Watch Tiger Woods hole impossible flop shot, flip ball to young fan who greeted him in the rough

Gary Player will celebrate his 85th birthday on November 1st. The legend and World Golf Hall of Famer - a 24-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including nine major championships - is using his milestone birthdate to encourage athletes, celebrities, brands and fans to donate to Golf Fights Cancer. Fighting cancer and supporting cancer research has been one of Player's core passions. He sadly lost his mother to cancer, his wife is currently battling cancer, and he has lost numerous other family members and friends to this disease. "My birthday wish this year is to continue the fight against this terrible disease, and to further support the work being done around new research and treatment methods," Player said. "Five members of my family have battled cancer, as well as millions and millions of families. This might be the most serious disease of our time." To show support, fans are encouraged to share their own birthday messages with Player and donate $8.50 in honor of his 85th birthday. "My dream is that by the time my great-grandchildren reach their 85th birthdays like me," Player said, "the world will have entirely new, cutting-edge ways to detreat and, ultimately, defeat cancer." Golf Fights Cancer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that taps into the collective fundraising power of the entire golf community to raise funds for cancer-related organizations and families living with the disease. It was co-founded by PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. Specifically, GFC makes targeted donations for equipment, services, and/or amenities that make an immediate positive impact on treatment and the experience for both the patient and family. Founded in 2003, GFC has raised nearly $10 million to address unmet needs in the fight against cancer. To donate, visit www.golffightscancer.org/garyplayer.

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Justin Thomas was already salivating over the prospect of an ice bath. Cameron Smith was craving a cold shower and an even colder beer. Sam Burns went for a nap and Patrick Cantlay was making sure his fluid intake was as high as humanly possible. It wasn’t the hottest PGA TOUR event on record at the BMW Championship but with the elevation changes at Caves Valley coupled with the mercury pushing 90 degrees all day and the humidity making it feel like triple figures, it certainly was a grind. With the race for the FedExCup heating up as much as the conditions players found themselves very focused on recovery between rounds. Those with the ultimate prize and $15million bonus in their sites know they must navigate seven more rounds while staying as fresh as possible. Co-leader Jon Rahm was looking at the bright side of his COVID enforced break from the recent Olympics after an 8-under 64 projected him to the top of the FedExCup standings. “Luckily, I had a month off, so it helps. Those guys that went to the Olympics and played Memphis and played more events than me may be a little bit more tired, but really that shouldn’t be an excuse in my case,” Rahm said. “On Tuesday when I came to the course I didn’t do too much. I didn’t even venture out on the golf course because I knew it was a tough walk. I just hit some balls, a little bit of putting and chipping and went home. “On days like that what I really prioritize is hydration. If you get dehydrated in the middle, it’s going to affect you over the next few weeks.” Water was on Xander Schauffele’s mind as well and he was throwing them back in the early stages of his 5-under 67. Of course the side effect of this was nature calling and when he stopped for relief after the 10th hole, he accidentally left his putter leaning up against the outside of the port-a-john. It wasn’t until after his wedge shot on the 11th hole that the recent gold medalist and caddie Austin Kaiser realized the mistake with Kaiser sent on a sprint back up the hill some 300-yards to retrieve it. Kaiser needed a couple extra hydration beverages afterwards. “Yeah, that’s my fault. I thought he grabbed it, which is my fault, and then I didn’t look, which is my fault again, so I had like a triple whammy there. And then he had to run back, and then I missed the putt after, so it was really not a good hole for me,” Schauffele laughed. “It was nice that the crowd got him going coming in because he was huffing and puffing.” Smith, the runner up at THE NORTHERN TRUST last week, said he was mindful of his walking pace throughout his 4-under 68. Already certain to start the TOUR Championship in a high seed Smith is looking to balance his energy through this week and next. “We were probably walking a bit slower than what we typically do and trying to find shade a lot… it was brutal out there today,” the Australian said. “Those last probably four or five holes, it gets to you and you start thinking, when is this going to end. You’ve just got to be smart about it. “I’m from Queensland where it gets hot, so it doesn’t really bother me, it just takes a lot out of me. So now I’m looking forward to a quick massage, then cold shower and a couple cold beers.” Despite the sunny conditions the PGA TOUR utilized preferred lies in the opening round thanks to remnants of Tropical Storm Henri that have kept the fairways soggy underneath. With temperatures to continue to soar through the final three days, but also the chance of thunderstorms, that could continue throughout. “Based on the remnants of Hurricane Henri that brought 2-3 inches of rain to Caves Valley Golf Club over the weekend, combined with extreme heat, high dew point and humidity, the PGA TOUR Competitions Committee has granted players the ability to utilize preferred lies in closely-mown areas for Round 1 of the BMW Championship,” Chief Referee Steve Rintoul said earlier in the day. “Unfortunately, the conditions we’ve been dealt, along with no wind to speak of, has slowed the drying of the golf course. In some instances, players will be dealing with some extreme mud adhering to the golf ball that will affect its flight in unpredictable ways. THE PGA TOUR has a philosophy in place for using preferred lies for two reasons, one is temporary water and the second is for this exact situation which will allow us to deliver a more-even playing field.”

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GREENSBORO, N.C. – After completing the remainder of his third round Sunday morning, Brandt Snedeker will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Wyndham Championship. Snedeker finished up a 2-under 69 Sunday, playing his 11 remaining holes in even par. His total of 16 under is one shot better than Brian Gay and David Hearn. That threesome will make up the final pairing starting at 1:15 p.m. ET. Snedeker started Sunday morning with a birdie at the par-4 eighth. But his back nine wasn’t as productive, as he suffered bogeys at the 11th and 12th holes. “Got off to a great start, almost holed out the first hole,â€� Snedeker said. “Really thought I could go low from there. Had some good opportunities. I made one bad mistake. I mis-clubbed on 12 and hit it where you can’t hit it and made bogey there.â€� Gay finished up an 8-under 62, tying his career-low score on the PGA TOUR. He played his last six holes in 2 under, finishing with a 16-foot birdie putt at the 18th. “Nice to finish off with a birdie,â€� Gay said. Hearn birdied his first two holes Sunday and maintained his momentum on the back nine to shoot a bogey-free 64. Playing the 250th PGA TOUR event of his career, the Canadian is looking for his first win. Meanwhile, he’s also trying to secure a spot in the FedExCup Playoffs. He started the week 156th in points but was projected to move to 105 after the third round. “I feel all summer long I’ve been just like so close to really playing the golf that I know I can play out here on a weekly basis,â€� Hearn said. “This week just seems to be firing nicely for me.â€� Hearn is not the only projected bubble buster after the third round. Sergio Garcia (131 to 122) and Harris English (132 to 123) also are projected in, with Seamus Power (123 to 126), Martin Piller (124 to 127) and Tyrone Van Aswegen (125 to 129) projected out. Power, Piller and Van Aswegen all missed the cut. Behind the top three on the leaderboard are C.T. Pan and D.A. Points at 14 under; Ryan Moore and Abraham Ancer at 13 under; and Garcia, English and Brett Stegmaier at 12 under. “It’s going to be a shootout,” Snedeker said. “Somebody’s going to shoot low. Somebody’s going to come out here and probably post 20 (under), so I know I’ve got to do that. I’ve got to make some birdies.”

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