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- Planet Golf News for Monday, March 3, 2025
Planet Golf News for Monday, March 3, 2025
Joe Highsmith goes from cutline to winner's circle at 2025 Cognizant Classic | Jake Knapp falls apart late at the Cognizant Classic | Lydia Ko wins LPGA Singapore title by 4 strokes | Laurie Canter beaten by Dylan Naidoo in play-off at DP World Tour event after washout at Durban Country Club | Justin Suh wins 118 Visa Argentina Open
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Monday, March 3, 2025
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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Joe Highsmith just pulled off the ultimate Cinderella story at the 2025 Cognizant Classic, going from barely making the cut to hoisting his first PGA Tour trophy. Sitting eight shots off the lead on Friday, he snuck into the weekend right on the cutline and then proceeded to torch PGA National with back-to-back rounds of 64. A 19-under finish, a two-stroke victory, and a golden ticket to the Masters? Not bad for a guy Vegas had at 1000-to-1. Meanwhile, poor Jake Knapp, who had been leading all week, took an ill-advised trip to the water on Sunday, posting a triple bogey that sent his dreams sinking right along with his golf ball. But at least he can take solace in setting the tournament’s first-round scoring record with a 59. And, of course, in borrowing nail clippers mid-round—because nothing says elite-level golf like a hangnail emergency.
Over in Singapore, Lydia Ko reminded everyone why she’s an LPGA legend, securing her 23rd career victory with a dominant four-shot win at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. After 11 tries at this tournament, she finally got it done, thanks in part to a ridiculous 40-foot bomb on the 15th hole that all but sealed the deal. Ko, now second on the all-time LPGA money list, has banked a cool $36.8 million and counting. Maybe the best part? She’s not satisfied yet, setting her sights on an even better 2025. Jeeno Thitikul, on the other hand, continued her top-10 streak with another runner-up finish, while Charley Hull had a Sunday to forget, tumbling down the leaderboard and straight onto Instagram to vent her frustrations.
Dylan Naidoo made history at the South African Open, winning in a rain-shortened event that was settled with a one-hole playoff against Laurie Canter. Heavy downpours turned the final round into a swampy mess, but Naidoo didn’t let the chaos faze him, draining a clutch birdie putt to become the first South African player of color to win the event. Even better? His dad rushed back from the airport just in time to see it happen. With the victory, Naidoo locks up a DP World Tour card and a ticket to The Open at Royal Portrush, ensuring his story is far from over.
Speaking of Open qualifiers, Justin Suh dominated the Visa Argentina Open, posting a staggering 23-under-par total to earn his spot at Royal Portrush. The former No. 1 amateur torched the field by five strokes, capping it off with a casual final-round 65. Over in New Zealand, Ryan Peake punched his own ticket to The Open, completing one of golf’s most improbable comeback stories. A decade ago, he was serving time in prison for his involvement with an outlaw motorcycle gang. Now? He’s a champion and headed to a major. Talk about a plot twist.
And in the world of upcoming drama, the Ryder Cup got a little spicier with U.S. captain Keegan Bradley doubling down on his underdog mentality, promising to prove the doubters wrong. Meanwhile, Angel Cabrera will return to the Masters for the first time since 2019, having missed the past few editions due to, well, legal issues. And for those hoping to see Tiger Woods back in action, don’t look for him at the Arnold Palmer Invitational—he’s skipping that one but will tee it up at the ultra-exclusive Seminole Pro-Member instead.
Moral of the week? Whether you’re making the cut on the number, battling through rain-soaked playoffs, or making an unlikely return from prison, golf never stops serving up wild stories.
Today’s Top Golf News
Major Golf Tournaments this past weekend
Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches - PGA Tour - PGA National Resort & Spa - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Joe Highsmith staged a remarkable comeback to win the 2025 Cognizant Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. After barely making the cut on Friday, Highsmith shot back-to-back rounds of 7-under 64 on Saturday and Sunday to secure his first PGA Tour victory. His tournament total of 19-under par was enough for a two-stroke win over Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun.
Highsmith's victory was particularly impressive given that he started the weekend eight strokes off the lead. His stellar putting performance, gaining over 12 shots on the field for the tournament, was key to his success. The 24-year-old made crucial birdies on holes 10, 11, 13, and 17 in the final round to pull away from the competition.
The tournament appeared to be heading for a dramatic finish midway through Sunday, with as many as four players tied for the lead at one point. However, Highsmith's consistent play and clutch putting allowed him to separate himself from the pack. Jake Knapp, who had led after each of the first three rounds, struggled on Sunday with a 1-over 72, dropping him into a tie for sixth place.
Highsmith's victory comes with significant perks, including invitations to the Masters and PGA Championship, as well as entry into upcoming signature events on the PGA Tour calendar. He also secures his PGA Tour status for the next two years and moves up to 10th in the FedEx Cup standings.
The win marks a significant milestone in Highsmith's young career, as he becomes the first player since Brandt Snedeker in 2016 to make the cut on the number and go on to win the tournament. His weekend total of 128 set a new tournament record, showcasing the remarkable nature of his comeback.
Other notable performances included Jordan Spieth's tie for ninth place at 14-under par, showing signs of improvement with his putting. Amateur Luke Clanton finished tied for 18th at 12-under par, securing his PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program.
The 2025 Cognizant Classic will be remembered for Highsmith's incredible weekend performance and his journey from the cut line to the winner's circle, proving that in golf, anything can happen if you make it to the weekend.
HSBC Women’s World Championship - LPGA - Sentosa Golf Club - Singapore, Singapore
Lydia Ko secured her first HSBC Women's World Championship title in Singapore yesterday with a commanding four-stroke victory. The New Zealand golfer, ranked third in the world, entered the final round with a one-shot lead and finished with a three-under-par 69, bringing her tournament total to 13-under-par 275 at Sentosa Golf Club.
Ko's performance was marked by a strong mid-round surge, where she recorded three consecutive birdies from the sixth to the eighth hole. This run effectively distanced her from the competition and solidified her lead. Despite two bogeys on the back nine, Ko's steady play throughout the round ensured her victory remained unchallenged.
Ayaka Furue of Japan and Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand shared second place, both finishing at nine-under-par. Thitikul briefly threatened Ko's lead early in the round but couldn't maintain the pressure. England's Charley Hull, who started the day just one shot behind Ko, struggled with a two-over 74, dropping her into a tie for fourth at seven-under-par alongside Jin Hee Im and Gaby Lopez.
For Ko, this victory marked her 23rd LPGA title and her first win since September 2024. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist and Women's British Open champion expressed joy at finally adding the "Asia's major" to her collection after 11 attempts, with her previous best finish being second place in 2015.
The tournament, featuring nine of the world's top 10 players, showcased Ko's resilience and skill. Her victory in Singapore continues her strong form following a memorable 2024 season, setting a positive tone for her 2025 campaign in professional golf.
Investec SA Open Championship - DP World Tour - Durban CC - Durban, South Africa
The final round of the 2025 Investec South African Open Championship at Durban Country Club was dramatically affected by severe weather conditions. Heavy rainfall throughout the week, culminating in torrential downpours on Sunday morning, left the course waterlogged and largely unplayable. Tournament officials were forced to cancel the fourth round, reducing the championship to 54 holes.
As a result, Dylan Naidoo of South Africa and Laurie Canter of England, who were tied at 14-under-par after three rounds, headed to a sudden-death playoff to determine the winner. The playoff was conducted on the 18th hole, one of only two holes deemed playable on the course.
In a historic moment for South African golf, Naidoo emerged victorious on the first playoff hole. The 27-year-old hit a superb chip shot to within four feet of the pin and confidently sank the birdie putt to clinch his maiden DP World Tour title. Naidoo's triumph was particularly significant as he became the first player of color to win the South African Open.
The victory earned Naidoo a DP World Tour card and a spot in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush later this year. Marco Penge of England and Darren Fichardt of South Africa also secured places in The Open as part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Christiaan Maas finished as the leading amateur, claiming the Freddie Tait Cup for the second time in his career. The challenging conditions and dramatic conclusion made for a memorable tournament, with Naidoo's win being celebrated by the home crowd who braved the weather to witness the historic playoff.
118 Visa Argentina Open pres. by Marco - Korn Ferry Tour - Jockey Club - Buenos Aires, Argentina
The final round of the 118 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro at the Jockey Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina, concluded with an impressive victory for Justin Suh. Suh secured the win with a remarkable 23-under-par total of 257, finishing five strokes ahead of his nearest competitors. His final round score of 65 capped off a stellar performance throughout the tournament, which included a blistering third-round 60.
Three players tied for second place at 18-under-par: Ian Holt, S.H. Kim, and Cole Sherwood, each posting a total of 262. Ryan Blaum, who had been in contention earlier in the tournament, finished in fifth place at 17-under-par.
The leaderboard saw some movement during the final round, with several players making a push up the standings. Joe Weiler secured sixth place with a 16-under-par total, while a four-way tie for seventh at 15-under-par included Davis Shore, Matthew Anderson, Tyler Duncan, and Rob Oppenheim.
Notable performances in the final round included Thomas Walsh, who shot a 64 to climb into a tie for 11th place. The tournament showcased a mix of established players and rising talents, with former PGA Tour winners like Tyler Duncan in the mix.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Justin Suh in the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season, earning him valuable points towards securing a PGA Tour card for the following year. The win also comes with a substantial prize of $180,000, highlighting the importance of the event in the Korn Ferry Tour schedule.
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Overheard in the Club House
🚨🗣️🐅 #PROUD DAD — Tiger Woods cheered and celebrated alongside fellow parents as his daughter Sam’s school won the Florida State Soccer Championship last night in DeLand, FL. (Vid credit: @pbpost)
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF)
1:30 PM • Mar 2, 2025
UPCOMING TOURS

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