The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …
- themondaymulligan
- Jun 11
- 6 min read
Niemann puts the foot down on Sunday, Fox secures his second win through a playoff, Kupcho breaks the drought and plenty more happening in the world of golf this week.
Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann continued his dominant form for the 2025 season as he took out his fourth individual title from eight starts. It was a bogey-free 8-under (63) on Sunday at LIV Golf Virginia which sealed the deal for Niemann and firmly placed him at the top of the season rankings. Unfortunately his team mates couldn’t come to the party as Crushers GC dominated the Team Title in what was really only a race amongst three down the stretch. It was a weather impacted event with frequent delays and an intriguing leaderboard at the 36-hole mark. Plenty of big names were vying for their first LIV title such as McDowell, Mickelsen, Watson, Kaymer and Lahiri, the last of which was attempting to break a 10-year drought away from the winners circle. There was some incredible golf played down the stretch by Ben Campbell, who set a LIV record with seven consecutive birdies on his way to a 9-under (62), which was equaled for the low round of the day by Lee Westwood. Mickelsen also set about putting together short-game masterclass including an incredible trick shot over his head for a hole-out birdie. DeChambeau bobbed up with a few chip-ins alongside a long-range put from Pieters which measured over 62 feet. All in all, it was a great spectacle as Niemann ended the tournament one shot ahead of McDowell and Lahiri. Best of the Aussies was Marc Leishman who finished in T10 and seems to be hitting form before his appearance at the U.S. Open this week, his first Major since 2022.
Joaquin Niemann wins his fourth LIV Title for the 2025 Season
(photo courtesy of: www.livgolf.com)
It was a remarkable finish to the RBC Canadian Open as New Zealander Ryan Fox secured his second win of the season, beating Sam Burns on the fourth playoff hole. It was a nervous wait for Burns, who finished two hours ahead of the final pairing after he carded an impressive 8-under (62) to take the clubhouse lead. Meanwhile Fox, in the final group, was putting together a solid round which ended as a 4-under (66) and was enough to take a share of the lead and send it to extra holes. On the 72nd hole of the tournament, Fox made the brave decision to layup and trust his wedge play, which proved a wise decision when he gave himself a birdie putt to level it. There was ice in his veins as he nailed it and took the momentum into the playoff. Burns was consistent off the tee on the par-5 eighteenth, however he faulted with his approach on the fourth playoff hole which opened the door for Fox who played the ‘shot of his life’ with a 3-wood in hand and put it to 7 feet. Fox and Burns finished ahead of Kevin Yu who took out third place. Fox now takes some strong form into the U.S. Open and will be one to watch around Oakmont. Best of the Aussies was Harrison Endycott, however unfortunately his 2-under was one shy of making the weekend.
Ryan Fox gets it done in a Playoff at the RBC Canadian Open
(photo courtesy of: www.golf.org.au)
American Jennifer Kupcho broke back into the winner's circle in style this week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Opening rounds of 68 and 64 set her up for a final charge on Sunday, where she put together a composed 66 to win by one shot ahead of Korea’s IIhee Lee in second and her compatriot Sei Young Kim in solo third. Kupcho avoided a playoff through a strong finish down the stretch where she birdied three of the last five holes, including a clutch 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th to seal the victory. It was a great bounce-back after a disappointing finish to last week's Major where she missed the cut. Conditions were challenging for the field as they played through rain and a drenched course which laid down a tough test of grit and mental strength across the 54-holes. Finishing in solo second, It was an impressive showing from Lee who has only teed it up in 18 tournaments over the past seven years as she has been a part-time golf instructor. Her past and only win on the LPGA coming 12 years ago, however her form from this past week would indicate the 36-year-old definitely still has what it takes. Best of the Aussies was Robyn Choi who competed hard all week and finished in T11, six shots back of the lead.
Jennifer Kupcho Wins ShopRite Classic to end almost a 3-year Drought
(photo courtesy of: www.lpga.com)
The Netherlands witnessed a life changing moment for young Scot Connor Syme, who secured his maiden DP World Tour victory at the KLM Open. The stage was set at the 54-hole mark where it was really only going to come down to a battle between the final pairing due to the gap they had given themselves from the field. Syme started the day two shots clear and maintained that margin through the 72nd hole, outlasting his Swedish playing partner Joakim Lagergren. In what was his 182nd start on the DP World Tour, the 29-year-old looked in control for the majority of the day, putting together a composed display of golf down the stretch. Seven shots further back of Syme and in solo third was South African Jayden Schaper. Best of the Aussies was Jason Scrivener who finished in T26.
Connor Syme wins his maiden DP World Tour Title
(photo courtesy of: www.golfmonthly.com)
It was back-to-back victories for Sara Kouskova on the Ladies European Tour as she won the Tenerife Women’s Open in the Canary Islands by one shot. A final round 1-under (71) was enough for Kouskova to convert her 54-hole lead and hold off Germany’s Helen Briem and secure the win, her second LET Title. It was set up by back-to-back birdies at the turn, enough to give her a four shot lead and some breathing space from the pack. That breathing space came in handy as she double-bogeyed the 16th, before regaining her composure to maintain her one-shot advantage through to the finish line. One shot back from Briem and finishing in a tie for third were Emma Spitz, Noora Komulainen, and Ana Pelaez Trivino. Best of the Aussies was Maddison Hinson-Tolchard who finished in T8, her first top ten finish for the season and a positive sign she is gaining momentum for the business end of the season.
Sara Kouskova goes back-to-back with a win at the Tenerife Women’s Open
(photo courtesy of: www.ladieseuropeantour.com)
Up Ahead
Here we go, it’s another Major week as we head to Oakmont where Bryson will defend his U.S. Open. The stage is set for a true test in golf with tough conditions and a brutal course set to greet the field. Professionals and amateurs alike will have to battle it out across the course, which is hosting it’s 10th U.S. Open. It really is going to be a spectacle and not something you want to miss as pundits are predicting not many players will break par over the four days, whilst world number one Scottie Scheffler remains hot favourite to secure another Major victory. As a major, this event offers 750 FedEx Cup Points which will be a healthy boost to the season standings for whoever can get it done.
The LPGA Tour heads to the Blythefield Country Club for the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give this week. Lilia Vu won this event last season and it carries a purse of $USD 3 million along with 500 points in the Race to CME Globe.
The Ladies European Tour is also back in action this week in Belgium for the Hulencourt Women’s Open. The event offers a purse of €300,000 where Patricia Isabel Schmidt is the defending champion.
The Epson Tour continues their run of tournaments as they will compete in the (bear with me, it’s a mouthful) - Great Lakes Championship at the Highlands presented by Johnnie Walker. This is an inaugural event on the Epson Tour which coughs up 500 points in the Race for the Card and $USD 250,000 in prize money.
LET Access is off to the Czech Republic this week for the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge at the Panorama Golf Resort. Helen Briem is the defending champion and it offers a purse of €45,000.
Both LIV Golf League and DP World Tour are taking a break this week to make way for the U.S. Open. The Asian Tour also won’t compete as they continue an extended break and aren’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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