Westwood requests release to play in Saudi-funded event
Westwood said he has asked both the European tour and the PGA Tour for the release required to contest the $25 million event at Centurion Club from June 9-11. Westwood has previously said it would be a “no-brainer” to play for such big money at his stage of his career. I’ve supported the European Tour for 29 years. “The first time I ever played in Saudi Arabia was on the European Tour,” he said. “The first three times I played there, the European Tour sanctioned it so they had no problem with where the money came from.
wftv.comMatch Play Live: A day of elimination and comebacks
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)AUSTIN, Texas — (AP) — The Latest on the Dell Technologies Match Play (all times local):___6:30 p.m.As the second day of the Dell Technologies Match Play heads for a conclusion, already 14 of the 32 matches have gone the distance and six winners staged back-nine comebacks to win. The old boys from Blighty will be battling each other with a chance to win their group in the Dell Technologies Match Play. 4 who will show up Friday at the Dell Technologies Match Play with no chance of winning his group. Cantlay has yet to advance out of group play in his four years at the Match Play. ___9:45 a.m.Paul Casey's warmup lasted only a few minutes before he realized his back was not good enough to play in the Dell Technologies Match Play.
wftv.com4 tied for lead in suspended 1st round of Houston Open
HOUSTON — (AP) — Marc Leishman, Russell Henley, Talor Gooch and Luke List shared the lead Thursday in the suspended first round of the Houston Open, with List still on the course when darkness stopped play. Leishman, Henley and Gooch each finished at 5-under 65, while List had three holes left when play was called for the day. “We knew we weren’t going to finish so just trying to get as much as we could in,” List said. He's playing for the fifth time in the last six weeks. He's playing on a sponsor exemption.
wftv.comThe Latest: Michael Jordan drops by to bolster U.S. support
___11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.
wftv.comThe Latest: DeChambeau's 417-yard drive makes eagle a cinch
Ryder Cup Golf Team USA's Bryson DeChambeau hits a drive on the second hole during a four-ball match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):2:30 p.m. ___11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. The two will take on Jon Rahm, coming off a win in his morning match, and Tyrell Hatton. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter.
wftv.comThe Latest: New afternoon Cup pairs for first time ever
___11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. It was Garcia's 23rd Ryder Cup victory, matching Nick Faldo for the overall record. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.
wftv.comThe Latest: DeChambeau in action in afternoon Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):11:50 a.m.Bryson DeChambeau will make his debut at this Ryder Cup in the afternoon fourball matches, paired with Scottie Scheffler. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.
wftv.comThe Latest: US takes 3-1 lead in early Ryder Cup action
Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):11:30 a.m. The U.S. has raced out to a 3-1 lead after the opening matches in the Ryder Cup. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter.
wftv.comThe Latest: US having good morning in Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):11:20 a.m. The morning foursomes are shaping up nicely for a U.S. team trying to regain the Ryder Cup at home. ___11 a.m.Europe has captured the first point in the Ryder Cup, but trails in the remaining three matches on the course. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. ______8 a.m.All four matches are on the course on a chilly opening morning at the Ryder Cup.
wftv.comThe Latest: Europe gets a point, US close to 3 at Ryder Cup
It was Garcia's 23rd Ryder Cup victory, matching Nick Faldo for the overall record. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The most lopsided foursome matches in Ryder Cup history finished 7 and 6. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.
wftv.comThe Latest: US leads in 3 of 4 early Ryder Cup matches
Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia smiles with teammate Team Europe's Jon Rahm during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):10 a.m. The opening Ryder Cup matches have all moved to the back nine, with the U.S. ahead in three and Europe leading in one. The most lopsided foursome matches in Ryder Cup history finished 7 and 6. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. ______8 a.m.All four matches are on the course on a chilly opening morning at the Ryder Cup.
wftv.comThe Latest: Rahm's hot, McIlroy-Poulter cold at Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup Golf Team Europe's Sergio Garcia hits on the fifth hole during a foursome match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — (AP) — The Latest on the Ryder Cup (all times CDT):___9:10 a.m.John Rahm's putter is still hot. The star of the show early on Day 1 at the Ryder Cup is Jon Rahm’s putter. ______8 a.m.All four matches are on the course on a chilly opening morning at the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is underway on a chilly morning at Whistling Straits. Europe has won the Ryder Cup in nine of the last 12 meetings.
wftv.comHorschel wins at Wentworth, Westwood among Ryder Cup places
VIRGINIA WATER, England — (AP) — Billy Horschel became the second American, after Arnold Palmer, to win the BMW PGA Championship following a dramatic final round that saw Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton secure the final automatic qualifying places in Europe’s Ryder Cup team on Sunday. Horschel had to get over the disappointment of missing out on a captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team this week, and did so by winning his first regular event on the European Tour. The race for spots on the European team for the Ryder Cup went to the final round of the last qualifying event, and was predictably frantic considering so many points were on offer at the tournament. Wiesberger, who shot 72, will make his Ryder Cup debut at Whistling Straits this month after qualifying via the European points list, along with Hatton. That bumped Rory McIlroy into the five qualifying spots on the world points list.
wftv.comWestwood, still without a major, reaches unwanted milestone
British Open Golf England's Lee Westwood plays his tee shot from the 1st tee during a practice round for the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison)SANDWICH, England — (AP) — The unwanted milestone Lee Westwood has been creeping toward is finally here. The British Open at Royal St. George’s will be Westwood’s 88th major championship, and no other player has competed in that many without winning one. “It shows I’ve been a good player for a long, long time.”So, it was put to Westwood, a former top-ranked player, a 27-time winner across the European and PGA Tours, and the reigning three-time European No. 1: How does it feel to be described as the best player never to win a major?
wftv.comGarcia comes up aces on a frenetic Friday at Match Play
Already the most fickle event in golf, the Dell Technologies Match Play on Friday was an endless frenzy. “You just never know what can happen out there," Billy Horschel said after beating Max Homa on the third playoff hole. 64 seed in Match Play history to make it to the weekend. 60 seed, while Erik van Rooyen (62) advanced by beating Daniel Berger with a par on the second playoff hole. The eight playoffs to decide group winners broke the previous mark of five in 2017 since group play began six yeas ago.
Wise takes three-shot lead at midway point of Honda Classic
Wise shot his second straight 6-under 64 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead into the weekend at the Honda Classic. The 128 total is the lowest 36-hole score at PGA National since the tournament moved there 15 years ago — and marks the first 36-hole lead of Wise’s PGA Tour career. Wise birdied the last to finish off the 64, the eighth round of 64 or lower surrendered by PGA National this week. He opened with a 69, then shot 62 — the fourth score that low in Honda history at PGA National — Friday. Jones (61), Wise (64) and Russell Henley (64) had the 64s or better Thursday; Hagy, Ryder, Wise, Brice Garnett (64) and Stewart Cink (64) had them Friday.
Matt Jones ties course record with 61 in Honda Classic
Matt Jones of Australia hits from the 18th tee during the first round of the Honda Classic golf tournament, Thursday, March 18, 2021, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Jones tied the course record at PGA National with a 9-under 61. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Matt Jones’ opening round at the Honda Classic was remarkable. Jones tied the course record Thursday on a typically windy day at PGA National with a bogey-free 9-under 61 giving him a three-shot lead. “I was just managing the golf course and hitting good shots,” Jones said. And Hunter Mahan had a six-hole stretch in which he made, in order, eagle, bogey, bogey, triple bogey, bogey, birdie.
Match Play field set with possibilities that remain for more
Then, Brian Harman shot 69 to tie for third at The Players Championship and went from No. Most curious is the case of Gary Woodland, the former U.S. Open champion and a Match Play finalist in 2015. Under the PGA Tour guidelines, he has to self-isolate for 10 days. THE BOUNCEIt didn’t take Collin Morikawa long to learn how to win on the PGA Tour. A year later, he won a playoff over Justin Thomas at Muirfield Village and a major at the PGA Championship.
Thomas lives on edge and rallies to win Players Championship
Thomas took on every shot in The Players Championship, right down to the 5-wood that rode the edge of the lake down the left side of the 18th fairway, and closed with a 4-under 68 for a one-shot victory over Lee Westwood. He won for the seventh straight year, his 14th career title, and became only the fourth player to win a major, The Players Championship, the FedEx Cup and a World Golf Championship. “This week was huge to win a big championship like this in front of fans again, which is incredible. Thomas was four shots behind when he walked off the green on the par-3 eighth with a three-putt bogey. He was outside the cut line after nine holes Friday, made it with two shots to spare and then tied The Players Championship record with a 12-under 132 weekend.
Westwood leads at Sawgrass, gets another shot at DeChambeau
That's how it was last week at Bay Hill, when DeChambeau came from one shot behind to beat Westwood with a par on the final hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Westwood, who turns 48 next month, no longer has to go up a few classes to face DeChambeau, golf's fearsome heavyweight. Also four shots behind was Brian Harman, who began his day by holing a wedge for eagle and shot 69. DeChambeau can't blast away at Sawgrass because of the bending tree-lined fairways and water hazards. He also knows from recent experience — seven days ago — that it might not be easy the way Westwood is playing.
Better with age? Westwood takes lead at Players Championship
Westwood, who turns 48 next month, played well enough to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week at Bay Hill except that DeChambeau was one shot better in a fascinating duel of generations on a course that favors power. Ad“I think to compete in any of these tournaments against the best players in the world, you can’t have any weaknesses in your game,” Westwood said. "I wouldn’t be able to say I’m doing this better or that better. His 36-hole total of 154 was his highest ever in his 11 appearance at The Players Championship. AdFour players from the top 10 in the world missed the cut — Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Tyrrell Hatton and Webb Simpson, whose hopes ended with one of 13 balls in the water at the island-green 17th.
Big finish sends Garcia to big lead at Players Championship
Garcia thought he had plenty of time to get from the range to the 10th tee to start his round. Then he fired off a 7-under 65, capped off by a birdie-birdie-eagle finish for a two-shot lead over Brian Harman. AdWhen darkness brought the first round to a halt — 21 players didn't finish — there already were 13 scores of 80 or higher. “For some reason, it just kind of fits my eye,” said Garcia, who won The Players in 2008 and has twice been runner-up. British Open champion Shane Lowry took bogey on his final hole for a 68 and was tied with Corey Conners and Matt Fitzpatrick.
DeChambeau outlasts Westwood with big drives, big putts
He holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole to regain a share of the lead. Westwood tied him with a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-5 12th, only to give it back with a three-putt on the 14th. DeChambeau took the one-shot lead to the 18th and hit his most important drive of the day — in the fairway. DeChambeau's birdie putt slid by some 5 feet and he shook his arms in celebration when the par putt dropped. With a bogey on the final hole, he shot 74 to finish alone in third.
Westwood has career-low at Bay Hill and takes 1-shot lead
He might not be able to contemplate driving a par 5 — that sideshow Saturday at Bay Hill belonged to Bryson DeChambeau. You've got to be top 50 in the world,” Westwood said. He grabbed the lead by holing a 30-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole (DeChambeau made birdie) and a 30-foot birdie putt on the closing hole (DeChambeau made par) to reach 11-under 205. Conners, who started the third round with a one-shot lead, could only manage a 71 on a cool, breezy day at Bay Hill with only a few drops of rain. Sunday was shaping up as another thriller at Bay Hill.
Europe hopes to resume golf by funding 5 new events in UK
Swing" are new tournaments the European Tour will pay for out of its tournament development fund. If the quarantine is not lifted, top European Tour players would have to choose between a major and four European Tour events with minimal prize money. Hotels need to be in operation and the quarantine needs to be lifted to continue with these events, Pelley said. We wouldn't be announcing these events without having had significant dialogue with the UK government, Pelley said. The European Tour said no one will lose status for 2021 and there will not be a Q-school at the end of the year.