Planet Golf News for Thursday, November 14, 2024

Caitlin Clark 'larger than life' among legends at The Annika pro-am | McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai | Looking to cap special season, Nelly Korda returns after issue with migraines, neck injury

Thursday, November 14, 2024

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 (or so)

Good Morning,

The golf world is buzzing with action as players strive to cap their seasons with memorable finishes, while exciting stories from tournaments across the globe bring fresh highlights to fans. In the LPGA, Nelly Korda’s return to competition has captivated attention. After being sidelined by migraines and a neck injury, Korda is back on the course, determined to end her successful year with a strong performance at the $11 million season finale in Naples. Known for her poise, Korda is ready to contend in the Race to CME Globe, wrapping up a season that’s already earned her LPGA Player of the Year honors.

Meanwhile, basketball star Caitlin Clark is stealing the spotlight in her LPGA debut at the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge Pro-Am. The WNBA sensation brought her talent—and humor—to the tournament, even laughing off a wayward tee shot. Clark, who plays golf as a hobby with a 16 handicap, impressed the crowd with her love for the game, mingling with fans and showcasing the broader appeal of women’s sports. Her participation with legends like Annika Sorenstam and Nelly Korda is not only a boost for golf but also a signal of the growing visibility of women’s sports.

Over in Bermuda, players on the PGA Tour are contending with fierce winds and intense pressure at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Held at the picturesque Port Royal Golf Course, this penultimate event offers a crucial chance for players on the FedEx Cup bubble to secure their PGA Tour cards for next season. Among them are Joel Dahmen, Daniel Berger, and Hayden Springer, all vying to keep their tour status intact. With gusts reaching up to 35 mph, the weather is adding another layer of challenge, putting even the strongest players to the test. Defending champion Camilo Villegas returns to Bermuda, adding emotion to the event after last year’s triumph amid personal tragedy. The tournament offers a hefty $6.9 million purse, with $1.242 million going to the winner, making it one of the final opportunities for players to climb the standings.

In Dubai, the DP World Tour Championship is underway, where Rory McIlroy needs just a solo 11th place to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title. McIlroy enters with high expectations as he chases yet another career milestone, all while major champions like Adam Scott and Justin Rose add star power to the field. With a $3 million prize on the line, this season-ending event also offers a $6 million bonus pool, adding to the drama as top players from around the world vie for PGA Tour cards for 2025. McIlroy, reflecting on a season marked by near-misses in majors, seems ready to leave his mark on a year that he candidly rates as “solid but stinging.”

Another significant update in golf involves the ongoing debate around Ryder Cup player compensation. Reports suggest that the U.S. Ryder Cup players may receive $400,000 each for participating in the 2025 event. The news has reignited discussions about balancing tradition with the financial reality of modern sports, with European players generally favoring pride over pay. This development follows a growing trend in professional sports where athletes are increasingly advocating for direct compensation.

On the LIV Golf front, the league has announced its expanded 2025 schedule, featuring ten events, including tournaments in new locations like Korea and Indianapolis. The event in Indiana is expected to bring an economic impact of up to $29 million, reflecting LIV’s focus on creating fan experiences and promoting local engagement. This ambitious schedule marks LIV’s continued push for global growth as it competes with traditional tours.

From junior golf to the Korn Ferry Tour, golf’s future stars are also making waves. Stanford alum Karl Vilips was named the Korn Ferry Tour’s Rookie of the Year, while Matt McCarty took Player of the Year honors, both securing PGA Tour status for next season. This new generation of players, including high school prodigies benefiting from NIL deals, shows that the talent pool is deeper than ever.

With both legends and rising stars taking the stage, the current season’s end promises thrilling stories, fierce competition, and perhaps a few surprises along the way.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Dahmen, Berger headline bubble boys fighting for PGA Tour cards

Butterfield Bermuda Championship - PGA Tour - Port Royal Golf Course - Southampton Parish, Bermuda

The 2024 Butterfield Bermuda Championship tees off today at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton Parish, Bermuda. This PGA Tour event marks the penultimate tournament of the 2024 season, with players vying for crucial FedEx Cup points and Tour cards for the 2025 season.

The tournament carries significant weight for many participants, as it’s one of the last opportunities for players to secure their position in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings, which guarantees full-time PGA Tour status for next year. Notable players on the bubble include Hayden Springer, currently sitting at No. 125, and others like Joel Dahmen, Daniel Berger, and Alex Smalley, who are just inside the cutoff.

Camilo Villegas returns as the defending champion, having won last year’s event in an emotional victory following personal tragedy. The field also includes other past Bermuda champions such as Seamus Power, Lucas Herbert, and Brendon Todd.

Weather is expected to play a significant role in this year’s tournament. Strong winds with sustained speeds of 20-25 mph and gusts up to 35 mph are forecast for the opening round, potentially making scoring difficult. The challenging conditions are likely to continue throughout the event, with an organized weather system bringing potentially heavy rain and gusty winds expected to arrive Friday night into Saturday morning.

The tournament boasts a purse of $6.9 million, with $1.242 million going to the winner along with 500 FedEx Cup points. Port Royal Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, will host the event for the sixth consecutive year. The par-71 course stretches 6,828 yards and typically allows for low scoring, though the expected windy conditions may change that this year.

As the PGA Tour season nears its conclusion, the Butterfield Bermuda Championship promises to be a crucial and potentially dramatic event, with players battling both the elements and each other in pursuit of victory and Tour status.

Butterfield Bermuda Championship Stories

Caitlin Clark tees it up with Nelly Korda, proves she is human

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican - LPGA - Pelican Golf Club - Belleair, FL

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge, the penultimate event on the LPGA Tour schedule, is set to begin today at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. This prestigious tournament has attracted a star-studded field, including 18 of the top 25 players in the world rankings.

One of the highlights of the event was yesterday’s Pro-Am, which featured an unexpected guest: WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old basketball phenom joined world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda and tournament host Annika Sorenstam for a nine-hole round that drew significant attention from spectators. Clark’s participation brought a buzz to the course, with crowds lining up to watch her play and seek autographs afterward.

Despite her limited golfing experience, Clark held her own on the course, even sinking a putt from what she jokingly referred to as “3-point range.” Her presence at the event has been seen as a positive step for women’s golf, bringing additional attention and potentially new fans to the sport.

Nelly Korda, who is making her return to competitive golf after a minor neck injury, praised Clark’s relaxed demeanor and natural talent on the course. Korda herself is looking to cap off a successful season, having already clinched LPGA Player of the Year honors and leading the Race to CME Globe standings.

As the tournament proper begins, all eyes will be on the world-class field competing for victory in this important late-season event. With its mix of top-ranked players, special guests, and a challenging course, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge promises to deliver exciting golf action in the lead-up to the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

The ANNIKA Stories

The ANNIKA Videos

McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai

DP World Tour Championship - DP World Tour - Jumeirah Golf Estates - Dubai, UAE

The DP World Tour Championship, the season-ending event of the DP World Tour, is set to tee off at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE today. This prestigious tournament marks the culmination of the Race to Dubai and features the top 50 available players in the season-long standings.

Rory McIlroy enters the event as the clear favorite, holding a commanding lead in the Race to Dubai rankings. The Northern Irishman needs only a solo 11th place finish or better to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title, which would equal Seve Ballesteros’ record. McIlroy’s closest challenger, Thriston Lawrence, must win the tournament outright and hope for McIlroy to finish lower than 11th to have any chance of overtaking him.

The field is stacked with talent, including major champions Adam Scott, Justin Rose, and Shane Lowry. Other notable players include Tommy Fleetwood, Billy Horschel, and Robert MacIntyre. However, some high-profile names will be absent, including last year’s champion Nicolai Højgaard, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Jon Rahm, who qualified but chose not to participate.

The tournament carries significant weight beyond the prestigious trophy and the $3 million winner’s prize. The top 10 finishers in the Race to Dubai standings will share a $6 million bonus pool, with the overall winner receiving $2 million. Additionally, the top 10 DP World Tour members not otherwise exempt will earn PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season, adding extra motivation for many in the field.

DP World Tour Championship Stories

DP World Tour Championship Videos

The Ryder Cup (Sept 22-28, 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.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE