Deutsche Bank Championship. Paul Casey Cruising.

 

Paul Casey is cruising along at the top of the Deutsche Bank Championship leaderboard at TPC Boston.

Paul Casey / getty

Paul carded a third round -5 under par 66, that’s three rounds of 66, to top the Deutsche Bank Championship leaderboard with a -15 under par total, which gives him a three shot advantage going into the final round tomorrow. A near Albatross on the par five 18th, it missed by inches, gave Paul an easy tap in Eagle.

Brian Harman is in second place, those three shots back at -12 under par, a -3 under par 68 giving him that place on his own.

Sharing third place are Smylie Kaufman, -3 under 68 today, Jimmy Walker, -1 under 70, and Kevin Chappell, who could only scrape through the day with an even par round of 71. They all have -11 under par totals for the tournament.

Deutsche Bank Championship.Kevin Chappell Leads.

 

 

Kevin Chappell leads the Deutsche Bank Championship after 36 holes at TPC Boston.

Kevin Chappell / getty

Kevin shot a second round -7 under par 64 to take the lead in the Deutsche Bank Championship at the half-way stage, with a -11 under par total.

Kevin has not yet found a way to win on Tour;

“This year’s been great. I think it’s shown that my growth personally has paralleled my growth in golf. but the first part is more important to me.”

“It’s been six years and $10 million (in prize money) and I haven’t been able to do it.”

 “But there are a lot of guys who have had great careers and haven’t been able to win.”

“If I’m going to define my career on that I’m probably setting myself up for failure.”

Paul Casey, -5 under 66 today, and Jimmy Walker, who matched the leaders low round of the day -7 under 64, share second place at -10 under.

Brian Harman is fourth, -6 under 65 giving that place on his own at -9 under par.

Rory McIlroy improved his putting and made the cut, shooting -4 under 67, which put him T 30;

“The recovery has been good, it wasn’t the best way to start yesterday, but I stayed patient.”

“My game’s good and numbers are going to happen like that [triple-bogey at the 12th on Friday] once in a while.”

“I just need to pick off my birdies and that’s what I did yesterday to get back to even par.”

“It was a bit of a mixed bag on the front nine, but I was really happy to shoot 67 to put myself back in to the tournament.”

World number one Jason Day made the cut on the number, and is currently T 62 at -1 under par.

Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson both missed the cut, which fell at -1 under par.

 

Deutsche Bank Championship. James Hahn Driving Perfection, Shares Lead With Ryan Moore.

James Hahn hit all 14 fairways, driving perfection to share the lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship, with Ryan Moore, at TPC Boston.

James Hahn / getty

James and Ryan carded bogey free first rounds of -6 under par 65 to lead the  Deutsche Bank Championship by just one shot.

James said it was the first time ever he had hit 14 out of 14 fairways, and it was thanks to a swing change he adopted;

“First time I’ve ever done that, feels good.”

“For me, I play better, I swing the club better, I’m more consistent when I keep my pressure on my left foot and continue towards the target.” 

Ryan is playing a lot of golf right now, getting tuned up for the FedExCup

“I like how I’ve been feeling with my game, this is actually the sixth tournament in a row, which I don’t think I’ve ever done in my entire career on the PGA TOUR.”

“I’m getting some positive momentum going into these events.”

“How I’ve been doing it these last few years kind of wasn’t working so I decided to change it up and play a lot more and make a final push and then I know I get a little break.”

“It seems to be working, whatever that decision was.”

Paul Casey, Fabian Gomez, Brian Stuard and Jhonattan Vegas are tied in third place at -5 under par following their opening rounds of 66.

Paul has ex  Luke Donald caddie John McLaren on his bag now, and says early results are encouraging;

“Feeling good about the game, I must admit the way I struck the ball today was reminiscent of how I used to strike it a few years ago.”

“He’s seen and done it all, without question, he brings a lot more to me as a golfer on and off the course in the way we approach it, the way we work, the way he crunches the numbers.”

“We formulate strategies, he talks with (swing coach) Peter Kostis, he talks to my trainer.”

“It’s the complete package. It’s the first time I really feel like I’ve ever had that.”

At the other end of the table is Phil Mickelson, a strange round full of horrendous mistakes, and out right genius recovery flop shots, he eventually signed for a +4 over 75, and gave the crowd full value for their entrance money, and they loved it.

 

 

Deutsche Bank Championship. Rickie Reigns Supreme.

 

Rickie Fowler reigns supreme at the Deutsche Bank Championship, melting down the Iceman Henrik Stenson to win by one shot at TPC Boston.

Rickie Fowler Deutsche Bank Championship Winner

Rickie was three down with eight holes to go, but rallied to close the gap, before Henrik found the water on the par three 16^th  and carded a double bogey 5.

Rickie then held on to his one shot advantage, with a final round -3 under par 68, to win the Deutsche Bank Championship trophy with a -15 under total, and move up to third position in the FedExCup rankings;

“Just kind of hung in there today, it’s pretty special.”

“I’ve been playing well the past couple of years. It was just a matter of time before I knocked down the door.”

Henrik finished in second place, a final round -1 under par 70 could, and should have been much better, his tournament total was -14 under.

Charley Hoffman made a last round comeback, a -4 under par 67, to end his tournament in third place, at -11 under par.

No one else got into double figures, but Fabian Gomez did fire -7 under 64 today, which got him into the next round at the BMW Championship.

Rory McIlroy came alive today, shooting a final round -5 under par 66, to finish at -3 under, but still loses his #1 ranking, even though Jordan Spieth missed the cut. Even the TV presenters don’t understand how the officials work that out.

Deutsche Bank Championship. Henrik Holds Top Spot

Henrik Stenson holds the top spot going into the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston.

Henrik Stenson / Getty Images

Henrik will have a one shot lead going into the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, after his bogey free third round -6 under par 65 gave him a tournament total of -13 under par. Henrik  won this same tournament in 2013, and went on to win the FedExCup.

An Eagle at the short par four, the 291 yard 4th hole, Henrik joked about it;

“It’s the world’s longest par-3.”

“But I like short par fours, I think every good golf course more or less has a short par 4.”

“It’s a good time to start playing well, and of course it’s a big event and lots to play for.”

“I’m happy with the progress I made and it gave me a little bit of a confidence boost last week, that I had a nice tournament in the bank and, yeah, I hope I can have another one here tomorrow.”

“If I’m in position I can make it happen once more.”

“Exciting weeks ahead and again we’ve got one more day here and I’d like to focus on tomorrow, rather than looking at what’s ahead.”

“But, yeah, I’m in good shape and I’m trying to put myself in position to win golf tournaments and I’m certainly up there now. I will most likely have a chance to make that happen tomorrow.”

Rickie Fowler is in second place, carding -4 under par 67 today, that three 67’s in a row, to make his -12 under par total. Rickie has been inspired to get into top gear by the likes of Jordan, Rory and Jason, and is looking forward to being in the last group tomorrow with Henrik;

“We’re going to enjoy being in the final group together.”

 “He’s a big, powerful player.”

“It’s definitely been motivation to go out and get to the same level or be on the same level as those guys.”

“When they’re out there playing their best, you want to go beat them when they’re playing their best.”

“Those three have kind of distanced themselves a bit.”

“They’re playing some great golf. But those are the guys that I want to go head-to-head against and come out on top, if I end up playing better than they do.”

Sean O’Hair and Matt Jones share third place at -11 under par. Sean with a -4 under par 67, and Matt -3 under 68.

Jason Day labored on Labor Day, and so did Rory McIlroy.

Jason carded a third round +2 over par 73, to drop out of contention, and said there is no excuse for poor play, inconsistent putting seemed to be the major problem;

“There’s no excuse for poor playing, I just wish I had a little bit more energy.”

“Actually I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. I didn’t have the stuff on the greens that I wanted to have.”

Rory could only manage an even par round, and remains at +2 over par for the tournament. In a strange turnaround of events, Rory is about to lose the #1 tag, to Jordan Spieth, although Rory made the cut here and Jordan did not. Last week Rory did not even play, but was promoted to #1, now its the other way around, beats me.

Deutsche Bank Championship. Charley Shoots 63, To Lead.

Charley Hoffman shoots 63 in the second round to lead the Deutsche Bank Championship half way through the tournament at TPC Boston.

Charley Hoffman / Getty Images

Charley carded a -8 under par 63 to lead the Deutsche Bank Championship at -12 under par, a three shot advantage over the field.

Charley, the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship winner, when he equaled the lowest score for the tournament, shooting 62 in the final round at TPC Boston. He said he likes to putt on these greens;;

“It was a little different five years ago, I came from a decent ways back, so I didn’t have to deal with the lead.”

“Anytime you are in the lead you put a lot of pressure on yourself. And obviously I’ve got to deal with that tonight.”

“Just try to keep doing what I’m doing, making a lot of putts and hitting a decent amount of fairways for me, which is a nice combo.”

“This is one of those courses that when you get up on the tees it sets up well visually for me.”

“I also tend to make a few more putts on these greens. I’m in a nice position after two days, but obviously we have a lot of golf left.”

1st round leader Brendon De Jong carded a -3 under par 68 to keep second place on his own at -9 under par.

Brendon has given up any hope of making the International Team in the Presidents Cup;

“That ship has sailed.”

I’ve put myself so far behind the 8-ball with regard to that.”

“As I said yesterday, I feel even if I won this week it wouldn’t even come close to warranting that. So that’s far from my mind.”

Kevin Chappell, Rickie Fowler, Matt Jones and Zach Johnson are tied in third place, at -8 under par

Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson both made the cut, which was set at +3 over par, these two got in at +1 over for the tournament.

Rory admitted his rustiness is showing through;

“I think it shows that I haven’t really played much competitive golf.”

“When I’ve given myself opportunities to get it close, then I’m not making putts.”

“And I think I’ve had three or four three-putts in two days and just haven’t really made anything.”

“So it’s been a bit of a struggle, more mentally, because I’ve just been trying to get something going. And there’s nothing happening.”

Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth both missed the cut here, and will have the weekend off to try and sharpen up.

Jordan has some concentration issues, his ability to mentally keep his game together;

“Whatever is going on; normally my mental game is a strength of mine.”

“And it’s something I feel like I have an advantage over other players on.”

“These past two weeks it was a weakness for me.”

“I need to walk with some cockiness in my step these next two tournaments. I don’t think I have to fix much in my game other than really work hard on my putting into Conway and then mentally I can control that.”

“I can control walking with the cockiness, whether things are going good or bad, and that’s what you have to have inside the ropes.”

“And I’ll bring it when we get to Chicago.”

Deutsche Bank Championship. Brendon De Jong Leads 1st Round

 

   

Brendon De Jong, of South Africa, leads the Deutsche Bank Championship after the 1st round at TPC Boston.

Brendon De Jong / AP

Brendon shot -6 under par 65 in the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, giving him a two shot lead over the field.

Second place is shared between nine players, with the popular score of -4 under par 67; Luke Donald, Colt Knost, Kevin Chappell, Ian Poulter, Matt Jones, Harris English, Charley Hoffman, Henrik Stenson and Rickie Fowler.

Player on a hot streak, Jason Day is in the group at -3 under par, following his opening effort of 68.

Jason is putting well, carding three straight birdies from the 10th, the hole does not look big to him, just good putts;

“I’m putting some good rolls on it and then reading the putts is obviously key.”

“I’d like to say big, but it isn’t.”

“Over the last seven weeks my speed has been fantastic, that’s why I’m rolling putts in.”

“I can go in and fully believe and trust that the line I’m picking is correct.”

World number one Rory McIlroy carded a -1 under par to be in a group T26, which includes Phil Mickelson.

Rory had some putting problems;

“I felt like I hit a lot of good putts today that didn’t go in, and that probably had to do with the speed.”

“I think my driving the ball, I think my short irons are pretty good.”

“I think my mid-to-long irons, especially my long irons, I had a couple of iffy ones out there today. I can sharpen that up a little bit.”

“And obviously on the greens. These greens are probably the fastest I have putted on in a while.”

Very bad FedExCup play-off starts for Jordan Spieth, +4 over 75, and Bubba Watson +2 over 73, you would not expect that for these players.

A frustrated Jordan declined to speak to the media.