Planet Golf News for Thursday, August 8, 2024

Women's Olympic Golf Leaderboard: Home Favorite Celine Boutier Leads After Stunning 65, Notable Golfers on the FedEx Cup Playoff Bubble

Thursday, August 8, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality.

Charley Hull Reveals Shower Incident Partially To Blame For Disappointing First Round At Paris 2024

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

It's an exciting time in the world of golf with the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Wyndham Championship both showcasing thrilling action. Celine Boutier has taken the lead in the women's competition at the Paris Olympics, finishing seven under par after the first round. Her stellar performance, including five birdies on the back nine and a notable chip-in on the 16th, gives her a three-shot advantage over Ashleigh Buhai. Meanwhile, American golfer Lilia Vu is tied for third at two under par. However, it was a tough day for Charley Hull, who ended nine over par, and defending champion Nelly Korda, who finished even par after a series of putting struggles. Boutier's impressive lead has energized the French crowd, and her familiarity with Le Golf National appears to be a significant advantage. Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang are tied for 13th, each hoping to climb the leaderboard as the competition progresses.

In Greensboro, North Carolina, the Wyndham Championship has kicked off with a twist due to remnants of Hurricane Debby, which has led to fans being barred from the first round for safety reasons. Victor Perez and Nicolai Højgaard are riding the momentum from their Olympic performances into this pivotal tournament, each aiming to secure their spots in the FedExCup Playoffs. Perez, ranked 70th, and Højgaard, 79th, both need strong finishes to advance, with Højgaard needing at least a tie for fifth to make the cut.

Viewership for men's Olympic golf has dipped compared to previous years, possibly due to competing events like the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Despite the drop in numbers, the excitement around the women’s event remains high, showcasing the growing support and enthusiasm for women's golf.

Meanwhile, the Boeing Classic is set to begin in Snoqualmie, Washington, featuring notable champions like Stephen Ames, Vijay Singh, and Bernhard Langer. This tournament, part of the PGA Tour Champions, promises a competitive field and exciting golf.

In Omaha, the Pinnacle Bank Championship by Woodhouse on the Korn Ferry Tour is making headlines with a unique family affair. Scott Gutschewski and his sons, Luke and Trevor, are all competing together, highlighting a special moment in professional golf.

As we dive deeper into the weekend, the drama at the Wyndham Championship continues to unfold, with key players like Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Rose all facing critical performances to secure their spots in the FedExCup Playoffs. Weather conditions will play a crucial role, potentially altering the course dynamics and player strategies.

Overall, it's a packed week for golf fans with plenty of action, drama, and standout performances across various tournaments. Whether it's the Olympic stage in Paris or the intense final push for playoff spots at the Wyndham Championship, the world of golf is buzzing with excitement. Stay tuned for more updates as these tournaments progress, and the competition heats up.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

Paris Olympics - Women’s Golf

The Women's Golf Tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics is currently underway at Le Golf National. After the first round, France's Céline Boutier leads the field with an impressive score of 7-under 65, highlighted by five birdies on the back nine and a notable chip-in on the 16th hole. She holds a three-shot lead over South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai, who finished with a 4-under 68.

American golfer Lilia Vu had a strong performance and is tied for third place at 2-under, despite bogeying two of the last three holes. Defending champion and World No. 1 Nelly Korda had a challenging start but managed to finish even par, tying for 13th place along with her compatriot Rose Zhang and several other golfers. Other notable performances include Minjee Lee of Australia at 1-under, tied for 7th, and Lydia Ko of New Zealand, Amy Yang of Korea, and Ruoning Yin of China, all tied at even par.

The tournament will continue with the second round today, where golfers will aim to improve their standings in this 72-hole individual stroke-play event, which will conclude on Saturday.

Women’s Paris Olympics Videos

Wyndham Championship - PGA - Sedgefield CC - Greensboro, NC

The 2024 Wyndham Championship which kicks off today at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, marks the final event of the PGA Tour's regular season. This tournament is crucial for players aiming to secure their spots in the FedExCup Playoffs, which begin next week. The course, designed by Donald Ross, is known for its narrow fairways, strategic bunkering, and challenging green complexes, demanding accuracy and precision from the players.

Notable pairings include Victor Perez, Nicolai Højgaard, and Max Greyserman; Kevin Kisner, Harris English, and Daniel Berger; and defending champion Lucas Glover alongside Keegan Bradley and Si Woo Kim. Perez, fresh from his performance at the Men’s Olympic Golf event, is particularly focused on securing a strong finish to qualify for the playoffs, as he currently sits 71st in the FedEx Cup standings.

Weather is expected to play a significant role, with strong storms forecasted, leading to the PGA Tour banning fans from attending the first round due to safety concerns. This could affect play, making the greens softer and potentially more receptive to aggressive shots.

Expert picks highlight several players to watch, including Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Billy Horschel, and Akshay Bhatia as potential winners. Other players like Cam Davis and Si Woo Kim are expected to perform well based on their recent form and past success at Sedgefield.

Wyndham Championship Videos

Boeing Classic - PGA Tour Champions - TPC at Snoquaimie Ridge - Snoqualmie, WA

The 19th annual Boeing Classic, part of the PGA Tour Champions series, will begin tomorrow, at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie, Washington. This prestigious event, which began in 2005, features a 54-hole, no-cut format and will see 78 professional golfers competing for a $2.2 million purse. Notable participants include defending champion Stephen Ames, Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, José María Olazábal, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, and local favorite Fred Couples, who has yet to win his home tournament despite several top finishes.

Pinnacle Bank Championship by Woodhouse - Korn Ferry - The Club at Indian Creek - Omaha, NE

The Pinnacle Bank Championship by Woodhouse, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, tets underway today at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha, Nebraska. This year's tournament has garnered significant attention due to the unique participation of the Gutschewski family. Scott Gutschewski, a seasoned PGA Tour player, is competing alongside his sons, Luke and Trevor, marking a special family affair. This is a rare occurrence in professional golf, highlighting the deep golfing roots and talent within the Gutschewski family.

Today’s Best Golf Vidoes

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE