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Planet Golf News for Monday, March 25, 2024

Planet Golf News for Monday, March 25, 2024

PGN News Team
March 25, 2024 • Reading Time: 22 minutes

Monday, March 25, 2024

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'Artistic' Korda returns to world No. 1 with victory

THE LEADERBOARD

Today’s Top Tour Stories from Planet Golf News

Good Morning,

Let's dive into a recap of the whirlwind that happened in the golf world Sunday, shall we? It's like our very own fairway soap opera, complete with emotional victories, dramatic finishes, and a sprinkle of golf rule debates to keep things interesting.

First up, let's talk about Peter Malnati's tear-jerking win at the Valspar Championship. Imagine being a 325-1 underdog and then pulling off an unexpected victory – that's Malnati for you. He hadn't tasted victory since 2015, making this win not just a comeback but a full-blown emotional rollercoaster, complete with tears and a heartfelt shoutout to his family and caddie. Malnati's victory wasn't just a personal win; it was a reminder that in golf, the underdog can have their day, especially when they pocket a cool $1.512 million and a ticket to the Masters.

On the LPGA front, Nelly Korda reminded us why she's a force to be reckoned with, clinching her 10th career win at the FIR HILLS SERI PAK LPGA Tournament after a nail-biting playoff against Ryann O'Toole. Korda's win wasn't just a testament to her skill but also a dramatic return to the world number one spot. It's like watching your favorite drama series, and the lead character finally gets their moment of glory – except this is real, and Korda's bank account $300,000 heavier.

Then we have the PGA Tour Champions, where Padraig Harrington showed us that age is just a number, securing a win at the Hoag Classic with some last-minute birdies that could give any thriller movie a run for its money. Harrington's win is like a fine wine moment in golf – it gets better with time, especially when it sets the stage for his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, the DP World Tour saw Jesper Svensson snagging his first title at the Porsche Singapore Classic in a heart-stopping playoff against Kiradech Aphibarnrat. It's the rookie dream – winning so early in the season, and Svensson made it look as easy as a Sunday morning round, except with a hefty $425,000 prize to show for it.

And in the world of LIV Golf, the tour is moving its UK Invitational to what's been dubbed the 'Hardest Ever' course at the JCB Golf and Country Club. It's like the plot twist no one saw coming, promising golfers a challenge that could either make or break their game.

But wait, there's more – from Charlie Woods making his AJGA debut to Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster PGA Tour ride and debates about 'dumbing down' golf rules. It's all happening in the golf universe, proving that the game is anything but predictable.

As we gear up for the upcoming LPGA event in Las Vegas, which promises a groundbreaking format that combines stroke and match play, it's clear that golf isn't just a sport; it's a saga filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. [Michael Wolf]

1 Valspar Championship

Recap: Sunday at the Valspar Championship, Peter Malnati emerged victorious, securing his first PGA Tour win since 2015. Malnati, who was a 325-1 underdog at the start of the week, shot a 4-under 67 in the final round at Innisbrook to win the tournament by two strokes over Cameron Young. This win marks Malnati's first victory in nine years, his last being the 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship. The victory was particularly emotional for Malnati, who openly wept during his interview on NBC, reflecting on the improbability of his win and the support of his family and caddie throughout his career.

Cameron Young finished as the runner-up, making it easier for Malnati by taking a bogey on the final hole for a 68. This was Young's seventh runner-up finish without a win. The tournament was characterized by a series of rallies and meltdowns, with Malnati and Young playing a group apart as they navigated the challenging finishing stretch at Innisbrook.

Malnati's win was not only significant for his career but also earned him a $1.512 million prize, his first trip to the Masters, and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He is also assured of getting into the remaining four $20 million signature events without any help. Malnati's victory was part of a trend this season of long-shot winners on the PGA Tour, with his 350-1 odds being the second-longest to win on tour this year.

The Valspar Championship faced challenges beyond the competition itself, including numerous player withdrawals and rounds affected by inclement weather. The tournament, which is the final stop on the PGA Tour's Florida Swing, saw brutal conditions with wind and rain creating tough playing conditions. Despite these challenges, the event concluded with Malnati's remarkable victory.

The overall purse for the Valspar Championship was $8.4 million, with payouts distributed among the players who made the cut. Malnati's win not only provided a significant boost to his earnings but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of golf, where long shots can triumph against the odds.

Malnati ends 8-year drought with PGA Tour win

Peter Malnati ends an 8-year drought by winning the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour. After a final round 67, Malnati finished 12-under for the week, celebrating the victory with his family. This win marks his first PGA Tour victory since 2015 and earns him an invitation to the Masters.

Watch Carl Yuan's three hole-outs in an eight-hole stretch at the Valspar

Carl Yuan's impressive performance at the Valspar Championship included three hole-outs, resulting in an eagle, a birdie, and a chip-in. These remarkable shots helped him finish tied for fifth in the tournament.

Pro makes epic albatross immediately after chip-in birdie at Valspar Championship

Robby Shelton made an epic albatross immediately after a chip-in birdie at the Valspar Championship. Despite being three over on the day, Shelton turned his round around with two incredible shots, including a rare albatross on the 14th hole. Albatrosses are a rare feat in golf, and this was Shelton's first in a tournament. However, his luck ran out as he made bogeys on the next holes to finish at one over for the round and two under for the tournament.

PGA Tour pros hit the ugliest – and prettiest – shots you'll see Sunday at 2024 Valspar Championship

During the final round of the 2024 Valspar Championship, PGA Tour players Robby Shelton and Peter Malnati hit remarkable shots. Shelton made an albatross on the par-5 14th hole, sinking his approach from 258 yards out. Malnati, on the other hand, hit an awkward shot on the par-5 5th hole that still managed to go 172 yards. These shots demonstrate the range of skills and abilities among professional golfers.

WATCH: Cameron Young’s shot rebounds off the flagstick at the Valspar Championship

During the Valspar Championship, Cameron Young's shot rebounded off the flagstick on the first hole, narrowly missing the hole. He recovered and secured a birdie, finishing T3 on the leaderboard. Young's 2024 season has had mixed results, with notable finishes including T8 at the WM Phoenix Open and T4 at the Cognizant Classic.

Golf fans all say same thing as Cameron Young makes unwanted PGA Tour History

2 FIR HILLS SERI PAK LPGA Tournament

Recap: Today at the FIR HILLS SERI PAK LPGA Tournament, Nelly Korda emerged victorious after a dramatic playoff, securing her win against fellow American Ryann O'Toole. The tournament, held at Palos Verdes Golf Club in California, concluded with Korda making a bogey on her final two holes, which led to the playoff. However, she quickly atoned for this by defeating O'Toole on the first playoff hole. This victory marks Korda's 10th career LPGA win and her second win of the season in just three starts, propelling her to 28th on the tour's all-time money list with over $9.5 million. The total purse for the tournament was $2 million, with Korda taking home $300,000 for her playoff victory.

Nelly Korda nabs another LPGA playoff win to return to number one

Nelly Korda won the LPGA Seri Pak Championship in a playoff against Ryann O'Toole, securing her return to the world number one ranking. This is Korda's second consecutive win, and she now has 10 LPGA titles in her career.

UCLA Alum Ryann O’Toole Finishes Runner-Up at FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship

UCLA alum Ryann O’Toole finishes as the runner-up at the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship in a one-hole playoff against Nelly Korda. O’Toole carded a final-round 5-under 66, showcasing her skills and determination throughout the tournament. Despite not winning, O’Toole expressed pride in her performance and sees this as a positive start to the LPGA Tour season.

Alison Lee Final Round Highlights | 2024 FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship

Watch highlights from Alison Lee’s final round 72 at FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship.

Jiyai Shin once explained why she walked away from the LPGA Tour in 2013 - "I lost the hunger"

Jiyai Shin, a professional golfer, walked away from the LPGA Tour in 2013 due to losing her passion and hunger to continue playing. Despite achieving early success and being ranked number 1 in the world, she felt she had already accomplished her goals and didn't set new ones. Shin chose to compete exclusively on the Japan Tour to be closer to her family.

“He’s a Chunker”: Nelly Korda’s Spills Cute Update on Newborn Nephew Greyson

Jessica Korda, a six-time winner of the LPGA Tour, shares a heartwarming update about her newborn nephew, Greyson John DelPrete. Nelly Korda, Jessica's sister, expresses her joy and affection for Greyson, referring to him as a "chunker" who has been feeding well. Despite her busy schedule, Nelly prioritizes spending time with her family, including her nephew.

Se Ri Pak Final Round Interview

Se Ri Pak stops by the Golf Channel booth during the final round of the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship.

3 PGA Tour Champions - Hoag Classic

Recap: Padraig Harrington emerged victorious at the Hoag Classic on Sunday, despite challenging conditions at the Newport Beach Country Club. He rebounded from a double bogey on the 16th hole by securing birdies on the final two holes, which allowed him to clinch the win with a one-stroke lead over Thongchai Jaidee.

The final round was marked by windy conditions, adding to the difficulty for the players. Harrington finished with a 2-under 69, bringing his total to 14-under 199. His win at the Hoag Classic marks his seventh PGA Tour Champions victory.

Thongchai Jaidee also finished the final round with a 69 but had to settle for second place. He parred the 18th after his approach shot fell short and his subsequent pitch went through the green.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez ended up two strokes behind Harrington, finishing third after bogeying the 17th hole. Stephen Ames came in fourth at 11 under, while Jerry Kelly and K.J. Choi were tied for fifth at 10 under. Steve Stricker finished with a 70, placing him further back in the standings.

The victory comes as a significant achievement for Harrington, who is set to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in June. He is a three-time major champion, having won the British Open twice and the PGA Championship once.

Padraig Harrington triumphs at Hoag Classic, wins PGA Tour Champions event on 72nd hole

Padraig Harrington secured a thrilling victory at the Hoag Classic on the PGA Tour Champions. Despite a double bogey on the 16th hole, Harrington made a birdie on the 72nd hole to claim his seventh career victory on the tour. Harrington's win came after a strong finish, including a birdie on the 17th hole and a successful up-and-down from the greenside bunker on the 18th hole.

4 DP World Tour - Porsche Singapore Classic

Recap: Sunday at the DP World Tour - Porsche Singapore Classic, Jesper Svensson won his first DP World Tour title after a thrilling playoff against Kiradech Aphibarnrat. The victory came at the Porsche Singapore Classic, marking a significant milestone in Svensson's career. The final showdown between Svensson and Aphibarnrat extended to the third playoff hole, where Svensson emerged victorious. This win is particularly notable as it represents Svensson's maiden victory on the DP World Tour.

During the final round, Svensson delivered an exceptional performance, firing a nine-under-par 63, which included a remarkable start of birdie, birdie, eagle. This performance allowed him to equal the course record at Laguna National Golf Resort Club and propelled him into the lead. Aphibarnrat, on the other hand, managed to tie Svensson at 17 under after a dramatic finish to his round, which included a crucial par putt on the 17th and an eagle on the 18th.

The playoff was intense, with both players initially making a birdie on their first trip up the last hole, followed by a pair of pars. The decisive moment came when Aphibarnrat bogeyed after going over the back of the 18th green, leaving Svensson with two putts for a par and the victory.

Svensson's win is described as 'unreal' by the golfer himself, highlighting the significance of this achievement in his rookie season on the DP World Tour. Having come close to winning in previous tournaments, Svensson expressed amazement at securing a victory so early in his career on the tour.

The event also featured notable performances from other golfers, including England's Sam Bairstow who finished alone in third place, and Paul Casey, who, despite a low Official Golf World Ranking, managed to finish in sixth place after a final round of 69.

DP World Tour sees first time winner prevail in thrilling playoff at Singapore Classic

Jesper Svensson, a rookie on the DP World Tour, won his first title in Singapore by matching the course record and prevailing in a three-hole playoff. He birdied the 17th and 18th holes to grab the clubhouse lead, and ultimately won after his opponent settled for bogey in the playoff. Svensson expressed his excitement and gratitude for achieving his dream of winning on the DP World Tour. Jesper won €392,403 ($425,000) in prize money.

“It was nice to finally come out on top”: Jesper Svensson reflects on his maiden DP World Tour victory at Singapore

Jesper Svensson reflects on his first DP World Tour victory at the Singapore Classic, expressing his joy and satisfaction with the win. After a grueling weekend of golf and a three-hole playoff, Svensson emerged as the winner, tying the course record in the process. He credits his confidence and determination to refuse to finish second as key factors in his success. The final leaderboard shows Svensson at the top, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat in second place.

5 LIV Golf

LIV Golf Makes Decision On Home UK Course Which Is Apparently The ‘Hardest Ever’ With Toughest Par-3 Hole

LIV Golf will be moving its UK Invitational from the Centurion Club to the JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester. The new venue is known for its challenging course, including a par-3 hole that is considered tougher than the famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman expressed excitement about the new host venue and the expansion of the league's reach in the United Kingdom.

6 College Golf

Women’s Golf Takes First Place at Lady Bison Classic

Harvard women's golf team won the Lady Bison Classic tournament by finishing 28-over-par as a team, with Bridget Ma shooting a third-round 67 (-5) to secure second place individually. Isabella Gomez tied for third, and Iris Wang tied for ninth. The team's strong performance in the second and final rounds led to their victory, marking their second first-place finish of the season.

7 All Things Rory

Rory McIlroy’s Wild PGA Tour Ride Can Turn His Grand Slam Dreams Into Nightmare

Rory McIlroy's performance on the PGA Tour has been inconsistent, with impressive rounds but also significant struggles. While his long game and driving distance have been strong, his approach to the green and iron play have been lacking. McIlroy is aware of the problem but has yet to find a solution, which has affected his chances of completing his career grand slam. Suggestions have been made, including adjusting his swing and seeking input from his team. The inconsistency in McIlroy's performance has also impacted his confidence.

8 Rules of Golf

Should we 'dumb down' golf rules? The US Open champion thinks so...

US Open champion Wyndham Clark believes golf rules should be simplified and made easier to reduce confusion, especially at a recreational level. Clark's call for a change in the Rules of Golf comes after a rules fiasco he was involved in at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He suggests that the rules could be "dumbed down" to make them more user-friendly and less complicated.

9 All Things Wood

Charlie Woods Struggles On AJGA Debut And Finishes In A Tie For 32nd

Charlie Woods struggled in his AJGA debut, finishing in a tie for 32nd with a 21-over-par tournament total. Despite this, he is still early in his junior career and has had previous victories in other tournaments.

10 Upcoming: LPGA Las Vegas

About: The upcoming LPGA event in Las Vegas is the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards, scheduled to take place from April 3 to April 7, 2024, at Shadow Creek. This event marks a significant evolution in the match-play format, introducing a new sponsor, T-Mobile, and featuring an expanded 96-player field. The tournament purse will see a 30% increase from the previous year, and for the first time, the organizations will cover every player's hotel expenses.

A notable change for this year's event is the introduction of a new format that combines stroke and match play. The competition will start with stroke-play from Wednesday to Friday, with a cut to 65 players (and ties) after 36 holes. Following the third round, the top eight players will advance to the weekend's match play competition, concluding with the championship match on Sunday. This format aims to test all players and promises to elevate the event in a meaningful way.

Two changes lead to strongest-ever field for LPGA Las Vegas event

The LPGA Las Vegas event is expected to have the strongest field ever due to a format change and a new date. Five top women's golfers, including Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson, will be participating in the T-Mobile Match Play tournament at Shadow Creek. The tournament will feature three days of stroke play and two days of match play among the top eight players.

SHORT TAKES

The DP World Tour asked players to name other golfers based on emojis and the results are hilarious

The DP World Tour asked golfers to name other players based on emojis, resulting in hilarious responses. The social media team for the tour has a history of creating entertaining videos, and this latest one from the 2024 Porsche Singapore Classic features players attempting to identify their peers using only emojis.

“We’re in this place where players have a warped sense of what golf is worth” - Mackenzie Hughes on the sport's current state

Mackenzie Hughes recently addressed the current state of golf, highlighting the impact of the LIV Golf Series and the role of money in the sport. He expressed concern about the warped sense of value that players have and the potential loss of interest from fans. Hughes also discussed his experience on the PGA Tour's Advisory Council and his hopes for a better and more inclusive decision-making process.

LIV Golf returnee makes DP World Tour comeback look effortless despite earnings of $900,000

Shaun Norris, a returnee from LIV Golf, has made a strong comeback on the DP World Tour despite earning a modest amount of $900,000. Since returning, Norris has achieved two top ten finishes, including a joint runner-up position at the Jonsson Workwear Open. While most of his wins have come from the Japan Golf Tour, he has also won on the Sunshine Tour and claimed the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in the 2021-22 season.

“Worth a Lot”: Peter Malnati Uses Yellow Ball Due to an Extra Sweet Reason; Explored

Peter Malnati, a professional golfer, has been using a yellow ball instead of a white one in tournaments. The reason behind this choice is his son, who liked the colorful ball when he was younger. Despite his son having moved on from it, Malnati continues to use the yellow ball because it reminds him of his son's smile, which holds great significance for him. This showcases the strong bond between Malnati and his son.

'Rigged': Trump ridiculed after claiming to win two golf trophies at his own club

Donald Trump on Sunday was met with sharp criticism on social media, not for being found liable for business fraud or sexual assault, but because of a brag about his golf trophies.

WHAT’S IN THE BAG (WITB)

Alison Lee WITB: What's in the LPGA golfer’s bag?

Alison Lee, currently tied for the lead at the Fir Hills Se Ri Pak Championship, carries a mix of Callaway, Titleist, and Odyssey clubs in her bag. Her equipment includes a Callaway Rogue ST Max driver, Callaway Rogue ST and Callaway Epic Speed woods, Callaway Apex irons, Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges, Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball putter, and Titleist Pro V1 balls. Lee's performance with this equipment includes a driving accuracy of 73.8%, an average driving distance of 259 yards, and reaching 79.22% of greens in regulation. In the 2023 season, Lee experienced a resurgence in her career, securing her second tournament win on the Ladies European Tour and climbing to 18th in the Rolex Rankings.

Winner's Bag: Peter Malnati, 2024 Valspar Championship

Peter Malnati won the 2024 Valspar Championship using a Titleist TSR3 driver, Titleist TSi3 fairway wood, Titleist 818 H2 hybrid, Titleist T200 and T150 irons, Titleist Vokey Design SM10 wedges, Scotty Cameron Tour Type Special Select Masterful 1.5 prototype putter, and Titleist Pro V1x Yellow golf ball.

Latest Official World Golf Ranking

Click HERE for the latest Official World Golf Ranking