The United States Golf Association presented its first new Open championship since 1980. The debut of the USGA Senior Women’s Open was played at storied and seldom-seen Chicago Golf Club, near the windy city. Everyone hoped for a signature championship, and a signature champion, and the ladies did not disappoint. The professional tours teed it up in Scotland, Illinois, Ohio and Illinois again. Run, run, run it down now, in this week’s Tour Rundown.
Laura Davies dominates inaugural Senior Women’s Open
There were impressive performances this week across the world, perhaps the best such week of the season. None was more impressive than dame Laura Davies’ 10-shot victory at the first-ever US senior women’s open championship. Davies played cautious golf the first two rounds, always in the mix but never at risk. With 2 rounds under her belt, the English champion and hall of fame golfer took the Chicago Golf Club apart over the final 36 holes, leaving the field in the dust. Davies was a shot off Elaine Crosby’s first-round 70, but found herself tied for the lead at the midway point.
Chicago Golf Club played to a par of 73 for the championship, and Davies chopped 7 strokes off that figure, thanks to 6 birdies and 1 eagle. Her last bogey of the tournament came on the 4th hole that day. Oddly enough, it was a 6 at the par-five hole, a rarity for the long hitter. Eschewing tees as she has her entire career, Davies’ driving clubs played shots from turf-fashioned mounds to the fairway, all week long. Her challengers included Juli Inkster, who finished second at 6-under, and countrywoman Trish Johnson, who claimed third at 4-under.
As important as Davies’ signature victory, was the presence of the grand ladies of the game. Nancy Lopez, Joanne Carner, and Pat Bradley represented the Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wrights, and Patty Bergs before them. Raise a glass to the first of what will become a storied championship for senior women golfers.
Michael Kim claims first PGA Tour title
It’s probable that Michael Kim doesn’t care that he put on the second-best performance of the week, after Davies’. The former UCal and USA Walker Cup golfer began to fulfill the promise he offered, with a first PGA Tour win, in stunning fashion. The John Deere Classic was used to seeing Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson in the mix, yet Kim’s win might be the most talked-about for years to come. The 25-year old celebrated his birthday on Saturday, then went out on Sunday and shot 66, for an 8-stroke margin of victory. Four golfers tied for 2nd spot, including Francesco Molinari. Any other week, that foursome would have gone to extra holes, but this was Kim’s week, and runner-up money was their sole compensation.
Consider this for a moment. Of the 72 holes that Kim played, he made birdie on 30 of them. 42 percent of the time, his score was going lower. When your birdie-to-bogey ration is 10-1, you know that you’re in for something special. Of the runners-up, three were in desperate need of mid-career validation, while the fourth looks to take the next, major step in his career. Sam Ryder, Bronson Burgoon and Joel Dahmen have 0 victories and an average of 30 years of age. We know how much a win for any of the three would mean. As for Francesco Molinari, he has represented Europe in the Ryder and Seve Cups, and won on the European and USA PGA Tours. What’s the next step? Carnoustie or Bellerive, thank you very much.
Stone storms Scotland for Open title on European Tour
Brandon Stone is a very good golfer. He had two prior European Tour wins, both coming on home soil, in South Africa. Some might call that misleading, as those events don’t attract as strong a field as, say, the Scottish Open. Of late, Stone had struggled with his game, but he went out on Sunday, etched 8 birdies and 1 eagle on his scorecard for 60. Oh, and he won the Scottish Open. He beat guys like Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler, Thomas Pieters and Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter. Dream came true.
For the longest time on Sunday, viewers wondered if Eloquent Eddie Pepperell would double his career victory total, if Trevor Immelman would return to the glory he once knew, or if some other story would be written. For a few hours, that story was Aaron Rai. He opened birdie-eagle to take the lead at 14-under. It would take six more birdies for him to win, but he made four bogies and tied for 9th. Third round leader Jens Dentorp had his say, but three bogeys of his own dropped him to a tie for third. The Stone Express was so sudden; for most of the day, he was “making a nice move” or “having a good day of it.” Then, he birdied 14 and 15, and eagled 16 to stun the … well, pretty much the EVERYONE. On to Carnoustie!
Senior Players Championship to Singh in overtime
It’s hard to close out a golf tournament. Jeff Maggert had 3, maybe 4 opportunities on Sunday to do so. He didn’t. Bart Bryant and Scott McCarron, the latter the defending champion, came down with a case of ennui and played par golf from the final twosome. Jerry Kelly and and Brandt Jobe found their games on Sunday, shooting scores in the low 60s to come oh so close to the top spot. Along the way, a tall Fijian, name of Singh, shuffled his way into contention, hung around long enough to reach a playoff, then won the title with birdie on the second extra hole.
It went like this: Maggert hits a bad approach and make bogey, letting Singh back in. Singh hits a bad drive and has to scramble for miracle par, opening door for Maggert, who doesn’t step through. Maggert has legitimate birdies chances on last hole of regulation and first hole of playoff, but cannot convert. For a while, it was like watching Lionel Messi take a penalty kick! On the second playoff hole, Singh stuffed his approach to a few feet and made the putt for his first senior major title.
Suwannapura ousts Lincicome in extra holes at LPGA’s Marathon Classic
When you make the media scramble for a highlight reel, it’s safe to say that your victory was unexpected. Much like the Champions Tour, questions all day at the Marathon Classic centered on Brooke Henderson, Brittany Lincicome, and NOT on Thidapa Suwannapura. Henderson had another chance to put the field away and claim a title, but a combination of too much power and putting that needs improvement, kept her off the podium’s top spot. She finished one shot out of the playoff, with bogeys at two of her final four holes, and pars on the closing two holes, both par 5s (pssst…those felt like bogeys, too.)
Lincicome had a clean card on Sunday, making 4 birdies to shoot 67 and finish at 14-under. When Thidapa bogeyed 16, the last thing anyone expected was eagle and birdie on the final pair, but that’s what came off. To sudden death did Thidapa and Brittany go, and once again, the young Thai golfer had a birdie putt at 18, this time to win the title. She was spot on with her putt and the week’s most untouted champion had her coronation.
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19th Hole2 weeks ago
19th Hole2 weeks ago
