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PGA Tour Tee Times: Scheffler and Home in top flight for the party event

The WM Phoenix Open is held at TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. This tournament is part of the PGA Tour and offers a total prize money of $9,200,000. The course has a par of 71, and the defending champion is Nick Taylor. 

PGA Tour Tee Times

Justin Thomas begins his first round at 7:53 AM alongside Nick Dunlap (USA) and Luke Clanton (USA). For his second round, the trio tees off at 12:33 PM.

Jordan Spieth, another prominent name, starts his first round at 8:04 AM, playing with Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) and Nick Taylor (CAN). Their second round is scheduled for 12:44 PM.

Max Homa starts at 12:44 PM, playing alongside Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Joohyung Kim (KOR). They begin their second round at 8:04 AM.

Rickie Fowler takes his first tee at 12:55 PM, accompanied by Billy Horschel (USA) and Sahith Theegala (USA). Their second round initiation is at 8:15 AM.

Daniel Berger joins his partners Thomas Detry (BEL) and Mac Meissner (USA) for the first round at 1:39 PM, and they continue the second round at 8:59 AM.

Round Time Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
1 07:53 Justin Thomas Nick Dunlap Luke Clanton
1 08:04 Jordan Spieth Hideki Matsuyama Nick Taylor
1 12:44 Max Homa Scottie Scheffler Joohyung Kim
1 12:55 Rickie Fowler Billy Horschel Sahith Theegala
1 13:39 Daniel Berger Thomas Detry Mac Meissner
2 08:04 Max Homa Scottie Scheffler Joohyung Kim
2 08:15 Rickie Fowler Billy Horschel Sahith Theegala
2 08:59 Daniel Berger Thomas Detry Mac Meissner
2 12:33 Justin Thomas Nick Dunlap Luke Clanton
2 12:44 Jordan Spieth Hideki Matsuyama Nick Taylor
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PGA Tour Tests New Measures to Tackle Slow Play

Slow play has been a persistent issue on the PGA Tour, drawing criticism from players, fans, and broadcasters alike. In response, the Tour is set to implement and test a series of changes. Rangefinders will be introduced at select tournaments in 2025, field sizes will be trimmed starting in 2026, and enforcement of pace-of-play rules will become more visible. A shot clock—long considered unrealistic in professional golf—now appears to be a legitimate option under discussion.

Rangefinders: A Faster Path to the Yardage

For years, officials have debated ways to keep rounds moving. Now, the PGA Tour is taking a decisive step by allowing distance-measuring devices on a trial basis in 2025.

The logic is straightforward: rangefinders provide exact yardages instantly, eliminating the need for caddies to pace off distances or consult yardage books. According to Gary Young, Senior Vice President of Rules & Competitions, early testing on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Champions showed promising results. “It’s been tested on the Korn Ferry (Tour) level. It’s been tested for a full year at the PGA TOUR Champions level. Why not?” Young stated.

The introduction of rangefinders could be one of the most impactful changes in recent years. While purists argue that it alters the traditional role of the caddie, supporters believe it could significantly improve pace of play without compromising strategy.

More Transparency on Slow Play

For years, the PGA Tour has tracked shot times, but those numbers have remained behind closed doors. Now, discussions are underway to make that data public—an unprecedented shift that could reshape how slow play is addressed.

Chief Competitions Officer Tyler Dennis acknowledges that slow play isn’t solely about individual shot times. Factors such as field size, course setup, and weather conditions all contribute. However, publishing pace-of-play statistics could put additional pressure on the slowest players and encourage self-regulation among the field.

Additionally, the enforcement of slow-play penalties has been largely opaque. Historically, warnings and fines have been issued privately, with little public disclosure. That could soon change, as more voices within the game push for greater accountability—similar to how penalties are handled in other professional sports.

A Shot Clock on the PGA Tour?

One of the most debated proposals is the introduction of a shot clock—a concept once deemed incompatible with professional golf. The TGL, the new high-tech league led by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has already implemented a 40-second timer, complete with a pulsating heartbeat sound to add urgency. Players like Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick have voiced support for bringing a similar system to the PGA Tour.

 
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Dottie Pepper, former LPGA star and current broadcaster, recently summarized the issue in an interview with The New York Times in one word: “Respect.” Respect for fellow players, for fans, and for the broader audience who endure slow rounds week after week.

Smaller Fields, More Flow

While some proposed measures remain in the trial phase, one significant change is already confirmed: smaller field sizes at select tournaments starting in 2026. The Players Championship, for instance, will see its field reduced from 144 to 120 players.

The reasoning is clear—fewer players mean fewer groups on the course, allowing for wider gaps between tee times. This could provide tournament officials with more flexibility to monitor pace of play and enforce penalties when necessary.

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DeChambeau’s Indian Sojourn: Expanding Horizons and Forging Connections

Bryson DeChambeau’s latest venture beyond familiar fairways may not have ended with silverware, but his visit to India for the International Series India was a triumph in more ways than one. The two-time U.S. Open champion finished runner-up to fellow American Ollie Schniederjans at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour’s flagship series, held from Thursday to Saturday at the DLF Golf and Country Club near Delhi. While a four-stroke deficit meant DeChambeau fell just short of victory, his presence alone made history—never before had a reigning major champion teed it up on Indian soil. And he wasn’t alone. Flanked by his Crushers teammates and fellow LIV Golf stars like Joaquin Niemann—who shared third place with Abraham Ancer—DeChambeau’s participation underscored a broader narrative: the global expansion of professional golf.

From the outset, all attention was on DeChambeau, and he did not disappoint. He thrilled spectators with his power game, reinforced LIV Golf’s branding, and in doing so, shone a light on an untapped market that the PGA Tour continues to overlook. With marquee names such as Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth showing little appetite for long-haul commitments, DeChambeau seized the opportunity. His investment in the region is no mere afterthought—his recruitment of Indian standout Anirban Lahiri to the Crushers speaks to a calculated effort to leverage local connections and fan engagement.

Speaking to the platform “Flushingitgolf,” the 31-year-old encapsulated his broader ambitions: “It’s going to be so much fun. But it’s more than just golf [in India], it’s about creating relationships. What’s wonderful about the game of golf is that you can create and develop relationships and inspire new fans all around the globe. That’s a really great thing. A sentiment that many in the sport would do well to embrace.

Beyond his on-course exploits, DeChambeau’s approach to personal branding and fan engagement sets him apart. In an era where golf media is evolving—balancing tradition with innovative platforms like TGL and the rapid growth of social content—DeChambeau has carved out a unique niche. His digital presence is no accident. YouTube influencer Joe Pompliano recently revealed that DeChambeau has funneled $1 million into his channel and employs a dedicated team to produce high-quality content. “Am I making money off of it right now? No, I’m not. That’s the cool part though, I hope that people see them doing it because there is a genuine interest in growing the game golf,” DeChambeau insists. And, for once, it’s easy to take him at his word.

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Scottie Scheffler’s Ravioli Fiasco: A Golf Star, a Wine Glass, and Surgery

Scottie Scheffler has probably faced plenty of challenges on his way to the top of the world rankings and the PGA Tour. But this past Christmas, he was bested by an unexpected foe: homemade ravioli. An improvised kitchen tool, a shattered wine glass, and suddenly, the best golfer in the world found himself out of action.

Scottie Scheffler and the Festive Faux Pas

A holiday tradition that begins in the kitchen and ends in the operating room is certainly not an everyday occurrence for a world-class golfer. But that’s exactly what happened to Scottie Scheffler when he attempted to make homemade ravioli. Lacking a rolling pin, he opted for a wine glass instead. One wrong move, the glass shattered, and the World No. 1’s hand came down on the jagged stem. The result: a deep laceration, surgery, and Rory McIlroy’s dry remark: I think he made enough money to hire a chef. Like, why are you cooking yourself?”

From the Operating Table Back to the PGA Tour

For Scheffler, the forced break didn’t just mean missing tournaments—most notably The Sentry and The American Express—but also an unusual predicament: no driving range sessions, no full-scale gym workouts. “It was frustrating to be sitting at home, not being able to play golf, but we got some good time at home just us three. It’s pretty rare for me to be at home throughout the day without really having much to do. I couldn’t really work out at first, there wasn’t really a whole lot I could do, so it was nice uninterrupted time for us at home. But it was definitely still frustrating watching golf on TV and not being able to play,” he admitted. While he managed to do some exercises with his left hand, actual golf swings were off the table for the time being. “I’ve heard nothing but horror stories since this happened about wine glasses, so be careful,”Scheffler said with a grin in his first public appearance after the injury.

Now, he is preparing for his comeback at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, one of the season’s prestigious Signature Events. And as for Rory McIlroy’s suggestion? Scottie Scheffler had the perfect response:

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World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy Steady at Third as Tommy Fleetwood Slips

Rory McIlroy maintains his grip on the third position in the OWGR, unchanged from the previous week. The Northern Irishman’s consistent play is reflected in his stable average points score, a testament to his continued dominance in the upper echelons of the sport. Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood, who started the week ranked 9th, has dropped to 10th.

MacIntyre and Hatton Hold Key Positions in the Top 20

Robert MacIntyre retains his 14th spot in the rankings, mirroring his position from the previous week. Tyrrell Hatton, however, has experienced a slight dip, sliding from 16th to 17th. Similar to Fleetwood, Hatton’s average points remain unchanged, emphasizing the marginal differences that separate players at this elite level.

Elsewhere, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick has seen a more notable decline, falling three places to 44th. His drop serves as a reminder of how fiercely contested every position in the rankings can be.

Top 10 Rankings: Scottie Scheffler Reigns Supreme

The pinnacle of the leaderboard remains firmly in Scottie Scheffler’s grasp, as he holds onto the coveted world number one position. The rest of the top ten is marked by stability, with one exception: Bryson DeChambeau’s improvement from 10th to 9th. This shift comes at the expense of Fleetwood, who now occupies the final spot in the top ten.

RankPlayerNationalityChange
3Rory McIlroyNIR0
10Tommy FleetwoodENG-1
14Robert MacIntyreSCO0
17Tyrrell HattonENG-1
22Aaron RaiENG0
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World Golf Ranking: Bryson DeChambeau Climbs a Place

Scottie Scheffler continues his dominance in the World Golf Ranking, holding onto the number one spot. His average point score has solidified his position at the top, unchanged from last week. Right on his heels, Xander Schauffele remains steady at second place, matching his previous ranking with a consistent performance average.

Changes in the World Golf Ranking

Collin Morikawa maintains his fourth place, showing no change from last week, reinforcing his strong standing. Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark holds his ground at seventh, also without a change in his ranking. Bryson DeChambeau climbs one spot to take the ninth position from the previous tenth, an indication of his upward momentum in the ranking.

Current Top 10

At the summit of the Ranking stands Scottie Scheffler, followed by Xander Schauffele. Rory McIlroy maintains third place with no movement. Hideki Matsuyama stays fifth, while Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland retain their respective sixth and eighth placements. Significant movement includes Bryson DeChambeau’s rise to ninth, swapping places with Tommy Fleetwood, who now rounds out the Top-10.

RankPlayer NameRank Last Week
1Scottie Scheffler1
2Xander Schauffele2
4Collin Morikawa4
7Wyndham Clark7
9Bryson DeChambeau10
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Expensive Rules Faux Pas: Zalatoris and Davis Play the Wrong Balls

Will Zalatoris and Cameron Davis made a costly mistake in the final round of The Sentry on the PGA Tour: On hole 15 of the Plantation Course in Hawaii, the two pros accidentally swapped their balls. Both had reached the par 5 in two shots and were positioned just short of the green: Zalatoris still had 34 meters to play, Davis was 44 meters from the hole. However, they mistakenly played the other’s ball. Realizing their mistake before completing the hole, they corrected it by going back to the correct spot and playing their ball from there.

Rules: Playing the Wrong Ball Leads to General Penalty

According to Rule 6.3(c), playing the wrong ball is an offense punishable by two penalty strokes: “In stroke play, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes) and must correct the mistake by continuing play with the original ball by playing it as it lies or taking relief under the Rules” (R&A).

The rule also states that the error must be corrected immediately: If they had teed off on the next hole without correcting the error, disqualification would have been the result: “If the player does not correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the round, before returning their scorecard, the player is disqualified” (R&A).

Penalty Strokes Cost Placings and Prize Money

As they followed the rules correctly and realized their mistake early enough, Davis and Zalatoris finished the tournament in regulation, Will Zalatoris on T26 and Cameron Davis on T13. However, the two penalty strokes had a significant impact on their final positions and therefore also on the prize money. Especially in a tournament with such high prize money, even a few strokes can mean differences of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In exact figures, this means that Davis would have received 306,625 dollars more with two strokes less, while Zalatoris missed out on 119,866.67 dollars.

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PGA Tour Opens Own Production Studios

Just in time for the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season, the PGA Tour has opened its own state-of-the-art production center in Florida. The PGA Tour Studios will be used to produce a wide range of media content relating to the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour Studios: In-House Media Productions Using Latest Technology

After construction of the production facility was completed in 2022, it opened at the beginning of 2025 following test runs. The three-storey building was constructed next to the PGA Tour Headquarters. It will be the centerpiece of all PGA Tour media productions, including live broadcasts, as well as short-form video, documentary and social media content from the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Champions. It also houses the world’s largest library of golf videos with footage dating back to 1920.

The studio has eight production rooms, seven LED studios with a 270-degree LED display and technical equipment for up to 144 cameras. In addition, there are specialized podcast studios where a radio will be produced from 2026.

Monahan: “A Landmark Step in Golf Media”

The studio will also provide international content such as a new “World Feed” with specific coverage of international players. The aim is to better reach fans worldwide and make golf more attractive to the media: “PGA Tour Studios is a landmark step in golf media, signaling a tangible investment to more deeply connect with our fans through energetic, compelling content that brings them further inside the ropes and closer to their favorite stars”, said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

Rick Anderson, CEO of the PGA Tour, emphasized: “With PGA Tour Studios now live, our team can deliver for fans new, dynamic productions that chronicle the incredible stories of our athletes in a new era of golf media.”

Tiger Woods kicked things off in the studio by reviewing the great moments of his career. He commented on videos and photos of his successes, which are shown on a curved screen.

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Sergio Garcia’s Return to the DP World Tour: A Step Towards the Ryder Cup

Sergio Garcia is making a fresh start on the DP World Tour. The Spaniard, who set European Ryder Cup records, wants to play his way back into the world elite – with a clear goal in mind: to return to the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage.

Garcia’s DP World Tour retirement prevents participation in the Ryder Cup

Following his retirement from the DP World Tour in May 2023, Garcia’s career in Europe appeared to have stalled after sanctions were imposed on him and other LIV golf players. Participating in LIV Golf events in the Saudi-backed series without authorisation led to significant consequences: hefty fines, tournament bans and the loss of his Ryder Cup eligibility. But Garcia has decided to turn over a new leaf. Over a million pounds in fines have been paid, the conditions accepted – the door to returning as a member of the Tour has been opened.

DP World Tour confirms re-entry

The official re-entry was confirmed by a DP World Tour spokesperson. His return is therefore a done deal, even if Garcia will not be able to officially take part in DP World Tour events again until the 2025 season. This return marks a decisive step in Garcia’s plan to qualify for the Ryder Cup again – a goal that has always played a special role in his golf career.

With 28.5 points, Garcia is the most successful player in the history of the European Ryder Cup. His name is synonymous with passion and success in one of golf’s most prestigious duels.

Ryder Cup comeback: a rocky road

However, this path will not be easy. Results from LIV golf tournaments in which Garcia continues to play do not count towards the European Ryder Cup ranking. This means that he will have to impress with strong performances in majors and on the DP World Tour – or hope for a wild card. Garcia proved in 2024 that he is still playing at the highest level: A win at Valderrama and six top-five finishes in 14 LIV events earned him third place in the individual rankings.

But for the Ryder Cup, only what happens on the DP World Tour counts. The decision is in the hands of captain Donald, who has made it clear that all players with membership have an equal chance.

More familiar faces on the DP World Tour 2025

With Sergio Garcia’s return, the DP World Tour 2025 will also welcome some other familiar faces from the LIV Golf League. In contrast to Garcia, who was the only one not active on the DP World Tour at the same time, the returnees include Ryder Cup stars such as Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm and Thomas Pieters as well as up-and-coming talents such as Adrian Meronk and Joaquin Niemann.

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Opinion: These are the Things the PGA Tour Should Improve on its Schedule

The schedule for the 2025 season has been finalised and a closer look reveals that the PGA Tour is currently missing out on a number of opportunities. For example, there will once again be no PGA Tour tournaments in New York, the largest media market in the USA. As in 2024, there will also be no match play tournament next year. It’s a shame, as this form of play is firmly rooted in the history of this wonderful sport. Finally, there is the issue of the signature events: the eight highly lucrative tournaments on the tour will be the same in 2025 – with the exception of one tournament. A missed opportunity to promote other great competitions in the calendar.

Bethpage Black, Liberty National, Westchester CC – New York would have a lot to offer

Of course, the tour is bound by contracts, but something needs to be changed as soon as possible. There is always a lot of talk about ‘growing the game’ and the fans. So why are there no events in New York, the sports-fanatic city in the north-east of the USA? There is certainly no shortage of fantastic venues. Liberty National on the outskirts of New York and with a view of the Statue of Liberty is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think of New York and golf, along with Bethpage Black. So golf and New York are no strangers. Bethpage Black has already hosted majors and will be the venue for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Last but not least, there is the Westchester Country Club, which hosted an event on the tour from 1967 to 2007.

Tournaments in sports-crazy markets would be an opportunity to realise ‘growing the game’. Especially if the events are placed appropriately in the calendar. The two weeks before the Opens in Scotland and Great Britain and the two weeks after would be the perfect time for tournaments in New York. The weather is right and the NFL, NBA and NHL are all on break. The perfect opportunity to organise one or more golf tournaments in this insatiable sports city and attract new fans. Events in ‘NY’ not only attract fanatical local fans, but also international TV viewers – especially when played in front of backdrops such as the Statue of Liberty.

Tiger Woods at Liberty National in 2009 (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods at Liberty National in 2009 (Photo: Getty)

And why not kill two birds with one stone and organise a match play tournament? Liberty National has experience with the format, having hosted the Presidents Cup in 2017. There is definitely interest in the PGA Tour on the part of the club. In 2021, President Dan Fireman said: ‘We are exploring different events with the PGA Tour. Everything from more playoff events to new events that they have in development to events that we could host ourselves – obviously with the Tour. So we have a bright future and our relationship with the Tour is great.’ In 2023, it was announced that Liberty National would be allowed to host at least one tournament on the PGA Tour: the 2027 BMW Championship (currently a FedEx Cup playoff event)

Rotate the signature events on the PGA Tour

The Signature Events have existed in their current form since this year. Eight tournaments with high prize money, lots of FedExCup points and in some cases no cut. The eight tournaments include the three ‘player hosted events’, i.e. the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Tiger Woods‘ Genesis Invitational and Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament. These tournaments should be seeded, but there are also tournaments such as the RBC Heritage. The event on Hilton Head Island traditionally takes place the week after the Masters. This means that Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and co. head straight to a signature event after the most important competition of the year, i.e. the highest tournament category apart from the majors, the Players Championship and the play-offs.

After the exhausting Masters, it can happen that players who have not had a good week, such as Viktor Hovland 2024 or Rory McIlroy 2023, withdraw from the RBC Heritage. A damper on one of the goals of the Signature Series, namely to gather the best PGA Tour players in one place and at one tournament. Incidentally, the same thing happened at the 2024 Travelers Championship when McIlroy withdrew from the tournament due to his US Open drama. The scheduling of signature events after major tournaments is therefore questionable, especially as the tournament organisers invest a lot of money in such a tournament. It would therefore make sense to rotate the signature events. Other tournaments would also benefit from this. Events such as the World Championship Phoenix Open or the RBC Canadian Open provide a spectacle and attract large crowds of golf fans every year. The following pictures should speak for themselves:

Waste Management Phoenix Open 2022 (Foto: Getty)
Waste Management Phoenix Open 2022 (Foto: Getty)

Robert MacIntyre celebrates his triumph at the RBC Canadian Open 2024 with the fans. (Photo: Getty)
Robert MacIntyre celebrates his triumph at the RBC Canadian Open 2024 with the fans. (Photo: Getty)

So there is still a lot of room for improvement for the PGA Tour in terms of the tournament schedule and therefore a fundamental part of the product. A positive change in this area will also help to win back fans who have been lost due to the ongoing conflict with the LIV Golf League. Spectacular backdrops such as the one in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York will certainly also attract non-golfers to the sport.