The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …
- themondaymulligan
- Jun 2
- 6 min read
First time winners, defending champions and a couple of young Aussies showing some form were a few of the highlights in the golfing world this week. The main feature was the U.S. Women's Open where the field toiled hard all week to defeat the course, the conditions and each other. Read on for the highlights of the week and what’s coming up …
It was a grind for the ladies at the U.S Women’s Open where only 14 of the field finished in red figures after four days of competition. It was ultimately Sweden’s Maja Stark who claimed her first major title, and the sixth one by a Swede. A final round 72 was enough for Stark to retain her 54-hole lead and win by two shots ahead of world number one Nelly Korda and Japan’s Rio Takeda. Stark set herself up with a steady start across the first two days, shooting scores of 70 and 69 where plenty in the field were struggling to adjust to the conditions. Stark was vulnerable through her final round, showing glimpses of nerves, however none of the chasing pack could take control and apply enough pressure for it to make an impact. After bogeying the 17th, Stark still came to the 18th with a three-shot lead and it was hers to lose. A bogey on the last made no difference as she became the first European since 2006 to hoist the Harton S. Semple trophy. Best of the Aussies was Hannah Green who fought hard all week to finish T12.
Maja Stark claims her first major victory at the U.S. Women’s Open
(photo courtesy of: www.lpga.com)
Scottie Scheffler joins elite company as he becomes just the second player, alongside Tiger Woods, to defend his title at Jack’s place. For the first two days of competition it certainly didn’t look like that would be the case as in-form player Ben Griffin took control and appeared to be a class above. But the world number one, quiet professional as he is, was toiling away in the background with two rounds of 70 and one of 68 to push himself into the lead at the 54-hole mark. From there it was only a matter of keeping the chasers at bay where nobody really rose out of the pack to lay down a challenge, leaving Scheffler with another win to add to his impressive record. Where many in the field struggled with the tough test on offer at The Memorial, which saw the cut-line balloon by four shots during the second round, Scheffler only made one bogey over his last 40 holes to prove why he is the best golfer in the world right now. Ben Griffin’s finish in solo-second still saw him collect a larger purse than his win last week and it was a strong finish by Sepp Straka who finished in third and continues to push his case for Ryder Cup selection. Another notable result was Fowler’s first top-10 finish for the year which secures him a tee time at The Open. As we have come to enjoy from the signature events, it was a much more recognisable leaderboard heading into the final round with names like Scheffler, Spieth, Fowler, Lowry, Cantlay and Bradley all featuring at the business end of the field. We definitely miss that level of competition across a number of the other events throughout the year. Best of the Aussies was Adam Scott at T31.
Scottie Scheffler defends his title at Jack’s Place
(photo courtesy of: www.sbnation.com)
The DP World Tour returned to the Austrian Open for the first time since 2021 and it did not disappoint, especially for Germany’s Nicolai von Dellinghausen who secured his first win on the Tour. The HotelPlanner Tour graduate got off to a hot start on Sunday with birdies at three and four to close the deficit and then take the outright lead. At the turn he had a comfortable margin, however pressure was still being applied as last week’s winner Reitan set the clubhouse lead off the back of a scintillating final round of 60. But the German knew it was on his club and showed significant composure down the stretch, especially with putter in hand as he holed some long-range par-saves to maintain his lead all the way to the clubhouse, winning by two shots. Reitan finished with a share of the lead with Marcel Schneider. Best of the Aussies was Daniel Gale in T17.
Nicolai von Dellinghausen with his maiden DP World Tour victory in Austria
(photo courtesy of: www.thegolfnewsnet.com)
LET Access was treated to an entertaining finish as Mexico’s Alejandra Llaneza got the job done in the playoff against Australia’s Justice Bosio and Netherland’s Lauren Holmey. Llaneza started the final round down in 20th before surging through the field with a 8-under (64) to have a share of the lead. As they headed back down the 18th for an extra hole, it was a birdie from the 36-year old which set her apart and completed a remarkable comeback to tournament golf after two years away from competition. The win is her seventh professional title and sets her up for a strong finish to the season and a chance to gain her LET card. Alongside Bosio in the top-10, were fellow Aussies Stephanie Bunque and Abbie Teasdale who both finished in T8 with a score of 4-under.
Alejandra Llaneza wins her seventh professional win in Avila
(photo courtesy of: www.letaccess.com)
A couple of young Aussies held their head high and spent time at the pointy end of the field at North Berwick Golf Club for the Scottish Men’s Open Championship. Billy Dowling and Kayun Mudadana battled through the blustery conditions to make it into the last grouping, however it was a runaway Eliot Baker who left no doubt during the final round. Dowling showed his class through the early running to have a share of the lead at the halfway point, however couldn't stay within range of Baker as he pulled away. Dowling finishing the tournament in second with Mudadana in third. Great effort lads!
Youngster Billy Dowling finished second in the Scottish Men’s Open Championship
(photo courtesy of: www.golf.org.au)
Up Ahead
A huge week of golf ahead with most leagues and competitions back in action around the globe.
Starting in Canada, where the PGA is headed for the RBC Canadian Open, an event which Rory has decided to tee it up at after controversially excusing himself from last week's signature event. Those teeing it up in Ontario will be using this as their final tune-up ahead of the U.S Open the week after. Defending Champion is Robert MacIntyre and the event has a purse of $USD 9.8 million and 500 FedEx Cup points.
The much-anticipated LIV Golf Virginia is finally upon us after a decent break. There are a few in the field who will be backing it up at the U.S Open and will be keen to put their best foot forward here in preparation for that event. Players will be teeing it up at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club with individuals and teams going head-to-head once again.
The LPGA is straight back into it after their major and will be competing in the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer. Linnea Strom was last year’s winner and I am sure most remember her heroics, making the cut on the number and charging through the field over the weekend. This year the event offers a purse of $USD 1.75 million along with 500 points in the Race to CME Globe.
The European swing continues this week on the DP World Tour where the Netherlands will play host to the KLM Open. Migliozzi will be defending his 2024 title which he won at the same course, collecting helpful points and exemptions along the way. This year’s edition has a purse of $USD 2.75 million along with 3,500 points in the R2DR and 1,000 points towards the Ryder Cup standings.
After a week off, the Ladies European Tour makes its way to the Canary Islands for the Tenerife Women’s Open. Trish Johnson was the previous winner and this year the event offers a purse of €500,000. There are a few Aussies and Kiwi’s in the field so keep an eye on in this one and we are wishing them all the best for the week.
The Epson Tour field is competing in the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship at the Battle Creek Country Club this week. Cassie Porter won last year’s event and in the 2025 edition it has a purse of $USD 225,000 and a handy 500 points in the Race for the Card.
LET Access is another group of competitors who are backing it up, this time at the Montauban Ladies Open played at the Golf de Montauban in France. Helen Briem is the previous winner and the event has a prize fund of €45,000.
The Asian Tour has an extended break and isn’t back until early July when they will compete in the International Series Morocco.
That’s it for this week, I hope it covered what you were 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 capturing the highs and lows across the world of golf.
That’s it for now, stay safe and play well!
Play well,
TMM
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