December 8 2012

11:55 PM

Watch: Round 2 recap

Round 2 recap: Franklin Templeton Shootout

In the second round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout from Tiburon Golf Club, the Kenny Perry/Sean O'Hair team leads at 19 under.


10:19 PM

Watch: Stricker holes out from bunker

Stricker birdies No. 5

In the second of the 2012 Franklin Templeton Shootout, Steve Stricker holes a 40-foot bunker shot on the par-3 fifth hole for a birdie two.


November 29 2012

7:45 PM

Two Kims making noise at q-school

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Meen Whee Kim tied the course record at PGA West's Stadium Course with a 63 on Thursday.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

Leaderboard | Tee times

LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Meen Whee Kim has a one-shot lead through the first two rounds of q-school after shooting a course-record tying 9-under 63 Friday on PGA West’s Stadium Course.

Another Kim, however, could make even bigger headlines.

Si Woo Kim is tied for 14th and at 17 years, 5 months and 6 days on Monday would be the youngest player ever to reach the PGA TOUR via q-school. In 2001, Ty Tryon became the youngest player to reach the TOUR via that route. He was 17 years, 6 months, 1 day old when he tied for 23rd.

Should Kim earn his card, though, he wouldn’t be able to take up membership until June 28th of next year when he turns 18. He could play no more than 12 PGA TOUR events as a non-member on sponsor exemptions or Monday qualifiers prior to that date.

Alone is second, meanwhile, is Vaughn Taylor, who shot a 64 on the Tournament Course.

Taylor is looking to secure his card via q-school for the second straight year after never finishing outside the top 100 on the money list from 2004 to 2010. Last year, he finished 148th before tying for fifth here. This year, he was 139th in earnings.

Other notables in good shape to finish in the top 25 and earn a card include Robert Karlsson ( who overcame an admitted case of the yips this year ), who is tied for fifth at 10 under, and Billy Horschel, who is one of nine players tied for 14th at 8 under.

Camilo Villegas is another stroke back after a 67 on the Tournament Course.

This is the first time Villegas has played in the final stage of q-school after failing to finish in the top 125 on the money list for the first time in his career.

“One thing is working hard with a purpose, but another is working hard without a purpose,” Villegas said of his struggles earlier this season. “A little bit of that happened with me and when that happened the good results went away, and when they go away the smiles go away and you’re miserable. You have a great life, but you’re miserable. Then you realize, ‘Why am I being so hard on myself?’ and you start playing good golf again and the smiles come back.

“I just wasn’t having as much fun as I should have been.”

A second-round 67 gave Villegas plenty to smile about, and in a tie for 23rd through the first two days puts him in position to regain his card.

A few notables haven’t been so fortunate: Billy Mayfair (5 under/T-39), Shaun Micheel (5 under/T-39), Nick O’Hern (4 under/T-59), James Nitties (3 under/T-71), Billy Hurley III (3 under/T-71), Patrick Cantlay (1 under/T-94), Tim Petrovic (even/T-110), Alex Cejka (1 over/T-127), Steve Flesch (1 over/T-127) and Todd Hamilton (2 over/T-142) are all on the outside looking in at the moment.


November 9 2012

3:00 AM

Beljan plans to play Saturday

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Despite health issues, Charlie Beljan said he plans to play on Saturday.
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Despite being hospitalized after suffering from shortness of breath, an increased heart rate and high blood pressure, second-round leader Charlie Beljan says he expects to play Saturday at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. "As long as they tell me I'm not going to fall over and die," Beljan said in a phone interview with Golf Channel late Friday. "I'm hoping it was just a panic attack." Beljan added that he's suffered small panic attacks in recent weeks. He's a new father with his wife Merisa having given birth to the couple's first child just seven weeks ago, and he came into the week 139th on the money list and with his TOUR card on the line. Only the top 125 after this week will have full playing status for next year. "We're waiting on tests and X-rays," Beljan's agent, Andy Dawson, added via text message. "He's most likely being released [Friday] but if not is still going to plan on playing [Saturday]. He feels a lot better." Click here for the latest on Beljan’s condition and the rest of what happened Friday .

1:00 AM

Top 125 watch: Who’s up, who’s down

Leaderboard | Projected Money List By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Despite shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate and high blood pressure that sent Charlie Beljan to the hospital after his round, the 28-year-old rookie managed to take the halfway lead at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. In doing so, he’s projected to move from 139th to 65th on the money list. Others weren’t so fortunate. Rod Pampling shot 74 to miss the cut and will spend the weekend scoreboard watching. He’s projected to finish right on the bubble at No. 125 -- for now. Here’s a look at who else moved up and down (or out) as players try to stay inside the top 125 on the money list in the season finale. WHO’S UP>>> Charlie Beljan: The fact that he was able to finish his round was remarkable given his condition. That he shot 64 to take the lead was simply amazing. As of Thursday night, Beljan was at the hospital awaiting the results from some tests. He is hoping to be able to continue to play. His score Friday was his second-lowest of the season, surpassed only by a 62 in the second round of The Greenbrier Classic, where he tied for third. Started: 139th. Projected: 65th. Kevin Chappell: The 26-year-old came into the week flirting with the bubble and Friday took a big step toward staying inside it after a 69 to move into a tie for ninth. Started: 123rd. Projected: 122nd. Boo Weekley: Likewise, Weekley all but locked up his status for next season. He shot  67 on the Palm Course to enter the weekend in a tie for 19th. Started: 121st. Projected: 119nd. D.J. Trahan: After a 74 in the opening round, Trahan bounced back with a 67 to make the cut. That gives him time to still move inside the top 125 over the weekend. Started: 130th. Projected: 130th. Alexandre Rocha: Rocha started the week outside the number. He’s still projected to finish there but will have a chance to move up after a 70 on the Magnolia Course to make it to the weekend. Started: 128th. Projected: 127th. WHO’S DOWN>>> Billy Mayfair: Last year, he tied for sixth in this event to lock up a card. This time, he missed the cut. Mayfair, who came into the week 125th on the money list is currently projected to fall one spot, which means he’ll have to spend the weekend scoreboard watching. Started: 125th. Projected: 126th. Rod Pampling:  Like Mayfair, Pampling’s fate rests in someone else’s hands. The Aussie made five bogeys and just three birdies on the difficult Magnolia Course after opening with a 70 on the Palm Course. Started: 124th. Projected: 125th. William McGirt: The good news for McGirt is his job is safe for next year. But a second straight 71 dropped him out of the top 70 on the projected money list. Players who finish in the top 70 are exempt for all the invitationals next year. He still has a chance to improve on the weekend, however. Started: 70th. Projected: 73rd. Blake Adams: Unlike McGirt, Adams doesn’t control his own destiny. He missed the cut after a 74 on the Palm Course to fall out of the top 70 in the money list projections. Started: 69th. Projected: 72nd.

10:17 PM

Leader Beljan hospitalized after round

Round 2 highlights

Charlie Beljan leads at 12 under despite having to be hospitalized after his round.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Charlie Beljan was loaded into an ambulance via stretcher after completing his second round at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, where he suffered from shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate, high blood pressure and numbness in his arms.

Beljan, who shot an 8-under 64 to take a three-shot lead halfway through the event, was taken to nearby Celebration Hospital, where he was undergoing tests and hoping to be released Friday night.

During his round, however, Beljan had to sit down several times. He called for paramedics on the 10th hole but decided to play on.

The 28-year-old rookie is 12 under through 36 holes and is projected to move from 139th to 65th on the money list, which would secure his PGA TOUR card for next year.

"I think he's scared," Beljan's caddie, Rick Adcox, said. "He kept saying he thought he was going to die."

Medical personnel walked with him for much of his back nine. Adcox said Beljan had asked for medical attention earlier on Friday on the practice tee prior to his round.

“A couple times I thought he might pass out," Adcox said. "He just said, ‘I’m gonna keep going until I pass out or they take me off,’ and I kept saying it doesn’t matter to me, it’s only a golf tournament.”

It was a courageous round given the circumstances. Beljan dropped to his knees on several occasions, trying to catch his breath. After he finished his round, he broke down in tears.

“He was trying to keep upright,” playing partner Ed Loar said. “Hopefully he’ll be all right. It was pretty bizarre.”

Despite his struggles, Belgian was 8 under through his first 11 holes and flirting with a 59.

On the 17th, he told his caddie, “I just want to get finished.” He did that with a an up-and-down for par on the 18th after a poor second shot before struggling to reach the scoring area, where he signed his scorecard. Shortly thereafter he was taken to the hospital.


9:00 PM

Beljan surges despite health issues

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Charlie Beljan has separated himself from the pack here at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, leading by two at 12 under with five holes left in his round.

But he’s experiencing shortness of breath and an elevated heart rate. Beljan suffers from asthma and it’s believe to be related to that, according to officials. Stay tuned. For now, though, a member of the medical staff is on hand with Beljan to keep an eye on him.

Meanwhile, Henrik Stenson is two shots back and is 6 under through 16 holes today on the Palm Course.

Behind them is where the logjam begins. Eight players are tied at 9 under with a couple of them still on the golf course. Among that group? Camilo Villegas, Kevin Chappell and Mark Anderson, all of whom entered the week outside the top 125 on the money list.

Another seven players are a stroke behind that at 8 under, including Tommy Gainey, who is looking for his second win in as many starts.


8:00 PM

Watch: Villegas’ birdie bomb

Villegas birdies No. 9

Camilo Villegas holes a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-4 ninth hole.


7:18 PM

Anderson bellies up, is in contention

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Not everyone was sold on the belly putter.

Mark Anderson, who opened the year using one, shelved it midseason for a conventional one. That decision didn’t last long, though, with Anderson putting it back in his bag last week.

It turned out to be a timely move. Anderson shot 67 Friday at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, where he’s one of a number of players hovering near the lead at 9 under halfway through the season-ending tournament.

”I went back to the short putter because it felt really great and I made a lot of putts with it,” Anderson said. “The last month or two I've hit the ball very well, but I just haven't made the putts. So it was kind of a last minute do or die deal.”

At 170th on the money list coming into the week, Anderson needed a big week to have any hope of securing his card for next year.

The last time Anderson, who hasn’t always used a belly putter, put one in his bag was at the end of last year’s Web.com Tour season. He finished second at the Miccosukee Championship, then tied for seventh a week later at the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open Presented by Planters.

“I know I can putt well with it,” he said.

Friday, he missed just two putts inside 10 feet, and he made a couple beyond that range, too, on his way to 27 total putts after hitting 14 greens in regulation.

Said Anderson: ”I know I can putt well with the short putter, but in the meantime while I can still putt with it, I'm going to use it.”


6:00 PM

Howell finds his rhythm again

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- This season started out promising enough for Charles Howell III.

Howell tied for second at the Sony Open in Hawaii and looked like his first win in five years might not be far behind. Not so much.

“I played like a dog the rest of the year pretty much,” said Howell, who at one point in the middle of the year missed nine of 14 cuts.

That changed a few weeks ago, though. Howell tied for 11th at the Frys.com Open and followed with a tie for seventh at The McGladrey Classic.

“I went into the Fall Series to try to get some confidence going to prepare in the off season to play better for next year,” Howell said.

He seems to have found some.

Friday, Howell shot a 67 to get to 9 under halfway through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Through the first two rounds here, Howell has hit 29 of 36 fairways. 

“It was a struggle this year,” Howell admitted. “I've played a little bit better than I thought I would the last few weeks, but I'm getting some confidence back, which is always good. And I'm much more positive going into my off-season practice than I was if I had ended just right after the FedExCup.”