Weekend Round-Up: Hongkongers on the big stage

Aug 7

LPGA WOMENS SCOTTISH OPEN

CELINE BOUTIER SECURES SECOND CONSECUTIVE VICTORY AT FREED GROUP WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

Hong Kong’s Ginnie Ding made a lasting impression with her remarkable performance at the FREED GROUP Women's Scottish Open, where she remained grounded and focused throughout the week at Dundonald Links.

For the talented 21-year-old from Hong Kong, China, this experience was undeniably thrilling, but she sees it as just the beginning of her journey towards qualifying for the LPGA full-time.

Ding carded a five-over-par 293 (75-70-72-76). Throughout the entire week, she expressed her gratitude to the tournament sponsors, FREED GROUP, and the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China, for granting her the unexpected opportunity to compete in Scotland. Despite feeling nervous before the event, Ding's performance not only justified the trust placed in her abilities but also highlighted her promising future in the sport.

After bidding farewell to her Scotland experience, Ding departed from the United Kingdom on Sunday, eagerly embracing the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. While her senior year at Vanderbilt University awaits, she also has her sights set on the LPGA Tour's qualifying tournament, scheduled from August 28-31 at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.

Tiffany Chan had a tough week, just missing out on the cut. She was 6-over par after 2 rounds at the Scottish course which seemed to be a big test for a lot of players.

Celine Boutier finds herself in a delightful case of déjà vu as she adds another trophy, winner's check, and victory to her impressive record. After narrowly missing out on the title in 2022 at Dundonald with a commendable second-place finish, the French golfer triumphed on the Scottish links to clinch her second consecutive LPGA Tour event at the FREED GROUP Women's Scottish Open presented by Trust Golf. Finishing at an impressive -13, Boutier becomes the first player since Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016 to win a major championship and then secure victory in the subsequent tournament. Moreover, she has the distinction of being the first to achieve back-to-back wins since Jin Young Ko's triumphs at the Cognizant Founders Cup and BMW Ladies Championship.

ASIAN TOUR MANDIRI INDONESIAN OPEN

RELIEVED NITITHORN BACK TO HIS BEST AFTER CLAIMING MANDIRI INDONESIA OPEN

Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong prevailed in the Mandiri Indonesia Open today after a gripping finish here at Pondok Indah Golf Course – confirming he has recaptured the kind of form that established him as one of the region’s most exciting young golfers last year.

Having started the day with a comfortable five-shot margin, he was pushed all the way to the finish line, closing with an even-par 72, for an 18-under-par total, and a two-stroke triumph over Australian Scott Hend, Steve Lewton from England and Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po, who all carded 68s.

Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung finished T62 (2-over par) and Taichi Kho missed the cut meaning his week was cut short. The pair are scheduled to head to the UK now for two International Series events, one at Close House and the other in Scotland at Fairmont St Andrews.

LIV GOLF GREENBRIER

DECHAMBEAU SHOOTS HISTORIC 58, TORQUE CLAIMS 4TH TEAM WIN

Bryson DeChambeau stood over his 40-foot putt at the 18th hole Sunday at LIV Golf Greenbrier fully knowing the significance of the moment. Two putts would break 60.

That’s why he had just one thought: “Don’t give myself a 3-footer.”

He left nothing to chance, holing the mammoth putt for birdie, then celebrating with a leap for the ages – and into the history books. The Crushers GC Captain set off a wild celebration on a rainy finish at The Old White course with an incredible round of 12-under 58, the lowest in LIV Golf’s young history and just the second in elite professional men’s golf.

The 58 not only proved to be the exclamation mark for his first LIV Golf individual victory, but he also considered it the “greatest moment of my career” that now includes 11 professional wins with one major.

Torque GC was also special in the team competition, with Pereira, David Puig (66) and captain Joaquin Niemann (66) supplying the counting scores Sunday. Late in the round, the Spanish-speaking lineup reached 50 under as a team before finishing at 49 under to win by three strokes over DeChambeau’s Crushers GC. Stinger GC took the last podium spot at 40 under. The 49 under is the lowest counting score ever posted by a team champion.

The win moves Torque within seven points of league-leading 4Aces GC, who finished in last place in the team standings Sunday.

PGA TOUR WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Lucas Glover, a seasoned golfer at the age of 43, added another significant achievement to his career by claiming his fifth PGA TOUR title. The victory came in his 512th start, solidifying his prowess and longevity in the sport.

Glover's PGA TOUR wins span over a remarkable career, including the 2005 FUNAI Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort, the prestigious 2009 U.S. Open, the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship, the 2021 John Deere Classic, and now the 2023 Wyndham Championship. Each triumph showcases his exceptional skills and ability to compete at the highest level.

With this latest victory, Glover witnessed a significant jump in the FedExCup standings. Climbing an impressive 63 spots, he moved from No. 112 to No. 49, securing a coveted spot in the FedExCup Playoffs. This marks his fifth consecutive season and 13th total appearance in the playoffs, underscoring his consistent performance over the years.

Remarkably, Glover's triumph at the Wyndham Championship holds a special distinction in the FedExCup era. He becomes only the third player, joining Davis Love III (2015) and Jim Herman (2020), to enter the tournament outside the bubble for the FedExCup Playoffs and emerge victorious, thereby earning his place in the playoffs. This feat exemplifies Glover's determination and ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are high.

As Lucas Glover continues to leave his mark on the PGA TOUR, his recent win at the Wyndham Championship not only adds to his impressive trophy collection but also showcases his unwavering skill and resilience. Golf enthusiasts eagerly anticipate his future performances as he competes in the upcoming FedExCup Playoffs, further solidifying his status as a respected contender on the tour.