He actually didn't hand in his card today, trusty old NR...saving himself for the Captains Prize I'd say
Sky Sports headline after the third round of the Soudal Open:
"Donald seven back after third round 65"
Doesn't say much about what Sky think of the lads a bit closer to the lead. If I were leading I'd be fairly insulted 😂
this weeks tournament is a mixed event in Scandinavia. Lauren Walsh has started well
Paul McGinley to become Strategic Adviser to the 2025 European Ryder Cup Team
At least we won’t have to suffer him on comms now but really does it need all these back room people. Top golfers in the world shouldn’t need half the people
Job's for the boys
soderberg will take a while to get over that one
Gary Hurley second on the Challenge Tour, wins just under €30k and up to 18th in the Challenge Tour standings. Good to see him playing well after some tough times.
Jaysus absolutely bottled it.
Shocking stuff, you'd have to feel for him. Hard to believe he once beat McIlroy in a playoff
Soderberg looked like a superstar in the making when he first arrived on the tour but he's blown it many times since then. Super consistent golfer but he's got a huge problem in the fourth round too often for it just being unlucky.
Patrick Reed playing in Italy next week on a sponsor’s invite
Reed could have entered the Italian Open under Category 1, the same as Danny Willet - 'Winners of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and Majors'. Both of them are US Masters champions.
In the Entry List (link below), Reed lists his club as 'Carlton Woods CC'. Considering he is a major winner, it's strange that there is no mention of him on the club website.
https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/italian-open-presented-by-regione-emilia-romagna-2024/entry-list
would he have to pay the fines though to get in? Invite probably gets around it
Tom McKibben clubhouse score could be enough to win here!
Crazy how it's going. Some collapse from those on top. Would get him an Open invite too I think?
Certainly helps with Siem in meltdown mode, could almost guarantee his PGA tour card for 2025.
Had forgotten the PGA tour card implications here.
Finally Siem comes up with the goods, playoff time
Whatever happens in play off its been a good day for mckibben, securing the Open spot is huge.
You'd have to give Siem credit for pulling off those birdies. Still a fine day for mckibben
Nice pay day too, despite not winning he actually got approx €20k more than for his win last year. Took home €334,000 so nice weeks work.
Funny story too about his caddy today, they were so sure he wouldn't be featuring the caddy was already gone to the train station and they had to call him back when Siem starting to hit the bogey run
Clutch from Siem in the end
Good to see Siem get the win, great character. McKibben will get plenty wins down the line by I'm sure
One of the most impressive things about McKibben to me is his ability to finish highly on his poorer weeks. Even when not playing his best stuff he still manages to pull himself into a Top 25 finish
McKibben up to number 97 in the world rankings, nice milestone in his career getting into the Top 100
Spotted that today. Seamus Power nudging in the wrong direction, unfortunately.
McKibben has a great shot at getting a PGA tour card for next season. He's 8th in R2D rankings and 5th on Top 10 for PGA exemption. A win or a few good finishes could jump someone outside the top 20 very quickly. Lots of golf still to play and plenty of events with big points. Hopefully, he can keep the hammer down.
Final qualifying for The Open is on today. 4 venues with 4 places available at each. It is very early stages but there is at least 1 Irish player currently in the top 4 at each venue.
https://www.theopen.com/qualification/final-qualifying
Kearney going well atm. Abraham Answer leading at his venue and Rose is also tied with Kearney.
Galway amateur Liam Nolan has almost certainly qualified for The Open. He is currently in tied 2nd and I don't think there are enough players left on the course that can overtake him. No luck for the remaining Irish.
Bunkers are safe with Garcia not doing enough
