Planet Golf News for Sunday, June 23, 2024

Young fires 59 but Korea's Kim leads US PGA Travelers Championship, Amy Yang in position for first major LPGA title after taking two-shot lead at Women’s PGA Championship

Sunday, June 23, 2024

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Severe storms cause damage in Connecticut, 3 injured by lightning strike near Travelers Championship

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The Travelers Championship is shaping up to be an exhilarating finale with big names like Tom Kim, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Akshay Bhatia all vying for the title. Kim currently leads after 54 holes, but Scheffler is hot on his heels, aiming for his sixth win of the season. Notable players like Sungjae Im and Collin Morikawa are also in the mix, promising an action-packed Sunday.

Cameron Young stole the spotlight by shooting an incredible 59, the first sub-60 round on the PGA Tour in almost four years. His round included two eagles, propelling him up the leaderboard and adding a memorable chapter to the tournament. Despite not breaking the course record, Young’s performance was a standout moment of the championship.

Rain delays didn’t dampen the spirits at the Travelers Championship, as fans were treated to an intimate and exciting finish. Young’s historic 59 and Kim’s consistent play kept the energy high. The TPC River Highlands crew worked tirelessly to prepare the course after heavy rain, ensuring the third round could be completed. Even as darkness fell, the competition remained fierce.

In a separate but concerning event, three fans were struck by lightning during a weather delay near the tournament. Fortunately, they are conscious and receiving medical care. Despite the interruptions, the tournament is set to conclude with a thrilling final round.

In the women’s game, Nelly Korda faced disappointment at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, missing the cut with her worst-ever professional round. Despite this setback, Korda remains the World No. 1 and leads in several key LPGA stats. She plans to reset and come back stronger, reflecting her resilience and determination.

Meanwhile, Amy Yang is on the cusp of her first major title, leading the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship by two shots. Yang’s steady performance has kept her ahead, while a hole-in-one by Pajaree Anannarukarn added an exciting twist to the tournament. Anannarukarn’s ace also resulted in a $20,000 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Over in the LIV Golf Nashville event, Tyrrell Hatton surged ahead with a flawless 7-under 64, securing a three-stroke lead. Notable performances by Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have kept them in contention, promising an intense final round. The unique "party hole" at The Grove added a lively atmosphere, drawing comparisons to the Waste Management Open.

Padraig Harrington and Ken Tanigawa lead the Dick’s Open on the PGA Tour Champions, both shooting 7-under 65s. Stephen Ames shares the lead, while Bob Estes’ 8-under 64 was the low round of the day. The competition remains tight as the tournament heads into the final round.

At the KLM Open in Amsterdam, Mikko Korhonen holds a narrow lead. The challenging course has tested many players, with Swiss golfer Joel Girrbach experiencing a particularly tough back nine. Korhonen aims to secure a wire-to-wire victory in this historic event.

In the Korn Ferry Tour's Compliance Solutions Championship, John Pak emerged as the leader, boasting a seven-stroke advantage. His impressive play has set the stage for a dominant finish, with local favorites Logan McAllister and Austin Metzger also performing well.

From the highs of sub-60 rounds and thrilling finishes to the lows of weather delays and personal setbacks, this week in golf has been a rollercoaster. As the final rounds play out today, fans can expect more drama, excitement, and memorable moments on the greens.

[ Today’s Top Golf Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

Travelers Championship - PGA - TPC River Highlands - Cromwell, CT

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the third round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, was marked by significant events and dramatic shifts in the leaderboard. Tom Kim maintained his lead with a solid 5-under 65, holding a one-shot advantage over Scottie Scheffler and Akshay Bhatia. The day began with an impressive performance by Cameron Young, who shot a remarkable 59, becoming the 13th player in PGA Tour history to achieve a sub-60 round. This feat included eagles and multiple birdies, propelling him into contention.

The round faced a significant interruption due to thunderstorms, which paused play for nearly three hours. This delay softened the course, making it more forgiving and setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Despite the weather challenges, Scheffler and Bhatia both managed to shoot 64, with Scheffler overcoming setbacks with consecutive birdies and Bhatia sinking a remarkable 25-foot birdie putt. Xander Schauffele also had a strong round but was set back by a final-hole mistake, leaving him two shots behind Kim.

The day was also marred by a serious incident where two spectators were struck by lightning. Fortunately, both individuals were reported to be conscious and receiving medical care. The tournament officials suspended play at 3:30 p.m. ET due to the dangerous conditions, with plans to resume later in the day to keep the schedule on track for Sunday.

As the tournament heads into the final round, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, with top players like Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, Patrick Cantlay, and Justin Thomas all within striking distance. The competition promises an exciting conclusion, with each shot crucial in determining the winner of the prestigious Travelers Championship.

Travelers Videos

LIV Golf Nashville - The Grove - College Grove, TN

On Saturday the second round of the LIV Golf Nashville event at The Grove in College Grove, Tennessee, concluded with Tyrrell Hatton taking the lead. Hatton delivered an impressive performance, carding a flawless 7-under 64, which included six birdies in his last seven holes. This stellar round propelled him to a total score of 13-under 129, giving him a three-stroke lead heading into the final round. John Catlin, who replaced the injured Charles Howell III, climbed to second place with a score of 10 under after shooting a solid 66. Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are tied for third place at 9 under, with DeChambeau carding a 66 and Rahm shooting an impressive 63 despite recovering from a recent foot infection.

Abraham Ancer, who led after the first round, struggled on Saturday and dropped to a tie for 27th place after shooting 4 over. The team event is currently led by Legion XIII, which includes Hatton and Rahm in the top five. The final round will feature a shotgun start, with the leader group, including Hatton, Catlin, and DeChambeau, teeing off at 12:16 p.m. CT. The tournament promises an exciting conclusion as players vie for the championship title.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship - Sahalee Country Club - Sammamish, WA

On Saturday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship held at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington, Amy Yang took a significant step towards her first major title by shooting a 1-under 71, which allowed her to secure a two-shot lead heading into the final round. Yang's performance was notable as she managed to maintain her composure and consistency throughout the day. Meanwhile, Sarah Schmelzel shot a 74. This performance caused her to drop to 4 under par for the tournament, after having shared the second-round lead with Amy Yang.

Dick’s Open - PGA Tour Champions - En-Joie GC - Endicott, NY

KLM Open - DP World Tour - The International - Amsterdam, Netherlands

On Saturday at the KLM Open held at The International in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Mikko Korhonen maintained his lead, heading into the final round with a one-shot advantage. Korhonen is aiming for a wire-to-wire victory, having led the tournament from the start. The course, known for its challenging layout with undulating fairways and thick rough, posed difficulties for many players. Notably, Swiss golfer Joel Girrbach experienced a particularly tough day, recording two nines on the back nine holes, specifically on the 10th and 18th holes, which significantly impacted his score. The tournament, part of the DP World Tour, continues to draw attention as players compete for the title in this historic event.

Compliance Solutions Championship - Korn Ferry - Jammie Austin OU Golf Club - Norman, OK

Saturday at the Compliance Solutions Championship, held at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma, John Pak emerged as the new leader, finishing the day at 14-under par. This performance placed him at the top of the leaderboard, showcasing his strong play throughout the tournament. Additionally, local favorites Logan McAllister and Austin Metzger continued to perform well, maintaining their competitive positions in the field.

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

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