Final-round Foursomes can be a scary, scary place

DUBLIN, Ohio – Each shot is a battle. Those are the words used by Jon Rahm who had just forged a four-shot 54-hole lead at the Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide at a fiery Muirfield Village. And Rahm expects the battle will only get harder from here despite his incredible efforts. RELATED: Full leaderboard | Tiger feels better, fails to make run | ‘Totally different’ Muirfield Village this week On Saturday the 25-year-old shot a 4-under 68 that shared low round honors with Brendon Todd as the only two rounds in the 60s. The scoring average was 73.7. It moved him to 12 under, four clear of Tony Finau (73) and Ryan Palmer (73) and six clear of the next challenger in former Masters champion Danny Willett (70). Jason Day (72) and Henrik Norlander (71) are seven back at five under. With high temperatures, 15-20mph swirling winds, rock hard fairways, baked out greens and thick luscious rough waiting wayward shots … Muirfield has resembled a mini U.S. Open this week. And yet so far Rahm has tamed the storied course each day as the only player with three rounds in the 60s. In fact he’s the only player with three under par rounds. This could be enough to breed overconfidence but Rahm is smarter than that. While his score might suggest otherwise, Saturday was indeed a battle. Just ask 36-hole leader Finau who had a three-shot lead with seven holes to play. He navigated the last seven holes in four over while Rahm played them four under. It is this sort of rapid swing that has Rahm’s attention as Sunday looms. Conditions are expected to be even tougher with continuing winds and an even firmer course. A lead could evaporate in the blink of an eye. The place that Jack Nicklaus built is set to undertake a restoration immediately after the tournament allowing the Golden Bear and his team to push the greens right to the edge and create major championship level difficulty. “Four shots on a windy, difficult, firm golf course is nothing. It’s me making two bogeys and somebody making one birdie and then suddenly it’s only a one-shot lead,” Rahm said. “Whatever happens tomorrow happens, but it’ll be a great test for me to learn for the future, for major championships, because this is going to be the closest thing we get to a major championship without being one.” Rahm is set to battle not just the conditions but also the fact world No. 1 status is in his reach. He will become just the second Spaniard, joining the late great Seve Ballesteros, to hold that honor with a win as long as Rory McIlroy doesn’t surge from 10 shots back to be the runner up. On previous occasions with this carrot dangling Rahm has failed to close the deal but this represents his best chance yet. “It’s obviously a big deal. I can’t sit here and try to diminish it and avoid it because it would just be lying to myself,” Rahm said of joining Ballesteros. “It’s always tough to put it into words. Seve is a huge influence of mine. I’ve said many times thanks to that Ryder Cup in ’97 and his captaincy and the way he inspired many not only in Spain but in Europe, he’s the reason why I’m playing here today, and any time I can do something remotely close to what he did, it’s pretty emotional. “I can’t lie. It’s something that deep in my core as a Spaniard and as a player I would love to achieve, and if you think about it, major champions that came after him like Sergio and Olazábal never got to be, so it would be quite unique.” To get there Rahm knows he must channel his emotions. This is another battle he has faced throughout his career but one he believes he is starting to win. While having a large lead is clearly handy it now forces Rahm to wrestle with thoughts of playing his natural attacking game or trying to defend. “There’s definitely been moments out there this week where I could have just lost it or maybe any past I would have gotten more frustrated and changed my game plan,” Rahm says. “Maybe a couple years ago I don’t think I would be here with a four-shot lead right now going into tomorrow. “Each shot is a battle. There’s not one shot that you can let down on and you’ve just got to get the job done. It’s as simple as that. Mistakes are going to happen, and I just simply need to remember that I’m not the only one out there making mistakes, so hopefully I can keep hitting it great off the tee and keep giving myself chances to hit some good shots into the green.” Those lining up behind Rahm remain confident knowing anything under par will apply some pressure and put those emotions he speaks of to the ultimate test. “He’ll be the guy to catch tomorrow. I’ve got a four-shot deficit that I’m going to try to make up in the wind, and I think it’s doable,” Finau said. “It’s more like survival tomorrow,” Day added. “If I can be patient out there, I think I have a good shot at it.” Let the battle begin.

Click here to read the full article…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Max Homa said he was shaking when he stepped to Quail Hollow’s first tee Saturday afternoon. He was playing with Charlotte’s adopted son, one of the biggest names in golf, on his birthday. The crowd serenaded Rory McIlroy on the first tee, while Homa just stood and watched. “I felt like a sideshow out there,â€� he said. On Sunday, he’ll be the center of attention. Homa will play in the Wells Fargo Championship’s final group with Jason Dufner. Both players are atop the leaderboard after fighting out of the depths of a deep slump. They share the lead with a cancer survivor, Joel Dahmen. The trio is tied at 11-under 202. Pat Perez is one shot back, and several big names are still close enough to cause concern. McIlroy, the man whose record at Quail Hollow is unmatched, is two back. The reigning FedExCup champion, Justin Rose, is three behind. Paul Casey is at 7 under, while Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed are among the names who are five back. Sunday nerves aren’t some overblown storyline. They’re very real. But the co-leaders have all been steeled by hardship. Dufner is a major champion who has struggled to break par this year. The Wells Fargo is his ninth event of 2019. He was 27 over par in the first eight. He made it to Sunday just once. And he didn’t finish under par in a single event before this week. He is 188th in the FedExCup standings. He has five PGA TOUR victories, including the 2013 PGA Championship, but hasn’t won since the 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. That experience will be invaluable come Sunday, though. “I felt good out there and I expect to feel good tomorrow,â€� Dufner said. He has converted three of his seven 54-hole leads into victory. Dahmen and Homa are in this position for the first time. The two first-timers have taken different paths to get here. Homa won the NCAA individual title in his senior year at Cal and was a contemporary of Justin Thomas. They played on the same Walker Cup team and both played their first PGA TOUR event as a pro at the 2013 Safeway Open. Homa finished ninth. Thomas missed the 54-hole cut. Dahmen, meanwhile, fought testicular cancer in the midst of a five-year stint on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. Homa and Thomas only needed one season to graduate from the Web.com Tour. They were both PGA TOUR rookies in 2015, but their careers went different directions. Thomas has become a FedExCup champion and major winner, while Homa has bounced between the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour. Homa fell for the lie that he had to get substantially better to have a long PGA TOUR career. His driver became a liability, though. Related: Tee times | Dufner, Homa prove there’s light at the end of the tunnel | Dahmen proves he can handle the pressure | Watch PGA TOUR LIVE: 8:30 a.m. ET Two years ago, he made less than $20,000 on the PGA TOUR. He made just two cuts in 17 starts and was 61 over par for the season. This is his third crack at the TOUR. Reminding himself of his past success has helped him regain his confidence. Those previous victories, even if they were at lower levels, have proven to him that he can handle the Sunday pressure. He’s a two-time winner on the Web.com Tour. “I’m nervous all morning and I get the club in my hand and it’s just the same thing,â€� Homa said. “I feel very comfortable when I’m playing good and I think that’s it. My brain clicked in and I piped it off No. 1, hit a great 8-iron.â€� Like Homa, Dahmen is in his third season on TOUR. He took a different path, though. At 31, he’s three years older than Homa. Dahmen’s cancer diagnosis has given him a different perspective. “I’ve known life and death, and this isn’t it,â€� he said earlier this week. Just like Homa gained valuable experience playing Saturday with McIlroy, Dahmen learned from a third-round pairing with one of golf’s superstars. He played with Tiger Woods in the third round of last year’s Quicken Loans National, shooting a 69 to Woods’ 68. Dahmen was 3 over par on his first five holes Saturday, but was 4 under the rest of the way. He eagled the par-4 eighth and made three back-nine birdies. Dahmen has been the first-round leader in three of his past five starts. Sundays are a different story, though. “I can’t wait to wake up,â€� Dahmen said. “I might not sleep very well tonight, probably can’t sleep in, but I mean, I love it. This is competing against the best. I mean, that leaderboard is pretty stacked, so I’m excited.â€�

Click here to read the full article…

Conrad Shindler hadn’t competed on the PGA TOUR since fall 2019, but as he prepared to compete in Monday’s qualifier for the AT&T Byron Nelson in his home Dallas metroplex, he had some factors in his favor. The avid hockey fan had plans to attend his beloved Dallas Stars’ NHL playoff game against Calgary on Monday evening, providing an extra layer of motivation for his qualifying round at Hurricane Creek CC. He also had a major champion on the bag, good friend and 2004 Open Championship winner Todd Hamilton. Shindler carded 6-under 66 in his qualifying round, good for a spot in a 4-for-3 playoff for the final three of four available spots in this week’s field at TPC Craig Ranch. (Wesley Bryan carded 8-under 64 to comfortably earn the first spot.) Shindler survived the playoff, as did Kyle Wilshire and Andrew Loupe. The odd man out was Austin Eckroat. “Always nice to play at home, sleep in your own bed,” said an appreciative Shindler, when thinking about what the week would mean to him and wife Theresa. “We’ve got a 5-month-old … little emotional. Been here before, but excited to have him and do this. So excited. “Just proud. It’s been a trying three years since I was on TOUR in 2018, fought hard, had a lot of close calls. But it’s nice to be back under the big lights and give it a go.” In all, 73 players competed for four spots in this week’s field. For all scores from Hurricane Creek CC, click here. Here’s a capsule look at the four Monday qualifiers for this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson … Wesley Bryan (64) Age: 32 Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina Alma mater: University of South Carolina PGA TOUR starts: 86 Cuts made: 49 Best PGA TOUR finish: Win; 2017 RBC Heritage Notes: Holds past champion TOUR status via his 2017 victory at Harbour Town as a rookie … Has made 11 TOUR starts in 2021-22, highlighted by a T15 at the Corales Puntacana Championship in March … Began 2021-22 season on medical extension due to wrist injury, but was unable to fulfill terms of extension in six starts (concluding at Valspar Championship in March). Has made five starts since, via a combination of categories … 2016 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year; won three times that season to secure an automatic Three-Victory Promotion to the TOUR … Prior to earning Korn Ferry Tour membership, built a social media following with brother George via “Bryan Bros” video content that showcased trick shots and various antics around the game of golf … Avid fan of musician Justin Bieber. Conrad Shindler (66; advanced through 4-for-3 playoff) Age: 33 Hometown: Dallas, Texas Alma mater: Texas A&M PGA TOUR starts: 23 Cuts made: 10 Best PGA TOUR finish: T15; 2018 Barbasol Championship Notes: Held 2017-18 PGA TOUR membership after earning TOUR card via 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season … Won Korn Ferry Tour’s 2017 Rex Hospital Open outside Raleigh, North Carolina … Close friends with 2004 Open Championship winner Todd Hamilton, who caddied for Shindler in Monday’s successful qualifying effort. Hamilton also caddied for Shindler at Final Stage of Korn Ferry Tour Q-School in 2016 … Avid Dallas Stars (NHL) fan; planned to attend Stars playoff game Monday evening after qualifier … Set for first PGA TOUR start since 2019 A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier. Kyle Wilshire (66; advanced through 4-for-3 playoff) Age: 29 Hometown: Georgetown, Kentucky Alma mater: University of Central Florida PGA TOUR starts: 2 Cuts made: 1 Best PGA TOUR finish: T62; 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship Notes: Successful Monday qualifier for third TOUR event of 2021-22 season; also qualified for Butterfield Bermuda Championship and The RSM Classic last fall … Played 2017 season on Korn Ferry Tour, making 10 cuts in 22 starts, highlighted by a T38 at the Corales Puntacana Championship … Opened with rounds of 64-62 at 2017 Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank on Korn Ferry Tour … Has undergone multiple knee surgeries as he continues to chase his dreams … Has worked as a trash porter to help make ends meet in professional golf … Helped lead Central Florida to NCAA Championship appearances in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Andrew Loupe (66; advanced through 4-for-3 playoff) Age: 33 Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Alma mater: LSU PGA TOUR starts: 94 Cuts made: 34 Best PGA TOUR finish: T3; 2016 The American Express Notes: Set for first TOUR start since 2021 Barbasol Championship, where he finished 74th … Played four consecutive full seasons on TOUR from 2013-14 to 2016-17. Best FedExCup showing came in 2015-16, where he recorded six top-25 finishes in 27 starts and qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs … Won 2015 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship as part of Korn Ferry Tour Finals, regaining his TOUR membership in the process … As a high school athlete, twice earned all-state honors in basketball and was invited to the Louisiana All-Star game (didn’t play due to injury).

Click here to read the full article…