News
Tour Rundown: Mickelson’s 5th, Vic Open times 2, Taylor and Langer, too
This week in February is an important one. Seven days after a controversial tournament on the European Tour, that circuit and the LPGA meet in Australia, at the Vic Open. What’s different? Instead of dancing around societal issues, the Vic Open explodes them by offering equal pay to both genders. Professional golf can work to improve our world, it appears. The PGA Tour returned to the worst-timed event on the schedule, where rain and hail and worse arrive to frustrate golfers. Somehow, the tournament went off and concluded as planned. The Web.Com tour pegged balls in Panama, while the Champions tour found a home in south Florida. For a complete tour rundown, you’ve come to the proper place. Let’s have a look.
PGA Tour: AT&T goes to Mickelson for 5th time
Say what you will about horses for courses, but Phil Mickelson has quietly made the Monterey peninsula his playground. Mickelson unexpectedly claimed victory this week at Pebble Beach, despite entering the final round 3 shots in arrears. Paul Casey looked to all the world a champion, especially after his play over the first three days. The clue to his Sunday struggles was a 1st-round 69 at Pebble. He played the host course worst of all, finishing a mere 4-under over 2 days, after decimating Spyglass and MPCC with 64-67. Mickelson, in contrast, was 9 under at the site of the 2019 US Open, a 5-shot differential which created his winning margin of 3 shots. Lefty had to work overtime, given the rain delay of Sunday, but his final shots on the 18th hole were his strong suit, and a 44th career win on tour was his.
Dare we hope that Mickelson might finally win that US Open? Of course we dare, but we know the likelihood. Still …
Worth the wait. ????@PhilMickelson wins the @ATTProAm for a record-tying fifth time.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/9BDYirlvgn
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 11, 2019
LPGA: Celine Boutier overcomes leaders to claim Vic Open title
Kim Kaufman was reminded how difficult it is to win a golf tournament. Solid after 36 holes (132), she went 153 over the next 36 to drop to a tie for 8th. France’s Celine Boutier played 4 consistent rounds between 69 and 72, and held off hometown hero Sarah Kemp’s Sunday 65 by 2 shots, for her first professional victory. After opening with a double, Kemp was magnificent over the remaining holes. She notched 9 birdies, including 5 consecutive on the front nine, to throw a scare into Boutier. The champion was not to be denied, and balanced birdies, bogeys and pars throughout, as she held off Kemp and Su Oh, also of Australia. Oh’s round-one ace propelled her toward a tie for second with Kemp at -6, 2 behind the victor.
Introducing our 2019 @ISPSHanda #VicOpen champion, @celineboutier ???????????????? #VicOpen pic.twitter.com/v1WG8FOoKb
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 10, 2019
European Tour: Vic Open trophy now owned by David Law
Wade Ormsby might feel that the Vic Open owes him one. On his way home on Sunday, he clattered a delightful approach off the flagstick, turning a short birdie putt into a cross-country effort. It’s certain that David Law took matters into his own hands. Faced with a deficit as he entered the closing stretch, Law turned dreams into reality with a birdie-par-eagle finish, making up a handful of strokes on the leader. He signed for -18, then observed both Ormsby and Brad Kennedy bogey the par-3 17th. Kennedy needed birdie at the last to tie, but made par. Ormsby needed eagle, but could only summon birdie. The pair tied for 2nd, one shot out of a playoff. For Law, the Vic was his first European Tour title, after 6 wins in developmental events.
He needed eagle and he made eagle!! ???? @DavidLawGolf takes out the 2019 @ISPSHanda Vic Open after overtaking the competition with this shot… #VicOpen pic.twitter.com/NnAmYRNTGh
— ISPS Handa Vic Open (@VicOpenGolf) February 10, 2019
Web.Com Tour: Panama Championship
It was an awfully big ask of Ben Taylor to take the lead on Friday afternoon, and hold it through Sunday. He made it to Saturday evening, but the birdies stopped coming of day foir. The Englishman placed 4th at 5-under par. China’s Carl Yuan achieved notoriety by playing all 4 rounds in the 60s this week, the only member of the field to sub 70 each day. It was good for solo 3rd into 10th on the money list. His countryman, Xinjung Zhang went low on day 4 with 66, and was nearly perfect. His single bogey, at the 15th, was the arrow that kept him from a playoff for the title. Zhang moved from 75th to 7th on The 25 list, one shot behind Michael Gligic of Canada. Gligic, the 2018 PGA Tour Canada list leader, tossed one more birdie than Zhang on Sunday, and his 3 at the 16th proved to be the deciding blow. Gligic won his first Web title at -8, and all the way to 2nd on the money list, $20K shy of leader Mark Anderson.
Always practice your 3-footers.
Canada’s Michael Gligic (@MGligicGolf) made par from the fairway bunker on the 72nd hole @ClubGolfPanama, en route to a one-shot victory. pic.twitter.com/JIg62hydvv
— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) February 10, 2019
PGA Tour Champions: Oasis Championship
Heard a new joke today: this German guy walks up to the tee … and wins the tournament. No punch line. For the 13th consecutive calendar year, the 2-time Masters champion won on the over-50 circuit. He didn’t sneak in, either. Langer signed for 65 day three, after opening with 64-68, for a 5-shot margin of victory over Marco Dawson. Each round of the week was unique for the Teutonic tormentor. On day one, Langer posted 8 birdies and 10 pars. Day two surrendered just one birdie, but two eagles countered his only bogey of the week. On day the third, Bernhard the unbeatable had 7 birdies against 11 pars, to reach his 19-under total.
Bernhard Langer is putting on a clinic. ????
He's -6 on the day and leads by 5 @OasisChamp. pic.twitter.com/cAGzY1q79G
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) February 10, 2019
- LIKE6
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK1
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
- LIKE5
- LEGIT3
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
|
- LIKE4
- LEGIT0
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
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
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK1
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole4 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why