Category: Professionals

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Rory McIlroy “would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup”

Rory McIlroy on being paid at the Ryder Cup (Photo: Getty).
Rory McIlroy on being paid at the Ryder Cup (Photo: Getty).

While the US players are to receive 400,000 US dollars for their participation in the Ryder Cup from next year, Rory McIlroy and his teammates Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton firmly reject any financial reward. For them, the Ryder Cup is not just a tournament, but a symbol of pride, passion and team spirit. The biennial tournament, which has so far been held without payment for the players, is now to receive a financial component on the American side for the first time from 2025.

Rory McIlroy: Ryder Cup “a privilege”

Rory McIlroy made it unmistakably clear that the competition and the honor are his priority, not the money. “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup,” said McIlroy in an interview with the BBC at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. For him, the Ryder Cup represents one of the purest forms of golf. “The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it’s partly because of that, the purity of no money being involved.” McIlroy sees the Ryder Cup as more than just a golf competition: “But the Ryder Cup is so much more than that, especially to the Europeans and to this tour.”

McIlroy also argues: “The common consensus among us is that $5m would be better off spent elsewhere on the DP World Tour to support other events or even to support The Challenge Tour.” This illustrates that the DP World Tour is much more reliant on the money raised from the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy showed understanding for the Americans’ decision, but warned of the potential impact of payment on the competition. “I can see the other side of the argument because the Ryder Cup does create a lot of revenue.“ said McIlroy. Nevertheless, he emphasized that money would significantly change the dynamics of the event. “ “I think we would all welcome money if it didn’t change the dynamic but the money really would change the dynamic,” explained the Northern Irishman.

Ryder Cup a privilege for European players

Other European players such as Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton echoed this sentiment. Tyrrell Hatton emphasized: “I’ve never thought about being paid to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s such an honour to be a part of that 12 that play.”

Lowry made it clear that the DP World Tour has no plans to pay its players and he doesn’t believe it makes a difference if one side is remunerated. For the former Open champion, the Ryder Cup is motivation enough anyway. Lowry already feels rewarded by the experience and the opportunities it brings. The prospect of being on the team again spurs him on: “Like I’d give anything to know I’m on the team next year. I’m going to spend the next ten months stressing my head off trying to make the team.”

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Jordan Spieth Hopes for Comeback After Successful Operation

Jordan Spieth's surgery was successful. (Source: Getty)
Jordan Spieth's surgery was successful. (Source: Getty)

Recently, we reported that Jordan Spieth would be using his early season exit to undergo surgery on his left wrist. Now, the three-time major winner has shared via social media that the operation went as planned and that he is on the road to recovery. “I had procedure on my left wrist last week, as I had mentioned was the plan. The operation went smoothly and I’m grateful for the exceptional medical team and support of Annie and my family. Focused on rest and rehab, and I look forward to returning to golf healthy and prepared for 2025,” Spieth wrote on X.

Jordan Spieth Hopes for a Swift Comeback

Despite the successful procedure, Spieth still has a long road ahead. The wrist is crucial for a golfer, and in Spieth’s case, his left wrist has been troubling him for some time. This has also been reflected in his performances, which have been rather inconsistent in recent years. Spieth’s last PGA Tour win came 28 months ago at the RBC Heritage in Harbour Town. Since then, his career has seen highs and lows: a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Masters, another near-win at the RBC, but also 14 missed cuts and a disqualification have marked his recent journey. Notably, his swing has changed – his clubface is now much more closed at the top of his backswing than it was during his peak in 2015. Experts like Brandel Chamblee expressed surprise at this change as golf.com reports.

Spieth’s ongoing issues with his left arm and wrist trace back to an injury in 2018 when he fractured a bone in his left hand, an injury he admits he never fully addressed. In May 2023, Spieth had to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament in his hometown of Dallas due to acute wrist pain. Although he competed in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill a week later, he wasn’t fully recovered. More setbacks followed in October of that year after the Ryder Cup when Spieth re-injured his wrist – this time while lifting a toaster at home. After several tests, doctors finally diagnosed ulnar nerve damage, providing him with much-needed clarity regarding his condition. “I believe that if I stay on top of this, I can structurally do what’s necessary to play my best golf again,” Spieth said optimistically at the time.

Now, after the successful surgery, the Texan begins the long journey back to his best form. It will be interesting to see how Spieth performs in 2025.

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Surgery: Jordan Spieth Uses Early End of Season to Take a Big Step

Jordan Spieth will undergo wrist surgery after FedExCup out. (Image: Getty)
Jordan Spieth will undergo wrist surgery after FedExCup out. (Image: Getty)

After more than a year in which his wrist has repeatedly caused problems, Jordan Spieth will now undergo an operation. He made the announcement on Sunday after the first PGA Tour play-off event, in which he finished third last. The problem is a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, which holds the tendon in place. The tear first appeared a week before the 2023 PGA Championship, and Spieth has tried various treatments to avoid surgery. Spieth did not comment on the details of the upcoming procedure, saying only that doctors need to “recreate the tendon” in his left wrist “so it doesn’t dislocate.”

Unavoidable: Jordan Spieth needs an operation

Jordan Spieth’s season has ended early for only the second time in his career, as his performance was not good enough to qualify for the remaining play-off events. Spieth now wants to make the most of this time and have an operation as soon as possible. Spieth reckons it will take around three months for his wrist to recover. “Yeah I’m going to get operated on ASAP, we’ll go through the process from there.” said Spieth after the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2024.

As Spieth explained to reporters a few weeks ago, the injury began with a broken bone in his wrist, which caused inflammation. This injury had even occurred in 2018. However, as he played golf largely pain-free, he tried to treat the problem without surgery. Since the 2023 season, the condition of his wrist deteriorated and he dropped from 10th place in the world rankings to 43rd. The former world number 1 missed the cut eight times in 21 tournament starts.

‘I am very hopeful’

The wrist treatment gives Spieth hope of finally emerging from his slump, although he has never had any pain in his wrist while swinging: “But it doesn’t seem coincidental based on the amount of time, and really the results being the exact same every single week. So I’m very hopeful.” Apart from playing off the tee, the injury has been a constant burden: “Anything that impacted the ground was not a good situation for me this year,”

As Spieth has no firm plans for upcoming tournaments, he wants to approach the wrist surgery with as much patience as possible, which he finds difficult.”Other than two kids under 3, which makes it quite a bit harder with one arm,” he said.

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Scottie Scheffler: $8 Million Earned While Sitting on the Couch

Scottie Scheffler secured a massive bonus due to his dominance on the PGA Tour. (Source: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler secured a massive bonus due to his dominance on the PGA Tour. (Source: Getty)

Sounding like something out of a fairy tale, Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Olympic champion, found himself $8 million richer this past weekend—all while relaxing on the couch with his family. While many of his peers were battling it out at the Wyndham Championship and the women were competing in golf at the Olympics in Paris, Scheffler opted for a quieter weekend at home with his wife Meredith and their baby, Bennett.

Scottie Scheffler Collects Big Bonus

Despite not swinging a club, the World No. 1 golfer saw his bank account swell overnight, thanks to the “Comcast Business Tour Top 10” bonus. Scheffler secured this massive payout by dominating the season-long points race, a competition that concluded with the Wyndham Championship. His lead was so substantial that no one could catch him, ensuring he would take home the top prize.

This windfall brings Scheffler’s earnings for the season to an astounding $36.148 million, including both prizes and bonuses. And the season isn’t over yet. With the FedEx Cup Playoffs just around the corner, there are still several lucrative opportunities on the horizon.

Scheffler’s success this year is nothing short of remarkable, and his latest financial gain—earned without lifting a finger—highlights just how dominant he has been throughout the season. As the playoffs loom, all eyes will be on Scheffler to see if he can continue this incredible run and add even more to his already impressive earnings.

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Bryson DeChambeau: Stellar Year Overshadowed by Olympic Snub

Here's why the US Open Champion isn't qualified for the Olympic Games 2024. (Source: Getty)
Here's why the US Open Champion isn't qualified for the Olympic Games 2024. (Source: Getty)

Bryson DeChambeau has recently voiced his disappointment at not being selected for the U.S. Olympic golf team for the 2024 Paris Games. This comes despite his remarkable performance this year, including a triumphant win at the U.S. Open.

LIV Golf Membership Spoils Participation in the Olympics

Two years ago, DeChambeau made the controversial decision to join LIV Golf, expecting that the league would soon be recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. Unfortunately, this has not materialized, leading to significant repercussions for DeChambeau and his fellow LIV golfers. The most recent impact is DeChambeau’s exclusion from the U.S. Olympic team.

In a pre-tournament press conference at LIV Golf Nashville, DeChambeau discussed his feelings about the situation. “It’s disappointing, but I understand the decisions I made, and the way things have played out has not been necessarily perfectly according to plan,” he said. “I’ve done my best up until now to give myself a chance according to the OWGR, but I realize and respect where the current situation of the game is, albeit it’s frustrating and disappointing.”

Bryson DeChambeau in great form

DeChambeau’s stellar performance this year, which includes a T-6 finish at the Masters and a second-place finish at the PGA Championship, culminated in his second U.S. Open victory. Despite these achievements, his inability to accumulate enough ranking points through LIV Golf events—which do not contribute to the OWGR—has left him outside the top four Americans eligible for the Olympics. Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, DeChambeau’s position was insufficient to surpass Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark, who will represent the U.S. in Paris.

Reflecting on his past experiences representing Team USA, DeChambeau expressed a deep sense of pride and nostalgia. “I have always loved representing Team USA, whether it’s been the world team amateur, the Walker Cup, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup. It’s been some of the greatest moments of my life,” he said. “Anytime you get a chance to represent your country, I’m all for it.” Looking ahead, DeChambeau remains hopeful. “Hopefully 2028 will be a little different situation, and it will make it that much sweeter,” he concluded, signaling his continued ambition to represent his country on the Olympic stage in the future.

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Rory McIlroy Annuls His Divorce Before the US Open 2024

Happier together: Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica have decided to stay together. (Source: Getty)
Happier together: Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica have decided to stay together. (Source: Getty)

Just before the US Open 2024 at Pinehurst, Rory McIlroy’s confident demeanor has been clarified: the divorce petition he filed in Florida last month has been voluntarily dismissed. McIlroy and his wife of seven years, Erica, have resolved their differences and decided to stay together.

Rory McIlroy Signed Divorce Petition Before PGA Championship

The initial news of the divorce came as a shock to the golfing world, particularly given its timing just before the PGA Championship. However, recent court documents reveal that the case has been dismissed at the request of both parties. This development coincides with McIlroy’s noticeably positive mood during his media engagements at Pinehurst. Addressing the rumors surrounding his personal life, McIlroy told the Guardian, “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

McIlroy Chases Fifth Major Title

This reconciliation couldn’t come at a better time for McIlroy, who is looking to end his wait for a fifth major title, a quest that has lasted since August 2014. Partnering with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in the first two rounds of the US Open 2024, McIlroy’s focus is now firmly on the task ahead. Reflecting on his career, McIlroy expressed pride in his achievements over the past 15 years. “I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors,” he said. “Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”

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Padraig Harrington Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame

Padraig Harrington was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. (Source: Getty)
Padraig Harrington was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. (Source: Getty)

Padraig Harrington was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst. Harrington, who even at the age of 52 still works tirelessly on his game and is always striving to improve, expressed his gratitude for the constants in his career: his wife, to whom he has been married for 34 years, his equipment supplier Wilson, whom he has never changed, and his manager Adrian Mitchell. “I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and validation,” said Harrington. The Irishman, who has a total of 21 victories worldwide, including the 2007 and 2008 British Open and the 2008 PGA Championship, joins 19-time LPGA winner Sandra Palmer as the only living inductees into the Hall of Fame. “This really feels like a dream,” said Palmer, who threw both arms in the air as she was introduced to the 29 other members of the Hall of Fame. The posthumously honored members include LPGA great Beverly Hanson, former Open Championship winner and golf course architect Tom Weiskopf and former US Open champion Johnny Farrell. The remaining seven founders of the LPGA Tour – Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Sally Sessions and Shirley Spork – were also accepted as a group. The other six founders had previously been honored individually.

Padraig Harrington joins a select circle

Harrington grew up in Ireland with dreams of Claret Jugs and the Wanamaker Trophy, not so much the Hall of Fame. Still, he recognized the significance of the award, especially on the PGA Tour Champions, where many of his peers like Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Fred Couples are already members. “You look up to those guys and you want to be part of that group,” Harrington said last week. “A lot of the players on the Champions Tour were a bit before my time, so I looked up to them as role models when I turned pro.” For today’s generation of top golfers, Harrington now serves as a role model himself. In honor of Harrington’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, 26-time PGA Tour winner Rory McIlroy had words of appreciation for the former star: “He really got this whole Irish golf movement going. Padraig was the one who made us all believe we could do it. He’s the ultimate professional.” Fellow countryman Shane Lowry also paid tribute to Harrington: “He was one of my role models growing up. He was fantastic for golf and fantastic for Ireland. We are very grateful for him.”

The Irishman had his breakthrough in 2007 at the British Open in Carnoustie, when he defeated Sergio Garcia despite a double bogey on the last hole. A year later, he won the British Open at Royal Birkdale and a month later became the first European winner of the PGA Championship in 78 years. In addition to his major victories, Harrington won three more on the PGA Tour, twelve on the European Tour and five in other international tournaments. He played on six Ryder Cup teams and was captain at Whistling Straits in 2021, even though Harrington had no plans to become a professional golfer, as he revealed in an interview with the DP World Tour.

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Road to the Olympic Games 2024: British Golfers Eye Qualification

In August, it gets serious for the English golfers at the 2024 Olympics. Who can hope for success of making the team? (Photos: Getty)

The qualification process for the 2024 Olympics is in full swing, and British golfers Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Charley Hull, and Georgia Hall are among the top contenders aiming for a place in Paris.

Men’s Olympics Qualification

Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are leading the British men’s golf contingent. Fleetwood, currently ranked 9th in the Olympic Golf Rankings (OGR) and 11th in the World Golf Rankings (OWGR), has had a successful few years. He won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2022, played a key role in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory in 2023, and recently secured a top-five finish at the 2024 Masters Tournament.

Matt Fitzpatrick, ranked 10th in the OGR and 14th in the OWGR, is also a strong contender. Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, has consistently remained within the top 50 golfers worldwide over the past seven years. His notable victories include the 2023 RBC Heritage and the 2022 U.S. Open, showcasing his readiness for Olympic competition.

Women’s Olympic Qualification

On the women’s side, Charley Hull and Georgia Hall are the top British hopefuls. Hull, ranked 7th in both the OGR and OWGR, recently ended a six-year wait for an LPGA Tour title by winning the Volunteers of America Classic in Texas. Her consistent performance, including five top-10 finishes this year, makes her a strong candidate for Olympic success.

Georgia Hall, ranked 23rd in the OGR and 31st in the OWGR, has also shown impressive form. The former Open champion looks forward to competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hall’s recent appearances include a win at the Aramco Team Series in London.

Olympic Qualification Process

The Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) determines the qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place from August 1 -10 on Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The top 15 golfers in the OGR automatically qualify, with a maximum of four players per National Olympic Committee (NOC). Beyond the top 15, the highest-ranked players are selected until the 60-player field is filled, ensuring no more than two players per NOC unless they are within the top 15.

The men’s qualification period ends on June 17, 2024, while the women’s ends on June 24, 2024. The final lists will be published shortly after these dates, confirming the golfers who will compete in Paris.

The qualification criterie for the Olympic Golf Tournament. (Photo: IGF)

With their strong performances and current rankings, Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick, Hull, and Hall are well-positioned to represent Great Britain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Forbes 2024: LIV Deal Boosts Jon Rahm to Second Place

Behind Cristiano Ronaldo and ahead of Lionel Messi, Jon Rahm ranks second on the Forbes list. (Photos: Getty)
Behind Cristiano Ronaldo and ahead of Lionel Messi, Jon Rahm ranks second on the Forbes list. (Photos: Getty)

A few days ago, the magazine ‘Forbes’ published its annually updated list of the world’s best-paid athletes. While Portugal’s soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo defends his place in the sun, Jon Rahm makes the biggest leap in the entire ranking, taking second place. The Spaniard has not only pushed Lionel Messi into third place, but is also among the top 3 earners in the sporting world as a golfer for the first time since Tiger Woods in 2013 (1st). The salaries from LIV Golf make it possible.

Forbes List 2024: Rahm, McIlroy & Co. – The five golfers of the ranking

Between May 2023 and May 2024, Forbes examined the total income of the world’s highest-paid athletes, as it does every year. The list of the 50 top earners also includes five golfers, among whom a recent LIV star plays a special role. Jon Rahm was not even among the top 50 in the previous year’s list, but is in second place this year with a total income of 218 million US dollars (201 million euros). The Spaniard owes this primarily to his lucrative LIV deal: According to Forbes, a full 198 million dollars of this comes from his income/contracts on the golf course, while ‘only’ 20 million dollars was earned off the golf course, for example through advertising revenue. This means that only Cristiano Ronaldo earned more in the last twelve months, defending his place from the previous year with a total income of 260 million dollars (240 million euros).

Jon Rahm and the second highest-paid golfer on the list are mainly separated by soccer and basketball stars such as Lionel Messi (3rd), LeBron James (4th), Kylian Mbappé (6th) and Stephen Curry (9th). Finally, Rory McIlroy, who was recently replaced by Xander Schauffele in second place in the world golf rankings after a long time, follows in 19th place. The Northern Irishman has a total income of 80.1 million dollars (73.8 million euros) and is therefore four places ahead of Tiger Woods with a total income of 67.2 million dollars (61.9 million euros). It is particularly striking that the 48-year-old alone earned 55 million dollars outside the golf course, for example through advertising revenue. This puts Woods in sixth place in this category. World number one and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is in 29th place with 59.2 million dollars (54.6 million euros). The last golfer on the list is Cameron Smith, like Jon Rahm a player on the LIV Tour, with 48 million dollars (44.2 million euros).

The impact of LIV Golf changes the Forbes list

In 2013, Tiger Woods in first place (78.1 million dollars) was the last golfer to occupy one of the top three places on the Forbes list; between 2018 and 2022, only once did a golfer occupy a place among the ten highest-paid athletes in the world (2020: Tiger Woods in eighth place). This changed abruptly with the salaries of LIV Golf. In 2023, the two LIV golfers Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson were ranked sixth and seventh respectively. This year, Jon Rahm provided the biggest jump of the year with a second place finish and the first top three finish by a golfer since 2013. Rahm, who was not on the list last year, caused an uproar in the golf world when he signed with LIV Golf in December last year. While the details of the contract have not been released, it has already been reported to be at least $300 million over several years. We can certainly expect to see more LIV Golfers among the top earners in the sporting world in the future.

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Scottie Scheffler’s Court Date Postponed Following Arrest

Scottie Schefflers court date was moved back to June following his arrest at the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler’s court date, initially set for May 21st, has been postponed to June 3rd, according to his attorney Steve Romines, who informed the Golf Channel. Scheffler, currently the world’s number one golfer and this year’s US Masters champion, was arrested last Friday before the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship on multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer.

Romines stated that Scheffler will plead not guilty to all charges. “I’ve been defending criminal cases for 30 years and have learned to never be surprised,” Romines commented, adding, “whoever reported [the charges] were going to be dismissed was not accurate.”

What Happened During Scottie Scheffler’s Arrest?

According to the police report, the incident occurred when Scottie Scheffler tried to escape a traffic jam that build because of a deadly accident friday morning. Detective Bryan Gillis stopped him and gave instructions that Scheffler refused to follow. Scheffler then accelerated, causing Det. Gillis to fall to the ground. Scheffler described the incident as a “big misunderstanding” and expressed confidence that the situation would be resolved.

In addition to aggravated assault, Scottie Scheffler was also charged with three other misdemeanors: vandalism, reckless driving, and disregarding an officer’s signals. He was booked into the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections and released at 8:40 AM, allowing him to return in time for his second round at Valhalla.

Scottie Scheffler’s Performance at the PGA Championship Despite Arrest

Scottie Scheffler entered the week as a favorite, having won the US Masters and claimed his fourth PGA Tour victory in five starts at the RBC Heritage. Despite the arrest and tumultuous circumstances, Scheffler managed to finish in a tie for eighth place. “On the course I have always been proud of my toughness out there,” Scheffler told CBS. “I try to keep the off course as quiet as possible and this week was obviously not that way, but I’m proud of the way we competed and posted a decent finish running on fumes.”

Despite the ongoing legal issues, Scottie Scheffler plans to participate in the Charles Schwab Challenge of the PGA Tour in Fort Worth, Texas.