the US PGA Tour's Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Rose made long birdie putts at the 11th and 13th holes and birdied 14 -- all in response to birdies by his closest rivals -- to secure the triumph.

Former world number one Rose grabbed his 11th career PGA victory and his first since 2019 at Torrey Pines, another California oceanside course.

"Time flies by, doesn't it?" Rose said.

"It's amazing how long it has been.

"Sometimes you just do need a result. You can believe you're making progress but there's nothing like lifting some hardware to give you that peace of mind and that little bit of confidence."

The 42-year-old Englishman finished on 18-under par 269 after going three-under on Monday to complete a final round of six-under par 66.

"This is just a moment to say thanks to people who believe in me than probably more than I do," Rose said.

"My team have been incredible. My family at home... this one is for you guys.

"What a place to win a tournament... waves crashing up. It was just an epic scene. It makes me emotional almost to win here at Pebble."

Rose closed with four pars to become the first European champion at the event over the famed Monterey Peninsula layout, defeating Americans Brendon Todd and Brandon Wu by three strokes with US players Keith Mitchell, Peter Malnati and Denny McCarthy another stroke adrift.

The victory earned Rose berths at the Masters in April and PGA Championship in May.

-AFP

2023-02-06 06:46:19

Rose leads by two in final round of Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Former world number one Justin Rose had a two-stroke lead with nine holes to play when darkness halted the final round of the PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday.

Rose and the rest of the field were due to return on Monday morning to complete the event that was thrown off schedule when high winds halted play on Saturday.

Rose, whose 10 PGA Tour titles include the 2013 US Open, had moved atop the leaderboard upon completion of the third round on Sunday morning, firing an eagle and a birdie in his last three holes to take a one-stroke lead.

When the final round began on Sunday afternoon, he shook off an opening bogey to card two birdies and an eagle at the par-five sixth - where he blasted out of a fairway bunker to eight feet.

He was 15-under and two strokes clear of Americans Peter Malnati, Denny McCarthy and Brendon Todd.

Malnati, playing in the last group with Rose, was two-under for the round and 13-under for the tournament through nine holes.

McCarthy was 13-under through 15 holes having climbed the leaderboard with nine birdies and two bogeys and Todd was 13-under through 12.

Rose had enjoyed a stress-free morning, rolling in an eagle putt at the 16th before a birdie at 18 on the Monterey Peninsula course, one of three in use over the first three rounds along with the par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links and the par-72 Spyglass Hill.

He'd been among those affected by gusting winds that prompted a suspension of play on Saturday because balls wouldn't hold on at least one green.

"We were one of those problematic groups there on the ninth hole where the ball was really moving around the cup," he said. "I hit a five-wood miraculously to three feet right before they blew the horn. As I was going to mark my ball it blew seven feet down the green."

He returned to make that seven-footer as he built a 12-under 54-hole total that put him one stroke ahead of Malnati and Kurt Kitayama.

The weather continued to be a factor Sunday morning, with an early hail storm briefly halting play.

"That was, like, what is going on," Rose said. "Like, what more can they throw at us this week?"

Officials knew after Saturday's delay that the final round would stretch into Monday.

They shortened the amateur section of the pro-am event to 54 holes, with only the pros teeing it up in the fourth round at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won the amateur title, combining with PGA Tour playing partner Ben Silverman to shoot 26-under par.

The victory was all the more impressive since Silverman didn't even make the pros' cut.

"It's really significant," Rodgers said. "It's always been on my bucket list."

- AFP

2023-02-05 06:48:14

Malnati leads as high winds halt play at Pebble Beach

American Peter Malnati was atop the leaderboard when gusting winds halted play at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Saturday, with PGA Tour officials now expecting the tournament to finish on Monday.

Only a couple of players had completed the third round when gusting winds forced organizers to suspend play because balls wouldn't hold on at least one green.

A planned resumption never materialised as the winds sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean continued blow.

Malnati admitted he had mixed feelings when play was halted.

He had six birdies through 12 holes on the par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of three courses in use over the first three rounds along with par-72 Spyglass Hill and par-71 Monterey Peninsula.

"I got to play eight holes before the weather got bad, so that was nice," said Malnati, who teed off on 10 and birdied the 11th, 12th and 13th.

"Then made the turn and made three birdies into the wind on one, two and three.

"Honestly, like where I was, I was on the fourth green, I was getting ready to go play five, six, seven into the teeth of that wind, so who knows.

"I wish we were still out there playing for the sake of the tournament, but for me maybe it was a good break getting out of there at the time that I did."

Malnati was 12-under when play was halted, two strokes clear of Joseph Bramlett and Keith Mitchell.

Bramlett was through 13 holes and Mitchell through 10.

Officials said the amateur competition, which attracts such celebrity golfers as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Wales captain Gareth Bale, would be shortened to 54 holes.

PGA Tour pros will complete the third round on Sunday and after the cut - made after three rounds rather than two because of the three courses in use - would begin the final round.

- AFP

2023-02-03 07:08:26

Lebioda powers to Pebble Beach first-round lead

Hank Lebioda was firing on all cylinders on Thursday, claiming nine birdies in an eight-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead in the PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Lebioda said it "felt like everything" was working for him at Monterey Peninsula, the par-71 course that is one of three in use over the first three rounds along with Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill - both par-72 layouts.

"I hit a lot of great iron shots. I made the putts when I was close. It was a really nice day," added the 29-year-old American, who is ranked 420th in the world and in search of a first PGA Tour title.

Lebioda, who hasn't made a cut on Tour since the 3M Open in July, tied his career-low score and was a stroke clear of England's Harry Hall and Americans Kurt Kitayama and Chad Ramey.

Hall and Kitayama both carded seven-under 64s at Monterey Peninsula while Ramey posted a seven-under 65 at Pebble Beach.

Lebioda said recent work on his putting was finally starting to pay off.

"For probably the last couple weeks or so I felt like my putting had really turned a corner," he said.

"Even though I may not have shown the results. But I felt more confident standing over the ball. I liked what I was looking at visually standing over it. I knew it was just a matter of time.

"So today, fortunately it was one of the days where quite a few of 'em did go in. Not every day is like that. I was glad I was able to take advantage of it today."

Hall teed off on 10 at Monterey Peninsula and his seven-under effort featured an eagle at the 16th hole and a string of five straight birdies from the third through the seventh, a run that ended with his second bogey of the day, at the eighth.

"Kept it in play off the tee," Hall said. "Hit a lot fairways. Hit a lot of greens."

After failing to take advantage of two early par-fives, he hit driver off the tee at 16 and a hybrid second shot that left him a 20-foot eagle putt.

"The birdie streak on the front was pretty cool because I think I went bogey and then had a par on the second hole and then had five in a row from three onwards. So it was really good," he said.

Hall was especially pleased to find himself in the clubhouse one off the lead since "coming down the last two holes it started to blow 45 miles an hour.

"It was crazy," he said, and more wind and possible rain was in the forecast for the rest of the week.

'Cool experience' for Bale

The blustery winds were just another challenge in the tournament that features not only the complication of three courses but the addition of amateurs playing alongside the pros.

The celebrities teeing it up this year include such sports stars as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and recently retired Wales soccer captain Gareth Bale.

Bale admitted to some first-time nerves on the first tee.

"I think every amateur will tell you, even though we're used to playing in front of 80 000 or more live on TV, it's a completely different sport," he said.

"Outside your comfort zone and something that's just different. It's a cool experience. Lucky that I hit one of my best shots down the first fairway, which was nice."

Defending champion Tom Hoge, who out-duelled Jordan Spieth last year to win his first PGA Tour title, carded a one-under 71 at Pebble Beach.

Spieth posted a one-under round at Spyglass Hill.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links, par-72 Spyglass Hill and par-71 Monterey Peninsula courses (USA unless noted):

8-under

63 - Hank Lebioda

7-under

64 - Kurt Kitayama, Harry Hall (ENG)

65 - Chad Ramey

6-under

65 - Martin Trainer (FRA), Eric Cole, Aaron Baddeley (AUS)

5-under

66 - Ben Martin, Harry Higgs

67 - Scott Stallings, Kyle Westmoreland, Keith Mitchell

- AFP

2023-01-30 17:09:01

McIlroy comes through 'battle' to edge bitter rival Reed in Dubai

Rory McIlroy prevailed in a nail-biting finish over Patrick Reed, the man he "prefers not to acknowledge" after a spat between the two, in the rain-delayed Dubai Desert Classic on Monday.

It was the first time McIlroy has won the first start of his new season and is his 15th DP World Tour victory in 231 starts.

His one-stroke victory was also his third Dubai Desert Classic success in 13 appearances.

He will remain world number one, after Spaniard Jon Rahm failed to win the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour on Saturday.

McIlroy and Reed went into the tournament after a row when Reed reportedly threw a tee towards McIlroy on the practice range in Dubai.

The incident, caught on camera, turned out to be a lot milder than reported but the two have been at odds since McIlroy criticised players, including Reed, who joined the rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.

Relations were not helped by McIlroy receiving a subpoena from Reed's lawyer on Christmas Eve to appear as a witness in a case.

McIlroy had fallen behind Reed after a bogey on the 15th hole but he made amends with birdies on the 17th and 18th in a round of four-under par 68.

The Northern Irishman finished on 19-under par, while Reed, starting the day four shots behind McIlroy, made a crucial bogey on the 16th and a par on the drivable par-4 17th hole in his round of 65.

"I think, mentally, today was probably one of the toughest rounds I've ever had to play because it would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way," said McIlroy, who won $1.53 million for his effort.

"I just had to really concentrate on focusing on myself. I had to forget who was up there on the leaderboard, and I did that really well."

McIlroy blew his chances last year when he hit his second shot into the water on the final hole -- and he almost repeated the scenario with his tee shot on the 18th.

"Honestly, I feel I got lucky that my ball didn't go in the water. It's such an awkward tee shot for me," he said.

"Driver is too much and 3-wood is not quite enough. So I tried to hit a sort of easy driver and it came out really, really hot. I needed to lay up and try to get up-and-down that way.

"I said, 'fool me once and fool me twice', but I wasn't going to get fooled a third time. It was nice to be able to play the percentages and make it pay off."

McIlroy said such an early first win was even sweeter as he was not playing his best golf through the week.

"It means a lot. It was a battle all day. Honestly, it's been a battle all week," said McIlroy.

"I really feel like I haven't had my best all week, but I just managed my game so well and played really smart."

Reed edged ahead by a shot when McIlroy made a bogey on the par-3 15th but gave it up on the next hole when his drive got stymied by a tree.

He then had to take a drop shot on the 17th from a small bush, and could not take advantage of the drivable par-4.

"I'm happy with that finish. I felt like we were probably almost playing for second going into the day," said Reed.

"I knew what I had to do early. I went out there and I put the pressure on him. You know, being four back of a guy like Rory is not easy.

"Hats off to him, he played some great golf."

Australian Lucas Herbert, champion in 2019, closed with a six-under par 66 to take solo third place at 16-under par 272.

England's Callum Shinkwin, who started with three bogies in his first six holes playing in the lead group with McIlroy, made six birdies after that to shoot a 69 and take solo fourth place at 273.

The DP World Tour stays in the United Arab Emirates for a fourth consecutive week and will head to the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah this week for the $2 million RAK Championship.

- AFP

2023-01-29 07:06:19

Max Homa fired seven birdies in a six-under par 66 on Saturday to grab the US PGA Tour title at Torrey Pines as overnight leader Sam Ryder and world number three Jon Rahm faded.

Homa, ranked 16th in the world, nabbed his sixth US PGA Tour title and his fourth in come-from-behind fashion.

He capped his round with a four-foot birdie putt at 18 -- where his second shot was a putt from just off the green. His 13-under par total of 275 put him two strokes in front of Keegan Bradley, who had six birdies in his six-under 66.

"I think it's a ton of patience and a lot of confidence," Homa, 32, said of his come-from-behind wins in a post-round television interview.

"Winning takes a lot of luck but it takes, I think, a lot of patience. Especially on these final rounds, 18 holes is a marathon and a lot of stuff goes on."

Five off the lead to start the day, Homa chipped in for birdie at the third, and rolled in a 13-footer at the fifth. He added birdies at the sixth, ninth and 11th before his lone miscue of the day at 14.

He curled in a 15-foot birdie at the 16th to tie Ryder atop the leaderboard, but Homa was one in front when he reached 18 after Ryder fell back with a double-bogey at the 15th.

-AFP

Leaderboard:

275 - Max Homa 68-70-71-66

277 - Keegan Bradley 70-73-68-66

278 - Collin Morikawa 67-72-70-69

279 - Sahith Theegala 66-72-71-70, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 68-74-67-70, Sam Ryder 64-68-72-75

280 - Jason Day (AUS) 68-71-73-68, Jon Rahm (ESP) 73-67-66-74

281 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-73-69-69, Tony Finau 73-71-64-73

2023-01-28 06:11:09

Leading third-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California (USA unless noted, par-72):

204 - Sam Ryder 64-68-72

206 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 73-67-66

208 - Tony Finau 73-71-64

209 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 68-74-67, Collin Morikawa 67-72-70, Max Homa 68-70-71, Sahith Theegala 66-72-71

210 - Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 67-74-69211 - Keegan Bradley 70-73-68, Rickie Fowler 72-72-67, Joseph Bramlett 69-71-71, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 68-72-71, Sam Stevens 66-72-73, Brendan Steele 65-70-76

212 - Ryan Palmer 71-71-70, Xander Schauffele 72-71-69, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-73-69, Lanto Griffin 67-75-70, Taylor Moore 72-68-72, Jimmy Walker 69-71-72, Callum Tarren (ENG) 71-69-72, Adam Schenk 71-73-68, Jason Day (AUS) 68-71-73

2023-01-28 06:10:05

Rahm closes in on leader Ryder at Torrey Pines

Jon Rahm, chasing a third straight US PGA Tour title and a possible return to number one in the world, piled the pressure on Farmers Insurance Open leader Sam Ryder on Friday.

Spain's Rahm, ranked third in the world, fired a six-under par 66 that featured an eagle and five birdies on the Torrey Pines South Course to move within two strokes of Ryder's lead.

Ryder, who started the day with a three-shot cushion over Brendan Steele, needed all of his patience on the way to an even par 72 that included an early bogey offset by one birdie and left him on 12-under par 204.

Rahm, who started the day eight adrift, said his goal was to "catch up as much as possible."

After following a birdie at the fourth with a bogey at the fifth, Rahm exploded to pick up five strokes in the space of four holes with birdies at the sixth, seventh and eighth and an eagle at the ninth, where he rolled in a 12-foot putt.

"I just kept giving myself pretty much the easiest putts," Rahm said.

"Then on nine, put it in the fairway and was contender for best shot of the year for me already, which was the second shot into the green. I tattooed that five-wood and ended up having 10 feet for eagle."

Rahm added a 13-foot birdie at the 15th, but had to battle to save par at the last two holes after finding fairway bunkers at both.

Even with some disappointing shots, Rahm said, he "never really lost composure."

"I stayed really patient out there and took advantage of the holes I could take advantage of and played what I would say was very smart throughout the round," said the Spaniard, who won the first of his nine US PGA Tour titles at Torrey Pines in 2017 and captured his first major on the course in La Jolla, California, at the US Open in 2021.

Rahm, who opened the year with a victory at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii and won the American Express in La Quinta, California, last week, is seeking to become the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win three straight PGA Tour starts.

With a victory he could overtake Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy for number one in the world. Rahm, who has spent a total of 43 weeks at No. 1, most recently from July 18, 2021 to March 26, 2022, could even regain the top ranking with a lower finish, depending on where McIlroy finishes in the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy was one off the lead after the first round ended in the weather-hit tournament in Dubai, which is now scheduled to end on Monday.

Ryder, meanwhile, is chasing a first US PGA Tour title in his 147th career start. He saw a bevy of birdie chances go begging as he parred the last 12 holes, unable to get a five-foot birdie putt to drop at the 13th and watching an eight-foot birdie attempt burn the edge at 14.

He had one more look at the 18th, but his 10-footer didn't drop.

Ryder said he didn't keep a close eye on the leaderboard, and didn't feel pressured into perhaps trying to do too much.

"I didn't feel like I had to go try and make something happen or press," Ryder said.

"I didn't panic when I made a bogey on two and I kind of just adjusted to the round and kind of got a feel for where I was at with my swing and my game.

"I hit some really good shots, felt like I could have made a couple more putts, but overall all I'm very pleased and starting the day with a lead, ending the day with a lead -- pretty satisfied."

-AFP

2023-01-27 10:56:29

Leading second-round scores on Thursday in the US PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California (USA unless noted, par-72):

132 - Sam Ryder 64-68

135 - Brendan Steele 65-70

137 - Tano Goya (ARG) 70-67

138 - Taylor Montgomery 67-71, Brent Grant 64-74, Sahith Theegala 66-72, Max Homa 68-70, Sam Stevens 66-72, Vincent Norrman (SWE) 67-71

139 - Jason Day (AUS) 68-71, Collin Morikawa 67-72, Andrew Novak 66-73, Ben Griffin 67-72

140 - An Byeong-hun (KOR) 68-72, Callum Tarren (ENG) 71-69, Jimmy Walker 69-71, Jon Rahm (ESP) 73-67, Joseph Bramlett 69-71, Taylor Moore 72-68

2023-01-26 13:44:33

Leading scores from the first round of the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California on Wednesday (par 72):

64 - Brent Grant (USA), Sam Ryder (USA), Aaron Rai (ENG)

65 - Brendan Steele (USA)

66 - Gary Woodland (USA), Sahith Theegala (USA), Andrew Novak (USA), Hayden Buckley (USA), Harry Higgs (USA), Sam Stevens (USA), Garrick Higgo (RSA)

67 - Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR), Luke List (USA), Ben Griffin (USA), Taylor Montgomery (USA), Lanto Griffin (USA), Collin Morikawa (USA), Vincent Norrman (SWE)

68 - Charley Hoffman (USA), Justin Thomas (USA), Wyndham Clark (USA), Dylan Wu (USA), Paul Haley II (USA), Max Homa (USA), Will Zalatoris (USA), Justin Suh (USA), An Byeong-Hun (KOR), Im Sung-jae (KOR), Satoshi Kodaira (JPN), Jason Day (AUS), Thomas Detry (BEL), Jhonattan Vegas (VEN)

69 - Taylor Pendrith (CAN), Keita Nakajima (JPN), Stephan Jager (GER), Kim Si-Woo (KOR), MJ Daffue (RSA), Davis Riley (USA), Joey Vrzich (USA), Sean O'Hair (USA), Jimmy Walker (USA), Scott Piercy (USA), Michael Thompson (USA), Joseph Bramlett (USA), Scott Brown (USA), Patrick Rodgers (USA), Michael Kim (USA), Peter Malnati (USA), Maverick McNealy (USA)

2023-01-26 07:40:53

2023-01-26 07:37:59

Ryder, Rai, Grant lead at Torrey Pines

England's Aaron Rai posted a birdie-birdie finish to join a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard after Wednesday's opening round of the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California.

The 27-year-old from Wolverhampton took advantage of benign golf conditions on the North Course to fire an eight-under-par 64 and finish the day alongside Americans Sam Ryder and Brent Grant.

Teeing off on the back nine, Rai made three birdies before the turn and then reeled off five birdies down the stretch to complete a bogey-free round.

Grant meanwhile made nine birdies and one bogey for his eight under.

Ryder's bogey-free round comprised six birdies and a brilliant opening eagle three on the par-five 10th hole."Definitely played great all around," Rai said afterwards.

"Really drove it great off the tee, which is probably the most important thing.

"As soon as you miss the fairway here with anything more than a short iron it is very, very difficult."So that was key today, drove it very well. Hit a lot of real good iron shots and made a few putts around the turn there, so all in all a very good round."

Ryder said his opening eagle had laid the foundation for his low score.

"It was pretty stress-free, it was fun," Ryder said. "Always nice to get off to a good start in the round where you don't feel like you're kind of pressing or anything."

The trio are one shot clear of Brendan Steele, who fired a seven-under-par 65, and two in front of a cluster of seven players on six under.

Seven players are a further shot back on five under.

But there was disappointment for in-form Spaniard Jon Rahm, who struggled on Torrey Pines South Course with a one-over-par 73.

Rahm came into the tournament looking for a third win in his third straight start.

But though he made a steady opening-round start on the South Course, with a pair of birdies in the first five holes, he struggled to regain momentum after a double-bogey six on the par-four seventh.

Two more bogeys on the back nine left him two over before a birdie on 16 stopped the bleeding.

Rahm was left baffled by his costly double-bogey on the seventh, which came after he shot through the green into a hazard with his second.

"I've hit that shot 25 times in the past with the same wind and I've never seen a ball get pin high, I don't know what happened," Rahm said.

- AFP

2023-01-23 07:08:07

Fourth-ranked Rahm holds off rookie Thompson to win PGA American Express

Fourth-ranked Jon Rahm endured a frustrating day on the greens, but his four-under-par 68 was enough to hold off rookie Davis Thompson and claim a second PGA Tour title in as many weeks at the American Express tournament.

Spain's Rahm, who opened the year with a victory in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, had five birdies on the Stadium Course in La Quinta, California, finishing with a 27-under-par total of 261.

Thompson, who started the day tied with Rahm for the lead, carded a three-under 69 for 262.

"Ball-striking was great, I hit a lot of great putts - it's just golf," Rahm said of a multitude of putts that didn't drop.

"I was burning edges all day."

Rahm led much of the day after back-to-back birdies at the first and second - both from about two feet.

He rolled in a seven-foot birdie at the ninth and picked up another stroke at 11 - but it was far from smooth sailing from there.

A bogey at 13, where he missed the green and his five-foot putt to save par lipped out, Rahm was tied with Thompson for the lead.

He got his nose in front again with a birdie at the par-five 16th, where his second shot from the fairway avoided a steep drop off to a greenside bunker and his eight-foot birdie putt agonizingly circled the cup before falling in.

Thompson, meanwhile, was in a tough lie in a fairway bunker on the way to a par at 16.

"The turning point was 16," Rahm said.

"He missed that tee shot and I put it in the fairway. That's pretty much a half-stroke penalty right there.

"I knew if I did what I could do I was mostly likely going to have a one-shot lead going to the last two holes."

Thompson, a former amateur standout at the University of Georgia and a winner on the Korn Ferry developmental tour, had followed his first birdie of the day at the fourth with a bogey at the fifth, where he was in the water.

He closed the gap to one stroke with birdies at the sixth, ninth and 11th.

'What if?'

He came agonisingly close to pulling level again at the 17th, where his 48-foot birdie putt brushed the pin and didn't drop.

"I usually always leave the stick in from a long distance," Thompson said. "I feel like it helps me with my speed. I'll probably play the 'what if' game in my head for a long time, unfortunately."

Rahm then saw his 20-foot birdie attempt at 17 settle on the edge. and he was in a fairway bunker off the tee at 18 while Thompson found the fairway.

But Thompson's second shot went through the green, leaving him a tough chip from a swale below the putting surface while Rahm found the green for a routine par to win.

"Luckily, it was enough," Rahm said.

Despite the disappointment, Thompson called it a "great week" in the California desert, where his five eagles in the first two rounds matched the PGA Tour record for a 72-hole tournament.

"A lot of nerves and I hit a lot of quality golf shots under pressure, which was really cool," he said.

Xander Schauffele and Chris Kirk shared third on 263.

Schauffele's 62 included an albatross at the par-five fifth - where he holed his second shot from 225 yards out in the fairway.Kirk closed with a 64.

Second-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who needed a solo ninth-placed finish or better to supplant Rory McIlroy atop the rankings, carded a 65 for a 22-under total of 266 that left him tied for 11th.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour American Express tournament at La Quinta, California (USA unless noted, par-72):

261 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 64-64-65-68

262 - Davis Thompson 62-64-67-69

263 - Xander Schauffele 65-68-68-62, Chris Kirk 69-67-63-64

264 - Taylor Montgomery 64-69-65-66

265 - Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 65-72-66-62, Matti Schmid (GER) 64-72-65-64, Robby Shelton 66-68-65-66, Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 69-62-67-67, JT Poston 65-66-66-68

266 - Garrick Higgo (RSA) 67-68-68-63, Scottie Scheffler 68-65-66-67, Patton Kizzire 69-63-67-67, Sam Burns 64-70-64-68, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 68-67-62-69

267 - Danny Lee (NZL) 67-68-67-65, Tony Finau 69-67-65-66268 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 68-69-64-67, Jason Day (AUS) 67-64-70-67, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 65-66-68-69, Harry Higgs 70-66-62-70

- AFP

2023-01-22 08:28:01

Spain's Rahm shares PGA American Express lead with rookie Thompson

World number four Jon Rahm, chasing his second US PGA Tour title in as many weeks, shares the lead with rookie Davis Thompson heading into the final round of the American Express Tournament.

Fourth-ranked Spaniard Rahm sounded supremely confident after firing an eagle and six birdies on Saturday in a seven-under par 65 to pull level with overnight leader Thompson on 23-under 193 at La Quinta, California.

Thompson, a former amateur standout at the University of Georgia and a winner on the Korn Ferry developmental tour, carded a five-under par 67 to keep himself squarely in the hunt for a first PGA Tour title.

"Nothing but positive. That's all I can say," said former US Open champion Rahm, who won this title in 2018.

"Ball striking felt amazing. Hit a lot of great shots out there off the tee. Giving myself a lot of opportunities with the irons. Took advantage of quite a few of them."

Even some difficulties on the greens coming in - most notably a three-putt bogey at the par-three 17th - didn't dampen Rahm's confidence, although he said he knew another low score would be needed on the Stadium Course, where the final round will be held after the first three rounds were spread over three courses.

Rahm, who opened 2023 with a come-from-behind victory in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii this month, walked off the 18th with the lead, even though he couldn't get a 12-foot birdie putt to drop at the last.

He had expected Thompson, who piled up a US tour record-equalling five eagles over the first two rounds - to regain the top spot.

But the 23-year-old American, who had five birdies in his first 12 holes but dropped out of a tie for the lead with a bogey at the 14th, found only one more birdie coming in - rolling in a four-footer at the 16th at the Stadium Course.

"I was really proud with how I stayed patient," Thompson said. "I didn't really force anything. Made a bad bogey on 14, but came back and birdied 16, so it was a good way to finish."

Aggressive mindset

Thompson acknowledged he was still getting used to the three-course format, which requires studying more courses and has the cut come after 54 holes.

"It's definitely different," he said. "I just try to have an aggressive mindset and try to go hit some good shots."

Thompson said he was looking forward to going up against Rahm, testing the nerves he has already honed in junior golf, amateurs and on the Korn Ferry Tour.

"Now it's on one of the biggest stages," he said.

The leading duo were four strokes clear of J.T. Poston and South African Christian Bezuidenhout.

Bezuidenhout had 10 birdies in his 10-under 62 and Poston carded a six-under 66 to join him on 197.

Another four players shared fifth on 198. That included American Harry Higgs, who had 12 birdies and a double-bogey in his 62 on the Nicklaus Tournament course.

Second-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who could finish as low as solo ninth and still supplant Rory McIlroy atop the world rankings, carded a six-under par 66 that left him tied for tied for ninth on 17-under 199.

American Dylan Wu joined the group of six on 199 with an 11-under par 61 that featured 11 birdies on the Nicklaus course.

- AFP

2023-01-20 07:13:29

Rookie Thompson soars to PGA American Express lead with two eagles

PGA Tour rookie Davis Thompson bagged back-to-back eagles on the way to a two-shot lead on Thursday in the American Express Tournament at La Quinta, California.

Thompson, a 23-year-old graduate of the developmental Korn Ferry Tour, was seven-under through six holes thanks to his eagles at the fifth and sixth on the La Quinta Country Club course, one of three in use for the event in the Southern California desert along with the Nicklaus Tournament course and the Stadium course.

His 10-under par total of 62 put him two clear of five players, a group led by fourth-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm and including Americans Tyler Duncan, Taylor Montgomery and Sam Burns and German Matti Schmid.

Thompson already had three birdies under his belt when he eagled the par-five fifth.

He missed the green at the par-five sixth but chipped in for another eagle, becoming the first player to eagle consecutive holes in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event since Shane Lowry in the third round of last year's Open Championship.

He added a birdie at the ninth to make the turn at eight-under.

The former top-ranked amateur said staying focused on each shot was his main task coming in.

"That was kind of like my biggest challenge today was staying present-minded and trying to put one foot in front of the other," said Thompson, whose two birdies on the back nine included an exclamation point at the 18th.

"Your mind definitely starts to wander a little bit. But I played enough rounds to where I try to teach myself over and over you can't get ahead of yourself."

Thompson, who has made 19 starts on the PGA Tour as an amateur and a pro, said he still feels like a rookie - especially at a tournament that features three new courses to learn.

"You kind of have to play practice rounds pretty fast and kind of figure out what you want to do during the week," he said.

"But at the same time it kind of goes both ways. You don't put as much stress on yourself kind of preparing for every course because you're trying to see every hole."

Rahm, who also opened his week on the La Quinta course, is no stranger to the event, which he won in 2018.

His nine birdies included three in a row at the fifth, sixth and seventh and another three straight at the 11th, 12th and 13th.

Solid Rahm

"It's a great start to the tournament," said Rahm, who won the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii two weeks ago.

"Solid round of golf, great putting out there. Hopefully I can keep that going the whole week and feel a little bit better tee to green."

Rahm said he was happy to get his round at La Quinta, usually the easiest course in the rotation, done before the winds are expected to pick up on Friday.

"It can show some teeth because some of those fairways are quite narrow to hit," he said.

Rahm is among five of the world's top 10 players in the field this week.

Second-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who again has a chance to supplant Rory McIlroy at number one this week, opened with a four-under par 68 on the La Quinta Country Club course.

So did world number five Patrick Cantlay - who also has a slim chance of reaching number one this week.

World number six Xander Schauffele headlined a group of nine players sharing seventh place on 65, while seventh-ranked Will Zalatoris carded a three-under par 69.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour American Express tournament at La Quinta, California (USA unless noted, par-72):

62 - Davis Thompson

64 - Tyler Duncan, Taylor Montgomery, Matti Schmid (GER), Sam Burns, Jon Rahm (ESP)

65 - Harrison Endycott (AUS), Dean Burmester (RSA), Eric Cole, Xander Schauffele, Erik van Rooyen (RSA), JT Poston, Michael Block, Denny McCarthy, Im Sung-jae (KOR)

66 - Russell Knox (SCO), Keith Mitchell, Joseph Bramlett, Matthias Schwab (AUT), Tano Goya (ARG), Sahith Theegala, Scott Piercy, Trevor Werbylo, Justin Rose (ENG), Greyson Sigg, Robby Shelton

- AFP

2023-01-16 07:55:12

Kim's late birdie blast seals Sony Open victory

SouthKorea's Kim Si-woo produced a barnstorming birdie-birdie finish to snatch aone-shot victory at the PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday.

The 27-year-old from Seoul clinched his fourth career PGA Tourtitle - and first for two years - after carding a second straight six-under-par64 at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Kim's closing final round saw him squeeze past third-roundleader Hayden Buckley, who had been chasing his first title on the tour.

A see-saw finale saw Kim and Buckley match each othershot-for-shot, with little to choose between the two players and thepossibility of a playoff looming.

Buckley looked poised for victory after a birdie putt on the16th saw him move to 17 under for a one-shot lead.But Kim, playing in the group ahead, hit back moments later toregain a share of the lead after brilliantly chipping in from 27 feet.

The Korean was in no mood to surrender the initiative andconjured another moment of magic on the par-five 18th to take sole possessionof the lead at 18 under.

After finding a fairway bunker with his tee-shot, Kim blasted asuperb iron out of the sand onto the green to give himself a long eagle chance.

He rolled a perfectly weighted putt just short to set up atap-in for birdie.That piled the pressure on Buckley, who could only par the 17th,meaning he would need to birdie the last to force a playoff.

Buckley, who had eagled the same hole on Saturday, was introuble off the tee, finding the right rough down the fairway and then hissecond came up short of the green.

His chip rolled 12 feet past the hole, leaving him with anawkward birdie putt which he duly missed to finish with a two-under-par 68,leaving him on 17 under with a 72-hole aggregate 263.

Kim, who started the day three off the pace, said patience hadbeen the key to his round.

"I tried my best every shot, trying to get confidence andstaying calm," said Kim, who admitted he had heard the roars from thegalleries after Buckley had taken the lead on 16 with his birdie.

"I heard the noise. I knew I had to hit it aggressive -nothing to lose, so I just hit it, and it goes in," Kim said of hischip-in.

Chris Kirk finished in third place, three off the lead on 15under, after a closing 68, while three players - Andrew Putnam, David Lipskyand England's Ben Taylor - tied for fourth on 14 under.

Australia's Aaron Baddeley and Canada's Nick Taylor were among agroup of five players tied in seventh on 13 under.

Leading final scores on Sunday in the US PGA Tour Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii (USA unless noted, par-70):

262 - Kim Si-woo (KOR) 67-67-64-64

263 - Hayden Buckley 67-64-64-68

265 - Chris Kirk 64-65-68-68

266 - David Lipsky 65-66-66-69, Andrew Putnam 70-66-62-68, Ben Taylor (ENG) 66-66-65-69

267 - Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 67-70-65-65, Matt Kuchar 70-67-64-66, Maverick McNealy 66-67-67-67, Nate Lashley 69-65-65-68, Nick Taylor (CAN) 70-68-62-67

- AFP

2023-01-15 06:50:01

Two eagles lift Buckley to Sony Open lead

Hayden Buckley had two eagles in a six-under-par 64 on Saturday to grab a two-shot lead after three rounds of the Sony Open, where he's chasing a first US PGA Tour title.

The 26-year-old American holed out from the fairway for an eagle at the 10th, then broke free atop the leaderboard with another eagle at the par-five 18th, where his approach from the fairway settled two feet from the pin.

He was two strokes clear of overnight leader Chris Kirk, David Lipsky and Ben Taylor.

England's Taylor carded a five-under-par 65 to join the group on 13-under 197 while Lipsky fired a second straight 66 and Kirk posted a 68.

Andrew Putnam charged up the leaderboard with an eight-under 62 that featured 10 birdies, and was joined on 198 by South Korean Kim Si-woo, who signed for a 64.

Buckley, who finished tied for fifth at the Zozo championship in October, said his round was "a testament to being patient."

"I missed a three-, four-footer for birdie kind of early on and I just stuck with it," he said, adding that he didn't feel as in control as he had on Friday.

"I hit a lot of greens, obviously, but I hit them in some tougher spots today -- a lot of shots pin-high, with a lot more break and a little bit quicker putts," he said. I feel like I just played smart."

On a day when a dozen players held at least a share of the lead at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, Buckley's eagles made the difference.

The first came after he "chunked" his tee shot at the 10th, then hit his 50-degree wedge second shot "a hair thin."

Buckley admitted he thought it might miss the green, but instead it hit the putting surface and rolled in.

At 18 he said he was "just trying to play to the front edge."

"Luckily I had a great number and hit a five-iron in close."

Buckley will be playing in the final group of the final round for the first time in a US PGA Tour event.

Taylor and Lipsky are also chasing maiden US tour wins, although Lipsky's three international titles include an Asian Tour victory in 2012 and European Tour wins in 2014 and 2018.

Leaderboard:

195 - Hayden Buckley 67-64-64

197 - David Lipsky 65-66-66, Ben Taylor (ENG) 66-66-65, Chris Kirk 64-65-68

198 - Andrew Putnam 70-66-62, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 67-67-64

199 - Will Gordon 69-67-63, Nate Lashley 69-65-65

200 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 70-68-62, Ben Griffin 65-68-67, Maverick McNealy 66-67-67, J.T. Poston 67-66-67, Austin Eckroat 66-66-68, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 65-67-68

2023-01-14 07:30:08

Kirk grabs one-shot lead in Hawaii, Spieth crashes on 'weird day'

Chris Kirk's hot start propeled him to a five-under-par 65 on Friday and a one-stroke halfway lead in the US PGA Tour Sony Open over rookie Taylor Montgomery and J.J. Spaun.

Kirk, who shared the overnight lead with Montgomery and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, opened with three birdies on the par-70 Waialae Country Club course in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After a bogey at the sixth he added three birdies coming in, capping his round with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th for an 11-under par total of 129.

Montgomery stayed in range with a four-under-par 66 and Spaun joined him on 130 with a 64.

But Spieth carded a five-over-par 75 that featured six bogeys -- including four in a row from the eighth through the 11th.

Although darkness halted play with a handful of players still on the course, Spieth was destined to miss the cut.

He'll be just the sixth player in the past 10 PGA Tour seasons to miss the cut after holding a share of the first-round lead.

"Just a bad day," Spieth said. "Didn't feel like it was much different. Made a couple bad swings from off the tee.

"Other than that, I didn't play that different. I just ended up a foot into the rough here, right behind a tree here, it was a weird, weird day."

In contrast, Kirk's day could hardly have gone better.

"I felt good going into today and after playing really well yesterday you want to come out and hit some solid shots and kind of ease into it," he said.

"I did not ease into it at all. Really nice putt I made on one, and then couple pitching wedges on two and three that I hit pretty close."

Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii (Round halted by darkness, to resume Saturday. USA unless noted, par-70):

129 - Chris Kirk 64-65

130 - Taylor Montgomery 64-66, J.J. Spaun 66-64

131 - Hayden Buckley 67-64, David Lipsky 65-66

132 - Ben Taylor (ENG) 66-66, Austin Eckroat 66-66, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 65-67

133 - Denny McCarthy 65-68, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 67-66, J.T. Poston 67-66, Brendon Todd 65-68, Ben Griffin 65-68, Maverick McNealy 66-67, Kevin Yu (TPE) 67-66

134 - Chez Reavie 67-67, Nick Hardy 71-63, Joseph Winslow 66-68, Stewart Cink 66-68, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 67-67, Michael Thompson 69-65, Nate Lashley 69-65

2023-01-13 07:04:02

Spieth in three-way tie for lead at Sony Open

Three-timemajor winner Jordan Spieth fired seven birdies in his six-under par 64 onThursday to share the PGA Tour Sony Open lead with Chris Kirk and TaylorMontgomery when darkness halted play.

Spieth and Kirk - who also had seven birdies - set an earlyfirst-round target at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Taylorseized his share of the lead with a birdie at the 18th shortly before play washalted.

Spieth said he was confident he could maintain the pace,something that hasn't always been the case in recent years as the 29-year-old'sgame hit the doldrums and he fought to make changes.

"Days like today I'm not surprised, but what I will say isI'm confident relative to other time periods I've been off to similar starts,which is a really good place to be," said Spieth, who ended a nearfour-year title drought in 2021 and added a title at the Heritage last year.

"I believe I can shoot five- or six-under each day outhere," Spieth said. "Not to say that that means it'll happen, butthere are other times I would be sitting there going, how do I hold thistogether, to be honest."

Spieth opened with a birdie at the 10th and added another at 12.He rebounded from a bogey at 13 with birdies at the 18th and first, then rolledin an eight-footer at the fourth and put himself inside two feet for a birdieat the fifth.

He picked up one more shot with a 27-foot putt at the par-threeseventh."I feel like I left a couple out, but I also really had funtoday," Spieth said.

"It can be a real fun golf course once you startpeeling it down these fairways."

Kirk, back in action after a break of almost two months, saidhe'd been working on his fitness during the downtime.

Kirk, who finished tied for second at Waialae two years ago ashe mounted a comeback to the tour, is seeking a fifth PGA Tour title and hisfirst since 2015.

"I've had a lot of good finishes here," Kirk said.It's "just a place where I'm comfortable."Montgomery, a Korn Ferry Tour graduate chasing his first PGATour title, had joined the leaders with a birdie at the 14th, then bogeyed the15th before his two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th.

Six players were in the clubhouse a stroke behind the leaders:Harris English, Denny McCarthy, Brendon Todd, David Lipsky, Rory Sabbatini andBen Griffin.

South Korean Kim Seong-hyeon was also five-under with two holesto play when darkness fell.A big group on 66 included 52-year-old South Korean veteran KJChoi as well as 49-year-old American Stewart Cink.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who said beforethe tournament he was still battling the neck trouble that nagged him for muchof last season, carded a two-under par 68.

- AFP

2023-01-13 06:59:58

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii (round halted by darkness, to resume on Friday. USA unless noted):

64 - Chris Kirk, Jordan Spieth, Taylor Montgomery

65 - Harris English, Denny McCarthy, Brendon Todd, David Lipsky, Rory Sabbatini (SVK), Ben Griffin

66 - Brendan Steele, K.J. Choi (KOR), Maverick McNealy, Stewart Cink, Cam Davis (AUS), JJ Spaun, Austin Smotherman, Harry Hall (ENG), Ben Taylor (ENG), Andrew Novak, Joseph Winslow

2023-01-09 06:49:38

Rahm powers to Kapalua victory as Morikawa collapses

Jon Rahm fired nine birdies and an eagle in a 10-under par 63 on Sunday to surge past faltering Collin Morikawa and win the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions by two strokes.

Rahm trailed third-round leader Morikawa by nine after a bogey at the first hole, and two-time major winner Morikawa had pushed his six-shot overnight lead to seven after his third birdie of the day at the sixth.

Spain's Rahm, however, poured it on and Morikawa cracked, Rahm capturing his eighth US PGA Tour title with a 24-under par total of 265 on the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii.

Morikawa, whose bogeys at the 14th, 15th and 16th were his first of the week, carded a one-under par 72 for 25-under 267.

Rahm said he'd never have dreamed after his opening bogey he'd walk off the 72nd green with a three-shot lead.

"At that point it's not like winning is really that in mind," he said.

"You've just got to get to work and start making birdies, and that's what I did.

"He drained a 12-footer for birdie at the second, then birdied the fourth, fifth and sixth before punctuating his outward run with a birdie at the ninth.

"That stretch of four through six, birdying nine, allowed me to get into a rhythm," Rahm said.

But the real push came later, when he picked up five strokes in four holes with birdies at the 12th, 13th and 14th and an eagle at the par-five 15th.

The run started with a two-foot birdie at 12. After a 13-footer at 13 he tapped in at 14.After he rolled in an 11-foot eagle putt at 15 to get within one stroke of Morikawa, "that's when I started thinking about it," Rahm said.

He couldn't get a 10-foot birdie attempt to drop at 16, and he got a scare when he missed the green at 17 but got up and down for par before closing with a birdie at the par-five 18th.

Morikawa couldn't respond.

"Sadness," said the 25-year-old American, who was looking for his first victory since he won his second major title at the 2021 British Open at Royal St. George's.

"It sucks," he said. "You work so hard and you give yourself opportunities and just bad timing on bad shots and it kind of added up really quickly."

Morikawa was in a greenside bunker at the 14th, made a poor shot out and was unable to make the 10-footer to save par. He needed four shots to reach the green at the par-five 15th and missed an eight-footer and made bogey from the fairway at 16.

Morikawa said the result was more painful than his 2021 Hero World Challenge finish, where he took a five-shot lead into the final round with a chance to claim the number one ranking but ended up tied for fifth.

"I don't know what I'm going to learn from this week," said Morikawa, who had appeared to be reaping the rewards of recent work with both a putting specialist and short-game coach.

"It just didn't seem like it was that far off."

Scheffler comes up short

Rahm came away with the win a year after his scorching 33-under par total at Kapalua left him a stroke behind winner Cameron Smith, whose 34-under set a new record for the lowest 72-hole score in relation to par in PGA Tour history.

He also scooped a $2.7 million winner's prize from the $15 million purse - boosted this year in the first of the PGA Tour's "elevated events" for 2023 featuring increased purses and promises of top fields in response to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League.

World number two Scottie Scheffler missed a chance to supplant Rory McIlroy atop the world rankings.

The reigning Masters champion needed to finish in a two-way tie for third or better and was in the vicinity early in the round.But his three-under par 70 left him tied for seventh on 21-under.

Americans Tom Hoge and Max Homa shared third on 269, Hoge carding a 64 and Homa a 66.

- AFP

2023-01-08 07:11:57

Collin Morikawa fired an eagle and six birdies on Saturday to push his lead at the US PGA Tour Tournament of Champions to six strokes heading into the final round.

Two-time major winner Morikawa put on another stellar display on the greens of the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii as he remained the only player in the elite field without a bogey for the week.

His eight-under par 65 gave him a 24-under total of 195 -- six shots clear of world number two Scottie Scheffler, reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and J.J. Spaun.

"It's been pretty simple today," Morikawa said. "Over the past three days, where I've been looking is kind of where the ball's been going."

Scheffler, who could regain the world number one ranking from Rory McIlroy with a top-three finish on Sunday, had an eagle and three birdies in his four-under par 69 for 202.

England's Fitzpatrick had five of his seven birdies on the back nine in what he called a "stress-free" seven-under par 66 and Spaun shook off two back-nine bogeys to card a 69.It was a further stroke back to fifth-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm, who carded a 67, and South Korean Kim Joo-hyung, who signed for a 68.

American Max Homa climbed the leaderboard with an impressive 10-under par 63. His 10 birdies included five in a row from the 12th through the 16th and left him tied on 203 with South Korea's Im Sung-jae (65).

"I definitely saw the scores," Morikawa said. "I think by the time we got to five, Max had been I think around seven-, eight-under. That's what this course is going to provide."

Morikawa, who won the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship, started the day with a two-shot lead.

He rolled in an 11-foot eagle putt at the fifth and followed with a 19-foot birdie at the sixth, making the turn 20-under after an 11-foot birdie at the ninth.

He rolled in a tense eight-footer to save par at the 10th before three straight birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th.

- AFP

Leaderboard:

195 - Collin Morikawa 64-66-65

201 - Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 66-69-66, J.J. Spaun 64-68-69, Scottie Scheffler 66-66-69

202 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 64-71-67, Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 65-69-68

203 - Max Homa 70-70-63, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 66-72-65

2023-01-07 06:54:38

Morikawa takes two-shot lead at Kapalua

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa fired seven birdies in a seven-under par 66 on Friday to grab a two-shot lead in the US PGA Tour Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

As the wind picked up at Kapalua, Morikawa was the only player in the field to remain bogey-free through 36 holes.

His 16-under par second-round total of 130 put him two clear of world number two Scottie Scheffler and fellow American J.J. Spaun.

Scheffler, who could regain the world number one ranking from Rory McIlroy with a top-three finish this week, closed with four straight birdies in his 66 for 14-under 132.

Spaun, who was part of a three-way tie for the lead on Thursday with Morikawa and Jon Rahm, carded a five-under 68.

Morikawa, who won the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship, pulled away early, opening his round with a 19-foot birdie at the first hole.

He added birdies at the third, fourth and fifth to make the turn at 13-under, then drilled a 30-foot birdie putt at the 10th.

After saving par from greenside bunkers at the 12th and 13th, Morikawa blasted out of a greenside trap to eight feet at 14 and made that for birdie.

He added a two-putt birdie at the par-five 15th. He was unable to convert and eight-foot birdie chance at 17 and his 30-foot birdie try at 18 lipped out, leaving him one shy of the Plantation Course 36-hole record.

"Pretty solid, made some good putts. Obviously it played a lot harder with kind of the wind, and just the fairways rolling pretty fast, you end up in a lot of spots where you're just going to end up in the rough," said Morikawa.

The 25-year-old Californian has family connections to Hawaii and said he felt the local support.

"It's great. It definitely feels like home. Even though I never lived here. My Dad used to come all the time as a kid and grandparents are from here and great grandparents are from here and there's a long lineage throughout the Hawaii islands for us.

"I's nice to kind of feel that family, that ohana spirit around and just have people rooting you on," he added.

Scheffler also got off to a quick start, with birdies at the first, third and fifth before a bogey at the sixth, where he needed three shots to reach the green.

He bounced back with a 14-foot birdie at the seventh and a birdie at 12 before surrendering a shot at 13.

Scheffler stormed home, however, reaching the green in two for a birdie at the par-five 15th, then draining a six-footer and a five-footer for birdies at 16 and 17 before another two-putt birdie at the last.

"I hit some good shots toward the end, made a few nice putts, too," said Scheffler, who said putting isn't always easy on the grainy greens at Kapalua.

The American, who first rose to number one on the world after his triumph at the Masters last April, said he didn't focus on the chance to return to the top.

"What's the point?" Scheffler said.

"I've got to show up here and try to play good golf, and thinking about world rankings and stuff like that is not going to help me make good shots."

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth was alone in fourth after a 66 that included two eagles for 133.

Rising South Korean star Kim Joo-hyung carded a 69 for 134.Spain's Rahm, ranked fifth in the world, carded a 71 and was tied with US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick on 135.

American Xander Schauffele, ranked sixth in the world, withdrew Friday with back pain that first flared up at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last month.

Scores

130 - Collin Morikawa 64-66

132 - Scottie Scheffler 66-66, J.J. Spaun 64-68

133 - Jordan Spieth 67-66

134 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 65-69

135 - Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 66-69, Jon Rahm (ESP) 64-71

136 - Luke List 71-65, Corey Conners (CAN) 68-68, Tony Finau 67-69, Aaron Wise 66-70

137 - Brian Harman 68-69, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 68-69, J.T. Poston 68-69, Seamus Power (IRL) 68-69, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 67-70, Tom Hoge 66-71

138 - Adam Scott (AUS) 70-68, Will Zalatoris 69-69, Sahith Theegala 67-71, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 66-72

2022-12-12 07:19:01

Hoge and hurting Theegala rally to win Shootout crown

Americans Sahith Theegala and Tom Hoge won the QBE Shootout, combining for a 10-under par 62 in Sunday's four-ball format to become the first rookie champions in 11 years.

Theegala, who pulled a muscle on the opening hole of the final round, sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole for the victory in the 54-hole exhibition event at Tiburon in Naples, Florida.

Hoge and Theegala were deadlocked for the lead with countrymen Ryan Palmer and Charley Hoffman on the final green.

After Theegala, a son of Indian immigrants, made his dramatic putt, Palmer missed a 15-foot birdie putt and Hoffman missed from 12 feet to give Hoge and Theegala the triumph.

"It's nice to get a little taste of competition and taste of victory because it's so hard out here, so many great players," Theegala said.

"Feels really, really good."Hoge and Theegala finished on 34-under 182 with Palmer and Hoffman on 183 and US three-time Shootout winners Matt Kuchar and Harris English third on 184.

Theegala, 25, matched his best PGA Tour finish with a share of second at last month's RSM Classic.

Hoge, 33, won his only PGA title last February at Pebble Beach.

Theegala and Hoge, who began the day two back of Palmer and Hoffman combined to birdie eight of the last 11 holes after a slow start.

"I made a bad swing on the first hole and I kind of saved it and I pulled my oblique," Theegala said, pointing to his left side.

"It got better as the round progressed. I knew it wasn't too big of a deal so I was just trying to keep my partner in it. Tom played so well. It started freeing up at the end so I was able to make a couple better swings.

"Hoge hung tough as they managed only two birdies and five pars in the first seven holes."With Sahith on the first hole getting a little banged up, I knew I was going to have to carry him a little bit off the start," Hoge said.

"I knew he was going to hit some good shots for me down the stretch like he did and what a great putt at the last."

Hoffman and Palmer led after shooting 56 in Friday's opening scramble format and shot 62 Saturday in modified alternate shot.

- AFP

2022-12-05 07:11:03

2022-12-05 07:10:43

Norway's Viktor Hovland successfully defended his Hero World Challenge crown in the Bahamas on Sunday.

Hovland, who carried a five-shot lead into the back nine Sunday, survived a shaky finish and shot a final-round 69 to edge Scottie Scheffler (68) by two shots.

Both players bogeyed the 18th hole, Hovland rolling in a 20-foot putt after hitting his second in the hazard from an awkward lie on the lip of a bunker.

"When you’re standing there with a two-shot lead, that's like the last thing you can do," he said.

Scheffler couldn't capitalise. Needing a birdie, he lost his approach into the waste bunker right of the green and also made bogey.

After losing the world No. 1 ranking to Rory McIlroy at the CJ Cup in South Carolina in October, he would have regained it with a win at the Hero, which provides world ranking points but not FedExCup points.

The result was the same as it was a year ago, with Hovland and Scheffler going 1-2.Cameron Young (68) finished third, four back.

Final-round scores on Sunday in the Hero World Challenge unofficial PGA Tour event at Albany, Bahamas (USA unless noted, par-72):

272 - Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-70-64-69

274 - Scottie Scheffler 72-68-66-68

276 - Cameron Young 71-69-68-68

277 - Xander Schauffele 72-68-69-68278 - Justin Thomas 72-70-66-70

279 - Collin Morikawa 69-71-69-70

282 - Tony Finau 72-72-70-68

283 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 74-71-70-68, Jon Rahm (ESP) 73-71-68-71

284 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 69-72-74-69, Sepp Straka (AUT) 69-74-70-71

286 - Sam Burns 70-75-69-72

287 - Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 74-70-76-67, Billy Horschel 73-70-72-72

289 - Jordan Spieth 76-72-72-69

290 - Corey Conners (CAN) 75-76-72-67292 - Max Homa 71-78-71-72

293 - Shane Lowry (IRL) 74-77-71-71

294 - Kevin Kisner 74-72-77-71

295 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-76-72-76

- PGA Tour

2022-12-04 06:31:24Viktor Hovland of Norway watches his putt at the 15th green during the third round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany on December 3, 2022 in Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

2022-12-04 06:30:33

Defending champ Hovland stretches Hero World Challenge lead

Viktor Hovland closed in on a second straight Hero World Challenge title on Saturday, firing a sizzling eight-under par 64 to push his lead to three strokes in the unofficial US PGA Tour event.

Norway's Hovland, trying to join tournament host Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners of the 20-player invitational, had 54-hole total of 13-under par at the Albany course in the Bahamas.

World number two Scottie Scheffler, who could overtake Rory McIlroy atop the rankings with a victory, carded a six-under par 66 to stand alone in second on 206.

It was a further two strokes back to Americans Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, Thomas posting a 66 and Young a 68 as the winds that pushed up scores all week relented just a little.

"It was a lot easier today when it wasn't as windy," said Hovland, although players still had to deal with some erratic "mud balls" on the rain-softened course.

That didn't hinder Hovland, who birdied three of his first five holes followed a bogey at the sixth with another birdie at the seventh.

He scorched the back nine, grabbing six birdies in seven holes from the 11th through the 17th before a closing bogey that was barely a blip.

"It was great - just kept making birdies," Hovland said.

"It was weird. Midway through the round I'd made a lot and it didn't really feel like I made that many.

"I just kind of kept playing golf and kept making putts and, yea, I stood on 18th hole with nine-under par.

"It was pretty sweet."

Hovland's highlights included a birdie bomb from the fringe at the fifth.

He two-putted for birdie from off the green at the 11th, landed his tee shot within 10 feet of the pin for birdie at 12 and stuck his approach within five feet for birdie at 13.

After a par at 14 he two-putted for birdie at 15 to launch another three-birdie burst.

"I missed probably like a 10-footer on the first hole and lipped out and I kind of thought 'here we go again,'" Hovland said.

"But after that it was a lot of putts that went in. You need that on a day like today when the winds are down and you can be a little bit more aggressive."

Eagle lifts Scheffler

Scheffler's round was highlighted by a long eagle putt at the 15th. He also had five birdies.

"I played good today," Scheffler said. "I played really solid, kept the ball in front of me, hit a lot of fairways."

Scheffler admitted it was sometimes "infuriating" to be in the fairway but have little control over a shot because of mud affecting the ball.

"It's frustrating you spend so much time trying to learn how to control your golf ball and then you're in the middle of the fairway and you have no idea where the ball's going to go," he said.

Hovland, who came from six strokes back to win the event last year, said he'll have to keep the accelerator down on Sunday.

"You get one bad mud ball, lost ball and then the other guy shoots six-, eight-under, you can play a pretty reasonable round of golf, shoot a couple under and still get beat," he said.

"So I have to go out there and do a lot of the same stuff I did today."

- AFP

2022-12-03 11:47:43

Defending champion Viktor Hovland fired an eagle and four birdies in a two-under par 70 on Friday to take a one-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Norway's Hovland, trying to join tournament host Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners of the unofficial, 20-player event, highlighted his round with a hole out for eagle at the par-five sixth.

He had shaken off two early bogeys with a birdie at the fifth and added three birdies in a row at the 13th, 14th and 15th to give himself a five-under total of 139 through 36 holes.

He was one stroke clear of an imposing quartet of world number two Scottie Scheffler, Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele, two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Cameron Young.

Hovland said the gusty winds made for an unpredictable day on every part of the Albany course.

"You're grinding on three-footers," he said. "It's windy and it's grainy, and the greens are fast so it's not like you can just ram the putts in, you've got to actually kind of die the putts in and that's when the wind can hit it a little bit harder.

"Some of the shots you might be short-sided, but you're into the wind so that makes certain shots easier, but at the same time you could have a basic up-and-down chip shot but straight downwind, you just don't know exactly how it's going to check and how much it's going to release depending on the wind gusts.

"That might have contributed to his feeling of unease, with Hovland saying he didn't feel comfortable over the ball.

"But the ball's going straight, and I'm giving myself looks," he said.

He jump-started his round with his eagle at the sixth, despite a second shot that left him a "little weird lie" in the right rough.

"The wind was off the right so it wasn't that comfortable of a shot," he said.

"I basically aimed it 30 feet right of the pin and I hit like a 50-degree just trying to hit it as low as possible to try to get under the wind.

"I saw it spinning at the end a little bit and I yelled 'go' and yeah, just slam dunked right in."

The low rounds of the day, four-under par 68, belonged to Schauffele and Scheffler. Young joined the group sharing second with a 69 and Morikawa carded a 71.

Scheffler, who could overtake Rory McIlroy atop the world rankings with a victory, said that's a goal, even though McIlroy, who isn't playing this week, would be projected to regain the top spot before the end of the year.

"I don't like being number two, I don't like finishing second," Scheffler said.

"Number one is obviously a place I'd like to get back to, but if we're not playing golf for a while, who knows what the world rankings are going to do.

"It's definitely something nice to go back to, but I'm not going to be thinking about it when I'm on the golf course."

- AFP

2022-12-02 07:17:09

KimJoo-hyung put together the only bogey-free round of the day on Thursday, carding athree-under par 69 to join a four-way tie for the first-round lead at the HeroWorld Challenge.

SouthKorea's Kim opened with 10 straight pars at the Albany course in the Bahamas,where a rain-softened course and some whipping winds made for treacherousconditions.

Hewas tied atop the leaderboard with defending champion Victor Hovland of Norway,two-time major champion Collin Morikawa of the United States and Austria's SeppStraka.

"Igave myself a lot of opportunities," Kim said. "Definitely, if somethings went my way, I could have got a couple more, but with the conditionsthat we've had today, the no bogey is very, very acceptable.

"Igave myself a good chance to kind of play well the next three days," addedKim, who rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt at the 11th and pitched to two feet atthe par-four 14th for a birdie.

He moved atop the leaderboard with a birdie at18, where his 190-yard five-iron approach shot left him two feet.

InOctober, Kim - known as Tom for his boyhood love of Thomas the Tank Engine -became the second-youngest player in PGA Tour history to capture multipletitles with a victory at the Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas.

TheSeoul-born son of a teaching professional who grew up in Australia had won hisfirst tour title at Greensboro in August and has risen to 15th in the worldrankings.

Ashis 2022 draws to a close with his first appearance in the elite invitationalhosted by Tiger Woods, Kim said he was "very grateful" for where hefinds himself.

"Idefinitely don't take it for granted and I'm extremely grateful to be 20 yearsold and to play on the PGA tour," Kim said.

"But I've worked reallyhard for it and I'm enjoying every moment out there, so it's really fun."

Kim'srise this season included a Presidents Cup call-up, but despite his successeshe admitted he had to "pinch myself" when he got a chance to chatwith Woods for the first time this week.

"Wedidn't talk about anything serious, it was just a lot of small talk," saidKim, adding he told Woods players were going to miss him on the course afterthe 15-time major champion pulled out of the playing field on Monday withplantar fasciitis.

"Itwas really nice, it was the first time I officially got to meet him and talk tohim a little bit," said Kim, who "unofficially" met Woods whenhe had his picture taken with him at the 2020 PGA Championship.

Hovlandhad moved atop the leaderboard at four-under with an eagle at the driveablepar-four 14th, where his tee shot threatened the hole and left him a putt ofless than three feet.

Buthe ran afoul of the tough 16th, where his tee shot was in scrubby, sandy roughand he needed two shots to get out.Morikawaand Straka both had six birdies and three bogeys in their three-under efforts.

First-round scores on Thursday in the Hero World Challenge unofficial PGA Tour event at Albany, Bahamas (USA unless noted, par-72):

69 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR), Sepp Straka (AUT), Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland (NOR)

70 - Sam Burns

71 - Cameron Young, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Max Homa

72 - Tony Finau, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler

73 - Billy Horschel, Jon Rahm (ESP)

74 - Im Sung-jae, Kevin Kisner, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Shane Lowry (IRL)

75 - Corey Conners (CAN)

76 - Jordan Spieth

- AFP

2022-11-21 07:32:29

Canada's Adam Svensson won his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, sinking clutch birdie putts on the 16th and 17th holes to capture the RSM Classic by two strokes.

The 28-year-old from British Columbia fired a bogey-free, six-under par 64 to win a back-nine shootout by finishing 72 holes on 19-under 263 at Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island, Georgia.

"It's not even real right now. I'm just so happy," Svensson said. "I put so much work in. To win on the PGA Tour means everything to me."

England's Callum Tarren also fired a 64 to share second on 265 with Americans Sahith Theegala and Brian Harman.

Svensson, whose breakthrough came in his 70th PGA start, was among four sharing the lead before he rolled in a tension-packed 18-foot birdie putt at the 16th hole.

"I just tried to make no bogeys," Svensson said. "I didn't even look at the scoreboard until maybe 16. I just said if I make no bogeys, I'm putting well, so that's what I did. It's just unbelievable."

He followed by sinking a testy downhill putt from just beyond 10 feet at the par-3 17th.

"I was feeling pretty good over them," Svensson said of his dramatic putts. "That one at 17 I didn't think was going to go in. Somehow the golf gods let it in."

Svensson punctuated the feat with a fist pump and made a routine par at 18 to claim the crown.

"It has been an up and down journey. I've had lows. I've had highs. But I just kept believing in myself and here I am," Svensson said.

"Two years ago I made a decision to give it 100%. There was no going back or I was quitting because I was going the wrong way. It was a good choice."

Svensson, ranked 174th, had a best prior PGA finish of sixth in July at the Barbasol Championship.

Harman, trying to become the host resort's first resident to win the event, sank a five-foot birdie putt at the 16th to match Svensson and Tarren for the lead on 17-under.

Theegala sank a 20-foot putt at the par-3 17th for his fourth birdie in six holes to create a four-way tie at the top, setting the stage for Svensson's heroics.

Svensson sank a 30-foot birdie putt at the fourth hole and a 20-footer at the eighth. He followed with a 36-footer for birdie at the 10th and sank a 16-foot birdie putt at 11 to seize the lead alone at 17-under.

Svensson, who opened with a 73 at the Plantation course to share 108th, is the first winner since Jon Rahm in 2020 to shoot 73 or worse in the first round.

He's also the first to rally from beyond 100th after 18 holes to win since England's Ian Poulter at the 2018 Houston Open.

The 2022-23 PGA Tour season will shut down until January's Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the US PGA Tour RSM Classic at Sea Island, Georgia (USA unless noted):

263 - Adam Svensson (CAN) 73-64-62-64

265 - Callum Tarren (ENG) 64-68-69-64, Sahith Theegala 68-63-68-66, Brian Harman 67-69-64-65

267 - Joel Dahmen 67-64-72-64, Cole Hammer 64-66-72-65, Chris Stroud 70-66-66-65, Seamus Power (IRL) 66-68-67-66, Alex Smalley 67-66-67-67

268 - Robby Shelton 68-70-65-65, Erik Barnes 70-67-65-66, David Lingmerth (SWE) 67-65-70-66, Wyndham Clark 71-65-66-66, Patrick Rodgers 69-65-64-70

269 - JJ Spaun 67-68-69-65, Greyson Sigg 66-69-70-64, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 68-64-70-67, Will Gordon 69-64-68-68, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 69-66-65-69, Taylor Montgomery 69-66-65-69

270 - Russell Knox (SCO) 67-70-66-67, JT Poston 70-67-66-67, Danny Lee (NZL) 70-66-66-68, Ben Taylor (ENG) 71-65-65-69, Beau Hossler 64-67-69-70, Harry Higgs 67-63-70-70, Andrew Putnam 65-65-69-71, Ben Martin 69-64-65-72

- AFP

2022-11-20 07:29:34

Ben Martin, chasing his first PGA title since 2014, and fellow American Patrick Rodgers, seeking his first tour victory, shared the lead after Saturday's third round of the RSM Classic.

Rodgers reeled off four birdies in a row on the back nine on his way to a six-under par 64 at Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island, Georgia.

"It was a great day out there," said Rodgers. "I'm just excited to put some good rounds together and it was nice to get on a roll there on the back nine."

Martin missed a five-foot par putt at 18, making his first bogey in 41 holes to settle for 65, joining Rodgers on 14-under 198 for 54 holes.

"It was just the way you want to draw up a golf round," Martin said.

"I was hitting my targets off the tee, giving myself plenty of opportunities on the greens and seeing a few putts go in."

Canada's Adam Svensson, a back-nine starter, birdied six of his last eight holes to fire a 62 and share third on 199 with Americans Andrew Putnam and Sahith Theegala.

A pack on 200 included Canada's Taylor Pendrith and Americans Harry Higgs, Brian Harman, Alex Smalley, Taylor Montgomery, Kevin Streelman and Beau Hossler.

Players competed for two rounds on the par-72 Plantation course and par-70 Seaside course, with the last 36 holes over the Seaside layout.

World number 372 Martin, whose only PGA triumph came in 2014 at Las Vegas, birdied the fourth, par-3 sixth and par-5 seventh from between seven and 10 feet.

Martin dropped his approach to three feet to set up a birdie at 10, sank a 14-foot birdie putt at 14 and drove the green at the par-5 15th to set up a tap-in birdie but lost the lead after he came up short of the green from the fairway at 18.

"I would have loved to have kept a clean card there," Martin said. "It was a good Saturday. I'm just excited to be in the mix on Sunday."

World number 169 Rodgers, in his eighth PGA campaign, has had three career-best runner-up finishes, the most recent at Sea Island in 2018.

After a bogey at the second, he birdied the fourth and fifth, closed the front nine with another and made four in a row starting with a 22-foot birdie putt at 13 and capped by a 30-footer at the 16th.

"It's always nice when you see the hard work pay off," Rodgers said.

Harman, who shot 64, could be the host resort's first resident to win the title.

"There's a lot of talent on this island and one of us is going to win this tournament sooner or later," Harman said.

"Excited to get after it tomorrow."

American Wyndham Clark reeled off a career PGA-best six consecutive birdies to close the front nine on his way to a 66 to stand on 202.

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the PGA Tour RSM Classic at Sea Island, Georgia (USA unless noted):

198 - Patrick Rodgers 69-65-64, Ben Martin 69-64-65

199 - Adam Svensson (CAN) 73-64-62, Sahith Theegala 68-63-68, Andrew Putnam 65-65-69

200 - Brian Harman 67-69-64, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 69-66-65, Taylor Montgomery 69-66-65, Alex Smalley 67-66-67, Kevin Streelman 68-64-68, Beau Hossler 64-67-69, Harry Higgs 67-63-70

201 - Ben Taylor (ENG) 71-65-65, Will Gordon 69-64-68, Seamus Power (IRL) 66-68-67, Callum Tarren (ENG) 64-68-69

202 - Danny Lee (NZL) 70-66-66, Chris Stroud 70-66-66, Wyndham Clark 71-65-66, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-67-67, Paul Haley 68-67-67, Erik Barnes 70-67-65, David Lingmerth (SWE) 67-65-70, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 68-64-70, Cole Hammer 64-66-72

- AFP

2022-11-18 07:39:57

A week after making his first cut on the PGA Tour, American Cole Hammer shot an eight under-par round of 64 to grab the first-round lead at the RSM Classic on Thursday.

The 23-year-old joined the Korn Ferry Tour this season after an impressive college career at the University of Texas but has struggled in PGA Tour events.

After failing to make the cut in Tour tournaments in the past two seasons, he finally ended that streak at the Houston Open last week where he finished T27.

Judging from his play on Thursday, at a chilly Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia, that result was clearly liberating.

"I needed to get that monkey off my back. To do that in my hometown event in Houston, was huge for me. I was telling my parents, but the first tee in Houston was like the most nervous I've ever been, just with the hometown crowd," he said.

"I told myself I'll never be that nervous again. I just got comfortable after that and saw myself shoot a good round on Tour and now I believe that I can do it," he said.

Starting on the back nine, Hammer made four birdies at the turn and then made three more in the next four holes but ended with a bogey on his penultimate hole, the 8th.

Hammer said he was finally able to play with calmness on the 'big tour' having discovered the necessity of patience.

"I basically just told myself that I can come back (from bogeys) and nobody plays perfect golf and that's what I was trying to do. I felt like on the PGA Tour you have to play perfect golf, but that's just not the case.

"Obviously I played almost perfect golf today, so it's easy to say that after shooting a really good round, but I think that just takes pressure off," he added.

Ben Griffin was a stroke behind after his bogey-free round of 65 and England's Callum Tarren was one of three players, two shots off the lead.

Tarren said it was tough to deal with the conditions.

"I had some huge mitts on, hand warmers, three layers. We actually had a 20-minute wait on hole 3, so all three of us said how cold it just got, but we were just standing around.

"You've just got to try to keep as warm as you possibly can and just try to get it in play," he said.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the US PGA Tour RSM Classic on the par-72 Plantation Course and par-70 Seaside course at Sea Island, Georgia(USA unless noted):

8-under

64 - Cole Hammer

7-under

65 - Ben Griffin

6-under

64 - Beau Hossler Callum Tarren (ENG)66 - Justin Suh

5-under

67 - Stephan Jaeger (GER) Brian Harman, David Lingmerth (SWE), Webb Simpson, Henrik Norlander (SWE), Alex Smalley, Keith Mitchell, Russell Knox (SCO), Harry Higgs

65 - Chris Gotterup, Andrew Putnam

- AFP

2022-11-14 07:22:32

Finau triumphs at PGA Tour's Houston Open

TonyFinau battled big-lead nerves on a sometimes bumpy march to a fifth US PGA Tourtitle on Sunday at the Houston Open.

Finau,up by four to start the day, pushed his lead to eight strokes with fourfront-nine birdies and even three bogeys coming in didn't really put him injeopardy.

TheAmerican ranked 15th in the world carded a one-under par 69 - narrowly missinga 37-foot birdie try at the last - for a 16-under par total of 264 and afour-shot victory over Tyson Alexander.

Alexanderdrained a 33-foot birdie at the 18th to seize solo second on 268, one shot infront of England's Ben Taylor who had one bogey and one birdie in his evenpar-70 for 11-under 269.

"Itfeels great," Finau beamed. "Honestly, on the first hole I didn'tknow if I had it in me today. It was one of those days where I just fought andfought.

"Imade a lot of nice putts on the front nine to kind of calm me into things. I'venever been in that position before, being with that big of a lead with nineholes to play."

Finaunotched his third title of 2022, having claimed two in the space of two weeksat the 3M Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic in June and July.

Hedominated all week at Memorial Park Golf Course, matching his career best witha second-round 62 then steering a steady course through dramatically changedweather conditions to maintain a four-shot lead heading into the final round.

IfFinau was feeling front-runner's nerves it didn't show as he rolled in a16-foot birdie putt at the second, and a seven-footer at the fifth.

Hedrained a 40-foot birdie effort at the eighth and followed up with a 19-footbirdie at the ninth.

Thetension began to build, however, with a bogey at the 10th, where he was in thefairway but eventually couldn't get a nine-foot par putt to drop.Hewas unable to get up and down from a greenside bunker at 14, and three-puttedfor bogey at 15 as his lead dwindled to five shots.

"Alot of new nerves, I would say," Finau said. "But overall, as theround went on I felt better and I'm just happy to get a 'W' today."

Alexanderand Taylor, both seeking a first US PGA Tour title, were neck-and-neck inpursuit of Finau through the closing stretch.

Alexanderhad climbed the leaderboard with birdies at the third, fifth and ninth and bothbogeyed the 11th and birdied 13 before Alexander struck at the final hole.

"Greatweek for me," Alexander said. "I wish Tony would have taken the weekoff ..."

Althoughhe didn't lift the trophy, the 34-year-old said the week had reinforced hisbelief that "my good is good."

"Ifelt like I had my good stuff, and I can compete and try to win golftournaments out here," he said.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Houston Open (USA unless noted, Par-70):

264 - Tony Finau 65-62-68-69

268 - Tyson Alexander 66-66-70-66

269 - Ben Taylor (ENG) 66-68-65-70

272 - Trey Mullinax 67-66-72-67, Alex Smalley 71-64-70-67, Alex Noren (SWE) 65-66-73-68

273 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 70-65-70-68, Aaron Rai (ENG) 70-64-70-69

274 - Scottie Scheffler 70-66-71-67, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 70-67-70-67, Keith Mitchell 66-70-70-68, Joseph Bramlett 70-65-70-69, Joel Dahmen 67-68-68-71, Gary Woodland 69-67-67-71, Justin Rose (ENG) 67-69-66-72

275 - Jason Day (AUS) 69-69-69-68, Ben Griffin 67-67-71-70, Patrick Rodgers 68-63-73-71, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 66-68-70-71, Scott Piercy 67-70-67-71, Wyndham Clark 66-68-68-73

- AFP

2022-11-13 06:30:08

Finau leads by four at windy Houston Open

Tony Finau steered a steady course at the blustery Houston Open Saturday, firing a two-under par 68 to maintain a four-shot lead heading into the final round.

The 15th-ranked American, seeking a fifth PGA Tour title, rolled in a 21-foot birdie putt at the eighth and an 18-footer at the 14th on the way to a 15-under par total of 195 that put him four in front of England's Ben Taylor.

Taylor, who regained his tour card this season via the Korn Ferry developmental tour, had six birdies in his five-under par 65, rolling in a 21-footer at the 18th to inch closer to Finau.

Saturday brought a dramatic change in the conditions at Memorial Park Golf Course in the wake of the storms that disrupted the second round on Friday.

Finau was among those who managed to complete the second round on Friday when his impressive 62 gave him a four-shot lead.

Given the gusting winds and cold temperatures that prevailed on Saturday, Finau thought his third round might have been even better.

"That was a really good round," Finau said. "I think the score doesn't say that, but I think I played better than yesterday. You know, yesterday I shot 62, but today that 68 I thought was pretty impressive for the conditions."

Finau hit all 13 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation and said the demanding conditions actually improved his concentration.

"I think it's easier to play one shot at a time when it's so tough," he said. "The wind's blowing, you really have to focus and hone in on every shot, every putt, so I think I did a good job of that today."

Taylor was delighted with his "very good round of golf" in the tough conditions.

"There were some shots - we were playing some of them 40 yards longer than the number and I think we did a good job balancing the wind and the cool temperatures, calculating what both of those things were going to do to the ball."

Anything can happen

Taylor said that despite Finau's big lead, the demanding conditions could open the door for others on Sunday.

"It's when you get conditions like this, anything can happen, right? There's some low scores out there today that would prove that, so I think we will be in for a good Sunday."

Taylor was three strokes clear of a trio headlined by England's former world number one Justin Rose, who carded a 66.

Rose was joined on 202 by Wyndham Clark (68) and Tyson Alexander (70).

Rose had to return early to complete his second round when it was "really cold," but was pleased to at least enjoy some warmer weather as the third round progressed.

The 42-year-old, who has fallen to 75th in the world rankings after a season hindered by back trouble, is in Houston hoping to get a jump on 2023.

"I feel like I need to get my toe down on the accelerator a little bit," he said. "It's been not the greatest year and obviously 2022-23 season's up and running and it's time to kind of make some points and get amongst it."

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the PGA Tour Houston Open (USA unless noted, Par-70):

195 - Tony Finau 65-62-68

199 - Ben Taylor (ENG) 66-68-65

202 - Justin Rose (ENG) 67-69-66, Wyndham Clark 66-68-68, Tyson Alexander 66-66-70

203 - Gary Woodland 69-67-67, Joel Dahmen 67-68-68

204 - Scott Piercy 67-70-67, Russell Knox (SCO) 69-65-70, Aaron Rai (ENG) 70-64-70, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 66-68-70, James Hahn 68-65-71, Alex Noren (SWE) 65-66-73, Patrick Rodgers 68-63-73

205 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 70-65-70, Alex Smalley 71-64-70, Joseph Bramlett 70-65-70, Ben Griffin 67-67-71, Trey Mullinax 67-66-72

- AFP

2022-11-11 07:35:55

AlexNoren fired a five-under par 65 on Thursday to grab a share of the first-roundlead at the Houston Open, where the Swede is in search of a first PGA Tourtitle.

Norenopened and closed his day at Memorial Park Golf Course with birdies at the 10thand ninth holes, firing seven birdies all told with two bogeys.

Heshared the clubhouse lead with Americans Aaron Wise and Tony Finau, whileAmerican Tyson Alexander was five-under and in the rough left of the fairway at18 when darkness halted play.

Noren,who has 11 international victories but has yet to win on the US tour, might nothave expected to put himself in contention on Thursday, but found his gamecoming around during the round.

"Alittle bit nervous coming into today," he said. "Didn't feel great inpractice but found something and got the irons a lot better. So, yeah,good."

Infact, Noren got off to a quick start with a birdie at the 10th, where he landedhis approach within six feet.

Hisbirdies included three in a row from the second through the fourth, and heclosed out the day with a birdie at the par-three ninth, where he drained aneight-foot putt.

Wiseseized a share of the lead with a bogey-free 65, but said he had plenty ofthings to work on as he vies for a second PGA Tour title to go with his 2017Byron Nelson win.

"I'vejust been in a weird place with my game where I'm obviously playing well enoughto shoot good scores, but there's just a couple shots a round that arefrustrating me," Wise said.

"Maybe it's also just because it's latein the season and I played too much golf, and that's just kind of how golfgets."

Wisestrung together four straight birdies from the third through the sixth holes ashe climbed the leaderboard.

"Ihad a couple great saves to shoot bogey-free," Wise said. "Sometimes youshoot bogey-free and you hit 18 greens, and it was just an easy round. Today,it was bogey-free on the card, but it didn't feel stress-free."

Finau'ssix birdies included a 35-foot bomb at the ninth to join Noren and Wise atopthe leaderboard.

"It'skind of just icing on the cake on a day that's hard fought and wellplayed," said Finau, who missed the cut last week.

Sixplayers were in the clubhouse on 66: Canadians Mackenzie Hughes and TaylorPendrith and Americans David Lipsky, Wyndham Clark, Max McGreevy and KeithMitchell.

England'sJustin Rose headed a group on 67.Masterschampion Scottie Scheffler, who could regain the world number one ranking hesurrendered to Rory McIlroy last month with a victory, was tied for 53rd afteropening with an even par 70.

Partial first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Houston Open (Round halted by darkness to resume Friday, USA unless noted. Par-70):

65 - Alex Noren (SWE), Aaron Wise, Tony Finau

66 - David Lipsky, Wyndham Clark, Max McGreevy, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Keith Mitchell, Taylor Pendrith (CAN)

67 - Justin Rose (ENG), Trey Mullinax, Denny McCarthy, Dou Zecheng (CHN), Brent Grant, Maverick McNealy, Scott Piercy, Brendan Steele, Joel Dahmen, Carl Yuan (CHN), Ben Griffin

- AFP

2022-11-07 07:10:49

Russell Henley ended a five-year PGA Tour victory drought on Sunday, firing a one-under par 70 to capture the Mayakoba Championship by four strokes for his fourth career PGA title.

The 33-year-old American, who shared the lead for three rounds at last year's US Open before fading, matched the tournament record by finishing 72 holes on 23-under 261 at El Camaleon in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

"To come down 18 with a four-shot lead, it was just really cool," Henley said. "Very nervous this weekend. I slept on the lead both nights."

American Brian Harman fired a 66 to grab second on 265.

Second-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler settled for a share of third on 266 despite a closing 62, just missing the solo second-place minimum he needed to recapture world number one.

"I was just trying to show up and have a good round," Scheffler said.

"Rankings are great. It was definitely fun being number one in the world. It's definitely something I hope to get back to, but it's not something that's going to occupy a lot of my thoughts."

Ireland's Seamus Power and Americans Will Gordon, Joel Dahmen and Troy Merrit were also on 266.Henley had not won a PGA title since the 2017 Houston Open.

His other PGA triumphs came at the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii and the 2014 Honda Classic.

Henley began the day with a six-stroke lead, but he had not converted his past five 54-hole leads into triumph.

"Just tried to learn from my past and my screw-ups," Henley said.

"All those events I didn't close on, they hurt. And you don't know if you will ever get to win another one. It's so hard out here."

While he opened with four pars and stumbled with a bogey at the par-5 fifth, Henley then birdied the sixth, seventh and eighth holes to serve notice he would not squander this advantage.

Henley birdied nine of the last 10 holes, making a final bogey at 16 when he found a bunker with his approach.

"All the times I didn't get it done, I learned from it," Henley said. "And here we are."

Harman, who also hadn't won a PGA title in five years, fired a bogey-free round to grab second but knew catching his pal Henley was unlikely.

"He buzz-sawed everybody," Harman said. "Russell's a fantastic golfer. He's a dear friend, I'm really happy for him. Jealous of his putter. He putts it so great and he's really rounded his ball-striking into form."

Scheffler, who won four times in two months this year capped by his first major crown at Augusta National, lost the world number one spot to Rory McIlroy when the Northern Ireland star defended his CJ Cup title last month.

Needing no worse than solo second to overtake McIlroy, Scheffler made seven birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round and nearly pulled off the feat.

Scheffler could leapfrog McIlroy for number one next week when he plays the Houston Open.

American Robert Streb aced the par-3 eighth hole on Sunday, making the first PGA hole-in-one of his career.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the US PGA Tour's Mayakoba Championship at Playa del Carmen, Mexico (USA unless noted, par 71):

261 - Russell Henley 63-63-65-70

265 - Brian Harman 66-66-67-66

266 - Scottie Scheffler 65-71-68-62, Joel Dahmen 68-67-66-65, Troy Merritt 65-69-65-67, Seamus Power (IRL) 67-68-63-68, Will Gordon 62-67-68-69

267 - David Lingmerth (SWE) 65-66-71-65, Sam Ryder 64-65-73-65

268 - Maverick McNealy 65-68-69-66, David Lipsky 66-70-66-66, Taylor Montgomery 65-70-67-66, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 65-69-66-68, Patton Kizzire 65-65-67-71

269 - Aaron Wise 67-71-67-64, JJ Spaun 65-70-67-67, Collin Morikawa 71-63-68-67, Henrik Norlander (SWE) 67-70-65-67, Martin Laird (SCO) 65-67-69-68, Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-66-64-69

- AFP

2022-11-06 07:41:09

Russell Henley nabbed six birdies in a six-under par 65 on Saturday to push his lead in the PGA Tour Mayakoba Championship to six strokes.

The 33-year-old American, who shared the lead for three rounds at last year's US Open before a Sunday collapse, had a 22-under total of 191 heading into the final round at El Camaleon in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Will Gordon fired a three-under par 68 and Patton Kizzire posted a 67 to share second on 197.Ireland's Seamus Power had one of two holes-in-one on the day in his 63 for 198.The other ace belonged to American Greyson Sigg, who carded a 67 and joined a goup on 200.

"I had some nice par saves, made a lot of good putts from five to eight feet and just hung in there," said Henley, who had opened the tournament with back-to-back 63s.

"On the back nine, I started hitting it better and got into a little groove. Overall it wasn't as solid tee to green as the first two days, but still managed to get the ball in the hole."

- AFP

Leaderboard:

191 - Russell Henley 63-63-65

197 - Will Gordon 62-67-68, Patton Kizzire 65-65-67

198 - Seamus Power (IRL) 67-68-63

199 - Troy Merritt 65-69-65, Brian Harman 66-66-67

200 - Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-66-64, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 65-69-66, Matthias Schwab (AUT) 66-68-66, Greyson Sigg 66-67-67

201 - Joel Dahmen 68-67-66, Brandon Wu 68-66-67, Scott Piercy 64-69-68, Harry Higgs 70-62-69, Martin Laird (SCO) 65-67-69

2022-11-05 06:43:06

Henley grabs PGA Mexico lead with back-to-back 63s

Russell Henley, chasing his first PGA title since 2017, fired a second consecutive eight-under par 63 to seize a three-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the Mayakoba Championship.

The 33-year-old American, who shared the lead for three rounds at last year's US Open before a Sunday collapse, stood on 16-under 126 after 36 holes at El Camaleon in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

"I felt great the last two days," Henley said. "Mentally felt confident and believing in what I was doing. Hit a lot of fairways and had some nice par saves that kept my round going. Very happy with where I am."

Will Gordon, who matched the lowest round of his career with a 62 on Thursday for the 18-hole lead, shot 67 to share second with countryman Sam Ryder on 129, one stroke ahead of American Patton Kizzire with Swede David Lingmerth fifth on 131.

World number 59 Henley won his first PGA title at the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii, took the 2014 Honda Classic and captured the most recent of his three career tour crowns at the 2017 Houston Open.

In January, Henley challenged for another Hawaii victory but lost in a playoff to Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

Henley, who began on the back nine, ran off three birdies in a row starting at the 11th hole, added others at the 17th and third and then ran off three in a row again at the par-4 sixth, par-5 seventh and par-3 eighth holes.

"Definitely, things were going my way," Henley said. "A lot of my lag putts today and some of my chips weren't great, but I ended up making the putt and keeping the round going in a great direction."

Henley said tee shots have been crucial to his success.

"There are some intimidating tee shots for me and I just am trying to just commit to what I'm doing," Henley said. "Just being in a good head space for those tee shots is a good start."

Two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland of Norway, ranked 11th, fired a 69 to share 14th on 134.

Second-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion who could regain the world number one ranking from Rory McIlroy with a victory, shot 71 to share 29th on 136.

Gordon and Ryder each seek a first PGA triumph. Gordon birdied the second and fourth holes of both the front and back nines. Ryder made seven birdies on the front side, opened the back nine with a bogey and went birdie-bogey at 15 and 16.

"I came out and just didn't really miss much on the front, was playing really solid," Ryder said.

"Just got a little loose on the back... got a little out of sync there, but I managed it pretty well. I'm pretty happy with the way I got it around."

- AFP

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the US PGA Tour's Mayakoba Championship at Playa del Carmen, Mexico (USA unless noted, par 71):

126 - Russell Henley 63-63

129 - Sam Ryder 64-65, Will Gordon 62-67

130 - Patton Kizzire 65-65

131 - David Lingmerth (SWE) 65-66

132 - Brian Harman 66-66, Harry Higgs 70-62, Martin Laird (SCO) 65-67

133 - Maverick McNealy 65-68, Matt Kuchar 66-67, Greyson Sigg 66-67, Scott Piercy 64-69, Patrick Rodgers 66-67

134 - Matthias Schwab (AUT) 66-68, Harris English 64-70, Troy Merritt 65-69, Brandon Wu 68-66, Davis Riley 67-67, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 64-70, Collin Morikawa 71-63, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 65-69

2022-10-31 07:21:06

Ireland's Seamus Power captured his second career PGA Tour victory on Sunday winning the Bermuda Championship after a final-round collapse on the back nine by US rookie Ben Griffin.

Power fired a one-under par 70 to finish 72 holes on 19-under 265 and defeat Belgium's Thomas Detry by a stroke over the seaside layout at Port Royal Golf Club in Southampton.

Power, the highest-ranked player in the field at 48th in the world, won his only prior PGA title at last year's Barbasol Championship.

"Completely different feeling but just as special," Power said. "It's so hard. It's amazing. It's special. It's going to take a little while to sink in but absolutely over the moon."

Blustery winds battered Power and Griffin particularly over the back nine after both had strong starts. Power opened with a birdie and added more at the fifth and par-5 seventh.

Griffin, who shared the 54-hole lead with Power, birdied four of the first six holes and opened the back nine with back-to-back birdies to seize command.

"Ben made a lot after getting 10 and 11," Power said. "I knew it was just going to be really hard coming in and it was."

Griffin, who last year gave up on golf to become a mortgage loan advisor before making a comeback, made four bogeys in a row starting at the 12th and added a double bogey at the par-3 16th.

"It's a bummer that I didn't finish it off today but I'm just happy to be out here playing," Griffin said, his voice cracking.

"I can't get mad at anything I do because it's cool to be able to play on the PGA Tour."

Griffin ended up sharing third with American Patrick Rodgers and Taiwan's Kevin Yu.

Power had his own battle to finish. He stumbled with a bogey at the par-3 13th, answered with a birdie at 14 to grab the solo lead for the first time on Sunday, then made bogeys at 15 and the par-3 16th.

The Irishman, the only player with three birdies at the 16th in the same Bermuda event, took a bogey in 30-mph winds, dropping his lead to a single stroke.

Power responded with a birdie at the par-5 17th and, after coming up short of the green on his approach, pitched to the green and two-putted for bogey for the victory.

"I made hard work of it in the end but delighted to get it done," Power said. "Absolutely delighted."

Griffin kept perspective and optimism despite his nightmare end, saying it was "pretty unbelievable" to even be playing in PGA events.

"It was a bummer. I hate to have finished the way I did this tournament," he said.

"Coming down the wire in a PGA Tour event is not very easy, especially for a guy who was in an office a year and two months ago.

"I'm very optimistic about my future out here. I know my time will come very soon."

South African Garrick Higgo made a tournament record-tying 10 birdies on his way to a 64 on Sunday to finish on 274.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the US PGA Tour's Bermuda Championship (par-71, USA unless noted):

265 - Seamus Power (IRL) 65-65-65-70

266 - Thomas Detry (BEL) 64-67-68-67

267 - Patrick Rodgers 65-67-70-65, Kevin Yu (TPE) 64-66-67-70, Ben Griffin 65-64-66-72

268 - Denny McCarthy 63-69-69-67, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 65-64-68-71

269 - Max McGreevy 65-70-66-68, Justin Lower 64-68-69-68

270 - Harrison Endycott (AUS) 62-70-70-68

271 - David Lingmerth (SWE) 68-68-68-67, Nick Watney 67-67-70-67, Alex Smalley 65-69-69-68, Sean O'Hair 64-68-70-69, Brian Gay 66-66-66-73, Greyson Sigg 64-69-66-72

272 - Andrew Novak 68-68-70-66, Dou Zecheng (CHN) 65-65-75-67, An Byeong-hun (KOR) 65-70-70-67, Fabian Gomez (ARG) 68-63-73-68, Chesson Hadley 66-67-72-68, Akshay Bhatia 68-67-69-68

- AFP

2022-10-30 07:34:44Seamus Power of Ireland plays his shot from the ninth tee during the third round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course on October 29, 2022 in Southampton. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2022-10-30 07:18:21

Ireland's Seamus Power fired a third straight 65 on Saturday to grab a share of the third-round lead alongside rookie Ben Griffin at the US PGA Tour Bermuda Championship.

Power, the highest-ranked player in the field at 48th in the world, is making good on his aim of impressing European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald with his performance at Port Royal Golf Club in Southampton, where the winds picked up as expected on Saturday.

"You knew you had to make your score by the first probably 11 holes," said Power, who did just that with four birdies in a row from the second through the fifth and two more at the ninth and 11th.

He rebounded from a double bogey at the par-three 13th with birdies at 16 and 17, his six-under effort giving him an 18-under par total of 195.

With wind whipping, Power said he knew conditions would be tough from the 13th onward.

"I hit some good shots," he said.

"Even on 13 I thought I hit a very good four-iron, but like the ball's in the air off the elevated tee and just keeps moving and moving and misses on the short side and you make a double.

"Even on I think 15 I had a pitch shot that kind of summed it up. I ended up in a funny spot off the tee, I had, like, 50 yards for a pitch shot and I aimed my pitch shot about 10 yards left of the pin and ended up right of the pin.

"It was just one of those kind of days. Your imagination had to keep working

"I putted well, which is a huge bonus in wind like this," added Power, who won his first US PGA Tour title last year at the Barbasol Championship and had a career-high five top-10 finishes last season.

2022-10-30 07:15:10

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's Bermuda Championship (par-71, USA unless noted):

195 - Seamus Power (IRL) 65-65-65, Ben Griffin 65-64-66

197 - Kevin Yu (TPE) 64-66-67, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 65-64-68

198 - Brian Gay 66-66-66

199 - Greyson Sigg 64-69-66, Thomas Detry (BEL) 64-67-68

200 - Will Gordon 68-66-66

201 - Max McGreevy 65-70-66, Justin Lower 64-68-69, Denny McCarthy 63-69-69, Ben Crane 66-62-73

202 - Brent Grant 66-67-69, Austin Cook 68-67-67, Ben Martin 64-69-69, Patrick Rodgers 65-67-70, C.T. Pan (TPE) 66-67-69, Sean O'Hair 64-68-70, Harrison Endycott (AUS) 62-70-70, Scott Harrington 66-66-70, Nico Echavarria (COL) 66-64-72, Robby Shelton 63-66-73

2022-10-29 06:54:52

Ben Crane, trying to end an eight-year PGA victory drought, fired a nine-under-par 62 to seize a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the PGA Bermuda Championship.

The 46-year-old American made nine birdies, two bogeys and an eagle to match the low-round of his PGA career and stand on 14-under 128 after 36 holes at the windy seaside Port Royal course in Southampton.

"Today was one of those special days, one of 100 where it just kind of all comes together," Crane said.

"So really cool to shoot 62."

Australia's Aaron Baddeley was in a second-place pack on 129 that also included Americans Adam Schenk, Ben Griffin, Robby Shelton and Austin Smotherman, who shared the 18-hole lead with an opening 62.

Crane, who made the field on a sponsor exemption, was happy just to be playing and extra excited to make the weekend in the title hunt.

"Couldn't be more encouraged," Crane said.

"Played the best golf I've played in a long time and to be in this tournament is super encouraging. I don't get in a lot.

"Crane won the most recent of his five PGA titles at the 2014 St. Jude Classic. He missed the cut in seven of 10 starts last season and his last top-10 finish was eighth at the 2019 Puerto Rico Open.

Crane, who started on the back nine, opened with a birdie and answered a bogey at 14 with birdies and 15 and the par-3 16th.

After a bogey at the par-5 17th, Crane reeled off five birdies in a row, then eagled the par-4 sixth from 115 yards with a wedge and birdied the par-5 seventh before a pair of closing pars.

"That 29 on the back, I didn't see it coming. Super fun day," Crane said.

"On the second nine, started to get my swing going so I was hitting quality shots, hit a few balls close to the hole, making those 10-footers, couple 30-footers, holed a shot from the fairway... I was having an incredible day and then that happened."

Playing partner Baddeley had eight birdies and a bogey in shooting 64.

The 41-year-old Aussie seeks his fifth PGA title and first since the 2016 Barbasol Championship."Feel like the confidence is back," he said.

"Just a matter of just getting some starts. So it has been great."

Australian rookie Harrison Endycott, who also shot 62 on Thursday, shot 70 to fall four adrift.

India's 49-year-old Arjun Atwal, who shot 63 Thursday in his first PGA round for three months following his father's death, followed with a 71.

Scores

128 - Ben Crane 66-62

129 - Adam Schenk 63-66, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 65-64, Robby Shelton 63-66, Ben Griffin 65-64, Austin Smotherman 62-67

130 - Seamus Power (IRL) 65-65, Kevin Yu (TPE) 64-66, Dou Zecheng (CHN) 65-65, Nico Echavarria (COL) 66-64, Dylan Wu 64-66

131 - Fabian Gomez (ARG) 68-63, Scott Brown 63-68, Thomas Detry (BEL) 64-67

132 - Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 66-66, Denny McCarthy 63-69, Harrison Endycott (AUS) 62-70, Scott Harrington 66-66, Brian Stuard 65-67, Justin Lower 64-68, Sean O'Hair 64-68, Brian Gay 66-66, Patrick Rodgers 65-67

2022-10-27 21:07:49

India's Atwal makes emotional PGA return with 63 in Bermuda

India's Arjun Atwal, idled while grieving his father's death, returned to competition by firing an eight-under-par 63, one off the lead after Thursday's opening round of the PGA Bermuda Championship.

American Austin Smotherman, ranked 303rd, fired his career-low PGA score with a bogey-free 62 to match Australian rookie Harrison Endycott for the lead at the windy seaside Port Royal course in Southampton.

But the best feat belonged to 49-year-old Atwal, who shared second with Americans Scott Brown, Adam Schenk, Denny McCarthy and Robby Shelton.

Atwal only got into the field on Thursday morning after American Nicholas Lindheim withdrew due to a back injury.

"I got here around 7:30, hit a few wedges and then went in to eat breakfast," Atwal said.

"About 8:45 my caddie texted me. He's like, oh, 9:10 we might have a game. So I left my breakfast, came out, hit a few drivers and off we went."

Atwal began on the back nine and promptly birdied his first three holes, then closed the side with back-to-back birdies before taking his lone bogey at the first.

He answered with back-to-back birdies at the par-5 second and par-3 third and added two more at the sixth and par-5 seventh.

Atwal has fallen to 2 815th in the world golf rankings after being rocked to the core and returning to his homeland in the wake of family tragedy.

"I haven't played much golf. I lost my father about three months ago in India, so I went over there," Atwal said.

"I've never had a loss in my immediate family. It's my first one, so it's really hard to deal with. And with my parents, they lived in India. My mom still lives in India. Not having seen them for all these years, it was really tough on me."

Only in the past week has golf found a place back in his life.

I just haven't played golf - and forget walking," he said. "I played 18 holes at Isleworth last Friday in our Scotch game in a golf cart and it's not the same as this place, so I'm really pleased I got the 18 holes in and I'm not worn out as such."

That Isleworth round was the first time he played since July at the PGA 3M Open.

"I hadn't touched my clubs since," he said.Atwal won his only PGA title at Greensboro in 2010. He won three titles on the European Tour, most recently at the 2008 Malaysian Open, and took eight victories on the Asian Tour, most recently at the 2014 Dubai Open.

"The game is just a game. I take it for what it is now and I have nothing to prove to anybody. I've won out here, I've won on the European Tour, the Asian Tour and I'm looking forward to the 50 tour (Champions) next year after March," Atwal said.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the US PGA Tour's Bermuda Championship (par-71, USA unless noted):

62 - Austin Smotherman, Harrison Endycott (AUS)

63 - Arjun Atwal (IND), Adam Schenk, Scott Brown, Denny McCarthy, Robby Shelton

64 - Justin Lower, Sean O'Hair, Harry Higgs, Thomas Detry (BEL), Dylan Wu, Ben Martin, Greyson Sigg, Kevin Yu (TPE)

65 - Brian Stuard, Patrick Rodgers, Scott Gutschewski, Max McGreevy, Nick Hardy, MJ Daffue (RSA), Aaron Baddeley (AUS), Seamus Power (IRL), An Byeong-hun (KOR), Alex Smalley, Trevor Werbylo, Dou Zecheng (CHN), Ben Griffin

-AFP

2022-10-24 07:46:07

Rory McIlroy held on for a one-stroke victory in the PGA Tour CJ Cup on Sunday to return to the top of the world rankings for the ninth time in his career.

Three late birdies proved crucial when the Northern Ireland star bogeyed the last two holes but still edged American Kurt Kitayama.

The four-time major winner is back atop the rankings for the first time since July 2020 - when he was supplanted by Spain's Jon Rahm.

He ousted American Scottie Scheffler, who finished tied for 45th on Sunday to see his 30-week stint at the summit end.

"It means a lot," McIlroy said, with a little catch in his throat.

"You know, this tournament last year was the start of me trying to build myself back up to this point. I had a really rough Ryder Cup. I've talked about that at length.

"I think I was outside the top-10 in the world. It's not a position that I'm used to being in.

"I just think about everyone that has made a difference in my life, obviously, not over the last 12 months, but ever."

McIlroy defended the CJ Cup title he claimed last year in Las Vegas. The tournament has been moved from South Korea for three straight years because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

He notched a 23rd career PGA Tour title, and continued to show the strong form of his 2021-22 campaign, in which he won a record third FedEx Cup playoff crown and finished in the top eight at all four majors.

But McIlroy acknowledged it hadn't been a steady climb over the past 12 months, during which he has also emerged as a strong voice supporting the PGA Tour amid the emergence of the rival LIV Golf Series.

He said if someone had told him when he missed the cut at the Texas Open in March he'd be No 1 in October, "I would have asked them what they were smoking."

"It has just been a wild six months," McIlroy said. "Now it's all about going forward and trying to just keep this going.

"It's a lot to process right now just with everything, but just really proud of myself with how I handled this week knowing what was at stake."

McIlroy started the day at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina, with a one-shot lead over Spain's Rahm, Kitayama and South Korean Lee Kyoung-hoon.

All found birdies in the early going, McIlroy picking up strokes at the par-five second, the fourth and the sixth before a three-putt bogey at the eighth.

He and Kitayama, seeking a first PGA Tour title, were tied at 16-under after birdies at the par-five 12th.

The tide turned, however, when McIlroy rolled in a 13-foot birdie putt at the par-three 14th to ignite a run of three straight birdies.

At 15, he landed his shot from the sandy waste area five feet from the pin and made that for birdie.

At 16, he rolled in a 22-foot birdie putt to stretch his lead to three strokes.

As it turned out, he'd need all of that cushion as he finished with back-to-back bogeys.

At 18, he was in the fairway, but his second shot finished 41 feet from the pin and his putt raced more than seven feet past the hole.

He needed two putts from there, but Kitayama couldn't get his birdie putt to drop and so a bogey was enough to seal McIlroy's win.

"The competitor in me wants to finish the tournament off the right way," McIlroy said. "I didn't feel like I quite did that, but it was nice that I gave myself the cushion at least."

Kitayama posted four birdies in his four-under 67 for 268. Lee had three birdies in his three-under 68 and was alone in third on 269.Rahm, who shared the lead on the back nine, couldn't recover from a bogey at 14 and shared fourth on 270 with England's Tommy Fleetwood.

Leading final round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour's CJ Cup at Congaree in Ridgeland, South Carolina (USA unless noted, par-71):

267 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 66-67-67-67

268 - Kurt Kitayama 66-65-70-67

269 - Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 68-67-66-68

270 - Tommy Fleetwood 73-66-66-65, Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-62-70-69

272 - Aaron Wise 66-66-71-69

273 - Billy Horschel 68-67-72-66, Sam Burns 70-68-68-67, Lee Hodges 68-67-70-68, Brendon Todd 68-67-69-69

274 - Jason Day (AUS) 69-69-69-67, Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 66-69-69-70

275 - Taylor Montgomery 69-71-73-62, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70-69-68-68, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 67-68-71-69, Cam Davis (AUS) 66-66-73-70, Tom Hoge 68-67-70-70276 - Brendan Steele 68-70-69-69, Mito Pereira (CHI) 71-67-69-69, Maverick McNealy 69-70-66-71

- AFP

2022-10-23 06:37:36

Rory McIlroy, chasing a title repeat and a return to thenumber one world ranking spot, fired two eagles in a four-under par 67 onSaturday to seize a one-shot lead at the US PGA Tour CJ Cup.

McIlroy picked up five strokes on the three par-fives atCongaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina, bagging eagles at the fourthand 12th.

The four-time major winner from Northern Ireland had aone-stroke lead over fifth-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm, South Korean LeeKyoung-hoon and American Kurt Kitayama.

"The golf course definitely played tougher,"McIlroy said of the par-71 Congaree Golf Club layout in Ridgeland, SouthCarolina.

His CJ Cup title last year came in Las Vegas, with this yearmarking the third straight that the event was moved from South Korea because ofcoronavirus pandemic travel restrictions.

"Some of the hole locations were in dicey spots, and asthe day goes on the course dries out, it just gets firmer and faster.Sometimes, when you're out of position bogey is a decent score," addedMcIlroy, who called his inward run "scrappy."

Despite those errant shots coming in, McIlroy got the jobdone on the par-fives.

McIlroy followed a birdie at the par-five second with abogey from the waste bunker at the third.

He responded with his eagle at the fourth, where his227-yard second shot from the fairway settled two and a half feet from the pin.

He rolled in a 10-foot birdie at the par-three seventh andeagled 12, where he rolled in a 32-foot putt from off the green after bombinghis tee shot 376 yards down the fairway.

"I think the eagle on 12 was the most fun, just afterhow far I hit the tee shot," he said, but added: "The six-iron intofour as well, it landed absolutely perfect."

McIlroy kept things rolling with a par save at 13, where hewent from a waste bunker alongside the fairway to a greenside bunker butblasted out to four feet.

A bogey at the par-three 14th, where he missed the green andfailed to get his second shot on the putting surface, dropped McIlroy into atie for the lead with Kitayama, but he rolled in an eight-foot birdie at 16 toregain the solo lead.

He bogeyed 17, but so did Kitayama behind him, and had thelead after a par at 18.

Kitayama, who shared the overnight lead with Rahm, had threebirdies and two bogeys in his one-under effort while Lee climbed theleaderboard with a five-under par 66.

Rahm's odd round

Rahm, who had rolled in 125 feet of putts in setting acourse-record 62 on Friday, endured frustration on the greens, his dayincluding a pair of three-putt bogeys.

Disappointed by back-to-back bogeys at 10 and 11, Rahm kepthis composure and was rewarded with three birdies the rest of the way,including an impressive effort at the par-four 17th, which yielded just threebirdies on the day.

"It was an odd round," said Rahm, who is comingoff a DP World Tour victory two weeks ago in Spain.

"I played the firstseven and a half holes great. It was very difficult to leave yourself a putt youcould be aggressive with. For those first seven holes I was just beingdefensive the whole time."

Rahm said he was proud of his finish, especially a par saveat 16 and his birdie at 17.

"Hopefully I can get off to a good start tomorrow andpost a good round," he said.

200 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 66-67-67

201 - Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 68-67-66, Kurt Kitayama 66-65-70, Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-62-70

203 - Taylor Moore 67-69-67, Aaron Wise 66-66-71204 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 66-69-69, Brendon Todd 68-67-69

205 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 73-66-66, Maverick McNealy 69-70-66, Tom Hoge 68-67-70, Lee Hodges 68-67-70, Cam Davis (AUS) 66-66-73

206 - Sam Burns 70-68-68, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 67-71-68, Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-67-71, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 67-68-71

207 - Keegan Bradley 71-69-67, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70-69-68, Collin Morikawa 70-69-68, Mito Pereira (CHI) 71-67-69, Jason Day (AUS) 69-69-69, Brendan Steele 68-70-69, Corey Conners (CAN) 70-68-69, Brian Harman 68-69-70, Wyndham Clark 66-70-71, Billy Horschel 68-67-72

2022-10-22 06:49:21

Jon Rahm fired a course record nine-under par 62 to seize a share of the lead with American Kurt Kitayama after Friday's second round of the PGA Tour's CJ Cup.

The 27-year-old Spaniard rolled in ten birdies, split evenly across the front and back nines but closed with his only bogey to stand on 11-under 131 after 36 holes at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina.

"Right from the get go my speed was good and felt confident and the rest of the game accompanied the putting," Rahm said.

Fifth-ranked Rahm, who struggled with green speed in an opening 69, broke the old Congaree course record of 64 set last year by American Chesson Hadley.

"I hadn't putted on greens this fast in a while. Took me a little bit to get used to it," Rahm said.

"It's one thing to do it on the putting green. It's another to do it on the course."

Rahm, last year's US Open champion, won the most recent of his seven career PGA titles in May at the Mexico Open.

He's coming off a DP World Tour victory two weeks ago at the Spanish Open, where he fired a final-round 62.

On Friday, he matched it by sinking 125 feet of putts, making 22 putts in all.

"I'm glad to have such a good putting day," Rahm said.

"I'm hoping to keep the pace as good as it has been the last few holes on the course and hopefully tidy up a few ball-striking mistakes."

Kitayama, chasing his first PGA title, fired a 65 that included birdies at 16 and 18 and holing out from a bunker for eagle at the par-5 12th.

"Overall I felt pretty solid on the greens," he said. "This week I feel like I see the line better and can hit a more confident stroke."

Australia's Cam Davis and American Aaron Waise shared third on 132.

Second-ranked defending champion Rory McIlroy, who could overtake Masters champion Scottie Scheffler for world number one with a victory, fired a 67 to stand fifth on 133.

"Didn't feel like I was much off," McIlroy said.

"On the back nine I just started to hit a lot more quality golf shots."

The four-time major winner joked he was trying to stay close to Rahm.

"Hell of a round out there even with bogey at the last," McIlroy said of Rahm.

"It's tricky and the greens are super quick. If you're just a little off, they can punish you. Really impressive round of golf."

Rahm reeled off four birdies in a row from the third through sixth holes, all on putts from inside 10 feet, and holed out for birdie from a bunker from 62 feet at the eighth.

After missing a birdie putt from inside three feet at the ninth, Rahm sank a 35-foot birdie putt at the par-3 10th and followed by rolling in birdie putts from just inside 25 feet at 13, 12 feet at 15th and 25 feet at 16.

"It's always a bonus to make a couple of long ones like I did on 10 and 16," he said.

"Those are holes where you are just hoping to cosy it down there and made a couple good ones."

At 17, Rahm just missed an eagle with a 7-iron from 195 yards but tapped in for his 10th birdie of the day.

"I thought I was 20 feet short," he said.

"There was a shadow. The crowd let us know."

At 18, his approach rolled off the green and set up his only bogey to leave him level with Kitayama.

"There was a lot of good out there today," Rahm said. - AFP

2022-10-21 07:55:12

Second-ranked defending champion Rory McIlroy, with a chance to return to world number one, lurked one stroke behind American co-leaders Gary Woodland and Trey Mullinax after Thursday's opening round of the CJ Cup.

Woodland, the 2019 US Open champion, and Mullinax, who notched his first PGA victory in July at the Barbasol Championship, each fired a six-under par 65 at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina.

McIlroy, who can overtake top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler with a victory, shot a bogey-free 66.

"I drove the ball well. I took advantage of the par-5s," McIlroy said.

"If I can keep driving it like that over the next few days, I'll be in a good spot."

Woodland seeks his fifth PGA victory and first since claiming his only major title three years ago at Pebble Beach.

"I drove the golf ball well all day, saw some putts go in and that kind of freed up the ball-striking," Woodland said.

Mullinax was 7-under through 12 but took his lone bogey at 14 to stumble back.

"Played really well tee to green, hit a lot of really good golf shots, putted really well on the front," Mullinax said. "Ball-striking was really good. I was very pleased."

Four-time major winner McIlroy shared third with South Korean Kim Joo-hyung, Americans Aaron Wise, Kurt Kitayama and Wyndham Clark and Australian Cam Davis.

McIlroy made three birdie putts from about three feet and his longest came from just outside 12 feet at the par-3 fifth.

He added another from just outside six feet at the par-5 12th.

"It's a golf course where you can hit driver a lot," McIlroy said. "The fairways are quite generous, but if you go off the fairways, you can get in some trouble."

In his first event of the new 2022-23 PGA Tour season after winning the FedEx Cup playoffs in August, the 33-year-old from Northern Ireland is chasing his 23rd career PGA triumph and third of the year after taking the Canadian Open and Tour Championship.

'Carrots' motivate McIlroy

McIlroy is also preparing for next month's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai as well as hoping to overtake Scheffler, who edged McIlroy at the Masters only to lose to him at the Tour Championship.

McIlroy was last atop the rankings in July 2020.

"If I didn't have these two sort of carrots out in front of me, but had come off the season that I've had, it would be very easy to just take the rest of the year off and be like I'll see everyone in Hawaii in January," McIlroy said.

"But I still feel motivated and I think playing well motivates you even more also. There's definitely no lack of that."

Mullinax, 30, birdied four of the first six holes, his longest putt in the run from just outside 20 feet to birdie the par-4 sixth, and added a 26-foot birdie putt at the par-4 ninth to make the turn at 5-under.

He added a 23-foot birdie putt at the par-4 11th and reached the green in two at 12 to set up a tap-in birdie before missing a five-foot par putt at the par-3 14th.

Woodland, 38, opened with three consecutive birdies and added another from seven feet at the sixth before taking a bogey at the ninth.

He made birdies at 11 and 12 and a bogey at 14 as well but closed with back-to-back birdies to share the lead.

"Playing from the fairway out here is a huge advantage and I was able to attack a little bit from there as well," Woodland said.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Tour's CJ Cup at Congaree in Ridgeland, South Carolina (USA unless noted, par-71):

65 - Trey Mullinax, Gary Woodland

66 - Aaron Wise, Wyndham Clark, Kim Joo-hyung (KOR), Rory McIlroy (NIR), Cam Davis (AUS), Kurt Kitayama

67 - Viktor Hovland (NOR), Kim Si-woo (KOR), Taylor Moore, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Seamus Power (IRL), Im Sung-jae (KOR)

68 - Brendan Steele, Denny McCarthy, Tom Hoge, Brendon Todd, Shane Lowry (IRL), Justin Thomas, Lee Hodges, Brian Harman, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR), Sebastian Munoz (COL), Billy Horschel

- AFP

2022-10-16 10:37:42

Bradley wins Zozo Championship to end four-year title drought

Keegan Bradley claimed his first US PGA Tour title in four years Sunday after pulling away late to win the Zozo Championship in Japan.

Bradley, whose lone major victory came at the 2011 US PGA Championship, began the day one shot behind fellow American Rickie Fowler but jumped into the lead after back-to-back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes.

Two bogeys on the back nine let Fowler and playing partner Andrew Putnam back into contention but another birdie gave Bradley a two-shot lead heading into the final hole.

The 36-year-old closed out with a par to claim his first title on the US PGA Tour since the BMW Championship in Philadelphia in September 2018.

"I've really put a lot of work in this off-season and this is what I want to do -- I want to win tournaments, I want to play in Ryder Cups and I want to be in the conversation," said Bradley.

"This is a good start."

Bradley finished on 15-under par on 265 at Narashino Country Club, one shot ahead of Fowler and Putnam.

Fowler was looking to end his own title drought, stretching back three-and-a-half years to the 2019 Phoenix Open.

He hit two birdies and two bogeys in a final round of level par 70.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama finished off a frustrating week with a 71 to finish three under in a tie for 40th.

Japan's only male major winner has been followed by thousands of fans around the course all week but he was never in title contention.

"I was looking to win the title and nothing else, so there's nothing I can really take from this week -- it's disappointing," he said.

Matsuyama did give the fans something to cheer with a closing birdie on the 18th hole.

"I thought 'finally, my touch and line have come together as I wanted them to'," he said.

"There were a lot of people in the gallery there so I'm glad I was able to score a birdie for them.

"Tokyo Olympic gold-medallist Xander Schauffele had his best round of the week, carding a 65 to finish in a tie for ninth place at 10-under par 270.

Final-round leading scores on Sunday at the US PGA Tour's Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan (par 70):

265 - Keegan Bradley (USA) 66-65-66-68

266 - Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-63-66-70, Andrew Putnam (USA) 68-62-68-68

267 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 70-68-65-64

268 - Hayden Buckley (USA) 68-68-64-68, Sahith Theegala (USA) 71-67-63-67, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-66-64-69

269 - Cameron Champ (USA) 69-67-64-69

270 - Xander Schauffele (USA) 67-69-69-65, Matthew NeSmith (USA) 66-68-67-69, Tom Hoge (USA) 70-66-65-69

271 - Keita Nakajima (JPN) 70-63-69-69, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 69-67-65-70, Taylor Moore (USA) 70-66-65-70, Maverick McNealy (USA) 67-69-64-71

272 - Mikumu Horikawa (JPN) 73-68-66-65, Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 70-66-69-67, Patrick Rodgers (USA) 71-65-69-67, Wyndham Clark (USA) 71-66-68-67, Adam Schenk (USA) 65-70-68-69, Beau Hossler (USA) 68-68-66-70, Joel Dahmen (USA) 68-67-66-71

273 - Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 70-68-68-67, Lee Hodges (USA) 73-64-67-69

274 - J.J. Spaun (USA) 71-67-69-67, Corey Conners (CAN) 73-67-67-67, Tom Kim (KOR) 70-68-67-69, Alex Smalley (USA) 68-69-67-70

Selected:277 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-69-66-71

-AFP

2022-10-15 10:34:52

Fowler confident of ending title drought at Zozo Championship

Rickie Fowler said he was confident of ending a three-year US PGA Tour title drought as he took a one-shot lead into the final day of the Zozo Championship in Japan on Saturday.

Fowler has not won a tournament since the 2019 Phoenix Open but he rattled off five birdies and a bogey to score a 66 at Narashino Country Club and move to 14 under, one shot ahead of fellow American Keegan Bradley.

Fowler, a three-time major runner-up and former world number four, said his self-belief had not wavered despite his poor form, which included missing the cut at last week's Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas.

"I've definitely had some tough times the last few years," said the 33-year-old, who has won five US PGA Tour titles.

"It was always just a fine line, a shot or two here or there, and it's nice to start building momentum and confidence and getting the ball rolling in the right direction."

Leaderboard:

196 - Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-63-66

197 - Keegan Bradley (USA) 66-65-66

198 - Andrew Putnam (USA) 68-62-68199 - Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-66-64

200 - Maverick McNealy (USA) 67-69-64, Cameron Champ (USA) 69-67-64, Hayden Buckley (USA) 68-68-64

201 - Sahith Theegala (USA) 71-67-63, Taylor Moore (USA) 70-66-65, Tom Hoge (USA) 70-66-65, Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 69-67-65, Joel Dahmen (USA) 68-67-66, Matthew NeSmith (USA) 66-68-67

2022-10-14 12:48:31

Rickie Fowler grabbed a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour's Zozo Championship in Japan on Friday as defending champion Hideki Matsuyama rued another "stressful" day.

Fowler carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 63 in the second round to lead alongside fellow American Andrew Putnam at 10-under at Narashino Country Club.

Home favourite Matsuyama was down in tied 49th after a 69, 10 shots off the leaders. Playing partner and Tokyo Olympic gold-medallist Xander Schauffele was tied 13th, six shots off the pace.

Matsuyama, Japan's first male major winner, is the undoubted star attraction this week in Chiba, near Tokyo, with thousands of fans following his every move.

But he has a mountain to climb over the weekend if he wants to retain the title he won last year with a stunning eagle on the final hole.

"These two rounds have been very stressful," said the world number 19.

"If I don't get a big score tomorrow then it's going to be very difficult for me to win the title."

Former US Masters champion Matsuyama made two birdies, one bogey and struggled with his putter all day.

"At the times where it looked like I could take control, often I would miss or make a mistake and that was frustrating," he said.

Schauffele made three birdies against two bogeys for a matching second-round 69.

Fowler, who like Schauffele shot an opening-day 67, climbed up the leaderboard with a bogey-free second round, nailing seven birdies for his 63.

The three-time major runner-up had a double-bogey on his opening round but said he had focused on "staying present" on the second day.

"The last two days I wasn't exactly swinging it great - I just did a good job of managing my way around," he said.

"I just did a good job of accepting what I had and moving forward with that."

Putnam sank eight birdies on his way to carding a 62 but that was soon eclipsed by John Huh, who nailed nine birdies for a 61 and fourth overall.

Third was Keegan Bradley, a shot back from Fowler and Putnam as the American contingent remained prominent at the top of the leaderboard.

Huh said he had enjoyed "a stress-free sort of round".

"It was a good day to go out there and play some good golf, with the good weather we had today," he said, following a soggy day on Thursday.

"I had good shots but the golf course is in really good shape so I was able to take advantage of it, and hopefully I will for the next two days."

Leading second-round scores on Friday at the US PGA Tour's Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan (par 70):

130 - Andrew Putnam (USA) 68-62, Rickie Fowler (USA) 67-63

131 - Keegan Bradley (USA) 66-65

132 - John Huh (USA) 71-61

133 - Keita Nakajima (JPN) 70-63

134 - Matthew NeSmith (USA) 66-68, Sam Ryder (USA) 66-68

135 - Adam Schenk (USA) 65-70, Collin Morikawa (USA) 71-64, Joel Dahmen (USA) 68-67, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-66, Luke List (USA) 69-66

136 - Ryo Hisatsune (JPN) 69-67, Patrick Rodgers (USA) 71-65, Hayden Buckley (USA) 68-68, Maverick McNealy (USA) 67-69, Tom Hoge (USA) 70-66, Cameron Champ (USA) 69-67, Adam Long (USA) 68-68, Taylor Moore (USA) 70-66, Xander Schauffele (USA) 67-69, Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 70-66, Beau Hossler (USA) 68-68

Selected:

140 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-69

- AFP

2022-10-13 11:28:10

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama struggled to a one-over 71 in the first round of the PGA Tour's Zozo Championship in Japan on Thursday as Xander Schauffele carded a 67 to lie just three shots off the lead.

Home favourite Matsuyama had thousands of fans behind him at a soggy Narashino Country Club outside Tokyo but he gave them little to cheer, finishing seven shots behind leader Brendan Steele who rattled in six back-nine birdies in his 64.

Matsuyama, who became Japan's first male major winner at the US Masters last year, started badly when he found his ball wedged between a tree and a power cable on the second hole, which he ended up bogeying.

He said he was looking to "improve right across the board" after a stuttering round containing only two birdies against three bogeys.

"It was raining and it was a tough round - I didn't give a good account of myself today," said Matsuyama.

"I was able to get some good rest last night and I was feeling better physically, so it's a shame that I couldn't get a good score today."

Matsuyama's playing partner Schauffele, who won gold at last year's Tokyo Olympics, fared better in damp and gloomy conditions.

Schauffele said he saw one of his drives "just get knocked down by the rain" during a heavy downpour, but conditions are set to improve with clear skies forecast for the rest of the week.

"It was one of those days where you could play yourself out of the tournament with the weather being pretty bad," said Schauffele, who carded four birdies with just one bogey.

"It was supposed to be worse and I was happy it didn't rain every single hole we played. Overall, pretty happy."

The American Steele caught fire with six birdies on the back nine including a spectacular chip-in on 17.

The veteran bogeyed the 14th hole to slip back to two-under but reacted in the best way possible, reeling off four straight birdies to take the clubhouse lead.

"Everybody says that if you birdie 18, dinner tastes better," said the 39-year-old, who finished joint-second behind Matsuyama at last year's tournament.

"But four in a row is definitely really, really nice."

Steele led playing partner Adam Schenk by one stroke on 65, with Sam Ryder, Matthew NeSmith and Keegan Bradley one shot further behind on 66.

Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Maverick McNealy, Mito Pereira and Japan's Kazuki Higa were tied for sixth on 67.

Fowler hit seven birdies overall but a double bogey on the 11th hole pushed him back below the leading pack.

"Unfortunately I made double on number 11 but other than that I had a lot of good stuff and birdied four out of the five par threes, so that was a good addition to the card," he said.

South Korea's "Tom" Kim Joo-hyung, who became the second-youngest player in PGA Tour history to capture multiple titles by winning the Shriners Children's Open last week, had an even-par round of 70.

Leading first-round scores Thursday at the US PGA Tour's Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan (par 70):

64 - Brendan Steele (USA)

65 - Adam Schenk (USA)

66 - Sam Ryder (USA), Matthew NeSmith (USA), Keegan Bradley (USA)

67 - Rickie Fowler (USA), Xander Schauffele (USA), Kazuki Higa (JPN), Maverick McNealy (USA), Mito Pereira (CHI)

68 - Troy Merritt (USA), Adam Long (USA), Danny Lee (NZL), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA), Brandon Wu (USA), Beau Hossler (USA), Alex Smalley (USA), Andrew Putnam (USA), Hayden Buckley (USA), Joel Dahmen (USA)

69 - Yuto Katsuragawa (JPN), Luke List (USA), Viktor Hovland (NOR), Kury Kitayama (JPN), Ryo Hisatsune (JPN), Cameron Champ (USA), Stephan Jaeger (GER), David Lipsky (USA)

70 - Taylor Moore (USA), Cameron Young (USA), Satoshi Kodaira (JPN), Tyrell Hatton (ENG), Keita Nakajima (JPN), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Hiroshi Iwata (JPN), Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Tom Hoge (USA), Kim Joo-hyung (KOR), Cam Davis (AUS), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

Selected:

71 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN)

- AFP

2022-10-10 07:29:31

South Korea's Kim Joo-hyungbecame the second-youngest player in PGA Tour history to capture multipletitles by winning the Shriners Children's Open after a last-hole disasterSunday by Patrick Cantlay.

Kim, nicknamed Tom afterhis boyhood love of Thomas the Tank Engine, fired a five-under par 66 to finish72 bogey-free holes at TPC Summerlin on 24-under 260.

That gave him athree-stroke victory over Americans Cantlay and Matthew NeSmith with Chile'sMito Pereira, American Tom Hoge and South Korean Kim Seong-hyeon sharing fourthon 264.

"I played really solidthis week," champion Kim said. "We had a really good game plan goinginto the week and it paid off."

The 20-year-old from Seoul,who won his first PGA title at Greensboro in August, was one month and eightdays off the record youngest multiple winner in PGA history - American RalphGuldahl in 1932.

But Kim did manage hissecond title a month faster than seven-time major winner Gene Sarazen and sixmonths younger than 15-time major champion Tiger Woods.

"I've worked reallyhard and my team has worked really hard," Kim said. "I'm just reallygrateful and very fortunate to have an opportunity like this. I'm having funplaying on the PGA Tour. It's awesome."

Kim also became the firstPGA winner without a bogey over four rounds since American JT Poston in 2019at Greensboro.

World number four Cantlay,the highest-ranked player in the field, and Kim were deadlocked for the lead on24-under when Cantlay sent his tee shot at 18 into a bush in a dirt area leftof the fairway.

"I made a bad swingand it went where it went," Cantlay said. "After it was kind of inthe bush there, I figured the only chance I had to stay in the tournament wasto try and get it back in the fairway. I couldn't get it back in thefairway."

Cantlay risked blasting outversus taking a penalty drop to try and keep alive his chance to win, but whenthe ball didn't come out, Cantlay was on his way to a triple bogey and Kim wason his way to victory.

"I figured it wasworth the risk because I didn't think I'd have too much of a chance of gettingit up and down from the brush there," said Cantlay.

Cantlay made a putt fromjust inside 36 feet to salvage triple bogey and his third runner-up result atTPC Summerlin.

"I played well allweek for the most part apart from one bad swing at the end," Cantlay said.

"Would have liked to have closed the deal out but sometimes that's golf.

"Obviously the lasthole makes the whole week kind of sour."

Kim won for the second timein four starts and in his first event since playing for the Internationals in aPresidents Cup loss to the United States last month at Quail Hollow.

"I got very lucky onthe 18th. I'm not going to lie," Kim said. "Patrick played awesomeand it was an honour to battle with him. To come out on top, I feel veryfortunate."

Cantlay had matched thecourse record on Saturday with a 60 to share the 54-hole lead with Kim.

Cantlay, last year's FedExCup playoff winner, missed out on his third PGA title of the year after the BMWChampionship in August and April's pairs event in New Orleans with pal XanderSchauffele.

Kim birdied the fourth holeand closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies, a 30-foot birdie putt atthe par-3 eighth and 10-footer at the par-5 ninth. He also made birdie putts offive feet at the par-5 13th and 13 feet at the par-3 14th.

Scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Shriners Children's Open (par 71, USA unless noted):

260 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 65-67-62-66

263 - Patrick Cantlay 67-67-60-69, Matthew NeSmith 68-66-63-66

264 - Tom Hoge 63-72-65-64, Mito Pereira (CHI) 67-63-67-67, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 65-69-64-66

265 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 65-70-63-67

266 - Jason Day (AUS) 66-71-66-63, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 64-68-67-67

267 - Maverick McNealy 64-68-71-64, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 67-67-65-68

268 - Adam Schenk 69-66-67-66, Andrew Putnam 68-69-64-67, Davis Thompson 66-69-66-67

269 - Harry Hall (ENG) 66-70-69-64, JJ Spaun 66-71-68-64, Brian Harman 70-67-68-64, Taylor Montgomery 70-66-66-67, Robby Shelton 68-63-68-70

- AFP

2022-10-08 06:56:27

Pereira seizes lead at PGA Shriners Children's Open

Chile's Mito Pereira fired an eight-under par 63 to grab a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the PGA's Shriners Children's Open.

The 27-year-old from Santiago shot nine birdies against a lone bogey to stand on 12-under 130 after 36 holes at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.

"I had a really good round overall," Pereira said. "I hit driver well, irons really good. I hit three or four shots inside three feet. Solid on my putting. Overall really good and happy how I played."

American Robby Shelton carded a bogey-free 63 to swipe second on 131.

South Korea's Kim Joo-hyung and Kim Si-woo and American Maverick McNealy shared third on 132 with Australian Cam Davis and Americans Chad Ramey and Kevin Streelman on 133.

Pereira, Davis and the Kims are among six members of captain Trevor Immelman's Internationals team that lost to the United States two weeks ago at the Presidents Cup, who were within five strokes of the lead.

"Trevor did a really good job with us, encouraging us how good we are, how good we play golf, so we carry that over here," Pereira said.

"Right now we're playing really good. He just really tried to put us in a position that we really want to play well and really trusting ourselves.

Every day he did like a little speech of how good we are and how we can do this. So I think it really touched us."

Pereira seized his first PGA lead since he was ahead at the final hole of the PGA Championship in May at Southern Hills only to double bogey and finish in a share of third.

"It's just way over there in the past," Pereira said of his PGA Championship memory.

"I'm just trying to get my first win here.

"Hitting off the tee good and irons are going to be very important. You've got to go pretty low this week, so just keep doing what I'm doing."

Pereira began on the back nine and put his approach inches from the hole at the par-5 13th and reeled off five birdies in six holes starting at the 15th, four birdie putts from six feet or less plus a 15-footer at the second hole.

He birdied the fourth from inside six feet, dropped his approach inches from the hole to set up a birdie at the sixth and then answered a three-putt bogey at seven by closing with a six-foot birdie at the par-5 ninth.

- AFP

Scores after Friday's second round of the PGA Shriners Children's Open (par 71, USA unless noted):

130 - Mito Pereira (CHI) 67-63

131 - Robby Shelton 68-63

132 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 65-67, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 64-68, Maverick McNealy 64-68

133 - Kevin Streelman 66-67, Cam Davis (AUS) 67-66, Chad Ramey 67-66

134 - Patrick Rodgers 66-68, Patrick Cantlay 67-67, Matthew NeSmith 68-66, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 65-69, Adam Hadwin (CAN) 67-67, Max Homa 67-67, Sam Ryder 65-69, Keith Mitchell 65-69

135 - Adam Schenk 69-66, Stewart Cink 69-66, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 68-67, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 65-70, Mark Hubbard 69-66, Tano Goya (ARG) 68-67, Martin Laird (SCO) 66-69, Tom Hoge 63-72, Davis Thompson 66-69

2022-10-07 07:23:29

Tom Hoge carded a pair of eagles and four birdies in an eight-under-par 63 to take a one-shot lead on Thursday at the PGA Tour's Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas.

The 33-year-old American, chasing his second win of the season, kick-started his round with a 26-foot birdie on the sixth at TPC Summerlin.

He followed that up with a brilliant eagle two on the par-four seventh, holing out from 110 yards with a wedge from the fairway.

A run of three straight birdies on the ninth, 10th and 11th holes left him at six under before he then rolled in a monster 35-foot putt for his second eagle on the par-five 16th.

"It was an interesting day," Hoge said afterwards. "I feel like I missed some very makeable birdie putts, but I holed some real nice long ones for eagle on 16 and some other long ones.

"Certainly happy with the score, but I've got to make a lot of birdies the next few days."

Hoge leads by one from South Korea's Kim Si-woo and Maverick McNealy.

Kim posted eight birdies and one bogey in his seven-under-par 64.McNealy meanwhile swept into contention with a sensational performance over the back nine.

The 26-year-old world number 74 reached the turn at one under after a solitary birdie on the outward nine, but then reeled off six birdies down the stretch for his 64.

McNealy, who moved to Las Vegas in 2017, used his local knowledge to remain patient before letting rip on the back nine.

"The other PGA Tour players that live in Vegas, we call holes 13 through 16 Birdies Alley," McNealy said.

"You know you're going to have a lot of opportunities at the end of the round.

"It was a really good day with the putter, that's for sure. I capitalized on my opportunities. I was very patient today."

Eight players are two shots off the lead after exploiting perfect conditions to shoot six-under-par 65s.

Nine players are tied for 12th on five under including Australia's Jason Day and Scotland's Martin Laird.

One of the performances of the day came from Argentina's Tano Goya, who was given just two minutes notice of his tee time as a replacement.

That left Goya unable to get his golf shoes on in time, so he teed off in trainers before changing into his gear during the round.

"I didn't have time to have breakfast, didn't have time to put my shoes on," Goya said. "I hit the first tee shot with my trainers," added Goya, who carded a three-under-par 68 for a share of 38th place.

- AFP

2022-10-03 07:09:45

Canada's Mackenzie Hughes sank an eight-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Sunday to defeat Austria's Sepp Straka and win the PGA Sanderson Farms Championship.

The 31-year-old from Hamilton captured his second career PGA crown after he and Straka both finished 72 holes on 17-under par 271 at The Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi.

"Words can't describe it," Hughes said. "I've been working so hard, putting in some hours. It just feels so good.

"It's the coolest feeling in the world. Winning happens so infrequently that when we do get to win it's super special."

World number 82 Hughes won his only prior PGA title at the 2016 RSM Classic, winning a five-man playoff that week with a par on the third extra hole.

"Definitely it feels a little sweeter than the first one," Hughes said. "I was just fighting like hell to stay in it. Somehow I was able to pull through.

"Ending a six-year title drought was a thrill.

"This is the stuff that makes you feel alive," Hughes said. "It's a feeling you crave and a feeling you want more of - it will keep me working hard."

Hughes made two great par saves at 18 to give himself the chance at the winning putt there.

At 18 in regulation, Hughes was way left off the tee an over the green, but putted from 35 yards to within four feet of the hole and made the par putt to force the playoff.

Straka fired a five-under 67 in regulation while Hughes shot 69.

The playoff began at 18 and Straka had a 20-foot birdie putt while Hughes was in a bunker. Hughes blasted out to five feet, Straka missed his putt and both tapped in to extend matters.

"Those par saves down the stretch, I was just trying to will the ball in the hole," Hughes said. "That kind of describes my game a bit, that grit and that perseverance.

"The second one felt harder than the first one that's for sure."

Again they played 18, this time Hughes and Straka each having birdie putts. Straka missed from the fringe leaving Hughes an eight-footer for the victory. Hughes rolled in the putt and pumped his right first in celebration.

"Probably a little bit of relief. It has been a while," Hughes said of his emotions at that moment.

"I've had some close calls. Finishing second, while it's still great, kind of stings when you are that close."I just wasn't going to accept that today."

Straka, ranked 36th, won his first PGA title in February at the Honda Classic and nearly grabbed his second in August before losing a playoff to Will Zalatoris at the St. Jude Championship.

"Hit good putts. Gave myself good chances. Unfortunately I couldn't convert," Straka said. "I played great golf on a tough Sunday. It's good to know my game is in a good spot."

South African Garrick Higgo was third on 272 after a closing 68, finishing one stroke ahead of countryman Dean Burmester.

American Mark Hubbard, the 54-hole leader seeking his first PGA title, fired a 74 to share fifth on 275 with compatriots Nick Hardy and Keegan Bradley and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson, Mississippi (par 72; USA unless noted, x-won with birdie on second playoff hole):

271 - Sepp Straka (AUT) 69-66-69-67, x-Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 71-63-68-69

272 - Garrick Higgo (RSA) 70-66-68-68

273 - Dean Burmester (RSA) 70-68-68-67

275 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 73-65-68-69, Nick Hardy 70-67-68-70, Keegan Bradley 70-71-64-70, Mark Hubbard 67-69-65-74

276 - Matthew NeSmith 72-69-71-64, Greyson Sigg 69-71-69-67, Thomas Detry (BEL) 67-67-74-68, Taylor Montgomery 72-68-67-69

277 - Ryan Armour 71-68-69-69, Callum Tarren (ENG) 72-68-68-69, Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 71-69-68-69, Joel Dahmen 71-68-68-70, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 68-72-66-71, Scott Stallings 69-67-68-73

278 - Hayden Buckley 71-70-72-65, Scott Piercy 71-70-70-67, Nick Taylor (CAN) 68-70-70-70, Kevin Yu (TPE) 67-73-68-70, Davis Riley 66-71-70-71

- AFP

2022-10-02 07:15:24

Hubbard grabs lead at PGA Sanderson Farms Championship

Mark Hubbard, chasing his first US PGA Tour title, fired a seven-under par 65 to grab a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship.

The 33-year-old American birdied five consecutive holes in one stretch on the back nine of his bogey-free round to stand on 15-under par 201 after 54 holes at The Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi.

"I just did a good job of taking advantage of the gettable holes," Hubbard said.

"It didn't feel as exciting as the scorecard looks because I was in the right spot every time."

Canada's Mackenzie Hughes answered a bogey at 17 with a closing birdie from 29 feet to finish a round of 68 and claim second on 202.

"It was big," Hughes said.

"I thought it was going to be a tough two-putt so to see that putt go in was a big bonus. Puts me one back going into tomorrow, which is huge."

South African Garrick Higgo, Austrian Sepp Straka and American Scott Stallings shared third on 204 with Americans Keegan Bradley and Nick Hardy another stroke adrift.

World number 186 Hubbard, making his 164th career PGA start, is trying to improve upon his best tour showing, a runner-up effort at the 2019 Houston Open.

Hubbard said his father noted last week that Saturdays had been his worst scoring days last season.

"That kind of fired me up and gave me good energy today," Hubbard said.

- AFP

Leaderboard:

201 - Mark Hubbard 67-69-65

202 - Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 71-63-68

204 - Garrick Higgo (RSA) 70-66-68, Scott Stallings 69-67-68, Sepp Straka (AUT) 69-66-69

205 - Keegan Bradley 70-71-64, Nick Hardy 70-67-68

206 - Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 68-72-66, Dean Burmester (RSA) 70-68-68, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 73-65-68

207 - Cody Gribble 73-67-67, Taylor Montgomery 72-68-67, Joel Dahmen 71-68-68, Davis Riley 66-71-70

2022-09-30 07:18:38

Davis Riley and Will Gordontook a one-shot lead after the first round of the PGA Tour's Sanderson FarmsChampionship in Jackson, Mississippi on Thursday.

Riley fired a bogey-freesix-under-par 66 while Gordon made seven birdies and one bogey as he moved tothe top of the leaderboard at the Country Club of Jackson.

Gordon and Riley, who haveyet to win on the PGA Tour, are one ahead of seven players tied for third onfive under.

A victory for Riley thisweekend would carry extra significance for the 25-year-old world number 69, whowas born and raised in Mississippi and played the Country Club of Jacksoncourse regularly as a schoolboy.

"I do have fondmemories here individually and as a high school team we had success here,"Riley said.

"It's cool coming backto a place that you have some good memories and good familiarity with."

The chasing pack on fiveunder includes South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Belgium's ThomasDetry.

Canada's Nick Taylor andSouth Korea's Kim Seong-hyeon are among a group of four players tied for 10thafter shooting four-under-par 68s.

Eleven players are afurther shot back on three under after shooting 69, three off the lead.That group includes BrandonWu, whose round included a blistering hole-in-one at the par-three fourth hole.

Wu's ace was one of two tolight up the opening round. South Africa's MJ Daffue also snared ahole-in-one en route to a two-under-par 70.

Leading first round scores from the PGA Tour's Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson, Mississippi on Thursday (par 72; USA unless stated):

66 - Davis Riley, Will Gordon

67 - Andrew Putnam, Brandon Matthews, Kevin Yu (TPE), Christian Bezuidenhout (RSA), Mark Hubbard, Thomas Detry (BEL), Trevor Cone

68 - Nick Taylor (CAN), Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR), Kevin Roy, Russell Knox (SCO)

69 - Brandon Wu, Sepp Straka (AUT), Scott Stallings, Stephan Jaeger (GER), Greyson Sigg, Augusto Nunez (ARG), Adam Svensson (CAN), Martin Laird (SCO), Luke List, Brian Stuard, Dou Zecheng (CHN)

- AFP

2022-09-19 07:00:28

2022-09-19 06:59:18

Max Homa chipped in for birdie at the 72nd hole on Sunday to win the PGA Tour Fortinet Championship for a second straight year as Danny Willett crumbled at the last hole.

Homa fired a four-under par 68 at Silverado Resort in Napa, California, his 16-under total of 272 giving him a one-shot win over England's Willett, who missed a three and a half-foot birdie putt at 18 that would have given him the win.

"It was kind of a wild finish," Homa said. "The last, like, three minutes are kind of a blur. But I played really good golf. I played solid."

Willett remains in search of his first PGA Tour title since his 2016 Masters triumph, although he's won twice since then on the DP World Tour.

He took a one-shot lead with a birdie at the 14th, where he drained a 15-foot putt from the fringe after an impressive approach shot from behind a tree.

He appeared to be in command at the par-five 18th, where he landed his 66-yard third shot less than four feet from the pin while Homa was in a bunker short and left of the green.

Homa's bunker shot failed to reach the green, settling in a mown swale below the putting surface, but his chip took a couple of small hops and rolled in the cup.

"I expected him to do it, but then it's still a bit of a shock when it happens," said Willett, who had outstanding putting all week from within 10 feet but couldn't make his short birdie for the win.

It burned the left edge and failed to drop, and he missed the four-footer coming back as well on the way to a three-under par 69 that gave him a 15-under total of 273.

"Disappointing way to finish, but you know, first out of the season, to be in contention, things are in a good place. We'll live to fight another day," Willett said.

American Taylor Montgomery, making his fifth tour start, defied the rainy, chilly conditions with eight birdies in an eight-under 64 to finish third on 275.

"Just a huge week," Montgomery said. "I don't know anything about the PGA Tour and points and stuff like that, but I know top-10s or top-fives is very big, especially for a guy in my spot."

Chip on shoulder

Overnight leader Justin Lower carded a one-over 73 to share fourth on 276 with South Korean An Byeong-hun, who signed for a 71.

Homa's victory at Silverado was one of his two last season, and his defense is a warm-up for next week's Presidents Cup match play showdown in North Carolina.

Homa admitted he was delighted to silence critics suggesting he only made it onto US captain Davis Love's squad because of the big names who were ineligible after defecting to the upstart LIV Golf Series.

"Honestly, I've had a lot of people - I know it's just Twitter but I've had people telling me if the LIV guys wouldn't have left I wouldn't have made the Presidents Cup team," Homa said.

"So I had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder this week."

- AFP

2022-09-18 07:38:44

Smith outshoots Johnson to seize LIV Golf Chicago lead

Reigning British Open champion Cam Smith of Australia closed with back-to-back birdies to grab a three-stroke lead after Saturday's second round of the LIV Golf Chicago Invitational.

World number three Smith fired a four-under par 68 to stand on 10-under 134 after 36 holes in the 54-hole shotgun start event at Rich Harvest Farms.

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson fired his worst of 14 rounds since jumping to LIV Golf, a 74, to share second on 137 with fellow American Peter Uihlein, who fired a 66.

England's Laurie Canter and South African Charl Schwartzel shared fourth on 138 in quest of a $4 million top prize from a $25 million purse.

The Saudi-backed upstart series has caused turmoil in the golf world as several big-name stars have defected from the US PGA Tour to the rival circuit, prompting the PGA to issue indefinite bans on former members.

Smith, who captured his first major title in July at St. Andrews before jumping to LIV Golf after the PGA Tour playoffs, began the day three back of playing partner Johnson but charged into the lead.

"It was tricky out there," Smith said.

"I got a couple of breaks and DJ didn't quite make the putts he usually does.

"Game is feeling good. I'm looking forward to a great round tomorrow."

Johnson opened with a bogey at the first hole and both birdied the par-5 second.

Smith curled in a long breaking birdie putt at the fourth while Johnson lipped out, settling for par.

Both birdied the eighth but Smith missed an eight-footer for par at the par-5 11th to stumble two adrift.

Johnson sent his approach over the green at the par-3 13th and lipped out on a six-foot par putt. Johnson also made bogey at the par-3 16th.

Smith sank six-foot birdie putts at the 17th and par-5 18th while Johnson went over the 18th green and made bogey to leave the Aussie ahead by three.

Phil: 'Golf must unite'

Phil Mickelson, among the first to break from the PGA for LIV Golf, says the two sides need to unite after hard-line remarks against such a move by PGA playoff winner Rory McIlroy, PGA commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman.

"The PGA Tour for the last 20 or 30 years have had all the best players in the world. That will never be the case again," Mickelson said.

"LIV Golf is here to stay, and this type of divisive talk is doing nobody good. The best solution is for us to come together."

Mickelson, a six-time major winner, and LIV Golf have filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA that is set to go to trial in 2024.

The 52-year-old US left-hander said LIV appeals to a younger fan base but golf also needs the "historical" base the PGA provides, declaring, "The inclusion of LIV Golf in the ecosystem of the golf world is necessary."

2022-09-18 07:35:40

SA's Paula Reto trails Japan's Ayaka Furue, America's Lilia Vu and Andrea Lee in LPGA Portland Classic

Japan's Ayaka Furue fired a bogey-free five-under par 67 to match Americans Lilia Vu and Andrea Lee for the lead after Saturday's third round of the LPGA Portland Classic.

The 22-year-old from Kobe opened with a birdie, reeled off three in a row starting at the par-5 fifth and added another at the 14th to leap into contention at Columbia Edgewater in Portland, Oregon.

Vu, Lee and Furue were on 13-under 203 after 54 holes. Vu, a 36-hole co-leader, shot 69 while Lee birdied three of the last five holes for 67.

One stroke off the pace on 204 were Australia's Hannah Green, Japan's Hinako Shibuno, South African Paula Reto and Ecuador's Daniela Darquea.

"It's very important to play bogey-free golf," Furue said.

"I believe it's more important than getting birdies, not having bogeys. So I'm very happy with that today."

Furue won her first LPGA title in July at the Scottish Open after winning seven Japan Tour crowns.

The first of those came as an amateur in 2019 and she won three each in 2020 and 2021.

She said her approach wouldn't change on Sunday as she tries to break away from the leading pack for her second win of the season.

"My mentality will not change," she said.

"Keep playing as I've been playing. If I see a chance, I'll try to get a birdie, try to make safe pars all the time."

Lee, who like Vu is a 24-year-old former world amateur number one seeking her first LPGA triumph, won her first pro title in April at a developmental tour event in Tucson, Arizona.

She opened and closed the front nine with birdies around another at the par-5 fifth, then birdied 14 and followed her lone bogey at 15 with back-to-back birdies and a closing par to have a chance at her first LPGA victory.

"I've played solid golf all year long," Lee said.

"I feel really comfortable out here. I've had some experience and that will help me out tomorrow."

Vu, whose three 2021 developmental tour wins earned her a rookie LPGA spot this season, opened with a bogey and took another at six after a birdie at the fifth.

But Vu followed with birdies at the par-5 10th and 12th holes and added back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15.

Leading third-round scores on Saturday at the LPGA Portland Classic (USA unless noted, par 72):

203 - Ayaka Furue (JPN) 67-69-67, Andrea Lee 72-64-67, Lilia Vu 68-66-69

204 - Hinako Shibuno (JPN) 67-71-66, Paula Reto (RSA) 71-66-67, Hannah Green (AUS) 66-70-68, Daniela Darquea (ECU) 69-67-68

205 - Ryann O'Toole 70-68-67, Esther Henseleit (GER) 70-64-71

206 - Frida Kinhult (SWE) 73-68-65, Caroline Inglis 67-70-69, Maja Stark (SWE) 69-67-70, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 69-66-71

207 - An Na-rin (KOR) 71-69-67, Brooke Henderson (CAN) 68-70-69

208 - Choi Hye-jin (KOR) 70-70-68, Yin Ruoning (CHN) 70-67-71, Zhang Weiwei (CHN) 69-67-72

209 - Nelly Korda 67-73-69, Lee Mi-hyang (KOR) 71-68-70, Chella Choi (KOR) 70-69-70, Mina Harigae 69-69-71

2022-09-18 07:19:24

Lower regains PGA Tour lead at Silverado

Justin Lower birdied the final hole on Saturday to cap a three-under par 69 and seize the outright lead at Fortinet Championship, where he is in search of his first US PGA Tour title.

Lower, who barely kept his playing rights for the 2022-23 season, had five birdies and two bogeys at Silverado Resort in Napa, California, rolling in a four-foot birdie putt at the par-five finishing hole to give himself a one-shot lead on 13-under 203.

Lower had opened the tournament with a sparkling 63 on Thursday, but on Friday slipped two shots behind second-round leaders Max Homa and Danny Willett.

England's 2016 Masters champion Willett and American Homa both carded even par 72s on Saturday to share second on 204 -- one stroke in front of South Korean An Byeong-hun.

An's fourth birdie of the day at the par-three 15th had put him atop the leaderboard at 13-under, but he made a double bogey at the par-five 16th on the way to a one-under 71.

Lower said his round was steady, once he got past a "nervy" bogey on the first hole.

"I just tried to keep it in play, keep it in the fairway and just kind of go from there."

He made back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth, giving a stroke back at the seventh where he was unable to get up and down from a greenside bunker.

Lower was in trouble at the par-five ninth, but holed out from the greenside rough for birdie.

He rolled in a seven-footer for another birdie at 11. Just a month ago the 33-year-old Lower was distraught thinking he had missed keeping his tour card by a single stroke over the entire campaign of his rookie season.

His place was secured, however, when players who defected to the upstart LIV Golf Series were removed from the season points list.

Now he's in position to challenge for his first victory.

"It's everything," he said. "It's why we play. Playing on the best tour in the world and you have a chance to win - it's pretty cool."

Willett is chasing his first US win since his Masters triumph. He had topped the leaderboard after a birdie at the eighth but fell back with a disastrous double bogey at the ninth.

He grabbed his share of second with an unlikely birdie at 18, where his tee shot was left but got a good roll alongside a cart path.

His second shot was in the greenside rough but he was able to get relief from the grandstand wall that would have interfered with his swing.

"It's always nice to get a little bit of luck down the last there to make a birdie and be in that last group (Sunday)," Willett said, adding that the conditions were challenging.

"It was tough when we started the day, it was really windy," he said.

Conditions are expected to change on Sunday, with tee times moved up in hopes of missing the worst of expected rain.

2022-09-18 07:09:34

Leaderboard

203 - Justin Lower 63-71-69

204 - Max Homa 65-67-72, Danny Willett (ENG) 68-64-72

205 - An Byeong-hun (KOR) 66-68-71

206 - Davis Thompson 68-73-65, Paul Haley 73-67-66, Adam Svensson (CAN) 68-71-67, Matt Kuchar 68-68-70

207 - Harrison Endycott (AUS) 72-70-65, Mark Hubbard 70-70-67, Austin Smotherman 71-69-67, Sahith Theegala 67-69-71

208 - Rickie Fowler 67-72-69, Zac Blair 70-69-69, Dou Zecheng (CHN) 71-67-70, Brian Stuard 68-69-71

209 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 67-75-67, Chris Kirk 74-68-67, Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 70-71-68, Kramer Hickok 71-70-68, Joseph Bramlett 68-71-70, Tom Hoge 69-70-70, Kim Seong-hyeon (KOR) 66-72-71, Taylor Moore 68-68-73

2022-09-16 07:17:28

American Justin Lower fired a bogey-free nine-under par 63 to seize a two-stroke lead when darkness halted Thursday's first round of the PGA's season-opening Fortinet Championship.

Lower, who barely kept his playing rights for the 2022-23 campaign, matched his PGA career-best round to jump atop the leaderboard at Silverado in Napa, California.

"Any time you can open up with a 63 is pretty awesome," Lower said. "But a lot of golf left so need to keep at it and go the next three days."

A 90-minute fog delay at the start of play meant the last groups were unable to complete the first round before darkness, forcing them to return early Friday to finish before starting their second rounds.

Lower, 33, was in tears last month after thinking he had missed keeping his card by a single stroke over the entire campaign of his rookie season.

But when the players who defected from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf Series were removed from the season points list, Lower moved into the top 125 and kept his playing status for the new season.

"It has been kind of a whirlwind after that, just the emotions of it and everything," Lower said. "I feel really grateful to be here."

Defending champion Max Homa was second on 65 with a bogey-free 67, barely finishing before play was halted.

Sharing third on 66 were South Korea's An Byeong-hun and Kim Seong-hyeon and American JJ Spaun.

The lowest score among those yet to finish their opening round was American Robby Shelton, who was on 5-under with five holes remaining.

Lower, who began on the back nine, sank a four-foot birdie putt at 14 and began a run of four consecutive birdies at the par-5 16th, his longest putt in the span being a 19-footer at the par-4 17th.

After a birdie at the third, Lower chipped in from the rough from 16 feet at the par-5 fifth then chipped in from just outside 21 feet for birdie at the par-3 seventh.

At 18, he dropped his approach two feet from the cup and tapped in to birdie half the holes on the course.

"I couldn't tell you," Lower said when asked how he did it. "I had two hole outs. They were just little chips but they were tough chips. I think I went the whole fall season last year without having a hole-out.

"Just an awesome round. Tee to green was really good. Just kept it steady and when I got into trouble just tried to get it back in play and limit mistakes as much as I could. It ended up working out."

- AFP

2022-09-10 19:21:24

Top-ranked Scheffler voted PGA Tour Player of the Year

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, who won four titles this year including his first major crown at the Masters, was named Saturday as the 2021-2022 PGA Tour Player of the Year.

The 26-year-old American won with 89% of the vote from tour players for the award after capturing a season-high four titles within a two-month span capped by his green jacket triumph at Augusta National.

"Congratulations to Scottie on his remarkable season and his unprecedented achievements," US PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said.

"Undoubtedly, one of the highest compliments a player can receive is the endorsement from his peers and the fact that Scottie's season was both dominant and consistent spoke volumes to the membership."

Australia's Cameron Smith, the world number two who bolted from the PGA to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series earlier this month, and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who edged Scheffler for the FedEx Cup playoff crown, were the other finalists for the award.

Scheffler won his first PGA title in February at the Phoenix Open, defeating Patrick Cantlay with a birdie on the third playoff hole.

Three weeks later at Bay Hill, Scheffler captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational and three weeks after that, Scheffler won the WGC Match Play crown, defeating countryman Kevin Kisner in the championship match to claim the world number one ranking he has held ever since.

In his first event atop the rankings, Scheffler won the Masters, defeating McIlroy by three strokes for his fourth triumph in six starts, a PGA feat unseen since Australian Jason Day managed it in the 2014-15 campaign.

Scheffler joined Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Fred Couples and Ian Woosnam as the only players to win the Masters while world number one.

He also joined Woods as the only players to win a major and WGC title among four triumphs in a PGA season.

Scheffler, the 2020 PGA Rookie of the Year, has stayed with the PGA in a season of turmoil where many of the sport's big names left for the upstart LIV Golf Series, which offered guaranteed huge contracts and record $25 million event purses.

"As gratifying as it has been to see his development on the course over the last several years, we are equally thankful that Scottie has embraced the role as an ambassador of the PGA Tour and the game of golf," Monahan said.

Scheffler had 11 top-10 finishes in 25 starts on the season, including runner-up efforts at the Houston Open, US Open and Tour Championship.

With $14,046,910, Scheffler earned the most in a single season in PGA Tour history, breaking the mark of $12,030,465 by Jordan Spieth in 2014-15.

Bonus money boosted Scheffler's season income to $24,796,910.

- AFP

2022-09-03 09:24:50

US teen Li grabs two-stroke lead at LPGA Dana Open

American teen Lucy Li fired a bogey-free seven-under par 64 to seize a two-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the LPGA Dana Open.

Li, a 19-year-old prodigy of Chinese heritage who played in the US Women's Open at age 11, stood on 10-under 132 after 36 holes at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio.

"Hitting it really good," Li said.

"Just got a few more putts to drop today."

Chinese 19-year-old Yin Ruoning and Spain's Carlota Ciganda, who shared the 18-hole lead with South Korea's Choi Hye-jin, each fired 69s to share second on 134.

Defending champion Nasa Hataoka of Japan fired a 66 to stand on 135 with Choi, Taiwan's Hsu Wei-ling, Germany's Caroline Masson and American Lexi Thompson.

After two victories this year on the US women's developmental tour, Li has already secured a 2023 LPGA berth.

"Just having that good experience will definitely help me going into the weekend," Li said.

Li shared ninth last week in Canada, her best LPGA finish, to qualify for this week's event as she chases her first LPGA title.

"I've never led an LPGA event before, so we'll see," Li said. "It's kind of a new experience."

Li, who started on the 10th hole, birdied the 12th and reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the 14th before adding another at the par-5 18th. She also birdied the par-4 third and par-3 sixth holes.

"I was just hitting it really good, especially on (my) front nine and made a lot of good putts," Li said.

"On the back nine I made a lot of good saves for par so that really kept the momentum going."

Li won the inaugural girls 10-11 age group title at the 2014 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National, becoming one of the first female champions of any sort at the home of the Masters.

Yin, who also began on the back nine, answered bogeys at the 11th and par-5 17th with birdies on the next hole each time.

She also birdied the par-5 seventh and the ninth."

Teeing off super early. I just feel part of me still in the bed," Yin said.

"Just tried to save some pars out there, make some putts.

"World number 421 Yin, a rookie making only her 12th LPGA start and coming off a wrist injury, missed the cut in seven of her nine prior LPGA starts this year."

I just need to keep putting and keep shooting good shots," Yin said.

"I need to work on my approach and driver shot a little bit and I think everything will be fine."

Ciganda likes her spot

World number 40 Ciganda made birdies at the third, ninth and par-3 14th holes with a lone bogey at the fifth.

"Overall, I played good," Ciganda said.

"Made a couple of saves, gave myself some chances. I would have liked a couple more birdies but I'm in a good position going into the weekend."

Ciganda, who won her sixth Ladies European Tour title in July at Barcelona, won her only two LPGA titles in 2016 at South Korea and Mexico.

Her best finish of the season, a share of third at the Evian Championship, also matched her best career major showing.

World number 18 Choi, a rookie chasing her first LPGA victory, shared second at last week's Canadian Open, her ninth top-10 showing of the season.

Australia's Hannah Green fired a bogey-free 62, the week's low round, to stand on 136.Germany's Aline Krauter, making her pro debut on a sponsor's exemption, fired a 71 to stand on 137.

2022-09-03 09:14:35

Smith trails Wolff by one in LIV Golf debut

World number two Cameron Smith capped an eventful LIV Golf debut round with a massive eagle putt to lie one shot off the lead at the LIV Golf Invitational in Boston Friday.

Americans Matthew Wolff and Talor Gooch topped the leaderboard at The International Golf Club outside Boston on seven-under par 63.

Wolff seized his share of the lead with the help of two eagles -- one of them the first hole-in-one in the history of the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit that has thrown the sport into turmoil.

"It was really cool to do that on a part of the golf course where there's a lot of fans, and to be the first one to have an ace at LIV Golf is really good," said Wolff, whose tee shot at the 178-yard second hole -- his fifth -- bounced once and rolled into the cup.

"I'm thrilled and stuff, but I'd rather be holding that trophy at the end of the week," added Wolff, who also eagled the par-five 12th.

Smith shared third on 64 with another LIV Golf newcomer, Chile's Joaquin Niemann.

The fourth event of the inaugural season drew a small group of demonstrators decrying LIV Golf as an attempt to "sportswash" Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

But plenty of fans turned out eager to see the new product that has provoked the wrath of the US PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

The US tour is suspending any member player who appears on the circuit, which awards $25 million purses in a 54-hole format and has reportedly offered top stars tens of millions in signing bonuses.

Smith, the 29-year-old Australian who captured the Open Championship at St. Andrews in July, made the jump just this week and got right to business.

With three birdies in his first six holes and an eagle at the eighth, Smith had a share of the lead but found himself three adrift after a double-bogey at the par-four 14th.Smith rebounded with a birdie at 15 and an unlikely par save at 16 -- where his tee shot nestled at the base of a tree.

He got relief from a stance on a cart path but still damaged his gap wedge when it hit the tree on the shot.

Nevertheless, he avoided dropping a stroke, and Smith was right back in the thick of it after rolling in a long eagle putt at 18.

Onwards and upwards

"It was fun out there today," Smith said. "The round today was all right. Started off pretty strong and didn't hit the driver the way I wanted to those last six or eight holes. So something to work on for tomorrow.

"Smith acknowledged this week that money was a factor in his decision to make the move to LIV, even though it will cost him a spot on the International team for September's Presidents Cup.

He said he hopes the switch will allow him to spend more time in Australia, and no sooner was he in the LIV fold this week than he began lobbying for world ranking points to be awarded for the circuit's three-round events that feature fields of 48.

Quizzed about the experience of LIV Golf, Smith said he enjoyed the more free-wheeling atmosphere.

"I feel like the crowd out there is almost on top of you with the music," he said. "It feels like the course has a bit of a heartbeat.

"It was very different I would say, but something that I really enjoyed, and I can't wait for this to keep going onwards and upwards."

2022-08-29 07:19:01

2022-08-29 07:12:55

Rory McIlroy bags Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy rallied from six strokes down starting the final round to overtake top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and win his record third FedEx Cup title on Sunday by capturing the PGA's Tour Championship.

The 33-year-old from Northern Ireland fired a four-under-par 66 to finish on 21-under 263 at East Lake in Atlanta.

Four-time major winner McIlroy took the $18 million top prize in the season-ending playoff showdown by one stroke over reigning Masters champion Scheffler, who fired a 73 on Sunday, and South Korean Im Sung-jae.

"It's great to end the season on a high note like this," McIlroy said.

"To do something no one else has done... and playing the golf when you needed to to get the job done - incredibly satisfying."

Scheffler, who began the week on 10-under thanks to the season points lead and a staggered scoring system, lost out because McIlroy fired the week's best 72-hole score, 17-under.

"Just little mental errors," Scheffler said. "I just wasn't swinging it well.

"I really fought hard. Rory just played a really good round of golf. He made some key putts there at the end and he definitely deserved to win."

Scheffler, a four-time winner this season, earned McIlroy's respect.

"I feel like Scottie deserves at least half of this," McIlroy said. "I feel sort of bad that I pipped him to the post."

McIlroy, who has been a major advocate for the PGA Tour in its ongoing battle with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series, said victory was even sweeter given the tumult engulfing the sport this season.

"It means an awful lot," McIlroy said. "This is an incredibly proud moment for me but it should also be an incredibly proud moment for the PGA Tour. They have had some hard times this year but we're getting through it."

Fourth-ranked McIlroy, who won the 2016 and 2019 Tour Championships, roared back from 11 strokes back late in the second round and six shots down after 54 holes.

"I just showed so much resilience to claw my way back," McIlroy said.

"I didn't really give myself much of a chance teeing off today. I thought six behind, it was really going to be tough to make up.

"But my good play and Scottie's not-so-great play and it was a ball game going into the back nine."

McIlroy sank a stunning birdie putt at the par-3 15th from just inside 32 feet, the ball breaking to the left and dropping into the hole, to match Scheffler for the lead on 21-under.

McIlroy blasted out of a bunker way beyond the 16th green but pitched inside eight feet and made the par putt while Scheffler missed a par putt from just inside nine to hand McIlroy the lead.

Both parred 17 as the tension grew.

At the par-4 18th, Scheffler found a greenside bunker while McIlroy bounced his second shot off the left grandstand and into deep rough.

Scheffler went over the green out of the sand then pitched back onto the green while McIlroy chipped onto the green and two-putted for par and the victory.

"If you're willing to go out and earn it, this is what can happen," McIlroy said.

Money wasn't a thought

Scheffler said the $11.5 million difference in first and second was never on his mind.

"The money definitely didn't creep into my mind. I wanted to win the season-long title," he said.

"I've had a really great year and I wanted to finish it off with a win here and unfortunately I wasn't able to do that."

Scheffler birdied four of his last six holes Sunday morning to finish the lightning-halted third round and stretch his lead from one stroke to six.

The big lead dwindled quickly with bogeys by Scheffler on three of the first six holes while McIlroy answered an opening bogey with a birdie at the third and made three birdies in a row starting at the fifth.

"I just didn't get off to a good start early, but after that I grinded as hard as I could," said Scheffler. "My swing wasn't where it had been the first few days."

2022-08-28 17:34:29

Scheffler stretches lead to six at Tour Championship

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, made four birdies in six holes to seize a six-stroke lead after Sunday's completion of the third round of the PGA's Tour Championship.

Lightning halted play Saturday with 14 golfers still on the course at East Lake in Atlanta, adding to the last-day drama at the season-ending FedEx Cup playoff showdown.

Scheffler made brilliant approaches to set up his sizzling effort Sunday morning to complete a four-under par 66 and stand on 23-under par.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland made two closing birdies Sunday to shoot 63 and match Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele for second on 17-under.

McIlroy put himself in the final duo on Sunday at the Tour Championship for a record fourth time while Schauffele shot 70 to fall back.

"Shooting even par out here is never going to get it done," Schauffele said.

"I just need to put my head down."

When play resumed, Scheffler led on 19-under par through 12 holes with playing partner and fellow American Schauffele on 18-under.

Scheffler dropped his approach at 13 five feet from the cup and made his birdie putt to boost his lead to two strokes and Schauffele followed with a bogey at 14 after finding the right rough.

At the par-3 15th, Scheffler landed his tee shot inside five feet and made the birdie putt, reaching 21-under to lead by four.

At 17, Scheffler dropped his approach just inside three feet and tapped in for birdie, lifting his lead to five.

Schauffele was in the left rough at the par-5 18th and struggled to make par while Scheffler pitched his third shot inches from the hole and tapped in for another birdie.

"He fights until the end. He doesn't give up on any shot," Schauffele said of Scheffler.

"He's the number one player in the world for good reason."

McIlroy sank a 13-foot birdie putt at the 17th and a three-footer to birdie the par-5 18th to finish a 63, his best ever at East Lake.

"Coming out this morning, I ideally wanted to just finish 3-4 which is what I did," McIlroy said.McIlroy hopes to add to his Tour Championship titles from 2016 and 2019.

"Great way to finish the round," he said. "Gets me a little closer. At least gives me a chance going into this afternoon so I'm excited for that."

South Korean Im Sung-jae made four morning pars to share fourth on 16-under with defending champion Patrick Cantlay.

Scheffler began the tournament at 10-under with a two-stroke edge on the field under a staggered scoring system based on season point totals, but Schauffele had trimmed that edge to two strokes after 36 holes.

The format means whoever fires the week's low 72-hole total will not necessarily win the $18 million top prize on offer.

Scheffler, who hadn't taken a PGA title when the year began, won four in two months capped by his first major title at Augusta National in April.

-AFP

2022-08-28 05:45:45

Scheffler clings to one-stroke lead at Tour Championship

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, clung to a one-stroke lead when Saturday's third round of the US PGA's Tour Championship was suspended until Sunday due to lightning.

Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele was only one shot adrift when the last 14 players on the course were halted, setting up a tense last-day drama in the PGA's season-ending showdown at East Lake in Atlanta.

Scheffler paced the 29-player field at 19-under par through 12 holes with playing partner and fellow American Schauffele on 18-under."With a 72-hole event I think it's still pretty early in the tournament," Scheffler said. "We're all just kind of jockeying for position and I was just out there trying to hit some quality shots."

South Korean Im Sung-jae was third on 16-under with four holes remaining, while four-time major winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was fourth on 15-under and 5-under on the day through 16 holes.

Scheffler began the tournament with a four-stroke edge on Schauffele thanks to staggered-start scoring system based on season point totals, but Schauffele had trimmed that edge to two strokes after 36 holes.

After lightning caused a 58-minute delay in tee times before leaders teed off, Schauffele made a charge.

He sank a birdie putt from just outside 12 feet at the par-3 second hole and another from just past four feet at the third to match Scheffler for the lead at 19-under.Schauffele paid the price for missing fairways with bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes, only to birdie the sixth and seventh -- the latter on a 33-foot putt -- to again equal Scheffler.

After seven pars, Scheffler holed a 12-foot birdie putt at the eighth to pull one stroke ahead and both leaders made bogeys at the par-3 11th after landing in bunkers, leaving Scheffler ahead when play was stopped.

"I wasn't playing my best, but I was kind of hanging in there," Scheffler said. "I was looking forward to giving myself some opportunities at the end, but then the horn went off."

Play was set to resume Sunday morning with leaders teeing off in the final round in the early afternoon.

The staggered scoring system means whoever fires the week's low 72-hole total will not necessarily win the $18 million top prize on offer from the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Scheffler, who hadn't taken a PGA title when the year began, won four in two months capped by his first major title at Augusta National in April. He could complete an amazing season by capturing the playoff crown.

American Justin Thomas, this year's PGA Championship winner, has a two-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to match McIlroy on 15-under when play resumes.

2022-08-27 06:57:02

Schauffele charges within two of Scheffler at Tour Championship

Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele fired a seven-under par 63 to charge within two strokes of top-ranked Scottie Scheffler after Friday's second round of the US PGA's Tour Championship.

Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, began the day with a five-stroke lead and stretched his edge as high as eight in the season-ending showdown at East Lake in Atlanta.

But fellow American Schauffele trimmed the gap to six strokes with a birdie at the 10th hole, matched playing partner Scheffler with a birdie at the 12th, then roared in with birdies at 16 and 17 and a closing eagle at the par-5 18th.

That left Scheffler, who shot 66, clinging to the lead at 19-under after 36 holes with Schauffele on 17-under and Spain's Jon Rahm a distant third on 13-under after his own 63.

"He played some fantastic golf, especially at the end there," Scheffler said of Schauffele.

"It should be a fun battle the next few days."

Schauffele wasn't overly excited about his late attack given there were 36 weekend holes ahead.

"It's only day two," Schauffele said.

"It's nice to pick up some shots late, but it's just a positioning battle going into Sunday.

"It would be better to be two shots ahead. But it's just kind of head down. There's a lot at stake here and staying present is going to be the hardest thing."

Scheffler began the unique event Thursday with a two-stroke lead based on his overall advantage in the season points chase, starting on 10-under par with Schauffele third overall at 6-under as they began.

The staggered scoring system means whoever fires the week's low 72-hole total will not necessarily win the $18 million top prize on offer from the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Scheffler, who hadn't taken a PGA title when the year began, won four in two months capped by his first major title at Augusta National in April.

He could complete an incredible season by capturing the $18 million FedEx Cup playoff crown on Sunday.

"If he goes out and posts a low number, we're going to need a miraculous weekend to catch him," Rahm said.

Scheffler said he was happy with his round but felt he could have gone lower.

"I hit the ball nicely," Scheffler said.

"I gave myself a lot of looks. I hit a few putts out there I didn't love but for the most part I hit a lot of good putts."

A few more of those go in and the scorecard looks a little bit different but overall, 4-under with no bogeys is a pretty good round."

Schauffele, who missed only one fairway Friday, sank a birdie putt at 16 from just inside 12 feet and had the closest approach at 17 to just outside four feet to set up a birdie.

At 18, Scheffler's tee shot soared way left and he scrambled to make par while Schauffele dropped his second shot, a 4-iron from 234 yards, only five feet from the cup then made his eagle putt. - AFP

2022-08-26 06:59:11

Scheffler fires 65 to seize five-shot Tour Championship lead

World number one Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, birdied the last three holes to grab a five-stroke lead after Thursday's first round of the US PGA's season-ending Tour Championship.

The 26-year-old American began the day at 10-under par with a two-shot edge under a staggered start scoring system based on season points.

Scheffler stretched his advantage by firing a five-under par 65 at East Lake in Atlanta, sparked by birdie putts of just over 14 feet at the 16th, 11 feet at 17 and a tap-in at the par-5 18th after driving the green in two.

"I felt like I played good all day and I was only two under so to get those last three birdies at the end was definitely some icing on the cake," Scheffler said.

"I played pretty solid. That's always a good way to finish off the round."

Scheffler, who hadn't won a PGA title when the year began, won four in two months capped by his first major title at Augusta National and could cap an incredible season by taking the $18 million FedEx Cup playoff crown.

Xander Schauffele, the Tokyo Olympic winner, was second on 10-under after shooting 66. Schauffele began his round on 6-under, four back of Schauffele.

"It's easy to get ahead of yourself," Schauffele said. "It's a stressful place to play if you're not on top of your game. I'm just trying to piece some things together for Sunday."

US Open winner Matthew Fitzpatrick of England was third on 9-under after matching Chile's Joaquin Niemann for the day's low round with a 64. The British star closed with an eagle putt from just inside 13 feet to a bogey-free day six shots adrift."

Bogey-free rounds are pretty much my favorite," Fitzpatrick said. "A great day. Definitely felt comfortable out there."

Defending champion Patrick Cantlay, who began on 8-under only two behind Scheffler, managed a 70 thanks to a 22-foot eagle putt at 18 to share fourth overall on 8-under with Niemann.

Leaderboard:

15-under: Scottie Scheffler 65

10-under: Xander Schauffele 66

9-under: Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 648-under: Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 64, Patrick Cantlay 70

7-under: Im Sung-jae (KOR) 67, Cameron Smith (AUS) 67, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 67

6-under: Cameron Young 67, Justin Thomas 67, Jon Rahm (ESP) 67, Sepp Straka (AUT) 68, Sam Burns 69

2022-08-22 07:48:10

2022-08-22 07:45:20

Defending FedEx Cup playoff champion Patrick Cantlay won his second consecutive BMW Championship on Sunday, becoming the first player to successfully defend a PGA Tour playoff title.

World number four Cantlay recovered from a two-stroke deficit on the back nine to defeat US compatriot Scott Stallings thanks to a key break and clutch putting.

Cantlay fired a two-under par 69 to finish 72 holes at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware on 14-under 270 and edge Stallings by a stroke.

"I played a lot of great golf this week and I'm happy to come out of here with a win," Cantlay said.

Stallings shared the lead with Cantlay when he dropped his approach nine feet from the cup at 18, but Stallings missed the pressure-packed birdie putt and settled for a closing par.

Cantlay, meanwhile, had his tee shot at 17 bounce out of the rough and onto the fairway. He pitched the ball to six feet and sank the clutch birdie putt to seize the lead.

At 18, Cantlay blasted out of a bunker to 46 feet, then lipped out his birdie putt and tapped in for par and the historic triumph.

"I hit a lot of solid shots and then I got a couple of good breaks," said Cantlay. "On 17, that break is something I'm not expecting and it was really big for me to take advantage of it."

Cantlay could also become the first to repeat as FedEx Cup champion next week in the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

World number one Scottie Scheffler, who shared third with Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele on 273, topped the season points chase will start next week at East Lake at 10-under par with a two-stroke lead over Cantlay.

The reigning Masters champion will also have a staggered margin over the rest of a 30-player field chasing the FedEx Cup playoff title Cantlay hopes to defend.

"I made a lot of clutch 5- and 4-footers today - putter felt really good," Cantlay said. "I was pretty solid and I'll carry that into next week."

Cantlay, 30, won his eighth career PGA title and second of the year after sharing the Zurich Classic pairs title with pal Schauffele.

South Korean Lee Kyoung-hoon shot 65 to share fifth on 274 with Canada's Corey Conners and Australia's Adam Scott.

Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, blasted out of a bunker at 18 and parred the last to shoot 71 and reach the Tour Championship, denying Ireland's Shane Lowry a spot.

Lee was 31st in points last year to miss Atlanta, what he called "a really cruel spot."

"Lot of pressure this week," Lee said. "I wanted to make the top 30 but my goal was to never think about my position and play my best."

Moving into top-30 spots to qualify for Atlanta this week were Scott, Lee, Stallings and American Aaron Wise while those knocked out were Americans JJ Spaun, Kevin Kisner and Davis Riley and South Koren Kim Joo-hyung.

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa found the water twice with wedges on his way to a 10 at the par-5 12th, his worst score on any hole in his PGA career. He shot 79 to share 44th on 283.

Cantlay, who began the day with a one-stroke lead, rolled in a birdie putt from just outside 18 feet at the fourth but made bogey at the eighth and shared the lead at the turn with Stallings.

When Stallings sank an 11-foot birdie putt at the 11th and Cantlay missed a 10-foot par putt at the 10th, Stallings was ahead by two.

Cantlay responded with a birdie at 11, dropping a putt from just inside 14 feet, and made a tense six-foot par putt at the tricky 12th while Stallings stumbled with a bogey at the par-3 13th, leaving them level for the lead once again.

Stallings and Cantlay each drove the green in two at the par-5 14th to set up short birdie putts as tension built to the closing drama.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Tour's BMW Championship, a FedEx Cup playoff event at Wilmington (Delaware) Country Club (par-71, USA unless noted):

270 - Patrick Cantlay 68-68-65-69

271 - Scott Stallings 68-68-66-69

273 - Scottie Scheffler 68-67-68-70, Xander Schauffele 67-69-66-71

274 - Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 68-70-71-65, Corey Conners (CAN) 68-67-70-69, Adam Scott (AUS) 65-69-69-71

275 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 73-70-65-67, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-68-70-69, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 71-68-67-69, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 69-68-68-70

276 - Shane Lowry (IRL) 66-71-71-68, Trey Mullinax 71-68-69-68, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 67-73-67-69

277 - Sahith Theegala 72-68-69-68, Lucas Herbert (AUS) 70-70-68-69, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-69-67-71, Aaron Wise 69-68-67-73

278 - Jordan Spieth 68-67-74-69, Kurt Kitayama 71-66-72-69, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-71-70-69, Sam Burns 69-69-70-70

279 - JJ Spaun 68-74-67-70, Max Homa 72-69-68-70, Cameron Young 67-68-72-72, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 67-71-69-72, Andrew Putnam 73-68-66-72

2022-08-21 07:04:55

Cantlay edges clear at BMW Championship

Defending champion Patrick Cantlay fired a six under-par 65 to open up a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour's BMW Championship in Delaware on Saturday.

Cantlay, bidding to become the first player in FedEx Cup post-season history to successfully defend a tournament title, conjured six birdies and an eagle at Wilmington Country Club for a 54-hole aggregate of 12-under 201.

The 30-year-old world number four started the day two shots adrift of second-round leader Adam Scott but quickly halved that deficit on the opening hole, rolling in a monster 43-foot birdie putt.

Birdies on the third and the seventh -- after another long birdie putt from 30 feet - took Cantlay to the turn at three-under for the day.

A bogey on the par-four 11th briefly checked his progress but Cantlay responded with back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th before a magnificent eagle three on the 14th, the American holing out with a sublime lob wedge from 104 yards.

That took Cantlay a shot clear of the field at 12 under but a rare putting blunder on the 17th - missing a three-footer for bogey - dropped him back to 11-under.Yet once again, Cantlay responded in style, blasting his second shot on the 18th to the back of the green with sharp backspin that left him with just a seven-footer for birdie.

"I hit the ball really well today," Cantlay said afterwards.

"Left a few out there but I think today was really about my bounce backs - after the two bogeys I made which were mistakes, I made birdies on the next two holes and got back into the round and kept the momentum to take into tomorrow."

Cantlay said he was not thinking about possibly emulating his 2021 FedEx Cup victory, when he won both the BMW and the Tour Championship.

Zalatoris injury

"My head is not even there right now," he said.

"I think the best way to handle this playoff system is to just focus on doing your best in the tournament that you're in and not worry too much about the points. So that's what I'm going to do."

Cantlay's 65 leaves him one clear of close friend Xander Schauffele, who posted a five-under 66 on Saturday to finish the day on 202 alongside fellow American Scott Stallings.

Schauffele's bogey-free round included an eagle, three birdies and 14 pars.

Stallings advanced up the leaderboard with a 66 that featured six birdies.

Australia's second-round leader Scott, meanwhile, is a shot further back on 10 under after battling to a two-under-par 69 that included four birdies and two bogeys.

Scott was joined by world number one Scottie Scheffler, who had threatened to challenge for the outright lead early in the round after four birdies and six pars over the opening 10 holes.

Scheffler's round came unstuck though down the stretch, with back-to-back bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes.

Scheffler recovered from that setback with a birdie on the 18th that left him firmly in the hunt heading into Sunday's final round.

Collin Morikawa will also fancy his chances of making a final-day charge after a 65 propelled him to nine under, three off the pace.

Morikawa pocketed seven birdies and only one bogey and shares sixth on the leaderboard alongside Aaron Wise, who shot a 67.But Saturday's third round marked the end of Will Zalatoris's challenge.

The in-form American, winner of last week's St. Jude Championship, withdrew from the tournament after suffering a back injury on the third hole.

2022-08-20 06:47:36

Scott clings to one-shot lead at PGA BMW Championship

Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, fired a two-under-par69 to seize a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the US PGA's BMWChampionship.

The 42-year-old Australian, chasing his 15th career PGAvictory, stood on eight-under 134 after 36 holes at Wilmington (Delaware)Country Club.

"I'm playing well," Scott said. "I'm in greatshape going into the weekend. I don't even know when the last time I led atournament was."

World number one Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masterschampion, and fellow Americans Cameron Young and Jordan Spieth shared second on135 with Canada's Corey Conners.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy chipped in for birdie from31 feet at the 18th to shoot 68 and stand on 136 with American Scott Stallingsand Aussie Cam Davis, defending FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay and TokyoOlympic champion Xander Schauffele.

The event is the second of three FedEx Cup playofftournaments with the top 30 on season points after Sunday advancing to nextweek's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Scott, who has qualified for all 16 editions of theplayoffs, is set to jump into to third in points from 45th and reach Atlantafor the first time since 2019.

"As much as I want to make it to the Tour ChampionshipI'd love to win the BMW Championship first," he said.

The Aussie sank a birdie putt at the opening hole from justinside nine feet and added 22-foot birdie putts at the fourth and sixth holes.

Scott, whose most recent PGA triumph came in 2020 atRiviera, added a birdie putt from just outside five feet at the par-5 12th buthis tee shot at 17 landed behind a tree.

He blasted into nearby rough thenmissed the green on his way to a double bogey.

"A poor shot on 17 was quite costly," Scott said."It's a good reminder for the weekend that I've really got to keep itunder control.

"But I kept it in position really well all day, had somany good looks and was cruising there for a while."

Spieth matched Scott with an 18-foot biride putt at the 17thbefore missing the 18th green and closing with his lone bogey to shoot 67.

"Managed my way around the golf course reallywell," Spieth said. "Two bogeys for the two rounds allows me tosettle in and not feel like I have to force anything."

Scheffler opened with three birdies, all on putts insidefive feet, on his way to a 67.

"I got off to a really good start. After that it waspretty mediocre," Scheffler said.

"Overall, I'm pleased with theround."

Young had seven birdies and four bogeys to shoot 68."It was a little bit messy," Young said.

"There was a lot of potential to shoot something a lot lower, but just wasa little bit clumsy around the greens."

Conners answered his lone bogey at 16 with a closingnine-foot birdie putt to shoot 67.

"I'm striking the ball well," said Conners.

"Feel good about the game going into the weekend."

McIlroy's revenge at 15

McIlroy dropped his tee shot within four feet of the cup toset up a birdie at the par-3 15th, the same hole where he suffered a nightmaretriple bogey on Thursday.

"Coming off the golf course a lot happier than I waslast night. Really happy with how I played. I bounced back well," McIlroysaid.

"That was nice to make two there (at 15). The chip inon the last was really nice too."

American Keegan Bradley, the 18-hole leader and 2018 BMWwinner, fired a 74 to stand on 138.

Cup points leader Will Zalatoris, this year's PGAChampionship and US Open runner-up, was on 139 after a 69.

134 - Adam Scott (AUS) 65-69

135 - Scottie Scheffler 68-67, Cameron Young 67-68, Corey Conners (CAN) 68-67, Jordan Spieth 68-67

136 - Cameron Davis (AUS) 69-67, Scott Stallings 68-68, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-68, Xander Schauffele 67-69, Patrick Cantlay 68-68

137 - Aaron Wise 69-68, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 69-68, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-67, Harold Varner 66-71, Kurt Kitayama 71-66, Shane Lowry (IRL) 66-71

138 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 67-71, Russell Henley 67-71, Keegan Bradley 64-74, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 68-70, Sam Burns 69-69

139 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 69-70, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-71, Will Zalatoris 70-69, Chez Reavie 67-72, Trey Mullinax 71-68, Seamus Power (IRL) 71-68, Collin Morikawa 67-72, Justin Thomas 66-73, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-69, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 71-68, Marc Leishman (AUS) 68-71

- AFP

2022-08-19 07:29:44

Keegan Bradley birdied six of the first nine holes on his way to firing a seven-under par 64 to grab the lead after Thursday's first round of the BMW Championship.

The 36-year-old American matched his low PGA Tour nine-hole score with a 29 from the 2013 Byron Nelson and finished 18 holes at Wilmington (Delaware) Country Club one stroke ahead of Australian Adam Scott.

"This is a good start. I'm proud of the way I played," Bradley said.

"If you hit the ball in the fairway, there are a lot of opportunities. I did that a lot today and the ones I missed I was able to manage."

Ireland's Shane Lowry shared third on 66 with PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas and fellow American Harold Varner with a pack on 67 including two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele.

The event is the second of three FedEx Cup playoff tournaments with the top 30 on season points after Sunday advancing to next week's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Bradley and Scott are both in position to jump into the top 30 from 44th and 45th in points respectively.

Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner seeking his first PGA triumph since the 2018 BMW Championship, sank a 13-foot birdie putt on the first hole.

He added birdies at the third and fourth, sank a 30-foot birdie putt at the sixth, dropped his approach to three feet and holed the birdie putt at the par-3 seventh, saved par with an eight-foot putt at the eighth and made a birdie putt from just inside 40 feet at the ninth.

"I made a nice putt on the first hole and just kept it going," said Bradley. "It was really a fun day."

Bradley answered a bogey at 11 with birdies at 14 and 15 to complete his day atop the leaderboard and just ahead of playing partner Scott, the 2013 Masters champion who birdied three of the first six holes and three of the last five.

"There was a lot of good solid stuff. I'm very pleased," Scott said.

"I watched Keegan and I was really just trying to follow his lead. He kind of had everything going the way he wanted... I was drafting off him."

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy shared 13th on 68 despite a triple-bogey disaster at the par-3 15th, where he found water off the tee and missed a double bogey putt from 3 1/2 feet.

"Just that one tee shot on 15," McIlroy said. "I felt like I had probably half a club too much so I was trying to hit like a cut in there over the water and I just double-crossed it - and then compounded that by the three-putt.

"But overall the rest of it was pretty good."

Masters champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler was also on 68 while season points leader and fellow American Will Zalatoris, runner-up at the US Open and PGA Championship, shared 34th on 70.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Tour's BMW Championship, a FedEx Cup playoff event at Wilmington (Delaware) Country Club (par-71, USA unless noted):

64 - Keegan Bradley

65 - Adam Scott (AUS)

66 - Harold Varner, Shane Lowry (IRL), Justin Thomas

67 - Chez Reavie, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA), Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Russell Henley, Cameron Young

68 - Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR), Corey Conners (CAN), Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Marc Leishman (AUS), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Scott Stallings, Denny McCarthy, JJ Spaun, Rory McIlroy (NIR), Scottie Scheffler

69 - Troy Merritt, Sam Burns, Matt Kuchar, Adam Hadwin (CAN), Cameron Davis (AUS), Aaron Wise, Billy Horschel, Joaquin Niemann (CHI), Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Alex Smalley

2022-08-15 06:57:21

Zalatoris beats Straka in playoff to win PGA Memphis title

Three-time major runner-up Will Zalatoris won his first US PGA Tour title on Sunday, defeating Austria's Sepp Straka in a playoff to capture the St. Jude Championship.

Zalatoris made a seven-foot bogey putt on the third extra hole to end a season of near misses that included second-place efforts at the US Open and PGA Championship.

"We've been close and to see it finally pay off has been awesome," Zalatoris said.

"Looking forward to having some celebrations tonight."

World number 14 Zalatoris, runner-up last year in his Masters debut, took a $2.7 million top prize. His eight top-10s had been the PGA's most by a non-winner as was his prior $6.7 million in season prize money.

Zalatoris, who turns 26 on Tuesday, joined Colombian Camilo Villegas in 2008 as the only players whose first PGA victory came in a FedEx Cup playoff event.

Zalatoris fired a four-under par 66 and Straka shot 67 to leave both on 15-under 265 after 72 holes at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

Straka, who missed six consecutive cuts entering this week, sank a six-foot par putt at 18 on the first extra hole to extend the playoff.

Teeing off at 18 again, Zalatoris went right and hit a cart path and tree while Straka's ball clung to a sidehill above a water hazard.

Zalatoris pitched off pine straw into the fairway while Straka took off his left shoe, thought better of a wet stance and put it back on, then took a penalty drop.

Both pitched to the green to set up clutch putts, with Zalatoris curling in a par effort from just outside 13 feet and Straka topping him from half that distance.

On the third playoff hole, the 151-yard par-3 11th, Zalatoris bounced his ball atop a stone wall at a water hazard and had it wedge in a crack against grass while Straka's ball found the water.

Straka hit his third into a greenside bunker and blasted out four feet beyond the cup.

After pondering a dangerous shot, Zalatoris took a penalty, chipped from the drop zone to seven feet and sank the bogey putt for the triumph.

"It was a grind," Zalatoris said. "To see that decision pay off at the last was pretty cool."

The tournament opened the FedEx Cup playoffs, three season-ending events with a winner's prize of $18 million.

Only the top 70 players in season points advance to next week's BMW Championship, where 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship in Atlanta are decided.

Zalatoris took the season points lead and clinched a trip to Atlanta."

Just got to keep doing what we're doing," he said.

Straka, who won his first PGA title in February at the Honda Classic, barely missed his second season win.

"It was pretty crazy," Straka said. "This is one of those courses where every shot you hit, you're on the edge of your seat. Add the nerves of competing for a playoff event and it can get a little crazy."

Lucas Glover, the 2009 US Open champion, shared third on 268 with fellow American Brian Harman.

Reigning US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick of England was on 269 with Spaniard Jon Rahm, Australian Adam Scott and American Collin Morikawa -- all major winners -- plus Americans Tony Finau, Andrew Putnam and Trey Mullinax.

British Open champion Cameron Smith, an Australian who would have become world number one with a victory, was issued a two-stroke penalty before teeing off for an improper ball placement in Saturday's third round, dropping him four back at the start.

Smith, silent about reported plans to jump to Saudi-backed LIV Golf after the PGA playoffs, fired 70 to share 13th on 271.

- AFP

Leaderboard:

265 - x-Will Zalatoris 71-63-65-66, Sepp Straka (AUT) 64-66-68-672

68 - Lucas Glover 65-68-69-66, Brian Harman 66-66-69-67

269 - Adam Scott (AUS) 66-67-70-66, Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-69-67-66, Collin Morikawa 67-69-66-67, Tony Finau 64-68-69-68, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-66-67-68, Andrew Putnam 66-68-67-68, Trey Mullinax 66-67-66-70

270 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-68-63-69

2022-08-14 06:38:25

JJ Spaun birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a two-under par 68 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour's St. Jude Championship.

Spaun tapped in to birdie the par-5 16th and holed a 17-foot birdie putt at the 17th then stood alone at the top after Austrian Sepp Straka missed a nine-foot par putt at the 18th at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 31-year-old American stood on 13-under 197 through 54 holes with Straka on 198 after shooting 68.

Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia fired 67 to share third on 199 with Americans Will Zalatoris and Trey Mullinax. Americans Tyler Duncan and Troy Merritt were another stroke adrift.

"I know I've got to play better," Spaun said of the final round. "You look at the names, those guys, major champions and multiple winners and really hot golfers just playing really good.

"I'm just going to give it all I've got and hopefully make some more birdies than I did today."

The tournament opens the FedEx Cup playoffs, three season-ending events with a winner's prize of $18 million.

Only 125 players qualified on season points and only the top 70 advance to next week's BMW Championship, where the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship in Atlanta are decided.

Spaun won his first PGA title after 147 tour starts in April at the Texas Open while Straka, who missed six consecutive cuts coming into this week, won his first PGA title in February at the Honda Classic.

Spaun began with nine pars before a bogey at 10, but sank an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th and overtook Straka with his closing surge.

"It was one of those days where I felt like I was going to get lapped," Spaun said. "In reality I was even par and still tied for the lead for the most part. It kind of helped me be OK with being patient."

After three birdies and two bogeys in the first seven holes, Straka took the lead alone with a 16-foot birdie putt at the 13th and added a six-foot birdie putt at 15 before Spaun overtook him.

"It was a lot of good, a lot of bad, but overall I'm pretty happy," Straka said. "I hung in there nicely, got up and down a couple times when I needed to and I was able to convert the few birdies putts I had."

World number two Smith, facing the distraction of reports on a possible jump to LIV Golf after the playoffs, would become world number one with a victory.

"That would mean a lot," Smith said. "That has been one of my goals since the start of the year."

Zalatoris in the hunt

Zalatoris, chasing his first PGA victory, was a runner-up this year at the PGA Championship and US Open and last year in his Masters debut.

"I felt comfortable in those positions," he said. "I haven't gotten a win out of it yet. Eventually we will and hopefully tomorrow is it."

World number 14 Zalatoris, who turns 26 on Tuesday, has a PGA-high eight top-10 finishes without a victory this season.

Zalatoris split with caddie Ryan Goble last week and new caddie Joel Stock has read his putts the past 36 holes."He has been awesome," Zalatoris said.

"Obviously it has paid off."

Mullinax, who shot 66, won his first PGA title at last month's Barbasol Championship. He began the week 70th in points, the last spot to advance, but could leap into the top 30.

Duncan, who shot 67, has gone 77 starts without a top-10 finish since his lone PGA victory at the 2019 RSM Classic.

Rickie Fowler found water twice on the way to a quintuple-bogey nine on the 18th hole. He shot 72 to stand on 208, likely dooming his bid to advance in the playoffs.

Leading third-round scores on Saturday in the St. Jude Championship, first US PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoff event at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee (USA unless noted, par-70):

197 - JJ Spaun 62-67-68198 - Sepp Straka (AUT) 64-66-68

199 - Will Zalatoris 71-63-65, Trey Mullinax 66-67-66, Cameron Smith (AUS) 67-65-67

200 - Tyler Duncan 70-63-67, Troy Merritt 65-65-70

201 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-68-63, Hayden Buckley 69-67-65, Sam Burns 65-69-67, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-66-67, Andrew Putnam 66-68-67, Wyndham Clark 67-67-67, Ryan Palmer 65-67-69, Brian Harman 66-66-69, Tony Finau 64-68-69

202 - Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 71-66-65, Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 66-70-66, Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 66-70-66, Collin Morikawa 67-69-66, Lucas Glover 65-68-69, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 64-69-69, Sahith Theegala 63-70-69, Denny McCarthy 66-65-71

203 - Adam Schenk 71-66-66, Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-69-67, Kevin Kisner 69-64-70, Adam Scott (AUS) 66-67-70

- AFP

2022-08-12 07:59:09

South Korean Kim Si-woo holed out for eagle from the fairway at the 18th hole on Thursday to grab a share of the early first-round lead alongside JJ Spaun at the PGA Tour St. Jude Championship.

Kim and Spaun both posted eight-under par 62 to open the tour's FedEx Cup playoffs, the three-tournament series that culminates with the Tour Championship where an $18 million winner's prize will be on offer.

Kim hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation at TPC Southwind on Thursday, but his most spectacular hole didn't involve a putt.

He was on the right side of the fairway at the 453-yard 18th, where his eight-iron from 171 yards out found the hole.

"It was a perfect shot," said Kim, who said he was just trying to get the ball to 10 feet, left of the pin.

Kim followed his birdies at the second and third with a three-putt bogey at the fourth.

Feeling uncomfortable on the greens, he said he changed his putting grip, and then rolled in a 21-foot birdie from the fringe at the 10th before making four birdies in a row at the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th.

That run featured a 23-foot birdie at the 14th.Spaun's day also included a run of four straight birdies, from the ninth through the 12th.

He started with a 14-foot birdie at the first and a four-footer at the second, rolled in a 17-footer at the ninth and added two more birdies at 16 and 18.

"I'm hot, figuratively and literally, I guess," Spaun quipped after his round in the steamy Tennessee weather.

"I think I putted really well and I drove it really well. I guess I hit 15 out of 18 greens. So that's a pretty good combo.

"When you're hitting a lot of greens and putting well and hitting fairways, it's hard to complain about how I played today."

Spaun won his first PGA Tour title at the Texas Open in April, a victory that put him into his first Masters the following week.

If he can make it to the 30-player Tour Championship he'll likely secure a berth for next year's Masters with a lot more time to prepare.

"That's the place to be, and hopefully [if I] keep playing well this week and the next couple weeks, I'll be there," he said.

This week's field features 125 players, but only the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings will advance to next week's BMW Championship in Delaware.

Only 30 qualify for the Tour Championship at Eastlake in Atlanta, Georgia.

With the afternoon starters still on the course, Kim and Spaun held a two-shot lead over their nearest rivals in the clubhouse: Tony Finau and JT Poston.

Finau is the designated defending champion thanks to his victory at last year's Northern Trust in New Jersey, which was replaced this season as the first playoff event.

Mexican Abraham Ancer won the WGC St. Jude Invitational in Memphis last year but is banned from the PGA Tour after jumping to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series in June.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the St Jude Championship, first event in the US PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoffs at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee (USA unless noted, par-70):

62 - Kim Si-woo (KOR), JJ Spaun

63 - Sahith Theegala

64 - JT Poston, Tony Finau, Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR), Sepp Straka (AUT)

65 - Troy Merritt, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG), Sam Burns, Lee Hodges, Rickie Fowler, Ryan Palmer, Michael Thompson, Jason Day (AUS), Lucas Glover, James Hahn

2022-08-08 08:11:19

South Korean Kim Joo-hyung fired a stunning nine-under par 61 on Sunday to win the Wyndham Championship, his first PGA Tour title, and secure his spot in the season-ending playoffs.

Kim's outstanding effort at Sedgefield Country Club, where the 20-year-old played the first nine holes of the final round in eight-under, capped a remarkable week that opened with his quadruple bogey eight at the first hole on Thursday.

"It's definitely a week I'll remember forever," Kim said after his 20-under total of 260 gave him a five-stroke victory over fellow South Korean Im Sung-jae and American John Huh.

"I can't believe it - I'm speechless right now," Kim said, his emotions finally showing after a round in which he looked in supreme control.

"I've worked really had to get to this point," he said, his voice cracking. "Just walking off that 18th green, just thinking about the behind the scenes work.

"It was a hard day. I didn't know golf was this stressful," added the player who goes by the nickname Tom in a nod to his childhood love of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Kim roared through the front nine like a locomotive. His opening par was his lone four to go with seven threes and a birdie two.

He hit seven of nine fairways and holed a total of 112 feet of putts in the first nine holes, rolling in a 20-footer at the second and a 24-footer at the par-three third.

He rapped in a 12-foot birdie at the fourth, and gave himself a seven and a half-foot eagle at the par-five fifth.

At the sixth, he rolled in an 18-footer - over his playing partner's ball marker - then closed the front nine with a seven-foot birdie at the eighth and a 10-footer at nine.

He was in real trouble for the first time at the par-four 10th, where he was in the deep right rough off the tee. His second shot left him short of the green and his third came up 50 feet short of the pin.

He couldn't convert, finally making a two-footer for his first bogey of the day.

The birdies didn't come so thick and fast on the back nine, where a testing downhill six-footer at the 12th missed left and a 21-foot birdie attempt at the tough 14th lipped out.

Back to back birdies at par-five 15th and par-three 16th - where he landed his tee shot less than three feet from the pin - boosted his lead back to four strokes and again raised the tantalizing possibility of a sub-60 round.

Rising star

That failed to materialize as he closed with two pars to add a US title to his two precocious Asia Tour trophies.

Given special temporary PGA Tour membership last month, Kim finished tied for third at the co-sanctioned Scottish Open then secured his PGA Tour card for next year with a seventh-place finish in Detroit last week.

Now he's headed to the FedEx Cup playoffs, which start on Thursday with the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, his points total putting him in the top 35 in the standings that decide the 125 players eligible for the playoffs.

It wasn't something that seemed likely after his disastrous start to the tournament.

"Yeah, I can't believe I won with a quadruple bogey on the first hole," he said with a laugh. "Hopefully that doesn't happen again."

Kim had started the final round two shots behind leader Im Sung-jae after the weather-disrupted third round concluded on Sunday morning.

Im carded a final-round 68 and Huh posted a 67 to share second on 265.

Leading final round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina (Par-70, USA unless noted):

260 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 67-64-68-61

265 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 63-69-65-68, John Huh 61-71-66-67

266 - Ben Griffin 69-69-64-64

267 - Max McGreevy 68-67-67-65, Russell Henley 67-65-69-66, Taylor Moore 69-67-64-67

269 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-67-70-64, Chesson Hadley 69-66-70-64, Cameron Percy (AUS) 65-70-68-66, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 66-67-68-68, Brandon Wu 64-67-68-70

270 - Scott Stallings 67-71-67-65, Alex Smalley 65-70-71-64, Stephan Jaeger (GER) 69-70-69-62, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 71-67-65-67, Richy Werenski 70-65-67-68, Aaron Wise 65-70-67-68, Davis Riley 67-66-68-69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 72-65-63-70

2022-08-07 16:48:35

South Korea's Im Sung-jae clung to a one-stroke lead over American John Huh after Sunday's completion of the storm-interrupted third round of the US PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship.

Both closed with bogeys to leave Im atop the leaderboard on 13-under par 197 and Huh on 198 after 54 holes at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Im missed an eight-foot par putt at the 18th hole to stumble at the end of a five-under par 65 third round while Huh went way left off the 18th tee and chipped inches from the cup to set up a tap-in bogey for a 66.

American rookie Brandon Wu and South Korean Kim Joo-hyung were third, two shots off the lead, as the round was finished Sunday morning following storms that shut down play early on Saturday.

Im made three birdies on the front nine and began a birdie run with a five-foot putt at the 11th just before storms halted play Saturday to seize a share of the lead.

He returned Sunday morning and added a five-foot birdie putt at the par-3 12th and a 15-footer at the 13th before making a bogey at the 14th, then answered with a birdie putt from just outside three feet at the par-5 15th.

The most recent of Im's two PGA Tour titles came at the Shriners' Children's Open last October.

Huh, who fired a career-low 61 to lead the first round, closed Saturday with back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11 and on Sunday added a birdie putt at 12 from just inside 10 feet then drove the 15th green in two for a tap-in birdie before his closing bogey.

Wu holed out for an eagle from 147 yards at the par-4 11th to share the lead with Im at 12-under through 11 holes when play was halted Saturday.

But Wu made bogeys at 13 and 14 and even with a four-foot birdie putt at 15 was two adrift entering the final round.

Kim finished his final eight holes Sunday but stayed on 11-under with a bogey at the 14th and a birdie at the par-3 16th.

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat completed a seven-under 63, his lowest-ever PGA round, before play was halted Saturday. He shared fifth with American Taylor Moore on 200.

2022-08-07 07:20:01

Im, Wu share PGA lead at weather-hit Wyndham Championship

Brandon Wu lit up a dreary day with a buzzer-beating hole-out eagle that gave him a share of the early third-round lead before play was halted Saturday in the US PGA Tour Wyndham Championship.

Wu, a 25-year-old rookie seeking his first tour title, was tied with South Korean Im Sung-jae on 12-under par, both of them through 11 holes when play was suspended on a day that saw two weather delays.

Officials had hoped to resume in time to squeeze in another hour of play at Sedgefield Country Club, but those plans were scrapped as thunderstorms continued in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area.

Wu started the day in a three-way tie for the lead along with South Korean Kim Joo-hyung and American Ryan Moore.

He fell back with a bogey at the second, but rolled in a nine-foot birdie at the seventh and a five and a half foot birdie at the 10th.At the difficult par-four 11th, his second shot from 147 yards out in the fairway took a couple of bounces on the green then curled into the cup moments before the horn sounded to halt play a second time.

"That was a pretty crazy kind of group of events," Wu said. "We were making the turn and the thunder rumbled. We were just trying to focus on our shots.

"For that eagle to drop right at the horn was pretty special. Felt like I was a basketball player or something at the buzzer."

2022-08-05 07:58:52

John Huh fired a career-lownine-under par 61 to seize a two-stroke lead after Thursday's opening round ofthe PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship.

The 32-year-old Americanmade seven birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round to grab a two-stroke leadover South Korean Im Sung-jae at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NorthCarolina.

"I'm actuallysurprised I'm at the top of the leaderboard," Huh said. "I didn'treally feel my game was there, but it's one of those days where I tookadvantage of some good shots and good breaks.

"Shoot my career low,it's kind of weird. Sort of mixed feeling, but I'll take this any day."

Huh's best prior PGA roundswere 62s at the 2013 Wyndham and 2016 Shriners Children's Open.

Huh, whose only PGA titlecame at the 2012 Mayakoba Classic after an eight-hole playoff, sank a nine-footbirdie putt on the first hole and reeled off five consecutive birdies startingat the fourth hole.

"I hit it closeenough, gave myself a chance," Huh said. "I put it pretty much inside10 feet and made all that."

At the par-5 15th, Huhdrove the green in two and sank a 38-foot eagle putt with some help from theflagstick.

"I knew it was goingto be a quick one," Huh said. "I hit a good stroke, hit my line. Igot lucky that it hit the flagstick and went in the hole. It was just one ofthose holes where you hit your spot and hopefully it goes in."

Huh added a birdie puttfrom just inside four feet at the 17th and closed with a par from about thesame distance.

Huh began the day 111th inFedEx Cup points with only the top 125 after Sunday's final round qualifyingfor the PGA playoffs that begin next week in Memphis."I know what's on theline. I know how important this tournament would be," Huh said.

"Atthe same time you've just got to go and play and I think I did that reallywell."

Im eagled both par-5 holeson his way to a 63 to stand second. His only equal or better rounds came inwinning last October's Shriners Children's Open.

Americans Brandon Wu andPeter Malnati shared third on 64 with a pack on 65 including Australian CameronPercy, Canada's Michael Gligic, Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello and Americans BrianStuard, Alex Smalley, Ben Kohles, Ryan Moore, Austin Smotherman and Aaron Wise.

Smotherman, a rookie in the125th and final playoff position, matched his best PGA round.

Kim gets last laugh

South Korean Kim Joo-hyungopened with a quadruple bogey 8 but rallied to shoot 67, becoming only thethird PGA player since 2003 to register a sub-par round after so poor a start.

"I was laughing. Therewas nothing I could do," Kim said. "I was only laughing because itwas the first hole of the day and it was probably the worst start I've ever hadin my career.

"All I could do waslaugh because just some shots I hit there were pretty awful. But for somereason I felt calm. It was one bad hole and I just told myself, 'I can stillshoot under par today' and somehow I did."

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina (Par-70, USA unless noted):

61 - John Huh63 - Im Sung-jae (KOR)

64 - Peter Malnati, Brandon Wu

65 - Brian Stuard, Cameron Percy (AUS), Aaron Wise, Austin Smotherman, Ben Kohles, Alex Smalley, Ryan Moore, Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP), Michael Gligic (CAN)

66 - Anirban Lahiri (IND), Ryan Brehm, JT Poston, Kelly Kraft, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA), Lee Hodges, Jason Dufner, Matthew NeSmith, Kramer Hickok

2022-08-01 07:05:27

Tony Finau fired sixbirdies in a five-under par 67 on Sunday to capture his second PGA Tourtitle in as many weeks with a convincing five shot win in the Rocket MortgageClassic.

Finau, fresh off hiscome-from-behind victory in the 3M Open, started the day tied for the lead withTaylor Pendrith and relentlessly pulled away as the Canadian struggled to buildmomentum.

Finau's 26-under par totalof 262 was the lowest score in tournament history.The world number 16 was24-under after birdies at the fourth, seventh and 10th - where he rolled in a21-foot putt - before his lone bogey of the week with a three-putt at the 11th.

Finau promptly responded bydraining a 30-foot birdie putt at the 12th, then added birdies at 14 and 17 toclose out the win.

"Anytime you win, youbreed confidence," said Finau, who is projected to rise to seventh in theworld rankings.

"I was just happy to carry that confidence from last weekright into this week.

"I've been workingextremely hard on my game all year and I think I'm just kind of bearing thefruit of the labour I've had throughout this season and it's coming togetherfor me late in the season."

Pendrith, meanwhile, hadthree birdies and three bogeys in his even par 72 to share second on 21-under267 with reigning FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Young.

"It was tough,"Pendrith said. "I couldn't really get anything going and didn't get off tothe best start like I did the last three days, but kind of hung in there.

"Middle of the round Ihit some really nice iron shots and just couldn't get anything to fall. I lefta lot of putts short and obviously those have no chance of going in... justkind of lost my feel on the speed of my putts.

"But all in all,obviously it's a good week. It's my best finish ever. It's fun to play in afinal group. Tony played great, so hats off to him."

Cantlay started the day sixadrift and climbed the leaderboard with a six-under par 66 that featuredbirdies at fur of his first five holes and an eagle at the 14th.

"I thought I playedgreat today," Cantlay said. "The golf course firmed up and played alittle tougher than the previous three days, and I played really well, hit alot of solid shots and actually hit a bunch of good putts and didn't have a tongo in after the first four, five holes."

He didn't leave himself toomuch work at the 14th, where he hit "two really good shots and a simplefive-footer up the hill for eagle."

He added another birdie atthe par-five 17th but closed his round with a bogey to miss out on a solorunner-up finish.

Young joined the groupsharing second with a four-under par 68 that featured six birdies.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Michigan (USA unless noted, par-72):

272 - Tony Finau 64-66-65-67

267 - Patrick Cantlay 70-65-66-66, Cameron Young 71-63-65-68, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 64-65-66-72

268 - Stephan Jaeger (GER) 67-68-65-68

269 - Taylor Moore 67-71-65-66

270 - Kim Joo-hyung (KOR) 69-72-66-63

271 - Wyndham Clark 69-68-69-65, JJ Spaun 69-71-66-65

272 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 66-71-69-66, Charley Hoffman 67-69-69-67, Russell Henley 69-65-70-68, Scott Stallings 70-65-67-70273 - Troy Merritt 68-72-68-65, Cam Davis (AUS) 68-73-65-67, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 67-68-68-70

274 - Jason Day (AUS) 69-70-69-66, Vince Whaley 68-71-68-67, Chris Kirk 68-69-67-70

2022-07-31 07:17:27

Taylor Pendrith birdied four of the last five holes in a six-under par 66 on Saturday to head into the final round of the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic tied for the lead alongside Tony Finau.

Canada's Pendrith, chasing a first US PGA Tour title, started the day with a one-shot lead. He had eight birdies to overcome a pair of bogeys in a six-under par 66 that pulled him level with Finau on 21-under par 195 at Detroit Golf Club.

The leading duo were four shots clear of their nearest rival, Cameron Young, who followed up his course record-equalling 63 of Friday with a seven-under par 65 for 199.

"Obviously he made a ton of birdies and I finished the round with a lot of birdies, so it was fun," Pendrith said of his pairing with Finau.

"We were going back and forth. Tony bombs it off the tee and I hit it far as well, so it was fun, kind of similar games I guess, and we attacked it very well."

Finau, seeking his second title in as many weeks after his victory in the 3M Open last Sunday, had seven birdies, the first a 20-footer at the second hole.

Leaderboard:

195 - Tony Finau 64-66-65, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 64-65-66

199 - Cameron Young 71-63-65

200 - Stephan Jaeger (GER) 67-68-65

201 - Patrick Cantlay 70-65-66202 - Scott Stallings 70-65-67

203 - Taylor Moore 67-71-65, Kim Si-woo (KOR) 67-68-68

2022-07-30 11:24:25

Canadian rookie Taylor Pendrith holds a one-shot lead heading into the weekend at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Michigan.

Pendrith, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour of Canada chasing his first win in the States, fired a seven-under-par 65 on Friday to take his total to 15 under.

The 31-year-old's round at Detroit Golf Club included eight birdies and one bogey and saw him finish one shot clear of Tony Finau, with whom he shared the lead at the start of the day."

I think today especially I hit my driver really well, hit a lot of fairways," said Pendrith, who was recently sidelined for four months with a broken rib.

"And my wedges were good. The distances were pretty consistent and gave myself a lot of nice birdie putts.

"To have to sit out for almost four months after that really sucked, but honestly, couldn't really do much about it.

"Just tried to stay patient and know that it's going to heal and I'll be back at some point.

Finau won his third PGA Tour title at the 3M Open last week and admits his confidence is still riding high.

A second-round 66 left him just one shot off the pace and in good shape ahead of the weekend.

"Anytime you win, you breed confidence," Finau said.

"I was just happy to carry that confidence from last week right into this week."

Lee Hodges lies two shots further back in third, followed by the trio of Cameron Young, Russel Henley and Stewart Cink a further two strokes adrift.

2022-07-29 07:19:16

Tony Finau, fresh off histhird PGA Tour triumph, fired eight birdies in a near-flawlesseight-under-par 64 on Thursday to share the Rocket Mortgage Classic lead withTaylor Pendrith.

"I was riding the highoff of last week," said Finau, who pulled away late on Sunday to win the3M Open in Minnesota by three strokes.

At Detroit Golf Club, Finauhit all but one fairway and - for the first time in his career - all 18greens in regulation.

"I had a look everysingle hole for birdie and was able to pop a few in," Finau said.

Finau teed off on 10 androlled in an eight-foot birdie.

He added birdies at the 12th, 14th, 15th and17th to make the turn five-under.He picked up three morebirdies coming in, flying a four-iron from 250 yards to 42 feet for a two-puttbirdie at the par-five seventh the draining a 41-foot birdie putt at theeighth.

"I had to get all ofit to get it to the hole and hit it right in the middle of the green and wasable to two-putt that to kind of keep the momentum up on a solid round,"Finau said of his impressive birdie at the seventh.

He had a 20-foot birdieattempt at his final hole for a course record - but couldn't get it to drop.

"A few of my puttswere like that out there, just left them right in the heart a littleshort," he said.

Pendrith, a rookie fromCanada who was sidelined after the Players Championship in March with a brokenrib then had to pull out of the John Deere Classic after testing positive forCovid, had nine birdies with one bogey in his eight-under effort.

"When I'm healthy, Ican compete with the best," Pendrith said. "Other than the injury,it's been a great rookie year so far and just nice to be back."

Pendrith also opened with abirdie at the 10th, and added three more before his one bogey at the 18th,where he was in a fairway bunker off the tee.He added five birdiescoming in, including a 24-footer at the fifth.

Pendrith was enjoyingDetroit, having driven down from Canada with his wife and with friends andfamily in attendance.

"It feels like a homegame," he said.

The leading duo were twostrokes clear of their nearest rivals, with England's Matt Wallace among thefive players on 66 along with Americans Michael Thompson, Webb Simpson, CameronChamp and Lee Hodges.

Fourteen players were afurther stroke back on 67 and another big group on 68 included defendingchampion Cam Davis and American Mark Hubbard - who dropped his club in disgustat his tee shot on the 11th only for it to take a big hop on the green and rollinto the cup for a hole-in-one the American called "prettyembarrassing".

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Michigan (USA unless noted, par-72):

64 - Tony Finau, Taylor Pendrith (CAN)

66 - Michael Thompson, Webb Simpson, Cameron Champ, Lee Hodges, Matt Wallace (ENG)

67 - Stephan Jaeger (GER), Taylor Moore, Sam Ryder, Kim Si-woo (KOR), Zach Johnson, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), John Huh, Justin Lower, Callum Tarren (ENG), Henrik Norlander (SWE), Kurt Kitayama, David Lipsky, Charley Hoffman, Nick Watney

- AFP

2022-07-25 07:26:11

Tony Finau charged late to card a four-under par 67 on Sunday to win his third PGA Tour title at the 3M Open as fellow American Scott Piercy stumbled down the stretch.

Finau, ranked 17th in the world, grabbed three of his six birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th to pull away for a three-shot win over South Korean Im Sung-jae, who carded a bogey-free 68, and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo, who posted an even par 71.

Chasing Piercy for most of the day after starting five adrift, Finau had finally seized the lead when he got a great break at the par-three 17th, where his tee shot got held up in the rough and stayed just inside the line marking the water hazard.

He gave the ball a little kiss after saving par, and even though he was less lucky at the par-five 18th - where his tee shot did find the water - a closing bogey was ultimately irrelevant as his 17-under par total of 267 gave him the win with strokes to spare at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.

Finau, whose 10 career runner-up finishes include two this season at the Canadian Open and Mexico Open, said it took "really everything I had" to win.

"I was playing great and really every time I looked up it seemed like I was four or five shots back really all day," he said.

He was chasing Piercy, the 43-year-old seeking a fifth PGA Tour title, who started the day with a four-shot lead and was up by as many as five after rolling in birdies of 10 and 30 feet at the second and sixth holes.

The first signs of trouble for Piercy showed with bogeys at the eighth, ninth and 11th.But the real disaster came late, when he dropped five shots in three holes with a bogey, triple-bogey and bogey at the 13th 14th and 15th.

At 14, Piercy needed two shots to get out of a fairway bunker and when he did, he found the water.

Piercy's five-over 76 left him tied for fourth on 271 alongside fellow Americans James Hahn, who carded a 65, and Tom Hoge, who signed for a 70.

Finau notched his first victory since winning last year's Northern Trust, the first event of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

"I really got things going in the middle of our back nine," said Finau, who drained a 15-foot birdie putt at the 11th. He holed an eight-foot birdie putt at 14, curled in a 32-footer at the 15th and rapped in a nine-footer at 16.

"Once I got control of the golf tournament it was a whole different mindset, trying to seal the deal."

Couple of squirrely swings coming in, but I called 'bank' on 17 and it worked out."

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota (par 71, USA unless noted):

267 - Tony Finau 67-68-65-67

270 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 65-70-67-68, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-65-67-71

271 - James Hahn 69-70-67-65, Tom Hoge 67-68-66-70, Scott Piercy 65-64-66-76

274 - Danny Willett (ENG) 72-66-68-68, Callum Tarren (ENG) 71-63-71-69, Greyson Sigg 70-68-64-72

275 - Chesson Hadley 68-69-66-72

276 - Kelly Kraft 70-71-68-67, Peter Malnati 68-69-69-70, Robert Streb 68-67-71-70, JT Poston 71-69-64-72, Andrew Putnam 71-68-64-73

2022-07-23 19:12:33

American Scott Piercy birdied five consecutive holes to grab a four-stroke lead when a thunderstorm halted Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's 3M Open.

The 2016 US Open runner-up led by three strokes when the round began and was on 18-under through seven holes, 5-under in Saturday's round, when play was halted at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.

World number 297 Piercy, 43, seeks his fifth PGA title, but his first since the 2018 Zurich Classic pairs event and first solo crown since the 2015 Barbasol Championship.

Argentina's Emiliano Grillo was second on 14-under after seven holes with American Tony Finau a distant third on 10-under when players were pulled off the course.

Tee times had been moved to the morning with groups of three in hopes of completing play before the storms arrived.

Piercy birdied his fifth hole in a row at the seventh on a putt from just outside 10 feet to leave Grillo four adrift.

Piercy began Saturday's birdie run with an 18-foot putt at the third hole then added a seven-footer at the par-3 fourth, a 14-foot putt at the fifth and dropped his approach three feet from the cup at the par-5 sixth to set up another birdie putt.

World number 132 Grillo, third at the 2020 3M Open and second three weeks ago at the John Deere Classic, won his only PGA title at the 2015 Frys.com Open.

He opened with a birdie, added another on a 28-foot putt at the fourth and eagled the sixth on a putt from just inside 40 feet.

- AFP

2022-07-23 06:48:27

Scott Piercy opened with four consecutive birdies on his way to a seven-under par 64, seizing a three-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the US PGA Tour's 3M Open.

The 43-year-old American's bogey-free round put him on 13-under 129 after 36 holes at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.

"It feels great," Piercy said.

"It has been a little bit since I've played like I should play. To prove it to myself again, I know it's in there, it's just like, 'OK, how do we get it out of me?'"

Argentina's Emiliano Grillo, chasing his first PGA victory since 2015, was second on 132 with England's Callum Tarren third on 134 after a sizzling 63, one off the course record.

Piercy, a 2016 US Open runner-up, chases his fifth PGA title, but his first solo crown since the 2015 Barbasol Championship. He is 1-4 with a 36-hole PGA lead, winning at the 2012 Canadian Open.

"There's a lot of business to take care of this weekend," Piercy said.

"But to come out the first two days and do what I did gives me a lot of confidence going into the weekend."

Back-nine starter Piercy, ranked 297th in the world, shared the 18-hole lead and charged at the start in round two with a birdie binge.

Piercy sank a 27-foot birdie putt at the 10th, a 10-footer at 11, another from just outside four feet at the par-5 12th and the last from just under six feet at the par-3 13th.

It was the third time in his PGA career that Piercy began a round with four birdies after the third rounds at last year's Palmetto Championship and the 2019 Heritage tournament.

Piercy made a 17-foot birdie putt at the second hole and added birdie putts from just outside 10 feet at the par-5 sixth and par-4 seventh.

Grillo, third at the 2020 3M Open, had five birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey.

"I played great. Everything worked," Grillo said. "Made some putts. Happy days."

World number 132 Grillo, who shared second three weeks ago at the John Deere Classic, won his only PGA title at the 2015 Frys.com Open in only his eighth tour start.

Grillo had five birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey. He holed a 40-foot eagle putt after reaching the green in two at the par-5 sixth.

"When you have such a long putt you're trying to focus on the speed," Grillo said of his effort at the sixth hole.

"I was just trying to read the break and I hit a magnificent putt."

PGA rookie Tarren, ranked 335th, used a new putter in his opening round and fired 71 but went back to his familiar flatstick on Friday.

"I put my old faithful back in today and it worked. Great round," Tarren said.

Tarren, sixth at the John Deere, hit all 18 greens in regulation and said he's playing better because he's more comfortable with the tour.

"My confidence is high and I want to win a golf tournament," he said.

"My mindset has almost totally changed from just wanting to make cuts."

South Korean Im Sung-jae, who shared the 18-hole lead with Piercy on 65, was six adrift on 135 along with Americans Tony Finau, Tom Hoge, Doug Ghim and Robert Streb.

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the US PGA Tour's 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota (par 71, USA unless noted):

129 - Scott Piercy 65-64

132 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-65

134 - Callum Tarren (ENG) 71-63

135 - Tony Finau 67-68, Robert Streb 68-67, Tom Hoge 67-68, Im Sung-jae (KOR) 65-70, Doug Ghim 67-68

137 - Patton Kizzire 68-69, Lee Hodges 70-67, Jared Wolfe 68-69, Chesson Hadley 68-69, Peter Malnati 68-69

138 - Cam Davis (AUS) 70-68, Adam Long 69-69, Greyson Sigg 70-68, Danny Willett (ENG) 72-66, Brice Garnett 67-71, Chase Seiffert 71-67

139 - Roger Sloan (CAN) 70-69, Andrew Putnam 71-68, Paul Barjon (FRA) 72-67, Scott Gutschewski 72-67, Ricky Barnes 68-71, David Lingmerth (SWE) 68-71, James Hahn 69-70, Andrew Novak 70-69

2022-07-22 07:49:31

South Korea's Im Sung-jae and American Scott Piercy each fired six-under-par 65s to share the lead after Thursday's opening round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open.

Both battled tricky winds at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, but seized a two-stroke edge over Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and Americans Tom Hoge, Doug Ghim, Brice Garnett and Tony Finau.

"I felt like I struck the ball well all day," Piercy said. "With the winds being cross and swirly, I felt like I hit good solid shots into conservative parts of the green."

Back-nine starter Im sank a putt from just inside 18 feet for par at 18 to spark a hot closing-nine run.

"It was a good score," Im said through a translator. "The momentum at 18th hole made a good rhythm for me, a good tempo, and I had a good score on the back nine."

Im, the 2020 Masters runner-up, seeks his third PGA title after the 2020 Honda Classic and 2021 Shriners Children's Open.

Im, 24, birdied the 10th and 12th holes but missed the green at the par-3 13th and took his lone bogey, answering with an eight-foot birdie putt at 16 and his long effort at 18.

He birdied four of his last six holes, including birdie putts of 15 feet at the par-3 fourth, 23 feet at the seventh and 26 feet at the ninth.

Piercy, a 2016 US Open runner-up, chases his fifth PGA title, but his first solo crown since the 2015 Barbasol Championship.

Piercy dropped a wedge shot six feet from the cup to set up an opening birdie, then sank a 31-foot birdie putt at the third and a six-footer at the par-5 sixth before his lone bogey at the ninth.

He responded with birdies on four of the next five holes, making putts from 26 feet at 10, 20 feet at 11 and 31 feet at 13 before landing his approach inches from the cup for another at 14.

Piercy, 43, is down to his last three events to try and move into the top 125 on the PGA season points list and reach next month's playoffs.

"You know where you're at," Piercy said. "Every shot counts and it's time to buckle down. To start off this way is really nice."

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, withdrew after a 77 that included a quadruple bogey nine at the 18th hole, plunking three balls in the water on his ninth hole of the round.

His reason for departure was listed as a sore wrist.

Also shooting 77 was American Jeff Overton, making his first PGA start in more than five years due to lingering injuries.

Mardy Fish, a six-time winner on the ATP Tour who took a silver medal in men's singles at the 2004 Athens Olympics, made his PGA debut on a sponsor's exemption, struggling to an 81 to share 153rd.

The 40-year-old American, who retired from tennis in 2015, won his last ATP title 11 years ago in Atlanta.

Fish, a celebrity golf event winner, was the first ATP player to compete in a PGA tournament and follows in the footsteps of such athletes as NBA star Stephen Curry and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota (par 71, USA unless noted):

65 - Scott Piercy, Im Sung-jae (KOR)

67 - Tom Hoge, Brice Garnett, Doug Ghim, Tony Finau, Emiliano Grillo (ARG)

68 - Ricky Barnes, Chesson Hadley, Peter Malnati, David Lingmerth (SWE), Adam Hadwin (CAN), Patton Kizzire, Robert Streb, Hank Lebioda, Jared Wolfe

69 - CT Pan (TPE), James Hahn, Noh Seung-yul (KOR), Adam Long, Jonas Blixt (SWE), Scott Brown

2022-07-18 08:10:26

Chez Reavie carded four birdies and two bogeys to earn six points and hold off hard-charging Alex Noren by one point to win the PGA Tour Barracuda Championship in Truckee, California, on Sunday.

Reavie, who started the day with a six-point lead, had Noren breathing down his neck on the back nine at Tahoe Mountain Club after the Swede's run of four straight birdies from the sixth through the ninth.

But Reavie held on, matching Noren's birdies at the 12th and 16th to claim victory in the event, which uses a Modified Stableford scoring system that awards five points for an eagle, two for a birdie and deducts points for bogeys and worse.

Reavie finished the week with a total of 43 points while Noren piled up 14 on Sunday to finish with a total of 42.

"I just stayed patient," said Reavie, who bogeyed the fourth hole before picking up his first birdies of the day at the eighth and ninth.

"I knew I was going to have to. I knew some guys were going to make a lot of birdies early. I was hoping to be one of those guys, but the putter was kind of letting me down early.

"I just tried to keep it as close as I could to the hole and give myself some good looks."

Reavie, 40, captured his third PGA Tour title and his first since 2019.

"I've been working hard," he said. "I've been hitting the ball and I knew I could do it. I just kept grinding, and here we are."

Noren called it a "roller coaster" of a week, after he decided to depart St. Andrews before the start of the British Open, where he was first alternate, and try his luck in the California mountains.

As it turned out, he would have gained entry to the final major of the year after Justin Rose withdrew with a back injury.

But Noren, who turned 40 on Tuesday, said he didn't regret the decision.

"I love this course," he said. "It was pretty tricky today with the wind. It's been a roller coaster of a week, obviously, but when you make the cut you think, well, this is a great week anyway.

"Then I played good on the weekend and had a blast today," Noren added.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the US PGA Tour Barracuda Championship at Truckee, California, using the Modified Stableford Scoring System that awards and subtracts points for birdies and bogeys (USA unless noted):

43 - Chez Reavie 9 19 9 6

42 - Alex Noren (SWE) 4 12 12 14

38 - Martin Laird (SCO) 10 8 13 7

37 - Mark Hubbard 13 12 0 12

35 - Scott Gutschewski 6 8 11 10

34 - Cam Davis (AUS) 8 8 12 6

33 - Hurly Long (GER) 6 5 10 12

31 - Austin Smotherman 7 9 6 9

30 - Maverick McNealy 11 8 7 4, Michael Thompson 10 -2 18 4

28 - Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 5 6 9 8, Harry Higgs 4 11 11 2

27 - Sean Crocker 12 5 2 8, Nick Hardy 5 8 10 4, Marcus Helligkilde (DEN) 8 7 9 3

2022-07-17 07:06:52

Chez Reavie grabbed five birdies with just one bogey to push his lead in the PGA Tour's Barracuda Championship to six points over Scotland's Martin Laird on Saturday.

Reavie, chasing a third PGA Tour title and his first since 2019, put up a relatively modest total after scoring 19 points on Friday under the Modified Stableford scoring system that awards points for birdies and eagles and subtracts them for bogeys and worse.

"I hit the ball really well today for most of the day," Reavie said.

"Didn't really make many putts, had a lot of good looks and fortunately made a few in the middle. Hit some bad shots coming in and was able to save some pars.

"Wasn't quite all together today, but did everything well at different times."

Laird finished strong on the Old Greenwood course at Tahoe Mountain Club, closing with three straight birdies in a 13-point round."Love this tournament," Laird said.

"Always like playing at altitude, love being in the mountains. I live in Denver, so it's not strange for me with how far the ball goes. I kind of know my numbers at this altitude, which is nice."

Sweden's Alex Noren and Australian Cam Davis were tied for third on 28, both piling up 12 points.

American Brice Garnett and Sweden's Henrik Norlander were tied on 27 points.

Reavie, 40, acknowledged that he would be feeling the tension as he sought to add to his tally of US tour titles."

Definitely going to be some nerves in the morning, but [I'm] just going out and trying to hit good solid shots and give myself good looks, and if I make some putts, I'll be in a good spot," he said.

"Just looking to hit it in the fairways, knock it on the greens and give myself some looks."

Leading scores after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour Barracuda Championship at Truckee, California, using the Modified Stableford Scoring System that awards and subtracts points for birdies and bogeys (USA unless noted):

37 - Chez Reavie 9 19 9

31 - Martin Laird (SCO) 10 8 13

28 - Alex Noren (SWE) 4 12 12, Cam Davis (AUS) 8 8 12

27 - Brice Garnett 12 5 10, Henrik Norlander (SWE) 11 14 2

26 - Michael Thompson 10 -2 18, Joshua Creel 10 5 11, Harry Higgs 4 11 11, Maverick McNealy 11 8 7

25 - Scott Gutschewski 6 8 11, Mark Hubbard 13 12 0

24 - Marcus Helligkilde (DEN) 8 7 9, Charley Hoffman 13-2-9, Martin Trainer 8 11 5

- AFP

2022-07-16 07:30:11

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the US PGA Tour Barracuda Championship at Truckee, California, using the Modified Stableford Scoring System that awards and subtracts points for birdies and bogeys (USA unless noted):

28 - Chez Reavie 9-19

25 - Mark Hubbard 13-12, Henrik Norlander (SWE) 11-14

21 - Kevin Tway 6-15

19 - Maverick McNealy 11-8, Martin Trainer 8-11

18 - Martin Laird (SCO) 10-8

17 - Brice Garnett 12-5, Sean Crocker 12-5, Nino Bertasio (ITA) 7-10

16 - Kelly Kraft 8-8, Cam Davis (AUS) 8-8, Greyson Sigg 4-12, Michael, Gligic (CAN) 11-5, Austin Smotherman 7-9, Alex Noren (SWE) 4-12, Yannik Paul (GER) 8-8

2022-07-15 07:33:50

Charley Hoffman piled up 13 points to share the first-round lead with fellow American Mark Hubbard on Thursday in the PGA Tour's Barracuda Championship in Truckee, California.

Both Hoffmann and Hubbard had seven birdies and a bogey to top the leaderboard in the event that uses the Modified Stableford scoring system.

"I got off to a good start," said Hoffman, who claimed the most recent of his four PGA Tour titles at the 2016 Texas Open.

"Made some birdies early. I had eagle putts on par-fives that could have been really good that were close to going in.

"I hit a lot of greens, gave myself opportunities, made some putts," Hoffman added. "Was never out of position to really struggle a ton. I gave myself an opportunity to make birdies in this format is what you want."

Players receive eight points for an albatross, five for eagle, two for birdie and none for par. A point is subtracted for a bogey, and three points are taken away for a double bogey or worse.

Hoffman, who has battled a back injury this season, said it was worth the long trip from the Scottish Open - where he finished tied for 69th - to continue his drive to make the FedEx Cup playoffs.

"I'm trying to get some momentum going through the end of the year, and this is a week that you can change the year in a few good days," he said of the event being played opposite the Open Championship at St Andrews.

"Last year had a great year, and this year I've had not such a great year, and I want to get those juices going again."

Hubbard, meanwhile, is coming off a third-place finish at the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky on Sunday, but he said he didn't feel a lot of momentum from that finish.

"I really hit it pretty poorly, but I just managed my game well," he said. "So I got here this week, I was tired.

"I felt like I hit it pretty good today and made some progress from last week actually."

The leading duo had a one-point lead over Americans Brice Garnett and Sean Crocker and Canadian Aaron Cockerill.

Leading scores after Thursday's first round of the PGA Tour Barracuda Championship at Truckee, California, using the Modified Stableford Scoring System that awards and subtracts points for birdies and bogeys (USA unless noted):

13 - Mark Hubbard, Charley Hoffman

12 - Brice Garnett, Sean Crocker, Aaron Cockerill (CAN)

11 - Maverick McNealy, Henrik Norlander (SWE), Jim Knous, Michael Gligic (CAN), Callum Tarren (ENG)

10 - Michael Thompson, Joshua Creel, Martin Laird (SCO)

9 - James Morrison (ENG), Matt Ryan, Chez Reavie, Fabin Gmez (ARG), Michael Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)

- AFP

2022-07-11 07:29:57

2022-07-11 07:26:08

Trey Mullinax sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole on Sunday to win the Barbasol Championship for his first PGA Tour title and capture a berth in the Open Championship.

The 30-year-old American fired a six-under par 66 in the final round to finish on 25-under 263 and edge compatriot Kevin Streelman by one stroke after 72 holes at Keene Trace, which absorbed nearly four inches of rain Friday and Saturday.

World number 370 Mullinax, whose best prior finish was a share of second at the 2018 Texas Open, will make his first start in the Open, which begins Thursday at St. Andrews.

"I just told myself, this is your purpose so commit to it and do it," Mullinax said. "We were trying to commit to everything we were doing. I stayed focused for 72 holes."

Streelman, ranked 129th, birdied 17 to match Mullinax for the lead, and tension was high as they reached the 18th green.

Mullinax holed his putt, pumping his right fist twice in celebration.

"I told myself, 'I've been putting great all week, just go for it,'" Mullinax said.

Streelman, a two-time PGA winner whose 208 starts without a victory over the past eight years are the most on tour, had a nine-foot birdie putt to force a playoff, but the ball rolled right of the cup and he settled for second.

"I gave my all," Streelman said. "Trey and I just battled each other. He's one of my best friends out here so that was kind of fun as well.

"I'm frustrated. I hit two incredible shots there into the last two holes and hit two good putts. One of them went. One of them didn't."

American Mark Hubbard was third on 266 after shooting 65. Germany's Hurly Long was fourth on 267, with American Vince Whaley on 268 and Canada's Adam Svensson sixth on 269.

The event was co-sanctioned by the PGA and DP World tours for the first time, but most of the world's top players were at the Scottish Open.

Back-nine battle

Players finished a storm-hit third round on Sunday and went directly back out for the final round without new pairings to help ensure play would be completed by sundown.

Mullinax birdied five of the first eight holes but missed a three-foot putt at the par-3 ninth to make bogey, while Streelman sank an eight-foot birdie putt to leave them level for the lead at 22-under.

They battled throughout the back nine, with Streelman making a 20-foot birdie putt at the 10th but finding a bunker at 12 and making bogey.

Mullinax and Streelman each birdied the 13th and added tap-in birdies at the par-5 15th.

Streelman missed a par putt from just inside five feet at the par-3 16th but sank a nine-foot birdie putt at the par-4 17th to pull level again and set up the closing drama.

Leading scores after Sunday's final round of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour Barbasol Championship at Keene Trace (USA unless noted, par 72):

263 - Trey Mullinax 65-65-67-66

264 - Kevin Streelman 66-64-67-67

266 - Mark Hubbard 65-67-69-65

267 - Hurly Long (GER) 68-65-63-71

268 - Vince Whaley 70-64-67-67

269 - Adam Svensson (CAN) 62-67-69-71

270 - Michael Kim 65-68-67-70

271 - Marcus Helligkilde (DEN) 70-69-66-66, Sean O'Hair 68-65-65-73, Justin Lower 69-70-66-66, Ricardo Gouveia (POR) 64-65-72-70, Matti Schmid (GER) 65-63-66-77

272 - Espen Kofstad (NOR) 69-66-70-67, Ben Kohles 67-66-69-70, Taylor Pendrith (CAN) 71-68-67-66, Camilo Villegas (COL) 65-68-70-69, Kramer Hickok 67-66-69-70, Tyler Duncan 67-64-69-72, Max McGreevy 65-63-74-70

273 - Yannik Paul (GER) 66-67-68-72

- AFP

2022-07-10 10:35:20

McGreevy sleeps on lead at storm-hit PGA Barbasol event

Max McGreevy held a one-shot lead when darkness halted play in the third round of the storm-hit US PGA Tour Barbasol Championship on Saturday.

American McGreevy had shared the 36-hole lead with Germany's Matti Schmid when the second round was completed on Saturday, both on 16-under 128.

But after storms delayed play for more than three hours on Friday, more heavy weather brought another interruption of more than five hours before McGreevy and Schmid started the third round with just about an hour of daylight left.

McGreevy birdied the first hole and was 17-under through three, while Schmid, a former college standout at the nearby University of Louisville who hadn't made a bogey in the first two rounds, opened the third round birdie-bogey.

Schmid had been "very pleased," with his second-round performance on the rain-softened course, saying he was able to take advantage of "perfect conditions" on Friday night and Saturday morning.

But organizers were scrambling after more than two inches of rain fell on Saturday, leaving the already sodden course with bunkers full of water and standing puddles on a number of holes.

That water had to be cleared before play could resume.

By the time it did, Schmid and Greevy's solid second rounds seemed a distant memory.McGreevy had 10 birdies spread over the two days of his nine-under second round.

"I don't know if I put 10 birdies together in a tournament the last couple of weeks, so to put it together in one round -- regardless how easy the course was playing -- felt really good," McGreevy said.

Canada's Adam Svensson, who opened with a 62 on Thursday, shot 67 on Friday to start the third round one adrift. He birdied the second hole of the third round to pull level with Schmid on 16-under through three holes.

The event is co-sanctioned by the US PGA and DP World tours for the first time as is this week's Scottish Open, where most of the world's top players are competing ahead of next week's British Open at St. Andrews.

2022-07-09 19:45:29

Schmid, McGreevy share lead at storm-hit PGA Barbasol event

Germany's Matti Schmid and American Max McGreevy each completed second rounds of nine-under par 63 on Saturday to share the 36-hole lead at the storm-hit PGA Tour Barbasol Championship.

Schmid, a former college standout at the nearby University of Louisville who hasn't made a bogey this week, and McGreevy, a PGA rookie, were on 16-under 128 at the tournament midpoint at Keene Trace.

Storms on Friday delayed play for more than three hours and forced 76 players to complete the second round on Saturday morning, taking advantage of the rain-soaked course.

"Very pleased," Schmid said.

"We had perfect conditions last night and very good conditions this morning and I'm glad I could take advantage of those."

Schmid finished his last eight holes on Saturday with birdies at the par-4 13th, par-3 14th, par-5 15th and par-4 17th.

McGreevy, who birdied five of the first six holes and in all on Friday, completed his back nine Saturday with birdies at the par-5 11th and 15th, the par-3 16th and 17.

"I don't know if I put 10 birdies together in a tournament the last couple of weeks, so to put it together in one round - regardless how easy the course was playing - felt really good," McGreevy said."

Swing feels good. Putter feels good. Just kind of giving myself looks and just seemed to keep going in the hole."

Canada's Adam Svensson, who opened with a 62 on Thursday, shot 67 on Friday to share second on 129 with Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia with Americans Trey Mullinax and Kevin Streelman on 130 and American Tyler Duncan on 131.

The event is co-sanctioned by the PGA and DP World tours for the first time as is this week's Scottish Open, where most of the world's top players are competing ahead of next week's British Open at St Andrews.

Leading scores after Saturday's completion of the storm-hit second round of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour Barbasol Championship at Keene Trace (USA unless noted, par 72):

128 - Matti Schmid (GER) 65-63, Max McGreevy 65-63

129 - Adam Svensson (CAN) 62-67, Ricardo Gouveia (POR) 64-65

130 - Trey Mullinax 65-65, Kevin Streelman 66-64

131 - Tyler Duncan 67-64132 - Mark Hubbard 65-67, Robin Roussel (FRA) 64-68, Brandon Hagy 70-62, Michael Gligic (CAN) 69-63

133 - Sean O'Hair 68-65, Kramer Hickok 67-66, Yannick Paul (GER) 66-67, Dylan Wu 66-67, Hurly Long (GER) 68-65, Camilo Villegas (COL) 65-68, Michael Kim 65-68, Ben Kohles 67-66

134 - Jason Dufner 67-67, David Hearn (CAN) 67-67, Austin Cook 70-64, Julien Brun (FRA) 67-67, Bo Van Pelt 65-69, Tom Lewis (ENG) 66-68, Jonathan Byrd 67-67, Vince Whaley 70-64, Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 67-67

2022-07-09 06:42:37

Canada's Svensson keeps lead at storm-hit Barbasol event

Canada's Adam Svensson fired a five-under par 67 to remain atop the leaderboard when Friday's storm-interrupted second round of the PGA Tour's Barbasol Championship was halted by darkness.

Svensson made seven birdies against two bogeys to match his 36-hole PGA Tour career-low on 15-under 129 at Keene Trace in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

France's Robin Roussel and Americans Mark Hubbard and Brandon Hagy shared second in the clubhouse on 132, Hagy after a bogey-free 62, with Americans Sean O'Hair, Dylan Wu and Kramer Hickok and Germany's Yannik Paul on 133.

An afternoon storm stoppage of more than three hours meant sunset arrived with 76 players unable to complete their second round. Play was set to resume Saturday morning.

Among those still on the course, the low score belonged to American Trey Mullinax, who was 13-under overall with five holes remaining, six-under on his second round.

World number 158 Svensson, chasing his first PGA victory, matched the lowest opening round in tournament history with a 62 on Thursday.

After a 4 am wake-up call, Svensson took a nap in his car during the delay and adjusted to the rain-soaked course once play resumed.

"It got a lot wetter," Svensson said. "You had to control your wedges. The ball was spinning back. I hit a lot of chippy shots coming in. It wasn't bad actually.

"Get it in the fairway and you can make a lot of birdies."

The event is co-sanctioned by the PGA and DP World tours for the first time as is this week's Scottish Open, where most of the world's top players are competing ahead of next week's Open at St. Andrews.

Svensson, 28, managed his two best PGA results this season, a share of seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January and ninth at the Honda Classic in February.

Svensson opened with a birdie and answered a bogey at the third hole with a 29-foot birdie putt at the fourth. He added birdies at the sixth and seventh then closed with three birdies in the last six holes.

After a 25-foot birdie putt on the 13th, Svensson sandwiched birdies at 15 and 17 around a bogey at the par-3 16th.

- AFP

2022-07-08 07:12:02

Canada's Adam Svensson swooped for two eagles in a 10-under par 62 to grab a two-stroke lead in Thursday's first round of the US PGA Tour's Barbasol Championship.

World number 158 Svensson, chasing his first PGA victory, also had seven birdies and a lone bogey at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky, to match the lowest score for the first 18 holes in tournament history.

"I was hitting it well and putting well and it kind of all clicked," Svensson said.

"I feel like I'm rolling it really nicely."

Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia, who missed the cut at Bay Hill in 2016 in his only prior PGA Tour start, carded a 64 to share second with France's Robin Roussel.

It was a further stroke back to Germany's Matti Schmid, Colombian Camilo Villegas, England's David Skinns and Americans Trey Mullinax, Michael Kim, Max McGreevy, Mark Hubbard and Bo Van Pelt.

The event is co-sanctioned by the PGA and DP World tours for the first time as is this week's Scottish Open, where most of the world's top players are competing ahead of next week's British Open at St. Andrews.

Svensson, a back-nine starter, drove the green to set up a tap-in birdie at the par-5 11th, made a four-foot birdie putt at 12 and missed a five-foot par putt at the par-3 14th for his only bogey.

He responded by reaching the par-5 15th green in two and sinking a 23-foot eagle putt, then added birdies at 17 and one before making three in a row starting at the fourth.

Svensson, 28, drove the green at the par-5 eighth and sank a 31-foot eagle putt to take the lead alone and parred the par-3 ninth.

He has managed his two best PGA results, this season, a share of seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January and ninth at the Honda Classic in February.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour and DP World Tour Barbasol Championship (USA unless noted, par 72):

62 - Adam Svensson (CAN)

64 - Ricardo Gouveia (POR), Robin Roussel (FRA)

65 - Trey Mullinax, Matti Schmid (GER), Camilo Villegas (COL), Max McGreevy, Michael Kim, David Skinns (ENG), Mark Hubbard, Bo Van Pelt

66 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Kevin Streelman, Doc Redman, Taylor Moore, Andrew Wilson (ENG), Greyson Sigg, Cameron Percy (AUS), Justin Walters (RSA), Yannik Paul (GER), Dylan Wu

2022-07-04 06:52:21

2022-07-04 06:49:52

JT Poston became the first wire-to-wire winner at the John Deere Classic in 30 years on Sunday to capture his second career PGA Tour title and book his Open Championship debut.

The 29-year-old American fired a two-under par 69 to finish 72 holes on 21-under 263 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

That delivered Poston a three-stroke triumph over Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who joined the American in booking berths at St Andrews when the Open starts on 14 July.

"I can't wait," Poston said. "I've always wanted to play in one of those at any venue. For the first one to be at St Andrews, I can't draw it up any better."

Poston was only the third Deere wire-to-wire winner, the first since South African David Frost in 1992, and just the second PGA wire-to-wire winner this season after Chile's Joaquin Niemann at Riviera.

"It is hard, wire to wire, having the lead for that long," Poston said.

"It's hard not to think about it."

Poston birdied the first three holes, had two bogeys, then parred 10 consecutive holes before a birdie at the par-3 17th and a closing par.

"I got off to a good start, tried to give some back, but I kept my head in it and tried to stay focused," Poston said."I was just trying to breathe. There were a little more nerves than the first three days and I was having to battle through them. It's nice to know I can."

Poston, who matched his PGA career low with a 62 on Thursday, took his only prior PGA victory at the 2019 Wyndham Championship.

"You just never know if you're going to do it again and to do it this week is awesome," Poston said, his voice breaking after 72 holes with a stoic expression.

World number 99 Poston had three prior top-10 efforts this season, including a runner-up finish at last week's Travelers Championship.

Poston, the solo leader since Friday's third hole, led by three when the day began and built his lead to five strokes before it shrank to one over Grillo on the back nine.

But the South American missed a six-foot putt and made bogey at the par-3 12th to stumble two back while Poston hit the flagstick on a 67-foot birdie putt at 12 and tapped in for par to stay two ahead.

Poston found a greenside bunker at the par-4 13th but sank a clutch 10-foot par putt. Moments later, Grillo missed a 10-foot par putt at the 14th for bogey.

Bezuidenhout charged into the hunt late with three birdies in four holes, the last of them a tap-in at the par-5 17th.

But Poston sank a birdie putt at 17 from just outside five feet - his first birdie since the third - to stretch his lead back to three.

"It's nice to get it behind me," Poston said.

"Sitting on a lead that long isn't easy no matter how big it is. It was definitely a grind."

Three-birdie start

Poston opened with three straight birdies, sinking putts from about three feet at the first and par-5 second holes plus a 23-footer at the par-3 third.

But Poston had back-to-back bogeys at the fifth, where he three-putted, and sixth, where he found a bunker and missed an 11-foot par putt.

Grillo, ranked 151st in the world, couldn't take advantage and missed out on his second PGA title, the first coming in 2015."I knew I needed a solid week," Grillo said. "I just needed to play well and go up the rankings and have a job for next year. That was more important for me than going to the Open. Now I get both, so that's pretty special."

"Leading final-round scores on Sunday at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois (USA unless noted, par-71):

263 - JT Poston 62-65-67-69

266 - Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 69-65-66-66, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-64-65-69

267 - Christopher Gotterup 65-67-69-66, Scott Stallings 67-66-64-70

268 - Callum Tarren (ENG) 68-65-65-70, Denny McCarthy 66-65-66-71

269 - Maverick McNealy 70-63-68-68, Cam Davis (AUS) 68-68-65-68

270 - Patrick Flavin 70-66-68-66, Chesson Hadley 67-69-67-67, Michael Gligic (CAN) 64-69-68-69

271 - Charles Howell 68-67-68-68, Adam Long 70-67-66-68, Mark Hubbard 67-67-68-69

2022-07-03 07:14:09

J.T. Poston, chasing a wire-to-wire victory, fired a four-under par 67 to hold a three-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA John Deere Classic.

The 29-year-old American, who matched his career low with a 62 on Thursday, rolled in an eagle putt from just inside 14 feet at the par-5 17th and closed with a par to finish 54 holes on 19-under 194 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

"It was a little tougher out there," Poston said. "I didn't hit it as well off the tees. I had to earn it a bit more out there. I pulled out a 67. So I'm pretty happy with it."

American Scott Stallings, seeking his first PGA title in eight years, shot 64 to share second on 197 alongside countryman Denny McCarthy and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo, who birdied four of the last five holes to shoot 65 as he chases his first PGA victory since 2015.

Leaderboard:

194 - J.T. Poston 62-65-67

197 - Scott Stallings 67-66-64, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 68-64-65, Denny McCarthy 66-65-66

198 - Callum Tarren (ENG) 68-65-65

199 - Bo Hoag 67-69-63, Chris Naegel 66-66-67

200 - Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 69-65-66, Matthias Schwab (AUT) 67-65-68

2022-07-01 07:20:30

2022-07-01 07:18:20

JT Poston matched his career low round with a nine-under par 62 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead in the first round of the PGA Tour John Deere Classic in Illinois.

Poston, chasing a second PGA Tour title after his 2019 Wyndham Championship win, rattled in a 26-foot eagle putt and capped his round with another 26-footer for a birdie, setting an early target that withstood all afternoon challengers.

"Any time you can have those rounds where you really get it going low and mistake-free, bogey-free is a bonus," said Poston, who also carded a 62 en route to a runner-up finish to Xander Schauffele last week.

"It's why you work at it and why you practice the way we do."

Poston teed off on 10 and after back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14 he strung together three straight birdies from the 17th through first before capping the burst with his eagle at the second.

He holed a 70-foot shot from a greenside bunker for birdie at the fourth and after two clutch par putts at the fifth and sixth rolled in one more birdie putt at the ninth.

"The bunker shot on four - I looked at (caddie Aaron) Flener like, did that really happen?" Poston said.

"I think it was the first green that I missed, and to hole it out and make birdie, you're not really thinking you're going to make it, but when you do, you just realise it could be one of those days."

Poston, who has three top-10 finishes this season, was two strokes in front of Canadian Michael Gligic, who had seven birdies in his seven-under par 64.

Vaughn Taylor and Christopher Gotterup shared third on 65, both carding eight birdies and two bogeys in their six-under rounds.

Ricky Barnes, Denny McCarthy, Monday qualifier Chris Naegel and South African Dylan Frittelli were tied on 66.

Poston said he knew he'd have to keep going low to be in the hunt on Sunday in a tournament in which the highest winning score since 2009 was 18-under.

"I think tomorrow, regardless of where I stand starting the day, I am going to try and go out there and shoot another number like that or shoot another solid five-, six-under," he said.

"Just stay aggressive and not just kind of coast."Gligic said he'd also try to keep the pedal down.

"We all have our game plans, and just going to stick to it and hopefully can keep hitting good shots and giving myself some looks and make some putts," he said.

Gligic was unbothered by windier afternoon conditions, finding 16 of 18 greens in regulation and rolling in a number of long range putts.

His seven birdies included three in a row at seven, eight and nine, with putts of 12, 21 and 19 feet.

"It was fairly stress free," he said. "Just need to find a way to do that the next three days."

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the US PGA Tour John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois (USA unless noted, par-71):

62 - JT Poston

64 - Michael Gligic (CAN)65 - Vaughn Taylor, Christopher Gotterup

66 - Ricky Barnes, Denny McCarthy, Chris Naegel, Dylan Frittelli (RSA)

67 - Taylor Moore, Chesson Hadley, Scott Stallings, Mark Hubbard, Adam Svensson (CAN), Curtis Thompson, Matthias Schwab (AUT), Martin Trainer, Doc Redman, Bo Hoag

2022-06-27 07:22:22

2022-06-27 07:22:22

2022-06-27 07:18:52

Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele birdied the final hole on Sunday to win the Travelers Championship, holding off Sahith Theegala for his sixth career PGA Tour title.

The 28-year-old American fired a two-under par 68 to finish on 19-under 261 after 72 holes at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

That was enough to defeat Theegala, who fell from the lead with a closing double bogey, and fellow American JT Poston, who shared second on 263.

It marked the first time Schauffele had converted a 54-hole PGA lead into a triumph, but that happened only after Theegala seized the lead with a birdie at the 17th - and then found a bunker off the 18th tee to set up a nightmare finish.

"It's incredible," Schauffele said. "I was looking at birdie just getting into a playoff. I saw a little hiccup for Sahith and I knew I had to get it into the cup."

World number 15 Schauffele captured his fifth PGA title in April at the pairs event in New Orleans with pal Patrick Cantlay.

Schauffele had not won a solo tour event since the 2019 Tournament of Champions.

US amateur Michael Thorbjornsen fired his second consecutive 66 to finish fourth on 265, the top amateur showing in tournament history.

"It was surreal. It was crazy," he said. "I think it was louder than last week at the US Open. It was special. I felt pretty comfortable out there."World number 120 Theegala settled for his best PGA finish, improving on his share of third from February's Phoenix Open.

Dramatic finish

Schauffele and Theegala were deadlocked on 18-under with two holes remaining.

Theegala then sank a birdie putt from just inside 11 feet at 17 to seize the lead at 19-under, pumping his fist in celebration while Schauffele watched stoically from the fairway.

While Schauffele two-putted from 25 feet for par at 17, Theegala found a fairway bunker near a high slope at the par-4 18th and tried to blast out.

Instead, Theegala left the ball in the sand at his feet before punching it out into the fairway with his third shot and pitching to 12 feet from the cup.

His bogey putt lipped out off the left edge and he tapped in for double bogey, falling one adrift of Schauffele, who was comfortably in the 18th fairway.

"I knew it was going to be close to the lip, but not that close," said Theegala. "Never in a million years did I think I would allow myself to blade it. All I had to do was chunk it.

"I had room there. I just straight bladed it. And then from there, got to try and make five. I nearly bladed it again."

Schauffele dropped his approach just beyond three feet from the cup and sank the clutch putt for the triumph.

"I know, and all the guys out here know, how hard it is to win and how few opportunities there are," said Theegala.

"That's why something like this is really going to hurt."

Mixed start for Xander

Schauffele made bogey at the second but answered with birdie putts of 15 feet at the par-4 fourth and just inside 11 feet at the par-5 sixth.

He rolled in a 26-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th but was way left off beyond a cart path at the 12th tee on his way to a bogey.

Theegala, who sank a 10-footer to birdie the first and a 24-footer to birdie the ninth, made a tap-in birdie at the par-5 13th and sank a four-foot birdie putt at the par-4 15th to match Schauffele for the lead.

Leading final round scores on Sunday in the PGA Tour Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut (par-70; US unless stated, a- denotes amateur):

261 - Xander Schauffele 63-63-67-68

263 - JT Poston 62-70-67-64, Sahith Theegala 67-65-64-67

265 - Michael Thorbjornsen-a 68-65-66-66

266 - Chesson Hadley 68-67-67-64

268 - Keith Mitchell 66-68-67-67, Kevin Kisner 67-64-66-71

269 - Scott Stallings 74-64-68-63, Brian Harman 68-69-66-66, Chez Reavie 67-69-66-66, William McGirt 66-70-66-67, Nick Hardy 67-64-68-70

270 - John Huh 67-65-69-69, Tony Finau 68-68-65-69, Scottie Scheffler 68-67-65-70, Webb Simpson 64-69-66-71, Martin Laird (SCO) 63-69-66-72, Patrick Cantlay 64-67-63-76

271 - Luke List 68-68-70-65, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 62-70-72-67, Keegan Bradley 69-69-66-67, Matthew NeSmith 65-67-68-71, Harris English 66-65-69-71, Lee Kyung-Hoon (KOR) 68-64-66-73

- AFP

2022-06-26 07:01:39

Xander Schauffele produced a late birdie spree to hold onto a slender lead at the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship Saturday with a three-under-par 67.

Schauffele, who led by five shots after Friday's second round, will take a one-shot advantage into Sunday's final round at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

But the 28-year-old from California left it late to ensure he would remain on top of the leaderboard on Saturday with a pair of birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to drop to 17 under for the tournament.

He rolled in a 16-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th and then drilled an iron from the fairway to a few feet for a further birdie on the 17th.

That ultimately allowed Schauffele to finish the day just in front of red-hot Patrick Cantlay, who had a bogey-free seven-under-par 63 to move to 16 under.

Schauffele is looking forward to a final round duel against close friend and Ryder Cup playing partner Cantlay.

"It will be fun. I've been looking forward to playing with Pat in a final round," he said."We don't get paired together very often in regular tournaments, only in those team ones."

So there's a certain level of comfort we have playing with each other and hopefully that pays off and hopefully we can make a lot of birdies."

Cantlay was similarly enthused by the prospect of a final day shoot-out with his friend.

"We actually haven't played that much together in tournament play, maybe only three times in the last three, four years. So it will be good to go out there again with him," Cantlay said. "It's always nice to be out with him, if he's on my team or if he's not. I'm going to go out there tomorrow and try as hard as I can and let the chips fall where they may."

Sahith Theegala is three off the lead on 14 under after his six-under-par 64.

Leaderboard:

193 - Xander Schauffele 63-63-67194 - Patrick Cantlay 64-67-63196 - Sahith Theegala 67-65-64197 - Kevin Kisner 67-64-66198 - Martin Laird (SCO) 63-69-66, Lee Kyung-Hoon (KOR) 68-64-66199 - Michael Thorbjornsen-a 68-65-66, Webb Simpson 64-69-66, JT Poston 62-70-67, Nick Hardy 67-64-68

2022-06-24 07:09:36

2022-06-24 07:05:02

Rory McIlroy fired an eight-under-par 62 to grab a share ofthe lead after the first round of the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship onThursday.

McIlroy, continuing an impressive run of recent form that includedvictory at the Canadian Open and a top-five finish at last week's US Open,reeled off eight birdies in a flawless bogey-free round at TPC River Highlandsin Cromwell, Connecticut.

Starting on the 10th hole, McIlroy began slowly with threestraight pars before picking up birdies on the 13th, 15th and 18th holes toreach the turn at three under.

But his round caught fire down the stretch. He drilled awedge from the fairway on the par-four first to six feet to set up a birdiebefore rolling in a 13-foot birdie putt at the third hole to move to fiveunder.

He then reached the green in two on the par-five sixth holeand although he missed his eagle putt, he tapped in for birdie.

McIlroy followed that with a 47-foot monster putt for birdieon the seventh to move to seven under, and another superb chip to two feet setup a birdie on the last.

"Anytime you start with a 62, you're going to takeit," a satisfied McIlroy said.

The Northern Ireland star said the forgiving layout at RiverHighlands came as a welcome relief after the brutal challenge of last week's USOpen, the major which bills itself as the toughest test in golf.

"It's like the anti-US Open here," McIlroy said."It's like US Open rehab coming here. You're like, 'Oh, I can actuallymake some birdies. This is nice.'"

Poston birdie spree

McIlroy has emerged as one of the most vocal supporters ofthe PGA Tour in recent weeks as golf grapples with the turmoil caused by therise of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament.

The 33-year-old four-time major champion insists howeverthat the off-course controversy - and his staunch advocacy for the PGA Tour -is not a distraction.

"I feel fine," McIlroy said. "I get askedquestions, I answer questions, and I move on with my life. What the other guysdo doesn't affect me."

McIlroy was joined at the top of the leaderboard by JTPoston, who birdied his final hole to complete his own bogey-freeeight-under-par 62.

World number 162 Poston had looked poised to overhaulMcIlroy at the top of the leaderboard after a blistering opening nine holes,that saw him make six birdies - including five in a row - to reach the turn atsix under.

But Poston found birdies harder to come spree dried up downthe stretch, making six straight pars after the turn before finally picking uptwo more birdies in the last three holes.

"It was nice to kind of finally put some good swingstogether, hit some good shots and make some putts," Poston said.

"I feel like my scores and my results may not haveshown that the last few weeks or months, but I felt like I was getting close,and I've been working hard at it. Today was kind of one of those days where itfinally clicked a little bit."

McIlroy and Poston are one shot clear of Xander Schauffeleand Scotland's Martin Laird who both shot seven-under-par 63s.

A group of three players - Charles Howell III, Webb Simpsonand Patrick Cantlay - are a further shot back on six under.

Matthew NeSmith and Australia's Cam Davis are also firmly inthe hunt after shooting five-under-par 65s.

Scores from first round of the PGA Tour Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut (par-70; US unless stated):

62 - Rory McIlroy (NIR), JT Poston

63 - Xander Schauffele, Martin Laird

64 - Charles Howell III, Webb Simpson, Patrick Cantlay

65 - Cam Davis (AUS), Matthew NeSmith

66 - William McGirt, Wyndham Clark, Hank Lebioda, Harris English, Keith Mitchell

- AFP

2022-06-13 06:39:03

2022-06-13 06:34:19

Rory McIlroy fired 10 birdies in an eight-under-par 62 on Sunday to win the PGA Tour Canadian Open by two strokes, defending the title he won in 2019.

The Northern Ireland star survived some tense moments on the back nine, closing with birdies at the 17th and 18th to seal the victory with a 19-under-par total of 261.

American Tony Finau, who started the day tied for lead, carded his sixth birdie of the day at 18 for a six-under 64 that put him alone in second on 263 - one stroke in front of compatriot Justin Thomas.

Thomas was tied for the lead with two to play, but closed with back-to-back bogeys in a 64 for 265.

"This is a day I'll remember for a long, long time," McIlroy said as fans - who poured onto the fairway to surround the final trio on the 18th green - cheerfully chanted his name.

It was his first chance to defend the title he won in 2019 after the Covid pandemic forced cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021.

"Playing with Tony and JT today - two of the top players in the world, all of us playing the way we did. I think the worst score in the group was what, six-under?"

McIlroy set an early tone with a 26-foot birdie at the first.

He added a four-footer at the fourth, then chipped in at the sixth and made a short birdie at the seventh - then got really hot with birdies at the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th - where he poured in a 39-footer.

But Thomas wouldn't let him get away. After a birdie at the second the American birdied six in a row from the sixth through the 11th.

His birdie at 14 - after McIlroy bogeyed 13, saw the Northern Ireland star's lead cut to one stroke.

After McIlroy bogeyed 16 they were tied at 17-under - but McIlroy finished with a flourish as Thomas faded and Finau drained a 40-foot putt at the 72nd hole to snatch solo second.

England's Justin Rose provided a curtain-raiser to the final-group fireworks on the par-70 St George's Golf and Country club course in suburban Toronto.

Rose flirted with the 13th sub-60 round in PGA tour history, but a bogey at 18 saw him settle for a tournament record-equalling 10-under par 60.

Rose launched his round in spectacular style with a hole-out for birdie from the fairway at the first. He added a seven-foot birdie at the second, a two-footer at the fifth and a chip-in at the seventh before a bogey at the ninth, where he was in a fairway bunker.

Last-hole lapse

The push continued on the back nine with a 17-foot birdie at the 10th, a 30-foot eagle at the 11th and a two-foot birdie at the 12th after a chip from deep rough.

He rolled in a six-footer at the 14th before his third eagle of the day at 15 moved him to 11-under. But Rose was unable to get up and down from a greenside bunker at 16.

Even so he was back to 11-under after a birdie at the 17th, but after his tee shot trickled just off the fairway at 18 his second shot flew the green and he closed with a bogey.

Rose - who had a real chance not only at 59 but even at Jim Furyk's PGA record of 58 - admitted it was a disappointing finish "because you know what's at stake, for sure.

"I never shot 59 before, so it would have been a lovely footnote on the week," added Rose, who finished tied for fourth with Sam Burns, five shots off the lead.

Leading final-round scores on Sunday at the PGA Tour Canadian Open at St George's in Toronto (USA unless noted, par-70):

261 - Rory McIlroy (NIR) 66-68-65-62

263 - Tony Finau 66-71-62-64

265 - Justin Thomas 69-69-63-64

266 - Justin Rose (ENG) 69-70-67-60, Sam Burns 67-69-65-65

268 - Corey Conners (CAN) 71-69-66-62

270 - Keith Mitchell 67-67-70-66, Chris Kirk 69-69-66-66, Wyndham Clark 63-70-68-69

271 - Danny Lee (NZL) 68-69-69-65, Shane Lowry (IRL) 67-69-69-66, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 64-70-70-67

272 - Kelly Kraft 69-69-70-64, Brendon Todd 69-69-68-66, Aaron Rai (ENG) 69-70-67-66, Harold Varner 65-72-68-67, Austin Cook 71-64-68-69

273 - Patrick Rodgers 67-69-72-65, Scottie Scheffler 69-67-71-66, Doug Ghim 65-71-68-69

- via AFP

2022-06-12 06:12:15

McIlroy, Finau share PGA Canadian Open lead

Tony Finau closed with a 25-foot birdie putt to share the lead with four-time major winner Rory McIlroy after Saturday's third round of the US PGA Tour's Canadian Open.

World number 18 Finau matched the low round of his PGA career with an eight-under par 62 while eighth-ranked McIlroy fired a 65 to stand on 11-under 199 after 54 holes at St George's Golf and Country Club in suburban Toronto.

"I didn't finish the way I wanted to yesterday," Finau said after two late bogeys Friday.

"I think all it did was light a fire in my belly to get after it today. That's pretty much what I did. I made some birdies and I just played really clean golf."

Finau, whose PGA titles include the 2016 Puerto Rico Open and 2021 Northern Trust, needed only 24 putts in the round.

"It has been trial and error with me and my putter. I've been working hard on it," Finau said.

"It's starting to pay dividends for me. I saw a lot of them go in today. It was nice.

"Northern Ireland's McIlroy - the 2019 winner and defending champion after Covid-19 caused a two-year hiatus - was cheered at every hole.

"All aspects were really good," McIlroy said.

"I drove it a lot better off the tees. My wedge game was a little better and my short game bailed me out a couple of times."McIlroy is chasing his 21st US PGA victory and first since last October's CJ Cup in Las Vegas.

2022-06-11 09:31:26

Defending champion Rory McIlroy is among a group of fiveplayers trailing leader Wyndham Clark by one stroke after the second round ofthe RBC Canadian Open.

Neither Clark nor closest challenger Matt Fitzpatrick wereable to replicate their impressive opening round scores on Friday, each cardingan even 70 to retain their spots on the leaderboard.

"Just didn't hole the putts I needed to on the lastthree," Fitzpatrick said.

"Just pathetic. Yeah, just pathetic finishreally with the putter.

"Disappointing finish, but definitely not out ofit."

McIlroy followed up Thursday's 66 with a score of two-under68 to join Fitzpatrick in second place, alongside Alex Smalley, Keith Mitchelland Jim Knous.

The Northern Irishman won the tournament by seven shots in2019, but the pandemic cancelled the last two years of the event, leaving himunable to defend the title until now.

"Overall it was a good score," McIlroy said.

"I scrambled well when I needed to. I didn't really take advantage of howwell I hit it off the tee. But overall I felt a couple under was a fairreflection of how the day went."

England's Matt Wallace and Ireland's Shane Lowry are afurther two shots back on four under headed into the weekend.

Last month, Fitzpatrick missed out on his first major titleby two strokes in the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

Leaderboard:

133 - Wyndham Clark 63-70

134 - Alex Smalley 67-67, Keith Mitchell 67-67, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 66-68, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) 64-70, Jim Knous 67-67

135 - Austin Cook 71-64

136 - Matt Wallace (ENG) 70-66, Sam Burns 67-69, Scottie Scheffler 69-67, Patrick Rodgers 67-69, Lee Hodges 66-70, Charley Hoffman 68-68, Shane Lowry (IRL) 67-69, Doug Ghim 65-71

2022-06-10 07:23:22

Wyndham Clark takes Canadian Open lead

Wyndham Clark fired a seven-under-par 63 to grab a one-shotlead after the first round of the Canadian Open in Toronto on Thursday.

The 28-year-old American, chasing his first PGA Tour victoryfive years after turning professional, reeled off seven birdies in a bogey-freeround at St George's Golf Course.

That was good enough for a one-shot lead over England's MattFitzpatrick, who posted a six-under par 64.

Fitzpatrick was denied a share of the lead after a lonebogey five on the par-4 fourth hole.

"I've made a lot of cuts this year and had a lot ofreally solid rounds," Clark said afterwards."I just haven't put them together. So I've beentrending in the right direction, and today it all kind of came together.

"I'm really hoping that we keep going this week withthat and leading into next week at the US Open and for the rest of the summer.My game feels good."

Americans Doug Ghim and Harold Varner III were two off thelead on five under after carding matching 65s.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy - winner of the tournamentin 2019 and the defending champion because of the two-year pandemic hiatus -heads a cluster of four players on four under after posting a 66 that includedsix birdies and two bogeys.

"Really solid start," said McIlroy, who finished tiedfor 18th at last week's Memorial tournament."Overall, very happy with the start of the week,especially coming off a disappointing weekend at the Memorial last weekend.

Itwas nice to bounce back with a good score."

Thursday's PGA Tour event teed off against the backdrop ofturmoil in the golfing world following the launch of the Saudi-backed LIV Golfseries outside London.

The PGA Tour said early on Thursday that 17 players signed upto the LIV series have now been banned from its tournaments.

Leading first-round scores on Thursday in the PGA Tour Canadian Open in Toronto (USA unless noted, par-70):

63 - Wyndham Clark

64 - Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG)

65 - Doug Ghim, Harold Varner III

66 - Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Rory McIlroy (NIR), Lee Hodges, Tony Finau

67 - Shane Lowry (IRL), Carlos Ortiz (MEX), Jim KnousMark Hubbard, Alex Smalley, Sam Burns, Keith Mitchell, Patrick Rodgers, Jonas Blixt (SWE)

- AFP

2022-06-06 06:53:56

Horschel's eagle magic seals Memorial win

Billy Horschel conjured a moment of magic to close out victory at the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament on Sunday.

The 35-year-old world number 17, who had led by five shots after a dazzling seven-under-par 65 in the third round, endured a nervy final round before battling to a level par 72 to secure victory by four strokes at a sun-baked Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

Horschel looked set for a nerve-jangling final three holes after a birdie from playing partner Aaron Wise on the 15th green saw him move to within two shots of the lead.

But Horschel, who had already made crucial putts to save par on the 13th and 14th holes, rolled in a monster 53-foot eagle putt to leap into a four-shot lead with three to play.

That effectively killed off the challenge of Wise and the chasing pack, and although Horschel dropped a shot with a bogey on the 17th, he finished four shots clear with a 72-hole aggregate of 13-under 275, strolling off the 18th green to be congratulated by tournament host and golf icon Jack Nicklaus.

Horschel said afterwards he had taken inspiration from the course management of Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as he attempted to close out the seventh PGA Tour victory of his career.

"Learn from those two and understand that when you have a lead you don't have to do anything special, just have to make sure you don't give any shots back," Horschel said.

"I did give some shots back, which I was upset about. And if I did have to do something special, be ready for it. That eagle on 15 was huge. Aaron had just made birdie so if I didn't at least birdie it was down to two shots -- so to make an eagle to go four up with three to play, that's one you shouldn't cough up, and I didn't."

Wise, meanwhile, closed with a 71 to take sole possession of second place on nine under.

Patrick Cantlay and Chile's Joaquin Niemann tied for third on seven under, six off the lead, after closing 71s.

Leaderboard:

275 - Billy Horschel 70-68-65-72

279 - Aaron Wise 70-69-69-71

281 - Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 71-69-70-72, Patrik Cantlay 72-69-69-71

282 - Max Homa 69-74-70-69, Will Zalatoris 68-73-71-70, Denny McCarthy 68-69-73-72, Sahith Theegala 68-75-68-71, Daniel Berger 70-72-67-73

- AFP

2022-06-05 07:09:12

Billy Horschel fired a brilliant seven-under-par 65 to take a commanding five-shot lead after the third round of the PGA Tour's Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio on Saturday.

Horschel's superb short play engineered seven birdies in a flawless bogey-free round that saw the American pull clear at the top of the leaderboard at 13-under 203 after 54 holes.

The 35-year-old world number 17, chasing the seventh PGA Tour victory of his career, set the tone for a spectacular round after chipping in from just off the green on the par-four first hole from 44 feet to claim his opening birdie.

He rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-five fifth, and then grabbed another on the seventh when his wedge from 114 yards landed within four feet of the cup.

Another birdie followed on the par-3 eighth when Horschel's tee-shot left him with a six-foot putt, and three more birdies after the turn completed a magnificent round.

It marked a stark contrast from Horschel's outing at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial last week, when he failed to reach the weekend after missing the cut.

"I just don't like missing cuts, simple as that. I don't miss a lot of them and when I do I get ticked off about it," said Horschel, who has posted just one bogey through three rounds this week.

"We just haven't played well, the swing hasn't been good enough, and the putting hasn't been good enough.

"I just said this week, 'Forget it. I'm going to go out there and try and win this thing' and get back to the mindset that I'm one of the top players in the world and I can compete anywhere against anybody," he added.

Aaron Wise and second-round leader Cameron Smith head the chasing pack, five shots off the lead at eight under.

Wise vaulted up the leaderboard with a 69 while Smith recovered from a bogey-bogey start to scramble his way to a 72.

"Golf is a crazy game," Smith said afterwards. "You've got to try and get as much out of it as you can. I feel as though my good is really good, and my bad is getting better.

"There was lots of not-so-good stuff out there today, and I just stuck in there," the Australian added.

"Managed to have a couple of birdies on that back nine, and just nice to get away with level par and keep myself in the tournament."

Daniel Berger jumped 20 places up the leaderboard into a tie for fourth alongside Francesco Molinari and Jhonattan Vegas after a 67.

Berger, Molinari and Vegas are six off the lead at seven under.

Behind them are a cluster of five players at six under that includes Patrick Cantlay, winner at Memorial in 2019 and 2021, Chile's Joaquin Niemann, Luke List, Davis Riley and Denny McCarthy.

Leaderboard

203 - Billy Horschell 70-68-65

208 - Cameron Smith (AUS) 67-69-72, Aaron Wise 70-69-69

209 - Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 69-69-71, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 71-68-70, Daniel Berger 70-72-67

210 - Denny McCarthy 68-69-73, Luke List 67-71-72, Davis Riley 67-71-72, Joaquin Niemann (CHI) 71-69-70, Patrick Cantlay 72-69-69

211 - Cameron Young 67-71-73, Matthew NeSmith 69-72-70, Sahith Theegala 68-75-68

- AFP

2022-06-04 09:04:52

2022-06-04 07:32:02

Australia's Smith leads PGA Memorial by one

Australia's Cameron Smith fired a three-under-par 69 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour's Memorial tournament in Ohio on Friday.

The 28-year-old world number three from Queensland, chasing his third win of the year, carded four birdies against one bogey to move to eight under overall for the tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin.

Smith, who started the day in a six-way tie at the top of the leaderboard after a five-under-par opening round on Thursday, took sole possession of the lead after another solid round in the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus.

The Aussie reeled off four straight pars before his first birdie on the par-five fifth hole, when he left himself with a tap-in after drilling his 102-yard third shot to within three feet.

Although he gave up that shot with a bogey on the sixth, he picked up another birdie on the seventh when another short iron left him with a three-footer for birdie.

Two more birdies followed on the 11th and 12th, with the highlight a clever chip from thick rough off the green on the 12th which rolled 35 feet into the cup.

"Really happy with where my short game's at, I feel like I'm rolling the ball really good," Smith said afterwards.

"I'm just happy with the way I stuck in there."

Smith's impressive season has also included strong showings in the opening two majors of the year, finishing in a tie for third place at the Masters before a joint 13th place finish at the PGA Championship.

"I'm playing some of the best golf of my life," the Australian said.

"I think mentally I'm in a good spot. I've got a few things to tidy up with my longer stuff."

Denny McCarthy and South Korea's Lee Kyoung-hoon lead the chasing pack behind Smith, one off the pace on seven under.McCarthy moved into contention with a three-under-par 69 while Lee, who shared the lead with Smith after the first round, posted a two-under-par 70.

Five players are two off the lead on six under, with the biggest move among them on Friday coming from Billy Horschel, who shot a bogey-free four-under-par 68.

Horschel is tied for fourth alongside Davis Riley, Cameron Young, Luke List and Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas.

Rory McIlroy heads a group of four players a further shot back on five under.

McIlroy remained in the hunt with a three-under-par 69, while Ryder Cup team-mate Francesco Molinari shot a four-under-par 68.

Keith Mitchell was also on five under, and was left ruing a costly late double-bogey on the 16th which checked his pursuit of the leaders.

Mitchell finished with a three-under-par 69.

McIlroy meanwhile was left frustrated after a second round which veered between brilliance -- an eagle three at the par-five fifth -- before bogeys at the eighth, 11th and 14th.

"I guess it sort of happens around here," McIlroy said.

"It's getting tricky and you're going to make bogeys regardless of where they come.

"Overall, two solid rounds of golf, right in contention into the weekend. Happy with how everything is sort of going." - AFP

2022-06-03 06:46:07

Australian Cameron Smith, Canadian Mackenzie Hughes and South Korean Lee Kyoung-hoon were among a record six players sharing the lead after Thursday's opening round of the US PGA Memorial tournament.

Americans Luke List, Davis Riley and Cameron Young were also among the co-leaders on five-under par 67 after 18 holes at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

"This is about as easy as this place is going to get," Smith said. "It's going to be a lot of stressful golf and a lot of grinding over the weekend."

Smith, a back-nine starter, opened with three birdies in his first six holes, highlighted by a 34-foot birdie putt at the 13th. Between a 28-foot birdie putt at the first and an 18-footer at the ninth, he sandwiched two birdies and two bogeys.

"A little bit of a grind," Smith said. "It was just good to kind of hang in there, make a few birdies, see a few putts going in."

Lee holed out for eagle from 152 yards at the ninth, then began the back nine with back-to-back bogeys. He answered with consecutive birdies at the par-5 15th and par-3 16th then made clutch pars from 10 and five feet.

"I'm very happy," Lee said. "I tried to just keep momentum well. Great first nine, especially making eagle."

Hughes made nine birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. He closed with three birdies in the last four holes, ending with a 20-footer at the ninth.

"I hit a few loose ones that I'd like to have back, but I did so many good things that it's easier to forget about those," Hughes said.

Young, a 10th tee starter, sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-3 12th, a 23-foot birdie putt at 13 and holed a 15-foot eagle putt at the par-5 15th. He also closed with a 27-foot birdie putt at the ninth.

Leaderboard:

67 - Cameron Young, Luke List, Cameron Smith (AUS), Lee Kyoung-hoon (KOR), Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Davis Riley

68 - Will Zalatoris, Denny McCarthy, Sahith Theegala, Wyndham Clark

69 - Jhonattan Vegas (VEN), William McGirt, Abraham Ancer (MEX), Max Homa, Joel Dahmen, Keegan Bradley, Matthew NeSmith, Shane Lowry (IRL), Corey Conners (CAN), Brendan Steele

- AFP

2022-05-30 07:52:03

2022-05-30 07:51:08

Burns beats Scheffler in playoff to win at Colonial

Sam Burns rolled in a 38-foot birdie putt from off the green at the first playoff hole to beat world number one Scottie Scheffler at the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday.

Burns, seven back to start the day, matched the biggest comeback in tournament history at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, a mark set by Zimbabwe's Nick Price in 1994.

Burns polished it off with a playoff win over his good friend Scheffler. Burns shared a house with the Texan at Augusta in April, when Scheffler won his maiden major title at the Masters."Gosh, I don't even know," Burns said of how he made his winning putt, some two hours after he had completed a five-under par 65 final round for a nine-under total of 271.

It matched the low round of the day as fierce winds pushed up scores and a stream of contenders wilted in the Texas afternoon heat.

"I think just with the conditions today, how tough it was playing, just so proud with how we hung in there," Burns said.

Scheffler started the day with a two-shot lead, but the world number one had two bogeys without a birdie in his two-over par 72.

He kept himself in the hunt with some clutch par putts on the back nine, a nine-footer at the 15th, an eight-footer at 17 and a five-foot putt to salvage par from a greenside bunker at the last.

Burns launched his comeback by getting up and down from a greenside bunker for birdie at the first.

He rolled in a 10-foot birdie at the second and an eight-footer at the fourth.

After a bogey at the fifth, he birdied six, seven, nine and 11 to reach 10-under before a miscue at the 12th.

"I played such a good round of golf today. Especially after I hit a foul ball on 12, kind of killed our momentum," Burns said.

"Proud of the way we finished and to make that putt is just icing on the cake."

Burns notched his fourth US PGA Tour victory and his third of the season.

He successfully defended his Valspar Championship title in March.

He was especially pleased to put his name on the trophy at Colonial, where he recalled as a teenager watching his fellow Louisiana native David Toms triumph in 2011.

"I remember that week like it's yesterday," Burns said.

"To have my name on that list is really cool." - AFP

2022-05-30 07:48:54

2022-05-30 07:48:17

2022-05-29 06:42:06

Top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler closed with a30-foot birdie putt to seize a two-stroke lead after Saturday's wind-whippedthird round of the US PGA Charles Schwab Challenge.

The 25-year-old American, chasing his fifth victory of theyear, fired a two-under par 68 to stand on 11-under 199 after 54 holes atColonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

"The winds were up really high. The greens wereactually pretty firm, and so it was challenging," said Scheffler.

"The birdies were not coming easily to anybody out there late in theday."Scheffler, among eight players sharing the 18-hole lead andfour co-leaders after 36, had not made a bogey over the first 52 holes beforestumbling at the 17th.

But he responded with a dramatic birdie at the 18th tostretch his lead back to two entering Sunday's final round.

"I was glad it was going toward the cup. I hit it alittle bit too firm," Scheffler said of his final birdie.

"Istruggled a little bit with the speed of the greens today. It's tough when thewind gets blowing that hard.

"Like 18, I'm putting downhill but straight into thewind. That one I was just trying to make sure I got to the hole because puttingdownhill when the greens get iffy late in the day is very tough... fortunatelythat one hit the bottom of the cup."

An eagle-birdie start helped American Brendon Todd shoot 65,the day's low round, to share second on 201 with countryman Scott Stallings.

American Harold Varner was in fourth on 202.Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, was on 203 withfellow Americans John Huh and Chris Kirk and Australian Cam Davis.

Scheffler could become the first world number one to win theevent since Australian Adam Scott in 2014.With a victory, Scheffler would join South African BobbyLocke from 1947 and Australian Joe Kirkwood Sr. from 1923 as players winningtheir first five US PGA Tour titles in the same season.

Locke took six in hisdebut campaign while Kirkwood won five.After winning his first US PGA title at Phoenix in February,Scheffler won at Bay Hill and captured the WGC Match Play title in March thenwon his first major title at Augusta National in April to overtake Spain's JonRahm as world number one.-

'It's very challenging' -Patience was at a premium on a blustery day for Scheffler,who parred his way through the front nine to remain tied for the lead.

At the 10th, Scheffler found greenside rough but chipped infrom 20 feet to seize the solo lead, then landed his approach at the par-5 11thinches from the cup and tapped in to reach 11-under and lead by two.

At 14, Scheffler chipped from 70 feet to inches from the cupfor a tap-in par, but his bogey-free run ended with a five-foot par putt missat the 17th, setting the stage for his dramatic birdie finish.

"This is a golf course you have to be pretty carefularound. It's very challenging," Scheffler said.

Todd drove the green in two and sank an eight-foot eagleputt on the par-5 opening hole, then holed out from just over 33 feet at thesecond.Todd dropped his approach to four feet to set up a birdie atthe sixth and rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-3 eighth, then parredhis way to the clubhouse.

Leading third-round scores on Saturday from the US PGATour Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas(USA unless noted, par-70):

199 - Scottie Scheffler 66-65-68

201 - Brendon Todd 68-68-65, Scott Stallings 67-64-70

202 - Harold Varner 66-68-68

203 - John Huh 69-66-68, Cam Davis (AUS) 66-68-69, ChrisKirk 66-67-70, Patrick Reed 66-66-71

204 - Mito Pereira (CHI) 70-66-68, Davis Riley 67-67-70,Beau Hossler 66-65-73

205 - Andrew Putnam 73-65-67, Chad Ramey 70-66-69, ChristiaanBezuidenhout (RSA) 68-68-69, Jordan Spieth 69-66-70, Pat Perez 67-66-72

206 - Sam Burns 71-68-67, Sahith Theegala 70-69-67, TonyFinau 71-68-67, Kevin Na 67-71-68, Adam Svensson (CAN) 69-68-69, Russell Knox(SCO) 68-68-70, Kurt Kitayama 71-65-70

207 - Im Sung-jae (KOR) 70-70-67, Alex Smalley 72-66-69, DylanFrittelli (RSA) 67-70-70, Lucas Glover 70-67-70, Denny McCarthy 68-68-71,Matt Jones (AUS) 70-66-71, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-65-73- AFP

2022-05-28 06:50:00

Top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Schefflerfired a five-under par 65 to keep a share of the lead after Friday's secondround of the US PGA Charles Schwab Challenge.

Scheffler, chasing his fifth victory of theyear, stood alongside fellow Americans Beau Hossler and Scott Stallings onnine-under 131 after 36 holes at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Christiaan Bezuidenhout is the best-ranked South African 5 shots further back.

After winning his first US PGA title atPhoenix in February, Scheffler won at Bay Hill and captured the WGC Match Playtitle in March then won his first major title at the Masters in April toovertake Spain's Jon Rahm as world number one.

"I've definitely enjoyed the stuff thatcomes with winning majors and winning the other tournaments that I have,"Scheffler said.

"It has been a lot of fun."

Scheffler has not made a bogey in the firsttwo rounds."I love that stat," Scheffler said."I kept the stress off myself for the most part."Scheffler missed the cut at last week's PGAChampionship, giving him a much-needed break before a hometown event.

"It has been busy," he said."Definitely a good reset. I came home and did nothing on Saturday and hada relaxing practice on Sunday. It was definitely a good little break."

Hot and windy weather is forecast for theweekend."I like it when the conditions are reallyhard and so I'd rather it be very difficult than very easy," Schefflersaid. "If you're playing really good golf, you can extend yourself and I'mreally excited for the challenge this weekend."

Scheffler opened with back-to-back birdieputts from about four feet and made a par save from just inside 10 feet at thepar-4 seventh.He began the back nine with a birdie thenholed a 24-foot birdie putt at the 12th and a 14-footer for birdie at the 17thto share the lead again after being among eight co-leaders following the first18 holes.

"I worked really hard just improving myiron play and creating a lot of different shots for myself," Schefflersaid. "This course is a lot about the approaches to the green and it lookslike the hard work is paying off out here."

Leading second-round scores on Friday from the US PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas (USA unless noted, par-70):

131 - Scott Stallings 67-64, Beau Hossler 66-65, Scott Scheffler 66-65

132 - Patrick Reed 66-66

133 - Pat Perez 67-66, Chris Kirk 66-67

134 - Max McGreevy 68-66, Davis Riley 67-67, Cam Davis (AUS) 66-68, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 69-65, Harold Varner 66-68

135 - Jordan Spieth 69-66, John Huh 69-66, Webb Simpson 66-69

136 - Denny McCarthy 68-68, Matt Jones (AUS) 70-66, Brendon Todd 68-68, Mito Pereira (CHI) 70-66, Kurt Kitayama 71-65, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 68-68, Russell Knox (SCO) 68-68, Chad Ramey 70-66

137 - Danny Lee (NZL) 73-64, Nick Taylor (CAN) 66-71, Lucas Glover 70-67, Adam Svensson (CAN) 69-68, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 69-68, Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 67-70

2022-05-27 11:44:01

Scheffler headlines leading bunch at Colonial

World number one Scottie Scheffler bounced back from hismissed cut at the PGA Championship to headline a group of eight players sharingthe first round lead in the Charles Schwab Challenge on Thursday.

Masters champion Scheffler acknowledged it was frustratingto miss the cut at Southern Hills -- his first missed cut since October.

But he said he didn't let it prey on him, and came backstrong at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, with four birdies in hisfour-under par 66.

"You never want to miss a cut," Scheffler said.

"I hadn't missed a cut in a while up to that point, so I think it makes iteven more frustrating just knowing that I was playing really good golf and Ijust didn't have it that week.

"That stuff happens. If I didn't like bad draws ormaking crazy mistakes and stuff like that, I would have played a differentsport. A lot of weird stuff happens in golf."

Leaderboard:

66 - Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Scottie Scheffler, Harold Varner, Chris Kirk, Nick Taylor (CAN), Cam Davis, Beau Hossler

67 - Dylan Frittelli (RSA), Kevin Na, Davis Riley, Scott Stallings, Pat Perez, Camilo Villegas (COL), Austin Smotherman

68 - Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA), Russell Knox (SCO), Adam Long, Denny McCarthy, Max McGreevy, Charley Hoffman, Bill Haas, Martin Trainer, Brendon Todd, Chez Reavie

- AFP

2022-05-27 06:50:27

2022-05-27 06:49:33

2022-05-27 06:49:10

2022-05-26 14:11:21This week, the PGA Tour is at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth for the Charles Schwab Challenge.2022-05-26 14:11:17Welcome to Sport24's coverage of the PGA Tour.