Planet Golf News - Saturday Tour Edition - February 24, 2024

Alvaro Ortiz shares the lead in the Mexico Open after a strong start and a 7-under 64. He is tied with Jake Knapp, Matt Wallace, and Sami Valimaki. Ortiz, the younger brother of PGA Tour winner Carlos Ortiz, is aiming for a significant victory in his home country. [kdhnews.com]

Defending champion Tony Finau is joined by Matt Wallace, Sami Valimaki, and Álvaro Ortiz as the stars of the opening two rounds at the Mexico Open Championship. The cut line rules at the tournament follow standard PGA Tour rules, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend. The projected cut line currently stands at one-under par (-1). Several players are in danger of missing the cut, including Tyson Alexander, Charley Hoffman, and Francesco Molinari. Tony Finau has a strong record at the Mexico Open Championship, finishing in a tie for second in 2022 and winning the tournament in 2023. [en.as.com]

Matt Wallace has implemented a mind game strategy in the Mexico Open, pretending to be over par before the tournament starts to motivate himself to fight back. This tactic has resulted in improved performance, with Wallace currently sharing the 36-hole lead. [golfdigest.com]

During the Mexico Open at Vidanta, PGA Tour pro Mackenzie Hughes played a shot off a cartpath in his socks, which sparked questions on Golf Twitter. Despite the unique approach, Hughes couldn't convert the birdie putt and ended the day with a rough score of 77. [golfdigest.com]

The 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta offers a total prize money of $8.1 million, with $1.458 million going to the winner. The payouts for the top 65 positions are listed, with decreasing amounts for each position. [si.com]

A look at the full field for the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. [nbcsports.com]

The Cognizant Classic 2024 will feature top golfers such as Matthew Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Daniel Berger, and Shane Lowry. Other players to watch include Eric Cole, Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel, Tom Kim, Chris Kirk, Rory McIlroy, Sepp Straka, and Gary Woodland. The tournament will take place from February 29 to March 3 at PGA National. [aol.com]

The Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches is a golf tournament taking place from February 29 to March 3. The schedule includes qualifying rounds, a Pro-Am, and the main tournament. Tickets are available for purchase, with various options for grounds passes and hospitality tickets. Parking options and golf etiquette guidelines are also provided for spectators. Certain items are allowed and prohibited at the event. [news-press.com]

The 2024 Masters golf tournament odds list Jon Rahm at 19-2 to repeat his previous win, with Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as 15-2 co-favorites. The SportsLine model predicts that Rory McIlroy, despite being a co-favorite, will fail to complete the career grand slam and barely crack the top five. The model also suggests that Xander Schauffele, a 28-1 longshot, will make a strong run at the title. The model has also targeted three other golfers with odds of 20-1 or longer to make a strong run at the green jacket. [cbssports.com]

During a pre-qualifier for the Cognizant Classic, 15-year-old Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, faced unruly fan behavior including fans walking alongside him on the fairway, a grandmother pulling her granddaughter out of school for his attention, and fans pursuing his ball out of bounds. Despite the distractions, Woods shot a 16-over 86 and did not advance to the main qualifier. [golf.com]

The coverage of Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, in his pre-qualifying debut for a PGA Tour event was deemed excessive and potentially harmful. The media, PGA Tour, and fans contributed to an overwhelming circus-like atmosphere, leading to uncomfortable crowd scenes and a lack of security. While it is natural for the son of a legendary golfer to attract attention, there is a need to set boundaries and protect the 15-year-old from unnecessary pressure and scrutiny. [golfmonthly.com]

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac defends Tiger Woods' son Charlie, 15, after his unsuccessful attempt to qualify for a PGA Tour event. She calls for less media coverage and pressure on Charlie, highlighting the challenges of golf and the disruptive behavior of fans during his pre-qualifying event. [dailymail.co.uk]

Cristobal Del Solar shot a record-breaking 57 in a Korn Ferry Tour event, but he didn't even know his score until after the round. Del Solar's focus was on making birdies, and he was unaware of the historical significance of his performance. Despite not keeping track, his exceptional play and ability to make putts led to his record-breaking score. [golfdigest.com]

Bryson DeChambeau defends LIV Golf against critics over their lack of Official World Golf Ranking recognition, stating that the league has met all the required criteria. LIV events have been held without OWGR points for over two seasons, causing a decline in rankings for players like Dustin Johnson. DeChambeau believes that showcasing their performance in major championships will force the OWGR to include them. [mirror.co.uk]

Bryson DeChambeau reflects on the importance of humility and open-mindedness in his LIV Golf journey, emphasizing the need to break away from self-centeredness and toxic attitudes. He believes that the death of egos unites everyone and allows for personal growth and learning from others. DeChambeau also discusses the challenges of adjusting to playing golf in a team and the value of seeking advice from older and wiser teammates. [sportskeeda.com]

Former Open Champion Nick Price criticizes the LIV Golf Series, stating that the game is fragmented and nobody likes it. He questions the need for the team format and compares LIV Golf to the Indian Premier League. Despite facing challenges and criticism, LIV Golf continues with its third tournament of the season. [sportskeeda.com]

Joaquin Niemann, a LIV Golf star, is confident in his chances to compete for the green jacket at this year's Masters after receiving a special invite from Augusta National. Despite his ranking fall, Niemann believes his strong performance and preparation in recent tournaments will serve him well in the upcoming major. [mirror.co.uk]

Longtime NESN Boston Bruins play-by-play man, Jack Edwards, discusses his ongoing health issue affecting his speech. While doctors have not provided a definitive diagnosis, Edwards undergoes speech therapy and remains optimistic about his progress. He acknowledges the possibility of stepping down if his condition affects his performance or the fans' experience. [barrettsportsmedia.com]

Matthew Wolff has recaptured his form and is enjoying his golf again after a fallout with his former LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka. Wolff has moved on from the incident and is now performing well in tournaments, showing a rejuvenated mindset and a perspective that golf is not the most important thing in the world. [mirror.co.uk]

Talor Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf Player of the Year, has launched the Oklahoma Wildcatters, an expansion team in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) league. Gooch, alongside Preston Lyon, formed FJS Ventures to invest in sports properties, and the Wildcatters is their first venture. The team will participate in the 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series, with the roster being formed through an expansion draft and new rider draft. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

Brooks Koepka admits that if he could only play golf with one fellow professional for the rest of his career, he would choose Rory McIlroy. Despite their healthy rivalry, Koepka praises McIlroy's skills and sees him as one of the best players ever. The two golfers have competed against each other on many occasions, with Koepka aiming to maintain his lead in major championships. Their rivalry extends off the course, as Koepka joined the LIV Golf setup while McIlroy remained loyal to the PGA Tour. However, McIlroy's stance on the breakaway league has softened recently, leading to speculation about a potential move to LIV. [mirror.co.uk]

Iona Stephen, a Sky Sports presenter, shares her journey from having her pro golf dreams shattered by a wrist injury to becoming a successful media personality. Despite not playing golf until the age of 19, Stephen turned pro within four years but was forced to quit due to her injury. She then retrained, got into personal training, and eventually landed a presenting job in golf. Stephen emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with good people and persevering through tough times. She has found fulfillment in her media career and continues to pursue her passion for golf. [thescottishsun.co.uk]

Ronald Rugumayo made history in the DP World Tour by becoming the first Ugandan golfer to make a cut. With a closing birdie, he shot a one-under-par 70 at the Magical Kenya Open, earning praise from commentators and fans alike. Rugumayo's achievement has gained attention on Golf Twitter, and he is now poised to make a significant jump in the Official World Golf Ranking. [golfdigest.com]

John Daly shoots 87 in Morocco on PGA Tour Champions, while Angel Cabrera is tied for 39th after two rounds. The tournament has seen few low scores, with only eight rounds in the 60s and four scores in the 80s. Y.E. Yang and Ricardo Gonzalez are tied for the lead at 7 under. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

Christiaan Maas, a sophomore at the University of Texas, set a course record at the inaugural Africa Amateur Championship with a bogey-free 9-under 63. Maas, ranked 13th in the world amateur rankings, hopes to become the next South African golf star. The winner of the championship will receive invitations to prestigious tournaments such as The Open Championship and the U.K. Amateur Championship. The tournament aims to grow the game of golf in Africa and provide opportunities for talented players in the continent. [sbnation.com]

Amateur Attieh creates history for Saudi Arabia in professional golf. Patrick Cantlay holds a two-shot lead over Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris in the Genesis Invitational. Cantlay and Schauffele, close friends and neighbors, will compete against each other in the final round with $4 million on the line. Zalatoris, who missed most of last year due to back surgery, has a chance to show his comeback. Cantlay aims to win a hometown event at Riviera, one of the tournaments he desires to win the most.

The ninth edition of The Match will feature Max Homa, Rose Zhang, Rory McIlroy, and Lexi Thompson. This edition stands out for several reasons: the inclusion of Gen Z golfer Rose Zhang, the choice of a public golf facility as the host, the opportunity to see male and female golfers compete on the same stage, and the format of the event, a 12-hole skins game. [golf.com]

The ninth edition of Capital One's The Match will feature a mixed competition with LPGA players Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang playing alongside PGA Tour players Rory McIlroy and Max Homa. The event will be a 12-hole skins game held at The Park at West Palm Beach on February 26, 2024. Fans can watch the match on TNT or stream it on various platforms. The player who raises the most money through skins will be declared the winner. [sbnation.com]

According to Joshua Pack, co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, more US banks are expected to fail as the commercial real estate crash affects lenders' balance sheets. Fortress has already acquired $1.5 billion of performing office loans at discounted prices and predicts that regulators will merge some banks to address the issue. [bloomberg.com]

Arizona night golf course, Grass Clippings, announces the launch of a par-3 golf league called the Grass Clippings Open. The league will feature a two-person scramble tournament with a qualifying round and a 36-hole final tournament. The event will be televised on Bleacher Report, truTV, and Golf Digest, and the first event is scheduled for April 17-20. Registration for tickets and players will open in March. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

Members of the Detroit Golf Club are being asked to contribute $16.1 million for renovations, including the removal of a signature pond on the 14th hole. The proposed renovations coincide with the club's 125th anniversary and will be largely funded through a one-time assessment for members, with an additional $2.2 million from Rocket Mortgage Classic funds. The vote for the renovation will take place from March 6 to March 16, with an approval rate of over 60% required by prospective lenders. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

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.