News
Tour Rundown: Casey defends. Ko, Hend, Covello victorious too
Major championship season is on the horizon for many of the world’s tours. The ANA Inspiration is a fortnight off, while the Masters begins the following week. Golfers on all tours are sharpening their focus and risking all for the victories that will give them confidence as spring arrives across the country. With the PGA and Web.Com tours in the southeastern USA, the LPGA in Arizona, and the European Tour in Malaysia, Tour Flydown might be the more appropriate header, but we’ll continue running down the week’s results in this installment of Tour Rundown on GolfWRX.com.
PGA Tour: Casey defends title at Valspar Championship
If there’s an heir to Slytherin on the PGA Tour, it might be Paul Casey. The Englishman conquered the Copperhead course at Innisbrook for a second consecutive year, confirming his affinity for the serpent. His margin of victory, of one stroke, was identical to 2018, but his final round could not have been any different. Casey roared back last season with a 4th-round 65, overcoming Patrick Reed and a resurgent Tiger Woods.
In 2019, Casey posted 5 bogeys against 4 birdies, but his one-over 72 was good enough to defeat Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Kokrak. The top three finishers struggled at the end, each playing the final 3 holes in +1. Kokrak’s close was the harshest, as he bogeyed the last to fall from a tie with Casey. Dustin Johnson, who began the final round just one shot behind Casey, offered a milquetoast final day of 3 bogeys and 0 birdies, tumbling to a tie for 6th with Jon Rahm and Ryan Armour.
With the Masters just three weeks away, the eyes of the world watch the WGC match play this week in Austin, followed by the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. Golfers like Rahm, Bubba Watson, Johnson and Casey are rounding into enviable form, and each of them could don the green jacket next month.
What touch from @Paul_Casey.
Will he defend his title @ValsparChamp?#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/lgIcOEMdvH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 24, 2019
LPGA Tour: Ko’s klean kard earns Founders Cup win
Ko Jin Young might not have had Yu Liu in her sites on Sunday morning in Phoenix. The Korean pro sat 5 shots behind the leader, with ground to make up. 4 birdies in the first 11 holes brough Young a bit closer, but Liu showed no signs of dropping off, even if she also showed no signs of the form that brought her to the top spot after 54 holes.
In the closing hour, everything changed. Ko birdied holes 14-16 to reach 22-under par, knocking the Korda sisters (Nelly and Jessica) into 2nd place at 21 deep. Liu birdied the 15th to join Ko at the top, but made bogey at the last to drop out of a playoff for the title. Joining the Kordas and Liu in a four-way tie for 2nd was Spain’s Carlota Ciganda. The victory was Ko’s 3rd on the LPGA tour, and first inside the continental United States. The 2018 rookie of the year has now tossed her name into the mix for 2019 player of the year, at this early stage.
Jin Young Ko hit 16 greens in regulation on her way to a victorious bogey-free 65!
Ko's victory is the third of her short career, and her first in the U.S.A!
Check out her final round highlights now!
HIGHLIGHTS ?? pic.twitter.com/XC5PBhYlIp
— #DriveOn (@LPGA) March 25, 2019
European Tour: Hend hoists Maybank trophy after playoff victory
Australia’s Scott Hend rarely hits first from the fairway, but for three years, he was not the last to putt out. On Sunday, Hend survived a final-green, monster birdie putt from runner-up Nacho Elvira with a 2-putt par at the last. On the only playoff hole, Hend dropped a 7-feet birdie putt to claim the 2019 Maybank Championship in Malaysia. Elvira led the tournament after 54 holes, and hoped to garner a first-ever, European Tour title.
Instead, he added a 2nd playoff loss to his resume. The Spaniard’s final round could best be described as banal, as he paired one birdie with one bogey (the rest pars) until the antepenultimate hole. Elvira closed with birdies at 16 and 18, to move to 15-under par and give himself a shot at victory. Hend started Sunday in 3rd place, but birdied 5 of his first 9 holes to leap into contention. Like Elvira, he made bogey at 10, ending his birdie binge until the 13th green. David Lipsky of the USA began the day in 2nd place, but followed an opening birdie with a +4-in-3-holes stretch. He signed for 74 and dropped 11 spots, into a 13th-place tie.
The European Tour moves to the Indian Open next week, before taking a break until late April.
????? Every shot of the play-off between Scott Hend and Nacho Elvira.#MaybankChampionship pic.twitter.com/5Zwh5h3gyz
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 24, 2019
Web.Com Tour: Covello conquers Chitimacha in playoff win over Lower
Vince Covello and Justin Lower did not come from college golf hotbeds. The former cut his teeth at North Florida, while the later sharpened his skills at Malone (Ohio) University. Each golfer has journeyed far and near, in search of victory.
On Sunday, Covello earned vindication for the years of near-miss and dirt digging, marking birdie on the 3rd playoff hole to drop Lower into 2nd place. Lower sat at 21-under par after a 12th-hole birdie, but made bogey at 14 and 15, to fall to -19. In contrast, Covello was stuck far back at -17, before birdies at 16 and 18 brought him to a tie with Lower. For most of day 4, all eyes were on Argentina’s Fabian Gomez. The Platense birdied 9 of his first 12 holes, but none of his final 6. His scorching 62 left him 1 stroke out of the playoff, tied with Steve Marino for 3rd. Marino’s week went like this: 68-67-66-65. Now that’s the epitome of trending in the proper direction.
Don’t count out @VinceCovello.
The veteran makes birdie on 16 to pull within one of the lead @LouisianaOpen.
Lower -19 (16)
Zhang -18 (17)
Covello -18 (16)
Marino -18 (F)
Gomez -18 (F)#WebTour pic.twitter.com/COTN45qRRV— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) March 24, 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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