Hyo Joo Kim attempts to hula dance after winning the Lotte Championship. Sean M. Haffey

By Keely Levins

Hyo Joo Kim made the finish to her fifth career LPGA win more stressful than it needed to be Saturday at the Lotte Championship. A bogey at the 17th shrunk her three-shot lead at the start of the round to one over Hinako Shibuno. But Kim recovered immediately, taking advantage of the par-5 18th with a birdie. She finished at one-under 71 for the round and 11-under 277 for the tournament, two shots ahead of Shibuno.

“I feel very proud, a little confident about the future,” Kim said. “The outlook looks great for me and I feel like I can do better moving forward.”

The final group at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was a reminder that there’s more than one path to getting into contention at an LPGA tournament. Kim, the 26-year-old winner from South Korea, has something in common with one of her Sunday playing partners, Shibuno: Both women had won majors before becoming members of the LPGA Tour. Kim won the 2014 Amundi Evian Championship and Shibuno won the 2019 AIG Women’s Open. For Shibuno, the event was the first time she’d played outside of her home country, Japan.

Back in the Winner's Circle! ?

The final putt of the 2022 @LPGALOTTE belongs to Hyo Joo Kim! pic.twitter.com/2aoFVubbHr

— LPGA (@LPGA) April 17, 2022

While Kim accepted LPGA membership immediately after her win, Shibuno opted not to. She continued playing on the Japan LPGA Tour until making it through LPGA Tour Q-School in 2021. This year is her first full season on the LPGA Tour.

The third player in the final group was Brianna Do. The 32-year-old played college golf at UCLA and won the 2011 US Women’s Amateur Public Links title before turning pro in 2012. At the beginning of the week, Do was ranked No. 510 in the world and wasn’t even in the Lotte Championship field. She played in the Monday qualifier to earn her last-minute spot and she made the most of it. Rounds of 72-70-67 put her into the final group for the rare LPGA Saturday finish. But the gusting winds caught up with her, and she closed with a 77. Though she slid down the leader board to T-12, it’s her best finish in an LPGA event.

As the three players took different routes to the final group at the Lotte Championship, their paths now diverge again. Kim is hoisting her fifth LPGA trophy, Shibuno is working towards her first win as an LPGA Tour member, and Do is awaiting the reshuffle, hopeful this finish will help her gain better status and more LPGA starts.

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The post After bogey at 17, Hyo Joo Kim recovers to win Lotte Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Paisley
Players who achieve early success receive great expectations for their careers. At 23, Lydia Ko is no stranger to those with the lengthy resume from her teenage years. She was the youngest, at 15, to win an LPGA Tour title and became the youngest World No. 1 ever at 17 years old. She won 14 times before turning 20 and was the 2015 Rolex Player of the Year with five victories.

Ko’s 16th career victory at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii on Sunday beckons back to her early years of dominance as her talent emerged like a phoenix reborn. Closing with a seven-under-par 65 at Kapolei Golf Club, she seized her first victory in 1,084 days with a tournament-record 28-under 260, beating Inbee Park (63) by seven shots. It’s the third-lowest 72-hole score of all time on the LPGA, trailing Sei Young Kim’s top mark of 31 under at the 2018 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. Ko’s win ties her with World Golf Hall of Famer Jan Stephenson at 35th in all-time victories on tour.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Ko said on Saturday. “I just continued to stick to my game plan, and I think this proves it to myself. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Since closing the ANA Inspiration two weeks ago with a 62 that earned her a solo second in the year’s first major, Ko has been on an extraordinary run. The eight-year LPGA veteran has shot 38 under over her last 90 holes while notching a 64.4 scoring average. According to statistician Justin Ray of 15th Club, she’s posted birdies at a 42.2-percent clip while hitting 86.7 percent of greens in regulation.

The two-time major champion, who has made only one bogey in her last 100 holes, led by five on Saturday after birdies on the ninth and 10th. That’s the same lead she had at the 2020 Marathon Classic with six to play. Danielle Kang came from behind to beat her due to Ko giving four shots back over the final six. Ko took control of the bad memories from Ohio by applying the lessons taught by her coach, Sean Foley.

“No matter if I shoot 81 or 61, they [her family] don’t love me more or less,” Ko said. “Even if you win, it doesn’t make me a better person. Yes, it makes me a little happier in the moment, but it doesn’t change anything else.”

Ko stayed aggressive with four more birdies to cruise to victory. The LPGA projects that with the Monday World Rankings update, Ko will return to the top 10 for the first time in three years. The rejuvenated Ko is placing no limits on her own expectations with how well she’s played this season. “I know there are still aspects of my game I need to work on, so just keeping it simple and we keep moving forward,” she said.

The post Lydia Ko ends her drought with dominating victory in Lotte Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Paisley
Brooke Henderson was flying higher than a flock of Canadian geese at the end of 2019. She had just set the record for the most LPGA wins (nine) by a Canadian in only five years on tour and polished off her fourth straight season with multiple victories. At 22, her career trajectory was as high as her 48-inch driver was long.

Like much of the rest of the world, however, the COVID-19 pandemic grounded Henderson’s flight. The 2020 season was the first winless one of her career (with the caveat that she played just 10 events). In a testament to her overall consistency, Henderson’s current stretch of 29 starts without a victory, dating from the 2019 Meijer LPGA Classic to the ANA Inspiration two weeks ago, is the longest of her career.

“I’m eager to be back in the winner’s circle,” Henderson said on Tuesday at the Lotte Championship, which begins Wednesday and ends Saturday. “It’s not really something that you can push too hard towards. You kind of have to get the breaks and you have to play really well and be smart. Hopefully it’s in the near future.”

Henderson has made recent changes to her game and approach hoping that future becomes a reality as soon as this week. She comes to Hawaii as the event’s two-time defending champion after wins in 2018 and 2019 (and with the 2020 edition canceled due to COVID).

MORE: Juli Inkster, age 60, set to attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic Club

Last year’s shortened season forced Henderson to change her practice during off weeks to emphasize competition. It was a difficult adjustment, as she prefers to play as much as she can. From 2016 to 2019, she averaged nearly 30 starts per season, racking up 154 in her career to date.

“You can practice every day, but if you’re not in competition mode you won’t play as well,” Henderson said. “So just trying to capture that is a big thing for us.”

She’s also changed her putting style multiple times already in 2021, going back and forth from using a left-hand low grip on putts inside 10 feet most recently at the ANA to a regular grip from that distance during practise rounds this week.

These adjustments are amounting to Henderson’s next attempt to take off. She’s finished in the top 10 in nearly half of her starts since her last win, 10 percent higher than her career average, including a playoff loss at the 2020 ANA. She has the opportunity to become the first Canadian to 10 victories, a significant milestone in her mind that would come in a significant event to her career. The 2019 Lotte Championship is where Henderson tied fellow countrywoman Sandra Post for the most in Canada’s history (at eight).

Even with it being played on a new course in 2021—Kapolei Golf Club—the good vibes of the event have Henderson believing that setting another record in the Aloha state is within her grasp.

“It was sad to see that streak end last year, but I’m definitely excited to get back to winning multiple times. I’m just really excited for the next win,” Henderson said. “To be in double digits is really meaningful and so hopefully [it] can happen soon.”

The post Brooke Henderson makes changes to her game ahead of three-peat bid at Lotte Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
On a windy Sunday in Oahu, Brooke Henderson’s steady round of 70 was plenty to secure the trophy at the LOTTE Championship. A pack of players were close to Henderson at the start of the day, including Nelly Korda, who was tied with Henderson at 14-under. But the difficult conditions kept Korda and other notable players over par (two of whom where former World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and four-time LPGA winner Minjee Lee). Henderson’s two-under 70 left her finishing the tournament at 16-under, winning by four over Eun-Hee Ji.

The win was a milestone in a few ways for Henderson. She defended her title, having won this event in 2018. Winning at Ko Olina Golf Club this year marks her first win of the season and the eighth of her career. The number is significant in that it ties her with Sandra Post, Mike Weir and George Knudson as the Canadians with the most LPGA or PGA Tour victories. Henderson hits this benchmark before turning 22.

“It’s really amazing to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Mike Weir, George, and Sandra,” said Henderson. “This week was really special. I always love coming to Hawaii. Last year was such an incredible week for me, to be able to hoist that trophy for the first time…To get the win, eighth career win on the LPGA Tour, is just surreal and really amazing.”

Henderson is known for her length off the tee — thanks to her long, John Daly-esque takeaway — and her driving was solid throughout the tournament. But it was her second-shot stat that helped her cruise to victory with all of those pars. On Sunday, she missed only three greens.

At the end of the event, after the trophy ceremony, the winner of the LOTTE Championship gets a very public hula lesson from a group of pros. Henderson and her caddie, sister Brittany, were new to hula last year. As for this year, Henderson warned everyone before the dance that she hadn’t practised since being introduced to it last year, and that her hula dancing could still use a bit of work. The way her golf game is peaking right now, it’s easy to forgive her hula abilities.

The post Brooke Henderson defends LOTTE Championship title, wins by four in Hawaii appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Joel Beall
Welcome to the Dew Sweeper, your one-stop shop to catch up on the weekend action from the golf world. From the professional tours, trending news, social media headlines and upcoming events, here’s every golf-related thing you need to know for the morning of April 16.

Kodaira takes down Kim

Satoshi Kodaira is a name unknown to most fans. He entered last week ranked inside the top 50 in the world, yet had just 14 career appearances on the PGA Tour, his best finish a T-28. However, even if you missed Sunday’s tape-delayed action from Hilton Head, Kodaira won’t be a stranger for long. The 28-year-old from Japan overcame a five-shot deficit to earn his way into a playoff, where he defeated Si Woo Kim to capture the RBC Heritage.

Kodaira started his day with three straight birdies, adding four more throughout his round. His surge, coupled with Kim’s stumble down the stretch and Ian Poulter’s back-nine 40, earned Kodaira a spot in sudden death (the 10th playoff on the tour this season). On the third playoff hole, Kodaira dropped a 25-foot birdie on the par-3 17th to claim victory.

“I didn’t think it would come this quickly,” Kodaira said. “I was nervous going into the playoff. But I’m very very happy to make that putt.”

The win earns him a two-year tour exemption and invites to the Players Championship, PGA Championship and next year’s Masters. With an OWGR points boost, Kodaira will also earn entry to the U.S. Open.

Sam Greenwood

Friday the 13th strikes Kraft

Every golfer has a story of misfortune. Good luck topping Kelly Kraft’s bad break.

During the second round of the Heritage, Kraft’s tee shot on Harbour Town’s par-3 14th tee struck a bird, causing his ball to drop into a water hazard. Kraft walked away with a double bogey. An incident noteworthy in itself, particularly so given Kraft missed the cut by…one shot.

“There was a helping wind, and I hit a 7-iron, caught it perfect,” Kraft said. “It was probably 30 yards off the tee box and this giant, black bird swooped in front of it and hit it and the ball fell 20 yards short in the water. It would’ve been in the middle of the green. It might have been close. I got screwed.”

If you’re wondering why Kraft wasn’t awarded a break—after all, if a ball strikes a power line, a player has to replay the stroke without penalty—chalk it up to the eccentricity of the rules of golf.

“The big difference is a bird is a God-made object,” said PGA Tour rules official Dillard Pruitt. “Whereas a telephone wire is man-made. It’s just a stroke of bad luck. It doesn’t happen very often, but today is Friday the 13th. Freaky Friday.”

Keep this in mind the next time you proclaim your lip-out as the “worst break ever.”

Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

Rahm keeps on rolling

Patrick Reed’s triumph, Rory McIlroy’s convulsion and charges from Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler grabbed the Sunday headlines at Augusta National. Lost in the madness was Jon Rahm, who quietly posted a fourth-place finish, his first top 10 at a major. The fledgeling superstar continued to show his firepower, this time in his homeland, as Rahm won the Open de España.

Starting the day two back of Paul Dunne, Rahm was tied with countryman Nacho Elvira on the par-3 17th hole at Centro Nacional de Golf. Rahm’s tee shot appeared headed for water but stayed up on a bank, where he was able to get up-and-down. Elvira hit a similar approach but was not as luck, his ball finding a watery grave. Coupled with uneven play from Dunne, it was enough for a Rahm two-shot victory.

“This is hard to describe,” an emotional Rahm said. “The feeling of pride and satisfaction is amazing. This is the hardest Sunday I have ever had to play. Everyone seemed to want me to win. I felt that. And it was hard to deal with. I tried to isolate myself, but I could feel it. So to win here is great.”

It is Rahm’s third European Tour win since July and fifth professional win in the last 16 months. Might want to hop on Rahm’s 18/1 U.S. Open odds while you can.

Harry How

Henderson wins for Humboldt

While wind swept away most of the Lotte Championship field, Brooke Henderson was unruffled. She turned in a final-round 67, one of just three rounds in the 60s on the day, for a four-shot victory in Hawaii.

Of greater note, however, was the meaning behind Henderson’s play, as she dedicated her performance to those involved in the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus tragedy.

“It’s extremely sad, a terrible tragedy what happened up there,” Henderson said. “I know it kind of affected my whole country. Everybody really took it kind of personally.

“For all the survivors that are still fighting through it and all the ones that have passed away, I want to show them that we’re here for them and we’re supporting them. They’re always going to be in our thoughts and prayers.”

It was the 20-year-old’s sixth career win, two away from tying Sandra Post for most LPGA victories by a Canadian.

SB2K reunites

Golf’s version of the Rat Pack reunited, albeit under slightly different circumstances.

Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Smylie Kaufman blew up social media feeds again this weekend. But Birmingham subbed in for Baker’s Bay, as the group was together for Kaufman’s wedding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhh7N-PAAWq/?utm_source=ig_embed

Sadly, shirts were (mostly) kept on.

With Kaufman tied down and Spieth recently engaged, the Spring Break endeavours might be coming to a close. Don’t cry that those tank-top, shoeless golf rounds are ending; smile because they happened.

The post Rahm keeps on rolling, Henderson wins for Humboldt, and one of the worst bad breaks you’ll see appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
When Azahara Munoz finished second to Brooke Henderson on Saturday at the Lotte Championship in Honolulu, it was her best LPGA finish since 2014. From afar, it appeared as if the 30-year-old Spaniard, a former NCAA champion and LPGA rookie of the year, had simply found her swing again, figuring something out in the offseason (she hasn’t missed a cut in six previous starts in 2018) that explains everything. In truth, her story was much more grim.

“I haven’t said anything, but I been going through quite a few health issues,” Munoz revealed after her final round at Ko Olina Golf Club in Honolulu on Saturday.

Munoz’s medical issues began when she had hand surgery in 2015. But during her recovery, a different problem surfaced.

“I was just feeling like I have no energy, but I thought that was me. I’ve always been low on energy,” Munoz said. “I was getting a lot of anxiety, and I started losing a lot of hair, and that’s when I thought something was really wrong with me.”

Eventually, Munoz learned she had a thyroid problem.

It was a difficult blow for the competitor who won the 2008 NCAA individual title as a junior in college at Arizona State and who helped the Sun Devils win the NCAA team title in 2009. She turned pro after graduating that spring, made it to the LPGA via Q School and played her first season on tour in 2010, when she won the rookie-of-the-year points race. She also won four times during her career on the Ladies European Tour.

While grateful to have identifiedwhat was going on, getting has required more time. “It’s taken quite a long time to get the medication up. I had to take quite a lot, and they had to increase it slowly,” Munoz said. “I’m feeling better. I have a lot of energy. Before I was just so rundown I could barely do anything. I think finally I’m feeling how I used to feel, and I’m really excited about that.”

Munoz’s recent play reflects this. She shot the lowest round of anyone in the field in Hawaii during the final round. While losing to Henderson by four strokes, she finished one shot better than some the the LPGA Tour’s best in Shanshan Feng, Inbee Park and Ariya Jutanugarn. Feng is the current World No. 1, while both Park and Jutanugarn are former World No. 1s.

Munoz’s driving average for the week was 270 yards, a full 20 yards further than her 2017 driving average. She missed just one fairway in each of the final two rounds of the tournament.

The goal, of course, would be to return to her former self. Munoz won once on the LPGA Tour in 2012 and had eight other top-10 finishes that season. She finished 2014 ranked 14th in the world, but then her game started trending in the wrong direction. Her world ranking fell to 29th in 2015, 48th in 2016, and then she finished the 2017 season ranked No. 72 in the world.

“I’m healthy. I have my energy back, so I was quite excited about this year,” Munoz said. “I’m playing really well, so I’m excited to see what I can do.”

The post Spain’s Azahara Munoz, former LPGA rookie of the year, reveals health struggles appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
Early in the week, Canada’s Brooke Henderson appeared to be right at home in Hawaii. She was the 36-hole leader at the Lotte Championship and extended her advantage to five strokes at one point in the third round. But a four-putt double bogey on 16 and a bogey on 18 slowed her momentum and left Henderson with a much less-comfortable one-shot lead over Mo Martin.

But when the field at Ko Olina Golf Club in Honolulu experienced more high winds during Saturday’s final round, it ultimately worked in Henderson’s favour. Her John Daly-esque swing stood up to the tough conditions, as Henderson finished with a three-under 69, one of just three players to shoot in the 60s, to claim the title by four strokes over Azahara Munoz.

“I was quite disappointed after I finished my round yesterday,” Henderson after her final round. “I still had a one-shot lead, and I still was playing great golf. I just tried to forget about yesterday, and just go out and try to make a lot of birdies and try to get out front and stay there.”

Henderson finished the week at 12-under 276. Behind Munoz, the trio of current World No. 1 Shanshan Feng and former World No. 1’s Inbee Park and Ariya Jutanugarn all finished in a tie for third, five shots behind Henderson.

This was Henderson’s first win of the 2018 season, coming off of two wins in 2017, and the sixth of her LPGA career. With two more wins, she’ll tie Sandra Post for the most LPGA wins recorded by a Canadian. Seeing as Henderson is just 20, the record appears to be within her reach.

The post Brooke Henderson wins sixth career LPGA event, two wins away from the Canadian record appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.