Michael Brennan: From Exemption to Champion at Black Desert
Ivins, Utah (AP) — Michael Brennan demonstrated his prowess on the PGA Tour Americas as he clinched a victory at the Black Desert. Brennan closed with an impressive 5-under 66, turning his sponsor exemption into a four-shot triumph at the Bank of Utah Championship.
Marking his first professional PGA Tour appearance, Brennan, aged 23 and an alumnus of Wake Forest, became the first sponsor exemption winner since Nick Dunlap's amateur victory at The American Express in January 2024. This win secures Brennan’s passage past the Korn Ferry Tour, propelling him straight to the PGA Tour with a two-year exemption. He also earned a spot in the PGA Championship and the $20 million RBC Heritage.
Originally ranked No. 451 globally, Brennan dominated in Canada, securing three wins in a four-tournament streak and achieving eight top 10s out of 10 starts. Winning the Fortinet Cup season points race awarded him full exemption on the Korn Ferry Tour, which he will bypass to compete directly with golf’s elites like Scottie Scheffler.
Despite a rocky finish—where a penalty shot was taken for an unplayable lie, leading to a bogey—Brennan concluded the event four shots ahead of Rico Hoey with a 22-under 262 total. His performance at Black Desert Resort, amidst the stunning red-rock cliffs and lava rocks, showcased a blend of power and composure throughout the scenic Tom Weiskopf-designed course.
Starting the final round with a three-shot lead, Brennan quickly extended his advantage with three birdies in his first five holes, never facing any serious threats to his lead.
LPGA Tour: Australia Claims Victory in International Crown
The Australian team triumphed over the United States to secure the LPGA's International Crown title, driven by the singles match wins from Minjee Lee and Hannah Green, both clinching victories at the 17th hole.
A tied foursomes match between Australians Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim and Americans Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin was rendered moot after Green's 2-and-1 win over Yealimi Noh at the New Korea Country Club. Lee defeated Angel Yin with the same score.
This victory marks Australia's first at the match-play tournament, overcoming the disappointment of 2023 when they lost to Jeeno Thitikul and Thailand in the final at Harding Park. Meanwhile, the World team secured third place after strong singles performances from Charley Hull and Lydia Ko against Japan.
European Tour: Jungwhan Lee Stuns Competitors at Genesis Championship
Jungwhan Lee staged a remarkable comeback from four shots behind, firing a 7-under 64 to claim the Genesis Championship by two strokes, securing his first European Tour title.
Lee's win grants him a two-year exemption on the European Tour, along with a place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in two weeks—the first of the DP World Tour playoff events. His victory came by overpowering Laurie Canter and Nacho Elvira, with Lee birdieing five successive holes on the front nine and taking the lead with a birdie on the 14th hole. He finished at 11-under 273.
Jordan Gumberg, an alumnus of Arizona, enlivened the competition by holing out from 58 yards for an eagle on the 18th hole, securing a tie for seventh and boosting his rank to No. 110 in the Race to Dubai standings to keep his card for the next year.
PGA Tour Champions: Steven Alker Dominates Simmons Bank Championship
Steven Alker ascended to the top of the Charles Schwab Cup rankings after a commanding wire-to-wire win at the Simmons Bank Championships, finishing with a 3-under 69 for a seven-shot victory.
Opening the tournament with a 61, Alker secured his second PGA Tour Champions win of the year. Although Miguel Angel Jimenez has accumulated four victories this season, his recent runs lack consistency with only three top 10 finishes in eight senior circuit starts.
Alker remained unchallenged at Pleasant Valley Country Club, launching an eagle-birdie-birdie sequence at the start of the back nine to establish his lead. The top 36 golfers advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Arizona next month, with Tommy Gainey clinching the 36th spot as standings remained unchanged.
Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship: Laopakdee Triumphs Against Odds
Pongsapak “Fifa” Laopakdee staged an incredible rally from a six-shot deficit, carding a 4-under 68 to overcome 16-year-old Taisei Nagasaki of Japan in a third playoff. This victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur sends him to both the Masters and British Open next year.
Laopakdee, a junior at Arizona State, became the first Thai champion in a tournament founded in 2010. Nagasaki, who began the final round five shots ahead of Rintaro Nakano, faltered with a 4-foot birdie putt miss on the 18th, closing with a 74. In the playoff, both contenders birdied the 18th and 17th holes until Nagasaki missed the green at the 18th, leading him to settle for par. (AP)
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