Planet Golf News for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Atlanta trounces Jupiter in Tiger Woods' last TGL match of season | Los Angeles vs. New York set to kick off TGL playoff slate | PGA Tour to cut TV commercials, add caddie convos to Arnold Palmer telecast | Masters has record field of international players

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

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And just like that, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the two co-founders of the much-hyped TGL, will be watching their own league’s playoffs from the couch. Jupiter Links, led by Woods, got absolutely demolished 9-1 by Atlanta Drive, officially ending their season in a blaze of… well, not exactly glory, but definitely some entertaining antics. Tom Kim provided one of the highlights of the night with a classic “Nick Young moment,” celebrating a chip shot that cruelly lipped out, proving that even pros aren’t immune to premature celebrations. Meanwhile, Kevin Kisner made sure Jupiter Links lived up to their reputation as the most ridiculous team in the league. At least they had fun on the way out, right?

Speaking of fun, Celine Dion made a surprise appearance at the match, not only cheering from the sidelines but also performing an impromptu duet with ESPN’s Marty Smith. Yes, you read that correctly. The legend herself, who has been battling health issues, decided to steal the show. Somewhere in the crowd, Tiger Woods might have been wondering if he could convince her to sing the National Anthem at Augusta.

Over in the world of real, non-simulator golf, the Seminole Pro-Member event took place, where, shocker, neither Tiger nor Rory finished anywhere near the top. Ryan Fox and Jimmy Dunne III nearly swept the competition but had to settle for second after a scorecard playoff against Billy Horschel and Bill Davis. McIlroy and his dad tied for 13th, while Woods and Seth Waugh finished a very forgettable 26th in the net category. Given his performance, Woods might have wished he was still on the simulator.

Meanwhile, the Arnold Palmer Invitational is about to kick off, but it seems Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler forgot to check their mailboxes for sponsor invites—because they didn’t get them. This snub left Spieth a little salty, while Fowler, in true veteran form, simply acknowledged that they should “play better” to earn their spots. The PGA Tour’s balancing act between rewarding merit and keeping star power in events continues to be as delicate as a downhill four-footer at Augusta.

In LIV Golf news, Bubba Watson appears to be making a comeback after his knee surgery, putting together some decent finishes in Riyadh and Adelaide. That’s great and all, but what really caught everyone’s attention is the LIV Golf Hong Kong event, which promises a mix of world-class golf, DJs, top chefs, and—if past LIV events are any indication—at least one awkward post-round interview.

Elsewhere, the Masters field is shaping up to be the most international ever, with players from 27 countries and counting. Among the newcomers are NCAA champ Hiroshi Tai and Justin Hastings, both making their Masters debuts. Meanwhile, the upcoming Champions Dinner might be a little uncomfortable after Phil Mickelson called out Fred Couples for his “jerk move” comments about Brooks Koepka. Nothing like a little tension to spice up the pre-Masters festivities.

And for those who like their golf with a side of humor, Bill Murray has found a new way to improve his game—reading Every Shot Must Have a Purpose. If it helps him, it might be worth a shot for the rest of us weekend hackers. Or, you know, we could just accept our triple bogeys with grace and move on.

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Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Atlanta trounces Jupiter in Tiger Woods' last TGL match of season

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

Last night's TGL match in Palm Beach Gardens featured Jupiter Links Golf Club facing off against Atlanta Drive GC. This was the final regular season match of the inaugural TGL season. Despite Tiger Woods' presence on the Jupiter Links team alongside Tom Kim and Max Homa, they entered the match already eliminated from playoff contention with a 1-3-0 record. Atlanta Drive, represented by Billy Horschel, Lucas Glover, and newcomer Nick Dunlap (signed to a 10-day contract), came into the match with a 3-1-0 record and had already secured a playoff spot.

The outcome of this match would not significantly alter the playoff picture, as the semi-final pairings were largely set. Los Angeles Golf Club had already clinched the top seed and will face New York Golf Club in one semi-final, while The Bay Golf Club is set to play Atlanta Drive in the other. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on March 17th, with the finals taking place on March 24th and 25th.

This match marked the end of a disappointing season for both Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links and Rory McIlroy's Boston Common Golf, as neither team's co-founders will participate in the playoffs of the league they helped create. The TGL has showcased an innovative format combining simulator and real golf elements, with matches lasting about two hours and featuring unique rules like the "hammer" option and timeouts.

Rickie & Jordan didn't get a sponsor invite to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. So who did?

Arnold Palmer Invitational - PGA Tour - Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge - Orlando, FL

The 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, a prestigious PGA Tour event, is set to take place from March 6-9 at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. This signature tournament, featuring a $20 million purse, will bring together the world's top golfers to compete on the challenging 7,466-yard par-72 course.

Where is the PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open 2025 being played? Venue explored

Puerto Rico Open - PGA Tour - Grand Reserve Country Club - Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

The 2025 Puerto Rico Open, marking its 17th edition, will take place from March 6 to March 9 at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. This PGA Tour event serves as an alternate tournament to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, offering an opportunity for rising stars and lower-ranked players to compete for a $4 million prize purse and 300 FedEx Cup points.

Blue Bay LPGA 2025: Schedule, venue, top players and more explored

Blue Bay LPGA - Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course - Hainan Island, China

The Blue Bay LPGA is set to take place from March 6 to 9, 2025, at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island, China. This prestigious event on the LPGA Tour, which boasts a $2.5 million purse, will feature some of the world’s top female golfers. The tournament is held at a stunning coastal venue designed by Mark Hollinger, offering a challenging tropical links-style course with firm paspalum grass, scenic views of Lingshui Bay, and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards.

Cologuard Classic - PGA Tour Champions - La Paloma Country Club - Tucson, AZ

The 2025 Cologuard Classic, part of the PGA TOUR Champions, will take place from March 2 to March 9 at the La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona. This prestigious event features a 78-player field competing over three days (March 7–9) in a no-cut format for a $2.2 million purse, with $330,000 and 330,000 Charles Schwab Cup points awarded to the winner.

Where is LIV Golf Hong Kong 2025 being played? Venue and course details explored

LIV Golf Hong Kong - LIV - Hong Kong Golf Club - Fanling, Hong Kong

The LIV Golf Hong Kong 2025 tournament is set to take place from March 7 to March 9 at the historic Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. This marks the second consecutive year the event will be hosted at this venue, following its successful debut in 2024. The competition features a 54-hole individual stroke play format, with 54 players divided into 13 teams of four, along with two wildcard entries. The total prize pool is $25 million, with $20 million allocated for individual competitors and $5 million for team performances.

Joburg Open - DP World Tour - Houghton Golf Club - Johannesburg, South Africa

The 2025 Joburg Open, part of the DP World Tour, is set to take place at the Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg, South Africa, from March 6 to March 9. This tournament marks the final stop of the tour’s International Swing and offers a purse of $1.1 million, with the winner expected to take home $190,000. Houghton Golf Club, a par-70 course stretching 7,227 yards, is known for its tree-lined fairways, undulating terrain, and high-altitude conditions that allow the ball to travel farther. The course has a rich history, having hosted several prestigious events like the South African Open and the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Astara Chile Classic pres. by Scotiabank - Korn Ferry Tour - Prince of Wales Country Club - Santiago, Chile

The Astara Chile Classic presented by Scotiabank is an upcoming Korn Ferry Tour event scheduled to take place from March 6-9, 2025, at the Prince of Wales Country Club in Santiago, Chile. This tournament marks the conclusion of the Korn Ferry Tour's international events for the season and is the fifth time the Prince of Wales Country Club has hosted the event.

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

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

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What’s in the Bag (WITB)

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