Planet Golf News for Thursday, October 3, 2024

Rory McIlroy hopes for golf peace deal 'before year's end' | 2024 Presidents Cup ratings plummet, dwarfed by football and golf's majors | 'It’s devastating': John Daly loses home in Hurricane Helene

Thursday, October 3, 2024

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PGA Tour, LIV chiefs in same grouping; Rory McIlroy shares tee time

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

This week in golf is buzzing with action, drama, and a touch of nostalgia. Despite Hurricane Helene causing significant damage to his Clearwater Beach home, John Daly remains resilient and is set to compete at the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in Jacksonville. Daly’s determination to play, even after such personal turmoil, is a testament to his fighting spirit. The Furyk & Friends event is shaping up to be exciting, with notable names like Eric Axley, who’s bringing the momentum from an albatross-fueled qualifier. The $2.1 million purse is sure to make things even more intense over the weekend.

Over in Scotland, Rory McIlroy is optimistic about seeing a peace deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf before the year wraps up. His optimism, fueled by seeing PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV's Yasir Al-Rumayyan grouped together at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, is a glimmer of hope in golf’s ongoing civil war. However, not everyone shares Rory’s enthusiasm. Billy Horschel voiced surprise at the level of disinterest the golf divide has generated, with fans seemingly growing tired of the drama. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick’s attitude toward the PGA-LIV saga is even more blunt—he simply doesn’t care. Despite this ongoing tension, there's hope that the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, held at iconic courses like St. Andrews and Carnoustie, might help heal some wounds as players from both sides tee off together.

In other news, the 2024 Presidents Cup experienced a ratings slump, dwarfed by NFL games and major golf tournaments like the Masters. With just 1.37 million viewers tuning in on the final day, it’s clear that football fever is hard to compete with, even for a high-stakes golf event.

On a more somber note, the golf world mourns the passing of Susie Maxwell Berning, a trailblazer in women’s golf and a three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion. Berning, who passed away at 83, leaves behind a legacy of 11 LPGA titles and was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Her career was remarkable not just for her victories but for her balance of family life and professional golf, making her an inspiration for many.

As for the tournaments this week, the PGA Tour is alive and well at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. With a hefty purse of $7.6 million, the competition is fierce. Players like Nick Dunlap are catching the eye of bettors, while Matt McCarty will make his PGA Tour debut after an impressive year on the Korn Ferry Tour. Speaking of which, the Korn Ferry Tour Championship kicks off today, with players battling for those coveted PGA Tour cards. The stakes are high, and Sam Bennett, sitting at No. 30 on the Points List, has everything to play for as he looks to secure his spot among the top 30.

Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler has rolled into the Sanderson Farms Championship with some new gear in his bag, hoping it will give him an edge. Alongside playing golf, Fowler has also been dishing out parenting advice to fellow golfer Justin Thomas, reminding us that even the pros face their own sets of challenges off the course.

With all this happening, the golf world continues to prove that it’s not just about the game but the stories of perseverance, rivalry, and community that keep us watching. Whether it’s John Daly fighting through personal adversity, Rory McIlroy pushing for unity in a fractured sport, or rising stars like Matt McCarty chasing their PGA Tour dreams, there’s always something worth following in golf.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Sanderson Farm Championship - PGA Tour - Country Club of Jackson - Jackson, MS

The 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship, a premier PGA Tour event, is set to begin today at The Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi. This tournament marks the return of the FedExCup Fall after a two-week hiatus, offering a substantial purse of $7.6 million, with the winner taking home $1.368 million.

Korn Ferry Tour Championship - Korn Ferry - French Lick Golf Resort - French Lick, IN

The Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance is set to take place at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana beginning today. This marks the first time the event will be held at French Lick Resort, following a five-year partnership agreement that will keep the tournament at this venue through at least 2028.

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS - PGA Tour Champions - Timuquana Country Club - Jacksonville, FL

The Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS PGA TOUR Champions event is set to return to Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida beginning Friday. This prestigious tournament brings together some of the best players from the PGA TOUR Champions circuit, offering golf enthusiasts a week-long celebration of the sport.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a prestigious event on the DP World Tour, is set to take place today thru Sunday, across three of Scotland's most renowned golf courses: the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, and Kingsbarns Golf Links. This unique tournament combines a professional DP World Tour competition with a Team Championship featuring professional and amateur partnerships.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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