Planet Golf News for Saturday, March 30, 2024

Tony Finau ties the course record with a second-round 62 at the 2024 Houston Open, standing at 9 under at the halfway point. Scottie Scheffler's late mistakes give Finau a four-shot lead. Finau's recent equipment changes and improved putting form could be promising for his performance in upcoming major championships.

Scottie Scheffler's record run of 28 consecutive under-par rounds on the PGA Tour ended with a shocking double-bogey finish at the Texas Children's Houston Open. Despite the disappointing finish, Scheffler remains in contention, four shots behind leader Tony Finau, as he seeks his third Tour title in as many starts and prepares for the Masters Tournament.

Chan Kim, a PGA Tour pro, made an ace at the Houston Open shortly after learning of his friend's death. Kim believed his friend may have been looking down and providing him with a miracle. The hole-in-one helped Kim turn in a strong round, and he will make the weekend at the tournament.

Several notable golfers, including Jason Day, Keith Mitchell, Doug Ghim, Kevin Kisner, Padraig Harrington, Joel Dahmen, Jake Knapp, Luke List, and Stewart Cink, missed the cut at the 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open. The cut came at 1-over 141, and only 83 golfers made it to the weekend.

Hannah Green shot an impressive 11-under 61 in the second round of the Ford Championship, taking a one-shot lead at 14-under. Despite not feeling well, Green made six consecutive birdies to close out her round. Fourteen women are within four shots of her lead, making for an interesting weekend.

The LPGA Ford Championship in Gilbert, Arizona, saw low scoring due to perfect conditions. Peiyun Chien, Sarah Schmelzel, and Yuka Saso all posted impressive scores of 63, but Hannah Green stole the show with a remarkable 61, including six consecutive birdies. Despite feeling unwell, Green's exceptional round puts her in the lead, with Chien and Schmelzel tied for second. The forecast for the remaining days of the tournament includes windy conditions and a high chance of rain.

Lydia Ko has surged into contention at the LPGA's Ford Championship after a stunning second round, carding a blemish-free round of 64 and moving to 11-under for the tournament. Currently tied for fifth place, Ko is three shots off the leader heading into the final two rounds. A victory in this tournament would put her one step closer to earning a spot in the LPGA's Hall of Fame.

Caroline Masson, a new mother, is performing well at the Ford Championship presented by KCC, sitting in the top 10 after two rounds. After missing the cut in her first start since becoming a mother, Masson shot a bogey-free 68 on Thursday and followed it up with a 7-under 65 on Friday, her lowest round on the LPGA Tour in two seasons. She credits her newfound patience and ability to stick to her targets for her success. Masson hopes to win a tournament with her son present and is motivated by the recent success of Nelly Korda, who also became a mother. Masson is also aiming to qualify for the Paris Olympics and Solheim Cup later this year.

Jennifer Song made her third hole-in-one of the 2024 LPGA Tour season on the par-3 14th hole during the Ford Championship. This is her 10th career hole-in-one and the first one she has seen go in. CME Group will be making a $20,000 donation on behalf of Song to their CME Group Cares Challenge - Score 1 for St. Jude, raising the 2024 donation total to $60,000.

Retief Goosen, Steven Alker, and Alex Cejka are tied for the first-round lead at the Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Goosen shot a 6-under 66, while Alker and Cejka posted bogey-free rounds. Goosen praised the course and expressed confidence in his game despite some struggles on the back nine.

Veer Ahlawat is the top Indian golfer, tied for sixth place, in the rain-truncated Indian Open golf tournament. The DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram has seen low-scoring rounds, with Keita Nakajima leading at 14 under par. The soft greens and less wind have allowed players to go for the flag more aggressively. Only 8 Indians are projected to make the cut, compared to 16 last year.

Norwegian golfer Espen Kofstad achieved an incredible 19-stroke turnaround at the Hero Indian Open on the DP World Tour, going from an 81 in the first round to a course-record 62 in the second. His impressive performance included nine birdies and an eagle, helping him reach a 1-under total and make the projected cutline. Despite initially planning to go home after the poor first round, Kofstad's remarkable improvement showcases the unpredictable nature of golf and the potential for dramatic improvement in competition.

The green jacket is an iconic tradition of the Masters Tournament. It was first worn by Augusta National Golf Club members in 1937 and has been awarded to every champion since 1949. The jacket has evolved over the years, with the current version featuring three gold buttons and a notch lapel. The color is Pantone 342, known as Masters green. The winner can only take the jacket off the property during their reign as champion and it is kept in their Champions Locker when not in use.

Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott, and Tyrrell Hatton have requested to opt out of the 2024 Olympics, joining a list of notable players who will not be participating in the golf competition. Koepka, the reigning PGA champ, faces challenges in qualifying for the United States team due to his ranking. Scott has previously expressed his disinterest in golf's inclusion in the Olympics. Other players who have opted out include Louis Oosthuizen and Thomas Pieters.

Golf club designer Indi Golf has asked a federal trial court to dismiss a patent infringement suit brought by TaylorMade Golf Company, stating that there is no evidence that it manufactured the accused products. The suit alleges that the Kirkland Signature Players Iron set of golf clubs sold by Costco Wholesale infringes five patents for TaylorMade's P790 irons.

Rory McIlroy revealed that the course he wants to play but hasn't yet is Cypress Point. He has visited the course for lunch three times but has never played it. McIlroy and his teammate Keegan Bradley also answered various other questions in a rapid-fire session.

The 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur will feature 72 of the best female amateurs in the world competing for the title. The unique format for the 54-hole event continues in 2024. The first and second rounds will be played at Champions Retreat on Wednesday and Thursday, the Island and Bluff nines their own demanding challenge. The TV schedule includes broadcasts on Golf Channel, Peacock, and NBC. The field consists of players from different countries, including past Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalists. Alumni of the event have achieved success on the LPGA and Ladies European Tour.

Bryson DeChambeau tested a "roll back" golf ball and expressed negative opinions about it, stating that it had a significant impact on distance. The governing bodies plan to establish balls with less reach in 2028 to limit elite players' increasing distance. In the 2024 season, DeChambeau currently holds the 7th rank in the individual standings of LIV Golf, with two top-10 finishes in four tournaments.

Chris DiMarco's recent comments about prize money on the Champions Tour compared to the Players Championship have sparked controversy among his peers. While some argue that the tour deserves more financial support, others believe that the timing and manner of DiMarco's argument were ill-advised. The Champions Tour operates as an elevated pro-am circuit, relying on on-site entertainment rather than a monetizable audience. The potential addition of Tiger Woods to the tour in 2025 could significantly impact its value. Overall, there are differing opinions on the issue of financial compensation in professional golf.

EA Sports PGA Tour is adding Augusta National Golf Club's par-3 course to its video game in a future update, giving players a chance to experience the famed 9-hole course. Details such as the release date and whether the Par 3 Contest will be included as a playable mode have not been announced.

Golf legend Lee Trevino shares fast solutions for two trouble shots in golf. When the ball is below your feet, play the ball back in your stance and keep your weight on your heels. When the ball is above your feet, put the ball back in the middle of your stance and keep your weight on your toes. Trevino emphasizes the importance of ball position in achieving solid contact.

Graeme McDowell expresses no regrets about joining LIV Golf, stating that the league has been a healthy disruptor to the sport. Despite his concerns about the current state of men's professional golf, McDowell believes that the game will come out stronger. He reflects on the challenges faced at the beginning of LIV Golf and expresses confidence in the momentum and direction of the league. McDowell has had a successful career in golf and has achieved notable results in LIV Golf tournaments.

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.