The week following the Masters is usually a letdown for golf fans. This year, however, the stars aligned and gave us a number of great stories to follow this weekend. Three different tours and 4 separate events attract our attention. Here’s a little rundown on what you should be watching today and tomorrow in the world of professional golf.
PGA Tour
In their effort respond to LIV, this season the PGA Tour created Signature Events. They upgraded the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island to a small field, no cut event with a total of $20 million up for grabs. As a result this 69 player field has 28 of the top 30 ranked PGA Tour golfers competing on the par 71, 7100 yard course with some of the tightest fairways and by far the smallest greens they will see this season. Going into the weekend four were tied atop a crowded leaderboard at 11 under. 2 time major winner Colin Morikawa, Tom Hoge, Sepp Straka and J.T. Poston lead the way with Masters Champion Scottie Schefller, Masters runner-up Ludwig Aberg and Patrick Cantlay among those within two shots of the lead. This event should have fireworks Saturday and Sunday.
As a result of the RBC Heritage being a limited field event, the PGA Tour is also conducting the Corales Puntacana Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic While there are less Fed Ex Cup points available to this field, the winner receives winner’s status on the PGA Tour for the remainder of this season and for the next two years. As is often the case when there are alternate field events, this may prove to be life changing for the winner.
15 Year Old Makes the Cut on the Korn Ferry Tour
Playing in his first professional event, number one AJGA ranked Miles Russell became the youngest player to ever make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour. Last season Miles was named the AJGA Boys Junior Player of the Year at a younger age than even Tiger Woods. He is both the reigning Junior PGA Champion and the Juniors Players Champion.
With rounds of 68-66 his two round total 134 finds him T-26 entering the weekend. His Friday round included going 4 under on the front nine, with 7 pars and 2 eagles. One of the eagles was on a par 4. By making the cut, should Miles attempt to Monday Qualify in future events this KFT season, he will not need to go through the pre-qualifying process.
Nelly Korda Goes for FIVE in a Row at the LPGA’s First Major
The Chevron Championship, the first LPGA Major of the season, is Nelly Korda’s shot at winning five consecutive events. Heading into the weekend, Korda was at 7 under, one stroke off the lead. A win by Korda will make her only the third woman to win 5 consecutive LPGA tournaments. Also of note at the Chevron is that Augusta Women’s Amateur Champion Lottie Wood enters the weekend 4 strokes off the lead. Wood, the FSU sophomore is playing in her first LPGA event (having chosen to compete in the Chevron rather than this week’s SEC Championship).
