Honda Classic, Panama, and Golf Team in Tampa

Bulldogs Third After First Round Of USF Invitational

The 22nd-ranked Georgia men’s golf team stands third after one round of the USF Invitational at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs carded a 3-over-par 291 — seven shots behind team leader Central Florida’s 284. Middle Tennessee State is third at 289.T.J. Mitchell paced the Bulldogs in the first round with a 2-under 70. Mitchell is fifth in the individual race, five shots in back of Central Florida’s Jose Joia (65). Keith Mitchell and Joey Garber each signed for a 1-over 73 to place them in 15th. Brian Carter and Nicholas Reach shot 3-over 75s to close out the Bulldogs’ lineup. Sepp Straka, playing as an individual, carded a 6-over 78.

“I was encouraged by what I saw today,” Georgia coach Chris Haack said. “We did enough good things to keep us in the hunt. We need to come out on Monday and correct our mistakes and build on the things that we did well.”The USF Invitational will continue on Monday and will conclude on Tuesday.  Live scoring can be followed at www.golfstat.com


Honda Classic

Harris English was in the final pairing on Sunday, but it was Brian Harman who finished as low Bulldog at The Honda Classic.  Harman had his best career finish as he tied for 12th at 4 under par.  His week was highlighted by a second round 61, that is now the course record at the PGA National Champions Course.
Harris English fell down the leaderboard on Sunday with a final round 77 to finish tied for 18th at 2 under.  English was just two shots back of the leader and eventual winner, Rory McIIroy, heading into the final round.
Erik Compton tied for 26th at even par.  Compton, playing close to his south Florida home, recorded his best finish of the season thus far.  Chris Kirk tied for 56th at 6 over par.
The next events on the PGA Tour will be the WGC Cadillac Championship and the Puerto Rico Open, both played this week.
Bubba Watson will be the only Bulldog in the field at the WGC Cadillac.  Bulldogs in the field for the Puerto Rico Open will be Erik Compton, Ryuji Imada, Kevin Kisner, Matt McQuillan, and Brendon Todd.
Panama Claro Championship

Four Bulldogs made the cut at the Panama Claro Championship in Panama City, Panama.  Justin Bolli finished the week tied for 6th at 1 under par.  His week was highlighted by a first round 65 that had him a shot back of the lead.
Russell Henley finished in a tie for 33rd at 4 over par, Scott Parel finished tied for 43rd at 6 over par, and Paul Claxton finished tied for 5qst at 7 over par. 
The next event for The Nationwide Tour is the Chile Classic in Santiago, Chile that begins on Thursday.  Bolli, Henley, Claxton, Parel, and Hudson Swafford will be competing.

Strong Start for Bulldogs on PGA and Nationwide Tours

Harris English returned from a two week break from the PGA Tour and finds himself near the top of the leaderboard after round one of The Honda Classic.  Currently English sits in a tie for second after a first round 4 under 66.  He is followed by Erik Compton who is also in the top ten after a first round 3 under 67, that puts him in a tie for 10th.
Chris Kirk shot 71 in round one and is tied for 69th while Brendon Todd is tied for 87th at 2 over and Brian Harman is tied for 107th at 3 over.
The second round of play continues today and can be followed live at http://www.pgatour.com/ and on the Golf Channel from 3:00-6:00.

Justin Bolli finds himself just a shot off the lead after the first round of the Panama Claro Championship on The Nationwide Tour.  Bolli carded a first round 5 under 65 to be the lone player at 5 under par.  Russell Henley was in the top ten for most of his round, but slipped to a tie for 41st with a 2 over 72.  Paul Claxton  and Scott Parel are tied for 78th at 4 over 74.  Hudson Swafford is in 117th after a first round 77.  The second round will be played today and can be followed live at http://www.pgatour.com/.

Harman Ties for 26th in Mexico

Brian Harman posted a four round total of 5 under par at The Mayakoba Golf Classic and finished in a tie for 26th.  The PGA Tour event was played in Mexico and held opposite the Accenture Match Play.  Harman earned $27,935 as he finished in the top 30 for his second consecutive event.  Fellow Bulldog Erik Compton also was in the field in Mexico and finished in a tie for 55th.

The next event on the PGA Tour schedule is The Honda Classic that begins on Thursday as the PGA Tour begins it's Florida swing.  Brian Harman, Chris Kirk, and Brendon Todd are in the field this week, while Erik Compton and Kevin Kisner are alternates.

Dawgs in Action on PGA and Nationwide Tour

There will be 10 former Bulldogs teeing it up today between the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.  The Northern Trust Open gets under way today at Riviera C.C. with five Bulldogs in the field.  The Nationwide Tour season also begins today with the Pacific Rubiales Columbia Championship that also has five Bulldogs in the field.

Hudson Swafford and Russell Henley will both begin their rookie seasons on the Nationwide Tour in Columbia.  They will be joined by former Bulldogs Paul Claxton, Justin Bolli, and Scott Parel.  Live scoring can be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/

Erik Compton, Brendon Todd, Ryuji Imada, Chris Kirk, and Bubba Watson are in the field this week at the Northern Trust Open.  The Golf Channel will have the first and second rounds of television coverage from 3:00-6:00 each day.  Live scoring can also be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/

Farmers Insurance Open Results



Bubba Watson during the Farmers Insurance Open

 Bubba Watson was not successful in defending his title at the Farmers Insurance Open, but he did record his best finish of the early 2012 PGA Tour season.  Watson finished the 72 hole tournament at 9 under par in a tie for 13th place and was the top finisher of the eight Bulldogs in the field.
Harris English finished in a tie for 43rd at 5 under in his third PGA Tour event.  Chris Kirk was 71st at 2 over and Brendon Todd finished in a tie for 76.  Brian Harman, Ryuji Imada, Erik Compton, and Kevin Kisner each missed the 36 hole cut.

With the University of Georgia represented by having four golfers make the cut to play the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open, the UGA golf program will be the recipient of a $2,000 donation from Farmers Insurance.  Farmers Insurance donated $500 to the college golf program of each player who wore their respective school colors during round 3.

This week the PGA Tour heads to Scottsdale, Arizona for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  Bulldogs in the field will be Bubba Watson, Harris English, Chris Kirk, Brendon Todd, and Ryuji Imada.

Farmers Insurance Open Round 1 Results

Harris English kept up his strong play on the west coast swing of the PGA Tour during round one of the Farmers Insurance Open.  English's 5 under par 67 was good enough to put him in a tie for 17th place heading into today's second round.  The 67 was the low score posted by the eight Bulldogs in the field.

Bubba Watson, who is the defending champions at the Farmers, carded a 3 under 69 while Brendon Todd and Chris Kirk are each tied for 55th at 2 under par.  Erik Compton is tied for 83rd at even par, Kevin Kisner and Ryuji Imada are both tied for 100th at 1 over par, and Brian Harman is tied for 116th at 2 over par.

One of the feature pairings of the day will be Harris English, Brendon Todd, and Erik Compton.  All three Bulldogs will be playing together on the South Course during the main portion of the television broadcast.  The threesome of Bulldogs will tee off at 10:10 local time.  The Golf Channel will carry round two coverage from 3:00 to 6:00.  Live Scoring can be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/

Saturday is College Day at the Farmers Insurance Open.  All players who make the cut are encouraged to wear the colors of their respective college or university.  In return, Farmers Insurance is going to donate $20,000 to the golf program of the player who has the low round of the day and $10,000 to the golf program of the player who has the second lowest round.  Farmers Insurance will also be donating $500 for each player who makes the cut to that player's college or university golf program.  With the 8 Bulldogs in the field having a chance to make the weekend, Saturday could be a very exciting round to watch.  CBS will have the television coverage from 3:00-6:00

Three Bulldogs to Play Together at Farmers Insurance Open

As a preview for College Day this Saturday at The Farmers Insurance Open, three Bulldogs will be paired together for the first two rounds of play.  Erik Compton, Brendon Todd, and Harris English will play the North Course in round one and the South Course in round two.  Their 10:10 tee time on Friday is going to serve as an opportunity for the television coverage to promote the College Day on Saturday by having the threesome of Bulldogs play together during the main portion of the television coverage.
Players making the cut are encouraged to wear their respective university colors for round 3.  In return, Farmers Insurance will donate money to the colleges of the players who post the three low rounds of the day.

The University of Georgia is well represented in the field, with 8 Bulldogs competing this week.  Joining Compton, Todd, and English will be Brian Harman, Kevin Kisner, Chris Kirk, Ryuji Imada, and defending champion Bubba Watson.

The Golf Channel will cover the first two rounds of play on Thursday and Friday from 3-6 pm.

English Records Top 20 Finish at Humana

Harris English recorded his first career top 20 finish on tour at The Humana Challenge

Harris English used a second round 62 to propel him to his first career top 20 finish on the PGA Tour at The Humana Challenge in La Quinta, CA.  Playing in just his second PGA Tour event, Harris posted a four round total of 16 under par to finish tied for 19th.   The 19th place finish earned English $72, 800 and puts him at 46th on the money list at $84,075, after the first two events of the year.

Harris was followed by fellow Bulldogs, Brendon Todd who finished tied for 26th at 14 under par, Erik Compton and Chris Kirk both tied for 42nd at 11 under, Brian Harman tied for 54th at 9 under and Kevin Kisner tied for 64th at 7 under.

The PGA Tour will make a stop in La Jolla, CA this week for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and the field will include 8 former Bulldogs.  Bubba Watson, who is the defending champion at the Farmers, will join the 7 Bulldogs who played in the Humana Challenge this past week.

Harris English has also received a sponsors exemption into the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the event following this week's Farmers Insurance Open.

Humana Challenge Begins Today With 7 Bulldogs in Field

Brendon Todd tied for 13th last week at The Sony Open

The Humana Challenge gets under way today in La Quinta, California with 7 Bulldogs in the field of 144 players.  Harris English, Brendon Todd, Kevin Kisner, Ryuji Imada, Brian Harman, and Erik Compton will all be making their second starts of the season while Chris Kirk will be playing in his third event in as many weeks.
The Humana Challenge, formerly know as the Bob Hope Classic, will be played on three courses over four days this year.  Previously the event was a five round tournament played over four courses.  The three courses being played will be the Palmer Private and Nicklaus Private courses at PGA West and La Quinta C.C. 
Brendon Todd, Harris English, Brian Harman, and Kevin Kisner are returning to La Quinta, where all four secured their 2012 PGA Tour playing privileges in December.

Television coverage will begin at 3:00 on The Golf Channel and live scoring can be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/

English Low Among Bulldogs After Round 1 at Sony Open

Harris English is currently tied for 17th at the Sony Open in Hawaii

Harris English is low among the seven Bulldogs in the field this week after 18 holes at the Sony Open in Hawaii.  English got off to a fast start by making birdie on three of his first four holes and at one point during his back nine, he was alone atop the leaderboard.  Harris was able to post a 3 under par 67 that was good enough to put him in a tie for 17th.

English is followed by Brendon Todd who stands at 2 under and is tied for 30th.  Chris Kirk's 1 under 69 was good enough to put him in a tie for 45th. 

Erik Compton and Ryuji Imada both fired a 1 over par 71 and sit in a tie for 80th.  Brian Harman is tied for 100th at 2 over and Kevin Kisner is tied for 121st at 3 over.

Ryuji Imada will be the first Bulldog on the course today when he tees off at 12:30 eastern time.  He will be joined in the morning wave by Erik Compton, Brian Harman and Chris Kirk.  Live scoring can be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/ and television coverage will begin at 7:00 pm on The Golf Channel.

7 Dawgs in the Field at Sony Open in Hawaii

There will be seven former Bulldogs in the field this week in the Sony Open at Waialae CC for the first full field event of the 2012 PGA Tour Season.
Erik Compton, Brian Harman, and Harris English will be starting their rookie seasons on tour at the Sony.  Of those three rookies, English is the only one who has never competed in a PGA Tour event.  Compton is no stranger to PGA Tour events, having played in over 30 of them in his career.  Harman is also familial with the PGA Tour as he has received numerous sponsor exemptions as both an amateur and a professional.

Brendon Todd returns to the PGA Tour this season after playing the tour as a rookie in 2009.  Kevin Kisner, who started his rookie season a year ago at the Sony Open, is back for his sophomore season on tour.

Ryuji Imada will tee it up in Hawaii after spending the three previous weeks in Japan.  Chris Kirk is looking to continue his strong start on tour in 2012 after finishing 7th last week.  Kirk's 16 under par for the final three days and was only bested by the winner, Steve Stricker.

Television coverage of the Sony Open will be on The Golf Channel beginning at 7 pm for the first two rounds.  Live scoring can also be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/

Kirk Starts Season Strong

Chris Kirk finished tied for 7th at The Hyundai Tournament of Champions

Chris Kirk started the 2012 PGA Tour season by finishing in the top ten at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.  Kirk was 14 under par for the four rounds of play and ended up tied for 7th while earning $190,000 for his efforts.  Fellow Bulldog, Bubba Watson, finished tied for 18th at 8 under.

Kirk will remain in Hawaii for the Sony Open that begins on Thursday.  He will be joined in the Sony Open field by 6 other Bulldogs.  Erik Compton, Brian Harman and Harris English will begin their rookie seasons at the Sony Open with Brendon Todd, Ryuji Imada, and Kevin Kisner starting their 2012 seasons.

Erik Compton will also be the subject of a feature that will air tonight during Golf Central on The Golf Channel at 6:00 pm.  You can also view his story about surviving two heart transplants and the journey to his rookie season on the PGA Tour on his website under the media tab: www.erikcompton.com 

Nationwide Tour Championship

The Nationwide Tour Championship starts today in Daniel Island, South Carolina.  Three Bulldogs are in the field of 60 in this final event of the season on the Nationwide Tour. 
Erik Compton currently sits in 14th place on the money list and is in good position to secure his PGA Tour Card for 2012.  Paul Claxton currently is in 38th place on and Justin Bolli is in 55th place on the money list.  Both Claxton and Bolli will need strong finishes in this last event of the season to move into the top 25 of the money list.

All the action can be followed live by clicking here:
http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/current/h045/

PGA Tour Feature on Erik Compton

The PGA Tour has put together a video spotlight on former Bulldog, Erik Compton.  Compton, who was an All-American while a Bulldog, is currently #13 on the Nationwide Tour Money List and has secured his spot on the PGA Tour for 2012.
The video can be watched by clicking here:
http://www.pgatour.com/video/r/shows/inside_the_pga_tour/2011/10/18/shows_compton_profile_11inside42.pgatour/index.html

Georgia Golf Update-Monday October 17th

                                                                                                                                                               
English Records Top 5 Finish at Miccosukee Championship on Nationwide Tour

Harris English is now 61st on the Nationwide Tour money list

Harris English, playing in just his fourth event as a professional, finished tied for 3rd and earned $31,200 to move up to No. 61 on the money list. Harris has one more event, The Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open, to move into the top 60 on the money list to qualify for the season ending Nationwide Tour Championship.
English won the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational in July as an amateur. He turned pro at the Soboba Golf Classic, where he collected a paycheck of $2,588 for his T49 finish. English used a third-round 62 at the WNB Golf Classic in Midland, TX, as a stepping stone into a playoff with former U.S. Amateur champion Danny Lee, who won on the first extra hole. English trails No. 60 Andrew Buckle by $1,900.

Former Bulldogs playing and making the cut at the Miccosukee Championship include Justin Bolli who tied for 18th, Brendon Todd tied for 52nd, and Erik Compton tied for 57th.

Currently Erik Compton is the top Bulldog on the Nationwide Tour money list as he stands at 13th.  Paul Claxton is in 39th followed by Justin Bolli at 53rd, Harris English in 61st and Brendon Todd in 84th.


McGladrey Classic Results

Kevin Kisner and Matt McQuillan both tied for 26th at the McGladrey Classic on the PGA Tour.  Richard Scott, playing is his first PGA Tour event of the year, tied for 64th.  Both Kisner and McQuillan picked up $29,000 for the week and Scott pocketed $8,400.

The next and final event of the season on the PGA Tour is the Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals Classic being played this week. Former Bulldogs in the field will include Kevin Kisner, Matt McQuillan, and Ryuji Imada.

Champions Tour AT&T Championship

Both Chip Beck and Tim Simpson were in action at the AT&T Championship on the Champions Tour.  Beck finished tied for 47th while Simpson finished tied for 65.  

Georgia Golf Update, Friday October 14th

                                                                              
PGA Tour at Sea Island for McGladrey Classic

With the PGA Tour making a stop in Georgia this week, five former Bulldogs will be competing on the Seaside Course at Sea Island.  Ryuji Imada, Matt McQuillan, Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner, and Richard Scott will be among the 132 players as the tour returns to Sea Island for the second year for the McGladry Classic. 
Richard Scott, who resides on St. Simons Island, Monday qualified this week to earn a spot in the field.

Live scoring can be followed at:
http://www.pgatour.com/r/leaderboard/

 Memories of Beck's 59 still vivid 20 years later
Stan Awtrey wrote an article for PGATour.com about Chip Beck shooting 59 on the PGA Tour 20 years ago.  Chip Beck became the second golfer to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event when he did so at the Las Vegas Invitational.

click here to read the full article:
http://www.pgatour.com/2011/tournaments/s530/10/11/beck_recalls_59/index.html


English Making Late Push for Tour Championship

Harris English currently sits at 81st on the Nationwide Tour money list

Harris English may have graduated from the University of Georgia in May but his education is continuing on the Nationwide Tour.
English, 22, is making a late-season run to the Nationwide Tour Championship but realizes time isn't on his side. With just two full regular-season tournaments left on the schedule English is hoping to do enough.

go to PGATour.com to read the rest of an article about Harris and his success on the Nationwide Tour:
http://www.pgatour.com/2011/h/10/12/harris-english/index.html

Follow Harris and other former Bulldogs Paul Claxton, Justin Bolli, Erik Compton, and Brendon Todd at the Micosukee Champsionship this week on the Nationwide Tour.
Click here for live scoring:
http://www.pgatour.com/h/leaderboard/

Bunker to Bunker-Georgia Golf Update, July 5th

English Reaches Semifinals of U.S. Amateur Public Links

Harris English's run at the 2011 U.S. Amateur Public Links came to an end with a 5&3 loss to stroke play medalist Corbin Mills.  English had dispatched J.J. Spaun in the quarterfinals 2&1 to make it to the final four.  English, who was also a quarterfinalist at the 2010 U.S. Amateur Public Links, helped build his case for a spot on this year's Walker Cup Team with another strong showing in a USGA event.  
Corbin Mills, a current Clemson golfer,  would go on to win the title with a 1 up win in 37 holes over Derek Ernst.

Chris Kirk Has Good Weekend at AT&T National

Thanks to a third round 63 and a final round 69, former Bulldog Chris Kirk finished tied for 8th at The AT&T National on the PGA Tour.  With his third top ten of the season, Kirk moved over the $1 million mark in earnings for the season and moved him to 50th in the FED-Ex Cup standings.
Ryuji Imada made the cut and tied for 34th, while Erik Compton did not make the cut for the first time this season on the PGA Tour.  

Dogwood Invitational Results

Bryden Macpherson has the honor of being low Bulldog at the 2011 Dogwood Invitational.  Macpherson, the 2011 British Amateur Champion, finished the four round tournament tied for 17th at 9 under par.  Russell Henley, finished a stroke behind Macpherson,  at 20th with an 8 under par total.  
Two Bulldog signees, who will be freshmen this fall, made the cut and had strong finishes.  Sepp Straka finished the tournament tied for 25th at 7 under par and Nicholas Reach finished in 37 place with a 3 under par total.
Fellow Bulldogs, T.J. Mitchell and Keith Mitchell,  played in Dogwood and both players failed to make the cut.
The Dogwood was won by Nate McCoy at 22 under par.

Compton Wins Mexico Open

Former Bulldog Erik Compton 

Erik Compton, three years after undergoing a second heart transplant, scored his biggest on-course triumph by winning the Nationwide Tour's Mexico Open. A final-round 65 overcame a two-stroke deficit entering the final round.

"To win this is everything to me," said Compton, who endured a 25-hole Sunday during the storm-plagued tournament. "I never thought I'd play golf again - at least not at this level - and I prove to myself I'm more than just a guy with two heart transplants."

Compton, who received his first transplanted heart at age 12, won for the first time since the 2005 Hassan II Trophy in Morocco. Two years later, a heart attack forced him off the Nationwide Tour and onto the waiting list for a second transplant. Surgery took place in May 2008, and he began a comeback five months later.


The former Bulldog, posted a 7-under 65 on the final day to reach 17-under-par 271 and collect his first Nationwide Tour title. More importantly, he collected a check for $126,000 which pushed him to No. 2 in the season money standings. Compton now has $215,709 in 2011 earnings and all but assured he will earn his PGA TOUR card by finishing in THE 25.


Compton is scheduled to make an appearance on the Golf Channel show, The Morning Drive, on Tuesday morning.  The Morning Drive airs on the Golf Channel from 7:00-9:00 am.


Erik will return to the course this week as he plays the AT&T National on the PGA Tour.   


Swafford finishes Runner-Up at Cowans Ford Open

In just his second tournament as a professional, Hudson Swafford has recorded a runner-up finish.  The recent graduate, who has yet to fire a professional round in the 70's, posted his eighth straight rounds in the 60's.  Swafford carded a four round total of 18 under par to finish a shot behind Brendan Geilow at the Egolf Professional Tour's Cowans Ford Open.  By finishing runner-up, Swafford collected $14,591 and now stands 38th on the money list after just two events.

Dawgs on Tour Update

Watson Advances to Sweet 16 at Accenture Match Play

Bubba advances to the round of 16

Former Bulldog Bubba Watson has been a birdie machine so far in the Accenture Match Play Championship.  Watson did not make a bogey Thursday in beating Mark Wilson 6 &5 and has made 10 birdies in the 29 holes that he has played thus far.  In the first round of match play, Bubba beat Bill Haas 3 & 2.  Bubba will play Geoff Ogilvy, who has won this event twice, today teeing off at 12:59 ET.  The action can be followed live at www.pgatour.com and on The Golf Channel starting at 2:00.


Compton Shares Lead in Panama

Compton shares round 1 lead on Nationwide Tour

Former Bulldog, Erik Compton followed his 64 Sunday in the Northern Trust Open with a 64 Thursday in the Panama CLARO Championship.  The Panama CLARO Championship is the first event of the season on the Nationwide Tour.  The 64 in Panama was good enough to share the round 1 lead with Gavin Coles and Rich Barcelo.  Compton's 64 this past Sunday on the PGA Tour was the low round during the final round by two strokes.  Fellow Bulldogs Brendon Todd and Justin Bolli each shot a first round 70 and sit in a tie for 42nd.  Live scoring can be followed at www.pgatour.com.  

Erik Compton to Play in Northern Trust Open

Former Bulldog All-American, Erik Compton

Thanks to a 6 under 66 on Monday, former Bulldog Erik Compton, qualified for the Northern Trust Open this week on the PGA Tour.  Playing his first competitive round of the year, Compton shared medalist honors with Bo Kim and Tim Wilkinson.
Compton  said he almost didn’t make the trip to Los Angeles. He battled the flu all last week at home in Coral Gables, Fla., and wasn't sure he was up to the cross-country journey. He's been focusing more on building his body, strength and endurance than he has his golf swing this off season.  
Joining Compton in the field will be former Bulldogs Chris Kirk, Bubba Watson and Ryuji Imada.  All the action can be followed live on pgatour.com beginning Thursday.