Planet Golf News for Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Nelly Korda looks to defend gold and continue dream season in golf, FedExCup Playoffs scenarios ahead of Wyndham Championship

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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Women head to Paris for Olympics. Final event for PGA Tour to qualify for postseason

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The excitement is palpable as women's golf takes center stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with all 30,000 tickets snapped up for the event. The star-studded lineup includes top competitors like Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko, with Korda eyeing a historic back-to-back gold medal. The competition, held at the picturesque Le Golf National, promises an intense battle over a 72-hole stroke play format. Fans can catch the action live on the Golf Channel and Peacock, with rounds starting as early as 3 a.m. ET. Korda's quest for gold is complemented by her playful desire to try the viral French pastry, the Crookie, adding a lighthearted touch to her Olympic experience.

As the PGA Tour regular season wraps up at the Wyndham Championship, the race for the FedEx Cup playoffs intensifies. Only the top 70 players will advance, making this final event a crucial opportunity for golfers like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, who are teetering on the edge. With a whopping $100 million bonus pool at stake, the pressure is on. Will Zalatoris, returning from back surgery, feels optimistic and ready to perform, reflecting on his recovery's ups and downs.

The Wyndham Championship also serves as a crucial battleground for players like Lucas Glover, Nick Dunlap, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Davis Riley, all vying for a playoff spot. The competition is fierce, with players needing top performances to secure their future in the FedEx Cup.

The Boeing Classic on the PGA Tour Champions circuit kicks off in Snoqualmie, Washington, featuring senior legends like Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, and local favorite Fred Couples. Couples, returning from a back injury, joins the tournament's festivities, including a new Seahawks Village with autograph sessions. The event promises to be a highlight of the tour's senior schedule.

Meanwhile, the Pinnacle Bank Championship in Omaha, Nebraska, is a family affair for the Gutschewski family, with Scott Gutschewski and his sons Luke and Trevor all competing. This Korn Ferry Tour event is pivotal for players aiming to secure PGA TOUR cards for the next season, with fierce competition for the top 30 spots.

In other news, Brandt Snedeker receives the Payne Stewart Award, celebrating his character and commitment to charity. The PGA Tour also announced a new sponsor, Truist Financial Corp., for the event at Quail Hollow Club, ensuring continued top-level golf in Charlotte with a hefty $20 million purse.

With so much happening in the world of golf, from the Olympic spotlight to the FedEx Cup race, this week promises thrilling action and memorable moments on the greens. Whether you're following Nelly Korda's Olympic journey or watching the drama unfold at the Wyndham Championship, there's something for every golf fan to enjoy.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

Paris Olympics - Women’s Golf

The women's golf tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics is set to begin on today and will conclude on Saturday at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France. This event marks the third consecutive Olympics to feature golf since its reintroduction in 2016. The competition will involve 60 players participating in a 72-hole stroke play format, with the player having the fewest strokes after four rounds winning the gold medal.

Team USA is represented by Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, and Rose Zhang. Korda, the top-ranked female golfer in the world and the defending Olympic champion, aims to secure another gold medal following her victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Vu and Zhang, both making their Olympic debuts, complete the strong American lineup. Korda is considered the favorite to win, with betting odds placing her at +450, followed by Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul and fellow American Lilia Vu.

The tournament will be broadcast on the Golf Channel and can be streamed on Peacock and various NBC platforms. Fans can expect daily rounds to start at 3 a.m. ET. The competition promises to be intense, with top golfers from around the world, including South Korea’s Jin Young Ko and Amy Yang, and China’s Ruoning Yin, vying for medals.

Women’s Paris Olympics Videos

Wyndham Championship - PGA - Sedgefield CC - Greensboro, NC

The 2024 Wyndham Championship, held at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC, marks the final regular-season event of the PGA Tour. This tournament is crucial for players aiming to secure their spots in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, which begin next week. The field features 156 golfers, including notable names like Will Zalatoris, Shane Lowry, Sungjae Im, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose, and Jordan Spieth, though some top players have already secured their playoff positions.

Jordan Spieth's playoff hopes are uncertain, as experts predict a challenging path for him. Meanwhile, Sungjae Im is a favorite, given his strong recent form and history at Sedgefield. Other contenders include Shane Lowry and Billy Horschel, both of whom have shown promising performances leading up to this event.

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

The 19th annual Boeing Classic, part of the PGA Tour Champions, will take place beginning Friday at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie, Washington. This event, which began in 2005, features a 54-hole, no-cut tournament with a $2.2 million purse, where the winner will receive $330,000. The defending champion, Stephen Ames, will return to defend his title after setting a tournament record last year with a 19-under par 197.

The tournament will see participation from notable senior golfers, including Ernie Els, who leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings with three wins this year, and other legends such as Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie, and local favorite Fred Couples. Notah Begay III has received a sponsor exemption, while Angel Cabrera is listed as the third alternate.

The Boeing Classic is part of a series of six tournaments over seven weeks on the PGA Tour Champions schedule, leading up to the Shaw Charity Classic.

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

The Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Woodhouse, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, is currently underway at The Club at Indian Creek in Omaha, Nebraska. This year's tournament is particularly notable for the participation of the Gutschewski family, with father Scott Gutschewski and his sons Luke and Trevor all competing. This marks a significant moment for the family and adds a unique dynamic to the event, as it is the second time in five years that two brothers from Omaha are in the field.

The tournament is a crucial stop in the Korn Ferry Tour, where players are vying for points to secure their PGA TOUR cards for the 2025 season. The top 30 players on the season-long Points List will earn these coveted spots. Currently, seven players have already secured their PGA TOUR membership, including notable names like Tim Widing and Harry Higgs. The competition is fierce, with players aiming not only for the top 30 but also for the No. 1 position, which offers fully exempt membership and exemptions for major tournaments like the PLAYERS Championship and the U.S. Open.

The tournament's final eight spots were filled through open qualifying on Monday, ensuring a competitive and diverse field of 156 players. The event is being closely watched, with all four rounds broadcast on the Golf Channel, providing fans ample opportunity to follow the action.

In addition to the family storyline, the tournament is a critical juncture for many players looking to solidify their standings and make a push for the PGA TOUR.

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UPCOMING TOURS

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