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He made waves as a rookie by staking his claim to Tiger Woods’ No.1 mantle and now Jason Day has had a subtle dig ahead of their pairing for Round 1 of The Masters Friday morning.
Day has been drawn to play with Woods and American Max Homa for the first two-rounds, the 2011 runner-up to begin his tournament at 3:24am AEST on Friday.
The 36-year-old will be the last of the six-strong Aussie contingent to take to the famed Augusta National Golf Club layout, Victorian amateur Jasper Stubbs off in Group 6 at 11pm Thursday night alongside former champion Zach Johnson and Canadian Correy Conners.
Day made headlines prior to his rookie season on the PGA TOUR by declaring his goal to reach No.1 in the world and “take Tiger down”.
That goal doesn’t seem to have changed given his response when told he would be playing with the five-time Masters champion in Thursday’s opening round.
“As long as I beat that old man, I’m happy,” Day joked.
Now in his 17th year on Tour, Day has established a close relationship with Tiger.
Woods once reached out to pick the 2015 US PGA champion’s brain about his chipping technique and the pair often engage in banter via text message.
They have played together often in golf’s showpiece events and Day insists that he won’t be impacted by all that comes with being inside the ropes with Tiger Woods.
“As long as you’re concentrating on what you need to do, then it shouldn’t matter,” Day said of possible crowd distractions.
“I’ve played out here a long time. There’s guys that don’t like people moving around the greens, but, for the most part, I’ve never really been too distracted with people moving.
“If I am distracted, just come off and readjust and go in again.
“It’s going to be fun knowing I’m playing with Tiger and Max the first two rounds. That’s exciting. Obviously, I’m looking forward to the challenge, especially the first two days.”
If not for an extraordinary back nine charge by Charl Schwartzel, Day came within a whisker of succeeding Raymond Floyd in 1976 as the most recent first-time winner in 2011.
In a heartbreaking Monday morning for Australian golf, he and Adam Scott both finished in a tie for second, two shots back of Schwartzel.
He has recorded further top-five finishes in 2013 and 2019 but is adamant that Augusta owes him nothing.
“Augusta doesn’t owe anyone,” Day replied.
“Golf doesn’t owe anything to me. I owe a lot to golf, and especially this place here, as well, because of just the opportunity that I’ve had.
“I’ve just got to not think about it, not get too worked up about it. To be honest, just trying to get my ball going straight where I need it to go, so that’s kind of taken most of the pressure off my head.”
Round 1 tee times AEST
The Masters
Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
Round 1
11pm Zach Johnson, Corey Conners, Jasper Stubbs (a)
11:12pm Sergio Garcia, Chris Kirk, Ryan Fox (NZ)
12:06am Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, Rickie Fowler
12:54am Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Smith
1:18am Camilo Villegas, Denny McCarthy, Cameron Davis
3:12am Adam Scott, Sam Burns, Cameron Young
3:24am Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Max Homa
Round 2
10:12pm Camilo Villegas, Denny McCarthy, Cameron Davis
12:06am Adam Scott, Sam Burns, Cameron Young
12:18am Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Max Homa
2:12am Zach Johnson, Corey Conners, Jasper Stubbs (a)
2:24am Sergio Garcia, Chris Kirk, Ryan Fox (NZ)
3:12am Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, Rickie Fowler
4am Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Smith
Defending champion: Jon Rahm
Past Aussie winners: Adam Scott (2013)
Prize money: $US18 million
TV times: Par 3 Contest Live 5am-7am Thursday on Fox Sports 503/Kayo/9Now; Live 11pm-9:30am Thursday, Friday on Fox Sports 503/Kayo/9Now; Live 12am-9am Sunday, Monday on Fox Sports 503/Kayo/9Now.
Korean PGA Tour
19th DB Insurance Promy Open
Ravie Belle CC (Old Cse), Chuncheon
9:20am Jaehyun Jeong, Seonghyun Jeon, Kevin Chun (NZ)
9:30am Taehee Lee, Taehoon Kim, Junseok Lee
2pm Wonjoon Lee, Youngsu Kim, Sanghee Lee
Defending champion: Go Guntaek
Prize money: 700,000,000 KRW
Past Aussie winners: Nil
A 7-under-par 65 has propelled Corey Lamb into a share of the halfway lead at the Final Stage of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School at Moonah Links.
After starting with an even-par 72 on Tuesday, the Hunter Valley professional, who almost broke through for a Tour victory at Webex Players Series South Australia last October, is alongside rookie Victorian pro Max Charles (66-71) at -7 after 36 holes.
Western Australia’s Ryan Peake (66-72) is a shot back in third, one clear of NSW’s Nathan Barbieri (68-71) and WA’s Adam Brady (71-68).
The two leading amateurs in the field, Australian representative Jye Pickin (70-72) and Argentina’s Segundo Oliva Pinto (71-71), are tied for 10th at -2.
Lamb’s 65, the low score in the opening two rounds, was highlighted by an eagle two at the 355m par-4 ninth hole, with his only bogey coming two holes later on the 404m par-4 11th.
After starting the day in a share of the lead with Peake, Charles dropped his first shots of the tournament with a double-bogey on the 385m par-4 12th but bounced back with an eagle on the par-5 15th (491m).
The top 30 finishers after the 72 holes conclude on Friday will earn Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia and be placed in a Tournament Exemption Category.
Those players finishing beyond 30th place and ties, who complete 72 holes at Final Stage, will be eligible for Full Tournament Membership of the PGA of Australia, however, they will not hold an exemption category for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
All players who play 72 holes of the Final Stage will earn a pro-am exemption category and be eligible to enter adidas PGA Pro-Am series events.
Photo: Corey Lamb, tied for the lead at Final Stage of Q-School
Paralympian Elle Steele and three-time AFL premiership winner Bachar Houli have joined the list of keynote speakers who will share their inspirational stories at this year’s Golf Summit.
While the duo has had great success in their sporting endeavours, it’s their accomplishments outside the sporting setting that have made them leaders in the Australian community.
Their presentations will be a feature of the Golf Summit at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 16-17.
Both Elle and Bachar know what it is like to face adversity in sport, and their presentations will focus on what golf can do to become more accessible and welcoming to people from all walks of life.
Elle describes herself as having a resume like no one else – Paralympian, gold medallist, model, entrepreneur, and mentor.
At just 17, Elle swam for Australia in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, breaking the 400-metre freestyle national record in the process, and went on to captain a number of Australian swimming teams.
Born with a congenital disability called Arthrogryposis, and Amniotic band syndrome, Elle has had more than 30 surgeries throughout her life and had to relearn to walk multiple times.
Elle’s session at the Golf Summit, will delve into her experiences growing up with a disability, offering insights into challenges faced within the golf industry due to societal attitudes.
Emphasising the need for a “disability revolution” specific to golf, the session will explore themes of equal rights, challenges to stereotypes, and envisions a more inclusive golfing community.
Similar to Elle, Bachar Houli has used his unique experiences in professional sport to become a leader for social and community change in his retirement.
An ex-Richmond Tigers player, Bachar was the first devout Muslim to play AFL at the highest level, already becoming a leader for his community with his first game.
He went on to play 232 games in the AFL, including three premiership wins with Richmond and being named in the 2019 All-Australian team.
In retirement, he has founded the Bachar Houli Foundation, which aims to foster the development of young Muslims and offer a sense of belonging through football development.
Using his own experience, the Bachar Houli Foundation is developing young leaders with the Muslim community.
Both Elle and Bachar are role models for younger members of the community, and through their work, are enring that opportunities for those who look up to them are forever increasing.
The Asia-Pacific region’s premier event welcoming the entire golf industry, tickets for the 2024 Golf Summit are on sale now.
Find tickets HERE.
The Golf Summit is proudly supported by the Melbourne Convention Bureau and the State Government’s National Business Event Program
Victorian Cameron John absorbed every punch Daniel Gale could throw to claim a breakthrough professional victory at The National Tournament presented by BMW at The National Golf Club.
Three shots clear of Kyle Michel at the start of the final round on the Moonah Course, it soon became clear that John’s greatest threat would come from Gale.
A two-time winner already this season on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, Gale made eagle at the par-5 second and birdie at the par-4 fourth to turn a five-shot deficit into a two-shot inconvenience.
Michel’s double-bogey on four would effectively end his charge, leaving John and Gale to fight it out over the final 14 holes.
John took twice as many shots on the par-3 fifth as he did a day earlier but the birdie edged him three shots clear of Gale, who countered with birdies on seven and eight to draw within one.
But as hard as he fought, Gale would get no closer, John’s three straight birdies from the 10th hole and a crucial up and down on 14 effectively keeping Gale at arm’s length.
The 24-year-old needed just 11 putts on the back nine for a round of 3-under 69 and 16-under total, two clear of Gale (67) with veterans Josh Younger (68) and Aaron Townsend (68) sharing third.
Congratulations @CamGolf99, the 2024 #TheNationalTournament Champion! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IU1vC0r66d
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) March 17, 2024
“I didn’t think pars were going to be enough,” John said of the inward nine.
“As much as I played that stretch really well the whole week, ‘Galey’ was playing great. He’s never making bogey, and if he did make a bogey, he’d bounce back with a birdie the next hole.
“It was very much back and forth that back nine. It was good fun.”
It marked the end to an outstanding season for Gale who had earlier victories at the NT PGA and Webex Players Series Hunter Valley.
His runner-up finish meant that he moved past Brett Coletta into second on the Order of Merit, the pair joining Order of Merit champion Kazuma Kobori as the recipients of DP World Tour cards for the 2025 season.
“Cam won that event. I threw my best shot at him but just a few bogeys that killed me,” said Gale.
“Gave it my best shot and he went out and made the putts when he had to.
“I’m pretty chuffed for him because it was a good battle.
“The big goal was to lock up that Europe card for next year, that category, and I’m pretty chuffed.
“Obviously worked really hard for that. Never really succeeded at the Q Schools internationally when I had opportunities but made some good strides this season and getting better and better.”
As the leaders battled it out in the final group, players throughout the field were playing for their immediate futures on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
Over the course of a gorgeous afternoon on the Mornington Peninsula Nathan Barbieri (70), Jack Munro (71), Kit Bittle (68), Townsend and Younger moved in and out of the top-50 cut-off who keep their category for next season.
Ultimately it would be only Younger who finished the season inside the top 50, Munro (51), Bittle (52), Townsend (53) and Barbieri (54) now facing the prospect of a return to Qualifying School next month to improve their category.
It could not have come at a better time for Younger whose five-year winner’s exemption has now expired and who 18 months ago thought a foot injury had ended his career.
“When I originally stopped, I thought that might be it, only because it was giving me grief,” said Younger, who chipped in on both 16 and 17 on Sunday.
“Pitched in on 16 and then chipped in on 17 so who knows, maybe it’s meant to be.”
Bringing together PGA of Australia members from across the country with other golf industry professionals for two days of unmissable learning, sharing and more, the 2024 Golf Summit will be held from October 16-17.
Taking place in Melbourne, the event is the premier coming together of the entire golf industry in one place across the Asia-Pacific region, with tickets on sale now for PGA Professionals and other golf industry members.
Delivered through the on-going shared vision and work of the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia, the Golf Summit will see global golf leaders, fellow PGA members and other golf businesspeople as keynote speakers, leading sessions and networking.
“I couldn’t personally be more excited for the industry to come together in one place and share their experiences and knowledge for the betterment of the golf industry as a whole,” PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said.
“The PGA of Australia network of professionals have always shared a cause and mission, however gathering in one place is not an easily achieved feat. With that in mind, I encourage as many PGA members as possible, and the rest of the industry, to join us in Melbourne.”
Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Golf Summit will allow for greater expansion on how the PGA of Australia is working with Golf Australia under the shared driver of the Australian Golf Strategy, in addition to all the other amazing opportunities on offer.
With exhibitions of products and services, learning sessions and the chance to connect with fellow members of the golf industry, the event will see attendees leave with greater knowledge, best practices and greater networks to better support businesses and succeed in their respective jobs.
For PGA members, whether they are looking to grow their audience, diversify their coaching offering, learn how to best present and operate a shop, or manage businesses, the Golf Summit is unlike any other event in Australia.
Attended by representatives from clubs and facilities, government, organisations, tourism, suppliers, media and manufacturers, as well as PGA of Australia members, the two days of the Summit are supported with a social networking event delivering a chance to mix with delegates, industry leaders and partners.
Find tickets HERE.
Everything you need to know ahead of the fourth edition of The Athena on February 24-25.
Being played for the first time at the renowned Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club, The Athena is golf done differently. Each of the players will face nine skills-based challenges on day one with the top eight players on the points tally proceeding to the matchplay play-offs on the second day.
Most of the day one skills challenges will take place on PK’s world-class short-game practice facility, with all players completing a challenge before they move on to the next as a group.
The day two playoff matches are over four holes of the North Course, with the eventual winner having to win three matches in a row to claim the trophy.
The Athena provides a platform for some of Australia’s best young players to showcase their skill and tell their stories.
While the comradery will be high, so too will the competitive atmosphere, with the 12 players battling it out for a $50,000 prize purse.
FORMAT
Day 1: The Combine – Saturday
Day 2: The Playoffs – Sunday
HOW TO FOLLOW
For live scoring and the latest news visit https://theathena.wpga.org.au/
Exclusive content and tournament updates will also be posted regularly on the WPGA Tour of Australasia channels.
Instagram: @WPGATour
Twitter: @WPGATour
Facebook: @WPGATour
Official hashtag: #TheAthena
HOW TO WATCH
In person – spectators will be admitted FREE at Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club.
On your screen – the only place to watch The Athena live is on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo 3pm-7pm AEDT on Saturday and Sunday. Click HERE.
FORMER CHAMPIONS
2023: Grace Lennon (Vic)
2022: Kirsten Rudgeley (WA)
2021: Kristalle Blum (SA)
COURSE DESIGNER
OCMM – Mike Cocking (lead designer)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cassie Porter: 2023 Epson Tour player
Jess Whitting: Top-10 at Webex Players Series Hunter Valley
Kelsey Bennett: Consistent Webex Players Series performer since 2022
Click HERE to find out more about all 12 players.
PHOTO: the 18th green on PK’s North Course. Ross Flannigan.
The predicted head-to-head battle for the Webex Players Series Hunter Valley eventuated on Sunday, with a three-way tussle eventually seeing Daniel Gale triumph after holing a curling birdie putt at the 72nd on Sunday.
The 27-year-old reaching 19-under-par to edge out amateur Phoenix Campbell by one shot, with Kazuma Kobori in third alone another shot back.
Gale’s win his second of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season and first in front of his parents.
“It is, they’re over there. Mum’s in tears, poor thing,” Gale said when asked if this win was extra special.
“I had a couple of buddies come up for the weekend, which is even more special because they’ve seen numerous times how good I can actually play. And to get the win in front of them as well, it’s awesome.”
Once again bogeying the 1st hole as he did in round three, Gale got the shot back at the next, with Campbell also level par as the pair reached the 6th hole and the Victorian’s two-shot advantage still intact.
Gale finding his moment to apply pressure on Campbell, with four straight birdies to close the front nine and a one shot lead after Campbell made bogey from the right trees at 9.
Things turned back in the Victorian’s favour after a remarkable second shot almost along the ground and barely missing on course commentator Paul Gow found the 10th green, with Gale making bogey at the next to Campbell’s birdie to switch places on the leaderboard.
Gale’s four coming after a heavy handed chip from the fringe that failed to stay on the putting surface at the same hole where Kobori’s charge for a fourth straight Webex Players Series title truly began.
Holing a chip from long of the 11th green, the New Zealander then holed a long left-to-right putt almost the length of the 12th green, then another at 13 to have chatter spread throughout the course.
Sitting on 17-under with five holes to play and needing more birdies, unlike the rest of 2024, Kobori failing to capitalise on his chances, with putts going close at 17 and 18 to ultimately leave him two short.
“I think I’ve used my fair share of putts, think that’s what happened. I was hitting good putts they just didn’t quite drop,” Kobori said.
Through that same stretch, it looked as if Gale’s charge might also hit a hurdle, with another bogey at 13. His five matched by Campbell, a play-off seemingly inevitable.
Campbell paring his way to the clubhouse, with Gale drawing level with a wedge to tap-in range at the par-5 16th, before his wedge and subsequent putt from 10 feet at 18 secured the win.
“I feel like those bogeys down the stretch, they hurt because I hit such good shots. And Phoenix was just rock solid, not letting anyone in,” Gale said.
“Then just hit a clutch wedge shot in there at 16 to draw level, then I thought my one into 17 was going to be good, but I think it just dug a little in the ground and didn’t fly that ridge.
“Then I had just the perfect number, obviously in the rough, which actually helped, because the greens were spinning. It was the perfect number, it came off perfect.”
Living up to Gale’s assessment of “rock solid” in the closing stages, QLD PGA winner Campbell left disappointed but also optimistic.
“To be leading 71 holes of 72 is pretty incredible for me, and to hold my nerve there towards the end … I got a lot out of this week,” Campbell said.
“I think coming second is probably the best thing that could have happened to me as well, I think it is just going to drive me to get better and keep growing. I am only looking up from here, it’s just the beginning of the journey.”
Also looking at his journey, Gale now has the DP World Tour in his sights, with a jump on the Order of Merit potentially putting one of the three cards in reach.
“The ultimate end goal is to win, I’ve set goals numerous times in the past and plans change and all that. I just want to go out there and play golf and wherever it leaves me at the end of the season, it leaves me.”
Kobori’s hot run home also helping his Order of Merit aspirations, while Elvis Smylie finished one back of the Kiwi in fourth on 14-under, with Jeffrey Guan a shot further back and one in front of Kotono Fuyaka and amateur Justice Bosio.
Earlier in the day Garth Allen claimed his first All Abilities win with a seven-over 77 giving him a two shot win over Wayne Perske.
“It feels great and I’m a local boy, so coming from Hawks Nest about an hour away and winning here, is exciting for me,” Allen said.
Meanwhile Zoe Arcus claimed Junior honours via a play-off with Jesse Linden after the pair were tied on three-over.
“It was really exciting, I was so nervous over the putt,” the 16-year-old said.
Adam Scott intends to make full use of a sponsor exemption into an event he has enjoyed great success in the past after a top-10 finish at the WM Open in Phoenix.
Canadian Nick Taylor matched Charley Hoffman’s 72-hole total of 21-under par with a birdie from five feet on the final hole at TPC Scottsdale to send the tournament into a playoff.
Taylor would go on to edge Hoffman with a birdie at the second playoff hole as Scott climbed into a tie for eighth courtesy of weekend rounds of 65-66.
Tied for seventh in Dubai and top 20 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the former world No.1 conceded that he was slow out of the blocks in Phoenix.
But a week out from the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club – a tournament he has won twice but which he needed a sponsor’s exemption to play this year – Scott left TPC Scottsdale with a spring in his step.
“Played really nicely for the last three days,” said Scott.
“I’m most pleased with my ball-striking really kind of coming back to where I want it. I feel like it’s been a while since I could say that.
“That’s a good feeling, obviously, going into next week at Riviera, a tournament I love, a big event on our schedule, and a course where you really need to hit the ball well to have a chance.
“I feel my game is in good shape, so I have a lot of positive energy going there.
“I’d love to do a little better and get in contention and try and win there for a third time.”
Scott’s top-10 finish was one of two for Aussies over the weekend.
Qualifying School graduate Haydn Barron logged his best finish as a member of the DP World Tour, earning a share of ninth at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Opening rounds of 68 and 67 give @haydnbarron a three shot lead in Qatar 🙌#CBQMasters
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 9, 2024
The 36-hole leader by two strokes after rounds of 68-67, Barron dropped back with a third round of 2-over 74 but shot 71 in the final round to secure a maiden top 10 since becoming a full member.
Kirsten Rudgeley began her Ladies European Tour season with a tie for 28th at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open won by Singapore’s Shannon Tan, who finished runner-up to Kazuma Kobori at the Webex Players Series Murray River just a few weeks ago.
Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Results
PGA TOUR
WM Phoenix Open
TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Cse), Scottsdale, Arizona
1 Nick Taylor 60-70-68-65—263 $US1.584m
Won on the second hole of sudden death playoff
T8 Adam Scott 72-68-65-66—271 $248,600
T28 Aaron Baddeley 69-71-68-68—276 $53,000
T41 Ryan Fox (NZ) 66-68-75-69—278 $30,404
T71 Min Woo Lee 71-69-71-73—284 $17,776
DP World Tour
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
Doha GC, Doha, Qatar
1 Rikuya Hoshino 69-68-69-68—274 €394,468
T9 Haydn Barron 68-67-74-71—280 €45,247.80
T42 Harrison Endycott 69-68-76-73—286 €12,298.12
T42 Daniel Hillier (NZ) 69-70-71-76—286 €12,298.12
T61 Jason Scrivener 74-70-71-74—289 €6,149.06
MC David Micheluzzi 75-80—155
MC Sam Jones (NZ) 73-72—145
Ladies European Tour
Magical Kenya Ladies Open
Vipingo Ridge, Kenya
1 Shannon Tan 73-70-67-70—280 €45,000
T28 Kirsten Rudgeley 73-74-77-70—294 €3,022.50
T40 Momoka Kobori 72-78-72-75—297 €1,710
LIV Golf
LIV Golf Las Vegas
Las Vegas Country Club, Las Vegas, Nevada
1 Dustin Johnson 67-62-69—198 $US4m
T15 Cameron Smith 67-66-72—205 $267,500
T21 Marc Leishman 69-67-70—206 $207,500
T35 Matt Jones 73-67-69—209 $142,800
T40 Danny Lee (NZ) 68-72-70—210 $130,800
T45 Lucas Herbert 68-67-76—211 $123,250
Korn Ferry Tour
Astara Golf Championship
Country Club de Bogota (Lagos Cse), Bogota, Colombia
1 Kevin Velo 64-67-64-66—261 $US180,000
Won on the first hole of sudden death playoff
T41 Brett Drewitt 71-63-69-69—272 $4,900
T51 Curtis Luck 63-71-73-67—274 $4,213
T59 Rhein Gibson 65-69-69-72—275 $4,100
WD Dimi Papadatos 75
Challenge Tour
Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open
Royal Cape Golf Club, Cape Town, South Africa
1 Mikael Lindberg 70-70-65-67—272 €51,489.68
MC Hayden Hopewell 71-73—144
The career of Justin Warren has always been fascinating to observe. The prodigious hitter coming to a realisation after a disappointing finish to 2024 that could dramatically alter his trajectory.
Hailing from Picton in south-west Sydney, Warren’s talent for the game has never been questioned.
Not just a bomber off the tee, the 28-year-old is the type of player regularly described as having “great hands for a big man” yet results as a professional have been what could have been.
Personified by the New South Welshman’s missed putt from 18 inches to fall short of a spot at the 2021 Barracuda Championship on the PGA Tour.
Warren got redemption by qualifying into the same tournament the next year, however, once again it was a case of what could have been that kick started a new era as he finished 2023.
Right in the mix with Adam Scott at the Cathedral Invitational, Warren made a double bogey followed by a triple to drop out of the race for a career changing first place cheque.
“That’s golf, it’s just brutal,” he said at the time.
However, after a birdie chip bounced out of the hole for a 62 on Friday at the Webex Players Series Sydney, Warren reflected on the moment that saw him return in 2024 to earn playing rights on the Asian Tour last month.
“I think I just kind of realised that, obviously this is our profession, and this is what we do, and as much as we might say we don’t play for the money, at the end of the day, we play for money,” he said.
“I think a lot of those results like I had at Cathedral, not that I am choking or things like that, but it’s costing me a lot.
“I just kind of went ‘It’s just time to grow up and start being a professional and play some proper smart, professional golf’.”
Realising that minimising mistakes combined with taking opportunities is the key to success, Warren has certainly showed his new mindset at Castle Hill Country Club where he sits in a tie for fifth halfway.
The ‘new’ Warren even more clearly on display at qualifying for the Asian Tour where he was third and one of six Australians to earn their card for 2024 alongside Harrison Crowe, Sam Brazel, Lachlan Barker, Jordan Zunic and Maverick Antcliff.
“I just decided after the double-triple at cathedral, that it was time to mature and be a little bit smarter about the way I play and the way I handle myself on the golf course,” he said.
Where that attitude sees him finish in his home city before he departs for Asia as part of a seven week tournament run will play out over this weekend.
And if there is any doubt that the new mindset might curb Warren’s ability to go low, had his chip dropped for 62 on Friday, it would have been his third such score of 2024.
“I’ve had two 62s in the last four weeks, that would have been third,” he said with a wry smile on his face.
Aussie Robyn Choi has marked her full-time return to the LPGA Tour with her best result in the US at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Florida.
Possessing a LPGA Tour card for the first time since 2019, Choi entered the final round in a tie for fifth and contending with the likes of Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko and Meghan Kang.
After a 5-under 66 in Round 3 the Gold Coaster struggled in the final round, going out in 5-over on her way to a closing 77 and a tie for 16th.
Outside of her tie for sixth at the co-sanctioned Vic Open in 2020, it is Choi’s best finish on the LPGA Tour and provides a strong foundation from which to launch her season.
Following the heartbreak of just missing out on promotion through the Epson Tour in 2023, the 25-year-old was medallist at Q-Series in December and feels far more settled playing among the world’s best on a weekly basis.
“I think if it was my rookie year this year I think I would’ve been a little bit intimidated,” Choi said.
“There are world class athletes. You see them on TV. They’re famous. I feel like I would be in their way.
“Because I kind of have some relationship, I know their faces and they know mine, I think it’s a little bit easier to kind of make a relationship with them and kind of get into the LPGA a little bit more easily.
“I think that will help with my performance as well, just being used to this environment a little bit. Having the chance to have a glimpse of it in 2019 it will help my performance as well not to be too intimidated.”
Gabriela Ruffels also made her debut as a LPGA Tour member but didn’t survive the cut-line, Grace Kim and Sarah Kemp also playing just the two rounds.
At the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Aaron Baddely’s tie for 37th was the best of the Aussies, West Australian Jason Scrivener the lone Aussie to make the cut at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.
Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Results
PGA TOUR
Farmers Insurance Open
Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Cse), San Diego, California
1 Matthieu Pavon 69-65-72-69—275 $US1.62m
T37 Aaron Baddeley 69-72-73-70—284 $40,050
T43 Min Woo Lee 72-68-72-73—285 $28,530
MC Ryan Fox 70-73—143
MC Jason Day 74-71—145
MC Harrison Endycott 72-74—146
DP World Tour
Ras Al Khaimah Championship
Al Hamra GC, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
1 Thorbjørn Olesen 69-62-63-67—261 €392,416.52
T23 Daniel Hillier 70-67-71-68—276 €21,929.16
T47 Jason Scrivener 69-68-72-70—279 €9,925.83
T68 Sam Jones 66-68-73-77—284 €4,732.08
MC David Micheluzzi 73-70—143
LPGA Tour
LPGA Drive On Championship
Bradenton Country Club, Bradenton, Florida
1 Nelly Korda 65-67-68-73—273 $262,500
Won on the second hole of sudden death playoff
2 Lydia Ko (NZ) 65-70-69-69—273 $163,689
T16 Robyn Choi 71-68-66-77—282 $21,585
MC Grace Kim 71-75—146
MC Gabriela Ruffels 72-75—147
MC Sarah Kemp 75-75—150
Korn Ferry Tour
The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club
The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, Great Abaco, Bahamas
1 Aldrich Potgieter 72-70-71-65—278 $US180,000
T52 Rhein Gibson 71-72-75-75—293 $4,220
T60 Dimi Papadatos 72-72-75-76—295 $4,050
MC Brett Drewitt 71-78—149
MC Curtis Luck 72-81—153
