Planet Golf News - Weekend Tour Edition - February 10, 2024

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wants to "shut down" rival golf league LIV Golf as doubts grow over the proposed agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have been in conflict since the breakaway league emerged in 2022, but discussions with PIF had offered hope for resolution. However, the PGA Tour missed their initial deadline and opted to unify with the Strategic Sports Group instead. The return of LIV players to the PGA Tour is now a low priority in negotiations, with Monahan open to welcoming individual players but not integrating LIV into the Tour calendar. [mirror.co.uk]

The LIV Golf league, backed by Saudi funding, has attracted 54 players with its unique format and large purses. While there is talk of potential punishment for players who joined LIV, the bigger question is whether they even want to return to the PGA Tour. The fractured state of professional golf and the differing views on unification make it unclear if a deal can be reached between the PGA Tour and LIV. The majors also play a key role in this divide, as LIV players can only qualify through major wins or world rankings, which they do not receive points for. Some players, like Rory McIlroy, advocate for no punishment for those eligible, while others, like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, believe defectors should not be allowed back in easily. The future of professional golf and the potential for unity remain uncertain. [apnews.com]

Jordan Spieth earns respect from the golf world after his heartwarming gesture towards a fan goes viral. Spieth brought a 15-year-old cancer patient to play in a PGA Tour event and guided him through a chip shot. This is just one example of Spieth's kind and humble behavior towards his fans, making him a fan-favorite golfer. [essentiallysports.com]

Jon Rahm reflects on his Major victories and highlights the significance of his win at the 2023 Augusta Masters, citing the unique conditions and the historical connections to Spanish golf and Seve Ballesteros. Rahm also mentions the various factors that made the victory bigger, such as the date, his overall performance, and the prestige of Augusta National Golf Club. [sportskeeda.com]

Max Homa believes that the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) didn't invest money just for fun and is committed to improving the fan experience in golf. Homa sees the SSG's investment as a way to entertain fans, attract more fans, and make a return on investment. He views the Phoenix Open as a blueprint for achieving this goal and expresses his affection for the event, hoping to attend as a fan after retiring. [thesportsrush.com]

Andy Roddick reacts to reports of Saudi Arabia threatening imprisonment of consultants in PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger amid rumored tennis involvement. Roddick acknowledges the reports and expresses his belief that ATP and WTA tournaments in Saudi Arabia are inevitable. He also discusses the involvement of Rafael Nadal and Billie Jean King in Saudi Tennis, suggesting that their reputability and credibility could have a positive impact on the sport. [sportskeeda.com]

Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka, professional golfers, will be visiting Kempton races in February to watch their horse, Givemefive, compete in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. A good performance there could lead to a spot in the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. The duo, who play for Smash GC in the LIV Golf League, are enthusiastic first-time owners and are looking forward to the race. [golfmonthly.com]

Jon Rahm discusses his decision to join LIV Golf over the PGA Tour, citing financial considerations and the desire to secure a prosperous future for his family. He acknowledges that money played a role in his decision and reflects on his debut LIV league event, where his team won the tournament and he finished in the T3 position. [sportskeeda.com]

Harold Varner III expressed his displeasure with a tweet from LIV Golf's official handle, questioning why his turnaround in performance was considered "crazy". This adds to the tension between LIV's players and the league's social media team, following similar incidents involving Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm. Despite the tweet, Varner remains focused on his search for a second career LIV Golf title. [golfdigest.com]

Irish golfer Olivia Mehaffey reflects on the past three years of tough times, including the passing of her father and struggling with her golf game. After taking a break and rebuilding her confidence, she is now in a happier place both on and off the golf course. Mehaffey aims for consistency and hopes that her experiences will make her a stronger player for the rest of her career. [irishgolfer.ie]

Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee has become a golf fanatic, starting with a hole-in-one during his rookie season. He regularly plays with his brother-in-law, Stephen Curry, and has improved his game since moving to Phoenix. Lee also hosts a charity golf scramble and finds golf to be a refuge during his rehab from a knee injury. He plans to attend the WM Phoenix Open and often plays with teammate Devin Booker. [azcentral.com]

Bubba Watson explains the dynamics behind signing Matthew Wolff to his LIV Golf team, emphasizing that he values Wolff as a person and not just for his golf skills. Wolff expresses gratitude for the support he has received and his focus on mental health. Currently, the RangeGoats GC, with Wolff in joint third place, are leading the second LIV Golf event in Las Vegas. [sportskeeda.com]

Retired U.S. women's soccer star Carli Lloyd satisfies her competitive itch through golf, playing alongside PGA Tour golfer Nick Taylor. Despite the challenges, Lloyd remains determined to improve and enjoys the sport as a way to stay involved and spend time with her husband. While her competitive nature remains, she now approaches life with a more relaxed attitude since retiring from professional soccer. [sports.yahoo.com]

PGA Tour pro Kevin Kisner openly criticizes PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for his communication skills and mistakes. Kisner also expresses skepticism about the recent $3 billion investment by SSG and believes that the majority of the investment will go to the "smart guys" rather than benefiting the PGA Tour. Despite the turmoil, Kisner remains hopeful that golf will prevail and players will continue to compete together. [essentiallysports.com]

Michael Phelps' fans reminisce about his iconic warm-up pose, which he used in both swimming and golf. Phelps, known for his Olympic wins and stretching routine, showcased his warm-up routine at a golf event, drawing parallels to his swimming glory days. Fans praised his dedication and mental strength, declaring that his warm-up is undefeated. [essentiallysports.com]

The PGA Tour has received a $3 billion investment from SSG, providing a boost to the league. However, golfer Kevin Kisner is skeptical about whether the full amount will be received and believes that only $1.5 billion will be obtained. He suggests that the money will go to individuals who can increase the value of the PGA Tour. Kisner also expresses support for the PGA Tour's merger with Saudi Arabia and criticizes the lack of transparency and communication from Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. [essentiallysports.com]

Shane Lowry clarifies his comments to a golf reporter, stating that his remarks about fans braving bad weather were meant sarcastically. Lowry, known for performing well in adverse conditions, expressed joy in seeing fans remain focused on his game. In the WM Phoenix Open, Lowry finished the opening round with 4 under par, two strokes behind the leader. [sportskeeda.com]

Conor Purcell is one shot off the pace at the Bain's Whiskey Cape Town Open, putting well and holing out nicely. Despite some scrappy moments, Purcell remains in contention and aims to clean up his tee shots for the upcoming rounds. He is optimistic about his performance so far and hopes to double his score over the weekend for a chance at a maiden Challenge Tour victory. [irishgolfer.ie]

Lauren Walsh and Olivia Mehaffey struggled on day two but remained within touching distance of South Africa’s Cara Gorlei in the Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge. [irishgolfdesk.com]

Aldrich Potgieter shoots a remarkable 59 at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard in Bogota, Colombia, becoming the second player in two days to achieve a sub-60 score in the Korn Ferry Tour. Potgieter's round leaves him one stroke ahead of Cristobal Del Solar, who shot a record-breaking 57 in the opening round. This marks the first time a TOUR-sanctioned tournament has seen two sub-60 scores in the same week. [pgatour.com]

Highlights of the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club. [skysports.com]

The PGA Tour is using artificial intelligence (AI) at the WM Phoenix Open to enhance the golf experience for fans. AI is used to track and analyze every ball on the course, providing real-time data and insights. The PGA Tour also utilizes AI-powered chatbots and simulations to engage fans and make the game more interactive. [azfamily.com]

Golf is all about the sounds, including the satisfying thud of a well-placed iron shot, the high-pitched ping of a metal club, the swoosh of a powerful swing, and the soft click of a delicate putt. It also mentions the unpleasant sounds of a shanked shot or a club breaking. [golf365.com]

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.