Category: European Tour

Ronald Rugumayo etched his name into the history books in 2024 when he became the first player from Uganda to make the cut on the DP World Tour, a milestone that resonated far beyond professional golf circles across the African continent.

The achievement represents a significant breakthrough for Ugandan golf, opening a new chapter in the country’s golfing heritage. Rugumayo’s success on one of professional golf’s most competitive stages underscores the growing talent emerging from East Africa and the potential for future generations of African golfers to establish themselves on the international stage.

A Landmark Moment for African Golf

Making the cut on the DP World Tour demands consistency and skill at the highest level of professional competition. Rugumayo’s accomplishment serves as inspiration for aspiring golfers across Uganda and the wider African continent, demonstrating that success at elite professional levels is achievable regardless of geographic location or resources available.

The historic putt that sealed his spot among the weekend competitors became symbolic of breaking barriers and challenging expectations within professional golf. His appearance in the official DP World Tour records marks a tangible step forward in diversifying the sport at its professional peak.

Rugumayo’s breakthrough adds to the growing list of African representatives competing at the highest levels of international golf, contributing to the sport’s global expansion and the development of talent across the continent.

A moment that made Uganda and the entire contient of Africa proud 🇺🇬

In 2024, Ronald Rugumayo holed this putt and became the first player from Uganada to make the cut on the DP World Tour. #MKO2026 | #TourArchive pic.twitter.com/VNRT2vdh16

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 16, 2026

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Anthony Kim has completed one of golf’s most improbable comebacks, capturing his first professional title in 16 years at LIV Golf Adelaide. The South Korean golfer’s emotional victory at The Grange Golf Club marks a remarkable return to the winner’s circle after a lengthy absence from competitive golf.

Kim’s win represents a significant milestone in his return to professional competition. The victory comes at LIV Golf League‘s second event of the season, held February 12-15 at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia. The event carries substantial prize money, with the individual winner receiving $4 million and team winners earning $3 million from the $30 million total purse.

A Comeback Against the Odds

Kim’s return to form comes after stepping away from professional golf for more than a decade. The golfer’s triumph at Adelaide demonstrates his ability to compete at the highest level alongside established names in LIV Golf, where he faces competition from world-class players including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith.

The Adelaide event also marked historic significance for the LIV Golf League, as it was the first competition to award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. This development further legitimizes the tour’s standing in professional golf.

Adelaide Roster and Competition

Kim’s victory takes place in the context of strong performances from other Australian players competing on home soil. The Ripper GC team, featuring Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, and 23-year-old Elvis Smylie—who won his LIV debut in Riyadh the previous week—proved competitive both in the individual and team competitions.

The Adelaide tournament represents one of several major golf events competing for attention in the second week of February 2026, alongside the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic in Florida.

Anthony Kim completed his amazing golf comeback story with an emotional LIV Adelaide win to secure his first title in 16 years 👏 pic.twitter.com/JJ34wnj2YP

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) February 15, 2026

The professional golf calendar enters a pivotal week with marquee events across multiple tours testing the world’s best players. The PGA Tour‘s flagship AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am takes center stage in California, while the LIV Golf League heads to Adelaide for a historic milestone.

Scottie Scheffler arrives at Pebble Beach Golf Links as the clear favorite, bringing his world number one ranking and the momentum that defines his recent form. Rory McIlroy returns as the defending champion, seeking back-to-back titles at the storied California course. The event offers $20 million in prize money, with the winner earning $3.6 million.

One storyline commands immediate attention: Chris Gotterup’s remarkable run. The American has captured victories at the Sony Open and Phoenix Open in consecutive weeks, establishing himself as the tour’s hottest player entering Pebble Beach. Such form cannot be ignored in a field of this caliber.

LIV Golf Makes Historic Shift in Adelaide

Across the Pacific, LIV Golf enters uncharted territory at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide. For the first time, the league’s event will award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, marking a significant development in the tour’s evolution. This $30 million tournament carries substantial weight for players seeking to elevate their world ranking credentials.

Jon Rahm headlines a field featuring Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, though attention naturally turns to the home team. The Ripper GC, featuring Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, and Elvis Smylie, won both the individual and team titles in Riyadh last week. Smylie’s debut victory at 23 years old represents a significant statement from the young Australian, and Ripper GC now has the chance to build momentum in front of a home crowd.

Langer Eyes Historic Record in Florida

On the PGA Tour Champions, Bernhard Langer commands attention at the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida. The German veteran holds the all-time record with 47 Champions Tour victories and has won the Chubb Classic five times previously. A sixth title would extend his remarkable record at this event, underscoring his continued excellence at 68 years old.

The Ladies European Tour launches its season in Saudi Arabia with the PIF Saudi Ladies International, the circuit’s richest event outside the majors. The $5 million purse attracts elite talent including Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, and Danielle Kang. German players feature prominently in the field, with Esther Henseleit carrying the title of Golf Saudi Ambassador while Laura Funfstuck, winner of the PIF London Championship in 2025, seeks to maintain her winning trajectory.

Several German-speaking competitors compete across the week’s tournaments. Stephan Jäger and Matti Schmid represent German interests at Pebble Beach, while Sepp Straka brings his four PGA Tour victories to California. Martin Kaymer captains the Cleeks GC squad at Adelaide. Alex Cejka joins Langer at the Champions Tour event in Florida, where both players bring decades of professional experience to the field.

The moment Charley Hull found out she won the PIF Saudi Ladies International 🥳 pic.twitter.com/IF8DTt5Rol

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) February 14, 2026

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The PGA Tour heads to the California coast this week for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where Scottie Scheffler arrives as the clear favourite alongside defending champion Rory McIlroy. The event runs from February 12-15 at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, with a total purse of $20 million and the champion claiming $3.6 million.

Scheffler’s status as world number one and recent form make him the player to beat, but the focus this week may well centre on Chris Gotterup’s remarkable ascent. The American has claimed victories at both the Sony Open and the Phoenix Open in consecutive weeks, establishing himself as the tour’s hottest player heading into Pebble Beach. A third title in four weeks would represent a breakthrough moment for Gotterup.

McIlroy Defends Crown While Fresh Talent Emerges

McIlroy comes to defence of his 2025 title, seeking to add another chapter to his success at Pebble Beach. Fellow contenders include Justin Rose, who captured the Farmers Insurance Open last week, providing confidence heading into this week’s challenge.

The signature event format continues to attract celebrity involvement, with Travis Kelce among the notable participants joining professional golfers for the pro-am competition. This blend of professional competition and entertainment remains a defining characteristic of the Pebble Beach tournament.

DACH Region Well Represented

German interest is substantial this week, with Stephan Jäger and Matti Schmid both competing. Jäger finished tied seventh here last year and will be eager to improve on that result. Austria’s Sepp Straka, a four-time PGA Tour winner, also reached a tie for seventh in 2025 and represents another strong DACH region challenger.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the global tour schedule, LIV Golf continues its international expansion with the Adelaide event in Australia, where Martin Kaymer serves as captain of Cleeks GC. On the senior circuit, legendary German Bernhard Langer competes in the Chubb Classic, seeking his sixth title at age 68.

The PIF Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour features strong German representation including Esther Henseleit, Laura Funfstuck, and rising star Helen Briem, who joined the LPGA Tour in 2026. Funfstuck arrives as defending champion of the PIF London Championship from 2025.

Pebble Beach has hosted some of golf’s finest moments over the decades, and this week’s field promises compelling competition as the tour enters its peak season.

What a final round from Charley Hull to clinch the PIF Saudi Ladies International 🏆🔥 pic.twitter.com/u02HyhWKmT

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) February 14, 2026

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Patrick Reed has continued his exceptional early-season form by claiming victory at the 2026 Qatar Masters, marking his second win in just three weeks on the DP World Tour.

Pádraig Harrington marked a significant career milestone with his strongest performance in months at the Qatar Masters, celebrating his 500th appearance on the DP World Tour in style at the Doha Golf Club.

The 54-year-old Irishman, a three-time major champion, recorded his best finish on Tour since 2024 during the tournament held at Peter Harradine’s 27-hole desert layout. The achievement underscores Harrington’s enduring commitment to competitive golf despite being well into his sixth decade.

Harrington’s milestone 500th start represents decades of dedication to the European circuit, spanning from its earlier incarnation as the European Tour through to its current format as the DP World Tour. His longevity in professional golf continues to be remarkable, with the former Open and PGA Championship winner showing he can still compete at the highest level.

Veteran’s Resilient Performance

The Qatar Masters, held annually since 1998 as part of the DP World Tour schedule, provided the perfect backdrop for Harrington’s achievement. The Doha Golf Club, known as the center of golf in Qatar, offered challenging desert conditions that tested the field throughout the week.

Harrington’s performance demonstrates that experience and course management remain valuable assets in professional golf, even as the sport continues to evolve with younger players dominating many tournaments. His ability to contend after five decades on tour speaks to his exceptional fitness and mental approach to the game.

Legacy of Consistency

Reaching 500 DP World Tour appearances places Harrington among the most dedicated professionals in the sport’s history. This milestone reflects not just longevity but consistent performance standards that have kept him competitive across multiple generations of golfers.

The timing of his strong showing in Qatar adds extra significance to the achievement, proving that veteran players can still deliver when it matters most on golf’s biggest stages.

Pádraig Harrington recorded his best finish on Tour since 2024 on his 500th DP World Tour appearance at the age of 54 👏 #QatarMasters pic.twitter.com/iWMZ8Qf3xL

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 9, 2026

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue