Planet Golf News for Sunday, August 18, 2024

Hideki Matsuyama leads by five shots at FedEx St Jude Championship, Coughlin makes late birdies for 66 to lead ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open

Sunday, August 18, 2024

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Sam Burns breaks driver amid tantrum while in contention at FedEx St. Jude Championship

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

This weekend's golf action has been nothing short of thrilling, with standout performances across various tournaments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Hideki Matsuyama took charge at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, building an impressive five-shot lead heading into the final round. Shooting a spectacular 6-under 64 for the second day in a row, Matsuyama's performance has been dominant despite recent challenges, including a robbery incident. His resurgence in form has him on the cusp of his 10th PGA TOUR win, and with rivals Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler trailing, Matsuyama is poised to solidify his status among the golf elite.

Over at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, Lauren Coughlin made a statement with her sizzling 6-under-par 66, putting her atop the leaderboard. A late birdie on the 18th gave her the edge over Megan Khang, who sits just one stroke behind. With the leaderboard tightly packed, including notable names like Esther Henseleit and Charley Hull at 9-under, and Lydia Ko at 7-under, the final round promises to be a tense showdown in Scotland's often unpredictable weather.

In the U.S. Amateur Championship, Noah Kent and Jose Luis Ballester have both earned their spots in the final after impressive semifinal victories. Kent's 2-up win over Jackson Buchanan and Ballester's 3-and-2 defeat of Luis Masaveu have set up an exciting championship match. Both finalists have already earned invitations to prestigious tournaments such as the Masters and the U.S. Open, with the winner also securing a spot at the British Open. Kent's inspiring journey, marked by resilience and strong mentorship, faces a formidable challenge in Ballester, who is making history as the first Spaniard to reach this stage of the U.S. Amateur.

Meanwhile, the world of LIV Golf continues to stir up intrigue, with Greg Norman refuting Jon Rahm's claims about returning to the PGA Tour amid ongoing rumors. While Norman denies any movement, the situation highlights the ever-evolving dynamics between LIV and the PGA, especially as discussions about a potential merger remain complex but hopeful.

In addition to these headline-grabbing stories, tournaments are unfolding across various tours, from the Rogers Charity Classic to the D+D REAL Czech Masters. Richard Green leads the Rogers Charity Classic, fueled by a career-low 9-under 62. Meanwhile, the Czech Masters sees Jesper Svensson narrowly holding onto the lead after a storm-disrupted third round. In the Korn Ferry Tour, Max McGreevy and Will Chandler share the 54-hole lead at the Magnit Championship, both seeking their first victory in a thrilling conclusion.

With so many exciting events playing out, golf fans have had plenty to keep them entertained this weekend. The final rounds across these tournaments are set to bring even more drama, and whether it's a seasoned veteran like Matsuyama holding his nerve or a rising star like Coughlin aiming for another LPGA win, it's shaping up to be a memorable weekend on the greens.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

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

Hideki Matsuyama is leading the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. Matsuyama surged ahead with a remarkable 6-under 64 in the third round, giving him a five-shot lead over Nick Dunlap, who is in second place at 12-under. Matsuyama's performance has been impressive, marked by an eagle and several birdies, positioning him strongly for a potential victory in this PGA Tour playoff event. Viktor Hovland is in third place at 11-under, while Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns are tied for fourth at 10-under

FedEx St. Jude Championship Videos

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

Lauren Coughlin has taken the lead in the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland. Coughlin fired an impressive 6-under-par 66 in the third round, propelling her to the top of the leaderboard with a one-stroke advantage heading into the final round.

Prior to Coughlin's surge, Minjee Lee of Australia and Megan Khang of the United States were tied for the lead after the second round, both at 10-under par. Lee had maintained her strong performance from the first round, where she carded a bogey-free 67, while Khang matched Lee's score with consistent play in challenging windy conditions.

The tournament has seen its share of weather-related challenges, with rain delays in the first round and strong winds in the second round affecting play. Despite these conditions, several players have managed to stay in contention. Charley Hull, Lauren Coughlin, and Lydia Ko were all within striking distance of the leaders after the second round.

The leaderboard remains tight, with multiple players still in contention for the title.

ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open Videos

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

Richard Green is leading the Rogers Charity Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alberta. Green, an Australian golfer, has a one-stroke lead at 13-under-par after firing an impressive round of 9-under 62 on Saturday. He is ahead of Boo Weekley and Steven Alker, who are tied for second place at 12-under-par. Green's performance included 11 birdies, despite a bogey and a double bogey during the round. He is seeking his first PGA Tour Champions victory as he heads into the final round of the tournament.

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

Jon Rahm is leading the LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament at The Old White Course in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Rahm shot an impressive 8-under 62 in the second round, bringing his total to 14-under par. Brooks Koepka, Talor Gooch, Richard Bland, and Lucas Herbert are all just two shots behind Rahm at 12-under par. This performance has put him in a strong position to secure his second consecutive LIV Golf title. The tournament is set to conclude on Sunday, with Rahm aiming to maintain his lead and fend off challengers on a course known for yielding low scores. The team competition sees Ripper GC leading by one shot over Smash GC, with Ripper aiming for their third team victory of the season.

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

In the D+D REAL Czech Masters, Jesper Svensson is leading the tournament. Following him closely is David Ravetto, who is in second place, just one shot behind Svensson after scoring a two-under 70 in the third round. Tied for third place at 14 under par are Andrew Johnston, Brandon Robinson Thompson, Ross Fisher, and Adrien Saddier. Additionally, Richie Ramsay, Francesco Laporta, Andy Sullivan, and Robin Williams are in a four-way tie at 13 under par. These golfers are all in strong positions as they head into the final round of the tournament.

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

Will Chandler is currently sharing the 54-hole lead with Max McGreevy at the Magnit Championship. Both players are tied at 15-under-par with a total score of 201, which breaks the 54-hole event scoring record. Chandler was the first-round leader and has maintained a strong performance throughout the tournament.

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

The U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club has concluded its semifinal matches. The finalists for today’s championship match are Noah Kent from the United States and Josele Ballester from Spain. Noah Kent, a rising sophomore at Iowa, secured his place in the final by defeating Jackson Buchanan with a 2-up victory. Josele Ballester, a rising senior at Arizona State University, advanced by winning against his fellow Spaniard, Luis Masaveu, with a 3 and 2 victory. This marks a historic moment as Ballester becomes the first player from Spain to reach the U.S. Amateur championship match.

Next Year: The Ryder Cup

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