Tiger Woods confirms romance with Vanessa Trump. (Photo: X@Tiger Woods)
Tiger Woods has made his relationship with Vanessa Trump (47) official. The former wife of Donald Trump Jr. and onetime daughter-in-law of the 45th and 47th President of the United States confirmed the romance via a springtime post on social media platform X. The post began with a telling line: “Love is in the air…”
Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts. pic.twitter.com/ETONf1pUmI
While the new couple made headlines off the course, their children were in the spotlight on it – though with mixed results. At the prestigious Sage Valley Invitational in Graniteville, South Carolina, one of the premier junior events in American golf, both Charlie Woods and Kai Trump were in the field.
Charlie Woods finished tied for 25th out of 36 players in his age group – a modest result for the 15-year-old son of the golf legend. Kai Trump, granddaughter of the former president, finished 24th and last in her division.
The overall boys’ title went to 16-year-old Miles Russell, widely regarded as one of the brightest rising stars in U.S. golf. Russell has already teed it up twice on the PGA Tour and, in 2024, made history as the youngest player ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Viktor Hovland is back in style. At the 2025 Valspar Championship, the Norwegian staged a dramatic finish, carding three birdies over his final five holes to secure his seventh PGA Tour title—and his first since winning the FedExCup in 2023. His equipment? A trusted blend of Ping, a new power-packed TaylorMade fairway wood, and familiar Titleist tools.
Driver: Still Trusting the Ping G425 LST
When it comes to the big stick, Hovland sticks with what works. The Ping G425 LST driver, set at 9 degrees, continues to offer him consistent distance and control off the tee. The “LST” stands for Low Spin Technology, and it delivers a strong combination of accuracy and power. Hovland has long favored this model, and it once again proved reliable on the tight fairways of Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.
(Image: Ping)
New Addition: TaylorMade SIM Ti 3-Wood
One of the fresh additions to Hovland’s bag is the TaylorMade SIM Ti 3-wood. Set at 15 degrees, this titanium-built fairway wood features a hefty 80-gram V-shaped sole weight designed to reduce turf interaction and generate more clubhead speed. It’s a potent weapon both off the tee and from the fairway—perfect for aggressive play on longer holes.
(Image: TaylorMade)
Long Game Tools: Titleist Utility and Classic Ping Irons
Complementing his long game setup is the Titleist U505 utility iron, which Hovland continues to rely on in the 3-iron slot. This driving iron is known for its solid feel, high launch, and precision—ideal for controlled tee shots and approach play where hybrids might deliver too little spin.
(Image: Titleist)
From 4-iron through pitching wedge, Hovland remains loyal to the Ping i210 irons, a 2018 classic. These players’ irons pair a compact muscle-back look in the shorter irons with a thinner, more responsive face in the longer irons. It’s a setup that’s served him well over the years—and continues to do so on tour.
(Image: Ping)
Short Game Update: Ping s159 Wedges
For his wedge play, Hovland has recently transitioned to the Ping s159 wedges in 50° and 56°, both with the versatile S grind. Released in 2024, the s159 line boasts sharper grooves, optimized spin, and a buttery-soft feel—ideal for a variety of conditions around the green.
(Image: Ping)
Completing his wedge setup is a familiar piece: the Ping Glide 2.0 lob wedge at 60° with a T grind, allowing Hovland to get creative with delicate shots and challenging lies close to the pin.
(Image: Ping)
On the Greens: Trusting the Ping PLD Prototype
On the putting surface, Hovland continues to roll with his Ping PLD DS72 prototype—the same model he wielded with confidence during his FedExCup run. Its milled face and copper finish make it both a performer and a standout in the bag. On Sunday’s back nine, it once again proved its worth.
(Image: Ping)
The Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Hovland rounds out his setup with the Titleist Pro V1. Known for its slightly flatter flight and consistent spin profile, the Pro V1 delivers in all phases—especially in the short game, where its soft feel and responsive touch give Hovland the control he needs.
Jon Rahm with his Callaway driver. (Photo: Callaway Golf)
Today, Callaway Golf, the industry leader in equipment design, performance, and innovation, announced a new equipment partnership with Jon Rahm and his LIV Golf team Legion XIII.
“We are happy to partner with a world-class athlete in Jon Rahm, and his Legion XIII team,” said Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Topgolf Callaway Golf Brands. “We’re committed to being an equipment leader wherever top players are competing. Now the time is right to cement our relationship with Jon and his team – utilizing his exceptional talent and stature within the game to help engage and excite fans around the globe.”
Rahm initially joined Callaway in 2021 and has earned both of his major championship wins – the 2021 U.S. Open and The Masters at Augusta in 2023 – while playing their equipment.
For the 2025 season, the current setup in Rahm’s bag includes the all-new Elyte Triple Diamond Driver, Apex TCB Irons, a Chrome Tour X Golf Ball, and an Odyssey Ai-One Putter. By partnering with Rahm, one of the best players in the world, and his team the Company can further showcase their innovative equipment at the highest levels.
“I’m so happy to enhance this incredible relationship with Callaway and also extend it with Legion XIII,” Rahm said. “I’ve played the best golf of my career with their equipment over the past four years, and they continue to set the bar higher with every new product line. I know this partnership will have a tremendously positive impact for me and my teammates.”
The new factors in professional golf: power lust, geopolitical aspects, economic influences, elitism, plus digital fire from media people 4.0.
In this context, the news fit that Kai Trump, the US president’s ambitious niece, is now sponsored by TaylorMade with a so-called NIL contract, according to which college athletes can benefit to a certain extent from “name, image, and likeness” . The 17-year-old is a prospective student at the University of Miami and has 5.4 million followers on social media.
Meeting of Tiger Woods and Kai Trump
Only a cynic would suspect that Tiger Woods had a hand in this—after all, he has recently been very visibly and seeking proximity to power in a variety of ways, fraternizing with the Trump clique, and allowing himself to be used for their agenda in more ways than just the National Black History Month.
#WATCH: President Donald Trump alongside Tiger Woods and his son Charlie – on the range at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach this morning ahead of a round together. (Via IG / rob__schmitt) @TWlegionpic.twitter.com/rmQdH7RQhC
Prove what had to be proven: 2025 is the year in which the world’s order is being rearranged. On a large scale – politically, economically, socially – and on a small scale, in golf, for example. And everything stands and falls with the disruptor, the self-proclaimed big shot in the White House, who wants to put his stamp on everything that is of interest and useful to him on this globe. Golf, anyway. Donald Trump may not have settled the tug-of-war between the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF and the PGA Tour for an investment in the commercial venture PGA Tour Enterprises within 15 minutes, as he once boasted. But negotiations have progressed at a breathtaking pace since Agent Orange returned to the Oval Office – not least because the parties are hoping for The Donald’s diktat for the U.S. Department of Justice. Last Thursday, a delegation of the establishment was again with the president, Commissioner Jay Monahan and player representative Adam Scott, who had already been heard the other day, as well as Tiger Woods, who had been unable to attend the previous time – and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan, which was the biggest news item of the meeting.
If it wasn’t clear, Jay Monahan will indeed by referring to Yasir Al-Rumayyan as “H.E.”
Below is an update following today’s meeting at the White House between Monahan, Al-Rumayyan, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott and President Trump. pic.twitter.com/XM5xUmPe4f
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) February 20, 2025
After the hours-long meeting, the PGA Tour released the usual blah-blah statement and spoke meaninglessly of a “constructive working session”. What was significant, of course, was not only that Trump’s “leadership” was once again praised, but that Al-Rumayyan was consistently and respectfully referred to as “His Excellency”. Monahan has sounded different before, but now it is time to bow down before the new balance of power and Trump’s presidential and private economic ties with the Saudis.
The president, in turn, took advantage of Woods’ presence and celebrated a high-profile joint appearance with the 15-time major winner on the occasion of National Black History Month, which, in view of Trump’s otherwise openly displayed racism, is not without a certain irony. At a dinner for the governors of the US states the next day, the president then declared: “There is a good chance that we will make it. I think there is a very good chance.”
“And there’s Trump, who lives and breathes golf and has extensive business dealings with the Tour, with LIV and with Saudi Arabia. This is his world; in a public appearance post-meeting he led a “Ti-ger” chant and showered praise on Scott (“I’ve always tried to swing like Adam, it never worked out that way”) and he would love nothing more than to be the toast of the game.”Dylan Dethier in Golf.com
However and whenever it happens, one thing is clear: the future of golf will be defined and decided in the White House – and everything points to it being decided soon. If Trump puts the brakes on the Department of Justice, the only sticking point remaining is the future and staffing of the LIV league, which Al-Rumayyan apparently wants to hold on to.
The latest rumor was spread by Rex Hoggard from the “Golf Channel”. He claims to have learned from a LIV’ler that professionals from the rival circuit will be allowed to compete in the Players Championship (March 11-16) on the PGA Tour, of all things at their flagship event. However, the fact that the LIV event in Singapore is scheduled for that weekend speaks against this.
Bryson DeChambeau set to win the Masters? (Photo: Getty)
Numbers don’t lie: statisticians have calculated the average age of Masters winners since 2014 and come up with the following figures: 31 years old, ranked 9.4 in the world rankings, eight appearances at Augusta National Golf Club before winning the Green Jacket. Well, that all points to Bryson DeChambeau, who is currently number 10 in the OWGR and is making his ninth appearance at Augusta this year at the age of 31. The outcome of the 89th Masters seems therefore certain – Rory McIlroy will once again fail to win the first major of the year, which would also make him a career Grand Slam winner.
DeChambeau is already looking forward to the garden party in Georgia, he has made his peace with the course, which he once disrespectfully demoted to a par-67 course and paid bitterly for it. The golfing world, on the other hand, is looking forward to BDC, who – not least thanks to his social media presence and YouTube activities – is currently probably the most popular player in professional golf.
And not least because of interludes like this one: During the second round of the LIV event in Adelaide, DeChambeau hit the ball into the bushes, on the par-5 13th at the Grange Golf Club and lost his bearings a little. What to do? Quite simple: the 31-year-old simply boarded the balcony of a house on the edge of the fairway – much to the amazement of the residents.
Tee Times at the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)
The Genesis Invitational will take place at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, USA under host Tiger Woods. As part of the PGA Tour, the tournament offers a par of 72 and features a prize fund of $20,000,000. The defending champion is Hideki Matsuyama. Broadcasting begins Thursday and Friday at 3:15 PM, Saturday at 5:00 PM, and Sunday at 4:30 PM on Sky.
PGA Tour Tee Times for Highlight Players at Genesis Invitational
Wyndham Clark begins his tournament with fellow Americans Tony Finau and Justin Thomas. They tee off at 10:03 in the first round and at 11:09 in the second round.
Rory McIlroy is grouped with Viktor Hovland from Norway and Adam Scott from Australia. They start at 10:14 for the first round and at 11:20 in the second round.
Jordan Spieth, who received a tournament invite, pairs with Thomas Detry from Belgium and Ludvig Aberg from Sweden. Spieth’s tee times are 11:09 in the first round and 10:03 in the second round.
Scottie Scheffler joins defending champion Hideki Matsuyama from Japan and Collin Morikawa, another American. They begin at 11:20 in the first round and continue at 10:14 for the following round.
Keegan Bradley plays alongside Cameron Davis from Australia and Sungjae Im from South Korea. Their start times are 10:47 in the first round and 09:41 in the second round.
Last week, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Player Director Adam Scott were in Washington to talk to US President Donald Trump about the planned involvement of the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF as a minority investor in the new PGA Tour Enterprises venture. Since the announcement of the framework agreement by Monahan and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan in June 2023, negotiations have been very slow and complicated, not least due to the expected objections from the previously Democrat-dominated US Department of Justice and the antitrust authority based there. The Donald, on the other hand (“The best players in the world should also play on a joint tour”), had already been touting in his full-bodied manner before his re-election that he would wrap up the deal within 15 minutes.
“When the leader of the free world spends his time playing golf, I am very happy. This game is important. It conveys values that this world needs more of at the moment. It brings us together and connects us with each other.”
Scott O’Neil, new CEO of LIV Golf, in an interview with Al Arabiya News
The Gulf Post has already pointed out several times that Trump’s relations with the Saudis and with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally, as well as the Republican dictate in the US government bodies, should be very conducive to an agreement. This is exactly what will happen. “We have asked the President to commit himself for the good of the sport, the country and all countries involved,” reads a statement issued by Monahan, Scott and Tiger Woods – also a player director. “We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final agreement and paved the way for the reunification of men’s professional golf.” That sounds like a very deep kowtow to the White House. And Scott O’Neil’s statement is better left uncommented …
Tom McKibbin at the Porsche European Open. (Image: getty)
Tom McKibbin is probably the best known of the six new additions to the LIV Golf League 2025. With 292,500 dollars for a tie for 15th place, the Northern Irishman only collected around 50,000 dollars less at the season opener than for winning the Porsche European Open 2023 on the DP World Tour. And there will probably be a share of the team success in Riyadh anyway, which will earn Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII three million dollars. McKibbin’s move to the competitive circuit is therefore likely to have already paid off, for which he even threw Rory McIlroy’s advice to the wind. The two share the same home club, Holywood GC near Belfast, and the four-time major winner – a millennial by the way – had advised his young colleague to work his way up the DP World Tour and make a go of it on the PGA Tour, for which McKibbin qualified last year: “If I were you, I’d make a different decision to the one you’re thinking of making. It would be a waste of your enormous potential.”
McKibbin on missing out: “I am not in these Majors anyway”
But McKibbin didn’t care and chose the penuncle. Of course, if he was offered such prospects – why not take them? The Northern Irishman is just the latest in a series of young players to follow the call of fast money: Money first, what’s the rocky road to the majors or team competitions like the Ryder Cup compared to that. McKibbin’s mantra in this regard could not be more pragmatic and is as telling as it is significant: “I’m not in these majors at the moment anyway, so it doesn’t bother me too much.” He was number 106 in the world when he switched sides, but now there are no more OWGR points for the time being. And the appointment to the GB&I team for the Team Cup 2025, i.e. the nomination to the extended circle of European Ryder Cuppers, doesn’t seem to have triggered a surge of ambition either: Profession instead of vocation, the path of least resistance and work-life balance instead of competitive toughness and perseverance. And that at the age of 22. Oh, right, McKibbin has an excuse for that too: “I made this decision because I’m young. It [LIV] is something completely different; something that probably appeals to more people my age.”
For some, this fulfills every cliché that is often attributed to Generation Z and the attitude of these so-called millennial children towards challenges. For example, the management consultant and lawyer Susanne Nickel, who wrote a book in 2024 entitled “Verzogen, verweichlicht, verletzt” (Spoiled, effeminate, hurt) and defines Gen Z as the product of an affluent society that tends to overprotect and lacks discipline, motivation and resilience. So, if the Zoomers determine the zeitgeist, McKibbin would be a “model boy”.
The two-time U.S. Open champion made a strategic stop on the Asian Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Bryson DeChambeau’s latest venture beyond familiar fairways may not have ended with silverware, but his visit to India for the International Series India was a triumph in more ways than one. The two-time U.S. Open champion finished runner-up to fellow American Ollie Schniederjans at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour’s flagship series, held from Thursday to Saturday at the DLF Golf and Country Club near Delhi. While a four-stroke deficit meant DeChambeau fell just short of victory, his presence alone made history—never before had a reigning major champion teed it up on Indian soil. And he wasn’t alone. Flanked by his Crushers teammates and fellow LIV Golf stars like Joaquin Niemann—who shared third place with Abraham Ancer—DeChambeau’s participation underscored a broader narrative: the global expansion of professional golf.
From the outset, all attention was on DeChambeau, and he did not disappoint. He thrilled spectators with his power game, reinforced LIV Golf’s branding, and in doing so, shone a light on an untapped market that the PGA Tour continues to overlook. With marquee names such as Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth showing little appetite for long-haul commitments, DeChambeau seized the opportunity. His investment in the region is no mere afterthought—his recruitment of Indian standout Anirban Lahiri to the Crushers speaks to a calculated effort to leverage local connections and fan engagement.
Speaking to the platform “Flushingitgolf,” the 31-year-old encapsulated his broader ambitions: “It’s going to be so much fun. But it’s more than just golf [in India], it’s about creating relationships. What’s wonderful about the game of golf is that you can create and develop relationships and inspire new fans all around the globe. That’s a really great thing. A sentiment that many in the sport would do well to embrace.
Beyond his on-course exploits, DeChambeau’s approach to personal branding and fan engagement sets him apart. In an era where golf media is evolving—balancing tradition with innovative platforms like TGL and the rapid growth of social content—DeChambeau has carved out a unique niche. His digital presence is no accident. YouTube influencer Joe Pompliano recently revealed that DeChambeau has funneled $1 million into his channel and employs a dedicated team to produce high-quality content. “Am I making money off of it right now? No, I’m not. That’s the cool part though, I hope that people see them doing it because there is a genuine interest in growing the game golf,” DeChambeau insists. And, for once, it’s easy to take him at his word.
