Latest news with #PuertoRicoOpen2025
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
PGA Tour Pro Hits Rare Feat, on Verge of Changing Life at Rocket Classic
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Rocket Classic has been a fireworks show from the start. First came Min Woo Lee's sizzling 63, matched by two others to tie the early course record. Then, in a jaw-dropping eight-minute span, Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter each carded 62s to reset the number. Jake Knapp followed with a blistering 61 to break it again. But perhaps the most remarkable moment of the week belonged to a lesser-known name, Philip Knowles, who pulled off a feat so rare, it's only happened a handful of times in PGA Tour history. RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Philip Knowles of the United States plays his shot from the 14th tee during the second round of the Puerto Rico Open 2025 at Grand Reserve Golf Club... RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Philip Knowles of the United States plays his shot from the 14th tee during the second round of the Puerto Rico Open 2025 at Grand Reserve Golf Club on March 07, 2025 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. (Photo by) More Getty Images On Friday, Knowles holed out for eagle not once, not twice, but three times! All were from off the green, all on par-5s. He chipped in from 27 yards at the 17th, 37 yards at the 4th, and 40 yards at the 7th to shoot an 8-under. Currently, Knowles holds a share of the 14-under lead alongside Chris Kirk, who fired 9 birdies in Round 2, and Andrew Putnam, who added 4 birdies and an eagle to his card. "I got pretty lucky a couple times," Knowles said after the round. "I hit quality shots that ended up going in the hole, but I can't imagine chipping in three times for eagle ever again in my life." What makes this even more special is Knowles' story behind it. The 28-year-old is playing on a medical exemption after a brutal stretch of injuries and illness. Since 2022, he's battled a severed thumb nerve, shingles in his right eye, and a bout of mononucleosis. He's made just two cuts in 11 starts this season and earned $75,665, a far cry from the $1.728 million winner's check up for grabs this weekend. "I've got two little girls, I've got a wife who needs me to help," he expressed. "It's not like I can spend my days just 'woe is me'". 9 birdies any day is ridiculous but to do it in 30MPH steady winds and to qualify for your hometown event is amazing. Philip Knowles of @UNFGolf via Bradenton post 66 and leads by 2 with only a few groups left. Shoutout to his coach of 10 years @jimraglandgolf @acaseofthegolf1 — chris timmerman (@ctimmerman35) March 17, 2025 Knowles entered the week ranked 195th in FedExCup points and 519th in the world. To retain his PGA Tour card, he must finish inside the top 100 by season's end. A win in Detroit would all but seal it! Despite the pressure, Knowles looked composed. "Though I haven't been in this position, it doesn't feel unfamiliar," he said. "We've all been here at some level, college, junior golf, early pro golf." Going into Sunday's final round, Knowles will tee alongside co-leaders Chris Kirk and Andrew Putnam. With 18 holes to play and his career hanging in the balance, Knowles' aim is crystal clear. More Golf: Rocket Classic: Collin Morikawa Rips Reporter amid Stunning Caddie News
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Why a 5-Time PGA Tour Winner Disqualified Himself After Bizarre Sequence
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Garrick Higgo and Joel Dahmen grabbed most of the headlines at the 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship, the former for his spectacular victory and the latter for his incredible loss of the title by bogeying the final three holes. But there was also a story that may have gone unnoticed, and that was Ben Crane disqualifying himself after realizing he had violated the rules of golf. Such behavior is not entirely uncommon in golf at all levels, as it is a sport that promotes sportsmanship by having the players be their own referees. However, it is always refreshing to see the pros lead by example. Ben Crane of the United States plays his shot from the 14th tee during the second round of the Puerto Rico Open 2025 at Grand Reserve Golf Club on March 07, 2025 in Rio Grande,... Ben Crane of the United States plays his shot from the 14th tee during the second round of the Puerto Rico Open 2025 at Grand Reserve Golf Club on March 07, 2025 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. MoreThe infraction occurred on the 8th hole of the second round. Crane's tee shot went wide, or so he thought, so he took a second tee shot. When he reached the fairway, however, he realized he had two balls in play because the first one had bounced off some rocks and returned to the fairway unnoticed by the player. In this situation, Crane continued to play with what he thought was the first ball, but unfortunately for him, it was not. Several holes later, he realized that the ball he thought was his first tee shot on the eighth hole was actually the second. The fact was undeniable to the player, as he said in a video posted to his X profile. The first ball, it is, the one he didn't continue playing, showed clear signs of hitting the rocks, which allowed him to realize his mistake. Disqualified myself today here is why. — Ben Crane (@bencranegolf) April 19, 2025 At that point, Crane had no choice but to disqualify. Rule 6.3c (1) states that that is the penalty for this exact case: Rule 6.3c (1): "A player must not make a stroke at a wrong ball. In stroke play, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes) and must correct the mistake by continuing play with the original ball by playing it as it lies or taking relief under the Rules." "The stroke made with the wrong ball and any more strokes before the mistake is corrected (including strokes made and any additional penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count." "If the player does not correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the round, before returning their scorecard, the player is disqualified." Of course, Crane had the option of saying nothing at all and trying to get the whole thing to go unnoticed. Fortunately, he chose the morally correct path, which is no doubt being celebrated by his colleagues and fans. Ben Crane has been playing golf professionally since 1999 and joined the PGA Tour in 2002. He has won five times in his 454 career starts, most recently the 2014 FedEx St. Jude Classic. He has 43 other top-10 finishes, including five runner-up finishes. More Golf: Why Augusta National Kicked Masters Fans Out, Turned 'Into a Bloodbath'
