How to watch: THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, Round 2, leaderboard, tee times, TV times

LAS VEGAS – Freshly crowned Shriners Hospitals for Children Open champion Patrick Cantlay turned professional in 2012 a few months before Jordan Spieth… and he was better than him. Before that the California kid had spent a record 55-weeks at the top of the world amateur golf rankings. As a freshman at UCLA, he had won the Haskins and Nicklaus awards as the best college player in the country. During the 2011 summer he was 21st at the U.S. Open and then shot into further consciousness among mainstream golf fans when he shot a second-round 60 at the Travelers Championship, the lowest ever score by an amateur on the PGA TOUR. This kid was the goods and the career we have seen from Spieth, well… that was expected to be something Cantlay would produce in his first five years on TOUR. But life doesn’t always come easy. And in Cantlay’s case… it can come at you very hard indeed. In 2013 he was warming up on the range at the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial prior to the second round when he felt a sharp pain in his back. He tried to play but was forced to withdraw mid-round. Eventually he would be diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back – an injury that kept him out for three months. He returned to secure his playing status but in doing so forced himself out for seven more months. A few comeback attempts came in 2014, 2015 and 2016 but they all ended the same… with extended time off as his back would just not cooperate. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. In 2016 Cantlay was out with his caddie and best friend from high school Chris Roth in Newport Beach. As they crossed a road Roth, just 10 feet or so in front of Cantlay, was struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident. Cantlay called 911 and tried to help his stricken friend but Roth was pronounced dead at a local hospital. He admits the incident sent him into a depressive state. One “there was and still is a reason for.â€� The plan had always been for Roth to be on his bag. He would have been celebrating in this victory but of course that was not to be. Despite this Cantlay fought on. “There’s not a lot of give up in me,â€� he said Sunday. Last season we saw his return and in just his second start at the Valspar Championship he was runner up. Two starts later he was T3 at the RBC Heritage. In just nine starts he forced his way into the FedExCup Playoffs where he went T10-T13-T9 in the opening three events to force his way into the TOUR Championship. In his 2017-18 debut he was T15 at the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions last week before this triumph. And it didn’t come without his now trademark fight. He produced five birdies in a six-hole run around the turn on Sunday but then bogeyed the final two holes in regulation to slip back. Given a second chance he nailed a pressure 8-foot bogey putt in the first hole of the playoff with his back against the wall and then on the second playoff hole carved his way out of tree trouble before putting beautifully from off the green to set up a tap-in par for victory. Just 35 weeks ago Cantlay sat outside the top 1000 golfers in the world. Now the 25-year-old projects inside the top 50, the third fastest player in history to make such a leap. And while his contemporaries like Spieth and Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele have been making waves in the 25 and under category, Cantlay now has hopes of making his own run at history. “I want to be the best player in the world, and I want to win a bunch of tournaments. I feel like if that’s not what you’re out here for, you shouldn’t be out here,â€� Cantlay said. “Having won, I hope they pile up. I feel like getting your first one can sometimes be the toughest one to get, and I feel really good about my game, and hopefully I can start getting some more wins.â€� Cantlay says he’s not frustrated by his lost time or the success of those he was once beating as an amateur. “I don’t feel like I’m behind the eight ball. I feel like someone put the pause button on playing… but I feel like I picked up right where I left off, where I was playing good before,â€� he added. “This year has been really good. I feel like I’ve always been right there with those guys, so I’m looking forward to working hard and hopefully having some battles with them in the future.â€� We hope so too.  OBSERVATIONS – Alex Cejka was packed up and about to put his clubs in the car when he thought better of it. Having finished two hours ahead of eventual playoff combatants Patrick Cantlay and Whee Kim he had good reason. His awesome 8-under 63 Sunday left him 9 under but the German figured it wasn’t quite going to be enough. And it was fair enough thinking. Both Cantlay and J.J. Spaun sat above him on the leaderboard with the getable back nine to play. Countless others sat equal with him or just one back playing a stretch he made six birdies on. But as the winds started to lift around TPC Summerlin the Las Vegas resident decided to hit a few putts… then he hit the range. And after the carnage ensued he was indeed headed to extra holes. He had a 15-foot putt on the first playoff hole for the win that burned the edge and another from similar distance to keep the playoff alive on the second sudden-death hole that missed low to cruel his chance to add to his 2015 Puerto Rico Open title. “You cannot win a playoff with a bogey and I made two bogeys in the playoff, so that’s a little bit disappointing,â€� Cejka lamented. “But overall, I’m happy… that’s the way the cookie crumbles, sometimes.â€� – When his tee ball on the second playoff hole started to sail left towards the desert Whee Kim knew his chances of victory were dwindling. The unplayable lie did prove the death of him but he took solace in the fact he’s trending in the right direction. While the Korean was obviously disappointed to lose at TPC Summerlin he’s taking plenty of momentum to Mexico next week. After finishing fourth at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES and now runner-up in his next start he figures the uptrend only has one better spot to get to. First. – J.J. Spaun had shown grit to claw his way back to the lead on the back nine after some struggles mid round but a maiden victory fell from his grasp down the stretch. A bogey on 15 and doubles on 17 and 18 left the 36 and 54-hole leader crashing down into a tie for 10th.   – A.J. McInerney emerged from the scorers trailer on Sunday to raucous applause after his final-round 67. The Las Vegas local, who shielded his girlfriend from gunfire and returned in his truck after evacuating to help others at the Las Vegas massacre, had surged up the leaderboard much to the delight of a very vocal support group. In his first ever PGA TOUR start McInerney finished T10, leaving him with a tough decision to make. He could leverage that into another start next week at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba but in doing so he would have to give up his spot at second stage of Web.com Tour Q-School. After some frantic phone calls and pacing around the locker room McInerney decided to tee it up at Q-School to try for full status for next season. “Just amazing. This week has been absolutely incredible,â€� McInerney said. “I tried to make Vegas proud, they came out strong today, and it was absolutely amazing to be a part of that.â€� – UNLV grad Charley Hoffman posted scores of 68-71-71-70—280 (-4) to finish T18 in his hometown event. Hoffman announced early in the week that he would be donating his entire paycheck this week to the Direct Impact Fund via PGA TOUR Charities to aid in the relief efforts of last month’s Las Vegas shooting. Hoffman’s T18 finish was worth $98,600. QUOTABLE “My goals for the rest of the season, definitely majors. It will be nice to be into all of those, and making it all the way to the FedExCup Playoffs and TOUR Championship. And (I want to) play well in those events, those are big. It was my first time playing (the Playoffs) last year, and really realized the gravity of them, and would like to do well and compete.â€� – Patrick Cantlay on his goals moving forward. “I’m lucky that the Shriners Hospitals and PGA TOUR gave me the platform to help donate and help people here in the city of Las Vegas. I called Las Vegas home for 20 years. Went to college here. Lot of pride, lot of friends out here in Las Vegas, a lot of people obviously grieving. Just hope to be able to give back hopefully a decent check here and hopefully do some good.â€� – Charley Hoffman after his T18 finish earned just under 100K for the victims of the Route 91 shooting. “This is my third year on TOUR, and I’ve been able to start pretty fast, which I don’t know what the story is with that, but it’s nice. I enjoy fall golf. I have some goals for this year. I want to get in the winner’s circle. Trophies are what I’m after. So that’s where my focus is. I have to be patient, but I’m eager to get one.â€� – Patton Kizzire after a Sunday 64 left him T4. SUPERLATIVES Low Round: Alex Cejka birdied eight of his last 12 holes to shoot a sublime 8-under 63 and surge his way into a playoff. Shout out to Alex Kang, Talor Gooch and Patton Kizzire for nice Sunday 64s. Longest Drive: The honor for longest drive Sunday went to Adam Schenk for his 375-yard effort on the fourth hole. He made par. Longest Putt: Ryan Armour might not have backed up his win with another but his 75’10â€� eagle bomb on the par-5 16th was mighty impressive from the Sanderson Farms Championship winner. Toughest Hole: The par-4 3rd proved the toughest hole on Sunday playing to a 4.295 average with just two birdies on the hole. Easiest Hole: The drivable par-4 15th was the hole to get after on Sunday playing at just 281-yards. It averaged 3.551 with two eagles and 40 birdies.  CALL OF THE DAY SHOT OF THE DAY BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

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The 2021 Australian Open and the 2022 Women’s Australian Open have been cancelled as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to play havoc with international travel plans.

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It’s almost Christmas Party season and the TOUR will have their annual pre-holiday get-together on lovely Sea Island to wrap up the first half of the schedule. The par-70 Seaside Course (7,005 yards) was the original host but Plantation was added to the rotation for the 2015 edition won by Kevin Kisner. Seaside’s large TifEagle Bermuda greens will provide the challenge this week, if the wind stays down, as the pros are rarely bothered by two inches of rough. RELATED: Power Rankings | Daily fantasy advice | Sleeper picks The par-72 Plantation Course (7,060 yards) was just completely renovated and redesigned by tournament host Davis Love III and his brother Mark. I wouldn’t expect it to play as easy as it has in the past, which is normal in year one after changes, but that yardage shouldn’t bother many, if any.  The final regular season event of calendar 2019 will have 156 players casually knocking it around the Seaside (host) and Plantation (Thursday/Friday only) courses for one final chance to become exempt for the rest of this season and the next two. Toss in $1.188 million, (500 FedExCup points) to the winner and it’s not a bad White Elephant gift! The 10th edition at such a popular place to live for the pros would suggest course form is important this week. While I’m not arguing, I’ll point out there have been no repeat or multiple winners during this run. Gamers will remember that’s hardly a surprise in events when tons of birdies and scores in the 60s are required annually to compete. While the residents of Sea Island should have the most reps, don’t forget that when these guys go “home” during the season for a few weeks they aren’t out grinding or playing. They’re usually resting or spending time with family. The recent winners below will point out some interesting trends for use this week. Recent Winners 2018: Charles Howell III (-19, 263) Sea Island resident broke a four-year streak of first-time winners at The RSM Classic. … Defeated Patrick Rodgers in a two-hole playoff. … Led after 18, 36 and 54 holes. … 36-hole lead of three is largest in tournament history and was bogey-free. … Becomes fifth 54-hole leader of the last six to close the deal. … Led the field in GIR and posted sixth in Putting: Birdie-or-Better percentage. Notables: Rodgers closed 61-62 to set the TOUR record for the final two rounds. … Rodgers led the field in Strokes Gained: Putting and birdies with 26. … Top 45 players were 10-under or lower. … Webb Simpson led the field Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, closed 63-65 for solo third. Luke List matched Simpson’s weekend but was T4. … Nick Watney (64) posted the lowest round of the week at Plantation. 2017: Austin Cook (-21, 261) Missed Kisner’s winning total by a shot as he won by four. … Put on a clinic as he was T4 fairways, T2 GIR and T1 scrambling. … Tied the 36-hole record (-14) while setting the 54-hole record (-18). … Led the field with 23 birdies against only two bogeys (no others). … First TOUR win in 14th start. … First time at the event. … Fifth first-time winner in eight at The RSM Classic. Notables: 2014 champ Chris Kirk (T4) played in the final group and set the Plantation course record (63) in Round 1. … J.J. Spaun (2nd) and Cook shared the low round of the week at Seaside with 62. … Brian Gay (3rd) opened 65-64 and was one of 11 players to post all four rounds in the 60s. … Kevin Streelman (T17) posted one bogey over 72 holes. 2016: Mackenzie Hughes (-17, 265) Opened with 61 on Seaside and never looked back. … Led after every round, except the last, as he won a five-man playoff on Monday. … First TOUR victory in his ninth start. … First attempt at The RSM Classic. … Led the field Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green and birdies (23), second in Putting: Birdie-or-Better percentage and third in scrambling. … Made a triple (!) in Round 3 and still won. Notables: Billy Horschel (P2) and Henrik Norlander (P2) are in the field again this year. … Jim Furyk (T6) and Patrick Rodgers (T10) are also competing this week. … Cut was 5 under. … Resident Jonathan Byrd (T21) and Stewart Cink (T10) signed for 62 at Seaside. Key stat leaders Top golfers in each statistic on the 2018-19 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete this week. The RSM Classic does NOT use laser measurements on the Plantation course.  * – previous top 10 finish here Greens in Regulation  5  *Jason Dufner  7  *Charles Howell III  8  Josh Teater 12 Talor Gooch 12 Shawn Stefani 14 Martin Laird 15 *Kevin Streelman 17 Cameron Tringale 18 Brice Garnett 20 *Matt Kuchar 23 Jhonattan Vegas 24 *Jim Furyk 25 Hank Lebioda 26 Russell Knox Putting: Birdie-or-Better Percentage  6  Denny McCarthy  7  Aaron Wise 11 Si Woo Kim 14 Dominic Bozzelli 20 Troy Merritt 21 Sepp Straka 23 *Vaughn Taylor Sub-Par Rounds  2  Adam Schenk  3  *Vaughn Taylor  4  Rory Sabbatini  5  *Charles Howell III  8  *Billy Horschel  8  Nick Taylor 12 Joel Dahmen 12 *Kevin Kisner 12 J.T. Poston 19 *Webb Simpson 19 *Matt Kuchar 19 Brian Stuard 22 *Harris English 26 Brice Garnett 26 Matt Jones 26 Denny McCarthy Bermuda Bosses Kevin Kisner: The inaugural champ when Plantation was added, Kisner is 53 under the last four years with a MC. His top 10s include the last two years plus T4 the final time Seaside was the exclusive track. Charles Howell III: His win last season was his fourth top-10 payoff in nine starts. I’d say he’s comfortable on this layout. Webb Simpson: If a fantastic short game is one of the keys, he’ll be involved. Lost a playoff in 2011 and was third last year. Zach Johnson: I used to believe this was his come-down event from a long season but the last two years he’s popped into the top 10 and is 28 under. This might be his new John Deere Classic as he gets older! Dig Deeper Patrick Rodgers: As noted above, he’s found his happy spot here with P2 and T10 in two of his last three attempts. Russell Henley: One of the many Georgia Bulldogs to find top-10 successes on the Golden Isles, Henley has cashed three times in the big bucks in five tries. Brian Harman: Picked up his second top-10 check with T4 two years ago but has posted 66 or better in four of his last six rounds. Chris Kirk: Course record holder at Plantation has T4, T4 and WIN in three of his last six. Wait, What? Matt Kuchar: Never worse than T29 but only one top 10 (T7, 2014) as he’ll make his eighth start. Billy Horschel: Lost in a playoff to Hughes in 2016 yet didn’t play the last two seasons.

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