Planet Golf News for Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Three Things to Know for the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship | Five Things to Know About the 2024 LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei | Harrington determined to beat Father Time

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PGN News Team
November 05, 2024

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf is as vibrant as ever, with intriguing tournament moments, unexpected crime-solving adventures, and thrilling season finales unfolding across tours.

At the PGA’s American Express Tournament, players were treated to six of the easiest holes on tour this year, contributing to an atmosphere of low scores and high excitement. The course lineup at La Quinta and the Nicklaus Tournament Course was welcoming, but the star of the show was the par-5 fifth hole at the Plantation Course, with a scoring average of just over four strokes. This accessibility, balanced by other more demanding holes, made for a fascinating display of strategic play.

Meanwhile, north of the border, an unusual golf-related crime ring was cracked by Ontario police, who recently uncovered 18 stolen golf carts valued at $200,000. The thefts, which began in 2021, involved GPS tracking and led to some bizarre discoveries, including Pokémon cards and cannabis, proving that golf isn’t immune to quirky crime.

On a more competitive front, the World Wide Technology Championship is set to bring players back to Cabo San Lucas at Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal course, kicking off November 7. As part of the FedExCup Fall series, this tournament is a crucial opportunity for players vying to secure their PGA Tour cards for 2025. Erik van Rooyen returns as the defending champion, hoping to replicate his powerful back-nine 28 finish from last year. Notables like Cameron Young and Lucas Glover join the field, fighting for a piece of the $7.2 million purse and a coveted place among the FedExCup top 125.

For LPGA fans, the LOTTE Championship is landing in Hawaii at the scenic Hoakalei Country Club. The November move adds a fresh twist, with top LPGA players, including defending champion Grace Kim and past winner Brooke Henderson, competing for a heightened $3 million purse. As players take on this challenging Ernie Els-designed course, the dramatic Pacific Ocean backdrop and the lure of victory make for a picturesque yet intense competition.

The Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the season finale for PGA Tour Champions, brings together legends like Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and Stephen Ames in Phoenix. This high-stakes event wraps up a 28-tournament season, with the 72-hole format offering the top senior golfers a chance to win both the event and the overall season title. Phoenix Country Club, a course rich in history, hosts this exciting finale, promising fierce competition among the game’s greatest veterans.

In a monumental shift, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will launch the DP World Tour’s first playoff event this month at Yas Links. Rory McIlroy and other top players are in the mix, vying for a cut of the $9 million purse and valuable Race to Dubai points as they prepare for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. The move from January to November, along with Yas Links’ striking coastal layout, brings fresh excitement to this high-profile Rolex Series event.

With championships, strategic plays, and golf lore filling the air, the final weeks of 2024 promise plenty of action for fans to savor as we look ahead to the new year in golf.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

One golf tournament had six of the easiest holes on the PGA Tour this year. Which one?

The American Express tournament featured six of the easiest holes on the PGA Tour in 2024, with notable par-5s at La Quinta Country Club and the Nicklaus Tournament Course achieving low scoring averages. The easiest hole was the par-5 fifth at the Plantation Course, averaging 4.106. The low scoring at the tournament is attributed to these accessible holes, despite the presence of some challenging ones as well.

Pokemon cards, pot and $200K in stolen golf carts: How Canadian police solved a crime ring

Ontario police have solved a crime ring involving the theft of over 250 golf carts from various courses since 2021. A recent raid uncovered 18 stolen golf carts valued at nearly $200,000, along with rare trading cards and cannabis. GPS trackers on the carts aided in their recovery, but many carts are believed to have been sold on the black market, driven by increased demand during the pandemic.

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

2024 World Wide Technology Championship Full Field: Three Fall Events Remain

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

The PGA Tour returns from a one-week break with the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship, taking place at El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This marks the second year the tournament will be held at this Tiger Woods-designed course, which opened in 2014.

The event, scheduled for November 7-10, is part of the FedExCup Fall series and is crucial for players looking to secure their PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season. With only three events remaining in the fall schedule, those on the bubble will be fighting to finish in the top 125 of the FedExCup standings.

Erik van Rooyen returns as the defending champion, having won last year’s tournament with an emotional victory that included a spectacular back-nine 28 in the final round. The field of 120 players includes notable names such as Cameron Young, the highest-ranked player at World No. 32, along with Lucas Glover, Matt Kuchar, and Harris English.

The purse for this year’s tournament is $7.2 million, with the winner set to receive $1.296 million. This represents a decrease from last year’s $8.2 million purse, reflecting changes in the PGA Tour’s fall series structure.

El Cardonal, a par-72 layout measuring 7,452 yards, features wide fairways, numerous bunkers, and challenging greens. The course is known for its strategic design, requiring players to think carefully about their shot selection, especially on the back nine.

Golf Channel will broadcast all four rounds of the tournament from 2-5 p.m. ET each day. As the season winds down, this event provides an important opportunity for players to improve their standing and secure their futures on the PGA Tour.

World Wide Technology Championship Stories

Who is playing the 2024 Lotte Championship? Full field explored

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

The 2024 LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei is set to take place from November 6-9 at the Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. This marks a significant change in the tournament’s schedule, as it moves to November for the first time. The event, which has been part of the LPGA Tour since 2012, will feature a purse of $3 million, an increase from previous years.

The tournament will be played on the Ernie Els-designed Hoakalei Country Club course, which is hosting the event for the third consecutive year. At 7,413 yards, it is the longest course in Hawaii and offers challenging play with its lush greens, beautiful lakes, and 112 strategically placed bunkers. The par-72 course is set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, providing a stunning setting for the competition.

A field of 120 professional golfers will compete over four days for the championship title and their share of the prize money. Notable players expected to participate include defending champion Grace Kim, former winners Brooke M. Henderson and Jin Young Ko, as well as other top LPGA Tour players.

Golf enthusiasts can watch the action live on the Golf Channel or through the NBC Sports app from 7 PM to 10 PM (EST) each day of the tournament.

LOTTE Championship Stories

Bubble watch: With two weeks left, see who's making moves in CME points race with $4 million winner's check at stake

As the CME Group Tour Championship approaches, Marina Alex has secured her spot in the event after a strong performance in Japan, while several players are making moves in the points race for the $4 million winner's check. The tournament features an increased purse of $11 million, and only two events remain before the cutoff. Players like Hyo Joo Kim and Alexa Pano are on the rise, while others like Hinako Shibuno and Gaby Lopez are struggling to maintain their positions in the top 60 qualifying for the championship.

Charles Schwab Cup Championship field is set, headlined by Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington

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

The 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship, the season finale of the PGA Tour Champions, is set to take place from November 7-10 at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona. This prestigious event marks the culmination of a 28-tournament season and serves as the final leg of a three-event postseason series.

The tournament features a field of 36 top senior golfers who have qualified based on their performance throughout the year. Unlike regular PGA Tour Champions events, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship is contested over 72 holes, making it one of only six tournaments on the senior circuit to use this format.

Heading into the championship, Ernie Els leads the Charles Schwab Cup points race with three wins in 2024. He’s followed closely by Steven Alker, the 2022 season champion, and Stephen Ames, who also has three victories this year. Other notable contenders include Padraig Harrington and Y.E. Yang.

The event not only determines the winner of the tournament itself but also crowns the season-long Charles Schwab Cup champion. Interestingly, it’s possible for one player to win the tournament while another claims the overall Schwab Cup title, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.

Phoenix Country Club, which has hosted the event since 2017, will continue to serve as the venue through 2032. The course, located in central Phoenix, has a rich history in professional golf, having previously hosted the Phoenix Open for many years.

As the PGA Tour Champions season reaches its climax, golf fans can look forward to four days of intense competition featuring some of the most accomplished players in the game. The Charles Schwab Cup Championship promises to deliver a fitting end to what has been an exciting year of senior golf.

Charles Schwab Championship Stories

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: Five things to know 

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

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is set to mark a significant milestone in the 2024 DP World Tour season, taking place from November 7-10 at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This prestigious Rolex Series event has undergone a major shift in its scheduling, moving from its traditional January slot to become the first of two season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs.

The tournament will feature the top 70 available players on the Race to Dubai rankings, competing for a share of the $9 million prize fund and crucial Race to Dubai points. As part of the new format, the top 50 players after this event will advance to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the following week.

Yas Links, designed by Kyle Phillips, will host the championship for the third time. The course, known for its true links-style layout in the Middle East, offers a challenging par-72, 7,425-yard setup with eight holes running along the Arabian Gulf coastline.

The field is star-studded, featuring nine of the top ten and eighteen of the top 20 players on the Race to Dubai. Rory McIlroy enters the tournament as the Race to Dubai leader, with a substantial points advantage over his closest competitors. Other notable participants include Major champions Adam Scott, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose, as well as Olympic Silver Medalist Tommy Fleetwood.

This year’s championship is not only crucial for determining the final standings in the Race to Dubai but also offers significant Ryder Cup points. The event promises to be highly competitive, with many players vying for a strong finish to secure their place in the DP World Tour Championship and improve their standing in various rankings.

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Stories

Today’s Best Golf Videos

Overheard in the Club House

Here are 5 of the biggest stories from men's college golf this fall, including the race for a PGA Tour card

The fall season of men's college golf concluded with notable stories, including the intense race for a PGA Tour card among top players like David Ford and Josele Ballester. Ole Miss emerged as the top-ranked team with impressive performances, while Alabama opened a state-of-the-art golf training facility. The competition for the Haskins Award is heating up, and the potential for a player to shoot in the 50s is becoming more realistic. Overall, the season showcased significant achievements and developments in college golf.

Exclusive: 'Wentworth Club Is Not For Sale' - BMW PGA Championship Host Denies Saudi PIF Sale Report

Wentworth Club has denied reports of being sold to the Saudi Public Investment Fund, confirming it is not for sale and that the Reignwood Group remains committed to long-term investment in the club. The club is in good financial health and has no plans for additional investment. Reignwood has invested over £20 million since acquiring the club in 2014 and is focused on enhancing facilities, including renovations to the East Course and the development of a new golf academy. Wentworth Club continues to host the prestigious BMW PGA Championship and aims to be the world's premier private golf and country club.

Rickie Fowler's 1-minute flop shot lesson will sharpen your short game

Rickie Fowler offers essential tips for executing the perfect flop shot, emphasizing the importance of commitment, proper setup, and clubface control. He advises keeping weight forward, opening the clubface, and ensuring a smooth swing through impact to improve consistency in this challenging shot.

Season finales, awards and maybe Tiger and Charlie Woods: What remains over final two months in golf 2024

In the final two months of the 2024 golf season, key events include the PGA Tour's FedExCup Fall series, the LPGA's return to the U.S. for three tournaments, and the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai playoffs. Notable players like Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda are in contention for various awards, while Tiger Woods may make appearances at the Hero World Challenge and PNC Championship. Additional events include the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and Q-Schools for various tours.

8 Takeaways From Golf Monthly's Exclusive Interview With Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia reflects on his illustrious golf career, discussing his achievements, including being the all-time leading point scorer in the Ryder Cup and his aspirations for future competitions. He emphasizes the importance of family as his legacy, expresses confidence in winning another Major, and shares insights on his passion for golf course design, inspired by his favorite course, Valderrama. Garcia remains committed to qualifying for The Open and hopes to participate in more Ryder Cups.

Luke Clanton, Jackson Koivun highlight invitees to U.S. Walker Cup practice session in December

The U.S. Golf Association has invited 16 players, including top-ranked amateur Luke Clanton and reigning Player of the Year Jackson Koivun, to a Walker Cup practice session from December 14-16 in Florida. Captain Nathan Smith expressed excitement about the talented group, which includes seasoned veterans and emerging players. While the practice session offers a chance to impress, it does not guarantee selection for the team competing in the 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point, California, on September 6-7, 2025.

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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