Planet Golf News for Thursday, February 29, 2024

The 2024 Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches is taking place in Florida. The tournament will be televised on Golf Channel and NBC, with streaming available on Peacock and ESPN+. The event features a strong field, including Rory McIlroy. Tee times for the first and second rounds can be found online. [golf.com]

The LIV Golf Jeddah event in 2024 features a stacked field, including Brooks Koepka aiming for a historic third consecutive win. The tournament follows a three-round, no-cut format with a $25 million purse. Fans can watch the action on various platforms such as the CW App, LIV Golf Plus, Caffeine TV, and The CW. [progolfnow.com]

The HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore features top talent, including past champions Jin Young Ko and Lydia Ko, and eight of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. The tournament offers a $1.8 million purse, and notable featured groups include Hyo Joo Kim, Linn Grant, and Xiyu Lin, as well as Jin Young Ko, Celine Boutier, and Brooke Henderson. Patty Tavatanakit, Minjee Lee, and Lydia Ko are also among the players to watch. [lpga.com]

Rory McIlroy responded to his former agent's suggestion of a move to LIV Golf with a smile, indicating a possibility. While McIlroy had been critical of LIV Golf in the past, he has softened his stance recently. He mentioned that his former agent might know a few things and that there is a chance, although he was joking. McIlroy emphasized the importance of unity in the golfing world and expressed his belief that having a strong PGA Tour and LIV Tour together is beneficial for the game. [si.com]

Rory McIlroy responds to comments by Talor Gooch suggesting that if McIlroy wins the Masters, it should come with an asterisk due to some players not being able to compete after falling out of the top 50 in the world ranking. McIlroy gives Gooch the benefit of the doubt, stating that the interviewer led him to that response. McIlroy also discusses the participation of LIV Golf players in the Masters and expresses uncertainty about Gooch's eligibility. Overall, McIlroy dismisses the "asterisk" talk and focuses on his own performance in the tournament. [espn.com]

Webb Simpson believes that only six players will be able to re-join the PGA Tour if they decide to leave LIV Golf, with the others having to start from scratch. The breakaway league has led to measures being put in place to stop more players from leaving the PGA Tour, including stripping Ryder Cup eligibility and preventing players from earning OWGR points. Simpson believes field sizes are already a problem and that only a few players with major exemptions would be able to jump straight back to the PGA Tour. [mirror.co.uk]

The Power 18 golf rankings highlight Jon Rahm's rise to the front of the pack, chasing Scottie Scheffler into the Florida Swing. While Scheffler remains at the top, Rahm takes the second spot, and other players like Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland struggle for consistency. The Power 18 provides insight into current player performance, considering recent events and performances. [cbssports.com]

Camilo Villegas has been voted as the new chairman of the PGA Tour's player advisory council, replacing Jordan Spieth for the rest of 2024. Villegas, a 42-year-old golfer from Columbia, had a career comeback last fall and has been competing on the tour since 2006. The PGA Tour also announced an agreement with the Strategic Sports Group for private-equity investment, but talks with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund have stalled. [golfdigest.com]

The ninth edition of "The Match" featuring Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson, and Rose Zhang had record-low viewership numbers, with only 511,000 viewers tuning in across TNT, truTV, and HLN. Possible reasons for the low numbers include the late start time, extended play, and interruptions from commercials. Despite this, the event has raised over $41 million for charity and changes may be needed for future editions. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

Talor Gooch's remarks about Rory McIlroy and the Masters went viral, with social media reacting strongly. Gooch suggested that if McIlroy completes his career Grand Slam without the best players in the world, there would be an asterisk. The reactions on social media ranged from updating Gooch's Wikipedia page to discussing major pedigrees and making comparisons. Despite the criticism, some highlighted Gooch's friendly personality. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

Anthony Kim makes his long-awaited comeback to golf after a 12-year hiatus at the LIV Golf Jeddah tournament. Fans are excited to see if the three-time PGA Tour winner still has what it takes to compete at the top level. However, fans are confused by the message "Hello haters. I'm back" at the end of his comeback video, as Kim was widely loved before leaving the game. Despite the confusion, Kim's return is welcomed, and he will be participating in multiple events throughout the season. [golfmonthly.com]

The latest on the PGA-LIV merger is that there haven't been many updates. The deadline for the merger has been extended, and there is still a notable split between the two leagues. LIV golfers are barred from participating in PGA TOUR events, and there are questions about the future of the LIV Golf League. Talks between the organizations are ongoing, with a decision aimed to be reached ahead of the Masters in April. The PGA TOUR has also received a $3 billion commitment from another investor. [draftkings.com]

Talor Gooch's comment suggesting that a Rory McIlroy win at the Masters could have an asterisk has sparked controversy. Rocco Mediate responded by questioning Gooch's eligibility and criticizing his achievements. Mediate argued that McIlroy's track record and the presence of other top players make Gooch's comment unwarranted. Gooch's remarks came after Joaquin Niemann, another LIV Golf player, received a special invite to the Masters. Despite the lack of world ranking points, several LIV Golf players, including defending champion Jon Rahm, are qualified for the tournament. [golfmonthly.com]

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac responds to sexist critics who doubt her golf skills with a clever video on Instagram, pretending to be clueless about the sport. The video highlights the misconception that she is just a pretty face (an more) and proves that she has a genuine love for golf. [marca.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.