Planet Golf News for Saturday, November 16, 2024

Justin Lower leads 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship | Charley Hull Holds Solo Lead After 36 Holes at The ANNIKA | Race to Dubai: Rory McIlroy one shot off leader Antoine Rozner at DP World Tour Championship

Saturday, November 16, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores. NOW OPEN the Marie Birdie Store @ 7170 S Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, FL

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

It’s shaping up to be an exciting weekend in golf with tournaments across multiple tours bringing out thrilling performances and high stakes. Charley Hull leads the LPGA’s ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican with a 4-under 66, her steady play putting her two strokes ahead of world number one Nelly Korda. Korda, back after a neck injury, is pushing through with a strong showing of her own, despite some rust. The packed leaderboard, including a standout 64 from Alexa Pano, suggests we’re in for an electrifying finish as players chase final qualifying spots for the CME Group Tour Championship.

In Bermuda, Justin Lower leads the 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship with consistent rounds of 65, leaving him two shots clear heading into the weekend. Robby Shelton, Ryan Moore, and a surging Sam Ryder, who posted a personal-best 62, are all in hot pursuit. Friday’s calm weather allowed for low scoring, but winds are expected to pick up, adding an extra layer of difficulty for the next rounds. With crucial FedEx Cup points at stake, these players are looking to break into the top 125 and secure their standing on the PGA Tour.

Meanwhile, the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai sees Antoine Rozner taking the lead with a score of 9-under, followed closely by Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton. McIlroy is eyeing his sixth Race to Dubai title, while Hatton, in his characteristically intense fashion, has been vocal about his struggles with the course’s notorious 18th hole. The leaderboard is packed, with Joaquin Niemann and Shane Lowry not far behind, promising plenty of drama as the tournament unfolds.

On the international front, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman teased a possible new event in Japan, following up on the recent announcement of LIV Golf South Korea for 2025. This expansion signals LIV’s ambitions to grow its footprint in Asia, with Norman aiming to create more high-profile events abroad to complement its existing calendar.

Beyond the tournaments, the debate around Ryder Cup player compensation has reignited. Opinions remain split, with figures like Hunter Mahan and Paige Spiranac supporting the move, while European legends like Paul McGinley and Laura Davies argue that representing one’s country should remain an honor unburdened by financial incentives.

With storylines running from record rounds to international expansion and contentious debates, golf fans are in for a weekend packed with rivalries, leaderboard shifts, and the undeniable lure of competitive drama.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Justin Lower turns another 65 into 2-shot lead at Bermuda

Butterfield Bermuda Championship - PGA Tour - Port Royal Golf Course - Southampton Parish, Bermuda

Justin Lower has taken the lead after 36 holes, following up his strong first round with a 65 in the second round. He sits atop the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

Sam Ryder had an outstanding day, shooting a personal-best 62 in the second round. This impressive performance moved him to 9-under par for the tournament, just three shots behind the leader. Ryder’s round included a bogey on his final hole, but it was still enough to vault him up the leaderboard and improve his standing in the projected FedEx Cup Fall standings.

Robby Shelton also made a significant move, carding a 7-under 64 on Friday to reach 10-under par for the tournament. This puts him in a tie for second place with Ryan Moore, who posted rounds of 67 and 65. Both Shelton and Moore have dramatically improved their positions in the FedEx Cup standings, moving well inside the crucial top 125.

Francesco Molinari, playing the tournament for the first time, had a solid second round with a 66, putting him at 8-under par overall.

The weather conditions on Friday were generally calmer than Thursday, allowing for some low scoring. However, play was suspended due to darkness at 5:20 p.m. local time, with 12 golfers still on the course.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s forecast calls for challenging wind conditions, which could significantly impact play in the third round.

Butterfield Bermuda Championship Stories

Butterfield Bermuda Championship Videos

Charley Hull Holds Solo Lead After 36 Holes at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican - LPGA - Pelican Golf Club - Belleair, FL

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican LPGA tournament is currently underway at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. After 36 holes, England’s Charley Hull has taken the solo lead with an impressive performance. Hull shot a 4-under 66 in the second round, bringing her total to 10-under 130 for the tournament.

Hull’s strong play has given her a two-shot advantage over world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who sits in second place. Korda, returning to competition after a two-month break due to a minor neck injury, carded a 68 in the second round despite starting with a bogey. She finished strong with two consecutive birdies to keep herself within striking distance of Hull.

The leaderboard is tightly packed behind the top two. Alexa Pano, Hyo Joo Kim, Wichanee Meechai, and Mi Hyang Lee are all tied for third place at 7-under par, three shots behind Hull. Pano had a particularly eventful round, making nine birdies but finishing with a double bogey for a 64.

The tournament has added significance as players vie for positions in the Race to CME Globe standings. The top 60 players in the standings will qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, where the winner will receive a $4 million prize. Several players, including Mi Hyang Lee (currently 59th) and Carlota Ciganda (63rd), are making strong pushes to secure their spots in the finale.

The course at Pelican Golf Club is presenting a challenge to the players, with windy conditions and fast greens described by Korda as “almost like putting on ice.” These conditions are testing the skills of even the top-ranked players in the world.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on the showdown between Hull and Korda in the final group. Hull, riding high on confidence after a recent win in Saudi Arabia, will look to maintain her lead, while Korda aims to capitalize on her return to competition and reclaim the top spot on the leaderboard.

With two rounds remaining, the stage is set for an exciting finish at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, as the world’s best female golfers compete for the title and crucial points in the Race to CME Globe.

The ANNIKA Stories

The ANNIKA Videos

Antoine Rozner surges into surprise lead ahead of Rory McIlroy in Dubai

DP World Tour Championship - DP World Tour - Jumeirah Golf Estates - Dubai, UAE

The 2024 DP World Tour Championship is currently underway at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE. After two rounds of play, Antoine Rozner has taken the lead with a score of 9-under par, following an impressive second-round 65.

Hot on Rozner’s heels are Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, both sitting one shot behind at 8-under par. McIlroy, who is looking to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title, started strong with four birdies in his first seven holes but couldn’t maintain the momentum, finishing with a 3-under 69 for the day. Hatton, despite a slow start, rallied to match McIlroy’s score.

Joaquin Niemann is currently in fourth place, two strokes behind the leader. The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, and Rasmus Højgaard among those within striking distance of the top spot.

McIlroy’s performance is particularly noteworthy as he’s not only in contention for the tournament win but also appears to be on track to clinch the season-long Race to Dubai. His closest competitor in the Race to Dubai standings, Thriston Lawrence, is currently tied for 34th place in the tournament.

The tournament has showcased some excellent golf, with Rozner expressing high confidence in his game. McIlroy, despite some struggles with his left miss, remains optimistic about his chances, citing his comfort and past success at the course.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, the stage is set for an exciting finish with a star-studded leaderboard vying for the prestigious DP World Tour Championship title. The final rounds promise to be filled with drama as players compete not only for the tournament victory but also for crucial Race to Dubai points and PGA Tour cards.

DP World Tour Championship Stories

DP World Tour Championship Videos

The Ryder Cup (Sept 22-28, 2025)

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE