Saturday, October 26, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

What a weekend for golf fans worldwide! The third rounds of four major tournaments brought high-stakes drama, thrilling comebacks, and impressive finishes, setting up for electric final rounds.

At the LPGA’s Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a rare feat occurred as three players—Emily Pederson, Kristen Gillman, and Anna Nordqvist—each aced the fourth hole. Not only did this set a festive tone, but it added excitement to a tournament already brewing with suspense. Jeeno Thitikul, who narrowly missed out on a win here last year, shot an impressive 8-under 64 to tie for the lead alongside Ruoning Yin and Haeran Ryu. With the leaderboard logjammed at 16-under, Sunday’s final round will be a battle to remember as these three friends and fierce competitors chase the title and a piece of the $3 million purse.

Meanwhile, the ZOZO Championship in Japan has a tight race to the finish as well, with Nico Echavarria holding a two-shot lead over 15-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas. Thomas, who’s looking to snap a two-and-a-half-year winless streak, will have to keep an eye on Echavarria, who closed his third round with a stunning eagle on 18. Rickie Fowler, another fan favorite in Japan, sits tied for fourth and could still make a run in Sunday’s final round. With $8.5 million at stake and no cut, the ZOZO is keeping fans glued to the action.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, the Simmons Bank Championship on the PGA Tour Champions is shaping up to be a story of experience vs. youth. Steven Alker took the lead with a brilliant, bogey-free 62, closing with an eagle. His performance has him in prime position to win his ninth Tour Champions title, but legends like Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen are hot on his heels. With all eyes on Alker, this new event is proving itself as a thrilling addition to the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs.

On the DP World Tour, Korea’s Byeong Hun An leads the Genesis Championship at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon. An is playing in top form, boosted by local support, and looks poised to clinch his first win since 2015. But with challengers like Casey Jarvis and Francesco Laporta just two shots behind, it’s bound to be a thrilling final round as players not only vie for the title but also fight to secure their 2025 DP World Tour cards.

Whether it’s hole-in-ones in Malaysia, big-time eagles in Japan and Arkansas, or a determined homecoming in Korea, this weekend’s action has been all about bringing out the best in golf’s top players. With final rounds to come, fans around the world are set for some unforgettable finishes.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

• LPGA sets up 96-yard par 3, and of course there were holes-in-one - australiangolfdigest.com.au

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

ZOZO Championship - PGA Tour - Accordia Golf Narashino CC, Chiba, Japan

The third round of the 2024 ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan has concluded with Nico Echavarria taking the lead. Echavarria shot an impressive 5-under 65, finishing the day with a spectacular eagle on the 18th hole. This performance put him at 17-under par for the tournament, giving him a two-shot advantage over Justin Thomas.

Thomas, a 15-time PGA Tour winner, is in second place and looking to end his two-and-a-half-year victory drought. His last win came at the 2022 PGA Championship. Max Greyserman, in search of his first PGA Tour victory, is currently in third place, three shots behind Echavarria after carding a 64 in the third round.

The leaderboard remains competitive, with Rickie Fowler, Kevin Yu, and Nate Lashley all tied for fourth place, six shots behind the leader. Fowler, who has connections to Japan and finished as runner-up in this event two years ago, expressed optimism about his game despite not putting it all together in recent events.

The tournament, which is unique among FedExCup fall events as it has no cut, has a total prize pool of $8.5 million. The winner will receive $1.53 million along with 500 FedEx Cup points and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

Notably, some pre-tournament favorites are struggling to make an impact. Defending champion Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele are both 13 shots off the lead, while local favorite Hideki Matsuyama, despite shooting his best round of the tournament with a 66, finds himself 15 shots behind Echavarria.

As the tournament heads into its final round, all eyes will be on Echavarria to see if he can secure his second PGA Tour victory, while Thomas aims to recapture his winning form and challenge for the title.

• ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, Round 4: How to watch, featured groups, live scores, tee times, TV times

• 2024 Zozo Championship: Final-round tee times, groupings, how to watch

• 2024 Zozo Championship Saturday final round tee times and how to watch

ZOZO Championship Stories

• Nico Echavarria eagles the final hole for a 2-shot lead at the Zozo Championship - apnews.com

• Nico Echavarria Takes Lead with Stunning Eagle Finish at Zozo Championship | Sports-Games - devdiscourse.com

• Power loses ground at Zozo Championship - rte.ie

• 2024 Zozo Championship leaderboard, scores: Justin Thomas sits two shots back of lead after Round 3 in Japan - CBSSports.com

• Draws and Fades: Case for and against three players left who can win ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP - pgatour.com

• Rickie Fowler continues unique FedExCup Fall streak at Zozo Championship - sportskeeda.com

ZOZO Championship Videos

Maybank Championship - LPGA - Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The third round of the Maybank Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Malaysia has set the stage for an exciting final day, with three players tied for the lead. Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul, also known as "Jeeno," has made a remarkable comeback after losing in a playoff at this event last year. Thitikul fired an impressive 8-under 64 on Saturday, propelling her to the top of the leaderboard with a total score of 16-under 200.

Joining Thitikul at the summit are Ruoning Yin, who carded a solid 66, and Haeran Ryu, who posted a 67 in the third round. This three-way tie promises a thrilling battle for the championship title on Sunday.

Thitikul's performance is particularly noteworthy, as she seems determined to clinch the victory that narrowly eluded her in 2023. Her low round of 64 on Saturday demonstrated her ability to excel under pressure and positions her as a strong contender for the title.

The Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club has provided a challenging yet scoring-friendly venue for the LPGA Tour event. With the leaders at 16-under par after three rounds, spectators can anticipate an aggressive approach from the top contenders in the final round as they vie for the Maybank Championship trophy.

As the tournament heads into its decisive day, golf fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Thitikul can complete her redemption story, or if Yin or Ryu can capture the title. The close competition at the top of the leaderboard ensures that the Maybank Championship will conclude with high drama and world-class golf on display in Malaysia.

• 2024 Maybank Championship: Prize Money Breakdown & Winner's Payout

Maybank Championship Stories

• Thitikul surges into three-way lead at LPGA in Malaysia - supersport.com

• Stupendous finale in store as its a three way-tie between three close friends as they battle it out for the top prize at the Maybank Championship - thestar.com.my

• Maybank Championship: Title race heats up with three golfers sharing lead - thesun.my

  Ruffels falls off the pace at LPGA Maybank Championship - au.sports.yahoo.com

• WATCH: Kristen Gillman makes hole-in-one on the 4th hole at Maybank Championship - sportskeeda.com

Maybank Championship Videos

Simmons Bank Championship - PGA Tour Champions - Pleasant Valley Country Club - Little Rock, AR

The Simmons Bank Championship, a PGA Tour Champions event, is in full swing at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas. This inaugural tournament has drawn thousands of fans eager to see their favorite golfers compete in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs.

After the first round, New Zealand's Steven Alker took the lead with an impressive bogey-free 62, matching his lowest 18-hole score on the PGA Tour Champions. Alker's stellar performance, which included an eagle on the final hole, put him two strokes ahead of World Golf Hall of Fame member Vijay Singh.

Alker, currently ranked second in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, is projected to take the lead if he maintains his position. The 53-year-old is seeking his ninth win on the PGA Tour Champions and his second victory of the 2024 season.

Close behind Alker are several notable players. Vijay Singh, at 61 years old, is in contention for his sixth PGA Tour Champions win. Retief Goosen, another World Golf Hall of Fame member, fired a 7-under 65 with two eagles, placing him in a tie for second. Thomas Bjørn joined Goosen at 65, playing his final three holes in 4-under par.

Jason Caron, a club professional from New York, surprised many with a bogey-free 65, putting him in a tie for third. Caron's performance is particularly noteworthy as he entered the week ranked 53rd in the Charles Schwab Cup standings and is now projected to move into the top 36, which would qualify him for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Other players in contention include K.J. Choi, Y.E. Yang, and Miguel Ángel Jiménez, all tied for sixth at 6-under par. Charles Schwab Cup leader Ernie Els finished the first round with a 3-under 69, placing him in a tie for 16th.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the leaderboard to see if Alker can maintain his advantage or if one of the many seasoned professionals will make a charge. With the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs at stake, the competition is sure to intensify over the weekend, promising an exciting finish to this inaugural event in Little Rock.

Simmons Bank Championship Stories

• Steven Alker matches career-best round to lead Simmons Bank Championship - fieldlevelmedia.com

• New Zealand's Steven Alker Finishes Strong to Lead Simmons Bank Championship After First Day - armoneyandpolitics.com

• PGA Tour Champions golfer Ken Duke, an Arkansas native, settles for even-par 72 in Simmons Bank Championship | Arkansas Democrat Gazette - arkansasonline.com

Simmons Bank Championship Videos

Genesis Championship - DP World Tour - Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea - Incheon, South Korea

The Genesis Championship at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea, has reached its third round, with Byeong Hun An maintaining his lead in the DP World Tour event. An, who has been impressing the home crowd with his stellar play, holds a two-shot advantage at 11-under par after posting rounds of 67 and 66 in the first two days.

Close behind An are Casey Jarvis of South Africa and Francesco Laporta of Italy, both tied for second at 9-under par. The leaderboard remains tight, with several players within striking distance of the top spot.

An, seeking his first professional victory since 2015, has been putting exceptionally well, making crucial 10 to 15-foot putts throughout the tournament. He expressed his appreciation for the local support, stating that he's trying to showcase his best golf for the fans who haven't seen him compete in Korea for several years.

Other notable players in contention include Tom Kim, who is currently tied for eighth at 7-under par. Kim, along with An, recently represented South Korea at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, adding to the excitement surrounding their performances in this home tournament.

The Genesis Championship is also crucial for players looking to secure their DP World Tour cards for the 2025 season. The top 114 golfers on the Race to Dubai Rankings after this event will retain their tour privileges. Marco Penge, who started the week at 115th in the rankings, made a clutch birdie on his final hole of the second round to make the cut, keeping his hopes alive for maintaining his tour status.

As the tournament progresses into the weekend, the competition is expected to intensify, with players vying not only for the championship title but also for crucial ranking points and tour card security.

• What is the prize fund and Race to Dubai points breakdown at the Genesis Championship?

• How Much Is The Genesis Championship 2024 Prize Money On Offer For The Winner?

Genesis Championship Stories

• 5 golfers who failed to make the cut at the 2024 Genesis Championship - sportskeeda.com

• Byeong Hun An and Tom Kim move to the top in Korea - europeantour.com

Genesis Championship Videos

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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