Planet Golf News for Saturday, March 23, 2024

Jordan Spieth leads the list of big names to miss the cut at the Valspar Championship 2024. Other notable players include Sam Burns, Keegan Bradley, Brian Harman, Sepp Straka, Gary Woodland, Zach Johnson, Tony Finau, Min Woo Lee, and Kevin Kisner.

Stewart Cink shares the lead with four other players at the Valspar Championship after shooting a 4-under 67. Despite being 50 years old, Cink is competing against younger players on a longer golf course. Justin Thomas is one shot behind the leaders, while Jordan Spieth and other notable players missed the cut. The tournament remains wide open with only six shots separating the leaders from those making the cut.

Justin Lower withdrew from the Valspar Championship after breaking his club during the opening round. Lower had been struggling in recent tournaments and snapped his sand wedge while trying to blast out of a bunker. With a challenging day ahead and the cutline expected to be near par, Lower decided to withdraw without providing an explanation for his exit.

During the Valspar Championship, Jordan Spieth made a left-handed recovery shot after his tee shot ended up at the base of a tree. Despite not wanting to hit it left-handed, Spieth attempted the shot and managed to make good contact, but the ball remained in the rough. He ultimately walked off the hole with a bogey. Currently at level par, Spieth's performance is close to the cut line.

Kevin Streelman has introduced a unique ball marker at the Valspar Championship, which has helped improve his putting and confidence on the green. The marker, which he confirmed is league-legal, provides visual cues for alignment. Streelman's improved performance has put him near the top of the leaderboard. The marker appears to be a custom creation, but similar versions are available on the market.

Malia Nam, a former USC player, leads in her second career LPGA Tour start at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship at Palos Verdes Golf Club. Nam holds a one-stroke lead after shooting a 2-under 69, showcasing her familiarity with the course. Defending champion Ruoning Yin and Madelene Sagstrom are tied for second place. Nam expressed surprise at her performance and is excited to see her name on top of the leaderboard.

Maria Fassi fired an impressive 6-under 65 in the second round of the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship, securing her first cut of the 2024 LPGA Tour season. After a challenging start, Fassi rallied with a string of birdies to finish at even par for the tournament. Her strong performance showcases her tenacity and sets the stage for a promising weekend on the course.

Rose Zhang has made an impressive comeback in the LPGA tournament after completing her coursework at Stanford. Despite not playing competitively for a while, Zhang showed great skill and course management, hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation. She is currently one stroke off the lead, with a score of 6-under through 36 holes.

Caroline Masson and Sophia Popov, two LPGA Tour players who recently became mothers, made their return to Tour competition at the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. Caroline, who gave birth to her son Benton David McDede in April 2023, spoke about the challenges of getting back into professional golf shape after a C-section. Sophia, who had her daughter Maya Mae Mehles in June 2023, expressed admiration for other female athletes who balance motherhood and competing at a high level. Both players missed the cut but felt proud of themselves for teeing it up again and gaining a new perspective on life and golf as mothers.

Alison Lee talks with media following her second round at FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship.

Rory McIlroy is advised to make changes to his support team before the Masters Tournament to improve his performance. Despite a strong start to the season, McIlroy has struggled on the PGA Tour and is aiming to complete his grand slam at the Masters. Golf pundit Jamie Spence suggests that a change in McIlroy's support team could help him achieve better results and regain confidence.

Former Masters champion Angel Cabrera has been denied a visa to enter the United States, effectively barring him from participating in this year's Masters tournament. Cabrera, who won the Green Jacket in 2009, had spent over two years in prison, including a stint in a notorious prison in Cordoba. Despite hopes of returning to the course, Cabrera's visa request was rejected, and his agent confirmed that he will not be able to participate in the tournament.

David Feherty is bringing his live show, "Off Tour," to Augusta's Imperial Theatre during Masters week. The show features Feherty sharing stories about golf legends and his own experiences. Feherty emphasizes the importance of preserving oral history and keeping the greats of the game alive. Tickets for the Augusta show can be purchased on the "Off Tour" site or the Imperial Theatre's site.

The full field for the Texas Children's Houston Open includes world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who will be competing in his final start before seeking his second green jacket at the Masters Tournament. This tournament is one of the two remaining chances for players to earn an invitation to Augusta National.

Scottie Scheffler's impressive performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship highlighted his resilience and tenacity. Jon Rahm's unique Spanish-themed menu for the Masters' Champions Dinner was highly praised. The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund had a productive meeting, signaling intensified negotiations, but a deal is not imminent. The FedExCup math is starting to feel uncomfortable for some big names outside the top 50. The Tour's new signature-event model has created a clear divide between the haves and have nots.

According to Christopher McDonald, a sequel to the movie "Happy Gilmore" is reportedly in the works, as revealed on a Cleveland radio show. The original film, released in 1996, has become a classic among golf fans and moviegoers. McDonald's portrayal of the comedic villain Shooter McGavin has been well-loved, and if the sequel comes to fruition, it is expected to bring more laughter to golf fans.

The Palm Beach State College Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a permanent arena for Tiger Woods' TGL golf league on their Palm Beach Gardens campus. The arena, known as the SoFi Center, will replace the previously planned inflatable dome that was destroyed by a storm. The lease agreement includes annual payments from TMRW Sports to the college, and the company will also provide benefits such as training opportunities and publicity. The SoFi Center will be a 250,000-square-foot metal building designed to resemble a TV studio, with seating for 1,500 people and a large Jumbotron-type screen. The league will feature 24 players, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, competing in 18-hole match play.

North Carolina has regained the top spot in the Bushnell/Golfweek DI Coaches Poll for March 22. After finishing under par at the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, North Carolina received 12 first-place votes and 582 points, surpassing Auburn by six points. Vanderbilt, Arizona State, and Ole Miss rounded out the top five in the poll.

Jordan Spieth's 2024 season has been marked by unusual happenings, including equipment issues, disqualification, and involvement in rule controversies. Despite some solid performances, Spieth remains uncertain about the state of his game due to these distractions.

New York officials may seize Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach if Donald Trump fails to pay a $454 million bond. However, taking control of the club would be challenging because the land is owned by Palm Beach County and Trump leases it on a long-term contract. The lease dates back to the 1990s when Trump filed a lawsuit over noise from planes flying over his Palm Beach club. Trump has a decades-long lease with the county and is required to make monthly payments.

Wyndham Clark advocates for simplified golf rules, suggesting that they should be "a little simpler and more user-friendly." Clark's recent rules controversy during the Arnold Palmer Invitational sparked the discussion. While addressing the incident, Clark emphasized that the rules should be easier for casual golfers to understand. The controversy arose when Clark appeared to have moved his ball during play, but after review, it was determined that the ball had only shaken and not violated any rules.

Golfers in Los Angeles are suing the city, claiming that it has failed to stop a black market in tee times. The lawsuit alleges that brokers, primarily in the Korean community, consistently secure desirable tee times at popular municipal courses, preventing regular golfers from enjoying the benefits of the city's Player Card membership program. The golfers are seeking a refund for their Player Cards and are calling for an end to the brokering system. The city's Department of Recreation and Parks and the City Attorney's office have not commented on the pending litigation.

Paul Casey suggests using the Ryder Cup as an "olive branch" to bring LIV Golf and the PGA Tour back together. European players who joined LIV were barred from the 2023 Ryder Cup, sparking the need for a solution. Casey believes that allowing worthy LIV golfers to participate in the event would motivate more players to support a deal that would unite the sides.

Beth Daniel has been named the captain of the 2024 United States PING Junior Solheim Cup team. Daniel, a former LPGA player and captain of the 2009 US Solheim Cup team, brings a wealth of experience and success to the role. She will lead the US team against Europe at the Army Navy Golf Club in Arlington this fall.

Scottie Scheffler provides tips on how to hit a stinger shot off the tee, emphasizing the importance of keeping the ball low and producing lots of rollout. He suggests teeing the ball slightly lower, choking up on the club, moving the ball position back, and opening up the stance. By keeping the arms low and swinging through the ball, players can achieve the desired low trajectory.

Learn why you should consider using a simple bump and run shot instead of a risky flop shot around the greens. This article explains how a bump and run shot can be a higher-percentage play, provides tips on how to execute it effectively, and highlights the success of professional golfers like Patrick Cantlay and Nelly Korda who utilize this shot.

A massive alligator was spotted with a snapping turtle in its jaws on a golf course in Florida. The alligator, estimated to be 14-feet long, caught the turtle and made a loud pop sound as its teeth connected with the turtle's shell. The incident was captured in memorable photos by a golfer who witnessed it.

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.