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- Planet Golf News for Sunday, February 9, 2025
Planet Golf News for Sunday, February 9, 2025
Thomas Detry, seeking first PGA Tour win, leads WM Phoenix Open by five shots | Yealimi Noh, in search of first LPGA win, leads three-time champ Jin Young Ko at Founders Cup | Miguel Angel Jiménez wins Trophy Hassan II for 14th PGA TOUR Champions title
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Sunday, February 9, 2025
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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Ah, golf. The sport where one day you’re a hero, and the next you’re Tom Kim chunking a shot into oblivion. This week’s tournaments brought us everything from dominant leads to bizarre fan antics, all wrapped up in perfect weather and just enough drama to keep us entertained.
Let’s start with Thomas Detry at the WM Phoenix Open, who is out here making winning look way too easy. The Belgian star blitzed through his third round with a 6-under 65, extending his lead to a comfortable five shots. He’s now one round away from his first PGA Tour win—though Jordan Spieth and company will do their best to rain on his parade. Speaking of Spieth, the guy is stringing together bogey-free holes like it’s 2015 again, proving his wrist surgery hasn’t slowed him down one bit. Over at the infamous 16th hole, fans were busy debating whether bananas or hot dogs are the superior costume choice while golfers like Emiliano Grillo were busy making aces. As usual, the WM Phoenix Open delivered peak chaos, including a man getting banned for an unfortunate racist tirade, proving once again that alcohol and golf fandom don’t always mix well.
On the LPGA side, Yealimi Noh caught fire at the Founders Cup, dropping an absurd 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over three-time champ Jin Young Ko. Apparently, making eight birdies in the last 11 holes is just something she does now. Meanwhile, Megan Khang decided to set a new course record with a 62 because, why not? Nelly Korda sits six shots back, but considering she practically owns the Bradenton course, don’t be surprised if she makes a Sunday charge.
In LIV Golf news, Adrian Meronk picked up his first win at the season opener in Riyadh, while Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII squad cruised to victory in the team event. The real headline? The tournament was played under the lights, proving that LIV will try anything to keep things fresh—even if their TV ratings suggest otherwise. Elsewhere, Miguel Angel Jiménez proved once again that age is just a number, capturing his 14th PGA TOUR Champions title at the Trophy Hassan II in Morocco. The man can still light up a cigar and an elite leaderboard in the same afternoon.
Across the globe, Haotong Li holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the Qatar Masters, while over on the Korn Ferry Tour, Kyle Westmoreland fired a course-record 61 to take control at the Astara Golf Championship. If history is any indication, he’ll have to keep making birdies at an alarming rate just to keep up with the insane scoring trends at this event.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau weighed in on the Ryder Cup’s new compensation model by saying he’d donate his earnings to charity. Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that’s a flex. Also, Daniel Berger finally ditched his 13-year-old irons at the WM Phoenix Open, which is great because those things had seen more rounds than some PGA Tour rookies.
And finally, in the “golf fans are unhinged” department, Ryan Palmer tossed golf balls wrapped in cash to the Phoenix Open crowd, Min Woo Lee started a massive Vikings Skol chant mid-round, and a CBS commentator casually took a dig at LIV Golf’s, uh, lack of a viewing audience. Just another day in the weird, wonderful world of professional golf.
Today’s Top Golf News
Today’s Feature Golf Reads
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
WM Phoenix Open - PGA Tour - TPC Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
The third round of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdaleconcluded with Thomas Detry maintaining his lead and extending it to five shots. Detry posted an impressive 6-under 65 in the third round, bringing his total to 18-under par for the tournament. His stellar performance has put him in a commanding position heading into the final round on Sunday.
Chasing Detry are four players tied for second place at 13-under par: Rasmus Højgaard, Daniel Berger, Jordan Spieth, and Michael Kim. These players will be looking to mount a challenge on Sunday and close the gap on the leader.
The tournament has lived up to its reputation as "The People's Open," with large crowds creating an electric atmosphere, particularly around the famous 16th hole. The event continues to be a highlight of the PGA Tour calendar, known for its unique stadium-like setting and enthusiastic fans.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, a two-time winner of this event, remains in contention but will need a strong final round to catch Detry. The leaderboard is tightly packed behind the leader, setting up an exciting finish for Sunday's final round.
The final round is scheduled to begin early Sunday morning, with players teeing off from both the 1st and 10th tees. The leader group of Detry, Højgaard, and Berger is set to tee off at 12:42 PM EST, while other notable groups will follow closely behind.
As the tournament heads into its final day, all eyes will be on Detry to see if he can maintain his lead and secure his first PGA Tour victory, or if one of the chasing pack can produce a memorable comeback at TPC Scottsdale.
Founders Cup Pres by U.S. Virgin Islands - LPGA - Bradenton Country Club - Bradenton, FL
The third round of the Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands at Bradenton Country Club in Florida has produced some exciting developments. Yealimi Noh has surged to the top of the leaderboard, shooting an impressive 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over three-time champion Jin Young Ko. Noh's exceptional performance has put her in a strong position heading into the final round.
Jin Young Ko, who had taken the lead after the second round with a spectacular 63 of her own, remains in close contention. Ko's consistent play throughout the tournament has kept her firmly in the mix for a potential fourth Founders Cup title.
Another notable performance came from Megan Khang, who carded a career-low 62 in the third round. Khang's exceptional play has significantly improved her position on the leaderboard and put her in contention for the title.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, playing on her home course, finds herself six strokes behind the leader after 54 holes. Despite the gap, Korda's familiarity with the course and her top-ranked status make her a player to watch in the final round.
The tournament, which carries a purse of $2 million, has seen strong performances from several top-ranked players. With just one round remaining, the stage is set for an exciting finish as players vie for the championship and the winner's share of the prize money.
The final round promises to be highly competitive, with multiple players still in contention. Golf fans can look forward to an thrilling conclusion to this LPGA Tour event at Bradenton Country Club.
Trophy Hassan II - PGA Tour Champions - Royal Golf Dar Es Salam - Rabat, Morocco
The 49th edition of the Trophy Hassan II golf tournament concluded with a thrilling finish at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez emerged victorious, securing his 14th PGA Tour Champions title with a final round of 4-under-par 69. The 61-year-old's triumph was highlighted by a crucial eagle on the 17th hole, which propelled him to victory with a total score of 11-under-par 208.
Jimenez's win is particularly noteworthy as it marks his first victory since the Boeing Classic in August 2022, demonstrating his enduring competitiveness even in his 60s. The Spaniard expressed his delight at the achievement, emphasizing that he has now won tournaments across five decades of his career.
New Zealand's Steven Alker, who had been in contention throughout the tournament, finished in second place. Alker, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion, had shared the lead after the first two rounds but couldn't match Jimenez's final day performance.
The tournament, which carried a prize purse of $2.5 million, featured a strong field of 66 golfers from 12 nations, including several major winners and golf legends. Notable participants included Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, and Retief Goosen.
Defending champion Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina put up a valiant effort but couldn't retain his title, finishing further down the leaderboard. Ireland's Padraig Harrington managed to secure a tie for sixth place with a strong final round.
LIV Golf Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The 2025 LIV Golf Riyadh tournament concluded today at the Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, with Adrian Meronk securing his maiden LIV Golf title in a wire-to-wire victory. The Polish golfer finished at 17-under par, two strokes ahead of Jon Rahm and Sebastián Muñoz, who tied for second place. Meronk's win came after a tense final round, where he faced significant pressure on the back nine but managed to hold on for the victory.
In the team competition, Jon Rahm's Legion XIII dominated from start to finish, claiming their fifth team victory since joining as an expansion franchise last season. They finished at an impressive 50-under par, 11 shots ahead of their nearest competitors, Ripper GC and RangeGoats GC. The tournament marked the debut of LIV Golf's new scoring format, where all four players' scores count in every round of team competition.
This event was also notable for being LIV Golf's first tournament played under the lights, adding a unique atmosphere to the competition. The next stop on the LIV Golf tour will be in Adelaide, Australia, with the tournament set to begin on Friday. As the season progresses, players and teams will compete across a total of 14 tournaments, featuring six new courses in the 2025 schedule.
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - DP World Tour - Doha GC - Doha, Qatar
The third round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club has seen Haotong Li surge into a two-shot lead with an impressive 67. The three-time DP World Tour winner from China has positioned himself as the frontrunner heading into the final round of this prestigious event on the DP World Tour.
While Li has taken control at the top of the leaderboard, the tournament has also witnessed strong performances from other players. Notably, South African golfer Jayden Schaper is among those sharing third place, demonstrating the competitive nature of the field.
The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, now in its 28th edition, continues to attract top talent from around the world. Fifty One East, Qatar's popular department store, has maintained its role as the 'Official Retailer' of the tournament, further emphasizing the event's significance in the region.
As the penultimate day of play concluded, the stage is set for an exciting final round. With Li holding a narrow lead, the chasing pack will be eager to mount a challenge and vie for the title. Golf enthusiasts can expect a thrilling conclusion to this DP World Tour event as players battle it out on the challenging Doha Golf Club course.
Astara Golf Championship pres. by Mastercard - Korn Ferry - Country Club de Bogota-Lagos - Bogota, Columbia
The third round of the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard at the Country Club de Bogotá-Lagos in Bogotá, Colombia, saw an exciting turn of events. Kyle Westmoreland stole the show by setting a new course record on the Lagos Course with an impressive 10-under 61, catapulting him into the lead. This remarkable performance came after Ross Steelman had taken the solo lead in the second round with a career-low, bogey-free 9-under 61.
The tournament, which is part of the Korn Ferry Tour, has been characterized by exceptionally low scores throughout. Earlier rounds saw Rick Lamb shoot a blistering 62 on the first day, while Esteban Jaramillo and Fabian Gomez were tied for second with scores of 63.
The Astara Golf Championship, now in its 15th edition, features a strong field of 156 players competing for a total purse of $1 million. The winner stands to gain not only the $180,000 first-place prize but also 500 Korn Ferry Points and a significant boost of 14.2 official World Golf Ranking points.
As the tournament heads into its final round, the leaderboard remains tight, with several players still in contention. The event has already witnessed some extraordinary golf, including Cristobal Del Solar's record-breaking 57 in last year's opening round. The competition for the coveted PGA Tour card remains fierce, with players like Rayhan Thomas, currently ranked 24th on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Order of Merit, aiming for a top-20 finish to secure their spot on the PGA Tour for 2026.
With one round remaining, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this year's Astara Golf Championship, as players vie for victory and the opportunity to advance their careers on the path to the PGA Tour.
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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