Golf

NZ Open starts today and it looks to be the best we've had for a wee while.

No Foxy but a decent field with a lot of up and coming players from both NZ and Aus, as well as a big Japanese contingent. Don't forget Steve Alker either. I bet he'd like to show up the youngsters.

I'm hoping my old mate Mike Hendry can win it as that would really make some come back story. If not then Kazuma for me. This kid is awesome to watch. Doesnt hit the ball super far but his approach shots in to greens and his touches with the putter and chipping are outstanding. Surely the next big thing in NZ golf.

Live scoring on https://nzopen.com/leaderboard/ and sky sports should have decent coverage each afternoon over the next 4 days

Not a great day for those i mentioned above. Bit of work to do for the likes of Alker to make the cut, with the cut looking likely to be under par.

Lead currently held by two Aussies Hend and Griffin at -7 but local lad (and LIV reserve) Ben Campbell is up there at -6 thanks to a nice eagle on 18.

Plenty of good scoring already today so projected cut at -2

-3 even

-4....wow wee

Golf wrap
Lydia Ko finished T4 at the latest LPGA event in China
Scottie Scheffler wins his seventh PGA Tour title after demolishing the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Next up on the PGA Tour is The Players in which Ryan Fox is also in the field.
Steve Alker is currently T2 at the latest Champions Tour event in Arizona
and if anyone actually cares Abraham Ancer won the lastest LIV event in Hong Kong

Really hoped that Lyds was gonna kick on in R4 but didnt start too well yesterday. Tardy was a bit of a run away winner. Great last two rounds.

@JK said in Golf:

Really hoped that Lyds was gonna kick on in R4 but didnt start too well yesterday. Tardy was a bit of a run away winner. Great last two rounds.

Yes as did I since she had a great finish to her third round.

@JK said in Golf:

Really hoped that Lyds was gonna kick on in R4 but didnt start too well yesterday. Tardy was a bit of a run away winner. Great last two rounds.

Surprised Tardy got to the first tee on time. I'll get my coat

The unofficial 5th major starts later this week with the winner taking home $4.5 million.
Unsurprisingly, Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to go back to back with Rory McIlroy the next

Kazuma declared PGA Aus order of merit champion with one tournament still to go.
Locks in his DP World Tour card after an awesome first season as pro (only turned pro in November), and also a starting spot at the Open!

Quite a run through 14 to 18 for Fox - bogey, bogey, eagle, hole in one, bogey

@KiwiPie said in Golf:

Quite a run through 14 to 18 for Fox - bogey, bogey, eagle, hole in one, bogey

Pretty standard (other than the ace) for Foxy. His second 9 appeared more unusual.

Ended up -3 which is a good start as he hasnt gone too well so far on the tour this year. Favourable conditions out there so some hot scoring on day 1

How about hitting your ball into the water twice in consecutive holes then lose your composure...

Fox having an off day today. Geez he is pretty rough off the tee, must lose so many shots there. He’s hardly hit a fairway today.

Another missed cut on the PGA Tour for Ryan Fox. His game not in great shape heading into the Masters next week...

Mad displays of class by the Number 1’s in Men and Women’s golf at qthe moment.
Nelly Korda has won 5 of her last 5 to match the LPGA record.
Scottie Scheffler has won 4 of his last 5. The other tournament he was second.
Actually amazing!

I love it. I think having a historically good #1 is great for the sport. Scheffler isn't exactly a showman, but when he's this good I don't think it matters.

Watching him play the back 9 on Sunday at Augusta was art. I normally lose focus if a player is 3-4 up and running away, but I couldn't take my eyes off it. It was an absolute masterclass.

I also tuned in to the Chevron purely to watch Korda. I wouldn't have known it was on otherwise.

It's another reason that the Presidents Cup needs to be mixed gender. A Korda/Scheffler pairing would be unmissable.

I never knew that was talked about for President’s cup. I’d watch that.
I don’t really root for Korda or Scheffler when they play. They appear robotic which is a strength of theirs I guess. I have tried the Scheffler shuffle on the range though. My hip felt like it was going to dislocate more than doing the Happy Gilmour.
Golf has gotta be one of the only sports that is watchable that can have men and women competing fairly (obvs different tee positions though). Ultramarathon supposedly is genderless but is also a fairly joyless sport for the viewer. Can’t be bothered thinking of others.