Adam Scott – last chance to continue FedEx Playoff record – image Australian Golf Media
The final event of the regular PGA Tour season gets underway later today in Greensboro, North Carolina when the Wyndham Championship offers several golfers one last chance to play their way into the top 70 of the FedEx Cup table who will advance to the FedEx Playoffs.
Five of those will be Australians with only Cameron Davis currently inside the top 70 although Davis needs a solid week to ensure he will head to Memphis next week for the opening playoff event, the FedEx St Jude Championship.
Of the Australians in the field, Davis is currently 69th on the list, Adam Scott is 81st, Aaron Baddeley 92nd, Harrison Endycott 127th, and Cameron Percy 148th.
Another important milestone is to finish inside the top 125 to ensure full playing rights to the PGA Tour next season so while the event is now one of the lesser events on the PGA Tour, its timing is crucial for many.
Scott is one of only two players (the other Matt Kuchar) to have qualified for the Playoffs every year since their inception in 2007. Scott needs a minimum of a two-way T9 to have a chance to move into the top 70 and a three-way T3 or better based on the TOUR’s projection.
Scott will play this event for only the 6th occasion but two years ago he did finish runner-up after weekend rounds of 64 and 65 to finish behind Kevin Kisner.
“Yeah, well, I feel like my game is good, so my game plan is to go out there and really focus,” said Scott.
“Sometimes when you’re up against it like this, there’s only really one outcome. It’s like qualifying for a tournament except this is kind of a four-day qualifier for me. So, sometimes that can really help you, it can intensify your focus and get the job done. I’ve been in similar positions before, kind of made a run last year through the Playoffs and hopefully I can do that again.
“I’ve had a good result here in the past, but it’s also a course I really like the look of, so that’s a nice feeling when you stand up on most of the tees and you can really see the shot you want to hit down the fairway. It makes it a little easier and comforting to know that you can feel the shot that you want to hit and do it. I’m really confident that I can have a good week this week and hopefully it’s good enough to keep me playing a little longer.”
Cam Davis it would seem only needs to make the cut to be on his way to Memphis, Aaron Baddeley a three-way tie for 3rd while both Endycott and Percy need something very special if they are to not only make it to the top 70 but a good week to assist in playing rights for next season.
Should a player not finish in the top 70 and make the Playoffs, he will still be eligible to compete for all-exempt status for the 2024 season during the FedExCup Fall. That series begins Sept. 14-17 at the Fortinet Championship and ends at The RSM Classic, Nov. 16-29.
Players from No. 51 and beyond in the FedExCup standings carry their points from the Regular Season into the FedExCup Fall. They can continue to earn points toward top-125 status through The RSM Classic.
Tee Times
Last hole mistake proves costly for Scott Hend in Jakarta
Scott Hend file photo – courtesy of Asian Tour
Scott Hend had done everything right in today’s final round of the Mandiri Indonesia Open at the Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta until, that is, he stood on the 18th tee tied for the lead with the eventual winner, Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand.
Six birdies over his first 14 holes had swept the Queenslander into a share of the lead but at the reachable par 5 final hole, he pulled-hooked his tee shot out of bounds and although he recovered to potentially save at least bogey, he missed a very short putt and eventually finished with a double bogey and a three share of second place, two shots behind the winner.
Beginning today’s final round six shots from the lead, Hend had crafted a beautiful final round until disaster struck at the last moment for the former PGA Tour player who turns 50 in two week’s time.
Despite the agony of such a late blunder, it was a turnaround in form for Hend who had failed to record a top ten in ten starts to this point on the 2023 Asian Tour, especially given an absence from tournament golf for nearly six weeks.
Hend, though, is a prolific winner of events in Asia having won nine titles since 2009 and regularly finishing amongst the money list leaders each season.
For the winner, Thippong, it was his third Asian Tour title although like Hend, he had been unable to record a top ten this season until now.
The next best of the Australians were Thomas Power Horan and Douglas Klein who tied for 19th.
SCORES
New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori wins prestigious Western Am
Kazuma Kobori – seen here following his Australian Amateur win earlier this year. Image Australian Golf Media
New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori has won the Western Amateur Championship in Glenview in Illinois, one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur events in the USA, joining his fellow countryman, Danny Lee, as a winner of the time-honoured event.
Kobori, the current Australian Amateur Champion, finished in 9th place in the stroke-play qualifying earlier in the week, safely earning his place amongst the 16 players who qualified for the knockout stages of the event.
Kobori, from the Christchurch area in New Zealand’s South Island, then negotiated his way through the opening three rounds before taking on South African Christiaan Maas in today’s final which he would win 1 up.
Kobori went 2 up early in his match but Maas won the 5th, 9th and 10th holes to move 1 ahead. Kobori would then win the 12th and 17th holes before holding on to win the match 1 up.
Kobori, who currently has full status on the PGA Tour of Australasia, will now set his sights on the US Amateur Championship at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado beginning on August 14th where he will look to emulate the same double won by Danny Lee in 2008.
SCORES
Cam Davis keeps playoff hopes alive Adam Scott now in danger
Cam Davis – file photo PGA of America
Cam Davis has kept his hope alive of a place in the field for the opening event of the FedEx Cup playoffs following his second round of 67 at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In 69th position on the FedEx Cup table ahead of this week’s Wyndham Championship, Davis likely needed to at least make the cut and perhaps produce something considerably better if he was to finish inside the top 70 who will advance to next week’s opening playoff event in Memphis.
Not only has he made the cut, but the Sydney golfer is tied for 21st at the halfway mark of the final event of the pre-playoff season, moving him to a projected 67th in the FedEx Cup standings. He needs a continuation of his good play over the weekend but, to date, it is a case of so far so good.
Davis is playing his 20th event of 2023 in which he has accumulated four top tens with a best of 4th coming at the PGA Championship. His 10th-place finish at last week’s 3M Open assisted his cause as he looks to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Adam Scott was on the outside looking in in 82nd position in the standings heading into this week’s event and after his opening round of 65 yesterday he appeared on track to get the job done but today’s round of 71 has seen him in a share of 31st this week and slip back to 81st place in the season-long standings, needing a strong weekend if he is to continue his amazing record of making the playoffs every year since their inception in 2009.
Cameron Percy, Harrison Endycott, and Aaron Baddeley have all missed the cut this week, Baddeley now in 95th place in the standings, Endycott 130th, and Percy 148th.
Their mission is to finish inside the top 125 on the FedEx Cup table at the completion of the Fall Series starting in early September and thus retain full PGA Tour status for next season.
SCORES
Sarah Kemp’s timely return to form at Scottish Open
Sarah Kemp in action during the second round – image Octavia Passos Getty Images
New South Wales’ Sarah Kemp is by some margin the leading Australasian at the halfway mark of the Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open at the Dundonald Links on the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland, the 37-year-old tied for 3rd at 7 under par and although five shots from the leader, Hinako Shibuno, she is well placed heading into the weekend of the LPGA Tour event.
Kemp produced a run of three consecutive birdies over her closing nine holes to move into contention in the event which is a precursor to next week’s final major of the year, the AIG Women’s Open Championship.
When asked the reason for her improvement over a run of finishes which has seen her with a best of 28th and four missed cuts in her last six starts Kemp responded.
“Last week my coach from Australia (John Serhan) came in and watched me play. So probably a little bit of that. But I made a putter change a few weeks back, and my speed’s just been really good. I’ve got a good feel for some speed at the moment. So, a combination of those, I would say.”
Kemp is currently not in next week’s field at Walton Heath and knows what she needs to do to play her way into the field by finishing inside the top three this week and not otherwise exempt.
“Yeah, that’d be a great bonus. But, yeah, I’ve got a long way to go until I can get one of those spots. But, yeah, if I can keep up what I’m doing, I might have a shot.”
The leader, Shibuno of Japan, again showed her liking for British golf. The 24-year-old’s only LPGA Tour victory came at the 2019 AIG Women’s Open Championship at Woburn and while this venue is very different the timing of her return to form after missing five of her last six cuts.
Stephanie Kyriacou (30th) and Minjee Lee 53rd were the other Australians to make the weekend. Karis Davidson missing by one despite an eagle at the last.
SCORES
Three Australians in US Women’s Amateur field
The 13th at Bel Air Country Club nestled amongst Los Angeles wealthy suburbs – image USGA
Los Angeles’ famed Bel Air Country Club, plays host to next week’s US Women’s Amateur Championship in which three Australians will look to emulate the deeds of their country’s only winner of the prestigious event, Gabi Ruffels.
Ruffels not only won in 2019 she would also finish runner-up to the now, rising superstar, Rose Zhang, a year later with fellow countrywomen, Anne Marie Knight and Lindy Goggin also finishing runner-up in earlier years.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko also won the event in 2012.
Queensland’s Justice Bosio, South Australian, Caitlin Peirce and Victorian Su Wooster are the three Australians in this year’s field of 156, initially chasing a place amongst the 64 who will advance to the knockout rounds.
Bosio from Caboolture in Queensland, earned her place in the field when finishing 3rd at her qualifying venue in Ohio in late June while Pierce also qualified through the rigorous qualifying process when gaining the last of four available places at her venue in Illinois.
Veteran Wooster is, at the age of 61 the oldest player in the field and is in the field as a result of finishing runner-up at the latest US Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, a feat she had recorded on three occasions now.
The Bel Air Country Club was opened in 1927 but has undergone significant change during its lifetime including a recent restoration by Tom Doak.
TEE TIMES
Melbourne’s Sue Wooster, at 61 the oldest player in the field at – image USGA
Important week ahead for five Australians in Greensboro
Adam Scott – last chance to continue FedEx Playoff record – image Australian Golf Media
The final event of the regular PGA Tour season gets underway later today in Greensboro, North Carolina when the Wyndham Championship offers several golfers one last chance to play their way into the top 70 of the FedEx Cup table who will advance to the FedEx Playoffs.
Five of those will be Australians with only Cameron Davis currently inside the top 70 although Davis needs a solid week to ensure he will head to Memphis next week for the opening playoff event, the FedEx St Jude Championship.
Of the Australians in the field, Davis is currently 69th on the list, Adam Scott is 81st, Aaron Baddeley 92nd, Harrison Endycott 127th, and Cameron Percy 148th.
Another important milestone is to finish inside the top 125 to ensure full playing rights to the PGA Tour next season so while the event is now one of the lesser events on the PGA Tour, its timing is crucial for many.
Scott is one of only two players (the other Matt Kuchar) to have qualified for the Playoffs every year since their inception in 2007. Scott needs a minimum of a two-way T9 to have a chance to move into the top 70 and a three-way T3 or better based on the TOUR’s projection.
Scott will play this event for only the 6th occasion but two years ago he did finish runner-up after weekend rounds of 64 and 65 to finish behind Kevin Kisner.
“Yeah, well, I feel like my game is good, so my game plan is to go out there and really focus,” said Scott.
“Sometimes when you’re up against it like this, there’s only really one outcome. It’s like qualifying for a tournament except this is kind of a four-day qualifier for me. So, sometimes that can really help you, it can intensify your focus and get the job done. I’ve been in similar positions before, kind of made a run last year through the Playoffs and hopefully I can do that again.
“I’ve had a good result here in the past, but it’s also a course I really like the look of, so that’s a nice feeling when you stand up on most of the tees and you can really see the shot you want to hit down the fairway. It makes it a little easier and comforting to know that you can feel the shot that you want to hit and do it. I’m really confident that I can have a good week this week and hopefully it’s good enough to keep me playing a little longer.”
Cam Davis it would seem only needs to make the cut to be on his way to Memphis, Aaron Baddeley a three-way tie for 3rd while both Endycott and Percy need something very special if they are to not only make it to the top 70 but a good week to assist in playing rights for next season.
Should a player not finish in the top 70 and make the Playoffs, he will still be eligible to compete for all-exempt status for the 2024 season during the FedExCup Fall. That series begins Sept. 14-17 at the Fortinet Championship and ends at The RSM Classic, Nov. 16-29.
Players from No. 51 and beyond in the FedExCup standings carry their points from the Regular Season into the FedExCup Fall. They can continue to earn points toward top-125 status through The RSM Classic.
Tee Times
Baddeley and Davis advance cause at 3M Open
Aaron Baddeley – file photo
Aaron Baddeley has recorded his best PGA Tour finish since his 7th place finish at the Sony Open earlier this year when sharing 7th place at the 3M Open in Blaine in Minnesota today.
A four-time PGA Tour event winner and twice the Australian Open champion, Baddeley, who has been on the PGA Tour since 2022, added a final round of 69 to finish nine shots behind the winner Lee Hodges who won his first PGA Tour title.
Baddeley earns a cheque for US$240,000 and will make an important move from his position of 109th on the FedEx Cup table and ensure his playing rights once again for next season after playing on a former champions category in recent times.
It was the 3rd top ten of the season for Baddeley although this finish comes on top of missing four of his last five cuts so the turnaround has been timely.
He will have next week’s event in Greensboro to push for a place in the top 70 who will advance to the season ending playoffs, each of those events worth US$20 million.
“Overall it was a great week, another top-10,” said Baddeley. “I feel like I’m pretty close to locking up Top-125 for next year. So make a push next week to try and get that top-70, but the main goal is I think accomplished now.
“This goal at the start of the year was, number one was trying to have a win, and secondly was secure the Top-125. Coming out of the past champions category is never that easy because you don’t know when you’re going to play. To be almost locked up for that is pretty awesome. But tomorrow — next week I’ll try and make another good push.”
Cam Davis produced another good week. His final round of 65 sweeping him into a share of 10th place.
Davis will need a solid week next week to move inside the top 70. His finish this week has him close to it but he will need improvement if he is to advance to the opening event of the playoffs in Memphis in two weeks’ time.
“I’m just going to have to do the same thing I did these last 25 holes as far as next week,” said Davis when asked about his chances of making it to the Playoffs. “It’s nice to see some putts going in, nice to see a lot of greens in reg, a lot of chances to make birdies at the moment with the way I’m playing. Yeah, it’s going to be different grass, different weather, all that sort of stuff next week.”
SCORES
Steve Alker takes Senior Open lead in Wales
Steve Alker – file photo courtesy of USGA
Not surprisingly, New Zealand’s Steve Alker leads after the second round of the Senior Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl on the southern coast of Wales, a second round of 68 leaving the 52-year-old New Zealander one shot ahead of Germany’s Alex Cejka.
Playing in the morning field on day two, Alker added a second round of 68 to be 4 under par and heads into the weekend chasing a second major title on the PGA Tour Champions.
Alker, one of the PGA Tour Champions’ most dominant players over the past two years, is playing this event for the second occasion having finished 3rd behind Dareen Clarke last year and today he expressed his love for this style of golf despite the fact he has been so successful in the US over the past two years.
“It was actually fun. It was enjoyable. I actually love playing links golf and kind of relishing it to be honest.
“I think I’ve hit everything in my bag this week, and that’s a good sign. That’s the sign of a good golf course when you hit every club in your bag.”
Peter Fowler, Stuart Appleby and Richard Green are tied for 36th at 3 over with Michael Campbell, Rod Pampling and David McKenzie are another shot back.
SCORES
Minjee Lee stays in touch at Evian Championship
Celine Boutier – in action today – image LPGA / Getty
Minjee Lee has stayed in touch after her second round of 71 has her in a share of 12th place at the Amundi Evian Masters in Evian les Bains in France, the 2021 champion five shots from Frenchwoman Celine Boutier.
Lee bogeyed her opening hole on day two and added four more bogeys along with four birdies for her even-par effort.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko was in a share of second place after her opening round on Thursday but dropped five shots in her opening five holes and, given the shock of such a horror start, did well to play her last 13 holes in even par for a round of 76 to be at even par for the event and tied for 22nd and seven shots from the lead.
Stephanie Kyriacou and Karis Davidson are tied for 52nd while Sarah Kemp also made the cut on the cutline.
The story was not so good for Hannah Green who after an encouraging opening round of 68 slumped to a second round of 79 to miss the cut by one after dropping six shots in her closing six holes.
29-year-old Boutier will have the weight of a nation on her shoulders over the weekend as she looks to become the first French woman to win the event on the border between France and Switzerland and just the third Frenchwoman to win a major championship.
Boutier, a three-time LPGA Tour winner, was keen to downplay the pressure on and ahead of her.
“It’s definitely not easy,” said Boutier. “I feel like in the past I’ve definitely, you know, not handled it very well. I just feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself because I don’t want to disappoint anybody.
“If I learned anything from the past, I really have to just focus on the job and on the course, on each shot. I feel like that’s really helped me really stay focused and not get ahead or think too much about the plans.
“I feel like it’s a positive thing that the French media is talking about women’s golf and Evian. I feel like anything I can do to bring more attention to the tournament and women’s golf, in general, is always a good thing.”
SCORES
Brad Kennedy contends at Japan PGA Championship
Three-time Japan Golf Tour winner Brad Kennedy is just two shots from the lead at the halfway mark of the Japan PGA Championship, adding a second round of 71 to be tied for second place after sharing the opening round lead on Thursday.
Queenslander, Kennedy, is playing his 6th event in Japan this season, his campaign restricted by a knee injury suffered during the Japan Tour Championship in early June.
“I was forced to withdraw on the second day of the JGT Championship due to right knee pain,” said Kennedy following his opening round yesterday. Following that, I had to undergo rehabilitation for about six weeks,” said Kennedy, after mixing six birdies with two bogeys.
“During that period, I didn’t play much golf and primarily focused on training.
“After a brief hiatus, it feels so refreshing and my golf game is feeling great.
The leader, Kensei Hirata won the Mizuno Open a few weeks ago to claim his first Japan Golf Tour title but has missed his last three cuts including one at the Open Championship.
Kennedy’s fellow Australians, Anthony Quayle (32nd) and Adam Bland (38th), also made the weekend.
SCORES