Planet Golf News for Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The Valero Texas Open is taking place before The Masters, with 25 players competing at TPC San Antonio. Corey Conners is the defending champion, and past winners Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, and Charley Hoffman are also in the field. The tournament can be watched on Golf Channel and NBC, with streaming available on Peacock and ESPN+.

Tune in as the world’s best female golfers tee it up for the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards. The tournament can be watched on Golf Channel, Peacock, NBC Sports App, and LPGA Live.

The T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards has undergone significant changes, including a new sponsor, format, date, and player perks. The event has moved from May to April, expanded the field to 96 participants, and increased the purse to $2 million. The tournament now features stroke play from Wednesday to Friday, with a cut made after 36 holes. The top eight players will advance to the weekend's match-play competition. Notable players in the field include Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, and Pajaree Anannarukarn, who won the championship last season. The tournament serves as a final tune-up before the season's first major championship, The Chevron Championship.

The LPGA's T-Mobile Match Play at Shadow Creek will feature a new format this season. Instead of head-to-head matches or pool play, the event will include 36 holes of stroke play, followed by a cut to the top 65 players. The remaining players will compete in 18 holes of stroke play, with the top 8 qualifying for match play. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place on Saturday, and the championship match will be held on Sunday. The tournament will be televised by Golf Channel and Peacock.

LIV Golf Miami is returning to the United States, specifically to the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral, for the fifth event of the 2024 season. The tournament will take place from April 5-7, 2024, and features a 72-par course with a length of 7,701 yards. The prize purse for the event is $25 million, with $20 million for the individual purse and $5 million for the team purse. The tournament will be broadcast live on the LIV Golf YouTube channel, and the winner will take home $4 million.

The Augusta National Women's Amateur will feature 72 of the top female players in amateur golf. The tournament will be held over 54 holes of stroke play, with the first two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club and the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. The low 30 players after 36 holes will qualify for the final round. Practice rounds will be held at Augusta National, and coverage can be watched on Golf Channel/Peacock and NBC/Peacock.

The complete coverage schedule for The Masters 2024 at Augusta National has been unveiled. The tournament will be broadcasted by CBS Sports, Paramount+, and the tournament's official website. The coverage includes special shows and will start on Monday, April 8, with the first round commencing on Thursday, April 11. The schedule includes various featured groups, Amen Corner, Holes 15 and 16, and highlights. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, April 14, with the final round.

The Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia, is home to 18 extraordinary holes named after the flora of Fruitland. The course features a mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s, with each hole presenting its own unique challenges. The article provides a detailed description of each hole, including their names, lengths, features, and historical significance. The course has undergone changes over the years, with 2024 marking the third consecutive year of modifications. The Augusta National Golf Course is renowned for its commitment to excellence and traditions, making it a highly anticipated venue for The Masters tournament.

The Masters 2024 at Augusta National Golf Club will feature five amateur golfers who have qualified through various championships, including Christo Lamprecht, the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world, Stewart Hagestad, who has previous experience at Augusta National, Santiago de la Fuente, the winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, Neal Shipley, the US Amateur runner-up, and Jasper Stubbs, the winner of the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship.

Rory McIlroy is scouting the Augusta National ahead of the Masters 2024 tournament, where he will be aiming to win his first green jacket and complete his career grand slam. He has played in the Masters 15 times, recording seven top-10 finishes, with his best finish being a runner-up in 2022.

Golf fans express frustration over the disparity in coverage between LPGA and men's golf, with the recent example of Nelly Korda's historic win receiving minimal airtime compared to the Champions Tour event. Fans criticize the limited coverage and call for better treatment of women's golf on television.

Golf fans are expressing frustration over the lack of coverage for the LPGA, especially when top-ranked players like Nelly Korda are in contention. Despite her historic win, Golf Channel chose to air the Champions Tour's finish instead. This highlights the ongoing issue of women's golf being pushed aside and calls for more coverage and visibility for the LPGA.

PGA Tour players express their desire to see certain players featured on the next season of 'Full Swing' on Netflix. Suggestions include Max Homa, Grayson Murray, Jake Knapp, David Lipsky, and Aaron Baddeley, highlighting their unique stories and experiences in professional golf. The players also emphasize the importance of showcasing up-and-coming talents and players who have overcome challenges to succeed on the Tour.

Brandel Chamblee criticizes Phil Mickelson for his involvement with LIV Golf and expresses disappointment in his departure from the game, stating that Mickelson could have made a positive impact. Chamblee also comments on Mickelson's playing style and the current state of golf.

In an upcoming interview, golfer Anthony Kim discusses his past, citing "scam artists" and "snakes" that took advantage of him. Kim reveals that he has distanced himself from these individuals and emphasizes the importance of his family and telling his story. Kim, who recently returned to professional golf, will be making his U.S. LIV debut this week. The interview will be released on LIV Golf+ and is expected to shed light on Kim's experiences and inspire others.

Check out the various April Fool's jokes related to golf that were shared on social media. The jokes include Justin Rose announcing a soccer career, Louis Oosthuizen quitting golf for farming, Cameron Smith losing his famous mullet (which turned out to be false), and the Majesticks GC team joking about shaving their heads. There were also pranks involving vandalism at a golf club and mowing the greens with a Union Jack design. Additionally, G/Fore released a spiked stiletto golf shoe as a joke.

The article discusses the April Fool pranks in the golf world, including a prank about Rory McIlroy joining LIV Golf and withdrawing from the Masters, as well as pranks involving Michael Block and the LIV Golf team. These pranks left fans momentarily shocked but were eventually revealed as jokes.

LIV Golf played an April Fools' Day prank by announcing that golfer Cam Smith had cut off his mullet, causing a stir on the internet. However, it was later revealed to be a joke, and Smith's iconic hairstyle remains intact.

Tony Finau's Ping G430 driver underwent necessary changes at the Houston Open to optimize his performance for the Masters. Finau's coach noticed a dip in ball speed and an increase in spin rate, so Ping Tour reps adjusted the driver's build by adding more loft and heel mass, as well as changing the shaft. These changes resulted in improved numbers for Finau, setting him up for a strong performance at the Masters.

Wilson's new Dynapower irons are designed to provide consistent solid impact and resist twisting. They feature a variable thickness face, Power Holes in the sole for added face flexing, and toe-bias weighting. The irons are aimed at recreational golfers with swing issues and offer high MOI, higher launch angles, and improved ball speed retention. The 2024 model pays homage to the classic Dynapower irons first made in 1956.

Stephan Jaeger won the 2024 Houston Open, earning his first PGA Tour title after 135 starts. Joel Dahmen, a close friend of Jaeger, celebrated the victory with playful 'Jaeger Bomb' cheers. Jaeger's win earned him a prize money paycheck of $1,638,000, 500 FedEx Cup points, and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He also jumped to his career-best 43rd rank on the Official World Golf Rankings and earned an invite to the 2025 Tournament of Champions and eligibility to play at the Masters 2024.

Scottie Scheffler remains the clear No. 1 in the Power 18 golf rankings, while Rory McIlroy drops out of the top five. McIlroy has struggled in the early stages of 2024, while other top players like Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland have also been off their best form. Jon Rahm continues to be a steady presence and is set to defend his Masters title.

Steve Stricker's daughter, Izzi, playfully roasts her dad's golf fashion sense in a video shared on social media. The video shows Izzi grading Steve's wardrobe choices over the years, including his hairstyle. Despite the teasing, Izzi also shares fond memories of their time together on the golf course, highlighting their close bond.

Australian golfer Cam Smith is feeling the pressure to improve his golf ranking in order to secure a spot for the Paris Olympics. Despite being considered Australia's best golfer, Smith's decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV tour has caused him to drop to No 62 in the world rankings. With only two spots available for the Olympics, Smith will need to perform well in upcoming tournaments, including the Masters, to have a chance at selection.

Nelly Korda's historic victory in the 2024 Ford Championship has sparked a discussion about the lack of media attention to women's golf. Golf analyst Taylor Zarzour believes that Korda's achievement is a "once-in-a-generation type story" and should be celebrated more. Korda's win marked her third consecutive victory on the LPGA Tour, a feat accomplished by only a few players in history.

Irving Azoff, a music industry mogul, Apple executive Eddy Cue, and designer Gil Hanse have collaborated to create Ladera, an ultra-exclusive golf course in the Coachella Valley. Ladera features an 18-hole regulation course, a nine-hole par-3 course, and a unique landscape surrounded by a working lemon farm. The course aims to provide an unparalleled golfing experience for its members, who are not limited to Coachella Valley residents but can be from anywhere in the United States. Azoff and Cue envision Ladera as a destination golf course that offers a peaceful and enjoyable golfing experience. The course has already attracted a small membership of around 40 individuals, including notable figures such as Rich Bressler and Harry Styles. Ladera's design by Gil Hanse incorporates wide fairways, native desert landscape, and large white sand bunkers as a tribute to George Thomas' bunkering at Riviera Country Club. Azoff and Cue hope to pass down Ladera to their sons and establish it as a top-ranked golf course.

A 60-year-old golf fan finally receives his first Masters tickets after years of trying and proudly shows them off to the mailman in a heartwarming video. The man had been unsuccessful in the ticket lottery for decades before getting the coveted passes for Monday's practice round. The video captures his excitement and gratitude, with the mailman even joining in the celebration.

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.