Round One of U.S. Open

The first round of the 2012 U.S. Open gets started today at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.  There will be three former Bulldogs competing in the field, Brian Harman, Paul Claxton, and Bubba Watson.

Bubba Watson will be the first Bulldog on the course when he tees off at 10:33 eastern time on hole #9 with playing partners Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Paul Claxton tees off at 12:16 eastern time on hole #1

Brian Harman tees of at 5:35 eastern time on hole #1.  Harman has played two other additional USGA Championships at The Olympic Club, the 2004 U.S. Junior and the 2007 U.S. Amateur.  Harman was medalist at the 2004 U.S. Junior before loosing in the semi finals of match play.

Live scoring can be followed at http://www.usopen.com/ and television coverage will be on ESPN starting at noon.

Former Bulldogs Qualify for U.S. Open

Two former Bulldogs, Brian Harman and Paul Claxton, qualified for the 2012 U.S. Open to be played next week at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Brian Harman advanced out of the sectional qualifier in Columbus, Ohio by shooting 4 under par on the Scarlet Course at Ohio State.  Harman will play in the Open at the site of the 2004 U.S. Junior where Harman was the medalist of the stroke play portion with a score of 133.

Paul Claxton advanced out of the sectional qualifier in Rockville, Md by shooting 1 under par at Woodmont Country Club.

The 2012 U.S. Open begins in June 14.  Harman and Claxton will be joined in the field by fellow Bulldog, Bubba Watson.

Complete U.S. Open qualifying results can be found by visiting the U.S. Open site here:
http://www.usga.org/news/2012/June/48-Advance-To-Open-From-Sectionals/

English Records First Top 10 of Season, Swafford Ties for 16th on Nationwide

English Finishes Tied for 8th at Heritage

Harris English recorded the first top 10 of his rookie season at the RBC Heritage played at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, SC by finishing in a tie for 8th place.  The top 10 finish also represented Harris' biggest pay day so far this year on tour by bringing home $153,900.  The trip to Hilton Head represented English's first trip ever to Harbour Town for the rookie who was tied for 2nd going in to the weekend. 
Fellow Rookie, Brian Harman had a good week as well but struggled on Sunday to finish in a tie for 70th at the Heritage. 
Both English and Harman will be in the field this week at the Valero Texas Open played at TPC San Antonio.  They will be joined by fellow Bulldogs Erik Compton, Kevin Kisner, Brendon Todd, Matt McQuillan, and Ryuji Imada

Swafford Ties for 16th on Nationwide Tour

Hudson Swafford finished in a tie for 16th place at the TPC Stonebrae Championship on the Nationwide Tour.  Swafford finished the event at 4 under par in the second Nationwide event played in California in as many weeks. 
Fellow Bulldog Richard Scott finished in a tie for 23rd at 3 under par, Russell Henley finished in a tie for 42nd at 2 over par, and Paul Claxton tied for 54th at 4 over.
The Nationwide Tour takes a week off this week before returning to Georgia for the South Georgia Classic followed by the Stadion Classic played here at UGA May 3-6th.

Bubba Tied for 4th at Masters, Bolli in 2nd on Nationwide

Bubba Tied for 4th at Augusta

Bubba Watson posted his best opening round in four appearances at the Masters on Thursday by posting a 3 under 69.  When the wind picked up late in the day, Watson was steady and played the final five holes 1 under par.  Bubba is 2 shots back of the lead held by Lee Westwood.

Bubba was joined in the Masters field by former Bulldog, Bryden Macpherson, who is playing as an amateur.  Macpherson carded a 5 over 77 on his first round in the Masters Tournament.  Macpherson earned an invitation to the Masters by winning the 2011 British Amateur.

Live scoring of the Masters can be followed at http://www.masters.com/


Bolli Tied for 2nd on Nationwide

Former Bulldog, Justin Bolli is tied for second on the Nationwide Tour at the Soboba Golf Classic in San Jacinto, CA.  Bolli fired a first round 2 under par 69 and is 2 strokes back of the lead.  Bolli is joined in the top 10 of the leaderboard by former Bulldog Paul Claxton, who is tied for 10th.

Former Bulldog Scott Parel is currently tied for 45th at 1 over, Russell Henley is tied for 83rd at 3 over, Hudson Swafford is tied for 99th at 4 over, and matt McQuillan is tied for 169th at 7 over par.

live scoring can be followed at http://www.pgatour.com/

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/.

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/

Bulldogs Earn PGA Tour Cards

Brendon Todd claimed medalist honors at PGA Tour Q-School

Thanks to a final round 68, Brendon Todd captured medalist honors at PGA Tour Q-School on Monday and will be back on the PGA Tour, where he played in 2009.  Todd will be joined on tour in 2012 by three other Bulldogs who also earned their cards at Q-School.  Brian Harman, Kevin Kisner, and Harris English finished inside the top 25 to cap an impressive week of golf by former Bulldog golfers.  Kisner will be returning to the PGA Tour in 2012, while Harman and English will be rookies.  English will be the only PGA Tour member in 2012 that played college golf the previous year.

At the beginning of the final round, there were 6 former Bulldogs who had a chance to secure their spot on the PGA Tour in 2012.  While four Bulldogs earned their cards, Scott Parel finished one shot shy of his PGA Tour card and Hudson Swafford finished two shots shy.  Both Parel and Swafford will have full playing privileges on the Nationwide Tour in 2012.  Parel last played the Nationwide Tour full time in 2008 and Swafford will be a rookie in his first full year as a professional.

Richard Scott will have status on the Nationwide Tour for the first time in 2012 thanks to finishing 111th at Q-School.  Paul Claxton finished 129th, but will have full Nationwide status in 2012 thanks to finishing 40th on the Nationwide Tour money list in 2011.

GolfChannel.com featured former Bulldog golfers Brendon Todd, Kevin Kisner, Brian Harman, Harris English, and Hudson Swafford in an article about the success of UGA Golf on the professionsl level.  To read the article, click here:
http://www.golfchannel.com/news/rex-hoggard/final-day-pga-tour-q-school/

One Round to Go at Q-School Finals

Hudson Swafford is one of six Bulldogs in position to get their PGA Tour cards at Q-School

With the final 18 of 108 holes left to be played, there are 6 Bulldogs in the top 28 at the finals of PGA Tour Q-School. 
Harris English and Brendon Todd are both tied for 3rd place at 13 under par.  They are followed by Brian Harman who is tied for 5th at 11 under, Scott Parel in 13th at 9 under, and Kevin Kisner and Hudson Swafford who are both tied for 24th at 7 under par.  The top 25 finishers and ties will earn PGA Tour cards for 2012. 
Swafford made a big move Sunday going from 68th to 24th, thanks to a 65 on the Stadium Course.  Brian Harman continued his move up the leaderboard, with a 68 that took him from 10th to 5th.

Paul Claxton currently sits in 122nd at 5 over and Richard Scott is in 132nd at 6 over par.  Players finishing outside the top 25 will earn Nationwide Tour status.  Claxton already has full Nationwide Tour status thanks to finishing 40th on the 2011 money list. 

The final round of Q-School can be watched live on The Golf Channel today from 3:30 - 7:00 and can also be followed live at PGATour.com:
http://www.pgatour.com/qschool/leaderboard/

First Round Scores From Round 1 of Q-School Finals



Kevin Kisner is the low Bulldog after the first round Q-School 

 Here is a look at the first round scores of the 9 Bulldogs in the field of the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School.  The final stage of Q-School is a six round tournament with the top 25 finishers securing playing status on the PGA Tour in 2012.

Kevin Kisner         (-5)  67  T10
Harris English        (-4)  68  T26
Brian Harman        (-3)  69  T43
Brendon Todd       (-1)  71  T87
Richard Scott        (-1)  71  T87
Paul Claxton          (+1) 73  T126
Scott Parel            (+1)  73  T126
Hudson Swafford  (+2)  74  T146
Matt McQuillan    (+2)  74   T156

The second round will be played today and the scoring can be followed live by clicking here:
http://www.pgatour.com/qschool/leaderboard/

9 Bulldogs in Field at Q-School Finals

A total of 9 former Bulldogs will begin golf's toughest test Wednesday at the PGA Tour's Q-School final stage.


PGA West is the site for the 6 round marathon that is the PGA Tour's final stage of Q-school as 173 players tee it up with the goal of finishing in the top 25 to earn full playing privileges on the PGA Tour in 2012.  Play will begin on Wednesday on the Nicklaus Tournament and Stadium Courses in LaQuinta, California. 

Here is a look at the 9 Dawgs in the field:

• Paul Claxton:  Made Q-School finals by finishing 40th on the 2011 Nationwide Tour money list.  Looking to return to the PGA Tour for the first time since 2008.
• Harris English:  The 2011 UGA grad and member of this year’s Walker Cup team already has full Nationwide Tour status after winning on that circuit as an amateur earlier this year. English had a victory, runner-up and third-place finish in seven Nationwide Tour starts in 2011.
• Brian Harman:  One of the most consistent players on the mini tours.  This is his first time advancing to Q-School finals after turning pro in 2009. Harman was 10th on the eGolf Professional Tour's money list in 2011.
• Kevin Kisner:  2011 PGA Tour member led wire to wire at his second stage of Q-School site, shooting 17 under to win by 5. 
• Matt McQuillan:  2011 PGA Tour member made finals by finishing 145th on the money list. 
• Scott Parel:  Runner-up at his second stage site thanks to posting a 64 and 63 in the first two rounds.  Played the Nationwide Tour full time from 06-08.
• Richard Scott:  The 3 time Canadian Amateur champ is making his first appearance in Q-School finals.  Playing well this fall, Monday qualified for McGladrey and made cut.
• Hudson Swafford:  2011 UGA grad making the trip to Q School finals in his first year as a professional.  Already has a win as a professional on eGolf Tour.
• Brendon Todd:  Played well in second half of Nationwide Tour season.  Looking to return to PGA Tour, played full season in 09.

All the scoring and updates can be found here:
http://www.pgatour.com/qschool/

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/

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/