News
Tour Rundown: Fate rewards Nordqvist, Finau answers the call
Part of the USA watched as Hurricane Henri moved through the Atlantic Ocean, destined for the upper east coast and metro New York. The PGA Tour wisely postponed round four of its first playoff event. The only guy who truly hated that decision was Cameron Smith, he of the mullet. The Aussie signed for 60 on Saturday, and must have been ready for more, but had to wait a bit longer. In the interim, the LPGA crowned a champion, and three other tours identified winners. How did Smith and Company fare on Monday at The Northern Trust? Roll on with us to this week’s edition of Tour Rundown to find out.
LPGA: Fate rewards Nordqvist with British Open title
I’m a big believer in fate, and I believe that Anna Nordqvist’s playoff loss in the 2016 US Open was an ethical breach by the USGA. The Swede has enjoyed mighty success, but the loss due to an indefensible vagary must have stung like a thousand bee stings. Eyes were not on her in the run-up to this week at Carnoustie, which is precisely the way champions like things. Would it be Nelly, or Georgia, or Ariya, or some unexpected challenger like Lizette, or Madelene, or Nanna? Well, it rhymed with Nanna, so let’s get to it.
Nordqvist’s recipe for a third major title had few ingredients. First, hang around through 36 with a pair of 71s. Then, light up the course for the week’s low round by two shots on Saturday, three better than anyone else in contention. Finally, play rock-solid on Sunday and let the rest of them make mistakes. Wags and pundits will contend that a third round should not figure into the annals of greatness, but the Swede’s seven-birdie, zero-bogey effort on moving day merits consideration. No one else had better than 68, which meant that Nordqvist gained more than those three shots on the challengers. On Sunday, she went out and posted just one bogey, well offset by four birdies.
On her heels were former Open champion Georgia Hall, who parlayed two eagles and three birdies into a closing 67. Alas, it was one shot away from forcing a playoff. Madelene Sagstrom, a fellow Swede, stood tied with the champion as she played the 72nd hole. A disheartening bogey at the home hole dropped her into a tie with Hall for 2nd. Has fate returned something stolen to Nordstrom the Great? I say yes!
??
What a putt from @ANordqvist ? #RaiseOurGame | #AIGWO pic.twitter.com/haDpH6AHMs
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) August 22, 2021
PGA Tour: Northern Trust answers the big question in PGA Tour Golf
Five years ago, in March, Tony Finau won in Puerto Rico. Two years on, he was selected to the USA Ryder Cup squad, still with one victory. On and on, the months came and went, with high finishes, close calls, but no second victory to accompany the first one. Finally, after five years of chasing drives and finishing putts, Tony Finau has won again. Finau defeated Cameron Smith on the first extra hole to claim the first playoff event of 2021. He’ll again play for the USA at the Ryder Cup next month. For now, he has the FedEx Cup in his scope.
Finau played in the penultimate pairing on Monday, after the final round was postponed a day. While his fellow competitors spun their wheels a bit, Finau caught lightning on the inward half. He notched three birdies coming home, but no shot was more important that the approach he hit to the par-five 13th hole. From 218 yards, Finau ripped a skyscraper over water, to three feet for eagle. His inward 30 gave him 65 on the day, highlighted by a clutch up-and-down for par at the last hole. Jon Rahm, playing behind Finau, made a pair of bogies coming home, to finish third by himself.
Only Cameron Smith, tied for the lead with Rahm at day’s start, could catch him. Smith’s birdies at 16 and 17 forced a playoff, but went OOB on his extra-hole tee shot to end his hopes. THAT question no longer lingers, and it’s time for the BMW in Maryland, to see who takes charge of the FedEx Cup playoff chase.
Leader in the clubhouse at -20.@TonyFinauGolf finishes with a clutch par save from the bunker on 18. pic.twitter.com/2CzzOoi0TH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 23, 2021
European Tour: Veerman wins Czech Masters as others fade
It’s a shame that headlines and ledes often shuffle 63 holes aside, in favor of the events of the closing nine holes. At the Albatross Resort in Praque, one could make a case for shuffling the initial 69 holes aside, as the fireworks (fierce and fizzled) took place over the final triumvirate of holes. In the mix were Johannes Veerman of the USA and Tapio Pulkkanen of Finland, along with major champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden. Each of them would give what Sean Crocker (also USA) did at the 18th: make birdie to back-door his way into a tie for second.
At the par-three 16th hole, both Pulkkanen and Veerman made birdie two, while Stenson’s tee ball met a watery demise, along with his chance at victory. At that juncture, the Fedora-wearing Pulkkanen held a one-shot advantage over Veerman. All of that went away as the Fin finished bogey-double bogey, while Veerman made a pair of pars. Pulkkanen fell into the aforementioned tie for second, while Veerman raised a European Tour trophy for the first time. Stenson concluded the week in a tie for fourth spot.
The turning point?
Johannes Veerman's shot to the 16th on the way to victory at the D+D Real Czech Masters. #CzechMasters pic.twitter.com/8yp0IkM6AN
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 22, 2021
Korn Ferry Tour: Boise Open is Siggnificant victory for Greyson
This oldest of the AAA Tour events (so many sponsors over the years to cue up … Hogan, Nike, Buy.Com, Nationwide, Web.Com) has seen brilliant finishes over the years. This year, JJ Spaun made birdie at the last to reach 18 under par, but he didn’t win. England’s Aaron Rai came to the last with the lead, made double bogey, and he didn’t win. And Stephan Jaeger, who finds himself in contention nearly every week, made par at the 72nd hole, but he didn’t win!
Back in May, Greyson Sigg broke through in Knoxville for his first Korn Ferry Tour title. At Boise, he notched victory number two into his persimmon. The UGeorgia alumnus is on his way to the PGA Tour for 2021-2022, but rolling on to the big tour with two titles certainly gives more confidence than one. At Knoxville, Sigg opened with 61, closed with 66, and held off … yup, Stephan Jaeger. At Boise, Sigg followed the same recipe: put yourself in position and let the other guy make the mistake. Rai muscled his approach over the green, chipped from the rough behind and then, in front of, the final green, and fell to a tie for second with Spaun.
Trailing by one at the 72nd hole, @GBSigg two-putted for par from the back fringe @Boise_Open to post 19-under.
His playing partner Aaron Rai faced a delicate third shot from just behind the par-4 18th green. pic.twitter.com/ZzIXwhbF2A
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 23, 2021
PGA Tour Champions: Pampling cues up Boeing Classic for first Champions win
I always think back to Twin Peaks when I consider the pacific northwest. Strange things can happen there. Who would expect the daring Woody Austin to play Sunday’s final nine in +1, including bogey at the par-five last, when birdie would have earned a playoff spot? Who would anticipate that Jim Furyk, after touring the front in a commanding minus-three, would play that same back nine in the same +1, with one bogey and seven pars? That final hole wasn’t impossible. Billy Mayfair and Alex Cejka made birdie and eagle, respectively, in the final 60 minutes of the tournament. Strange things, indeed.
So let us introduce Rodney Pampling, Australian by birth, golfer by choice, as your Boeing Classic winner for 2021. Pampling won three times on the PGA Tour, and played his final half in 4-3-2. He posted four pars, three birdies, and two bogies. Those numbers jumped him ahead of the aforementioned Mayfair and Furyk, along with Tim Herron, all of whom tied for second at 11-under par. Pampling’s closing 66 got him to 12 deep on the week. He wasn’t the only golfer to reach that figure, but he was the only one to take up permanent residence there.
A hot start for @RodPampling. ?
He leads by 1 @BoeingClassic. pic.twitter.com/MqpTyQTuSv
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 22, 2021
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Five Things We Learned: Friday at the PGA Championship
Early on Friday morning, a vendor working for the PGA Championship was struck and killed by a tournament shuttle bus. Nearly at the same time, as he arrived for his second round of tournament play, Scottie Scheffler attempted to detour around the scene, and was arrested, booked, then released. Somehow, Scheffler returned to Valhalla and played his second round of the tournament. Despite the jokes and memes of some in the golf industry, the tournament took a back seat to life and humanity on Friday morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the vendor, as well as with all involved.
Day two of Valhalla’s fourth PGA Championship did not see a repeat of the record-setting 62 posted by first-day leader, Xander Schauffele. The low card of 65 was returned by five golfers, when play was suspended by darkness. Five golfers still on the course, were on the positive side of the expected cut line of one-under par, while 12 more either had work to do, or knew that their week had come to an end.
The best 70 golfers and ties would advance to the weekend. 64 golfers figured at minus-two on Friday evening, with another 15 at one-under par. The most likely scenario saw those at even par, headed home. The formula was simple: finish under par and stick around. Play resumed at 7:15 on Saturday, to sort through the last six threesomes. Before the night turned over, we learned five important things to set us up for a weekend of excitement and excellence. It’s a pleasure to share them with you.
This was a wild par save from Cam Young! ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/EnpUR5hiJM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
1. The 65s
On Thursday, three golfers etched 65 into the final box on their card of play. On Friday, nearly twice that number finished at six-under par for the round. Collin Morikawa moved from top-five into a spot in the final pairing. The 2020 PGA Champion at Harding Park teed off at the tenth hole, and turned in minus-two. He then ran off five consecutive birdies from the fourth tee to the eighth green, before finding trouble at the ninth, his last hole of the day. Bogey at nine dropped him from -12 to -11.
The same score moved Bryson DeChambeau from 11th spot to T4. Joining the pair with 65s on day two were Matt Wallace and Hideki Matsuyama (each with 70-65 for T11) and Lee Hodges (71-65 for T16.) Morikawa, Matsuyama, and DeChambeau have major championship wins in their names, while Wallace has been on the when to break through list his entire career. Hodges epitomizes the term journeyman, bu the PGA Championship is the one major of them all when lesser-known challegers find a way to break through.
Collin Morikawa takes the lead!
That’s 3-straight birdies for the 2020 PGA Champion. pic.twitter.com/GoZSoHx5q2
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
2. The Corebridge team of PGA Professionals
Last year’s Cinderella story, Michael Block, did not repeat his Oak Hill success. Block missed the cut by a fair amount. Of the other 19, however, two were poised to conclude play and reach the weekend’s play. Braden Shattuck had finished at one-under par, while Jeremy Wells (-2) and Ben Polland (-1) were inside the glory line, each with two holes to play.
With three holes to play on the front nine, Kyle Mendoza sits at even par. His task is simple: play the final triumvirate in one-under par or better. If Mendoza can pull off that feat, and if the aforementioned triumvirate can hold steady, the club professional segment of the tournament will have four representatives in play over the weekend.
Braden Shattuck, PGA makes a CLUTCH birdie putt on No. 8 to get inside the cut line!? pic.twitter.com/Tx3ipS2dFg
— PGA of America (@PGA) May 17, 2024
3. Scottie Scheffler
In his post-round interview, Scheffler admitted that his second round, following the surreal nature of the early morning’s events, was made possible by the support he received from patrons and fellow competitors. The new father expressed his great sadness for the loss of life, and also praised some of the first responders that had accompanied him in the journey from course to jail cell. Yes, jail cell. Scheffler spoke of beginning his warm-up routine with jail-house stretches.
Once he returned to Valhalla, Scheffler found a way to a two-under, opening nine holes. He began birdie-bogey-birdie on holes ten through twelve, then eased into a stretch of pars, before making birdie at the par-five 18th. His second nine holes featured three birdies and six pars, allowing him to improve by one shot from day one. Scheffler found himself in a fourth-place tie with Thomas Detry, and third-round tee time in the third-last pairing. Scheffler’s poise illustrated grace under pressure, which is the only way that he could have reached this status through 36 holes.
Scottie Scheffler birdies 3 of the last 5 holes!#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/8isjEJrXw3
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
4. Sahith!
It’s a little bit funny that the fellow who followed 65 with 67, is nowhere to be found on the video highlight reels. He’s not alone in that respect, as Thomas Detry (T4) was also ignored by the cameras. Theegala has won on tour, and has the game to win again. The Californian turned in four-under par on Friday, then made an excruciating bogey at the par-five tenth. He redeemed himself two holes later, with birdie at the twelfth hole.
Theegala is an unproven commodity in major events. He has one top-ten finish: the 2023 Masters saw him finish 9th. He did tie for 40th in 2023, in this event, at Oak Hill. Is he likely to be around on Sunday? Yes. Will he be inside the top ten? If he is, he has a shot on Sunday. If Saturday is not a 67 or better, Theegala will not figure in the outcome of the 2024 championship.
5. X Man!!
After the fireworks of day one, Xander Schauffele preserved his lead at the 2024 PGA Championship. He holds a one-shot advantage and will tee off in the final pairing on Saturday, with Collin Morikawa. Eleven holes into round two, Schauffele made his first bogey of the week. The stumble stalled his momentum, as he had played the first ten holes in minus-four. Will the run of seven pars at the end signal a negative turn in the tide of play for Schauffele? We’ll find out on day three. One thing is for sure: minus twelve will not win this tournament. Schauffele will likely need to reach twenty under par over the next two days, to win his first major title.
Long birdie putt? No problem for Xander Schauffele! ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/ZqRaBGMFPO
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.
“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.
“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”
Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.
Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:
“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.
“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”
“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.
“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”
“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”
Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024
Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
*Update*
Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler charges
– 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
– Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
– Reckless driving
– Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/bX8mFF2Xay— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
*Update*
According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.
*Update*
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.
After being detained by police earlier this morning, Scottie Scheffler was released and is back at Valhalla Golf Club for his second round of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/KvS5Hwo6PS
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024
*Update*
The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.
Scottie Scheffler’s statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
New here?
- LIKE26
- LEGIT5
- WOW21
- LOL8
- IDHT1
- FLOP1
- OB2
- SHANK17
News
Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.
Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.
Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
1. X marks this spot
Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.
The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.
Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.
Scottie’s shot was so nice we had to see it twice ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eR1UUsyi3a
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
3. LIV Check-In
It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.
ON THE MONEY ?
Bryson DeChambeau for eagle! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Gz24VikAGQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels
Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.
In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!
SAHITH. THEEGALA. ?
This hole out puts him in a tie for the lead early at the #PGAChamp.
? @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/s3vLZNBQI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 16, 2024
5. All those other guys are here!
Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position. Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.
The 2020 PGA Champion is making moves.
A solid approach shot from Collin Morikawa ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DpD7QNfbSM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole3 days ago
Brandel Chamblee says this is the primary reason why Rory McIlroy hasn’t won a major in 10 years
-
Whats in the Bag4 days ago
Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (May)
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Report: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Equipment1 week ago
Details on Justin Thomas’ driver switch at the Wells Fargo Championship
-
News1 day ago
Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks ago
Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Keegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)