Planet Golf News for Saturday, September 14, 2024

Nelly Korda displays power and dominance in winning both Friday matches at Solheim Cup | Brooks Koepka shoots 62 to take early lead at LIV Chicago | Manassero back in the groove as he leads tight field in Irish Open

Saturday, September 14, 2024

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Former President Barack Obama surprises Team USA at Solheim Cup

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

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The Solheim Cup got off to a rocky start with transportation issues causing major delays for fans trying to get to the course. Many arrived to find half-empty grandstands and a less-than-ideal atmosphere. The LPGA quickly apologized, promised changes to the shuttle process, and offered ticket compensation in an attempt to mend fences with frustrated fans. Despite these hiccups, Team USA kicked off the tournament with a record-setting 6-2 lead after the first day, thanks in large part to the stellar play of Nelly Korda and standout performances from rookies Lauren Coughlin and Sarah Schmelzel.

Korda was undoubtedly the star of the opening day, dominating both of her matches with impressive margins. She partnered with Megan Khang to crush Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire 6 and 4, and earlier, alongside Allisen Corpuz, she took down Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit 3 and 2. This power-packed start sets the U.S. team up nicely as they push to reclaim the Solheim Cup, which they haven’t held since 2017. Meanwhile, European captain Suzann Pettersen is well aware of the steep challenge her team faces to make a comeback.

The Solheim Cup's format and rules are also up for discussion this year, with some advocating for a tiebreaker in case of a tie, as seen in previous tournaments. However, tradition remains a strong argument against it, with European captain Laura Davies pointing out that defending champions only need 14 points to retain the Cup. This conversation highlights broader concerns about how to keep the competition engaging for fans and players alike.

In the men's game, Tiger Woods recently underwent another back surgery—his sixth—this time to relieve pinched nerves and back spasms. The microdecompression procedure aims to alleviate the pain that plagued him throughout the 2024 season, where he only managed to play five tournaments. Woods is expected to be out of action for 8 to 12 weeks, with hopes to return at the Hero World Challenge in December. His recovery will be closely watched, as fans and the golf world await to see if he can make another return to competitive form.

Over in Virginia, the Procore Championship is well underway at the Silverado Resort and Spa. Patton Kizzire leads the pack with a stunning bogey-free 7-under 65, sitting at 13-under par overall. His new mental approach, which amusingly includes hugging a tree for calmness, seems to be working wonders. Kizzire’s strong putting has put him in a commanding position heading into the weekend, while other notables like David Lipsky and Patrick Fishburn are keeping the pressure on. Interestingly, two-time champion Max Homa missed the cut, adding to his recent struggles.

In Sioux Falls, Billy Andrade had a phenomenal start at the Sanford International, carding a 7-under 63 to take a four-shot lead over the field. His performance was highlighted by five consecutive birdies, and he’s in prime position to possibly secure his first win on the PGA Tour Champions circuit since 2015. However, veteran competitors like Steve Stricker and Ken Tanigawa aren’t far behind, setting up what could be a thrilling weekend.

The LIV Golf circuit in Chicago also kicked off in style at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Brooks Koepka stole the show with a fantastic 8-under 62, giving him a comfortable four-shot lead after the first round. Despite not feeling completely in sync with his swing, his hot putting propelled him to the top of the leaderboard. This event carries added weight as it determines the 2024 LIV Golf Individual Champion. Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann are in a tight race for that title, both currently sitting at 2-under 68. In a side note, Richard Bland was slapped with a slow-play penalty, costing him a one-stroke penalty and a $10,000 fine.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic at the Amgen Irish Open, Matteo Manassero leads after two rounds with a 5-under 66. His round featured two eagles, helping him edge past the competition. Rory McIlroy remains in contention, just two shots back after a 1-under 70. Shane Lowry also made a solid move, and both are looking to make a charge over the weekend. The tournament at the Royal County Down Golf Club has been a test for the players, with changing weather conditions adding to the drama.

The Korn Ferry Tour's Simmons Bank Open in Tennessee saw Paul Peterson take the lead with a blistering second-round 63. Chris Baker also had an emotional round, carding a 61 after his wife’s kidney transplant, which underscored his resilience and gratitude in returning to form.

As for the upcoming Presidents Cup in Montreal, preparations are in full swing, with Montreal set to host a ‘Fan Village’ to engage spectators. However, Max Homa's recent poor performances, including his missed cut at the Procore Championship, have drawn criticism, with some arguing that Justin Thomas would have been a better selection for Team USA.

Off the course, Rory McIlroy has taken some time to refocus on his personal life after calling off his divorce from wife Erica Stoll. He emphasized the importance of family over the relentless pressures of professional golf. McIlroy also reflected on balancing his love for the game with the responsibilities of being a father to his daughter, Poppy.

As we head into the weekend, the action is heating up across multiple tournaments. Can Team USA hold on to their commanding lead at the Solheim Cup? Will Patton Kizzire’s unique mental approach carry him to victory at the Procore Championship? And can Billy Andrade keep his remarkable momentum at the Sanford International? Golf fans have plenty to watch for, and it's shaping up to be an exciting finish to the week in the golfing world.

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Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Solheim Cup - LPGA - Robert Trent Jones Golf Club - Gainesville, VA

The 2024 Solheim Cup kicked off early Friday morning at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, with Team USA establishing a commanding lead over Team Europe. The day began with morning foursomes, where the United States won three out of four matches, each with a score of 3 and 2. Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz, Rose Zhang and Lauren Coughlin, and Lilia Vu and Sarah Schmelzel secured victories for the U.S., while Europe's sole win came from Maja Stark and Emily Pedersen.

The afternoon fourball matches saw Team USA continue their dominance, winning three out of four matches again. Nelly Korda and Megan Khang delivered a particularly impressive performance, defeating Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire with a 6 and 4 victory. The only European win in the afternoon came from Anna Nordqvist and Madelene Sagstrom, who defeated Alison Lee and Lexi Thompson 6 and 5.

By the end of the day, Team USA had established a significant 6-2 lead over Team Europe. This strong start puts the United States in an excellent position to reclaim the Solheim Cup, which they haven't won since 2017. The Americans' performance on home soil has been particularly noteworthy, as they've historically performed well when hosting the event.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Team USA to see if they can maintain their momentum and secure the 14.5 points needed to win the cup. Meanwhile, Team Europe faces an uphill battle to defend their title and will need to stage a significant comeback in the remaining matches to retain the trophy.

Solheim Cup Videos

Procore Championship - PGA Tour - Silverado Resort and Spa - Napa, CA

On Friday, the second round of the Procore Championship took place at the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California. Patton Kizzire emerged as the leader after an impressive performance, shooting a bogey-free 7-under 65 to reach 13-under par for the tournament. Kizzire's round was highlighted by seven birdies, with six coming on the back nine.

David Lipsky, who led after the first round, finished the day one stroke behind Kizzire at 12-under par after carding a 67 that included birdies, an eagle, three bogeys, and a double bogey. Patrick Fishburn sits in third place at 11-under par after shooting a 65 with six birdies and an eagle.

Notably, Kizzire attributed his strong performance to a new mental approach, which included hugging a tree near the 16th tee as part of a pre-round ritual suggested by his mental coach. This unorthodox technique seems to be paying off, as Kizzire leads the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Matt Kuchar and J.J. Spaun are tied for fourth at 10-under par, with Kuchar tying for the best round of the day with a 64. Defending champion Sahith Theegala remains in contention, four shots off the lead after posting a 66.

The tournament, which is part of the FedEx Cup Fall series, has seen some surprising developments, including two-time champion Max Homa missing the cut. As the event heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on Kizzire to see if his newfound mental approach and strong putting can carry him to victory.

Procore Championship Videos

Sanford International - PGA Tour Champions - Minnehaha CC - Sioux Falls, SD

The Sanford International, a PGA Tour Champions event, kicked off Friday at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The tournament, which runs through September 15, saw an impressive start from Rhode Island native Billy Andrade.

Andrade took a commanding lead in the opening round, shooting a remarkable 7-under-par 63. His performance was highlighted by a streak of five consecutive birdies, which contributed to his front-nine score of 6-under 30. Andrade finished the day with a four-shot lead over his nearest competitors, describing it as possibly the best 18 holes he's played in his 11 years on the Champions Tour.

Following Andrade in a tie for second place at 3-under 67 are Steve Stricker, Ken Tanigawa, Steve Allan, and Michael Wright. Stricker, a three-time winner of the Sanford International, acknowledged the impressive nature of Andrade's round, noting the difficulty in outpacing the field by four shots in a single day.

The leaderboard after the first round shows a significant gap between Andrade and the rest of the field, with only four players managing to break into the 60s. Harrison Frazar, Charlie Wi, and Richard Green are tied for sixth place at 2-under 68.

The tournament, which offers a total prize money of $2,100,000, is being played on a par-70 course. As the event continues through the weekend, all eyes will be on Andrade to see if he can maintain his lead and potentially secure his first PGA Tour Champions victory since 2015.

LIV Golf Chicago - LIV - Bolingbrook Golf Club - Bolingbrook, IL

The LIV Golf Chicago tournament kicked off yesterday at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The event began with a spectacular display as paratroopers landed to mark the start of the tournament.

Brooks Koepka emerged as the clear leader after the first round, shooting an impressive 8-under 62. Koepka's performance was particularly noteworthy as he birdied his last three holes, finishing the day with a bogey-free round. His exceptional play gave him a four-shot lead over the rest of the field, just one shy of the LIV Golf record for the biggest lead after an opening round.

Following Koepka in second place is Paul Casey, who shot a 4-under 66. Anirban Lahiri is in third place with a 3-under 67. Both Casey and Lahiri are members of the Crushers GC team, which currently leads the team competition with a four-shot advantage.

The tournament holds significant importance as it will determine the 2024 LIV Golf Individual Champion. Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann are locked in a tight race for this title, with Rahm leading Niemann by a slim margin of 2.97 points coming into the event. After the first round, Niemann and Rahm both shot 2-under 68, keeping their championship battle close.

Amgen Irish Open - DP World - Royal Country Down GC - Newcastle, Northern Ireland

On Friday, the second round of the Amgen Irish Open concluded at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Matteo Manassero of Italy surged into the lead with an impressive 5-under 66, featuring two eagles on the par-5 1st and 12th holes, along with three birdies and two bogeys. His stellar performance put him at 6-under for the tournament, giving him a one-shot advantage over the field.

Trailing Manassero by a single stroke at 5-under are two Englishmen: overnight leader Todd Clements, who carded an even-par 71, and Laurie Canter, who shot a 3-under 68. The home favorite, Rory McIlroy, remains in contention, sitting two shots back at 4-under after posting a 1-under 70 in the second round. McIlroy's round included an eagle on the par-5 1st hole, one birdie, and two bogeys.

Tied with McIlroy in fourth place are Scotland's Ewen Ferguson and Spain's Alejandro del Rey. Del Rey's round was particularly eventful, featuring an eagle, four birdies, a bogey, and a quadruple-bogey on the par-4 15th hole.

Shane Lowry, another local favorite and former champion, improved his position with a 2-under 69, putting him five shots off the lead. The challenging links course at Royal County Down continued to test the players, with changing weather conditions adding to the difficulty as the day progressed.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, the stage is set for an exciting finish with a mix of experienced players and rising stars vying for the title. The Amgen Irish Open, part of the DP World Tour, carries a substantial prize fund of $6,000,000, adding to the stakes for the competitors.

Simmons Bank Open - Korn Ferry Tour - Vanderbilt Legends Club - Franklin, TN

On Friday, the second round of the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation took place at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee. This Korn Ferry Tour event, part of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, is being played on the North Course of the club.

The highlight of the day was Paul Peterson's outstanding performance, as he carded a second-round 63 to claim the 36-hole lead. Peterson's impressive round propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, showcasing his skill on the challenging 7,190-yard course designed by Bob Cupp and Tom Kite.

Presidents Cup (9/26-9/29)-PGA - The Royal Montreal Golf Club - LLe Bizard, PQ

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