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Chanettee Wannasae wins in Portland, 19 year old (Thai) Monday qualifier

   

LPGA 2023, Portland Classic, Portland, Oregon, 31 Aug - 3 Sept

19 year old Chanettee Wannasae wins in Portland; only the third time ever on the LPGA Tour that a Monday qualifier has won

From LPGA News, by The AP:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Teenager Chanettee Wannasaen played a five-hole stretch in 6 under early in the final round Sunday and closed with a near-flawless 9-under 63 for a four-stroke victory at the Portland Classic to become the first Monday qualifier to win on the LPGA Tour since 2015...

Wannasaen arrived at Portland ranked 367th and having missed nine straight cuts in her rookie season. The 19-year-old from Thailand credited her caddie for keeping her calm and put together four stellar rounds in the 60s at Columbia Edgewater. She shattered the tournament scoring record by five strokes with a 26-under 262 total for her first LPGA Tour victory.   Read more

From Australian Golf Digest, by Kent Paisley:

A Monday qualifier does it again in Portland. Chanattee Wannasaen, 19 and a Monday qualifier, ran away with the Portland Classic with a bogey-free, nine-under 63 to win by four shots at 26-under par. Here is how the Thai became the third-ever Monday qualifier to win on the LPGA Tour and the second at the Portland Classic.  Read more

From The West Australian, by Staff Writers for AP:

Sarah Kemp was the highest-finishing Australian, hitting four birdies and a bogey in a final-round 69 to leave her tied for 21st at 13 under.

Grace Kim (70) was a shot further back after an eventful first seven holes on Sunday, in which she hit two bogeys, two birdies and an eagle before finishing two under for the day.

Wannasaen arrived in Portland ranked 367th by the LPGA and having missed nine straight cuts in her rookie season.

But she put together four stellar rounds in the 60s at Columbia Edgewater and shattered the tournament scoring record by five strokes with a 26-under 262 for her first LPGA Tour victory.  Read more

Portland Classic

Macan Course, with gallery

Columbia Edgewater Country Club

LPGA Leaderboard

KPMG Women's Irish Open: Van Dam breaks driver; Soenderby wins playoff; Rudgeley's shot from top

   

LET 2023, Women's Irish Open, Dromoland Castle, Co Clare, Ireland: 31 Aug - 3 Sept


At Dromoland Castle: Van Dam's driver breaks; Soenderby wins after playoff; Aussie Rudgeley ends just one shot from the top

From LET Blog, 3/9/23: 

It was a spectacular final day for Smilla Tarning Soenderby as she secured a dramatic playoff victory at the 2023 KPMG Women’s Irish Open.

The Dane headed into the final day in a tie for 21st place after rounds of 71-67-72 on the first three days at Dromoland Castle.

But Soenderby fired the round of her life – a 62 (-10) – to post the clubhouse lead and was later joined by Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson and Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands.

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Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley ended the tournament in fourth place on 15-under-par after shooting a round of 67 (-5) on the final day.

The LET rookie made a hot start with five birdies on her front nine, she then went bogey-bogey on 12 and 13 but recovered with back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to record her best-ever LET result.

Rudgeley said: “I’m proud of myself, it’s my first year. I’m happy I went back home as it sorted a few things out. It was a solid week, I didn’t do too much wrong. It was my first time in this situation as well and good to be able to push all the way to the end. I loved it and it was good to be in contention.”   Read more

From The Independent.ie, by Brian Keogh:

Anne Van Dam bizarrely broke her driver on the way to the first playoff hole and watched Denmark's Smilla Tarning Soenderby made a spectacular eagle to win her maiden LET title in an incredible finish to the KPMG Women's Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.

Nine strokes behind leader Van Dam overnight, Soenderby (23) made 11 birdies in a stunning 10-under 62 to set the target at 16-under, then waited two hours to discover she was in a playoff with the Dutch star, who shot 71, and Sweden's Lisa Pettersson, who shot 68.

Van Dam then broke her driver when heading to the 18th tee in a buggy for the playoff in one of the most bizarre incidents ever seen in televised golf.  Read more

From The Irish Times, by Philip Reid:

The golfing gods have a way of administering justice; bestowing cruel fate on some, yet exultation on others, as Smilla Søenderby’s playoff win in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open – the 23-year-old Dane’s breakthrough win on the Ladies European Tour – showcased with all its heartbreak and joy.

For as Søenderby soaked in the applause of the large gallery and was showered in champagne by her tour compatriots following a brilliantly executed eagle three on the Par 5 18th hole, the first of sudden-death in a three-way play-off, the two vanquished players – Lisa Pettersson and Anne van Dam – departed, wondering what might have been.  Read more

From BBC Sport:

Denmark's Smilla Soenderby won the Women's Irish Open as she eagled the first play-off hole following her sensational closing 10-under-par 62.

Soenderby, 23, was nine off the pace going into the final day but carded 11 birdies to finish on 16 under par.

Dutchwoman Anne van Dam led by three overnight at Dromoland Castle but a 71 put her in the play-off alongside Soenderby and Sweden's Lisa Pettersson.  Read more

Dromoland Castle G & CC

KPMG Women's Irish Open

LET Leaderboard

Golf Live 24 Leaderboard

Omega European Masters: Rookie Ludvig Aberg is 'King of the Mountain' in 2023

   

Omega European Masters 2023, Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, 31 Aug - 3 Sept


Swede Ludvig Aberg is European Masters Champion 2023, at his second DP World Tour event

From DP World Tour News:

Ludvig Aberg claimed a maiden victory in only his second DP World Tour event as a professional courtesy of a stunning finish at the Omega European Masters.     

The former World Amateur Number One confirmed his status as one of golf's rising stars with a closing 64 at Crans-sur-Sierre to deny Matt Fitzpatrick a hat-trick of titles in the Swiss mountains.

Sweden's Aberg birdied four of his last five holes to finish on 19 under for the week, two ahead of compatriot Alexander Björk, with long-time leader Fitzpatrick eventually finishing in a tie for third with Scotland's Connor Syme.  Read more

From PGA TOUR Daily Wrap-up, by The AP:

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland -- Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg surged to a two-shot win at the European Masters on Sunday and right into the Ryder Cup picture for Europe when the six captain’s picks are announced Monday.

Aberg stunned long-time leader Matt Fitzpatrick by reeling off four straight birdies from Nos. 14 to 17 to card a 6-under 64 for a 19-under total of 261.

Fitzpatrick faded to a tie for third, three shots back, though secured direct qualification for the Ryder Cup team to face the United States on a year-long points ranking.  Read more

From Golf Monthly, by James Nursery:

Ludvig Aberg claimed his first win just 75 days after turning professional as he overhauled Matt Fitzpatrick in dramatic fashion to stake a claim for a Ryder Cup wildcard.

England's Fitzpatrick looked to have the title in the bag as he closed in on potentially equalling Seve Ballesteros' record of winning three times at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

But Fitzpatrick made a major unforced error on the 15th when he chipped through the green into a bunker en-route to a bogey at the par five.  Read more

Omega European Masters

Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club

DP World Tour Leaderboard

Golf Live 24 Leaderboard

Omega European Masters, Day Two: Matt Fitzpatrick leads as he turns 29

   

Omega European Masters 2023, Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, 31 Aug - 3 Sept


Day Two: Matt Fitzpatrick leads on his birthday, is two shots ahead of brother Alex

From DP World Tour News:

Matt Fitzpatrick stayed on track to make it a hat-trick of wins at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club as he followed his opening 63 with a 65 to take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Omega European Masters.

The Englishman was champion here in 2017 and 2018 and continued his love affair on his 29th birthday as he moved to 12 under ahead of Swede Alexander Björk, who carded a 64.

Fitzpatrick's younger brother Alex was then at ten under after a 65, a score matched by Frenchman Romain Langasque who was also two shots off the lead.  Read more

From PGA TOUR, by The AP:

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland - The Fitzpatrick brothers have set up a family showdown over the weekend at the Omega European Masters.

Matt Fitzpatrick, seeking a high finish to secure an automatic place in the European Ryder Cup team, shot 5-under 65 to move into a one-stroke lead on 12-under par after the second round on Friday at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in the Swiss mountains. The 2022 U.S. Open champion was a winner here in 2017 and '18.

His younger brother will be trying to stop him claiming a third victory.  Read more

From Sky Sports, by Stuart Hodge:

Matt Fitzpatrick celebrated his 29th birthday by claiming the halfway lead in the Omega European Masters, with brother Alex hot on his heels.

Fitzpatrick added a second round of 65 to his opening 63 at Crans-sur Sierre to reach 12-under par, a shot ahead of Sweden's Alexander Bjork.

Younger brother Alex returned a second consecutive 65 to share third place with France's Romain Langasque on 10 under, with Ryder Cup contenders Adrian Meronk and Ludvig Aberg another stroke back.  Read more

Omega European Masters

Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club

DP World Tour Leaderboard

Golf Live 24 Leaderboard

Meet Shay Knight, Viktor Hovland's Aussie Caddie

   

Meet Shay Knight, Viktor Hovland's Australian (Sydneysider) caddie

Just after their win at the BMW Championship, Shay Knight, caddie for Viktor Hovland, joined Shane and Marty in the PING Tour Truck. They discussed Viktor's recent success, the prep work that he puts in ahead of a tournament, and how and why their on-course relationship works.

From The Age, by Adam Pengilly:

In just one week, a former North Sydney Bears ballboy earned more than NRL superstars Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh do collectively for an entire year. His job? Primarily carrying a golf bag around for 18 holes each day...

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Having long given up his landscaping career too, Knight has made his name as one of the best caddies in golf, the man behind world No.4 Viktor Hovland, who last week won golf’s richest prize as FedEx Cup champion, a $28 million bonus for being the best player on the PGA Tour last season.

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Working for a professional golfer can involve being many things: mentor, adviser, friend, travel companion, psychologist, cleaner, the list goes on. But when he started out, Knight asked legendary caddie Mike “Fluff” Cowan, who was once on Tiger Woods’ bag, for just one bit of advice.

“Turn up, keep up and shut up,” Cowan told him.   Read more

Ryder Cup: Full US Team

   

Ryder Cup 2023, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy: 25 Sept - 1 October

 

The US Ryder Cup team is complete, as Zach Johnson announces his captain's picks

In late September the Ryder Cup teams head to Italy. The last time a US team won in Europe was in 1993. Now the 2023 team appears to be united by a shared determination to change that, and to again bring the cup back to US shores. 

Automatic qualifiers:

Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler 

Captain's picks:

Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Speith, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns and Rickie Fowler

Collin Morikawa is described by Johnson as  "A ball-striking machine", "Consistent", and "A very strong fit for the Ryder Cup."

Justin Thomas has twice won the PGA Championship, and in his rookie year he "Contributed more points to the US Team than any other player". This year has not all been easy for him, and he did not quite make it through to the FedEx Cup play-offs. 

Johnson, however, names him as "One of the most talented players on the PGA TOUR",   "He has, without question, been the heart and soul of Team USA", and  "He just leads by example". He has "Overall a fantastic Ryder Cup record".

Brooks Koepka and other LIV Golfers were under some uncertainty ahead of the tournament. European players who 'jumped ship' to LIV are banned from Ryder Cup participation. However US players remained members of the PGA of America, though suspended by the PGA TOUR. Tuesday's captain's call to include Koepka has ended the doubt.

Koepka won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in May and is a "Five time major champion and three time PGA Champion."  He was runner up at this year's Masters, and is a three-time Ryder Cup player. 

Ryder Cup 2023

Megan Khang wins CPKC Women's Open, her first LPGA win, after eight years

   

LPGA 2023, CPKC Women's Open, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 24-27 August


Megan Khang wins CPKC Women's Open, her first Tour win. "Eight years is a long time", she said.

From LPGA News, by the AP:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Megan Khang beat Jin Young Ko with a par in a playoff for her first LPGA win, and Andrea Lee rallied to clinch a spot on the U.S. Solheim Cup team at the CPKC Women’s Open on Sunday.

After struggling most of the afternoon, Khang made a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th hole at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club to force the playoff. Ko hit her tee shot on the first playoff hole into the hazard left of the fairway and took a double bogey after a penalty shot.  Read more

From Sportsnet, by Canadian Press:

VANCOUVER — It took 19 holes for Megan Khang to win her first-ever LPGA Tour title.

The American beat South Korea’s Jin Young Ko in a one-hole playoff on Sunday at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Khang had a three-shot lead heading into the fourth round but her 2-over day and Ko’s 3-under round led to a playoff with both players at 9 under.

Ko’s drive went wide left and into deep rough to start the playoff, with marshals having to part hundreds of spectators so she could have a clear path out of the woods. Her punch out landed in a greenside bunker, while Khang moved straight up the 18th fairway.  Read more

From France 24, by AFP:

Vancouver (AFP) – American Megan Khang captured her first LPGA title after 190 starts, defeating former world number one Ko Jin-young in a playoff on Sunday to win the CPKC Women's Canadian Open.

Khang's long-sought breakthrough victory came with a par on the first extra hole, the 25-year-old from suburban Boston saying the eight-year wait made the triumph all the sweeter.

"It's tough to win out here," she said. "Eight years is a long time. It's great to get the first."  Read more

From The Fresno Bee, by Todd Kelly, Golfweek:

Jin Young Ko was four shots back heading into the final round the Cognizant Founders Cup in May. She would go on to win there, which is tied for the largest comeback on the LPGA this season. To start the final round of the CPKC Women’s Open in Canada on Sunday, Ko was 6 under, five shots back of leader Meghan Kang. Was another large come-from-behind win in the making?  Read more

CPKC Women's Open

Shaughnessy Golf Club

LPGA Leaderboard

Viktor victorious, wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup, Atlanta 2023

   

TOUR Championship 2023, East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA, 24-27 August


Viktor Hovland wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup 2023

From PGA Tour Daily Wrap-up, by Mark Schlabach:

The Scandinavian country known more for downhill skiing and snowboarding is now home to the hottest golfer on the planet after Hovland won the Tour Championship by 5 strokes over Xander Schauffele at East Lake Golf Club on Sunday. Hovland carded a 7-under 63 in the final round.

Hovland started the staggered-scoring event at 8 under and shot 19 under on his own to finish 27 under. He was 11 shots better than U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark, who finished third, and 13 better than Rory McIlroy, who was fourth.  Read more

From Golfweek, by Adam Woodard:

Viktor Hovland shot a career-low round last week that has propelled him to new professional heights this week.

The 25-year-old Norwegian entered the final round of the 2023 Tour Championship with a six-shot advantage and cruised to a five-shot win over Xander Schauffele on Sunday at East Lake Golf Club to claim the tournament at 27 under as well as the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup.  Read more

From SB Nation, by Savannah Leigh Richardson:

ATLANTA — Viktor Hovland captured his first Tour Championship Sunday, once again putting on a clinic. He shot a final round 63 to finish at 27-under par for the win.

Hovland came into the day with a six-shot lead over Xander Schauffele, but that wouldn’t last all day. Schauffele still had some fire in him, going 7-under through 12 holes. He would finish the day with a 62, his best round at East Lake.  Read more

From BBC Sport, by Peter Scrivener:

Norway's Viktor Hovland hit a superb bogey-free seven-under-par 63 to win the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title at East Lake in Atlanta.

Hovland led by six going into Sunday's final round but was pressed by Xander Schauffele, who shot a 62 and closed to within three strokes with six to play.

However, Hovland birdied the final three holes to win by five strokes on 27 under and collect $18m (£14.1m).  Read more

From Sky Sport, by Ali Stafford:

Viktor Hovland came through a final-round tussle with Xander Schauffele to secure FedExCup glory and an $18million payday with an impressive victory at the season-ending Tour Championship.

Hovland took a six-shot lead into the final round at East Lake and held at least a three-stroke advantage throughout the final day, although was made to work hard by Schauffele to register a sixth PGA Tour title and second in as many weeks.  Read more

East Lake Golf Club

PGA TOUR Leaderboard

Golf Channel Leaderboard

Todd Clements wins D+D Real Czech Masters

   

D+D Real Czech Masters 2023, Albatross Golf Resort, Prague: 24-27 August


Todd Clements (Eng) takes out D+D Real Czech Masters, his first Tour win

From DP World Tour News:

Todd Clements claimed his maiden DP World Tour victory as he carded a brilliant bogey-free 63 to hold off the challenge of Matt Wallace and win the D+D Real Czech Masters.

The Englishman made three hat-tricks of birdies from the first, sixth and 11th to record his lowest round in a European Tour group event and finish at 22 under, one clear of countryman Wallace, who was also bogey-free in his 67...

Dane Nicolai Højgaard signed for a 69 to finish four shots off the lead.  Read more

From ESPN, by the AP:

VYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic -- English golfer Todd Clements came through a bunched field Sunday to win the Czech Masters for his first European tour title after shooting a bogey-free 9-under 63 to seal a 1-stroke victory.

Compatriot Matt Wallace could have forced a playoff at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague but pushed a 10-foot birdie putt wide at the last hole.

Clements, who turns 27 on Tuesday, graduated from the Challenge Tour last year and is ranked No. 394, finished the week at 22-under 266.

He hadn't finished in the top 20 in any previous event this season, but shot in the 60s every round at the Czech Masters.  Read more

From RTE.ie:

England's Todd Clements fired a brilliant final round of 63 to win his maiden DP World Tour title in the D+D Real Czech Masters.

The world number 394 carded nine birdies at Albatross Golf Resort to finish 22 under par, a shot ahead of overnight joint leader Matt Wallace.

Wallace needed to birdie the last from eight feet to force a play-off but saw his putt slip past the edge of the hole.  Read more

D+D Real Czech Masters

Albatross Golf Course

DP World Tour Leaderboard

Golf Channel Leaderboard

Morikawa breaks Tiger Woods record, leads with Hovland in Atlanta

   

TOUR Championship 2023, East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA, 24-27 August. Day Two


Collin Morikawa breaks 36 hole record set by Tiger Woods; shares halfway lead with Viktor Hovland

From AP, by Doug Ferguson:

ATLANTA (AP) — One bad shot during practice led to Collin Morikawa spending two hours looking for a fix. And now he has a scoring record at East Lake that previously belonged to Tiger Woods.

Morikawa followed his 61 with another clean card for a 6-under 64 on Friday in the Tour Championship, giving him the lowest 36-hole score at East Lake and a share of the lead with Viktor Hovland going into the weekend of the FedEx Cup finale.  Read more

From ESPN, by Mark Schlabach: 

ATLANTA -- After squandering a big lead in the opening round of the Tour Championship, world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler bounced back in a big way Friday at East Lake Golf Club, and once again finds himself chasing Norway's Viktor Hovland on the weekend.

Hovland and two-time major champion Collin Morikawa posted 6-under 64s on Friday and have a 2-stroke lead at 16 under after 36 holes. Morikawa started the tournament at 1 under in staggered scoring, and his 15-under total of 125 set the 36-hole record for the Tour Championship. It's two strokes better than Tiger Woods' half-way total of 127 in 2007.  Read more

From France 24, by AFP:

World number five Hovland who won last week's BMW Championship, and two-time major winner Morikawa each fired a six-under par 64 to stand on 16-under after 36 holes at East Lake in Atlanta.

"I just started to hit my approach shots a little bit closer than I did on the front nine, started making some putts," Hovland said of his closing run.

Morikawa closed with back-to-back birdies.  Read more

From BBC Sport:

Viktor Hovland made four birdies in a row during his back nine to end the second day of the Tour Championship in Atlanta level at the top of the leaderboard with Collin Morikawa.

Both players carded six-under 64s on Friday at the season-ending event to move to 16 under par.  Read more

From Sky Sports, by Ali Stafford:

Viktor Hovland produced a back-nine birdie burst to share the halfway lead with Collin Morikawa at the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.  Read more

East Lake Golf Club

PGA TOUR Leaderboard

Golf Channel Leaderboard