Planet Golf News for Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Tony Finau recalls playing with Scottie Scheffler on the PGA Tour, where Scheffler shot a remarkable 59 at TPC Boston. Finau praises Scheffler's skills on and off the course and considers him a special player.

Tony Finau, the defending champion of the Houston Open, is aware that this year's tournament is a whole new challenge. Despite his previous victory and the beautiful new trophy, Finau understands that past successes do not guarantee future wins. He acknowledges the pressure of defending his title but remains hopeful for a successful title defense, relying on his great memories on the golf course and his dedication to improving his game.

The Texas Children's Houston Open tee times for rounds one and two have been announced. Notable groupings include Scottie Scheffler, Peter Malnati, and Will Zalatoris, as well as Tony Finau, Wyndham Clark, and Si Woo Kim.

Bailey Tardy skydived as part of her pre-tournament preparation for the Ford Championship presented by KCC. Tardy, along with her caddie, enjoyed the experience and saw it as a unique opportunity to create lasting memories off the golf course. Despite some initial nerves, Tardy found skydiving to be a fun and exhilarating activity.

Emily Lauterbach, a University of Wisconsin alum, secures a spot in the LPGA Tour's Ford Championship after a successful Monday qualifier. Despite struggling in her rookie season on the Epson Tour, Lauterbach's 6-under round in Arizona earned her a place in her first-ever LPGA Tour start. She faced a playoff against two other players to secure the final qualifying spot. Lauterbach's achievement is a turning point in her career and she is grateful for the experience and support from fellow players.

Lindsey Weaver-Wright speaks with media ahead of the Ford Championship presented by KCC.

The USGA has unveiled the roster for its first United States National Junior team, consisting of 18 talented young athletes. The team will participate in a developmental program and compete against other countries. They will receive year-round support and training, with the first training camp scheduled in May. The USGA plans to expand the team and fund over 1,000 junior golfers across the country by 2027.

Golf fans criticize Justin Thomas for his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, considering it a desperate move. Thomas talked about various topics, including playing golf with Michael Jordan and his experience at the Ryder Cup. Fans expressed disappointment with Thomas's recent performance and questioned the relevance of late-night television.

PGA Tour legend Chris DiMarco reveals his interest in LIV Golf, stating that it would have been a purely monetary decision for him. DiMarco believes that there is nothing wrong with playing for money and defends the golfers who have joined LIV Golf, stating that they deserve the opportunity to earn generational money. He also dismisses the notion that LIV Golf is not real golf and supports the players' decision to pursue financial opportunities. Bryson DeChambeau shares a similar view, citing LIV Golf's less hectic schedule and additional opportunities as reasons why it may be better than the PGA Tour.

Anirban Lahiri has expressed concern that top-ranked golfers will miss out on qualifying for the Paris Olympics due to the restrictions on the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tournament. The Official World Golf Ranking does not recognize the tournament, leading to a lack of ranking points for players. Lahiri emphasized the need to find a way to qualify within the current framework and suggested that the situation could serve as a wake-up call for the golfing world. In other news, Lahiri will be participating in the Indian Open after a five-year gap.

Tiger Woods and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren were present at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, as the golf team received their state championship rings. The team, led by coach Toby Harbeck, won the Class 1A title at Mission Inn Resort and Club. Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods' son, is a member of the team and also competed with his father at the PNC Championship in Orlando.

Phil Mickelson has chosen veteran caddie Jon Yarbrough after his brother Tim Mickelson retired. Yarbrough, who has more than 20 years of experience on the PGA Tour, will be on Mickelson's bag for the upcoming LIV Golf Miami event and The Masters.

Sahith Theegala, a professional golfer, suggests a fan challenge where fans can play on a PGA Tour golf course to experience its difficulty. He believes it would provide perspective on the skill level of professional golfers and help bring more fans into the game. Theegala also comments on the challenges that may not be apparent when watching golf on TV.

PGA Tour golfer Justin Thomas shares a funny story about how he helped Michael Jordan win money in a golf game as a teenager. Thomas sunk four birdies in seven holes and won around three or four grand, which he used to help pay for his first car.

Phil Mickelson's brother, Tim, has announced his retirement as his caddie after working together for eight years. Despite recent struggles, Tim stood by Phil's side on LIV Golf. Phil shared a tribute post on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their shared accomplishments and wishing Tim the best. The news comes just before the Masters 2024, leaving uncertainty about who will caddy for Phil in the upcoming tournament.

Mike "Fluff" Cowan, a 76-year-old caddie, continues to work on the PGA Tour because he loves what he does. Despite his lengthy career and partnership with Jim Furyk, Cowan is still actively caddying for players like C.T. Pan. Furyk praises Cowan's ability to adapt to different relationships and emphasizes the importance of doing what you love. Cowan echoes this sentiment, stating that money is not what makes you happy, but rather doing things you enjoy.

The LPGA Tour's prize fund for the 2024 season has surpassed $120 million, with the JM Eagle LA Championship contributing to the boost by offering a payout of $3.75 million. This marks a significant increase from the $70 million prize fund just two years ago. The decision to increase the purse for the tournament has had a positive impact on other events, with a total of 11 non-Major tournaments now offering a $3 million prize fund. The support from sponsors JM Eagle and Plastpro aims to promote women's sports and create more opportunities for female golfers.

Sahith Theegala, a golfer on the PGA Tour, suggests a fan challenge where a scratch handicap player plays a PGA Tour course under the same conditions to showcase the difficulty of the course. He believes it would help fans understand the challenges faced by professional golfers and bring more people into the game.

Sky Sports Golf pundit Trish Johnson criticizes Charley Hull's aggressive course management and believes it is holding her back from winning more tournaments. Despite several near-misses, Hull has yet to win on the LPGA Tour since October 2022. Johnson suggests that Hull needs to change her playing style and improve her course management to be more successful.

Nelly Korda's ability to shift her mindset after a frustrating finish and win a playoff highlights the importance of venting and leaving negative thoughts behind. Sports psychologist Dr. Deborah Graham suggests asking four questions after a bad shot to engage the right brain and focus on the next shot. This technique can help golfers snap out of a negative spiral and improve their performance.

Former super agent Hughes Norton, author of 'Rainmaker,' discusses being fired by Tiger Woods and Greg Norman, as well as his experiences in the golf industry. Norton shares insights into his relationships with his famous clients and provides a candid account of his rise and fall in the business. His memoir, "Rainmaker," offers a captivating look into the world of golf agents and the explosion of professional golf.

Peter Malnati, the winner of the Valspar Championship, emphasizes the importance of traditional PGA Tour events and the communities and organizers that support them. He highlights that without these tournaments and their significance, there would be no PGA Tour. Malnati also acknowledges the dreams of aspiring golfers and the impact of small communities and sponsors on the Tour's existence.

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.