Shag Bag

DORAL, Fla. – Ernie Els’ long-time caddie was thrilled that it was his turn to be on the bag when the Big Easy won Sunday at the WGC-CA Championship, and now he’s hoping his boss has a change of heart and puts him on the bag for the Masters.

Ricci Roberts was on Els’ bag when Phil Mickelson birdied five of the last seven holes to beat Els at the 2004 Masters. The loss also deeply stung Roberts, who caddied for Els in all three of Els' major championship victories. But if Els makes another run at Augusta National this year, Roberts isn’t scheduled to be there.

Roberts, who has been on Els’ bag almost 18 years, is sharing caddie responsibilities this year with Dan Quinn, the former NHL player who became a good friend to Els after they met at the Honda Classic two years ago. Els likes the effect Quinn has on him and wanted to work him onto his team, so went through his schedule this year and divided up events, with Roberts and Quinn each scheduled to get 12 or so turns as caddies. Each is scheduled to do two majors.

Quinn is down to be on the bag for the Masters and the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Roberts for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and the British Open at St. Andrews.

“You never know, I might get that call for Augusta now,” Roberts said with a hopeful chuckle in the aftermath of the victory.

It's clear Roberts wants another shot at winning the Masters as badly as his boss does.

"I think he takes his game to Augusta with a fantastic chance," Roberts said.

A couple quick notes following the third round of the Puerto Rico Open. (Note: The final round will air today on Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET. Golf Central will air immediately following the tournament's conclusion.)

Kevin Streelman moved to 17 under to take the third-round lead by three strokes over Steve Wheatcroft, Kris Blanks and Chad Collins. The 17 under mark is a tournament record for 54-holes by four shots. Streelman’s only other third-round lead was in 2008 at the Barclays where he ultimately tied for fourth.

Derek Lamely, a Tour rookie, fired a course record 9-under 63 in the third round. The previous record of 64 was held by Bo Van Pelt (2008) and Matt Jones (2009). Lamely tied for 13th last year at the Puerto Rico Open.

Greg Kraft (2008) and Michael Bradley (2009) both won the Puerto Rico Open by one stroke and both currently have identical scores of 14-under 274.

Prior to today, the last time the full final round was played on Monday (unscheduled) was the 2009 RBC Canadian Open. This is the second Monday finish of the season (Bob Hope Classic).

John Daly shot 66 in the third round, his best round since a 66 at the 2009 Wyndham Championship in the first round.

DORAL, Fla. – PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem liked what he saw watching Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel tee off Sunday afternoon as the leaders of the WGC-CA Championship.

After a weak turnout with rain dousing the crowds earlier in the week, the weekend crowds swelled under a bright sun and all those swaying palms at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral.

Finchem, standing in the shade beside the first tee, wouldn’t guarantee Doral will continue to be home to a World Golf Championship event after this week, but he strongly expects it will.

Doral has been home to a PGA Tour tournament since 1962, longer than any other Florida Swing event. But CA’s contract as title sponsor of the WGC-CA Championship expires after this week. The Tour has two more years left under its current television deal.

“We anticipate that CA will make a statement in the next week of their intentions, but if their intentions don’t include staying with the tournament, I am totally confident,” Finchem said. “We’ve been talking to companies who want to do something with us. It’s a great event, great venue, great time of year, great field, tremendous international exposure this week. There’s work to be done, but I’m very confident.” 

The fact that CA is waiting until after the event ends to make its announcement doesn’t bode well for its continued sponsorship. That means another title sponsor could step in with an eye on moving the event.

“We could play other places, but we like playing here," Finchem said. "It works for our television package. It works as part of the Florida swing. We have some flexibility . . . My anticipation is strong that it will be here.”