Planet Golf News for Friday, February 14, 2025

Denny McCarthy on top, Scottie Scheffler 2 back at rainy Genesis | LPGA to penalize players with fines, strokes under new pace of play policy | LIV underway in Adelaide

Friday, February 14, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Happy Valentine’s Day to all you golf lovers out there! Nothing says romance quite like a rainy, brutal round at Torrey Pines, right? While most people are cozying up with chocolates and flowers, the world’s best golfers are battling Mother Nature and a course that’s playing tougher than a bad first date.

Denny McCarthy is leading the Genesis Invitational, proving that even in miserable conditions, someone can find a way to shine. He pulled off a clutch eagle to finish his round, leaving Scottie Scheffler lurking two shots behind, ready to pounce. Meanwhile, the move from Riviera to Torrey Pines—thanks to those wildfires—has added a layer of unpredictability, and the leaderboard is as jumbled as your ex’s text messages after a couple of cocktails.

Speaking of heartbreak, Rory McIlroy isn’t here for LIV Golf players trying to make a Ryder Cup comeback. He’s made it clear they need to regain their DP World Tour status before even thinking about a captaincy. In other words, if you left for the big payday, don’t come crawling back expecting an easy welcome. Tough love from Rory, but hey, it’s Valentine’s Day.

The LPGA is also cracking down—this time on slow play. The new policy will slap players with stroke penalties and fines for dawdling, because nothing kills the vibe quite like a five-hour round. The message is clear: pick up the pace or pay up. Expect some tense moments when the rule officially kicks in at the Ford Championship.

Meanwhile, over at LIV Golf Adelaide, Patrick Reed made an ace at the infamous “Watering Hole,” sparking absolute chaos on his second hole. LIV is hoping moments like this will boost their struggling TV ratings, which, let’s be honest, were about as impressive as a wilted bouquet from the gas station. Bryson DeChambeau, however, is taking matters into his own hands, trying to become golf’s version of MrBeast with viral YouTube stunts. If golf doesn’t work out, at least he has a future in content creation.

On a more sentimental note, The Genesis Invitational is paying tribute to Tiger Woods’ late mother, Kultida, by placing a white flag on the seventh hole in her honor. It’s a touching gesture, symbolizing purity and wisdom, and a reminder that some things are bigger than golf. Woods has withdrawn from the tournament to grieve, and the golf world stands with him.

Elsewhere, Jake Knapp, the last man into the field after Tiger withdrew, is seizing his unexpected opportunity with a solid first round. He grew up idolizing Woods, and now he has a shot at making a name for himself in a star-studded event. Talk about a plot twist.

In the land of the senior circuit, Bernhard Langer is back at the Chubb Classic, chasing his sixth title and reminding everyone that age is just a number—unless you’re arguing about LIV major exemptions, in which case, it apparently matters a lot.

With so much happening across the tours, it’s shaping up to be an exciting weekend of golf, even if the weather is doing its best to turn the Genesis Invitational into a survival test. So grab your Valentine, pour yourself a drink, and settle in for a few days of high-stakes drama—on and off the course. ❤️

Today’s Top Golf News 

Today’s Feature Golf Reads

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

PGA Tour pros battle cruel Genesis weather with mitts, hand warmers, and layers

The Genesis Invitational - PGA Tour - Torrey Pines - La Jolla, CA

The first round of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Club in La Jolla, California, proved to be a challenging day for the world's best golfers. Rainy and wet conditions on the South Course led to difficult playing conditions, with the field averaging more than two strokes over par.

Despite the adverse weather, Denny McCarthy managed to take the lead after the opening round with an impressive 4-under 68, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 18th hole. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler demonstrated his class by carding a 2-under par round, placing him just two strokes behind McCarthy. Scheffler's strong start included two birdies in his first four holes, quickly asserting his presence on the leaderboard.

Only 13 players in the 72-man field managed to break par on Thursday, a testament to the demanding conditions. Among those joining Scheffler in red figures were Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, and Min Woo Lee. The challenging weather tested the players' resolve, with many struggling to navigate the course effectively.

Rory McIlroy, another pre-tournament favorite, showed his grit by maneuvering through the round with only two bogeys on his scorecard. Although not at his best, particularly with his driver, McIlroy's ability to grind out a solid score in difficult conditions kept him in contention.

The tournament, typically held at Riviera Country Club, was relocated to Torrey Pines this year due to wildfires affecting Southern California. This change of venue added an extra layer of unpredictability to the event, as players had to adapt to a different course than originally expected.

As the first round concluded, the leaderboard reflected the day's challenges, with only a small group of players managing to separate themselves from the field. With three rounds remaining, the stage is set for an intriguing battle at this prestigious PGA Tour event, as players look to overcome both the challenging course and unpredictable weather conditions in pursuit of victory.

Chubb Classic: Bernhard Langer chasing 6th title one storyline for PGA Tour Champions event

Chubb Classic - PGA Tour Champions - Tiburon Golf Club - Naples, FL

The 2025 Chubb Classic, the first full-field tournament of the PGA Tour Champions season, is set to take place today at Tiburón Golf Club’s Black Course in Naples, Florida. This marks the 38th consecutive year the event has been held in Naples, featuring a 78-player field competing for a purse of $1.8 million, with the winner receiving $270,000.

The tournament has garnered significant attention due to the return of five-time champion Bernhard Langer, who missed last year’s event due to an Achilles injury. Langer, who won the tournament in 2023 with a score of 17-under par, is aiming to match Hale Irwin’s record for the most wins at a single PGA Tour Champions event. The field also includes other notable players such as defending champion Stephen Ames, two-time winner Fred Couples, and recent Mitsubishi Electric Championship winner Ernie Els.

6 Things to Know About LIV Golf Adelaide 2025

LIV Golf Adelaide - LIV Golf - The Grange Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia

The first round of the 2025 LIV Golf Adelaide tournament at The Grange Golf Club delivered an exhilarating start, highlighted by Patrick Reed’s hole-in-one on the par-3 12th “Party Hole” just 15 minutes into play. This ace, only the second in the event’s history, sent the massive crowd into a frenzy, with spectators showering Reed in drinks. Despite this remarkable shot, Reed finished the day at 1-over 73, seven shots behind the leader. Englishman Sam Horsfield emerged as the frontrunner, carding a bogey-free 66 to top the leaderboard. The tournament, expected to draw up to 100,000 fans over its duration, saw the return of Phil Mickelson from injury and featured defending champion Adrian Meronk and 2024 LIV Golf Champion Jon Rahm in action. With a total prize purse of $25 million at stake, the stage is set for an intense competition as players head into the second round.

Upcoming: The Masters Tournament (April 7 - 13, 2025)

Upcoming: Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

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