News
Tour Rundown: A Canadian triumphs in California, a win for Min Woo, playoff VICtory
The PGA Tour played storied Pebble Beach, easily a month earlier than most of us would like to see. Windy and cold are not ideal conditions for northern California, but the California Swing has only so many open dates. The women of the LPGA and men of the European tours were together in Australia, for the concurrent Vic Opens. Such an advanced notion: to have women and men compete for identical prize money, on the same golf course, at the same time. Finally, the Korn Ferry Tour found itself immersed in its Latin America trajectory, high in the Andes in Bogota.
Pro golf is back, blending its young surprises with its old certainties, as it always does. Tour Rundown, for the 2nd time in February, gives us the inside scoop on all the happenings across the golfing globe.
Vic Open-Women: Playoff decides VICtor at 13th Beach
This one was gut-wrenching. No other way to describe the sight of a leader’s vertical tumble from the top spot to a tie for 16th in 10 holes. Rather than highlight that descent, let’s consider the remarkable 4-hole playoff that was ultimately claimed by Hee Young Park. Once a winning score of single-digits-under-par became a possibility, the scramble began. Leona Maguire and Linnea Strom missed the playoff by one; 3 more were 2 shots back at -6. Back to the Korean trio of Park, So Yeon Ryu, and Hye-Jin Choi. Only Ryu failed to birdie the 18th in regulation; 4 there would have won the event outright. She was the first to depart from extra time, with par at the second go-round in overtime. Park and Choi each birdied the closing hole 4 times on day four, compelling them to a fifth tip (4th in extra holes.) Showing the strain, Park was only able to summon a par at the closer; it was enough, as Choi made bogey and gave up the ghost.
Back to the unfortunate collapse of fellow Korean Ayean Cho. Her first 7 holes were bumpy, with 2 birds, 2 boges, and 3 pars. No more difficult than the remainder in the field, but what happened next was unfathomable. Over the final 11 holes, she made 0 birdies, 4 pars, 5 bogies and 2 doubles. Playing that stretch in 9 over par, she tumbled from 12-under par to 3-below. Links golf, combined with wind and strategic bunkering, makes disaster proximate. The hope is that the bruises will be quick to heal, yet impart the necessary lessons of how to take each shot for itself, and never allow one shot to take us too high or too low.
Vic Open-Men: It’s about MINWOO time at 13th Beach
For once, the commentators were on the money. They spoke during the telecast of the awareness and control that the wunderkind from Australia exhibited all week. Since he was 16, since he won the USGA Junior, everything and too much was predicted for Min Woo Lee. This week, he got it done. As when Greg Lemond finally conquered the shadow of Bernard Hinault, with no help from Hinault himself, Lee had to withstand a 4th-day surge from Popeye himself, Ryan Fox. Fox was flawless on the final day, pairing four birdies with two spectacular eagles. His 3 at the par-five last sounded a warning, and when Lee made bogey at 17, his first since the penultimate hole the day before, his lead had shrunk to one slim putt … or wedge … or anything! As champions do, he gathered himself and finished in style. Birdie at the last brought him his first important win as a professional. Let’s hope it serves as a springboard toward multiple wins, and not the soul-searching agony of Why am I so good and not winning? that Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Paula Creamer and many others have felt, in recent years. As for Fox, let’s hope that 2020 is a year to remember, for the right reasons, for the affable and powerful Kiwi.
AT&T Pro-Am: Maple leaf flies over Monterey peninsula
Nick Taylor won his first PGA Tour event at the age of 22, in 2014. 6 years later, he took a one-stroke lead into the final round of the AT&T at Pebble. On his heels was a fellow who knows a thing about winning in Monterey, and happened to be the defending champion. Holding off Phil Mickelson would be a bit different from winning the Sanderson Farms when the fall circuit didn’t have the same cache it does today. Through 9 holes, Taylor appeared to be the master, with Mickelson as his apprentice. Taylor rode 3 birdies and 1 eagle to an outward 32, to preserve his lead. As he turned back toward the clubhouse at 11, things began to unravel. Consecutive bogeys at 11 and 12, followed 2 holes later by a wretched double bogey at 14, should have been the end of his lead. Fortunately for Taylor, Mickelson never found his groove on Sunday. Lefty tossed a 3-under start in the trash bin, with double at 8 and bogey at 9. As Taylor was unraveling, Phil made bogeys at 12, 14, and 16. His last birdie came at 10, and he was fortunate to tie for 2nd with Kevin Streelman. Taylor made birdies at 15 and 17, and clinched his 2nd tour title by 4 shots. Streelman could bask in the glow of winning the Pro-Am title for the 2nd time in 3 years, both times with the NFL’s Larry Fitzgerald.
Country Club de Bogota Championship: Myth becomes reality as Mito conquers Bogota
Mito Pereira is not a household name, not in Santiago (his home city in Chile) nor at Texas Tech University, his alma mater. He is a Korn Ferry Tour winner, however, after his dramatic, 72nd-hole eagle concluded a Sunday 64 and broke him out of a tie at -18 with Ben Kohles of the USA. John Vanderlaen of Connecticut escorted a 1-shot lead into day four, but his closing 73 was so far off the quality of golf being played in the Andean capital, that he was fortunate to tumble just 5 places, into a tie for 6th. Local hero Camilo Villegas was in the hunt through 36, but closing rounds of 69-69 were average, and he tied for 4th. As for Pereira, he wasn’t alone in the rave that was Sunday at CCBogota. Patrick Fishburn jumped from 18th to 4th with a 64, while Kohles moved from 6th to almost-1st with a 65. The conclusion looked like extra holes for so long—until Pereira added his 2nd eagle of the day, accompanied by 4 birdies, to sneak past the runner-up, into first position.
- LIKE7
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
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
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
- LIKE4
- LEGIT2
- 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 Hole3 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 Hole3 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole1 week 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 Hole1 week ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway