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PGA Tour

World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy on his way to Nr. 1?

Rory McIlroy is closing the gap on Scottie Scheffler in the World Golf Ranking. (Photos: Getty)
Rory McIlroy is closing the gap on Scottie Scheffler in the World Golf Ranking. (Photos: Getty)

For a long time, nothing has changed at the top of the world golf rankings: one name has been there for 95 weeks – Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler’s exceptional season in 2024 gave him a huge lead in the OWGR ranking. He was the undisputed leader and for a long time it looked as if no one could even come close to challenging him. But with his victory at the Players Championship 2025 and the title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February of this year, Rory McIlroy is getting closer and closer – and it actually seems possible now that he could overtake Scheffler and take back the top spot.

World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy is gaining ground on Scottie Scheffler

Mathematically, McIlroy could become the world number one again in just one month: if he wins both the Masters and the RBC Heritage and Scheffler performs poorly at both tournaments, McIlroy could soon call himself the best player in the world again.

The Northern Irishman has already announced that he will play in the Houston Open (March 27-30) before the Masters. But even a victory there would not be enough to take the top spot in the world rankings with a Masters victory – there are not enough world ranking points for that. In addition, Rory McIlroy is increasing his lead in the Ryder Cup qualification list: he is well ahead of Tyrrell Hatton in second place among the first-qualified players.

The top 10 of the world ranking otherwise remained stable after the Players Championship, with the exception of Tommy Fleetwood, who rose one place to 9th place, and Justin Thomas, who fell to 10th place.

See the complete World Golf Ranking
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PGA Tour

Players Championship 2025: High Prize Money for Rory McIlroy

The prize money at the Players Championship 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy wins one of the most prestigious titles on the PGA Tour—along with an unprecedented prize purse. A staggering $25 million was up for grabs at the Players Championship 2025 at TPC Sawgrass, making it the richest regular-season tournament on the circuit. McIlroy will walk away with an eye-watering $4.5 million, while the runner-up collects $2.725 million and the third-place finisher $1.725 million. Even a top-10 finish secures a payout of at least $681,250, and those finishing as far back as 40th place will still pocket a six-figure sum.

Prize money at the Players Championship has increased dramatically over the years. When Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event in 1974, he pocketed just $50,000. Today, that amount wouldn’t rank inside the top 40.

As always, the tournament is contested on the iconic Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The layout is best known for its signature par-3 17th hole, where the island green has played a decisive role in countless finishes.

Check Out the Full Leaderboard of the Players Championship 2025

FedExCup Points and Career Incentives

Beyond the massive prize money, 750 FedExCup points are on offer for the winner, a boost in the season-long race to the Tour Championship. Before the tournament Sepp Straka sat atop the standings, but a strong performance in Sawgrass could dramatically shake up the leaderboard.

Victory at The Players also comes with long-term perks: a five-year PGA Tour exemption, a guaranteed spot in all four majors for the next three years, and an invitation to The Sentry, where the year’s tournament winners kick off the new season. The champion also claims 80 Official World Golf Ranking points, just 20 points shy of what the four major winners will receive this year.

FinishPlayerPrize Money
1Rory McIlroy$4,500,000
2JJ Spaun$2,725,000
T3Tom Hoge$1,325,000
T3Akshay Bhatia$1,325,000
T3Lucas Glover$1,325,000
T6Danny Walker$843,750
T6Corey Conners$843,750
T6Bud Cauley$843,750
9Robert MacIntyre$731,250
T10Collin Morikawa$656,250
T10Davis Thompson$656,250
T12Patrick Cantlay$556,250
T12Jake Knapp$556,250
T14Aaron Rai$418,750
T14Denny McCarthy$418,750
T14Tommy Fleetwood$418,750
T14Sam Ryder$418,750
T14Sepp Straka$418,750
T14Alex Smalley$418,750
T20Shane Lowry$240,250
T20Ryan Fox$240,250
T20Keegan Bradley$240,250
T20Joe Highsmith$240,250
T20Matt McCarty$240,250
T20Daniel Berger$240,250
T20Scottie Scheffler$240,250
T20Min Woo Lee$240,250
T20Max McGreevy$240,250
T20Stephan Jaeger$240,250
T30Russell Henley$163,750
T30Harris English$163,750
T30Will Zalatoris$163,750
T33Rico Hoey$136,250
T33Kurt Kitayama$136,250
T33Justin Thomas$136,250
T33Taylor Moore$136,250
T33J.T. Poston$136,250
T38Si Woo Kim$111,250
T38Justin Lower$111,250
T38Davis Riley$111,250
T38Taylor Pendrith$111,250
T42Hayden Springer$81,688
T42Matt Kuchar$81,688
T42Billy Horschel$81,688
T42Jesper Svensson$81,688
T42Mac Meissner$81,688
T42Tom Kim$81,688
T42Chris Kirk$81,688
T42Ryan Gerard$81,688
T50Beau Hossler$63,500
T50Jacob Bridgeman$63,500
T52Byeong Hun An$60,750
T52Sahith Theegala$60,750
T54Matthieu Pavon$58,250
T54Carson Young$58,250
T54Charley Hoffman$58,250
T54Camilo Villegas$58,250
T54Joel Dahmen$58,250
59Jordan Spieth$56,750
60Jhonattan Vegas$56,250
T61Trey Mullinax$54,500
T61Cameron Young$54,500
T61Sungjae Im$54,500
T61Will Chandler$54,500
T61Chandler Phillips$54,500
T61Austin Eckroat$54,500
67Emiliano Grillo$52,750
68Isaiah Salinda$52,250
T69Sami Valimaki$51,500
T69C.T. Pan$51,500
71Rickie Fowler$50,750
72Xander Schauffele$50,250
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PGA Tour Uncategorized

Double ace on the 17th hole and a dip in the water

One ace, one jump (Photo: Twitter@PGATour)
One ace, one jump (Photo: Twitter@PGATour)

The excitement ahead of the 51st edition of the Players Championship could hardly be greater. Even before the “fifth major” officially begins at the TPC Sawgrass in Florida, two hole-in-ones on the legendary 17th hole cause a stir – one by a tournament debutant, the other by a caddie.

Premiere ace for Tosti and a dip into the water

The 28-year-old Alejandro Tosti experiences an unforgettable start to his first Players Championship. On Wednesday afternoon, during his practice round, the Argentinian hits a 52-degree wedge from 121 meters. The ball lands behind the flag, rolls back – and disappears into the hole! Tosti’s joy is boundless, and he keeps his promise: He jumps into the water full of enthusiasm. The crowd roared as he resurfaced and raised his arms; his caddie helped him out of the pond and they hugged on the lawn. It was the first hole-in-one of his career – and he was also making his debut at the Players Championship.

“I’ve been telling people that if I make it in the hole on 17, I’m going in the water, so I had to 100% go in the water, and I was so happy, and really cool to have that moment today.”

First ace in the history of the Caddie Challenge

But Tosti wasn’t the only one with an ace on the day. JJ Jakovac, Collin Morikawa’s caddie, made history when he hit the first hole-in-one in the 26-year history of the Caddie Challenge. His pitching wedge shot spun smoothly back towards the hole and triggered a real celebration. Never before had a caddie managed to hit an ace on this legendary hole.


The Caddie Challenge is a firm Players Championship tradition. Every year, the caddies swap their usual role for a moment and compete on the par-3 17th hole themselves.

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PGA Tour

Tiger Woods likely to miss Masters due to injury

Tiger Woods at the 2024 Masters in Augusta. (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods at the 2024 Masters in Augusta. (Photo: Getty)

Tiger Woods will in all likelihood not be taking part in this year’s Masters Tournament. The reason for this is an injury that he sustained while training at home – a torn Achilles tendon.

“As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured,” the 49-year-old said in a message on Instagram and X.

The minimally-invasive surgery took place on Tuesday morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida. “The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery,” said the attending doctor, Dr. Charlton Stucken.

Tiger Woods: Comeback delayed by multiple setbacks

Woods is now at home and focused on recovery. Although he has not shared his plans concerning the Masters, it is considered unlikely that he will take part in the first major of the year, which begins in just over four weeks. The traditional tournament at Augusta National Golf Club will be held for the 89th time in April – Tiger Woods has won it five times, most recently in 2019.

It has been eight months since his last appearance in an official PGA Tour tournament. He played the British Open at Royal Troon in July. Since then, his tour comeback has been postponed again and again for various reasons. A return to the Masters seemed realistic, but now it has receded into the distance. With the injury to his Achilles tendon, Woods’ comeback remains uncertain.

The 15-time major champion has a long history of injuries: In April 2023, he competed in the Masters but had to withdraw during the third round. In the same month, he underwent surgery on his right ankle for post-traumatic arthritis, a result of his serious car accident in 2021. In September 2024, he had surgery on his lower back due to spasms and pain. Woods has been struggling with back problems on and off since 2014.

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PGA Tour

Who’s the Favorite to Claim the Players Championship 2025?

Players Championship 2025: Who's the Favorite to Win? (Photos: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler has dominated the Players Championship for the past two years. In 2025, he has the opportunity to make history as the first player to win three consecutive titles at TPC Sawgrass. But with a strong field set to challenge him, can anyone break his stranglehold on the tournament?

Scottie Scheffler: The Quest for a Historic Three-Peat

For the past two years, TPC Sawgrass has belonged to Scottie Scheffler. He cruised to a five-shot victory in 2023 and followed it up with a 20-under-par performance in 2024 to successfully defend his title. Now, he stands on the brink of a historic three-peat. However, unlike previous years, Scheffler enters without a win this season. His results—third at the Genesis Invitational and a top-10 at Pebble Beach—suggest he’s close, but not quite at his dominant best. A win at The Players would mark his first title of 2025—and reinforce his standing as the player to beat at Sawgrass.

Rory McIlroy: The Prime Contender?

Few players boast the pedigree of Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship. A past champion in 2019, the Northern Irishman knows how to navigate TPC Sawgrass under pressure. Recent course modifications—extended yardages and thicker rough—could play to his strengths, as he remains one of the best tee-to-green players on Tour. If anyone is poised to disrupt Scheffler’s reign, it’s McIlroy.

Collin Morikawa & Ludvig Åberg: The Next Generation

Collin Morikawa enters The Players in excellent form, though he has yet to secure a win. Yet, in 2025, he has found himself in the frustrating position of being consistently close, but not quite over the line. Runner-up finishes at Maui and Bay Hill, the best ball-striker on Tour this season – if he can close out a tournament, Sawgrass could be the breakthrough moment.

On the other hand, Ludvig Åberg is no longer just a promising young talent—he’s a serious contender. The Swede finished eighth in his Players Championship debut last year and has already claimed a PGA Tour victory in 2025. With expectations now higher than ever, the question remains: Can Åberg handle the heat over four grueling rounds?

Schauffele’s Window of Opportunity

Xander Schauffele has been close to lifting the Players Championship trophy before. He finished second in 2024, missing out by a single shot, and also recorded a runner-up finish in 2018. His consistency is undeniable – he currently holds the longest active made-cut streak on the PGA Tour – but the question remains whether he can finally turn those near-misses into a victory.

Sepp Straka: The Dark Horse

He may not attract as many headlines, but Sepp Straka has quietly built an impressive resume. A winner at the American Express Championship earlier this season, and a fifth-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational propelled him into the world’s top 15. Could he be the dark horse to watch at Sawgrass?

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PGA Tour

Players Championship Tee Times: The World’s Top Three in One Group

The Players Championship Tee Times. (Photo: Getty)

When the best golfers in the world arrive in Florida, one thing is certain: It’s time for the Players Championship. TPC Sawgrass is set for four days of elite competition, with a $25 million purse, a world-class field, and a course that challenges even the greatest players. Scottie Scheffler has the chance to make history by becoming the first golfer to win three consecutive Players Championship titles. However, with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in his group, the tournament will be anything but a walk in the park.

Players Championship Tee Times: McIlroy, Scheffler & Schauffele in One Group

The Players Championship is contested on one of the toughest courses in the world – the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Tight fairways, deep bunkers, and lightning-fast greens test every aspect of a golfer’s game. And then there’s the 17th hole, the legendary island green that delivers high drama year after year. A perfect shot can shift momentum, while a mistake can end title hopes. In 2024, the course has been lengthened by nearly 70 yards, making the challenge even greater.

The tee times for the opening round have been released, and one grouping stands out: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele will play together. The trio will tee off at 1:29 PM on Thursday from the first hole, followed by an early start at 8:24 AM on Friday from the 10th tee. And by the time they reach the 17th, nerves could be running high.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Jäger and Straka kick off with the world leaders

The PGA Tour tee times (Photos: Getty).
The PGA Tour tee times (Photos: Getty).

The Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025 on the PGA Tour will take place from March 6 to March 9 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, enters the tournament as the defending champion, facing a star-studded field that includes nine of the world’s top ten players. As one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, the tournament features a $20 million prize purse, with the winner earning $4 million and 700 FedEx Cup points. German-speaking golf fans will have their eyes on Stephan Jäger and Sepp Straka, who are both in the field.

Alongside Scheffler, other top stars in action include Rory McIlroy, a former API champion, Xander Schauffele, returning from a rib injury, and Ludvig Åberg, the recent Genesis Invitational winner.

PGA Tour Round 1 Tee Times

Ludvig Åberg from Sweden begins his first round at 3:00 PM CET, alongside defending champion Scottie Scheffler.

Stephan Jäger from Germany tees off at 6:00 PM CET, playing with Corey Conners from Canada.

Sepp Straka from Austria starts his round at 6:35 PM CET, alongside Tony Finau from the USA.

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry from Ireland follow at 7:00 PM CET.

Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, both from the USA, begin their round at 7:10 PM CET.

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PGA Tour

LIV golfer qualifies for PGA Tour

Laurie Canter plays on the PGA Tour next week (Photo: Getty).
Laurie Canter plays on the PGA Tour next week (Photo: Getty).

For the first time, a former LIV golfer will participate in a regular PGA Tour event: Laurie Canter has qualified for The Players Championship and will tee off next week at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

The 35-year-old Englishman finished in second place at last week’s Investec South African Open after losing in a playoff against South African Dylan Naidoo. This result pushed Canter into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), allowing him to participate in the tournament. Canter will be the first LIV Golf player to compete in a regular PGA Tour event that is not a major.

Laurie Canter was an active member of the LIV Golf League during its first three seasons. In 2022, he joined as a founding member of Cleeks GC and played a significant role in the league’s first year. In 2023, he was a reserve player before participating in the first two LIV events in Mexico and Mayakoba in 2024. However, he has not played for LIV Golf since February 2024.

Start spot secured at the Players Championship on the PGA Tour

Thanks to his second-place finish in South Africa, Canter has qualified for The Players Championship, which will take place from March 14-17, 2024. The tournament is considered one of the most prestigious in the golf calendar and is often referred to as the “fifth major.” The PGA Tour invites the top 50 players from the OWGR to this event. Since it has been more than a year since he last played for LIV Golf, his eligibility for the PGA Tour has been reinstated, allowing him to compete in Florida. The PGA Tour prohibits non-members from participating until a year after their last LIV appearance.

In recent months, Canter has established himself on the DP World Tour. In addition to his victory in Bahrain and third place in Dubai, he finished the past season with six Top-25 finishes, including a win at the European Open in June.

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PGA Tour

Tiger Woods: Still No PGA Tour Start – When Will He Return?

Tiger Woods during his last PGA Tour appearance at the PNC Championship. (Source: Getty)

The field for the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill is packed with top players, but Tiger Woods is not among them. He will not be teeing it up at the high-profile tournament in Bay Hill this week.

No Tiger Woods at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Earlier this year, Woods stated his intention to compete more frequently in major tournaments. Ahead of the Masters, he planned to play multiple events and expressed confidence in his physical condition. However, his last appearance on Tour was in December at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie Woods. His most recent individual start came eight months ago at the British Open.

At the recent Genesis Invitational, a Signature Event where Woods serves as tournament host, he withdrew from the field following the passing of his mother, Kultida.

Woods at the Seminole Pro-Member Tournament

On Monday, March 3, Woods will compete in the Seminole Pro-Member tournament in Florida. The exclusive event is traditionally held without TV coverage or detailed reporting. The format is best ball, and Woods will once again team up with former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

The field features several notable names. Rory McIlroy is playing alongside his father, Gerry, while Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, and Nelly Korda are also in the lineup. NFL legend Tom Brady is among the high-profile participants.

TGL Return but Unclear PGA Tour Schedule

Beyond his individual schedule, Woods remains active in TGL. He missed his last match with Jupiter Links GC but is set to return on Tuesday for the team’s final regular-season matchup against Atlanta Drive GC. His next PGA Tour start remains uncertain. Many expect him to play at next week’s Players Championship, but there has been no official confirmation.

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PGA Tour

From Prison to The Open: Former Inmate Qualifies for Major

Ryan Peake secures victory in New Zealand and books his spot at The Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

In 2019, Ryan Peake walked out of prison after serving a five-year sentence. Just six years later, he is preparing to tee it up in one of golf’s most prestigious championships. With his victory at the New Zealand Open, part of the PGA Tour of Australasia, Peake secured a spot in The Open 2025 at Royal Portrush.

Golf Career After Five Years in Prison

Peake’s journey is unlike any other in professional golf. Once a promising amateur, he was sentenced to prison for assault at 21 while also being involved with the outlaw motorcycle gang “Rebels.” His connection to the sport was nearly severed—until his former coach, Ritchie Smith, reached out while Peake was still incarcerated. Smith encouraged him to return to golf after his release, and Peake committed fully to rebuilding his career.

This season, he earned his first tour card and immediately made an impact by winning in New Zealand. Since the tournament is part of The Open Qualifying Series, his victory secured him a place at Royal Portrush in July 2025.

Peake’s participation in the event was uncertain even before he teed off. Due to his criminal record, he was initially denied entry into New Zealand, only arriving at the tournament site, Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown, on the Tuesday of tournament week. Despite the late arrival, he settled quickly. Starting the final round four shots behind the leader, he kept his scorecard bogey-free. On the 18th green, he faced a decisive putt from just over two meters—and holed it, avoiding a playoff against three tied runners-up.

Peake: “I’ve Just Changed My Life”

“I’ve just changed my life,” Peake said after securing his biggest career victory. “This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I’m just out here playing golf.”

Peake emphasized the role his support system played in his comeback. “My coach, my family, my team, everyone believed. Most of all, I believed as well.”

With his win, Peake not only secured a place in The Open but also earned $112,000 and full status on the Asian Tour, ensuring more opportunities to test his game at the highest level.