Saturday, May 25, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth have surged into contention at the Charles Schwab Challenge, a tournament filled with gripping performances and weather-induced delays. Davis Riley emerged as the leader after a bogey-free round of 64, overcoming a 70-minute delay to finish strong at 10-under. Scheffler, rebounding from his worst score of the year, shot a 65, tying for 15th at 3-under. Spieth, despite starting strong, finished tied for 25th at 2-under.

While the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth saw its fair share of action, the broader golf world is buzzing with news. Despite ongoing battles and controversies in professional golf, the sport is thriving, especially in terms of golf tourism and participation. USGA CEO Mike Whan emphasizes the importance of focusing on these positives, highlighting the growing diversity in the sport, with more women, African-Americans, and juniors taking up golf.

Bryson DeChambeau, preparing for the U.S. Open, showcased his new workouts on Instagram, promising more of his signature fist pumps. After an impressive performance at the PGA Championship, he's a favorite for the upcoming major at Pinehurst. Meanwhile, the 2024 Paris Olympics are on the horizon, with Xander Schauffele and Nelly Korda poised to defend their gold medals. The U.S. teams for both men and women are shaping up with top-ranked players.

In senior golf, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan, has seen Richard Bland take the lead at 12-under after rounds of 64 and 66. Scott Dunlap is just one shot behind, setting up a tight leaderboard for an exciting weekend finish. The course's challenging layout promises a dramatic conclusion to this senior major championship.

Across the Atlantic, the Soudal Open in Antwerp, Belgium, part of the DP World Tour, has seen remarkable performances, with Sam Jones leading after scoring the first albatross of his career. His 62 placed him two strokes ahead of a group tied for second. Ross Fisher also surged into contention, shooting his lowest DP World Tour round in over two years. Notably, golfer Louis de Jager made headlines by playing a shot shirtless after landing in a hazard, managing to save par.

On the Korn Ferry Tour, the Visit Knoxville Open at Holston Hills Country Club in Tennessee has Harry Higgs and Cristobal Del Solar tied for the lead at 11-under. The tournament remains highly competitive, with several players within striking distance of the leaders.

As we head into the weekend, golf fans have plenty to look forward to. The Charles Schwab Challenge, with its challenging conditions and tight competition, promises an exciting finish. Meanwhile, the Senior PGA Championship and Soudal Open also offer thrilling prospects, with tight leaderboards and top players in contention. It's a great time to be a golf fan, with action and drama unfolding across various tours and tournaments.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Charles Schwab Challenge - Fort Worth

The second round of the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge, held on Friday at Colonial Country Club, was marked by impressive performances and challenging weather conditions. Davis Riley emerged as the leader after a bogey-free round, shooting a 6-under 64. This stellar performance brought his total to 10-under 132 for the tournament. Riley's round was particularly notable for a 70-minute wait before his final putt due to a weather delay, yet he maintained his composure to finish strong. Hayden Buckley and Pierceson Coody are two strokes back from Riley at -8

Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, also had a remarkable day, shooting a bogey-free 65. This round was a significant improvement from his opening 72, bringing him to 3-under for the tournament and putting him in a strong position heading into the weekend, but currently tied for 15th. Jordan Spieth, another local favorite, shot a 67, improving from his first-round 71 and keeping him in contention, though tied for 25th at -2.

Keegan Bradley and Gary Woodland also made notable moves. Bradley shot a 66, tied for fourth place at -6, while Woodland carded a 64, his best round since the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open, ending the day tied for 12th place at -4. Both players demonstrated resilience and skill, navigating the challenging conditions at Colonial.

The weather played a significant role, with winds on Thursday and thunderstorms on Friday affecting play. Despite these challenges, the competition remains fierce, with many top players still in contention as the tournament heads into the weekend.

• Here's What Each Player Will Earn This Week From the Charles Schwab Challenge Purse

• Charles Schwab Challenge 2024 Saturday third round tee times, how to watch

KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, Benton Harbor, MI

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan has seen some excellent scoring through the first two rounds. Richard Bland of England has taken the lead at 12-under par after rounds of 64 and 66. He holds a one-shot advantage over Scott Dunlap, who is at 11-under 131 following his second round 65.

Chris DiMarco is alone in third place at 9-under 133 after a stellar 65 in the second round. A group of four players, including Brian Gay, Ernie Els, Richard Green, and Mike Weir, are tied for fourth at 7-under par. Stewart Cink and Steve Stricker, the defending champion, are part of a group tied for 8th at 6-under par through their first 15 and 12 holes respectively in the second round.

The leaderboard is tightly packed with several major champions and experienced PGA Tour Champions players in contention heading into the weekend. Scoring has been excellent on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Harbor Shores, setting up an exciting finish to this senior major championship.

With calm conditions prevailing, the players have taken advantage of the scoring opportunities at Harbor Shores. However, the challenging layout could make for an exciting weekend as the championship reaches its conclusion.

• Bland posts 66, leads Senior PGA Championship in senior major debut - thescore.com

Soudal Open, Antwerp Belgium - DP World Tour

The Soudal Open 2024, part of the DP World Tour, is currently underway at the Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp, Belgium. The tournament has attracted a strong field, including notable players such as Thriston Lawrence, Adrian Otaegui, Pablo Larrazabal, Marcel Siem, Jordan Smith, Luke Donald, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Zander Lombard, and Belgian hopefuls Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts.

After the second round, the leaderboard is led by New Zealand's Sam Jones, who achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring the first albatross of his career on the par-five 17th hole. Jones's impressive performance, which included a nine-under 62, has placed him two strokes ahead of a group of five players tied for second place. This group includes English golfers Andrew Wilson and Matthew Jordan, as well as Nacho Elvira, Romain Langasque, and Niklas Norgaard.

The Soudal Open 2024 in Antwerp, Belgium, part of the DP World Tour, has seen some impressive performances as the tournament progresses. Currently, Nacho Elvira leads the field with a total score of 128, having shot rounds of 64 on both the first and second days, putting him at 14-under par. Elvira's consistent play has set a high bar for the rest of the competitors.

Close on his heels is Ross Fisher, who is just one stroke behind at 13-under par with a total score of 129. Fisher's second-round 63 was the lowest of the day, showcasing his ability to go low and stay in contention.

Romain Langasque sits in third place with a total score of 131, 11-under par, after rounds of 64 and 67. Langasque's solid performance keeps him within striking distance of the leaders.

Tied for fourth place are Aaron Cockerill, Niklas Norgaard Moller, Andrew Wilson, and Samuel Jones, all at 10-under par with a total score of 132. Cockerill and Wilson both shot 66 in the second round, while Moller and Jones had rounds of 68 and 70, respectively. Jones, who led after the first round with a stunning 62, had a more challenging second round but remains in the mix.

In eighth place, tied at 9-under par with a total score of 133, are Matthew Baldwin, Joe Dean, and local favorite Thomas Pieters. Pieters, who is making his first appearance on the DP World Tour in over a year, shot a 66 in the second round, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Other notable players include Paul Waring, Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez, Alex Fitzpatrick, and Matthew Jordan, all tied at 8-under par with a total score of 134. Garcia Rodriguez's second-round 64 was particularly impressive, moving him up the leaderboard significantly.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, the competition remains fierce, with many players still in contention for the title. The Soudal Open promises an exciting finish as these top golfers vie for victory on the challenging Rinkven International Golf Club course.

• Ross Fisher: Englishman one shot off lead at Soudal Open in Belgium - headtopics.com

Visit Knoxville Open - Korn Ferry Tour

The Visit Knoxville Open, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, is currently taking place at the Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tennessee.

As of Friday night, Harry Higgs and Cristobal Del Solar are tied for the lead, both sitting at 11-under par with a total score of 129 after two rounds. Higgs and Del Solar each shot rounds of 64 and 65. Close behind them, tied for third place at 10-under par, are Ryan Gerard, Max McGreevy, Kris Ventura, and William Mouw, all with a total score of 130. Gerard posted rounds of 64 and 66, while McGreevy, Ventura, and Mouw each shot 67 and 63.

Other notable performances include Charles Porter, Brian Campbell, and Sam Bennett, who are tied for seventh place at 9-under par with a total score of 131. Porter shot rounds of 63 and 68, Campbell 64 and 67, and Bennett 65 and 66.

The leaderboard remains highly competitive, with several players within striking distance of the leaders. Rhein Gibson, Daniel Summerhays, Quade Cummins, Cooper Dossey, Kevin Velo, Cody Blick, Shad Tuten, Pontus Nyholm, Jacob Solomon, Kevin Roy, Thomas Walsh, and Tain Lee are all tied for tenth place at 8-under par with a total score of 132.

The tournament has seen some impressive rounds, including Trace Crowe and Dalton Ward, who both shot 62 in the second round to move up the leaderboard. The cut was set at 4-under par, with several notable players missing the cut, including Ricky Castillo and John Pak.

The Visit Knoxville Open continues to be a significant event on the Korn Ferry Tour, providing a platform for professional golfers to showcase their skills and potentially secure a place on the PGA Tour. The challenging course at Holston Hills Country Club and the competitive field make it a notable stop on the tour.

UPCOMING TOURS

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