Ko coasts in Arkansas to third LPGA win of the year (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Teenager Lydia Ko cruised into the winner’s circle for a third time this season to claim her 13th career title on the LPGA Tour with a three-shot victory at the Arkansas Championship on Sunday. The world number one carded a three-under-par 68 for a tournament-record total of 17-under 196 in the 54-hole event at Pinnacle Country Club, three shots clear of Taiwan’s Candie Kung (69) and American Morgan Pressel (71). “It wasn’t the greatest ending to finish up with a six,” Ko told Golf Channel.
No. 1 Lydia Ko wins LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship (The Associated Press)
Lydia Ko began the final round of the NW Arkansas Championship in a tie for the lead. Sparked by an stretch of four birdies in her first five holes, Ko opened an early four-shot lead and was rarely challenged while closing with a 3-under 68 for her third LPGA Tour victory of the year. Ko has set any number of records since taking the LPGA Tour by storm, everything from being the first amateur to win two events to becoming the youngest two-time major winner at the ANA Inspiration this year.
Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong wins Symetra Tour event (The Associated Press)
Thailand’s Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong won the Island Resort Championship on Sunday at Sweetgrass Golf Club for her second career Symetra Tour title. ”I’m so happy and proud of myself,” Santiwiwatthanaphong said. ”I feel like I have more confidence now,” said Santiwiwatthanaphong, who was texting LPGA Tour star Brooke Henderson after the victory.
British Open spot goes to Reno after Greenbrier canceled (The Associated Press)
A spot in the British Open will be offered to the leading finisher in this week’s Barracuda Championship. The Barracuda Championship, which starts Thursday in Reno, Nevada, is held opposite the World Golf Championship at Firestone.
Craig Bowden, Ryan Helminen share PGA Professional lead (The Associated Press)
Craig Bowden and Ryan Helminen each shot 5-under 67 on Sunday at Turning Stone to share the first-round lead in the PGA Professional Championship. The final top 20 will earn spots next month in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey. Bowden, a 51-year-old PGA Life Member who played on the PGA Tour from 1996 through 2012, is fighting pain in his left shoulder.
Ollie Schniederjans wins Webcom Tour event in Wichita (The Associated Press)
Ollie Schniederjans won the Air Capital Classic in hot conditions Sunday for his first Web.com Tour title, beating amateur Collin Morikawa and J.J. Spaun with an 18-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a playoff. ”I felt like it was probably a 20-percent chance of making it,” Schniederjans said about the winning putt that broke left to right. Schniederjans shot a 3-under 67 to match Morikawa and Spaun at 17-under 263 at Crestview Country Club.
Hurley lands first PGA Tour win at Congressional (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Local favorite Billy Hurley III, helped by a stunning chip-in on 15 and a monster putt at the 16th, clinched his first PGA Tour victory by three shots on Sunday at the Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, Maryland. The 34-year-old American, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who calls nearby Annapolis home, never relinquished his overnight lead in the final round at Congressional as he closed with a two-under-par 69 in the event hosted by Tiger Woods. One stroke in front with four holes to play, Hurley chipped in from 35 yards to birdie the par-four 15th, and then sank a 27-footer at the par-five 16th to forge three ahead on the way to a 17-under total of 267.
Woods not ready to return to action, will ‘do it right’ (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Tiger Woods on Sunday gave the strongest indication yet that he might not return to competition this year, saying that he needed to be patient during his recovery from back surgeries. The former world number one has not played on the PGA Tour since undergoing microdiscectomy back surgery last September and, at the age of 40, has decided not to rush his comeback. “I am playing, just I need more time,” tournament host Woods told CBS Sports during Sunday’s final round of the Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, Maryland.
Kirk Triplett rallies to win Champions event in Wisconsin (The Associated Press)
Kirk Triplett rallied to win the inaugural American Family Insurance Championship on Sunday for his fifth PGA Tour Champions title, making four straight birdies in front of another large crowd at University Ridge. The 54-year-old Triplett shot a 7-under 65 to finish at 17-under 199, two strokes ahead of Bart Bryant and Mike Goodes on the course softened by 2 inches of overnight rain. With son Sam serving as his caddie, Triplett birdied the par-4 13th, 14th and 15th and par-5 16th, saved par with a 6-footer on the par-3 17th and parred the par-4 18th.
Naval Academy grad Hurley wins Quicken Loans National (The Associated Press)
Billy Hurley III held the club in his left hand and fist pumped with his right. The ball disappeared into the hole in front of him as the crowd roared, and Hurley let loose the emotion he’d been holding in. ”That’s probably like the most emotion I’ve ever shown in my life,” Hurley said.
Henrik Stenson wins BMW Open by 3 shots on long day (The Associated Press)
Henrik Stenson overcame four bogeys in the final round to earn his 10th European Tour title with a three-shot victory at the BMW International Open on Sunday. Darren Fichardt of South Africa and Thorbjoern Olesen of Denmark tied for second at 14 under. Fichardt caught up on the 13th but Stenson had two more birdies.
Sizzling Ko joins Pressel in tie for lead in Arkansas (Reuters)
(Reuters) – World number one Lydia Ko finished birdie-eagle for a tournament-record tying nine-under-par 62 to charge into a share of the second-round lead with Morgan Pressel at the Arkansas Championship on Saturday. Former major winner Pressel held the clubhouse lead after a bogey-free 63 for a 14-under total of 128 in the 54-hole event at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers before being caught late in the day by the fast-finishing Ko. “I’ve played well here the past few years and had the opportunity to play here as an amateur,” Ko told Golf Channel.
Ko matches course record with 62, shares NW Arkansas lead (The Associated Press)
Lydia Ko is comfortable on most any golf course she steps onto these days. The top-ranked player feels exceptionally at home at Pinnacle Country Club in the LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship, and that comfort level has shown in her performances over the last few years. Ko continued her mastery of the 6,330-yard layout Saturday, matching the course record with a 9-under 62 to move into a tie for with Morgan Pressel at 14 under.
Hurley moves two ahead at Congressional, Els lurks (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Local favorite Billy Hurley III moved one step closer to a first PGA Tour victory as he seized a two-shot lead after Saturday’s third round of the Quicken Loans National in Bethesda, Maryland. PGA Tour veteran Ernie Els, seeking a 20th win on the U.S. circuit but his first in four years, was alone in second after shooting a bogey-free 65 with joint second-round leader Jon Rahm of Spain (70) a further stroke back at 12 under. South African Els, whose most recent PGA Tour victory came at the 2012 British Open, holed out from 157 yards to eagle the par-four 12th, then sank a 24-foot birdie putt at the par-four 14th to surge up the leaderboard.
Hurley takes 2-shot lead over Els in Quicken Loans National (The Associated Press)
Billy Hurley III relied on his experience as a Naval officer to stay focused during a bogey-free round in the Quicken Loans National. Hurley couldn’t help but drift away from golf when he made the turn and looked at the police officers following his group. Not used to that attention, Hurley thought about his father who died 10 months ago of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Jean-Francois Remesy takes Champions lead in Wisconsin (The Associated Press)
Jean-Francois Remesy had two eagles in an 8-under 64 on Saturday to take the second-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ inaugural American Family Insurance Championship. Gene Sauers and Bart Bryant were a stroke back.
2016 Greenbrier Classic canceled due to flooding (Reuters)
(Reuters) – The PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic, scheduled to be played next month in West Virginia, has been canceled due to the devastating flooding caused by record rainfall in the state, organizers announced on Saturday. The Old White TPC, the host course at White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, suffered extensive damage from the flooding and is beyond reasonable repair to conduct the tournament, PGA Tour officials said. “We are heartbroken by the devastation that the residents of West Virginia are experiencing at this time and the reports of lives lost due to the terrible flooding,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement.
PGA Tour cancels Greenbrier Classic amid West Virginia flood (The Associated Press)
The PGA Tour announced Saturday that the Greenbrier Classic scheduled for next month has been canceled because of the devastating flooding in West Virginia. The tournament had been scheduled for July 7-10 at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, which was inundated with floodwaters after heavy storms rolled into the state Thursday. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said officials were heartbroken by the devastation in West Virginia and offered their thoughts and prayers.
Rain washes out 3rd round at BMW Open (The Associated Press)
PULHEIM, Germany (AP) — Heavy rain washed out the third round of the BMW International Open on Saturday.
Japan’s Ayako Uehara shoots 62 to take NW Arkansas lead (The Associated Press)
One of Ayako Uehara’s best memories in her four full-time seasons on the LPGA Tour is a hole-in-one she made in her first appearance at the NW Arkansas Championship in 2013. Uehara added to her growing list of memorable moments at Pinnacle Country Club by shooting a career-best 62 in the opening round Friday. Uehara needed only 25 putts and made nine birdies in her bogey-free round, a score that bested her previous career low of 63 she posted in Malaysia in 2014.
Uehara ties tournament record to surge clear in Arkansas (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Japan’s Ayako Uehara scorched her way to a tournament-record tying nine-under-par 62 to seize a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Arkansas Championship on Friday. Uehara made nine birdies in a bogey-free round to match the 18-hole scoring record set by Jane Park and Angela Park in 2008. “With (my) caddie and trainer, everybody is like a team and so everything is coming together, including the swing coach,” Uehara told reporters.
Rahm, Hurley share Quicken Loans lead (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Spain’s Jon Rahm kept up his impressive professional debut by posting a four-under-par 67 to share a three-shot, second-round lead with local favorite Billy Hurley III at the Quicken Loans National on Friday. Overnight leader Rahm, the former Arizona State golfer who was the low amateur at last week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont, held sole possession of the lead before missing a four-foot par putt at the last in Bethesda, Maryland. Hurley, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who calls nearby Annapolis his home, fired a six-under 65 to join playing partner Rahm on 11-under-par 131 at Congressional.
Sauers, Toledo top PGA Tour Champions in Wisconsin (The Associated Press)
Gene Sauers rebounded from a bulging disk to share the first-round lead with Estaban Toledo on Friday in the PGA Tour Champions’ inaugural American Family Insurance Championship. The 53-year-old Sauers matched Toledo with a 9-under 63 in front of large galleries at University Ridge. Sauers withdrew from the Constellation Senior Players Championship two weeks ago in Pennsylvania because of the disk problem.
Golfer Grace pulls out of Olympics due to Zika (Reuters)
(Reuters) – South African Branden Grace joined a growing list of leading golfers withdrawing from the Rio Olympics on Friday due to concerns about the Zika virus. The world number 11, who is South Africa’s top ranked golfer, joins compatriots Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel in pulling out of the August Games, which will see the sport return for the first time in 112 years. “After serious consideration, it is with regret that I have decided to withdraw myself from the Olympic competition due to the risk posed by the Zika virus,” the 28-year-old, who is engaged to Nieke Coetzee, said in a statement.
Trio leads BMW International after round 2, Willett out (The Associated Press)
Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand shot a day best 8 under 64 to join Raphael Jacquelin and Henrik Stenson at the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the BMW International Open on Friday. Jacquelin of France shot 4 under, while Stenson was 7 under for the day despite still being bothered by a right-knee injury. Masters champion Danny Willett missed the cut after shooting 2 under.
Vijay Singh shoots 66 to lead Quicken Loans National (The Associated Press)
Vijay Singh shot a 66 to move to 8 under par through two rounds and take the early lead Friday at the Quicken Loans National. The 53-year-old Singh hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since 2008. ”I was unfortunate that it went that far in and fortunate that it stayed out,” Singh said.
Branden Grace cites Zika in pulling out of Olympics (The Associated Press)
Branden Grace withdrew from the Olympics on Friday, becoming the fourth golfer to cite the Zika virus as a reason not to play in Rio de Janeiro this summer. At No. 11 in the world, Grace, a two-time winner this year, is the highest-ranked South African golfer. ”After serious consideration, it is with regret that I have decided to withdraw myself from the Olympic competition due to the risk posed by the Zika virus,” Grace said in a statement.
Trump says Brexit a model for his campaign (Reuters)
By Steve Holland TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) – U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump thrust himself into the heart of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union on Friday, calling it a “great thing” and drawing parallels to his own insurgent campaign. In Scotland to reopen a golf resort he owns, the wealthy New York businessman wasted no time interpreting the outcome of the “Brexit” vote as an example of a global uprising against the established order, an argument he said fits in with his own campaign to shake up Washington by renegotiating free trade deals and stopping illegal immigration. You see it with Europe, all over Europe,” said Trump, 70, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.
Branden Grace cites Zika in pulling out of Olympics (The Canadian Press)
Branden Grace of South Africa has become the fourth golfer to pull out of the Olympics because of the Zika virus. Grace is a two-time winner this year and No. 11 in the world, the highest-ranked South African. Grace is getting married in November and plans to start a family soon.
Golf: Spaniard Rahm grabs Quicken Loans lead in pro debut (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Spaniard Jon Rahm made a stunning start to his professional career with a flawless seven-under-par 64 that gave him a one-shot lead after the first round of the Tiger Woods-hosted Quicken Loan National on Thursday. Rahm, who last week was the only amateur to make the cut at the U.S. Open, fired seven birdies at the event which benefits Woods’s charitable foundation to lead Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas by a stroke. “I was really comfortable off the tee with the driver, hitting it good and hitting it straight, so that allowed me to be a little more aggressive and it paid off,” Rahm said.
Notley responds to having her face made up as golf course target (The Canadian Press)
Premier Rachel Notley says having an oversized picture of her face tacked onto a cardboard target for golf balls is not the Alberta that she knows. Notley was responding to the picture propped up on the Brooks golf course last Friday for an oilmen’s golf tournament. It was meant to be a target for golfers.
Lewis hopes for return to form at NW Arkansas Championship (The Associated Press)
Former world No. 1 Stacy Lewis has been busy since winning her last tournament two years ago, getting engaged and preparing for her upcoming wedding in August. The former Arkansas standout and two-time LPGA Player of the Year tries to get back into winning form this week when she returns to her college home for the NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club. Lewis won the 2014 tournament in front of a vocal and supportive gallery, her 11th victory overall.
Harrington steps up after McDowell rules out Rio (Reuters)
Padraig Harrington stepped up for Ireland on Thursday after compatriots Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy ruled out playing in Rio when golf returns to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years. “It would be a huge honor for me to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games, having played an active role in golf’s bid to be re-included in the Olympic Games program,” said Harrington, a three times major champion, in a statement. World number four McIlroy announced his withdrawal on Wednesday because of fears over the Zika virus which can cause birth defects.
Raphael Jacquelin leads BMW International at 7 under (The Associated Press)
PULHEIM, Germany (AP) — Raphael Jacquelin leads Oliver Fisher by one stroke after the opening round of the BMW International Open on Thursday.
McDowell says he won’t replace McIlroy at Rio Olympics (The Canadian Press)
Graeme McDowell rejected the chance to replace Rory McIlroy in the Irish Olympic team on Thursday, becoming the latest high-profile golfer to opt out of the Rio de Janeiro Games. While McIlroy cited concerns about the Zika virus, McDowell said he decided months ago not to leave the United States while his wife expects their second child. Next in line for Irish selection for the first Olympic golf competition since 1904 is three-time major champion Padraig Harrington.
Rain pushes back start of Tiger Woods’ event in Maryland (The Associated Press)
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Rain that began before dawn has pushed back the start of the first round of the Quicken Loans National.
Day’s hectic stretch may or may not include Rio Olympics (Reuters)
By Larry Fine SPRINGFIELD, New Jersey (Reuters) – Australian World number Jason Day is gearing up for a hectic few months on the links but is still undecided on whether his crowded schedule will include the Rio Olympics. Day said he would be fitting his Canadian Open defense in between the British Open and defense of the PGA Championship title next month and was looking forward to teaming up with Adam Scott at the World Cup in Australia, but was unsure about Rio.
Inbee Park withdraws from US Women’s Open (The Associated Press)
SAN MARTIN, Calif. (AP) — Inbee Park withdrew from the U.S. Women’s Open on Wednesday because of a left thumb injury. The tournament is July 7-10 at CordeValle.
Tiger Woods progressing in rehab, still won’t set timeline (The Associated Press)
Tiger Woods can play soccer with kids and ride a bike but hasn’t progressed far enough in his rehab to set a timeline on when he’ll return to professional golf. ”I need to get to where I can play 18 holes out here and go to the range for an hour and work on my game,” Woods said Wednesday on the eve of the first round of his Quicken Loans National tournament.
McIlroy opts out of Rio Olympics over Zika concerns (The Canadian Press)
“After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize that my healthand my family’s health comes before anything else,” the four-time major winner said in a statement released by his management company. The 27-year-old McIlroy said this month that he and his fiancee, Erica Stoll, may consider starting a family “in the next couple of years.” Zika is a mosquito-borne virus which has been linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults. The fourth-ranked McIlroy was scheduled to play for Ireland as golf makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.
Streaky Merritt hopes to get hot again at Quicken Loans (The Associated Press)
Troy Merritt is the defending champion at the Quicken Loans National, but that doesn’t mean he gets friendly vibes from the golf course. Merritt shot 14 under par on the weekend last year at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club to break through for his first PGA Tour victory, beating Rickie Fowler by three shots. This year, the tournament returns to Congressional Country Club, where Merritt missed the cut in 2014.
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