Inside the Field: Cadence Bank Houston Open

Viktor Hovland, Matthew Wolff and Collin Morikawa were making names for themselves before golf was shut down. As the sport returns, get used to hearing from these 20-somethings all over again.

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Editor’s note: Ernie Els is writing a blog in 2017 and this is his latest installment. For more information on the World Golf Hall of Famer, visit www.ernieels.com. First of all, big congrats to Justin Thomas on his first win in a major. He hit some great shots and holed key putts…when he really needed to. That’s what it takes to win one of these.  Actually, after having played with Hideki Matsuyama in the first two rounds I thought it might be his week. When he’s on, his ball-striking is incredible. There are not really any flaws in his game; he’s got the whole package, as they say. But as we all know, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to win a major. You need a lot of factors to go your way. Hideki has paid his dues now, though, and I believe his time will come.  For me … well, playing in my 100th major championship was obviously a cool milestone and a proud moment, especially when you see the other golfers on the 100 majors list (see stats at the bottom of this report). But for me right now, it’s all about fighting hard to get something going, some momentum rolling. My hunger for competition is as strong as ever. So, with that in mind, we move on now to this week’s Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club. It’s the final stop on the PGA TOUR before the start of the FedExCup Playoffs and my team tells me that I need a win to get into the Playoffs. A runner-up spot would mean we probably just miss out. But I can’t go into the week with math on my mind. Just got to treat it like any other tournament and commit 100 percent to playing my best golf from the get-go.  It’s my seventh appearance here and, as always, it’s a real treat to come and play this beautiful old Donald Ross design. Sedgefield is one of the premier private clubs in America and was host venue for the Greater Greensboro Open. In fact, it was here in 1965 that Sam Snead won his last, and all-time record 82nd PGA TOUR event, at the age of 52. Davis Love III also won this tournament a couple of years ago at the age of 51. So maybe there’s something in the water at Sedgefield for us old guys! Joking aside, this is a course that I’ve enjoyed playing over the years so I’m looking forward to teeing it up and hoping for a strong week. Finally, a quick update on our Els for Autism Golf Challenge, which is enjoying another successful run in the U.S. & Canada this summer. Please click here http://www.ernieelscentre4autism.co.za/events.asp for information on how to take part.  Meanwhile, over in South Africa the Drive to SA Open series paid its first visit to The Els Club Copperleaf on July 27, where the guys there put on another great show. Thank you to Juan Geyser, the new golf director at Copperleaf, and to Jacob Mocherene who I hear worked tirelessly to make this day a success. Thanks also to Carl Manser from EOH who entered 24 players; glad to have you all on board! And congrats to the winners, Branus Viljoen and Johan Steyn. The next stop is at another course that has a special place in my heart, Kempton Park, on Sept. 7. Click here http://e4agolf.com if you’d like to take part in that. Follow me on Twitter @TheBig_Easy. The 100 Majors Club 1. Jack Nicklaus – 164 majors 2. Gary Player – 150 majors 3. Tom Watson – 145 majors 4. Arnold Palmer – 142 majors 5. Raymond Floyd – 127 majors 6. Sam Snead – 119 majors 7. Ben Crenshaw – 118 majors 8. Gene Sarazen – 112 majors 9. Tom Kite – 109 majors .Mark O’Meara – 109 majors 11. Bernhard Langer – 104 majors 12. Sir Nick Faldo – 100 majors Ernie Els – 100 majors Phil Mickelson – 100 majors

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NAPLES, Fla. – Kevin Na and Sean O’Hair teamed to shoot a 16-under 56 in the scramble format Friday to take the first-round lead in the QBE Shootout. Na and O’Hair had two eagles and 12 birdies on the Tiburon Golf Club’s Gold Course. O’Hair won the unofficial PGA TOUR event in 2012 with Kenny Perry and 2017 with Steve Stricker. "It felt pretty easy today just watching him putt and make everything he looked at," O'Hair said. "Just kind of kept the momentum going. There was a couple putts that were crucial I think to do that." RELATED: Leaderboard They eagled the par-5 sixth and 17th. "My job was to just put it in play, and Sean hit a lot of bombs out there, was 30, 40 yards ahead of me," Na said. "It was nice to hit a lot less club than I normally do. And he hit some great shots. His ball-striking was great. He made a good amount of putts. He was the one that always went first and I was able to see the line and I felt pretty good with the putter today." Ryan Palmer and Harold Varner III were second. They birdied 13 of the first 14 holes — only missing on the par-3 fifth — and added birdies on the final two holes. "It's a fun, good time out there," Palmer said. "We both putt the ball well and we were able to shoot a low one." The all-rookie team of Lanto Griffin and Mackenzie Hughes matched Harris English and Matt Kuchar at 58. Defending champions Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Tway were at 59 with Cameron Champ and Tony Finau. Ryder Cup captain Stricker and Daniel Berger were tied for seventh at 60. The 12 teams will play modified alternate shot in the second round and better ball Sunday. "Tomorrow's a tough format, the toughest format, but I think as long as we just keep it in play and make a few putts, we'll be right there come Sunday," O’Hair said.

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