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Jason Day battled the course and his own game for a second consecutive day at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco and as a result, he remains in contention for the United States PGA Championship entering the final round.
Day shot an even-par 70 that owed as much to his resilience to his skill, with two birdies and two bogeys, having started out two shots from the lead.
By the time he scrapped out a closing par from the fairway trap at the par-four 18th, he was at six-under par, three shots behind American Dustin Johnson, whose 65 left him at nine-under par and leading.
Johnson, whose round remarkably included a double bogey at the ninth, was runner-up to Brooks Koepka in this tournament last year and if anyone deserved a PGA title, it is him, after he lost this championship in 2010 for grounding his club in a bunker at Whistling Straits when virtually no one even knew that he was playing from a hazard.
The chasing pack behind Johnson is headed by Korn Ferry Tour graduate Scottie Scheffler and long bomber Cameron Champ at eight-under, while the looming Koepka, Collin Morikawa and Paul Casey are at seven-under.
But Day is not out of it yet.
The Australian hit a pure wedge at the first hole today from just 90 metres and in close, made the birdie and looked like he might make a charge.
By the time overnight leader Haotong Li of China bogeyed the fifth in the group behind him, Day had a share of the lead at seven-under par.
But just as he scaled the top of the leaderboard, Day had his own issues. At the sixth, he hit a wild drive and dropped a shot, and at the ninth he gave back a shot from just in front of the green.
He did not make another birdie until the par-three 16th when he knocked in a long putt, and he missed a great birdie opportunity at the 17th.
Yet he managed to cobble his pars in between the birdies, and he would not go away.
“Major championship weekends you don’t have to do too much to move up the leaderboard, but you can do a lot to move away from the lead by forcing things too much,” he said.
“Hopefully that’s my poor round for the week, and I can move on.”
Li opened the door for the rest of the field with his three-over par 73 today.
The Chinese player, who represented the International team at the Presidents Cup, had the outright lead through 12 holes but at the 13th, pulled his tee shot into Cypress trees and could not find the ball, making double bogey.
He conceded four shots to par in four holes and ended up tied-13th. That was the kind of day it was.
Koepka made three consecutive bogeys from the 13th to the 15th, then hit it tight at the 18th to make a great, fighting birdie and keep his hopes of winning the event for the third straight day alive.
Even his great friend Johnson, who played superbly, had a calamity from the greenside bunker at the par-four ninth and gave back two shots.
Back in the field the other Australians, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith, have treaded water. Scott is tied-30th through three rounds after an even par round today, and Smith is tied-43rd, also shooting 70 today.
As for Day, the 2015 PGA champion, he said he was “really positive” about what’s to come.
“I feel like it’s right there,’’ he said. “If it clicks, I think I can shoot a low one, and if I can do that tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be walking out of here with the Wanamaker (Trophy).”
Day said he would keep an eye on the leaderboard tomorrow, but not watch too closely.
“I’m really going to focus on each and every shot. If I can walk off at the end of the day knowing I gave it everything, I’ll be happy. Hopefully it’s enough to win.’’
ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Rules Official Graeme Scott describes the Model Local Rule that allowed Bryson DeChambeau to replace his damaged driver mid-round at the PGA Championship.
Under normal circumstances, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Rules Official Graeme Scott would likely be on the ground at TPC Harding Park officiating his fourth PGA Championship. Today, watching from his home in Australia, Scott explains the circumstances around the ruling.
Playing in the afternoon field of the US PGA Championship alongside Aussie Adam Scott, Bryson DeChambeau benefitted greatly from a Model Local Rule used on all Professional Tours after the shaft of the uniquely configured driver snapped as he bent down to pick up his tee on the 7th tee.
Although Rule 4.1b(3) prohibits a player from replacing a damaged club during a round (unless the player did not cause the damage), Model Local Rule G-9, which was introduced after the 2019 code came into force, allows a club that has been damaged during the round other than by abuse to be replaced.
Given that DeChambeau did nothing out of the ordinary when the shaft snapped he was able to have a replacement shaft brought out to him by a Rules Official from the PGA of America.
DeChambeau’s powerful and unusual swing and set up means that his shaft selection and 5° driver face are integral to his action.
His team happened to have a replacement shaft in the boot of their car and so, under Interpretation 4.1b(4)/1, the Rules Official was able to head to the car park and retrieve the shaft on DeChambeau’s behalf.
It certainly helped that the 8th hole is a par 3, providing sufficient time for the shaft to be delivered and replaced without unduly delaying play.
The benefits of this were clear when DeChambeau went on to birdie holes 9 and 10, thanks to a couple of boomers off the tee, averaging 19yds longer than his previous drives.
It is the Major championship that has crowned a greater number of Australians than any other.
Known throughout history as ‘Glory’s Last Shot’, the US PGA Championship made the move to May last year yet just 12 months later in a year where nothing is normal it returns to its former August date.
With a rescheduled Masters and cancelled Open Championship the Wanamaker Trophy is the first Major trophy to go on the line in 2020 and there are six Aussies willing to step forward and claim what may well be golf’s largest piece of silverware.
One of those, Jason Day, is seeking a second PGA Championship title five years after his triumph at Whistling Straits but is playing his first without coach Colin Swatton by his side.
The pair made the decision to part ways a month ago and Day has since rattled off three consecutive top-10 finishes, the most recent a tie for sixth at last week’s WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in Memphis.
Although his troublesome back continues to be an issue requiring ongoing management, Day has been buoyed by a sharper short game in his past three starts.
“I’m very pleased with my short game,” Day said following a second round 67, drawn to play with fellow PGA champions Martin Kaymer and Jason Dufner the first two rounds.
“My short game’s helped me a lot over the last three weeks and that’s usually the strength of my game, which has been nice. It’s nice to be able to see it finally come back.
“Overall, I feel like the game is there. I’m looking forward to getting into the PGA.
“There’s going to be a little bit more pressure and intensity next week, I understand that, but I think a lot of the guys kind of understand what needs to be done.”
Another Australian who knows exactly what needs to be done to win a Major championship is Adam Scott.
After an extended stay at home on the Sunshine Coast during the COVID-19 pandemic, Scott made his way back to the US yet chose to skip the WGC event in Memphis in favour of an early look at TPC Harding Park.
It’s a course with which Scott is the most familiar of the Australians playing this week having played the WGC-American Express Championship in 2005, the 2009 Presidents Cup and the WGC-Cadillac Match Play in 2015 at the venue.
The 2015 Cadillac Match Play was Marc Leishman’s first look at the layout and the Victorian took to it immediately.
He won all three of his first round matches before falling to American Gary Woodland 2&1 in the Round of 16. Five years later he is excited to be heading back to San Francisco.
“I remember I played well,” Leishman recalled. “I love the golf course. I was really excited about that moment this year, and I still am.
“I felt like that the PGA, the British Open and the Masters were three really good opportunities to win majors. It’s now the PGA and the Masters.
“I’m excited to go back there, hopefully play well and leave with a trophy.”
Matt Jones was denied from progressing to the Round of 16 at Harding Park five years ago due to a 20th hole defeat at the hands of South African Charl Schwartzel and has shown an ability to excel in the big moments.
A two-time Australian Open champion, Jones was at the top of the leaderboard midway through the third round of the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and is also returning to a venue where he feels comfortable.
“The course suits him. He likes the golf course, which is good. There are certain courses that fit players’ eyes so it suits his game,” says Jones’s coach, Gary Barter.
“He played pretty well there in the Match Play. Dustin Johnson knocked him off 2&1, Schwartzel beat him on the 20th hole and he beat Victor Dubuisson. If he’d beaten Schwartzel in extra holes he would have gotten through to the next round.
“He led the PGA at Whistling Straits after about 43 holes so he’s definitely got some good stuff to draw upon but he’s got to get in contention more than that one time to feel even more comfortable.”
Like Jones, Cameron Smith’s best performance in a PGA Championship came at Whistling Straits and is one of four Aussies in the field this week with a win already to their names in 2020.
Another is Lucas Herbert, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion who made his first start in five months at last week’s FedEx St Jude Invitational.
He closed out that tournament with rounds of 69-67 to build confidence heading into this week and his fourth appearance in a Major championship.
Adam Scott
Round 1 tee time (AEST): 6.47am Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler
Round 2 tee time: 1.22am
World ranking: 9
Last start: MC, Arnold Palmer Invitational
Best finish in 2020: 1st, Genesis Invitational
Best finish in PGA Championship: 3rd, Bellerive Country Club, 2018
Previous PGA Championships: 19
Past appearances at Harding Park: 2005 WGC-American Express Championship (T29); 2009 Presidents Cup (1-4-0); 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play (0-3).
Marc Leishman
Round 1 tee time: 7.20am Matt Kuchar, Matt Wallace
Round 2 tee time: 1.55am
World ranking: 19
Last start: T52, WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational
Best finish in 2020: 1st, Farmers Insurance Open
Best finish in PGA Championship: T12, Oak Hill Country Club, 2013
Previous PGA Championships: 9
Past appearances at Harding Park: 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play (3-1, lost 2&1 to Gary Woodland in Round of 16)
Jason Day
Round 1 tee time: 12.38am Martin Kaymer, Jason Dufner
Round 2 tee time: 6.03am
World ranking: 42
Last start: T6 WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational
Best finish in 2020: 4th, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Best finish in PGA Championship: Won, Whistling Straits, 2015
Previous PGA Championships: 10
Past appearances at Harding Park: 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play (0-3)
Cameron Smith
Round 1 tee time: 6.53am Cameron Champ, Denny McCarthy
Round 2 tee time: 1.28am
World ranking: 51
Last start: T59, WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational
Best finish in 2020: 1st, Sony Open
Best finish in PGA Championship: T25, Whistling Straits, 2015
Previous PGA Championships: 4
Past appearances at Harding Park: Nil
Lucas Herbert
Round 1 tee time: 7.26am Judd Gibb, Mark Hubbard
Round 2 tee time: 2.01am
World ranking: 72
Last start: T49, WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational
Best finish in 2020: 1st, Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Best finish in PGA Championship: T71, Bethpage State Park, 2019
Previous PGA Championships: 1
Past appearances at Harding Park: Nil
Matt Jones
Round 1 tee time: 6.31am Kevin Streelman, Jazz Janewattananond
Round 2 tee time: 1.06am
World ranking: 88
Last start: T59, WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational
Best finish in 2020: T5, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Best finish in PGA Championship: T21, Whistling Straits, 2015
Previous PGA Championships: 5
Past appearances at Harding Park: 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play (1-2)
Defending PGA champion: Brooks Koepka
Past Australian winners: Jim Ferrier (1947), David Graham (1979), Wayne Grady (1990), Steve Elkington (1995), Jason Day (2015)
TV schedule: Live 6am-12pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Live 5am-11am Monday on Fox Sports 503.
Top Aussie prediction: Jason Day
In the second of our series highlighting the PGA Professionals guiding our Aussie boys at this week’s US PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, Denis McDade reveals what he and Marc Leishman are working on early in the week and the ideal mindset he hopes to take into the opening round.
The start to Marc’s season was as good as he’s ever had but it just hasn’t quite clicked since coming out of lockdown.
Almost without exception when his game drops off a little bit it will be an old pattern or habit that he’s reverted back into that we need to correct. And normally he will recover pretty quickly.
For example, earlier this year we did some work on his set-up and basic pivot and he was off and running.
The amount of communication during the week of a Major will depend very much on where Marc’s game is at.
This will be a little bit more of a coaching week than normal given that we need to tidy a couple of things up but it won’t be a heavy coaching week because of where Marc and I know he needs to be Thursday morning teeing it up.
Because I’m in Stage 4 lockdown here in Melbourne my role early in the week will be identifying what the one or two minor issues might be because he does feel like he’s pretty close to where he needs to be.
We’ll do a live FaceTime session early in the week. Marc will tell me a time that he’s going to be on the range and his caddie, Matty Kelly, will hold the phone. Marc will have his ear pods in, there’ll be some discussion back and forth and we’ll send a little bit of video.
If it works best to do it at 2am here in Melbourne, then I’ll get up at 2am and do it then.
I need to find a way to make some subtle changes without altering the way he plays his best golf which is being external and reactive. That’s the challenge for me.
If there’s a change that needs to be made, how do we implement that without him becoming internal and thinking about his swing all the time?
If he’s on the first tee on Thursday thinking about his backswing or anything like that, that’s not how he’ll play his best golf.
The task initially is to find the little thing that’s dropped off, do a little bit of work on the range and then take it out to the course.
Marc plays his best golf when he reacts to his image of what he wants to do with the shot. The image of the shot almost creates the movement. If he starts delving into trying to create positions, that is quite internal and totally at odds with the way he plays his best golf.
Once the tournament starts I’m there as a resource to bounce ideas off and act as a cheer squad.
There will be a text message exchange each day but it’s not War And Peace. ‘How was your warm-up? How’d you play? How’s it feeling? Any concerns? Anything I can help you with?’
After each round I’ll look at ShotLink data but often the stats don’t give the complete picture of how he’s playing. The shot he’s trying to hit or the shot he’s struggling with. It certainly provides some baseline figures and then we take it from there.
Marc is at stage in his career where he’s quite autonomous and self-reliant and I’m there as a support.
I will do very little this week in terms of strategy given that I haven’t been on-site at TPC Harding Park but he has and he really likes the place.
Marc nuts out golf courses pretty darn well. If I’m at an event occasionally he’ll ask my thoughts but he and Matty Kelly do a great job around all of that.
The good thing going in is that this is a place that he likes so strategy and comfort with the venue won’t be the issue.
This is one that he’s had circled for a while.
Denis McDade is the Director of Coaching at Yarra Bend Golf and in 2017 was voted as the Australian Coach of the Year. In addition to five-time PGA TOUR winner Marc Leishman, McDade coaches tour professionals Matthew Griffin, Marcus Fraser and Ashley Hall.
The Australian golf community is calling on golf clubs around Australia to dedicate a members’ day to the memory of Jarrod Lyle and help raise much-needed funds for Challenge, a charity devoted to supporting children and families living with cancer.
Because of COVID-19, the campaign has been postponed from August and September to run in October and November, and will culminate in Yellow Day on Friday 4 December at the Australian PGA Championship.
Having been diagnosed with cancer three times throughout his life, Jarrod Lyle understood the hardship that young people and their families face when battling this disease.
For many years Jarrod was an ambassador for Challenge, a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families living with cancer and aims to lighten the cancer journey for the whole family, 365 days of the year.
“I would like to encourage all golf fans and golf clubs to get behind the #DoingItForJarrod campaign so that Challenge can continue to not only honour all that Jarrod Lyle was, but also continue his mission to support other families living with cancer,” said David Rogers, chief executive officer of Challenge.
“Jarrod truly believed in the work of Challenge and spent all of his adult life supporting Challenge’s mission.”
In Jarrod’s memory, the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and Challenge united to create a special fundraising event that could be enjoyed by the entire golf community.
This campaign, #DoingItForJarrod, is now an annual event throughout the country and sees many courses and club members swathed in yellow in support of Jarrod and Challenge.
Golf Australia interim chief executive Rob Armour was delighted to assist in keeping Jarrod’s passion and intentions alive.
“Many Australians know Jarrod was a great player, but I think those in the golf community came to learn that he was an even greater champion off the course,” Armour said.
“Working as a united community around the country, there’s no better way for us all to ensure his desire to help those in trouble lives on. We ask all clubs – especially those touched by cancer – to get involved in #DoingItForJarrod again this year.”
All clubs that participate in #DoingItForJarrod in 2020 will be entered into the draw to win an invitation to play alongside golf’s best in the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship Pro-Am to be held in December at Royal Queensland Golf Club, incorporating the featured ‘Yellow Day’ fundraiser.
“Yellow Day was a true highlight of the Australian PGA Championship in 2019 and we are excited to turn Royal Queensland into a sea of yellow this December,” said Gavin Kirkman, chief executive of the PGA of Australia.
“It was incredible to see hundreds of golf clubs around Australia support this great cause in 2019 and the PGA is honoured to once again partner with Challenge and Golf Australia to be a part of this important initiative in 2020.
“PGA Professionals working in clubs around the country have thrown their support behind #DoingItForJarrod days and we look forward to seeing them bring their clubs together throughout October and November.”
Creating yellow-themed events, encouraging club members to don yellow and selling Challenge merchandise at your club are just some of the ways you can help raise money. All donations are tax-deductible.
“In 2019 more than 200 golf clubs around Australia participated in the inaugural #DoingItForJarrod campaign, resulting in an incredible $200,000 raised,” said Briony Lyle, Jarrod’s wife.
“With the help of golf clubs around Australia once again in 2020, we hope to continue raising money to support a cause that was so close to Jarrod’s, and my, heart.”
All monies raised through #DoingItForJarrod will go towards a special legacy, Jarrod’s Gift, that has been created by Challenge in Jarrod’s honour.
You can help Challenge by donating directly, or purchasing clothing and pins carrying the Leuk the Duck symbol Jarrod Lyle wore as a Challenge ambassador, by visiting www.challenge.org.au.
To register your club for #DoingItForJarrod in 2020, or for further information, please visit the Challenge website.
Will you be #DoingItForJarrod in 2020?
The first World Golf Championships event since lockdown. The resumption of both the Champions Tour and LPGA Tour. The continuing abridged seasons of the PGA TOUR, European Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.
Golf’s back baby and the Aussies are everywhere.
In a year in which we wondered what golf could possibly be played as the world grapples with how to cope with coronavirus, six separate professional events on the game’s largest tours is a sight for sore eyes.
Although 2011 champion Adam Scott has decided to wait an extra week to make his return at the US PGA Championship next week, five Aussies are teeing it up in the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in Tennessee.
Among them is Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion and world No.73 Lucas Herbert who is making his second appearance in a WGC event this year having finished tied for 58th at the Mexico Championship.
With the European Tour resuming last week, Herbert had to choose whether he headed to the UK or the US, his place in the field for the US PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park making it something of a no-brainer.
While a number of Aussie golfers have become accustomed to post-COVID tournament conditions, this week will represent a new experience for our ladies and over-50s.
With Hannah Green a notable absentee, there are four Australians lining up in the LPGA Tour’s Drive-on Championship in Ohio while on the Champions Tour Stephen Leaney, Peter Lonard and David McKenzie all return at The Ally Challenge in Michigan.
Round 1 tee times AEST
World Golf Championships
FedEx St Jude Invitational
TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee
*2am Matt Jones, Andrew Landry, Sebastian Soderberg
2.20am Lucas Herbert, Corey Conners, Kevin Streelman
2.50am Marc Leishman, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen
3.20am Cameron Smith, Brandt Snedeker, Victor Perez
3.30am* Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Graeme McDowell
Defending champion: Brooks Koepka
Past Aussie winners: Craig Parry (2002), Adam Scott (2011)
Top Aussie prediction: Marc Leishman
TV schedule: Exclusive to GolfTV
European Tour
Hero Open
Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel and Country Club, Birmingham, England
5.55pm Scott Hend, Benjamin Hebert, Nicolas Colsaerts
6.05pm Michael Campbell, Graeme Storm, Jamie Donaldson
7.20pm Ryan Fox, Sam Horsfield, Louis de Jager
8pm Jason Scrivener, James Morrison, Johannes Veerman
9.45pm Min Woo Lee, Mikko Korhonen, Ross Fisher
10.40pm Maverick Antcliff, Wil Besseling, Daan Huizing
11.20pm Jake McLeod, Ricardo Santos, Sean Crocker
Defending champion: Darren Clarke (2002)
Past Aussie winners: Robert Allenby (1996), Peter O’Malley (2001)
Top Aussie prediction: Min Woo Lee
TV schedule: Live 9pm-11pm Thursday, 12am-3am Friday; 9pm-11pm Friday, 12am-3am Saturday; 9.30pm-2am Sunday; 9pm-1.30am Monday on Fox Sports 503.
PGA TOUR
Barracuda Championship
Tahoe Mountain Club, (Old Greenwood Cse), Truckee, California
12.11am Cameron Davis, Johnson Wagner, Arjun Atwal
12.22am* Cameron Percy, Richy Werenski, Sam Saunders
12.55am Aaron Baddeley, Branden Grace, Vaughn Taylor
5.11am* Tim Wilkinson, John Merrick, Patrick Rodgers
5.33am* Greg Chalmers, Martin Trainer, Ted Potter Jr
5.55am* John Senden, David Hearn, Alex Noren
6.50am* Rhein Gibson, Chris Couch, Derek Bayley
Defending champion: Collin Morikawa
Past Aussie winners: Geoff Ogilvy (2014), Greg Chalmers (2016)
Top Aussie prediction: Cameron Davis
TV schedule: Live 9am-11.30am Friday; Live 9am-11.30am Saturday; Live 9am-12pm Sunday; 9am-12pm Monday on Fox Sports 503.
LPGA Tour
Drive-on Championship
Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
Aussies in the field: Minjee Lee, Sarah Kemp, Sarah Jane Smith, Katherine Kirk
Top Aussie prediction: Minjee Lee
TV schedule: Live 11pm-1.30am Friday; Live 6.30am-9am Sunday; Live 7am-9am Monday on Fox Sports 503.
Korn Ferry Tour
Pinnacle Bank Championship
The Club at Indian Creek, Omaha, Nebraska
9.50pm Jamie Arnold, Marcelo Rozo, Carl Yuan
10.01pm* Steven Alker, Chase Wright, Eric Axley
10.45pm Brett Coletta, Scott Gutschewski, George Cunningham
11.40pm Nick Voke, JT Griffin, Ryan Siegler
3.20am* Mark Hensby, Lee Hodges, Grant Hirschman
4.48am* Ryan Ruffels, Michael Arnaud, Zach Cabra
4.59am* Brett Drewitt, Matt Ryan, Stuart Macdonald
Defending champion: Kristoffer Ventura
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Top Aussie prediction: Jamie Arnold
Champions Tour
The Ally Challenge
Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan
Aussies in the field: Stephen Leaney, David McKenzie, Rod Pampling
Defending champion: Jerry Kelly
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Top Aussie prediction: Rod Pampling
TV schedule: 3.30pm-5pm Saturday; Live 4am-6.30am Sunday; Live 5am-7am Monday on Fox Sports 503.
* Starting from 10th tee
This year’s Australian Open has been postponed due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 105th edition of the Australian Open was to be played at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath in November.
But public health considerations had been the main reason behind making the decision to postpone.
“It’s disappointing to have to come to these sorts of decisions. Given the uncertainty around international travel restrictions and the impact of COVID-19 around the world, we have put the health and safety of all those who bring this tournament to life first,” Nick Dastey, Tournaments Director Australasia, said.
“We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to find a suitable date early next year.”
Coupled with the pandemic, Golf Australia’s General Manager of Golf Operations Simon Brookhouse said the rescheduling of the major championships, particularly the Masters from 12-15 November, provided challenges in assembling a world-class field.
“Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter of whether or not we could co-ordinate any international stars to visit,” Brookhouse said.
“The uncertainty of the quarantine requirements for any players coming from outside Australia needed to be considered. These requirements would undoubtedly have an impact on our homegrown heroes before they would be able to consider playing, too.”
The decision means the Australian All Abilities Championship, which features the top 12 players on the World Rankings for Golfers with a Disability, will also be delayed as the tournament is played as part of the Australian Open field.
The PGA, Golf Australia and the event partner, Sportfive, and the Victorian Government would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when any additional information is available.
The European Tour was back in full flight this weekend with a handful of our pros heading to work in Newcastle.
Western Australia’s Jason Scrivener led the way as he cracked the top 30 for third time on the European Tour in 2020 but it was New Zealand’s Ryan Fox that made the biggest impression upon his return to the UK.
Following back-to-back rounds of -4, an even-par third round threatened to push the Kiwi down the leaderboard but a fourth round response earned the 2019 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year his second top 10 finish for 2020.
The LPGA’s secondary circuit, the Symetra Tour, headed to Michigan to mark the return of women’s professional golf following the layoff.
Aussie duo Steph Na and newly-minted pro Julienne Soo both finished T42 as they resume their charges at a 2021 LPGA Tour card.
Also in the US, the Korn Ferry Tour moved to Missouri but only New South Welshman Jamie Arnold could make the weekend’s action on the back of an opening 65.
But our #AussieOfTheWeek came from the world’s biggest tour as Sydneysider Cam Davis ground out a brilliant week to finish T12.
Davis was one of eight to players to break 70 for all four rounds, the Monash CC member achieving that feat for the third time in his PGA TOUR career.
Hitting 83 per cent of greens in regulation and finding 86 per cent of fairways off the tee, Davis was at his best and left us no option but to award him another #AussieOfTheWeek honour!
PGA TOUR
3M Tournament
TPC Twin Cities, Minnesota
Won by Michael Thompson at -19 by two strokes
T12 – Cam Davis, -14, 67-66-69-68
T23 – Aaron Baddeley, -12, 66-73-69-64
T26 – Danny Lee, -11, 67-68-69-69
MC – John Senden, E, 72-70
MC – Cam Percy, +2, 74-70
MC – Greg Chalmers, +4, 77-69
MC – Rhein Gibson, +10, 72-80
Korn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
Highland Springs Country Club, Missouri
Won by Max McGreevy at -21 by one shot
T21 – Jamie Arnold, -13, 65-70-68-72
MC – Brett Drewitt, -3, 71-70
MC – Harrison Endycott, -2, 75-67
MC – Mark Hensby, +7, 74-77
MC – Steven Bowditch, +14, 81-77
European Tour
Betfred British Masters
Close House GC, England
Won by Renato Paratore at -18 by three shots
T8 – Ryan Fox, -11, 67-67-71-68
T29 – Jason Scrivener, -5, 70-69-71-69
T67 – Jake McLeod, +3, 69-70-71-77
MC – Maverick Antcliff, +1, 70-73
MC – Scott Hend, +2, 69-75
MC – Min Woo Lee, +4, 73-73
Symetra Tour
Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship
Battle Creek Country Club, Michigan
Won by Ruixin Liu at -13 by two shots
T42 – Julienne Soo, +1, 73-71-73
T42 – Steph Na, +1, 70-72-75
Queensland’s Scott Hend and Kiwi Ryan Fox have been given an unexpected boost ahead of the start of the European Tour’s six-week UK swing after being granted exemptions to play in the US Open at Winged Foot in September.
Hend and Fox are two of a seven-strong Australasian contingent who have entered the European Tour’s ‘bubble’ for this week’s Betfred British Masters with the majority playing their first tournament in more than four months.
Those who follow Hend on social media will know it has been an eventful few months managing the challenge of COVID-19-induced lockdowns while Fox was holed up in New Zealand, social distancing on the back of a boat his preferred way to fill in the days as he awaited professional golf’s return.
So cool to get the email and the confirmation. Thanks @asiantourgolf for the opportunity. Going to be fantastic. @privateestatefx @RaimondiGolf @EuropeanTour @PGAofAustralia @GolfAust @USGA @WingedFoot_GC pic.twitter.com/TIq8Djp3c6
— Scott Hend (@hendygolf) July 16, 2020
But neither Hend nor Fox had to hit a shot in anger to earn a US Open call-up with Hend’s runner-up finish on the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit and Fox’s ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit win last year securing their spots in a year when normal US Open qualifiers are not possible.
And there are more spots up for grabs for those playing the European Tour’s UK swing.
The USGA has confirmed that the top 10 aggregate points earners in a mini Order of Merit and who are otherwise not exempt at the conclusion of the fifth event of the UK stretch – the Wales Open at Celtic Manor – will be exempt for the rescheduled US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club on September 17-20.
It’s an additional incentive for the likes of 2020 Vic Open champion Min Woo Lee, West Australian Jason Scrivener, Maverick Antcliff and Jake McLeod who have all taken up the opportunity to resume their seasons in the UK.
Other Aussies to have secured their place in the US Open field where they will attempt to emulate Geoff Ogilvy’s Winged Foot triumph of 14 years ago are Adam Scott (top 10 2019 US Open), Lukas Michel (winner of 2019 US Mid-Amateur), Jason Day (winner of 2015 US PGA Championship), Marc Leishman (qualifiers for 2019 Tour Championship), Cameron Smith (top 70 in Official World Golf Ranking as at March 15) and Lucas Herbert (top 70 in Official World Golf Ranking as at March 15).
With the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational and three majors on the horizon, the PGA TOUR moves to Minnesota this week for the second hosting of the 3M Open with six Aussie and two Kiwis taking part while the Korn Ferry Tour is in Missouri for the Price Cutter Charity Championship.
Round 1 tee times AEST
European Tour
Betfred British Masters
Close House Golf Club, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
4pm Michael Campbell, Justin Walters, Benjamin Poke
5.10pm Scott Hend, Jamie Donaldson, Ashley Chesters
5.50pm Min Woo Lee, Pablo Larrazabal, Andy Sullivan
6.40pm Maverick Antcliff, Rikard Karlberg, Aaron Cockerill
9.50pm Jason Scrivener, David Drysdale, Rasmus Hojgaard
10.20pm Ryan Fox, Thomas Detry, Matthew Southgate
11.30pm Jake McLeod, Darius van Driel, Clément Sordet
Defending champion: Marcus Kinhult
Past Australasian winners: Greg Turner (1997), Robert Allenby (1996), Greg Norman (1981 and 1982), Graham Marsh (1979), Bob Charles (1972)
Top Aussie prediction: Jason Scrivener
TV schedule: Live 9pm-11pm, 12am-3am Wednesday and Thursday; 10.30pm-3am Friday; 10pm-2.30am Saturday on Fox Sports 503.
PGA TOUR
3M Open
TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota
10.10pm* Cameron Davis, Chris Stroud, Chase Seiffert
10.50pm Cameron Percy, Scott Stallings, Brendon de Jonge
11.20pm John Senden, Nick Watney, Rafa Cabrera Bello
11.30pm Rhein Gibson, Peter Uihlein, Peter Kuest
3.30am* Greg Chalmers, Patton Kizzire, Austin Cook
4.20am Aaron Baddeley, Chris Kirk, Parker McLachlin
4.30am Tim Wilkinson, JJ Spaun, Wyndham Clark
4.30am* Danny Lee, Johnson Wagner, Robby Shelton
Defending champion: Matthew Wolff
Top Aussie prediction: Aaron Baddeley
TV schedule: Live 4.30am-8.30am Friday and Saturday; 3am-9am Sunday; 3am-8am Monday.
Korn Ferry Tour
Price Cutter Charity Championship
Highland Springs Country Club, Springfield, Missouri
10.10pm* Steven Alker, Adam Svensson, George Cunningham
10.52pm* Mark Hensby, Eric Axley, Max McGreevy
3.51am Jamie Arnold, Billy Kennerly, Joshua Creel
4.02am Steven Bowditch, Ben Silverman, Mark Blakefield
4.33am* Nick Voke, David Skinns, Shane Smith
4.44am* Harrison Endycott, Zach Zaback, Trevor Sluman
5.15am Brett Drewitt, Daniel Sutton, George Kneiser
Defending champion: Harry Higgs
Past Australian winners: Anthony Painter (1998), Cameron Percy (2014)
Top Aussie prediction: Jamie Arnold
A host of Australians young and old teed it up for a second straight week in Texas as the Korn Ferry Tour moved to the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio.
A 69-68 weekend lifted Ryan Ruffels to his best result on the US’s development circuit since February, helping him climb inside the top 50 on the Korn Ferry Tour money list.
The European Tour and secondary Challenge Tour joined forces again in Austria this week and Australia’s lone Professional Deyen Lawson flew the flag once more.
The former Curlewis Golf Club PGA Trainee rocketed out of the blocks on Thursday, an opening 63 enough for a share of the first-round lead.
If not for a triple-bogey on the 71st hole resulting in T18 finish, Lawson would have notched his first top 10 since last year’s Australian Open.
On the PGA TOUR, Muirfield Village hosted the world’s best for the second straight week and ‘Jack’s Place’ proved to be a stern test.
Some back nine drama on Sunday didn’t prevent Jon Rahm from sealing his fourth PGA TOUR victory in four years and claiming the World No.1 ranking for the first time.
But if it weren’t for the runaway Spaniard, Jason Day would have been in the thick of things after another brilliant performance in his adopted home of Ohio.
The Queenslander backed up last week’s T7 with a gritty T4 finish at Muirfield Village, where he is a member, while continuing to battle lingering back issues.
For racking up back-to-back top 10s for the first time since February 2019, we’re elated to hand Day back-to-back #AussieOfTheWeek titles!
PGA TOUR
Memorial Tournament
Muirfield Village GC, Ohio
Won by Jon Rahm at -9 by three shots
T4 – Jason Day, -4, 73-66-72-73
T40 – Marc Leishman, +6, 72-75-71-76
T68 – Cameron Smith, +13, 74-72-76-79
MC – Jason Scrivener, +8, 74-78
WD – Danny Lee
Korn Ferry Tour
TPC San Antonio Championship
TPC San Antonio – Oaks Course, Texas
Won by Davis Riley at -16 by two shots
T18 – Ryan Ruffels, -8, 71-72-69-68
T40 – Harrison Endycott, -4, 70-72-69-73
MC – Steven Bowditch, +2, 75-71
MC – Jamie Arnold, +3, 72-75
MC – Rhein Gibson, +4, 70-78
MC – Robert Allenby, +5, 75-74
MC – Brett Drewitt, +6, 74-76
MC – Brett Coletta, +6, 74-76
MC – Curtis Luck, +9, 76-77
European Tour
Euram Bank Open
GC Adamstal, Austria
Won by Joel Stalter at -14 by two shots
T18 – Deyen Lawson, -6, 63-69-72-70
