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Tour Rundown: McIlroy wins Tour Championship for 3rd time | Jill McGill | Thriston Lawrence

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2 years ago

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The PGA Tour’s wraparound 2021-2022 season closed its circle on Sunday in Atlanta. The USGA visited Dayton, Ohio, for the Senior Women’s Open. Korn Ferry played its penultimate event in nearby Columbus. Across the globe, the LPGA met in Ottawa; the DP World Tour awakened in Switzerland, and the Tour Champions marveled at Michigan. Another day in many offices, and a weekend worth revisiting.

For me, school teaching and high school golf coaching begin on Monday, so this feels like both an end and a beginning as well. It’s Tour Rundown time, with six compelling events that merit a glance. Time to shine!

USGA: Jill McGill wins third different USGA championship at NCR

The “NCR” in NCR Country Club stands for National Cash Register. The tee markers at the club’s two courses are keepsakes: old-school metal button registers that you find in antique shops and Monopoly games. The USGA has excelled in bringing its senior championships to golf courses and clubs that operate out of the public eye most days. NCR has two wondrous courses, and the South had the opportunity to host the Women’s Senior Open in 2022. For most of the week, pundits pondered great names like Davies, Alfredsson, and Sorenstam. On Sunday, a different story played out.

Jill McGill, in another life, won two separate USGA events. She won the the USGA Amateur in 1993, and the defunct National Public Links the following year. She also competed for the US side in the 1994 Curtis Cup. In 2022, McGill added a third, separate trophy to her USGA case, at NCR. On a Sunday when scores soared into the mid and high 70s, the golfer who kept her head and ground out pars would ultimately win. As the heralded leaders, all former champions of this event, lost ground, McGill persevered.

Both McGill and Laura Davies reached minus-five at different points on the day. Davies appeared to be moving effortlessly along, until an unthinkable quadruple bogey at the 12th derailed her locomotive. The English champion came home in 42, and finished in a tie for fifth with Juli Inkster and Annika Sorenstam. McGill reached the five-under figure on the 16th green, and might have realized at that moment what was within reach. She kept her game together and, despite closing with two bogeys, had enough strokes in hand to edge Leta Lindley (birdie at the last) by one.

PGA Tour: McIlroy wins Tour Championship for 3rd time

In what has been a mentally and emotionally-exhausting year, Rory McIlroy fittingly surged on day four to win his second PGA Tour event of the year, and 22nd of his career. In the tour’s only, staggered start, players begin the week with strokes in hand, based on their season-long standing in the FedEx Cup. Scottie Scheffler, the Masters champion, was the lead pony at week’s start. For most of the week, Scheffler was able to preserve his advantage. Sunday brought a dearth of birdies for the Texan, and he would ultimately tie for second, with Sungjae Im.

Sensing an opportunity, McIlroy a six-birdie round over the par-70 East Lake Golf Club. His round was marred by bogey at the first and the 14th, but no matter. Chaser Sungjae Im made double at the 14th, and despite a pair of closing birdies, could only reach -20 and tie Scheffler for the silver medal. McIlroy bounced back from bogey at 14 with birdie at 15, then parred his way home for -21 and a pair of titles: the week’s trophy and the season-long, FedEx Cup championship.

DP World Tour title to Lawrence of South Africa in playoff

Thriston Lawrence has made noise this season on the DP World Tour. In November of 2021, Lawrence won the Joburg Open for his first DPWT title. On Sunday in the Swiss Alps, Lawrence broke through the glass wall for a second victory, this time in a playoff. Opposing him in extra time was England’s Matt Wallace. How did each reach the overtime? Have a look.

Lawrence held the lead at day’s dawn, and four birdies should have been enough to secure a title in regulation. Stumbles at the fifth (double bogey) and sixteenth (bogey) undid most of his good work, and Lawrence closed with one-under 69 on the day. Over the same course of time, Wallace picked off four birdies of his own, with nary a bogey. He came from three shots back on the day, and finally caught Lawrence with a birdie at the 14th. The two would par in and reach the 72nd hole at 18-under par.

Upon their return to the 18th tee to settle matters, Wallace got into trouble and made bogey. Lawrence carved out a par, and the deed was done. With the victory came a move into the OWGR world top 100 rankings, and the title King of the Mountains for the South African champion.

LPGA: Reto wins Canadian Women’s Open by one

Imagine ticking these boxes for your first LPGA win: a national championship; hold off major champions down the stretch; post 67 on the final day. All those circles were filled by South Africa’s Paula Reto, who joined countrymate Thriston Lawrence (see above) as a winner on the week. Reto began the week with 62 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, in the Canadian capital. She lost the lead to Narin An after 36 holes. An held the 54-hole lead, but posted 72 on Sunday, and watched a number of players surge past her, into contention.

Among them were Lydia Ko, who had 63 on Sunday for solo fourth position. Hye-Jin Choi had 69 of her own, and tied Korda for second spot. Korda, not quite recovered from her bout with illness earlier this season, closed with 67 of her own, that featured all sorts of ingredients. Try one eagle, five birdies, three bogeys, and nine pars on the day for the Floridian. Like Choi, Korda would come up one putt shy of the top spot.

Reto went out like a champion, posting 31 over her first nine holes. The back was a one-over struggle, but it was enought to secure an inaugural title for the Purdue alumna. After 157 starts on the LPGA Tour, Reto is, at last, a victor.

Korn Ferry Tour: Lingmerth headed back to PGA Tour after win in Ohio

Such is the level of importance this week, that the penultimate event in the Korn Ferry Tour playoff run comes fifth on the list. The Scarlet course at Ohio State University is an annual homecoming for many, former collegiate players. Most in the field arrive with one goal in mind: secure passage to the PGA Tour for the upcoming season. This week in Columbus, six golfers gained PGA Tour status for 2022-2023, but we’ll get to that in a bit.

David Lingmerth, one of Sweden’s top golfers, signed for 62 on Sunday, just like Paula Reto (see above) in Ottawa. His 66 on Friday gave him a 128 for 36 holes, and had competitors wondering if Lingmerth had played the Scarlet or the Gray course at OSU’s golf complex. No matter, as 71 in round three gave the field hope, and Lingmerth, a reason to lock in his focus. Closing fast were Paul Haley II (65 on Saturday) and Zecheng Dou (67 in round three.)

On Sunday, Lingmerth played perfect golf over the first 16 holes. Three birdies had kept the field at bay, but a 17th-hole bogey gave hope to the chasers. With his lead down to one, Lingmerth closed like a champion, making birdie to secure not only a win, but a return to the PGA Tour in 2022-2023. Joining him will be countryman Henrik Norlander, Dean Burmester, Joseph Bramlett, Austin Cook, and Michael Gligic.

PGA Tour Champions: Stricker wins second of season in Grand Blanc

2022 had been somewhat quiet for Steve Stricker. He didn’t find himself in charge of a national team, and his only win came back in May. True, it was a major (Regions Tradition) but other titles found their way into the hands of his competitors.

This week, in the state across the lake (Stricker is from Wisconsin) Stricker put a putting tip from Jerry Kelly to good use. After opening with 70, Stricker turned to fellow Badger Kelly for a bit of flat-stick assistance. Rounds of 64 and 67 followed, and Stricker moved to 15 under at the Ally Challenge. Out of nowhere came Rhode Island’s Brett Quigley. Since 2020, Quigley has chased a second Champions victory; he won in Morocco that year. On Sunday, he simply ran out of holes.

Quigley had two birdies and two bogeys saw each other off through fifteen holes. Sixteen brought him an eagle three, and birdies at 17 and 18 moved him agonizingly close to a playoff with Stricker. Quigley finished at minus-fourteen, good for solo second. Knowing that the chase was afoot, Stricker posted consecutive birdies from 13 through 16, and walked pars in at the final two holes, for victory.

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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.

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Five Things We Learned: Friday at the PGA Championship

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10 hours ago

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May 18, 2024

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Early on Friday morning, a vendor working for the PGA Championship was struck and killed by a tournament shuttle bus. Nearly at the same time, as he arrived for his second round of tournament play, Scottie Scheffler attempted to detour around the scene, and was arrested, booked, then released. Somehow, Scheffler returned to Valhalla and played his second round of the tournament. Despite the jokes and memes of some in the golf industry, the tournament took a back seat to life and humanity on Friday morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the vendor, as well as with all involved.

Day two of Valhalla’s fourth PGA Championship did not see a repeat of the record-setting 62 posted by first-day leader, Xander Schauffele. The low card of 65 was returned by five golfers, when play was suspended by darkness. Five golfers still on the course, were on the positive side of the expected cut line of one-under par, while 12 more either had work to do, or knew that their week had come to an end.

The best 70 golfers and ties would advance to the weekend. 64 golfers figured at minus-two on Friday evening, with another 15 at one-under par. The most likely scenario saw those at even par, headed home. The formula was simple: finish under par and stick around. Play resumed at 7:15 on Saturday, to sort through the last six threesomes. Before the night turned over, we learned five important things to set us up for a weekend of excitement and excellence. It’s a pleasure to share them with you.

1. The 65s

On Thursday, three golfers etched 65 into the final box on their card of play. On Friday, nearly twice that number finished at six-under par for the round. Collin Morikawa moved from top-five into a spot in the final pairing. The 2020 PGA Champion at Harding Park teed off at the tenth hole, and turned in minus-two. He then ran off five consecutive birdies from the fourth tee to the eighth green, before finding trouble at the ninth, his last hole of the day. Bogey at nine dropped him from -12 to -11.

The same score moved Bryson DeChambeau from 11th spot to T4. Joining the pair with 65s on day two were Matt Wallace and Hideki Matsuyama (each with 70-65 for T11) and Lee Hodges (71-65 for T16.) Morikawa, Matsuyama, and DeChambeau have major championship wins in their names, while Wallace has been on the when to break through list his entire career. Hodges epitomizes the term journeyman, bu the PGA Championship is the one major of them all when lesser-known challegers find a way to break through.

2. The Corebridge team of PGA Professionals

Last year’s Cinderella story, Michael Block, did not repeat his Oak Hill success. Block missed the cut by a fair amount. Of the other 19, however, two were poised to conclude play and reach the weekend’s play. Braden Shattuck had finished at one-under par, while Jeremy Wells (-2) and Ben Polland (-1) were inside the glory line, each with two holes to play.

With three holes to play on the front nine, Kyle Mendoza sits at even par. His task is simple: play the final triumvirate in one-under par or better. If Mendoza can pull off that feat, and if the aforementioned triumvirate can hold steady, the club professional segment of the tournament will have four representatives in play over the weekend.

3. Scottie Scheffler

In his post-round interview, Scheffler admitted that his second round, following the surreal nature of the early morning’s events, was made possible by the support he received from patrons and fellow competitors. The new father expressed his great sadness for the loss of life, and also praised some of the first responders that had accompanied him in the journey from course to jail cell. Yes, jail cell. Scheffler spoke of beginning his warm-up routine with jail-house stretches.

Once he returned to Valhalla, Scheffler found a way to a two-under, opening nine holes. He began birdie-bogey-birdie on holes ten through twelve, then eased into a stretch of pars, before making birdie at the par-five 18th. His second nine holes featured three birdies and six pars, allowing him to improve by one shot from day one. Scheffler found himself in a fourth-place tie with Thomas Detry, and third-round tee time in the third-last pairing. Scheffler’s poise illustrated grace under pressure, which is the only way that he could have reached this status through 36 holes.

4. Sahith!

It’s a little bit funny that the fellow who followed 65 with 67, is nowhere to be found on the video highlight reels. He’s not alone in that respect, as Thomas Detry (T4) was also ignored by the cameras. Theegala has won on tour, and has the game to win again. The Californian turned in four-under par on Friday, then made an excruciating bogey at the par-five tenth. He redeemed himself two holes later, with birdie at the twelfth hole.

Theegala is an unproven commodity in major events. He has one top-ten finish: the 2023 Masters saw him finish 9th. He did tie for 40th in 2023, in this event, at Oak Hill. Is he likely to be around on Sunday? Yes. Will he be inside the top ten? If he is, he has a shot on Sunday. If Saturday is not a 67 or better, Theegala will not figure in the outcome of the 2024 championship.

5. X Man!!

After the fireworks of day one, Xander Schauffele preserved his lead at the 2024 PGA Championship. He holds a one-shot advantage and will tee off in the final pairing on Saturday, with Collin Morikawa. Eleven holes into round two, Schauffele made his first bogey of the week. The stumble stalled his momentum, as he had played the first ten holes in minus-four. Will the run of seven pars at the end signal a negative turn in the tide of play for Schauffele? We’ll find out on day three. One thing is for sure: minus twelve will not win this tournament. Schauffele will likely need to reach twenty under par over the next two days, to win his first major title.

 

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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla

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2 days ago

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May 17, 2024

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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:

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.”

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:

*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.

*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.

*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.

We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.

More from the 19th Hole

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Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship

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May 16, 2024

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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