LIV GOLF

’24 Masters Preview

April 10, 2024 by PGA Tour Brunch

AUGUSTA – (PGATourBrunch) – The 2024 Masters Tournament is the first major championship of the ‘24 professional golf season. Scottie Scheffler enters the Masters as the No. 1 player in the FedEx Cup standings and No. 1 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the second time in the last three years. Scheffler has two victories this season, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and THE PLAYERS Championship in consecutive weeks.

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This is the third consecutive year that Scheffler is entering the Masters with multiple wins on TOUR since January 1, the longest such streak since Tiger Woods did so from 2005-2008 (four straight). Scheffler is the only multiple winner on TOUR this season has finished in the top 10 in seven of his eight starts this season, the most of any player on TOUR. He led the TOUR in that category with 17 last season.

The Big News: Living Legend and 82-time PGA TOUR winner and five-time Masters Tournament champion Tiger Woods is making his second start of the season and first since The Genesis Invitational, where he withdrew during the second round due to illness.

Woods made the cut at the 2023 Masters and withdrew during the third round due to injury. He tied Gary Player and Fred Couples for most consecutive starts making the cut at the Masters with 23, and would break the tie with a made cut in 2024. With a win, Woods would break a tie with Sam Snead for most PGA TOUR wins in history and tie Jack Nicklaus for most wins at the Masters (6). This is Woods’ seventh start on TOUR since his February 2021 car accident and third at the Masters. He has three WDs in the previous six starts (2022 PGA Championship, 2023 Masters Tournament, 2024 Genesis Invitational), with his best result in that span coming at the 2023 Genesis Invitational (T45).

There are 89 players in the field, including 20 players making their tournament debut. Among the 20 first-timers in the field, 16 are PGA TOUR members and four are amateurs. Two of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking are making their first start at the Masters Tournament: No. 4 Wyndham Clark and No. 9 Ludvig Åberg.

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Clark, who earned his first major title at the 2023 U.S. Open, has won three times on TOUR in the last 12 months, most recently winning the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He is making his ninth career start in a major (3 PGA Championship, three U.S. Open, two Open Championship). Åberg, who turned professional in June of 2023 and joined the PGA TOUR as the No. 1 player in the 2023 PGA TOUR University Ranking, is making his first career start in a major.

In 19 starts on TOUR since turning professional, Åberg has recorded a win (2023 RSM Classic) and six additional Top-10s, including a runner-up to Clark at the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He has finished in the top 25 in each of his last six starts.

At No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Xander Schauffele is the highest-ranked player that has not won a major. Schauffele has six top-10s on TOUR this season, the second-most of any player (7, Scottie Scheffler).

Schauffele has 19 Top 25s in majors since joining the PGA TOUR at the start of the 2016-17 season, the most of any player in that span.

Akshay Bhatia defeated Denny McCarthy in a playoff to win last week’s Valero Texas Open, earning the final spot in the Masters. The last player to win a major after winning on TOUR the week prior was Rory McIlroy in 2014 (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship) and the last to do so at the Masters was Phil Mickelson in 2006 (BellSouth Classic).

McCarthy is also making his tournament debut. The last player to lose in a playoff on TOUR and win the following week was Patrick Cantlay, who lost in a playoff at the 2022 RBC Heritage and then won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with partner Xander Schauffele.

The last player to lose in a playoff on TOUR and win a major the following week was Jordan Spieth in 2015 (lost in a playoff at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and won the Masters the following week).

2021 Masters Tournament winner Hideki Matsuyama has finished T12 or better in each of his last four starts, including a win at The Genesis Invitational. Matsuyama is one of only two players, along with World No. 1 and FedEx Cup leader Scottie Scheffler, that has finished in the top 20 in each of the last four years at the Masters.

2023 Open Championship winner Brian Harman is making his sixth start at the Masters (best result: T12/2021) and first as a major champion. The last player to win consecutive majors was Jordan Spieth, who won the Masters and the U.S. Open in 2015. The last reigning Open Championship winner to win the Masters was Tiger Woods in 2001.

Stephan Jaeger won the Texas Children’s Houston Open in his most recent start, earning his first PGA TOUR title in his 135th start. In the first 128 starts, Jaeger’s best finish was solo-fifth at the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic. But, in his last seven, he has recorded three finishes of T3 or better (T3/Farmers Insurance Open, T3/Mexico Open at Vidanta, Won/Texas Children’s Houston Open). He is making his fifth career start in a major and first at the Masters.

TOUR rookie Nick Dunlap is making his third career start in a major (MC/2022 U.S. Open, MC/2023 U.S. Open) and first at the Masters. Dunlap won The American Express in January, becoming the first amateur to win on TOUR since Phil Mickelson in 1991.

PGA Tour: Greg Norman Thanks Rory McIlroy

January 4, 2024 by PGA Tour Brunch

“For Falling on his Sword”

ORLANDO – Golf legend Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, said he is grateful to Rory McIlroy for taking a step toward acceptance of the fledgling tour.

McIlroy has been one of LIV’s harshest critics, but on the “Stick to Football” podcast on Tuesday, McIlroy conceded to being overly “judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start”.

“I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m very appreciative of what Rory said,” Norman said on the LIV Golf Podcast. “It’s been a painful couple of years.

“The reason I say I appreciate Rory to fall on his sword to some degree is the fact that he did judge us by not knowing the facts. He judged us on other people’s thoughts and opinions. I say, ‘Hey, thank you Rory’. This is a significant turning point for everybody.”

Phil Mickelson, one of the early defectors to LIV Golf, also acknowledged McIlroy’s new stance, saying on social media this week: “It’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future.”

McIlroy, a four-time major champion, blasted PGA Tour members who jumped ship for the financially greener pastures of LIV for “betrayal” and accusing them of “tearing the game apart.”

“I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position,” McIlroy said on the podcast.

“We all turn professional to make a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that’s what I realized over the last two years. I can’t judge people for making that decision,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour is continuing negotiations to finalize an alliance with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV. The deadline was Dec. 31 before it was extended.

The PGA Tour revealed a so-called framework agreement to merge interests with the PIF, which finances LIV Golf, in a surprise announcement on June 6.

A news release posted to the PGA Tour’s website over the weekend said the tour’s goal was to bring on the PIF, Strategic Sports Group and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) as minority co-investors in PGA Tour Enterprises — the tour’s new for-profit organization — in 2024.

–Field Level Media

PGA Tour, LIV Extend Negotiations

January 1, 2024 by PGA Tour Brunch

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Claiming negotiations were “active and productive,” commissioner Jay Monahan told his PGA Tour members in a memo Sunday that the tour was working to extend the deadline to finalize a merger with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The PGA Tour revealed a so-called framework agreement to merge interests with the PIF, which finances LIV Golf, in a surprise announcement on June 6. Sunday marked the deadline the two sides originally set for a final agreement.

Monahan previously called New Year’s Eve a “firm target” to complete the deal, but The Telegraph reported this week that the target had been moved to early April before the Masters is played.

A news release posted to the PGA Tour’s website said the tour’s goal was to bring on the PIF, Strategic Sports Group and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) as minority co-investors in PGA Tour Enterprises — the tour’s new for-profit organization — in 2024.

“These partnerships will allow us to unify, innovate and invest in the game for the benefit of the players, fans and sponsors,” Monahan said in the memo.

Monahan told members that the tour had made “meaningful progress” in negotiating with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), a consortium of U.S.-based professional sports owners led by Fenway Sports Group and including figures like the New York Mets’ Steve Cohen and the Atlanta Falcons’ Arthur Blank.

“As we move forward in our discussions (with SSG), we are focused on the finalization of terms and drafts of necessary documents,” Monahan said in the memo, according to ESPN and the Associated Press, as both media outlets obtained a full copy.

–Field Level Media

DeChambeau, Crushers Take LIV

October 23, 2023 by Terry Lyons

MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Bryson DeChambeau rolled in eight birdies on his way to a 5-under 67, powering his Crushers GC to the LIV Golf Team Championship title at Trump National Doral on Sunday in South Florida.

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DeChambeau’s top teammate was Anirban Lahiri of India, who posted the round of the day with a 7-under 65 that featured an eagle, five birdies and no bogeys. Charles Howell III (even-par 72) and Englishman Paul Casey (1-over 73) rounded out the Crushers’ final score of 11-under 277.

That was two better than RangeGoats GC, who finished second at 9-under 279 behind captain Bubba Watson’s 5-under 67.

“We’ve been wanting to win this for a long time,” DeChambeau told the TV broadcast. “Last year really left us a sour taste in our mouth and I can’t be happier with this team of mine. … They worked their butts off.”

The top four seeds — 4Aces GC, Crushers GC, Torque GC and RangeGoats GC — won in Saturday’s match-play semifinals to advance to the final round. Every player’s score counted in the final round as the four squads faced off in stroke play.

Torque, captained by Joaquin Niemann of Chile, finished third at 6-under 282. Niemann did the heavy lifting with a 6-under 66, but his three teammates averaged out to even par.

Defending champion 4Aces fell flat with a team score of even-par 288 to finish fourth. Captain Dustin Johnson had five bogeys and just two birdies for his team’s highest score, a 3-over 75. Peter Uihlein led the 4Aces with a 3-under 69.

Lahiri had an early birdie-birdie-eagle stretch at Nos. 4-6 to kickstart his round.

“I wasn’t tense at all,” Lahiri said. “I was actually really pumped up. I had a couple of Sundays (this season) where I let myself down, but I wasn’t going let them down today.”

Watson concluded his first season with LIV by going bogey-free with three birdies and an eagle for his round.

“The RangeGoats came out of nowhere,” Watson said of his team. “We played great. We gotta improve a little bit, but gosh, (to) finish second for the year, it’s a great place.”

The Team Championship concluded the second season of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf circuit. LIV’s future entering 2024 remains unclear amid the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s framework agreement with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

–Field Level Media

Greg Norman Resurfaces and Optimistic

October 20, 2023 by PGA Tour Brunch

MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman broke his months-long silence on Thursday, expressing optimism about the future of the circuit and asserting that his role will remain unchanged.

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Norman hadn’t spoken since the PGA Tour announced on June 6 a preliminary agreement with LIV that would see the two organizations and the DP World Tour form a partnership.

LIV’s existence beyond this year was called into question, as was Norman’s position — especially since Norman was unaware that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund that bankrolls LIV, and its then-competitors were discussing an alliance.

Speaking on Thursday in Miami ahead of the season-ending LIV Golf Team Championship at Doral’s Blue Monster Course, Norman told reporters, “All indications are showing that the position of LIV has never been stronger and that the success of our players and our brand has never been in a better place.

“And as we look forward into 2024, we’ve got a full schedule. We’ve got some places we’ve been to before, but we’ve got some new venues as well and we’re reaching different regions.”

Norman added, “With each year that goes by, this is really going to (be) even more exciting for us. I’m definitely seeing a lot of FOMO (fear of missing out) out there. I know, personally I’m speaking to numerous players who want to come to LIV.”

As for his own position, Norman said he was never concerned, even when PGA Tour chief operating officer Ron Price told Congress in July, “If we reach a definitive agreement (with LIV), we would not have a requirement for that type of position (that Norman holds).”

Norman said, “I knew it wasn’t true. There is so much white noise out there. I pay zero attention to because I know sitting in this seat today, I know every step I’ve made has been for the right reasons, right reasons for the game of golf. …

“I knew LIV was always going to exist. I didn’t need to be involved in the framework agreement because the success was happening here. … “I don’t see LIV going anywhere but up. That’s all I can tell you.”

–Field Level Media

Ryder Cup, “Same As it Ever Was”

September 30, 2023 by PGA Tour Brunch

ROME – There’s one thing to digest if you’re reading your feasting on your early morning PGA Tour Brunch:

It’s a massive 9 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead for Team Europe as the Saturday afternoon four ball session begin.

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Even with a formidable showing in the matches now underway, the Sunday Singles will be the USA’s only way to recover and with the way Team Europe is playing, the possibility of a Team USA comeback is as “Thin as a slice of Prosciutto.”

In its 3-1 session victory, Europe set an all-time Ryder Cup record on Saturday morning when 2023 FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg of Europe defeated the USA’s No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka, 9 & 7. That is – excuse the description – the biggest ass-kicking in the history of the matches.

The previous worst loss in a foursomes match was 7 & 6, which happened three times, most recently by Americans Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson OVER current European team captain Luke Donald and Lee Westwood in 2012.

14 1/2 is the target number for Team Europe to gain possession of the coveted Ryder Cup. Four points are on the line now and TV commentators as stating, “The USA Must Sweep to have a Chance.”

**** At tee-off for these afternoon matches, there were 16 more points to be had and the USA must win 11 1/2 to retain possession of the Ryder Cup.

Pairings for Saturday’s afternoon Four ball, now being played (as of 7:11am ET, the fourth match has teed-off)

Match 1: Sam Burns-Collin Morikawa (USA) vs. Viktor Hovland-Ludvig Åberg (Europe)

Match 2: Max Homa-Brian Harman (USA) vs. Tommy Fleetwood-Nicolai Højgaard (Europe)

Match 3: Justin Thomas-Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Justin Rose-Robert MacIntyre (Europe)

Match 4: Patrick Cantlay-Wyndham Clark (USA) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick-Rory McIlroy (Europe)

Saturday, Sept. 30 Results

Session Three: Foursomes

Europe – USA – Result

R.McIlroy/T.Fleetwood vs. J.Thomas/J.Spieth – Team Europe won 2 & 1

V.Hovland/L.Åberg vs. S.Scheffler/B.Koepka – Team Europe won 9 & 7

S.Lowry/S.Straka vs. M.Homa/B.Harman – U.S. Team won 4 & 2

J.Rahm/T.Hatton vs. P.Cantlay/X.Schauffele – Team Europe won 2 & 1

Friday, Sept. 29 Results

Session Two: Four Ball

United States Europe Results

Thomas/Spieth Hovland/Hatton Tied

Scheffler/Koepka Rahm/Hojgaard Tied

Homa/Clark MacIntyre/Rose Tied

Morikawa/Schauffele McIlroy/Fitzpatrick 5 & 3 EU

Session One: Foursomes

United States Europe Results

Scheffler/Burns Rahm/Hatton 4 & 3 EU

Homa/Harman Hovland/Aberg 4 & 3 EU

Fowler/Morikawa Lowry/Straka 2 & 1 EU

Schauffele/Cantlay McIlroy/Fleetwood 2 & 1 EU

Ryder Cup Preview

September 28, 2023 by PGA Tour Brunch

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2023 Ryder Cup | Preview and Schedule

BOSTON – Gone are Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood – the elder statesmen of European golf and mainstays of victory for past Team Europe wins on their home soil. In their place, the likes of Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg.

Gone are LIV golfers (other than Brooks Koepka). Whether they are Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson or Bryson DeChambeau of the USA or Ian Poulter, GraemeMcDowell, Martin Kaymer or Henrik Stenson, in addition to Garcia and Westwood – the formation of the Saudi-based LIV Tour has changed the face of the 2023 Ryder Cup more than anything in the history of the competition, dating back to 1927 when it was played right down the Mass Pike from here in Boston in Worcester, Mass.

In place are two talented rosters of Team USA and host Team Europe players, anchored by FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland of Norway, Rory McIlroy of N. Ireland and Jon Rahm of Spain for the Europeans and Scottie Scheffler, PatrickCantlay and the formidable team of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas of the United States.

Odds-makers have the USA slightly favored even though Team USA hasn’t won on Euro-soil since 1993 – before most of the current US team members were born.

Team Rosters

Europe 🇪🇺

Team Europe Page (link)

Captain: Luke Donald

Rory McIlroy

Jon Rahm

Robert MacIntyre

Viktor Hovland

Tyrrell Hatton

Matt Fitzpatrick

Tommy Fleetwood

Sepp Straka

Justin Rose

Shane Lowry

Nicolai Hojgaard

Ludvig Aberg

USA 🇺🇸

USA Team Page (link)

Captain: Zach Johnson

Sam Burns

Patrick Cantlay

Wyndham Clark

Rickie Fowler

Brian Harman

Max Homa

Brooks Koepka

Collin Morikawa

Xander Schauffele

Scottie Scheffler

Jordan Spieth

Justin Thomas

Ryder Cup Odds

USA (-115)

Europe (+100)

Draw (+1100) – Cup would remain with USA

(As of 9/27) – Odds by Digital Sports Desk – Betting Hero

The Basics

COURSE: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome, Italy

ARCHITECT: European Golf Design in cooperation with Tom Fazio II (2018-2021

YARDS/PAR: 7,181/71

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Team USA (19 to 9)

PAST RESULTS: Last Ryder Cup played at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, USA (Link)

SOCIAL MEDIA: #RyderCup @PGA #RyderCupUSA #GoUSA @RyderCupEurope #TeamEurope

OFFICIAL SITE: (Ryder Cup)

FORMAT: Each of the first two days includes one four-match session of fourball and one four-match session of foursomes. The final day is reserved for 12 singles matches.

FOUR-BALL: In four-ball, each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

FOURSOMES: In foursomes, each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

SINGLES: In singles, each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

SCORING: Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a tie worth ½ point to each side. The first team to reach 14 ½ points wins the Ryder Cup. If the matches end in a 14-14 tie, the team holding the Ryder Cup (USA) retains it.

The Schedule

NBC and USA NETWORK will provide TV coverage of the 2023 Ryder Cup with lengthy telecasts all three days of the tournament. Check out the full TV schedule below.

Thursday, Sept. 28: 10am-1pm ET (Opening Ceremonies on Golf Channel)
Friday, Sept. 29: 1:30am-12am ET (USA)
Saturday, Sept. 30: 1:30-3am ET (USA); 3am-12 Noon ET (NBC, Peacock)
Sunday, Oct. 1: 5:30am -1pm ET (NBC, Peacock)

What They’re Saying

An Event Like No Other (RyderCupCom) – (Jim Nantz, does that sound familiar)?

Rory: European LIV Golfers Will Miss Ryder Cup (SkySports)

Comprehensive Preview and Coverage by NBC Sports/Golf Channel (GolfChannel)

Ryder Cup Preview by Golf Magazine (GolfCom)

Ryder Cup Preview, Predictions (ESPNCom)

Ryder Cup: Expert Opinions, Picks (CBS SportsCom)

Why Each Team Can Win (PGATourCom)

On This Day in Golf History

September 27, 2015 – Jordan Spieth completed his magical break-through season on the PGA Tour by winning the year-end Tour Championship at East Lake GC in Atlanta – and with that – the FedEx Cup title. Spieth shot a final round of (69) to beat Henrik Stenson by four strokes. Then 22-year old Spieth won a cool $12.03 million for the tournament and FedEx Cup prize money to bring his season total to $22 million as he also took the purse at The Masters and the U.S. Open. Courtesy of Randy Walker, Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE

Harman Takes The Open by Storm

July 24, 2023 by PGA Tour Brunch

HOYLAKE – Brian Harman enjoyed his third career PGA Tour win and first major championship title in his 340th career start at the age of 36 years, 6 months, 4 days.

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Harman’s PGA TOUR wins:

2014 John Deere Classic
2017 Wells Fargo Championship
2023 Open Championship

The victory came on his 168th start since the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship which is 6 years, 2 months, 16 days (2,268 days) since the title. It was Harman’s 30th career start in a major with his previous-best result: T-2, 2017 U.S. Open.

It was his eighth career start at The Open Championship with his previous-best result: T6, 2022.

The top seven players on the British Open leaderboard represented seven different countries (United States, South Korea, Austria, Australia, Spain, Argentina, Northern Ireland).

Tom Kim and Sepp Straka (T-2) earn their first career Top-five finishes in a major.

Rory McIlroy (T-6) now has 20 Top-10s in majors since his most recent major title (2014).

The Open | Final Leaderboard

1st Brian Harman 67 65 69 70 271 (-13)

T2 Tom Kim 74 68 68 67 277 (-7)

T2 Sepp Straka 71 67 70 69 277 (-7)

T2 Jason Day 72 67 69 69 277 (-7)

T2 Jon Rahm 74 70 63 70 277 (-7)

Barracuda Championship | Recap

Final Leaderboard

1 Akshay Bhatia* +6 +8 +17 +9 +40

2 Patrick Rodgers +15 +11 +8 +6 +40

T3 Julien Guerrier +11 +4 +2 +20 +37

T3 Jens Dantorp +7 +6 +9 +15 +37

5 Ryan Gerard +16 +14 +3 +3 +36

*def. Patrick Rodgers with a par-4 at the first extra playoff hole (No. 18)

Leaderboard: (link)

*Tournament played under the Modified Stableford scoring format

Round 2 at The Open

July 21, 2023 by PGA Tour Brunch

HOYLAKE – Amateur Christo Lamprecht made quite an impression in Liverpool and it wasn’t at 10 Mathew Street. Lamprecht – an amateur who will enter his senior year at Georgia Tech this Fall – accomplished a lot in Round 1 of The Open at Royal Liverpool. Here’s a brief go of it:

First amateur to hold the lead/co-lead after any round on TOUR sincePaul Dunne at the 2015 Open Championship (R3)
First amateur to hold the 18-hole lead/co-lead on TOUR since Tom Lewis at the 2011 Open Championship
First player to hold the 18-hole lead/co-lead in his PGA TOUR debut since Sepp Straka at the 2018 Fortinet Championship
First player to hold the 18-hole lead/co-lead in his major championship debut since Andrew Landry at the 2016 U.S. Open
Lowest first-round score (66) by an amateur in a major championship since Lewis carded a 65 at the 2011 Open Championship
Lowest score by an amateur in any round of a major championship since Matti Schmid carded a 65 in the second round of the 2021 Open Championship

As you’d expect in a major professional golf tournament, Lamprecht wasn’t alone. Popular Brit, Tommy Fleetwood posted his fourth 18-hole lead/co-lead on TOUR and second of the current season. Fleetwood is one of nine players with multiple 18-hole leads/co-leads this season.

It’s Fleetwood’s second career lead/co-lead after any round in a major (2017 U.S. Open; finished fourth)
Fleetwood’s opening-round 66 is his 11th score of 66 or better in majors

The Open | Leaderboard After 18 Holes

T1 Christo Lamprecht (a) 66 (-5)

T1 Tommy Fleetwood 66 (-5)

T1 Emiliano Grillo 66 (-5)

T4 Antoine Rozner 67 (-4)

T4 Adrian Otaegui 67 (-4)

T4 Brian Harman 67 (-4)

The Open Championship Preview

July 19, 2023 by PGA Tour Brunch

HOYLAKE – The Open Championship is the fourth and final major of the PGA Tour season. This is the 151st playing of The Open and the 13th at Royal Liverpool Golf Club (first since 2014).

World No. 2 and 24-time PGA Tour winner Rory McIlroy, who won last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, won The Open Championship the last time it was held at Royal Liverpool (2014). McIlroy has won four majors (2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, 2014 PGA Championship) but none since the start of the 2014-15 season. McIlroy has 19 “Top-10s” in majors since his most recent title, the most of any player in that span. He is making his 59th start in a major and 34th since winning the 2014 PGA Championship.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has two wins this season (WM Phoenix Open, The PLAYERS Championship) and leads the Tour with 15 “Top-10s” this season and has finished T12 or better in each of his last 18 starts. Scheffler has made two starts at The Open Championship (T8/2021, T21/2022).