"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 Russell Henley’s triumph at Bay Hill, the action at the Puerto Rico Open, and Blue Bay LPGA in China.
PGA TOUR Roundup: API Delivers on Typical Sunday Drama; Rookie Wins in Puerto Rico
This week, the PGA TOUR showcased dramatic finishes and breakthrough performances, with Russell Henley claiming the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational and rookie Karl Vilips capturing his first TOUR victory at the Puerto Rico Open.
Henley's Heroic Finish at Bay Hill
Russell Henley delivered a performance that would have made Arnold Palmer proud at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, mounting a spectacular late charge to capture the biggest victory of his career. The 35-year-old Georgian overcame a three-shot deficit with five holes to play, ultimately finishing at 11-under 277 to claim the $4 million winner's check.
The turning point came during a pair of two-shot swings that completely altered the tournament's trajectory. Trailing Collin Morikawa by three shots, Henley gained ground when Morikawa bogeyed the par-3 14th while Henley converted a birdie from inside 10 feet. But the most dramatic moment occurred at the par-5 16th, where Henley chipped in for an eagle from more than 50 feet away in thick rough, the ball racing toward the hole before smacking into the pin and dropping.
"I was just so nervous. I can't breathe right now," Henley told NBC immediately after his victory. "It's so hard and difficult around this place. I just tried to stay really tough this week."
The win wasn't without its struggles. Henley made a mess of both par-5s on the front nine, taking bogeys on each, and started the back nine with another bogey from the fairway. But his resilience paid off, particularly with that spectacular eagle chip that likely would have run well past the hole or even off the green had it not found the cup.
For Morikawa, it was another heartbreaking close call. The two-time major champion had been in control all day after holing a bunker shot for birdie on the first hole. Despite playing steady golf throughout the final round, Morikawa couldn't match Henley's late heroics and has now gone 17 months without hoisting a trophy.
The victory vaults Henley to No. 7 in the world rankings, confirming his status as one of golf's elite players. His game has become consistently excellent over the past three years, and this signature win against an elite field proves he belongs among the game's best.
Bradley's Record-Breaking Front Nine
While Henley claimed the trophy, Keegan Bradley made history during Sunday's final round at Bay Hill. The upcoming U.S. Ryder Cup captain turned in a blistering 7-under 29 on the front nine, setting a new tournament record for the lowest nine-hole total on Bay Hill's front nine in competition.
Bradley's spectacular run included five birdies and an eagle, highlighted by a hole-out from 73 yards at the par-5 sixth hole. His ball-striking was impeccable, nearly acing the par-3 seventh from 184 yards before converting a 2-foot birdie and adding birdies from inside 5 feet on both the eighth and ninth holes.
"This was really something that I'll remember forever," Bradley said afterward. "I think this is the toughest course we play all year, and to do it on Sunday under these conditions feels good."
Though he couldn't maintain the same torrid pace on the back nine, Bradley finished with a final-round 64 to post 7-under for the tournament. It marked his fourth top-15 finish in six starts this season, showing that the Ryder Cup captain's own game remains in excellent form.
Schauffele's Successful Return
For Xander Schauffele, simply making it through four rounds at Bay Hill represented a significant victory. Playing in his first event since recovering from a rib injury that had sidelined him since The Sentry in January, Schauffele shot a final-round 69 to finish at 4-over for the tournament.
Schauffele had played just 27 holes of golf in preparation for the event, and doctors had encouraged a cautious approach, prioritizing his long-term health. Though his game showed some rust, particularly in his short game, Schauffele improved as the week progressed, needing only 25 putts in his final round.
The Olympic gold medalist now heads to TPC Sawgrass for THE PLAYERS Championship with optimism rather than reservations. He acknowledged that the moral victories won't last much longer: "I can't sit all year long and feel sorry for myself like, oh, you know, I'm just rusty, I haven't played. That stuff doesn't matter in any sport."
Vilips Makes Early Career Breakthrough in Puerto Rico
While the stars battled at Bay Hill, an impressive story unfolded at the Puerto Rico Open, where 23-year-old Australian Karl Vilips captured his first PGA TOUR victory in just his fourth career start and third as a TOUR member.
Vilips fired a brilliant 8-under 64 in the final round, responding to a sensational charge by Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who birdied six straight holes to start the back nine. When Vilips bogeyed the 12th hole to surrender the lead briefly, he answered with three consecutive birdies to regain control.
"It's a dream come true for me and my dad," said Vilips, who becomes the first winner to sport Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red clothing line. "This is what we dreamed of as a kid."
The Stanford alum finished at 26-under 262, three shots clear of Neergaard-Petersen, with another Stanford product, Joseph Bramlett, finishing alone in third. The victory earns Vilips a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship and PGA Championship, along with a two-year PGA TOUR exemption.
LPGA Tour Week In Review: Takeda Triumphs in China with Final-Round Fireworks
On the LPGA Tour, Japan's Rio Takeda delivered a spectacular final-round performance at the Blue Bay LPGA in China to secure her second LPGA Tour title with a 17-under par 271 four-day total. Takeda shot a blistering 8-under 64 to pull away from the field and cruise to a six-shot victory. Australia's Minjee Lee was her closest competitor at 11-under par 277.
Lee, the 18th-ranked player in the World and a 10-time LPGA Tour winner, was still happy with her performance despite finishing second.
The victory continues Takeda's impressive rise on the LPGA Tour. During the final round, her ball striking was evident, but what truly separated her was her prowess on the greens. Takeda made eight birdies out of 14 attempts and only needed 24 putts on the day.
"I'm really happy with this," Takeda said in a post-round interview. "Really happy to win this tournament because the course layout, it's really, really different, like compared to Japanese courses. I had so many wins at the JLPGA, but this win is meaningful."
Takeda's win in China demonstrates the global nature of women's golf, with Asian players continuing to make a significant impact on the LPGA Tour. Her victory adds to Japan's rich tradition in the sport and establishes her as a player to watch for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The tournament in China marked the third and final leg of this early-season Asian swing. This three-week stretch marks important stops on the LPGA's international schedule, providing players valuable opportunities to compete in growing golf markets. The Blue Bay LPGA has become a fixture on the tour's calendar, showcasing the sport's expanding global footprint.
Looking Ahead
As the golf world turns its attention to next week, the PGA TOUR heads to TPC Sawgrass for THE PLAYERS Championship, where Scottie Scheffler will defend his title as a two-time champion. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour continues its international swing with more exciting action on the horizon.
The early part of the 2025 season has already delivered memorable moments and breakthrough performances, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting year in professional golf. From Henley's heroics at Bay Hill to Vilips' breakthrough in Puerto Rico and Takeda's triumph in China, the game continues to showcase compelling storylines and exceptional talent across both tours.
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.
