PGA Tour
_{Joe Highsmith goes 64-64 on the weekend to become a PGA Tour winner for the first time!}

At the uncharacteristically easy PGA National this week for the Cognizant Classic, long hitter Jake Knapp started out with a big lead after his opening round of 59. He’d either be in the lead or very close until he left his ball in just in the water on the 11th hole during the final round. He’d make the bold choice and try to play it out of the water with a steep bank to clear. While he did get the ball out, it rolled back down the bank and he’d face a nearly identical shot again. He’d do the same, except this time the ball got hung up in the rough and he’d eventually make a triple bogey.

This opened the door for chasers Jacob Bridgeman, J.J. Spaun, and Joe Hiighsmith. Having gone out in 32, Highsmith was the one who’d walk through the now opened door and finish with another 32 on the back to win by two shots and become a PGA Tour winner for the first time in his career. He’s now earned his spot in The Masters, the signature events, and full time PGA Tour status for the next two seasons.

Congratulations to Joe Highsmith!

This week on the PGA Tour:

The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, one of the Signature events of the PGA Tour season. Scottie Scheffler will look to defend his title and enter the week as the betting favorite as he looks to gear up as we head towards THE PLAYERS and major championship season. Additionally, the PGA Tour is hosting an opposite field event this week with the Puerto Rico Open, which was won by Brice Garnett last season!

Here’s the recap of last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational for a refresher on what happened:

Asian Tour
_{Ryan Peake does a full 180 (in life) and wins the New Zealand Open!}

Ten years ago Ryan Peake was sentenced to five years in prison for an assault charge he picked up while a member of the Rebels motorcycle gang in Australia. This weekend he won the New Zealand Open and qualified to play in the Open Championship.

It looked like things might be headed to a playoff at the New Zealand Open as Peake was tied with Jack Thompson, Kazuka Higa, and Ian Snyman as he stood over a 10 footer for par on the final hole of the tournament. He’d make it, completing what would be one of the best comeback stories in recent golf memory. Not having made a bogey since the end of the first round, Peake finished at -23 and earned an exemption into the Open Championship.

Congratulations to Ryan Peake!

This week on the Asian Tour:

No event on the Asian Tour this week, they’ll return for the International Series Macau in a few weeks!

DP World Tour
_{After a wild event, Dylan Naidoo comes out on top after 55 holes at the South African Open!}

This year’s South African Open featured players wading through knee high waters during a practice round, Dale Whitnell making two aces in one round, and a one hole playoff after the cancellation of the final round. All of that resulted in Dylan Naidoo.

Naidoo found himself tied with Laurie Canter after the third round of the South African Open. After the cancellation of the final round due to rain that had flooded much of the course, the DP World Tour informed Canter and Naidoo that they’d head to a playoff to decide the winner.

Three shots later, Naidoo would be in for birdie and win his home country’s national open, becoming a DP World Tour winner for the first time!

Congratulations to Dylan Naidoo!

This week on the DP World Tour:

The International Swing concludes this week with the Joburg Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dean Burmester was the winner here last year, but he won’t be in the field due to LIV Golf’s Hong Kong event this week.