by For the first time in PGA Tour history, South American players have won back-to-back events. Sebastián Muñoz followed up Joaquín Niemann’s victory with a win of his own, Danny Willett is officially over his slump, and Nelly Korda continues to be a world-beater.
One for the Muñoz, two for the show
It appeared that the Sanderson Farms was going to belong to Sungjae Im this weekend, but Sebastián Muñoz had different plans. The 26-year-old Colombian buried a 14-foot putt on the 72nd hole and dispatched Im on the first playoff hole. Sanderson Farms Championship Leaderboard
After a stressful end to the 2019 season, Muñoz will welcome the job security that this win provides. He finished T-48 at the Wyndham Championship, placing him 124th in the FedEx Cup rankings and allowing him to keep his card by a shot or two. A product of North Texas University, Muñoz played three seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour before his first full season on the PGA Tour in 2019. With a T-7 and a victory to begin the 2019-2020 season, Muñoz has set himself up for his best year to date.
Only a matter of tIMe
While Sunday was not what Sungjae Im hoped it would be, the 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year had a fantastic weekend. Im shot 67-66 on Saturday and Sunday and was one putt away from his first PGA Tour victory. He now has 14 top-15 finishes in just over a year on tour, and is a near lock for the Presidents Cup this fall. At just 21 years old, Sungjae Im is going to be a fixture on the PGA Tour for years to come.
Leaderboard notes
- After starting the week with back-to-back 66s, Ben An settled for a third-place finish in Mississippi. He birdied two of his final four holes but fell one shot short of the playoff.
- As he is prone to do, Kevin Streelman went deep on Sunday to backdoor a T-4. The crafty veteran made nine birdies on his way to his first top 5 since November of 2016.
- Monday qualifier Garrett Osborn had a great showing at the Sanderson. Osborn shot rounds of 70-67-71-69 on his way to a T-18 finish and his first made cut on the PGA Tour since 2015. Osborn now has two top 20s at the Sanderson Farms Championship; he must like chicken.
Oh yeah, I remember him
It was a star-studded field at the BMW PGA Championship this weekend, but it was the fallen star who emerged victorious. Danny Willett went 68-65-68-67 at Wentworth Golf Club this weekend, capturing a three-shot victory. Jon Rahm put up a fight on Sunday afternoon, but Willett’s consistency was too much for the Spaniard. Willett birdied the final two holes to cement the win. BMW PGA Championship Leaderboard
The past three seasons have been turbulent for Danny Willett. His 2016 Masters victory over Jordan Spieth brought his name into the spotlight, and it was on that stage that his game suffered. Once a top-10 player in the world, Willett fell outside of the top 400 in the summer of 2018. He clawed his way back in the fall and finished 2018 with a victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The BMW victory will move him up to 31st in the world rankings, completing his return to the top of professional golf.
Quick Hooks
Nelly Korda dominated on the Ladies European Tour this weekend. One week removed from a 3-0-1 performance at the Solheim Cup, Korda won the LaCoste Ladies Open de France by eight shots. The win is Nelly’s second of the season and marks her 11th top 10 in 2019. Leaderboard
Rocco Mediate shot a bogey-free 64 to close out the Sanford International on the PGA Tour Champions. The win is Mediate’s fourth career title on the senior circuit. Leaderboard
The Latest
Hickory Design – A long-time regular at Thendara Golf Club, Colin Criss came to understand the 1921 Donald Ross nine at the course only when he began to play with vintage hickory clubs.
Shotgun Start: Bassy’s big day, Willett passes Spieth again, and Rocco returns
Brendan and Andy return from the weekend worse for the wear but ready to discuss a tremendous finish at the Peacock Championship. Sebastián Muñoz’s win in Mississippi is hailed, as well as the Tour now delivering consecutive winners from South America. This prompts a quick monologue on the diversity that does exist at the top of the pro game and a call to promote and spotlight that more. Sungjae Im, who lost in the playoff, is compared to Cal Ripken, and there’s also a review of just what he needs to accomplish in order to avoid military duty back home in Korea. There’s pondering over how Bryson would play under such circumstances. At the BMW PGA, Andy takes a victory lap for his prognostication that Danny Willett was coming back from the depths and would soon pass Jordan Spieth in the world rankings. Rory McIlroy’s backdoor top 10 and neutered Twitter account are also critiqued. The finish includes discussion of Rocco Mediate’s cigar smoking victory in Sioux Falls and what Monty drank on the course in a top-five finish on the senior circuit. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify.
Pro Shop
Rory McIlroy had the best back-door top-10 finish of all time this weekend. As you head out the back door for work, make sure to have your coffee and Fried Egg tumbler in hand! Get yours today!
(Bear down.)
