Category: Top Tours

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LIV Tour

LIV Golf and OWGR in new discussions over ranking points?

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman reportedly in new talks over World Ranking Points for the League (Photo: Getty)

Augusta was, as always, the stage for great golf moments – and apparently also for a meeting away from the fairways. At the Masters, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and the new OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman were seen under the famous oak tree – a place where important matters in golf are often discussed. Nothing has been officially confirmed, but according to multiple reports, talks between LIV Golf and the OWGR about possible recognition of the league for world ranking points are said to be taking place. This would be the first time since the rejected application in 2022 that the two sides have moved closer again.


Possible Changes to LIV Golf’s Format

Since its founding in 2022, LIV Golf has been striving for recognition by the OWGR. So far, this has failed due to criticism of the format—particularly because of the team competition and the lack of relegation. Now, it seems things are moving forward. With new leadership on both sides, structural reforms, and the first visible signs of rapprochement—as reports suggest—the door to the world rankings may be opening a little wider.

What also seems apparent: LIV Golf appears willing to make structural adjustments. To accommodate the OWGR, there are said to be plans for clearer sporting mobility in the future. Players who end up in the so called “Drop Zone” at the end of the season would automatically be eliminated. A return would then only be possible through the Promotions Event or the Asian Tour.

OWGR Points as the Key to the Majors

The debate over ranking points has tangible consequences for many LIV golfers. While top players like Jon Rahm or Brooks Koepka are secured through major successes, others lack guaranteed access to big tournaments. The world ranking is the central criterion—without points, no starts in the majors. Integration into the OWGR system would significantly improve the competitive prospects of many LIV golfers.

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PGA Tour

Record Crowds Expected at Royal Portrush for 153rd Open Championship

The British Open at Royal Portrush expects record breaking crowd. (Photo: Getty)

Royal Portrush is set to make history once again. The R&A announced that it expects a staggering 278,000 fans to descend on the famed links this July for the 153rd Open Championship — a figure that would make it one of the most attended Opens of all time.

The turnout will mark the largest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with an estimated economic impact of £213 million. Ticket demand has been unprecedented, with over one million applications submitted. Only the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022 — which drew 290,000 spectators — has attracted a larger crowd.

Lowry and McIlroy Set for Homecoming Battle

Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019, when Shane Lowry thrilled the home crowds with a commanding six-shot victory, drawing a then-record 237,750 fans over four days. Six years later, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as Lowry prepares for a potential showdown with fellow fan favorite Rory McIlroy — fresh off his long-awaited Masters triumph and the favorite to capture more major glory in 2025.

 
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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Pro on Suspension: “It’s Been an Emotional Rollercoaster”

Suspended over a LIV-linked event, Wesley Bryan addresses fans directly on YouTube—with reflection, respect, and resolve. (Photo: Youtube@Bryan Bros Golf)

For most of his career, Wesley Bryan has been as comfortable in front of a camera as he is over a wedge shot. Trick shots, Tour wins, YouTube content — he’s built a name straddling the line between entertainer and elite athlete. But now, the PGA Tour veteran finds himself at the center of a different kind of story: one where the future of golf collides head-on with its rules of the past.

The PGA Tour suspended Bryan following his appearance at “The Duels: Miami,” a LIV Golf-adjacent creator event. The response? A 3-minute YouTube video, shot from a golf cart, layered with gratitude, introspection, and an unmistakable undercurrent of defiance.

“It’s Been an Emotional Rollercoaster”

In the video, Bryan isn’t teeing off or goofing around with influencers. He’s seated quietly in a golf cart, speaking directly to his audience — not as a content creator, not as a PGA Tour player, but as someone genuinely trying to make sense of where golf is headed.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” he admits early in the video. The PGA Tour had suspended him for playing in an event connected to LIV — without securing a mandatory release. But instead of firing back, Bryan starts with something unexpected: gratitude.

He thanks the Tour. For the tournaments. For the platform. For the eight years of opportunities. It’s a tone that’s disarming — reflective rather than reactive. There’s no hint of rage. Only a desire to explain.

YouTube, LIV, and a Grey Area in the Rulebook

To understand the controversy, it helps to understand the event. “The Duels: Miami” wasn’t a traditional tournament. It wasn’t sanctioned, it wasn’t ranked, and it wasn’t played for a seven-figure purse. It was a content shoot — part challenge, part entertainment — streamed on YouTube, not broadcast on national television.

Bryan played alongside YouTubers and major champions alike, all of it captured on Grant Horvat’s channel. The problem? The PGA Tour’s policy requires players to seek permission before appearing in non-Tour events, particularly those linked to LIV Golf. Bryan didn’t — because, as he sees it, it wasn’t a competitive event at all.

For Bryan, YouTube isn’t a hobby. It’s a career lane that has grown up alongside his Tour life — one he’s cultivated for over a decade. It’s also part of a larger shift in golf, where Gen Z fans are just as likely to follow Grant Horvat or Rick Shiels as they are to tune into CBS on a Sunday.

“The Rule Was Not Meant To Cover Content Creation On Youtube”

Bryan makes it clear: this isn’t about defiance. It’s about definitions. He respects the PGA Tour, and he’s not looking to blow up the rulebook — but he is questioning whether the rules have kept up with the game.

“I want to be clear. I do respect the authorities that are in place at the tour, but because of the ambiguity and the rules and regulations that were written I do, a as a member of the PGA Tour, have a right to appeal their decision,” he says. “I don’t feel like when the rule was written, that it was meant to cover content creation on YouTube, I feel like it was meant to cover organized professional high-level golf events. And with that being said, I plan on carrying out my right to appeal.”

So, he’s appealing. Not to win an argument, but to seek clarity — for himself, for other content creators in golf, and for the next generation of players who might find themselves walking the same line between entertainment and elite sport.

What happens next will likely be decided behind closed doors. But the bigger question — how golf defines itself in the digital age — is one that’s far from settled.

Watch the full video here:

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PGA Tour

Rules of Golf: Wrong ball played – Pro disqualifies himself

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

A small mistake with big consequences: At the Corales Puntacana Championship, a breach of the rules was Ben Crane’s undoing. After making a mistake at the PGA Tour event, he disqualified himself.

On hole 8 of the third round in the Dominican Republic, the ball supposedly landed in the water after the tee shot. Crane then played a second ball from the tee, which came to rest near the penalty area. Once there, however, the American found two balls. His first ball had not landed in the water but hit the rocks and bounced back onto the course. Crane made a mistake in identifying the ball and inadvertently continued to play his first ball. As the second ball was already in play, this was illegal. It was not until the following hole that Crane discovered scratches on his ball caused by the impact with the rocks and realized his mistake.

Rules of golf: Wrong ball played

The Rules of Golf state that, as a rule, a hole must be played with one ball from start to finish. Rule 6.3b states: “If the player’s original ball has not been found and the player put another ball in play to take stroke-and-distance relief or as allowed under a Rule that applies when it is known or virtually certain what happened to the ball: The player must continue playing with the substituted ball, and the player must not play the original ball even if it is found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time.”

If a player continues to play with the original ball, this is regarded as playing the wrong ball. According to Rule 6.3c(1), a player is obliged to correct a mistake before teeing off on the next hole. It states: “If the player does not correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the round, before returning their scorecard, the player is disqualified.”


Ben Crane addressed the public after the incident via his X account and described the situation from his perspective. He explained how the mistake came about and why he decided to take the consequences in the form of self-disqualification. His honest account and the decision to hold himself accountable were widely appreciated in the golf community.

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Highlights Tours LIV Tour

These LIV golfers will compete at the US Masters 2025 in Augusta

These LIV golfers will compete at the US Masters 2025 at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Getty)
These LIV golfers will compete at the US Masters 2025 at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Getty)

For players who joined the LIV Golf League, qualifying for Major championships has become increasingly difficult. Since they do not receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points in their own league and are banned from participating in PGA Tour events, there are limited opportunities for LIV players to secure a spot in the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.

However, both the USGA and The R&A have responded to this challenge by creating explicit qualifying paths for LIV players, allowing them easier access to the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Their reasoning? They want to ensure that the best golfers in the world are represented in their fields.

The first Major of the year, though, is the Masters – traditionally the most exclusive of the four Majors, with a limited field of around 90 players invited annually to compete at Augusta National Golf Club. There is no direct qualification path for LIV Golf players, yet 12 LIV golfers will once again be part of the Masters field in 2025.

One group of players that will always have a place at Augusta is the Masters champions. Former winners receive a lifetime invitation to the event. This includes Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Bubba Watson. Other LIV players qualified by winning one of the other three Majors in recent years – Bryson DeChambeau (U.S. Open 2024), Brooks Koepka (PGA Championship 2023), and Cameron Smith (The Open 2022). Tyrrell Hatton may not yet have a Major title, but he finished inside the top 12 at the 2024 Masters, earning him an automatic return. He is also currently ranked inside the world’s top 50, another standard route for qualification. Joaquin Niemann, while not officially qualified through traditional categories, received a special invitation from Augusta National due to his exceptional performances, similar to last year.

All LIV Golfers Competing at the 2025 US Masters:

  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Tyrrell Hatton
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Cameron Smith
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Jon Rahm
  • Patrick Reed
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Bubba Watson
  • Joaquin Niemann

Also worth mentioning is Laurie Canter, a former LIV player. He was still listed as a reserve early in 2024 but later left the league entirely. Since then, he’s been able to play events like The Players Championship, having qualified through strong performances on the DP World Tour. His current position inside the world’s top 50 also earned him a spot at the 2025 US Masters.

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PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy cracks 100 million in prize money – hunt for Tiger Woods begins

Rory McIlroy passes the 100 million dollar mark in prize money and reaches a new career milestone. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy passes the 100 million dollar mark in prize money and reaches a new career milestone. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy has reached another milestone in his impressive career: the Northern Irishman is only the second player in the history of the PGA Tour to pass the 100 million dollar mark in official prize money. Only Tiger Woods was able to break this mark before him. But how did McIlroy achieve this historic success, and can he even overtake Woods in the coming years?

Rory McIlroy’s recent successes bring crucial millions

A decisive factor in McIlroy’s financial success was his victory at the 2025 Players Championship. In a nerve-wracking play-off, he secured the title and the prize money of 4.5 million dollars from a total pool of 25 million US dollars.

Another lucrative highlight was his triumph at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship. With a final score of 15 under par and a flawless final round, McIlroy secured the prize money of 3 million dollars and further increased his financial cushion.

How prize money is transforming golf

McIlroy’s monetary success is not just a personal triumph, but also an indicator of the increasing commercialization of golf. Increasing sponsorship deals, growing media coverage and higher prize money have made the PGA Tour one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world in recent decades.

McIlroy already topped the European Tour’s money list in 2018 after finishing in a tie for second place at the Open Championship. This took him over the €35 million mark in prize money on the European Tour.

Can McIlroy overtake Tiger Woods?

Despite McIlroy’s impressive financial record, Tiger Woods remains unrivaled with over 120 million dollars in official PGA Tour prize money. However, the rising prize money and McIlroy’s consistent performance could make the race for the number one spot in the money rankings exciting in the coming years.

At 35, McIlroy is at a stage where many golfers reach their financial peaks. If he continues to strategically participate in tournaments that pay out large prize money, he could actually catch up with Woods in the next few years.

McIlroy as a giant of golf

Rory McIlroy has played his way into the exclusive league of golf millionaires through a combination of sporting ability, strategic tournament planning and economic foresight. The coming years will show whether he can break Tiger Woods’ 120 million dollar mark. But one thing is certain: McIlroy is not just a top golfer – he is a brand in his own right.

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LIV Tour

Brooks Koepka tells it like it really is: LIV is “behind where we should be’

Brooks Koepka talks about LIV Golf. (Photo: Getty)
Brooks Koepka talks about LIV Golf. (Photo: Getty)

Admission: While the LIV Golf League likes to indulge in superlatives, there are some protagonists on the competition circuit who take a very realistic view of the construct. Brooks Koepka, for example, who, as usual, doesn’t mince his words and clearly states that the LIV has not developed as desired. ‘Look we’re four years in, it’s just getting its feet wet and figuring out what direction they want it to go,’ said the five-time major winner on “The Joe Pomp Show” hosted by Joe Pompliano, an entrepreneur and investor who likes to get involved in the business of opinion-making in golf. Koepka admitted during the interview: ‘We are behind, to be quite fair. Behind where we should be. From bringing sponsors in to hitting the international market and the US market.”

Brooks Koepka: LIV Golf behind expectations

But it’s fun, it’s evolving, technologies evolving, and look its just golf at the end of the day, and you got to make it more fun and entertaining and the attention span that the younger generation has isnt as long as everyone sitting on the couch watching golf for five six hours.

“You have to be able to innovate and create different things – thats what we’re trying to do, TGL’s doing the same thing – its just a matter of putting a good product out in front of people and at the end of the day if you put good golf in front of people they are going to want to watch it.

Brooks Koepka

The 34-year-old obviously combines this with a side blow against the previous LIV impresario Greg Norman, even if he does not mention his name. But criticism resonates when Koepka places his hopes in the new CEO Scott O’Neil: ‘Obviously, there’s been a lot of change and hires of people within LIV, and I think Scott’s a great guy, and he can lead LIV to where it needs to be and where I think it should be’

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Player deliberately hinders leading flight

(Screenshot: Instagram/@Skratch)
(Screenshot: Instagram/@Skratch)

Alejandro Tosti started together with Min Woo Lee and Ryan Fox in the final flight of the PGA Tour’s Houston Open, but seemed very unhappy with his two playing partners.

Tosti clashed with Ryan Fox on the very first hole when Tosti took his time to drop his ball, reported course reporter Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay. A few holes later, however, the situation turned around: Min Woo Lee’s tee shot on hole 8, a par-5, landed under a bush. After the ball was found, it took Lee seven minutes to play it after considering various options, including hitting the ball on his knees. In the end, he decided to declare the ball unplayable. It took the flight a total of 30 minutes to complete just this one hole.

Tosti: Slow play in protest

Tosti then appeared to complain to a rules official about Lee’s pace of play. However, when no consequences followed, the Argentinian took matters into his own hands and seemingly deliberately played slowly to hold off the final flight and Lee, who was fighting for victory. A video from the broadcast shows Tosti just stepping on the fairway while Lee had almost reached his ball. At this point, Tosti himself was seven shots behind Lee at the top, with no chance of victory.

PGA Tour: Scheffler und McIlroy in Top 10 bei Min Woo Lees Sieg
 
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‘I don’t know what’s going on, but Tosti plays at his own pace,’ Mackay described the scene. ‘Sometimes it’s normal. Sometimes it’s glacially slow. But on this particular hole, he’s decided to really take his time, and he’s holding up play in this last group.’

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Rickie Fowler Joins Star-Studded Houston Open

The PGA Tour Tee Times of the American Contingent. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Tour rolls into Texas this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open, hosted at the ever-challenging Memorial Park Golf Course. With a par-70 layout and a purse of $9.5 million, this event is no mere warm-up—it’s a serious proving ground, especially with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Stephan Jaeger headlining a stacked field.

PGA Tour Tee Times: Americans in Action

Lanto Griffin will take to the course at 12:30 in the first round, playing alongside Chad Ramey and France’s Victor Perez. Their second round starts at 07:20. ​

Patrick Rodgers is set to begin his first round at 12:52 with compatriots Nate Lashley and Patrick Fishburn. They will tee off for the second round at 07:42. ​

The spotlight shines brightly on Rickie Fowler, who tees it up on Thursday at 13:03 alongside Scottie Scheffler and Sungjae Im. They’ll head out early on Friday at 07:53.

Tony Finau is paired with Germany’s Stephan Jaeger and Belgium’s Thomas Detry, teeing off at 13:14 for the first round. Their second round begins at 08:04.

Round Time Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
1 12:30 Lanto Griffin Chad Ramey Victor Perez
1 12:52 Patrick Rodgers Nate Lashley Patrick Fishburn
1 13:03 Rickie Fowler Scottie Scheffler Sungjae Im
1 13:14 Tony Finau Stephan Jaeger Thomas Detry
2 07:20 Lanto Griffin Chad Ramey Victor Perez
2 07:42 Patrick Rodgers Nate Lashley Patrick Fishburn
2 07:53 Rickie Fowler Scottie Scheffler Sungjae Im
2 08:04 Tony Finau Stephan Jaeger Thomas Detry

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: McIlroy Headlines Star-Studded Field in Houston

The PGA Tour Tee Times of the British Contingent. (Photo: Getty)

As the PGA Tour shifts from the Florida Swing to Texas, all eyes turn to Memorial Park Golf Course for the Texas Children’s Houston Open. The par-70 layout in the heart of Houston hosts one of the spring season’s key stops, offering a $9.5 million purse and a competitive field that includes defending champion Stephan Jaeger and world number one Scottie Scheffler. And Rory McIlroy returns to the event for the first time in over a decade.

PGA Tour Tee Times: The British Players

Danny Willett, representing England, starts his first round at 7:42 AM with Trey Mullinax from the USA and Mac Meissner also from the USA. For the second round, they will tee off at 12:52 PM.

Rory McIlroy opens his Houston campaign at 7:53 AM on Thursday alongside Americans Maverick McNealy and Wyndham Clark, with the same trio set to tee off again at 1:03 PM on Friday.

Harry Hall of England will tee off his first round at 8:37 AM with Mackenzie Hughes from Canada and Chris Gotterup from the USA. Their second-round tee time is at 1:47 PM.

Matt Wallace, also from England, starts at 1:25 PM for the first round with Gary Woodland from the USA and Matt McCarty from the USA. His second round will begin at 8:15 AM.

Aaron Rai from England tees at 1:36 PM with Adam Svensson from Canada and Seamus Power from Ireland. His second round is scheduled for 8:26 AM.

Paul Waring of England begins his first round at 2:31 PM alongside Jeremy Paul from Germany and Noah Kent from the USA. The second round will be at 9:21 AM.

Round Time Player Nationality Playing Partners
Round 1 7:42 AM Danny Willett ENG Trey Mullinax (USA), Mac Meissner (USA)
Round 1 7:53 AM Rory McIlroy NIR Maverick McNealy (USA), Wyndham Clark (USA)
Round 1 8:37 AM Harry Hall ENG Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Chris Gotterup (USA)
Round 1 1:25 PM Matt Wallace ENG Gary Woodland (USA), Matt McCarty (USA)
Round 1 1:36 PM Aaron Rai ENG Adam Svensson (CAN), Seamus Power (IRL)
Round 1 2:31 PM Paul Waring ENG Jeremy Paul (GER), Noah Kent (USA)
Round 2 8:15 AM Matt Wallace ENG Gary Woodland (USA), Matt McCarty (USA)
Round 2 8:26 AM Aaron Rai ENG Adam Svensson (CAN), Seamus Power (IRL)
Round 2 9:21 AM Paul Waring ENG Jeremy Paul (GER), Noah Kent (USA)
Round 2 12:52 PM Danny Willett ENG Trey Mullinax (USA), Mac Meissner (USA)
Round 2 1:03 PM Rory McIlroy NIR Maverick McNealy (USA), Wyndham Clark (USA)
Round 2 1:47 PM Harry Hall ENG Mackenzie Hughes (CAN), Chris Gotterup (USA)