"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, Unexpected Leaders Shine on Day One in Mexico; Fleetwood Goes Low in Abu Dhabi; LOTTE Championship in Hawaii
Unexpected Leaders Shine on Day One of the PGA TOUR's World Wide Technology Championship
In my nearly three decades in the golf industry, I've witnessed countless tournament rounds across all the major professional tours, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement inherent in the game. While I can make my best pre-tournament predictions, try to handicap the field, and offer storylines for you, the fans, to follow, ultimately, anything can happen in golf once the competition starts. The first round of the PGA TOUR's World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal, Diamante, Los Cabos, Mexico, serves as a perfect example.
As play concluded on Thursday, a trio of players emerged as the day's leaders: two full-season rookies, Tom Whitney and Rico Hoey, and seasoned journeyman Kevin Streelman. All three shot impressive rounds of 5-under par 67 but are a very unexpected group at the top of the leaderboard in Mexico.
Joining Whitney at the top is Rico Hoey, also in his first full season on tour. The 29-year-old from the Philippines played college golf at USC and, like Whitney, is a graduate of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List. However, Hoey has experienced more success this season, making 16 cuts in the 26 events he has entered. Notably, he was part of a five-man playoff at the ISCO Championship in July and finished tied as runner-up. More recently, he notched a T3 finish at the Shriners Children's Open.
In his first round at El Cardonal, Hoey recorded seven birdies against two bogeys. Like Whitney, his scrambling was impressive, as he got up and down on all but one of the five greens he missed. Hoey currently stands 85th on the FedEx Fall Series points list.
Meanwhile, Kevin Streelman, a more familiar name on the PGA TOUR, also finished at 5-under par 67. His round demonstrated his extensive experience and adaptability. The two-time PGA TOUR winner has made 459 starts, giving him plenty of experience when reaching the top of a leaderboard. On Thursday, Streelman recorded an eagle and four birdies, offset by just one bogey.
Among others who made an impact in round one were defending champion Erik van Rooyen, Taylor Montgomery, Austin Eckroat, and four others just one stroke back at 4-under par. A group of 14 players, including Sam Ryder, Wesley Bryan, and last week's ZOZO winner Nico Echavarria, are tied two shots back at 3-under par.
The composition of the leaderboard after the first round illustrates a dynamic mix of players, each carving out their unique paths this season. From seasoned veterans to emerging talent, the first day at El Cardonal has set the stage for what is likely to be an exciting week ahead.
Thrilling Opening Round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: Fleetwood Sets the Pace
The first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship was an exciting kickoff to the DP World Tour playoffs, showcasing phenomenal performances. Tommy Fleetwood emerged as a strong leader by equaling the Yas Links course record with a stunning 10-under-par 62. With a birdie-eagle-birdie start on his first three holes, Fleetwood maintained his momentum by adding six more birdies throughout the day. With a new prototype TaylorMade putter, which he helped design, in his bag, Fleetwood was sensational on the greens, taking only 26 total putts on the day.
Hot on Fleetwood's heels was Thorbjørn Olesen, who concluded his round just a stroke behind. Alongside Olsen was Johannes Veerman, mimicking Olesen's nine-under-par performance.
Two back of Fleetwood's red-hot start was Francesco Laporta and the English trio of Laurie Canter, Tyrrell Hatton, and Paul Waring—all tied at eight-under.
Race to Dubai points leader Rory McIlroy substantiated his reputation with a solid start in his quest to clinch the crown. His 5-under par 67 saw six birdies offset by just one bogey.
“I wanted to come here to the Middle East these two weeks and finish the season off the way I felt it deserves to be finished off,” McIlroy said.
While the Northern Irishman and World Number 3 player is in a comfortable position in the season-long points standings, there are increased points this week and at next week's season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
“I know that if I have a really good week this week, it makes my job a lot easier next week," Rory said.
The first day set the bar high with Tommy Fleetwood’s course record-tying performance. However, given the depth of talent found on the DP World Tour, especially among the 70 players who have made it into this first leg of the playoffs, anything can happen the rest of the way.
A Lim Kim Led the Charge After Wednesday's First Round at the LOTTE Championship; Three Joined Her at the Top Through 36
On Wednesday, at the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship held at the Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, South Korea's A Lim Kim had an impressive opening round of 6-under par 66, positioning herself as a strong contender for the title this week.
Kim's mix of skill and mental fortitude was evident throughout her round. She successfully navigated the challenges of the Hoakalei course, known for its unique layout and trade winds that can test even the most skilled LPGA stars. However, Kim remained unfazed, demonstrating her ability to handle pressure and maintain composure.
Her round of 66 included one eagle and six birdies, with just two bogeys. She had 28 putts and hit 14 out of 18 greens. After day one, Kim was followed by five players who were just one stroke back.
The LOTTE Championship serves as a critical platform for many players aiming to make an impact before the end of the season. A strong finish here can significantly influence their positioning in the Race to the CME Globe standings, providing players like Kim with a pathway to achieving career milestones.
As this round one recap was being written, round two was concluding in Hawaii. A Lim Kim has now been joined at the top by Nataliya Guseva, Yuri Yoshida, and Ruixin Liu, all sitting at 9-under par through 36 holes. Of the four co-leaders, Kim is the only one who has won on the LPGA Tour, having captured the title at the 2020 U.S. Women's Open. American Ryann O'Toole sits just one stroke back at 8-under par through 36 holes.
Look for my full recap of the LOTTE Championship, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and the World Wide Technology Championship on Monday, November 11th.
