Planet Golf News for Saturday, December 14, 2024

Grant Thornton Invitational: Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp hold first-round lead | Recent Vanderbilt graduate Matthew Riedel is T1 at PGA Tour Q-School Final Stage | Sweden's Kinhult leads at Leopard Creek at halfway

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PGN News Team
December 14, 2024

Saturday, December 14, 2024

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world has been buzzing this week with thrilling action, big moves in sponsorships, and the kind of drama that makes this sport so captivating. In Naples, Florida, the Grant Thornton Invitational got off to a spectacular start as Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp lit up the leaderboard with a 14-under-par 58. Their flawless performance in the scramble format included birdies on every hole on the front nine and an eagle on the back, securing them a slim lead heading into the weekend. Close behind, Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia are tied with Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners at 13 under, promising an exciting chase. This mixed-team event, a collaboration between the PGA and LPGA Tours, features equal prize money and a $4 million purse, with players competing across multiple formats for a shot at the top. The weekend will bring alternate-shot foursomes and modified four-ball, raising the stakes for the 16 teams still in the hunt.

Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau continues to make waves off the course, signing a long-term deal with Reebok to bring the brand back into the golf spotlight. Starting in 2025, DeChambeau and his LIV Golf Crushers GC team will debut Reebok’s apparel and footwear, marking a significant partnership aimed at disrupting the golf market. Known for his bold approach, DeChambeau seems poised to help Reebok blend its classic style with cutting-edge designs, adding yet another layer of innovation to the sport.

In Florida, the PGA Tour’s Q-School is underway at TPC Sawgrass, where 171 players are battling for their professional futures. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with the top five finishers earning coveted PGA Tour cards for 2025. The windy conditions have tested even the best players, but Corey Shaun made history with a course record 9-under 61 at Dye’s Valley, grabbing a commanding lead. Veteran names like Nick Watney are fighting to stay in contention alongside younger talents like Christo Lamprecht, as the pressure builds heading into the final rounds. Adding a unique twist to the event, Scott Stallings, a recovering tour veteran, is serving as a caddie for junior golfer Jake Hall, lending his experience while planning his own return to competition in 2025.

Across the globe in South Africa, the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek is delivering its own dose of drama. Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult has taken a three-shot lead at the halfway mark after a solid 4-under 68. The stunning course, which borders Kruger National Park, has proven to be both beautiful and challenging. Early leader Andy Sullivan dazzled with an opening 64, but the field is now chasing Kinhult, with players like local favorite Casey Jarvis and England’s Alex Fitzpatrick in the mix. Defending champion Louis Oosthuizen remains in contention as the weekend approaches, promising an exciting finish on one of the DP World Tour’s most scenic stages.

Off the course, the debate over whether Ryder Cup players should be paid continues to heat up. Current players are advocating for compensation, pointing to the immense revenues generated by the event, while traditionalists, including former captains, argue that the Ryder Cup should remain focused on patriotism and charity. The discussion highlights a broader tension within golf as it navigates the line between tradition and the modern realities of big business, leaving fans divided on where the sport should head next.

With all this happening, golf remains a sport of contrasts, blending history with innovation. From the spectacular performances at the Grant Thornton Invitational to the high-stakes grind of Q-School and Bryson DeChambeau’s bold new venture with Reebok, there’s no shortage of stories to follow. Whether it’s a player chasing their PGA Tour dream, a new gear launch aiming to redefine the game, or the beauty of a course like Leopard Creek providing a stunning backdrop to intense competition, golf continues to evolve while staying true to the moments that make it special.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Grant Thornton Invitational: Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp lead after day one of mixed team event

Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp lead the Grant Thornton Invitational after day one with a score of 14-under-par 58, birdying their first nine holes and adding an eagle. They are one stroke ahead of Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia, and Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners, who are tied for second at 13 under. The tournament features three formats over three rounds.

LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau, Crushers GC sign with Reebok

Bryson DeChambeau and Crushers GC have signed a long-term partnership with Reebok, marking the brand's return to golf. The entire Crushers team will debut Reebok apparel and footwear in 2025, with DeChambeau also promoting exclusive Reebok gear. Reebok aims to grow its presence in the competitive golf market.

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Grant Thornton Invitational: Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp hold first-round lead

Grant Thornton Invitational - Tiburon Golf Club - Naples, FL

The 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational, a unique mixed-team event featuring PGA Tour and LPGA Tour professionals, kicked off on Friday, December 13, at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. After the first round, which utilized a scramble format, the team of Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp surged to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive 14-under-par 58. Their remarkable performance included birdies on all nine holes of the front nine, followed by an eagle on the back nine.

Close behind the leaders, just one stroke back at 13-under, are two teams tied for second place: Jennifer Kupcho and Akshay Bhatia, along with the Canadian duo of Brooke Henderson and Corey Conners. The defending champions from last year's inaugural event, Lydia Ko and Jason Day, are currently tied for sixth place after carding a 10-under 62.

The tournament features 16 mixed teams competing for an equal purse of $4 million, with $1 million going to the winning pair. The event will continue over the weekend with different formats each day: foursomes (alternate shot) on Saturday and a modified four-ball on Sunday. This competition marks a significant collaboration between the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, offering equal prize money and visibility for both men's and women's golf.

Grant Thorton Invitational Stories

'Quite embarrassing': Lydia Ko reveals how nerves led to duffed drive at Grant Thornton

Lydia Ko shared her experience of nerves during her debut at the Grant Thornton Invitational, admitting to a rough start with a duffed drive but ultimately overcoming her anxiety to win the tournament alongside Jason Day.

Grant Thorton Invitational Videos

PGA Tour Q-School: Looking to root for an underdog? Alistair Docherty might be your man

PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry - TPC Sawgrass - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

The PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry is currently underway at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The final stage of the event features 171 golfers competing for PGA TOUR cards for the 2025 season. The top five finishers and ties will earn full PGA TOUR membership.

After the second round, windy conditions have made scoring difficult, with 1-under par currently projecting as the cutoff for earning a PGA TOUR card. Zack Fischer, a two-time Q-School medalist, is in contention after rounds of 69-70.

The tournament is being played across two courses: TPC Sawgrass' Dye's Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club. Players rotate between the two venues for the first two rounds, with the top half of the field playing the third round at Sawgrass Country Club and the final round at Dye's Valley.

In the opening round, Corey Shaun set a competitive course record at Dye's Valley with a 9-under 61, taking a five-stroke lead. His performance marked the largest opening-round lead in Q-School's modern era.

The field includes a mix of veteran players like Nick Watney and Sean O'Hair, as well as rising stars such as Christo Lamprecht and Sam Bennett. The event represents a high-stakes opportunity for golfers to secure their professional futures, with varying levels of Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas membership available for those who don't earn full PGA TOUR status.

PGA Tour Q-School  Stories

PGA Tour vet Scott Stallings is caddying at Q-School

Scott Stallings, recovering from shoulder surgeries, is caddying for Jake Hall at Q-School, supporting junior golf while aiming to return to the Tour by fall 2025. Despite a tough start for Hall, Stallings remains committed to helping him succeed.

PGA Tour Q-School  Videos

Sweden's Kinhult leads at Leopard Creek at halfway

Alfred Dunhill Championship - Leopard Creek CC - Malelane, South Africa

The Alfred Dunhill Championship is currently underway at Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane, South Africa. After the second round, Marcus Kinhult of Sweden has taken the lead with a 4-under 68, putting him three shots ahead of the field. This follows an exciting first round where Andy Sullivan of England shot an impressive 8-under 64 to take the initial lead.

The tournament has seen strong performances from several players. Casey Jarvis of South Africa and Alex Fitzpatrick of England were tied for second after the first round, both shooting 7-under. Tom McKibbin from Northern Ireland is also in contention, sitting five shots off the lead after the opening round with a score of 3-under 69.

The event is part of the DP World Tour and features a mix of established players and rising talents. Notable participants include Louis Oosthuizen, who is defending his title from last year, and Charl Schwartzel, a four-time winner of this tournament. The challenging Leopard Creek course, bordering Kruger National Park, is providing a stern test for the golfers, with its redesigned layout and fast greens adding to the difficulty.

Alfred Dunhill Championship Stories

Alfred Dunhill Championship Videos

Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

Lynch: Paying Ryder Cup players should have fed-up fans cashing out of golf’s greediest era

The debate over paying Ryder Cup players highlights a generational divide in golf, with current players feeling entitled to compensation while former captains oppose it. The PGA's high ticket prices and focus on profit contribute to a perception of greed, risking alienation of fans who support the sport. Europe's players, in contrast, emphasize patriotism over payment, raising concerns about the future of the game's integrity.

Former US Ryder Cup Captains Join Forces In Bid To Have Pay Plans Overturned

A group of twelve former US Ryder Cup captains has urged the PGA of America to reconsider plans to pay players, emphasizing the importance of tradition and charity over financial rewards. The debate has intensified following recent events, with opinions divided on whether players should receive compensation or if funds should be directed to charitable causes instead.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

This driving range freebie was my favorite golf item I used this year

The Diversey Driving Range in Chicago provides a unique training aid with its bag stands, which help golfers eliminate sway during their swing, promoting better hip rotation and improved contact with the ball. This approach has proven effective for both experienced players and beginners.

Tiger Woods' historic 2000 season was keyed by 1 surprising gear change

Tiger Woods' remarkable 2000 season included a significant gear change when he switched from Titleist to Nike golf balls, resulting in improved performance and contributing to his nine tournament wins, including three majors. This change exemplified his adaptability and skill, setting a high bar in professional golf.

Bryson DeChambeau vows to 'change the game' (again) in 2025

Bryson DeChambeau plans to innovate golf equipment in 2025, promising to change the game again with a new bag entirely from LA Golf, including a prototype driver and putter, emphasizing his commitment to pushing boundaries in the sport.

Overheard in the Club House

Former Ryder Cupper reacts after failing to secure LIV Golf move

Chris Wood reflects on his struggles after failing to secure a spot in LIV Golf for 2025, citing personal challenges and the appeal of a reduced tournament schedule for players with families. Other notable players also missed out on advancement.

Wild rules break at LIV Q-school benefits pro in decisive moment

Ollie Schniederjans benefited from a rare ruling during a playoff at LIV Q-school, allowing him to take relief from a difficult lie, which helped him advance to the final round. He aims to prove himself in LIV's competitive environment after facing challenges in his career.

Could This Putting Tech Transform Indoor Golf?

PLATFORM Golf is launching a rebranded indoor golf technology that enhances putting and full-swing training, backed by notable investors. The company aims to create a digital community for golfers and plans significant growth through innovative products and services.

10 things I learned spending 2 days with golf's top instructors

Key takeaways from a golf instructors summit include playing from appropriate tees, maintaining a positive mindset, investing in a driver, avoiding competing music, and focusing on repeatability rather than consistency in swings. Simple drills and etiquette tips can enhance the golfing experience.

Bryson DeChambeau explains why his viral hole-in-one challenge was actually years in the making

Bryson DeChambeau's viral Hole-In-One Challenge, which involved hitting shots over his house, was a concept he developed over five years, culminating in a successful "ace" on Thanksgiving Eve. The challenge gained immense popularity, surpassing even his U.S. Open victory in views.

Latest Official World Golf Ranking

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Latest FedExCup Standings

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UPCOMING TOURS

PGA TOUR Schedule 2025

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2025 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LIV Golf Schedule 2025

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2025 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LPGA Tour Schedule 2025

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2025 including the Previous winners and Purse.

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