The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …
- themondaymulligan
- Jun 5, 2023
- 5 min read
History in the LPGA, more maiden tour winners and play-offs across the board made for a thrilling week of golf. It was certainly a battle switching between tournaments to try and catch the highlights and phenomenal Sunday finishes on offer.
Rose Zhang take a bow. For the first time since 1951, the LPGA Tour has a winner on her pro debut. The 20-year-old, who is the reigning NCAA champion, overcame the disappointment of a bogey on her 72nd hole to rally and defeat major-winner Jennifer Kupcho on the second playoff hole. Zhang, who entered the Mizuho America’s Open at Liberty National on a sponsor’s exemption, didn’t have it all her own way however she demonstrated poise and composure beyond her years when it mattered most. Kupcho stormed home with a final round 69 to get her to 9-under and make up five shots on Zhang to force her way into a playoff. In stark contrast, it was a nerve-wracking Sunday for Rose as she didn’t make a birdie all day, only losing the lead on the final hole. To push that disappointment out of the way and play with maturity through the extra holes was excellent for the game of golf and will only solidify her own confidence at that level. The win has secured her immediate playing rights in the LPGA, a just reward for what has no doubt been hard work getting to the elite level of womens golf.

Rose Zhang wins on her pro debut in the LPGA
Photo courtesy of abc.net.au
Viktor Hovland has appeared to be playing some of his best golf over the past few months without securing a win for his efforts. That spell was broken this week at the Memorial Tournament where Hovland secured his fourth PGA Tour title. The Norwegian, who by his own admission had been playing some erratic golf prior to this season, has buckled down and committed to sticking to his strategy regardless of what is going on around him. This has certainly been working through the majors where he has finished inside the top 10 in the last three and his shift in attitude has finally got the job done in the regular season. It was a consistent performance across the week where he didn’t hit anything worse than a bogey and made up a remarkable four shots down the stretch to force his way into a playoff, where a par was enough to get the W. Every golfer had to feel for Denny McCarthy who appeared to have it in the bag when he faltered on the last with a bogey, giving up his lead and what would have been his maiden victory on tour. There were plenty more in with a shot on Sunday as Scheffler held the clubhouse lead early and it looked like it just might be enough. However, as the final groups stumbled down the stretch, including the likes of S.W. Kim and McIlroy, Scottie couldn’t be blamed for holding his breath. Some smart golf by Hovland ensured he got to 7-under to apply some pressure to McCarthy through the final holes. Hovland has always been touted as a prodigious talent and if he can keep this streak hot it could become ominous for the rest of the competition and exciting for Europeans all over as we head towards a Ryder Cup. Regardless of who you go for, you have got to be happy for the young man who always plays with a smile and a good attitude.

Viktor Hovland with his fourth PGA win
Photo courtesy of pga.com
Another week on the DP World Tour, another maiden victory. This time it was Tom McKibbin who defied the hometown favourites to win the 2023 Porsche European Open. The Northern Irishman looked at home being in the pressure cooker on Sunday as he shot a final round 70 to take the lead and win by two. McKibbin looked unfazed by the occasion in only his 26th start as a deadlock at the top was not broken until the back nine where the 20-year-old took control of the field. There were plenty of experienced golfers chasing his lead, including locals Maximilian Kieffer and Marcel Siem, alongside Frenchman Julien Guerrier. Young McKibbin demonstrated consistent golf down the stretch, a far cry from his colourful Saturday scorecard, but enough to take home the silverware and plenty of confidence along with it. The win elevates him to 23rd on the Race to Dubai rankings, a timely jump as we head towards the season finale.

Tom McKibbin with his maiden DP World Tour Victory
Photo courtesy of www.europeantour.com
Alena Sharp broke a drought which has spanned almost a decade when she won the 2023 Champions Fore Change Invitational, her second victory on the Epson Tour with her last being in 2014. The LPGA veteran, who has spent 19 years on the that tour, this year achieved dual status and is yet to miss a cut in her four appearances on the Epson Tour. Sharp got off to a shaky start during her final round, however after that initial stumble she steadied over a 14-hole stretch which saw no bogeys and five birdies. Once she re-took the solo lead, Sharp never looked back and ran away to win by two shots over American Gigi Stoll who battled hard all week with an impressive 20 birdies across the 54-hole tournament.

Alena Sharp wins for the first time since 2014
Photo courtesy of www.epsontour.com
The PGA Tour of Champions competed this week in the Principal Charity Classic played at the Wakonda Club and it was Stephen Ames who took out his third title for the year. He didn’t have it easy, playing in the final group alongside last weeks major winner Steve Stricker. It came down to the final three holes with Ames, Stricker and Jerry Kelly all sitting at 16-under. A dart on the par-3 17th by Ames, to get it to six feet and secure his birdie would prove to be the difference as he held on to win by one. Any season in which you have multiple victories is an impressive feat and Ames now joins Stricker with three wins for the season as the Champions competition heats up at the top.

Stephen Ames wins the Principal Charity Classic
Photo courtesy of www.pgatour.com
Up ahead …
The PGA Tour is off to Canada this week for the RBC Canadian Open, played at the Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Ontario. Rory McIlroy is the defending champion and he will be hoping to atone for his average finish last Sunday with a dominant performance. The event carries a purse of $US9 million.
The ladies head to Seaview this week for the Shoprite LPGA Classic in what looks to be a strong field with plenty of experience mixed in amongst the youthful talent coming through the ranks.
Nothing from the Liv Golf League this week and they aren't teeing it up again until June 30 when they compete at the Real Club Valderrama.
The DP World Tour is off to Sweden this week, where players will battle it out at the Ullna Golf & Country Club for the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed event. A unique competition which brings together some of the best across Europe and the World, certainly an event you will want to keep an eye on through the week.
That’s all for now from the week of golf. As always, if you have suggestions, preferences or feedback on these articles, please send them in.
Play well,
TMM
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