Planet Golf News for Monday, October 28, 2024

Padraig Harrington wins 2024 Simmons Bank Championship, moves to 4th in Schwab Cup standings | FedEx Cup Fall standings update: Nico Echavarria makes massive leap after Zozo win | Tom Kim’s brutal lipout on the 72nd hole ends with Ben An beating him in a playoff in South Korea

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PGN News Team
October 28, 2024

Monday, October 28, 2024

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

The weekend’s tournaments wrapped up with thrilling moments and a few career-defining victories across the globe, setting an exciting stage for upcoming championships.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, Padraig Harrington claimed the Simmons Bank Championship title on the PGA Tour Champions, marking his third win this year and securing his ninth career title on this tour. Harrington ended with a 17-under 199, fending off an impressive final push from Y.E. Yang, who shot ten birdies for a 65 in the final round. This victory vaulted Harrington from 11th to 4th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, positioning him as a strong contender as the Tour heads toward its climactic championship in Phoenix. Adding to the weekend’s drama, the Simmons Bank Championship also decided the top 36 players who will compete for the Charles Schwab Cup, with a few late-ranking shakeups landing Jason Caron and Hiroyuki Fujita just inside the cutoff.

Meanwhile, in Japan, Colombia’s Nico Echavarria took home his first PGA Tour win at the ZOZO Championship with a record-setting 20-under 260 at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. Echavarria’s closing birdie on the 18th sealed the deal after a back-and-forth final round with Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman, who both finished one stroke behind. Thomas, aiming for a win after a two-and-a-half-year drought, and Greyserman, whose impressive birdie on the 14th briefly gave him the lead, pushed Echavarria to the very last hole. Echavarria’s victory not only earned him $1.53 million but also secured him a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a significant boost in the FedExCup Fall standings.

In Malaysia, LPGA rising star Ruoning Yin notched her fifth career victory at the Maybank Championship, capping off an impressive Asian Swing. Yin’s seven-under 65 in the final round brought her to 23-under 265, narrowly edging out Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul by one stroke. Yin’s victory added to her 2024 winnings, rounding out a stellar month following her recent win in Shanghai. Her consistent, clutch play—especially her final birdie on the par-5 18th—highlights why she’s fast becoming a force on the LPGA Tour.

Over in South Korea, Byeong Hun An clinched an emotional win on home turf at the Genesis Championship, battling fellow Korean Tom Kim in a dramatic playoff. Both golfers were tied at 17-under after 72 holes, with Kim narrowly missing a potential winning putt. In the playoff, An managed to keep his shots consistent, eventually setting up a winning birdie after Kim’s unfortunate rough shot landed in the stands. An’s triumph, nearly a decade after his first DP World Tour win, was celebrated by a hometown crowd and his family, making it a particularly touching victory.

Each of these tournaments offered excitement, skill, and a glimpse into the stories that make golf so compelling. As the PGA Tour Champions approach their season finale in Phoenix, all eyes will be on Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els to see who will claim the coveted Charles Schwab Cup. Nico Echavarria, Ruoning Yin, and Byeong Hun An, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent wins as they solidify their places and legacies on their respective tours.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Padraig Harrington holds on to win Simmons Bank Championship, top 36 finalized for Charles Schwab Cup Championship

Padraig Harrington secured a two-shot victory at the Simmons Bank Championship with a final score of 17-under 199, marking his third title of the year on the PGA TOUR Champions. Despite challenges from competitors like Y.E. Yang, who made 10 birdies, Harrington maintained his lead and qualified for the upcoming Charles Schwab Cup Championship, moving from 11th to 4th in the standings. Cameron Percy and Hiroyuki Fujita also made it into the top 36, while top-ranked Ernie Els retained his No. 1 seed with a closing round of 65.

Major Golf Tournaments happening this past weekend

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

Padraig Harrington emerged victorious at the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship, held at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Irish golfer closed with a impressive 5-under 67 in the final round, securing a two-shot victory and his third title of the season on the PGA Tour Champions.

Harrington's stellar performance saw him finish at 17-under 199 for the tournament, fending off a strong challenge from Y.E. Yang of South Korea, who carded a remarkable 65 with 10 birdies in the final round. Yang's late surge brought him within one stroke of Harrington at one point, but the Irishman maintained his composure to clinch the win.

The victory propelled Harrington from 11th to 4th place in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, significantly boosting his chances for overall success as the season approaches its finale. This win marks Harrington's ninth career PGA Tour Champions victory and continues his streak of winning a Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs event for four consecutive seasons.

The tournament also held significant implications for the upcoming Charles Schwab Cup Championship, determining the top 36 players who will compete in Phoenix in two weeks. Jason Caron, a full-time PGA club professional from New York, secured the 35th spot with a tie for third place, alongside Hiroyuki Fujita. Their performances saw them make dramatic leaps in the standings, moving from outside the top 50 to within the crucial top 36.

The event marked the return of men's professional golf to Arkansas after more than a decade, drawing large crowds to Pleasant Valley Country Club. The excitement of the tournament's conclusion sets the stage for an thrilling finale to the Charles Schwab Cup in Phoenix, where Harrington will look to challenge current leader Ernie Els for the top spot in the season-long standings.

Simmons Bank Championship Stories

Simmons Bank Championship Videos

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

In an exciting finale at the 2024 ZOZO Championship in Japan, Colombia’s Nico Echavarria claimed victory with a 3-under 67 in the final round, finishing at a record-setting 20-under 260. Echavarria faced stiff competition from Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman, both finishing just one shot behind at 19-under. The lead shifted several times, with Echavarria securing his win with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole after a 273-yard shot to the green. Thomas, aiming for his first win in two and a half years, finished with a 66, while Greyserman, briefly leading after a 30-foot birdie on the 14th, ended with a 65. Echavarria’s win brought him $1.53 million, FedExCup points, and a two-year PGA Tour exemption.

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

22-Year-old Ruoning Yin of China won the 2024 Maybank Championship with an impressive final-round 7-under 65 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, securing her second title this month and fifth overall on the LPGA Tour. Yin finished at 23-under 265, just one stroke ahead of Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, who shot a final-round 66. Yin clinched her victory with a birdie on the par-5 18th, capping off a strong Asian Swing after a recent win at the LPGA Shanghai. This win adds $450,000 to her earnings, bringing her 2024 total to $2,397,966.

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

The Genesis Championship in South Korea ended dramatically as South Korean golfers Byeong Hun An and Tom Kim battled for the title. Tied at 17-under, they entered a playoff after Kim’s potential winning putt on the 72nd hole narrowly missed. In the playoff, Kim struggled from the rough, eventually sending a shot into the spectator stands, while An chipped his approach to within three feet. An clinched his second DP World Tour win, nearly a decade after his first. Ricardo Gouveia finished third at 16-under, securing his tour card for next season, while Antoine Rozner and Guido Migliozzi rounded out the top five. An’s 290-yard drive on the 15th hole thrilled home fans, marking a standout moment of the tournament.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Padraig Harrington WITB For 2024 Simmons Bank Championship: Veteran Star's Golfing Equipment Explored

Padraig Harrington, a veteran golfer, utilizes a carefully selected set of equipment for the 2024 Simmons Bank Championship, including a Titleist TSR3 Driver, Taylormade Stealth Fairway Woods, Wilson Staff Driving Iron, and Wilson Staff CB Irons. His arsenal also features various Wilson Staff Wedges and an Odyssey Golf White Hot OG 2-Ball Putter, all designed for precision and performance on the course. Harrington's choice of equipment reflects his extensive experience and strategic approach to the game.

Pro borrowed the new 2025 Titleist ProV1x. Then he won with it

Nico Echavarria won his first PGA Tour event using the new 2025 Titleist ProV1x golf balls, which he borrowed from fellow pro Tyson Alexander during a practice round. The ProV1x, marking 25 years since its introduction, was quickly adopted by several players on tour. Echavarria praised the ball's performance, particularly in altitude conditions, contributing to his victory at the Zozo Championship.

Here's the best way to find the right golf ball for you | Fully Equipped

Selecting the right golf ball is crucial yet often overlooked by golfers, who typically invest in club fittings but not ball fittings. Experts recommend using tools like the Ballnamic tool by Ping for online fitting and suggest starting ball testing around the green to assess spin and control before evaluating distance off the tee. The article emphasizes that while distance differences between balls are minimal, performance around the greens can vary significantly, guiding golfers to make informed choices for their game.

Overheard in the Club House

Phil Mickelson’s father, certified legend, mows lawn at age 89 while son watches(!)

Phil Mickelson Jr. was seen watching his 89-year-old father, Phil Mickelson Sr., mow the lawn, showcasing a light-hearted moment between them. Despite considering helping, Phil Jr. noted that his father seemed to have it under control, highlighting a charming family interaction.

In Japan with his grandparents, Xander Schauffele gets to celebrate majors all over again

Xander Schauffele celebrated his major championship victories in Japan with his grandparents, bringing the claret jug from the Open Championship to share the moment with them. This visit marked his first trip to Japan as a dual major winner, having also won the PGA Championship earlier in the year. Schauffele reflected on the significance of these achievements and the joy of sharing them with his family, especially after they missed attending the Olympics due to COVID restrictions.

Moms don't win much in professional golf, but Liz Young, 42, has now done it twice

Liz Young, a 42-year-old golfer from England, won her second Ladies European Tour title at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, securing a one-shot victory. This win follows her first title at the VP Swiss Ladies Open, achieved at age 39. Young celebrated her victory alongside her daughter's upcoming birthday, expressing joy over adding another trophy to her collection.

Here's how this PGA Tour rising star celebrated his first win 

Matt McCarty celebrated his first PGA Tour win at the Black Desert Championship by heading to Las Vegas with friends, where they enjoyed games like Blackjack and Bearcat. Despite initially planning to attend a college football game, McCarty's victory led to a fun-filled celebration in "Sin City" with college buddies and his girlfriend.

Latest Official World Golf Ranking

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Latest FedExCup Standings

Click HERE for the latest Official World Golf Ranking

UPCOMING TOURS

PGA TOUR Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LIV Golf Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LPGA Tour Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

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