RESULTS FINAL “D” ROUND PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MAY 21, 2023

RESULTS FINAL “D” ROUND PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MAY 21, 2023

BEST STORY PART 2  Michael Block who was comfortably playing with Justin Rose yesterday will be playing with Rory McIlroy today.  Golf Digest reports that the most money he made was $75,000 at The Club Professionals National Championship in 2014.  He bogied the 1st hole and had a 2nd on #7, completing the front 9 at +2.  He aces #15 and finishes with a 71 for a tie for 15th and won $309,000.  He will be playing on a sponsor’s exemption next week at the Charles Schwab at Colonial.  Just watched his interview on Golf Channel 9:00PM.  “This guy gets it, a genuine, humble, confident, honest, great family man, and talented golfer.”  He has a great future in front of him, if he wants it. 

SAD STORY Cory Conners was in the drivers seat to win his first major until 1 shot on the 16th hole in RD 3.  He took a DB to loose the lead, then in RD 4 shoots the 3rd worst RD.  Goes from #1 to #10.  I hope this does not have a negative effect on future tournaments.  We will watch his next outings to see what effect this loss will have.

#1 Brooks Koepka-9 67/ I had no doubt that he would win this tournament.

#2 Viktor Hovland-7 70/ Without the DB on 16 could have won.

#2 Scottie Scheffler-7 65 Lowest of the day, not enough, Rd 3 a killer. 

#4 Cam Davis-3 65 tied for lowest RD, from 16 to 4.

#4 Bryson DeChambeau-3 70 Played better than expected.

#4 Kurt Kitayama-3 71 Nice player but not a top yet.

#7 Rory McIlroy-2 69/ 4 bogies in this RD, crazy, glad he made top 10.

#7 Sepp Straka-2 65 Another lowest RD, a very underrated player.

#9 Patrick Cantlay-1 66 To little to late.  Will he ever win a major?

#9 Justin Rose-1 71/ 3 bogies on back 9.  Could have finished 4th.

#9 Cameron Smith-1 65/ Despite 2 bogies, from 27 to 9.

#10 Cory Conners  E 75 What a shame, 7 bogies.  Glad he made top 10.   

#30 Jordan Spieth+5 69 with 1DB, 2 bogies, 5 birdies, crazy, just like other 3 RDs.

#50 Jon Rahm+7 71/ 3 RDs over par, he may win the Memorial in 2 weeks. 

#56 Dustin Johnson+9 74 His last 3 RDs all 74, today 1DB, 5 bogies, 3 birdies.

#56 Max Homa+9 72 Over par all 4 RDs.  Never know how he is going to play. 

#59 Phil Mickelson+10 Pared last RD with 6 bogies, 6 birdies, 6 pars.

#65 Justin Thomas+12 All 4 RDs over par, another bad major, missed cut at Masters.

#72 Tony Finau+15 All 4 RDs over par.  Last RD77 1TB, 4 bogies.

#76 Kazuki Higa+20 77 and 78 last 2 RDs.  He was a special invited to Masters.

PURSE DISTRIBUTION

#1 Brooks Koepka $3,100,000

#2 Viktor Hovland & Scottie Scheffler $1,540,000

#4 Cam Davis, Bryson DeChambeau, Kurt Kitayama $720,000

#76 Kazuki Higa (last place) $25,000

HIGHLIGHTS

Bruce Koepka birdies 3 of his 1st 4 holes to take a 4 stroke lead, then back to back bogies on 6&7 for 34-1 front 9.  He birdies 16 and cruises to win.

Viktor Hovland hung in there, but DBs #16 as Koepka birdies (3 stroke change) to loose the tournament.  As I said he always shoots himself in the foot. 

Rory and Spieth so inconsistent, they were all over the place with birdies and bogies.

Some of the big names had very bad tournaments, see 30 to 72.

COMMNG ON TUESDAY MAY 23 Observations on future from the PGA 2023 tournament.