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European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Grant Forrest and Ewen Ferguson at Africas Major

The DP World Tour lands in Sun City, South Africa, this week for the iconic Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club. With its challenging Par-72 layout and a prize purse of $6 million, the tournament brings together a stellar field of international golfers. Defending champion Max Homa returns, while fans across the globe can tune in starting Thursday at 10:00 AM on Sky.

DP World Tour Tee Times for British and Scottish Golfers

Among the many stars taking to the fairways are notable names from Britain and Scotland. Players like Grant Forrest and Ewen Ferguson are set to navigate the iconic course, paired with seasoned competitors from across the world. Here’s a closer look at their pairings and starting times:

Grant Forrest represents Scotland in a dynamic trio that includes compatriot Calum Hill and Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa. Their 10:38 tee time positions them perfectly to tackle the morning conditions.

Ewen Ferguson, another standout from Scotland, begins his round at 10:05. He’ll be joined by Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg.

Connor Syme steps onto the first tee at 11:00, playing alongside Darius Van Driel from the Netherlands and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune.

England’s Joseph Dean shares a 10:05 tee time with Johannes Veerman from the United States, while Matthew Jordan completes the group, adding a second English presence to the pairing.

DP World Tour Tee Times

RoundTimePlayer 1NationalityPlayer 2NationalityPlayer 3Nationality
19:32Ewen FergusonSCOJorge CampilloESPSebastian SoderbergSWE
110:05Joseph DeanENGJohannes VeermanUSAMatthew JordanENG
110:38Grant ForrestSCOCalum HillSCOYuto KatsuragawaJPN
111:00Connor SymeSCODarius Van DrielNEDRyo HisatsuneJPN
Categories
LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan Announces Resignation

Mollie Marcoux Samaan will step down as Commissioner of the LPGA Tour effective January 9, 2025. Liz Moore will assume interim leadership in the coming weeks, while a global search is conducted for a permanent successor.

The Marcoux Samaan Era: Growth and Transformation

Since taking office in 2021, Marcoux Samaan has left an indelible mark on the LPGA Tour. Under her leadership, prize money surged by 90%, with a record $131 million set to be distributed across 33 tournaments in 2025. Players benefited from unprecedented enhancements, including missed-cut stipends, health benefits, and travel subsidies—a first in the history of the LPGA Tour.

“Since joining the LPGA in 2021, Mollie has been instrumental in solidifying our position as the global leader in women’s professional golf, realizing record growth in player earnings and fan engagement. Mollie has been a steadfast advocate for equity in the sport and has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women and girls through the game,” stated LPGA Board Chair John B. Veihmeyer.

The tour also saw worldwide growth in viewership and set records for fan engagement. In her resignation statement, Marcoux Samaan emphasized the importance of her tenure: “In this role, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable community of athletes, teachers, partners, tournament operators, industry colleagues, media, fans, volunteers, and staff who share a deep commitment to growing the LPGA and using the organization’s unique platform to empower and advance women and girls.”

Challenges in a Complex Sporting Landscape

Despite economic success, Marcoux Samaan’s tenure faced notable challenges. The LPGA Tour contended with issues surrounding transparency and operational shortcomings. A key example was the 2024 Solheim Cup, where insufficient spectator transport planning led to logistical setbacks.

Sponsorship relationships and limited live television coverage also became focal points of critique. The absence of long-term TV contracts and reliance on other tours hindered broader audience accessibility, sparking ongoing discussions about the LPGA Tour’s visibility.

Liz Moore Steps In: Transitioning to the Future

Liz Moore, a seasoned executive with over a decade at the LPGA, will take on the role of interim Commissioner. Having spearheaded major projects such as the tour’s digital transformation, Moore brings a strong blend of legal and technological expertise, along with deep operational knowledge of the LPGA’s strategic framework.

Her primary objective will be to ensure a smooth transition and prepare the tour for the upcoming season. The 2025 schedule begins with a record-setting $131 million in prize money across 33 official events—an enduring testament to Marcoux Samaan’s growth-oriented vision.

(This article draws on materials provided by LPGA Communications.)

Categories
PGA Tour Top Tours

Player of the Year: Rory McIlroy also up for election

Trio of candidates: The decision for the “Player of the Year” title on the PGA Tour is turning into a three-way battle. Ponte Vedra Beach has now officially put Rory McIlroy up for the Jack Nicklaus Award alongside Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, who have long been virtually certain. The clear favorite is of course seven-time season winner, Masters and Players champion and Olympic gold medalist Scheffler, who could be the first to win the award for the third time in a row after Tiger Woods (2005, 2006, 2007). Schauffele will be putting his two major triumphs (PGA Championship, The Open Championship) in the balance; McIlroy, who has already been “Player of the Year” three times, won the Zurich Classic and the Truist Championship (formerly Wells Fargo).

Dunlap as favorite for “Rookie of the Year”

Nick Dunlap is the favorite for the Rookie of the Year (Arnold Palmer Award), along with Max Greyserman, Jake Knapp and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon. The decision will be made by the Tour players and announced at the end of the year.

Categories
Live

World record: mega putt and holed rescue shot

A few more trick shots: Others can also do something special with the club. For example, Australian David Micheluzzi, who landed a shot over 127.1 meters on the seventh hole of Yas Links in a special competition as part of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which the DP World Tour has now announced as the longest putt ever holed outside of an official tournament for the Guinness Book of Records. Although this caused some controversy in the comments, Micheluzzi’s “push” is still worth seeing. Incidentally, 65 players took part in the challenge, including Yannik Paul, Tommy Fleetwood, Min Woo Lee, Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose.

Or the recovery shot played by eventual winner Jiyai Shin at the Women’s Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club:

Categories
Live

Prize Money: How much LPGA Stars earn Compared to the PGA

The LPGA Tour made history in 2024: Jeeno Thitikul became the top earner with annual earnings of over 6 million US dollars. Her victory at the CME Group Tour Championship, which was worth USD 4 million, marked a historic moment. Never before had there been such a high individual prize in women’s golf. But while Thitikul topped the tour’s prize money list, Nelly Korda also achieved an impressive record with just under 4.4 million dollars. Nevertheless, a look at the PGA Tour shows how far there is still to go to achieve equality.

The superstar gap: Korda and Scheffler in a prize money comparison

The year 2024 brought exceptional performances for both Scottie Scheffler on the PGA Tour and Nelly Korda. Scheffler triumphed in seven tournaments, including several prestigious events, and finished the season with record prize money of 29.2 million US dollars. His victory at the Players Championship alone earned him $4.5 million – more than Korda’s entire season.

Nelly Korda had a season to rival the best in LPGA history in 2024, becoming only the third player to break the $4 million mark before the season finale. With seven titles, including a major, she recorded earnings of $4.39 million – yet she remains only second in the annual rankings behind Jeeno Thitikul. A further comparison shows the dimensions of her achievement: on the PGA Tour prize money list, Korda would ‘only’ rank 39th despite her outstanding year, 38 places behind the men’s top earner, Scottie Scheffler.

New records, old differences

The history of prize money in women’s golf nevertheless shows progress. What began in the 1950s with sums of a few thousand dollars has developed into millions, especially through events such as the CME Group Tour Championship – the LPGA season finale set a mark with Thitikul’s $4 million victory. Never before has there been such a large prize in women’s golf.

The gap between the tours

On the PGA Tour, however, such a sum has long been standard. The financial explosion triggered by LIV Golf has drastically increased the prize money on the men’s tour and forced the PGA Tour to massively increase its payouts – a development from which players like Scheffler benefit. Since his PGA Tour debut four years ago, Scheffler has already earned 71.79 million US dollars, while the women are still waiting for their big breakthrough.

Categories
Top Tours

Satisfaction for LIV stars: Hatton on Ryder Cup circuit, Reed wins in Hong Kong

Tyrrell Hatton has made it: at least to the first intermediate goal on his way to the 2025 Ryder Cup in the USA as a member of Team Europe. The 33-year-old Englishman, who actually plays with the ‘Legion XIII’ in the LIV Golf League, was named to the ‘Britain & Ireland’ squad for the Team Cup from 10 to 12 January 2025 in consultation with captain Luke Donald following his successful stints on the DP World Tour, including winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

This intra-European team competition was introduced in 2023 in preparation for the Ryder Cup in Rome to test the potential candidates under match play conditions, familiarise them with the game and promote team building. ‘We’re excited to see who can earn a spot on my team next year,’ said Donald ahead of the tough walk around the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Long Island. Playing for the Team Cup are Justin Rose and Francesco Molinari on the continental European side. However, the star matadors are missing on both sides, Rory McIlroy on the one side and Hatton’s LIV team captain Jon Rahm on the other.

Reed and Hatton are on a roll

Meanwhile, another LIV player also gained satisfaction. Patrick Reed (34) won the Hong Kong Open on the Asian Tour yesterday, adding a late bonus point to a rather mixed LIV season with three top ten finishes and a 20th place in the individual standings. On the way to his first tournament win since the Farmers Insurance Open 2021, Reed broke the magic mark of 60 strokes.

However, the 59 of the 2017 Masters champion, who finished tied twelfth at Augusta this year, is not officially scored: At the Hong Kong Golf Club, the game was played with better lies.

Categories
LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Tee Times. Nelly Korda Highlights CME Group Tour Championship

The LPGA Tour Tee Times for the CME Group Tour Championship are set in Naples, Florida. This event, hosted at the Tiburón Golf Club on the Gold Course, features a par of 72 and a prize purse of $11,000,000. Last year’s winner was Amy Yang.

LPGA Tour Tee Times for American Players

Nelly Korda is teaming up with Haeran Ryu from South Korea. The first round tee time is at 12:35 PM. No second round tee time has been set yet.

Lexi Thompson will start her round with Pajaree Anannarukarn from Thailand at 08:35 AM.

Rose Zhang partners with Jin Hee Im of South Korea starting at 10:55 AM.

Megan Khang is scheduled to tee off with fellow American Jennifer Kupcho at 10:45 AM.

Ally Ewing joins forces with Canadian Brooke Mackenzie Henderson. Their group takes the course at 11:35 AM.

Round Time Player Nationality Co-Player Nationality
1 08:35 Lexi Thompson USA Pajaree Anannarukarn THA
1 10:45 Megan Khang USA Jennifer Kupcho USA
1 10:55 Rose Zhang USA Jin Hee Im KOR
1 11:35 Ally Ewing USA Brooke Mackenzie Henderson CAN
1 12:35 Nelly Korda USA Haeran Ryu KOR
Categories
LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Tee Times: Charley Hull at the CME Group Tour Championship

The CME Group Tour Championship will be held at the Tiburón Golf Club, Gold Course in Naples, Florida. This prestigious event is part of the LPGA Tour and carries a significant prize purse of $11,000,000. The course is set at par 72, and the current defending champion is Amy Yang.

LPGA Tour Tee Times

Charley Hull from England will participate in the tournament. Hull’s first-round tee time is scheduled at 09:55 alongside Sarah Schmelzel from the USA. The second round does not have a specified time yet.

Round Tee Time Player 1 Name Player 1 Nationality Player 2 Name Player 2 Nationality Player 3 Name Player 3 Nationality
1 09:55 Charley Hull ENG Sarah Schmelzel USA
Categories
European Tour Uncategorized

Sergio Garcia’s Return to the DP World Tour: A Step Towards the Ryder Cup

Sergio Garcia is making a fresh start on the DP World Tour. The Spaniard, who set European Ryder Cup records, wants to play his way back into the world elite – with a clear goal in mind: to return to the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage.

Garcia’s DP World Tour retirement prevents participation in the Ryder Cup

Following his retirement from the DP World Tour in May 2023, Garcia’s career in Europe appeared to have stalled after sanctions were imposed on him and other LIV golf players. Participating in LIV Golf events in the Saudi-backed series without authorisation led to significant consequences: hefty fines, tournament bans and the loss of his Ryder Cup eligibility. But Garcia has decided to turn over a new leaf. Over a million pounds in fines have been paid, the conditions accepted – the door to returning as a member of the Tour has been opened.

DP World Tour confirms re-entry

The official re-entry was confirmed by a DP World Tour spokesperson. His return is therefore a done deal, even if Garcia will not be able to officially take part in DP World Tour events again until the 2025 season. This return marks a decisive step in Garcia’s plan to qualify for the Ryder Cup again – a goal that has always played a special role in his golf career.

With 28.5 points, Garcia is the most successful player in the history of the European Ryder Cup. His name is synonymous with passion and success in one of golf’s most prestigious duels.

Ryder Cup comeback: a rocky road

However, this path will not be easy. Results from LIV golf tournaments in which Garcia continues to play do not count towards the European Ryder Cup ranking. This means that he will have to impress with strong performances in majors and on the DP World Tour – or hope for a wild card. Garcia proved in 2024 that he is still playing at the highest level: A win at Valderrama and six top-five finishes in 14 LIV events earned him third place in the individual rankings.

But for the Ryder Cup, only what happens on the DP World Tour counts. The decision is in the hands of captain Donald, who has made it clear that all players with membership have an equal chance.

More familiar faces on the DP World Tour 2025

With Sergio Garcia’s return, the DP World Tour 2025 will also welcome some other familiar faces from the LIV Golf League. In contrast to Garcia, who was the only one not active on the DP World Tour at the same time, the returnees include Ryder Cup stars such as Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm and Thomas Pieters as well as up-and-coming talents such as Adrian Meronk and Joaquin Niemann.

Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Harry Higgs at the BMW Australian PGA Championship

The DP World Tour Tee Times for the upcoming BMW Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane, Australia, are set. The tournament takes place at the Royal Queensland GC, featuring a Par 71 course with a prize fund of $2,000,000. The title defender is Min Woo Lee. Fans can catch the action on Sky from Thursday to Sunday starting at 3:30 AM.

DP World Tour Tee Times for American Players

Tyler Duncan leads the American lineup at the BMW Australian PGA Championship. He is paired with Brett Drewitt of Australia and Gunner Wiebe, also from the USA. Their first-round tee time is at 12:50 PM, while the second round starts at 07:50 AM.

Harry Higgs will join Marc Leishman from Australia and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen from Denmark. Higgs will tee off in the first round at 06:20 AM and in the second round at 11:20 AM.

Corey Shaun is another American competitor participating alongside Brett Rumford and Matthew Millar, both from Australia. Their group tees off on the first day at 12:40 PM and on the second day at 07:40 AM.

Jordan Gumberg partners with Rafa Cabrera-Bello from Spain and Jake Mcleod from Australia. Gumberg’s group begins the first round at 11:40 AM, followed by the second at 06:40 AM.

DP World Tour Tee Times – Table of American Players

Round Tee Time Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
1 06:20 AM Harry Higgs Marc Leishman (AUS) Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (DEN)
1 11:40 AM Jordan Gumberg Rafa Cabrera-Bello (ESP) Jake Mcleod (AUS)
1 12:40 PM Corey Shaun Brett Rumford (AUS) Matthew Millar (AUS)
1 12:50 PM Tyler Duncan Brett Drewitt (AUS) Gunner Wiebe (USA)
2 06:40 AM Jordan Gumberg Rafa Cabrera-Bello (ESP) Jake Mcleod (AUS)
2 07:40 AM Corey Shaun Brett Rumford (AUS) Matthew Millar (AUS)
2 07:50 AM Tyler Duncan Brett Drewitt (AUS) Gunner Wiebe (USA)
2 11:20 AM Harry Higgs Marc Leishman (AUS) Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (DEN)