Planet Golf News for Saturday, July 6, 2024

Aaron Rai and C.T. Pan share the John Deere Classic lead, Bernhard Langer bids emotional farewell to DP World Tour

Saturday, July 6, 2024

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'I lived the dream': Bernhard Langer bids farewell to DP World Tour

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

As the golf world turns, we've got a mix of heartfelt goodbyes, surprising absences, fierce competition, and some truly inspiring performances. Here's your update on the latest happenings.

Bernhard Langer, a name synonymous with excellence in golf, bid an emotional farewell to the European tour at the BMW International Open in Germany. Despite not making the cut, Langer's 50-year career was celebrated, with fans and fellow players honoring his incredible legacy. Langer reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude for the memories and victories, including 42 wins on the European circuit and major tournament successes. While his time on the European tour has ended, Langer will continue to play on the PGA Tour Champions and make one last appearance at Augusta National.

On the women's circuit, Lexi Thompson has decided to skip the Evian Championship yet again. Ranked 33rd in the world, Thompson hasn't played in this Major since 2019, and despite her recent form and announcement of retiring from full-time professional golf, she won't be returning to the Evian this year. Her absence has sparked discussions, especially given her recent resurgence in performance.

The LIV Golf saga continues with Greg Norman sounding off on critics, calling the treatment of LIV golfers "disgusting." He highlighted the challenges faced by LIV and its global ambitions. Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson called for peace between LIV and the PGA Tour but questioned the necessity of their merger, pointing out that many benefits had already been realized through their existing agreement.

On the tournament front, the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois is heating up. Aaron Rai and C.T. Pan share the lead at 14-under par, with consistent and stellar performances. The leaderboard is tightly packed, promising an exciting weekend of golf. Notable players like Jordan Spieth and Kevin Streelman narrowly made the cut, while several big names like Daniel Berger and Cameron Champ missed it. Amateur Luke Clanton has also turned heads with his confident play, proving that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

In Munich, the BMW International Open saw Scottish golfer Ewen Ferguson take the lead, overcoming vertigo to card an impressive round. Bernhard Langer's farewell was the emotional highlight, but the tournament remains fiercely competitive with players like Romain Langasque and Patrick Reed in contention.

Looking ahead, the golfing calendar is packed with exciting events. The Paris Olympics will feature a unique format, combining elements from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, while the British Open is on the horizon with Brooks Koepka preparing for the challenge with his usual flair. The Scottish Open will see defending champion Rory McIlroy and a host of top players vie for victory, with McIlroy's remarkable 2-iron shot from last year being honored at the Renaissance Club.

In other news, Leona Maguire made history by winning the Aramco Team Series in London with a stunning eagle finish, becoming the first Irishwoman to win on the Ladies European Tour. NFL coach Doug Pederson finds solace in golf, using the sport to de-stress and bond with his family. Meanwhile, Scott Vincent narrowly avoided disqualification at the International Series Morocco tournament but managed to card a spectacular round using borrowed clubs.

Finally, there's ongoing debate about the competitiveness of smaller fields in PGA Tour's Signature Events, with Ryder Cup winner Sepp Straka calling for bigger fields in major tournaments. Jim Furyk emphasized the importance of practicing pre-shot routines on the range, a move often overlooked by players.

As we follow these stories, it's clear that golf continues to be a dynamic and thrilling sport, full of highs, lows, and everything in between. Stay tuned for more updates as these events unfold this weekend.

[ Today’s Top Golf Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

John Deere Classic - PGA - TPC Deer Run - Silvis, IL

The 2024 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, is shaping up to be an exciting tournament as the second round concluded yesterday afternoon. Aaron Rai of England and C.T. Pan are currently sharing the lead at an impressive 14-under par. Both players have demonstrated remarkable consistency, carding identical scores of 6-under 65 in the first round and following up with outstanding 8-under 63s on Friday.

Rai, who narrowly missed out on victory at last week's Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, is once again in contention for his first PGA Tour win. His exceptional putting performance, gaining over six strokes on the greens, has been a key factor in his success so far.

Hot on the heels of the leaders is Harry Hall, who sits alone in third place at 13-under par, just one stroke behind. A group of six players, including notable names such as Denny McCarthy and Sungjae Im, are tied for fourth at 12-under, only two shots off the lead. McCarthy, known for his putting prowess, has once again showcased his skills on the greens at TPC Deere Run.

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with eight players sharing tenth place at 11-under, just three strokes behind the leaders. This congestion at the top sets the stage for an exciting weekend of golf as players vie for position.

While many players found success, the tournament also saw its share of disappointments. Several prominent names, including Daniel Berger, Nick Dunlap, and Cameron Champ, failed to make the cut, which was set at 5-under 137. Berger's struggles continue as he missed his third cut in recent outings, while Champ's difficult season persists with his 12th missed cut in 21 starts.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on the leaders and the chasing pack. With such a competitive field and tight leaderboard, the 2024 John Deere Classic promises thrilling golf action as these top players compete for the coveted title./

John Deere Classic Videos

BMW International Open - DP World - Golfclub Munchen Eichenried - Munich, Germany

The 35th BMW International Open, part of the DP World Tour, is currently taking place at Golfclub München Eichenried in Munich, Germany. The tournament has been marked by significant events and notable performances, particularly the emotional farewell of German golf legend Bernhard Langer. Langer, who played his final professional rounds alongside fellow German golfers Martin Kaymer and Marcel Siem, received a heartfelt tribute from 15,000 fans and fellow players. Despite not making the cut for the weekend, Langer expressed his joy and gratitude for the support and the memorable experience.

Leading the tournament into the weekend is Scotland's Ewen Ferguson, who holds the top spot with a score of 13 under par. He is followed by Romain Langasque of France, who is two strokes behind at 11 under par. Tied for third place at 8 under par are Jordan Smith and Matthew Southgate from England, Patrick Reed from the USA, Bernd Wiesberger from Austria, and David Micheluzzi from Australia.

Due to a storm warning, the third round will start early on Saturday with players teeing off from both the first and tenth tees. The final group, including the leader, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., with the round expected to conclude by 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming: Paris Olympics

Upcoming: British Open

Upcoming: Scottish Open

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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