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Tour Rundown: Gold to Korda, Memphis is Ancer to his prayers

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3 years ago

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The Olympic flame in Tokyo was extinguished on Sunday, but the golf fires burned brightly across the globe. A U.S. Women’s Amateur champion was crowned, and a unique format played out at the Ladies European Tour’s Spain event. The WGC-FedEx took place in Memphis, and Utah hosted the Korn Ferry Tour. Finally, the cradle of golf hosted the European Tour, but it wasn’t the Old Course that took center stage.

There are seven events to run down as August hits its stride. Have a tour with us as we look back on the first week of the year’s eighth month.

Olympic Games: Gold to Korda

Is there much more to write this year about Nelly Korda? In June, she won twice, including her first professional major, the PGA Championship. In August, the USA native claimed her second major title at Kasumigaseki, winning gold by a stroke over Mone Imani of Japan and Lydia Ko of New Zealand. In the playoff, Imani defeated Ko for the second spot on the podium. For Imani, the silver medal was a huge achievement in front of the home crowd. For Ko, the bronze was her second, as she claimed that same medal in Rio in 2016. Kudos to them, now let’s talk about the top of the podium.

The competition all week was fierce. Aditi Ashok fired 68 on day four and dropped from medal contention to fourth. Korda had 69 on day four and only a 72nd-hole bogey by Imani kept Korda out of a playoff. On day two, Nelly nearly posted 59, but a double at the last dropped her to 62. Although it was a reality check, it was not what she needed at that moment. For the first time in 36 holes, she was vulnerable. Her matching 69s got the deal one, but the Korda we saw over the second half was not the lightning bolt that snatched a massive, halfway lead.

And that’s what makes the Olympic games more than a major title. That’s why Korda has two majors and Xander Schauffele has one on the men’s side. You represent your country, and you are only one of 60 golfers in the tournament. Everything about the event is different, and it happens once every four years. Knowing that she was playing for an entire country Korda (and Imani, and Ko) found the necessary focus to complete the task at hand. Beyond third, there were no paying spots. If that’s not major pressure, I don’t know what is.

WGC: Memphis is Ancer to his prayers

The WGC-FedEx St. Jude event in Memphis had its swan song this year; it will be reborn and rebranded as a FedEx Cup playoff event in 2022. Probably the same course, but how could you possibly replicate the drama of 2021. Turns out that the course is not the easiest on which to seal anything. Just ask Harris English. The toast of the town all week, English came to the tenth tee with a healthy lead on Sunday. The U Georgia alum made double bogey at the 11th and 14th, yet still found himself in a tie for the lead. It didn’t last long, as he chopped his way up the 16th hole and made bogey at the par five. English finished one shot out of a playoff.

Just ask Cameron Smith, who stood on the 18th tee in a tie for first, and left the green in a tie for fifth. One wayward drive, one dumped recovery, one penalty stroke, one stiff wedge, and one putt added up to six, and the magic of the mullet was gone. Time for a trim, Smithy. So who was left? Guys who finished early and low, with nothing to lose. Hideki Matsuyama finished 64-63 to reach the playoff and lose. Sam Burns had 64 on Friday and Sunday, made the playoff, but once again came oh-so-close to his second win. The laurel wreath belongs to Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, who went super low on Friday with 62, then followed with 67 and 68 to reach the magic 16-under par figure. After Matsu, Burns and Ancer made par at the 18th, Ancer and Burns hit it close the second time through. Ancer went first, hit all of the hole, and drained. Burns putted next, caught 75% of the cup, and spun out to extend the playoff.

USGA: Women’s Amateur belongs to woman in high Castle

If you like the back-and-forth of match play, the title tilt between Yu-Chiang Hou of Chinese Taipei and the University of Arizona, and Jensen Castle of South Carolina and the University of Kentucky was all that. 20 of the 35 holes played were won by one of the two finalists. Castle got to two-up after 11, but Hou wont the next two to square the match. Hou stood at two-up after the morning round, but Castle won three of four to start the afternoon 18 and take a lead of her own. Her lead reached three holes with seven to play. Hou won three of those, but Jensen won two of her own. In the end, the match stood 2 & 1, in favor of Jensen Castle.

Korn Ferry Tour: Creel creeps past everyone for Utah Championship

Joshua Creel likes those KF Tour events with state names in the title. Not long after a second place finish in the Maine Open, Creel snuck past a host of players with an inward 31. His 65-64 weekend brought him past the Sunday surfer, Hayden Buckley, whose 61 looked for all the world a winner. Buckley had 29 on his inward half, and that included a bogey at the 10th! Five subsequent birdies and an eagle brought him to 22-under par, ultimately worth a tie for 2nd with Peter Uihlein and Taylor Montgomery.

It was Creel and his clean, Sunday card that finished off the competition. Seven birdies against eleven pars meant 34 holes without a bogey to close the event. His thirty-feet putt for three at the last was deadly, and elicited a double pump-growl from the champion. The effort effectively eliminated his final pursuers.

Ladies European Tour: Alison Lee secures first individual title as a professional

The Aramco team series has quietly worked its way into relevance, for a number of reasons. The events take place in London, Spain’s Costa del Sol, New York, and Jedda. They combine a four-golfer team event with an individual competition. In the team event, three professionals partner one amateur for four rounds. At Sotogrande’s Reserva Club, the Ashleigh Buhai brigade bested the Linnea Strom squad, after both quadrilaterals tied at 35-under par. In the playoff, Buhai’s par overcame Strom’s bogey.

In the individual event, the USA’s Alison Lee hoisted a professional trophy for the first time. After opening with matching 65s, Lee carried a seven-shot advantage into the final day. Her closing 71 was enough to hold off Buhai, attempting to earn the impressive indy-team double conquest. Buhai closed with 68 to finish five back, at 10-under par. Third place belonged to Germany’s Karolin Lampert, three back of Buhai at minus-seven.

European Tour: Hero Open lost in the Forrest

The top five of the Hero Open at Fairmont St. Andrews was 60% Scottish and, fortunately enough for the home crowd, a Scot claimed the title. Grant Forrest followed his Saturday 62 with a Sunday 66, and edged England’s James Morrison by one. Morrison had nine birdies on day four, including one at the par-five closer. He needed ten of them to match Forrest’s 62 and catch the frontrunner. To his credit, Forrest closed with grit and determination. After bogey at 16 dropped him out of the lead, he harvested birdie at the two closing holes to regain the top spot. The victory was Forrest’s first on the European Tour.

PGA Tour: OOOHHH, Van Rooyen at Barracuda Championship

It’s a true shame that the Barracuda Championship’s format often gets lost as an alternate-field event. Any time the opportunity to gain lots of points with one shot is available, things get exciting. Adam Schenk knows all about it. After earning 30 point total in rounds two and three to take the lead, Schenk struggled to a meager five points on Sunday and finished fourth. Andrew Putnam stood on the fifth tee with 11 points already in his pocket. His three birdie-one eagle start got him to the top of the leaderboard. From that point on, Putnam played like Schenk, which wasn’t good enough for either of them.

So which of the competitors got the job done? Try South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen. The jogger-wearing, guitar-strumming Springbok made six birdies and an eagle against one bogey, garnered 16 points on the day, and won by five points over Putnam. The win was EVR’s first on this side of the Atlantic.

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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 Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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2 days ago

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Apr 23, 2024

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

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2 days ago

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Apr 23, 2024

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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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Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

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3 days 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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