CROMWELL, Connecticut: Tom Kim is looking at the long term with his golf game and is getting short-term results at the Travelers Championship, where he followed an opening 62 with a 5-under 65 on Friday for the lowest 36-hole score of his career and a two-shot lead.
Kim had to settle for eight straight pars on the soggy TPC River Highlands and still finished at 13-under 127, two shots ahead of a group that includes Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa.
Scheffler, coming off his first middle-of-the-road performance of the year at the US Open, had to wait through a storm delay of more than three hours to finish his last two holes. He made an 8-foot birdie on the 18th for a 64.
Morikawa (63) and Akshay Bhatia (65), who also was two behind, finished before the storms.
Kim and Scheffler both celebrated birthdays during the second round — Kim is 22 and Scheffler is 28 — and did their birthday damage earlier in the week with a trip to one of the Connecticut’s best known pizza joints.
Kim already is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, though he has only one top 10 in his last 19 starts worldwide since his victory in Las Vegas last fall.
“I think the work I’ve been doing has ... the past few months it’s just been kind of like making sure that I feel confident out in the competition, not practice rounds,” Kim said. “So I think this stretch is making me sharper and more ready and I think it’s kind of time to show.”
There certainly should be no rust for the 22-year-old Kim. He has not missed a tournament dating to the Byron Nelson, making this his eighth consecutive tournament.
Scheffler tied for 41st last week in the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, a course he never quite figured out. It was the first time since the fall of 2022 that he was outside the top 40.
He looks like the No. 1 player this week, missing only one fairway and one green in the second round. That was key to scoring because officials allowed players to lift, clean and place their golf balls provided they were in the short grass.
“Definitely better than last week,” Scheffler said. “I felt like I found a little stuff in my swing and feel like I’m seeing the breaks a lot better on these greens. Definitely feeling some good momentum from the last two days.”
Scheffler birdied four of his last six holes, the final two after the rain delay. He left his approach below the hole on the 18th to set up his final birdie.
Morikawa, like Kim, did most of his work on the front nine by rolling six birdie putts. He picked up his final birdie on the par-3 16th and will be in the final group with Kim on Saturday.
Morikawa, a two-time major champion, has been getting himself in the mix at the some of the bigger events over the past few months. He played in the last group at the Masters and the PGA Championship until falling back.
This round was largely about putting. Morikawa made a pair of birdies from the 15-foot range early punctuated by a 30-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole. His swing looks to be back to be as consistent as ever.
“I know where the ball’s going, so that helps,” Morikawa said. “Obviously, I want to be able to get the win and that’s kind of what’s stopping me from being on a great run. It’s a big mental mindset. When you know where the ball’s going it’s a lot easier to play golf, and I’ve kind of been able to trust that.”
PGA champion Xander Schauffele had another 65 and was alone in fifth place, three shots behind. Another shot back were Shane Lowry (62) and Justin Thomas (63).
Lowry hit a magnificent approach with a 5-wood on the par-5 13 and rolled in the long birdie. That put him at 8-under par for the day, with a couple of good birdie chances on the in. But the Irishman had a couple of pedestrian wedges — from the fairway, one a pitch — for pars.
And then the horn sounded to stop play, and Lowry had to settle for three pars.
Thomas, who chipped in for eagle on the 13th, had his lowest score since a 61 in The American Express in the California desert to start the year.
The signature event has no cut — the field is 70 players — and a $20 million purse.
Tom Kim builds a 2-shot lead over Scheffler and Morikawa at Travelers Championship
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Tom Kim builds a 2-shot lead over Scheffler and Morikawa at Travelers Championship
- Kim already is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, though he has only one top 10 in his last 19 starts worldwide
- Morikawa, like Kim, did most of his work on the front nine by rolling six birdie putts
UCLA duo Knapp and Tavatanakit deliver late birdies and win Grant Thornton Invitational
- Knapp and Tavatanakit each collected $500,000 from the $4 million purse
- Jeeno Thitikul, who won the LPGA finale at Tiburon last month for the $4 million prize, holed an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole as she and Tom Kim shot 64 to finish alone in second
NAPLES, Florida: Patty Tavatanakit holed a 25-foot birdie putt and Jake Knapp gave them the lead on the next hole with a tough pitch to set up birdie as the UCLA duo combined for a 7-under 65 on Sunday for a one-shot victory in the Grant Thornton Invitational.
They won on their respective tours on the same day this year — Knapp at the Mexico Open, Tavatanakit at the Honda LPGA Thailand — and were equally impressive as a team, especially down the stretch at Tiburon Golf Club.
Jeeno Thitikul, who won the LPGA finale at Tiburon last month for the $4 million prize, holed an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole as she and Tom Kim shot 64 to finish alone in second.
Akshay Bhatia and Jennifer Kupcho made a mess of the 18th hole for their lone bogey in the modified fourballs format and finished third.
The final hour could have gone to any four teams — the Canadian tandem of Corey Conners and Brooke Henderson shot 62 and were briefly tied for the lead, though running out of holes.
Knapp and Tavatanakit, who started with a two-shot lead, fell behind for the first time all day when Bhatia holed a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th.
The format had each player hit tee shots, switch balls for the next shot and then complete the hole. Knapp’s tee shot on the par-3 16th climbed onto the green, and Tavatanakit poured in the left-to-right breaking putt for birdie to tie the lead.
“I putted well this week,” Tavatanakit said. “Everything has been fun. The chemistry has been really good.”
Both were out of position off the tee at the easy 17th, with Knapp in the water. Taking the tee shot of Tavatanakit, he hit from the native area to short of the green into a slight swale. His pitch settled 3 feet away for birdie and a one-shot lead over Bhatia and Kupcho.
Ahead on the 18th, Bhatia’s approach came up woefully short and into the water. Kupcho missed her approach to the right, and her putt ran down a slope about 10 feet by. Bhatia tried to play twice from the water. Kupcho badly missed her par putt.
That gave the UCLA tandem a two-shot lead, and a simple par — both missed birdie putts they didn’t need from about 10 feet — put them at 27-under 189. Each collected $500,000 from the $4 million purse.
Kim and Thitikul finished birdie-birdie for second place, worth $280,000 to each.
Diriyah Company partners with Golf Saudi to operate Wadi Safar Golf Course, Royal Golf Club
- Signing witnessed by officials, professional players, Golf Saudi ambassadors, select media
DIRIYAH: Diriyah Company signed a landmark agreement with Golf Saudi on Sunday to operate the Wadi Safar Signature Golf Course and the Royal Golf Club, set to become key sites within the expansive Diriyah development near Riyadh.
The signing ceremony, which was held at the Wadi Safar Experience Center and on the golf course, was witnessed by officials, professional players, Golf Saudi ambassadors, and select media.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Company, and Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, spoke of the collaboration’s transformative potential in their remarks at the event.
Inzerillo said: “This partnership with Golf Saudi marks an exciting chapter in Diriyah’s journey to becoming a global cultural and lifestyle destination.
“The Wadi Safar Signature Golf Course and Royal Golf Club embody our vision of blending world-class experiences with the heritage and natural beauty of Diriyah. Together, we are elevating golf tourism while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions to lead in sustainable and inclusive developments.”
Golf Saudi will oversee operations at Wadi Safar, aiming to attract both regional and international audiences.
Alireza said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Diriyah Company on this landmark project.
“Wadi Safar represents an extraordinary addition to the Kingdom’s golfing venues. Together, we are setting a new standard for golf tourism, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s profile in the global sports and leisure market while championing sustainability and cultural heritage.”
The Wadi Safar Signature Golf Course, which was designed by golf legend Greg Norman, covers 630,000 sq. meters and was recently completed.
The facility includes an 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole academy course, a driving range, and short-game practice areas. It is just minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif.
Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season
- The 30-year-old becomes the first player from Chinese Taipei to earn full-time status in LIV Golf after taking title by 2 strokes
RIYADH: Fueled by nine birdies in the morning and a clutch tee shot in the late afternoon, Lee Chieh-po won the grueling 36-hole LIV Golf Promotions finish on Saturday to claim a coveted spot in the league’s 2025 season.
The 30-year-old becomes the first player from Chinese Taipei to earn full-time status in LIV Golf and hopes his victory and presence in the league will inspire others from his country.
“It means a lot for our players,” said the Asian Tour regular, who won for the first time at this year’s International Series Thailand. “LIV Golf, I think, is many players’ dream. I go there and they will come.”
Lee — also known by his English name, Max — shot a two-round total of 10 under at Riyadh Golf Club to win by two strokes over Asian Tour player Taichi Kho and relegated LIV Golf player Branden Grace in the 20-player final-day field. A total of 92 players began the week.
All players finishing inside the top 10 will receive exemptions to all 10 tournaments on The International Series in 2025. Six players on the final leaderboard did not previously hold that status: American Ollie Schniederjans and Australians Brett Coletta and Jack Buchanan, who shared fourth at 5 under; Germany’s Max Rottluff, solo seventh at 4 under; and Korea’s Soomin Lee and England’s David Horsey, part of the four-way tie for eighth at 3 under.
They were all chasing Lee after he shot a 7-under 64 in his morning round that included nine birdies, with four in his final five holes. That gave him a two-shot lead over Schniederjans, who posted a bogey-free 66.
Lee remained in control throughout the afternoon, making the turn with a one-shot lead over Grace, who had just made his fourth birdie of the day at the 11th hole.
Lee seemed to be pulling away with a three-stroke lead late in the round, but a bad approach at the par-4 16th resulted in a bogey. “I hit it way poor to the left, and I was laughing, like, what am I doing?” Lee said.
When Grace and Kho finished with birdies at the 18th, his lead was reduced to a single shot going into the par-3 17th, the most difficult hole on the back nine this week.
But he stepped up and delivered the biggest shot of the day, his tee ball nearly rolling into the cup. After making birdie, he stayed away from trouble at the 18th to close it out.
“Just tried to reset my mind,” he said afterwards. “Hole No. 17, that shot is very important. I hit a very good tee shot.”
Grace was watching in the clubhouse as Lee finished his round. He was hoping to regain his spot with Stinger GC with a win this week, but the team could still make a business case for keeping him in the lineup.
“Played good, gave it everything,” Grace said. “Now I’ll go home and have a holiday.”
Schniederjans, the former top-ranked amateur who is playing his way back from injuries that slowed his career, was encouraged by being in the mix this week.
“I’m very confident about where everything is heading,” he said. “I had to hit a lot of cool putts and shots under pressure, so it was really nice to see that. It did give me even more confidence. But I have a lot of confidence in my future.”
As for Lee, his confidence is sky-high. A hip injury last year forced him into swing changes, but a consistent stretch of play this season that culminated in the victory in Thailand — when he rallied to overtake LIV Golf player Peter Uihlein — is an indication of his talent.
Now he’s ready to compete in LIV Golf and embrace everything the global league has to offer.
“On the LIV Tour, every player is very strong,” he said. “I think I can learn something. I will learn something.”
Campbell on the charge going into final-day shootout in LIV Golf Promotions event
- A 7-under 64 secured his place in the 36-hole final day alongside a number of regulars on The International Series in Riyadh
RIYADH: In-form Ben Campbell kept his hopes of a LIV Golf League 2025 roster spot alive after an impressive second-placed finish on day two of the LIV Golf Promotions event.
A flawless seven-under 64 secured his place in the 36-hole final day alongside a number of regulars on The International Series in Riyadh, with a final field of 20 now battling it out for one spot on the LIV Golf League next season.
Campbell entered the tournament in round two as International Series Morocco champion, and highest ranked player on The International Series at three, after narrowly failing to secure an outright spot on LIV Golf last week at the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.
There, on the same Riyadh Golf Club course, he finished one shot off a three-man playoff that ultimately saw LIV Golf star Joaquin Niemann crowned tournament winner and The International Series Rankings champion.
The New Zealander proved he was over that disappointment, carding his third 64 in a row, after posting two when it mattered last weekend, to finish one shot behind Scott Vincent, the 2022 International Series Rankings winner, and comfortably earn a place in the top 20 for the final day.
Campbell, also runner-up when defending his title at the Link Hong Kong Open last month, will go into the 36-hole shootout along with fellow qualifiers from The International Series, Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand (66), Richard T Lee of Canada (67), and Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei (67).
Taichi Kho of Hong Kong (67) also made it alongside Asian Tour 2024 champions Steve Lewton of England (67) and Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand (67), and all 20 players will start equal with the scores being reset once again ahead of the final day.
Campbell said: “I felt like I played pretty well. I got off to a good start, made a few birdies, turned four-under, and yes, I felt like I swung it pretty well all day. A couple of things to tidy up before tomorrow, but yes, I did the job I needed to do today.
“You’re going to have 20 guys firing at flags but I still think you have got to stay patient out there. It is one of those courses if you do not have your game, as long as you get through with a few pars, you can go on a few birdie runs out there.”
Charoenkul, who carded a five-under 66 to qualify for round two before the scores were reset, admitted he was playing with freedom and “zero expectations.”
He said: “With all the winners from 2024 coming in, and the guys from the LIV Golf League, it was like a one-day event, and I must admit I didn’t expect too much.”
The Thai has the big game in his locker — especially on the final day. He carded a 10-under round on the final day of the Black Mountain Championship, the fifth event of The International Series, then shot a final-round 63 the following week at International Series Thailand and a last-day 64 at the BNI Indonesian Masters.
He said: “I have to keep believing. I’m not too confident on the greens, but the way to combat that is to hit the ball as close as possible to the flag. I did that today, and hopefully can do the same over 36 holes on the final day.”
21 players advance in LIV Golf Promotions, led by Korea’s Jeunghun Wang
- This group joins 28 exempt competitors for Friday’s reset second round, with the top 20 advancing to Saturday’s decisive 36-hole finale
RIYADH: A dramatic opening round of LIV Golf Promotions on Thursday saw 21 players secure their spots in the second round at Riyadh Golf Club, including Jon Rahm’s former college roommate, rising talents from Brazil and Hong Kong, and one golfer using borrowed clubs.
This group joins 28 exempt competitors for Friday’s reset second round, with the top 20 advancing to Saturday’s decisive 36-hole finale. The ultimate winner earns a coveted place in the 2025 LIV Golf League, while the top 10 will gain entry into all International Series events next year.
Korea’s Jeunghun Wang led the pack, finishing with a 7-under 64. His performance, highlighted by long putts and consistent play, put him atop the leaderboard.
“Some lucky shots went in, including some long putts, which helped me play well heading into tomorrow,” he said.
Close behind were five players tied for second on 65, while nine players shot 66. The final six players advanced by meeting the cutline of 4-under 67, leaving 43 others eliminated.
Among the standout players was 24-year-old Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, who carded a 6-under round featuring an eagle on the par-5 15th after a 355-yard drive.
Kho, who also advanced from the first round at last year’s Promotions tournament before being eliminated in the second round, emphasized the need to approach Friday’s round as a fresh start.
“Last year I couldn’t get past the fact that it was a clean reset after round 1,” he said.
“I remember last year I had a great first round as well, and I felt like I carried on some of those thoughts and feelings as I would do a regular tournament going into the second round, going into tomorrow, it’s important for me to just understand it’s a completely new day.”
Germany’s Max Rottluff, who shares a collegiate connection with LIV Golf star Jon Rahm, also shot 6-under. Rottluff credited Rahm for inspiring his career revival after nearly quitting golf in 2022.
“We still talk quite a bit and whatnot, so it would be a dream come true to join those guys,” Rottluff said.
“I was considering giving it up back at the end of ‘22, and I spent a week with him, and that really kind of straightened out my head and went out and won two times that year on the Challenge Tour, kind of went back on a better trajectory again,” he added.
South Africa’s Ian Snyman, another standout with a 65, relished the opportunity to reconnect with LIV Golf. A former Cleeks GC player, he said: “It’s exciting. It’s something we all want to be part of. I like the team aspect.”
Mexico’s Jose Islas delivered a remarkable 66 despite playing with borrowed clubs, as his own equipment failed to arrive in Riyadh. Islas, who turned professional this year, demonstrated resilience and adaptability, even holing an eagle shot during a practice round. “It’s not about the clubs, it’s more about how I thought the shots I was going to hit,” he said.
Brazil’s Fred Biondi, the 2023 NCAA Individual Champion, and Spain’s Luis Masaveu, a former US Amateur semifinalist, also posted bogey-free 66s.
The opening round fostered camaraderie among players, with Ireland’s Mark Power, Spain’s Borja Virto and England’s David Horsey advancing together after strong performances.
Veteran American players Bo Hoag and Ollie Schniederjans also moved forward, with Hoag expressing excitement about the prospect of joining LIV Golf’s global schedule. “I think it would be fun,” he said.
