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LIV Tour Uncategorized

LIV Golf gives up fight for world ranking points

Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Getty Images)
Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Getty Images)

LIV Golf’s endeavours to obtain world ranking points have come to an end. In a letter to the players, Greg Norman explains the cancellation.

The LIV Golf League is giving up its aim of obtaining world ranking points for its tournaments. Greg Norman, CEO of the tour financed by Saudi Arabia, wrote this in a letter to his players, which was first quoted by Sports Illustrated. According to the letter, it is now hopeless that there will be any points for the LIV players in the near future. LIV Golf had applied to the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for inclusion shortly after it was founded. The application was last rejected in October 2023.

In his letter, Norman accuses those responsible at the OGWR of having no interest in clarifying the current situation: “A resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists”, SI quotes Normans letter. “We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system. Unfortunately, OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”

No points for LIV Golf – “Even if…”

Even more than the refusal of the seven-member committee of OWGR directors to recognise LIV Golf as eligible to participate, Norman now also sees inclusion in the OWGR system as pointless: “Even if LIV Golf events were immediately awarded points, the OWGR system is designed such that it would be functionally impossible for you to regain positions close to the summit of the ranking, where so many of you belong.”

Peter Dawson, Chairman of the OWGR committee, which also includes the PGA Tour Commissioner, the DP World Tour CEO and representatives of the four majors, explained in October that inclusion would fail in particular due to the Tour’s lack of qualification criteria. Although LIV Golf recently held a kind of Q-School, only three players qualified. In addition, the winner of the Asian Tour ranking is eligible to compete. Others, e.g. Jon Rahm or Anthony Kim, are simply bought in and declared eligible to compete. Dawson has not yet issued a statement on Norman’s statements. A total of 24 tours worldwide with thousands of players are eligible to collect world ranking points. Every single LIV player was aware when they switched to the Invitational Series that they would not receive any points for the World Golf Ranking.

This week, LIV Golf will play its fourth tournament of the current season. The event takes place in Hong Kong. Jon Rahm criticised the basis for calculating the world golf rankings during the tournament: “”I’m going to go back to what I said two years ago. I didn’t think it was a good system back then”, Rahm told AFP ahead of the event, which begins on Friday. “If anything, the more time goes on, the more it proves to be wrong”, added the 29-year-old, who is still number three in the world rankings.

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Equipment Products

Golf Pride turns the putter grip upside down

The new Golf Pride Reverse Taper putt grip 2024. (Photo: Golf Pride)
The new Golf Pride Reverse Taper putt grip 2024. (Photo: Golf Pride)

Golf Pride, a leader in the golf industry, has introduced its newest product, the Reverse Taper putter grip. This grip, which will be available in retail stores and on golf courses from March 4, uses Reverse Taper technology. According to the manufacturer, this technology is designed to optimally support both hands during putting in order to ideally align the club head at the moment of ball contact.

Golf Pride Reverse Taper: Innovative technology for optimized performance

With its 75-year history and based on extensive consumer testing, Golf Pride developed the Reverse Taper putter grip. According to the manufacturer, this grip is designed to be slimmer at the top and wider at the bottom, which should help stabilize the top hand and reduce tension in the bottom hand, which in turn could lead to smoother acceleration through the stroke.

The grip is made of polyurethane, which the manufacturer says provides the right softness, texture and weight to give golfers more consistency and confidence. The grip is said to be soft to the touch, yet responsive and offers unique traction elements to aid speed control for both hands. It also features a vibrant color palette and visual cues and textures designed to support correct finger placement, regardless of the player’s preferred grip style. Despite the different sizes, the weight of each model remains the same, which the manufacturer claims ensures a balanced feel in the “sweet spot” and allows players to feel the club head throughout the swing.

The Reverse Taper is available in two sizes and three unique shapes

Round – Universally popular for all grip techniques, with a traditionally round upper section that transitions into a wider lower section.
Pistol – A classic pistol grip designed to help establish the top hand, especially popular with players using the left-hand-low technique (for right-handed golfers).
Flat – With a slightly oval shaped upper section, often favored by golfers using a palm-to-palm putting style.

“Within the putter grip category, we observed a trend in which manufacturers were actively trying to design products that removed the hands from the putting process, whereas our research indicates that by optimising the connection between the hands and grip, players can improve their performance,” says James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. “Through hundreds of concept iterations, our innovation team created Reverse Taper, which has tested quite positively with players of all skill levels.”

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European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: British, Welsh, and Scottish Players for Jonsson Workwear Open

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

The Jonsson Workwear Open, a tournament on the prestigious European Tour, is set to commence at the Glendower Golf Club in Evendale, South Africa. Title defender, Nick Bachem, and a collection of other ambitious players will compete for a prize fund of a hefty $1,500,000 on a 72 Par golf course.

See all Tee Times here

British, Welsh, and Scottish Players European Tour Tee Times

Matthew Baldwin from England, will tee off at 06:40 in the first round and at 11:40 in the second round. Sam Bairstow from England, and Rupert Kaminski from South Africa are joining him.

Marcus Armitage from England will also enter the course at 06:40 for the first round and at 11:40 for the consecutive round. He’s joined by Ewen Ferguson from Scotland and Jayden Trey Schaper from South Africa.

Todd Clements follows at 6:50 and Dale Whitnell, together with Richie Ramsay. starts at 7:10. Daniel Brown, from another tee, begins his round at 7:10 as well. James Morrison, Ross Fisher and Marco Penge start in a 10 minute rhythm in consecutive flights from 7.50.

Coming up next, Jamie Donaldson from Wales and Andy Sullivan from England will start their round 1 at 07:20 and follow it up with round 2 at 12:20. Accompanying them on the course is Brandon Stone from South Africa.

Scores will also be keenly watched for David Law from Scotland, teeing off at 07:40 for the first round and at 12:40 for the second. Anthony Michael and MJ Viljoen, both from South Africa, are sharing the tee time.

Tom McKibbin from England starts later at 11:50, followed by Jordan Smith at 12:10. In the last flight of the first day, Englishman Will Enefer begins the tournament at 13:30.

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European Tour

DP World Tour Tee Times: Last Weeks Victor Jordan Gumberg Tees Off at Jonsson Workwear Open

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

The upcoming golf tournament, Jonsson Workwear Open, part of the European Tour, is scheduled to commence with round 1 on Thursday at the Glendower Golf Club, located in Evendale, South Africa. With a price money of $1,500,000 on offer and a par of 72 on the course, the tournament is expected to attract the crème de la crème of golfing talent. The defending champion is Nick Bachem.

See all Tee Times here

Detailed Breakdown of the European Tour Tee Times for American Players

Focus shifts to the American prospect Chase Hanna, who is grouped with France’s Jeong weon Ko and Dan Erickson from the USA. The first round tee time is set at 08:00 on Thursday. Their second round commences at 13:00 on Friday.

Gunner Wiebe, another American professional on the course, is set to play with Espen Kofstad from Norway and Robson Chinhoi from Zimbabwe. Their tee times are 08:10 and 13:10 for Thursday and Friday rounds respectively.

Jordan Gumberg, last weeks winner, will be playing alongside Thriston Lawrence from South Africa and Nick Bachem from Germany. Their European Tour Tee Times have been fixed at 12:00 on Thursday and 07:00 on Friday for the first and second rounds respectively.

Johannes Veerman from the United States is grouped in the same team as Australian Jason Scrivener and South African louis Albertse. The first round of play starts at 12:30 on Thursday, while the second round starts at 07:30 on Friday.

James Nicholas also holds the American challenge in the tournament. He will compete against Hennie Otto from South Africa and Jacques Blaauw, also from South Africa. They start at 12:50 on Thursday and 07:50 on Friday.

Quick reminder, all the above tee times are recorded on local South African time. Be sure to tune in and cheer for your favorite American golfer participating in the DP World Tour’s Jonsson Workwear Open.

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LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Tee Times: Stephanie Meadow’s Schedule for Blue Bay Tournament

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

The upcoming golf tournament, Blue Bay LPGA, is set to kick off at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club in Hainan, CHN. As part of the LPGA Tour, golfers will compete for a title that current holder, Gaby Lopez, guards and a portion of the $2,200,000 prize pool. The contest will span over a Par-72 course.

See all Tee Times here

Insights Into Stephanie Meadow’s LPGA Tour Tee Times

The Northern Irish golfer, Stephanie Meadow, is scheduled to begin the inaugural round at 12:55 PM at the 10th tee of the course. Her fellow competitors for the first round are Olivia Cowan from Germany and Chinese amateur player Tong An.

Stay connected for more on the Blue Bay LPGA tournament and the LPGA Tour Tee Times.

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LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Tee Times: Lilia Vu Tees Off at the Blue Bay LPGA

Tee Times of the Blue Bay LPGA. (Photo: Getty)
Tee Times of the Blue Bay LPGA. (Photo: Getty)

The Blue Bay LPGA tournament, part of the esteemed LPGA Tour, is taking place at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club in Hainan, China. This tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle, attached with a prize purse of $2,200,000. The idyllic 72 par course set against the backdrop of the clear waters of Blue Bay truly provides a perfect stage for this prestigious event. Last year’s champion, Gaby Lopez, will undoubtedly be eager to defend her title.

See all Tee Times here

A Detailed Look at the LPGA Tour Tee Times

Gina Kim, representing the United States, is scheduled to start at 07:30 AM in Round 1. Kim will be playing alongside Pavarisa Yoktuan from Thailand and Matilda Castren from Finland.

Similarly, Lauren Hartlage will tee off at 07:41 AM for the first round. She will be grouped with Arpichaya Yubol from Thailand and Manlixiang Yang from China.

Among the early risers are Lucy Li and Jennifer Song, both hailing from the United States, with a tee time of 07:52 AM and 08:03 for the first round respectively.

The American player Lauren Coughlin will start at 08:14 AM. Her playing partners for both rounds will be Pernilla Lindberg from Sweden and Yan Liu from China.

Following her, Caroline Inglis will tee off at 08:25 AM. Inglis will be playing with Robyn Choi from Australia and Yue Ren from China for both rounds. Paula Creamer follows at 8:25 AM.

Further down the schedule, we find Auston Kim, Sarah Schmelzel and Kristen Gillman with tee times at 08:36 AM, 08:36 AM, and 08:58 AM respectively.

For the afternoon start, Lilia Vu and Bailey Tardy have tee times at 12:00 PM. Vu will be playing with Gaby Lopez from Mexico and Ruoning Yin from China. Lindy Duncan starts at 12:22 PM will be playing alongside Frida Kinhult from Sweden and Shuangshuang Fan from China. They will maintain the same group for the second round.

Last but not least, Gurleen Kaur is slated to tee off at 12:55 PM  and is paired with Xiang Sui from China and Mao Saigo from Japan.

Stay tuned to the Blue Bay LPGA to catch all the action. The captivating play is set to begin soon, don’t miss out!

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Live

FedExCup: Matt Fitzpatrick is England’s Best

FedEx Cup Ranking: Matt Fitzpatrick is ranked as England's best player. (Image: Getty)
FedEx Cup Ranking: Matt Fitzpatrick is ranked as England's best player. (Image: Getty)

As the PGA Tour season progresses, numerous golfers vie for a coveted spot in the FedExCup rankings. With an array of tournaments already in the books, the latest being won by an emerging talent, all eyes are on the race for points. Leading the charge is France’s Matthieu Pavon, who currently sits atop the FedExCup rankings. Within the top 100, a contingent of five English players are also making their mark on the scene.

See the full FedEx Cup Ranking

Delving into the performance of English golfers, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood stand as the flag bearers for their country. Fitzpatrick, holding the 53rd rank, has participated in six events without a victory so far but remains a steady presence. Fleetwood, positioned at 58th, has demonstrated his prowess in three tournaments and has secured a Top-10 finish.

The FedExCup leaderboard showcases a diverse group of top-tier golfers. Matthieu Pavon continues his stellar season with 975 points from five events, including one victory and three Top-10 finishes. Trailing him in rank are PGA Tour stars such as Scottie Scheffler, Chris Kirk, Hideki Matsuyama, and Jake Knapp. These golfers have compiled 848, 840, 825, and 776 points each, respectively, as they battle through the season to maintain or improve their standing in this high-stakes points race.

How the PGA Tours FedEx Cup works

The FedExCup is the season ranking of the PGA Tour. The top 30 players in the FedExCup ranking are allowed to take part in the PGA Tour’s final play-off tournament at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the PGA Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points earned at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. The winner receives 500 points for winning a normal PGA Tour tournament.

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Live

FedExCup Leaders: Chris Kirk challenges for America’s best

In the FedEx Cup Rankings Chris Kirk places third shortly behind Scheffler and Pavot. (Image: Getty)
In the FedEx Cup Rankings Chris Kirk places third shortly behind Scheffler and Pavot. (Image: Getty)

As the PGA Tour season progresses, several tournaments have already been completed, with the most recent event culminating in an exhilarating victory. Currently topping the FedExCup rankings, Matthieu Pavon from France maintains his lead with 975 points from five events, including three top-ten finishes and one notable victory. On the American front, Scottie Scheffler leads as the highest-ranking USA player at second position in the FedExCup, amassing 848 points with four top-ten finishes in his five PGA Tour appearances this season. Overall, the American presence is robust, with 56 players from the USA within the top 100 FedExCup rankings, signifying their dominance in the golf landscape.

See the full FedEx Cup Ranking

Staying on the American players, besides Scottie Scheffler at second, Chris Kirk stands out as the next best American player in the FedExCup rankings. Kirk has climbed to third position with 840 points, improving from his previous fourth place. He achieved this through consistent performances over six events, including finding victory once and securing a place in the top ten once.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama holds the fourth spot with 825 points from six PGA Tour events, which includes a victory and a top-ten finish. Following closely is a cohort of American players starting with Jake Knapp, who has rocketed to fifth place with 776 points fueled by three top-ten finishes and a win across six events. Wyndham Clark, in sixth, and Xander Schauffele, occupying the eighth rank, are part of this esteemed group looking to challenge for the top spot as the season unfolds.

How the PGA Tours FedEx Cup works

The FedExCup is the season ranking of the PGA Tour. The top 30 players in the FedExCup ranking are allowed to take part in the PGA Tour’s final play-off tournament at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the PGA Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points earned at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. The winner receives 500 points for winning a normal PGA Tour tournament.

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Live

World Golf Ranking: Sahith Theegala and Chris Kirk with huge improvements

In the World Golf Rankings Sahith Theegala and Chris Kirk experienced the biggest changes this week. (Image: Getty)
In the World Golf Rankings Sahith Theegala and Chris Kirk experienced the biggest changes this week. (Image: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler maintains his position at the pinnacle of the World Golf Ranking, reflecting a continued strong performance in the golfing landscape. Xander Schauffele, another prominent US golfer, also holds steady, remaining fifth in the rankings.

See the full World Golf Ranking

The latest World Golf Ranking reveals significant stability among top American golfers, with Patrick Cantlay at sixth, Wyndham Clark at seventh, and Max Homa at eighth. Brian Harman rounds out the top five US players in tenth place, adding a valuable American presence within the top echelon of global golf talent. Especially Sahith Theegala and Chris Kirk experienced a major rise in the World Golf Ranking climbing from 32nd to 21st and from 52nd to 27th place, respectively.

While the leading trio, consisting of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland, and Spain’s Jon Rahm, remains unchanged, the competition for supremacy is ongoing. Viktor Hovland from Norway occupies the fourth slot, with the aforementioned Schauffele trailing closely behind. The remainder of the top 10 showcases England’s Matt Fitzpatrick at ninth place, Ludvig Aberg from Sweden just outside the leading group at eleventh.

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Live

World Golf Ranking: Justin Rose experiences setback

Justin Rose experiences a minor setback in the Official World Golf Ranking. (Image: Getty)
Justin Rose experiences a minor setback in the Official World Golf Ranking. (Image: Getty)

In the latest World Golf Ranking, the top British players continue to make an impact. At the ninth position, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick holds his ground, while compatriot Tommy Fleetwood, also from England, maintains the twelfth spot. Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland, another prominent name, holds the second rank firmly with no movement from the previous week.

See the full World Golf Ranking

Moving beyond the top two UK contestants, Tyrrell Hatton, hailing from England, is currently ranked seventeenth in the World Golf Ranking, experiencing no change from the prior week. Robert MacIntyre of Scotland also holds his ground, placing sixty-eighth this week. Englishman Justin Rose sees a slight drop to the forty-eighth position, indicating a minor setback in the rankings.

The apex of the World Golf Ranking is led by Scottie Scheffler from the USA, who retains the number one spot again this week. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy stands at the second position, with Jon Rahm of Spain completing the top three. Within the top ten of the World Golf Ranking, Americans Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay occupy the fifth and sixth position respectively, both holding steady in their rankings. Wyndham Clark and Max Homa from the USA, remain at seventh and eighth place, with no movement from last week. Brian Harman, rounding out the top ten, is yet another American in a string of players from the USA who solidify their place at the higher end of the World Golf Ranking.