Farmers Insurance Open, Round 3: Leaderboard, tee times, TV times

MCKINNEY, Texas — Luke Donald hit every green in regulation Thursday in the opening round of the AT&T Byron Nelson, a first for the five-time winner on the PGA TOUR. But that wasn’t his only achievement. Donald, 43, posted his best first-round score in a regulation TOUR start since the spring of 2017. His 65 at TPC Craig Ranch featured seven birdies, zero bogeys, a stout 5.47 Strokes Gained: Approach and a generous serving of encouragement for the 658th-ranked player in the world. “It’s been a bit of a tough road this year,” Donald said. “Feel like I’ve been working hard on my game and seeing progress, so I wasn’t totally surprised that I threw in a good round.” Donald last won in 2012. He’s made only three cuts in 16 starts this year. His highest ranking in the biggest statistical categories is 102nd, in greens in regulation. His scoring average of 72.1 ranks 183rd this year on TOUR. Ten years ago, Donald was the PGA TOUR Player of the Year and the No. 3 player in the world. A back injury in 2018 limited his play through 2019, when he made six cuts in 12 starts. He appears to be back to a full schedule in 2021. His best finish so far is a tie for 40th in the Bermuda Championship. “Well, you know, this year been (I’ve) kind of chasing after cuts a little bit, so it was nice to come out here, play a good round today, and feel like I’m chasing trophies rather than cuts,” Donald said. “It’s a great start; nothing more than that. But takes a little bit of the pressure off tomorrow. I don’t have to chase after trying to play on the weekend. So different feeling. Hopefully a more positive one will lead to more birdies.”

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PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Paul Casey was on the verge of building a comfortable lead Saturday until a bogey on the final hole for a 3-under 68 that cut his lead to one shot over Dustin Johnson in the Valspar Championship. Johnson had some say in the margin going into the final round at Innisbrook. From a narrow bunker right of the 18th fairway to an elevated green with a front pin, Johnson blasted 9-iron to 10-foot birdie and a 67. Casey was at 8-under 205. Jason Kokrak had a hole-in-one on the 15th hole and shot 30 on the back nine for a 66 that left him three shots behind. Casey is trying to becoming the first back-to-back winner in the 19-year history at the Valspar Championship.

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We know Tiger Woods is playing with Peyton Manning against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady later this month. After that? He’s not telling. We look at all the possibilities for him when golf resumes.

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