Episodes

  • Birdies Everywhere: Round One Sets the Stage at the FM Championship

    Birdies Everywhere: Round One Sets the Stage at the FM Championship
    Aug 29 2025
    Round one of the FM Championship delivered plenty of excitement with three players sharing the lead at seven-under par. Sei Young Kim, a 12-time LPGA winner and 2020 major champion, is looking to break her winless streak, while England’s Jodi Ewart-Shadoff surged with eight birdies for a share of the top spot. Joining them is American Allisen Corpuz, who bounced back in style after several missed cuts, reminding everyone of the form that earned her a podium finish earlier this season. Just one stroke back, rookie Miranda Wang impressed with nine birdies, the most of the day, offset by three bogeys. A deep pack sits at five-under, including Andrea Lee, Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, Celine Boutier, Madison Young, Emily Kristine Pedersen, and Weiwei Zhang. With so many big names already near the top, the stage is set for a thrilling battle heading into round two.
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    6 mins
  • The Birdie Brief: FM Championship Preview

    The Birdie Brief: FM Championship Preview
    Aug 27 2025
    In this episode of The Birdie Briefing, Marie previews the LPGA’s next stop: the FM Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. Now in just its second year, the tournament is already making a big impression with a record-setting $4.1 million purse—the largest outside of the majors—offering $615,000 to the winner. Marie highlights the unique player perks that set this event apart: free accommodations, flight vouchers, laundry credits, meals, and even a $1,000 stipend for those who miss the cut—rare benefits on the LPGA Tour. She also draws parallels to other player-focused tournaments like Black Desert, praising FM for creating a stop that players want to attend. The field is stacked, with 21 of this season’s 23 winners competing, including Brooke Henderson, Jeeno Thitikul, Minjee Lee, Maja Stark, Grace Kim, and defending champion Haeran Ryu. Notably absent are Lydia Ko and Hyo Joo Kim. Big names like Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko, Hannah Green, and Celine Boutier will also tee it up, alongside rising talents Gurleen Kaur, Amelie Salzman, and Megha Ganne. Marie also shares some fun off-course notes, from the tournament’s Instagram stunts with the Patriots mascot to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s remarks about the growth of women’s sports. She wraps up with practical details for fans: ticket prices (including free admission for kids and veterans) and how to watch live—via ESPN+ featured groups or daily Golf Channel coverage. With a huge purse, player-first treatment, and nearly every top LPGA name in attendance, the FM Championship promises to be one of the year’s most exciting tournaments.
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    10 mins
  • Canadian Women's Open Final Round - Henderson Ends Drought with Emotional Win on Home Soil

    Canadian Women's Open Final Round - Henderson Ends Drought with Emotional Win on Home Soil
    Aug 25 2025
    On day four of the CPKC Women’s Open, Brooke Henderson gave Canadian fans the finish they dreamed of—clinching her second national title and her first win since 2023. Henderson’s victory felt destined, as she described it, and it vaulted her from 53rd to 26th in the CME Race to the Globe standings. The final round was a nail-biter, with Minjee Lee just one stroke back until the very last hole, and Mao Saigo charging into solo third with a five-under round. Rising star Akie Iwai secured solo fourth, while Manon De Roey and Lydia Ko shared fifth. The top ten rounded out with Jeeno Thitikul, Megan Khang, Gaby Lopez, and a five-way tie at tenth including Nelly Korda and Sei Young Kim. It was a showcase of world-class talent, passionate Canadian crowds, and the enduring importance of this event on the LPGA Tour.
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    6 mins
  • Canadian Women's Open Round 3: Moving Day Magic - Brooke & Minjee Share the Lead

    Canadian Women's Open Round 3: Moving Day Magic - Brooke & Minjee Share the Lead
    Aug 24 2025
    Round three of the Canadian Women’s Open delivered all the drama of moving day. Brooke Henderson thrilled the home crowd by shooting a 65, highlighted by a spectacular bunker eagle on 17, to tie for the lead at -11. Sharing the top spot is Minjee Lee, who put together a 66 with two eagles and looks poised for another big win. Behind them, Jeeno Thitikul and Akie Iwai sit three shots back at -8, keeping the chase alive. JLee5 and Yu Liu surged into contention at -7, while a strong group at -6—including Grace Kim, Mao Saigo, 15-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng, and Manon De Roey—rounds out a stacked leaderboard. With network TV coverage on CBS for the final day, fans are set for an exciting finish.
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    7 mins
  • Canadian Women's Open Round 2: Iwai Holds Lead, Henderson Heats Up at Canadian Women’s Open

    Canadian Women's Open Round 2: Iwai Holds Lead, Henderson Heats Up at Canadian Women’s Open
    Aug 23 2025
    In this episode of The Birdie Briefing, Marie recaps round two of the CPKC Women’s Open. Akie Iwai continues her dominant run, holding solo first at -9 with a three-shot lead heading into the weekend. Chasing her in second are Minjee Lee, Leona Maguire, and world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul at -6. Brooke Henderson thrilled the home crowd with the low round of the day (-5), climbing into a tie for fifth alongside Megan Khang, Jenny Bae, and Linnea Strum. The field remains tightly packed with big names like Nelly Korda, Ariya Jutanugarn, Gaby Lopez, and Minami Katsu lurking just a few shots back. While Akie has the edge, the course isn’t giving up low scores easily—meaning it’s still anyone’s tournament going into moving day. Marie also runs through the cut line, notable players who missed the weekend, and broadcast details for round three.
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    7 mins
  • Canadian Women’s Open Round 1: Iwai Leads the Pack

    Canadian Women’s Open Round 1: Iwai Leads the Pack
    Aug 22 2025
    In this episode of The Birdie Briefing, Marie recaps round one of the Canadian Women’s Open. Fresh off her Portland Classic win, rookie Akie Iwai stormed into solo first with a 7-under 64. Just behind her, five players sit tied at -5, including World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, rising amateur star Aphrodite Deng (just 15 years old), past champion Megan Khang, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, and Ireland’s Leona McGuire. Other highlights include Jo Soo Bin’s eagle-fueled -4 performance and a strong pack tied at -3 featuring Jenny Bae, Ariya Jutanugarn, Jeongeun Lee5, Peiyun Chien, and Mao Saigo. Big names like Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, and Rose Zhang remain in striking distance at -2, while Brooke Henderson and others fight to climb from even par. Marie breaks down the leaderboard, standout performances, and early storylines to watch as the tournament heads toward the weekend.
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    6 mins
  • The Birdie Brief - Canadian Women's Open Preview

    The Birdie Brief - Canadian Women's Open Preview
    Aug 20 2025
    In this episode of The Birdie Briefing, Marie previews the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open—the LPGA Tour’s lone stop in Canada. She breaks down everything you need to know: the $2.75 million purse, the Mississauga Golf & Country Club course setup, and the perfect forecast for the week. The field is stacked: nearly every top-25 CME player is in action, along with eight past champions, including Brooke Henderson, Jin Young Ko, Lydia Ko, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Megan Khang. Marie also highlights this season’s first-time winners, standout Japanese and Korean players, and big names like Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, both hungry to make a statement. You’ll also hear details on tickets, special fan experiences, and how to watch from home across Golf Channel, NBC Sports, and CBS. Whether you’re attending in Toronto or tuning in from afar, Marie has you ready for an exciting weeks on the LPGA calendar.
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    14 mins
  • Portland Classic Final Round : Rookie Magic - Akie Iwai Wins Big in Portland

    Portland Classic Final Round : Rookie Magic - Akie Iwai Wins Big in Portland
    Aug 18 2025
    In this final recap of the 2025 Portland Classic, Marie from The Birdie Briefing breaks down Akie Iwai’s dominant wire-to-wire victory at -24, making her the sixth rookie to win on the LPGA this season. She highlights Gurleen Kaur’s breakout runner-up finish, sister Chisato Iwai’s charge into a tie for third alongside Linn Grant, and strong showings from Grace Kim, Aditi Ashok, and others. Plus, the feel-good comeback of former World No. 1 Sung Hyun Park and an impressive amateur performance from Kiara Romero.
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    7 mins