The Zurich Classic leaderboard was topped by Cameron Tringale and Ken Duke at 7-under 65, leaving defending champion Bubba Watson six strokes back at TPC Louisiana in his first tournament since winning the Masters.
Duke had seven birdies in a bogey-free round. Both players are winless on the PGA Tour, while Tringale birdied the final four holes and finished the round with eight birdies and a bogey.
A stroke back at 66 was Ernie Els, Chris Stroud, Steve Stricker and Daniel Chopra. Ben Curtis was another shot behind along with John Rollins and Jason Dufner. Curtis came off a victory Sunday in the Texas Open. Watson had four birdies and three bogeys in his 71.
Tringale recovered from his early bogey at the par-three third with eight birdies overall and he surged to his share of the lead with birdies at the last four holes. Duke had seven birdies, including three in a row from the fifth. He is seeking a first career US PGA Tour victory. He capped his round with a birdie at 18 and he had two more at 11 and 12.
Stricker started on the 10th tee and after his only bogey of the day, at the par-five 18th, played his last nine holes in five-under, while Els made a birdie from a bunker at 18 to cap his 66. It was another shot back to Ben Curtis, John Rollins and Jason Dufner on 67. Watson had four birdies and three bogeys in his 71.He teed off on 10 and were two-over through seven holes. He held on and finished his round with three bogeys and four birdies.
England’s Luke Donald signed for a 73. He is ranked second in the world. Chopra puts himself in position to regain full-time status. He is a two-time tour winner who has failed to make a cut this season. The 66 was his first round in the 60s this season.
Sticker birdied four of his final five holes and saved his round with a nifty up and down on his final hole, the par-3 ninth. He was playing alongside Watson and Simpson. He chipped to 7 feet and made the putt, after his tee shot landed short and right of the green.
The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Outrights have Steve Stricker-57/10, Ernie Els-17/2; Cameron Tringale-10; Jason Dufner-21/2; Webb Simpson-133/10; Ken Duke-28.
Denmark’s, twenty-two-year-old Thorbjorn Olesen held off a strong late challenge from Chris Wood at the Sicilian Open and claimed his maiden European Tour title. In perfect conditions at the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Wood equalled the course record with a brilliant eight-under-par 64 to charge into contention. However, overnight leader Olesen held his nerve to post a 69 and win by one shot on 15 under.
The 22-year-old Dane said that the win felt amazing. He added that last year, he has three seconds; therefore getting his first win was great.
Olesen had a mixed opening. Over his first five holes, he carded two bogeys and two birdies. He soon found himself pegged back today as Wood joined him on 14 under, although he had started the day with a three-shot advantage.
The 24-year-old from Bristol was five under through five after birdies on the second, third and fifth holes and an eagle on four. He was himself seeking his first Tour crown. With six holes remaining, he advanced to eight under for the day to earn a share of the lead. On 14, he picked up another shot with a further birdie, although he blotted his copybook with a bogey on the par-five 17th, which ultimately proved costly.
Olesen got straight back on track with a birdie on 14, although he dropped a shot on 13 and then got over the line by parring the last four holes. He becomes the second-youngest European Tour winner so far this year. The win made him collect a check for 166,660 Euros ($222,400). in his previous 41 Tour events he had previously finished second three times.
Two shots further back were Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium. Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara finished on 11-under, a further stroke back in fifth despite three bogeys on his back nine. in the last round, Wood put Olesen under severe pressure after the Englishman carded seven birdies and an eagle in a best of the day 64.
Shanr Lowry consecutive bogeys at 17 and 18, saw him post a 67 that left him 10 under in a tie for sixth. He was on course to go low. Peter Lawrie, who led coming into the weekend, shot a 73 to drop back to seven under, while a 69 left Gareth Maybin on eight under.
The HP Byron Nelson Championship is the sign of summer for the PGA Tour. Most golfers use the tournament as a serious tune-up for the U.S. Open which is just a few short weeks away. The TPC Four Seasons course is considered a thinking man’s course and the previous winners prove the point.
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There have been some golfers on the previous winners list that have a good first drive off the tee but that does not mean they can be lumped in as strictly big bombers. Adam Scott is a perfect example. He is big off the tee and he is also known as one of the smartest golfers on the PGA Tour.
Among the favorites for this event: Matt Kuchar (20-1), K.J. Choi (20-1) and Jason Day (20-1). Matt Kuchar has made the cut in all 11 tournaments he has entered and is nearing $2 million in earnings. Kuchar is not the biggest ball striker on tour but he is better than average at hitting greens in regulation and he is one of the best scramblers on tour.
K.J. Choi is coming off the high of winning the Players Championship and this will be a perfect spot for him to show the victory was no fluke. Choi is hitting the ball well but when he does get in trouble there is no one better than Choi at getting out of a sticky situation.
Jason Day is another favorite not many people think of when it comes to winning a PGA tournament. Day has gained more notoriety after finishing second in The Masters and his five top tens this season have given him respect.
Although Tiger Woods is doubtful for the tournament the field is shaping up, the Players Championship will take place May 12-15. Jim Furyk, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Phil Mickelson are among the golfers already signed up to play.
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In this exciting kickoff to the summer months of the PGA Tour, among the top stars there will be several up and comers to watch for. A Jhonattan Vegas already has one win as he ranks 13th in the money for the year. He is also better than average hitting the greens in regulation as he is out driving his average PGA competitors this year by nine yards.
On the tour, the best golfer to take a chance on is quickly becoming an elder statesman. The Players Championship is as good of a tournament as any as Sergio Garcia is destined for a big win in the near future. At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Garcia’s best finish this year was eighth.
Luke Donald is another veteran to consider in this year’s Players Championship. Although Donald is excellent saving shots and saving bad plays by hitting the greens in regulation after a bad first shot, he is not a big hitter off the tee.
By finishing in the top ten twice and earning five top 25 finishes, Jim Furyk has struggled this year. Even though he is deadly accurate off the tee, he is a smart golfer who is not a big banger on his first shot. During an important tournament Furyk is also good for rising to the occasion.
On the tour, the Zurich Classic in New Orleans is one of the more relaxing tournaments. For many of the PGA golfers looking to prepare for the Player Championship in May, this is usually a nice tune up.
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What many of the best players in the world look forward to be the early list of commitments for the Zurich Classic show the tournament. Luke Donald ranked 10th, Steve Stricker ranked eighth and Graeme McDowell ranked fifth in the world are three of the top ten golfers that have made it a habit to make their way down to the Big Easy every year.
Even though McDowell and Stricker should do well in this year’s tournament, they are average ball strikers. Jhonny Vegas is another key entry to watch. Vegas will be one of the biggest bangers off the tee for this event as he has been impressive early on this season.
Rickie Fowler and Camilo Villegas will be two other good golfers to keep an eye on in this tournament. With an aggressive play, Fowler is another big hitter off the tee that is not afraid to make a mistake. Although Villegas is also another golfer that will out drive much of his competition he has not played much this season.
In this tournament, are you looking for a veteran to make a run? Although Nick Watney is a good bet to make a solid run in this tournament he is only 30-years-old. Watney will be looking to establish himself before the Players Championship as he will be one of the biggest long ball hitters in the tournament.
In order to defend his title for the San Antonio event which is scheduled a month earlier than last year’s event, Adam Scott returns to the Valero Texas Open. During San Antonio’s fiesta week the tournament will also take place which will add flavor to the tournament this year.
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The Valero Texas Open is one of the events that include permanent style grandstand seating as this is one of the more unique PGA events on the circuit. The Valero Open is an event that lives up to the advanced billing as the state of Texas loves to do things in a big way.
The Masters is a reason the PGA chose this tournament to follow the greatest golf event of the year. The fans come out in droves for this tournament as the event does everything big. The fans will bring a different flavor to this distinctly unique PGA event as the event will be well attended.
Before Adam Scott took home the trophy in 2010, Zach Johnson won the two previous Valero Texas Opens. Even though Johnson is one of the most accurate PGA golfers off the tee, he may not be the biggest the banger off the tee. Johnson’s ability to scramble after a poor shot is another critical category he excels.
Justin Leonard is one golfer that has fallen on hard times but has performed well in this event. Since he did not qualify for The Masters and he will be a fun long shot to watch if he makes the cut, he will have a chip on his shoulder.
Nick Watney came out victorious at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. It was his 175th PGA Tour event. It was his first since 2009 and the third time in his career. To chase down Dustin Johnson for the triumph, Watney shot a final round 5-under par, 67. Heading into Sunday, Johnson held a two-stroke lead over Watney.
During the final six holes, Watney made three key putts to solidify his success. On the 13th hole, his 18-foot putt kept a one-stroke lead and permitted him to save par. Watney misplayed his bunker shot, just two holes later, which left him a 25-foot par putt. Later he sent his putter into the center of the cup.
To accomplish a tie for 10th, Tiger Woods produced a thrilling final round of 66. Since the 2010 U.S. Open last June, it was his first top-10 finish in an official PGA Tour event.
In the top tier of the rankings, there was no alteration again. Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey and Rory McIlroy were the ones who made it to the first eight. Matt Kuchar was pushed to ninth and Steve Stricker was sent down a spot. Dustin Johnson climbed three places to No. 11. Jim Furyk, Ernie Els and Ian Poulter were all down a spot. In world rankings, Watney rose to No. 15. At 16 was Francesco Molinari. He moved up from 17. Bubba Watson dropped to 17th. At No. 18 was Hunter Mahan followed by Retief Goosen and Robert Karlsson to complete the Top 20.
