L-R: Silver medallist Henrik Stenson, Gold medal winner Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar, the bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Picture by STAN BADZ / PGA TOUR

JUSTIN Rose has backed plans to postpone the Tokyo Olympics for 12 months – even though the winner of the Gold Medal in Rio four years ago won’t be guaranteed a trip to Japan in 2021.

This summer’s Olympic Golf tournament was due to be held at the Kasumigaseki Country Club, whose East Course had been updated by Fazio Design, from July 30-August 2.

But the Internatinal Olympic Committee announced yesterday (Thursday) it was postponing the 2020 Games after weeks of speculation about whether they would go ahead in Japan, in late July and early August.

Rose, who beat Henrik Stenson (silver) and Matt Kuchar (bronze) to take golf’s Gold in Rio de Janeiro, needs to be in the top 15 of the world to automatically qualify for a place on the plane to the Far East.

The 2013 US Open winner agreed the current situation across the world with the coronavirus crisis was creating an unlevel playing field in certain sports, especially athletics.

Rose, a member at North Hants Golf Club, said: “Some countries were in total lockdown. In other countries, athletes were able to train as normal.

“With golf, your whole calendar is very focused on one week, to the next week, to the next week.

“Whereas in many sports, especially track and field, it’s a two-year process trying to gear into the Olympics, so I have a lot more sympathy for some of those athletes.

“The Olympics has been a huge gift in my career. It’s something that I’ve been so proud of and it was so fun to be a part of.

Rose punches the air after holing the winning put at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Picture by STAN BADZ “The

“The opportunity to win another one would be huge.

“It’s something that’s really resonated with golf fans. I’ve been announced on the first tee for the best part of four years as Olympic champion and it definitely warms the insides every time I hear it.”

Rose has slipped from first to 14th in the world rankings over the last year, missing three of his last four cuts.

The player crowned European No. 1 in 2007, before moving the USA, has been without a top-three finish since last June’s US Open – six years after he famously won his first Major at Merion, on Father’s Day.

Rose is staying at his home in the Bahamas during the current PGA Tour shut down.

He has been working on his game and hopes golf can be one of the first sports to return when the COVID-19 threat is quelled enough.

Justin added: “I wasn’t playing particularly well when things got called off.

“There were certainly areas of my game which need some attention, and I’m also viewing it as an opportunity to work on my fitness and try to make some gains.

“I want to be tournament ready when we do get back to playing.

“I’m lucky to have a simulator and a putting green in my garage, so I can work on some of the technical side of the game but nothing simulates actually playing golf.

“We have a huge advantage being an outdoor sport and in terms of close proximity, you have your caddie but that’s a personal relationship that you can control.

“Obviously if you’re playing a contact sport, you don’t have a lot of control over what the other guys do.

“The world needs it, especially if there are lots of people still stuck at home having to isolate.

“A bit of sport would be a good thing, and if golf was the first sport back, it would create a bit of a buzz and maybe find a new audience.”

Race to qualify for Tokyo suspended

GOLF returned to the Olympics in Brazil four years ago after an absence of 112 years – and the race to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics was about to hot up until the COVID-19 crisis put all golf tournaments on lockdown.

Rose, who has been World No. 1 for a total of 13 weeks during his career, would currently qualify to play alongside Tommy Fleetwood if the qualifying period had ended this week.

Justin was ranked in 14th place when the Official World Golf Rankings were suspended on March 20 –because of the shutdown of the two biggest tours in the world – the PGA and European Tours – while Fleetwood is in 10th spot.

Buckinghamshie’s Tyrrell Hatton – who claimed his maiden PGA Tour win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in the last event to be completed in the USA before the coronavirus crisis cancelled all golf in America – was in 21^st place when the freeze was announced a week ago.

Up to four players from the same country can compete in the Tokyo Games in 2021 – providing they are in the world’s top 15 at the end of the qualifying period.

Surrey’s Paul Casey, who grew up playing against Rose as a junior in county matches in the mid 1990s – they have also played as a pairing for England in Golf’s World Cup – is the next highest ranked Englishman in 24th place.

Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick, a place further back in the OWGR, will be harbouring ambitions for the Tokyo Olympics now that he has another 12 months or more to qualify for the England team.

For 42-year-old Casey and Rose – who turns 40 in July – it realistically represents their last chance at Olympic glory, with the likes of Fleetwood, Hatton and Fitzpatrick – all in their 20s – having time on their side.

North Hants GC member Justin Rose with wife Kate and mum Annie (right) after collecting his Gold Medal in Brazil four years ago. Picture by WARREN LITTLE

Proud mum and wife watched Rose win in Rio

JUSTIN Rose’s mum admitted it was hard to believe her son had been crowned an Olympic champion after watching his triumph in Rio four years ago.

Annie Rose, who still lives in Hook, where Justin was raised. admitted she found it hard to believe it was her son that had claimed golf’s first Gold Medal at the Olympic Games for 112 years, in July 2016.

Rose’s mother and his wife Kate watched every shot of the former Hampshire junior’s nerve-jangling battle with Henrik Stenson before his one-shot victory in Rio was secured on the 72nd hole.

The moment was made extra special when the Roses learned that Sunday had been Father’s Day in Brazil.

Rose’s father Ken, who died from leukaemia in 2002, spent so much time by his son’s side during his rapid rise from playing junior golf at Hartley Wintney, Tylney Park and North Hants, to finishing fourth in the 1998 Open as an amateur.

It was also Father’s Day in the United States when Rose won the 2013 US Open, at Merion – when Justin pointed to the sky in Ken’s memory after holding the winning putt in Pennsylvania.

Proud mum Annie said: “That was so good and to see my son out there.

“He worked so hard on his golf ever since he was little and to see him playing in an Olympics was enough as it was – and then to actually top it off with the gold…

“When I was a little girl growing up, who would ever have thought I would have a child who was a gold medallist? That actually puts it into perspective.

“Justin absolutely loved being here, Kate has, we all have and really embraced it. It’s wonderful that you can play for your country like this.”

The Rose family will now be hoping to be watching Justin again at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Olympic will become golf’s pinnacle says wife

ROSE’S wife Kate is an ex-gymnast, who competed for Britain at international level in acrobatic gymnastics, which was not an event at the Rio Games – and will not be at the Tokyo Olympics.

Kate, who lives with Justin in the Bahamas as well as having a home by the River Thames, in Putney, said: “I grew up watching the Olympics and that was the pinnacle of my sport.

“Obviously a lot of golfers didn’t have that so maybe it was a little slower for some of the golfers.

“But I think certainly the next generation will probably grow up thinking of the Olympics as a pinnacle of golf.

“I think anyone that has been here will also now view the Olympics very differently,” added Kate, mum to Leo and Charlotte, who has recently started playing golf with her older brother.

“Golf in the Olympics is a very special experience and one that I hope will get to continue, even beyond Tokyo.”

EDWARDS TO LEAD GB GOLF GOLD BID IN TOKYO

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Justin Thomas loves playing links golf for the variety of shots he is forced to play… but the 2017 USPGA Champion admits he has yet to fully work out what the best strategy is as he prepares for the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JUSTIN Thomas is determined to solve the conundrum of links golf when he makes his Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open debut at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian.

The American Major winner has taken full advantage of the glorious surroundings of Scotland’s Golf Coast, enjoying a round with his father and compatriot Kevin Kisner, at North Berwick, before teeing it up a few miles along the coast in the third Rolex Series event on the 2019 Race to Dubai, which starts today (Thursday).

The World No. 9 made his European Tour debut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship six years ago, but did not make it to Sunday and has missed the cut at The Open Championship in the past two seasons.

But the 26-year-old insists that he loves links golf and is relishing the test posed at The Renaissance Club this week.

Thomas, the 2017 USPGA champion, said: “I really, really do love links golf.

“In terms of if I could play one golf course every day for the rest of my life it would probably be a links golf course over here because you can play the same course and it can play so different every single day and every week.

“That part is enjoyable. You have to hit so many different kind of shots and you have to have a lot of imagination.

“But that being said, I haven’t been very successful on links, for as much as I do enjoy it, and feel that I can play it well.

“I just obviously haven’t figured it out totally. So, this is why we felt like it was the best decision to come to the Scottish and to get at least one more round, tournament, under our belt before next week.

“North Berwick was very enjoyable. We were lucky they let us go out. My dad got to play, too and always entertaining playing with Kis.

“Us three went around, got our trollies, played for about three hours and had a pint after. It was a great way to spend our first day here.”

Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy is also eyeing a maiden win in Scotland as he tees it up at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open for the second time in three years – after opting to miss last week’s trip to Lahinch for the Irish Open, having been the tournament host since 2015 through his charitable foundation, which has now been wound up.

The Northern Irishman has 13 European Tour wins to his name, but victory at The Renaissance Club – sandwiched between Muirfield and Archerfield – would bring his first Rolex Series title, in the week before he contests The Open Championship in his homeland.

McIlroy, who will be seekng his first Major win since 2014 when he plays at Royal Portrush next week, said: “I’m playing this event with two eyes firmly focused on the Scottish Open.

“First and foremost, I want to play well here. I want to get myself into contention and have a chance to win a golf tournament.

“I think if I do that, that’s the best way to prepare for next week. You know, get yourself into contention. Feel the heat of getting in there on Sunday and trying to play some good golf.

“I would definitely like to win here. I’m here fully focused on this event. I think most tournaments deserve to stand on their own two feet and have some stature, and the Scottish Open is one of these events on the European Tour.

“It’s a big event. A lot of prize money, a lot of points. So, it deserves to stand-alone and not just be this tournament that’s attached on to the week after.”

Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler is looking forward to continuing his love affair with Scotland’s national open after tasting victory just along the coast in Gullane in 2015.

And never having finished outside of the top 10 in his four previous appearances. Fowler is grouped with McIlroy and up-and-coming Scottish star Robert MacIntyre in today’s first round – and he’s relishing the prospect of playing in front of Scottish crowds again.

Despite being a new venue for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, American Matt Kuchar has played a number of rounds on the East Lothian venue in recent years. He is back for his ninth appearance in this event and is aiming to go one better than his runner up finish behind Fowler in 2015.

Fowler said: “Looking forward to it. I got to see Bob MacIntyre on Monday and we had a little challenge together, the 14-club challenge.

“We had some fun doing that together. Obviously he’s a great player and looking forward to playing alongside him. I’m sure we’re going to have some good crowds.

“I get a lot of local support, which I definitely appreciate. I think they can see how much I love not just the game of golf, but links golf and being over here, choosing to play here the week before The Open.

“This is always a fun week for us.”

Matt Kuchar,who defended his par-three title in Tuesday’s Hero Challenge, said: “Excited to be here. I played Renaissance Club a couple of fun times in previous years, it’s a fun golf course.

“Have just really enjoyed coming to the Scottish Open over the years, whether it be Loch Lomond or Gullane or any of the other courses we’ve played.

“It’s been a great experience and made many great friends here and always a lot of fun to return.”

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Hero Challenge winner Matt Fitzpatrick, who beat Matt Kuchar at The Renaissance Club as the American tried to defend the title he won at Edinburgh Castle a year ago.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Fitzpatrick made the perfect start to his week at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open as he won the Hero Challenge title at The Renaissance Club, on Tuesday night.

The 2016 Ryder Cup player defeated Matt Kuchar, who won last year’s Hero Challenge at Edinburgh Castle, in the final of the fast and fun night golf contest, held on a specially-constructed tee at the par three 15th hole.

Fitzpatrick, taking part in his second Hero Challenge, defeated 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell in their semi-final, which went to a nearest-the-pin play-off, as Kuchar beat Lucas Bjerregaard in the other, which also required a sudden-death shootout.

“It was good fun out there, I had to do it the hard way.” said Fitzpatrick. “It was great to get the win, it suits me having to hit low shots.

“Matt is a great player, obviously he won the Hero Challenge last year, but he’s a proper golfer. The whole evening was really good fun.

“It was nice go out there on a Tuesday night and get the crowd fired up for the week ahead.

“My caddie and I walked the course this afternoon when the weather wasn’t too good, so to see so many people out there supporting us was great.”

Fitzpatrick was presented with the trophy by Dr Pawan Munjal, the chairman, managing director and chief executive of Hero MotoCorp – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters.

Also taking part in the second Hero Challenge of the 2019 season were Buckinghamshire’s Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton, and former World No. 1 Justin Thomas, the 2017 USPGA Champion.

Dr Pawan Munjal, chief executive of Hero MotoCorp and European Tour head Keith Pelley (second right) with (left to right) Tyrrell Hatton, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas and Lucas Bjerregard. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

It’s the fourth successive season in which the British Masters was preceded by the Hero Challenge, the innovative event having made its debut in 2016 at The Grove.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes place at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick for the first time.

One of the latest additions to the famous stretch in East Lothian known as Scotland’s Golf Coast is hosting the third Rolex Series event of the year.

Tickets for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which gets udner way on Thursday, are available here.

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Matt Kuchar is currently top of the Fed Ex rankings on the PGA Tour and returns to Scotland to defend his Hero Challenge Open before the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick, on Tuesday night. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Kuchar is back to defend his Hero Challenge title after confirming he will tee it up for the second time in the fast and fun night golf contest in Scotland tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Hero Challenge is the curtain raiser for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club, which borders the famous Muirfield links.

Kuchar will defend his title against Hero Challenge debutant at two-time European Tour winner Lucas Bjerregaard, and the returning Matt Fitzpatrick, who played in his first Hero Challenge in 2017.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregard was knocked out of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in the semi-finals at Austin, Texas, in March. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

The trio join Major winners Graeme McDowell and Justin Thomas and 2018 Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton in the exhilarating event, which will be held in the stunning surroundings of the par three 15th hole at the Tom Doak-designed Renaissance Club.

Kuchar, who currently leads the US PGA Tour rankings made his first Hero Challenge appearance ahead of last year’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, defeating compatriot Charley Hoffman in the final.

The American has enjoyed a strong start to the season in the United States, winning the Sony Open in Hawaii and recording two additional runner-up finishes.

He will be reunited with Dane Bjerregaard, who famously defeated Tiger Woods in the quarter-finals at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play earlier this season, going on to finish fourth after facing Kuchar in the semi-finals.

Yorkshire-raised Fitzpatrick adds further star power to the field and arrives in Scotland after coming close to his sixth title in just his fifth year on the European Tour, finishing runner-up at the BMW International Open last month.

The Hallamshire member, who won the Selborne Salver, at Hampshire’s Blackmoor GC, as an amateur 12 months before winning the 2013 US Amateur Championship, made his Hero Challenge debut in 2017 ahead of the British Masters at Close House.

Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick is one of six players to line-up for the 2019 Hero Challenge in North Berwick, along with Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Rickie Fowler. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Successfully debuting on the European Tour at the British Masters in 2016, The Hero Challenge then took place at the British Masters, Scottish Open and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, in 2017 and 2018.

Hero MotoCorp – the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation on the European Tour by extending the innovative event.

English star Tommy Fleetwood triumphed in the maiden Hero Challenge of 2019 at the Betfred British Masters in May, as the fast-paced shootout returned for a fourth season on the European Tour.

Fans can register for FREE tickets to see six of the world’s leading golfers battle it out for the second Hero Challenge title of the season at the Renaissance Club.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open once again takes its place as part of the Rolex Series – the premium category of tournaments on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, each with a minimum prize fund of $7 million.

Some of the world’s best golfers will tee it up at The Renaissance Club from July 11-14, including South Africa’s defending champion Brandon Stone, four-time Major Champion and current World No. 4 Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson who won the Open at Muirfield in 2016, Rickie Fowler who won the Scottish Open four years ago at nearby Gullane, and European Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter.

To register for free tickets for the Hero Challenge click here . Fans can buy Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open tickets from £18 here.

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Kevin Kisner put the disappointment of last year’s final defeat to beat Matt Kuchar in the WGC-Dell Technologies World Match Play Final. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

KEVIN Kisner claimed a maiden World Golf Championships title after triumphing over Matt Kuchar in the final of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

In the consolation match European No. 1 Francesco Molinari overcame Lucas Bjerregaard in an all-European battle to finish third.

Kisner, who finished runner-up to Bubba Watson in this event last year, went one better at Austin Country Club with a 3&2 win over his American compatriot.

That made it six wins in seven matches, and in the process became the first player to lift the trophy after losing his first match of the week.

Georgian native Kisner said: “I was thinking out there it might be the hardest match just because you have the physical aspect more than any other week.

“It was grueling, definitely, with the winds and the temperature today. Overall it was a long week, but I prevailed and I’m a World Golf champion.

“I just learned a lot from last year. I learned about preparation. I learned not to get too amped up for that final.

“You still have to come out and play golf. I don’t think either one of us played our best golf. But I drove it great all week with my Callaway driver, and it was a great week.”

Kisner’s opening defeat came to Englishman Ian Poulter, whom he later beat in a play-off decider to emerge from the group stage, and he had to beat another Ryder Cup hero – Molinari – in the semi-final to earn his place in the decider.

Having been two down with three to play, the reigning Race to Dubai Champion birdied the 16^th and 17^th holes to bring the match down the 18^th all square.

But a disappointing three-putt on the last ended the Italian’s hopes of a maiden World Golf Championships victory.

European No. 1 Francesco Molinari in action in the third and fourth place play-off match at Austin Country Club. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Molinari said: “Obviously it was a very good start and then I think we were both really struggling for energy a little bit on the back nine.

“It was a very long week but we tried to keep going. And I think I played very well on the front nine this afternoon, so maybe a bit of consolation after this morning.

“It’s just one of those days, too many mental mistakes and some really weird shots around the greens. But all in all it’s a positive week.

“Obviously it’s bittersweet right now. I think going into Augusta, it’s a good week. Clearly I need to get my short game a little bit sharper than this morning, but otherwise it seems pretty good.

“It was definitely a positive week. Just a shame about this morning on the back nine.

“I didn’t play my best game and made too many mistakes, and kind of gave it away once, and then managed to fight my way back and then gave it away again.

“But it’s golf and it’s a long week, and with seven rounds it can happen to be slightly off for a few holes. So, it’s positive in general.”

Kuchar, meanwhile, dispatched of Bjerregaard on the 18^th hole in a tight semi-final match in which the Dane was never ahead but was never more than one hole down.

The American’s birdie at the par five 16^th put him one ahead with two to play and, although Bjerregaard held his nerve with a birdie putt at the penultimate hole to take it down the last, a pair of closing pars meant Kuchar progressed.

Having been embroiled in a row with Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who swiped at a tap in and missed before Kuchar could give him the nod for a concession, which ultimately cost the European in Saturday’s quarter-final, the 2013 World Match Play champion was disappointed not to  become the first player since Tiger Woods to win the title twice.

Kuchar, who already has two wins in the 2019 season under his belt, said after losing to Kisner: “It was certainly not what I’m looking for. It’s tough to maintain the high level of play the entire tournament.

“You hope to do it and I feel like I’ve kind of built a game that I could rely on playing some good, steady golf.

“But I gave too many holes away. It’s one of the things I pride myself on is not ever giving holes away.

“I knew against Kisner I couldn’t do it, and he just plodded along and played good, steady golf, and let me make mistakes. And that was good playing by Kevin.”

Both Molinari and Bjerregaard – who beat 14-time Major winner Tiger Woods in the quarter-final – could take consolation from their best respective finishes in a World Golf Championships event.

Big-hitting Bjerregaard, the last man in the field, was unhappy after coming down hard from his high after beating Tiger Woods to make the last four.

“There’s a lot of confidence from this. Today sucks, I’ll be honest with you. I had a lot of confidence from yesterday and the group play.

“But today really sucks – I didn’t bring my game today, unfortunately and I just kept making mistakes all day.

“Fran made it hard. I didn’t put pressure on him, but he put a lot of pressure on me right from the start.

“It was not really my match. It’s been a brilliant week. Of course, I can’t stand here and say it’s been a bad week.

“We were 64 to start and I’m in the last four. But to lose twice in a day, that hurts.

“I had a good match against Kooch this morning, and gave him a little bit for his money down the last few holes, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that against Frankie today.”

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Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregard holed a monster eagle on 16 before Tiger Woods’ missed par putt put him in the last four. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

LUCAS Bjerregaard showed nerves of steel to beat his childhood hero Tiger Woods in an enthralling quarter-final and reach the last four of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club.

European No. 1 Francesco Molinari also progressed after another day of domination for the Italian.

Dane Bjerregard was fearless under the most intense of pressure as he faced his very first experience playing alongside the 14-time Major Champion in front of sell-out crowds in Texas,

He had already overcome his fellow Scandinavian Henrik Stenson in the round of 16 earlier in the day.

It was a rip-roaring afternoon encounter, as Bjerregaard showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion, opening with a birdie to go one up.

Woods picked up three successive birdies to take a two-hole lead by the fifth, but the 27-year-old pulled it back to all square by the 10th.

A double-bogey at the 11^th set him back again but the real turning point came at the par five 16^th, where Bjerregaard drained a monster eagle putt to level the match going down the par three 17^th.

He stood firm again to hole a tricky putt and match Woods’ tap-in birdie before the game went down the final hole.

After the American found the bunker with his second, Bjerregaard gave himself an 18-footer to win.

Although he missed, it was game-set-match when Woods’ six-foot par putt slipped by. Bjerregaard will face Matt Kuchar in Sunday morning’s semi-final after he dispatched of Sergio Garcia in the quarter-final.

The 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links champion said: “It’s up there with my best days, that’s for sure. We had a great match, it’s a shame it had to end like this.

“It really didn’t deserve that. Obviously I’m happy to come out on the winning side. But we had a great match and I really, really enjoyed playing with him today.

“I’ve never played with him before, so it was a cool experience for me and obviously to say I’ve beaten Tiger, there’s not a lot of guys that can say that, so it’s up there.

“It’s so different to what I’ve ever experienced before. And I’ve played with some good golfers before.

“But I’ve never heard so many yell his name and all the stuff all the way around. And it was really cool to experience.

“I actually thought it was really enjoyable. But it must be hard, as well, doing that every day.

“The support out there was great. A lot of people yelling my name as well, and having a bit of fun with it. So there was support for me as well.”

Molinari, meanwhile, continued his remarkable week by beating Kevin Na 6&5, meaning all but one of his victories this week finished before the 16^th hole.

He has not yet played the 18^th this week. The reigning Race to Dubai Champion, who had beaten Paul Casey 5&4 to reach the last 16, will face last year’s runner-up Kevin Kisner – who took out Louis Oosthuizen in the quarter-finals – in the final four.

Last year’s Open Champion said: “I just played very well from the start. Kevin birdied the first and then after that just played very well and made a few putts, and didn’t make too many mistakes.

“It was playing tricky this afternoon. I’m glad it’s over now. I played great today, given the conditions. I would say a lot better than this morning.

“He birdied the first and then after that just started birdieing a few holes in a row, and just tried to keep pushing, like this morning.

“I think it’s really important at this level, even if you’re three or four up early, to keep going because matches can turn very easily.

“So again, I did that very well and I’m very happy with my performance.

“I’m just trying to play my own game as much as possible, not look too much at what they’re doing. I think in the past one of the mistakes I made was to get too hung up on what the other guy was doing on the course.

“In the end if you hit fairways, hit greens, make a few putts here and there, try not to drop any easy shots, you’re going to be pretty hard to beat.”

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