PGA Golf Player Stories

Lee Williams has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Williams was the 10th alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry when Brian Harman withdrew. The rookie's modest consecutive cuts made streak of three ended at last week's Byron Nelson. He'll make his debut at Colonial ranked 175th in FedExCup points.

Morgan Hoffmann has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Hoffmann started the week outside the top 10 on the alternate list, but he was given a sponsor exemption. He's fresh off a T5 at the Byron Nelson, easily his career-best finish on the PGA TOUR. It vaulted him 45 spots in FedExCup points to 137th. The Oklahoma State University product will be making his debut at Colonial.

Steven Bowditch has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Bowditch was the ninth alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry as a sponsor exemption this morning. He's 7-for-13 on the season but has yet to record a top 25. (He hasn't cracked a top 55 in his last eight starts.) Colonial would serve as good a site as any for a season-best finish since he tied for 16th in his only appearance in 2011.

Aaron Watkins has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Watkins was the eighth alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry via a sponsor exemption this morning. The first-timer at Colonial has missed two cuts in as many starts since a T8 in New Orleans four weeks ago. He's 170th in FedExCup points.

Chez Reavie has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Reavie was the third alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon, but he gained entry via a sponsor exemption this morning. He shared 21st on Sunday in Irving, Tex., to match his season-best finish. Now 145th in FedExCup points, he'll be wise to tap into what worked at Colonial in 2011 when he opened with a 62 and eventually placed T5. He missed the cut last year.

Stuart Appleby has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Appleby was the second alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry following the first two withdrawals this morning. The Aussie has cashed in nine of 13 starts this season but he's yet to log a top 30. As a result, he's 154th in FedExCup points. He's 6-for-11 at Colonial with four top 20s, including a T16 in his most recent trip in 2011.

Darron Stiles has been added to the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Stiles was the first alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry thanks to the first two withdrawals this morning. The soon-to-be 40-year-old (June 1) has never played Colonial CC in competition. He could use a good week as he arrives ranked 160th in FedExCup points and having missed his last three cuts.

Brian Harman has been removed from the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. The lefty had played in five straight events, a run that featured a season-best T10 at Quail Hollow. He missed the cut in his debut at Colonial last year. Harman ranks 75th in the FedExCup standings.

James Driscoll has been removed from the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He polished off the Byron Nelson with a 73 to share 33rd place. He's now 10-for-15 on the season with one top 20. Driscoll sits 84th in FedExCup points. NOTE: Cameron Percy also withdrew as an alternate.

Louis Oosthuizen has been removed from the published field of this week's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. His owners feared that this would serve as today's headline. He withdrew prior to his final round of last week's Byron Nelson due to a neck injury. Oosthuizen had planned on teeing it up in four straight culminating with next week's Memorial, so we'll have to remain patient as he deals with his malady.

Paul Goydos alerted his followers on Twitter tonight that he's hoping to return to competition at the FedEx St. Jude Classic on June 6-9. In response to a query, Goydos wrote: "If things go well this week maybe Fed-Ex St Jude's in Memphis." The last time he was asked, he was eyeing "late spring" for a comeback. He had the second of two wrist surgeries last October. When he returns, the 48-year-old will have 21 starts on his Major Medical Extension to earn $590,290 and retain status. He turns 49 on June 20.

Paul Goydos alerted his followers on Twitter tonight that he's hoping to return to competition at the FedEx St. Jude Classic on June 6-9. In response to a query, Goydos wrote: "If things go well this week maybe Fed-Ex St Jude's in Memphis." The last time he was asked, he was eyeing "late spring" for a comeback. He had the second of two wrist surgeries last October. When he returns, the 48-year-old will have 21 starts on his Major Medical Extension to earn $590,290 and retain status. He turns 49 on June 20.

Wes Short, Jr. finished in a tie for 27th place at the HP Byron Nelson Championship at 2-under-par 68-71-71-68=278. Good stuff from the 49-year-old, who hadn't recorded a result this good on the PGA TOUR since the same event in 2006 (T21). With today's effort, he banked $46,565.00 and now has two starts remaining on his Major Medical Extension to earn $672,626 and retain status.

At 1-over-par 68-69-70-74=281, Joe Ogilvie share 48th place at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. He made just two birdies on the back side of TPC Four Seasons all week, but he still secured his second payday in nine starts this season. Today's was worth $16,362.89. He now has just two starts remaining on his Major Medical Extension to earn $462,191 and retain status.

Jesper Parnevik was one of the 11 victims of the 54-hole cut at the HP Byron Nelson Championship where he settled for a share of 71st place at 2-over-par 70-70-72=212. Parnevik erased four birdies with six bogeys in his third round to miss the cut on the number. It's his fourth payday of the season in nine starts, two of which resulted in an MDF. With his payday of $12,797.00 at TPC Four Seasons plugged in, he now has three starts on his Major Medical Extension to earn $570,846 and retain status.

Steve Marino completed 72 holes of the HP Byron Nelson Championship in 1-over-par 68-69-70-74=281 to finish in a tie for 48th place. Like many, Marino struggled in the windier conditions in the finale, but he still pocketed $16,362.89 in what is his second consecutive cut made (T61, Wells Fargo). While he's been injured, it's still hard to believe that this is the first time that he's gone 2-for-2 since January 2012. Today's paycheck leaves him with 10 starts on his Major Medical Extension to earn $413,596 and retain status.

Scott Piercy faltered to a 2-over-par 36-36=72 in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship to finish in a tie for fifth with Martin Kaymer and Morgan Hoffmann at 8-under 272. Piercy's round included it's share of fireworks at TPC Four Seasons, with three birdies, three bogeys and a messy double bogey on the par-4 15th. This finish is second only to his solo third at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and is good for his first top 10 since the WGC-Accenture Match Play in February. It also breaks a streak of two missed cuts.

Keegan Bradley was unable to close the door on his fourth PGA TOUR victory in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship, stumbling to a 2-over-par 36-36=72. Bradley's first major miscue came when he hit his drive in the water on the third hole, leading to his first of three bogeys. He was unable to get any kind of sustained momentum throughout his round, securing just one birdie from 17'7" on the par-4 15th but failing to convert a short birdie on the par-5 16th moments later. In the end, he stood alone in second at 11-under 269 and two strokes behind Sang-moon Bae.

In his 43rd PGA TOUR start, Sang-moon Bae picked up his first victory on the circuit at the HP Byron Nelson Championship when his final-round 1-under-par 33-36=69 pushed him two ahead of Keegan Bradley. Bae started off his day at TPC Four Seasons on fire, circling four birdies in a five-hole span beginning with the third. Two of those were from outside 20 feet. He stubbed his toe for the first time at the par-4 ninth, making a double bogey after a poor drive led to an approach in the water. He stayed on tilt with a bogey at 10 and another at 15 before finally bouncing back with a birdie at the par-5 16th. The birdie at 16 gave him a one-stroke advantage over Bradley before the American's bogey at 17 put Bae two clear with one to play. Bae calmly split the fairway at 18, and then landed his approach 19 feet from the hole to put the tournament away at 13-under 267. With this win, he his exempt into the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship. He's the eighth first-time winner of the season.

John Huh settled for a 1-over-par 35-36=71 in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship, good for his first top 10 of the season at 7-under 273. Huh erased bogeys at the second and sixth holes with birdies at seven and nine, turning in even par. On TPC Four Seasons back nine, he would write down eight pars while suffering a bogey at the par-4 14th. His previous best finish was a T11 at the Masters.

Charl Schwartzel tamed the wind at TPC Four Seasons in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship for a 2-under-par 33-35=68 and the clubhouse lead at 10-under 270. Schwartzel's round was blemish-free for the first 17 holes, circling three birdies and 14 pars before dropping a shot at the 18th with a buried lie in a greenside bunker. He managed to find 13 GIR on a day where it was a challenge to find the putting surface. While at times it seemed that he left his share of good looks at birdie out of the cup, he only missed one putt inside 10 feet all day. That was a birdie look from 6'1" on the par-4 12th. A late seven-foot birdie on 16 and a 6'5" par on 17 kept his round going, but the bogey at 18 looms large. His previous best finish on TOUR this season was a T3 in his first start at Riviera CC.

Martin Kaymer polished off his first top-10 finish on the PGA TOUR since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in February with a 2-under-par 34-34=68 in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Prior to his trip to TPC Four Seasons, Kaymer's best finish in stroke play this season was a T35 at the Masters, so he's easily topped that effort. In today's round, he circled three birdies to just one bogey and landed 11 GIR while the wind tested everyone's ball-striking. At 8-under 272, he trails only Justin Bolli in the clubhouse.

Graham DeLaet finished up his week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with an even-par 35-35=70 to remain at 6-under 274. DeLaet made his way around TPC Four Seasons in efficient fashion when you factor in the gusty conditions. He traded two birdies with two bogeys while hitting only 11 GIR and splitting eight fairways. The putter saved him when it was called upon, gaining over two strokes on the field with the flat stick. All signs point to him hanging on for his third top 10 and sixth top 25 of the season.

Justin Bolli signed for a bogey-free 5-under-par 32-33=65 in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship to take the lead in the clubhouse at 9-under 271. On a day where the wind has been a major factor, Bolli's round currently is the lowest of the day. Three of his five birdies came from longer than 17 feet, including one from just off the green on the par-4 10th. The ball-strking was a challenge, splitting just five (of 14) fairways and landing eight GIR, but the putter continually propped him up when needed. Prior to today, his only top 30 was a tie for fourth in Puerto Rico. While it's unlikely that his final tally will net him a win, there are only four players on the course that sit ahead of him with some tough holes to go.

Ryo Ishikawa posted a 3-under-par 35-32=67 in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship to finish the week at 6-under 274. The first eight holes of Ishikawa's round was tame compared to his final 10. He circled two birdies to six pars to get the party started, but ended his front nine at TPC Four Seasons with a double-bogey six. His inward nine featured three birdies, two bogeys and an eagle to just thee pars. On the cusp of a top 10, this will easily be his best finish of 2013. His T38 at the Masters previously occupied that spot.

Charley Hoffman turned in a 3-under-par 31-36=67 in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship, improving to 7-under 273 on a windy afternoon at TPC Four Seasons. Hoffman started off the day on fire, backing up birdies on the first and fifth with an eagle at the par-5 seventh from 10'9". He added a final birdie from 18'7" on the par-3 13th before suffering bogeys on the difficult 15th and 18th holes. Should he remain inside the top 10, it would be his fourth of 2013.

Mark Anderson captured his first Web.com Tour win at the BMW Charity Pro-Am with a final-round 6-under-par 32-33=65 at Thornblade Club, finishing five clear of Tom Hoge. The University of South Carolina product circled seven birdies to a lone bogey in the final round and completed the tournament at 27-under 63-67-64-65=259. He finished the week sixth in driving distance and tied for ninth in GIR, finding the putting surface 60 (of 72) times in regulation. His 28 birdies led the field. He was a 2011 Web.com Tour graduate, but failed to maintain his status on the PGA TOUR. With this victory, he moves to ninth on the money list and stands an excellent chance at picking up a card for the 2013-14 season.

Morgan Hoffmann made up plenty of ground on the field in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship with his 4-under-par 33-33=66. Hoffmann circled six birdies to just two bogeys in his final navigation of TPC Four Seasons. He managed 13 GIR in the final round despite only finding the fairway five (of 14) times. His 8-under 272 total will stand as the best finish of his rookie season, topping a T14 in Puerto Rico.

Ricky Barnes lit up TPC Four Seasons with a 4-under-par 33-33=66 in the final round of a windy HP Byron Nelson Championship to finish the tournament at 5-under 275. Given the blustery conditions, many of the players just beginning their rounds would likely pay a king's ransom for Barnes' scorecard. He made it through his round with just one bogey to three birdies and an eagle. The putter was the difference, gaining over two strokes on the field for the round with the flat stick. To date, his best finish of the season was a T16 at the Humana Challenge. Given the conditions, it's almost a certainty that he will eclipse that today.

With a 4-under-par 36-32=68 in his final round of the Madeira Islands Open, Peter Uihlein recorded a two-stroke victory, his first on a professional circuit. Uihlein turned pro exactly 17 months ago today and he's just 23 years of age. He posted 15-under 273 at Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra in Santo Ant¢nio. His second-round 64 drew real-time rumblings that he was chasing a 59 as he was 10-under through 12 holes, but it failed to develop since he played his last six holes in birdie-free 2-over. For the week, he converted an eagle and 22 birdies against nine bogeys. Morten Orum Madsen and Mark Tullo shared runner-up honors in this opposite event on the European Tour. Defending champion Ricardo Santos tied for 19th. After starting the week at 246th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Uihlein should rise about 100 spots thanks to his maiden title.

Louis Oosthuizen has withdrawn from the HP Byron Nelson Championship, citing a neck injury. Oosthuizen was scheduled to tee of at 9:57 a.m. CT alongside Brian Harman. The South African played his first 54 holes in 3-under-par 67-70=70= 207. With top 20s in two of his last three starts on the PGA TOUR, his game appeared to be rounding into form ahead of this week's event. If he's able, he'll try again at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

Graeme McDowell defeated Thongchai Jaidee 2 and 1 in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship. The first-ever European Tour event in Bulgaria lived up to its hype both with scenic Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort in Kavarna and a deserving champion. Jaidee went 2 up after four holes and retained the lead through six. After McDowell picked off a birdie at the par-3 seventh to halve his deficit, he'd eventually draw even at 12. Wins at 14 and 15 followed as Jaidee began to stumble. Overall, G-Mac played 17 holes in bogey-free 3-under. Just four weeks removed from his title at Harbour Town, he climbed the ladder in this week's bracket with victories over Bo Van Pelt (1 up), Nicolas Colsaerts (2 and 1) and Branden Grace (3 and 2). McDowell is also the first native of Ireland or Northern Ireland to win this tournament that dates back to 1964.

Michael Bradley has withdrawn from the HP Byron Nelson Championship, citing a back injury. Bradley was scheduled to tee off in today's final round at 9:21 a.m. CT. He played his first 54 holes in 2-under 68-70-70=208 for what was only his fifth made cut in 13 events. With a season-high T48 at the RBC Heritage highlighting his season, he needed to make the most of his week at TPC Four Seasons.

Ted Potter Jr. posted an even-par 36-36=72 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Potter Jr. parred his first nine holes before pulling out the crayon to add some color on the back. Birdies at 10 and 13 had him briefly in contention but a pair of bogeys on 16 and 17 dropped him into a share of 10th at 6-under 204. Should he remain inside the top 10, it would be his second of the season and first since a T10 at Riviera CC.

Angel Cabrera turned in an even-par 35-35=70 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and is tied for 10th at 6-under 204. Since his playoff loss at the Masters, Cabrera has managed nothing better than a T55 at last week's PLAYERS in the U.S. His round was a tale of two nine. He opened with two pars, three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey in his first seven holes before closing with 11 pars. It was a grind, as he found just six (of 14) fairways, half of his GIR and lost .535 strokes to the field with the flat stick.

Graham DeLaet settled for an even-par 34-36=70 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and enters the final round in a tie for 10th at 6-under 204. The Canadian rising star found himself on television for much of the afternoon, but a late bogey on 15 and a disastrous double bogey at the par-3 17th quickly dropped him out of contention for the championship unless something dramatic happens on Sunday. He's tied for the lead in GIR at TPC Four Seasons this week.

Chad Campbell doubled bogeyed his final hole of the third round at the HP Byron Nelson Championship to miss the 54-hole cut on the number at 2-over 212. Ten others will join Campbell on the couch for the final round. They include Ted Purdy (212), Jesper Parnevik (212), Charlie Wi (212), Pat Perez (213), Brian Stuard (213), Brad Fritsch (213), Vijay Singh (214), Tim Herron (214), Greg Owen (214) and Patrick Reed (216).

Charl Schwartzel settled for a 1-under-par 35-34=69 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and enters the final round in a tie for fifth at 8-under 202. The South African had a chance to take it one deeper at the par-5 16th, but couldn't convert a 3'6" birdie effort. Though he's tied for first in GIR, with 81.48 percent of his approaches leading to birdie attempts for the week, he found the dance floor a mere 10 times in the third round. Given he missed the cut for the first time all season at last week's PLAYERS, it's a good sign that he's back in the hunt at TPC Four Seasons this week.

Tom Gillis signed for a 3-under-par 33-34=67 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and enters the final round two back at 11-under 199. Gillis circled four birdies and suffered one bogey in his third lap around TPC Four Seasons. His most dramatic shot was his final one, holing out a bunker shot from 15 yards for birdie at the 18th. He leads the field in strokes gained-putting this week, averaging a gain 2.757 strokes per round over the field. He's one of a number of players chasing Keegan Bradley in search of a first win.

Sang-moon Bae spun a 4-under-par 33-33=66 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and now only trails Keegan Bradley by a stroke at 12-under 198. Bae began the day four behind Bradley, but birdies at the first two holes quickly narrowed the gap. BAe's only blemish came at the fifth in the form of a bogey, but he would bounce back to circle birdies on eight, 13 and 16 before parring in. Despite only hitting 12 GIR today, he is tied for seventh in that category for the week and is eighth in strokes gained-putting. Should he emerge victorious at TPC Four Seasons, it would be his first on the PGA TOUR.

Keegan Bradley continues to hold the lead at the HP Byron Nelson Championship after a 2-under-par 34-34=68 in the third round places him one-stroke clear of Sang-moon Bae at 13-under 197. Bradley circled five birdies, ranging from 34'3" to four inches, and squared three bogeys at TPC Four Seasons. He only found 10 GIR, but gained 2.599 strokes on the field with his long putter. He ranks sixth in strokes gained for the week. The first of his three PGA TOUR wins came at this event in 2011, and he is in great position to pick up another in Sunday's final round.

John Huh signed for a 1-under-par 37-32=68 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and enters the final round at 8-under 202. Huh finished in style at TPC Four Seasons, beginning with an eagle from 162 yards at the par-4 14th and continuing with birdies at 16 and 17. Even though his rookie season was a strong one, he has yet to crack a top 10 in 14 PGA TOUR events in 2013. The difference this week has been a strong performance with the irons, landing 77.78 percent of his GIR for the tournament.

Scott Piercy made a statement on moving day with a 4-under-par 35-31=66 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and a 54-hole tally of 10-under 200. Piercy traded two birdies for two bogeys on his opening nine, but played the back in blemish-free 4-under. It's been a rough ride of late for a guy that started the year in good form, missing four of his last five cuts with only a T54 at the Masters breaking the monotony. The irons have been solid this week, and that could be the difference. He's found 79.63 percent of his GIR for the tournament.

Gary Woodland spun a 2-under-par 34-34=68 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and is in position to pick up his first top 10 of the season at 8-under 202. Four birdies outpaced two bogeys in Woodland's navigation of TPC Four Seasons, with a 46'8" bomb on the par-4 fourth the highlight. While only landing six (of 14) fairways, he managed to find 14 GIR. Even though is current position is enviable, high winds predicted in the final round could change the entire dynamic of the leaderboard by the end of the day Sunday.

Harris English bogeyed two of his final four holes in posting a 2-under-par 33-35=68 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and enters the finale at 8-under 202. English had a busy day on the card, picking up six birdies and giving back four bogeys on his lap around TPC Four Seasons. His birdies came in binges of three, with a 30'11" putt kicking off the first run at the par-4 sixth and a 5'9" effort at the par-4 11th spurring on his second streak. He hit 12 GIR and picked up more than a stroke on the field with the putter. He'll try and survive what is expected to be a windy final round on Sunday.

Nathan Green managed a 2-under-par 34-34=68 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship, moving inside the top 10 at 7-under 203 with 18 holes to play. This is just Green's fourth start of 2013, with his only made cut a T31 at the Valero Texas Open. Each of his three birdies fell from outside 20 feet, so the flat stick got the job done. His lone bogey at the par-4 14th was a result of an approach into a greenside bunker and a poor effort on his third shot. Sunday's finale is a big deal. With only past champion status to rely on, a top 10 would get him into the next full-field event.

Martin Kaymer is positioned for a season-best finish at the HP Byron Nelson Championship after firing a 1-under-par 34-35=69 in the third round. The German's only top 10 in a PGA TOUR event was a T9 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play, and he hasn't finished any better than a T35 at the Masters in a stroke-play event. In his third navigation of TPC Four Seasons, he circled four birdies and squared three bogeys. Two of those four birdies dropped from outside 22 feet. He enters the final round at 6-under 204.

Mark Anderson pulled in front at the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Web.com Tour with a 7-under-par 33-31=64 in the third round, boosting him to 21-under 194 and one clear of 36-hole leader Franklin Corpening. Anderson was cruising along with three birdies and one bogey on his first 14 holes at Thornblade Club, then caught fire over the final four holes. He chipped in for eagle on the par-5 15th, and followed with a birdie on the par-5 16th. He then navigated the difficult final two holes with birdies to end his round. A native of South Carolina, he will try and pick up his first Web.com Tour victory in Sunday's final round.

Marcel Siem put together a 2-under-par 33-35=68 in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship and enters the final round at 6-under 204. Siem circled five birdies and squared a bogey and a double bogey on his lap around TPC Four Seasons. His shot of the day came early, knocking an approach from 207 yards out of the rough to eight inches on the par-4 third. Should he ever decide to relocate from Germany to the U.S., perhaps Texas is the likely destination. He tied for 10th in San Antonio earlier this season.

D.A. Points made his move in the third round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship with a 3-under-par 34-33=67. With that effort, Points moves to 6-under 204 and is again finding success in the Lone Star State. He's already picked up a win in Houston earlier this season. In his third lap around TPC Four Seasons, he circled five birdies to just two bogeys and saved par from 20'9" on the 18th hole to sustain his solid round.