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Tour Rundown: Memorial winner and new world No. 1 | Second KFT win of 2020 for Riley
It wouldn’t be professional golf if the officials didn’t get a ruling wrong. The one thing that we thought might go away for good returned but with little bite. An apparent infraction, not discernible to the naked eye, was picked up by a high-speed camera, examined ad nauseum, and then assessed post-roundem. As indicated above, the two-stroke penalty did not change the current event, but it signaled a dangerous return by the powers of golf, to the very type of scrutiny that turned fans off to the sport.
The PGA Tour followed in the footsteps of the USGA (Dustin Johnson and Anna Nordqvist) and the PGA of America (also Dustin Johnson) in turning to super high-resolution video to uncover a maybe-infraction. It’s a shame when officials insert themselves into the story; it takes away from the spirit of the game.
Thank you for reading my rant against hyper-vigilance. Let’s proceed with this week’s Tour Rundown.
Rahm wins Memorial, ascends to world number one
Jon Rahm spoke across the ocean to his mother and grandmother in Euskera, the Basque language, moments after he won the Memorial Tournament. Rahm became the first Spaniard since the late Severiano Ballesteros to reach the pinnacle of professional golf, the number one ranking in the world. Rahm stood on the 10th tee with an eight-shot advantage. Preserving such a lead has only come easily to Tiger Woods. Over the next four holes, Rahm would make two bogies and a double, and see his lead dwindle to three strokes over playing partner Ryan Palmer. To make the match more delicious, Rahm and Palmer team up annually at the Zurich Classic, the two-man event held in New Orleans. They’ve even won the event together, but on Sunday afternoon, there was no love shared nor lost.
Just when things looked dismal for the former Arizona State golfer, Rahm pulled off a shot for the ages. He holed out from the high grass behind the 16th hole, when it appeared that he would drop a shot or two. Despite missing the 17th fairway (bunker) and 18th fairway (rough), and both the 17th and 18th greens in regulation, Rahm’s deft touch emerged once again around those putting surfaces, and he raised his hands in triumph. His margin of victory was reduced from five to three (see rant above) but in the end, he was the victor.
Rahm seized control of the event on Saturday’s back nine (32) and Sunday’s front (34). He was able to gain strokes as his competition frittered them away. The fairways and greens at Muirfield Village were firm as can be, and shots bounded through to the rough, and launched off greens into sand and tall grass. That Rahm was able to reach double-figures under par was evidence that his game stood above all others this week. Palmer was able to reach minus-six, good for second place. England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick posted 68 in round four, moving up 15 spots into solo third position, at five under par.
Riley claims 2nd Korn Ferry Tour title of 2020 at San Antonio
Things just turned a bit more interesting for Davis Riley. He and his fellow KornFerrians have known since April that there would be no promotion of The 25 or playoff performers, to the 2020-2021 PGA Tour. One avenue for promotion to the big tour does remain, and Riley is one win away from walking it. The University of Alabama golfer product, originally from Mississippi, earned his second tour title of 2020, with a seven-birdie performance in Saturday’s final round. On the Korn Ferry tour, three victories in a season earns the golf equivalent of a battlefield promotion. With eleven events still to come on the 2020 schedule, Riley’s chance at the elevation just got better.
The KFT spent a second consecutive week in San Antonio, moving over from the TPC’s Canyons course to its Oaks layout. Last week’s winner, David Lipsky, was all over the board, with the epitome of an up and down week. He ultimately placed 76th after surviving the cut. The winner two weeks back, Will Zalatoris, had a much better time of it. He rebounded from an opening 77 with a day-two 67, to sneak inside the cut line. A 66-67 weekend jumped him all the way to fifth place.
Day four for the contenders had a bit of everything. Overnight leader Derek Ernst had a nightmare start. He played the first five holes in five-over par, thanks to three bogies and a double. Just like that, he was out of contention, leaving followers to wonder who would emerge from the chase pack. Ernst did rebound on the inward half with four birdies, and joined in the fifth-place tie with Zalatoris and two others.
Davis Riley had the hot hand on day four. His seven birdies included three over the closing four holes, The final two were enough to boost him out of a tie with Canada’s Taylor Pendrith and France’s Paul Barjon. Riley’s two bogies came at the third and 11th holes, but he was able to bounce back in both cases, and return to the sub-par train. His first tour title came in February, at the Panama Championship. Despite the high level of competition on the Korn Ferry Tour, we like his chances of earning win number three and a move to the PGA Tour.
Stalter claims Euram Bank Open
In 2020, this event had the unique distinction of serving as both a challenge and regular tour event. For Wikipedia, that means that Joel Stalter now has three professional wins, not two. We’ll get to Stalter in a while, but we need a moment to extend our condolences to Robin Sciot-Siegrist. Like Stalter, S-S plays under the flag of France. Unlike Stalter, RSS was in the clubhouse on Friday evening with a score of 61, good for a three-shot advantage over England’s Richard Mansell. If the leader had scored Mansell’s +1 71 on Saturday, he would have claimed his own, first European Tour win. A day removed from posting six consecutive birdies in that nine-under par effort, Sciot-Siegrist (sounds like a name from Game of Thrones, am I right?) made not a single birdie in his fourth round. Two bogies and a triple were all that separated him from 18 pars (a number that also would have won) and a painful lesson accompanied his third-place tie.
On Saturday, amid Sciot-Siegrist’s departure, the tournament opened up to a variety of challengers. Richard Mansell, Alexander Knappe, and Christofer Blomstrand all reached 11-under par, giving chase to the trophy. It was Joel Stalter who played the best of the top ten, however. His final round included three birdies against one bogey. It wasn’t the low round of the day, but it was the round that he needed to hold off his pursuers. Mansell came in at plus-one on the day, falling to -12 and second place. Knappe and Blomstrand were even and plus-one, respectively, for round four, and finished one back of Mansell, in a third-place tie.
The European Tour moves to England this week, to the storied Close House golf club, for the British Masters.
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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.
“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.
“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”
Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.
Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:
“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.
“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”
“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.
“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”
“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”
Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024
Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
*Update*
Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler charges
– 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
– Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
– Reckless driving
– Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/bX8mFF2Xay— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
*Update*
According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.
*Update*
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.
After being detained by police earlier this morning, Scottie Scheffler was released and is back at Valhalla Golf Club for his second round of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/KvS5Hwo6PS
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024
*Update*
The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.
Scottie Scheffler’s statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.
Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.
Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
1. X marks this spot
Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.
The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.
Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.
Scottie’s shot was so nice we had to see it twice ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eR1UUsyi3a
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
3. LIV Check-In
It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.
ON THE MONEY ?
Bryson DeChambeau for eagle! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Gz24VikAGQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels
Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.
In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!
SAHITH. THEEGALA. ?
This hole out puts him in a tie for the lead early at the #PGAChamp.
? @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/s3vLZNBQI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 16, 2024
5. All those other guys are here!
Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position. Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.
The 2020 PGA Champion is making moves.
A solid approach shot from Collin Morikawa ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DpD7QNfbSM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
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Morning 9: Tiger 2025 Ryder Cup talks continue | Rory: Tour in a worse place with Dunne’s resignation
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