Planet Golf News for Sunday, July 28, 2024

Jhonattan Vegas takes 3rd-round lead in 3M Open in bid for 1st victory since 2017, Mao Saigo shoots 61 to break CPKC Women’s Open record

Sunday, July 28, 2024

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Mao Saigo shoots 61 to break CPKC Women’s Open record

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf was buzzing with excitement this weekend, with several notable performances and dramatic moments across various tournaments. Starting with the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club, rookie Mao Saigo from Japan made headlines by setting a new course record with an astounding 11-under 61. Saigo’s round, highlighted by five birdies and an eagle on the back nine, catapulted her into contention and showcased her immense talent on the LPGA Tour. Her achievement was a proud moment for the 22-year-old, who expressed her joy in what was her best round of golf ever.

Meanwhile, at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, 17-year-old Trevor Gutschewski from Nebraska made history by becoming the first Nebraskan to win a USGA championship. Gutschewski’s victory was decisive, defeating Tyler Watts 4 and 3 in the final, earning him a spot in next summer’s U.S. Open at Oakmont.

The 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, saw Jhonattan Vegas surge to the top of the leaderboard with a spectacular 8-under 63 in the third round. Vegas’s impressive finish, birdieing six of the final eight holes, put him in a prime position to potentially secure his first victory since 2017. Hot on his heels was veteran Matt Kuchar, who also shot a 63 and remained just one stroke behind Vegas. Kuchar’s strong performance keeps his hopes alive for maintaining his 17-year streak of making the FedExCup Playoffs. The final round promises thrilling action as these seasoned pros battle it out for the championship.

Over in the LIV Golf UK tournament at the JCB Golf and Country Club, Andy Ogletree led the field with a bogey-free round and six birdies, putting him two shots ahead of Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Smith. The tournament was marked by competitive play and some drama, such as Marc Leishman’s sudden withdrawal due to appendicitis and Jon Rahm’s frustration with a disruptive spectator. Despite these distractions, the competition remains fierce with top golfers vying for victory.

The Senior Open presented by Rolex at Carnoustie Golf Links also delivered exciting golf. K.J. Choi recovered from back-to-back double bogeys to take a one-stroke lead into the final round, followed closely by Richard Green. Choi’s quest for his first major title on the PGA TOUR Champions and Green’s pursuit of his first senior major win set the stage for a gripping conclusion.

On the Korn Ferry Tour, Thomas Rosenmueller led after 54 holes at the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank, thanks to significant improvements in his putting technique. As he heads into the final round, Rosenmueller aims to maintain his lead and secure a victory.

Looking ahead, the golf tournaments at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are eagerly anticipated, with players like Hideki Matsuyama and Rory McIlroy already preparing for their chance to compete for medals.

The weekend’s golf action was a showcase of skill, determination, and the ever-present drama that makes the sport so captivating. With record-breaking performances, historic victories, and intense competition, golf fans have much to look forward to as the season continues.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

3M Open - PGA - TPC Twin Cities - Blaine, MN

On Saturday the 3M Open PGA tournament at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, saw a dramatic shift in the leaderboard as Jhonattan Vegas surged to the top. Vegas delivered a spectacular performance, carding an 8-under 63 in the third round to claim a one-stroke lead over Matt Kuchar. The Venezuelan golfer's round was particularly impressive in the latter half, as he birdied six of the final eight holes. This strong finish propelled Vegas to sole possession of the lead late in the afternoon.

Vegas's round of 63 marks his lowest score in nearly three seasons, demonstrating a return to form for the talented player. His exceptional play has put him in a prime position to potentially secure his first victory since 2017. The scorching temperatures at TPC Twin Cities seemed to mirror Vegas's hot streak on the course, as he capitalized on the conditions to separate himself from the field.

Matt Kuchar, a seasoned PGA Tour veteran, finds himself just one stroke behind Vegas, setting the stage for an exciting final round.

Meanwhile, a number of players did not make the cut. Daniel Berger missed by one shot at 1-under par, marking his fourth consecutive missed cut. Chez Reavie also missed the cut by one shot at 1-under par after shooting 72 on Friday. Amateur Luke Clanton missed the cut at 1-over par, which was his first missed cut in 5 starts this season. Adam Hadwin missed the cut at 1-over par after rounds of 75-68. Luke List missed the cut at 1-over par, making it his third straight missed cut. J.T. Poston missed the cut at 2-over par, while Joel Dahmen missed the cut at 3-over par. Brandt Snedeker missed the cut at 3-over par and has only made 5 cuts in 21 starts this season. Nick Dunlap missed the cut at 4-over par, just a week after his pro win. Erik van Rooyen missed the cut at 7-over par.

The cut line was set at 2-under par after Friday's second round. Any player who did not shoot 2-under or better through the first two rounds missed the cut and will not play the weekend rounds.

The 3M Open Videos

CPKC Women’s Open - LPGA - Earl Grey Golf Club - Calgary, AB

On Saturday the CPKC Women's Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alberta, saw remarkable performances despite the smoky conditions caused by nearby wildfires. Mao Saigo, a 22-year-old Japanese golfer and LPGA Tour rookie, delivered an extraordinary round, shooting an 11-under 61. This score set a new record for the lowest round in the tournament's history, surpassing the previous record of 62. Saigo's round included an eagle from 133 yards on the 10th hole, propelling her from a tie for 46th place to a tie for third.

Haeran Ryu of South Korea topped the leaderboard with a 64, bringing her total to 13-under 203. Ryu's round was highlighted by an eagle putt on the par-4 14th hole and a series of birdies, particularly strong at the start with birdies on the first four holes and five out of the first six. Ryu, who recently finished second at the Dana Open in Ohio and claimed her first LPGA Tour title at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship last year, maintained her focus on the present, emphasizing her strategy of not dwelling on past performances.

Lauren Coughlin, who led after the first two rounds, shot a 66 and remained in contention. The 31-year-old former University of Virginia player, still seeking her first LPGA Tour win, recently finished fourth at the Evian Championship in France. Rose Zhang also shot a 66, joining Saigo at 8-under, while Jennifer Kupcho finished at 7-under after a 68. Notable players like Lilia Vu and Hannah Green were at 6-under, and three-time champion Lydia Ko finished at 3-under after a 72. Canadian star Brooke Henderson, the 2018 champion, was tied for 18th at 5-under following a 69.

Overall, the tournament has seen impressive performances, with Ryu leading the pack and Saigo making a historic leap with her record-breaking round.

The CPKC Women’s Open Videos

LIV Golf United Kingdom - JCB Golf and Country Club - England, Great Britain

The latest news from the LIV Golf United Kingdom tournament at the JCB Golf and Country Club in England highlights significant developments as of Saturday. Andy Ogletree leads the tournament with a score of 12-under par, followed closely by Tyrrell Hatton, who is tied for second place at 10-under par.

Jon Rahm had an impressive opening day, finishing with an 8-under 63, which placed him at the top of the leaderboard initially. His performance included six birdies in the final nine holes, although he struggled to birdie any of the par 5s on the course. Rahm's strong play has continued to keep him in contention, maintaining his position as one of the top players in the season-long standings.

A notable incident in the tournament was the sudden withdrawal of Marc Leishman from Ripper GC due to illness. Leishman, who had scored 2-under 69 in the first round, was replaced by reserve player Wade Ormsby. This change could impact Ripper GC's performance, as Leishman was a key player for the team.

Overall, the tournament has seen competitive play with several top golfers, including Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka, vying for top positions. The event continues to unfold with high stakes and significant performances from the participating golfers.

Senior Open pres. by Rolex - PGA Tour - Carnoustie Golf Links - Carnousite, Scotland

On Saturday the Senior Open presented by Rolex at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland saw K.J. Choi and Richard Green leading the tournament. The event, marking its return to Carnoustie for the first time in eight years, has lived up to its reputation for challenging play. Angel Cabrera, making a notable comeback to competitive golf after a period of incarceration, is also participating and has attracted significant attention, although he is not among the leaders. The tournament continues to unfold with high expectations for dramatic finishes, given Carnoustie's renowned difficulty, particularly its closing stretch of holes.

NV5 Invitational pres by Old National Bank - Korn Ferry - The Glen Club - Glenview, IL

Upcoming: Paris Olympics

The golf tournaments at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are scheduled to run from 1 to 10 August at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, featuring a total of 120 players (60 per gender) across two medal events. The men's event will play first on 1 August with the women's side scheduled to occur six days later.

Today’s Best Golf Vidoes

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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