Author: Laura Gailus

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European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Grant Forrest and Ewen Ferguson at Africas Major

DP World Tour: Tee Times for the Nedbank Golf Challenge. (Photos: Getty)

The DP World Tour lands in Sun City, South Africa, this week for the iconic Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club. With its challenging Par-72 layout and a prize purse of $6 million, the tournament brings together a stellar field of international golfers. Defending champion Max Homa returns, while fans across the globe can tune in starting Thursday at 10:00 AM on Sky.

DP World Tour Tee Times for British and Scottish Golfers

Among the many stars taking to the fairways are notable names from Britain and Scotland. Players like Grant Forrest and Ewen Ferguson are set to navigate the iconic course, paired with seasoned competitors from across the world. Here’s a closer look at their pairings and starting times:

Grant Forrest represents Scotland in a dynamic trio that includes compatriot Calum Hill and Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa. Their 10:38 tee time positions them perfectly to tackle the morning conditions.

Ewen Ferguson, another standout from Scotland, begins his round at 10:05. He’ll be joined by Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg.

Connor Syme steps onto the first tee at 11:00, playing alongside Darius Van Driel from the Netherlands and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune.

England’s Joseph Dean shares a 10:05 tee time with Johannes Veerman from the United States, while Matthew Jordan completes the group, adding a second English presence to the pairing.

DP World Tour Tee Times

RoundTimePlayer 1NationalityPlayer 2NationalityPlayer 3Nationality
19:32Ewen FergusonSCOJorge CampilloESPSebastian SoderbergSWE
110:05Joseph DeanENGJohannes VeermanUSAMatthew JordanENG
110:38Grant ForrestSCOCalum HillSCOYuto KatsuragawaJPN
111:00Connor SymeSCODarius Van DrielNEDRyo HisatsuneJPN
Categories
LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan Announces Resignation

Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan at the LPGA Tour season finale. (Photo: Getty)

Mollie Marcoux Samaan will step down as Commissioner of the LPGA Tour effective January 9, 2025. Liz Moore will assume interim leadership in the coming weeks, while a global search is conducted for a permanent successor.

The Marcoux Samaan Era: Growth and Transformation

Since taking office in 2021, Marcoux Samaan has left an indelible mark on the LPGA Tour. Under her leadership, prize money surged by 90%, with a record $131 million set to be distributed across 33 tournaments in 2025. Players benefited from unprecedented enhancements, including missed-cut stipends, health benefits, and travel subsidies—a first in the history of the LPGA Tour.

“Since joining the LPGA in 2021, Mollie has been instrumental in solidifying our position as the global leader in women’s professional golf, realizing record growth in player earnings and fan engagement. Mollie has been a steadfast advocate for equity in the sport and has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women and girls through the game,” stated LPGA Board Chair John B. Veihmeyer.

The tour also saw worldwide growth in viewership and set records for fan engagement. In her resignation statement, Marcoux Samaan emphasized the importance of her tenure: “In this role, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable community of athletes, teachers, partners, tournament operators, industry colleagues, media, fans, volunteers, and staff who share a deep commitment to growing the LPGA and using the organization’s unique platform to empower and advance women and girls.”

Challenges in a Complex Sporting Landscape

Despite economic success, Marcoux Samaan’s tenure faced notable challenges. The LPGA Tour contended with issues surrounding transparency and operational shortcomings. A key example was the 2024 Solheim Cup, where insufficient spectator transport planning led to logistical setbacks.

Sponsorship relationships and limited live television coverage also became focal points of critique. The absence of long-term TV contracts and reliance on other tours hindered broader audience accessibility, sparking ongoing discussions about the LPGA Tour’s visibility.

Liz Moore Steps In: Transitioning to the Future

Liz Moore, a seasoned executive with over a decade at the LPGA, will take on the role of interim Commissioner. Having spearheaded major projects such as the tour’s digital transformation, Moore brings a strong blend of legal and technological expertise, along with deep operational knowledge of the LPGA’s strategic framework.

Her primary objective will be to ensure a smooth transition and prepare the tour for the upcoming season. The 2025 schedule begins with a record-setting $131 million in prize money across 33 official events—an enduring testament to Marcoux Samaan’s growth-oriented vision.

(This article draws on materials provided by LPGA Communications.)

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Live

Prize Money: How much LPGA Stars earn Compared to the PGA

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

The LPGA Tour made history in 2024: Jeeno Thitikul became the top earner with annual earnings of over 6 million US dollars. Her victory at the CME Group Tour Championship, which was worth USD 4 million, marked a historic moment. Never before had there been such a high individual prize in women’s golf. But while Thitikul topped the tour’s prize money list, Nelly Korda also achieved an impressive record with just under 4.4 million dollars. Nevertheless, a look at the PGA Tour shows how far there is still to go to achieve equality.

The superstar gap: Korda and Scheffler in a prize money comparison

The year 2024 brought exceptional performances for both Scottie Scheffler on the PGA Tour and Nelly Korda. Scheffler triumphed in seven tournaments, including several prestigious events, and finished the season with record prize money of 29.2 million US dollars. His victory at the Players Championship alone earned him $4.5 million – more than Korda’s entire season.

Nelly Korda had a season to rival the best in LPGA history in 2024, becoming only the third player to break the $4 million mark before the season finale. With seven titles, including a major, she recorded earnings of $4.39 million – yet she remains only second in the annual rankings behind Jeeno Thitikul. A further comparison shows the dimensions of her achievement: on the PGA Tour prize money list, Korda would ‘only’ rank 39th despite her outstanding year, 38 places behind the men’s top earner, Scottie Scheffler.

New records, old differences

The history of prize money in women’s golf nevertheless shows progress. What began in the 1950s with sums of a few thousand dollars has developed into millions, especially through events such as the CME Group Tour Championship – the LPGA season finale set a mark with Thitikul’s $4 million victory. Never before has there been such a large prize in women’s golf.

The gap between the tours

On the PGA Tour, however, such a sum has long been standard. The financial explosion triggered by LIV Golf has drastically increased the prize money on the men’s tour and forced the PGA Tour to massively increase its payouts – a development from which players like Scheffler benefit. Since his PGA Tour debut four years ago, Scheffler has already earned 71.79 million US dollars, while the women are still waiting for their big breakthrough.

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European Tour Uncategorized

Sergio Garcia’s Return to the DP World Tour: A Step Towards the Ryder Cup

Spaniard Sergio Garcia wants to fulfil his dream of returning to the Ryder Cup by rejoining the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Spaniard Sergio Garcia wants to fulfil his dream of returning to the Ryder Cup by rejoining the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)

Sergio Garcia is making a fresh start on the DP World Tour. The Spaniard, who set European Ryder Cup records, wants to play his way back into the world elite – with a clear goal in mind: to return to the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage.

Garcia’s DP World Tour retirement prevents participation in the Ryder Cup

Following his retirement from the DP World Tour in May 2023, Garcia’s career in Europe appeared to have stalled after sanctions were imposed on him and other LIV golf players. Participating in LIV Golf events in the Saudi-backed series without authorisation led to significant consequences: hefty fines, tournament bans and the loss of his Ryder Cup eligibility. But Garcia has decided to turn over a new leaf. Over a million pounds in fines have been paid, the conditions accepted – the door to returning as a member of the Tour has been opened.

DP World Tour confirms re-entry

The official re-entry was confirmed by a DP World Tour spokesperson. His return is therefore a done deal, even if Garcia will not be able to officially take part in DP World Tour events again until the 2025 season. This return marks a decisive step in Garcia’s plan to qualify for the Ryder Cup again – a goal that has always played a special role in his golf career.

With 28.5 points, Garcia is the most successful player in the history of the European Ryder Cup. His name is synonymous with passion and success in one of golf’s most prestigious duels.

Ryder Cup comeback: a rocky road

However, this path will not be easy. Results from LIV golf tournaments in which Garcia continues to play do not count towards the European Ryder Cup ranking. This means that he will have to impress with strong performances in majors and on the DP World Tour – or hope for a wild card. Garcia proved in 2024 that he is still playing at the highest level: A win at Valderrama and six top-five finishes in 14 LIV events earned him third place in the individual rankings.

But for the Ryder Cup, only what happens on the DP World Tour counts. The decision is in the hands of captain Donald, who has made it clear that all players with membership have an equal chance.

More familiar faces on the DP World Tour 2025

With Sergio Garcia’s return, the DP World Tour 2025 will also welcome some other familiar faces from the LIV Golf League. In contrast to Garcia, who was the only one not active on the DP World Tour at the same time, the returnees include Ryder Cup stars such as Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm and Thomas Pieters as well as up-and-coming talents such as Adrian Meronk and Joaquin Niemann.

Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Johannes Veerman and Billy Horschel in Dubai

DP World Tour Tee Times: Johannes Veerman and Billy Horschel set to tee off at the DP World Tour Championship. (Photo: Getty)

The DP World Tour Championship is set to take place on the prestigious Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As the centerpiece of the DP World Tour, this tournament features a challenging par-72 course and a substantial prize fund of $10 million, attracting the tour’s top players for the season finale.

Defending champion Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark returns, aiming for a strong finish after a season marked by ups and downs. Television coverage will be broadcast daily on Sky: Thursday through Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., and on Sunday beginning at 7:30 a.m.

DP World Tour Tee Times

Johannes Veerman, a prominent American golfer, will begin his campaign at 9:10 a.m. from Tee 1. Joining him are Daniel Brown from England and Alex Fitzpatrick, also representing England.

Billy Horschel stands out as another key American figure in the upcoming rounds. He will tee off at 12:25 p.m. from Tee 1, accompanied by Rasmus Højgaard from Denmark and Rory McIlroy representing Northern Ireland.

Round Start Time Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
Round 1 09:10 Johannes Veerman (USA) Daniel Brown (ENG) Alex Fitzpatrick (ENG)
Round 1 12:25 Billy Horschel (USA) Rasmus Højgaard (DEN) Rory McIlroy (NIR)
Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood in Dubai

DP World Tour Tee Times: Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood set to tee off at the DP World Tour Championship. (Photo: Getty)

The DP World Tour Championship is set to take place on the prestigious Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As the centerpiece of the DP World Tour, this tournament features a challenging par-72 course and a substantial prize fund of $10 million, attracting the tour’s top players for the season finale.

Defending champion Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark returns, aiming for a strong finish after a season marked by ups and downs. Television coverage will be broadcast daily on Sky: Thursday through Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., and on Sunday beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The DP World Tour Championship is set to take place on the prestigious Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As the centerpiece of the DP World Tour, this tournament features a challenging par-72 course and a substantial prize fund of $10 million, attracting the tour’s top players for the season finale.

Defending champion Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark returns, aiming for a strong finish after a season marked by ups and downs. Television coverage will be broadcast daily on Sky: Thursday through Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., and on Sunday beginning at 7:30 a.m.

DP World Tour Tee Times

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy begins his DP World Tour campaign alongside South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, with their first round teeing off at 12:45 PM.

At 12:05 PM, England’s Tommy Fleetwood will join Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre for what promises to be a notable pairing.

Starting the day’s rounds, England’s Andy Sullivan tees off at 8:50 AM in an international grouping with Japan’s Keita Nakajima and Germany’s Yannik Paul.

Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson hits the course at 9:55 AM, joined by Spain’s Nacho Elvira and England’s Joseph Dean.

Lastly, England’s Matt Wallace is set to tee off at 11:30 AM, playing with Australia’s Adam Scott and Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg.

Round Start Time Player Nationality Co-Players Co-Players Nationality
Round 1 08:50 Andy Sullivan ENG Keita Nakajima, Yannik Paul JPN, GER
Round 1 09:55 Ewen Ferguson SCO Nacho Elvira, Joseph Dean ESP, ENG
Round 1 11:30 Matt Wallace ENG Adam Scott, Sebastian Soderberg AUS, SWE
Round 1 12:05 Tommy Fleetwood ENG Robert MacIntyre SCO
Round 1 12:45 Rory McIlroy NIR Thriston Lawrence RSA
Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Martin Laird and Graeme Robertson at Bermuda Championship

PGA Tour Tee Times: Martin Laird and Graeme Robertson are set to tee off at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. (Photo: Getty)

The Butterfield Bermuda Championship, the penultimate event in the PGA Tour’s Fall Series, is just around the corner. Set on the challenging par-71 layout of the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, this tournament offers a prize purse of $6.9 million, drawing top golf professionals from around the globe. Colombian star Camilo Villegas returns as the defending champion, hoping to replicate his victory amidst strong international competition.

Coverage on Sky kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with broadcasts beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

PGA Tour Tee Times for the Scottish Players

Martin Laird will commence his quest at the Bermuda Championship alongside Vincent Whaley, from the USA, and Jacob Bridgeman, also from the USA. Laird’s group will tee off in the first round at 07:11 and in the second round at 11:41.

Graeme Robertson is set to play with Norman Xiong, representing the USA, and Eric Eric from Bermuda. Robertson’s first round begins at 13:09, while the second round will start at 08:39.

RoundTimePlayerNationalityPlaying PartnersPartners’ Nationalities
107:11Martin LairdScotlandVincent Whaley, Jacob BridgemanUSA, USA
113:09Graeme RobertsonScotlandNorman Xiong, Eric EricUSA, Bermuda
208:39Graeme RobertsonScotlandNorman Xiong, Eric EricUSA, Bermuda
211:41Martin LairdScotlandVincent Whaley, Jacob BridgemanUSA, USA
Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Patrick Rodgers in Bermuda

PGA Tour Tee Times: Patrick Rodgers is set to tee off at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. (Photo: Getty)

The Butterfield Bermuda Championship, the penultimate event in the PGA Tour’s Fall Series, is just around the corner. Set on the challenging par-71 layout of the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, this tournament offers a prize purse of $6.9 million, drawing top golf professionals from around the globe. Colombian star Camilo Villegas returns as the defending champion, hoping to replicate his victory amidst strong international competition.

Coverage on Sky kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with broadcasts beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

PGA Tour Tee Times of American Players

In the first round, Patrick Rodgers is set to play alongside South Korea’s Seung-Yul Noh and fellow American Justin Lower, beginning their opening round at 07:00, with their second round scheduled for 11:30.

Vincent Whaley will tee off with Scotland’s Martin Laird and Jacob Bridgeman from the USA, starting at 07:11 for their first round, followed by an 11:41 start for their second.

Dylan Wu joins Sweden’s Henrik Norlander and Samuel Stevens from the USA for an initial tee time of 07:22, with their second round at 11:52.

Peter Malnati will play with Canada’s Nick Taylor and Chun-an Yu from Taiwan, beginning their first round at 07:33, and their second at 12:03.

Lastly, Lucas Glover tees off alongside fellow American Brendon Todd and Colombia’s Nicolas Echavarria. Their opening round is at 07:44, followed by a second round at 12:14.

Round 1 TimePlayer 1NationalityPlayer 2NationalityPlayer 3Nationality
07:00Patrick RodgersUSASeung-Yul NohKORJustin LowerUSA
07:11Vincent WhaleyUSAMartin LairdSCOJacob BridgemanUSA
07:22Dylan WuUSAHenrik NorlanderSWESamuel StevensUSA
07:33Peter MalnatiUSANick TaylorCANChun-an YuTPE
07:44Lucas GloverUSABrendon ToddUSANicolas EchavarriaCOL
11:30Patrick RodgersUSASeung-Yul NohKORJustin LowerUSA
11:41Vincent WhaleyUSAMartin LairdSCOJacob BridgemanUSA
11:52Dylan WuUSAHenrik NorlanderSWESamuel StevensUSA
12:03Peter MalnatiUSANick TaylorCANChun-an YuTPE
12:14Lucas GloverUSABrendon ToddUSANicolas EchavarriaCOL
Categories
Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2025: Has the Classic Become a Luxury Event?

Ticket prizes for the 2025 Ryder Cup have exploded. (Credit: Getty)
Ticket prizes for the 2025 Ryder Cup have exploded. (Credit: Getty)

The announcement of ticket prices for the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Black Golf Course has caused a wave of outrage in the golf world. While the PGA of America promotes the tournament as an elite, once-in-a-lifetime experience, many long-time fans are left grappling with the reality that attending may now be out of reach.

The Soaring Costs of Ryder Cup 2025

Set against the backdrop of the Bethpage Black Course, the 2025 Ryder Cup promises thrilling competition—but at what cost? With prices starting at $749 per day for the competition days, the entrance fee is higher than ever before. Even practice day tickets cost up to $423.

In comparison to past editions, the price surge feels extreme. Fans who attended Whistling Straits in 2021 or the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome paid significantly less. Bethpage Black’s price tag has led many to wonder whether this event, long cherished as “golf’s ultimate fan experience,” is now reserved for those with the deepest pockets.

Ryder Cup vs. Other Major Tournaments: A Price Comparison

For perspective, the pricing at Bethpage Black stands in stark contrast to other top-tier golf events. At the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, final round tickets were available for around $260—a fraction of what’s now being charged in New York. Even at Augusta, a single-day ticket to the Masters costs around $140. Similarly, the upcoming 2024 PGA Championship—also run by the PGA of America—tops out at approximately $200 for a day pass.

The PGA of America Defends Its Pricing

Responding to the backlash, the PGA of America has stood firm. Bryan Karns, tournament director for the 2025 Ryder Cup, highlighted the unprecedented demand for tickets, suggesting the pricing reflects the high interest. According to Karns, the Ryder Cup sits firmly within the ranks of “Tier 1” global sporting events, and the elevated pricing mirrors this status.

Yet, for many fans, this explanation falls flat. Social media is flooded with dismay, as long-time attendees express concern that the escalating costs could diminish the tournament’s famously electric atmosphere f only an exclusive group of spectators can attend.

Added Perks: Enough to Justify the Cost?

The PGA also points to the “added value” that comes with a Ryder Cup ticket. Included in the price is unlimited food and select non-alcoholic beverages—an offering aimed at softening the blow of the steep costs. Still, for many fans, the question remains whether these additional perks justify the price difference.

Perhaps the biggest concern shared by both fans and experts is the potential impact these prices could have on the atmosphere. The Ryder Cup is known for its energetic and passionate crowd. But there are worries that the high costs might push out the typical Ryder Cup fan and result in a quieter, less enthusiastic audience.

Long-Term Impact on the Ryder Cup

Despite the intense reactions, it’s unlikely that ticket prices will affect the success of the tournament. Ryder Cup tickets will be allocated via a lottery system in November 2024, and they are expected to sell out quickly.

Categories
Panorama

Martin Kaymer: Wedding Celebration with Irene Scholz in the Alps

Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz were able to catch up on their wedding celebrations in an idyllic Bavarian setting. (Photo: Instagram@patriciakaymer)
Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz were able to catch up on their wedding celebrations in an idyllic Bavarian setting. (Photo: Instagram@patriciakaymer)

Martin Kaymer celebrated his wedding to Irene Scholz in style at the weekend. The couple had already married in a small civil ceremony in October 2022, but this was followed by a lavish celebration. The couple, who became parents to little Sam for the first time at the beginning of 2022, spent the special day with family, friends and some of Kaymer’s golfing colleagues.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Irène Kaymer (@_irenescholz_)

Martin Kaymer’s Wedding Celebration

Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz celebrated their civil wedding in Wiesbaden in October 2022 two years later. Back then, the former world number one and the sports scientist tied the knot in a very intimate setting. Both had already planned to make up for their big celebration with the most important people who had accompanied them on their journey so far. Last weekend provided the perfect opportunity to realise these plans.

The celebration took place in a breathtaking mountain setting at the exclusive Schloss Elmau. The German golf pro and his wife invited friends and family to a special weekend in the stunning Bavarian Alps to celebrate their love for each other.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Irène Kaymer (@_irenescholz_)

Her little son Sam, who was born in January 2022, was also there and was included in the celebrations. Irene Scholz shared her joy on social media that her son was able to take on this special role and humorously wrote that Sam was allowed to ‘bring the rings’ this time. In the posts, the couple were visibly moved and grateful for the celebrations and the people who took part.

Celebrity guests and team colleagues at the ceremony

In addition to close friends and the couple’s family, some familiar faces from the world of golf were also in attendance. Kaymer’s LIV Golf team-mate Adrian Meronk was among the guests and shared impressions of the celebration on his social media. Other personalities such as Leanne Hainsby and Benjamin Alldis were also present at the event. The celebration was accompanied by congratulations and warm comments from the golf world.