Martin Kaymer offers message of support, plea for understanding for Tiger Woods

NORTON, Mass. – Keegan Bradley desperately wants to give his New England fans a winning performance. Unfortunately, he’s never really come close at TPC Boston. In six previous appearances at the Dell Technologies Championship, his best finish is a tie for 13th in 2012. That was the year he shot 63 in the third round. Alas, that only moved him within 13 shots of the leader. Two years later, he opened with a 65, leaving him in solo second … and then he gradually dropped down the leaderboard to finish tied for 16th. Yes, the Vermont native – who’s also an unabashed Boston sports fan — gets tons of support here. That also comes with tons of pressure. Now, though, he thinks he can properly channel that pressure. An opening 4-under 67 giving him a share of the early lead suggests this might be the year. “I’ve learned to love coming here,â€� Bradley said. “It used to be a very tough week for me. I put so much pressure on myself. But I’ve learned to go with it.â€� He’s also learning how to let go of disappointment. A week ago, his third-round 62 at THE NORTHERN TRUST moved him into solo second after 54 holes. A day later, in the final group with eventual winner Bryson DeChambeau, he suffered a free-fall, his 7-over 78 leaving him tied for 34th. Considering he hasn’t won a PGA TOUR event in six years and has just one top-3 finish in his last 119 starts, it was a bitter finish. But by the middle of this week, he was over it. “It was tough, because I felt like that was my day to kind of tell everybody that maybe I was back here and I was here to stay,â€� Bradley said. “I may have put too much pressure on myself. But it’s nice to come right back out and play quickly.â€� Will he keep riding the momentum – and successfully manage the expectations – for the final three rounds this week? Bradley certainly hopes so, but it’ll be difficult not to let his mind wander. “I would love to give the fans and my family who don’t get to come to a lot of tournaments see me compete and do well, maybe win,â€� he said. “That would be incredible. So always in the back of my mind, I think how amazing that would be. How cool that would be. “And that’s something that I’ll have to be aware of this week.â€� NOTABLES DJ’S GUARANTEE … In eight career starts at TPC Boston, Dustin Johnson has three top-10 finishes. He’s only held the lead once in 32 rounds here, and has only been inside the top-5 once entering the final round. His promise: That all changes this year. “I don’t understand why I haven’t had more success here because I like the golf course,â€� he said after an opening 68. “I feel like it sets up well for me. And I’m going to have success this year.â€� OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOE … Marc Leishman’s approach into the par-4 sixth was sailing long right and heading into trouble – until it bounced off the bottom of the shoe of a fan who had stumbled and fallen backwards while trying to get out of the way. The ball ricocheted onto the green, and Leishman capitalized on the break by rolling in the birdie putt from 56 feet, 11 inches. “First time that’s ever happened to me,â€� said Leishman, who shot a 68. “It’s nice when it does happen … Hopefully I don’t need those kind of breaks later in the week.â€� Click here for the video of the shoe shot. TURF TALK … A week ago, Chris Kirk tied for last among all players who made the cut at THE NORTHERN TRUST. This week, he’s off to a great start with a 4-under 67. The difference, he said, is his ability to read the greens at TPC Boston after struggling last week at Ridgewood. And why is that? “I suck on poa annua,â€� Kirk said. He said other than a solo second in the 2013 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his track record is horrible on poa annua greens. “I wish I somehow had any clue what I did that week,â€� he said. “I’m still using the same putter right now that I used that week.â€� Bentgrass greens, like at TPC Boston, and bermudagrass greens are no problem. “At least I feel good on two out of the three surfaces we play,â€� Kirk said. FEELING FRESH … Beau Hossler played six straight weeks earlier this season. He had another stretch of five straight weeks. But this week is just his third start in the last six weeks. “I feel really fresh, where a lot of players probably don’t right now,â€� Hossler said after his 67. “I would say my game isn’t exactly where I want it to be. But as far as mentally, I feel totally rested and prepared to compete.â€� Hossler’s fast start is no surprise – the rookie is fifth on TOUR in first-round scoring average. QUOTABLES They might be taking an early weekend. Should be in school studying.I’ve learned more about my game this year than any other season, no doubt.

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Reigning FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy has fired his caddie and will use his best friend at this week’s World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and next week’s PGA Championship, according to published reports. Officialsportsbetting.com cited a source it did not identify as saying McIlroy has parted ways with J.P. Fitzgerald. They have worked together for the past nine years, during which McIlroy has won four major championships and reached No. 1 in the world. McIlroy is due to speak about the change Wednesday during his previously scheduled news conference at the Bridgestone Invitational. The Belfast Telegraph reported that McIlroy’s caddie at the next two tournaments will be Harry Diamond, a childhood friend from McIlroy’s hometown of Holywood in Northern Ireland. Diamond was the best man at McIlroy’s wedding to American Erica Stoll in April. According to the Telegraph, Diamond has prior experience on McIlroy’s bag. At the 2005 Irish Open, Diamond caddied for the then-16-year-old McIlroy in a practice round. They were also together at the 2011 Masters during the Par 3 contest, as well as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2014. McIlroy, having battled through injury issues earlier this year, has made just nine starts this season on the PGA TOUR. He has five top-10s but no wins and is currently ranked 53rd in the FedExCup standings. His last win was the TOUR Championship in September when he claimed the FedExCup. He’s currently ranked fourth in the world after his tie for fourth at The Open Championship. If he doesn’t win next week at Quail Hollow – a course on which he’s won the Wells Fargo Championship twice – it will be his third consecutive year without a major victory. Before joining McIlroy, Fitzgerald spent several years as the caddie for Irishman Paul McGinley, the successful 2014 European Ryder Cup captain. McIlroy was a member of that winning team. “They’ve had a great partnership, culminating in four Majors and a huge amount of wins. They both can walk away from the relationship with really good memories,â€� McGinley told the Belfast Telegraph. “There’s a sell-by date with caddies, which is regularly illustrated on Tour. They’ve shared a lot of experiences, and they’ll walk away as friends, I’m sure.” It is the second significant player-caddie split this summer. Phil Mickelson and Jim “Bones” Mackay decided to end 25 years together. Mackay since has taken a job as an analyst on the course at NBC Sports.

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Tournament Host Greg Norman announced today two additional player commitments and the 12 two-person teams for the QBE Shootout which returns December 5 – 9 to Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, in Naples, Fla. The 24-person field features 12 of the top 50 ranked players in the world who have amassed 13 victories in the past year. Four past champions, including one winning team, are also in the field and six players will be competing in the $3.4 million event for the first time. Luke Donald and QBE Shootout veteran Charles Howell III are the final two players in the field and are among the 18 players returning to the Shootout. Similar to 2017, this year’s tournament will feature nine new teams and three repeat pairings. Defending champions Sean O’Hair and Steve Stricker will attempt to become the first team to win the QBE Shootout in back-to-back years since 2004. Kevin Chappell and Kevin Kisner will be a team for the third straight year. Tony Finau and Lexi Thompson are paired together for the second straight year after a fourth-place finish in 2017. This marks Thompson’s third straight appearance in Naples as the QBE Shootout is the only PGA TOUR event to have a female professional compete each of the last three years. “In the last four years, the champions have had to execute on the final hole to secure the QBE Shootout title and with this field and these teams assembled, it should continue to be a very close contest come Sunday afternoon,� Norman said. Friday’s first round will be broadcast live by Golf Channel from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday’s live coverage will be 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel and 2:30-4:30 p.m. on NBC. Sunday’s final round will be live on Golf Channel from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and on NBC from 2:00-4:00 p.m. “We are thrilled with the quality of the teams competing in this year’s tournament,� Russ Johnston, CEO of QBE North America said. “At QBE, it is our goal to create a dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace where people can achieve their personal and professional ambitions. For this reason, we are particularly pleased that Lexi Thompson will join us, once again. By encouraging diversity within the QBE Shootout, we are showcasing the importance of equality in everything we do.� The QBE Shootout will once again feature a scramble format during the first round, a modified alternate shot format on Saturday and a final-round four-ball on Sunday. CureSearch for Children’s Cancer is the tournament’s primary charitable beneficiary. Since 1989, the Shootout has raised more than $13 million for charitable causes. For the latest QBE Shootout news and information, visit the official tournament website follow us on Instagram @QBEshootout. Below is a snapshot of the 12 teams: Sean O’Hair-Steve Stricker These two veterans of the QBE Shootout will be playing together for the second time and with their win last year, they both have won the Shootout twice with different partners—O’Hair with Kenny Perry in 2012 and Stricker with Jerry Kelly in 2009. Stricker will be playing in his 11th consecutive Shootout—the most starts by any individual in the field. O’Hair is starting in his seventh. Tony Finau-Lexi Thompson Last year, this pairing finished tied for fourth playing together for the first time. Once again, they will also be the youngest team in the field and are the best combined world ranking team (Thompson 7, Finau 15). Power off the tee is another strong characteristic of this team. This season Thompson ranked second averaging over 273 yards and Finau was ranked fourth with over 315 yards per drive. Kevin Chappell-Kevin Kisner Playing together for the third consecutive year, having finished fourth in 2016 and 11th last year. Each had a good run in The Open Championship this year. Kisner finished tied for second and Chappell tied for sixth. Kisner was also tied for 12th at the PGA Championship after being second through two rounds. Billy Horschel-Brandt Snedeker Two past FedExCup champions make up this team, playing together for the first time in the Shootout. Snedeker won the season-long competition in 2012 and Horschel in 2014. Snedeker’s first-round 59 assisted in his victory this year at the Wyndham Championship and Horschel teamed with Scott Piercy to win the Zurich Classic. Combined this twosome owns 14 career PGA TOUR titles. Harold Varner III-Bubba Watson Varner will be a Shootout rookie and Watson returns for a fourth time. Watson was ranked ninth in driving with a 312-yard average and Varner was 18th with a 305 average this past season. Watson is one of two players in the field to win three times this season. Varner has yet to win on TOUR but won the Australian PGA in 2016. Bryson DeChambeau-Kevin Na DeChambeau is the other three-time winner this season in the field and returns for his second Shootout while Na, who won at The Greenbrier this year, is a rookie in the event. This Virgo pairing should work well together. While Na is ten years older than DeChambeau, he was born on September 15 and DeChambeau on September 16. Patton Kizzire-Davis Love III This twosome out of Sea Island, Ga., is a combination of a rookie to the Shootout and a past winner. Love, playing for the first time since 2012, won with Tom Kite in 1992. Kizzire picked up his first two career victories this past season at the Mayakoba Golf Classic and Sony Open in Hawaii. Love, the oldest player in the field at 54, is a World Golf Hall of Fame member with 21 career victories. Pat Perez-Kyle Stanley Both are making their second straight and second career appearance. Perez teamed with Brian Harman last year to finish third and Stanley was 10th with Russell Henley. They have a combined five career victories on TOUR. Perez has won two of his three, in the past two seasons. Emiliano Grillo-Graeme McDowell The international pairing for this year’s tournament. Grillo, the 2016 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, is from Argentina and McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, is from Northern Ireland. Both have team experience. Grillo was on the 2017 International team at the Presidents Cup and McDowell is a four-time Ryder Cup participant for Europe. Charley Hoffman-Gary Woodland Two of the 18 players returning to the competition but will be partners for the first time. A combined seven career TOUR wins. Both are ranked among the top 50 in the world. These two have a combined 80 top-ten finishes in their respective careers, Hoffman with 48 and Woodland with 32. Woodland has recorded two top-10s in the last month of this season. Charles Howell III-Luke List Another Shootout veteran paired with a first-time competitor. Howell will be making his 10th start in the event. List just finished his fourth season on the PGA TOUR and recorded five top-ten finishes, matching his 2017 performance. Howell is ranked 21st on the TOUR’s Career Money List with over $35 million. Luke Donald-Andrew Landry Donald, the former World No. 1, is making his second start and first since 2016 and is paired with a newcomer to the event, who had a breakthrough victory on the TOUR this year at the Valero Texas Open. Donald won the 2004 World Cup with Paul Casey and has represented Europe in four Ryder Cup competitions.

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