BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT AND SCORES
OOSTHUIZEN AND HARRINGTON HAVE
WINNING CHANCE ON FINAL DAY
FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
WINNING CHANCE ON FINAL DAY
FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
HP BYRON NELSON: Scores | Tee times | Rd. 3 Wrap-up | TOUR Report | Weather Hub | Social Hub | FedExCup
IRVING, Texas -- Louis Oosthuizen, pictured below, has never won a professional golf event on American soil. His only win on the US Tour schedule was achieved in Scotland - the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews.
Padraig Harrington hasn't won on the US Tour since the 2008 PGA Championship, his third major in a 13-month span.
Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters winner, hasn't won since 2007.
In the last few years, those three major winners have dealt with a variety of injuries, swing changes and other challenges that can derail any world-class golfer.
On Sunday, in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship at Irving, Texas, South African Oosthuizen, Irishman Harrington and Canadian Weir each has the opportunity to end his respective drought.
The three will begin the day in the heat of the battle, and they will call on every ounce of experience, guile and determination on a TPC Four Seasons Resort course that demands your constant attention.
"It's taking me a bit longer to really get my game where I want it to be," said Oosthuizen, who has endured neck and back injuries the last couple of years. In fact, a year ago at this event, he had to withdraw after 54 holes with a neck injury. "Hopefully this weekend can kick off something and get my game on the track that I want it to be."
Oosthuizen, who has won five European Tour events since his major triumph, enters the final round as the co-leader with Brendon Todd at 10 under. Weir is tied for third at 9 under. Harrington is tied for sixth at 8 under.
"Looking forward to the challenge," said Weir, who has endured the longest hardship after a partial ligament tear in his right elbow four years ago.
During one stretch, he made the cut in just three of 39 starts. He contemplated giving up the game.
Now he's one shot off the lead with 18 holes to play. It's the best position he's been in after 54 holes in more than four years.
"That's what I've been working toward the last few years," Weir said after his 3-under 67 Saturday, "to get myself back here in this position."
Harrington's swing changes since winning at Oakland Hills have been well-documented. He has shown flashes but hasn't been able to sustain the momentum for all four rounds. He concluded his 66 on Saturday by saving par out of a difficult lie from the greenside bunker at 18.
"I feel every week like it might be my week," Harrington said, "but it hasn't been happening. ... It isn't easy when things aren't going well for you out there. It's frustrating. But you have to keep it going."
It won't be easy Sunday. Seventeen players are within five shots of the lead. Everyone is hungry. Todd has never won on TOUR. James Hahn, tied for third after reeling off five straight birdies on the back nine Saturday, has never won. Neither has Graham DeLaet. Nor has Morgan Hoffman. Both are tied for sixth.
Whether Oosthuizen, Weir or Harrington win on Sunday, maybe the week has already been a success for them, getting in contention, stringing together some good rounds.
"I've seen some good form in my game, some nice signs," Harrington said. "If It doesn't happen for me tomorrow, it's positive going forward."
Of course, victory would be the best sign.
IRVING, Texas -- Louis Oosthuizen, pictured below, has never won a professional golf event on American soil. His only win on the US Tour schedule was achieved in Scotland - the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews.
Padraig Harrington hasn't won on the US Tour since the 2008 PGA Championship, his third major in a 13-month span.
Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters winner, hasn't won since 2007.
In the last few years, those three major winners have dealt with a variety of injuries, swing changes and other challenges that can derail any world-class golfer.
On Sunday, in the final round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship at Irving, Texas, South African Oosthuizen, Irishman Harrington and Canadian Weir each has the opportunity to end his respective drought.
The three will begin the day in the heat of the battle, and they will call on every ounce of experience, guile and determination on a TPC Four Seasons Resort course that demands your constant attention.
"It's taking me a bit longer to really get my game where I want it to be," said Oosthuizen, who has endured neck and back injuries the last couple of years. In fact, a year ago at this event, he had to withdraw after 54 holes with a neck injury. "Hopefully this weekend can kick off something and get my game on the track that I want it to be."
Oosthuizen, who has won five European Tour events since his major triumph, enters the final round as the co-leader with Brendon Todd at 10 under. Weir is tied for third at 9 under. Harrington is tied for sixth at 8 under.
"Looking forward to the challenge," said Weir, who has endured the longest hardship after a partial ligament tear in his right elbow four years ago.
During one stretch, he made the cut in just three of 39 starts. He contemplated giving up the game.
Now he's one shot off the lead with 18 holes to play. It's the best position he's been in after 54 holes in more than four years.
"That's what I've been working toward the last few years," Weir said after his 3-under 67 Saturday, "to get myself back here in this position."
Harrington's swing changes since winning at Oakland Hills have been well-documented. He has shown flashes but hasn't been able to sustain the momentum for all four rounds. He concluded his 66 on Saturday by saving par out of a difficult lie from the greenside bunker at 18.
"I feel every week like it might be my week," Harrington said, "but it hasn't been happening. ... It isn't easy when things aren't going well for you out there. It's frustrating. But you have to keep it going."
It won't be easy Sunday. Seventeen players are within five shots of the lead. Everyone is hungry. Todd has never won on TOUR. James Hahn, tied for third after reeling off five straight birdies on the back nine Saturday, has never won. Neither has Graham DeLaet. Nor has Morgan Hoffman. Both are tied for sixth.
Whether Oosthuizen, Weir or Harrington win on Sunday, maybe the week has already been a success for them, getting in contention, stringing together some good rounds.
"I've seen some good form in my game, some nice signs," Harrington said. "If It doesn't happen for me tomorrow, it's positive going forward."
Of course, victory would be the best sign.
THANKS, SIS: Scottie Scheffler wanted to hit 4-iron at the 218-yard, par-3 second hole Saturday.
His 19-year-old sister Callie, carrying his bag this week, thought otherwise.
"What about the 5?" she said.
One of his playing partners said the same thing. So the 17-year-old top-ranked junior amateur from Dallas went with the 5-iron.
Hole-in-one.
It's just the fourth ace struck by an amateur at a US PGA Tour event since 1983. It's the third ace for Scheffler in competition.
Callie, who plays collegiately at Texas AandM, has been on the bag for two of them. The other time was at the U.S. Amateur. She called that club too.
"That's pretty funny," Scheffler said. "That one we actually got to see go in."
The ace was on Scheffler's 11th hole (he started his round off the 10th tee) and helped turn around his day. He made three more birdies coming in to shoot 69 in a round in which he missed five putts inside 5 feet. He's 2 under going into Sunday.
And thanks to the ace ...
"At least he didn't have to putt," Callie joked.
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70) Players from USA unless stated
200 Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 68 68 64, Brendon Todd 68 64 68
201 James Hahn 71 65 65, Gary Woodland 68 67 66, Mike Weir (Canada) 68 66 67
202 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 68 68 66, Marc Leishman (Australia) 66 68 68, Graham deLaet (Canada) 68 66 68, Morgan Hoffman 68 66 68
203 Greg Chalmers (Australia) 71 67 65, Boo Weekley 67 68 68, Charles Howell 68 66 69
SELECTED SCORES
205 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 67 67 71 (T15)
207 Paul Casey (England) 71 63 73 (T27)
211 Brian Davis (England) 70 71 70 (T59)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
His 19-year-old sister Callie, carrying his bag this week, thought otherwise.
"What about the 5?" she said.
One of his playing partners said the same thing. So the 17-year-old top-ranked junior amateur from Dallas went with the 5-iron.
Hole-in-one.
It's just the fourth ace struck by an amateur at a US PGA Tour event since 1983. It's the third ace for Scheffler in competition.
Callie, who plays collegiately at Texas AandM, has been on the bag for two of them. The other time was at the U.S. Amateur. She called that club too.
"That's pretty funny," Scheffler said. "That one we actually got to see go in."
The ace was on Scheffler's 11th hole (he started his round off the 10th tee) and helped turn around his day. He made three more birdies coming in to shoot 69 in a round in which he missed five putts inside 5 feet. He's 2 under going into Sunday.
And thanks to the ace ...
"At least he didn't have to putt," Callie joked.
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 210 (3x70) Players from USA unless stated
200 Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 68 68 64, Brendon Todd 68 64 68
201 James Hahn 71 65 65, Gary Woodland 68 67 66, Mike Weir (Canada) 68 66 67
202 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 68 68 66, Marc Leishman (Australia) 66 68 68, Graham deLaet (Canada) 68 66 68, Morgan Hoffman 68 66 68
203 Greg Chalmers (Australia) 71 67 65, Boo Weekley 67 68 68, Charles Howell 68 66 69
SELECTED SCORES
205 Martin Kaymer (Germany) 67 67 71 (T15)
207 Paul Casey (England) 71 63 73 (T27)
211 Brian Davis (England) 70 71 70 (T59)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: US PGA TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, May 18, 2014
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