Showing posts with label Thomas Bjorn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas Bjorn. Show all posts

5/23/2014

Shane Lowry Bjorn Again

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Shane Lowry enjoyed yet another good round on the West Course at Wentworth on Friday to keep his hopes alive heading into moving day.

After setting the course record during the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship, Thomas Bjorn's even-par 72 was enough to keep a share of the lead heading into the weekend at Wentworth.


The Dane balanced three bogeys with three birdies, including two across his final four holes, and after opening with a 62 he now sits alongside Shane Lowry at 10 under. 

The pair remain four shots clear of Rafael Cabrera-Belloand two-time BMW champion Luke Donald, who are tied for third at 6-under 138.

Lowry shot a 64 in the first round but struggled out of the gates Friday, making the turn in 2-over 37. He rallied with four back-nine birdies, including birdies at both the par-5 17th and 18th holes, to draw even with Bjorn. The Irishman won the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur and is in search of his first European Tour victory since the 2012 Portugal Masters.

Donald's 5-under 67 was the low round of the day at Wentworth, which has been blanketed by rain for much of the first two days. He's hardly the only big name still in contention, though, asHenrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy and Masters runner-up Jonas Blixt will all begin the third round tied for fifth, five shots off the lead.

Stenson is looking to end Adam Scott's reign atop the world rankings after only one week, and a high finish in England will go a long way toward that goal. McIlroy has missed the cut each of the past two years at Wentworth, but he's in contention after rounds of 68 and 71 as he continues to cope with his recent split from former fiancee Caroline Wozniacki.

With the projected cut at 2-over 146, several notable names were sent packing after just two rounds. The list of early exits includes Brooks Koepka (+4), Jose Maria Olazabal (+4), Ernie Els (+6), Charl Schwartzel (+9) and defending champion Matteo Manassero (+7)





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9/10/2013

Clarke Backs Bjorn Bid

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Darren Clarke says European Masters champion Thomas Bjorn has a "very realistic" chance of making Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup team.

Bjorn moved to the top of the European Ryder Cup Points List after winning the Omega European Masters at Crans-Sur-Sierre in Switzerland on Sunday - a victory which also took him back into the top 50 in the world rankings.

It was the Dane's first European Tour win (14th in all) since he won the same tournament two years ago.

Clarke is a former Ryder Cup colleague of Bjorn's and the pair were also fellow vice-captains for Europe's incredible win at Medinah last year.


"He'd been knocking on the door all year. He's been playing really, really well," said Clarke.

"He's one of the best, maybe one of the top three, wedge players in the game and Switzerland's always going to suit him because players have so many short irons into greens up there.

"To see him get over the line and win again was fantastic. He's still a world-class player and I'm sure he's got his sights on being involved in playing the Ryder Cup this time as opposed to being involved in the backroom staff."

Bjorn is now 43 but 2011 Open champ Clarke believes Bjorn's chances of playing in a third Ryder Cup - his previous appearances were back in 1997 and 2002 - are "very realistic".

"Thomas is a brilliant golfer. It's a great start for him and I'd be surprised if he's not very close (to automatically qualifying) come the end."

Bjorn could also be in the frame for a wildcard pick if he didn't make it and one of the first congratulatory texts he received after his win at Crans-sur-Sierre came from European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.


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