Planet Golf News for Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Tiger Woods is set to play golf with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the chief of LIV Golf, in the Bahamas to discuss a potential deal between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). The meeting follows a secret gathering between the PGA Tour Player Directors and PIF, with Woods expected to be involved in discussions about the future of professional golf.

The 2024 Valspar Championship is set to begin with players like Sam Burns and Jordan Spieth confident in their chances. Xander Schauffele is the favorite, but the model predicts a surprising leaderboard. Brian Harman is expected to make a strong run, while Schauffele may struggle due to accuracy off the tee. The model also targets three other longshot golfers. Check out the full odds and predictions for the Valspar Championship 2024.

Paul Casey is off to a strong start in the LIV Golf season after a successful offseason. With impressive performances and a tie for second place in Hong Kong, Casey enters the Porsche Singapore Classic with confidence. He currently sits fourth in the season-long LIV Golf Individual Championship race. Casey attributes his improved form to a proper offseason and is looking forward to continuing his success in upcoming tournaments.

Talor Gooch expresses frustration over his absence from major championships despite being crowned LIV Golf champion. While Gooch has a point about the ranking accreditation saga, fellow LIV players like Joaquin Niemann and David Puig have shown that major opportunities can still be pursued through other avenues. Gooch's talent deserves recognition, but taking advantage of available opportunities is crucial.

Sergio Garcia, a star of LIV Golf, helped save Dalmuir Municipal Golf Course in Scotland from permanent closure. The course was at risk of being reduced to 12 holes or closing down completely, but it has been confirmed that it will stay open. Garcia, along with other notable figures, signed a petition against the closure plans, which garnered almost 8,000 signatures.

Cameron Smith is determined to perform better in the upcoming LIV event in Adelaide after a disappointing showing last summer. He acknowledges that he lacked focus during that time due to personal distractions but is now fully committed to golf. Smith is confident in his plan to attack the major season, starting with the Masters, and his recent form suggests he is on the right track.

The thrilling finish at the Players Championship highlights the need for peace in golf. Talks between Tiger Woods and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, could lead to a deal that brings the best players together more often. The intense competition and excitement of the tournament demonstrate the potential for enthralling showdowns if the top players are united. The article also emphasizes the importance of the traditional 72-hole strokeplay format and the desire to see the best golfers competing against each other regularly.

Rory McIlroy believes that LIV Golf, as a breakaway tour, has done a "disservice" to the Saudis in their negotiations with the PGA Tour. He suggests that there is a disconnect between the Saudi-owned LIV Golf and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and hopes that closer collaboration between PIF and the PGA Tour can lead to a solution. McIlroy believes that PIF fundamentally wants to invest in the PGA Tour for long-term returns.

Golf fans are outraged over a PGA call that penalized Austin Eckroat during The Players Championship. Despite his ball eventually falling into the hole, a stroke was added to his score due to a rule that limits the time a player can wait for a ball to drop. This decision has sparked frustration and debate among fans online.

This article compares golfer Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods, highlighting their performances and statistics. While Scheffler has shown promise and achieved some impressive feats, he still has a long way to go to match Woods' accomplishments. The article discusses their strokes gained metrics, clutch performances, and overall playing styles. Despite the comparisons, Scheffler acknowledges that Woods stands alone in the game of golf.

Scottie Scheffler is ranked as the best golfer in the world, followed by Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, and Rory McIlroy. Other notable players in the top 10 include Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Smith, Ludvig Aberg, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Scottie Scheffler is gaining recognition in golf for his impressive performance, often compared to Tiger Woods. With nine victories in strong fields and a 65% top 10 finish rate, Scheffler's dominance is evident. He has held the world No. 1 ranking for 43 weeks and recently became the first back-to-back winner of The Players Championship. While he acknowledges the honor of being compared to Woods, Scheffler recognizes that Woods stands alone in the game. Despite the comparisons, Scheffler remains focused on his routine and continuing to perform at his best.

This article discusses two sweet moments involving golfer Scottie Scheffler and his wife, Meredith. The first moment occurred during the Masters tournament in 2022, where Meredith provided support and encouragement to Scottie. The second moment happened after Scottie's recent win at the Players Championship, where he expressed his emotional connection to Meredith and their shared journey in golf. The article highlights their strong bond and the impact it has on Scottie's success.

Scottie Scheffler had a perfect two-word reaction to Wyndham Clark's missed putt at the Players Championship, showing why he's the No. 1 player in the world. Scheffler fired a final round 8-under 64 and watched as Clark's heartbreaking missed putt circled the cup but didn't fall in. Scheffler's reaction: "That's tough."

Rory McIlroy's former agent, Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, claims that McIlroy has lost his passion for golf after a disappointing Players Championship. Chandler suggests that McIlroy looks disinterested and lacks the spark he once had. McIlroy's recent performances have been underwhelming, and Chandler believes that last year took a toll on him. However, McIlroy believes his game is heading in the right direction.

"The Long Game" is an inspirational golf drama based on the true story of five Mexican-American caddies who built their own course in 1950s Texas. The film explores themes of persistence, overcoming adversity, and breaking down racial barriers in sports. Starring Jay Hernandez and Dennis Quaid, the movie will be released in theaters on April 12, 2024.

Adidas Golf has introduced Twistknit and Twistweave, new material concepts in its Ultimate365 golf apparel collection for men and women. These materials offer golfers a better range of motion, reduced weight, and improved performance. Twistknit and Twistweave provide flexibility, freedom of movement, and recoil to maintain the garment's shape. Compared to similar products, they save 30-40% in overall weight. Adidas aims to help golfers focus on their game by eliminating distractions with the Ultimate365 range.

Fujikura's Ventus shaft has achieved great success on the Tour, with a high usage rate and positive feedback from players. The latest version, Ventus Blue with Velocore Plus, offers enhanced stability, feel, and ball speeds. Fujikura's utilization of ENSO technology in the shaft design process has contributed to its competitive advantage. Players like Sepp Straka and Lucas Glover have already made the switch to the new Ventus shaft, resulting in improved performance. With more players testing and adopting the Ventus shaft, Fujikura's success on the Tour is expected to continue.

According to robot testing, the PXG 0311 Black Ops 3-wood and Cobra Darkspeed LS have the tightest dispersion on off-center misses, deviating less than 5 yards from the center line. The Mizuno ST-G 440 Titanium had a slightly wider dispersion of 5.8 yards. These 3-woods offer both distance and accuracy for golfers in the market for a secondary option off the tee.

PUMA Golf has released the GS-X EFEKT golf shoes, featuring a TPU-covered mesh upper for waterproof support and a sportstyle silhouette. The shoes offer enhanced traction, a true-to-size fit, and a wrap-around TPU clip for heel stability. With a synthetic upper, ProFoam midsole, and carbon rubber outsole, the GS-X Efekt provides durability and performance on the golf course. Available in multiple colorways and sizes, the shoes can be purchased on uk.puma.com/uk/en.

The GOLFZON Wave is a highly realistic home golf simulator setup that includes a dedicated putting sensor, solving a common issue with most home golf simulators. With impressive graphics and a great indoor putting experience, it stands out as one of the best options available.

The Sunday Golf El Camino S-Series Stand Bag is a sleek and minimalist leather bag designed for golfers who walk the course with 10 clubs. It has a small size and limited space for a full set of clubs, but offers a 4-way top divider and spacious pockets, including a cool cooler pocket. The bag lacks umbrella storage, but is fully waterproof. Overall, it is a well-made and stylish option for golfers with a half or near-full set of clubs.

Scottie Scheffler's social media posts earn significantly less than those of Paige Spiranac, with Spiranac's posts often getting about four times as much engagement. While Scheffler has a strong golf career with eight PGA Tour victories and a major, Spiranac's influencer status and engagement rate contribute to her higher earnings per post.

Hal Sutton refutes news of his own death after discovering an obituary about himself in the PGA of America's magazine. Sutton, a notable figure in PGA history, clarified on social media that he is alive and well. The error sparked discussion and gratitude for life among the golf community.

Rory McIlroy's weaknesses were exposed at the Players Championship, raising concerns about his performance at the upcoming Masters. Despite a strong start, McIlroy's inconsistent performance and water balls off the tee have left him with worries. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley expressed concern over McIlroy's game and predicted a challenging competition ahead. McIlroy will face top players from LIV Golf at the Masters, including Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm.

Joel Dahmen's performance at the Players Championship was impressive, narrowly missing out on a top 10 finish. He had made a bet on himself to finish in the top 10, which would have resulted in him treating fans to "Joel's Juicy Lies" sponsored by Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Despite not cashing in on the bet, Dahmen's strong performance is a promising sign for his future in golf.

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.