Planet Golf News for Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The article highlights the significant disparity in prize money between male and female professional golfers. Nelly Korda, dominating the LPGA Tour with five consecutive wins, earned a total of $2.4 million, while Scottie Scheffler, with four wins and a second-place finish, earned a staggering $16.3 million. The article emphasizes the need for equal pay in golf, similar to what has been achieved in tennis.

The PGA Tour will inform its members on Wednesday about the amount of equity they will receive after a $1.495 billion investment program involving Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group. Rory McIlroy and other players who rejected the LIV Golf offer are expected to be among the top recipients. The equity scheme will see players receive shares in PGA Tour Enterprises, with the value of the first award grants to be revealed. The goal is to incentivize players to stay in the PGA Tour and resist the allure of LIV Golf.

World No. 2 golfer Rory McIlroy has committed to play in this year's Travelers Championship, joining a star-studded field that includes other top players. McIlroy's return comes after his comments last year about the course being too easy. He has also made news by reportedly returning to the PGA Tour policy board. With a successful season so far, McIlroy is expected to receive strong support at TPC River Highlands.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans offers a unique blend of golf and New Orleans culture, with fried oysters, crawfish, and gumbo served on the driving range. This two-man team event features a mix of four-ball and foursomes formats, with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay among the notable participants. The tournament serves as a warm-up for future team competitions like the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

The 2023 LIV Golf Adelaide event was a highlight of the season, with sell-out crowds and memorable moments. Talor Gooch's back-to-back 62s, Bryson DeChambeau's epic driving range session, and players doing "shoeys" were some of the highlights. The event received glowing praise from players and was named the World's Best Golf Event of the Year. The 2024 LIV Golf Adelaide event is set to begin soon.

Cameron Smith reveals changes for this year's LIV Adelaide tournament. Smith plans to change his mindset, focus on golf, and avoid late-night activities. He aims to lift the trophy and meet fans' expectations. The Ripper GC team, including Smith, has ambitions for a successful week. The tournament will be played over 25 holes with a $25 million purse.

LIV Golf is introducing a new flight deck innovation for their upcoming event in Adelaide. The flight deck will be an elevated driving range where players can warm up and fans can meet and talk with their favorite golfers. It will also offer exclusive VIP experiences and merchandise. The tournament director aims to provide more access for fans and create a premium experience. The event will have a $25 million prize purse, with the winner taking home $4 million.

Golf now has two dominant players in Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda. Scheffler has 10 tour titles and is the current No. 1 player in the world, while Korda has won five straight victories on the LPGA Tour. Both players have shown consistent performance and have overcome challenges to reach their current level of dominance in the sport.

Nelly Korda, the Olympic gold medalist, is looking forward to defending her title in Paris with 100 days to go. After her breakout season in 2021, Korda has continued her dominance in professional golf, winning multiple tournaments and ascending to the top spot in the Rolex Rankings. While she remains focused on the present, Korda acknowledges the honor of representing the United States and the possibility of winning another medal at the Olympics.

Nelly Korda's historic victory at the Chevron Championship prompted her to call out TV coverage for women's golf, emphasizing the need for primetime exposure and support from television networks. While NBC carried the tournament coverage, it was lacking compared to men's golf coverage, with limited technology and camera crews. The problem extends beyond NBC, with the inconsistency of major players in promoting women's golf. The solution lies in enforcing slow-play rules and investing more into major women's broadcasts to attract and retain viewers.

Jon Rahm criticizes the approach of other tours, such as the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, to golf in Australia, stating that there could have been a bigger effort made. He believes that the region's golf history deserves better treatment and expresses his excitement to be playing golf in Australia. Rahm also mentions that LIV Golf Adelaide is his second favorite event on LIV's schedule and praises the friendliness of the Aussie crowd. The LIV Golf Adelaide tournament is set to take place at the Grange Golf Club, with Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith as the favorites to win.

LIV Golf Adelaide showcased that both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf can coexist and thrive separately, offering more golf for fans to watch. The time difference between events eliminates overlap, allowing shared viewership. The success of LIV Golf Adelaide also boosted the Australian economy, attracting spectators from multiple countries and contributing to the local economy.

Scottie Scheffler's caddie, Ted Scott, is out-earning Rory McIlroy in 2024. With several wins under Scheffler's belt, Scott has earned a projected $1,776,880, surpassing McIlroy's earnings of $1.7M. Scott's estimated earnings since partnering with Scheffler are around $5 million, solidifying their successful partnership.

Rory McIlroy explains his decision to rejoin the PGA Tour's policy board after previously leaving it. He cites his desire for the men's golf professional landscape to survive and his willingness to contribute. McIlroy has been involved in discussions between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund regarding LIV Golf. He initially stepped down from the board due to the demands of the role but has now reconsidered. McIlroy also clarifies his commitment to the PGA Tour and dismisses rumors of a switch to LIV Golf.

YouTube star George Bryan came within inches of earning a PGA Tour start at the Q at Myrtle Beach qualifying event. Despite a strong performance, Bryan narrowly missed out in a playoff against Matt Atkins. The event featured a unique mix of golf influencers and professionals, with Bryan showcasing his skills and coming close to securing a spot on the big stage.

Patrick Cantlay discusses playing in misty conditions and his preparations for upcoming major tournaments after finishing tied for third at the RBC Heritage. He mentions that there are big tournaments every month and that players are accustomed to the schedule. Cantlay also talks about his decision to finish his round despite the tournament being suspended due to darkness.

TGL, or Tomorrow's Golf League, is a tech-infused golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. It aims to combine the latest in golf technology with in-person competition, featuring a shot clock, timeouts, and both team and individual match play. The league will consist of six teams, with matches held once a week starting in January 2025. Tiger Woods will be playing on the Jupiter Links GC team alongside Max Homa, Tom Kim, and Kevin Kisner. The matches will be televised, with ESPN broadcasting the primetime matches.

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.