Golf returns to Bay Hill and to some semblance of cheers

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Adam Hadwin used superb ball-striking to shoot the lowest score on the treacherous Stadium Course and continue his strong play in the Desert Classic. Hadwin hit all 18 greens in regulation Thursday en route to a 7-under 65. He made five birdies and holed a 60-yard pitch for eagle on the par-5 16th. Hadwin called it “probably my longest hole-out in like three years.â€� His only bogey was a three-putt from 48 feet on the par-3 sixth hole. He played his final six holes in 5 under par. The Stadium Course is traditionally the toughest of the three courses in use this week, and that was true again Thursday. It played to a 70.9 scoring average, while the field averaged 69.4 strokes at La Quinta Country Club and 69.7 at PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course. “I basically have to shoot probably another three 7-unders to even have a chance,â€� Hadwin said. MUST READS: Round 1, Desert Classic He’s had no trouble going low at this event, finishing no worse than sixth in the past three Desert Classics. He’s 66 under par in his last 13 rounds at this event, including a 59 at La Quinta Country Club in 2017. Phil Mickelson flirted with Hadwin’s mark on Thursday, but came up one shot short. “I’m five back after shooting 7 under,â€� Hadwin said. “I was actually watching the leaderboard, thinking he’s going to try and pass my course record over there. That would be a Phil Mickelson thing to do.â€� Hadwin is 51st in the FedExCup standings thanks to two top-10s in five starts this season. He’s also seeking a spot in his second consecutive Presidents Cup. This year’s Presidents Cup will be played Dec. 12-15 at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Click here to read the full article…

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Tony Romo, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current lead analyst for the NFL ON CBS, will compete on a sponsor exemption for the second consecutive year in the PGA TOUR’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship (March 28-31, 2019) in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The 2019 Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship will mark the second time Romo will compete as an individual against PGA TOUR professionals in the same competition. Playing as an amateur, Romo will look to make the cut for the first time in his second official PGA TOUR start. “Golf has been a passion of mine throughout my life, giving me another athletic outlet to hone my skills and compete,â€� said Romo. “The opportunity to compete at the highest levels of golf, the PGA TOUR event, was a dream come true for me. I’m thankful to the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship for inviting me to join them once again this year, and I’m excited at the chance to compete against the best of the best.â€� Since Romo competed in the inaugural Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in 2018, he won two golf tournaments in the summer of 2018, including the American Century Championship in Nevada. “It was an honor to have Tony Romo to join us for our inaugural year, and we are delighted that he has accepted our offer to play in the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship again this year,â€� said Grupo Puntacana Founder and Chairman Frank Rainieri. “Tony continues to grow and achieve at golf just as he rose to greatness during his football career. It’s going to be exciting to watch him play Corales again.â€� Romo, 38, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cowboys in 2003 after playing collegiately at Eastern Illinois University. Beginning his career as a holder, Romo became the Cowboys’ starting quarterback during the 2006 season. Serving as the team’s primary starter from 2006 to 2015, he guided the Cowboys to four postseason appearances and was named to the Pro Bowl four times. Romo retired after the 2016 season and immediately was hired by CBS Sports to become the lead analyst for the NFL ON CBS, teaming with Jim Nantz in the broadcast booth. Romo holds several Cowboys team records, including passing touchdowns, passing yards, most games with at least 300 passing yards and games with three or more touchdown passes. The Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship is in its second year on the PGA TOUR schedule, previously having a two-year run as a Web.com Tour event. The event, which was won by Brice Garnett in 2018, offers a $3,000,000 purse, 300 FedExCup points and is broadcast on the Golf Channel.

Click here to read the full article…

LPGA Final Round on ABC

Click here to read the full article…