Planet Golf News for Friday, September 13, 2024

Thompson hoping to sign off on Solheim Cup with victory | McIlroy & Lowry well placed after first round on bunched Irish Open leaderboard

Friday, September 13, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality.

Solheim Cup 2024: Team USA 'hungry' and ready to tackle 'unfinished business' against Team Europe

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf is buzzing with excitement and drama as we head into a packed weekend of tournaments and big announcements. LIV Golf has dropped a bombshell ahead of their Chicago event, shaking things up by putting player captains at risk of relegation. Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, and Ian Poulter are among the big names suddenly facing the pressure of staying in the league. This decision comes just before the final regular season event, and with the Team Championship in Dallas looming next week, the stakes have never been higher.

Meanwhile, Jon Rahm is appealing sanctions from the European Tour over his participation in LIV Golf, allowing him to keep competing, including at the Spanish Open. This appeal is vital for Rahm to meet Ryder Cup requirements, and he’s made it clear he’s not planning to pay fines for events he wouldn’t have played anyway.

The Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club is also gearing up to be an exciting showdown. With record attendance expected and the U.S. team hungry to reclaim the trophy after recent losses, it’s set to be an intense battle. Team USA, led by Stacy Lewis, faces off against Europe in what’s shaping up to be a fierce competition. All eyes are on veteran Lexi Thompson, who’s aiming to make a big impact in what could be her final Solheim Cup appearance.

On the men’s side, the Procore Championship has kicked off in Napa, California, with David Lipsky taking the early lead with a 7-under 65. The tournament, part of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall series, features a strong field with players like Max Homa and defending champion Sahith Theegala battling it out. Mark Hubbard’s rollercoaster round, which included nine birdies and a triple bogey, has everyone talking as he stays in contention despite the wild ride.

Across the pond, Rory McIlroy is in good form at the Amgen Irish Open, sitting just two strokes behind leader Todd Clements after a strong start. With McIlroy looking to capture another home title, the competition at Royal County Down is heating up, especially with local favorite Shane Lowry and up-and-coming amateur Seán Keeling also in the mix.

Meanwhile, the Korn Ferry Tour playoffs are underway in Nashville, where Daniel Summerhays and Paul Peterson have jumped to an early lead. The stakes are high with 17 PGA Tour cards still up for grabs for the 2025 season.

And let’s not forget the LIV Golf Chicago event, where Joaquin Niemann is eyeing both the Individual Championship and a team win for Torque GC. The competition is fierce, and with only one bye left for the Team Championship, the pressure is on.

As the weekend unfolds, golf fans have plenty to look forward to, from record crowds at the Solheim Cup to intense competition in Napa and Northern Ireland. Whether it's LIV Golf shaking things up or established stars like McIlroy and Rahm making waves, the golf world is full of excitement and high stakes this weekend.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

[ Today’s Feature Golf Reads ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Procore Championship - PGA Tour - Silverado Resort and Spa - Napa, CA

The Procore Championship, the first event of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall series, kicked off on Thursday at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California. David Lipsky took the early lead after the first round, shooting an impressive 7-under 65 on the North Course. Lipsky's round included birdies at holes 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, and 18, with his only mistake being a bogey on the par-4 9th hole.

Following closely behind Lipsky was Martin Laird at 6-under, while Mark Hubbard sat in third place at 5-under. Hubbard's round was particularly eventful, featuring nine birdies and a triple bogey on the 17th hole, his eighth hole of the day. Defending champion Sahith Theegala opened with a solid 3-under 68.

The tournament has drawn a strong field, including U.S. Presidents Cup Team members Wyndham Clark, Sahith Theegala, and Max Homa, who are playing together in the featured group. International Presidents Cup teammates Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, and Min Woo Lee are also competing.

Procore Championship Videos

Solheim Cup - LPGA - Robert Trent Jones Golf Club - Gainesville, VA

The 2024 Solheim Cup is set to begin today at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. This highly anticipated event in women's golf will feature 12 players from the United States competing against 12 from Europe.

Team USA, captained by Stacy Lewis, is looking to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2017. The European team, led by Suzann Pettersen, aims to retain the cup after a tie in the 2023 competition allowed them to keep it.

The tournament will follow a three-day format, with foursomes and four-ball matches on Friday and Saturday, followed by singles matches on Sunday. Each match is worth one point, with a total of 28 points available.

The opening foursomes matches have been announced, with World No. 1 Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz facing Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit in the first match at 7:05 a.m. ET this morning. All four rookies in this year's cup will be playing in the morning foursomes, demonstrating the captains' trust in their abilities.

Lexi Thompson, a veteran of the U.S. team participating in her seventh consecutive Solheim Cup, has been a fan favorite during practice rounds. Despite not having won on the LPGA Tour in recent years, her experience and skill in the alternate-shot format make her a valuable asset to the team.

As the teams make their final preparations, both sides are aware of the historical significance of this competition. No team has won the Solheim Cup four times in a row, and neither side has won twice consecutively on foreign soil, adding to the excitement and pressure of this year's event.

Solheim Cup Videos

Sanford International - PGA Tour Champions - Minnehaha CC - Sioux Falls, SD

The 2024 Sanford International, a PGA Tour Champions event, is set to tee off today at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This tournament has become a popular stop on the Champions Tour, attracting a strong field of golf legends and seasoned professionals.

Defending champion Steve Stricker is expected to return to defend his title. Stricker, who has been a dominant force on the Champions Tour, will be looking to add another victory to his impressive record. Other notable players in the field are likely to include Bernhard Langer, who continues to defy age with his consistent performances, and local favorite Tom Byrum, who always draws a crowd in his home state.

LIV Golf Chicago - LIV - Bolingbrook Golf Club - Bolingbrook, IL

Amgen Irish Open - DP World - Royal Country Down GC - Newcastle, Northern Ireland

The 2024 Amgen Irish Open kicked off on Thursday at the prestigious Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. After the first round, England's Todd Clements emerged as the early leader, carding an impressive 5-under 66. Clements' round included five birdies and an eagle on the 18th hole, setting the pace for the tournament.

Hot on Clements' heels are Finland's Sami Välimäki and Spain's Alejandro del Rey, both sitting one stroke back at 4-under par. The home favorite and world No. 3 Rory McIlroy made a strong start, finishing the day at 3-under 68 after birdieing his final three holes. McIlroy is part of a five-man group tied for third place, just two shots off the lead.

McIlroy, who is seeking his second Irish Open title, praised the challenging conditions at Royal County Down, calling it "the best course in the world". The Northern Irishman's performance marks a significant improvement from his last appearance at this venue in 2015, where he missed the cut.

Other notable players in the field include Shane Lowry, who recovered from a slow start to card a 1-over 72, and Robert MacIntyre, who finished at even-par 71. The tournament features a strong field, with players like Padraig Harrington, Seamus Power, and Tommy Fleetwood also competing.

The event, which is part of the DP World Tour, carries a total purse of $6 million, with the winner set to receive $1.02 million. The challenging course and unpredictable weather conditions are expected to test the players' skills throughout the four-day tournament, which concludes on Sunday.

Simmons Bank Open - Korn Ferry Tour - Vanderbilt Legends Club - Franklin, TN

Presidents Cup (9/26-9/29)-PGA - The Royal Montreal Golf Club - LLe Bizard, PQ

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE