Category: Panorama

Categories
Panorama

R&A: Golf Participation Continues to Enjoy Growth

Golf Participation Report 2023 shows growth. (Photo: The R&A)
Golf Participation Report 2023 shows growth. (Photo: The R&A)

The R&A today announced new participation figures that show an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport.

According to new research undertaken for the governing body, there are now 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) in R&A affiliated markets (outside the USA and Mexico).

The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022. The growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and is now accelerating faster than the 2020-2022 pandemic period when there was an average of 2.5 million new on-course golfers per annum. The sport continues to increase in popularity, now up 44% from 29.6 million on-course players in 2016.

The new data is provided by national federations in The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.

R&A: Global Surge in On-Course Golfers

The research also shows that 62.3 million adults (outside the USA and Mexico) consume the sport in some format, an increase of 1.1 million since 2022. It is just the second time an estimate has been made beyond on-course activity to include alternative-only formats, such as pitch & putt, indoor simulator golf and driving range use.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “Golf’s popularity continues to grow with a significant increase in the number of people playing the sport both on and off the course.

“There are now 13 million more golfers playing on the course since 2016 in R&A affiliated markets, while there are also millions of others enjoying alternative formats of golf, such as driving ranges, adventure golf and simulator golf, which are vital to the growth of the sport.

“New golfer participation programmes with appealing propositions, promotion and imagery are important for encouraging more people into the sport and retaining them in greater numbers. This is why we continue to work collaboratively with our affiliated national federations and stakeholders to build on this momentum and ensure golf continues to thrive.”

The top five on-course adult golfer markets overall reported are in: Japan (11.4 million), Republic of Korea (8.7 million), Canada (6.3 million), England (4.2 million) and Germany (2.4 million).

Women’s Participation on the Rise

Asia is the leading region for people engaging with golf among R&A affiliated regions, with total adult engagement in golf of 26.2 million. Europe is next highest with 19.7 million adults having some form of golf engagement.

The number of adult registered golfers (those members of a golf club within their national association or affiliated through a direct subscription) increased from 8 million in 2022 to 8.2 million in 2023, with an overall growth of 10% since 2020. Registered women golfers have grown from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.6 million in 2023.

There was a decrease in those adults who only played formats other than 9 or 18-hole golf  – 21.6 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023 – but this is likely to positively reflect on those moving instead to full-length on-course golf. The percentage of golfers only using alternative formats that are women did grow from 47% in 2022 to 52% in 2023, specifically in key golfing markets.

The R&A is continuing its commitment to invest £200 million over ten years (2017-2026) in developing golf, including sustained work to encourage participation through various initiatives.

(Text: The R&A)

Categories
Fun

DP World Tour Crazy Hole in One Challenge With Tom Holland

Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)
Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)

Actor Tom Holland and his brothers can almost be considered regulars at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am. Last year, they took part in the first celebrity version of the DP World Tour’s ‘Chase The Ace’ challenge and want to give it another go this year.

Tom Holland and his brothers face “Chace the Ace” again

Categories
Panorama

Barack Obama Visits the USA Solheim Cup Team

Barack Obama visits the US Solheim Cup Team. (Source: Instagram @lpga_tour)
Barack Obama visits the US Solheim Cup Team. (Source: Instagram @lpga_tour)

The Solheim Cup week has a special surprise in store for the US team: former US President Barack Obama, himself a passionate golfer, paid the team a visit in Washington D.C. on Monday evening. During a dinner together, Obama expressed his support for the players and even shared some insights about the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, where the Solheim Cup is being held this year. The 44th President of the United States has been a member of the club since 2017.

The Leaderboard of the Solheim Cup 2024

Barack Obama at the Solheim Cup 2024

Barack Obama left a lasting impression on the players, including stars such as Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Lexi Thompson. Nelly Korda, currently ranked number one in the world, was particularly impressed: “He knew all our names and congratulated us on our successes. That was really something special.” Megan Khang, also part of the team, emphasized: “It was incredible that he took the time to meet us. It shows how much he cares about golf.”

 
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von LPGA Tour (@lpga_tour)

This year is a very special Solheim Cup for the US team. After defeats in 2019 and 2021 and a draw in 2023, in which the Europeans retained the trophy, the team’s motivation to settle scores is greater than ever. Obama seems to have given the team exactly the motivation they need to stand up to the Europeans this year. Alison Lee, whose nine years between Solheim Cup appearances is the longest break in US team history, said Obama’s visit showed the power of golf, which she believes no other sport can offer. “It just shows how much golf brings people together,” Lee said ahead of her second appearance at the Solheim Cup. “Meeting him in person after only seeing him on TV before – as our former president – and seeing him connect with us was incredible. That’s something that only golf can make possible.” Whether Obama’s visit and his motivational words will lead the US team to victory remains to be seen.

Categories
Panorama

Full Swing: Netflix Confirms Third Season for 2025

The excitement for golf fans continues. (Photo: Twitter @netflix)

The successful golf documentary “Full Swing” will return to Netflix in 2025 for its third season. After two gripping seasons offering insights behind the scenes of professional golf, fans can once again look forward to dramatic twists and thrilling moments in the upcoming season.

What the third season of “Full Swing” might bring 

Although the themes of the new season have not yet been officially confirmed, speculation is already rife about which major storylines from the 2024 season might make their way into the series. Among the potential highlights are Bryson DeChambeau’s triumphant victory over Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open and Rickie Fowler’s remarkable comeback. Xander Schauffele, who clinched two major championships in 2024, is also expected to play a central role.

The series will likely cover stories beyond the tournaments as well—such as the much-discussed arrest of Scottie Scheffler during the PGA Championship or Nick Dunlap’s sensational victory as an amateur. Netflix’s camera crews are known for delving deeply into the private lives of golfers, so viewers can expect to see both the personal highs and lows of the sport’s biggest stars.

Looking back: The dramas of the first two seasons 

Since its debut in February 2023, “Full Swing” has offered viewers exclusive glimpses into the lives of the biggest names in golf. The first season followed stars like Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka through a year marked by the rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The cameras captured the drama as well-known players such as Ian Poulter and Brooks Koepka made the controversial switch to the Saudi-backed LIV Tour, while others, like McIlroy, stood firm in defending the traditional PGA Tour.

The second season, which premiered in March 2024, focused heavily on the historic merger between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the uncertainties that this alliance brought with it. The 2023 Ryder Cup, held in Rome, was also documented closely as the world’s top players vied for a spot on their respective teams.

Netflix hits the mark with “Full Swing”

 Since the launch of “Full Swing” in 2023, the series has not only captivated golf fans but has also boosted the PGA Tour’s viewership. According to a Nielsen Media Research analysis, interest in golf spiked significantly after the release of the first season. Notably, newcomers who had previously never followed golf broadcasts began tuning in to live tournaments after watching the series.

Categories
Panorama

Andy Murray: From Tennis Star to Golfer

Andy Murray is now a golfer. (Image: Getty)
Andy Murray is now a golfer. (Image: Getty)

New golfer: Andy Murray has won three Grand Slam tournaments, two of them in the tennis mecca of Wimbledon (2013, 2016). The Brit was ranked number one in the world tennis rankings for 41 weeks from November 2016 and is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner in singles (2012, 2016). After his quarter-final exit in the Olympic doubles at the Paris Games, Murray finally ended his great career a few weeks ago. And what does someone like him do now in sport? The question is answered when you take a look at his CV, where his place of birth is Glasgow. So it’s no wonder that the Scot is now turning to the traditional sport of his homeland. Murray announced it on his social media pages. “I played tennis. I now play golf,” he wrote under his profile photo. And the goal of Murray is also clear: scratch.

Andy Murray is not the only tennis star, who is an avid golfer

Andy Murrays former rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are also known to be avid golfers. Djokovic, who won a gold medal in Paris this year, competed in the All-Star match at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

Categories
Panorama

Separate Paths: Callaway and Topgolf Become Independent Companies

Callaway and Topgolf are parting ways again after their merger. (Photo: Getty)
Callaway and Topgolf are parting ways again after their merger. (Photo: Getty)

Topgolf Callaway Brands has made a surprising decision: The company plans to split into two independent companies. This strategic realignment comes at a time when the company’s share price has fallen by more than 24 percent since the beginning of the year.

Callaway and Topgolf: separation as “best position for success”

Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands, explained the rationale for this move: “Over the last decade plus, we have transformed Callaway into the No. 1 brand in golf equipment, while building a successful and complementary apparel and accessory business. We believe this business, on a stand-alone basis, will be well understood and valued by the market.”

Highlighting the successes since the merger with Topgolf, he added: “Topgolf is transforming the game of golf and is expected to deliver substantial financial returns over time. At the same time, Topgolf has a different operating model, capital structure and investment thesis than Callaway, and as a result, the Board has determined that separating Topgolf will best position Topgolf and Callaway for success and maximize shareholder value.”

180-degree turnaround in corporate management

The planned split marks a clear departure from the strategy that led to the merger in March 2021. At the time, Brewer had emphasized the synergies between the two companies: “Callaway and Topgolf are just better together. […] This transformational merger has already created and will continue to create meaningful shareholder value.”

Following the separation, Callaway will retain its leadership position in the golf equipment market, with the #1 club and #2 ball brands in the US. The portfolio also includes brands such as Odyssey, Ogio, Travis Mathew and Jack Wolfskin. Topgolf, on the other hand, has revolutionized the traditional driving range business with its innovative concept that combines golf with entertainment and gastronomy. With over 100 locations in the USA and internationally, Topgolf has established itself as an independent brand.

The announcement of this split shows how the company management’s view has changed since the merger. It remains to be seen how the market will react to this strategic realignment.

Categories
Panorama

Showdown Between PGA Tour and LIV Golf: Four Stars in a Duel

Four giants of golf: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau (from left). (Photo: Getty)
Four giants of golf: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau (from left). (Photo: Getty)

The establishment of the Saudi Tour has split the professional golfing world: Since some of golf’s biggest stars have gained a foothold on the LIV Golf League, the players who have remained loyal to the PGA Tour only encounter them in exceptional circumstances such as the four Major tournaments. As a result, golf fans only very rarely get the chance to see the best players in the world compete for a title.

However, as part of a new TV event produced by BZ Entertainment and EverWonder Studio, there will now be a showdown between four of the most successful faces in golf. Two of them migrated to LIV Golf, two of them remained loyal to the PGA Tour. It is to be expected that the duel will be about more than just the better golf game.

PGA Tour and LIV Tour: McIlroy/Scheffler vs. Koepka/DeChambeau

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler form the “PGA Tour” team. Scottie Scheffler was almost invincible in the 2024 season and recently crowned his countless successes with victory in the FedEx Cup. He has developed into a protagonist of the PGA Tour in recent years. The second face representing the PGA Tour is none other than Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman stood up for his home tour, the PGA Tour, like no other during the trouble on LIV Golf and is therefore an indispensable player in the duel between the tours.

On the opposing side, two players who once faced each other in “The Match” are teaming up. LIV stars Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, who have already been known as brawlers. The two players have several major titles and other successes between them and regularly compete for the top positions on the leaderboard on the LIV Golf League. Together they want to face the power of the PGA Tour stars and win the duel.

“Intense golf” at a ”great show”

The constellation is reminiscent of the format “The Match”, in which selected golf stars – including Koepka and DeChambeau – have already dueled several times. However, the new duel clearly differs from this format. “We’re leaning towards making it more like a Ryder Cup to develop it into a series that’s completely separate from The Match,” Bryan Zuriff, longtime producer of The Match and executive producer of the December event, told Golf Digest. Viewers can expect “real, intense golf”.

In addition to the sporting competition, Rory McIlroy is also looking forward to the setting of the event: “I’m thrilled to partner with Scottie in what promises to be an exciting duel against Bryson and Brooks in Vegas this December,” he wrote in a text message to Golfweek. “This isn’t just a contest between some of golf’s major champions; it’s an event designed to energize the fans. We’re all here to put on a great show and contribute to a goodwill event that brings the best together again.”

Categories
Panorama

Justin Thomas Is Going to Be a Dad

Justin Thomas (Image: Getty)
Justin Thomas (Image: Getty)

Justin Thomas announced on Instagram yesterday that he will become a father for the first time at the end of November. In the post, he first wrote about his 2024 season, Scottie Scheffler and not being nominated for the Presidents Cup. In the final paragraph, JT announced the event briefly: “It will be nice to have some time to work on things, foundation event, some Rest and Recovery, and even become a dad at the end of November!” He did not reveal whether it would be a boy or a girl. It is the first child for Justin Thomas and his wife Jillian, who married in 2022. No further information about the birth was revealed in the social media post, but there were other interesting sections in his post.

JT about his season and the Presidents Cup

The two-time major champion started his statement with his 2024 PGA Tour season: “2024 season is a wrap. I’m very proud and happy about some signs of improvement that were shown. Although (per usual), I am far from satisfied. Finishing the year in Atlanta at the TOUR Championship is something I never want to take for granted. I look forward to working to get back there next year.”

Furthermore the 31-year old wrote about not being nominated for the Presidents Cup 2024: “I’m obviously very bummed to not be joining the boys in Canada for the Presidents Cup, but completely understanding. Jim has put together a great team. I will be the first one pulling for them and watching, while using it as motivation to not miss a team event again as they are some of my favorite weeks I’ve had.”

No captain’s pick for Justin Thomas

The teams for the 15th edition of the Presidents Cup were also finalized on Tuesday. Thomas, who had not qualified, did not receive one of the six captain’s picks from US captain Jim Furyk. Instead, the picks went to Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Brian Harman, Russell Henley and Max Homa. The Presidents Cup will take place from September 24-29, 2024 at The Royal Montreal GC in Montreal, Canada. The US team will compete against the international team (rest of the world, excluding Europe). Of the 14 editions so far, the USA has won twelve times, the internationals have won once and one duel ended in a draw.

Categories
Panorama

Rory McIlroy to Shorten Tournament Schedule: “It’s Been a Long Season”

Rory McIlroy plans to cut back on his tournament schedule in the 2025 season. The Northern Irishman talks about a "U.S. Open hangover." (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy has announced plans to significantly reduce his tournament schedule beginning in 2025. The Northern Irish golf star revealed that he intends to participate in only 18 to 20 tournaments per year. McIlroy shared this decision following the conclusion of the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where he finished in ninth place.

He described this season as particularly challenging, especially after hitting a “wall” following the U.S. Open and still feeling the lingering effects of that intense stretch. “It’s been a long season, and I’m going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward because I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-U.S. Open, and still feel a little bit of that hangover,” McIlroy explained in a post-tournament interview in Atlanta.

Rory McIlroy to Adjust 2025 Season Planning

The golf professional, who has regularly competed in over 20 tournaments per season in recent years, emphasized that the current season has pushed him to his limits. In the past, the PGA Tour star would typically participate in about 22 events a year, but this number is no longer sustainable given his current life circumstances. I’m usually sort of like a 22 sort of person. But again, that was when I was sort of in my 20s and didn’t have the responsibilities that I do now,” McIlroy said. As a result, he plans to limit his tournament participation to 18 to 20 events in the coming years.

This decision follows an especially dense tournament schedule. Over the past eight weeks, McIlroy has competed in six major events, including the Olympic Games in Paris and the British Open. This intense period, combined with his appearances in all three FedEx Cup Playoffs, has left him physically and mentally exhausted, according to McIlroy.

Future Outlook and Upcoming Tournaments

Although Rory McIlroy intends to reduce his tournament calendar in the future, he still faces several important tasks this season. He will compete in the Irish Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship before concluding the DP World Tour season with two final events in Dubai in November. McIlroy currently leads the Race to Dubai standings on the DP World Tour and will aim to finish the season strong before implementing his planned reduction in tournament appearances.

Categories
Panorama

Scottie Schefflers Cap Sold for Impressive Price

This white cap by Scottie Scheffler was last auctioned for a four-figure sum. (Image: Getty)
This white cap by Scottie Scheffler was last auctioned for a four-figure sum. (Image: Getty)

Do you remember May 17, 2024? – That’s right, that was the Friday on which world number one Scottie Scheffler was arrested. Pictures of Scheffler in prison garb went around the world and it was unclear whether he would even make it to his second round tee time at the PGA Championship. As is well known, he did make it and even played an impressive – for the circumstances – round of 66. The white Nike golf cap he was wearing that day was auctioned off at a Kids Cancer Alliance charity event along with three golf balls signed by Scheffler for 2,375 dollars.

Image: Getty

Scheffler had signed the cap and donated it to the organization along with the golf balls. The event took place in Louisville, where the 2024 PGA Championship was also held.

Scottie Scheffler: His white cap was worth almost as much to the bidders as the bat of a famous baseball player

To put it in perspective: Scheffler’s simple-looking white cap fetched almost as much money as Shohei Ohtani’s signed baseball bat, at just under 2,400 dollars. Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is currently the most popular baseball player in the world. The baseball exhibit was auctioned for 2,750 dollars.