The golden season for leaves in the American middle and north countries arrived this week, with fireworks of gold, red, and orange dressing all sorts of trees in fall glory. The golf world reminded us of the extension of seasons around the world, well into November. Four events took place over these seven days, in Korea and Carolina, as well as Spain and Virginia. As the leaves drop, so does the number of remaining tournaments. If we’re fortunate, the competitors will continue to give us memorable moments, until the snow flakes arrive. Let’s dive into this week’s Tour Rundown with a bit of Autumn enthusiasm.
PGA Tour: CJ Cup rides off with Rory again
There’s a pretty good chance that Rory and the McIlroys are now officially scouting a piece of land in South Carolina’s low country. It’s not just the seafood boils that prove attractive; it’s the employment opportunities. For the second consecutive year, the pride of Holywood Golf Club secured a win at Congaree, although the new/old world number one decided to make it just a bit dramatic.
Jon Rahm and Kurt Kitayama held a joint, 36-hole lead at 11-under par, with McIlroy one shot back. On Saturday, the 2021 PGA Championship at nearby Kiawah Island made a move with a second-consecutive 66. With nothing assured, Roars played nearly-flawless golf through sixteen holes on Sunday. Seven birdies agains one bogey gave him a three-shot advantage with two to play. On the penultimate hole, his drive found a waste bunker, and his second bogey of the day was the result. At the last hole, a less-than-stellar approach left him 50 feet for birdie. With no desire to risk a week’s hard work, McIlroy eased into the hole in three putts, giving him a one-shot win over Kitayama. K.H. Lee of South Korea came third, at 15-under par.
LPGA: BMW Ladies Championship to Ko in sizzling fashion
Atthaya Thitikul began the week in wondrous fashion. Her nine-under 63 staked her to a one-shot advantage over amateur Minsol Kim. The amateur would ultimately tie for tenth position, earning the respect of her fellow competitors. Thitikul would hold the lead until Sunday, when her game left her and she closed with 74. Thitikul’s departure opened the door for a host of challengers, and a familiar name was the one to close the door.
After earning 14 tour victories over a four-year span last decade, Lydia Ko passed through a few lean years. Over the past two seasons, she has earned three victories, with the latest coming this week in Korea. Ko and Andrea Lee began round four a shot behind Thitikul. Ko reminded us of the closer that she once was. Her final-nine 31 featured five birdies, and allowed her to pull away from Lee and claim her 18th LPGA title. Lee’s final-round 69 might have won the event on a different day, but with Ko in fabulous form, a solo second was Lee’s destiny.
DP World Tour: Mallorca is milestone for Paul
How does one top a three-birdie, three-eagle Saturday? One that totals 62, and gives you the 54-hole lead? Nothing spectacular, just good-enough golf to claim your first DP World Tour title by a single stroke. Yannick Paul of Germany had earned top-ten finishes in recent starts at Madrid and Paris, so he might have had an inkling that a shot at a title wasn’t far off. Mallorca, in the Mediterranean off Spain’s eastern coast, gave him that opportunity and he seized it.
Winning isn’t easy, nor is it ever comprehensible. After rounds of 64 and 62, Paul found himself with a lead and a weight on his shoulders. Sunday began as it often does for the non-winner: the game that brought him to 71 on Thursday, and threatened to eviscerate his title hopes. Bogeys at one and seven turned him the wrong way, but birdies at eight and 11 stabilized the flight pattern. With a chance to separate from Paul Waring and Nicolai Von Dellinghausen, the golfers who would ultimately tie for second at 14-under par, Paul made another pair of bogeys at 14 and 15, in an effort to release his hold on the title.
With everything on the line, Yannick Paul found a way to coax his approach at the 18th to the right fringe. The rest, for him at least, is glorious history. Have a watch below.
PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Classic is Alker’s fourth of 2022
Is it a mild slump when, after three wins (including a major) in April and May, you don’t win again until October? Not really, although some pundits and aficionados might be misled into thinking just that. Toruing professionals are well aware that greatness flies away without warning, and success might be one adjustment away. Steven Alker spent a lifetime in the grind on the regular tours, winning just enough to keep the dream alive. His second chance at glory, on PGA Tour Champions, is one that he plans to hold close, for as long as possible.
In Richmond, Virginia, Alker had a high finish in his sight scope, although Jerry Kelly seemed determined to snatch it away. Kelly began the week with 65-67, and posted birdie on Sunday’s opening hole. An unforeseen double at the par-three fourth stalled the engine. A pair more of birdies against a bogey followed, but when a guy like Alker reels off four birdies on the inward half, including three consecutive, it’s not your day. Kelly ultimately finished in a tie for third with Doug Barron and Padraig Harrington, one behind K.J. Choi and two back of Alker, who secured win number four of the year.
After the signing of the cards, Alker let his guard down a bit. When you win, however, moments like these are easy to manage!
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19th Hole2 weeks ago
19th Hole1 week ago
