Tony Finau withdrew from the Hero World Challenge due to knee surgery for a torn meniscus and cartilage removal. He dismissed rumors of joining LIV Golf, stating he is happy on the PGA Tour and looks forward to the 2025 season. Finau is optimistic about his recovery and aims to compete in upcoming events, including the Grant Thornton Invitational.

Starting in 2025, athletes who experienced male puberty will be barred from competing in LPGA Tour events and USGA women's championships, according to new policies aimed at ensuring competitive fairness. The policies require players assigned male at birth to prove they have not undergone male puberty and maintain low testosterone levels. This decision follows the competitive rise of transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, who will be ineligible to compete under the new rules, which emphasize the importance of maintaining competitive integrity in women's sports.

Chang Wei-lun from Chinese Taipei secured a share of the lead at the PIF Saudi International after obtaining his visa just hours before the event, shooting a bogey-free 64. He is joined at the top by Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana. Khalid Attieh, a promising Saudi golfer, also performed well with a 67, highlighting the growth of golf in Saudi Arabia. The tournament features a strong international field, with various players showcasing their skills and vying for points towards the LIV Golf League.

At the PIF Saudi International, Joaquin Niemann is tied for second after a 6-under 65, while several LIV Golf players, including Talor Gooch and Kevin Na, are tied for fifth with 5-under 66s. Chang Wei-lun leads the tournament with a bogey-free 7-under 64. Notable performances include young Saudi golfer Khalid Attieh with a 67 and defending champion Abraham Ancer with a 68. The event marks a significant gathering of top golfers, with players vying for points to secure their standings for the next season.

The first round of the PIF Saudi International featured 42 LIV Golf players, with Joaquin Niemann shooting a bogey-free 6-under 65, tying for third place. Cameron Smith, despite a grueling schedule, managed a bogey-free 67. Peter Uihlein, leading the International Series standings, shot a 66, while John Catlin and Ben Campbell both shot 68. Kevin Na expressed excitement about his team's prospects and the upcoming tournament in South Korea. The event highlights the competitive spirit and camaraderie among the players as they vie for points and titles.

Sergio Garcia is determined to qualify for one more Ryder Cup despite the challenges he faces after joining the LIV Golf League. He has rejoined the DP World Tour, paid fines, and is willing to endure a suspension to maintain eligibility. Garcia acknowledges the need for exceptional performance in both LIV and European Tour events to secure a spot on the team, while expressing confidence in his abilities despite a mixed record in majors since his 2017 Masters win. He emphasizes his commitment to supporting the European Tour and downplays the impact of LIV on his performance, focusing on the importance of the Ryder Cup over financial compensation.

Scottie Scheffler humorously discussed the lack of payment for Ryder Cup players during a conversation with Tiger Woods at the Hero World Challenge. He expressed frustration over the financial aspects of professional golf, noting that both he and Woods feel underpaid for their achievements. The PGA of America is considering a payment of $400,000 for American players participating in the 2025 Ryder Cup, though no decisions have been finalized yet.

Tiger Woods has launched his first golf shoes, the Pioneer Cypress, under his Sun Day Red brand, which took 40 million steps of insight to develop. The shoes feature a 6mm heel-to-toe drop for optimal ground force leverage, a premium waterproof leather upper, and a high-density TPU plate for traction. Available in three colorways, they are priced at $250 per pair and emphasize comfort and performance for golfers.

Nick Dunlap is preparing for the Hero World Challenge with a carefully selected set of high-end golf equipment. His long game features a Ping G430 LST driver and TaylorMade fairway woods, while his irons include Srixon ZX and TaylorMade P7MC models. For his short game, he uses TaylorMade MG3 and MG4 wedges, along with an Odyssey O-Works #7 Tank putter. Dunlap's choice of gear, including the Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, reflects his strategy to maximize performance as he aims for his third victory after winning two tournaments earlier in the season.

Wyndham Clark debuted custom Titleist irons, the 632.DUB, at the Hero World Challenge, designed after 18 months of collaboration to achieve his desired trajectory for different iron types. The set combines features from cavity-backs and blades, allowing for lower flight with short irons and higher launch with long irons. Clark's input was crucial in the design process, focusing on offset and center of gravity adjustments to enhance performance. This initiative is part of Titleist's "Project Feel," aimed at creating personalized equipment for TOUR players.

The Asian Tour has announced its first International Series event in India, scheduled for January 30-February 2, 2025, at DLF Golf and Country Club near Delhi. This tournament will precede the LIV Golf League's season opener in Riyadh and will feature notable players, including Anirban Lahiri and potentially Bryson DeChambeau. The event will have a $2 million purse and is part of a new schedule with ten tournaments planned for 2025, supported by LIV Golf.

Tiger Woods' Hero World Challenge has extended its sponsorship agreement with Hero MotoCorp for another six years, continuing their partnership since 2014. Woods expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the significant impact of Dr. Pawan Munjal, the Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, on the tournament's success. The extension allows the event to remain in Albany, Bahamas, while Woods, recovering from surgery, anticipates returning for future competitions.

Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion at the Hero World Challenge, aims to maintain his successful 2024 form as he prepares for the new season. He emphasizes the importance of making small improvements without altering his winning formula, reflecting on his achievements including Olympic gold and a Masters victory. Scheffler looks forward to competing in the Bahamas with a strong field of golfers, considering it a valuable warm-up for the upcoming year.

Scottie Scheffler humorously shared that he and Tiger Woods discussed the need for larger tournament purses during the Hero World Challenge. Scheffler, who had a successful season winning seven times, emphasized his love for the game over financial motivations. He reflected on his off-season work to enhance his swing and putting skills, expressing confidence in his performance for the upcoming season despite the competition being weaker this year.

Kevin Kisner has been named NBC Sports' lead golf analyst, joining commentator Dan Hicks. A four-time PGA Tour winner, Kisner debuted as an analyst in 2024 and will continue to play a limited schedule on the tour. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and aims to bring a fresh perspective to broadcasts. His most recent victory was at the 2021 Wyndham Championship, and he has earned over $29 million since joining the tour in 2011.

Jordan Spieth discussed his recovery from wrist surgery, expressing that he is pain-free and ready to return to golf after three months of rehabilitation. He shared insights from his recent radio appearance, including his experience with ball striking and his involvement in "Happy Gilmore 2," where he had a minor role. Spieth emphasized the importance of mental and physical preparation during his recovery and expressed excitement about getting back to competitive play.

Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour's Player of the Year, expressed frustration over constant questions about money, emphasizing that he plays golf for the love of the game rather than financial gain. Despite leading the tour in earnings with over $29 million in prize money, he believes the focus should shift back to competition rather than financial discussions. Scheffler stated that he and his fellow players would pay to participate in the Ryder Cup if necessary, highlighting their passion for the sport over monetary motivations.

Jordan Spieth confirmed his participation in "Happy Gilmore 2," alongside other tour pros and golf legends. He described the filming experience as entertaining and mentioned notable figures like Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, and John Daly being involved. Spieth praised Adam Sandler for his kindness and humor during the filming process, expressing excitement about the movie's release.

A former Masters champion reported that the 16th hole at Augusta National Golf Club was closed due to flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene. While the course was generally in good condition, significant damage was noted on the 16th green and surrounding trees. Augusta National's chairman announced a $5 million donation to aid the community affected by the hurricane. The 16th hole is historically significant in the Masters Tournament, known for memorable moments and the most aces recorded at the course.

The PGA Tour Champions Q-School is set to award five cards for the 2025 season, highlighting the circuit's competitiveness, as only the top 36 golfers retain their cards each year. Padraig Harrington describes the tour as "really cut-throat," emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining status, with even victories offering limited exemptions compared to other tours. The final stage of Q-School is currently taking place at TPC Scottsdale, featuring 78 participants vying for a chance to join the elite ranks of the tour.

Justin Thomas is navigating fatherhood after the birth of his daughter, Molly Grace, while receiving advice from fellow golfers like Tiger Woods. He expresses the joy and challenges of being a new dad, emphasizing the importance of balancing his travel schedule with family time. Despite a solid year on the PGA TOUR, Thomas aims to win again and appreciates the support from other players who have experience with family life on tour.

The Asian Tour's PIF Saudi International, backed by LIV Golf, has a higher Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) Field Rating than Tiger Woods' Hero World Challenge and the DP World Tour's Nedbank Golf Challenge. This marks a significant shift in the professional golf landscape, showcasing the strength of the Asian Tour's field and its growing prominence. The event features top LIV Golf players and offers a record prize purse, while also indicating the increasing competitiveness of LIV Golf in the world of professional golf.

Tiger Woods, unable to compete in the Hero World Challenge due to physical limitations, expressed the need for continued training to prepare for future events. He acknowledged his struggles with injuries, particularly following a car accident in 2021, and emphasized a cautious approach to his recovery. Woods played only five times in 2024, facing challenges in major tournaments, and stated that he is not yet tournament-ready, highlighting the importance of being fully healthy before returning to competition.

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

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

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