The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …
- themondaymulligan
- Apr 30
- 7 min read
Another huge week of golf with the start of the Women’s Majors as well as an Aussie winner and a star-studded leaderboard as The LIV Golf League resumed their season. There were plenty of highlights to keep the avid golfer entertained over their weekend.
Major golf was back in a big way on the weekend with the Chevron Championship coming down to the wire and ultimately being decided by a five-way playoff. It was tough going through the early rounds, which is what we have come to love and respect about Major golf tournaments. Japan’s Mao Saigo held the second 54-hole lead of her career heading into Sunday and it was all to play for. Of the five who finished on a score of 7-under, it was Mao who had the worst of the Sunday rounds with a 2-over (74). However, it was enough to get her into the playoff alongside Ruoning Yin, Hyo Joo Kim, Lindy Duncan and Ariya Jutanugarn. It was anybody’s to win late on Sunday, however nobody looked willing to step up and stamp their authority on the final round. After 72 holes, the five of them couldn’t be separated and marched back up the par-5, 18th to decide it. The risk-reward to go for the green in two proved the winner, with 4 of the 5 players getting a look at a birdie putt. Of those, it was Saigo who had the best chance off the back of an excellent chip, setting her up for a 3-footer to win the Championship. It was once again a diverse leaderboard with seven nationalities represented by those who finished T9 or better. Best of the Aussies was Min Jee Lee who finished 5 shots back in T14.
Mao Saigo becomes a first-time Rolex Winner at the Chevron Championship
(photo courtesy of: www.lpga.com)
The Liv Golf League was back this week and it did not disappoint. Played in Mexico, it featured massive carry distances, a stacked leaderboard and an epic finish. Niemann took out the individual title whilst John Rahm’s Legio XIII rallied to put together a late Sunday charge and secure the team title. The win comes at a time the golf world is talking about Niemann, with no real way of identifying where he sits compared to other tours given the ongoing debacle of the World Golf Rankings. One thing can be certain though, to take on two Major winners on Sunday and secure the victory is no easy feat and will be sure to boost the confidence for Niemann. He also locked down the Liv Golf exemption for the U.S Open to be played later this year. All that aside, it was a stacked leaderboard after 36-holes and is what every golfer dreams of – the best players competing against each other late in a tournament. Niemann teed it up in the final group on Sunday alongside Dechambeau and Smith, however he was 3 shots off the lead and knew it would take his best. His best is what he delivered, with Smith faltering it became a shoot-out between Dechambeau and Niemann down the stretch. When Bryson put a ball out of bounds on the 13th and proceeded to double-bogey it, Niemann took the lead and didn’t look back. He scored birdies in two of his last three holes to finish three shots clear. It was great to watch and made for an entertaining final round with the top-10 featuring names such as Rahm, Hatton, Johnson, Watson and Herbert. The win is Niemann’s third of the season and increases his overall lead for the 2025 standings. Best of the Aussies was Herbert of Ripper GC who put together a course record-equaling 10-under round on Sunday to charge through the pack and finish in a tie for second. Unfortunately for Ripper they could not convert their 36-hole lead in the team standings into a win. Instead, it was Legio XIII who put together a solid team effort to surpass Ripper, 4Aces, Torque and the Crushers to come out on top.
Joaquin Niemann wins Liv Golf Mexico, his third win of the season
(photo courtesy of: www.livgolf.com)
The DP World Tour finished off it’s ‘Asian Swing’ with the Hainan Classic where Englishman Marco Penge won his first DP World Tour title and Keita Nakajima secured the ‘Asian Swing’ victory. Penge started the day with a share of the lead, however found himself a shot down at the turn as Crocker was putting on a clinic a few groups ahead. Penge, in his 47th start on the tour, showed his composure as he continued to play his game, confident the score would come. He then put together three birdies in a row from holes 12 to 14, which launched him clear and nobody could catch him. He eventually won by 3 shots ahead of Crocker and Reitan in second, and Neergaard-Petersen one shot further back in solo third. The standings of the Asian Swing are important as the top three secured their starting place for the US PGA Championship later this season. Chacarra finished the swing in second and will also join Nakajima and Penge at Quail Hollow. Best of the Aussies were Jason Scrivener and Elvis Smylie who both finished T16 at 8-under.
Marco Penge wins his first DP World Tour Title
(photo courtesy of: www.golfmonthly.com)
The PGA Tour fronted up for one of its more unique events of the season as competitors found a teammate to join them in their pursuit of the Zurich Classic silverware. Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak achieved their breakthrough PGA Tour victory together, off the back of a 35-foot putt on the 17th from the former. It was a tight contest through the majority of the tournament, with a handful of teams in the mix right up until the final few holes. It was relief for Griffin and Novak who got the job done together and finally get a win on the board after both enjoying very consistent seasons thus far. Novak bounced back strong after losing in the playoff last week, whilst Griffin moves to 21st in the FedEx standings which is a just reward for his efforts in 2025. Unfortunately for Jake Knapp and Frankie Cappan III, their tee shot on 17 found the water which halted their momentum and split the difference between them and the leaders. The Rasmus brothers contested all week however fell one shot short in solo second. Best of the Aussies was Karl Vilips who teamed up with Thorbjornsen and together finished 3 shots back in T4.
Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak break through for maiden win
(photo courtesy of: www.prestigeonline.com)
The Epson Tour competed at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Spa and Resort, with Briana Chacon taking out her second win on the tour. The lead changed numerous times on Sunday, however it was a mature final round of 6-under (66) from Chacon which proved the difference. After starting the day 2 shots back, she began her round steady before putting together a string of birdies on the front nine and launching herself into contention. Overnight leader Hailee Cooper couldn’t find her best golf, which opened the door for the chasers. The first of these was rookie Megan Schofill, who applied pressure down the stretch and claimed the clubhouse lead at 11-under. That score looked a possible winner during stages of the final round, however Chacon approached her final few holes with composure and managed to birdie two out of her last three to win by one. One shot further back of Schofill in solo third was Korea’s Minji Kang. Best of the Aussies was Robyn Choi who finished the tournament 1-under in a tie for 31st.
Briana Chacon wins the 2025 IOA Championship
(photo courtesy of: www.epsontour.com)
It was great to have an Aussie back in the winner's circle as Scott Hend got it done at the Barbados Legends Tournament. He didn’t just get it done, but stormed through the field in style on a Sunday charge which saw him claim the course record on his way to a 2-shot victory. Hend shot a 64 on Sunday which was more than enough to make up for the 4-shot deficit he faced before the commencement of the final round. The win is Hend’s second on the tour and comes after losing this event in a playoff last year. Englishman Greg Owen finished in solo second, closely followed by Lionel Alexandre and David Drysdale who shared third.
Scott Hend wins Barbados Legends
(photo courtesy of: www.legendstour.com)
Up Ahead
The PGA Tour is onto the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this week to be played at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas. Taylor Pendrith is the defending champion and the purse is $USD 9.9 Million along with 500 FedEx Cup points.
The LPGA Tour comes off the back of their first Major of the year and is straight back into it, headed for Black Desert Resort to compete in the Black Desert Championship presented by Greater Zion. 2025 is the inaugural year for this event so there will be nobody defending, however all will be keen to get a portion of the $USD 3 Million purse and the 500 points in the Race to CME Globe.
The Liv Golf League is also backing it up this week as they head to Korea, specifically the Jack Nicklaus Club in South Korea. This is LIV Golf’s first visit to Korea so it will be interesting to see the level of engagement from the locals.
The DP World Tour has finished off the ‘Asian Swing’ and will have a week off before heading to The Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya on 08 May. This event carries a purse of $USD 2.75 Million along with 3,500 R2DR Points. Also, of note around this time of the year is the fact that this event also carries 1,000 Ryder Cup points which will become critical in the latter part of the season for those interested in making the team.
After completing the Women’s Open PQ in Italy during the week, The LET is not back until the 9th of May for the Aramco Korea Championship. The International Series is also still on a break until mid-May when the Caledonian Club in Japan will play host.
The Asian Tour is back this week after a decent break where players will tee it up at the 44th GS Caltex Maekyung Open to be played at the Namseoul Country Club in Korea. The prize fund is a total of KRW 1,300 Million with a field size of 144 players, including defending champion Hongtaek Kim.
The Epson Tour is headed to Las Vegas for the Reliance Matrix Championship presented by Epson. This is the first time this event will be played where the field of 132 will compete for a purse of $USD 250,000 and 500 points.
That’s it for this week, I hope it covered what you are after and if not, feel free to get in touch and offer some suggestions so we can improve the blog here at The Monday Mulligan. We are stoked to be back and covering what we love across the world of golf.
That’s it for now, stay safe and play well!
Play well,
TMM
References / Links:
Comments