Fortinet Championship. Maverick McNealey Has 36 Hole Lead.

Maverick McNealey leads the Fortinet Championship after 36 holes at Silverado Resort and Spa, in Nappa Valley, California.

Maverick posted a second round -8 under par 64, including three bogey’s on the back nine, to lead the Fortinet Championship by two shots at -12 under par;

“I’m a guy that’s motivated by not playing how I want to sometimes.”

“It was crazy, It was a tale of two nines.”

“I think days like today aren’t a product of something I changed today, I think it’s a product of putting in a lot of work.”

“I think my average wake-up time this summer has been between 5:00 and 5:30. I get up early, get to work, practice, work out, eat right and have been really disciplined and really focused and I feel like I’m a better golfer than I was six months ago.”

“I’m swinging it the way I want to, at this point we’re just telling jokes and hitting wedges.”

Tied in second place at -10 under are; Beau Hossler, bogey free -8 under 64 today, and Mito Pereira of the Philippines, with -5 under 67.

Among the elite missing the cut at -3 under was World #1 Jon Rahm of Spain, who was not feeling too well the first two days, he could not catch up signing for -1 under 71 today;

“It’s unfortunate to start the year with basically one of my worst TOUR rounds in a while.”

“It’s what it is. Course was tough out there today and just need to be better.” 

“It’s very simple: not my best ball-striking-wise, still wasn’t bad.”

“Could have been better on the greens, you know. Feel like I might have made a couple of mistakes mentally on some approach shots, maybe I could have focused a little more, visualized better, but I think I left a lot of shots on the greens.”

 

 

Dutch Open. Kristoffer Broberg Leads.

Kristoffer Broberg of Sweden has the 36 hole lead in the Dutch Open at Bernardus Golf Course in The Netherlands.

Kris shot -8 under par 64, including one bogey, to lead the Dutch Open by one stroke at -12 under par for 36 holes, with a red hot putter;

“I am taking it one shot at a time, I have been struggling all year with injuries, so it is nice to be playing good again. It’s just golf, so taking it one shot at a time.”

“I was home for a month so saw an optician for my right eye and they saw something, so I have a contact lens on that eye so now I can see the putts on the line. I am rolling it pretty good so happy with it.”

“I played really well today. I like to shape the ball both ways and I like to putt around these greens, it’s a lot of feels and breaks but I am hitting the ball really close so that has been key.”

“It was ups and downs out there, I hit some bad shots and some really good shots but my putter is smoking hot, so I am playing some decent golf.”

Tied in second place at -11 under are; Thomas Detry, Belgium, -6 under 66 today, and Marcus Helligkilde of Denmark who also carded a second round -6 under 66.

Thomas likes this course and is comfortable playing on it;

“The course is in absolutely great shape, tight lies off the fairway and around the greens as well, so it’s beautiful and the greens are really good, so it is good preparation for Dunhill.”

“I think Kyle Phillips designed this golf course, he also did Kingsbarns, so it is a bit similar, and you definitely need to know your lines and I feel comfortable out here.”

“I have played the golf course a couple of times, I’m comfortable with my lines, I know where to hit it and not to miss and that is a big help.”

Marcus is playing just his second European Tour event;

“It was good, I like this course a lot because if you can hit it far from the tee you can carry some bunkers 270 metres out, so I have been fortunate to do that, so it has been nice.”

“We had no wind for the first seven holes, absolutely nothing, so it was really easy out there in the morning.”

“I do as I always do. I just try and have fun, stay in the process and do what I can control. I know I am going to be nervous because I am always nervous, but I am just going to have fun and enjoy the game of golf.”

Cambia Portland Classic. Three-Way Tie At The Top.

Carlota Ciganda, Spain, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Thailand, and Gemma Dryburgh from Scotland are tied at the top of the Cambia Portland Classic leaderboard at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Oregon.

Pajaree Anannarukarn

All three ladies carded first rounds of -4 under par 68 to lead the Cambia Portland Classic by one shot.

Pajaree said she needs to concentrate more;

“I definitely learned a lot from today. I miss some fairways out there. I try to probably be more focused and concentrate on my tee shots.”

“Hopefully will hit some better drive tomorrow and give myself some really good opportunities out there.”

Carlota is fresh from the Solheim Cup victory;

“I only played here on Tuesday, no Pro-Am, so I think it was nice to have the day off yesterday as well. No golf on the course.”

“I feel good. Trying to take that momentum from the Solheim and have that here, hit good shots, and try my best.”

Gemma had a hole-out Eagle on the 7th hole;

“Just hit a little gap wedge. Hit it pretty perfect.”

“Actually I thought it was going long when I saw it on the green, but it just landed perfectly just short of the pin and rolled right in like a little putt, so it was perfect.”

Six ladies are then tied in fourth spot at -3 under after rounds of 69;  Jin Young Ko, Mi Jung Hur, and Jenny Shin from South Korea, Sue Oh, Australia, Paula Reto, South Africa, and Perrine Delacour from France.

Fortinet Championship. Chez Reavie Leads.

Chez Reavie leads the fort round of the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa in the wine making region of Nappa Valley in California, the first tournament of the 2021-22 PGA Tour season and FedEx Cup.

Chez had a -7 under par 65 opening round to lead the Fortinet Championship by one shot;

“It was kind of a slow start but I told myself to stay patient,” I was able to hit some fairways on the back and give myself some good looks.”

“I think it’s a shot-shaper’s course, you have to hit a lot of shots where you have to take some spin off.”

“Today you didn’t have to take much spin off, really only on 8. So there’s just so much strategy here and if you get in the rough you get penalized.”

“There’s trees, there’s rough and you won’t be able to hold greens. So being an accurate guy off the tee, that definitely benefits me.”

Two players are tie in second pace at -6 under after rounds of 66; Cameron Tringale, bogey free today, and Adam Hadwin of Canada share the spot.

World #1 Jon Rahm, from Spain, had to pullout of the Pro / Am on Wednesday due to ill health, and did not play too well today, even par 72;

“I was having a hard time focusing given the fact that I haven’t had a solid meal since Tuesday morning.”

“My best guess is just a little run down from the season. Maybe having a little bit too much good rich food Monday and Tuesday just did it for my stomach.”

Jon also reacted to news that Patrick Cantlay had been awarded Player of the Year, after he was forced out of two tournaments due to Covid, while leading by six shots after 54 holes at the Memorial Tournament, then missed the Olympics for the same covid reason;

“I played amazing golf, what could have been if certain unfortunate situations didn’t happen, right?”

“I could have had maybe one more win and the chance to compete for a medal. To think it could have been better does nothing but motivate me. I know I can get better.”

Dutch Open. Niall Kearney Leads.

Niall Kearney of Ireland leads the Dutch Open after the first round at Bernardus Golf in The Netherlands.

Niall fired a bogey free -7 under par 65 to lead the Dutch Open by one shot on day one, and is fighting to earn his European Tour card;

“This year has been positive for me, I have had a lot of good finishes and put myself in the right spaces and I have grown in confidence from it. I am starting to feel a bit more comfortable which is great.”

“I found it really enjoyable, it’s got a real links feel to it. I play links golf at home, so I felt right at home, and I have been at home the past three weeks, so I feel rested somewhat and really enjoyed it.”

“I had a chip-in midway through the back nine, that was a bit of help and finished well, a couple under the last three holes so nice to finish that way and holed that one from 30 feet on 18.”

Tied in second place at -6 under after rounds of 66 are; Max Kieffer, Germany, carding two bogey’s today and Martin Simonsen of Denmark who had a bogey free round.

Max is looking at the Race to Dubai rankings;

“I have my eye on the top 50 to get to Dubai, I am inside that now but I have to play good golf over the next couple of weeks, so that is definitely the goal.”

Martin is happy with his good bogey free start;

“It was really nice, it has been a while since I have shot 66 in the opening round, usually I get off to a poor start and I am having to scramble, so happy with a good start. I played well all day and drove the ball really well.”

“Last year I was in contention quite a bit going into the weekend and then on Sunday I wasn’t finishing it off. It is way too early to talk about now, there is so much golf left to be played, but it would be nice to play four good days in a row.”

 

 

BMW PGA Championship. Billy Horschel Wins.

Billy Horschel of the USA wins the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in England.

Billy shot a final round -7 under par 65 to win the BMW PGA Championship by one shot at -19 under par;

“It’s been an unbelievable week, I’m excited to be the 2021 BMW PGA Champion.”

“This event to me after I left here in 2019 was an event I wanted to win in my career before it ended.”

“Adding my name to Arnold Palmer, that’s legendary stuff. That guy, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have this modern era of golf to play in front of thousands of fans and big sponsors.”

“Tiger Woods took it to another level but Arnie is the one who started it. So to have my name on that trophy next to his being the second American to win this event here at Wentworth is pretty special.”

“As I’ve said two years ago and as I’ve said this week, the crowds are absolutely unbelievable here.”

“I love watching their sports over here. They have a great passion for their teams and their national teams and they really get behind them. So I understand that, I can embrace that, I love that.”

“I think I’ve just done a really good job of embracing the surroundings and the people, and I think they have taken kindly to me and I appreciate that.”

Tied in second place at -18 under were; Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thailand, with the low round of the day, -8 under 64, Jamie Donaldson, Wales, -6 under 66, and Laurie Canter of England with a last round -5 under 67.

Justin Rose finished T6 at -16 under par, with -7 under 65 last round, but European Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington has not included him for the 43rd Ryder Cup, being played at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, USA. Instead Padraig has chosen Shane Lowry who finished here T17, and -12 under with a last round -1 under 71.

BMW PGA Championship. Laporta Leads.

Francesco Laporta of Italy leads the BMW PGA Championship after 54 holes at Wentworth Golf Club in England.

Francesco had a third round -3 under par 69 to lead the BMW PGA Championship by one shot at -14 under par;

“The crowd is amazing and I’m just looking forward to playing tomorrow and seeing all the crowds.”

“It will be tough, it will be tough, but I like to be under pressure. This is what we play for.”

Laurie Canter of England holds second place at -13 under after his third round -2 under par 70.

Four players are then tied in third spot at -12 under par, Billy Horschel, USA, -3 under 69 today, Jamie Donaldson, Wales, also -3 under 69, Adam Scott, Australia, -2 under 70, and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa with -4 under 68.

Billy would love to win here;

“There’s tournaments as pros that we want to win, the Players, the Majors, maybe a few others but as an American, you don’t usually say a tournament on the European Tour.”

“To win the BMW PGA Championship would be equal to me as a Players Championship.” 

“When I first came over two years ago, I fell in love with the golf course, which I knew I would.” 

“The fans have been great to me. The support has been great this year, even knowing I have support for West Ham.”

“It’s become one of those tournaments after two years ago that I wanted to win and so to get that victory tomorrow, if it happens, would be tremendous.”

BMW PGA Championship. Kiradech Keeps Control.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand keeps control of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in England.

Kiradech posted a second round -4 under par 68 to maintain his position at the top of the BMW PGA Championship leaderboard at -12 under par, one shot advantage;

“I’m really proud of the way I’m playing these first two rounds, a lot of good stuff in there.”

“Everyone tried to get a low score but this golf course, you can hit a lot of birdies but it can hurt you if you’re out of position. I tried to play for more fairways, more greens.”

“My putter was rolling well this week and I’m really pleased.”

“I don’t want to really set a goal, to be honest. I just want to go out there and swing, what I’m doing the first two rounds, do the same thing I’m doing, try to hit fairways, greens.”

“Whatever the result, at the end of the day, I just accept it.”

Francesco Laporta, Italy, -7 under par 65, and Laurie Canter of England with -6 under 66 share second place at -11 under par.

Adam Scott is alone in fourth spot, a second round -3 under 69 keeping him in touch with the leaders with -10 under.

Justin Rose, -4 under 68, Billy Horschel, USA, -7 under 65 and Jamie Donaldson of Wales, -6 under 66 occupy fifth place with -9 under par totals.

Justin has to win here to gain an automatic place on the Ryder Cup Team Europe;

“It’s almost a good scenario for me, it’s not like if I finish third or fifth, if there was another option in play it would be maybe distracting. It’s really not distracting.” 

“I’m trying to win this tournament anyway and trying to get in the Ryder Cup anyway. It’s one and the same objective.”

“I had a lot more birdie chances. I had a lot yesterday but the putter was just a little bit off today and I had to fight that a little bit and had to make a few little adjustments with my posture, but I’ve put myself in a great position now.”

BMW PGA Championship. Two Tie at the Top.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thailand, and Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa share the BMW PGA Championship lead after the first round at Wentworth Golf Club in England.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Christiaan, bogey free today and Kiradech both carded opening rounds of -8 under par 64 to lead the BMW PGA Championship by one stroke.

Kiradech has missed lots of golf, some due to Covid restrictions, and some personal injury;

“I’ve had a really hard time the last two years, playing with the injury, hurting my right knee after The Masters and then when Covid hit I had to go back to my country and was stuck in the country for eight months.”

” I couldn’t play much golf.”

“I just want to come up here and enjoy every single minute that I spend on the European Tour, every time I come back it just feels like home.”

“I feel comfortable over here, I see some friends, see my coaches. It’s a lovely golf course. I enjoy it every time I come back to Wentworth.”

Christiaan had a good day with the putter;

“Everything with my game feels better than a year ago, but I’m not getting the scores or the results and stuff.”

“I just keep on doing the right things, keep on doing the same things that have obviously been working over the last year.”

“I drove the ball lovely today, so I just kept it in play. Gave myself a chance, and the putter was good.”

Major champion Adam Scott of Australia is in third position following his first round -7 under 65;

“A lot of really good, solid stuff. Generally it was fairways and greens. There wasn’t too much squirrely stuff, although a couple of wedges coming in could have been better.”

“Then on 15, I got out of jail and made an incredible three. Nice to get the break and take advantage of it. I definitely thought the first ball was out of bounds but it must have clouded around in the trees and dropped down.”

Another Major champion, Justin Rose is tied in fourth spot with Laurie Cantor and Masahiro Kawamura of Japan, all with -5 under 67.

Justin refers to Wentworth as his home course, and had his agent on the bag;

“He was brilliant. He turned up this morning, he kept up on the golf course and he shut up.”

“It was great, he did everything perfectly today. I could have had many different choices and options for caddies but I think someone you just know really well makes it more comfortable out there for sure.”

Solheim Cup, Team Europe Wins.

Team Europe defeated Team USA 15 points to 13 at Inverness Club in Ohio to retain the Solheim Cup, back to back wins for Team Europe, leading from start to finish.

Matilda Castren sunk the winning putt for the visitors, Team Europe, beating Lizette Salas 1 up on their last hole in match #7.

 

 

Matilda gets a hug from Team Europe Captain Catriona Matthew, the first ever double winning Captain of the Solheim Cup.

Matilda enjoyed the moment, making par with a 10ft putt after escaping from the bunker on her last hole;

“It’s hard to put it into words right now. I think I’m still shaking.”

“I just knew I was looking at the board and I knew it was going to be an important putt, and I wanted to make it.”

“Me and Mikey (her caddie) read it and we read it perfectly and it went in. I’m just so happy right now, and I’m not sure what the final scores are, but I’m just.”

“Yeah, a lot of emotions right now.”

Team USA then won the next four matches, with Emily Pedersen, Team Europe winning the final match against Danielle Kang. The singles score was six points each, five wins and two matches halved.

Congratulations Team Europe.