Planet Golf News for Saturday, April 6, 2024

Akshay Bhatia is leading the Valero Texas Open with an impressive performance, despite finding the round stressful. He has a chance to secure a spot in the Masters if he continues to perform well. Bhatia has struggled with anxiety in the past but remains focused on taking it one shot at a time. Despite some challenges, he managed to execute nicely on the front side of the course.

Akshay Bhatia joins Smylie Kaufman to look back at his Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals appearance in 2014 and describe his Masters outlook at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.

During the Valero Texas Open, Jimmy Walker broke his putter in frustration after missing a birdie putt. Rory McIlroy and Smylie Kaufman, who were commentating at the time, reacted with surprise and humor. Walker was 2-over after nine holes on Friday.

Tommy Fleetwood shoots 3-under at Valero Texas Open while his caddy, Ian Finnis, is out with illness. Fleetwood is in contention heading into the weekend, finishing at 4-under through two rounds.

Rory McIlroy is showing improvement in his game at the Valero Texas Open, with fewer bogeys and a more confident golf swing. After visiting swing coach Butch Harmon, McIlroy has made adjustments and is heading in the right direction. He aims to tighten up his iron shots and wedges, and improve his putting. With increased confidence, McIlroy is looking forward to The Masters and the opportunity to win the career grand slam.

Rickie Fowler and six other big names missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open due to strong winds and fast greens. Other players who failed to make the weekend include Eric Cole, Matt Kuchar, Billy Horschel, Harris English, Joel Dahmen, and Tom Kim.

Jordan Spieth celebrated his fourth career hole-in-one at the Valero Texas Open by receiving a new car as a prize. However, his friend Rickie Fowler signed the car's windshield, leaving his mark. Fowler himself has three hole-in-ones in his career.

The 16th hole at TPC San Antonio's Oaks Course, known for its unique design with a massive bunker in the middle of the green, has gained a new nickname - "The Avocado Hole". The idea to call it that came from a merchandising manager, Liz Ortiz, and it has become a hit among fans, with avocado-themed merchandise selling out quickly. The success has prompted plans for more merchandise and integration into the golf shop.

Leona Maguire of Ireland advanced to the quarter-finals of the LPGA Match Play as the top seed, shooting a three-under par 69 in challenging conditions. The tournament combines stroke play and match play, with Maguire leading the field by three strokes. Kim Sei-Young and Nelly Korda also made it to the match play round.

Rose Zhang, the LPGA phenom, holds a share of the lead at the T-Mobile Match Play tournament after carding a 1-over 73 on Day 2. Despite struggling in the final holes, it is another first for Zhang, who has never held at least a share of the lead through 36 holes before. The tournament will now move to match play after the first cut is made on Friday.

A new format isn't knocking Korda off track from a potential fourth win in her last four starts.

Nelly Korda talks with media following her third round at T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards.

Talor Gooch, Sergio Garcia, and Peter Uihlein are tied for the lead after the first round of LIV Golf Miami. Gooch's former team, RangeGoats GC, has a five-stroke lead in the team competition. The tournament features strong performances from various players, including Bubba Watson, Matthew Wolff, and Jon Rahm.

Sergio Garcia goes back to his old putter from 25 years ago and shares the lead at the LIV Golf Miami tournament with Talor Gooch and Peter Uihlein. Garcia's bogey-free round of 5-under 67 puts him in a strong position before the Masters. Other notable players in contention include Bubba Watson, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Patrick Reed.

RangeGoats GC leads by five shots after Round 1 of LIV Golf Miami, with Peter Uihlein tied for the individual lead. Bubba Watson's RangeGoats and Jon Rahm's Legion XIII are the top two teams in driving distance. Sergio Garcia, using his old putter, is in contention for another individual title. Talor Gooch had a remarkable hole-out for birdie. Statistical leaders include Kieran Vincent in driving accuracy, Dustin Johnson in driving distance, Dean Burmester for longest drive, and Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, and Jon Rahm in greens in regulation.

Casey Weidenfeld, an Auburn redshirt sophomore, had her first-ever round at Augusta National Golf Club. She experienced the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the course, walked in the footsteps of golf legends, and enjoyed the views. While treating it as a practice round, Weidenfeld couldn't help but feel like a fan at times. She aims to have fun and shoot an even par or better in the competitive round tomorrow.

The champion of the Augusta National Women's Amateur will not only receive a trophy and exemptions into the next five editions of the ANWA, but also exemptions into four of the LPGA Tour's major championships. Past participants have expressed the significance of this opportunity and the valuable experience of playing alongside the world's best players. The ANWA winner will have the chance to compete in the upcoming Chevron Championship and potentially earn a spot in other major championships.

Ingrid Lindblad talks with Paige Mackenzie during her practice round to talk about her preparation for the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

Rose Zhang, winner of the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2023, is currently competing for an LPGA Tour title in Las Vegas. While focused on her own tournament, Zhang is also keeping an eye on the leaderboard in Augusta and rooting for her friends and former teammates. Zhang's victory at the ANWA propelled her to a successful 2023 season and she has since become a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour. Despite some recent challenges, Zhang remains determined and is looking forward to watching the Augusta National Women's Amateur and supporting the new champion.

LSU golfer Ingrid Lindblad has the opportunity to win the Augusta National Women's Amateur in her final appearance. Starting the final round tied for fifth place, Lindblad is four shots behind the leader. The tournament will be televised by NBC Sports and Peacock, with Lindblad teeing off at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

The Augusta National Women's Amateur is heading into the final round with Lottie Woad leading the field by two shots. Notable names like Anna Davis missed the cut due to a slow play penalty. Tee times and pairings are listed, and the final round can be watched on NBC from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET.

Tiger Woods is set to confirm his participation in The Masters at Augusta National, marking his return to the PGA Tour after nearly 14 months. Despite his drop in rankings and lack of preparation, Woods aims to make a record-breaking 26th appearance and hopes to match Jack Nicklaus' six wins. However, there are concerns about his ability to walk the full 72 holes due to his ankle injury.

Akshay Bhatia has a five-shot lead heading into the weekend at the Valero Texas Open. If he wins, he will qualify for his first Masters. The 2024 Masters field is listed, including Tiger Woods. The Masters starts on April 11 at Augusta National Golf Club.

PGA Tour rookie Nick Dunlap has qualified to play at Augusta National Golf Club for the 2024 Masters. Dunlap earned his spot by winning the 2024 American Express event as an amateur, becoming the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991. It remains to be seen how Dunlap will fare against seasoned professionals on the challenging course.

Neal Shipley, a Masters rookie, shares his insights and takeaways from practicing 100 holes at Augusta National. He describes the surreal arrival, the adrenaline rush, the importance of playing holes backward in your head, the similarities to Western Pennsylvania courses, the challenge of reading the influence of Rae's Creek, the need to pick your spots, the impact of the new tee on the 2nd hole, the wealth of knowledge from Augusta National caddies and insiders, and the endless requests for merchandise from fellow golfers.

Augusta National has made a small modification to the par-5 second hole ahead of the 2024 Masters, extending the tee box to bring a fairway bunker into play. This follows previous changes to the 13th, 11th, and 15th holes in recent years. The club is known for continuously improving its course, and more changes may be spotted during Masters Week.

Rory McIlroy joins Smylie Kaufman to discuss his record-setting victory at the 2011 U.S. Open, explaining why it was some of the best golf he's ever played.

Rory McIlroy stands on the edge of immortality at the Masters. Despite not playing his best recently, McIlroy's desire to win is reminiscent of Paul McGinley's experience in the Irish Open. The article also mentions a special offer for unlimited access to every story on the website.

Gianna Clemente, one of the youngest competitors in the Augusta National Women's Amateur, is gaining attention for her talent and potential. With an impressive resume and the support of her coach, she has the ability to compete at any level. Currently, she is just two shots behind the leader and has a strong chance of becoming the third teenage winner of the event.

Asterisk Talley, a 15-year-old golfer, is making waves at the Augusta National Women's Amateur tournament. Talley, known for beating Bryson DeChambeau in chipping contests, is the youngest player to make the cut. Despite her age, Talley has already achieved notable victories and is determined to reach the LPGA as quickly as possible. Her unique first name and impressive skills have garnered attention, and she is ready to make a name for herself on the big stage..

Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, finds relief as the Valero Texas Open brings in higher viewership numbers, marking a 33% increase compared to the previous year. This comes after a series of poor viewership and declining TV ratings, which have been a major concern for the tour. The increase in numbers brings hope for the circuit, but the tour needs to maintain the momentum to sustain the improvement.

The Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) has become a highly impactful event in women's golf within just five years of its existence. With star champions, increased support, and coverage, the tournament has reached new heights. There is speculation about the possibility of playing all three tournament rounds at Augusta National in the future, but no public indication of imminent change. The ANWA's success reflects the importance of venues in women's golf and the potential for further growth and improvement.

TaylorMade has released a new version of its popular BRNR Mini-Driver called the BRNR Mini-Driver Copper. While the features and technology remain the same, the cosmetic change includes a copper theme and a retro TaylorMade engraving. The Mini Driver is known for its combination of carbon fiber, titanium, and steel, providing excellent acoustics and adjustable weights for forgiveness or a penetrating ball flight. The BRNR Mini Driver Copper is expected to sell out quickly, following the success of its predecessor.

Charley Hull, a prominent LPGA golfer, has suffered an unfortunate injury to her nose and a concussion while playing paddle. This comes just weeks before the LPGA major Chevron Championship, but it is expected that her injuries will not significantly impact her participation. Other notable players participating in the championship include Lilia Vu, Jin Young Ko, Celine Boutier, Ruoning Yin, Danielle Kang, and Nelly Korda.

From The Times, April 6, 1923 - In a golf match at Stoke Poges, the lady golfers emerged victorious over the men, although it was a close contest. The absence of Mr. Bernard Darwin, a strong player for the men, may have contributed to the ladies' success.

Golf participation in New Zealand has surged during the Covid-19 lockdowns, with record numbers of all ages and abilities taking up the sport. However, there are concerns that the country's facilities may not be sufficient to sustain this boom. While golf has seen a resurgence and become the number one participation sport in New Zealand, there is a need for more courses accessible to the general public, as some public courses have been lost to housing developments. Initiatives aimed at women, girls, juniors, and players with disabilities have contributed to the growth of the sport in these demographics. The availability of facilities will play a crucial role in determining the future of golf in New Zealand.

An earthquake near Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, sparked conspiracy theories, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene suggesting it was a message from God. Trump's biographer, Tim O'Brien, pointed out the proximity of the earthquake's epicenter to Trump's golf course. The incident led to speculations about Trump's legal troubles and Ivana Trump's resting place at the golf course.

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.