Shane Lowry was struggling to get himself in contention at the Players Championship on Sunday.
He was one-under for his round when he arrived at the 17th, the hole that ruined the week for many hopefuls. It punished the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka, just to name a few. Harold Varner III, who is in contention for the championship, is eight-under par despite a triple-bogey six on Thursday at the devilish 17th.
Lowry showed everyone how it’s done. On Sunday, it was playing “only” 124 yards and Lowry took a soft nine-iron and launched it right at the hole. It hit about three yards behind the hole, spun back and began rolling like a putt. It would find its way to the bottom of the hole for an ace by the 2019 Open champion.
It was the 10th ace at 17 in the history of the event.
Lowry’s celebration was almost as good as the shot. He wound up for a high-five with Ian Poulter standing closest to him. Poulter pulled hit hand away at the last second to avoid a huge swipe from Lowry.
When Lowry pulled the ball from the cup, he wound up and launched it into the crowd, showing great baseball form. It sailed deep into the crowd at 17th. The lucky fan who wound up with Lowry’s ball, ran to the 18th tee where Lowry signed it for him.
Lowry worked his way to five-under for the tournament. He was four-under through the day through 14 holes with four left to play on the front nine.
Nanna Koerstz Madsen Wins Honda LPGA In Playoff:
Nanna Koerstz Madsen became the first player from Denmark to win on the LPGA Tour when she captured the Honda LPGA in Thailand.
Madsen holed a 10-footer for eagle on the second playoff hole at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Course to eliminate China’s Xiyu Lin.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Madsen after her first win since she joined the LPGA Tour in 2018. “It was a crazy day — a lot of good things. “I’m really excited to be standing with the trophy right now.”
Madsen led Lin by four holes with three holes to play before dropping two shots down the stretch, including one after sending an eight-iron into the grandstands at par-five 18th. She failed to make par. Lin birdied her last two holes to force the playoff, which would be held on the same hole.
Madsen and Lin each finished regulation at 26 under, besting Jessica Korda’s previous tournament record by a stroke.
“She really fought,” Madsen said of Lin.
After Lin nearly chipped in for eagle on the first extra hole, Madsen holed a four-footer to extend and set up her winning eagle putt.
“I’m very proud,” Lin said. “Sometimes it’s just weird. You shot 26 under and then cannot win a tournament, but that’s my lowest ever shot in a tournament week, and like four days of very solid golf. Like I’m going to take a lot from this.”
Nelly Korda Treated For Blood Clot:
World No. 2 Nelly Korda, revealed on Sunday that she has been diagnosed with a blood clot and is recuperating at home in Florida.
Korda said she was in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on Friday for a photo shoot and commercial appearance. After working out in the morning, she noticed swelling in her arm. At the advice of her doctor, she went to the emergency room, where the diagnosis was made.
Korda had taken time off from the LPGA Tour when it headed to Asia for two events.
The LPGA Tour has two week off before it resumes play on March 24th at the JTBC Classic. The first major of the season is the following week, the Chevron at Mission Hills on March 31st. Korda is expected to be in the field.
Larrazabal Wins Playoff In South Africa:
Pablo Larrazabal won his sixth DP World Tour title Sunday when he defeated Adri Arnaus and Jordan Smith in a playoff at the 2022 MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood Country Club.
The Spaniard had entered the day two shots off the lead but soon hit the front and engaged in an enthralling battle with Arnaus and Smith at the top of the leaderboard.
With the three players tied after 72 holes, they headed back to the 18th tee. After all three hit good second shots, Arnaus could not make his birdie putt and it was left to Larrazabal and Smith to go again.
While Larrazabal found the fairway, Smith was in the rough and it was the 38-year-old who put his second to four feet for another birdie and the victory, with Smith three-putting from off the green for a bogey.
“What a day,” Larrazabal said. “I felt great this morning. It was one of those days where you just feel great and you know you’re going to have a chance. I started fast to get into the lead very quick.”
