Planet Golf News for Saturday, March 9, 2024

Shane Lowry is in a six-way tie for the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after the second round, along with Hideki Matsuyama, Russell Henley, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark, and Scottie Scheffler. Rory McIlroy is six shots back. Tommy Fleetwood missed the cut after a difficult round.

Scottie Scheffler, along with four other major champions, is co-leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The tournament has seen a six-way tie for the lead, with players like Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, and Hideki Matsuyama making significant moves. The competition is fierce, and the weekend is expected to bring more challenges with wind and firmer course conditions.

The 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with six players tied for the lead heading into the weekend. Scottie Scheffler's strong putting performance has put him in contention for a second win at the event. Wyndham Clark and Shane Lowry are also among the leaders, while Rory McIlroy has shown improvement in his putting game. Will Zalatoris is lurking in the top ten and looking to continue his comeback. Overall, the tournament is proving to be a tough test for the players and promises an exciting finish.

Tommy Fleetwood had a rough round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, recording a 10 on the par-5 6th hole after hitting the ball into the water multiple times. This performance, reminiscent of a scene from the movie "Tin Cup," resulted in Fleetwood missing the cut and remaining winless on the PGA Tour.

After the first day at LIV Hong Kong, Dean Burmester and Abraham Ancer are tied for the lead, one stroke ahead of the chasing pack. The Stingers lead the team standings with a score of 16 under, while Bryson DeChambeau's Crushers GC are one shot behind. Scoring was not as low as expected, with only 37 out of 54 players breaking par.

Anthony Kim, returning to professional golf after a 12-year hiatus, struggled in his opening round at the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament, shooting a 76. Despite his rusty performance, he is currently tied with Hudson Swafford and ahead of Phil Mickelson. Mickelson, who had a strong finish in the previous event, had a rough start with a score of 80. South Africa's Dean Burmester and Mexico's Abraham Ancer currently lead the tournament.

The second round of the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament will take place on Saturday, March 9, with a shotgun start at 12:15 pm local time. All 18 groups will begin their rounds at the same time from different holes. Abraham Ancer and Dean Burmester are tied for the lead after the first round. The team portion sees Stinger GC with a one-stroke lead over Crushers GC.

Lefty Joe Highsmith takes the lead in the Puerto Rico Open after a bunched-up leaderboard in the first and second rounds. Highsmith is aiming to become the 16th left-handed golfer to win on the PGA Tour. The tournament offers a $720,000 first-place prize and a spot in the 2024 Players Championship.

Sarah Schmelzel and Narin An share the lead at the Blue Bay LPGA tournament in China, with both players at nine under par. Hye-Jin Choi is in third place at eight under, while Ruixin Lui and Minjee Lee are tied for fourth at seven under. The leaderboard is crowded, with several players close behind.

LPGA World No. 1 Lilia Vu has withdrawn from the 2024 Blue Bay LPGA due to injury, marking her second absence in Asia this year. This opens up an opportunity for Celine Boutier to potentially become the top-ranked golfer in the world for the first time in her career. Vu's health condition has been a concern, as she withdrew from the HSBC Women's World Championship the week before. Boutier, currently ranked third, has the chance to displace Vu from the top spot with a strong performance in China.

Tiger Woods will not be playing in the 2024 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He was not listed in the field for the tournament, following his withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational due to illness. Woods had previously suggested a once-a-month playing schedule, but his next expected appearance will be at the Masters in April.

The PGA Tour Policy Board members are divided over a deal with LIV Golf and the Saudi PIF. Negotiations have been ongoing, but there is disagreement among board members about the need for an agreement and the potential impact on the game. The divide between the two circuits is causing concern among fans who want to see the top players compete together.

The Epson Tour has announced a new multi-year corporate partnership with Reliance Matrix, an insurance and absence management company based in Philadelphia. Reliance Matrix will serve as an Official Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Partner for the women's golf space through 2026. The partnership aims to lower entry fees for athletes and provide brand ambassador opportunities, educational resources, and brand awareness through the LPGA ecosystem. Previous partners Seiko Epson Corporation and Accenture have also contributed to lowering entry fees, and Rhone will serve as the Exclusive Official On-Course Apparel Partner.

The LPGA celebrates International Women's Day every day, with athletes from over 30 countries competing in the LPGA Tour. The organization takes pride in being the destination for top talent in women's golf and promotes diversity and representation. Players like Lydia Ko and Paula Creamer appreciate the opportunity to compete against the best and represent their respective countries. The LPGA's commitment to empowering and transforming the lives of girls and women through golf extends beyond the United States, with international events and team competitions.

Nelly Korda, a prominent golfer on the LPGA Tour, confirms her return to the game at the DIO Implant LA Open in March 2024. After a long break following her victory in the LPGA Drive-On Championship, Korda will compete in the tournament at Palos Verdes Golf Club. She has been working on her form with her putting instructor, Eric Dietrich, and is eager to make a strong comeback. The event has been renamed the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship to honor Se Ri Pak, a legendary South Korean golfer.

TaylorMade's 2024 SpeedSoft golf balls offer a soft feel without sacrificing distance. Priced at $25 per dozen, the low-compression balls feature a new power core technology and extended flight dimple pattern for stable flight and longer carry. The lineup includes the option of SpeedSoft Ink, which offers bright, high-contrast designs. TaylorMade aims to cater to the demand for visual technology while maintaining performance.

According to robot testing, the most consistent 3-woods of 2024 are the TaylorMade Qi10 Max with 7.6 yards of distance dropoff on mishits, the Cobra Darkspeed LS with 8.4 yards, and the PXG 0311 Black Ops with 9.9 yards. These clubs offer minimal distance loss on heel and toe strikes, making them reliable options off the tee and fairway.

Max Homa roasted Smylie Kaufman during the Arnold Palmer Invitational, joking about Kaufman's golf swing and his par from an unlikely position. Homa, in good spirits, finished the day tied for 10th and three shots back from the leaders.

Hideki Matsuyama received a lucky break during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational when a rule change prevented him from being penalized for a double hit. The rule change, 11.1a in the official R&A rule book, states that if a player's ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence, there is no penalty. Matsuyama went on to shoot 5-under in the opening round and is currently two shots back from the leader. He also mentioned struggling with back issues but was able to maintain momentum from his previous tournament win at the Genesis Invitational. 

The first episode of Netflix's 'Full Swing' highlights Rory McIlroy's struggles and his rivalry with Brooks Koepka. McIlroy, once a dominant force in golf, has been unable to win a major championship in the past 10 years. As an ambassador for the PGA Tour and a critic of LIV Golf, McIlroy faces the challenge of balancing his responsibilities while trying to regain his winning form. Koepka's success and the rise of LIV Golf have added motivation for McIlroy to focus on his game. The documentary also explores the changing perception of LIV Golfers, who have silenced critics with their performances on the course.

Netflix's golf docuseries reveals Justin Thomas' shocking reaction to the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger announcement. Thomas expresses his surprise and frustration about the merger, stating that there are many unanswered questions. The docuseries also covers Thomas' performance at the Ryder Cup, where he describes it as the worst tournament of his career.

The NXXT Golf tour has changed its eligibility criteria to only allow biological female players to compete after transgender golfer Hailey Davidson sparked backlash for winning on the circuit. The tour reversed its gender policy on International Women's Day, stating that competitors must be biological females at birth. This decision aims to maintain the integrity of women's professional golf and ensure fair competition. The change follows a trend among US mini-tours, including the Cactus Tour, to reinstate a female-at-birth requirement. The LPGA Tour still permits trans-women to compete, but the Epson Tour, the qualifying tour for the LPGA, removed its female-at-birth requirement in 2010.

After a four-year battle with injury, Martin Kaymer is pain-free and back in contention at a LIV Golf tournament. The German golfer, who won the US Open a decade ago, has struggled with a left wrist injury but is now feeling like himself again. Kaymer shot a six-under 64 in the first round of the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament, putting him in a tie for third place. This marks a significant improvement for Kaymer, whose best finish this year was a tie for 28th.

Ford's Garage cofounders have partnered with Arnold Palmer Enterprises to launch a dining and entertainment concept called Arnold Palmer's CenterCup. The first location will be in Gainesville, Florida, and will be situated in the Butler Town Center. The partnership aims to combine the iconic brand of Arnold Palmer with the successful restaurant model of Ford's Garage.

Heritage Golf Group has purchased the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, including its three 18-hole golf courses and Tennis Center. This acquisition marks the 37th club for Heritage Golf Group in the Eastern and Central U.S. and the eighth in Florida. The new owner plans to make extensive improvements to the Cypress Links golf course and continue operating the club with minimal changes in the short term. Heritage Golf Group aims to enhance the club's offerings and collaborate on expanding opportunities for existing and future members.

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.