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- Planet Golf News for Friday, January 24, 2025
Planet Golf News for Friday, January 24, 2025
TGL TV Ratings Take Significant Fall Week After Tiger Woods’s Debut | Play called for darkness at Round 2 of Farmers Insurance Open following wind delay | Max Homa walks out of PGA Tour event with three holes left in round two
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Friday, January 24, 2025
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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Oh, golf, you unpredictable whirlwind of drama, wind, and snow-covered greens. This week in the sport that manages to combine high-stakes intensity with leisurely strolls across manicured lawns, we’ve been treated to a buffet of chaos, from plummeting TV ratings to players battling coastal gales and even existential debates about snow.
First, let’s talk about TGL, the futuristic, Tiger Woods-backed league that promised to revolutionize golf on TV but instead seems to be lulling viewers into a post-dinner nap. Ratings tanked by over 30% after Woods’ electric debut gave way to a snooze-worthy blowout match. Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas’s squads played out a drama-free 4-0 drubbing that felt about as competitive as a Sunday scramble at your local muni. Not to worry, though—Tiger’s Jupiter Links will square off against Rory McIlroy’s Boston squad soon, and everyone’s hoping that the Tiger-Rory rivalry will reignite some sparks. Fingers crossed.
Over at Torrey Pines, the Farmers Insurance Open became an unintentional survival game, with gusts of wind so wild they could’ve doubled as stunt doubles in Twister. Max Homa, one of 16 (!) players to withdraw, seemed to decide he’d had enough after battling triple bogeys, double bogeys, and Mother Nature herself. Meanwhile, Ludvig Åberg and Lanto Griffin somehow managed to claw their way to the top of the leaderboard. Pro tip: If you’re a rookie like Danny Walker, just hit all 18 greens in regulation. He’s the first to do it at Torrey in five years, which is probably why he’s lurking just two strokes off the lead.
If you thought snow-covered golf courses were limited to your Instagram feed, think again. Kansas, Texas, and yes, even Florida have seen their greens transformed into ski slopes this week. From sledding at Helfrich Golf Course in Indiana to snow-covered fairways in Destin, it’s clear that global warming has a dark sense of humor. Maybe next week we’ll see ice skates in the pro shop.
Meanwhile, across the pond in the UAE, Marcus Armitage decided to turn the Ras Al Khaimah Championship into his personal highlight reel, shooting a ridiculous 63 to open a four-shot lead. With 11 birdies and a hot putter, Armitage looked unstoppable—well, unless the UAE gets hit with snow next.
Speaking of surprises, the PGA Show in Orlando reminded us that golf innovation never sleeps. From GOLFZON simulators to wearable tech tracking weight shifts (seriously?), the industry keeps finding ways to make us feel inadequate about our games.
Finally, a round of applause for St. Andrews, which will host the 2027 Open Championship. The 100th anniversary of Bobby Jones’s win is the kind of historic milestone that reminds us why we love this game—even when the winds are howling, the snow is falling, and the TV ratings are plummeting.
What’s next? Hopefully, a weekend where golf returns to normal—or whatever counts as normal in a sport where a rookie swapping his driver and putter mid-tournament somehow becomes a headline. Stay tuned.
Today’s Top Golf News
Today’s Feature Golf Reads
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
Farmers Insurance Open - PGA Tour - Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA
Round 2 of the Farmers Insurance Open was suspended due to strong winds, with play at Torrey Pines halted at 2:05 p.m. local time and later resumed at 3:31 p.m. However, it was ultimately called for darkness at 5:16 p.m. The challenging weather conditions have led to a significant increase in scoring averages, with players struggling more than in the calmer opening round. At the time of suspension, Ludvig Åberg was leading with a score of 7-under, having six holes remaining in his second round.
Farmers Insurance Open Stories
Farmers Insurance Open Videos
Ras al Khaimah Championship - DP World Tour - Al Hamra GC - Ras al Khaimah, UAE
The opening round of the 2025 Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club in the UAE saw Marcus Armitage take a commanding four-shot lead with a spectacular performance. The 37-year-old Englishman fired a sensational 9-under-par 63, which included 11 birdies and two bogeys. Armitage's round was highlighted by a streak of five consecutive birdies around the turn, and he attributed his success to a hot putter, saying he felt "in the zone" throughout the day.
Trailing Armitage by four strokes at 5-under-par are Jack Senior, Alexander Björk, and Ivan Cantero. The afternoon players struggled to match the scoring of the morning groups, likely due to increased wind conditions typical of the course.
Notable performances include Pádraig Harrington, who sits in a tie for fifth place after carding a 4-under-par 68 with five birdies and a single bogey. The Irishman's strong start puts him in a good position heading into the second round.
Defending champion Thorbjørn Olesen is also in the field, looking to repeat his success from last year when he won the tournament by six strokes. The event, part of the DP World Tour's International Swing and the 2025 Race to Dubai, features a strong field including recent Rolex Series winners and rising stars from around the globe.
As the tournament progresses, players will continue to face the challenges presented by Al Hamra Golf Club, a Peter Harradine design known for its tree-lined fairways, numerous water hazards, and the potential for windy conditions, especially on the tricky back nine.
Ras al Khaimah Championship Stories
Ras al Khaimah Championship Videos
Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)
Today’s Best Golf Videos
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS
Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores.
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