Planet Golf News for Thursday, February 27, 2025

Webb Simpson WDs from Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches | Countdown underway for players to crack top 50 in the world and earn Masters invites | Tom Kim admits he's struggling with pace of play | TGL has been a success in Year 1 but a potential playoff issue looms

Thursday, February 27, 2025

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

If you had told me a year ago that a bunch of golf pros whacking balls into a simulator on primetime TV would be a hit, I probably would have laughed. But here we are—TGL, the brainchild of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, is thriving. Well, mostly. The league has grown its international reach and drawn in some big names, but there’s a tiny little problem: both of its co-founders might not even make the playoffs. Imagine launching a league, hyping it up, and then realizing you might have to watch the playoffs from your couch. Rory’s team needs a win and some serious help elsewhere, making this whole “simulated golf” thing feel a little too real—just like those of us who need multiple lucky breaks to cash in on a parlay.

While TGL sorts out its star power problem, the LPGA is dealing with a different kind of shake-up. Annika Sorenstam is throwing her weight behind former Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott for the league’s top job. On one hand, the guy has experience with women’s sports and securing big sponsorships from his time running the WTA. On the other hand, his Pac-12 tenure ended in a spectacular media rights disaster. So, sure, he could bring some serious money moves to the LPGA, or he could turn it into the next conference realignment casualty. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see if the LPGA is willing to roll the dice.

Over on the PGA Tour, the Florida Swing is kicking off with the Cognizant Classic, where a full field of 144 players will try to survive PGA National’s Champion Course and its infamous “Bear Trap.” Some big names, including Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, and Daniel Berger, are in desperate need of a win. Spieth is still recovering from wrist surgery, Berger is clawing his way back after a long injury layoff, and Fowler is trying to figure out if his mini-resurgence from last year wasn’t just a fluke. Meanwhile, Shane Lowry is still trying to win anything since 2019, and Luke Clanton—an amateur—is attempting to earn a PGA Tour card. No pressure.

Webb Simpson, however, won’t be teeing it up after withdrawing for undisclosed reasons. That means Mason Andersen, who’s missed the cut in three of four events this year, gets another shot. Good luck, kid.

Speaking of elite fields, the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore has nine of the world’s top ten players, no cut, and a defending champion in Hannah Green looking to go back-to-back. Lydia Ko, meanwhile, is reassuring the world she’s sticking with golf over modeling—because that was a real concern, apparently. And Charley Hull is confused about why people think she’s retiring. It turns out that’s actually Lexi Thompson, but sure, ask Charley about it instead.

Elsewhere, the DP World Tour is in South Africa for the Investec SA Open, where Dean Burmester is trying to defend his title, while Korn Ferry Tour players are battling it out in Argentina for a shot at a PGA Tour card and a coveted spot in The Open. The road to Augusta is heating up, too, with players scrambling for world ranking points before the Masters field gets finalized. And just in case you forgot, the Ryder Cup is only 212 days away, and Keegan Bradley is already in full “fire up the troops” mode, declaring the U.S. team is heading to Bethpage Black to “kick their f—–g ass.” Subtle.

On the lighter side, Sam’s Club is now selling golf balls, presumably to rival Costco’s Kirkland brand. The warehouse club golf wars have officially begun. Meanwhile, the Epson Tour is embracing electric pushcarts to level the playing field for players who can’t afford full-time caddies, and Tom Kim is battling pace-of-play issues by leaning into the TGL shot clock.

And finally, Tiger Woods still has lifetime exemptions into The Masters, the PGA Championship, and The Open, but he’ll have to qualify for the U.S. Open the old-fashioned way—unless, of course, the USGA just hands him a special invite. Which, let’s be honest, is probably going to happen.

That’s the day in golf—simulated, real, and everything in between.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Webb Simpson WDs from Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches

Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches - PGA Tour - PGA National Resort & Spa - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, a prestigious PGA Tour event, is set to tee off today at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This tournament marks the beginning of the PGA Tour's Florida Swing and promises to deliver exciting golf action. The event will take place on the challenging Champion Course, a 7,167-yard par-71 layout that has previously hosted major tournaments including a Ryder Cup and a PGA Championship.

A full field of 144 players will compete for a substantial purse of $9,200,000, with the winner taking home $1,656,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points. Defending champion Austin Eckroat returns to the tournament where he secured his first PGA Tour victory last year. The field also includes notable players such as Russell Henley, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Billy Horschel, and Sungjae Im.

Golf enthusiasts can watch the tournament on various platforms, including Golf Channel, NBC, and streaming services like ESPN+ and Disney+. Coverage begins each day at 6:45 AM ET, offering fans extensive viewing options including main feed, marquee group, featured groups, and featured holes.

HSBC Women’s World Championship - LPGA - Sentosa Golf Club - Singapore, Singapore

The HSBC Women's World Championship, often referred to as "Asia's Major," is set to begin today at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. This prestigious LPGA Tour event will run until March 2, featuring a star-studded field of 66 top-ranked international players competing over 72 holes on the Tanjong Course. Nine of the world's top 10 golfers are expected to participate, including notable names such as Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko, and Lilia Vu.

The tournament boasts a substantial purse of $2.4 million, with the winner taking home $270,000. As a limited-field event, there is no cut, ensuring all players complete all four rounds. The championship has been a fixture on the LPGA Tour since 2008 and has been held at Sentosa Golf Club since 2013.

Players will face challenging weather conditions throughout the tournament, with forecasts predicting mostly cloudy skies, high temperatures around 30°C, and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. High humidity levels and occasional gusty winds may also impact play, requiring golfers to adapt to changing conditions.

The defending champion, Hannah Green from Australia, will be looking to retain her title after her exciting victory in 2024. However, she'll face stiff competition from a field that includes multiple past champions and in-form players like Patty Tavatanakit, who enters the tournament on a hot streak after winning her previous two events.

Investec SA Open Championship - DP World Tour - Durban CC - Durban, South Africa

The Investec South African Open Championship, the second oldest national open in golf, is set to begin today at the iconic Durban Country Club. This prestigious event, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour, marks the penultimate stop on the DP World Tour's International Swing. The tournament returns to Durban Country Club for the first time since 2010, following extensive renovations to the course.

Dean Burmester returns as the defending champion, having secured an emotional victory last year. He will face stiff competition from a strong field of both local and international players, including Major winner Charl Schwartzel and rising stars like Ryan van Velzen and Jayden Schaper.

The par-72 Durban Country Club course, measuring 6,691 yards, has undergone significant changes, including redesigned holes, rebuilt greens, and the addition of new bunkers. Its coastal location and tree-lined fairways promise to challenge players' course management skills, especially if the winds pick up from the nearby Indian Ocean.

With a prize purse of $1.5 million and crucial Race to Dubai and Ryder Cup points on offer, the competition is expected to be fierce. The tournament also serves as part of The Open Qualifying Series, with three non-exempt players earning entry into The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

118 Visa Argentina Open pres. by Marco - Korn Ferry Tour - Jockey Club - Buenos Aires, Argentina

The 118 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro, a Korn Ferry Tour event, is set to begin today at the Jockey Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This tournament marks the fifth event of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season and is part of the Tour's Latin America swing. The event returns to the Jockey Club for the first time since 2019, featuring a field of 156 players competing for a purse of $1,000,000. The tournament will run until March 2, 2025.

The field includes three of the four 2025 Korn Ferry Tour winners so far: Hank Lebioda, Josh Teater, and Kyle Westmoreland. Lebioda currently leads the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List. The event also features nine PGA TOUR winners with a combined 18 victories, led by five-time TOUR winner Nick Watney. Additionally, 43 Korn Ferry Tour winners with a total of 60 wins are participating.

Three past champions of the Visa Argentina Open are returning to compete: Zack Fischer (2022), Jorge Fernández Valdés (2021), and Marcelo Rozo (2017). The defending champion from 2024, Mason Andersen, set the 72-hole scoring record of 262 along with Kris Ventura.

The Jockey Club course is a par 70 layout measuring 6,803 yards. The tournament holds significance as it continues the tradition of awarding its champion an exemption for The Open Championship, in partnership with The R&A. This event is crucial for players aiming to secure PGA TOUR cards for the 2026 season, as the top 20 players on the season-long points list at the end of the 26-event Korn Ferry Tour season will earn their cards.

Upcoming: The Masters Tournament (April 7 - 13, 2025)

Upcoming: Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

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What’s in the Bag (WITB)

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UPCOMING TOURS

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