OPEN GURU LIFTS WOODLAND

GARY WOODLAND has hired Francesco Molinari’s English putting coach in a bid to win his first Major at the US PGA.

Southport-based Phil Kenyon is a part of the team which helped the Italian triumph at The Open last month. Kenyon started working with the American world No.44 at Carnoustie – and Woodland (circle) yesterday shot a 66 to set a new 36-hole scoring record at the US PGA on 10 under par.

“The putting was just the last piece of the puzzle,” he said. “When I see putts go in, I’m a completely different player, especially with as aggressive as I’m playing. So it was nice to get some work in with Phil at The Open, and then I’ve had a couple of weeks to work on it.” By the time Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods teed off, they were 10 shots off the pace of an American dominated leaderboard.

US Open champion Brooks Koepka (left) shot a 63. World No.1 Dustin Johnson (right) hit a 66 and is three of the pace in search of a second Major.