Mone Inami wins Toto Japan Classic on home soil to claim maiden LPGA Tour victory; defending champion Gemma Dryburgh three shots back in sixth after seven-under final round; Nasa Hataoka’s hopes fade with two-over 74, including double bogey
Last Updated: 05/11/23 9:04am
Gemma Dryburgh finished sixth at the Toto Japan Classic after a seven-under final round of 65
Defending champion Gemma Dryburgh finished tied sixth at the Toto Japan Classic with a seven-under-par final round leaving the Scottish player three strokes behind winner Mone Inami.
Dryburgh, who won this event by four shots in 2022, made four birdies on her front nine and three more coming home during a blemish-free Sunday at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course.
The 30-year-old ended on 19-under-par for the tournament with Japan’s Inami triumphing on home soil on 22-under, one clear of compatriot Shiho Kuwaki and South Korea’s Seon Woo Bae.
Mone Inami won by one stroke in Japan for her first LPGA Tour victory
Inami trailed Kuwaki and fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka by one heading into the final day but a three-under 69 was enough to take the title as Kuwaki carded a 71 and Hataoka stumbled to a 74.
Hataoka’s two-over round included a bogey at the fourth and double bogey at the 15th.
Inami’s victory was the 13th of her career but first on the LPGA Tour, with the win earning her LPGA Tour membership for the remainder of this season and the entirety of 2024.
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One week after Alison Lee lost in a playoff on the LPGA, she ran laps around the field in Saudi Arabia after shooting a mind-boggling 61-61-65 at the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Team Series event at Riyadh Golf Club
Last Updated: 29/10/23 4:53pm
Alison Lee rounded off her record-breaking week in style with a commanding victory in the Aramco Team Series in Saudi Arabia
American Alison Lee rounded off her record-breaking week in style with a commanding victory in the Aramco Team Series in Saudi Arabia.
Lee carded a final round of 65 at Riyadh Golf Club to finish 29 under par and eight shots clear of Spain’s Solheim Cup star Carlota Ciganda, with England’s Charley Hull another three strokes back in third.
Lee’s winning total set a new 54-hole scoring record on the Ladies European Tour and also equalled the best achieved over 72 holes.
“I’ve played some really good golf this week and putted even better,” the 28-year-old said.
“I hit almost every green, gave myself plenty of birdie opportunities, and made a lot of them count with aggressive, confident play. I had a lot of fun out there and I’m delighted with the win because any tournament is difficult to win.”
Alison’s first professional victory came at the 2021 Aramco event at Sotogrande.
A former No 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the 28-year-old former UCLA student turned professional in 2014 after winning the final stage of LPGA Q-School.
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has indicted Naasón Joaquín García on two child pornography counts, in yet another legal challenge for the head of the Mexico-based La Luz del Mundo megachurch who is already serving a 17-year state prison sentence for sexually abusing girls from his congregation.
García was indicted this week on a single count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The indictment comes in connection with sexual acts allegedly committed by García on a 16-year-old victim whom he “knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced” and recorded, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Five videos were discovered on an iPad seized by authorities during García’s arrest on state charges at LAX in June 2019.
If convicted of both federal charges, García could face up to 40 years in prison, the release said.
Garcia, who is considered by congregants to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, pleaded guilty last year to committing acts of sexual abuse against girls from his community and was sentenced as part of last-minute plea agreement with Los Angeles County prosecutors.
He is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in the next few weeks.
The 54-year-old previously served as a minister for the evangelical church in Santa Ana and in 2014 took over the church in Mexico. Garcia’s father and grandfather previously led the church, which was founded in 1926 and claims to have more than 5 million followers in about 50 countries across the globe.
Despite his guilty plea in state court, Garcia has maintained almost universal support within the church. His backers denounced the case as an attempt to tarnish his reputation and promised to continue supporting Garcia during his incarceration.
The church leader addressed them via phone from prison last September, saying “he did not see the bars that separate me from you,” according to an Associated Press report.
At the time of Garcia’s plea deal, some alleged survivors of sexual abuse in the church called it a “slap to the face,” even as prosecutors hailed the outcome. Some said they felt Garcia was treated leniently and worried about the potential chilling effect on other victims who may be reluctant to report assaults after watching how others had become targets of intimidation and harassment by church loyalists.
A docu-series released last year explored the history and power of the church, interviewing former church members who described enduring years of abuse in silence at the hands of La Luz leaders.
Collin Morikawa eased to the biggest victory in Zozo Championship history
Collin Morikawa ended a two-year winless run by cruising to an impressive sixth PGA Tour title and six-shot victory at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
Morikawa, without a worldwide win since the DP World Tour Championship in November 2021, overturned a two-shot deficit in an impressive display on the final day at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba.
The two-time major champion fired seven birdies in a bogey-free 63 to end the week on 14 under, seeing him pull clear of closest challengers Eric Cole and Beau Hossler.
Morikawa carded a bogey-free 63 to end the week on 14 under
Morikawa struck his tee shot at the par-three third to inside four feet to set up a his opening birdie of the day, with three more on a four-hole stretch from the sixth seeing him reach the turn three ahead.
The American added to his birdie tally at the 12th and poured in from 15 feet at the 15th, before producing an impressive par-save at the 17th and signing off his victory with a final-hole birdie.
More to follow…
What’s next?
The PGA Tour takes a week off before heading to Mexico for the World Wide Technology Championship, with coverage live next month on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday November 2 from 8.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream all your favourite sports – including golf – with NOW.
Angel Yin defeated Lilia Vu on the opening playoff hole to win the LPGA Shanghai tournament on Sunday; the 25-year-old claimed victory at the par-four 18th after Vu had narrowly missed her 20-foot birdie putt
Last Updated: 15/10/23 11:06am
Angel Yin poses with the Shanghai Champion Trophy
American Solheim Cup player Angel Yin defeated top-ranked Lilia Vu on the first playoff hole to win the LPGA Shanghai tournament on Sunday for her first tour success.
The pair finished on 14-under at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club course, forcing a playoff, but the 25-year-old claimed victory at the opening hole after Vu had narrowly missed her 20-foot birdie putt.
It was Yin’s first victory in 159 starts and she shared a warm embrace with compatriot Vu on her breakthrough win.
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Yin was tied with Maja Stark for the overnight lead at 12 under and on Sunday shot a 70, with three birdies and a lone bogey on the sixth.
Vu shot a four-under 68, with six birdies and two bogeys, and was the clubhouse leader at 14-under, until Yin birdied the par-five 17th and then made par on the final hole to force a playoff.
Five players finished in a tie for third at 13 under: South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin who shot a 64, Thai pair Pavarisa Yoktuan (70) and Ariya Jutanugarn (69), Yu Liu (68) and Esther Henseleit (68).
After a promising start, Maja Stark had a frustrating day as she made an even-par round to finish in a tie for eighth on 12 under.
Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Danielle Kang of the United States shot 71 to finish five strokes back in a tie for 17th at nine under.
The event, the LPGA’s first return to China since 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, is the start of a four-tournament Asia swing, with later stops in South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.
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Brooks Koepka moves into lead at LIV Jeddah standing at 12-under, ahead of Sergio Garcia of Spain and Charles Howell III; Garcia’s Fireballs and Koepka’s Smash are tied for second in team play
Last Updated: 14/10/23 6:03pm
Brooks Koepka takes a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah
Brooks Koepka shot a bogey-free 64 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
The defending champion enjoyed four birdies in a row on holes three to six, part of his eight on the round in the $25m regular season-ending event at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
He stands at 12 under ahead of Sergio Garcia of Spain, who followed Friday’s 68 with a 63, and Charles Howell III (64).
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Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe fired a 62 behind seven birdies and an eagle to move into a tie for fourth with Bryson DeChambeau (63), four strokes back of Koepka at eight under.
First-round leader Marc Leishman of Australia, who recorded a 65 to take the lead on Friday, responded with a five-over-par 70 and fell into a tie for 21st at three under par.
Garcia said the weather and the course proved better on Saturday than on Friday.
“It was a really nice round, obviously,” he said. “The course conditions were a little bit more favourable than yesterday. Yesterday was much windier. It was a lot trickier. A couple of tougher pins yesterday, I guess.”
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Garcia said a key to the round was consecutive birdies on the final two holes, part of a strong finish.
“I finished with four birdies on my last five,” he said. “Obviously there’s moments here and there, but I also made a couple really good up-and-downs on 11 and 12 to keep my round going, and then thanks to that, I birdied 13 and 14.
“I think that I played nicely. I got a lot out of my round, and I’m very happy with that.”
In team play, Garcia’s Fireballs and Koepka’s Smash are tied for second at 19 under, three strokes behind DeChambeau’s Crushers.
Watch the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas on Sky Sports Golf from 10pm on Saturday.
Maja Stark leads the way at the halfway mark of the Buick LPGA Shanghai after moving to 10-under on Friday; Stark was only one stroke off the tournament’s 36-hole record of 134 with a two-under 68; Danielle Kang, defending champion, is tied for second with China’s Yu Liu
Last Updated: 13/10/23 4:23pm
Maja Stark
Maja Stark leads two-time champion Danielle Kang and home favourite Yu Liu of China by one stroke after two rounds at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
Stark kept a hold of her first-round lead and moved to 10-under with a two-under 68 in Friday’s second round at the 6,672-yard Qizhong Garden Golf Club. She finished one stroke off the tournament’s 36-hole record of 134.
Kang, who won the last two titles here in 2018-19 prior to the pandemic, and Liu both carded scores of 67. Another shot back at eight-under are Spain’s Azahara Munoz (66 Thursday), Japan’s Yuna Nishimura (67) and Pavarisa Yoktuan of Thailand (68).
Stark is seeking her first victory since winning her maiden LPGA title at the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational.
“I think I played a little bit better than yesterday actually because I hit better shots. Obviously didn’t make as many putts as I did yesterday, but overall my game felt better,” said Stark, who recorded five birdies with one bogey at the par 3 seventh hole after missing the green.
“I’m really excited to play with (Liu). On her home soil I think she’s going to be ready to play really well. Her home course, I didn’t actually know that, but I feel like I could maybe get some tips because it’s pretty tricky out there. Maybe I’ll steal some of her strategies.”
Maja Stark was one of Europe’s Solheim Cup heroes last month
After one birdie and one bogey through eight holes, Liu birdied five of the next six – four straight from 11-14 – to join the final grouping.
“To be honest, pretty low expectations coming in because I’m not good at playing in the rain, so I knew the forecast was pretty much going to rain all throughout the round, which it did,” Liu said. “So I just feel like, my goal today was just to get through the round without making too much damage. I feel like I did a pretty good job.”
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Liu tied for ninth in 2018 and tied for third in 2019 in the first two editions of the event. Kang finished strong with four birdies in her last six holes.
“I have hit some good drives,” Kang said. “Keep giving myself some good opportunities it be able to hit the second shots and stuff, so game has been feeling good for a little bit.”
First-round co-leader Wichanee Meechai shot 72 to slip into a six-way tie for eighth at 6-under. World No 1 Lilia Vu is tied for 14th at five-under after a second-round 67 with seven birdies and two bogeys.
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Home hero Robert MacIntyre and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood were the big draws in Scotland after starring in last week’s 16.5-11.5 win over the United States but it was Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts who carded a 65 at St Andrews to sit at seven under, a shot off the lead
Last Updated: 05/10/23 9:24pm
Nicolas Colsaerts, a Europe vice captain at the recent Ryder Cup in Rome, sits a shot off the lead at Dunhill Links
Ryder Cup vice captain Nicolas Colsaerts showed no signs of a hangover from Europe’s triumph in Rome as he outshone three of his victorious players to sit just a shot off the lead after day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Home hero Robert MacIntyre and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood were the big draws in Scotland after starring in last week’s 16.5-11.5 win over the United States but it was Belgium’s Colsaerts who carded a 65 at St Andrews to sit at seven under, one behind Spaniard Adri Arnaus, Swede Sebastian Soderberg and American Peter Uihlein.
Soderberg had pulses racing at the thought of a 59 over the Old Course as he birdied eight of his first 10 holes but made no more progress as he was caught by Uihlein and Arnaus.
Uihlein, one of several LIV players teeing it up on an invite in Scotland, lost out in a play-off at this event 10 years ago and he was bogey-free with eight birdies at St Andrews in just his second DP World Tour event in five years.
Arnaus was playing at Carnoustie – the toughest of the three layouts this week – and he was also bogey-free, starting with three birdies and adding an eagle on the 14th in a 64.
Colsaerts was playing the Old Course and he made five opening birdies after starting at the tenth, bogeying the treacherous Road Hole but picking up further shots on the first, third and fifth.
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The 65 was his lowest score of a season where he has made just five cuts in 20 starts, and the 40-year-old admitted he had been inspired by last week’s win in Italy.
“Inspiration to say the least,” he said. “I’ve always thought there was still a little bit of a stud inside me but when you get to spend a week with 12 of them, we’re trying to land as softly as possible from the high of a couple of days ago.
“Everything felt a little bit gloomy and dark after the ride of emotions last week, and no expectations whatsoever, and started hitting good shots and played a lovely round.
“When you throw anybody with a bit of talent in last week and then you play golf the week after, it is inspirational.”
Home favourite Grant Forrest was alongside Colsaerts after playing Kingsbarns, two clear of Fitzpatrick, four ahead of Fleetwood and five clear of MacIntyre, with the Ryder Cup trio having all taken on Carnoustie on day one.
Team Europe and Team USA practiced at Marco Simone on Tuesday ahead of the Ryder Cup; Luke Donald looking to avenge 19-9 loss at Whistling Straits in 2021; Watch the opening day live on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf
By Jamie Weir and Dharmesh Sheth in Rome
Last Updated: 26/09/23 7:55pm
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The greatest rivalry in golf will reignite again this weeks as Europe take on the USA in the Ryder Cup, exclusively live on Sky Sports
The greatest rivalry in golf will reignite again this weeks as Europe take on the USA in the Ryder Cup, exclusively live on Sky Sports
A look at the latest storylines from Rome ahead of the Ryder Cup, including potential Team Europe pairings, Jordan Spieth’s likely partner, challenging conditions and possible drama ahead at Marco Simone GC…
Early look at Europe’s pairings
As always during the practice days before the Ryder Cup gets under way, we try to second-guess the captains by seeing who is playing with who during the practice rounds.
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka and Tommy Fleetwood teed off in Europe’s first group on Tuesday, with the second fourball being Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. The final four on the tee were Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Nicolai Hojgaard and Bob MacIntyre.
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As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at the best shots from his six appearances in the competition
As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at the best shots from his six appearances in the competition
McIlroy’s group played with their own balls on the front nine but then switched it up to foursomes on the back nine, with McIlroy and Fleetwood forming a foursomes team taking on Lowry and Straka. Perhaps we could see McIlroy and Fleetwood together in Friday morning foursomes?
Team USA giving away big clues?
When he faced the media, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said we shouldn’t read too much into Tuesday’s pairings, but it seems a bit more straightforward on who we could see playing together for Team USA on Friday.
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Luke Donald says his Ryder Cup team can take inspiration from the European team’s success in the Solheim Cup
Luke Donald says his Ryder Cup team can take inspiration from the European team’s success in the Solheim Cup
In their first group out, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were joined by Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, who are two readymade pairings we’ve seen in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups in years gone by.
The second group featured Collin Morikawa and Max Homa; a pair of California boys who are good friends and played together at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans earlier this year, with Rickie Fowler and Brian Harman also in that fourball.
Their third fourball saw world No 1 Scottie Scheffler together with Sam Burns, a pairing we saw at last year’s Presidents Cup, with Brooks Koepka and Wyndham Clark completing that group.
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As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at Jon Rahm’s best shots from his two appearances in the tournament
As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at Jon Rahm’s best shots from his two appearances in the tournament
‘Gentleman’ Spieth to stick with Thomas?
Dharmesh Sheth: “I wanted to give you a little insight into what a gentleman Jordan Spieth is. I saw him at the driving range on Monday and asked him for a couple of minutes of his time for Sky Sports News, to which he replied ‘I can’t right now but I can do it tomorrow.’
“I saw him again a day later and said ‘I’m back, is it possible to do that interview?’. He asked if we could do it over by the chipping green and was more than happy to do so. He kept with his word and offered plenty of great insight on a variety of subjects.
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Jordan Spieth speaks to Dharmesh Sheth after practicing with his friend Justin Thomas out on the course and on the driving range
Jordan Spieth speaks to Dharmesh Sheth after practicing with his friend Justin Thomas out on the course and on the driving range
“Team USA went out for nine holes of practice on Tuesday morning, playing holes 10-18, and the two people stood alone on the driving range when we got there, shortly after they had finished, were Spieth and Justin Thomas.
“They’ve played together before in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, they practiced together and you can’t separate them. Something tells me that we may see them continuing that partnership when play gets under way.”
Drama ahead at the driveable 16th?
Marco Simone GC’s 16th hole will see plenty of drama this week. The 16th hole is always pivotal when it comes to match play, as matches can arrive there with one side two or three up and trying to close out the match, or it could be right in the balance.
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Ryder Cup Team Europe captain Luke Donald advises to not read too much in Tuesday morning’s practice pairings and adds that he has no plans to get a Ryder Cup tattoo should Europe win the competition!
Ryder Cup Team Europe captain Luke Donald advises to not read too much in Tuesday morning’s practice pairings and adds that he has no plans to get a Ryder Cup tattoo should Europe win the competition!
The 16th here is a driveable 303-yard par-four which plays downhill, with a couple of caddies suggesting to me that their players will always take it on because laying up isn’t really an option for them.
On Tuesday, McIlroy took a five-wood and comfortably reached, as did Fleetwood with a three-wood, but the wind was behind them. It is is howling into their teeth it could be a different story.
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We explain why the opening hole of the Ryder Cup is ‘unique’ and what the players will expect at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club
We explain why the opening hole of the Ryder Cup is ‘unique’ and what the players will expect at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club
With rough surrounding the green, a roll-off area at the back and a huge expanse of water to the right, it could prove a real risk-reward hole which will be entertaining for fans watching both on the course and at home.
Hot week ahead in Rome
A feature of European Ryder Cups in years gone by used to be the unpredictable weather. In both 2006 at the K Club in Ireland and in 2014 at Gleneagles in Scotland, players would arrive onto the tee box from head to toe in layers of clothes, mittens and woolly hats.
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Dame Laura Davies joins Dharmesh Sheth on the 18th hole of the Marco Simone course where she predicts there will be a nail-biting finish to this year’s Ryder Cup
Dame Laura Davies joins Dharmesh Sheth on the 18th hole of the Marco Simone course where she predicts there will be a nail-biting finish to this year’s Ryder Cup
In 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales, the tournament even ran over to a Monday after the heavy rain plagued the event at the start of the week. This will not be the case at Marco Simone in 2023, with temperatures forecast to be gloriously sunny and touching 30 degrees every day.
We’re in for a hot Ryder Cup. I’m told this phenomenon is called Ottobrata Romana, or a Roman October. The locals proudly boast that Rome, at this time of year, is the best place in Europe to be.
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You can see Europe take on the United States in the Ryder Cup from September 29, exclusively live on Sky Sports
You can see Europe take on the United States in the Ryder Cup from September 29, exclusively live on Sky Sports
We take a look at who features in Zach Johnson’s Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup, being held at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy.
The six automatic qualifiers on the Ryder Cup points list are world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, US Open champion Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman, winner of The Open at Royal Liverpool – both rookies – along with Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele.
Johnson’s six wildcard selections then included five-time major winner, LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka, as well as Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas to complete the USA’s line-up.
Scottie Scheffler
Age 27. Caps 1. Majors 1
Ryder Cup record: 2-0-1
Singles: 1-0-0. Foursomes: 0-0-0. Fourball: 1-0-1
Can Scottie Scheffler impress for Team USA this week?
The world No 1 is the standout member of a strong-looking US team, although it’s somewhat of a surprise the 27-year-old failed to add a second major to his tally this season.
Scheffler did win The Players in March, along with the Phoenix Open a month prior, while he carded a tied-second finish at the PGA Championship and third at The US Open, albeit he barely threatened the runaway leaders (Brooks Koepka and Wyndham Clark, respectively) on the final day of either event.
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Highlights from the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
Highlights from the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
Scheffler’s pedigree though is undoubted at this early stage of his career and more majors will certainly follow. As for Ryder Cups, it was an impressive start for him on debut two years ago, winning two of his matches and halving the other in Team USA’s convincing win at Whistling Straights.
Wyndham Clark
Age 29. Caps 0. Majors 1
Ryder Cup record: N/A
You would have been forgiven for not knowing the name Wydnham Clark at the start of the year, with the 29-year-old yet to win on the PGA Tour since turning professional in 2017 and a best major finish of tied-75th at the 2021 PGA Championship.
By June 18, however, you were left in no doubt as to who he was and his golfing credentials as Clark raised aloft the US Open trophy – having held off the final-day challenge of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy – to follow off the back of his first tour win at Wells Fargo the month prior.
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Highlights of the final round from the 123rd US Open as Wyndham Clark held off Rory McIlroy to claim his first major win
Highlights of the final round from the 123rd US Open as Wyndham Clark held off Rory McIlroy to claim his first major win
It does not look like a flash in the pan either, with Clark finishing third at the Tour Championship to close out the FedExCup Playoffs.
Brian Harman
Age 36. Caps 0. Majors 1
Ryder Cup record: N/A
Another Ryder Cup rookie, with Harman catapulting himself into contention much in the same way he blazed his way to the top of the leaderboard en route to winning The Open at Royal Liverpool this summer.
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Highlights from the final round of the 151st The Open championship from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Highlights from the final round of the 151st The Open championship from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club
Harman carded a six-under 65 on the second day and never looked back, ultimately running away with things to win by a massive six strokes.
Just to stir the competitive juices further among the English fans following the fortunes of Team Europe, Harman bears a striking resemblance to former Australian cricket captain, and great Ashes enemy, Ricky Ponting. Google it, trust us.
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Take a look back at Brian Harman’s final round of 70 that sealed him victory and the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool
Take a look back at Brian Harman’s final round of 70 that sealed him victory and the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool
Patrick Cantlay
Age 31. Caps 1. Majors 0
Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1
Singles: 1-0-0. Foursomes: 2-0-0. Fourball: 0-0-1
Slow play or not, Cantlay performed brilliantly on his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, winning three of four matches and halving the other, while he is fully deserving of his spot on this team again as one of the most consistent performers on tour if not always the quickest.
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Patrick Cantlay made quick work of the seventh with this hole-in-one at the RBC Heritage
Patrick Cantlay made quick work of the seventh with this hole-in-one at the RBC Heritage
The 31-year-old has eight PGA Tour wins to his name, including the 2021 season-ending Tour Championship, but he has failed to add to that tally in 2023 and major success still eludes him, with a tied-ninth finish at the PGA Championship his best of the year and only the fourth top 10 of his career.
Max Homa
Age 32. Caps 0. Majors 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
With six PGA Tour wins in total and five since the start of 2021, Homa has been a popular tip as ‘the next first-time major winner’ on tour.
However, the 32-year-old Homa has not lived up to those lofty expectations quite yet, with his tied-10th finish at The Open this year the first time he has cracked that very top 10.
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A debut Ryder Cup cap now gives him a further chance to prove he can cut the mustard when the spotlight is at its brightest and pressure at its most intense.
Xander Schauffele
Age 29. Caps 1. Majors 0
Ryder Cup record: 3-1-0
Singles: 0-1-0. Foursomes: 2-0-0. Fourball: 1-0-0
Xander Schauffele is another to have impressed in his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, with a singles loss to Rory McIlroy to kick off Sunday his only blemish.
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His foursomes partnership with Patrick Cantlay proved particularly fruitful, with two wins in two, so could that be a pairing we see again this year?
The 29-year-old has had a solid, if unspectacular, 2023 season, carding top-10 finishes at The Masters and US Open though that first major success still eludes him.
Brooks Koepka
Age 33. Caps 3. Majors 5
Ryder Cup record: 6-5-1
Singles: 2-0-1. Foursomes: 2-2-0. Fourball: 2-3-0
The only LIV Golf representative among the 24-player field, but it’s easy to see why Koepka has been able to bridge the divide despite his absence on the PGA Tour over the last year and a bit.
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As Brooks Koepka aims to win his third US Open title this week, check out his five previous major victories
As Brooks Koepka aims to win his third US Open title this week, check out his five previous major victories
The 33-year-old won his fifth major in some style, claiming the PGA Championship at Oak Hill courtesy of rounds of 66, 66 and 67 over the final three days. That also followed off the back of a brilliant week at Augusta, albeit one which ended in agonising fashion as he let a two-stroke lead slip to Jon Rahm on the final day to see a maiden Masters win slip through his fingers.
Koepka also brings a decent wedge of Ryder Cup experience to this US team, having appeared in the past three, which has included two big wins for the US either side of losing handily themselves in France in 2018.
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Highlights from the final round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill which saw Brooks Koepka lift the trophy for a third time
Highlights from the final round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill which saw Brooks Koepka lift the trophy for a third time
Jordan Spieth
Age 30. Caps 4. Majors 3
Ryder Cup record: 8-7-3
Singles: 0-3-1. Foursomes: 3-2-2. Fourball: 5-2-0
Spieth is a four-time Ryder Cup veteran, at the age of 30, but it has been a bit of a mixed bag at times for the three-time major winner.
Spieth, for example, has still yet to win a final-day singles matchup, coming closest when halving his tie with Tommy Fleetwood two years ago. In pairing with his US team-mates he has fared much better, particularly when paired with his great mate Justin Thomas – the pair have won four of six matches they have played together.
Spieth had five top-five finishes on tour this year, including coming second to Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage and ending tied for fourth at Augusta in his best placing at a major in 2023.
Collin Morikawa
Age 26. Caps 1. Majors 2
Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1
Singles: 0-0-1. Foursomes: 2-0-0. Fourball: 1-0-0
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Two years ago, Morikawa was an absolute shoo-in for the US team, topping the points list – off the back of two major wins over the previous 12 months – to qualify outright.
This time, his path to Italy has not quite been so seamless, relying on a captain’s pick after finishing a still-decent 10th on the points list.
His selection was really a bit of a no-brainer, especially when you consider his success – three wins in four – last time out. That said, his budding partnership with Dustin Johnson, which secured a 100 per cent record in their three matchups, has been broken up. Who will he team up with this time round?
Sam Burns
Age 27. Caps 0. Majors 0
Ryder Cup record: N/A
It was no real surprise to see Burns claim one of Zach Johnson’s captain’s picks, having won five PGA Tour titles since 2021, including the World Matchplay earlier this year.
The 27-year-old is making his Ryder Cup debut, though he did get a little bit of a practice run when part of the US team at the Presidents Cup last year – albeit it did not go particularly well.
Burns went winless from his five ties (three losses, two halves), his partnership with great mate Scottie Scheffler proving far from fruitful as the high-profile pair lost two of their three matches. Will they dare to be paired together again this week?
Rickie Fowler
Age 34. Caps 4. Majors 0
Ryder Cup record: 3-7-5
Singles: 1-2-1. Foursomes: 1-3-2. Fourball: 1-2-2
Fowler has found the Ryder Cup a struggle, winning only three of his 15 career matchups and tasting victory on the US team only once in 2016 (where two of his wins came), having failed to make the team at Whistling Straights two years ago.
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Zane Scotland and Henni Koyack use the Audi Performance Zone to analyse Rickie Fowler’s technique
Zane Scotland and Henni Koyack use the Audi Performance Zone to analyse Rickie Fowler’s technique
While Fowler might therefore seem a strange captain’s pick this time round, 2023 has seen the 34-year-old return to somewhere near his best form. Starting the year still outside the world’s top 100, and without a PGA Tour victory since 2019, Fowler’s return to former coach Butch Harmon has reaped stunning results, most notably at this year’s US Open where he equalled the lowest score in men’s major championship history with a stunning eight-under opening round of 62.
Fowler ultimately faded to finished tied-fifth but he would end that PGA Tour title drought less than a month later with success at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Justin Thomas
Age 30. Caps 2. Majors 2
Ryder Cup record: 6-2-1. Singles: 2-0-0. Foursomes: 3-1-0. Fourball: 1-1-1
Thomas can consider himself somewhat fortunate to earn a captain’s pick after one of his poorest seasons by his high standards.
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Justin Thomas missed the FedExCup Playoffs in a painful way as his chip attempt stayed out after hitting the pin, meaning he finished outside the top 70 in the points standings
Justin Thomas missed the FedExCup Playoffs in a painful way as his chip attempt stayed out after hitting the pin, meaning he finished outside the top 70 in the points standings
The two-time major winner only just secured a spot in the FedExCup playoffs by the skin of his teeth after a dismal run which saw him miss the cut in five of seven PGA Tour starts. Those struggles stretched to the majors too, with his defence of the PGA Championship (finishing tied-65th) the only instance in which he made the weekend.
But, Thomas has earned captain Zach Johnson’s trust likely due to his Ryder Cup pedigree of years past. Thomas has won six of his nine career matches, including claiming four off five when last held on European soil in 2018.
Watch the Ryder Cup this month exclusively live Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening day begins on Friday September 29 from 6am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, Ryder Cup and more with NOW.
Both teams claimed two points in the foursomes to leave Team USA 7-5 ahead over Team Europe; Carlota Ciganda partnered Emily Pedersen to victory while Linn Grant and Maja Stark won their match on the final hole
By Ali Stafford at Finca Cortesin
Last Updated: 23/09/23 12:22pm
Linn Grant and Maja Stark featured for Team Europe in the Saturday foursomes
Swedish rookies Maja Stark and Linn Grant provided a crucial final-hole victory to ensure Team Europe stayed within two points of Team USA heading into the Saturday fourballs at the Solheim Cup.
Europe avoided a repeat of Friday’s foursomes session, where Team USA completed their first clean sweep in the format in the tournament’s history, as the hosts battled to ensure a share of the spoils and keep the deficit at two points heading into the afternoon fourballs.
Home favourite Carlota Ciganda led from the front to guide her and Emily Pedersen to an impressive 2&1 win victory over Lilia Vu and Jennifer Kupcho, before Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz thrashed an out-of-sorts Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier 5&3.
Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang claimed a final-hole victory over Anna Nordqvist and Leona Maguire, before Maja Stark and Linn Grant prevented Team USA from extending their advantage by seeing off Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee by the same margin.
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Play was stopped momentarily at the Solheim Cup in Spain as a greenside sprinkler was set off accidentally. A greenkeeper was forced to intervene so play could continue
Play was stopped momentarily at the Solheim Cup in Spain as a greenside sprinkler was set off accidentally. A greenkeeper was forced to intervene so play could continue
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Highlights from the opening day of the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin
Highlights from the opening day of the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin
Team Europe battled back in the fourballs to keep their hopes of a Solheim Cup threepeat alive, but what can Suzann Pettersen’s side learn from an eventful opening day against Team USA?
Europe arrived as pre-tournament favourites and with a side that Pettersen felt was the strongest in their history, with the hosts looking to build on victories at Gleneagles in 2019 and Ohio in 2021.
Momentum quickly went in the way of Stacy Lewis’ USA side after a dominant foursomes session, where they enjoyed a clean sweep for the first time in their history, only for Europe to fight back superbly to claim three of the four points on offer in the fourballs.
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On day one of the 2023 tournament Emily Pederson followed Anna Nordqvist’s 2013 ace with just the second hole-in-one in the history of the Solheim Cup
On day one of the 2023 tournament Emily Pederson followed Anna Nordqvist’s 2013 ace with just the second hole-in-one in the history of the Solheim Cup
Europe now trail 5-3 heading into another double-session on Saturday, live from 6.30am on Sky Sports, although will be encouraged by their afternoon performance that their hopes of a historic threepeat remain on track.
Beware of Team USA’s talent
Team USA hadn’t led after an opening Solheim Cup session since 2009, when fourballs used to be played first, which makes the manner of their fast start to this year’s contest even more remarkable.
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A putt from Allisen Corpuz secured Team USA a clean-sweep in the morning foursome matches on day one at the Solheim Cup in Spain
A putt from Allisen Corpuz secured Team USA a clean-sweep in the morning foursome matches on day one at the Solheim Cup in Spain
It’s the first time since 1996 that the United States went undefeated in the opening round of a foursomes session and the first time in the biennial contest’s history that they swept a foursome round.
The fast start is just the sixth time in the Solheim Cup that a team has managed to win all four matches in a session and the first time since 2017, when Team USA won all four Friday fourball fixtures on their way to a 16.5-11.5 success.
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One hope for Team Europe is that there has been a previous occasion when a team has recovered from losing a session 4-0 to win the Solheim Cup, with Team USA achieving that in 2002 after bouncing back from being swept in the Saturday fourballs.
Mixed fortunes for line-up gambles
The decision to lead off with two rookies quickly felt like a mistake for Europe, with Maja Stark and Linn Grant losing each of their opening three holes to immediately see Team USA dominate the leaderboard.
Although the Swedish pair battled back into the contest and were level with four holes remaining, they never led and were eventually beaten 2&1 by Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang.
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Linn Grant and Maja Stark were defeated 2&1 by Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang in the Friday morning foursomes session after Grant missed a short putt on the 17th hole at Finca Cortesin.
Linn Grant and Maja Stark were defeated 2&1 by Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang in the Friday morning foursomes session after Grant missed a short putt on the 17th hole at Finca Cortesin.
Thompson hit the opening tee shot despite struggling for form this season, with the Solheim Cup veteran without a top-10 all year on the LPGA Tour, with that decision a last-minute call from captain Stacy Lewis.
“She wasn’t in my line-up that I’ve had for a couple weeks and just the way the last four days have gone, just the way she seemed mentally, I had a good feeling about it,” Lewis explained.
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September 23, 2023, 6:30am
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Lewis also left out world No 2 Lilia Vu and rising star Rose Zhang from the opening session, although unlike Pettersen – who left out Caroline Hedwall all day – elected to use all 12 players in at least one match.
“You could not ask for much more,” Lewis added after the 4-0 session sweep. “We knew just seeing the pairings, those middle two matches were going to be tough. We saw a ton of fight in our girls and fortunately we were on the right side of it.”
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Team USA Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis claimed that Lexi Thompson wasn’t in her original plans for the Friday morning foursomes but her performance in practice convinced her to include her with Megan Khang
Team USA Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis claimed that Lexi Thompson wasn’t in her original plans for the Friday morning foursomes but her performance in practice convinced her to include her with Megan Khang
Europe’s character shines through
Having lost the foursomes 4-0, Europe went into the fourballs under extreme pressure.
Aside from the final pairing of Carlota Ciganda and Grant, who controlled their match from almost start to finish, the other six European players had to come through nail-biting finales knowing that coming up short would leave the team facing a mountain to climb over the weekend.
Rather than succumbing to the moment, the pressure produced the best play we saw from Europe all day.
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Leona Maguire chips in for birdie on the 18th to save the day for Team Europe at the Solheim Cup
Leona Maguire chips in for birdie on the 18th to save the day for Team Europe at the Solheim Cup
Emily Pedersen, who had been heavily beaten alongside Charley Hull in the morning before struggling on the front nine of the fourballs, holed out at the 12th and almost did so again at the 17th to help herself and Stark to half a point.
Leona Maguire, having already made several clutch putts on the back nine, produced a shot that might have even upstaged Pedersen’s ace by chipping in at the 18th to turn a probable loss into victory for herself and Georgia Hall.
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Gemma Dryburgh puts a tough front nine behind her with this sensational chip-in birdie on the 16th at the Solheim Cup
Gemma Dryburgh puts a tough front nine behind her with this sensational chip-in birdie on the 16th at the Solheim Cup
Meanwhile debutant Gemma Dryburgh, who looked terribly nervous as she struggled on the greens in the front nine, came to life on the way in to hole out brilliantly at the 16th, having already holed a couple of crucial putts
If there was any doubt that Pettersen’s team had the characters to come back from an unenviable 4-0 deficit, they proved it on Friday afternoon.
‘No concerns’ for Hull despite record loss?
Hull mentioned she was dealing with a neck strain in the build-up to her sixth consecutive appearance for Team Europe, with the Englishwoman left out of the Friday fourballs after suffering the heaviest defeat of her Solheim Cup career.
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Emily Pedersen and Charley Hull went six down through nine holes as Team Europe struggled in the bottom match during the foursomes on day one of the Solheim Cup in Spain
Emily Pedersen and Charley Hull went six down through nine holes as Team Europe struggled in the bottom match during the foursomes on day one of the Solheim Cup in Spain
Hull said midweek she was only swinging at 80 per cent and received physio ahead of partnering Pedersen, where they were an estimated eight over par for the front nine on their way to a 5&4 foursomes loss against Ally Ewing and Cheyenne Knight.
Hull was a late arrival at the first tee and was nowhere near her best during a convincing loss, although captain Pettersen played down any possible concerns over her fitness.
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“Charley is okay,” Pettersen told Sky Sports. “Probably didn’t feel the best in the front nine and the more she played she felt better, so she’ll be fine. She has some treatments but nothing to worry about – just Charley being Charley, so I have no concerns!”
Unbeaten partnerships end for Europe
Celine Boutier and Hall’s four match unbeaten partnership – across two Solheim Cups – came to an end when they suffered a final-hole loss against Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee, with the pair kept apart for the afternoon session as the Frenchwoman sat out.
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Georgia Hall misses the green twice on the ninth in her match-up with Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu at the Solheim Cup
Georgia Hall misses the green twice on the ninth in her match-up with Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu at the Solheim Cup
Europe’s top-scorer from their 2021 success in Ohio, Maguire was unable to build on her unbeaten debut two years ago as her and Anna Nordqvist – a playing vice-captain – were also beaten by the same margin.
It was that dominant of a display from Team USA that the European team only led for four holes across the entire morning session, Stark, Grant, Pedersen and Hull completing the group that were heavily beaten.
Who will win the 2023 Solheim Cup? Watch exclusively live this week on Sky Sports! Live coverage continues on Saturday from 6.30am.Stream the Solheim Cupand more with NOW.
Leona Maguire won 4.5 points on her Solheim Cup debut in 2021; can Team Europe claim a historic third consecutive victory over Team USA? Watch the opening ceremony live on Thursday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf ahead of day one live on Friday from 6.30am.
By Ali Stafford at Finca Cortesin
Last Updated: 19/09/23 3:00pm
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Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen looks ahead to the 2023 Solheim Cup and says the players are set on what will happen on Friday with regards to pairings
Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen looks ahead to the 2023 Solheim Cup and says the players are set on what will happen on Friday with regards to pairings
Leona Maguire is refusing to put any additional pressure on herself as she looks to build on a stellar Solheim Cup debut and help create history for Team Europe this week in Spain.
Maguire top-scored for Catriona Matthew’s side in a 15-13 victory in 2021, winning 4.5 points in an unbeaten debut as Team Europe successfully defended their title on American soil.
The Irishwoman has won twice on the LPGA Tour in the two years since and contended in several majors during that time, cementing inside the world’s top 20, with Maguire likely to play a key role for Suzann Pettersen’s side at Finca Cortesin.
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As the Solheim Cup gets under way on September 22, we take a look back at some classic winning moments from down the years between Team USA and Team Europe
As the Solheim Cup gets under way on September 22, we take a look back at some classic winning moments from down the years between Team USA and Team Europe
Team Europe are chasing a third consecutive win over Team USA for the first time in the tournament’s history, although Maguire played down the prospect of her stellar achievements in her previous Solheim Cup appearance.
“Obviously last time went about as well as it possibly could have, but it’s a brand-new event this time,” Maguire said in her pre-tournament press conference. “It’s a brand-new venue and a brand-new team, both on the Europe and the US side.
“I think the US have a fantastic team this time. I think they have a young team that’s ready to go. Ultimately, I’ll try and win as many points as I can, but we’ll just prepare as well as we can and go in with very little expectations like the last time, the same way as I approach any other event.
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A look back at the best shots in Solheim Cup history
A look back at the best shots in Solheim Cup history
“Just because it’s worked well in the past doesn’t really make much difference for this time. It almost feels a little bit like a rookie again playing on home soil. This is all still a new experience for me, so will just try and enjoy the week as much as I can and feed off the energy of the crowd.”
Maguire won 2.5 points alongside Mel Reid in 2021 and one point alongside former AIG Women’s Open champion Georgia Hall, although was seen playing a practice round with Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Hedwall and Madelene Sagstrom on Tuesday.
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The 28-year-old held her pre-tournament press conference alongside reigning Evian Championship winner Celine Boutier, with the pair both hinting at the possibility of the pair playing together at some point during this year’s event.
“I think we have a fantastic team this week,” Maguire added. “I think there’s lots of options of who can play with who. It’s obviously a new team and you’ll see some familiar pairings and some new pairings.
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September 22, 2023, 6:30am
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“She [Pettersen] has done a lot of these, she’s done nine herself, so she knows what she’s doing. So I think both myself and Celine (Boutier) are pretty flexible. We’ll play with just about anybody, so we’re going to do whatever Suzann needs us to do this week.”
Pettersen: Europe know the plan for Friday!
Team Europe had 11 of their 12 players involved in practice rounds on Tuesday, with only Charley Hull sitting out as a precaution due to a slight neck issue, with speculation gathering on the potential partnerships that could be used by Pettersen on the opening day.
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Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen looks ahead to the 2023 Solheim Cup and says the players are set on what will happen on Friday with regards to pairings
Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen looks ahead to the 2023 Solheim Cup and says the players are set on what will happen on Friday with regards to pairings
“I’ve been very transparent with the players already and I’ve literally told them what we’re thinking for Friday morning,” Pettersen told Sky Sports. “I wanted the players to take ownership and the more they early know early then the easier it is to prepare.
“I think the players are pretty set on what’s going to be happening on Friday, which I think is great. As a player I always appreciated getting the information as early as possible. Who you see playing in the practice rounds could have a lot to do with who they potentially play with [on Friday], for sure.”
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September 22, 2023, 12:30pm
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Eight of the winning side from two years ago return this time around, with Caroline Hedwall also part of previous successes, with the strength of depth at her disposal leaving Pettersen plenty to consider.
“Women’s golf is about to explode,” Pettersen added. “It’s massive in Asia, it’s big in the United States and it’s obviously getting stronger and stronger here in Europe. I think the strength of the team shows the strength of the European talents coming through.
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Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Suzann Pettersen joked her biggest job during the Solheim Cup will be to keep Carlota Ciganda in check in front of a home crowd in Spain
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Suzann Pettersen joked her biggest job during the Solheim Cup will be to keep Carlota Ciganda in check in front of a home crowd in Spain
“It’s going to be fun see all these players go out there and just embrace it. It’s great to have a strong team but gives me a lot of headaches. Everyone can’t play all matches so you have to bench certain good players, but it’s a good problem to have.
“With good performances also comes expectations, but the great part here is the players are so up for it. I don’t have to say anything to inspire them or motivate them – they’re just all so on it and ready to go.”
Who will win the 2023 Solheim Cup? Watch exclusively live this September on Sky Sports! Live coverage from the opening ceremony begins at 5pm on Thursday September 21, with the opening day’s play live on the Friday from 6.30am.Stream the Solheim Cupand more with NOW.
Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley looks at Europe’s pre-Ryder Cup scouting mission to Rome, the players who can impress at the BMW PGA Championship and why Luke Donald’s side could extend their home streak over Team USA later this month, live on Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 13/09/23 1:11pm
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Europe’s Ryder Cup stars are all in action at the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event of the DP World Tour calendar, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports Golf.
Europe’s Ryder Cup stars are all in action at the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event of the DP World Tour calendar, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports Golf.
The BMW PGA Championship is just a great championship and is one of the best in the world, with this week’s event having added importance due to the Ryder Cup being just around the corner.
Luke Donald’s men arrive from their team trip to Marco Simone Golf Club, this year’s Ryder Cup venue, where they went to have a practice round together just to make sure they know what they’re in for, golf course-wise, later this month.
They’re going to have enough practice rounds there during event week and I’m sure they could have seen virtual shots of the course instead, but the team bonding will have been key ahead of them being back together again in a couple of weeks.
Luke Donald was joined by all of his players and all of the vice-captains in Rome
The fact they had all 12 players there was also important, as Team USA only had nine of their players there when they made a similar trip a dew days earlier. That puts pressure on the three who didn’t make the trip and, in some ways, immediately makes it feel like the Americans are half a point down.
All of the Europeans are now here at Wentworth and it’s going to be huge, as it will be great to see where they are all at heading into Rome. We’re likely to see several of the team perform well, with one or two then under the microscope if they’re playing badly.
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Shane Lowry hits back at the critics who questioned his selection as a captain’s pick for this year’s Ryder Cup and tells the rookies involved to enjoy it and be themselves.
Shane Lowry hits back at the critics who questioned his selection as a captain’s pick for this year’s Ryder Cup and tells the rookies involved to enjoy it and be themselves.
Shane Lowry last week showed everyone that he was worthy of his captain’s pick, as he played well under the pressure of his own national open and finished very well. The sharks were circling, but that performance certainly shut those critics up.
I certainly expect Rory McIlroy to bounce back this week as he would have been disappointed with the way he finished at the K Club. I couldn’t see him shooting anything over 68 on the Sunday, although it just went pear-shaped as he imploded during his final round.
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Rory McIlroy’s hopes of winning the Irish Open were ended after making a triple-bogey eight at the 16th hole in the final round.
Rory McIlroy’s hopes of winning the Irish Open were ended after making a triple-bogey eight at the 16th hole in the final round.
McIlroy will be back with a vengeance at a venue where he has won at before, although he hasn’t always had the greatest of records at Wentworth outside of that victory in 2014. He’s just about fully recovered now from the back twinge from the FedExCup Playoffs and he will be hard to beat this week.
Point to prove for Meronk?
Someone was always going to miss out on the Ryder Cup, although you wouldn’t expect it to be someone who has won three national opens over the past 15 months or so. Donald and his backroom staff will have looked at the statistic and had their reasons for leaving Adrian Meronk out.
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Rob Lee says Adrian Meronk has every right to be frustrated after not being selected as a captain’s Pick for the Ryder Cup.
Rob Lee says Adrian Meronk has every right to be frustrated after not being selected as a captain’s Pick for the Ryder Cup.
I watched a bit of Meronk last week and I can see why they didn’t pick him now. His chipping was very average, which would have been something you want to be firing when you get to Marco Simone Golf Club later this month.
Would you want him to want to get it up and down on the last, if he’s not a great chipper, to regain the Ryder Cup? I’m not sure. From what I’ve seen, that’s the work that needs to be done, although maybe he will come to Wentworth with a point to prove.
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Team Europe captain Luke Donald’s 12-man Ryder Cup team is complete – meet the golfers looking to win back the trophy.
Team Europe captain Luke Donald’s 12-man Ryder Cup team is complete – meet the golfers looking to win back the trophy.
Rome on the mind for Europe
The world stars of Europe will shine on the DP World Tour this week at Wentworth and will clearly be up for this event on its own, as the BMW PGA Championship is massive, but all eyes are starting to turn towards the Ryder Cup.
It has taken a long time to bubble, but the waiting is nearly over and I think the European team is looking really good. I like the way you’ve got the mix of rookies, returning players and experienced heads in the team and I’m sure they will all play their part.
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Team Europe captain Luke Donald explains his Ryder Cup selections and how he plans to win back the famous trophy.
Team Europe captain Luke Donald explains his Ryder Cup selections and how he plans to win back the famous trophy.
I think it’ll be exciting and as long as it’s close then I think everyone will be happy, but I genuinely think Europe can win it. It’s a European team determined to regain the trophy and everyone is in a good place, so I can’t see them not going well.
Watch the BMW PGA Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday with Featured Groups from 8.30am ahead of full coverage from midday on Sky Sports Golf.
Who is playing in the BMW PGA Championship? When does coverage start? Ways to watch the DP World Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth live from Thursday September 14 on Sky Sports, ahead of the Ryder Cup later this month in Rome
Last Updated: 11/09/23 11:04am
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Europe’s Ryder Cup stars are all in action at the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event of the DP World Tour calendar, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports Golf
Europe’s Ryder Cup stars are all in action at the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event of the DP World Tour calendar, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports Golf
The stars of Europe’s next Ryder Cup team are all in action this week at the BMW PGA Championship, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports.
All 12 of Luke Donald’s side are scheduled to tee it up at Wentworth in the flagship event of the DP World Tour calendar, beginning on Thursday, ahead of trying to regain the Ryder Cup when the biennial contest takes place in Rome later this month.
Shane Lowry returns as defending champion after last year’s one-shot victory, with the Irishman looking to build on an impressive week at home soil at the Horizon Irish Open and become the first player since Donald to win back-to-back BMW PGA Championship titles.
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The best of the action from the final round of the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth
The best of the action from the final round of the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth
Rory McIlroy holds a commanding 2,350-point advantage over Jon Rahm at the top of the DP World Tour season-long standings as he targets Race to Dubai victory for a fifth time, with both players aiming to go one better than their joint runner-up finish in 2022.
McIlroy has already won two Rolex Series titles this season, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Genesis Scottish Open, with this week’s event the fourth of five Rolex Series events on the DP World Tour schedule.
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Highlights from a dramatic final round as Rory McIlroy secured a dramatic victory over Robert MacIntyre at the Scottish Open
Highlights from a dramatic final round as Rory McIlroy secured a dramatic victory over Robert MacIntyre at the Scottish Open
2019 champion Tyrrell Hatton, FedExCup winner Viktor Hovland and new star Ludvig Åberg are all part of a strong line-up, with Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka, Nicolai Hojgaard and Robert MacIntyre completing the Ryder Cup contingent in the field.
Sky Sports will have extended coverage from one of the highlights of the golfing calendar, with Featured Group action available from all four rounds and over 35 hours of live golf throughout the tournament.
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Featured Group coverage starts at 8.30am each day on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of the full coverage beginning from midday for all four rounds. Coverage runs until 6pm from Thursday to Saturday and 5.30pm on Sunday, with extended highlights also available each day.
TV Times (on Sky Sports Golf)
Thursday September 14
8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups
Live DP World Tour Golf
September 14, 2023, 8:30am
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12pm to 6pm – Full live coverage
Friday September 15
8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups
12pm to 6pm – Full live coverage
Rory McIlroy (right) and Jon Rahm (left) are the two highest-ranked players in the field at Wentworth
Saturday September 16
8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups
12pm to 6pm – Full live coverage
Sunday September 17
8.30am to 12pm – Featured Groups
12pm to 5.30pm – Full live coverage
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Team Europe captain Luke Donald’s 12-man Ryder Cup team is complete – meet the golfers looking to win back the trophy
Team Europe captain Luke Donald’s 12-man Ryder Cup team is complete – meet the golfers looking to win back the trophy
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Vincent Norrman claimed a one-shot victory over Hurly Long, with Shane Lowry among the players tied-third on 12 under; Rory McIlroy found the hazard four times during a final-round 76 to end the week tied-16th at the K Club
By Ali Stafford
Last Updated: 10/09/23 7:54pm
Vincent Norrman produced an unlikely victory at the Horizon Irish Open
Vincent Norrman secured a second DP World Tour title with a dramatic victory at the Horizon Irish Open, where Rory McIlroy’s challenge faded after a frustrating final day at the K Club.
Norrman overturned a six-stroke deficit during a gripping final round, following six birdies in an eight-hole stretch by taking advantage of the par-five last to close a sensational bogey-free 65 and set the clubhouse target at 14 under.
The Swede was then made to wait for nearly 90 minutes as the chasing pack all faltered down the closing stretch, with Norrman finishing a shot clear of overnight leader Hurly Long and Shane Lowry sharing third spot with Grant Forrest, Thirston Lawrence and Ryan Fox.
-14 Vincent Norrman (Swe)
-13 Hurly Long (Ger)
-12 Thriston Lawrence (Rsa), Shane Lowry (Irl), Grant Forrest (Sco), Ryan Fox (NzL)
Selected others: -11 Connor Syme (Sco); -10 Jordan Smith (Eng); -9 Rory McIlroy (NIrl)
McIlroy held a share of the lead during a storm-affected Sunday, only to find the hazard four times in a final-round 74 – including twice in a triple-bogey at the 16th – to end the week in tied-16th.
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Rory McIlroy found the water twice during the final round of the Irish Open.
Rory McIlroy found the water twice during the final round of the Irish Open.
How Norrman prevailed in Irish thriller
Long took a one-shot lead into the final day but lost his advantage with a three-putt bogey at the second, with the German in a share of the lead alongside McIlroy, Forrest and Min Woo Lee when play was suspended for over 90 minutes due to thunderstorms.
McIlroy birdied the first and scrambled from the sand to take advantage of the fourth but fell two behind when he found water and double-bogeyed the seventh, with Fox edging ahead when he followed back-to-back birdies from the fourth by adding another at the eighth.
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Rory McIlroy started his final round at the Irish Open in fine fashion as he birdies the first hole to tighten the gap behind leader Hurly Long to just one shot.
Rory McIlroy started his final round at the Irish Open in fine fashion as he birdies the first hole to tighten the gap behind leader Hurly Long to just one shot.
Norrman opened with six pars and was outside the top-20 on the leaderboard until he began his move by birdieing the seventh and making three in a row from the ninth, with back-to-back gains from the 13th then pulling him level on 13 under.
Long responded to a bogey at the eighth by draining from 20 feet at the ninth, while Forrest birdied the tenth to briefly make it a four-way tie at the top again, only for Fox and Forrest to both slip back by dropping shots at the 12th.
Ryan Fox mixed four birdies with two bogeys during the final round
Norrman two-putted at the par-five last to add a seventh birdie of the day and move to 14 under, which suddenly moved him into a two-shot lead when Long followed a birdie at the 12th by bogeying both his next two holes.
McIlroy was three back with five to play but saw his hopes ended on the penultimate hole, where he had to hole from 15 feet just to salvage a triple-bogey, with the Northern Irishman ending five strokes back despite a closing birdie.
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Rory McIlroy avoids a nine or a double-digit score by rattling in from 15 feet to salvage a triple-bogey eight at the 16th.
Rory McIlroy avoids a nine or a double-digit score by rattling in from 15 feet to salvage a triple-bogey eight at the 16th.
Fox bogeyed the 17th to leave him requiring a final-hole eagle to force a play-off, only for him to have to lay up and leave a closing par, with the New Zealander matching the closing 70 from Forrest.
That left Long the only player who could catch Norrman, who saw his victory secured when the German – requiring an eagle at the last to get to 14 under – had to settle for a two-putt birdie to lift him to solo second.
Lawrence finished birdie-eagle to also join Lowry in a share of third, while Scotland’s Connor Syme carded a bogey-free to sit as one of five players a further shot back in a share of seventh.
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Norrman delighted by Irish success
Norrman’s victory follows his breakthrough success at the Barbasol Championship earlier this season, with the win sending him into the world’s top 100 for the first time in his career.
“It means everything,” Normann said. “Obviously such a cool event to play. The fans have been incredible. I’ve really had a fun week. It’s a long wait [as later starters finished] but yeah, super happy.
Vincent Norrman could move as high as sixth in the DP World Tour rankings
“The front nine was huge. I was playing so-so and then I birdied the seventh and ninth to get some momentum going into the back. I think that was key today. Obviously if you win, you’re doing something good. It’s a world-class event, and honestly I can’t believe it’s happened.”
What’s next?
The DP World Tour heads to England next for the BMW PGA Championship, where all 12 of Europe’s Ryder Cup team are schedule to compete, with extended coverage from Wentworth throughout the week live on Sky Sports.
Lowry returns as defending champion, having held off McIlroy and Jon Rahm to win last year’s contest, with live Featured Group coverage beginning on Thursday from 8.30am on Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage from midday.
Watch the Ryder Cup this month exclusively live Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening day begins on Friday September 29 from 6am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, Ryder Cup and more with NOW.
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Rory McIlroy now sits near the top of the leaderboard heading into Sunday’s final round; McIlroy won his only other Irish Open when the event was held at the same venue in 2016 and is looking to repeat; watch final round live from 12.30pm on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 09/09/23 5:06pm
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Rory McIlroy had an incredible moment of luck, hitting his approach shot off a rock and onto the 16th green!
Rory McIlroy had an incredible moment of luck, hitting his approach shot off a rock and onto the 16th green!
Rory McIlroy was left cursing his luck as he battled to play his way into contention for a second Horizon Irish Open title at The K Club.
Back at the venue where he lifted the title in 2016, McIlroy began the third round eight shots off the lead but not without hope of mounting a victory charge.
The four-time major winner got off to an ideal start with a birdie on the first and picked up another on the fourth, but then saw his birdie putt on the ninth horseshoe around the hole and stay out.
McIlroy’s eagle chip from the back of the 10th green also caught the edge of the hole and stayed out, but the tap-in birdie took him to eight under par, five behind leaders Shubhankar Sharma and Jordan Smith.
He had holed out from 116 yards for an eagle on the 16th in round two, but it was a completely different story on the same hole 24 hours later.
Attempting to reach the green in two, his approach from 225 yards away in the semi rough found the water in front of the green and from the drop zone his fourth shot hit a rock on the edge of the hazard, but bounced on to the green.
McIlroy narrowly missed the long par attempt and the resulting bogey dropped him four off the lead now held by Germany’s Hurly Long, with Smith having run up a double bogey on the seventh.
Watch the final round of the Horizon Irish Open at The K Club live from 12.30pm on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf.
Watch the Ryder Cup this month exclusively live Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening day begins on Friday September 29 from 6am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, Ryder Cup and more with NOW.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
Team USA dominated the Sunday singles to claim a fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest; World amateur No 1 Gordon Sargent won all four of his matches for the United States, who won 14.5-11.5 at St Andrews
Last Updated: 03/09/23 9:08pm
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Highlights from day two of The Walker Cup at St Andrews
Highlights from day two of The Walker Cup at St Andrews
The United States staged a superb fightback to beat Great Britain and Ireland and retain the Walker Cup at St Andrews.
GB&I led by three points after the opening day, but the USA won Sunday morning’s foursomes 3-1 to reduce their deficit and then took seven points from the 10 singles matches to win by 14.5 to 11.5.
England’s Jack Bigham and Ireland’s Mark Power were the home side’s only winners in the singles, Bigham beating Nick Gabrelcik 3&2 and Power making birdies on the 17th and 18th to defeat Ben James and claim his third victory of the weekend.
Team USA claimed a 14.5-11.5 victory in the Walker Cup
The visitors had been odds-on favourites to secure a fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest for the top male amateur golfers, with eight of the 10-man side ranked in the world’s top 10.
World No 1 Gordon Sargent led from the front and completed a perfect 4-0 record with victory over John Gough on the 18th, as Gough crucially hit his tee shot out of bounds on the previous hole to fall behind.
Gordon Sargent impressed for Team USA in their Walker Cup victory
GB&I captain Stuart Wilson said: “We’re obviously disappointed. We had a nice lead this morning that we kind of let slide quite a bit in the foursomes but I think where the guys will be hurting the most is they’ll know themselves they haven’t turned up this afternoon and acquitted themselves in the way we know they can.
“We always thought it was going to be a tight match and everything went our way yesterday (Saturday). Six matches went up the last and we got four and a half points out of them but all the momentum seemed to be with the US side today. To be fair to the players they are a great side and they handled the conditions a lot better than our guys.”
Stuart Wilson was the non-playing captain for Great Britain and Ireland
US captain Mike McCoy, who was a player on the last American side to lose the Walker Cup in 2015, said: “It’s pretty special, it’s certainly the pinnacle of my golfing life. After the morning session I felt a lot better, like we were really back in the tournament and had a chance to win this thing.
“Last night I was pretty concerned as the mornings are historically not our strong suit, but the guys played great and I think the morning was what made the day.”
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What’s next?
Luke Donald will name his six captain’s picks to complete Europe’s Ryder Cup side on Monday, live from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of the contest taking place from September 29-October 1.
The next DP World Tour event is the Horizon Irish Open, beginning on Thursday at the K Club, where Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry are all due to feature.
Megan Khang is again on top at the Portland Classic after three rounds, six days on from winning the CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy in Vancouver, her first LPGA Tour victory; Hyo Joon Jang of South Korea and Monday qualifier Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand are tied for second.
Last Updated: 03/09/23 8:12am
Megan Khang is in the form of her life as she sets the pace with 18 holes remaining at the Portland Classic
Megan Khang closed with an 18-foot birdie putt for her third straight six-under 66 and a one-stroke lead on Saturday at the Portland Classic in a bid to win for the second straight week.
The 25-year-old American is on top at Columbia Edgewater six days after winning the CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy in Vancouver, British Columbia, for her first LPGA Tour victory. Columbia Edgewater and Shaughnessy were both designed by AV Macan and feature towering trees.
“Game feels pretty solid,” Khang said. “I think last week definitely helped build some confidence, knowing I can win out here. It’s not just if it was going to happen or when, but like it has happened, so it’s definitely a great feeling to have under the belt.”
Hyo Joon Jang of South Korea and Monday qualifier Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand are tied for second.
The 20-year-old Jang, ranked 488th in the world, shot a 62. She had 11 birdies and one bogey.
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“I wasn’t really counting birdies,” Jang said. “I was more focusing on the present.”
Khang played the back nine in five-under 31 to get to 18 under.
“Just going to try to take what I learned last week into this week, going with a one-shot lead,” Khang said. “So it’s definitely a lot closer and there is a ton of people. I know for a fact you can shoot low, and so it’s going to be anyone’s game out there I feel like.”
Carlota Ciganda of Spain is fourth at 15 under after a 66. Xiyu Lin (66) is at 14 under with Atthaya Thitikul (67), Ruoning Yin (68) and Gina Kim (68).
Perrine Delacour, the leader after each of the first two rounds, had a 75 to drop into a tie for 16th at 11 under. After opening with bogey-free rounds of 63 and 67, she opened and closed with double-bogeys on Saturday. She also had three bogeys and just two birdies.
Columbia Edgewater member Caroline Inglis is tied for 58th at five under after a 75. The former University of Oregon player lives across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington
Watch the Walker Cup live on Sky Sports from 6pm on Saturday and 5.30pm on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 01/09/23 6:59pm
The Walker Cup trophy takes place at St Andrews this weekend
Great Britain and Ireland captain Stuart Wilson has welcomed being given a selection headache for the 49th Walker Cup against the United States at the Old Course at St Andrews.
The visitors are odds-on favourites to secure a fourth consecutive victory in the biennial contest for the top male amateur golfers, with eight of Mike McCoy’s 10-man side ranked in the world’s top 10.
Only Stewart Hagestad (19th) is ranked lower than GB&I’s top-ranked player John Gough (14th), while the home side includes 16-year-old Scot Connor Graham, the youngest player to contest the Walker Cup for either side.
The last win for the hosts came in 2015 at Royal Lytham, where Jimmy Mullen compiled a perfect 4-0 record in a seven-point win over an American side which included this year’s captain McCoy and Bryson DeChambeau.
“The team has done a fantastic job this week of preparing,” said Wilson, who also captained the side to a narrow 14-12 defeat at Seminole in 2021.
“It’s been a long week. I don’t think there’s many weeks like this in the golfing calendar when there’s so much preparation.
“But we had our two practice rounds early in the week and then we had a little break over to Kingsbarns, which was a bit more of a social kind of relaxed day, and then rounding them up Thursday and Friday here for the official practice days.
“Preparations have gone well and the guys are all playing well, which is great to see.
“Playing well and practising creates a nice situation but a difficult situation, as well, giving us a little bit of a headache as to pairings, and obviously we’ve got to leave two players out of each of the first three sessions, so the guys have made my job difficult by deciding who to leave out.”
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England’s Barclay Brown and Ireland’s Mark Power are the only players from the 2021 side to have returned this year, Power having won three of his four matches at Seminole.
“I’m trying to help some of the younger guys out and even some of the guys who haven’t played here before,” Power said.
“I suppose it’s a different feeling than last time. Circumstances were a little bit different with Covid and everything.
“I feel like this week has been a lot longer, and I feel like our preparations have been great. I feel like everyone is confident we’ve done the right things.
“It’s just about getting into the matches now, and I suppose just locking into your own process, not trying to do anything too different. That’s a big thing I would say.
“Last time around there was a restricted crowd, so it wasn’t quite the full experience. It was still probably the best week of my golfing career so far. I’d imagine this week will top it.
“We’ll definitely be leaning on the home crowd to give us a little extra support, but we’re all really going to embrace it and it’s going to be amazing. At the Home of Golf it’s extra special, so really looking forward to it.”
The teams will contest four foursomes matches and eight singles on Saturday, followed by four more foursomes and 10 singles on Sunday.
