Before we dive in to this week’s tour events, allow a bit of latitude for an opinion piece. Those who do not coach believe that it is proper to place the results of a team tie in the hands of one or two golfers. In our high school leagues, we used to do just that, and it was a dramatic and rotten way to resolve things. After hours of toil, most participants were cast aside, unable to help resolve the overtime. For those who believe that a Solheim, Ryder, Curtis, or Walker Cup tie should be resolved by any fewer than the entirety of each side, imagine being one of the cast-asides. There is a better way.

The Solheim Cup could not have been more lopsided, yet evenly matched, this year. More on that in a bit. The Korn Ferry Tour held its penultimate event in the capital city of Ohio. Tour Champions headed west to the Monterey peninsula of northern California, and the DP World Tour held its French Open on the Ryder Cup course near Paris. With that roster of events in place, we may now advance to this week’s Tour Rundown. Anchors, away!

Solheim Cup @ Finca Cortesin: It’s a tie!

Not since the 1960 baseball World Series has a multi-day competition been so lopsided, yet so close. In that ancient match-up, the Yankees pummeled the Pirates by 35 runs in three of seven games, yet somehow found a way to lose the other four by a total of seven runs. In Spain’s southernmost province of Andalucia, something similar took place.

On day one, the visitors from the USA won all four matches in the Friday morning foursomes, the format least associated with American success. Alternate shot is not their forte, yet there lay Team Europe, in a 0-4 hole. Galvanized, the host squad nearly squared things in the afternoon four-ball matches. Two European sides won their matches outright, while the other two earned half points to close the four-point gap to two, after one day of competition.

Day two anticipated the same sequence of foursomes, followed by four ball. USA won two of the first three matches, with Europe claiming the third. With momentum squarely on the line, the final sides of Andrea Lee/Danielle Kang (USA) and Maja Stark/Linn Grant (Europe) played a match for the ages. After each side won one hole over the first seven holes, the next 10 holes saw nine lead changes. Europe won the 8th, then lost the 9th. This win-then-lose sequence happened three more times until Europe won the 17th hole the final decided hole. Both sides parred the 18th, Europe escaped, one-up, and the matches stood at 7-5, in favor of Team USA.

Saturday afternoon’s fourball matches saw Team USA again struggle in the better-ball format. Only Cheyenne Knight and Angel Yin were able to secure a point for the visitors, by a two-up margin. In each of the other three matches, Europe won without seeing the 18th hole. With three points in their favor, Europe had squared the matches at 8 points each. Only the Saturday morning matches were close; in each of the other three sessions, one side won by at least two points.

With 12 singles matches scheduled for Sunday, the winning side was anyone’s guess. The first four matches were won, but each side struck twice, meaning the final eight matches would decide the keeper of the Solheim Cup. The next two matches were halved, with the host side squandering two-up leads with four to play in each. Match seven went to the visitors, and then came the greatest comeback of the three days. Down three holes with six to play, Caroline Headwall made birdie or eagle at five of those holes, and overtook Team USA’s Ally Ewing. Still square, with four matches to play.

Despite a Team USA win in match nine, Team Europe clinched a tie for the cup, when Maja Stark and homebred Carlota Ciganda won by 2 & 1 totals. Lexi Thompson’s final-match victory meant nothing in the end, as the defending champion’s retained possession of the cup until 2025. For anyone who paid for admission this week, the money was beyond well spent.

We want to hear you this #SolheimCup2023! ????#VamosGirls | @SolheimCupEuro pic.twitter.com/vWmKhSvp2V

— The Solheim Cup (@TheSolheimCup) September 21, 2023

DP World Tour @ French Open: Japan’s Hisatsune stands tall

It was a rough day for the final trio. Ewen Ferguson posted 76 to drop nine spots, from T1 to 10th. Co-leader Jordan Smith was in for 72, and fell one spot to 2nd position. Kazuki Higa signed for 74, and tumbled to a sixth-place tie. With those golfers out of the way, the stage was cleared for someone to jump and take control. That someone was 21-year old Ryo Hisastsune. The Japanese golfer pulled away from the chase pack with five birdies for an inward 30, ultimately winning by two over Smith.

Day four had to be especially frustrating for Smith. He opened with two birdies, and must have felt that this might be his day. He had exhausted his ration of birdies for the day, and could only muster 13 pars and three bogies the rest of the way. The victory moved the champion up 26 spots of the season-long money ranking, nearly into the top ten.

Cazoo Shots of the Day from the final round ??@CazooUK | #CazooOpenDeFrance pic.twitter.com/K57POnAUc0

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 24, 2023

Korn Ferry Tour @ Nationwide: Xiong not wrong on Sunday in Ohio

Despite a stellar amateur record, the professional go has not been easy for Norman Xiong. The former Palmer and Walker Cup participant has won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour but has not been able to gain traction on the PGA Tour. He’ll have another go at it next year, thanks to his win in Columbus. Xiong stood even with Chandler Phillips through 54 holes over the Ohio State University’s Scarlet course. Phillips headed down the wrong roadway on Sunday, posting a 3-over 74 for a T7 finish.

Closing fast was Australia’s Curtis Luck, whose day-four 66 was the low, fourth-round total. Luck needed more than just his last name, and bogeys at 13 and 18 kept him from reaching 8 under and pressuring Xiong. With a clean card through 17 holes, Xiong needed merely to remain upright over the final 425 yards, to claim the prize. His last-hole bogey made his margin four shots, and his performance moved him to 12th position on the season-long points list.

Huge birdie on No. 16 for @NormanXiong to take a five-shot lead. ? pic.twitter.com/n0TpuD6pJH

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) September 24, 2023

PGA Tour Champions @ PURE Insurance: Jaidee over Leonard in playoff

Justin Leonard has had a diverse career in golf since turning professional out of the University of Texas. He earned multiple wins on the PGA Tour, including an Open Championshp at Royal Troon. Leonard took to broadcasting, and has reported extensively on the PGA Tour since then. Despite numerous starts on the PGA Tour Champions, Leonard has been unable to secure a first, senior victory. This week, he came oh-so-close, reaching a playoff against Thongchai Jaidee.

Leonard held the round-two lead on Saturday evening but still needed a 54th-hole birdie to reach overtime with the Thai champion. The pair played the 18th hole twice, then the 17th, without deciding a winner. On the fourth playoff hole, Leonard tugged his drive into the Pacific ocean, ultimately making double bogey. Jaidee was able to stay on dry land, made par, and won the second event of his Tour Champions career stretch.

Re-clubbing to get the perfect shot ?@JaideeThongchai works with his caddie to nail the approach on the fourth playoff hole @PUREFirstTee. pic.twitter.com/5QdvF5m7Gf

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 25, 2023

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco. For comments: [email protected] Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as we head towards the Solheim Cup. 1. US Solheim Cup captain Lewis: Ryder, Solheim Cups should stay in same year BBC report…”United States captain Stacy Lewis says it is “1000% a massive missed opportunity” that the Solheim and Ryder Cups have not been promoted together.” “The 18th Solheim Cup between Europe’s women and the US starts on Friday at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain.” “However, there is little connection to the biennial men’s equivalent, which begins a week later in Rome.” “I’d like them [to stay] in the same year if we could get some common ground and do them together,” said Lewis. Full piece. 2. Scottish Solheim Cup rookie unfazed Brian McLauchlin for BBC Scotland…”Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh says there is no fear factor about her Solheim Cup debut…” “She is not fazed by going up against superstars Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda.” “Maybe two years ago it would have been a bit more intimidating but not now I have played with and against the girls week to week,” the 30-year-old said. “I’m friends with a couple of the American girls, so it is not scary. I know what to expect and I know I am just as good as them, so there is no reason to fret or be scared of anyone.” Full piece. 3. Captains agree on the favorite Golf Channel staff report…”On paper, this year’s European Solheim Cup team is one of the best ever. Captain Suzann Pettersen would argue, THE best ever. She’s not shying away from the role of favorite.” “I don’t think there’s anything to hide under a chair that if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of, and that’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players. So with good results, there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait,” Pettersen said Wednesday. …”U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, however, is comfortable in the underdog role and has no problem putting the pressure on her opponent’s shoulders.” “No, I think Europe’s the favorite,” she said Wednesday. “They have won the last two, we’re on their soil, they have a great team that has a ton, a ton of experience in this event. So, you look at history, you know, it doesn’t bode well for us. But I love our chances. I love these rookies. I think they’re going to have a great week and hopefully surprise a lot of people.” Full piece. 4. Zhang on Solheim spot Reuters report…”What Zhang wasn’t anticipating was a spot on the United States Solheim Cup team as a rookie. However, that became almost a certainty after Zhang was given a sponsors invite into the Mizuho Americas Open in June and went on to become the first player since 1951 to win in her LPGA debut.” “Three months later, Zhang is in Spain for the first time in her life as part of captain Stacy Lewis’ 12-woman team that will take on Team Europe in this week’s Solheim Cup.” “A hundred percent not,” Zhang said Wednesday when asked if she thought making this year’s team was possible. “I think when I played Mizuho, it was only with the intentions of starting off my career and playing the best I could, trying to make the cut. Obviously the results turned out differently and I’ve been super grateful for all the experiences that I’ve gained thus far on tour. Full piece. 5. Kang goes from zero sets of clubs to 2 Adam Woodard for Golfweek…”After two days of practice at Finca Cortesin on Spain’s southern coast, the 30-year-old still didn’t have her golf clubs, but on Tuesday she addressed how her putter made the trip because she packs it separately in a rifle case so that it doesn’t get bent.” “On Wednesday morning, U.S. captain Stacy Lewis shared on social media that not one, but two sets of clubs had arrived for Kang, who is set to make her fourth appearance for the Americans this week.” “Kang plays Titleist clubs, but the folks at Ping who are on-site put together a set for her on Tuesday so she could play during the morning practice round. Titleist shipped a second set that was scheduled to arrive late Tuesday night.” Full piece. 6. ICYMI: TW & Timberlake are opening a bar Jon Hoefling for USA Today…”Tiger Woods’ business venture into golf-themed sports bars continues as he and pop star Justin Timberlake, in partnership with 8AM Golf, are opening a sports bar together.” “The bar, aptly named “T-Squared”, is located on East 42nd Street in Manhattan. It is…open…just in time for the Ryder Cup Tournament.” “The 22,000 square foot venue covers almost an entire city block. It will feature four Full Swing golf simulators, four bowling lanes, dining areas, and over 35 television screens.” Full piece. 7. Amy Olson announces arrival of child Amy Levins for Golf Digest…”The LPGA Tour has another mother amongst its ranks: Amy Olson, along with husband Grant, announced the arrival of their baby girl, Carly Gray, born Sept. 15. Olson becomes the fifth LPGA player to have a child in 2023.” Full piece. 8. McIlroy to play DP World Tour Championship finale Reuters report…”Rory McIlroy plans to play in the DP World Tour Championship in November at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.” “McIlroy is a two-time DP World Tour Championship winner and ended the 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2022 seasons first in the season standings.” “Playing at the DP World Tour Championship is always an amazing experience. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of success in Dubai and at this event in particular,” McIlroy said. “The fans have been great, it’s amazing to have that support out there for us. When you have the top 50 golfers from the DP World Tour, you know it is going to be a fantastic competition. I’ve won here on a couple of occasions and I would love to be right there come Sunday with both trophies to my name.” “The tournament is played Nov. 16-19.” Full piece. 9. Photos from the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Champ Check out all of our galleries here. Full Piece.

GolfWRX checked out the action on the Korn Ferry Tour this week at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at The Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

We have plenty of WITBs this week from the collegiate golf home of Jack Nicklaus, including looks at the gear of Camilo Villegas and Daniel Summerhays.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

• 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship – Monday #1

WITB Albums

• Kevin Dougherty – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Cody Blick – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Wilson Furr – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Brian Campbell – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Cristobal del Solar – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Chris Petefish – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Jared Wolfe – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Trace Crowe – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Nick Lindheim – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Daniel Summerhays – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Kevin Velo – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Bo Hoag – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship
• Sam Saunders – WITB – 2023 Nationwide Children’s Championship

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