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Oosthuizen Sets Record, Leads Open

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SANDWICH – The 2010 Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen (129) recorded the lowest 36-hole score in The Open Championship history and the second-lowest in major championship history and leads by two strokes going into the weekend at Royal St. George’s.

Two of the five 36-hole scores of 131 or better in tournament history have come this week (129) by Oosthuizen, (131) by Collin Morikawa)

All five of Oosthuizen’s 36-hole leads/co-leads on the PGA Tour have either come in majors or THE PLAYERS Championship. He is 1-for-4 to date.

Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm, who have combined to win 11 majors since the start of the 2015 season, all enter the third round within six strokes of the lead.

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The Basics:

Tournament Tee Times start Saturday at 4:20am (EDT)/9:20am (local) through 10:55am (EDT)/3:55pm (local).

Weather: 61-degrees (F) and dry in morning with some patchy low clouds.Winds: N or N/NE at 8-12 mph, and gusts from14-18 mph during the morning, gradually becoming NE then E/NE 6-10 mph, and gusts 12-16 mph through the afternoon and evening. Becoming mostly sunny throughout the day.

PGA Tour: Round 2 at The Open

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SANDWICH – The 2010 Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen opened with 64, his career-low score in a major and the lowest score by any player in a major during the 2020-21 season. Oosthuizen, who co-led after the first round of the 2021 U.S. Open, became the first player to hold at least a share of the 18-hole lead in consecutive majors since Brooks Koepka at the 2019 Masters and PGA Championship.

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Oosthuizen became the 10th player to record a first-round score of (64) or better at The Open Championship and first since Phil Mickelson in 2016. Oosthuizen won the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrew’s.

Jordan Spieth recorded his third career first-round score of (65) or better in a major championship. Spieth won both times in those previous majors, the 2015 Masters and 2017 Open Championship.

Defending champion Shane Lowry stands T-74 after an opening 1-over (71). Lowry won The Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2019 and the tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 149th Open – Second Round Coverage

COURSE: Royal St. George’s Golf Club (Sandwich, Kent, England)

PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $6,200,000 /$1,116,000

FEDEx CUP Points Total/Winner: 23,379/600

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @TheOpen

PGA TOUR SITE: (The Open)

TV COVERAGE: Friday, July 16: From 4:00am to 3:00pm (EDT) on Golf Channel. *(See additional Peacock Channel coverage listed below).

On Saturday, July 17, Round 3 coverage 5:00am to 7:00am (EDT) on Golf Channel. NBC takes over from 7:00am to 3:00pm (EDT). On Sunday, July 18: Golf Channel opens final round coverage 4:00am to 7:00am (EDT) and NBC wraps it up from 7:00am to 2:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: Streaming coverage with OTT Peacock Channel promoting its premium (Pay Wall) service and its connection to NBC Sports/Golf Channel. On Friday, Peacock will cover The Open from 1:30am (EDT) to 4am (EDT) and from 3:00pm to 4pm (EDT).

The OPEN RADIO COVERAGE: Due to rights restrictions, The Open will not be online via PGATour.com. SiriusXM Radio will have live radio calls at The Open with Friday coverage at 2:00am (EDT) to completion of play. Weekend coverage on Sirius XM Radio begins at 4:00am (EDT) until conclusion. The Open Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92)

The Basics:

Tournament Tee Times start Friday at 1:35am (EDT)/6:35am (local) through 11:16 (EDT)/4:16pm (local).

Weather: Friday’s forecast in Sandwich, Kent, England is for mostly cloudy skies, turning to sunny skies in the late afternoon. Temperatures 57-65-degrees (F), but humidity in the mid-80s. There’s a 10-14% chance of rain. Winds 7-10 mph.

 

The Open – Royal St. George’s – Preview

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The 149th Open – Tournament Preview

COURSE: Royal St. George’s Golf Club (Sandwich, Kent, England)

ARCHITECT: William Laidlaw Purves

YARDS/PAR: 7,189 yards/Par 70

PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $6,200,000 /$1,116,000

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Shane Lowry (July, 2019)

PAST RESULTS: (link)

PAST CHAMPIONS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points Total/Winner: 23,379/600

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @TheOpen

PGA TOUR SITE: (The Open)

TV COVERAGE: Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16:  From 4:00am to 3:00pm (EDT) on Golf Channel. *(See additional Peacock Channel coverage listed below).

On Saturday, July 17, Round 3 coverage 5:00am to 7:00am (EDT) on Golf Channel. NBC takes over from 7:00am to 3:00pm (EDT). On Sunday, July 18: Golf Channel opens final round coverage 4:00am to 7:00am (EDT) and NBC wraps it up from 7:00am to 2:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: Streaming coverage is different this week, with Peacock Channel promoting its service and connection to NBC Sports and Golf Channel. On Thursday and Friday, Peacock will cover The Open from 1:30am (EDT) to 4am (EDT) and from 3:00pm to 4pm (EDT each day.

The OPEN RADIO COVERAGE: Due to rights restrictions, The Open will not be online via PGATour.com. SiriusXM Radio will have live radio calls of The Open with Thursday and Friday coverage 2:00am (EDT) to completion of play. Weekend coverage on Sirius XM Radio begins at 4:00am (EDT) until conclusion. The Open Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92).

The Open Championship was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was the only one of the four men’s major championships not played during the 2020 calendar year (other three were rescheduled). Prior to 2020, the last time The Open was not played was from 1940-1945 due to World War II.

Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England, will host The Open for the 15th time and first since 2011 (won by Darren Clarke). The course first hosted the event in 1894 and other past champions include Harry Vardon and Walter Hagen (twice each).

The 2021 U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm will attempt to become the first player since Jordan Spieth (2015 Masters Tournament, 2015 U.S. Open) to win back-to-back majors. Rahm finished T-11 in 2019, his best result in four starts at The Open.

Due in part to the tournament being canceled in 2020, several of the top players on the PGA Tour have not competed in The Open, including three of the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking: Collin Morikawa (No. 4), Viktor Hovland (No. 14) and Scottie Scheffler (No. 19).

None of the top 10 players in the current Official World Golf Ranking have won The Open. The highest ranked golfer to have won an Open championship is No. 11 Rory McIlroy.

The Basics:

Tournament Tee Times begin Thursday at 1:35am (EDT)/6:35am (local) through 11:16 (EDT)/4:16pm (local).

Weather: Thursday’s forecast in Sandwich, Kent, England is for partly cloudy skies, 60-degrees (F), but 84% humidity. There’s a 10% chance of rain.

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic Wrap-Up

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PGA Tour Brunch – John Deere Classic Wrap-Up

SILVIS, ILLINOIS – Lucas Glover earned fourth PGA Tour title and first in more than 10 years, banking the seventh win by a player aged 40 or older on Tour this season.

Five-time winner Kevin Na recorded his 10th runner-up finish of his PGA Tour career.

Ryan Moore finished T-2 to earn a spot in The Open Championship, should he choose to play. If Moore decides against the trip to Royal St. George’s, Adam Long is next up.

This Week: Open Championship (Royal St. George’s) and Barbasol(Kentucky)

Final Leaderboard at the John Deere Classic

Lucas Glover 68-63-70-64—265 (-19)

Ryan Moore 65-66-68-68—267 (-17)

Kevin Na 67-66-66-68—267 (-17)

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic Final

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2021 John Deere Classic – Final Round

COURSE: TPC Deere Run (Silvis, Illinois)

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Dylan Frittelli (July, 2019)

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @JDClassic

PGA TOUR SITE: (John Deere Classic)

TV COVERAGE: Today, July 11: Golf Channel opens final round coverage 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT) and CBS wraps it up from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: Online coverage today with Featured Groups streaming 7:45am to 3:00pm (EDT) and Featured Holes 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio coverage on PGA Tour Radio from 1:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) or until conclusion. PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com

How to Watch: In case of changes, see: (PGATourCom)

John Deere Classic: Tourney Notebook

Sebastián Muñoz is in position for his second career PGA Tour title and fourth Top-10 finish of the 2020-21 season.

Brandon Hagy is seeking to be the fourth consecutive player to make the John Deere Classic his first Tour title.

Scott Brown’s 8-under (63) came up two strokes shy of his career-low on Tour, which came at the 2014 John Deere Classic. Brown has made 338’ 8” total putts through 54 holes (140’3”/R1, 81’6”/R2, 116’11”/R3).

The John Deere Classic provides the last chance to earn a spot into The Open Championship.

Leaderboard After 54 Holes at John Deere Classic

Sebastián Muñoz 63-67-67—197 (-16)

Brandon Hagy 67-64-67—198 (-15)

Five players 199 (-14)

List Leads at John Deere Classic

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SILVIS – Luke List is seeking to become the fourth consecutive player to make the John Deere Classic his first PGA Tour title as he seeks his first Tour victory in his 193rd start.

Sebastian Munoz hit 32 of 36 greens in regulation, his most through two rounds in any event on Tour.

Three players remain bogey-free through two rounds (Jason Dufner, Brandon Hagy, Chez Reavie).

The John Deere Classic provides the last chance to earn a spot into The Open Championship.

Leaderboard After 36 Holes at John Deere Classic

Luke List 66-63—129 (-13)

Sebastian Munoz 63-67—130 (-12)

Seven players 131 (-11)

PGA Tour: Round 2 at John Deere Classic

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Sebastian Munoz birdied his last five holes, Nos. 14-18 en route to an 8-under (63), his lowest round of the season (previous: (64) at R-1 of ZOZO Championship.

Chesson Hadley opened with 8-under (63), his lowest score on Tour since 2017.

Coming off top-five finishes in his last two PGA Tour starts, Hank Lebiodaopened with 7-under 64

Eleven players completed their round bogey-free, including Chesson Hadley, Camilo Villegas and Chez Reavie.

Leaderboard After 18 Holes at John Deere Classic

Sebastian Munoz 63 (-8)

Chesson Hadley 63 (-8)

Hank Lebioda 64 (-7)

Chez Reavie 64 (-7)

Camilo Villegas 64 (-7)

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic 1st Look

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The 2021 John Deere Classic – First Look

COURSE: TPC Deere Run (Silvis, Illinois)

ARCHITECT: D.A. Weibring & Chris Gray

YARDS/PAR: 7,261 yards/Par 71

PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $6,200,000 /$1,116,000

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Dylan Frittelli (July, 2019)

PAST RESULTS: (link)

PAST CHAMPIONS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points Total/Winner: 2,989/500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @JDClassic

PGA TOUR SITE: (John Deere Classic)

TV COVERAGE: Thursday, July 8 and Friday, July 9:  3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Golf Channel. 

On Saturday, July 10, Round 3 coverage 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT) on Golf Channel. CBS takes over from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT). On Sunday, July 11: Golf Channel opens final round coverage 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT) and CBS wraps it up from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: Streaming coverage with Featured Groups via PGA Live from 7:45am to 6:00pm (EDT) on Thursday and Friday. PGA Live Coverage expands on the weekend with Featured Groups streaming 7:45am to 3:00pm (EDT) and Featured Holes 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on both Saturday and Sunday.

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio returns for Thursday and Friday coverage 12:00pm Noon to 6:00pm (EDT). Weekend coverage on PGA Tour Radio airs from 1:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) or until conclusion. PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com

The John Deere Classic will be played for the 50th time, dating back to the inaugural event in 1971. The tournament was not played in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was replaced on the schedule by the Workday Charity Open at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

The John Deere Classic has produced 23 first-time winners, most of any TOUR event since 1970. Nine players have won in their tournament debut, including defending champion Dylan Frittelli (2019). The tournament has a long tradition of offering sponsor exemptions to deserving up-and-coming young stars, such as Zach Johnson (2003), Jason Day (2006), Patrick Reed(2012), Jordan Spieth (2012), Justin Thomas (2013), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Jon Rahm (2016), Viktor Hovland (2019) and CollinMorikawa (2019).

No one has won the same PGA Tour event three times in a row since Steve Stricker won the John Deere Classic in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

PGA Tour: Wrap-Up From Rocket Mortgage Classic

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DETROIT – Cam Davis defeated Troy Merritt and Joaquin Niemann in a five-hole playoff to secure his first PGA Tour victory as he became the seventh first-time winner of the season.

Davis won the ninth playoff of the season just one week following Harris English’s win over Kramer Hickok in an eight-hole playoff at the Travelers Championship. The two weeks combined marked the first time with back-to-back playoffs of five holes or more on the PGA Tour.

The last time the Tour had back-to-back playoffs was in 2020 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions (won by Justin Thomas) and Sony Open in Hawaii (won by Cameron Smith).

Niemann becomes the first player without a bogey through 72 holes since Andrew Putnam at the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Notable Finishes: Jason Day (T-14), Rickie Fowler (T-32), Willie Mack III (T-71), Phil Mickelson (T-74)

Playoff records: Davis (1-0), Merritt (0-1), Niemann (0-2).

Alex Noren (T-4) finished one stroke shy of the playoff and a chance to become the 10th player from Sweden to win on the PGA Tour.

Of Hank Lebioda’s four top-10 finishes on Tour, two have now come in back-to-back weeks (Travelers Championship/T-5, Rocket Mortgage Classic/T-4).

Bubba Watson (T-6) closed with an 8-under (64), his best final-round score since winning the 2018 Travelers Championship with a (63).

This Week: The John Deere Classic (TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois)

Final Leaderboard at the Rocket Mortgage Classic

*Cam Davis 68-68-67-67—270 (-18)

Troy Merritt 67-68-67-68—270 (-18)

Joaquin Niemann 65-69-68-68—270 (-18)

Alex Noren 70-70-67-64—271 (-17)

Hank Lebioda 67-70-66-68—271 (-17)

*defeated Troy Merritt with a par-3 on the fifth playoff hole (No. 15); Joaquin Niemann was eliminated after a bogey on the first playoff hole (No. 18).

PGA: Final Round at Rocket Mortgage

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Rocket Mortgage Classic: Final Round Notes

Co-leader Joaquin Niemann is bogey-free through 54 holes in bid for second career PGA Tour victory. The last player player to go 72 holes without a bogey and proceed to win a tournament was J.T. Poston at the 2019 Wyndham Championship.

Co-leader Troy Merritt drained his first career PGA Tour ace at the par-3 11th hole en route to his fourth career 54-hole lead/co-lead. Merritt is two-for-three with the 54-hole lead/co-lead in stroke-play events on the Tour.

Following missed cuts in the 2019 and 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic, Hank Lebioda (T-3) at (-13) has three top-10 finishes in his career, including a T-5 at last week’s Travelers Championship. His best finish in 62 Tour starts is T-3 at the 2019 Bermuda Championship.

Leaderboard After 54 Holes:

Troy Merritt 67-68-67—202 (-14)

Joaquin Niemann 65-69-68—202 (-14)

Hank Lebioda 67-70-66—203 (-13)

Cam Davis 68-68-67—203 (-13)

Brandon Hagy 65-71-68—204 (-12)