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Planet Golf News for Monday, August 12, 2024
Aaron Rai wins Wyndham Championship in darkness as leader implodes down stretch
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Monday, August 12, 2024
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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes
Good Morning,
What a weekend in the golf world! The Wyndham Championship delivered drama like no other, with Aaron Rai claiming his first PGA Tour victory in a finish that no one saw coming—literally, as darkness fell over the course. Max Greyserman, who held a comfortable four-shot lead, saw his hopes crumble after a quadruple bogey on the 14th hole and a double bogey on the 16th. Rai, seizing the moment, made a crucial birdie on the final hole, securing his win and leaving Greyserman to reflect on what might have been.
Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics breathed new life into golf, showcasing its emotional and competitive intensity. Lydia Ko and Scottie Scheffler walked away with gold medals, a testament to their skill and the sport’s growing appeal on the global stage. The enthusiastic crowds at Le Golf National sparked discussions about the potential for mixed team events in future Games, and the overall success has officials keen on expanding golf’s image in a country where it’s often viewed as an elitist sport.
In the amateur scene, Rianne Malixi continued her extraordinary run by winning the U.S. Women’s Amateur, following her earlier triumph at the U.S. Girls’ Junior. The 17-year-old phenom from the Philippines is making waves, not just for her victories but for her poised and powerful game, which she’ll bring to Duke University in 2025.
However, not all the news was celebratory. Graeme McDowell found himself in hot water after being suspended by LIV Golf for taking a decongestant containing a banned substance. It was an honest mistake, but it cost him dearly—missing a tournament, forfeiting prize money, and being hit with a hefty fine. McDowell accepted the penalty with grace, emphasizing the importance of strict anti-doping measures in maintaining the integrity of the sport.
On the senior circuit, Stephen Ames once again proved that age is just a number, successfully defending his title at the Boeing Classic. Ames, who birdied four of the last seven holes, outlasted a field of seasoned competitors, including Ernie Els, to claim his third win of the year. The 60-year-old continues to impress, showing no signs of slowing down.
In Omaha, the Pinnacle Bank Championship crowned Matt McCarty as its victor after a thrilling final round. McCarty’s second win of the season came after a clutch 66, propelling him from four shots back to the top of the leaderboard. His strong finish puts him at the top of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, setting him up nicely for a potential PGA Tour card.
As we look ahead, the European Ryder Cup team is shaking things up with a revamped qualifying system for 2025, favoring PGA Tour performances over DP World Tour events. This change is controversial, but it reflects the shifting power dynamics in professional golf as the sport continues to evolve.
All in all, it was a week filled with high stakes, big wins, and a few hard lessons learned—a perfect snapshot of the unpredictable and exhilarating world of golf.
[ Today’s Top Golf News ]
[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ]
Golf Tournaments from this past weekend
Wyndham Championship - PGA - Sedgefield CC - Greensboro, NC
The final round of the 2024 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, was marked by dramatic shifts in momentum and unexpected outcomes. Aaron Rai emerged victorious, claiming his first PGA Tour title, after capitalizing on Max Greyserman's late collapse. Rai completed the tournament with an impressive 6-under 64, finishing with a total score of 18-under 262. His victory was secured when Greyserman, who had been leading, suffered a quadruple-bogey on the 14th hole after hitting out of bounds. Despite Greyserman's earlier success, including an eagle on the par-4 13th hole, his missteps on the 14th and a double bogey on the par-3 16th allowed Rai to take the lead.
Greyserman, a former Duke golfer, ended the day with a 69, two shots behind Rai. The final day of the tournament was particularly challenging as players had to complete 36 holes due to weather delays earlier in the week. Among other notable performances, J.J. Spaun and Ryo Hisatsune finished tied for third at 15-under, while amateur Luke Clanton and Austin Eckroat tied for fifth at 14-under. Matt Kuchar, who had been the leader after the second round, was unable to finish his final round due to darkness and planned to complete it the following morning. Kuchar needed a win to continue his streak of qualifying for the FedEx Cup playoffs, but his position at 11-under made it unlikely. The tournament concluded the regular PGA Tour season, with the top 70 players advancing to the playoff opener in Tennessee the following week.
Here's why Matt Kuchar curiously elected to be the only player to finish final round on Monday at Wyndham Championship - sports.yahoo.com
Matt Kuchar opts for solo Monday finish at Wyndham, says he was trying to 'set an example' - nbcsports.com
‘Most Aggressive’: Matt Kuchar’s Bizarre Walkout Erupts Chaos Amid Fans as FedEx Dream Ends Abruptly - essentiallysports.com
Max Greyserman with a hole-out eagle to go up 4 in the Wyndham Championship ⛳️
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark)
10:58 PM • Aug 11, 2024
From 4-shot lead to co-leader.
Max Greyserman makes a quadruple bogey on No. 14 after his tee shot goes OB.— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
11:36 PM • Aug 11, 2024
Wyndham Championship Videos
Boeing Classic - PGA Tour Champions - TPC at Snoquaimie Ridge - Snoqualmie, WA
In the final round of the Boeing Classic at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, Stephen Ames successfully defended his title with a dramatic finish. Ames, a 60-year-old naturalized Canadian originally from Trinidad and Tobago, secured his victory by birdieing the par-5 18th hole, finishing with a 5-under 67. This performance allowed him to win by a single stroke over his competitors Ernie Els, Steven Alker, and Robert Karlsson. Ames concluded the tournament with a total score of 11-under 205, marking his third PGA Tour Champions title of the season and his ninth overall career win.
Throughout the final round, Ames demonstrated remarkable consistency, while his closest competitors, Els and Alker, both scored 68. Karlsson, who had led after the second round, struggled on the final day, posting a 75. The tournament saw Charlie Wi and Kirk Triplett tying for fifth place at 8-under, while local favorite Fred Couples finished tied for 18th at 4-under after shooting a 71.
Pinnacle Bank Championship by Woodhouse - Korn Ferry - The Club at Indian Creek - Omaha, NE
In the final round of the Pinnacle Bank Championship at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha, Nebraska, Matt McCarty emerged victorious, claiming his second win of the season on the Korn Ferry Tour. McCarty, who had previously won in Springfield, Missouri, shot an impressive 66 in the final round, finishing the tournament at 14-under-par. This performance allowed him to come from four shots behind to win by one stroke. Danny Walker, who led after the first and third rounds, finished in second place with a final round of 72, ending at 13-under-par.
Brandon Crick, a native of McCook, Nebraska, and a former Husker, played in the final group and finished tied for third after shooting a 70 in the final round. This result marked his second top-10 finish in 19 events this season and improved his ranking to 29th on the Korn Ferry Tour Points list, bringing him closer to earning a PGA Tour card.
Scott Gutschewski, another local player, had his best round of the week with a 68, tying for 21st place at 6-under-par. Meanwhile, Carson Schaake and Nate Vontz, both from Nebraska, earned their first paydays on the Korn Ferry Tour, finishing at 1-over and 2-over, respectively.
Next Year: The Ryder Cup
Today’s Best Golf Vidoes
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS
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