Categories
PGA Tour

FedExCup Rankings: Scheffler Leads, Fitzpatrick best Englishman

The FedExCup on the PGA Tour continues to amass intrigue as players vie for ranking positions through the ongoing season. Multiple tournaments have now been completed, showcasing the globe’s top golfing talent. The latest event witnessed triumph from a golf maestro who adds valuable points to their season tally. As it stands, the distinguished Scottie Scheffler dictates the ranking’s peak position. In a notable statistic, England boasts four golfers among the premier 100 players in this elite competition.

FedExCup Focus: England’s Elite

Die englischen Spieler haben kein leichtes Spiel in den FedEx Cup Standings. Auf Platz 32 führt Matt Fitzpatrick die englischen Spieler an, wäThe English players do not have an easy game in the FedEx Cup Standings. Matt Fitzpatrick leads the English players in 32nd place, while the ranking is dominated by US players around Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark. The second best Englishman is Tommy Fleetwood on 69, followed by Justin Rose on 78.

Top Contenders in the FedExCup Race

The ranking is headed by Scottie Scheffler, who once again impressively demonstrated his skills at the Players Championship. He is followed by runner-up Wyndham Clark in second place and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama in third. Fourth and fifth place are also occupied by two US Americans, Xander Schauffele and Sahith Theegala.

How the PGA Tours FedEx Cup works

The FedExCup is the season ranking of the PGA Tour. The top 30 players in the FedExCup ranking are allowed to take part in the PGA Tour’s final play-off tournament at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the PGA Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points earned at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. The winner receives 500 points for winning a normal PGA Tour tournament.

This text was written with the help of AI.

Categories
PGA Tour

FedExCup Leaders: Scheffler & Clark Best of 59 US Players

As the PGA Tour season progresses, the quest for FedExCup supremacy continues with players battling it out across various events to accumulate vital points. The recent tournament win added another layer of excitement, cementing the leader’s position atop the FedExCup rankings. Currently, this coveted spot is held by Scottie Scheffler, who also leads the pack of 59 American players within the top 100 rankings. This dominant presence underscores the depth of talent stemming from the USA in the global golf landscape.

FedExCup Spotlight: US Players Making Strides

Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler are the two highest-ranked American players in the FedExCup standings, with Clark gripping the second spot firmly and Scheffler maintaining his lead. Clark’s season is highlighted by his consistent performances, amassing a noteworthy number of points and breaking into the upper echelon with a victory and several top-10 finishes. Scheffler’s exemplary season, punctuated by multiple victories and top-10 finishes, has solidified his status as a formidable force on the PGA Tour. Unsurprisingly, the two golfers decided the Players Championship between them on a dramatic final day.

Top FedExCup Contenders: The Leaders of the Pack

The battle at the apex of the FedExCup rankings sees Scheffler leading a competitive group comprising players from across the globe. Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama, French talent Matthieu Pavon, and the consistent American Xander Schauffele join Sahith Theegala in rounding out the top 5 positions. Their accumulation of points, significant tournament performances, and victories showcase the intensifying competition and diverse talent present on the PGA Tour.

How the PGA Tours FedEx Cup works

The FedExCup is the season ranking of the PGA Tour. The top 30 players in the FedExCup ranking are allowed to take part in the PGA Tour’s final play-off tournament at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the PGA Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points earned at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. The winner receives 500 points for winning a normal PGA Tour tournament.

This text was written with the help of AI.

Categories
PGA Tour

Players Championship 2024 in numbers: Birdie records & the legendary 17

The Players Championship 2024 kept the excitement going right to the end and provided great entertainment over four days. After the tournament, records, a first for the title holder and the realization that the legendary 17th is not known for causing sweaty palms for one or two professionals for nothing. A look at the statistics of the famous island green and other relevant statistics.

Players Championship 2024: Drama on the final day and 1000 beach balls – A look at the 17

On the final day of the 2024 Players Championship, it was once again a real source of despair. On Sunday, as is usual in the final round, the flag was placed on the far right of the island green between the small front bunker and the water (136 yards/124 meters). The PGA pros obviously had their problems with this: Over the course of the final day, only four birdies fell, the lowest figure of the week. At the same time, a total of 18 balls landed in the water, more than ever before in the tournament. Nine players even had to accept a double bogey or more, including Martin Laird, who hit two shots into the water on his way to a quadruple bogey. Logically, the stroke average of 3.34 was also significantly higher than on the previous days (3.09, 3.06, 2.84). Denny McCarthy hit the best shot on the final day, missing the hole by just 1 foot 3 inches (38cm).

Beau Hossler secured a special record on the 17th: with his shot into the water on the 17th hole, the US American recorded the 1000th ball sunk in the ShotLink era (since 2003). American Chris Kirk secured a positive record in the second round. Kirk found the green safely and played his 41st consecutive round without sinking a ball in the water on hole 17. He thus drew level with Jason Dufner, who has played the most rounds without a ball in the water on hole 17 since 2003. However, Kirk’s record streak came to an end in the third round. On the moving day, the American recorded a double bogey, followed by another bogey on the final day.

Ryan Fox celebrated a special success on the 17th. The New Zealander sank an ace on the very first day – it was to remain the only hole-in-one of the 2024 Players Championship.

A total of 47 balls landed in the water on the 17th hole during the tournament.

Rory McIlroy and Sam Ryder set two birdie records at the 2024 Players Championship

At the Players Championship 2024, it was not only the island green of the 17th that set records, but also Rory McIlroy and Sam Ryder. After McIlroy set the round record with ten birdies on the first day of the tournament, Ryder went on to become a sole record holder over four days. The American recorded an impressive 27 birdies over the entire tournament, overtaking ‘Fuzzy’ Zoeller in the process. In the end, despite Ryder’s many birdies, it was ‘only’ good enough for T16 (-10).

Scottie Scheffler achieves a first with title defense and collects 4.5 million USD

A first for an anniversary: At the 50th Players Championship, Scottie Scheffler became the first player to defend his title at the prestigious tournament. On a dramatic final day, the world number one prevailed against Wyndham Clark, who tragically missed the play-off with a lip-out on the last hole. Scheffler’s tournament victory earned him 4.13 million euros (4.5 million USD). But the remaining participants can also enjoy the highest prize money on the PGA Tour.

Categories
Live

World Golf Ranking Update: Fitzpatrick and Fleetwood hold firm

In the latest update of the World Golf Ranking, Matt Fitzpatrick retains his position as the top British player, holding steady at 11th. Tommy Fleetwood also maintains his position at 13th, indicating a stable level of performance from the previous week. Amongst the European players, Northern Ireland’s McIlroy remains firmly at the top in 2nd place.

A closer look at the World Golf Ranking shows Tyrrell Hatton in 17th place, down from 16th last week. Such a movement, however small, can have implications in terms of seeding and qualification for upcoming prestigious tournaments. Other notable British players include Justin Rose in 53rd and Robert MacIntyre in 74th, both of whom have seen no change from their previous positions.
Shane Lowry from Ireland continues to climb the rankings, moving up a further three places to 34th.

Meanwhile, America’s Scottie Scheffler continues to consolidate his reign at the top of the World Golf Ranking. Scheffler’s consistently high performances such as his two consecutive PGA Tour wins the last two weeks have cemented his place as the golfer to beat in the world of golf. Close on his heels are Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy in 2nd and Spain’s Jon Rahm in 3rd. The World Golf Ranking is an ever-changing landscape with golfers such as Wyndham Clark of the USA, who has moved from 5th to 4th, displaying a positive trajectory in his career as he already climbed a place the week before. Meanwhile, fellow American Xander Schauffele is in 5th place, moving up one place from last week.

Norway’s Viktor Hovland, previously ranked 4th, has suffered a slight setback, dropping to 6th. The rest of the top ten includes a mix of golfers who have either maintained their positions or changed places, underlining the ongoing competitiveness at the highest level of the sport. Whether rising or falling, each player’s position in the World Golf Ranking is a snapshot of their current form and the results of their most recent tournament performances.

Categories
PGA Tour

Players Championship: Rory McIlroy sinks five balls in to the water

After stunning 26 birdies in the 2024 Players Championship, Rory McIlroy should have earned a top spot on the leaderboard. The iron and short game of the Northern Irishman was solid and his putting gained him several of these birdies. But it looks like, with all the range work going in to the irons, he kind of forgot about his driver. Over the course of the four round McIlroy sank five golf balls in to the water at TPC Sawgrass, more than any other player.

Rory McIlroy sinks Players win

The first few holes of McIlroy’s Players Championship lookes promising, with the Northern Irishman securing six birdies within eight holes. Than a hooked drive followed on the 18th tee. It was the first time he had to take a penalty shot and drop a golf ball, but it was certainly not the last. He bogeyd 18 and went on noting three more birdies an his Back Nine. Than the 7th tee came and with it, another golf ball was gone into the water. Again it was a poor drive flying short left.

And his misfortune continued. On day two he found the water an the 12th, with – who could have guessed – his driver. The only day without a ball lost to the blue in TPC Sawgrass was round 3, alltough even on this day McIlroy had to lock in a double bogey on 14 after a drive going far right into a waste area.

In the final round McIlroy explored a new water area on hole four. This time it wasn’t the fault of his driver. Instead he sank the ball with a wedge and harsh wind conditions. Later on however he revisited the 18th hole left side penalty area and sank another drive at about the same place he did in round one.

So 26 birdies, 11 bogeys and 3 double bogeys later McIlroy finished with -9 on T17. And the author would venture a relatively safe prediction that he will be spending a few extra hours on the range with the driver over the coming week.

Categories
Live

World Golf Ranking: Wyndham Clarke & Xander Schauffele slowly climbing ranks

Scottie Scheffler of the United States maintains his position at the top of the World Golf Rankings, strengthened by his victory at The Players Championship this weekend.

Following their tie for second place at The Players Championship, Wyndham Clark has improved for the second week in a row, moving up one place from fifth to fourth, as has fellow American Xander Schauffele, who moves into the now vacant fifth position. Max Homa, however, has suffered a setback, dropping two places to tenth. Patrick Cantlay and Brian Harman are seventh and eighth respectively in the World Golf Ranking.
In the top three of the World Golf Ranking, Spain’s Jon Rahm remains in third place, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is unchanged in second, while Scheffler remains at the top, consolidating his status as the figurehead of the game. Scheffler’s consistent high-level performances have solidified his place as the golfer to beat in the world of golf.
In fourth to tenth place, Norway’s Viktor Hovland has dropped from fourth to sixth. On the other hand, Ludvig Aberg of Sweden has moved up from tenth to ninth place.

The remaining top ten includes a mix of golfers who either held their ground or changed positions, underscoring the ongoing competitiveness at the highest echelons of the sport. Whether climbing or descending, each player’s position in the World Golf Ranking is a snapshot of their current form and the outcomes from their recent tournament performances.

Categories
Asian Tour

Asian Tour: John Catlin wins International Series Macau

Catlin, who shot an 11-under-par 59 yesterday to become the first player to break 60 on the Asian Tour, backed that up today with a typically tenacious performance – which culminated in him winning after getting up and down for a birdie four on 18, after Puig missed his four from five feet.

The pair had ended the tournament tied on 23-under with Catlin shooting 65 and Puig 60, while Australian Lucas Herbert returned a 64 to finish third, two shots behind. Patrick Reed from the United Sates secured fourth, one stroke further back, following a 63.

This is Catlin’s fifth victory on the Asian Tour, and first since the 2019 Thailand Open – which also came after a play-off – plus first success on The International Series, and it came after an unexpectedly close finish.

Catlin had a two-stroke lead at the start of the day and put one hand on the trophy when he went out in four-under-par 30 – thanks to three birdies in a row from the fourth and another birdie on nine – for a four-shot advantage at the turn. A birdie at 10 then extended his lead to five.

However, he dropped a shot on 11 before Puig, playing four groups ahead, made a late charge. He emerged from the chasing pack and moved to within two when he birdied 12 and eagled 13, both par fives. The Spaniard then made a birdie on the 15th to sit one back before drawing level with another birdie on 16.

Catlin made a clutch eight-foot birdie putt on the par-three 14th to slide one ahead, but Puig draw level once again when he got up and down for a birdie on the par-five 18th.

On the par-three 17th, Catlin appeared to be in trouble after missing the green with his tee shot. He chipped to nine feet, but once again rose to the challenge and drained the putt, meaning he needed to birdie the last to win.

The final hole has seen birdies and eagles all week and Catlin was hot favourite to win in normal time, especially the way he was putting. However, after chipping to five feet he missed his putt for birdie to the disbelief of everyone watching.

On the first play-off hole, the tournament appeared to be going Puig’s way when Catlin’s second shot, with a fairway wood, sailed past the right side of the green and looked to be heading out of bounds. Fortunately, his ball came to rest on the road behind the main hospitality marquee and from there he was able to take a free drop.

As that was happening Puig sensationally nearly made an eagle after his bunker shot from 20 yards hit the pin. It left him with a tap in for birdie.

Catlin had to negotiate a difficult chip, with little green to work with, and left himself much to do after leaving himself with a tricky six-foot putt.

But putting the memory of his miss moments earlier behind him, he confidently made the putt to keep the play-off alive.

The next time round Puig again had the upper hand when he found the putting surface in two, although he faced a long-range putt, while Catlin’s second shot missed the green on the right leaving another awkward chip.

Surprisingly, Puig’s first attempt was not up to his usual standard while his American opponent, sensing an opportunity, took the pin out and nearly holed out. After Puig missed his putt, Catlin was left with an easy tap in for an epic victory.

“We made that a little more difficult than we had to,” said Catlin to caddie Barry Cornwall immediately after holing the winning putt.

As well as winning the Thailand Open in extra time he won the 2021 Austrian Open on the DP World Tour in overtime. He’s never lost in a sudden-death play-off and he’s always won if he’s held the third-round lead.

“Still hasn’t quite sunk in, and that was one heck of a battle,” said the 33-year-old Californian.

“I mean, if you had told me I would finish minus 23 on the tournament, and I still have to be in a play-off, I’d be like, you’re kidding. But I mean, it was special all week, I fought really hard. You know, I was battling all week long and to come out on top is really, really special.”

On his struggles on the first play-off hole he said: “Basically I just figured I had nothing to lose, I mean he’s already made four. So, I either got to make four or it’s over, and it actually kind of took a little bit of the heat off and I had a decent chip and a good putt.”

This is also his first appearance on The International Series and is redemption for being beaten by Puig in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open. He tied for third there and also missed out on a place in The Open due to a countback based on world rankings.

The win also justifies his decision to return to playing on the Asian Tour. He has been competing in Europe for the past four seasons – where he won back-to-back titles in 2020 and once in 2021 – but after a poor couple of years he opted to play in this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School, where he made it through in 19th place.

He moves into second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, while Puig has the consolation of becoming number one. On The International Series Rankings, Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz is still first, with Catlin second and Puig third.

“Yeah, good day, obviously the score says it right?” said Puig.

“And I played good. Had a very good back nine and I’m happy that I got into the play-off and I had a chance. It has been a good week. I mean different course for sure but pretty fun. Also, you know, I’m pretty tired being the seventh week in a row, so I’m glad I finished on a good note and ready for what’s next.”

The Asian Tour has a break now before it heads to the US$1million Saudi Open presented by Public Investment Fund, at Riyadh Golf Club, from April 17-20.

Categories
PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy After Players Championship: “I Think I’m Headed in the Right Direction”

Rory McIlroy finishes the Players Championship, the flagship event of the PGA Tour, in 19th place. The Northern Irishman posted a score of 72 (even par) on the final day at the TPC Sawgrass. In the press conference after the final round, he explained why he was not satisfied despite 26 birdies and how the dispute with LIV Golf could continue.

Full Interview with Rory McIlroy after Players Championship

Question: You said at the beginning of the week you were kind of in between swings. I know it’s probably not the week you wanted, but do you feel like you’re closer to whichever one you want?

Rory McIlory: I think overall I probably made a little bit of progress from this time last Sunday at the Arnold Palmer, so, yeah, it’s there. I think, after the first round I sort of my expectations sort of went sky high because I was like, oh, I think I’ve figured it out. Then the last three days were a little bit more of a struggle.

But I think I’m headed in the right direction. I’ve definitely straightened out a few of the iron shots, which was a big key for me coming into this week. I made enough birdies, it’s just a matter of getting rid of the bad stuff.

Question: You’re playing the week before the Masters, but do you think you might visit Augusta in advance, or has that been as good for you as you would have liked?

Rory McIlory: No, I mean, I might go there on the way to San Antonio. Might head up there on the Monday and play and then head to San Antonio. But no trips planned as of yet.

Question: It’s always kind of cool, though, sometimes you go with your dad, I mean just maybe just for the fun of it more than anything?

Rory McIlory: Yeah, I’ve done that a lot and it’s really nice and I can certainly do that after the Masters, but when I do it before, I don’t feel like I get a ton out of it. Like in terms of like preparation for the week and actually getting into the mindset I need to get into. So maybe a quick pit stop on the way to San Antonio to play a practice round and spend some time. But as I said, nothing planned as of yet.

Question: It’s been confirmed that there’s a meeting tomorrow with the player directors and Yasir. Do you welcome that?

Rory McIlory: Absolutely. I think it should have happened months ago, so I am glad that it’s happening. Hopefully that progresses conversations and gets us closer to a solution.

Question: Does Tiger need to be involved in that do you think at this point?

Rory McIlory: I mean, he’s a player director. He’s on the board, so absolutely he needs to be involved.

Question: What you do hope their message is? What do you hope to take away from that meeting?

Rory McIlory: The players or the PIF?

Question: The players.

Rory McIlory: The players? That fundamentally he wants to do the right thing. I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with Yasir and his — the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so Norman and those guys.

I see the two entities, and I think there’s a big, I actually think there’s a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalize that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.

Question: What does PIF want do you think that’s different to LIV?

Rory McIlory: Look, they’re a sovereign wealth fund. They want to park money for decades and not worry about it. They want to invest in smart and secure businesses, and the PGA TOUR is definitely one of those, especially if they’re looking to invest in sport in some way.

Question: Back on the golf, 26 birdies is a record around here. I know it’s nice to be leaving with —

Rory McIlory: Woo-hoo. (Laughing).

Question: There’s been a lot of people play here in 50 years.

Rory McIlory: Yeah, no, it feels, I did the same — I did the same thing at the back end of 2020 I remember, the back end of the COVID year I was making a ton of birdies and making a ton of mistakes, as well, and it was just a matter of trying to figure out a way to keep the bogeys off the card and still make the birdies.

So, yeah, look, it’s not all bad. It could be a lot worse, I guess. If these are the worse finishes that I’m going to have 20ths, you know, I feel like that’s my floor and I haven’t quite got to the golf that I’ve wanted to play to get to my ceiling. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I can work at it and get closer to that level of golf.

Question: Is the volatility swing related or is it an approach thing you’ve seen in the last couple weeks?

Rory McIlory: I think it’s swing related. My misses last week were predominantly to the left. So I really tried to eradicate that this week, and for the most part with the irons I did, but started to get a left miss off the tee.

Golf is a very fickle game. It gives you one thing and then takes away something else from you. It’s just, again, like, I feel like I’ve got all the components there, but just trying to put them all together on a given week. That’s the tricky part at the minute.

Question: Is that bigger picture view that you said — or excuse me, when you talked with Yasir, did you sense from him a bigger picture view than what we’re seeing with LIV?

Rory McIlory: Absolutely. I think there’s a way to incorporate — I think, you know, they’re big on team golf and they want to see team golf survive in some way in the calendar. I don’t think it has to necessarily look like LIV. I think in my mind you should leave the individual golf the individual golf and then you play your team golf on the sort of periphery of that.

But, again, it’s going to require patience. People have contracts at LIV up until 2028, 2029. I don’t know if they’re going to see that all the way out, but I definitely see LIV playing in its current form for the next couple years anyway while everything gets figured out. I don’t think this is an overnight solution, but if we can get the investment in, then at least we can start working towards a compromise where we’re not going to make everyone happy, but at least make everyone understand why we’re doing what we’re doing.

Question: What particularly is it about LIV that you see is the disconnect with Yasir?

Rory McIlory: I think their disruptiveness and his — their disruptiveness, and then his, I don’t know what the right word is, I guess his desire to be involved in the world of golf in a productive way.

Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Shocking Lip-out on Last Hole Prevents Play-off at Players Championship

The final of the Players Championship, the flagship event of the PGA Tour, could not have been more dramatic: The world number one plays a magnificent round, with three players chasing him on the final holes to force a play-off. Firstly Brian Harman dropped out of the race, then Xander Schauffele. Finally, Wyndham Clark has the chance to reach the play-off against Scottie Scheffler on 20 under par.

The reigning US Open winner absolutely needs a birdie on the 18th to do so. Clark plays the difficult tee shot courageously and aims straight for the flag as he approaches the green. A good five metres then separate him from the play-off. His putt is good and seems to hold the line until the last second, but it doesn’t want to drop.

Shocking Lip-out at Final Hole of Players Championship

“I’m still a bit beside myself. I’m shocked that putt didn’t go in,” Clark said in frustration after the round. He was so sure that the ball would fall that he had already started to cheer, as you can see on another video. By missing the chance, the American made his compatriot Scheffler the immediate winner of the Players Championship. The incident is likely to gnaw at the 30-year-old for a while yet. Perhaps the 1.8 million dollars in prize money he received for finishing in a tie for second place will help.

Categories
Live

Watch: PGA Tour highlights from round 4 of the THE PLAYERS Championship

The stage is set at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on the final round of the PGA Tour event, THE PLAYERS Championship. Today marks the fourth and final round of the iconic event in the golfing community, with golfers vying for the coveted spot at the top of the leaderboard. THE PLAYERS Championship is renowned in the world of golf, not just for the level of competition it brings forward, but also for its substantial prize money. This season, the tournament boasts a prize pool of $25,000,000.

Scottie Scheffler from the USA took the lead of the pack with an early eagle on the fourth hole and won the tournament with an impressive total score of -20, followed closely by Brian Harman, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark, all from the USA, who are tied for second place with a total score of -19. British golfer Matt Fitzpatrick is also making his presence felt, currently holding the fifth position on the leaderboard with a total score of -16.

THE PLAYERS Championship: The PGA Tour round 4 highlights

About the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the largest American professional golf tour. There are 36 tournaments on the tour’s schedule this season. The tournaments mainly take place in the USA, but there are also some international venues over the course of the season. The signature events introduced in 2023 offer higher prize money and a smaller field of participants. There will be a total of eight of these events in the 2024 season. The four Majors and the Players Championship are also part of the PGA Tour. At the end of the tours season, the 70 best players in the FedEx Cup season rankings will play in a three-tournament play-off for overall tour victory and an extra 18 million dollars in prize money.