Planet Golf News for Wednesday, March 13, 2024

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stated that negotiations with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) are "accelerating" but did not provide specific details. Despite missing the initial deadline, Monahan expressed confidence in the progress of the talks and emphasized a shared vision to unlock golf's global potential. While fans and players seek insight into the state of the game, Monahan refrained from disclosing any specifics, citing the best interest of the PGA Tour and the ongoing negotiations.

The 2024 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is set to feature a strong field of golfers. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and past winner Justin Thomas are among the favorites, while Rory McIlroy's iron play may hinder his chances. Experts also predict the possibility of a long shot contender and anticipate a competitive tournament with high-leverage shots. The projected winning score is around 272 to 273.

The iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass was shaped by Pete Dye's wife, Alice, who suggested the creation of an island green instead of a lake. The hole, known for its difficulty and surrounding water, has become one of the most famous in golf. The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, where the 17th hole is located, has undergone design changes based on feedback from players and has hosted numerous editions of The Players Championship.

The Masters 2024 golf tournament will take place at Augusta National from April 11-14. Tickets are available on the secondary market, with prices ranging from $1,000 for practice rounds to between $6,000 and $10,000 for a 4-Day pass. The tournament field will be finalized the week before the event, with several qualification methods in place. Jon Rahm is the defending champion, having won in 2023 with a score of 12-under par.

Rickie Fowler made a unique move at the 2024 Players Championship by autographing kids' foreheads, creating a bizarre scene. This unconventional act garnered attention and added a raucous atmosphere to the tournament. Despite the unusual autographing choice, Fowler gained new fans in the process.

Paul Casey, former Ryder Cup star, will make his comeback on the DP World Tour after more than two years away, participating in the Porsche Singapore Classic. Casey, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, will play on the tour for the first time since resigning his DP World Tour membership in 2023. He received a sponsor exemption for the event, which is not part of the Open Qualifying Series. Casey's return to the tour is a rare opportunity for him to earn Official World Golf Ranking points.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan believes it would be difficult to convince Tiger Woods to accept a "one-time exemption" to play the Players Championship, as Woods has not taken up the opportunity in the past. Woods' absence from the tournament raises doubts about his future participation, as he would need to meet strict requirements to qualify. Monahan stated that Woods wants to earn his way into competitions and may not accept special privileges. Discussions about the matter are ongoing.

Longtime golf writer Bob Harig shares the backstory of Tiger Woods' 2017 spinal fusion surgery, including the immense pain Woods was in before the surgery and his remarkable comeback. The details are revealed in Harig's upcoming book "Drive: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods."

The PGA Tour is facing challenges as it prepares for the Players Championship. The absence of several top players and the division between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have weakened the fields and led to fan apathy. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan recognizes the need to focus on delivering for fans and has plans to improve telecasts and fan engagement. However, until a resolution is reached between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the game will continue to exist in a gray area with some stars competing in tournaments and others absent.

Patrick Reed's streak of not missing a major since 2014 is in jeopardy as he was not included in the first batch of invitations for the PGA Championship. The PGA of America will send out another batch of invitations after the Players Championship. Reed's world ranking has dropped to No. 109, and his last chance to make an impression is at the Masters. The PGA Championship does not have a category for leading players from the LIV Golf League. The R&A has not made exceptions for LIV Golf in its criteria for the British Open. Reed is also not exempt for the British Open.

Five past champions, including Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson, will be absent from The PLAYERS Championship due to their defections to the LIV Golf league. Other star players from LIV Golf, such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, are also missing from the tournament. Brandel Chamblee, a Golf Channel analyst, believes that the event is not diminished without these players and criticizes the LIV series for luring players away with greed rather than prestige. He emphasizes the PGA Tour's role in creating and developing new stars.

Men's world number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, suggests that fans should direct their frustration at the players who joined LIV Golf if they are disillusioned with the rivalry between the tours. Scheffler emphasizes that the splintering comes from those who left the tour, and that the PGA Tour is focused on creating the best product for the fans. He acknowledges that players have the freedom to make their own decisions, but expresses his commitment to staying on the PGA Tour. 

Xander Schauffele expresses his lack of trust in PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan's leadership, stating that Monahan has a long way to go to gain the trust of the membership. Schauffele's comments echo similar sentiments expressed by other professionals in the past year. Despite the changes and controversies within the professional game, Schauffele remains focused on his job and his love for playing golf.

The World Golf Rankings system is facing criticism for its bias towards PGA Tour players. Recent winners like Matteo Manassero, Austin Eckroat, and Brice Garnett have seen significant jumps in their rankings. However, players like Jon Rahm and Greg Norman argue that the system doesn't accurately reflect skill level. The defection of top-ranked players to the LIV Golf league, which doesn't contribute to world ranking points, has intensified these concerns.

Billy Horschel calls for LIV Golf players to be included in The Players to maintain its status as golf's unofficial fifth major. The absence of LIV golfers has impacted the tournament's field, with notable players like Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka unable to participate. Horschel suggests extending an "olive branch" to the LIV Golf players and emphasizes the importance of having the best players in the world compete in the event.

Apple TV+ has ordered a new comedy series starring Owen Wilson as a former pro golfer who mentors a young golf prodigy. The series, created by Jason Keller, will explore themes of redemption and will be directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. Wilson, known for his role in "Loki," will also serve as an executive producer. The show joins Apple TV+'s lineup of comedy series, including "Ted Lasso" and "Shrinking."

Ping celebrates the launch of their 2024 PLD putters with a special edition bag for the Players tournament. The PLD putter program has been successful, with wins on professional tours by players like Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau, Corey Conners, and Joaquín Niemann. The new putter models are now available, and Ping offers customization options for golfers. The custom PLD staff bags are not available to consumers, but the putters can be purchased on the Ping website.

FootJoy and Jon Buscemi have collaborated to create two stunning Premiere Series golf shoes, the Wilcox and the Field LX, in honor of the 2024 Players Championship. These limited edition shoes sell out quickly, so links are provided to purchase them. The shoes feature off-white leather, gold accents, and a rich green VersaTrax outsole. They are available in sizes 7.5-14 with medium width fitting.

Ecco Golf has launched the LT1 collection, featuring the LT1 golf shoe with advanced features such as LTYR technology, a waterproof membrane, and a sporty design. The shoe is available in lace and Boa styles, with various color options. Ecco's upcoming collection also includes updates to other shoe models. The LT1 is now available for purchase on Ecco's official website.

Puma has released a limited-edition golf shoe collection inspired by Florida alligators, specifically designed for the 50th annual Sawgrass Tournament. The Phantomcat Nitro Gator golf shoe features a classic wingtip design with a navy, gold, and white colorway. The shoe includes style details such as a gold heel and sole embossed with an alligator print, as well as a stamp of the state of Florida inside each heel. Other features include full-grain leather uppers, waterproof guarantee, nitrogen-infused foam for high performance, and a Flexspike design for better traction. The collection also includes other products like a polo shirt, hat, and golf club headcovers. The shoes are available in limited quantities on the Puma Golf website.

Prominent figures in LIV Golf, including Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, and Sergio Garcia, have yet to win a tournament under the organization's banner. However, their collective prize money earnings from leaderboard placements have surpassed £34 million since 2022. Mickelson, despite being a six-time Major champion, has not broken into the top 30 players in the league's three-year tenure. Poulter achieved an impressive eighth-place finish in the LIV Hong Kong tournament, while Garcia has earned the highest prize money among the mentioned players. LIV Golf tournaments offer larger prize purses compared to the PGA Tour.

Charley Hull's intense 'Force Plates' session in the gym has left the golf world in awe. The 27-year-old golfer is focusing on optimizing her training regimen through diagnostic testing with force plates to improve her ability to produce force, correct any asymmetries, and optimize her golf game. Fans are divided on her approach, but overall supportive and excited for her upcoming season.

On the PGA Tour, utility irons have replaced hybrids at a rapid rate. Utility irons have smaller heads and a more penetrating flight, making them attractive to pros. However, for everyday players, hybrids are likely the better choice due to their ease of use and higher moment of inertia. Hybrids also tend to have a slight draw bias, which can benefit amateurs. While utility irons may have a cool factor, hybrids offer versatility and ease of use. It's important to consider distance gaps and shaft lengths when replacing irons with hybrids. Overall, hybrids are a valuable club option for golfers.

The Thunderbirds have partnered with the LPGA for the first time, raising the purse for the Ford Championship to $2.25 million. The event will be held at Seville Golf and Country Club, with Lydia Ko expected to return to the LPGA. The Thunderbirds bring expertise in raising money for charity and attracting fans to the event.

Jason Day has purchased an equity stake in Payntr Golf and will be involved in designing and launching the brand's next product, a new line of golf shoes. The product, tentatively named X1 Proto, is set to be launched this year. Day's investment stake in the company was not disclosed. This partnership allows Day to work closely with Payntr Golf as an owner and collaborate on the collection from concept to reveal. Day's previous sponsor, Nike, ended their relationship at the beginning of 2024, and he has since signed with Malbon and Motive in addition to his partnership with Payntr Golf.

Angelo Spagnolo, crowned "America's Worst Avid Golfer," made a legendary 66 on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, known for its difficulty. Despite hitting the water 27 times, he eventually used range balls and his putter to complete the hole in 63-over par, earning his unique place in TPC Sawgrass history.

A fisherman in Florida had his hand bitten off by a 9-foot alligator while fishing in a golf course pond near Leesburg. The attack was described as a quick pounce by the alligator, causing the man to fall and resulting in the aggressive reptile chomping down on his hand. The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital, and the alligator was later trapped and removed from the pond.

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.