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- Planet Golf News for Friday, January 17, 2025
Planet Golf News for Friday, January 17, 2025
LIV Golf announces multi-year rights agreement with Fox Sports beginning in 2025 | PGA Tour to move Tiger Woods' Genesis Invitational from Riviera amid LA wildfires | J.T. Poston shoots 62 as birdies and eagles dominate The American Express
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Friday, January 17, 2025
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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
It’s been a lively week in the world of golf, where drama seems to be as abundant as birdies. Let’s dive into some of the highlights, because honestly, golf might be the most chaotic “gentleman’s game” around right now.
First up, LIV Golf is making moves – again. They’ve signed a multi-year deal with Fox Sports starting in 2025. New CEO Scott O’Neil is pumped, calling it a big step in “redefining golf’s future.” Sure, LIV, just as long as that future doesn’t include the dismal viewership numbers you’ve been wrestling with. The season kicks off in Saudi Arabia on February 6, because apparently nothing says “revolutionizing golf” like a February start in a desert halfway across the world.
Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour side of things, the Genesis Invitational is packing up its bags and leaving Riviera, all thanks to wildfires tearing through Los Angeles County. Tiger Woods, as host, took a moment to prioritize safety over, you know, hosting a glitzy tournament. A new location hasn’t been named yet, but you can bet it’ll be somewhere far from the literal flames.
Over in the desert at The American Express, J.T. Poston decided that the best defense is a good offense, shooting a ridiculous 10-under 62 to grab the lead. He wasn’t alone in attacking the pins, though—17 players shot 65 or better. The course must be as defenseless as a pinata at a kids’ party. Oh, and 17-year-old Blades Brown made his pro debut, managing an even-par 72 and a spot near the bottom of the leaderboard. But hey, we all have to start somewhere.
Across the globe at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, American amateur David Ford made Rory McIlroy look like a weekend warrior. Ford fired a 7-under 65 to grab a share of the lead, while Rory struggled with a “scrappy” 70. If this amateur keeps it up, McIlroy might start rethinking his warm-ups.
LIV Golf and the DP World Tour continue their awkward co-existence, with guys like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton navigating a legal labyrinth to avoid fines and suspensions while still playing in events they like. The Ryder Cup implications hang over all this drama like a storm cloud. It’s a bit like a soap opera, but with fewer love triangles and more committee meetings.
On the equipment front, Titleist is out here trying to solve all your short-game problems with their Vokey SM10 wedges. Spoiler alert: if you can’t chip now, the club alone isn’t going to turn you into Phil Mickelson. But they look slick, and that’s half the battle, right?
In the world of sentimental news, Augusta National is back in tip-top shape after Hurricane Helene. Fred Ridley assures us the course will be immaculate for the 2025 Masters. Augusta isn’t just a golf course; it’s a fortress of perfection, so this was never in doubt.
Oh, and let’s not forget LIV’s new CEO, Scott O’Neil, getting a vote of confidence from none other than Rory McIlroy. Yes, the same Rory who has been LIV’s harshest critic thinks O’Neil might actually do some good for the league. High praise, considering McIlroy usually speaks about LIV the way most people talk about jury duty.
Finally, a quick shoutout to Sami Valimaki, who became the first Finnish player to make a hole-in-one on the PGA Tour at The American Express. History-making moments like that are what make golf fun—even if the poor guy is still 28th on the leaderboard.
Golf may have a reputation for being a polite sport, but let’s be honest, there’s always a bit of chaos simmering beneath the surface. Whether it’s corporate shakeups, relocations, or young guns showing up the veterans, one thing’s for sure: this game is never boring.
Today’s Top Golf News
Today’s Feature Golf Reads
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
The American Express - PGA Tour - La Quinta Country Club - La Quinta, CA
The 2025 American Express tournament kicked off with a bang at La Quinta, California, as J.T. Poston stormed into the lead with a blistering 10-under par 62 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Poston's exceptional performance set the pace for what promises to be an exciting competition on the PGA Tour's West Coast Swing.
Hot on Poston's heels is Justin Lower, who carded an impressive 9-under par 63 at La Quinta Country Club, placing him just one stroke behind the leader. The leaderboard tightened further with a five-way tie for third place at 8-under par 64. This group includes Matti Schmid and Joel Dahmen, both of whom tackled the Nicklaus Tournament Course, along with Chris Kirk, Jason Day, and J.J. Spaun, who all played at La Quinta Country Club.
The American Express tournament is known for its unique format, utilizing three different courses over the first three days. Players will rotate through La Quinta Country Club, PGA West's Pete Dye Stadium Course, and PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament Course before a cut is made after 54 holes. This variety adds an extra layer of challenge and excitement to the competition.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Poston to see if he can maintain his lead, while Lower and the chasing pack will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities to climb to the top spot. With three more rounds to go and scores this tight, the 2025 American Express is shaping up to be a nail-biter right to the finish.
American Express Stories
American Express Videos
Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai - PGA Champions Tour - Hualalai Resort Golf Club, Kailua Kona, HI
The first round of the 2025 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai is underway at the Hualalai Resort Golf Club in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. As of the latest update, Ricardo Gonzalez and Miguel Angel Jiménez are tied for the lead at 7-under par, both carding impressive opening rounds of 65. Close behind are Alex Cejka and Stephen Ames, who are tied for third place at 6-under par with rounds of 66. Rounding out the top five is Brett Quigley, who sits alone in fifth place after shooting a 5-under par 67. The tournament, which features a field of 42 players, including several former champions and newcomers to the event, continues through January 18th with live coverage on the Golf Channel.
Mitsubishi Electric Championship Videos
Hero Dubai Desert Classic - DP World Tour - Emirates Golf Club - Dubai, UAE
The first round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, UAE has concluded with a tightly packed leaderboard. South African Robin Williams currently holds the lead at 2-under par, with England's Nathan Kimsey and South Africa's Jacques Kruyswijk tied for second at 1-under par. The tournament, which is the first Rolex Series event of the 2025 DP World Tour season, has attracted a strong field including world number one Scottie Scheffler, defending champion Rory McIlroy, and recent winner Tommy Fleetwood. However, these big names are yet to make a significant impact on the leaderboard after the opening round. The Emirates Golf Club is proving to be a challenging test for the players, with only a handful managing to break par on day one. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if the more experienced players can climb up the leaderboard and challenge the early leaders.
Hero Dubai Desert Classic Videos
Today’s Best Golf Videos
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS
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