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Tour Rundown: Whitnell whins | Taylor lifts the curse for Oh Canada
June is a pivotal month. No matter where you live, in the northern hemisphere, the good weather has finally arrived to stay (except for Wisconsin.) Even rainy June days are a delight. When she closes on the 30th each spin around the sun, we realize that the calendar has crested the mountain’s peak, and that the days are getting shorter. Not by much; we don’t notice a difference until August. Back to June: we extract as much as we are able out of the year’s sixth month. It helps that the US Men’s Open finishes on the third Sunday each year.
June’s second weekend brought five global events to our eyes. Women and Men vied for a single prize in Sweden, while seniors gathered in Wisconsin (one guess on who won in his home state?) The men found four days in Ontario to be typical, maple-leaf party, while the women took their best shots in the Garden state. Oh, lest we forget, those KFT guys traveled to upstate South Carolina for a little BMW bash. Time to run down the quintet of … wait, what just happened? Is that boarding? Five-minute major penalty for the security guard? You be the judge. Say a prayer for Adam Hadwin, while you’re at it.
unbelievable. was a totally clean hit. are we gonna start playing flag football now?! pic.twitter.com/u4VyaGvoQT
— James Colgan (@jamescolgan26) June 12, 2023
DP World Tour @ Scandinavian Mixed: Whitnell Whins!
A year ago at this event, Linn Grant played flawless golf to become the first female to triumph on the DP World Tour. Dale Whitnell was in the throes of a 14-year, winless streak on the big tour. Since he turned professional in 2009, the former Walker Cup golfer has scratched his way from minor league to major league, but had never tasted victory until this week. After he opened with 66, the worst thing possible happened in round two: a 61.
For those uninitiated, such a round on Friday is more of a yoke than a blessing. You carry a large lead with you for 36 holes, and rarely do you build on it. Whitnell struggled mightily against expectation and self-imposed pressure over the next 48 hours. Saturday saw a brilliant day of seven birdies nearly undone with two doubles and a single. On Sunday, the yoke tightened ever more, and no dust had settled until the watery 17th. It was there that the Englishman played two sensible shots to within 17 feet of the hole, then calmly rolled the putt for birdie home. With three strokes in hand over the USA’s Sean Crocker, the leader managed to find the fairway at the home hole, then pitch inside of 15 feet. Two putts later, the 34-year old journeyman was finally a winner on the DP World Tour. As a bonus, Whitnell received the champion’s trophy from one of the all-time greats, host Annika Sorenstam.
A maiden Tour victory for @Dale_Whitnell ? #VolvoScandinavianMixed pic.twitter.com/rrw3QJ0zpt
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 11, 2023
LPGA @ ShopRite Classic: Buhai corrals first LPGA title in states
Ashleigh Buhai is the defending Women’s Open (aka British Open) champion, and having that sort of winning experience means a lot, coming down the final holes of any tournament. For much of the tournament, it looked like veteran Dani Homqvist might break through for a maiden LPGA win but, as is often the case, inexperience with closing the door took over. Homqvist could not settle the bogey nerves, ultimately scribbling five of them on her Sunday card. Her +1 on day three offered opportunity to the chasers, and it was a battle to the finish in New Jersey.
Yan Liu of China reached -11 with a final-day 67. Her hopes for victory were dashed when Hyo Joo Kim of Korea posted 68 for -13 on the week. Kim would see her number eclipsed by South Africa’s queen of golf, Ashleigh Buhai. Buhai sizzled on the front nine, tossing five birdies at the par of 37, to turn in 32. She survived a bogey bump at the 11th, and unearthed two more birdies coming home. Her four at the closing par five was the exquisite stroke that propelled her to a 21st professional win, and 2nd on the LPGA tour.
Eye on the prize from our current clubhouse leader @ash_simon ?
Tune into @GolfChannel now to catch the action! pic.twitter.com/epYNMS1umT
— LPGA (@LPGA) June 11, 2023
PGA Tour @ Canadian Open: Taylor lifts the curse for Oh, Canada!
Let’s begin with a moment of silence for hard-luck Tommy Fleetwood. Poor bustard needed a PGA Tour win for validation, and he ran headfirst into history. As we know, history always wins. Keep at it, Fairway Jesus. Your time is coming.
So many of our northern neighbors had tried in vain to lift the Maple Syrup Jug (or whatever the trophy is) since Pat Fletcher won in 1954, at Point Grey in Vancouver. Think of these gods of Canadian golf: George Knudson, Dan Halldorson, Mike Weir, Moe Norman, Adam Hadwin, Dick Zokol, Dave Barr, and Jim Nelford, for starters. Until this year, nothing. Then came Nick Taylor, in the 97th year of Oakdale’s existence. What a time to end the drought.
Taylor isn’t the young bomber that Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith are. He is the middle-aged bomber with the savvy of a guy who knows how to get it done. Taylor and a host of golfers were welcomed into contention as 54-hole leader CT Pan got off to a bumpy start. +2 on the day after nine, he fought back with three birdies on the inward side, and tied for 3rd spot with Aaron Rai and Tyrrell Hatton. The third Englishman to make the top five, Fleetwood made birdie at 16 and 17, but struggled to save par at 18. The closing par five would be his doom, about two hours later.
Taylor had posted 63 on Saturday, and looked to be on his way to a large margin of victory in regulation. His clean card of five-under on the day through ten was brilliant, until the enormity of the task revealed itself to him. Bogey at 11, 12, and 16 left him one back of Fleetwood, heading to the home hole. With the calm of a Mountie, he coaxed a birdie putt home to secure a spot in a playoff.
Taylor and Fleetwood battled to a fourth extra hole, matching par-birdie-par. Returning to the home hole, Fleetwood pitched to 12 feet with his third, and considered his position enviable, even though Taylor was aboard in two, 72 feet away. With one mighty blow, Taylor’s arcing putt shaved away all the years of frustration and torment for the Maple Leaf. As the ball made its final curve toward glory, the crowd rose as one and cheered for all to hear, for all time.
A win for their country ??
Canadian players watched on as @NTaylorGolf59 won @RBCCanadianOpen with an unreal 72-foot eagle. pic.twitter.com/kYtun47ceH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 12, 2023
Korn Ferry Tour @ BMW Championship: ADdC debuts on world stage with win
His Excellency, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, would like to extend his gratitude to all for attending his coronation celebration in the duchy of Greer, South Carolina. He would like to extend his condolences to Josh Teater, the foe that he vanquished upon field of battle and honor.
Thanks for humoring me. Adrien Dumont de Chassart? If that isn’t a name fit for royalty, then I’m not fit for publication. ADC for short, had some kind of run on the Thornblade course at the Carolina Country Club, SC version. He stood two-under par on the day through 12 holes, in position for a nice payday. And then, he saw God. Birdie-Birdie-Birdie-Eagle and suddenly, his royal highness was in the thick of things. What had looked like a decent shot for Josh Teater had turned into a dogfight.
Teeter stood four-under through seven on Sunday, but lost his mojo. He played the remaining eleven holes in even par, and was fortunate to reach the playoff session. It was over quickly, but not as you might expect. It was Teater who found the extra green in regulation, but it was Teater who took three putts to get down. It was ADC who missed the green, but it was ADC who got up and down for par. Golf is like that: maddening.
Just like he has done it for years??@adrienddc eagles the 16th and takes a one-shot lead @BMWCharityProAm. pic.twitter.com/WTxAAlltek
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) June 11, 2023
PGA Tour Champions @ AFI: When in Wisconsin, bet Stricker
Honestly, why do they even play the tournament? If it’s a PGATC event in Wisconsin, and Steve Stricker is in the field, just send everyone home on Friday. Doesn’t matter if Justin Leonard shoots a 62 on Friday. Doesn’t matter if Colin Montgomerie makes a charge on Sunday. Steve Stricker has two “S” on his shirt; he’s double-Superman, especially in his home state.
So it goes. That’s a line from Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. So it goes with Steve Stricker. He wins. He might have won more on the regular tour. He might have won a major on the regular tour, but he did not. Instead, he fought through injury, helped to raise a family, and bided his time for senior golf. He also captained a Ryder Cup side to victory in … you guessed it, Wisconsin.
On Sunday, Stricker kinda coasted home after opening 65-64. He posted 69 on the home course of his beloved Wisconsin Badgers, University Ridge. He made five birdies against two bogies, but no one made a run at him. It’s as if the others were afraid to challenge the lion in his den. Whatever, dude. The victory was his 15th on the retirement tour, and his fourth of 2023. Tell your kids to watch him now, so that they can say they saw him when.
Stricker being Stricker ?@stevestricker @amfamchamp pic.twitter.com/6ftXomwLaX
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 11, 2023
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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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Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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