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- Planet Golf News for Monday, April 29, 2024
Planet Golf News for Monday, April 29, 2024
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry battle back to notch key win in playoff, Brendan shows nerves of Steele to claim LIV Adelaide, Hannah Green wins JM Eagle LA Championship for 2nd straight year
PGN News Team
April 29, 2024 • Reading Time: 18 minutes
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Monday, April 29, 2024
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Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry battle back to notch key win in playoff
[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes
Good Morning,
What a thrilling weekend in the world of golf! From a spirited showdown in New Orleans to a historic win in Adelaide, let’s dive into the highlights that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
First up, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans was nothing short of spectacular, with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry clinching a nail-biting victory after a dramatic playoff. The Irish duo snagged the win after Martin Trainer missed a crucial par putt. Despite starting the final round behind and battling some early bogeys, McIlroy and Lowry made a stunning comeback, highlighted by McIlroy's spree of birdies. The win not only marked McIlroy’s 25th PGA Tour title but also ended Lowry's winless drought since 2019. Their victory, complete with a sing-along to Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believin'", might just be one of the most memorable moments in Zurich Classic history.
Switching gears to LIV Golf in Adelaide, Brendan Steele stole the show with a gripping one-stroke victory over Louis Oosthuizen. This marked Steele’s first win since 2017, and what a win it was! Starting strong with five consecutive birdies, he experienced a few hiccups on the back nine but held strong to finish 18-under. The event itself was a record-breaker with a whopping 94,000 fans cheering on, proving that LIV Golf’s appeal is only growing.
Over in Los Angeles at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro, Hannah Green dazzled once again, defending her title with formidable skill. Green’s consistent play across all rounds, culminating in a five-under 66 on the final day, secured her a victory over Maja Stark by three strokes. This win adds another impressive notch to Green's belt in her LPGA Tour career.
Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi Electric Classic presented by Vensure saw Stephen Ames celebrating his 60th birthday in grand style by defending his title. Ames’ spectacular play included two crucial eagles that sealed his commanding four-stroke victory. This win underscores Ames’ remarkable form and mastery over the Champions Tour.
Lastly, the Korn Ferry Tour witnessed Tim Widing making headlines at the Veritex Bank Championship, smashing records with a 31-under total, the lowest in the tour's history. Widing's performance was a masterclass in precision and consistency, putting him firmly in the spotlight as one to watch.
From record-breaking performances to unforgettable celebrations, this past week in golf was a showcase of talent, resilience, and moments that will be remembered for years to come. Whether it's the seasoned pros or rising stars, the game of golf is in good hands, thrilling fans around the globe with every swing.
Golf Tournaments - wrap-up from the weekend
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry emerged victorious at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans Sunday after a dramatic playoff against Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer. The Irish duo secured the win with a par on the first playoff hole, following Trainer's missed 6-foot par putt.
The path to victory was not straightforward for McIlroy and Lowry. They entered the final round two shots behind the leaders and faced early setbacks with bogeys on two of their first three holes. However, they rallied starting on the seventh hole, with McIlroy making four birdie putts over the next five holes.
The final round was marked by challenging conditions, with wind affecting play and causing difficulties for many teams. Despite this, McIlroy and Lowry managed to finish their round with a 4-under 68 in the alternate-shot format, tying them with Ramey and Trainer at 25-under 263.
Ramey and Trainer had an exceptional day, tying the alternate-shot tournament record with a 9-under 63, but ultimately fell short in the playoff. Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard narrowly missed joining the playoff, finishing in third place at 24 under.
The win was significant for both players. For McIlroy, it marked his 25th PGA Tour title, tying him with legends like Johnny Miller, Tommy Armour, and Macdonald Smith for 23rd on the tour’s all-time wins list. For Lowry, it was his first PGA Tour win since his Open triumph at Royal Portrush in 2019, and his seventh career professional victory.
LIV Golf Adelaide
Brendan Steele emerged victorious at the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament, clinching a one-stroke win over Louis Oosthuizen. Steele, a three-time PGA Tour winner, showcased his skill with a final round score of 68, finishing with a 54-hole total of 18-under 198. This triumph marked his first win since the Safeway Open in 2017.
Steele's final round began with an impressive streak of five consecutive birdies, but he encountered some difficulties with his putting on the back nine. This allowed a group of challengers, including Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, and Jon Rahm, to narrow the lead. Despite the pressure, Steele managed to secure clutch pars in the final holes to maintain his lead and secure the win.
Louis Oosthuizen, the South African golfer, finished in second place with a remarkable final round of 65, ending the tournament at 17-under 199. He came within one stroke of Steele towards the end of the round but ultimately could not overtake him.
The five-way tie for third place at 16-under 200 included previous Masters champions Charl Schwartzel and Jon Rahm, along with Joaquin Niemann, Andy Ogletree, and Dean Burgmester. Rahm, a former world No.1, delivered an impressive 8-under 64 in the final round, which featured an eagle and six birdies.
Some notable players did not perform as expected, including Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, who both finished at nine-under, Phil Mickelson at seven-under, and Sergio Garcia at six-under. The LIV tour is set to continue in the Asia region with the upcoming Singapore event.
JM Eagle LA Championship pres. by Plastpro
Hannah Green emerged victorious with a remarkable score of -12 under par, showcasing her skill and consistency throughout the rounds with scores of 67, 69, 70, and 66, leading to a total score of 272. Her performance earned her the top prize of $562,500. The leaderboard was competitive, with Maja Stark finishing in second place at -9 under par, with scores of 65, 69, 73, and 68, totaling 275 and earning $341,488. Hae Ran Ryu rounded out the top three, finishing at -6 under par, with rounds of 66, 72, 71, and 69, for a total of 278 and prize money of $247,725.
The tournament featured a strong field of competitors, but it was Green's exceptional play that secured her the championship title. Her victory at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro adds to her impressive career achievements on the LPGA Tour.
Mitsubishi Electric Classic presented by Vensure PGA Champions Tour
Stephen Ames celebrated his 60th birthday with a remarkable victory at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic presented by Vensure on the PGA Champions Tour, which concluded on April 28, 2024, at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia. Ames successfully defended his title, finishing the tournament with a score of 14-under 202, securing a four-stroke victory over his closest competitors.
Ames' performance was highlighted by his exceptional play on the final day, where he shot a 5-under 67. His round included two critical eagles that played a significant role in his victory. The first eagle came on the par-5 sixth hole, where he holed out his third shot from 82 yards, dramatically shifting the momentum of the round. This eagle allowed him to catch up with Paul Broadhurst, who was leading at the time. The second eagle occurred on the par-4 13th, further solidifying his lead.
Throughout the tournament, Ames demonstrated consistent and high-level golf. He began the final round trailing Broadhurst by a single stroke but managed to overtake him with his stellar play on Sunday. His victory at this event was his third, making him the first player to win the Mitsubishi Electric Classic three times. Additionally, this win marked his sixth victory in his last 29 starts on the PGA Tour Champions, a significant improvement from his earlier performance on the tour.
Ames' recent success can be attributed to his rigorous training and mental preparation, which includes working with Canadian coach Shauheen Nakhjavani and psychologist Alan Fine. These efforts have evidently paid off, allowing Ames to maintain excellent physical condition and mental sharpness, crucial for competing at high levels.
This victory was not only a testament to Ames' skill and perseverance but also a memorable way to celebrate his 60th birthday, complete with a victory and a two-tiered birthday cake.
Veritex Bank Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour
The 2024 Veritex Bank Championship final leaderboard is headed by winner Tim Widing, who topped the Korn Ferry Tour lederboard again this week at Texas Rangers Golf Club in Arlington, Texas.
Widing became the first player this season to win a second tournament, going back-to-back with a runaway win in record fashion. Widing set the Korn Ferry Tour's 72-hole scoring record with a final total of 31-under 253, breaking the records for both total score and score against par.
Myles Creighton finished in second place on 27-under total, four shots behind the winner. Trent Phillips finished alone in third place.
Widing won the $180,000 winner's share of the $1,000,000 purse.
DP World Tour - ISPS Handa Championship
Yuto Katsuragawa, a professional golfer from Japan, achieved a significant milestone in his career by winning his first DP World Tour title at the ISPS Handa Championship. This event took place at the Taiheiyo Club in Gotemba, Japan. Katsuragawa's victory was particularly remarkable as he tied the course record by shooting a 63, which is seven under par.
Born on October 9, 1998, in Kiyosu, Japan, Katsuragawa has been making a name for himself in the golfing world. His recent win at the ISPS Handa Championship not only marked his first victory on the DP World Tour but also demonstrated his potential and skill on an international stage. This victory was a part of a historic season for Japanese players on the DP World Tour.
During the tournament, Katsuragawa showcased exceptional skill, particularly in the final round where he went on a back-nine birdie spree, securing his win with a three-shot lead. This performance underlined his ability to compete at high levels and under pressure.
Following his victory, Katsuragawa expressed his aspirations to secure a place on the PGA Tour, indicating his ambition to further his career in more competitive and prestigious golf tours. This win not only boosts his confidence but also positions him as a promising talent in the golfing community, looking to make significant strides in his professional career.
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