OLD WESTBURY, N.Y.—In a FedEx Cup playoff opener that felt like a heavyweight bout, Dustin Johnson delivered back-to-back blows to beat Jordan Spieth in The Northern Trust.
One was a putt from 18 feet.
The other was a drive that travelled 341 yards.
Ten days ago, Rory McIlroy wasn't sure if he was going to play the rest of the year.
A week off made him feel good enough that a nagging rib injury can be managed well enough for him to compete in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
And with just over a month before he shuts it down for the year, McIlroy wants to do more than just play.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Justin Thomas emerged from the shadow of a longtime friend and won the PGA Championship to take his place among the young elite in golf.
With two big breaks to start the back nine, a chip-in for birdie to seize control, and a timely seven-iron that soared over the water to a peninsula green, Thomas closed with a three-under 68 yesterday for a two-shot victory.
AKRON, Ohio—Rory McIlroy had his best friend on the bag and his best start on American soil in 18 months.
For Jordan Spieth, it was more of the same with two long putts and another comment filled with bravado directed at his caddie.
Both of them opened with a three-under 67 at the Bridgestone Invitational, leaving them two shots behind Thomas Pieters of Belgium.
AKRON, Ohio—Jordan Spieth is one week away from a shot at the career Grand Slam.
But he's still more interested in looking behind him.
Spieth returned to Dallas with the claret jug, and it wasn't more than a few hours before he already had watched highlights—twice—of his British Open victory at Royal Birkdale.
SOUTHPORT, England—During one of Jordan Spieth's many low points yesteday at the British Open, his caddie reminded him of a photo from a Mexico beach holiday two weeks ago that showed him in all-star company that included Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan.
The message: “You belong in that group.”
SOUTHPORT, England—The wind off the Irish Sea pushed away the rain clouds and bathed Royal Birkdale in sunshine, as well as Stars and Stripes.
The British Open began yesterday with an All-American flavour.
SOUTHPORT, England—Sergio Garcia won't be wearing his green jacket from Augusta National at his wedding.
What about pouring champagne from a claret jug?
Garcia doesn't have one yet, though he loves the thought of such possibilities, especially considering that only four months ago, the 36-year-old Spaniard was learning to accept his career might end without a major.
ERIN, Wis.—Brooks Koepka received a short piece of advice from a valuable source on the eve of the final round at the U.S. Open.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson was doing most of the talking.
“It was a long phone call for us—it was like two minutes," Koepka noted. ”But he just said a few things, and just stay patient.
ERIN, Wis.—Erin Hills played like a pushover for a U.S. Open.
Check out the score of Rickie Fowler yesterday, who matched the U.S. Open scoring record to par for the opening round with a seven-under 65.
Right behind him were 43 other players who broke par—snapping a championship record that had stood for 27 years.
