Power Rankings: Shriners Children’s Open

DUBLIN, Ohio – Notes and observations from the wild third round of the Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide, where Daniel Summerhays (68) surged into the lead while Jason Dufner (77) swooned, bringing several players into the tournament. Matt Kuchar, the 2013 champion here, shot 67 and was in second at 10 under, three back, while Bubba Watson (68) and Justin Thomas (69) joined Dufner at 9 under. For more coverage from Muirfield Village, click here for the Daily Wrap-up. SUMMERHAYS EYES BREAKTHROUGH Daniel Summerhays, 33, has swung from being completely under the radar to just mostly under the radar. When he left BYU for his Mormon mission to Santiago, Chile, where he perfected his Spanish and swung nothing but a taped-up broom from 2003 to 2005? Totally under the radar. He has been just mostly under the radar during his 10-year career on the PGA TOUR. Until this year. Summerhays came into this week 157th in the FedExCup standings, his best result a T16 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He was working on his swing, but all that work wasn’t showing up in his scores. He was a non-factor. Ironically, a missed cut at last week’s DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial sent him to Muirfield Village on a high note. “He called me and said, ‘Bro, I played good, it’s clicking,’â€� said Boyd Summerhays, Daniel’s older brother by four years and also his coach. (He also coaches Tony Finau.) A swing change to improve his iron game was working, and kept working Saturday. Paired with Dufner, whose game was by his own admission “pathetic,â€� Summerhays played his own game and hit a rock-solid 12 of 14 fairways and 15 greens in regulation at Muirfield Village on Saturday, which marked his best performance of the week so far from tee to green. That he is vying for his first win in his 185th career start might be a surprise to some, but not to Boyd or the other members of the small contingent of Utahans on TOUR. Summerhays has finished in the top 100 in the FedExCup for each of the past five seasons, and last year finished T8 at the U.S. Open and third at the PGA Championship. He is sneaky good. He also has some good career mojo in Ohio, having won the Web.com Tour’s 2007 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational at the Scarlett Course at OSU Golf Club. While the world was atwitter over Tiger Woods winning the 2012 Memorial Tournament, Summerhays finished T4. “Last summer was a big deal for me, playing in the final two, three groups at the U.S. Open,â€� he said. “That was probably the most nervous I’ve ever felt. That and trying to keep my job back in 2011 after my rookie year at Q-School.â€� He played through nerves, as well, in contending at the PGA at Baltusrol, won by Jimmy Walker.

“There will definitely be nerves,â€� Summerhays said of his expectations for Sunday’s final round. “I’ll probably hit a few putts with the hands shaking and everything like that. But it’s nothing that I haven’t experienced before.â€� DUFNER FALTERS Jason Dufner could do no wrong while shooting a tournament-record 14 under (65-65) through 36 holes. Alas, Saturday was a reminder that some days are diamonds, some days are stones. “Today was pretty pathetic on all accounts,â€� said Dufner, who bogeyed four of his first five holes, missed a 2 foot, 9 inch putt at the fifth, and ranked -4.799 in strokes gained: putting. “So [I] have to play better tomorrow.â€� After righting the ship to go 1-under from holes 6-10, Dufner laid up at the 11th hole only to spin his approach shot into the water and make double-bogey 7. His sudden struggles gave new life to the chase pack, some of whom were surprised to find themselves back in the tournament. “I will say this: super classy, Duf—he was nothing but class out there, always,â€� Summerhays said. “He was always cheering me on. ‘Good shot. Great job.’ So that’s definitely a good lesson for me to learn. It went about as bad as it could for him today, and he was nothing but class.â€� CALL OF THE DAY BUBBA BACK IN THE MIX Bubba Watson continues to obliterate the back nine at Muirfield Village. One day after he toured the inward nine in 31 strokes, he got through it in 30 strokes to post a third-round 68 and move into position to end his slump. A nine-time TOUR winner and two-time Masters champion, Watson came into this week at 118th in the FedExCup standings. The free-swinging lefty and his caddie Ted Scott have had to stay patient all season, and Saturday was no exception, as Watson made no birdies and shot 38 on the front nine. Then he birdied the 10th hole and eagled the par-5 11th, and the floodgates opened even as he dealt with a heckler for part of the back nine. “We knew that a birdie would come eventually,â€� Watson said, “and somehow it just came in bunches, so it worked out.â€� Watson was second in strokes gained: putting (+2.798) in round three, and is seventh for the week (+3.792). “I feel good,â€� he said. “It’s always nice to have a chance.â€� HAHN SHOOTS ‘DISAPPOINTING’ 65 James Hahn started the day in a tie for 60th place, but after a two-putt birdie at the par-5 15th hole he was 9 under par on the day. He had just reeled off 10 birdies in a span of 13 holes, he seemed to be threatening the course record (61) as he walked to the 16th tee. A young boy held his arm over the rope and urged him to finish strong. Hahn smiled and slapped the kid’s hand and continued onto the tee, out of earshot. “I jinxed him,â€� the boy said. “He jinxed him,â€� the boy’s father said, chuckling and shaking his head. Yep, he jinxed him. Hahn bogeyed 16 and 17 before his 13-foot birdie putt on 18 lipped out, giving him a 65 that left him “disappointed,â€� he said, for what might have been. At 5 under, he is eight off the lead. “I guess any sport is very mental,â€� Hahn said, laughing at the high-five moment. “Walking from 15 to 16, a little kid just kind of gave me a high five and said, ‘You’re going to break the course record today.’ I said [in my head], ‘Are you serious?’ The first time we talked about it the whole day.â€�

The pin at 16 was back-left, and Hahn played it safe but watched as the wind blew his tee shot into the right greenside bunker. He blasted out to just under five feet but missed the putt. “I don’t know how that doesn’t go in,â€� he said.
 He split the fairway at 17, but left his 190-yard approach right of the green. He misjudged the chip shot, his ball rolling 14 feet too far, and bogeyed again. Poised to end on a high note, he watched as his 13-footer for birdie lipped out on 18.

“Those are the ones—it just happened to be a coincidence,â€� Hahn said. “But you never know what would happen if the little kid didn’t call me out. It’s almost like a baseball pitcher and guys saying, ‘Hey, you’re pitching a perfect game! Did you know that?’ It’s like, No.

“He looked like 8, 9, 10 years old. Probably 12 years old. But it’s all fun. We’re here to entertain.â€� ODDS AND ENDS Justin Thomas, tied for third and just four off the lead, would take the FedExCup lead with his fourth victory this season. He is currently third in the FedExCup, 415 points behind leader Dustin Johnson and 10 behind Hideki Matsuyama. Johnson missed the cut, and Matsuyama sits T65. A win comes with 500 FedExCup points. … Kuchar, who won the 2013 Memorial Tournament, would join Hale Irwin, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Tom Watson as two-time winners of the tournament. Kenny Perry has won the Memorial three times, while Tiger Woods leads the pack with five victories at Jack’s place. … Rickie Fowler shot what he called a ho-hum even-par 72, remained at 8 under par—and gained a shot on the leader (Summerhays at -13 as opposed to Dufner at -14). Fowler finished second here in his first start in 2010. … Pat Perez, who is 17th on the list to make the U.S. Presidents Cup team that will play at Liberty National Sept. 28-Oct. 1, had a chance to impress captain Steve Stricker as the two played together Saturday. Perez did just that, as they each shot 69. “I like Pat,â€� Stricker said. “I think he’d be great in the team room. He tells you what he thinks. You could tell he wanted to play well today. I told him he’s going to have to go on a good run.â€� … Hideki Matsuyama, David Lingmerth and William McGirt were first-time TOUR winners as they won the last three Memorials, respectively. Of the top 10 on this year’s leaderboard only Summerhays and Jamie Lovemark (70, T6) haven’t won and would keep the streak alive. … Si Woo Kim, who won THE PLAYERS Championship three weeks ago, withdrew after hurting his ankle hitting a bunker shot on the 17th hole. He was 5 over par at the time. … Stewart Cink’s 4-under 68 in round three marked his 54th round of par or better. Another such round Sunday would put him in a tie with three-time Memorial Tournament winner Kenny Perry, at 55. The record belongs to Jay Haas, who has 68 rounds of par or better at this event. SHOT OF THE DAY BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

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The PGA TOUR worked for more than three years to develop the PGA TOUR University program. Its goal is to get the top young onto a path to the PGA TOUR with an opportunity to join the crop of golf's rising stars sooner rather than later. This spring, the inaugural PGA TOUR University class will reap the rewards of those efforts. The top five players in the PGA TOUR U Ranking after the NCAA Championship will earn Korn Ferry Tour status, while Nos. 6-15 will get access to the PGA TOUR's international circuits. More PGA TOUR U: Top 25 standings | Game-changing pipeline for collegiate stars The coronavirus pandemic has impacted all aspects of life and college golf is no exception. Some conferences are proceeding with play. Others are taking a wait-and-see approach. And some have canceled the fall season. College tournaments and PGA TOUR events, including majors, are the only opportunities to earn PGA TOUR University points. That means the inaugural PGA TOUR University rankings are a unique subplot to this week's U.S. Open. Given the amount of uncertainty, this week's U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, presents a prime opportunity for players in the University ranking to get a head start on the rest of PGA TOUR U's Class of 2021. While it's been 87 years since amateur Johnny Goodman won the 1933 U.S. Open at North Shore Country Club near Chicago, the amateur game has been well-represented in the national championship nearly every year since, with 2019 delivering a pair of strong performances from Viktor Hovland (T12) and Brandon Wu (T35). They were two of four amateurs to make the cut at famed Pebble Beach. Now, Hovland and Wu return to the U.S. Open with wins on the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour, respectively. All told, there are 13 amateurs competing in the U.S. Open this week. Here's a look at the five who are currently inside the top 10 in the PGA TOUR University Ranking: John Pak PGA TOUR U ranking: 1 School: Florida State On July 22, John Pak debuted at No. 1 in the inaugural PGA TOUR University Ranking, thanks in part to a pair of victories in his last three starts before the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted the 2019-20 season. The 21-year-old's spot atop the ranking came as little surprise to those who have been following his ascension in the amateur game, as Pak nabbed the individual title at the ACC Championship in 2019, and was selected to the U.S. Walker Cup team that fall, where a 3-0 performance helped secure the Cup at Royal Liverpool. Originally from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Pak and his father left the Garden State for the warmer winters in Orlando during high school as the precocious youngster set his sights on college golf. At an early age, he mirrored the work ethic put forth by his dad, Kwang, who owned two grocery stores while trying to raise a golf prodigy. "He spent hours and hours picking up the produce, spending time at the store, making sure the business was run properly," Pak said. "He worked a lot of hours and retired at 52. He disciplined himself and that's translated into my golf game." If there was ever an event customized for players who appreciate discipline, it's the U.S. Open. Chun An Yu PGA TOUR U ranking: 2 School: Arizona State At times it feels as if Chun An "Kevin" Yu has been at Arizona State for 10 years, but his tremendous Sun Devil career didn't begin until 2016, when he joined coach Matt Thurmond in Tempe to help resurrect one of the NCAA's most historic golf programs. Yu won in just his third career start and has since added two more victories in addition to being named a first-team All-American in 2019. A native of Chinese Taipei, Yu has often been compared to fellow countryman and good friend C.T. Pan - who also learned under the tutelage of Thurmond while starring at the University of Washington. Yu, who finished fifth in the 2019 Australian Open, will be making his third career U.S. Open start this week. The COVID-19 pandemic derailed the pro plans of many college stars, including Yu. With another season to go before making the plunge, he is confident that his game can hold its own on golf's biggest stage after seeing peers like Joaquin Niemann, Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland find quick success on the PGA TOUR. "Seeing them win on the TOUR, I'm really proud of them and to know that you beat them before, it gives yourself confidence that when you're out there, you can beat them," Yu said. "Hopefully in one year I can be out there winning on the PGA TOUR, too." Davis Thompson PGA TOUR U ranking: 4 School: Georgia "He's unbelievably good." That's what PGA TOUR winner and former University of Georgia standout Keith Mitchell had to say about Davis Thompson, who will be making his U.S. Open debut this week. The Bulldogs' roster of TOUR winners is about as good as it gets, with names like Bubba Watson, Kevin Kisner, Harris English, Russell Henley, Brian Harman, Brendon Todd, Hudson Swafford, Chris Kirk and Mitchell himself, finding success in the pro ranks. For Thompson, this is the path he's supposed to be on. His father, Todd, captained the UGA golf team in 1987 and 1988, and is currently the Tournament Director at The RSM Classic. At an early age, the younger Thompson found success in the game, leading Lee Scott Academy in Auburn, Alabama, to six straight state championships - including individual titles in 2013 and 2015. In Athens, Thompson has kept his foot on the proverbial gas, finishing T23 at The RSM Classic in 2019 as an amateur. This year, he won the Jones Cup Invitational, whose past champions include Justin Thomas and Patrick Reed, and was named a first-team All-American and a finalist for both the Jack Nicklaus and Haskins awards. "He acts like a TOUR player on and off the course," Mitchell said about Thompson. "So turning pro next year won't be any different for him." Sandy Scott PGA TOUR U ranking: 5 School: Texas Tech When COVID-19 forced many players to make decisions about their college golf career, a number of players immediately jumped at the option to return to campus for another year. For Sandy Scott, that decision did not come easily, quickly or without a considerable amount of thought. As the lone senior on Texas Tech's 2019-20 team, it would've been easy for Scott to simply turn pro and move on to the next phase of his career. But the Scottish-born Red Raider opted to return to Lubbock, Texas, as there was a hint of unfinished business after the team reached No. 1 in the country for the first time in school history. “It has been a difficult time, but to have this opportunity is very special. I have missed my Texas Tech family and I’m excited to reunite with them," said Scott. "I love Texas Tech for everything the school has done for me and I can’t wait to continue my journey.” Scott's plans to turn pro were founded in a stellar 2019-20 campaign, which saw him earn berths on the Palmer Cup and Walker Cup teams, win The Carmel Cup and secure second-team All-America honors. Now 22, the Nairn native will play in his first PGA TOUR-sanctioned event at the U.S. Open, hoping to once again launch another senior season at Texas Tech with a fast start. John Augenstein PGA TOUR U ranking: 9 School: Vanderbilt While Pak, Yu, Thompson and Scott earned their U.S. Open exemptions last month, John Augenstein punched his ticked to Winged Foot when he finished runner-up in the 2019 U.S. Amateur, losing 2 and 1 to Georgia Tech's Andy Ogletree in the championship match. That gut-wrenching loss at Pinehurst Resort came with benefits, however, including a spot in the 2020 Masters and U.S. Open. It was onsite during an early practice round at Augusta National Golf Club in March when Augenstein realized his Vanderbilt career might be ending, as would his opportunity to play in the year's first major championship, as COVID-19 put an immediate halt to the sports world. “It was like being hit in the stomach, so upsetting,” Augenstein told ESPN in April. “Not being able to finish the career I started." Like many players, the Commodore star heard rumblings of PGA TOUR University in the spring, and once confirmed, opted to return to Nashville for one more shot at adding onto his dominant resume. A four-time All-American and 2020 SEC Player of the Year, Augenstein is 53 weeks removed from clinching the winning point at the 2019 Walker Cup, thanks to a 4-3 victory over Thomas Plumb in the final singles matches. All told that week, he accumulated a 2-1-1 record as one of only four Americans to play in all four matches. The Owensboro, Kentucky, native will get his chance to shine on a national stage this week, and will also get one more shot at the Masters when the tournament is played the week of Nov. 9-15. The rescheduled events provide a silver lining in a 2020 golf season that has been shrouded in clouds.

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA TOUR announced today that Will Zalatoris has been named the 2021 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year as voted by the TOUR’s membership for the 2020-21 season. Zalatoris, 25, is competing in this week’s Fortinet Championship to open his first full season as a member of the PGA TOUR. Zalatoris, who will receive the Arnold Palmer Award for winning PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, was selected for the honor over Garrick Higgo. “On behalf of the PGA TOUR, my congratulations to Will Zalatoris on being voted the 2021 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year by the TOUR’s membership,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Will’s success despite not having PGA TOUR membership status at the outset of the 2020-21 season is a testament to not only his ability but also his hard work and attitude.” Zalatoris joined the PGA TOUR as a Special Temporary Member in November and collected 1,296 non-member FedExCup points to earn full-time membership for the 2021-22 season. He recorded eight top-10s and made 21 cuts in 25 starts, highlighted by a runner-up at the 2021 Masters Tournament. The last Special Temporary Member to win PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year was Charles Howell III in 2001. Zalatoris also made 16 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020 and recorded 10 top-10s, highlighted by a win at the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes and a runner-up at the Evans Scholars Invitational. He earned a spot in the 2020 U.S. Open via his play on the Korn Ferry Tour after changes to the tournament’s eligibility criteria and finished in a tie for sixth in his first start of the PGA TOUR season. Following the U.S. Open, Zalatoris finished in the top 10 in two of his next three starts (T8/Corales Puntacana Championship, T5/Shriners Children’s Open) and crossed the threshold for Special Temporary Membership with another top-25 result at the Bermuda Championship. Throughout the 2021 portion of the season, Zalatoris went on to play in THE PLAYERS Championship, all four major championships and three World Golf Championships events, with top-10s in three of those eight appearances. His best result of his season came at the 2021 Masters Tournament, where he finished solo-second and was the only player in the field to record four under-par scores. PGA TOUR members who played at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2020-21 season were eligible to vote.

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