Planet Golf News for Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Nelly Korda WDs from next two events after practice injury | Rickie Fowler is playing the 2024 Shriners Children's Open after Recent Failed PGA Tour Attempt

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

In a week full of golf action, the headlines are already buzzing with stories that capture both excitement and uncertainty across the sport. One of the most notable updates comes from LPGA star Nelly Korda, who last night announced her withdrawal from the BMW Ladies Championship and another upcoming event due to a minor neck injury. After a rollercoaster season filled with both triumphs and setbacks, Korda is taking time to rest and recover. While her fans will surely miss seeing her compete in Korea and Malaysia, Korda hasn’t given a clear timeline for her return, leaving the golf world to wait and watch as she regains her form.

On the PGA side, Rickie Fowler is preparing for another shot at redemption after a somewhat disappointing finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship. His upcoming appearance at the Shriners Children’s Open, set to kick off Thursday at TPC Summerlin, could be pivotal for his career. Currently ranked 70th in the OWGR, Fowler is eager to improve his standing and make a mark in the tournaments ahead, with the Zozo Championship following closely after. The Shriners event is set to be an exciting one, featuring a strong field and the possibility of Fowler reclaiming some much-needed momentum.

The Shriners Children’s Open itself is shaping up to be quite the spectacle. Defending champion Tom Kim is looking to make history with a rare three-peat victory, which would be the first time in over a decade that a player has won the same PGA TOUR event three years in a row. The competition will be fierce, with past champions and seasoned pros all vying for their share of the $7 million purse. TPC Summerlin’s par-71 layout is known for yielding low scores, so fans can expect another thrilling battle for the top spot.

Meanwhile, the LPGA’s Asian swing continues with the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea. Despite Korda’s absence, the field remains stacked with talent, including defending champion Minjee Lee and nine of the world’s top ten players. Lee will look to repeat her 2023 victory, where she triumphed in a dramatic playoff, while local fans will be cheering for the 19 South Korean golfers competing on home soil. With a purse of $2.2 million and valuable Race to CME Globe points on the line, this event is crucial as the LPGA season nears its end.

In another corner of the golf world, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Virginia is drawing attention for more than just the competition. Recently voted as the players’ favorite PGA Tour Champions event, this year’s tournament will mark the beginning of a farewell as Dominion Energy and the Country Club of Virginia announced they will end their partnership after the 2025 event. Despite the bittersweet news, the tournament’s legacy is solid, having raised over $11 million for local charities since its inception.

Over in Spain, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters kicks off at the prestigious Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, where Jon Rahm headlines the field. This DP World Tour event has a rich history and continues to attract top talent, making it a key stop for many players. Rahm, a two-time major winner, is eager to make his mark, adding to the excitement around the tournament’s tenth edition.

As the fall series progresses, there’s still plenty of drama and intrigue in the golf world. From injury setbacks to career-defining moments, every swing, putt, and drive is adding to a season packed with stories worth watching.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

The First Look: Shriners Children's Open

Shriners Children’s Open - PGA Tour - TPC Summerlin - Las Vegas, NV

The 2024 Shriners Children's Open is set to tee off from beginning Thursday at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada. This PGA TOUR event continues its tradition of combining world-class golf with a charitable cause, supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Tom Kim enters as the defending champion and betting favorite, aiming for a historic third consecutive victory at this tournament. Kim's previous wins showcased his remarkable skill, tying the event record with a score of 24-under in 2022 and narrowly edging out Adam Hadwin by one shot in 2023. Achieving a three-peat would be a significant milestone, as winning the same event three times in a row hasn't happened on the PGA TOUR in over a decade.

The tournament will feature a strong field competing for a substantial purse, with the winner set to take home a significant portion. TPC Summerlin's 7,255-yard par-71 layout is known for yielding low scores, with recent champions consistently finishing at least 20-under par.

This year's event holds particular significance for many players as part of the FedEx Cup Fall series, where professionals are vying for tour status and positioning for the upcoming season. Notable participants include Adam Hadwin, who finished second last year and has shown impressive consistency in his performances at this event.

Shriners Children’s Open Stories

Shriners Children’s Open Videos

BMW Ladies Championship 2024 Preview: South Korea welcomes the LPGA Tour for the second event of the Asian Swing

BMW Ladies Championship - LPGA - Seowon Valley Country Club, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

The BMW Ladies Championship, a prestigious event on the LPGA Tour, is set to tee off Thursday at the Seowon Valley Country Club in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. This marks the fifth year of the tournament, which has become a significant stop on the LPGA's Asian swing.

The event promises to be exciting, with nine of the top nine players in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings confirmed to participate. Unfortunately, world No. 1 Nelly Korda will not be making her return to competition due to a minor neck injury it was announced last night. The field, however, includes a strong contingent of 19 South Korean golfers, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer for.

Defending champion Minjee Lee, currently ranked 16th in the world, will be back to defend her title. Lee's victory in 2023 came after a thrilling playoff, continuing the tournament's tradition of nail-biting finishes.

The Seowon Hills course, which first hosted the event in 2023, will challenge players with its 6,680-yard layout. As a par-72 course, it promises to test every aspect of the competitors' games.

With a purse of $2.2 million and 500 CME Globe points on offer for the winner, the stakes are high. The tournament comes at a crucial time in the LPGA season, with only five events remaining before the CME Group Tour Championship. Players will be eager to secure their positions in the top 60 of the Race to CME Globe Rankings to qualify for the season-ending championship.

Golf enthusiasts can catch the action live, with coverage scheduled from 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM UTC each day of the tournament. As the LPGA Tour nears its conclusion for 2024, the BMW Ladies Championship is shaping up to be a pivotal event in determining the season's standout performers.

BMW Ladies Championship Stories

Dominion Energy Charity - PGA Tour Champions - The Country Club of Virginia - Richmond, VA

The Dominion Energy Charity Classic, a beloved PGA Tour Champions event held annually at The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond, and set to begin Friday, is facing significant changes in its future. Despite recently being voted as the players' favorite event on the PGA Champions Tour for the fourth time, both Dominion Energy and the Country Club of Virginia have announced their decision to end their relationship with the tournament after the 2025 event.

This surprising development comes just five years after Dominion Energy and the PGA Tour Champions had agreed to extend their contract through 2029, which was hailed as the longest simultaneous extension between a sponsor and host venue in Tour history at the time. However, various factors have led to this premature conclusion of the partnership.

Dominion Energy cited a shift towards a "back-to-basics" strategy as the primary reason for ending their title sponsorship. The company aims to focus on its core mission of providing reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy to its customers. Meanwhile, sources suggest that many members of the Country Club of Virginia were dissatisfied with the tournament's impact on their ability to use the facility for several weeks each fall.

Despite these changes, the tournament's legacy is impressive. Founded in 2016, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic has raised over $11 million for local charities through various events and programs, including the popular Birdies For Charity initiative. The event has consistently drawn thousands of volunteers and a record number of fans, contributing to its success and popularity among players.

Looking ahead, the PGA Tour Champions has expressed its intention to keep the tournament in Richmond. The process of identifying and securing a new title sponsor and host golf course for 2026 and beyond will begin immediately. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities for the tournament's future in the Richmond area.

SAS Championship Stories

Where is the 2024 Andalucia Masters being played? All you need to know

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters - DP World Tour - Real Club de Golf Sotogrande - Andalucia, Spain

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is set to celebrate its tenth edition beginning Thursday at the prestigious Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in Andalucía, Spain. This DP World Tour event has become a cornerstone of Spanish golf, attracting top talent from around the world.

Headlining the tournament is Jon Rahm, the two-time Major winner and former Race to Dubai champion. Rahm's participation marks his fourth appearance in the event, where he previously came close to victory in 2019. His presence, along with other Spanish stars and international players, promises to deliver an exciting competition.

The field is impressive, featuring recent Spanish Open champion Ángel Hidalgo, 2022 winner Adrián Otaegui, and international stars like Victor Perez, Thorbjørn Olesen, and Matt Wallace. The tournament offers a substantial prize purse of $3,250,000, making it one of the most lucrative regular DP World Tour events in Spain.

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1964 and fully restored in 2015, will host the event for the second time. The course is renowned for its challenging layout and has a rich history of hosting both amateur and professional tournaments.

The Ryder Cup (Sept 22-28, 2025)

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

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UPCOMING TOURS

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