Giant slays Demon, but Walton stuns former world No.1
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Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Until I'm 50': Aussie star's long-term reveal
The frustration of 'scratchy' putting and a wayward final swing that cruelled Jason Day late in the opening round of the $30m BMW Championship wasn't enough to curb a growing enthusiasm that he could 'play until I'm 50', with his body finally coming to the party in his 18th season on tour. Day, the only Australian left in the PGA Tour playoffs, was in a share of the early lead in the second event in steamy conditions in Maryland, needing to stay close to the top of the leaderboard to progress to the season-ending tour championship, before back-to-back bogeys on his closing two holes. The former world No.1 finished at two-under par, six shots behind Scottish star Robert McIntyre, who blitzed the field with a stunning opening round of eight-under 62, including six-straight birdies to finish, to lead by four shots. Day knows he's walking a tightrope to stay alive in the playoffs, and his opening round lifted him 15 places on the live FedEx Cup rankings and into the top 30 who will play at Eastlakes. 'I mean, it is on my mind but not really,' he said after his opening 68 at the Caves Valley Golf Club. 'Obviously I've just got to play well. If I don't play well, then I'm going home. There's no in between. As I was saying before, it's either I'm in East Lake or I'm out, and my playoffs are done. 'That's the biggest thing for me is just to try to get myself into position to be able to at least win here this week because thinking about just getting inside the top 30, it's never a good combination. You've got to go out there and try and win this week, and if it falls your way, then great. The win would take care of everything.' But Day, who slumped to as low as 150 in the world in 2022 as injuries hampered his capacity to compete at the top level, won't be defined by his finish this season despite the riches at stake. Having rebuilt his swing and his body to once again take on the world's best, the 37-year-old father of five is looking at his golf through a longer lens. 'I'd love to be someone that's always dialled and on. I've had my moments where I've been dialled and on, and a career is very, very long, and it's hard to stay … it's hard to do what Rory has done for a long time and it looks like what Scottie Scheffler is doing right now. It's very hard to do that,' he said. 'But with that being said, going through what I went through with my body and then finally feeling like I'm out of it now and I feel very healthy, that's always a positive. 'East Lake will be the end of my 18th season out here on the Tour, so that's quite a long time. I feel like if I can keep myself healthy, not only physically but also mentally, I feel like I can stay out here until I'm 50. 'Looking back on it, if you could say that I could spend another 12 years out here and say, 'Hey, man, you've been out on Tour for 30 years', I'm more than blessed. 'Yes, I do want to be out there and I do want to go through those feelings and emotions when you're close to the lead and playing really good week in and week out, and that's something that I'm trying to build back towards.'
The Advertiser
11-08-2025
- The Advertiser
Giant slays Demon, but Walton stuns former world No.1
It has been a bitter-sweet day for Australia's men at the Cincinnati Open, with Alex de Minaur's surprise loss more than offset by Adam Walton's stunning victory over a former world No.1. There was also a strong win for Alexei Popyrin as the players fine-tune their game before this month's US Open. Walton defied his world ranking of No.85 to beat Russian 12th seed Daniil Medvedev in three sets in the first meeting between the pair. Former world No.1 and 2021 US Open champion Medvedev appeared to be cruising to victory after taking the first set with a dominant performance in the tiebreak. However, Walton turned the match on its head to win 6-7 (0-7) 6-4 6-1 and set up a third-round encounter with Czech Jiri Lehecka, the 22nd seed. De Minaur's encouraging hard-court match towards the US Open ran into a surprise giant roadblock in Cincinnati at the hands of towering American Reilly Opelka. The Australian No.1, who has already won a title in Washington during the North American swing, had been hoping for another deep run at the Masters 1000 event in Ohio before the final grand slam of the year in New York. But despite having never lost previously to the 211cm Opelka, the tallest man on the ATP tour, "Demon'' found the giant too hot to handle on a sizzling Sunday as the world No.73 prevailed 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in their second-round clash. In better news for Australia, Popyrin, celebrating his first tournament as a top-20 player, defeated rising Spanish teenager Martin Landaluce 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to book a challenging third-round date with Russian Andrey Rublev, the No.9 seed. But de Minaur's defeat against a player he had defeated in their five previous meetings was the biggest disappointment with Flushing Meadows just around the corner. Opelka, always a dangerous customer with his big game, proved in scintillating form, determined to avoid the ignominy of losing all six matches to the same opponent for the first time in his career. Going for broke on de Minaur's serve, Opelka not only saved all seven break points he faced in the one-hour 41-minute contest but also blasted down 14 aces among his 38 winners, with the high bounce generated from his booming delivery often forcing the Australian to take the return above shoulder height. It was a rude shock for world No.8 de Minaur, who's had a Tour-leading 24 hard-court victories this season and who is hoping for the protection of a top-eight seeding in New York. He now has to hope that his nearest pursuers in the rankings don't have a big week in Cincinnati that could scupper that. "I didn't serve as well as I'd have liked to, but everything else was working," enthused Opelka, whose monster forehand proved a blistering weapon in the first-set tiebreak. "I was pretty consistent from the baseline the whole match. My serve fluctuated and it was a bit of a surprise that the other things came through well for me today. I think I returned really well too." In other second-round action, world No.2 and second seed Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the limit before beating Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur 6-1 2-6 6-3. German third seed Alexander Zverev thrashed home hope Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3 6-3, and Canadian Open winner Ben Shelton advanced when Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli retired injured. Shelton next faces Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat 32nd seed Cam Norrie, of Britain, 6-4 6-3 earlier in the day. - with Agencies It has been a bitter-sweet day for Australia's men at the Cincinnati Open, with Alex de Minaur's surprise loss more than offset by Adam Walton's stunning victory over a former world No.1. There was also a strong win for Alexei Popyrin as the players fine-tune their game before this month's US Open. Walton defied his world ranking of No.85 to beat Russian 12th seed Daniil Medvedev in three sets in the first meeting between the pair. Former world No.1 and 2021 US Open champion Medvedev appeared to be cruising to victory after taking the first set with a dominant performance in the tiebreak. However, Walton turned the match on its head to win 6-7 (0-7) 6-4 6-1 and set up a third-round encounter with Czech Jiri Lehecka, the 22nd seed. De Minaur's encouraging hard-court match towards the US Open ran into a surprise giant roadblock in Cincinnati at the hands of towering American Reilly Opelka. The Australian No.1, who has already won a title in Washington during the North American swing, had been hoping for another deep run at the Masters 1000 event in Ohio before the final grand slam of the year in New York. But despite having never lost previously to the 211cm Opelka, the tallest man on the ATP tour, "Demon'' found the giant too hot to handle on a sizzling Sunday as the world No.73 prevailed 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in their second-round clash. In better news for Australia, Popyrin, celebrating his first tournament as a top-20 player, defeated rising Spanish teenager Martin Landaluce 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to book a challenging third-round date with Russian Andrey Rublev, the No.9 seed. But de Minaur's defeat against a player he had defeated in their five previous meetings was the biggest disappointment with Flushing Meadows just around the corner. Opelka, always a dangerous customer with his big game, proved in scintillating form, determined to avoid the ignominy of losing all six matches to the same opponent for the first time in his career. Going for broke on de Minaur's serve, Opelka not only saved all seven break points he faced in the one-hour 41-minute contest but also blasted down 14 aces among his 38 winners, with the high bounce generated from his booming delivery often forcing the Australian to take the return above shoulder height. It was a rude shock for world No.8 de Minaur, who's had a Tour-leading 24 hard-court victories this season and who is hoping for the protection of a top-eight seeding in New York. He now has to hope that his nearest pursuers in the rankings don't have a big week in Cincinnati that could scupper that. "I didn't serve as well as I'd have liked to, but everything else was working," enthused Opelka, whose monster forehand proved a blistering weapon in the first-set tiebreak. "I was pretty consistent from the baseline the whole match. My serve fluctuated and it was a bit of a surprise that the other things came through well for me today. I think I returned really well too." In other second-round action, world No.2 and second seed Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the limit before beating Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur 6-1 2-6 6-3. German third seed Alexander Zverev thrashed home hope Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3 6-3, and Canadian Open winner Ben Shelton advanced when Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli retired injured. Shelton next faces Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat 32nd seed Cam Norrie, of Britain, 6-4 6-3 earlier in the day. - with Agencies It has been a bitter-sweet day for Australia's men at the Cincinnati Open, with Alex de Minaur's surprise loss more than offset by Adam Walton's stunning victory over a former world No.1. There was also a strong win for Alexei Popyrin as the players fine-tune their game before this month's US Open. Walton defied his world ranking of No.85 to beat Russian 12th seed Daniil Medvedev in three sets in the first meeting between the pair. Former world No.1 and 2021 US Open champion Medvedev appeared to be cruising to victory after taking the first set with a dominant performance in the tiebreak. However, Walton turned the match on its head to win 6-7 (0-7) 6-4 6-1 and set up a third-round encounter with Czech Jiri Lehecka, the 22nd seed. De Minaur's encouraging hard-court match towards the US Open ran into a surprise giant roadblock in Cincinnati at the hands of towering American Reilly Opelka. The Australian No.1, who has already won a title in Washington during the North American swing, had been hoping for another deep run at the Masters 1000 event in Ohio before the final grand slam of the year in New York. But despite having never lost previously to the 211cm Opelka, the tallest man on the ATP tour, "Demon'' found the giant too hot to handle on a sizzling Sunday as the world No.73 prevailed 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in their second-round clash. In better news for Australia, Popyrin, celebrating his first tournament as a top-20 player, defeated rising Spanish teenager Martin Landaluce 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to book a challenging third-round date with Russian Andrey Rublev, the No.9 seed. But de Minaur's defeat against a player he had defeated in their five previous meetings was the biggest disappointment with Flushing Meadows just around the corner. Opelka, always a dangerous customer with his big game, proved in scintillating form, determined to avoid the ignominy of losing all six matches to the same opponent for the first time in his career. Going for broke on de Minaur's serve, Opelka not only saved all seven break points he faced in the one-hour 41-minute contest but also blasted down 14 aces among his 38 winners, with the high bounce generated from his booming delivery often forcing the Australian to take the return above shoulder height. It was a rude shock for world No.8 de Minaur, who's had a Tour-leading 24 hard-court victories this season and who is hoping for the protection of a top-eight seeding in New York. He now has to hope that his nearest pursuers in the rankings don't have a big week in Cincinnati that could scupper that. "I didn't serve as well as I'd have liked to, but everything else was working," enthused Opelka, whose monster forehand proved a blistering weapon in the first-set tiebreak. "I was pretty consistent from the baseline the whole match. My serve fluctuated and it was a bit of a surprise that the other things came through well for me today. I think I returned really well too." In other second-round action, world No.2 and second seed Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the limit before beating Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur 6-1 2-6 6-3. German third seed Alexander Zverev thrashed home hope Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3 6-3, and Canadian Open winner Ben Shelton advanced when Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli retired injured. Shelton next faces Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat 32nd seed Cam Norrie, of Britain, 6-4 6-3 earlier in the day. - with Agencies
Perth Now
11-08-2025
- Perth Now
Late blooming Rose wins playoffs opener in a playoff
Justin Rose has birdied four of the last five holes of the FedEx St Jude Championship in regulation then birdied the third playoff hole to capture the first leg of the PGA Tour's season-ending, three-tournament playoffs. Englishman Rose's magical finish in regulation -- birdies at 14, 15, 16 and 17 -- allowed the 45-year-old veteran to pass 54-hole leader Tommy Fleetwood and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and join J.J. Spaun, the reigning US Open champion, in the playoff. "That was an amazing last 90 minutes," Rose said. "I never stopped believing. I played unbelievable golf coming down the stretch." Famously beaten by Rory McIlroy in a playoff at the Masters in April, Rose shot three-under 67 to finish at 16-under 264 and Spaun had a 65 to join him in the playoff at TPC Southwind in Memphis on Sunday. Scheffler (67) and Fleetwood (69) tied for third, one shot back. Rose and Spaun both had birdie putts on the first playoff hole lip out, forcing a return trip to No.18. On their second tries, they converted birdie putts with Spaun's coming from 30 feet. The hole location on 18 was changed for the third playoff hole and Rose dropped his birdie putt from 12 feet. Spaun's 7-foot attempt for birdie slid left of the cup. Rose won for the 12th time on the PGA Tour and became the first winner on Tour age 40 or older this season. His last Tour win came at the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He jumped from 25th to fourth in the FedEx Cup points standings behind leader Scheffler. The top 50 in the standings advance to the second round of the playoffs, the BMW Championship, which will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club at Owings Mills, Md., beginning Thursday. "When I bring my best, I know I'm good enough to play and compete," Rose said. "And to now win against the best players in the world, it's a very gratifying day for me and a lot of hard work coming to fruition." Jason Day was the lone Australian to advance to the BMW Championship, though he dropped from 37th to 44th in the standings after finishing tied 56th for the tournament at two over after a closing 72. Countrymen Min Woo Lee and Cam Davis did not make the cut. Lee fell to 57th as he finished tied 68th at 10 over ..and Davis stayed 69th as he tied 50th at even par Rose didn't play any practice rounds before the start of the St Jude and he skipped the Wednesday pro-am because of illness, but the absences didn't affect his play. He had a chance to win on the 72nd hole, but his 13-foot birdie putt slid past the hole forcing the playoff with the 34-year-old Spaun. He had the exact same putt on the first playoff hole. Spaun thought he had a solid opportunity to extend the playoff to a fourth hole with a 7-foot birdie attempt. "It (stinks) to miss a 7-footer, but tricky read and I pulled it a little bit," Spaun said. "But yeah, I hung in there the best I could, and he beat me to the hole first. Just wasn't meant to be."
