Brooke Henderson goes wire-to-wire at LPGA season opener
ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Brooke Henderson sets a goal of winning multiple LPGA Tour titles at the outset of each season. Henderson was dominant throughout and delivered a 2-under 70 on Sunday at Lake Nona to complete a wire-to-wire victory in the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Sunday marked her 16th consecutive round under par on the LPGA dating to 2022, and her 16th consecutive score under par in this tournament. Henderson was patient on Sunday, doing most of her damage on Lake Nona’s par 5s, making birdies on three of them. 1 Lydia Ko skipped the tournament after getting married, made only three birdies and settled for fourth for a second consecutive year.
wftv.comHenderson, pain-free, leads Korda by 1 in LPGA Tour opener
ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Brooke Henderson enjoyed the opening day of a fresh LPGA season a whole lot more than the tough, waning days of last season. She added three more against one bogey on her inward nine to take a one-shot lead over Nelly Korda, who at No. Korda, who won the Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona in early 2021, nearly matched Henderson, making five birdies against a lone bogey in an opening 68. “It’s great to be aggressive and be able to to after shots again.”Leading the celebrity division was a familiar name to all — 72-time LPGA champion Annika Sorenstam, a Lake Nona resident. "Which wasn’t on my mind, but I am obviously very pleased to play here without a bogey,” Sorenstam said.
wftv.comDefending champ Kang part of talented field in LPGA Tournament of Champions
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions begins on Thursday morning at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Defending champion Danielle Kang is one of 29 LPGA Tour pros in the field. Kang shot a final round 68 in 2022 to win the title after losing in a playoff in 2021. The first round begins on Thursday morning and the final round is set for Sunday. BREAK THE GLASS: @alfonso_ribeiro shattered it twice for the celebs, but @Marina_Deee won it for the @LPGA pros in sudden death.
wftv.comDanielle Kang playing U.S. Women's Open with tumor on spine
US Womens Open Golf Danielle Kang hits from the waste area on the 17th hole during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. on Friday, June 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (Chris Carlson)SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. — (AP) — Danielle Kang revealed Friday that she played the first two rounds of the U.S. Women's Open with a tumor on her spine. She plans to have further tests next week and is uncertain how much playing time she will miss. I wanted to play four rounds out here and then my focus was going to be getting better after that. “My priority one is to be pain-free and right now I'm not there yet.”When asked how she felt playing on Friday, Kang laughed and said, “I'm not feeling fantastic, but I'm playing golf, so that is good.
wftv.comHannah Green takes 1-stroke lead at LPGA Lotte Championship
EWA BEACH, Hawaii — (AP) — Hannah Green shot a 6-under 66 on Wednesday to take the lead after the first round of the LPGA Lotte Championship. Green had eight birdies, including five on the front nine, at breezy Hoakalei Country Club, a first-time venue in the 10th edition of the tournament. The Australian hit 11 of 14 fairways, 14 of 18 greens in regulation and needed just 26 putts. “I just felt like with the putter I just needed to see a couple go in. The event was played at Ko Olina Golf Club for its first eight years, was canceled in 2020 and moved to Kapolei Golf Club last year.
wftv.comKang contending again on LPGA, tied with Lydia Ko at Boca
BOCA RATON, Fla. — (AP) — A week-and-a-half into the 2022 LPGA Tour season, Danielle Kang has a new home. A winner in the season opener in Orlando last week, Kang birdied her final two holes Friday for a 4-under 68 to catch good friend Lydia Ko (70) in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rico. Ko, at 24 already a 16-time winner on the tour, considered her day to be a grind from start to finish. Until breaking through at Lake Nona last week, Kang had gone 17 months without winning. “It’s not just about today or tomorrow or this week or last week,” Kang said.
wftv.comWinless in '21, Danielle Kang starts new LPGA year with win
LPGA Tour Golf Danielle Kang poses next to the championship trophy on the 18th green after winning the Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (Phelan M. Ebenhack)ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Danielle Kang readily admits she, and her golf game, remain a constant work in progress. “My mental game was really good,” said Kang, who was winless in 2021 after having won in each of her previous four LPGA seasons. But when asked about it during this tournament, Kang said she had no recollection. She took control of the tournament early on the back nine with three consecutive birdies starting at the par-3 13th. She had entered the final round coming off seven consecutive rounds in the 60s at Lake Nona, and 11 consecutive rounds in the 60s overall dating to last season.
wftv.comHataoka declared winner as rain-soaked LPGA cut to 54 holes.
LPGA Tour Golf Water pools on the green of the ninth hole as play is suspended during the final round of the Marathon LPGA Classic golf tournament at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio, Sunday, July 11, 2021, in Sylvania, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer) (David Dermer)SYLVANIA, Ohio — (AP) — Nasa Hataoka of Japan was declared the winner of the Marathon LPGA Classic when the final round Sunday was washed out by relentless, heavy rain. She won for the fourth time on the LPGA Tour, and her first LPGA title in two years. The final round began at 7 a.m. with hopes of beating the rain. Her last LPGA Tour victory was the Kia Classic in 2019, though she won twice on the Japan LPGA later that year.
wftv.comHataoka declared winner as rain-soaked LPGA cut to 54 holes.
Nasa Hataoka of Japan was declared the winner of the Marathon LPGA Classic when the final round Sunday was washed out by relentless, heavy rain. Hataoka had a six-shot lead over Elizabeth Szokol and Mina Harigae. The final round began at 7 a.m. with hopes of beating the rain.
news.yahoo.comTaiwan's Min Lee takes 2-shot lead at Lake Merced
Lee also birdied the par-5 15th and par-3 17th to pull away from former Stanford player Lauren Kim and Finland's Matilda Castren. She had a 9-under 207 total at Lake Merced in the tour’s second straight event on the San Francisco Peninsula. Lee failed to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open last week at nearby Olympic Club. Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela, another former Stanford player, had a 68 to join 2000 U.S. Women's Open champion A Lim Kim (69) at 6 under. Saso and Women’s Open playoff loser Nasa Hataoka skipped the event at Lake Merced.
wftv.comKang takes 1-stroke lead in LPGA Tour event at Lake Merced
DALY CITY, Calif — (AP) — Danielle Kang birdied the par-5 18th hole for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead Friday in the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, the tour’s second straight event on the San Francisco Peninsula. “It was just warmer weather,” Kang said. “I play well in really hot weather. “The greens are slick and fast, and being poa, it’s just a little scary, a little bumpy,” Kang said. On Sunday at Olympic, she blew a five-stroke lead, playing the final seven holes in 5 over to finish a stroke out of a playoff that Yuka Saso won.
wftv.comEwing beats Kang to reach LPGA Match Play semifinals
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — (AP) — Ally Ewing made a 5-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole Saturday to beat local favorite Danielle Kang 1 up and join three major champions in the LPGA Match Play semifinals. “I haven’t played 36 holes for so long.”In the other semifinal, Sophia Popov will play Shanshan Feng. Ewing, then known by her maiden name of McDonald, also held off Kang in late October in Florida at Reynolds Lake Oconee for her lone LPGA Tour victory. “I rely a lot on my ball-striking, but you’ve got to be able to putt in match play,” Ewing said. Feng played 41 holes Saturday, She beat Brittany Altomare in 22 holes in the morning, tying the match on 18.
wftv.comKang beats Salas in friendly showdown at Shadow Creek
Kang won the friendly showdown 4 and 3 for a quarterfinal spot on another hot afternoon at Shadow Creek. I knew this was going to be very stressful for me.”An ambassador for course owner MGM Resorts, Kang won the opening hole with a par, took Nos. Salas won 10 and 11 with pars, Kang took 12 with a birdie and ended it with a par on 14. After Lewis birdied the ninth to pull within a hole, Tavatanakit won four of the next five to end the match. “Crazy as it sounds, I’m not thinking about next week at all,” Kang said.
wftv.comKang, Salas set up friendly LPGA Match Play showdown
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada — (AP) — Danielle Kang and Lizette Salas set up a showdown Friday for a spot in the final 16 in the LPGA Match Play. “Of course,” Salas said. On Thursday in hot conditions, Kang beat Madelene Sagstrom 2 and 1, and Salas topped Albane Valenzuela 3 and 2. “We go way back and we know each other’s games, and obviously this is her home course," Salas said. “Luckily par was good enough.”The tournament is the LPGA Tour’s first match play event since the 2017 Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.
wftv.comDanielle Kang, Inbee Park right at home in LPGA Match Play
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada — (AP) — Danielle Kang and Inbee Park made themselves right at home at Shadow Creek in the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play. Kang, a Las Vegas resident and ambassador for course owner MGM Resorts, routed Albane Valenzuela 7 and 6 on Wednesday in the most-lopsided match to start group play. I’m trying to cancel that out for next two days, and hopefully I can get through.”The tournament is the LPGA Tour's first match play event since the 2017 Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico. “I’m used to match play with thousands of people around, so that part was a little strange. The golf course is absolutely perfect.”In the other match in Lewis' group, ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit tied Sarah Kemp.
wftv.comJessica Korda rallies to beat Kang in playoff at LPGA opener
It was the sixth LPGA victory for the 27-year-old Korda, her last one coming nearly three years ago. “I knew I was going to have to go low today,” said Jessica Korda. Saturday, Jessica Korda became the sixth player in LPGA history to shoot 60 or better with her sparkling 11-under 60. Jessica Korda had owned the back nine all week (she would play it in 21-under par despite her three closing bogeys Friday). Kang, also seeking her sixth LPGA victory, had spoken all week about not being able to prepare for the event as she normally would.
Masters field at 84 players heading into the final 3 months
55 after closing with a 77 in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to drop to a tie for 23rd. That he accumulated the most world ranking points (463.54) was no surprise. Johnson received credit for the victory with the staggered start based on the FedEx Cup (he tied for third in world ranking points). DIVOTSDustin Johnson earned an average of 25.75 world ranking points in his 18 starts worldwide in 2020. That's more than the total ranking points Tiger Woods earned (19.08) in the nine tournaments he played.
Olson comes up aces and takes 1-shot lead in Women's Open
Amy Olson watches her shot off the third tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. You have to put four really good days together.”She got one out of the way Thursday in the U.S. Women's Open. She also had the 18-hole lead at Royal Troon in the Women's British Open before following that with an 81. And even on a perfect day for scoring, it was clear this Women's Open would be a stern test. And now she's already in the mix at the U.S. Women's Open, along with so many others.
Sei Young Kim has late birdie run to take Women’s PGA lead
Kim birdied five of the final six holes as darkness fell Friday at Aronimink for a 5-under 65 and the second-round lead in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She tied Karrie Webb (2001) and Sarah Kemp (2011) for the lowest nine-hole score in the Women’s PGA Championship. “The birdie on 14 was pretty good because it was a long birdie putt, and that’s when I started the four-birdie streak,” Kim said. A 10-time LPGA Tour winner, Kim is looking for her first major victory. She was runner-up at the 2015 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and tied for second at the Evian Championship in 2018.
Lincicome, Tan share Women’s PGA lead at windy Aronimink
Lincicome and Kelly Tan each shot 3-under 67 on Thursday in windy conditions at challenging Aronimink to share the lead in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Lincicome was sensational after missing the cut by one shot this past weekend at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Lincicome, a two-time winner of the major ANA Inspiration eight LPGA Tour victories, played bogey-free to stay even with Tan and keep her first Women’s PGA title in sight. Tan’s previous best finish in a major came in 2016 when she tied for 30th at the Women’s PGA. The 2009 champion, Nordqvist is one of eight Women’s PGA Championship winners in the field that also includes all 11 winners this year on the LPGA tour.
Korda rides hot putter in the desert to early 36-hole lead
One hole later, after hitting a fat shot from the fairway, she again had to make a par putt from some 25 feet. Korda was at 11-under 133, two shots clear of Mirim Lee, who also played bogey-free in the rising heat for a 65. If the lead holds, it would be the first time she takes a 36-hole lead into the weekend at a major. “I didn't miss a lot of shots, so I look forward to the next couple rounds,” Lee said. “The thing out here is you hit a solid putt and it keeps on going,” Korda said.
Kang beats desert heat and shares early lead in LPGA major
Kang, who won two straight in Ohio when the LPGA Tour resumed after five months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is projected to take over at No. Early tee times typically are favorable because the greens are smooth and the wind is not as strong. Her sister, Brittany, was among caddies who took advantage of a policy allowing them to drive carts because of the extreme heat. Kang drilled a 5-iron from 191 yards that landed in the middle of the green and rolled toward the pin. A woman sitting on a hill by the green screamed out, “Get in the hole!” Kang had no trouble identifying who it was.
Mission Hills familiar place in an familiar spot on schedule
Lewis is one of the past champions playing this week in the ANA Inspiration in California. Ko, who has played three times on the Korean LPGA this year, likely wont see an LPGA event his year. The ANA Inspiration presents an opportunity for Nelly Korda, who reached No. 2 and looking for her second majorKang has experience on Mission Hills that dates to her junior days, including one she thought she was going to win. This is her first LPGA event since November, and only her second event this year she played once on the Korean LPGA.
Stacy Lewis wins Ladies Scottish Open in 4-way playoff
USA's Stacy Lewis on the second tee during day two of the Ladies Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland, Friday Aug. 14, 2020. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)NORTH BERWICK Stacy Lewis won the Ladies Scottish Open with a 23-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff Sunday, giving the American her first title in nearly three years and a confidence boost ahead of the Womens British Open. Thats this type of golf, Lewis said. So I really just tried to wait for my opportunity and just kept hanging in there.After Lewis holed her birdie putt in the playoff, Knight missed a 10-foot birdie try. She parred the final three holes to get into the playoff, two-putting from 30 feet on the par-4 18th.
Lewis, Munoz share lead at Ladies Scottish Open
NORTH BERWICK American golfer Stacy Lewis shot a 5-under 66 for the lowest round of the week at the Ladies Scottish Open to take a share of the lead with Azahara Munoz after the second round on Friday. Lewis, a former top-ranked player and a 12-time LPGA Tour champion, birdied the final four holes to bounce back from her only dropped shot -- at the 12th -- at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick. The two-time major winner is looking for her first win in nearly three years since when she has given birth to her first child, Chesnee to take into next weeks Womens British Open, which she won in 2013. Jennifer Song was a stroke behind after a 70, with Amy Olson and Olivia Cowan a further shot back after 71s. It is the first international event on the LPGA Tour since the Womens Australian Open in February.
Thomas assured $2 million bonus as tour heads to postseason
He has not made it to the Tour Championship since 2017, the year of his last victory. CLUTCH PARFormer Masters champion Charl Schwartzel had reason to celebrate on Friday without ever being in the hunt at the PGA Championship. That got the attention of the PGA of America, which gave him an exemption into the PGA Championship. The LOCALiQ Series for players on the Canadian, China and Latin America circuits for the PGA Tour now has a conclusion. STAT OF THE WEEKIn the last five years of the PGA Championship, players have posted all four rounds in the 60s without winning 16 times.
Danielle Kang wins at Inverness in LPGA return to golf
Danielle Kang follows through on her drive on the fourth hole during the third and final round of the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)TOLEDO, Ohio – Danielle Kang was away from the LPGA Tour for six months during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not to suggest she was without competition. It paid off Sunday when Kang closed with a 2-under 70 and held on for a one-shot victory over Celine Boutier in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Inverness, the first LPGA Tour event since February. “I made sure I played golf as much as I did normally, not because I had to but because I wanted to,” Kang said. The LPGA Tour stays in northeast Ohio next week for the Marathon Classic.
Kang survives wild back nine to share lead at Inverness
CORRECTS SPELLING OF FIRST NAME TO DANIELLE, N0T DANNIELLE - Danielle Kang watches her drive on the tenth hole during the second round of the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Kang survives wild back nine to share lead at Inverness
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)TOLEDO, Ohio – Danielle Kang returned from a 45-minute rain delay with two straight birdies. By the end of the round Saturday, she was happy to have a share of the lead in the LPGA Drive On Championship. They were at 5-under 139 in the LPGA Tour's first event since the Women's Australian Open on Feb. 16. Inverness is hosting the one-time event, with the LPGA staying in northeast Ohio next week before heading to Scotland. Even (par) is a pretty solid score out here today.”No one was on a more wild ride than Kang, the No.
LPGA returns with Kang posting 66 at Inverness for the lead
Danielle Kang hits her tee-shot on the eighth hole during the first round of the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, Friday, July 31, 2020. Kang finished in the early lead at six-under par. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
LPGA returns with Kang posting 66 at Inverness for the lead
Danielle Kang hits her tee-shot on the eighth hole during the first round of the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, Friday, July 31, 2020. The LPGA Tour’s much-awaited return from the COVID-19 pandemic brought an immediate sense of its new world. The LPGA Tour remains in northeast Ohio next week before heading to Scotland. The lone Korean among the top 10 -- a rarity given the country’s strength in women’s golf -- was Hee Young Park at 70. Definitely had a really good attitude, and it was really fun to be back.”The LPGA Tour is not allowing spectators, though that wasn’t a problem for Kang.