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Tour Rundown: Champ re-emerges, Victor Perez, MJ Hur, feather in a bucket cap
While this writer’s quarterback was being headbutted out of a game by those law-abiding Patriots, golf was being played around the world. Not the greatest opening line for a Tour Rundown, I’ll admit, but I need to blow off some steam. You know, vent a little. #ThanksOfficials. Moving along, a playoff concluded this week’s Champions Tour event, while a Frenchman with a Hispanic name conquered St. Andrews…all of it! Japan took all three podium positions at the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open, while MJ Hur hit the bricks at the Brickyard. Oh, and Champ champed again. Run run run it all down right now with the final Tour Rundown of September 2K19.
Champ re-emerges on PGA Tour with a walkoff win at Safeway
After Cameron Champ bogeyed the 71st hole to slice a 2-shot lead to 1, he watched Adam Hadwin tie him on the 18th hole. 11 months after his first tour triumph (Sanderson Farms 2018), Champ rebounded with a birdie of his own at the last, for a 2nd victory in the show. At Sanderson last year, Champ held off Canada’s Corey Conners by 4 shots. This year, another Maple Leaf made it a bit closer, but the result was still the same. Many expected the young launcher to make a run at a major this year, but the surge never materialized, until late September. Champ never went mid-60s low in Napa, but his collection of top-shelf vintages (2 67s, a 68 and a 69) made him the only guy to complete all 4 rounds in the 60s. Hadwin went 10 deep on the weekend, but a 14th-hole bogey on Sunday proved to be his undoing. Still, birdies at the final 3 holes says something about his guts. Champ had 5 birdies on the final day, but those 2 pesky bogeys kept the field within striking distance. Still, to follow up bogey with a bounce-back at the last, suggests that the bomber from Sacramento might have some cache on tour, after all.
Victor Perez continues move up European Tour ladder with victory at Dunhill
Victor Perez epitomizes the road warrior. He graduated from the Alps Tour (whatever that is) with a victory in 2016, then won each of the last two years on the Challenge Tour (that one, we’ve heard of.) In 2019, Perez journeyed to the home of golf and played Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the Old Course like a fiddle. In what should have been a playoff-decided event, Waring essentially gave back 2 shots over the closing pair. He bogeyed the Road Hole, then failed to birdie the eminently-birdieable Home hole at The Old Course. Wait, what do you know? Southgate did the same thing. As for Perez, he did nothing spectacular like Luke Donald (holed wedge for 2 at the last on Saturday) on Sunday, but he did enough correctly to win his first European Tour event at the home of golf. Nice memories were made this weekend by the Frenchman with the Hispanic name.
Indy Women In Tech to MJ Hur on the LPGA Tour
You don’t get much more heart of the USA than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Its Pete Dye-designed golf course concludes in the heart of the oval, a hybrid away from the famed bricks, where the winner of the Indy 500 drinks milk in celebration. No telling if MJ Hur of South Korea imbided this Sunday; what is known is that she held off young Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark by 4 shots. Hur began the day in what looked like a showdown with New Jersey’s Marina Alex, but the Vandy grad could only muster an even-par 72. That meager effort dropped her to 3rd spot, 6 behind Mi Jung. Madsen, meanwhile, put together a 5-under 67, with birdies at the final two holes enough to vault her past Alex, into the runner-up position. Hur won the Scottish Open in August, her third victory in ten years on tour. Her every five years streak (prior wins in 2009 and 2014) came to a happy end, with this 2nd victory of the season.
Pure Insurance on PGA Tour Champions is another feather in Triplett’s bucket cap
I won’t say that I’m thrilled that Kirk Triplett won this week. Good guy and all…love the bucket hat. His 8th PGA Tour Champions title (and 2nd of this campaing) came at the expense of my old college chum (and frequent interview subject) Billy Andrade. Eight golfers ultimately finished within 3 shots of the top spot. Both Andrade and Triplett birdied the 18th to reach 9-under par. Paul Broadhurst also made 4 at the 18th, but came up one shot shy of extra time. In the playoff, Triplett made after Andrade missed, and thus the west was one. It was a 3rd victory in this event for Triplett, but more important was the victory of his The First Tee playing partner in the junior boys competition. Sometimes a little distraction is a good thing.
Asian Tour title rests in hands of Toshinori Muto
Shugo Imahira and Hosung Choi, aka the Fisherman, each posted 4 rounds in the 60s this week. Choi never reached deep enough into that decade to challenge for the title. He tied for 5th spot with 3 others. Imahira finished 17-under par, 5 better than Choi and last week’s winner (Jbe Kruger) but still not good enough. There was this guy, see, named Muto, Toshinori Muto, and he lit up the Higashi Hirono golf club like an opera chandelier. Muto had 65 on day one, and 64-64 over the weekend. In truth, he might have won by 10, had he not slipped on Friday with 4 bogies in one round. Over the remaining 54 holes, Muto made but 2 bogies. Not a bad week’s work, nor paycheck. The victory was Muto’s 7th career title, with the other 6 coming on the Japan PGA Tour.
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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.
“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.
“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”
Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.
Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:
“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.
“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”
“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.
“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”
“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”
Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024
Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
*Update*
Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler charges
– 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
– Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
– Reckless driving
– Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/bX8mFF2Xay— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
*Update*
According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.
*Update*
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.
After being detained by police earlier this morning, Scottie Scheffler was released and is back at Valhalla Golf Club for his second round of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/KvS5Hwo6PS
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024
*Update*
The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.
Scottie Scheffler’s statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.
Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.
Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
1. X marks this spot
Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.
The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.
Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.
Scottie’s shot was so nice we had to see it twice ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eR1UUsyi3a
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
3. LIV Check-In
It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.
ON THE MONEY ?
Bryson DeChambeau for eagle! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Gz24VikAGQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels
Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.
In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!
SAHITH. THEEGALA. ?
This hole out puts him in a tie for the lead early at the #PGAChamp.
? @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/s3vLZNBQI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 16, 2024
5. All those other guys are here!
Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position. Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.
The 2020 PGA Champion is making moves.
A solid approach shot from Collin Morikawa ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DpD7QNfbSM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
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Morning 9: Tiger 2025 Ryder Cup talks continue | Rory: Tour in a worse place with Dunne’s resignation
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James
Sep 30, 2019 at 4:30 pm
Who pours milk on themselves? Must be one of those crazy Koreans.