Planet Golf News for Sunday, March 17, 2024

Xander Schauffele takes the 54-hole lead at the 2024 Players Championship, surpassing Wyndham Clark. Schauffele played flawlessly, erasing Clark's four-stroke advantage. Other contenders include Brian Harman, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Scottie Scheffler. The tournament has seen exciting moments, including a remarkable shot by Doug Ghim on the par-3 17th.

Xander Schauffele is making swing changes with the help of golf teacher Chris Como in preparation for The Players Championship. Schauffele identified issues with his backswing and is working on propping the clubhead more above his hands at the top of the backswing to prevent a laid-off position. The changes have shown promising results as Schauffele leads the tournament by one shot after 54 holes.

During The Players Championship, golfer Rickie Fowler pointed out a fan who distracted him during his tee shot on the 16th hole. Fowler's caddie had previously asked fans to keep their phones on silent. Fowler went on to make a double bogey and did not speak with the media after his round.

In the third round of The Players Championship, Wyndham Clark's mistake on the 17th hole allowed Xander Schauffele to take the lead. Clark's chunked shot into the water cost him a stroke, giving Schauffele a 1-stroke advantage heading into the final round. Brian Harman is 2 strokes behind, while Maverick McNealy and Matt Fitzpatrick are 4 strokes back. Schauffele, aiming for his first major championship victory, will need another strong performance on Sunday to secure the win.

Doug Ghim delivers a stunning chip-in birdie on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass during the Players Championship, securing a third-round 66 and a score of nine-under for the tournament. Ghim's impressive shot adds to the list of highlight-reel moments on the 17th hole during the tournament.

Rory McIlroy's hopes of a weekend charge at The Players Championship faded despite a late birdie burst in his third round at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy made 21 birdies during the tournament but struggled with his game at times. He heads into the final day eight strokes off the pace set by Xander Schauffele.

Joel Dahmen implemented an "f--- it" mentality after a rough start at THE PLAYERS Championship, leading to improved performance and a move up the leaderboard. Dahmen attributes his success to playing without fear and enjoying the game more.

During the Players Championship, Sungjae Im was denied an eagle when his ball hit his own pitch mark and veered off course. Despite the unfortunate break, Im was still able to convert a birdie in his round.

Sam Burns had a memorable moment at The Players Championship with a long putt that confused one announcer, reminiscent of Tiger Woods' famous putt. Despite a bogey on the 18th hole, Burns had a strong round and matched the low round of the week with a 65.

Ben An experienced a significant drop in rankings at the Players Championship after accumulating six penalty strokes during his second round. Despite the disappointing performance, An remained calm and even took to Twitter to respond to trolls. The round resulted in an eight-over 80 score, causing him to drop 99 spots from the previous day.

Brian Harman's response to being called a 'grown man' at the Players Championship was exactly what you'd expect. Despite his smaller stature, Harman showcased his skills and power on the course, hitting impressive drives and climbing up the leaderboard. He refused to let his size be an excuse and asserted that he can compete with the "big boys" in golf.

Ben Silverman's journey at the Players Championship was filled with ups and downs. Despite a strong start, he faced challenges in the second round. With the darkness closing in, he had to make a decision on his final hole. Ultimately, he chose to stop and return the next day. Unfortunately, his shot fell short, and he missed the cut. Silverman remained satisfied with his efforts and acknowledged that he had given his best.

John Catlin, an American golfer, made history by shooting a 59, the lowest score in Asian Tour history. His bogey-free performance at the International Series Macau event in China helped him take the lead heading into the final round. Catlin sits at 18 under for the tournament, beating Jason Kokrak by two shots.

Lindsey McCurdy leads the IOA Golf Classic after two rounds, shooting impressive scores of 66 and 65. Despite a double bogey, McCurdy finished strong with a birdie putt, giving her a one-shot lead heading into the final round. Dewi Weber will be in the last group with McCurdy, feeling confident about her game and ready for any outcome.

According to a PGA Tour policy board member, Peter Malnati, LIV Golf members will forever be ineligible for PGA Tour equity. The PGA Tour has suspended any player who joined LIV Golf, and the player equity plan, which will make players owners of the Tour, will not be available to those who violated the Tour's policies. The plan includes a $930 million equity distribution, with the top 36 players receiving $750 million and the remaining amount distributed to other players and legends of the game.

The negotiations between golf's established tours and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) continue with little progress. The PGA Tour's commissioner claims talks are accelerating, but there is a sense of deadlock. Influential PGA Tour player-directors may meet with PIF representatives to discuss the future structure of the men's professional game. The Players Championship celebrates its 50th staging, but the absence of star players who joined the LIV rebellion has dampened the event. Wyndham Clark leads the tournament, while Robert MacIntyre and Martin Laird face challenges on the course.

Golfers in Los Angeles are outraged as brokers are buying up tee times at city golf courses and charging high booking fees. The issue has sparked a movement known as #FreetheTee, with golfers demanding accountability and action from the city. The controversy is also intertwined with race and class politics, as city courses provide an affordable outlet for those who can't afford private memberships. The L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks has launched an investigation into the matter.

Tom Kim has withdrawn from the Valspar Championship due to an unspecified illness, causing concern in the golf community. A replacement player named Trace Crowe has been brought in. Garrick Higgo also withdrew from the tournament due to a wrist injury. Scottie Scheffler experienced neck pain but expressed his determination to continue playing. Worry remains for Kim and Higgo, and the community hopes for positive updates on their health.

Tiger Woods has opted out of the latest PGA Tour event, raising questions about his upcoming schedule. His decision to skip The Players Championship and not be named in the field for the Valspar Championship means his only appearance on the PGA Tour this year remains the Genesis Invitational. The earliest he could return to action would be at the Houston Open, just two weeks before The Masters. An appearance at the Memorial Park Golf Course event seems unlikely, leaving the Valero Texas Open as a possible option. However, it is almost certain that we will see him in action at The Masters, a tournament he has won five times previously.

PGA Tour player director Peter Malnati shares his thoughts on the state of professional golf and the potential for unification between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He expresses a desire for a unified game with all the best players in the world participating in events like the Players Championship. Malnati also discusses the player equity plan and the potential meeting with the leaders of PIF. He concludes by questioning the concept of team golf in the FedEx Cup schedule.

PGA Tour player directors are set to meet with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to discuss negotiations with LIV Golf's financial backer. The inclusion of team golf in the PGA Tour schedule remains a contentious issue, with many officials and players expressing skepticism. Peter Malnati, a player director, doubts the feasibility of incorporating team golf into the FedExCup schedule but remains open to ideas. Unification of LIV players under the PGA Tour umbrella is another delicate negotiation topic, with varying opinions among players. The meeting between player directors and Al-Rumayyan is expected to take place on Monday.

At 76 years old, legendary caddie Mike 'Fluff' Cowan continues to work at the Players Championship with golfer C.T. Pan. Despite fatigue, Cowan remains dedicated to his profession and shows no signs of retiring soon.

Brooks Koepka's LIV Golf team took a swipe at Justin Thomas after he missed the cut at the Players Championship. Thomas had previously made a comment about the lack of LIV stars in the field. Koepka's team responded with a tweet containing an asterisk, referencing Thomas' comment.

Former US PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker criticizes PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for his handling of the LIV Golf merger situation, expressing little respect for him. Walker suggests that the PGA Tour's leadership has been poor and questions the competence of those working on it. The merger between the PGA and LIV Golf has caused controversy among players, including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

PGA Tour board member Peter Malnati criticizes the team golf aspect of LIV Golf, calling it "fake" and "contrived." He questions the relevance and fan interest in team golf and expresses uncertainty about the goals of the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Malnati acknowledges the success of the Ryder Cup but doubts the feasibility of incorporating team golf into the PGA Tour's schedule. He also mentions the postponed TGL team-golf simulation league.

Adam Scott suggests that PGA Tour player directors, including Tiger Woods, should meet with Saudi officials to discuss a potential peace deal. Jordan Spieth and Peter Malnati also support the idea, emphasizing the importance of all board members meeting with the Public Investment Fund (PIF). While details of the meeting are yet to be confirmed, the involvement of Woods and other top players could be significant in resolving the ongoing conflict between LIV and the PGA Tour. Rory McIlroy emphasizes the need for a resolution, as the absence of top players from tournaments is causing a decline in fan interest.

A "secret" meeting between the PGA Tour policy board player directors and the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is causing speculation and mystery. The details of the meeting are unknown even to the players who are expected to attend. The meeting, which has been pushed for by Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, could potentially involve negotiations regarding a deal between the Tour and the PIF, including the possibility of players joining a new circuit. The issue of how players would be allowed back to the Tour if they joined the new circuit remains a thorny issue.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus praises Scottie Scheffler, the current World No.1, for his unique swing and follow-through. Nicklaus commends Scheffler's gameplay and states that he has never seen anyone else play like him. Scheffler, a successful golfer on the PGA Tour, has achieved multiple victories and currently holds the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Viktor Hovland, the No. 4 golfer in the world, is searching for a new home course in Palm Beach County. He is looking for a place where he can work on his game in solitude and focus on improving his performance. Hovland has recently moved from Stillwater, Oklahoma, and is currently living in Palm Beach Gardens. Despite the presence of many fellow professionals in the area, Hovland prefers a quiet and secluded environment to practice. He is particularly focused on improving his driver performance, as he has struggled with accuracy this season. Overall, Hovland is determined to get back to his previous level of play and believes that finding the right practice environment will help him achieve that.

This article ranks the best golf courses designed by Pete Dye, one of the greatest architects in the history of the game. The list includes TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Kiawah Island Golf Resort Ocean Course, Whistling Straits (Straits Course), and many more. Dye's designs are known for their dramatic features and have hosted major championships and Ryder Cups.

Data reveals that the optimal putting stroke for making more putts is a 60:40 ratio, with a shorter follow-through than backstroke. Over-accelerating the putterhead negatively affects control, face rotation, and stroke size. By swinging the putter like a pendulum and letting it "fall" into the ball, the length of the backstroke determines the distance the ball travels. Practicing with a 60:40 stroke ratio can improve consistency and distance control.

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.