Planet Golf News for Saturday, October 12, 2024

The PGA Tour is experimenting with new TV changes. | Stephan Jaeger moves in front at Black Desert Championship | Sei Young Kim Holds Lead After Second Round of Buick LPGA Shanghai

Saturday, October 12, 2024

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'Golf Sucks So Bad' - PGA Tour Pro Sums Up The Game After Incredible Double Bogey

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

This week in golf has been filled with exciting developments across various tours, bringing a mix of thrilling performances, record-breaking moments, and intriguing storylines. Let’s dive into the highlights.

The PGA Tour is spicing up its television coverage in a bid to win over frustrated fans. They’re testing new features, including more player interviews during rounds and analytics to make cutline projections clearer. They’re also focusing on specific holes earlier in tournaments to give viewers a more curated experience. Unfortunately, one thing fans won’t see anytime soon is fewer commercials, as existing broadcast agreements still hold firm.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai, Sei Young Kim set a new 36-hole scoring record at the Buick LPGA event. After firing a 10-under 62 in the first round, she followed it up with a solid 70, maintaining a one-shot lead over Lucy Li and rookie Mao Saigo. Kim’s sharp finish, with birdies on the last two holes, kept her ahead in this tightly contested tournament. With Minjee Lee and defending champion Angel Yin close behind, the weekend promises a heated battle for the title.

Back on the PGA Tour, the Black Desert Championship is making waves. This new event, part of the FedExCup Fall series, marks the PGA’s return to Utah after a 60-year hiatus. Germany’s Stephan Jaeger leads after two rounds, thanks to a stellar 8-under 63 that moved him to 14-under overall. However, play was halted due to darkness, leaving 19 players waiting to finish their rounds. With players like Adam Svensson and Sam Ryder close behind, the competition remains fierce. Adding a dash of excitement is 18-year-old amateur Kihei Akina, who’s teetering on the cutline but showing impressive form at his first major PGA event.

In other LPGA news, Auston Kim hit her second hole-in-one of the season, this time at the Buick LPGA Shanghai. The ace not only boosted her score but also triggered a $20,000 charitable donation to St. Jude’s. The LPGA field remains tight, and with Kim, Lucy Li, and Mao Saigo all seeking their first LPGA titles, the weekend is shaping up to be a thriller.

Across the pond at the FedEx Open de France, Thomas Detry surged to a share of the lead with an impressive 8-under 63. He’s joined at the top by Dan Bradbury and Jesper Svensson in a close race as they head into the weekend. The tournament also saw a standout performance by 16-year-old Ukrainian Lev Grinberg, who made the cut and is gaining serious attention despite his young age.

On the senior circuit, Billy Andrade leads the SAS Championship after a bogey-free 7-under 65, looking for his first win in nearly a decade. World Golf Hall of Famer Padraig Harrington is hot on his heels, just one stroke behind. With seasoned pros like Jerry Kelly and Matt Gogel also in the mix, this tournament is primed for an exciting finish as they vie for crucial Charles Schwab Cup points.

Overall, this week’s action has something for every golf fan—from new broadcasting experiments to tight leaderboards across multiple tours. Whether you’re following the drama in Shanghai, Utah, Paris, or North Carolina, the weekend promises plenty of golf thrills.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Black Desert Championship - PGA Tour - Black Desert Resort Golf Course - Ivins, UT

The Black Desert Championship, a new addition to the PGA TOUR's FedExCup Fall series, continued to unfold Friday at the Black Desert Resort Golf Course in Ivins, Utah. This marks the PGA TOUR's return to Utah for the first time since 1963, adding an exciting chapter to the state's golfing history.

As the second round progressed, Stephan Jaeger emerged as the solo leader, carding an impressive 8-under 63 to reach a total of 14-under 128. Jaeger's stellar performance put him one stroke ahead of Adam Svensson, who had come tantalizingly close to shooting a 59 in the opening round.

The leaderboard remained tightly packed, with Ben Kohles joining Svensson at 13-under1. Just two shots off the lead, a quartet of players including Harris English, Sam Ryder, Henrik Norlander, and newcomer Matt McCarty found themselves in contention at 12-under.

However, the day's play was not without its challenges. As darkness fell, play was suspended with 19 players still on the course. This left the cutline precariously balanced at 5-under, adding an element of suspense for those players yet to complete their rounds.

The tournament has also seen some notable performances from amateur players. Kihei Akina, an 18-year-old BYU commit, fired consecutive rounds of 69, putting him right on the cutline and in contention to make the cut in this prestigious event.

As the tournament heads into its crucial weekend stages, golf fans can look forward to continued coverage on Golf Channel from 5-8 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. With a $7.5 million purse at stake, the competition is sure to intensify as players vie for both FedExCup points and a significant payday.

Black Desert Championship Videos

Buick LPGA Shanghai - LPGA - Qizhong Gardent Golf Club - Shanghai, China

The second round of the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai at Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai, China, saw Sei Young Kim maintain her lead, albeit with a less spectacular performance compared to her opening round. Kim followed up her impressive 10-under 62 from Thursday with a solid 2-under 70 on Friday, bringing her total to 12-under 132 for the tournament.

Kim's consistent play has kept her one stroke ahead of her closest competitors, Lucy Li from the United States and Mao Saigo from Japan, who are tied for second at 11-under 133. Li carded a 4-under 68, while Saigo made a significant move up the leaderboard with an excellent 7-under 65 in the second round.

Australia's Minjee Lee is alone in fourth place, two shots behind Kim at 10-under 134. Lee expressed confidence in her improving game and her enjoyment of the course, which could make her a strong contender over the weekend.

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with Yealimi Noh in fifth place at 9-under 135, and a group of players tied for sixth at 8-under 136, including notable names such as Ruoning Yin, Nasa Hataoka, and Celine Boutier. This congestion at the top sets the stage for an exciting "Moving Day" on Saturday.

It's worth noting that two prominent LPGA stars, Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko, are absent from this week's event in China. However, they are expected to return to action at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea next week.

As the tournament heads into its third round, all eyes will be on Kim, who is seeking her first victory of the 2024 season and looking to add to her impressive tally of 12 LPGA Tour wins12. The third-round television coverage is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. ET Friday on Golf Channel, promising an exciting weekend of golf in Shanghai.

Buick LPGA Shanghai Videos

SAS Championship - PGA Tour Champions - Prestonwood CC, Cary, NC

The opening round of the 2024 SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina saw Billy Andrade surge to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive performance2. Andrade, seeking his first win in nine years, carded a bogey-free 7-under 65, tying his low round of the season. His stellar play included birdies on three of his last four holes, positioning him as the leader after day one.

Hot on Andrade's heels is World Golf Hall of Fame member Padraig Harrington, who sits in solo second place after a bogey-free 6-under 66. Harrington's round caught fire on the back nine, where he birdied five of his last nine holes.

Tied for third at 5-under 67 are Jerry Kelly and Matt Gogel. Kelly, the 2019 SAS Championship winner, finished strong with birdies on his final four holes2. Gogel, making his debut in this event, offset a single bogey with six birdies in his opening round.

The leaderboard is tightly packed, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf. Notably, defending champion Rod Pampling faces an uphill battle after opening with a 2-over 74, currently sitting in a tie for 57th place.

As the tournament unfolds, players will be vying not only for the championship title but also for valuable points in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. With two rounds remaining, the SAS Championship promises to deliver thrilling competition as these seasoned professionals battle it out on the challenging Prestonwood Country Club course.

SAS Championship Videos

FedEx Open de France - DP World Tour - Le Golf National - Paris, France

The second round of the FedEx Open de France at Le Golf National in Paris saw a tight competition at the top of the leaderboard. Belgium's Thomas Detry made a significant move, shooting an impressive 8-under 63 to join England's Dan Bradbury and Sweden's Jesper Svensson in a three-way tie for the lead at 9-under par. Detry's familiarity with the course, having played there during the Paris Olympics, seemed to pay off as he got off to a strong start and capitalized on the opportunities presented by the first few holes.

Bradbury posted a solid second-round 66, while Svensson maintained his position with a 68. The leaderboard remains congested, with five players sitting just one shot behind the leaders at 8-under par, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf.

One of the most notable stories of the day was the performance of 16-year-old Ukrainian Lev Grinberg. Playing in only his fifth DP World Tour event, Grinberg impressively made the cut, finishing the day at 5-under par. His achievement is particularly remarkable given his young age and limited experience at this level of competition.

The Golf National course, known for its challenging layout, has been providing a stern test for the players. Those who have been able to drive the ball well, like Detry, have found success on the course1. As the tournament heads into the weekend, the close competition at the top suggests an exciting battle for the title in the coming days.

FedEx Open de France Videos

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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