News

Scott, Australia get their first green jacket

Published

11 years ago

Apr 14, 2013

Adam Scott and Australia donned a green jacket for the first time Sunday, as Scott defeated Angel Cabrera in a two-hole playoff.

Both playoff combatants birdied No. 18 in regulation to finish at 9-under, two shots clear of runner up Jason Day. They then split the fairway with their tee balls in the first playoff hole, No. 18. Both spun approaches off the green, chipped up close (starting to get the theme here?) and both went on to No. 10.

After Scott’s 3 wood found the fairway, Cabrera annihilated a 3-iron into the short grass. They remained step-for-step as both players again reached the green and had makeable putts for birdie, with Scott’s ball slightly closer to the hole. Cabrera missed, Scott made and the ghost of Greg Norman’s misfortune was exorcised from the grounds of Augusta forever.

“Es un gran jugador y de verdad lo merece,” said Angel Cabrera at the completion of the tournament, describing Adam Scott. “He is a great player and he truly deserves it.”

Greatness was thrust upon Scott at an early age. His first professional win came on the European Tour in 2001, at the age of 21. He won his first big event three years later in the U.S., surviving a final-hole glitch at The Players. In 2011, his outstanding performance at the Masters was overshadowed by Charl Schwartzel’s closing stretch. In 2012, he seemed to have the British Open in his grasp, only to lose the lead and the tournament on the final green.

Click here to see the equipment Scott had in the bag at the Masters.

The 2013 Masters was a crossroads for Adam Scott. A loss to Cabrera might have meant another dagger to the psyche and the ego. In the end, Scott was up to the challenge and may have arrived as the player for whom much was predicted.

Thirteen golfers began Sunday at the Masters within five strokes of the lead, including co-leaders Brandt Snedeker and Cabrera, who won the Masters in 2009. Snedeker went the wrong way from No. 2 onward, making one more birdie to go with four bogeys. It seemed as if his day had ended early. Cabrera would be in the thick of the competition all day, as El Pato (“the duck” in Spanish, Cabrera’s nickname) was at home in the gentle rain. His 2009 victory at Augusta would confirm his quiet confidence.

Day had a birdie-eagle start and seized the lead from Snedeker (who birdied No. 1) and Cabrera. Day would bogey Nos. 6 and 9 holes to give two shots back, then rebounded with a birdie on No. 13 to close within one of Cabrera. Day made another bogey at No. 17 and there were two at the top, one a stroke behind. Day was unable to coax home a birdie from 20 feet on No. 18 and came up one stroke shy.

At 5:45, Tiger Woods found himself two strokes out of the lead. If those strokes sounded familiar, they were precisely the penalty licks he received on Friday, after taking an improper drop on No. 15. Who knows what might have happened if he and the field had seen his name on top the leader board at that juncture.

With four holes to go at 6 p.m., Australia liked its odds. Day, Scott and Marc Leishman occupied three of the top-four spots on the leader board. Day made birdie on No. 15 to take a two-stroke lead as Scott watched from the fairway. Day’s countryman then zipped an iron in to 20 feet for a run at eagle and a tie for the lead. Moments later, Leishman’s chances at victory ended as he came up feet short of the green and caromed backward into the pond of despair alongside the Sarazen bridge.

Cabrera’s wild-slice approach found the left greenside bunker, but he was unable to get up and down for a birdie to tie the leaders. Scott left himself 20 feet to take the lead on No. 16, but could not convert. If things weren’t dramatic enough, they quickened the pulse yet again. Cabrera birdied No. 16 and narrowly missed taking the lead with a birdie putt that creased the edge of the hole. At this moment, an entire antipodean population must have wondered if its hearts would again be broken by divinely-played intervention.

On No. 18, Scott drove ball in rough just shy of fairway bunkers. His approach, played to the right side of the green, caught the slope and trundled down to about 30 fee from the hole. Unlike in 2009, when he drove it in the woods on No. 18, Cabrera split the middle with a knife-like drive. After missing putts left, right and short on the previous three holes, Scott drained his birdie and forced Cabrera to make three to tie. Proving that ducks run cold blood through their bodies, Cabrera stuffed his approach to three feet, bringing on the playoff.

The playoff could have been another stumbling block for Scott, but this time he survived to win Australia’s first-ever green jacket.

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Adam Scott: From Down Under to On Top of the World

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Cabrera, Scott: Playoff for Masters title

Ronald Montesano

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

13 Comments

Chris

Apr 20, 2013 at 9:44 am

I keep hearing tradition and then I note that the long/belly putter has been used since the game was invented. Seems pretty traditional to me.

What would be nice is if people took time to educate themselves rather than regurgitating 10 second sound lips they heard on TV.

Same as our voting public, we have “low information” people trolling our golf sites….

Reply Report comment
Steve St. Clair

Apr 15, 2013 at 6:49 pm

Hey, G, why don’t you move on to some other game that you can respect. Leave golf to those of us with lower standards than you that still enjoy the game, respect the game, and the players. Seems like you might suffer from broomstick envy…

Reply Report comment
Tim

Apr 15, 2013 at 10:34 am

The Masters did not disappoint again! Wonderful, exciting to the end.

As to what the pubilc (non-playing) thinks of golf, I think they found more than enough to prove the game instills character and perseverance in the players, both professional and amateur. Perhaps things that not all the “public” truly understands.

I felt for Jason Day, but he will be there again. I felt for Brad, but his time will come. I felt for Tiger, but he will gain confidence knowing he overcame the penalty to again be “in the mix” as he calls it.

No other tournament has the drama to the end that the Masters does!

Reply Report comment
- G
  
  Apr 15, 2013 at 11:25 am
  
  Oh I think the general public understands plenty. If they’re not playing golf, then they’re playing tennis, into the NBA, the NFL, the NHL, and if not, then, soccer, Track & Field, etc etc.
  I think the public knows there is something not quite right with golf at the moment for the game to attract such rules arguments even among the veterans of the game, including the legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. I think they are fully aware that when the government body in the USGA comes out not necessary a rule change, but a firm decision on the rules which had been rather weakly defined, to finally become the law for future generations to level off the game.
  
  The public understands. They see it everywhere else. A lot of the public still thinks it’s a silly game that they can pick up in their retirement and expect to play like the legends or like Woods just by buying the same exact equipment advertised on TV, and that those of us who have been playing it for their entire lives have no right to mock the newcomers because, in the end, the newcomers don’t care what the rules are, they just want to play.
  Is that what the games is all about? The rules are meant to be broken and ignored and argued, for the sake of the “enjoyment” of the game? Is that what Adam Scott has been given, a license to just enjoy the game like everybody else with equipment that looks like it doesn’t belong in golf?
  
  Reply Report comment
llamont

Apr 15, 2013 at 3:26 am

Well done, Adam! I’m glad to see genuinely classy person and a ferocious competitor (at the same darned time) win their first major in a tournament that was so “eventful”. Cheers!!!

Reply Report comment
Derek

Apr 15, 2013 at 12:39 am

I’m going to have to agree with Ronaldo and Pat.

Although I’m not in favour of the anchored putters (belly and chest alike) because of it’s complete runaway of “tradition” so to speak; also you could argue that under NORMAL circumstances it might help a below average putter become average… by no means does it make good putters great and average putters good.

Moving on, to their point, the best putters in the game are all using conventional putters with conventional grips: a la Tiger and Snedeker; arguably the two best putters in the game today.

Also, if you’ve forgotton that ALL of the rules are in “the book” as you call it, then you have lost touch with the game, not everyone else. The rules of golf are pretty clear cut, hence why Tiger suffered a 2 stroke penalty for dropping the ball further from the described proximity and being saved from DQ thanks to the new rule which might save a golfer if a decision is made after he has signed what would be a good score-card if it wasn’t altered by the committee after the game.

And lastly, although I simpathize with Guan, Chamblee explained it quite well when he said that all players are slow, but experienced players know how to circumvent the rule, Ie. walking slowly and allowing their caddy to reach the ball first and make 80% of the decision before the player gets there… etc. Obviously Guan doesn’t know this because he’s 14 playing in a PGA Tour event (let alone the Master’s) for the first time…

Ps. Golf gods exist because he made the cut anyways. Cheers.

Reply Report comment
phase3golf

Apr 15, 2013 at 12:34 am

Well done Adam, “monkey” of the back so to speak and C’mon Aussie!!!

Reply Report comment
Patrick Millard

Apr 15, 2013 at 12:12 am

Well said roland
If scotty could put he would have won this by 4 or 5 strokes.
Cheers

Reply Report comment
Ryan

Apr 15, 2013 at 12:12 am

One of the best Masters I’ve ever seen. I really enjoyed it.

Reply Report comment
Ronald Montesano

Apr 15, 2013 at 12:05 am

G,
Did you see Scott miss the eagle putt on 15, the birdie putt on 16 and the birdie putt on 17? You can’t tell me that it has salvaged his putting game. He won with his tee to green game, not with his scrambling and his 6-10 feet putts.

It’s terrific that you “dedicated players” will continue to educate the laypeople (sic).

I found this to be a wondrous week in golf. The game survived two controversies (Guan and Woods) and gave us a magical ending in spite of a day of wretched conditions.

Reply Report comment
- G
  
  Apr 15, 2013 at 2:36 am
  
  Not arguing the ones he missed – he missed plenty, yes – but at the same time, how would he have been had he used a normal, non-anchored putter at a normal length, of say, 35 inches? He tried experimenting again earlier this year, thinking that the rules would be in place immediately, and when he found out it wasn’t, he was quick to drop that and go right back to the broomstick.
  
  Could he have putted so well over the past couple of years had he been forced to use a conventional 35 incher. The answer is unequivocally, no. Otherwise he would have never picked up the broomstick in the first place if he was able to make putts.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - J
    
    Jul 23, 2013 at 4:20 am
    
    http://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.02564.html#2004
    
    Unequivocally no? Granted, this was 9 years ago but to lead the tour for a whole year in Stroke Gained Putting shows that there is some ability there somewhere. This is proof he is capable of switching successfully back to the short putter!
    
    Reply Report comment
G

Apr 14, 2013 at 11:39 pm

This is as low and as bad as a golf tournament gets, with all its controversies, and ending with yet another controversy.

What a terrible Masters it turned out to be. Memorable for sure, as the rules will be examined through and through by the experts and beginners alike.

But the game looks bad to the general public who doesn’t really know golf or its weird rules. This tournament did not help the game any. We’re going to be made to look like a bunch of fools investing all this time into a game that really don’t have a strict set of rules for anything at all, including equipment, where everything is sort of heresay and allowed, for the sake of being nice to each other and yet not to a young kid who wants to get in on the game, being made a scapegoat, at a time when we’re desperately trying to attract more players to the game overall.

I’m already hearing how pathetic golfers are, from people around me who don’t play the game, at the silliness and pettiness of the game, for exactly the above reasons outlined above.

I do feel a bit ashamed that the game has got this low with so much bickering and un-gentlemanly conduct all around, with wishy-washy officiating that mean absolutely nothing because they no longer appear to be rules at all to the layperson watching the proceedings. I was asked – “so is it a rule in the book, or not?” And I had no real reply.

And here comes the anchoring debate. I feel for Scott, but then again, I don’t. His career has obviously been resurrected by that wretched broomstick thing, which now must be considered the decisive proof, that the devilish tool can, in fact, help those who need that sort of help. There should be no more argument, but alas – to the laypeople, they have no idea with what conundrum us dedicated players must now contend.

A sad week in golf.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Published

20 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

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

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying about our photos from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

Published

20 hours ago

Apr 23, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

“After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”

Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

“A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”

“It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”

Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

“The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”

Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

“Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”

Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

“The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”

“I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”

Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

“On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”

“Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”

“Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”

“Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”

Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

“While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”

“Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”

“Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”

“I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.

Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

“One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”

“He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”

Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.

Full piece.

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News

Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

Published

2 days ago

Apr 22, 2024

Ronald Montesano

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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