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Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
This Week in Golf: From junior dreams in Al Ain to big stakes in Belgium and Mexico
This week, golf fans have plenty to watch—from emerging amateurs in the UAE to Ryder Cup hopefuls in Europe and a landmark LPGA return to Mexico. In the UAE, Al Ain takes centre stage as the JAGA International Amateur Open tees off from 23–25 May at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. As part of the Junior Asian Golf Academy (JAGA) initiative, the event is designed to shine a light on the next generation of talent from the Asia-Pacific region. Sanctioned by the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and featuring top men's and women's amateurs, the tournament is a key stop on the JAGA International Series – Order of Merit. While not part of the Emirates Golf Federation's official Order of Merit, the event plays a vital role in providing young golfers with international exposure and a pathway to future collegiate and professional success. European Swing Heats Up Over in Antwerp, the DP World Tour returns for the Soudal Open, a pivotal event in the tour's European Swing. Running from 22–25 May at Rinkven International Golf Club, the tournament offers crucial Race to Dubai points and could influence Ryder Cup selection for 2025. This year's edition features a star-studded field: Thomas Pieters, the Belgian hometown hero and LIV Golf member, looks to go one better after finishing runner-up last year. Francesco Molinari, 2018 Open Champion and Ryder Cup legend, adds gravitas with his first appearance at the Soudal Open. Nicolas Colsaerts, another Belgian Ryder Cup alum, returns to energize the home crowd. Jordan Smith and Matt Wallace of England are in strong form and eyeing upward movement in the Race to Dubai standings. Nacho Elvira, last year's champion, returns to defend his crown. Eugenio Chacarra, fresh off a win at the Hero Indian Open, adds further depth to the field. With a $2.75 million prize purse, the Soudal Open is shaping up to be one of the most competitive weeks on the DP World Tour calendar this spring. LPGA Returns to Mexico Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour celebrates a homecoming in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with the inaugural Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. Taking place from 22–25 May at the spectacular El Camaleón Golf Course, the event marks the LPGA's first stop in Mexico since 2017. The 144-player field includes some of the game's biggest names: Charley Hull, Linn Grant, Leona Maguire, and Carlota Ciganda lead the international charge. Gaby López and María Fassi headline the home favorites, looking to inspire the next generation of Mexican golfers. This 72-hole stroke play event features a $2.5 million purse, with $375,000 going to the winner, underscoring its importance on the LPGA's global calendar. From junior prospects under desert skies to Ryder Cup points in the balance and a fresh start in Mexico, this week in golf truly spans the globe. Tournaments to Watch DP World Tour Soudal Open Rinkven International Golf Club, Antwerp, Belgium May 22–25 Purse: $2.75 million LPGA Tour Riviera Maya Open El Camaleón Golf Course, Playa del Carmen, Mexico May 22–25 Purse: $2.5 million UAE JAGA International Amateur Open Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, UAE May 23–25
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Justin Thomas returns to the site of his first major win, looking for third career PGA Championship
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Justin Thomas has positioned himself to turn back the clock at the PGA Championship. The resurgent Thomas returns to Quail Hollow this week looking to recapture some of the magic from his first major victory at the 2017 PGA Championship when he posted a two-shot victory over Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Justin Thomas returns to the site of his first major win, looking for third career PGA Championship
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Justin Thomas has positioned himself to turn back the clock at the PGA Championship. The resurgent Thomas returns to Quail Hollow this week looking to recapture some of the magic from his first major victory at the 2017 PGA Championship when he posted a two-shot victory over Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed. The 32-year-old Thomas finally appears to have his game back on track following a years-long slump. He's finished tied for second or better in three of his last four tournaments with a combined score of 41-under par, including a playoff win last month over Andrew Novak at the RBC Heritage that snapped a three-year winless drought on the PGA Tour. The only tournament he hasn't been competitive in over the last month was the Masters. He finished tied for 36th. Still, it is one of Thomas' best stretches of golf since 2016-17 when he became the fourth player behind Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth to win five times in the same season, including a major, before his 25th birthday. 'I'm just more patient, I'd say,' Thomas said of his recent improved play. 'I don't feel like I'm forcing the issue as much. Just trying to trust my game and myself quite a bit more. I feel like some of the events maybe earlier this year or last year where I had a chance to win, I just felt like maybe I pressed a little too much.' While the memory of celebrating his first major on the 18th green at Quail Hollow eight years ago with his father Mike, then a PGA Tour professional at Harmony Landing in Louisville, Kentucky, and a former member of the PGA's board of directors, will forever be etched in his memory, Thomas admitted there's probably not much carryover from that to help him this week. That tournament was played during the summer on what he called a 'completely different golf course' with Bermuda grass versus overseed. This one comes in the spring, with a course that will have absorbed several inches of rain by the time golfers tee off on Thursday, likely meaning that an already long course will play even longer. 'As much as I'd like to say (it matters), I think that's a bit of a stretch,' Thomas said. However, Thomas said his knowledge of the course and the confidence of knowing he can handle Quail Hollow's difficult three closing holes known as the 'Green Mile' could pay dividends if he's near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday. 'If I'm coming down the stretch and trying to win the tournament, I can tell myself I've literally done this before here,' Thomas said. 'I've hit the shots. I've made the putts. I've handled all of that mentally on this exact golf course in this exact tournament.' It's helpful, too, that the weight of a losing streak has been lifted from his shoulders. The win at Harbour Town last month — his first since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills — was something he called 'the last thing I needed to do for my own well-being' and helped jettison him back into the top 10 in the world, while proving he's capable of making big shots to close out a win. He nearly pulled off another last week at the Truist Championship, but wound up tied for second after a late run at the leaders. He's in the right 'head space,' and he appears set on reaching bigger goals ahead. Thomas said watching Rory McIlroy clinch the career Grand Slam last month with a win at the Masters has ignited some competitive jealousy within him. Although he's never won a major other than the PGA Championship, Thomas feels like it's something he's capable of accomplishing in his career. 'I have a lot of faith and a lot of ability — or trust in my ability,' Thomas said. 'I have confidence in, I feel like, what I can do. Obviously I knew I always wanted to win the Grand Slam, wanted to win all the majors. For some reason watching somebody do it firsthand, it reminded me almost of, damn, I forgot, I really do want to do that.' ___ AP golf:
CNA
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Timed to perfection, Thomas in form for PGA Championship
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina : Justin Thomas' game appears to be building toward something bigger and he could not have timed it any better given this week's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club is being contested at the site of his major breakthrough in 2017. World number five Thomas is far from the version of himself that saw his form bottom out in 2023 and comes into the year's second major with six top-10 finishes in 11 starts this season, including his first victory in nearly three years. Should he find himself in contention during Sunday's final round, Thomas will undoubtedly recall vision of the two-shot victory he secured over Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Louis Oosthuizen in the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. "If I'm coming down the stretch and trying to win the tournament, I can tell myself I've literally done this before here," Thomas told reporters at Quail Hollow. "I've hit the shots. I've made the putts. I've handled all of that mentally on this exact golf course in this exact tournament. So I think it's something that can be helpful and able to fall back on if I need." Thomas, who collected a second PGA Championship title in 2022, enters the week with three runner-up results this season - the most of any player on the PGA Tour this year - including at last week's tune-up even in Philadelphia. It is a far cry from the type of results he endured in 2023 but Thomas said that dry spell ultimately helped him in the long-term. "It doesn't seem like it when it's happening, and I obviously would have much rather not had a poor year than have one, but I learned a lot from it," said Thomas. "I feel like it's something that you unfortunately have to go through some stuff like that and maybe make some wrong decisions or chase some things that you don't need to, to figure out down the road that you don't need to do that anymore or again."
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Timed to perfection, Thomas in form for PGA Championship
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 13 (Reuters) - Justin Thomas' game appears to be building toward something bigger and he could not have timed it any better given this week's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club is being contested at the site of his major breakthrough in 2017. World number five Thomas is far from the version of himself that saw his form bottom out in 2023 and comes into the year's second major with six top-10 finishes in 11 starts this season, including his first victory in nearly three years. Should he find himself in contention during Sunday's final round, Thomas will undoubtedly recall vision of the two-shot victory he secured over Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Louis Oosthuizen in the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. "If I'm coming down the stretch and trying to win the tournament, I can tell myself I've literally done this before here," Thomas told reporters at Quail Hollow. "I've hit the shots. I've made the putts. I've handled all of that mentally on this exact golf course in this exact tournament. So I think it's something that can be helpful and able to fall back on if I need." Thomas, who collected a second PGA Championship title in 2022, enters the week with three runner-up results this season -- the most of any player on the PGA Tour this year -- including at last week's tune-up even in Philadelphia. It is a far cry from the type of results he endured in 2023 but Thomas said that dry spell ultimately helped him in the long-term. "It doesn't seem like it when it's happening, and I obviously would have much rather not had a poor year than have one, but I learned a lot from it," said Thomas. "I feel like it's something that you unfortunately have to go through some stuff like that and maybe make some wrong decisions or chase some things that you don't need to, to figure out down the road that you don't need to do that anymore or again."
