Planet Golf News for Monday, April 22, 2024

Monday, April 22, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

What a Week in Golf: Records, Reschedules, and Rain Delays

Golf enthusiasts, hold onto your hats—this past week has been a whirlwind of excitement, history-making, and a bit of weather drama. Let’s dive right into the highlights and talk shop on everything from monumental wins to unexpected challenges on the greens.

Nelly Korda: The New Record Setter

Starting off with a bang, Nelly Korda clinched her second major at the Chevron Championship, marking her fifth consecutive victory this season. This ties the LPGA Tour record for five straight wins—a feat previously accomplished by legends like Nancy Lopez and Annika Sörenstam. With a near-ace on the 17th hole and a total of 13-under par, Korda didn’t just win; she dominated. The victory wasn’t just another title added to her impressive resume; it also padded her wallet with a cool $1.2 million from a hefty $7.9 million purse.

Scottie Scheffler: Dominance Delayed by Weather

Over on the PGA Tour, Scottie Scheffler was all set to grab another victory at the RBC Heritage, holding a substantial five-shot lead. But Mother Nature had other plans. Heavy rain and lightning forced the final round into a Monday finish. This reschedule wasn’t just a minor hiccup—it was a major disruption, leaving fans and players frustrated. Despite the delay, Scheffler’s performance this season remains awe-inspiring, and he’s poised to be the first reigning Masters champ since Bernhard Langer in 1985 to win the RBC Heritage.

Horschel: A Record Round at Corales Puntacana

Moving to the sunny skies of the Dominican Republic, Billy Horschel turned heads at the Corales Puntacana Championship, shooting a course-record 63 in the final round. This victory marked his eighth on the PGA Tour and secured him a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship. Horschel’s series of birdies and an eagle demonstrated not just skill but a knack for seizing the moment when it counts the most.

Tim Widing and Miles Russell: New Names, Big Games

The LECOM Suncoast Classic spotlighted some new talent making waves. Sweden’s Tim Widing clinched his first Korn Ferry Tour title in a nail-biting three-man playoff. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Miles Russell made headlines with a final-round 66, making history as the youngest player to finish in the top 20 on the Korn Ferry Tour. His performance earned him a spot in next week’s event, proving that age is just a number when it comes to golf.

Paul Broadhurst: A Veteran’s Return at Invited Celebrity Classic

Finally, the Invited Celebrity Classic saw PGA Tour Champions veteran Paul Broadhurst take home the trophy after a weather-shortened 36-hole event. His victory, his first since 2018, was a testament to experience and persistence, closing with a 5-under 66.

In a week filled with young stars rising and seasoned players proving their mettle, golf has never been more exciting. From unexpected delays to record-breaking rounds, the game continues to surprise and delight us, proving that on the green, anything can happen.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

RBC Heritage

On Sunday during the RBC Heritage, the final round of the tournament was disrupted due to inclement weather, leading to a suspension of play. The play was halted at 4:28 p.m. due to the adverse conditions. This interruption was part of a broader pattern of weather-related issues that have affected PGA Tour events in 2024, with the RBC Heritage experiencing significant delays and postponements. As a result of the suspension, the tournament was unable to conclude as scheduled and was extended to finish today, Monday, with play set to resume at 8 a.m.. This decision was met with criticism, as some felt that the PGA Tour had failed to adequately prepare for the predictable weather disruptions.

Scottie Scheffler holds a five-shot lead going into the Monday finish at the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Scheffler has been in excellent form, winning three of his last four starts, and is aiming for his fourth victory of the year.

• RBC Heritage delayed to Monday due to weather

• 2024 RBC Heritage Suspended Due to Darkness; Final Round to Resume on Monday

• PGA forced to suspend RBC Heritage in final round after monsoon floods greens

• RBC Heritage Headed For Monday Finish Because PGA Tour Can't Help But Screw Up

• 2024 RBC Heritage leaderboard: Scottie Scheffler nears fourth win in five starts with event to finish Monday

• RBC Heritage: How to watch Monday finish, live scores, tee times, TV times

• Scheffler on verge of fourth win in 5 events

• Scottie Scheffler holds massive 5-shot lead as RBC Heritage is called for darkness, set for Monday finish

• 'It feels inevitable at this point': A dominant Scottie Scheffler takes control of RBC Heritage

Chevron Championship

Chevron Championship Final Round Summary

- Nelly Korda's Victory: Nelly Korda won the 2024 Chevron Championship, securing her fifth consecutive title on the LPGA Tour. This win places her among the greats of the sport, as only Nancy Lopez and Annika Sörenstam have achieved such a streak before.

- Final Round Performance: Korda finished the tournament with a four-day total of 13-under, winning by two shots over Maja Stark. Her final round included key birdies and a critical par on the 17th hole, which helped her maintain her lead.

- Prize Money: With her victory, Korda earned a record-breaking $1.2 million from the tournament's $7.9 million purse, nearly doubling her season earnings.

- Weather Challenges: The tournament faced weather delays, with play being suspended due to dangerous conditions. Korda had to play 25 holes on Sunday to complete her victory.

- Competitive Field: The final round was highly competitive, with players like Maja Stark and Lauren Coughlin making significant moves on the leaderboard. However, Korda managed to stay ahead and clinch the title.

- Historical Context: Korda's win at The Chevron Championship is her second major title, with her first being the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Her consistent performance cements her status as a top player in women's golf.

• Nelly Korda Wins Fifth Consecutive Title at The Chevron Championship

• Nelly Korda Makes It Five in a Row With LPGA Major Title at the Chevron

• Nelly Korda claims second career major, LPGA record-tying fifth win in a row

• Bradenton’s Korda wins record fifth-straight LPGA title

• LPGA: Chevron Championship 2024: Nelly Korda Ties LPGA Record With 5th Straight Victory

• Major feat: Korda takes Chevron, wins 5th in row

• Take a Look Back at Nelly Kordas Five Consecutive Victories

• Nelly Korda makes LPGA history with Chevron Championship win and scoops £1m

The Corales Puntacana Championship

On Sunday at the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship, Billy Horschel emerged victorious, marking his eighth career PGA Tour win. Horschel had an exceptional final round, shooting a 63, which matched the course record at the Corales course at Puntacana Resort in the Dominican Republic. His performance included four birdies within the first five holes, setting a strong pace early in the round. He then added another four birdies and an eagle to his scorecard, finishing the tournament at 23-under-par, two shots ahead of the runner-up, Wesley Bryan.

Horschel's victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship also secured him a spot in the PGA Championship. His weekend rounds of 66 and 63 followed opening rounds of 67 and 69, showcasing his consistency and skill throughout the event. The win was a significant achievement for Horschel, adding to his impressive career on the PGA Tour.

• 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship prize money payouts for each PGA Tour player

• Billy Horschel wins PGA Tour event amid historic finish, but there’s a catch

• Wesley Bryan finishes second at Corales Puntacana, earns another start

The Invited Celebrity Classic

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, the Invited Celebrity Classic at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas, concluded with some notable events and outcomes. Due to inclement weather, the second round of the tournament was canceled on Saturday, leading to a rescheduling of the round for Sunday. This adjustment resulted in the tournament being shortened to a 36-hole even.

Paul Broadhurst emerged as the winner of the tournament, claiming his sixth victory on the PGA Tour Champions. He shot an impressive 11-under 131 for the tournament, including a 5-under 66 on Sunday, which secured his win.

Despite the weather challenges and the need to compress the tournament schedule, the day was filled with competitive golf and showcased the skills of both the professional and celebrity golfers participating in the event.

• Pau Broadhurst wins first championship since '18 at Invited Celebrity Classic

LECOM Suncoast Classic

• Miles Russell shatters records in Korn Ferry Tour and professional golf debut

• Charlie Woods’s ‘Incredible’ Rival Wins Phil Mickelson’s Heart: ‘Amazing Accomplishment’

• Phil Mickelson praises “amazing accomplishment" of fellow lefty & 15-year-old golf prodigy Miles Russell

• Miles Russell caps memorable week with Sunday 66 on Korn Ferry Tour

• Miles Russell Has Incredibly Humble Outlook While Setting PGA Tour Records And Stockpiling NIL Deals

• 15-Year-Old Miles Russell Made History On The Korn Ferry Tour But Won't Be Paid For It

• Russell, 15, makes history with T25 on Korn Ferry

• Fifteen-year-old Finishes Tied for 20th at Korn Ferry Tour Event in Florida

• Miles Russell, 15, earns another Korn Ferry Tour start with top-25 finish

Overheard in the Locker Room

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