S.D.’S XIONG WINS ON KORN FERRY
It was five years ago that Norman Xiong played in the Walker Cup alongside the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Will Zalatoris and Collin Morikawa. The United States won, led by Xiong's 30-1 record.
Xiong, who grew up in San Diego and first went to the Pro Kids Golf Academy at age 6, was coming off his first year at Oregon, where he was the national freshman of the year. The next year, he was the top collegiate player in the country.
Then he turned pro — and had almost no success.
But on Sunday, while two of his more famous Walker Cup teammates tied for second in the U.S. Open, Xiong took a big step forward in his career, winning the Wichita Open on the Korn Ferry Tour.
It was his first win in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event and he became the first Monday qualifier to win on the Korn Ferry since 2016.
“I really don't know how I'm feeling just because I didn't really expect to be here,” Xiong said, according to the PGA Tour website.
Xiong, 23, was sparked by a career-low round of 61 on the par-70 Crestview Country Club course Friday, which he followed with rounds of 64 on Saturday and 63 on Sunday to finish at 26-under 254 and win by five shots over Kevin Roy.
Xiong was on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019 but had just one top-25 finish in 21 starts, missed 16 cuts and struggled to maintain status since. Sunday's victory gave him full membership on the Korn Ferry Tour for the rest of the season.
“A lot of things just went my way,” Xiong said. “I got a lot of good breaks, a lot of putts dropped. It's kind of what it takes out here to win, to have it be your week and have everything go your way.”
Kupcho wins playoff
After missing a 2-foot eagle putt on the first hole of a playoff, Jennifer Kupcho won the LPGA Meijer Classic when Leona Maguire's 3foot birdie try lipped out on the second extra hole.
Kupcho closed with a 1under 71 to match playing partner Nelly Korda and Maguire at 18-under 270 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Mich. Kupcho birdied both playoff holes.
Maguire finished with a 65 and birdied the first extra hole before missing the short putt on the second. Korda had a 72 and dropped out of the playoff with a three-putt par on the first extra hole.