The Open. Three Way USA Tie at the Top.

There is a three-way USA tie at the top of The Open leaderboard, Jordan Spieth, Matt Kuchar and Brooks Koepka lead the American assault of Royal Birkdale on day one, shooting 65’s.

 

Brooks Koepka / getty

Brooks, Jordan and Matt all fired first rounds at The Open of -5 under par 65, to lead by one shot.

Jordan was bogey free today, and said he could not have done better, but did miss a couple of putts;

Jordan Spieth / getty

“I couldn’t have done much better today.”

“I still missed tee shots, a couple more than I really wanted to. And I had a couple of putts that were within 10, 12 feet that missed.”

“But it was really, really solid all around.”

Brooks, the U.S. Open champion arrived early in the week to learn the Royal Birkdale course, and feels comfortable out there;

“It feels back in the routine now.” 

Two players are tied in fourth place at -4 under par, carding -4 under 66, Paul Casey, England and Charl Schwartzel from South Africa.

Last weeks winner at the Scottish Open, Rafa Cabrera Bello, from Spain, is in the group of five players at -3 under par, alongside Ian Poulter, who is making a good comeback from injury;

“Last year I was commentating for the first two days, which was difficult.”

“I think that’s one of the most difficult things I’ve done.

“It’s too easy to get down when you’re not playing those big tournaments and it’s easy to get down when golf seems to be pretty difficult.”

“It’s the feeling I used to have to know to play well in a Major or WGC, it really helps. It’s a great feeling, it really is.”

“Today has meant a lot.”

Get in the Hole

Travelers Championship. Jordan With Wire to Wire Win, Via Play-Off.

Jordan Spieth completed his wire to wire win at the Travelers Championship, albeit via a Play-Off against Daniel Berger, at TPC  River Highlands.

Jordan & Trophy

Jordan, even par 70 today and Daniel, -3 under 67, were tied for the Travelers Championship title after the final round at -12 under par. Jordan then  chipped in from the fairway bunker for a birdie on the first play-off hole, the par four 18th;

“I went nuts, that was fun.”

“I guess if you call something enough times, every once in a while, one of them goes in.”

“At least I think this one had good speed going in.”

“I’ve always taken some crap from my peers about the John Deere one potentially going off the green or into the water or whatever.”

“This is probably my luckiest win, for sure, with all the breaks I got today.”

“I’m surprised twelve under won, especially after the first couple of holes. I was rolling and thought we’d get to sixteen, which was the goal.”

Daniel could only stand and watch as Jordan pulled off some magic;

“I played great today.”

 “I played the playoff hole great. He hit an unbelievable fairway bunker shot.”

“And Jordan does Jordan things, so there’s not really much you can say.”

“I’m obviously disappointed, but happy to be in the position I was in today. I knew I could do it.”

“I knew I needed to hit a bunch of good shots and I did. But you can’t do anything about that. It’s incredible.”

Daniel also tweeted;

“Hopefully the next time @JordanSpieth does that I’m on his team and I can chest bump him too !!”

Charlie Hoffman, -4 under 66 today, and Danny Lee, from New Zealand, -3 under 67, tied for third place at -10 under par.

Rory McIlroy played a little better today, -6 under 66, except for his putter. The defending FedExCup champion is aware of whats coming;

“Short game can definitely get a little better, and obviously, putting, which is a combination of taking my opportunities when I put myself in a good position for birdie.”

“Obviously got a World Golf Championship, two majors and FedExCup Playoffs to think about.”

“So, a lot of important stuff still coming up. I feel my game’s in good shape to try and contend again.”

Sharing 5th place at -9 under par were Patrick Reed, Paul Casey, and Boo Weekley.

Get in the Hole

 

 

U.S. Open. 4 Way Tie at the Top.

Thee is a 4 way tie at the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard after 36 holes at Erin Hills Golf Course. Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood of England, share the honor with Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman, U.S.A. all at -7 under par.

Paul Casey / getty

Paul managed to card an eight at the par five 14th hole on his way to signing for a -1 under par 71 in the second round of the U.S. Open;

“Not every day you enjoy a round of golf with an 8 on the card, but I’m a pretty happy man.”

“Yeah, it was a bit of a roller coaster. I guess it’s rare you get through a U.S. Open or any major without some kind of a hiccup.”

“I was upset with the score I had made, but it had, in no way, any effect on my attitude or how I was going to then approach the rest of the round or the next shot.”

“Part of that is just age, and part I’ll give credit to Johnny McLaren, credit to my wife and my little boy.”

Brooks, -2 under 70 today, said he had stayed calm;

“I’d say I was calm. I mean it doesn’t really get me too worked up, whatever happens, bogey, double, birdie, eagle, I mean I’m pretty chill anyway.”

Tommy has put his resurgence down to good coaching, and his best mate;

“I went back to my old coach and had one of my best mates caddieing, and I think that can’t be underestimated having your friend with you.”

“Tomorrow will be a very cool experience. It’s still Saturday, 36 holes is a very long time in a U.S. Open. Anything can happen.”

“No matter what that’s something when you’re always going to walk up the 18th green with your best mate.”

Brian is happy to be where he’s at;

“I have no expectations. I have no idea how the weekend is going to go, no one does.”

“For me, if I can just stay where I am, just keep doing what I’m doing, I’ll have a chance.”

Three players are tied in fifth place , one shot back at -6 under. First round leader Rickie Fowler  went into reverse today, with  second round +1 over par 73, he shares with J.B. Holmes, -3 under 69 today, and Jamie Lovemark also -3 under today.

Rickie told reporters he was in a good spot;

“We’re in a good spot, looking forward to the next two days.”

Missing the cut, the top three in the world, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.

Rory & Jason getty

They were joined in the exit lounge by Daniel Berger, Masters champions Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, and 2016 Major winners Jimmy Walker and Henrik Stenson.

Other names on the missing in action list are; Billy Horschel, Jason Dufner, and Jon Rahm, the Spaniard totally exploded with a F word assault on the ears of TV viewers and course spectators;

“I’ve always been criticized for it, I don’t know what to say. I feel bad when I react sometimes, but it’s something I can’t control.”

Get in the Hole !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.Open. Rickie Roars Ahead.

Rickie Fowler roars ahead in the first round of the U.S. Open at Erin Hills Golf Course, shooting -7 under par 65, as the first round was suspended late in the day, due to darkness.

Rickie / getty

Rickie, from the U.S.A. who is labelled as one of the best players never to have won a Major, starts the U.S. Open with a -7 under 65, to top the leaderboard by one shot at the end of day 1.

Rickie said he does not mind the tag about the Major’s, but would like to get it off his back here. His score today could have been better, just a few missed putts;

“I take it as a compliment. There are a lot of really good players out here that haven’t won a major.”

“So it would be nice to get rid of that at some point.”

“I’m not saying that this is the week or isn’t the week. But I like the way this golf course suits me, and we’re off to a good start.”

“I’m ready to be up there on Sunday.”

“Having a win this year at The Honda Classic, being in contention at majors in the past, and having THE PLAYERS win has definitely done a lot for me.”

“It was nice. You don’t get many rounds at the U.S. Open that are stress-free.”

“It’s a lot easier said than done.”

“Still missed some putts that I had opportunities out there, but it’s just nice to go out and actually execute the game plan.”

Sharing second place at -6 under par are Paul Casey, England, and U.S. rookie Xander Schauffele.

Paul only wanted to be half as good as Rickie;

“I was just trying to have half as good a round as Rickie had.”

“The scoring was so good this morning. I was happy it stayed benign for us, and I capitalized on it.”

Fourth place is occupied by three payers at -5 under, Tommy Fleetwood, Brian Harman and Brooks Koepka.

Tommy was not looking to make birdies;

“The course was as receptive as it’s going to be.”

“I never really tried to make a birdie. they just seemed to happen along the way.”

There were  44 players who carded under par, which broke the record for most sub-par scores in an opening round of the U.S, Open.

Those who will struggle to make the cut this week include the likes of Rory McIlroy, +6 over par 78, Dustin Johnson +3 over 73, Jason Day, + 7 over 79, and Danny Willett +9 over 81.

Get in the Hole

Dean & Deluca Invitational. Webb Simpson Supreme.

Webb Simpson was supreme in the third round of the Dean & Deluca Invitational, and will take a two shot lead into the final round tomorrow at Colonial Country Club, in Texas.

Webb Simpson / getty

Webb carded a third round -3 under par 67 to lead the Dean & Deluca Invitational after 54 holes, with a two shot advantage at -9 under par over the field going into the last round tomorrow.

Webb spoke about the tree-lined Hogan’s Alley course, with the heat and wind also involved with the decision-making;

“There is so much thinking involved on every shot.”

“Definitely feel like the season has ebbed and flowed.”

“I feel like that’s starting to happen more, where I’m part of the conversation of contending.”

“That’s a good feeling. I know what I’m doing is working.”

Paul Casey, England, -2 under 68 today, and Danny Lee, New Zealand, -1 under 69, they share second place, two shots back at -7 under par.

Paul said he missed a few putts for birdie, but made a 25 footer on the last;

“I had missed a lot of good looks for birdies and opportunities, although I’m not complaining.”

 “Happy I shot under par.

The wind definitely got Danny’s attention,

“It was a good grind day.”

“It’s tough out there with the wind blowing sideways.”

Get in the Hole

 

 

 

Dean & Deluca Invitational. Four Way Tie at the Top.

There is a four-way tie at the top of the Dean& Deluca Invitational leaderboard at the end of 36 holes at Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas. Webb Simpson, Kevin Kisner, Danny Lee and Scott Piercy share the honor.

Webb Simpson

Webb, -4 under 66 today, Danny, -6 under 64, Kevin, -3 under 67 and Scott -4 under 66, all sit atop the Dean & Deluca Invitational leaderboard at -6 under for the tournament after 36 holes.

Webb,  joked about playing in Texas;

“I didn’t play well at Byron my first couple of years, so I just decided to stay out of Texas.”

Paul spoke about the tricky wind conditions;

“It’s been tricky with the wind, I’ve handled it well so far, so I would actually like it to stay tricky if it can.”

“And I handle the heat well, so I am saying probably the more difficult it is, the better it is for me.”

Another four players are tied in fifth spot, one shot back at -5 under for the tournament, Paul Casey, -4 under 66 today, Sergio Garcia, -4 under 66, Jon Rahm, -1 under 69, and Sean O’Hair, -2 under 68.

Defending Champion Jordan Spieth has recovered from the poor start yesterday, even par, to record a second round -2 under par to give himself a chance to successfully defend his title. He told reporters about the spectre of missing back to back cuts in his home town;

“When your backs against the wall,  and you feel the nerves kick up, because you’ve got to do something, and you’re not going to be able to play both week-ends in town.”

“That would have been really really tough for me to swallow, if I missed the cut.”

” And it was in my head.”

Get in the Hole    

 

WGC HSBC Champions. Hideki Matsuyama With 36 Hole Lead.

Hideki Matsuyama, from Japan, has the 36 hole lead at the WGC HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in China.

Hideki Matsuyama / getty

Hideki shot a wonderful  second round of -7 under par 65 to hold the 36 hole lead in the WGC HSBC Champions, giving him a tournament total -13 under par, and will take a three shot advantage into the week-end.

Hideki has not played well here in previous years, but putted well today;

“I haven’t really played well here before.”

“So before coming here, I was a little bit nervous again thinking, maybe it’s not going to be a good week for me.”

“But then I decided, oh, wait a minute, let’s just have fun this week. It’s made a difference.”

“I have been playing well but really, today, I hit some good second shots and made some putts and that’s what made the round score well for me.”

Defending Champion Russell Knox, -4 under 68 today and Bill Haas, -5 under 67, share second place at -10 under par.

Russell told reporters about the low temperature, and how he was used to it, coming from Scotland;

“I’m thrilled, conditions were extremely difficult and I played well.”

“I had a couple of chances there at the end which I would have loved to have made but it was hard out there.”

“I was a little cold but I’m built for this. As much as I would say I don’t enjoy playing in this, I’m good at it.”

“So I hope it’s like this on the weekend. You have to try and find your edge.”

“So if you have a good attitude when the weather gets bad like that, you can maybe pick up half a shot mentally.”

Tied in fourth position, at -8 under are, Francesco Molinari, -3 under 69 second round, Richard Bland, -4 under 68 and Daniel Berger, -2 under 70 today.

Making up ground today was Rory McIlroy, -6 under 66, he shares seventh place with Paul Casey, -2 under 70, Ross Fisher, -4 under 68 and best placed Chinese player Xinjun Zhang, -3 under 69.

Rory made seven birdies against one bogey today, with his putter working well.