PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 HEADLINES
Brooks Koepka will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, after firing a four-under 66 that will give the LIV Golf star a shot at winning a fifth Major title.
There weren’t many players who looked more in control than the American, on a day when anything around par would have been acceptable given the heavy rain that lashed down on the East Course for much of the afternoon.
Corey Conners was coasting for most of the day and without a dropped shot until the 16th, where he thinned a fairway bunker shot into the lip and racked up a double bogey to surrender the lead.
However, at just two shots back, the Canadian still has a good opportunity to land his first Major title, as does Viktor Hovland who also sits on -5 and will surely fancy his chances after a positive Masters showing last month.
With the relentless rain pouring down, this was not a day when anyone was going to leap out of the chasing pack, which meant that there was no charge from the likes of Jon Rahm.
Instead, it was largely those players who were there or thereabouts who carried on from where they left off on Friday, the one exception being Scottie Scheffler.
The world number two was slow out of the blocks and struggled to find any sort of spark on the front nine, making four bogeys to turn in 39. However, he managed to stop the bleeding and give himself a chance of adding to his 2022 Masters title. He sits just four shots back.
And Rory McIlroy has done his chances of winning that long-waited fifth Major no harm at all, courtesy of a one-under-par 69. The Ulsterman “free wheeled it” on Saturday and was wayward off the tee once again, but be combined some stellar iron play with plenty of grit to grind out very respectable score.
The Ulsterman will require a low one, especially given the man who is leading, but it's certainly not beyond his capabilities.
We'll be back on Sunday to bring you live updates from the first shot until the winner lifts that famous Wanamaker Trophy.
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD 2023
- 1 Koepka -6
- T2 Hovland -5
- T2 Conners -5
- 4 DeChambeau -3
- T5 Rose -2
- T5 Scheffler -2
- 7 McIlroy -1
- T8 Block E
- T8 Suh E
Other big names:
- Jordan Spieth +6
- Jon Rahm +6
- Max Homa +7
- Tony Finau +8
- Justin Thomas +10
- Phil Mickelson +10
USEFUL LINKS
- PGA Championship Tee Times
- PGA Championships Picks and Predictions
- Weather Forecast for PGA Championship
- All You Need To Know About 2023 PGA Championship
- How To Watch The PGA Championship
PLENTY OF CHANGES IN THE LEADERBOARD
Saturday is known as moving day and with all of our groups now out on the course, there are plenty of changes on the leaderboard.
SAM TREMLETT UPDATING YOU
Hello everyone and today is Moving Day! I will be giving you updates over the next three hours on everything PGA Championship - weather, tee times, pairings, news. Everything, so here is the place to be.
ROUND 3 TEE TIMES
In case you hadn't seen any of the tee times for today, here is the full list. I have also selected some of my absolute favorites below too. (All times local (EDT). Add five hours on for BST, minus three hours for PT).
- 9.10am: Tyrrell Hatton, Phil Mickelson
- 10am: Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm
- 11am: Joel Dahmen, Nicolai Hojgaard
- 11.20am: Hideki Matsuyama, Max Homa
- 11.30am: Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood
- 12.20pm: Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott
- 1.40pm: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry
- 2.10pm: Justin Rose, Michael Block
- 2.30pm: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka
- 2.50pm: Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners
MOVING DAY WEATHER
We had a brief bit of rain on Friday and it looks like there will be more today. The Weather Channel currently says this;
Much of the rain is expected with a band of showers and perhaps a thunderstorm or two that will pass through Rochester on Saturday morning. Some scattered showers may linger through Saturday afternoon with rain chances dwindling during the evening hours. Lightning is possible in a few of the early storms. Temperatures will be kept down into the 60s due to the added cloud cover.
All I will say is I hope there will be no lightning and stoppage of play!
DIVISIVE OAK HILL?
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were not happy yesterday about Oak Hill. Hatton was part of Friday's featured group coverage on ESPN when the on-course mics picked up his outburst, saying Oak Hill was a "f****** s*******".
Then Rahm, whilst playing the 248-yard par-3 11th took exception to the hole.
"Great hole, PGA," the Spaniard was heard saying, sarcastically. "Great f****** hole!"
Both players made the cut by the way and I actually think the course has been a thorough test so far.
BIG NAME MISSED CUTS
I definitely wasn't expecting some of these guys to miss the cut. I am gutted about Rickie, the dude hit so many lips over the two days it was ridiculous.
- Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler +6
- Gary Woodland, Joaquin Niemann, Tom Kim, Jason Day +8
- Harris English, Cameron Young +9
- Sungjae Im +13
- Sam Burns +14
JORDAN SPIETH IS GREAT
This sequence of events is why Jordan Spieth is always absolutely must-see TV. The dude is just awesome.
Jordan spieth being so dumb founded about where his ball came to rest in the bunker he developed a stutter. quintessential Jordan experience 👨🏻🍳🤌🏻 pic.twitter.com/WNStwV8KJdMay 19, 2023
Spieth on 14 today — drives it into the bunker, terrible lie, smashes second shot over the green and O.B., drops in bunker, gets up and down. Easy bogey. pic.twitter.com/EjhWmz2MRcMay 20, 2023
“Sick, now this one’s plugged too. I mean, did everything right.” -Jordan Spieth unhappy with a ruling on 14It’s the “alright, come on” from Greller for me pic.twitter.com/ktskj5yOhiMay 19, 2023
FINALLY SOME FIGHT FROM RORY
Rory McIlroy definitely doesn't have his best stuff at the moment, but at long last, in a Major, he has shown the ability to fight. He is currently level par after rounds of 71-69 and yesterday he posted three birdies on his final 10 holes.
Given his game right now, in years gone by those rounds would've been 75-74 and absolutely nowhere. But just five back right now, he has given himself a chance this weekend.
HOW COOL IS MICHAEL BLOCK?
"I don't know why that makes me emotional but it does."Michael Block was brought to tears when he was told he is out in front of Masters champion Jon Rahm.On a trying Oak Hill course, he shot 70-70 and will make the cut @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/FbDV0GHEVdMay 19, 2023
Michael Block shot two rounds of 70 to easily make the cut this week, and the dude is awesome. The video above just shows golf is the absolute best as well.
ROUND 3 PIN LOCATIONS
Hole Locations for the Third Round of the 2023 PGA Championship. 📍 ⛳️#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Zlh2aax0bHMay 20, 2023
Some of the pins for Round 3 are well and truly tucked!
TV COVERAGE TODAY
Here are the broadcast details in the US for today and tomorrow. All the times are in EDT.
- Saturday, May 20: 8am-10am ESPN+, 10am-1pm ESPN, 1pm-7pm CBS
- Sunday, May 21: 8am-10am ESPN+, 10am-1pm ESPN, 1pm-7pm CBS
UK schedule is below as well (times in BST)
- Saturday, May 20: 2pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)
- Sunday, May 21: 2pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)
ICYMI - 6 IS A BEAST
The 503-yard par-4 6th at Oak Hill this week:17 birdies143 pars112 bogeys40 doubles or moreScore to par: +180It played as the hardest hole in #PGAChamp history in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/2t2RB5BOofMay 20, 2023
Yes you read those stats right, 6 is an absolute monster so far.
SPIETH TEES OFF
The first huge name to tee off today is Jordan Spieth and he goes way left at the 1st. Eventually he leaves himself 35 feet or so for par, and doesn't make it. He goes to +6.
SPIETH RELIEF
Looks like Spieth actually got relief from some toilets as well on the 1st. Insert joke about crappy shot here...
Spieth getting TIO from the shitter on 1. What a way to start the day. And then he exclaims "holy shit Jordan" after he hits the next shot. pic.twitter.com/eUo3zI0tU8May 20, 2023
PAR AT 1ST FOR JT
Justin Thomas has just finished the first as well. Playing behind Spieth, JT manages to get up and down for par from a tricky spot. He will need to go low today to stand any chance going into Sunday. Who knows though, he came from seven back to win last year...
SPIETH BIRDIES 2
In classic Spieth style, after a bogey at the first he birdies the 2nd hole to get the dropped shot right back. It is always a rollercoaster with the American.
SPIETH HOT MIC!
Gonna be a fun Saturday at the PGA Championship pic.twitter.com/nKSU9T4MWOMay 20, 2023
Love this guy, the most relatable three-time Major winner ever! His poor iron shot leads to another bogey.
HATTON, MICKELSON TEE OFF
What a group this is. Hatton described Oak Hill as a "f****** s*** hole" yesterday, and Mickelson is never one to hold his words back either (disregarding the 2023 Masters Champions dinner). Excited to see what these guys shoot today after they both par the 1st.
ABSOLUTELY DUMPING IT DOWN
The rain is really coming down at Oak Hill right now which will really soften the course up. However it is also going to make it longer and the rough more punishing too.
The weather has provided another interesting element to proceedings today.
MICKELSON WEARING SUNGLASSES
Yes I know I just said it is pouring it down, but Phil Mickelson is still wearing sunglasses. Dude just never fails to stand out.
BIRDIE AT 6!
Rikuya Hoshino is currently leading the way for the maddest card going. He has bogeyed three of the first four holes, then birdied 5 and the 6th hole! One par so far and he is +6.
MICKELSON GOES LONG ON 2
Shoutout to Sky Sports for staying on Phil Mickelson as he walked up the 2nd hole. He thought he had absolutely flagged one with his approach but actually he went long and has absolutely no shot. We saw in real time how disappointed, and shocked, he was. Love it.
DOUBLE FOR FINAU AT 1
Those Tony Finau fans out there will hate to see how he butchered the 1st hole. A double, goes to +7, and a long way to go in this third round.
Elsewhere Hatton nearly holes an absolute bomb on the 2nd for birdie. It lips around the hole with no pace at all and I don't understand how it hasn't gone in. I'm annoyed Sky cut away from him as well, wanted a classic Hatton reaction.
MICKELSON DOUBLES 2
Lefty walks off the 2nd hole with a double. After the chip shot, of which he had no chance of getting close, he nearly four-putts as well! Chaotic golf right now.
RAHM, SMITH ABOUT TO TEE OFF
What a group this is. Having played the opening two rounds together Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith are together again. Both players sit at +4 currently.
HANDING OVER TO ED CARRUTHERS
And the man who will be updating you on the Smith/Rahm group, as well as all other big moments from Oak Hill is Ed Carruthers. I am off to see Liverpool probably lose to Aston Villa, which Ed, as an Everton fan, will no doubt love.
THANKS SAM!
Thank you Sam, hopefully Liverpool get the win for you!
So as the 3pm kick-offs get underway, we'll be taking you through everything going on out in New York, as Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm are just getting underway on the first tee!
It's the Australian to go first, hitting a high cut into the rough on the right of the fairway.
Rahm is up next, after he came back to hit a fantastic 68 after his disappointing 76 on Friday.
The current Masters champion takes his time over the ball before winding up and smashing it over the tree on the left. He looks to have found it in one of the bunkers on the left!
It'll be a tough shot out from there, with that being a very deep bunker to get out of. But it's clear several players have struggled to carry the ball long this morning.
SO WE'VE GOT A BIG AFTERNOON OF GOLF COMING YOUR WAY
There's plenty of action still to come with some big names still to tee off today.
Here are some of the feature groups I'll be keeping an eye on coming up in the next few hours.
10:20 a.m.: Xander Schauffele, Ben Taylor
11 a.m.: Joel Dahmen, Nicolai Højgaard
11:20 a.m.: Hideki Matsuyama, Max Homa
11:30 a.m.: Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood
12:20 p.m. : Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott
1 p.m.: Patrick Cantlay, Mito Pereira
1:10 p.m.: Cameron Davis, Dustin Johnson
1:40 p.m.: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry
2:10 p.m.: Justin Rose, Michael Block
2:20 p.m.: Callum Tarren, Taylor Pendrith
2:30 p.m.: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka
2:40 p.m.: Viktor Hovland, Justin Suh
2:50 p.m.: Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners
BRYSON AND BROOKS WILL BE PLAYING TOGETHER
It's a replay of The Match!
While the two seem to no longer be adversaries, it's going to be an exciting afternoon with Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau now paired together in the 2:30pm (US)/ 7:30p.m. (UK) tee time.
Will we see their old rivalry re-ignite today?
DeChambeau sits on -3 while Koepka comes into the day on -2.
TOUGH START FOR PHIL
It's been a tricky morning for Phil Mickelson. After shooting a double bogey on the second to push his score to +7, Leftie has now pushed his tee shot right on the par-3 fifth hole into the bunker on the right of the green.
He'll have to work hard to come back from here, with the 2021 US PGA Champion now 12 shots back from the lead.
JON RAHM LIPS OUT! HE'LL BOGEY THE FIRST
It's almost a stunning up and down from the Masters Champion! After hitting his tee shot into the bunker on the first, the Spaniard plays the ball out nicely onto the fairway before hitting the middle of the green with his approach.
The 2021 US Open Champion then almost drains a stunning 12-foot putt, but the ball narrowly lips out! Tough luck for the World No 1 but what a fantastic effort! He'll move back to +5.
A GLORIOUS SHOT FROM THOMAS PIETERS ON THE FOURTH
It's smart, intelligent and while doesn't look pretty gets him through the trees and out onto the green. He'll have a shot into the hole here to drop his score down from +3.
MICKELSON MAKES HISTORY
Phil Mickelson might be 12 shots off the lead as I write this, but the American has joined an illustrious group of players to make his 100th cut at the PGA Championship this weekend.
Having won 45 times on the PGA Tour (tied eighth for the all-time most wins), and six majors to boot, the 52-year-old is one of the most decorated golfers in the game.
Mickelson is often spoken of in the same conversations as some of the legends of the game, but he’ll now be placed in the esteemed company of Jack Nicklaus (131) and Gary Player (102) as the third golfer to have made 100 cuts.
And his achievement is even more impressive considering he reached this milestone amazingly from just 119 starts at major championships.
Yet he was very close to missing out on this weekend, with Mickelson going three over in his opening round, carding a double bogey on the 18th, before adding to that on day two, to push his score back to +5 after he carded a two-over par 72.
He admitted yesterday that “The first two days I’ve played terrible. I've driven it poorly. I've not felt good with the putter. I haven't chipped great. My irons have been average. It makes me optimistic that I still made the cut playing as poorly as I did, and I think if I can get it turned around, I can make a run."
And things aren’t looking up for Phil, who, despite starting with a par on the first, struck a double bogey on the second hole to move to +7.
PIETERS NEARLY HOLES OUT! CAM SMITH GOES CLOSE
Thomas Pieters goes close with his pitch on and will likely tap in for his seventh birdie.
Cam Smith meanwhile nearly comes close with his approach shot on the second but the ball can't find any traction on the green and rolls down past the hole.
WEATHER CHECK
It looks pretty wet out there today and the brolly's are out in force.
It certainly seems to be playing a part in how far the ball is travelling out there and it certainly seems players are struggling to get the ball to check on the green.
And it's not looking good for the rest of the afternoon, with rain expected right up until 6pm (US).
CAM SMITH DROPS A SHOT
Tapping in a birdie on the second, he moves back to +3.
Meanwhile Mickelson is having even more issues on the notorious sixth, carding a bogey to go +8. It's not been a great start for Leftie.
THE HARDEST HOLE IN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY?
So let's talk about the sixth, and it seems to be catching a lot of players out this week, including Mickelson who has just conceded a bogey on the hole.
It is a very long 503 yard par 4 that has a creek cutting into it that separates the main fairway from a small layup area ahead of the hole.
Looking at the hole map, it looks a seriously tough hole and Scottie Scheffler gave us an insight into how hard the whole course is playing yesterday, highlighting the sixth hole as the toughest around.
“Six and seven are brutally tough,” Scheffler said. “I think six is probably the hardest hole I have ever played.”
“Why is it so hard?“ a reporter asked him.
“It’s hard any day. With how firm the fairways are, your line off the tee is right on the edge of those bunkers. The ball can’t go through if you don’t hit a good tee shot. And if you don’t hit the fairway you can’t hit the green in two.”
So how tough is the sixth?
Well, only three players hit birdies on the sixth yesterday, while 63 made bogeys and 27 made double bogeys.
SPIETH GOES WAYWARD
It seems Jordan Spieth has gone a bit wayward off the tee...
We'll leave the caption to you. 💬 pic.twitter.com/1bi4VzvzckMay 20, 2023
THOMAS PIETERS IS PLAYING EXCEPTIONALLY HERE
It's been a brilliant start for Thomas Pieters who has brought his score down from +5 to +1, shooting four birdies in his opening six holes this morning.
The Belgian is flying high at the moment and has hit 4/4 fairways along with 6/6 greens.
His putting has also been exemplary too and now leads the way with the most birdies (12) this week.
Can he launch an attack on the top today?
Thomas Pieters embracing the elements. He's birdied four of his first five and moves to +1. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/QqhrmVdwiQMay 20, 2023
SERGIO GARCIA IN US OPEN QUALIFIERS THIS WEEK
Away from the PGA Championship, we've got some news coming in and according to Sports Illustrated, Sergio Garcia is among several LIV Golfers who will take part in next week's US Open qualifiers.
The outlet are also suggesting that Graham McDowell will also be in attendance at the qualifiers on Monday in Dallas alongside Brandenn Grace.
RECOVERY FROM RAHM
Back to the PGA Championship now, and Jon Rahm has pulled one back on the fourth with an excellent putt.
Hitting the ball in from 12 yards out, the Spaniard just drains his putt and brings him down to +4.
Cam Smith meanwhile chips on from the second cut and will have a putt for par here.
Spieth meanwhile has followed Rahm's lead to tap in another long putt on the tenth. Cold damp conditions will not be helping his wrist injury, but he'll go back to +6 with a birdie.
THE SQUEEGEES ARE OUT
Not good. The squeegees are out on the golf course here. Hopefully this is just a precautionary measure and we won't have a rain delay like the Masters, but the weather is looking pretty ominous right now and the grounds staff are doing their best to sponge up the greens!
JUST AN INDICATION OF HOW THICK THE ROUGH IS HERE
Thomas Pieters has had a fantastic start to the day, but he's also given us an indication of how tough the rough is to get out of and it certainly looks thick...
😖 Thomas Pieters is one of us. “Well, that didn’t go too far” pic.twitter.com/r5TsaXaNcYMay 20, 2023
WHAT IS THE HARDEST HOLE IN GOLF?
Jon Rahm and Cam Smith are currently on the infamous sixth hole here at Oak Hill and I'm very interested to see how both play it.
Smith has hit two bogeys on the sixth so far this week while Rahm gained a shot on the hole on Thursday.
Scottie Scheffler claimed yesterday that it could have been the hardest he's ever played.
Could this be the hardest hole in golf? Let me know where you think it ranks as Cam Smith hits his tee shot way down the right side of the fairway.
RAHM LAYS UP ON THE FAIRWAY
After his tee shot went left into the grass, Rahm has to play his second shot into the fairway before the creek. He'll have a pretty good approach on here but will need to go close if he is to make par.
MICKELSON GOES NINE-UNDER
The 2021 PGA Champion has gone to nine-under on the ninth hole which is, today, playing one of the hardest holes along with the sixth. He can't quite nail his par putt, with the ball drifting just past the hole.
FANTASTIC STUFF FROM SMITH AND RAHM
Anything you can do I can do better here from our featured group. Smith lays up in the rough and plays a great shot onto the green. He'll have a putt for par here, and so will Rahm, who drops his approach within a couple of feet of the hole.
Smith drains his putt for a par on the sixth, a great score in these conditions. And Rahm saves too, staying at +6.
DIFFICULT DAY FOR SPIETH
It's been a difficult day for Jordan Spieth who sits at +8 through 12. He started his round with a bogey, cancelled that out with a birdie on the second, but undid his hard work on the third to gain another shot again.
He then went into the turn with another bogey on the ninth hole before gaining his shot back with a birdie on ten.
A double bogey on 11 put him back two shots again but he's just bounced back with a par on the 12th.
The former Masters champion needs to win a PGA Championship to complete the career grand slam, but came into this tournament with a wrist injury that may have played a part in his difficult week.
“I wouldn't play if I didn't think I was in good enough shape to play,” Spieth said on his wrist injury earlier in the week. “I just don't have the reps I'd like to have going into a major. But I'm happy I'm able to play because I surely didn't think that a week ago.
“Name a type of treatment, I've done just about everything.
"I'm continuing to do it. It's healed up. I don't know how much, but enough to be able to play this week."
.@attbyronnelson pic.twitter.com/R0OCsbh6XGMay 8, 2023
MORE TROUBLE FOR PHIL
The rain is really coming into play here, a huge spray of water comes up as Mickelson his his approach on 10.
But the ball skirts off right, going into a very thick lie next to a bunker on the right of the hole.
GREAT START FOR MATSUYAMA
The 2021 Masters champion gets off to a flying start here on the first hole with a very nice birdie on the first.
Matsuyama has been in great form of late on the PGA Tour ranking as one of the best approach players and scramblers on the PGA Tour.
He's ranked in the top 25 in all of his last three events, finishing T5 at the Players earlier this year.
RAHM DESTROYS A MICROPHONE ON FIVE
It's been a very frustrating week for Jon Rahm, who currently sits at +6 having hit three bogeys so far this round.
And after hitting one of those on the par three fifth, he's taken his aggression out on a microphone on the edge of the green...
😤😡 Jon Rahm destroys a mic on the 5th hole! pic.twitter.com/2XkOm3xgKnMay 20, 2023
FUN FACT
Hideki Matsuyama is one of the most consistent golfers on the PGA Tour and since his first start at the PGA Championship in 2013, he has never missed the cut at the tournament in 10 appearances.
His best finish was a T4 in 2016, while he came T60 last year.
Can he claim his first Wanamaker Trophy this week?
HAS RAHM LOST HIS BALL
Jon Rahm seems to have lost his golf ball here? He's struck his ball way left on the eighth off the tee, but a crowd of patrons, officials and his caddie can't find it.
It's been quite some time now, but someone seems to have just thrown his ball over a boundary fence on the side of the hole. He's been allowed to place his ball back on the golf course, in a stroke of luck for the World No 1. He'll have a shot into the green now, but what ball does the best player in the world right now use?
Check out our full review below...
A model used by top players like Jon Rahm and Sam Burns, the Chrome Soft X is a ball designed for golfers with high swing speeds that will deliver great distance in the long game. And my testing seemed to back this up because there was a jump when hitting the ball on a launch monitor up against the standard version. My clubhead speed sits around 112mph and this equated to some not insignificant extra distance - over 10 yards in total versus the standard Chrome Soft.
Around the green, I thought the Chrome Soft X felt a little firmer off the face than the Chrome Soft, which some will enjoy, but some won't. This subjective point hits home how important it is to try different models out alongside one and other. Overall the Chrome Soft X was one of the best premium golf balls I've tested in recent years. It is consistently long off the tee, offers plenty of control when pitching from short range and feels brilliant off the clubface.
- Read our full Callaway Chrome Soft X 2022 Golf Ball Review
WHO YOU GOT!
We're fast approaching what is set to be one of the most anticipated matchups today. Let us know who you are backing!
Looking forward to the 2.30pm tee time? https://t.co/mZwjCZs4aK pic.twitter.com/rDCKVVVEHhMay 20, 2023
TOMMY FLEETWOOD GETS A BIRDIE ON THE SECOND
Wow! Everton have just scored a 90+9' equaliser against Wolves - a huge result for their hopes of avoiding relegation this year!
Meanwhile, long standing Toffee, Tommy Fleetwood has just got his third round underway and has batted in a birdie on the second.
He's currently +2 having had a fantastic few weeks on the PGA Tour, with a T5 finish at the Wells Fargo championship coming into this tournament.
"STOP AIMING IT AT MY FACE WHEN I'M MAD"
It's been a tough round so far for Rahm and he appears to have had a pop at a camera man, telling the videographer: "Stop aiming it [the camera] at me when I'm mad... it's all you guys do."
He's just hit another bogey on the eighth taking his score back to +7.
😡❌🎥 Jon Rahm has had enough!“Stop aiming at my face when I’m mad.. it’s all you guys do.” pic.twitter.com/sq5flh4bvVMay 20, 2023
PAUL MCGINLEY THINKS PLAYERS WILL SCORE LOW TOMORROW
The tale of the day so far has been the rain and the conditions are not looking great.
Players have been struggling to score, get pitches out of the rough with the rain having a big effect on the face of the club. But Sky commentator and former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes that the players are putting up a good effort today!
"Obviously a tough day," he told Sky Sports.
"Surprised with the scoring being so decent. A lot of players are hanging around par and that's a pretty good effort in these conditions.
"With this moisture in the ground now, that is going to set us up for pretty low scoring tomorrow."
COLLIN MORIKAWA AND ADAM SCOTT ARE UNDERWAY
The 2020 PGA Champion is teeing off here after going 70 and 71 in his opening rounds. He plays a nice sweep down the middle of the fairway.
He’s joined by Adam Scott who has been in brilliant form recently, but after a 74 yesterday he’s got a lot to do to come back here. But it's not a great start here. His tee shot goes way left into the spectators on the edge of the fairway.
ITS PRETTY WET OUT THERE...
Adam Scott was sporting a very cool set of waterproofs on the first tee, a very wise decision considering the rain out there right now.
As the elements can strike at any time on the golf course, it's best to be well prepared, like Scott for any eventuality.
That's why you should check out our guides to the best golf waterproofs and best waterproof golf shoes.
Comfort is king on the golf course, and personally, having a pair of waterproof golf shoes is vital to helping you play better.
For that reason I've set out below our top pick when it comes to waterproof golf shoes...
An update on the impressive adidas ZG21, the new ZG23 golf shoe is by far one of the best spiked golf shoes available right now and we thoroughly enjoyed putting it to the test out on the course. The standout feature of the new shoe is the Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro technology seen throughout the revamped midsole. It replaces the familiar Boost technology seen in many of the best adidas golf shoes and it definitely makes a noticeable improvement in the comfort on offer underfoot.
Above the sole, the shoe comes with a new Stability Fin that helped to keep our feet locked-in as our weight shifted through the golf swing. We certainly didn't feel fatigued walking around the course in these shoes, which might we add deliver excellent comfort, support but also are super lightweight. The look is very similar to the to the budget adidas Tech Response 2.0 shoes which may turn some golfers off buying this product, but there's no denying that visually these are a very sleek pair of shoes that do look good on the course.
On the outsole, the ZG23 features a cool colored sole that comes embedded with six traditional spikes and plenty of lugs that deliver a lot of secondary traction on the shoe. Using heat mapping technology from a range of golfers of all abilities, adidas have added in grip here to where they found those players needed the most traction. That really did give us a lot of confidence that we could easily rip through each shot while wearing these excellent golf shoes.
-
Read our full Adidas ZG23 Golf Shoe Review
MATSUYAMA CAN'T QUITE FIND BIRDIE... BUT MORIKAWA CAN
Hideki Matsuyama on the 5th right now but can't quite find his birdie with a putt uphill. He saves for par.
Elsewehere, Adam Scott finds his wayward tee shot on the first and looks to have played a good shot upfield out of a thick cut of rough. He can't quite find the hole with his first putt and bogeys the first! He's now +3.
Morikawa plays a strong long-range putt into the hole to go back to even.
Rahm continues to have a tough time out there, playing his approach shot on 10 into the rough on the right.
BACK TO BACK BIRDIES FOR THEEGALA
After a tough start with a bogey on the first, Sahith Theegala has bounced back with back-to-back birdies, which will do wonders for his confidence here.
It's been a great season for the 25-year-old, who's made seven top ten finishes this year, winning the QBE Shootout in November while also snagging himself a T9 finish at April's Masters.
LETS CHECK THE LEADERBOARDS
So not much has changed at the top order, most of whom are yet to tee off.
Collin Morikawa has just crept into the top of the ladder though, after his birdie on the first hole.
Meanwhile there's been plenty of movement lower down the order too - check them out below!
Other big names:
- T20 Dustin Johnson +1
- T20 Patrick Cantlay +1
- T20 Ryan Fox +1
- T32 Tommy Fleetwood +2
- T34 Hideki Matsuyama +3
- T42 Cam Smith +4
- T42 Tyrrell Hatton +4
- T48 Jordan Spieth +6
- T65 Jon Rahm +9
- T65 Phil MIckelson +9
SIX BOGEYS FOR RAHM
I've just been looking at Jon Rahm's scorecard and the World No 1 has scored six bogeys today and just one birdie so far.
He's +9 for the round so far with seven to play.
JORDAN SPIETH WRAPS UP HIS DAY
After going in 73 and 72 in his opening two rounds, Jordan Spieth finishes up under par for his third day at Oak Hill after battling hard on the course today.
The three time major winner started his round poorly going bogey-par-bogey before finding a double bogey on the 11th. He's steadied himself in the back nine and has gone in to finish one over par for the day at 71.
LEE HODGES HAD TO WAIT A WHILE FOR HIS BALL TO DROP!
🏐🕳️ Wait for it… pic.twitter.com/QcnPufRgWWMay 20, 2023
SO WHO IS WINNING THIS WEEKEND?
Some interesting stats coming in from Justin Ray on Twitter.
43 of the last 50 major champions were at or withing four shots of the lead entering into round three.
Could we see that change this weekend?
Scottie Scheffler sits on top at -5 but there are plenty of big names only a few shots back from him, including Collin Morikawa who is currently evens and Rory McIlroy, who is set to tee off with Shane Lowry pretty soon.
Since 1990, 87.9% of men's major winners have been inside the top-10 after 36 holes.43 of the last 50 were at/within 4 of the lead entering round 3. #PGAChampionshipMay 20, 2023
HUGE BIRDIE FOR FLEETWOOD
It's a great coup for the Englishman who moves to +1 after a sensational putt on the sixth to hit his second birdie of the round.
He's come so close on the PGA Tour this season and would be great to see him finally snag a win.
In fact, he currently ranks 3rd for putts per round on the tour. Considering the conditions that could be a huge to help him score later today.
JORDAN SPIETH OPENS UP ON HIS WRIST INJURY
It's been a particularly hard week for Jordan Spieth who has battled a wrist injury.
He finished up his round today +6 but has opened up on the injury after his round.
"I didn't get to hit balls until last Saturday and I didn't get here until Tuesday," he said.
"It's nothing major something that just needs rest."
Spieth also confirmed he'd be hoping to get back to his normal schedule after the major.
DUSTIN JOHNSON IS UNDERWAY
So Dustin Johnson has got his round underway here at Oak Hill he's currently +1 and has a good foothold here to kick on this afternoon and climb the ladder.
But the former World No 1 has found it difficult out there, hitting a 74 yesterday after an impressive opening round 67.
HERE WE GO THEN! BRYSON VS BROOKS!
This is set to be one of the big match-ups of the day. Brooks Koepka has been playing out of his skin recently, taking Jon Rahm the distance at the 2023 Masters. Bryson DeChambeau is meanwhile coming off the back off a cut at Augusta National.
Both bring power and muscle to the golf course and it will be very interesting to see who performs in the conditions today. They are both about to tee off here so I'll be keeping tabs on this pairing as one of our featured groups for the afternoon.
RORY MCILROY: "I MIGHT JUST TEE IT HIGH AND BOMB IT EVERYWHERE"
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are set to tee off very shortly in another huge pairing going out this afternoon.
It's been an up and down tournament so far for the Northern Irishman, who has been fighting hard after coming back from his disappointing performance at the Masters to shoot an opening round of 71 before clawing his way back to even yesterday afternoon.
The Northern Irishman has been struggling with his swing, and after his round yesterday revealed that he had been struggling with how he felt over the ball in the last few days.
He comes into proceedings today five back from the leader Scottie Scheffler and revealed his strategy for the final two days.
“I think how terribly I've felt over the golf ball over the last two days, I’m not saying it could be up there with one of my best performances, but when I holed that putt at the last, I looked at the board, and I thought: ‘I can't believe I'm five back’,” McIlroy said after his round yesterday.
“I guess that's a good thing because I know if I can get it in play off the tee, that's the key to my success over the weekend. If I can get the ball in play off the tee, I'll have a shot.
“I hardly miss a shot on the range, and then it's just trying to get it to go from the range to the golf course that I'm finding difficult,” said the double US PGA champion. “I think at this point I might just tee it high and just bomb it everywhere. I tried to hit that little cut off the tee on 16, and it nearly went OB.
PAR FOR DJ ON THE FIRST
It's a solid start for the 2020 Masters champion who gets a par on his opening hole.
Meanwhile it's back-to-back birdies for Jon Rahm who has come back down to +7.
A GREAT START FOR RORY MCILROY
You can't ask for a much better drive than that from the Northern Irishman who stripes the ball 314 yards straight down the fairway. He'll have a shot in to go for a birdie here.
Shane Lowry meanwhile has pulled his drive off the first into the area behind the patrons who are lined up along the fairway. He'll have a tough shot in from there.
But wow what a hit from McIlroy. But it comes as no surprise as he leads the way for driving distance on the PGA Tour.
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You still see the red and black aesthetic, but TaylorMade has made it more user-friendly, especially behind the ball. They have done this by making the red on the face brighter, which ensures the loft on the club is a little clearer to see. What's more, the glossy black crown also helps it look a bit more generous at address.
Compared to the previous generation, the Stealth 2 is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The distance was good but it was the added consistency in testing that impressed us most. This was especially true in terms of ball flight as it remained pretty consistent throughout testing.
- Read our full TaylorMade Stealth 2 Driver Review
SOCIAL GOLF
Collin Morikawa and Adam Scott have both just found the same bunker on the sixth. This hole is really proving to be a tough one for our players this week.
MCILROY IS REPLACING HIS BALL HERE
Rory McIlroy is replacing his ball here on the fairway which seems to be stuck in an unplayable, likely saturated lie on the fairway. He's got a pretty good view of the hole here and has an iron in hand.
He'll wind up and push the ball high and right into the second cut, around 20 yards from the hole.
Lowry, meanwhile, finds his ball in the thick stuff and gets away pretty handily with a big strike - but it's a tough break for the former Open champion who finds the bunker with his approach.
WOW WHAT A PUTT FROM REED!
Someone who we've not spoken too much today is Patrick Reed who is currently +4 and has just played a simply sensational putt from about 20 yards out from the hole to save for par.
Superb work.
PARS FOR LOWRY AND MCILROY
A solid start from Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy. They both save from the sand and the second cut to tap in to secure two well-taken pars.
This is an exciting group and being good friends they may spur each other on here.
PHIL MICKELSON: "I DIDN'T PLAY GREAT TODAY"
Phil Mickelson has been speaking pretty candidly on his disappointing round today admitting he 'didn't play great today'.
"I love this. I love this weather I think it's so fun," Mickelson said.
"When I was a kid and it would rain and no body would be on the course I'd go out and hit balls under this palm tree and it reminds me of those moments.
"I didn't play great today and I didn't score great but I had a lot of fun. It's a struggle out there but there are some good rounds out there and there are some under par rounds.
"I think the course is playing very fair. Given the conditions, and to have had conditions like we did yesterday, and then today and have it be playable is really a great sign of what a great design it is. I had a lot of fun battling and challenging myself on such a great course."
Yesterday, he made history becoming one of only three players to make 100 cuts at the major championships.
"Yeah this first hundred cuts has been interesting, I think the second hundred is going to be the most interesting part," he joked.
"I didn't know about that hundred streak and yeah it's a lot of years and a lot of golf. I didn't realise I had that many and it is something I am certainly proud of, but it also shows my age. And it also shows a lot of great experiences that I've had and I'm very grateful for that."
LEE HODGES RECIEVES A PENALTY
If you missed it earlieir, Lee Hodges struck a put to within milimetres of the hole and waited for some time before the ball dropped.
And it appears he's now been given a one shot penalty for taking too long to tap the ball in.
More below...
Hodges score changed to bogey on 17. TOTAL VINDICATION! https://t.co/cvkkC9bY05May 20, 2023
BIRDIE FOR SMITH
Cameron Smith snags an important birdie on the 16th with a great putt.
While Scott also gets one back taking his score to +4.
RAHM COMING GOOD LATE ON
An excellent tee shot from Jon Rahm sees him lay up nicely on the fairway for a decent angle in.
He hits a lovely low shot in with his iron to attack the pin and will putt from within 10 yards.
He's recovered his terrible start to hit two birdies in his last five holes.
HERE COMES JUSTIN ROSE
He's struggled off the tee in the opening two days and can't quite find the fairway here putting his drive into the second cut on the left of the fairway.
He's teeing it up with Michael Block, the 47-year-old PGA Head Professional at Arroyo Trabuco GC. Block seems to have pulled his tee shot slightly to the left and will have a tough shot in.
And after beating Jon Rahm yesterday, hitting a 70 on Thursday and a 70 on Friday he got emotional in his post-round press conference, saying, "[It's] pretty cool to say the least..."
"I don't know why that makes me emotional but it does."Michael Block was brought to tears when he was told he is out in front of Masters champion Jon Rahm.On a trying Oak Hill course, he shot 70-70 and will make the cut @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/FbDV0GHEVdMay 19, 2023
ANOTHER BIRDIE FOR RAHM!
He's back to +6, 11 shots off the lead, and has just struck a great putt on 17 to pull his score back.
BACK-TO-BACK PARS FOR MCILROY
Pretty solid start here from Rory who's putting has been impressive in the first two holes.
Lowry follows suit, hitting two pars in his opening two holes to also stay even.
DJ MISSES HIS BIRDIE! WHILE RORY GOES WITHIN TWO FEET
Dustin Johnson misses out on a birdie with his putt coming close, but not quite close enough on the fourth. He'll go in for par.
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy both find the green on the third, with McIlroy coming within 10 feet! A great shot in!
THAT'S IT FOR RAHM
It's a good recovery in his back nine to go two-over par for the day with his total now at +6.
The Masters champion is 11 shots off the lead.
BIRDIE FOR MCILROY
A very strong start for Rory McIlroy who's tapped in with an excellent putt on the third for a birdie.
Shane Lowry stays level for the round making par.
BOOS ON THE FIRST TEE FOR BRYSON
The former US Open, Bryson DeChambeau, champion is booed by the patrons on the first tee when his name is announced.
He silences them a second later with an excellent drive straight down the middle of the fairway and it looks to have gone pretty far.
Brooks Koepka meanwhile steps up to the tee and hits a bit of a slice into the right side of the fairway.
He'll have a tough shot in here.
CAM SMITH FINISHES UP
Smith finishes up with two pars on the 17th and 18th to wrap his round up with a 70.
He now sits T32 at +4 in the leaderboard.
ITS REALLY WET HERE
The rain is really starting to come down here and it's clear to see that the players are struggling to keep dry out there.
VIKTOR HOVLAND IS UNDERWAY
And he starts off with a fantastic drive on the first, perhaps one of the best I've seen this afternoon, hitting his ball straight down the middle of the fairway with a lovely swing.
Justin Suh is his playing partner and he's also played a lovely fade to find the middle of the fairway.
TAYLOR MOORE THROWS HIS CLUB
Seems like the weather is really starting to cause some tempers to flare on the golf course with Taylor Moore appearing to launch his driver in frustration...
Tempers are flaring at Oak Hill... pic.twitter.com/tSaYsECelpMay 20, 2023
RORY MCILROY GOES WITHIN A FEW FEET
It's been a terrific start for Rory McIlroy who, after putting his tee shot at the par 3 fifth within a few feet, has a great opportunity to pull another shot back with another birdie.
Elsewhere, Michael Block has struck a birdie on the par four second, while Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka are neck-and-neck through the first hole with a pair of pars.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER TEES OFF
Here come the joint leaders, as Scottie Scheffler gets our last group underway with a strong drive down the fairway.
Corey Connors follows him with another great drive.
The pair sit in the driving seat here, alongside Viktor Hovland all on five-under.
MCILROY GETS HIS BIRDIE!
He's making a move here and is now -2 under after a fantastic tee shot onto the green at the fifth and taps in for his second birdie of the round.
Corey Connors has meanwhile found his ball on the first and lays up nicely onto the fairway.
Scottie Scheffler looks like he has a six-iron in here, and fades a lovely shot down the fairway and onto the middle of the green.
WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO WIN HERE?
From the rough to the greens, it seems like Oak Hill is really challenging the players. Scoring has been relatively low this week, with no one as yet running away with a big solo lead.
We’ve been looking at previous winning scores at Oak Hill and it’s clear this course is a tough one, even in the wet weather...
Back in 2019, Jason Dufner won the PGA Championship with a low score of 270 (-10) besting Jim Furyk by two shots.
Shaun Michael won the tournament back in 2003 with a score of 275 (-4) again two shots ahead of his chaser.
And going back even further to when Oak Hill hosted the US Open in 1989, Curtis Strange hit 278 (-2) to win by one shot.
Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners and Victor Hovland all top the standings at five-under, and will hoping to complete the week with a score of around 270 to claim the PGA Championship.
COLLIN MORIKAWA GETS ONE BACK! SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER BOGEYS
The 2020 PGA Champion has just dropped another shot and is back to +1 after hitting two bogeys at five and six.
Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, surrenders the lead to Corey Connors and Viktor Hovland, missing a five-foot putt on the first hole to pick up a shot.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD MISSES BIRDIE OPPORTUNITY
He'll stay at +2 for the day, having hit a birdie and a bogey in his previous two holes.
Fellow Englishman Justin Rose has also had an up-and-down start here, going par-bogey-par for the opening three holes.
HUGE PUTT FROM BRYSON
He's showing his experience of the majors here, tapping in a monster putt to keep the pressure on the top order.
DeChambeau will now cut the deficit between him and Connors and Hovland at the top of the ladder to just one shot, with the American going to -4.
But he'll have a lot to do to overtake the pair, particularly Hovland, who is really swinging into gear here, finding the middle of the green with a stunning draw into the middle of the green on the third.
SHANE LOWRY - WHAT A PUTT!
The former Open Champion has struck a fantastic putt from 20-feet to secure a huge birdie on the sixth hole.
That'll give him a huge boost here as he moves back to -1.
Rory meanwhile drains his putt to shoot a bogey, after he fluffed his chip shot from the bank.
Michael Block scrambles too to secure a well earned par on the fourth.
JUSTIN SUH MOVES BACK TO -3
The rain is pouring here, but there's no sign of the scoring slowing down. Justin Suh has just knocked in a very nice birdie on the third to keep the pressure on the top order.
NOT GOOD FOR SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER
It's back-to-back bogeys for the 2022 Masters champion who's moved back to -3.
He's just found the heart of the green with his tee shot at the third and has a chance to pull one back, but it's been a tough start for Scheffler.
HARRINGTON CHIPS IN
What a chip shot out of the hazard there from Padraig Harrington, he holes out on 18 to finish up his round with a birdie and go +8.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy goes very close, also chipping in from the bunker on seven to rescue a very well taken par.
HOW CAN YOU PLAY BETTER IN THE RAIN?
Playing in the rain can sometimes be very tricky. As soon as your clubs get wet, you can start to struggle to maintain a good grip on the club and also struggle to get good spin on the golf ball.
You might have seen some of the players today doing some interesting stuff to keep dry at Oak Hill, i.e. turning their caps backwards to take the moisture away from their face or even hold the umbrella over their golf ball on the green to ensure they don't get wet before the player hits the shot.
And there are plenty of other things you can do to help you play better and stay dry on the golf course. Check out the video below, where our man Neil Tappin gives you all the insider tips and tricks to help you play better in the wet!
MCILROY CAN'T KEEP HIS SCORE AT -1
He's been in a lot of bunkers in the last few holes and has expertly got out of them, considering the sand in there will be very wet.
However, his putting fails to match up to his work in the sand, with the Northern Irishman conceding a bogey on the eighth.
JUSTIN SUH DOESN'T GET HIS REWARD
Justin Suh has just come close to hitting what could have been one of the best recovery shots of the day so far, whipping his club around in a hooking motion to swing the golf ball around a tree from the second cut.
The ball flight is good but he can't keep the shot on the green, landing it in the middle of the green on four. But he is not rewarded for his brilliant efforts, with the ball bouncing hard and rolling down the slope behind the hole.
But that doesn't phase him. Suh steps up to the ball at the back of the green, opens the face of the club and flicks it up the slope, into the air and onto the green to within two feet of the hole.
Simply superb.
HERE COMES KOEPKA
Does this feel a bit like deja vu? Brooks Koepka has just got another shot back, his second of this round, to go -4 with a fantastic putt on the fifth.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, his playing partner has just played out a fantastic scramble to stay level with Koepka at -4.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD GETS ONE BACK!
What a day it's been for Tommy Fleetwood! He's battled hard throughout the torrid conditions to pull back another shot on the 17th.
And what a shot it was, draining a long-range putt on the green to bring him back to +1.
HOVLAND AND DECHAMBEAU LEAD THE WAY FOR STATS
While there are plenty of players mounting pressure on the top order right now, Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau are perhaps the two most consistent right now.
The pair are the only two players to rank inside the top five for total strokes gained, strokes gained tee-to-green and greens in regulation.
They both sit at -4 right now.
BRYSON HITS THE WATER ON SIX
Just as I said it, Bryson seems to have found the water on six and this could be costly. He sits at -4 and was having a fantastic start having just scrambled for par on the fifth.
MATSUYAMA CHIPS IN TO FINISH HIS ROUND
What a shot that was from Hideki Matsuyama! Popping the ball up very high from some nasty, thick rough to drain his shot and finish with a birdie.
He'll end the day +3!
THAT'S ALL FROM ME!
And that's all from me for now, but I'll be leaving you with the fantastic hands of Micheal Weston, who will be taking you through the evening!
DECHAMBEAU DOUBLE
It's that hole 6 - it's a brute. It should be 666. They're all brutes but 6 is the brute of all brutes. Koepka has his game face on, rolls in a nice save. Suh on 6 has a putt from about 1.5kms coming up on 6 and I'm offering 5/1 on the two-putt - any takers?
SIX RUNS
Lovely shot from the Englishman - straight back over the bowler's head for six. In all seriousness, Callum Tarren is struggling. 3 doubles on the card already and currently at +4 for the tournament.
ROSE ON A CHARGE
Justin's putter is hot. If he's not making ridiculous saves, he's knocking them in for birdies. He's up to -3 through 8 and just two shots back. Koepka struggling on 7, pitch and putt needed to stay at -4. Bryson with a good chance for birdie, meanwhile.
jackets are off
Don't worry, no one's fighting. The rain has eased. Bryson can't take advantage of his fine approach on 7. Scottie has made another bogey - nothing happening for the world number two and he slips back to -2. Brooks drops a shot on 7, leaving Conners with a two-shot lead. One hand on the Wanamaker? Don't be daft.
WORD ON THE ROUGH
How many lost balls would there be without ball spotters? As good as these pros are, no way are they finding some of these balls if they're playing in a regular weekend medal. Don't get me wrong, they're pretty good at getting out of it. Animals.
SCHEFFLER IN REVERSE
He's scrambling again and that's bogey number four for the day. Very uncharacteristic - that's four fives in the first seven holes. He's trying to force things - and it's not a good strategy. Conners just plodding away in front.
Hovland will have a good look for birdie on 8. Block pars 10 (+2) and he's loving every second of this - and so are the crowd. Rose with a fierce lip out on 10, just a par (nothing wrong with those, mind).
Hovland to -4
Viktor going after Corey with a birdie on 8. Rose with a towering approach over the flag on 11, Brooks burns the edge with birdie effort on 9. Soft course, no wind, jackets off - we're going to see dome fireworks now, one feels.
Rose to -4
He does indeed roll that one in. Nicely played hole and he's just one back now. Block is now +1 and the cheers are getting louder.
Conners to -6
Hard to keep up - lead back to two. Birdie on 8 and he has his cushion again. Meanwhile, Rory is into the red again, -1. A strong finish and that'll set up Sunday very nicely.
McIlroy through 14
Bryson misses a good chance on 10 - will have to settle for par. Scheffler just finds the bottom of the cup on 9, just. Conners makes a lovely up-and-down to stay -6.
Just a par for Rory on 14, wayward tee shot and his lengthy birdie putt slips by.
Raining again
Umbrellas back out. It's seriously wet out there. We're told it's just passing through. It's that type of rain that makes you walk in when you're playing with your pals. 'Shall we call it a day and just grab a beer?' Nods all round.
BLOCK HANGING AROUND
Don't be fooled by the look on his face. He may be wet but the PGA pro is absolutely loving this - he's +1 for the tournament, seven back.
Big save!
Rory with a long putt to make a save on 15, that after a disappointing par on 14. He's scrapping hard. Lowry misses a short one on 15, stays +1 entering the tough stretch. Hovland will have a good look at birdie on 11. He's not going anywhere.
Rose with a mistake on 13, will make a 6 after a Hollywood flop goes wrong. Has the nerve to play another and it rolls out to about two feet. Could have been a lot worse.
into the back 9
We're all into the back nine on Moving Day. Here's how things currently stand:
1 Conners -6 (10)
T2 Rose -4 (12)
T2 Hovland -4 (10)
4 Koepka -3 (11)
T5 DeChambeau (11)
Tommy with a 68
Tommy Fleetwood can go and have a nice hot bath. He's done for the day. There are under par rounds out there - a very nice 68 from the Southport man. That's basically like a 62.
"I'm living the dream" - Block
Michael Block is mic'd up and confirms that he is very happy indeed. The PGA pro apparently charges $150 an hour, a fee he will most likely to able to treble after this week's showing.
here comes rory
Never write this man off. He's -2 after a birdie on 16. Two solid pars now and I'm sure he'll take great pleasure watching the rest of the day's action with a nice, hot cup of coffee.
Hovland joins Conners
Tied at -6. Lovely birdie from Viktor on 12.
struggles for...
Bryson, Rory and Rose. Suddenly a few loose ones and some of the chasing pack are struggling. McIlroy on 17, escapes with a bogey and goes back to -1; Rose with 6 feet on 15 for par, downhill but makes it; Bryson makes bogey on the par-5 13th.
Meanwhile, Brooks birdies 13 and he gets to -5 (2nd). Got booed on the 1st tee but there were loud cheers there - very loud. Hard to call how this leaderboard will look in a couple of hours.
And Michael Block, even par now. Just gets better for the PGA pro.
RORY STUTTERING
Just can't find a fairway. Gives it a little kick as one goes left on 17. If he'd driven the ball well to this point - which is normally his greatest strength - he'd be -10. That's golf for you. Brooks and Bryson take aim at 14 and they have some interesting shots to negotiate coming up.
Brooks misses golden chance
After a deft chip on 14, Koepka can't take advantage. He misses from about five feet. Scheffler now... chance coming up on 13 and he really needs something to happen.
FIST PUMP
A big one. That would have hurt anyone. Lowry chips in for par on 18 and he's in at +1. Seven back and by no means out of it.
Bryson to -3
Birdies on 14 and 15 gets the big (now small) man back to -3. That putting stroke, so upright. If you see your opponent putting like that on the putting green before you head out for a match, you're already thinking about what hole you're going to win on.
But, hey, it's effective - very effective.
Koepka with a dart
On 16 and he's going to have a very good chance to join the leaders - fantastic iron shot. What a response this would be to his Masters disappointment last month. A fifth Major? Such a waste with him playing on..... no, not going to say it. I will say this: he has something special about him when it comes to Major Championships.
New lea...
No. Inches from dropping for Hovland... remains locked at the top with Conners.
Into the final stages
Here how it stands:
T1 Hovland -6 (14)
T1 Conners -6 (14)
3 Koepka -5 (15)
4 DeChambeau (15)
5 Rose -2 (17)
new leader
Conners is the first man to get to -7, set up by a gorgeous tee shot on 15. He's just looked so solid.
block shoots 70
Take a bow, Mr Michael Block. Have we mentioned that he's just a regular PGA pro who sells tee times and chocolate bars?
PROBLEMS FOR THE LEADER
Koepka is one problem - he gets to -6. Conners, though, has hit the lip from a downslope out of the bunker and the ball is..... not sure where. Not good. Not good at all.
late drama
So Conners is getting a ruling. I'm no rules expert (please email my colleague Jeremy 'Rules Expert' Ellwood). However, I can tell you there's a delay, lots of talking, a tee being placed in the ground, a driver being laid down, more chatting... something about the ball being nowhere nearer the hole. Replays show the ball being fired into the lip and it disappears like a rat up a drain pipe. If you see one of your buddies doing this, you probably laugh. Conners isn't laughing. We'll come back to you...
three-way lead?
In 10 minutes or so we're going to have a change at the top of the leaderboard for sure. Conners is playing his third from 154 yards on 16 from the top of the bunker that he's probably sick of the sight of.
From bad to worse. He's staring a double in the face.
Miraculous recovery
Conners may just drop one stroke... that was a delightful recovery from thick, wet rough about 40 yards from the green. About 15 feet for a bogey.
don't write scottie off
He's -2 and played very poorly, but he's just five back, and that could soon be four.
Conners double
Back to -5. Cruel.
final stages
It's looking like two players who had very fine Masters will tee it up together on Sunday for another crack at a Major. Still time for that to change but whatever happens between now and the end, it's set up for a very interesting final day.
Sole leader
It's BK now. Viktor bogeys 18. Brooks with that superb 66 has the sole lead with just two players left on the golf course - Conners and Scheffler.
don't boo brooks
I think that's the key takeaway here, at least if you don't want him to do well.
JOIN US ON SUNDAY
Well, that was rather good. See you tomorrow? Hope so.
