Tag: Puntacana Resort and Club

Nicolai Hojgaard, Sam Stevens lead 2023 Corales Puntacana Championship heading into the final round

Catch up on the action from the Corales Puntacana Championship.

While four of the best players in the world are set to battle it out Sunday at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Nicolai Hojgaard and Sam Stevens are leading the 2023 Corales Puntacana Championship at Puntacana Resort and Club in the Dominican Republic at 14 under.

Hojgaard signed for a third-round bogey-free 6-under 66 on Saturday while Stevens followed up his Friday 65 with a 4-under 68 on Day 3. Stevens missed a short putt at the last that would’ve given him the outright lead.

Thomas Detry, Wyndham Clark, Tyler Duncan and Matt Wallace are tied for third and one shot behind the leaders. Wallace tied for seventh last week at the Valspar Championship.

Corales: Leaderboard

Martin Trainer, Austin Eckroat and Ricky Barnes sit at 12 under, two back, while Brice Grant rounds out the top 10 at 10 under, four back.

For Hojgaard, who turned 22 two weeks ago, a victory would make him eligible for PGA Tour membership, while Stevens is vying to become the second rookie to win this season.

The 54-hole leader/co-leader has won three of the last five events at the Corales Puntacana Championship.

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This PGA Tour pro’s driver head flew off after hitting a tee shot at Corales Puntacana Championship

The best part? Duncan went on to make a birdie.

Although many of the world’s best players are in Texas for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club, an opposite-field event is also underway in the Dominican Republic.

During the second round of the Corales Puntacana Championship at Puntacana Resort and Club, Tyler Duncan stepped up to his tee shot on the par-4 15th. As soon as he made contact with the golf ball, his driver head flew off the shaft, leaving him holding a headless big stick.

The best part? He’d go on to birdie the hole.

Duncan signed for a second-round 7-under 65 and was tied for fourth.

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This PGA Tour pro is off to another strong start at the Corales Puntacana Championship, where he won in 2018

Brice Garnett views this week more like a vacation rather than a golf tournament. 

Brice Garnett views this week more like a vacation rather than a golf tournament.

How could he not at Puntacana Resort & Club? There’s food everywhere surrounding the resort. There’s beautiful views at the Corales Golf Course. And it’s a trip to the Dominican Republic, where Garnett has his only PGA Tour win back in 2018.

“Yeah, it’s just so easy. I feel like it’s an easy week,” Garnett said. “It’s kind of how I approach the weeks outside the (U.S.). I’ve had quite a bit of success really playing island golf.”

After an opening 6-under 66 in gusty conditions, it’s hard to argue against his case. Garnett tied for the lead with Ben Martin and one shot in front of Matt Wallace after the opening round at the Corales Puntacana Championship, this week’s opposite-field event.

A month ago at the Honda Classic, Garnett was in contention before a closing 77 at PGA National. A week later, he once again shot 77 in the final round at the Puerto Rico Open.

“Just waiting and patiently hoping that we can get all four days together here before long,” he said. “So just kind of keeping our nose down and keep on grinding. We know it will all come together eventually.”

Martin joined Garnett with a bogey-free performance. Martin also has one PGA Tour win, coming at the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

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