Planet Golf News for Saturday, April 20, 2024

At the 2024 Chevron Championship, defending champion Lilia Vu and runner-up Angel Yin withdrew due to injuries, while several other big names missed the cut. South Korean rookie Jin Hee Im and Atthaya Thitikul lead the tournament at 8 under, with Nelly Korda close behind. Notables who won't play the weekend include Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee, Alison Lee, So Yeon Ryu, Patty Tavatanakit, Leona Maguire, Celine Boutier, Jin Young Ko, Stacy Lewis, Angela Stanford, and Bailey Tardy.

15-year-old Miles Russell has become the youngest player to make the cut in the 35-year history of the Korn Ferry Tour. Russell shot a 5-under 66 in the Lecom Suncoast Classic, making a pair of eagles and two straight birdies. He is currently six shots behind the leader, Brandon Crick. Russell, a high school freshman from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, has already achieved impressive accolades in junior golf and came close to qualifying for a PGA Tour event last month.

LIV Golf is on high alert after Gordon Sargent, the top-ranked amateur golfer, declined his PGA Tour card to stay at Vanderbilt University for his senior season. Sargent's decision to defer his PGA Tour membership by one year aligns with LIV Golf's interest in recruiting young players. LIV Golf previously recruited Sargent's collegiate golf colleague Caleb Surrat.

Collin Morikawa shares the lead at the RBC Heritage tournament despite not having his best round, thanks to his strong short game and ability to minimize mistakes. Despite hitting poorly, Morikawa's misses didn't put him in difficult positions, allowing him to scramble his way around the course. He attributes his success to a recent discovery in his swing that has clicked and paid dividends.

24-year-old rookie Ludvig Åberg has performed impressively at the RBC Heritage, carding a 5-under 66 for the second straight day, ranking first in strokes gained off the tee and approaching the green. Despite being a stroke behind the leaders, Åberg's disciplined approach and precision with his irons have kept him in contention. If he maintains this level of play and discipline, he could pose a significant challenge to the rest of the PGA Tour.

At the halfway point of the RBC Heritage golf tournament, there is a four-way tie for the lead with 19 players within five shots of the leaders. Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick started the tournament with the ceremonial tee shot. Tom Hoge and Sepp Straka had impressive rounds, and Masters winner Scottie Scheffler is within striking distance. Saturday's pairings include notable players like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa and J.T. Poston.

Jordan Spieth nearly withdrew from the RBC Heritage after aggravating a wrist injury during the first round. The injury, caused by hitting a bunker shot, involved his ECU tendon popping out but quickly returning to its groove. Spieth managed to continue playing and finished the round with a 1-under 70. He received treatment and had his wrist wrapped to keep the tendon in place for the following rounds. Despite the injury, Spieth shot a 4-under 67 on Friday and plans to continue wearing tape for the rest of the tournament.

Mackenzie Hughes is one shot off the lead at the RBC Heritage after a strong finish at Harbour Town Golf Links. Hughes attributes his improved performance to working with new coaches Mark Wood and John Sherman. He is also aiming for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team and the International team for the Presidents Cup. Despite past struggles at this tournament, Hughes feels more confident this year due to his maturing game.

LPGA Tour rookie Jin Hee Im and 21-year-old Atthaya Thitikul lead the Chevron Championship after 36 holes. Im, a six-time winner on the KLPGA Tour, is making her first-ever start in a major championship. Thitikul, the 2022 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, is making her first appearance of the season after recovering from a thumb injury. Four-time 2024 Tour winner Nelly Korda is one stroke behind the leaders. Last season’s Rolex Rookie of the Year, Hae Ran Ryu, is in fourth place.

In the Corales Puntacana Championship, a YouTuber named Wesley Bryan is leading the tournament after two rounds with a score of 15 under. Bryan, who is also a part-time PGA Tour player, has surprised everyone with his performance. If he wins, it will not only boost his YouTube following but also secure his spot in the PGA Championship and give him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

Thomas Bjorn of Denmark leads the Invited Celebrity Classic in Irving, Texas, by one shot after firing a bogey-free 64 with seven birdies. He is followed closely by Jerry Kelly, Clark Dennis, Paul Broadhurst, and Y.E. Yang, who shot 65. Bjorn, who finished second in his last tournament, aims to secure a victory in this event.

Round 1 of the Invited Celebrity Classic in Irving featured former Cowboys Tony Romo, Emmitt Smith, and DeMarcus Ware, along with other celebrities and PGA Tour professionals. Tennis player Mardy Fish and former LPGA pro Annika Sorenstam are currently leading the tournament. Romo, the defending champion, is tied for seventh place. The tournament has a prize purse of $2.2 million and uses Modified Stableford scoring for the celebrities.

Morgan Hoffmann, a former top-ranked amateur golfer, faced health issues after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. After seeking alternative approaches and taking a break from professional golf, he made a comeback in 2022. Now playing on the Korn Ferry Tour, Hoffmann is having a remarkable week at the Lecom Suncoast Classic, showing progress and a positive outlook on his journey.

Gabriela Ruffels's brother, Ryan Ruffels, is also a talented golfer. The Ruffels siblings come from a family with a background in tennis, but they found their passion for golf. Ryan has had success as an amateur and has competed on various golf tours. He has yet to secure his first official victory but has shown his talent. Ryan also runs a YouTube channel and is popular on Instagram. The Ruffels siblings have a competitive bond but also support and learn from each other. Both have promising futures in the world of professional golf.

Arnold Palmer's green jacket, earned as a four-time Masters champion, was reportedly among the items stolen from Augusta National Golf Club over a 13-year span. The jacket was recovered in a 2022 FBI operation, and a sale for $3.6 million was arranged before the jacket was seized by federal agents. The stolen jacket was not one of Palmer's actual winner's jackets.

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.