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- Planet Golf News for Sunday, January 26, 2025
Planet Golf News for Sunday, January 26, 2025
Harris English showed 'discipline' managing Torrey Pines for fifth win | Dottie Pepper calls out slow play at Farmers Insurance Open: 'It's just gotta get better' | Del Rey's bogey-free 66 earns 2-shot lead going into last day of Ras Al Khaimah Championship
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Sunday, January 26, 2025
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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Harris English finally got off the “haven’t won since before the pandemic” list, securing his fifth PGA Tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. English triumphed with a final score of eight-under-par, despite gusty winds, a few shaky early holes, and the constant threat of a Sam Stevens rally. After a grueling five-hour-and-29-minute round, he tapped in for a par on the 18th, smiled like he hadn’t aged four years since his last win, and collected a cool $1.674 million. Not bad for a guy who spent a decent chunk of his day bogeying holes and trying to stay upright in the wind.
Meanwhile, Dottie Pepper didn’t hold back during the broadcast, roasting the glacial pace of play. The final group took almost three hours for the front nine, a speed that would get you kicked off most muni courses. “It’s just gotta get better,” she vented, echoing the frustration of fans, fellow broadcasters, and anyone trying to catch a glimpse of golf before switching to literally anything else.
Across the pond, Alejandro del Rey brought some life to the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, putting up a flawless 66 to take a two-shot lead. The Spaniard, hoping to snag his first DP World Tour win, dodged water hazards like a pro and outpaced the field, leaving Marcus Armitage and others scrambling to keep up. Three-time major champ Pádraig Harrington had a day to forget, with bogeys ruining his round and leaving him miles behind the leaders.
In other golf news, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are set for another showdown in the TGL, while Jason Day continues his crusade to make golf fashion a thing. Whether it’s sweater vests or parachute pants, the man knows how to steal the spotlight—even if it involves covering logos at PGA Tour events. Fans, of course, had opinions, some of which included the phrase “money laundering operation,” because why not?
Elsewhere, Davis Love III is recovering from open-heart surgery with his signature humor intact, Bryson DeChambeau is using LIV Golf cash to build a mega-complex for growing the game, and TaylorMade is doubling down on tech with radar-friendly golf balls for those of us who want even more data to prove we still can’t break 90.
And if you’re a recreational golfer worried about hitting the ball shorter, fear not—PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague is your guy. He’s rallying against the USGA’s golf ball rollback plan, because no one likes the idea of paying extra to hit worm burners even shorter than before.
So, while Harris English celebrates and Dottie Pepper side-eyes the snail’s pace of professional golf, the rest of the sport trudges on, balancing tradition, innovation, and whatever Jason Day decides to wear next.
Today’s Top Golf News
Major Golf Tournaments this Weekend
Farmers Insurance Open - PGA Tour - Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA
Harris English emerged as the winner of the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open, held at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California. English secured his fifth PGA Tour victory with a total score of 8-under par 280, finishing just one stroke ahead of Sam Stevens.
The final round proved to be challenging, with strong winds affecting play. English started the day with a lead but faced early difficulties, bogeying two of his first five holes. However, he regained his composure and finished with 12 consecutive pars to hold off the competition.
Sam Stevens made a remarkable push on the final day, starting six strokes behind the leader and posting the best score of the day with a 68. His strong performance brought him to a 7-under par finish, securing second place.
Andrew Novak finished in third place at 6-under par, while Sungjae Im tied for fourth at 5-under par.
The tournament, which concluded on Saturday to avoid conflicting with NFL programming, saw English take home the winner’s share of $1,674,000 from the $9.3 million purse.
The challenging conditions at Torrey Pines, particularly on the South Course, tested the skills of all competitors, with the final round taking over five hours to complete. English’s steady play and ability to maintain his composure under pressure were key factors in his victory.
Farmers Insurance Open Stories
Farmers Insurance Open Videos
Ras al Khaimah Championship - DP World Tour - Al Hamra GC - Ras al Khaimah, UAE
The third round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship saw a change at the top of the leaderboard as Alejandro del Rey surged into the lead with a flawless performance. The Spaniard carded a bogey-free 66 to move to 16-under par, opening up a two-shot advantage over overnight leader Marcus Armitage.
Del Rey's sharp short game was the key to his success, allowing him to capitalize on opportunities and maintain a clean scorecard. He made crucial birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 14th, and 17th holes, with the latter coming after nearly holing his approach shot. A fortunate break on the 18th, where his tee shot narrowly avoided the water, allowed him to finish strong and solidify his lead.
Armitage, who began the day with a two-shot cushion, struggled to maintain his momentum. Although he birdied the opening hole to extend his initial advantage, he couldn't match del Rey's pace. The Englishman finished with a round that kept him in contention but saw him slip to second place.
The battle for the championship appears to be shaping up as a two-horse race, with the nearest challengers sitting five strokes behind Armitage. Australia's Jason Scrivener made a significant move up the leaderboard with a 7-under 65, joining South Africa's Shaun Norris and France's David Ravetto in a tie for third at 9-under par.
Meanwhile, three-time major champion Pádraig Harrington had a frustrating day, carding a 73 that included costly bogeys on the 15th, 16th, and 18th holes. His struggles on the greens and a few errant shots left him at even-par for the tournament, well off the pace of the leaders.
As the tournament heads into the final round, all eyes will be on del Rey as he seeks his maiden DP World Tour title, with Armitage looking to mount a comeback and the chasing pack hoping to apply pressure on the leading duo.
Ras al Khaimah Championship Stories
Ras al Khaimah Championship Videos
Upcoming: TGL - PGA Tour - SoFi Stadium - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Upcoming: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Jan 30 - Feb 2, 2025)
Today’s Best Golf Videos
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS

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