Author: niklas.golling

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Equipment

WITB: Nelly Korda secures third consecutive win with TaylorMade

WITB: A look inside third-time-consecutive LPGA Tour winner Nelly Korda's bag. (Image: Getty)
WITB: A look inside third-time-consecutive LPGA Tour winner Nelly Korda's bag. (Image: Getty)

Once again, Nelly Korda came out on top at last week’s Arizona Championship. Through her final round 65, Korda won by a margin of two strokes, marking her third consecutive win on the LPGA Tour. This is her set of club choices by TaylorMade, helping her become the first player in eight years on the LPGA Tour to do so.

WITB: Nelly Korda 2024

(Image: TaylorMade)

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5°)

(Image: TaylorMade)

Fairway wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15°/21°)

(Image: TaylorMade)

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5)

(Image: TaylorMade)

Irons: TaylorMade P7MC (6-PW)

(Image: TaylorMade)

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 (50°,54°,60°)

(Image: TaylorMade)

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour: Jesper Svensson wins Porsche Singapore Classic in Playoff

Victorious at this weeks DP World Tour event: Jesper Svensson. (Image: Getty)
Victorious at this weeks DP World Tour event: Jesper Svensson. (Image: Getty)


The DP World Tour concluded this week with the Porsche Singapore Classic at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club in Singapore. The overall victory was claimed by the Swedish player Jesper Svensson after a strong final round.

Final Leaderboard of the Porsche Singapore Classic

DP World Tour: Swedish player wins thrilling playoff

In the battle for the overall victory, Swedish player Jesper Svensson and Thai player Kiradech Aphibarnrat faced off in a playoff. Both players had played very well in the final round, securing a tied lead with the two best daily rounds of 63 and 64. Aphibarnrat started with four birdies on the front nine and remained unfazed by a bogey on the 12th. He initiated a birdie streak between holes 14 and 16 and fought his way to the playoff with an eagle on the 18th. His opponent, Jesper Svensson, had a strong start with two birdies and an eagle, adding more birdies on the 6th and 8th. Despite two bogeys on holes 9 and 10, he regained momentum with two birdies on the 14th and another eagle. Two birdies on the final two holes secured him the best daily round and a spot in the playoff against the Thai player, where he prevailed on the third playoff hole to claim the overall victory with a total score of 9 under par.

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PGA Tour Uncategorized

PGA Tour: Keith Mitchell pulls ahead at the top

Sits at the top of the table: Keith Mitchell. (Image: Getty)
Sits at the top of the table: Keith Mitchell. (Image: Getty)

The PGA Tour enters the final day of the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida today. In Round 3, Keith Mitchell managed to secure a two-stroke lead over the pursuers.

Full Leaderboard of the Valspar Championship

PGA Tour: Leader bounces back after slow start

The start of Round 3 didn’t go as planned for the leading American. After a birdie on the opening hole, Mitchell suffered bogeys on holes 3, 5, and 6. However, his round turned positive thereafter. With birdies on holes 7, 12, and 14, Mitchell expanded his lead at the top of the leaderboard by two strokes with a strong finish. He played birdies on holes 16 and 17, followed by an eagle on the 18th. Thus, the 32-year-old finished the day with a 66, 5-under-par round. The trio of pursuers, Seamus Power, Mackenzie Hughes, and Peter Malnati, concluded the day with rounds of 68, 69, and 68 respectively, standing at a total score of 8 under par, two strokes behind the leader. The overall field is sticking pretty close together, promising excitement for the final day.

Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Who wins the Players Championship 2024?

Players Championship 2024: Who will win at TPC Sawgrass? (Images: Getty)
Players Championship 2024: Who will win at TPC Sawgrass? (Images: Getty)

Every year, golf fans eagerly anticipate the Players Championship of the PGA Tour with great expectations. Over the weekend, players compete at The Players Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for a total prize money of $25 million. In anticipation of the tournament, several questions arise: Can Scottie Scheffler defend his title? Which other players have good chances of success? Let’s take a look at the players who are considered the biggest favorites.

Players Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler is the clear favorite

Scottie Scheffler is certainly the name that comes to mind when it comes to winning the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament. The world number one is in good form and is performing consistently well, as is to be expected given his top position in the World Golf Ranking, which he has held since May last year. Last weekend, he fuelled his confidence with a comfortable victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, five strokes ahead of second-placed Wyndham Clark. Scheffler also won last year’s Players Championship 2023 by five strokes, so not only is he in excellent form, but he certainly has fond memories of last year’s event.

Always a contender: Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy, who incidentally helped Scottie Scheffler to victory last weekend with a tip to change putters, is always good for a win at major tournaments. While the Northern Irishman achieved three top 25 finishes in four events on the PGA Tour in 2024, he has already claimed a victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour and narrowly missed out on a second success at the Dubai Invitational. Although McIlroy missed the cut at last year’s Players Championship, the world number two is certainly capable of triumphing this year.

In good form: Wyndham Clark

A victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a second-place fA victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a second place last weekend shows that Wyndham Clark is currently in good form. The world number five is definitely a hot candidate for the title. However, he would have to improve on last year’s performance, where he finished tied 27th at the Players Championship.

Under the radar: Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland

Japanese Hideki Matsuyama and Norwegian Viktor Hovland can be considered more of a “dark horse” category. The situations of the two could hardly be more different. Matsuyama is currently in good form and has already secured a victory in 2024 at the Genesis Invitational. On the other hand, Hovland has not yet found his form from 2023 this year. His best finish is a tied 19th place at the Genesis Invitational. However, their strong performances from last year should give both players confidence. Viktor Hovland finished third at the Players Championship 2023, while Matsuyama finished fifth. Especially for Hovland, the upcoming weekend would be a good time to regain his old form.

European hopes: Ludvig Aberg and Matthieu Pavon

Frenchman Matthieu Pavon impressed at the Farmers Insurance Open with his first tournament win on the PGA Tour after securing a tour card via the DP World Tour and travelling on the PGA Tour as a rookie. Ludvig Aberg is also playing his first full season after a rocket start to his professional career in 2023 and has already recorded two top-10 finishes in 2024. Both players are young talents who did not play in the Players Championship last year and will have the opportunity to prove themselves on the PGA Tour’s biggest stage this week.

Categories
PGA Tour

Joaquin Niemann receives Special Invitation for PGA Championship

Joaquin Niemann receives a special invitation for the PGA Championship. (Image: Getty)
Joaquin Niemann receives a special invitation for the PGA Championship. (Image: Getty)

A spokesperson for the PGA confirmed that Joaquin Niemann, currently playing on the LIV Golf Tour, has been granted a special invitation to participate in this year’s PGA Championship.

Joaquin Niemann Receives Special Invitation

As Joaquin Niemann cannot collect any world ranking points on the LIV Golf Tour, a special invitation of this kind is required for the Chilean to secure his participation. Only players in the top 100 of the world rankings are usually invited to the PGA Championship. Although Joaquin Niemann is currently ranked 72nd in the world, he is in danger of falling out of the world’s top 100 by May. This is despite the fact that he has won two LIV Golf League events this season, including last week in Saudi Arabia. Niemann was also successful at the ISPS Handa Australian Open at the start of the current DP World Tour season and finished third at the International Series in Oman.

Not the First Special Invitation

Such special permission to take part in a tournament is not an isolated case, as it is often at the discretion of the major organisers who they invite to take part in the tournament. Last year, eight players from LIV Golf received such an invitation. Niemann himself already received special permission to take part in the Masters at Augusta National a fortnight ago. With the invitation for the PGA Championship, the 25-year-old is now qualified for three of the four Major tournaments this year. The PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club takes place from 16 to 19 May in Louisville, Kentucky.

Categories
Brands

Tiger Woods announces new clothing line Sun Day Red

Tiger Woods announces clothing line Sun Day Red. (Image: Getty)
Tiger Woods announces clothing line Sun Day Red. (Image: Getty)

After weeks of speculation, Tiger Woods officially announced his clothing line Sun Day Red on Monday afternoon. The announcement took place at an event near the Riviera Country Club, where Tiger Woods will participate in this week’s Genesis Invitational, marking his season debut. Sun Day Red is set to launch on May 1.

Tiger Woods and his red tradition

Following the announcement in January that Tiger Woods and Nike would end their collaboration after nearly 30 years, speculation arose about how Woods would dress in the future. Now, the new clothing line Sun Day Red was unveiled at an event in Los Angeles. The brand, launched in collaboration with TaylorMade, will debut on May 1 and is named after Tiger Woods’ tradition of wearing red on Sundays at tour events.

“It started with mom”, Woods said at the event. “Mom thought being a Capricorn that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments. Lo and behold, I go to a university that is red, Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

Brand advertises luxury and innovation

As stated on the official website, Sun Day Red promises to “a brand that promises to bring a new and elevated standard to performance wear and luxury lifestyle fashion.” Additionally, it will offer “never-before-seen patterns, fabrication and technical detailing intended to elevate all levels of play.”

Tiger Woods sees the termination of his partnership with Nike and the establishment of his standalone brand under TaylorMade as the right timing and step in his life: “It’s transitional. I’m not a kid anymore. I want to have a brand I’m proud of going forward.” Sun Day Red will be based in San Clemente, California, rather than in nearby Carlsbad, where TaylorMade’s headquarters is located. According to TaylorMade CEO David Abeles, the brand stands alone. “It is independent from TaylorMade and it is run by an independent group of leaders that are part of my team.” This is not expected to change in the future.

Tiger Woods with first tournament appearance of the year

However, Tiger Woods will first focus on his first tournament of the year, the Genesis Invitational. Starting on Thursday, February 15, this will be the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s first tournament since December when he finished tied for 5th place at the PNC Championship with his son Charlie Woods.

Categories
PGA Tour

Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele withdraw from WM Phoenix Open

PGA Tour: Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele have both withdrawn from the WM Phoenix Open. (Image: Getty)
PGA Tour: Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele have both withdrawn from the WM Phoenix Open. (Image: Getty)

Viktor Hovland, the fourth-ranked player in the World Golf Ranking, and fifth-ranked Xander Schauffele have both withdrawn from the WM Phoenix Open, which takes place in the American state of Arizona starting Thursday. Despite their absence, the prestigious tournament still boasts a prominent field of players.

PGA Tour: Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele unexpectedly withdraw

According to the PGA Tour, both players will not be part of the field at the WM Phoenix Open this weekend. Viktor Hovland’s decision not to participate has fueled speculation about a potential switch to the LIV Golf League. Although Viktor Hovland has previously questioned the leadership of the PGA Tour, he also emphasized in December that a move to the LIV Golf League is highly unlikely.

After participating in The Sentry at the beginning of January, Hovland’s appearance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was only his second tournament of the year. The Norwegian finished tied for 58th place there. He had a solid start in the first round but followed it with two 72s before the tournament was cut short to 54 holes. It wouldn’t be the first time he withdraws after a disappointing tournament

Xander Schauffele finished 54th at Pebble Beach, one shot better than Hovland. The two players will be replaced by Victor Perez and Alexander Bjoerk, while Ryan Fox will compensate for another withdrawal by Davis Riley.

Strong field despite withdrawals

The WM Phoenix Open will be held at TPC Scottsdale. Despite the absence of Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele, several other top-10 players from the World Golf Ranking, including Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Brian Harman, will participate in the tournament. Other prominent names include Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, and Rickie Fowler, as well as former major winners Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott.

Categories
Panorama

LPGA Tour player Jessica Korda Announces Birth Of Her Child

LPGA Tour player Jessica Korda announces her first born child. (Image: Getty)
LPGA Tour player Jessica Korda announces her first born child. (Image: Getty)


As LPGA Tour player Jessica Korda announced, there was a new addition to her and her husband Johnny DelPrete’s family last weekend.

Jessica Korda Welcomes Baby Greyson

Jessica Korda became a mother for the very first time with her newborn. According to her Instagram post, her son Greyson John DelPrete was born on Saturday, February 3rd. Last August, she announced her pregnancy on Instagram with a sign saying “Tee Time for 3, coming February 2024.” Jessica’s younger sister Nelly Korda, currently ranked second in the world, is also thrilled about her new role as an aunt. “I’m mostly excited just to see this new chapter in Johnny’s and Jess’s life. And I think it’s going to be really exciting,” says Nelly Korda.

Previously, Jessica Korda struggled with back problems. In May 2023, she last participated in a tournament, having to withdraw after the first round. Her best finish in six tournament appearances last year was a tied 18th place. She last won in 2021 at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, where she defeated Danielle Kang in a playoff.

Categories
Uncategorized

Edoardo Molinari named as new Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup

Edoardo Molinari has been appointed as the Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)
Edoardo Molinari has been appointed as the Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)

Luke Donald has appointed Edoardo Molinari as his first Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup which will be played at Bethpage Black, New York, USA from September 26-28, 2025.

Molinari will return to Donald’s backroom team after a highly-successful stint in the role for the 2023 Ryder Cup in his native Italy, where Team Europe secured a memorable 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory against the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

The Italian, alongside his brother Francesco, was part of the victorious European Team as a player in the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. He has also won three times on the DP World Tour and made 402 Tour appearances to date.

The 42-year-old, a popular figure within the game, proved crucial to Team Europe’s success in Rome, with Captain Donald placing a key emphasis on Molinari’s statistical analysis model in the months leading up to, and during, the biennial contest.

Molinari said: “I’m very happy. It’s something that I’m very proud of and probably means I did a pretty decent job last time, so I cannot wait to help the team and Luke again in Bethpage and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Luke called me the very day he was named captain, a little before the official announcement, and said he really enjoyed working with me in Rome and would like my help again. We had another chat about a week later, maybe 30 or 40 minutes on the phone, chatted about a few things and he asked me and I said of course, I would happily do it all over again.

“I think Rory put it best in the press conference after Rome, he said the most difficult thing in golf these days is to win an away Ryder Cup. It hasn’t been done in many years now, Luke was part of the team in Medinah, the last one that Europe won away, and hopefully we can produce something similar.

“I cannot wait. I’ve never been part of an away Ryder Cup. I heard it will be very tough, very difficult, you need to have a lot of patience and calmness, but I cannot wait to get started. I cannot wait to be at Bethpage with the whole team, it’s going to be a long two years waiting for that week, but it will be extremely exciting and hopefully we can win again.”

European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald said: “Edoardo is someone I have got to know very well over the last couple of years and he’s going to be a great addition again for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

“He plays a very significant role. He’s playing full-time out here on the DP World Tour, he’s a good player, a Ryder Cupper and he knows what it’s all about. He’s around the players a lot and he works with a lot of players on their statistics as well.

“I’ll lean heavily on him with the qualification criteria and then when we get close to the matches, how the team is forming, how their skillsets match to the golf course at Bethpage and whether they’re more foursomes-related pairings, fourballs-related players, and putting those pairings together.

“We spent a lot of time together over the last couple of years, we grew very close. He was extremely important to the whole journey and the process and he’ll be even more important on this away one. If we can create some history and try and win away from home, it’s going to be a very, very sweet four years together.”

Molinari and his brother Francesco followed compatriot Costantino Rocca into Ryder Cup folklore when they represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 2010 at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

The Molinaris became the first brothers to compete against the United States since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt played in the 1963 Great Britain & Ireland team, when they played in the 2010 contest at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. They halved their fourballs match against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar, while Edoardo contributed another crucial half point in his singles match against Rickie Fowler as Europe triumphed 14½-13½.

In addition to his three victories on the DP World Tour, Molinari was also the Challenge Tour Number One in 2009 and is a respected member of the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee.

Before turning professional, Molinari won the 2005 US Amateur Championship and alongside Francesco, claimed the World Cup of Golf for Italy in 2009 at Mission Hills in China.

Text: European Tour Group Communications

Categories
European Tour

Seve Ballesteros Award: Adrian Meronk wins Player of the Year 2023

Adrian Meronk wins the Seve Ballesteros Award 2023. (Image: Getty)

Adrian Meronk has won the 2023 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his peers on the DP World Tour.

The accolade is one of a number of the 31-year-old’s history-making achievements as he becomes the first player from Poland to receive the honour after a season in which he won three times and finished a career-high fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

Meronk earned 38% of the votes cast by his fellow DP World Tour members, with Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy taking second place. Ryder Cup debutant Nicolai Højgaard and Viktor Hovland, who clinched the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup, were in joint third place.

Meronk was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier, who travelled to Dubai ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, won by his father more than 30 years ago.

The Pole started the 2023 season in stunning fashion, earning his second DP World Tour title at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, holding off a final day challenge from home favourite – and one of his golfing heroes – Major champion Adam Scott.

His victory in Australia earned him a place inside the Top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of the 2022 calendar year, enough to secure a maiden appearance at the Masters Tournament and thus become the first player from Poland to compete in all four Major Championships.

Another national open title followed shortly after as he triumphed at the DS Automobiles Italian Open, birdieing the 72nd hole at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club to win the title by one stroke. He then moved to a career-high 45th on the OWGR shortly after his win in Italy.

His next victory of the campaign, and fourth DP World Tour title, came at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at Sotogrande, as he secured his position inside the top ten on the season-long rankings, ultimately going on to finish in fourth position and earn dual membership on the PGA TOUR for 2024.

The Player of the Year Award, named after the legendary Seve Ballesteros, incorporates the former Golfer of the Year Award after the two accolades were combined in 2021 to become one single honour voted for by the DP World Tour’s members.

Meronk, said: “It feels amazing. I’m shocked to be honest, I didn’t expect that. You got me by surprise but seeing my name next to all of these players, it’s unbelievable. I’m very grateful for this award. It means a lot to me that other players appreciate my season last year. It’s a great feeling. 

“Last year was the best season so far in my career. I’m really happy that other players saw that, as well and give that award. Just thank you for that and I have to keep going.

“I enjoy this week. I love playing here in Dubai. It’s probably one of my favourite tournaments of the year. So I’m excited to be here. We have such a great field this week, so I will just enjoy every moment.”

“It’s actually very nice to be here,” added Ballesteros. “I used to come here with my dad many years ago, and to have an award with his name that the players vote for the Player of the Year, we are very grateful and very happy that there’s a prize with his name. 

“Adrian played fantastic last year, he won multiple times and he’s a well-deserved winner of this award. 

“We were very happy when the Tour came to us to say that they were going to put the Seve Ballesteros Award for the Player of the Year, and we really do like it.  We are very grateful, and the special thing that we like is the prize is voted by the players.” 

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, added: “Adrian has made history throughout his career, and I’m delighted to congratulate him once again, this time for becoming the first Polish player to add their name to the illustrious list of winners of the Seve Ballesteros Award.

“Any season that includes three trophies – including two national opens – is always impressive, and Adrian’s peers clearly thought so. 

“I also want to thank Javier Ballesteros for travelling to Dubai to present the award to Adrian. It meant a lot to have him there to represent his father.”

(Text: DP World Tour)