Two Macs Chase Merion Treble

Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy will both attempt to make it three Northern Irish wins in four years this week as the US Open Championship heads to Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania for the season’s second Major.

The duo will spearhead a typically formidable band of European Tour stars as they bid to add their name to the trophy for a second time following McDowell’s 2010 triumph at Pebble Beach and McIlroy’s blitzing of Congressional in 2011.

McDowell is well versed at dealing with the challenges US Open Championships provide, as demonstrated when his defence of the title in 2011 resulted in a share of 14th place, and when he finished joint runner-up in 2012 behind American Webb Simpson, having gone into the final round tied for the lead.

The 33 year old heads to Ardmore, near Philadelphia, in a rich vein of form following recent victories in the Volvo World Match Play Championship and the RBC Heritage on the US PGA Tour, while McIlroy is aiming to reproduce the sort of form that yielded multiple wins last season, resulting in him being Number One on both sides of the Atlantic.

Another player well equipped to contest at Merion is World Number 11 Lee Westwood, who has notched three US Open top tens in the last five years and has been in fine form this season, coming close to winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club last month. 

The 40 year old Englishman is looking forward to a somewhat different test this week, saying: “It's an old, traditional-style golf course that they have lengthened in places. It's tight and there are a lot of good, short par fours.

“The short holes are really short and the long holes are really long, I've heard. The long par threes are 250 yards, and the short par fours are between 350 and 400 yards, which we very rarely play nowadays. 

“So it will be an interesting week. I hope they get the weather for the way they want the golf course to play. I think if it's wet, it could be torn apart.”

Joining McDowell and Westwood in the bid to continue The European Tour’s recent dominance in Major Championships are South Africans Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Englishmen Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, and rising star Thorbjørn Olesen of Denmark.

Olesen, 23, has made the cut in three of his first four Major appearances so far, including finishing tied sixth in the Masters Tournament in April, tied 27th at the US PGA Championship last August and tied ninth in The 141st Open Championship in 2012.

A number of other talented young players will be hoping to make their mark on the world stage, such as Eddie Pepperell, who took a share of sixth place at the BMW PGA Championship before qualifying for his Major debut at Walton Heath the following day.

The 22 year old is one of four European Tour Members making their Major bow – along with Scot Chris Doak, England’s John Parry and South African Jaco Van Zyl.

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Top Ten St Jude Finish for Padraig

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Padraig Harrington finished the back nine at the FedEx St. Jude Classic on Sunday in 34 strokes to secure a share of tenth place in Memphis with his round of 71, and now moves to Merion for the US Open. 

After dropping consecutive shots on holes four and five, Harrington made the turn in 37, and ended the week with a one over par finish.

It was Harris English who won the honours, making birdies on two of the final three holes to hold off Phil Mickelson and Scott Stallings by two strokes.

"I had probably 10 high school friends out there today," said English, who picked up 500 FedExCup points and moved to 13th in the standings with the win. "And I know that if I make a birdie or a bogey, they're probably going to be the same and they're rooting me on. I was just really relaxed out there today. Bogeyed 8 and 9, which was tough. But I knew if I kept it together on the back nine, I could make a run at the thing."

The 23-year-old former University of Georgia star in his second year on the PGA TOUR survived a final round where he had six birdies and five bogeys. He finished with a 1-under 69 for a 12-under 268 total to get the victory in the same state where he helped Baylor in Chattanooga win four Tennessee high school golf titles.

English said caddie Brian Smith also helped him refocus as he made the turn.

"I really didn't think I'd be in this seat right here coming off 9," English said. "I thought I kind of made some really dumb bogeys on 8, 9 and kind of shot myself out of the tournament. But Smitty was saying, `Hey let's go beat this back nine. Let's get back under par for the tournament for the day, and let's get after it.' So it was almost pedal to the metal."

English got four of his birdies on the back nine and saw on No. 14 that he was near the lead at 10 under. He made a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to tie Stallings for the lead, but Stallings bogeyed No. 18 to give English the lead to himself. English made a 17-foot birdie putt on No. 17, and overcame shaking hands as he two-putted No. 18 to pick up the winner's check of $1,026,000.

"It's quite an unbelievable feeling," English said.

Mickelson shot a 67, and Stallings had a 68. Mickelson said English finished strong and has been playing some great golf, but the four-time major winner got most of what he wanted after not playing the previous three weeks as he tuned up for the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club.

Harris English moved to 13th in the FedExCup. See what other players made a big move at TPC Southwind.Standings

"I'm really encouraged with the way I hit my irons," Mickelson said. "Got to get the 3-wood in play a little bit more, although next week at Merion distance won't be as critical as TPC Southwind. I'll be able to hit higher and softer shots."

English became the fourth player to win the event in his first start since the tournament moved to TPC Southwind in 1989 and the second straight after Dustin Johnson a year ago.

The final round returned to normal Memphis weather with the temperature reaching the high 80s along with the wind blowing from the south at 10-15 mph as it usually does at TPC Southwind.

English won the Southern Amateur in 2011 and was an amateur when he won on the Web.com Tour in July 2011. He moved to the PGA TOUR in 2012 and finished 79th in FedExCup points. Now he has his fourth top 10 this year and a precious invitation to the Masters for the Georgia native.

Mickelson birdied Nos. 13 and 16, but he just missed a 13-footer for birdie on the par-4 17th. He then went right at the hole on No. 18 from 151 yards and just missed, leaving a 2-foot birdie putt to tie Stallings at 10 under.

English then finished off the win and celebrated with a simple fist pump.

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Padraig Enjoys Moving Day

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Padraig Harrington carded eight birdies in a five-under-par third round of 65 to move into the top 10 at the St Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday.

The Dubliner also carded three bogeys in his round to move into a tie for eighth spot on six under alongside the American duo of Ryan Palmer and Roberto Castro.

PGA Tour rookie Shawn Stefani rebounded superbly from a quadruple-bogey seven at the 11th to move to 12 under and edge one stroke clear of playing partner Harris English.

Seeking his first victory on the US circuit, American Stefani piled up eight birdies on the way to a four-under-par 66 on a warm day at the TPC Southwind, picking up four shots in his last five holes.

English, who had been two strokes in front of the chasing pack overnight in pursuit of his maiden PGA Tour title, rolled in a 14-footer to birdie the last for a 69 to secure outright second place.

“It’s funny, I actually hit a good shot,” Stefani, 31, told Golf Channel about his tee shot at the par-three 11th which ended up in water. “I just pulled the wrong club with the wrong wind. It happens. But it was a good day and I played good. It actually helped to have Harris along because he’s a great young player and we have a lot of similarities in our lives and stuff. I had a great time with him and I’m looking forward to it tomorrow.”

Another rookie, Patrick Reed, fired the day’s lowest score, a six-birdie 64 lifting him into a tie for third at eight under with fellow Americans Nicholas Thompson (66) and Scott Stallings (67).

Four-times Major champion Phil Mickelson also mounted a charge, a 65 putting him at seven under alongside rookie Eric Meierdierks (66).

“I’ve played better each round and I’m encouraged by that,” Mickelson said after mixing an eagle at the par-five third with six birdies and three bogeys. “I could really get some glimpses of my game getting where I want it.

“Hopefully, I’ll put together a really low round (on Sunday) and catch the leaders.”

Harrington’s group were a stroke better than Englishman Ian Poulter and defending champion Dustin Johnson, who returned matching 68s.

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Smyth Settles for Eighth

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Des Smyth signed for a final round 73 at the ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship on Sunday at De Vere Mottram Hall and had to settle for a share of eighth place.

Philip Walton finished five places further adrift after a round of 71 recovered some of the ground lost on Saturday to earn a cheque for €5,368 in his first event of the season - his second year on the European Seniors Tour

Paul Wesselingh saved his best for last as he posted the lowest round of the week to set the seal on a four shot victory over Paraguay’s Angel Franco.

His staggering 20 under par total proved insurmountable for the chasing pack as he carded a flawless closing round of 64 to hold off competition from Franco and a charging Ian Woosnam, who applied the pressure early in the final round on his way to posting a 65 and a third place finish.

Starting the final round a shot clear of the chasing pack, Wesselingh got off to the ideal start with five birdies in his first ten holes, and when he followed that up with three gains on the spin from the 14th hole, there was no catching the former PGA Professional.

A closing birdie rounded off a superb week for Wesselingh, who won this event last year in only his third start on the European Senior Tour. 

This impressive display also came on a course where the Englishman won his first professional tournament 19 years ago, at the PGA North Region Championship, and sees Wesselingh ascend to the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit thanks to a winner’s cheque of €48,686.

He said: “It is unbelievable, I just can’t believe I’ve done it. I couldn’t believe I’d done it last year, and I can’t believe I’ve done it again this year.

“To win it two years on the trot with this quality of field is incredible. I just played the best I’ve ever played today, and my putter went red hot, I just holed everything.

“I’m not really a scoreboard watcher, but I was aware that Woosie was going well and Franco too so I was watching the board there. I was trying to give myself a two or three shot cushion going into 16 and 17, because anything can happen there, and I picked up one on 16 which is a real bonus. I felt that once I’d got to the 18th, I’d got the job done really.

“Last year was special because obviously it was my first one, but this one was even better because I did it in style really, and won by a reasonably good margin. I didn’t have to hang on as I moved away from the field with some good golf, which is always pleasing.”

Franco ended the week as Wesselingh’s nearest challenger, four shots adrift on 16 under par, and while the Paraguayan went bogey-free on Sunday to post a seven under par round of 66, it was not quite enough to catch the Englishman, who streaked clear of the field in the closing stretch.

However, Franco remained pleased with his efforts in his first start of the 2013 campaign.

He said: “It is good for me because the course is a difficult with very tricky greens, but it is a good start to the season for me as the practice I have put in with my putter and my driver has paid off.”

One shot further back in third was Woosnam, who finally found some of his best form during the final round, having spoken throughout the week about how well he was hitting it in practice.

The former World Number One and four time European Senior Tour winner, got his challenge off to the perfect start with an eagle at the par five first hole to halve his four shot deficit to the overnight leader Wesselingh, and followed that with further birdies at the third, seventh and ninth holes to apply a little bit more pressure.

He would post further red figures at the 11th, 14th and 18th holes to shoot his lowest round of the week, an eight under par 65, but had left himself with too much to do on the final day in light of Wesselingh’s fine form.

He said: “The difference today was I tried to keep my body and my swing more centred, and even though I hit one or two dodgy drives, for the most part I managed to keep it in play. There’s still some room for improvement but my game’s definitely getting there, so hopefully I can kick on next week and for the rest of the season.”

Denmark’s Steen Tinning (70) was looking to become the first Dane to win on the European Senior Tour, but would have to settle for a tie for fourth place on 12 under par alongside America’s Mike Cunning, who shot a final round of 71.

Gordon J Brand, who had shared the lead after round one thanks to an opening 67, matched that on Sunday to finish on 11 under par and in a tie for sixth place alongside Spain’s Jose Manuel Carriles (71), and 2011 Champion Andrew Oldcorn carding 67 at ten under par.

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Smyth Still in Chesire Chase

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Des Smyth had looked strong on the front nine at the ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship on Saturday for the most part, and spent much of the day either tied for the lead or out in front on his own.

However, another rollercoaster back side saw the Irishman counter two birdies with twice as many bogeys to finish one shot adrift with 18 holes remaining.

He said: “It was a real game of two halves for me today, I played beautifully on the front nine and was a bit unhappy and unlucky to be only two under par. But then on the back nine I played some scrappy stuff, to be honest, but at least I ended well with a birdie on the last.

“The back nine hasn’t been very kind to me so far this week, but tomorrow would definitely be a very good time to change that, so we’ll just give it our best shot and hope it’s good enough.”

Paul Wesselingh is ideally placed to retain his title after a three under par 70 on day three gave the defending champion an 11 under par aggregate total and a one shot lead over a trio of pursuers.

Wesselingh is clearly comfortable on De Vere Mottram Hall’s testing par 73 layout, having won the PGA North Region Championship there in 1994, and he braved a swirling wind on Saturday to lead by the slenderest of margins.

“The course is very tricky, it is very bouncy and I suppose that suits my style of play as I can be a bit of a plodder,” explained the Englishman.

“It is just a case of not trying to make any stupid mistakes, make a few birdies and hang on over that back nine.

“Overall I’m delighted with how I’m defending the title but I’m not really even thinking about it, I’m just going out and playing. I’m amazed I’m leading now, but I just plod my way around, get into my own little world and just get on with it.”

American Mike Cunning (70), England’s DJ Russell (71) and Ireland’s Des Smyth (73) currently share second place on 11 under par.

Arizona native Cunning will look to end a three year victory drought on Sunday, and add to the two previous titles he has won on the European Senior Tour.

After four birdies in the first 13 holes, Cunning had led on 12 under par but a couple of dropped shots coming in, at the 16th and 17th holes, proved costly as he fell a shot behind Wesselingh.

He said: “Overall I’m very pleased, as the last few holes are kind of tricky and the way the wind’s blowing, the 16th and 17th are pretty hard holes, so overall it’s still a very good day.

“The wind swirls around, although there’s not a lot of it, but what’s there makes a big difference on some of those holes, especially coming in.

“I didn’t know what to expect as this is my first event since December, and I had some health issues [severe neck injury] over the winter so I didn’t do anything for three months. I’m just happy to be playing again.”

Russell, continuing his recovery from a trapped nerve in his neck, joined Smyth and Cunning in a tie for third place on ten under par, whilst Senior Tour debutant José Manuel Carilles of Spain (72), Paraguay’s Angel Franco (70) and Dane Steen Tinning (67) are all one shot further back on nine under par.

Ian Woosnam will start the final round in a tie for eighth place on seven under par after a third round of 71, and the Welshman is determined to finish with a flourish.

He said: “I’m swinging really well on the practice ground, I just can’t seem to let it go on the golf course for some reason, but we’ll see what happens tomorrow. I just need to go flat out.”

Philip Walton slipped to twelfth place after a double bogey on the par four 5th led to a disappointing round of 75, having opened the first two days with rounds of 70.

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