Planet Golf News for Saturday, February 8, 2025

Tiger Woods Confirmed For Genesis Invitational Return | Thomas Detry nearly aces 16, shoots 64 to take two-shot lead at WM Phoenix Open | Jin Young Ko Shoots 63 to Take Lead in Bid for 4th Founders Cup Victory

Saturday, February 8, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Well, well, well—Tiger Woods is back, and the golf world is collectively holding its breath. The 15-time major champ has decided that Torrey Pines, not Riviera, will be the site of his latest return at the Genesis Invitational. Blame the wildfires in L.A. for the venue switch, but if there’s one place that’s been kind to Woods over the years, it’s Torrey. He’s easing back into competition after yet another surgery, still not quite “tournament-ready” by his own admission, but hey, it’s Tiger. And in case the emotional stakes weren’t high enough, he’ll be teeing it up fresh off the loss of his mother. If anyone thrives on adversity, it’s this guy.

Meanwhile, Emiliano Grillo decided that subtlety was overrated at the Phoenix Open’s rowdy 16th hole, dunking his tee shot for an ace and sending the beer-guzzling gallery into absolute chaos. If there’s one thing that makes Phoenix fans happier than overpriced drinks, it’s a hole-in-one, and Grillo delivered in style, even launching his club in celebration. It was the 12th ace on that hole, but let’s be honest—every single one feels like the first. Also making waves in Phoenix was Thomas Detry, who shot a blistering 64 and nearly aced the same hole, grabbing a two-shot lead. The tournament got so wild that play had to be suspended due to darkness. Either that, or the course needed time to dry from all the airborne beer.

On the LPGA side, Jin Young Ko decided to rewrite the record books at the Founders Cup with an absurd 8-under 63, leaving the field chasing her shadow. Six birdies in her last nine holes? Just another day at the office. Ko is now eyeing her fourth Founders Cup title, because apparently winning three wasn’t enough. With Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin two shots behind, things could get interesting, but when Ko is dialed in, she’s hard to stop.

Over in LIV Golf, Adrian Meronk is leading in Riyadh while his team, Legion XIII, is running up the score like a college football team playing a cupcake opponent. Meanwhile, Lee Westwood got himself into trouble for playing the wrong ball. Yes, really. His caddie fished a ball out of a stream, and apparently, it wasn’t the one Westwood started with. That’ll be a penalty, sir. The tournament itself is being played under floodlights, making it feel less like a golf event and more like a prime-time boxing match. The jury’s still out on whether night golf is a gimmick or a game-changer, but LIV sure knows how to keep things… different.

Elsewhere, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Steven Alker are tied at the top in Morocco, proving that the seniors still have plenty of game left. And in Qatar, Brandon Robinson-Thompson has decided to make himself relevant, leading the field at the DP World Tour event. Over in Bogota, Korn Ferry Tour player Matthew Anderson flirted with history, carding a 60 but missing out on the mythical 59 by playing five straight pars to finish. Tough break, kid.

Oh, and in case anyone forgot, LIV Golf is making moves behind the scenes. There’s talk of an Open Championship exemption pathway, meaning some of the LIV guys might get a backdoor invite into golf’s oldest major. The politics of professional golf remain as tangled as ever, but one thing is clear: LIV is not going away quietly.

On the more casual side of golf, the latest TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball is hitting the shelves, because if you’re not buying new equipment every six months, are you even trying? Meanwhile, Dottie Pepper continues to be the voice of reason in golf broadcasting, and Mike “Fluff” Cowan, at the sprightly age of 77, is returning to caddying. Yes, the man who once carried Tiger’s bag is still out there grinding. Absolute legend.

Finally, in the “stuff we probably should have expected” department, Lexi Thompson is going to play in at least two majors this year despite her semi-retirement, Ian Poulter refuses to shut the door on a Ryder Cup return, and Rickie Fowler, fresh off wearing a camo outfit in competition, withdrew from the Phoenix Open due to illness. Maybe blending in with the desert wasn’t such a great idea after all.

All in all, the golf world remains as unpredictable, dramatic, and occasionally absurd as ever. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more chaos on the way.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Today’s Feature Golf Reads

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Thomas Detry moves in front at WM Phoenix Open

WM Phoenix Open - PGA Tour - TPC Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ

The second round of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale was suspended due to darkness at 6:10 PM local time on Friday. Play will resume at 7:45 AM MST on Saturday, with eight players yet to complete their 36 holes. Despite the interruption, the tournament has seen some exciting developments on the leaderboard.

Thomas Detry currently holds the solo lead with an impressive 36-hole total of 12 under par, following a stellar 7-under 64 in the second round. He sits two strokes ahead of Alex Smalley and Michael Kim, who are tied for second at 10 under par. Smalley carded a 6-under 65, while Kim made a significant leap up the leaderboard with an outstanding 8-under 63.

A trio of players shares fourth place at 9 under par, including Tom Kim, Jordan Spieth, and Christiaan Bezuidenhout. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has made a move, climbing 15 spots to tie for 12th at 7 under par after rounds of 69 and 66.

The projected cut line currently sits at two under par, with several players within striking distance as the second round concludes. The tournament has seen improved weather conditions compared to last year, with high temperatures in the mid-70s and sunny skies, providing ideal playing conditions for the golfers.

The WM Phoenix Open, known for its lively atmosphere, particularly around the famous par-3 16th hole, continues to draw attention both for its competitive golf and unique fan experience. As the tournament progresses into the weekend, players will be vying for a share of the $9.2 million purse, with the winner set to take home $1.7 million.

Jin Young Ko Shoots 63 to Take Lead in Bid for 4th Founders Cup Victory

Founders Cup Pres by U.S. Virgin Islands - LPGA - Bradenton Country Club - Bradenton, FL

The second round of the Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands at Bradenton Country Club in Florida has seen some exciting developments. South Korea's Jin Young Ko has surged into the lead with an impressive 8-under par 63, putting her in a strong position to potentially claim her fourth Founders Cup victory. Ko's exceptional performance included birdying six of her last nine holes, demonstrating her prowess on the course.

As the tournament progresses, several major champions are in close pursuit of the leader. The leaderboard remains tight, with Jin Hee Im and Yealimi Noh also making their presence felt near the top. Local favorite and world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who calls Bradenton Country Club her home course, maintained her consistent play by shooting another 68. This brought her total score to 6-under par 136 after two rounds, placing her in a tie for 13th position. Her steady performance has kept her within striking distance of the leaders.

The weather has cooperated for the most part, with mostly sunny skies and comfortable temperatures in the high 70s Fahrenheit. A gentle breeze has added a slight challenge for the golfers, but overall conditions have been favorable for play.

The tournament, which marks the first full-field event of the 2025 LPGA Tour season, has a prize pool of $2 million, attracting top talent from around the world. As the weekend approaches, the competition is heating up, with several players within striking distance of the lead.

Miguel Angel Jiménez, Steven Alker tied for lead after Round 2 at Trophy Hassan II

Trophy Hassan II - PGA Tour Champions - Royal Golf Dar Es Salam - Rabat, Morocco

The second round of the Trophy Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco has concluded, with Steven Alker of New Zealand emerging as the co-leader alongside Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez. Alker, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion, shot a three-under 70 in an up-and-down round that featured three bogeys and six birdies. His strong back nine, which remained bogey-free with three birdies, helped him maintain his position at the top of the leaderboard.

Alker and Jimenez now share the lead at seven-under par for the tournament, two shots ahead of American Tim O'Neal. The field remains competitive, with several notable players in contention. Ernie Els, who won the season opener in Hawaii, is also participating and looking to build on his early success.

The tournament, now in its third year as part of the PGA Tour Champions schedule, boasts a strong field of 66 players from 12 nations. With a purse of $2.5 million and $400,000 going to the winner, the competition is fierce. Defending champion Ricardo Gonzalez is back to defend his title, though he faces stiff competition from a field that includes major winners and tour veterans.

As the tournament heads into its final round, all eyes will be on Alker and Jimenez to see if they can maintain their lead. With only one round left in this 54-hole event, the stage is set for an exciting finish at the prestigious Royal Golf Dar Es Salam course.

Lee Westwood penalized for bizarre rules violation at LIV Golf Riyadh

LIV Golf Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The second round of the LIV Golf Riyadh tournament at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia has concluded, bringing excitement and drama to the 2025 season opener. Adrian Meronk currently holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round, showcasing his strong performance on the course.

One of the most notable incidents of the day involved Lee Westwood, who was assessed a one-stroke penalty for a bizarre rules violation. The 51-year-old English golfer accidentally played the wrong ball after his caddie retrieved it from a stream on the par-4 16th hole. This mistake occurred due to the ball being a different model from Westwood's, violating the Model Local Rule which requires golfers to play balls of the same make and model throughout the round. As a result, Westwood finished the hole with a double bogey.

In the team competition, Jon Rahm's Legion XIII has been dominating the leaderboard. The new format introduced this season, where every player's score counts toward the team total in every round, has added extra pressure and excitement to the tournament. This change has eliminated the possibility of players "hiding" behind their teammates' performances, as Bubba Watson noted, making every shot crucial for the team's success.

The tournament is being played under unique conditions, with all three rounds taking place after sunset under floodlights. This nighttime setting adds an extra layer of challenge and spectacle to the event, distinguishing it from typical daytime golf tournaments.

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - DP World Tour - Doha GC - Doha, Qatar

The second round of the 2025 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club concluded yesterday with Brandon Robinson-Thompson maintaining his lead. The Englishman carded a spotless 68 in the second round, which included birdies at the 8th and 10th holes, as well as a remarkable eagle on the par-four 16th. His impressive performance, particularly the eagle where he drove the green and sank a four-foot putt, propelled him to 10-under-par for the tournament.

Robinson-Thompson now holds a two-shot lead over his nearest competitors. Three players are tied for second place at 8-under-par: South Korea's MK Kim and the Chinese duo of Wenyi Ding and Li Haotong, all of whom shot 67s in the second round. Japan's Keita Nakajima and England's Dan Brown are one shot further back at 7-under-par, sharing fifth place.

The cut was made after 36 holes, with 66 players advancing to the weekend. Notable performances include Laurie Canter, the top-ranked golfer in the field, who carded an even-par round with five birdies and five bogeys to tie for 18th place. South African players Dylan Fichardt and Jayden Schaper are in a tie for seventh position, four shots behind the leader.

The tournament also saw a historic moment as Jean Bekirian became the first player from Armenia to make the cut on the DP World Tour, although he ultimately missed the cut by one stroke after rounds of 68 and 74.

Robinson-Thompson, reflecting on his performance, acknowledged the challenging conditions, particularly the strong winds in the morning and tricky pin positions. He emphasized his disciplined approach, often playing conservatively to 30-40 feet from the hole and taking advantage of scoring opportunities when they presented themselves.

As the tournament heads into the weekend, Robinson-Thompson's solid play and two-shot cushion set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the Qatar Masters.

Astara Golf Championship pres. by Mastercard - Korn Ferry - Country Club de Bogota-Lagos - Bogota, Columbia

Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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