Monday, May 27, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

This weekend in the golfing world has been marked by a mix of triumph and tragedy, capturing the emotional spectrum of the sport. The community mourns the loss of Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, who tragically died by suicide at the age of 30. Murray had been open about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health, and his passing has left a significant impact on his peers and fans alike. In honor of his memory, PGA Tour golfers and caddies have been wearing red and black ribbon pins, a tribute to his love for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Harry Higgs, deeply affected by Murray's death, has urged people to spread kindness, encouraging everyone to say something nice to someone they don’t know. This sentiment of compassion is a poignant reminder of the challenges many face silently and the difference a kind word can make.

On a brighter note, the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, saw Davis Riley secure his first individual PGA Tour title. Despite challenging conditions, including wind gusts up to 20 mph, Riley managed to maintain his composure and finish five strokes ahead of Scottie Scheffler and Keegan Bradley, who tied for second. Riley’s win is particularly meaningful, considering the week’s somber backdrop and his personal dedication to his sister, who recently underwent a successful surgery.

Scottie Scheffler, despite his struggles with driving accuracy in the final round, continued his impressive season with a 10th consecutive top-10 finish. Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley's strong performance secured him a shared second place with Scheffler.

In another significant event, Richard Bland won the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship with a stellar final round of 63. This victory, marked by an eagle on the 15th hole, was a testament to Bland's skill and resilience, especially amidst a weather delay. His win is a personal triumph, dedicated to his brother, and it secures him a place in the U.S. Senior Open.

The Soudal Open in Antwerp, Belgium, saw Spanish golfer Nacho Elvira clinch a dramatic one-stroke victory, marking his second European Tour title. Despite challenges, including equipment issues and a torrential downpour, Elvira’s steady play secured his win. His ability to maintain focus under pressure was crucial in fending off strong competitors like Niklas Nørgaard and Thomas Pieters.

Harry Higgs made history on the Korn Ferry Tour by winning the Visit Knoxville Open, his second consecutive playoff victory. Higgs’ win was marked by a dramatic 37-foot eagle putt on the second playoff hole, outlasting Frankie Capan III. In his winner's speech, Higgs honored Grayson Murray, emphasizing the importance of kindness and positivity.

In other highlights, Davis Riley's wife, Alexandra, has been a steadfast supporter throughout his career. Her presence and encouragement have been a significant factor in his success, including his recent victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

The golfing world continues to reflect on the highs and lows of the sport, from the heart-wrenching loss of Grayson Murray to the inspiring victories of Davis Riley and Richard Bland. As players honor Murray's memory and strive for greatness, the sense of community and the call for kindness resonate more profoundly than ever.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments from the weekend

Charles Schwab Challenge - Fort Worth

The 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge concluded Sunday at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, with Davis Riley emerging as the champion. Riley secured his first individual PGA Tour title with a final score of 14-under 266, finishing five strokes ahead of Scottie Scheffler and Keegan Bradley, who both tied for second place at 9-under.

Riley's performance was marked by resilience and consistency. Despite starting the final round with a four-stroke lead, he faced early challenges, including a bogey on the second hole. However, he managed to maintain his composure and carded an even-par 70, which was sufficient to keep his competitors at bay, especially given the difficult playing conditions with wind gusts up to 20 mph.

Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, struggled in the final round, shooting a 1-over 71. His performance was hampered by difficulties in driving accuracy, hitting only seven fairways in regulation. Despite these challenges, Scheffler's overall performance this season remains impressive, with this event marking his 10th consecutive top-10 finish.

Keegan Bradley also had a notable performance, finishing tied for second after a strong showing throughout the tournament. Collin Morikawa, who finished fourth at 8-under, was the only player to complete all four rounds under par.

The tournament was overshadowed by the tragic news of Grayson Murray's death. Murray, who had withdrawn from the event due to illness, was found to have died by suicide, as confirmed by his family. This cast a somber mood over the final day of the competition.

In terms of prize money, Riley took home $1,638,000 from the total purse of $9,100,000, marking a significant milestone in his career.

• 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge money: Here’s how much every player made

• Davis Riley captures Charles Schwab Challenge - nytimes.com

• Riley wins at Colonial as Scheffler struggles, players remember Murray - france24.com

• Davis Riley captures first individual TOUR win by five-stroke margin at Charles Schwab Challenge - pgatour.com

• Riley bests Scheffler for 1st solo win at Colonial - espn.com

• Davis Riley takes advantage of lackluster Scottie Scheffler to win by 5 - sbnation.com

KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, Benton Harbor, MI

Richard Bland emerged victorious at the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, marking a significant achievement in his golfing career. Sunday saw Bland deliver an impressive final round of 63, which was pivotal in securing his win. Despite facing a weather delay, Bland maintained his composure and skill, ultimately finishing three shots ahead of his closest competitors.

One of the standout moments of Bland's performance was his eagle on the 15th hole, which significantly contributed to his lead. This crucial shot, along with his consistent play throughout the round, underscored his determination and expertise on the course. Bland's victory was not just a professional milestone but also a personal one, as he dedicated his win to his brother, adding an emotional layer to his triumph.

Bland's win at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is a testament to his resilience and talent, especially in overcoming the challenges posed by the weather and the competitive field. His final score and the manner in which he secured his victory will be remembered as a highlight of the 2024 senior golf season.

• 'I'm so happy right now:' Richard Bland rallies to win final Senior PGA in Benton Harbor - detroitnews.com

• Richard Bland Wins KitchenAid Senior PGA Title in Championship Debut - pga.com

• LIV Golf’s Richard Bland Gets Brutally Slapped Aside by PGA Tour Despite First Major Win - essentiallysports.com

Soudal Open, Antwerp Belgium - DP World Tour

Sunday at the Soudal Open in Antwerp, Belgium, Spanish golfer Nacho Elvira clinched a dramatic one-stroke victory, marking his second European Tour title. The tournament, held at the Rinkven International Golf Club, saw Elvira demonstrate remarkable composure and resilience, particularly in the final round.

Elvira began the day with a four-shot lead but faced significant pressure as the round progressed. Despite closing with an even-par 71, he managed to hold off his competitors by parring his final seven holes. Denmark's Niklas Nørgaard came close to forcing a playoff with a birdie attempt from 12 feet on the 18th hole, but his putt narrowly missed, resulting in a final round of 68 and a tie for second place alongside Thomas Pieters and Romain Langasque, who both posted impressive scores of 66 and 68, respectively.

The final round was not without its challenges for Elvira. His favored 2-iron cracked during the warmup, and he was briefly soaked by a torrential downpour, adding to the day's drama. Despite these setbacks, Elvira's steady play under pressure ensured his victory.

Elvira's win at the Soudal Open is his first since the Cazoo Open in Wales in 2021. The victory was particularly emotional, given the interruptions caused by heavy rain that had suspended play midway through the final round. His ability to maintain focus and secure pars in the closing holes was crucial in fending off the strong challenges from his rivals.

• Elvira holds on for one-stroke win at Soudal Open - espn.com

• Nacho Elvira holds on to win Soudal Open by one shot as Niklas Norgaard fails to force play-off - skysports.com

• How much did Nacho Elvira win of the $2.25 million Soudal Open prize purse? Exploring winner's payout at DP World Tour event - sportskeeda.com

• Elvira holds on to win Soudal Open, Purcell tied 67th - rte.ie

• Elvira holds his nerve to claim Antwerp Open - supersport.com

Visit Knoxville Open - Korn Ferry Tour

Harry Higgs won the 2024 Visit Knoxville Open on the Korn Ferry Tour Sunday. This victory marked his second consecutive win in a playoff, making him the first player in Korn Ferry Tour history to achieve back-to-back playoff victories. Higgs finished the tournament at 19-under par after a final round of 5-under 65. He secured the win by making a 37-foot eagle putt on the second playoff hole, outlasting Frankie Capan III, who also finished at 19-under par.

Higgs used his winner's speech to honor Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA TOUR winner who passed away the day before the final round. Higgs emphasized the importance of kindness and challenged everyone to say something nice to both loved ones and strangers.

The tournament faced weather challenges, with tee times moved up over the weekend to avoid dangerous conditions. Despite these challenges, Higgs' steady performance and dramatic playoff victory have significantly improved his standing on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, virtually ensuring his return to the PGA TOUR for the 2025 season.

• Harry Higgs makes it two playoff wins in two weeks on Korn Ferry Tour - knoxnews.com

• Harry Higgs honors Grayson Murray in heartfelt winner's speech at Visit Knoxville Open - pgatour.com

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