"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment: Eckroat's Birdie Bonanza, Waring's Breakthrough, A Lim Kim Victorious In Hawaii.
PGA TOUR: Austin Eckroat Clinches Victory at the World Wide Technology Championship
The final round of the World Wide Technology Championship saw the hot hand of Austin Eckroat birdie his way to a remarkable victory at El Cardonal at Diamante, a course designed by Tiger Woods. Eckroat, who won the Cognizant Classic in March, was keen to prove that his first PGA Tour win was no fluke. Starting the final round just one shot behind the leaders, Eckroat made an astounding 11 birdies, shooting a nine-under 63 to secure his win. With the win, he became the seventh multi-time winner this season.
After his round, Austin talked about how today marked some of the best golf the 25-year-old has played.
"That's probably some of the best golf that I've ever played," Eckroat said.
"Just from the start -- making birdies and putts were going in. It was automatic out there today. ... It's crazy, though; I only won by one, shooting 9-under par today from one back, so obviously, everyone was playing well. It was a good battle."
The Battle Down the Stretch
Eckroat's performance was not without pressure. His closest competitors, Justin Lower and Carson Young played exceptionally well, each carding a 65 in the final round. The pair tied for second, marking each's first career runner-up finish. Those ties for second were critical too for Lower and Young; Lower moved up 21 spots to the 74th slot, and Young went from 113th at the start of the week to 86th.
Eckroat's Final Push
Austin's final round was a birdie-fest. He began with birdies on six of his first eight holes, and by the 17th hole, he had added five more. Despite Eckroat's final hole bogey, his second of the day, coupled with an eagle by Lower and a birdie by Young, Austin pulled out the one-stroke victory.
Looking Ahead
This victory means more than just another trophy for Eckroat. Securing 500 FedEx Cup points, he now looks forward to a solidified position in the upcoming 2025 signature events. Reflecting on future ambitions, Eckroat expressed his hope to clinch a major championship and aims for a spot in the next Ryder Cup and the 2025 Tour Championship. His win in Los Cabos is undoubtedly a significant step in that direction.
D.P. World Tour: Paul Waring's Breakthrough Moment
The final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship was a remarkable milestone for Paul Waring, who claimed the most significant victory of his professional career. Waring finished with a score of 6-under par 66 on Sunday, totaling 24-under 264 for the tournament. This victory positioned him well in the Race to Dubi Rankings, jumping 43 spots to number five with only next week's final remaining. It also brought him closer than ever to obtaining a coveted PGA Tour card, with the top ten after next week's Tour Championship securing that honor.
Unyielding Focus
Waring's performance throughout the tournament was very much like riding a high-speed rollercoaster. Paul shot a strong 8-under par 64 on Thursday, only to follow that up on Friday with a remarkable course record-setting 11-under par 61. Saturday was another story for the Englishman, as his hot play through 36 holes came to a screeching halt with a 1-over par 73.
After his Saturday round, Waring shared some thoughts with the press:
"You've got to have an average day, haven't you? I'm a little bit disappointed – I felt like I could have put myself out of sight, but it's four rounds of golf; you're always going to have a bit of an iffy run of holes, an iffy round of golf."
Despite the poor round, Waring still led by one and was very optimistic heading into Sunday.
"It's a game of golf tomorrow in the sunshine – I'm looking forward to the challenge of it now. I feel like my bad golf is out of the way now."
The Winning Edge
With that one-shot advantage, Waring was well aware that he would have a fight on his hands as play began for the leaders on Sunday. The competition was fierce, with top contenders making strong final-day impressions. Among those vying for the title late on Sunday were fellow Englishman and LIV golfer Tyrrell Hatton and Race to Duni points leader Rory McIlroy.
Ultimately, Waring's consistent play and his ability to handle the pressure of this high-stakes final round proved pivotal. He shot a closing 6-under par 66 and secured his win, two clear of Hatton and three clear of Rory, Matt Wallace, and Thorbjørn Olesen. With his tie for third, Rory McIlroy all but secured the Race to Dubi title, which would be the sixth of his career.
Career Implications
With this win, Waring steps into a new chapter of his career. Securing this win not only adds a prestigious trophy to his collection but also significantly boosts his position towards earning a PGA TOUR card for 2025. Sunday marked a substantial leap forward for Waring, providing him with increased confidence and visibility on the global stage.
LPGA Tour: A Lim Kim Triumphs at the LOTTE Championship
A Lim Kim emerged victorious in the final round of the LPGA TOUR's LOTTE Championship, held at the breathtaking Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Kim delivered an exceptional performance throughout the week and continued her fine play on a breezy Hawaiian Sunday, finishing the tournament with a score of 18-under par 270.
Final Round Battle
The final day saw Kim maintain her one-shot lead after a closing 4-under par 68, two strokes ahead of runner-up Nataliya Guseva. Kim's final round saw six birdies offset by only two bogeys. This victory adds another prestigious title to her career following her triumph at the 2020 U.S. Women's Open.
Path to Second Title
Kim's journey to her second LPGA title exemplifies her increasing prowess and confidence on the international stage. After clinching her first win, and a major no less, in 2020, this victory solidified her position as a top competitor in women's golf. With today's victory, the 29-year-old South Korean moved from 65th to 22nd in the Race to CME Globe standings, securing a spot in the 60-player season finale and a shot at the $4 million winners purse.
Kim's Perspective
After her win, Kim expressed gratitude and excitement over her performance in Hawaii. She also spoke about one key factor that many golfers, professionals, and amateurs alike tend to forget when competing: You need to have fun while you grind.
"Super fun," Kim said of her day. "On the course I feel like more fun. It was super fun. I haven't felt this way in a long time."
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.
