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Planet Golf News for Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Planet Golf News for Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

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Capital One’s The Match draws rave reviews as "breath of fresh air" for golf fans

THE LEADERBOARD

Today’s Top 10 Stories from Planet Golf News

Good Morning,

Hey golf enthusiasts! Let's dive into a whirlwind of golf stories that have been making the rounds yesterday.

First off, Rory McIlroy just showed why he's a force to be reckoned with at The Match 2024 in West Palm Beach. The man was on fire, securing 10 skins and bagging a cool $2.4 million for his efforts. Lexi Thompson tried to keep up and snagged a couple of skins herself, while Max Homa and Rose Zhang couldn't quite get on the board. The best part? All that cash went to charity. Talk about winning big for a good cause!

Now, for a blast from the past, Anthony Kim is stepping back into the spotlight. LIV Golf is bringing the hype with a teaser for his return that's so dramatic, you'd think it's a blockbuster movie trailer. After a 12-year hiatus and battling through injuries, it's intriguing to see how Kim will shake up the scene at the upcoming event in Saudi Arabia.

Switching gears to Netflix, the Full Swing Season 2 trailer is out, and it's a heart-pumper. Featuring Jon Rahm's Masters victory, Brooks Koepka's win at Oak Hill, and a peek into the PGA Tour/LIV Golf rivalry, this season is gearing up to be a riveting watch. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes action of golf's craziest year, this is your ticket.

The Cognizant Classic - beginning Thursday in The Palm Beaches is stirring up the power rankings with a mix of rested players, consistent performers, and long shots looking to surprise us. It's anyone's game, and the anticipation is building up on who will come out on top in this diverse field.

LIV Golf's Greg Norman is shaking things up by revealing their attempts to woo Hideki Matsuyama, despite his previous refusal of a nine-figure deal. With players like Jon Rahm joining LIV, the dynamics between LIV and the PGA Tour are more intriguing than ever.

In a lighter vein, Charles Barkley losing a golf match to DJ Khaled prior to The Match Monday night has everyone in stitches. The friendly banter and calls for a match against J.J. Watt add a fun twist to the competitive spirit of the game.

On a more serious note, the Saudi Public Investment Fund's involvement with LIV Golf is under scrutiny by the U.S. Senate and Department of Justice. With potential legal challenges ahead, it's a situation that could have wider implications for LIV Golfers.

And for those who love the spectacle of the game, the debate over whether Charlie Woods should have been given a sponsor's exemption to the Cognizant Classic is heating up. It's a conversation about the balance between tradition and drawing in crowds with big names.

⛳️ Golf, you've got us hooked! [Michael Wolf]

1. The Match 2024

The Match 2024 results: Rory McIlroy dominates Lexi Thompson, Max Homa, Rose Zhang in West Palm Beach

Rory McIlroy dominated The Match 2024 in West Palm Beach, winning 10 skins and earning $2.4 million. Lexi Thompson came in second with two skins, while Max Homa and Rose Zhang failed to win any. All proceeds went to charity. [cbssports.com]

2. LIV Golf Jeddah

LIV Golf Teases Anthony Kim's Return With Over-the-Top Hype Video

LIV Golf teases the return of Anthony Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner, with an over-the-top hype video. The video suggests that Kim is ready to compete in the upcoming LIV Golf event in Saudi Arabia. Despite disappearing from public view 12 years ago, Kim's comeback is generating excitement and speculation about the state of his game after a series of injuries. Social media is abuzz with reactions to the teaser. [si.com]

3. Entertainment

If Netflix Full Swing Season 2 trailer doesn’t fire you up, check your pulse

Season Two of the Netflix series Full Swing will showcase the lives of professional golfers, including Jon Rahm's Masters victory and Brooks Koepka's triumph at Oak Hill. The series also delves into the PGA Tour/LIV Golf divide and features players like Matt Fitzpatrick and Joel Dahmen. With an extended trailer released, Season Two promises to be even more exciting and will provide behind-the-scenes looks at golf's craziest year. [sbnation.com]

4. Cognizant Classic 2024

Power Rankings: Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches

The power rankings for the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches feature a diverse group of golfers. The top-ranked player arrives rested with five top 25s in 2024, and PGA National is where he launched his campaign in earnest with a playoff loss in his tournament debut. The defending champion, ranked second, has been consistently strong at PGA National since 2021. Other notable players include the 2014 champion, who hasn’t teed it up at PGA National since a T3 in 2021, and a player who extended his consecutive cuts-made streak to 22 with a T3 at the Mexico Open. [pgatour.com]

5. LIV Golf

LIV Golf’s Greg Norman openly reveals a major winner ‘we’ve been trying to get’

Greg Norman reveals that LIV Golf has been trying to recruit Hideki Matsuyama, a major winner. Matsuyama had previously turned down a nine-figure deal to join LIV in 2022. Despite the conversations between LIV and Matsuyama, he has expressed his commitment to the PGA Tour. The negotiations between LIV and the PGA Tour continue, and more Tour players, including Jon Rahm, have joined LIV. The shifting dynamics in golf and the agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV have opened the door for players to consider offers from LIV. [golf.com]

6. Celebrities

"Worst golfers in the game" - Charles Barkley losing golf game to DJ Khaled has NBA fans in stitches

NBA legend Charles Barkley and DJ Khaled played a competitive golf match, with Barkley losing to DJ Khaled. Fans trolled both players for their golf skills. Barkley also called out J.J. Watt for "ducking" a golf match against him. [sportskeeda.com]

7. Legal

U.S. Consultants threatened with Saudi prison time; could LIV Golfers be next?

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is under investigation by the U.S. Senate and Department of Justice for potential violations of antitrust law and the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) in relation to its business deals in the U.S., including its investment in LIV Golf. The PIF has failed to comply with U.S. requests and subpoenas, leading to increased scrutiny. U.S.-based consulting firms that advised the PIF have been threatened with financial penalties or prison time by the Saudi Arabian Kingdom for cooperating with U.S. Senate subpoenas. This situation raises questions about the potential implications for LIV Golfers, especially in light of potential strengthening of FARA. [sbnation.com]

8. 2024 Mexico Open

9. Opinion

Charlie Woods Should Have Been Given a Sponsor’s Exemption to the Cognizant Classic

Despite Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, not advancing in a pre-qualifier for the Cognizant Classic, the argument is made that he should have been given a sponsor's exemption. This is based on the historical precedent of using sponsor exemptions to generate interest and engagement in tournaments, citing examples like Mark Rypien and Michelle Wie. The potential presence of Tiger Woods and the buzz around Charlie Woods would have likely boosted the tournament's profile. [si.com]

10. Personalities

SHORT TAKES

Pro 'incredibly disappointed' he wasn't asked to defend title. Here's why

Zack Fischer, the defending champion of the Argentina Open on the Korn Ferry Tour, expressed his disappointment in not receiving an exemption to defend his title. Despite pleading for a sponsor's invite, Fischer was not included in the field. The PGA Tour confirmed that the Argentina Open, which was moved to the Korn Ferry Tour schedule, technically does not have a defending champion category. Fischer, who lost his Korn Ferry status for the 2024 season, stated that he will be playing on the newly created PGA Tour Americas this season. [golf.com]

Korn Ferry Tour players greeted by mosquito invasion in Argentina

Korn Ferry Tour players in Argentina are facing a mosquito invasion, with multiple swarms hitting Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas. The Olivos Golf Club, where the 117 Visa Argentina Open will take place, is also affected. Mosquito experts predict that the issue could last for several weeks, especially if there is more rainfall. Players are advised to use mosquito repellent to prevent diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. [nbcsports.com]

Two similar shots. Two completely different rulings. Here’s why

During the Mexico Open, golfers S.H. Kim and Sami Valimaki found themselves in similar situations with their balls resting against a fence, but the rulings were different due to their respective arguments. Kim argued he could make a play at the ball by hopping the fence and was granted relief, while Valimaki, believing it was unreasonable to play from his ball's position, took a penalty drop. The incident highlights the grey areas in golf rules and the importance of a player's argument. [golf.com]