Caribbean Golf Association
Both the Men’s and the Women’s Individual standings show a tie for the top spot in round 2 of the CGA’s annual Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships (CAGC). The 64th CAGC is being played at the Country Club at Grand Reserve, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, August 24 - 26.
In the Men’s individual standings, Rhadames Peña of the Dominican Republic (who shot 72) was able to close the slim gap from round 1 to tie with Gustavo Rangel of Puerto Rico (with 73 strokes). Both currently lead the board with an overall 142 and 2 under par. Puerto Rico’s Jeronimo Esteve (70) and Justin Burrowes of Jamaica (73) are just behind with scores of 144 and 145, respectively.
The individual standings in the women’s division remains a tight race leading into the final round. At the top of the board, there is a tie between the powerful Puerto Rican ladies Paola Rosario (with 73 strokes) and Camila Negroni (shooting 78) for 152 at the end of round 2. Just 1 point away, with an overall score of 153, is another tie between Puerto Rico’s Darianys Guzman (77) and US Virgin Islands’ Alexandra Swayne (79).
Host country Puerto Rico Men’s Team continues their lead for the Hoerman Cup with 5 over par (scoring 290+291 for an overall 581). Jamaica remains in second place (+34) improving their score from 309 to 301 for an overall score of 610. The Dominican Republic in third (+39) also improved from 312 to 303 to score 615.
Puerto Rico is hoping for a clean sweep in their home country, with their women’s team also at the top of the leaderboard for the George Teale Trophy. Puerto Rico maintained their score of 150 on both days for a score of 300 and 12 over par. Tied in the second place are teams the Dominican Republic and US Virgin Islands, scoring an overall 322 for 34 over. They are followed closely by the Jamaican team with 327.
Six Caribbean countries sent 47 of their best amateur golfers to compete for the Arthur Ziadie Trophy which is awarded to the best overall team awarded (see standings), as well as the Hoerman Cup (Best Male Team) and the George Teale Trophy (Best Female Team). Sponsors include R&A, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, Banco Popular, Titleist, and Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, among others.
The 2021 CAGC heads into the final round today (Thursday, August 26).
Scheffler, McIlroy among the unbeaten after second round of WGC Match Play
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler got off to a great start at the WGC Match Play, remaining perfect through his first two round-robin matchups after defeating Alex Noren on Thursday.
Scheffler, the world number one, has shown a great affinity for the match play format, finishing runner-up to Billy Horschel in 2021 before knocking off Kevin Kisner in last season's final.
After sneaking past Davis Riley to open his week, Scheffler put his foot down against Noren, draining six birdies over the course of eight holes to run away with it.
Scheffler will advance as the winner of Group 1 with a win or tie against Tom Kim on Friday, while Rory McIlroy also has one foot in the knockout stage after his win against Denny McCarthy, with only Keegan Bradley standing in the way of the Northern Irishman completing a perfect Group 3 sweep.
Max Homa is sitting pretty as the only 2-0-0 competitor in Group 5 after getting the better of three-time finalist Kevin Kisner, meaning he will face Hideki Matsuyama for a chance to seal his path into the last-16.
Tony Finau moved to 2-0-0 in Group 2 with a convincing triumph over Adrian Meronk, while Jason Day beat Victor Perez to take a 2-0-0 record into his tantalising Group 9 clash against the 1-0-1 Collin Morikawa. The loser will be heading home.
Group 2 is up for grabs as Jon Rahm (1-1-0) needs to defeat Horschel (1-0-1) to give himself and Rickie Fowler (1-1-0) a chance to advance, while Jordan Spieth blew a late lead to hand control over Group 12 to Taylor Montgomery.
Xander Schauffele, J.T Poston, Kim Si-woo, Sam Burns, Cameron Young, Andrew Putnam, J.J. Spaun and Lucas Herbert are all unbeaten heading into Friday's final round of group play.
McIlroy backs controversial golf ball proposals
Rory McIlroy supports the controversial proposals that would see new golf balls introduced to tackle ever-increasing driving distances.
The R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA) last week proposed a "Model Local Rule" that would allow organisers and tournaments the option to use a modified ball that reduces hitting distance by approximately 15 yards.
The move was first mooted in 2020 as a way of decreasing the distance modern tour professionals hit the ball amid fears golf courses will soon not be long enough to provide a suitable test in elite competitions.
The proposals have been met with widespread criticism from manufacturers and players alike, with Justin Thomas last week describing the move as "so bad for the game of golf."
However, four-time major champion McIlroy, who is currently playing at the World Golf Championships Match Play in Texas, is not so angry.
Speaking to No Laying Up, he said: "For elite-level play, I really like it. I really do.
"I know that's a really unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I think it's going to help identify who the best players are a bit easier. Especially in this era of parity that we've been living in these past couple of decades.
"Selfishly, I think it helps me. I think this is only going to help the better player. It might help the longer player too, in some ways but I think it's going to help the overall professional game.
"I think making guys hit some long irons again, and some mid irons, and being able to hit every club in your bag in a round of golf.… I can't remember the last time when I've had to do that.
"I don't know if this change in the ball will make us do that, but it certainly is a step closer to that."
Martin Slumbers and Mike Whan, the heads of the respective organisations, confirmed the rule would not be implemented until 2026 but would then be introduced for their elite events – the Open Championship and the U.S. Open.
There is no obligation for the PGA Tour to adopt the rules, but McIlroy suggested he might still consider using a rolled-back ball in regular-season events to better prepare for the majors.
"Honestly, for me, the major championships are the biggest deal, so if the PGA Tour doesn't implement it, I might still play the Model Local Rule ball, because I know that'll give me the best chance and the best preparation leading into the major championships," he added.
"And again, this is personal preference and personal opinion at this stage of my career. I know that I'm going to be defined by the amount of major championships that I hopefully will win from now until the end of my career. And that's the most important thing for me.
"If that gives me the best chance to succeed at the major championships and feel as prepared as I possibly can be, then that's what I would do."
William Knibbs wins Constant Spring Golf Classic by five strokes in trying conditions
William Knibbs battled the weather and a tough field to emerge champion of the two-day Constant Spring Golf Classic that concluded on Sunday at the Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston.
Knibbs had a two-day score of 152 to end up five shots ahead of Zandre Roye after both had scored 78s on Saturday’s opening day.
"It felt great to win today (Sunday). I was tied for the lead coming into today. (I) didn't get off to a hot start, doubled the first hole. (The) first swing went out of bounds so after the first hole today (Sunday) I gave myself a three-shot deficit to overcome, which at times extended to a four-shot deficit between me and Zandre (Roye) but I was able to hold it down towards the end. I played really well on the back-nine. That helped me to narrow the gap," Knibbs said afterwards.
Dr. Mark Newnhan with scores of 83 and 79 (162) was the third spot edging last year's winner Sean Morris who scored 164 after posting 89 and 75 over the two rounds.
Jodi Munn-Barrow was the only woman in the field and gave a good account of herself with scores of 77 and 76 for a combined total of 153.
The top performers in the various categories were:
Men & Men Senior 7-12 - Bruce Levy 159 (77, 82), Bruce Lopez 173 (88, 85) and Christopher Carvalho 174 (88, 86).
The Men and Men Senior 13-24 category went to Mitchell Watson - 185 with scores of 86 and 99.
Mike Gleichman 159 won the Men Super Senior 0-12 section over Metry Seaga 164. Ronald Ross 166 copped third place.
Linval Freeman 194, George Wright 197 and Paul Chai Chong 199 were the top three in the Men Super Senior 13 -24.
The Masters category went to Vivian Monteith who posted 183 over the two rounds.
The only junior in the field was Jerone Thomas who competed in the Boys Under 18 category. He posted 184 for his two rounds.
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