INSIDER
Webb Simpson offers to resign from PGA Tour board. But only if McIlroy replaces him, AP source says
Read full article: Webb Simpson offers to resign from PGA Tour board. But only if McIlroy replaces him, AP source saysRory McIlroy could be rejoining the PGA Tour board just six months after he resigned.
Defending champ Max Homa, Danny Willett share lead in Napa
Read full article: Defending champ Max Homa, Danny Willett share lead in NapaMax Homa moved into position to defend his title at the Fortinet Championship, shooting a 5-under 67 to share the early 36-hole lead with Danny Willett at the PGA Tour’s season opener Homa won twice last season and will play in next week's Presidents Cup as a captain's pick.
Finau, Pendrith share Rocket Mortgage lead at 8-under 64
Read full article: Finau, Pendrith share Rocket Mortgage lead at 8-under 64Tony Finau, coming off his third career victory on the PGA Tour, and Taylor Pendrith shared the first-round lead at 8-under 64 on Thursday in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Thompson uses flawless round to take lead at US Women's Open
Read full article: Thompson uses flawless round to take lead at US Women's OpenLexi Thompson shot a bogey-free 5-under 66 on Saturday to take the lead into the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time in her career with a one-shot edge over teenager Yuka Saso.
Amateur Megha Ganne holds share of lead at US Women's Open
Read full article: Amateur Megha Ganne holds share of lead at US Women's OpenHigh school junior Megha Ganne shot a 4-under 67 on Thursday to become the first amateur in 15 years to have a share of the lead after any round at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Cink sets another scoring mark, keeps lead at RBC Heritage
Read full article: Cink sets another scoring mark, keeps lead at RBC HeritageStewart Cink maintained his five-stroke lead and set another scoring mark at the RBC Heritage with a 2-under 69, moving closer to a third victory at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Morikawa's late stumble gives Workday contenders a chance
Read full article: Morikawa's late stumble gives Workday contenders a chanceMorikawa walked off the 12th hole with his seventh birdie in eight holes, stretching his lead to five shots with two par 5s still to play. He made bogey on both, shot a 5-under 67 and suddenly had four-time major champion Brooks Koepka and Billy Horschel on his tail. “I didn’t play great the last six, but a lot to learn from heading into tomorrow,” Morikawa said. Horschel also had a late rally with an eagle on the par-5 17th hole and shot 69. “I just kept rolling in birdie after birdie.
Broken clubs behind him, Koepka feeling better about game
Read full article: Broken clubs behind him, Koepka feeling better about gameIt's just sometimes results take a little bit longer.”There are photos to illustrate what Koepka did to his clubs, but those stay among his posse. A lot of players feel that way, but not to the point of naming their son after Riviera (Johnson's youngest is River). “I feel like it’s a tough golf course,” Johnson said. “Generally, the quality of golf course they’re played on is at a very high standard and Riviera fits that category. I feel like if you’ve had a good week here, it’s a good measure certainly generally of where your game is at.”
Kevin Na has a big finish and wins the Sony Open
Read full article: Kevin Na has a big finish and wins the Sony OpenChris Kirk putts on the 13th green during the third round at the Sony Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Honolulu. Na finished one shot ahead of Joaquin Niemann and Chris Kirk, and only one of them got a consolation prize. Niemann chipped in for birdie from 55 feet on the par-3 17th and got up-and-down with a long bunker shot on the 18th hole for a 66. Needing nearly 150 FedEx Cup points at the Sony Open, his tie for second was worth 245 points. He looked comfortable even when the Sony Open appeared to be slipping away.
Stewart Cink, Webb Simpson share early lead at Sony Open
Read full article: Stewart Cink, Webb Simpson share early lead at Sony OpenStewart Cink follows his shot from the first tee box during the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Jamm Aquino)HONOLULU – Stewart Cink could not remember a more ideal day in Hawaii, and he had a round that matched the occasion. Enjoying a surge in the twilight of his career, the 47-year-old Cink putted for birdie on all but one hole Friday on his way to a 7-under 63 that gave him a share of the early lead with Webb Simpson. Cink already won the season-opener in the Safeway Open in September, his first victory since the 2009 British Open at Turnberry. Simpson holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-3 seventh hole, hit it tight on No.
Round 1: Casey leads, Woods in hunt as field plays catch-up
Read full article: Round 1: Casey leads, Woods in hunt as field plays catch-upFive-time and defending champion Tiger Woods dropped a turn-back-the-clock round of his own, relying more on experience than current form to post a 68. “There is a sense of ease when I come here, just because I understand how to prepare for this golf course,” Woods said after hitting 10 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens. Small wonder, then, that Woods flashed a wide grin when asked what was most encouraging about the round. “This golf course, as much as I’m trying to attack it, it can bite back,” he said. Still to be determined is how much firmer the greens and the rest of the golf course will get.
Casey rides the buzz of Masters history to 65 and early lead
Read full article: Casey rides the buzz of Masters history to 65 and early leadPaul Casey matched his lowest score at the Masters with a 7-under 65, giving him a two-shot lead among half the field fortunate to play in perfect scoring conditions. It was the fifth hole, which he bogeyed all four rounds last year when he won the Masters. He was joined by Xander Schauffele, a runner-up to Woods last year, who had seven birdies in his round of 67. The delay was the last thing the Masters needed with limited daylight hours leading to the two-tee start. The loudest cheer — applause, certainly not a roar — came for Nicklaus and Player hitting tee shots so early that they couldn't see where they landed.
The Latest: Woods off to bogey-free start in Masters defense
Read full article: The Latest: Woods off to bogey-free start in Masters defenseAlso, it’s the first bogey-free round for Woods in a major since the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine. The 43-year-old Englishman is leading the Masters after shooting a 7-under 65 in the opening round. But he turned things around in his return to Augusta National, which was delayed for seven months by the coronavirus pandemic. ___2:05 p.m.Tiger Woods is off to a strong start in defense of his Masters championship. He has six top-10 finishes at Augusta National, including a second-place finish in 2010 and a tie for second in 2016.
The Masters in November gives golf a big sendoff
Read full article: The Masters in November gives golf a big sendoffIt's November, and I think everybody just has to embrace that we're here and we're playing and that's a great thing." In some respects, this Masters is a celebration of what golf has done and a sendoff the sport has never had. For many, it signaled the start of golf season, whether that meant playing or watching. “All the Masters I've watched over the years in Ireland, the golfing season started normally the weekend of the Masters,” British Open champion Shane Lowry said. “I think when The Open Championship was canceled, I had serious doubts we'd play a Masters this year in 2020,” McIlroy said.
Late birdies let Justin Thomas keep slim lead at Sherwood
Read full article: Late birdies let Justin Thomas keep slim lead at SherwoodThomas got one good break, made two good birdie putts and wound up with a 5-under 67 that gave him a one-shot lead over Jon Rahm going into the final round. Lanto Griffin, who had the lead until bogeys on two of his last four holes, was another shot behind. Got a really, really good round going early on.”Thomas was at 19-under 197. Griffin opened with four straight birdies to take the lead, and he stayed there until the end of the round. Thomas was playing well enough, even if he had little to show for it after opening with two birdies.
Johnson, Scheffler favorites for tour's top player, rookie
Read full article: Johnson, Scheffler favorites for tour's top player, rookieDustin Johnson holds up the FedEx Cup trophy after winning the Tour Championship golf tournament on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020 at Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Johnson, Scheffler favorites for tour's top player, rookie
Read full article: Johnson, Scheffler favorites for tour's top player, rookieFor the PGA Tour player of the year, the candidates were Johnson, Thomas, PGA champion Collin Morikawa (two wins), Webb Simpson (two wins) and Jon Rahm (two wins). Johnson won the Travelers Championship and The Northern Trust to go along with his FedEx Cup title he won at the Tour Championship. He also was runner-up to Morikawa at the PGA Championship. More interesting will be the vote for PGA Tour rookie of the year. ... Country singer Colt Ford, who once played professionally, is making his PGA Tour Champions debut on a sponsor exemption.
Herman rallies to win Wyndham, qualify for FedEx playoffs
Read full article: Herman rallies to win Wyndham, qualify for FedEx playoffsKnown for his friendship with President Donald Trump, Herman overcame a four-stroke deficit in the final round at Sedgefield Country Club. He had a final chance to tie on the 72nd hole, but his 8-foot birdie putt slid left of the cup. Herman got into the playoffs, jumping from 192nd to 54th in the race for the 125 spots. Herman had two birdies and an eagle from 59 feet on his first five holes to catch up to Kim. It was quite a week for Herman, who had three birdies over his final four holes Friday simply to make the cut.
Kim shoots 62 for 2-shot lead after three rounds at Wyndham
Read full article: Kim shoots 62 for 2-shot lead after three rounds at WyndhamKim has broken 70 in nine of his last 10 rounds, including all four at TPC Harding Park to finish tied for 13th at the PGA Championship. He has continued that stellar play at Sedgefield Country Club, where he won his first PGA Tour event in 2016. Redman had a 63, while Oppenheim set a career low on tour with a 62 in second at 16-under. Redman, 22, is also seeking his first PGA Tour win. The PGA Tour moved up tee times, grouped competitors in threesomes and sent them off on the first and 10th tees to beat the bad weather expected later Saturday.
Hoge in four-way tie for Wyndham lead after two rounds
Read full article: Hoge in four-way tie for Wyndham lead after two roundsTom Hoge watches his drive on the ninth hole during the second round of the Wyndham Championship golf tournament at Sedgefield Country Club on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Hoge in four-way tie for Wyndham lead after two rounds
Read full article: Hoge in four-way tie for Wyndham lead after two roundsHoge, tied for the first-round lead with Harold Varner III and Roger Sloan, kept in front with a steady 2-under 68 to get to 10-under par. Hoge, whose best-ever tour finish was a second at The Greenbrier this season, was asked what it would take for his first PGA Tour win. Like Kim, Gooch shot 65 to get into the foursome on top. He had six birdies, including two of his final three holes, to move up. Kokrak was in a group of seven one shot further back along with past Wyndham champ Webb Simpson, who shot his second straight 66.
Varner III grabs Wyndham lead with career low-tying 62
Read full article: Varner III grabs Wyndham lead with career low-tying 62Webb Simpson hits from the fairway on the eighth hole during the first round of the Wyndham Championship golf tournament at Sedgefield Country Club on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)GREENSBORO, N.C. Harold Varner III tied his career low round with an 8-under 62 to grab the early lead at the Wyndham Championship on Thursday. Varner was three shots in front of Wesley Bryan and Brian Harman among the early starters at the Sedgefield Country Club. Varner had eight birdies, including four in a row midway through the round, without a birdie his first 15 holes. Former U.S. Open champ and past Wyndham winner Webb Simpson was among a large group at 66. A pair of major champions who challenged at the PGA Championship last week struggled in the opening round.
Thomas assured $2 million bonus as tour heads to postseason
Read full article: Thomas assured $2 million bonus as tour heads to postseasonHe has not made it to the Tour Championship since 2017, the year of his last victory. CLUTCH PARFormer Masters champion Charl Schwartzel had reason to celebrate on Friday without ever being in the hunt at the PGA Championship. That got the attention of the PGA of America, which gave him an exemption into the PGA Championship. The LOCALiQ Series for players on the Canadian, China and Latin America circuits for the PGA Tour now has a conclusion. STAT OF THE WEEKIn the last five years of the PGA Championship, players have posted all four rounds in the 60s without winning 16 times.
Column: The revolving door at No. 1 in the world ranking
Read full article: Column: The revolving door at No. 1 in the world rankingThe best player in golf? 1, and Justin Thomas can return to the top if they win the World Golf Championship this week in Memphis, Tennessee. Rahm was asked Tuesday if he considered them the best players in the world while they were at No. But it would be foolish of me to say that I'm not here thinking I'm the best player. Rahm understands the world ranking enough to realize it's a product of two years, not one week.
Matthew Wolff shoots 64 to take Rocket Mortgage Classic lead
Read full article: Matthew Wolff shoots 64 to take Rocket Mortgage Classic leadHideki Matsuyama of Japan hits on the 17th fairway during the third round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament, Saturday, July 4, 2020, at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT Matthew Wolff had a roller-coaster round that went well enough Saturday to give him a three-shot lead in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Wolff shot his second straight 8-under 64 to move into position for his second PGA Tour victory. He was at 19-under 197 at Detroit Golf Club. None of the top five players is at the Detroit Golf Club, where Simpson (No.
Simpson returning to PGA Tour after family coronavirus scare
Read full article: Simpson returning to PGA Tour after family coronavirus scare(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Webb Simpson is competing on the PGA Tour again after his family had a coronavirus scare. I mentioned to the commissioner last week that based on our numbers, our stats, I told him the safest place anyone can be in the United States right now is on the PGA Tour," Simpson said. While the PGA Tour has resumed play, the pandemic is keeping the fans away. In the previous three PGA Tour events, the top five competed each week. The Donald Ross-designed Detroit Golf Club is a short course by PGA Tour standards.
Todd matches Johnson's 61 to take the lead at Travelers
Read full article: Todd matches Johnson's 61 to take the lead at TravelersBoth golfers shot bogey-free rounds, with Todd making five birdies on the front nine and Johnson five on the back. Todd said the round became a game of whatever you can do, I can do just as well. Its hard to miss the leader boards obviously, so (Johnson's) name was up there from a pretty early point, Todd said. Mackenzie Hughes, who led after a 60 on Thursday, shot his second straight 68 for sole possession of fourth place. Nick Watney withdrew just before the second round of last weeks RBC Heritage Championship.
Positive COVID test leads to more withdrawals from Travelers
Read full article: Positive COVID test leads to more withdrawals from TravelersMcCarthy became the third PGA Tour player to test positive for the virus since its restart and the second this week, joining Cameron Champ who withdrew on Tuesday. Gordon, a 23-year-old Vanderbilt graduate playing his fourth PGA Tour event on a sponsor's exemption, is 12-under 128 after 36 holes. The Travelers field continued to shrink after Denny McCarthy tested positive for the coronavirus. McCarthy, who shot an opening-round 67, said he began began feeling sick Thursday night and tested positive for the virus on Friday morning. McDowell and Brooks Koepkas caddies both tested positive.
Mackenzie Hughes shoots 60 to take early lead at Travelers
Read full article: Mackenzie Hughes shoots 60 to take early lead at TravelersJim Furyk shot a 12-under 58 on the same par-70 TPC River Highlands course four years ago, the lowest score in a tour event. I kind of joked walking off there that 59 wasn't even the record because of Jim's 58, Hughes said. Phil Mickelson, paired with McIlroy in his first competitive round since turning 50, was one of five players to shoot 64. Patrick Cantlay also shot 60 at TPC River Highlands as an amateur in 2011. The Travelers is the third event on the tour calendar since golf resumed.
Paul Casey tuned in for more than golf in PGA Tour's return
Read full article: Paul Casey tuned in for more than golf in PGA Tour's returnCasey watched plenty on TV, and he was watching more than the golf. PAIRINGS WITH A PURPOSEThe PGA Tour has four groups of featured pairings for its PGA Tour Live," and then the rest of the field is supposed to be relatively random depending on a player's category. Oak Hill last hosted the PGA Championship in 2013 won by Jason Dufner, while Tiger Woods won his fourth PGA Championship at Southern Hills in 2007. DIVOTSHilton Head has some of the smallest greens on the PGA Tour, and Abraham Ancer hit 65 out of 72 of them in his runner-up finish. FINAL REBUTTALFascinating stuff. CBS analyst Nick Faldo, watching Koepka tee off on the 18th hole and telling viewers he would listen to what Koepka had to say.
Simpson celebrates a Father's Day win at Harbour Town
Read full article: Simpson celebrates a Father's Day win at Harbour TownThe U.S. Open has been scheduled to end on Father's Day every year since 1976, but it was moved to September this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The RBC Heritage filled the spot on the schedule and Simpson, now a father of five, became a winner for the second time this year with a record score at Harbour Town. It was a crazy day, Simpson said. It was a tough runner-up finish for Ancer, trying to become the fifth straight winner of the RBC Heritage to capture his first PGA Tour victory at Harbour Town. Until the first tournament back at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, the area around Harbour Town was crowded with the start of summer vacation.
4-way tie for lead at Heritage as another wild finish looms
Read full article: 4-way tie for lead at Heritage as another wild finish loomsTyrrell Hatton of England had one of six rounds at 63 as he tries to win back-to-back starts for the second time in his year. Abraham Ancer rode his strong iron play to a 65, while Ryan Palmer had a 66 to join the lead at 15-under 198. A week ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge, 14 players were separated by three shots going into the final round. The six rounds at 63 marked the third time since October that at least six players shot 63 in a round. There were seven such rounds at the RSM Classic in November, about 80 miles down the Atlantic coast at Sea Island.
Simpson, DeChambeau contend at Hilton Head in different ways
Read full article: Simpson, DeChambeau contend at Hilton Head in different waysDeChambeau made six birdies on his final nine holes, missing a 5-footer on No. DeChambeau had the honors and let Simpson go first so he could figure out what to do. Simpson poked his hybrid 221 yards down the fairway on the 334-yard ninth hole. DeChambeau opted for a 3-wood, mainly because he feared his driver would go well over the green. DeChambeau says his fitness plan is a 2-to-1 ration of carbs and protein and I literally just have it.