Planet Golf News for Thursday, January 16, 2025

Los Angeles fires may force Tiger Woods' Genesis Invitational event to be moved | Dumping on TGL continues | TGL was most watched sporting event on Tuesday | Greg Norman officially out as LIV Golf CEO

Thursday, January 16, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Golf’s Week of Fire, Drama, and Tiger Woods Simulator Chaos

LA fires might force Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational out of its cozy Riviera nest this February. Because nothing says “elite golf” like scrambling to relocate a tournament on short notice. Tiger, ever the graceful host, is prioritizing those affected by the disaster, but we can’t ignore the question of where his marquee event will end up. Sherwood Country Club? Torrey Pines? Maybe just throw it in a parking lot with some nets? The PGA Tour says it’s too soon to panic, but we’re golfers – panicking is our cardio.

Meanwhile, over in LIV Land, Scott O’Neil has taken over as CEO, succeeding Greg Norman. O’Neil promises to continue LIV’s quest to “innovate” golf, which, if we’re being honest, mostly means arguing with the PGA Tour and throwing money around like confetti. With big talk about fan engagement and player rights, one wonders if he’ll be able to balance LIV’s flashy showmanship with, you know, golf.

Speaking of flashy, Tiger Woods’ debut in the TGL simulator league was a hit ratings-wise but stumbled everywhere else. The event had all the drama of a middle school science fair – amusing, but not exactly riveting. From glitchy tech to playful but hardly competitive matches, it’s clear TGL needs to figure out if it wants to be eSports for golf or just a fun Tuesday night hangout. Highlight of the night? Tiger laughing at Kevin Kisner’s bunker shank. If nothing else, at least we got some laughs out of it.

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy is back at the Dubai Desert Classic, trying to balance chasing history with “having fun” – which apparently includes visiting New Zealand and Borussia Dortmund games. He’s aiming for his fifth Dubai title, which sounds impressive until you remember he spent his break perfecting the art of doing nothing.

And let’s not forget the new kid on the block: 17-year-old Blades Brown skipped college to make his pro debut at the American Express. Yes, his name is Blades. Yes, he plays golf. No, you couldn’t make this up. Here’s hoping his game is as sharp as his name.

Finally, over in the Bahamas, Hank Lebioda claimed his first Korn Ferry Tour win with a dramatic playoff victory. He not only shattered the tournament scoring record but also to get back on track. If that doesn’t make you feel bad about complaining about your slice, nothing will.

So far it’s been a wild week in the golf world – fires, tech mishaps, and teenagers taking swings at history. Stay tuned, folks. Something tells me we’re just getting started.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Today’s Feature Golf Reads

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

TGL - PGA Tour - SoFi Stadium - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Tiger Woods' debut in the TGL golf league Tuesday night highlighted both its potential and its shortcomings, as the league showcased an entertaining atmosphere but struggled with competition and technology issues. Despite the fun moments, such as playful banter among players, the matches lacked a serious competitive edge, raising concerns about viewer engagement. Additionally, problems with the Full Swing simulator technology left players frustrated and affected gameplay, particularly with short-range shots and putting accuracy. To attract and retain golf fans, TGL must address these challenges quickly to fulfill its promise and establish a lasting presence in the golfing world.

TGL Stories from Wednesday

TGL Videos

2025 American Express

The American Express - PGA Tour - La Quinta Country Club - La Quinta, CA

The 2025 American Express tournament, part of the PGA Tour's West Coast swing, features 156 players competing across three golf courses—Pete Dye Stadium Course, La Quinta Country Club, and the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course—with a total purse of $8.8 million and a first-place prize of $1.584 million. The tournament begins with the first-round tee times today, and will be televised live on Golf Channel and ESPN+, offering extensive coverage throughout the event. Notably, defending champion Nick Dunlap will be competing, although top-ranked players Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have withdrawn from the tournament.

American Express Stories

American Express Videos

Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai - PGA Champions Tour - Hualalai Resort Golf Club, Kailua Kona, HI

The 2025 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai is set to kick off the PGA TOUR Champions season today at the Hualalai Golf Course in Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. This prestigious event, now in its 29th consecutive year at Hualalai, will feature a star-studded field of 42 players, including five World Golf Hall of Fame members: Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, and Retief Goosen. The tournament will also welcome recent Charles Schwab Cup winners Steven Alker and Steve Stricker, along with other notable major champions such as Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, and Miguel Angel Jiménez.

The event will be televised live on GOLF Channel for all three rounds, offering golf enthusiasts a chance to witness legends of the sport compete in a beautiful, one-of-a-kind venue. With a purse of $2,000,000 and the picturesque backdrop of the Big Island, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship promises to be an exciting start to the 2025 PGA TOUR Champions season.

Dubai Desert Classic: Rory McIlroy cuts out the noise as he returns to happy hunting ground

Hero Dubai Desert Classic - DP World Tour - Emirates Golf Club - Dubai, UAE

The 36th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a prestigious Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour, is set to begin today at the iconic Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, UAE. This tournament, which marks the beginning of the International Swing, boasts a stellar field of world-class golfers competing for a $9 million prize purse, with the winner taking home $1,530,000.

Headlining the event is two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy, who aims to secure a record-extending fifth Dubai title. He'll face stiff competition from a star-studded lineup including Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott, and Tyrrell Hatton, among others. The field also features several LIV Tour players and rising talents like Akshay Bhatia, adding to the event's allure.

The tournament will be played on the challenging Majlis course, a par-72 layout measuring 7,428 yards, known for its desert terrain and potential for windy conditions. As the first DP World Tour event to take place in the Gulf, the Dubai Desert Classic has been instrumental in establishing golf's presence in the Middle East and has produced some of the sport's most memorable moments.

Hero Dubai Desert Classic Videos

Hank Lebioda wins Korn Ferry Tour's season-opening Bahamas Golf Classic

The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis - Korn Ferry Tour - The Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

The 2025 The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island concluded yesterday afternoon with Hank Lebioda securing his first Korn Ferry Tour title in dramatic fashion. Lebioda finished the tournament tied at 18-under 262 with S.H. Kim, setting a new 72-hole tournament scoring record. The two players entered a sudden-death playoff, where Lebioda clinched victory with a birdie on the first extra hole, the par-4 18th. Lebioda's win came after a strong final round performance, shooting a 4-under 66 to overcome a four-stroke deficit and match the largest comeback in the tournament's history. Davis Shore finished in third place, just one shot behind the leaders. The event, which kicked off the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season, was played at The Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas, featuring a total purse of $1,000,000 with Lebioda earning the top prize of $180,000.

Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

Today’s Best Golf Videos

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.

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