Planet Golf News for Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Rory McIlroy files for divorce from his wife of 7 years ahead of the PGA Championship

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

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Golf Superstar Rory McIlroy & Wife Erica Stoll Split

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

In the vibrant world of golf this week, there's no shortage of excitement, drama, and personal stories shaping the landscape as the 2024 PGA Championship tees off at Valhalla Golf Club. Golf Channel analysts are quite stirred up over Jon Rahm's recent comments on his PGA Tour membership amidst his participation with LIV Golf, with one analyst so inflamed he remarked he wanted to "wring his neck." This controversy is just a sliver of the ongoing tussle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, adding extra spice to the discussions around the event.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy finds himself in a personal transition, having filed for divorce from his wife Erica just a day before his appearance at the PGA Championship, aiming to reclaim his former glory at a venue where he has tasted major success. McIlroy’s last major win was at this very course in 2014, and despite his off-course challenges, he's aiming high for another major title to end his long drought.

Tiger Woods is another major storyline as he contemplates his capacity to serve as the Ryder Cup captain while still competing at high levels, despite ongoing back issues and other commitments. His presence at Valhalla has been a talking point, especially with his new facial hair turning heads.

The Mizuho Americas Open in New Jersey is another highlight, featuring a unique setup where LPGA stars like defending champion Rose Zhang and world No. 1 Nelly Korda play alongside top junior girls, making for an inspiring showcase of current and future golf talents.

Back at the PGA Championship, aside from the top names, Michael Block, the surprise package of last year's Championship, is back to create more memorable moments. And not to be overlooked, Scottie Scheffler, fresh off paternity leave, is raring to go, showing no signs of rust as he gears up to compete while balancing new fatherhood.

Every stroke and story from Valhalla and beyond this week isn’t just about the scores, but the personal journeys, strategic calculations, and emotional undertones defining each player's path in these prominent tournaments. Whether it’s McIlroy's quest for a return to the pinnacle, Rahm's controversial stance, or Woods' leadership deliberations, each element contributes to the rich narrative tapestry of golf at its finest.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this week

PGA Championship - Louisville, KY

The 2024 PGA Championship is being held at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from May 13-19. Here are the key details:

Brooks Koepka is the defending champion, having won his 5th major title at Oak Hill last year. He is aiming to join an elite group of players with 6 major wins, which would tie him with legends like Lee Trevino, Nick Faldo, and Phil Mickelson.

Rory McIlroy is seeking to end his major drought of nearly a decade. His last major win came at Valhalla in 2014 when he won the PGA Championship. He has been in excellent form recently, winning the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship.

Tiger Woods, a past PGA champion at Valhalla, is pursuing his 16th career major title this week. He made an appearance at Valhalla for a practice round sporting a new goatee look.

Scottie Scheffler has been dominant on the PGA Tour this season with wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players, the Masters, and RBC Heritage. There were questions if he would play due to the pending birth of his first child, but he has confirmed his participation.

This marks the 4th time Valhalla has hosted the PGA Championship, tying it with Oak Hill for second-most behind Southern Hills. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course will play at 7,609 yards and par 71.

Other storylines include Michael Block's return after his impressive run as an unheralded club pro last year, and Kentucky native Justin Thomas aiming for his 3rd PGA Championship title in his home state.

The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and CBS, with streaming coverage on ESPN+.

Mizuho Americas Open - Jersey City, NJ

The Mizuho Americas Open is a new tournament on the LPGA Tour, taking place from May 16-19, 2024 at the prestigious Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. As the title sponsor, Mizuho Americas created this distinctive event to celebrate women and advance the next generation of golfers.

The tournament features an elevated $3 million purse, with the winner receiving $450,000. It also has a unique format where 120 LPGA players compete alongside 24 top-ranked junior girls from the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) in a 72-hole Stableford competition, creating an unprecedented opportunity for the future stars to play with the pros.

Defending champion Rose Zhang is returning to defend her title after making history last year by becoming the first player since 1951 to win in her professional debut. Other notable players in the field include world No. 1 Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Jin Young Ko, Celine Boutier, Minjee Lee, and Linn Grant.

The event is hosted by LPGA icon Michelle Wie West, who retired in 2023 but continues to inspire the next generation through her role. Live coverage will be provided by GOLF Channel and Peacock from 3-6 pm ET each day.

AdventHealth Championship - Kansas City, MO

The AdventHealth Championship is an annual PGA Tour sanctioned event on the Korn Ferry Tour, held at Blue Hills Country Club in Kansas City, Missouri. This year's tournament will take place from May 16-19, 2024.

The AdventHealth Championship has a purse of $1,000,000, with Grayson Murray being the defending champion from the previous year. The par-72 course at Blue Hills Country Club measures 7,383 yards in length.

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