Els Blog: Getting back into action

SILVIS, Ill. – Notes and observations from Sunday’s final round of the John Deere Classic where Bryson DeChambeau broke through for his maiden PGA TOUR win in dramatic fashion. The quirky former U.S. Amateur champion shot a final round 6-under 65, including two closing birdies, to post 18-under amongst a raft of challengers. Patrick Rodgers (70) needed to just par the final two holes to force a playoff but made bogey on the 17th and narrowly missed chipping in for birdie on the 18th. Wesley Bryan (64) and Rick Lamb (66) shared third, two off the pace. For more from TPC Deere Run check out the Daily Wrap. NO REGRETS FOR RODGERS For most of the John Deere Classic it appeared the coming out party would be for former Stanford star Patrick Rodgers. He held the 36 and 54-hole leads and was near the top of the leaderboard throughout Sunday. But bogeys on the 14th and 17th holes, the second and third easiest holes all week, ultimately cost him as he signed for a 1-under 70 to lose by one. While clearly gutted by the result, Rodgers found solace in the fact he had tried to win. It was, indeed, two loose drives on those holes as he tried to go for the throat, that set up the problems. Instead of trying to protect his lead all day, he tried to extend it. Sadly, the execution was just a fraction off. “I don’t really have a ton of regrets. I’m proud of myself for staying aggressive all day,â€� Rodgers said. “Obviously you look back on the back nine, and making bogeys on 14 and 17, that’s where I lost the golf tournament; two pretty simple holes. “But I made bogeys being aggressive, and I wouldn’t go back and change anything. I’m looking forward to be in this position again soon.â€� Rodgers almost provided the tournament with the magic it is accustomed to when his birdie attempt from behind the 18th green tracked towards the cup only to just slide by. BRYSON BIRKDALE BOUND Among the perks to go with his first win on the PGA TOUR Bryson DeChambeau booked his ticket to Royal Birkdale next week as part of the Open Championship Qualifying Series. DeChambeau claimed the final spot in the series that began in Australia last November and included multiple stops around the world. As the highest ranked player at TPC Deere Run inside the top 5 not already exempt DeChambeau will line up for his first Open Championship, but fifth major. “Pretty special. I’ve been wanting to go for a long time,â€� DeChambeau said. DeChambeau could have played the 2016 Open Championship had he remained an amateur but gave up his spot by turning professional. “I knew I would be back. I knew I would definitely be back,â€� he said. “It’s pretty special to play in an Open Championship, the home of golf pretty much, where golf started in that area. It’s pretty special to have that first time.â€� A total of nine players qualified via the PGA TOUR over the last three weeks starting with Kyle Stanley, Charles Howell III, Martin Laird and Sunghoon Kang at the Quicken Loans National. Xander Schauffele, Robert Streb, Jamie Lovemark and Sebastian Munoz booked their spots at the Greenbrier Classic before DeChambeau took the last spot this week. For more on DeChambeau’s win at TPC Deere Run click here. SUBLIME STRICKER Early Sunday the crowds at TPC Deere Run were in a fervor as one of their favorite sons blitzed his way to a familiar place atop the leaderboard. Presidents Cup captain Steve Stricker, who had made the cut on the number Friday, was 8-under on his final round through 14 holes and 16-under for the tournament. Could he seriously be heading for a fourth John Deere Classic title? Knowing he needed to get it even lower the veteran remained aggressive but could not get anything more to fall and a final hole bogey left him ultimately in a tie for fifth. He has now finished inside the top 10 in half of his 16 starts in the event, tying the tournament record. “This weekend was really good for me. It was important for me to make the cut here,â€� Stricker said. “I was able to get two more rounds under my belt and work on a few things. I did a lot of really nice things today which I’m excited about.â€� The result moves Stricker to 103rd in the FedExCup race as he heads for the Open Championship where he was 4th last year. Not bad for just 10 starts as he juggles time on PGA TOUR Champions, the PGA TOUR and his Presidents Cup duties. “My whole goal was to keep my card. I want to keep my card and not use any of my career money exemptions and get in the PLAYERS Championship again next year, stuff like that,â€� he said. “So this was a good step in doing that. My game trended in the right direction over the weekend, so looking forward to next week over at Birkdale.â€� WELCOME NERVES GET TO ZJ Zach Johnson has won majors at Augusta National and St Andrews. At TPC Deere Run he’s a cumulative 168-under since 2000 with a win and now seven top-10 results. But even he’s not immune from back nine Sunday nerves. Johnson found himself sharing the lead once more at his “homeâ€� event after going out in 31 shots but some back nine struggles, while others were going deep, ensured he couldn’t put any serious heat on the contenders. An even par final nine hole left him with a respectable 4-under 67, his 43rd sub par round at TPC Deere Run. Incredibly 37 of those have come consecutively now, 33 of which were in the 60s. “Truth be told, I’m not going to lie to you, it’s been a while since I’ve been in contention and the leaderboard kind of caught up with me a little bit,â€� Johnson, who last won at the 2015 Open Championship, said. “I think I got a little antsy at times. I felt it, which is good, so I will be better next time around. “I kind of glanced at (the leaderboard) over the last five or six holes. I still hit good shots I just didn’t score, that’s unfortunate. “I pride myself on being able to embrace that and not succumb. Today was a day I had my chances and unfortunately down the stretch I couldn’t make any.â€� ODDS AND ENDS Bryson DeChambeau’s win came in just his 40th TOUR start at the age of 23 years, 10 months. He moves from No. 114 to 34 in the FedExCup with 524 points. He is the 10th first-time winner this season and provides the 13th win by a player under the age of 25 on TOUR this season, the most on TOUR since 1970. PGA TOUR rookie and Indiana native Rick Lamb posted scores of 69-70-63-66 to finish T3 at 16-under. It was the first top-10 finish of his TOUR career and moved him from outside the top 200 to 149th in the FedExCup, securing a place in the web.com Finals. His previous-best was a T17 at the Travelers Championship last month. Making his second start in the John Deere Classic, Wesley Bryan birdied five of his last six holes in the final round (Nos. 13-17) to post a 7-under 64 and finish at 16-under 268 (T3). It is Bryan’s first top-10 finish since his win at the RBC Heritage.

Click here to read the full article…

Round 1 of the Farmers Insurance Open takes place today from Torrey Pines. Here’s everything you need to know to follow the action. Round 1 leaderboard Round 1 tee times HOW TO FOLLOW Television: Thursday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday, 1-2:45 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS). Sunday, 1-2:45 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), 3-6:30 p.m. ET (CBS). PGA TOUR LIVE: (Featured Groups, Featured Holes) Thursday-Friday 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. ET. Sunday, 11:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. ET. Radio: Thursday-Friday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. ET. Saturday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. ET. Sunday, 1 p.m.-6:30 p.m. ET (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio). FEATURED GROUPS (ALL TIMES ET) Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa Thursday: 12:40 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, North, No. 10 tee) Friday: 1:40 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, South, No. 1 tee) Rory McIlroy, Cameron Smith, Brandt Snedeker Thursday: 12:30 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, North, No. 10 tee) Friday: 1:30 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, South, No. 1 tee) Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Xander Schauffele Thursday: 1:40 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, South, No. 1 tee) Friday: 12:30 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, North, No. 10 tee) Jason Day, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth Thursday: 1:30 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, South, No. 1 tee) Friday: 12:20 p.m. ET (Torrey Pines GC, North, No. 10 tee) MUST READS Power Rankings Expert Picks Where will Tiger win No. 83? Tiger eyes win No. 83 at Farmers Insurance Open Morales relishes the time he took down Tiger at Torrey Pines Spieth looks for fresh start at Torrey Pines Eighty things to know as Nicklaus turns 80 San Diego police officer retiring after long run at Farmers Insurance Open The First Look: News, notes for Farmers Insurance Open Sign-up and play Fantasy Golf

Click here to read the full article…

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Notes and observations from Saturday’s third round of the Greenbrier Classic where Sebastian Munoz set himself up for his first PGA TOUR win with a steady 2-under 68. The Colombian sits 14-under and leads by two over Robert Streb (65) at 12 under. Rookie Xander Schauffele (66) and former prodigy Jamie Lovemark (66) will also try to chase down a maiden PGA TOUR win from three back at 11-under. For more from Old White TPC check out the Daily Wrap. MUNOZ MOVIE NIGHTS Sebastian Munoz has turned off his phone and retreated to his room for 1980s movie nights as he tries to stem the nerves during his battle for a maiden PGA TOUR win at the Greenbrier Classic. The 23-year-old Colombian, who prior to this week had finished no higher than T27 on the TOUR and ranks 198th on the FedExCup, has led through all three rounds at the Old White TPC. His two-shot buffer over Robert Streb in his first 54-hole lead on TOUR and represents the chance to significantly change his life bringing with it significant nerves. Knowing his phone would be blowing up with well wishes and social media notifications he simply turned it off. “I am going to try to do the same thing. I’ve had my phone off since Thursday. We’re going to keep it that way,â€� he smiled as he explained how he kept a calm demeanor. After Thursday’s hot start Munoz retreated to his room to watch 1980s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and after another good effort Friday kept the theme going by watching Rainman. Slightly superstitious he will once again find an 80s classic and is considering Top Gun for his Saturday night flick. As for tomorrow’s final round? He hopes keeping a simple game plan will allow him to continue on to victory. “I’ll try to play boring golf. I try to hit the fairway and hit the greens,â€� he said. “I’ll try to keep it steady, but you just take what you can get.â€� And he will try to continue to make putts. Munoz leads the field in Strokes Gained: Putting at an incredible 9.181 through three rounds making 396’1â€� worth of putts. STREB SADDLES UP FOR REVENGE Two years ago Robert Streb had the chance to win the Greenbrier Classic, joining a four-man playoff for the title. Just getting there had been an impressive effort given he broke his putter at the turn on Sunday and putted with a wedge on the back nine that yielded five birdies. Ultimately, he was unable to get the win but the 2015 McGladrey Classic champion has the chance for revenge this week, starting Sunday just two back in second place. It’s a timely performance as he currently ranks 137th in the FedExCup. “I’m trying to put that aside and trying to just focus on winning here and see if we can play well,â€� Streb said. “Hopefully the points will take care of themselves.â€� Streb’s Saturday effort was highlighted by a brilliant hybrid out of the rough on the par-5 12th hole from 232-yards that almost went in the hole. The resulting eagle and round of 65 has him in great shape. “Maybe I left a couple out there coming in, but hopefully have a chance tomorrow,â€� he said. SHOT OF THE DAY ROOKIE XANDER READY TO ATTACK When Xander Schauffele nabbed a top-5 finish in just his second PGA TOUR event in the fall last year he was already liking his chances of a trip to the FedExCup Playoffs. With four made cuts out of the blocks in his rookie year the confidence was starting to certainly build. But then six missed cuts in the next eight starts followed and by the time he headed to the U.S. Open last month he had faded to 135th on the FedExCup list and was in danger of losing his card. The 23-year-old then surprised plenty by contending at Erin Hills, finishing in a tie for fifth, catapulting him back into the high confidence realm once more. Decent efforts at the Travelers Championship (T14) and the Quicken Loans National (T35) have moved him to 94th on the FedExCup list entering the Greenbrier Classic, virtually securing a Playoff berth. “Knowing that I have a job virtually taken care of for next year is a huge relief,â€� he said. “It frees me up to maybe go at a few more pins tomorrow. Really get aggressive at times and push for a win. “You can only do as much as you can with the swing and with putts. But if I can kind if keep this attitude, never know what can happen. “I don’t really know what’s going to go on with by body and how my mind works, but hopefully I can prepare for it properly.â€� CALL OF THE DAY   LOVE CHASES HISTORY Davis Love III will attempt to create history on Sunday as he looks to become the oldest winner on the PGA TOUR. A Life Member on the TOUR based on a minimum of 20 victories (21), Love III carded a third-round 2-under 68 and will enter the final round at T5, four strokes behind. A victory Sunday would come in Love’s 741st official PGA TOUR start at the age of 53 years, 2 months and 26 days breaking Sam Snead’s record of 52 years, 10 months and 8 days at the 1965 Wyndham Championship. Love would also set a record for most years between first and last victory on the TOUR (30 years, two months and 20 days since his first win at the 1987 RBC Heritage). “I don’t think much about age. I think I want to get out and compete. There is a reason why I keep having surgery and coming back and doing the rehab and trying to play,â€� he said. “I think I can play out here. I watch Vijay (Singh) go out there and pound balls and keep having a good finish here and there, keep making the FedExCup 125. I want to keep doing that. I want to keep staying out here and competing. “I’m just trying to hang in there. I feel like if I can make some putts I can still compete with them.â€� ODDS AND ENDS Jamie Lovemark (T3), in search of his first victory in his 113th PGA TOUR start, owns runner-up finishes at the 2009 Safeway Open and 2016 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The former prodigy admits there will be nerves but he’s excited about the prospect of a breakthrough win. “I think everyone feels more comfortable as time goes on. I’m 29; I’m getting kind of old. So hopefully get one of these someday soon,â€� he said. “Everyone is more nervous on Sunday. That’s fine. That’s why we play. Not a huge deal. Just got to take it slow and give myself a lot of decent looks and don’t be too aggressive going into the greens.â€� Defending champion Danny Lee (64-68-70) sits six back in a tie for 8th. After making the cut on the number (his first made cut in four tries at The Old White TPC), Phil Mickelson posted a 1-over 71 Saturday to fall to T61. Opening this week with rounds of 69-67, Greenbrier resident Bubba Watson (T67) struggled to a 5-over 75 Saturday, his first-over par score in 15 rounds at The Greenbrier Classic. Smylie Kaufman (T54) has a current streak of 258 consecutive holes without a three-putt. BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA Munoz needs just 9 more feet of putts in his final two holes to get to 400 feet of putts made this week😳😳😳 #isthatgood — Teryn Schaefer (@TerynS_PGATOUR) July 8, 2017 🔥 🔥 🔥@jsmunozgolf has the flat stick dialed in.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/b5jCY0GI8P — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2017 Missed green? No problem. Robert Streb (@therealstrebber) converts from 91’6″ on his opening hole. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/tovjnvg6yS — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 8, 2017

Click here to read the full article…