The Monday Mulligan: the week that was in golf …
- themondaymulligan
- Aug 14, 2025
- 8 min read
It’s a 'big-un' this week, with some massive results led by our very own Steve Allen, as well as big reviews and even bigger previews as the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia kicks off for the 2025/26 season. Read on for a full recap of last weeks results along with a preview for what's coming right up.
Dean Burmester sealed a dramatic individual triumph at the LIV Golf Chicago event at Bolingbrook Golf Club, prevailing in a three‑man playoff against Jon Rahm and rookie Josele Ballester after all three finished tied at 9-under (204) over 54 holes. A resilient final round saw Burmester overcome three early bogeys to stay in contention, eventually sinking a decisive birdie on the first playoff hole to land the win. In the team competition, Stinger GC—led by Burmester alongside Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel—also clinched victory in a playoff, earning the $3 million team prize over Torque. Prize-wise, Burmester took home a $4 million winner’s check, while both Rahm and Ballester shared $1.875 million each for their playoff finishes. Notably, Rahm’s strong showing narrowed the points gap behind Joaquín Niemann heading into the upcoming individual finale in Indianapolis.
Best of the Ripper boys was Marc Leishman who strung together a respectable T13.
Dean Burmester wins LIV Chicago through a three-man playoff
(photo courtesy of: www.livgolf.com)
In a thrilling start to the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Justin Rose captured the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, winning in dramatic fashion via a sudden‑death playoff against J.J. Spaun. Both finished regulation tied at 16-under (264), after Rose surged late with four birdies in his final five holes to force the extra holes. On the first playoff hole, both players missed birdie chances; the second saw outstanding putts, with Spaun briefly taking the lead before Rose matched him. On the third playoff hole, Rose calmly sank a 12‑foot birdie putt while Spaun could not replicate it, sealing his 12th PGA Tour victory and marking his first win since 2023. Tommy Fleetwood and Scottie Scheffler tied for third at 15‑under. At 45, Rose becomes the oldest European to win a PGA Tour event in the modern era, earning widespread praise for defying age expectations with composure and resilience. His victory all-but-guarantees his spot in both the Ryder Cup team and the season‑ending Tour Championship. Of note was fan-favourite Rickie Fowler who needed to grind out a good result to keep his season going and he managed to do just that, ensuring he secured starts in all majors and the signature events for next season.
Best of the Aussies was Cam Davis who finished in T50, however this unfortunately wasn’t enough for him to continue his season.
Justin Rose wins the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship
(photo courtesy of: www.foxsports.com)
Germany’s Laura Fünfstück emerged triumphant at the PIF London Championship, claiming her maiden Ladies European Tour title in gripping fashion. She closed with a steady final‑round 1-under (72) to finish at 10-under, edging out Daniela Darquea by a single stroke—highlighted by a clutch birdie on the par‑5 18th to seal victory. Fünfstück’s road to the title wasn’t straightforward, after holding a three‑shot overnight lead, she stumbled early with 3-over through her first four holes. But an inspired back nine, featuring birdies on the 12th, 14th, 17th, and 18th, anchored her comeback. Behind her, Daniela Darquea posted a solid 5-under (68) to finish alone in second at 9-under, narrowly missing a breakthrough victory. Anne van Dam soared into solo third, capped off by an eagle on the final hole to conclude at 8-under.
Best of the Aussies was once again Kirsten Rudgeley who finished in T49.
Laura Funfstuck wins her maiden LET victory at the PIF Championship
(photo courtesy of: www.ladieseuropeantour.com)
The Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, marked the return of the tournament (formerly the Scottish Championship) on the DP World Tour. Scotsman Grant Forrest delivered a commanding performance to secure victory by four strokes over Joe Dean. He finished at 8-under (280), even after a double bogey on the closing hole. Forrest’s steady approach included a blistering 6-under (66) in the second round, which set a new course record and earned him a $10,000 bonus under a Course Record Award initiative sponsored by Nexo. He also received a video call from course owner and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised his performance. With the win, Forrest secured 585 Race to Dubai points, climbed 85 spots to 28th in the rankings, and topped the Closing Swing standings. The result ensures his DP World Tour card for next season.
Best of the Aussies was David Micheluzzi who put together a strong T10 and hung tough to grind it out when many of the field were sliding backwards around him in the challenging conditions.
Grant Forrest wins the Nexo Championship on home soil
(photo courtesy of: www.europeantour.com)
Spain’s Amaia Latorre secured a memorable victory at the Ahlsell Trophy by Destination Jönköping, part of the LET Access Series and the Ahlsell Nordic Golf Tour. Held at Gränna Golf Club, she fired an impressive final-round 6-under (66) to climb from a tie for sixth into contention. Latorre then prevailed in a one-hole playoff over Sweden’s Isabell Ekström, sinking a birdie on the par‑5 18th to clinch her maiden LETAS title and fourth professional win overall. The tournament concluded with Latorre finishing on 8-under (208) across 54 holes. Ekström, the overnight leader, settled for runner-up and moved into the top 20 on the LETAS Order of Merit, now ranked 18th. In third place, Lauren Holmey posted a strong performance at 7-under, just one stroke back. The competition was challenged by stiff winds that stretched the course and tested players’ mettle, though overall course conditions were noted as improved compared to previous editions.
Best of the Aussies was Abbie Teasdale who put together three solid rounds to finish in T13.
Amaia Latorre secures her maiden LETAS title through a playoff
(photo courtesy of: https://letaccess.com)
The Boeing Classic, hosted by The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in Washington, saw Aussie Steve Allan capture his third PGA Tour Champions title with a composed performance. He finished at 15‑under (201) across the 54‑hole event, edging out Stewart Cink, who ended one stroke behind at 14‑under. Allan’s consistent rounds of 68‑68‑65 sealed his victory and earned him a winner’s cheque of $345,000 from the $2.3 million purse. Sharing third place at 13‑under, golf legends Ernie Els and Darren Clarke delivered strong showings but couldn't catch Allan. Throughout the tournament, Allan’s steady play, particularly his low‑scoring final round, proved decisive amid a highly competitive field. This event underscores Allan’s continued strength on the senior circuit and highlights the depth of talent on PGA Tour Champions, where seasoned stars regularly duel for prestige and points toward the Charles Schwab Cup.
Steve Allen wins his third event of the season on the PGA Tour Champions
(photo courtesy of: www.msn.com)
Up Ahead
Finally, the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia is back to kick off the 2025/2026 season at the PNG Open in Port Moresby. The Royal Port Morseby Golf Club will play host to a strong field, with many looking to improve their position and qualify for some bigger events deeper in the season. One such example is the Australian Open, which is already attracting some big names in golf and may present fewer tee times for those on the PGA Tour of Australasia who might normally get the call up. Unfortunately, the PNG Open isn’t televised, but it’s exciting nonetheless to get things underway and see where our Aussie golfers stand after the off-season, particularly our defending champion William Bruyeres. The prize fund on offer is $AUS 225,000 for the professional men, as well as an additional $21,000 on offer in a unique experience over the weekend for 15 Women (9 WPGA Members and 6 local PNG Amateur Women) who will compete in a weekend-only stroke event.
The Liv Golf League gets to the business end of the season, with only two in the race for the individual title – Joaquin Niemann and Jon Rahm. There is still some movement in the Team Rankings, with a few looking to improve their position before we head to the Team Playoffs next week. But first, LIV will descend on The Club at Chatham Hills for LIV Golf Indianapolis where it’ll be a battle of the big two. Both Niemann and Rahm have had excellent seasons, with Niemann doing better at converting that into wins so far. Rahm will be very keen to snatch the season individual title at what is promising to be a tough course. Both of them have at least wrapped up a share of the top three bonuses on offer at seasons end. It’ll be worth a watch if you get a few spare moments over the weekend.
The PGA Tour also finds itself at the business end of the season, with the field shrunk to the last 50 after last week. These 50 members will be relieved to have secured their status for next week and a guaranteed start in all of the Majors and Signature Events for next season. This week they will compete at the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club where Keegan Bradley is our defending champion. The event carries a purse of $USD 20 million with the only Aussies in the field being Jason Day (note – our Oceanic friend Ryan Fox has also fought hard all season and has made it into this field). Play well fellas!
The LPGA is back into it this week as they head to The Standard Portland Classic being played at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club. Moriya Jutanugarn is our defending champion whilst this event carries a purse of $USD 2 million along with 500 points in the Race to CME Globe. The Women's field have been propping up Aussie golf this year with the bulk of the strong results and we will be cheering for much more of that this week.
The DP World Tour finishes off the last of the ‘Closing Swing’ events this week with the Danish Golf Championship being played in Copenhagen. Frederic Lacroix is our defending champion with plenty of Aussies in the field to throw down a challenge. The prize pool for this one is $USD 2.75 million along with 3,500 points in the Race to Dubai Rankings.
The EPSON Tour resumes this week after a short break as they appear at the Wildhorse Golf Course in Pendleton to compete in the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic. These ladies are getting to the pointy end of their season with many jostling for position in the Race for the Card. This week offers 500 points towards that endeavour with a prize fund of $USD 250,000.
The LET Access Tour is in Slovakia this week for the Ladies Slovak Golf Open. This event is hosted by the TALE Ski Golf & Hotel Resort where Tina Mazarino is our previous winner and the field will compete for a share of the €50,000 purse.
A few tours remain on a break, with the Asian Tour not back in action until late August when they will compete at the Mandiri Indonesian Open. The Ladies European Tour is also having a week off before they head to Sweden for the Hills Open.
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
References / Links:
https://www.reuters.com/sports/golf/jj-spaun-xander-schauffele-clinch-us-ryder-cup-spots-2025-08-11/
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