Planet Golf News for Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Tida Woods, mother to Tiger, dies at 81 | TGL Week 5: Rory McIlroy can't follow PGA Tour win with TGL victory, falling to Tommy Fleetwood's LAGC | Nick Taylor, 'Mr. Playoff,' preparing to defend Phoenix Open title

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world is buzzing with everything from heartbreaking news to simulator malfunctions and, of course, the usual dose of drama from LIV Golf. First and foremost, Tiger Woods announced the passing of his mother, Kultida, a woman who was more than just his biggest fan—she was the reason for his signature Sunday red and, quite possibly, the unshakable mental toughness that helped him dominate the sport. The golf community mourned alongside him, proving once again that some things transcend fairways and birdies.

Meanwhile, the TGL simulator league continues to be part high-tech entertainment and part glitchy science experiment. Rory McIlroy and Boston Common Golf got steamrolled by Tommy Fleetwood and Los Angeles Golf Club in a 6-2 blowout, with Fleetwood coolly sinking clutch putts and McIlroy’s out-of-bounds tee shot sealing the loss. Adding to the chaos, a bizarre “invalid shot” ruling left everyone scratching their heads when Fleetwood’s ball seemingly rolled into a black hole. While TGL is still figuring itself out, at least it’s giving us some unintentional comedy along the way.

Speaking of Rory, he couldn’t quite carry over his Pebble Beach magic into TGL, but his recent win at one of golf’s cathedral courses has everyone excited for major season. If he can add Augusta to his list of career-defining victories, he might finally silence critics who say he only thrives on softer courses. Not that he cares, but it’s a conversation that refuses to die.

On the other side of the golf world, LIV Golf is rolling out its new season with a flashy, first-ever night tournament in Riyadh. With an absurd amount of money on the line (what’s new?), Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Joaquin Niemann will battle under the lights while Phil Mickelson watches from home nursing a shoulder injury. Oh, and Anthony Kim is back. Again. He didn’t earn any points last season but still pocketed nearly $1 million, proving that in LIV, showing up is more than half the battle. The league also inked a deal with Riyadh Air, prompting the usual accusations of “sportswashing” from fans who are increasingly skeptical of LIV’s long-term sustainability.

The PGA Tour, meanwhile, has its own problems. Slow play is still a thing, and Lucas Glover is fed up, particularly with the AimPoint green-reading technique, which he believes should be banned immediately. Padraig Harrington is equally irritated—though for different reasons—calling out the Tour’s decision to reduce Monday qualifiers, effectively shrinking the path for up-and-coming players. It’s a move that seems to favor the established names, but hey, who doesn’t love a little golf hierarchy controversy?

As for actual tournaments, the WM Phoenix Open is upon us, and it’s looking a little different this year after last season’s beer-fueled mayhem led to mass ejections and a temporary ban on liquor sales. Organizers have added digital-only ticketing, eliminated resale tickets, and created a second entrance to manage the chaos. Whether it will tone down the infamous party atmosphere is anyone’s guess, but with the rowdy 16th hole still very much intact, there’s bound to be plenty of action.

Not to be outdone, the LPGA is getting its season into full swing with the Founders Cup, where Nelly Korda is set to make a statement in her hometown event. Meanwhile, golf legend Rose Zhang has signed a trading card and memorabilia deal, getting the Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan treatment. Not bad for a 21-year-old.

Finally, Max Homa had the most relatable injury of the week—getting whacked in the leg with a toddler’s golf club at home. While he limped away momentarily, he assured everyone he’ll be just fine. Perhaps it’s a good reminder that sometimes the biggest hazards in golf don’t come from bunkers or water—they come from pint-sized humans with plastic clubs.

So there you have it—heartbreak, controversy, simulator malfunctions, and a toddler-induced golf injury. Just another week in this gloriously chaotic sport.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Today’s Feature Golf Reads

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Rory and Boston Common Golf defeated in 6-2 blow-out

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

Los Angeles Golf Club secured a decisive 6-2 victory over Boston Common Golf in tonight's TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens' SoFi Center, marking their second win of the inaugural season and strengthening their lead in the standings. The match saw Los Angeles dominate early by winning the first three holes and four of the initial five, with Tommy Fleetwood delivering crucial putts including a pressure putt on the 13th hole to secure their sixth point. Boston's Keegan Bradley managed their only two points, highlighted by a near-ace on the 12th hole, while Rory McIlroy's critical out-of-bounds tee shot on the 13th sealed Boston's defeat. The event faced a delayed ESPN broadcast start due to competing college basketball coverage and encountered brief technical issues, including a simulator malfunction that required Fleetwood to retake a shot. Despite these challenges, Los Angeles maintained composure throughout, improving to 2-0 in the 15-match regular season, while Boston's record dropped to 0-1-1, increasing pressure for their upcoming matches.

The WM Phoenix Open will look and feel different this year

WM Phoenix Open - PGA Tour - TPC Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ

The 2025 WM Phoenix Open is set to tee off this week at TPC Scottsdale, promising an exciting and revamped tournament experience. Following last year's chaotic event that led to suspended liquor sales and criticism from players, organizers have implemented several changes to ensure a "better, not bigger" atmosphere. These include a new second entrance, digital-only ticketing, and the elimination of "good any day" and third-party resale tickets to better manage crowd sizes.

The tournament, known as "The Greatest Show on Grass," will feature a star-studded field of 132 players competing for a $9.2 million purse, with the winner taking home $1.65 million. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, a two-time champion of this event, enters as the favorite with 3-1 odds. Other notable contenders include Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, and defending champion Nick Taylor.

The Annexus Pro-Am, scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, will showcase a mix of professional athletes, celebrities, and musicians. Participants include Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Olympic legend Michael Phelps.

Despite concerns stemming from last year's event, which saw over 50 arrests and 200 ejections, the tournament remains a pivotal stop on the PGA Tour calendar. The famous 16th hole, surrounded by 20,000 spectators in tri-level grandstands, continues to be the centerpiece of the tournament's unique atmosphere.

As players and fans prepare for the event, all eyes will be on how the new measures impact the tournament's renowned party atmosphere while maintaining its status as one of the most popular and economically significant events on the PGA Tour schedule.

Lexi Thompson hits the practice range ahead of her 2025 season debut

Founders Cup Pres by U.S. Virgin Islands - LPGA - Bradenton Country Club - Bradenton, FL

The 2025 Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands is set to tee off this week at Bradenton Country Club in Florida. This LPGA Tour event, which is the second tournament of the season, will take place from February 6-9. The tournament has moved to a new location and date in the LPGA Tour calendar, having previously been held in Arizona and New Jersey during the summer months.

A strong field of 118 players will compete for a total prize purse of $2 million, with the winner taking home $300,000. Notable participants include World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who will be playing in her hometown, as well as other top-ranked players like Lydia Ko, Jin Young Ko, and Brooke Henderson. Defending champion Rose Zhang will not be present to defend her title as she has returned to Stanford University for classes.

The tournament will be broadcast on Golf Channel and NBC Digital, with coverage starting at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday and Friday, and 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. The event pays homage to the 13 women who founded the LPGA Tour and honors its 70-year history.

Bradenton Country Club, which was founded in 1924, will host the event for the first time. The course, designed by Donald Ross, offers a challenging 6,465-yard, par-71 layout. Local favorite Nelly Korda will be looking to improve on her runner-up finish from last week's season opener.

The Founders Cup has a history of producing new champions each year, with Jin Young Ko being the only player to win the event twice. As the tournament approaches, golf fans are eagerly anticipating an exciting week of competition featuring some of the world's best female golfers.

Trophy Hassan II - PGA Tour Champions - Royal Golf Dar Es Salam - Rabat, Morocco

The 49th Trophy Hassan II, part of the PGA Tour Champions, will take place February 6-8, 2025, at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. Featuring a 66-player field competing over 54 holes on the Red Course for a $2.5 million purse, the event includes past champions like Stephen Ames, Colin Montgomerie, and Brett Quigley. Ames, the defending champion, seeks a rare title defense.

Simultaneously, the Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Meryem Cup will be played on the Blue Course, featuring top female golfers, including five Moroccans. Both events, held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, highlight Morocco’s commitment to world-class golf at the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed venue.

2025 LIV Golf Season Preview: Crushers GC

LIV Golf Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

LIV Golf’s 2025 season kicks off with a groundbreaking night tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February 6-8 at Riyadh Golf Club. This marks the league’s first event played under lights, with tee times set after sunset to attract a broader audience, particularly in the U.S., through a new TV deal with Fox Sports. The tournament features 13 four-player teams competing in a 54-hole, no-cut format, with a $20 million individual purse and $5 million for teams. Top contenders include Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Bryson DeChambeau. Phil Mickelson has withdrawn due to a shoulder injury and will be replaced by Ollie Schniederjans.

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - DP World Tour - Doha GC - Doha, Qatar

The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, a DP World Tour event, will take place from February 6 to 9, 2025, at Doha Golf Club in Qatar. Celebrating its 28th edition, the tournament is part of the International Swing, the second of five Global Swings shaping the early 2025 DP World Tour season.

With a $2.5 million prize fund, the winner will take home $425,000. The field includes past champions Eddie Pepperell, Ewen Ferguson, Jorge Campillo, and Antoine Rozner, along with recent tour winners such as Elvis Smylie, Laurie Canter, Dan Bradbury, Daniel Gavins, Marcel Siem, and Angel Hidalgo, ensuring a competitive showdown.

Defending champion Rikuya Hoshino will not return, as he has since earned a PGA Tour card and is focusing on events in the United States.

Set at Doha Golf Club, the par-72, 7,374-yard course, designed by Peter Harradine, has hosted the tournament since 1998 and provides a desert-carved challenge for the players.

Astara Golf Championship pres. by Mastercard - Korn Ferry - Country Club de Bogota-Lagos - Bogota, Columbia

The Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard, a Korn Ferry Tour event, takes place this week at Country Club de Bogota-Lagos in Bogota, Colombia. This marks the fourth event of the 2025 season and is part of the tour’s international swing.

Players will compete for crucial Korn Ferry Tour Points in pursuit of one of 30 PGA TOUR cards for the 2026 season. The event has a history of memorable moments, including Cristobal Del Solar’s record-breaking 57 in 2024—the lowest round in PGA TOUR-sanctioned history.

Featuring a mix of rising stars and seasoned professionals, the tournament will challenge players on the demanding layout of the Country Club de Bogota-Lagos course. The Astara Golf Championship is one of seven international events on the Korn Ferry Tour schedule, showcasing its global reach and role in developing future PGA TOUR talent.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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