Planet Golf News for Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka showing early sign of major struggles, Louisville Police Says Internal Investigation ‘Ongoing’ After Scottie Scheffler Arrest

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

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LIV Golf’s Sergio Garcia misses out on U.S. Open spot, but still has chance to play

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The world of golf never has a dull moment, with both drama on and off the course making headlines. Scottie Scheffler, despite his solid performance at the PGA Championship where he finished tied for eighth, found himself in hot water with an arrest that will be investigated for policy violations. The mayor of Louisville emphasized the need for transparency, particularly around the issue of the officer's body camera not being activated. Scheffler’s arraignment is now set for June 3, and he plans to plead not guilty to charges of assault, criminal mischief, and reckless driving.

In other news, Jon Rahm has skyrocketed to second place on Forbes' list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, thanks to his lucrative move to LIV Golf and a reported deal worth at least $300 million. This leap places him just behind Lionel Messi. Rahm isn’t the only golfer on the list, with familiar names like Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, and Cameron Smith also making the cut.

Not everyone is having a stellar season, though. Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka are showing early signs of struggle, with Koepka failing to finish in the top 25 in three consecutive majors and Johnson finding limited success since joining LIV Golf. Even Jon Rahm has hit a rough patch, missing the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship.

Amidst all these individual stories, the broader landscape of professional golf continues to be complex. It's compared to a Rubik’s Cube, where media, sponsors, fans, and players all interact in a delicate balance. Prioritizing the interests of these stakeholders is essential for the sport’s future growth and success.

Looking ahead to the weekend, the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, promises to be an exciting event. The tournament features a strong field including Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland. The Colonial has undergone significant renovations, which are expected to impact gameplay. Betting experts have their eyes on various players, with Denny McCarthy, a 50-1 longshot, being tipped for a strong performance due to his putting prowess.

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is also in the spotlight. Defending champion Steve Stricker will be aiming to hold onto his title, while Cameron Percy hopes to make a splash on the senior circuit after earning his spot through the PGA Tour Champions Qualifying School.

Over in Europe, the Soudal Open in Antwerp, Belgium, marks the start of the European Swing on the Race to Dubai. Thomas Pieters, a local favorite, is returning to the DP World Tour after a year with LIV Golf and is expected to be a strong contender.

Meanwhile, in Knoxville, the Korn Ferry Tour’s Visit Knoxville Open saw an interesting attempt by Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves to qualify. Despite his best efforts, Reaves did not make the cut, but he described the experience as fun and memorable.

Lastly, looking forward to the U.S. Open, Sergio Garcia has found himself as the first alternate after a disappointing qualifier performance. Only one LIV player, Eugenio Chacarra, has made it through to compete at Pinehurst.

The golf world is buzzing with activity, and as always, there's much to anticipate and discuss. Whether it's following the latest tournaments, the drama of player performances, or the newest gear hitting the market, there's never a dull moment for golf enthusiasts.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

Charles Schwab Challenge - Fort Worth

The latest news about the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge, which will be held at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, includes several key updates:

The Charles Schwab Challenge is set to take place at the newly renovated Colonial Country Club, marking the 78th installment of this event since its inception in 1946. The course has undergone significant changes to modernize and restore its original design. Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland are among the top favorites for this year's tournament. Scheffler, the current World No. 1, is particularly notable as he faces legal troubles but remains a strong contender.

The field includes notable players such as defending champion Emiliano Grillo, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth, and Tony Finau. Spieth, in particular, has a strong history at this event, with multiple top-10 finishes. Other players to watch include Aaron Rai, Mark Hubbard, Keith Mitchell, Denny McCarthy, and Tom Hoge, who are highlighted in various betting models and expert picks.

Experts have provided various betting tips and predictions. Collin Morikawa, despite being a favorite, is predicted to struggle and barely make the top five according to some models. Conversely, Denny McCarthy, a 50-1 longshot, is expected to make a strong run at the title due to his excellent putting skills.

The tournament will feature live coverage on the Golf Channel and CBS, with streaming available on ESPN+. Tee times have been announced, with notable pairings including Tony Finau, Max Homa, and Adam Scott, as well as Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka, and Austin Eckroat.

The Colonial Country Club has undergone a renovation rather than a restoration, aiming to update the course to modern standards while preserving its historic design. This renovation is expected to impact how the course plays and could influence the strategies of the golfers.

Overall, the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge promises to be an exciting event with a strong field of competitors and a newly updated course.

KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, Benton Harbor, MI

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will be held at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan, from May 23-26. This marks the sixth time in the last 12 years that Harbor Shores has hosted the championship. The defending champion is Steve Stricker, who won the 2023 tournament with an 18-under-par finish, defeating Padraig Harrington in a playoff. The event has a rich history dating back to 1937, with its first two editions held at Augusta National. The 2024 championship will feature players from both the PGA Champions Tour and the European Legends Tour, competing for a prize purse of $3.5 million on a par-71 course measuring 6,852 yards.

Soudal Open, Antwerp Belgium - DP World Tour

The Soudal Open is the opening event of the European Swing on the Race to Dubai. The tournament features six counting events in five countries, with 3,000 Race to Dubai Ranking points available at each event. Simon Forsström returns to the scene of his maiden DP World Tour win, while Marcel Siem and Adrian Otaegui also make their return. European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald will be playing in Belgium for the first time. The Soudal Open takes place at Rinkven International, a par-71 course with a woodland and parkland setting.

Visit Knoxville Open - Korn Ferry Tour

Firstly, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves attempted to qualify for the Visit Knoxville Open but did not succeed. Reaves shot a 6-over 76 at the qualifier held at Three Ridges Golf Course in Knoxville, Tennessee, finishing 11 strokes behind the qualifying mark. Despite his efforts, Reaves admitted to being nervous and did not secure a spot in the tournament. This was his first attempt at qualifying for a Korn Ferry Tour event, and he expressed that it was a fun and memorable experience despite the outcome

Upcoming: US Open

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Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf.

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