John Deere Classic
The last tune up before the last major of the year took place at the John Deere Classic last week. Played at TPC Deer Run in Silvis, Illinois this event has drawn strong fields with players looking to qualify for the Open Championship, as well as cement their status on the PGA Tour and in the FedEx Cup Playoff standings.
By winning the John Deere Classic, PGA Tour rookie Dylan Frittelli knocked off all of those objectives in one fell swoop.
The South African-born Frittelli played college golf at the University of Texas, alongside fellow Tour pro Jordan Spieth and quickly found success at the collegiate level.
His professional career, however, has taken time to fully mature. Dylan has worked his way up through Europe, playing and winning on both the Challenge Tour and the European Tour before earning his PGA Tour card.
The advancements in technology in clubs has had a huge impact on the game, but arguably, the advancements in physical training, as well as vast amount of data at player’s fingertips has truly been the catalyst for the overall raised level of play across the entire Tour.
This is evidenced clearly through the parity of winners on Tour this season. We’ve seen more rookies and first-time winners than any other year in recent memory. It’s safe to say, the state of the game on the professional level is as strong as it has ever been.
These are the clubs Dylan Frittelli used to win his first career PGA Tour event, the 2019 John Deere Classic. (As reported by PGATOUR):
Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open
Across the pond, in the lead up to the Open Championship, another tournament has seen a strong cast of characters year in and year out. Much like the Irish Open, the Scottish Open serves as a good warm-up test for the links conditions players will face this week at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
For the players, the tournament also allows them to get acclimated to the time change and the weather conditions of the UK. For the fans in Scotland, they get to see some of the best players in the world up close and personal. It’s a win win.
Recently, Austrian Bernd Wiesberger has been on a heater. Heading into the final round of the Scottish Open, he had made 85 birdies and two eagles in his previous eight rounds.
The final round, however, began with a less than auspicious start. Missing multiple shots well left of the target, Wiesberger fought his way around The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland early on.
In the end, he would share the lead with Benjamin Hebert for most of the day and the two would require extra holes to determine the champion after finishing at 22-under par.
While Wiesberger continued to struggle with consistency during the playoff, he scrambled beautifully and kept giving himself another chance. Finally, on the third replay of 18, Wiesberger pipped Hebert, making his par putt after Herbert missed his to the low side.
This is Bernd Wiesberger’s 6th career European Tour victory. He is hands down the most successful and prosperous Austrian professional golfer, and there is a lot more to come from Bernd.
Marathon Classic
The Midwest swing continues on the LPGA as Sei-young Kim ran away from Lexi Thompson and the rest of the LPGA Tour field in the Marathon Classic.
Played at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio, Kim rattled off 5 consecutive birdies on holes 7-11 to put the Classic out of reach.
This is Kim’s second win of 2019 (LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship) and her 9th career LPGA Tour victory.
Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship
Retief Goosen bested Jay Haas and Tim Petrovic to win the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. Played at the longtime PGA Tour venue Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, the players are familiar with the challenges the course presents.
Even for a hall of famer, winning isn’t easy. After the round Retief recalled that it had been 10 years since his last victory and the nerves were ever present.
Heading into the 17th, Goosen found himself tied for the lead at 4-under with Haas and Petrovic, but a precise approach left him under the hole with a great look at birdie. He coolly stroked home the putt and followed it up with another birdie on 18 to win the major championship.
Keith Schneider
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