Wednesday, October 9, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

As the PGA Tour gears up for the 2024 Black Desert Championship, golf enthusiasts will notice some prominent names missing from the field. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, and Viktor Hovland have all opted out, leaving fans speculating on their reasons, which likely range from personal commitments to simply needing a break. Despite these absences, the tournament, set in the unique landscape of Utah's lava fields, promises plenty of excitement with a $7.6 million purse and a strong lineup of competitors.

Meanwhile, the Ryder Cup chatter is already heating up, even though the next showdown isn’t until 2025. Leading the points race for the U.S. and European teams are Xander Schauffele and Rasmus Hojgaard. With new qualification processes in place, both teams are beginning to take shape, and the possibility of LIV Golf players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton joining the ranks adds extra intrigue. The captains, Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald, have a lot to consider, including managing the notoriously passionate New York crowds when the event takes place at Bethpage Black. Fans have been warned to behave, with security measures in place to ensure that the matches remain fair and focused on the competition.

This week’s golfing calendar also brings exciting tournaments beyond the Black Desert Championship. Over in Shanghai, the LPGA Tour kicks off the Buick LPGA Shanghai, with Angel Yin defending her title against a competitive field. With big names like Danielle Kang, Rose Zhang, and Ruoning Yin in the mix, this no-cut event promises four days of thrilling action as players vie for a $2.1 million prize and crucial Race to the CME Globe points. Though a few stars like Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko are notably absent, the field remains strong and ready to deliver an intense competition.

On the PGA Tour Champions front, the SAS Championship in North Carolina will close out the regular season, while over in France, the FedEx Open de France is set to provide more Race to Dubai drama on the prestigious Albatros Course. With these diverse and exciting events unfolding across the globe, golf fans are in for a treat this October.

As the golfing world buzzes with tournament action and Ryder Cup speculation, the sport’s resurgence continues to drive revenues for resorts and hotels, reflecting golf’s growing popularity post-pandemic. Players, old and new, are enjoying a golden era of golf, from local events to the grand international stage, making this a thrilling time for fans and players alike.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

• Big moves made in Scotland ahead of DP World Tour Play-Offs - europeantour.com

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Black Desert Championship - PGA Tour - Black Desert Resort Golf Course - Ivins, UT

The Black Desert Championship, set to begin on October 10, 2024, marks the PGA Tour's return to Utah for a full-field championship after a 61-year hiatus. The tournament will be held at the Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah, with a $7.5 million purse, and $1.35 million awarded to the winner. This event is especially notable for being the first professional golf tournament ever played in a lava field, taking place on a Tom Weiskopf-designed course that opened in 2023.

The field boasts several well-known names, including Jay Don Blake, who will be making his 500th Tour start, and other notable players like Mike Weir, Michael Thorbjornsen, Patton Kizzire, Seamus Power, Patrick Rodgers, Harris English, and Nick Taylor. Among the favorites, Keith Mitchell stands out with +1600 betting odds. The action will be broadcast on Golf Channel from 5-8 p.m. EDT, Thursday through Sunday.

However, the tournament is not without its share of drama. The Monday qualifiers for the event faced a peculiar situation. Typically, any member of the PGA, Korn Ferry, or PGA Tour Champions circuits can automatically enter a Monday qualifier. Non-exempt players, however, must first play in a pre-qualifier event. This week, four players—RJ Manke, Chris Korte, John Sands, and Riley Lewis—were listed on the Black Desert Championship field sheet without participating in the required pre-qualifiers, sparking controversy.

After an investigation by Devin Dhelin of the Utah PGA, it was discovered that their inclusion was due to a clerical error. "It is our first PGA Tour Monday, and he just made an error," Dhelin explained, referring to the official who missed the pre-qualification requirement. Initially, the four players were removed from the qualifier field, and their entry fees were refunded.

But the situation took another twist. Following discussions with the PGA Tour's legal department, it was decided that the four players would be allowed to compete in the Monday qualifier after all. In a surprising turn of events, two of the four players, Chris Korte and John Sands, shot remarkable eight-under 64s to earn their spots in the Black Desert Championship, alongside two other players who had correctly gone through the qualification process.

Unless the PGA Tour decides to take further action, Korte and Sands will be teeing off alongside the rest of the field in what promises to be an exciting and competitive championship.

• 2024 Black Desert Championship Start Time Thursday, Tee Times, Pairings & ESPN+ Live Streaming Coverage

Buick LPGA Shanghai - LPGA - Qizhong Gardent Golf Club - Shanghai, China

The 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai is set to begin on October 10 at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai, China, marking the start of the LPGA Tour's Asian swing. This fourth edition of the tournament will feature a strong field of top female golfers competing for a total purse of $2.1 million, with the winner taking home $315,0005.

The event will run from October 10 to October 13, with a Pro-Am round scheduled for Wednesday. Golf Channel will broadcast every round from Wednesday to Saturday, with coverage airing from 11:00 pm to 4:00 am ET. Fans can also stream the action live on NBCSports.com or through the NBC Sports app.

Defending champion Angel Yin, who secured her first Tour win last year by defeating Lilia Vu in a playoff, will be back to defend her title. Danielle Kang, a two-time winner of this event, will also be in the field, aiming for her third victory. Other notable players to watch include Rose Zhang, Ruoning Yin, Jeeno Thitikul, Mao Saigo, and Hannah Green.

Interestingly, some top players will be absent from the tournament. World No. 1 Nelly Korda and recent standout Lydia Ko are not part of the field. Ko's absence comes after a string of successes, including victories at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the Paris Olympics, and the AIG Women's Open.

The Buick LPGA Shanghai is a no-cut event, meaning all players will compete for four rounds. In addition to the prize money, the winner will receive 500 Race to the CME Globe points, which are crucial for qualifying for the Tour Championship in November.

• 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai Round 1 tee times and pairings explored

SAS Championship - PGA Tour Champions - Prestonwood CC, Cary, NC

The PGA TOUR Champions recently announced its 2024 schedule, which includes the SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. This tournament is set to be the regular season finale. The SAS Championship is part of a 28-event schedule for the upcoming season, which will feature a record-breaking total prize money of over $67 million across all tournaments.

Prestonwood Country Club, the host venue for the SAS Championship, offers a unique format for the tournament. The event is played on a hybrid course combining holes from two of the club's three courses. The front nine utilizes the Highlands Course, while the back nine is played on the Meadows Course. This distinctive setup provides an interesting challenge for the competitors.

FedEx Open de France - DP World Tour - Le Golf National - Paris, France

The FedEx Open de France, a DP World Tour event, is set to take place this week at Le Golf National in Paris, France. This tournament marks the 39th out of 44 events on the DP World Tour schedule. The event holds significant importance as it is played on the Albatros Course at Le Golf National, which is Europe's oldest national open championship.

Victor Perez, a French golfer, is returning to compete on home soil at Le Golf National, where he has fond memories from his Olympic participation. The tournament provides players with an opportunity to earn valuable points in the Race to Dubai rankings.

As the DP World Tour continues its season, the FedEx Open de France presents an exciting opportunity for top golfers to showcase their skills on one of Europe's most prestigious courses. The event is expected to draw significant attention from golf fans and could have important implications for the Race to Dubai standings.

The Ryder Cup (Sept 22-28, 2025)

As the excitement builds for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y., captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald recently met in New York yesterday to give fans a glimpse into their preparations for this legendary golf showdown. Their press conference, held exactly one year before the tournament, offered valuable insights into how they’re building their teams, setting up the course, and facing the unique challenges Bethpage Black is known for.

Keegan Bradley, the U.S. team captain, addressed a hot topic—whether he might also compete as a player. Ranked 14th in the world, Bradley hasn’t ruled out the possibility. "Right now, my focus is on being a captain, but I'm still a full-time player," he said. Bradley emphasized that, while his main priority is leading the team, he’s still competing in major tournaments and has a solid chance of qualifying to play.

Luke Donald, who captained the European team to victory in 2023, shared his enthusiasm for the role once again. "It's a great honor, a blessing," he said, referring to the team’s trust in him to lead them. Donald also talked about the challenge of competing at Bethpage Black, particularly in front of a heavily pro-American crowd.

Both captains touched on the possibility of LIV Golf players making the teams. Donald said he's in contact with all potential team members, including those now part of LIV Golf. He specifically mentioned keeping an open dialogue with players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, ensuring that everyone remains connected.

The press conference also highlighted the unique atmosphere of Bethpage Black. Known for its demanding layout, Bradley acknowledged, "When you play the Black, you know it's going to be a tough test. Big holes. A lot of drivers. I expect it to play tough like it always does." He also stressed the importance of ensuring fair play, noting that security measures will be in place to manage the famously vocal New York fans.

Donald recognized that playing away from home poses its own challenges, particularly with a crowd that will be rooting heavily for the U.S. team. "The advantage we had in Rome and being at home, you feel that energy from the crowd and you can feed off it. Obviously, when we come to New York, it's going to be very pro-American," he said. However, Donald also acknowledged New York’s diversity, which he sees as reflective of Europe’s multicultural team.

With a year to go, the captains are laser-focused on crafting their teams and preparing for Bethpage Black’s unforgiving course. Fans can expect an intense, competitive battle between Europe and the U.S., with the stage set for an unforgettable Ryder Cup in 2025.

Today’s Best Golf Videos

Overheard in the Club House

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