Planet Golf News for Saturday, August 3, 2024

2024 Men's Olympic Golf: Xander Schauffele, Team USA HOLD SHARE OF LEAD After Round 2, Dutch golfer denied Olympic spot is making a BIG statement in Portland

Saturday, August 3, 2024

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Tom Kim is in range of an Olympic medal. At stake is being excused from military service

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world is buzzing with excitement and drama this weekend. At the LPGA's Portland Classic, Dewi Weber is making waves by leading the tournament after two rounds of incredible play. Weber, who was recently denied a spot in the Paris Olympics by the Dutch Federation, is channeling her frustration into her game. She's recorded an astounding seven straight birdies for two consecutive days, amassing a total of 17 birdies and just one bogey. Weber's strong performance isn't just a personal triumph; it's a pointed statement about her exclusion from the Olympics, highlighting the questionable criteria set by her home country's committee. Meanwhile, Andrea Lee is hot on her heels, and Polly Mack, Jenny Shin, and Grace Kim are also in contention. As the tournament progresses, eyes are on Weber to see if she can maintain her lead and perhaps even break the LPGA record of nine consecutive birdies.

In the men's golf event at the Paris Olympics, a trio of stars—Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, and Tommy Fleetwood—are tied for the lead at 11-under-par. Schauffele, the defending champion, is showing strong form, but he's had a few hiccups, including an encounter with an ant hill that cost him a bogey. Fleetwood, playing with a heavy heart after a tragic incident in his hometown, has been particularly impressive, carding six birdies and an eagle. His resilience and focus, despite the emotional turmoil, have been commendable. Matsuyama also remains a formidable contender, despite a late double bogey. The tournament's format, which lacks a cut, ensures that all players will compete through the weekend, adding to the excitement.

The conversation around Olympic golf is heating up, with some proposing a team format to spice things up. The idea is to have the top two golfers from each country pair up for match play after three rounds, creating a unique and competitive atmosphere. This could potentially elevate the prestige of Olympic golf, which some argue currently lacks the gravitas of major tournaments. The suggestion is timely, as the current individual stroke play format hasn't always captured the imagination of fans and players alike.

Back in the States, the Utah Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour is also in full swing. Cristobal Del Solar has taken a commanding lead, shooting a bogey-free 8-under 63. The competition remains fierce, with Matt McCarty and Karl Vilips not far behind. This tournament serves as a crucial stepping stone for players aiming to secure their PGA TOUR cards, and Del Solar's performance is setting him up as a strong contender for the title.

The weekend promises more thrilling golf action across the board. From the emotional battles on the Olympic stage to the high-stakes drama at the Portland Classic and Utah Championship, golf fans are in for a treat. Whether it's Dewi Weber's quest for redemption, the Olympic hopefuls battling for medals, or the Korn Ferry Tour's rising stars, there's no shortage of stories to follow. As the final rounds approach, all eyes will be on these golfers as they vie for victory and, in some cases, redemption.

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Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Portland Classic - LPGA - Columbia Edgewater CC - Portland, OR

On Friday at the Portland Classic held at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon, Dewi Weber emerged as the standout performer. Despite being denied a spot in the Paris Olympics by the Dutch Olympic committee, Weber shot an impressive 10-under 62, leading the tournament. Her performance was highlighted by a remarkable streak of seven consecutive birdies for the second day in a row, nearly challenging the LPGA record of nine consecutive birdies.

The Portland Classic, known as the LPGA Tour's longest-running non-major competition, features a diverse field of players, including defending champion Chanettee Wannasaen and past champions Andrea Lee and Stacy Lewis. The event also includes a mix of LPGA Tour rookies and Epson Tour members, with the potential to see a first-time winner this season or a non-member winner, reminiscent of Mone Inami's victory at the TOTO Japan Classic.

Portland Classic Videos

Utah Championship - Korn Ferry - Oakridge Country Club - Farmington, UT

At the Utah Championship held at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah, on Friday the second round of the Korn Ferry Tour event saw some notable performances. Cristobal Del Solar emerged as the solo leader heading into the weekend, showcasing his skill and consistency over the course. Highlights from the round included impressive birdies and eagles from various players, such as Karl Vilips and Frankie Capan III, who made notable shots on the 15th hole. Additionally, 18-year-old Kihei Akina made headlines by making the cut, marking a significant milestone in his young career. The tournament, which is part of the path to the PGA TOUR, continues to be a significant event, drawing attention for its competitive field and the picturesque setting of Oakridge Country Club.

Utah Championship Videos

Paris Olympics - Men’s Golf

On Friday the men's golf tournament at the Paris Olympics continued with the second round of play at Le Golf National. The day saw some exciting developments and changes in the leaderboard.

At the end of the round, three players emerged tied for the lead: defending Olympic champion Xander Schauffele from the USA, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, and Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood. All three finished the day at 11-under par, setting up an intriguing final pairing for the third round.

Fleetwood had a particularly impressive day, carding six birdies and an eagle, despite finishing with a bogey. His strong performance propelled him from four shots behind at the start of the day to a share of the lead.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler improved his position but still found himself trailing the leaders. He finished the day tied for 10th at 6-under par. Scheffler showed resilience by recovering from a double bogey on the seventh hole to shoot four-under on the back nine.

Rory McIlroy of Ireland, who has expressed a strong desire to win an Olympic medal, had a mixed day. He finished at 5-under par, six shots behind the leaders. McIlroy's round included an eagle and four birdies, but also two bogeys and a double bogey, reflecting the up-and-down nature of his play.

The tournament, being played without a cut, ensures that all players will compete through the weekend. This format adds to the excitement as even those currently trailing have the opportunity to make significant moves in the final two rounds.

As the tournament heads into its third round today, the stage is set for an exciting weekend of golf, with the world's top players vying for Olympic glory on the challenging Le Golf National course.

Paris Olympics - Women’s Golf

Paris Olympics Videos

Today’s Best Golf Vidoes

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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