Planet Golf News for Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Tiger Woods Walks Out To Survivor’s “Eye Of The Tiger” For His TGL Debut | John Daly has emergency hand surgery, says he'll return to play in no time | Serena Williams is savaged by golf fans over TGL broadcast appearance | Charlie Woods laughs as Tiger hits a shot into the water

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Well, folks, it’s another day in golf, and the drama is as juicy as a ripe Florida orange. Let’s dive in, starting with the spectacle that was Tiger Woods’ TGL debut last night. Tiger and his Jupiter Links squad rolled into the SoFi Center with big hopes, a dramatic “Eye of the Tiger” entrance, and, well… that was about as good as it got for them. The Los Angeles Golf Club, led by Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, and Sahith Theegala, wiped the floor with Jupiter Links in a merciless 12-1 blowout. It was brutal, but hey, at least Kevin Kisner’s hilariously awful shank gave Tiger something to laugh about.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy decided to skip Tiger’s big night entirely to face off against LIV stars at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Guess Rory’s got his priorities straight—he’s chasing a record fifth win at the Emirates Golf Club while Tiger’s team struggles to figure out the new-fangled indoor league. Rory also brought out some weird swing gadget that has everyone talking (and cracking jokes, naturally). Let’s hope his shiny toy helps him fend off Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and the other heavyweights in the field.

Speaking of Rahm, he’s still on a mission to fix what he calls the “wrong” state of the Official World Golf Rankings, which continue to ignore LIV Golf. It’s like LIV golfers are the kids not invited to the birthday party, even though they brought the fanciest gifts. Rahm’s gripe feels particularly sharp as he eyes a Ryder Cup spot and advocates for Sergio Garcia to join Team Europe. Bold moves all around.

In more serious news, golf’s favorite party animal, John Daly, had emergency hand surgery but is already vowing to return to action ASAP. Because nothing keeps Big John down—not even a trip to the OR. Let’s hope he’s back soon, loud pants and all.

As the PGA Tour gets ready for The American Express in sunny La Quinta, young phenom Blades Brown is gearing up for his pro debut. At 17, he’s already a golf prodigy and a pickleball warrior (he’s still trying to beat his mom, a former WNBA star, on the court). It’s a family showdown I wouldn’t bet against.

Over on the Champions Tour, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship kicks off in Hawaii tomorrow. Steven Alker is defending his title, and the scenery promises to be as stunning as the golf. Not a bad way to spend a week in January, right?

Finally, equipment geeks, rejoice! Rickie Fowler is switching to Titleist Pro V1 balls for 2025, and Ping’s new G440 range promises to make even your worst drives look less embarrassing. On the other end of the spectrum, Phil Mickelson has been sharing tips for nailing 50-yard pitch shots. Spoiler: it involves some aggressive contact—classic Phil.

That’s it for today. Until tomorrow, keep your drives straight and your shanks hilarious! 🏌️‍♂️

Today’s Top Golf News 

Today’s Feature Golf Reads

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Tiger Woods Walks Out To Survivor’s “Eye Of The Tiger” For His TGL Debut

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

Last night marked the second match of the inaugural TGL (TMRW Golf League) season, featuring Tiger Woods making his debut for Jupiter Links Golf Club against Los Angeles Golf Club at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The event, which began at 7 PM EST, showcased the innovative format of the league, combining advanced technology with live action in a purpose-built arena.

Tiger Woods entered the arena to the iconic song "Eye of the Tiger," setting an enthusiastic tone for the evening. However, despite the fanfare, Woods and his team struggled against a dominant performance from Los Angeles Golf Club. The match utilized TGL's unique format, including a 40-second shot clock, timeouts, and the "hammer" feature that allows teams to double the point value of a hole.

Los Angeles Golf Club, represented by Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, and Sahith Theegala, dominated the competition from the start. They quickly built a substantial lead in the first session, which features a triples format where teams alternate shots. The second session, consisting of singles matches, saw continued strong play from the Los Angeles team.

The final score was a lopsided 12-1 victory for Los Angeles Golf Club over Jupiter Links, marking the second consecutive blowout in the league's short history. Despite Woods' star power, he and teammates Max Homa and Kevin Kisner were unable to mount a significant challenge against their opponents.

The match drew significant attention, with an estimated peak viewership of 1.1 million, surpassing recent LIV Golf broadcasts and the PGA Tour's season opener. Notable attendees included Florida’s embattled Governor Ron DeSantis and tennis legend Serena Williams, who is part of the ownership group for Los Angeles Golf Club.

While the technology and format of TGL appeared to function smoothly, providing a unique viewing experience, the broadcast itself received mixed reviews. Some critics noted that ESPN seemed unsure whether to treat the event as serious competition or light-hearted entertainment.

Despite the one-sided result, the match showcased TGL's potential to bring a new, fast-paced version of golf to prime-time television. The league will continue its season in the coming weeks, with matches scheduled through March, culminating in playoffs and a championship series.

TGL Stories

TGL Bashing Stories from the critics

TGL Videos

Teen phenom Blades Brown living out childhood dream in pro debut

The American Express - PGA Tour - La Quinta Country Club - La Quinta, CA

The American Express, a PGA Tour event, is set to tee off tomorrow in La Quinta, California. This tournament marks the start of the PGA Tour's West Coast swing and will be played across three courses: PGA West's Pete Dye Stadium Course, PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament Course, and La Quinta Country Club. The event features a strong field of 156 players, including notable names such as Wyndham Clark, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, and Tony Finau. Defending champion Nick Dunlap, who made history last year by winning as an amateur, returns to defend his title. The tournament will follow a unique format, with players competing on all three courses over the first three rounds before a 54-hole cut. The final round will be played exclusively on the Stadium Course. With a purse of $8.8 million and FedEx Cup points on the line, the competition promises to be fierce. Golf enthusiasts can catch the action on Golf Channel, with coverage running from 4-7 PM EST each day of the tournament.

American Express Stories

American Express Videos

Five things to watch on PGA TOUR Champions in 2025

Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai - PGA Champions Tour - Hualalai Resort Golf Club, Kailua Kona, HI

The Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, the season-opening event for the PGA Tour Champions, is set to begin tomorrow at the Hualalai Golf Course in Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. This prestigious tournament will feature a field of 42 elite players, including past champions, major winners, and World Golf Hall of Fame members. Defending champion Steven Alker returns to compete against a star-studded lineup that includes three-time winners Bernhard Langer and Miguel Angel Jiménez. The event will also welcome four first-time participants: Thomas Bjørn, Y.E. Yang, Tim O'Neal, and Ricardo Gonzalez, each of whom secured victories on the Champions Tour in 2024. With a purse of $2 million at stake, the players will compete over three rounds in a 54-hole stroke play format. Golf enthusiasts can catch all the action live on the Golf Channel, while those wishing to attend in person are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. As the 29th consecutive year the tournament will be held at Hualalai, it promises to deliver another exciting chapter in Champions Tour golf against the backdrop of Hawaii's stunning scenery.

Mitsubishi Electric Championship Stories

Fans "love" seeing LIV players on DP World Tour as Saudi league players return

Hero Dubai Desert Classic - DP World Tour - Emirates Golf Club - Dubai, UAE

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the 2025 DP World Tour season, begins tomorrow at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, UAE. This prestigious tournament boasts a stellar field of international golf stars competing for a $9 million prize pool. Defending champion Rory McIlroy returns, aiming for a record fifth Dubai Desert Classic title and an unprecedented third consecutive win. He'll face stiff competition from a world-class lineup including Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton. The event, played on the iconic Majlis Course, marks the beginning of the DP World Tour's International Swing and promises four days of thrilling golf action. Spectators can enjoy free general admission, allowing everyone to experience the excitement of world-class golf against the backdrop of Dubai's stunning skyline. With its rich history dating back to 1989, the Dubai Desert Classic continues to be a highlight of the golfing calendar, combining top-tier competition with the unique charm of desert golf.

RILEY MISSES THE CUT AT THE BAHAMAS GOLF CLASSIC

The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis - Korn Ferry Tour - The Ocean Club Golf Course at Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

John VanDerLaan holds a commanding four-shot lead heading into the final round of The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island. After carding a third-round 2-under 68 at the Ocean Club Golf Course, VanDerLaan sits at 18-under 192, breaking the 54-hole tournament scoring record. He has led the field with 21 birdies through 54 holes and is seeking his first career Korn Ferry Tour victory in his 120th start. VanDerLaan's impressive performance includes a career-low 10-under 60 in the first round followed by a 6-under 64 in the second round. Pierceson Coody and Hank Lebioda are tied for second at 14-under par, while Sandy Scott and Davis Shore are tied for fourth at 13-under. The final round is set to take place on Wednesday, with VanDerLaan looking to maintain his lead and secure the win.

Ryder Cup (Sept 25-28, 2025)

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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