Category: Igą swiatek

St. Andrews, Scotland — As the night crept in on Saturday, the serene, historic setting of St. Andrews was about to witness an unexpected farewell. I.K. Kim, a seven-time LPGA Tour champion, was informed that she would be the first to tee off on Sunday morning at 7:10 a.m. for the final round of the AIG Women’s Open. The forecast promised a brisk and rainy morning, coupled with the usual early wake-up required for such early starts. Yet, before Kim could settle in for the night, she faced a task far more pressing: she had to break the news of her retirement to her loved ones.

 

Kim’s decision to retire came as a shock to many. The 36-year-old golfer’s choice to step away from competitive play was not something she had publicized or prepared for extensively. Her announcement caught her inner circle by surprise, and they implored her to reconsider. It seemed that Kim herself had only recently come to terms with the decision. Nonetheless, as the sun began to rise on Sunday, she embarked on her final round with an emotional weight. Despite the absence of spectators, she played with poise, making a few birdies and crossing the iconic Swilcan Bridge with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. She finished the round with a score of 75 and approached Martin Slumbers, the outgoing CEO of the R&A, with tears in her eyes to explain her sudden decision.

 

“I told him, ‘You caught me by surprise,’” Kim recounted, reflecting on the surprise her announcement had caused. It wasn’t just Slumbers who was taken aback; the golf world had not anticipated this sudden departure. There were no photographers present to capture Kim’s final moments on the Swilcan Bridge, no journalists to document her exit in detail. Kim, known for her reserved nature, had chosen not to make a grand farewell but instead ended her career with a quiet dignity.

 

After completing her round, Kim returned to the course to address the media and discuss her retirement. Her decision had been made in private, with only a few close individuals, such as her coaches, parents, and best friend, informed beforehand. Kim smiled through her tears as she noted that she would eventually have time to reconnect with everyone else in her life now that her competitive career had concluded.

 

Kim’s career trajectory had been winding down, leading her to this point. Her participation in the AIG Women’s Open was a result of her victory at the 2017 Women’s Open at Kingsbarns, which was a significant highlight in her illustrious career. Kim had the option to continue playing in Women’s Opens for many years if she wished, but she had set her sights on a particular goal. She had expressed a desire to play at the Open held at Muirfield in 2022, a course she had long revered.

 

“I told Martin Slumbers that I would not retire until I had played at Muirfield,” Kim said. “I had read about it in Jack Nicklaus’ book and heard many great players speak about it. I wanted to experience Muirfield before I retired. When I finally played there, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. But it also left me uncertain about my future. So, I decided to keep playing until I had a clearer sense of direction.”

 

The “clue” Kim referred to came as everything seemed to fall into place, guiding her towards a decision she had kept largely to herself. In her 18th year on the LPGA Tour, after having started the game at the age of nine, Kim saw the culmination of her journey in golf. Her conversations with former players like Yani Tseng were filled with emotion as they reflected on the unpredictable nature of careers and life itself.

 

St. Andrews, known for its rich history in the sport, has often been the backdrop for significant farewells. The iconic venue saw Tiger Woods make his retirement announcement two years ago and has been a place where other legends, like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, concluded their Open careers. While the venue has been a significant stage for farewells, Kim’s retirement marked one of the most abrupt and unceremonious departures. There was no elaborate preparation or grand announcement; instead, Kim’s farewell was understated and personal.

 

When asked about her future, Kim admitted uncertainty, though she expressed enthusiasm about exploring various interests outside of golf. “I have many interests, luckily,” she said. “I’m not sure what the next steps will be, but I’ll figure it out.”

 

Regarding her career, Kim highlighted her pride in her work ethic rather than innate talent. “I’m most proud of the hard work I put into my career,” she reflected. “I wasn’t the most talented or gifted, but I loved the game. I was willing to travel anywhere to play and learn. I am grateful for the relationships I’ve built and the lessons I’ve learned from fellow players.”

 

As Kim concluded her final media session, her voice wavered, and tears welled up as she expressed her gratitude one last time. The golf world will remember I.K. Kim not only for her achievements but for the grace and humility she brought to her final chapter.

At the 2024 BMW Championship, the second event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, golf returned to Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado after a decade. This event was notable not only for its scenic mountain setting but also for the challenging altitude, as the course sits more than 6,200 feet above sea level and stretches over 8,100 yards.

 

The tournament brought together the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings. By the end of the week, the field was trimmed to 30, setting the stage for the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake in Atlanta. Scottie Scheffler maintained his position as the FedEx Cup leader, but it was Keegan Bradley who emerged victorious in Colorado. Bradley, who finished with a final-round 72, ended the tournament with a 12-under-par total of 276. His performance earned him a prize of $3.6 million from the total $20 million purse. He edged out Sam Burns, Ludvig Åberg, and Adam Scott, who all finished in a tie for second place with a score of 11-under-par 277. Each of these three players received $1,503,333.

 

The first playoff event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, was won by Hideki Matsuyama. Despite a late stumble, Matsuyama secured the victory with birdies on the final two holes, finishing two shots ahead of Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland. Matsuyama, however, withdrew from the BMW Championship before the second round.

 

In addition to Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Matsuyama, Bradley, and Åberg, the top five in the FedEx Cup standings are pivotal in the playoffs. Justin Thomas managed to secure a spot in the next round by finishing 30th in the points list.

 

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the prize money distribution for the BMW Championship:

 

Winner:

– Keegan Bradley: 12-under-par 276, $3.6 million

Tied for Second:

– Sam Burns: 11-under-par 277, $1,503,333

– Ludvig Åberg: 11-under-par 277, $1,503,333

– Adam Scott: 11-under-par 277, $1,503,333

 

Tied for Fifth:

– Cam Davis: 8-under-par 280, $728,750

– Tommy Fleetwood: 8-under-par 280, $728,750

– Si Woo Kim: 8-under-par 280, $728,750

-Xander Schauffele: 8-under-par 280, $728,750

Tied for Ninth:

– Chris Kirk: 7-under-par 281, $580,000

– Alex Noren: 7-under-par 281, $580,000

Tied for Eleventh:

– Sungjae Im: 6-under-par 282, $500,000

– Rory McIlroy: 6-under-par 282, $500,000

Tied for Thirteenth:

– Tony Finau: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Will Zalatoris: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Byeong Hun An: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Shane Lowry: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Patrick Cantlay: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Tom Hoge: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Sepp Straka: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Taylor Pendrith: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

– Wyndham Clark: 5-under-par 283, $344,111

Tied for Twenty-Second:

– Billy Horschel: 4-under-par 284, $229,000

– Corey Conners: 4-under-par 284, $229,000

– Russell Henley: 4-under-par 284, $229,000

Twenty-Fifth:

– Brian Harman: 3-under-par 285, $197,000

Tied for Twenty-Sixth:

– **Denny McCarthy**: 2-under-par 286, $177,500

– **Viktor Hovland**: 2-under-par 286, $177,500

 

**Tied for Twenty-Eighth:**

– **Matt Fitzpatrick**: 1-under-par 287, $160,000

– **Max Greyserman**: 1-under-par 287, $160,000

– **Collin Morikawa**: 1-under-par 287, $160,000

 

**Tied for Thirty-First:**

– **Thomas Detry**: Even-par 288, $142,500

– **Nick Dunlap**: Even-par 288, $142,500

 

**Tied for Thirty-Third:**

– **Max Homa**: 1-over-par 289, $119,667

– **Christiaan Bezuidenhout**: 1-over-par 289, $119,667

– **Matthieu Pavon**: 1-over-par 289, $119,667

– **Jason Day**: 1-over-par 289, $119,667

– **Scottie Scheffler**: 1-over-par 289, $119,667

– **J.T. Poston**: 1-over-par 289, $119,667

 

**Tied for Thirty-Ninth:**

– **Justin Thomas**: 2-over-par 290, $102,000

– **Stephan Jaeger**: 2-over-par 290, $102,000

 

**Tied for Forty-First:**

– **Davis Thompson**: 3-over-par 291, $94,000

– **Adam Hadwin**: 3-over-par 291, $94,000

 

**Tied for Forty-Third:**

– **Aaron Rai**: 4-over-par 292, $86,000

– **Cameron Young**: 4-over-par 292, $86,000

 

**Forty-Fifth:**

– **Akshay Bhatia**: 5-over-par 293, $80,000

 

**Tied for Forty-Sixth:**

– **Eric Cole**: 7-over-par 295, $74,000

– **Austin Eckroat**: 7-over-par 295, $74,000

 

**Forty-Eighth:**

– **Sahith Theegala**: 11-over-par 295, $70,000

 

**Withdrawn:**

– **Hideki Matsuyama**

– **Robert MacIntyre**

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — Keegan Bradley’s remarkable year took another significant turn at Castle Pines Golf Club on Sunday, as he emerged victorious at the BMW Championship. This triumph not only added to a memorable year for the 38-year-old golfer but also intensified the conversation around his future in the sport.

Just six weeks prior, Bradley was honored with the role of captain for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team. However, his victory at the BMW Championship showcased that his skills remain formidable and capable of competing at the highest levels. The win also brought a layer of irony: by clinching this title, Bradley propelled himself into the spotlight for consideration for a spot on this year’s U.S. Presidents Cup team. This is notable given that he was notably left out of the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

 

Reflecting on his dual role, Bradley remarked, “I think being the Ryder Cup captain has put me into this category of sort of player when they haven’t really had a Ryder Cup captain that’s been playing full-time on the tour.” He added, “One of my goals was to make that Presidents Cup team. So we’ll see. I hope I didn’t throw a huge wrench in everybody’s plans, but I’m proud to be in consideration.”

 

A week before the BMW Championship, Bradley was grappling with uncertainty about his place in the FedEx Cup standings. He was even preparing to return to South Florida from Nashville after the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Yet, a dramatic turn of events saw him secure the 50th and final spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs field.

 

In an emotional reflection, Bradley shared, “I’m in a bit of a state of shock because there was a time a week ago about this time that I didn’t think I was going to be coming here. I had to have a lot of magical things happen for me to just play in this tournament, and when I got here, I was so grateful just to be here.” He went on to say, “I played with a real sense of calm all week, which is not the norm for me. I’m really proud of the way that I played.”

 

Bradley’s remarkable performance included a surge from 50th to 4th in FedEx Cup points, illustrating his impressive resilience and skill. He began the final round of the BMW Championship with a one-stroke lead over Adam Scott. However, the tension was palpable as Scott made an eagle on the opening hole, leveling the field. From that moment, Bradley had to fend off strong challenges from Scott, Sam Burns, and Ludvig Aberg, all of whom tied for second place.

 

The decisive moment came on the par-5 17th hole. Bradley’s second shot, a 5-iron from 222 yards, was pivotal. He described it as “one of the purest golf shots I’ve ever hit,” navigating the altitude and wind conditions to land the ball close to the hole. “It’s one of those moments when you realize you can hit these shots in contention when it matters most,” Bradley reflected. His successful birdie on the 17th hole provided him with a crucial two-stroke lead heading into the final hole.

 

Despite a bogey on the 18th, Bradley’s final-round score of 72 and a 72-hole total of 12-under-par 276 secured him a narrow one-stroke victory. This win marks his seventh PGA Tour title and his second BMW Championship win, having previously claimed the title in 2018. Furthermore, Bradley’s victory affirms that his career is not on the decline, as he has now won tournaments in three consecutive years.

 

Addressing his role as Ryder Cup captain, Bradley commented, “Being the Ryder Cup captain didn’t feel that way. They made that clear to me. Not that I really cared what they think. I’m proud to be the Ryder Cup captain. I would love to be a playing captain.” He expressed a sentiment that while it’s rare for a Ryder Cup captain to also be an active player, he sees it as a unique opportunity. “It’s going to be really hard for me to make that team, but if I make the team I’ll play. I don’t see myself being a captain’s pick. I’ll be proud to just be the captain. If I have to go out there and play, I’d love to do that, too. I still feel like I’m in the prime of my career. I feel like I can still keep playing at a high level for a while.”

 

Bradley’s triumph at the BMW Championship not only cemented his status as a formidable competitor but also highlighted the evolving dynamics of his career, blending leadership roles with ongoing competitive excellence.

‘Bryson [DeChambeau] Screwed Again’: Wyndham Clark’s Polarizing President’s Cup Pick Sparks Intense Fan Backlash

In the BMW Championship held at Castle Pines Golf Course, Wyndham Clark, a native of Colorado, encountered a mix of triumphs and tribulations throughout his rounds. His performance in the first round was marked by notable inconsistency. Clark finished the round at even par, with a rollercoaster back nine that featured two double bogeys, two bogeys, three birdies, and one par. This erratic play set the stage for a challenging tournament. While Clark showed improvement in the subsequent two rounds, it was the fourth round that proved to be the most difficult for him. In that final round, he ended with a score of 2-over par, which included three bogeys, one double bogey, three birdies, and ten pars. This mixed performance resulted in Clark finishing T13 at Castle Pines, but he secured a commendable 6th place overall in the FedEx Cup Rankings, which earned him an automatic spot on the President’s Cup team.

 

The President’s Cup, which is scheduled to take place next month, had its qualification period conclude following the BMW Championship. Consequently, Wyndham Clark’s performance at Castle Pines was instrumental in his qualification. Despite this, Bryson DeChambeau, a prominent golfer who has been performing exceptionally, was not included in the President’s Cup team. This decision has sparked significant debate among golf fans and commentators.

 

DeChambeau’s absence from the team has led to a wave of dissatisfaction among U.S. fans. The general sentiment is that, given his recent achievements, including leading his LIV Golf team, Smash GC, to the top of the standings and winning the U.S. Open this year, he deserved a spot on the team. The frustration is compounded by DeChambeau’s lackluster performances in the Olympics and the 2023 Ryder Cup, which further fuels the desire for the best American golfers to be included in the President’s Cup team. Fans expressed their discontent on social media, with some users criticizing the decision to include Wyndham Clark instead of DeChambeau. One Twitter user voiced their frustration by stating, “Bryson screwed again. Get Brooks on there too,” highlighting their belief that the best players should represent Team USA.

 

The crux of the controversy lies in the President’s Cup being a PGA Tour-owned event. Unlike the Ryder Cup, which features both PGA and European Tour players, the President’s Cup excludes LIV Golf participants due to the ongoing rivalry between the tours. This separation has created a situation where a uniform ranking system is absent, making it challenging to objectively compare players from different tours. Some commentators have pointed out that the current system inadvertently favors players from the PGA Tour. One user reflected this sentiment by stating, “Wyndham Has to love LIV Golf,” suggesting that the exclusion of LIV golfers benefits PGA Tour players. Another echoed this frustration with, “It is a set up and I hope they crash like Ryders — until a fair uniform system the whole thing is a sham.”

 

On the other hand, there are critics of Wyndham Clark’s inclusion who question his suitability for the competition. These critics argue that Clark’s performance has been inconsistent, as evidenced by his varied results at Castle Pines and his OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) performance. His track record, including finishing outside the top 30 in ten events, has led some to doubt his readiness for such a prestigious event. Comments such as “Wyndham needs to go” and “Is there a cut for Wyndham to miss?” reflect this perspective.

 

Despite the mixed reactions, Wyndham Clark will indeed be part of the President’s Cup team, joining other selected players such as Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, and Xander Schauffele. The team will compete at the Royal Montreal Golf Club from September 24 to September 29. The final composition of the team will be determined by the captain’s picks, which will complete the twelve-member roster.

 

In conclusion, the selection process for the President’s Cup has elicited a range of opinions from golf enthusiasts. The inclusion of Wyndham Clark and the exclusion of Bryson DeChambeau have sparked a debate about fairness, tour rivalries, and the criteria for selection. As the tournament approaches, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out on the international stage.

PGA Tour star Ludvig Aberg felt the full wrath of Colorado’s high altitude

 

In an extraordinary display of resilience at the BMW Championship, PGA Tour star Ludvig Åberg faced an unexpected hurdle at the high-altitude Castle Pines Golf Club. Known for his rising prominence in golf, the Swede encountered a nosebleed mid-round due to the rarefied Colorado air but managed to execute one of the most memorable putts of his career despite the unusual circumstances.

 

Castle Pines Golf Club, situated 6,200 feet above sea level in the Colorado Rockies, posed unique challenges for Åberg, who hails from Sweden, where the highest elevation is just under 7,000 feet. The effects of the high altitude became evident early in his round on Saturday, leading to a nosebleed that threatened to disrupt his performance.

 

During a crucial moment on the par-5 first hole, Åberg had to contend with a sudden nosebleed while preparing for a 53-yard birdie putt. The interruption led to an unscheduled break, with Åberg humorously wiping his nose with a handkerchief as he managed the situation.

 

Despite the discomfort, Åberg’s focus remained unshaken. After dealing with the nosebleed, he returned to the green with renewed determination. In a remarkable display of composure and skill, he sunk a long putt that not only salvaged his round but also underscored his ability to perform under pressure.

 

Åberg’s ability to execute such an impressive putt immediately after dealing with the nosebleed highlighted his mental strength and resolve. This incident, which could have easily hindered his performance, instead showcased his exceptional focus and determination.

 

As Åberg continues to rise in the world of golf, his performance at the BMW Championship will be remembered as a notable example of grit and excellence. This episode exemplifies the unpredictable nature of golf and the incredible feats athletes can achieve even in the face of unexpected challenges.