Tag: Justin Harding

Cameron Tringale’s record-tying round, pot bunker carnage among five takeaways from Thursday’s first round at Genesis Scottish Open

The Genesis Scottish Open is already producing some memorable moments.

It was nice to finally be back at a links course on Thursday for the opening round of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

And we already had some carnage.

Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, found himself in a few precarious situations during the first round thanks to some pot bunkers, and Viktor Hovland followed up a cold shank with a duff.

Gotta love golf in Scotland.

Fourteen of the world’s top 15 ranked players teed it up Thursday, and due to the wind that picked up in the afternoon, many were left behind by the early wave that was able to take advantage of better scoring conditions.

Here are five takeaways from the first round at The Renaissance. Let’s start with the man atop the leaderboard.

Scottish Open: PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ | Leaderboard

DP World Tour suspensions temporarily stayed for Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui, Justin Harding, which could allow them to play in 2022 Genesis Scottish Open

LIV Series golfers Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding might play in the Genesis Scottish Open after all.

LIV Golf Series golfers Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding just might play in the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open after all.

The three golfers are members of the upstart LIV circuit and subsequently were suspended by the DP World Tour. However, on Monday, DP Tour officials sent an update that read in part: “following a hearing Monday before HHJ Sycamore CBE, appointed by Sport Resolutions (UK), suspensions imposed on Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have been temporarily stayed, pending determination of their substantive appeals by an Appeal Panel in due course.”

The Scottish Open is being co-sanctioned for the first time by the DP World Tour as well as the PGA Tour, a move that a part of a bigger strategic alliance between the two bodies. Both tours have banned players for joining the LIV circuit.

Keith Pelley, the CEO of the DP World Tour, was participating in the first day of the JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland on Monday. When reached for comment, he said: “Out of respect for JP and Noreen McManus, their wonderful Pro-Am and the outstanding fundraising they undertake on behalf of charities in the west of Ireland, I will not be giving a detailed response on this matter right now.”

He expressed disappointment in the outcome of the hearing and said his tour will abide by the decision but also noted that “this is only a stay of the sanctions imposed, pending the hearing of the players’ appeal as to whether those sanctions were appropriate.”

Pelley went on to concede that the field for the Scottish Open will be updated, if necessary.

“The make-up of the field for the Genesis Scottish Open will be advised in due course, but based on this decision the field size will increase beyond 156.

“We will make further comment on this in due course, but not during our time at Adare Manor.”

The JP McManus Pro-Am concludes Tuesday at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland. The Scottish Open is set to begin Thursday morning.

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Controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series is here. What you should know.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series is already disrupting the dynamics in professional men’s golf.

The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series will make its debut this weekend in London.

The league announced a field of 48 players, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen.

The league is already disrupting the dynamics in professional men’s golf and could continue to do so as its season continues. Yet, hanging above the shifting balance of power in the business of golf are the questions of ethics and morals facing players and executives who have joined the league, in light of multiple accusations against the Saudi Arabian government of alleged human rights violations.

Here is everything you need to know about LIV Golf.

Why is LIV Golf so controversial?

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth investment fund of Saudi Arabia and one of the largest in the world, has backed and is financing LIV Golf Investments, the parent company of LIV Golf. As the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman is the head of the PIF. According to a declassified U.S. intelligence report released in February 2021, Salman approved an operation “to capture or kill” Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018.

The Saudi government is accused of other human rights violations and has invested in Western athletic opportunities in an apparent attempt to improve its image, a practice known as “sportswashing.”

What will be the format?

There will be seven regular season events in different cities on three continents — London, Portland (Oregon), Bedminster (New Jersey), Boston, Chicago, Bangkok, Jeddah. The season will culminate in a team championship in Florida at the Trump National Doral Miami course.

Each event will be a 54-hole, three-round, no-cut competition. The league will incorporate shotgun starts to expedite play. A 48-person field has been announced and players will be split into four-person teams.

The team championship will be a four-day, four-round event in which the teams will be seeded in a knock-out playoff bracket.

What are the prize payouts?

Each regular-season event is scheduled to feature a total purse of $25 million, with $20 million going toward individual prizes and the remainder going toward the team competition. The first-place prize for individual players will reportedly be $4 million and the team that places first will earn $3 million.

Over the course of the season, the player who is crowned champion will take home $18 million, while second place will collect $8 million and third will earn $4 million. Players who compete in a minimum of four events will be eligible for these awards.

During the team championship at the end of the season, each of the 12 teams will receive a cut of the $50 million purse. The first-place team will win $16 million.

When will LIV Golf hold its inaugural event?

The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament will take place June 9-11 at the Centurion Club, which is about 25 miles northwest of London.

Who will play in the inaugural event?

The LIV Golf league announced its captains for the 12 teams that will compete in the inaugural event in London. Each team has its own name and logo.

  • Captain, team name
  • Dustin Johnson, 4 Aces
  • Graeme McDowell, Niblicks
  • Ian Poulter, Majesticks
  • Kevin Na, Iron Heads
  • Louis Oosthuizen, Stinger
  • Martin Kaymer, Cleeks
  • Peter Uihlein, Crushers
  • Phil Mickelson, Hy Flyers
  • Sergio Garcia, Fire Balls
  • Sihwan Kim, Smash
  • Talor Gooch, Torque
  • Wade Ormsby, Punch

Other notable players on the roster include Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Sam Horsfield, Andy Ogletree and Branden Grace.

Have any players turned down LIV Golf?

Tiger Woods recently reaffirmed his commitment to the PGA Tour. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said in an interview with the Washington Post that Woods turned down a “mind-blowingly enormous” offer from LIV Golf that was “about high nine digits.” Rory McIlroy has also declined.

Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus turned down two offers “in excess of $100 million” for the chance to be the face of the league.

What has been the reaction to those who joined?

Though several prominent PGA Tour players have resigned their membership to join LIV Golf, those have faced harsh criticism. For its part, the PGA Tour has threatened serious penalties for those PGA Tour members who play in the LIV Golf Series events. Some players, like Dustin Johnson, have resigned their membership with the PGA Tour to join LIV golf. Others, like Phil Mickelson, have said they intend to play in major championships.

With the U.S. Open set to take place June 16-19, the weekend following the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational, the U.S. Golf Association released a statement Tuesday saying it would not penalize any player invited to the U.S. Open who had played in the LIV Golf Invitational in London.

How are teams chosen?

The captains of the teams were selected by LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman and the league’s tournament committee. Each team-appointed captain will select three players for their team’s open slots in a snake draft format. The exception to that is that five of the non-captain players are not eligible to be drafted because they “have pre agreed” to play together on certain teams.

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Justin Harding leads Rory McIlroy by two entering final round at Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy sits two shots behind Justin Harding; Tommy Fleetwood is just three back.

Justin Harding didn’t have a glamorous third round, only putting down three non-pars on the scorecard. Back-to-back birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 offset an early bogey on eight for a Saturday 1-under 71 but Harding still holds a two-shot lead over his closest counterpart at the DP World Tour’s at Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

“I thought I played quite solid. It was a difficult day to be fair, some tough flags to get at,” he said. “There were times when I didn’t quite put the ball in play and I couldn’t really go anywhere near them.”

Despite the lead, he’s not counting on everyone behind him falling away on Sunday.

“At the end of the day, I’ve just got to go out and keep doing what I’m doing and make a couple of birdies and shoot 70, 69, something like that,” he said. “Make them shoot five or six under par and credit to them.”

The player sitting just two shots behind? Mr. Rory McIlroy.

He has now found himself in three Sunday final-round groups in his last four official starts. His scorecard consisted of four birdies, three bogeys, and an eagle for a day three total of 3-under 69. The big bird was set up by this beautiful, high-cut seven iron into the 10th.

“I’m excited. I had a really good chance back in 2018, sorta let it slip through my fingers there. It’s nice to give myself another opportunity.”

With a win Sunday, McIlroy would join Ernie Els as the only other player to win this event three times.

Other notable names and where they stand:

Tommy Fleetwood (T-3, 9 under)
Tyrrell Hatton (T-5, 8 under)
Viktor Hovland (T-13, 6 under)
Sergio Garcia (T-13, 6 under)
Collin Morikawa (T-20, 4 under)
Adam Scott (T-20, 4 under)

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Justin Harding builds two-shot lead heading into the weekend at Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic

Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland among names within striking distance.

After the first round was suspended due to darkness, Justin Harding came back Friday morning to play the par-5 18th hole last. He would make birdie and end the first round in a tie for the 18-hole lead. The South African would build on that throughout his Friday round.

Harding signed for four birdies, two bogeys, and a 183-yard hole-out eagle on the sixth for a second day 4-under 68.

“I rolled the ball pretty good and, for the most part, kept bogeys off the card. Hit the fairway on the longer, tougher par fours,” he said of his second-round effort. “Ultimately just grinding. It was a grind of a day today, to be fair, just a bonus there on six.”

Harding has been in contention at this event over the last few seasons and hopes to capitalize on his good play thus far.

Tyrrell Hatton reacts to holing his third shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the DP World Tour’s Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 28, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)

Tyrrell Hatton charged up the leaderboard with a second-round 6-under 66. The Englishman, after opening with a bogey, drew four-straight circles on the card on Nos. 2-5. He’d add three more birdies on his back nine and now sits two back in solo second.

“I didn’t get off to a great start with a bogey on the first hole but battled back from there and played a lot of good golf today and hope that can continue into the weekend,” Hatton said of his day. “I gave myself plenty of opportunities most of the day and putted lovely. Holed a couple of good par putts when I needed to and momentum was on my side today.”

After an up-and-down opening round, Rory McIlroy fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 on Friday highlighted by a chip-in eagle on the 13th.

“I certainly hit the ball as good as I’ve done in a long time and it could have been a few better but 66 this afternoon is a good score and sets me up for a nice weekend,” the Northern-Irishman said of his day.

McIlroy has won this event twice and is in prime position to jockey for a third.

Other notable names and where they stand:

Viktor Hovland (T-5, 7 under)
Tommy Fleetwood (T-10, 6 under)
Sergio Garcia (T-25, 3 under)
Collin Morikawa (T-25, 3 under)
Adam Scott (T-25, 3 under)

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More issues at a pro golf tournament in South Africa — this time it’s another torrential downpour

More rain is in the forecast for Sunday, bringing into question if more golf will be played.

It’s been another difficult week for a professional tournament abroad — this time at the South African Open, held at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.

Last week, the DP World Tour — formally known as the European Tour — was scheduled to kick off its 2021-22 season at the Joburg Open, but experts from the World Health Organization met to assess a COVID-19 variant in South Africa that has been rapidly spreading among young people and had already spawned numerous mutations, according to a story by USA TODAY.

The variant has been dubbed “omicron” and classified a “variant of concern,” the most worrying type by the WHO and one of the first indicators that it is worth considering as an increased threat. The tournament was nearly canceled and then a rough week of weather finally halted it at the midpoint, as Thriston Lawrence was given the trophy after just 36 holes.

This week, an impressive field stuck to commitments and arrived at the SA Open Championship, including PGA Tour players Garrick Higgo, Dylan Frittelli, and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Before play began a number of players were forced from the field as Dylan Mostert, Teaghan Gauche, Siyanda Mwandla, and Darren Fichardt all tested positive for COVID.

Then on Saturday, during the third round of play, a dramatic thunderstorm rolled through the area, bringing some intense, wet weather.

Due to the weather, organizers couldn’t fit in the end of the third round, and although the plan is to get players out early Sunday before cranking up the final round, another rainy day is expected for the region.

Justin Harding, who has a pair of victories on the European Tour, is currently in the lead at 11 under while Daniel van Tonder and Oliver Bekker trail by a single stroke.

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Justin Harding holds off Kurt Kitayama to capture Magical Kenya Open

Harding finished Sunday with a 66 and ended the event at 21 under. Kitayama was alone in second at 19 under.

American Kurt Kitayama made a charge on Sunday during the final round of the Magical Kenya Open, but Justin Harding met him shot for shot, and the South African clinched his second European Tour win in the process.

Kitayama — who stands at 125 in the Official World Golf Ranking and 224 on the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, but entered this week in the top 30 in the Euro Tour’s Race to Dubai — made a pair of eagles on Sunday and cut Harding’s lead to one on the 17th hole with a birdie.

But Harding, who has seven Sunshine Tour wins under his belt, responded with a birdie of his own to give himself some cushion on the final hole at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1373628781227872259

Harding finished Sunday with a 66 and ended the event at 21 under. Kitayama was alone in second at 19 under.

Only two players in the OWGR top 100 — No. 77 Aaron Rai and No. 87 George Coetzee — made the trip.

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Sam Horsfield shoots 61, but Renato Paratore leads by 1 at British Masters

Paratore shoots 66 and remains bogey-free through 54 holes in his bid to win his second European Tour title.

Renato Paratore poured in a birdie putt at the last to shoot 5-under 66 and take a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the European Tour’s Betfred British Masters.

The 23-year-old Italian turned in a spotless card for the third-straight day at Close House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Paratore, seeking his second European Tour title, birdied the par-5 seventh hole for the third straight round and peppered the flag at the par-3 12th hole for another birdie to maintain a one-stroke advantage over Justin Harding.

“I played really solid these three days, especially the short game which has helped me save some shots when I needed them, so I’m happy with that,” Paratore said. “Fortunately I live in Dubai with my friend who is also on the European Tour and we played a lot of competitive rounds with each other after lockdown. I think this helped me to stay competitive.”

The South African Harding eagled the par-5 10th hole en route to matching Paratore’s 66. The low round of the day belonged to England’s Sam Horsfield, who signed for 61. The 23-year-old Horsfield, still searching for his first European Tour victory, was limping along at 2-under par through 36 holes and wasn’t doing much better in the third round. He was just 1 under through his first six holes when he made the first of three eagles on the par 5s.

“I felt like the first two days I was maybe pushing a bit too hard as I haven’t played a tournament in four months,” Horsfield said. “I spoke to a few friends last night, FaceTimed a few people, and they said: ‘Dude just go out there and play like you were playing at home; it’s the same.’ So that’s what I tried to do and I think it worked.”

Horsfield enters the final round trailing by four.

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