Planet Golf News for March 20, 2024

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan had a "constructive" meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund, which funds rival LIV Golf. The meeting was part of the due diligence process in selecting potential investors for PGA Tour Enterprises. The PGA Tour is seeking a commercial partnership with the PIF to compete with LIV Golf and prevent more players from defecting. The details of the meeting were not disclosed.

Xander Schauffele, a professional golfer, reflects on his performance at the Players Championship and shares his father's advice of "commit, execute, and accept." He also addresses the controversy surrounding the Saudi-PGA Tour deal and expresses his contentment with his decision to remain loyal to the Tour.

PGA Tour stars earn less than LIV Golfers as the Valspar Championship prize money confirms a significant gap in earnings. LIV Golfers who switched from the PGA Tour are earning much more, with LIV Golf offering larger prize funds and bonuses. The Valspar Championship has an $8.4 million prize fund, while LIV Golf events have a $25 million prize fund, with additional team competition earnings.

The 2024 Valspar Championship will take place in Palm Harbor, Florida, with golfers competing at the Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course). The tournament offers an $8.4M purse, and Taylor Moore is the defending champion. The event can be watched on Golf Channel and NBC, with live streaming available on Fubo. The tournament features top-ranked participants such as Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth. Betting options are also available through BetMGM Sportsbook.

This document provides expert picks and predictions for the 2024 Valspar Championship. Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman, and Sam Burns are among the top contenders, while Maverick McNealy and Taylor Moore are mentioned as sleepers. The document also includes matchup bets and top-10 predictions.

The FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship of the LPGA Tour will be held at Palos Verdes Golf Club in California. Defending champion Ruoning Yin will be competing. The event can be watched on Golf Channel/Peacock and streamed on the NBC Sports App, golfchannel.com, and Peacock. International viewers can find information on watching the LPGA in their respective countries.

Rose Zhang, a professional golfer and Stanford student, faces the challenge of balancing her demanding school schedule with her return to the LPGA Tour. Despite the lack of sleep and rigorous academic workload, Zhang is determined to excel in both areas. She reflects on the lessons of time management and considers the possibility of taking online classes in the future. While she acknowledges the stress of school, Zhang is excited to refocus on her golf career in the upcoming tournament.

Seri Pak, a former LPGA player, has made significant contributions to the game of golf on a global scale. She revolutionized women's golf and helped lift South Korea out of economic turmoil. Pak's influence has led to a significant increase in the number of women playing golf in South Korea, a rise in the number of Asian players on the LPGA tour, and the expansion of LPGA events in Asia. Additionally, her efforts have contributed to the economic growth of the golf industry in South Korea and the financial stability of the LPGA.

The 2024 Masters predictions highlight Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as co-favorites, with Sam Burns as a longshot pick. Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, is expected to show confidence at Augusta National. For more expert picks and underdogs, visit the provided links.

In his first trip to Augusta National for the Masters, Taylor Moore learned to avoid the tournament shop, which gets crowded with people trying to buy merchandise. Moore also emphasized the importance of treating majors like a normal work week and not getting too caught up in the excitement. He spent quite a bit of money in the shop during his first visit but has already done a scouting trip this year to prepare for the tournament.

Defending champion Jon Rahm expresses his desire for PGA Tour and LIV Golf players to "coexist" and hopes to face the best players in the world at the Masters. Talks between the PGA and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV Golf, are ongoing. Rahm is currently banned from PGA Tour events after joining LIV Golf. He remains optimistic about a resolution and believes it can push the game of golf forward. Rahm aims to become the fourth player to retain the Masters title.

Jon Rahm reflects on his Masters victory and the lesson he learned from watching the official film of the tournament. He realized that he had missed more shots than he had thought, leading to the lesson of minimizing damage and accepting that mistakes happen. Rahm also shares his experience of visiting the Champions Locker Room with his family and the special moments they had during the celebration.

Jon Rahm expresses the difficulty of not being able to defend his titles on the PGA Tour after joining LIV Golf. Despite the ban, Rahm is performing well in LIV events and is currently ranked second. He looks forward to defending his Masters crown and hosting the past champions dinner.

Jon Rahm, one of the top golfers in the world, hopes to return to The Players tournament and defend his titles. Despite enjoying his time in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league, Rahm misses playing in PGA Tour events and is excited to compete against the best players in the upcoming Masters. He also advocates for a union between the leagues to showcase the best in the world. Rahm discusses his menu for the Masters champions dinner and mentions that his game is in a good place leading up to the tournament.

According to Ryder Cup vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, a deal is expected to be reached to allow LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to play for Europe in the Ryder Cup. While Rahm and Hatton are still eligible for Luke Donald's team, they would have to qualify through the Majors and face fines and suspensions. Molinari believes that a way will be found to select them regardless. However, Molinari also revealed that another Ryder Cup star turned down the Saudi cash offered by LIV Golf.

Jon Rahm is comfortable with his move to Saudi-backed LIV Golf but finds it hard not to defend titles on the PGA Tour. Despite missing out on events he enjoyed, Rahm is looking forward to competing at the Masters and hopes for a reunification between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He believes there is room for both team golf and individual golf in the future of the game.

Jon Rahm has revealed the menu for the Champions Dinner at the Masters, featuring a Spanish flair. The menu includes tapas, Basque-inspired dishes, and a lentil stew known as "Mama Rahm's Classic Lentil Stew."

There are discussions to include a mixed-team competition in the 2028 Olympic golf games in Los Angeles. The competition would likely consist of two-person teams, with a male and female player representing their country. The format and number of rounds are yet to be determined, but it could involve alternate shot or best-ball formats. This expansion follows the success of the Grant Thornton Invitational, a co-sanctioned team event featuring PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players.

Scottie Scheffler is being compared to Tiger Woods as the potential heir to the golf throne. With his impressive performance, including nine victories in the past 25 months and a 65% top 10 finish rate, Scheffler is making a name for himself. However, he humbly acknowledges that Woods stands alone in the game. Scheffler's recent back-to-back wins and his position at the top of the ranking for 43 weeks solidify his potential as a top player in the future.

In this edition of The Grind, Scottie Scheffler's dominant performance at the Players Championship, Xander Schauffele's high runner-up ratio, and a viral video blooper are discussed. Scheffler defended his title despite a neck injury, while Schauffele continues to have close calls without securing a major victory. The Players Championship is praised for consistently identifying the best player, and viral videos of golfers and fans are shared. The article also mentions upcoming golf tournaments and includes various tweets and videos of the week.

LIV Golf has partnered with AEG to provide fans with entertainment and enhance fan-first event experiences. This collaboration aims to connect the sport with new audiences and deliver world-class entertainment. AEG Presents, known for organizing live music events and festivals, will manage and execute concert production for LIV Golf tournaments globally, extending LIV Golf's global reach.

As more Americans continue to flock to golf, the golf shoe market is booming. Major players like Adidas, FootJoy, and Callaway still dominate the market, but new brands like Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red are entering the space. The rise in golf participation, driven by the pandemic, has led to increased sales of golf shoes, with retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods seeing it as a long-term growth opportunity.

Xander Schauffele believes that professional golf will reunite in the future, bringing together stars from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for more than just the four majors each year. He acknowledges the challenges and questions that need to be addressed but sees discussions moving in the right direction. Schauffele also discusses the importance of loyalty to fans, the business aspect of golf, and his acceptance of past decisions and losses. He remains optimistic and excited to win again.

U.S. Kids Golf, LLC has appointed John Plaziak as its new Chief Executive Officer. Plaziak, a former PING Golf National Sales Manager, brings a wealth of golf and business experience to the role. His leadership skills, commitment to teamwork, and focus on customer service make him an ideal candidate. Plaziak's appointment reflects U.S. Kids Golf's dedication to serving families and growing the game of golf..

The final leaderboard of THE PLAYERS Championship in golf bears a striking resemblance to Team USA's projected starting four for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The top four names on the leaderboard could potentially mirror the American team for the Olympic men's golf competition. The race for qualification is tight, with eight American players currently in the top 15 of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Johnson Wagner became a viral sensation after a segment on Golf Channel where he threw range balls into the turf to debunk Rory McIlroy's drop controversy at the Players Championship. Wagner admitted to "wetting himself laughing" when he watched the segment and assured fans that his shoulder is 100% after the intense ball-throwing.

Alnmouth Village Golf Club, England's oldest 9-hole links, is facing the threat of losing the golf course due to turf falling into the sea caused by climate change. The club's members are concerned that the problem may be insurmountable, and efforts are being made to seek funding for coastal erosion protection.

According to a report, Paige Spiranac earns significantly more from social media posts compared to Scottie Scheffler. While Spiranac's average earnings per post range from $8,477 to $12,716, Scheffler only earns $2000 to $3000 per post despite having more followers on Instagram. This highlights the influence and popularity of golf influencers like Spiranac in attracting larger crowds and earning higher incomes from social media.

Paige Spiranac, a golf influencer, reflects on her journey from facing hate to achieving success. She reveals that she has become desensitized to the hate and finds it amusing. Over the years, people have warmed up to her, making her career easier. She compares her experience to others who are initially loved and then face hate. Despite the challenges, Spiranac has become a strong and inspiring figure for her fans.

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.