McIlroy Preps for US Open in Canada; DeChambeau in Virginia

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    PGA Tour
    RBC CANADIAN OPEN
    Location: Caledon, Ontario
    Course: TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North). Yardage: 7,389. Par: 70.
    Prize purse: $9.8 million. Winner’s share: $1.764 million.
    Broadcast: Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
    Reigning champion: Robert MacIntyre.
    FedEx Cup leader: Scottie Scheffler.
    Previous event: Scottie Scheffler claimed victory at the Memorial.

    Overview: Rory McIlroy takes center stage, returning after he missed the Memorial, an event hosted by Jack Nicklaus. McIlroy has already won two Canadian Open titles and marks his fourth consecutive appearance this year. Luke Clanton, a junior from Florida State, enters the ring professionally after securing his PGA Tour card through the accelerated program, sharing this debut with Gordon Sargent of Vanderbilt. From the home country’s talent, former Masters victor Mike Weir is participating. Additionally, Ludvig Aberg and Wyndham Clark are among 18 players who competed in the Memorial and have exemptions for the U.S. Open at Oakmont next week. Established in 1904, the Canadian Open stands as the fourth-oldest national open in golf after those of Britain, the U.S., and South Africa. Notably, the North course at TPC Toronto launched in 2001, predating Weir’s Masters triumph by two years.

    Upcoming: U.S. Open.
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    LIV Golf League
    LIV GOLF VIRGINIA
    Locale: Gainesville, Virginia
    Course: Robert Trent Jones GC. Yardage: 7,354. Par: 71.
    Prize total: $20 million. Winner’s portion: $4 million.
    On TV: Friday, noon to 2 p.m. (Fox Sports app), 2-5 p.m. (Fox); Saturday, 1-6 p.m. (Fox Business); Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (FS1).
    Champion to beat: This is a new competition.
    Season leader: Joaquin Niemann.
    Last competition: Bryson DeChambeau emerged victorious in the LIV Golf Korea event.

    Details: Many players from this league haven’t competed since early May in South Korea. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club previously hosted the Solheim Cup last year and the Presidents Cup periodically since 1994. This venue marks LIV Golf’s first U.S. appearance since just before the Masters. The leading scorer among the top five following the upcoming event in Dallas will earn a berth in the British Open at Royal Portrush. Joaquin Niemann is at the forefront with three LIV titles this season, while other tournament winners include Adrian Meronk, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, and Marc Leishman. Jon Rahm has consistently placed within the top 10 since joining LIV last year. Dustin Johnson is gearing up for his final event before arriving at Oakmont, the site of his 2016 U.S. Open triumph.

    Next engagement: LIV Golf Dallas, set for June 27-29.
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    LPGA Tour
    SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC
    Venue: Galloway, New Jersey
    Course: Seaview GC (Bay). Yardage: 6,263. Par: 71.
    Fund prize: $1.75 million. Winner’s share: $262,500.
    Coverage: Friday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel), 5-6 p.m. (NBC Sports app); Sunday, 2-3 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
    Titleholder: Linnea Strom.
    Leader in Race to CME Globe: Jeeno Thitikul.
    Recent triumph: Maja Stark won the U.S. Women’s Open.

    Insights: Following victory at the U.S. Women’s Open, Maja Stark progresses to the next tour. The event is one of just a couple of 54-hole tournaments remaining on the LPGA circuit, sharing that distinction solely with the Walmart NW Arkansas Open. The ShopRite LPGA Classic boasts the top two world-ranked players, Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul. Since its inception in 1986, previous famed winners include Juli Inkster. Recent iterations have been notably tight, each decided by a single shot or playoff. Lexi Thompson, who clinched the title six years ago, is sitting this event out as she’s stepped back from a full tour schedule. Stark distinguished herself at the U.S. Women’s Open by being the only participant to score par or better throughout the tournament. Korda, while consistently landing in major’s top ranks, has yet to secure a victory.

    Next event: Meijer LPGA Classic.
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    European Tour
    KLM OPEN
    Spot: Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Golf course: The International. Yardage: 6,914. Par: 71.
    Total purse: $2.75 million. Winner’s cut: $458,333.
    Broadcasting: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 6:30-11:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).
    Defending victor: Guido Migliozzi.
    Race to Dubai leader: Rory McIlroy.
    Past week: Nicolai von Dellingshausen triumphed at the Austrian Alpine Open.

    Synopsis: Leading the entries is Englishman Laurie Canter, previously among the top 50 to join the Masters. Although he now stands at No. 64, his performance has qualified him for the U.S. Open as the highest-ranked non-exempt Race to Dubai player. Previous winners like Nicolai von Dellingshausen and Kristoffer Reitan are part of the roster. Featuring on an exemption is former PGA champion Jimmy Walker, participating in what marks his seventh European tour event since last September. Additionally, Francesco Molinari, past British Open champion, joins, marking a rare European tour outing for him. The Dutch Open, dating back to 1912, has had few American wins, with Scott Hoch in 1995 and Payne Stewart as victors.

    Next contest: U.S. Open.
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    PGA Tour Champions
    AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
    Location: Madison, Wisconsin
    Course: TPC Wisconsin. Yardage: 7,031. Par: 71.
    Prize money: $3 million. Winner’s prize: $450,000.
    Coverage: Friday from 3-5 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday-Sunday from 2-4 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 8-10 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay).
    Titleholder: Ernie Els.
    Charles Schwab Cup leader: Miguel Angel Jimenez.
    Recent winner: Miguel Angel Jimenez clinched the Principal Charity Classic.

    Remarks: Transformed into a two-man team event, this is now the singular team tournament on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, with host Steve Stricker partnering with his brother-in-law, Mario Tiziani. Fred Couples and Jay Haas, known for their roles as captains of the Presidents Cup US team, reunite to compete. Miguel Angel Jimenez has become a three-time winner on this circuit with his recent playoff win. A dynamic duo of European Ryder Cup captains, Darren Clarke (2016) and Thomas Bjorn (2018), join forces for this event. Playoffs have resolved three PGA Tour Champions contests this year. The Champions schedule leads next to a major at Firestone.

    Upcoming tourney: Kaulig Companies Championship scheduled for June 19-22.
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    Korn Ferry Tour
    BMW CHARITY PRO-AM
    Venue: Greer, South Carolina
    Course: Thornblade Club. Yardage: 6,841. Par: 71.
    Prize allocation: $1 million. Winner’s prize: $180,000.
    Broadcast: Thursday, noon to 3 p.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 9-11 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay); Saturday-Sunday, 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel).
    Former victor: Ryan Gerard.
    Points leaderboard: Johnny Keefer.
    Recent result: Trace Crowe attained victory at the UNC Health Championship.

    Next competition: Wichita Open scheduled for June 19-22.