Planet Golf News for Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The 2024 Players Championship, the flagship tournament of the PGA Tour, will be held at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Golf Channel and NBC will provide TV coverage, while streaming options are available through Peacock and ESPN+. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and other top players will compete for a record-breaking $25 million purse.

The Players Championship 2024 will be held at TPC Sawgrass, featuring star golfers like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. The course history includes a 72-to-par course designed by Pete Dye and Alice Dye, with Tom Hoge holding the course record. Tiger Woods is the last player to win the tournament twice. Scottie Scheffler has the best odds to win, followed by Rory McIlroy. The tournament has had 49 editions in the last 50 years, with a total of 42 unique winners.

The Players Championship has been won by several legendary golfers, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, and others. However, five former champions, Cameron Smith, Martin Kaymer, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson, will not be participating in the 2024 tournament due to their involvement with the breakaway circuit LIV Golf.

TPC Sawgrass, one of the most iconic golf courses, was purchased for just $1. The property underwent a significant transformation under Deane Beman, the PGA Tour's second-ever commissioner. Beman bought 415 acres of swampland and hired course designer Pete Dye to create a stadium course. Despite initial criticism, TPC Sawgrass has become a premier golfing location and one of the most expensive places to play.

The 2024 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra is the flagship event of the PGA Tour's schedule. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and top players like Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas will compete for a total purse of $25 million. To buy tickets, follow the link provided in the article.

LIV Golf stars are reportedly interested in returning to the PGA Tour as part of a potential deal with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. While an agreement has not yet been finalized, there are hopes of resolving the split between the two circuits. The PGA Tour had previously banned players from joining the Saudi-backed league.

Grammy Award-winning artist Akon will perform live at LIV Golf Miami on Saturday, April 6. Tickets for Saturday include the concert and can be purchased at LIVGolf.com. Akon, known for his genre-blurring sound and numerous chart-topping hits, will add to the excitement of LIV Golf's second U.S. tournament of 2024.

Kim Paez, the winner of the Southwest PGA Championship, has been awarded a sponsor exemption into the LPGA's upcoming Ford Championship. This comes after Paez made history by becoming the first woman to win the event in its 66-year history. Paez expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to play in the LPGA event and will also be participating in the PGA Professional Championship and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Amidst the ongoing PGA Tour-LIV Golf rift, Padraig Harrington suggests player transfers and the inclusion of outside teams in LIV events as a temporary solution. He recalls the competition between the European Tour and PGA Tour in the past and believes that having two tours with some rivalry could be beneficial. Harrington also mentions the need for the PGA Tour to find a way to limit player departures to LIV Golf and proposes the idea of player movement and invites between the two leagues.

Despite his £155m contract with LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson continues to lag behind Tiger Woods both on and off the course. Mickelson's recent performance in the LIV Golf tournament was disappointing, and his hopes of winning another major championship are fading. While he ranks as one of the top-earning athletes, he still falls behind Woods in terms of career earnings.

Titleist has introduced a new club called the TSR 2 wood, which appears to be a "mini-driver" with a larger head and deeper face. This style of club, positioned between a driver and a 3 wood, has gained popularity among players like Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson. The TSR 2 wood aims to help golfers who struggle with fairway shots and offers adjustable weights and hosel for loft and lie angle customization. The club is expected to compete with similar offerings from TaylorMade and PXG.

Titleist has introduced a TSR 2-wood, which falls into the category of mini drivers. The club features adjustable loft and lie angle through Titleist's SureFit hosel system, as well as movable weights for customization. The TSR has a larger size and deeper face compared to the current TSR2+ fairway. More details about its construction are yet to be revealed.

Anthony Kim, after a rocky start in LIV Golf, is focusing on the Asian Tour. Despite a strong performance in Hong Kong, Kim remains grounded and is taking his progress one step at a time. He is now preparing for the International Series event in Macau, his first world ranking-sanctioned event in 12 years. Kim is grateful for the opportunity and is enjoying his time with LIV Golf, aiming to play with gratitude and live his life the same way.

Saudi Crown Prince MBS is funding a futuristic golf resort in Saudi Arabia called Gidori. The resort, part of the Neom development, will feature an 18-hole championship golf course and luxurious amenities. The golf clubs at Gidori will resemble lightsabers, and the resort will offer villas, retail shops, and restaurants. No completion date has been announced.

Bailey Tardy, the winner of the Blue Bay LPGA tournament, opens up about the financial strain involved in women's pro golf. Despite her victory earning her $330,000, Tardy discusses the challenges faced by female players due to lower prize money and the pressure to secure their futures. Tardy's win provided relief and financial stability in the short to medium term, highlighting the difficulties faced by players further down the pecking order.

An Epson Tour caddie named Rick Evans, known as "Goose," died after collapsing during a practice round for the tour's season opener. Evans was caddying for amateur golfer Yana Wilson, who expressed her gratitude for his guidance and shared that he was doing one of his favorite things - watching her play golf. Wilson, who had been performing well in the tournament, withdrew before the final round due to illness.

Max Homa, a professional golfer, responded to an internet troll who blamed his wife and son for his struggles in major championships. Homa used self-deprecating humor to address the comment and shared his improved performance in majors since becoming a father. He will have another chance at major glory in the upcoming 2024 Masters tournament.

Hovland’s move gives this county half of the world’s top 10 golfers in the current ranking and 10 of the top 30.

A college golfer made a remarkable putt for an albatross after driving a 510-yard hole. The video of this rare occurrence went viral, showcasing Braxton Floyd's impressive feat. Despite the delay in its discovery, the highlight is sure to be cherished by the Lubbock Christian University golfer and his team.

Netflix's "Full Swing" episode highlights the controversy surrounding the U.S. Ryder Cup team's selections, particularly Keegan Bradley's absence despite his strong performance. The episode suggests the existence of a "Boys' Club" within the team, with Justin Thomas being selected over Bradley, leading to criticism and claims of being an outsider. Assistant Captain Fred Couples defended the selections but inadvertently supported the notion of a "Boys' Club." The episode also showcases Thomas' close relationship with Captain Zach Johnson and other players like Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth. Despite the controversy, Johnson downplays the significance of personal connections and emphasizes the importance of unity within the team.

Professional golfer Scottie Scheffler and his wife, Meredith, are expecting their first child in late April. Scheffler, who recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, expressed excitement about becoming a parent and plans to continue playing in upcoming tournaments before taking a break for the Masters. The couple is looking forward to a healthy delivery and Scheffler may adjust his schedule around the due date.

Kevin Kisner will be returning as an NBC golf analyst for the telecast of the 50th Players Championship. Stephen A. Smith, who will be speaking at the BSM Summit, discussed his professional legacy and upcoming projects during a panel at the SXSW culture festival. He also addressed his negotiations with ESPN and his relationship with teammate Pat McAfee.

Min Woo Lee, the exciting young Australian golfer, has gained popularity and success in the past year. Ranked 32nd in the world, Lee has shown his talent and ability to contend on big stages, with top-10 finishes in major tournaments. His engaging personality and unique style have also attracted a growing fan base on social media. Lee's breakout performance at THE PLAYERS Championship introduced him to American golf fans and further boosted his following. With his powerful game and charismatic persona, Lee is becoming one of the game's most impactful young stars.

Shane Lowry has made a significant jump in the Official World Golf Rankings and FedEx Cup standings after finishing third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has moved up sixteen places in the world rankings and is now in 30th place in the FedEx Cup standings.

Tyrrell Hatton reveals that he signed his LIV Golf contract with one minute to spare after tossing a coin. He joined LIV in January and is now part of Jon Rahm's Legion XIII. Hatton discusses the decision to join LIV and mentions the appealing factors, such as the global schedule. He also talks about the risk he is taking with major championship qualification and his desire to be part of the Ryder Cup team.

The Women's Pro Golf Tour, NXXT Golf, defends its decision to ban transgender golfers, citing the belief that biological males have a physiological advantage over women. The CEO, Stuart McKinnon, states that the decision was made after extensive education and consultation with stakeholders in the golfing and sporting community. The ban immediately affects transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, who expressed disappointment and claimed it undermines the hard work of female athletes. NXXT Golf is the second women's mini-tour in the US to implement such a ban, following the Arizona-based Cactus Tour.

Golf fans express agitation as Keegan Bradley is excluded from the American squad for the 2023 Ryder Cup, with criticism directed towards captain Zach Johnson. The decision to drop Bradley, despite his recent wins and top-10 finishes, has sparked widespread discussion and dissatisfaction among fans, who label Johnson as the "Worst Captain EVER." Bradley, disappointed by the news, vows to qualify automatically for future Ryder Cups. Fans express their support for Bradley and criticize Johnson's decision-making.

Rich Lerner is a talented writer and broadcaster in the world of golf. Known for his ability to seamlessly transition between different roles on-air, Lerner's writing skills shine through in his captivating and eloquent delivery. His deep knowledge of the sport and his knack for storytelling make him a highly respected figure in the industry.

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac advises that the fastest way to improve at golf is to focus on the short game, including chipping, wedge shots, sand shots, and putting. She emphasizes the importance of dedicating at least 25 minutes to practicing the short game, as it takes pressure off the full swing and improves overall performance. Spiranac, a former professional golfer, shares her insights based on her experience and encourages her followers to work on their short game for better results.

Brice Garnett won the 2024 Puerto Rico Open using a Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver, Callaway Rogue ST LS 4-wood, Callaway Paradym 7-wood, Callaway Apex UT and X-Forged UT irons, Callaway X-Forged CB 6-PW irons, Titleist Vokey SM9 and SM10 WedgeWorks wedges, and an Odyssey White Hot OG 7S putter.

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.