Monday 6 July 2015 16:58, UK
From impressive performances to unusual techniques, we look at five of the talking points from the weekend's action.
Encouragement for Tiger
Woods may continue to slide down the world rankings, but the former world No 1 won’t be too bothered about the number next to his name after a much-improved display at the Greenbrier Classic.
A first bogey-free round since August 2013 saw the now world No 226 end the week in a tie for 32nd, with Woods analysing his performance in West Virginia as “the best he’s hit it in a very long time.”
While we’re still some way from seeing Woods back to the level that made him a 14-time major champion, his display was a noticeable improvement to the ones which had seen him card three 80+ rounds in his previous six tournaments.
Next up for Tiger is a trip to St Andrews, a venue where he has lifted two his three Claret Jugs. He couldn’t do it again, could he?
Who needs a putter?
Robert Streb must have feared the worst in West Virginia when a careless throw of the putter towards his bag after completed the ninth in par ended with a broken shaft base.
Heading to the back nine just one off the pace but without a usable flat stick, the American resorted to putting with his sand wedge and had plenty of success in doing so.
After an impressive par-save at the 12th, Streb rolled in a long birdie putt at the 13th and picked up two more strokes in his closing holes to force his way in to a four-man play-off.
Streb didn’t get a chance to using his replacement putter in extra holes after finding the rough off the tee, but is the latest player to prove there are other clubs that can be used on the greens.
Time for a change for GMac
For the first time since October 2009, Graeme McDowell begins the week outside of the world’s top 50 after another missed cut.
The Ryder Cup star was targeting a third consecutive Open de France title, but admits he needs to go back to basics to improve his game after a second round 78 saw him suffer an early exit at Le Golf National.
McDowell still just has the solitary top-10 finish so far this year, with the Northern Irishman some way off the player that claimed four titles in 14 months over the previous two years.
Where does GMac go from here? Well, he makes an immediate return to action at this week’s Scottish Open, knowing he has little time to improve his form ahead of next week’s Open.
Star in the making?
It was hard not to get carried away by the performance of Irish amateur Leona Maguire in the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters last week, who only missed out on a play-off after a bogey on the 72nd hole.
The 20-year-old from County Cavan is ranked the top amateur in the world and despite beginning Sunday four strokes adrift of the lead, impressed with a string of birdies throughout the final round to take second spot.
Maguire, who told reporters that she “wasn’t at her best” despite the strong display, has just completed her first year of university in the United States and plans to complete her course before turning professional.
If her performance at Denham is anything to go by, it won’t be long until the Irishwoman is competing for silverware on a regular basis.
Hull horror show!
Heading in to the weekend within two strokes of the lead, Charley Hull wouldn’t have expected what was to follow during the final two rounds at Buckinghamshire GC.
The 19-year-old nosedived down the leaderboard in her bid for a second Ladies European Tour title, posting four bogeys in five holes during a third round 77 before sliding further away with a closing 78.
Hull showed clear signs of frustration as her hopes of victory faded, eventually having to settle for a tied-41st finish. Not the strong showing the teenager had hoped for ahead of this week's US Women's Open
