Planet Golf News for Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The ratings are out, and less than 100K people tuned in for LIV Golf's individual championship finale | Augusta National, CBS expand Masters TV schedule for 2025

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

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Justin Rose keen to win BMW PGA Championship- "It's definitely one of my majors"

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

Golf fans have a lot to talk about this week, from LIV Golf's ongoing struggles to the LPGA's big tournaments. Despite some high-profile players and hefty prize money, LIV Golf’s recent finale didn't attract many eyeballs. Meanwhile, some classic tournaments are in full swing, with the spotlight shining bright on the LPGA’s Kroger Queen City Championship and the much-anticipated BMW PGA Championship.

LIV Golf’s individual championship finale recently wrapped up, with Jon Rahm clinching victory and a cool $22 million. But here's the kicker: only 89,000 people tuned in to watch. Compared to the 657,000 viewers who caught the Solheim Cup, this number is a clear indicator that LIV Golf is still struggling to connect with a wider fan base. Part of the problem seems to be stiff competition from college football and the NFL, leaving LIV Golf with some major challenges in attracting more viewers. Adding to the drama, Brooks Koepka threw some shade at the PGA Tour over its control of events like the Presidents Cup, frustrated that LIV players are banned from participating. Despite the rift, there's talk of a potential merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour down the road. While tensions are high now, there’s optimism that collaboration could be on the horizon in the next few years.

All eyes are on the LPGA as it gears up for the Kroger Queen City Championship, taking place at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio, from September 19-22. With a $2 million purse, 144 of the world’s best female golfers will be battling it out, including Nelly Korda and defending champion Minjee Lee. The field is star-studded with 8 LPGA Tour winners, 11 Solheim Cup participants, and 20 rookies, promising some top-tier competition. As the season nears its end, players are focused on earning a spot in the CME Group Tour Championship. Among the things to watch for is the involvement of two standout amateur players, Gianna Clemente and Amari Avery, who received sponsor exemptions to join the field. It’s a pivotal moment for the LPGA as the tour looks to highlight emerging stars while showcasing the fierce competition among its elite.

Over in Surrey, England, the BMW PGA Championship, the crown jewel of the DP World Tour, is underway at Wentworth Golf Club. This year’s event is attracting some big names, including Rory McIlroy, who’s seeking redemption after a close call at the Irish Open. Shane Lowry, the defending champion, is rallying for another win, eager to trade consistency for more trophies in his cabinet. Justin Rose also has his eyes on a "bucket-list" win and aims to use the tournament to boost his chances of qualifying for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Not just for the pros, the event also features a celebrity Pro-Am with stars like Tom Holland, Andy Murray, and Gareth Bale hitting the greens. Holland, who boasts a 2.9 handicap, is looking to redeem himself after a subpar performance last year. It’s an exciting blend of professional competition and celebrity participation, adding a dash of fun to the traditional tournament.

In Columbus, Ohio, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship is heating up on the Korn Ferry Tour. This event is a make-or-break opportunity for players aiming to secure their PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season. With only a few spots available, golfers like Max McGreevy, Sam Bennett, and Cole Hammer are feeling the pressure to perform well. It’s a crucial stepping stone for those hoping to make it to the big leagues, adding an extra layer of intensity to the tournament.

The LIV Golf Team Championship is heading to Maridoe Golf Club in Dallas for its season finale. Crushers GC, led by Bryson DeChambeau, has secured the top seed after a stellar performance in Chicago. Along with Legion XIII and Ripper GC, the Crushers enjoy a bye to the semifinals thanks to their top-three finish in the standings. In an interesting twist, the tournament format has been changed to give team captains more flexibility in match-play lineups, aiming to add more strategy and drama to the event. This adjustment has been met with optimism from captains like Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson, who are eager to leverage the new format to their teams’ advantage.

Next week, golf fans can look forward to the Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club. The teams are set, with captains Mike Weir and Jim Furyk selecting their final wildcard picks. Jordan Spieth, however, will be sitting this one out as he recovers from wrist surgery. Meanwhile, Kevin Kisner has been named an assistant captain for Team USA, tasked with keeping the team’s spirits high.

Looking further ahead, the Ryder Cup drama is already brewing for 2025. Justin Rose has been vocal about the importance of players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton for Team Europe, urging them to settle their issues with the DP World Tour to secure their spots. With a mix of rising stars and seasoned pros, Europe seems optimistic about their chances at Bethpage.

From LIV Golf’s struggle to attract fans to the LPGA’s star-studded tournaments and the anticipation of major events like the Presidents Cup, there’s plenty happening in the golf world. Whether it’s drama, competition, or rising stars, the golf scene is buzzing with excitement, setting the stage for an action-packed end to the season.

[ Today’s Top Golf News ] 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this week

Kroger Queen City Championship - LPGA - TPC River’s Bend - Maineville, OH

The Kroger Queen City Championship, an LPGA Tour event, is set to take place from September 19-22, 2024, at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio. The event will feature 144 of the world's top female golfers competing for a $2 million purse.

PURE Insurance Championship - Champions Tour - Spyglass Hill GC - Pebble Beach, CA

The 2024 PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee is set to return to Pebble Beach Golf Links from September 20-22, 2024. This unique pro-junior event, a favorite among PGA TOUR Champions players, pairs professional golfers with First Tee juniors aged 14 to 18, along with two amateurs in each foursome.

LIV Dallas - Match Play and LIV Golf Dallas Stroke Play - Maridoe Golf Club - Carrollton, TX

The LIV Golf Team Championship, the season-ending event for the Saudi-backed tour, is set to take place at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas from September 20-22, 2024.

The Crushers GC, led by Bryson DeChambeau, have secured the top seed for the championship after winning the LIV Golf Chicago event. They, along with Legion XIII and Ripper GC, have earned byes to the semifinals due to their top-three finish in the team standings.

BMW PGA Championship - DP World Tour - Wentworth Golf Club - Surrey, England

The BMW PGA Championship, the DP World Tour's flagship event, is set to begin at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey, England. This year marks the 20th edition with BMW as the title sponsor. The tournament attracts a star-studded field, with Rory McIlroy leading the charge after a near-miss at the Irish Open.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship - Korn Ferry Tour - OSU Golf Club - Columbus, OH

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship, a pivotal event on the Korn Ferry Tour, is set to tee off at the Ohio State University Golf Club's Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio. This tournament is the third of four Korn Ferry Tour Finals events, playing a crucial role in determining which players will earn PGA Tour cards for the upcoming season.

Upcoming next week: The Presidents Cup - PGA Tour - The Royal Montreal Golf Club - Montreal, PQ

The 2024 Presidents Cup is set to take place from September 24-29 at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec. Both the International and U.S. teams have finalized their 12-man rosters, with captains Mike Weir and Jim Furyk announcing their six wildcard picks each to complement the six automatic qualifiers.

Next Year: The Ryder Cup

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