Welcome once again to this week’s Hittin’ the Links!
The PGA Tour paid a visit this week to southern California’s Torrey Pines Golf Course, where Jason Day pulled out a playoff victory over Alex Noren in the Farmers Insurance Open.
Tiger Woods also made his return this week to the Tour, posting a solid, scramble-filled T23 finish, which rocketed him up the world golf rankings. We’ll also check in on Rory McIlroy on the PGA Tour, and take note of this week’s LPGA Tour winner.
Let’s hit the links!
Hole #1: Jason Day Wins at Torrey Pines
Jason Day won his first PGA Tour event since the 2016 PGA Championship this weekend, outlasting Alex Noren over six playoff holes. Day’s 18-inch birdie putt sealed his victory. [Link]
Hole #2: Li Haotong Wins Dubai Desert Classic Over Rory McIlroy
Despite a two-shot lead with eight holes to go, Rory McIlroy couldn’t hold off China’s Li Haotong at Emirates Golf Club. McIlroy closed with back-to-back birdies, but still couldn’t reclaim the lead he squandered earlier on the back nine. [Link]
Hole #3: Brittany Lincicome Wins in the Bahamas
Brittany Lincicome birdied four of the last five holes to close out the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, her eighth career Tour win. It was her second consecutive win in the Bahamas after she outlasted Lexi Thompson in a playoff a year ago.
[Link]
Hole #4: Tiger Woods Makes Cut, Finishes Healthy
Tiger Woods shot rounds of 72, 71, 70, and 72 this week at Torrey, good enough for a solid T23 finish. Woods spent the entire week fighting poor tee shots and mediocre iron play, but was buoyed by a spectacular short game. Most importantly, he was pain-free.
[Link]
Hole #5: Tiger Jumps 108 Spots in the OWGR
Thanks to his T23 finish, Tiger jumped from 647th to 539th in the world. This is Woods’ highest ranking in two years.
[Link]
Hole #6: What’s in Jason Day’s Bag?
Day wears Nike apparel and is a true-blue TaylorMade man throughout the bag. He was gaming TM’s new M3 driver this week.
[Link]
Hole #7: J.B. Holmes Criticized For Delayed 72nd Hole
J.B. Holmes has been criticized today for apparently trying to ice Alex Noren as they stood in the fairway on the 72nd hole. With Jason Day already in the clubhouse at -10 and Noren tied for the lead, Holmes needed an eagle to match. Holmes took over four minutes to make up his mind before laying up timidly short of the pond that fronts the 18th’s green. Noren, who was forced to wait as Holmes putzed around, flew his 3-wood over the green and made par. [Link]
Hole #8: What Made Tiger Great?
With Tiger making his return to PGA Tour golf, we got a spate of Tiger Woods pieces this week. Jaime Diaz’s at Golf Digest was among the best. [Link]
Hole #9: Tiger Fatigue Syndrome
Also writing for Golf Digest, Shane Ryan had a different take, imploring us to look past the living legend to what the rest of the Tour has to offer. [Link]