Monday, October 21, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

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Hannah Green made headlines this week by securing her third LPGA win of 2024, joining elite company alongside Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko. Her impressive victory at the BMW Ladies Championship, held in Korea, saw her fend off Celine Boutier with a crucial birdie on the 17th hole, ultimately finishing 19-under for the tournament. This wire-to-wire win was particularly special for Green, who credited her recent marriage as a key motivator in her strong season. With her sixth career LPGA title, Green’s triumph adds to an already remarkable year, moving her up to ninth on the LPGA money list and earning her a significant paycheck of $330,000.

Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour, J.T. Poston also celebrated a memorable week with a victory at the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas. Poston held off a surging Doug Ghim, clinching the win with a 4-foot par putt on the 18th hole to finish 22-under. This marks Poston’s third PGA Tour win, and it’s particularly meaningful after a break since August. His return to form secured him a spot in next year’s Masters and pushed him back into the top 50 of the world rankings. His performance was bolstered by stellar play across the weekend, holding onto his lead from the third round and surviving some tense moments on the closing holes. The win also brings Poston a boost of confidence, showing that his time off only served to sharpen his game.

Over on the PGA Tour Champions, Tim O’Neal achieved a dream victory at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. This emotional win, his first on the Champions Tour, came after years of perseverance and struggle. Shooting a remarkable 7-under-par 65 in the final round, O’Neal held off Ricardo Gonzalez to claim the title by two shots. The victory not only cements his place in the next playoff event but also ensures his Champions Tour card for the 2025 season. O’Neal’s journey to this win was a heartfelt one, and his fellow players were visibly moved by his achievement, showing just how much this moment meant to both him and the entire golfing community.

In Spain, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters saw Julien Guerrier capture his maiden DP World Tour title in an epic nine-hole playoff against Jorge Campillo. The Frenchman’s breakthrough victory was a long time coming and added another dramatic chapter to the tournament’s history. Spaniard Jon Rahm also put on a clinic, finishing with a final-round 67 to place high on the leaderboard, though Guerrier’s playoff perseverance was the story of the week. This win is a major career milestone for Guerrier, who had been chasing a title on the DP World Tour for years.

With major victories happening across multiple tours, this week highlighted the tenacity and skill required to succeed at the highest levels of golf. Whether it’s Hannah Green cementing her place as one of the top LPGA performers, J.T. Poston returning to form, or Tim O’Neal’s emotional triumph after a long journey, the world of golf continues to deliver exciting and inspirational stories.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

• Meet the new hosts of GOLF's Fully Equipped - golf.com

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Shriners Children’s Open - PGA Tour - TPC Summerlin - Las Vegas, NV

J.T. Poston emerged victorious at the 2024 Shriners Children's Open, securing his third PGA Tour win with a stellar performance at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. Poston shot a final-round 4-under-par 67 to finish at 22 under, clinching the title by a single stroke over Doug Ghim.

The tournament saw Poston maintain his lead from the third round through to the finish. He began the final day with a three-shot advantage and managed to hold off a strong challenge from Ghim, who closed with a 65 to finish at 21 under.

Poston's victory was sealed with a clutch 4-foot par putt on the 18th hole, following a tense finish where he had missed short putts on the 16th and 17th holes. This win marks a significant achievement for Poston, assuring his return to the Masters for the third consecutive year and moving him back into the world's top 50 golfers.

The leaderboard featured some impressive performances, with Rico Hoey and Matti Schmid tying for third place at 19 under. Michael Kim had a standout final round, tying his career-low on the PGA Tour with a 62 to finish in a tie for fifth at 18 under.

This victory at TPC Summerlin is particularly meaningful for Poston, who hadn't played since the BMW Championship in August. The break seems to have rejuvenated his game, allowing him to overcome any potential rust and deliver a commanding performance throughout the tournament.

• 2024 Shriners Children's Open prize money payouts for each PGA Tour player in Las Vegas

• J.T. Poston and field earned

Shriners Children’s Open Stories

• JT Poston seals PGA Tour hat-trick at Shriners Children's Open - golfmagic.com

• J.T. Poston hangs on to win PGA Tour’s Shriners Children’s Open by a sliver - sbnation.com

•  JT Poston Holds Off Late Doug Ghim Challenge To Claim Third PGA Tour Title At Shriners Children’s Open - golfmonthly.com

• J.T. Poston ends long day in Las Vegas with 3rd career PGA Tour title - apnews.com

• Popular PGA Tour pro makes much-needed move at Shriners Open thanks to stellar final round - sbnation.com

Shriners Children’s Open Videos

The 2024 BMW Ladies Championship at Seowon Valley Country Club in Gyeonggi-do, Korea concluded with an exciting finish as Hannah Green of Australia secured her third LPGA title of the season. Green led wire-to-wire, finishing at 19-under par with a final round of 1-under 71. This marks her sixth career LPGA victory.

France's Celine Boutier made a strong push on Sunday, carding a 6-under 66 to finish just one stroke behind Green. Thailand's Chanettee Wannasaen took third place at 17-under par. South Korean players Hye-Jin Choi and Yu Jin Sung tied for fourth, three shots off the lead.

The tournament featured a star-studded field with eight of the top 10 LPGA players competing, though world number one Nelly Korda was notably absent due to a neck injury. In total, 17 of this season's 18 LPGA tournament winners participated in the event.

Green's victory earned her $330,000, bringing her season earnings to $1,912,819 and career earnings to $6,426,760. She joins Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko as the only players to win three or more events in the 2024 season.

The BMW Ladies Championship, co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Korea Tour, has become a significant stop on the LPGA's Asian swing. The tournament drew 50,671 spectators over the course of the event, showcasing its popularity in South Korea.

This victory solidifies Green's position as one of the top performers on the LPGA Tour this season, moving her up to ninth on the LPGA money list. The tournament's dramatic conclusion and Green's wire-to-wire win provided an exciting spectacle for golf fans and further highlighted the competitive nature of women's professional golf.

• Here's the prize money payout for each golfer at the 2024 LPGA BMW Ladies Championship

• 2024 BMW Ladies Championship prize money payouts for every LPGA player in South Korea

• 2024 BMW Ladies Championship prize money: What Hannah Green and the field earned

BMW Ladies Championship Stories

• BMW Ladies Championship: Hannah Green claims one-shot win for sixth LPGA Tour title - skysports.com

• Hannah Green Wins Second Wire-to-Wire Victory of Her Career in Korea - lpga.com

• Hannah Green hangs on at the BMW Ladies Championship while continuing to etch her name in Australian golf history - australiangolfdigest.com.au

• Hannah Green couldn't follow through with her caddie's advice ahead of 'crazy' win at the 2024 BMW Ladies Championship - sportskeeda.com

• Hannah Green goes wire-to-wire at the BMW Ladies Championship, clinches third title of 2024 - lpga.com

• Hannah Green's late birdie propels her to win at BMW Ladies Championship - yardbarker.com

• Hannah Green joins elite company with third LPGA title of the year - golf.com

• Celine Boutier Collects Second Runner-Up Result of Season at BMW Ladies Championship - lpga.com

BMW Ladies Championship Videos

Dominion Energy Charity - PGA Tour Champions - The Country Club of Virginia - Richmond, VA

Tim O'Neal secured his first PGA Tour Champions title at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond, Virginia, with a spectacular final round performance. The 52-year-old golfer shot a tournament-best 7-under-par 65 at The Country Club of Virginia, finishing at 13-under 203 for the week. This victory was particularly significant for O'Neal, who had never won on the PGA Tour Champions circuit before and had struggled for years to secure a PGA Tour card.

O'Neal's win came with a two-shot margin over Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez, who finished second with a final-round 69. David Brandson of Australia took third place at 10-under par. The victory was emotional for O'Neal, who tearfully expressed his gratitude in a post-round interview, acknowledging the long journey that led to this moment.

The tournament, which serves as the first leg of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, dramatically improved O'Neal's standing in the points race. He jumped from 55th to 13th in the rankings, securing his spot in the next playoff event, the Simmons Bank Championship. This leap also ensures O'Neal's PGA Tour Champions card for the 2025 season.

The win was not just a personal triumph for O'Neal but also a popular one among his peers. His playing partners and the crowd showed genuine happiness for his success, with O'Neal stating that he finally feels like he belongs among the tour's elite players.

Dominion Energy Charity Stories

• Winding road turns triumphant for Tim O'Neal, who earns first PGA TOUR Champions title at Dominion Energy - pgatour.com

• Tim O'Neal fires 65, wins Dominion Energy for first Champions title - fieldlefelmedia.com

• Tim O'Neal wins for the first time on the PGA Tour Champions and secures spot in season finale - apnews.com

Dominion Energy Charity Videos

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters - DP World Tour - Real Club de Golf Sotogrande - Andalucia, Spain

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, held at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in Andalucía, Spain, concluded with a thrilling finish on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Julien Guerrier emerged victorious, securing his maiden DP World Tour title in dramatic fashion. The Frenchman triumphed over Jorge Campillo in a record-equalling nine-hole playoff, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Jon Rahm, the two-time Major winner and 2019 Race to Dubai champion, put on an impressive performance, finishing at the top of the leaderboard with a total score of 271 (-17). The Spaniard's final round of 67 solidified his position as the tournament's winner, showcasing his world-class skills on home soil.

Following closely behind Rahm were Jacques Kruyswijk from South Africa and Romain Langasque from France, both tying for second place with a total score of 274 (-14). Their consistent play throughout the tournament kept them in contention until the very end.

The event, now in its tenth edition, attracted a strong field of competitors, including DP World Tour winners Ángel Hidalgo, Adrián Otaegui, Rasmus Højgaard, Matteo Manassero, and Niklas Nørgaard. Additionally, Rolex Series winners Victor Perez, Thorbjørn Olesen, and Rafa Cabrera Bello joined PGA TOUR winner Matt Wallace in the prestigious tournament.

Spanish players were well-represented, with Adri Arnaus, Jorge Campillo, Nacho Elvira, and Pablo Larrazábal returning to compete in their home country. The tournament not only showcased top-tier golf but also emphasized environmental initiatives, with the Green Drive programme promoting sustainability among fans and players alike.

• How Much Julien Guerrier Won At The Andalucia Masters

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters Stories

• Andalucia Masters: Julien Guerrier beats Jorge Campillo at ninth extra play-off to claim maiden DP World Tour win - skysports.com

• Julien Guerrier wins nine-hole playoff to earn first DP World Tour title in Andalucía - golfmagic.com

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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