Planet Golf News for Thursday, September 5, 2024

Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy Teaming Up Against Bryson DeChambeau And Brooks Koepka In PGA vs. LIV Match

Thursday, September 5, 2024

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Down but never out, Lydia Ko's career resurgence is one for the ages

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Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

It’s an incredible weekend for sports fans, with college football already underway and the NFL officially kicking off its season. As the excitement builds for football, the golf world also offers plenty of action. The PGA Tour Champions' Ascension Charity Classic is will get into full swing at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri on Friday. Defending champion Steve Flesch is hoping for another stellar performance after last year's remarkable comeback, but he’ll face stiff competition from current Charles Schwab Cup leader Steve Stricker and other top contenders like Steven Alker and Jay Haas. The tournament will be broadcast on the Golf Channel throughout the weekend, with a $2.1 million purse on the line.

Across the globe, the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters is getting underway right now at the stunning Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Crans Montana, Switzerland. The scenic course, set at a high altitude, presents unique challenges for the field, which includes two-time winner Matt Fitzpatrick, the Hojgaard twins, and veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez, who’s making his 34th appearance at this historic event. Fitzpatrick, aiming for a third title here, is crediting his caddie Billy Foster for helping him regain his form as he returns from injury.

Beyond these tournaments, the much-anticipated made-for-TV golf showdown between PGA Tour stars Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler versus LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka is set for this December in Las Vegas. This match, which underscores the ongoing rivalry between the two leagues, will draw significant attention as negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for a potential unification continue. The match comes amid a landscape of tension since LIV's debut in 2022, and although the leagues have agreed to a framework for cooperation, no clear resolution has been reached.

/dding to last weekend’s big stories, Justin Thomas recently shared some personal news, announcing that he and his wife Jillian are expecting their first child in November. Thomas expressed his excitement about becoming a father while reflecting on his bounce-back season, where he managed to finish ranked No. 30 in the world despite not securing a win. However, he was open about his disappointment in not being selected for the U.S. Presidents Cup team, a decision that left many fans surprised. Thomas, however, took it in stride, using it as motivation for future events and offering his full support to the chosen team.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Solheim Cup is just around the corner, set to take place from September 13-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. The U.S. team, led by captain Stacy Lewis, will feature top golfers like Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz, taking on Europe’s best in this prestigious women’s team event. Similarly, the Presidents Cup is approaching later this month, from September 26-29 at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Quebec. The U.S. team selection stirred some controversy, with fans disappointed over Justin Thomas’s exclusion despite his stellar match-play record, though Tony Finau was picked to represent Team USA.

As LIV Golf rolls out its 2025 schedule with events planned in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, their rivalry with the PGA Tour continues to heat up. These events are scheduled to coincide with major PGA tournaments, underscoring that the competition between the two leagues remains fierce despite ongoing negotiations.

In business news, Callaway has made waves with the announcement of its decision to split Topgolf and Callaway Golf into two separate companies. The spin-off is part of a strategy to improve shareholder value and better align the distinct business models of each brand. The move follows a tough first half of 2024 for Topgolf, which saw same-venue sales dip by 8%. Topgolf is expected to be debt-free and hold over $200 million in cash by the time the split is finalized, which is projected for mid-2025. This separation may also open the door for strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of Topgolf.

It’s not just football and golf keeping fans glued to their screens this weekend. Major League Baseball is nearing its playoff push, with tight division races in both leagues. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers are fighting for their division leads, while several clubs are still vying for the coveted wild card spots.

With college football, the NFL kickoff, major golf tournaments, and baseball’s playoff race all happening at once, this weekend promises to be an action-packed experience for sports enthusiasts.

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Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Ascension Charity Classic - PGA Tour - Norwood Hills Country Club - St. Louis, MO

The Ascension Charity Classic, a PGA TOUR Champions event, is set to begin on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the historic Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. This marks the fourth time the tournament has been held at this venue.

The event features a strong field of 78 players, including several notable competitors. Steve Stricker, the reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion who currently ranks sixth in this season's standings, is participating. He has 17 PGA TOUR Champions victories and nine top-10 finishes this season. Steven Alker, last season's Charles Schwab Cup runner-up and currently third in this year's standings, is also in the field.

Other prominent players include PGA TOUR Champions veterans Jay Haas and Fred Funk, who have 18 and nine Champions Tour victories respectively, as well as Corey Pavin, a one-time winner on the Tour.

The defending champion is Steve Flesch, who staged a remarkable comeback in last year's tournament. Flesch finished at 19-under par, setting new 18-hole and 54-hole course records at Norwood Hills Country Club.

The tournament will be broadcast on GOLF Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The purse for the event is $2,100,000, with the winner receiving $315,000.

Omega European Masters - DP World - Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club - Crans Montana, Switzerland

The 2024 Omega European Masters is set to begin on today at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Crans Montana, Switzerland. This DP World Tour event, with a rich history dating back to 1923, offers players a chance to compete for a significantly increased prize purse of $3.25 million, up from $2.5 million last year. The winner will take home $552,500 along with 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,500 Ryder Cup points.

The tournament is played on a par-70 course measuring 6,823 yards, situated at an altitude of about 5,000 feet above sea level, which affects ball flight and distance. The field includes notable players such as Matt Fitzpatrick, a two-time winner of this event, who is looking for his third victory here. Other prominent participants include the Hojgaard twins, Rasmus and Nicolai, as well as former champions Thriston Lawrence and Bernd Wiesberger.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, a veteran of the tour, will be making his 34th appearance at the event, taking on the role of tournament ambassador.

Solheim Cup (9/13-9/15) - LPGA - Robert Trent Jones Golf Club - Gainesville, VA

The 2024 Solheim Cup is set to take place from September 13-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Team USA, captained by Stacy Lewis, has confirmed their 12-player lineup to face Team Europe. The American team includes world No. 1 Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing, Allisen Corpuz, Megan Khang, Andrea Lee, and Rose Zhang, among others.

The event is expected to draw over 150,000 spectators .

Presidents Cup (9/26-9/29)-PGA - The Royal Montreal Golf Club - LLe Bizard, PQ

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UPCOMING TOURS

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