Welcome back to Hittin’ the Links, ladies and gentlemen. This week is wall-to-wall coverage of Jordan Spieth and the Open Championship.
Spieth proved victorious after outlasting Matt Kuchar down the stretch on Sunday, recovering from near-certain disaster to pull ahead for good with Rory McIlroy lurking a few shots behind. Spieth was nearly derailed after a disastrous tee shot on the 13th hole, but rebounded with an incredible stretch of golf to close out the round.
We’ll also check in on the PGA, Web.com, and LPGA Tours, and of course your local Woods Wrap-Up.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Spieth Wins Open Championship
Jordan Spieth played an up-and-down front nine, but after a bogey on the 13th hole he rattled off off an eagle and three birdies over his next four holes to close out Matt Kuchar and win his first British Open. [Link]
Hole #2: Spieth’s 13th Hole
It was during play of that 13th hole that things got a little wonky. Spieth pushed a ball badly to the right, where it landed on the bank of a massive sand hill. He took an unplayable, and dropped in the practice area amongst equipment company vans. He managed to escape with only a bogey. [Link]
Hole #3: Spieth’s Caddy’s Notes
Jordan Spieth’s caddy Michael Grueller compiled a list of distances and clubs used throughout the round. [Link]
Hole #4: Spieth and McIlroy Open as Co-Favorites for the PGA
Before Spieth laid the hammer down, there was a brief stretch where it looked like Rory McIlroy might sneak himself into contention. Now, he and Spieth will be the favorites going into Quail Hollow. [Link]
Hole #5: Branden Grace Shoots First-Ever Major 62
Branden Grace became the first golfer in history to shoot a 62 in a major, beating a years-old record of 63 held by 31 different players. [Link]
Hole #6: Grayson Murray Wins Barbasol Championship
Stateside, an opposite-field event was being held on the PGA Tour. Rookie Grayson Murray took home the trophy. [Link]
Hole #7: Sam Ryder Secures PGA Tour Card With Web.com Win
Sam Ryder found out this week that a course-record 62 in the third round will do you well when Jordan Spieth isn’t in the field, as he won the Pinnacle Bank Championship this week in a landslide. [Link]
Hole #8: In-Kyung Kim Wins LPGA Tour Marathon Classic
Overcoming a two-shot deficit going into the final round, In-Kyung Kim birdied six of the first nine holes to win by four over Lexi Thompson. [Link]
Hole #9: Weekly Woods Wrap-up
It was clear, even back in 1992, that Tiger was going to be one of the greats. [Link]