FGT-The Founders Championship

[vtbub]

Welcome to the Birthplace of Golf, Saint Andrews, Scotland.

The practice round has ended and for some of you, it was a challenge.

The average round was 71.48
The front 9 played at 35
The back in 36.48

Sand games, or lack of them, are going to make things very interesting.

HOT:

Dave Yellope
Tim Watts

COLD:

Ty Whitt

Here are tomorrow's Tee Times (Round starts for real at 9 PM ET)

1100 BST

Sarah Juckett
Todd Henry

1115 BST

N Waretz
Al Mighty
Duncan Airhart

1130 BST

Mike Tokunga
Shane Kormelink
K A Ton

1200 BST

Woody Driver
Brian Fowler
AJ Tucker

1215 BST

David Gonzalez
Dave Yellope
Angus MacHaggis

1230 BST

Ron Juckett
Ty Whitt
Tim Watts

1245 BST

Matt Jones
Jeebs Eckberg
Deacon Palmer

1300 BST

Jesse Ewiak
Mar Mel
Kevin Heath

Same tee times for Round 2

[vtbub]

With the difficulty of the course, we will not tinker with the weather.

[duckman]

I look forward to playing along side Mar and Jesse. It is an honor to be playing with two great professionals. I also wish the rest of the field the best.

[vtbub]

For those interested:

www.ronjuckett.com/standrews.xls

www.ronjuckett.com/ssgrandnum.xls

[KWhit]

Looking forward to this.

[vtbub]

Me too.

First biggish update 9:45-10 PM ET tomorrow, it will be worth the wait.

[MrIllini]

Waeltz, not Waretz :)

[Jesse_Ewiak]

This is mah house boys! Now watch me lay up an 80. :-)

[JeeberD]

Bring it, boys. Daddy needs a new pair of spikes...

[kingfc22]

Can't wait for my round with MacHaggis. From what I hear, he is pretty entertaining on the course.

You know....with his drinking problem and all. He is Irish isn't he? ;)

[vtbub]

Crappy weather here in the Northeast means Bonus Golf.

[SirFozzie]

BONUS GOLF COVERAGE! :D

(although it shan't be better.. this is St Andrews we're talking about after all ;))

[vtbub]

1200 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE

S.Juckett -1 4
S.Kormelink -1 2
K.Ton -1 2
M.Tokunga E 2
B.Fowler E 1
A.Tucker E 1
N Waeltz +1 3
A.Mighty +1 3
W.Driver +1 1
T.Henry +2 4
D.Airhart +2 3

The ringer leads early. Airhart doubled 2.

Gonzalez buys earplugs teamed with Yellope and MaHaggis

[vtbub]

1300 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE

S.Juckett -2 8
A.MacHaggis -2 4
T.Watts -2 3
R.Juckett -1 3
M.Mel -1 1
J.Eckberg E 2
J.Ewiak E 1
K.Heath E 1
T.Henry +1 8
M.Tokunga +1 6
B.Fowler +1 5
D.Gonzalez +1 4
D.Jones +1 2
D.Palmer +1 2
N Waeltz +2 7
A.Mighty +2 7
S.Kormerlink +2 6
K.Ton +2 6
D.Yellope +2 4
D.Airhart +3 7
W.Driver +3 5
T.Whitt +3 3

2 has been a bear, four doubles, five bogies, 2 birdies, eight pars.

to 3....MacHaggis from 167.....(thwack)...oh, that's tracking nice....real nice...(bounce, roll, roll, roll, CHEERS)....EAGLE 2 AND YOUR LEADER AT -3....

[nfg22]

Come on I can do better than this....wheres Harmon when I need him?

[vtbub]

Tucker at +6 thru 5

[SirFozzie]

*applauds for MacHaggis*

At least someone's coming through. Dang pot bunkers..

[vtbub]

1400 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE

R.Juckett -3 7
S.Juckett -2 12
A.MacHaggis -2 8
J.Eckberg -2 6
K.Ton -1 10
T.Watts -1 7
M.Tokunga E 10
W.Driver E 9
J.Ewiak E 5
M.Mel E 5
K.Heath E 5
T.Henry +1 12
A.Mighty +1 11
D.Yellope +1 8
N Waeltz +2 11
S.Kormerlink +2 10
B.Fowler +2 9
D.Gonzalez +2 8
T.Whitt +2 7
M.Jones +3 6
D.Airhart +5 10
D.Palmer +5 6
A.Tucker +6 9

That x-factor is hurting folks more than skill shots or anything else. Palmer took an 8 on the par 5 5th, Tucker doubled it. Lunch time here, then slow, hole by hole coverage in about 90 minutes.

[hhiipp]

Sarah was playing sleeper in her practice round. :p

[ntndeacon]

And I had such a good practice round!!

[vtbub]

Weclome to our continous coverage of The FOUNDERS Championship. I'm Larry Loudpants, and I'm joined by Tiger Woods here in the 18th tower. Tiger, your impressions so far?

TW:Larry, par is the big winner here so far. Only seven under par so far, but twenty golfers within six shots.

LL: Tell us about our leaders.

TW: Ron Juckett has the best sand game out here, but it's his ability to find fairways and greens that has helped him stay under par, having 8-10 footers for birdie doesn't hurt either. He will take his medicine soon. Sarah, I dunno, shot 79 in the practice round and nails irons and hits greens. She's on the backside now, expect her lack of skill to catch up soon. MacHaggis has played exceptional golf so far, and if he can continue to concentrate on his golf more than the cigars and girls, I expect him to lead today. Jeebs Eckberg is as cool as a Swedish winter. The rest of the pack waits.

LL: Thanks Tiger...What's that smell?

TW: Swedish Meatballs...Ellen made them....wanna bite?

LL: No thanks, my Pepcid's back in the hotel....David Ferehty is with the Ewiak-Mel-Heath group, Gary McCord is with Eckburg-Jones-Tucker threesome, and Woody Paige walks with the R. Juckett-Watts-Whitt group....Action continues right after this.

[Kevin]

Ye better nae be calling Angus Irish or ye'll be getting a mashie niblick snapped up under your sporan! Guiness is nowt but a waste of good oatmeal. And what's with yon pansy weather. Golf is meant to be played in a stiff gale with a dram of drambuie to steady your knees.

[vtbub]

Well despite what Angus shouted at our FOFC Cameras, it's 45 degrees, a light rain, and a breeze of 5-10 off the sea, certainly not springtime at Augusta here.


To David Feherty on the 6th.....Thanks, Larry....Kevin and Mar parred in already, here's Jesse with a wormy 8-footer for birdie....dead center and he breaks par on 1 under...to seven and Gary....Thanks mate....short tricky 388 yd par 4....Ecks and Palmer in with par....now Matt Jones with a 13 foot birdie putt, good look from worm cam.....ooooh right center and now 2 over.....Woodrow Paige with the leader on 8.....Thanks, Gary....only par 3 on the front....Ty Whitt missed the green right and has this 35 footer for par.......oh drat, Max, he lipped it and taps in for bogey, three over

LL: Max who? Tiger?

TW: MacHaggis must of had something good to drink, reports are he's our co-leader after birding 9...Gonzalez ripped a sweet drive on the green and also birdied to get back to two over.

LL: Tokunga and Ton birdie 12, now one and two under respectively, Sarah Birdies 14, she's an outstanding three under...To Gary at 8....Jeebs from the tee....(thwack)....oh my...nice...and two feet for birdie...Jeebs Eckberg nearly flushes 8 on the fly....Woody on nine...Watts for birdie...Center cut Mariotti...Back at level...

LL: Back at the tower, the group on seven all made par...so did Palmer on 8, Juckett and Whitt on nine, and MacHaggis on 10...Eckberg taps in on 8, now tied for the lead at 3 under, Matt Jones birdied as well to get to one over..




****post will be edited as play continues here******

[duckman]

Can we get a running leaderboard as well?

[vtbub]

1500 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE

J.Eckberg -4 9
S.Juckett -3 15
A.MacHaggis -3 11
R.Juckett -3 10
M.Kotunga -1 13
K.Ton -1 13
T.Watts -1 10
J.Ewiak -1 8
M.Mel -1 8
A.Mighty E 14
W.Driver E 12
K.Heath E 8
T.Henry +1 15
N Waeltz +1 14
B.Fowler +1 12
D.Gonzalez +1 11
D.Yellope +1 11
M.Jones +1 9
S.Kormelink +3 13
T.Whitt +3 10
D.Airhart +4 14
A.Tucker +4 12
D.Palmer +5 9

It's taking way too long to play and write, let alone me getting confused. That's how things stand at the moment.

[KWhit]

+3???

Crap.

[ntndeacon]

at least you aren't last. at least my +5 hasn't gotten worse.

[vtbub]

Any preference on how these get written up?

[vtbub]

Front side plays in 36.69

[duckman]

Any preference on how these get written up?
I would do an hourly (game time) update with a summary of the play.

[Blade]

Well, at least I am staying in the hunt so far...but my name was spelled wrong.

:(

[vtbub]

My apologies to Mr. Tokunaga

[Blade]

Heh...no worries...it seems no one can say it either...

At least my golfer here is doing a lot better than my golfer in the older golf dynasty run a while ago...

[nfg22]

yeah Im not doing too hot but also my name isnt Duncan its dylan...but hey thats ok.

[vtbub]

Jeebs Eckberg and AJ Tucker seemed to switch bodies as the afternoon progressed on, Jeebs proceeded to triple both 10 and 11, while Tucker, who at one point was +7 after 8, is now +1 thru 16.

1545 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

S.Juckett -4 68
A.MacHaggis -4 14
R.Juckett -3 13
T.Watts -2 13
M.Mel -2 11
M.Jones -1 12
M.Tokunaga E 16
W.Driver E 15
T.Henry +1 73
A.Mighty +1 17
K.Ton +1 16
B.Fowler +1 15
A.Tucker +1 15
D.Gonzalez +1 14
K.Heath +1 11
S.Komelink +2 16
D.Yellope +2 14
T.Whitt +2 13
J.Eckberg +2 12
J.Ewiak +2 11
N Waletz +4 17
D.Airhart +5 17
D.Palmer +6 12

[MrIllini]

oof

ballooned 3 strokes in three holes

damned links courses

[MJ4H]

Makin a move!!

[vtbub]

11 golfers have finished, only Sarah broke par. AJ Tucker has more guts than any golfer I've seen. Mar Mel is slowly grabbing the round, while the wheels have come off the Jeebs Express.

1630 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

S.Juckett -4 68
M.Mel -4 14
A.MacHaggis -3 17
T.Watts -2 16
R.Juckett -2 16
M.Jones -1 15
W.Driver E 72
B.Fowler +1 73
A.Tucker +1 73
T.Henry +1 73
A.Mighty +1 73
T.Whitt +1 16
K.Heath +1 14
N Waletz +2 74
D.Gonzalez +2 17
J.Ewiak +2 14
M.Tokunaga +3 75
S.Kormelink +3 75
D.Yellope +3 17
K.Ton +3 75
J.Eckberg +4 15
D.Airhart +5 77
D.Palmer +5 15

[timmyw3]

Still in the hunt. Must have been the prematch pints that calmed the nerves.

[Katon]

Dropped five shots in the last six holes. Ouch.

[vtbub]

Ian MacDoogle
London Times

The Old Course was the leader after the opening 18 at the Founders Championship. Unlikely leader Sarah Juckett's 68 tied with tour force Mar Mel at -4 and share of the lead. Angus MacHaggis also survived what he considered an easy day by firing a -3(69) to sit one back. Tour Commissioner Ron Juckett and Tim Watts carded one under 71's to be the only five golfers under par.

"This has the feeling of a major, even though it was not intended to be." Juckett said in a post round conference. "The unknown leader, and of course the bunkers."

Sand play held back the field of 23, the high gorse also led with some furious defense of the course. 2, 11, 14, and of course, 17 were holes where par felt like birdie. Yesterday's practice round winner Jesse Ewiak said he'd hope not to shoot 80 today. He was right, he shot 78 instead, including a back nine 42. Jeebs Eckberg was -4 thru 9, and fired a 45 on the back, finishing at +5(77). Eckberg triple bogied 10, 11, doubled 14, and had bogey at 17 with no birdies to slip from the lead to being on the outside possibly for Sunday.

[Marmel]

Strong back nine for me! Yahoo!

[vtbub]

1800 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

S.Juckett -4 68
M.Mel -4 68
A.MacHaggis -3 69
T.Watts -1 71
R.Juckett -1 71
M.Jones -1 71
W.Driver E 72
B.Fowler +1 73
A.Tucker +1 73
T.Henry +1 73
A.Mighty +1 73
T.Whitt +1 73
K.Heath +1 73
****Projected Cut*********
N Waletz +2 74
D.Gonzalez +2 74
M.Tokunaga +3 75
S.Kormelink +3 75
K.Ton +3 75
D.Yellope +4 76
J.Eckberg +5 77
D.Airhart +5 77
J.Ewiak +6 78
D.Palmer +6 78

[vtbub]

I will start round 2 tonight.

Hourly updates and other things to talk about the cut.

[vtbub]

Front 9=36.69
Back 9=38.21

Rd. 1 avg. 74.9

[SirFozzie]

3 shots off the cut line.

Eeps.

[henry296]

Good solid play For Todd Henry as he started 2 over through 4 and then was 1 under on the last 14 holes. "Fairways and Greens" was his comment after the round.

[KWhit]

Made the cut... Barely.

[SirFozzie]

Oh there's no cut.. yet. *gulp*

[vtbub]

Sarah(my word),Marm, and Angus are the only "safe" golfers I see.

Sarah, thinks I'm nuts. But, I threw her in because we were short for 8-foursomes, and had 7 threesomes and an extra.

[Marmel]

You threw your wife in because you wanted a three some?

DUDE!

[vtbub]

LOL

[3ric]

Huh. Bad start for the round, I was three over after only five holes but recovered for a 72. Must have been the local knowledge.

How do we know when a player hit a hot or cold streak?

[JeeberD]

What the hell happened on the back nine? Dear lord that was ugly...

[vtbub]

N Waletz' score was added incorrectly, it should have been +5, not +2.

[vtbub]

Round 2 Tomorrow Afternoon.

[duckman]

Round 2 Tomorrow Afternoon.
You realize that you are a bastard. ;)

[vtbub]

Yes, yes I am, but my hoping to be a 2 hour round ran closer to four and a half.

We'll get the kinks worked out. Spell golfers names right, and even learn to add. ;)

[kingfc22]

It seems as if I could never get going in the 1st. Rd.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

[vtbub]

1000 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

S.Juckett -4 --
M.Mel -4 --
A.MacHaggis -3 --
T.Watts -1 --
R.Juckett -1 --
M.Jones -1 --
W.Driver E --
B.Fowler +1 --
A.Tucker +1 --
T.Henry +1 --
A.Mighty +1 --
T.Whitt +1 --
K.Heath +1 --
****Projected Cut*********
D.Gonzalez +2 --
M.Tokunaga +3 --
S.Kormelink +3 --
K.Ton +3 --
D.Yellope +4 --
J.Eckberg +5 --
D.Airhart +5 --
N Waletz +5 --
J.Ewiak +6 --
D.Palmer +6 --

Good morning ladies and gentleman and welcome to cut down day here at St. Andrews. Tension is running a bit high on the practice greens this morning as players jockey to make the cut and earn their first paychecks. Also, the fact that a woman is ahead of the 22 boys in the field has not sat well with some of the players.

Of course the big winner on day one was the course, who ever leads after today will need to avoid big numbers on 2,14, and 17. Somewhere on this course, a 63 waits for somebody to shoot. Co-Leader Mar Mel and crowd favorite Angus MacHaggis hope that it's them. Jeebs Eckberg, and Jesse Ewiak, who are far back in the pack desspite strong staarts, hope that they can catch lightning in a bottle today.

+3 is what most bettors place the cut at. For Mike Tokunaga, Shane Kormelink, and K. A. Ton, I'm sure that they would take level par 72 in a heartbeat after yesterday. They start the day at +3. Even par after 36 holes should put players in the drivers seat tomorrow, Woody Driver sits at even now, with Ron Juckett, Tim Watts, and Mike Jones all one better at -1. Six golfers sit at one over 73, how they do as a block will determine who plays tomorrow. Todd Henry and Sarah Juckett are heading to the first tee, and we'll see you in an hours time.

[KWhit]

I re-read the other threads and realize that it is a 3 round tourney, not two. I said earlier that I made the cut. That was premature. Hopefully I didn't jinx myself.

[vtbub]

1100 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

S.Juckett -5 4
M.Mel -4 --
A.MacHaggis -3 --
A.Tucker -1 1
T.Watts -1 --
R.Juckett -1 --
M.Jones -1 --
T.Henry E 4
W.Driver E --
A.Mighty +1 3
T.Whitt +1 --
K.Heath +1 --
****Projected Cut*********
K.Ton +2 2
D.Gonzalez +2 --
S.Kormelink +3 2
B.Fowler +3 1
N Waletz +4 3
M.Tokunaga +4 2
D.Yellope +4 --
J.Eckberg +5 --
D.Airhart +5 3
J.Ewiak +6 --
D.Palmer +6 --

S.Juckett-par,par,birdie,par
T.Henry-birdie,birdie,par,bogey
A.Mighty-par,bogey,birdie
W.Driver-par
A.Tucker-eagle

[vtbub]

1200 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

S.Juckett -5 8
M.Mel -4 1
A.MacHaggis -3 4
T.Henry -2 8
M.Jones -2 2
A.Tucker -1 5
K.Ton E 6
R.Juckett E 3
T.Watts E 3
T.Whitt E 3
W.Driver +1 5
K.Heath +1 1
***********CUT LINE******
S.Kormelink +2 6
A.Mighty +3 7
J.Eckberg +3 2
B.Fowler +4 5
D.Gonzalez +4 4
D.Palmer +4 2
D.Airhart +5 7
M.Tokunaga +5 6
J.Ewiak +5 1
N Waletz +6 7
D.Yellope +6 4

The course is much more enjoyable today. No big high number scores so far. Sarah Juckett pars 5-8, Todd Henry having the best round so far, birdies at 5 nd 6 to put him 3 back of Sarah. K. A. Ton, with birdies at 3 and 6 pulls level. A.J Tucker, who after eight holes yesterday was at +7, now after five holes today, he's at -1. Four pars after an opening eagle. Woody Driver had bogey-birdie-bogey stretch from 2-4, he sits at +1.

Jeebs Eckberg is shaking off yesterday's back nine, he's birdied 1 and 2, back to +3. Eckburg -6 on the front side so far. Jesse Ewiak birdied 1, Ron Juckett bogied 3, Ewiak at +5, Juckett is at level par. More in an hour.

[duckman]

Boy, I am really needing to get things going if I want to make the cut.

[vtbub]

1300 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -7 5
S.Juckett -6 12
T.Henry -4 12
A.MacHaggis -4 8
M.Jones -3 6
K.Ton E 10
A.Tucker E 9
R.Juckett E 7
T.Watts E 7
T.Whitt E 7
W.Driver +1 9
A.Mighty +2 11
D.Airhart +2 11
S.Kormelink +2 10
D.Palmer +2 6
************CUT LINE******
J.Eckberg +3 6
B.Fowler +4 9
D.Gonzalez +4 8
D.Yellope +4 8
K.Heath +5 5
N Waletz +6 11
M.Tokunaga +7 10
J.Ewiak +7 5

Well, as you can see from that graphic that things have changed a bit here. We've arrived at H-Hour. Everybody is on the course, at the moment and things are starting to swing a bit. For those golfers at +4, a good sign to see that cut line move to +2.

Lets start right from the top and our new leader Mar Mel, Mar with birdies at 3,4, and 5 to break out of the pack a bit. Sarah Juckett turned the corner at 1-under 35, then birdied 10 and 11 to get to -7, but just bogied 12, to slip back. Todd Henry, the hottest golfer out there, birdied 9 for a front side 32, then birdied 10 to start the back, pars since then, he's three back at -4 with Angus MacHaggis, eight straight pars til he birdied 9. Matt Jones birdied 3 and 5, but bogey hit him at 6, he's four off the mark. A gaggle of golfers at even. Crowd favorite David Yellope birdied 5 and 8, a shouting chance at the cut at +4. Woody Driver eagled 8 then promptly doubled 9 to go out at +1, 37. Kevin Heath and Jesse Ewiak doubled 2, Heath doubled 4 after bogey at 3, he's since birdied 5 to get back to plus 5. More in three-quarters of an hour.

[vtbub]

These recaps better?

[duckman]

These recaps better?
Much better. Shows how everyone is doing and gives us a summary of what happened. Good stuff.

[vtbub]

Flowing better here too.

[MrIllini]

N Waletz' score was added incorrectly, it should have been +5, not +2.

gee, thanks

[duckman]

Flowing better here too.
Much better flow.

[vtbub]

1345 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -8 8
T.Henry -5 15
S.Juckett -4 15
M.Jones -4 9
A.MacHaggis -2 11
A.Tucker E 12
T.Watts E 10
T.Whitt E 10
A.Mighty +1 14
W.Driver +1 12
R.Juckett +1 10
D.Palmer +1 9
******CUT LINE************
D.Airhart +2 14
S.Kormelink +2 13
J.Eckberg +2 9
K.Ton +3 13
D.Gonzalez +3 11
B.Fowler +4 12
K.Heath +4 8
D.Yellope +5 11
J.Ewiak +5 8
N Waletz +7 14
M.Tokunaga +7 13

Mar Mel is now three shots clear. His birdie on 8 makes him 4 under so far on the front, and three shots ahead of today's fireball Todd Henry. Henry birdied the very difficult par 5 14th, while Sarah Juckett has started to come down to earth. Bogies on 14 and 15 have put her back at -4, where she started the day. Matt Jones sandwiched birdies at 7 and 9 between a bogey at 8, he's tied with Sarah for 3rd. Angus MacHaggis bogied 9 and 11, slipping to -2 with the difficult 14th and 17th ahead. Ty Whitt dropped a shot on nine, got it back on 10, one of three gokfers at even par. Ron Juckett bogied 10, he's +1. Deacon Palmer is the reason the cut line is back up to +1, his birdie on 7 with four pars put him out at 31(-5).

David Yellope birdied 10, but doubled 11, back to +5. Still a bunch of golf left, but I don't see the cut dropping down to
+3 unless crazy things happen, which they could. This is St. Andrews.

Back in 45

[nfg22]

Dylan Airhart looks to have made a little progress starting at +5 and now is at +2...nice

[vtbub]

1430 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -8 11
T.Henry -6 65
M.Jones -5 12
S.Juckett -3 73
A.MacHaggis -3 14
A.Mighty -2 17
D.Palmer -1 12
R.Juckett E 13
T.Watts E 13
T.Whitt E 13
K.Ton +1 16
A.Tucker +1 15
J.Eckberg +1 12
******CUT LINE************
B.Fowler +2 15
W.Driver +3 15
D.Gonzalez +3 14
K.Heath +3 11
S.Kormelink +4 16
J.Ewiak +4 11
D.Airhart +5 17
D.Yellope +5 14
M.Tokunaga +7 16
N Waletz +8 17

Well, well. The Deacon Palmer Express rolls on up the leaderboard. Birdies at 10 and 12 have pushed him into red numbers at -1. Leader Mar Mel, fairways and greens through 11. Matt Jones birdies 11 to reach -5, Todd Henry posts a 65, including birdie at 18. His -6 looks very impressive right now. Sarah Juckett bogied the 17th, finding the road. A very respectable 73 today and at -3...well, we'll see if Cinderalla's slipper fits tomorrow.

Angus MacHaggis birdied 12 and 13, before giving one back at 14, he's tied with Sarah at -3. Al Mighty proved, just maybe, that he's truly connected with his namesake. three straight birdies, including the 17th, puts him at -2. AJ Tucker doubled 14, but birdied 15, +1 which is the cut number. Shane Kormelink OB'd on 14, doubled and needs help at +4. K. A. Ton, rebounded nicely from his double at 13, birdies at 14 and 16, have him at +1.

Poor Dylan Airhart, double at 14 and bogey at 16 have him back at +5.

Three of the seven threesomes finish this time thru, back in 45.

[hhiipp]

He updated right before I posted.. just need to pick up a few more strokes to get under that projected cut line.


I still need birdies!!

[nfg22]

I hate my life

[henry296]

A perfect round of golf. To shoot a 65 at this great course is unbelievable.

[3ric]

Ah frickin' links, Driver dropped two more shots in three holes. Blech.

[vtbub]

1515 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -7 14
T.Henry -6 65
M.Jones -4 15
S.Juckett -3 73
A.Mighty -3 68
A.MacHaggis -2 17
A.Tucker -1 70
D.Palmer -1 15
J.Eckberg +1 15
K.Ton +2 71
T.Whitt +2 16
S.Kormelink +3 72
R.Juckett +3 16
T.Watts +3 16
********CUT LINE**********
D.Gonzalez +4 17
K.Heath +4 14
B.Fowler +5 76
D.Airhart +5 72
J.Ewiak +5 17
W.Driver +6 78
D.Yellope +6 17
N Waletz +7 74
M.Tokunaga +7 76

Well +3 plays tomorrow unless more strange things happen, such as any one of the R.Juckett-Watts-Whitt group change score. Leader Mar Mel bogied 14. Kevin Heat birdied 13, doubled 14. +4 is a reach now. Matt Jones bogied 14, shocked I know. Decon Palmer celebrated his par at 14 by dropping one at 15, he birdied 13 before. Ron Juckett wants this round to end, three straight bogies as he stands on the 17th tee. Tim Watts doubled 16, and bogied 14.

David Gonzalez dropped one at 17, birdie on 18 should play tomorrow, if he can make one. David Yellope's mind is already on Royal Lytham and Saint Anne's, a bogey on 16 started his beta application for the FM release. MacHaggis dropped a shot at 15, five back at -2.

Woody Driver's approach not only hit the road on 17, he broke a window at the hotel. Triple for him there and finishes at +6(78). AJ Tucker birdied 17, and 16. 2 under 70 today and 1 under 143 for the week.

We'll wrap up the round, next

[vtbub]

Round's over.....Figuring out tomorrow.

[vtbub]

1600 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -9 67
T.Henry -6 65
M.Jones -3 70
S.Juckett -3 73
A.Mighty -3 68
A.MacHaggis -3 72
D.Palmer -3 63
A.Tucker -1 70
J.Eckberg +1 69
K.Ton +2 71
R.Juckett +2 75
S.Kormelink +3 72
K.Whitt +3 74
D.Gonzalez +3 73
*********CUT**************
T.Watts +4 77
K.Heath +4 74
B.Fowler +5 76
D.Airhart +5 72
W.Driver +6 78
D.Yellope +6 74
N Waletz +7 74
M.Tokunaga +7 76
J.Ewiak +7 73

[vtbub]

Summary a bit later.

Sox/Yankees are fighting

[MrIllini]

fuck this course

[vtbub]

No question, there are some incredibly difficult holes here, but it played much easier today.

[duckman]

Man, I suck! :(

[vtbub]

Last groups:

Mel birdies 15 and 17!
Heath Birdies 16, bogey on 17
Ewiak bogey on 15, double 17 birdie 18
Jones bogies 17
Eckberg birdied 16, bogey on 17
Palmer birdie 16 and 18 for a 63.
Juckett birdie 17(:))
Watts bogey on 17 to miss cut
Whitt bogey on 17
Gonzalez birdies 18 to play tomorrow
MacHaggis birdied 16

[vtbub]

2 foursomes and 2 threesomes


1400 BST

S.Kormelink
K.Whitt
D.Gonzalez

1415 BST

J.Eckberg
K.Ton
R.Juckett

1430 BST

A.MacHaggis
S.Juckett
M.Jones
A.Tucker

1445 BST

M.Mel
T.Henry
D.Palmer
A.Mighty

Sudden death if needed
Top 12 get money
Top 6 get points

[JeeberD]

Whew, managed to make the cut. Glad the back nine didn't eat me up again...

[Marmel]

Now I have to hope I am not the Phil Mickelson (minus this year's masters) of the this league.

[kingfc22]

Woo Hoo. Clutch birdie to clinch a paycheck!

[MrIllini]

fuck this course

[thealmighty]

4 straight birdies to end the round.

"Stay out of the sand, be in the money."

[vtbub]

Well, you see the live shot, Mar Mel in his lucky thong, and trademark Marlbro Light warming up for today.

Welcome to final round coverage of The Founders Championship. Mar Mel, last golfer to sign up, is 18 holes away from claiming the McKee/Merriman Trophy. Experts say that anything better than a 70 should guarantee him a victory. If so, his season becomes a whole lot easier, he will have earned his spot in The FOFC Masters, and can relax his way through the season.

There's Todd Henry, three back, in good shape after firing a 65 yesterday. That's not even the FGT record, however, Deacon Palmer's impressive 63 puts him six out at -3. He'd have to do it again in order to win most likely.

Now a look at that unpolished, but effective swing of Sarah Juckett. She's hoping to forget the back nine yesterday and come on home with a top 5. Husband, and FGT Leader, Ron Juckett limped home with a 75 yesterday, and is hoping for points.

David Gonzalez and Shane Kormelink there, clutch birdies late bought them a tee time today. Don't forget Al Mighty, and local hero Angus MacHaggis. Six back on a course where anything can happen, just ask Jeebs Eckberg. He'd be wining this thing if it wasn't for a back 9 on Friday that saw him shoot 45.

Should be a fun day.

[vtbub]

1200 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -9 --
T.Henry -6 --
M.Jones -3 --
S.Juckett -3 --
A.Mighty -3 --
A.MacHaggis -3 --
D.Palmer -3 --
-------POINTS-------------
A.Tucker -1 --
J.Eckberg +1 --
K.Ton +2 --
R.Juckett +2 --
S.Kormelink +3 --
*********MONEY************
K.Whitt +3 --
D.Gonzalez +3 --

That's where everybody starts the day, more soon.

[vtbub]

1500 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -9 1
T.Henry -6 1
D.Palmer -4 1
A.MacHaggis -3 2
M.Jones -3 2
A.Tucker -3 2
A.Mighty -3 1
------POINTS-------------
S.Juckett -2 2
J.Eckberg -1 3
T.Whitt E 4
S.Kormelink +1 4
D.Gonzalez +1 4
------MONEY--------------
K.Ton +3 3
R.Juckett +4 3

The leaders are walking to the second tee. Weather today is drop dead Jessica Alba beautiful. Deacon Palmer putting some pressure on Mel with a birdie on one. AJ Tucker eagled 1, now at -3. Sarah Jucket dropped a shot on one, her putter has gotten cold. Jeebs Eckberg birdies at 1 and 3 give him a nice start. K.A. Ton and Ron Juckett dropped shots at 3, Juckett going OB. Shane Kormelink and Ty Whitt are riding the birdie train so far, Shane with birds at 1 and 3, while Whit had birds at 1,2,and 4. Not to be outdone, David Gonzalez drove the first green and putted for eagle.

[vtbub]

1545 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -7 4
M.Jones -5 5
T.Henry -4 4
D.Palmer -4 4
A.MacHaggis -2 5
S.Kormelink -1 7
T.Whitt -1 7
A.Tucker -1 5
A.Mighty -1 4
-------POINTS------------
S.Juckett E 5
J.Eckberg +1 6
D.Gonzalez +2 7
-------MONEY-------------
K.Ton +4 6
R.Juckett +7 6

We seem to have a tournament now. Mar Mel bogied 2 and 3, falling back to the pack. Todd Henry doubled 2, settling now at -4. Deacon Paler also doubled 2, but birdied 3 and 4, remaining at -4. Al Mighty lost shots at 3 and 4.

Angus MacHaggis birdied 3, but doubled 4, still not out five shots back. Sarah Juckett has come back to earth, bogies on 3 and 5. The shocker so far is Matt Jones, birdies on 3 and 5 have pulled him to within two. AJ Tucker bogied 4 and 5.

The Eckberg-Ton-Juckett group all sliding backwards. Ron Jucketttripled the par five 5th, after birding 4, He added a bogey on 6. Jeebs suffered bogey on both 4 and 5, K.A. Ton bogied 5.

Shane Kormelink is shooting his way into points. Birdies at 6 and 7 make him -4 so far today, and now at -1 for the week. He has gained six shots on the leader Mar Mel. Ty Whitt birdied 5, while David Gonzalez bogied it.

More later

[vtbub]

1630 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -5 7
D.Palmer -5 7
A.MacHaggis -4 8
M.Jones -4 8
T.Henry -4 7
S.Kormelink -1 10
A.Mighty -1 7
--------POINTS-----------
T.Whitt E 10
J.Eckberg +1 9
S.Juckett +1 8
A.Tucker +1 8
D.Gonzalez +2 10
-------MONEY-------------
K.Ton +4 9
R.Juckett +7 9

Mel's putting yip's hit again at 5 and 6. Todd Henry birdied 5 to tie for the lead but bogied 6. Palmer tied for the lead with his birdie on 7. Al Mighty bogied 6, birdie on 7.

MacHaggis looked at the leaderboard on the 7th tee, saw that Mel was in trouble, took a big gulp from his thermos, and birdied both 7 and 8, now just one back. Jones bogied 7, falling out of that tie.

Birdies on 10 from Kormelink and Whitt place them within shouting distance. With the back nine coming up, posting a score of -2 or so could win.

[Marmel]

I AM Phil Mickelson. :(

[vtbub]

1715 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -8 10
D.Palmer -7 10
T.Henry -7 10
A.Mighty -4 10
A.MacHaggis -4 11
M.Jones -4 11
------POINTS--------------
S.Kormelink -1 13
S.Juckett -1 11
D.Gonzalez E 13
T.Whitt E 13
A.Tucker E 13
J.Eckberg +1 12
-------MONEY--------------
R.Juckett +4 12
K.Ton +5 12

Mar Mel was obviously gettting rather upset after a string of four bogeys on six holes. Third to tee off on eight, Mel blasted a 6 iron right at the flag. The ball never wavered and landed within two feet of the pin. A steely look in the eye as he stared down Todd Henry, who had just bogied 7 to fall out of a tie for the lead. Mel was going to psych out his competitors. Henry pulled 6 iron out of the bag too, and hit a crisp shot that stared down the flag too. It bounced behind Mel's ball and over, straight in the hole. He'd aced it! A quick middle finger to Mel and a doff of the cap to the crowd, who was roaring.

Mel tapped in his birdie and stormed off to the 9th tee. After blasting a driver and 8 iron, he made the 10 footer, -7. Henry missed the fairway left off the tee, but his lie was good and was able to place his approach within 10. He converted the birdie. -7 and tied. Quietly, Deacon Palmer birdied 9 to pull within one of the lead, but he seemed, along with Al Mighty, a sideshow compared to the slow burn inside Mar Mel, and Henry, who seemed anxious to egg on Mel further. Mighty, quietly birdied 9, 10, and 11, staying in the hunt.

Mel strode to the 11th tee, the other par three, pulled 5 iron, and placed it with 15 feet. Henry, chuckling almost audibly, hit a good looking tee shot, hit a hump, and skirted off the green. Mel converted the birdie chance, fist pumping and yelling as it fell, getting the crowd to respond to every act. While Henry had a routine up and down for par, Palmer rolled one in from 18 feet, moving himself to -7.

The Juckett's were finding the back nine nicer then the front, Sarah birdied 9 and 10, Ron birdied 10,11, and 12. AJ Tucker birdied 10, while the last group of the day was playing relaxed and refreshed. Ty Whit bogied 10, but birdied 11, while David Gonzlez birdied 11 and 12.

[vtbub]

OOPS Ten, not 11.

They are on the 11th tee.

[Marmel]

Great writeup there bub!

[vtbub]

1800 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -9 13
D.Palmer -7 13
T.Henry -5 13
A.Mighty -4 13
M.Jones -4 14
A.MacHaggis -2 14
D.Gonzalez -1 16
------POINTS--------------
S.Kormelink E 16
S.Juckett E 14
T.Whitt E 13
A.Tucker E 13
J.Eckberg +2 15
-------MONEY--------------
K.Ton +3 15
R.Juckett +5 15

Chew on that while I write it up

[vtbub]

11th tee, indeed Mel plays a six iron within 15. Henry, noticeably shaken from Mel's happy dance on 10, pushes his tee shot well long and into the sea. A grin from Mel added to the tension. Palmer and Mighty were able to make routine pars.

Mel took his time to read his birdie putt, and drained, -9 and up 2. Henry re-teed and his third shot landed 35 feet long. His putt for bogey was short, and he limped in with a double bogey, -5, four back.

Holes 12 and 13 changed nothing for the last group, all pars. They stand on 14, the hardest hole on the course, with the title on the line.

In fact there have been 4 doubles on 14 already today. MacHaggis played himself out, by going OB. Sarah Juckett did as well. Eckberg, and Whitt caught "Hell" as well, Would birdie 15, bogey 16. Eckberg holed his 2nd on 15 to make eagle and forget 14.

15 was kind to K.A. Ton too, he holed his second as well, Ron Juckett bogied it.

One more :45 minute update, then the top 8 will stand on 17....

[JeeberD]

Bleh. Why can't I get anything going?

[henry296]

Looks like I am playing the role of Mickelson.

[vtbub]

1845 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -11 16
D.Palmer -8 16
A.Mighty -4 16
A.MacHaggis -3 17
T.Henry -3 16
M.Jones -2 17
S.Juckett -1 17
A.Tucker -1 17
------POINTS--------------
D.Gonzalez E 69
S.Kormelink +1 72
T.Whitt +1 72
J.Eckberg +3 74
K.Ton +3 75
R.Juckett +4 76

Mel pulled driver on 14 and hit a solid one that found the fairway. Certainly, he was trying to find his zone. After the foursome laid up, Mel's 3rd bounced up and on the green. Henry, trying to regroup, missed bunker left. Palmer and Mighty were on in three, but had longshots at birdie. They took their 5 and moved on. Henry hit a flyer out of the bunker, leaving sixteen feet for par. He then lipped out his par attempt for a bogey 6. Mel, having good reads from the others, drained his 12 footer for birdie. -10, 3 up, 4 to go.

The trend continued at 15. Mel sinks yet another birdie, while Henry makes five from off the green. As they stood on 10 tee, both Mel and Henry were at -7, as they briskly walked to 16, Mel stood at -11, Henry, -3. 8 shot swing in 5 holes. Palmer birdied 16, leaving just a little inkling in Mar's head as he gets ready to tee of on 17.

Matt Jones doubled 17, the only golfers who can win are in the last group.

[vtbub]

Mel's second on 17 finds the bunker. Luckily he hits it out, but nowhere close for par. Palmer makes a nice two putt par, Henry makes par. Mighty birdies.

Not over yet as they reach 18.

[vtbub]

So Mel sits at -10, Palmer at -8.

Both take 3 wood off the tee. Palmer's drive a bit shorter.

Palmer has a 9 iron in hand and hits a nice approach, but long. 65 feet for birdie.

Mel, takes a quick puff of a ciggy, hits his 9 iron to within 8 feet. He knows now, he's a winner.

A standing ovation greets all the players as they walk up 18. Al Mighty dumped his approach in Swiliken Burn, makes bogey and finishes at -4(212). Henry, who actualy did bogey 17, gets up and down from 20 feet. A back nine 41 for him and a -2(214) week.

Palmer gives it a world class effort, but it slides two feet right. A tap in for a 67 today and -8(208) week, second place to himself.

Mel reads the putt, swings, and sinks it to win. The stagger he had all afternon melts in a warm smile. Handshakes all around. Two under 70 today, -11(205) for the week.

Mar Mel, Winner of the McKee/Merriman Cup, Founder's Champion, and first player in The FOFC Masters.

[vtbub]

Final boards up a bit later.

[vtbub]

1945 BST FOFC SPORTS FGT TOUR
THE FOUNDERS CHAMPIONSHIP

NAME SCORE HOLE/FINAL

M.Mel -11 70 6
D.Palmer -8 66 5
A.Mighty -4 71 4
A.MacHaggis -2 73 2
T.Henry -2 76 2
A.Tucker -2 71 2
--------POINTS------------
M.Jones -1 74
S.Juckett E 74
D.Gonzalez E 69
S.Kormelink +1 72
T.Whitt +1 72
J.Eckberg +3 74
K.Ton +3 75
------MONEY---------------
R.Juckett +4 76

[korme]

Man, 2 bogeys in the back 9, but still -2 on the day.

[KWhit]

+1. I can live with that.

[kingfc22]

2nd best rd. of the final day is something that I can build on.