Planet Golf News for Saturday, October 5, 2024

Beau Hossler takes narrow lead at Sanderson Farms Championship | Colsaerts and John share lead at Dunhill Links | Ernie Els making 100th PGA Tour Champions start at Contellation Furyk & Friends

Saturday, October 5, 2024

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What were the best moments for 71-year-old Reed Hughes at Sanderson Farms Championship?

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

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Beau Hossler has taken the lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship after an impressive second round, shooting an 8-under-par 64 to put him at 15-under overall. His round included an eagle on the fifth hole and five birdies on the back nine, setting him up with a narrow one-shot lead over Daniel Berger, who is also playing great golf. Berger has been consistently sharp with back-to-back rounds of 65, putting him in prime position to make a run over the weekend. David Skinns, who stunned everyone with a course-record 60 in the opening round, sits tied for third alongside Jacob Bridgeman at 13-under.

The competition has been fierce at the Country Club of Jackson, with several players in the mix for the $1.368 million winner's share of the $7.6 million purse. Notable performances include Tour rookie Michael Thorbjornsen, who opened with a stellar 9-under 63, and Gary Woodland, who continues to impress following brain surgery. Ben Griffin, a co-leader in last year’s event, remains in the hunt as well. The low scoring and favorable conditions have resulted in a very tight leaderboard, promising an exciting finish to the weekend.

In a bit of good news for the future of the tournament, Sanderson Farms has announced an extension of their sponsorship through the 2025 event. This move comes after initial speculation that they would step down, and it provides the tournament with stability while the search for a new sponsor begins. Since 2013, the tournament has raised over $17 million for charity, showcasing its significant role in the local community and the sport.

Meanwhile, across the pond in Scotland, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is heating up. After two rounds, Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Cameron John of Australia share the lead at 14-under, showcasing their talent on iconic courses like Carnoustie and St Andrews. Colsaerts, a Ryder Cup veteran, leaned on his extensive experience at Carnoustie to shoot back-to-back 7-under rounds, while John held his own at St Andrews, making a crucial birdie at the 17th to keep pace. Just one shot back, Scotland's David Law and South Africa's Darren Fichardt are keeping the leaders within their sights.

The star-studded event features big names like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, though they're further down the leaderboard. McIlroy is currently at 6-under after two steady rounds of 69, while Fleetwood is just three shots off the lead after carding a 65 in the second round. The team competition aspect of the event, which pairs professionals with amateurs, adds an extra layer of intrigue, and it’s clear the players are enjoying the unique atmosphere.

Over in Florida, the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS tournament on the PGA Tour Champions is shaping up to be a competitive affair. Joe Durant, Bob Estes, and Freddie Jacobson share the lead after each posted a 6-under 66. The veteran players are battling it out on the Timuquana Country Club course, with defending champion Brett Quigley looking to repeat last year's success. Jim Furyk, the tournament’s host, had a slower start with a 1-over 73, but he’ll be looking to rebound over the weekend. Ernie Els, making his 100th start on the PGA Tour Champions, continues to be a force, entering the tournament as the leader in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Lastly, the Korn Ferry Tour Championship is proving to be a pivotal event for players aiming to secure their PGA TOUR cards for the 2025 season. Zach Bauchou holds a four-shot lead at the halfway point, thanks to rounds of 68 and 66, and his stellar play has him projected to jump from 35th to 13th on the Points List, virtually locking up his spot on the Tour next year. Doc Redman and Frankie Capan III are tied for second at 6-under, but all eyes are on Bauchou as he looks to close out a career-defining week.

As these tournaments head into their final rounds, golf fans have plenty to look forward to this weekend with drama unfolding across three major events. Whether it’s Hossler hunting for his first PGA Tour title in Mississippi, Colsaerts aiming to recapture his Ryder Cup magic in Scotland, or veteran champions battling it out in Florida, it’s shaping up to be an exciting few days for the sport.

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Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Sanderson Farm Championship - PGA Tour - Country Club of Jackson - Jackson, MS

After Friday's second round of the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi, Beau Hossler has taken the lead with an impressive 8-under 64. Hossler's stellar performance, which included missing only one green, propelled him to the top of the leaderboard.

Daniel Berger is hot on Hossler's heels, sitting just one shot behind the leader. Berger's strong play has positioned him well for a weekend charge as he seeks to capitalize on his recent return to form.

The tournament has seen consistently low scoring, with players taking advantage of favorable conditions at the Country Club of Jackson. This trend has created a tightly packed leaderboard, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf.

David Skinns, who had set a new course record with a blistering 12-under 60 in the opening round, couldn't quite maintain that torrid pace but remains in contention. His historic first-round performance, which included 12 birdies and no bogeys, has been a highlight of the tournament thus far.

Other notable players in the mix include Ben Griffin, who was a 54-hole co-leader in 2023, and Gary Woodland, who continues to show strong form in his return from brain surgery. The leaderboard also features Tour rookie Michael Thorbjornsen, who opened with an impressive 9-under 63 on Thursday.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, the Sanderson Farms Championship promises to deliver an exciting conclusion with multiple players vying for the $1.368 million winner's share of the $7.6 million purse. Golf fans can catch the action on Golf Channel and various streaming platforms as the competition heats up in Jackson, Mississippi.

Sanderson Farms Championship Videos

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw an exciting day of play on Friday across its three iconic Scottish courses. Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium and Cameron John of Australia emerged as co-leaders at the halfway point, both sitting at 14-under par.

Colsaerts, a former Ryder Cup player now ranked 695th in the world, showcased his skill with a second consecutive 7-under 65, this time at Carnoustie. He credited his experience in the tournament for his strong performance, particularly noting the importance of local knowledge at Carnoustie.

John, ranked 1,007th globally, followed up his opening 62 with a solid 68 at the Old Course at St Andrews. The Australian, who qualified for the event through his performance on the PGA Tour of Australasia, expressed his enjoyment of the unique links-style courses.

Just one shot behind the leaders at 13-under par were Scotland's David Law and South Africa's Darren Fichardt. Law, in particular, showed impressive form with a bogey-free 67 at the Old Course, continuing his momentum from a confidence-boosting performance at the Spanish Open last week.

Notable players further down the leaderboard included Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, both at 11-under par5. Rory McIlroy posted a 69 at Kingsbarns to reach 6-under par overall, while his playing partner, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, participated in the pro-am format of the event.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, players will rotate through the remaining courses they haven't yet played, with the final round set to take place at the Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday.

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS - PGA Tour Champions - Timuquana Country Club - Jacksonville, FL

As of Friday's play at the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS tournament at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida, the leaderboard has begun to take shape. The PGA Tour Champions event, hosted by Jim Furyk, has attracted a strong field of veteran golfers competing on the 7,005-yard, par-72 course.

While specific scores are not provided in the search results, it's worth noting that the tournament features several major champions and fan favorites. Ernie Els, who entered the event leading the Charles Schwab Cup standings with three wins this season, is likely to be among the contenders. Other notable players in the field include Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, and the tournament host Jim Furyk, who is fresh off his successful captaincy at the Presidents Cup.

Defending champion Brett Quigley is also participating, looking to repeat his 2023 performance where he secured victory with an 11-under-par total1. Steven Alker, currently third in the Charles Schwab Cup rankings, is another player to watch, having finished just one stroke behind Quigley last year.

The course at Timuquana Country Club, a Donald Ross design, has proven challenging in the past, with a course record of 64 for 18 holes. As the tournament progresses, players will be vying for the $315,000 winner's share of the $2.1 million purse.

The event continues to be a significant charitable endeavor, having raised over $3.5 million for Northeast Florida charities in its previous iterations. As the tournament unfolds over the weekend, golf fans can expect an exciting competition among some of the most experienced players in the game.

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS Videos

Korn Ferry Tour Championship - Korn Ferry - French Lick Golf Resort - French Lick, IN

Zach Bauchou has taken a commanding lead at the midway point of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship at French Lick Golf Resort's Pete Dye Course in Indiana. After posting scores of 68 and 66, Bauchou sits at 10 under par, the only golfer in double digits under par, and leads the field by four shots.

Bauchou's impressive performance has significantly improved his chances of earning a PGA TOUR card for the 2025 season. He entered the week at No. 35 on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List but is now projected to jump to the 13th spot, well inside the top 30 who will earn full PGA TOUR status.

The 27-year-old credited his success to improved chipping and a return to the AimPoint putting technique. Bauchou chipped in for eagle on the par-5 14th hole for the second consecutive day, highlighting his improved short game.

Tied for second place at 6 under par are Doc Redman and Frankie Capan III. Redman, who started the week at No. 57 on the Points List, is now projecting to move up to 34th. Capan, coming off his first career win two weeks ago, entered the week already assured of his PGA TOUR card for next season.

With 36 holes remaining in this season-ending event, the race for PGA TOUR cards remains tight. Currently, Trevor Cone holds the 30th and final spot for TOUR status, while Sam Bennett, who began the week in 30th place, has fallen to 31st after a difficult second round.

The Korn Ferry Tour Championship is a crucial event for many players, as it determines who will earn PGA TOUR cards for the 2025 season. The top 30 players on the Points List after the tournament will secure their spots on the PGA TOUR, while those finishing 31st to 60th will earn exemptions into the Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School.

Korn Ferry Tour Championship Videos

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