Planet Golf News For Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Talor Gooch criticizes Rory McIlroy and the Masters for lacking LIV Golf players, suggesting that a Grand Slam victory without the best players would have an asterisk. While Gooch's point about the majors having weaker fields without LIV players is valid, it raises questions about the legitimacy of his own LIV Golf wins and Jon Rahm's Masters victory. Gooch hopes that the majors will start rewarding good play on LIV sooner rather than later. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

Ryan Palmer, a PGA Tour veteran, will make his 500th appearance at the Cognizant Classic. Palmer, who turned pro in 2000, has been one of the hardest-working players on the tour, consistently making at least 20 appearances per season. He has four PGA Tour wins and numerous top-10 finishes. Palmer's milestone appearance makes him the first player to reach 500 appearances since Lucas Glover in 2023. [golfmonthly.com]

Anthony Kim arrives in Jeddah ahead of his LIV Golf debut after a 12-year hiatus, sporting a casual look and a familiar swing. While it's uncertain how he will perform against top players, Kim will compete as a wildcard in the tournament. [outkick.com]

The PGA Tour's new billion-dollar equity plan with the Strategic Sports Group aims to prevent player defections and make the tour more profitable. The plan includes distributing equity to players based on performance and historical contributions, with the goal of incentivizing loyalty and promoting growth. The equity distribution plan is similar to those used by tech companies to retain valuable contributors. The success of the investment depends on the growth of the sport and increased engagement from fans, which will require higher viewership, more sponsor dollars, and innovation. [golfdigest.com]

The 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore features a 66-player field, including past champions Jin Young Ko, Hyo Joo Kim, and Jiyai Shin, as well as LPGA Tour winners Lydia Ko and Patty Tavatanakit. The tournament also showcases top-ranked players like Lilia Vu, Celine Boutier, and Minjee Lee. Several players will be making their debut in the championship, and there are also sponsor exemptions for Xingtong Chen, In Gee Chun, Muni He, Emily Kristine Pedersen, and Miranda Wang. [lpga.com]

Professional golfers Chris Kirk, Brian Harman, Sepp Straka, and Brendon Todd have found a way to combat loneliness on the PGA TOUR by sharing rental houses. Loneliness is a significant challenge in the golfing profession, and these players have discovered that living together improves their mental well-being and overall performance. The rental houses provide a support system and a sense of camaraderie that helps them navigate the isolating nature of their careers. [pgatour.com]

First-time winners are the lifeblood of professional golf, as they bring excitement and inspire dreams. The recent victories of Jake Knapp and Darius Van Driel highlight the perseverance and determination required to succeed in the sport. These wins prove that anyone can achieve their goals, regardless of their background or previous struggles. The importance of these victories should not be underestimated, as they create opportunities for young players and offer a platform for them to join the ranks of the top players in the world. [golfshake.com]

PGA Tour players are reportedly upset with Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf, fearing it will prolong the schism between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Rahm's decision is seen as breaking an unwritten code of non-recruitment during ongoing negotiations. Despite claims that his move could unite the golf world, fellow players believe Rahm's decision was purely financially motivated. [golfdigest.com]

The PGA Tour needs a new commissioner, and Tiger Woods is the perfect candidate due to his knowledge of the sport, business acumen, and competitive nature. The current commissioner, Jay Monahan, has made questionable decisions and failed to address the challenges faced by the PGA Tour. Woods, with his 15 majors and experience as a player director, can bring stability and success to the tour. [thesportsrush.com]

According to robot testing, Mizuno's ST-Max 230 driver had a dispersion under 10 yards. The article highlights the importance of finding the right driver head and shaft setup and mentions that many of the newest drivers cater to specific misses. The report showcases 5 drivers with the tightest dispersion patterns, including the Cleveland Launcher XL2 (10.5 degrees) with a dispersion of 5.1 yards and the Cobra Darkspeed Max (10.5 and 9 degrees) with dispersions of 6.7 and 7.4 yards respectively. [golf.com]

The ninth edition of Capital One’s The Match featured LPGA Tour players Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang competing alongside Rory McIlroy and Max Homa. Despite McIlroy winning the event, the match showcased entertaining moments such as McIlroy's mistake on the first hole, Christina Kim's commentary, Thompson's eagle on the second hole, Thompson's humorous demeanor throughout the match, and the various challenges the players undertook. Zhang also impressed with her jokes, banter, and solid play. The inclusion of LPGA Tour players garnered attention and praise from viewers and celebrities alike. [lpga.com]

Webb Simpson discusses the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), expressing the need for transparency and a resolution. He suggests the possibility of integrating LIV players back into the PGA Tour, but acknowledges the challenges of limited playing opportunities. Simpson also emphasizes the importance of field sizes and the desire for stability in the golf world. Overall, he highlights the need for continued discussions and a clear vision for the future of golf. [golfweek.usatoday.com]

The Park West Palm in West Palm Beach, Florida, offers various greens fees for different types of players. Florida residents can play for $180 during the week or $188 on the weekend, while out-of-state golfers pay $230 during the week and $248 on the weekend. Additional costs include mandatory caddies before 9 a.m. and add-ons like carts and forecaddies. There is also a cheaper option with The Lit 9, a 9-hole par-3 course, costing $30 max. [golf.com]

Three rising stars to watch on the PGA Tour in 2024 are Pierceson Coody, Jacob Bridgeman, and Ludvig Aberg. Coody has shown potential on the PGA Tour with his dominant driving game but needs to improve his consistency. Bridgeman was consistent in 2023 and excels near the greens, but needs to develop a killer instinct to win tournaments. Aberg showed immense talent in 2023, winning events on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, and aims to win a major this year. [clutchpoints.com]

Adam Scott, a professional golfer, has recently embarked on an equipment journey, deviating from his long-standing consistency. After years of using the same clubs, Scott has become a free agent and started experimenting with different equipment. He has switched to the TaylorMade Mini Driver and has been exploring various options for his irons and putter. Scott's willingness to adapt and try new equipment reflects his desire to stay competitive in a changing golf landscape. [golf.com]

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.