🏌🏻 New Dad Leads RBC Heritage

Good morning!

Eight of the world’s top 10 ranked golfers are playing the RBC Heritage tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links but it’s the World No 47 who currently leads.

Nelly Korda’s dominance continues on the LPGA Tour though as three American golfers occupy the top four spots after Round 1 of the Chevron Championship.

Today’s Trivia: Defending champion Lilia Vu withdrew from the Chevron Championship before Round 1. Who remains the only player to successfully defend this title till date? Answer at the end of the email.

⛳ This day in history: On this date in 1968, production of a one-piece, no-cut golf ball was announced, a major change in ball design.

ALBATROSS
Scottie's Dad Leads In Hilton Head

The underdogs had a field day during Round 1 of the RBC Heritage as the fancied stars looked drained out following their recent Masters campaign.

🚀 Poston Solo Leader: J.T Poston's newborn baby girl Katherine “Scottie” Poston is proving to be the lucky charm as her dad carded an 8-under-63 to lead by two shots after the opening round.

"Scottie", born on March 30, is a part of Poston's travel contingent. The tournament venue is roughly two hours from the Postons’ St. Simons home and provided the ideal opportunity for a family affair.

🥵 Scheffler Drained: Scottie Scheffler admitted he was mentally and emotionally "drained" after his Masters victory, but still managed to fire a 2-under 69 that put him six shots behind the leader.

He notably extended his streak of consecutive rounds under par to 37.

📌 New Equipment: Rory McIlroy has added TaylorMade’s new BRNR Mini Driver Copper 13.5-degree club to his bag this week, and removed his 3-wood.

It is smaller than a driver, yet bigger than a 3-wood, thus offering slightly more spin and workability than a driver, but slightly more distance and forgiveness than a 3-wood.

⏳ Stars In Contention: Collin Morikawa has continued his good form from the Master and sits T-2,two shots behind the leader. Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy are all in the top 10 after the opening round and in contention to win the title.

🚩 No Cut: The RBC Heritage is one of five Signature Events on the PGA Tour that does not feature a 36-hole cut. The complete field will have a chance to play all four rounds unless they decide to withdraw for other reasons.

Watch Round 1 Highlights

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Nelly Korda Chases History With Strong Start

The first major of the LPGA Tour is underway and the opening round had a lot on offer in terms of drama, disappointments and action.

🏌‍♀Coughlin Leads: Lauren Coughlin fired a bogey-free 66 to grab the early lead at the Chevron Championship. This is notably the best major round of her career.

She received ample support from her husband and caddie, John Pond, who quit his job just to be on the bag for her.

📍History Beckons: Nelly Korda, who is looking to tie an LPGA Tour record with her fifth straight win, shot a 4-under 68 to sit T-2, leaving her two shots behind the leader.

Korda is seeking her second major after winning the Women's PGA Championship in 2021. She could join Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05) as the only players to win five consecutive LPGA events.

🚫 Vu Withdraws: Defending champion Lilia Vu withdrew from the Chevron ahead of her 1:10 p.m. tee time with back spasms. Vu's playoff opponent at last year’s Chevron, Angel Yin, also withdrew after her first round due to a foot injury.

This marks the third withdrawal of Vu's injury-marred 2024 campaign.

🚨 Ko In Contention: Lydia Ko needs just one point to enter the LPGA World Hall of Fame and a victory here would ensure that she achieves it.

She has made a strong start, registering a 3-under 69 and sits T-5 after Round 1.

Watch Round 1 Highlights

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

Corales Puntacana: Wesley Bryan fired a 9-under 63 to lead at the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic.

Ryder Cup: Nicolai Hojgaard backs LIV Golf duo Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to be part of Team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Golf Course: Oldest of DC's three public golf courses is first in line for a major overhaul.

Zurich Classic: The final field for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, April 25-28, will feature 80 teams at TPC Louisiana - here's how the pairs look as of now.

Korn Ferry Tour: 15-year-old Miles Russell shoots front-nine 31 in Korn Ferry Tour debut.

Olympics Broadcast: Karen Stupples, Morgan Pressel and Tom Abbott to handle 2024 Paris Olympics women's golf broadcast for NBC Sports in August.

Amateur Golf: No 1 Amateur Gordon Sargent defers his PGA Tour card, will return to Vanderbilt for senior season.

US Open: USGA accepts third-most entries ever for 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No 2.

BIRDIE
This Is What A Masters Win Means For An Equipment Manufacturer

TaylorMade enjoyed a dream scenario at this year’s Masters that saw two of its top staffers, Scheffler and Collin Morikawa, earn a spot in the final pairing on Sunday.

With a global audience watching on, TaylorMade was able to capitalize on the opportunity with free advertising as Scheffler and Morikawa showcased the brand’s equipment, apparel and Masters staff bags on arguably the most important weekend on the professional golf calendar.

What It Meant For TaylorMade?

✅ More eyeballs on the equipment generally translates to an increase in interest, transactions and revenue - quite a simple formula.

✅ On a non-major weekend, a 2 percent conversation rate on traffic is standard for TaylorMade.

That number doubled up to 4 percent during the weekend of the Masters when staffers were in contention.

✅ There was a 5x return on Scheffler’s new Spider X putter through TaylorMadeGolf.com.

Read the full article.

DRIVING RANGE
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