Many chances including Adam Scott at Open Championship

Adam Scott hits his tee shots at the 15th on Saturday – image R&A via Getty Images

With just four shots separating the first 12 players and several more not out of consideration as the Open Championship heads into the final day at Royal Troon, the likelihood of a classic final-day shootout seems on the cards.

The final nine holes in windy and wet conditions on Saturday afternoon brought undone the chance of anyone establishing an unassailable break on the field and with the relatively unheralded Daniel Brown dropping three shots in his final two holes to slip one off the lead, it is a congested pack who all have realistic chances of claiming the title tomorrow.

American Billy Horschel leads the way at 4 under but just one shot back are South African Thriston Lawrence, Americans Sam Burns, Russel Henley and Xander Schauffele and England’s Justin Rose and Daniel Brown with Schauffele the only one of that group to have a major title to his name.

Lurking ominously, however, is the game’s hottest player Scottie Scheffler who is just two from the lead as he looks to add a third major title to his already amazing list of victories.

Horschel has played 42 major s but has only two top tens to his name. He does however have some significant other titles to his name including the Tour Championship and the Memorial Tournament in addition to the European Tour’s flagship the BMW PGA Championship, so he is no stranger to successfully competing at close to the highest although tomorrow he has a chance to take his career to another level again.

“It was a pretty good round,” said Horschel. “As I said, I think my round at Kingsbarns in 2022 was probably better than this, and those conditions were pretty nasty. But this one’s by far my best round in really tough conditions in an Open Championship.

“I’ve just always embraced the toughness of anything. I’ve always enjoyed it. I think that’s the best way you can do to have a chance to play well.

“I enjoy hitting little bunt shots. It’s not the — I get tired of golf where you’re making full swings and you lean into a certain number and it stops. I like when you have to be creative and find a way to get around the golf course, and I think I’ve always done that well for the most part.

“So I think that’s why I’ve always — or I enjoy days like this.”

“I love it. I’ve worked my entire life to be in this position. Listen, I’ve been in the lead many times going into a final round. Obviously this is a major. It means a little bit more. We all know that. We know what this means to everyone. I know what it means to my legacy in the game of golf and what I want to do and accomplish.

“But I’m excited to be here. I’ve wanted to be here my entire life. I’m finally here. I’m embracing it.

“As I told Todd Lewis, something I’ve done this year, and I’ve done a better job this week of it, or tried to do a better job, is sort of manifest seeing myself holding the trophy before I go to sleep every night, envisioning myself holding that trophy on 18, walking out to the crowd and being congratulated as Open champion.

“That’s what I’m going to do again tonight, and hopefully that comes true tomorrow. If it doesn’t, then I’ll get back on the grind and work harder to get back in a position like this again.”

Billy Horschel – walks to the 8th tee – image R&A via Getty Images 

Scheffler is arguably the player to watch as he chases a third major championship.

“I think that was probably the hardest nine holes that I’ll ever play,” said the world number one referring to the closing nine holes today. “I shouldn’t say ever, but it’s definitely the hardest that I’ve played to this point, I think.

“My goal kind of making the turn going into the back nine was do what I could to stay in the tournament and steal some shots where I could, and there wasn’t really much to steal on the back nine so it was good getting in. I think I played the back nine in maybe 1-over. Other than the missed short putt on 15 there where I got a bit distracted, it was a really solid back nine.”

Adam Scott began his third round in gentle breezes and fine weather but 12 shots from Lowry’s lead but courtesy of a brilliant round of 66 he has now put himself in contention at just four shots from Horschel’s lead and just one behind Lowry.

When he finished his round more than five hours ahead of the final group Scott was not hopeful of being in contention but that would soon change.

“Well, I’m probably not going to be in the mix, let’s be honest,” said Scott immediately after his round. “I’m likely nine shots behind, seven to nine shots behind, I would guess. If I am, then that’s a bonus, but I’m going to need wind and everything to be in my favour to kind of be in the mix.

“Yesterday kind of counted me out, with a lot of players who are not steady Eddies, fell out of contention yesterday.”

Scott is now definitely in the mix.

New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier is next best of the Australasians and interestingly he played with Scott today and produced an impressive round of 68 to be now just six shots from the lead.

“I’m not sure what the conditions are like tomorrow, but I can’t imagine they’ll get any better than this, said Hillier referring to the good early conditions he and Scott enjoyed. “Nice to put a good score on the board, and fingers crossed it’s pretty similar conditions tomorrow and try to take advantage of them again.”

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Jason Day moves into contention at Open Championship


Jason Day – walks to the 17th green today – image R&A via Getty Images

Jason Day’s equal best round of the day of 68 on day two of the Open Championship has moved the 36-year-old from his overnight 44th to a share of 7th at the halfway stage at Royal Troon.

Day is now just six shots from the 36-hole leader and only four shots out of second place as the event entered the weekend on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland.

Day played early on day two and after birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes he would not drop a shot all day in the increasing winds and added a birdie at the 13th to eventually finish with 3 under for the day and 1 under for the championship.

Day acknowledged the kinder conditions early on day two where the stronger gusty winds did not develop until mid-way through his round.

“Sometimes when you know you’re going to get tough conditions, even-par is a good score, but we got lucky with the draw, I feel like,” said Day who is playing in his 12th Open Championship.

“It was tough conditions yesterday, but this morning it sat down for us — it was still a little bit windy out there, but it sat down for us through 12 holes, kind of.

“It’s difficult because even though it’s tough and it’s in off the right, the first kind of six, seven holes, you’ve still got a lot of opportunities if you kind of get yourself far enough down there.

“The hard thing is like do you want to take the gamble and push it up? Like on 1, 2, 3, for instance, like I hit a 3-wood on 3, and that was when the wind was probably half what it is right now. I was only a couple paces from the water’s edge. So I ended up taking advantage of that, which was nice, and birdieing that, which was good.

“Once you start making that turn, like starting 9, 10, 11, 12, that stretch there, that’s when you have to hold on a little bit.”

Day’s best finish to date at The Open was when runner-up to Brian Harman last year, albeit six shots behind the winner but he was also 4th at St Andrews in 2015 just one shot behind the playoff so he has some history in the event although not at the level he has enjoyed in the other three majors.

Day is now five shots clear as the leading Australasian, Ryan Fox adding a second consecutive 73 to be at 4 over and in 38th place, while New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier and Australian Adam Scott are at 5 over and the only others from our part of the world to make the weekend.

Min Woo Lee who opened with a very respectable round of 71 yesterday could only manage a round of 80 today and is out of the event as are New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori who missed by just one after dropping six shots in four holes late in his round before a birdie at the last, Michael Hendry, Jasper Stubbs and the surprise of them all, Cam Smith who finished the event in last place amongst the Australians at 12 over par.

But the day belonged to 2019 champion Shane Lowry who bounced back from a horror and adventurous double bogey at his 11th hole when distracted by a cameraman to birdie the 16th and 17th to lead by two over first-round leader Daniel Brown and a resurgent Justin Rose who played his first Open Championship in 1998 and finished 4th as a 17-year-old amateur and has played 20 since, bettering his debut performance only once.

There are another three shots back to the ever-present Scottie Scheffler, Dean Burmester and Billy Horschel.

Lowry was understandably very satisfied with his day’s work.

“Yeah, it was good. I felt like I went out there, I was in control of my ball, did all the right things for a lot of the round. Then when I got in a bit of trouble, I feel like I really finished the round well.

“I’m pretty happy with the day. To be leading this tournament after two days, is why you come here, it’s why we’re here.

“Yeah, I’ll sit back and watch a bit of golf in the afternoon and see where it leaves me come the end of the day, and get out there tomorrow. The job tomorrow as well is to try to put myself in a position to win this tournament on Sunday, and that’s what I’ll try and do.”

When asked the reason for his level of comfort with links courses Lowry responded;

“Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t (feel comfortable). I get to conditions like this, and I know I can do it, I know I can deal with that. There’s an art or there’s a — you know, it’s quite difficult to stand up there from 190 yards and make yourself hit a 4-iron as low as you can. It’s quite difficult to tell yourself that.

“I feel like the three weeks I’ve had at home, the golf I’ve played in Ireland, coming here and doing my reccy here a few weeks ago, I feel like that’s all helped.

Yes, I have felt quite calm and composed the last couple of days. I’ve felt really in my comfort zone. Yeah, I’m pretty happy with how things have gone.”

The cut fell at 6 over par with 80 players advancing to round three.

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England’s Brown leads Open – Scott leads Australasians

Daniel Brown begins his impressive round of 65 – image R&A via Getty Images

The opening day of the 152nd Open Championship was quintessential ‘Open Championship’ with squally windy conditions prevailing for most of the day and just 17 of the 157-player field able to break par.

England’s David Brown currently 272nd in the world ranking, grabbed a late solo lead in the event when, playing in the second to last group of the day, he completed a faultless day with a birdie at the last for a round of 65 and a one shot lead over 2019 champion Shane Lowry.

Brown, whose only win in a recognised professional event came when successful at last year’s ISP Handa World Invitational on the DP World Tour, is playing in his first major and when asked after his round whether his effort had expected his expectations he responded in the obvious manner.

“Yeah, obviously it did, very much so,” he said  “I was watching The Open before I went out this morning on TV in the house, and you’re kind of looking at how tough it is. There was only a few guys at 1-under, 2-under, and you obviously know it’s going to be tough.

“Thankfully, the wind died a little bit for our back nine, so it got a bit more scorable, I think.”

“I wouldn’t say I had any (expectations) really). I just kind of try to go day by day. I’m not a huge goal-setter, to be honest.

“I was playing well leading up to the tournament, so scores haven’t really reflected it recently. But, yeah, I felt comfortable and probably a bit more calm than you normally would be with it being your first major.”

Lowry had the lead to himself after he birdied the last but late in the day Brown birdied the 16th to join him at 5 under then the 18th to snatch the opening round lead.

Lowry was also bogey-free on a day when it was near impossible to keep one off a card.

“I’ve played pretty good,” said the Irishman. “I’m pretty happy, but it’s only one day. We’ve got three more days. I kept telling myself that out there because for some reason I felt like the crowd were getting very excited out there. It was late in the afternoon. A few points the attendance was high out there, I’d say.

“They were quite excitable out there, and it felt more like the weekend. I just kept on telling myself there’s a lot more to do and there’s a few days left, so I just kind of stayed in my lane and hit some good shots, and I was pretty happy with how I handled myself.”

While the wind direction to day was not the usual northerly so often prevailing at this time of year, Lowry had played the course a couple of weeks ago in similar wind conditions as today and was happy he had.

“Yeah, it (today’s wind) did change a lot because we played the front nine down and the back nine into the wind in all our practice rounds. But fortunately enough I came here two weeks ago and I played this wind on the second day that I played here. I saw the golf course in every wind possible I could see it.

“Yeah, I guess that was a good thing to do, and it’s out there paying off a little bit today.”


Adam Scott – leads the down under brigade – image R&A via Getty Images 

Adam Scott leads the Australians in a share of 11th place after his opening round of 70. Out early in the day and perhaps experiencing some of the worst conditions, Scott started well with a birdie at the first and made the turn in 2 under 34. He was wide with his tee shot at the 13th and dropped a shot but birdied the 15th by holing a ten footer before driving it too far at the 16th into the burn and dropped another shot.

It was however a solid follow-up to his runner-up finish at the Scottish Open last week.

“It was pretty solid, said the Queenslander. “I think the wind change kind of made the back nine play tough even though it was downwind. I hadn’t really played in that wind and made a couple of errors, but it was a fairly uneventful day. I played solid and pretty happy to start under par.

“My game is finally in some decent shape where I feel like I’m controlling the ball well. That’s what you need to do out here, especially if you’re going to give yourself a lot of chances.

“It’s sometimes easy to scrap it around the links, but you’re not going to hole a lot of 40-footers. So at some point you’re going to need to hit some really quality iron shots from the fairway to get it in close to some tucked pins and give yourself more realistic chances. They’re the guys who are going to be up there at the end of the week.”

Min Woo Lee is another shot back in a share of 18th place after his morning round of even par 71, three birdies in his last four holes a great tonic for what lies ahead.

Yeah, amazing,” said Lee referring to the experience. “My caddie and I knew it was going to be a tough day. Especially the back nine is really tough. Just made a quick double, which I thought wasn’t going to be over the road, but it was just one of those things where it was one of the hardest holes on the course.

“Managed to hit a lot of good shots on the back nine, the last four, five, six holes, and converted them. I was getting close. My putts would feel like the putts I’ve just missed, where it read well but just left short. I just needed to hit it harder and they went in.”

Ryan Fox, Jason Day and Kazuma Kobori are the next-best of the ten-strong Australasian contingent at 2 over par.

Kobori did well in just his second major championship after missing the cut by several at the PGA Championship in May but he knew he had been in a battle.

“Just like one of the most mentally challenging rounds of golf I’ve ever played, said the Australiasian Order of Merit winner.  “All in all, not disappointed with plus 2. Could have been better, could have been worse. It is what it is.

“It was a different story at the PGA, so feels like the work that I’ve put in between then and now has paid dividends, which is quite rewarding. I’m looking forward to giving it my best shot tomorrow as well.”

The shock amongst the Australians was the round of 80 by Cam Smith.

The cut appears as if it will fall around 5 over par as similar conditions are expected tomorrow.

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Gold Coast’s Sarah Hammett into matchplay field at US Girls


Sarah Hammett in action this week – image USGA

Queensland’s Sarah Hammett is the only Australian to have made it into the match-play phase of the US Junior Championships at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana in California.

The 17-year-old from the Emerald Lakes Golf Club on the Gold Coast added a second round of 68 to finish as the 17th qualifier in the 36 holes of match play and will now take on the 48th qualifier, Lisa Copeland of Illinois, in the round of 64 tomorrow.

Hammett begins a collegiate career at the University of Southern California in 2025 but this week she looks to join her fellow Australian Minjee Lee as a winner of this prestigious junior event.

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Australasians at the 2024 Open Championship


The iconic and renowned Postage Stamp par 3 at Royal Troon – image R&A / Getty Images 

This week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon brings back memories of my first exposure to The Open Championship and the Troon Golf Club in 1973 (it became Royal Troon in 1978).

I had caddied in Final Qualifying for Australian Bob Shearer but when Shearer was unable to make the championship field that year I caddied for Dutch golfer Jan Dorrenstein.

But it would be the win of Tom Weiskopf and me sneaking beneath the TV tower alongside the clubhouse to witness the victory which, along with seeing Jack Nicklaus in person for the first time and being close to the hole in one by 71 year old Gene Sarazen at the par 3 Postage Stamp that remain as great memories of that week.

I was taken by Weiskopf’s charismatic presence and the yellow pants which became so much a symbol of that win.

While a little overawed by that occasion, just three months later I caddied for Graham Marsh at the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth when he defeated Weiskopf in the second round, an experience I could hardly have imagined in July.

Royal Troon has hosted a further five Open Championships since 1973 won by Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard, Todd Hamilton and Henrik Stenson and in 2024 it gets to stage its tenth overall.

None of Australasia’s eleven Open Championship victories have come at Royal Troon but Kel Nagle, Greg Norman and Wayne Grady have each recorded runner-up finishes there.

This week a total of six Australians and four New Zealanders will look to add to and perhaps improve that record.

Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Cam Smith, Jasper Stubbs and Elvis Smylie will be joined by New Zealanders Ryan Fox, Daniel Hillier, Kazuma Kobori and Michael Hendry in what is numerically a strong representation but whether any can contend for the title remains to be seen.

Jason Day is the highest world-ranked player amongst them for whatever that means but the Queenslander does have a reasonable record at the Open having finished 4th in 2015 and runner-up in 2023.

Day has put together several good finishes this season and in fact it could be argued he is enjoying better close-up run of form than was the case last year when he finished runner-up to Brian Harman, albeit six shots behind the winner.

2022 champion Cam Smith arrives off the back of a 6th place at the Masters and two only midfield finishes at the PGA and US Open Championships.

His form in LIV events in between has hardly given confidence he could again contend for the title he won so brilliantly in 2022, although a 6th place finish in Spain last week and a couple of other runner-up finishes earlier in the season have been encouraging.

Adam Scott roars into consideration following his outstanding effort at the Genesis Scottish Open last week.

Scott will play his 24th Open Championship with five top-ten finishes including his runner-up finish behind Ernie Els in 2012. There is little doubt that Scott has played this event significantly better in the latter half of his impressive career than was the case earlier and his confidence will be at one of its highest levels given that he did not lose last week but that McIntyre won.

Min Woo Lee will play just his 4th Open Championship and with a best of only 21st two years ago he will be looking for sharp improvement.

Lee has, though, shown a tendency of late to play the big events well and he has already shown a capacity to perform well on links layouts having won the Scottish and Vic Opens on such golf courses.

Amateur Jasper Stubbs gets his final reward for winning the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship last October and will be better for the experience perhaps ahead of turning professional as, in order for him to tee it up this week, he was required to remain as an amateur.

Elvis Smylie will play his first major championship after successfully negotiating Final Qualifying recently.

For some time considered an outstanding young prospect, Smylie has struggled with a lack of starts in 2024 but this is just the sort of learning curve that will bring his game on a lot for the years ahead.

Of the New Zealanders, Ryan Fox is undoubtedly the standout. After playing for much of the year in the USA to take advantage of the status he earned there via the DP World Tour last year, Fox has played a couple of tournaments in Europe to ready himself for this week.

This will be Fox’s eighth Open Championship for a best of 16th at Royal Portrush in 2019. Fox has, though, often played well on links layouts winning and finishing runner-up at St Andrews in other events and with several other good finishes at the Scottish and Irish Opens. He has yet to deliver on promise in majors but after several months in the USA it might be that he is better prepared for his return to this championship.

Daniel Hillier has yet to make the cut in two earlier attempts at the Open Championship and has struggled for much of this year in Europe, especially of late, finishing no better than 42nd in his last six DP World Tour starts.

Kazuma Kobori led the Australasian Tour’s Order of Merit in 2023 / 2024 and as such gets a start in his second major championship.

The talented South Islander has however had ordinary results since his marvellous run in Australia earlier in the year and it will be of great interest to see just how he performs this week.

Michael Hendry is one of the feel-good stories of this week’s championship. Having qualified to play the 2023 event via International Qualifying last year, Hendry was struck down with potentially life-threatening Leukemia but fought his way through intense treatment to come back and win in New Zealand and Japan since.

Rightfully, the R&A honoured Hendry’s previous qualification and provided a rain check for him into this year’s event.

 

 

 

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Adam Scott’s narrow miss at Genesis Scottish Open


Adam Scott – in action today – image Getty Images 

43 year old Adam Scott has fallen just short of his first win anywhere in more than four years but his runner-up finish in this past week’s Genesis Scottish Open provides just the boost he needs ahead of the final major of the year at Royal Troon next week.

Scott fell victim to a stunning eagle, par, birdie finish by last year’s runner-up and Scotland’s most recent golfing hero, Robert McIntyre, reversing what had happened to McIntyre himself twelve months ago when gazumped in a similar fashion by Rory McIlroy.

Scott began the final round three shots behind the 54 hole leader, Ludvig Aberg, and a bogey at the first suggested his pursuit of victory might be forlorn.

Scott would birdie holes 4, 5 and 6 but the biggest threat to victory came when he made a mess of the par 4 8th and took double bogey. Again he bounced back with three more birdies before at the 15th and another birdie at the 16th.

Scott was playing in the group ahead of McIntyre and Aberg and after missing a 15-foot birdie attempt at the last he headed for the clubhouse to await the outcome as at that point he was tied with McIntyre who had just eagled the 16th to draw level.

McIntyre holed a tricky par-saving 5-footer for par at the 17th and then after his approach to the final hole finished 15 feet from the hole he was able to convert for the winning birdie and an historic win in his own national open was confirmed.

McIntyre became the first Scot in 25 years following the 1999 victory by Colin Montgomerie at Loch Lomond.

Understandably, Scott was disappointed not to have won, but he was delighted with his week and the manner in which his game is coming together ahead of next week’s Open Championsip.

“There was a lot of good stuff for me this week, said Scott. “You know, it’s hard to complain about anything. I mean, really, it’s the first time I’ve been in contention this year. I like where my game is headed into the last week or so going into next week. Feel like I’m playing at a high level.

“It was an interesting day. Like sitting around all morning, I thought I was going to have to shoot like 8-under to have a chance and then it got quite tricky out there. I played mostly really good golf. I really like what happened with my game out there this week. I’m disappointed to not get a crack at the end. I had a chance with the putt on the last and went right and I read it straight.

“And you know, pleased for Bob. This is a big win. I played with him yesterday, and you can hear them singing over there. I think that’s awesome for him and hopefully I can take some good form into next week.

“I feel good, I really do. It’s funny, it doesn’t get any easier but I’m working at everything all the time, and trying not to get frustrated, and use that experience. It feels good to play in contention and hopefully I get another crack at it at The Open now.

“I feel good, I really do. It’s funny, it doesn’t get any easier but I’m working at everything all the time, and trying not to get frustrated, and use that experience. It feels good to play in contention and hopefully I get another crack at it at The Open now.”

But the focus was on McIntyre the thousands of local fans cheering him on. After last year’s disappointment, their support was even greater and he wasn’t about to let them down.

McIntyre’s humble upbringing no doubt plays a role in the massive following he is building.

“Yeah, I’m from a working-class background, said the champion. “I’ve got two older sisters my parents foster. We’ve got a foster boy just now that’s been with us for six, seven years.

“I was given a great opportunity by my whole family. We used to have a horse for my sisters, and couldn’t afford to do both, and my sisters gave up the horse and gave me a chance to go and travel some within Britain.

“And I was out grafting, practicing when I was young, and yeah, it was never given. I’m from the West Coast. It’s been difficult, obviously, weather-wise, but your face doesn’t fit exactly because you’re not a central built guy, and I just have to graft at it. The biggest thing for me was never give up.

“A lot of people might say, he doesn’t quite have this, he doesn’t quite have that, but I’ve got fight and that’s all I need.

“It’s unbelievable. My reaction when the ball dropped on 18 said it all. I almost lost my voice now. It’s the one I wanted and it’s the one I got. It’s just, I’ve watched it as a kid growing up, and it meant a lot. It was really the only one that I could go and watch.

“Yeah, it’s just, I can’t believe it’s happened. Just going to go celebrate tonight.”

McIntyre has shown a desire in the past to enjoy and celebrate his victories and this win appears to be no exception.

“It’s incredible. I mean, next week is a new week but I tell you, I’m going to celebrate this with my family, friends, and everyone here. I’m going to celebrate this one hard. We’ll pitch up to The Open when we pitch up to The Open.”

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Stephanie Kryiacou completes biggest week in her career


Stephanie Kyriacou – file photo courtesy of  PGA of America 

Sydney’s Stephanie Kyriacou may have been denied her first LPGA Tour and major victory when finishing runner-up behind Japan’s Ayaka Furue at this week’s Amundi Evian Championship but, that she was in contention all week and fought her way to her best LPGA Tour finish, has taken her game and profile to a new level.

The 23-year-old is in her third LPGA Tour season and until now her best result had been when 4th at last year’s DANA Open, but not only will her performance in this week’s major championship secure her best finish, the $US732,000 ($A1.08 million) takes her LPGA Tour career earnings to just under US$1.92 million and provides a level of confidence that should see her contending and winning at this level on a more regular basis.

Kyriacou was tied with the eventual winner Furue and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit playing the final hole but Furue hit her second shot approach to 12 feet at the last and converted for eagle and although Kyriacou would roll in a six footer for birdie herself to secure outright second place, she feel just one shot short of a playoff.

“Yeah, it was a good week, said  Kyriacou. “Lots of positives to take away. I played great all week.

“Sucks not to hold the trophy but If you told me I would come second at the start of the week I would’ve been happy.

“Yeah, lots of confidence. Obviously a lot of stuff worked well for me this week, so just trying to keep the same mindset going forward and hopefully I can win.”

Furue wins her first major and her second LPGA Tour title having won last year’s Women’s Scottish Open.

Lydia Ko was the next best of the Australasians when she finished 39th while Hannah Green was 44th.

RESULTS

 

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Stephanie Kyriacou contends at weather disrupted Evian Championship

The second round of the Amundi Evian Championship in Evian Les Bains in France was disrupted by dangerous weather late on Friday afternoon. Still, Sydney’s Stephanie Kyriacou finds herself in a share of second place and three from the leader Ayaka Furue with two holes to play of her round.

After an opening bogey, Kyriacou birdied five of her next eight holes to make the turn in 31 and although she could only par her next seven holes she is well placed heading into the weekend.

Those yet to complete round two will be required to return to the course at 7.30 on Saturday morning to finish their rounds and begin round three after a cut is made.

Kyriacou is in her third season on the LPGA Tour and although yet to win she has recorded two top tens in majors previously and has won two events on the Ladies European Tour prior to heading to the USA.

After opening with a round of 65 on Thursday, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko has struggled on day two and is 2 over for the day and tied for 24th with five holes to play of round two.

Minjee Lee is a shot further back in 29th place, Gabi Ruffels and Grace Kim 43rd and Hannah Green 54th although, of those, Kim has yet to finish her round.

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Lydia Ko reverses recent form at Amundi Evian Championship


Lydia Ko holds the Evian Championship trophy she won in 2015

Former champion, Lydia Ko may still be the higher ranked female golfer in the world but the manner in which she has been playing in recent weeks, in which she has finished no better than 35th in her last four starts two of those when missing the cut, suggested her brilliant game may have deserted her.

Until today that is. Ko opened this week’s Amundi Evian Championship in Evian les Bains with a round of 65 to be just one behind the lead after day one.

This event is one of two major titles the New Zealander has to her name, her victory here coming in 2015 and it is an event in which she has produced several other good finishes in addition to the win.

“When you come back to a place that you’ve won and where you played well at, I think no matter how you’re playing, you’re always able to draw on some of the good memories there,” said Ko after her round.

“Yeah, enjoying it here. I get to see some of the fans that I only see here at this week, so it’s kind of like a good reminder seeing them and seeing little kids getting taller every year I come back.”

Ko trails the leading trio of Gemma Dryburgh, Ingrid Lindblad and Patty Tavatanakit but has an afternoon time on day two to deal with.

New South Wales’ Stephanie Kyriacou is the nest best of the Australasians after her round of 66, three ahead of Gabi Ruffels, while Grace Kim and former winner, Minjee Lee are at 1 under and in a share of 38th place.

“Yeah, today was good,” said Kyriacou. “It was definitely an early start, but it was nice to get out early, no wind. Weather was a lot cooler than what it is now. Yeah, played with Anne. Know Anne very well, so we had a little birdie match going on.”

Yeah, overall it was a good day. Played well. Yeah, just a good day.”

51 players broke par on a golf course just so different to the layouts they play in other major championships.

“I mean, I think probably sounds a bit silly, but I think now that I’ve played this course a few times, I kind of know what to expect and nothing is like really scary anymore with the lies,” added Kyriacou.

Leaderboard

 

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David Micheluzzi secures immediate future in Europe

David Micheluzzi – file photo – image Golf Australia

Australia’s DP World Tour rookie, David Micheluzzi, has produced his best finish on that tour by finishing in a share of second place behind Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson at the BMW International event in Munich.

A stunning 3 wood to ten feet at the par 5 last, which he described as the best 3 wood he had hit in his life, led to an eagle and followed birdies at his 16th and 17th holes to complete a barnstorming finish and such a great result.

That the finish came after bogeys at the 14th and 15th made the rebound even more special

“It was unreal and then to top it off with the putt was sick,” said Micheluzzi referring to the outstanding play at the 72nd hole.

The 27 year-old had suffered an injury on Sunday morning when trying to open a jammed door, possibly threatening him even playing on the final day. “So, I was very concerned at even not playing but the physios did a great job and got it going and the adrenaline kicked in.”

“I am just happy at the way I finished. Two weeks ago in Amsterdam I finished third last so to come here and shoot 16 under, then I am just stocked.”

Micheluzzi, who gained access to the European Tour courtesy of his outstanding 2023/2024 season on the PGA Tour of Australasia, added this finish to a top ten in Italy last week and continues to find his feet at this level.

Micheluzzi recorded another top ten when 7th at the Singapore Classic earlier in the year and the €200,000 (A$320,000) he earned for his share of second this week and the resulting 261 points will see the 27-year-old jump 63 places to 57th in the Race to Dubai rankings and ensure his immediate future in Europe.

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, playing his first DP World Tour event since January ahead of the Open Championship, was the next best of the Australasians when he shared 17th.

RESULTS

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