Planet Golf News for Saturday, August 17, 2024

Jon Rahm ready to quit LIV Golf and give up millions after 'bad miscalculation', Hideki Matsuyama, Denny McCarthy share lead at FedEx St. Jude Championship

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Saturday, August 17, 2024

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Scottie Scheffler's reaction to 112-degree FedEx St. Jude Championship heat

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world is buzzing with action across several top tournaments this weekend, with drama and excitement unfolding from Memphis to Scotland and beyond.

At the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy share the lead at 11-under 129. Matsuyama's recovery from early round mistakes to card a 64, and McCarthy's remarkable putting, leading to a sizzling 63, have set them up nicely heading into the weekend. Sam Burns is just one shot behind, with Scottie Scheffler two shots back after some incredibly consistent play. Scheffler, in particular, has been rock-solid, climbing the leaderboard with precision ball-striking and just one bogey over the first two rounds. Unfortunately, it's not been smooth sailing for everyone, as Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy struggled in the heat, posting disappointing rounds of 75 and 73, respectively. With thunderstorms expected on Saturday, tee times have been adjusted, and the pressure is on as players battle for spots in the BMW Championship and TOUR Championship.

Meanwhile, in the world of LIV Golf, Jon Rahm is making headlines, not just for his performance but for his thoughts on potentially quitting LIV Golf despite the financial rewards. Rahm expressed dissatisfaction with the event format and has called for changes, such as extending tournaments to 72 holes. Rahm's recent victory in LIV Golf UK adds complexity to his decision, making his future in the league an intriguing storyline to watch.

On the LPGA Tour, Minjee Lee has taken control at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, sitting atop the leaderboard at 8-under par. Charley Hull and Lauren Coughlin are close behind, with Lydia Ko also in the mix just two strokes back. The players have had to navigate challenging weather conditions, but the competition remains fierce as they prepare for the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews next week. For Hull, who has overcome recent injuries, her form at this event is a strong indicator that she’s ready to contend at the season’s final major.

In Calgary, Scott Parel leads the Rogers Charity Classic after a bogey-free round of 63. Thanks to a timely putting tip from his caddie, Parel finds himself one stroke ahead of former champions Wes Short Jr. and Scott McCarron. Over in Prague, the DP World Tour's D+D REAL Czech Masters saw David Ravetto shoot a brilliant bogey-free round to take the lead at 13 under par, edging out a trio of strong contenders. Andrew "Beef" Johnston was also on fire, tying the course record with a second-round 63.

On the Korn Ferry Tour, Max McGreevy leads the Magnit Championship in New Jersey at 12-under after bouncing back from a rough stretch in his round. The Metedeconk National Golf Club is proving to be a serious test for players as they push for spots in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, and ultimately, PGA TOUR cards.

And finally, at the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club, the quarterfinals are in full swing. Spaniards José Luis Ballester and Luis Masaveu are both advancing, with Ballester standing out as one of the top-ranked amateurs left in the field. Jackson Buchanan and Noah Kent round out the Final Four, with the promise of invitations to the Masters and U.S. Open on the line for the winners.

With so much on the line across all these events, golf fans are in for a thrilling weekend of play as pros and amateurs alike compete for titles, prestige, and their place in the game’s history.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

FedEx St. Jude Championship - PGA - TPC Southwind - Memphis, TN

The FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, is underway as the first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Denny McCarthy and Hideki Matsuyama are currently leading the tournament, both having impressive performances in the second round. McCarthy made 160 feet of putts to achieve a 7-under-par 63, while Matsuyama scored a 64, putting them both at 11-under 129. They are one stroke ahead of Sam Burns, who also shot a 63, and two strokes ahead of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who carded a 65. Justin Rose and Nick Dunlap are tied for fifth at 8-under after Rose shot a second consecutive 66 and Dunlap a 65.

FedEx St. Jude Championship Videos

ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open - LPGA - Dundonald Links - Ayrshire, Scotland

Minjee Lee is leading the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland. She has completed two rounds with a total score of 136, which is 8-under par, after carding a 67 in the first round and a 69 in the second round. Lee's performance has been steady, featuring a bogey-free round that helped her maintain the top position on the leaderboard.

Tied for second place, two strokes behind Lee at 6-under par, are Charley Hull and Lauren Coughlin. Hull shot a 70 in the first round followed by an impressive 68 in the second, while Coughlin posted consistent rounds of 69 on both days. Lydia Ko and Megan Khang are tied for fourth at 5-under par, with Ko currently through three holes in her second round and Khang having completed her second round with a score of 68.

The tournament, which features a $2 million purse, has seen challenging conditions with weather delays impacting play. Despite these challenges, the competition remains fierce among the top contenders as they navigate the links-style course at Dundonald.

ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open Videos

Rogers Charity Classic - PGA Tour Champions - Canyon Meadows Golf & CC - Calgary, AB

Scott Parel is leading the Rogers Charity Classic after the first round. He is ahead by one stroke, with a trio of players, including 2019 champion Wes Short Jr., closely following him on the leaderboard.

LIV Golf Greenbrier - The Old White Course - White Sulphur Springs, WV

As of the first round of the 2024 LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament, Talor Gooch, Jason Kokrak, and Sebastián Muñoz are tied for the lead, each shooting a bogey-free 7-under 63. The event is taking place at The Old White Course in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Gooch, who was the 2023 Individual Champion, and his teammate Kokrak are part of Smash GC, which also leads the team competition with a total score of 20-under, giving them a four-shot advantage over Ripper GC and Legion XIII.

LIV Golf Greenbrier Videos

D+D REAL Czech Masters - DP World - PGA National Oaks Prague - Prague, Czechia

The D+D REAL Czech Masters, part of the DP World Tour, is underway at the PGA National Oaks Prague in Prague, Czechia. David Ravetto, a French golfer, took the lead by finishing the second round at 13 under par, following a bogey-free round that included several birdies and an eagle. He emerged from a four-way tie with Richie Ramsay, Jesper Svensson, and Andrew Johnston, who had all been performing strongly. Ravetto's performance has been highlighted by his consistent putting and strategic play, allowing him to secure the top position at the halfway point of the tournament.

Magnit Championship - Korn Ferry - Metedeconk National Golf Club - Jackson Twp. NJ

The Magnit Championship at the Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson Township, New Jersey, is underway as part of the Korn Ferry Tour. Jeff Overton is currently leading the tournament after completing the second round with a score of 4-under-par 68, maintaining his position at the top of the leaderboard through 36 holes. The tournament is a crucial event as it is the final opportunity for players to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, which will determine who earns a PGA TOUR card for the 2025 season. The course is known for its challenging layout, ranking as the ninth most difficult on the tour in 2023.

U.S. Amateur - USGA - Hazeltine National Golf Club - Chaska, Minn

The U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club is progressing into the quarterfinals stage. The tournament features a notable presence from Spanish players, with José Luis Ballester and Luis Masaveu both advancing to the quarterfinals. Ballester, who is ranked 10th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), is the highest-ranked player remaining in the championship. Other quarterfinalists include Brendan Valdes, Jackson Buchanan, Ethan Fang, Jacob Modleski, Noah Kent, and Bobby Massa. The quarterfinal matches are set to begin at 2:30 PM CDT today.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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