Allisen Corpuz soon after her great win – photo James Gilbert USGA
Displaying a level of calmness and composure well beyond her experience at the elite of women’s golf, 25-year-old, Allisen Corpuz, today won not only her first LPGA Tour title but the greatest title in women’s golf, the US Women’s Open.
Beginning today’s final round at Pebble Beach Golf Links one shot back of Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, Corpuz would have been forgiven for backing off today and finishing inside the top ten perhaps without necessarily challenging for the title.
But, with a display of brilliant ball striking and clear thinking after outplaying those around her, Corpuz stood on the 18th tee three shots ahead and, as she had all day, plotted her way along one of golf’s finest finishing holes to claim not only the title and a US2$ million but an assured future in the game and a special in its history.
This was, after all, the first occasion the event had been played at a venue as American as apple pie and for that alone Corpuz will be forever associated with this historic moment but so too will the manner she conducted herself over the demands of a golf course where one false step may well have brought her dreams undone.
While not a necessarily recognised name on the LPGA Tour, Corpuz has played well this season with just two missed cuts in 12 starts and has two top 4 finishes amongst those starts.
When asked what were her previous memories of the US Women’s Open, Corpuz was quick to identify the win of fellow Hawaiian Michelle Wie in 2014.
“Yeah, I mean, the big one, of course, is Michelle winning in 2014 at Pinehurst,” said the champion. “I remember being at home and just being amazed.
“Yeah, just really being inspired by her. Just all the history. I mean, a major championship, it’s really cool.”
This was not the first time Corpuz had been in contention in a major having been in the mix a couple of times already in 2023 but she acknowledged those experiences had played a key role in today’s outcome.
“I feel like everything that’s happened this year has kind of prepared me for this moment. It’s super special that both of my parents out here this week. I mean, my dad only does KPMG and the U.S. Open, so really nice that he’s out here.
“I had a ton of family, friends out. I had my aunt and uncle and cousin out earlier, boyfriend’s parents, my college teammate. Just a lot of people out here.
“It was just really awesome to know that we’re at Pebble, such a historic venue, and yeah, just really amazing.”
When asked what it was that kept her as calm as she appeared expecially given the occasions and what was at stake Corpuz responded;
“I think I’ve always had a pretty calm demeanor. Not so much on the inside, but projecting that outwardly. I’ve always been pretty calm. I just like to take a bit of time to think about things. That’s just kind of who I am.
“I spoke with my mental coach, Bill Nelson, a bit this morning just to try to calm down a little. Really just tried to keep things steady. For me I get a little quick, so really just tried to slow everything down and enjoy the moment.”
Corpuz paid tribute to her caddie, who by chance happens to be the husband of fellow LPGA Tour player and winner, Jennifer Kupcho.
“Yeah, we just got randomly connected at the end of January last year and he’s just been on the bag ever since. We had a really good first week. He’s just really calm, and I think he knows what to say in the right moments for me, especially since we’ve been working together for about a year and a half now.
“He was a pretty solid player on his own, and obviously married to Jennifer Kupcho. I think she gives him some advice to pass on to me. He has some advice for me. Yeah, just kind of has always felt like an older brother to me.”
England’s Charley Hull and Korean Jiyai Shin tied for the runner-up position three shots behind the winner, their respective rounds of 66 and 68, allowing them to threaten the leader if she was to stumble.
Hannah Green, Grace Kim and Minjee Lee tied as the leading Australasians in a share of 13th place and will earn around US$167,000 each, Green’s final round of 69 the fourth best of the day.
Lydia Ko and Gabi Ruffels finished tied for 33rd.
Opinion footnote – If they can find a way to stop the ridiculous practice of rushing across the green to spray water on winners then this writer will be a lot happier. Corpuz was unable to enjoy a very special moment on her own due to others admittedly wanting to congratulate her but perhaps also to share her moment of fame.
SCORES
Allisen Corpuz’s breakthrough win comes in women golf’s greatest event
Allisen Corpuz soon after her great win – photo James Gilbert USGA
Displaying a level of calmness and composure well beyond her experience at the elite of women’s golf, 25-year-old, Allisen Corpuz, today won not only her first LPGA Tour title but the greatest title in women’s golf, the US Women’s Open.
Beginning today’s final round at Pebble Beach Golf Links one shot back of Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, Corpuz would have been forgiven for backing off today and finishing inside the top ten perhaps without necessarily challenging for the title.
But, with a display of brilliant ball striking and clear thinking after outplaying those around her, Corpuz stood on the 18th tee three shots ahead and, as she had all day, plotted her way along one of golf’s finest finishing holes to claim not only the title and a US2$ million but an assured future in the game and a special in its history.
This was, after all, the first occasion the event had been played at a venue as American as apple pie and for that alone Corpuz will be forever associated with this historic moment but so too will the manner she conducted herself over the demands of a golf course where one false step may well have brought her dreams undone.
While not a necessarily recognised name on the LPGA Tour, Corpuz has played well this season with just two missed cuts in 12 starts and has two top 4 finishes amongst those starts.
When asked what were her previous memories of the US Women’s Open, Corpuz was quick to identify the win of fellow Hawaiian Michelle Wie in 2014.
“Yeah, I mean, the big one, of course, is Michelle winning in 2014 at Pinehurst,” said the champion. “I remember being at home and just being amazed.
“Yeah, just really being inspired by her. Just all the history. I mean, a major championship, it’s really cool.”
This was not the first time Corpuz had been in contention in a major having been in the mix a couple of times already in 2023 but she acknowledged those experiences had played a key role in today’s outcome.
“I feel like everything that’s happened this year has kind of prepared me for this moment. It’s super special that both of my parents out here this week. I mean, my dad only does KPMG and the U.S. Open, so really nice that he’s out here.
“I had a ton of family, friends out. I had my aunt and uncle and cousin out earlier, boyfriend’s parents, my college teammate. Just a lot of people out here.
“It was just really awesome to know that we’re at Pebble, such a historic venue, and yeah, just really amazing.”
When asked what it was that kept her as calm as she appeared expecially given the occasions and what was at stake Corpuz responded;
“I think I’ve always had a pretty calm demeanor. Not so much on the inside, but projecting that outwardly. I’ve always been pretty calm. I just like to take a bit of time to think about things. That’s just kind of who I am.
“I spoke with my mental coach, Bill Nelson, a bit this morning just to try to calm down a little. Really just tried to keep things steady. For me I get a little quick, so really just tried to slow everything down and enjoy the moment.”
Corpuz paid tribute to her caddie, who by chance happens to be the husband of fellow LPGA Tour player and winner, Jennifer Kupcho.
“Yeah, we just got randomly connected at the end of January last year and he’s just been on the bag ever since. We had a really good first week. He’s just really calm, and I think he knows what to say in the right moments for me, especially since we’ve been working together for about a year and a half now.
“He was a pretty solid player on his own, and obviously married to Jennifer Kupcho. I think she gives him some advice to pass on to me. He has some advice for me. Yeah, just kind of has always felt like an older brother to me.”
England’s Charley Hull and Korean Jiyai Shin tied for the runner-up position three shots behind the winner, their respective rounds of 66 and 68, allowing them to threaten the leader if she was to stumble.
Hannah Green, Grace Kim and Minjee Lee tied as the leading Australasians in a share of 13th place and will earn around US$167,000 each, Green’s final round of 69 the fourth best of the day.
Lydia Ko and Gabi Ruffels finished tied for 33rd.
Opinion footnote – If they can find a way to stop the ridiculous practice of rushing across the green to spray water on winners then this writer will be a lot happier. Corpuz was unable to enjoy a very special moment on her own due to others admittedly wanting to congratulate her but perhaps also to share her moment of fame.
SCORES
Lee remains eight behind as Hataoka takes US Women’s Open lead
Minjee Lee drives from the 4th today – photo USGA Darren Carroll
Just as she had entering today’s third round of the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, defending champion Minjee Lee will again face an eight-shot deficit as she begins tomorrow’s final round.
Lee appeared to have worked herself into contention when after an outward nine of even par 36 she birdied the opening two holes of the homeward nine and at 1 under was within five of the then lead.
A double bogey at the 12th came after missing the green, then three putting from short range but she birdied the par 5 14th from 13 feet and was back at level par for the championship.
Lee did well to save par from the greenside bunker at the 17th but a poor drive at the last led to one final bogey and a round of 72 to leave her tied for 9th and eight shots from the lead held by Japan’s Nasa Hataoka.
Gabi Ruffels made a big move in today’s third round – photo USGA
The big forward move amongst the Australasians in the field would come from Gabi Ruffels who, after starting the day in 47th place, improved to a share of 14th following her round of 2 under par 70 which was bettered by only Hataoka.
Ruffels was 3 under through 4 holes on a day where scoring would prove difficult in the windy and firm conditions but the 23 year old, despite not yet being an LPGA Tour player, already owns three top twenties in major championships and tomorrow she has a chance to better her previous best of 13th in this event three years ago.
Grace Kim and Lydia Ko are tied for 29th at 5 over while Hannah Green is 46th at 7 over.
But the leader Nasa Hataoka was simply brilliant today as she carved out a round of 66 to better the previous best of the week by two and the best of day three by four.
Nasa Hataoka – with plenty of reason to smile following her round of 66 today – photo USGA
Hataoka is a well credentialed player with six LPGA Tour wins in addition to several more in Japan and although she has yet to win a major title she has gone close on several occasions.
The manner she handled the demands of a difficult Pebble Beach layout today gives hope to her many fans that this might be the week for such a breakthrough.
Two of Hataoka’s closest pursuers Allisen Corpuz (one behind) and Bailey Tardy (3 behind) have yet to win on the LPGA Tour let alone a major title while Hyo Joo Kim has won a major but other than a runner-up finish in this event in 2018 she has recorded a next best of 20th in eight starts at the US Women’s Open.
A player who might yet prove the thorn in everyone’s side is Jiyai Shin who has played the Japan and Korean LPGA Tours in recent years after multiple success (11 wins) on the LPGA Tour including twice winning the AIG Open Championship.
Shin has also won several events in Australia including the Australian Open and has been quietly going about her business this week. With seven top tens in her last eight starts in Japan in 2023 including three runner-up finishes and a win she brings great from to this event and her chances of working her way into a winning position tomorrow appear good.
SCORES
Minjee Lee well placed despite late stumble
Minjee Lee – reacts to the crowd after a birdie at her 9th hole today – photo James Gilbert USGA
Australia’s Minjee Lee had done so well to work herself into contention on day two of the US Women’s Open before an agonising double bogey at her final hole has her now eight shots from the lead and in a share of 11th place as the event heads into the weekend at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Tied in 5th place with one hole to play and very much in the hunt, given the two shot leader Bailey Tardy is in her first year on the LPGA Tour and in rarefied atmosphere, Lee found trouble from the tee at what was her final hole of round two but the 9th hole at Pebble Beach after starting at the 10th today.
It was a body blow for the defending champion, especially given the dramatic recovery from the slow start she made but with only six players under par for the tournament, at 1 over she is still very much a consideration for the final 36 holes.
Lee, finished her opening round on Thursday four shots off the lead but with two early bogeys in her afternoon tee time and a second round of 68 by the now 36 hole leader, Tardy, the West Australian had fallen nine shots off the pace, needing something special to get back into the mix.
That would come at the par 4 16th hole (her 7th) where, after just missing the fairway left, she found a way to work the ball around the tree on her line short of the green and then feed off the very distinct right to left camber in the green to eventually find the bottom of the hole for eagle.
Lee almost repeated the dose from shorter range at the 18th (her 9th) to move under par for the tournament and although she would bogey the short par 4 4th hole after finding the fairway bunker from the tee, she made the almost obligatory birdie at the 6th and even allowing the demands of the 8th and 9th holes it appeared she would be well placed for the weekend.
As it turned out she still is but it was case of what might have been to some extent.
“I wasn’t hitting it that well pretty much the whole day,” said Lee. “I just kind of — I wouldn’t say scraped my way around but just played to the best I could and tried to put up a score the best I could around here.
“Playing late in the day was actually really hard. We waited like 30 minutes on the eighth tee, and the last two holes was really tough, just having to have waited and then have to play in the cold.
“Yeah, it was just a tough test.”
Despite her last hole struggle Lee still feels very much in contention. “I feel like I’m probably in a pretty good position right now,” she said. “Just if I can be maybe a little bit more aggressive and, you know, maybe put up a score earlier than the girls. Maybe it won’t be as windy. Then see where I am after that.
“I actually really appreciate the golf course because it’s actually very demanding. Yeah, I like it. I like that it’s hard.
Lee leads the Australasians by two over Lydia Ko and Hannah Green who both recorded very respectable rounds rounds of 71 after opening 76’s to be tied for 26th place at 3 over and ten shots from the lead.
Gabi Ruffels is in 47th place at 5 over while Grace Kim finished on the cut mark at 6 over.
The leader Tardy has played only four events on the LPGA Tour this season with a best of 23rd but she utilised her considerable power to tame the demanding Pebble Beach layout.
Tardy’s outward nine of 31 threatened to blow the field apart but on the more demanding final nine she dropped a shot at the 14th but as the only player in the field with two rounds in the 60’s she deserves her place at the head of the field at present.
SCORES
The leader Bailey Tardy – photo Darren Carroll USGA
Minjee Lee makes solid start at Pebble Beach
Minjee Lee tees off the the second hole today – photo USGA James Gilbert
Defending champion Minjee Lee is the best of the seven strong Australasian contingent after day one of the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, her round of even par 72 leaving her just four shots from the lead held by China’s Xiyu Lin and Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim.
Lee was off today (8.17am) and with two early birdies it appeared as if she might challenge for the opening round lead. But bogeys at par 5 6th, 12th and 16th holes saw her finish with a solid if unspectacular start to the defence of the title she won at Pine Needles 12 months ago.
“I kind of made a mistake on 6, the chip into the green, and I had a long putt and I made bogey, which is quite a soft mistake for me,” said Lee. “I was 2-under at that point and went to 1-under
“I feel like a little bit of momentum kind of stopped there, and any par-5 you’ve looking to make birdies. With the opportunities that you have around this golf course, I know how tough it can get, to have the birdie opportunities, so I tried to make them when I can, and the par-5s seemed to be quite gettable.
“But other than that, I feel like my game is there, I just haven’t quite had, I guess, the momentum and just everything come together to really produce a really low one, so hopefully I can get my butt into gear and have a really good second day and the rest of the week.”
Lee was asked where women’s golf is at now compared to even the short time she has been in the professional game and responded; “I can’t even tell you how different it is now. So many things are different just with even us players, the amount of talent we have out here right now, and it’s so diverse.
“Just the depth is so much deeper, and obviously the prize money has gone up so much even in the last five years that I have been playing, and it’s continuing to go up and up. Obviously the USGA have set such a great benchmark for all the other events, so that’s really cool to see.
“I think the venues, our venues have just gotten so amazing. Even being at Pebble, Baltusrol, so many great venues that we go to, and it’s just been awesome to play these tracks. I don’t think I would have thought that we would come here when I was first starting. It wasn’t even — I didn’t even think about it, but now that we’re here, it’s amazing to see.”
Sydney’s Grace Kim recovered from being 4 over with three holes to play with birdies at her 15th and 16th holes for a respectable round of 74 to be just six from the lead. A double bogey at the awkward 16th (her 7th Hole) put a dampener of a solid round but overall she is not too far from the edge of contention.
New Zealand’s, Lydia Ko’s opening round was brought undone by a horror quadruple bogey 7 at the par 3 5th when she hit her tee shot into a bush well left of the green and was forced to hit from the tee again. Things went from bad to worse and she eventually finished with 7.
To her credit however she bounced back with a birdie at the 6th and was well enough placed until another bogey at the par 3 12th which she again missed left and failed to get up and down. Ko appeared as if she might escape with a acceptable 75 until she pulled her approach to the last and failed to get up and down, the bogey seeing her sign for a 76.
Perth’s Hannah Green was going along quite nicely through 8 holes at even par but she struggled over the closing stages of her round to finish with 76.
Victorian, Gabi Ruffels, who has been such a dominant force of the secondary tour this season and is destined for LPGA Tour status in 2024, bogeyed her first hole and went backwards from there, eventually finishing with a round of 78.
Also on 78 were Perth amateur Madison Hinson Tolchard and New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey although Garvey recovered from a horror start when 5 over through 5 to finish at 6 over.
Perth’s Hinson-Tolchard was doing well enough at 1 over through 13 holes but a triple bogey at her 14th hole and two further bogeys ruined what might otherwise have been a solid start for the Oklahoma State University golfer.
SCORES
Seven Australasians play historic US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach
The famed and much photographed 7th hole at Pebble Beach Links – photo USGA
The US Women’s Open is played for the first time at one of American golf’s iconic venues this week when Pebble Beach Golf Links hosts the third major of the year for the women’s game.
Six times a venue for the US Open and once for the USPGA Championship along with other male events such as the US Amateur Championship, the stunning oceanside layout along the cliffs above Monterey Peninsula will witness the female game’s leading players vying for a first prize of US$2 million from a total purse of over US$10 million, the final figure announced on Wednesday.
Amongst the field will be five Australians and two New Zealanders with one, Minjee Lee, defending the title she won so brilliantly twelve months ago at Pine Needles.
Joining Lee will be New Zealander Lydia Ko, Lee’s fellow Australians Hannah Green and Grace Kim and three who survived Final Qualifying, New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey and Australians Gabi Ruffels Ruffels and Madison Hinson Tolchard, the latter of whom is currently attending Oklahoma State college in the US.
Perth’s Lee is perhaps not playing at quite the same level now that she was ahead of her win last year but she is not far from it and her game, built around demanding golf courses, should suit Pebble Beach. She has recorded top 20 finishes in her last three starts and just prior was runner-up at the Cognizant Cup, an event she won last year two starts ahead of her historic win.
Prior to her great win last year, however, in eight previous starts in the event, Lee had not recorded a top ten.
By her standards, Ko has struggled for much of the year following her win in Saudi Arabia earlier. This will be Ko’s 12th US Women’s Open appearance, but she has only two top tens to her name in that time and a best of 3rd at Cordevalle in 2016.
This will be the West Australian Green’s 5th US Women’s Open but with a best of 48th in her previous four and a roller coaster of form to date this year her chances of contending would appear slim. At her best she is capable of doing so but she has struggled since her win in Los Angeles four starts ago.
Sydney’s Grace Kim has taken to the LPGA Tour like a duck to water in 2023 and with a win in Hawaii already in her rookie LPGA Tour season, and one or two other strong finishes including an impressive 14th place finish at the KPMG, then she stands a chance of another good week.
Kim made the cut although finished well back on debut in this event last year.
Gabi Ruffels, has taken the secondary Epson Tour by storm this year and has already secured her place on the LPGA Tour for 2024.
The Victorian has shown a capacity to handle the big occasions with three top twenties in major championships including when 13th in this event in 2020.
Perth’s Madison Hinson Tolchard is studying at Oklahoma State and will play her first US Women’s Open after topping the qualifiers at her venue in Final Qualifying. The 21 year old has excelled in her golfing career at Oklahoma State and while the former Australian Junior Champion will be better for the experience this week she has done well just to make the field.
New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey will play her third US Women’s Open, missing the cut at her first two. A former University of Southern California golfing team member is now a Epson Tour player and gains a start this week courtesy of a gutsy playoff during Final Qualifying.
NSW’s Sarah Kemp is an alternate but it appears she will just miss out on a start.
PLAYERS
Bernhard Langer creates history at US Senior Open
Bernhard Langer – image USGA Jeff Haynes
He might have bogeyed his last three holes of the 2023 US Senior Open, but 65-year-old German, Bernhard Langer, can perhaps be forgiven, knowing, that in winning today, he has become the oldest (by eight years) player in history to win this event and in doing so has become the most successful player in the history of the PGA Tour Champions.
Langer had extended his overnight two shot lead in today’s final round when he played the opening ten holes of one of the more demanding layouts used for this event in 4 under par, but despite the late stumble he was able to win by two over Steve Stricker (ten years his junior) and the winner’s close friend, Jerry Kelly, by three and celebrate a record setting 46 victories on the PGA Tour Champions.
“It feels awesome,” said Langer, who finished at 7-under 277. “It’s been a long time coming, but very, very happy. Never thought it would happen at a U.S. Senior Open, but I’m very thrilled that the record of 46 wins happened this week.
“It’s certainly one of the greatest tournaments we ever compete in, and to beat this field, where everybody was here, especially Stricker and Kelly on their home [turf], is a very special feeling. Very grateful.
“It’s (SentryWorld) one of the best golf courses I’ve ever played. Condition of the golf course was fabulous all week long. Beautiful fairways, great greens. The ball rolled really nice. Bunkers were good. Rough was a bit juicy, but it’s the same for everybody, and it’s a U.S. Open. My hat’s off to the greenkeeping staff, to the owners of SentryWorld. They’ve got a jewel here.”
Langer has now moved one clear of the remarkable PGA Tour Champions record set by Hale Irwin in terms of victories at this level.
It was Langer’s second victory in senior golf’s greatest championship, the first coming 13 year ago when the German defeated Fred Couples in Seattle.
Steve Alker finished 6th – in action this week – photo USGA
New Zealand’s Steve Alker completed a stunning weekend during which he recorded rounds of 70 (Sat) and a best of the week 65 today to finish in a remarkable share of 6th after struggling over his opening two rounds.
Amongst the other Australasians, Rod Pampling and Richard Green tied for 27th and Mark Hensby 47th.
In a note of self indulgence, in 1974 this writer caddied for the winner of the 1974 German Open (Simon Owen) and in the opening two rounds Simon was paired with a then 16 year old Bernhard Langer. I guess we have both been around for a while !!
SCORES
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier wins British Masters
Hillier alongside tournament host Sir Nick Faldo – image European Tour
24 year old New Zealander, Daniel Hillier, is in his rookie season on the DP World Tour but his win in the British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at the Belfry today suggested a golfer of considerably more experience and one with a significant future in the game.
An amazing stretch of golf through the latter stages of his final round of 66 where he would produce two eagles and a birdie on holes 15 through 17 swept the two time New Zealand Amateur Champion into the lead ahead of American Gunner Wiebe and England’s Oliver Wilson and when he got up and down from behind the green at the last he was a two shot winner of one of the European Tour’s more prestigious titles.
Not only was the title his, but so too was a cheque for ¥547,000 moving the Wellingtonian from 77th to 14th on the Road to Dubai points list and offering security of tenure in Europe for the foreseeable future and a financial cushion which will allow him to play with even more freedom.
Hillier has been playing well in recent weeks having finished 3rd at the BMW International just last week and 5th in the Netherlands a month earlier suggesting he was feeling more and more comfortable on the bigger stage after graduating via the Challenge Tour last year.
“I think it’s going to take me awhile to process to be honest,” said Hillier. “Early on in the day, I was not feeling it, at all. A little bit uncomfortable with the driver. Didn’t really have very many chances, but obviously knew that there’s some chances coming in. I didn’t think I would take them that well but yeah, obviously pretty ecstatic.
“I’m over the moon, really at a loss for words. I was playing pretty well coming into the week, and you know, with the conditions we had, I knew it was going to be a bit of a grind.
“So yeah, just keep telling myself the whole week, just hang in there. Got pretty tough at times out there, but yeah, just managed to keep myself in it. Wasn’t feeling it today. Yeah, I don’t know, hit a switch, or I don’t know what happened, but yeah, those last few holes, going to take a while to process I think.”
The victory will take Hillier to a projected 14th on the DP World Tour table, secure a start at the Open Championship and the DP World Tour Championship and move him from his current 265th in the world ranking and also has him in line for one of the PGA Tour cards offered to the leading ten players at season’s end.
“Yeah, wasn’t thinking about that but certainly changes the outlook from what it was maybe four weeks ago. Didn’t get off to the best start this season and was a bit of a grind early on. I think I’m finally starring to find my stride, and yeah, it’s cool to have that opportunity to play in the final event and obviously as you said to try and get that PGA TOUR card.”
SCORES
Anthony Quayle equals best Japan Tour finish in Hokkaido
Anthony Quayle – file photo
Australian Anthony Quayle has finished in a share of second place at the Shigeo Nagashima Sega Sammy Golf Tournament near Sapporo in Hokkaido and in doing so the has equaled his previous best finish on the Japan Golf Tour.
A final round of 64 included a very hot start today, the 28 year old Queensland based golfer producing an eagle and four birdies in his first seven holes to close the gap just one after beginning the final round six shots back of the man who would be the eventual winner, Jbe Kruger of South Africa.
“I played really well, and I was really happy with my game. I really like this golf course; it sets up nicely for me,” said Quayle.
“I feel like this golf course allows me to play very aggressively. I’m an aggressive player and like to take on the game.
“Sometimes on certain Japanese golf courses, it’s difficult for me because they’re tight, whereas this week was more of what I’m used to playing and feeling comfortable on. It allowed me to play very aggressively and give my best.”
Quayle, who turned professional in 2017 and joined the Japan Tour the following year, has two professional wins to his credit, the Queensland PGA and Open Championships, now part of his CV.
The share of second place was worth ¥12.6 million (A$130,000).
Australian Anthony Quayle has finished in a share of second place at the Shigeo Nagashima Sega Sammy Golf Tournament near Sapporo in Hokkaido and in doing so the has equalled his previous best finish on the Japan Golf Tour.
A final round of 64 included a very hot start today, the 28 year old Queensland based golfer producing an eagle and four birdies in his first seven holes to close the gap just one after beginning the final round six shots back of the man who would be the eventual winner, Jbe Kruger of South Africa.
“I played really well, and I was really happy with my game. I really like this golf course; it sets up nicely for me,” said Quayle.
“I feel like this golf course allows me to play very aggressively. I’m an aggressive player and like to take on the game.
“Sometimes on certain Japanese golf courses, it’s difficult for me because they’re tight, whereas this week was more of what I’m used to playing and feeling comfortable on. It allowed me to play very aggressively and give my best.”
Quayle, who turned professional in 2017 has two wins to his credit, the Queensland PGA and Open Championships, now part of his CV.
Quayle will now move to 20th on the Japan Tour order of Merit for 2023.
SCORES
Ageless Langer controls US Senior Open as Pampling stumbles
Contrasting days for Rod Pampling (left) and Bernhard Langer – image USGA James Gilbert
65 year old and 45 time PGA Tour Champions titleholder, Bernhard Langer, has opened up a two shot lead over Jerry Kelly and three over Steve Stricker at the US Senior Open in Wisconsin and, despite Langer having won this title only once previously, the German is clearly the man to beat in tomorrow’s final round at Sentry World in Stevens Point.
Langer began today’s third round one shot ahead of Australia’s Rod Pampling but birdies at his opening two holes set the tone for a day where he would complete a 3 under par round of 68 and with Pampling dropping six shots in his first five holes it would be Kelly and 2109 champion, Stricker, who would take up the challenge.
When play was completed only five players were under par for the 54 holes and realistically it appears only they Langer, Kelly, Stricker, Y.E Yang and Retief Goosen remain as chances to win the title.
Like every other player in the field, Langer has found the Sentry World layout an extremely demanding examination, especially given he is giving up quite a bit of yardage to the rest of the field but his immaculate course strategy and skill saw him take control with four birdies and one bogey.
One of the fittest players on the 50-and-over tour, Langer, who turns 66 in 56 days, put himself in position to become the oldest champion – by eight years – in U.S. Senior Open history. Allen Doyle was 57 years, 11 months, 14 days when he successfully defended his title in 2006. Langer, who won this title in 2010, would also surpass five-time USGA champion Hale Irwin (3 U.S. Opens, 2 U.S. Senior Opens) as the winningest golfer on the PGA Tour Champions with 46 titles.
Langer will play tomorrow’s final round with local Jerry Kelly and he is aware that he won’t be the popular favourite to win the title.
“Yeah, it’s going to be difficult. I remember playing against Fred Couples in Seattle, actually in this championship, and if there were 30,000 people, there were every one of them cheering for Fred, and the only one for me was my caddie, who was my son at the time.
“It was like a Ryder Cup match in America. It’s going to be similar tomorrow I take it. Hopefully the crowd will be somewhat fair and still appreciate good golf shots. I understand. They want their hometown boy to win. I’ve been there myself.
“It’s going to be an interesting day.
“I’d rather be in the lead than behind because if I’m in front I can make a mistake or two and still be in the lead. If you’re three behind and you make a mistake or two, you’re five behind, something like that.”
Pampling’s round and confidence were brought undone early when he dropped five shots in two holes at the 4th and the 5th and he was never able to get things back on track although that he was able to play the final 13 holes in just two over par while playing with Langer and after the early shock was quite and achievement in itself.
“You know, I just got super unlucky on that 4th hole hole,” said Pampling. “Just the shot came out really hot. Just trying to play safe and then it was just a gnarly next lie, and it just came out left, unfortunately, and just added up quick.
“As I say, it happened quickly, but it’s not that we weren’t thinking about what we were doing. The ball come out high, which out of this rough it normally doesn’t come out high, and it clipped that tree, and then it was just — I got a terrible break after that.
“But I hit a poor shot, and then just hit a bad second shot to the par-5, as well.
“Other than that — hey, you never want to have days like today, but unfortunately you have them, and you still have them. Just let it go and get ready for tomorrow.”
Pampling’s position as the leading Australasian was taken by Steve Alker whose round of 70 included birdies at his final two holes. Alker is now in 17th position at 5 over, while Pampling and Richard Green are 20th at 6 over and Mark Hensby 42nd at 10 over.
SCORES
Rod Pampling one behind Bernhard Langer at US Senior Open
Rod Pampling – during today’s second round – image USGA
Rod Pampling has followed up his opening round of 68, which saw him leading after day one of the US Senior Open, with a second round of 72 and at the halfway mark of senior golf’s most significant tile he trails only Bernhard Langer by one shot as the event enters the weekend at Sentry World at Stevens Point in Wisconsin.
On a golf course where only five players would finish the opening 36 holes under par and only three rounds in the 60’s were recorded by the whole field over the opening two days, Pampling is one shot behind Langer and one ahead of Retief Goosen, Dicky Pride and Jerry Kelly.
53 year old Pampling played amongst the afternoon field on day two and recorded one birdie and two bogeys in his solid round on one of the most demanding layouts in recent memory in this event, so much so that a score of 9 over par would make the cut in the field of 156.
“Yeah, it was nice,” said Pampling. “I hadn’t been sort of in a situation like this in a major for a while. I’ve had a lot of good events, but not the lead. To handle the situation, I think I played pretty solid out there.
“Just, had a few breaks here and there. The putter didn’t cooperate as well as it did yesterday. Nothing to stress about. Just go home and little cool down session now. Yeah, just address the speed of the greens, and it will be fine.
“The greens are a little bit tricky this afternoon. I never had the nice putts yesterday, so was always a lot more break today. My speed was just a bit off. I’d played mostly in the morning, so, yeah, I was just coming up a bit short. I’ll address that now and be ready to go tomorrow.”
Pampling is chasing his second PGA Tour Champions title after winning the Boeing Classic in 2020 but the man he is chasing, Langer, is in pursuit of his 46th title on the Champions Tour.
New Zealand’s Steve Alker began with a round of 76 yesterday but through ten holes today had worked himself into the top ten with three birdies but he would drop five shots in his last five holes for a round of 73 and is now 29th and nine shots from the lead.
Mark Hensby and Richard Green were the only other Australasians to make the weekend and they did so right on the number with second rounds of 76 and 80 respectively.
SCORES