Category: Top Tours

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PGA Tour

Bronze Medalist Hideki Matsuyama Robbed After the Olympics

Hideki Matsuyama won bronze at the Olympics and was robbed shortly after. (Image: Getty)
Hideki Matsuyama won bronze at the Olympics and was robbed shortly after. (Image: Getty)

Former Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama was robbed during a stay in London, as were his caddie Shota Hayato and his swing coach Mikihito Kuromiya. The trio made a stopover in the English capital after the games in Paris. In an interview with Golf Digest Japan, Matsuyama revealed that his wallet had been stolen. His two team members’ passports and visas had been stolen, he said. The good news: The bronze medal from the Summer Olympics in Paris is still in his possession. From a sporting point of view, however, the incident has consequences.

Hideki Matsuyama lends caddie from his compatriot Ryo Hisatsune

Matsuyama’s caddie Hayato and coach Kuromiya had to return home to apply for replacement documents. This means he will be without his closest confidants for the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs. Instead of Shota Hayato, Taiga Tabuchi, the caddie of Matsuyama’s compatriot Ryo Hisatsune, will be at the 32-year-old’s bag this week. This information comes from the PGA Tour’s caddie list. Hisatsune finished 83rd in the FedExCup and missed out on the top 70 playoffs.

FedEx St.Jude Championship Leaderboard

Matsuyama talked to Golf Digest Japan about his new caddie:”I’m glad he accepted. He’s worked with Hisatsune this year, so I think he knows the ropes, and he can speak English, so I can rely on him.” Matsuyama does not yet know exactly when his regular team will return:”There’s a chance they’ll make it to the BMW Championship (second playoffs event), but we have to go into it thinking it’s close to zero.”

Hideki Matsuyama is in 8th place in the FedExCup ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first event of the playoffs, and is therefore as good as guaranteed a place in the TOUR Championship. The top 30 in the FedExCup after the conclusion of the BMW Championship will play for the FedExCup title and a large prize purse at the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: How does the FedExCup work?

How does the FedExCup work? (Photo: Getty)
How does the FedExCup work? (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Tour introduced a new format in 2007 with the FedExCup. The FedExCup is split into two main parts: over 36 regular PGA Tour events and three Playoff tournaments at the end of the season, leading up to the Tour Championship, where the season champion is determined. Winning individual events and the overall title comes with significant financial rewards, with the FedExCup champion earning an extra $25 million. Tiger Woods was the first to win the FedExCup in 2007, and he, along with Rory McIlroy, is one of the few players to have won it twice.

Points Vary by Tournament Importance

To compete in the FedExCup, players must have full PGA Tour membership. Eligible players earn points starting from the season’s beginning, with point values varying based on the tournament’s prestige. Winners can earn between 300 and 750 points depending on the event.

The major championships (Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship) and the Players Championship offer 750 FedExCup points to the winner. The newly added Signature Events provide 700 points. Most other PGA Tour events grant 500 points, except for alternate events running alongside major tournaments, which offer 300 points to the winner.

The stakes increase significantly during the Playoffs, where point allocations change dramatically. Each Playoff event awards 2,000 points to the winner, four times the amount of a regular season event.

Points System Creates Playoff Drama

The top 70 players at the end of the regular season keep their PGA Tour cards and qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs, beginning with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Since 2019, the Playoffs have been shortened to three events. This change has made the Playoffs more competitive and less volatile. At the St. Jude Championship, 20 players are eliminated, leaving only the top 50 to advance to the BMW Championship.

At the BMW Championship, there is no cut, meaning all players compete through 72 holes. This rule adds to the tension, as even the leader with 2,000 points can be overtaken by any player in the field. However, those at the top still have the best chance to win the FedExCup.

In the past, Playoff points were reset before the final event, meaning that only strong performances in the finale would count. But since 2019, the Tour Championship uses a staggered start system based on Playoff rankings. The leader begins the final event at 10-under par, followed by second place at 8-under, and so on, down to even par for players ranked 26th to 30th. This system rewards consistency throughout the Playoffs while still allowing for a competitive final event.

What does the new format change?

Previously, Playoff points were reset before the finale to keep the competition open until the last event. However, this led to confusion and criticism, including from Tiger Woods, who argued that it didn’t reward season-long performance. The new system aims to make the FedExCup more accessible, particularly for the top 30 players. While the changes wouldn’t have drastically altered past outcomes, they do change how the final event unfolds. Some players excel when chasing down a leader, while others perform better when protecting a lead.

“I would feel better about a ten-stroke lead for four days than having to start from 30th place in the FedExCup like everyone else did before,” said 2015 FedExCup champion Jordan Spieth.

“The new system still gives a player a chance to finish really high and start a run in a week, but at the same time rewards those who have earned it at the top. I like that every shot counts, but also that some count a little more than others by rewarding a good season,” said 2010 FedEx Champion Jim Furyk.

The final Playoff event offers a doubled prize. Each Playoff tournament has a $20 million purse, with the winner taking the largest share. The FedExCup champion earns an additional $25 million from a $100 million bonus pool, most of which is paid directly to the players, with some set aside in a retirement fund accessible at age 45.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: The Race to the FedExCup Playoffs – Why Even a Victory Is Not Enough

PGA Tour: Davis Riley misses the playoffs despite winning a tournament. (Photo: Getty)

The Wyndham Championship marked the end of the 36-event regular season of the PGA Tour, determining the top 70 players who will advance to the FedExCup Playoffs. These Playoffs, consisting of three tournaments, begin with the FedEx St. Jude Championship and continue with the BMW Championship. Only the top 50 players from the St. Jude Championship will move on to the next stage, and this group will also earn spots in all Signature Events in 2025. The season then culminates at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, where the top 30 players will compete for the FedExCup title and a significant $25 million prize. This article takes a closer look at who secured their place, who missed out, and why even a tournament victory doesn’t always guarantee a spot in the Playoffs.

The Top 10 Players: Leading the Standings

Leading the charge into the Playoffs are the season’s standout performers, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, occupying the first and second spots, respectively. Following closely are Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark, all of whom have shown exceptional form throughout the year. Ludvig Aberg, making waves in his debut full season on the PGA Tour, impressively holds the sixth position. He is trailed by Sahith Theegala and Hideki Matsuyama. Perhaps the most unexpected presence in the top 10 is South Korea’s Sungjae Im, who clinched the ninth spot. Rounding out the elite group is Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

Notable Players Missing the Playoffs

Not surprisingly, Tiger Woods is absent from the Playoffs roster. The legendary golfer, who now selectively participates in Majors and his own Genesis Invitational, wrapped up the season in 220th place. For Woods, the result holds little consequence as his focus has long shifted to the bigger stages of the sport. Rickie Fowler, a recent father, also failed to make the top 70, finishing 106th, far from the qualifying mark. Europe’s Ryder Cup stalwart Nicolai Hojgaard, who played a pivotal role in Rome, finds himself on the outside looking in after finishing 81st in the standings.

Matt Kuchar’s remarkable streak of 17 consecutive Playoff appearances came to a halt this year, as he finished 103rd. Similarly, Kevin Kisner, who will once again lend his insights as an NBC commentator during the Playoffs, ended his campaign in 196th place.

The Davis Riley Scenario: When a Win Isn’t Enough

Davis Riley’s situation underscores the unforgiving nature of the FedExCup Playoffs qualification process. Despite claiming victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge, earning a hefty 500 FedExCup points, Riley narrowly missed the cut, finishing 71st—just one spot shy of advancing. This scenario highlights that a single win, no matter how significant, doesn’t guarantee a Playoff spot. A comparison with Sepp Straka, who has yet to secure a win in 2024, further illustrates this point. Straka’s consistency, particularly in the Signature Events, propelled him to 18th in the standings. His two top-five finishes at the RBC Heritage and the Memorial Tournament earned him more points than Riley’s lone victory.

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LIV Tour

Graeme McDowell Faces Suspension for Using Banned Substance in Nasal Spray

Graeme McDowell was suspended from the LIV Golf League for using a banned substance in a nasal spray. (Source: Getty)
Graeme McDowell was suspended from the LIV Golf League for using a banned substance in a nasal spray. (Source: Getty)

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open Champion, has been suspended from participating in the upcoming LIV Golf League event in Nashville, Tennessee. The suspension, accompanied by a hefty fine of $125,000, was imposed after McDowell tested positive for L-Methamphetamine, a banned substance found in an over-the-counter nasal decongestant he purchased.

Graeme McDowell Has Been Suspended from the LIV Golf League

The 45-year-old Northern Irish golfer had reportedly purchased the Vicks nasal spray from a local drugstore to alleviate his congestion. Unbeknownst to McDowell, the product contained the prohibited substance, leading to his positive test result during a routine doping control. “As a professional golfer, I understand the importance of thoroughly checking all medications and applying for a therapeutic use exemption when necessary,” McDowell expressed on the social media platform X. “Unfortunately, I neglected to do so in this case, as it was an over-the-counter medication, and I deeply regret this oversight. I fully accept the sanctions imposed by LIV.”

The consequences of McDowell’s oversight extend beyond personal penalties; his disqualification also led to the exclusion of his entire Smash GC team from the Nashville event. This incident serves as a stark reminder to all professional athletes about the importance of vigilance when it comes to medication, even those that are easily accessible.

McDowell Shifts Blame, Criticizes Other Tours Amid Doping Controversy

However, McDowell did not stop at accepting responsibility. In true LIV Golf fashion, he used the opportunity to take a swipe at the broader golf establishment. “LIV’s anti-doping policy is designed with thoroughness and transparency in mind,” he noted. “Unlike some other tours, LIV rigorously enforces these rules… They are essential for maintaining the integrity of the sport.”

McDowell’s comments echo sentiments often associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump, a known supporter of LIV Golf, who has a reputation for deflecting blame and turning personal missteps into criticisms of others. McDowell’s decision to turn his own violation into a critique of other tours highlights the ongoing tensions between LIV Golf and the traditional golf world.

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PGA Tour

Tropical Storm Debby: Round 1 of the PGA Tour Postpones to Friday

Storm troubles PGA Tour Wyndham Championship 2024. (Image: Getty)
Storm troubles PGA Tour Wyndham Championship 2024. (Image: Getty)

Tropical Storm Debby is causing weather chaos on the PGA Tour. Large amounts of water were already coming down in the practice rounds and now it looks like the storm will further hamper the 2024 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club. What initially looked like a simple storm has developed into a tropical storm over the last few days, forcing the organisers to not only ban spectators from visiting the course on the first day of the tournament but to later postpone the whole first round to Friday.

“Difficult decision” – Tournament Director Powell on the decision on the PGA Tour

In an initial statement on Wednesday morning, there was no mention of the exclusion of spectators, “Debby is expected to move inland Thursday and continue to the northwest before shifting northward across Central North Carolina Friday morning,” wrote the TOUR’s official weather forecast on Wednesday morning. “This will produce widespread rain and a few thunderstorms throughout the day Thursday with showers and isolated t-storms continuing into Friday morning.”

In the afternoon, however, the fears of the organisers and the tour were confirmed. Spectators will have to stay at home on Thursday in Round 1 and the match will be played as far as possible. “This decision was a difficult one for us to make with our partners at the PGA TOUR, but everyone’s safety is our top priority,” Tournament Director Bobby Powell said. “The most-recent forecast looks like the storm could clear our area sometime Friday,” according to a statement on the PGA Tour website.

There was another development on Thursday, when the tournament was supposed to start. The entire first round had to be postponed to Friday because a flash flood warning was in effect for the Greensboro area. “This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation,” wrote the National Weather Service.

Spectators with tickets for the first day can use them on the three following tournament days should the weather improve.

The last tournament before the FedEx Cup playoffs could be a last chance for some players to qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship the following week.

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LIV Tour

LIV Tour Live Blog: Jon Rahm Celebrates Maiden Victory in England

The Live Blog of the LIV Tour in the United Kingdom. (Photo: Getty)
The Live Blog of the LIV Tour in the United Kingdom. (Photo: Getty)
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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Live Blog: Vegas Claims First Win in Seven Years

The PGA Tour Live Blog of the 3M Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)
The PGA Tour Live Blog of the 3M Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)
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PGA Tour

Watch: PGA Tour Highlights from Round 3 of the 3M Open

BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 26: Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela plays his shot from the 10th tee during the second round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 26, 2024 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The 3M Open, part of the PGA Tour, is currently taking place at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, USA. The tournament features a total prize money of $8,100,000. The event has reached its fourth and final round, with various players battling for the top positions on the leaderboard.

As of Round 4, the current leader is Jhonattan Vegas from Venezuela with a total score of -16. Matt Kuchar of the USA follows closely in second place, just one stroke behind with a total score of -15. Maverick McNealy, representing the USA, holds the third position with a total score of -14. Tied for fourth place are Patrick Fishburn and Sahith Theegala, both from the USA, each with a total score of -12.

Highlighting today’s performances, three players shared the best daily scores of -8: Jhonattan Vegas, Matt Kuchar, and Maverick McNealy. Their impressive rounds have significantly influenced their standings on the leaderboard.

The fourth round of the 3M Open has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament. The video provided showcases a compilation of the PGA Tour Highlights and specifically focuses on the 3M Open Highlights, capturing the key moments from this critical round.

This tournament not only showcases the skills and competitiveness of these top golfers but also marks an important event on the PGA Tour circuit. As the final round concludes, the champion will be decided, bringing an end to this thrilling competition at TPC Twin Cities.

show 3M Open Leaderboard

3M Open: The PGA Tour round 3 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.

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PGA Tour

Watch: PGA Tour Highlights from Round 2 of the 3M Open

BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 25: Taylor Pendrith of Canada putts on the ninth green during the first round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 25, 2024 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 25: Taylor Pendrith of Canada putts on the ninth green during the first round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 25, 2024 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The 3M Open, part of the PGA Tour, is currently underway at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, USA. The tournament offers a total prize money of $8,100,000. As the second round of the tournament concludes, here are the details of Round 2 and a look at the tournament highlights.

After completing the second round, Taylor Pendrith of Canada leads the field. Pendrith holds the top position with a total score of -12. Matthew NeSmith from the USA is in second place with a total score of -10. Tied for third place are Andrew Putnam and Jacob Bridgeman, both from the USA, each with a total score of -9. Doug Ghim, Lanto Griffin, Jhonattan Vegas, and Alex Smalley, all from the USA, are tied for fifth place, each completing the tournament with a total score of -8.

Focusing on the top individual performances of Day 2, Taylor Pendrith, Matthew NeSmith, and Doug Ghim each ended the day with a daily score of -7, making them the best performers of the tournament’s second round.

A video featuring the 3M Open Highlights has been compiled to showcase the notable moments and significant plays from the tournament. Fans of the sport can view the PGA Tour Highlights and an array of memorable shots from the competition.

The 3M Open concludes the four rounds of gameplay, determining the winner based on the cumulative results across all rounds. The top players have showcased their skills, contributing to the excitement of the event within the PGA Tour.

show 3M Open Leaderboard

3M Open: The PGA Tour round 2 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.

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PGA Tour

Watch: PGA Tour highlights from round 1 of the 3M Open

BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 25: Jacob Bridgeman of the United States plays his shot from the second teeduring the first round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 25, 2024 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The 3M Open, a PGA Tour event, is currently taking place at the TPC Twin Cities golf course in Blaine, Minnesota, USA. The tournament offers a prize pool of $8,100,000. The focus of this report is on the highlights of Round 1 of the event.

At the end of the first round, Jacob Bridgeman from the USA leads the leaderboard with a total score of 63, which is 8-under-par. He is followed by Mackenzie Hughes from Canada, who holds the second position with a total score of 64, 7-under-par. Tied for third place are Patrick Rodgers (USA), Martin Trainer (France), and Andrew Novak (USA), each with a total score of 65, 6-under-par.

The players who registered the best rounds of the day were Jacob Bridgeman with a daily score of 63 (8-under-par), Mackenzie Hughes with a daily score of 64 (7-under-par), and Patrick Rodgers, Martin Trainer, and Andrew Novak, each with a daily score of 65 (6-under-par).

A video compilation showcasing the PGA Tour highlights and 3M Open highlights of the first round is available, providing a closer look at the day’s key moments and performances.

The 3M Open continues over the next three rounds, and these early results set the stage for an exciting competition as players vie for the top positions and a share of the prize pool. The tournament will be concluded after four rounds, and the forthcoming days will be crucial in determining the eventual winner.

Show 3M Open Leaderboard

3M Open: The PGA Tour round 1 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.