Planet Golf News for Friday, July 12, 2024

Justin Thomas goes bogey-free to take first-round lead in Scotland, Nelly Korda’s double bogey stalls hot start, 5 back at LPGA’s Evian Championship

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PGN News Team
July 12, 2024 • Reading Time: 19 minutes

Friday, July 12, 2024

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Bob MacIntyre dazzles Scottish Open with his play and jazzy attire

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

It’s an exciting time in the golf world, with tournaments heating up and players making headlines for various reasons. Let’s dive into the latest from the greens.

Justin Thomas made a significant splash at the Scottish Open, taking the first-round lead with a flawless 62. This is the first time in over two years that Thomas has topped a leaderboard on the PGA Tour, and the change seems to be all about his new Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 Prototype putter. After struggling on the greens this season, this swap proved to be a game-changer. The new putter has reignited his performance, evidenced by his bogey-free round, leaving fans excited about what’s to come.

On the LPGA side, Ingrid Lindblad, formerly the world’s top amateur golfer, is making waves at the Evian Championship. In her first major as a professional, Lindblad shot a bogey-free 64, tying for the lead. If she maintains this performance, she could secure Ladies European Tour membership and possibly a spot in the Solheim Cup. It’s an impressive start for a player transitioning from an outstanding amateur career to the professional ranks.

Unfortunately, the Evian Championship also saw Ashleigh Buhai withdraw due to health issues. Buhai, who has battled back problems throughout her career, had to step away, impacting her chance at the $8 million prize and her pursuit of a second major win. Her withdrawal underscores the physical toll professional golf can take, especially on seasoned players with chronic injuries.

In a lighter moment at the Amundi Evian Championship, both Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Chun-Wei Wu made hole-in-ones. Shadoff’s ace on the 16th hole won her a Porsche SUV, a thrilling addition to her tournament experience, while Wu celebrated her first major hole-in-one on the 5th hole.

Meanwhile, the Genesis Scottish Open is buzzing with activity. Sungjae Im is just a stroke behind Thomas, having posted an impressive 63. The competition is fierce with notable performances from players like Rory McIlroy, who shot a 65, and a tightly packed leaderboard featuring top names like Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood. The action promises to intensify as the tournament progresses.

In other tournaments, Pierceson Coody set the pace at the ISCO Championship with an astounding 11-under 61. This performance marked the lowest round of his PGA Tour career, setting a high bar for his competitors. The field includes established PGA Tour winners and emerging talents, making for an intriguing battle over the next few days.

At the Kaulig Companies Championship, Steve Stricker and Duffy Waldorf share the lead after the first round. Stricker, aiming for his third win in four years, is known for converting early leads into victories. Waldorf, on the other hand, seeks his first win since 2016. The competition among senior golfers is heating up, with notable names like Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk close behind.

Lastly, the LIV Golf Andalucía tournament is set to begin at the prestigious Real Club Valderrama in Spain. This event is drawing significant attention with top players like Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia in the field. Rahm’s participation, especially in his home country, adds an extra layer of excitement. Despite his honest assessment of his season so far, Rahm remains a player to watch.

As we look forward to upcoming events like The Open Championship at Royal Troon and the Ryder Cup, where Rory McIlroy recently declined a player-captain role for 2027, it’s clear that golf fans have a lot to anticipate. From equipment changes to impressive debuts and fierce competition, the golf world is as dynamic as ever. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates and stories from the courses.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Putter change lifts Justin Thomas to first-round lead at Scottish Open

Justin Thomas took the first-round lead at the Scottish Open after swapping out his putter and recording a bogey-free 62. This is the first time he has held the lead on the PGA Tour since his victory at the PGA Championship over two years ago. Thomas has struggled on the greens this season but saw immediate improvement with his new putter, the Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 Prototype.

Former amateur standout Ingrid Lindblad races to Evian lead (64) in first major start as a pro

Ingrid Lindblad, a former amateur standout, made an impressive start in her first major as a professional at the Evian Championship. Lindblad, the former World No. 1 in the Women's Amateur Golf Rankings, shot a bogey-free 64 to tie for the lead in the tournament. If she were to win, Lindblad would be eligible for Ladies European Tour membership and potentially qualify for the Solheim Cup.

LPGA Injury Update: Ashleigh Buhai Forced to Exit Evian Championship Over Health Issues

Ashleigh Buhai has been forced to withdraw from the Amundi Evian Championship due to a health issue, likely a flare-up of her old back injury. This setback not only affects her chances of winning a portion of the $8 million prize but also delays her pursuit of a second major win. Buhai has a history of back-related struggles and has used a combination of rest, recovery therapies, and cortisone injections to manage her injury. Her full-time physiotherapist has been by her side for years, and she is expected to return to the course in a few weeks.

Pair of early aces at Amundi Evian Championship, only one player won a Porsche

At the Amundi Evian Championship, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Chun-Wei Wu both made aces on different holes. Shadoff won a Porsche SUV for her hole-in-one on the 16th hole, while Wu achieved her first hole-in-one in a major tournament on the 5th hole.

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

Genesis Scottish Open - PGA - The Renaissance Club - North Berwick, Scotland

The Genesis Scottish Open kicked off on yesterday at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, with an exciting first round that saw several top players vying for the lead. Justin Thomas emerged as the early frontrunner, carding an impressive 8-under 62 to take a one-shot lead over Sungjae Im. Thomas's stellar performance included eight birdies and no bogeys, showcasing his exceptional form and putting skills with a new Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 Tour Prototype putter.

Following closely behind Thomas and Im, a group of players including Maximilian Kieffer, Haotong Li, and Thomas Detry are tied for third at 6-under. The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with several notable names in contention. Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, started strong with a 5-under 65, placing him just three shots off the lead. Other prominent players in the mix include Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood, who also shot 5-under for the day.

Justin Thomas holds first PGA Tour lead in over 2 years at Scottish Open

Justin Thomas holds the first PGA Tour lead in over 2 years at the Scottish Open after carding a remarkable 8-under 62 in the first round. Thomas, a two-time major winner, made eight birdies and eight pars to secure a one-shot lead over Sungjae Im. This marks the first time Thomas has held at least a share of the lead since the 2022 PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy shoots 65 to begin 2024 Scottish Open in first round since losing U.S. Open at Pinehurst

Rory McIlroy shoots an impressive 65 in the first round of the 2024 Scottish Open, following his recent loss at the U.S. Open. McIlroy has been playing consistently well and has not finished outside the top 15 in any tournament since April. His opening round score is the lowest by a reigning champion in Scottish Open history. Despite a slow start, McIlroy felt good about his performance and is optimistic about his chances in the upcoming Open Championship.

What are the odds? Ludvig Aberg's incredibly unlucky shot at the Scottish Open

Ludvig Åberg experienced incredibly bad luck at the Scottish Open when his approach shot landed directly on top of Collin Morikawa's ball, causing both balls to veer off in different directions. Åberg ended up far from the pin and had to settle for a bogey, while Morikawa was able to replace his ball and make a birdie. Despite this unlucky shot, Åberg has had a relatively fortunate career.

Korea's Im enjoys birdie spree to trail Thomas by one at Genesis Scottish Open

Korea's Im Sung-jae trails Justin Thomas by one stroke after a strong performance in the first round of the Genesis Scottish Open. Im overcame a challenging start and finished with a 7-under 63, while Thomas shot a bogey-free 62. Other notable performances include Li Haotong and An Byeong-hun, who both shot 65. Im's recent good form and favorable weather conditions have put him in a good position for the tournament.

5 best PGA Tour shots from opening round at Genesis Scottish Open

The opening round of the Genesis Scottish Open showcased some incredible shots from PGA Tour players. Highlights include Sahith Theegala's hole-out for an eagle, Justin Thomas' seventh birdie, Ludvig Åberg's wild approach shot, Nick Taylor's one hop and dunk hole-out shot, and Rory McIlroy's chip-in for eagle.

Genesis Scottish Open Videos

The Amundi Evian Championship - LPGA - Evian Resort Golf Club - Evian-les-Bains, France

The Amundi Evian Championship, one of the five major tournaments in women's golf, kicked off on Thursday at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, France. The first round of the tournament saw an exciting start with three players tied for the lead at 7-under par.

Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland, rookie Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden, and Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand all carded impressive rounds of 64 to share the top spot on the leaderboard. Lindblad, in particular, made a strong statement in her LPGA debut as a professional, continuing her impressive form from her college golf career at LSU where she won 15 times.

Following closely behind the leaders, six players are tied for fourth place at 6-under par. This group includes 2014 Amundi Evian champion Hyo Joo Kim, who recorded seven birdies and one bogey during her round.

Nelly Korda shot -2 for the day and sits in a 18-way tie for 21st place.

In an exciting turn of events, Jodi Ewart Shadoff made a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole, winning herself a Porsche Macan Turbo Electric valued at $80,000. This remarkable shot helped turn around what had been a challenging round for Shadoff, who finished with a 4-over 75.

Unfortunately, not all players had a positive start to the tournament. Ashleigh Buhai was forced to withdraw during the first round due to injury.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the leaders and other top contenders like Nasa Hataoka and Atthaya Thitikul, who have shown strong form leading up to this event. With three more rounds to go, the Amundi Evian Championship promises to deliver more exciting golf action in the coming days.

Tavatanakit, Lindblad and Dryburgh share lead at Amundi Evian Championship

Patty Tavatanakit, Ingrid Lindblad, and Gemma Dryburgh share the first-round lead at the Amundi Evian Championship with impressive performances. Tavatanakit, the 2021 ANA Inspiration winner, posted a 7-under 64, while Lindblad and Dryburgh matched her score. They are followed closely by Lauren Coughlin, Hyo Joo Kim, Lydia Ko, Hye-Jin Choi, Gaby Lopez, and Ayaka Furue. Nelly Korda, the top-ranked player, had an erratic round and is tied for 21st place. Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Chun-Wei Wu made holes-in-one during the morning session.

Nelly Korda starts hot but settles well back of leaders on Day 1 of Amundi Evian Championship

Nelly Korda had a strong start in the first round of the Amundi Evian Championship, birdieing three of her first six holes. However, she made a double bogey and settled for a 2-under 69, placing her just inside the top 20 and five shots off the lead. Korda, who had recently struggled in major championships, will need to avoid a repeat of her previous missed cuts.

Weeks after turning professional, Ingrid Lindblad cards 64 at Evian to lead first LPGA event as a pro

Ingrid Lindblad, in her first LPGA event as a professional, leads the Amundi Evian Championship with a bogey-free 7-under 64. Lindblad, a former college golf standout, shares the first-round lead with Gemma Dryburgh and Patty Tavatanakit. This marks Lindblad's ninth start in an LPGA major, and she is off to an impressive start in her pro debut.

The Amundi Evian Championship Videos

Liv Golf Andalucla - Real Club Valderrama - Sotogrande, Spain

The LIV Golf Andalucía tournament is set to begin today at the prestigious Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande, Spain. Notable players in the field include Spanish stars Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, along with other high-profile golfers such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and Cameron Smith. The tournament is generating significant interest as it's Jon Rahm's first LIV Golf event in his home country since joining the league

Jon Rahm gives refreshing answer when asked to rate his season ahead of LIV Golf Andalucia

Jon Rahm, the Spanish golfer signed by LIV Golf for a mega deal, has yet to win a LIV event and has underperformed in majors. When asked to rate his season, Rahm gave it a six to a seven out of ten, acknowledging that he hasn't won yet but still has a lot to play for. Rahm will be competing in the LIV Golf Andalucia tournament in his home country.

'Sure, I love talking about my losses...' LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson in tense exchange with reporter

Phil Mickelson had a tense exchange with a reporter when asked about his near-miss at the 2016 Open. Despite his current world ranking of 203rd, Mickelson is eligible to compete in the upcoming Open Championship at Troon. Mickelson expressed his disappointment at not winning the 2016 Open, but also highlighted the positive experience of playing great golf and competing against someone he respects.

ISCO Championship - PGA Tour - Keene Trace Golf Club - Nicholasville, KY

On Thursday the ISCO Championship, a PGA Tour event co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour, kicked off at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The tournament, featuring a $4 million purse with $720,000 going to the winner, saw an exciting start with Pierceson Coody taking the early lead.

Coody shot an impressive 11-under 61 in the first round, marking the lowest round of his brief PGA Tour career. This stellar performance put him at the top of the leaderboard, setting a high bar for the rest of the field.

The tournament has attracted a mix of established PGA Tour winners and up-and-coming talents. Notable players in the field include Joel Dahmen, Kevin Kisner, Daniel Berger, and Camilo Villegas. Two young players to watch are Michael Thorbjornsen and Luke Clanton, both coming off strong performances at the John Deere Classic where they tied for second place last week.

With three more rounds to go, the leaderboard is likely to see some changes, but Pierceson Coody's outstanding start has certainly set the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament in the Bluegrass State.

Pierceson Coody shoots 11-under 61 to take lead at ISCO Championship - PGA TOUR

Pierceson Coody shoots an impressive 11-under 61 to take the lead in the first round of the ISCO Championship. Coody made 11 birdies in a bogey-free round, including six consecutive birdies. Hayden Springer is three strokes behind at 64, while Rico Hoey is also in contention with a bogey-free round and an eagle on the par-5 eighth.

Kaulig Companies Championship - PGA Tour Champions - Firestone CC - Akron, OH

The first round of the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, has concluded. The current leaders are defending champion Steve Stricker and Duffy Waldorf, both of whom shot a 66 to share the lead. They are closely followed by Richard Green and Kenny Perry, who are just one stroke behind with scores of 67. The tournament features a competitive field of senior golfers, including notable names such as Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, and Stephen Ames, all competing for the prestigious title and a significant prize pool.

Steve Stricker, Duffy Waldorf share Thursday lead at Kaulig Companies Championship

Steve Stricker and Duffy Waldorf share the first-round lead at the Kaulig Companies Championship, both shooting a 4-under 66. Stricker aims for his third win in four years, while Waldorf seeks his first win since 2016. Stricker has a strong record of converting first-round leads into victories, and a win would move him up the all-time PGA TOUR Champions wins list. Waldorf, on the other hand, has had previous first-round leads but has yet to convert them into victories. Both players have a chance to claim the championship title.

The Ascendant pres. by Blue - Korn Ferry - TPC Colorado - Berthoud, CO

Stellar Start

Jeremy Paul and Richy Werenski make strong starts at the Korn Ferry Tour's Ascendant presented by Blue at TPC Colorado. Paul shoots a bogey-free 66, while Werenski ties the tournament record with a 63. Sam Saunders needs a strong finish to maintain his tour status. Paul is in a good position to secure a PGA Tour card for 2025.

Upcoming: The Open (British)

See who's playing in The Open Championship

The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon features a field of top golfers, including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods. The tournament marks Woods' return to competing in all four majors since his car crash in 2021. The field is mostly set, with three berths to be finalized at the Genesis Scottish Open. The Open field is determined through various categories, including past champions and rankings.

Upcoming: The Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy says he turned down player-captain offer for 2027 Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy has revealed that he turned down an offer to be a player-captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup. McIlroy cited the amount of work and responsibilities involved in being a captain as the reason for declining the offer. He believes that in order to be the best captain or player, one cannot do both simultaneously.www.golfdigest.com/story/mcilroy-ryder-cup-scottish-open-2024

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Check out Justin Thomas' never-seen-before Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 Tour Prototype

Justin Thomas debuted a never-seen-before Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2 Tour Prototype putter at the Genesis Scottish Open. Inspired by his friend Jordan Spieth, the putter helped Thomas rank third in Strokes Gained: Putting during the first round. The new prototype features a similar head shape to the Phantom 9.5 with rounded edges, a single top alignment line, and a matte steel finish.

Overheard in the Club House

Dustin Johnson faces fresh legal headache (!) ahead of LIV Golf Andalucia and The Open

Dustin Johnson's LIV Golf team, 4 Aces GC, is facing a legal challenge from the University of Alabama regarding their logo. The opposition claims that the 4 Aces GC logo closely resembles Alabama's logo. This comes as Johnson's team has been struggling in form and currently ranks 10th out of 13 teams. The legal challenge adds to their woes ahead of the LIV Golf Andalucia tournament in Spain.

DP World Tour rules chief: 'Pace of play is a huge thing - we are like traffic police'

Miguel Vidaor, a stalwart and refereeing expert on the DP World Tour, emphasizes the importance of pace of play in professional golf tournaments. Referees act as "traffic police" to ensure players adhere to time allowances and starting intervals. Vidaor highlights the need for common sense in considering external factors such as wind, and discusses a ruling involving an embedded ball on a bunker face. The article addresses the ongoing debate on slow play in golf and the efforts made by referees to maintain a smooth pace of play.

One big way PGA Tour, pro golf can improve: play more in British Isles

No question that the future of professional golf remains in flux, but we have a suggestion to improve it that involves the British Isles.

Latest Official World Golf Ranking

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Latest FedExCup Standings

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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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