Planet Golf News for Thursday, March 28, 2024

Scottie Scheffler has the opportunity to make history by winning the 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open and becoming the first player in seven years to win three straight starts. He would also be the first in a decade to win three consecutive stroke-play events. Despite the potential record, Scheffler remains focused on his game and is looking forward to playing in his home state of Texas before the Masters. The tournament at Memorial Park Golf Course offers a different challenge this year, with lighter rough and lower scores expected.

Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, redesigned by Tom Doak with input from Brooks Koepka, features a challenging layout with sharp-edged greens and limited bunkers. The course offers birdie opportunities on reachable par 5s and drivable par 4s, while the closing holes are designed for risk/reward play. This hole-by-hole look provides an overview of each hole's characteristics and challenges.

Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko are back in the same LPGA field at the Ford Championship, marking their first meeting since their January showdown. Korda aims to win three consecutive starts on the LPGA, while Ko needs one more point to enter the LPGA Hall of Fame. The tournament features a stacked field with nine of the top 10 players in the world.

The Ford Championship presented by KCC is taking place in Gilbert, Arizona, featuring top players in the LPGA Tour. Notable players include Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, and Patty Tavatanakit. The tournament showcases various featured groups, such as Charley Hull, Lexi Thompson, and Alison Lee, as well as Celine Boutier, Lydia Ko, and Nelly Korda. The event offers an exciting opportunity for players to compete and potentially qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Lydia Ko talks with media ahead of the Ford Championship presented by KCC.

Three PGA Tour golfers, Tom Hoge, Mackenzie Hughes, and Alex Noren, have a chance to earn a spot at this year's Masters Tournament. While winning the Houston Open or the Valero Texas Open would secure a direct entry, they can also qualify by finishing in the top 5 and being in the top 50 rankings. The article discusses the current rankings and performances of these golfers and highlights their chances of making it to the Masters.

Matt Fitzpatrick believes that approach play is the key aspect to performing well at Augusta National Golf Club for The Masters. He emphasizes the importance of hitting irons well and making accurate shots to the right parts of the green. While he acknowledges the significance of approach play, he also highlights the importance of a solid tee shot and a combination of all aspects of the game.

Wednesday was pro-am day at the PGA Champions Tour event Galleri Classic in Rancho Mirage. The event featured notable golfers such as Tom Lehman, David Duval, John Daly, and Jay Haas, as well as U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan. See photographs capturing the atmosphere and participants of the event.

Professional golfer Chris DiMarco's comments about the prize money on the Champions Tour being a joke and hoping for a company like LIV to buy the tour have sparked controversy online. Despite not achieving much success on the Champions Tour, DiMarco has earned over $1.2 million. The divide created by money talk in golf may be contributing to the sport's poor TV ratings.

John Daly, the professional golfer, showcased his stage presence by belting out "Knocking On Heaven's Door" from the DJ booth at a pro-am party. Known for his entertaining anecdotes and love for performing, Daly added a golf spin to the lyrics, expressing his struggles in making cuts in recent weeks.

Dustin Johnson, captain of the 4 Aces golf team, has announced the addition of Chris Rosaasen as the new General Manager. Rosaasen, who has experience in brand creation and marketing, will help propel the team to greatness. The 4 Aces GC, which includes talented players like Pat Perez and Patrick Reed, will be competing in the upcoming Miami Invitational with Rosaasen as part of the team.

Anirban Lahiri, a LIV golfer, expresses frustration with the OWGR rankings as his own ranking has plummeted since joining LIV Golf. He highlights that many talented LIV golfers are unable to qualify for major tournaments and the Olympics due to the OWGR backlash. Lahiri will be playing at the Indian Open as a sponsor's exemption to earn OWGR points and improve his rank. Despite the challenges, Lahiri remains determined and aims to secure points through Asian Tour events.

The PGA Tour has experienced a drop in television viewership in 2024, with the Players Championship and Valspar Championship seeing significant decreases compared to previous years. Other tournaments, such as the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational, also had marked decreases in viewership. The upcoming Masters tournament will be a crucial indicator of whether the absence of top names in PGA Tour events is contributing to the decline in viewership.

Brandel Chamblee is set to serve as NBC's lead analyst for the PGA Tour in Houston, but it is unclear if he wants the job. Chamblee acknowledges the difficulty of following Johnny Miller in the role and suggests other potential candidates such as Luke Donald, Geoff Ogilvy, and even Tiger Woods. Chamblee emphasizes the importance of hard work, preparation, and a deep knowledge of the game for the role.

The NBC/Golf Channel TV truck is set up at the LPGA's Ford Championship in Arizona, ready to televise 12 hours of live prime-time coverage over four days. The main TV booth is located on the 17th hole at Seville Golf and Country Club, providing a perfect backdrop for the action. Photos of the TV booth and the par-3 17th hole are included in the article.

Rob Hogan, also known as Speed Golf Rob, has become a social media sensation with his energetic Instagram videos providing golf advice. With a background in speed golf, Hogan brings a unique perspective to the golf swing, emphasizing the importance of athleticism and instinct. He encourages golfers to simplify their approach, trust their abilities, and focus on making athletic swings with freedom.

PGA Tour winner Chris DiMarco suggests that LIV Golf should purchase the PGA Tour Champions, citing dissatisfaction with the smaller purses on the Champions Tour compared to the PGA Tour. DiMarco highlights the significant difference in prize money between the two tours and believes that LIV Golf's financial backing could help elevate the Champions Tour.

Recent gambling scandals in sports, including the investigation of NBA's Jontay Porter, raise questions about the potential for similar issues in golf. Golf, being an individual sport, is both susceptible to and protected from such incidents. The financial incentives for golfers to perform well generally outweigh potential gains from betting schemes. However, scenarios where golfers have little to gain from their performance, such as when they are likely to miss the cut or are injured, could be exploited for gambling purposes. While sports gambling is becoming more mainstream, it's important to remain vigilant for potential scandals.

Ping is now offering free personalization for their newly relaunched golf bag program. Customers can add their name and more to the large accessory pouch at no extra charge by selecting the model, color, pattern, and entering up to 20 characters on three lines using the online customization tool. The process only adds a few extra days to the order time, allowing golfers to have a uniquely personalized bag.

According to robot testing, the 2024 irons, particularly the Ping i530 and Cleveland ZipCore XL, improve toe misses by reducing distance loss. The testing revealed that carry distance decreased by 12.5 yards on a common toe strike, highlighting the importance of mitigating this loss. The report emphasizes that performance gains can be achieved with a variety of iron types, including better-player, player's distance, and game-improvement offerings.

Peter Malnati reflects on his recent victory at the Valspar Championship and believes it resonated with golf fans due to his emotional post-round interview. He expresses a desire for the focus in golf to shift back to the athleticism and achievement of the players rather than the financial aspects. Malnati hopes that the story told in golf can be about the best athletes competing on the biggest stage and showcasing their amazing skills.

According to Jason Day's performance coach, there are three ways to overcome a mid-round slump in golf. First, trust your process and continue with your routine. Second, avoid making swing changes during the round. Finally, don't overthink and just play freely. By following these tips, golfers can regain their confidence and improve their performance.

Longtime golf instructor Randy Smith is taking a hands-off approach with his star pupil, Scottie Scheffler, who is on a winning streak. Despite back-to-back wins, Smith advises Scheffler to simply "go play golf" and believes in not disrupting a winning formula. Scheffler, known for his positive attitude and minimal practice approach, aims to maintain his current form and secure another Masters victory.

Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas, is a historic venue that has undergone restoration and offers a range of sports facilities. The golf course, known for hosting the Houston Open, has affordable green fees for both residents and non-residents, with prices ranging from $10 for junior residents to $140 for non-resident adults on weekends or holidays. The course is considered one of the top-rated municipal golf courses in Texas.

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.