Céline Boutier delighted the home crowds with an opening 7-under 65 that handed her a three-shot lead at the Olympic women’s golf competition.
With big galleries gathered for the first round at Le Golf National on Wednesday, world No. 7 Boutier was inspired as she recorded eight birdies and one bogey to make a dream start in her medal pursuit. Her total equalled the lowest first-round score at the Olympics, matching efforts by Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016 and Madelene Sagstrom at Tokyo 2020.
At the midway point of 2024, U.S. rounds are trending 2% ahead of the midyear total from 2023 — a year during which more rounds of golf were played at U.S. courses than any time in history.
It might seem like a modest year-over year change, but the bigger picture reveals the demand for recreational golf continues to reside in record territory. And the numbers continue to reinforce that the industry is enjoying a “new normal” when it comes to play.
Two rounds of stroke play weren’t enough to decide the match-play bracket for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
The action on Wednesday teed off with a 20-for-10 playoff, the largest in U.S. Women’s Amateur history, which lasted just two holes but did extend two hours. Only one of the playoff winners – University of Southern California’s rising sophomore Bailey Shoemaker – advanced from the opening Round of 64 to Thursday’s Round 32.
3’s, the innovative new concept in golf entertainment that combines accessible Par-3 golf with cutting-edge hospitality, has purchased an existing par-3 course in Charlotte, North Carolina for its latest location. Pebble Creek Golf Course in Indian Trail will undergo extensive renovation, bringing the 3’s concept of fun, food and par-3 golf to one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States.
An opening of the new 3’s Charlotte location is planned for the latter half of 2025.
I told you last week that new PXG GEN7 irons, Black Ops irons, and Sugar Daddy III wedges are coming. And I'll have a fitting soon and give you all the details on how each of these new clubs perform.
This article however is a deep dive into the new PXG tech and testing of the GEN7 irons (I'll have similar articles for the Black Ops irons and Sugar Daddy III wedges) because these truly might be the most advanced irons PXG has designed to date. PXG is saying these are the greatest leap forward in irons technology and performance in PXG history.
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics mark the third Games golf has been contested since it was reintroduced in 2016.
V1 Sports, the pioneer in swing video analysis solutions for coaches and athletes, has introduced its latest coaching app, V1 COACH.
Tuesday marked the conclusion of stroke play at the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur and marked the hottest day of the year in Tulsa, Okla., with temperatures hitting 104 degrees just after 4 p.m. local time. Players not only faced the challenge of a USGA setup on a course known for its difficult test and even tougher greens, but the relentless sun pushed those in the afternoon wave through an intense test of endurance and skill.
But as the championship enters the 64-player match play portion of the event at Southern Hills Country Club, it’s clear the cream has risen to the top. Twelve of the 13 top 25 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking/WAGR® who entered the week survived the cut, with the last – Amanda Sambach – currently in the playoff for the remaining spots in match play. The top 10 after stroke play includes two USGA champions in Asterisk Talley and Kiara Romero, an Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion in Anna Davis, the highest ranked player in the field in Zoe Campos and the reigning champion of the Women’s Amateur Championship conducted by The R&A in Melanie Green.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) Grant Application is now open for 2025. Launched last year, the program aims to mitigate barriers of cost to promising junior golfers who demonstrate both financial need and the potential to progress through the USNDP pathway.
“The future of competitive American golf not only depends on our ability to identify and nurture our country’s next generation of top talent, but to also invest in those athletes,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA managing director of player relations and development. “There are countless golfers with the talent and ambition to compete at the highest level but need help bridging the financial gap, and we’re thrilled to offer that support and be a resource for many exceptional young people as they pursue their dreams.
Supreme Golf (www.supremegolf.com), a leader in booking online tee times, announced today a partnership with Folds of Honor, a foundation that provides academic scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders.
The round-up campaign, which is active now, encourages anyone reserving a tee time online or via its mobile app to round up the cost of the booking. The round up will be processed at checkout. All additional money will provide a donation to Folds of Honor.
It comes as no surprise that birdies were hard to find during the first round of the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur, given Southern Hills Country Club has long been renowned for its demanding test of golf. The last major championship played at the iconic Tulsa, Okla., venue was the 2022 PGA Championship, won by Justin Thomas with a final score of 5-under par. It’s the highest winning score of a PGA Championship over the last 16 years.
In what is the USGA’s tenth trip to Southern Hills, and first since the 2009 U.S. Amateur, Monday’s championship play saw just eight of the 156 players in the field finish the day under par, with an average score of 76.5.
Scottie Scheffler produced a spectacular 9-under 62 at Le Golf National on Sunday, equaling the course record and emerging from a star-studded leaderboard to win gold at the Olympic men’s golf competition.
On a thrilling final day in the outskirts of Paris, the American was flawless from start to finish, reaching 19-under 265 as he surged to victory, highlighted by an impressive back-nine 29 to underline his status as the world No. 1.
Leta Lindley, who had knocked on the door twice at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, finally gained entry to the winner’s circle on Sunday with a sizzling final-round, 7-under-par 64 at demanding Fox Chapel Golf Club to win the championship by two strokes over Kaori Yamamoto. Lindley’s 72-hole winning score was 9-under-par 275.
Beginning the final round five strokes behind Yamamoto, who led after each previous round, Lindley made birdies on five of the first eight holes to pull two strokes ahead. By the time play entered the treacherous back nine, Lindley was at 7 under par and Yamamoto at 6 under with no one else closer than five strokes, essentially becaming a two-woman race down the stretch.
Among the things in plenty of supply at the 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open – along with talent – is experience. These women have seen it all, and that knowledge was helpful on Saturday when dangerous weather at Fox Chapel Golf Club halted third round play for three hours. When play resumed, Kaori Yamamoto ran into some choppy water but ended 54 holes at 7-under-par 206, five strokes ahead of a ton of experience.
Yamamoto, who has played the Japan LPGA and Japan Legends Tour combined for three decades, relied on her experience to hold off a pair of World Golf Hall of Fame members: Annika Sorenstam, a four-time USGA champion, and Juli Inkster who has five USGA trophies at home, plus Leta Lindley, who has been runner-up in the last two U.S. Senior Women’s Opens and Mikino Kubo. They are all five back at 211.
Xander Schauffele holds a share of the lead alongside Spain’s Jon Rahm ahead of the final round of the Olympic men’s golf competition as he looks to win back-to-back gold medals.
The American arrived at his second appearance at the Games on the back of winning The Open Championship two weeks ago and has continued his excellent form at Le Golf National.
The hot, humid air clung to the hills hovering over the Allegheny River and turned an already challenging Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh into an even hotter pressure cooker in Thursday’s first round of the 6th U.S. Senior Women’s Open. As late-day shadows crept across the course, Kaori Yamamoto, who played in the heat of the afternoon, was in at 4-under-par 67, one stroke better than Christa Johnson and Lisa Grimes, who went out in the relative cool of the morning.
At 69 is two-time runner-up Leta Lindley with Mikino Kubo and Corina Kelepouris, who made an eagle on the par-4 fifth hole, at 70. Alicia Dibos, Catrin Nilsmark, amateur Kristine Franklin and Annika Sorenstam are at even-par 71.
The new Titleist GT2 and GT3 fairway metals build upon the engineering breakthroughs that created the GT driver line, delivering exceptional performance from material and construction advancements. GT fairways offer fast speeds, higher flight, optimal spin and longer carry in two unique models. The line provides total performance both off the tee and into the green.
“A line of high-performing fairway metals needs to excel in a number of different ways,” said Stephanie Luttrell, Director, Titleist Metalwood Product Development. “For most golfers, fairway metals need to be highly versatile. They need to be fast and long off the tee, and they need to fly high and hold greens. Playability and forgiveness are hugely important as well. The changes we made to GT fairways help deliver across all these performance attributes.”
Titleist, the most played driver on the PGA TOUR for five years and counting, introduces three all-new GT driver models, the most advanced and best-performing drivers to ever bear the Titleist script. GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers are engineered to deliver total driver performance without sacrifice. In addition to exceptional looks, feel and sound, the new line is faster, longer, straighter and more forgiving across the face than any Titleist driver to precede it.
As part of the disruptive, high-performance, spikeless footwear franchise, adidas launches CODECHAOS 25 BOA. The CODECHAOS 25 BOA expertly utilizes the BOA Fit System to deliver a micro-adjustable, precision fit engineered to perform in all conditions.
With the BOA Fit System activating a shrouded, wrapped upper configuration, the CODECHAOS 25 BOA delivers golfers the added benefit of improved power and precision. The CODECHAOS 25 also features a redesigned outsole highlighted by a new 3D TORSION plate to enhance the feel of stability and support.
The 124th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship kicks off next week.
Here's a breakdown of the 155 golfers competing at Southern Hills Country Club. One spot is currently being held for the winner of the 2024 Canadian Women’s Amateur, which concludes on Aug. 2.
Club Champion, the globe’s top custom fitter, announces they have created Iron Fitting Month to focus on the clubs that get you closer to the green. Club Champion iron fittings improve dispersion by 15+ yards on average, making the clubs a vital part of your golf bag.
From August 1 - 31, every Club Champion location is offering $50 iron fittings for any golfer who purchases new irons or custom iron shafts with Club Champion installation.
The world of golf is buzzing about Christo Lamprecht. The 23-year-old golfer from South Africa is one of the most promising rising stars in the game. At just 16-years old, Lamprecht won the South African Amateur Championship—the youngest player in history to win it.
At Georgia Tech, Lamprecht was All-American three times, 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, the winner of three collegiate titles, and ended his senior year as the top ranked amateur player in the world. Now, Christo Lamprecht has decided to turn professional—and join Under Amour’s golf roster. new innovative looks and equipment inspired by one of the most intriguing up and coming names in golf. Lamprecht sat down with us to discuss this exciting next step in his journey.
CODECHAOS, the disruptive performance spikeless footwear franchise from adidas that’s redefined what a golf shoe can be, is introducing its next chapter: CODECHAOS 25.
Designed to challenge the meaning and mentality behind spikeless performance, this new model introduces a redesigned outsole and upper aimed to provide golfers with an enhanced feeling of traction and stability in an eye-catching silhouette that’s impossible to ignore. Led by the CODECHAOS 25 BOA® model, the new footwear will also come in a laced version for men and women and will be available worldwide beginning August 1.
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The 2024 US Women's Amateur Championship kicks off next week from Southern Hills Country Club.
Here's a look inside the course, history, and field.
PAR AND YARDAGE
Southern Hills Country Club will be set up at 6,437 yards and will play to a par of 35-36—71.
(NOTE: Yardages subject to change.)
SOUTHERN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB HOLE BY HOLE
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
Par 4 4 4 4 5 3 4 3 4 35
Yards 452 409 377 330 558 133 388 178 358 3,183
Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total
Par 4 3 4 5 3 4 5 4 4 36
Yards 371 150 392 592 188 386 522 315 401 3,254
ABOUT SOUTHERN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB
Southern Hills Country Club, which was designed by Perry Maxwell, opened for play in 1936 and is situated on land that was donated by oilman Waite Phillips. There have been several course modifications over the decades, including a recent restoration by Gil Hanse. In addition to three U.S. Opens, the course hosted the 1946 U.S. Women’s Amateur, when the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias defeated Clara Sherman, 11 and 9, in the championship final. Zaharias would go on to win three U.S. Women’s Open titles.
Retief Goosen won the first of his two U.S. Opens in an 18-hole playoff with Mark Brooks in 2001 at Southern Hills. Tommy Bolt and Hubert Green won their U.S. Opens there in 1958 and 1977, respectively.
Southern Hills has also been the site of five PGA Championships, most recently in 2022 when Justin Thomas defeated Will Zalatoris in a playoff. Other winners of PGA Championships at Southern Hills include Tiger Woods (2007), Nick Price (1994), Raymond Floyd (1982) and Dave Stockton (1970).
ENTRIES
The championship is open to female amateur golfers who have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4. In 2024, the USGA accepted 1,588 entries for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, the second most in championship history.
QUALIFYING
Qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur took place between June 19 and July 18.
CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD
A starting field of 156 players will compete in the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Following 18-hole rounds of stroke play on Aug. 5-6, the field will be cut to the top 64 players for match play. Five 18-hole rounds of match play will determine the finalists who will square off in a 36-hole championship match on Aug. 11.
SCHEDULE OF PLAY
Practice rounds will take place Aug. 3-4, and the championship schedule is as follows:
Aug. 5 (Monday): First round, stroke play
Aug. 6 (Tuesday): Second round, stroke play
Aug. 7 (Wednesday): Round of 64, match play
Aug. 8 (Thursday): Rounds of 32 and 16, match play
Aug. 9 (Friday): Quarterfinal round, match play
Aug. 10 (Saturday): Semifinal round, match play
Aug. 11 (Sunday): 36-hole championship final, match play
2023 CHAMPION
Auburn University standout Megan Schofill, of Monticello, Fla., defeated fellow Floridian and Southeastern Conference rival Latanna Stone (LSU), of Riverview, 4 and 3, in the 36-hole final at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif. Schofill became the first Floridian to hoist the Robert Cox Trophy since Morgan Pressel in 2005.
BROADCAST COVERAGE
The 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur will receive at least 15 hours of live network coverage. All times ET.
Wednesday, Aug 7 – 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel
Thursday, Aug. 8 – 3-6 p.m., Peacock
Friday, Aug. 9 – 3-6 p.m., Peacock
Saturday, Aug. 10 – 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel
Sunday, Aug. 11 – 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship is one of the United States Golf Association’s original three championships. It was first conducted in 1895, shortly after the inaugural U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open. The Women’s Amateur has been conducted every year since, except 1917-18, when it was suspended due to World War I, and 1942-45, when it was suspended due to World War II.
The most decorated champion is Glenna Collett Vare, a lifelong amateur who won the Cox Trophy a record six times. Second to Vare is JoAnne Gunderson Carner, who won five U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships. Combined with her two wins in the U.S. Women’s Open and one victory in the U.S. Girls’ Junior, Carner’s eight USGA titles are tied with Jack Nicklaus and eclipsed only by Bob Jones and Tiger Woods, who have each won nine.
U.S. Women’s Amateur champions seem to possess a remarkable facility to repeat. Beatrix Hoyt, Alexa Stirling, Vare, Virginia Van Wie and Juli Inkster have all won the U.S. Women’s Amateur three consecutive times. Another seven champions – Genevieve Hecker, Dorothy Campbell, Margaret Curtis, Betty Jameson, Kay Cockerill, Kelli Kuehne and Danielle Kang – have won two in a row.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur has long identified some of golf’s greatest female players, many of whom have gone on to successful professional careers. Along with the champions listed above, Patty Berg, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Marlene Stewart Streit, Anne Quast Sander, Barbara McIntire, Catherine Lacoste, Carol Semple Thompson, Beth Daniel, Morgan Pressel and Lydia Ko have secured a place in golf history.
WHAT THE WINNER RECEIVES:
A gold medal and custody of the Robert Cox Trophy for one year
Exemption from qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.
Exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Women's Amateurs, if eligible
Exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Girls' Juniors, if eligible
Invitation to the 2025 Augusta National Women's Amateur
Likely exemptions into The Chevron Championship, AIG Women's Open and Amundi Evian Championship
USGA AND SOUTHERN HILLS
This will be the 10th USGA championship and the second U.S. Women’s Amateur held at Southern Hills Country Club. The 1946 U.S. Women’s Amateur won by Babe Didrikson Zaharias was the first USGA championship held there. The club most recently hosted the 2009 U.S. Amateur, won by Byeong-Hun An, and has hosted three U.S. Opens (1958, 1977, 2001).
USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SOUTHERN HILLS
1946 U.S. Women's Amateur (Babe Didrikson Zaharias)
1953 U.S. Junior Amateur (Rex Baxter Jr.)
1958 U.S. Open (Tommy Bolt)
1961 U.S. Senior Amateur (Dexter Daniels)
1965 U.S. Amateur (Bob Murphy)
1977 U.S. Open (Hubert Green)
1987 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur (Cindy Scholefield-McConnell)
2001 U.S. Open (Retief Goosen)
2009 U.S. Amateur (Byeong-Hun An)
OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS AT SOUTHERN HILLS
1970 PGA Championship (Dave Stockton)
1982 PGA Championship (Raymond Floyd)
1994 PGA Championship (Nick Price)
1995 Tour Championship (Billy Mayfair)
1996 Tour Championship (Tom Lehman)
2007 PGA Championship (Tiger Woods)
2021 Senior PGA Championship (Alex Cejka)
2022 PGA Championship (Justin Thomas)
USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OKLAHOMA
The 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur will be the 23rd USGA championship and third U.S. Women’s Amateur contested in the state of Oklahoma. It is the first time since 1960 that the championship has been played in the state. The most recent USGA championship held in Oklahoma was the 2015 U.S. Girls’ Junior at Tulsa Country Club, won by Eun Jeong Seong.
U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEURS IN OKLAHOMA
1946: Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa (Babe Didrikson Zaharias)
1960: Tulsa C.C., Tulsa (JoAnne Gunderson Carner)
MOST USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS HOSTED BY VENUES IN OKLAHOMA
(Includes 2024 championships)
10 – Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa
3 – Tulsa Country Club, Tulsa
2 – Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club, Norman
2 – Oak Tree National, Edmond
FUTURE U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR SITES
Aug. 4-10, 2025 – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore.
Aug. 3-9, 2026 – The Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tenn.
Aug. 2-8, 2027 – Pinehurst Resort & Country Club Course No. 2, Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
Aug. 7-13, 2028 – Brae Burn Country Club, West Newton, Mass.
Aug. 6-12, 2029 – Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Aug. 5-11, 2030 – The Olympic Club, San Francisco, Calif.
Aug. 4-10, 2031 – Baltimore Country Club, Baltimore, Md.
Aug. 2-8, 2032 – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore.
Aug. 7-13, 2034 – The Country Club, Salt Lake City, Utah
Aug. 6-12, 2035 – Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Ga.
TBD, 2037 – The Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst, N.C.
Aug. 8-14, 2039 – Canterbury Golf Club, Cleveland, Ohio
TBD, 2041 – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore.
TBD, 2046 – Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa.
Nicklaus Companies, owners of the Jack Nicklaus™ and Golden Bear™ trademarks, is pleased to announce that Neal Shipley, who recently turned professional after a stellar amateur golfing career, will continue to serve as their global brand ambassador, having signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement that runs through the 2026 PGA TOUR season.
In addition to his impressive performances at the majors, Shipley has recorded two top-25s highlighted by a T6 at the ISCO Championship earlier this month.
Srixon and Cleveland Golf staffer K.J Choi triumphed on Sunday, capturing his first major victory at The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex.
Choi displayed his patience and veteran experience throughout the final round, as he navigated his way around the challenging Carnoustie golf course. Overcoming a shaky start with three early bogeys in his first six holes, the South Korean found his rhythm on the ninth hole, sinking a birdie putt that sparked a surge of momentum.
PXG proudly announces the launch of its Fall/Winter 2024 apparel and accessory collection. Drawing inspiration from the iconic golf apparel of the 1920s English countryside, this collection takes a modern approach to classic sportswear. The result is a sophisticated blend of nostalgic, country club-esque charm with contemporary flair, featuring updated silhouettes, luxurious fabrics with climate control technology, and meticulous detailing.
The Fall/Winter 2024 collection includes 58 apparel styles designed to complement and enhance any wardrobe. The collection will be released in two phases: the “Twilight Round,” a limited collection drop landing July 30, 2024, which features eight must-have pieces, followed by the full collection drop on August 29, 2024.
As the PGA TOUR’s best look to unseat FedExCup champion Viktor Hovland, fans will have unparalleled access to the sights and sounds of the FedExCup Playoffs through new on-site and virtual activations and programming.
Setting up the excitement for this year’s postseason – the 18th edition of the FedExCup Playoffs – the TOUR is showcasing the expressive style of illustrator and designer Dan Leydon, whose dynamic illustrations of the final 70 players who qualify for the Playoffs will be utilized across all TOUR platforms and in broadcast graphics. Additionally, the postseason TV campaign will continue to be voiced by actor Jeremy Renner, most notably known for his work in The Hurt Locker, The Town, The Avengers and Mayor of Kingstown.
MGI Golf, global leader in technology for the walking golfer and maker of America’s No. 1 electric golf caddy, introduces the latest cart bag models, specifically designed for MGI owners: the Lite-Play and, Lux-Play models.
“MGI Golf has always been dedicated to continued innovation and design in the golf industry,” said Miranda Turner, CEO of MGI Golf Inc. “These new golf bags are designed to meet the evolving needs of the walking golfer, providing superior functionality and style with the perfect fit for our MGI electric caddy.”
Shot Scope, the industry-leader in advanced GPS, rangefinder and shot tracking technology, has secured $8.5m in Series B funding, accelerating its offering of acclaimed products and game improving data to over 60 million golfers worldwide.
Led by Guinness Ventures, which invested $4m, the company has raised the capital to continue its rapid global expansion and strong investment into product development, specialist resources and brand marketing – as it continues to provide subscription free, game-enhancing technology to golfers. With GPS wearables, laser rangefinders, and shot tracking devices, Shot Scope is committed to offering products and analytics tools to help players of all skill levels.
Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage the City of Detroit’s three municipal golf facilities – Chandler Park, Rackham, and Rouge Park Golf Courses. Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, and sales and marketing at the three golf courses owned by the City of Detroit.
“I’m so excited about this new partnership and for Troon to build upon the foundation Signet and Angela Hipps set,” said Crystal Perkins, director of City of Detroit’s General Services Department. “These three golf courses are city gems that have extensive history and hold a special place in the heart of golfers in Detroit and beyond. We believe this partnership will continue to grow the love for this game in our great city.”
Motocaddy, the world’s leading electric caddy brand, has taken the user-experience for U.S. golfers visiting its website to another level with the launch of a brand-new platform.
The upgraded, fully-responsive site – viewable at www.motocaddy.us – has been optimized for use across all devices and features enhanced quality content and imagery, including innovative new videos for the brand’s pioneering M-Series range.
