Planet Golf News for Monday, January 13, 2025

Nick Taylor steals the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii with chip-in eagle, two playoff birdies | Tommy Fleetwood And Tyrrell Hatton Star As GB&I Thrash Continental Europe In Ryder Cup-Style Prep Event | John VanDerLaan leads at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island

Monday, January 13, 2025

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Well, folks, it’s time to unpack another wild week in the world of golf, where playoff drama, smoky skies, and even SAT math made headlines. Buckle up, because this one’s a rollercoaster.

Nick Taylor decided he was done with the “win it by a comfortable margin” nonsense and took the scenic route at the Sony Open in Hawaii. By scenic, I mean a nerve-shredding playoff that could’ve sent even the calmest fans into cardiac arrest. He pulled off an eagle chip-in on the 18th that had a 0.4% chance of happening. That’s not just clutch—that’s unicorn-level improbable. After dragging Nico Echavarria into overtime, Taylor capped off his performance with a birdie on the second playoff hole to secure his fifth PGA Tour win. JJ Spaun, who probably thought he was a lock early on, watched Taylor fly past him like a rogue golf ball on a windy Waialae afternoon. Moral of the story? Don’t bet against a guy who’s mastered the art of high-stakes playoff golf.

Meanwhile, over in California, the PGA Tour reminded players that wildfires are not just the stuff of climate change documentaries—they might impact the Genesis Invitational. While Riviera Country Club is currently unscathed, there’s an unsettling backdrop of smoky skies and public health crises in Los Angeles. Sahith Theegala, ever the good guy, pledged to turn birdies and eagles into fire relief funds. Let’s hope his putter is as hot as the weather out there.

In other news, Gary Williams is back on your screen with Golf Channel’s new morning show, 5 Clubs. Expect more of what you love—golf gossip, equipment talk, and the occasional hot take—just don’t expect it live from the studio. Welcome to the world of off-site production, where everyone pretends it’s just like the good old days but with better Wi-Fi.

Shifting gears to the Korn Ferry Tour, the Bahamas Golf Classic is off to a breezy start, with John VanDerLaan leading the pack after an eight-under-par opener. The Ocean Club course is serving up equal parts paradise and punishment, and it’s anyone’s guess who’ll emerge victorious. One thing’s for sure: the stakes are high, with PGA Tour cards up for grabs. Stay tuned for leaderboard shuffles and heartbreak in paradise.

Oh, and speaking of heartbreak, Continental Europe might still be nursing theirs after being thrashed 17-8 by Great Britain & Ireland at the Team Cup. Tommy Fleetwood secured the winning point with a cool birdie on 17, making captain Justin Rose look like a strategic genius. Continental Europe gave it a good shot, but GB&I played like they were auditioning for next year’s Ryder Cup. Luke Donald defended the event’s worthiness, though it’s hard to make a “valuable preparation” argument when one team gets smoked like a BBQ brisket.

Not to be outdone by drama on the course, Sergio Garcia made headlines off it, too. Thanks to a DP World Tour rule, he can play in the Ryder Cup but can’t captain, no matter how much he begs. Apparently, leaving the tour for LIV Golf comes with a hefty price tag, and no amount of retroactive fine-paying can erase the awkwardness.

And for a little palate cleanser, let’s talk about Neal Shipley. This guy has found his zen on the course by doing…SAT math problems? Yep, while some of us can barely balance a checkbook, Shipley’s over here calculating probabilities mid-round and still managing to crush it on the greens. The takeaway? Maybe it’s time to brush up on your algebra if you want to lower your handicap.

So, there you have it—a week of chip-ins, fiery debates (literal and figurative), and quirky coping mechanisms. If golf is a microcosm of life, this week proved that it’s equal parts unpredictable, exhilarating, and downright bizarre. See you next time for more tales from the fairway!

Today’s Top Golf News 

Major Golf Tournaments that happened this past weekend

Nick Taylor wins Sony Open in two-hole playoff

Sony Open in Hawaii - PGA Tour - Walalae Country Club - Honolulu, HI

Nick Taylor claimed victory at the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii after a dramatic final round and a two-hole playoff against Nico Echavarria. Both players finished regulation at 16-under-par, with Taylor forcing the playoff by chipping in for an eagle on the par-5 18th hole. In the playoff, both golfers birdied the first hole, but Taylor secured the win on the second playoff hole with another birdie while Echavarria settled for par. This marked Taylor's fifth PGA Tour win and his third consecutive season with a victory.

Taylor's final round began shakily, but he rallied with four consecutive birdies from holes 8 to 11 and capped his performance with the clutch eagle on 18. Echavarria, who played consistently throughout the day, earned solo second place. J.J. Spaun and Stephan Jaeger tied for third at 15-under-par after falling short of forcing their way into the playoff. The tournament featured a tightly packed leaderboard, showcasing competitive play at Waialae Country Club. Taylor's win earned him $1,566,000 from the $8.7 million purse and secured his spots in major tournaments later this year, including the Masters and PGA Championship.

Sony Open Stories

Sony Open Videos

John VanDerLaan leads at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island

The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis - Korn Ferry - The Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

The first round of the Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis unfolded on Sunday at the Ocean Club Golf Course in Paradise Island, showcasing an exciting start to the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season. A strong performance by the leader set the tone for the tournament, with an impressive eight-under-par score that put him ahead of a competitive field.

Close behind, two golfers were tied for second place, both shooting seven-under-par and demonstrating remarkable skill on the challenging course. The top five positions were tightly contested, with multiple players within striking distance of the lead and only a few strokes separating them.

This tournament represents a critical moment for professional golfers, offering a significant purse and the coveted opportunity to earn PGA TOUR cards. The Ocean Club Golf Course, with its demanding 7,118-yard layout and stunning ocean views, provides a spectacular venue that tests the players' precision and strategic abilities.

The opening round highlighted the depth of talent in the Korn Ferry Tour, featuring numerous tour winners and first-time members eager to make their mark in professional golf. As the tournament progresses, spectators can expect intense competition and potentially dramatic shifts in the leaderboard.

The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island Videos

Team Cup: Tommy Fleetwood earns winning point as Great Britain and Ireland dominate Ryder Cup-style event

Team Cup - DP World Tour - Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The final round of the 2025 Team Cup on the DP World Tour concluded with Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) securing a dominant 17-8 victory over Continental Europe at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort. Entering the day with an 11-4 lead, GB&I needed just two points from the singles matches to clinch the title. Laurie Canter delivered the first point with a commanding 5&4 win over Romain Langasque, while Tommy Fleetwood sealed the victory by defeating Matthieu Pavon 3&1, his performance capped by a decisive birdie on the 17th hole. Tyrrell Hatton and captain Justin Rose added further wins, with Rose praising his team’s relentless performance throughout the tournament. Despite spirited efforts from Continental Europe, including ties by Francesco Molinari and Rasmus Højgaard, GB&I’s dominance was evident across all sessions, marking a historic triumph in this Ryder Cup-style event.

Team Cup Stories

Team Cup Videos

Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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