Planet Golf News for Thursday, April 18, 2024

Thursday, April 18, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf has seen some interesting developments lately, ranging from the impact of ongoing feuds between major golf organizations to the celebration of women's achievements in the sport. Here’s a casual stroll through the latest happenings.

The Masters Tournament just wrapped up with some disappointing TV ratings, which took a 20% dive from last year. Rory McIlroy had previously voiced concerns that the rift between PGA Tour and LIV Golf could wear out fans, and it seems he might have been right. Despite a promising start, the final rounds didn't manage to captivate viewers, making this one of the least-watched Masters in decades. The sport's focus on financial disputes over the game itself is speculated to be a major turn-off for viewers. Meanwhile, the rise of streaming platforms could also be reshaping how people watch golf, suggesting that traditional TV ratings might not tell the whole story anymore.

On a brighter note, women's golf is flourishing with five major championships now on the calendar, thanks to the addition of the Evian Championship back in 2013. This change has not only boosted the sport's profile but also increased the stakes with more prize money and ranking points up for grabs. It's a significant move that's bringing more attention and investment into women’s golf, even though there's still a notable gap, like the absence of a women's professional tournament at Augusta National.

As we dive into this week’s golf action, the RBC Heritage is set to take place at Harbour Town Golf Links. Fresh off his Masters victory, Scottie Scheffler is a strong contender, alongside other top players like Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy. This tournament is known for its demanding course, which favors precision over power, making it an exciting watch.

Speaking of exciting, Nelly Korda is on fire in the women’s circuit, eyeing a record-tying fifth consecutive LPGA victory at the Chevron Championship. The stakes are high, and the field is packed with talent ready to make a splash in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

In the Dominican Republic, the Corales Puntacana Championship is offering up-and-coming golfers a chance to shine, running parallel to the RBC Heritage. It’s a critical event for those looking to make their mark and climb up the rankings.

Lastly, the Invited Celebrity Classic is mixing fun with competition, featuring both golf legends and celebrities vying for a win in a friendly but competitive setup. This event is a fun twist in the golf season, showing that it’s not all serious business out there on the green.

So, while there's some concern over TV ratings and the business side of golf, the sport continues to evolve and excite with incredible talents and inclusive developments. Whether you're a die-hard golf fan or just casually tuning in, there's plenty to watch and discuss in the world of golf right now!

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

RBC Heritage

The 2024 RBC Heritage is set to take place from April 18-21 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This PGA Tour event features a par of 71 and a yardage of 7,213, with a substantial purse of $20 million. The tournament follows the Masters, and many players are looking to make a significant impact, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is coming off a Masters victory.

Key Players and Predictions

- Scottie Scheffler is leading the field, fresh from his Masters win, and is a strong contender for the title.

- Xander Schauffele, ranked No. 3 in the world, has shown consistent performance with seven top 10s in 11 tournaments this year.

- Rory McIlroy, despite a less impressive showing at the Masters, remains a formidable player with six consecutive top-25 finishes.

- Ludvig Åberg, a rising star, has been impressive with top 25 finishes in seven consecutive tournaments, including runner-up positions at the Masters and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Course Characteristics

Harbour Town Golf Links, designed by Pete Dye, is known for its strategic layout that demands accuracy and precision. The course features narrow fairways lined with trees and Bermuda rough, challenging players to maintain a solid skill set throughout the tournament.

Betting and Fantasy Picks

- Collin Morikawa is highlighted as a potential winner due to his excellent ball-striking abilities, which suit the course layout.

- Matt Fitzpatrick, the defending champion, is favored to perform well again at this venue.

- Fantasy and betting experts suggest focusing on players who excel in fairways gained, proximity on approach, and strokes gained around the green and putting on Bermuda surfaces.

Tee Times this morning

Notable tee times for the first round include:

- 10:20 AM EDT: Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth

- 1:40 PM EDT: Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele

- 1:50 PM EDT: Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Åberg[5].

This year's RBC Heritage promises competitive play with a mix of established champions and emerging talents aiming to claim the coveted red plaid jacket.

Chevron Championship

The latest on The Chevron Championship revolves around Nelly Korda's pursuit of a record-tying fifth consecutive LPGA victory. Korda is preparing to compete in the Chevron Championship in The Woodlands, Texas, and if she wins, she will tie the LPGA record for consecutive victories. Despite the potential historical significance of her performance, Korda has expressed that she is focused on the present and not dwelling on the historical aspect, as it could add pressure.

Korda has also drawn inspiration from golfer Scottie Scheffler, admiring his morals and attitude, and she is aware of the importance of this moment in her career. She reflects on the ups and downs she has experienced in golf, emphasizing personal growth and the value of learning from both victories and losses. Korda has been using motivational messages written in her yardage book, which have contributed to her recent success, although she has kept the specifics of these messages private.

The Chevron Championship is notable not only for Korda's potential achievement but also for the significant increase in its purse by $2.7 million, making it a major event for the LPGA. The tournament will feature a strong field, including Lilia Vu, Charley Hull, and Lottie Woad, the latter having recently won the Augusta National Women's Amateur title.

Winning the Chevron Championship in the LPGA offers several perks, including the prestigious Dinah Shore Trophy, a significant increase in prize money, the tradition of jumping in the pond, LPGA Tour Hall of Fame points, a special Champions Dinner, Rolex Women's World Golf Ranking points, Race To CME Globe points, exemptions to all five Majors, points towards the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, and a Rolex watch for first-time Major winners.

In summary, the Chevron Championship is highly anticipated, with Nelly Korda's quest for a fifth straight win being a central storyline, alongside the tournament's increased purse and the presence of other top competitors in the field.

The Corales Puntacana Championship

The Corales Puntacana Championship, a PGA Tour event, is set to take place from April 18-21, 2024, at the Corales Golf Club in the Dominican Republic. This tournament, now in its seventh edition, features a purse of $3.9 million and offers 300 FedExCup points to the participants. The event is particularly significant for up-and-coming golfers, as it runs concurrently with the RBC Heritage Classic in South Carolina, which attracts several top-ranked PGA Tour players.

Ryan Armour is one of the golfers participating in the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship, aiming for a higher finish than his 15th place with a score of -10 in the previous tournament. Despite his consistent performance in past editions of the tournament, Armour has struggled in recent events, failing to secure a top-20 position in his last five starts and making the cut in only two of those tournaments.

The field for this year's championship is wide open, with only one player within the top 50 world rankings—Nicolai Hojgaard at No. 34. The odds for the tournament do not point to a clear favorite, with Alex Noren and Hojgaard both listed at +1400[2]. Other notable odds include Victor Perez at +3500, Ben Griffin, K.H. Lee, and Bud Cauley all at +4000, and a range of players with varying odds down to Charley Hoffman at +8000.

The Corales Puntacana Championship is not only an opportunity for emerging golfers to shine but also a chance for bettors and golf enthusiasts to engage with the sport. The picturesque setting of the Puntacana Resort & Club, along with the competitive field, promises an exciting event for all involved.

The Invited Celebrity Classic

The latest on The Invited Celebrity Classic is that the event is currently taking place at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. The tournament started on Friday, April 19, and will conclude on Sunday, April 21, 2024. The Invited Celebrity Classic is part of the PGA Tour Champions for the 2024 season, featuring 78 PGA Tour Champions players and 40 celebrities. The tournament uses a modified Stableford scoring system to accommodate all skill levels among the celebrities, ensuring the event is both enjoyable and competitive.

The total prize money for the event is $2,200,000, with the celebrities competing for a $500,000 purse. Mark Hensby is the defending champion, and the event is known for blending sports and entertainment, offering fan engagements such as the Corona Premier VR Golf Tour.

Notable participants in the field include Vijay Singh, who recently competed in the Masters, and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who won the celebrity division last year. However, Steven Alker, the Charles Schwab Cup leader, is not participating in the event.

The PGA Tour Champions is a professional golf tour for golfers aged 50 and over, featuring shorter tournaments over three rounds with no cut, allowing all qualified players to compete throughout the entire tournament. This tour is characterized by its high level of competitiveness and prestige, as it often includes former PGA Tour players and Major winners.

The Invited Celebrity Classic also kicked off with a Youth Clinic presented by Energy Transfer, emphasizing community engagement and the promotion of golf among younger audiences.

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