Many notable players returned to the winners circle during the week of professional golf.
Keegan BradleyThe victory over the PGA Tours four-year-old drought ended with the winning of the Zozo ChampionshipJapan
Brooks KoepkaHe won LIV Golfs first victory in 20-months, his first ever. first eventSaudi Arabia had a $4.5million payday, if you didnt know.
And Fred CouplesBy carding a 12-under 60 in round three of the final round, he beat his age by 3 shots SAS ChampionshipSunday saw 12 birdies on his final 14 holes to win the Champions Tour for the first-time in over five years.
The biggest winner of the week was LIV Golf. LIV Golf, if these are the words that were being spoken. Phil Mickelson, six-time major championThis week,s mouth was in Saudi Arabia.
I believe you have to choose a side going forward. Mickelson said to reporters, You have to choose which side do you think will succeed. I believe I am on the winning side of how professional golf will evolve and shape over the next few years.
PGA Tour players do not believe they are on the wrong side of the ongoing dispute with LIV golf.
Does it count if a player wins a tournament in a forest but no one else sees it?
— Joel Dahmen (@Joel_Dahmen) October 17, 2022
Who will win this weeks CJ Cup in South Carolina? The CJ Cup in South Carolina is underway Thursday at Congaree Golf Club. With another win Rory McIlroyCan it supplant? Scottie SchefflerThe No. as the No.
LIV Golf is taking a break to prepare for the season-finale event in Miami later this year, but the LPGA will begin its two-event Asian swing in South Korea at the BMW Ladies Championship.
Here are some things to watch this week in professional golf:
Whats next on PGA Tour?
The CJ Cup South Carolina
When: Thursday-Sunday
Where: Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina
Rory McIlroy, the champion defense team
Purse $10.5 million
Three storylines to follow:
The boys are back!Congaree Golf Club will host most of the PGA Tour’s top players this week for the first-time since the season-ending Tour Championship held at East Lake. 15 of the top 20 Official World Golf Ranking players are actually in the field, six of them being the top 10. Five players are missing from the top 20. Cameron Smith (LIV Golf), Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Will Zalatoris(injured) Tony Finau. It will serve as a preview of the 13 higher events next season, since the Tours best players have committed to participating in each one.
Rorys defense:McIlroy has not competed on PGA Tour since Augusts FedEx Cup win at East Lake. McIlroy, the No. 2 player in the world, isnt taking it easy. The No. 2 player in the world isnt taking it easy. McIlroy made three starts in the DP World Tour. He was tied for second at BMW PGA Championship, finished solo fourth at Italian Open, and tied for fourth at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. McIlroy was beaten last year. Collin MorikawaHe was 1 stroke away from his 20th PGA Tour victory at CJ Cup @ Summit, Las Vegas. He will have a chance of unseat Scottie Schffler as No. Schefflers performance this week will determine if Scheffler is able to defend his title or finish solo second.
There is no rest for weary:There are more than three dozen players on the field, including Viktor Hovland, Tom Kim, Hideki MatsuyamaMorikawa and Morikawa participated in the Zozo Championship in Japan. The competition ended at 3 a.m. ET on Sunday. To help players, caddies, and staff return to the U.S., the PGA Tour chartered a United flight. The flight took off from Tokyo at 10:45 pm. ET on Sunday. The flight landed in Savannah, Georgia at 10:21 AM. ET on Monday. The 12½ hour-flight covered more than 7,300 miles.
Whats next for LIV Golf?
LIV Golf Team Championship
When: Oct. 28-30
Where: Trump National Doral Miami
Obligation: $50 million
Three storylines to follow:
Its all about teamwork:The seeding for the season-ending Team Championship has been established. Twelve four-man teams will compete to win $50 million. The $16 million first-place team will split evenly, while the $10 million second and third places will each receive $8 million. With 152 points, Dustin Johnsons 4 Aces GC is top seed. Next are Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers (96), Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs (93) & Louis Oosthuizen’s Stinger GC (72). Each of them will be given a first round bye and the opportunity to choose their opponents in the second round. Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC, the winner of the Saudi Arabian team event, is the fifth seed. It will be the first to pick its opponent for round one. The 12th seed is Harold Varner IIIs Niblicks.
Koepka ends drought:Koepka got rid of his roommate Peter UihleinHe won the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sundays third playoff hole. It was his first win since February 2021. The former world No. 1 golfer also revealed to reporters that he was not sure if he would play again after sustaining a dislocated and shattered right kneecap in March 2021. Reporters also heard from the former world No. 1 golfer that he was not sure if he would play again after he had a dislocated and shattered right leg in March 2021. Koepka indicated that he will need to have his knee replaced in the coming years.
Koepka stated, I wasn’t sure if my ability to move the same way as before and if it was a game if I could play if that was possible. Im fortunate [to]be in the exact spot I am right now.
It was a $4.75million payday for Koepka. He collected $4 million for his individual title and $750,000 to win the team title (one-fourth the $3 million). It will cost him a new Lamborghini. He promised Chase, his brother and teammate, that he would buy it if they win a team race.
Golf, but (much more) louderLast week, the entertainment lineup was announced for the team championship. Its not what you would see at a traditional round of golf tournament. LIV Golf is not known for its traditional features. The Chainsmokers are the music lineup (not including South African golfer). Shaun NorrisNelly, DJ Tay James Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott and Nelly. Theyll also be playing golf.
Whats next for the LPGA Tour
BMW Ladies Championship
When: Thursday-Sunday
Where: Oak Valley Country Club in Busan, South Korea
Purse $2 million
Champion of defense: Jin Young Ko
Three stories to follow:
Race for Player of the Year: Australias Minjee LeeAfter winning the U.S Womens Open, she tied for second at Womens PGA Championship. She seemed to have won the Rolex Player Of The Year award. Lee missed three consecutive cuts and a WD, which allowed three other players to enter the race. Canada is 19 points behind Lee with four tournaments remaining in the season. Brooke HendersonThe winner of the Amundi Evian Championship was. Atthaya Thitikul (19 years old) is 25 points behind after securing her second victory at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September. Lydia Ko is 29 points behind, having finished in the top seven in six of her seven previous starts.
Ko is backJin Young Ko, the No.1 defending champion in the BMW Ladies Championship, is expected to make her first start since late August. She is expected to make it her first start since August. Ko hasnt been playing since the CP Womens Open. In that event, Ko missed her second consecutive cut. Its the same injury that plagued her last season. Ko won her only victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, in March.
Chois farewell:South Koreas Na Yeon Choi is the final competitor on the LPGA Tour this Week. On October 5, she announced her retirement. Choi, 34 years old, won nine times during her LPGA careers, including the 2012 U.S. Womens Open at Kohler, Wisconsin.
Choi stated in a statement that All athletes experience the moment when it is time to retire. I believe that this is the right time to make this major decision. I know I will be leaving my career, which has been a lot of my sweat and blood, with no regrets. Although it is difficult to make this decision, I will not regret it for my future and myself. I will stop playing golf, a sport that I loved and hated for most of my life. Ive had many challenges, but those moments will be very much missed.
Official World Golf Rankings
Moving up
Keegan Bradley
Current rank 23
Previous rank: 44
Bradleys triumphant victory in Japan, which was his first on Tour for more than four years helped him reach the top 25 in the OWGR, his first since August 2014.
Emiliano Grillo
Current rank: 75
Previous rank: 87
Grillo, an Argentinean golfer, finished fourth at the Zozo Championship. This moved him up 12 places. He shot 6-under 64 during the final round but was then beaten by Accordia Golf Narashino Country club.
Grillo stated that he doesnt like it.
OK, then.
Andrew Putnam
Current rank: 79
Previous rank: 109
The former Pepperdine star was second at Zozo Championship. This is his best finish on Tour since 2021 Barracuda Championship, where he was runner up.
Rickie Fowler
Current rank:
Previous rank: 160
Fowler was unable to hold a lead of 1 shot in Japans final round and was runner-up for his 15th PGA Tour season. Fowler hasn’t won for more than three years but his form seems to be heading in the right directions.
Keita Nakajima
Current rank: 311
Previous rank: 354
The former world No. The former world No. 1 amateur player tied for 12th in his debut Tour start as a professional in Japan.
Moving down
Brooks Koepka
Current rank: 35
Previous rank: 33
Their rankings continue to fall because LIV golfers arent still receiving OWGR points. It is the fourth-time major champions worst ranking, since 2014, when he was a non PGA Tour member.
Patrick Reed
Current rank:
Previous rank: 56
Reed might consider adding the OWGR as another defendant to his growing list. Lawsuit. He was ninth in world at the 2021 Open Championship.
Justin Rose
Current rank: 69
Previous rank: 66
The former world No. The former world No. 1 golfer is having trouble with his form and pulled out after round one of the BMW PGA Championship. This was due to a back injury.
Phil Mickelson
Current rank:
Previous rank: 138
Although the six-time major champion may believe LIV Golf is winning against PGA Tour, Lefty is losing when he comes to his world ranking. This is his worst position since 1993, less that a year after turning pro.
Jason Day
Current rank:
Previous rank: 143
Day is also a former world No. Day, who was formerly the world No. 1 golfer, tied for eighth at Shriners Childrens Open Las Vegas. This was Days first top-10 finish since a tie at the Farmers Insurance Open in Feb.
Record
J.T. PostonIn July, he won his second PGA Tour title at the John Deere Golf Classic. He reached the Tour Championship for only the second time in his professional career, and finished tied for 15th at East Lake Golf Club. Congaree Golf Club is also hosting Postons second PGA Tour event. South Africas Garrick HiggoThe 2021 Palmetto Championship was won there. Poston spoke to ESPN Monday about what PGA Tour players should expect this week, and other topics.
Q: What do your thoughts about the Congaree layout?
A: Its awesome. Its really good. Its something I think many of the guys will enjoy this week. It will be very different than what we see week after week. There is no rough. Its all fairway, waste areas. Its not something you would see on Tour. Youll see a lot more rough around the greens than on the tee. Its mowed very tight and fairways are fast and firm. It should be fun. Its a very good layout. Im looking forward for it to get the attention it deserves.
Q: What information can you give me about Congaree Foundation
A: They have it set up as an foundation and they call ambassadors. They want you as an ambassador for the club or the foundation. The foundation helps both local kids and international kids to go on to college golf. Each summer, they host two junior camps. Kids come from all around the world to participate. They are given instruction by pros and have trainers. They also learn how to play golf at the college level. Its a great deal. A number of the kids who have gone through the program have received college scholarships. Without this program, they might not have had that opportunity.
Q: What are the top courses this week?
A: I believe it will be iron play and controlling the ball. I believe greens can get fast and can be very firm, so making sure your ball is high up is important. [going to be important]. It doesnt seem like its going be a week in which guys will be able to attack many flags. I think its going be a week of hitting solid shots and hitting lots of greens within regulations. [are going to be key]. You will need sharpness around the greens. There are a lot of runoffs so the ball will not be sitting right off the green if missed. It will be like links golf in that the club, the trajectory and the location of the green are crucial to your success.
Q: What are your goals for this season after your second PGA Tour win?
A: I just want back to that position. A big thing about last season was being in the mix for Presidents Cup. Although I knew I was outside looking in, it was something I found new and exciting. It was like a lightbulb went off and I now feel confident enough to play in those teams. I would love to be able to play again in that situation and see if it is possible to make one of these teams. Its about the mentality of going out to win golf tournaments and not worrying about having good weeks or top 10s or 20s. I want to give myself the best chance of winning this year, and to see how I do at the end.
Q: How do you feel about your game?
A: My putting and short game have been very good over the years. Although it has been inconsistent at times, I would say that it has been more consistent in the last few years. I have improved my ability to drive the ball better. However, the weeks when I play my best are those where my tee-to-green is very good, especially my approach play, and irons. I think I can improve my short game and putter by being a bit more consistent and precise on shots into greens.
Q: What do you think about Phil Mickelsons remarks about LIV Golf winning?
A: I believe it is because he isnt on the PGA Tour, but hes on LIV Tour. It would be foolish for him to not say that, regardless of whether he believes it. It seems like there is a lot more decisiveness between LIV Tour and PGA Tour. There are many choices and this and that. But at the end of it all, whats best for the game? The PGA Tour is a great example of success, and has been for a long period. They are making some changes to improve the product. Personally, I would find it hard to say that LIV golf is better than the PGA Tour.