Tag: Cameron Young

Where’s Paul Tesori? Here’s why Cameron Young’s caddie is absent at the World Wide Technology Championship

Tesori was a good enough player to earn his Tour card before switching to caddying.

LOS CABOS, Mexico — Cameron Young didn’t miss a beat in the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship.

On Thursday, in his return to the PGA Tour for the first time since getting bounced after the second of three events in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Young carded a bogey-free 65. What Young was missing was regular caddie Paul Tesori, who was back home in Florida nursing a back injury that has him considering surgery.

Tesori, who was a good enough player to earn his Tour card before switching to caddying, previously worked for Vijay Singh, Sean O’Hair and spent the past 12 years with Webb Simpson, during which time they won the 2012 U.S. Open and 2018 Players Championship. In late March, they parted ways and Tesori hooked up with Young, 26, the 2022 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, who entered the week ranked No. 17 in the world.

Tesori took X-rays of his arthritic knee and four damaged discs in his back and visited with a surgeon on Thursday to discuss a possible microdiscectomy while Young was shooting a bogey-free round that has him in contention for his first Tour title. Caddie David Cook, who has filled in for Simpson this season, lugged the bag at El Cardonal at Diamante, which caddies are calling one of the toughest walks on Tour.

“The ruptured disc was worse than he thought. There are two levels of the fragment so he’d have to go straight on and also on the side. It’s more difficult than a routine microdiscectomy,” Tesori wrote in a text message to Golfweek. “It is so hard to decide whether to do the surgery or not … My biggest thing I kept saying was, ‘Isn’t the surgery the safest route?’ He said emphatically no. He wants to do another MRI within a month. He believes there’s a 75 percent chance my body will start to heal the disc but no timeframe … He’s encouraged by the pain being reduced. He really doesn’t want to go the surgical route because of the overall health of my back, and now the difficulty of the disc.”

Despite the pain he’s been suffering, Tesori still hopes to be back on the bag when Young makes a start at the RSM Classic, the final FedEx Cup Fall event, which is a 90-minute drive from Tesori’s home.

“My goal is still to work RSM but I’m not sure how currently,” he said.

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After playing pro-am with Justin Timberlake, Cameron Young can’t stop birdie feeling at WWT Championship

“I saw his name on the scorecard and I thought that must be kind of someone else named Justin Timberlake.”

LOS CABOS, Mexico – Ever since Cameron Young teed it up with Justin Timberlake on Wednesday during the pro-am at the World Wide Technology Championship, he can’t stop that feeling, to borrow the song title and catchy lyrics from one of the musician and songwriter’s hit tunes.

“I actually had no idea I was playing with him,” Young said. “I saw his name on the scorecard and I thought that must be kind of someone else named Justin Timberlake, but it was not.”

One day later, on a warm, sunny day when the wind failed to blow, Young couldn’t stop the birdie feeling at El Cardonal Golf Course at Diamante, channeling the power game of course designer Tiger Woods and beating the course into submission with seven birdies in all. Young posted 7-under 65, three strokes off the first-round lead held by Cameron Percy.

Young is making his first start of the FedEx Cup Fall – he last appeared at the BMW Championship, the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff events in August – but his game showed no rust as he hit all 14 fairways and, depending who is counting, all 18 greens.

“It was close, but I don’t know if it was quite that,” Young said of hitting every green in regulation. “It’s been years I feel like since I’ve actually been home for that long. Just the ability to go out and really try some things and work through some issues that I felt like I had was honestly, one, was kind of fun for me, I haven’t had the chance to do that without the pressure of an event coming up in a long time, and two, I think very productive. I think I learned some things in my golf swing. It’s nice to come out and see ’em kind of work in the first competitive round.”

At No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking (and No. 18 in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings), Young is the top-ranked player in the field this week and he’s just two spots behind Tommy Fleetwood for being the best-ranked player in the world without a PGA Tour title. Young, 26, said there was a time where he was pressing for that first win but he’s realized it’s a matter of when not if he’ll hoist a trophy and is no longer sweating it.

“I think I’ve kind of come to terms with the fact that I’ve played plenty of golf that’s worthy of winning a golf tournament out here,” he said. “Obviously, it hasn’t worked out that way yet, but I think I’ve played plenty of good golf and I fully believe that that golf can win a tournament out here. So I’ve let go of it a little bit and I’m much more focused on trying to get better as much as I can.”

Michael Kim of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee during the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante on November 02, 2023, in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Michael Kim has one victory under his belt at the 2018 John Deere Classic, but the quest for a second title has been a long and winding road. Since his lone triumph, the former Cal Bears golfer’s game went off the rails, at one point missing 25 consecutive cuts and tumbling outside the top 1,000 in the world. Kim, 30, has climbed back to No. 118 entering this week and opened with 64.

“It was just super solid,” Kim said. “I probably went into trouble just once or twice today and just a really solid day that I could have shot even lower if I made a couple more putts.”

Villegas, who has four Tour titles to his credit but hasn’t won since 2014, posted a bogey-free 64. It marked the 41-year-old Villegas’s lowest score since the second round of the 2022 Sony Open in Hawaii and he hit all 14 fairways for the first time since the final round of the 2007 RBC Canadian Open. Villegas has made just 10 starts and three cuts this season – with a T-48 at the Puerto Rico Open his best showing – and entered the week at No. 224 in the FedEx Cup standings.

“Low scoring’s out there as you can see on the leaderboard,” he said, “and it’s going to be that type of week, so we’ve got to keep pushing.”

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Cameron Young, Sahith Theegala, Ludvig Aberg highlight 2023 World Wide Technology Championship field

Michael Block is also in the field.

After a week off, the PGA Tour heads south for the World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico.

It’s the first of the final three events on the FedEx Cup Fall Series for 2023.

The Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas plays host for the first time. It’s a par-72 track measuring 7,452 yards.

El Cardonal ranks 26th on the Golfweek’s Best 2023: Top 50 courses in Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands and Central America list. It’s one of 11 courses in Cabo on that list. It’s also the first golf course designed by Woods, opening in 2014.

Russell Henley claimed his title at El Camaleon Golf Club near Cancun in 2022. Joining him in the field are Cameron Young, Sahith Theegala, European Ryder Cupper Ludvig Aberg and PGA Championship fan-favorite Michael Block. This will be Young’s first start since he tied for 15th at the BMW Championship. Theegala already has a win during the FedEx Cup Fall at the Fortinet Championship, his first Tour win.

Find the complete field for the 2023 World Wide Technology Championship below.

Who got snubbed in the Ryder Cup selection process?

There are a bunch of names golf fans are debating.

United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has made his choices and the side is now set for next month’s matchup in Italy.

Four players will make their debut in the biennial event against the Europeans, who haven’t lost on home soil since 1993.

A story at our sister site For The Win, part of the USA Today Sports network, highlighted the players who were snubbed.

At first glance, it’s a really fascinating mix — there are rookies aplenty in the group of automatic qualifiers, so captain Zach Johnson balanced that out with mostly veterans like Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka. It made a ton of sense.

But who got snubbed by Tuesday’s announcement? There are a bunch of names golf fans are debating, including some who have had big years on the PGA Tour.

Making the case for each potential U.S. Ryder Cup captain’s pick for Italy

Does Justin Thomas get the nod on past performances? Will Brooks Koepka or any other LIV players be selected?

Zach Johnson has some choices to make.

On Tuesday the U.S. Ryder Cup captain will make his six selections and complete the 12-player team bound for Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Locked in as automatic qualifiers are world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, Open champion Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele.

But who will join them? Does Justin Thomas get the nod based on past performances? Will Brooks Koepka or any other LIV players be selected? How about a 43-year-old debutant in Lucas Glover?

Let’s make the case for the potential captain’s picks for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

10 players to watch at this week’s BMW Championship

Check out this week’s power rankings here.

The second stop of the FedEx Cup Playoffs is here as the top 50 in the points standings have made their way to Illinois for the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields.

The last time we were here, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson provided some of the best moments in recent memory, with Rahm coming out on top in a playoff.

Patrick Cantlay, who lost in extra holes to Lucas Glover at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last week, is the defending champion.

The top 30 in the standings Sunday evening will earn an invitation to the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

Here are 10 players to watch for at the BMW Championship.

BMW: Odds, picks to win | Sleepers | Thursday tee times, how to watch

2023 BMW Championship odds, course history and picks to win

Cameron Young is the perfect course fit for Olympia Fields.

We’re down to 50.

The FedEx Cup Playoffs roll on this week at Olympia Fields outside of Chicago for the BMW Championship. While Patrick Cantlay is the BMW defending champion — he won at Wilmington Country Club — Jon Rahm is the last player to win this event at OFCC, defeating Dustin Johnson in a playoff in 2020.

After Lucas Glover’s win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he moves into the No. 4 spot in the points standings, only behind Rory McIlroy (No. 3), Scottie Scheffler (No. 2) and Rahm (No. 1).

Twenty players will be sent packing Sunday evening, with the top 30 advancing to next week’s Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

Golf course

Olympia Fields Country Club (North Course) | Par 70 | 7,366 yards

A general view of the sixth green as Rory McIlroy putts during the BMW Championship on the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club on August 29, 2020, in Olympia Fields, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2020 BMW leaderboard

Position Player Score
1 Jon Rahm 4 under
2 Dustin Johnson 4 under
T-3 Joaquin Niemann 2 under
T-3 Hideki Matsuyama 2 under
5 Tony Finau 1 under
T-6 Jason Kokrak Even
T-6 Matt Fitzpatrick Even
T-8 Sebastian Munoz 1 over
T-8 Brendon Todd 1 over
T-19 Lanto Griffin 2 over
T-10 Mackenzie Hughes 2 over
T-12 Brian Harman 3 over
T-12 Rory McIlroy 3 over
T-12 Ben An 3 over
T-12 Patrick Cantlay 3 over

Betting preview

Justin Thomas, Cameron Young lead list of notables to miss cut at 3M Open

Some stars are heading home early.

BLAINE, Minn. — Coming into the 2023 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, the penultimate event of the PGA Tour’s 2022-23 regular season, there were plenty of golfers who needed to make a final push to get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Lee Hodges is in the lead at 15 under after Friday’s action, and he finished his second round with a birdie putt after the horn sounded to suspend play. It was suspended due to darkness with a few groups remaining who will finish the second round Saturday morning.

However, plenty of golfers needing a good week in the Twin Cities are packing their bags and heading home early.

Those who missed the cut, which came at 4-under 138, included players who were making a playoff push and others who were hoping to make their respective Ryder Cup teams.

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The cut won’t officially be made until Saturday morning when the second round concludes, but the number is set.

Here’s a look at nine golfers who missed the cut at the 3M Open.

Fred Couples says these 3 players will represent the U.S. at 2023 Ryder Cup

“I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy.”

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On Wednesday, Scottie Scheffler became the first player to officially make the 2023 United States Ryder Cup team. This year’s biennial event will be held from Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy.

Although the U.S. vs. Europe duel is still two months away, the players destined to represent the stars and stripes have begun to cement themselves. As it stands now, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are the other five automatic qualifiers along with Scheffler.

There are several superstars on the outside looking in, including Jordan Spieth, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler.

All three players could receive captain’s picks, but a lot can happen between now and selection time.

However, vice captain Fred Couples did give us a bit of insight during his SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio show, The Fred Couples Show. 

“Here’s the guys that are not confirmed and need to make a case,” his co-host George Downing said. “No. 7: Max Homa.”

“I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy,” Couples replied. “I’ll say Max Homa’s gonna be in Italy, without getting anyone in trouble.”

Couples was then asked about Cameron Young.

“Cam Young will be in Italy,” Couples said.

2023 Open Championship
Max Homa of the United States walks from the 17th tee on Day One of The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 20, 2023 in Hoylake, England. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

How about Jordan Spieth?

“Will be in Italy,” he said.

When asked about Keegan Bradley, Couples replied: “The rest is — I’m stopping.”

Including those three players, the U.S. Ryder Cup roster looks like this: Scheffler, Clark, Harman, Koepka, Schauffele, Cantlay, Homa, Spieth and Young.

Three spots on the 12-man team remain open, with names like Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Tony Finau, and Fowler still hoping for a phone call.

Thomas, who has a 6-2-1 record at the Ryder Cup, is struggling with his game. In a last-minute push to impress captain Zach Johnson, Thomas is playing in this week’s 3M Open and next week’s Wyndham Championship.

“I’m glad he’s playing this week. The whole world knows that JT’s gotta go to, is it Minnesota, and then Greensboro? He’s gotta go to those places and play well,” Couples said.

The six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. will be official after the BMW Championship, the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff events. After East Lake, captain Johnson will make his six captain’s picks.

But after listening to Couples, it sounds like three of those spots are already taken.

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Why The Open contender Cameron Young wears an MLB patch on his shirt

We learned something new today.

UPDATE: We wrote this for the 2022 PGA Championship, but Young is now in the running at the 2023 Open Championship!

Cameron Young hasn’t made the cut in any of the three majors he’s participated in.

Until this weekend. He’s among the leaders at Southern Hills on Sunday, chasing Mito Pereira and Will Zalatoris at the 2022 PGA Championship. UPDATE: He’s contending at The 2023 Open Championship!

The Open Championship: Live leaderboard, Schedule, Tee times

But if you’re watching, you may have noticed an MLB logo on his sleeve as he plays in the final round. What’s the deal there?

It turns out the league sponsors him! Per Golfweek: “On his left shoulder, Young wears the logo of Major League Baseball. That’s a pretty cool sponsorship opportunity that usually comes with access to any MLB park.”

This is something golf fans are wondering about, but they certainly tweet about it when he plays:

As far as I can tell, according to this Golf.com story in 2015, others have been sponsored in the past by MLB:

“[Peter] Malnati is one of four professional golfers sponsored by Major League Baseball and the first to win a Tour event under the “MLB.com” logo. Baseball’s other brand ambassadors include Champions Tour pro Billy Andrade, 2014 Byron Nelson Championship winner Brendon Todd and Tour veteran Spencer Levin.”

I learned something today too!

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