Planet Golf News for Friday, August 23, 2024

'This is natural, raw golf': What players are saying about the brutal conditions at the Old Course, Keegan Bradley goes from last man in to top of the leaderboard

Friday, August 23, 2024

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Jack Nicklaus designed Castle Pines, and he couldn’t be happier with the reboot: “It should be a lot of fun”

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf this week has been filled with dramatic moments, intense competition, and some unexpected twists, both on and off the course. One of the most talked-about incidents involved the PGA Tour’s handling of the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club. As dangerous weather swept through, play was suspended, but fans were left in the dark for over two hours with little communication from the tour. Frustrations flared, and many took to social media to voice their disappointment with the lack of updates. Although the official tournament channels provided timely news, the PGA Tour itself was criticized for its sluggish response. This is yet another reminder of how crucial communication is, especially in live events where thousands of spectators are eagerly awaiting updates.

On a brighter note, Keegan Bradley made the most of his opportunity at the BMW Championship. After just sneaking into the tournament as the last qualifier, he stormed into the lead with a bogey-free round of 66, highlighting his consistency and poise under pressure. Bradley’s stellar performance, which included six birdies, positioned him at the top of the leaderboard, with Hideki Matsuyama trailing closely behind. As the second round approached, all eyes were on Bradley to see if he could maintain this momentum and secure his spot in the upcoming Tour Championship.

Meanwhile, the AIG Women’s Open at the iconic St. Andrews Links in Scotland delivered its own brand of excitement. Charley Hull rose to the challenge of brutal winds, shooting an impressive five-under 67 to take the lead. Despite wind gusts of up to 39 mph, Hull’s preparation and skill shone through. She credited her success to working on controlling her shots in these conditions, a testament to her adaptability on one of the most historic and challenging courses in golf. Nelly Korda and Ruoning Yin are hot on her heels, making this a thrilling battle as the tournament unfolds. The windy weather, while making life difficult for the players, added to the drama and underscored the toughness of links golf, with many competitors embracing the natural challenge.

Further afield, at the Danish Golf Championship, Rasmus Højgaard showed why he’s a force to be reckoned with, especially on home soil. Leading after the first round with a six-under 65, Højgaard seems set on defending his title, delighting local fans with his stellar play. The weather in Denmark, much like in Scotland, played a significant role, making the conditions tougher for those teeing off later in the day.

On the Korn Ferry Tour, Kevin Roy stole the show at the Albertsons Boise Open, starting his round with five consecutive birdies and finishing with a bogey-free 62. This performance puts him in prime position to capitalize on his strong start, as he and other top players continue to fight for coveted spots in upcoming PGA Tour events.

It’s not all about the tournaments, though. Off the course, there's buzz around the Solheim Cup, as Sweden's Linnea Strom continues to push for a spot on the European team. Despite her win on the LPGA Tour this season, Strom hasn’t yet caught the attention of team captain Suzann Pettersen. With the event rapidly approaching in mid-September, it’s crunch time for players like Strom to prove they belong on one of the most prestigious stages in women’s golf.

And, of course, there’s always room for a bit of fun in golf. LPGA’s Ruoning Yin gave fans a chuckle when she revealed that she uses Tiger Woods as her go-to character in a golf video game, possibly explaining some of her recent success. Who knew that a digital Tiger could inspire such on-course excellence?

From weather-induced chaos to standout performances, this week in golf has been nothing short of electrifying. Whether it’s the PGA Tour, LPGA, or the Korn Ferry, there’s no shortage of action as the summer season continues to heat up.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

BMW Championship - PGA - Castle Pines Golf Club - Castle Rock, CO

At the end of the first day of the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club, Keegan Bradley led the field with an impressive six-under-par 66. Bradley's performance included six birdies and no bogeys, placing him two strokes ahead of his closest competitors. Hideki Matsuyama was one stroke behind Bradley when play was suspended due to lightning, leaving him in second place. Several players, including Corey Conners, Adam Scott, and Alex Noren, were tied for third place with scores of four-under-par 68. The suspension of play due to weather affected a few players who were still on the course, but the majority had completed their rounds. Bradley's strong start was particularly notable as he was the last player to qualify for the tournament, entering as the 50th player in the FedEx Cup standings. His performance on Thursday projected him to move significantly up the rankings, potentially securing a spot in the Tour Championship.

BMW Championship Videos

AIG Women’s Open - LPGA - St. Andrews Links (Old Course) - St. Andrews, Scotland

Thursday the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews Links (Old Course) in Scotland kicked off with challenging weather conditions impacting the pace of play. Charley Hull emerged as the leader after the first round, shooting a 5-under 67. Despite the blustery conditions and a lengthy six-hour round, Hull managed to take a one-shot lead over world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Ruoning Yin, who both played in tougher conditions earlier in the day. The wind, with gusts reaching up to 39 mph, played a significant role in the tournament dynamics, causing delays and requiring players to adapt their strategies. Hull credited her preparation, including working on three-quarter shots and ball position, for her successful performance. A total of 17 players finished under par, with most achieving this in the afternoon when the winds had slightly calmed.

AIG Women’s Open Videos

The Ally Challenge - PGA Tour Champions - Warwick Hills G&CC - Grand Blanc, MI

Danish Golf Championship - DP World - Lubker Golf Resort - Aarhus, Denmark

As of Friday morning, Rasmus Højgaard leads the Danish Golf Championship at the Lubker Golf Resort in Aarhus, Denmark. Højgaard, the defending champion, delivered an impressive performance with an opening round of 65, placing him at six-under-par. His round included an eagle, five birdies, and just one bogey, giving him a two-shot lead over his nearest competitors. The challenging weather conditions in the afternoon prevented later starters from matching his score. Frederic LaCroix, Jannik de Bruyn, and Sam Jones are the closest challengers, each at four-under-par.

Albertsons Boise Open pres. by Chevron - Korn Ferry - Hillcrest Country Club - Boise, ID

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

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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