Planet Golf News for Friday, August 16, 2024

Chris Kirk’s thrilling hole-in-one gives him early FedEx St. Jude lead

Friday, August 16, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality.

Rory McIlroy plays tennis after first-round 68 at FedEx St. Jude Championship

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world has been buzzing with action this week, from scorching temperatures in Memphis to weather delays in Scotland, with plenty of thrilling performances along the way. Let’s dive into the highlights.

At the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Chris Kirk surged to the top of the leaderboard, thanks in part to a spectacular hole-in-one on the 14th hole. He finished his round with a 6-under 64, putting him just ahead of Hideki Matsuyama, Taylor Pendrith, and Matthieu Pavon, all tied for second. Kirk, ranked 28th in the FedEx Cup standings, is feeling confident as the tournament unfolds, which is crucial for players trying to secure a spot in the BMW Championship. Matsuyama’s performance is particularly impressive given the personal turmoil he’s faced—his caddie and coach were recently victims of a robbery in London. Despite these challenges, he’s kept his focus on the course, shooting a solid 65 to stay in contention. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele are also in the mix, both carding 66s.

However, the Memphis heat has been almost as challenging as the course itself, with temperatures feeling well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Players like Denny McCarthy have had to adapt their hydration strategies just to keep their heads in the game. The relentless heat is making this year’s FedEx St. Jude Championship as much a test of endurance as it is a competition of skill.

Across the pond at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, Minjee Lee is leading the pack with a 5-under 67, managing to stay bogey-free despite the tough conditions at Dundonald Links. The first day of play was plagued by rain delays, forcing the tournament into a slow start. Megan Khang and A Lim Kim are right on Lee’s heels, both shooting 68. Meanwhile, Lydia Ko, fresh off her Olympic success and Hall of Fame induction, also performed well, finishing with a 3-under 69. Despite the unpredictable weather, Ko seems to be enjoying the challenge, which aligns with her more laid-back approach to her career these days.

On the PGA Tour Champions circuit, the Rogers Charity Classic kicked off in Calgary, where Stephen Ames and Mike Weir are among the fan favorites. Ames, in particular, has been in great form recently, and many are hoping this will be the year a Canadian takes home the title.

Meanwhile, the LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament is underway in West Virginia. Bryson DeChambeau, who wowed everyone with a 12-under 58 at this event last year, is back to defend his title. The competition is fierce as players vie for top rankings, especially with the regular season nearing its end. The event promises plenty of drama as the weekend unfolds.

In Europe, the DP World Tour’s D+D REAL Czech Masters got off to a strong start with Pieter Moolman leading after a stunning round that included six consecutive birdies. The tournament marks the return of many players after an Olympic break, and with the season winding down, every stroke matters.

On the Korn Ferry Tour, Will Chandler made a statement at the Magnit Championship, grabbing his first-ever 18-hole lead with an impressive 8-under 64. As the race for spots in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals heats up, Chandler’s performance puts him in a great position heading into the weekend.

Lastly, at the U.S. Amateur Championship, there’s been no shortage of surprises. The top-ranked amateur, Luke Clanton, was knocked out in the Round of 32, opening the door for new contenders like Ethan Fang and Jose Luis Ballester to make their mark. With the quarterfinals approaching, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this prestigious event.

As the summer golf season hits its stride, these tournaments are offering plenty of excitement, from record-breaking rounds to unexpected upsets. Whether it’s the grueling heat of Memphis, the rain-soaked links of Scotland, or the high stakes of the U.S. Amateur, one thing is certain—golf fans are in for a treat this weekend.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

FedEx St. Jude Championship - PGA - TPC Southwind - Memphis, TN

The 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening event of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs, kicked off today at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Chris Kirk leads the tournament after the first round, shooting a 6-under 64, which included a remarkable hole-in-one. He holds a one-shot lead over Taylor Pendrith, Matthieu Pavon, and Hideki Matsuyama, who all carded 65s. Notably, world number one Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year, are both well-positioned after shooting 4-under 66s. The course at TPC Southwind is a par-70 layout measuring 7,243 yards, and the tournament features a substantial $20 million purse, with $3.6 million awarded to the winner. The top 50 players from this event will advance to the BMW Championship, the next stage in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

FedEx St. Jude Championship Videos

ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open - LPGA - Dundonald Links - Ayrshire, Scotland

The 2024 ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland, experienced a challenging first day due to adverse weather conditions. The tournament faced multiple delays because of rain, with play being suspended twice during the day. Despite these interruptions, Australian golfer Minjee Lee emerged as the leader with an impressive 5-under 67, maintaining a bogey-free round. Lee, who enjoys the creative challenges of links golf, particularly excelled in the windy conditions, which she found rewarding when executed correctly. Her performance included five birdies, with the final one on the 18th hole securing her position at the top of the leaderboard.

Megan Khang from the United States and A Lim Kim, the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open winner, both finished the day tied for second place with scores of 4-under 68. Khang had a mixed start but improved as the day went on, while Kim managed a bogey-free back nine, adding four birdies to her scorecard. Lydia Ko, fresh off her Olympic gold medal, also played well despite the tough conditions, finishing with a score of 69.

The tournament's first round was called off due to darkness and is set to resume today. The second round is scheduled to begin shortly after the completion of the first round.

ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open Videos

Rogers Charity Classic - PGA Tour Champions - Canyon Meadows Golf & CC - Calgary, AB

The Rogers Charity Classic, part of the PGA Tour Champions, gets underway today at the Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alberta. The tournament has drawn significant attention, with notable players such as Stephen Ames, Mike Weir, and defending champion Ken Duke participating. Stephen Ames, who has been in excellent form since turning 60, is one of the key contenders, having won two PGA Tour Champions events recently.

LIV Golf Greenbrier - The Old White Course - White Sulphur Springs, WV

The LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament is set to take place at The Old White course in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, beginning today. This marks the second consecutive year that the LIV Golf League will be hosted at this historic venue. The tournament will feature 54 players competing in a three-round, 54-hole stroke play format, with a total purse of $25 million, including $20 million for individual competitors and $5 million for team competitions. Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion, is returning to defend his title after setting a record with a 12-under 58 last year, the lowest round in LIV Golf history. He aims to surpass this achievement, expressing confidence that scores of 57 or even 56 are possible due to the high skill level of current players.

D+D REAL Czech Masters - DP World - PGA National Oaks Prague - Prague, Czechia

The D+D REAL Czech Masters, part of the DP World Tour, kicked off Thursday at the PGA National Czech Republic Oaks Prague in Prague, Czechia. This tournament marks the resumption of the tour following an Olympic break and is a significant event as the season nears its end. The course is a Par 72, and the tournament runs until August 18, 2024.

In the first round, Pieter Moolman emerged as the leader, finishing with an impressive six consecutive birdies. This strong performance placed him at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the day. The defending champion, Todd Clements, is also participating in this year's tournament, which features a total prize purse of $2,500,000.

Magnit Championship - Korn Ferry - Metedeconk National Golf Club - Jackson Twp. NJ

Will Chandler is currently leading the Magnit Championship at the Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson Township, New Jersey. He holds the lead with a score of eight under par after the first round of the tournament.

U.S. Amateur - USGA - Hazeltine National Golf Club - Chaska, Minn

On Thursday, the U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, saw significant developments as the tournament progressed through the Round of 32 and the Round of 16. The top-ranked amateur, Luke Clanton, was unexpectedly eliminated in the Round of 32, marking a surprising turn of events for the tournament. Meanwhile, Ethan Fang, who had to survive a playoff to enter the match play stage, won both of his matches on Thursday, advancing to the quarterfinals. Fang defeated Zach Adam in the morning and Bastien Amat in the afternoon, securing his place among the final eight competitors.

Jose Luis Ballester, ranked No. 10 in the world amateur rankings and the highest-ranked player remaining, also advanced to the quarterfinals. Ballester defeated Christian Brand and will face Bobby Massa in the next round. Massa had a challenging match against Ashton McCulloch, which extended to 23 holes before Massa emerged victorious. Another notable player, Luis Masaveu from Spain, advanced by defeating Michak Maich of Thailand. Masaveu will compete against Brendan Valdes, who won against Peter Fountain.

The tournament, which began with stroke play at the Chaska Town Course, has now shifted entirely to Hazeltine National for the match play segment. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday, followed by the semifinals on Saturday, and the championship match on Sunday. This year's U.S. Amateur has been a platform for emerging talent, with several top-ranked players being knocked out early, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the event.

Upcoming: Solheim Cup (9/13-9/15)

Next Year: The Ryder Cup

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.

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