WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Play-Off Win For Abraham Ancer.

Abraham Ancer of Mexico claimed his maiden PGA Tour title, the WGC St. Jude Invitational, defeating Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan at the second extra hole at TPC Southwind in Tennessee.

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Abraham, -2 under 68 for his final round, Sam, -6 under 64, and Hideki, -7 under 63, were all tied at the top of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational leaderboard with -16 under par totals.

Abraham, who was born in the USA in Texas, but has dual nationality, and prefers to play for Mexico, he won with a birdie at the second extra hole, the par four 18th;

“This is surreal, I felt I left so many shots out there on the back nine, but you never know.”

“I went right at it and the shot played perfectly in my mind and it came out just how I pictured it.”

Harris English, who was cruising towards the title on the front nine, until he was officially warned for slow play. That seemed to unsettled Harris who then went on to card three double bogeys on the back nine;

“Yeah, we were warned on the front nine to pick up the pace, kind of got behind, felt like we were running pretty much the whole round and never really caught up.”

“You definitely start the day in one rhythm and then you kind of get out of that having to walk faster, having to do everything a little faster because you don’t want to get a bad time.”

“It was tough, the wind was swirling obviously coming down the stretch, there was some very important shots in there and it was tough.”

“But I’ve got to learn to slow down, go through my routine and not really worry about being put on the clock.”

Harris finished one shot out of the play-off at -15 under with a +3 over par 73 final round, alone in fourth place.

US PGA Tour rule Rule 5.6 penalty for undue delay/ slow play is one stroke penalty for the first and general penalty for the second offence and Disqualification for the third offence unless modified by the committee.

Seems it is not good enough to be a good golfer, you have to be a runner too, apart from that Harris was in the last group, so they would not have been holding anyone up.

Tokyo Olympics. Women’s Golf, Nelly Wins Gold For USA.

Nelly Korda wins the Gold Medal for USA at the Tokyo Olympics, after a short weather delay on the last two holes at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kasahata, Japan.

Nelly carded a final round -2 under par 69 to claim Gold with a tournament total of -17 under par.

Lydia Ko, New Zealand, and Inami Mone from Japan were tied in second place at -16 under par after they had both signed for last rounds of -8 under par 65.

Inami won the Silver Medal for Japan when she defeated Lydia at the first extra hole the par four 18th, making par, after Lydia’s tee shot found the fairway bunker.

Alone in fourth spot was Aditi Ashok of India, a final round -3 under par 68 was a great effort from the worlds #200 ranked lady golfer.

Tokyo Olympics Women’s Golf. Nelly Has 54 Hole Lead.

Nelly Korda from the USA has the 54 hole lead at the Tokyo Olympics Women’s Championship being played at  Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan.

Nelly carded a third round -2 under par 69 to top the Tokyo Olympics Womens stroke play event at -15 under par, giving her a three shot advantage for tomorrow’s Gold Medal round;

“I didn’t have a really good back nine, I was kind of spraying it all over the place, I had some testy par putts, but made all pars and I fought really hard to stay in it really or ahead of it.”

“I’ve been actually really calm the last three days. I haven’t really gotten nervous. I think I was a little nervous obviously on 18, it’s not a really easy chip from back over the green, but other than that I’ve handled myself really well this week, I’ve tried to stay as present as possible.”

“I’m really working on that this year, just to take it shot by shot and stay present and not to look too far ahead or kind of go back on I think about mistakes that I’ve made in the past.”

Aditi Ashok from India is in second place with a -3 under 68 round which gave her a -12 under tournament total;

 “I think it was good. I think I didn’t really have my best, especially on the long holes with the long approaches I wasn’t as consistent.”

“It was a good day and not making as many bogeys as I could have been.”

“My putting wasn’t as good today as the first two days, so making those couple par putts that were like the one on 12 and the one on 18, those helped because I knew my putting wasn’t that good today compared to the first two.”

Four ladies are tied in third position; Lydia Ko, New Zealand, -5 under par 66 today, Hannah Green, Australia, -4 under 67, Emily Kristine Pederson, Denmark, -1 under 70, and Mone Inami of Japan, -3 under 68, all at -10 under par.

Emily is hoping tomorrows round will escape the approaching bad weather, so she can improve her score;

“I’m trying to do my best on every shot anyway, but it’ a weird situation now because we don’t know if we’re going to get a chance to better our score or better our placement, but I’m just happy that I stuck in there today,”

Tokyo Olympics, Women’s Golf Championship. Nelly Korda Cruising At The Top.

Nelly Korda of the USA has the 36 hole lead at the Tokyo Olympics at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan.

Nelly carded a -9 under par 62, but with a birdie at the last could have been a 59, to lead the Tokyo Olympics Women’s Championship by four shots at -13 under par, with nine birdies, one Eagle and a disasterous double bogey six on the last hole, when chasing a round of 59.

Three ladies are tied in second place at -9 under par; Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Denmark, -7 under par 64 today, Aditi Ashok, India, -5 under 65, and Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark with a second round -8 under par 63.

Maha Haddioui of Morocco recorded a hole in one, the first at an Olympics, at the par three 7th hole.

Tomorrow’s third round could be the last round, depending on weather reports, there is a big storm heading Japan’s way.

Tokyo Olympics, Ladies Golf, Madelene Sagstrom 1st Round Leader.

Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden has the 1st round lead at the Tokyo Olympics being played at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan.

Madelene posted  1st round -5 under par 66 to lead the Women’s Golf Olympic championship by one shot;

“I would say mostly the short game was kind of my saviour. I was striking the ball alright but not great, so having a strong short game and just giving myself chances, solid par chances was the key to my round today.”

“This course is beautiful. The condition of it has been perfect from the start. I like long golf courses in general and it fits my game really well.”

“I’m very excited with the layout, it suits my eye, and the greens are rolling phenomenal which works with my putting too.”

Two ladies are tied in second place one shot back at -4 under after opening rounds of 67, Nelly Korda, USA and Aditi Ashok of India.

Nelly wants to be in control;

“I’m hoping I’m in total control, it’s golf at the end of the day.”

“I kind of sprayed some shots out to the right on my last two holes with my irons, but you’re going to have that.”

“You’re going to lose a little bit of concentration, but I’m going to go to the range after I cool off inside for a bit and then try and work on it.”

Aditi is  playing  her second Olympics;

“Last time I think it was more just enjoying the experience and staying at the village, seeing all the other athletes, but this time I think I’m definitely here to have a good finish, hopefully give my best, try and win a medal.”

“I think having played the Olympics once definitely gets you more prepared, you’re still not as overawed by it. I mean it’s still the Olympics, it’s still really exciting but definitely more prepared for this one.”

 

 

Tokyo Olympics. Xander Schauffle Wins Gold Medal.

Xander Schauffele of the USA wins the Tokyo Olympic gold medal at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan.

Xander shot a final round -4 under par 67 to wear the Olympic Gold Medal by one shot at -18 under par;

“Man, it feels good. It really is a special deal, standing on the podium with these two boys, with our flags being raised, the ceremony.”

“I think people talk about why the Olympics are such a special thing to them and we’re fortunate enough to be a part of a ceremony and I think we can all see why people say that.”

“This medal is for my country and my family, especially my dad!”

“I needed to get over the hump, I needed to win while having a lead.”

In second place, with an Olympic final round low record score of -10 under 61 was Rory Sabbatini, representing Slovakia, with a tournament total of -17 under par.

Rory and caddie wife Martina;

“Golf in Slovakia is not a big sport in regards to ice hockey, and you got so many different other sports that are bigger sports. So we looked at it as a way to try and create some interest.”

“For me to be here today is very fortuitous. I’m just thankful to be here. But it’s been such a prideful moment to be up there to represent Slovakia and to see the flag raised. Words really cannot express it. So it’s just been a fantastic experience all around for the entire Olympics and I’m just very thankful.”

Play-Off  for the Bronze medal was between seven players all at -15 under par; C.T. Pan, Taiwan, Collin Morikawa, USA, Sebastian Munoz, Columbia, Rory McIlroy, Ireland, Paul Casey, England, Hideki Matsuyama, Japan, and Mito Pereira of Chile.

Paul Casey, and Hideki Matsuyama are eliminated at the first extra hole, the par four 18th, with bogey.

All five players made par at the second extra hole the par three 10th.

Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira and Rory McIlroy eliminated at the third  extra hole the par four 11th.

Collin Morikawa and C.T. Pan move on to the fourth extra hole to decide the Bronze medal.

C.T. Pan wins the Bronze Medal with a par at the fourth extra hole the par four 18th;

“Very satisfying. It came as a surprise to me too. After day one, plus 3, 74, I remember I texted one of my good friends and I was like, the struggle is real.”

“So, it’s quite a turnaround for this week winning the bronze medal that I couldn’t even think about it, didn’t even think about it after Thursday’s round. So overall that was a very happy ending.”

Tokyo Olympics, Xander Leads.

Xander Schauffele leads the Tokyo Olympics Men’s Golf tournament at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan.

Xander carded a third round -3 under par 68 to lead the Tokyo Olympic men’s championship by one shot at -14 under par.

Local favorite Hideki Matsuyama from Japan holds second place at -13 under after his third round score of -4 under par 67.

Sharing third spot at -12 under par are, Paul Casey, England, -5 under par 66 today, and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, who had a -2 under par 69, which included a bogey five on the last hole.

Sebastian Munoz, Columbia, -5 under 66, Rory McIlroy, playing for Ireland, -4 under 67, Mito Pereira, Chile, -3 under 68, and Sepp Straka of Austria with -3 under 68 are all tied in fifth position.

Olympic Golf Round 1. Sepp Straka Leads.

Sepp Straka of Austria has the first round lead at the Tokyo Olympics being played on the Kasumigaseki Country Club course in Japan.

Sepp fired a bogey free -8 under par 63 to lead the Tokyo Olympics by one shot after the first round in Japan, with his brother Sam on the bag;

“It was awesome. It was a dream come true for us to be out there together.”

“We had a blast out there. It was a day that will be in my memory forever.” 

“I haven’t played great on the PGA Tour last few weeks, putting was really the reason.”  

“If you just put it on the fairway on this course, you can really take advantage, I got hot with my irons, especially with my short irons and my wedges.” 

“It’s really special, even without the spectators, if we didn’t have any restrictions, this would be one heck of an event.”

“I noticed flying in, you’re flying over one golf course then the next, it’s pretty incredible.”

Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand has second place to himself at -7 under par after his opening round of 64.

Thomas Pieters, Belgium, and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico share third spot with first rounds -6 under par 65.

Evian Championship. Two Ladies Tied At The Top.

Pajaree Anannarukarn, Thailand. and teenager Yealimi Noh from the USA are tied at the top of the Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

Yealimi and Pajaree, who was bogey free, both carded first rounds of -6 under par 65 to lead the Evian Championship by one shot on day one.

Pajaree said it all worked well;

“ It has been a good day out there. I was trying to focus on my game all day and tried to give myself a lot of opportunities. I made some really good putts that were not easy, but I focused on the speed and what I have been working on and it worked out pretty well.”

Yealimi started with an Eagle, for the first time ever;

“It was the first time I’ve started a tournament with an eagle. Both of my playing partners stuck it and I was like ‘I hope I stick it too, I don’t want to be left out’ and it went in, so it was nice. I wanted to finish good and take the advantage of that early start.”

Fives ladies are then sharing third spot at -5 under after opening rounds of 66;  Ayaka Furue of Japan, Lauren Stephenson, USA, Atthaya Thitikul, Thailand, Jeongeun Lee6, South Korea, and Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark.

Marathon LPGA Classic. Nasa Wins Rain Affected Tournament.

Nasa Hataoka of Japan wins the Marathon LPGA Classic, the final round being suspended due to inclement weather at 09:40, and did not resume at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Ohio.  Nasa was declared the  winner based on her 54 hole score of -19.

Nasa had a six shot lead at the end of the third round, the tournament being reduced to three rounds it was a comfortable victory;

“Knowing everybody is working really, really hard to try to get this to a 72-hole tournament.”

“I wish it would’ve been able to do it, but with this weather it was really hard.”

“I’m happy to be able to win.”

Elizabeth Szokol and Mina Harigae, both from the USA, tied for second place with -13,  both ladies earning the best finishes of their LPGA Tour careers to date.