As the longest government shutdown in American history stretches on, Donald Trump’s golf game hits a milestone of its own.
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Masters champion Patrick Reed tees it up for the first time since slipping his arms into the green jacket, teaming with Patrick Cantlay as the PGA TOUR’s only two-man format returns to New Orleans for a second year. FedExCup leader Justin Thomas (with Bud Cauley) and Jordan Spieth (with Ryan Palmer) also begin their post-Masters schedule, each retaining their partners from a year ago. The format calls for best-ball play Thursday and Saturday, alternate-shot Friday and Sunday. FIELD WATCH: U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, idled by a wrist injury since the Sentry Tournament of Champions, starts his return at Zurich. Facing a shortage of potential partners, Koepka drafted Mark Turnesa, a winner 10 years ago and fellow South Florida resident. … Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson reprise their Olympic gold/silver pairing for a second year, one of three duos featuring both players among the world’s top 25. The others: Sergio Garcia/Rafael Cabrera Bello and Bubba Watson/Matt Kuchar. … In all, 18 of the rankings’ current top 30 are entered. … Wisconsin natives Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly, now 1-2 in Charles Schwab Cup points on the PGA TOUR Champions, return for a second year. They tied for 14th a year ago. … David Duval steps down from the Golf Channel booth to tee it up alongside U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk. … John Daly is another recent entry, bringing Rory Sabbatini as his partner. FEDEXCUP: Winning partners receive 400 points apiece. STORYLINES: Jonas Blixt and Cameron Smith defend their title against a deeper field than in Year 1 of the two-man format. Garcia, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood are among those who added Zurich to their schedules this year. … FedExCup points are distributed as though partners tied. As an example, the champions split the 500 points usually given to a tournament winner and 300 for second place – coming out to 400 points each. … Weekend rounds will feature walkup music for each duo on the first tee, becoming the first PGA TOUR stop to employ that twist. … Stricker, Kelly and Daly come to New Orleans fresh from the Legends of Golf, giving them a head start on the team dynamic. … Five of the past six editions have crowned a first-time winner, including Smith last year. … It’s the last week for players to secure a berth in THE PLAYERS Championship by cracking the top 10 in FedExCup points or top 50 of the world rankings. That said, the rankings system does not award points for tandem events. COURSE: TPC Louisiana, 7,425 yards, par 72. Tucked amid some 250 acres of wetlands, the Pete Dye creation winds through cypress and oak trees that create a secluded setting just 15 minutes from downtown New Orleans. Though water looms throughout the layout, TPC Louisiana ranked among the PGA TOUR’s top third to go low even before the team format was introduced. Dye, with consultants Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson, added more than 100 bunkers and five ponds to increase the difficulty, and several large waste bunkers also are featured early in the back nine. The Zurich Classic first played there in 2005 and has made it its permanent home since 2007. 72-HOLE RECORD: 261, Cameron Smith/Jonas Blixt (2017), Kevin Kisner/Scott Brown (2017). Individual record: 262, Chip Beck (1988 at Lakewood CC). ALTERNATE SHOT RECORD: 66, Jordan Spieth/Ryan Palmer (1st round, 2017), Kyle Stanley/Ryan Ruffels (1st round, 2017). BEST BALL RECORD: 60, Retief Goosen/Tyrone van Aswegen (2nd round, 2017), Kevin Kisner/Scott Brown (4th round, 2017). LAST YEAR: The Zurich’s first team edition needed an extra day to settle a playoff, before Smith’s best-ball birdie on the fourth extra hole locked up the trophy alongside Blixt. The duo appeared set to win in regulation before Kevin Kisner/Scott Brown pulled even in Sunday’s fading light with a Kisner holeout from 30 yards away. Thunderstorms had delayed play earlier in the afternoon, leaving no light for a playoff. Returning in the morning, the first three playoff holes saw nothing but pars before Smith stuck his wedge at the par-5 18th inside three feet for the decider. Smith notched his first PGA TOUR triumph at the age of 23, while Blixt recorded his third victory. The playoff loss was all too familiar for Kisner, who dropped to 0-4 in extra holes. HOW TO FOLLOW TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 2:30-6:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1-2:45 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS). PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (featured groups), 3-6:30 p.m. (featured holes). Friday, 9:15 a.m.-3 p.m. (featured groups), 3-6:30 p.m. (featured holes). RADIO: Thursday-Friday, 1-6:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com).
The opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard begins Thursday from Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida. The strong field includes Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. Here’s everything you need to know to follow the action. Leaderboard Full tee times HOW TO FOLLOW (All times ET) Television: Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel), 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. (NBC) PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Groups). Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Featured Groups); 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Holes) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio). TOURCast: Get shot-by-shot info in real time with shot tracks and video with TOURCast. TOUR Pulse: Get the PGA TOUR app to utilize TOUR Pulse, which provides users the ability to experience a mix of content, such as video highlights, written hole summaries and stat graphics on every player after every hole they complete. FEATURED GROUPS Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth Max Homa, Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel Viktor Hovland, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day Click here for the Featured Groups roundtable. MUST READS Power Rankings Expert Picks Inside the boldest plays at Bay Hill Hatton set for defense The First Look Woods recovering, sends note of appreciation
KAPALUA, Hawaii – Dustin Johnson gave up his last 54-hole lead but he has no intentions of repeating the story this time around. After producing a sublime 7-under 66 on Saturday – his 20th round in the 60s at the Plantation Course – Johnson surged to 16-under for the week, two clear of Brian Harman (69) and four ahead of Jon Rahm (66). It appears the Sentry Tournament of Champions is his to lose given he’s clearly the most experienced player in the field – making his eighth trip to Kapalua. No one else here has more than four. But wait – we’ve seen this story not so long ago. The world No.1 Johnson took a seemingly insurmountable six-shot lead through three rounds at the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions in late October only to shoot a 5-over 77 on Sunday to lose by two strokes to Justin Rose. Rickie Fowler, who will be one of the chasers on Sunday from five strokes back, playfully suggested Johnson wouldn’t remember his collapse in China. “I don’t expect him to necessarily do that again. All the times that he’s been in a position to win and having a lead, he’s taken care of that pretty well,â€� Fowler said. “D.J.’s a guy that forgets pretty quickly. I don’t think he remembers China. So that’s one of the reasons why he is the best player in the world right now. He quickly forgets, moves on. “There’s not necessarily a weak part of his game, so I’m going to have to go play well if I want to go chase him down.â€� When Johnson was asked if he had indeed forgotten – he claimed he had – until reminded of it by media as he finished his round. “It was a long time ago. It’s a completely different golf course. It was, what, two months ago or something,â€� Johnson said. “I’m going to try not to think about it tomorrow, hopefully I won’t. But I just need to go out and play my game and just see what happens.â€� For the record this is Johnson’s 14th lead/co-lead through 54 holes on the PGA TOUR. He has converted seven to victory, most recently at the Genesis Open in 2017. CALL OF THE DAY OBSERVATIONS BULLDOG HARMAN READY FOR FIGHT: Brian Harman has beaten Dustin Johnson before on Sunday – but he was the man in front. This time he will have to hunt the world No.1 down from behind. At the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship Harman overtook Patrick Reed, Alex Noren and Jon Rahm on Sunday for his second PGA TOUR win but it was a fast finishing Johnson, who had won his previous three starts, who was catching his attention. Johnson had started two back of Harman but had posted a nine-under total in the clubhouse. Harman knew he would prefer not to be in a playoff with the big bomber and had birdied the 17th to tie. He then nailed a 30-footer on the 18th for victory. “I’m just going to keep doing the same thing I’ve been doing and I’m going to try to put as much pressure on the golf course as I can,â€� Harman said Saturday. “I’m going to try to do the best I can on every shot. I can’t control what Dustin does, he’s a fabulous player, he’s going to be really hard to beat tomorrow, but trying to do something I’m not capable of is not the way to do it.â€� RAHM WANTS REVERSE RESULT: Jon Rahm remembers his battles with Dustin Johnson well. And they’re not all fond memories. Rahm had chances to win the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championship and THE NORTHERN TRUST last season only to be bested by Johnson. There was also their battle in the final round of the World Golf Championships – Dell Match Play that went the way of the American. He has another chance to best him in Maui, albeit a tough ask starting four shots back. “I do enjoy (going head-to-head with Johnson), but the outcome hasn’t been great for me,â€� Rahm said. “Hopefully I can play good down the stretch like I’ve been doing. Just start a little better on the front nine. If I can make a birdie before I get to the 5th I’ll be happy.â€� BONES RETURNS: FedExCup champion and defending Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Justin Thomas shot another disappointing 2-over 75 on Saturday to be 2-over and in 30th place. He tackled the Plantation Course without regular caddie Jimmy Johnson who succumbed to plantar fasciitis and has returned home for treatment. Thomas’ father Mike took over bag duties at Kapalua and will do the same on Sunday. Word is however that Jim “Bonesâ€� Mackay will make a cameo for Thomas when he defends the Sony Open next week. Mackay hasn’t caddied on the PGA TOUR since parting ways with Phil Mickelson. NOTABLES Jordan Spieth – A 3-under 70 on Saturday leaves Spieth sitting in a tie for ninth at 8-under, a distant eight shots back of the lead. Marc Leishman – The first and second round leader had a round to forget, posting a 3-over 76 to drop to 7-under and a tie for 12th. Hideki Matsuyama – The world No.5 and runner up last year could only muster a 72 on Saturday to sit 7-under and tied 12th. Patton Kizzire – Rounds of 72-72-69 have the current FedExCup leader at 6-under and tied 17th. QUOTABLES Seventh place doesn’t really do a whole lot for me at the end of the day, so the idea is to fire at flags and just putt aggressively. It’s one thing to say it, it’s another to be out there and then all of a sudden you just feel so uncomfortable trying to hit that hard and I struggled with that this week. So, I’ve just got to be really aggressive on the greensI don’t think there’s two guys that speak to the ball more than we do. It’s true. It’s fun because we both react similarly when we hit a shot. It’s great.It was tough. The putter was cold and if I putted half decent I’d be right up there.Coming off of getting that win a few weeks back (at the Hero World Challenge) I think we were seven shots back and we’re not that far back going into tomorrow. But it won’t be easy. No.1, someone’s going to have to earn it tomorrow, whether it’s DJ or anyone coming from behind. SUPERLATIVES Low round: 7-under 66 – Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm positioned themselves nicely. Longest drive: 430 yards – Hudson Swafford on the par-4 7th. He then overshot the green and got up and down for par. Longest putt: 68 feet, 8 inches – Wesley Bryan drained a massive effort for par on the par-4 4th. Easiest hole: Par-5 5th – The reachable hole played at 4.235 with three eagles, 23 birdies, six pars, one bogey and one double bogey. Hardest holes: Par-4 10th – Uphill and into the wind it played at 4.412 with not a single birdie. There were eight bogeys and three double bogeys.
