Planet Golf News for Thursday, June 13, 2024

U.S. Open golfers set for a big test at Pinehurst No. 2 beginning today, U.S. Open: USGA offering a record $21.5 million purse, $4.3 million for winner at Pinehurst

Thursday, June 13, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

We’re on a mission to create fun and fashionable golf clothing that empowers tween and teen girls to play with confidence.

Golfers Do Not Appear To Be Happy With The U.S. Open Course

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as major events unfold. Let's dive into the latest happenings, starting with the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, which promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

USGA CEO Mike Whan has stirred the pot by discussing potential new conformance rules for golf balls and drivers, hinting at creating a pathway for LIV Golf players to participate in the U.S. Open. This move signals the USGA's intent to protect its premier event and navigate the evolving landscape of men's professional golf. Meanwhile, Whan also opened up about the possibility of amateurs receiving prize money at professional championships, reflecting the changing dynamics in the sport, especially with the advent of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules.

In a historic move, the USGA has bumped up the U.S. Open prize money to a record $21.5 million, with the winner taking home a staggering $4.3 million. This makes the 2024 U.S. Open the richest men's major championship in golf history. The increase underscores the USGA's commitment to elevating its biggest event.

As the U.S. Open kicks off at Pinehurst No. 2, players are preparing for a challenging tournament. The course, known for its tricky greens, is expected to test the precision and strategy of even the best golfers. Defending champion Wyndham Clark described the greens as "borderline" fair, highlighting the need for careful navigation. Players like Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, and Jordan Spieth have shared their thoughts on the demanding nature of the course, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach.

The U.S. Open's return to Pinehurst No. 2 marks a significant moment, as this is the first time the USGA has awarded four Opens to a single site within 25 years. The course, designed by Donald Ross, has been restored to its original sandy areas, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and making it more eco-friendly. The "sandscapes" present additional challenges, with unpredictable lies and the presence of wiregrass bushes.

Noteworthy storylines include Martin Kaymer's superstitious return to the same hotel room he stayed in during his 2014 victory at Pinehurst, and the rise of Charlie Reiter, whose impressive tee shots are making waves. Rory McIlroy, aiming to end his major drought, needs to improve his par-5 scoring and putting to increase his chances of victory.

Other players to watch include Nick Dunlap, who returns to Pinehurst as a professional after winning the U.S. Amateur last year, and Willie Mack III, who has overcome significant obstacles to compete in the U.S. Open. Tiger Woods, despite his struggles with fitness, remains a formidable competitor and will tee off alongside Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick.

In the world of women's golf, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give is underway this morning in Belmont, Michigan. Nelly Korda, the world No. 1, is seeking her sixth LPGA victory of the season. Defending champion Leona Maguire is looking to become the first repeat winner of the event. The tournament features a strong international field, including 12 of the top 25 players in the Rolex World Rankings.

The Korn Ferry Tour's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open kicks off today at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. This event, known for its community involvement and charitable contributions, features a field of 156 players competing for a $1,000,000 purse. Notable participants include defending champion Ricky Castillo and standout amateur Christo Lamprecht.

Stay tuned for more updates as these tournaments unfold, and don't miss the chance to witness the drama and excitement of golf at its finest.

[ Today’s Top Golf Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

The U.S. Open - PGA Tour - Pinehurst, NC

On Wednesday Pinehurst No. 2 was abuzz with activity as preparations for the 124th U.S. Open golf championship reached their final stages. The course, renowned for its challenging greens, is set to host the prestigious event starting today. The greens, often described as upside-down cereal bowls, inverted saucers, turtlebacks, or domes, were a focal point of discussion among players and commentators alike. Defending champion Wyndham Clark, who played the course on Monday, noted their firmness and speed, describing them as "borderline" in terms of fairness. This sentiment was echoed by other players, including Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth, who emphasized the importance of precision and strategy in navigating these treacherous putting surfaces.

The day also saw the final practice rounds for many top contenders. Jordan Spieth, for instance, was seen practicing near the par-3 ninth green, where he demonstrated the difficulty of the greens by pitching a ball that rolled off the surface. He then used an alternate putter to salvage the shot, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the course. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and overwhelming favorite to win, shared his thoughts on the course, praising its design and the challenge it presents. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach, combining aggressive tee shots with conservative play into the greens.

The course itself, a masterpiece designed by Donald Ross, has undergone significant restoration to return to its original sandy areas with native plants, replacing the thick rough. This restoration has not only enhanced the course's aesthetic appeal but also made it more eco-friendly. The native areas, or "sandscapes," present an additional challenge for players, with their unpredictable lies and the presence of wiregrass bushes.

The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 is notable for being the first time in over a century that the USGA has awarded four Opens to a single site in a span of 25 years. This historic venue has hosted numerous significant championships, including the 1999 U.S. Open, where Payne Stewart famously won with a dramatic par putt, and the 2014 U.S. Open, won by Martin Kaymer.

As the players prepared for the tournament, the atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and tension. The USGA's chief championships officer, John Bodenhamer, highlighted the importance of the course's setup, aiming to create conditions that would challenge only the most skilled players. The unpredictability of the course, with its firm and fast greens and variable sandscapes, was expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the championship.

U.S. Open Videos

Other U.S. Open News

Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give - Belmont, MI

Storylines to Watch

Nelly Korda's Pursuit of Sixth Win: World No. 1 Nelly Korda will be seeking her sixth LPGA victory of the season. She set the tournament scoring record at 25-under-par when she won here in 2021.

Leona Maguire Defends Title: Ireland's Leona Maguire will look to become the first repeat winner of this event after her two-shot victory last year at 21-under-par.

Strong International Field: The field includes 12 of the top 25 players in the Rolex World Rankings, such as Lilia Vu, Celine Boutier, and Minjee Lee, along with past champions like Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson.

Rookie Talent: A total of 22 LPGA Tour rookies, including recent winners like Linnea Strom and Bailey Tardy, will tee it up at Blythefield seeking their first LPGA title.

With its elevated $3 million purse, world-class field, and community-driven mission, the 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give promises to be a must-watch event on the LPGA Tour schedule.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open - Korn Ferry - Wichita, KS

On Wednesday the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, continued its tradition at the Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. This year marks the 35th edition of the tournament, which is one of the four original events still played since the Tour's inception in 1990. The tournament, renowned for its community involvement and charitable contributions, has generated over $3 million for local charities since its inception.

The event, which begins today, features a field of 156 players competing over 72 holes on a par-70 course measuring 6,910 yards. The purse for this year's tournament is $1,000,000, with the winner set to receive $180,000. The defending champion, Ricky Castillo, who won in his debut on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023, is among the six previous champions returning to compete. Other past champions include Jared Wolfe (2020), Ollie Schniederjans (2016), Rob Oppenheim (2015), Scott Piercy (2008), and Ben Crane (2000).

Notable storylines include the debut of Christo Lamprecht, a standout from Georgia Tech and the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. Lamprecht's impressive amateur career includes winning the 128th Amateur Championship in 2023, which earned him exemptions to the 2023 Open Championship and the 2024 Masters Tournament. Additionally, Wichita-native Sam Stevens, who has had two top-10 finishes in his 17 starts on the PGA TOUR this season, will make his first appearance at the Wichita Open.

Today’s Best Videos

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