"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, Moore sets pace at ZOZO; Cantero leads at Genesis; Saigo shines at Maybank.
Taylor Moore Sets the Pace at ZOZO Championship
Based on the first round of the PGA TOUR's ZOZO Championship, it is clear that the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club presented a challenging test for many of the game's top players, while others seemed to thrive through their creativity and precision.
At the top of the leaderboard is Taylor Moore, who delivered an impressive round of 7-under par 63 in cool, breezy conditions, setting a high bar for the rest of the field. Moore excelled at getting up and down from the greens he missed and capitalized on birdie opportunities. He managed to recover on five missed greens and led the field in Strokes Gained Around The Green, gaining nearly three strokes on the field. His superb short game included two chip-ins, one for Eagle on the par-5 18th, his fifth hole of the day. Additionally, Moore ranked sixth in Strokes Gained Putting, gaining nearly three strokes on the greens. By the end of the day, he held a one-shot lead over three players: Max Greyserman, Nico Echavarria, and Eric Cole.
Moore's performance in the first round set the tone and expectations for the following days. He remained composed and playful as he navigated the challenging course, suggesting that the key to his game involves both mental tenacity and technical skill.
For those who watched Max Greyserman, it was evident that his ascent to the top of the leaderboard was marked by his resilience and resourcefulness.
He crafted a 6-under par 64, filled with birdies and impressive par saves. Greyserman's impressive performance was particularly notable given the tough competition and the demands of the Accordia course, positioning him well as the tournament progresses.
As the play commenced on Thursday, it was clear who the Japanese fans supported. With significant expectations on his shoulders, Japan's own Hideki Matsuyama, a previous tournament winner, opened with a one-over-par 71. His round was a rollercoaster, featuring moments of brilliance alongside several mistakes. One thing is sure: Matsuyama won't go down easily despite his less-than-stellar start, and with the crowd rallying behind their hometown hero, he is still very much in the hunt.
Fan favorite Justin Thomas started strong with a 4-under par 66, effectively managing the unique challenges of the Accordia layout throughout his first round. Although he hasn't quite recaptured his past sharpness, there were glimpses that suggest he could soon find his form again. This week may be the spark he needs.
With three more rounds to play, the ZOZO Championship remains wide open, and anyone within seven shots of Moore has a chance to make a move.
Cantero Leads the Charge: Thrilling First Round at the Genesis Championship For The Spaniard; Round Two Underway
The Genesis Championship kicked off with an intriguing first round at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon. As the day unfolded, Ivan Cantero emerged as the leader, demonstrating remarkable poise and superior shotmaking. Coming into this week, Cantero was on the verge of losing his card for 2025, sitting in 117th position. Despite the stakes, he managed to deliver an impressive performance, going out in 31 and then adding his sixth birdie of the day at the tenth. The only blemish on the day came with his lone bogey at the 16th, but he quickly recovered with a brilliant tee shot that resulted in a birdie at the par-three 17th, catapulting him back to that six under-par mark.
Even after dropping a shot, Cantero's ability to stay focused emphasizes his tenacity, something he will need as the week progresses. As he put it, "I hit good drivers, and with this course, if you are in a good position, it is possible to have a good score." His composure and confidence in his putting should serve him well throughout the competition.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat also impressed during the opening round, finishing just one stroke behind Cantero at five under. Showing flashes of his past brilliance, Aphibarnrat rolled in six birdies, including a 37-footer on the 16th.
Journeyman Jonas Blixt provided thrilling moments on Thursday with a sequence of birdies, including a 20-foot putt on the 18th. Blixt concluded his day at five under. He will need a strong finish this week to keep his playing status intact for next year. Despite a slight hiccup at the sixth hole, he quickly rectified it by picking up another birdie on the next hole.
With this week's event being played in South Korea, play for round two has already begun at the time of this posting. Taking a quick peak early on in Friday's round, moves are being made, including from names like Rikuya Hoshino and David Micheluzzi. As the tournament progresses, it'll be fascinating to see who rises to the occasion in Incheon.
Saigo Shines at LPGA Maybank Championship; Round Two Underway
The LPGA Maybank Championship kicked off with an exceptional showcase of talent at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, and all eyes after day one are on Mao Saigo. Leading the pack after the first round, Saigo delivered a stunning performance with an opening 9-under par 63.
From the very beginning of the day, Saigo exhibited a calm yet competitive energy, going out in a 6-under par 30. That opening nine included four straight birdies on holes five through eight. She added back-to-back birdies on the opening two holes of her back nine. Her only blemish on the day was a bogey on the par four 17th.
Haeran Ryu also made quite the impression on Thursday, shooting a remarkable 8-under 64 without a single dropped shot. After the first day in Malaysia, the 23-year-old found herself just one stroke back of Saigo.
The first day of the Maybank Championship has undoubtedly laid the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting tournament. As we look forward to the upcoming rounds, the question remains: Can anyone catch Saigo, or will she continue her momentum and emerge victorious?
At the time of this posting, round two is already underway in Malaysia. Early in round two, Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines has made a substantial move, going out in 5-under 31 on her opening nine, jumping her to 7-under par on the tournament after her opening 2-under par 70.
