Planet Golf News for Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Los Angeles Golf Club clinches playoff spot with comeback win in overtime against New York Golf Club | Pros are cracking the code to TGL golf—4 things they've figured out | 'Tough school': LPGA rookie shot 27 under and finished second, but can't get into this week's Singapore field

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Monday was a wild day in the golf world, filled with comebacks, collapses, and a few eyebrow-raising decisions. Tony Finau made an epic TGL debut for the Los Angeles Golf Club, pulling them from a 4-0 hole to a 5-4 overtime win against New York, proving that binge-watching TGL from his couch was all the prep he needed. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy’s Boston team is hanging on to playoff hopes by a thread after their latest loss—if golf had a mercy rule, Boston would’ve triggered it by now.

Anna Nordqvist is set to captain Europe in next year’s Solheim Cup, determined to snatch the trophy back from the U.S. while sharing a candid journey through health battles that puts a missed putt into perspective. On the PGA Tour front, Monday qualifying for the Cognizant Classic is gone, much to the dismay of underdogs everywhere—because apparently giving longshots a chance was too old-fashioned. Speaking of change, Nelly Korda is skipping the Asia swing to prep for her Ford Championship defense, proving that sometimes the best strategy is Netflix and workouts.

The Florida Swing is heating up with Scottie Scheffler trying to shake off some rust, while Xander Schauffele reappears after 48 days on the injured list—because nothing says “Masters prep” like testing a rib injury. And let’s not forget Brian Campbell’s miraculous Mexico Open win, complete with a ball-bouncing-off-a-tree miracle shot that had fans questioning physics and Augusta National rethinking invites.

Elsewhere, the HSBC Women’s World Championship kicks off Thursday in Singapore with nine of the top ten players battling it out, and the Investec South African Open returns to Durban with locals hoping to keep the homegrown winning streak alive. Down in Argentina, the Visa Open gives Korn Ferry Tour players a shot at The Open Championship—and maybe a tree-assisted bounce of their own.

Tiger Woods is sitting out upcoming events to grieve his mother’s passing, reminding everyone that even golf’s biggest icon needs time away from the game. Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley shaved his mustache after some friendly teasing from Nelly Korda, hoping a clean-shaven face can bring Boston better luck than his swing has.

In short, yesterday was a day of emotional highs, dramatic comebacks, and plenty of golf gossip to keep the clubhouse buzzing. Buckle up—March is just around the corner, and with it comes the Masters countdown, more TGL drama, and who knows—maybe another lucky tree bounce or two.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

TGL: LA Golf Club, Atlanta Drive both rally for playoff-clinching victories

TGL - PGA Tour - SoFi Stadium - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Last night’s TGL matches at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, featured two exciting contests. In the first match, Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) faced New York Golf Club (NYGC) in a thrilling encounter that went to overtime. LAGC, featuring Tony Finau making his debut alongside Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa, staged a remarkable comeback. Despite trailing early, LAGC won four points over the last four holes to force overtime, where they ultimately prevailed 5-4. This victory secured LAGC's spot in the playoffs, improving their record to 3-0-1 and placing them at the top of the standings.

The second match saw Atlanta Drive GC, represented by Justin Thomas, Billy Horschel, and Patrick Cantlay, defeat Boston Common Golf, featuring Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, and Keegan Bradley. Atlanta Drive GC won 6-3, moving to a 3-1-0 record and second place in the season standings. This loss puts Boston Common Golf on the brink of elimination from playoff contention.

These results have significant implications for the playoff race. LAGC has clinched the first playoff spot, while Atlanta Drive GC's victory also secured a playoff berth for The Bay Golf Club. Boston Common Golf now faces a must-win situation in their next match to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Los Angeles Golf Club vs. New York Golf Club

Boston Common Golf vs. Atlanta Drive GC

Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches - PGA Tour - PGA National Resort & Spa - Palm Beach Gardens, FL

The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, formerly known as the Honda Classic, is set to take place beginning Thursday at the Champion Course of PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This event marks the beginning of the PGA Tour's Florida Swing and features a full field of 144 golfers competing on the challenging 7,167-yard, par-71 course. The tournament boasts a total purse of $9.2 million and will award 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner.

The field includes 16 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, with Russell Henley (World No. 17) and Sepp Straka (World No. 18) headlining the event. Other notable participants include six-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler and defending champion Austin Eckroat, who secured his first PGA Tour victory at last year's event.

The Champion Course at PGA National is renowned for its challenging "Bear Trap," a three-hole stretch (15-17) designed by Jack Nicklaus, which often plays a crucial role in determining the tournament's outcome. This section of the course, featuring two difficult par-3s and a tight par-4, all with water hazards, will be a focal point of the television coverage.

HSBC Women’s World Championship - LPGA - Sentosa Golf Club - Singapore, Singapore

The 2025 HSBC Women's World Championship, often referred to as "Asia's Major," is set to take place beginning Thursday at the Sentosa Golf Club's Tanjong Course in Singapore.

This prestigious event on the LPGA Tour calendar will feature a strong field of top women golfers competing for a prize purse of $2,400,000. The tournament, established in 2008, is one of the most anticipated golf events in Asia and showcases some of the best talent in women's golf outside of the five Major Championships.

Defending champion Hannah Green of Australia will be looking to repeat her dramatic victory from 2024, where she sank a 27-foot putt on the final hole to edge out Celine Boutier by one stroke. The event promises thrilling competition and will be broadcast globally.

Investec SA Open Championship - DP World Tour - Durban CC - Durban, South Africa

The Investec South African Open Championship, the second oldest National Open in the world after The Open Championship, is set to begin Thursday at the iconic Durban Country Club. This prestigious event, now in its 114th year, is one of only five DP World Tour-sanctioned tournaments and offers a significant minimum prize purse of $1.5 million.

The championship will feature 156 professional golfers competing over 72 holes in a four-day tournament. Dean Burmester, the 2024 champion, has confirmed he will defend his title, joining a strong field of Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour competitors. The event has shifted from its traditional December slot to February to accommodate international schedule changes on both tours.

Durban Country Club has undergone significant renovations, including the redesign of several holes, to present a course fit for a National Open. This marks the first time since 2010 that the championship returns to this venue, where Ernie Els won his fifth national Open.

The tournament also serves as part of the Open Qualifying Series, offering three non-exempt players entry into The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. With the last six winners being South African, there's a strong possibility of another home-grown champion emerging.

118 Visa Argentina Open pres. by Marco - Korn Ferry Tour - Jockey Club - Buenos Aires, Argentina

The 118 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, is set to begin Thursday at the Jockey Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This prestigious event marks the fifth tournament of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season and the third international event following stops in The Bahamas, Panama, and Colombia.

The tournament carries a total prize purse of $1,000,000 and will be played on a par-70 course measuring 6,836 yards. As a unique feature, the winner of this event will receive an exemption to play in The Open Championship, continuing a tradition in partnership with The R&A. The 118 Visa Argentina Open holds historical significance as it became part of the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, and its 2025 edition promises to showcase top golfing talent as players compete for crucial points in their quest to earn PGA TOUR cards.

Upcoming: The Masters Tournament (April 7 - 13, 2025)

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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