Tag: Merit

Scottie Scheffler has been voted PGA Tour player of the year over Masters champion Jon Rahm; a new season of golf begins on Thursday with The Sentry – live on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm on Thursday

Scottie Scheffler has been named PGA Tour Player of the Year as he won the Jack Nicklaus Award for a second consecutive year.

Scheffler is the first player to win Player of the Year honours in back-to-back seasons since Tiger Woods won the award in three straight years from 2005-2007.

The 27-year-old won twice during the 2022-23 season, successfully defending his title at the WM Phoenix Open and winning The Players Championship by five strokes.

In 23 starts, Scheffler recorded 13 top-fives and 17 top-10s, both high marks for any player in a single season on the tour since 2005.

He also set the PGA Tour record for most Official Money earned in a single season at $21,014,342, breaking his own record set last season ($14,046,910).

The Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards are determined by a member vote, with PGA Tour members who played in at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2022-23 season eligible to vote.

Scheffler received 38 per cent of the vote for the Jack Nicklaus Award and was selected over four other nominees: Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

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Scottie Scheffler sunk a 20ft putt to win the 2023 Players Championship to return to the top of the world rankings

Eric Cole, the only rookie to advance to the 2023 BMW Championship, has been announced as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, receiving the Arnold Palmer Award.

Cole recorded two runner-up finishes on the season, including the 2023 Cognizant Classic (lost in a play-off) and the 2023 Zozo Championship.

Cole received 51 per cent of the vote for the Arnold Palmer Award and was selected over three other nominees: Ludvig Åberg, Nico Echavarria and Vincent Norrman.

New season of golf begins on Thursday

The 2024 PGA Tour season begins with The Sentry from January 4-7, held on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii – live on Sky Sports Golf with the first round starting at 6pm.

World No 1 Scheffler leads the field which includes Team Europe Ryder Cup stars Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Aberg, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

Watch the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and all of the majors in 2024 exclusively live on Sky Sports. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – just £21 a month for six months.

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“I was probably judgemental of the guys that went at the start and I think that was a bit of a mistake on my part,” concedes Rory McIlroy; McIlroy hopes “this division” in golf ends soon amid continuing extended talks between established tours and Saudi’s PIF over framework agreement

Rory McIlroy has expressed regret at being “too judgemental” on the tranche of players who initially defected to LIV Golf.

McIlroy, who had been initially outspoken in his criticism of the players who joined the Saudi-funded series in 2022, admitted he “basically went through the last two years with this altruistic approach of looking at the world in the way I’ve wanted to see” but had now “accepted reality” and that LIV is “part of our sport now”.

“I was probably judgemental of the guys that went at the start and I think that was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise not everyone’s in my position or in Tiger [Woods]’ position,” McIlroy told the Stick to Football podcast with Sky Bet.

“You get this offer and what do you do?

“We all turned professional to make a living playing the sports that we do and I think that’s what I realised over the past two years, I can’t judge people for making that decision.

“So if I regret anything it was probably being too judgemental at the start.”

Asked how his relationship was with the players who had switched from the established tours, McIlroy replied: “Most things are cool, the one thing that has bothered me is I think we have all grown up and played on European Tour, PGA Tour and that has given us a platform to turn in to who we have and give us the profile.

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Rory McIlroy say its ‘certainly strange’ not having Ryder Cup veterans Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter around and it’ll really hit them this week.

“So when people have played that for, say, 15 or 20 years and then they jump to LIV and then they just start talking cr** about where they’ve come from, that’s what bothers me because you wouldn’t be in this position if you didn’t have what you had coming up.”

McIlroy added: “I don’t begrudge anyone for going and taking that money and doing something different but don’t try and burn the place down on your way out.

“That’s sort of my attitude towards it because some people are happy playing in the existing structure, and that’s totally fine too. But I think it’s just created this division that hopefully will stop in the near future because I think it’s the best thing for golf.”

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Relive Rory McIlroy’s two wins, which saw him claim a fifth Race to Dubai title, and his starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph.

The 34-year-old, a four-time major winner and current world No 2, said he had “never had an offer” from LIV to switch himself.

“I just didn’t engage,” he added. “At this point I’ve pretty much set my stall out.”

More to follow…

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Masters champion Jon Rahm will feature in the LIV Golf League from the 2024 season, with the Spaniard since suspended by the PGA Tour; Greg Norman anticipates more players to join the Saudi-backed circuit before the new campaign in February

LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman believes more PGA Tour players are interested in signing up for the 2024 season after Jon Rahm made his switch to the Saudi-backed circuit.

Rahm ended weeks of speculation about his golfing future when he committed to LIV Golf in a reported nine-figure deal, with the Masters champion joining a roster already containing multiple major champions.

The Spaniard has subsequently been suspended by the PGA Tour for moving to LIV Golf, with Norman expecting “more apples falling from the tree” ahead of the new campaign in February.

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Rich Beem gave his reaction to Jon Rahm’s dramatic move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf

“To have Jon [Rahm] on board was critically important to our next steps into the future and what we want to do,” Norman told the BBC’s World Business Report. “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree – there’s no question about it, because LIV continues to grow and develop.”

“Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up. I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board. Time will tell. Right now, our roster is very close to being filled but maybe within two or three [players].

“It tells you the value of what our platform is, where these PGA Tour players see the opportunity that LIV offers. All the guys that play on LIV are just so happy about the decision that they’ve made.

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Sky Sports News’ Jamie Weir explains what impact Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf means for the sport as a whole

“LIV is a different platform to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour and the players want to do both quite honestly, so we’ve created something special. It’s a franchise, it’s a team model and they have embraced it 100 per cent.”

Could LIV move away from 54-hole events?

Defending individual champion Talor Gooch says “discussions will be had” about expanding the LIV Golf format from 54 to 72 holes.

Talor Gooch won three LIV Golf League events in 2023

Gooch’s comments follow the circuit’s signing of Rahm, who previously criticised the Saudi-backed league’s format of 54-hole, no-cut events with shotgun starts.

“We haven’t had an open forum discussion with all the players,” Gooch told Golf Digest. “But you get both sides … guys who would welcome (playing 72 holes) and some guys who are opposed to it. Discussions will be had and it will be interesting to see what comes of it.

“I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different; I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes.

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Former professional golfer Brandel Chamblee believes Jon Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf is motivated by money and says the move is ‘short-sighted’

“Part of it, too, from my experience on the PGA Tour, was Thursdays are just irrelevant from a fan perspective (except for) only a couple times a year.”

Playing only 54 holes was one of the reasons why LIV’s application to receive Official World Golf Ranking points was denied in October, meaning those involved in the league continue to fall down the world rankings and put their qualification status for majors under threat.

Rahm to stay away from public events

Rahm said on Wednesday that he has decided to lay low and would avoid public events until February after agreeing to switch to LIV Golf, with the Spaniard surprised to find TV cameras at an event he was attending in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao.

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After Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf was confirmed, we take a look back at some of his remarks about the rival tour over the past year

“I didn’t think there would be any cameras and that it would be a bit more intimate,” Rahm told a select audience at the Sociedad Bilbaina hall, where he was to receive the ‘Dama Bilbaina’ prize in recognition of his sporting career.

“I am under very strict instructions not to do public events, which I have imposed on myself a little bit for myself, and for the change I have given to the world of golf in the last week,” Rahm said, giving a categorical “No!” when asked if he was planning to give an interview.

“There will be nothing until February, I’m not allowed to.”

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Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley says there has been a ‘seismic shift’ in golf following Jon Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf

PGA Tour members demand information over future plans

A group of 21 PGA Tour players have employed law firm Susman Godfrey LLP to address a letter to the PGA Tour policy board, demanding more transparency over ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and an outside equity group.

The PGA Tour said in a memo on Sunday that it is advancing negotiations with the PIF, as a deadline to finalize details from the June 6 framework agreement approaches on December 31, but is also in talks with a consortium of US professional sports owners.

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Rickie Fowler insists he’s not affected by Jon Rahm’s shock move to LIV Golf, but concedes it’s not good for the sport to be divided

With the future of men’s professional golf in the balance, players like Chez Reavie, James Hahn and former Masters champion Danny Willett were among those wanting to know what’s coming.

“The board has recently received multiple bids by prospective capital partners that will potentially transform how the PGA Tour operates, who controls it, and who owns it,” attorney Jacob Buchdahl wrote.

“All but a handful of PGA Tour players have been kept entirely in the dark about the prospective transaction, how it will impact them, and what conflicts of interest may impact the decision-makers.

“We demand full disclosure of the details and analyses of any proposals by prospective capital partners, which should be shared promptly with all tour players.”

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan in memo to players: “In accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations, Jon Rahm has been notified he is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play due to his association with a series of unauthorised tournaments”

The PGA Tour has notified Jon Rahm he has been suspended indefinitely for signing with Saudi-funded LIV Golf, a move which sees him removed from the FedEx Cup eligibility points list.

After weeks of speculation, Rahm confirmed on Thursday that he had signed for LIV Golf in a deal understood to be worth up to £450m.

Rahm himself had stated an intention to retain his PGA Tour membership, but as has been the approach since the inaugural LIV event in June 2022, each member to join the rival circuit has been banned, with Rahm the latest despite golf’s potential merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi’s PIF.

Rahm, a former critic of LIV, will be the highest-ranked player to join the league, with the world No 3 enjoying an impressive 2023 that saw him win four times on the PGA Tour – including victory at The Masters – and be part of Europe’s successful Ryder Cup team.

“As you will recall, last year we communicated our commitment to ensure that suspended members do not negatively impact other players’ tournament eligibility, position on the Priority Rankings or eligibility to compete in the Players and Signature Events,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a memo to players.

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After Rahm’s move to LIV Golf was confirmed, we take a look back at some of his remarks about the rival tour over the past year

“Consequently the Policy Board established a new ranking – called the ‘FedEx Cup Playoffs & Eligibility Points List’ – that removes players who are under suspension for their participation in an unauthorised tournament or their association with a series of unauthorised tournaments from the FedEx Cup Points List.

“In accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations, Jon Rahm has been notified that he is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play due to his association with a series of unauthorised tournaments.”

Mackenzie Hughes and Carl Yuan are the immediate beneficiaries of Rahm’s decision to sign with the rival league.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan released a memo to players confirming Rahm’s suspension

Hughes goes from No 51 to No 50, and now is eligible for all seven of the $20m signature events in 2024. It also means Yuan, who was signed up for Q-school this week, moves up one spot to No 125 and has a full PGA Tour card for next year.

The tour last year distinguished between the FedEx Cup standings and a separate list related to eligibility for the postseason and for status. The distinction was so players defecting to LIV would not have a negative impact on those who stayed behind.

Among those who benefited last year were Rickie Fowler, who got into the postseason because of all the players who left for LIV; and Jimmy Walker and Rory Sabbatini, who moved up on the career money list and were able to use one-time exemptions to keep full status.

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Butch Harmon believes Rahm’s departure might increase the urgency of the PGA Tour to form a merger with LIV Golf

This year, Hughes narrowly missed out on the top 50. He kept his 51st position through the autumn, which only would have guaranteed him spots in the first two $20m events. Now the Canadian can count on the likes of the Wells Fargo Championship in his home residence of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Social media had been buzzing about the possibility of Tony Finau – he and Rahm are close friends – also leaving for LIV. Finau took to Instagram on Monday and said he was “looking forward to playing my 10th season on the PGA Tour”.

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Rich Beem gave his reaction to Rahm’s dramatic move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf

“See y’all in Maui!” he concluded, adding the hash tag, “#imnotleaving.”

Monahan also said in the memo that the policy board and management recently met with a group of players upset that signature events will offer disproportionately more FedEx Cup points than the other events, leading to concerns it will be difficult for players outside the top 50 to fairly compete.

Monahan said the board will review how the new system is working in June and evaluate whether changes are in order for 2025.

Camilo Villegas recently broke a nine-year title drought and shares his journey which includes the passing of his daughter, Mia, in 2020 and why he has the words ‘attitude’ and ‘positive energy’ as tattoos; Watch every PGA Tour event live on Sky Sports Golf in 2024

I enjoyed two very special weeks in November where I finished runner-up in the World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico and then went on to win the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

It’s been a real journey, and life is a journey where it goes up and down. You’ve got to go back to that Colombian kid who came to the US with a dream, played college golf, played the Korn Ferry Tour in 2005 and then everything kicked off on the PGA Tour and I managed to win a couple of FedExCup Playoffs events in 2008.

You would think that kid was on top of the world – and I was at a point in time. I was feeling pretty good from a performance point of view.

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After claiming his first victory in nine years, Camilo Villegas shared why his win in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship was such an emotional moment for him.

But as I look at where I am now and everything that has happened, I believe I’m a better person. Maybe the results haven’t been there but this journey has been interesting.

To lose my PGA Tour card, to go through an injury, to lose my baby daughter in 2020, to create Mia’s Miracles (a charitable initiative to help others facing challenges), to go back to the Korn Ferry Tour, to keep grinding, to have doubts, to have fears, to have tears, have smiles – you just never know where life takes you.

Despite all the doubts, I never stopped waking up early, 5-5.30am, in the morning to do what I like to do because in all honesty, the cool thing about those two weeks is not so much the results but the process and what’s been behind those results.

As much as I enjoy reflecting on my win and the energy that I have received from the world of golf and those outside of golf, trust me, it’s been unbelievable. I had 900 messages on my phone and I’m going to reply to all of them.

To lose my PGA Tour card, to go through an injury, to lose my baby daughter in 2020, to create Mia’s Miracles, to go back to the Korn Ferry Tour, to keep grinding, to have doubts, to have fears, to have tears, have smiles – you just never know where life takes you.

Camilo Villegas

It’s unbelievable to be honest. You kind of stop believing after nine years but I never stopped waking up early and putting in the work. You’ve got to keep a path and keep your mind to where it needs to be. I’m a hard worker and I love having a purpose every morning and that’s kind of what I did.

I’ve got tattoos on my arms which says ‘attitude’ and ‘positive energy’ and sometimes, I forget to look at them. There are a lot of things you can’t control in life, but I guess these two, you can.

You’ve got to have good attitude in life, and it’s easier said than done at times. And energy, you can bring the energy not only to yourself but to the people around you and that’s something we all should strive for.

There were bumps but that’s life. I wish my little Mia is here with us but she’s not and she’s truly in a better place after a long battle that she wasn’t going to win.

I accepted that. We turned that tragedy into something very positive with Mia’s Miracles. My wife reads messages from people we help on Mia’s Miracles every week and I go, ‘Man, if Mia was here, we wouldn’t be able to do this’.

At the beginning of the year, things were not going great and I made a little swing change. I’ve never been too excited about big swing changes but I trusted the guy I started working with, Jose Campra, and he told me he needed a year. I’m glad it took less than that, as here we are with a trophy.

Interestingly, I never felt so comfortable being in contention during those two weeks. It’s weird, even strange. When I was in contention back in the day, I didn’t have this calmness.

I’ve got to analyse what happened and try to replicate it more often. I was good at reacting to missed putts or lip-outs, which I’m not used to being like that before. There was a calmness in me.

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Highlights from the fourth round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course, Bermuda.

It was nice to have the Latin players come out to celebrate with me on the 18th green. I guess it was also payback as I sprayed Nico Echavarria with champagne when he won the Puerto Rico Open and he got me back. It’s great as it’s two wins for two Colombians this year, both guys growing up on the same golf course in Medellin.

I tell my wife all the time that if we do things in the right way, people will look at you in a positive way and respect you. I think that’s what I try to do. I enjoy being around the younger generation and sharing what I’ve lived.

Life is about experiences. You get good and bad ones and you try to learn from both. I was young once too and I had guys who helped me throughout my career.

I always want to accomplish more but I’m at peace with what I’ve accomplished already. It’s all about sharing it with others, especially the Latin kids who represent our region and grow the game of golf in South America.

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Jon Rahm reportedly considering LIV offer of around $600m; USA pair Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele two more names that have been tied to LIV rumours; Woods: “Hypothetically would it surprise me? Yes, but there’s so many different things that have happened”

Tiger Woods says he would be surprised if rumours that several big-name players are on the verge of signing with LIV Golf prove to be true.

Some media reports have suggested Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion and world’s No 3-ranked player, is weighing an offer of around $600m to sign with the Saudi-backed league. United States Ryder Cup stalwarts Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are two more names that have been tied to LIV rumours.

Without being asked about specific players, Woods was asked if the rumours surprise him.

“Hypothetically would it surprise me? Yes, but there’s so many different things that have happened in the last 48 hours, but also in the last few weeks,” Woods said after his second round at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. “Things have changed and will continue to change.”

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said earlier this week that a December 31 deadline to finalise an agreement with the Public Investment Fund and the DP World Tour remains “a firm target”.

“Our deadline’s coming up here soon, so there’s a lot of moving parts,” Woods said. “A lot of different things are happening very quickly because we know, you know, I think today’s the first day in December. We don’t have a whole lot of time.”

Woods, who had no knowledge of the framework agreement at the time of the announcement in June, has since joined the PGA Tour’s Policy Board as a player director. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy left the board and was recently replaced by Jordan Spieth.

Woods instead preferred to focus on the upcoming deadline for golf’s merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF

Spieth, who is tied for the lead at Albany Golf Club, acknowledged that losing Rahm to LIV would be a big blow to the PGA Tour.

“I’m not sure specifically how it would impact those negotiations, but all in all, Jon Rahm is one of the biggest assets that we have on the PGA Tour,” he said.

“So it would be really not very good for us in general because we want to play against the best players in the world and that’s what Jon is.

“I know there’s been some guys that have talked to him. I know he’s maybe weighing some decisions, maybe not. I really don’t know, so I don’t want to insult him and say he’s weighing decisions if he already knows he’s not or he is. You know, that’s somewhat out of my control in a way.

“Obviously, I could speak probably on behalf of 200-plus PGA Tour players in saying that we really hope that he’s continuing with us.”

Jordan Spieth, who has joined the PGA Tour’s Policy Board as a player director, says Rahm moving to LIV would ‘really not be very good’

Scottie Scheffler said this week that he’s “extremely grateful” for Woods’ involvement, and the world’s No 1-ranked player is in the Bahamas competing in his first stroke play event since the Tour Championship. Noticeably absent, however, are Rahm, Cantlay and Schauffele.

Rahm did not commit to this year’s event, while Cantlay and Schauffele withdrew last month, further fueling speculation they may join LIV.

Rahm also recently pulled out of the Woods and McIlroy backed TGL, citing the time commitment, although the league has since delayed its debut until 2025 after the roof of its facility collapsed and caused damage. Cantlay and Schauffele are among the marquee players who had committed to the league.

While acknowledging the rumours swirling, Woods sidestepped a second question about whether he’d be surprised by more marquee defections to LIV.

“Nothing has really surprised me other than the fact that there’s so many different things that have happened so fast,” he said. “That’s one of the things that all of our – all of us as player-directors we’ve been working on, just that everything is now at a time crunch.

“It’s 24 hours a day just trying to figure it out.”

Ryder Cup stars Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood in the group two back; Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton are four behind; Rory McIlroy 10 back after a level-par 72; Watch the third round live on Saturday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf

Nicolai Hojgaard produced a sensational final-hole eagle to take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the DP World Tour Championship, as Rory McIlroy slipped out of contention.

Hojgaard held a share of the overnight lead and recovered from two bogeys in his first four holes on Friday to card a six-under 66 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, moving him to 11 under and clear of the logjam at the top of the leaderboard.

The Dane reached the turn in level par before following a 20-foot birdie at the 10th with three more in a five-hole stretch from the 13th, then fired his approach at the par-five last to within six feet and converted the eagle putt for the halfway advantage.

Hojgaard’s Ryder Cup team-mates Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland matched his 66 to sit in tied-second alongside Jens Dantorp, Antoine Rozner and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who charged into contention with a bogey-free 64.

Lawrence posted an eagle and six birdies to move to nine under, while Fleetwood made three birdies in a four-hole stretch and Hovland birdied three of his last five holes to also sit in the share of second.

More to follow…

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LPGA players will compete for a record £95m ($118m) next season, LPGA Tour officials have announced.

The 2024 total prize fund represents a 69 per cent increase from 2021’s figure of approximately £56m ($70m).

“The 2024 LPGA Tour schedule reflects our historic growth,” commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said. “With new events and improved geographic flow, enhancing the athlete experience, our global reach and competitiveness have never been stronger.

“As we embark on this season, we celebrate the remarkable journey of women’s golf, anticipating thrilling competition and unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.”

The schedule features a record 16 tournaments with purses of at least £1.93m ($2.4m), including 10 events outside the majors and Tour Championship. An increase in the CME Group Tour Championship’s purse from £5.6m to
£8.8m was announced on Wednesday.

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The best of the action from day three of the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Spain

Take a look at the dates, venues and tournament schedule for the 2024 LPGA Tour (as of November 16):

January 18-21- Hilton Grand Vacations, Orlando, Florida

January 25-28 – LPGA Drive On Championship, Bradenton, Florida

February 22-25 – Honda LPGA ,Chonburi, Thailand

February 29 – March 3: HSBC Women’s World Championship, Singapore

March 7-10 – Blue Bay LPGA, Hainan Island, People’s Rep. of China

March 21-24 – Seri Pak LA Open, Palos Verdes Estates, California

March 28-31 – Arizona Championship, Phoenix, Arizona

April 3-7 – LPGA Match Play, Las Vegas, Nevada

April 18-21 – The Chevron Championship, The Woodlands, Texas

April 25-28 – JM Eagle LA Championship, Los Angeles, California

May 9-12 – Cognizant Founders Cup, Clifton, New Jersey

May 16-19 – Mizuho Americas Open, Jersey City, New Jersey

May 30-June 2 – US Women’s Open, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

June 7-9 – ShopRite LPGA Classic, Galloway, New Jersey

June 13-16 – Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, Grand Rapids, Michigan

June 20-23 – KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Sammamish, Washington

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Highlights from the fourth round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship where Ruoning Yin claimed her maiden major

June 27-30 – Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Midland, Michigan

July 11-14: Amundi Evian Championship, Evian-les-Bains, France

July 18-21: Dana Open for Children, Sylvania, Ohio

July 25-28: CPKC Women’s Open, Alberta, Canada

August 1-4: Portland Classic, Portland, Oregon

August 8-11: 2024 Paris Olympics, Paris, France

August 15-18: Women’s Scottish Open, TBD, Scotland

August 22-25: AIG Women’s Open, Fife, Scotland

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Highlights from the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath as Lilia Vu claimed her second major title of the season

August. 29-September 1: FM Global Championship, Norton, Massachusetts

September 13-15: Solheim Cup, Gainesville, Virginia

September 19-22: Kroger Queen City Championship, Cincinnati, Ohio

September 27-29: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, Rogers, Arkansas

October 10-13: Buick LPGA Shanghai, Shanghai, People’s Rep. of China

October 17-20: BMW Ladies Championship, TBD, Republic of Korea

October 24-27: Maybank Championship, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Celine Boutier takes victory at the LPGA Maybank Championship following an incredible nine-hole playoff with Atthaya Thitikul

October 31-November 3: TOTO Japan Classic, Shiga, Japan

November 6-9: LOTTE Championship, Oahu, Hawaii

November 14-17: The ANNIKA driven, Belleair, Florida

November 21-24: CME Group Tour Championship, Naples, Florida

December 13-15: Grant Thornton Invitational, Naples, Florida

Watch all the men’s and women’s majors in 2024 exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf! Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more with NOW.

A long birdie putt on the last hole of her round put Brooke Henderson into a one-shot lead following the opening day of The ANNIKA Driven By Gainbridge At Pelican; coverage continues on Sky Sports Golf from 3pm on Friday

Brooke Henderson opened with an eight-under-par 62 to established a one-shot lead after the first round of The ANNIKA Driven By Gainbridge At Pelican.

The Canadian made a long birdie putt on her final hole, the par-three ninth, for a 29 on the front nine to move past a group which included Jin Young Ko and Patty Tavatanakit.

Henderson won the LPGA season opener in Florida and has not won since, falling to No 13 in the women’s world ranking and coming in at No 14 in the Race to CME Globe.

“Up until this year, ball-striking has definitely been a strength of mine, and hasn’t been as sharp as I would like the last couple months,” Henderson, who switched irons recently and felt she was headed in the right direction, said.

“To hit all 18 greens is more what I used to be used to a little while ago. It feels amazing not to have to get up and down and give myself a lot of birdie opportunities.”

This is the last tournament for the top 60 players to reach the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship down the coast in Naples. That is not an issue for Henderson or Ko, who is No 5 on the strength of two LPGA victories.

It is a different story for the others who were at 63, however. Tavatanakit, a former major champion, is at No 61 and got off to the ideal start.

“Obviously, I knew what I had to do,” Tavatanakit said. “I’m pretty stressed, but at the same time, I feel like I did everything under my control.

“I did everything with no regrets. I’m just going to be out here and know at the back of my mind that I did everything I could.”

Emily Kristine Pedersen is at No 80 and Minami Katsu of Japan is at No 78, and they also shot 63. Katsu rallied late on a beautiful day at Pelican Golf Club, starting the back nine with five birdies in six holes to get near the top of the leaderboard.

Lexi Thompson, playing for the first time since missing the cut by three shots in Las Vegas on the PGA Tour, opened with a 64 and was in a five-way tie for sixth. She has gone more than four years without winning, and she’ll likely need to finish third or better to make it to the season finale in Naples.

Thompson started on the back nine, made the turn and ran off four birdies in five holes.

“I just went into the day knowing I had to make birdies,” Thompson said. “It was perfect weather – maybe five miles per hour when it gusted – so ideal weather for us.

“I knew I had to make birdies, but I just tried to stick to my game plan with my swing shots and fire at the pins and give myself as many birdie opportunities.”

Defending champion Nelly Korda opened with a 70, while Lydia Ko had to settle for a 67, and at No 101 in the Race to CME Globe, she likely would have to be alone in second to reach the Tour Championship and defend her title.

Coverage of The ANNIKA Driven By Gainbridge At Pelican continues live on Sky Sports Golf from 3pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 4.30pm on Friday. Also stream with NOW.

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Mone Inami wins Toto Japan Classic on home soil to claim maiden LPGA Tour victory; defending champion Gemma Dryburgh three shots back in sixth after seven-under final round; Nasa Hataoka’s hopes fade with two-over 74, including double bogey

Defending champion Gemma Dryburgh finished tied sixth at the Toto Japan Classic with a seven-under-par final round leaving the Scottish player three strokes behind winner Mone Inami.

Dryburgh, who won this event by four shots in 2022, made four birdies on her front nine and three more coming home during a blemish-free Sunday at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course.

The 30-year-old ended on 19-under-par for the tournament with Japan’s Inami triumphing on home soil on 22-under, one clear of compatriot Shiho Kuwaki and South Korea’s Seon Woo Bae.

Mone Inami won by one stroke in Japan for her first LPGA Tour victory

Inami trailed Kuwaki and fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka by one heading into the final day but a three-under 69 was enough to take the title as Kuwaki carded a 71 and Hataoka stumbled to a 74.

Hataoka’s two-over round included a bogey at the fourth and double bogey at the 15th.

Inami’s victory was the 13th of her career but first on the LPGA Tour, with the win earning her LPGA Tour membership for the remainder of this season and the entirety of 2024.

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Collin Morikawa ended a two-year winless run by cruising to an impressive sixth PGA Tour title and six-shot victory at the Zozo Championship in Japan.

Morikawa, without a worldwide win since the DP World Tour Championship in November 2021, overturned a two-shot deficit in an impressive display on the final day at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba.

The two-time major champion fired seven birdies in a bogey-free 63 to end the week on 14 under, seeing him pull clear of closest challengers Eric Cole and Beau Hossler.

Morikawa carded a bogey-free 63 to end the week on 14 under

Morikawa struck his tee shot at the par-three third to inside four feet to set up a his opening birdie of the day, with three more on a four-hole stretch from the sixth seeing him reach the turn three ahead.

The American added to his birdie tally at the 12th and poured in from 15 feet at the 15th, before producing an impressive par-save at the 17th and signing off his victory with a final-hole birdie.

More to follow…

What’s next?

The PGA Tour takes a week off before heading to Mexico for the World Wide Technology Championship, with coverage live next month on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday November 2 from 8.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream all your favourite sports – including golf – with NOW.

Maja Stark leads the way at the halfway mark of the Buick LPGA Shanghai after moving to 10-under on Friday; Stark was only one stroke off the tournament’s 36-hole record of 134 with a two-under 68; Danielle Kang, defending champion, is tied for second with China’s Yu Liu

Maja Stark leads two-time champion Danielle Kang and home favourite Yu Liu of China by one stroke after two rounds at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.

Stark kept a hold of her first-round lead and moved to 10-under with a two-under 68 in Friday’s second round at the 6,672-yard Qizhong Garden Golf Club. She finished one stroke off the tournament’s 36-hole record of 134.

Kang, who won the last two titles here in 2018-19 prior to the pandemic, and Liu both carded scores of 67. Another shot back at eight-under are Spain’s Azahara Munoz (66 Thursday), Japan’s Yuna Nishimura (67) and Pavarisa Yoktuan of Thailand (68).

Stark is seeking her first victory since winning her maiden LPGA title at the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational.

“I think I played a little bit better than yesterday actually because I hit better shots. Obviously didn’t make as many putts as I did yesterday, but overall my game felt better,” said Stark, who recorded five birdies with one bogey at the par 3 seventh hole after missing the green.

“I’m really excited to play with (Liu). On her home soil I think she’s going to be ready to play really well. Her home course, I didn’t actually know that, but I feel like I could maybe get some tips because it’s pretty tricky out there. Maybe I’ll steal some of her strategies.”

Maja Stark was one of Europe’s Solheim Cup heroes last month

After one birdie and one bogey through eight holes, Liu birdied five of the next six – four straight from 11-14 – to join the final grouping.

“To be honest, pretty low expectations coming in because I’m not good at playing in the rain, so I knew the forecast was pretty much going to rain all throughout the round, which it did,” Liu said. “So I just feel like, my goal today was just to get through the round without making too much damage. I feel like I did a pretty good job.”

Liu tied for ninth in 2018 and tied for third in 2019 in the first two editions of the event. Kang finished strong with four birdies in her last six holes.

“I have hit some good drives,” Kang said. “Keep giving myself some good opportunities it be able to hit the second shots and stuff, so game has been feeling good for a little bit.”

First-round co-leader Wichanee Meechai shot 72 to slip into a six-way tie for eighth at 6-under. World No 1 Lilia Vu is tied for 14th at five-under after a second-round 67 with seven birdies and two bogeys.

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Home hero Robert MacIntyre and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood were the big draws in Scotland after starring in last week’s 16.5-11.5 win over the United States but it was Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts who carded a 65 at St Andrews to sit at seven under, a shot off the lead

Ryder Cup vice captain Nicolas Colsaerts showed no signs of a hangover from Europe’s triumph in Rome as he outshone three of his victorious players to sit just a shot off the lead after day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Home hero Robert MacIntyre and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood were the big draws in Scotland after starring in last week’s 16.5-11.5 win over the United States but it was Belgium’s Colsaerts who carded a 65 at St Andrews to sit at seven under, one behind Spaniard Adri Arnaus, Swede Sebastian Soderberg and American Peter Uihlein.

Soderberg had pulses racing at the thought of a 59 over the Old Course as he birdied eight of his first 10 holes but made no more progress as he was caught by Uihlein and Arnaus.

Uihlein, one of several LIV players teeing it up on an invite in Scotland, lost out in a play-off at this event 10 years ago and he was bogey-free with eight birdies at St Andrews in just his second DP World Tour event in five years.

Arnaus was playing at Carnoustie – the toughest of the three layouts this week – and he was also bogey-free, starting with three birdies and adding an eagle on the 14th in a 64.

Colsaerts was playing the Old Course and he made five opening birdies after starting at the tenth, bogeying the treacherous Road Hole but picking up further shots on the first, third and fifth.

The 65 was his lowest score of a season where he has made just five cuts in 20 starts, and the 40-year-old admitted he had been inspired by last week’s win in Italy.

“Inspiration to say the least,” he said. “I’ve always thought there was still a little bit of a stud inside me but when you get to spend a week with 12 of them, we’re trying to land as softly as possible from the high of a couple of days ago.

“Everything felt a little bit gloomy and dark after the ride of emotions last week, and no expectations whatsoever, and started hitting good shots and played a lovely round.

“When you throw anybody with a bit of talent in last week and then you play golf the week after, it is inspirational.”

Home favourite Grant Forrest was alongside Colsaerts after playing Kingsbarns, two clear of Fitzpatrick, four ahead of Fleetwood and five clear of MacIntyre, with the Ryder Cup trio having all taken on Carnoustie on day one.

Team Europe and Team USA practiced at Marco Simone on Tuesday ahead of the Ryder Cup; Luke Donald looking to avenge 19-9 loss at Whistling Straits in 2021; Watch the opening day live on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf

A look at the latest storylines from Rome ahead of the Ryder Cup, including potential Team Europe pairings, Jordan Spieth’s likely partner, challenging conditions and possible drama ahead at Marco Simone GC…

Early look at Europe’s pairings

As always during the practice days before the Ryder Cup gets under way, we try to second-guess the captains by seeing who is playing with who during the practice rounds.

Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka and Tommy Fleetwood teed off in Europe’s first group on Tuesday, with the second fourball being Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. The final four on the tee were Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Nicolai Hojgaard and Bob MacIntyre.

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As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at the best shots from his six appearances in the competition

McIlroy’s group played with their own balls on the front nine but then switched it up to foursomes on the back nine, with McIlroy and Fleetwood forming a foursomes team taking on Lowry and Straka. Perhaps we could see McIlroy and Fleetwood together in Friday morning foursomes?

Team USA giving away big clues?

When he faced the media, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said we shouldn’t read too much into Tuesday’s pairings, but it seems a bit more straightforward on who we could see playing together for Team USA on Friday.

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Luke Donald says his Ryder Cup team can take inspiration from the European team’s success in the Solheim Cup

In their first group out, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were joined by Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, who are two readymade pairings we’ve seen in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups in years gone by.

The second group featured Collin Morikawa and Max Homa; a pair of California boys who are good friends and played together at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans earlier this year, with Rickie Fowler and Brian Harman also in that fourball.

Their third fourball saw world No 1 Scottie Scheffler together with Sam Burns, a pairing we saw at last year’s Presidents Cup, with Brooks Koepka and Wyndham Clark completing that group.

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As Team Europe prepare to take on Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, take a look at Jon Rahm’s best shots from his two appearances in the tournament

‘Gentleman’ Spieth to stick with Thomas?

Dharmesh Sheth: “I wanted to give you a little insight into what a gentleman Jordan Spieth is. I saw him at the driving range on Monday and asked him for a couple of minutes of his time for Sky Sports News, to which he replied ‘I can’t right now but I can do it tomorrow.’

“I saw him again a day later and said ‘I’m back, is it possible to do that interview?’. He asked if we could do it over by the chipping green and was more than happy to do so. He kept with his word and offered plenty of great insight on a variety of subjects.

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Jordan Spieth speaks to Dharmesh Sheth after practicing with his friend Justin Thomas out on the course and on the driving range

“Team USA went out for nine holes of practice on Tuesday morning, playing holes 10-18, and the two people stood alone on the driving range when we got there, shortly after they had finished, were Spieth and Justin Thomas.

“They’ve played together before in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, they practiced together and you can’t separate them. Something tells me that we may see them continuing that partnership when play gets under way.”

Drama ahead at the driveable 16th?

Marco Simone GC’s 16th hole will see plenty of drama this week. The 16th hole is always pivotal when it comes to match play, as matches can arrive there with one side two or three up and trying to close out the match, or it could be right in the balance.

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Ryder Cup Team Europe captain Luke Donald advises to not read too much in Tuesday morning’s practice pairings and adds that he has no plans to get a Ryder Cup tattoo should Europe win the competition!

The 16th here is a driveable 303-yard par-four which plays downhill, with a couple of caddies suggesting to me that their players will always take it on because laying up isn’t really an option for them.

On Tuesday, McIlroy took a five-wood and comfortably reached, as did Fleetwood with a three-wood, but the wind was behind them. It is is howling into their teeth it could be a different story.

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We explain why the opening hole of the Ryder Cup is ‘unique’ and what the players will expect at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club

With rough surrounding the green, a roll-off area at the back and a huge expanse of water to the right, it could prove a real risk-reward hole which will be entertaining for fans watching both on the course and at home.

Hot week ahead in Rome

A feature of European Ryder Cups in years gone by used to be the unpredictable weather. In both 2006 at the K Club in Ireland and in 2014 at Gleneagles in Scotland, players would arrive onto the tee box from head to toe in layers of clothes, mittens and woolly hats.

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Dame Laura Davies joins Dharmesh Sheth on the 18th hole of the Marco Simone course where she predicts there will be a nail-biting finish to this year’s Ryder Cup

In 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales, the tournament even ran over to a Monday after the heavy rain plagued the event at the start of the week. This will not be the case at Marco Simone in 2023, with temperatures forecast to be gloriously sunny and touching 30 degrees every day.

We’re in for a hot Ryder Cup. I’m told this phenomenon is called Ottobrata Romana, or a Roman October. The locals proudly boast that Rome, at this time of year, is the best place in Europe to be.

Live coverage from the opening day of the Ryder Cup begins on Friday from 6am on Sky Sports Golf. There’s also live content each day in the build-up to the tournament. Stream the PGA Tour, DP Tour, Ryder Cup and more with NOW.

Both teams claimed two points in the foursomes to leave Team USA 7-5 ahead over Team Europe; Carlota Ciganda partnered Emily Pedersen to victory while Linn Grant and Maja Stark won their match on the final hole

Swedish rookies Maja Stark and Linn Grant provided a crucial final-hole victory to ensure Team Europe stayed within two points of Team USA heading into the Saturday fourballs at the Solheim Cup.

Europe avoided a repeat of Friday’s foursomes session, where Team USA completed their first clean sweep in the format in the tournament’s history, as the hosts battled to ensure a share of the spoils and keep the deficit at two points heading into the afternoon fourballs.

Home favourite Carlota Ciganda led from the front to guide her and Emily Pedersen to an impressive 2&1 win victory over Lilia Vu and Jennifer Kupcho, before Nelly Korda and Allisen Corpuz thrashed an out-of-sorts Georgia Hall and Celine Boutier 5&3.

Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang claimed a final-hole victory over Anna Nordqvist and Leona Maguire, before Maja Stark and Linn Grant prevented Team USA from extending their advantage by seeing off Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee by the same margin.

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Play was stopped momentarily at the Solheim Cup in Spain as a greenside sprinkler was set off accidentally. A greenkeeper was forced to intervene so play could continue

More to follow…

Who will win the Solheim Cup? Watch the final day singles live on Sunday from 9am on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the Solheim Cup and more with NOW.