- Planet Golf News
- Posts
- Planet Golf News for Thursday, February 13, 2025
Planet Golf News for Thursday, February 13, 2025
Monahan says bringing LIV players back into the fold is a top priority for golf | Incoming storms to play part as Torrey Pines gets soaked ahead of The Genesis Invitational | Rory McIlroy favors unifying PGA Tour and LIV Golf
| OWGR | FedExCup Points | TUGR | Subscribe |
Thursday, February 13, 2025
PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores. NOW OPEN the Marie Birdie Store @ 7170 S Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, FL
[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Torrey Pines is getting a little extra help from Mother Nature this week, as the famed course braces for a proper soaking ahead of The Genesis Invitational. With up to 1.5 inches of rain in the forecast and wind speeds that could reach 24 mph, players will need to channel their inner weatherman to navigate the ever-changing conditions. For those who prefer their golf courses fast and firm, well, tough luck. The rough is going to be gnarly, and approach shots will feel like a full-fledged endurance test. But hey, at least the rain might keep the infamous Torrey Pines crowds from getting too rowdy—silver linings, right?
Speaking of turbulence, Jay Monahan is still busy trying to patch up the PGA Tour-LIV Golf split. The commissioner has been making it clear that reuniting the best players in the world is priority number one. Even Rory McIlroy, once LIV’s most vocal critic, has softened his stance, admitting that the Saudi-backed league has, in a roundabout way, helped the PGA Tour fatten up its prize purses. Negotiations with the Public Investment Fund are still ongoing, and Monahan remains hopeful for a resolution. In the meantime, it’s business as usual—except for that little part where some of the game’s biggest stars are off playing in a different league.
Back to The Genesis Invitational, which, due to recent wildfires, has made a temporary move from Riviera to Torrey Pines. That means the course, which just hosted the Farmers Insurance Open, will be in the spotlight once again, albeit with a few tweaks to keep things fresh. Hideki Matsuyama is looking to defend his title, while Rory McIlroy eyes a top-five finish that could vault him back into the World No. 2 spot. The field is stacked, the purse is a cool $20 million, and the only thing standing between the players and glory is 7,765 yards of pure Torrey torture.
Meanwhile, over in Florida, the Chubb Classic is set to tee off, with a field of PGA Tour Champions legends aiming to prove that age is just a number. Bernhard Langer, who is basically the Tom Brady of senior golf, is gunning for a sixth Chubb title at 67 years young. The tournament boasts 52 PGA Tour winners and 16 major champions, so while it may not have the buzz of a PGA Tour signature event, there’s still plenty of intrigue—especially if Langer continues to defy Father Time.
Down in Australia, the LIV Golf circus is rolling into Adelaide, where scorching temperatures (expected to hit 109°F) might be as much of a test as the competition itself. Jon Rahm is apparently the circuit’s MVP, despite only winning twice, thanks to some impressive statistics that put him miles ahead of his peers. Meanwhile, Lucas Herbert is gearing up for a big showing with Ripper GC, and the event is expected to draw over 100,000 fans, proving that LIV Golf is still a hot ticket—at least in Australia.
And, of course, the first major of the year is inching closer. The Masters is set for April, and Bryson DeChambeau has made it clear that Augusta is his top priority for 2025. After a strong showing last year, he’s determined to finally slip on that green jacket, inspired by watching Tiger Woods dominate the event as a kid. Over at the U.S. Open, qualifying for Oakmont 2025 is about to kick off, giving both pros and amateurs a chance to battle their way into one of the year’s toughest tests. The Ryder Cup, meanwhile, is offering a competition where lucky fans can win tickets to Bethpage Black, though surviving the New York crowd might be an even bigger challenge than the course itself.
Elsewhere in the world of golf, Jordan Spieth made his first putter switch in nearly a decade, and it apparently paid off with a strong finish at the WM Phoenix Open. Collin Morikawa and Lucas Glover are trading jabs over putting techniques, proving that even the best players can get a little petty about AimPoint. And over on the LPGA Tour, Lexi Thompson is trying to maintain her part-time playing status, while Stanford’s Meja Ortengren just put the world on notice with a record-tying 62 in her first career win.
Finally, the harsh reality of pro golf’s lower levels has been laid bare by Alex Romo, who broke down the eye-watering costs of chasing a dream on the mini tours. Spoiler alert: it’s not cheap. A single event can run a player nearly $2,500 in expenses, and if you’re not finishing at the very top, you’re basically paying to play. It’s a brutal reminder that for every Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy, there are hundreds of grinders out there trying to make ends meet.
So, as The Genesis Invitational gets underway, keep an eye on the weather, the leaderboard, and the ongoing soap opera that is professional golf. Whether it’s Monahan vs. LIV, Rory vs. Scheffler, or Mother Nature vs. Torrey Pines, this week promises plenty of drama—both on and off the course.
Today’s Top Golf News
Today’s Feature Golf Reads
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
The Genesis Invitational - PGA Tour - Torrey Pines - La Jolla, CA
The 2025 Genesis Invitational, typically held at Riviera Country Club, has been relocated to Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego due to recent wildfires in Los Angeles. This prestigious PGA Tour event begins today and will be played on the South Course at Torrey Pines, marking the second time in just four weeks that the venue hosts a PGA Tour tournament.
The tournament boasts a significant purse of $20 million, with $4 million going to the winner. As the third signature event of the PGA Tour season, it has attracted a star-studded field including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and recent AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Rory McIlroy. While tournament host Tiger Woods has withdrawn from competition, the event still features many top international and American players.
Weather conditions are expected to play a significant role in the tournament. The forecast predicts rain and wind for the first two rounds, with a Flood Watch in effect for the San Diego County Coastal regions. Thursday and Friday are likely to see temperatures around 60°F (15°C) with wind gusts up to 16 MPH. The wet conditions are expected to make the already challenging 7,765-yard South Course even more demanding for players.
However, the weather is anticipated to improve over the weekend, with drier conditions and lighter winds forecast for Saturday and Sunday. This change in weather could significantly impact playing strategies and scoring as the tournament progresses.
Chubb Classic - PGA Tour Champions - Tiburon Golf Club - Naples, FL
The 2025 Chubb Classic, presented by SERVPRO, is set to take place beginning tomorrow at Tiburón Golf Club’s Black Course in Naples, Florida. This event marks the 38th consecutive year that Naples has hosted this PGA TOUR Champions tournament, making it the longest-standing event held in one metropolitan area on the tour.
The tournament will feature a star-studded field of 78 players competing for a share of the $1.8 million purse over 54 holes. Among the notable participants are World Golf Hall of Fame members Fred Couples, Ernie Els, and Bernhard Langer. The field also includes several past champions, such as defending champion Stephen Ames, five-time winner Bernhard Langer, and two-time winner Fred Couples.
This year’s event promises to be particularly exciting as Bernhard Langer, now 67 years old, aims for his sixth Chubb Classic title and his 48th win on the PGA TOUR Champions. The field is impressive, boasting 52 PGA TOUR winners, 11 major champions from the PGA TOUR, and 16 major winners from the PGA TOUR Champions.
LIV Golf Adelaide - LIV Golf - The Grange Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia
The LIV Golf Adelaide 2025 is set to take place beginning Friday at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, South Australia. This event marks the second tournament of the 2025 LIV Golf League season and has quickly become one of the most anticipated stops on the tour. The Grange Golf Club, founded in 1926, features two internationally rated 18-hole courses, with the East Course designed by Greg Norman hosting the competition.
The tournament will follow LIV Golf's innovative format, featuring 54 holes of play over three days with no cuts and shotgun starts. Fifty-four of the world's top golfers, including Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau, and local favorite Cameron Smith, will compete for a $25 million purse. The event is expected to draw over 100,000 spectators, making it one of Australia's most talked-about sporting events.
Temperatures during the tournament in Adelaide are expected to reach as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
Upcoming: The Masters Tournament (April 7 - 13, 2025)
Upcoming: The U.S. Open Golf Championship (June 12 -15, 2025)
Upcoming: Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS

Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE