The identity of the U.S. Open is that it’s a beautiful mess. If you’re not playing in it or trying to host it, it’s fun to revel in all the wailing, tension, and occasional incompetence. The last five years, however, have featured a mix of bad luck, poor timing, and outright mismanagement that has left many loud voices among the players completely fed up with the national championship, even to the point of a serious discussion of a boycott.

Washington, United States—Tiger Woods, who made a stunning comeback from injury to win the Masters last month, is to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump on Monday (Tuesday Manila time). 

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump will bestow the award, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on the golfing great in the White House Rose Garden. 

Taichung, Taiwan—Local ace Sung Mao-Chang took charge with a six-under 66, going 2-up over erstwhile co-leader Tseng Tsu-Hao while Jay Bayron kept his hopes for a spot in the weekend play despite a 73 in the Daan TPGA Open at the Ching Chuan Kang Golf Club here yesterday.

Philippine Open champion Clyde Mondilla gets the rare chance to showcase his wares against idol and fellow Del Monte ace Frankie Miñoza in one of the key matches ushering in the 15th The Country Club Invitational today (Tuesday, April 23) at the dreaded TCC layout in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Tagaytay—Chihiro Ikeda snapped a long run of poor form with a two-under 70 in sweltering heat here yesterday as she seized a one-stroke lead over amateur Eagle Ace Superal and Thai pro Tiranan Yoopan at the start of the ICTSI Tagaytay Midlands at the Midlands layout.

The Philippine Golf Tour marks its decade-long season with a 12-stage circuit across the country starting with The Country Club Invitational on April 23-26 featuring a select cast headed by six former champions at the TCC course in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Los Angeles—One week out from his PGA Championship title defense at Bethpage Black, Brooks Koepka is tuning up his game at the US PGA Tour’s Byron Nelson in Dallas, Texas.

Koepka is making his fifth career start in the tournament, but his first since it moved to the course located in the southern outskirts of Dallas last year. 

Tarlac – Finn Teemu Putkonen made up for his late meltdown in the previous round with a strong finish yesterday, birdying two of the last three holes to shoot an eagle-spiked 68 and snatch the third round lead from Guido Van der Valk in the ICTSI Luisita Championship here yesterday.