Planet Golf News for Thursday, March 21, 2024

Xander Schauffele aims to move on from his disappointment at the Players Cup and focus on the upcoming Valspar Championship. Despite missing out on a win, Schauffele is determined to prioritize future events and improve his performance. He credits his father and coach for their support and guidance, and is motivated to achieve success in the upcoming tournament.

Jimmy Stanger will be playing in the Valspar Championship to honor his late friend Harris Armstrong, who had a significant impact on his life. Stanger reflects on the importance of life beyond golf and credits Armstrong for instilling a sense of purpose in him. Stanger, a professional golfer, earned his membership on the PGA Tour for the 2024 season after playing on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has had notable achievements in his career, including a victory at the 2023 Compliance Solutions Championship.

The merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is facing a significant delay as Tiger Woods and Yasir Al-Rumayyan fail to resolve the issues during their meeting in the Bahamas. Peter Malnati, who was present at the meeting, expressed uncertainty about the future outcome but emphasized the positive and friendly nature of the discussions.

Tiger Woods was described as "very engaged" during a meeting with Yasir Al-Rummayan, the Governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, at a PGA Tour player director meeting. The meeting took place in the Bahamas, where Woods hosted. While specific details of the meeting are scarce, it appears that the unification of golf is still far from being achieved.

Jon Rahm believes that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf can coexist without rivalry, expressing hope for a peaceful contract between the two tours. He wants the best players to compete against each other and sees potential for the game to progress if peace is achieved. Despite anticipating a cold reception from some golfers, Rahm remains optimistic and looks forward to the match and the Champions Dinner.

Jon Rahm, the defending champion, is ready to fend off Scottie Scheffler in the 2024 Masters. Rahm, who has transitioned to LIV Golf, expressed his disappointment in not being able to defend his titles on the PGA Tour. However, he remains confident in his game and is looking forward to the challenge. Scheffler, the current favorite, has been in excellent form with recent victories. The Masters is anticipated to be an exciting tournament with both players showcasing their skills once again.

Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods is included on the entry list for The Masters 2024 tournament at Augusta National. Despite recent withdrawals and limited tournament appearances, Woods, along with other players, has a lifetime exemption to play at The Masters. The tournament will take place from April 11-14.

Tiger Woods will be participating in the Masters tournament, marking his 26th appearance. After withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational due to the flu, Woods' fans were hopeful for his return at the Players Championship, but he decided against it. Woods' previous comeback at the 2022 Masters following a near-fatal car crash in 2021 has made his participation in the tournament highly anticipated. Despite concerns about his physical condition, Woods remains optimistic about his ability to compete. Golf fans have had mixed reactions to the news of his inclusion in the Masters field.

ESPN has announced that Laura Rutledge and Jeff Darlington will be joining its Masters broadcast team for the upcoming 88th Masters tournament. Rutledge will host the pre-broadcast show "Welcome to the Masters," while Darlington will contribute as a reporter and essayist. ESPN holds the broadcast rights for the Masters Par-3 Contest and the first two rounds of the tournament.

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. is considering a potential sale and spin-off of its Callaway Golf business, valued at nearly $3 billion. This move reflects strategic shifts in the golf industry and could have significant implications for golf equipment manufacturing and entertainment operations. Major shareholders are exploring possible deals, and the future may see Topgolf and Callaway brands operating independently, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the golf industry.

Callaway Golf has issued a statement denying reports of the brand being up for sale. The report claimed that a South Korean strategic investor is in the running to acquire Topgolf Callaway Brands, but Callaway Golf stated that they are not aware of any such discussions. Callaway Golf sponsors top golfers such as Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Sam Burns.

Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard has turned down a "good offer" from LIV Golf, the Saudi-funded rival to the PGA Tour. Højgaard believes that by continuing to play well, he will still earn a lot of money and have the freedom to make his own decisions and play in the Majors. Edoardo Molinari, who discussed Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf, expressed his disbelief at younger players risking their careers for money.

LIV Golf has announced a multi-year partnership with JCB, a multinational heavy equipment producer based in England, for one of its UK events. The sponsorship agreement will run for several years, with the first tournament under the new agreement scheduled for July 26 to 28. The event will be known as LIV Golf UK by JCB and will be held at JCB Golf & Country Club. This partnership reflects LIV and JCB's commitment to innovation and collaboration in the golf industry.

The Palos Verdes Golf Club, with its challenging terrain and small greens, has seen surprising results in past FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championships. Marina Alex and Georgia Hall have previously outperformed expectations at this venue. Key factors for success include fairway accuracy and greens in regulation, with players like Ayaka Furue, Rose Zhang, and Megan Khang excelling in these areas. The course's par-5 scoring leaders, including Yuka Saso and Patty Tavatanakit, may also have an edge. The tournament honors the legacy of champion Se Ri Pak.

Rose Zhang returns to LPGA action during hectic finals week at Stanford. Despite academic commitments and a recent battle with the flu, Zhang is excited to be back on the tour. She plans to find a balance between being a part-time student and a full-time golf professional, considering the possibility of taking online classes while on tour in the future.

The PGA Tour Policy Board plays a crucial role in establishing and reviewing policies and rules for the American Tour, including eligibility, player conduct, anti-doping regulations, prize money distribution, and tournament scheduling. With the introduction of LIV Golf and the merger with the PIF, the importance of the board has increased. The board consists of 11 directors, including 5 independent directors and 6 player directors. The Players Advisory Council helps bridge the gap between players and the Tour, aiming to provide fairness and transparency. The council is chaired by Camilo Villegas and includes 16 members. The future of the board and the American Tour remains to be seen with the ongoing merger.

SI Golf ranks the top 36 PGA Tour players who should receive equity shares in the new for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises. The distribution of $930 million of investment capital will be based on a formula that considers career performance, last five-year performance, and Player Impact Program (PIP) results. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas are among the top players expected to receive significant shares.

Jon Rahm regrets not being able to defend the titles he won last season after his move to LIV Golf resulted in a PGA Tour suspension. Despite the financial benefits of the move, Rahm expressed difficulty in missing out on tournaments that hold personal significance to him. LIV Golf, despite featuring top players, has struggled to gain traction with fans.

Jon Rahm, after joining LIV Golf, expresses support for a union of pro golf worlds to allow top players to compete with each other more frequently. Rahm hopes for an agreement between PGA Tour Enterprises and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. He compares the future of pro men's golf to European soccer leagues and emphasizes the importance of majors with the highest percentage of top players. Rahm and other LIV Golf members are currently suspended from PGA Tour play.

You can still buy Brooks Koepka's limited edition Masters-themed golf shoes, the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour NEXT% NRG, which were worn by Koepka during The Masters in 2023. These shoes offer supreme comfort and innovative technology, and there are still a few pairs available for purchase on the Nike website. Act quickly as they won't be restocked and are expected to sell out before this year's event.

The Players Championship provided several key takeaways, including Scottie Scheffler's impressive performance, the tournament's major-like competition, the positive impact on the PGA Tour's popularity, Wyndham Clark's clutch performance, Xander Schauffele's determination to win, and the significance of having a cut in big events.

Xander Schauffele holds two impressive streaks on the PGA Tour: he has made 41 consecutive cuts and has gone 242 holes without a three-putt. Despite his lack of three-putts, putting is his weakest category in terms of strokes gained. Schauffele is still searching for his first victory in 20 months but remains one of the most consistent golfers on the tour.

Jimmy Stanger, a 28-year-old PGA Tour rookie with zero wins, has an interesting backstory and is involved in charitable work. Despite his lack of success on the tour, Stanger remains focused on improving his game and giving back to the community. His determination and philanthropic efforts make him someone worth rooting for.

Paige Spiranac praises Bryson DeChambeau for his impressive tee shot during their round in the Bahamas, describing it as "supernatural." The pair spent time together on the putting green and Spiranac served as DeChambeau's caddie in a previous tournament. Spiranac, a former college golfer turned social media influencer, shares advice for aspiring golfers to focus on their short game.

LSU golfer Ingrid Lindblad has moved to the No. 1 ranking in the national college golf rankings. Lindblad has steadily climbed the rankings and has had a strong season with two wins and four top three finishes. She holds numerous school records and has been ranked No. 1 in the women's World Amateur Golf Rankings for 42 weeks.

Data analysis by Lou Stagner reveals that hitting more greens in regulation (GIR) is more important for scoring lower in golf than hitting fairways. The data shows that even if a player hits every fairway but struggles with hitting greens in regulation, it only makes a difference of about three strokes per round. On the other hand, hitting only half of the greens in regulation can result in a difference of eight strokes per round for a 15-handicap player. Therefore, focusing on approach shots and dialing in greens in regulation is crucial for improving scores.

The article discusses the potential addition of a mixed-team event in golf for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While stroke-play over 72 holes has been the standard format, there is a desire to incorporate more team play in the sport. The article suggests a 36- or 54-hole alternate shot format and highlights the success of other mixed-team events in golf. Additionally, the article proposes playing the men's and women's individual competitions simultaneously to create a unique viewing experience. Overall, the article emphasizes the opportunity for golf to showcase itself during the Olympics and attract a wider audience.

The dropping procedure in golf has come under scrutiny, particularly in situations where the exact location of the ball cannot be determined. Suggestions for improvement include treating all lost balls the same way, or using the nearest stake as a reference point for dropping. However, there are concerns about potential disagreements and the accuracy of using stakes. The use of reasonable judgment and considering all available information is emphasized in the Rules of Golf.

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.