Justin Thomas got off to a fast start in defence of his US PGA Tour Tournament of Champions title. The world number three shares the lead with Harris English on eight-under-par after a flawless opening round that included eight birdies.
Dustin Johnson will tee up in his first competitive event since his dominant performance at Augusta in November at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii this week. The world number one will start as a favourite for the event with a strong field including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas.
Viktor Hovland rolled in a ten-foot birdie putt at the last to claim his second PGA Tour title of the year at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico. The man from Norway edged out American Aaron Wise who had set a testing clubhouse target after he shot an eight-under closing round of 63.
The European Tour and PGA TOUR today announced a Strategic Alliance but it begs the question as to what were the drivers behind this partnership. The PGA Tour is acquiring a minority stake in the European Tour Productions, the European Tour’s Media Production company and so perhaps cash is the driver. Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR
Robert Streb almost holed his second shot at the second playoff hole at The RSM Classic. The birdie was enough to win at Georgia's Sea Island Golf Club for a second time edging out Kevin Kisner. Streb, 33, won the event back in 2014 when he came from behind to prevail in a playoff this time he did it from the front.
Robert Streb struggled on day three of the RSM Classic but still walked off the final green with a three shot lead over the field. Streb had another bogey-free round but this time had to grind out the pars on the front nine before finding three birdies in his final eleven holes. Emiliano Grillo shot a 65 and is four shots behind, while Kevin Kisner (66) and Kyle Stanley (68) sit five back.
Camilo Villegas carried his excellent form into Friday at the RSM Classic. The 38-year-old from Colombia shot a six-under 66 to add to his opening 64 but it was Robert Streb who grabbed a two-stroke lead after a nine-under 63. “I don’t want to be the one that breaks it,” Streb said. “There’s still a lot of golf left, and we’ll see what happens.”
England's Matt Wallace carded eight birdies in a six-under-par 64 to grab a share of the lead at The RSM Classic alongside Colombian Camilo Villegas. The pair are a shot clear of a whole gaggle on five-under which includes major champion Keegan Bradley and the now Slovakian Rory Sabbatini. On arriving at the course on Thursday morning, Villegas saw a rainbow over the course which inspired him.
Carlos Ortiz held off Dustin Johnson and a charging Hideki Matsuyama to win the Vivint Houston Open and become the first Mexican to win on the PGA Tour since Victor Regalado in 1978 at the Quad Cities Open. "It feels awesome," said Ortiz, "This is like my second home. There was a bunch of people cheering for me, Latinos and Texans. I'm thankful for all of them."
Brian Gay rolled in his long birdie putt at the first playoff hole at the Bermuda Championship to beat a man almost half his age and become the oldest winner on the PGA Tour since Davis Love III in 2015. "Well, this is absolutely insane," said Gay after his round. "I’ve been playing awful since Covid… it’s been a struggle. I’ve been trying to work hard and get back."
Patrick Cantlay of America snatched a one shot victory at the Zozo Championship with final round seven-under 65 which included nine birdies. Jon Rahm of Spain and overnight leader Justin Thomas finished tied in second on twenty-two under par.
Justin Thomas takes a one shot lead into the weekend at the Zozo Championship at the Sherwood Country Club in California. Thomas matched his opening round of 65 with a flawless round which included a stretch of five birdies in six holes on his first nine. "Got off to a hot start today and kind of coasted coming in," said Thomas
