There are a lot of great story lines across many different tours happening today. So I thought I would put together a quick article with some of them.
(full disclosure, I don’t have time to have this edited, so buckle up).
Euro Tour
Matteo Manassero was “a can’t miss kid” and for a long time delivered on it. Manassero made the cut at the Masters and the Open Championship at the age of 16, finishing 13th that year at the Open. He then went on to win four times on the European Tour as a teenager. And then golf happened.
According to a few reports he started chasing distance and lost his swing. For years he was lost, so much so he was regulated to the Alps Tour. A mini-tour far removed from the biggest stages of golf.
As I type this, he leads on the back nine.
Leaderboard
Puerto Rico Open
I love opposite field events and this leaderboard has the chance to deliver a career-changing win. Some of the storylines
- In 2012 Ben Kohles won in his first ever KFT start . The next week, in his second start, he won again. In just 10 events that season, he earned his PGA Tour card. But the next season on the PGA Tour he struggled and lost his card. The next season, back on KFT, he earned just $8,000 and the struggle continued for years. Kohles kept at it, and slowly climbed his way back. And in 2021 earned his PGA Tour card back. But another tough year on the PGA Tour followed and last season he found himself back on KFT. Last season he dominated on KFT, winning twice, and winning the points race. Now, 12 years into his pro career he looks for his first pga tour win. He leads by two.
- In the middle of Covid Erik Barnes was stocking shelves at a grocery store to help his family with bills. At the time he had conditional status on KFT and wasn’t sure when his next start would come after the break. When he did get his start, he took advantage and went on to earn his PGA Tour card. But in 2023 he was injured and now playing off of his medical exemption, he looks to secure his card for the rest of the year. He is two back.
- Hayden Springer is four back. His amazing story has been told many times and everyone is pulling for him to find success.
- Jimmy Stanger Matti Schmid, and Brice Garnett are two back. Others chasing include Rico Hoey, defending champ Nico Echavarria, and Norman Xiong
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- There are numerous players that will be vying for the all important top-ten. A lot of the players aren't currently in the Valspar and a top-ten would earn them a spot in the field. Among them is Monday Q Evan Harmeling, who 12 years into his career, is playing in his first ever PGA Tour event.
Leaderboard
Arnold Palmer
I dont’ mess with (basically) no-cut events where rich players get richer. But here is hoping that longtime grinder Justin Lower shoots 64 and wins.
Leaderboard
Epson Tour
The opening event of the Epson Tour (Dev Tour for LPGA) kicked off this week. Three players are tied for the lead at -8. Valery Plata, Ana Belac, and Kiira Riihijarvi are one ahead of Jennifer Chang.
High School senior, Yana Wilson, who will play at Oregon next year sits just two back.
Leaderboard
LPGA
Bailey Tardy earned her first LPGA win in very impressive fashion. She played the last 11 holes in seven under (with a bogey) to win by four.
Lydia Ko, looking to earn a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame with a win shot a final round 71 to finish T4.
Leaderboard
LIV
See Arnold Palmer. But Anthony Kim fired a final round 65 and Abe Ancer won in a playoff.
Leaderboard
