The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …
- themondaymulligan
- Mar 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Success for Scheffler at Sawgrass! It was a masterclass from the maestro who stormed away to a five-shot win on the back of an ice-cold 3-under 69. As others faulted in the blustery conditions, Scheffler went about his business with the composure we have come to expect of the World Number 1. The door was opened for him when his closest threat, Australia’s Min Woo Lee, carded a triple-bogey on the fourth hole. Despite some impressive late charges, Scheffler never faulted and shut the door on the field. Min Woo Lee had an up-and-down fourth round which saw him drop from second to tied sixth. Although it was not the win he was hoping for, surely securing his invite to next months Masters is the next best thing. Other results of interest included a back-nine charge from Hatton, who shot 7-under down the stretch whilst the day prior it was a new course record set by Hoge as he carded a 10-under 62.
The DP World Tour was back in action this week, contesting the Magical Kenya Open. Spain’s Jorge Campillo ended a three-year drought as he kept his cool and staved off the competition who, at times, were nipping at his heels. A back nine which included two birdies and a bogey was enough to keep his lead and secure the victory with a par at the last for a 2-shot victory. It was a big day for Spanish golfers who were rewarded with three of their compatriots occupying positions in the top six. Most notable to miss the cut was our Indian Open winner Marcel Siem who didn’t appear to enjoy the conditions.
Another Aussie got the job done over the ditch as Louis Dobbelaar secured his maiden professional victory in the New Zealand PGA Championship. It all seemed to come together for the Queenslander who, despite not having a top-10 finish over the past 12 months, maintained his composure to post 20-under and breakthrough for the win. With his dad on the bag as a steadying influence, it was a mature performance and would suggest there is plenty more where that came from.
Louis Dobbelaar – 2023 NZ PGA Championship Winner
Photo courtesy of PGA of Australasia website
The Asian Tour travelled to the International Series in Thailand for a nail-biter as Australian Wade Ormsby clinched a sudden-death play-off win over Chonlatit Chuenboonngam. The win moves Ormsby up into second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, behind USA’s Andy Ogletree. Despite being one down with three to play, Ormsby rallied and gave himself a putt to win on the last before moving it to extra time. It was an impressive battle at the top as Chonlatit and Ormsby carded a 64 and 65 respectively. It comes as an important victory for Ormsby who played on the Liv Golf Tour last year before losing his spot in the Australian Team for the 2023 season.
Looking ahead …
The LPGA Tour will have to wait another week before all eyes turn to Arizona to watch Leona Maguire defend her title from 23 Mar 23.
The Liv Golf League is back in action this Friday at the Gallery Golf Club in Tucson, USA. After a run-away victory by the Crushers GC and Charles Howell III in their previous outing, my pick is for Dustin Johnson to show his class and battle out a close win over fellow marquee signing Cam Smith.
The DP World Tour looks ahead to St Francis Links in Eastern Cape, South Africa where the SDC Championship, a co-sanctioned tournament with the Sunshine Tour, will be contested. The 7,192 yard, par-72 course is sure to present a challenge and one worth tuning into if you get the chance over the weekend.
The Valspar Championship in Florida is host to the PGA Tour this week where Sam Burns will be hoping to kickstart his season by defending his 2022 title. Whilst plenty of golfers are choosing to schedule a break in this week before a big push to the Masters, my pick is for Jordan Spieth to tie it all together and get the W.
In Australia, the Play Today New South Wales Open will be played at the Rich River Golf Club (East Course). With the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit heating up and spots up for grabs to attend Majors and the DP World Tour, there is much more than the AUD$4000,000 purse to fight for. With the number one spot within reach, my pick is for Micheluzzi to bounce back and lock it in with another victory back on home soil.
The Asian Tour is off to the sub-continent this week for the DGC Open being played at the Delhi Golf Club where a field of 132 will compete for a purse of US$750,000. The entry list wasn’t published at the time of writing so no picks from me for this one (and a perfect excuse to avoid any further damage to the strike rate for this seasons tips).
That’s all from me, good luck to all those getting in a hit over the weekend.
Play well,
TMM
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