Latest news with #AmericasOpen
Irish Examiner
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Leona Maguire's game moving in right direction ahead of busy five weeks
Missing three consecutive cuts, her first time doing so since 2022, would seem to be reason for Leona Maguire to be worried about her form. After carding a 76 in her opening round at Erin Hills for last week's US Open, the Cavan golfer gave herself a chance of making it to the weekend with a fine front nine on day two. Her ascent of the leaderboard lost altitude after a triple bogey on the 11th. Despite adding to the missed cuts at the Riviera Maya Open and the Americas Open, Maguire believes her game is finding its edge. 'I'm not overly concerned about last week,' said Maguire during a media day for next month's KPMG Irish Open at Carton House. 'If anything, last week was a big step in the right direction. It's probably the best I've drove the ball in about two years. To come away from a US Open and only miss two fairways in two days, I'm quite happy with that. 'I feel like I'm playing a lot better than I'm scoring, which is a little bit frustrating. But at the same time, I'm not worried because I know I'm playing good golf.' The Meijer Classic later this month, a tournament Maguire won two years ago, begins a busy five weeks. After Michigan, she heads to Texas for the PGA Championship, 2025's third major. Then there's the Dow Championship before she flies back home for another tilt at the Irish Open. The year's fourth major, the Evian Championship in France, finishes the five-week run. Usually, Maguire would only play for three consecutive weeks before taking a break but the schedule has forced her usual routine to change. 'I'm going to have to be disciplined,' she said. 'It'll be a lot of nine hole practice rounds and just being really smart and efficient with how we prepare and practice. 'The nice thing is I've gone to Grand Rapids many times, I know that golf course very well. I've played the Dow before, I've played Carton before, I've played Evian before. 'The only new golf course is the Frisco course for the KPMG PGA Championship. I'm going there at the weekend to scout it out. 'My whole team has known this is coming down the line. This block has been circled on the calendar for a while. We've put in the preparation to navigate that, so that by the time the end of the summer comes around I'm not absolutely spent.' Maguire feeling like her driving is in its best place since 2023 is the result of work which finally clicked. She had been chopping and changing her driver, eventually sticking with the Ping G430 for the US Open. 'Actually after Mexico, I flew up to the US Open early and spent a decent while on the range with Shane (O'Grady, her coach) on FaceTime," she explained. "He'd been going back through old footage of what I was doing when I was driving the ball really well and just noticed a few things; we had a drill that I was doing last week and it really just helped me get through the ball a bit better. I've been doubling down on that this week to even get it dialled in even more.' Earlier this year, Maguire split with caddie Verners Tess after just eight months. Cork native Shane O'Connell is now on her bag. 'He's been a really good addition,' said Maguire. 'He's obviously learning as he goes, it's been a bit of an adjustment coming across to the women's side. 'He said he's definitely getting a lot less steps in. There's some parts of the golf course he doesn't even have to worry about anymore, which is nice for him. 'Then just getting used to how the ball spins; we don't spin it half as much as the lads, having to worry about wedges ripping off greens. The trajectory, getting used to just my numbers and you know the hybrids and how things land. 'He hadn't done any majors before this. Even just seeing a US Open set up last week... He's been quite lucky. We've had some unbelievable golf courses in his first few weeks we played Liberty National, Shadow Creek and Erin Hills. 'I feel like he's adapted really well. He's not afraid to give his opinion when needed. He works extremely hard, always out walking the courses, working things out. It's nice to have someone that matches my preparation with hard work.'
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jeeno keeps cool to win LPGA's Americas Open
NEW YORK: Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul collected her fifth LPGA Tour title with victory at the Americas Open at Liberty National on Sunday. The world number two shot a solid three-under-par 69 to win by four strokes from France's Celine Boutier, who shot an even-par 72 in her final round. Jeeno finished 17-under for the week after staying out of trouble and making birdies on the first, ninth and 17th. The 22-year-old Thai star had finished off last season with victory in the Tour Championship in November and won on the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia in February. The win in Jersey City was her 11th professional victory on all tours, but having started her round with just a one-stroke advantage over Boutier, said she had no clue of the leaderboard situation as she approached the final hole. "I had no idea. Maybe on the last putt because I didn't even look at the leaderboard at all, to be honest. I just asked my caddie if I need to make a par or not. He said, 'It's OK, I think you're safe'. I was just like, OK, so actually I can breathe now," she said. Jeeno said that tricky pin positions combined with the weather had made it a battle to make par. "Bogey-free on the final round, final group, as well, because the pin positions were so tough today, as well. We got a lot of wind, and then a lot of nerves and excitement for sure. "I just really told myself to be patient out there. I know I was just trying to keep my ball where I have a chance to make it, but if I not make it, I'm fine because I know not every putt or not every hole that we're going to make it for sure. But I think my big key today is making par," added the Thai, who finished a disappointing tied for 24th at last week's first major of the year, the Chevron Championship. Boutier cancelled out her three birdies with three bogeys but was pleased to be in contention as she looks forward to the next major, the US Women's Open in Wisconsin in June. "A very solid week overall. Definitely a little bit disappointed with my finish today, but feel pretty happy with where my game is at," she said. "Just need to tweak a few things before my next tournament, which is the US Open, so it's very encouraging to have a good result here at such a good tournament." Spain's Carlota Ciganda and the USA's Andrea Lee finished tied for third place. Defending champion and world number one Nelly Korda had started the day in contention, just two shots behind Jeeno.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul keeps cool to win LPGA's Americas Open
Low amateur Aphrodite Deng of Canada and tournament winner Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand pose with their trophies after the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open. Getty Images via AFP NEW YORK – Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul kept her cool and patience as she collected her fifth LPGA Tour title with victory at the Americas Open at Liberty National on May 11. The world No. 2 shot a solid three-under 69 to win by four strokes from France's Celine Boutier, who shot an even-par 72 in her final round. Jeeno finished 17-under for the week after staying out of trouble and making birdies on the first, ninth and 17th. The 22-year-old Thai star had finished off last season with victory in the Tour Championship in November and won on the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia in February. The win in Jersey City was her 11th professional victory on all tours, but having started her round with just a one-stroke advantage over Boutier, said she had no clue of the leaderboard situation as she approached the final hole. 'I had no idea. Maybe on the last putt because I didn't even look at the leaderboard at all, to be honest. I just asked my caddie if I need to make a par or not,' she said. 'He said, 'It's OK, I think you're safe'. I was just like, OK, so actually I can breathe now.' Jeeno said that tricky pin positions combined with the weather had made it a battle to make par. 'Bogey-free on the final round, final group, as well, because the pin positions were so tough today, as well. We got a lot of wind, and then a lot of nerves and excitement for sure,' she said. 'I just really told myself to be patient out there. I know I was just trying to keep my ball where I have a chance to make it, but if I not make it, I'm fine because I know not every putt or not every hole that we're going to make it for sure,' added the Thai, who finished tied for 24th at last week's first Major of the year, the Chevron Championship. 'But I think my big key today is making par.' Boutier cancelled out her three birdies with three bogeys but was pleased to be in contention as she looks forward to the next Major, the US Women's Open in Wisconsin in June. 'A very solid week overall. Definitely a little bit disappointed with my finish today, but feel pretty happy with where my game is at,' she said. 'Just need to tweak a few things before my next tournament, which is the US Open, so it's very encouraging to have a good result here at such a good tournament.' Spain's Carlota Ciganda and Andrea Lee of the United States finished tied for third place. Defending champion and world No. 1 Nelly Korda had started the day in contention, just two shots behind Jeeno. But while the Thai progressed, Korda had four bogeys in a one-over 73. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Reminder of home boosts Aussie's bid for first LPGA win
The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters. The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters. The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters. The hunt for a first LPGA Tour win is on in earnest for Steph Kyriacou, who is one shot off the lead after the second round of the Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed front nine at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), world No.43 Kyriacou had bogeys on holes two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. The 24-year-old Sydneysider finished strongly in testing conditions with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. "It was a little bit easier than I thought but not easy," Kyriacou, runner-up at last year's Evian Championship, said. "I thought we were going to play through rain all day. I mean, I only had it for probably half the round in total, so wasn't as bad, but, yeah, it's not ideal. "I guess back at home ... our winters aren't that nice, so where I play as well is right on the coast so definitely rainy and windy. "I think that's also why I like playing in Europe, Scotland and stuff, because it kind of reminds me of home." Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda (68) and Andrea Lee (68) and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, started her day on the back nine and erased two birdies on par-3 holes with back-to-back bogeys at the 17th and 18th. After a birdie at the first, Korda made three more over her last five to make a late move up the leaderboard. "After making two bogeys in a row you (need) to reset and just know that you have nine more holes to go and there is some opportunities out there even with the tricky conditions," Korda said. "So just had a little bit of a mental reset and it worked." First-round leader, and world No.2, Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Brooke Henderson (71), a two-time major champion and a former top-10 player, missed the cut, as did 2023 champion Rose Zhang (75). With Reuters.
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Kyriacou leads Aussie charge at Liberty National
Steph Kyriacou is one shot off the lead after the second round of the LPGA Tour's Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed opening nine holes at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), Kyriacou had bogeys on Nos two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. She finished strongly with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda and Andrea Lee and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, drained six birdies before bogeying the final two holes. First-round leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Steph Kyriacou is one shot off the lead after the second round of the LPGA Tour's Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed opening nine holes at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), Kyriacou had bogeys on Nos two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. She finished strongly with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda and Andrea Lee and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, drained six birdies before bogeying the final two holes. First-round leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Steph Kyriacou is one shot off the lead after the second round of the LPGA Tour's Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed opening nine holes at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), Kyriacou had bogeys on Nos two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. She finished strongly with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda and Andrea Lee and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, drained six birdies before bogeying the final two holes. First-round leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73. Steph Kyriacou is one shot off the lead after the second round of the LPGA Tour's Americas Open in New Jersey. In a mixed opening nine holes at Liberty National Golf Club on Friday (Saturday AEST), Kyriacou had bogeys on Nos two, seven and nine, birdies on three and four and an eagle on the par-5 sixth. She finished strongly with two more birdies on 17 and 18 to card a three-under-par 69 to sit joint-fourth at seven under, and the leading Australian. Compatriots Hira Naveed, Minjee Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, Hannah Green and Grace Kim all remain in the mix going into the weekend. Naveed (69) is one shot adrift of Kyriacou, with Lee (71) another stroke back. Ruffels (73), Green (72) and Kim (72) all sit at three under, while Karis Davidson (71) finished one under and one shot above the cut. But not involved in Saturday and Sunday action are compatriots Sarah Kemp (74) at seven over and Cassie Porter (80) at eight over. Those remaining in the event are chasing a leading trio including American duo Nelly Korda and Andrea Lee and Somi Lee. South Korea's Lee had the equal-low round of the day, along with compatriot Jin Hee Im and Japan's Chisato Iwai, a five-under 67. Korda, the defending champion and world No.1 who has yet to win this year, drained six birdies before bogeying the final two holes. First-round leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is in a group of six with Kyriacou at seven under after a 73.
