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- Planet Golf News for Friday, February 7, 2025
Planet Golf News for Friday, February 7, 2025
Wyndham Clark's approach is helping him early at the WM Phoenix Open | The Founders Cup: Nanna Madsen, Jennifer Kupcho tied atop leaderboard after first day | Shorts no longer in play on LIV tour
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Friday, February 7, 2025
PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Ah, the joys of professional golf, where precision, patience, and the occasional full-camo fashion disaster collide. This week’s golf action had everything: record-breaking rounds, resilient comebacks, and enough drama to keep even the most casual golf fan entertained.
Let’s start with Wyndham Clark, who decided to shake off his lackluster start to the season by casually firing a 7-under 64 to take the first-round lead at the Phoenix Open. Clark even managed to survive the notoriously chaotic 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale, where a tee shot into the water could’ve unraveled his round. Instead, he shrugged it off like a guy who knows that resilience is just another word for short-term memory loss. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, who has won everything except a break from questions about his putting, had an up-and-down day that included a shank (yes, a shank!) before rebounding to shoot 68. Over in the fan-favorite chaos of the 16th hole, beer didn’t rain down from the sky, because this year throwing beer is a no-no?
Speaking of players bouncing back, Jennifer Kupcho and Nanna Koerstz Madsen put themselves in pole position at the Founders Cup with matching 6-under 65s, proving that taking a little time between wins doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten how to do it. Kupcho had a tidy seven-birdie performance, while Madsen had a more adventurous journey to the same score. The tournament also featured Lexi Thompson making her return after an offseason filled with engagement celebrations, because apparently, life is about balance—birdies on the course, wedding planning off of it.
On the LIV Golf side, Adrian Meronk turned on the afterburners and torched Riyadh Golf Club with a 10-under 62, making everyone else look like they were playing a different sport. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team decided that being merely good wasn’t enough, setting a first-round team scoring record at 24-under. Oh, and LIV decided to reverse its previous “shorts are cool” rule, meaning the league has once again proven that its greatest strength is keeping things just confusing enough for everyone to keep talking about it.
Over on the DP World Tour, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters saw Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson rise to the top with matching 6-under scores, while darkness rudely interrupted play for 12 unlucky souls. Apparently, the sun waits for no golfer. Meanwhile, in Morocco, Steven Alker and Simon Griffiths lead the Trophy Hassan II, with Miguel Ángel Jiménez lurking nearby, probably twirling his cigar and waiting for his moment to strike.
Jordan Spieth, forever a tinker-er, switched putters once again, proving that the search for the perfect flat stick is never truly over.
So there you have it. Golf, as always, delivered its mix of dominance, absurdity, and occasional wardrobe misadventures. On to the next round, where undoubtedly someone will either go absurdly low or completely implode, while the rest of us sip our coffee and pretend we could make a 5-foot putt under pressure.
Today’s Top Golf News
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
WM Phoenix Open - PGA Tour - TPC Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
The first round of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, saw a mix of dramatic moments and strong performances. Wyndham Clark emerged as the early leader with a bogey-free 7-under 64, showcasing precision on the Stadium Course’s challenging layout. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, a two-time champion at this event, had a memorable start that included an uncharacteristic shank from a bunker on the par-4 18th hole. However, he quickly rebounded with a birdie on the same hole to finish with a solid 3-under 68, demonstrating his resilience. Jordan Spieth, who has struggled with wrist injuries in recent months, looked sharp and pain-free, carding a 5-under 66 to position himself firmly in contention.
The tournament’s signature 16th hole lived up to its reputation as the "most exciting hole on the PGA Tour," with lively crowds energizing players during key shots. Weather conditions were ideal, with sunny skies and temperatures around 70°F, allowing for optimal scoring opportunities.
Defending champion Nick Taylor began his title defense with a steady 2-under 69, while fan favorites like Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama stayed within striking distance of the lead. The event’s signature party atmosphere remained intact, though organizers maintained crowd control measures implemented after logistical challenges in previous years.
Founders Cup Pres by U.S. Virgin Islands - LPGA - Bradenton Country Club - Bradenton, FL
The first round of the 2025 Founders Cup presented by the U.S. Virgin Islands at Bradenton Country Club saw a competitive start, with Jennifer Kupcho and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen sharing the lead at 6-under 65. Kupcho, playing in her first LPGA event of the season, delivered a bogey-free back nine to secure her position, while Madsen’s strong morning round set the early pace. Lauren Coughlin and Auston Kim trailed closely, finishing the day at 5-under 66, with Coughlin capitalizing on precise putting and Kim showcasing consistency. Defending champion Rose Zhang opened with a solid 3-under 68, positioning herself within striking distance.
Lexi Thompson, making her first start since retiring from full-time professional golf, carded an even-par 71 in her season debut. Meanwhile, South Korean rookie Yoon Ina, a standout from the KLPGA Tour, began her LPGA career with a 1-under 70. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, playing on her home course, finished the day at 2-under 69, while Lydia Ko, ranked No. 2 globally, struggled slightly with a 1-under 70. The tournament, featuring a $2 million purse, continues through Sunday at the historic Bradenton Country Club, with players vying for a $300,000 winner’s share.
Trophy Hassan II - PGA Tour Champions - Royal Golf Dar Es Salam - Rabat, Morocco
Steven Alker of New Zealand and England's Simon Griffin share the lead after the first round of the Trophy Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco, each carding a 4-under 69 on the par-73 layout. Alker, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion, is seeking his ninth PGA Tour Champions victory, while Griffin, making his tournament debut, surged into contention with three consecutive birdies on his final three holes. Seven players sit one stroke back at 3-under, including Brett Quigley, the 2020 Morocco champion, and Miguel Angel Jiménez, who aims for his 14th senior title. Defending champion Ricardo Gonzalez opened with a 1-under 72, leaving him tied for 15th in the 66-player field that features five World Golf Hall of Fame members. The event runs concurrently with the Ladies European Tour's Lalla Meryem Cup on the same property, with a $2.5 million purse at stake. Notable participants Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els are among the star-studded lineup competing through Saturday.
LIV Golf Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The 2025 LIV Golf season kicked off under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia with a historic first round marked by standout performances and a new team format. Poland’s Adrian Meronk seized the individual lead with a bogey-free 10-under 62, highlighted by 10 birdies and a flawless display of accuracy, including hitting all 18 greens in regulation. Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team dominated the team competition, setting a first-round scoring record of 24-under par, fueled by newcomer Tom McKibbin’s 7-under 65 and contributions from Tyrrell Hatton (66), Caleb Surratt (66), and Rahm (67). The new format, requiring all four team scores to count in every round, intensified competition, with Majesticks GC trailing by seven strokes at 17-under. Australia’s Cameron Smith, making his season debut, carded a 5-under 67 to sit tied for ninth, while Ripper GC, his 2024 championship team, struggled in eighth place. Notable absences included Phil Mickelson, sidelined by a shoulder injury, replaced by Ollie Schniederjans for HyFlyers GC. The event, LIV Golf’s first nighttime tournament, showcased the Riyadh Golf Club’s challenging layout, with players adapting to unique conditions under floodlights.
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - DP World Tour - Doha GC - Doha, Qatar
The first round of the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club saw play suspended due to darkness with 12 players yet to complete their opening rounds. Co-leading at 6 under par are Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and England's Brandon Robinson Thompson, who both carded seven birdies against one bogey. They hold a one-stroke advantage over a group of five players at 5 under that includes Sam Bairstow and Andrea Pavan. Last week's Bahrain Championship winner Laurie Canter sits two shots off the pace at 4 under after nearly acing the par-3 8th hole during his round.
The $2.5 million DP World Tour event features 27 players within three strokes of the lead, with defending champion Rikuya Hoshino absent after earning PGA Tour status. Notable former champions in the field include 2022 winner Ewen Ferguson and 2020 champion Jorge Campillo, both positioned in the middle of the pack after opening rounds. Ireland's Conor Purcell will resume play on Friday needing to complete his 18th hole, currently sitting at 1 under par. The tournament continues through Sunday, with the winner set to claim $425,000 from the total prize fund.
Astara Golf Championship pres. by Mastercard - Korn Ferry - Country Club de Bogota-Lagos - Bogota, Columbia
Rick Lamb currently leads the 2025 Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard after an opening-round 8-under 62 on the Pacos course at Country Club de Bogota. The 34-year-old American’s bogey-free performance included eight birdies, capitalizing on the short layout (6,254 yards) and high-altitude conditions. Colombian amateur Esteban Jaramillo and Argentina’s Fabián Gómez sit one stroke back at 7-under, while a group of five players including Hank Lebioda and Josh Teater trail by two shots at 6-under. Lamb, ranked No. 26 on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, seeks his second career victory on the circuit. The tournament’s unique format alternates between the Pacos and Lagos courses through Friday before concluding on the longer Lagos layout over the weekend.
Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)
Today’s Best Golf Videos
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS

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