World Golf News, London (2025)

14/07/2025

English amateur Lottie Woad threatened major history before Grace Kim defeated Jeeno Thitikul in a dramatic play-off to win the Evian Championship.

Woad went into the final round five strokes off the pace but charged into contention by firing five birdies in a front-nine 30, with the world amateur No 1 briefly jumping into the outright lead after a birdie at the 13th took her to seven under for the round.

The 21-year-old cancelled out a three-putt bogey at the 14th with a birdie at the next and finished with three straight pars to post a seven-under 64 and - with six groups still to finish - set the clubhouse target at 13 under.

Woad ended a shot back in tied-third, as Kim made a tap-in eagle - after a stunning approach into the last - to force a play-off when Thitikul missed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole for victory.

Kim found the water with her approach into the first extra hole but holed out for a sensational birdie to pile pressure on Thitikul, who got up and down to match the score and extend the contest, then holed a long-range eagle on the second extra hole to claim a maiden major title.
Woad came into the final round requiring a top-25 finish to secure her LPGA Tour card, although thoughts quickly accelerated to bigger prizes when she birdied three of her opening four holes on Sunday morning.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13396013/evian-championship-englands-lottie-woad-misses-out-on-history-as-grace-kim-snatches-play-off-win-over-jeeno-thitikul

14/07/2025

Gates open to the public for the first time on Sunday for The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

It is the first of four official practice days before the sold-out tournament begins on Thursday.

More than 275,000 spectators are expected during the eight days of practice and competition, making it the largest sporting event held in Northern Ireland.

Holywood's Rory McIlroy is one the favourites for The Open while Irish golfer Shane Lowry is hoping to win in Portrush, just like he did in 2019 when the championship was last played at the seaside town.

A large wall mural has been painted near the entrance to the golf course marking his triumph.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which led to lockdowns across the globe in 2020, meant Royal Portrush Golf Club and the surrounding town lost some of the momentum for tourism created by the 2019 tournament.

Being handed another chance to stage the event so quickly has given Portrush another chance to shine.

The weather forecast for the next seven days is mixed, so spectators have been advised to be prepared for sunshine and showers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c307rqq2v86o

14/07/2025

Rory McIlroy was denied a second Genesis Scottish Open title by an inspired Chris Gotterup in the final round at the Renaissance Club, losing out to the American by two strokes.

Tied for the lead overnight at 11 under, McIlroy edged clear with back-to-back birdies at four and five after having dropped a shot at the third, but Gotterup - after an opening bogey - kept pace with birdies at three, seven and eight - the last of which, alongside one too for McIlroy, pushed the pair two clear of the chasing pack.

McIlroy's title push then stalled with a stretch of 10-straight pars to close out his round, while Gotterup seized the initiative down the back nine and nudged two ahead with further strokes gained at 10 and 12.

A bogey at 15 threatened a late wobble from the world No 158, only for him to respond with a birdie at the par-five next as he closed out a stunning victory, while McIlroy finished tied-second with Marco Penge.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13396015/scottish-open-rory-mcilroy-denied-second-title-as-chris-gotterup-clinches-shock-win-to-book-royal-portrush-spot

13/07/2025

Happy Gilmore 2 debuts on Netflix July 25th, and today in celebration of the upcoming film release, Callaway Golf is proud to announce the launch of the Limited Edition Odyssey Hockey Stick Putter and Callaway Golf Balls inspired by the movie. The golf balls will be available at Callaway and Odyssey retailers worldwide starting July 11th, and the putters will be available from July 25th to coincide with the movie's launch.
Odyssey has continued to dominate as the #1 Putter for over 25 years on every major worldwide Tour. The Hockey Stick has also been one of the most famous putters in golf lore for nearly 30 years, and this updated model is available in an enhanced design with the unique shape, Odyssey's best technologies, plus a new Happy Gilmore 2-inspired sock headcover.

Callaway's Chrome Tour Golf Ball family has been an incredible success in the market and at the professional level with 4 major wins to date, led by an investment of over $100 million to the Company's ball manufacturing plant in Chicopee. MA. Happy Gilmore uses a Callaway Chrome Tour Ball in the Netflix movie, and the Happy Gilmore 2 Limited Edition Balls prominently feature popular visuals and quotes including the hockey jersey design, hockey sticks, along with iconic lines like "just tap it in" and "it's all in the hips" to add some fun.

"We're thrilled to announce these outstanding Limited Edition Odyssey Hockey Stick Putters and Callaway Golf Balls inspired by the upcoming Happy Gilmore 2 movie coming to Netflix," said Callaway Vice President of Global Marketing, Nick McInally. "It's so exciting for us to be part of one of the most iconic golf franchises and to be able to update the famous Hockey Stick Putter, as well as bring the exclusive Chrome Tour Balls to the market."

The Happy Gilmore 2-inspired Golf Balls will be available at Callaway retailers worldwide starting July 11th at a price of $59.99 per dozen, and the Odyssey Hockey Stick Putters will be available at these retailers starting July 25th at a price of $499.99.

13/07/2025

Amateur sensation Lottie Woad one solid round away from earning an LPGA card at the Evian

Lottie Woad hit what she thought was a good drive on the par-5 18th, only to find it in the rough by a foot. Forced to lay up, her second shot then found a divot in the fairway. From the divot, she hit a wedge to 60 feet and then drained the putt for birdie.

And that sums up the No. 1 amateur in the world: always in it.

Woad's up-and-down third-round 70 – that included two 6s on the card – puts her in a share of 19th at 6 under. That's five shots back of the leaders and in solid position to earn her LPGA card. The Florida State senior needs to finish in the top 25 to earn the last point needed to earn her card.

"I was 2 over through 6 and didn't really give up," said Woad, "so happy with that. We're not too far out of it."

The 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur champion would become the first player to earn LPGA membership through the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program, which launched in the fall of 2024.

https://golfweek-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/lpga/2025/07/12/amateur-lottie-woad-earn-lpga-card/84790159007/

13/07/2025

On a day ripe with low scores, world No. 1 Nelly Korda's 75 was particularly rough. Korda began the weekend at the Amundi Evian Championship in a share of 12th, five shots back.

She now heads into the final round in a share of 44th, 10 shots back.

Minjee Lee owns the record for the largest come-from-behind victory in France. She was seven back when she won in 2021. Angela Stanford and Anna Nordqvist were both five back when they won.

Though Evian Golf Resort is known for giving up low scores – three 61s! – Korda has dug herself too deep a hole.

Still winless in 2025, Korda doubled the par-5 ninth and bogeyed the par-5 18th to make a mess of two good scoring opportunities. She hit only five fairways and 11 greens on the day, needing 32 putts.
https://golfweek-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/lpga/2025/07/12/lpga-no-1-nelly-korda-wrong-way-moving-day-evian/84789693007/

13/07/2025

SAN ROQUE, Spain – With his Australian heritage and Open Championship pedigree, Ripper GC GC Captain Cameron Smith knows a thing or two about playing golf in blustery conditions.

Rarely has he experienced an afternoon like Friday’s first round of LIV Golf Andalucía at Real Club Valderrama.

Severe winds reduced scoring opportunities and eventually forced a suspension of play due to unplayable conditions – the first time in league history that a round could not be completed in a single day.

“You can play this golf course with no wind and it’s brutal,” Smith said. “When you get 30 mile-an-hour gusts, it’s definitely not an easy place to get around.”

Play will resume Saturday at 8 a.m. local time, with the second round expected to start at 10:30 a.m. once all players complete their first rounds. Players have between three and five holes remaining in their opening rounds.

Smith was one of just five players under par when the horn blew to suspend play. He shares the overnight lead at 1 under with Smash GC’s Talor Gooch, the individual winner at Valderrama in 2023; Majesticks GC Co-Captain Lee Westwood; Stinger GC’s Branden Grace and Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann, the current Individual points leader seeking his fifth win of the season.
Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau and Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm are one stroke back – the only other players who did not leave the course Friday over par.

The Crushers, seeking their fourth consecutive team title, are tied for first with Legion XIII and Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC on the team leaderboard at 5 over.

Friday’s round started under breezy but manageable conditions, but the wind speed increased throughout the afternoon as the direction changed.

At 5:07 p.m. local time, just over four hours after the shotgun start, the horn blew. Tournament officials were hopeful for a resumption, but the forecast was not favorable and included the potential of dangerous conditions.

“Terribly unfortunate situation to be in for anybody out here,” said Brad Ullman, LIV Golf Vice President, Rules. “These Poniente winds of southern Spain are no joke.”

From a competition standpoint, the biggest issues came on the greens. A combination of dry putting surfaces and high-impact wind gusts prevented putts from stopping and golf balls from remaining still at address. At the most exposed parts of the course, particularly the greens on the 11th and 14th holes, putting was near-impossible.

“Ultimately the balls were moving a little bit too much for our liking,” Ullman said. “It was the right thing to bring them off the golf course.”

https://www.livgolf.com/news/recap-liv-golf-andalucia-round-1-leaders-winds-delay-finish-2025

13/07/2025

Rory McIlroy put himself in pole position to win the Scottish Open after he carded a fine four-under par 66 at the Renaissance Club.

Finding form at just the right time ahead of next week's Open, the world number two landed five birdies, and just one bogey, to leave him on 11 under for the tournament, and a share of the overnight lead with American Chris Gotterup, with just Sunday's final round to come.

England's Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge are two shots back following rounds of 69, tied for third with Americans Wyndham Clark and Jake Knapp.

McIlroy landed his first birdie at the par-five third before dropping a shot at the seventh. However, he bounced back by picking up a shot on the next hole before further birdies at the 10th and par-three 14th.

McIlroy's encouraging performance - with clear signs of him being back at his best - comes at a crucial time with The Open at Royal Portrush to follow next week.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13395926/genesis-scottish-open-rory-mcilroy-on-the-charge-to-hold-share-of-lead-ahead-of-final-round

12/07/2025

LIV Golf has made a fresh bid for their events to be eligible for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

The Saudi-backed breakaway league saw its original application to be included in the OWGR rejected in October 2023, with the bid abandoned altogether five months later.

But the OWGR has now confirmed that LIV submitted a new request on June 30, which it would now review.
"The OWGR Board is committed to a thorough evaluation process of all applications," said Trevor Immelman, the former golfer who is now chairman of the OWGR board of directors, in a statement.
"LIV's application will be reviewed in accordance with OWGR's criteria to ensure fairness, integrity and consistency.

"We appreciate the interest of LIV Golf - and all Tours - in contributing to the global landscape of men's professional golf through OWGR.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13395598/liv-golf-launches-new-bid-to-join-official-world-golf-rankings-two-years-after-first-application-rejected

12/07/2025

What time does The Open start?
Around 270,000 golf fans are expected during the eight days of practice and competitive play for the 153rd Open championship at Royal Portrush.

The first official practice day is on Sunday 13 July with the four-day championship beginning on Thursday 17 July.

On the practice days, there will be golf throughout the day with gates opening at 09:00 BST on Sunday then at 07:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

When the championship starts, the timings are as follows:

Thursday and Friday – gates open 06:00

Saturday and Sunday – gates open 07:00

What can I bring to The Open 2025?
Organisers of the tournament, the R&A, have strict rules around what fans can bring to the course, external.

Mobile phones are allowed but they must be kept on silent. People can bring rucksacks and their own food.

However, spectators are not allowed to bring their own alcohol.

Also banned from the course are:

selfie sticks

portable speakers

flares

fireworks

pets

Guide dogs are permitted, as are pushchairs and buggies.

Although it can be difficult to find a clear view of the golf within a large crowd, ladders and periscopes are not allowed on the course.

Wi-fi will be available in the grandstands and at the spectator village which contains the catering and retail outlets.

Can you leave the course and get back in?
A re-admission policy will be in place which means spectators can leave, go into Portrush town centre and then return to the golf.

However, they must collect a wristband before leaving the course to ensure re-entry.

How to get to The Open 2025
There will be no public car-parking beside Royal Portrush, with park and ride facilities operating instead.

Charges will apply at the park and ride, with a fee of £17 during the four championship days Thursday to Sunday (17-20 July).

Organisers have urged fans to use public transport, but an industrial dispute at Translink could lead to trains not running on two days during The Open.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) has earmarked Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July for strike action involving some of its members.

If the industrial action goes ahead, it would involve widespread disruption to rail services on those days, not just in Portrush.

Translink say they are doing everything they can to avert the strike.

Extra bus and train services to Portrush are planned from 14 July, with fans urged to arrive 30 minutes before departure time as services are likely to be busy.

Sarah Simpson, Translink's northern area manager, said: "There will be enhanced train capacity and frequency, including additional services to Portrush and late evening return services.

"Special bus and coach services are also available in addition to normal Goldliner services.

"I would encourage anyone heading to The Open to visit our website for travel options, external."

What's changed since the last Open in Portrush?
It is six years since The Open was last in Northern Ireland, in 2019.

Since then the new transport hub Grand Central Station has opened in Belfast.

There is now a more frequent train service to and from Dublin which will make it easier for golf fans from the Republic of Ireland to travel to Portrush.

There are more hotel rooms available in Belfast, Londonderry and near Portrush with the expansion of some hotels and the development of some new ones.

Most accommodation was snapped up quickly with only limited availability left.

What will be the economic impact of The Open?
The economic dividend from The Open will be much greater this year - according to Janice Gault, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.

She said: "The last time it was reckoned there was £100m of economic benefit, this time it's likely to double to over £213m as a projected figure for all aspects of the economy – tourism, retail, hospitality, there's something in it for everyone."

Speaking of money, The Open site is cash-less. The bars, shops and food outlets are all card only.

How widespread is Rory McIlroy fever?
The recent victory by Rory McIlroy at the Masters means there will be even more focus than usual on the fans' favourite golfer.

He first caught the public eye in Northern Ireland as a child when he appeared on an Ulster Television chat show chipping golf balls into a washing machine.

In support of the local golfing hero, a washing machine is being set up at Grand Central Station for fans to hit balls into.

Or, perhaps, for fans to try to hit balls into.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vd7xvdv53o

11/07/2025

German teen, who stands over 6 feet tall, contending early at Evian in major debut | See link below ⬇️

11/07/2025

Nelly Korda said having sister inside ropes for TV at Evian felt like a 'comfort blanket' | See link below ⬇️

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