Planet Golf News for Friday, March 8, 2024

Shane Lowry leads the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational after Round 1 with a score of 6 under. Other contenders include Justin Lower and Hideki Matsuyama at 5 under, and Russell Henley, Lee Hodges, Sam Burns, and Sahith Theegala at 4 under. Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee, and Will Zalatoris are at 3 under. Scottie Scheffler struggled on the greens.

The LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament takes place at the Hong Kong Golf Club, a par-70 course measuring just 6,710 yards. This shorter course presents a unique test for the players, requiring shot shaping and precise iron play. Despite its length, some of the league's biggest hitters still plan on using the driver strategically. The course is known for its challenges and requires patience and smart play. Players with history at the club emphasize the need for accuracy and adjusting to the conditions to succeed.

Anthony Kim is making his second start in professional golf after a twelve-year hiatus. His performance in the previous event was disappointing, finishing last with a high score. Given the strong competition in the upcoming LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament, it is unlikely that Kim will be able to catch up easily with top-tier players. However, if he can improve his form and avoid mistakes, he may have a chance to prove himself and keep his place in the competition.

Round 1 of the Puerto Rico Open was suspended due to darkness and dangerous weather conditions. The round will resume today. Scott Piercy and Joe Highsmith are currently tied for the lead at 7-under 65.

Scott Piercy, a four-time PGA Tour winner, and Joe Highsmith, a Tour rookie, are tied for the lead at the 2024 Puerto Rico Open after their opening rounds. The tournament was affected by storms, causing a suspension of play. Kevin Streelman is also in contention, while defending champion Nico Echavarria is T-17. Aaron Wise struggled in his first start since the 2023 U.S. Open.

Minjee Lee leads the Blue Bay LPGA Tour event in China after shooting a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 in the first round. She is tied for the best first 18 holes record, which she set in 2016 when she won the event. Lee holds a one-stroke lead over Sarah Schmelzel, Miranda Wang, and Ruixin Liu.

In this commentary, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel appeals to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to fix the fractured and broken state of golf. Bianchi highlights the negative impact of the schism between the two rival leagues, with elite golfers benefiting financially while fans and the sport suffer. The absence of top players from tournaments and the declining viewership of LIV Golf are discussed, emphasizing the need for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to come together and find a solution.

Brooks Koepka declined a full sit-down interview for season two of Netflix's Full Swing, but cameras captured the moment when he revealed his signing fee with LIV Golf. Koepka admitted that he joined the Saudi-backed league for financial security and disclosed that his signing fee was in the nine figures. The exact amount, rumored to be around $130 million, has not been officially confirmed.

Viktor Hovland criticizes the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for devaluing as LIV Golf events lack ranking points. The OWGR rejected LIV Golf's bid for accreditation due to concerns over its format. Many players, including Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, have dropped in the rankings, jeopardizing their eligibility for Majors. Hovland emphasizes that rankings are not objective truth and that his focus is on winning tournaments rather than improving his world ranking.

The PGA Tour is in desperate need of a star player to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week, as so far, underdog winners have dominated the first nine events. The lack of big-name players winning has affected viewership, unlike their rival LIV Golf, which has seen winners like Dustin Johnson and Joaquin Niemann. The absence of Tiger Woods, who rarely plays in events, further exacerbates the issue. The Tour needs a high-profile victory to regain attention and viewership.

Rickie Fowler explains his decision to reject LIV Golf and remain loyal to the PGA Tour, prioritizing competition with the best players in the world over earning more money. Fowler commends the efforts of his fellow players in helping the Tour grow and expresses his desire for it to continue being the best place to compete.

Rory McIlroy has stated that he will not join LIV Golf, citing his love for the traditional aspects of the game and the importance of the history and legacy in golf. Despite rumors and speculation, McIlroy remains committed to the PGA Tour and hopes for unity among the players to create a more cohesive future for the sport.

The Rules of Golf have undergone significant modifications in the past five years, resulting in changes to terminology. For example, "water hazard" is now referred to as a "penalty area," "casual water" is now "temporary water," and "all square" is now "tied." Other changes include "teeing ground" becoming "teeing area," "burrowing animal hole" becoming "animal hole," and "line of putt" becoming "line of play." While some traditionalists may resist these changes, it is important to adapt to the updated terminology.

Ping has released two new iron models, the Ping i530 and Ping G730, targeting different areas of the market. The i530 is a player's distance iron designed for more distance and precision, while the G730 is a forgiving iron offering high launch and maximum forgiveness. Both models feature innovative face technology and customization options.

The Vortex Anarch is a new golf rangefinder from the Wisconsin-based optics company. With a sturdy build and a range of features including flag detection up to 450 yards, slope adjustment, and image stabilization, it is a strong entry into the market. Priced at $599.99, it competes with other top-end rangefinders. The Anarch model offers image stabilization and a red display, distinguishing it from the Blade Slope model. Overall, it is quick, accurate, and backed by a reassuring VIP Warranty.

The 2024 Masters predictions and odds favor Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as co-favorites, but golf insider Patrick McDonald is backing Sam Burns as a longshot with potential. Burns has shown consistency and strong performance early in the season, making him a contender for the green jacket. For more expert picks and insights, visit the provided links.

Tiger Woods is the youngest golfer to win the Masters at Augusta, achieving this feat in 1997 at the age of 21 years, 3 months, and 14 days. He went on to win the tournament five times, second only to Jack Nicklaus who won it six times.

Full Swing Season 2 features plenty of humorous moments, including Justin Thomas' PGA Championship joke, unfiltered responses to the merger with Saudi Arabia's PIF, Tom Kim's shoot struggles and Masters locker room gaffe, Scheffler playing the car park attendant, Kim in the mud at the US PGA Championship, mistaken identity with the Fitzpatricks, an unanswerable question at The Open, Lowry caught on camera, and a cap swap between McIlroy and Lowry.

Sergio Garcia has made a significant equipment change for the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament, aligning himself with Tiger Woods's choice of TaylorMade clubs. Garcia's bag now includes the TaylorMade Qi10 driver, P7MB irons, Milled Grind 4 wedges, Golfyr The Maker putter, and TP5x golf balls. This strategic shift not only reflects a technical adjustment but also adds another layer to the rivalry between Garcia and Woods.

Former world No. 1 Jon Rahm criticized golf’s world ranking system on Wednesday, a day after LIV Golf formally withdrew its bid for the Spaniard and other players to accumulate points from playing its events.

Chad Mumm, the creator of Netflix's "Full Swing," is launching a new golf media startup called Pro Shop. The company has raised $19.25 million in a Series A round, with investments from the PGA Tour and PGA of America. Pro Shop aims to be a digital media company that combines editorial content, studio production, and commerce. As part of the fundraising round, Pro Shop will take control of the PGA Tour's Skratch social media channel and its employees, gaining access to Tour events and archival content. The company plans to become a leading content creator and distributor for the PGA Tour, with a focus on longform projects. Mumm will continue as the executive producer of "Full Swing," and the Tour will have a seat on Pro Shop's board.

Annika Sorenstam, president of the International Golf Federation, expresses her excitement about the growing significance of Olympic golf. She believes that the upcoming competition in Paris in 2024 will draw attention, bring more fans, and be a great event for the sport. Sorenstam also highlights the positive impact of the Olympics in increasing participation, leadership, and competition worldwide, as well as sharing inspiring stories of athletes like Aditi Ashok from India and C.T. Pan from Chinese Taipei.

LIV Golf is introducing new innovations for its third season, including the "Any Shot, Any Time" feature that allows fans to choose which golfers or groups to watch. They are also adding live drones, storytelling graphics, and partnerships with streaming platforms like Caffeine to expand their audience. LIV aims to make golf more accessible and engaging for viewers through technology and innovation.

Click to see the entire PGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.