Mao Saigo celebrates her first LPGA (and first main) victory at the Chevron Championship on Sunday.
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Check every week for the uninviltered thoughts of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest themes in this sport and join in the conversation by tweeting us to @golf_com. This week, we discuss the Chevron Championship, Lepi Thompson’s half pension, another win for Joaquin Niemann and more.
Mao Saigo won the first first LPGA of the year, the Chevron Championship, exiting a five-people Play to win for the first time in its LPGA career. Although the tournament conversation was not only the 23-year-old’s victory, but the chaotic end, the controversial 18th hole and more. What was your taking from a Of the wonderful Sunday In Chevron?
Jessica Marxbury, high editor (@Jess_Marksbury) :: The LPGA has done so much to fight the slow game this year, and it is a shame that some long decisions below the stretch ended as part of the Sunday history scene. But, in addition, the issue of ancestors is worthy of discussion. It is a topic that emerges in many PGA Tour events – and for good reason. I don’t think a great -grandfather should double as a conditional release for him, but who can blame the players for strategy in the way when the rules allow it?
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_berHow) :: Grandsands are not excellent. Here’s a way to see it: the glowing golfists would swing more confidently if they had a background like what they could use. The best players in the world should not have that opportunity. Especifly is particularly harsh when it is in the last hole. Said this, a five -direction Play to set a major? Hard to beat it. Good for Mao Saigo for tough attitude.
Dylan Dothier, old writer (@dylan_Dethier) :: It was cute chaos. Okay but bad. Perhaps the perfect capsulation was Haeran Ryu, who was out of the quarrel, but playing in the latest group with two players that would end in that play off. But Ryu took forever to pull a club on the right track, eventually got an extra, did not make it in long stands, took forever to choose a place to fall and then entered Eagle. Just a combination of the most enjoyable things you could imagine and the extraordinary shows of golf skills. This is the beauty of the tournament golf – but sure to say there is room for improvement.
Lexi Thompson objected to Chevron and was linked to 14th, and all this comes in its first season after last year announcement that she would no longer play a full-time schedule. Despite her plan to return, she has already played four events this season and received some criticism of her “pension”. Is this right or not?
Marxbury: Yes, I think it’s right. Playing four of the nine tournaments this year certainly does not look like a proper “pension”. But Lexi said her plan was more of a “departure” from a full -time schedule than a proper pension. When I talked to her last year, she seemed as if she was looking forward to enjoying what life had to offer away from the tournament golf, as an extra -structured time with family, friends, and should not wake up to an early alarm every day. This schedule does not seem to be with that plan, so maybe this is still in the future.
graft: I think the argument here should have to do with the definition of the word “pension”, which is what she never used when she announced this on Instagram last year. Her words were “leaving a full professional schedule of golf”. But let’s be honest, the “pension” rolls a little easier than “will no longer play a full -time schedule”, so this is what everyone has gone with. I don’t think she is doing anything wrong. She said she would not play full -time; It depends on what that means. And when she plays she still gives more juicy tours, so it’s a victory for events and fans.
alacrity: All is a little strange and difficult, right? Like, we probably don’t just need to make the farewell tour – we could have been joined and excited for Lexi to find a little more balance in her game schedule. I think we will be taught that she is mostly around in the big events, and I hope her new freedom will continue.
Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin won Zurich Classicholding the Højgaard twins at TPC Luiziana. Now nine (!) Years in team format, what is your review? Does it work? Will you tear it even more? Should other tour stops get attention?
Marxbury: I think this tournament works so well because it is unique, and not one of a few team events in the schedule. Funny fun and different. If it is not broken, do not fix it!
graft: It works because it is the only one. I don’t care; And I think players like the rhythm change. If they don’t do this, they take a week rest. Although as it does not already count on the world ranking points, I would even consider bending a little more with the format. What does that mean? I don’t know yet. But here’s the opportunity.
alacrity: It works because it is the only one, but also because we get enough convincing teams. Rory Mcilroy and Shane Lowry raised the juice of this event for the last two years. Højgaard twins are an electric pair. And Griffin and Novak are the perfect duo of boys-that-like-all-everyone, but could actually break your teeth in Golf. Excited for them, happy for the tour, a bumper for the strange interruption of Mid-Sunday power. Thank you kindness for the instability of alternate stroke; See you again next year!
Joaquin Niemann left the field in Liv Golf Mexico City, claiming his third victory in only Livi’s sixth event of the season and securing a country in 2025 US Open. Although not this success has not been translated into diplomas yet?
Marxbury: I think there are many factors you can quote here – you can compare liv courses and its format with PGA Tour, Depth of the Field, Mental Preparation and More. But indeed, the major ones are just as difficult to win. Rory is a main example! I can’t help but think that Joaquin will have his big break soon – maybe even this year.
