Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images
With so much going on this weekend, let’s look at what is happening at the DP World Tour and PGA Tour events.
Welcome to Playing Through’s daily ritual — Golf Talk Today.
This week, a lot is happening in the world of professional golf. Today, I wanted to take a minute to give a quick update on the two men’s tournaments and the women’s game.
The DP World Tour hosts the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and the PGA Tour is in Mississippi for the Sanderson Farms Championship.
There is no LPGA tournament as the EPSON Tour hosts its Epson Tour Championship event at Indian Wells. These ladies are vying for one of 15 LPGA cards.
This year is the first time the EPSON Tour will award 15 cards to the ladies who finish in the Top 15 for the Race for the Card. Five have already clinched, leaving 10 up for grabs in California at Indian Wells.
The five ladies who clinched their spot on the LPGA next year are:
— Lauren Stephenson
— Yahui Zhang
— Jessica Porvasnik
— Fatima Fernandez Cano
— Brook Matthews
Who else will earn their card this weekend? We will keep the fans updated on that front.
Now, let’s talk about the DP World Tour’s fan-favorite Pro-Am.
The 168-man field is in the middle of the second round as they play three of Scotland’s most challenging courses: Carnoustie, St. Andrews, and Kingsbarn.
Since they are in the middle of their second round, I wanted to share some of the best social media posts from Day 1.
Top social media posts from Round 1 of Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Who knew Gerry McIlroy had so much game? Obviously, his son is one of the top players in the world, but he holed out during the first round and took the spotlight away from Rory McIlroy.
Also, the photos taken of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf’s boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan felt weird. They hugged each other like old friends, which confused many of the fans who saw them.
Are they friends? Was this just a cordial hug? It did not look like they were too unfamiliar with each other. Maybe there will be a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf in the future.
⛳️ #SIGN OF THE TIMES — Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan embrace as they compete at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Thursday. Could the sport be healing?
(Via Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/6fm0i3OD2U
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) October 3, 2024
It was also funny because Billy Horschel looked like a protective bodyguard in the background.
Now, it is time to turn our attention to the PGA Tour players in Mississippi.
Sanderson Farms Championship update
The scores were relatively low in Mississippi on Thursday, as the field’s average was 69.12.
There were 24 scores of 66 or better, so it seems this week will be a marathon to the finish line.
David Skinns dominated on Thursday to shoot a 12-under 60 to set a career and course record. He leads the field by three shots over Michael Thorbjornsen, who signed for a 9-under 63.
Gary Woodland’s game looked sharp as he shot a bogey-free 8-under 64. Woodland said he finally felt like he had put together a complete round.
However, it was not as good of a day for guys like Nick Dunlap and Rickie Fowler, who shot a 3-under 69. While they are not out of it to make the weekend, they must start making birdies if they want to contend.
Sanderson Farms Championship leaderboard:
1. David Skinns: 12-under (60)
2. Michael Thorbjornsen: 9-under (63)
T3. Gary Woodland: 8-under (64)
T3. Ben Griffin: 8-under (64)
T5. Patton Kizzire: 7-under (65)
T5. Mackenzie Hughes: 7-under (65)
T5. Bill Haas: 7-under (65)
T5. Chandler Phillips: 7-under (65)
T5. Jacob Bridgeman: 7-under (65)
T5. Daniel Berger: 7-under (65)
T5. Lucas Glover: 7-under (65)
T5. Beau Hossler: 7-under (65)
T5. Paul Barjon: 7-under (65)
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Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
