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Post by The Boss on Jul 15, 2022 10:42:42 GMT
Round 1 - A very sedate start to the event with virtually no wind and slow, rain-sodden greens. Ian McKinley registered only one bogey, on the par 3 13th, on his way to an opening 68, and he was completely uninspired by the Firestone course which would explain his unexpectedly average score. Bob Fletcher's putting was much better than it had been in previous weeks and that showed in his score of 64 which saw him tied second with Tiger Woods at the close of play. As happened last week at Valhalla, the first round leader was Les Souter who really burned up the course. Les also bogeyed the problematic 13th, but a hatful of birdies which included a run of tweeters on the last four holes helped Les to a sizzling 61. But his best moment came on the par 3 7th when his tee-shot found the bottom of the cup for an ACE!!!! If Les can maintain this kind of form for four rounds it's difficult to see anyone staying with him, but there's still a lot of golf to be played...  
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Post by The Boss on Jul 16, 2022 14:34:59 GMT
Round 2 - The wind increased a little today and the greens were a tad faster, but there was nothing for the players to be unduly worried about - apart from perhaps a few pin positions. Ian McKinley's complete disinterest in the course was probably the main reason for his lacklustre 75, a score which saw him plummet to the lower reaches of the leaderboard. Overnight leader Les Souter could not get to grips with the green speed during his round and several putting errors cost him dearly. However, on the par 3 12th he removed putting from the equation by holing his tee-shot for ANOTHER ACE, his second of the tourney!! Unfortunately Les only managed a 70 which dropped him to third spot, six strokes behind the new leader. Bob Fletcher recorded his second 64 of the week, improved driving and approaches the prime causes for another impressive round, and that left him three ahead of Les and three behind the leader. And that was Tiger Woods who matched Les's opening 61 yesterday in a scintillating display of golfing skill. So Tiger is looking good at halfway but it's not over yet...  
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Post by The Boss on Jul 17, 2022 10:57:53 GMT
Round 3 - Quite windy today and the greens have become faster as they gradually dry out. Ian McKinley looked in a hurry as he just wanted to get his round played and return to his hotel, and a 79 was the consequence. Les Souter again failed to recapture his stunning opening round form, and could only repeat his even par 70 from yesterday's Round 2. However, he is still in a share of third spot, albeit nine strokes off the pace, and looks set for a sizeable payday. Bob Fletcher made a great start today with three birds on the opening four holes, but a couple of unfortunate bogeys restricted him to a 67, still a pretty good score and good enough to keep him in second place and still in contention. That was because overnight leader Tiger Woods also carded a 67 to maintain his three-shot lead going into the final round...  
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Post by The Boss on Jul 18, 2022 17:12:35 GMT
Round 4 - Not much wind for this final round but the greens had dried out completely and were ultra-quick. Ian McKinley concluded the week with a 'let's just get this done' 78, and may have been saving himself for the next two events which are both in Canada, his home country. Les Souter could do no more than card his third consecutive level par 70, but still finished in a very creditable share of 5th spot. Bob Fletcher was hopeful of sneaking a win this week and after eight holes it was still a possibility, but a double on #9 and a later one on #15 put paid to that dream. Bob also finished with a 70, leaving him in second place a full six strokes behind the victor. That was PGA Champion Tiger Woods whose closing 67 was easily good enough to collect the $1,000,000 first prize.  
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