Danielle Kang missed the cut, badly. Nelly Korda couldn’t make a putt to save her life and Lexi Thompson was Lexi Thompson with the putter on Sunday at the Women’s Open.
Today, there’s a big, looming question with the Solheim Cup matches beginning on Labor Day weekend at the Inverness Club in Toledo.
Does United States captain Pat Hurst have cause for concern?
She should as the core of her team looked, well, not-so-great last week at Carnoustie.
Worst of the three highest-ranked stars was No. 5 Kang. She missed the cut badly, shooting round of 76-75.
Then there was Lexi, sitting just two shots off the lead at the 54-hole mark. Lexi got her final round off and running by missing badly on an eight-foot birdie putt at the first hole and that basically set the tone for a day that would see her shoot 74 and fall back into a tie for 20th.
Nelly Korda’s putter left her immediately after she shot 67 on day one. Thirty four putts helped her sign for 73 last Friday and after that, she couldn’t make a putt to save anyone’s life.
Korda’s sister Jessica was no factor. She shot rounds of 73-72 to barely make the cut then went for 77 on Saturday and 72 on Sunday and tied for 59th.
The only bright spot for Hurst’s team was Lizette Salas. Salas found fairways and greens all week and made enough putts to give her a shot at the title. Salas shot 69 on Sunday and came up a shot short at 11-under and tied for second.
But in the big picture, with no event this week, Hurst better hope her players get better in a hurry to prevent a repeat of last year’s stunning loss to the underdog Europeans.
American Johannes Veerman Gets First European Tour Victory:
American golfer Johannes Veerman picked up his first-ever European Tour win Sunday, finishing 15-under par to take the Czech Masters at the Albatross Golf Resort.
Veerman was tied with Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen on the 18th tee. Veerman’s drive found the fairway while Pulkkanen hit his in the rough. From there, the Fin’s second found the water short of the green and he’d end up with double-bogey. Veerman made a routine par, shot 68 and claimed the victory.
“It feels amazing. I was asked if I could put it into words and I can’t,” said Veerman, who played college golf at Texas A&M. “When I walked off the green I felt relief more than anything. Being neck-and-neck with Henrik (Stenson), Tapio and Sean Crocker and a whole bunch of guys — to come out on top, breathe a sigh of relief. I’m elated. I feel amazing.”
Veerman knew when he found the fairway, he had the advantage at 18. “Then on the 18th, I knew if I put one in play, it’s a simple hole, but it would put pressure on him because it’s not easy from the rough. To finally break out and win on the European Tour, it’s a dream come true being a European Tour winner.”
Pulkkanen’s 72 left him tied at 13-under with American Sean Crocker, who birdied 18 to get to 13-under. Stenson finished at 12-under, shooting 71.
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
They will be fine.
It’s reasonable these Florida and California girls might struggle some across the pond. But they will be home now. They will be well rested and motivated. It’s all good.
That being said Europe is getting stronger and stronger individuals on the team; and we know they can create some chemistry over there.
The US can nail their nails, hair, faces, outfits and all that. But what they really need is to make sure the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted with all their individual games and team strategy…And we should be just fine.
Go USA!
Tom Edrington
Hopefully it won’t come down the the final putt; OBW, would you give Lexi a two-footer?