Kim Ends 1,000-Day Wait; Ryu Creates History

👋 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},

It was a Sunday for the South Koreans on both the men's and women’s sides. Haeran Ryu, less than two months removed from back surgery, claimed her second major at the Amundi Evian Championship. Tom Kim, some 1,000 miles away at the Renaissance Golf Club, snapped his winless streak. On this side of the pond, Steven Fisk, Zach Johnson, and Ross Steelman won different tournaments. We will talk about all the winners and share some behind-the-scenes moments in today’s edition. Don’t forget to check out the leaderboard and also share your feedback with us by voting at the end.

Let’s get started…

Amundi Evian Championship: Two weeks ago, Haeran Ryu didn’t have a single major win, and now she has two. After carding a 60 on moving day—watch her surprised reaction as she counted the birdies—Ryu struggled in the final round, with her only birdie coming on the 18th. Moments before, Brooke Henderson (2nd) made her third eagle of the day on the very same hole to edge Ryu by one shot. Ryu's birdie on the 72nd hole forced a playoff.

On the first extra hole (18th), Henderson sailed her drive to the left rough. Ryu striped one down the middle and placed her second shot on the green. Henderson had to lay up and save par. Ryu made a birdie to join Nelly Korda as this season’s double major winner. She is the quickest to win two consecutive majors (13 days) since Meg Mallon in 1991. Ryu also became only the third Korean to notch two majors in one season.

Here is a first-person view of the wild champagne shower. Well-deserved.

Genesis Scottish Open: It took Tom Kim 1,004 days to return to the winner’s circle. Kim carded a bogey-free 64 to edge Min Woo Lee (2nd/-15) by two strokes. After the final putt, he dropped into a chair, bowed his head, and hid his face as tears rolled down his cheeks—check it out here; we bet it will tug at your heartstrings.

He also became just the fifth international player in the past 40 years to amass four or more PGA Tour titles before turning 25. And guess the golf legend who was the first to congratulate him? Find out here (he knows a thing or two about comebacks).

Dramatic: Justin Thomas (-2/T50) launched a tee shot when playing partner Calum Hill (-3/T44) suddenly shouted, "Fore!" Still gripping his club, Thomas turned—very slowly—to throw Hill a side-eye. The video is hilarious.

Bad at golf: Rory McIlroy has five majors but still says he is bad at golf. Not kidding, hear it from his own mouth, courtesy of a hot mic.

Clutch: Brooke Henderson (2nd) might’ve lost the playoff, but her ace owned the day. After an eagle on the 7th, the Canadian made a hole in one on the next hole. Watch the brilliant shot here.

DoD: Lydia Ko hit a Driver off the Deck from the rough on the 7th. And still made a birdie. Watch, appreciate, and feel jealous all at once.

Jealous: Shane Lowry (E/MC) was still on the 14th green when Rory McIlroy, teeing off in the group behind, struck a gorgeous drive that rolled onto the putting surface. Lowry followed the rolling ball and raised his club to hit it off the green—watch the moment here.

Elsewhere:

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Taste the Fresh Difference

Rory McIlroy co-led at the Scottish Open at one point before falling six shots behind the leaders after R3. Although he tried to make a late charge, he had to settle for a T7. So, tell us…

Last Poll Result: 53.80% of you said an American would win the Genesis Scottish Open. Johnny Keefer (T3/-13) came the closest.

Kaulig Companies Championship: Zach Johnson (1st/-15) captured his first senior major, punching his ticket to next season’s The Players. A steady Sunday 2-under 68 sealed a six-shot victory over Boo Weekley (2nd/-9). Ben Crane (-6/T5) and Stewart Cink (-7/4th) waited on the 18th to congratulate him—watch it here.

ISCO Championship: Taylor Pendrith and Steven Fisk both fired 16-under to force a playoff. On the third extra hole, Fisk made par, and Pendrith slipped with a bogey. Watch the final putt, the handshake, and the tight hug.

The Blue Championship: A year after starting in the final group and finishing fourth, Ross Steelman rolled to a one-shot victory, finishing 22-under to edge Tommy Morrison (2nd) and claim his first KFT title. He bought his first club at 14 after saving money by walking a neighbor’s dog—find more about it here.

European Amateur Team Championship: Ireland reclaimed the trophy for the first time since 2008 after 23-year-old Thomas Higgins sank the decisive putt on the 20th hole to down host Estonia. Check out the celebrations that followed.

Lydia Ko on the good and bad of having her husband on the bag at a major. She also shared his one demand that made her aggressive.

24-year-old PGA Tour pro is facing a strange problem after qualifying for The Open. It’s a problem most would like to have.

LPGA veteran details the struggles she faced in the last few years. A tied-for-seventh-place finish has encouraged her, however.

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