What’s been happening this week in the world of professional golf?
A statement win for Rory McIlroy at Quail Hollow, and equally impressive from Rose Zhang on the LPGA. Meanwhile, Rory is denied a return to the PGA Tour Policy Board, but fans will be relived to know that he is on the ‘Transaction Sub-committee”… It’s another eventful week in the wacky world of professional golf.
Wells Fargo Championship
It’s fair to say that Rory McIlroy feels at home at Quail Hollow. This was his 4th win at the venue in 15 years, with a combined margin of victory of 17 strokes for his 26th PGA Tour victory. At one point in yesterday’s final round, it looked like he had a battle on his hands, trailing Xander Schauffele by two shots after 7 holes. But then Rory put his foot down, playing the next 8 holes in 8 under par (including two eagles) to surge into a 7 stroke lead, eventually winning by 5. Schauffele isn’t known as a closer of tournaments, and he visibly seemed to wilt in the face of McIlroy’s dominance.
If we’re counting the Zurich Classic, this was Rory’s second consecutive win. The big question now is can he maintain this form into the PGA Championship at Valhalla, site of his last major win a decade ago.
Intriguingly, we now have McIlroy, Scheffler and Keopka all going into the PGA off the back of a win. It should be a fascinating week.
Rules is Rules
During the Wells Fargo, an “interesting” ruling got Golf Twitter all excited when Xander Schauffele somehow got a free drop from deep in the woods, thanks to a temporary immovable obstruction being in his line of sight. This was absolutely within the rules, but to all of us ordinary golfers, it certainly felt wrong to see someone getting a free drop on the edge of the trees. It’s the kind of break we don’t get (in fact 90% of the time for us it would be a lost ball).
Nelly’s run comes to an end
There was to be no sixth consecutive win for Nelly Korda on the LPGA Tour this week at the Congizant Founders Cup. Instead, it was an epic tussle between Rose Zhang and Madelene Sagström. Zhang, who made an incredible start to her pro career, winning at her very first attempt managed four birdies in her last five holes to edge out Sagström. Incredibly, there was a 13 shot gap from 2nd to 3rd place.
Board shenanigans
In the ongoing saga of efforts to do a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV, Rory McIlroy was denied a place back on the Tour’s policy board, apparently because Tiger, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay didn’t approve it. Interesting – does this signal a split in the Tiger/Rory partnership?
Apparently Rory is part of the “transaction sub-committee”, which sounds like the sort of thing John Le Carré would create: it sounds incredibly dull but is actually where the really important stuff happens. Maybe.
Top-secret footage of the PGA Tour’s first Transaction Sub-Committee meeting
Myrtle Beach Classic
Chris Gotterup won this, which was very much a non-signature event. I didn’t see any of it, but well done to Chris on his maiden Tour win, and for booking his place at the PGA Championship.
DP World Tour
Nothing on the DPWT this week.
Dave McLean