Planet Golf News for Sunday, February 23, 2025

Aldrich Potgieter Goes Driver-Driver At 661-Yard Par 5 To Take Mexico Open Lead | Angel Yin takes third-round lead at Honda LGPA | Who has qualified for the 2025 Masters? There are now 90 players on the list

Sunday, February 23, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

This weekend in golf is packed with drama, comebacks, and a whole lot of birdies. Let’s start with the Mexico Open, where 20-year-old rookie Aldrich Potgieter is clinging to a one-shot lead heading into the final round. Potgieter dazzled with a near-historic 61 earlier in the tournament but looked a little shaky on Saturday, bogeying the 17th and giving Brian Campbell—who’s suddenly remembered how to play after eight years off the tour—a real shot at the title. Stephan Jaeger is still in the mix at three strokes back, while defending champ Jake Knapp barely made the cut after a penalty scare that was reversed upon further review (nothing like some mid-tournament drama to spice things up).

Meanwhile, across the globe at the Honda LPGA Thailand, Angel Yin is running away with it. She carded another sublime 64 to take a five-stroke lead into the final round, while former leader Akie Iwai stumbled to a 71. Thai favorites Moriya Jutanugarn and Jeeno Thitikul are hanging around, but Yin looks like she’s in cruise control. Speaking of cool stories, Lydia Ko unveiled a tattoo celebrating her three Olympic medals, proving you can win on and off the course.

Over in Kenya, Jacques Kruyswijk stormed up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 64 to lead the Magical Kenya Open, making life difficult for John Parry, who saw his lead vanish faster than your golf ball in the rough. And at the TGL, Week 6 promises fireworks with Los Angeles and New York set to battle it out, while top-ranked Bay Golf Club tries to stay undefeated (minus Tiger Woods, who’s sitting this one out).

Jordan Spieth, fresh off recovering from wrist surgery, is back and ready to make his debut at the Cognizant Classic next week. Fans are already campaigning for his Ryder Cup spot, proving that golf Twitter remains undefeated in wishful thinking. In equipment news, Angel Yin is winning without a club sponsorship—because apparently, you don’t need the latest gear to shoot 64s, just talent (and maybe some magic).

Oh, and in case you were wondering how things are going for LIV players trying to return to the PGA Tour? Let’s just say there’s no need for a charter bus—a compact sedan will do just fine. As for Jon Rahm, who’s been struggling since the LIV move, his coach insists it’s a foot issue, not form. Sure, buddy. Finally, in Wales, the Holyhead Golf Club has to shut down its 18th hole after a neighbor’s golf ball complaints. Raise £75,000 or move the hole—because nothing says “Sunday fun” like local council drama.

Golf: never a dull moment, whether you’re chasing a green jacket or just your own golf ball.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Aldrich Potgieter hangs on to 1-shot lead in Mexico Open

Mexico Open at VidantaWorld - PGA Tour - Vidanta Vallerta - Nuevo Vallerta, Mexico

The third round of the 2025 Mexico Open at VidantaWorld concluded Saturday with Aldrich Potgieter maintaining his lead, albeit by a narrower margin than he started with. The 20-year-old South African rookie shot a 4-under 67, bringing his total to 20-under par for the tournament. However, his once-comfortable four-shot lead has been reduced to just one stroke over Brian Campbell, who fired an impressive 8-under 64 to close the gap.

Potgieter faced early pressure from Stephan Jaeger, who briefly cut the lead to one shot on the front nine. However, Potgieter responded with birdies on the 11th, 12th, and 14th holes to rebuild his advantage. A late stumble on the par-3 17th, where he found trouble off the tee and made a bogey, coupled with a scrambling par on the 18th, allowed Campbell to draw closer.

Campbell's outstanding putting, including a 60-foot birdie on the par-3 9th, compensated for his shorter driving distance compared to Potgieter. Jaeger, who had been in contention early, finished with a 66 to sit in third place, three shots behind the leader.

Alex Smalley made a significant move up the leaderboard with a 64, placing him five shots off the pace. Aaron Rai and Ben Griffin are tied for fifth, six strokes behind Potgieter.

As the tournament heads into the final round, both Potgieter and Campbell will be seeking their first PGA Tour victory and a coveted spot in the Masters. The stage is set for an exciting showdown at Vidanta Vallarta, with Potgieter clinging to a slim lead and Campbell poised to challenge for the title.

Angel Yin takes third-round lead at Honda LGPA

Honda LPGA Thailand - LPGA - Slam Country Club - Chon Buri, Thailand

Angel Yin delivered a spectacular performance in the third round of the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club in Chon Buri. The American golfer posted her second consecutive eight-under 64, propelling her to a commanding five-stroke lead with a total of 21-under 195. Yin's flawless round included eight birdies without a single bogey, showcasing her exceptional form on the Pattaya Old Course.

Japan's Akie Iwai, who led after the first two rounds, struggled to maintain her momentum and shot a 71, dropping to second place at 16-under. Local favorites Jeeno Thitikul and Moriya Jutanugarn delighted the home crowd by shooting matching 69s to share third place at 15-under.

The leaderboard after the third round stands with Angel Yin at -21, followed by Akie Iwai at -16, and Thitikul and Jutanugarn tied at -15. A Lim Kim sits in fifth place at -13, while Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Patty Tavatanakit are tied for sixth at -12.

Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit made a strong finish with three birdies in the last four holes, but remains nine shots off the lead. The tournament, which marks the beginning of the LPGA's Asian swing, has drawn large crowds and continues to showcase top-tier women's golf talent from around the world.

As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Angel Yin to see if she can maintain her impressive lead and secure her second LPGA title. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this prestigious event in Thailand.

Magical Kenya Open - DP World Tour - Muthaiga GC - Nairobi, Kenya

The third round of the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi saw South African Jacques Kruyswijk climb to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive bogey-free 64. Kruyswijk's flawless performance, which included seven birdies, propelled him to a one-shot lead at 14 under par heading into the final round.

Englishman John Parry, who had been the halfway leader, now sits alone in second place at 13 under after carding a 72. Parry had led by as many as three shots on the front nine but was overtaken by Kruyswijk's stellar play. France's Benjamin Hebert occupies third place at 11 under following a 73, while South African Deon Germishuys is fourth at 10 under after shooting a 67.

Kruyswijk's round was particularly impressive given the breezy conditions that challenged many players. He started with three pars before birdieing the 4th hole and added further birdies on the 8th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, and 18th. His strong finish, including back-to-back birdies on the final two holes, secured his position atop the leaderboard.

The 32-year-old South African will be seeking his maiden DP World Tour title in Sunday's final round. With a mix of consistent play and timely birdies, Kruyswijk has put himself in prime position to capture the trophy, which would be a significant milestone in his career.

As the tournament heads into its final day, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion with Kruyswijk leading a tightly packed leaderboard at the Magical Kenya Open.

Upcoming: TGL Week 6 (February 23 - 24, 2025)

Upcoming: The Masters Tournament (April 7 - 13, 2025)

Upcoming: Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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