- Planet Golf News
- Posts
- Planet Golf News for Monday, February 10, 2025
Planet Golf News for Monday, February 10, 2025
Thomas Detry closes in style for first PGA Tour victory at 2025 WM Phoenix Open | Yealimi Noh outduels Jin Young Ko to capture her first LPGA title at the Founders Cup | Li claims Qatar Masters with dramatic birdie on final hole
| OWGR | FedExCup Points | TUGR | Subscribe |
Monday, February 10, 2025
PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores. NOW OPEN the Marie Birdie Store @ 7170 S Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, FL
[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Thomas Detry just steamrolled the field at the WM Phoenix Open, casually strolling to his first PGA Tour victory by a mere seven shots. In a tournament known for its rowdy fans and beer showers at the 16th hole, Detry kept things business-like, firing off a clinical 24-under-par total that left Daniel Berger and Michael Kim (tied for second at 17-under) looking like they had just played a different course. The Belgian, now the first from his country to win on the PGA Tour, pocketed $1.67 million and 500 FedExCup points, proving that consistency, nerves of steel, and maybe a good breakfast are all you need to make dreams come true.
Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth stole a bit of the spotlight with a par save so absurd it belongs in a Marvel movie. Stuck in an impossible lie at the 11th hole, Spieth went full magician, pulling out a left-handed putt to salvage par. It wasn’t enough for a victory, but at least he’s keeping golf entertaining while making his way back from wrist surgery.
Justin Thomas, not to be outdone, sent the Phoenix crowd into a frenzy with a final-hole eagle, banking his approach off a slope and into the cup. He vaulted from 13th place to a tie for fourth, proving once again that golf isn’t over until the last putt drops—or in this case, dunks.
Elsewhere, Will Chandler, a Monday qualifier, decided to casually outplay Scottie Scheffler by six shots. Yes, the same Scheffler who usually chews up TPC Scottsdale for breakfast. Chandler’s top-10 finish means he’s heading to the Mexico Open while the PGA Tour is apparently canceling Monday qualifiers altogether to combat slow play. A true rags-to-riches-to-no-more-Monday-qualifiers story.
Speaking of redemption arcs, the 2025 WM Phoenix Open rebounded nicely from last year’s disaster, which was basically a mix of bad weather and even worse fan behavior. The organizers upped ticket prices, made everything digital, and somehow still kept the rowdy-but-not-riotous atmosphere intact. Even Shooter McGavin (a.k.a. Christopher McDonald) showed up at the famed 16th hole to hype the crowd—and himself—up ahead of Happy Gilmore 2. Yes, that’s happening.
Over on the LPGA Tour, Yealimi Noh secured her first LPGA title at the Founders Cup with a ridiculous third-round performance featuring eight birdies in her last 11 holes. Jin Young Ko put up a strong fight but couldn’t maintain her lead falling four strokes behind, and Nelly Korda, playing in her hometown, had a solid-but-not-spectacular showing, finishing nine shots back. Noh, at just 23 years old, called the win a pivotal moment in her career, as she banked $300,000 and likely a serious confidence boost for the rest of the season.
In DP World Tour action, Haotong Li found himself back in the winner’s circle for the first time in nearly three years, edging out Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen at the Qatar Masters with a clutch birdie at the last hole. Li, who’s been through the wringer with inconsistent form, got emotional in his post-win interview, highlighting the mental grind of pro golf. Winning never gets old, and for Li, this one might just mean the most.
Over on the Korn Ferry Tour, former Air Force captain Kyle Westmoreland secured his first PGA Tour-sanctioned victory at the Astara Golf Championship in Bogotá. After an up-and-down final round that featured a double-bogey, three straight birdies, and a closing bogey (because drama), Westmoreland managed to hold off Pierceson Coody and Christo Lamprecht. His win, worth $180,000, vaulted him to third on the Korn Ferry Tour money list, proving that military discipline apparently translates quite well to professional golf.
In the world of equipment, Thomas Detry’s clubs got their moment in the spotlight, as Callaway’s Paradym Ai Smoke driver and Apex MB irons helped him dissect TPC Scottsdale. Meanwhile, Callaway also went to extreme lengths to recreate Phil Mickelson’s beloved Ping Eye2 lob wedge, because Lefty doesn’t just play any wedge—he needs it built to the exact grooves and specs he fell in love with decades ago. The man knows what he likes.
Elsewhere, a long putter might be the new hot trend on the LPGA Tour. Jin Young Ko tested one after watching Yealimi Noh dominate with hers, and Minjee Lee has already made the switch. Will the broomstick putter make a full comeback? Stay tuned.
In non-scoring entertainment, Min Woo Lee nearly aced the iconic 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open and somehow got 24,000 fans to join him in a Viking Thunder Clap. Patrick Mahomes, prepping for yet another Super Bowl ( a losing Super Bowl), dropped his dream golf foursome, featuring Travis Kelce (because of course), Michael Jordan, and Jack Nicklaus. And Nelly Korda weighed in on slow play, supporting tougher penalties but hesitating on the idea of a shot clock—because golf isn’t exactly the NBA.
Finally, LIV Golf is… struggling. Viewership for its season opener in Riyadh hit a whopping 12,000, which is, uh, not good. Hopes now rest on their upcoming event in Adelaide, one of the few places where LIV still gets a solid crowd. Bryson DeChambeau and friends probably aren’t thrilled about the numbers, but at least they’ve still got the Grange Golf Club to look forward to.
All in all, it was a wild weekend in golf, full of first-time winners, comeback stories, and at least one Hollywood villain soaking up the spotlight. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more where that came from.
Major Golf Tournaments from this past weekend
WM Phoenix Open - PGA Tour - TPC Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
Thomas Detry secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open in impressive fashion, winning by a commanding seven-shot margin. The Belgian golfer finished with a tournament total of 24-under-par 260, showcasing his dominance throughout the event at TPC Scottsdale.
There was a two-way tie for second place, with Daniel Berger and Michael Kim both finishing at 17-under-par 267. This strong performance by the runners-up still left them well behind Detry's exceptional play.
Detry's victory was highlighted by consistent, stellar rounds of 66-64-65-65, demonstrating his ability to maintain his lead and even extend it during the final round. This win marks a significant milestone in Detry's career, as he becomes the first Belgian golfer to win on the PGA Tour.
The tournament, known for its vibrant atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale, saw Detry handle the pressure admirably, converting his third-round lead into a convincing victory. His performance throughout the weekend was a display of skill, composure, and consistency that set him apart from the field.
Founders Cup Pres by U.S. Virgin Islands - LPGA - Bradenton Country Club - Bradenton, FL
The 2025 Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands concluded yesterday at the Bradenton Country Club in Florida. Yealimi Noh emerged victorious, claiming her first LPGA Tour title with an impressive performance. Noh finished the tournament at 21-under-par, securing a four-stroke victory over her closest competitor, Jin-Young Ko.
Noh's final round was a display of consistency and skill, as she carded three birdies without any bogeys. Her performance over the weekend was particularly noteworthy, as she went bogey-free for the final 36 holes of the tournament. This victory marks a significant milestone in Noh's career, establishing her as a rising star on the LPGA Tour.
Jin-Young Ko, a two-time Major winner and three-time Founders Cup champion, put up a strong challenge but ultimately had to settle for second place at 17-under-par. Ko's remarkable streak of 95 consecutive bogey-free holes came to an end on the 12th hole of the final round. Despite this, she maintained her position as runner-up, showcasing her consistency and skill throughout the tournament.
Megan Khang rounded out the top three, finishing at 16-under-par. The leaderboard also featured several other notable performances, with Miyu Yamashita, Jin-Hee Im, and Hannah Green tying for fourth place at 13-under-par. Nelly Korda finished tied for 7th at 12-under-par.
This year's Founders Cup saw a change in sponsorship and a reduction in the prize purse to $2 million, down from the previous $3 million. Despite these changes, the tournament continued to honor the legacy of the LPGA's founding members and provided an exciting showcase of talent in women's professional golf.
Noh's victory at the Founders Cup not only secures her first LPGA Tour title but also adds her name to the prestigious list of winners of this event, which pays tribute to the original 13 women professional golfers who founded the LPGA in 1950.
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - DP World Tour - Doha GC - Doha, Qatar
The 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters concluded on Sunday at Doha Golf Club with a thrilling finish. China's Haotong Li emerged victorious, securing his fourth DP World Tour title with a dramatic birdie on the final hole. Li posted a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish at 16-under par for the tournament, clinching the win by a single stroke.
Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen made a strong push with a final round 7-under 65, but fell just short, finishing in second place at 15-under par. England's Brandon Robinson Thompson, who had held the lead earlier in the tournament, ended up in third place at 13-under par.
Li's victory came with a winner's payout of $425,000 from the total prize purse of $2.5 million. The win marks a significant comeback for Li, who had not tasted victory since the 2022 BMW International Open. His performance throughout the week was solid, and he managed to maintain his composure under pressure, especially on the final hole where he sank a crucial 15-foot birdie putt to avoid a potential playoff.
The tournament also saw strong performances from other players, including Antoine Rozner who finished fourth at 10-under par. There was a three-way tie for fifth place at 9-under par, featuring Ben Schmidt, Martin Couvra, and South Africa's Jayden Schaper.
This victory at the Qatar Masters is a significant boost for Li's career and will likely improve his standing in the DP World Tour rankings. The tournament, which is part of the DP World Tour's Desert Swing, continues to be an important event in the golfing calendar, attracting top talent from around the world.
Astara Golf Championship pres. by Mastercard - Korn Ferry - Country Club de Bogota-Lagos - Bogota, Columbia
The final round of the 2025 Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard, held at the Country Club de Bogotá-Lagos in Bogotá, Colombia, featured a thrilling conclusion with several top contenders vying for the title.
Kyle Westmoreland emerged as the winner, securing a one-shot victory with a total score of 18-under 265. Westmoreland's final round was a rollercoaster, starting with a double-bogey but including three consecutive birdies. Despite making only six pars in the round and closing with a bogey on the par-5 18th, his performance was enough to clinch the win.
Hot on Westmoreland's heels were Pierceson Coody and Christo Lamprecht, who tied for second place at 17-under 266. Coody made a strong push with a final round of 66, while Lamprecht carded a 68 to finish just shy of forcing a playoff.
Mitchell Meissner and Johnny Keefer shared fourth place at 16-under 267. Keefer, in particular, had an impressive tournament, shooting rounds of 61 in both the second and third rounds before closing with a 70.
The tournament showcased the depth of talent on the Korn Ferry Tour, with players battling for crucial points in their quest to earn PGA Tour cards for the 2026 season.
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.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE