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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.

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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.

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Clubs, shoes, balls: PGA Tour pros get it all for free

Michael Kim reveals lots of secrets of golfpros on X (Twitter). (Photo: Getty)
Michael Kim reveals lots of secrets of golfpros on X (Twitter). (Photo: Getty)

Michael S. Kim is a PGA Tour golfer who lives in Dallas, Texas. Born in South Korea and raised in California, he first came to prominence when he claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the John Deere Classic in 2018. But Kim is not only known for his precise shots, but also for running one of the most informative golf accounts on Twitter. He gives us a rare insight into the world of professional golfers and the multitude of free amenities available to them. From equipment to travel perks, here’s what the pros really get.

What do golf pros get for free?

Professionals get almost unlimited access to golf clubs, especially if they use them during the tournament. Whether it’s drivers, putters or special shafts, manufacturers make sure players are well equipped. However, as Kim emphasises, these items lose their appeal for the pros over time, as they are ultimately just ‘tools’ to do their ‘job to the best of their ability’. The situation is similar with golf balls: Kim, for example, regularly receives several dozen balls on order from Titleist during training weeks, depending on demand, without ever having received a cancellation. He normally receives three dozen balls for a tournament week.

The PGA Tour partnerships also provide players with travel benefits. For example, they enjoy preferential status with United Airlines, Avis and Omni Hotels. Although Kim emphasises that he rarely flies with United due to his home base in Dallas, these benefits are of great use to many of his colleagues.

How many outfits do golf pros get

However, not everything is perfectly organised: When it comes to clothing, there are significant differences depending on the partner company. While some companies deliver reliable, high-quality clothing, others experience delays or sizing problems. Kim emphasises that professionals have their clothes washed regularly and do not receive completely new outfits every week – this is more the case with the majors. Shoes are also not changed as often as you might expect. Kim claims to change his shoes about every month and a half, while other players who value perfectly matched outfits may request new shoes more frequently.

For the average golfer, having access to all these free amenities may seem like a dream. But as Michael Kim points out, it’s all part of the job. What seems glamorous from the outside, he says, is simply another aspect of the pros’ daily business, which is all about being as prepared as possible.

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Swedish Double Win at the Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur Championships

The two Swedish winners of the Girls' and Boys' Amateur Championships 2024. (Image: R&A)
The two Swedish winners of the Girls' and Boys' Amateur Championships 2024. (Image: R&A)

Torstensson surged to a 8&7 triumph over Matylda Krawczynska of Poland in the 36-hole Final at Alwoodley to win the 95th staging of the Girls’ Amateur. In the 97th edition of the Boys’ Amateur at nearby Moortown, Olsson Mörk came back from five down after 12 holes to defeat Scott Woltering from the Netherlands 4&3 in their showdown. Both players emerged victorious from the global 144-player fields at the renowned West Yorkshire venues this week.

Boys’ Amateur Championship

Olsson Mörk capped a glorious week for Sweden with his impressive comeback in the Final. By virtue of his win, he earns exemptions into Final Qualifying for The Open, The Amateur Championship and the US Junior Boys’ Championship. The first Swedish winner since his friend, Albert Hansson in 2022, he joins other past champions including Sir Michael Bonallack, José María Olazábal, Sergio Garcia, Matthew Fitzpatrick and David Howell.

While Woltering was more attack-minded with the driver, the 17-year-old – who went to the same high school as PGA TOUR winner and Ryder Cup team member Ludvig Åberg – opted for a different strategy and used his long irons regularly.

In a topsy-turvy morning session, Woltering, 18, settled quickest and surged to a four-up lead after only seven holes. Birdies at the 1st and 7th and bogeys from his opponent at the 5th and 6th secured the advantage. Woltering then made key putts from 15 feet and five feet to halve both the 10th and 11th before he highlighted the Final at the par-5 12th.

Having pushed his tee shot into the right rough, Woltering chipped out before flighting a pitching wedge down the hill from 160 yards into the hole for a stunning eagle. Olsson Mörk refused to buckle and replied with a winning birdie at the 13th and soon claimed three holes in-a-row after costly errors from Woltering at the 14th and 15th to reduce his deficit to two.

A roar of delight took the Netherlands player back three ahead after a nine-feet birdie putt on the 16th, but he took two shots from a greenside bunker on the short 17th and then pulled his drive on the 18th to take a penalty drop and lose both holes.

Woltering – winner of the Dutch national open match play this year – claimed the 19th with a birdie but a run of three bogeys then allowed his rival to lead for the first time at the 22nd. Woltering immediately replied after a glorious tee shot set up a winning birdie at the next but he was one down again when Olsson Mörk birdied the par-5 25th. He then misjudged his approach putt at the 28th for bogey and a two-hole deficit. As the Swede continued his steady play, Woltering bogeyed at the 31st to fall three down and another bogey at the 33rd ended the contest.

Girls’ Amateur Championship

Havanna Torstensson savoured the biggest win of her young career at the Girls’ Amateur. The 16-year-old put in a composed and clinical display to beat Krawczynska and join a decorated roll of honour which includes major champions and Solheim Cup players such as Suzann Pettersen, Anna Nordqvist, Azahara Munoz and Georgia Hall.

Torstensson’s victory also gains her an exemption into Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, The Women’s Amateur Championship, the US Girls’ Junior Championship and, by tradition, an invitation to compete at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Torstensson seized an early advantage with a six-feet birdie putt on the 3rd hole of the morning’s opening round and, from then on, she was in total control.

As Krawczynska, a three-time Polish junior champion, struggled to replicate the form that had swept her into the Final, Torstensson’s assured play fortified her position of authority and she was six-up through 11 holes. Krawczynska could not gain a foothold in the tussle but the 18-year-old trundled in a 25-footer on the 15th for a birdie to give herself a much-needed lift.

The Pole then clawed another hole back on the 17th when Torstensson shanked her second shot into the trees but the Swede moved back into a five-hole lead on the 18th.

Having won the opening two holes of the afternoon to extend her lead to seven, Torstensson was in charge and Krawczynska’s day would unravel on the 28th hole when she thinned a bunker shot over the green and lost her ball.

Her concession there meant that Torstensson was seven-up with just eight to play and the victory was sealed on the short 29th when Krawczynska’s par putt lipped-out and Torstensson tidied up a title-winning three.

She becomes just the third Swede, after Nordqvist and Maria Hjorth, to win the Girls’ Amateur.

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Video: Scary Moment during Crash Landing on the Practice Green

The plane came to a halt against the wall of the clubhouse. (Photo: X/@aviationbrk)
The plane came to a halt against the wall of the clubhouse. (Photo: X/@aviationbrk)

Unsuspectingly, an amateur golfer in Sacramento in the US state of California took his time for a short game on the practice green of the Arcade Creek Course in Haggin Oaks. Just as he approached his ball, a small plane sped towards him in the corner of his eye and narrowly missed him as he jumped a few meters to the side at the last moment. Within a few seconds, the plane hit the ground, came to a halt and gave the golfer a good shock.

Crash landing on the golf course due to technical failure

At an altitude of 400 feet, the technology of the small plane, in which only the pilot was in, failed, which is why the plane had to make an emergency landing. It finally reached the ground unbraked on the grounds of a golf course in Sacramento, where a golfer was playing his short game. The plane narrowly missed the golfer and finally came to a halt a few meters away against the wall of the clubhouse. Miraculously, both parties involved were largely unharmed. Only the pilot suffered cuts to his hand. A surveillance camera recorded the situation.

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World Golf Ranking: Tommy Fleetwood Leading Englishman

Tommy Fleetwood with the silver medal in Paris. (Photo: Getty)
Tommy Fleetwood with the silver medal in Paris. (Photo: Getty)

The World Golf Ranking has seen significant shifts this week, particularly among the leading English, Welsh, and Scottish players. Tommy Fleetwood remains the highest-ranking player from these regions, climbing to 11th with an average of 4.2640 points, up from 14th last week. Rory McIlroy holds firm in 3rd place with an average of 8.8280 points, showing no change from the previous week.

See the complete Official World Golf Ranking here

World Golf Ranking: Continued Shifts for British Players

Robert MacIntyre maintains his position as the leading Scottish player, staying steady at 16th with an average of 3.5306 points. Matt Fitzpatrick holds the 22nd position, showing no change from the last ranking, with an average of 3.1284 points. Tyrell Hatton, however, has dropped from 25th to 28th, carrying an average of 2.9608 points.

World Golf Ranking: Top-10 Overview

Scottie Scheffler remains the top player in the World Golf Ranking, with no change in his position or average points. Xander Schauffele stays in 2nd place, and Rory McIlroy holds 3rd. Other notable performances in the Top-10 include no changes for Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jon Rahm, each holding their previous week’s positions.

Rank Last Week Nationality Player Name
11 14 ENG Tommy Fleetwood
16 16 SCO Robert MacIntyre
22 22 ENG Matt Fitzpatrick
28 25 ENG Tyrell Hatton
35 34 ENG Justin Rose
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Michael Phelps Visits Golf at the 2024 Olympics

Michael Phelps at the Olympic golf tournament in 2024. (Image: Twitter/@olympicgolf)
Michael Phelps at the Olympic golf tournament in 2024. (Image: Twitter/@olympicgolf)

Seeing Michael Phelps at the 2024 Olympics is no big surprise. Seeing Michael Phelps at the Olympic golf tournament is perhaps more of a surprise. The record-breaking swimmer’s passion for golf is well known.

The Olympic golf tournament 2024 live

2024 Olympics: Michael Phelps at the Golf Tournament

During his visit to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he is not spending his time exclusively in the Aquatic Centre, which he has probably seen more than enough of in his life, but is also enjoying the fresh air outside on the golf course at Le Golf National.

Michael Phelps has long been an avid golfer and also an enthusiastic golf fan, having followed Tier Woods live at Augusta National when he won the Masters in 2019, for example. Since ending his active career after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, he has had all the more time to devote to this other sport. But even before that, he was excellent with the club. Proof A: This incredible putt from 48 metres at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2012.

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What the Golf Stars Are Doing Off the Course at the Olympics 2024

Olympic Golf Stars in Paris. (Photo: Instagram.com/@scottiescheffler and @golfdigest)
Olympic Golf Stars in Paris. (Photo: Instagram.com/@scottiescheffler and @golfdigest)

Early childhood moulding: Bennett Scheffler is less than three months old and already a cosmopolitan. Because dad Scottie and mum Meredith have been taking their little boy, who was born on 8 May, with them almost everywhere ever since. Even to the Olympic Games 2024. Baby Bennett has been to the Louvre and made the Mona Lisa smile a little more, strolled along the banks of the Seine with his parents, watched the Olympic table tennis tournament and witnessed the Olympic comeback of exceptional gymnast Simone Biles. In short: an American in Paris.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Scottie Scheffler (@scottie.scheffler)

“It felt like we only saw a tenth of the museum. We were there for two hours, but I could have spent days looking at all the old paintings and reading the descriptions. I can get very interested in this kind of thing: The talent of the artists is absolutely stunning – and just great that their work has made it through time and survived.”

Scottie Scheffler about the visit to the Louvre
 
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Golf Olympics 2024: Olympians off the Course

Speaking of which, a lot of the golfing Olympians used the free time between the play-in rounds for excursions and visits to other sporting venues. Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, for example, watched Rafael Nadal’s doubles appearance with Carlos Alcaraz, presumably the last appearance of the Spanish tennis hero and 14-time French Open winner at Stade Roland Garros; and in view of the snapshot from the stands, we can only hope that the expression on McIlroy’s wife Erica’s face is merely due to the snapshot. Hey guys, you’re in the city of love.

 
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Live Scores of Golf at the Olympics 2024
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Junior Golfer AJ Ramos Achieves Historic 59 in Arizona

The 59-round by 14-year-old golfer AJ Ramos is making waves. (Photo: Facebook@Junior Golf Association of Arizona)

AJ Ramos, a prodigious 14-year-old golfer, has etched an extraordinary chapter in the annals of the Arizona Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Over the past weekend, Ramos achieved an astonishing feat by shooting a round of 59 at the Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Arizona. This score marks the first instance of such an achievement in the AJGA’s history.

Breakthrough at the Tucson City Junior Championship

It was July 25, 2024, at the Tucson City Junior Championship when young golfer AJ Ramos from Tucson delivered a flawless 59, making it the first of its kind in the tournament’s history.

Held annually at the Randolph Golf Complex, the Tucson City Junior Championship is renowned for attracting talented young golfers from across Arizona. AJ Ramos surpassed all expectations by reaching this historic milestone. With precise shots and outstanding focus, he played an almost perfect game that ultimately led him to this record-setting performance and a new membership in the exclusive 59 Club. Membership in this club is so rare that even players on the PGA Tour or LPGA Tour seldom achieve it.

A Milestone in Junior Golf

The historic moment occurred during the final round of an AJGA tournament. Ramos started his round with a birdie on the first hole and continued his successful streak tirelessly. After nine holes, he was already eight under par. On the back nine, he maintained his impressive performance, finishing the round with an eagle on the 18th hole. His round’s total? Eleven birdies, one eagle, and six pars.

This remarkable achievement not only highlights Ramos’s exceptional talent but also sets a new standard in junior golf, underscoring the bright future that lies ahead for this young golfer.

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These Four Golfers are among the Top 100 Most Successful Athletes

Which golfers made it into the top 100 alongside Tiger Woods? (Photo: Getty)
Which golfers made it into the top 100 alongside Tiger Woods? (Photo: Getty)

Whether Olympic champions, world champions, Grand Slam winners or footballers of the year, the 21st century has seen some incredible achievements from legendary sportsmen and women. In a wide variety of sports, personalities stand out whose successes set them apart from their competitors.

The US television channel ESPN looked back over the last 25 years and published a list of the 100 most successful athletes. ESPN editors from all over the world contributed to the nominations and the voting process. Voters were instructed to only consider an athlete’s accomplishments since 2000. The top 100 includes three male and one female golfer: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Annika Sörenstam and Rory McIlroy.

Most successful athletes of the 21st century: Tiger Woods in the top 10

First and foremost from a golfing perspective is none other than Tiger Woods. His greatest achievements include 13 major victories (the most of any player in this period) and eleven major victories as world number one (nine more than any other player of all time). In total, Woods has won 131 times around the world and has left his mark on golf like no other, and not just with his sporting achievements. He is ranked 8th in ESPN’s rankings, beating the likes of Michael Phelps (1st place, swimming), Serena Williams (2nd place, tennis) and Lionel Messi (3rd place, soccer).

After Woods, the second golfer is some time coming. The second most successful golfer in the ranking is Phil Mickelson in 69th place. Although Mickelson has made negative headlines in recent years, there is no denying the achievements he has previously delivered in golf: With six Major victories and the record as the oldest Major winner of all time at the 2021 PGA Championship (the first Major winner to turn 50), Mickelson played his way into golf history.

Annika Sörenstam as the most successful female golfer

Annika Sörenstam follows in 89th place. With 97 victories around the world, the Swede stands out from most of her rivals. Her tally since the turn of the century includes eight Major wins (the most in that time span) and 54 of her 72 LPGA Tour victories. She is the only woman ever to shoot a 59 in a professional tournament and won eleven times in 2002, the most wins on the LPGA Tour in almost 40 years. The fact that she retired from professional golf in 2008 gives her successes even more significance in terms of the ESPN rankings in the short space of eight years.

Last but not least, Rory McIlroy is ranked 93rd. Although the Northern Irishman has been on a dry spell for ten years in terms of major successes, his other achievements should not be underestimated: He spent 122 weeks at the top of the world rankings with the help of 26 PGA Tour victories (including four majors). McIlroy is “only” one Masters win away from a career Grand Slam to put him on a par with golf legends such as Tiger Woods or Arnold Palmer.