Planet Golf News for Sunday, March 31, 2024

Scottie Scheffler has a chance at history by winning his third straight event at the 2024 Houston Open, where he is tied for the lead with four other players. The third round saw changes in the leaderboard, with Scheffler bouncing back from a double bogey to remain in contention. Alejandro Tosti battled through shoulder pain to stay in the lead, while Nick Dunlap made a strong move with a bogey-free round. Defending champion Tony Finau struggled and fell down the leaderboard. The par-3 15th hole proved to be the toughest on the course during the round.

Scottie Scheffler overcame a late double bogey to join a five-way tie for the lead in the Texas Children's Houston Open. He is aiming to become the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to win three consecutive PGA Tour starts. Other contenders include David Skinns, Stephan Jaeger, Thomas Detry, and Alejandro Tosti, all vying for their first PGA Tour win. Tony Finau, the second-round leader, remains in contention, just two shots behind.

Tensions flared between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti at the Houston Open over a dispute about playing order. Finau and Tosti, part of the final threesome, disagreed on who was away during the round. The situation escalated as they sought an unbiased judgment and involved a PGA Tour rules official. The tensions continued with gestures and another debate on playing order on subsequent holes. Despite the heated exchanges, Tosti went on to share the 54-hole lead with four other golfers, while Finau shot a two-over 72.

Watch the exchange between Alejandro Tosti and Tony Finau on the fourth green during Round 3 of the Houston Open, in which Tosti challenged Finau on whose putt was away and the two disagreed on who should putt first.

Nick Dunlap positions himself nicely in the Houston Open with a 7-under-par 63 in the third round, putting him in a share of sixth place and on track for his second top-10 finish on the PGA Tour. Dunlap, who turned pro in January after winning as an amateur, is taking advantage of his exempt status on tour and gaining confidence each week.

The 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open concludes with the final round on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler, despite some setbacks, is in a five-way tie for the lead. He will be in the final grouping with David Skinns and Stephan Jaeger. The final round can be watched on ESPN+ and Golf Channel, with tee times provided in the article.

In the LPGA Tour's Ford Championship, hometown favorites Sara Schmelzel and Carlota Ciganda share the lead after a challenging third round. Nelly Korda is two shots back, aiming for a third-straight win. The tournament experienced gusty winds, making play difficult for many players.

During the third round of the LPGA Tour's Ford Championship in Arizona, Australian golfer Hannah Green faced challenging windy conditions. The Australian challengers managed to hold their ground despite the wild wind.

Due to anticipated inclement weather, tee times for the 2024 Ford Championship presented by KCC have been adjusted. Athletes will play in groups of three off the first and 10th tees, with the first groups off at 9:08 a.m. Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m. and broadcast times are provided for live and replay coverage.

The LPGA players are enjoying the conditions and the rare courtesy vehicle perk provided by Ford at the Seville Golf and Country Club in Arizona. The tournament features top-ranked players and a raised purse of $2.25 million. Players have praised the golf course setup, with wide fairways, firm and fast greens, leading to low scores. The future of the tournament at Seville is uncertain, but organizers express their desire to establish a long-term community-sustainable event.

The second round of the PGA Champions Tour's Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage was affected by rainy weather. Despite the conditions, golfers like Ricardo Gonzalez, Retief Goosen, and Steven Alker showcased their skills. The tournament was held at Mission Hills Country Club.

Ricardo Gonzalez shoots a record-breaking 63 in the second round of the Galleri Classic, taking the lead in the PGA Tour Champions event. Gonzalez's impressive performance puts him at 11-under 133, one shot ahead of Steven Alker and Retief Goosen. The final round is set to be played with slightly earlier tee times due to the possibility of rain.

Keita Nakajima holds a four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Hero Indian Open in New Delhi. Nakajima, aiming for his first DP World Tour title, has been leading since day one and sits at 18 under par. Gavin Green and Romain Langasque are tied for second place at 14 under par. Nakajima is seeking to become the fifth Japanese winner in DP World Tour history.

Tiger Woods's preparation for the Masters with Justin Thomas has faced backlash from golf fans who doubt he will make it past eight holes. Despite reports of Woods practicing at Augusta National with Thomas and Augusta chairman Fred Ridley, fans remain unconvinced due to Woods's recent withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational and his lack of full rounds in PGA Tour events this year. Some speculate that Woods's early visit to Augusta is a scouting mission or that there may be more to it than meets the eye. However, Woods has the opportunity to surpass Gary Player and Fred Couples by making 24 consecutive cuts in the Masters this year.

GOLF's Top 100 Teachers share their favorite Masters tournaments from the past 25 years, including Tiger Woods' win in 2019 and Phil Mickelson's victory in 2004. The article also mentions Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka's battle in 2023 and Hideki Matsuyama's win in 2021.

The Par-3 Contest is a fan-favorite tradition at the Masters, where golf stars and their families come together for a leisurely nine-hole game. The contest, held the day before the tournament, adds excitement and brightness to the championship. Although winning the contest and the Masters in the same year is considered a curse, it has seen some stunning records, including Jimmy Walker's tournament record of 19 in 2016. Notably, Jack Nicklaus, the most famous Masters champion, has never won the Par-3 Contest.

As the deadline for the framework agreement approaches, Paul McGinley warns that there is no sign of a deal being reached between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour. The negotiations to unify the sport have been ongoing since last year, but with no resolution in sight, golf fans may have to prepare for more years of division. The lack of progress and separate deals being struck by the PGA Tour have led to skepticism and frustration among fans. McGinley also cautions that the focus on money and the increasing wealth divide in professional golf may turn off the public and harm the game.

Scottie Scheffler has the opportunity to win his third consecutive PGA Tour start at the Texas Children's Houston Open, a feat that hasn't been accomplished in almost seven years. The last player to achieve this was Dustin Johnson in 2017. Prior to that, Rory McIlroy achieved the same feat in 2014. Tiger Woods holds the record for winning three consecutive starts in 2008 and four consecutive starts in 2007. Scheffler's recent success includes winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.

Jon Rahm, the golfer, announced on social media that his wife Kelley is expecting their third child. The couple already has two children, Kepa and Eneko. Rahm, who recently joined LIV Golf, will be defending his title at Augusta National.

Sahith Theegala successfully threw the first pitch at the Astros-Yankees game, despite feeling nervous. He expressed his hope to not put it in the dirt and was able to hit the mitt at Minute Maid Park.

Caitlin Clark, known for her basketball skills, reveals how playing golf has benefited her basketball career. While basketball allows her to rely on teammates, golf places all the responsibility on her. Clark enjoys playing golf to stay active and acknowledges that not every day will be great. Other NBA stars, such as Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, and Charles Barkley, also have a love for golf.

Auburn successfully defended its title at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, winning by eleven shots with a team score of 1-over. Carla Bernat of Kansas State dominated the individual competition, finishing 9-under and winning by six shots. Auburn had the best par-4 scoring average and the second-most birdies. Florida finished second, and Georgia finished third.

Dustin Johnson is confident ahead of the LIV Miami tournament and the Masters. He reflects on his past successes and setbacks, including a back injury that forced him to withdraw from the Masters in 2017. Johnson is focused on winning another Masters and sees the upcoming tournament at Doral as good preparation.

Fred Couples' ongoing back issues have raised concerns about his future in golf. Despite his past successes, including 15 wins on the PGA Tour and 14 wins on the PGA Tour Champions, Couples is frustrated with his declining performance on the senior tour. He has recently withdrawn from tournaments due to his back problems but remains popular among fans and players. Couples plans to selectively participate in tournaments to prioritize his health and enjoyment of the game, potentially limiting his schedule. This raises questions about his longevity in competitive golf.

NBA fans are excited as Steph Curry and Gareth Bale team up for a UK tour with Underrated Golf. Curry, known for his love of golf, aims to bring the sport to a wider audience through his venture. Bale, a renowned footballer with a passion for golf, will join Curry in the European Tour. The tour is set to make its inaugural visit to London on May 29.

Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Georgia offers a welcoming and familiar atmosphere with a spectacular Jim Fazio-designed golf course. The resort is known for its storytelling and authentic experiences, with a wide range of activities including fishing, horseback riding, and quail hunting. The resort also features a spa, meditation garden, and various dining options. Future plans include expanding the inn, renovating facilities, and potentially adding another golf course.

Bryson DeChambeau's latest video on his YouTube channel, where he plays with a rolled back golf ball, unintentionally supports the argument for a rollback in distance. Despite still generating high ball speeds, the video highlights potential challenges and limitations with a rolled back ball. However, it fails to consider how golf ball and club engineers could address this issue. The video may inadvertently settle the debate in favor of a rollback, even though that was not DeChambeau's intention.

Rick Reilly, who wrote a book about Donald Trump cheating at golf, has challenged the former president to a game in front of United States Golf Association (USGA) officials. Reilly criticized Trump's claims of winning tournaments at his own golf course and offered to bet $100k that he can beat Trump on a course he doesn't own. Trump's spokesperson dismissed Reilly's criticism, and Reilly accused Trump of cheating and manipulating the system to win championships.

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.