Tag: LPGA Tour

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Joachim B. Hansen wins his second European Tour victory at the AVIV Dubai Championship 2021 – One shot makes the difference

Joachim B. Hansen of Denmark celebrates with his family on the 18h green after the final round of The AVIV Dubai Championship.(Getty Images)

PGA Tour: Houston Open

The Houston Open was held in Houston, Texas at the Memorial Park Golf Course. From November 11th-14th of 2021. Our Scandinavian players struggled to make birdies, the pars kept them with high chances of passing the cut after the second round. However, the lack of birdies and sand saves put Henrik Stenson out of the competition after two rounds of (72-76).

On the other hand, his mate Henrik Norlander, currently ranked 139th of the OWGR, made it through the four rounds of the Houston Open. Norlander finished last on the leaderboard with rounds of (71-69-72-78). It was not his best performance at the PGA Tour this season. They will soon have another chance to drop some putts and climb up on the leaderboard next week at the RSM Classic, on Nov. 18th.

PGA Tour Houston Open
Course Memorial Park Golf Course- Houston, TX, USA
Prize Money 7.5 Million Dollar
Champion Jason Kokrak
Scandinavian players Henrik Norlander (T67), Henrik Stenson (CUT)

LPGA Tour: Pelican Women’s Championship 2021

Nelly Korda wins her 4th LPGA victory of the year after battling a 4-way PlayOff at the Pelican Womens Championship, at the Pelican Golf Club, Belleair. “I never won in front of my parents until earlier this year and I did it twice now, and in a playoff. My dad said I’m going to give him a heart attack, so that was nice before the playoff. I was like, Okay, good.” – Korda

Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, and Sei Young Kim are the other three great golfers who attempted for the trophy.

Scandinavia plays all their chances to bring home the gold medal. Sweden, Finland, and Denmark were represented by the best golfers at the moment.

Madelene Sagstrom (SWE) was the best Scandinavian player. Sagstrom finished T33 after four rounds of 6-under par. Clearly, the ladies set the standards very high this weekend. Sagstrom took some of her birdie opportunities to lower her scores. The amount of up & downs was low and therefore, it was a struggle to avoid some bogeys here and there. Her putting was good but the greens were not easy. The Swedish golfer was consistent and now she is ready to come back stronger next weekend.

LPGA Tour Pelican Women’s Championship
Course Pelican Golf Club, Belleair – Belleair, FL
Prize Money 1.7 Million Dollars
Champion Nelly Korda
Scandinavian players Madelene Sagstrom (T33), Matilda Castren (52), Nanna Madsen (CUT),

European Tour: AVIV Dubai Championship 2021

Dubai hosted the AVIV Dubai Championship, at the Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates. Denmark tasted the glory with the victory of Joachim Hansen (DEN), after four solid rounds of golf (63-67-67-68) for a total of 23-under par.

Not too far down, his mate Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN), and Kalle Samooja (FIN) also made the Top 10, finishing 8th at the end, 4-shots behind the leader. The Scandinavian golfers tend to play better in the European Tour due to a matter of statistics. There are always more Scandinavian participants playing there than in the PGA Tour.

EU Tour Aviv Dubai Championship
Course Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates – Dubai, UAE
Prize Money 1.5 Million Dollar
Champion Joachim B. HANSEN
Scandinavian players Joachim Hansen (Winner), Thorbjørn OLESEN (T8), Kalle Samooja (T8), Alexander Björk (T19), Marcus Kinhult (T24)

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European Tour Ladies Tours Live LPGA Tour PGA Tour Top Tours

The Scandinavians aim towards the European Tour this weekend – AVIV Dubai Championship

Henrik Norlander of Sweden talks with his caddie on the second tee during the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship(Getty Images)

PGA Tour: Houston Open

The Houston Open will be held in Houston, Texas at the Memorial Park Golf Course. From November 11th-14th of 2021, the best male golfers around the world will compete for a total prize money of $7,500,000.

On our spotlight, we find Henrik Stenson (SWE), and his mate Henrik Norlander, currently ranked 139th of the OWGR. Sweden is the only Scandinavian country that will be representing at the PGA Tour this weekend. Not too risky to say that Viktor Hovland is tired of always winning in the PGA events and now he is leaving some for others to try.

PGA Tour Houston Open
Course Memorial Park Golf Course- Houston, TX, USA
Prize Money 7.5 Million Dollar
Defending Champion Carlos Ortiz
Scandinavian players Henrik Stenson (SWE), Henrik Norlander (SWE)

LPGA Tour: Pelican Women’s Championship 2021

The LPGA is back! The Ladies will tee off at the Pelican Womens Championship in Belleair, FL at the Pelican Golf Club, Belleair. The tournament starts on Thursday, 11th of November and ends on Sunday, 14th of November 2021. The Championship is part of the LPGA Tour in the season 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 1,75 Mio. US-Dollar.

Scandinavia plays all their chances to bring home the gold medal. Sweden, Finland, and Denmark will be represented by the best golfers at the moment. Unluckly, there will not be any participant from Norway to make a full.

Matilda Castren (FIN), Nanna Madsen (DEN), and Madelene Sagstrom (SWE) are some of the main players to follow up with this weekend in Florida. They are coming strong, and Castren had not fear in showing it to everyone else.

LPGA Tour Pelican Women’s Championship
Course Pelican Golf Club, Belleair – Belleair, FL
Prize Money 1.7 Million Dollars
Defending Champion Sei Young Kim
Scandinavian players Matilda Castren (FIN), Nanna Madsen (DEN), Madelene Sagstrom (SWE)

European Tour: AVIV Dubai Championship 2021

This weekend Dubai takes over The U.S. hosting the AVIV Dubai Championship, at the Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates. The tournament starts on Thursday, 11th of November and ends on Sunday, 14th of November 2021.

In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 1,5 Mio US-Dollar. The course for the tournament at Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates plays at Par 72.

From Finland, Tapio Pulkkanen comes ready to show his better game after he missed two cuts in a row at the Alfred Dunhill and the Open de España. He finished T25 at the Andalucia Masters and T17 at the Portugal Masters last week. Pulkkanen is the first Scandinavian to tee off at 7:10am (GMT). Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Sami Välimäki (FIN), Joachim Hansen (DEN) are paired up together at 7:20am (GMT). The number of Scandinavian participants is less than the usual, but yet the highest out of all the other Tours.

EU Tour Aviv Dubai Championship
Course Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates – Dubai, UAE
Prize Money 1.5 Million Dollar
Defending Champion Antoine Rozner
Scandinavian players Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Sami Välimäki (FIN), Joachim Hansen (DEN), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
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European Tour LPGA Tour PGA Tour

Paul Casey is ready for the AVIV Dubai Championship 2021

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 10: Paul Casey of England during the Pro-Am ahead of The AVIV Dubai Championship at Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 10, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: Houston Open

The Houston Open in the season 2022 is being played in Houston, Texas at the Memorial Park Golf Course. The tournament starts on Thursday, 11th of November and ends on Sunday, 14th of November 2021. The Houston Open is part of the PGA Tour in the season 2022. In 2022 all players competing for a total prize money of 7,5 Mio. US-Dollar.

Teeing up first for the English golfers will be Lee Westwood. He currently sits at the 37th place of the OWGR. He did great in the 2020-2021 season qualifying for the FedExCup Playoffs for the sixth time, advancing to the BMW Championship for the third time and finishing No. 50 in the standings.

Danny Willet he took home the Alfred Dunhill trophy recently will tee off at 7:46 (CST). Ryder Cup legend Tyrell Hatton will make an appearance, teeing off at 12:20pm (CST).

Ian Poulter, who was the champion of the 2018 Houston Open in a sudden death playoff against Beau Hossler will compete again this year. The 2018 win marked Poulter’s third PGA title. So let’s see if the postman delivers this year.

PGA Tour Houston Open
Course Memorial Park Golf Course- Houston, TX, USA
Prize Money 7.5 Million Dollar
Defending Champion Carlos Ortiz
English players

LPGA Tour: Pelican Women’s Championship 2021

The LPGA is back! The Ladies will tee off at the Pelican Womens Championship in Belleair, FL at the Pelican Golf Club, Belleair. The tournament starts on Thursday, 11th of November and ends on Sunday, 14th of November 2021. The Championship is part of the LPGA Tour in the season 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 1,75 Mio. US-Dollar.

First to tee up bright and early is  Jodi Ewart Shadoff. Shadoff’s best performance so far was at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer at the beginning of October where she finished at T7. She has the opportunity this weekend to improve her stats and land higher on the leaderboard. The only other English lady to tee up this weekend is Mel Reid.

LPGA Tour Pelican Women’s Championship
Course Pelican Golf Club, Belleair – Belleair, FL
Prize Money 1.7 Million Dollars
Defending Champion Sei Young Kim
English players Mel Reid, Jodi Ewart Shadoff

European Tour: AVIV Dubai Championship 2021

The EU tour is the only event not in the states this week! All the way in Dubai, the AVIV Dubai Championship in the season 2021 is being played at the Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates. The tournament starts on Thursday, 11th of November and ends on Sunday, 14th of November 2021.

In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 1,5 Mio US-Dollar. The course for the tournament at Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates plays at Par 72.

After a pause, English golfers Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood will be teeing off at 7:40am(GMT). Casey  has already won once this year in Dubai at the Desert Classic. He is the highest ranked player in the field (27th). With his caddy Johnny McLaren taking some time out at the end of this year. The pair will be looking to go out on top with a win. Fleetwood however does quite well in the Middle East hardly finishing outside the top 10 around the Earth course. He is probably looking to improve his Race to Dubai standings and will play hard this week.

EU Tour Aviv Dubai Championship
Course Fire Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates – Dubai, UAE
Prize Money 1.5 Million Dollar
Defending Champion Antoine Rozner
English players Tommy Fleetwood, Paul Casey, Andy Sullivan, David Howell, Steven Brown, Chris Wood, Oliver Wilson, James Morrison

Champions Tour: Charles Schwab Cup Championship 2021

The Charles Schwab Cup Championship in the season 2021 is being played in Phoenix, AZ, USA at the Phoenix Country Club. The tournament starts on Thursday, 11th of November and ends on Sunday, 14th of November 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 2,5 Mio. US-Dollar. The course for the tournament at Phoenix Country Club plays at Par 71.

Six time major champion is teeing off on the field this week. Phil Mickelson will make his appearance to the final playoff event . Mickelson made history earlier this year when he became the oldest player (50) to win a major at the PGA Championship.

Mickelson joins the other top 35 players among the Charles Schwab Cup standings who will compete in the third and final Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs event at Phoenix Country Club. On the English front will be Paul Broadhurst who will be teeing off tomorrow as well.

Challenge Tour Challenge Tour Grand Final
Course Phoenix Country Club – Phoenix, AZ, USA, Strokeplay
Prize Money 2.5 Million Dollar
Defending Champion Kevin Sutherland
English players Paul Broadhurst
Categories
Ladies Tours Live

LPGA golfer Sei Young Kim: “Run toward your fear, knowing that you will never catch it.”

Sei Young Kim of South Korea walks across the bridge after finishing the 18th hole during the round two of the ANA Inspiration(Getty Images)

RUN TOWARD YOUR FEARS 

By: Sei Young Kim


I started golf at age nine. My father loved the game and took me to a local driving range in Korea where I spent many hours hitting balls. Even at home, I swung a club all the time in the house. But golf wasn’t my only sport. It wasn’t even my first one.

By the time I picked up the club for the first time, I was already advanced in taekwondo. My father is a grand master who ran a martial arts studio near our home. He taught hundreds of people, including me. By the age of five, I was spending time with Dad working on numerous techniques, learning the physical discipline and artistry of taekwondo. By age 12, I was a third-degree black belt.

From third-degree black belt to LPGA Top player

Martial arts taught me many things that made me a better golfer. The physicality of taekwondo translated well into the motions of the golf swing. Flexibility, leverage, balance, speed in the right spot, and controlling yourself as you strike an object: these are all crossover disciplines. Knowing your body and understanding the importance of being in the right position at the right time are imperative in breaking a board with your foot as well as in hitting a driver into the fairway. By learning one, you appreciate the other.

Taekwondo also emphasizes bringing all muscles to bear on a strike, concentrating your area of impact into as small an area as possible. The same is true in golf where you use every muscle and lever to bring as much controlled force as possible into the back of a stationary ball.


What I didn’t appreciate at the time were all the other lessons that my dad taught me. For example, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t perform in front of a crowd. In taekwondo, whether in a series of tests or exhibitions, I was always challenged in front of my peers, my instructors and spectators. So, when I drew a crowd in golf, I already knew the feeling.

The greatest advice comes from her dad: “You must never lose to fear.”

More than any other gift, though, my father taught me that the biggest opponent I would ever face, in sports and in life, was fear. In martial arts, the person attacking you is your foe. But your enemy is fear. Dad would always say, “Despite your instincts, you have to run toward that which you fear the most. You must face your opponent. You might lose a fight, just as you might lose a golf tournament. But you must never lose to fear.”

By my teenaged years, I had devoted myself fulltime to golf. But I still wasn’t sure I wanted to play competitively. My nerves weren’t great in tournaments. No matter how much I employed the techniques I’d learned in taekwondo – breathing, focus, control – I let the big moments overwhelm me. In my first year of high school, Dad pulled me aside and said, “Sei Young, you have to decide what you want to do. If you want to play golf for fun, that’s fine. But you will need to devote yourself to school so you can find another career path. If you want to be a competitive golfer, that’s fine, too. But you must overcome your nerves and learn to perform under pressure.”

Sei Young Kim, the youngest-ever winner of the Korean Women’s Amateur Championship.

I knew that my parents would support me either way. And that was all I needed. I poured myself into golf. At age 16, I became the youngest-ever winner of the Korean Women’s Amateur Championship.

Two years later, I turned professional and played the Korean LPGA Tour where I won five times. Two of those wins came in playoffs, where I was able to control my nerves and defeat my fears.

Then I qualified for the LPGA Tour in 2015, which presented a new set of anxieties. I arrived in America thinking I knew enough English to get by, at least for a while. Rarely have I been so wrong. I couldn’t understand anyone. I couldn’t read a sign; couldn’t order food; couldn’t watch television or find a book to read. Local rules sheets were useless and the instructions from officials went right past me. I nodded as if I understood what was being said. But in truth, I had no idea.

Sei Young Kim of South Korea speaks at a press conference after reacts after round 3 on Day 6 of Blue Bay LPGA 2015 at Jian Lake Blue Bay golf course

After the first event of my rookie year in Ocala, Florida, where I didn’t play well, I phoned my dad and said, “I think this was a mistake. Everything here is so hard. I can’t understand anything going on around me. Maybe I should come home and make a career on the KLPGA.”

To his credit, Dad listened without interrupting me. Then he said, “Are you afraid?”

I didn’t answer at first. I knew what he meant. Then he said, “Why don’t you give it one more week. See how you do. Then we’ll talk again.”

The next week, the LPGA Tour played the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic at the Ocean Course on Paradise Island. That February Sunday, in a fierce wind, I shot 68 to finish 14-under par, good enough to land in a playoff with Ariya Jutanugarn and Sun-Young Yoo, which I won. Two months later, I chipped in on the final hole of the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii to force a playoff with Inbee Park. Then I hit the best 8-iron of my life, a shot that one-hopped into the hole for an eagle on the first extra hole. It was my second win in my first four months on the LPGA Tour.

Sei Young Kim of South Korea celebrates after chipping in on the 18th green to force a playoff with Inbee Park during the final round of the LPGA LOTTE Championship, in 2015

My English did not improve overnight. I still had trouble checking into a hotel and reading a restaurant menu. But I no longer feared my decision. I had found my home on the LPGA Tour.

I was honored to be the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2015. And in 2020, I captured my first major championship, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. I also won the Pelican Women’s Championship in Florida, a title I will defend this week. And I captured the Rolex LPGA Player of the Year award. Throughout it all, I have remembered my father’s words.

Sei Young Kim of Korea poses with the trophy after winning the Pelican Women’s Championship at Pelican Golf Club, in 2020

Run toward your fear, knowing that you will never catch it. Because fear always vanishes in the face of the bold.

Categories
European Tour LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Jeff Winther Brings Back Spanish Trophy to Denmark

INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 24: Alex Noren of Sweden hits his tee shot on the 4th hole during the final round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 24, 2021 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship

The PGA Tour made headlines in Japan right at the beginning of the season for the ZOZO Championship. Hideki Matsuyama, took home the trophy representing  Japan on its own soil. Only two players  represented the Scandinavians, including Alex Noren and Henrik Norlander, both from Sweden. 

Both of the Swedes landed at T18. Norlander had a total of 5 birdies and finished with four rounds of 71-72-71-64. Noren had a total of 5 birdies as well and finished with four rounds of 68-68-71-71.

PGA TourZOZO Championship
CourseAccordia Golf Narashino Country Club (Japan)
Prize Money9,950,000 US-Dollar
 ChampionHideki Matsuyama
Skandinavian playersAlex Noren(SWE), Henrik Norlander(SWE)

European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open.

It has been 23 years since last time this course served as venue to a European Tour event, and 10 years since the last time Mallorca welcomed one. Proudly, a Scandinavian golfer took home the win at the Mallorca Golf Open helping put Scandinavian golfers on the map. 

Jeff Winther from Denmark joined the winner’s circle this weekend playing 62-71-62-70 in Mallorca and earned around 150,000 Euros. Behind him at T2 was Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden finishing with 66-68-64-68. The next Swede at T7 was Niklas Lemke. Focusing on another player from Denmark we see, Joachim Hansen who rounds ended with 67-72-65-67. Overall the Scandinavian players made their mark this weekend in Spain. 

European TourMallorca Golf Open
CourseGolf Santa Ponsa- Mallorca, Spain
Prize Money1 Mio EUR
ChampionJeff Winther
Skandinavian playersAlexander Björk(SWE), Jeff Winther(DEN), Sebastian Soderberg(SWE), Søren Kjeldsen(DEN), Niklas Lemke(SWE), Marcus Kinhult(SWE), Philip Eriksson(SWE), Jens Fahrbring(SWE), Joel Sjöholm(SWE), Kristoffer Reitan(NOR), Benjamin Poke(DEN), Lucas Bjerregaard(DEN), Rikard Karlberg(SWE), Joachim Hansen(DEN)
MALLORCA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 24: Jeff Winther of Denmark celebrates winning on the 18th hole with JB Hansen and Soren Kjeldsen of Demark during the final round of Mallorca Golf Open at Golf Santa Ponsa on October 24, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship.

The LPGA returned to the field at the International Busan Golf Course, in South Korea, at the BMW Ladies Championship. in Young of South Korea dominated the weekend and took home 300,000 dollars in prize money.

Matilda Castren(FIN) kicked it off strong already with a hole in one during the practice round. However, she failed to continue this power and came in last on the leaderboard with a total of 1 over par. Nanna Madsen(DEN) will opened the first round at 9:55am(GMT+9) from hole 10 and managed to be a bit better than her Scandinavian mate and landed at T41 and 5 under par.

LPGA TourBMW Ladies Championship
CourseInternational Busan
Prize Money200,000,000 US-Dollar
ChampionJin Young
Skandinavian playersMatilda Castren(FIN), Nanna Madsen(DEN)

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic

With the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, the outcome of playing good goes far and beyond. People contributed to the Charity through flat donations or based on the number of “birdies” made by PGA TOUR Champions players. Robert Karlsson, from Sweden fought every shot in representation of the Scandinavian Area, as he is the only participant from there. He finished with a total of 6 birdies and landed at T31.

PGA Tour ChampionsDominion Energy Charity Classic
CourseCountry Club of Virginia- Richmond, Virginia (USA)
Prize Money
2,000,000 US-Dollar
2,000,000 US-Dollar
2,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending ChampionBernhard Langer
Skandinavian playersRobert Karlsson(SWE)

Categories
European Tour LPGA Tour PGA Tour

An underwhelming weekend for English golfers.

INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 23: Matt Wallace of England reacts after hitting his tee shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 23, 2021 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship

The PGA Tour made headlines in Japan right at the beginning of the season for the ZOZO Championship. Hideki Matsuyama, took home the trophy representing Japan on its own soil.

The ZOZO Championship was played in Chiba, Japan at the Accordia Golf Narashino CC. The Englishmen participating included Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Wallace. Wallace managed to land in the top 5 on the leaderboard with 9 birdies and a total of 6 under par. Fleetwood came right behind Wallace at T7, managing 9 birdies and one eagle and finishing 5 under par.

PGA Tour ZOZO Championship
Course Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club (Japan)
Prize Money 9,950,000 US-Dollar 
Champion Hideki Matsuyama
English players Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Wallace

European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open

The European Tour was in Spain for the third week. The Mallorca Golf Open season 2021 was played in Mallorca, Spain at the Golf Santa Ponsa. Jeff Winther of Sweden took home the trophy this weekend beating out his English mates. Laurie Canter came in at T5 with a total of 12 under par. Just below Canter on the leaderboard was Andrew Johnson with a total of 10 under par. Jack Senior also scored 10 under par with a total of 4 rounds 68- 67-66-69. Oliver Wilson who finished at T11 also played a great game this weekend.

EU Tour Mallorca Golf Open
Course Golf Santa Ponsa- Mallorca, Spain
Prize Money 1 Mio EUR
Champion Jeff Winther
English players

Dale Whitnell, Dave Coupland, Frank Kennedey, Oliver Fisher, Ross McGowan, 

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship

Moving into the ladies tours, The LPGA flew to Korea for the BMW Ladies Championship. Jin Young of South Korea dominated the weekend and took home 300,000 dollars in prize money. Young commented on her performance saying, “I have to say my strongest point and my weakest points are meshed together and similar… And looking back just at today, I think I’m not entirely satisfied with my tee shots. I was satisfied with my iron shots, they were going the way I wanted them, and I was confident in terms of my putting..”

The English ladies who participated Charley Hull and Bronte Law. Hull came in at T17 with 29 putts per round and 16 birdies. Law had a disappointing weekend getting more bogeys than birdies and finishing at T75.

LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship
Course International Busan 
Prize Money 200,000,000 US-Dollar
Champion

Jin Young
English players

Charley Hull, Bronte Law

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic

Phil Mickelson set off to defend his title at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, but was beat out by Bernhard Langer who had a total of 3 under par. Paul Broadhurst was the only English player to play on the Champions Tour this and finished out at T59 and had a total of five birdies.

PGA Tour Champions Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Course Country Club of Virginia- Richmond, Virginia (USA)
Prize Money
2,000,000 US-Dollar
 Champion Bernhard Langer
English players Paul Broadhurst

Categories
European Tour LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Weekly Preview: Can the English Golfers Keep the Winning Streaks Going?

Tommy Fleetwood of England (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship

The PGA Tour makes another stop in Japan right at the beginning of the season for the ZOZO Championship.

The ZOZO Championship is being played in Chiba, Japan at the Accordia Golf Narashino CC. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021.The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP is part of the PGA Tour. In 2022 all players are competing for a total prize money of 9.950.000 dollars. The course for the tournament at Accordia Golf Narashino CC plays at Par 72.

With another strong field of participants, we can look forward to top-class golf this week. Narrowing the focus on the English golfers, we can hope to see another successful week. The Englishmen participating include Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Wallace, hopefully they can keep the English success going.

PGA Tour ZOZO Championship
Course Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club (Japan)
Prize Money 9,950,000 US-Dollar 
Defending Champion Patrick Cantlay
English players Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Wallace
 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Tommy Fleetwood (@officialtommyfleetwood)

European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open

The European Tour remains in Spain for the third week, but it moves to the Balearic Islands, more precisely to Mallorca for the first installment of this event. The Mallorca Golf Open season 2021 is being played in Mallorca, Spain at the Golf Santa Ponsa. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021. The Mallorca Golf Open is part of the European Tour. In 2021 all players are competing for a total prize money of 1.000.000 €. The course for the tournament at Golf Santa Ponsa plays at Par 72.

With Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick taking home the trophy last week on the EU tour, the pressure is on for the english participants to keep the stride going.

EU Tour Mallorca Golf Open
Course Golf Santa Ponsa- Mallorca, Spain
Prize Money 1 Mio EUR
Defending Champion N/A
English players

Dale Whitnell, Dave Coupland, Frank Kennedey, Oliver Fisher, Ross McGowan, 

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship

Moving into the ladies tours, The LPGA flies to Korea. This weekend the BMW Ladies Championship will take place in Busan, Korea. It is the only LPGA tournament to be held in Korea. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021. The BMW Ladies Championship is part of the LPGA Tour season 2021. In 2021 all players are competing for a total prize money of 2,000,000 dollars.

The course for the tournament at LPGA International Busan plays at Par 72. Bronte Law will be the first Englishwoman teeing off at 8:00am. Star Charley Hull who just took home the trophy from the LET tour last weekend will also tee off in the afternoon.

LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship
Course International Busan 
Prize Money 200,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion

HANA JANG.
English players

Charley Hull, Bronte Law

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic

Phil Mickelson sets off to defend his title at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. Last year he captured his second win on his second start on the PGA Tour Champions in Virginia. The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is being played in Richmond, Virginia (USA) at the The Country Club of Virginia. The tournament starts on Friday, 22nd of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021.

The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is part of the Champions Tour season 2021. In 2021 all players are competing for a total prize money of 2,000,000 dollars.The course for the tournament at The Country Club of Virginia plays at Par 72. Paul Broadhurst is the only English player to play on the Champions Tour this week once again.

PGA Tour Champions Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Course Country Club of Virginia- Richmond, Virginia (USA)
Prize Money
2,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Phil Mickelson 
English players Paul Broadhurst
Categories
LPGA Tour Top Tours

Scandinavian Golfers: Last Week’s Highlights

GALLOWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 03: Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark hits her tee shot on the 2nd hole during the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer on the Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club on October 03, 2021 in Galloway, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Last weekend hosted events for all professional tours, and this is an overview on the performance of the golfers from Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. There are not many players from these countries. However, some of their names are getting more and more noticed within the golf world.

European Tour: Open de España 2021

An exciting weekend for European golfers alike, the Open de Espana was hosted at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. The top golfer, Jon Rahm surprisingly didn’t even make the top ten. Looking at our‎ Scandinavian highlights, they also didn’t manage to get very high on the leaderboard but still played a great tournament.

Players including Lucas Bjerregaard, a Danish golfer who came in before the powerful Jon Rahm at T12. Finnish golfer Mikko Korhonen placed in T20 right behind Rahm. Other notable leaderboard makers were Joachim B. Hansen (Denmark) a T24 and Kalle Samooja (Finland) at T34, the last Scandinavian to make the cut.

EU Tour Open de España
Course Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain (USA)
Prize Money 1.5 Mio EUR
Champion Rafa Cabrera-Bello
Scandinavian players Lucas Bjerregaard, Mikko Korhonen, Joachim B Hansen, Kalle Samooja 

PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open 2021

Shriners Children’s Open was hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada at TPC Summerlin. Although far from home, there were some Scandinavian faces on the course. Most notably, Viktor Hovland of Norway who came in at T44. He started off rocky, but then on the 18th hole his 156 yard approach to 12 feet he set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This moved Hovland to 3 under for the round. Two Swedish Players, Henrick Norlander and Jonas Blixt made the cut at T65.

PGA Tour Shriners Children’s Open
Course TPC Summerlin -Las Vegas, Nevada
Prize Money 7,0 Mio US-Dollar (6,0 Mio EUR)
Champion Im Sung-jae
Scandinavian players Viktor Hovland, Henrick Norlander, Jonas Blixt
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Henrik Norlander hits an approach shot on the 18th hole during round three of the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

LPGA Tour:Founders Cup 2021

The Ladies also represented the Scandinavian countries well this weekend by making the leaderboard at the LPGA Tour. It was hosted at Mountain Ridge Golf course in northern New Jersey. Anna Nordqvist and Madeline Sagstrom both came in at T42. Unfortunately, other favorites such as Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Matilda Castren failed to make the cut.

PGA Tour Cognizant Founders Cup
Course Mountain Ridge Golf Course, New Jersey 
Prize Money 3,0 Mio US-Dollar (2.5 Mio EUR)
Champion Ko Jin-young
Scandinavian players Anna Nordqvist, Madeline Sagstrom, Nanna Koerstz Madsen
WEST CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 08: Anna Nordqvist of Sweden hits her tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club on October 08, 2021 in West Caldwell, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS 2021

Robert Karlsson was the only Scandinavian pro golfer on this tournament and managed to land on the leaderboard at T31. The Champions Tour was won by Phil Mickelson and played at Timuquana Country Club, Jacksonville, Florida. It was Mickelson’s third win in his fourth start on this tour. What a record for the American golfer.

Champions Tour Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
Course Timuquana Country Club- Jacksonville, Florida 
Prize Money 2,0 Mio US-Dollar (1.5 Mio EUR)
Champion Phil Mickelson
Scandinavian players Robert Karlsson

Categories
Ladies Tours Top Tours

English Excitement: Willet wins Alfred Dunhill and Thomson takes second at the Swiss Open.

(Photos: Getty Images)

Here is an overview of the best Brits and how they are measuring up in each tour. Taking a look at this last weekend’s tournaments and where the British golfers ranked. As a result, seeing where the lads stand in the official world ranking and predictions for upcoming tournaments.

European Tour: Great success on their own soil

Starting of with the European Tour, the British golf pros have been making headlines with Danny Willet bringing home the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship trophy. He came in 18 under par while Tyrell Hatton came in at T2 and Richard Bland in at T4. This is only the third occasion on this European Tour for Willet to come in Top 10. “I’m not sure what to say,” said Willet, who earned €674.856. “I’ve had a great time. I’ve just come through a couple of years of average stuff. Again. I seem to do that quite a lot, go up and down. But I’ve been working hard. People don’t necessarily see what goes on behind the scenes. So this is a good one for me.” Whatever has been going on behind the scenes obviously benefitted him for this weekend. It also may have been a bit of birthday luck.

Challenge Tour: Thomson is working his way up the rankings lists

Moving on to the Challenge Tour which consisted of the Swiss Challenge hosted at Golf Saint Apollinaire, Michelbach-Le-Haut, France. British golfer Jonathon Thomson came in at T2 and finishing 24-under-par. He currently sits at 99 on the Challenge Tour Ranking and 533 on the OWGR. He has currently made €29,455.43 in his 2021 golf career.

MICHELBACH-LE-HAUT, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: Jonathan Thomson of England plays a shot during Day Four of the Swiss Challenge at Golf Saint Apollinaire on October 03, 2021 in Michelbach-Le-Haut, France. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)

LPGA: Shadoff shows-off her skills in this past tournament

Looking at the LPGA, we can focus on the English professional golfer Jodi Ewart Shadoff. She recently came in at T7 at the Shoprite LPGA Classic. It is her first top 10 this season coming in front of well known ladies such as Georgia Hall and Charley Hull who rolled in at T57. Shadoff said she “had to fight for this one” but a fight well done. This success puts Shadoff at 104 in the Rolex Rankings.

 
 
 
 
 
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Ladies European Tour: Dimmock gives it all she’s got before heading home

The Ladies European Tour resulted in only one English lady in the top ten and 11 other players making it before the cut. Annabel Dimmock who slid in at T10 and earned herself €5,375.00 in tournament winnings. “Happy with my T10 this week – Home time now” said Dimmock on her Instagram shortly after the tournament.

PGA Tour: Quite disappointing for the lads

Lastly the PGA Tour where the Sanderson Farms Championship was played at the Country Club of Jackson, in Jackson, Mississippi. Unfortunately, no British golfers made the cut including Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace who both had bad luck on this tournament. However, they both sit in the top 100 on the OWGR. Perhaps they will move up that ranking next week.

Categories
Ladies Tours LPGA Tour

Deb Vangellow receives 2021 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award in recognition of her dedication to the teaching of golf.

Deb Vangellow becomes the 2021 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award Recipient

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 24, 2021 – Deb Vangellow, a LPGA Master Professional and Director of Golf Instruction at Riverbend Country Club in Houston, Texas, joins an elite group of her peers as the recipient of the 2021 Ellen Griffin Rolex Award.

The Ellen Griffin Rolex Award, instituted by the LPGA Professionals membership in 1989 to honor the late teaching professional Ellen Griffin, recognizes an individual, male or female, who made a major contribution to the teaching of golf and emulates Griffin’s spirit, love and dedication to students, teachers, teaching skills and the game of golf.

Vangellow honored by LPGA after more than 30 years as teaching professional
“I am so thrilled to be the 2021 LPGA Ellen Griffin Award recipient. I did not know Ellen personally, but have numerous friends who did and shared her inspiring story about the terrific Golf Education Programming she led on ‘The Farm’ in Greensboro, North Carolina,” said Vangellow. “Golf was her subject matter, but she taught people. For Ellen, the frustrations of golf were always overcome by fun. This very thing has been so very instrumental with the wonderful peer group I am so lucky to have who nominated me for this award. These special LPGA Members, many of whom are on this grand list of award recipients, are dear friends I had the fantastic fortune to work with in our LPGA Education Program. I am so grateful for their guidance and support and cherish the 30+ years we had together. Forever friends, for sure! Thank you so much for this award. I will appreciate it forever and will fondly remember Ellen Griffin’s outstanding teaching of golf.”

LPGA Master Professional/PGA Honorary Director Vangellow holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Health/Physical Education/Coaching and Educational Leadership/Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and Miami (Ohio) University, respectively. A multi-sport athlete who was a scholarship recipient, captain and letter winner in soccer and track & field, Vangellow elected to devote her career path to develop into a top golf educator. Her experiences reflect this endeavor.

Educational professional career of Deb Vangellow in the field of golf
After holding various positions in higher education, Vangellow coached Division I collegiate golf at the University of Northern Iowa and led the American Junior Team that traveled to Europe in 1996 as part of the International Sport for Understanding Program. In 1997, Vangellow was honored as a recipient of the Young Alumni Award at the University of Northern Iowa and was a 3-time LPGA Central Section Teacher of the Year in 2002, 2009, and 2012. She was also named the 2012 LPGA National Teacher of the Year. Vangellow was recently inducted into the UNI Athletics Hall of Fame, the UNI School of HPELS Hall of Excellence, and the Fairport High School Hall of Fame.

In addition to teaching men, women, senior and junior golfers of all skill levels individually and in groups at Riverbend Country Club, Vangellow was the first ever National Vice President for the LPGA Professionals membership and served as the elected National President. She was a longtime lead instructor in the LPGA Global Education Program, the industry leading teacher training program for golf professionals in the U.S. and Korea, and is a U.S. Kids Golf Master Teacher. In 2016, she joined the team at Callaway Golf Company as a Master Staff Professional promoting their Women’s Equipment Line.

“Receiving this award is an unbelievable honor, especially to be among so many past recipients I call friends and mentors,” added Vangellow. “I stand on the shoulders of these folks, without a doubt, and feel fortunate to do what I get to do and for the people I have met along the way. I am so grateful for this recognition. Lastly, many thanks to Rolex and the LPGA.”

Past recipients of the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award include: Peggy Kirk Bell, 1989; Linda Craft, 1990; Shirley Englehorn, 1991; Harvey Penick, 1992; Goldie Bateson, 1993; Carol Clark Johnson, 1994; Joanne Winter, 1995; Ann Casey Johnstone, 1996; Dr. DeDe Owens, 1997; Shirley Spork, 1998; Betty Hicks, 1999; Gary Wiren, 2000; Penny Zavichas, 2001; Annette Thompson, 2002; Dr. Barbara B. Smith, 2003; Marjorie Burns, 2004; Pat Lange, 2005; Donna White, 2006; Betsy Cullen, 2007; Lynn Marriott, 2008; Kay McMahon, 2009; Mary Beth McGirr, 2010; Dr. Debbie Crews, 2011; Dr. Betsy Clark, 2012; Kathy Murphy, 2013; Kerry Graham, 2014; Dana Rader, 2015; Pia Nilsson, 2016; Sandy LaBauve, 2017; Jane Frost, 2018; Nancy Quarcelino, 2019; and Renee Powell, 2020.

ABOUT ROLEX

Rolex is the official timepiece of the LPGA and sponsors many of the LPGA’s annual awards, including the Ellen Griffin Rolex Award, Rolex Player of the Year, Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year and the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award. Rolex honors the LPGA Tour’s Rolex First-Time Winners and is a supporting sponsor of the annual LPGA Professionals National Championship. At tournament sites, Rolex has a presence by providing the official time at selected tournaments and advertises in many event programs. In addition, Rolex is a Global Partner of Solheim Cup and the presenting sponsor of the World Golf Rankings.

ABOUT THE LPGA

The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women, with a goal to change the face of golf by making the sport more accessible and inclusive.

Created in 1950 by 13 Founders, the Association celebrates a diverse and storied history. The LPGA Tour competes across the globe, reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. The Symetra Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying tour, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA also holds a joint-venture collaboration with the Ladies European Tour (LET), increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. Across the three Tours, the LPGA represents players in more than 60 countries.

Additionally, the LPGA Foundation has empowered and supported girls and women since 1991, most notably through LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the only national program of its kind, which annually engages with nearly 100,000 girls. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association and LPGA Women’s Network provide virtual and in-person connections to female golfers around the world, while LPGA Professionals are educators, business leaders and gamechangers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone.

Press Release by the LPGA Professionals Communication