John Deere Classic / PGA TOUR / July 10-13, 2008
 

The LBG Leaderboard:

John Riegger 68-67=135 / -7 / T12

Jay Williamson 69-68=137 / -5 / T30

Brian Gay 72-66=132 / -4 / T44

Neal Lancaster 74-74=148 / MC


:salut:

Jay Williamson: One Back After 62
 

In what he described as "the best round of my life," Jay Williamson today shot a brilliant 9-under-par 62 in the third round. It was the low round of the tournament -- he posted a 29 on the back nine -- and it moved him to -14 (T4), one shot back of the three-way tie for the lead. Here's the post-round video from XM radio http://www.pgatour.com/video/?/video...son_xm.pgatour and the transcript of his press interview http://www.pgatour.com/2008/tourname...son/index.html.

I last worked with Jay on a windy afternoon in May at the AT&T Classic. Go here http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/gallery...ry.php?cat=541 and click on Practice Tee Chat With Jay Williamson.

Jay will be playing today in the next-to-last group with co-leader Kenny Perry, so tune in (CBS / 3 p.m - 6 p.m. ET) and root Jay home.

Other LBG notables also fared well on 'moving day':

John Riegger, after a fine 68, is at -10 and T12. Brian Gay followed yesterday's 66 with 69 and is at -6 and T41.

:golfcart2:

Thoroughbreds Out Of the Gate At the John Deere
 

Brian Gay has just turned in 4-under 31 and is currently -10 for the tournament (T17). John Riegger has opened with a birdie at the first and has moved to -11 (T11).

:toothy1:

Takin' Care Of Business
 

Brian Gay is now 5-under for the day through 13 (-11 / T11).

After a birdie-birdie start, John Riegger has bogeyed 3 and 4 and is back to even for the day (-10 / T20).

Jay Williamson has just teed off.

The game is on!

:golf:

Tied For the Lead!
 

Jay Williamson has birdied the first and is at -15 and tied for the lead. :salut:

Brian has just birdied 14 to go -6 for the day and T9. :happy3:

John has bogeyed three in a row and fallen back to -9 (T26). Aggghh! Turn on that birdie machine, John! :rambo:

Turning For Home
 

At the turn, Jay remains at -15 and one back.

Brian is done with a 5-under 66 -- :eyes: -- and 273 (-11 / currently T12).

After a 5-over stretch from #3-#6, John has birdied three of his last five holes and is now back to -10 (T18 ) .

The leaders are turning, and the wind is picking up . . .

Any Way You Can
 

Anybody else recognize the guy on Eric Axley's bag?

http://golf.about.com/od/thebigbreak/p/dondonatello.htm

Don Donatello is one of the thousands of very good players who, despite their talent, desire and work ethic, never get to tee it up on the PGA TOUR. In the end, some gain 'inside the ropes' access the only way they can . . .

So it is in The Land of the Meateaters.

:salut:

A Solid Week To Build On
 

With a dig-deep 2-under par 34 on the final nine, John Riegger is done at 71, even for the day and -10 (currently T19) for the tournament. This is a fine tournament for John -- he beat 137 of the world's best players and today made seven birdies.

On to Milwaukee!

P.S. Here's some exciting 'insider' news that will be of interest to LBG regulars: Our own Hennybogan http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/f...play.php?f=119 is now on John's bag. This is a great first week for the dynamic duo, and we wish them all the best in the coming weeks.

:salut:

Sudden Victory
 

Brad Adamomis -- Kenny Perry -- Jay Williamson.

At the close of regulation play, all tied at 268, 16-under-par.

To the 18th tee and Sudden Victory:

Two veterans.

One rookie.

Eleven PGA TOUR victories among them, all belonging to Perry.

On the tee, Jay Williamson . . .

Pressure At the Top
 

Brad and Jay have just knocked their second shots in the water. The former from the rough, the latter from dead solid perfect.

Pressure.

You feel it.

They feel it.

Absent a hole-out from the aforementioned, for the third time in five weeks, it's Kenny's tournament to win.

And There You Have It . . .
 

Kenny Perry is your winner.

Proof positive that nice guys can -- and do -- finish first!

:salut:

Congratulations to our LBG field (4.3 percent of the cut): Jay Williamson (T2 / $369,600); Brian Gay (T12 / $79,800); and John Riegger (T18 / $52,920). Thanks guys: It was fun watching you compete 'down the stretch' at the pinnacle of the game!

:)

Lynn, will Jay make the trip to the Open Championship?

U.K. Bound -- Leavin' On A Jet Plane
 

I haven't yet talked to him, but my assumption is that he is sitting on Mark Cuban's jet as we speak! http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfa...ban_jet_to.php

Chartered by the John Deere tournament committee to enhance the quality of their field, the jet is ferrying 23 professionals and their families from the Moline-Quad Cities Airport to Manchester, England, and Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

Jay's biggest problem is going to be getting his passport in time for the flight. He had planned on being in Milwaukee next week and didn't bring it with him!

:happy3:

Help me understand
 

...while Kenny hangs back in the States...I guess the chance for winning a Major isn't a big deal to Kenny....why bother going across the Big Pond and matching your skills with the greatest players in the world in Thee Major....oh but let me know if you need me for the Ryder Cup..since its here in the States and the course is to my liking...I'll be available. Sorry...but I just don't get it:)

Congrats to Jay on his 2nd place finish and getting a spot at Birkdale this week.
Alex

Pretty cool to see Henny and J.R. have a nice week together! Nice work to all LBG card holders!

Well, last year, it was wondering whether it would be Peek 'n' Peak next week. This is definitely a step up! :laughing9