Planet Golf News for Monday, September 2, 2024

Scottie Scheffler dominates Tour Championship in Atlanta to win FedEx Cup, Haeran Ryu beats Jin Young Ko in a playoff to win 2024 FM Championship at TPC Boston

Monday, September 2, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality.

Scottie Scheffler Celebrates Tour Championship Win With Son Bennett

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

Scottie Scheffler's 2024 golf season is one for the history books. The 28-year-old Texan capped off his incredible year by winning the FedEx Cup at the Tour Championship, bringing his total victories this season to a staggering seven, including a major and an Olympic gold medal. His final round at East Lake wasn't without drama—Scheffler faced a brief challenge from Collin Morikawa, who narrowed the gap to just two strokes. But true to form, Scheffler pulled away with three consecutive birdies, sealing a four-shot victory. This win not only secured him the FedEx Cup but also added a cool $25 million to his season earnings, which now total an eye-popping $62.2 million. With 17 top-10 finishes in 20 events, it's no wonder he's drawing comparisons to Tiger Woods, who was the last to dominate the PGA Tour so thoroughly.

Meanwhile, Haeran Ryu showed nerves of steel at the FM Championship in Boston, where she defeated Jin Young Ko in a tense playoff to claim her second LPGA Tour title. Ryu's journey to victory was anything but smooth, with a rollercoaster of rounds that included a third-round meltdown. But she bounced back in spectacular fashion, shooting a final round 64 to force the playoff, which she won with a clutch two-putt. This victory not only earned her $570,000 but also solidified her status as a rising star on the LPGA Tour.

On the other side of the Atlantic, the Curtis Cup saw Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) break an eight-year drought by edging out the United States in a thrilling 10½-9½ victory at Sunningdale. Captain Catriona Matthew led her team to a memorable win, with standout performances from Sara Byrne, Patience Rhodes, and Lorna McClymont. The competition was fierce, but GB&I held their nerve in the singles matches, securing the points they needed to reclaim the coveted trophy. The future of women's golf looks bright, with this victory highlighting the depth of talent emerging from the amateur ranks.

In other news, Denmark's Niklas Norgaard secured his first DP World Tour win at the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry. Norgaard, who had led by four shots going into the final round, faced some tense moments, including a double bogey on the 15th hole. However, he managed to hold on with a level-par 72, finishing two shots ahead of Thriston Lawrence. This win propels Norgaard to sixth place in the Race to Dubai standings and marks him as a player to watch in the coming years.

With these victories, the 2024 golf season continues to deliver excitement and drama, setting the stage for even more thrilling competitions as we head towards the Presidents Cup later this month. Whether it's Scheffler's dominance, Ryu's resilience, or the up-and-coming talent in the Curtis Cup, there's no shortage of stories to follow in the world of golf.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments concluding this past weekend

TOUR Championship - PGA - East Lake Golf Club - Atlanta, GA

Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious at the 2024 TOUR Championship, held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Scheffler capped off a remarkable season by securing the FedExCup title and a $25 million bonus with a dominant four-shot win over the field.

Starting the final round with a five-shot lead, Scheffler faced a brief challenge from Collin Morikawa, who narrowed the gap to just two strokes at one point. However, Scheffler quickly regained control with three consecutive birdies, ultimately finishing with a 4-under 67 in the final round.

This victory marked Scheffler's seventh PGA TOUR win of the 2024 season, making him the first player since Tiger Woods in 2007 to achieve such a feat. His impressive year included wins at the Masters, THE PLAYERS Championship, and an Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Scheffler's total earnings for the season, including bonuses, surpassed $62 million, shattering previous records. His consistent performance throughout the year was highlighted by 17 top-10 finishes and zero missed cuts in 20 events.

The final leaderboard saw Collin Morikawa finishing second at 26-under, followed by Sahith Theegala in third place at 24-under. Scheffler's dominant performance solidified his position as the world's top-ranked golfer and capped off what many consider to be one of the best individual seasons in recent golf history.

TOUR Championship Videos

FM Championship - LPGA - TPC Boston - Norton, MA

The inaugural FM Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts concluded Sunday, with South Korean golfer Haeran Ryu emerging victorious after a dramatic final round and playoff. Ryu, who had experienced a rollercoaster tournament with scores of 69-62-78-64, finished tied at 15-under-par with fellow South Korean Jin Young Ko after 72 holes.

The final round was marked by challenging weather conditions, including rain and a two-hour delay due to dangerous weather. Despite starting the day four strokes behind Ko, Ryu mounted an impressive comeback with a final round 8-under 64. The tournament went to a playoff on the par-5 18th hole, where Ryu secured the win with a par while Ko made a bogey.

This victory marks Ryu's second LPGA Tour title, earning her $570,000 from the $3.8 million purse. The tournament featured several notable performances, including China's Ruixin Liu, who finished solo third at 14-under after an incredible final round that began with seven consecutive birdies.

The FM Championship, which kicked off a five-year partnership between FM and the LPGA Tour, proved to be a success in its debut year. The event drew ticket purchasers from 31 states and five countries, making it one of the best-selling competitions of the 2024 LPGA season. Following this success, it was announced that the FM Championship will return to TPC Boston in 2025.

FM Championship Videos

Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo - DP World Tour - The Belfry - Sutton, England

Niklas Norgaard claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2024 Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry in Sutton, England. The Danish golfer maintained his composure throughout the final round, carding a level-par 72 to finish with a total score of 16 under par, securing a two-shot victory over South Africa's Thriston Lawrence.

Norgaard started the final day with a four-shot lead but faced challenges throughout the round. He experienced a tense finish, including a double bogey on the 15th hole that momentarily threatened his lead. However, he displayed mental fortitude by sinking crucial putts on the 16th and 17th holes to maintain his advantage.

Lawrence finished in second place after a final-round 70, while another Dane, Rasmus Hojgaard, surged up the leaderboard with a round-of-the-day 65 to claim third place at 12 under par. Jeong weon Ko finished fourth, dropping to that position after a double-bogey on the final hole.

This victory not only marks Norgaard's first DP World Tour win but also propels him to sixth place in the Race to Dubai standings. Additionally, the tournament served as the starting point for the 2025 Ryder Cup qualification process, with Norgaard now leading the Ryder Cup Points List.

The event, which featured a $3.5 million purse, saw Norgaard take home the winner's share of $595,000. The tournament also marked the beginning of the "Back 9" phase of the DP World Tour season, a crucial period for players aiming to qualify for the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

Curtis Cup - Amateur - Sunningdale Golf Club - UK

The 43rd Curtis Cup, a prestigious biennial amateur women's golf match, will take place from August 30 to September 1, 2024, at the Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, England. The Curtis Cup is contested between teams from the United States and Great Britain & Ireland, and it is one of the most significant events in women's amateur golf.

Upcoming: Presidents Cup (9/26-9/29)-PGA - The Royal Montreal Golf Club - LLe Bizard, PQ

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