Planet Golf News for Thursday, April 4, 2024

Sei Young Kim takes the first-round lead in the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards, shooting a 6-under 66. Danielle Kang and Rose Zhang are close behind. Nelly Korda will need to work to extend her winning streak. The top 65 players plus ties will advance to the third round, with the top eight players competing in match play over the weekend.

Las Vegas resident Danielle Kang started her week at the T-Mobile Match Play with a strong performance, shooting a 5-under 67 in the first round. Despite an early bogey, Kang recovered with six birdies to finish in a good position at Shadow Creek. As a local player, she feels at ease surrounded by family and friends and is looking forward to continuing her success in the tournament.

The LPGA Match Play at Shadow Creek is highlighted as another example of the strong partnership between golf and Las Vegas. The tournament brings together top LPGA Tour players and offers unique experiences for MGM Resorts customers. The article emphasizes the allure of Shadow Creek as a world-class golf course and discusses the role of golf in attracting major events and sports franchises to Las Vegas. MGM Resorts, with its extensive portfolio of hotels and entertainment offerings, is recognized for creating exceptional experiences for golf enthusiasts visiting the city.

Rose Zhang had an impressive start at the T-Mobile Match Play, finishing the opening round with a 5-under 67. She sits one stroke behind Sei Young Kim in second place. Zhang's strong finish, with four consecutive birdies, propelled her up the leaderboard. The tournament format includes a 36-hole cut and a match play event starting on Saturday.

Rose Zhang talks with media following her first round at T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards.

Caroline Masson talks with media following her first round at T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards.

Min Woo Lee talks with Golf Channel during the first round at T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards.

Minjee Lee is currently tied for fourth place in the first round of the 2024 T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards. Sei Young Kim is leading the tournament with a score of -6.

The 2024 Texas Open serves as the final tune-up for players before the Masters. Rory McIlroy hopes to find his form, while Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama bring their past Masters success. The tournament schedule includes live TV coverage on Golf Channel and NBC, as well as streaming options on PGA Tour Live, Peacock, and fuboTV.

The 2024 Valero Texas Open tee times and groupings for Round 1 have been announced. The tournament features a stacked field of 156 golfers, including Rory McIlroy. Tee times will begin at 7:20 am CT, with coverage available on ESPN+ and The Golf Channel.

Rory McIlroy headlines the field at the Valero Texas Open as a tune-up for the Masters. The Oaks Course is challenging, and McIlroy sees value in playing a Tour event before the major. Corey Conners, the defending champion, also emphasizes the importance of the tournament. The weather forecast for the event is sunny with high temperatures ranging from 80 to 84 degrees. Additionally, several Tour pros made local appearances, including Alejandro Tosti, Ben Silverman, and Jimmy Stanger, who conducted a clinic for youth golfers.

Brooks Koepka is preparing for the upcoming majors season, focusing on sharpening his game for the Masters. Koepka, a five-time major champion, has a strong record in majors and believes that mentally outlasting his competitors is a key factor in his success. Despite a meltdown at last year's Masters, Koepka remains confident and determined to reach his goal of double-digit majors. He sees the LIV Golf event at Doral as an opportunity to assess his progress and fine-tune his performance.

The Blue Monster at Trump National Doral is considered a great place for LIV Golfers to prepare for the Masters. The course offers a similar experience to Augusta National and provides an opportunity to practice the shots needed for the tournament. The Blue Monster is hosting a LIV Golf tournament for the third consecutive year and is known for its challenging and grueling test of golf.

Hannah Darling, an underdog in the Augusta National Women's Amateur, takes the lead with a championship-record 6-under 66 in the first round. Despite not being on the Annika Award Watch List, Darling's recent success, including winning the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, has fueled her determination. With a strong mental game and impressive birdies, Darling is poised to continue her success in the tournament.

The first round of the 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur saw a mixed bag of results for the 17 LPGA*USGA Girls Golf alumni in the field. Ashley Menne and Amanda Sambach are tied for seventh, while Megha Ganne and Bailey Shoemaker are tied for twelfth. Click on the story to see a list of how all the alumni are performing so far in Augusta, Georgia.

Yana Wilson, a top-ranked junior golfer, discusses her preparation for the Augusta National Women's Amateur, her experiences playing at Augusta National, winning a pro event, and her goals for the future. She emphasizes the mental aspect of playing at Augusta and learning from professionals. Wilson aims to have a successful week at ANWA by playing to the best of her ability and enjoying the experience.

Tiger Woods' ankle has "zero mobility" and he is facing low-back challenges, according to Notah Begay III. Woods, who has been dealing with injuries, is preparing to play in the Masters but the question remains about how his body will hold up. Woods has been trying to recover and find a way to play, but the biggest question is whether he can recover from one round to the next. Playing on the weekend would be considered a win for Woods, given the difficulties he has faced in preparing for the tournament.

According to GOLF's Top 100 Teachers in America, the toughest things for first-timers at the Masters to figure out are understanding where to miss on certain pins and how putts break, conserving energy for the whole week, hitting approach shots to the right spots on the greens, avoiding severe mistakes with aggressive iron shots, and adjusting to the green speeds and slopes.

According to golf course panelists, the best hole at Augusta National is the 13th, known for its challenging decision-making and execution. The 3rd hole is also highly regarded for its architectural design and risk/reward options. On the other hand, the 16th hole is considered the "least best" due to its deviation from the rest of the course. The 8th hole is described as uneventful compared to the other holes. Overall, the opinions on the best and least best holes vary among the panelists.

The Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) has a yardage of 6,365 yards, while the Masters has a yardage of 7,555 yards, making it almost 1,200 yards longer. There are minor differences in yardage on some holes between the two events, but accuracy is crucial on Augusta National's challenging greens. Past winners of ANWA, such as Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang, have gone on to achieve success on the LPGA Tour.

The 2024 Masters Tournament field includes 13 LIV Golf players, with a total of 87 players in the field. Some players qualified based on past Masters champions, winners of other majors, top rankings, or previous year's performance. However, several LIV Golf players who were in last year's field did not qualify this year. Approximately one-fourth of LIV Golf's 54 players are in the Masters field.

Here’s a break down of nine famous myths about Augusta National, the venue for The Masters golf tournament. It examines the truth behind these myths, including the club laying ice on azalea beds, a hostage situation at the course, and a home in the middle of the club's property that the owners refuse to sell.

Jon Rahm, a LIV Golf star, is set to compete against his former PGA Tour rivals at the Masters. Rahm, the defending champion, is confident that one of the 13 LIV Golf players, including major champions, will win the tournament. The split in golf between LIV Golf and other tours is deemed unsustainable by players like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, who call for a swift resolution for the sake of the sport.

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, among other players, express concerns about the divided state of golf and its impact on the fanbase. They highlight declining TV ratings and fatigue from the fighting between PGA Tour and LIV Golf League. The players call for a reunification of the game to prevent further erosion of interest.

Bryson DeChambeau, one of LIV Golf's founding members, expresses concern over the negative impact of the split in elite golf and calls for a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Despite criticism for his comments, DeChambeau emphasizes the need for a quick resolution to maintain fan interest and ensure the sustainability of the sport.

This article explores the history and resurgence of mustaches in the world of golf. From the 1970s and 1980s, when mustaches were popularized by figures like Craig Stadler and Mike "Fluff" Cowan, to the decline in popularity in the 2000s and 2010s, and the recent comeback led by golfers like Rickie Fowler and Erik van Rooyen. The article also discusses the potential influence of facial hair on athletic performance and the individual expressions of golfers through their appearance.

Ahead of the LIV Golf Miami tournament, six of the players spoke to the media about their chances of winning The Masters and the current state of the game. There was confidence among the players that a LIV golfer could win The Masters. The venue for LIV Golf Miami, Trump National Doral, was seen as ideal preparation for Augusta National. The players expressed the need for a resolution between LIV Golf and PGA Tour, as many people are losing interest. They also discussed the potential for golf to become a more global sport and the benefits of team golf provided by LIV.

PGA Tour member Michael Kim pokes fun at LIV Golf's viewing figures after Caitlin Clark's impact on women's college basketball. LIV Golf has struggled to attract viewers since its launch in 2022, with tournaments shown on The CW in the US and on YouTube in the UK. Kim jokingly questions the credibility of LIV's reported numbers and highlights the success of Clark's game, which attracted 12.3 million viewers on ESPN.

Tony Finau's wife, Alayna Finau, gracefully responds to a mansplaining comment on TikTok, explaining the challenges of navigating the golf course as a supporter. Her response receives praise from golf fans and fellow golfer's wife, Jena Sims. Alayna's kind and classy demeanor is admired by her fans, who appreciate her content promoting love and kindness.

Rory McIlroy has consulted Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods' former coach, as he prepares for The Masters in his quest to complete the Grand Slam. McIlroy seeks to join the exclusive group of men who have won all four major championships. He has sought Harmon's guidance in the past and finds value in his expertise. McIlroy will compete in the Valero Texas Open before heading to Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy explains his decision to take a golf lesson from renowned coach Butch Harmon. Despite a busy schedule and patchy form, McIlroy sought Harmon's expertise to improve his swing. The experience was worthwhile, providing a fresh perspective and helping McIlroy make progress. He believes his recent schedule has helped identify areas for improvement and is optimistic about his performance at the upcoming Masters.

Rory McIlroy was spotted testing a new TaylorMade "PROTO" 4-iron at the 2024 Valero Texas Open. The prototype iron performed well, with similar speed to his previous 760 4-iron but a higher launch. The new proto has a different aesthetic, resembling TaylorMade's P7MC and P750/P770 irons. TaylorMade has not yet commented on the prototype, leaving its purpose and potential release unknown.

Robot testing confirms that the Mizuno Pro 241, Wilson Staff Model Blade, Wilson Staff Model CB, Ping Blueprint T, and Ping Blueprint S irons have a high launch angle and high spin rate, making them exceptional in terms of workability and control for golfers who prioritize these aspects.

Justin Thomas has announced that he and caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay have parted ways. The duo had a successful partnership, winning the 2022 PGA Championship, The Presidents Cup, and The Ryder Cups together. Thomas expressed gratitude for Mackay's support and wisdom during a challenging period in his career. Thomas did not name a replacement for Mackay.

Phil Mickelson has a new caddie, Jon Yarbrough, for the LIV Golf Miami tournament, following his brother's retirement from caddying. Yarbrough, a 20-year veteran, was previously on the bag of Scott Stallings. Mickelson offered Yarbrough "incredible" guaranteed money to secure his services. Mickelson and Yarbrough have already scouted Augusta National ahead of the Masters, where Mickelson finished tied for second last year. Mickelson's previous caddie, Jim "Bones" Mackay, recently split with Justin Thomas.

Although no Texas courses made the ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses, there are still many quality options worth playing in the state. This guide provides a list of the best public golf courses in Texas, including future major championship courses, PGA Tour hosts, and affordable municipals, catering to every budget and itinerary.

Brooks Koepka shares 10 lessons in a 32-minute interview. Lessons include not thinking about anything, not sweating a bad warmup, being okay with being odd, making golf a reaction sport, checking fundamentals, believing someone is outworking you, trusting your eye over launch monitors, not thinking about consequences, not needing to curve the ball excessively, and making every ball count on the range.

Scotland's oldest golf courses are at risk of disappearing into the sea due to climate change and rising sea levels. Coastal courses, such as Montrose Golf Club and Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, have already experienced significant erosion and are in need of coastal defenses. The threat of coastal erosion is not only impacting golf courses but also posing risks to local communities and infrastructure. Efforts are being made to protect these courses, but the situation remains dire, with some projections suggesting that golf courses may cease to exist by 2050 if sea levels continue to rise.

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.