Planet Golf News for Friday, June 14, 2024

McIlroy showing major form with bogey-free 65 to share US Open lead with Cantlay, Tiger Woods let down by putter at Pinehurst in Round 1 of 2024 U.S. Open

Friday, June 14, 2024

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Flashes Of the Old Woods Early in U.S. Open, but It Didn't Last

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

Hey there, golf fans! Let's dive into the latest happenings from the world of golf, where some big names are making headlines and Pinehurst No. 2 is living up to its reputation.

First off, let's talk about Nelly Korda. She's had a rough start at the Meijer LPGA Classic, shooting a 4-over 76 in her first event since the U.S. Women's Open. It's been a tough outing for the current number one, finding herself tied for 133rd. Meanwhile, Alison Lee is shining bright, leading the pack with a stellar 7-under 65.

Now, over to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, where Rory McIlroy is making waves. Rory's first round was nothing short of impressive, going bogey-free and sharing the lead with Patrick Cantlay after both shot 5-under 65. Rory's precision and controlled play reminded many of Scottie Scheffler's style, and it’s clearly paying off.

Speaking of Scheffler, he had a bit of a slower start, finishing at 1-over 71. But don’t count him out just yet; he's still very much in the game. The course at Pinehurst is proving to be a formidable challenge, with a scoring average of 73.24 in the first round. Only fifteen players managed to break par, so Rory and Cantlay's performances are even more commendable.

In other news, Brooks Koepka stirred the pot with comments about Rory and double standards in their U.S. Open interview. Koepka, who’s teeing off at different times than McIlroy in the next round, isn't holding back his thoughts.

Xander Schauffele found himself in a bit of controversy, accused of taking too much time on the greens. Opinions are divided on whether this was a case of egregious behavior or just meticulous play. The rules allow for touching the line of play, but improving it is a no-go, which sparked the debate.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, is fighting his way back. Despite a tough round that ended at 4-over 74, he had some heartwarming moments interacting with young fans. His journey back to top form is ongoing, and we’re all rooting for him.

The tournament also saw some standout performances from rising stars. Ludvig Åberg, in his U.S. Open debut, shot an impressive 4-under 66, showing off some serious veteran-like skills. Bryson DeChambeau described his day as "diabolical," yet still managed a solid 3-under 67. And let's not forget Tony Finau and Zac Blair, both positioning themselves well after strong first rounds.

Finally, the PGA Tour is set to vote on Tiger Woods' future post-U.S. Open. Woods hasn’t requested any sponsor exemptions this season, focusing instead on regaining full fitness. It’s a pivotal time for Tiger, and we’re all eager to see what’s next.

Stay tuned for more updates as these tournaments unfold. It's shaping up to be an exciting weekend in the golf world!

[ Today’s Top Golf Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

The U.S. Open - PGA Tour - Pinehurst, NC

The 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort's No. 2 course in North Carolina commenced on Thursdayunder scorching conditions with temperatures reaching into the 90s. The tournament, which is the first time in over a century that the USGA has awarded four Opens to a single site within 25 years, saw some remarkable performances on its opening day.

Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy led the field, both carding impressive rounds of 5-under 65, tying Martin Kaymer's record for the lowest score at Pinehurst No. 2. Ludvig Aberg was just one shot behind the leaders with a score of 66. Matthieu Pavon and Bryson DeChambeau followed closely, each recording rounds of 67, placing them two shots off the lead. Tony Finau, Tyrell Hatton, and Akshay Bhatia were part of a group at 2 under.

Tiger Woods, who teed off early in the morning, struggled despite an initial birdie, finishing with a score of 74 due to five bogeys in a seven-hole stretch. Other notable players like Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, and Phil Mickelson also had a tough day, posting scores of 77, 78, and 79, respectively.

The course, known for its challenging conditions, played tough with a scoring average of 73.24 for the first round. Despite the low scores at the top of the leaderboard, Pinehurst No. 2 maintained its reputation, with only fifteen players managing to break par. The weather conditions, including light winds and mostly sunny skies, contributed to the day's play, with the afternoon wave benefiting from cloud cover and humidity that kept the greens from firming up.

Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, finished his round at 1 over par, while Rory McIlroy's bogey-free round was a highlight, reminiscent of his previous major victories. The tournament's first day set the stage for an exciting competition, with the leaders acknowledging the role of favorable conditions in their low scores and anticipating tougher challenges ahead as the course conditions evolve.

U.S. Open Videos

Other U.S. Open News

Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give - Belmont, MI

The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give commenced on Thursday at the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. The tournament, celebrating its 10th anniversary, featured a full field of 144 top female golfers competing over 72 holes of stroke play.

After the first round Alison Lee is leading with a score of -7 (65). She holds a two-stroke lead over several players tied for second place at -5, including Daniela Darquea, Lauren Hartlage, Ssu-Chia Cheng, Carlota Ciganda, Jennifer Kupcho, Na Rin An, and Benedetta Moresco. Nelly Korda, the current number one golfer, had a challenging start, shooting a 4-over 76, which places her tied for 133rd, 11 strokes behind the leader.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open - Korn Ferry - Wichita, KS

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, commenced on Thursday at the Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. This event, now in its 35th year, is one of the longest-running tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour and is known for its festive atmosphere, particularly around the 17th green, which features VIP chalets and draws thousands of spectators daily.

The tournament began with 156 players competing on the par-70, 6,910-yard course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The total prize money for the event is $1,000,000, with the winner set to receive $180,000.

Today’s Best Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

Additional U.S. Open Videos

UPCOMING TOURS

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