Tour News
Manulife Financial LPGA Classic recap: A grand cru
By Vince Robitaille
GolfWRX Staff Writer
It seems like it should have happened many years ago – to be quite honest, even yesterday, it felt like it should have happened about an hour or so earlier – but Brittany Lang’s conquest of the inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Waterloo seemed, somehow, aged to perfection.
The initial notes had been, while perhaps not the bluntest of effluves, lingering around the noses of many keen enthusiasts, since the end of March; her play discreetly picking up in aroma as events rolled by. To most, our expectations for the once-supreme amateur had faded, much like a 1961 Chateau Latour that had been left uncorked and unattended on one severely estranged individual’s table, due to an unwarranted aeration period.
This weekend, nevertheless, the six-time runner-up on the LPGA Tour displayed, for our grand enjoyment, the full array of her proverbial robe and granted us with a finish tout en finesse. From the slight astringency of her missed opportunity on the Championship’s 72nd hole, to the flower notes of her tenacious playoff performance, Lang reminded us all that she is a grand cru.
Sunday’s action begun with our eventual prizewinner in a tie for second at 12-under with the Kraft Nabisco Championship-heartbroken Hee Kyung Seo, two strokes behind third round leader and 2008 US Women’s Open champion, Inbee Park. As our featured group made their way around the turn, however, Park’s lead had vanished. Lang, on her part, fell to third place as her birdies on second and fifth holes simply couldn’t keep up with the pace established by new co-leader, Seo; the latter shaving off three strokes on a stretch of four holes, starting on fifth. Synchronously, waiting on the 12th tee and sitting on 13-under, were fourth-place shareholders Chella Choi and So Yeon Ryu; both off to astounding starts having started the day four shots behind their compatriot, Hee Kyung Seo.
The first of our belligerents to attempt an escape from the pack was Hee Kyung Seo; an aggressive second shot – the said aggressiveness stemming from the tightly placed ping – from a 105 yards out enabling the 2011 Rolex Rookie of the Year to trim her tally even further on the par-4 10th. Both South Korean members of our triumvirate continued their ascent towards the trophy on 11th, steadily taking advantage of Lang’s inability to convert her opportunities – the latter would later go on the record as to say that, despite her flat stick inefficiencies, frustration didn’t settle in at any point during Sunday’s round.
The crucial moment – in regulation – came at the par-3 12th. Seo, sitting alone atop the leaderboard on 17-under, couldn’t find anything but the rough, effectively short-siding herself. Surprisingly, the real blunder would come shortly afterwards. Following a masterful wedge that left her with a mere 3-footer, the runner-up at the last editions of both the Kraft Nabisco Champions and U.S. Women’s Open, clipped the hole’s left edge and had to settle for a bogey. To add to her misfortune, both of her adversaries recorded birdies, thus shifting the tables; Inbee Park grasping the lead at 17-under. The latter’s tenure at the tournament’s summit would, however, prove rather short-lived as she surrendered the ever-important stroke – said surrendered stroke ultimately paving the way for the four-player playoff that would ensue – on the very next hole.
Lang’s first coup d’éclat of the day – and bid at a share of the lead – came on the 378-yards-long par-4 15th. After pulling her drive significantly left of the fairway – thus, not only finding herself in an awkward sidehill lie with her ball resting upon the hard pan rough of the Grey Silo Golf Club, but placing the large bunkers protecting the pin located on the front-left portion of the green – the former Duke Blue Devil powered her way through the grass and sent her ball flying 30 feet right of the hole. The blisteringly rapid right-to-left sliding that would be drained an instant later would eventually become her ticket to the tournament’s extra hole.
As for the last of the playoff’s invitees, Chella Choi’s round was nothing short of spectacular. From the immaculate card to the eight birdies she tallied – three of which coming in the last 4 holes – the 63 that qualified her for extra holes, was worthy of a trophy on its own. Unfortunately, in the end, a somewhat prolonged break and a par on the first playoff hole would have reason of her.
By all accounts, the table was set on the 72nd hole for Brittany Lang: not an inch over 6 feet separating her from her very first triumph on the LPGA Tour – after 7 seasons – as her opponents’ unsuccessful birdie attempts. The pressure could be read, not only over her face, but throughout her complete pre-shot ritual as she set up for what should have been her professional career’s greatest moment. The putt never stood a chance; left through and through. Thankfully for the Blue Devil, the malediction would end three holes later: one of her opponents being eliminated at every stop by virtue of a par.
Amongst other notables this week, both So Yeon Ryu and Stacy Lewis shot final rounds of 64 that netted them aggregate scores of 15-under and a share of 5th place. With the former Razorback heading into next week’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in zenithal shape – having recorded 11 top-25’s, 8 top-5’s and 2 victories in 12 events this year – and enjoying home field advantage – memories of patrons chanting at her every move – look for Lewis to climb her way up the Rolex Women’s World Rankings even further with a victory on the 7100-yard-long, par-71, Pinnacle Country Club.
Lastly, on an ambiguously sweet and sour note, a story that should supersede the weekend’s thrilling action in Waterloo, unraveled in Prague. In her return to competition after her parents’ dreadful automobile accident while on their way to watch her compete in the German Open that cost her mother her life, England’s Melissa Reid came out victorious at the Raiffeisenbank Prague Golf Masters. Her teary 6-footer on the 72nd hole netted her a trophy and thought every onlooker that motivation might come in various sometimes tragic – forms and determination – in itself and neverminding results – is a worthy homage. Of course, some just pay greater homages.
Click here for more discussion in the “LPGA/ladies golf talk” forum.
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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
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence 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
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
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
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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