Friday Fore-Cast: An Goes Low in Round One of CME; McNealy and Thorbjornsen Leading the Way at RSM

6 min read
Nov 22, 2024, 7:00 AM

"Friday Fore-cast" prepares you for golf's major tours heading into the weekend. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment, An Goes Low in Round One of CME; McNealy and Thorbjornsen Leading the Way at RSM.

LPGA Tour Championship: An Goes Low in Round One of CME

Narin An of South Korea started this pivotal week at the CME Group Tour Championship with a bang, finishing the first round at Tiburon with an exceptional 8-under par 64. Her tee-to-green game was outstanding; however, what helped position her as the early leader was undoubtedly her putting. An talked about her 23 total putt day after the round,

"Today my putt was really good. The speed was good, and the shape was good, so yeah, I was just try to make to focus a little bit more. I played well today."

With such a commanding start, she is indeed a player to watch as the week unfolds.

Angel Yin Stays in Close Pursuit

Following closely in An's footsteps, Angel Yin shot a remarkable 7-under par 65, securing her position in solo second. Yin's round was highlighted by a clutch eagle on the par five 17th. With her strong start, she is in close contention heading into day two of the championship.

Yin talked to the press after her round, sharing her thoughts on the day and her excitement playing in the CME,

"I started out a little bit rocky because I was trying to adjust to the golf course. The golf course is playing quite difficult with the early winds this morning, which I really like and I enjoy because it's our last tournament, and it's a huge purse, bigger than a major. It doesn't have the title of a major, but I think it deserves every bit of difficulty it brings to closing the season out."
Marina Alex and Allisen Corpuz Share Third; Korda Struggles

Marina Alex and Allisen Corpuz are sitting in a tie for third after finishing with a solid 6-under par score of 66s. Corpuz played a fantastic round, going bogey-free, while Alex had a little hiccup with an early bogey but bounced back nicely with five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. Six players are tied at 5-under, including two-time CME Group Tour Championship winner Lydia Ko, newcomer Albane Valenzuela, and former champion Ariya Jutanugarn.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in Thursday's first round was the play of fan favorite and World #1 Nelly Korda. Nelly had a tough time, finishing the first round with an even-par 72 and in a tie for 44th. Korda will need to regroup on Friday and find her groove so that she can stay in the mix going into the weekend.

PGA TOUR: Maverick McNealy and Michael Thorbjornsen Leading the Way

In Thursday's opening round of the RSM Classic, Maverick McNealy and Michael Thorbjornsen kicked things off strong, shooting impressive 8-under par rounds. Thorbjornsen's 8-under came on the par 72 Plantation Course with a 64, while McNealy's was posted on the par 70 Seaside Course, posting a 62. With his chill vibe, McNealy was doing damage on the greens, averaging 1.47 putts per GIR, the second-best of the day in that matrix. Thorbjornsen was on point with his iron play all day, hitting 16 of 18 greens, and on the two he missed, he got up and down with ease.

Wesley Bryan: The Proverbial "Bubble Boy"

Wesley "Bubble Boy" Bryan, who sat squarely on that 125th spot in the FedExCup standings coming into this week, shot a solid round at 2-under par on Thursday. This gives him a bit of a cushion, but with the pressure of keeping his Tour card, he knows every shot matters the rest of the way. His day had its ups and downs, but in true Wesley fashion, he showed a lot of grit. Although he's still not completely safe from the cut line tomorrow, his play of late should get him comfortably into the weekend. However, whether he holds at that 125 spot or better is still uncertain.

Joel Dahmen's Struggles and FedEx Fall Implications

Unfortunately, fan favorite Joel Dahmen had a rough start, finishing at 1-over par 73. Starting the week in the 124th spot, Dahmen is currently projected in the 128th position in the FedEx Fall race. He struggled mightily when missing the green in regulation, only getting up and down 20% of the time, which tied him for 146th in that stat in the 156-man field. As he looks to bounce back on Friday, the Netflix sensation will surely have the support of the fans.

Ludvig Aberg: Signs of Rust

Highly touted Ludvig Aberg showed signs of rust in his opening round, struggling to a 3-over par 73. As he battled the challenging Sea Island wind conditions, Aberg's form appeared off. It's a reminder of the unpredictable nature of golf, where even the most talented players can face unexpected hurdles. Aberg must adjust quickly to return to form and remain competitive as the tournament progresses.

"Obviously, it was a rough day. It was a lot of rust I felt like, but I also felt like the good was pretty good but the bad was really bad. A little bit of everything today, but all in all, pretty happy to be back playing golf again."
Brendon R. Elliott
Brendon R. Elliott
Lead Golf Writer

Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.

Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.

Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.

Interests:
PGA
Coaching
Teaching
Spending time with the family
Movies
Music

More Golf Stories

04/15/2025
“It Was Rory Time”: Gary Player Reflects on McIlroy’s Grand Slam and a Lifetime of Masters Memories
Gary Player shares heartfelt thoughts on Rory McIlroy’s historic win, family traditions, and Masters legacy at Augusta
“It Was Rory Time”: Gary Player Reflects on McIlroy’s Grand Slam and a Lifetime of Masters Memories
04/14/2025
McIlroy's Masterpiece: Northern Irishman Completes Career Grand Slam in Dramatic Augusta Playoff
In this week’s “The Starter,” RG Lead Golf Writer Brendon Elliott breaks down Rory McIlroy’s historic victory at the 89th Masters.
McIlroy's Masterpiece: Northern Irishman Completes Career Grand Slam in Dramatic Augusta Playoff
04/07/2025
Harman Conquers Windy Texas, LPGA Match Play Heats Up, and Masters Week Begins
In this week’s “The Starter,” RG Lead Golf Writer Brendon Elliott breaks down the weekend's results and looks ahead to The Masters
Harman Conquers Windy Texas, LPGA Match Play Heats Up, and Masters Week Begins
03/31/2025
Min Woo Lee Cooks Up First PGA TOUR Win as Scheffler and Woodland Charged
In this week’s “The Starter,” RG Lead Golf Writer Brendon Elliott breaks down results from the Houston Open and Ford Championship
Min Woo Lee Cooks Up First PGA TOUR Win as Scheffler and Woodland Charged
Prev
...
Next

Our Authors

Paruyr Shahbazyan

Paruyr Shahbazyan started his business career as an entrepreneur in 2000. Over 13 years, he learned business and leadership, which laid the foundation for his career.

In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020. The platform focuses on in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting and has gained a reputation for quality content.

In 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This shows his commitment to technology in the sports betting space. Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards.

Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports.

Strategic Vision

Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports entertainment industry by integrating technology. He sees the future of sports entertainment as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. He aims to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical reporting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable sports culture.

Meet All Our Experts