Tuesday, February 11, 2025

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Tiger Woods was set to make his return to the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational, but life had other plans. Woods withdrew from his own tournament, citing the need to process the recent passing of his mother, Kultida. Given that he’s spent his entire career showcasing superhuman resilience, this decision underscores just how much of an emotional toll this must be taking on him. He still hopes to be present as the tournament host, but for now, golf takes a backseat to grief. Jake Knapp, who was definitely not expecting to be in this position, steps in as his replacement.

Meanwhile, LIV Golf continues to struggle to gain traction worldwide—except in Australia, where the breakaway league is a certified hit. Why? Because Aussies love their sports rowdy, and LIV has managed to deliver an entertainment package that feels less like a traditional golf tournament and more like a party with golf thrown in. The event in Adelaide, in particular, is a fan-favorite, pulling in massive crowds and featuring the kind of atmosphere that would make Augusta National clutch its pearls. As Ian Poulter pointed out, Australia has been starved for top-tier golf, and LIV has swooped in to fill the void.

Speaking of LIV, Dustin Johnson’s longtime relationship with TaylorMade has officially ended after 18 years. DJ has been using their clubs since he turned pro, winning two majors and countless tournaments. But after jumping ship to LIV in 2022, his presence in the company’s promotional material faded fast, and now the split is official. His ranking has dropped significantly, and it seems like both parties are ready to move on—though don’t be surprised if DJ keeps those TaylorMade clubs in the bag for a while longer. Old habits die hard.

Back to the PGA Tour, the Genesis Invitational kicks off at Torrey Pines this week, thanks to some last-minute relocation efforts due to wildfires in the L.A. area. This means an already elite event just got even more intriguing, as players now have to navigate the brutally long and tricky South Course. With a $20 million purse and all the big names in attendance—Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, and more—it’s shaping up to be a must-watch. Scheffler is the odds-on favorite, but with so much talent in the field, anything can happen.

For those who prefer their golf with a side of nostalgia, the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida, is also happening this week, featuring the legends of the game. Bernhard Langer will attempt to win the event for the sixth time, because apparently, he has no interest in slowing down. With a purse of $1.8 million and the setting of Tiburón Golf Club’s scenic Black Course, it’s a solid watch for fans of the PGA Tour Champions.

Back over in LIV land, the Adelaide event is fast approaching, and the excitement is palpable. The ‘Watering Hole’ at the 12th hole is once again set to be the most chaotic scene in golf, with fans ready to lose their minds over every shot. But there’s a catch this year—the individual winner will walk away with only (gasp) $2 million instead of the usual $4 million due to some… creative prize structuring. Don’t worry, though, the team competition money is still flowing like an open tap at an Aussie pub.

Elsewhere, the Open Championship has thrown LIV Golf a lifeline, creating a new exemption for the top-ranked player in LIV’s standings. This, coupled with the U.S. Open offering a similar pathway, suggests that the major championships are starting to acknowledge that LIV isn’t going away anytime soon. Sorry, PGA Tour loyalists.

And in one of the strangest golf-related news stories of the week, a 77-year-old Florida golfer was convicted of aggravated battery after shooting a man in the ankle and then beating him with a golf club. The court ruled that the golf-related assault was out of line, but apparently, the gun part was up for debate. Florida, everyone.

Finally, a happy birthday to Lexi Thompson, who just turned 30 and is newly engaged. Once the teenage phenom of women’s golf, Lexi is now a veteran looking to make the most of her limited schedule this season. Time flies, doesn’t it?

So, with the Genesis Invitational, LIV’s Aussie takeover, DJ’s sponsor split, and a golf club-wielding Florida man making headlines, it’s safe to say there’s never a dull moment in the golf world.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

The Genesis Invitational - PGA Tour - Torrey Pines - La Jolla, CA

The 2025 Genesis Invitational, a PGA Tour Signature Event, is set to take place from February 13-16 at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. This prestigious tournament, typically held at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, has been relocated due to recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The event will be played on the challenging South Course at Torrey Pines, which measures 7,765 yards and is a par 72.

With a purse of $20 million and a top prize of $4 million, the Genesis Invitational attracts an elite field of 71 players, including 44 of the top 50 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking. Notable participants include world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Hideki Matsuyama.

The tournament promises to be a thrilling competition, with players facing the demanding Torrey Pines South Course, known for its long fairways, challenging rough, and Poa annua greens. Key factors for success on this course include strong approach play, putting skills, and effective long iron play from 175 to 200+ yards.

• Genesis Invitational Prize Money Payout 2025

• What Is The Torrey Pines Course Record?

• 10 PGA Tour Winners From 2024 Missing The Genesis Invitational

• Odds Outlook: Scottie Scheffler favored over Rory McIlroy as TOUR returns to Torrey Pines

• 2025 Genesis Invitational: How to watch, TV schedule, radio & more

Chubb Classic - PGA Tour Champions - Tiburon Golf Club - Naples, FL

The 2025 Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, a PGA TOUR Champions event, is set to take place from February 14-16 at Tiburón Golf Club's Black Course in Naples, Florida. This prestigious tournament, now in its 38th year, is the longest-standing PGA TOUR Champions event held in one metropolitan area and consistently attracts a star-studded field of golf legends.

The 54-hole championship will feature an 80-player field competing for a share of the $1.8 million purse, with the winner taking home $270,000. Notable early commitments include World Golf Hall of Famers Bernhard Langer and Ernie Els, defending champion Stephen Ames, and 2021 champion Steve Stricker. Langer, a five-time Chubb Classic winner, will be seeking a record-setting sixth victory at the event.

Tiburón Golf Club's Black Course, known for its distinctive pine straw-lined fairways and crushed coquina waste areas, will provide a challenging backdrop for the competition. The course is certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship.

• Where is the PGA Tour Champions 2025 Chubb Classic this year?

LIV Golf Adelaide - LIV Golf - The Grange Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia

The highly anticipated LIV Golf Adelaide is set to return to The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia from February 14-16, 2025. This event, which has been voted the World's Best Golf Event for two consecutive years, is expected to draw massive crowds once again. Last year, over 94,000 fans attended, and a similar turnout is anticipated for 2025.

The tournament will feature a 54-hole individual stroke play format with no cut, as well as a team competition. Players will compete for a total prize purse of $25 million, with $20 million allocated for individual prizes and $5 million for the team event. The individual winner will take home $4 million.

One of the highlights of the event is the famous 'Watering Hole' at the par-3 12th hole, which mimics the stadium-style layout of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. This hole has become a fan favorite, creating an electric atmosphere with cheering crowds.

The 2025 edition will see defending champions Brendan Steele (individual) and Ripper GC (team) return to defend their titles. The event has been moved from its usual April slot to February, joining a series of major sporting events in South Australia during that period.

• 2025 LIV Golf Adelaide field: LIV Golf players, teams, rankings

• Why The LIV Golf Adelaide Champion Earns Half Of The Usual $4m

Upcoming: The U.S. Open Golf Championship (June 12 -15, 2025)

Upcoming: Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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