Planet Golf News for Thursday, November 7, 2024

Cameron Young withdraws from 2024 World Wide Technology Championship | Angela Stanford Likely Making Final LPGA Tour Start at LOTTE Championship | Rory McIlroy ready to be ‘boring’ and win in Abu Dhabi as he aims to become ‘most successful European'

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PGN News Team
November 07, 2024

Thursday, November 7, 2024

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

The end of the 2024 golf season is heating up with a lineup of thrilling events, each with its own dramatic twists and high stakes. In Mexico, the World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal, a course designed by Tiger Woods, will test a field of 120 players looking to lock in valuable FedEx Cup Fall points. However, one of the top competitors, Cameron Young, unexpectedly withdrew, shaking up predictions and leaving Sean O’Hair as his replacement. Defending champion Erik van Rooyen returns to defend his title, recalling his unforgettable comeback win last year, when he scored an eagle on the 18th hole to secure victory. This tournament promises more drama and low scores, with wide fairways and large greens inviting players to go low, possibly even reaching the projected winning score of 25.5 under par.

Over in Hawaii, the LPGA’s LOTTE Championship kicks off with some of the world’s best female players competing at Hoakalei Country Club. With the season’s end approaching, points for the CME Globe are more precious than ever, and two-time LOTTE winner Brooke Henderson and past world No. 1 Jin Young Ko lead a strong field. Defending champ Grace Kim will attempt to join Henderson in securing back-to-back victories, while legendary golfer Angela Stanford likely makes her final LPGA Tour appearance, adding a sentimental storyline to the week.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour Champions heads to Phoenix for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the climactic event of their season-long points race. Golf icons Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, and Padraig Harrington are still in the running for the season title. Els holds the current lead, riding a stellar season with three wins, but defending champion Steven Alker is close behind, along with Stephen Ames, who has also had a memorable season. This playoff finale will determine who clinches the Schwab Cup and takes home a share of the impressive $3 million prize.

The DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship also offers plenty of intrigue. Rory McIlroy headlines a field vying for playoff points and the coveted Race to Dubai title. After spending weeks retooling his swing in a studio, McIlroy returns with a fresh approach and ambitious goals, including becoming the most successful European golfer in history. The Yas Links course will be a test of skill and strategy, with only the top 50 in the rankings advancing to the DP World Tour Championship, keeping everyone on edge as they fight to secure their spot.

Off the course, there’s a mix of fresh developments, like Tommy Fleetwood debuting a prototype TaylorMade putter after a disappointing season with his old one, and PXG’s new high-end pop-up apparel store targeting luxury shoppers beyond traditional golfers. And at Augusta National, post-hurricane restoration efforts are in full swing, with the club pledging to be ready for the 2025 Masters.

The golf world has no shortage of excitement this week. Each tournament brings unique challenges, whether it’s the high-stakes scramble in Mexico, Hawaii, or Phoenix, or the picturesque but tough conditions of Abu Dhabi. With big names, rising stars, and plenty of unpredictable elements in play, it’s a prime week for golf fans to tune in and follow the action.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Cameron Young withdraws from 2024 World Wide Technology Championship

Cameron Young has withdrawn from the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship in Los Cabos, Mexico, without providing a reason. He was a notable participant and one of the betting favorites. Young's last appearance was at the BMW Championship in August, where he finished tied for 43rd. Sean O'Hair will replace him in the tournament, which starts on Thursday with a total purse of $7.2 million.

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Best photos from the PGA Tour's 2024 World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico

World Wide Technology Championship - PGA Tour - El Cardonal at Diamante - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The 2024 World Wide Technology Championship is set to begin on Thursday, November 7th at El Cardonal Golf Course at Diamante in Mexico, marking the second year the tournament will be held at this Tiger Woods-designed course. With a purse of $7.2 million and $1.296 million going to the winner, the event has attracted a field of 120 players vying for crucial FedEx Cup Fall Series points. However, the tournament has seen a notable change in its lineup, with Cameron Young, initially the highest-ranked player at No. 33 in the Official World Golf Rankings, withdrawing from the event. Sean O’Hair has taken Young’s place, leaving Max Greyserman (No. 40) and Lucas Glover (No. 47) as the highest-ranked players in the field.

Defending champion Erik van Rooyen returns to the site of his dramatic victory last year, where he shot a remarkable 28 on the back nine on Sunday, including an eagle on the 18th hole. He’ll be aiming to become the first back-to-back winner since Viktor Hovland in 2020-21. Other players to watch include Nico Echavarria, fresh off his win at the ZOZO Championship, and Max Greyserman, who has secured three runner-up finishes in his last five starts. The tournament also presents a crucial opportunity for players like Lucas Glover, Beau Hossler, and Jhonattan Vegas, who are currently just outside the top 60 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, to improve their positions for the upcoming PGA Tour season.

El Cardonal’s wide fairways and large greens are expected to yield low scores once again, with oddsmakers setting the winning score proposition bet at 25.5 under par. This suggests another potential birdie fest similar to last year’s inaugural event at this course. As the FedEx Cup Fall Series nears its conclusion with only three events remaining, including this one, the pressure is mounting for players on the bubble. The current cutoff for the top 125 is held by Matt Wallace at No. 125, with Joel Dahmen just ahead at No. 124, and Joe Highsmith, Kevin Tway, and Alejandro Tosti occupying spots 126-128, respectively. With significant implications for the upcoming PGA Tour season, the World Wide Technology Championship promises an exciting week of golf in the picturesque setting of Los Cabos, Mexico.

World Wide Technology Championship Stories

World Wide Technology Championship Videos

Angela Stanford Likely Making Final LPGA Tour Start at LOTTE Championship

LOTTE Championship pres. by Hoakalei - LPGA - Hoakalei Country Club - Ewa Beach, HI

The 2024 LOTTE Championship is set to tee off at the Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. This $3 million LPGA Tour event features a strong field of 120 players competing over four days, with the tournament concluding on Saturday, November 9th. Notable contenders include former world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who is looking to capitalize on her recent strong performance at the TOTO Japan Classic, and two-time LOTTE Championship winner Brooke Henderson, aiming for her third victory at this event.

While the weather forecast shows a slight chance of rain throughout the tournament, it’s not expected to significantly impact play. The first round on Wednesday is predicted to have a maximum temperature of 85°F with northeast winds at 15 MPH and only a 12% chance of rain. As the tournament progresses, players will be vying not only for the substantial purse but also for crucial CME points as the LPGA Tour season nears its end. With defending champion Grace Kim in the field and looking to match Henderson’s back-to-back wins, along with other top players like Ayaka Furue and Hyo Joo Kim, the 2024 LOTTE Championship promises to be an exciting event with multiple storylines to follow.

LOTTE Championship Stories

LOTTE Championship Videos

2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship prize money payout: How much will each golfer take home from the $3 million prize purse?

Charles Schwab Cup Championship - PGA Tour Champions - Phoenix Country Club - Phoenix, AZ

The 2024 PGA TOUR Champions season is set to conclude with the highly anticipated Charles Schwab Cup Championship, taking place from November 7-10 at Phoenix Country Club in Arizona. This prestigious event marks the third and final tournament of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, featuring the top 35 players from the Charles Schwab Cup Points List competing for a $3 million purse, with the winner taking home $528,000.

As the tournament approaches, the race for the Charles Schwab Cup is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent years, with 11 golfers still in contention for the season-long prize. Ernie Els currently leads the standings, followed closely by Steven Alker, the defending champion of this event. Els has had an impressive season with three victories and $2,289,476 in earnings, while Alker sits in second place with $2,171,588. Other notable contenders include Stephen Ames and Padraig Harrington, both with three wins this season, as well as Steve Stricker, the 2023 Charles Schwab Cup winner, and six-time champion Bernhard Langer. Golf enthusiasts can catch the action live on Golf Channel and NBC, with daily coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT.

Charles Schwab Championship Stories

"My clubs were delivered this morning I was panicking yesterday"

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - DP World Tour - Yas Links - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the first of two DP World Tour playoff events, is set to tee off at Yas Links with a star-studded field vying for a share of the $9 million purse. World No. 3 Rory McIlroy headlines the event as he seeks to secure his sixth Race to Dubai title, holding a commanding lead in the standings over his nearest challengers, Thriston Lawrence and Rasmus Hojgaard. The Northern Irishman will be joined by other notable players including Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Adam Scott, all looking to make their mark in this prestigious Rolex Series event.

As the tournament marks the beginning of the season-ending playoffs, only the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai rankings after this week will advance to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. This adds an extra layer of intensity to the competition, with players not only battling for the iconic Falcon Trophy but also fighting to secure their spot in next week’s finale. The Kyle Phillips-designed Yas Links course, stretching nearly 7,500 yards, promises to provide a stern test for the field of 70 players, with its links-style layout offering a unique challenge in the heart of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Stories

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Videos

The Ryder Cup (Sept 22-28, 2025)

'If We Start Paying Them, We Risk Losing The Occasion To Greed And Narcissism'... Should Ryder Cup Players Be Paid To Compete?

The debate over whether Ryder Cup players should be paid to compete raises concerns about the integrity and spirit of the event. Currently, players receive no direct payment but may receive charitable donations or gifts. The author argues that participation should be seen as an honor, emphasizing that the Ryder Cup is about more than financial gain. With top golfers already earning substantial amounts, the focus should be on giving back to the sport and supporting grassroots initiatives rather than incentivizing participation with payments.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Tommy Fleetwood spotted with prototype TaylorMade putter in Abu Dhabi

Tommy Fleetwood has been spotted testing a new prototype TaylorMade putter in Abu Dhabi ahead of the HSBC Championship. Despite a successful year on the DP World Tour, Fleetwood's putting performance has declined on the PGA Tour, prompting him to experiment with this new equipment. The putter features characteristics similar to his previous model but incorporates TaylorMade's Pure Roll insert technology. Fleetwood confirmed he will use the new putter in the upcoming tournament.

Will non-golfers buy luxury golf apparel? PXG's new pop-up store is banking on it

PXG has launched its first pop-up apparel store in Scottsdale, Arizona, aiming to attract high-end customers, including non-golfers, by showcasing luxury golf apparel. The store is strategically located in a luxury mall to enhance brand visibility and awareness. PXG Apparel focuses on creating versatile luxury pieces suitable for both golf and everyday wear. The pop-up serves as a marketing opportunity during the peak golf season, with plans for special events and giveaways to engage customers and promote the brand.

Photos: Inside the merchandise shop at the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship

The merchandise shop at the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship features various brands, including Bridgestone, Straight Down, and Fairway & Greens. Located at the El Cardonal course in Los Cabos, Mexico, the shop offers championship merchandise, with popular items returning from last year. The event is notable for its scenic location and the involvement of Tiger Woods, who designed the course.

Overheard in the Club House

Rory McIlroy didn't like his golf swing's shape, so he locked himself inside for 3 weeks to improve it

Rory McIlroy, dissatisfied with the shape of his golf swing, dedicated three weeks to intensive practice in a swing studio, focusing on his mechanics without distractions. He aims to improve his backswing ahead of the 2025 season, with upcoming tournaments providing an opportunity to showcase these changes. McIlroy aspires to be the most successful European golfer, targeting more Race to Dubai wins and major championships in the future.

Fresh Drone Images Show Progress Of Augusta National Clean-Up Operation Following Hurricane Helene

Fresh drone images reveal the ongoing clean-up efforts at Augusta National Golf Club following Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage, including fallen trees and power outages. The club is working diligently to restore the course in time for the Masters, with notable changes around the 16th green and assurances from chairman Fred Ridley that the course will be ready before the 2025 Major season begins.

Rory McIlroy: Donald Trump presidency could 'clear the way' for PGA Tour/PIF deal

Rory McIlroy suggested that Donald Trump's potential return to the presidency could facilitate a deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which he believes is crucial for resolving ongoing tensions in golf. McIlroy noted that Trump's influence might help shift the priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice, which he previously identified as an obstacle to negotiations. Despite not having heard of any current agreements, he expressed hope that discussions could yield results soon.

Latest Official World Golf Ranking

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Latest FedExCup Standings

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UPCOMING TOURS

PGA TOUR Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LIV Golf Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LPGA Tour Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

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