News
Tour Rundown: Gutsy finishes all around
In Italian and Spanish, Montesano translates as Healthy Mountain. Well, duh, obviously…just look at me! This week, I become Montecalvo, or Bald Mountain, when I participate in Bald For Bucks to raise money for cancer research. Donations of all sizes are welcome, and you can support the cause by clicking this link.
Last week’s professional golf stretched from the gulf of Oman to Singapore, to Australia and New Zealand, across the Pacific Ocean to Arizona, and on to Florida. As much as any other week, it was an international game. For a complete rundown, keep your eyes on the screen and read on.
PGA Tour: Honda Classic to Mitchell in gutsy close
At the 2017 final regular-season event on the Web.Com Tour, Keith Mitchell failed to birdie the easy, par-5 closer, and just missed getting his PGA Tour card. His face told the story. During the playoffs, he played well enough to secure the card for 2018, albeit with less status.
On Sunday, the table turned 180 degrees. Tied with a couple of no-names (cough, Brooks Koepka; cough, cough, Rickie Fowler) on the 72nd hole. Mitchell made an unlikely birdie from a fairway bunker, and won by one stroke over the decorated duo. Having driven in the left fairway bunker, Mitchell eschewed a run at the green, and pitched some 84 yards to the short grass. His 130-yard approach settled 15 feet from the promised land. His putt never wavered, and an inaugural PGA Tour title was his.
No words.@K_m_Mitchell steps up to the plate and delivers @TheHondaClassic.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/csScf6KCF7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 3, 2019
European Tour: Oman Open has unexpected winner in Kitayama
Al Mouj did not lay down this week in Oman. The course and its surrounds tested the field with water, wind, and a round-delaying sandstorm. 36 holes were on offer Sunday, to conclude play. The closing marathon took its toll, as challengers fired and fell back. Along the coast where the gulf of Oman meets the Arabian sea, Al Mouj might have kept its trophy, were it not for the closing heroics of Kurt Kitayama. The young American birdied holes 16 and 17 in round four, at precisely the time when his competition found water, rocks, and everything unwanted over the watery, final stretch. What made his victory all the more improbable was his start early Sunday: quad-bogey-bogey-birdie-bogey.
After playing holes 37-41 in 6 over, Kitayama flipped a switch and played the next 31 holes in nine under. Playing together in the final group, Kitayama, Max Kieffer and Joachim Hansen came to the 72nd tee with a chance at victory. Hanson went to a watery grave off the tee, making bogey and dropping to T6. Kiefer had an uphill birdie putt to tie Kitayama, but left it well short after a case of line-obsession. Kitayama was able to calmly two-putt from 15 feet to secure his second European Tour title in four months. In a four-way tie for second, one behind Kitayama, were Kieffer, Jorge Campillo, Clement Sordet and Fabrizio Zanotti.
????????
Kitayama takes the lead with one hole to play.#OmanOpen pic.twitter.com/rsHk4Vjlse
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 3, 2019
LPGA: Sung Hyun claims Women’s World Championship with Sunday 64
Another week, another close call for Minjee Lee. These are the stretches that make or break a season, even a career. We’ll get to the winner in a moment, but Australian Lee is so close to a dominant stretch of victories. Here’s hoping that the coming weeks see her scale the mountain. At the top of this week’s podium, the winner of the Women’s World Championship, is another golfer with designs on the number-one ranking. Sung Hyun Park epitomizes the power game of the new generation of golfer. She hits it hard, far and straight! When she putts with precision, as happened during round four, well, 64s also happen.
Both golfers (Park and Lee) were clipped by a single Sunday bogey. It was the only blemish for Lee, against four birdies. Park simply went deeper: three consecutive tweets to begin her round, two more chirps by the seventh hole, and a quartet on the inward nine. Nine birdies on any day are a tough hand to counter, and Lee came up two strokes shy, at 13 under. Both golfers are inside the season points race’s top 10, with Lee at third and Park resting at sixth.
The final round of the HSBC Women's World Championship included a battle between @Rolex Rankings No. 1, 2 and 3 with No. 2 Sung Hyun Park prevailing.#HWWCGolf
Final round highlights ==> pic.twitter.com/jeS698Vjhw
— LPGA (@LPGA) March 3, 2019
PGA Tour Champions: Cologuard Championship ends 9-year victory drought for O’Meara
Did you hear the one about the professional golfer who birdied eight consecutive holes? On Friday, it was Mark O’Meara. After opening with par at the first, he didn’t make another until the 10th. Turning in 28, O’Meara slacked his way in with eight consecutive pars, then a bogey at the last. Despite the unconscious display of brilliance, all O’Meara had to show for his efforts was a tie for second, one shot behind Kenny Perry. As the leader tumbled on Saturday, O’Meara played a decent round (70) to take a one-shot lead over three golfers. With everything on the line on day three, O’Meara made eight birdies against one bogey for another 66, and claimed his first Champions Tour title since 2010, by four strokes over Willie Wood, Kirk Tribplett, Darren Clarke, and Scott McCarron.
Another one.
Mark O'Meara is putting on a clinic @CologuardGolf. pic.twitter.com/9Rj9TDsgEp
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) March 3, 2019
PGA Tour of Australasia: New Zealand Open to Murray by a whisker
Australia’s Zach Murray played a game of come-and-get-me; countryman Ashley Hall nearly did. Murray opened with 63-65, then closed with 70-68. His efforts reached 21-under par at 266. Hall lay like a lion in the bushes with 67-69-67, then burst home with 65 on Sunday. His 7-under effort on day four nearly caught the champion, but Murray’s early-week fireworks were enough to secure victory. Hall might have done the deed, save for a closing bogey at the par-4 home hole. Murray also made a mess at the last, with a bogey of his own. His eagle-birdie-birdie stretch on holes 13-15 kept the charging Hall at a distance, and established the winning margin.
It’s a beautiful day to try and win a golf tournament! ??????????????#NZOpen100 @NZOpenGolf @nzgolf pic.twitter.com/gRFyq58lu8
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) March 3, 2019
Ladies European Tour: Canberra Classic in touch with the Dutch
A weekend of 64-68 usually spells wonderful news for golfers, unless you find yourself pitted against Holland’s Anne Van Dam. That was the case for Slovenia’s Katja Pogocar, who entered the final round square with her rival. Her day-three work was a bit choppy, with six birds against three boges. As things went, it was just enough to hold off Jiyai Shin for outright second, by one slim stroke. The day and the week belonged to Van Dam, who secured her fourth tour title by following 63 with 65. The pair were tightly pitted as the closing stretch arrived, when Van Dam went to work. She closed with an eagle and two birdies over the final four holes, two shots better than her competitor. The final margin of victory was three strokes, thanks to the winner’s final-day, unblemished scorecard.
WATCH the highlights from the final round of the @ActewAGL Canberra Classic at the stunning @RoyalCanberra where Anne Van Dam and Katja Pogacar started the day tied for the lead ahead of Carly Booth#VisitCanberra @ALPGtour @VisitCanberra @AnneVanDam @katja_pogacar @CarlyBooth92 pic.twitter.com/KK5ZSDDuzG
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) March 3, 2019
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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