Latest news with #KarisDavidson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Davidson makes magic moments but Woad stays in control
Australia's Karis Davidson shot a stunning 66, including eight birdies in 10 mid-round holes, to briefly surge into contention at the Women's Scottish Open before falling back in the closing stages. The Gold Coast 27-year-old carded a third round that was one shot better than leader Lottie Woad but still found herself 10 shots adrift, in a tie for ninth place. She is joined by compatriot Cassie Porter, who shot a 69 that also left her seven under on the leaderboard at Troon on Saturday. Woad had four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn and posted a 5-under 67 to maintain her two-shot lead as she closes in on victory in her professional debut. Woad has such control of her game at Dundonald Links that she went 33 consecutive holes without a bogey until dropping a shot on the 15th. Her lead was down to one shot, but the 21-year-old from England responded with a short wedge she played perfectly on the 17th, leaving her an 8-foot birdie putt she converted. A closing par put her at 17-under 199. Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who caught Woad early with an eagle on the par-5 third hole, fell behind after Woad's birdie streak. But the Dane rallied with three straight birdies and a couple of par saves for a 67. She was two shots behind, along with Sei Young Kim (66), who made a long eagle putt on the 14th and got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 closing hole to get within two shots. Nelly Korda played bogey-free, but the American managed only two birdies on another relatively calm day by Scottish standards. Her 70 left her five shots behind Woad, who already has had a golden summer in Europe. Woad, who won the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2024 and rose to No.1 in the women's amateur ranking that year, won the Irish Women's Open three weeks ago on the Ladies European Tour. Then she missed the play-off by one shot in the Evian Championship. But her tie for third in the LPGA major earned her a tour card, and she decided to skip her senior year at Florida State and turn pro. And now she has a chance to win in her debut. "That's the aim, to shoot as low as possible and keep giving myself chances," Woad said. "If someone shoots lights out, fair enough. I'm excited for the opportunity. I've got the experience and I'll try to use that." Another Australian, Minjee Lee, who was joint third after the first round, improved from Friday's travails with a 70 but is downfield in joint 27th on four over.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Davidson makes magic moments but Woad stays in control
Australia's Karis Davidson shot a stunning 66, including eight birdies in 10 mid-round holes, to briefly surge into contention at the Women's Scottish Open before falling back in the closing stages. The Gold Coast 27-year-old carded a third round that was one shot better than leader Lottie Woad but still found herself 10 shots adrift, in a tie for ninth place. She is joined by compatriot Cassie Porter, who shot a 69 that also left her seven under on the leaderboard at Troon on Saturday. Woad had four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn and posted a 5-under 67 to maintain her two-shot lead as she closes in on victory in her professional debut. Woad has such control of her game at Dundonald Links that she went 33 consecutive holes without a bogey until dropping a shot on the 15th. Her lead was down to one shot, but the 21-year-old from England responded with a short wedge she played perfectly on the 17th, leaving her an 8-foot birdie putt she converted. A closing par put her at 17-under 199. Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who caught Woad early with an eagle on the par-5 third hole, fell behind after Woad's birdie streak. But the Dane rallied with three straight birdies and a couple of par saves for a 67. She was two shots behind, along with Sei Young Kim (66), who made a long eagle putt on the 14th and got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 closing hole to get within two shots. Nelly Korda played bogey-free, but the American managed only two birdies on another relatively calm day by Scottish standards. Her 70 left her five shots behind Woad, who already has had a golden summer in Europe. Woad, who won the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2024 and rose to No.1 in the women's amateur ranking that year, won the Irish Women's Open three weeks ago on the Ladies European Tour. Then she missed the play-off by one shot in the Evian Championship. But her tie for third in the LPGA major earned her a tour card, and she decided to skip her senior year at Florida State and turn pro. And now she has a chance to win in her debut. "That's the aim, to shoot as low as possible and keep giving myself chances," Woad said. "If someone shoots lights out, fair enough. I'm excited for the opportunity. I've got the experience and I'll try to use that." Another Australian, Minjee Lee, who was joint third after the first round, improved from Friday's travails with a 70 but is downfield in joint 27th on four over.
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
LPGA raises prize money to $18.5 million for Womens's PGA Championship in Texas
Australia's women's golf stars are saluting the "huge" opportunities as they eye not only major championship glory but the equal-biggest purse in the sport's history. Rd 1 Aussie tee times (AEST) #: Starting on the 10th hole - all others starting on the first Former champion Hannah Green and dual major winner Minjee Lee will spearhead a nine-strong Australian challenge vying for a monster $US12 million ($A18.5 million) pot at this week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Like at the US Open earlier this month, Sunday's winner is set to receive a whopping $US2.4 million ($A3.7 million) after officials on Wednesday morning revealed a 15 per cent increase in this year's total prize pool. "I just saw that email about 20 minutes ago actually, that it had increased another couple of million. Yeah, it's huge," Karis Davidson said on a Zoom call from the US. "Women's sports and golf is definitely growing and trending in the right direction. "I don't know if it'll ever be on par with the men's, but it's definitely improving and the LPGA is doing the best they can to improve our tour." Playing the event for the first time since 2023, Davidson is thrilled to be back on the big stage after taking six months out of golf last year while feeling disillusioned. The revitalised 26-year-old enters the season's third major championship fresh off a career-best tied for seventh at last week's LPGA Meijer Classic, having held a share of the halfway lead in Michigan. "Just coming back, I have a new perspective with the game," Davidson said. "I wouldn't say it's just because I'm playing well. I have had these good results due to enjoyment." The Queenslander is certainly enjoying the perks back on tour, while also bracing for a true test at the Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco course. "You can really feel it when you turn up to the course," Davidson said. "It's just the set-up is different, and you can really feel like you're at a major. Like, in our locker room this week, we have menus for food, and trust me, talking about food. "But the course is set up longer and tougher, and everyone's out there really grinding. "It's my privilege to be able to compete in a major again." Steph Kyriacou, Gabriela Ruffels, Grace Kim, Cassie Porter, Hira Naveed, and Robyn Choi round out the Australian contingent in Texas. While Davidson was happily dining with Airbnb housemates Green and Kyriacou on Tuesday night, world number one Nelly Korda was conspicuously absent from the traditional champions dinner because of a sore neck. The American had therapeutic tape on the back of her neck when she spoke to the media on Tuesday. Korda skipped two tournaments during the LPGA Tour's Asia swing because of a minor neck injury, but said she would be ready for Thursday's first round. "I hit a shot out of the rough and my neck went into a full spasm," Korda said, adding that she felt better but also acknowledged it was impacting her swing and preparation. "Obviously, with the injury that I had last year, every single time something kind of flares up in my neck now, I think I feel it a little bit more than what I used to. "But I have a great [physical therapist] who takes care of me. Trying to work through it, but I'll be ready by Thursday." The 15-time tour winner was the runner-up at the US Women's Open three weeks ago but hasn't won in nine starts this season. AAP/AP
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mega money: Aussie golfers eye biggest purse in history
Australia's women's golf stars are saluting the "huge" opportunities as they eye not only major championship glory but the equal-biggest purse in the sport's history. Former champion Hannah Green and dual major winner Minjee Lee will spearhead a nine-strong Australian challenge vying for a monster $US12 million ($A18.5 million) pot at this week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas. Like at the US Open earlier this month, Sunday's winner is set to receive a whopping $US2.4 million ($A3.7 million) after officials on Wednesday morning revealed 15 per cent increase in this year's total prize pool. Elevating the game 📈The @KPMGWomensPGA purse is now $12 million! 🌟 — LPGA (@LPGA) June 17, 2025 "I just saw that email about 20 minutes ago actually, that it had increased another couple of million. Yeah, it's huge," Karis Davidson said on a Zoom call from the US. "Women's sports and golf is definitely growing and trending in the right direction. "I don't know if it'll ever be on par with the men's, but it's definitely improving and the LPGA is doing the best they can to improve our tour." Playing the event for the first time since 2023, Davidson is thrilled to be back on the big stage after taking six months out of golf last year while feeling disillusioned. The revitalised 26-year-old enters the season's third major championship fresh off a career-best tied for seventh at last week's LPGA Meijer Classic, having held a share of the halfway lead in Michigan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karis Davidson (@karisdavidson_) "Just coming back, I have a new perspective with the game," Davidson said. "I wouldn't say it's just because I'm playing well. I have had these good results due to enjoyment." The Queenslander is certainly enjoying the perks back on tour, while also bracing for a true test at the Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco course. "You can really feel it when you turn up to the course," Davidson said. "It's just the set-up is different and you can really feel like you're at a major. Like, in our locker room this week we have menus for food and trust me talking about food. "But the course is set up longer and tougher and everyone's out there really grinding. "It's my privilege to be able to compete in a major again." Steph Kyriacou, Gabriela Ruffels, Grace Kim, Cassie Porter, Hira Naveed and Robyn Choi round out the Australian contingent in Texas. While Davidson was happily dining with Airbnb housemates Green and Kyriacou on Tuesday night, world No.1 Nelly Korda was conspicuously absent from the traditional champions dinner because of a sore neck. The American had therapeutic tape on the back of her neck when she spoke to the media on Tuesday. Korda skipped two tournaments during the LPGA Tour's Asia swing because of a minor neck injury, but said she would be ready for Thursday's first round. "I hit a shot out of the rough and my neck went into a full spasm," Korda said, adding that she felt better but also acknowledged that it was impacting her swing and preparation. "Obviously with the injury that I had last year, every single time something kind of flares up in my neck now, I think I feel it a little bit more than what I used to. "But I have a great (physical therapist) who takes care of me. Trying to work through it, but I'll be ready by Thursday." The 15-time tour winner was the runner-up at the US Women's Open three weeks ago but hasn't won in nine starts this season. With The AP.
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Karis Davidson full on confidence ahead of her return to the majors at Women's PGA Championship
An extended hiatus from golf last year has helped propel Australia's Karis Davidson into arguably career-best form heading into this week's KPMG Women's PGA Championship, her first major in 14 months. The Gold Coast 26-year-old, one of nine Australians in the field, is high on confidence after finishing in a tie for seventh at last week's Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan. 'It was really nice feeling, you know, in the mix to win the event,' Davidson said. 'I'm enjoying (golf) a lot more now, and when you enjoy it, you try harder in more difficult situations on the course.' However, that enjoyment was missing last year, which led to her taking a lengthy break from the game. In that time, Davidson completed a six-month TAFE aged care and disability services course. 'I really wanted to do something productive and just completely different to golf,' she said. 'It was the best thing I've ever done. I learned a lot over the six months. 'After that, I knew that I wanted to play golf for myself because before I felt like I was just doing it for other people, and I think that was unhealthy. 'I was just so wrapped up in my own mind. I just had to take time away from it. 'I'm out here because I want to be, not because it feels like the only option.' Davidson was yet to set her goals for the event starting in Texas on Thursday night (AEST) at the PGA Frisco Fields Ranch East layout but promised to 'commit to every shot'. 'That's such an important thing. You need to be 100 per cent invested in the club and the shot you've chosen,' she said. 'It's going to be a hot week, so I need to be really good with pre, post and during round hydration and what I'm eating. 'I'm trying not to make results-based goals. Obviously, everyone wants to win, if I do those little things well mentally, it'll give me the best chance for the best result I can get.' The other Australians in the field this week are Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Steph Kyriacou, Gabriela Ruffels, Grace Kim, Cassie Porter, Robyn Choi and Hira Naveed. 'All the (Australian) girls that are out on the tour are hard working, and they're all very resilient,' Davidson said. 'They're all quite laid-back and good with stress. That definitely helps with this type of career. 'The support that we get in Australia with coaches, trainers, psychologists and funding really puts us ahead of other countries in regards to support and encouraging us to do better.'
