Planet Golf News for Saturday, April 27, 2024

Jon Rahm, a professional golfer, seems to be deviating from the expected script of LIV golfers. He has expressed opinions about changing the format of tournaments and his desire to play in certain PGA Tour events. This raises questions about his satisfaction with LIV and the potential for a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV. Rahm's comments have sparked interest and may impact the unity and fan interest in the professional golf game.

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, members of the victorious European Ryder Cup team, are still eligible for the 2025 team at Bethpage Black. They must remain DP World Tour members, incurring fines for playing in LIV Golf events, but can still qualify or be selected for the Ryder Cup if they meet the tour's requirements. This contrasts with other LIV players who withdrew their DP World Tour membership. The move reveals that joining LIV Golf doesn't necessarily prevent pros from participating in the Ryder Cup.

Tommy Fleetwood caddied for his stepson Oscar Craig in his first Challenge Tour start, helping him make the cut with a 2-under score. Craig, playing as an amateur, finished as the only amateur to make the weekend at the UAE Challenge. Fleetwood expressed pride in his stepson's achievement and their bond was evident in their celebratory embrace after the round.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are tied for the lead at the halfway point of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The Irish duo shot a 2-under 70 in Friday's alternate shot, moving them to 13 under for the event. They are joined by three other teams at the top of the leaderboard.

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy finished the first round of the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tied for first place with a score of 11 under. Both players expressed their enjoyment of the event and their satisfaction with their performance. The second round is still ongoing, with McIlroy and Lowry tied as clubhouse leaders with a score of 13 under alongside Aaron Rai and David Lipski.

Joel Dahmen and Keith Mitchell prioritize having fun over winning at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Despite some mishaps, they played well and made putts, sitting at 11-under for the tournament. Their goal is to enjoy themselves and let the fun guide their performance. They are currently in contention for the title.

Five notable teams missed the cut at the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, including Sahith Theegala, Tom Hoge, Matt Kuchar, Billy Horschel, Francesco Molinari, and Luke Donald. Despite their skills and experience, these teams were unable to make it to the weekend rounds.

In the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament, Brendan Steele of HyFlyers GC leads the individual leaderboard with an 8-under 64, while Torque GC is in the lead in the team competition. Steele aims to secure his first victory in seven years, but faces tough competition from a crowded leaderboard. The local favorites, Ripper GC, are also in contention. The final round promises to be an epic shootout with tight leaderboards in both individual and team categories.

Danny Lee remains in contention for a second LIV Golf title at the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament. He sits in second place at 13-under, one shot behind leader Brendan Steele. The tournament is being held at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, where birdie-friendly conditions have been prevalent. Lee previously beat Steele in a playoff at Tucson last year. The tournament is expected to have a winning score target of 20-under.

Cameron Smith is feeling comfortable and sorry for hitting an old lady with his errant shot during the LIV Golf Adelaide tournament. Despite the incident, Smith is focused on making a last-round charge to victory, currently three shots behind the leader Brendan Steele. Smith expressed gratitude for the lady's assistance as his shot rebounded kindly, allowing him to make a birdie. He also mentioned the support of the home crowd, which adds pressure but also motivation. Smith is in contention with a bogey-free round and improvements in his driver. Steele predicts a 20-under total will be needed to win the tournament.

Grace Kim leads the JM Eagle LA Championship with a four-shot lead after two rounds. She aims to become the second consecutive Australian to win at Wilshire Country Club. Kim tied the course record in the first round and followed it up with a strong second round. She has a chance to earn her second LPGA victory. Auston Kim also made a hole-in-one during the tournament.

Griffin Wood leads the Veritex Bank Championship in the Korn Ferry Tour with a score of -18 after two rounds. Frankie Capan III is one stroke behind Wood with two holes remaining in his second round. Wood's 11-under 60 ties the second-lowest 36-hole score in Korn Ferry Tour history. The projected 36-hole cut line is 7-under 135, which would tie the record for the lowest cut score in Korn Ferry Tour history.

Miles Russell, a 15-year-old golfer from Jacksonville Beach, appears to have missed the cut in the Korn Ferry Tour's Vertitex Bank Championship after bogeying the final hole. Despite shooting his sixth consecutive under-par round, Russell finished one shot below the cut line of 5-under. Play was suspended due to thunderstorms, and the cut won't be official until the second round concludes. Russell became the youngest player in history to make the cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event last week.

Steven Alker and Doug Barron share the first-round lead at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic presented by Vensure, each shooting a 7-under 65. Alker has a history of leading after the first round and seeks his ninth win on PGA TOUR Champions. Barron, on the other hand, has led after the first round five times and looks for his third win. Other notable performances include Shane Bertsch and Tim Petrovic, both shooting bogey-free 66, and Paul Broadhurst, who won last week's Invited Celebrity Classic and sits T5 after shooting 5-under 67.

Bernhard Langer, a World Golf Hall of Famer, will be returning to action next week after recovering from an Achilles tear. The 66-year-old German golfer will compete in the Insperity Invitational, an event he has won four times. Langer underwent surgery in February and holds a record of 46 career Champions Tour victories. He is looking forward to making his return to competition in The Woodlands, Texas.

George Bryan IV, part of the Bryan Bros Golf YouTube channel, has earned a spot in the Myrtle Beach Classic PGA Tour event. After participating in the "Q at Myrtle Beach" qualifier, he tied with pro golfer Matt Akins but lost in a playoff. Bryan received an offer to play in the tournament and expressed his excitement. This will be his first PGA Tour event in his home state of South Carolina.

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings believes that changes to men's professional golf are unlikely to happen until 2026 at the earliest. While there have been discussions between the leaders of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, a negotiation involving all parties has not yet taken place. Kinnings emphasized the need for a working plan and getting the right people in the room to make significant changes by the 2026 season.

Charley Hull, an LPGA Tour Pro, has gained significant attention and praise from fans for her attire and marketing choices, in contrast to Jason Day who faced criticism for his clothing. Hull's pictures on Instagram showcasing her in Malbon Golf apparel received acclaim and positive comments, highlighting the success of her marketing strategy.

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.