Hey Guys, it has finally arrived. It is Masters week. However, before all that here are the Weekend Golf Results from around the world. This was the week ending on the 2nd of April.
Anyway, did I already tell you, it is MASTERS WEEK???!!!
Tournament Results
LA Open
The LA Open was the latest offering from the LPGA Tour, held at Palos Verdes GC, Palos Verdes Estate, California.
We had a strong field for the LA Open last week. Many of the top players were competing in the week before an enforced rest as this week is dominated by the US Masters at Augusta National.
It was a tight final leader board with many of the ladies well under par. The winner with a score of -15 was the Chinese player, Ruoning Yin. She is a very young talent who seems to be bursting onto the scene right now. This was her 1st ever victory on the LPGA Tour at the tender age of just 20. Her win catapulted her up 114 places in the world rankings to 32. I predict more will come from her and we could see her go much higher very soon.
While we are at it, we should also mention the efforts of England’s Georgia Hall. Unfortunately for her, it was not a victory but a successive 2nd place finish. Disappointing for her yes, but surely coming into great form at just the right time. We shall see.
Valero Texas Open
The event was held at TPC San Antonio, AT&T Oaks Course.
The field at the Valero Texas Open was pretty good. Not absolutely stacked due to the small matter of the Masters following on within days. However, many were fine tuning their games before tackling the 1st Major of the season.
Our winner was Corey Connors who held off tour rookie Sam Stevens for a one shot victory on -15. Connors seems to like this event as he won here back in 2019. What a great way to warm up for your 6th Masters. Good luck Corey.
Fun fact – The winner of the US Masters back in 2019 was Tiger Woods following Corey Connor’s win the week before. You know where I’m going with this, don’t you? Could he? Is it even possible? I think almost certainly not, but you know how these things work. You best keep one eye on Tiger at least.
LIV Golf Tour
Orlando
This was held at the Orange County National, Gold Centre and Lodge, Winter Garden, Florida
The winner in Orlando last week was Brooks Kepka. He managed a 1 shot victory from Sebastian Munoz. Brooks becomes the first 2 time winner on the LIV Tour and is now showing great form going into the US Masters this week.
Talking of the US Masters, there will be 18 members from the LIV Tour competing at this year’s event. Can you imagine the scenes around the 18th on Sunday should one of them triumph? Now that would be quite a story.
Coming Up
Ok, ok, the is only one show in town and of course, it is the 1st Major of the season, The US Masters.
In case you have just returned from outer space, the Masters is held every year at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
It is the 1st Major Championship of the season and presents the winner with not only a huge cheque but also many more sponsorship opportunities and prestige and status within the game.
Don’t forget to watch it. If you are not one of the patrons, be sure to watch it on your TV from your armchair, just like me.
Final Thoughts
Ok, we have a subplot. The Masters is always a fantastic occasion but this year we have the first real clash of the PGA stars and those from LIV. Yes, I know, we had it last year a couple of times but this feels very real and potentially explosive. I am thinking of the scenes around the 18th should Brooks Kepka, Dustin Johnson, or Open Champion Cam Smith lift the trophy.
There will be 18 members of the LIV Tour hoping to create a little piece of history.
Here is another little subplot to look out for. Tiger Woods is playing, of course, but as we all know, he has been making only slow but steady progress since his potential life threatening car accident in February 2021. He is here and says he is feeling better, and playing better although with some aching. However, even Tiger doesn’t know if he will be walking up the 18th with a chance of winning, come Sunday.
One thing we do know, and you will like this if you are into statistics and superstitions. The last time Tiger won the Masters was in 2019. That was the week after Corey Connors won at the Valero Texas Open the previous week. Guess who won that very same tournament last week. The one and only, Corey Conners. There, I said you would like it. Could he win? Only one way to find out isn’t there.
Now onto my prediction. I have already made it clear in previous blog posts I think we need to look no further than the top 3 in the world. They are Scottie Scheffler, who is the defending champion, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. I know that is playing it all a bit safe so here are my predictions for a surprise. Max Homa, Chris Kirk, and my real tip as a strong dark horse, Sam Burns. Sam won just a couple of weeks ago and has been rising up through the ranks for a few seasons now. Sometimes a player seems to have arrived at the point where a breakthrough is very possible. I feel that strongly about Sam. He may not do it at Augusta but I feel he is not far from his 1st Major. Go, Sam, put a smile on my face so I can shout about my prediction here.
Now, my cards have to go on the table. I am from the UK so, I would love to see Rory complete the career grand slam with his first green jacket here. I know he has been trying for a few years and his last major was back in 2014, but he is in good form both from last year and already this. So, I am expecting a strong showing.
The only thing that is certain, we will be royally entertained.
Let me know your predictions in the comments below. Also, if you have any special memories from the Masters, we would also love to hear them.
Now, I’m off to the supermarket to stock up on beer, coffee, peanuts, and crisps, ready for the start tomorrow. Oh, did I mention, I live only a 2 minute walk from a pizzeria? That may come in very handy over the next few days.
Have fun.