It’s time for a wee October sprinkle of Tour Rundown. The PGA Tour is off for the week, while the Korn Ferry circuit has completed its 2025 gallop across the Americas. Last week was one of those unexpected, autumn gifts, when all five, major tours held events. This week is a return to the reality of borrowed time. As the late Jay Mickle, unelected mayor of the Carolina sandhills, might say, You never know. That’s the hope that we hold for professional golf in October. Let’s value what we had this week, and run down the trio of events that held our attention.

DP World Tour @ Indian Open: Tommy on track

It’s hard to imagine that Tommy Fleetwood will turn just 35 in January. He seems to have been an old soul for much longer, a wise competitor that has seen his share of misfortune and fortune alike. Lord knows that he’s on everyone’s radar, every two years, for the Ryder Cup. He’ll no doubt represent Europe for the next two playings, perhaps more.

This week in Delhi, Fleetwood surfed the unruly waves of competitive golf, with the balance of Kelly Slater. He was four back after 18, in the lead after 36, two back after 54, and ahead by two at tournament’s end. In the same manner that he won Atlanta’s Tour Championship this year, Fleetwood stayed patient. He no doubt enjoyed his friend Shane Lowry’s opening 64, nearly as much as the one he forged himself on day two, to take over the pole position. On day three, he held steady as Japan’s Keita Nakajima fashioned a marvelous 65, to wrest the lead from Fleetwood’s mitts. No concern, no worry, no problem.

On day four, Fleetwood opened birdie-bogey, recalibrated the machine, and secured seven subsequent birdies to finish with 65 on the day. Nakajima wasn’t at all bad on Sunday; in fact, he was perfect. Three birdies and fifteen pars added to 69. He just wasn’t perfect enough, but did receive a master class in victory formation. What’s next for Fleetwood? 2026 and his 36th turn ’round the sun are left to the imagination.

LPGA @ BMW Ladies: Welcome back, Sei Young

10 years ago, Sei Young Kim won for the first time on the LPGA circuit, at the Bahamas Classic. She won another eleven events through 2020, then off went the faucet. Five years passed before the affable champion would again lift a championship chalice over her head. It happened this week, in her home country of Korea. Sei Young held Japan’s Nasa Hataoka at arm’s length, winning by four at Haenam-gun.

Kim chose the trickiest way of returning to the winner’s circle: she opened with a deep-under round of 62. Nothing says challenge me like posting a low round on day one. To preserve the lead for the next three days, tests one’s mettle beyond description. Kim followed her 62 with 66, yet her lead expanded to four. Lindy Duncan went from 64 t0 71, and was gone from the chase. Hataoka entered the frame, and would remain until hole 72.

Days three and four saw Kim and Hataoka match 69s and 67s. Despite multiple challenges from the chaser, the leader never blinked, never backed away. Other than day three, when she had four on her card, Sei Young Kim did not post more than one bogey. There’s little that an opponent can do, in the face of so many birdies and eagles. Our thoughts?

Stay young, Sei Young!

PGA Tour Champions @ Dominion Energy: Justin time

The world’s tour spoil us, as they update their YouTube presence (it seems) within two hours of tournament’s finish each week. Not so on the PGA Tour Champions. We are left, sadly, to cull the socials for highlights of the close of play. It’s not a vociferous complaint, but if we get one wish for 2026, it’s an expanced YouTube highlight program for PGA Tour Champions.

Such a measure would allow us to appreciate Justin Leonard’s second PGATC win of the season. Leonard turned 53 in June, and ramped up his competitive game with two 2025 wins. His first came at the Chubb, in February. His latest victory lap took place in the commonwealth of Virginia. Leonard was able to hold off two of the game’s giants, in Thomas Bjorn and Ernie Els. Both Bjorn and Els appeared to overtake Leonard, the Saturday-evening leader, down the stretch. Leonard had other plans.

At the 16th, the Texan played the par-5 hole conservatively, then drained a 15-foot putt for birdie. Par at the tricky 17th set him up for the finish of the year. The 1997 Open champion ripped metal onto the green, then drained another five-yard putt for eagle and a take-that triumph over the tall men. Els needed birdie for playoff, but could only manage par. Bjorn needed eagle, but summoned but birdie. Sometimes, the littler guy wins out in the end.

CLUTCH finish for @JLeonardGolf to secure the W @DECCGolf ? pic.twitter.com/Vjh0Y2Pkx8

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) October 19, 2025