News
Tour Rundown: Lashley writes unbelievable story, Stricker wins first USGA event
Take your pick of astonishing results in the world of golf this week. The European and PGA Tours both saw first-time winners claim victory by large margins. One of the most appreciative golfers in the world won his first USGA title, and the golfer many expect to dominate the LPGA tour wrestled a 7th title from nearly the entire field in Arkansas. As June gives way to July, some of the most potent and inspirational golf came our way this week. Have a quick read of our last-week-of-June Tour Rundown.
Lashley and Redman offer unpredictable PGA Tour success at Rocket Mortgage Classic
As impressive as Doc Redman’s performance was this week (Monday qualifier, 2nd place finish, special temporary Tour membership and entry into The Open Championship) Nate Lashley topped him. Lashley didn’t make it through Monday qualifying, but a spot opened up and he was in the tournament. From there, Hollywood took over. Lashley opened with 63 and built on the lead each day. By Sunday’s end, he was 6 shots in front of the runner-up, at 25-under par at the Detroit Golf Club. Lashley made but 3 bogeys on the week, including a 30-hole stretch from Friday to Sunday, when he made not a one. On Sunday, he had a pair of oops as the front nine closed. Fortunately for him, no one close was on the move.
The 35-year old Arizona Wildcat epitomized the term journeyman until this week, when he played like the tour’s finest champion. In addition to the spot in Northern Ireland this month, Ashley now has an invitation to the Masters Tournament, along with a 2-year tour exemption. Interestingly, as Lashley teed off on Saturday with Cameron Champ, in the final pairing, smart money was on the young bomber. It was Champ who lost focus, not Lashley. Sometimes, the gods of golf bestow grace on the most unlikely of recipients.
There's always a window. pic.twitter.com/rvoBKbPbfY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 30, 2019
Stricker runs away with Senior Open at Notre Dame
The story of Steve Stricker would take two or three volumes to complete. Decent success on tour during his first 15 years, followed by complete loss of game as he reached his late thirties. Inexplicably, his game came back and he won 9 times in his forties. Named captain of the Presidents and Ryder Cup sides for the USA, he was a phoenix that had risen from the ashes. Only one victory had escaped him, until 2019. At the Warren golf course on the University of Notre Dame campus, Stricker put on a Joe Montana-esque performance, vanquishing the field by 6 strokes.
On Thursday, the defending champion (David Toms) opened with 62. No matter, so did Stricker. The University of Illinois alum came back on Friday in 64 strokes, establishing the beginnings of a lead he would not surrender. His 66 on Saturday seemingly put the matter to rest, as he took a 6-stroke advantage into the final round. Jerry Kelly, last week’s winner, closed the gap to five at the 10th, but Stricker allowed him no closer. His birdie chip-in sealed the deal, allowing the final six holes to be as much a triumphant march as permitted. The only participant to register 4 rounds in the 60s, Stricker’s 2019 USGA coming-out party will go deep into the month of July.
Steve Stricker, y'all! ???? #USSeniorOpen pic.twitter.com/JXWodNwf59
— USGA (@USGA) June 30, 2019
Sung Hyun Park secures 7th LPGA title in Arkansas
As the eventual champion took bogey on the 9th hole, at least 10 golfers were within 3 shots of the lead. Names like Inbee Park, Carlota Ciganda, Danielle Kang and Hyo Joo Kim were in contention, making the anticipated outcome as predictable as a lottery draw. Something clicked at the turn, though, and Sung Hyun Park made 4 birdies on the inward half. Her 31 there, combined with 35 going out, gave her 66 on the day and -18 for the week. Kang, Inbee and Hyo Joo each had 65 on day three, and each came up one shot shy of a playoff. Brittany Altomare, playoff loser in last year’s Evian Championship, was one stroke farther back, alone in 5th place. We weren’t kidding; everyone had a chance! At -15 came four more golfers, allowing 10 players inside three strokes of 1st place. Back to Sung Hyun. There hasn’t been a dominant player on the LPGA tour since Lydia Ko, in the early 2010s. Ko is off, in search of her swing, and there may not be another like her for some time. With only 4 bogeys on the week, Park was as dominating as anyone. 2 of her 7 tour titles are major events. A few more of those, and she might be the one who holds the scepter.
???? CLANG ???? ??
Watch this shot by Sung Hyun Park on 7!@NWAChampionship | @GolfChannel pic.twitter.com/2iyCGG1y1v
— LPGA (@LPGA) June 30, 2019
Bezuidenhout irons first Euro Tour win in southern Spain
Any other week, Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s commanding win at Valderrama would be the talk of Tour Rundown. The young South African pulled a Lashley, holding 1st place from the 2nd round on, holding off golfers like Garcia, Rahm and Quiros. Trouble was, Lashley won his first event this week, too. And Stricker won by a boatload of strokes, as well. We suspect that Bezuidenhout doesn’t much care. He won on the premier shotmaker’s course in all of golf, a layout described by the twisting trunks and branches of cork trees. Tee balls and approaches are compelled to move laterally, in order to avoid the snares along the way. And here was Bezuidenhout, with a large lead, making birdie at the 2 opening holes on Sunday, as if to run away with things. 4 bogies in his next 5 holes brought the field much closer.
Doing little to challenge was the winner’s final-round partner, Jon Rahm. Having demonstrated little ability to succeed under pressure, the Spaniard played true to form at Valderrama. Although still in the mix entering the final nine holes, Rahm turned with bogey-par-double to cancel his chances for good. In the end, it was Alvaro Quiros, the forgotten Spanish bomber of the early 2010s, following a Saturday 76 with a 10-shot improvement on Sunday. He tied for 2nd with 4 other golfers (3 of them Spaniards!) at -4, six behind the winner. With the triumph, Bezuidenhout joins Lashley and Redman from the other side of the pond, at Royal Portrush this month. Happy June!
Recap Bezuidenhout's winning final round ????#ValderramaMasters pic.twitter.com/Qqfb0dDn8R
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 30, 2019
Playoff in Utah sees Ventura send off Creel on 3rd extra hole
In the first week of the era known as the Korn Ferry Tour (farewell, Web.Com), Kristoffer Ventura and Joshua Creel were the last men standing in a breakneck dash to the finish. 3rd-place finishers Ryan Brehm, Charlie Saxon and Kevin Dougherty all had chances to reach -14 and join the playoff, but each slid his effort past the hole’s edge. Daniel Summerhays could not buy a putt the last 36 holes, and finished an agonizing 2 strokes back. Ventura birdied 4 of his final 7 holes, reaching the house first at -14. Creel matched him moments later, nearly hole for hole, at -4 over the closing stretch, to sign for his own 14-under. The playoff began at the 18th, and both players made par. After striping drives on the 18th once more, neither player acquitted himself well with the approach. Two more pars sent the pair to the 10th hole. It was Creel who blinked, driving his ball under a tree. Unable to extricate himself with enough skill, he made bogey. Ventura tapped in from 24 inches, and the first Korn Ferry Tour title went to the young Cowboy from Oklahoma State. Coincidentally, it was the first victory of his young career as well, and moved him close to locking up a 2020 PGA Tour card.
Opportunity maximized. ????@OSUCowboyGolf alum @KrisVentura95 finished T3 on a sponsor's invite at last month's @BMWCharityProAm to secure starts for the remainder of 2019.
Now he's a #KornFerryTour winner @UTChampionship!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/H8QL5tzZI1
— Korn Ferry Tour (@kornferrytour) July 1, 2019
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News
Morning 9: Tiger confirms playing schedule | Player: This caused Tiger’s downfall
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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News
Vincenzi’s 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson betting preview: International talent to shine
As anticipation mounts for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in a few weeks, the PGA Tour makes a pit stop in McKinney, Texas to play The CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Last year was the third time TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson. Prior to 2021, the event was held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
TPC Craig Ranch is a 7,414-yard par-71 that features Bentgrass greens. The event historically plays relatively easy, and that has remained the case in the three editions at TPC Craig Ranch.
The course structure may provide some additional intrigue with the par-3 17th featuring a stadium setup called “Ranch 17” which is reminiscent of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The course also has both long and difficult par-4s mixed with drivable par-4s, which should create some exciting moments.
There are 156 golfers in the field this week, and many stars will be taking the week off to prepare for 2023’s second major championship in a few weeks and a “signature event” at Quail Hollow next week. Notable players in the field include Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sungjae Im, Stephan Jaeger, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, Alex Noren, Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris.
Past Winners of the AT&T Byron Nelson
- 2023: Jason Day (-23 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2022: K.H. Lee (-26 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2021: K.H. Lee (-25 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2019: Sung Kang (-23)
- 2018: Aaron Wise (-23)
- 2017: Billy Horschel (-12)
- 2016: Sergio Garcia (-15)
- 2015: Steven Bowditch (-18)
Key Stats at TPC Craig Ranch
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for TPC Craig Ranch to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach remains the best measure of current form.
Hot iron play will be at a premium this week. Last year, Jason Day gained 6.4 strokes on approach, which was fourth in the field. In 2022, K.H. Lee was ninth in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.2 strokes. In his 2021 victory, he was second in the field and gained 8.3 strokes on the field in the category.
Strokes Gaines: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.02)
- Henrik Norlander (+0.99)
- Ryan Moore (+0.98)
- Ben Martin (0.80)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Fairways are wide at TPC Craig Ranch.
Distance will certainly be helpful, and there aren’t too many difficult holes on the course. Golfers who put themselves in position off of the tee this week should have a sizable advantage.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds
- Peter Kuest (+0.93)
- Kevin Daugherty (+0.91)
- Alejandro Tosti (+0.83)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.82)
- Kevin Tway (+0.74)
Birdie or Better %
There aren’t many hazards on the course, and all of the par-5s should be reachable in two for the majority of the players in the field. I am anticipating a birdie fest, and this statistic should be helpful in finding the birdie-makers.
Birdie or Better % Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Wesley Bryan (31%)
- Kelly Kraft (26.2%)
- Peter Kuest (25.9%)
- Matti Schmid (25.7%
- Jimmy Stanger (25.2%)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Many golfers on TOUR have some major putting surface variance in their statistics and prefer Bentgrass to other surfaces.
Bentgrass is common in Texas, and we often see golfers who play well in Texas continue to do so, finding a great feel around the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Maverick McNealy (+0.92)
- Aaron Baddeley (+0.87)
- Callum Tarren (+0.86)
- Harry Hall (+0.81)
- Nick Hardy (+0.69)
Course History
This statistic will tell us which players have performed the best at TPC Craig Ranch over the past three seasons.
Course History Over Past 12 Rounds:
- Jordan Spieth (+2.69)
- K.H. Lee (+2.59)
- Seamus Power (+1.84)
- Ryan Palmer (+1.76)
- Adam Scott (+1.72)
CJ CUP Byron Nelson Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: OTT (24%), Birdie or Better % (18%), Course History (17%) and SG: Putting Bentgrass (16%).
- Alex Noren
- Adam Scott
- Keith Mitchell
- Si Woo Kim
- Stephen Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Nate Lashley
- Brice Garnett
- Tom Hoge
2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks
Byeong Hun An +3000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun put together an excellent performance at The Masters, finishing T16, which ties his best ever finish at a major championship (also T16 at 2019 U.S. Open). The South Korean gained 9.16 strokes from tee to green, which ranked 2nd in the field behind only the champion, Scottie Scheffler.
An’s next start at Harbour Town didn’t go as well (67th), but he still had a fantastic ball striking week. The 32-year-old bled strokes both around and on the greens, which was his eventual undoing. In his past three starts, An has gained significant strokes on the field both off the tee and on approach.
Benny had a strong start at last year’s Byron Nelson, finishing in a tie for 14th. With limited challenges on the course, he shouldn’t have to do much scrambling. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 17th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 17th in the field in birdie or better percentage. The putter is up and down per usual, but his ceiling putting weeks with his LAB Golf putter in 2024 are higher than they’ve been in past seasons.
An is starting to become my “white whale” of the PGA Tour, but I believe in his talent and TPC Craig Ranch is a course that should suit his excellent tee to green play.
Mackenzie Hughes +5500 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes is quietly putting together a very good season. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Valspar Championship and followed that up with a T14 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
In his past 36 rounds in Texas, the Canadian ranks 5th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total. Last year, he finished in a tie for 14th at this event and gained strokes putting and off the tee. Mackenzie played well that week despite being in extremely poor form. He missed two cuts in a row prior to the event, and four consecutive cuts immediately after. His irons were off that week, but in 2024, we’ve seen an improvement in Hughes’ approach game. He now comes to the event playing some steady golf. He’s gained strokes on approach in four of his past five events and is hitting the ball very well from tee to green.
Hughes has two victories on the PGA Tour, both coming in relatively low-scoring affairs (-17 in each). He will need to go a bit deeper to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson but has the type of putter that can keep pace in a birdie barrage.
Seamus Power +7000 (FanDuel)
After struggling over the past few seasons with injuries, Seamus Power seems as if he is rounding back into the form that made him a really consistent player on the PGA Tour.
Power finished T12 in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage, which is encouraging considering it was a “signature event” with a very strong field. For the week, the Irishman gained 4.4 strokes on approach and 2.8 strokes putting, which is the combination he’s used in the past to contend on Tour.
In his three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, Power is yet to finish outside of the top-20, with his best finish being a T9 in 2019. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course. The 37-year-old thrives on easy tracks and has won in 2021 (Barbasol Championship) and 2022 (Butterfield Bermuda) on easier layouts with weaker fields.
Power has the game to go extremely low and I believe he can get back in the winner’s circle for the third time in four years.
Chan Kim +10000 (FanDuel)
Chan Kim has been striking the ball beautifully this season and is a proven winner with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 as well as eight career Japan Tour wins.
At last week’s Zurich Classic, Kim and his partner Doug Ghim finished in a tie for 28th. Prior to that, the South Korean T14 at the Valero Texas Open and T6 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His success this season in Texas as well as he propensity to play his best golf on the PGA Tour’s easier courses make him and ideal fit for TPC Craig Ranch.
2024 has given plenty of longshot winners on the PGA Tour, and with a birdie fest like this, I believe there’s a strong chance we get another this week in McKinney, Texas.
Alejandro Tosti +10000 (FanDuel)
Alejandro Tosti is one of the most polarizing players on the PGA Tour thus far in the 2024 season. His antics can rub many the wrong way, but he’s shown on a few occasions that he has what it takes to compete in Tour events.
This season, Tosti has been elite off the tee. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The Argentine hits it long and straight, which works at any course on earth. He got a taste of contention a few starts ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing in a tie for 2nd place.
Tosti had a fantastic year in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour, where going low is a prerequisite to success. If this turns to a shootout, which it likely will, the 27-year-old has the ability to set the pace. Tosti will look to become the second Argentine to win in Texas in the past two seasons after Emiliano Grillo emerged victorious at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
C.T. Pan +15000 (FanDuel)
Outside of a T3 at the Mexico Open, C.T. Pan doesn’t have strong results this season in terms of finishes. However, over his past two starts, Pan’s iron play has come alive. At The Players, he gained 6.6 strokes on approach. At the Valero Texas Open, he gained 3.7. At last week’s Zurich Classic, Pan and his partner Kevin Yu finished T28. For a player who can get extremely hot with his scoring clubs, I believe he’s playing better than the results have shown over the past month or so.
Last season, Pan finished 4th at TPC Craig Ranch and was spectacular across all the major stat categories. In his past 36 qualifying rounds, he ranks 16th in Strokes Gained: Total in Texas.
Pan has won on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage and is always a player that I believe has what it takes to win on a Sunday if he finds himself in contention.
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