Donald named as Europe Ryder Cup captain

Here’s a look at the four players, including a two-time PGA TOUR winner, who successfully navigated the Valero Texas Open’s Monday qualifier at Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas. JOSHUA CREEL (65) Age: 28 Hometown: Cheyenne, Wyoming Alma mater: Central Oklahoma PGA TOUR starts: None Notes: Creel has one top-10 in five career starts on the Web.com Tour. He also has 19 career starts on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, including a T5 in his debut in 2013. He won once on the Adams Pro Tour in 2017. PAUL McCONNELL (67) Age: 27 Hometown: Allen, Texas Alma mater: Texas-Arlington PGA TOUR starts: 2 Best PGA TOUR finish: MC, 2016 Shell Houston Open; MC, 2016 Valero Texas Open Notes: McConnell also Monday qualified for his previous two PGA TOUR starts. He fired 73-75 at TPC San Antonio two years ago. He has two top-10s in 32 career starts on Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada. He finished T80 in his lone Web.com Tour start, at the 2015 Price Cutter Charity Championship. TROY MATTESON (67) Age: 38 Hometown: Leander, Texas Alma mater: Georgia Tech PGA TOUR starts: 274 Best PGA TOUR finish: Won, 2006 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open; Won, 2009 Safeway Open Notes: The two-time PGA TOUR winner hasn’t made more than 10 PGA TOUR starts since 2014. His last PGA TOUR win came in a playoff over a pair of promising first-year pros, Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark. Matteson has played just one tournament this year, finishing T19 at the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. CURTIS REED (67) Age: 26 Hometown: Castroville, Texas Alma mater: Houston PGA TOUR starts: 2 Best PGA TOUR finish: T55, 2016 Valero Texas Open Notes: Reed, who grew up in nearby Castroville, received a sponsor exemption into this event two years ago. He has twice shot 57 at his home course, Alsatian Golf Course in Castroville. “My dad took me to watch the Valero Texas Open every year growing up, and it’s where I knew I wanted to play professional golf for a living,� he wrote in his PGA TOUR profile. HOUSTON OPEN QUALIFIERS T8. Julian Suri, 66-69-73-67 T68. Dawie van der Walt, 70-69-69-76 MC. Zach Cabra, 73-71 MC. Ryan Baca, 70-75 THIS SEASON’S QUALIFIERS Qualifiers: 51 Made cut: 18 Top-10s: 3 (Scott Strohmeyer, T4 at Sanderson Farms; Trey Mullinax, T8 at Valspar; Julian Suri, T8 at Houston) Top-25s: 5 Most times qualified: T.J. Vogel (3)

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The commitment deadline has come and gone and the field is set as 78 players prepare to descend upon Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California for next week's ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD. Earlier this fall, the PGA TOUR and ZOZO Inc. officials announced the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP would not be played in Japan this year due to logistical issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and will instead be played at Sherwood. With the club's rich history as a host venue on the PGA TOUR it is undoubtedly a worthy substitute and temporary home for the 2020 event, boasting a picturesque landscape for a competition among golf's superstars. The elite group of athletes includes each of the top-10 players from the 2019-20 FedExCup standings, 54 PGA TOUR winners with a combined total of 351 titles, and 14 major champions highlighted by 82-time TOUR winner and ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP defending champion, Tiger Woods. Committed players from the top-10 in the 2019-20 FedExCup Standings: 1. Dustin Johnson 2. Xander Schauffele 2. Justin Thomas 4. Jon Rahm 5. Scottie Scheffler 6. Collin Morikawa 7. Tyrrell Hatton 8. Rory McIlroy 8. Sebastián Muñoz 8. Patrick Reed Among the big names committed to the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP include Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, 2020 Rookie of the Year Scottie Scheffler, recent PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa, rising star Matthew Wolff and 14-time PGA TOUR winner Adam Scott. Reigning FedExCup Champion Dustin Johnson is committed to play alongside World No. 2 Jon Rahm, each making their tournament debuts while two-time FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy will compete in the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP for a second consecutive year after finishing T3 in 2019. Although 2020 will mark Johnson's ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP debut, the 23-time PGA TOUR winner is no stranger to the area with strong ties to Sherwood via his famed soon-to-be father-in-law, Wayne Gretzky, who is a resident and member of the club. The current World No. 1 will make his fourth professional start at Sherwood next week where he shot a low round of 61 in 2014 and competed three times at the venue in the Hero World Challenge. "It is a pleasure to welcome such an elite group of global stars highlighted by our defending champion Tiger Woods for the 2020 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD. With such a strong field comprised of a variety of the top ranked players in the world, FedExCup Champions, PGA TOUR winners and major champions, the event will undoubtedly deliver an exciting competition for our fans in Japan, the United States and all around the world tuning in from home," said Executive Director Travis Steiner. Just one year has passed since American golf legend Woods equaled Sam Snead's long-standing record of 82 career wins on the PGA TOUR by securing a three-stroke victory at the inaugural ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP played at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan. In front of large galleries, Woods led the tournament from start to finish to beat Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Sungjae Im of Korea shared third place in the tournament, which heralded Japan's first official PGA TOUR Event. Sherwood is a Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course and was the venue for Woods' tournament, the Hero World Challenge, from 2000-2013. Woods has a terrific record there, where he won his own event five times (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2011) and finished runner-up on five other occasions, thus raising anticipation that the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD could produce a record-breaking 83rd PGA TOUR title for Woods. "I am excited to defend my title at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. It is disappointing that we will not be able to play in Japan this year, but Sherwood Country Club will be a great backdrop for what I know will be a great championship," Woods said. Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama, who finished runner-up to Woods when the tournament was played at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan last October, will also headline the US$8 million showpiece. A five-time winner, Matsuyama is the most successful Japanese golfer on the PGA TOUR. During the 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season, he qualified for his seventh successive TOUR Championship appearance and finished No. 15 in the final FedExCup standings in a season that featured five top-10 finishes. Fans can rejoice as the list continues with more notable commitments each adding significant value to the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD including Rickie Fowler, Tommy Fleetwood, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth. "I’ve been able to play Sherwood a few times when Tiger’s event was there," Fowler said. "Sherwood’s the perfect example of get the ball in play and go play your game from there, and [Tiger] has been one of the best iron players over time. So get the ball in play and then go score from there. It’s a great fit for him, but hopefully we’re able to take down the defending champ next week." Adding a bit of local flare are University of California-Berkeley alum Collin Morikawa and Agoura Hills native Matthew Wolff, each making their ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP debut. Sherwood Country Club is just seven miles from Westlake High School where 21-year-old Wolff attended and is even closer to Westlake Golf Course where he honed his craft and perfected a unique swing as a young player. As a (normally) Japan-based event, the field is rounded out by eight Japanese golfers primed for competition at Sherwood. All eyes will be on newly minted professional Takumi Kanaya as he seeks to emulate the success of Hideki Matsuyama on the PGA TOUR. The 22-year-old Kanaya, ranked No. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking and winner of the 2020 McCormack Medal, turned professional last week and will be amongst the eight Japanese golfers next week. Apart from Matsuyama and Kanaya, other Japanese players gaining entry into the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP through the Japan Golf Tour include two-time Japan Golf Tour No. 1 Shugo Imahira, Rikuya Hoshino, Mikumu Horikawa, Naoki Sekito and Ryo Ishikawa, a 17-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour and a former PGA TOUR regular. Satoshi Kodaira, the last Japanese player to win on the PGA TOUR with his maiden victory at the 2018 RBC Heritage, will also compete as a sponsor exemption. Between Tiger Woods chasing 83, an abundance of international representation and two fistfuls of the top-ranked players in the world, the 2020 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD is sure to make history. The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD will be broadcast in the United States on the Golf Channel from Oct. 22-25 at 5-8 p.m. (ET). In Japan, fans can tune in to the live broadcast on GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR, NHK BS1, and Golf Network from October 23-26, 6-9 a.m. JST (broadcast times may be extended) and a two-hour highlight broadcast on October 26, 6 to 7:54 p.m. on BS Asahi. Fans can also tune into Featured Group coverage on GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR from Oct 23-26, 1:45-9 a.m. JST. The latest broadcast schedule can be found on the official tournament website.

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With the final major firmly in the rear view mirror the PGA TOUR turns for home with the penultimate event of the regular season. The new condensed schedule has only a trip to Greensboro next week remaining before the FedExCup Playoffs begin the first full week of August. The name of the event has changed but TPC Southwind is again hosting a TOUR event for the 31st time since its debut in 1989. The FedEx St. Jude Classic was the final iteration and was the warm-up for the U.S. Open from 2007 thru last season. The weather in Memphis won’t differ much from mid-June to late July but the field for this event will be tremendously different as a WGC event. Of the top 50 golfers from the OWGR, 45 will tee it up on the Ron Pritchard design that will stretch to 7,237 yards and play to Par-70. The challenge this week for the top players will be navigating the return to hot, humid temperatures plus Bermuda greens for the first time since Quail Hollow Club the week before the PGA Championship. The Champion Bermuda greens only average 4,300 square feet on average and will run at speeds 12 feet on the Stimpmeter. The tight, narrow landing areas off the tee will be met with only two and a half inches of Bermuda rough to navigate approaches and getting up and down around the green. Of the 63 players entered (Shane Lowry WD on Tuesday officially) 25 will be making their first appearance just off Beale Street. The event was played at Firestone Country Club as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational from 1999 to 2018 with one exception, 2002. Remember, this is Horses for Courses, not Horses for Events. I do believe, as I wrote last week, that players who play well in this EVENT shouldn’t be dismissed just because the venue changes. If you look at the winners of WGC events, it’s a who’s who of Ryder/Presidents Cup players. There have not been any major changes to this track recently so the folks who have played it regularly on TOUR will have an advantage this week, especially on the greens. The last four winners have stuck out in a few categories. They all led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green while also falling inside the top 10 in proximity and GIR. Also they’ve kept clean cards by posting T1 or T2 in bogey avoidance and have taken advantage of the two, par-5 holes by ranking T3 or better. The formula is simple: Take advantage of the opportunities when presented or make par and get out. TPC Southwind has ranked in the top 15 most difficult courses used on TOUR annually this decade. It will be interesting to see this week if those scoring numbers were because of the strength of the field (the week before a major) or because it’s a very solid test of golf. I would suggest both as most premium players excel in the tee-to-green department and aren’t bothered by tight targets off the tee or into greens. Plus, they reside in the top 50 on merit, not Instagram followers, and that usually means a complete bag. Need more Course Info? Check Rob Bolton’s Power Rankings, The First Look and Course Preview.  Helpful Hints 2018 FESJC Results (entered this week)   **- previous winner *- Top 10 since 2010  1  **Dustin Johnson (2012 winner)  2  Andrew Putnam  3  J.B. Holmes  6  *Chez Reavie (T4, 2017)  6  Brandt Snedeker 12 *Phil Mickelson 18 C.T. Pan 26 Henrik Stenson 30 *Brooks Koepka 37 Nate Lashley 37 Keith Mitchell 51 *Billy Horschel 68 Corey Conners MC Tony Finau (first appearance) Sung Kang Kevin Tway 2017 FESJC Results (entered this week)   **- previous winner *- Top 10 since 2010  4  Rafa Cabrera Bello (first appearance)  4  *Billy Horschel  9  *Phil Mickelson 10 Adam Scott 31 Kevin Tway 31 *Ian Poulter (T6, 2014) 37 *Brooks Koepka 52 *J.B. Holmes 52 Xander Schauffele (first appearance) 80 Sung Kang 85 Max Homa MC Bryson DeChambeau Jim Furyk Key stat leaders Golfers around the top 25 in each statistic on the 2018-19 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete this week. This is the 40th event of the season.  * – top 10 finish previously BOLD – first appearance Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green  1  *Rory McIlroy (T7, 2012)  2  Justin Thomas  3  Hideki Matsuyama  4  Patrick Cantlay  5  *Dustin Johnson  6  *Adam Scott  7  Paul Casey  8  Gary Woodland 10 Corey Conners 11 *Brooks Koepka 12 *Sergio Garcia 13 *Matt Kuchar 14 Xander Schauffele 15 Jon Rahm 16 Tommy Fleetwood 18 *Webb Simpson (T3, 2014) 20 Henrik Stenson 23 Justin Rose 24 Jim Furyk 25 Keegan Bradley Proximity  1  Corey Conners  3  Jim Furyk  7  *Chez Reavie 11 Nate Lashley 14 Keegan Bradley 19 Hideki Matsuyama 19 *Rory McIlroy 31 *Matt Kuchar 31 *Brooks Koepka Par-5 Scoring  1  Justin Thomas  2  *Matt Kuchar  3  *Adam Scott  3  Gary Woodland  6  Bryson DeChambeau  9  *Ian Poulter  9  *Sergio Garcia  9  Bubba Watson 13 Xander Schauffele 19 *Dustin Johnson 19 Hideki Matsuyama 19 Paul Casey 19 Sung Kang 23 Tony Finau 28 *Rory McIlroy 28 Patrick Cantlay Bogey Avoidance  1  Patrick Cantlay  2  *Matt Kuchar  5  *Rory McIlroy  6  *Webb Simpson  7  Jim Furyk  8  Nate Lashley 10 *Dustin Johnson 12 Kevin Tway 13 Tommy Fleetwood 14 *Brooks Koepka 19 Hideki Matsuyama 21 Rickie Fowler 25 Xander Schauffele 27 Tony Finau The Landlord Dustin Johnson: He’s prepared at TPC Southwind for the U.S. Open every year since 2012 with the exception of 2017. A debut winner should help ease some questions about how premium players who haven’t seen this course could fare this week. The 2018 winner boasts two other finishes in the top 10 (5, 2016; T10, 2013) and a stroke average of 67.75 over 20 rounds. He’s the only previous winner in the field this week. The Usual Suspects Brooks Koepka: Another who used this event as U.S. Open prep, Koepka never missed in five tries from 2014-18. He went close here in 2016 (T2) and 2015 (T3) before he bloomed into this version. T37 or better in all five starts. Phil Mickelson: In six starts this decade his T12 last year was the worst of the bunch. His run includes a pair of T2 (2012, 2016) and T3 in 2015. Of 24 rounds 21 are par or better so he’s comfortable in the heat and humidity. Billy Horschel: The heat and humidity won’t be an issue for the Florida native as he looks to add to his bank account again this year. His T51 was disappointing last year as it broke a personal streak of four straight paydays in the top 10 (2013-15; 2017). Chez Reavie: Back-to-back top-10 paydays the last two years should be an excellent surprise to gamers who might be light on starts at this part of the season. He was T12 in 2015 and T27 in 2013 as well. Brandt Snedeker: Played last year for the first time since 2013 and cashed T6. Like riding a bike! Flashes This Decade Andrew Putnam: He fired 64-64 in Rounds 2 and 3 to get into the final group with Johnson in his second start in Memphis. Johnson gave him a front-row seat on how to close an event as Putnam cashed for second, six shots behind. Rafa Cabrera Bello: His first and only start in 2017 saw him share the 54-hole lead before 71 on Sunday dropped him to T4. Adam Scott: Hardly surprising on a track that requires premium tee-to-green play that the Aussie has cashed both of his finishes inside the top 10. He was seventh in his debut in 2007 and T10 in his next visit in 2017. Webb Simpson: T3 in 2014 but hasn’t played since 2015. Rory McIlroy: Backed up T29 on debut in 2010 with T7 in 2012 in his only two visits. Patrick Reed: Solo fifth in 2013 was his best of four starts but none since 2014. J.B. Holmes: Solo third last year was his fourth payday from five tries. I have no idea what to think after last Sunday at Royal Portrush.

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