Tag: golf

Davis Thompson qualifies for Open Championship after record-setting win at PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic | Golf News

Davis Thompson qualifies for Open Championship after record-setting win at PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic | Golf News
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Davis Thompson put in record-setting performance as he wrapped up victory at the John Deere Classic and secured a spot in the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Thompson’s final total of 28 under par in Illinois eclipsed the previous tournament record of 27 under set by Michael Kim in 2017 and earned him a first PGA Tour title as well as a debut appearance in the British major from July 18-21.

The 25-year-old carded a seven-under 64 on Sunday to finish four strokes clear of CT Pan, Michael Thorbjornsen and amateur Luke Clanton, with Pan securing the second Open qualification spot by virtue of having the higher world ranking.

Image:
CT Pan will tee it up at the Open Championship for the first time since 2021

Thompson led fellow American Eric Cole and England’s Aaron Rai by two strokes heading into the final round and never looked in danger of being caught as he birdied five of his first six holes at TPC Deere Run and reached the turn in 29.

The Georgian – who came joint-second at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic after a ninth-placed finish at the US Open in June – saw his lead trimmed to three shots after he bogeyed 12 with Thorbjornsen making six birdies on the trot between eight and 13.

However, Thompson birdied 14 to effectively clinch victory with Thorbjornsen bogeying the same hole before picking up a birdie at 18 to end up alongside Pan and Clanton at 24 under.

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Thompson told CBS: “Qualifying for the Open was just an added incentive into this. The goal was to win the golf tournament after getting off to a great start and I was able to finish it off.”

Bizarrely, the winner of this tournament has stayed in the same rental house for three years running, with Thompson following in the footsteps of JT Poston in 2022 and last year’s winner Sepp Straka.

Clanton – who played the back nine in six under – became the first amateur to finish in the top 10 in back-to-back starts on the PGA Tour since 1958 having come 10th at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

England’s Rai ended up tied for seventh at the John Deere Classic after a two-under 69, with compatriot Harry Hall a further stroke back in a tie for 12th after closing with a six-under 65 that featured eight birdies and a double bogey.

Watch the 152nd Open Championship, from Royal Troon, live on Sky Sports Golf from 6.30am on Thursday July 18.

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DP World Tour: Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson clinches Open Championship spot with emotional BMW International Open win | Golf News

DP World Tour: Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson clinches Open Championship spot with emotional BMW International Open win | Golf News
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An emotional Ewen Ferguson clinched a spot at the Open Championship after winning the DP World Tour’s BMW International Open in Germany.

Scottish player Ferguson’s two-stroke stroke victory in Munich left him as one of the highest five players in the top 20 on the Race to Dubai – alongside Jesper Svensson, Laurie Canter, Nacho Elvira and Matteo Manassero – who were not otherwise exempt for the 152nd Open at Troon between July 18-21.

The 28-year-old finished on 18 under par after a four-under 68 on Sunday, with England’s Jordan Smith – who shared the lead with Ferguson after three rounds – and Australia’s David Micheluzzi tied for second on 16 under.

Highlights from the final day of the BMW International Open as Ferguson, who has recently battled bouts of vertigo, triumphed in Munich

Ferguson, who revealed after his second round that he was glad simply to be playing again following recent bouts of vertigo, told Sky Sports in a teary interview: “I honestly can’t believe it.

“The last four holes I felt like I was in a dream, I just didn’t think this was actually happening. It was crazy. I was hitting it so well, hitting it so much further than usual.

“I wanted to do it for my dad, my mum, my sister, my brother at home. I love them so much and every shot I hit was with them in mind.

Scotland's Ewen Ferguson wins 2024 BMW International Open (Getty Images)
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Ferguson now has three wins on the DP World Tour

“It’s such a hard game. I’ve been moaning like mad the last two months with also being sick. [This win] is so much weight off my shoulders. I’m so happy.

“The Open Championship is a tournament that everyone wants to play in and I feel like I could do well there and the Scottish Open next week too. It’s such an exciting time for me.”

Ferguson hopes to practice with Fleetwood ahead of Open

Ferguson later revealed that he had been planning to contest final qualifying for the Open Championship on Tuesday, but felt he was playing well enough to secure a place either in Munich or via the Genesis Scottish Open.

He added: “I didn’t want to tire myself out. I felt like I could maybe win this week or maybe finish in the top 10 in Scotland and get my own spot that way, so we decided to pull out of Open qualifying.

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“It’s obviously a really good decision. It kept me fresh and I’m here with the trophy. I actually got a text from Tommy Fleetwood saying well done so I said to him, let’s get a practice round in [at the Open] so I’m looking forward to that.”

Ferguson’s victory was his third on the DP World Tour and first since the ISPS Handa World Invitational in August 2022, which came five months after his maiden triumph at that year’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Micheluzzi finished birdie, birdie, eagle to earn his share of second spot alongside Smith, whose title hopes were effectively ended when he found the water off the 16th tee as he tried to drive the green.

Matthew Southgate made a superb eagle during the BMW International Open, following his namesake Gareth Southgate’s success in leading England to the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Germany

Scotland’s Connor Syme and England’s Matthew Southgate finished in joint fourth on 14 under with Southgate making an eagle at the sixth hole.

Watch the Genesis Scottish Open live on Sky Sports Golf from 8.30am on Thursday July 11. Then catch the 152nd Open Championship live on the same channel from 6.30am on Thursday July 18.

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PGA Tour: Davis Thompson two ahead of Aaron Rai going into John Deere Classic final round | Golf News

PGA Tour: Davis Thompson two ahead of Aaron Rai going into John Deere Classic final round | Golf News
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American Davis Thompson fired nine birdies in a third-round 62 to take a two-shot lead into the final day of the John Deere Classic.

Soft conditions on the TPC Deere Run in Illinois continued to bring low scores, Thompson moving to 21 under par – two clear of England’s Aaron Rai and fellow American Eric Cole.

“I guess it was just my day today,” said Thompson, who is seeking his first PGA Tour victory. “The guys behind me are playing really well.

Image:
Aaron Rai is two off the lead with 18 holes remaining

“I know it’s going to be tough to finish off a golf tournament, but I’ve done it before. I just have to stay present-minded.”

With the final day being played in threesomes with a delayed start in a bid to beat storms, Rai, co-leader after the second round, will play in the last group for the second successive week.

He had six birdies in a round of 66 as he bids to go one better than his second place at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last week.

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Hayden Springer, who shot a 59 on the opening day, is a further two strokes back on 17 under par after a 66, alongside Taiwan’s CT Pan.

Rookie Michael Thorbjohnsen and amateur Luke Clanton are among those on 16 under par, while a third-round 70 saw England’s Harry Hall tumble down the leaderboard to seven shots adrift.

Watch the final round of the John Deere Classic live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm on Sunday.

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PGA Tour: England’s Aaron Rai shares halfway lead at John Deere Classic with Harry Hall one back | Golf News

PGA Tour: England’s Aaron Rai shares halfway lead at John Deere Classic with Harry Hall one back | Golf News
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England’s Aaron Rai shares the lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic with countryman Harry Hall just a shot further back.

Rai – who topped the leaderboard going into the final round of last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic before eventually finishing in a tie for second behind Cameron Davis – shot a bogey-free, eight-under 63 in Illinois on Friday to rise to 14 under for the event.

CT Pan matched Rai’s efforts on the day – the Taiwanese player’s blemish-free round featured a 100-foot chip for eagle at the 14th – and he is locked with the Englishman at the head of the field.

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England’s Harry Hall registered five birdies on a blemish-free Friday

The pair are one stroke clear of Hall, who shot a five-under 66, and two better off than a group of six players on 12 under, including Hayden Springer and Sungjae Im.

Springer carded a 59 in his opening round but had to settle for an even-par 71 a day later as he missed a three-foot par putt and also carded a double-bogey late on at TPC Deere Run.

He said: “It wasn’t too bad. It was a little windier today, probably played a little tougher.

“I kind of hit some bumps on the back nine but more just mental errors and not making those short putts than anything else.”

The best of Hayden Springer’s first round at the John Deere Classic, as the American shot only the 14th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history

Rai continues fine form

Rai, Hall and Springer are each looking to land their first PGA Tour titles, although Rai has won twice on the DP World Tour, including at the 2020 Scottish Open when he beat Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off.

Rai said: “I’ve been playing well tee-to-green for large parts of this season and that’s kind of continued over the last few weeks.

England's Aaron Rai during round two of 2024 John Deere Classic (Getty Images)
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England’s Aaron Rai shot an eight-under 68 in the second round of the John Deere Classic

“A couple of weeks ago I spent quite a while on the green. My dad gave me a couple of tips.

“I’ve started working with John Graham as well, a putting coach who is based out here. Putting all that together has definitely translated onto the course.”

C.T. Pan, PGA Tour Golf (Associated Press)
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CT Pan’s sole victory on the PGA Tour to date came at the 2019 RBC Heritage when he beat Matt Kuchar by one stroke

Two-time John Deere Classic champion Jordan Spieth notched two late birdies to make the cut with a four-under 67 but is eight shots adrift heading into the weekend at six under par.

The 2013 and 2015 winner said: “We had yesterday morning with no wind and a chance to really take advantage.

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“I had 18 holes of a couple under yesterday, and unless you’re absolutely perfect from there, there is not much of a chance of winning.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t go out and try and shoot 10 under the next day.”

Watch the third round of the John Deere Classic live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm on Saturday. Coverage of the final round then begins at 5pm on Sunday.

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PGA Tour: Hayden Springer shoots historic 59 at John Deere Classic | Golf News

PGA Tour: Hayden Springer shoots historic 59 at John Deere Classic | Golf News
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Hayden Springer has become the 14th player to record a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour after shooting a 12-under 59 in the first round of the John Deere Classic.

Springer carded eight birdies and two eagles, holing from just outside 12 feet on the final green for the last of his birdies to break the 60 barrier.

The 27-year-old American fired an eight under 27 on the front nine at TPC Deere Run, the lowest nine-hole score on Tour since 2000, then went quiet for several holes. He was nine under thru 16 holes when he holed out from the rough for eagle at the par-five 17th.

That put him one birdie away from the elusive 59. He found the centre of the 18th fairway, put his second shot about 12 feet from the pin and drained the putt.

His feat comes less than two weeks after Cam Young shot 59 at the Travelers Championship which was the first 59 since 2020. Jim Furyk holds the PGA Tour record with a 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship and he has also carded a 59, along with Scottie Scheffler, Kevin Chappell, Brandt Snedeker, Adam Hadwin, Justin Thomas, Stuart Appleby, Paul Goydos, David Duval, Chip Beck, and Al Geiberger.

“I am feeling good. I am kind of at a loss for words in terms of being able to do that,” said Springer after signing his card.

“It is one of those rare things in golf, so to have that opportunity and pull it off is pretty special.

Springer struggled to contain his emotion after shooting a historic 59 in round one at the John Deere Classic

“It is special to be able to do that. I played well last week but it has been a little bit tough to find anything and get stuff going and go low.

“It is special. It feels good to be standing here and to have had a good round of golf.

“I didn’t actually think I could make that shot [on 17] but I did and that kind of changed the momentum.”

Hayden Springer of the United States reacts after a birdie putt on the 18th hole for a score of 59 in the first round of the John Deere Classic
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Springer celebrates after holing his birdie putt on the 18th hole for a score of 59

Springer had missed seven of his last nine cuts but did finish 10th at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.

He is ranked 236th in the world and has never won on the PGA Tour. He turned pro in 2019 but, after losing his card, he earned his way back on tour via Q-school last December.


Live PGA Tour Golf


Friday 5th July 5:00pm


Watch the John Deere Classic throughout this week live on Sky Sports, with Friday’s action from 5om on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour and more with NOW.

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Aramco Team Series: Leona Maguire takes two-shot lead into final round as Team Hall and Team Nadaud head to London play-off | Golf News

Aramco Team Series: Leona Maguire takes two-shot lead into final round as Team Hall and Team Nadaud head to London play-off | Golf News
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Ireland’s Leona Maguire will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Aramco Team Series individual event in London, with two teams heading to a play-off.

Maguire added a second round of 72 to her opening 66 at Centurion Club to reach eight under par, with Solheim Cup team-mate Georgia Hall her nearest challenger on six under following a second successive 70.

After making a bogey on her first hole of the day, the 10th, Maguire responded with a birdie on the 13th, only to give the shot straight back on the next.

Birdies on the third and sixth ensured Maguire remained on top of the leaderboard as Hall suffered a poor finish to her round, the world No 38 racing to the turn in 31 but coming home in 39 after dropped shots on the seventh and eighth.

Team Nadaud and Team Hall finished tied at the top of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the 36-hole team event which means, with both teams level on 24 under par, they will play off for victory at Centurion Club at the end of the third round on Friday afternoon.

Team Hall is made up of Hall and Hannah Burke alongside Morocco’s Lina Belmati and amateur Shane Hart-Jones, while Team Nadaud includes Nastasia Nadaud, Czechia’s Kristyna Napoleaova, Spain’s Mireia Prat and amateur George Brooksbank.

Highlights from the first day of the Aramco Team Series London from the Centurion Club

“It is really windy out there; it’s probably a two to three club wind in places,” said Maguire.

“It’s getting swirly in between the trees as well. You really have to commit to your shots. It’s a tough test out there, you have to take advantage of those par-fives and par is a really good score on quite a few holes out there.

Image:
Leona Maguire is bidding for a wire-to-wire victory at Centurion Club

“It’s almost playing a little bit linksy. The course is drying out, it’s getting firm and fast, and quite strong wind. It was swirling in places, so you’re just trying to hit a few punchy shots that I probably haven’t used in a while. It was definitely a welcome back to European golf. It’s a good test and I enjoyed it.”

Watch the Aramco Team Series event in London live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Mix, the red button on Sky Sports Golf and – for free on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. Stream the Ladies European Tour and more with NOW.

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Leona Maguire grabs early lead at Aramco Team Series event in London as Charley Hull withdraws mid-round | Golf News

Leona Maguire grabs early lead at Aramco Team Series event in London as Charley Hull withdraws mid-round | Golf News
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Leona Maguire produced a brilliant birdie burst to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Aramco Team Series event in London, where Solheim Cup team-mate Charley Hull was forced to withdraw mid-round.

Maguire made five birdies in a six-hole stretch on her way to a bogey-free 66 at the Centurion Club, lifting her to seven under and a shot clear of Austria’s Sarah Schober.

The Irishwoman made back-to-back birdies from the fifth and made three more from the eighth around the par-73 layout, then took advantage of the par-five 13th to pull level with Schober.

Maguire also birdied the par-five 15th to grab the outright lead and closed out her round with three straight pars, on a day where only 23 of the 108 players in the field finished in red figures, with the Solheim Cup star also sharing the lead in the team competition with Nuria Iturrioz and Georgia Hall.

“We were all making a few birdies today which always helps and there were no dropped shots on the team card either which I think helps a lot in these conditions,” Maguire said. “It was very comfortable out there and nice to roll in a few.”


Live Ladies European Tour Golf


Thursday 4th July 3:30pm


Iturrioz birdied three of her last six holes to post a four-under 69 and share third spot with England’s Megan Dennis and Wales Chloe Williams, while Hall is within four of the early lead thanks to an opening-round 70.

“I could have hit it a bit closer today,” Hall said. “My irons and distance control wasn’t that good but all in all we battled really well together. When one of us made a bogey, the other two came in and that’s what’s really important in this team format.”

MIDLAND, MI - JUNE 28: LPGA golfer Georgia Hall plays her tee shot on the 4th hole during the second round of the LPGA Dow Championship on June 28, 2024, at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
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Georgia Hall is searching for a first victory of the season

Maguire team contains England’s Liz Young, Spain’s Marta Sanz Barrio and amateur Yana Wilson, while Hall’s quartet contains Hannah Burke, Morocco’s Lina Belmati and amateur Shane Hart-Jones, with the three teams sharing top spot on 14 under.

Hall withdrew from the event on medical grounds having played six holes of her opening round, with the Englishwoman now hoping to be fit for next week’s Amundi Evian Championship – the fourth women’s major of the year.

Watch the Aramco Team Series event in London throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Thursday from 3.30pm on Sky Sports Mix, the red button on Sky Sports Golf and – for free on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. . Stream the Ladies European Tour and more with NOW.

Sky Sports Golf podcast: Marcel Siem on Italian Open win, major hopes and push for the world’s top 50 | Golf News

Sky Sports Golf podcast: Marcel Siem on Italian Open win, major hopes and push for the world’s top 50 | Golf News
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Six-time DP World Tour winner Marcel Siem has put his “massive” party for Italian Open victory on hold to focus on his push towards the world’s top 50 over the coming weeks.

Siem marked his fourth event back from hip surgery by defeating Tom McKibbin in a dramatic play-off on Sunday at Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, his second DP World Tour title in as many seasons.

The German has never posted a major top-10 and last reached the world’s top 50 in 2013, although Siem – who received 450 congratulatory WhatsApp messages for his Italian win – wants to build on his latest DP World Tour success.

Italian Open winner, Marcel Siem tells the Sky Sports Golf Podcast he was up until 4am after winning the tournament replying to messages of congratulations he had received.

“The big plan is to perform better in the big events now, which I have not achieved ever in my life,” Siem told the Sky Sports Golf podcast.

“The Rolex events, the majors, the big ones – that is the only way to get into the top 50 in the world, get into the Ryder Cup and qualify for The Masters.

“That is my big goal going to the Scottish Open and The Open. I will not throw this away with partying anymore. I have three or four weeks off after The Open and this will be party time, trust me – massively, but these three weeks I’ll be working hard.”

The German makes an immediate return to action at the BMW International Open on home soil, live on Sky Sports, then features in the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open before taking time to celebrate his Italian title.

Highlights from day four of the Italian Open from Ravenna, Italy.

“It’s going to be massively busy but I’m just going to try and wide the wave,” Siem added. “There’s so much to play more.

“The European Swing finishes this week and still have a chance to win that, winning two in the row…all these things are on a plate right now.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Marcel Siem explains how confident he feels when competing in playoffs after winning a decider against Tom McKibbin to claim the Italian Open.

“I’m trying to give it all, go with the flow and celebrate with the spectators. Let’s make a golf party, not an alcohol party.”

The bonus podcast edition sees host Josh Antmann talk to Siem about his Italian Open win, the emotions over the closing holes and some of the past doubts about his future in the game, plus much more!


Live DP World Tour Golf


Thursday 4th July 11:30am


Download and listen to the latest Sky Sports Golf podcast and don’t forget to subscribe via Spotify, Spreaker or Apple Podcasts! If you’d like to contact the podcast, then you can email at [email protected].

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The Open qualifying: Justin Rose reaches Royal Troon but Sergio Garcia falls short | Golf News

The Open qualifying: Justin Rose reaches Royal Troon but Sergio Garcia falls short | Golf News
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Justin Rose came through qualifying for The Open at Royal Troon but his ex-Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia came up agonisingly short for the second successive year.

Rose has played in every Open since 2007 when fit – he was absent in 2022 because of a back injury – and extended that run after taking one of four places in final qualifying at Burnham Burrow in Somerset.

The 43-year-old former US Open champion, who has missed the cut at four of his last five majors, was eight under par for 36 holes and finished level with fellow Englishman Dominic Clemons, who just over a week ago was denied a spot at Troon when he was beaten in the final of the Amateur Championship.

The Open – final qualifying

Burnham & Berrow: Justin Rose (-8), Dominic Clemons (a) (-8), Abraham Ancer (-5), Charlie Lindh (-5)

Dundonald: Sam Hutsby (-8), Angel Hidalgo (-5), Liam Nolan (-5), Jack McDonald (-4)

Royal Cinque Ports: Matthew Southgate (-6), Elvis Smylie (-3), Jaime Montojo Fernandez (a) (-3), Luis Masaveu (a) (-2)

West Lancashire: Matthew Dodd-Berry (a) (-6), Sam Horsfield (-6), Daniel Brown (-5), Misahiro Kawamura (-5)

“Right now I’ve a little bit of a buzz because it’s super exciting to have got through,” Rose told Sky Sports.

“There’s moments where you’ll just want to qualify for The Open just to be at another Open – and that might come in my career – but I still feel like I can win The Open.

“And to win it, you’ve got to be in it, so that was key today to come here and get the job done to give myself an opportunity at that dream.”

Garcia misses out as crowds flock to follow Spaniard

While Rose kept his Open dream alive, further north at West Lancashire near Liverpool, Garcia finished two strokes adrift of the top four, just as he had done 12 months ago.

Image:
Sergio Garcia had a large following his progress but the Spaniard missed out on qualifying for The Open

The 44-year-old’s low world ranking after joining LIV Golf means the only major he currently qualifies for on merit is The Masters as a former champion.

He remains a big name, evidenced by the hundreds of people who followed him, but that created its own problems as there were significant delays on every hole because of the huge gallery.

It resulted in his group being given a warning after eight holes as they had fallen four minutes behind play but Garcia said that was unfair due to the circumstances and felt that had contributed to a couple of dropped shots which would ultimately prove crucial.

“The marshalls were doing as good a job as they could do but we had to stop pretty much on every tee for two or three minutes because people were walking on the fairways,” Garcia said.

“I don’t think they took that into account and that was unfortunate as it made us rush. On a day like today, where the conditions are so tricky, you might need a little bit of extra time and because of that I made a couple of bogeys which might have cost me getting to Troon.”

Garcia was looking to qualify for his 100th major, which will now somewhat fittingly be marked at Augusta National next year.


The Open Live


Monday 15th July 2:00pm


The Spaniard was surpassed by Royal Liverpool amateur Matthew Dodd-Berry, who finished joint-top at West Lancashire on six under with Sam Horsfield, with fellow DP World Tour professionals Dan Brown and Masahiro Kawamura also qualifying.

Another Englishman, Matthew Southgate, took top spot at Royal Cinque Ports on six under, ahead of Australia’s Elvis Smylie and Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo.

At Dundonald Links, just five miles from Royal Troon, England’s Sam Hutsby came out top on eight under, with Spaniard Angel Hidalgo and Irish amateur Liam Nolan joint second on five under and Scot Jack McDonald coming through a play-off.

When is The Open on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports is once again the home of The Open, with round-the-clock action on Sky Sports Golf and live coverage from all seven days of tournament week at Royal Troon.

There’s six hours of live coverage on Monday July 15 and seven hours on Tuesday, with 10 hours of build-up, news and interviews on Wednesday ahead of the final men’s major of the year getting under way on Thursday July 18.

Wall-to-wall begins from 6.30am for the first two rounds, ahead of the opening tee shot at 6.35am. There is also lots of extra coverage available throughout each day via the red button on Sky Sports Golf, along with Sky Q and Sky Glass, with Featured Groups and Featured Hole feeds.

Who will win the final men’s major of the year? Watch The 152nd Open at Royal Troon live from July 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.

US Senior Open: England’s Richard Bland wins second consecutive major on fourth play-off hole | Golf News

US Senior Open: England’s Richard Bland wins second consecutive major on fourth play-off hole | Golf News
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England’s Richard Bland won his second consecutive senior major title with a nerve-wracking victory in the US Senior Open.

Bland edged out Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita on the second hole of sudden death after the pair had finished tied on 13 under par and could not be separated by a two-hole aggregate play-off.

Both men parred the first hole of sudden death before returning to the 18th, where Bland hit the pin with his third shot from a greenside bunker to leave a tap-in par for victory after Fujita narrowly missed his own par attempt.

“This is very special,” Bland said at the presentation ceremony. “I’m struggling to put this into words right now.”

Fujita held a three-shot lead after 10 holes when the final round was suspended due to dangerous weather on Sunday afternoon.

At that point the 55-year-old had made just two bogeys all week, but when play resumed on Monday he dropped shots on the 11th, 12th and 14th as Bland – in the group ahead – followed a bogey on the 13th with birdies on 14 and 15.

That gave Bland a one-shot lead but he bogeyed the 18th and could only look on as Fujita came agonisingly close to holing a long birdie putt for the win.

“I made a great birdie on 15 to go one in front but kind of tried to trip over myself on the last and was just thankful to get in the play-off,” Bland said.

“The trap shot was one of those you could be really aggressive with and I’m just thrilled beyond words to be stood here. To go two-for-two [in senior majors] is beyond my wildest dreams.”

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Bland dedicated his Senior PGA Championship win in May to his brother Heath, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer just over a year ago and recently learned he had cancer in the lungs.

Speaking as he cradled the US Open trophy, Bland joked: “He can have the PGA but I’m sorry, he’s not going to get this one out of my hands. This one’s staying in my house.”

Bland won his first DP World Tour event in his 478th start in the 2021 British Masters and joined LIV Golf during its debut season in 2022.

As things stand, the 51-year-old will be unable to contest the Senior Open at Carnoustie later this month as he is contracted to play the LIV event near Uttoxeter in the same week.

What’s next?

The next two PGA Tour Champions events are both majors, with the Kaulig Companies Championship taking place at Firestone CC in Akron, Ohio from July 11-14 before The Senior Open is played at Carnoustie from July 25-28. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.