Expert Picks: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Paul Casey left behind one of the unhappiest years of his golfing career by capturing his first title since 2019 with a four-stroke win at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

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Savanna Wiegand and Tony Layher have never met. It’s not likely they ever will. With the best days of her young life still ahead of her, Wiegand is thriving as a sophomore at Columbia College in South Carolina, playing golf on scholarship. Layher is a medically-retired Electrician’s Mate Chief who spent 18 years in the Navy, which is almost the same amount of time Wiegand has been on earth. As a result of two traumatic brain injuries, Layher suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is prone to epileptic seizures. Along with his wife, Sarah, and seven children, home these days is on a rural parcel of land on the westside of Jacksonville, Florida. Savanna Wiegand and Tony Layher have nothing in common. Or so it would seem. On Wednesday of this week’s RBC Heritage, their worlds became one by virtue of the Kisner Foundation, organized and operated by PGA TOUR member Kevin Kisner and his wife, Brittany. The mission of the Kisner Foundation is to support organizations which lend support to the physical and emotional well-being of kids. Broad strokes paint a big picture of charity’s success. The truest, most resounding impact, though, is credited to the details, those being the lives of specific individuals and families enhanced by that organization. One result of that success is the First Tee of Aiken in Kisner’s South Carolina hometown. “I was about nine years old when my mom heard about The First Tee starting a chapter in Aiken,� said Wiegand. “From the get-go, she wanted me involved. I had played every other sport known to man, but had never touched a golf club. At first, I hated it and thought I couldn’t do it. But, as I kept going, I really started enjoying it. One time led to two and two times led to seven. Then, 10 years later, I became the first female graduate of the Ace program at the First Tee of Aiken. The program goes in levels, with Ace being the highest.� From a humble beginning in lean financial times, Wiegand’s life today is a far cry from what it once was. “I wouldn’t be nearly the woman I am today without The First Tee of Aiken,� she said. “When I started there, I had a really low self-esteem and didn’t like going out to meet people. I didn’t get out of my comfort zone. I was like a little shelled child. Not only did it give me the confidence and self-esteem to go out and make friends, but it helped me with school, essays and resumes. It’s so much more than just golf.� Wiegand’s first real passions were volleyball and dance. When her passion for golf developed through The First Tee of Aiken, for financial reasons, she needed to make a decision as to what she would stick with and pursue. “I chose golf and am so glad I did,� she said. “Without having made that decision, I wouldn’t have had nearly the number of opportunities I’ve had to grow into who I am today.� Among those opportunities, thanks to The First Tee of Aiken, is a golf scholarship. Today, Wiegand is in her second year at Columbia College with a double major in Communications and Business Administration, with a minor in Leadership. Not only is she active on the college’s golf team, but she also holds down two jobs and an internship. “I credit The First Tee of Aiken entirely for being able to get a scholarship to college to play golf,� she said. “She told me she used to go through life with no confidence,� said Kisner, winner of last month’s World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. “But, now she has a golf scholarship to take care of the cost of her education and is as confident as ever. That makes me feel like everything we do is worthwhile.� Kevin and Brittany were instrumental in getting The First Tee of Aiken started and have been staunch supporters since its 2015 inception. In addition to financial assistance, the Kisner Foundation donates clubs and clothes and is continually trying to entice kids who’ve never been exposed to the game to give it a try. Kisner began fundraising in 2017. He and Brittany gave out seven grants in 2018 and have already provided 13 grants this year, as well as two scholarships – one for a male and one for a female – to go to college. “It’s always great to see kids go through The First Tee of Aiken program and make it,� said Kisner. “I loved Savanna’s comment about having built confidence in the program. That’s the best.� “The leadership ability they helped bring out in me has allowed me to go so far and overcome so much,� said Wiegand. “But, just having Kevin as the face of The First Tee of Aiken is amazing. I mean, he was just in the Masters last week and is from my town. He helps out my favorite organization on the planet and has truly changed lives forever.� To celebrate Wiegand’s success, she was treated to a unique experience during Wednesday’s RBC Heritage pro-am. She connected with Kevin formally for the first time, which included walking inside the ropes with him for several holes and even hitting a few shots. With confidence and talent, she did so in front of a crowd, something the old Wiegand would have never attempted. “My favorite thing about today was getting to hit that drive on 18,� Wiegand said. “But, one thing that really stood out was his advice to go bold and not play safe. His point was that if I didn’t go bold, I would never learn how to improve myself. I’m going to really try to incorporate that approach more often into everything I do. “He also encouraged me to only try to control the controllable. In other words, if I can’t control it, why focus on it? I need to try and focus on the things I can change. He was so enthusiastic about everything, so it was really an incredible experience for me.� Meanwhile, also at Harbour Town Golf Links, Brittany was representing the Kisner Foundation as an integral part of Operation Shower. Founded in 2007, Operation Shower provides expecting moms with ties to the Armed Services with gifts and a day of feeling appreciated for their hand in keeping America a safer, free country. The PGA TOUR partnered with Operation Shower in 2010. “Operation Shower has always been near and dear to our heart,� Brittany said. “Even though our foundation is based locally, it’s so great that we have been given the skills to do what we do because of the PGA TOUR. This mission of Operation Shower is so near and dear, because these men and women make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. So, anytime we can give back to them, we say, ‘Yes.’� A lot of broad strokes provide validation to Operation Shower, but, again, the clarity is in the details. In the case of Wednesday, that clarity came in the form of Tony Layher. Before two on-the-job traumatic brain injuries, Layher was a Nuclear Submariner. As such, he dealt with propulsion and electrical generation on nuclear submarines. He was on four different ships along the east coast and commissioned some of the newer classes of submarines.     As a surprise, Layher, his wife and the couple’s two-week-old baby – their seventh child – were featured as special guests. The Lowcountry Foundation for Wounded Military Heroes found the Layhers through their connection with Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor. When an organization called Angel Flight Soars learned of the invitation, they prepared a “Compassion flight,� free of charge, from Jacksonville to Hilton Head and back. “This is absolutely amazing,� Layher said. “This is the first time we’ve had an organization do anything like this for us. Because I wasn’t a boots-on-the-ground combat veteran, I wasn’t given some of the avenues some of the others were presented. So, to be invited to this is pretty amazing. Everyone is treating us so well.� “I cannot even imagine the sacrifices they have made,� Brittany said. “As a result of brain injury, he battles PTSD and seizures. They’ve just had their seventh child and Tony’s wife is his primary caregiver. So, any help we can give to them and their children is something I’m happy to be a part of.� Kevin Kisner is peaking right now on the PGA TOUR. Having recently claimed his third career PGA TOUR title, he’s excited with where his game is. But, more than anything, he’s thrilled with where the collective heart of he and Brittany remains. “What I did with the PGA TOUR Wives Association gave me the courage and insight into the non-profit world,� Brittany said. “I’ve always worked with children in healthcare, but Kevin is the name and face. Everyone wants to see him. We’re so fortunate to have great sponsors that appreciate him and give back to our foundation. But, the work is just beginning.� And, for two individuals that have never met and may never come face-to-face with one another, it’s a fresh start as well. If the details that are Wiegand and Layher are any indication, the Kisner Foundation has become a pretty impressive portrait amongst a lot of broad strokes. “At the end of the day, when you can look around and see that the work you’re doing is making a difference, it makes all the work and effort worth every second,� Kevin said. “If you can see that kind of success, then that’s all we could ever ask for.�

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the season-opening Abu Dhabi Championship after posting a 5-under 67 on Saturday. McIlroy holed out from 73 yards to eagle the 10th and added five birdies to go 13 under, wrestling control of the tournament from Tyrrell Hatton (71), who trails by a shot. "I thought I did well today. Obviously had that big stroke of luck on 10, the ball hitting the pin and going in," the four-time major champion said. "Sometimes that's what you need in golf tournaments to be in contention and to end up winning is those little strokes of luck every now and again." Hatton held a 5-shot lead when play was halted Friday because of fading light, but he finished the second round up by just a shot early Saturday before the third round started. "I just felt like I had nothing really go my way," Hatton said of his 71. "Hit a couple decent shots and ran into a bunker with a terrible lie and had quite a few putts burning the edge or lipping out. Pretty disappointed." One shot back heading into Sunday "isn't ideal but a lot can happen in 18 holes,” the Englishman said. Tommy Fleetwood (67) had six birdies to put himself two shots behind McIlroy and alone in third place. He rolled in a putt on the 12th from nearly 50 feet. David Lipsky and Marc Warren both shot 68 and share fourth place, three shots back of McIlroy. The Northern Irishman in 10 appearances at Abu Dhabi has finished second on four occasions and third three times. Apart from one missed cut, McIlroy has only one finish outside the top 10 — tied for 11th place in 2008 in his first appearance. "I can't go into tomorrow thinking it's my turn," McIlroy said. "I want to make it my turn. I have to go out there and continue to hit the ball like I hit it on the back nine tonight. If I can do that and give myself plenty of chances, I'll have a real chance." Earlier Saturday, Justin Thomas missed the cut after he double-bogeyed the 18th. Alexander Levy produced a hole-in-one on the 177-yard, par-3 15th. The Frenchman is eight shots off the lead. "A perfect yardage for a 9-iron, wind from the left," Levy said. "Hit a good 9-iron a little bit thin. I was thinking it was short but (it) bounced in the hole. Yeah, it's a really good feeling." The Abu Dhabi Championship begins a run of three events in the "Gulf Swing" — the Dubai Desert Classic and the Saudi International come next.

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