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Planet Golf News for Thursday, March 6, 2025
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is here, and with it comes a field so stacked it might as well be the leaderboard at a major.
PGN News Team
March 06, 2025
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Thursday, March 6, 2025
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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is here, and with it comes a field so stacked it might as well be the leaderboard at a major. Scottie Scheffler is the odds-on favorite because, well, he’s Scottie Scheffler. Rory McIlroy is lurking, as always, while Sungjae Im and Will Zalatoris are set to make things interesting. With a $20 million purse, everyone is bringing their A-game—or at least hoping to.
Speaking of Bay Hill, someone decided that Arnold Palmer’s vision needed a little tweaking, so they went ahead and removed the 17th hole’s famous beach bunker. Now, instead of an iconic hazard, we get some rough and a water hazard moved closer to the green. Golf course architect Brandon Johnson, who actually worked with Palmer, is not thrilled. Palmer himself rejected this change back in 2009, but hey, times change, right?
Elsewhere, young gun Jackson Koivun has a golden opportunity to grab a PGA Tour card if he can finish in the top 10 this week. No pressure, kid. Meanwhile, Jason Day has decided he liked his old swing coach better and has re-teamed with Colin Swatton after a few years apart. Nothing like going back to the guy who helped you become a major winner when things get a little off track.
Rory McIlroy, never one to shy away from an opinion, spoke about pretty much everything in his press conference. He’s not convinced that a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is necessary for survival, is fine with increased player-caddie interactions on broadcasts, and is making some club changes to dial in his game. Oh, and he’s not a fan of switching the Tour Championship to match play.
Scottie Scheffler, in a rare moment of human vulnerability, admitted he lost a side bet to a 10-handicap buddy. If that’s not the kind of golf story we love to hear, what is? He’s still the defending champ this week, though, and probably not too concerned about that friendly loss.
Meanwhile, Ludvig Åberg continues to be the Next Big Thing, leading the early FedExCup standings and getting ready for the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship. The Swedish phenom is ranked fourth in the world and has all the confidence to back it up.
Over at the Puerto Rico Open, Max Kennedy is making his PGA Tour debut and eyeing a hefty paycheck. He’s fresh off a collegiate win and hoping to turn that momentum into a breakthrough performance.
On the LPGA side, Jeeno Thitikul is on a ridiculous streak of nine straight top-10 finishes and aiming for a tenth at the Blue Bay LPGA. She’s been in the top three all season and just casually leads the tour in scoring average and strokes gained putting. No big deal. Meanwhile, Kim A-lim, already a winner this season, is ready to contend again in China before the LPGA heads back to the U.S. for a packed major season.
Speaking of Blue Bay, the field includes past winners like Minjee Lee and Gaby Lopez, as well as rising stars like Ruoning Yin. The $2.5 million purse is up for grabs, but more importantly, it’s another chance for players to gain crucial Race to the CME Globe points.
On the PGA Tour Champions circuit, the Cologuard Classic is back in Tucson, bringing a loaded field of past champions and top-ranked veterans like Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington. The event also highlights the “Pairings with a Pro” initiative, supporting colon cancer patients and survivors.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing soap opera that is LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson has been more focused on Michelin-starred meals in Hong Kong than actual golf, Bryson DeChambeau is trying to figure out how to adapt his bomb-and-gouge game to a short course, and Dylan Naidoo is looking to build on his recent South African Open win as he preps for the Joburg Open.
In the world of golf’s biggest legend, Tiger Woods is still uncertain about his return to competition following the passing of his mother. The Players Championship seems unlikely, and given everything he’s dealing with, golf understandably isn’t the top priority right now.
And speaking of The Players, TPC Sawgrass is getting ready to host its annual spectacle with a $25 million purse, a loaded field, and that infamous island-green 17th hole waiting to shatter dreams. Defending champ Scottie Scheffler will be there, hoping to add another title to his collection.
On the LPGA leadership front, former Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is a candidate for the commissioner role, sparking mixed reactions. While he did great things for women’s tennis, his handling of the Pac-12 left much to be desired. If the LPGA wants financial stability, he might be an asset—but the cautionary tales from his Pac-12 days are hard to ignore.
Finally, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf drama continues. Jay Monahan admitted that while talks with LIV and the Saudi PIF have been “constructive,” they’re also nowhere near a deal. Rory McIlroy, in his usual blunt manner, said he thinks things are actually going backward. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, despite rumors, says he’s staying put with LIV—at least until his contract is up in 2026.
So, in short: The best golfers in the world are fighting for big money, the PGA Tour-LIV Golf saga remains a mess, Scottie Scheffler lost a bet, Rory McIlroy has opinions, and Tiger Woods is still on the fence about his return. Just another day in golf.
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
No day at the beach: Bay Hill removes waterside bunker on No. 17
Arnold Palmer Invitational - PGA Tour - Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge - Orlando, FL
The 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, a prestigious PGA Tour event, is set to begin today at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. This signature tournament, featuring a $20 million purse, will bring together the world's top golfers to compete on the challenging 7,466-yard par-72 course.
Max Kennedy eyes up $720,000 payday on PGA Tour debut as he looks to make his mark
Puerto Rico Open - PGA Tour - Grand Reserve Country Club - Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
The 2025 Puerto Rico Open, marking its 17th edition, begins today at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. This PGA Tour event serves as an alternate tournament to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, offering an opportunity for rising stars and lower-ranked players to compete for a $4 million prize purse and 300 FedEx Cup points.
Kim A-lim looks to continue hot streak at Blue Bay LPGA
Blue Bay LPGA - Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course - Hainan Island, China
The Blue Bay LPGA is underway at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island, China. This prestigious event on the LPGA Tour, which boasts a $2.5 million purse, will feature some of the world’s top female golfers. The tournament is held at a stunning coastal venue designed by Mark Hollinger, offering a challenging tropical links-style course with firm paspalum grass, scenic views of Lingshui Bay, and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards.
John Daly Issues Important Health Update After 'Emergency Hand Surgery' Forced Him Out of Seniors Tour Events
Cologuard Classic - PGA Tour Champions - La Paloma Country Club - Tucson, AZ
The 2025 Cologuard Classic, part of the PGA TOUR Champions, begins tomorrow at the La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona. This prestigious event features a 78-player field competing over three days (March 7–9) in a no-cut format for a $2.2 million purse, with $330,000 and 330,000 Charles Schwab Cup points awarded to the winner.
Can Bryson win on a 6,700-yard course? Time to find out
LIV Golf Hong Kong - LIV - Hong Kong Golf Club - Fanling, Hong Kong
The LIV Golf Hong Kong 2025 tournament is set to take place beginning tomorrow at the historic Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. This marks the second consecutive year the event will be hosted at this venue, following its successful debut in 2024. The competition features a 54-hole individual stroke play format, with 54 players divided into 13 teams of four, along with two wildcard entries. The total prize pool is $25 million, with $20 million allocated for individual competitors and $5 million for team performances.
Joburg Open - DP World Tour - Houghton Golf Club - Johannesburg, South Africa
The 2025 Joburg Open, part of the DP World Tour, is set to take place beginning today at the Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. This tournament marks the final stop of the tour’s International Swing and offers a purse of $1.1 million, with the winner expected to take home $190,000. Houghton Golf Club, a par-70 course stretching 7,227 yards, is known for its tree-lined fairways, undulating terrain, and high-altitude conditions that allow the ball to travel farther. The course has a rich history, having hosted several prestigious events like the South African Open and the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
Astara Chile Classic pres. by Scotiabank - Korn Ferry Tour - Prince of Wales Country Club - Santiago, Chile
The Astara Chile Classic presented by Scotiabank beginning today at the Prince of Wales Country Club in Santiago, Chile. This tournament marks the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour's international events for the season and is the fifth time the Prince of Wales Country Club has hosted the event.
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