"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott breaks down Sepp Straka’s second win of the season, Jeeno Thitikul’s dominance, and Ryan Fox’s chip-in magic in Myrtle Beach.
The golf world delivered high drama this weekend with nail-biting finishes on both the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. Sepp Straka claimed his second victory of the season at the Truist Championship, while Jeeno Thitikul reminded everyone why she's challenging for the world's top ranking with a commanding performance at the Mizuho Americas Open. Meanwhile, Ryan Fox finally broke through for his first PGA TOUR win in dramatic fashion at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic.
PGA TOUR: Straka Outduels Lowry in Philadelphia Thriller
The Wissahickon Course at Philadelphia Cricket Club proved a worthy test for the PGA TOUR’s stars, with Sepp Straka emerging victorious after a tense back-nine battle with Shane Lowry. The Austrian closed with a 2-under 68 to finish at 16-under, joining Rory McIlroy as the only multiple winners on TOUR this season.
The final round featured multiple lead changes between Straka and Lowry. The Austrian built a two-stroke advantage after the first nine holes, highlighted by a spectacular 20-foot eagle putt at the par-5 fifth that neutralized Lowry’s birdie. Straka then drained a 15-footer at the eighth and a 28-footer at the ninth to reach 17-under.
But the drama was far from over. Consecutive bogeys to start the back nine erased Straka’s lead, setting up the decisive moment at the par-3 16th. After Lowry missed the green with his tee shot and failed to save par from 6 feet, Straka’s two-putt par gave him a one-shot advantage he wouldn’t relinquish.
Justin Thomas made a late charge with a final-round 67 to tie Lowry for second at 14-under. Patrick Cantlay, Jacob Bridgeman, and Tommy Fleetwood shared fourth place at 12-under after matching 65s on Sunday.
The Philadelphia crowds showed up in force throughout the week, with the fan shop completely selling out of merchandise by Saturday—a testament to the golf-starved region’s enthusiasm for the TOUR’s return.
PGA TOUR: Fox Finds Magic in Myrtle Beach Playoff
While the stars battled in Philadelphia, an equally compelling story unfolded at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, where New Zealand’s Ryan Fox captured his first PGA TOUR title in spectacular fashion.
Fox, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, closed with a 5-under 66 to finish at 15-under, then produced a moment of brilliance in the ensuing playoff against Mackenzie Hughes and Harry Higgs. From just outside 50 feet on the collar of the green, Fox chipped in for birdie on the first extra hole, raising both arms in celebration as the ball disappeared into the cup.
“To be honest, it never looked like it was going anywhere else, and the rest of it is a bit of a blur from there,” Fox said of his winning chip.
The victory was especially sweet for the 38-year-old Fox, who had struggled to find his footing on the PGA TOUR despite climbing as high as No. 23 in the world rankings.
“I haven’t transitioned probably as well as I would have liked over to the PGA TOUR,” Fox admitted. “It was a tough year last year. I managed to just keep my card. It’s been a scratchy start this year as well. I always deep down felt like I could compete with the guys out here.”
The win not only secured Fox’s TOUR card for the next two years but also earned him a spot in next week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
LPGA: Thitikul Dominates with NYC Skyline as Backdrop
On the LPGA Tour, Jeeno Thitikul reminded everyone why she’s considered one of the game’s brightest young stars with a commanding four-shot victory at the Mizuho Americas Open.
The 22-year-old Thai star posted a bogey-free 3-under 69 in the final round at Liberty National to finish at 17-under, holding off a stellar field that included world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who was seeking her first win of 2025 after dominating last season with seven victories.
“I know that a lot of putts didn’t drop on the front nine, but I’m trying to do my best,” Thitikul said. “I was just trying to tell myself, ‘be patient, it’s coming, it’s coming.’ That’s pretty much what I told myself today.”
The turning point came at the par-4 15th, where Thitikul produced a remarkable bunker shot to save par while playing partner Celine Boutier three-putted for bogey. That sequence stretched Thitikul’s lead to three shots, effectively ending Boutier’s challenge.
“It definitely feels good to get the job done here,” Thitikul said. “I know so many talented players were in front of me… I feel like everyone is just doing their part. I’m doing my own part, too. I can’t control them. I just can control myself.”
Korda, who started the day within striking distance, couldn’t mount a Sunday charge. Her troubles began when she found the hazard off the ninth tee, leading to a bogey. She failed to make a birdie on the back nine and dropped two more shots over her final four holes, finishing with a 73 to tie for fifth, six shots behind Thitikul.
For Thitikul, it was her fifth LPGA Tour victory and first of 2025, following her win at the CME Group Tour Championship to close out last season. The timing couldn’t be better with four majors looming over the next 12 weeks, including the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills later this month.
“When I was a kid wanting to play on the LPGA Tour, I just told my dad, and my dad just told me, winning on the LPGA Tour once, it’s good enough,” Thitikul reflected. “I joined the tour in 2022 and then got the first win maybe my fifth start from the beginning of the season, and then to get my first win was just really a dream come true. I had no idea I’m going to be this far for sure.”
The victory continues Thitikul’s remarkable consistency—she’s posted top-25 finishes in her last 17 worldwide starts and now sits atop the Race to CME Globe standings.
Until Next Monday…
With the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow this week and the U.S. Women’s Open on the horizon, the stage is set for an exciting stretch of major championship golf across both tours. If this weekend’s action is any indication, golf fans are in for a treat in the weeks ahead.
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.
