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Tour Rundown: Women’s British honors another new face, Dustin Johnson on feeling 22

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4 years ago

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It’s hard to imagine this level of golf, under these circumstances. So much has been made of the presence of fans and other ancillary humans. Tiger and Rory have eloquently stated how much the roar of the crowd impacts their ability to raise their games. Performances this last week demonstrated that others are capable of summoning greatness in the absence of supporters. Proven winners and unproven newcomers came to the fore in the penultimate week of August. Learn more about their performances in this week’s Tour Rundown.

Women’s British honors another new face

More than other major championship, British Open venues have a magic proclivity for recognizing worthy, new faces. Mo Martin in 2014, Georgia Hall in 2018, Hinako Shibuno in 2019, and now, Sophia Popov in 2020.

The Royal Troon weather was the early story in Scotland. The USA’s Amy Olson, hearty from a Minnesota upbringing, managed an unfathomable 67 in Thursday’s gusts and gales. Just like that, she slipped to 81 in round two, and went away to a 45th-place tie. Recognizable names moved about the leader board, but the only two that stuck were Minjee Lee and Inbee Park, who came 3rd and 4th, respectively. Popov seized the lead on Saturday evening, on the strength of a 67 of her own, and wondered if Sunday would bring the dream for which she worked.

For most of day four, pundits pondered two resolutions to the 44th playing of the event. Charging with fury was Jasmine Suwwanapura of Thailand. The 27-year old posted four consecutive birdies on the outward nine, and added two late ones, at the 16th and 17th. On this day, Jas needed perfection to catch Popov, and two bogeys did her in. Her run to second place was marvelous. and should serve as the confidence-builder she needs.

Popov was unmatched on Sunday. She followed her 67 with 68 on day four, and claimed a two-shot win with a safe, closing bogey. The former University of Southern California golfer demonstrated a complete command of diverse shots all week, including multiple drivers off the deck. In the end, it was an incredible putting performance that marked her as a major champion. Long birdies and mid-range par saves dotted her scorecards all week. In 2020, Germany has its first female major winner in golf, and she could not be more worthy.

Dustin Johnson on feeling 22

DJ played an event this weekend. He finished at 30 strokes below par, for his 22nd career title. A bunch of other guys played another event, for 2nd place, at the Northern Trust. That trophy went to Harris English, who posted an admirable minus-19. Some kidding aside, this should be a monumental performance for the lanky fellow from the Palmetto state. Johnson has won before, but not like this. Johnson has been raised up as a golfer for the ages, if only … An eleven-shot victory should give his psyche a surge in confidence, and should make him a recognizable favorite for every event played, to the end of this campaign.

The only laurel not worn by the 2016 US Open champion this week was low round. That went to Scottie Scheffler’s 59 on Friday, but even that note has humorous undertones. You see, DJ was 11 under par through 11 holes, on the strength of two eagles and seven birdies. Par out for 60, yawn, ho hum. We, of course, were pulling for a few more birdies and a silly number, like 57 or 58. DJ had none left, and seven pars later, he signed for 60. On the week, Johnson had five eagles, and a mere three bogies, two of which came on Thursday. Johnson became the fifth golfer in 2020 to claim the top spot in the world golf rankings. If he continues to play remotely close to the manner in which he conducted himself in Boston, he’ll hold on to that distinction for at least a month.

Langasque wins for the first time on the European Tour

For quite some time in Wales, it seemed that a north European might raise the winner’s trophy at the Wales Open in Newport. Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden held the 54-hole lead, but he went away on Sunday with 74. Rising past him was Finland’s Sami Välimäki, who posted 136 on the weekend to reach 6-under par, good for second place.

The spoils of triumph fell into the hands of one Romain Langasque, of southern France. Langasque tied England’s Sam Horsfield for low round on Sunday with 65. For Horsfield, the minus-six performance moved him into a tie for 44th. Langasque was able to parlay his six-birdie, twelve-par showing into a five-spot boost, from sixth to first.

If Välimäki had summoned the frenchman’s flawless performance, he’d have won the event. Bogies at 3, 10, and 12 on Sunday were his undoing. A stout eagle at the ninth, paired with three birdies, were enough to move him past two Englishmen (Matthew Jordan and David Dixon) into the solo runner-up position. The European Tour remains in the United Kingdom for one more week, then journeys to southern Spain to open September.

NCHC 2020 recognizes (P)Luck in its champion

If ever an event called out for an abbreviated acronym, it’s the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. A worthy cause whose title offers a plethora of syllables for media types. The NCHC, long played at The Ohio State University’s Scarlet course, was a mighty battle this year. No one golfer held a sizable lead at any juncture, and the final outcome came on the strength of pluck.

Curtis Luck added the consonant “P” to the front of his name this weekend. The Australian golfer had been in position before to claim an inaugural title, but the opportunity had so far gone to someone else. On this day, he was paired with Cameron Young, he of the four consecutive, top-15 finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour. In any other year, Young would be prepping for a promotion to the big tour. 2020 is like no other year.

Back to Pluck, errr, Luck. The man from Oz had little cause for celebration for most of Sunday. Stuck in first gear, with two bogies and a bushel of pars through 14 holes, his saving grace was that no one, including Young, was able to gain separation. In the blink of an eye, birdies fell his way, at 15 and 16, and Luck was able to surge past a trio of runners-up, into the top spot.

Had Luck looked over his shoulder, he might have seen Will Zalatoris, the hot man earlier this season. Zalatoris reached the winning tally of minus-eleven at the sixteenth green, but closed with consecutive bogeys and dropped to a tie for fifth. He might also have seen Stephen Jaeger, racing toward a second consecutive win. The German came close, tying Zalatoris for fifth. The PGA Tour is entertaining, for sure, but these guys are playing for their professional lives! For them, it’s pressure. For us, it’s incredible drama.

Eagle flies the Bertsch flag at Buffalo Ridge

Shane Bertsch shouldn’t have won on Sunday in the Ozarks. After opening with twin 64s, the journeyman pro found himself in a playoff with guys like Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry, and Glen Day. Let’s be realistic: Langer is the most decorated Champions Tour golfer in history. That’s scary. Perry won 14 times on the regular tour, then added 10 wins on the Champions Tour. Day? Well, he birdied the 18th to reach the playoff, the only one of the four to do so. In other words, Bertsch had zero momentum as the foursome returned to the 18th tee.

Of course, it would be Bertsch who jockeyed a six-iron approach from the best drive of the group, to 25 feet for eagle. And it would also be Bertsch who stroked the putt with precisely the amount of pace it needed to fall into the left edge of the cup, for a winning eagle. The unheralded winners who emerged last week have Bertsch to thank; his victory on Friday showed the way to all of them.

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Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

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Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

Published

1 day ago

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Apr 22, 2024

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

6 days ago

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Apr 17, 2024

By
By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

  • “I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.
  • “It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”
Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

  • “Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”
Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

  • “Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”
Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

  • “I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”
Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

  • “Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”
  • “I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.
  • “I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”
Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

  • Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!
Full piece.
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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

7 days ago

on

Apr 16, 2024

By

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

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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WITB

Whats in the Bag18 hours ago

Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)

Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
Whats in the Bag19 hours ago

Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)

Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.  Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)...
Whats in the Bag1 day ago

Scottie Scheffler’s winning WITB: 2024 RBC Heritage

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here. Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches) 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy...
Whats in the Bag1 day ago

Nelly Korda’s winning WITB: 2024 Chevron Championship

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)...

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