Scottie Scheffler had some problems on the first day of the US Open 2024 but remains within reach of the top. (Source: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler had some problems with the difficult course on the first day of the US Open 2024. Scheffler repeatedly missed the fairway with his tee shots on the famous Pinehurst No. course. After three bogeys and only two stroke gains, the world number one is in the upper midfield of the leaderboard.
Scottie Scheffler had problems right from the start on Thursday and missed many fairways. The world number one did not always manage to free himself perfectly from the sandy ground, so that he had already made two bogeys after six holes. He made up for one of them on the par-4 7th, but was unable to improve on the back nine. In 34th place, Scheffler will have to try to keep up the pace on Friday.
Happier together: Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica have decided to stay together. (Source: Getty)
Just before the US Open 2024 at Pinehurst, Rory McIlroy’s confident demeanor has been clarified: the divorce petition he filed in Florida last month has been voluntarily dismissed. McIlroy and his wife of seven years, Erica, have resolved their differences and decided to stay together.
Rory McIlroy Signed Divorce Petition Before PGA Championship
The initial news of the divorce came as a shock to the golfing world, particularly given its timing just before the PGA Championship. However, recent court documents reveal that the case has been dismissed at the request of both parties. This development coincides with McIlroy’s noticeably positive mood during his media engagements at Pinehurst. Addressing the rumors surrounding his personal life, McIlroy told the Guardian, “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
🚨♥️⛳️#BREAKING: Just days before the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll have decided to call off their divorce and have resolved their differences, @guardian is reporting with documents filed to dismiss the court case. @TrackingRory | @rory_fanspic.twitter.com/GVWxyRJKiw
This reconciliation couldn’t come at a better time for McIlroy, who is looking to end his wait for a fifth major title, a quest that has lasted since August 2014. Partnering with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in the first two rounds of the US Open 2024, McIlroy’s focus is now firmly on the task ahead. Reflecting on his career, McIlroy expressed pride in his achievements over the past 15 years. “I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors,” he said. “Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”
Jon Rahm withdrawed from the US Open 2024. (Source: Getty)
In a surprising turn of events, Jon Rahm has withdrawn from the US Open 2024, citing a peculiar toe injury. On a blazing hot Tuesday afternoon at Pinehurst No. 2, Rahm was seen limping around the course in an unusual footwear combination: a golf shoe on one foot and a flip-flop on the other. The unconventional choice drew attention, revealing a large bandage wrapped around his two smallest toes on his flip-flop-clad foot. Despite the seemingly minor appearance of the injury, Rahm’s pronounced limp suggested a deeper issue.
Jon Rahm Withdraws From the US Open 2024
Later that day, Rahm announced his withdrawal via social media. “After consulting with numerous doctors and my team, I have decided it is best for my long-term health to withdraw from this week’s US Open Championship,” he wrote. “To say I’m disappointed is a massive understatement! I wish all my peers the best of luck and want to thank all of the USGA staff, volunteers, and the Pinehurst community for hosting what I’m sure will be an amazing championship! Hopefully I’ll be back in action sooner than later!”
After consulting with numerous doctors and my team, I have decided it is best for my long term health, to withdraw from this weeks US Open Championship. To say I’m disappointed is a massive understatement! I wish all my peers the best of luck and want to thank all of the USGA…
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmOfficial) June 11, 2024
Infection Caused the Withdraw
The injury, described as a “lesion” between his fourth and pinkie toes, became infected during the LIV Golf tournament in Houston the previous week. Rahm, who had to withdraw from that event as well, explained that a numbing injection intended to manage the pain led to severe discomfort, forcing him to exit the tournament early. “I don’t know how or what happened, but it got infected,” Rahm said during a press conference on Tuesday morning. “The pain was high.” Despite his efforts to manage the injury and the medical advice to keep the area dry, Rahm’s condition did not improve sufficiently. He had not stepped onto the Pinehurst course for practice, hoping to allow his toe more time to heal. His terse demeanor during the press conference reflected his frustration and uncertainty about his ability to compete.
When asked about the injury’s impact, Rahm was forthright. “Oh, it’s a concern,” he admitted. “It’s doing better, but it’s definitely still in pain.” Although Rahm’s appearance at the press conference initially raised hopes that he might compete, his comments suggested otherwise. “Could I have dragged myself out there and posted some kind of a score? Yeah. But it was getting to a point where I wasn’t making the swings I wanted to make, and I could have hurt other parts of my swing just because of the pain,” he said regarding his withdrawal in Houston. His uncertainty about the US Open 2024 became clear as he concluded, “As to right now this week, I don’t know.” By Tuesday evening, Rahm decided he had seen enough, officially withdrawing from the US Open just after 5 p.m. local time. His withdrawal opened up a spot for Jackson Suber, a 24-year-old Korn Ferry Tour pro from Tampa, Florida.
The Tee Times of Tiger Woods at the first two round of the US Open 2024. (Source: Getty)
The US Open 2024 will take place from June 13 to 16 at the famous Pinehurst Golf & Country Club in North Carolina. In 1999, Woods finished tied 5th at the US Open on the Pinehurst No. 2 course. Tiger will try to attack again this year. He will play the first two rounds alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris. The trio will start at 07:29 on Thursday and tee off at 13:14 on Friday.
Padraig Harrington was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. (Source: Getty)
Padraig Harrington was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst. Harrington, who even at the age of 52 still works tirelessly on his game and is always striving to improve, expressed his gratitude for the constants in his career: his wife, to whom he has been married for 34 years, his equipment supplier Wilson, whom he has never changed, and his manager Adrian Mitchell. “I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and validation,” said Harrington. The Irishman, who has a total of 21 victories worldwide, including the 2007 and 2008 British Open and the 2008 PGA Championship, joins 19-time LPGA winner Sandra Palmer as the only living inductees into the Hall of Fame. “This really feels like a dream,” said Palmer, who threw both arms in the air as she was introduced to the 29 other members of the Hall of Fame. The posthumously honored members include LPGA great Beverly Hanson, former Open Championship winner and golf course architect Tom Weiskopf and former US Open champion Johnny Farrell. The remaining seven founders of the LPGA Tour – Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Sally Sessions and Shirley Spork – were also accepted as a group. The other six founders had previously been honored individually.
Padraig Harrington joins a select circle
Harrington grew up in Ireland with dreams of Claret Jugs and the Wanamaker Trophy, not so much the Hall of Fame. Still, he recognized the significance of the award, especially on the PGA Tour Champions, where many of his peers like Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Fred Couples are already members. “You look up to those guys and you want to be part of that group,” Harrington said last week. “A lot of the players on the Champions Tour were a bit before my time, so I looked up to them as role models when I turned pro.” For today’s generation of top golfers, Harrington now serves as a role model himself. In honor of Harrington’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, 26-time PGA Tour winner Rory McIlroy had words of appreciation for the former star: “He really got this whole Irish golf movement going. Padraig was the one who made us all believe we could do it. He’s the ultimate professional.” Fellow countryman Shane Lowry also paid tribute to Harrington: “He was one of my role models growing up. He was fantastic for golf and fantastic for Ireland. We are very grateful for him.”
“He really kick-started this whole Irish golf movement. Padraig was the one that made us all believe we could do it. He’s the ultimate pro.” – @McIlroyRory
The Irishman had his breakthrough in 2007 at the British Open in Carnoustie, when he defeated Sergio Garcia despite a double bogey on the last hole. A year later, he won the British Open at Royal Birkdale and a month later became the first European winner of the PGA Championship in 78 years. In addition to his major victories, Harrington won three more on the PGA Tour, twelve on the European Tour and five in other international tournaments. He played on six Ryder Cup teams and was captain at Whistling Straits in 2021, even though Harrington had no plans to become a professional golfer, as he revealed in an interview with the DP World Tour.
“I had no intention of being a professional golfer.”
Nasa Hataoka got disqualified at last weeks LPGA Tour event. (Source: Getty)
In an unusual turn of events, Nasa Hataoka was disqualified after the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic due to a timing issue with locating her lost ball, underscoring the stringent nature of the Rules of Golf. Hataoka, a prominent figure on the LPGA Tour, started her first round on the back nine and was performing admirably. However, on her final hole, the ninth, she hit her second shot into the long fescue surrounding the green. Despite her efforts, and those of her caddie, to locate the ball, it was eventually found outside the three-minute search limit imposed by Rule 18.2a.
LPGA Tour has released a statement regarding the disqualification of Nasa Hataoka
In an official statement, the LPGA Tour clarified: “During the first round of the LPGA Shoprite Classic, Nasa Hataoka played her second shot on No. 9 into the long fescue surrounding the green, her last hole of the day. After reviewing video footage provided to the LPGA following the round, it was determined that the search for Nasa’s ball lasted longer than the three minutes allowed under Rule 18.2a. After three minutes of search, the ball is considered lost, and the player must proceed under stroke and distance (Rule 18.2b).”
Statement on Nasa Hataoka’s disqualification from the ShopRite LPGA Classic:
During the first round of the LPGA Shoprite Classic, Nasa Hataoka played her second shot on No. 9 into the long fescue surrounding the green, her last hole of the day. After reviewing video footage…
Hataoka’s situation became even more complicated when she played from the wrong place after the ball was found. The rules specify that if a player does not play from the correct spot, they are in breach of Rule 14.7. Since Hataoka played from a position that could potentially offer a significant advantage compared to where she should have played from, this was considered a serious breach, resulting in disqualification as it was not corrected in time.
Had her score stood, Hataoka would have signed for a six-under-par round of 65, placing her four strokes behind the leader, Arpichaya Yubol, who nearly broke the 60-barrier with an impressive 10-under round of 61.
Nelly Korda started the second major on the LPGA Tour with ten over par. (Source: Getty)
In the world of golf, even the best can have days where nothing goes right. Nelly Korda, a dominant force with six victories in her last seven tournaments, experienced such a day during the opening round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club. The golf course, known for its challenging layout, claimed an unlikely victim in Korda, who ended her day with a score of 80, twelve shots behind the leader.
Early Trouble for Nelly Korda
The trouble began early for Nelly Korda. By the time she reached the par-3 12th hole, her day had already taken a turn for the worse. A 25-minute wait on the tee didn’t help her rhythm, as she watched players ahead struggle with the hole. Despite her usual confidence, Korda made a interesting club choice, opting for a 6-iron instead of a 7-iron. Her ball took a hard hop into a back bunker, setting off a disastrous sequence. Attempting to escape from the bunker, Korda’s shot came out hot, rolling past the pin, off the false front, and into the penalty area. What followed was a painful series of shots as she struggled to get her ball back onto the green. Each attempt seemed to make matters worse, culminating in a septuple-bogey 10. The frustration was palpable as Korda walked off the green, her score now at +8.
“Making a 10 on a par 3 will definitely not do you any good at a US Open,” Korda remarked, reflecting on her tumultuous start. “Just a bad day in the office.” Despite the rough beginning, Korda’s resilience shone through as she continued to fight her way through the course. However, the golf gods were not in her favor. Missed putts and difficult lies continued to plague her round. Her first birdie didn’t come until her 12th hole. “I’m human,” she said. “I’m going to have bad days. I played some really solid golf up to this point. Today was just a bad day. That’s all I can say.”
"Just a bad day in the office."
Nelly Korda addressed her round after shooting an 80 to begin her 2024 U.S. Women's Open. pic.twitter.com/rpryM7gP8r
The US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club proved to be an unexpectedly grueling challenge for the players. The difficult conditions, highlighted by strong winds and tricky course design, left many of the sport’s top athletes struggling to maintain their composure and their scores. By day’s end, the scoring average had soared to over five above par and the number of bogeys-or-worse had more than tripled the number of birdies.
The 12th hole, a deceptively difficult par-3, was the worst offender. Playing at just 161 yards, the hole was further complicated by a frontward slope and a false front leading to a creek. Only 52 percent of the field managed to hit the green in regulation on Thursday and in total 52 golfballs landed in the pond in front of the green. The strong winds forced players to choose between hitting a longer club, risking the back bunker, or using a shorter club and potentially ending up in the water. This led to significant delays, with backups of up to 30 minutes. Only ten players managed to make birdie on this hole. 32 players carded a bogey and 13 players even had to record a double bogey or higher
Mel Reid on the carnage at Lancaster No. 12 today—where Nelly Korda made a 10a—is as good a video breakdown as you’ll see. pic.twitter.com/DW9QG217Rf
Bryson DeChambeau and Martin Borgmeier are clearly having fun together. (Source: Youtube Martin Borgmeier)
In an entertaining YouTube video, former long drive world champion Martin Borgmeier and major winner Bryson DeChambeau engage in an unusual duel. The special thing about this three-hole match: DeChambeau plays with children’s golf clubs from the supermarket.
Bryson DeChambeau shines with children’s clubs
The video begins with a humorous challenge: can Bryson DeChambeau beat Martin Borgmeier with children’s golf clubs? The four clubs in this set are a driver, a seven-iron, a pitching wedge and a putter. Before the challenge, the two joke that if DeChambeau wins, he will have to play left-handed and blind in the next match.
The first hole, a par 4, begins with a tee shot from DeChambeau. His driver hits the ball perfectly and lands about 240 metres away on the fairway. Borgmeier counters with an impressive shot that is considerably longer, as the Long-Drive-Pro repeats the whole way to their balls. Borgmeier remains cool on the green and converts his birdie putt after the LIV pro’s putt from the edge of the green missed the hole by just a few centimetres. Between holes, the duo talk about interesting topics such as DeChambeau’s swing technique in long drive competitions, technical details about DeChambeau’s driver or how many balls the golf pro has already hit in his life. But it also remains exciting on the course.
As the match progresses, Bryson DeChambeau’s technical diversity becomes apparent. After another good tee shot, DeChambeau plays the ball to within a few metres of the flag with his second shot, from where he subsequently holes out. Borgmeier is able to play a similarly good approach shot, but misses the decisive putt, allowing DeChambeau to equalise. DeChambeau shows all his class on the final par-3 and leaves the German long driver no chance.The LIV pro emerges victorious from the challenge with a score of 2 to 1 and spectators may soon be able to look forward to the next match between the likeable duo. DeChambeau jokingly commented under the video: “I guess I’ll have to play you blindfolded and left-handed now…”
Grayson Murray has died at the age of 30. (Source: Getty)
The golf world is mourning the death of Grayson Murray, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 30. Murray, who won his second PGA Tour title this year at the Sony Open in Hawaii, leaves a huge void in professional golf. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed his shock and sadness: “We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss of Grayson Murray. The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of that family, it changes everything. We mourn the loss of Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones.” Monahan reported that he had personally contacted Grayson’s parents to offer his deepest condolences. Despite their pain, the parents asked that the Charles Schwab Challenge continue. “They were convinced that Grayson would have wanted us to continue. As hard as it will be, we want to honor their wishes,” Monahan continued. Grief Counselors have been provided at recent PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour events to offer support to players and staff. Commissioner Monahan traveled from the Florida headquarters to Fort Worth, Texas to be there in person and promised to release more information as it becomes available.
Statement Confirmes Suicide
Grayson Murray’s parents have disclosed in a statement, that the 30-year-old has committed suicide. Terry and Eric Murray write: “We have spent the last 24 hours trying to come to terms with the fact that our son is gone […] Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know that he rests peacefully now.”
Grayson Murray: Already outstanding at an early age
Grayson Murray was an outstanding golfer from early on. At a young age, he won the Callaway Junior World Championships three times in a row (2006-08) and was the top-ranked golfer in his age group. At the age of 16, he was the second youngest player ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. After stops at Wake Forest University, East Carolina University and Arizona State University, he received a sponsor invitation to a Korn Ferry Tour event near his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina in 2016. His top-10 finish at this tournament, the Rex Hospital Open, helped him to further starts and ultimately to his breakthrough in professional golf. A win at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship earned him second place on the Korn Ferry Tour money list and secured his promotion to the PGA Tour for the 2016-17 season. As a rookie, Murray wasted no time winning the 2017 Barbasol Championship. He finished the season impressively with a 66th place finish in the FedExCup and earnings of almost 1.5 million dollars. However, the following years were difficult for Murray. It was not until 2023 that he regained his old form on the Korn Ferry Tour, winning two tournaments and thus securing his return to the PGA Tour. At the start of the 2024 season, he achieved his second victory on the tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii, where he defeated Byeong Hun An and Keegan Bradley in a play-off. After this victory, Murray spoke openly about his mental challenges: “My parents have been through hell with me over the last six years because I’ve struggled with some mental issues,” he said at the time. “It’s not easy for me and it’s not easy for the people who love me. They don’t like to see me down. They’ve always been my biggest supporters, as well as some friends, and that makes those moments extra special.”
Numerous players in mourning
Following the news of Murray’s death, numerous prominent golfers expressed their deepest sorrow. World number one Scottie Scheffler said: “The news hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m thinking of his family and praying for them. I can’t imagine how difficult this time must be for them.” Webb Simpson, who had known Murray since childhood, also expressed his dismay and fought back tears: “When you get news like this over the phone, you can’t realize it’s true at first. I am very grateful for the time I was able to spend with him before this terrible news. It really is devastating.” The English golfer and captain of the European Ryder Cup team, Luke Donald, wrote on social media: “It’s unbelievable that Grayson Murray has passed away. He asked me for advice on how to play Augusta a few months ago and I saw him at the PGA Championship last week. Life is truly precious. My condolences and prayers go out to his entire family.” Two-time major winner Bubba Watson said: “It’s very sad to hear of Grayson Murray’s passing. Life is so fragile. I just hugged you at the Masters and told you how proud I am of you. I’m grateful to have known you.”
Connected for over 20 years in North Carolina and on TOUR, Webb Simpson remembers his friend, Grayson Murray. pic.twitter.com/NPRZCYGVR5
Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda are two high-flyers traveling to the 2024 Olympics.
The 2024 Olympics begin in Paris on July 26, and things get serious for the golfers at the beginning of August. It is highly likely that four US male and four US female golfers will be taking part in this year’s Summer Games.
Olympics 2024: A look at the qualification criteria in golf
Golf was no longer part of the Olympic Games for over 100 years before making its triumphant return in Rio in 2016. Since then, the discipline has become an integral part of the Olympics. Accordingly, golfers from all over the world are also competing to take part in the 2024 Olympics at this year’s event in Paris. While all four starting places in the men’s event are as good as secured, Megan Khang is fighting for a place in the women’s event. It is worth taking a look at the qualification criteria.
The qualification criteria for the Olympic golf tournament in Paris 2024 (Photo: IGF)
Qualification for the golf competitions of the 2024 Summer Olympics is based on an Olympic Golf Ranking, which is closely aligned with the OWGR. Over a qualification period of two years, the ranking is made up of points won in various tournaments, with performances in tournaments with stronger fields earning more points, in accordance with a points distribution plan approved by the International Golf Federation (IGF). As with the OWGR, good finishes on the PGA Tour are generally the most highly rated, but men’s golfers can also collect plenty of points on the DP World Tour and other tours. Ultimately, the average score from a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 52 tournaments is decisive. The 15 best golfers in the Olympic Golf Ranking qualify for the Olympic Games, whereby a maximum of four athletes may come from the same country. With a total number of 60 golfers, all golfers between 16th and 60th place in the OGR also qualify, with a limit of two players per country – the limit also includes players in the top 15. If a country already has two or more players in the top 15, no further players can qualify for the Olympic Games. The women’s qualification system corresponds to that of the men and is based on the Rolex Ranking (women’s world ranking list).
These players have the best chances of taking part
The four Olympic tickets for the men’s team already seem to have been secured. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, the two major winners of the season so far, are heading to Paris. While Scheffler leads the rankings, Schauffele is in third place, with Wyndham Clark, the next US player, just behind him in fourth place. The last ticket is likely to go to Patrick Cantlay, who is eighth and secured within the top 15.
The women’s Olympic riders are also as good as fixed. Nelly Korda, the high-flyer of the season, is the leader of the rankings. Lilia Vu, sitting in second place, is also in contention for an Olympic starting place. Rose Zhang is in sixth place in the rankings and is therefore likely to be in the running. Meanwhile, Megan Khang, who is in 15th place, has to fight. If she falls any lower, her Olympic dream would be shattered.
