Round 3 - Paul Broadhurst wins on final hole

September 19, 2016

Paul Broadhurst birdied the par-5 18th at Pebble Beach on Sunday to win the PGA Tour Champions' Nature Valley First Tee Open.

The Senior British Open winner at Carnoustie in July for his first victory on the 50-and-over tour, Broadhurst made a 6-foot birdie putt on 18 after running his first attempt past the hole.

The 51-year-old Englishman finished with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Bernhard Langer and playing partner Kevin Sutherland. Broadhurst joined Ben Hogan and Tom Watson as the only players to win at both Pebble Beach and Carnoustie.

''Obviously, the scoreboards are all around the last four holes so I was well aware of what was going on and knew I needed to birdie the last to avoid a playoff,'' Broadhurst said. ''Probably hit two of the best shots I've ever hit up 18. Perfect tee shot and a really good utility into the green just on the front edge. I managed to two-putt from 30 feet, so yeah, absolutely delighted.''

Langer birdied the last for a 66, and Sutherland birdied the final two holes for a 70. Sutherland, from Sacramento, missed a chance to win the home event for this first senior title.

''I waited to the end to make some birdies but better late than never, I guess,'' said Sutherland, a stroke ahead of Broadhurst entering the round. ''One thing about Pebble, I didn't get the first seven holes. I didn't make any birdies on those holes, so it kind of gets you behind a little bit. But I played the back side solid, so it's a little disappointing coming up one short.''Joe Durant bogeyed the 18th - lipping out a 3-footer - for a 67 to finish fourth at 9 under.

Broadhurst finished at 11-under 204 for two rounds at Pebble Beach and one at Poppy Hills. He won six times on the European Tour and played in the 1991 Ryder Cup.

''It certainly felt more relaxed today, definitely,'' Broadhurst said. ''I don't know if it's because you're older or whether it's experience or just getting in the frame at the British recently helped an awful lot, but I felt fairly comfortable. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I felt fairly comfortable out there apart from 14, which I made a bit of a mess of.''

The seniors played alongside boys and girls from The First Tee programs throughout the country, with Michael Allen and 16-year-old Patrick Fernandez of Phoenix winning the team title.

''I'm really grateful to be out here,'' Fernandez said. ''I'm thankful to all the sponsors, Nature Valley, The First Tee, and just thankful to everyone that helped me get here. ... The Nine Core Values is a key thing with The First Tee. They teach you honesty, integrity, perseverance. Really, the key things that you need in life.''

Allen and Fernandez tied with Sutherland and Jonathan Tanihana, and Billy Andrade and Ross Funderburke at 18 under, and won in scorecard playoff, with the team's birdie on the par-3 12th the deciding factor.

John Daly withdrew because of a shoulder injury.

Round 2 - Kevin Sutherland takes over lead

September 18, 2016

Kevin Sutherland birdied four his last six holes at Pebble Beach for a 4-under 68 and the second-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions' Nature Valley First Tee Open.

The 52-year-old Sutherland had an 8-under 135 total for a one-stroke lead over Paul Broadhurst, the Englishman who won the Senior British Open at Carnoustie in July.

From Sacramento, Sutherland is winless on the 50-and-over tour after winning once on the PGA Tour. In 2014, he set the senior tour record with a 13-under 59 in the Dick's Sporting Goods Open.

''This is always a special place to me,'' Sutherland said. ''Being a northern California guy, Pebble is the mecca of golf for northern California golfers. The whole Carmel/Monterey area is always a special place, so to win any tournament here is quite an accomplishment and will definitely feel great.''

Broadhurst followed his opening 66 with a 70 at Poppy Hills.

''Really enjoy the course,'' Broadhurst said. ''Played it on Wednesday with Bernhard Langer in practice and really, really enjoy the course. Played a lot harder today. It was pretty calm on Wednesday. Today, it's quite a bit of wind out there, so makes it tricky.''

Some players were unable to finish before dark. France's Jean Van de Velde was the top player still on the course at 3 under with two holes left.

Playing in the morning, Sutherland began his run on the par-4 fourth and also birdied the par-5 sixth, par-3 seventh and par-4 ninth. He played his opening nine in even par with two birdies and two bogeys.

''If you can get Pebble early, it's always great,'' Sutherland said. ''Even on a good day it's always nice to get Pebble early because the greens are a little softer and a little bit fresher as far as not as many spike marks and stuff. Anytime, you can get out there early at Pebble it's great.

The professionals are playing alongside boys and girls from The First Tee programs throughout the country. Sutherland is teaming with Jonathan Tanihana, also from Sacramento.

''I enjoyed playing with Jonathan tremendously,'' Sutherland said. ''He's a fine young man and he's got a tremendous golf game. And today we made a bunch much birdies.''

Woody Austin and Greg Kraft were tied for third at 5 under. Austin had a 69 at Poppy Hills, and Kraft shot 68 at Pebble Beach.

Langer was 4 under after a 69 at Pebble Beach. The 59-year-old German star leads the tour with four victories this season.

Vijay Singh was even par after a 68 at Poppy Hills.

John Daly was 5 over after his second 74, this one at Poppy Hills.

Round 1 - Paul Broadhurst leads by two

September 17, 2016

Paul Broadhurst shot a 6-under 66 at Pebble Beach on Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the PGA Tour Champions' Nature Valley First Tee Open.

The 51-year-old Broadhurst won the Senior British Open at Carnoustie in July for his first victory on the 50-and-over tour. He won six times on the European Tour and played in the 1991 Ryder Cup.

With the seniors playing alongside boys and girls from The First Tee programs throughout the country, Broadhurst had 6-under 30 on the front nine in his first professional round at Pebble Beach.

''Actually, hit the flag on my second shot on the first,'' Broadhurst said. ''Could have gone in, I guess, but rolled 6 feet.''

He cooled off on the back nine, making two birdies and two bogeys.

''Front nine, I played really well, as good as I've played since winning the British to be honest. That's been, you know, been a bit of a struggle since winning, so it was nice to hit some good shots today and put a good score on the board.''

U.S. Senior Open winner Gene Sauers , Craig Parry, Jay Don Blake, Kevin Sutherland and Tom Pernice Jr. were 4 under. Sauers, Parry and Blake shot 68 at Pebble Beach, and Sutherland and Pernice shot 67 at Poppy Hills.

''Sometimes playing late in the afternoon like this, that poa annua is tough to make those putts. ... It's scary, it's scaring me. But I played great, I hit the ball good. I hit my 3-wood good off the tee a few times and made some putts and I'm pleased to death where I am.''

Sutherland is from Sacramento.

''This is my version of a home game,'' Sutherland said. ''When I was a kid we played a lot of tournaments down here.''

Bernhard Langer opened with a 70 at Poppy Hills. The 59-year-old German star leads the tour with four victories this season.

Tom Watson, the runner-up last year who won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am twice and his only U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 1982, had a 75 at Poppy Hills. The 67-year-old Hall of Famer had two double bogeys, a bogey and one birdie.

Defending champion Esteban Toledo had a 73 at Pebble Beach.

John Daly had two triple bogeys in a 74 at Pebble Beach. Fellow major champion Vijay Singh had a 75 at Pebble Beach, making three bogeys in a birdie-less round.

Broadhurst played alongside the First Tee's Brandon Pozzie of Bradenton, Florida.

''Really nice guy, Brandon,'' Broadburst said. ''Really acquitted himself really well. Plays off a 3 handicap, hits the ball really nicely. Got a little bit unlucky, but around here it can eat you up a little bit, Pebble. Looking forward to tomorrow at Poppy and we'll have another battle around there.''

Scores

1 - Paul Broadhurst -6 F -6 66 - - 66
T2 - Craig Parry -4 F* -4 68 - - 68
T2 - Jay Don Blake -4 F* -4 68 - - 68
T2 - Gene Sauers -4 F -4 68 - - 68
T2 - Kevin Sutherland -4 F -4 67 - - 67
T2 - Tom Pernice Jr. -4 F* -4 67 - - 67
T7 - Stephen Ames -3 F -3 69 - - 69
T7 - Scott Dunlap -3 F -3 68 - - 68
T7 - Steve Pate -3 F -3 68 - - 68
T7 - Woody Austin -3 F* -3 69 - - 69
T7 - Wes Short, Jr. -3 F* -3 69 - - 69
T12 - Mike Goodes -2 F* -2 70 - - 70
T12 - Mark O'Meara -2 F* -2 69 - - 69
T12 - Marco Dawson -2 F* -2 69 - - 69
T12 - Jeff Maggert -2 F -2 69 - - 69
T12 - Carlos Franco -2 F* -2 70 - - 70
T12 - Tim Petrovic -2 F* -2 70 - - 70
T12 - Joe Durant -2 F -2 70 - - 70
T19 - Jeff Hart -1 F -1 71 - - 71
T19 - Bernhard Langer -1 F* -1 70 - - 70
T19 - Michael Bradley -1 F* -1 71 - - 71
T19 - Tom Lehman -1 F -1 71 - - 71
T19 - Scott Verplank -1 F -1 70 - - 70
T19 - Kirk Triplett -1 F -1 71 - - 71
T19 - Jeff Sluman -1 F -1 71 - - 71
T19 - Greg Kraft -1 F -1 70 - - 70
T27 - Glen Day E F E 72 - - 72
T27 - Scott McCarron E F* E 71 - - 71
T27 - Jean Van de Velde E F E 72 - - 72
T27 - Mike Grob E F* E 72 - - 72
T27 - Jerry Smith E F* E 72 - - 72
T32 - Scott Simpson +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Olin Browne +1 F* +1 72 - - 72
T32 - David Frost +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Rod Spittle +1 F* +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Michael Allen +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Bob Gilder +1 F +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Dan Forsman +1 F* +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Willie Wood +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Jerry Haas +1 F +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Rocco Mediate +1 F +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Todd Hamilton +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Paul Goydos +1 F* +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Tommy Armour III +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Brandt Jobe +1 F* +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Joey Sindelar +1 F* +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Esteban Toledo +1 F +1 73 - - 73
T32 - Mark Brooks +1 F* +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Duffy Waldorf +1 F +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Grant Waite +1 F* +1 72 - - 72
T32 - Guy Boros +1 F* +1 73 - - 73
T52 - Larry Mize +2 F +2 73 - - 73
T52 - Hale Irwin +2 F +2 74 - - 74
T52 - Lee Janzen +2 F +2 73 - - 73
T52 - Doug Garwood +2 F* +2 74 - - 74
T52 - John Daly +2 F +2 74 - - 74
T52 - Loren Roberts +2 F +2 73 - - 73
T52 - Jim Carter +2 F* +2 74 - - 74
T59 - Brian Henninger +3 F +3 75 - - 75
T59 - Fred Funk +3 F +3 74 - - 74
T59 - Jay Haas +3 F* +3 74 - - 74
T59 - Tom Purtzer +3 F* +3 75 - - 75
T59 - Gary Hallberg +3 F +3 75 - - 75
T59 - Peter Jacobsen +3 F* +3 74 - - 74
T59 - John Inman +3 F +3 74 - - 74
T59 - Vijay Singh +3 F +3 75 - - 75
T59 - Tom Byrum +3 F* +3 75 - - 75
T68 - Steve Lowery +4 F* +4 76 - - 76
T68 - Mark Calcavecchia +4 F +4 75 - - 75
T68 - Scott Hoch +4 F* +4 76 - - 76
T68 - Brad Bryant +4 F +4 76 - - 76
T68 - Tom Watson +4 F* +4 75 - - 75
T68 - Tom Kite +4 F* +4 75 - - 75
74 - Russ Cochran +5 F* +5 76 - - 76
T75 - Jesper Parnevik +6 F* +6 77 - - 77
T75 - Mike Springer +6 F* +6 77 - - 77
T75 - Billy Mayfair +6 F +6 77 - - 77
T78 - John Cook +7 F* +7 78 - - 78
T78 - Jeff Brehaut +7 F +7 79 - - 79
T78 - Craig Stadler +7 F* +7 78 - - 78
81 - Billy Andrade +8 F* +8 79 - - 79

 

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