Patrick Rodgers, Ben Martin share lead at The RSM Classic

OAKVILLE, Ont. – There’s just something about Canada for Robert Garrigus. Last year at the RBC Canadian Open during the third round Garrigus fired a 10-under-par 62, to tie the course record. Thursday he kept those good vibes rolling with a 9-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead at Glen Abbey Golf Club. Play was suspended at 4:30 p.m. EST due to a dangerous weather situation in the area, the 14th event of the PGA TOUR season impacted by weather. Play resumed at 6:44 p.m. and was suspended once again at 8:04 p.m.  Garrigus, who finished his round prior to the weather delay, made five birdies in his first six holes before making the turn. He added four more on the back nine including birdies on each of the three par fives. He said he could have been on a “59 watchâ€� if he didn’t lip out birdie tries on No’s 10 and 17. He pointed to a lucky break on No. 13 that kept his round going. “Hit it right in the middle of the water, and it hit a rock and bounced over the thing and I made birdie,â€� he said with a smile. “It was a lot of fun today.â€� A year ago Garrigus was at the same position on the FedExCup standings as he is this year coming into the Canadian Open – 131st. He said he was hoping for “peace and calmâ€� this week and to try not to worry about his standing or his play up to this point in the season. “I was in the same exact place and I ended up finishing fifth and getting my card,â€� Garrigus said. “If I keep going like I am, it should be all right.â€� He had a bit of a premonition that a round like this was going to come. His season as been hit-or-miss, he said – he’s made 12 cuts but missed 11 – but had a good round last week at the Barbasol Championship (a 66 on Saturday) and had a good feeling this week. He said he was telling his wife and his agent and everyone who would listen that a “good one was coming eventually.â€� “It was a good day,â€� Garrigus said. But it’s not just Glen Abbey where Garrigus is feeling the love. He finished tied for second at the Canadian Open in 2012 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club – the site of next year’s tournament – one of four runner-up finishes that year en route to him finishing 23rd in the FedExCup race. “I love this place. I’ve always played well in Canada. There’s a lot of good vibes here,â€� he explained. “The fans are amazing here. They really, really love their Canadian golfers, and they love golf in general. They’ve always cheered for me, and I kind of feel the vibes. It’s pretty cool.â€� Garrigus has a one-shot lead over Adam Schenk, and a two-shot lead over Chris Stroud. First round play will continue Friday morning with 55 players still left to complete their rounds. OBSERVATIONS David Hearn admitted this year has been “a bit trickierâ€� not having fully exempt PGA TOUR status, but he showed no signs that was impacting his play Thursday. He shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead the 21-player Canadian contingent. Hearn grew up just 40 minutes away from Glen Abbey and played in the final group in 2015. He said he played great on Thursday and gave himself a lot of good chances to make birdie on a day when scoring conditions were ripe. “I would like to have been a couple more under on today’s round, but overall very happy with the way I hit it today,â€� he said. Nick Taylor, who is 127th on the FedExCup, tied Hearn with a 4-under 68. “I’m at a point I’ve just got to play well with a few tournaments left,â€� he said, acknowledging he knew where he was on the FedExCup standings. Michael Gligic – who was co-medalist at the Monday Qualifier – shot a 3-under-par 67. Mackenzie Hughes was last year’s Low Canadian, and he was 1-under through 12. Adam Hadwin, the highest-ranked Canadian on the FedExCup, finished at 2-under Thursday morning. Dustin Johnson was feeling a little off with his putting after nine holes Thursday, so he made a change. Johnson three-putted twice in his first nine holes, including missing a short putt for par on his first hole of the day, the par-4 10th. “I didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, but I still felt like I was playing well,â€� said Johnson, who is No. 1 on the FedExCup standings. Instead of using a more traditional overlap grip for his second nine, he separated his hands slightly. “I changed my putter grip. It worked,â€� he said, making 57 feet of putts on the front nine versus only 31 feet of putts on the back nine. Johnson also was fiddling with a different driver shaft on Wednesday before the tournament began, but went back to old faithful. “I ended up playing the same one again. I don’t like to try stuff,â€� he said with a laugh. Johnson finished at 4-under par. He’s five shots back of the lead going into Friday. Jhonattan Vegas came to Toronto about a week earlier than he needed to, but not because he wanted to, per se. During Vegas’ wild travel situation a week ago to get to The Open Championship, he had a layover in Toronto, and he actually didn’t mind all that much. “I always feel the energy here in the city,â€� he said. Vegas, who is looking to become the first three-peat winner of the RBC Canadian Open this week, is off to a solid start in his two-time title defense — he was 2-under par through 16 holes before the suspension of play. Only two other golfers have ever won three Canadian Opens, and he came into this week 123rd in the FedExCup standings in need of a good week to lock up his spot in the FedExCup Playoffs. “Obviously the past two years I’ve come into this week not having a great season and have been able to turn things around after this week,â€� he said. “I want to start turning around a little bit and giving myself a better chance to make TOUR Championship.â€� Adam Schenk couldn’t have asked for a better start to his first round at Glen Abbey – or his finish. Schenk made five-straight birdies and closed with three-straight on Thursday en route to shooting an 8-under-par 64, his lowest round of the year. He credits his artistic ability for his success in the first round. “I drew a new mark on my golf ball today, and for putting… it lined up well and seemed to make about everything,â€� he said. Schenk said a good start like the one he had Thursday is super important for him as he’s sitting 153rd on the FedExCup standings. “It’s really important. [We’re] running out of weeks,â€� acknowledged Schenk. “I think this is the first time y’all have interviewed me, so need to start playing a little better, but today is a nice start in that direction.â€� SHOT OF THE DAY CALL OF THE DAY NOTABLES Chris Stroud The winner of the 2017 Barracuda Championship shot his lowest round in relationship to par since early 2016: a 7-under-par 65. Tommy Fleetwood Fleetwood was 5-under through 16 holes after recording three eagles (on No’s 2, 13, and 16). He’s the first player this season to notch three eagles in one round, and has one par five left in his round.   Hunter Mahan Five years after leaving the RBC Canadian Open on Saturday (while he was leading) to be at home for the birth of his first child, Mahan is back in the mix. He shot a 4-under-par 68.   Ian Poulter After an 8-under-par 64 on Sunday a year ago, Poulter continued the good vibes Thursday, firing a 6-under-par 66. Joaquin Niemann The teenager earned PGA TOUR status thanks to a strong run of results this summer, including a T5 at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, his best result of the year. He opened with a 5-under-par 67. Zac Blair Coming into this week off his best finish of the year (a T15 at the Barbasol Championship last week), Blair, who is 168th on the FedExCup standings, shot a 5-under 67. QUOTABLES I drove it by Dustin by like 15 yards on No. 8 today, but I don’t want to mention that.They have their games, I have my game. You know, I’ve played with both of them before. I know how far they hit it. Obviously I stand back and watch in awe, as well, just like everybody else.I’m just looking for tomorrow. I’m not talking about the back end of the year.I feel like as soon as I started wearing the hats, I felt like a new vibe, and it feels good.I feel very comfortable, but you still get those first tee jitters when you get on the tee and they announce your name and you get a little bit louder cheer than you get anywhere else. SUPERLATIVES Longest Putt: 65 feet, 9 inches by Stewart Cink on the par-5 13th. Cink shot a 2-under-par 70. Longest Drive: 368 yards by Robert Garrigus, en route to a 9-under-par 63. Hardest Hole: The par-3 4th, averaging 3.149 shots. Easiest Hole: The par-5 16th, averaging 4.375 shots.

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WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., – Farmers Insurance and the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) today announced Farmers as the presenting sponsor of four BCGCA events occurring in 2021-2022, the latest in a series of actions Farmers has taken to help support and grow diversity in professional golf. The Black College Golf Coaches Association’s mission is to enhance and preserve Black college golf programs by fostering the development of coaches and players. Farmers® is the first sponsor that the BCGCA has announced specific to HBCU golf events. The tournaments that Farmers will support include: • September 23-26, 2021: BCGCA Hall of Fame Classic presented by Farmers Insurance, Newnan, GA, Summer Grove Golf Club • October 23-26, 2021: BCGCA Black College Classic presented by Farmers Insurance, Gulf Shores, AL, Peninsula Club • March 13-15, 2022: BCGCA HBCU Invitational presented by Farmers Insurance, Houston, TX, Sterling Country Club • April 2022 (exact dates TBA): BCGCA National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Farmers Insurance, Atlanta, GA, Callaway Gardens In addition to sponsoring BCGCA tournaments, Farmers Insurance plans to provide access to learn more about available coaching, internships and other resources for BCGCA players to help further support their career development and professional aspirations. “We hope that working with the BCGCA can help further our efforts to foster diversity in the game and create opportunities for players to grow through their college experience,” said Jenny Howell Head of Brand and Consumer Marketing for Farmers Insurance. “Providing players at HBCUs with access to professional development, career fairs and networking opportunities as well as golf training facilities can help empower these college and amateur athletes to pursue careers in golf on the course and off. We look forward to engaging with the BCGCA and its players to help more HBCU golfers achieve their dreams of playing golf professionally.” “Farmers Insurance has shown incredible support in further diversifying golf through their efforts with the APGA Tour and beyond,” said BCGCA President Craig Bowen. “To have them support these four events will not only provide HBCU programs and players with additional opportunities to compete and hone their game, but also show the rest of the corporate community that they can make a difference. This is a pivotal moment for golf at HBCUs and with organizations like Farmers taking the lead, I truly believe that we can make a difference in this great sport.” Farmers has a proud history of championing diversity in the golf space. The national insurer group has provided funding for APGA TOUR events and the organization’s athletes, sponsored players including Kamaiu Johnson and Willie Mack III, hosted the first-ever APGA event at a PGA TOUR tournament at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open and provided Mack with a sponsor’s exemption into the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open. Several APGA Tour players recently shared their thoughts on why HBCUs and the support that Farmers is giving the BCGCA are both so important to the growth of diversity in the game. “I was going to attend Michigan State and I wanted to go somewhere that the culture fit and where I could start something and help others follow in my footsteps,” said Willie Mack III, recent APGA Tour Championship winner and 11-time tournament winner at Bethune Cookman. “When I hopefully reach the PGA TOUR full time, it will show other kids like me that it’s possible. A lot of the HBCUs don’t have a place to practice or play every day. If they can play at better courses and have better facilities, golf clubs and match some of the elements of bigger schools, it will make a huge difference. The school I played for is no longer offering a men’s golf program. So I’m just hopeful they can get golf to return as a program and get things going in the right direction. Support like this from Farmers is a huge step and hopefully more companies will join in to support golf at HBCUs.” “I wanted to have a college experience with kids that were predominantly African American and Florida A&M provided that for me,” said Mulbe Dillard, who recently finished atop the inaugural APGA Collegiate Ranking. “Having Farmers support HBCUs is huge and we need more companies and support to increase the level of our facilities and resources. Bigger schools have resources, facilities and equipment that can help better prepare their players for success. I think the biggest difference is other schools play and practice on courses and conditions that prepare them for what they will face in a tournament, while many HBCUs simply don’t. Right now, it’s difficult to find African American kids to compete. The more support HBCUs receive, the better the facilities can be, the better the pathway is for HBCU athletes into professional golf and the better these coaches will be able to recruit.” “It was pretty special to be able to play college golf with other black golfers who were on the same level as I was with the same dreams. It was really eye opening,” said Alabama A&M graduate Rovonta Young. “Everyone pushes each other. Everyone is there for the same reason. Farmers getting involved is great. With Farmers backing a lot of events it will open up opportunities. A lot of black players don’t have the same opportunities to develop at an early age, so having HBCUs as an avenue to progress and get to the next level is vital to increase diversity in the game. Funding is a problem. These guys need access to top-level golf courses. In the summer, after the season, they are playing in U.S. Am qualifiers, U.S. Open qualifiers and State Opens, and the caliber of golf courses are top tier compared to what HBCUs practice on and these players have the game, but generally don’t have the access to top level clubs. This can make for an uneven playing field.” “When I got to Florida A&M, it was great to just see people that looked like me progress and excel in every endeavor that they pursued. That motivated me even more,” said recent Florida A&M graduate Cameron Riley who finished 4th in the APGA Collegiate Rankings. “The biggest step that we have to create a more level playing field is access to good courses, good coaching, good equipment. In Tallahassee, we didn’t have a home course until my senior year. We bounced around, played on driving ranges that simply weren’t up to speed with other facilities. Then we show up to courses at regionals and we are playing on greens that are 13 or 14 on the stimpmeter and we aren’t used to those conditions. Sponsors like Farmers, big ups to them for helping us with more access. Giving us better resources and better access is key and it’s great that organizations like Farmers are trying to help.” For more information about the Black College Golf Coaches Association, visit https://www.hbcugolf.org. To learn more about Farmers commitment to the game, visit Farmers.com/Golf.

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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Two eagles in three holes can certainly change ones fortunes. RELATED: Leaderboard | Rory returns to No. 1, but will he stay there? FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy was treading water in the opening round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club until he was able to kick start things with the mighty big birds. Having started on the 10th hole, McIlroy bogeyed the par-4 12th and sat one over through seven holes before reaching the par-5 17th. A huge drive and following 3-wood from 289 yards away found the putting surface before the two-time FedExCup champion buried a 35-foot putt. Despite making a bogey at the 18th, McIlroy turned to the par-5 1st and hit his 7-iron approach shot to four feet, 11 inches to claim his second eagle in quick time. It is just the fifth time in McIlroy’s PGA TOUR career that he has managed to secure two eagles inside one round and helped push him to a 3-under 68 – one of the better scores from the opening wave of competition. He was inside the top five of morning finishes, four shots back of Matt Kuchar’s hot 64.  “Eagle on 17 was sort of what started everything,â€� McIlroy said post round. “Very sluggish start. I made a good up-and-down for par on 10. I should have birdied 11 and then sloppy three-putt on 12. After that I needed to get up and down on 13, 14, 15, 16 just to save par. “None of us really got it going early on, but then you have 17 and then the first hole in a space of a few holes so you can make some red numbers there, which I was able to do. I thought I drove the ball pretty well. Just a few more greens (is needed tomorrow).â€� Great conditions at Riviera ensured the greens are getting tougher as the day goes on, something not lost on the Northern Irishman ahead of his second round on Friday afternoon. “The afternoon tomorrow is going to play a lot different than how it played this morning; it’s going to be dry again and the course is going to firm up,â€� he said. “It’s going to keep getting trickier and you’re going to have to really think your way around this place. I’m looking forward to that.â€� Previously McIlroy sported two eagles in the third round of the 2014 Open Championship (won), the first round of the 2014 Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide (T15), the final round of the 2016 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard (T27) and the second round of the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open (T5).

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