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Live

Watch: Asian Tour highlights from round 1 of the International Series Macau

The Asian Tour live blog. (Photo: Getty)
The Asian Tour live blog. (Photo: Getty)

The Asian Tour made a spectacular swing with the International Series Macau at the serene location of Macau, China. Hosted by the reputable Macau Golf and Country Club, the tournament presents an impressive prize pool of US$2,000,000. The International Series Macau Highlights are buzzing with exceptional performances in round one.

Leading the leaderboard is China’s Li Haotong, boasting an admirable total score of -7. Just behind him are Mito Pereira from Chile, Pat Perez from the USA, and Yuta Sugiura from Japan, all tying at the second position with a total score of -6. Sharing the fifth spot on the leaderboard are Pattaraphol Khanthacha of Thailand, Scott Hend from Australia, David Puig from Spain, and Patrick Reed from the USA, all of whom have a total score of -5.

Today’s daily score chart was led by Li Haotong (-7), closely followed by Mito Pereira, Pat Perez, and Yuta Sugiura, each with an impressive score of -6.

The tournament guarantees captivating Asian Tour Highlights as it progresses towards the final rounds. As seen in the video compilation, the highlights of the first round showcased the skillful performances and focus of the participants on the field.

Each player is undoubtedly eying the grand prize, the winner of which will be revealed after four gripping rounds of golf. As the second round commences, anticipation builds for the final outcome of the International Series Macau.

show International Series Macau Leaderboard

International Series Macau: The Asian Tour round 1 highlights

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PGA Tour

Jay Monahan on the state of the PGA Tour: The focus should be on the fan

Jay Monahan talks about the current state of the PGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Jay Monahan talks about the current state of the PGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)

Commissioner Jay Monahan used the 50th Players Championship, the flagship tournament of the PGA Tour, to provide an overview of the current state of the Tour. The ongoing negotiations with the PIF as well as the partnership with the Strategic Sports Group announced at the beginning of the year took centre stage. The overarching message, however, was that fans should be taken into account in all decisions.

Negotiations with PIF are “accelerating”

Monahan was unable to go into detail about the negotiations with the PIF, but stated that the negotiations are progressing and that he continues to believe that a deal will be the best outcome.

“I do know everyone is curious about the status of our negotiations with the PIF. As I’ve said on a number of occasions, you can’t negotiate a deal like this in public, so I will be brief. I recently met with the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and our negotiations are accelerating as we spend time together. While we have several key issues that we still need to work through, we have a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf’s worldwide potential.”

The deal with SSG is by no means an obstacle; on the contrary, it has improved the chances of a successful negotiation, as the expertise behind it is also attractive for the PIF.

“There are a finite number of athletes, and this is a point in time, a unique point in time where unification ultimately puts the sport in the best possible position to take advantage of this growth on a go-forward basis.”

What the fans want

The cooperation with the Strategic Sports Group is also intended to guarantee future growth, but it is imperative that the cooperation between SSG, players and the PGA Tour focuses on the fan.

“Our business thrives when together we’re all laser focused on delivering for our fans. If we fail on that front, we fail on every front. Three weeks ago we had our first Policy Board meeting since SSG became an investor. The substance of that meeting focused primarily on how we can place our current and future fans at the center of our decision making.

We’ve done extensive research with our fans, and what they’re telling us today is simple: They love golf, and they’re loyal to the PGA TOUR. They’re tired of hearing about conflict, money and who is getting what. They want to watch the world’s best golfers compete in tournaments with history, meaning, and legacies on the line at venues they recognize and love. They also want to know how we’re planning to make the sport more entertaining and easier for them to watch and follow.”

Together with the SSG, they want to focus on these fan priorities. That’s why Monahan addressed the fans directly in his press conference:

“We remain committed to this mission-driven formula, and as I close, I want to speak directly to our fans, our most important constituent, and ones that maybe haven’t felt their voices heard lately. All of this talk about investment and growth, I want you to know that we’re focusing that energy on bringing forth the most competitive and entertaining TOUR possible for you. It’s my commitment and it’s our players’ commitment.”

The PGA Tour ethos: Pure competition

Despite concerns that the PGA Tour has been weakened too much by the departing stars, with the unknown faces at the top of the game as supposed proof, Jay Monahan defends the Tour’s current course, especially with regard to the Signature Events and their effect. The Signature Events are a product of the PGA Tour’s balancing act of creating better earning opportunities for the PGA Tour’s top players while bringing them together more often in one place in the interests of both sponsors and fans, but it is still too early in the season to really judge the newly introduced model.

“Early returns for 2024 show that field strength, player participation, and access for full-field and signature events are strong and delivering on our expectations based on the modeled projections. Year-to-date data includes the following: We’ve had 49 unique players outside the top 50 who have competed in signature events with help of the AON Swing 5 and AON Next 10.”

“We are currently tracking at a 60 percent retention rate among the top 50. Using data comparing participation from the top 50 and top 125 in the FedExCup standings in 2023, or versus 2023, the strength of field at full-field events has improved by nearly 30 percent. Better yet, the reimagined schedule is delivering the essence of the PGA TOUR’s ethos: Pure competition which shows just how hard winning is.”

“Three rookies who took distinctly different paths to the PGA TOUR have already entered the winner’s circle in 2024. Nick Dunlap, the first amateur to win on the PGA TOUR since 1992; Mathew Pavon, a new arrival via the DP World Tour top 10, who sits third in the FedExCup standings; and Korn Ferry Tour graduate Jake Knapp. We’ve also witnessed the game’s elite excelling on the biggest stages: Hideki Matsuyama’s Sunday 62 at the Genesis Invitational, to become the most accomplished Asian-born player in PGA TOUR history; Wyndham Clark winning his second Signature Event at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the strength of a course record 60 at Pebble Beach; and last week, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler pulled away from a stacked leaderboard with a master class performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard to take over the lead in the FedExCup standings.”

“While it’s still early in the season, there are also a number of stars and fan favorites who haven’t hoisted a trophy yet in 2024. They know it, and in talking to them, they’re looking to put an end to that narrative as early as this week.”

Between legacy and new talent

The PGA Tour is in such a good position precisely because it offers the opportunity to “consistantly regenerate talent and create stars.”

“Jason Gore talks about the fact that a star on the PGA TOUR can be born in three weeks, and that’s what we do, and that’s the strength of our product, and that’s the durability of our products.”

Ultimately, it is not just the players, but the history and tradition of the tour and the individual tournaments that make the tour so strong.

“When you have tournaments that have been in place for decades with history, legacy, tradition, great list of champions, familiarity with your fans, on a global basis, there’s a recognition that winning out here is an incredible accomplishment. That emotion that you see on Sunday after a player wins, that emotion that you see from fans, you know, as players are coming down the stretch and they’re seeing our athletes and their exceptionalism, to me that is something that the PGA TOUR has and always will uniquely provide.”

“

But you can never discount, and in fact, it’s a great strength to have that established history and legacy at each one of these tournaments, including this great tournament this week that’s 50 years since its debut, and you look at that list of champions, and the person, the player that drives away here Sunday night winning this championship will have their career and their life changed in very meaningful ways. That’s what we do; we change players’ lives and we change people’s lives, and no organization does that better than the PGA TOUR.”

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PGA Tour

Viktor Hovland: “I don’t want to spend my free time thinking about the PGA Tour”

Viktor Hovland doesn't trouble with thinking to much about the PGA Tour's future. (Image: Getty)
Viktor Hovland doesn't trouble with thinking to much about the PGA Tour's future. (Image: Getty)

In the week before the Players Championship, Jay Monahan and Rory McIlroy spoke up to the future of the PGA Tour. More fan engagement, ongoing chats with the PIF and the new alliance with the SSG were in discussion. For Viktor Hovland all these topics are important, but the Norwegian doesn’t keep up with all the new twists and turns happening on the PGA Tour right now.

Viktor Hovland on Jay Monahan: “I want a person to take ownership of their mistakes”

“The thing is, like, I play golf for a living. I don’t know exactly what should have been done because at the end of the day I don’t have all the information”, Hovland said when being asked about Jay Monahans and Rory Mclroys latest statement regarding the PGA Tour’s future.

“As a leader of an organization, I will want a person like that to take some ownership and say, hey, we made a couple of mistakes, but this is how we’re going to rectify it, instead of kind of sweeping it under the rug, which I felt like has been done to a certain degree”, he goes on.

Click here for the live blog of the Players Championship 2024

With the talk shifting to the possible futures of the PGA Tour and the new PGA Tour Enterprises Hovland doesn’t give mich tought into these developments. “These Signature Events, for example, they have been great for the players that are in the tournaments. I don’t know if that’s necessarily what the fans want to watch.”

On the contrary Hovland agrees to a comment from tour colleague Lucas Glover. “I’ve read Lucas Glover’s comments last week where he said having the smaller field sizes are not making it more competitive. Yes, you’re getting the best players to play, the top guys to show up, but the fields are more competitive when you have bigger field sizes. I think that’s just the fact. There’s a reason why we’re playing THE PLAYERS Championship with 144 guys.”

Hovland agrees with McIlroy in one point. “I don’t think it’s a great outlook if we keep being divided (with LIV Golf) for 10, 15 years, whatever, however long it’s going to take. There has to be some kind of decision being made in the future.” Hovland leaves open what this future might look like.

Should Hovland be more invested in this topic?

The overall impression of Viktor Hovland in terms of the PGA Tour’s development is a leaned back attitude. “Probably there’s definitely a responsibility on my side. I could have definitely gone out of my way to put more time and effort into figuring out what kind of trajectory we’re on and put myself into that debate a bit more.” But with Players like Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods and other well known names in the Players Advisory Counsil Hovland doesn’t feel the need to stay up to date at all times. “Although, I do trust the players on the PAC to represent the players in the best way possible and I have been in communication with some of those guys to fill me in. But at the same time, I’m just not that interested in spending my free time in trying to figure out every single nuance in the situation. So, I’m trying to stay outside a little bit and play my game, because, yeah, I trust the guys on the board to kind of do their thing.”

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PGA Tour

Players Championship: Rory McIlroy tired of uncertainty

Rory McIlroy talks about his next Major title. (Image: Getty)
Rory McIlroy talks about his next Major title. (Image: Getty)

After Jay Monahan’s press conference regarding the future of the PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy agrees with his decision to stay in the lead of the Tour and the new PGA Tour Enterprises. In McIlroys Wednesday press conference, prior to the Players Championship, he emphasises the importance of bringing the game back together and move on. McIlroy oppend up about his difficulties winning another Major and if he thinks he can capture his next Major-Title this year.

Click here for the live blog of the Players Championship 2024

Can Rory McIlroy win another Major?

Here’s his opinion on how the pressure added up over the last ten years without a Major title: “It does, but then at the same time, I look at my record in the majors over the last couple of years, and I’ve definitely started to perform much more consistently in them.”

“Look, I’m under no illusion that the clock is ticking and it has been 10 years since I’ve won one of them, and I’ve had chances, and those just haven’t went my way. I just need to keep putting myself in those positions, and sooner or later it’s going to happen.”

Rory McIlroy defends Jay Monahan

“You look at what Jay has done since he took over,” McIlroy said in the Wednesday press conference in TPC Sawgrass. “The media rights deal, navigating us through COVID, the strategic alliance with the DP World Tour. I would say creating PGA Tour Enterprises, we were just able to accept a billion and a half dollars in the business, people can nit-pick and say he didn’t do this right or didn’t do that right, but if you actually step back and look at the bigger picture, I think the PGA Tour is in a far stronger position than when Jay took over.”

Monahan spoke about the new alliance with the SSG (Strategic Sports Group) and the new funds coming with the newly created PGA Tour Enterprises. Tough informations regarding the PIF are highly requested Monahan did hold back and just stated, that meetings were “accelerating”.

Rory McIlroy: “We need to get this thing over and done”

Like many fans and players, Rory McIlroy urges the policy board and PGA Tour Enterprises to come to a conclusion and to “get this thing over and done”, falling right in line with his latest statements about the LIV Golf Tour and Liv players getting involved in the Ryder Cup and a potential World Tour.

“I feel grateful that I was on the PGA Tour board at the point in time when I was. I feel like it will stand to me down the line if I ever want to get deeper into the business side of things, whether that’s in golf or in other domains. It’s different now, though. You’ve got two boards on Tour. One is really a business board, and sort of that priority is growing the growth of the business of the PGA Tour, and then the policy board, which I was on, was about making rules and slow play and whatever else.”

“The business board to me would be something — if an opportunity came along in the future and I felt like it was the right time, would maybe be something that I would like to get involved in again.”

“We need to improve fan experience”

Like Jay Monahan, Rory McIlroy talked about enhancing the fan experience. “Yeah, so to me, like this is the problem with a members’ organization. Things are created for the members. Then once those things are created, you’ve got to go sell those things to fans, sponsors, media.” 

“To me, that seems a little backwards. I think what needs to happen is you need to create things for the fans, for the sponsors, for the media, and then you have to go sell that to the players, tell them to get on board with that, because if they get on board and we’re all part of the business now, if the business does better, we do better. That seems pretty simple to me.”

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Panorama

Bernhard Langer reveals: This is how he really sustained his injury

Bernhard Langer is currently in rehab. (Photo: Getty)
Bernhard Langer is currently in rehab. (Photo: Getty)

Last month there was bad news: Bernhard Langer, probably the most successful German golfer of all time, had torn his Achilles tendon at the age of 66. The tournament golfer suffered the injury during training, preventing him from taking part in the first highlights of the calendar year. Langer now revealed in the “Musings on Golf” podcast that there was another cause behind the injury.

Bernhard Langer: Achilles tendon rupture while playing pickleball

Bernhard Langer did not tear his Achilles tendon during golf training, as he originally explained. The injury resulted from a maneuver while playing pickleball. Pickleball is an American ball sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. The question now arises as to why Bernhard Langer, a professional golfer for whom his body is his asset, would expose himself to such a risk of injury. “I play all sorts of sports to stay fit, and this was part of my fitness regime,” Langer explains in the podcast.

The situation in which his Achilles tendon ruptured sounds like a classic move: “Somebody was trying to lob me. I did a few steps backward and hit an overhead, and as I landed on the ground with my feet I heard this huge pop, very loud, like a gun shot. I knew right away it was a torn Achilles.”

Chances of recovery and comeback

Immediately after his injury, it was questionable whether or when the 66-year-old would return to the golf course. The chances of him taking part in this year’s Masters, which he also wanted to celebrate as his farewell to the major tournament, were promptly negligible. His appearance at the BMW International Open 2024 in Munich was also in the stars. However, in conversation with Dr. Tino Lorenz, sports physician and surgeon from Dresden, Golf Post learned that the golfer had a good chance of returning to the sport soon thanks to the optimal support that would most likely be offered to him after the operation.

Bernhard Langer’s positive update from rehab
Bernhard Langer has now confirmed this in person by revealing his tournament plans. In the podcast, he revealed that he is aiming to start at the Insperity Invitational in Houston from May 3 to 5, 2024. Langer would probably surprise many with a start at this tournament – only around three months after his injury. Hopes are growing that he will be able to make his planned start in Munich at the beginning of July.

Although Langer will not be able to play in Augusta this year, he would like to make the trip to golf’s most famous major. As a two-time Masters champion, the German would at least like to take part in the Masters Club Dinner for Champions.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Who wins the Players Championship 2024?

Players Championship 2024: Who will win at TPC Sawgrass? (Images: Getty)
Players Championship 2024: Who will win at TPC Sawgrass? (Images: Getty)

Every year, golf fans eagerly anticipate the Players Championship of the PGA Tour with great expectations. Over the weekend, players compete at The Players Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for a total prize money of $25 million. In anticipation of the tournament, several questions arise: Can Scottie Scheffler defend his title? Which other players have good chances of success? Let’s take a look at the players who are considered the biggest favorites.

Players Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler is the clear favorite

Scottie Scheffler is certainly the name that comes to mind when it comes to winning the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament. The world number one is in good form and is performing consistently well, as is to be expected given his top position in the World Golf Ranking, which he has held since May last year. Last weekend, he fuelled his confidence with a comfortable victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, five strokes ahead of second-placed Wyndham Clark. Scheffler also won last year’s Players Championship 2023 by five strokes, so not only is he in excellent form, but he certainly has fond memories of last year’s event.

Always a contender: Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy, who incidentally helped Scottie Scheffler to victory last weekend with a tip to change putters, is always good for a win at major tournaments. While the Northern Irishman achieved three top 25 finishes in four events on the PGA Tour in 2024, he has already claimed a victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour and narrowly missed out on a second success at the Dubai Invitational. Although McIlroy missed the cut at last year’s Players Championship, the world number two is certainly capable of triumphing this year.

In good form: Wyndham Clark

A victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a second-place fA victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a second place last weekend shows that Wyndham Clark is currently in good form. The world number five is definitely a hot candidate for the title. However, he would have to improve on last year’s performance, where he finished tied 27th at the Players Championship.

Under the radar: Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland

Japanese Hideki Matsuyama and Norwegian Viktor Hovland can be considered more of a “dark horse” category. The situations of the two could hardly be more different. Matsuyama is currently in good form and has already secured a victory in 2024 at the Genesis Invitational. On the other hand, Hovland has not yet found his form from 2023 this year. His best finish is a tied 19th place at the Genesis Invitational. However, their strong performances from last year should give both players confidence. Viktor Hovland finished third at the Players Championship 2023, while Matsuyama finished fifth. Especially for Hovland, the upcoming weekend would be a good time to regain his old form.

European hopes: Ludvig Aberg and Matthieu Pavon

Frenchman Matthieu Pavon impressed at the Farmers Insurance Open with his first tournament win on the PGA Tour after securing a tour card via the DP World Tour and travelling on the PGA Tour as a rookie. Ludvig Aberg is also playing his first full season after a rocket start to his professional career in 2023 and has already recorded two top-10 finishes in 2024. Both players are young talents who did not play in the Players Championship last year and will have the opportunity to prove themselves on the PGA Tour’s biggest stage this week.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark At The Players Championship

Tee Times for the GA Tour's Players Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Tee Times for the GA Tour's Players Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

The Players Championship, known as one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour, takes place at the renowned TPC Sawgrass (The Players Stadium Course) in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA. Last year, Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious, securing the title for this popular tournament, with a prize pool of $25,000,000.

See all Tee Times here

PGA Tour Tee Times: Spotlight on U.S. players

As the first flight of the day, Ryan Moore, Chesson Hadley and Zac Blair, all hailing from the USA, will launch into the first round at 07:40 and continue into the second round on Friday at 12:45 local time. Simultaneously Troy Merritt, Taylor Montgomery and Canadian Taylor Pendrith will tee off from Tee 10 on the first and Tee 1 on the second day.

Among the notable American players teeing off is Xander Schauffele, who is scheduled for a tee time at 8:24 am in the first round and 1:29 pm on day 2. His flight partners will be Sam Burns and England’s Tommy Fleetwood. Returning champion Scottie Scheffler will start his round at 1:40 pm alongside Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas. Their second round begins at 8:35 am, starting from Tee 10.

Other renowned American players Wyndham Clark, Collin Morikawa and Brian Harman will start off round 1 at 1:51 pm. On the second day their flight is scheduled for 8:46 am.

This text was created with AI.

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European Tour

Race to Dubai: Jordan Gumberg leads American presence

Race to Dubai: Jordan Gumberg pushes for the top 10. (Image: Getty)
Race to Dubai: Jordan Gumberg pushes for the top 10. (Image: Getty)

With the current season already several tournaments in, the last event on the DP World Tour hinted at the rising standards of competition.

Jordan Gumberg is America’s best

The chase for the coveted Race to Dubai title sees three American golfers positioning themselves in the rankings’ top 70. Jordan Gumberg sits at the forefront of this trident, currently occupying the 17th spot with 523.7 points from just six events, including a remarkable victory that highlights his season thus far. His compatriots Johannes Veerman and Sean Crocker follow suit, finding themselves at the 49th and 70th places respectively.

Rory McIlroy still maintains his lead, sitting comfortably at the pole position with a total of 1596 points after his most recent triumph. Followed by Japanese Rikuya Hoshino with 1244 points, Adrian Meronk with just over 1000 points, Joaquin Niemann, and Thriston Lawrence who finished second at the Jonsson Workwear Open.

How the DP World Tour Race to Dubai works

The Race to Dubai is the season ranking of the DP World Tour. The top 60 players in the Race to Dubai ranking are allowed to take part in the final play-off tournament of the former European Tour at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the DP World Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points awarded at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. For winning a DP World Tour tournament, the winner receives at least 460 points and a good 300,000 euros.

Categories
Live

Race to Dubai: Jordan Smith Makes Huge Step In The Ranking

Race to Dubai: Jordan Smith takes big step in the Ranking. (Image: Getty)
Race to Dubai: Jordan Smith takes big step in the Ranking. (Image: Getty)

As the season advances, the leaderboard of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai has shifted, with Rory McIlroy still dominating the standings. Sitting comfortably at the top, McIlroy leads with 1596 points after just two events, including a notable victory. Not to be overlooked, 21 English players have cemented their places within the top 120.

Tommy Fleetwood on top, Jordan Smith pushes forward

The charge of English golfers is led by Tommy Fleetwood, who is currently ranked 14th with an impressive 625.6 points from two events and one victory to his name. Laurie Canter follows, positioned at 18th with 479.15 points over five tournaments, though he’s yet to secure a win this season. Rounding out the top three for England, Jordan Smith climbs to the 26th spot, with his tied second place at the Jonsson Workwear Open.

The Race to Dubai is witnessing a fierce battle at the top, with Rory McIlroy setting the pace, but the competition is tight. Close behind him is Rikuya Hoshino from Japan, holding the 2nd spot with 1244.3 points from nine tournaments, alongside a win. Polish golfer Adrian Meronk occupies the 3rd position with 1023.4 points from four appearances. Not far off, Joaquin Niemann of Chile finds himself in 4th place with 966.73 points and a single victory from three events. Thriston Lawrence, originating from South Africa, rounds off the top 5 with 783.01 points earned in ten tournaments.

How the DP World Tour Race to Dubai works

The Race to Dubai is the season ranking of the DP World Tour (former European Tour). The top 60 players in the Race to Dubai ranking are allowed to take part in the final play-off tournament of the former European Tour at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the DP World Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points awarded at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. For winning a DP World Tour tournament, the winner receives at least 460 points and a good 300,000 euros.

Categories
Highlights Tours

Luke Donald on the Ryder Cup: The Trickiest Things About Foursomes

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

Luke Donald chats on the range with Mizuno in company of Ben Griffin and Keith Mitchell. He reflects on his past captaincy at the Ryder Cup in Rome, on the positive result but also the decisions a captain has to make leading up to that.

Luke Donald reflects about the Ryder Cup