golf talking points this week:" data-reactid="32">Hong Kong (AFP) – A notable absentee, the return of an old favorite and the resumption of the LPGA Tour feature of the United States in AFP Sport’s golf discussion points this week:
– Scott jumps again –
The PGA Tour of the United States has returned since the beginning of June, but in the coming weeks it will really get the most out of it.
Golf Championship Invitational in Memphis, beginning Thursday, begins a run of big tournaments including the US PGA Championship in San Francisco, the Tour playoffs and the US Open at Winged Foot." data-reactid="39">The World Golf Championship Invitational in Memphis, starting on Thursday, begins a series of major tournaments including the USA PGA Championship in San Francisco, the Tour playoffs and the US Open a Winged Foot.
Most of the top 50 in the world will be at TPC Southwind this week, including defending champion Brooks Koepka.
Notable absentees are world number nine Adam Scott, the only top-10 star who doesn’t play, and 15-year-old world champion Tiger Woods, who is eager to keep his aging body cool.
Australian Masters champion 2013 in the United States, Scott, has not played since the players’ league was abandoned in March – the only member of the top 30 in the world to restart his season.
Reportedly, the wary Scott has returned to the United States and is planning to participate in the PGA championship, but has expressed reservations about the game during the coronavirus pandemic.
It is not yet clear whether Scott will take part in the Tour playoffs after the Australian media said he was surprised that the PGA Tour’s health and safety plan “was no longer tight.”
Scott could wait to make a decision on the rest of his program until he sees biological security measures in Harding Park alone.
So far seven players and three caddies have proven positive in the seven weeks following the resumption of the PGA Tour.
– Return to Old English –
With so many European Tour events falling victim to the coronavirus in 2020, it’s nice to report on a resurrected one.
The English Open at the Forest of Arden, near Birmingham, returns Thursday for the first time since June 2002.
The last time Ronaldinho and Ronaldo was played were Brazil’s protagonists at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan, and last week’s British Master’s winner Renato Paratore was still in kindergarten.
For the record, Darren Clarke made history 18 years ago by becoming the first player to win the title for the third time.
But not everything changes. The reigning US Masters champion in 2002 was the same as today – Tiger Woods.
– Stanford’s errant drive –
When 144 of the world’s top women perform on Friday at the Inverness Club in Ohio, it will be the first event on the LPGA tour of the United States for 166 days from the Australian Open in February.
The recovery sees consecutive events in Toledo without fans but masks, COVID-19 tests, social distance and thermal scanners.
However, the biggest challenge in the new normal could be getting to the safe and sound events.
Many are opting to drive their cars over long distances to the appropriate Drive On championship rather than risk flying.
Getting behind the wheel had a great confused champion.
Evian 2018 championship winner Angela Stanford was forced to turn around after leaving her home in Fort Worth, Texas for the 17-hour journey, 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) north.
“Well, I packed my bags for Toledo this morning. All the emotions you can imagine, excited, nervous, anxious, all this,” tweeted Stanford last Friday.
golf clubs. #2020 #letstrythisagain."" data-reactid="61">“It was bitterly sweet to get out of the driveway. About 15 minutes down the road … I forgot my golf clubs. # 2020 #letstrythisagain.”
– The 20 best in the world –
Golf Rankings updated July 27, 2020:" data-reactid="63">Official ranking of the men’s world golf updated on 27th July 2020:
1. Jon Rahm (ESP) 8.97
2. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 8.51
3. Justin Thomas (USA) 7.54
4. Webb Simpson (USA) 6.92 (+1)
5. Dustin Johnson (USA) 6.88 (-1)
6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 6.26
7. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 6.04
8. Patrick Reed (USA) 5.89
9. Adam Scott (AUS) 5.67
10. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 5.56
11. Xander Schauffele (USA) 5.38
12. Collin Morikawa (USA) 4.95 (+1)
13. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 4.93 (-1)
14. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 4.81 (+1)
15. Tiger Woods (USA) 4.69 (-1)
16. Tony Finau (USA) 4.47 (+1)
17. Justin Rose (ENG) 4.43 (-1)
18. Marc Leishman (AUS) 4.30
19. Gary Woodland (USA) 4.24
20. Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 4.17
