Planet Golf News for Monday, June 24, 2024

Scottie Scheffler cannot be stopped, winning the Travelers Championship for his sixth win of the year, Amy Yang wins KPMG Women's PGA Championship

Monday, June 24, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

We’re on a mission to create fun and fashionable golf clothing that empowers tween and teen girls to play with confidence.

Protesters disrupt final round of Travelers Championship in Connecticut

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf has had quite an eventful weekend, filled with thrilling victories, emotional moments, and unexpected protests.

At the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, the final round was dramatically interrupted by climate protesters storming the No. 18 hole. The demonstrators, wearing shirts that read "No Golf On a Dead Planet," left red and white powder on the green, causing a brief delay in play. Despite this disruption, Scottie Scheffler managed to emerge victorious, clinching his sixth PGA Tour win of the season. Scheffler's performance was nothing short of sensational, as he forced a playoff with Tom Kim by narrowly missing a 26-foot putt for birdie on the final hole. The tournament organizers had to cut a new hole for the playoff to avoid the debris left by the protesters. In the end, Scheffler's steady approach secured him the win, marking his fourth Signature Event victory this season and earning him a hefty $3.6 million prize.

Adding to the excitement, Scheffler got emotional during his post-win interview with Amanda Balionis while holding his newborn baby. The World No. 1 golfer opened up about the challenges of adjusting to fatherhood and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support he's received. This touching moment came after an intense final day marked by both a thrilling playoff and the unexpected climate protest.

Meanwhile, across the pond at the KLM Open in Amsterdam, another Extinction Rebellion protest caused a significant delay. The final round of the DP World Tour event was postponed for two hours due to activists blocking the entrance to the International Golf Club. Despite the delay, Guido Migliozzi triumphed in a tense three-way playoff, securing his fourth DP World Tour title. The disruption did little to dampen the excitement as Migliozzi's birdie on the second extra hole clinched his victory.

In Tennessee, Tyrrell Hatton captured his first win in over three years at the inaugural LIV Golf Nashville tournament. Holding off strong competition from Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, Hatton's elite ball-striking and putting skills earned him a commanding victory, highlighting his return to form after a disappointing U.S. Open.

The KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club in Washington saw Amy Yang finally secure her first major title. Yang's consistent performance throughout the tournament culminated in a three-stroke victory, earning her a spot on the South Korean team for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. Despite a nerve-wracking finish that included a double-bogey on the 17th, Yang maintained her composure to capture this long-awaited win.

At the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, New York, Padraig Harrington continued his dominance, securing his third consecutive victory at this PGA Tour Champions event. Harrington's steady play ensured a one-stroke win over Mike Weir, marking his eighth win on the senior tour.

Lastly, John Pak celebrated his first Korn Ferry Tour victory at the Compliance Solutions Championship in Oklahoma. Pak's impressive rounds and nerve held strong against a late challenge, propelling him into the top 10 of the Korn Ferry Tour standings and putting him in a strong position to earn his PGA Tour card.

This weekend's golf action was packed with incredible performances, emotional moments, and unexpected twists, making it one for the history books.

[ Today’s Top Golf Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this past weekend

Travelers Championship - PGA - TPC River Highlands - Cromwell, CT

On Sunday, the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, concluded with a dramatic and unexpected finish. Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked golfer, emerged victorious after a tense playoff against Tom Kim, securing his sixth PGA Tour win of the season.

The final round was closely contested, with several players vying for the lead throughout the day. Scheffler and Kim entered the 18th hole tied at 22-under par, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. However, as they approached the green, the tournament was suddenly disrupted by a group of climate protesters who rushed onto the course.

Six individuals stormed the 18th green, spraying white and red powder-like substances, which left visible marks on the putting surface. This unexpected intrusion caused a brief delay of about five minutes as law enforcement quickly intervened to remove the protesters from the scene. Tournament officials worked swiftly to clean the green using leaf blowers, ensuring play could continue.

Despite the disruption, both Scheffler and Kim managed to complete the hole. Scheffler narrowly missed a 26-foot putt for birdie, while Kim sank a clutch 10-foot birdie putt to force a playoff. The tournament organizers adjusted the hole location for the sudden-death playoff to avoid the affected areas of the green.

In the playoff, Scheffler's approach shot landed 11 feet from the hole, while Kim found himself in a greenside bunker. Scheffler secured the victory with a two-putt par, outlasting Kim's valiant effort. This win marked Scheffler's fourth victory in the PGA Tour's prestigious $20 million limited-field, no-cut events this year, earning him a substantial $3.6 million prize and 700 FedEx Cup points.

The 2024 Travelers Championship will be remembered not only for Scheffler's impressive performance but also for the unexpected protest that added an unusual element of drama to the tournament's conclusion.

Travelers Videos

LIV Golf Nashville - The Grove - College Grove, TN

Sunday the final round of the inaugural LIV Golf Nashville tournament took place at The Grove in College Grove, Tennessee. Tyrrell Hatton emerged victorious, holding off strong competition from Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. Hatton, who had led going into the final round after a stellar performance on Saturday, maintained his composure and skill to secure the win. Rahm and DeChambeau, both notable competitors, put up a strong fight but ultimately could not surpass Hatton's lead. The event was marked by impressive performances and a significant turnout of spectators, making it a memorable conclusion to the tournament.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship - Sahalee Country Club - Sammamish, WA

On Sunday, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington, concluded with a thrilling finish. Amy Yang, a 34-year-old South Korean golfer, emerged victorious, securing her first major championship title. Yang's triumph was the culmination of a consistent performance throughout the tournament, with rounds of 70, 68, 71, and 72, resulting in a final score of seven-under-par.

Yang entered the final round with a two-stroke lead and managed to extend it to six shots during the closing stretch. However, the victory wasn't without drama. She faced a challenging finish, bogeying the 16th hole and double-bogeying the 17th after finding the water hazard. Despite these setbacks, Yang maintained her composure and secured a three-stroke victory over her closest competitors.

The win was particularly significant for Yang, who had previously come close to major victories with second-place finishes in the U.S. Women's Open. This championship marked her sixth LPGA Tour win and earned her a substantial prize of $1.5 million. The victory also secured Yang a spot on the South Korean team for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics.

Finishing in a tie for second place at four-under-par were Jin Young Ko, Miyu Yamashita, and Lilia Vu. Lauren Hartlage and Ally Ewing shared fifth place at three-under-par. Lexi Thompson, who had led after the first round, finished in a tie for ninth place at one-under-par.

Yang's victory was celebrated with a champagne shower from her fellow LPGA Tour players, marking a memorable conclusion to this major championship.

Dick’s Open - PGA Tour Champions - En-Joie GC - Endicott, NY

Sunday at the Dick's Sporting Goods Open held at En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott, New York, Padraig Harrington secured his third consecutive victory in this PGA Tour Champions event. Harrington's final round was marked by a steady and workmanlike performance, finishing with a 4-under 68, which brought his total to 15-under for the 54-hole tournament. This put him one stroke ahead of Mike Weir, who finished at 14-under after a strong final round of 67.

Harrington's round included a mix of challenges and successes, such as a bogey on the 10th hole and a crucial birdie on the 15th. Despite these ups and downs, he managed to maintain his lead and secure the win with a solid performance on the 18th hole. This victory marks Harrington's eighth win on the PGA Tour Champions and is a significant achievement at the age of 52.

Mike Weir, who finished second, had a notable performance with six birdies but ultimately fell just short of Harrington. The third place was shared by Mark Hensby, Ken Duke, and Ken Tanigawa, all finishing at 13-under. Stephen Ames, who was a co-leader after two rounds, ended up in a tie for sixth place after a final round of 71.

KLM Open - DP World Tour - The International - Amsterdam, Netherlands

On Sunday, the final round of the KLM Open at The International Golf Club in Amsterdam, Netherlands, was marked by significant events both on and off the course. The tournament experienced a two-hour delay due to protests by Extinction Rebellion activists, who blocked the entrance to the golf club to protest against fossil fuel sponsorships in sports. The police were called to manage the situation, and the final group, initially scheduled to tee off just before 1 PM local time, eventually started at 3 PM.

Despite the disruption, the competition concluded dramatically with Guido Migliozzi claiming his fourth DP World Tour title. Migliozzi secured his victory in a three-way play-off against Joe Dean and Marcus Kinhult. All three players finished the regular rounds tied at 11 under par. In the play-off, held on the par-five 18th hole, Migliozzi managed to birdie the second extra hole, while Dean and Kinhult faltered—Dean laying up after finding thick rough and Kinhult hitting the water with his second shot.

Mikko Korhonen, who had been leading the tournament after three days, could not maintain his lead in the final round. The tournament, part of the DP World Tour, featured a prize purse of $2.5 million, with the winner's share being $425,000. The event also offered valuable points for the Race to Dubai ranking and qualification spots for the final major of the year, The Open at Royal Troon.

Compliance Solutions Championship - Korn Ferry - Jammie Austin OU Golf Club - Norman, OK

John Pak, a 25-year-old golfer who played collegiately at Florida State University, secured his first Korn Ferry Tour victory Sunday with an impressive performance. He finished the tournament at 21 under par, with rounds of 64-66-65.

Despite having a comfortable seven-shot lead going into the final round, Pak faced a late challenge from Jackson Suber, who closed with a remarkable 63 to finish at 20 under. However, Pak held his nerve and finished with a par-birdie-par sequence to secure the victory by three strokes.

This win was significant for Pak's career, as it propelled him from 51st to 9th in the Korn Ferry Tour standings. With only 11 events remaining in the season, this victory puts Pak in a strong position to earn his PGA Tour card, as the top 30 players at the end of the season secure Tour cards.

The victory marks a turning point in Pak's professional career, which had faced some challenges since he turned pro in June 2021. This win at the Compliance Solutions Championship represents a major step forward for the young golfer.

Today’s Best Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE