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McIlroy Family Expanding Roots with New Home at Wentworth Estate

Rory McIlroy’s life, both on and off the course, has long been a source of fascination for the sporting world. His victories, setbacks, outspoken nature, and commitment to the game consistently draw the spotlight. Recent weeks have been no different, as media attention intensified following McIlroy’s appearance at the Masters — not just for his performance, but for his movements beyond Augusta’s fairways.

One stop on McIlroy’s post-Masters itinerary brought him home to Northern Ireland, where he reunited with his parents, Rosie and Gerry, in Holywood. The visit served as a celebration, compensating for their absence at Augusta as they prepared for a relocation of their own.

McIlroy Lays New Foundations at Wentworth Estate

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, construction is well underway on a significant new project for the McIlroy family: a home in England’s prestigious Wentworth Estate, just outside London. The development, situated near the storied Wentworth Club — host venue for the BMW PGA Championship — signals a new chapter for McIlroy, his wife Erica Stoll, and their young daughter, Poppy. Reports suggest the move was motivated in part by a desire for a fresh start for the couple.

“It’s not every day you get to fulfil one of your lifelong goals and dreams,” McIlroy reflected during the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. “We first went to London with Erica and Poppy to see our new home that we’re building and we made the trip over to Belfast to see a few other people that are important to us. Just to be with them, to be with Erica and Poppy and my mum and dad.”

Artist from Ireland. Found a home for my Rory McIlroy painting, donated the piece to Holywood Golf Club this week, Rory’s home course. Hopefully he gets the chance to see the portrait the next time he plays a round there 👍 byu/mikesartwrks ingolf
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Over 80 percent green fee discount in St. Andrews – how does that work?

Play the Old Course for just 42.50 pounds? The St. Andrews Links Trust has announced that a few selected golfers will be able to do just that.

St. Andrews: discounted green fees on the Old Course

Between May and October, there will be 179 tee times at reduced rates on links courses in St. Andrews. A round on the historic Old Course normally costs 340 pounds, but on May 21 there will be eleven tee times for just 42.50 pounds. The other courses in St. Andrews will also be offering big discounts during the summer months. The neighboring Castle course can be played on selected dates for 22.50 pounds instead of 180 pounds, a round on the Jubilee course costs 18.75 pounds instead of 150 pounds and a tee time on the Eden course is available for 9.50 pounds instead of 75 pounds. Playing all four courses saves a total of 87.5 percent.

The catch: these offers only apply to golfers from Scotland. The reduced tee times can only be booked with a Scottish zip code. Scottish golfers who want to take advantage of this offer must apply for the tee times via a lottery. For other dates there are further different criteria depending on the golf course, for example the offer is alternately available to members of the military, golfers with disabilities, women, families or members of the emergency services.

Drive Initiative of the St. Andrews Links Trust

The drive is an initiative by the St. Andrews Links Trust to give more golfers access to its iconic golf courses. The aim is to promote participation in golf by encouraging players of all ages and abilities to take part in the sport. Residents of St Andrews, for example, are already entitled to a Links Annual Pass, which offers access to seven golf courses for the price of £386.

Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust explains: “Golf has become increasingly popular in recent years, and with it demand for our courses has risen to unprecedented levels. We will continue to ensure that our cardholders and visitors have the best possible experience while ensuring that one of the country’s most treasured golf courses is also open to the public.”

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Panorama

Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump: “Love is in the Air…”

Tiger Woods has made his relationship with Vanessa Trump (47) official. The former wife of Donald Trump Jr. and onetime daughter-in-law of the 45th and 47th President of the United States confirmed the romance via a springtime post on social media platform X. The post began with a telling line: “Love is in the air…”

While the new couple made headlines off the course, their children were in the spotlight on it – though with mixed results. At the prestigious Sage Valley Invitational in Graniteville, South Carolina, one of the premier junior events in American golf, both Charlie Woods and Kai Trump were in the field.

Charlie Woods finished tied for 25th out of 36 players in his age group – a modest result for the 15-year-old son of the golf legend. Kai Trump, granddaughter of the former president, finished 24th and last in her division.

The overall boys’ title went to 16-year-old Miles Russell, widely regarded as one of the brightest rising stars in U.S. golf. Russell has already teed it up twice on the PGA Tour and, in 2024, made history as the youngest player ever to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour.

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Panorama

Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump: New Golf Power Couple?

Tiger Woods is making headlines once again, and this time, it has nothing to do with his game on the course. The 15-time major champion is rumored to be in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. Reports suggest that they have been seeing each other for several months.

Rumors Surrounding Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump

Woods is no stranger to the public eye—whether for his triumphs on the golf course or his personal life. Now, his name is back in the spotlight, and this time, it’s not about birdies or bogeys. According to reports from DailyMail and People Magazine, Woods has been linked to Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. The two reportedly live just 20 minutes apart in Florida and have been spotted together on multiple occasions, including at golf tournaments. However, no official confirmation has been made. Insiders claim the pair is taking things slowly and prefers to keep their relationship private for now.

Vanessa Trump, who divorced Donald Trump Jr. in 2018 after 12 years of marriage, has largely stayed out of the public eye since. Woods, on the other hand, has had several high-profile romances, most recently with Erica Herman. Now, it seems he and Vanessa Trump may be more than just acquaintances.

A Shared Connection Through Golf

One thing the two certainly have in common is a deep connection to golf. Vanessa’s daughter, Kai, is an aspiring golfer who is set to play for the University of Miami. Meanwhile, Woods’ children, Sam and Charlie, have grown up around the sport and even attend the same school as Kai.

According to DailyMail, Woods and Trump have been spending significant time together, particularly at Woods’ estate on Jupiter Island. While they are not living together, Vanessa is said to be a frequent visitor. The couple has chosen to keep a low public profile—for now.

On-Course Challenges for Woods

While his personal life is making waves, Woods is facing setbacks in his professional career. Just recently, news broke that he has suffered an Achilles injury, putting his hopes for the Masters in jeopardy. This comes as another blow after he had been gearing up for yet another comeback.

Adding to his challenges, Woods is dealing with a significant personal loss. In early February, his mother, Kultida, passed away at the age of 81. Woods has often credited her as his greatest supporter and a key influence in his career.

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Political Protest Targets Trump Turnberry Club in Scotland

Over the weekend, Trump Turnberry made headlines—not for a golfing spectacle, but for a politically motivated act of vandalism. Activists from the group Palestine Action responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial statements about Gaza with a dramatic protest.

Trump Turnberry: When Politics Reaches the Fairway

Typically known for its pristine fairways and stunning coastal views, Turnberry presented a very different picture this weekend: the words “Gaza is not for sale” were painted in large letters across the grass, red paint was splattered on the clubhouse walls, and parts of the course were dug up. Pro-Palestinian activists gained access to the property overnight to protest Trump’s remarks on Gaza’s future. Police Scotland launched an investigation into property damage, while the resort’s management assured that operations would continue as normal.

Why Trump Turnberry Became a Target

The protest was orchestrated by Palestine Action, a group opposing Trump’s idea of placing Gaza under U.S. control and relocating the Palestinian population. In their statement, the activists accused Trump of treating Gaza as if it were his own real estate—so they decided to demonstrate that even his own property is not beyond reach.

Trump Turnberry’s management swiftly condemned the protest, calling it a “childish, criminal act,” but emphasized that the resort would continue to operate as usual. The controversy surrounding the incident, however, extends far beyond Scotland, as Trump’s Middle East comments have sparked global debate.

Trump Turnberry and The Open Championship: A Closed Door for the R&A?

There is little debate about Trump Turnberry’s status as a world-class golf course. The Ailsa Course has hosted The Open Championship four times, most recently in 2009. However, since Trump acquired the resort in 2014, it has disappeared from the major championship circuit.

The R&A, which oversees The Open, has suggested that Trump’s association with the course is a distraction and that the venue’s infrastructure does not fully meet modern major championship standards. While Turnberry consistently ranks among the world’s best golf courses, the question remains whether it will ever host The Open again.

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The Masters 2025: How Rory McIlroy is preparing for his most important tournament

As the year progresses, The Masters in Augusta is getting closer and closer, and anticipation is growing – but so is nervousness. This also applies to Rory McIlroy, for whom the first major of the season is known to be of the highest importance. Now he has revealed how he will prepare for the important tournament this year.

Rory McIlroy is fully focused on The Masters

The legendary tournament at the tradition-rich Augusta National Golf Club takes place from April 10 to 13. In addition to the prestige and history, there is another very personal reason for the Northern Irishman: it is the only major that is still missing from his career Grand Slam. A victory would not only crown his career, but also elevate him to the ranks of the greatest golfers of all time. Alongside a Ryder Cup triumph in the USA and an Olympic gold medal, winning the green jacket is one of his three main goals. Every year, he focuses on this one week in April when he has the chance to finally win The Masters.

With his team’s TGL elimination, McIlroy can now focus entirely on preparation. In recent years, he has tried various approaches to get in peak physical condition. During a press conference at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he discussed his current plans. He has no tournaments scheduled between next week’s PLAYERS Championship and the Masters, but that could still change:

“I don’t like the idea of having three weeks off going into the Masters, so I may add one event, but I’m still between what event that may be. But it really just depends on how these two weeks go and how I’m feeling about my game.”

“It feels a little different”

He emphasizes that it helps him to travel to Augusta in advance and spend time on the golf course: “You can spend as much time as you want around there, like on those days that you go up outside of the tournament. You’re not under any pressure from a time constraint, like having to get to media or having any other obligations.”

He continues: “It’s funny, when you want to spend six hours on a practice round it doesn’t feel like it’s that bad, but the week of it you don’t really want to be out there for six hours and it feels a little different.”

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Embarrassing defeat: Scottie Scheffler loses to 10 handicap

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the world number one, Olympic champion and two-time major winner Scottie Scheffler: last weekend, he was beaten by a friend with a handicap of 10 during a private round of golf. The two played an exciting match for money – and in the end, Scheffler had to pay up.

Scottie Scheffler defeated on 18th hole

Scottie Scheffler gave his friend strokes according to their difference in level of play. The decision was made spectacularly at hole 18: His opponent holed out of the bunker and secured the victory. “I got out of the way because I thought he could potentially shank it, and he ended up holing it,” Scheffler describes the decisive moment.

Despite the personal setback, Scheffler emphasizes that it is precisely experiences like this that make golf so appealing and fun: no matter what level the players are at, the handicap system ensures that every match remains exciting and can take unexpected turns: “One of the great things about golf is that I can out with a guy who’s going to play 90, and I can give him enough strokes to where we’ll have a good competition,” he says.

When asked how he dealt with the defeat, Scheffler openly admits: “I didn’t like losing.” But he took it in good humor, joking that he thanked his friend for the boost to his self-confidence before his upcoming start on the PGA Tour this week. Scheffler will tee off as one of the favorites in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. The fourth PGA Tour Signature Event features a total prize purse of $20 million and the full PGA elite is participating.

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Billy Horschel vs. alligator: 60-degree wedge in special use

On the first day of the Cognizant Classic in Florida, golf pro Billy Horschel had an unusual encounter with an unexpected guest – an alligator. While Horschel shot a round of 66 and fought his way to a tied 16th place, the scene on the 6th hole caused quite a stir. However, the six-time PGA Tour winner remained ice-cold and proved that he can handle not only a golf ball but also reptiles.

Billy Horschel: ‘I’m not afraid of gators’

The scene occurred when Horschel had just finished his putt on the sixth hole and was marching towards the seventh tee. Suddenly he noticed an alligator crawling slowly across the green – directly towards the crowd. A police officer who was on site tried to chase the animal away, but to no effect.

“Yeah, we were on No. 6 green and I just putted out, went to the left side of the green there. Right about to walk to 7 I saw the gator coming across,” Horschel explained. “The cop who was working with us walked over there and tried to shoo him, but he didn’t have anything to touch him and he was trying to get as close as he could. It was either someone was going to have to go up to No. 8 and grab a rake or I was 30 yards away, 25 yards away, and I just grabbed a club and went over there and pushed him away.”

60-Degree Wedge in Action

Billy Horschel, who himself played college golf for the Florida Gators, showed no fear of the reptile. With a 60-degree wedge in his hand, he approached the alligator and skilfully directed it back into the water.

“I’m not afraid of gators. Listen, as I tell most people, I said, they’re more afraid of you. The majority of the time they’re only going to come after you during mating season where they’re a little aggressive and then if you’re around their nest when they’ve got some eggs,” Horschel said. “The majority of the time, they’re fine. I grew up with my dad grabbing their tail when they’re on the side of the bank and shooing them back in the water. I never touched a tail with my hand but I’ve done it with a club. Not that big of a deal.”

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Fun Panorama

Unusual dress code: You have to play naked on this golf course

Forget dress codes and tight polo shirts! On the world’s only officially recognized naturist golf course, La Jenny, on the French Atlantic coast, things are different: here golfers swing their clubs the way God created them. In the midst of pine forests and dunes, a unique golfing experience awaits – without any clothing getting in the way, but with maximum freedom of movement.

FKK Golf: The naked madness

La Jenny is no ordinary golf course. Here, nudity is not only tolerated, but expressly encouraged – as long as the weather cooperates. The course offers six holes: three par-3s (70 to 130 meters) and three par-4s (220 to 330 meters). Beginners and experienced golfers alike will find a challenge here. But one question remains: Where to put the tee? Creativity is required – because there is no trouser pocket here!

More freedom of movement – fewer tan lines!

Without tight polo shirts or pinching belts, the golf swing feels freer than ever before. So if you’ve always wanted to hone your technique without any clothes getting in the way – here’s your chance. Another bonus: The unloved tan lines are a thing of the past. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can borrow everything from the clubhouse – from clubs to golf balls. Only clothing is not on the rental list here.

La Jenny is located in the picturesque Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and is part of a larger naturist village known for its relaxed and respectful atmosphere. Since its opening in 1993, the golf course has developed into a real highlight for nature-loving golfers. After the round, the clubhouse with its cozy lounge and spacious terrace invites you to relax. Here you can enjoy coffee, fruit juices or even French wines – in the best of company, of course, and still completely informal.

La Jenny is not the only place where nude golf can be played. At Cypress Cove Resort in Florida, there is also the opportunity to play a round on the Chip n Putt course in the nude – but there it is optional, unlike at La Jenny, where nudity is mandatory.

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Tiger Woods and the proximity to power

The new factors in professional golf: power lust, geopolitical aspects, economic influences, elitism, plus digital fire from media people 4.0.

In this context, the news fit that Kai Trump, the US president’s ambitious niece, is now sponsored by TaylorMade with a so-called NIL contract, according to which college athletes can benefit to a certain extent from “name, image, and likeness” . The 17-year-old is a prospective student at the University of Miami and has 5.4 million followers on social media.

Meeting of Tiger Woods and Kai Trump

Only a cynic would suspect that Tiger Woods had a hand in this—after all, he has recently been very visibly and seeking proximity to power in a variety of ways, fraternizing with the Trump clique, and allowing himself to be used for their agenda in more ways than just the National Black History Month.

 
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