When Ben Cowan-Dewar first visited Cabot Citrus Farms—then known as World Woods—in 1999, he knew he wanted to develop it someday. It took more than two decades of persistence, but the founder of the Canadian golf resort company finally acquired the 1,200-acre property near Brooksville, Florida, just over three years ago. During a media outing in January 2026, Cowan-Dewar spoke candidly about what makes this his first U.S. venture fundamentally different from the typical Florida golf development.
Category: News
Ludvig Åberg heads to Riviera Country Club this week as defending champion of the Genesis Invitational, looking to capture back-to-back titles at PGA Tour‘s prestigious event hosted by Tiger Woods.
The Swedish sensation’s victory last season featured a memorable back nine comeback that he described as surreal. Down in the tournament, Åberg mounted a charging finish with a series of birdies that propelled him to victory, including a birdie at the 13th hole that ignited his run toward the title.
“This kid’s game is pretty remarkable,” commentators noted during his winning performance, highlighting the consistency and precision Åberg demonstrated down the stretch.
Woods’ Endorsement Carries Weight
For Åberg, winning the Genesis Invitational held particular significance beyond the trophy. According to the 25-year-old, Woods watched him hit shots for approximately ten minutes straight during a PGA Tour event just weeks prior, making the subsequent victory at Woods’ tournament feel especially meaningful.
“He is the GOAT,” Åberg said when reflecting on what Woods means to him and professional golf. “Everything that he’s done—everyone who’s idolized him growing up, I was the same. I was watching Tiger videos on YouTube and watching every tournament that I could. He means a lot to our game, and to win this event is quite surreal.”
Åberg’s respect for Woods extends beyond admiration to genuine inspiration. The young Swede grew up consuming Woods’ tournaments and highlight reels, making his victory at a tournament bearing Woods’ name and vision particularly resonant.
Title Defense Begins This Week
As Åberg prepares to defend his Genesis Invitational crown, he faces the challenge that confronts all defending champions: maintaining momentum while opponents arrive hungry to dethrone the incumbent. His back nine heroics from last year demonstrated the mental fortitude and shot-making ability required to win at the highest level of professional golf.
The Genesis Invitational continues to draw the game’s elite competitors to Riviera, ensuring a field worthy of defending champion status. For Åberg, the opportunity to repeat represents both a chance to cement his emerging legacy and to honor the legacy of the man whose tournament he won.
A back nine comeback he won’t forget 🏆
Ludvig Åberg looks to defend his title this week @TheGenesisInv.
(Presented by @Darktrace) pic.twitter.com/7WQ8n11VLC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2026
This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue
Justin Rose delivered a commanding performance at the Farmers Insurance Open, claiming victory at Torrey Pines with a tournament-record score of 23-under par. The English golfer’s wire-to-wire triumph marks a significant achievement at one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious West Coast events.
Rose’s ability to maintain his lead throughout the tournament demonstrated the consistency required to succeed at the notoriously challenging Torrey Pines Golf Club. The 23-under total surpasses the previous tournament record, highlighting the quality of his play across all four rounds.
Dominant Display at Historic Venue
The victory comes at a venue known for producing challenging conditions and stellar fields. Torrey Pines, with its demanding layout perched along the California coastline, has long been a test of precision and composure. Rose’s ability to control the pace of play and accumulate low scores throughout the event showcases his mastery of the course and the mental fortitude required in professional golf.
A wire-to-wire victory carries particular significance in professional golf, as it requires a player to establish and maintain momentum over four days of competition. Rose’s achievement places him among the tournament’s most impressive winners and underscores his continuing form on the PGA Tour.
The 23-under scoring record will stand as a benchmark at Torrey Pines, reflecting both Rose’s exceptional play and the quality of his performance against the field.
Justin Rose set the Farmers Insurance tournament scoring record at 23-under with his wire-to-wire win at Torrey Pines 🏆🏌️♂️
— GolfN (@GolfNApp) February 1, 2026
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Brooks Koepka has made a significant equipment change, switching from his longtime Scotty Cameron blade putter to a TaylorMade Spider after struggling on the greens at Torrey Pines.
The move marks the end of a decade-long relationship with the iconic Scotty Cameron putter, one of the most recognizable partnerships in professional golf. Koepka’s decision to change comes on the heels of a difficult putting week at the PGA Tour event, suggesting the American is seeking to address his short game performance.
A Notable Equipment Shift
Switching putters is rarely a casual decision for professional golfers, particularly one of Koepka’s caliber. The move to the TaylorMade Spider, known for its mallet design and alignment-focused construction, represents a departure from the blade-style putter he has relied on throughout much of his career.
Torrey Pines has been notoriously challenging for putting conditions this week, with firm greens testing the entire field. Koepka’s decision to experiment with new equipment on the practice green suggests he believes a change in putter could help restore confidence on the greens moving forward.
Whether this equipment change proves to be a temporary adjustment or a permanent switch remains to be seen. However, it underscores the lengths top professionals will go to fine-tune their games when facing difficulties with a particular aspect of their play.
🚨⛳️🕷️#LOOK — Brooks Koepka is on the practice green with a TaylorMade Spider after a difficult putting week at Torrey Pines. Brooks makes the switch after a decade with a Scotty Cameron blade. @TrackingKoepka
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 5, 2026
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Chris Gotterup made a statement in the opening round of the WM Phoenix Open, firing a bogey-free 63 to seize the early lead. The eight-under round positions the American golfer at the top of the leaderboard heading into Friday’s play.
Gotterup’s flawless scorecard underscores his current form on the PGA Tour. The 26-year-old has become one of the hottest players in professional golf recently, securing back-to-back victories at the Sony Open and the WM Phoenix Open in consecutive weeks—a remarkable stretch that has caught the attention of the tour’s elite.
Building Momentum in Arizona
Playing at TPC Scottsdale, Gotterup demonstrated exceptional accuracy and scoring prowess throughout his round. A bogey-free day on a challenging layout is no small feat, particularly in the opening round where players are still finding their rhythm with the course setup and conditions.
The solo lead gives Gotterup clear positioning as the tournament progresses, though the field at the WM Phoenix Open typically features some of the tour’s strongest competitors. As play continues through the week, maintaining such form will be critical to converting the lead into a third consecutive victory.
Gotterup’s 63 represents the type of low scoring that can set the tone for a major tournament run and establishes him as the player to watch in the early rounds.
Chris Gotterup fires a bogey free 63 (-8) in round 1 of the WM Phoenix Open — Solo leader 🔥
pic.twitter.com/M5LIXVw0Dq— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 5, 2026
This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue
German players and Brooks Koepka’s comeback add excitement to the PGA Tour kickoff at Torrey Pines. Check out the tee times here.
German players and Brooks Koepka’s comeback add excitement to the start of the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines. Here are the tee times.