PGA TOUR
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Dates: April 23-26
Venue: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La.
In our preview for this week’s PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, we highlighted the two big hitters in the field, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day. Jason Day was in contention in this rain plagued event which unfortunately had several hours of weather delays forcing players to finish delayed rounds in the morning and play 18 more holes in the afternoon. Day’s 2nd round 65 put him in the spotlight, but he was not able to go low enough to take home the trophy
The rain soaked TPC Louisiana proved to be closer to a dartboard than a golf course. Many players carded four rounds in the 60’s including eventual winner Justin Rose, who closed out the win by one shot over Cameron Triangle by going birdie-birdie on the final two holes.
The win marked the 7th on Tour for Rose and marked the sixth consecutive season with a win. The one player with a better record than that is Dustin Johnson, with one win in each of the last eight years.
Rose, ranked 9th in the world, should move up in the world rankings this week.
LPGA TOUR
Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic
Dates: April 23-26
Venue: Lake Merced Golf Club, San Francisco, Calif.
History in women’s golf is being written on a weekly basis with the amazing young Lydia Ko. This week Ko celebrated her 18th birthday by defending her title at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. She defeated Morgan Pressel in a two hole playoff to card her eighth win on the LPGA Tour by the age of 18.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge
Dates: April 24-26
Venue: Buffalo Ridge (Springs Course); Top of the Rock, Ridgedale, Mo.
Joe Durant and Billy Andrade teamed up to win the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Mo. This two-player team event is a fun format similar to many of the Ryder Cup two-player formats.
Durant carded an ace on the 167 yard 3rd hole of the second nine.
Fans were treated to the legendary pairing of Jack Nicklaus and gary Player Legends Division of the event.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Volvo China Open
Dates: April 22-26
Venue: Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club, Shanghai, China
History was made this past week on the European Tour as Chinese player Wu Ashun became the first to win a European Tour in China. Ashun’s final round 71 was enough to make it to nine-under par, one shot ahead of second place finisher David Howell from England.
As golf is not extremely popular in China, Ashun primarily plays on the Japan Tour. As a result of the European Tour win, Ashun has full exempt status on the European Tour, with many great opportunities coming as a result.
