The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …

themondaymulligan
May 29, 2023
6 min read

Spanish flare and passion alongside some more reserved golf was the play of the week across the various competitions. It was actioned packed across the tours and leagues in play with plenty of big storylines throughout.

In the DP World Tour, it was Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, who rallied down the stretch to secure his ninth win on tour. If you think that name sounds familiar you would be correct as we wrote about him only a few weeks ago and this win is his second in three starts. A pretty big statement with Ryder Cup just around the corner. Larrazabal looked to be in control when he started his final round with the lead, however that evaporated quickly and put some pressure on him through the back nine. With five players tied for the lead after 12 holes, the trophy was anyone’s for the taking. Cue Spanish passion, Larrazabal bounced back with birdies on three of his last four holes, carding a final round 69 and winning the KLM Open by two shots. It was a Spanish affair with Adrian Otaegui finishing alone in second position. The KLM Open included a number of highlights across the field as Mike Lorenzo-Vera produced a Sunday hole-in-one and Rasmus Hojgaard hitting what will surely become the birdie of the season. The Dane didn’t find the short grass at all through his four shots but still managed to sink the chip and card a birdie. A true testament of the saying that there aren't any pictures on the scorecard. A great week of golf on the DP World Tour and the coverage continues to be some of my favourite to watch.

Pablo Larrazabal – 2023 KLM Open Winner

Photo courtesy of skysports.com

The Liv Golf League headed to Trump National Washington DC where it was Harold Varner III who secured his first win on American soil. His team, RangeGoats GC have experienced plenty of success this year with wins to teammates as well as a team win in its own right. However, this was Varner’s first win since joining the Liv Golf League and he looked calm and collected whilst doing it. The 32-year-old was clutch during his round on Sunday where he holed out from a bunker and threw darts at dangerous pins down the stretch, setting up his one-shot win. In what has become a feature of the Liv Golf venture, Varner was ecstatic with his win however did state his disappointment that his team could not celebrate a team win as well, after being pipped by Torque GC and Stinger GC through Sunday’s scores. But, with his caddie alongside, Varner took the top step, the $US 4 million prize and a lot of confidence heading into the remainder of the season.

Harold Varner III wins his first Liv Golf Title

Photo courtesy of livgolf.com

It was Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand who took out the win at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play with a 3-and-1 victory on Sundays final over Japans Ayaka Furue. Having played 7 matches in 5 days throughout the week, and in some scorching Las Vegas conditions, the ladies saved their best for last with some impressive golf down the stretch. It was the par three, 17th where Anannarukarn sealed the deal after hitting her tee shot to within 6 feet, a putt which she ultimately didn’t have to make after the hole was conceded. It was a surprising turn of fortune for the young Thai as she came close to being eliminated only two days prior in her contest against Karis Davidson of Australia. In that match it had come down to a sudden death playoff where Anannarukarn played the shot of her week, having to scramble from a deep lie in a divot in the first cut, she managed to save par and win that match, proceeding all the way through to the final. The win is her second on tour, having won her last in 2021 at the ISPS Handa World Invitational.

Pajaree Anannarukarn wins the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play

Photo courtesy of lpga.com

The 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge went to extra time with an additional two holes deciding the eventual winner, Emiliano Grillo. The win is his second PGA Tour victory and it comes over seven years since his first. The 30-year-old Argentinian had a closing 68, which was enough to force a playoff against Adam Schenk. Grillo could have won in far easier circumstances after taking a lead to the 18th tee box, however he then proceeded to slice his drive and force a dropped shot which eventually turned into a double bogey. All things considered, he did well to maintain his composure and play solid golf through the playoff holes and get the W. Meanwhile, PGA Tour rookie Harry Hall was in contention for the majority of the week, only to falter on the last with a bogey and miss out on his opportunity to be a part of the playoff. He finished alongside Scottie Scheffler in third, who had a closing 67 which included an ace on the 8th hole.

Emiliano Grillo wins the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge

Photo courtesy of vnexplorer.net

Patricia Schmidt took out her maiden LET win at the Belgian Ladies Open with an impressive 6-under, 66 for her final round. The German started the final round three shots in arrears, only to close that deficit and take the lead after a phenomenal eagle on the 14th. Schmidt didn’t have it all her own way however, after getting off to a rough start. She then rallied and put on a birdie blitz to add some pressure at the top and allow her to overtake the leaders, get to 11-under and hold on through the closing holes. The win jumps her to 8th in the 2023 Race to Costa del Sol and is hopefully a launching pad for the young German with a promising career ahead.

Patricia Schmidt wins the Belgian Ladies Open

Photo courtesy of ladieseuropeantour.com

Steve Stricker continues his strong form on the Champions Tour with his third win of the season, and second senior major on the trot, as he secured the Senior PGA Championship. Played at Field Ranch East in Texas, the Senior PGA Championship showed some old and bolds who can still match it with the best of them, none more so than Stricker, who joins an elite group of five players who have won six majors or more. It took Stricker 19 holes to get the best of his nearest competitor, Padraig Harrington, as they replayed the 18th hole. Despite making birdie through his round, Padraig found trouble off the tee and could only manage bogey through the playoff. Meanwhile Stricker showed composure and trust in his short game by laying up and securing his par and the win.

Steve Stricker wins Senior PGA Championship

Photo courtesy of pga.com

Looking ahead …

The Memorial Trophy presented by Workday will be played this week at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Billy Horschel is the defending champion with plenty of talent in the field chasing the title. With a purse of $US 20 million, its sure to be a hot contest with plenty of good golf to keep your weekend golf-fix in check.

Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City will play host to the LPGA this week for the Mizuho Americas Open. This is an inaugural event on the LPGA Tour and is worth 500 points on the Race to CME Globe with a purse of $US 2.75 million. It looks to be a strong field with plenty of faces returning who missed out on last weeks match play and will be keen to secure further playing rights.

Liv Golf has a few weeks off to reset prior to descending on Real Club Valderrama for their next event from 30 Jun. Things are heating up as we get closer to the play-offs with 4Aces GC currently out in front.

The DP World Tour backs it straight up this week at the Porsche European Open which is played at the Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg, Germany. Worth 2,750 points and with a purse of $EUR1.75 million it is an important event for plenty of tour members to secure further playing rights or improve their chances of being picked in the upcoming European Team for the Ryder Cup.

Sweden will play host to the Ladies European Tour this week in the Helsingborg Open. The event will be played over 3 rounds at the Allerum Golf Club, with a purse of €300,000.

The Asian Tour is not back in play until the 22nd of June when they will head to Korea to compete in the Kolon The 65th Korea Open Golf Championship at the Namseoul Country Club for a purse of KRW1,300,000,000.

That’s all from me, good luck to all those getting in a hit over the weekend.

Play well,

TMM