Planet Golf News for Monday, December 2, 2024

World No.954 Johnston stunned to win Australian Open | South Korean Legend Wins 65th Title Of Pro Career After Runaway Battle At Women's Australian Open | Golf officials ponder divisive dual-gender Open format

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PGN News Team
December 02, 2024

Monday, December 2, 2024

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

What a weekend for golf fans! The Australian Open delivered a thrilling mix of history, drama, and stellar performances, with incredible moments in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Ryggs Johnston, a 24-year-old from Libby, Montana, stunned the field by capturing his first professional title and becoming the first American since 2016 to win the prestigious Stonehaven Cup. Competing in only his second DP World Tour event, Johnston finished with a remarkable 18-under 269, securing his spot at The Open next year. Despite heavy rains and intense pressure from local players like Curtis Luck, Johnston kept his composure, sinking clutch birdie putts on the 14th and 15th holes to regain the lead and seal the victory. His triumph is even more impressive given that weather disruptions left him without a proper practice round.

In the women’s competition, South Korea’s Jiyai Shin showcased her dominance by claiming her second Women’s Australian Open title, 11 years after her first. Shin finished at 17-under, holding off a late charge from defending champion Ashleigh Buhai, whose back-nine surge fell just short. Shin’s eagles on the 4th and 10th holes proved decisive, allowing her to maintain her edge despite a few late bogeys. The dual-gender format of the Australian Open brought plenty of excitement, with world-class talent shining in both competitions.

As the golf world looks ahead, anticipation is already building for the 2025 Masters Tournament, set for April 10-13. Some of the biggest names in the sport, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas, have already qualified, with more players vying to secure their spots through upcoming tournaments or world rankings. This Masters promises to be one for the ages, and the road to Augusta is well underway.

In Spain, Carlota Ciganda gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about by winning her second Spanish Open title in Málaga. She finished with an 18-under total, overcoming a shaky start and holding off Belgium’s Manon De Roey to secure a one-shot victory. This win capped off the Ladies European Tour season and elevated Ciganda’s world ranking to 28th, cementing her status as a rising star in women’s golf.

Meanwhile, the Asian Tour continued to deliver its share of excitement. Peter Uihlein put on a dominant performance at the International Series Qatar, cruising to a five-shot victory and climbing to the top of The International Series rankings. Uihlein’s precise play in challenging, windy conditions underscored his mastery, and his win sets the stage for an intense finale to the Asian Tour season at the Saudi International next week.

Closer on the horizon is the Hero World Challenge, beginning December 5 in the Bahamas. Hosted by Tiger Woods, this tournament will feature a stellar field that includes defending champion Scottie Scheffler, rising star Ludvig Aberg, and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. Though Tiger won’t compete, his presence as host ensures a memorable event as the golf calendar winds down.

Amid all the triumphs, the Australian Open’s format sparked debate, with players like Cameron Smith and Hannah Green expressing concerns about the dual-gender setup. Golf Australia acknowledged the feedback and plans to revisit the format for future tournaments. While the approach may evolve, there’s no denying the excitement and energy it brought to this year’s event.

As the 2024 season wraps up, golf fans have plenty to celebrate, from Ryggs Johnston’s meteoric rise to Jiyai Shin’s continued excellence. The global stage is alive with unforgettable moments, and the future looks bright for this great game.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Ryggs Johnston wins Australian Open for first title. Jiyai Shin wins women's event

Ryggs Johnston won his first professional title at the Australian Open, finishing at 18-under 269, while Jiyai Shin claimed her second Women's Australian Open title with a total of 17-under 274. Johnston's victory marks him as the first American to win the Stonehaven Cup since 2016, and Shin's win adds to her accolades after a strong performance despite a late challenge from Ashleigh Buhai. The tournaments were held at Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club, featuring alternating tee times and equal prize money.

Here are the golfers who are qualified so far for the 2025 Masters Tournament, with more to come

As of December 1, 2024, several golfers have qualified for the 2025 Masters Tournament, including notable names like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas. The tournament is scheduled for April 10-13, 2025, and there are still opportunities for additional players to qualify through various means, such as winning PGA Tour events or ranking in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments from this past weekend

Ryggs Johnston Caps Off Extraordinary Few Weeks By Winning Australian Open

ISPS HANDA Australian Open - DP World Tour - Victoria GC - Melbourne, Australia

The 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open concluded with a stunning victory for world No. 954 Ryggs Johnston at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne. The 24-year-old American rookie, making only his second start on the DP World Tour, held off strong local competition to claim the Stonehaven Cup with a three-stroke win.

Johnston, who hails from the small town of Libby, Montana, entered the final round sharing the lead with Lucas Herbert. Despite the pressure and challenging weather conditions, including afternoon downpours, Johnston maintained his composure and carded a impressive four-under 68. He finished the tournament at 18-under par with a total of 269, securing not only the title but also an exemption to next year’s Open Championship.

The final round saw an unexpected challenge from Western Australian Curtis Luck, who briefly took the lead with his seventh birdie at the 14th hole. However, Johnston responded with clutch performances on the back nine, sinking long birdie putts on the 14th and 15th holes to reclaim the lead. Luck’s challenge faded with back-to-back bogeys on 17 and 18, leaving him in second place at 15-under par.

Marc Leishman and Jasper Stubbs tied for third at 14-under, with Leishman securing the final exemption spot for The Open based on his higher world ranking. Overnight co-leader Lucas Herbert struggled on Sunday, shooting a 74 to finish in a tie for fifth at 12-under.

In the women’s event, which was held concurrently, South Korea’s Jiyai Shin claimed her second Australian Open title, 11 years after her first. Shin overcame a late charge from defending champion Ashleigh Buhai to win by two strokes, finishing at 17-under par. Shin’s final round of 70 included eagles on the 4th and 10th holes, which proved crucial in maintaining her lead despite some late bogeys.

Buhai mounted a strong challenge with five birdies on the back nine but fell short, unable to force a playoff with a missed birdie putt on the 18th. South Korean amateur Hyojin Yang impressed with a third-place finish at 7-under, while Australians Grace Kim and Hannah Green tied for fourth at 6-under.

Johnston’s victory marks a remarkable start to his DP World Tour career and sets the stage for an exciting future for the young golfer from Montana. The dual-gender format of the Australian Open provided thrilling finishes in both the men’s and women’s competitions, showcasing top talent from around the world at one of Australia’s premier golf venues.

ISPS HANDA Australian Open Stories

Ryggs Johnston goes from small-town Montana to Australia's national champion

Ryggs Johnston, a 24-year-old golfer from Libby, Montana, won the ISPS Handa Australian Open, becoming the first professional tournament winner from his hometown. Despite a challenging preparation and no practice round due to weather, he finished with a score of 18 under, beating Curtis Luck by three shots. Johnston's victory marks him as the 11th American-born player to win the Aussie Open, joining legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. His journey includes overcoming struggles in college golf and successfully navigating the DP World Tour Q-School.

ISPS HANDA Australian Open Videos

Anthony Kim rockets nearly 2300 OWGR spots after Asian Tour finish

International Series Qatar - Asian Tour - Doha Golf Club - Doha, Qatar

Peter Uihlein emerged victorious at the International Series Qatar, securing a commanding five-shot win at Doha Golf Club. The American golfer, who had been leading since the second round, finished with a final round of three-under-par 69, bringing his total to an impressive 16-under for the tournament.

This marks Uihlein’s second victory on The International Series this year, propelling him to the top spot in The International Series Rankings. His consistent performance throughout the weekend, missing only five greens in total, showcased his dominance in challenging windy conditions with hard and fast greens.

South African Charl Schwartzel claimed second place with a strong final round of 68, finishing at 11-under. Schwartzel’s compatriot Louis Oosthuizen and Filipino Miguel Tabuena shared third place, both ending at 9-under par.

Uihlein’s victory was sealed with clutch putting, including a crucial par save on the 15th hole and birdies on the 16th and 18th. This win not only cements his position in the rankings but also serves as redemption for his near-miss at the International Series Thailand two months prior.

The tournament, which offered a purse of $2.5 million, saw Uihlein take home the winner’s share of $450,000. His victory at Doha Golf Club sets the stage for an exciting finale to the Asian Tour season, with the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Advisers scheduled as the last event next week.

In other notable performances, American John Catlin secured the Asian Tour Order of Merit title despite finishing tied for 19th in Qatar. The event also had implications for players vying to retain their playing rights for next season, with Australian Jed Morgan making a significant move to secure his spot for the upcoming year.

As the penultimate event of the Asian Tour and The International Series season, the Qatar tournament has set up an intriguing finale, with 1,000 points available to the winner next week and the race for the overall rankings still wide open.

International Series Qatar Stories

Upcoming: Hero World Challenge (Dec 5-8, 2024)

The 2024 Hero World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods, is set to tee off from December 5-8 at Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas. This prestigious event brings together 20 of the world’s top-ranked golfers to compete for a substantial $5 million purse, with the winner taking home a cool $1 million. The tournament follows a 72-hole stroke play format over four days, promising intense competition on the picturesque Bahamian course.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will return to defend his title against a strong field that includes rising star Ludvig Aberg, U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, and seasoned pros Justin Thomas and Jason Day. The event will also welcome several first-time participants, including Akshay Bhatia and Cameron Young, adding fresh excitement to the mix.

While Tiger Woods, a five-time champion of this event, won’t be competing due to recent back surgery, he will still be present as the tournament host. Golf fans can catch all the action on Golf Channel, NBC, and Peacock, with comprehensive coverage planned for all four days of play. This marks the 10th consecutive year that Albany has hosted this end-of-season tournament, which has become a highlight of golf’s “silly season” and a fitting finale to the golfing calendar.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Go inside a custom fitting at the Ping Putting Lab | Fully Equipped

A custom fitting at the Ping Putting Lab can significantly enhance a golfer's performance, as demonstrated by Wadeh Maroun's experience. After testing various putter models, adjustments were made to improve consistency and impact angle, ultimately leading to a better putting handicap. The final choice was a Piper H head shape that complemented Wadeh's stroke, showcasing the value of personalized fitting in golf.

I tried it: This rarely seen club has helped fill a hole in my game

I never thought to add a 4-wood to my bag. Now, I can’t imagine my set without my 19-degree PXG 0311 XF Gen 6 4-wood.

Overheard in the Club House

A year after securing final Solheim Cup point in Spain, Spanish star captures her second Spanish Open

Carlota Ciganda won her second Spanish Open in Malaga, finishing with an 18-under-par total after a final round of 71, securing a one-shot victory over Belgium’s Manon De Roey. Ciganda, who previously made headlines by securing the final point for Europe in the Solheim Cup, expressed her happiness to win in front of her home crowd. Despite a shaky start with two bogeys, she rebounded with key birdies to maintain her lead. This victory elevated her world ranking from 81st to 28th and marked the end of the Ladies European Tour season.

John Catlin Just Won The Asian Tour's Order Of Merit By Miles - But Here's Why The American Could Still Miss Out On His LIV Golf 'Dream'

John Catlin won the Asian Tour's Order of Merit but faces uncertainty regarding his future in LIV Golf, as he trails in the International Series Rankings. Despite his success, including two wins in 2024 and a strong performance at the International Series Qatar, he may miss out on a LIV Golf spot if competitors perform well in the upcoming Saudi International. Catlin remains optimistic about his abilities and aims to become a Major champion and LIV Golf team captain in the future.

Tickets are already on sale for popular American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Tahoe in 2025

Tickets for the 2025 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in South Lake Tahoe are now on sale, with weeklong badges priced at $150 available until December 25. The tournament will take place from July 9-13, featuring practice rounds and three tournament rounds. Daily tickets will also be available starting April 1. The event typically includes numerous Hall of Fame athletes and entertainers, with player commitments announced in January.

"It’s not quite that easy"- Golf Australia CEO on changing Australian Open format amid criticism from Cameron Smith, Hannah Green

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland addressed criticism regarding the Australian Open format from players Cameron Smith and Hannah Green, acknowledging the challenges of separating the men's and women's events due to financial constraints. Both players expressed concerns about course setup and scheduling, with Green noting that the pin placements would differ if men played the course. Smith, who is uncertain about his future participation due to impending fatherhood, also raised questions about the dual-gender format and course setup.

Golf officials ponder divisive dual-gender Open format

Golf Australia is considering separating the men's and women's Australian Open championships into different courses due to criticism of the current dual-gender format. While the format has been in place for three years, it has faced backlash from players like Cameron Smith and Hannah Green, who noted compromises made for the women's field. The decision on whether to continue this format in 2025 is still pending, as Golf Australia evaluates player feedback and financial implications of hosting separate events.

Latest Official World Golf Ranking

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Latest FedExCup Standings

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UPCOMING TOURS

PGA TOUR Schedule 2025

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2025 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LIV Golf Schedule 2025

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2025 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LPGA Tour Schedule 2025

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2025 including the Previous winners and Purse.

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