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- Planet Golf News for Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Planet Golf News for Tuesday, September 17, 2024
DP World Tour reject LIV Golf's offer to pay Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton fines | Which Solheim Cup Stars Are Playing On The LPGA Tour This Week?
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Tuesday, September 17, 2024
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Rory McIlroy turns attention to BMW PGA Championship after near-miss on home soil at Amgen Irish Open
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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
Golf World Round-Up: O'Meara's Retirement, LIV Drama, and Tournament Previews
There’s plenty of buzz in the golf world this week, starting with a legendary figure announcing his retirement and moving through exciting updates on upcoming tournaments. Let’s dive in!
First off, a bittersweet moment for golf fans everywhere: Hall of Famer Mark O'Meara has announced his retirement from professional golf. O'Meara, best known for his incredible victories at the 1998 Masters and The Open Championship, is set to hang up his clubs after the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. The choice of Pebble Beach is fitting since he boasts five wins there. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable career, and his legacy will continue to inspire both seasoned golfers and young hopefuls alike.
In the LIV Golf realm, tensions remain high as LIV attempted to strike a deal with the DP World Tour. The aim was to alleviate fines imposed on players, notably Jon Rahm. However, the tour declined, choosing to uphold its strict rules. The fallout complicates relationships, particularly as the DP World Tour maintains its close alliance with the PGA Tour. Rahm's appeals to participate in key events, including the Ryder Cup, highlight the complexities and inconsistencies surrounding the enforcement of these regulations. LIV Golf's ongoing negotiations and the enforcement of sanctions suggest that the friction between tours is far from over.
Meanwhile, the ladies of the LPGA are gearing up for an exciting week at the Kroger Queen City Championship. TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio, will host this year's event, with a star-studded lineup competing for the $2 million purse. Nelly Korda headlines the field, joined by the 2023 Solheim Cup MVP, Rose Zhang, and seasoned pros like Lexi Thompson and defending champion Minjee Lee. This tournament is sure to be a showdown, featuring 12 Solheim Cup stars eager to ride their recent momentum or find redemption.
Over at Pebble Beach, the PURE Insurance Championship is also set to make waves on the Champions Tour. This pro-junior event, featuring young talents from The First Tee program, partners them with PGA TOUR Champions players for a unique golfing experience. The tournament not only serves as a platform for legends like Mark O'Meara, who will play his final event here, but also provides young golfers an opportunity of a lifetime. Add the stunning backdrops of Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill, and you've got a must-watch event.
In Texas, the LIV Golf Team Championship is coming to a head at the Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton. With a hefty $50 million purse, including $14 million for the winning team, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Bryson DeChambeau's Crushers GC secured the top seed after their victory in Chicago and will have a bye into the semifinals. The competition promises drama with a unique format that includes head-to-head matches among all 13 teams, determining final player standings for the 2024 season. Jon Rahm, fresh off clinching the Individual Championship in Chicago, will lead his team, but the Crushers won’t go down without a fight.
Across the pond in Surrey, England, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club is set to bring together an impressive field, including Ryder Cup team members like Rory McIlroy and captain Luke Donald. The tournament, which boasts an increased purse of $9 million, serves as a significant test for European players ahead of the Ryder Cup. Notable past champions, including Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm, are returning, with McIlroy looking to rebound after a near-miss at the Irish Open. The celebrity pro-am has already generated buzz, with stars like Gareth Bale and Andy Murray teeing off alongside the pros. With a stunning Harry Colt-designed course, the BMW PGA Championship will be a highlight of the golf calendar.
Over in the U.S., the Korn Ferry Tour's Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship is teeing off at The Ohio State University Golf Club. This tournament is pivotal for players chasing their PGA Tour dreams. It's the third of four Korn Ferry Tour Finals events, making it crucial for those aspiring to secure a PGA Tour card for next season. Frankie Capan III is already celebrating after clinching his top-30 spot on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, earning his PGA Tour card for 2025.
Looking ahead to next week, the 2024 Presidents Cup is stirring up intrigue as the International team appears to have the upper hand in the warm-up events. With players like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele leading the U.S. team, there’s still a strong American presence, but recent form suggests the International team is hungry for victory. With Montreal’s home crowd cheering them on, it’s shaping up to be a showdown.
Rounding out the news, Steve Stricker pulled off a remarkable second three-peat at the Sanford International, dedicating his win to his late father. Meanwhile, Oakmont gears up for the 2025 U.S. Open with revamped greens, promising an even tougher challenge for players when the tournament returns.
In essence, golf fans have a lot to look forward to with tournaments on both the men's and women's circuits heating up. With retirements, team championships, and exciting young talents emerging, the golf world is buzzing with activity. Let’s see who makes their mark this week!
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Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
Kroger Queen City Championship - LPGA - TPC River’s Bend - Maineville, OH
The Kroger Queen City Championship, an LPGA Tour event, is set to take place from September 19-22, 2024, at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio. The event will feature 144 of the world's top female golfers competing for a $2 million purse.
TPC River's Bend, an Arnold Palmer-designed course, has a history of hosting large-scale events, including PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour tournaments.
The 2024 Kroger Queen City Championship is set to feature an impressive lineup of LPGA stars. Nelly Korda, one of the top American players on the tour, is expected to headline the event. She'll be joined by Rose Zhang, the 2023 Solheim Cup MVP who had a perfect 4-0-0 record in her debut. Charley Hull, last year's runner-up and fresh off a strong Solheim Cup performance, will also be in attendance. Veteran American player Lexi Thompson will be looking to secure her 12th LPGA Tour title, while defending champion Minjee Lee returns to defend her crown.
The field also includes Irish star Leona Maguire, who's aiming to bounce back after limited play at the Solheim Cup, and former major champion Georgia Hall from England. Rising Swedish star Linn Grant and experienced compatriot Anna Nordqvist, a multiple major winner, will add to the international flavor of the tournament. American Andrea Lee rounds out the list of notable participants as she seeks her second LPGA Tour victory.
In total, 12 of the 24 players who competed in the recent Solheim Cup will be present at TPC River's Bend, including 4 Americans and 8 Europeans. These top players will be eager to capitalize on their recent team competition experience and translate it into success at this regular LPGA Tour event.
The championship, presented by Procter & Gamble, has gained significant traction in its first two years, drawing approximately 50,000 fans annually and generating an estimated $12 million in economic impact for the Cincinnati area. The tournament will be broadcast live on the Golf Channel, reaching over 220 countries worldwide.
PURE Insurance Championship - Champions Tour - Spyglass Hill GC - Pebble Beach, CA
The 2024 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee is set to return to Pebble Beach Golf Links from September 20-22, 2024. This unique pro-junior event, a favorite among PGA TOUR Champions players, pairs professional golfers with First Tee juniors aged 14 to 18, along with two amateurs in each foursome.
The tournament is part of the 2024 PGA TOUR Champions schedule, which features 28 events and the highest purse in Champions Tour history, totaling more than $67 million. The PURE Insurance Championship serves as an international showcase for First Tee, an initiative promoting character development and life-enhancing values through golf for young people.
In the 2023 edition, Thongchai Jaidee emerged victorious after a four-hole playoff against Justin Leonard, marking Jaidee's second PGA TOUR Champions career win. The event is played on two spectacular courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
The tournament not only provides a competitive platform for golf legends but also offers a unique opportunity for junior golfers. For instance, local teens like Abby Vernier and Gabby Hultstrand are set to participate in the upcoming event, describing it as a "crazy" opportunity.
Additionally, the 2024 tournament will be particularly significant as Hall of Famer Mark O'Meara has announced it will be his final professional event before retirement. O'Meara, who has won five PGA TOUR titles at Pebble Beach, chose this venue as a fitting end to his illustrious career.
LIV Dallas - Match Play and LIV Golf Dallas Stroke Play - Maridoe Golf Club - Carrollton, TX
The LIV Golf Team Championship, the season-ending event for the Saudi-backed tour, is set to take place at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas from September 20-22, 2024.
The Crushers GC, led by Bryson DeChambeau, have secured the top seed for the championship after winning the LIV Golf Chicago event. They, along with Legion XIII and Ripper GC, have earned byes to the semifinals due to their top-three finish in the team standings.
The championship will feature a new format this year, with all 13 teams competing in head-to-head matches at some stage. Teams ranked 4th to 13th will face off in quarter-final matches on Friday, with the winners advancing to join the top three seeds in Saturday's semifinals.
The event carries a significant prize purse of $50 million, with $14 million going to the winning team. This makes it one of the most lucrative team events in golf.
Maridoe Golf Club, designed by Steve Smyers, is known for its challenging layout. The 7,817-yard course features a 31-acre lake that comes into play on several holes, demanding both distance and accuracy from players.
Jon Rahm, who recently clinched the Individual Championship in Chicago, will be looking to lead his team to victory in Dallas. However, they'll face stiff competition from DeChambeau's Crushers, who are not only the top seeds but also the defending champions from last year's event.
The Team Championship will also determine final player standings for the 2024 season, with implications for team rosters in 2025. Players finishing in the top 24 will remain with their current teams, while those in the 25-48 range may need to be re-signed or picked up by other teams.
As the LIV Golf season reaches its climax, the Dallas event promises to be a thrilling conclusion to what has been a controversial but impactful year in professional golf.
BMW PGA Championship - DP World Tour - Wentworth Golf Club - Surrey, England
The BMW PGA Championship, the DP World Tour's flagship event, is set to begin at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey, England. This year marks the 20th edition with BMW as the title sponsor. The tournament attracts a star-studded field, with Rory McIlroy leading the charge after a near-miss at the Irish Open.
The event features a strong lineup of European Ryder Cup team members, including rookies Ludvig Aberg, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Robert MacIntyre. Team captain Luke Donald, a two-time BMW PGA Championship winner, will also be playing.
The pro-am event on Wednesday has garnered attention, with celebrities like Gareth Bale, Stuart Broad, and Andy Murray teeing off alongside professional golfers. The pro-am will have a shotgun start at 8am and 1:30pm.
The tournament's purse has increased to $9 million, up $1 million from last year. The winner will take home $1.53 million.
Last year's champion, Shane Lowry, will be looking to defend his title. Other notable players in the field include Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, and Viktor Hovland.
The West Course at Wentworth, a par 72 measuring 7,282 yards, will host the championship. The course, originally designed by Harry Colt and later remodeled by Ernie Els, is known for its parkland layout and strategic water hazards.
With the Ryder Cup approaching, the BMW PGA Championship serves as a crucial event for European players to showcase their form. The tournament is part of the DP World Tour's 'Back 9', a series of nine historic tournaments leading up to the season-ending 'DP World Tour Play-Offs'.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship - Korn Ferry Tour - OSU Golf Club - Columbus, OH
The Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship, a pivotal event on the Korn Ferry Tour, is set to tee off at the Ohio State University Golf Club's Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio. This tournament is the third of four Korn Ferry Tour Finals events, playing a crucial role in determining which players will earn PGA Tour cards for the upcoming season.
The championship holds significant importance for aspiring professional golfers, as it offers a pathway to the PGA Tour. Approximately 120 players will compete in this 18th edition of the tournament, with the top 75 players on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List after the event advancing to the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship. This advancement also secures full 2024 Korn Ferry Tour status for these players, with 30 PGA Tour cards ultimately being awarded after the Tour Championship.
The event has a history of showcasing future golf stars, with many current top-30 players in the world having competed in this tournament earlier in their careers.
Upcoming next week: The Presidents Cup - PGA Tour - The Royal Montreal Golf Club - Montreal, PQ
The 2024 Presidents Cup is set to take place from September 24-29 at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec. Both the International and U.S. teams have finalized their 12-man rosters, with captains Mike Weir and Jim Furyk announcing their six wildcard picks each to complement the six automatic qualifiers.
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