Judging the pace and line perfectly, Varner made what is surely the unlikeliest winning putt of his life to reach 13-under, claim the title and the $US1 million first prize.
How hard was Royal Greens Golf & Country Club playing on Saturday at the Saudi International? Of the 74 competitors who teed-up, only 24 broke the par of 70.
When McIlroy assumes the role of player director next year, it will mark the first time that an international player has served on the tour’s policy board since its inception in 1969.
Harold Varner III got off to an inauspicious start last year on the PGA Tour, missing seven of his first 17 cuts and finishing no higher than T-23 during that span.
If you needed more proof that the US PGA Tour is as deep as it has ever been, Michael Kim provided it on Sunday at the John Deere Classic, winning in dominant fashion despite having missed five of his last six cuts entering the week.
There won’t be any 63s in this US Open. The winning score will NOT be 16-under par. Which, whether they admit it or not, is a relief to officials at the USGA.
With the opportunity to assume the mantle of Australia’s No.1-ranked male golfer by claiming the Joe Kirkwood Cup on Sunday, Leishman’s position at the top of the leaderboard alongside Adam Bland after 36 holes is to be expected but Pete Senior’s spot just inside the top 10 is a shock to all but his fellow professionals.