DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The head-to-head between Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge at the season-ending World Tour Championship has gotten off to an extremely one-sided start.
While McIlroy rolled in seven birdies in a 6-under 66, Penge — the young pretender trying to overhaul the established superstar in the European tour’s Race to Dubai standings — struggled to a 74 in the first round on Thursday.
Penge’s birdie at No. 18 meant he avoided being tied for last in the 52-player field in the final event of Europe’s 2025 season, with the Englishman seeing close up just what it will take to get to McIlroy’s level.
U.S. golfer Michael Kim shot a bogey-free 64 to lead by one stroke from Tommy Fleetwood, whose strong end-of-season form — after winning for the first time on the PGA Tour and then starring in Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage — continued on the Earth Course with seven birdies and no bogeys in his 65.
McIlroy was tied for third place with Andy Sullivan and Thriston Lawrence and looks set to be crowned Europe’s No. 1 player for a fourth straight year and the seventh time in his career. That would leave him one off Colin Montgomerie’s record haul.
Penge is second in the Race to Dubai standings, around 767 points behind McIlroy. To reel in McIlroy, Penge — a three-time winner on the tour this year — needs to win and hope McIlroy finishes worse than second alone, or finish in a tie for second and for the Northern Irishman to be down the leaderboard.
None of those scenarios appears likely at this point, with McIlroy displaying all the weapons — namely the big drives, brilliant iron game and improved putting — that helped him to complete the career Grand Slam this year by winning the Masters.
“I felt it was one of the best approach-play rounds I’ve had in a long time,” McIlroy said.
He rolled in two six-footers and then a putt from 18 feet for birdies at his first three holes and stayed strong as Penge, who had to deal with a bout of sickness early in the week to hinder his preparations, began to falter.
He made five bogeys in a 10-hole run from No. 5, the last coming at the par-5 14th after duffing a chip from the middle of the fairway.
The final-hole birdie left Penge eight shots behind McIlroy.
Tyrrell Hatton, who is third in the Race to Dubai standings, needs to win to stand any chance of an unlikely title while also needing McIlroy to finish worse than a tie for eighth with one other player. Hatton opened with a 70 and was six shots off the pace.
BELLEAIR, Fla. — Before things got serious, there was some fun.
Kai Trump showed off her basketball skills before she teed off at The Annika Pro Am. It was the final preparations before President Trump’s granddaughter made her LPGA debut.
What You Need To Know
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark and President Trump’s granddaughter Kai were among the participants at The Annika Pro Am
The first round of The Annika tees off Thursday morning at the Pelican Golf Club. Kai Trump will be making her LPGA debut
Bradenton resident Nelly Korda is the defending champ. The world’s No. 2 ranked golfer has won The Annika three of the past four years
Flipping the script, WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark showed off her golfing skills. Playing in The Annika Pro Am for the second-straight year, Clark admitted to being a little messy off the tee, but she appreciates the challenge of playing outside her element.
“I honestly haven’t played a ton, but it was fun,” Clark said. “I think any time you get to be out here and see these women do what they do really well, it’s really inspiring and really fun.”
Clark played in a group that included defending champ Nelly Korda. After a month away from the game for a preventative break due to her neck injury, Korda is back at the Pelican Golf Club — a course she loves and knows very well.
“I love coming back here,” Korda said. “It’s so close to home. I have so many family and friends coming out during the week, so it’s just a really feel-good tournament because I have a lot of great support behind me.”
This year’s field is stacked with 15 of the top 25 ranked golfers, including Korda, the world’s No. 2. This Bradenton resident owns The Annika. She’s won the tournament three of the past four years. Last year, she capped off one of the greatest seasons in LPGA history with her seventh tour victory. The reigning Rolex Player of the Year plays some of her best golf at The Annika.
“I just kind of feel comfortable out here,” Korda said. “I think just having like my family and friends in the crowd, and this is kind of the turf that I grew up on, so there is also that level of comfort.”
Modern golfers expects more from their tech. Bushnell Golf gives it to them with the category-defining Wingman HD, the next evolution in GPS golf speakers. It combines cutting-edge GPS and Bluetooth tech, premium audio, and a high-resolution color touchscreen for an unmatched audio and distance assist to improve every round.
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Much more than a speaker, the Wingman HD gives golfers audible and visual cues on front, center, and back distances, plus alerts to up to six on-screen hazards per hole. It also connects to the Bushnell Golf Mobile App, a portal to performance-tracking features including GreenView, HoleView, shot distance calculator, and scoring.
Modern golfers expects more from their tech. Bushnell Golf gives it to them with the category-defining Wingman HD, the next evolution in GPS golf speakers. It combines cutting-edge GPS and Bluetooth tech, premium audio, and a high-resolution color touchscreen for an unmatched audio and distance assist to improve every round.
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Much more than a speaker, the Wingman HD gives golfers audible and visual cues on front, center, and back distances, plus alerts to up to six on-screen hazards per hole. It also connects to the Bushnell Golf Mobile App, a portal to performance-tracking features including GreenView, HoleView, shot distance calculator, and scoring.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy has described LIV Golf’s decision to expand its events to 72 holes as “peculiar.”
The Saudi-funded breakaway circuit will align itself more with golf’s traditional tours by moving from three rounds to four next year.
The format switch could boost LIV’s bid to be recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking, which is critical because the four majors use its listing to help determine their fields.
The OWGR rejected LIV’s request for world ranking points when the league started, mainly over concerns about it being a closed shop of the same 54 players all year, except for alternates replacing injured players, and that team competition could affect the integrity of the individual competition since it was based on the same scores.
McIlroy has been outspoken about LIV’s disruption of the golf world, so was asked for his view of the change to 72 holes when speaking Wednesday at his news conference ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“I think it’s a peculiar move,” McIlroy said, “because I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds. I don’t think three rounds vs. four rounds is what was holding them back.
“It certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments than what we’ve all done,” he added. “It brings them back into not really being a destructor and sort of is falling more in line with what everyone else does. But if that’s what they felt they needed to do to get the ranking points, I guess that’s what they had to do.”
McIlroy questioned how many ranking points will be on offer at LIV Golf events.
“Because their strength of fields are going to be so weak because a lot of the guys have fallen already in the rankings because they have not had ranking points for so long, I don’t know if the ranking points are really going to benefit them,” McIlroy said.
“Yeah, it will be interesting to see how it plays out.”
McIlroy is playing the Abu Dhabi tournament for a 12th time. He has nine top-three finishes but has never won.
The Northern Irishman tops the season-long Race to Dubai standings with two events to play, and a win this week would push him closer to a seventh title in what was the Order of Merit — one off Colin Montgomerie’s record haul.
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac tried to hold back tears while exposing hateful and negative comments she received online during the recent $1 million Internet Invitational.
Spiranac posted multiple Instagram stories where she explained the hate she received in her direct messages and elsewhere, which she admitted brought up insecurities from her past.
The first story involved a vulgar direct message that she posted in full.
Paige Spiranac attends Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore 2” premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on July 21, 2025, in New York City.(Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“I f—ing hate you,” the message read. “You stupid b—- think you’re so much better than everyone at the Internet Invitational. Go kill yourself, you stupid c—.”
Spiranac has been participating in the Barstool Sports/Bob Does Sports golf influencer tournament that has captivated fans. But she was brought to tears while explaining how she “struggled socially” throughout her life.
“This hate, for some reason, has just been really hitting home for me,” she said. “I struggled socially my entire life… in big groups of people, making friends, keeping friends, relating to other people, reading social cues, saying the right thing at the right time.
“… I know it might sound weird considering what I do, but I’m just not effortlessly liked.… So, at the end of the invitational, I was really excited because I felt like I could fit in in the industry.”
The first-of-its-kind invitational brought together 48 golf content creators, with Spiranac being one of the headliners. Her team advanced through the opening matches during the first week of the tournament, giving her a chance to compete for the coveted $1 million prize.
Paige Spiranac speaks onstage during the Fanatics Fest NYC at Jacob Javits Center on Aug. 17, 2024, in New York City.(Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics)
The event was pre-recorded and will be released by the two creators over the next two weeks.
“I know there are more important things in life than wanting to be liked, and I want to fit in — and I’ve tried for a lot of my life to find places where I can fit in. And when I was at the Internet Invitational, I felt really good.”
While the moment felt great for Spiranac, she said watching the tournament back has brought up her past insecurities.
“Then now, to watch it back and the deep insecurities of childhood, whatever, is all coming back, and it’s confirmation that, no, you’re actually not liked, you’re annoying, and no one likes you. And you suck, and you’re terrible, and all these things. And it’s just hard because you felt good in that moment… then it’s like, just kidding.”
Paige Spiranac plays the 17th green during the Creator Classic at The Philadelphia Cricket Club on May 7, 2025, in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.(Ben Jared/PGA Tour via Getty Images)
Spiranac has had to deal with hateful comments as she rose in popularity on social media as well as in the golf community. But she gave an update Tuesday morning with another Instagram story.
“Hi, good morning,” she captioned a photo with a thumbs-up pose. “Sorry for being emo last night, but thank you again for all the super kind messages. I’ll save my deep, dark insecurities for therapy next time lol.”
This blog contains links from which we may earn a commission.Credit: Pixabay
Choosing the best golf stand bag depends on how well it supports your style of play, instead of solely on the appearance or cost.
Each golfer packs their kit according to their own logic, moves differently around the course, and prioritises elements that add enjoyment to each round.
Knowing how your style influences your needs is crucial before making a purchase because a bag that feels ideal for one person may be a strain for another.
Understanding What Makes Golf Stand Bags Unique
Golf stand bagscarry a balance of lightness and functionality, unlike cart or tour bags. These are made to rest on foldable legs so that you can access clubs fast without the base touching damp ground. These bags are attractive to those players who do not want to ride; rather, they prefer to walk, and they allow a combination of portability, balance, and smart storage without unwanted bulk. The design encourages a fluid rhythm between shots—no awkward bending, no wrestling with a heavy frame—just seamless movement from tee to green.
For the Walking Golfer: Weight and Comfort Matter Most
If you cover every hole on foot, tiredness can set in sooner than you expect. Weight reduction and ergonomic balance should come first. The best models are those with carbon fibre frames or ultra-light nylon, which can often keep the whole weight under two kilograms. Long-distance strain is avoided with the use of a dual-strap harness system that helps distribute weight equally across both shoulders.
Find cushioned back panels that have ventilation holes to minimize the amount of sweat during hot days. Water resistance is also crucial, particularly for players who are not afraid of an early morning tee time when the grass is wet. Comfort and performance are increased on the field through small yet thoughtful details, such as a convenient handle, conveniently placed pockets for a snack or tee, and durable, collapsible stands.
For the Weekend Player: Balance Between Space and Simplicity
Credit: Pixabay
Amateurs in golf usually require space to store their necessities, but not the complete equipment set that professional golfers carry. Five to seven pockets on a medium-capacity bag is a good compromise. Find one that has separators to ensure that clubs do not collide, yet does not have too many redundant compartments. Magnetic closures, insulated beverage sleeves, and fleece-lined valuables pockets are convenient without clutter.
Durability becomes key for those who store equipment between rounds. Reinforced stitching, quality zippers, and a robust stand base prevent wear from repeated use. Some players appreciate slightly heavier constructions for added stability, ensuring the bag doesn’t topple in windy conditions. A retractable rain hood offers extra protection for sudden showers, maintaining readiness without fuss.
For the Traveller: Compact, Secure, and Built for Transit
Travelling golfers require equipment that can withstand baggage handling and remain comfortable to carry. Find a stand bag that folds up neatly and has a streamlined shape that fits well into the travel covers. Collapsible legs with locking mechanisms prevent damage during flights, while dense padding around the club heads minimises impact.
Think about waterproof fabrics in case you are going to coastal or tropical courses very regularly. Bags that have concealed pockets that carry documents or other small technological gadgets can minimize the use of additional luggage. Most importantly, ensure that the total size does not exceed the airline limits, and it should be lightweight enough to prevent paying any overweight charges but strong enough to reach the destination without damage.
Design Details That Elevate Function
Even minor design factors affect comfort and performance. Non-slip foot pads ensure the stand does not tip over rough surfaces, and grab loops at the bottom make it easy to load the stand into car boots. Zipper pulls, which can be handled with gloved hands, save time during cold mornings. A top that is slightly tapered enhances the visibility of the clubs, reducing the time spent searching during the round.
Although secondary, aesthetic touches are important. Matte finishes are not easily scuffed in comparison to glossy ones, and the subdued colour schemes match most golfing outfits. Branding, though a personal element, may also be functional- reflective logos increase visibility in the early mornings or early evenings.
Making the Final Choice
Check the feel of each bag with your own clubs before making a purchase. Lift it by the handle, adjust the straps, and take a brief stroll. While some players choose flexible designs that adapt well to movement, others prefer structured tops for orderliness. Avoid assuming that there is a one-size-fits-all solution; instead, consider how simple it is to deploy and retract the stand and whether the base rests securely on uneven ground.
The best bag feels like an extension of your swing rhythm: reliable, balanced, and instinctively responsive. A few minutes of hands-on testing can reveal what long product descriptions can’t.
Investing in Long-Term Comfort and Reliability
A stand bag is not merely a storage bag; it is a partner all along fairways and bunkers. Making the right selection will result in a reduced number of distractions and a more successful flow between shots.
Whether you’re pacing eighteen holes, squeezing in a weekend game, or catching a flight to a new course, your bag should adapt effortlessly.
Prioritise fit and feel over all else. Every step on the course feels lighter, and every shot has greater focus when the design fits your playing style.
The ideal golf stand bag supports your entire game, not just your clubs.
HONG KONG — Tom McKibbin earned his first trip to the Masters by pulling away for a 7-under 63 to cap off a wire-to-wire victory Sunday in the Hong Kong Open. His second win also gets the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland in the British Open.
Getting to Augusta National became a challenge when McKibbin signed with Saudi-funded LIV Golf in 2024. But the Masters changed its criteria this year, designating six national opens where the winner earns an invitation.
McKibbin, who opened with a 60, took a two-shot lead into the final round. McKibbin was still two shots clear of Peter Uihlein when he birdied four of five holes to start the back nine and wound up with a seven-shot victory, the second of his career.
He finished on 27-under 253. Uihlein’s hopes ended with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 14th hole. The American closed with a 68.
The Hong Kong Open featured 29 full-time LIV Golf players, for a majority of them a rare chance at getting in the Masters and the British Open next year at Royal Birkdale. Only two LIV players in the field were former Masters champions who have lifetime exemptions.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Women’s British Open winner Miyu Yamashita of Japan has won the LPGA’s Maybank Championship in a three-way playoff Sunday for her second career title in only her first full year on the tour.
The 24-year-old golfer sealed victory with a birdie on the first playoff hole, while three-round leader Hye-Jin Choi of South Korea and Australia’s Hannah Green could only manage pars. The win adds the Maybank title to Yamashita’s maiden major triumph in August.
The Japanese player carded the day’s equal lowest round of 65 to swiftly climb up a congested leaderboard to 18-under 270 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country club course.
Choi, who began the final round with a four-stroke lead, struggled to convert key putts as her advantage slipped away.
The 26-year-old Choi now has 29 career top-10 finishes, but is yet to find her breakthrough win on the tour. It’s also the third time she has led a tournament heading into the final round and finished runner-up.
Green, a member of the winning Australia team at the International Crown last weekend, shot a streaky 68 — with seven birdies and three bogies — which included a nerveless birdie at the last to join Choi and Yamashita in the playoff.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul (68), China’s Liu Yan (65), Akie Iwai (67) of Japan and South Korean pair A Lim Kim (68) and Kim Sei-Young (66) were all tied for fourth-place at 17 under, one shot behind the leading trio.
Thitikul, a runner-up in Malaysia the last two years, had a bogey on the 16th that ended the Thai player’s late charge for a breakthrough win in Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier, an hour-long delay because of rain after the leaders had made the turn added to the tension on a congested leaderboard. When play resumed, Choi found her way back into contention with a clutch birdie at the par-4 16th that had just enough pace to drop in.
Green then joined Choi and Yamashita in the playoff before another rain shower delayed the playoff for more than 30 minutes.
Defending champion Yin Ruoning shot 70 for a 12th-place finish at 14-under 274, four strokes behind.
Brooke Henderson also shot 70 and was tied for 27th.
Next week, the LPGA ends its five-week Asian swing with the Japan Classic at Shiga.
Rangefinders can include a slew of features, which makes shopping as a novice confusing. The most important options in our testing include slope measurement (elevation gained or lost), a pinspotter (which zeroes in on the pin when tracking), weatherproofing, tournament mode, a cart magnet, and last but definitely not least, image stabilization.
Other handy options from some of our favorites include an OLED display for a bright targeting overlay, and Bluetooth connectivity to pair with apps or other golf devices, such as a smartwatch for GPS data. The fancier you get, the more features you’ll find, including options like wind speed and direction, element compensation, and more. That said, there is such a thing as too much data, and you’ll usually pay a premium as the feature count goes up.
Kai Trump, President Trump’s eldest granddaughter, a high school senior and University of Miami commit, has secured a sponsor invitation to play in an LPGA Tour event Nov. 13-16.
The 18-year-old will compete in the Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla. She currently attends the Benjamin School in Palm Beach and is ranked No. 461 on the American Junior Golf Assn. rankings. She also competes on the Srixon Medalist Tour on the South Florida PGA. Her top finish was a tie for third in July.
“My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour,” Trump said in a statement. “This event will be an incredible experience. I look forward to meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.”
Sponsor invitations have long been used to attract attention to a tournament through a golfer who is from a well-known family or, in recent years, has a strong social media presence. Kai Trump qualifies on both counts.
She is the oldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa, and has nearly 8 million followers combined on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube and X. In addition to posting her own exploits on and off the course, she creates videos playing golf with her grandpa and chronicled their visit to the Ryder Cup.
She also recently launched her own sports apparel and lifestyle brand, KT.
“Kai’s broad following and reach are helping introduce golf to new audiences, especially among younger fans,” said Ricki Lasky, LPGA chief tour business and operations officer, in a statement.
The oldest of the president’s 11 grandchildren, Kai became known nationally when she made a speech in support of her grandfather’s campaign at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Her parents divorced in 2018, and her mother has been dating Tiger Woods for about a year.
GOYANG, South Korea — Australia beat the United States Team to win LPGA’s International Crown tournament on Sunday, clinching the title after Minjee Lee and Hannah Green took both of their singles matches, with each winning, 2 and 1, over Angel Yin and Yealimi Noh, respectively.
The foursomes match between Australians Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim and Americans Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin finished in a tie, but was inconsequential when Green secured victory at the 17th hole in the second singles match at the New Korea Country Club.
It’s the first win for Australia at the match-play tournament, which eluded them in 2023 when current No. 1 ranked Jeeno Thitikul and Thailand beat them in the final at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
The World team finished in third place after Charley Hull and Lydia Ko both had impressive victories in their singles matches against Japan to take an unassailable lead in the three match tie.
Hull led out for the World team with a 4 and 3 win over Ayaka Furue and Ko sealed the third place finish with a 3 and 2 win over Rio Takeda.
Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita beat Brooke Henderson and Wei-Ling Hsu 4 and 3 in the foursomes to narrow the deficit for the Japanese.
Earlier Sunday, Kyriacou and Kim beat Wei-Ling and Ko of the World team on the 20th hole to clinch a place in the final for the Aussies after the singles had finished at one win apiece.
Hull had edged past Hannah Green 2 and 1 to put the World team ahead after the first singles match, before Minjee Lee rallied in her tie against Canada’s Henderson to win 1-up and level the match.
The top-seeded United States team had a more straightforward path to the final as Yin had a 2 and 1 win over Japan’s Takeda, before Noh sealed the Americans spot with hole wins at the 13th, 15th and 16th for a comfortable 4 and 2 victory over Yamashita.
Furue and Saigo took a consolation victory for Japan and ended the United States perfect record this week when they had a 1-up win of Lilia Vu and Lauren Coughlin in the foursomes.
Under the tournament format, seven countries and a “rest of the world” team compete in two pools. The teams and their players were determined by the women’s world ranking.
The top two countries from each pool advanced Sunday’s semifinals and final that consisted of one foursomes (alternate shot) and two singles matches.
Last week Sei Young Kim won the BMW Ladies Championship, also in South Korea. The LPGA’s Asian swing continues in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week and concludes in Shiga, Japan from Nov. 6-9.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rintaro Nakano of Japan made eagle on the par-5 13th hole for the second straight day and closed with a birdie for a 6-under 66 to move into a three-way tie for the lead Friday at the halfway point of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
Khanh Hung Le, the 17-year-old from Vietnam who has committed to play college golf at Illinois, shot 67 and Harry Takis of Australia had a 66 to join Rintaro at 11-under 133.
At stake this weekend on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club is a spot in the Masters and the British Open next year for the winner.
Le is trying to become the first Vietnamese winner since Augusta National and the R&A launched the Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2010. Rintaro is hopeful of joining an elite group of Japanese winners that includes Hideki Matsuyama (twice), Takumi Kanaya and Keita Nakajima, all of whom were No. 1 amateurs in the world.
Takis, meanwhile, has added to the recent surge of San Diego State alumni. He was Mountain West Conference freshman of the year this year for the Aztecs. San Diego State alum include major champions Xander Schauffele and J.J. Spaun, while Justin Hastings won the Latin American Amateur last year during his final season with the Aztecs.
The cut for top 60 and ties came at 6-over 150 and that included Geoffrey Lablak, the first player from Lebanon to make the cut in the Asia-Pacific. He was tied for 23rd after rounds of 73-71. Three players from the United Arab Emirates made the cut, led by Ahman Skaik in a tie for 10th.
With just six events remaining in the current season, the PGA Tour is preparing to wrap up the season and shift focus to the new year. But 2026 will not begin in typical fashion. The Tour has officially removed its signature season-opening event, The Sentry, from the schedule.
Originally scheduled for Jan. 8-11 at the Kapalua Plantation Course, a change from its usual venue due to ongoing drought conditions in Maui, the event has now been pulled entirely, with no confirmed timeline for its return.
Given the change, the Sony Open in Hawaii will now serve as the 2026 season opener, as announced by Tour officials on Wednesday.
Formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, The Sentry has hosted some of the sport’s most iconic victories, with past champions including Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
The reigning winner, Hideki Matsuyama, will not have the opportunity to defend his title due to logistical challenges cited by the Tour, including “shipping deadlines, tournament infrastructure and vendor support.”
“Since it first became a possibility that the PGA Tour would not be able to play at The Plantation Course at Kapalua due to the ongoing drought conditions on Maui, we worked closely with our partners at Sentry to assess options for contesting The Sentry in 2026,” PGA Tour Chief Competitions Officer Tyler Dennis told reporters. “While it is unfortunate to arrive at this decision, we are appreciative of the collaboration and dedication from Sentry Insurance, a tremendous partner of ours.”
The cancellation also means the loss of one of the Tour’s eight Signature Events for the year. However, eligible players will gain access to an additional Signature Event in 2026: the RBC Heritage, scheduled for April.
“We are appreciative of the PGA Tour’s thorough effort and communication throughout this process,” expressed Governor Josh Green, per the Tour. “Though we’re disappointed The Sentry will not be contested in 2026, we are excited that the beauty and Aloha Spirit of the islands will be showcased to fans around the world at the Sony Open in Hawaii and with the PGA Tour Champions event at Hualali.”
From 1986 to 2013, The Sentry was the first event of the season. This tradition restarted in 2024 when the Tour returned to a calendar-year schedule, and it will now mark the end of a historic run.
Even though things are different now, the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions will still start their 2026 seasons in Hawaii.
The Sony Open will be held at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu from Jan. 12–18, and the Mitsubishi Electric Championship has been confirmed to take place at Hualālai Golf Club on the Big Island from Jan. 22–24.
Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus was awarded $50 million by a Florida jury after suing Nicklaus Companies, his former company financed by billionaire Howard Milstein, for defamation.
The 18-time major champion sued the company after it claimed Nicklaus was considering a $750 million deal to join LIV Golf and was no longer mentally fit to manage his business affairs.
Nicklaus met with the Saudis in 2021 but said he had turned down offers twice, according to Sports Illustrated.
Jack Nicklaus talks with his attorneys during a recess in closing arguments in Judge Reid P. Scott II’s courtroom at the Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Oct. 20, 2025.(THOMAS CORDY/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“I was offered something in excess of $100 million by the Saudis, to do the job probably similar to the one that Greg is doing,” Nicklaus said at the time. “I turned it down. Once verbally, once in writing. I said, ‘Guys, I have to stay with the PGA Tour. I helped start the PGA Tour.’”
The lawsuit said Nicklaus “had no interest in the offer and declined because he felt the PGA Tour was an important part of his legacy, and if the PGA was not in favor of a new league, he did not want to be involved,” according to ESPN.
Jack Nicklaus addresses the media prior to the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 4, 2024, in Dublin, Ohio.(Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
“These are the people who planted a story,” Nicklaus’ attorney, Eugene Stearns, said in his closing argument, via the Palm Beach Post. “The story is a lie. … What that they wanted to create in the minds of the public is Jack Nicklaus is an old guy who sold out to the Saudis.”
The Palm Beach Post said that the jury found the defendants spread false information that damaged Nicklaus’ reputation that led to “ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust, or contempt.”
“It’s always hard in a defamation case to prove damages to reputation, because in particular for a guy like Jack, it’s always such a good one,” Stearns added in a comment to ESPN. “But I think what was important was the dispute that arose 3½ years ago when the company told the world that Jack was selling out the PGA Tour for the Saudi golf, when it was not true. So, we’re happy that Jack’s been vindicated.”
Jack Nicklaus stands on the 18th hole during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
Nicklaus, 85, is widely considered one of, and perhaps the greatest, golfers of all time, having won 73 total events. His 18 majors are the most ever—three more than Tiger Woods, who is tied with Sam Snead for the most PGA wins with 82.
Nicklaus’ last major was the 1986 Masters, which he won 24 years after his first.
Florida police are investigating after more than $160,000 in damage was caused to a golf course. Officers were called to the Club at Venetian Bay in New Smyrna Beach on Sunday morning after the general manager found deep tire marks and ruts torn into one of the greens. He said about 7,000 square feet of turf was damaged. A witness said they saw a truck doing donuts on the course at around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, but couldn’t get a tag number or description. Police said they’re still investigating, and no one has been arrested.Photos
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. —
Florida police are investigating after more than $160,000 in damage was caused to a golf course.
Officers were called to the Club at Venetian Bay in New Smyrna Beach on Sunday morning after the general manager found deep tire marks and ruts torn into one of the greens.
He said about 7,000 square feet of turf was damaged.
A witness said they saw a truck doing donuts on the course at around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, but couldn’t get a tag number or description.
Police said they’re still investigating, and no one has been arrested.
TAMPA, Fla. — Just like her favorite singer, Taylor Swift, Caddie Schelle is fearless.
A brain bleed may have knocked her down. But this Bloomingdale High golfer defied the odds and got back up. As she goes through the paces of her rehabilitation, Schelle continues to impress.
What You Need To Know
Bloomingdale High golfer Caddie Schelle suffered a brain bleed during a high school practice
She was taken on an air flight to Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital
She has been through extensive rehabilitation, relearning how to walk and talk
“Caddie represents what we all think we can be and that is resilient, strong, determined,” her dad, Rob Schelle, said. “She is just showing everybody that there aren’t limitations.”
The Schelles’ world turned upside down on Aug. 12 when Caddie collapsed during a golf practice. She was taken to Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital on an air flight, and that’s when the fight for her life began.
The rupture in her brain affects her left side. She has had to relearn how to walk and talk and basically do everything again.
“You think you know your kid after 15-and-a-half years of bringing them up,” Rob Schelle said. “We can’t be more proud.”
The rehab is not easy. There’s pain at times. But Caddie is focused on one thing. No matter how hard the task is, no matter how much her head hurts, each step she takes gets her closer to the golf course.
“I just want to go hit some balls,” Caddie said.
The golf community can’t wait for her return. Various fundraisers have been held for the Schelle family — a lot of people reaching out, wanting to help and praying for Caddie. Her fight has touched so many. And it’s inspired so many.
“She’s always said she wants to change the world, and it’s been amazing to see her change it,” her mother, Kilene, said. “Like, she’s changed our community, she’s changed.”
