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- Planet Golf News for Sunday, January 12, 2025
Planet Golf News for Sunday, January 12, 2025
J.J. Spaun leads with U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley two back at Sony Open | Great Britain & Ireland close in on Team Cup victory | How Would A LIV Golf Major Pathway Work?
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Sunday, January 12, 2025
PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie
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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Ah, the world of golf. Where else can you find the perfect blend of intense competition, millionaire drama, and the occasional “I went nuts!” moment? Let’s dive into the latest stories from the greens, with just enough sarcasm to keep things interesting.
First up, SoCal’s own J.J. Spaun is soaking up the aloha spirit in Hawaii, leading the Sony Open at 13 under. After a steady 5-under 65 in the third round, he’s feeling the heat—not just from the competition, but also from his hometown of Los Angeles, which has been dealing with wildfires. Spaun has LA on his mind but insists it hasn’t distracted him from chasing that trophy. Maybe those Hawaiian breezes are doing more than just rustling the palm trees.
Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley and Stephan Jaeger are doing their best to shake things up at Waialae. Jaeger tied his career-low with a scorching 62, while Keegan is lurking just a few shots back with his best moves since, well, the last Ryder Cup. The leaderboard is a crowded house, and it’s shaping up to be a classic final round. Stephan Jaeger isn’t just knocking on the door—he’s trying to kick it down.
Speaking of domination, Great Britain and Ireland are flexing hard in the Ryder Cup-style Team Cup, holding an 11-4 lead over Continental Europe. Just two points shy of clinching victory, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood have been playing like they own the greens. On the flip side, Romain Langasque and Matthieu Pavon are proving you don’t need a winning team to make an impression, winning three matches as a duo. Captain Francesco Molinari must be thrilled.
Switching gears to TGL, the new tech-infused golf league, Jupiter Links and Los Angeles Golf Club are gearing up for a showdown next week. Jupiter has that guy named Tiger Woods making his debut (ever heard of him?), while LA is betting on the likes of Justin Rose and Collin Morikawa. It’s two hours of alternate shots, individual matchups, and high-tech drama. Will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but adding Bryson DeChambeau into the mix might make it even spicier.
In the “feel-good moment of the week,” rookie Taylor Dickson finally made his first PGA Tour cut after years of trying. His story of perseverance and a clutch birdie-fest had him celebrating with his family—and probably everyone who ever doubted him. Someone give that man a Lifetime movie deal.
Finally, let’s not forget LIV Golf, still trying to elbow its way into the Majors. Between Thomas Pieters shrugging off the lack of Major invites (“fine by me”) and Ollie Schniederjans snagging a reserve spot after a strong promotions event, the league continues to make noise—whether the traditional golf world wants to hear it or not.
Oh, and Augusta National, in its infinite wisdom, handed out a couple of special Masters invites to Joaquin Niemann and Nicolai Højgaard. Because, why not? If you’re Augusta, you do what you want. As for the rest of us, we’ll be here, watching, wondering, and maybe practicing our putts in the hallway.
So there you have it, folks—a day in golf filled with drama, surprises, and just enough snark to keep it interesting. Catch you on the fairways!
Today’s Top Golf News
Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend
Sony Open in Hawaii - PGA Tour - Walalae Country Club - Honolulu, HI
J.J. Spaun leads the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii after the third round, finishing with a 5-under 65 to reach 13 under par. His performance on the par-5 18th hole, where he managed an up-and-down birdie, gave him a one-shot lead heading into the final round at Waialae Country Club. Stephan Jaeger delivered the tournament's lowest round with a 62, climbing into a tie for second place at 12 under alongside Patrick Fishburn and Eric Cole. Fishburn, who carded a 68, and Cole, who shot a 67, remain firmly in contention. The leaderboard is tightly packed, with over a dozen players within striking distance of the lead, including Keegan Bradley at 11 under par, tied for fifth with several others. The challenging conditions and unpredictable winds at Waialae kept the competition close, setting up an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
Sony Open Stories
Sony Open Videos
Team Cup - DP World Tour - Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Yesterday, the second day of the Team Cup took place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with Great Britain and Ireland dominating the competition. The day consisted of 10 foursomes matches across morning and afternoon sessions, with the British and Irish team winning seven matches, Continental Europe winning two, and one match ending in a draw. By the end of the day, Great Britain and Ireland led the event with 11 points to Continental Europe's four points, putting them just two points away from winning the Team Cup. Notable performances included Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Wallace securing a 3&2 victory, and Tom McKibbin maintaining a perfect record in his matches. The team's strong performance sets them up for a potential decisive victory on the final day of the tournament.
Team Cup Stories
Team Cup Videos
Upcoming: TGL (Tuesday, January 14th)
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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