Planet Golf News for Friday, October 4, 2024

David Skinns breaks Sanderson Farms Championship course record with 60 | Viktor Hovland done for '24 due to injury | Jon Rahm contending at 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after shooting 7 under in Round 1 at Carnoustie

Friday, October 4, 2024

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Fist-bumps between PGA Tour and LIV bosses – but are we close to a merger?

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

Golf fans have a lot to talk about after a busy week on the greens! From a hurricane hitting Augusta National to an outstanding performance at the Sanderson Farms Championship and a glimmer of hope for peace between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, there's plenty to catch up on.

First, Augusta National Golf Club, the prestigious host of the Masters, is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. According to club chairman Fred Ridley, the storm caused substantial damage, both to the course and to the surrounding community. Despite the devastation and the tragic loss of 190 lives, Ridley assured everyone that the 2025 Masters will go ahead as scheduled, with the club actively participating in relief efforts, donating $5 million to aid recovery.

Meanwhile, at the Sanderson Farms Championship, English golfer David Skinns wowed the crowd with a sizzling 12-under 60 in the first round, setting a new course record. Skinns had a near-flawless round, hitting 12 birdies, and even though he missed a birdie putt that would have given him a rare 59, he left the competition three strokes behind. Other players, like Mackenzie Hughes and Rickie Fowler, also had solid starts, but all eyes are on Skinns as the tournament progresses.

In other golf news, Viktor Hovland's season has come to an early end. Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, Hovland has withdrawn from all remaining events in 2024 due to an undisclosed injury. After struggling with consistency and swing adjustments this season, he’ll be missing the action for a while. However, he’s still eligible for the Ryder Cup, providing a silver lining to a tough year.

Across the pond at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, South African Darren Fichardt had a near-perfect start, shooting an 11-under-par 61, just one stroke away from a 59. Playing on Kingsbarns Golf Links, Fichardt's round included two eagles and nine birdies, putting him ahead of the pack in this star-studded event, which features big names like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. Although McIlroy and Rahm had solid rounds, Fichardt’s electric start made him the player to watch.

There’s also been a notable shift in the dynamic between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan made a joint appearance at the Dunhill Links, sparking hope that the ongoing tensions between the two tours could ease. This meeting gives fans and players alike cautious optimism that a more unified future for golf could be on the horizon.

And back in the U.S., Thomas Rosenmueller leads the Korn Ferry Tour Championship after a bogey-free 67 at French Lick Golf Resort. With several players close behind, competition is tight as golfers not only chase the title but also PGA Tour cards for the next season.

Finally, over in Jacksonville, the Constellation Furyk & Friends PGA Tour Champions event kicks off today, featuring fan-favorites like Fred Couples and John Daly. Ernie Els, making his 100th start on the Champions Tour, remains competitive and leads the Charles Schwab Cup money list. The event has drawn big names and continues to support local charities, raising over $3.5 million.

It's been a week of incredible golf and significant developments, with more excitement on the way as these tournaments unfold. Whether you're a fan of records being shattered, underdogs rising, or hope for a peaceful golf future, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Keep your eyes on the leaderboard—it’s only getting better from here!

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Sanderson Farm Championship - PGA Tour - Country Club of Jackson - Jackson, MS

Yesterday the Sanderson Farms Championship kicked off at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi, with an impressive display of golf. The tournament's first round was highlighted by an extraordinary performance from David Skinns, who shot a course record 60 to take a commanding lead. Skinns' remarkable round put him three strokes ahead of the field, setting a blistering pace for the competition1.

The Englishman's record-setting performance included a flawless display of skill and precision on the par-72 course, which measures 7,461 yards. Skinns' 60 was not only a personal best but also established a new benchmark for the Country Club of Jackson.

While Skinns stole the spotlight, other notable players were also in action. Rickie Fowler, a fan favorite, opened with a solid 3-under 69, placing him in a tie for 54th position after the first day. This score, while respectable, left Fowler with significant ground to make up on the leader.

The leaderboard behind Skinns remained tightly packed, with several players vying for position. However, the specific details of who occupied the second and third spots were not provided in the available search results.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Skinns to see if he can maintain his exceptional form, while the chasing pack will be looking to close the gap and challenge for the lead in the coming rounds of this PGA Tour event.

Sanderson Farms Championship Videos

Korn Ferry Tour Championship - Korn Ferry - French Lick Golf Resort - French Lick, IN

On Thursday, Thomas Rosenmueller took the early lead at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship held at French Lick Golf Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Rosenmueller, who is already assured of PGA TOUR membership for the 2025 season, carded the only bogey-free round of the day with a 5-under 67. This marks the first outright 18-hole lead of his Korn Ferry Tour career in his 69th start.

Four players are tied for second place at 4-under par, just one shot behind Rosenmueller2. This group includes Zach Bauchou, Alvaro Ortiz, Doc Redman, and Ryan Gerard2. Notably, Bauchou, Ortiz, and Redman are currently positioned outside the top 30 on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, making their strong starts particularly significant as they aim to secure PGA TOUR cards for next season2.

Jeremy Paul and Austin Hitt are among those tied for sixth place at 3-under par. Max McGreevy, who is one of four players in the field with a chance to earn the Three-Victory Promotion, also opened with a solid 3-under 69.

The leaderboard after the first round reflects the high stakes of this championship, with several players vying to improve their position on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List. Aldrich Potgieter, who entered the week at 27th in the standings, faces a challenge after opening with a 2-over 74, which currently projects him to fall out of the crucial top 30. Meanwhile, Sam Bennett, who started the week in the 30th spot, is holding steady with an even-par 72, potentially improving his position to 26th.

As the tournament progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with players battling not only for the championship title but also for coveted PGA TOUR cards for the upcoming season.

Korn Ferry Tour Championship Videos

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS - PGA Tour Champions - Timuquana Country Club - Jacksonville, FL

The Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS PGA TOUR Champions event is set to return to Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida beginning today. This prestigious tournament brings together some of the best players from the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, offering golf enthusiasts a week-long celebration of the sport.

On Thursday, the opening round of the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw South African Darren Fichardt take the lead with a stunning 11-under-par 61 at Kingsbarns Golf Links. Fichardt's impressive round, which included two eagles and nine birdies, put him one shot ahead of Australian Cameron John, who carded a 62 at the same course.

The tournament, played across three prestigious Scottish courses - St. Andrews Links, Carnoustie Golf Links, and Kingsbarns Golf Links - features a star-studded field of professional golfers and celebrities1. Fichardt's round was just one shot off the Kingsbarns course record held by fellow South African Branden Grace.

Tied for third place at nine under par were Scott Jamieson, Daniel Hillier, and Andrew Wilson, with Wilson achieving a hole-in-one at the eighth hole at Kingsbarns. Jon Rahm, one of the tournament favorites, had a strong start with a seven-under 65 at Carnoustie, placing him in eighth position.

Other notable performances included Tommy Fleetwood's 68 and Rory McIlroy's 69, both at Carnoustie. The unique format of the tournament pairs professionals with amateurs, including celebrities like Gareth Bale, Ruud Gullit, and Michael Douglas.

The challenging conditions typically associated with Scottish links golf were absent on the first day, allowing for low scoring, particularly at Kingsbarns. As the tournament progresses, players will rotate through all three courses, with Rahm set to play Kingsbarns on Friday.

The Ryder Cup (Sept 22-28, 2025)

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UPCOMING TOURS

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