Grillo shoots 64 to lead at Mayakoba Classic

The Country Club of Jackson opens its doors for the eighth consecutive year to host the Sanderson Farms Championship. A stop-start beginning to the 2022 season has begun again! After taking a week off following the Fortinet Championship to enjoy the Ryder Cup, the PGATOUR is back to work in Jackson, Mississippi. The field of 144 will welcome back 2020 champion Sergio Garcia as he looks to become the first player to defend his title since the event moved here in 2014. RELATED: Power Rankings | Expert Picks The Country Club of Jackson was redesigned by John Faught (Detroit Golf Club) in 2008 and emulates a classic Donald Ross feel around the grounds, especially on the greens. The Champion Bermuda greens are quite slick, running between 12 and 13 feet. The putting surfaces will challenge especially inside of 10 feet as the course has one of the highest 3-Putt percentages on TOUR. Rolling the rock will be a major concern this week. Or hit 60 of 72 like Garcia did and take your chances! Stretching to almost 7,500 yards playing Par-72, four Par-5 holes will provide relief as will only two inches of Bermuda/Zoysia rough. Greens are above average in size at 6,200 square feet so hitting them won’t be a problem. Water is in play on just five holes and there are just 56 bunkers to avoid. CCofJ has ranked in the bottom half of easiest courses played the last three years and the average winning score here is almost 19 under since the first event in calendar 2014. On the line is a purse of $7 million with the winner pocketing $1.26 million plus 500 FedExCup points. Also the winner is exempt for the rest of this season and the next two seasons. It’s a huge bonus to lift the LARGE ROOSTER trophy this week! Recent Event Winners Stats Recent Winners 2020 – Sergio Garcia (-19, 269) Stuffed it to three feet on the final hole and made the putt to avoid a playoff with 2016 season winner Peter Malnati. … Co-led after 54 holes (-14). … Closed 66-67. … Sat five back after 36 and four back after 18. … Overpowered and dissected Tee-to-Green. … Hit 60 of 72 GIR. … T2 with 22 birdies. … Only player to post all four rounds in the 60s. … ONLY winner outside of the top seven (28th) SG: Putting. … Became first champion at the event who was NOT a first-time winner on TOUR. … Third international winner and second consecutive. … Picked up 11th victory in 368th start at age 40. … Becomes fifth winner of seven to win in his first attempt at CCofJ. … Entered the week MC-MC. Notables in the field this week: 2015 winner Peter Malnati (2nd) closed with 63, tying the tournament course record and missed the playoff by a shot… JT Poston (3rd) backed up his T11 from 2019 with a share of the 54-hole lead. … Keegan Bradley (T4) led by two after 36 holes thanks to a hot putter. … Henrik Norlander (T4) circled three eagles for the week including two on Sunday when he posted 65. … Cam Davis (T6), who won at Detroit Golf Club earlier this year, matched Malnati’s 63 in Round 3 to also share the 54-hole lead. … Charley Hoffman (T6) was one of four first round leaders to post 64. … Denny McCarthy (T6) circled 22 birdies (T2) to pick up his second top 10 in three years. … Tyler McCumber (T6) went close again after finishing second at Punta Cana the previous week. … Scott Stallings (T6) shot 40 on the back in Round 2. … Brandt Snedeker (T17) was one shot back after 54 holes and circled 22 birdies for the week. … Defending champion Sebastian Munoz (T23) posted 64 in Round 1 before not breaking 70 the rest of the week. … Top 27 players all 10-under or lower. … 62 of 66 players to make the cut finished Even or better. … Cut was 3-under. … 26 bogey-free rounds. … 71.080 scoring average, ranking 31st most difficult of 50 courses played 2020. … The 2020 event followed Corales Punta Cana Club and Resort Championship. 2019 – Sebastian Munoz (-18, 270) Defeated Sungjae Im with a par on the first playoff hole. … Holed a 15-foot putt on the final hole to force playoff. … 54-hole leader by one after tournament best 63 in Round 3. … Sat five back after 36 holes and was six off the pace after 18. … Only squared THREE bogeys for the week. … First international winner since Nick Taylor in 2014. … First win in his 47th start at age 26. … Sixth consecutive first-time TOUR winner at CCofJ. … Won in his third attempt. Notables in the field this week: Sungjae Im (P2) closed with 66 and was the only player to post all four rounds in the 60s. … Carlos Ortiz (T4) played in the final group and was top 10 in both Fairways and GIR. … Kevin Streelman (T4) raced home with 64 for his second top 10 in three years. … Bronson Burgoon (T6) joined Sungjae Im with 24 birdies, most for the week. … Dylan Frittelli (T6) hit the top 10 with two doubles on the card. … JT Poston (T11) shared the first round lead with Tom Hoge (T39) on 64. … Defending champion Cameron Champ did not enter. … Top 27 players all 10-under or lower. … 66 of 68 players to make the cut finished Even or better. … Cut was 3-under. … 31 bogey-free rounds. … 70.787 scoring average, ranking 26st most difficult of 40 courses played 2019-20. … The 2020 edition was the first time played as a stand-alone event on the calendar. 2018 – Cameron Champ (-21, 267 – not entered this week) Led or co-led after every round. … Birdied five of his last six holes to set the tournament scoring record. … 28 birdies is also a record. … Won by four shots. … Posted 64, co-low round of the week in Round 3 to lead by four. … Posted 12-under on Par-5 holes. … Played the Back 9 in 16-under. … Won on debut. … First win on TOUR in his SECOND event with a TOUR card. … Age 23 is the youngest winner. … T25 in Napa Valley the week before. Notables in the field this week: Corey Conners (2nd) made only four bogeys and was top five in both Fairways and GIR. … Sam Burns (T3) closed 66-68 and was T4 GIR. … On Sunday Carlos Ortiz (T3) matched Conners and Champ with the low round of the week, 64. … Denny McCarthy (T7) only needed 104 putts. … Seth Reeves (T7) posted all four rounds at 70 or better. … Adam Schenk (T7) only squared TWO bogeys for the week. … Martin Laird (T7) circled 20 birdies. … Defending champion Ryan Armour (T54) did not break 70. … Top 24 players all 10-under or lower. … 69 of 72 players to make the cut finished Even or better. … Cut was 1-under. … 21 bogey-free rounds. … 71.246 scoring average, ranking 26st most difficult of 49 courses played 2019-20. … The 2019 event was played opposite the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and played in late October. Key stat leaders Top golfers in each statistic on the 2020-2021 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete this week. Horses for Courses Top golfers entered this week and other exceptions

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NEW YORK - Buzzer, a mobile platform for watching short-form live sports personalized for fans and authenticated through existing subscriptions or micropayments, has announced it has signed unique short form live content agreements with the PGA TOUR and for National Hockey League (NHL) games. Buzzer is a direct-to-consumer mobile platform that will provide a seamless user and viewing experience by aggregating sports rights and content and allowing its users to set up customized notifications. With PGA TOUR and NHL content, fans can instantaneously make a secure micropayment to buy only those moments they want to watch. Through this unique and innovative product, Buzzer's technology identifies ‘lightning in a bottle' moments in live sports so fans never again have to miss the sports experiences that matter most to them. The first-of-its-kind agreements focus on providing short-form live sports content that reaches younger generations of fans where and how they are watching sports. Buzzer's iOS and Android apps aim to simplify the discovery and viewing experience on mobile in a short-form live format that aligns with trends in consumption habits. In working with the PGA TOUR, Buzzer will offer live look-ins from Featured Groups and Featured Holes for over 30 tournaments on PGA TOUR LIVE, the TOUR's OTT subscription product, including the FedExCup Playoffs. In addition, Buzzer will deliver live look-ins for every game for the remainder of the NHL regular season, Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final (local market blackouts apply). The preselected two-minute live look-ins of NHL games will be offered in each regulation period. "In partnering with leagues like PGA TOUR and NHL, we aim to connect younger audiences, namely Gen Z and Millennials, with live sports through improved discovery of and immediate access to their streams," said Bo Han, Buzzer CEO. "Using micropayments and personalized push notifications, Buzzer plans to advance the industry by helping leagues establish relationships with the future generation of mobile-first sports fans. This is just the beginning of our content roadmap, as we are continuing to build products within our platform (such as authentication) that complement all industry players, from networks, vMVPDs, MVPDs, RSNs and OTT platforms." PGA TOUR and NHL games will be available for all Buzzer users on iOS and Android in the United States. Buzzer is currently testing in a closed beta environment. To join the waitlist, sign up on www.buzzer.com.

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Since the launch of the FedExCup era, the Quicken Loans National has been a staple as a stop in the Mid-Atlantic. It is once again this week. TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm hosts for the second consecutive year. As projected in its return to the PGA TOUR after a comprehensive renovation 10 years prior, it played up to the hype as a tough test. In fact, last year’s scoring average of 71.458 was highest among all par 70s in non-majors last season. Furthermore, only PGA National, annual host of The Honda Classic and where the winds always howl in late February and early March, has scored higher among par 70s in non-majors over each of the last six seasons. Scroll beneath the ranking for details on how TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm sets up, the statistically predictable defending champion and what’s in store beginning in 2019. Still chasing his first victory of the season but he’s logged a pair of seconds among eight top 20s in 14 starts, including in each of his last three. Tied for third at TPC Potomac last year. In a tailspin at the moment, but the leash is longer for heads of the class. Five top 10s in 2018, including a runner-up finish a month ago in Texas. Shared fifth place here last year. In arguably better form than prior to his victory last year. Three top 15s in his last five starts, including a playoff loss at Muirfield Village and a career-best T15 at TPC River Highlands. After going Win-2nd in England and his native Italy, respectively, he placed T25 at Shinnecock Hills. TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm is an ideal site for his tee-to-green mastery. The latest example of how a veteran can find a groove and coast. The 36-year-old sat 133rd in FedExCup points a month ago but has since climbed to 50th on a T13-3rd-T2 burst. Shinnecock Hills put a halt to his surge sparked at the Masters. Prior to his T56 at the U.S. Open, he connected six straight top 25s, three of which for T6 or better. Ten consecutive cuts made upon arrival, including a pair of second-place finishes. Among the best putters on TOUR but also above average in manufacturing scoring opportunities. He gets his first look at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm this week. He’s been strong overall but has lacked consistency. Greens averaging just 5,300 square feet will accentuate his aerial attack. He’s a virtual lock for a 2017-18 TOUR card, so everything in the interim is a bonus. That allows the affable Thai to continue to free-wheel and build on a fantastic 2018. With a T4 at TPC Southwind and a T2 at TPC River Highlands that including a career-low-tying 62 on Sunday, he’s back on the radar. It’s also more evidence of his wife’s inspiration. Although last year’s playoff victim celebrated his 39th birthday on June 20, he continues to hum along just as he always has. He’s 19-for-21 with four top 10s among 12 top 25s this season. Close call at Muirfield Village proved that he’s poised for a breakthrough. It was his sixth top-15 finish worldwide since late January. Ranks 18th on TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green. Profiles similarly to the defending champion and ranks T20 in par-5 scoring. Tway also comes in with top 10s in three of his last five starts after dropping hints of something special all season. You know he’s eager to get back out there after settling for second place in his last start at TPC Southwind. Perfect in his last eight with five top 20s baked in. Tenth on TOUR in GIR. Since turning pro, all three of his cuts made in six starts are top 10s. The 19-year-old wasn’t sure he was going to hang off the tee but he’d rank 29th in distance of all drives if eligible. RANK PLAYER COMMENT POWER RANKINGS: QUICKEN LOANS NATIONAL Si Woo Kim, Gary Woodland, Kevin Na and Bill Haas will be among the notables reviewed in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider. Although there were the customary multiple paths en route to contending at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm a year ago, it made sense that the man who emerged as champion of the Quicken Loans National was and remains one of the PGA TOUR’s preeminent ball-strikers. Kyle Stanley has crafted out his career as a longer-hitting tee-to-green surgeon, a particular skill set that he displayed here last year. He led the field in strokes gained: off-the-tee, green in regulation and strokes gained: tee-to-green. He also finished T20 in distance of all drives, third in fairways hit and sixth in proximity to the hole before surviving one hole of sudden death with Charles Howell III and extinguishing David Lingmerth’s bid for a wire-to-wire title. (Lingmerth placed T5.) In line with the expectation on unfamiliar bentgrass greens, Stanley prevailed despite losing ground to the field of 120 in strokes gained: putting, surrendering 1.1 strokes with his wand over 72 holes of regulation. It’s the kind of formula that might not work as well this time around given that as of Monday afternoon, 71 in this week’s field competed in last year’s edition, including nine of the 12 who finished inside the top 10. The only stretch on the 7,107-yard layout that presents any reasonable chance for momentum exists on holes 12-14. All three averaged under par last year, the only connection between at least two such holes. Both of the par 5s (Nos. 2 and 10) checked up under par, but together they ranked as the most difficult set of par 5s of all par 70s all season. Simply put, there is no letup along the walk. Even though more experience will be logged at TPC Potomac this week, a new book of knowledge will introduced next year as this tournament is moving to the Detroit area. It was announced a month ago that the title sponsor has agreed to a long-term partnership that includes the migration of the event to Quicken Loans’ hometown. For its last spin in the region this week, warm and humid conditions will remind everyone of the season with Independence Day right around the corner. There won’t be much relief for gradually increasing daytime highs into the low 90s, but the absence of wind should result in lower scores than last year’s breezier challenge. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton reviews and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Facebook Live, Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done THURSDAY: Champions One & Done * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.

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