Verplank plans to play Cog Hill on Thursday
Verplank plans to play Cog Hill on Thursday
Scott Verplank traveled to Cog Hill tonight with the intent to start his opening round of the BMW Championship on Thursday morning. "No bad structural damage," Verplank texted Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press, referring to an MRI that the golfer had on his left wrist on Tuesday. "Not in any immediate danger. This week is totally up to me and how much I can put up with it." Verplank is scheduled to go off the first tee at 9:20 a.m.
Verplank will know Wednesday if he's a go
Verplank will know Wednesday if he's a go
Scott Verplank told the Associated Press that he will decide tomorrow if he can tee it up at Cog Hill on Thursday for the opening round of the BMW Championship. "I might be able to play, but I won't know until Wednesday afternoon," said Verplank, who was scheduled to have a cortisone shot on Monday night. "I've had quite a few cortisone shots, and I haven't had one make a difference for the first two or three or four days. This is a last-ditch effort to see if I can get one to work. I'm not going to tee it up if I can't grip the club." Verplank eked into the field as the last of 70 qualifiers. He'd need an extremely high finish short of a victory to advance to THE TOUR Championship, but the bonus money awarded is motivation enough to play as long as his body will allow.
Fowler the surprise choice as U.S. wildcard
Fowler the surprise choice as U.S. wildcard
Rickie Fowler was one of Corey Pavin's four wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3. Fowler is a rookie on the PGA TOUR, and has just one top 30 in his last eight starts worldwide. He finished 20th in points, lowest among the four Captain's Picks.
Z. Johnson earns second trip to the Ryder Cup
Z. Johnson earns second trip to the Ryder Cup
Zach Johnson was one of Corey Pavin's four wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3. ZJ won the Colonial in May and finished T3 at the PGA Championship, but it wasn't enough to qualify on points; he finished 11th. He was a member of the 2006 team that lost at The K Club in 2006. He did not make the team in 2008.
The wait is over -- Pavin selects Tiger Woods
The wait is over -- Pavin selects Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods was one of Corey Pavin's four wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3. It's about that we turn this page. Woods has posted a pair of top 15s in the FedExCup Playoffs, securing a tee time at this week's BMW Championship. This will be the sixth time he competes in the Ryder Cup, and first since 2006. (He sat out in 2008 due to reconstructive surgery on his left knee.) It's the first time that he's required a captain's pick to make the team. He finished 12th in points.
Cink to play in fifth straight Ryder Cup
Cink to play in fifth straight Ryder Cup
Stewart Cink was one of Corey Pavin's four wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3. Cink has strung together four top 20s going back to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, which undoubtedly helped secure his pick. He finished 14th in points. He's played in the last five Ryder Cups, and twice before needed the wildcard to make the team (2004, 2006).
Marino 5-over on last 7 holes to miss the BMW
Marino 5-over on last 7 holes to miss the BMW
It might be difficult to find a golfer more aggravated about his score today than Steve Marino, who shot a 5-over-par 37-39=76 in the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. See, Marino was 8-under for the tournament with seven holes to play, and well inside the top-70 bubble of projected FedExCup Points to advance to the BMW Championship. That's when his game fell apart. First, he took a penalty on the 12th hole, settling for bogey. After a routine par-4 at the 13th, he managed to convert a par putt of 35'6" at the 14th. At the par-4 15th, he needed two blasts from a greenside bunker and two putts from 10'5" for double bogey. Par misses of 7'1" and 9'9" at the 16th and 17th, respectively, bumped him outside the top 70, and then he two-putted from 4'2" at the last to clinch a week off in lieu of a start at the BMW Championship. With his T41 payday at 3-under 281, Marino rose six spots in FedExCup Points, but will go into the annals 72nd overall.
Gillis' crazy finish opens door to the BMW
Gillis' crazy finish opens door to the BMW
Tom Gillis spun a 6-under-par 33-32=65 in his final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, finishing in a tie for fifth place with Adam Scott and Brandt Snedeker. Gillis was able to ride the momentum of his bogey-free third round in which he hit just nine greens but needed only 21 putts for a 65. After 13 holes today, he was a sturdy if not lackluster 3-under before taking a roller coaster ride of emotions. First, he saved par from 10'11" and 10'9" at the 14th and 16th holes, respectively. At the 17th, he buried a birdie putt from 12'8", and then capped off his tournament with an eagle conversion from 14'2". He started the week 92nd in FedExCup Points, but now stands at 48th. His ascension of 44 points is second-best to winner Charley Hoffman (+57). Vijay Singh (now 63rd), Jason Dufner (65th) and Andres Romero (68th) also climbed inside the bubble from outside the top 70 entering the week. Getting displaced were Padraig Harrington (73rd), Lucas Glover (74th), Charles Howell III (75th) and Chris Couch (79th).
Donald surging entering college town event
Donald surging entering college town event
Luke Donald shared second place at the Deutsche Bank Championship with a 17-under-par 65-67-66-69=267, five strokes back of champion, Charley Hoffman. Donald was one of just four to shoot sub-70 in every round (Adam Scott, 268; John Senden, 270; Angel Cabrera, 275). The Englishman ranked third in greens hit and T2 in birdies at TPC Boston. He forfeited solo-second prize money with three consecutive bogeys beginning at the 14th hole today, with par misses of 6'0", 7'6" and 4'3", but closed with birdies at 17 (13'5") and 18 (2'8"). The T2 propels him up 12 spots in FedExCup Points to fifth overall. Next up for the Northwestern product and part-time resident of Evanston, Illinois is the BMW Championship, held in Lemont, southwest of Chicago.
Ogilvy finding form; closes DBC bogey-free
Ogilvy finding form; closes DBC bogey-free
Geoff Ogilvy carded a bogey-free, 5-under-par 34-32=66 in his final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, finishing in a tie for second place with an aggregate 17-under 267. The Aussie shot 64, 65 and 66 in the first, third and fourth rounds, respectively, proving that he's making a connection with his vintage form. Today he found 16 GIR and converted five birdies, including rolls of 15'11" and 11'6" at the 13th and 18th holes, respectively. His approach from 129 yards on a mound in waist-high grass was sublime. Although he missed the birdie attempt, the whack was a microcosm of his renewed confidence. Ogvily jets 43 slots up in FedExCup Points to ninth entering the BMW Championship.
J. Day's putter dashes wire-to-wire hopes
J. Day's putter dashes wire-to-wire hopes
Fifty-four-hole leader of the Deutsche Bank Championship, Jason Day, closed with an even-par 36-35=71, and settled for co-runner-up honors, five strokes adrift of winner, Charley Hoffman, at 17-under 267. Day co-led after 18 and 36 holes before grabbing sole possession at the top entering Monday's final round. His putter went cold today, not that it mattered much as Hoffman lapped the field. For the record, Day hit 12 greens and still required 30 putts. His only highlight was a birdie conversion of 22'9" at the 16th hole. He missed birdie attempts of 5'11" and 5'7" at the 15th and 17th holes, respectively, and failed to save par from 7'6" and 6'11" at the 6th and 18th, respectively. Despite the disappointing finish, he climbed 10 spots in FedExCup Points to fourth overall.
Hoffman robs the Deutsche Bank on Labor Day
Hoffman robs the Deutsche Bank on Labor Day
With 11 birdies in his final round, Charley Hoffman came from behind to win the Deutsche Bank Championship, with a blistering 9-under-par 33-29=62 for an aggregate 22-under 262, five shots clear of runners-up, Geoff Ogilvy, Luke Donald and Jason Day. Hoffman started the day T4 and his round included two bogeys on his front nine. He fell one stroke short of tying the course record at TPC Boston, but his aggregate matches the tournament record (Vijay Singh, 2008). Hoffman buried four birdie putts over 10 feet, but the highlight of the round was a 16-yard hole-out from a greenside bunker at the par-4 13th hole. His numbers were off the charts across the board this week. He led the field in birdies (28), finished T5 in fairways, sixth in greeens and fourth in putting. He swallowed just six bogeys and had nothing worse. It's his second career PGA TOUR victory, and he is now exempt through 2012. He zooms from 59th to second in FedExCup Points, and qualifies for his first TOUR Championship.
Willis withdraws from the Deutsche Bank
Willis withdraws from the Deutsche Bank
Garrett Willis withdrew prior to his final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, citing an illness. Willis was scheduled to go off in today's first pairing at 8:00 a.m. ET. He closed yesterday's 78 with a back-side 7-over-par 42 that included four double bogeys. He entered the week 97th in FedExCup Points, and will not advance to the BMW Championship.
Stricker is four back at the Deutsche Bank
Stricker is four back at the Deutsche Bank
Steve Stricker signed for a third round of 4-under-par 67 and currently is in an overnight tie for fourth place at the Deutsche Bank Championship. It was another clean scorecard for Stricker, who had four birdies with no blemishes. He currently is four-strokes off the lead, but if he is successful in defending his Deutsche Bank crown, with Mickelson finishing outside the Top 3 and Tiger Woods finishing lower than ninth place, then he will become the world's number one player in the official rankings.
Mickelson is five back at the Deutsche Bank
Mickelson is five back at the Deutsche Bank
Phil Mickelson carded a third round of four-under-par 67 and is in an overnight tie for 6th place at the Deutsche Bank. Mickelson looked good in the third round as his drives were finding the fairway. The highlight of the round was when a piece of terrible luck happened when his appraoch at the 15th hole hit the flagstick and went off the green, but he was able to chip-in from 15-yards for the birdie. Mickelson is five-strokes off the lead, but if he can manage a solo Top 4 finish, with a result of less than T24 for Tiger Woods and that Steve Stricker doesn't win, then he can move into the number one spot in the world rankings.
Snedeker is one back at the Deutsche Bank
Snedeker is one back at the Deutsche Bank
Brandt Snedeker posted a third round of 4-under-par 67 and is a stroke off the lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Snedeker started the round shared for the lead with Jason Day and saw an opening nine holes where the lead changed four times. Day opened up a three-stroke advantage on the back nine, but Snedeker again tied for the lead after he converted a birdie at the par-4 17th hole. Snedeker got into trouble at the final hole after his approach shot found the hazard and his second attempt was short in the greenside rough, but his chip from the rough found the cup. Day was able to two-putt birdie from off the green for the lead, but Snedeker must feel pretty good after his unlikely par.
Jason Day lead by one at the Deutsche Bank
Jason Day lead by one at the Deutsche Bank
Jason Day crafted a third round of 5-under-par 66 and leads the Deutsche Bank Championship by a single stroke over Brandt Snedeker. The lead on the opening nine changed hands between Day and Brandt Snedeker four times, but after Snedeker sank a five-foot birdie-putt at the 9th hole, both players were tied for the lead. On the back nine, Day got the lead after Snedeker bogeyed the opening hole and he expand the lead out to three-strokes after he sank a 13-foot birdie-putt at the 13th hole. The lead was short lived after a bogey by Day and birdie by Snedeker at the 16th hole, with a 10-foot birdie conversion at the 17th by Snedeker again tied the playing partners for the lead. On the final hole, Day was able to two-putt from just off the green for the overnight lead after Snedeker scrambled for a memorable par. On Sunday, Jason Day will be looking for his second win of the season and to assure himself a spot in the FedExCup finals at the Tour Championship.
Jimenez wins by three at the European Masters
Jimenez wins by three at the European Masters
Migual Angel Jimenez posted a final round of 4-under-par 67 and won the Omega European Masters by three strokes over Edoardo Molinari at the Omega European Masters. Jimenez was enjoying a six-stroke advantage, with only seven holes to play and despite a hard charge by Eduardo Molinari, Jimenez was able to hang on for a three-stroke victory. This is the third championship on the European Tour this season for Jimenez and he has become the eighth oldest player to ever win an European Tour event.
Weekley misses cut and is out of the Playoffs
Weekley misses cut and is out of the Playoffs
Boo Weekley posted a second round of 3-over-par 74 at the Deutsche Bank Championship and was one of 15 players that missed the weekend cut, which then eliminated them from the FedExCup Playoffs. Weekley started the week in 96th place on the FedExCup Points List and needed a good showing the Deutsche Bank to move on to the BMW Championship. The other players that were eliminated from the Playoffs are: Chris Riley, Alex Prugh, Chad Collins, Kenny Perry, Steve Elkington, Troy Matteson, Pat Perez, Chad Campbell, J.J. Henry, Webb Simpson, Jimmy Walker, J.P. Hayes, D.A. Points and Spencer Levin.
Harrington misses cut at the Deutsche Bank
Harrington misses cut at the Deutsche Bank
Padraig Harrington posted a second round of 3-under-par 68, but he failed to make the weekend cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Unlike Tiger Woods, Harrington wasn't able to go low enough to overcome a poor opening round, which saw him take 33 putts on Friday. The missed cut means that he will now have to sit and wait to see if he will move on to next next round of the Playoffs. Harrington started the week in 57th place on the FedExCup Points List, but his current overnight ranking is 76th place, which would put him outside the Top 70 that will move on to the BMW Championship.
Phil Mickelson goes low at the Deutsche Bank
Phil Mickelson goes low at the Deutsche Bank
Phil Mickelson posted a second round of 5-under-par 65 and is in an overnight tie for eighth place at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Just a week ago Mickelson shot one of his worst rounds of the year to miss the cut at The Barclay, but he bounced back on Saturday with his best round of the year to be in the hunt for the Deutsche Bank. The main reason for today's low score was due to his putter was red hot and he dropped birdies-bombs from long distance. Mickelson, who has had health issues over the last couple of months, said after his round that, "I feel really good. I feel confident. But . you've got to go shoot the numbers. It doesn't matter how you feel or how you're striking it, the most important thing is getting the ball in the hole. Today, I was able to do that."
Woods goes low to make the weekend cut
Woods goes low to make the weekend cut
Tiger Woods posted a second round of 6-under-par 65 and has moved into a tie for 29th, which is seven strokes off the lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Woods started the day in jeopardy of missing the weekend cut and being eliminated from the FedExCup Playoffs, but he played the front nine with four birdies and then added two more birdies, with no blemishes, on the back nine. Woods after his round commented about his first bogey free round on the PGA Tour since last year's PGA Championship saying, "I had to shoot a good one if I was going to move on, and I was able to do that today."
Snedeker, Day share lead at Deutsche Bank
Snedeker, Day share lead at Deutsche Bank
Brandt Snedeker had the lowest score Saturday when he carded a second round of 7-under-par 64, which tied him with Jason Day for the overnight lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship. The post Hurricane Earl conditions on Saturday morning were breezy, but they were manageable in the morning as Snedeker started on the back nine with a 2-under-par 33. He caught fire after the turn when he went on a run of three consecutive birdies starting at the 2nd hole. Snedeker then added birdies at the 6th and 9th holes to record his second lowest round of the year. The afternoon saw the winds pick up and the only player that could match Snedeker was Jason Day, who started the day with a share of the lead.
Campbell out of Playoffs after being DQed
Campbell out of Playoffs after being DQed
Chad Campbell was disqualified from the Deutsche Bank Championship due to that he never registered for the tournament. Campbell flew into Boston on Tuesday evening and forgot to register on-site. Once the error was discovered, he was then disqualified and not allowed to play on Saturday. Campbell said after the disqualification, "Obviously disappointed that I'm not getting to play today, but that's the rules. That's the way it goes." Campbell came into the week in 83rd place on the FedExCup Points List and the disqualification will leave him outside the Top 70 players that will move on to the BMW Championship. He is next scheduled play at the Viking Classic, where he is a past champion
Verplank withdraws from the Deutsche Bank
Verplank withdraws from the Deutsche Bank
Scott Verplank during his second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, citing an injury to his left wrist. Verplank was 3-over-par through four holes and 1-over for the tournament when he called it quits. He double-bogeyed the par-4 13th before walking off. He started the week 54th in FedExCup Points, so he'll be on the bubble to advance to next week's BMW Championship.
Ogilvy 'wins' afternoon wave at Deutsche Bank
Ogilvy 'wins' afternoon wave at Deutsche Bank
Geoff Ogilvy shot a 7-under-par 32-32=64 in his opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Although the afternoon wave played in the rain, the wind was a non-factor all day, allowing the scoring to remain low. Ogilvy hit 12 greens and still managed 10 birdies, the longest of which was 12'7" at the 14th hole. He absorbed three bogeys to finish one off the 18-hole lead, best among the late starters. The worst of the storm will blow through in the overnight hours, but gusty winds will accompany sunny skies on Saturday morning. In fact, it might take a couple of days for the breezes to subside, but no more rain is forecast for the duration of the tournament.
Bertsch schedules return at Utah Championship
Bertsch schedules return at Utah Championship
Shane Bertsch is listed in the published field of next week's Utah Championship on the Nationwide Tour. If he honors the commitment, it will be his first live action since having surgery to repair a broken right hand in February. He hasn't played anywhere since the Farmers Insurance Open on the last day of January. Barring a blistering fall, he'll start 2011 on a Major Medical Extension in the Q School/Nationwide Tour category.
New daddy McLachlin in the Utah Championship
New daddy McLachlin in the Utah Championship
Parker McLachlin is listed in the published field of next week's Utah Championship on the Nationwide Tour. McLachlin became a father for the first time on August 11, and hasn't played anywhere since. He's cashed in just four of 15 starts on the PGA TOUR this year, and has dealt with a recurring wrist injury. His fully-exempt status for winning in Reno in 2008 expires at the end of this season.
Goydos gets soft landing of the early draw
Goydos gets soft landing of the early draw
Paul Goydos carded a 3-under-par 35-33=68 in his opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. After taking a week off due to the death of his mother, Goydos was benefited by his tee time in today's morning wave. However, the scoring average of the 50 guys in today's early draw was 67.400, so Goydos actually lost ground on the his half.
Deutsche Bank opener to resume @ 1:50 p.m. ET
Deutsche Bank opener to resume @ 1:50 p.m. ET
The opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship is scheduled to resume at 1:50 p.m. ET. The dangerous weather situation that suspended play at 12:35 p.m. has moved away, but by no means is the tournament safe from another delay today, as Hurricane Earl bears down on New England. Charley Hoffman will return to the 18th hole, where he'll be hitting his second at the par-5. He's 6-under-par, two back of the clubhouse co-leaders. Due to the expected challenge of Mother Nature today, the field played lift, clean and place this morning, and will for the remainder of the first round.
J. Day co-leads after 10 birdies; play halted
J. Day co-leads after 10 birdies; play halted
Jason Day posted an 8-under-par 30-33=63 in his opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, finishing with a share of the clubhouse lead. The red-hot 22-year-old hit 14 greens and circled 10 birdies today. He had just 24 putts, but didn't need one at the par-4 17th hole, where he holed out from 17 yards in the rough for birdie. Four of his nine birdie conversions were at least 10 feet in length, including a round-long 17'10" at the 15th. He snuck into the clubhouse just before play was suspended for lightning at 12:35 p.m. ET. Given that the first rain band of Hurricane Earl has moved through, all bets are off for more golf today.
Z. Johnson finds the distance to co-lead DBC
Z. Johnson finds the distance to co-lead DBC
Zach Johnson crafted a bogey-free, 8-under-par 31-32=63 in his opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. It's almost not fair today; that is, the early draw will be able to kick back and observe what Hurricane Earl will inflict on the guys in the afternoon wave. ZJ imparted his own damage from long distance today. Beginning at the 10th hole, he chipped in from the rough, six yards out for birdie. He promptly buried another birdie from 29'3" at the 11th, this time in the form of a putt. Yet another long-range effort disappeared for birdie from 35'8" at the 17th. And for good measure, in what was his seventh of eight birdies today, Johnson rolled in a putt from 19'9" at the 5th. He signed his card with a share of the clubhouse lead.
R. Moore nearly flawless to lead @ TPC Boston
R. Moore nearly flawless to lead @ TPC Boston
Ryan Moore spun a bogey-free, 7-under-par 31-33=64 in the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Moore hit 12 (of 14) fairways and all 18 greens en route to the clubhouse lead. He needed just 29 putts, too. Among his seven birdies were conversions of 15'1" and 16'0" at the 15th and 3rd holes, respectively. Meanwhile, the late draw has begun as the first rain band of Hurricane Earl encroaches on TPC Boston.
M. Jones first to post 65 in Boston tee party
M. Jones first to post 65 in Boston tee party
Matt Jones carded a 6-under-par 31-34=65 in his opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Although Hurricane Earl is approaching, the early draw was greeted with virtually no wind. As a result, scoring has bee extremely low. At the time Jones signed his card, 10 golfers were 6-under or better. The Aussie hit just 11 greens, but managed seven birdies. He took only 22 putts, the longest of which (9'7") was for par at the 6th hole. He's the early clubhouse leader at the moment.
Friday tee times moved up due to Earl
Friday tee times moved up due to Earl
The PGA TOUR announced late on Thursday that it will move Friday's tee times up 40 minutes due to Hurricane Earl passing by the area on Friday afternoon. The first groups out in the morning will hit the tees at 7:00 a.m. ET. The late draw will begin at 11:30 a.m. Tiger Woods is scheduled to go off the 10th tee at 11:42 a.m. The TOUR's meteorologist, Stewart Williams, expects calm conditions on Friday morning, but in the early afternoon the outer bands of Earl will start to create showers and gusty winds. The concern is for the late afternoon winds of 20-30 mph, which then will increase to 30-40 mph by the evening, with 50-mph gusts and 2-4 inches of rain. Clearly, fantasy managers will want to adjust their lineups towards starting players that will play in the calm morning conditions. Among the early starting players are: Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Paul Casey, Sean O'Hair and Zach Johnson.
Kenny Perry withdraws from Deutsche Bank
Kenny Perry withdraws from Deutsche Bank
Kenny Perry withdrew very late on Wednesday evening from the Deutsche Bank Championship, citing "mental and physical exhaustion." He started the week 90th in FedExCup Points, and will not advance to the BMW Championship. In his last five starts, he made two cuts with his highest finish being a T19 at the WGC-Bridgestone. "We have already begun planning his tournament schedule for 2011," said his agent, Alan Bullington, "and Kenny is extremely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour." Even if you're in a keeper league, it doesn't make any sense to retain the 50-year-old.
Stenson books Frys.com Open in Fall Series
Stenson books Frys.com Open in Fall Series
According to the tournament's web site, Henrik Stenson has committed to the Frys.com Open on October 14-17. Since Stenson didn't qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs and didn't crack the European Ryder Cup squad, he'll have to make three starts in the Fall Series to meet the minimum of 15 required as a PGA TOUR member.
Rookie DeLaet happy to rest sore right hand
Rookie DeLaet happy to rest sore right hand
After missing the cut at The Barclays and getting bounced from the FedExCup Playoffs, Graham DeLaet will take advantage of the time off before the Fall Series to rest from tendinitis in his right hand. Most golfers play with some kind of soreness, but few talk about it. "I've been battling some tendinitis in my right hand, pretty bad the last three, four weeks, so it's nice to be able to get that a bit of a break and hopefully, that will heal up before the Fall Series starts," DeLaet said. "Anything with any kind of resistance hurts. I'm not even going to touch a golf club for at least two weeks. I don't even really want to think about golf to be honest with you." The rookie is currently 129th in earnings, so he'll have a maximum of five starts post-Playoffs to earn his 2011 PGA TOUR card.
Steve Stricker shows at The Barclays
Steve Stricker shows at The Barclays
Steve Stricker carded a final round of 5-under-par 66 and tied for third place at The Barclays. Stricker was seven-strokes off the pace at the start of the day, but a pair of birdies on the front nine, with a run of three birdies in four holes starting at the par-5 13th hole got him within a stroke of the lead. He was only able to par the last two holes and eventually finished in a tie for third place with Kevin Streelman. The T3 finished allowed Stricker to maintain his second place on the FedExCup Points List.
Kevin Streelman shows at The Barclays
Kevin Streelman shows at The Barclays
Kevin Streelman posted a final round of 3-under-par 68 and tied with Steve Stricker for third place at The Barclays. Streelman opened his fourth round with a bogey after he failed to find the green with his approach, but then he recovered with four birdies in his next eight holes to make the turn only a stroke off the lead. On the back nine, bogeys at the 11th and 13th holes dropped him three-strokes off the lead and he recovered with birdies at 14 and 16 to eventually finish in a tied for third place. The T3 finish ties for his best showing of the season and 5x points of a T3 in a FedExCup Playoff tournament moved him up from 102nd to 18th place on the FedExCup Points List.
Laird places after a playoff at The Barclays
Laird places after a playoff at The Barclays
Martin Laird signed for a final round of even-par 71 and finished in second place after the first hole of a playoff at The Barclays. Laird opened his round with a pair of birdies to take a five-stroke lead on Dustin Johnson, but his lead evaporated down to a single stroke, when he went double-bogey-bogey on the next two holes. He was able to hang on to the one-stroke advantage at the turn and it wasn't until Matt Kuchar birdied the 17th hole that Laird had to share the lead. Moments later Laird was able to birdied the par-5 17th hole to regain the lead, however at the final hole a three-putt bogey from 23-feet created a playoff with Matt Kuchar. A poor tee shot in the rough on the first playoff hole left Laird out of position to attack the flag and he did well to get his approach on the putting surface. Kuchar then put his appraoch to two-feet of the cup and sealed the championship when he converted the birdie. Still, it was a great week for Laird, who is projected to move into third place on the FedExCup Points List.
Romero survives in the FedExCup Playoffs
Romero survives in the FedExCup Playoffs
Andres Romero posted a final round of 1-over-par 72 and earned the last spot in the field of Deutsche Bank Championship. Romero started the back nine at 1-over-par on his round, but then he posted back-to-back double-bogeys starting at the par-4 12th hole to fall out of advancing to the next round of the FedExCup Playoffs. He then staged a rally of four birdies in his last five holes to take the final spot in the Deutsche Bank Championship from Kevin Sutherland. Also playing into next week's field were: Tiger Woods, Ryuji Imada, J.P. Hayes, Troy Matteson and Kevin Streelman. The five other players were eliminated from the Playoffs were: Jerry Kelly, Alex Cejka, Derek Lamely, Matt Bettencourt and Jeff Maggert.
Matt Kuchar wins The Barclays in a playoff
Matt Kuchar wins The Barclays in a playoff
Matt Kuchar carded a final round of 5-under-par 66 and won The Barclays on the first hole of a playoff with Martin Laird. On the opening nine, Kuchar was able to card three birdies with no blemishes to get within two-strokes of the lead at the turn. The course played tough on the back nine and it wasn't until Kuchar was able to string a pair of birdies together starting at the par-4 16th hole that he was able to tie Martin Laird for the lead. Moments later Laird was able to two-putt birdie at the par-5 17th for the lead, but on the final hole Laird's trusty putter failed him when he three-putted from 23-feet for a bogey and a playoff. Both players found the rough off the tee, but Kuchar hit one of the shots of the year, when he put his approach to two-feet of the hole. Laird two-putted for par and then Kuchar sank his birdie-putt for the biggest championship of his career. The victory is the third PGA Tour career victory for Kuchar and he now takes the top spot on the FedExCup Points List.
Goydos commits to Deutsche Bank Championship
Goydos commits to Deutsche Bank Championship
Paul Goydos is listed in the prelimary field of next week's Deutsche Bank Championship. Goydos was one of three not to commit to The Barclays -- Sergio Garcia and Corey Pavin were the other two -- but he is the only one of the trio that will advance to the second event in the FedExCup Playoffs. Goydos started the postseason 63rd in points.
J. Rose unofficial alternate for Ryder Cup
J. Rose unofficial alternate for Ryder Cup
Justin Rose was not one of Colin Montgomerie's three wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup. Because Rose won twice in the U.S. this summer, he was a frontrunner to earn a captain's pick, but was passed over for Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Edoardo Molinari. However, should injured Lee Westwood be unable to compete, Monty said that Rose would replace him.
Monty dubs Garcia fourth assistant RC captain
Monty dubs Garcia fourth assistant RC captain
In a surprise decision, Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie, announced that Sergio Garcia will serve as a fourth assistant captain for the European team. Garcia has had a terrible year, and is currently on a sabbatical from competition, but this is a nice bone from the Scottish captain. This has the whiff of what Greg Norman did for Adam Scott at least year's President's Cup, although Scott competed in the competition.
Donald will make his return to the Ryder Cup
Donald will make his return to the Ryder Cup
Luke Donald was one of three wildcard picks by Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie, for the biennial tournament to be held at Celtic Manor in Wales on October 1-3. Donald was the first on the outside looking in on the qualifying points list using world ranking points when that window closed today. The Englishman has a 5-1-1 record in two Ryder Cup appearances. This will be his first start since 2006. He finished solo third at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor on June 6.
Harrington to make sixth Ryder Cup appearance
Harrington to make sixth Ryder Cup appearance
European Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie, selected Padraig Harrington as one of his three wildcard picks today. This will mark Harrington's sixth consecutive appearance in the Ryder Cup. He owns a record of 7-11-3.
E. Molinari wins at Gleneagles, awaits RC bid
E. Molinari wins at Gleneagles, awaits RC bid
With birdies at his final three holes Edoardo Molinari recorded a one-stroke victory over Brett Rumford in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Molinari played in the final group with his brother, Francesco, who was the overnight leader. Edoardo bogeyed the par-4 14th, forcing something special to happen down the stretch. And it did. After a birdie at the par-5 16th, he rolled in a long-range right-to-left bender for birdie at the par-3 17th to catch Rumford, who was already in the clubhouse at 9-under-par 279. At the par-5 18th, Edoardo chipped his third to within tap-in range to secure his second career European Tour victory (both in Scotland) at 10-under 278. At 1:30 p.m. ET today, Colin Montgomerie announced that the Italian was one of three wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup in Wales.
Tiger Woods sits T28 at The Barclays
Tiger Woods sits T28 at The Barclays
Tiger Woods signed for a third round of 1-over-par 72 and is currently in an overnight tie for 28th place at The Barclays. The day started out with a disaster at the par-4 1st hole when Woods snapped hooked his tee shot out of bounds, which resulted in a triple-bogey. He posted pars on the next seven holes, but a bogey at the 9th hole had him 4-over-par for the day and outside the Top 100 players who will move on to next week's Deutsche Bank Championship. On the back nine, a birdie at the par-13th hole moved him clear of the FedExCup cutline and back-to-back birdies on the final two holes eventually moved him up to an overnight projection of 81st on the FedExCup Points List.
