Harman Posts 64 in Round One at AT&T Pebble Beach

Thanks to a pair of eagles, Brian Harman finds himself a single shot back of the lead at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am after a first round 8 under par 64 at Pebble Beach G.L.  While the rookie lefty went out in bogey-free 3-under, the real fireworks show didn't start until his second nine on Pebble's front. After a bogey at the first, he rolled in a 12-footer for eagle at the second hole. Another followed from 11 feet at the fourth. At the sixth, he converted his second eagle of the round with a putt measuring 15'1". A nifty par save at the eighth set up a brilliant birdie at the ninth, the toughest hole on the course,  from 27'5". It's the lowest score in Harman's 21 career rounds on the PGA TOUR and left him with a share of the clubhouse lead at the conclusion of his round. Harman currently sits in a tie for 4th place behind a three way tie for the lead at 9 under.

Brendon Todd is also currently in the top 10 of the leaderboard after a first round 5 under 67, also on Pebble Beach G.L.  Todd also lead the field in putting after one round, taking only 22 putts on the day.

Ryuji Imada is currently in a tie for 27th after a 3 under 67 at Monterey Peninsula G.C.  Matt McQuillan is in 114th place after a 73 at Spyglass Hill and Harris English sits in 142nd place at 3 over par after his first round also at Spyglass Hill.  Kevin Kisner is in 149th place after his round of 75 at Monterey Peninsula G.C.

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am begins today on the Monterey Peninsula in California.  Six Bulldogs will be in the field as Ryuji Imada, Harris English, Kevin Kisner, Brendon Todd, Brian Harman, and Matt McQuillan will compete in the 72 hole event.  The tournament will be played over three courses; Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
The first two rounds will be televised on The Golf Channel from 3:00-6:00 and live scoring can be followed on www.pgatour.com.

Golfer Macpherson Withdraws From Georgia

2011 British Amateur Champion, Bryden Macpherson

 Bryden Macpherson, a junior on the Georgia men’s golf team, has withdrawn from the university to return home to Australia, Bulldogs coach Chris Haack announced on Wednesday.

Macpherson plans to train in Australia until late March, when he will return to the United States to play in the Georgia Cup and then The Masters as an amateur. Macpherson earned a berth in The Masters by winning the 2011 British Amateur Championship. Following the Masters, he plans to turn pro and try to earn sponsor’s exemptions for PGA and Nationwide Tour events.

“I am so appreciative of the time I’ve had at Georgia,” Macpherson said. “I have grown as a person and as a golfer, and I’ve made friendships I know will last a lifetime. But I feel the time is right for me to begin pursuing my dream of becoming a professional golfer. And to do that, it’s in my best interest to return to Australia to work. I will miss my Georgia coaches and my teammates, but I fully expect them to go on to have a great rest of the season.”

“Bryden has been a valuable member of our program, and we’re all going to miss him,” Haack said. “He’s been a great golfer to have on the team, and he’s been an even better person. We wish him nothing but the best. Bryden joined us at a time when we really needed him, and he made a lasting impact on our program. We know he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

With the Bulldogs dealing with depth issues due to injuries, Macpherson arrived from Australia in January of 2010. He posted four top-15 finishes in five events and was chosen as the SEC Freshman of the Year. In 2011, Macpherson was undefeated in the match play portion of the NCAA Championships as the Bulldogs finished as the national runner-up. This season, Macpherson had four top-12 efforts, including a career-best second-place finish at the Adams Cup of Newport. He ends his college career with a scoring average of 73.31 — 22nd on Georgia’s all-time list.

The Bulldogs will return to action Feb. 19-21 in the Puerto Rico Shootout.

Phoenix Open Results

Bubba Watson finished tied for 5th in The Phoenix Open

Bubba Watson found himself in the final pairing on Sunday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but could not move up the leaderboard with a final round 70.  His four round total was good enough to put him in a tie for 5th place at 11 under par.  Harris English notched his best finish of his rookie season by finishing in a tie for 15th at 8 under par in just his fourth tournament.  Kevin Kisner, who made the field via the Monday qualifier, finished in a tie for 55th at 1 under par.  For their efforts, Watson earned $222,650, English earned $100,650, and Kisner earned $13,725.

The next event on the PGA Tour schedule is the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which begins on Thursday.  Former Bulldogs in the field will be Brendon Todd, Kevin Kisner, Ryuji Imada, Harris English, Brian Harman, and Matt McQuillan.

Jones Cup Invitational

The Jones Cup Invitational begins today at Ocean Forest Golf Club on Sea Island

The prestigious Jones Cup Invitational gets under way today at Ocean Forest G.C. in Sea Island, GA.  In only its eighth edition, this tournament has become an important event in amateur golf, featuring top players from around the world.  In all 13 countries will be represented in the 54 hole event. 
Bulldogs in the field are junior Bryden Macpherson and sophomore Michael Cromie.

Live scoring can be followed at http://www.golfstat.com/

Bulldogs in The Phoenix Open



The infamous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale

 The PGA Tour gets underway today in Scottsdale, Arizona for the party that is known as The Waste Management Phoenix Open.  UGA will have 6 former Bulldogs in the field, thanks to Kevin Kisner making the field through the Monday qualifier this week.  The qualifier actually lasted until Tuesday morning and involved Kisner and three others.  Kisner made birdie on the 6th playoff hole to get the last spot in the field.  The bachelor party for Kisner, who is getting married in March, was scheduled for this weekend in Las Vegas. The Vegas party plans has been put on hold and if Kisner makes the cut, the bachelor party will most likely be moved to the stands on the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. 

Bulldogs joining Kisner in Phoenix Open field will be Harris English, Bubba Watson, Ryuji Imada, Chris Kirk, and Brendon Todd.  The

The Phoenix Open is well known for it's huge and loud crowds.  The par three 16th hole has become famous in the world of golf with the entire hole being lined with stands of fans cheering and heckling the players.  The Golf Channel will have coverage of the first two rounds from 4:00 -7:00.  Live scoring can 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.