News
Tour Rundown: Homa coming into his owna
For the first time in forever, spring took hold of all of the USA this week. There were storms, but those storms all brought rain, and not snow. They disrupted play a bit, but the skills of the golfers who inhabit the world’s professional tours shined through. A Charlotte-based event traveled to Maryland for a year, allowing Quail Hollow to prepare to host the 2022 Presidents Cup in the fall. Elsewhere, the DP World Tour stopped in England at a former Ryder Cup host site, while the Korn Ferry and Champions tours visited the American southeast. Finally, the Asian Tour visited Korea, in between stops in Thailand and Japan. Those five tournaments have our attention this week in Tour Rundown for the first full weekend in May.
PGA Tour: Homa coming into his owna
Many folks, including this writer, felt that Max Homa the social media comet was holding back Max Homa the golfer. It’s no coincidence that the curtailing of his Twitter interaction has yielded an improved focus on his competitive game. The results speak for themselves.
On Sunday in Maryland, Homa reached three-under on the day through ten holes, passing overnight leader Keegan Bradley. Although Matt Fitzpatrick (67) and Cameron Young (66) would close fast, the best that they could do was reach six-under par. They joined Bradley in a tie for second, two back of Homa. Bradley made a late birdie to trim the lead to one shot, but could not make additional inroads.
The champion made a bogey at the 16th hole, decreasing his lead to a pair of shots. Homa was able to navigate the last two holes at Avenel in pars, preserving his two-shot advantage. The victory brought a 14-place improvement in the FedEx Cup standings, and pushed the California Kid into the conversation of is he major worthy?
Walking after it ?
Birdie at the 15th has @MaxHoma23 back ahead by 3. pic.twitter.com/KtxcSYnyJh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 8, 2022
Korn Ferry Tour: Grant gets his guitar in Tennessee
Brent Grant won himself a guitar in Nashville this weekend, courtesy of Brandt Snedeker. He did it along the most imaginative road map possible. On the week, he was the only golfer to play all four rounds in the 60s. In the life preparation leading up to the win, he qualified for a team USGA event by himself, and bounced between three colleges before finally deciding to play professional golf.
The Simmons Bank was tight all week long. Overnight leader Kevin Yu didn’t play poorly in the final round, but he failed to make the birdies that rounds one through three had seen. Yu made birdie at the 16th, to pull within one. He was unable to make another at the par-five closer. Meanwhile, Grant had nearly putted off the green into the water, but caught enough of the hole to seal his victory with a two-putt birdie at the last.
Ice in his veins ??
Brent Grant with a near walk-off eagle @SimmonsBankOpen.
The birdie was enough. pic.twitter.com/atWXSQAC46
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 8, 2022
PGA Tour Champions: Flesch all over the place in Mitsubishi win
Steve Flesch had nine birdies on the final day in Georgia. He had consecutive bogeys at eight and nine. If that round wasn’t odd enough, imagine his day-two difficulties. Five bogeys and just four birdies dropped him well off the pace, making victory seem elusive. Second-round leader David Toms had a bit of a struggle on Sunday, and it opened the door for Flesch and others.
Padraig Harrington nearly stole the tournament from everyone in the top ten. The Irishman moved up from 13th position to 2nd with a blessed 64. He had nine birdies overall, including six on the back. That challenging ninth, one that Flesch also bogeyed, was all that kept Harrington from a 63, a perfect card, and a tie at the top.
Toms began well on Sunday, with birdie on three of his first four holes. From the fifth on, he played one-over par golf. One-under would have won the tournament outright. As it was, Toms tied for second with Harrington and Fred Couples, who closed with 66.
.@Steve_Flesch takes the outright lead after making birdie on 17. ?
He's got 9 birdies today. pic.twitter.com/tRXDIXpAXz
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) May 8, 2022
DP World Tour: British Masters is Olesen’s first in a few
Thorbjørn Olesen had competed for the European side in Ryder Cup, but that exposure seemed a lifetime ago. After a few years filled with distractions, the Dane returned to contention with a vengeance. Despite a final-round 73 at The Belfry, Olesen held off Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden by a single stroke. It was his sixth European DP World Tour title, and first since 2018 in Italy.
When everything seemed lost, when Soderberg appeared to be the winner, Olesen closed eagle-birdie for the second consecutive day, to steal the trophy outright. To that point, five bogeys and a birdie on the day seemed to resign the Dane to a top-five finish at best. As Soderberg was playing the closing pair in even-par figures, Olesen made up three strokes to become an unlikely winner.
Shots of the week ??@DP_World | #BetfredBritishMasters pic.twitter.com/Y8vpnqEy6k
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 9, 2022
Asian Tour: Bio Kim also returns with a vengeance
Bio Kim had his own hiatus from golf to consider. Banned from the Asian Tour for two years, thanks to an unfortunate salute, the Korean golfer won his first tour title in Korea, and moved to second on the season-long money list. After opening with rounds of 67-68-68, Kim struggle a bit on day four. His 72 was ultimately good enough for a two-shot win over countryman Mingyu Cho. Kyongjun Moon had the day’s biggest move, posting 67 to finish three back of Kim, in third place.
Bio Kim ?? has been knocking on the door for a first win on Tour.
The door finally opened for him at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open today ?
He will celebrate his first Tour victory ? with his mother and wife on Mother's Day ??#MaekyungOpen #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/IAlDpiMeO6
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) May 8, 2022
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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