News

Sergio Garcia’s missed tap in putt leads to controversy in his match against Matt Kuchar at WGC-Match Play

Published

5 years ago

Mar 31, 2019

Emotions were running high during Saturday’s last sixteen match between Sergio Garcia and Matt Kuchar at the WGC-Match Play, with an incident on the seventh causing great contention.

Trailing by one, Garcia faced a seven-foot putt for par on the seventh green to win the hole, but when he saw his putt fail to drop and settle an inch or two away from the cup, the Spaniard hastily tapped the ball with the back of his putter and missed his bogey attempt. Despite Kuchar saying after that he would have conceded the putt had Garcia given him the opportunity, Garcia lost the hole.

Matt Kuchar did not have a chance to concede Sergio Garcia's second putt.

Therefore, Garcia lost the hole.

Kuchar told the official he wanted to give Garcia the putt, but that cannot be done retroactively. pic.twitter.com/AJFF8N5J7h

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 30, 2019

The situation didn’t seem to sit well with Garcia, who could be seen talking animatedly to Kuchar on the 10th hole, and his reaction to a missed putt on the eight green projected his frustration to all.

Sergio Garcia out there doing Sergio things again ???? #PGA pic.twitter.com/Bm6z8tSJvQ

— Jamie in Green Bay (@jamieingreenbay) March 30, 2019

Following the match, both Garcia and Kuchar shared their side of the story, and when asked about the incident on the seventh hole, the Spaniard admitted that he had “screwed it up”.

“It’s quite simple. I screwed it up, it’s as simple as that. Obviously I missed my putt and I kind of tapped it with the back of my putter before he said anything. Yeah, it’s a loss of hole. I understand that. The only issue that it was, was that Kooch was like, I didn’t see it good, but I don’t want to take the hole. I don’t want to do this like this. So I was like okay, it’s fine, what do you want to do? Because there are many options that you can do if you don’t want to take the hole, even though I’ve already lost that hole. But obviously he didn’t like any of the options that were there.”

Asked after the match, Kuchar shed further light on the incident and the options which Garcia alluded to, with the idea of conceding a hole to even things up following Garcia’s mistake not sitting well with the American.

“I kind of made a mess of things with the hole. Ended up making about a 15-footer for a bogey. Sergio had about a 10-footer, I think, for par. I made my putt, walked to the back of the green. Sergio I saw missed it. And as I looked up again, I saw he had missed the next one.

And I saw him off the green, I said, “Sergio, I didn’t say anything, I’m not sure how this works out.” I didn’t want that to be an issue. So I asked Robby Ware, I said, “Listen, I don’t know how to handle this, but I didn’t concede the putt, Sergio missed the putt.” Sergio said, totally his mistake. He knew he made a mistake. I said, I didn’t want that to be how a hole was won or lost. And he said, “Well, you can concede a hole.” I’m not sure I’m ready to concede a hole.”

Surprised by Kuchar’s admission that Garcia had suggested that he concede a hole to make things fair, the media then asked Kuchar to elaborate on what happened from that point. The 40-year-old then stated how he didn’t like Garcia’s idea and when asked what about the idea he didn’t like, Kuchar had this to say

“What didn’t I like about it? It’s hard to say other than I kind of just stuck to what the rules official said the rule was.”

Kuchar defeated Garcia 2 up and plays Lucas Bjerregaard in the semi-finals today, with their match teeing off at 9.20 AM ET.

What’s your take, WRXers?

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

41 Comments

Layton

Apr 1, 2019 at 1:44 pm

I don’t believe kuchar did anything wrong he did not concede the putt so sergio should have taken it more seriously. Yes I do believe he should have conceded a 2 inch putt sergio should have made a 2 inch putt i am a 25 handicap and have never missed that short of a putt but we all make mistakes.

Reply Report comment
Kuchsux

Mar 31, 2019 at 10:52 pm

No surprise that Kuckar didn’t give something to a Latino. He’s a big “build the wall” guy.

Reply Report comment
- DB
  
  Apr 1, 2019 at 9:21 am
  
  LOL. Garcia is Spanish. You know, descendant of the conquistadors who conquered Latin America.
  
  Reply Report comment
ST

Mar 31, 2019 at 10:36 pm

If the roles were reversed Garcia or most anyone else would be destroyed in the media.
Dig deeper, there is a lot out there showing what phony Kuch is.

Reply Report comment
Karls Barkley

Mar 31, 2019 at 8:36 pm

Glad Ku’cheapo didn’t get the dub ya!!

Reply Report comment
- Kuch Sucks
  
  Mar 31, 2019 at 9:35 pm
  
  Kuch is a douchebag.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Kuchisapunk
    
    Mar 31, 2019 at 9:38 pm
    
    I stopped buying bridgestone because of Kuch.
    
    Reply Report comment
San

Mar 31, 2019 at 7:50 pm

This is cut and dry?! Sergio messed up! It’s not about integrity or sportsmanship on Kuchs part. If an opponent makes a totally stupid mistake, heck no that shouldn’t mean one should concede a hole to even it up!your supposed to know better than to make stupid mistakes at that level!

Reply Report comment
- Bruce Reid
  
  Apr 1, 2019 at 9:49 am
  
  Totally agree. After reading the comments I understand we are a minority but rules are rules. Anyone other than Sergio would man up and go on
  
  Reply Report comment
Swirley

Mar 31, 2019 at 6:54 pm

I can’t wait for tomorrow where we get to see the Top 6 Instagram #golfwrx posts. Seriously.

Reply Report comment
Gmon

Mar 31, 2019 at 5:50 pm

Sergio has played plenty of Matchplay, he knows better!

Its ALL on him, as usual. Grow up, Sergio!

Reply Report comment
Benny

Mar 31, 2019 at 5:48 pm

Guys what went down happens ALL THE TIME in match play. It was a foot gimmy and its Kuchar who is the baby here. He was the one who went to the official. He was the one who said he didn’t concede. Kuchar was the one who asked what the rule is on this and ultimately he caused the penalty or reversed call.
I personally have lost any and all consideration with Kuchar. With what he said about to the caddy in respinse. Than the exploitation of that caddy’s livlyhood. The dude is selfish, snobby, uses others as jokes and will stab you in the back while taking the last penny in your pocket.
This is what Sergio was pissed about. It’s match play and short gimmies are gimmies. If Tiger did that NOTHING would have been said.
Kuchar sucks and I hope this hurts his persona even more. I would love to punch the dude right in his smug mug.

Reply Report comment
- Vince
  
  Mar 31, 2019 at 6:22 pm
  
  This is such baloney. There’s no controversy here, Garcia is 100% at fault for losing the hole….and that’s the end of the story. You dislike Kuchar which is your prerogative, but don’t spin your BS.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Matf el cheapo
    
    Mar 31, 2019 at 11:47 pm
    
    Vince , your wrong. Sergio would have made that putt 1 mil out of 1 mil times, that’s why putt is conceded. Matt cheapo could’ve continued to the next hole without calling in an official, but cheapo wanted to win at all cost.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Alex
  
  Mar 31, 2019 at 6:34 pm
  
  Totally agree mate. Kuch was trying to use the rule to his advantage. If he felt so bad he could have gone onto the next hole. Purposely called an official over to claim the hole and pretend to keep his nice guy persona. But there’s been too many times where he’s shown his selfishness already. Asked Westwood to putt from half a foot in a matchplay once just to try to have mind games, then the caddie situation and now this, can’t stand fakes who pretends to be a nice guy. Sergio would never have done what Kuch did, he gave Rickie a putt from 20 feet after all.
  
  Reply Report comment
Petrhenry

Mar 31, 2019 at 5:12 pm

Sergio made his mistake but Kuch had a chance to do the right thing and be a bigger man. He didn’t, a few years ago Sergio fave Rickie a good good when he was 4 feet away and Rickie was 20 feet away because he felt he took too long to play. Much less offense but he showed he’d rather lose than win without good sportsmanship. And like someone said in this thread, all over the world if someone misses from an inch like that when you were going to give the putt then u’d say it’s ok that was good. Kuch should have ar least given Sergio the putt on the next hole. Thay would show good sportsmanship without giving Sergio the hole instead of what Kuch showed, gamesmanship.

Reply Report comment
SV

Mar 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm

This happens all the time at golf clubs up and down the country – your opponent misses a tap in you were about to concede – and you ALWAYS give it to them afterwards. You are within your rights to take it, but you do the decent thing and let them have it – Matt should have done the same. Spirit of the game – not letter of the law

Reply Report comment
- Brice
  
  Mar 31, 2019 at 10:19 pm
  
  Oh yeah? Do they play for millions of dollars, FedEx Cup and OWGR points at “golf clubs up and down the country” or is it not the same at all? What an idiotic argument: “We do things differently at my local muni track during friendly matches! These tour pros should do the same!” Sergio messed up, Kuchar is under no obligation whatsoever to right that wrong. I bet you think every kid deserves a participation trophy too, right? Also I’m pretty certain those that have laid the blueprint for this game would’ve been on Kuch’s side 100%. You think Hogan and Snead would’ve rolled over and given someone a break after making a stupid mistake during competition? Not a chance.
  
  Reply Report comment
JP

Mar 31, 2019 at 5:00 pm

DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICE ON #16 when Sergio took the drop from the drainage grate he had his caddy come over and clean his ball with a towel before taking his free drop. Right in front of the rules official. Nobody said anything – What am I missing?

Reply Report comment
- CK
  
  Mar 31, 2019 at 6:31 pm
  
  You’re missing the fact that you can clean your ball when taking relief
  
  Reply Report comment
Brad

Mar 31, 2019 at 3:25 pm

I think the fault was with Sergio’s rash behavior, In this case it just went sour. I think Matt Kucher just didn’t have enough time to consider and utter a declaration of concession for the close putt. I have been following Matt Kucher’s career for many years and he has good traits. Honesty and talent iare two of his best traits. I agree you cannot concede something that already took place, i.e. the 2nd putt by Sergio.
Sergio, you are a great golfer, but Sometimes, sh-t happens. Suck it up and go on. No foul by Kuch on this one!

Reply Report comment
Tinker Hathead

Mar 31, 2019 at 3:00 pm

I would love to have something to fault Kuchar for but in this case he’s totally in the right. Sergio is doubly in the wrong for not waiting for the concession and missing a 4 incher, but also even asking Kuchar to GIVE him a hole for his f-up. Nothing shady about playing by the rules and you NEVER have to concede a putt so play as if it’s stroke play until u hear “pick it up.”

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Jose Pinatas

Mar 31, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Pay your Caddie Kuchar…..

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CrashTestDummy

Mar 31, 2019 at 1:35 pm

To me, there is no debate. There are specific rules for match play that should be upheld. The putt wasn’t conceded so he shouldn’t of hit it. Basic rule of match play. Everyone knows it and should follow it.

It reminds me of when Annika Sorenstam chipped in at the Solheim Cup and Kelly Robbins told her to replay the shot because she played out of turn. Sorenstam said it was unsportmanslike but playing in turn is a big part of the game. Robbins was well within her right to make her replay the shot and I didn’t think it was unsportmanlike at all. If anything, playing out of turn and sinking the chip to put pressure on the other player is borderline unsportmanlike.

Reply Report comment
Donna Keehn

Mar 31, 2019 at 1:24 pm

Hmmm.. Remember the solheim cup where Allison Lee picked up a much longer putt then sergio did , only to have Suzanne petterson retrack that it wasnt a gimme! It ruined suzannes reputation ! But since it happened to an american player we thought it was deplorable! So, Sergio racks a 5 inch putt that 100% was going to be conceded , we Americans go after him! Hypocritical and not the way I want us to be looked at as americans.. double standard Both made the assumption that putts were conceded. Different fan reactions both biased to Americans.

Reply Report comment
Jamie

Mar 31, 2019 at 12:56 pm

Sergio grows up finally and admits an embarrassing mistake without being pressured to admit it. Good for him.

Reply Report comment
L

Mar 31, 2019 at 12:44 pm

I love it. More dirt to throw at Sergio.
And more dirt for Kuch to swallow.
They must have done something silly in their past lives for this stuff to follow them everywhere in this new tech world

Reply Report comment
dat

Mar 31, 2019 at 12:01 pm

What a joke group!

Reply Report comment
russell platt

Mar 31, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Sergio really livens the game up, and this is a pro event as others have stated. C’mon Sergio, be a pro!!

Reply Report comment
Leo

Mar 31, 2019 at 11:50 am

I dislike Sergio. But, during the match, live, even after sergio had missed the putt, the official announced “The hole is halved in 4….”. Is this not “official”? Isn’t what happened the official’s call? I honestly don’t know, so asking this as a legitimate question. If the putt can not be conceded retroactively, why can the official’s call of the match be changed retroactively. The answer seems to be that perhaps the official made a mistake in making his call prematurely. At any rate, if Kooch “would have” conceded the putt anyway, why not just let it go and move on? I get that both players have Cup experience and “know better”, and bc of that there is an argument for what Kooch did. In that case however, it seems to just rub salt in the wound to say “I would have given that putt….”.

Reply Report comment
Drew

Mar 31, 2019 at 11:19 am

Obviously this is Sergio’s mistake and his own fault. He should not have asked Kuch to concede a hole to him because of his screw up. Own it, move on and win a hole back yourself. I personally don’t see that Kuch did anything wrong here. He didn’t owe Sergio anything.

Reply Report comment
- underachiever
  
  Mar 31, 2019 at 2:21 pm
  
  +1
  
  Reply Report comment
Jack

Mar 31, 2019 at 11:18 am

Well it has been said many,many,many times on GolfWrx that Kuchar was really bad guy So I guess it “must” be true.

However Sergio said himself that he really had “really screwed it up”.

I’m inclined to agree that Sergio totaly screwed up…

Reply Report comment
Scott Bangerter

Mar 31, 2019 at 11:15 am

What controversy?! You violate the rules; you lose. You act like a tool; you’re a loser. No one needs to concede a hole to make you “feel better” for either.

Reply Report comment
E

Mar 31, 2019 at 11:10 am

Sergio is an idiot and he got what he deserved. If someone asked me to concede a hole bc they pulled some crap like that i would have a hard time not laughing in their face.

Reply Report comment
ActualFacts

Mar 31, 2019 at 10:53 am

Once again, Sergio acts like a bratty and entitled adolescent, with no home training, in defeat. I don’t understand why any company would desire him as a brand ambassador when he constantly displays behavior tendencies of a juvenile delinquent on top of his already poor sportsmanship. Grow up already!

Reply Report comment
DB

Mar 31, 2019 at 10:30 am

This is a huge error by a top ranked professional golfer, has he ever made that mistake in a Ryder Cup match? Any time I have ever played match-play, if I am left with any put inside a foot, I will look at the other player and listen to hear if they concede the putt before I hit it. Sergio is a great ball striker but he is the epitome of a head case. His poor choices over the course of his professional career have been sub-par at best.

Reply Report comment
David Landig

Mar 31, 2019 at 9:44 am

Sergio likes to act like he has integrity but he doesn’t. If you’re going to own it, own it. Don’t try to put some of the blame on Kuch. Sergio needs a nook……..

Reply Report comment
Eli69

Mar 31, 2019 at 9:37 am

I’m surprised Sergio did’t start ripping up more greens. Golf is tired of Sergio’s behavior. He is 39 not 12.

Reply Report comment
Branson

Mar 31, 2019 at 9:01 am

Completely Sergio’s fault. Don’t put yourself in the position to have to ask your opponent To concede a hole and then be mad when they don’t. This isn’t a practive round it’s a WGC. Act like you’ve been there before,

Reply Report comment
JP

Mar 31, 2019 at 8:55 am

Maybe Sergio can take to social media and get Kuchar to give him $50,000 ala Tuscan Sam.

Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Published

16 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

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

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying about our photos from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the forums.

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Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

Published

16 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

“After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”

Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

“A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”

“It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”

Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

“The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”

Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

“Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

“The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”

“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”

Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

“On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”

“Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”

“Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”

“Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”

Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

“While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”

“Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”

“Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”

“I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.

Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

“One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”

“He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”

Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.

Full piece.

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Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

Published

2 days ago

Apr 22, 2024

Ronald Montesano

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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