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Tour Rundown: Lashley writes unbelievable story, Stricker wins first USGA event

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5 years ago

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Take your pick of astonishing results in the world of golf this week. The European and PGA Tours both saw first-time winners claim victory by large margins. One of the most appreciative golfers in the world won his first USGA title, and the golfer many expect to dominate the LPGA tour wrestled a 7th title from nearly the entire field in Arkansas. As June gives way to July, some of the most potent and inspirational golf came our way this week. Have a quick read of our last-week-of-June Tour Rundown.

Lashley and Redman offer unpredictable PGA Tour success at Rocket Mortgage Classic

As impressive as Doc Redman’s performance was this week (Monday qualifier, 2nd place finish, special temporary Tour membership and entry into The Open Championship) Nate Lashley topped him. Lashley didn’t make it through Monday qualifying, but a spot opened up and he was in the tournament. From there, Hollywood took over. Lashley opened with 63 and built on the lead each day. By Sunday’s end, he was 6 shots in front of the runner-up, at 25-under par at the Detroit Golf Club. Lashley made but 3 bogeys on the week, including a 30-hole stretch from Friday to Sunday, when he made not a one. On Sunday, he had a pair of oops as the front nine closed. Fortunately for him, no one close was on the move.

The 35-year old Arizona Wildcat epitomized the term journeyman until this week, when he played like the tour’s finest champion. In addition to the spot in Northern Ireland this month, Ashley now has an invitation to the Masters Tournament, along with a 2-year tour exemption. Interestingly, as Lashley teed off on Saturday with Cameron Champ, in the final pairing, smart money was on the young bomber. It was Champ who lost focus, not Lashley. Sometimes, the gods of golf bestow grace on the most unlikely of recipients.

Stricker runs away with Senior Open at Notre Dame

The story of Steve Stricker would take two or three volumes to complete. Decent success on tour during his first 15 years, followed by complete loss of game as he reached his late thirties. Inexplicably, his game came back and he won 9 times in his forties. Named captain of the Presidents and Ryder Cup sides for the USA, he was a phoenix that had risen from the ashes. Only one victory had escaped him, until 2019. At the Warren golf course on the University of Notre Dame campus, Stricker put on a Joe Montana-esque performance, vanquishing the field by 6 strokes.

On Thursday, the defending champion (David Toms) opened with 62. No matter, so did Stricker. The University of Illinois alum came back on Friday in 64 strokes, establishing the beginnings of a lead he would not surrender. His 66 on Saturday seemingly put the matter to rest, as he took a 6-stroke advantage into the final round. Jerry Kelly, last week’s winner, closed the gap to five at the 10th, but Stricker allowed him no closer. His birdie chip-in sealed the deal, allowing the final six holes to be as much a triumphant march as permitted. The only participant to register 4 rounds in the 60s, Stricker’s 2019 USGA coming-out party will go deep into the month of July.

Sung Hyun Park secures 7th LPGA title in Arkansas

As the eventual champion took bogey on the 9th hole, at least 10 golfers were within 3 shots of the lead. Names like Inbee Park, Carlota Ciganda, Danielle Kang and Hyo Joo Kim were in contention, making the anticipated outcome as predictable as a lottery draw. Something clicked at the turn, though, and Sung Hyun Park made 4 birdies on the inward half. Her 31 there, combined with 35 going out, gave her 66 on the day and -18 for the week. Kang, Inbee and Hyo Joo each had 65 on day three, and each came up one shot shy of a playoff. Brittany Altomare, playoff loser in last year’s Evian Championship, was one stroke farther back, alone in 5th place. We weren’t kidding; everyone had a chance! At -15 came four more golfers, allowing 10 players inside three strokes of 1st place. Back to Sung Hyun. There hasn’t been a dominant player on the LPGA tour since Lydia Ko, in the early 2010s. Ko is off, in search of her swing, and there may not be another like her for some time. With only 4 bogeys on the week, Park was as dominating as anyone. 2 of her 7 tour titles are major events. A few more of those, and she might be the one who holds the scepter.

Bezuidenhout irons first Euro Tour win in southern Spain

Any other week, Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s commanding win at Valderrama would be the talk of Tour Rundown. The young South African pulled a Lashley, holding 1st place from the 2nd round on, holding off golfers like Garcia, Rahm and Quiros. Trouble was, Lashley won his first event this week, too. And Stricker won by a boatload of strokes, as well. We suspect that Bezuidenhout doesn’t much care. He won on the premier shotmaker’s course in all of golf, a layout described by the twisting trunks and branches of cork trees. Tee balls and approaches are compelled to move laterally, in order to avoid the snares along the way. And here was Bezuidenhout, with a large lead, making birdie at the 2 opening holes on Sunday, as if to run away with things. 4 bogies in his next 5 holes brought the field much closer.

Doing little to challenge was the winner’s final-round partner, Jon Rahm. Having demonstrated little ability to succeed under pressure, the Spaniard played true to form at Valderrama. Although still in the mix entering the final nine holes, Rahm turned with bogey-par-double to cancel his chances for good. In the end, it was Alvaro Quiros, the forgotten Spanish bomber of the early 2010s, following a Saturday 76 with a 10-shot improvement on Sunday. He tied for 2nd with 4 other golfers (3 of them Spaniards!) at -4, six behind the winner. With the triumph, Bezuidenhout joins Lashley and Redman from the other side of the pond, at Royal Portrush this month. Happy June!

Playoff in Utah sees Ventura send off Creel on 3rd extra hole

In the first week of the era known as the Korn Ferry Tour (farewell, Web.Com), Kristoffer Ventura and Joshua Creel were the last men standing in a breakneck dash to the finish. 3rd-place finishers Ryan Brehm, Charlie Saxon and Kevin Dougherty all had chances to reach -14 and join the playoff, but each slid his effort past the hole’s edge. Daniel Summerhays could not buy a putt the last 36 holes, and finished an agonizing 2 strokes back. Ventura birdied 4 of his final 7 holes, reaching the house first at -14. Creel matched him moments later, nearly hole for hole, at -4 over the closing stretch, to sign for his own 14-under. The playoff began at the 18th, and both players made par. After striping drives on the 18th once more, neither player acquitted himself well with the approach. Two more pars sent the pair to the 10th hole. It was Creel who blinked, driving his ball under a tree. Unable to extricate himself with enough skill, he made bogey. Ventura tapped in from 24 inches, and the first Korn Ferry Tour title went to the young Cowboy from Oklahoma State. Coincidentally, it was the first victory of his young career as well, and moved him close to locking up a 2020 PGA Tour card.

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Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

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Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

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12 hours ago

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Apr 22, 2024

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

5 days ago

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Apr 17, 2024

By
By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

  • “I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.
  • “It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”
Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

  • “Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”
Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

  • “Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”
Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

  • “I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”
Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

  • “Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”
  • “I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.
  • “I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”
Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

  • Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!
Full piece.
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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

6 days ago

on

Apr 16, 2024

By

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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WITB

Whats in the Bag4 hours ago

Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)

Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
Whats in the Bag5 hours ago

Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)

Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.  Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)...
Whats in the Bag11 hours ago

Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2024 RBC Heritage

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here. Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches) 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy...
Whats in the Bag12 hours ago

Nelly Korda’s winning WITB: 2024 Chevron Championship

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)...

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