🌹 Zhang wins LPGA debut

Winner’s Circle

PGA Tour - The Memorial Tournament

Viktor Hovland won The Memorial in a playoff over Denny McCarthy. Hovland's consistent form earlier in the year, which saw him tie for second at the PGA Championship and third at The Players, finally paid off with this hard-earned victory.

Hovland's birdie at the difficult 17th hole on Sunday got him to seven under for the tournament and into the playoff. He capitalized on the first playoff hole by converting a six-foot slider for par to clinch the victory, while McCarthy hit a wayward drive and failed to make par.

In his press conference, Hovland attributed his success to improved course management and a commitment to hitting the fatter portions of the greens when he is out of position. His work on course strategy and short game appears to have paid off, and they bode well for Hovland's prospects at the upcoming US Open at Los Angeles Country Club.

Denny McCarthy put up a tough fight on Sunday. A bogey at the 18th was the only thing keeping him from earning his first PGA Tour win. McCarthy’s putting and short game have always been world-class and should give him more opportunities to notch his first win soon.

Scottie Scheffler finished in third but struggled again with his putting. He was first in strokes gained tee-to-green, approach, and around-the-green but finished dead last among the field in putting. Scheffler’s outstanding ball-striking still carried him to his 10th top-10 finish this year.

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LPGA - Mizuho Americas Open

Rose Zhang made history by winning her debut as a pro on the LPGA.

The expectations were high for Rose Zhang entering her first tournament as a pro, and somehow, she exceeded them. In a stacked leaderboard heading into the weekend, Rose separated herself - on a Saturday where world number 1 Jin Young Ko, and Friday co-leader Minjee Lee shot even par 72, Rose shot a bogey-free 66 that gave her a two-shot lead heading into the final day.

Sunday at Liberty National presented a tougher challenge for Rose as she had to lean on excellent scrambling for pars to keep her lead. After finishing the 16th hole, Rose held a 1-shot lead and faced the task of making two pars on the difficult 17 and 18th holes to win.

On 17, she hit the green in regulation and converted a tough two-putt for par. In her post-round interview, Zhang called out the 10-foot par putt made on the 17th as the key point in her round. On 18, her drive just rolled into a fairway bunker, a rare sight for her after leading the field in driving accuracy for the week, leaving a difficult approach. She had to navigate the bunker lip with a 5 iron and hit her approach just short of the green but could not get up and down for par.

Even after the bogey on 18, Rose was all smiles and looked calm heading into the playoff with Jennifer Kupcho. The confidence carried over to her play in the playoff. She and Kupcho made pars on the first playoff hole and returned to the 18th tee again. Rose found the fairway on her third try for the day and left herself a 4-hybrid from 180 yards that she hit inside 10 feet. Kupcho was nearly 40 yards ahead of Rose and had an 8 iron but left her approach on the front of the green. Kupcho was too aggressive in her lengthy birdie try and putted it off the green leaving Rose a comfortable two putts for the victory.

For Rose, the win gives her full LPGA membership and makes her eligible for the Solheim Cup. It would be crazy not to see her in Spain later this year for Team USA.

View Full Mizuho Americas Open Results

DP World Tour - European Open

Tom McKibbin won for the first time on the Europen Tour. The 20-year-old Northern Irish player grew up playing out of Holywood Golf Club, the same club as Rory McIlroy. McKibbin hit the shot of the day on his last hole. With just over 200 yards to the pin on the par five 18th, Mckibbon was able to draw his shot around some trees to 15 feet on the finishing hole. It was the closest shot all day on 18 and assured McKibbin the title with a two-putt birdie.

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Korn Ferry Tour - UNC Health Championship

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Japan LPGA - Richard Mille Yonex Ladies Golf Tournament

Fumika Kawagishi won on the Japan LPGA tour. The weather in Japan did not cooperate, shortening the tournament to 27 holes. After the first round, the tournament was cut to 33 players, who then played only the back nine on Sunday. Kawagishi was tied with Shuri Sakuma after 27 holes and then birdied the first extra hole to win in a playoff. Miyuu Yamashita finished in a tie for third, and the shortened tournament might have been all that could have stopped her winning streak.

View Full Richard Mille Yonex Ladies Golf Tournament Results

Korea LPGA - Lotte Open

Hye Jin Choi won the Lotte Open in Incheon. The win was her 12th career victory on the Korea LPGA tour and first win of this season. Currently ranked 24th in the world, Choi has spent the start of the year playing the LPGA tour, and the Lotte Open marked her second appearance in Korea this year.

View Full Lotte Open Results