Category: PGA

Gavin Coles once again holds a share of the overnight lead at the Shell Houston Open, but this time he is tied with the second ranked golfer in the world. Coles shared the lead with Brett Quigley after Friday’s action, but he will be playing in the final group with Vijay Singh in the final round on Sunday. The two golfers finished up the day at -11 for the tournament. Coles held his ground on a day that saw only 23 rounds under par at Redstone Golf Club. He put together three birdies and two bogeys for a one-under-par round of 71. “It’s awesome, mate,” Coles said. “I can’t imagine too many guys that wouldn’t want to be in my shoes tomorrow standing outside the ropes, that’s for sure. What better could it be, playing with the number two player in the world?”

Continue reading “Singh And Coles Share Lead At Shell Houston Open”

Brett Quigley and Gavin Coles share the second-round lead at ten-under par. Quigley, who could be described as “Mr. Unassuming” posted his second 67 of the tournament and has put himself in a position to do very well over the weekend. Quigley’s putting has been solid as he is tied for 3rd with 1.593 putts per round this tournament. His results this year speak highly of his play as he has four top 25’s and one top ten already in 2005. “I think the biggest thing for me is I’ve come in to the first two days pretty relaxed and confident in my game,” said Quigley. “I think on the weekend I have a tendency to try too hard. I’m just going to go out and stay in my routing and not worry about results.”

Continue reading “Six Players Within One Stroke After Round Two At Houston Open”

Vijay Singh came out firing in defense of his Shell Houston Open victory a year ago. His blistering 8-under 64 ties the course and put Vijay in the lead by one stroke. Singh’s low first-round score comes a day after the announcement that he has been elected to the Hall of Fame. This round also shows that he is fighting to become the #1 player in the world rankings once again.

In the past, Singh has played extremely well on this 7508-yard Texas course. Vijay Singh is the defending champion here in Houston. He also won in 2002. And familiar territory it is, as Redstone Golf Club is once again the host of the 2005 Shell Houston Open. As one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour, the PGA Tour pea poppers are at a mighty disadvantage. Fortunately for them, Vijay Singh is the only player ranked within the top eight players in the World Rankings to make an appearance this year.

Continue reading “Singh Leads After First Round Score Fit for a Hall of Famer”

The PGA Tour stops in the Midwest for the first time in 2005. Redstone Golf Club will be the host of the Shell Houston Open where the course is long and the winds are plentiful. Two-time Houston Open champion Vijay Singh headlines the field this week, and his success in this tournament over the years has been nothing short of spectacular. The current number two player in the world has won here twice and placed in the top 10 seven times in his nine starts overall. He lost his number one ranking when Tiger Woods won The Masters two weeks ago, and he will be looking to gain ground on Tiger this week in Houston.

Continue reading “Shell Houston Open Preview”

After leading early, struggling, and regaining the lead, Peter Lonard limped home to his first PGA Tour victory, carding a +4 round of 75 on Hilton Head’s famed course at the MCI Heritage Classic. Lonard’s partner in the final pairing, Irishman Darren Clarke, didn’t fare much better and was wheeled on a gurney through two bogeys and two double bogeys in the last six holes to shoot a dismal 76.

Darren Clarke began the day at -10, trailing Lonard by one. After three straight birdies and a Lonard error or two, the lead flipped and the margin grew to four by the fifth hole: Clarke -13, Lonard -9. Sadly, for both players it was downhill from there.

Continue reading “Lonard Outlasts Clarke En Route to First PGA Tour Victory”

Peter Lonard proved that he knows how to stick with the competition starting the third round six strokes behind Darren Clarke and shooting a 6-under 66. He overtook Clarke by one stroke and found a measure of redemption after a disappointing 74. Lonard had an impressive six birdies throughout the day with the most memorable a 57 foot putt on the 15th hole. Apparently this putt was the longest ever shot from a blimp (for all you trivia nuts out there).

Lonard said, “I played as solid as I could have dreamed and unfortunately for Darren it didn’t work out his way. I can’t wait to get out tomorrow, I feel like I’ve been playing pretty good for the last month or so and getting no returns. Tee to green was solid, my chipping was great, and I hit a lot of good putts so I can’t ask for anymore. I’ve just got to go in tomorrow and see if I can do the same as what I did today.”

Continue reading “Lonard Leap-Frogs Clarke To Regain The Lead”

All the golfers at the MCI Heritage forgot to tell Darren Clarke that the course was playing pretty tough on Friday. He carded six birdies and zero bogeys in the second round to take a six-shot lead into the weekend. His total of 12-under par after two rounds is only one off the record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1975. Clarke attributes his great play at this golf course to just feeling comfortable. “I knew I liked the golf course and that’s why I’ve kept coming back,” he said. “It’s easier to play on a golf course you’re comfortable on than one that you’re not. I’m enjoying myself and playing pretty solid golf.”

Continue reading “Lonard Struggles, Clarke Takes Control At Harbour Town”

Harbour Town Golf Links is the site of this year’s MCI Heritage. None of the world’s top ten players are competing in this event and I’ve got a hunch that no one in this year’s field is missing any of them.

There is a good chance that no one in the top ten could have bettered Peter Lonard’s performance today as he posted an impressive 9-under 62. If Lonard hadn’t had a bogey on the first and last holes he’d have some bragging rights as he was only one stroke off the course record of 61. His eleven birdies in one round aren’t too shabby and it was good enough for the lead. In his four years on the PGA Tour, Lonard’s only PGA win came in 2003 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at La-Costa.

Continue reading “Lonard Goes Low at MCI Heritage Amid Windy Conditions”