News

Tour Rundown: Horschel claims 6th title, 21st for Inbee, Dahmen wins his 1st

Published

3 years ago

Mar 29, 2021

Now THAT’S more like it! Five events across the globe this week, and golf feels like it is finally back in its rhythm. From Kenya to California, with Texas, Puerto Rico, and Georgia somewhere in between, professional golf was played on the LPGA, PGA, European and Korn Ferry tours, alongside one of those unaffiliated World Golf Championships. There were new winners and veteran ones, alongside ones with an ax to grind and much to prove. We all know that we aren’t all the way back to where we were, but just maybe, the light at the end of the long, cloudy tunnel shined just a bit brighter this week. Let’s run down all the winners together, in this week’s Tour Rundown.

World Golf Championship: Horschel claims 6th title at Dell Match Play

Billy Horschel donned the USA colors in 2007 at Merion, for a lopsided Walker Cup win over Great Britain and Ireland. 14 years later, he may finally get the chance to get fitted for team togs a second time. Horschel capped a less-than-optimal week (his words, more or less) with a gritty win over the last Texan standing, Scottie Scheffler. Horschel had done the prime-time thing before, winning a pair of playoff events in 2016, while NOT qualifying for the USA Ryder Cup side. This week, #FloridaMan gritted his teeth, set his accelerator to #amped, and survived a second-match loss to J.T. Poston (who?) to eventually reach the quarters against Tommy Fleetwood. Didn’t matter that #FairwayJesus had made an ace one round earlier; Horschel dispatched him on the 19th hole, with a par against Fleet’s bogey. In the semis, Horschel got past Victor Pérez of France, who had dispatched the week’s other ace-maker, Sergio García, in the round of eight. That 3 & 2 victory set him up for a match with Scheffler, the golfer making the most noise over the past 18 months, albeit without a victory. Yes, even more noise than Tony Finau.

Scheffler, a winning Walker Cup alumnus like Horschel (1o years later!) turned in the clutch performance of the week, dispatching everyone’s favorite tipper, Matt Kuchar, in the semis. Come to think of it, no, his quarter-final win over Jon Rahm might have been even more impressive. Wait, what about Ian Poulter in the round of 16? Holy smokes, Steve Stricker. Did you pay attention this week to Scheffler and Horschel? Please forget Finau and Simpson, at least until you put current #11 Horschel and #14 Scheffler (and Cantlay and Berger) on your short list of captain’s picks. Neither finalist played stellar golf (who could, after more rounds than any other golfer this week?) but they fought until the 17th hole, when Scheffler’s string ran of luck out.

LPGA Tour: Inbee Park grabs 21st tour title at Kia

Death, taxes, Inbee Park. All three are relentless. Each is unavoidable. Only one of them is welcomed by anyone but the competition. This week, Park and her compatriots returned to the tee after a one-month hiatus, at the Aviara golf club in Carlsbad, California. The Korean champion claimed a five-shot win over US Open runner-up Amy Olson and Lexi Thompson, with Jin Young Ko another shot back in fourth spot.

On Thursday, five golfers broke 70, and Park’s 66 was the prize round of the day. The champion followed her medal round with a pair of 69s, to take a five-shot lead into day four. Until her 72nd hole bogey, Park had remained in the 60s all week, the only player in the field to do so. Olson rebounded from a forgettable 75 on Thursday to play the final 54 holes better than anyone else. Thompson had even-par 72s over the first two days, before lighting up Aviara with a 66 of her own on Saturday.

It’s odd to look at a hall of fame member, one with seven major titles, and wonder if she will win one again. Park won her septet during the first seven years of her professional career, but has gone five years without a big title (the 2016 Olympic gold medal that year) Her play this week suggests that another one is not far away. Each of her pursuers waited for her to make a mistake, and Park offered a ray of hope with bogies at 12 and 13 on Sunday. Two holes later, on the reachable par-four 16th, Park drove the green and drained a 20-feet eagle putt, and the gate was locked.

PGA Tour: Dahmen claims inaugural win at Corales

Until Viktor Hovland won in Mexico last fall, no winner of the Puerto Rico Open had won for a second time on the big tour. Between you and me, any PGA Tour victory would suit me just fine, although I can understand how one win wets the appetite for a second. This week, Joel Dahmen became the latest, first-time winner in Puerto Rico, holding off local hero Rafael Campos and Sam Ryder by one meager shot.

Dahmen and Campos entered the final round in a tie for the top spot, and each played as if he had nothing to lose on the outward half. Dahmen turned in minus-four and snatched a two-shot lead over the pride of Boricua. On the inward half, each played as if they had everything to lose. Gone were the birdies, and Dahmen limped home in plus-two on the home nine. He was saved from a playoff when Campos made a bogey of his own, at the par-three seventeenth. At the final hole, Campos was halfway through his tying fist pump when his birdie attempt did a hard lip-out and stayed up and out.

Korn Ferry: Svennson outlasts McGreevy in Savannah

If it seems like just last fall that we were in Savannah for some KF Tour action, it’s because we were. Georgia’s river city is a wondrous host, and who better to win than someone who truly appreciates a chance to golf in warm weather? Canada’s Adam Svensson went into a playoff with Oklahoma’s Max McGreevy, after the later drained a clutch birdie putt at the 72nd hole. Oh, what he wouldn’t have given for a repeat performance on the first bonus hole!

Each made par at the long closer during the first go-round, missing similarly-makeable birdie efforts. On their second extra hole, Svensson’s birdie from eight feet dipped below the earth’s surface, and a second Korn Ferry win was headed home to British Columbia. McGreevey had entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over Stuart Macdonald. The latter struggled to a 76 on day four, doing McGreevy no favors in the motivation department. Svensson had a nice start, standing at -2 on the day after nine holes. When he finished the 18th, he had piled four more birdies onto his card, and looked to be a winner in regulation, until McGreevy came through in the clutch.

To be honest, no one can really decipher what the Korn Ferry Tour money list or The 25 list mean thus far. Is it a combined last year/this year thing? Who knows. Stay tuned to this space and when we know, you’ll know.

European Tour: South Africa’s Van Tonder holds off Janewattananond in Kenya

A week after the Magical Kenya Open drew our attention to Africa, the Kenya Savannah Classic cemented the wondrous country as a force to be reckoned with in tournament golf. Last week’s winner, Justin Harding, was in the thick of things until all four wheels came off on this week’s day four. After opening with 64-66-66, Harding’s run of great play reached its expiration date, and his 73 dropped him into a tie for 14th.

At the top of the leaderboard, Daniel Van Tonder and Jazz Janewattananond were making birdies by the bushel. Each had eight of them through 13 holes. One might think that their matching 64’s would have sent them far ahead of the chasers. One would have been wrong. Reaching 20-under par, also with 64s on Sunday, were Sam Horsfield and Calum Hill. If you didn’t go low on day four, you didn’t stand a chance.

Back to Van Tonder and Janewattananond: The former fell off the rails for a time, with bogeys at 14 and 15. Just when all seemed lost, he made birdie at the last to reach 21-deep. Janewattananond made a bogey of his own, at the 16th, but reached the same closing figure as Van Tonder. The pair took deep breaths, then headed back to the closing hole to settle matters. Twice they sawed off with pars, but then Van Tonder stuffed one close and drained the roller for a clinching birdie.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Published

11 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

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

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying about our photos from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

Published

11 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

“After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”

Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

“A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”

“It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”

Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

“The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”

Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

“Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

“The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”

“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”

Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

“On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”

“Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”

“Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”

“Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”

Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

“While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”

“Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”

“Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”

“I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.

Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

“One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”

“He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”

Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.

Full piece.

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News

Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

Published

2 days ago

Apr 22, 2024

Ronald Montesano

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

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