Monday, June 10, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

Scottie Scheffler's win at the Memorial Tournament was a family affair, with his newborn in tow, adding a heartwarming touch to his fifth PGA Tour title of the year. Despite a challenging final round, Scheffler's composure on the 18th hole secured his victory over Collin Morikawa by a single shot. This triumph is another milestone in Scheffler's remarkable 2024 season, where he's shattered records and set new career highs.

Scheffler's success has also been lucrative for his caddie, Ted Scott, who earned a cool $400,000 from the Memorial win, bringing his annual earnings to about $2.275 million. Scheffler himself has amassed over $24 million in PGA Tour earnings this year, setting a single-season record and surpassing his previous record from last year. His dominance includes wins at prestigious events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship, the Masters Tournament, and the PGA Championship.

The Memorial Tournament also featured a touching moment when Jack Nicklaus dedicated next year's event to his wife, Barbara, in a tearful tribute. The 50th edition of the tournament will honor her significant contributions and presence over the years.

On the LPGA Tour, Linnea Strom made history at the Shoprite Classic with a record-breaking final round of 60, coming from 52nd place to clinch her first LPGA title. Strom's victory marked the largest final-round comeback by position in LPGA history. Meanwhile, Nasa Hataoka's controversial disqualification from the same event could impact her chances of competing in the Paris Olympics, putting her Olympic spot at risk.

In the LIV Golf League, Carlos Ortiz won his first title at the LIV Golf Houston, his second major win in the area. Ortiz finished with a 5-under 67, securing a one-stroke victory over Adrian Meronk. Ortiz's triumph was complemented by a win in the team competition by Cleeks GC.

The American Family Insurance Championship saw Ernie Els defeat Steve Stricker in a playoff, after Stricker missed a crucial short putt. Els' victory marked his second consecutive win on the senior tour, a feat last achieved by Stricker himself.

Ryan Gerard claimed an emotional victory at the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Korn Ferry Tour, extending his lead to six strokes and finishing with a bogey-free round. Gerard's win was particularly special with his father present, celebrating the significant influence he has had on Gerard's career.

The Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed event saw Rasmus Hojgaard win the men's competition and Linn Grant triumph in the women's, highlighting the inclusive nature of the tournament where men and women compete for equal prize money.

As golf fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming U.S. Open, Adam Scott secured his spot, extending his streak to 92 consecutive major championships, the longest active streak in golf. Meanwhile, the World Golf Hall of Fame will induct the LPGA's forgotten founders, including Alice Bauer, recognizing their vital contributions to the sport's early years.

In a reflective moment, Jack Nicklaus offered his thoughts on Rory McIlroy's near-decade-long drought in major wins, attributing it to mental factors and the challenge of maintaining focus throughout tournaments.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

• Linnea Strom records sixth 60 in LPGA history, wins ShopRite LPGA Classic -golfweek.usatoday.com

Golf Tournaments happening this week

The Memorial Tournament pres. by Workday - PGA Tour - Dublin, OH

Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious at the 2024 Memorial Tournament, held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Scheffler, the world's No. 1 golfer, managed to maintain his composure and skill throughout the final round, despite facing challenges such as a triple bogey on the par-4 9th hole during the third round. He rebounded with three birdies on the back nine, finishing the third round with a 1-under 71, which brought him to 10 under overall and secured a four-shot lead heading into the final round.

Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka, and Adam Hadwin were Scheffler's closest competitors, each finishing four shots behind him at 6-under par. Morikawa, a past champion at Muirfield Village, carded a 68 in the third round, while Straka and Hadwin also performed well, with Straka shooting a 68 and Hadwin a 72. Despite their efforts, they could not close the gap on Scheffler, who continued his dominant form to clinch the title.

The victory not only earned Scheffler a handshake from the legendary Jack Nicklaus but also a substantial winner's share of $4 million from the tournament's $20 million purse. This win marked another significant achievement in Scheffler's impressive season, further solidifying his status as the top golfer in the world.

• 2024 Memorial Tournament prize money payouts for each PGA Tour player

ShopRite LPGA Classic pres. by Acer - Galloway, NJ

On Sunday Linnea Strom achieved a historic victory at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer in Galloway, New Jersey. Strom, a 27-year-old Swedish golfer, shot a tournament-record 11-under 60 in the final round, overcoming a seven-stroke deficit to secure her first LPGA title. Starting the day tied for 52nd, Strom's remarkable performance included an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole and birdies on four of her final five holes. Her final score of 14-under par was enough to hold off strong challenges from Ayaka Furue and Megan Khang, who both finished tied for second at 13-under par.

Strom's victory is notable for being the biggest final-round comeback by position in LPGA history since 1984, surpassing the previous record held by Ayako Okamoto. Despite the pressure, Strom maintained her composure, finishing her round with only 20 putts. Her win also continues a legacy of success for Swedish golfers at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, following in the footsteps of Annika Sorenstam and Anna Nordqvist.

Furue and Khang both had opportunities to catch Strom but fell just short. Furue's bogey-free 65 included a birdie on the 13th hole, but she was unable to birdie the 18th. Khang, who had a strong back nine, missed a crucial three-footer on the 16th hole and was unable to birdie the 18th, ultimately finishing one stroke behind Strom.

Strom's victory was a testament to her resilience and determination, especially considering she had missed the cut in five of her previous six tournaments. Her win not only earned her $262,500 but also solidified her place in LPGA history as one of the few players to shoot a 60 or better in a closing round.

• Here’s the prize money payout for each golfer at the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic

• Linnea Strom wins maiden LPGA event in historic style, shoots incredible 60 - sbnation.com

LIV Golf - Houston

On Sunday Carlos Ortiz secured his first victory in the LIV Golf League at the Golf Club of Houston, marking his second major win in the Houston area. Ortiz delivered an impressive final round with a 5-under 67, finishing the tournament at 15-under 201. This performance earned him a one-stroke victory over Adrian Meronk, who finished at 14-under 202. Ortiz's win was particularly notable as it was his first title on the LIV Golf circuit, adding to his previous PGA Tour triumph at the 2020 Houston Open.

The final round was a closely contested battle between Ortiz and Meronk, who were tied going into the last day. The turning point came on the par-5 15th hole, where Ortiz made a birdie while Meronk bogeyed, creating a decisive two-shot swing. Meronk, a new addition to LIV Golf and a local resident, posted a commendable 68 in the final round but ultimately fell short.

In the team competition, Cleeks GC emerged victorious, with Meronk contributing significantly to their success. Patrick Reed and David Puig shared third place, both finishing with scores of 12-under 204 after posting 68s in the final round. Sergio Garcia finished fifth with an 11-under 205. Ortiz's victory also came with a substantial financial reward, earning him $4 million, while Meronk received $2,250,000 for his runner-up finish.

American Family Insurance Championship - PGA Tour Champions - Madison, WI

On Sunday the American Family Insurance Championship on the PGA Tour Champions in Madison, Wisconsin, witnessed an enthralling finale. Ernie Els and Steve Stricker, the tournament host and defending champion, found themselves tied at the top of the leaderboard after 72 holes, both finishing at 12-under 204.

The stage was set for a dramatic playoff showdown between the two golfing greats. As the tension mounted, Stricker missed a short 2-foot, 7-inch putt on the first playoff hole, handing the victory to Els in heartbreaking fashion. The South African legend expressed empathy for Stricker, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of his triumph, saying, "He's not feeling great about winning like this, and I'm not feeling great about giving it to him like this. But he played well."

Els, who had won the previous week's Principal Charity Classic, became the first player to claim consecutive victories on the senior tour since Stricker's triumphs at the Regions Tradition and Senior PGA Championship in 2023. The 54-year-old Hall of Famer credited his improved putting and the pressure of competing against Stricker for his success, stating, "You've got to just play proper golf and make some putts at the end of the day. I feel a lot better with my putting. Playing with Steve Stricker, you feel like you don't putt very well."

While Stricker, the hometown favorite, fell short in his quest to defend his title, he graciously acknowledged Els' impressive play, saying, "I just said I'm sorry." Despite the disappointing finish, Stricker's performance was commendable, and he remains a formidable force on the Champions Tour.

Rounding out the top finishers, Cameron Percy of Australia secured third place at 9-under after a final round of 67, while Doug Barron, Stephen Ames, and Thomas Bjorn shared fourth place at 8-under par.

The American Family Insurance Championship provided a thrilling conclusion, with Ernie Els emerging victorious in a playoff against the defending champion, Steve Stricker, in front of Stricker's hometown crowd in Madison, Wisconsin.

BMW Charity Pro-Am pres. by TD SYNNEX - Korn Ferry - Greer, SC

Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed - DP World -Heisingborg, Sweden

On Sunday the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed - DP World Tour event at Vasatorps Golfklubb in Helsingborg, Sweden, reached a thrilling conclusion. In the men's competition, Danish prodigy Rasmus Hojgaard emerged victorious, capturing his third DP World Tour title with a commanding four-stroke victory over compatriot Joachim B. Hansen. Hojgaard's stellar performance throughout the week solidified his status as one of the rising stars in European golf.

The women's competition witnessed an equally impressive display of skill, with Sweden's own Linn Grant claiming her second Scandinavian Mixed title in three years. Grant's remarkable short game and unwavering composure propelled her to a two-shot triumph over England's Charley Hull, who finished as the runner-up. Grant's victory further cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the mixed-format event.

The Scandinavian Mixed once again showcased the inclusive nature of golf, with men and women competing simultaneously on the same course for an equal share of the prize money and a single trophy.

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