Golf – Winnipeg Free Press

South African golfer Casey Jarvis wins Kenya Open for first European tour title

The Associated Press 2 minute read 7:48 AM CST

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — South African golfer Casey Jarvis won the Kenya Open by three shots on Sunday to clinch his first title on the European tour.

The No. 195-ranked Jarvis rolled in an eagle putt on his 72nd hole to post 8-under 62 for the final round and finish on 25-under par for the tournament at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

Jarvis also eagled the short par-4 12th hole Sunday, making a winding right-to-left putt over a ridge, on the way to shooting 30 in his back nine.

Jarvis shared the lead in each of the first three rounds — and each time with a different player — before finally pulling away.

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Top-ranked Thitikul wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Top-ranked Thitikul wins home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 3:14 AM CST

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing in emphatic fashion after edging Japan’s Chizzy Iwai by one stroke to claim her home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time.

Buoyed by raucous home support, the Thai star kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a closing 4-under-par 68, finishing at 24-under-par 264.

The victory marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first triumph on home soil.

“I would rate it A-triple-plus," said the 23-year-old. “I know it’s not as big as the majors, but winning in my home country means so much to me — sometimes even more than a major.”

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Updated: 3:14 AM CST

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand reacts after putting on the 2nd hole during the final round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Bridgeman delivers superb performance at Riviera, builds 6-shot lead over McIlroy

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Bridgeman delivers superb performance at Riviera, builds 6-shot lead over McIlroy

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:50 PM CST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jacob Bridgeman felt great about his game and his swing, and it wasn't long before everyone at Riviera took notice Saturday at the Genesis Invitational.

They had no choice. Bridgeman played in the final group and posted the lowest score at 7-under 64. He was tied for the lead when he started. He was six clear of Rory McIlroy when he finished.

“It was fun and easy, kind of the best that the golf world ever gets," Bridgeman said. “My swing felt nice and it was fun out there. Everyone was cheering, so yeah, it was a good day.”

Most of the gallery was tagging along with McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, who have combined to win seven majors. They missed seeing Bridgeman in the final group behind them hitting a 7-wood high and true to 30 inches on the 262-yard fourth hole for another birdie.

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:50 PM CST

Jacob Bridgeman prepares to hit from a bunker on the 14th hole during the third round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman )

Jacob Bridgeman holds on at Riviera for first PGA Tour title

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Jacob Bridgeman holds on at Riviera for first PGA Tour title

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read 6:01 PM CST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jacob Bridgeman heard cheers all day long for everyone but himself Sunday at Riviera until the final ovation. He made a nervy par putt on the 18th hole for a 1-over 72 and a most narrow victory in the Genesis Invitational for his first PGA Tour title.

Bridgeman started with a six-shot lead. He expanded it to seven shots with 12 holes remaining. And it still came down to one clutch swing from the 18th fairway that settled 20 feet below the hole, and a 3-foot par putt with his shadow over the hole.

But he calmly knocked it in for a one-shot victory over Rory McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama, who both had a strong finishing kick to make Bridgeman sweat a lot more than he wanted.

“This is way, way better than I've ever dreamt it,” Bridgeman said.

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6:01 PM CST

Jacob Bridgeman chips to the fourth green during the final round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman )

Jon Rahm rejects European tour compromise for LIV golfers. His Ryder Cup status now in question

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Jon Rahm rejects European tour compromise for LIV golfers. His Ryder Cup status now in question

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 11:18 AM CST

Two-time major champion Jon Rahm has turned down a deal from the European tour that would have allowed him to compete on LIV Golf events without penalty provided he pay his previous fines, play in stipulated European tour events and drop his appeal.

The Spaniard's decision puts at risk his eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, pending his appeal of previous fines for playing the Saudi-funded league without a conflicting event release.

The DP World Tour said Saturday that eight LIV players, including four-time Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton, have agreed to the conditions. The others are Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie. All but Smylie, who is from Australia, are eligible for the Ryder Cup.

Rahm's former manager, Jeff Koski, who now serves as general manager of his Legion XIII team on LIV, did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.

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Yesterday at 11:18 AM CST

Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII celebrates during the second round of the LIV Golf tournament at Grange Golf Club, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Adelaide, Australia. (Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf via AP)

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul takes 3rd-round lead at her home LPGA Thailand tournament

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul takes 3rd-round lead at her home LPGA Thailand tournament

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:42 AM CST

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul birdied her final three holes Saturday for a 6-under 66 and a two-stroke lead going into the final round of her home LPGA Thailand tournament.

Thitikul made a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th to break away from a four-way tie for the lead, then saw her eagle chip just slide past the hole on 18 before tapping in for a birdie.

Thitikul had a 54-hole total of 20-under 196 at the Siam Country Club Old Course.

“I try to keep everything on track,” said the seven-time LPGA Tour winner. “The driver has been really good the past few days and that’s given me confidence. My irons have been better than I expected, and I’ve been rolling the putts well these past three days.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:42 AM CST

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand reacts after putting on the first hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Riviera newcomers Penge and Bridgeman share lead at Genesis

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Riviera newcomers Penge and Bridgeman share lead at Genesis

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman had superb finishes at Riviera on Friday, each with a 7-under 64 that left them tied for the lead at the Genesis Invitational with Rory McIlroy right on their heels.

For Scottie Scheffler, the objective was just getting to the weekend. He accomplished that by the smallest of margins, a seven-foot par putt that caught just enough of the lip to swirl in.

Penge, the leading player from the European tour to secure a PGA Tour card for this year, pulled away with five birdies over his final seven holes and was the first to post at 12-under 130. More remarkable than his score was keeping his mind on golf — his wife is moving into their new home in Florida and expecting their second child next week.

“It’s been quite tough, to be fair, the last four weeks for me and my family,” Penge said. "She’s been in the U.S. on her own, heavily pregnant, looking after a 1 1/2-year old at the same time with no family or friends around.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Jacob Bridgeman hits from the 18th fairway during the second round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

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Scheffler has another slow start and was happy to get a weekend at Riviera

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Scheffler has another slow start and was happy to get a weekend at Riviera

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scottie Scheffler gave a light fist pump when his final putt barely curled in on the 18th hole at Riviera, typical of his subdued reaction when he wins most tournaments. The difference Friday is the putt allowed him to make the cut on the number at the Genesis Invitational.

A slow start for the third straight week meant Scheffler had to hole a 7-foot par putt on a green that had that scary combination of being spongy and speedy. It gave him a 3-under 68 to finish two rounds at Riviera in even-par 142.

The Genesis Invitational is one of three $20 million signature events to have a 36-hole cut for the top 50 and ties and any player within 10 shots of the lead. The 10-shot rule went out the window when Marco Penge birdied five of his last seven holes for a 64 to post at 12-under 130.

“It was nice to be able to hole a putt and get another two cracks at the course,” Scheffler said. “I started the day not where I wanted to, but yeah, battled and it looks like I get another couple rounds to see what I can do.”

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Scottie Scheffler hits from the 17th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Top-ranked Thitikul moves into contention at LPGA tournament in Thailand

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Top-ranked Thitikul moves into contention at LPGA tournament in Thailand

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam, The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1-ranked Jeeno Thitikul shot a 9-under 63 Friday that moved her into second place at her home LPGA Thailand tournament on the Siam Country Club Old Course.

Thitikul trails second-rounder leader Somi Lee by three strokes after Lee shot a 61, including an eagle two from the fairway on the 15th hole. The South Korean player had a two-round total of 17-under 127.

Japan’s Chizzy Iwai shot a bogey-free 62 that moved her into a tie for third place with New Zealander Lydia Ko (64), four off the lead.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., carded a 68 and was at 5-under, 12 strokes behind Lee. Defending champion Angel Yin had a 75 and was at even par.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Lydia Ko of New Zealand, watches her shot on the 5th green during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Rory McIlroy handles the rain and then wind to share clubhouse lead at Riviera

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Rory McIlroy handles the rain and then wind to share clubhouse lead at Riviera

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rory McIlroy would have preferred playing in the rain compared with the wind that followed Thursday at Riviera. He handled both well enough for a 5-under 66 to share the clubhouse lead with Jacob Bridgeman in the Genesis Invitational.

Scottie Scheffler couldn't get off the course fast enough. He was tied for last in the 72-man field, without a birdie through 10 holes when play was suspended by darkness.

The rain that formed puddles on the already soft greens led to a three-hour stoppage. Players returned to far more difficult conditions with a wind that was strong and cold, and putting surfaces with a rare combination of being super soft and super quick.

McIlroy opened with three birdies in four holes. He saved par on the par-3 sixth by chipping over the bunker in the middle of the green. He dropped only one shot to join Bridgeman, who contended last week at Pebble Beach and played his best in the strongest conditions.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman )

Two players are tied for the first-round lead at the LPGA Thailand tournament

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Two players are tied for the first-round lead at the LPGA Thailand tournament

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — Nasa Hataoka shot a 7-under 65 Thursday on the Siam Country Club Old Course and was tied for the lead after the opening round at the LPGA Thailand, the first of three tournaments in Asia in consecutive weeks.

Hataoka, who was runner-up at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, has won five individual LPGA tournaments and two in the International Crown team event.

She was tied Thursday with Thailand's Chanettee Wannasaen. Gemma Dryburgh, who opened her round with an eagle and three birdies, was a stroke behind with a 66 and level with Somi Lee and Hye-Jin Choi.

“I think my tee shots and iron shots were pretty good today, and that’s why I was able to create so many birdie chances,” said the 27-year-old Hatoaka.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Nasa Hataoka, of Japan watches her tee shot on the 1st green during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Riviera has a long history and a long par 3 for Genesis Invitational

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Riviera has a long history and a long par 3 for Genesis Invitational

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Riviera has evolved over its 100 years as one of the best golf courses in America, no greater example than the fourth hole that now has a scorecard yardage of 273 yards that makes it the longest par 3 among regular PGA Tour stops.

Not everyone likes the change, or has been willing to publicly say they do.

“A horrible change,” Rory McIlroy said, the most blunt assessment of the hole Ben Hogan once called the greatest par 3 in America.

“Hit and hope,” Collin Morikawa said. “I think it’s just a very long par 3. There’s not a lot of thought to it other than just kind of hitting the green and moving on, unfortunately.”

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Scottie Scheffler reacts after putting on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Tiger Woods isn’t ruling out a return to the Masters. Ryder Cup captaincy also uncertain

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Tiger Woods isn’t ruling out a return to the Masters. Ryder Cup captaincy also uncertain

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tiger Woods did not rule out a return to the Masters just under two months away, even as his immediate future appears to include just about everything but golf.

Woods again painted an uncertain future about when or where he plays next because of a seventh back surgery to replace a disk. He said Tuesday at the Genesis Invitational that he remains plenty occupied, mostly with trying to reshape the PGA Tour schedule.

“I thought I spent a lot of hours practicing in my prime,” Woods said. “It doesn't compare to what we've done in the boardroom.”

Those hours also are an obstacle in his decision whether to be the U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup for the 2027 matches in Ireland. Woods turned down the job two years ago because he didn't think he had the time to do the job justice.

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Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Anthony Kim’s mystique was built on memories. Now his best highlight is a win

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Anthony Kim’s mystique was built on memories. Now his best highlight is a win

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Kim shared this much with Tiger Woods: The longer they stayed away, the more the legend grew. The difference was the amount of highlights to fill the void and what kept them away.

Kim's victory in LIV Golf Adelaide, before the largest crowd on the LIV circuit and in the early morning hours in most parts of America, was nothing short of astonishing because of how long he had been away — 12 years in the prime of his career — and his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction that made him thankful to even be alive, much less playing golf.

“Who I am today is a completely different person,” Kim said. “With God, my family, my sobriety being the key things to my life, I can go as far as I want.”

What stands out about this return is the time lapse. Has there been another athlete from any other sport who disappeared for so long and came back to win? Perhaps even more remarkable is that he was in the final group, five shots behind Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, and didn't miss a shot on his way to a 63.

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Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Anthony Kim of 4Aces GC reacts to his putt on the 18th green during the final round of the LIV Golf Adelaide at Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)

Ludvig Aberg takes advantage of a rule change on replacing damaged drivers

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 8 minute read Preview

Ludvig Aberg takes advantage of a rule change on replacing damaged drivers

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 8 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ludvig Aberg and caddie Joe Skovron are part of a small slice of rules history. They were the first to take advantage of the 2026 rules update that allows for a damaged club to be replaced on the spot.

In this case, it was the 18th tee in the third round at Pebble Beach.

Aberg hit his drive out of bounds down the right side on the par-5 18th — his ninth hole — and noticed the face of his driver was cracked.

Model Local Rule G-9 was updated at the start of 2025 to include a visible crack in the face (Matt Fitzpatrick had been denied a chance to replace his driver in the BMW Championship at Castle Pines the year before). But they still had to keep the spare driver or part in the locker room.

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Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Ludvig Åberg, from Sweden, hits from the third tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Morikawa, Kim, Toms winners again — Kim after nearly 16 years — on busy day of golf

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Morikawa, Kim, Toms winners again — Kim after nearly 16 years — on busy day of golf

The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Collin Morikawa went 45 starts over more than two years to finally win again on the PGA Tour, and he faced a wait that felt just as long on the final hole Sunday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He kept his poise, hit a 4-iron to the collar of the green and made birdie for a one-shot victory.

In a wild final round of wind and lead changes, Morikawa had the right response for Scottie Scheffler’s bold charge by making two straight birdies down the stretch, and then making the one that mattered the most — after a 20-minute wait — for a 5-under 67. He finished at 22-under 266.

Morikawa won by one shot over Sepp Straka and Min Woo Lee for his first PGA Tour title since the Zozo Championship in Japan in October 2023.

The timing couldn’t have been better. Morikawa began telling friends this week he and his wife are expecting their first child, and winning was “the best way to announce it to the world.”

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Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026

February 22, 2026

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