Event of the Day: Women’s PGA Championship Day 1
Our event of the day is Day 1 of the Women’s PGA Championship hosted this year at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. The four-day event will see the greatest female golfers battle it out for the prestigious major title, with the winner’s cheque totaling $577,500. Such is the immense strength of this year’s field that 99 of the world’s top 100 players will partake in the week’s festivities as one of the biggest events in the golfing calendar gets underway. Before a tee shot has been struck, Lexi Thompson is the slight favourite to go all the way and lift the title on Sunday evening. The American sits second in the Rolex world rankings right now and has displayed impressive form of late. At the recent U.S. Women’s Open, Thompson ended up joint 2nd in the standings after finishing with an impressive score of four under par. The 24-year-old already has one major to her name in the form of the ANA Inspiration title, which came in 2014, but her performances have certainly warranted more than the solitary major and she has every chance of adding to her trophy cabinet in Minnesota this weekend.
However popular the American may be on the women’s tour, there will be 155 other players trying to derail Thompson on her march to victory. One such competitor is former PGA Championship winner Brooke Henderson, who will very much fancy her chances at Hazeltine this weekend. Henderson will be full of confidence after notching her second victory of the season at the Meijer Classic on Sunday, and the Canadian’s focus will now turn to securing her second PGA Championship. Though Henderson has been on the circuit for just four years, she has already amassed career earnings in of over $5 million and she is undoubtedly one of the sport’s most exciting prospects who has already proven her mettle on the biggest stage. We are set for four days of thrilling golf.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Cricket World Cup where Australia will take on Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Bangladesh are in the hunt for a semi-final spot but a win for Australia today will all but secure their qualification to the knockout phase and leave the former with it all still to do. Elsewhere, there are two fixtures in the WNBA to watch out for today as the Dallas Wings take on the Phoenix Mercury whilst the Las Vegas Aces host the Washington Mystics. The Copa America also continues with an intriguing contest in prospect as Japan take on Uruguay as La Celeste look to extend their perfect record with a win at the Arena do Gremio. There are also two heavyweight clashes in the Women’s World Cup today as tournament favourites USA do battle with Sweden whilst the Netherlands will entertain Canada at the Stade Auguste-Delaune. Finally, the West Coast Eagles will go in search of their sixth win in seven outings as they take on Essendon in the AFL at Optus Stadium. The NBA Draft takes place tonight at the Barclays Center in New York City. With the first overall pick, the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to take the phenomenal Zion Williamson from Duke University. However, the NBA Draft never fails to excite and with the high quality of draftable talent on offer, be sure you don't miss this exciting event.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by LPGA; Hazeltine National Golf Club