Mao Saigo celebrated her first LPGA win (and the first major) at the Chevron Championship Sunday.
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Check out our writers and editors weekly unfiltered opinions on the sport’s hottest topics and join the conversation by tweeting on @Golf_Com. This week, we discuss Chevron champion, Lexi Thompson's semi-retirement, and yet another win over Joaquin Niemann and more.
Mao Zechang won the first major of the year, the Chevron Championship, of LPGA, and stood out from the five-man season playoffs to win for the first time in her LPGA career. Although the conversation about the game is not just a 23-year-old victory, it is the end of the chaos, the controversial 18th hole and more. What are your gains on the dazzling Sundays of Chevron?
Jessica Marksbury, Senior Editor (@jess_marksbury): The LPGA did a lot in this year’s slow race, which is a shame that some lengthy decisions ended up in part of Sunday’s storyline. However, other than that, the stands issue is worth discussing. This is a topic that has been on the rise in many PGA Tour events, and there is good reason. I don't think the stands should use it as a bailout for why not paying, but who can blame the players for developing strategies in this way if the rules allow it?
Josh Berhow, executive editor (@Josh_Berhow): The stands are not good. Here’s a way to look at it: if mid-week weekend golfers can use that kind of backhand, they will be more confidently swinging. The best players in the world shouldn't have such a choice. It is particularly rough when it is on the last hole. In other words, a five-way playoff determines a major? It's hard to beat it. Mao Saigo stays strong.
Senior writer Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier): It's a pleasant confusion. Good but bad. Perhaps the perfect package is Haeran Ryu, who didn't compete for it, but was with two players who ended up in the playoffs in the final group stage. But Ryu always spent a lot of time pulling a club on the fairway, and eventually another one, pierced it into the shelf, took a long time, took a permanent position to drop a drop, and then chopped the eagle again. Just an incredible performance of the stupidest combination and golf skills you can imagine. That's the beauty of championship golf – but it's safe to say there's room for improvement.
Lexi Thompson competed for 14th place at Chevron, all of which came after her first season after announcing that she would no longer be in the full-time schedule last year. Despite her plan to back off, she has played four games this season and has received some criticism for her “retirement.” Is this fair?
Maxbury: Yes, I think that's fair. Participating in four of the nine games this year certainly doesn’t look like a proper “retirement”. But Lexi does say her plan is more like “going out” from a full-time schedule than a proper retirement. When I talked to her last year, it sounded like she was expecting more life, such as with family, friends, and the extra unstructured time that she didn’t have to wake up every day, such as life with tournament golf can offer. This timeline doesn't seem to fit the plan, so maybe this is in the future.
Beljo: I think the argument here should be about the definition of the word “retirement”, which she never used when she announced this content last year on Instagram. Her words are “get rid of a complete professional golf schedule.” But, honestly, “retirement” is much easier than “will stop playing full-time schedule anymore”, so that’s what everyone is doing. I don't think she did anything wrong. She said she would not compete full-time. It depends on what she means. And, when she plays it, it still gives the game more juice, so it's a win for the event and the fans.
Desir: This is a bit strange and embarrassing, isn’t it? Like, we might just not need to take a farewell trip – we might be together to find a more balanced schedule for Lexi. I think we will get used to her most of her time at the big event and hope her newfound freedom will continue.
Why do some LPGA professionals walk away early? This is complicated (not)
go through:
Josh Berhow
Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin won the Zurich Classic, beating the Hoygard twins on the Louisiana TPC twins. Now, Nine (!) to reach the team format, what is your comment? Can it work? Will you adjust it again? Should other tours attract attention?
Maxbury: I think this match format is very effective because it is unique and not one of the several team matches planned. It's fun and unique. If it is not bankrupt, please don't fix it!
Beljo: It works because it is unique. I don't mind; and I think the player is a bit like a change in speed. If they don't, they'll take a week off. Although since it no longer counts in the world ranking points, I even considered using formats that tend to be unique. what does that mean? I don't know yet. But there is a chance here.
Desir: It works because it is unique, but also because we get enough striking teams. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have improved the juices for the event over the past two years. The Højgaard twins are electric pairs. Griffin and Novak are a perfect duo of people like everyone, but can actually kick teeth on golf. Excited for them, happy for the tournament, shocked by the strange wind sheltering power outage in mid-Sunday. Thankfully, the volatility of the alternative shooting; see you next year!
Joaquin Niemann fled the venue in Liv Golf Mexico City, won his third victory in his sixth LIV match of the season and won a seat at the 2025 U.S. Open. Although why hasn't this success been translated into a professional?
Maxbury: I guess you can quote a lot of factors here – you can compare the LIV course and its format to PGA Tour, field depth, mental preparation, and more. But in fact, the Grand Slam is like this, and it is difficult to win. Rory is a great example! I can't help but think that Joaquin will soon have his big breakthrough – maybe this year.
Beljo: His case is particularly strange because he has not recorded the top ten yet, but is coming soon. Just like Rory attends a professional grand slam, he gets enough bats, and people with this talent will inevitably take advantage of it. The same thing will happen in Neman.
Desir: Strangely, Joaco's game travels so clearly. Winning a high-altitude victory in Mexico City (you need a lot of math and some ridiculous distance to compete for), is just another reminder. We already know how talented he is. He has also become better in recent years. But yes, it's time to see more in the profession, even though I feel he's more stressed on himself than he puts from the outside.
Last week, we unveiled the May Golf Magazine Lady’s package, which includes features, profiles, interviews and more. We also introduce readers to 31 LPGA personality that changes the game. Who do you think is who do you think more fans need to know?
Maxbury: Angel Yin is fun, fun and so much. She is one of my favorite characters on the LPGA Tour and I'm so glad to see her win a well-deserved victory earlier this year. I hope she can maintain a positive momentum so that more people can get to know her.
Beljo: Sarah Schmelzel, 30, hasn't won the tour yet, but if you listened to her appearance on our Subpar podcast last week, you'll be an instant fan. I highly recommend it.
Desir: She is arguably the hottest player on the planet, so she has almost no obstacles, but I'm not sure people know enough about her story. Jeeno Thitikul comes from a small town in Thailand that doesn’t have a golf course and learns to play within range because her grandfather likes to read about Tiger Woods in newspapers and the rest is history. It's really a world. What a sporty one.
