Kim denied second LPGA success
Sydney’s Grace Kim has suffered a heartbreaking playoff defeat to be denied a second LPGA Tour win at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
Kim began the final round at Blythefield Country Club with a five-stroke lead, an advantage erased completely by the time she stepped onto the fifth tee.
Stumbling out of the blocks with back-to-back bogeys, Kim was caught by fast-starting American Ally Ewing before being challenged on the back nine by the experienced pair of Lilia Vu and Lexi Thompson.
Showing impressive composure to stay in contention, the 23-year-old Kim arrived at the 72nd hole tied for the lead.
With her putt for a victory sliding by the hole, a par resulted in a three-way playoff, Kim again having a winning opportunity at the first playoff hole with an eagle try from just off the front edge of the green.
Forced to a second playoff hole, again a winner failed to emerge, before Vu managed an up and down birdie on the third extra hole to clinch the win.
Looking to put the disappointment of the playoff loss behind her, Kim was due to move on to another major championship on the LPGA schedule the following week, at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Kim was to be joined by the likes of Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, Steph Kyriacou, Sarah Kemp, Gabi Ruffells, Robyn Choi and youngster Hira Naveed.
Bryson the Inside Golf ‘poster boy’ after US Open win
Whether by luck or good fortune, maybe through some sort of sixth sense, Inside Golf has done it again by pre-empting the winner of a major championship.
Scott Scheffler and his unusual, yet efficient golf swing continued his impressive 2024 campaign with a win at Augusta, the victory at the US Masters coming just a week or so after the American world number one had featured on the front cover of the April edition of Inside Golf.
Now ahead to the June issue, printed and delivered at the start of the month, and Inside Golf trumpeted the personality and power game of Bryson DeChambeau.
Now a member of the LIV Tour, and a favourite amongst galleries around the world, fast forward to the US Open in mid-June and DeChambeau made it a second ‘poster boy’ to win one of golf’s most coveted championships with a stirring win at Pinehurst No 2 at the 2024 US Open.
DeChambeau sealed victory with a remarkable bunker shot on the 72nd hole, edging out Rory McIlroy, to claim his second US Open trophy and second major title, with the ‘power and passion’ there for all to see.
Now onto the Open Championship at Royal Troon. Teeing off in a remarkable 93rd major championship in a row, we hope to bring Adam Scott similar good vibes. He’s been close before, there were encouraging signs at Pinehurst despite Scott finishing in a tie for 32nd. And funnier things have happened.
Day and Lee locked in for the Paris Olympics
Jason Day and Min Woo Lee are poised to make their Olympic debuts after finishing as the leading two Australians at the end of the men’s qualification period.
The Australian Golf team to represent their country at the Paris games will be formally announced on June 29, the women’s qualification period closing at the completion of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Hannah Green and Minjee Lee, due to the lofty positions they occupy on the women’s world rankings, are likely to be confirmed as Australia’s women’s representatives.
After the US Open signalled the end to the three-year qualification period, Day and Lee qualified for the Australian team by virtue of being among the top 59 players eligible for selection on the Official World Golf Ranking.
Day is ranked No.24 in the world despite missing the cut at Pinehurst, Lee who finished in a tie for 21st at the US Open, solidifying his spot at No.36 in the rankings.
With older sister, Minjee, on the verge of selection in her third straight Olympics, Min Woo’s qualification paves the way for the pair to join a rich history of siblings to have represented Australia at the Olympic Games.
Marcus Fraser and Scott Hend were Australia’s men’s representatives when golf made its Olympic return in 2016 while Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman competed at Tokyo 2020.
Fraser’s tie for fifth has so far been Australia’s best result in the men’s Olympic golf competition, while Green narrowly missed out on a medal at Tokyo, her tie for fifth Australia’s best result in the women’s competition.
The men’s Olympic golf competition will be staged August 1-4 with the women’s competition to take place from August 7-10. Both tournaments will be played at the Le Golf National course in Paris.
Additional reporting Tony Webeck – PGA Australia
Marcus Fraser is backing the exciting new concept of the World Golf Competition.
Fraser backs the World Golf Competition
Australian tournament professional Marcus Fraser has thrown his support behind the World Golf Competition, an exciting new tournament initiative aimed at amateurs and club players looking for a unique golfing experience.
Fraser, a three-time winner on the European Tour who also represented Australia as a member of their two-man team at the Rio Olympics, was firm in his belief that the new concept of the World Golf Competition would be like nothing else available to amateur golfers.
“It blew me away how much preparation that had already been done, and with their professionalism even before the entries had started to come in,” Fraser said. “For an amateur to get to play the best courses in the world, in a professionally run tournament, is something they don’t otherwise get to experience.
“They (WGC organisers) had thought of everything before it had even got off the ground. Once I heard about the concept, I was all in.”
For Fraser it will be about more than just adding his name and image to promotional materials, rather he is keen to be hands on in an effort to take the Competition to even greater heights.
“I didn’t want to just put my name to it. If I was to do something and to come on board, I wanted to do it properly. I wanted a role where I could help grow the event, to help to make it bigger and to offer them that support.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in some of the biggest tournaments in the world, and I think they saw me as someone with experience that I could pass on.
As detailed in the June edition of Inside Golf, the World Golf Competition is scheduled for its inaugural staging in 2025.
The event is aimed at providing a platform for competitors from diverse backgrounds and abilities to come together, while offering a unique and unforgettable experience at a collection of the best golf courses around the world,
In partnering with some of the world’s most exclusive and desirable championship golf courses, the format of World Golf offers a chance of progression through the various stages of the event, in addition to luxury travel, accommodation and dining experiences.
Round one of the World Golf Competition tees off in Australia in March and April, 2025, at a number of iconic golfing venues.
For more information or to register an interest, go to the website at www.worldgolfcompetition.com
Australia's Golf News Leader, Inside Golf gives you in-depth coverage of Australian golf news, golf events, golf travel and holiday destinations, Australian and international golf course reviews, the hottest new golf gear and tips and drills to improve your golf game. Written by award-winning journalists, Inside Golf also features interviews with Australia's top professional golfers, the game's rising stars, industry leaders and golf equipment manufacturers. You can even win great golf prizes and equipment. It’s all in Inside Golf. FREE at Australian golf courses, driving ranges and golf retailers across Australia. 
