John Senden and Marc Leishman have won their way through to the knockout round of 16 in San Francisco at TPC Harding Park, California. With a massive 9.25 million dollar purse on offer, the top 64 players on the PGA Tour have created quite a buzz in the one-on-one battles.
Ranked 60th in the world Leishman has played some inspired golf on the tough course. He defeated world number 6 Justin Rose (3 & 2) in the first round, American Ryan Palmer (4&3) in the second and today finished off Indian Anirban Lahiri 1 up to top his group and move through to tomorrow’s pairing with American Gary Woodland.
Woodland dispatched Webb Simpson, Ian Poulter and world number 11 Jimmy Walker to top his group and set up a match with Leishman.
“My putting has been really good and I am looking forward to getting out there,” commented Leishman after his round three victory against Anirban after the match went to extra holes.
John Senden world rank is 65 and which is higher than most of the field, but the quality of the golf has meant that statistics and rank matters little in the tough conditions.
Senden needed an extra hole to beat world number 3 Henrik Stenson today to top his group and move into the round of 16. The long and tough rough grass has wreaked havoc in many players short game, but Senden has put in some consistent rounds.
Tensions flared for two professionals when a dispute over the placement of a relief shot on the 18th hole escalated. Australian official Russell Swanson held back as USA’s Keegan Bradley and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez almost came to blows.
Playing the 18th hole of their dead rubber match, Jimenez came to query a drop Swanson was overseeing for Bradley, before things became heated. Bradley’s caddie, Steve Hale, got involved and Jimenez told him to shut up, sparking outrage.
Both players did not make it through to the round of 16 which tees off in California tomorrow. Jimenez had the final word, winning 2 up.
