"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,
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.
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.
