Planet Golf News for Monday, July 1, 2024

Davis wins Rocket Mortgage after Bhatia 3-putt, Atthaya Thitikul, Ruoning Yin narrowly win Dow Championship, US Senior Open headed for Monday finish because of weather

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PGN News Team
July 01, 2024 • Reading Time: 20 minutes

Monday, July 1, 2024

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Cameron Davis wins Rocket Mortgage Classic for 2nd time thanks to Akshay Bhatia's 3-putt

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

What a weekend in the world of golf! There were records broken, tempers flared, and thrilling finishes across various tournaments, making for an exciting few days on the greens.

First up, Hiroyuki Fujita made history at the U.S. Senior Open by hitting 32 consecutive fairways, surpassing a 27-year-old record. As play resumes, he has the chance to extend this streak to 44 fairways, though he still has a long way to go to break Adam Long's PGA Tour record of 69 consecutive fairways. Severe weather conditions postponed the final round, leaving us in suspense as Fujita holds a three-stroke lead this morning.

In the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Cameron Young's frustration got the best of him as he snapped his driver shaft on the 14th tee. Despite this setback, he managed to finish tied for sixth place. Meanwhile, Cam Davis clinched his second Rocket Mortgage Classic title with a nail-biting finish. Akshay Bhatia had a chance to win but a three-putt on the final hole handed Davis the victory. Bhatia's performance was still noteworthy as he finished tied for second, showing promise for the young golfer's future.

The DP World Tour’s Italian Open saw Marcel Siem, known as the 'Comeback King', triumph in a playoff. Siem's victory was a testament to his resilience, especially after undergoing hip surgery earlier this year. His clutch birdie putt on the 18th hole forced a playoff, where he secured his sixth career victory, earning a spot in the Open Championship at Royal Troon.

At the Dow Championship, the LPGA's only regular season team event, Atthaya Thitikul and Ruoning Yin emerged victorious in their first appearance as teammates. Thitikul's decisive birdie putt on the 18th hole secured their win, highlighting the importance of teamwork in this unique format. Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho, the runner-up team, also showcased impressive synergy, making their debut partnership memorable.

Lastly, the Memorial Health Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour concluded with Max McGreevy capturing his second career victory. McGreevy's clutch 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole secured his win and boosted him to the projected No. 2 position in the Korn Ferry Tour standings. Steven Fisk, despite finishing as the runner-up, secured his first PGA TOUR card for the 2025 season.

It was a weekend packed with emotion, skill, and unexpected turns, leaving golf fans eagerly anticipating the next round of tournaments. Until then, keep swinging and stay tuned for more golf updates!

[ Today’s Top Golf Stories ] 

Tour Pro Breaks Impressive 27 Year Major Record At US Senior Open

Hiroyuki Fujita has broken a 27-year major record at the US Senior Open by hitting 32 consecutive fairways, surpassing the previous record set in 1997. Fujita is currently leading the tournament and has the opportunity to extend his record to 44 fairways if play resumes. Although impressive, Fujita still has a way to go to beat Adam Long's PGA Tour record of 69 consecutive fairways hit.

Cameron Young loses it on driver, snaps shaft with five holes to go

During the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, golfer Cameron Young lost his temper and snapped his driver shaft on the 14th tee. Unable to replace the broken club, Young finished the round without it, resulting in a T6 finish. This incident adds to Young's seven runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, making him the player with the most such finishes without a win since 1983.

DP World Tour’s Italian Open sees ‘Comeback King’ Marcel Siem triumph in playoff

Marcel Siem, dubbed the 'Comeback King,' triumphed in a playoff to win the DP World Tour's Italian Open. Siem, who underwent hip surgery earlier in the year, secured his sixth career victory on the tour by sinking an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. Despite a faltering back nine, Siem managed to force a playoff and ultimately emerged as the champion. His win has propelled him up the Race to Dubai standings and earned him a spot in the Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Golf Tournaments happening this past weekend

Rocket Mortgage Classic- PGA - Detroit Golf Club - Detroit, MI

The 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan, concluded yesterday afternoon with a thrilling finish that saw Cam Davis emerge victorious for the second time in his career at this event. The 29-year-old Australian closed with a 2-under 70 in the final round, securing a one-shot victory and finishing at 18-under par for the tournament.

The drama unfolded on the 18th hole, where overnight co-leader Akshay Bhatia had a chance to win but faltered with a costly three-putt from 32 feet. This opened the door for Davis, who capitalized on the opportunity to claim his second PGA Tour title, having previously won this event in 2021.

Bhatia, a 22-year-old rising star, had been in contention throughout the tournament, consistently holding or sharing the lead. However, his final round even-par 72 left him in a tie for second place at 17-under par. Joining Bhatia in the runner-up position were Aaron Rai, who also struggled with an even-par 72, Davis Thompson with a 68, and Min Woo Lee with a 69.

The leaderboard remained tight throughout the day, with several players vying for the top spot. Cameron Young, who finished sixth, had a particularly frustrating round, carding a 73 and notably breaking his driver on the 14th tee box out of frustration.

Davis's victory was especially emotional, as he revealed in his post-round interview that he had been working with a hypnotherapist in recent weeks to overcome a slump in his game. His resilience and mental fortitude paid off, allowing him to navigate the pressure-packed final round and secure the win.

Davis wins Rocket Mortgage after Bhatia 3-putt

Cam Davis wins the Rocket Mortgage Classic for the second time, securing a one-shot victory after Akshay Bhatia three-putted from 32 feet on the final hole. Davis closed with a 2-under 70, while Bhatia finished with an even-par 72. Davis, ranked 67th in the world, became the first two-time winner of the event since its debut in 2019.

Akshay Bhatia three-putts on final hole, loses Rocket Mortgage Classic by one

Akshay Bhatia loses the Rocket Mortgage Classic by one stroke after three-putting on the final hole, missing a 4-footer for a playoff. Despite the disappointment, Bhatia remains optimistic and looks forward to future opportunities.

Cameron Young Snaps Driver Whilst In Rocket Mortgage Classic Contention

During the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Cameron Young, a professional golfer, snapped his driver in frustration during the 14th hole, rendering it unusable for the rest of the event. Despite losing some distance, Young continued to compete but ultimately fell out of contention due to a missed putt. According to the rules, a player is allowed to continue using and repairing a damaged club during a round, even if the damage was caused in anger. It was unlikely that Young could replace his broken driver with an identical one during the tournament.

Min Woo Lee cooks up hot back nine to delight Rocket Mortgage Classic fans in Detroit

Min Woo Lee fell just short of his first PGA Tour win at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic, but impressed with a strong back nine. Despite a double-bogey on the seventh hole, Lee bounced back with birdies on the eighth, 10th, 14th, 15th, and 17th holes to tie for the lead. However, a missed chip on the final hole left him one stroke behind the winner, Cam Davis. Lee finished tied for second place and earned $616,400.

Rocket Mortgage Videos

Dow Championship - LPGA - Midland CC - Midland, MI

The Dow Championship, held at Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, concluded on Sunday with a thrilling finish. The tournament, which is the LPGA Tour's only regular season team event, saw the duo of Atthaya Thitikul from Thailand and Ruoning Yin from China emerge victorious. This was their first appearance as teammates, and they clinched the title in dramatic fashion.

The final round was marked by intense competition, culminating in a decisive moment on the 18th hole. Thitikul made a crucial 12-foot birdie putt, securing their win with a narrow margin. Their victory was particularly notable given the strong performance of their closest competitors, Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho, who finished as runners-up. Ewing and Kupcho, competing under the team name "Ping-Pals," showcased impressive synergy and skill throughout the tournament, making their debut partnership a memorable one.

The Dow Championship featured a total purse of $3,000,000, adding a significant financial incentive to the competitive spirit of the event. The win by Thitikul and Yin not only highlighted their individual talents but also underscored the importance of teamwork in this unique format.

An offseason invitation leads to a win for Ruoning Yin and Atthaya Thitikul in Dow Championship

Ruoning Yin and Atthaya Thitikul secured a victory in the Dow Championship, the LPGA's two-person team event. They won with a closing four-ball 62, defeating Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho by one stroke. This marked the first victory of 2024 for both Yin and Thitikul, earning them their third career titles. Ewing continued her strong performance with a runner-up finish, while Kupcho made a case for a spot on the U.S. Solheim roster.

Jin and Ronic Win Dow Championship in First Appearance as Teammates

Atthaya Thitikul and Ruoning Yin won the Dow Championship in their first appearance as teammates, securing a one-stroke victory. They started strong with five birdies but faced competition from Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho. Thitikul's birdie putt on the 18th hole sealed the win. Ewing and Kupcho finished second, while Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Nicole Broch Estrup tied for third. Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, and Auston and Grace Kim rounded out the top five.

Team Ping-Pals Finish Runner-Up in Partnership Debut at Dow Championship

Team Ping-Pals, consisting of Ally Ewing and Jennifer Kupcho, finished as runners-up in their partnership debut at the Dow Championship. Despite falling just one shot short of the title, their bogey-free final round and strong chemistry on the course showcased their potential as partners for the upcoming Solheim Cup. Ewing, currently sitting at third in the U.S. Solheim Cup team point standings, is likely to secure a spot without needing a captain's pick, while Kupcho will need to improve her ranking to earn an automatic qualifying spot. Both players aim to carry the momentum from their performance at the Dow Championship into the remaining major championships.

U.S. Senior Open Championship - PGA Tour - Newport Country Club - Newport, RI

On Sunday the U.S. Senior Open Championship at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island, was dramatically interrupted by severe weather conditions, forcing a postponement of the final round to today. Hiroyuki Fujita of Japan was leading the tournament with a three-stroke advantage at 16-under par when play was halted after the 10th hole due to a series of intense thunderstorms that turned the course into a waterlogged battlefield.

The day began with a dense marine layer and shifting winds, creating challenging conditions reminiscent of a British Open. Despite these difficulties, Fujita demonstrated remarkable skill and adaptability, hitting all eight fairways and recording three birdies through the first ten holes. His performance was particularly notable given that he had never played at Newport Country Club before this tournament. Fujita's only blemish came with a bogey on the fifth hole, ending a streak of 26 consecutive holes at par or better.

Richard Bland, playing in the group ahead of Fujita, emerged as his closest competitor, sitting at 13-under par with four birdies through ten holes. Other notable contenders included Richard Green at 12-under and Steve Stricker at 10-under, both striving to apply pressure on the leader.

The USGA had attempted to mitigate the forecasted weather by moving up tee times and grouping players in threesomes. However, a two-hour delay due to early morning fog thwarted these plans. The final round's postponement marks the first Monday finish for the U.S. Senior Open since 2016.

As the players prepare to return today to complete the championship, Fujita stands on the brink of securing his first professional victory on American soil and the prestigious Francis D. Ouimet Trophy, along with an $800,000 prize. The outcome remains uncertain, with the weather adding an unpredictable element to the final stages of this storied tournament.

2024 U.S. Senior Open postponed until Monday due to a 'dangerous weather situation'

The 2024 U.S. Senior Open has been postponed until Monday due to a "dangerous weather situation." Hiroyuki Fujita is currently leading the tournament at 16 under, followed by Richard Bland and Richard Green. Play was suspended on Sunday due to fog and the final round will resume on Monday.

Hiroyuki Fujita’s US Senior Open run finally slows, but only because of stormy weather at Newport CC - The Boston Globe

Hiroyuki Fujita's run at the US Senior Open was slowed down due to thunderstorms and fog, leading to the postponement of the final round at Newport Country Club.

Steve Stricker's pursuit at U.S. Senior Open halted as rain suspends play

Steve Stricker's pursuit at the U.S. Senior Open was halted due to rain, with Hiroyuki Fujita holding a three-stroke lead before play was suspended. Richard Bland and Richard Green were also in contention. Stricker, the Madison resident and previous U.S. Senior Open winner, was six shots off the lead. The tournament is set to resume on Monday.

Italian Open - DP World Tour - Adriatic Golf Club Cervia -Ravenna, Italy

The Italian Open at the Adriatic Golf Club Cervia in Ravenna, Italy, concluded on Sunday with a thrilling finish that saw Germany's Marcel Siem secure his sixth DP World Tour title in dramatic fashion.

The final day of the tournament was marked by unexpected twists and turns. Tom McKibbin, a young golfer from Northern Ireland, began the day six shots behind the leaders but surged up the leaderboard with a flawless closing round of 65, setting the clubhouse target at 10 under par. McKibbin's impressive performance put pressure on the leaders and ultimately earned him a spot in a playoff.

Marcel Siem, who started the day as one of the co-leaders, experienced a rollercoaster round. After a strong start with birdies on the third, fourth, and eighth holes, Siem encountered difficulties on the back nine. He bogeyed the 11th, 14th, 15th, and 17th holes, which saw his lead evaporate and left him one shot behind McKibbin heading into the final hole.

In a clutch moment, Siem sank a 22-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff with McKibbin. The tension continued into the playoff, where both players found the fairway off the tee and hit excellent approach shots. McKibbin narrowly missed his birdie attempt from about 12 feet, while Siem rose to the occasion once again, holing his birdie putt to clinch the victory.

Siem's win was particularly remarkable given that it was only his fourth event since undergoing hip surgery earlier in the year. The 43-year-old German golfer, who had previously lost his tour card in 2021 before regaining it at qualifying school, demonstrated his resilience and skill throughout the tournament.

While McKibbin fell short in the playoff, his performance secured him one of two qualifying spots for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Troon. The other spot went to American Sean Crocker, who finished in a tie for third place with Germany's Jannik De Bruyn at 9 under par.

The tournament also saw a notable collapse from Antoine Rozner, who had been tied for the lead with Siem earlier in the day. Rozner reached 13 under par after his third birdie on the 12th hole but then dropped five shots in the next five holes, taking himself out of contention.

In summary, the Italian Open provided golf fans with an exciting conclusion, featuring a comeback victory by Marcel Siem, a breakthrough performance by Tom McKibbin, and the drama of a playoff finish.

Italian Open: Marcel Siem beats Tom McKibbin in a play-off for sixth European tour win

Marcel Siem defeated Tom McKibbin in a play-off to win the Italian Open and secure his sixth European tour victory. Siem birdied the opening play-off hole to seal the win after both players finished at 10-under overall. McKibbin's second-place finish earned him a spot in the British Open and lifted him to eighth in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Italian Open: Tom McKibbin secures Open place for Royal Troon despite play-off loss to Marcel Siem

Tom McKibbin secured a place in the Open Championship at Royal Troon despite losing in a play-off to Marcel Siem at the Italian Open. McKibbin's second-place finish also improved his ranking in the Race to Dubai.

Memorial Health Championship pres. by LRS - Korn Ferry Tour - Panther Creek CC - Springfield, IL

The 2024 Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS concluded on Sunday at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois, with an exciting finish that saw Max McGreevy claim his second career Korn Ferry Tour victory.

McGreevy entered the final round with a one-stroke lead after setting a new 54-hole tournament record on Saturday. He maintained his composure throughout Sunday's play, despite facing stiff competition from Steven Fisk. The drama intensified on the par-3 17th hole when McGreevy missed a short par putt, allowing Fisk to draw even.

However, McGreevy demonstrated remarkable resilience on the 18th hole. He sank a crucial 12-foot birdie putt to secure the win with a final score of 24-under-par. This performance fell just three strokes short of the tournament record of 27-under, which was set by Taylor Moore in 2021 and matched by Paul Haley II in 2022.

The victory had significant implications for the Korn Ferry Tour standings. McGreevy's win propelled him to the projected No. 2 position, while Fisk's strong runner-up finish elevated him to the top spot in the rankings.

Other notable performances included Austin Greaser, who finished in second place at 21-under-par. Greaser, making only his fourth career Korn Ferry Tour appearance, impressed with his play throughout the tournament, including sinking a long 48-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th hole during Saturday's round.

The tournament also featured strong showings from local favorites. Former University of Illinois golfer Dylan Meyer finished tied for 35th at 12-under-par, while Illinois senior-to-be Jackson Buchanan ended at 10-under-par in his Korn Ferry Tour debut.

Max McGreevy edges Steven Fisk by one for victory at Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS

Max McGreevy wins the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS by one stroke over Steven Fisk, earning his PGA TOUR card. Fisk secures his first PGA TOUR card with his second runner-up finish and takes the No. 1 spot on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List. Alistair Docherty records his best result in his Korn Ferry Tour career, and Jackson Suber and Ryan Cole also have notable finishes.

Steven Fisk secures first PGA TOUR card after persevering through uncertainty

Steven Fisk has secured his first PGA TOUR card for the 2025 season after finishing as the runner-up at the Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS. With five top-five finishes and a win on the Korn Ferry Tour, Fisk has earned a top-30 spot on the season-long points list, fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing on the PGA TOUR. Fisk's journey included a breakthrough win at the Club Car Championship and overcoming a wrist injury with the help of coach Justin Parsons.

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Winner's bag: Cam Davis' gear at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic

Cameron Davis won the PGA Tour's 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic using Titleist equipment, including the Titleist TSR3 driver, Titleist TSR3 fairway wood, Titleist T100 and 620 CB irons, Titleist Vokey Design SM10 wedges, Scotty Cameron TourType Special Select Masterful tour prototype putter, and Titleist Pro V1 golf ball.

Overheard in the Club House

Brooks Koepka shows true colours with response to NHL star's brutal dig

Brooks Koepka responded to a brutal dig from an NHL star, showing his true colors. The incident was resolved with an apology and both parties were able to celebrate the recent victory of the Panthers.

Jets CB Sauce Gardner Is A Confirmed Golf Junkie, Continues Playing Through Driving Thunderstorm

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, known for his skills on the football field, has developed a passion for golf. Despite a thunderstorm, Gardner continued playing, risking his safety. While some admire his dedication, others express concern for his well-being.

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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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