Categories
Live

World Golf Ranking: McIlroy and Hovland in Chasing Positions

McIlroy, Rahm and Hovland remain in chasing positions in the World Golf Ranking. (Image: Getty)
McIlroy, Rahm and Hovland remain in chasing positions in the World Golf Ranking. (Image: Getty)

Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland maintain their positions at second, third and fourth position, respectively. With England’s Matt Fitzpatrick standing firm at eighth position in the World Golf Ranking, there are some contenders holding up to break American dominance in the top ten. Tommy Fleetwood, secured the 11th spot, with no changes from the previous week. England’s Tyrrell Hatton remains at sixteenth place.

Full Official World Golf Ranking

British Players in the Official World Golf Ranking

Delving deeper into the British presence, England’s Justin Rose drops from position forty-three to forty-five while Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and England’s Aaron Rai take spots sixty-four and sixty-eight, respectively.

At the top of the table, the World Golf Ranking sees Scottie Scheffler from the USA continuing his lead, followed by McIlroy at second. Spain’s Jon Rahm also retains his third place. The top five in the World Golf Ranking, including Viktor Hovland from Norway and Xander Schauffele from the USA, remain unaltered. Looking at slots beyond, there is also notable stability of American players with Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Brian Harman, and Wyndham Clark holding positions six to ten respectively, indicating a steady phase in the upper echelons of the rankings.

Created with AI

Categories
Live

Scheffler Tops World Golf Ranking: Top Americans Shine

Scottie Scheffler remains at the top of the World Golf Ranking. (Image: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler remains at the top of the World Golf Ranking. (Image: Getty)

In the latest World Golf Ranking, American players maintain significant positions with Scottie Scheffler holding the top spot for another consecutive week and Xander Schauffele residing at the fifth position. There were no changes in their rankings from the previous week.

Full Official World Golf Ranking

Other notable American golfers within the World Golf Ranking top echelon include Patrick Cantlay at sixth, closely followed by Max Homa in seventh place, and Brian Harman residing at ninth. These high-ranking players’ positions also remained unchanged from the prior week, maintaining a steady presence at the top of the chart. The tenth position is held by Wyndham Clark, marking another week of consistent standing within the top 10.
Within the upper tier of the World Golf Ranking, six of the top ten spots are secured by American players. Beyond the top ten, American golfer Collin Morikawa is found at the 12th position. From the table leader to this position, there have been no changes compared to the previous week.
The ranking showcases that aside from the leading American players, notable positions come from Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Spain’s Jon Rahm, stable at second and third positions, respectively. Norway’s Viktor Hovland retains his fourth-place ranking, cementing his presence among golf’s elite in the World Golf Ranking.
Shifting focus to the middle portion of the top-10, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick holds fast at eighth. South Korean talent Tom Kim, climbs from the 15th to the 13th spot, marking the only significant shift within the top 15 as the tour progresses through the season.

Created with AI

Categories
Equipment Products

Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 10: The new generation of iconic wedges

The new Titleist Vokey SM 10 Wedges 2024 (Photo: Titleist).
The new Titleist Vokey SM 10 Wedges 2024 (Photo: Titleist).

The Titleist Vokey Design SM10 wedges represent another step in Titleist’s evolution by offering advanced technologies and a variety of sole grinds specifically designed to provide golfers with enhanced control, feel and maximum spin. The Titleist Vokey SM10 series is characterized by its versatility, with six different sole grinds – F, S, M, K, T and D – available in 25 combinations of lofts, bounces and sole grinds. This wide selection should enable players to find the perfect wedge set-up to suit their individual swing type and the prevailing course conditions.

Titleist also incorporated feedback from tour pros and top amateurs into the development of the latest version of the Vokey Spin Milled Wedges. “Player feedback drives our development process,” says Corey Gerrard, Marketing Director of Vokey Wedges. “Whether we’re talking to tour pros or dedicated amateurs, every player’s input is important. All of the advancements we’ve made to the SM10, from the look and feel to the sole grinds and ball flight windows, reflect player input.”

What’s inside the Titleist Vokey SM 10 wedges

A key feature of the Titleist Vokey SM 10 wedges is the progressive CG positioning, which is designed to provide a lower, more controllable trajectory and a fuller feel across all wedges. This results in more precise distance and trajectory control with tighter dispersion, according to Titleist. The 46 to 52 degree models have a lower center of gravity for a smoother transition from irons to wedges and more consistent distance. The center of gravity is also positioned more in the middle of the clubface, which helps to achieve a neutral clubface at impact and a more solid feel. With the lofts from 54 degrees, the center of gravity is shifted upwards and forwards, which leads to a relatively lower trajectory and also supports a “square” clubface.

The center of gravity shift of the Titleist Vokey SM 10 Wedges 2024 (Photo: Titleist).
The center of gravity shift of the Titleist Vokey SM 10 Wedges 2024 (Photo: Titleist).

In addition, the patented Spin Milled process has been further developed. Each TX9 groove is individually cut and treated with high-frequency heat to ensure maximum durability and consistently high spin. Texturing is also applied between the grooves to maximize spin even on half shots. There are also extensive options for personalizing and customizing the wedges. As standard, they are equipped with the True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 shaft and the new Titleist Universal 360 grip.

The sole grinds of the Titleist Vokey SM 10 wedges

The different sole grinds offer golfers a wide range of playing options.

Sole-Grinds:
  • F-Grind: Versatile, particularly suitable for full strokes
  • S-Grind: Particularly good for loft control, particularly narrow sole
  • M-grind: Good for versatile use of the wedge
  • K-grind: Highest bounce, ideal for bunker shots
  • T-Grind Little bounce and a narrow sole for precise short game
  • D-Grind: Lots of bounce, for steep attack angles
    • The grinds left to right: M, S, T, F, D, K. (Photo: Titleist)

    The new SM10 wedges will be available in Tour Chrome, Jet Black and a new Nickel finish from February 15 for fittings and March 8 in golf stores worldwide. A raw finish can be ordered via WedgeWorks on Vokey.com. The retail price is 199 euros for steel shafts and 219 euros for graphite shafts.

    What the pros say about the Titleist Vokey SM 10 Wedges 2024:

    Categories
    Live

    Tyrrell Hatton to LIV Golf? The Brit could become Rahm’s new team member

    Will Tyrrell Hatton join LIV Golf? (Photo: Getty)
    Will Tyrrell Hatton join LIV Golf? (Photo: Getty)

    Tyrrell Hatton could be the latest and possibly last addition for the 2024 LIV Golf season. At least that’s what the British newspaper The Telegraph reports. According to the newspaper, Hatton has joined Jon Rahm’s new LIV Golf team and signed a contract worth 50 million pounds (approx. 58.6 million euros).

    Tyrrell Hatton in talks with LIV Golf

    Tyrrell Hatton, ranked 16th in the world, would be a high-calibre addition to the league and has already gained experience with Jon Rahm as a team-mate, most recently at the Ryder Cup in Rome, where Rahm and Hatton competed successfully together. This is another reason why rumours about Hatton have persisted for weeks. When asked about this at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, he confirmed that he had held talks with LIV Golf, but also that he is still happy with his place on the traditional tours at the moment.

    “I would say there are several people who have had conversations,” Hatton said in Dubai. “I think that’s part of golf at the moment, but I’m very happy playing on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.”

    Hatton’s move would also be a very last-minute one, as the LIV golf season starts this week in Mexico. According to the Telegraph, the Briton is also set to make his debut on the new tour there. Hatton is currently still listed in the field for this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. There has been no official announcement from Hatton, LIV Golf or Jon Rahm and his “Legion XIII” team regarding this new addition.

    Speculation about new LIV Golf members

    The same applies to almost all of the newcomers who are expected to fill the open spots in the 13 teams. Not even the team name for Rahm’s team has been officially confirmed at the moment, but there is speculation that Kieran Vincent, who qualified for the league via the LIV Promotions event, and amateur Caleb Surratt will join the team alongside Hatton.

    The transfer of Adrian Meronk to LIV Golf, who is to find a place in Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks, has also allegedly been confirmed by Sports Illustrated. What is certain is that the Cleeks will be strengthened by Kalle Samooja alongside Kaymer and Richard Bland, as the captain himself confirmed in an interview with the National Club Golfer. Like Vincent, Samooja had also qualified via the promotional event. The third qualifier, Jinichiro Kozuma, is to be accommodated at Kevin Nas Iron Heads. Australian Lucas Herbert is also rumoured to be joining Cam Smith’s all-Australian Rippers team.

    Most of these speculations should either be confirmed or proved wrong with the start of the LIV golf season on 2 February in Mexico.

    Categories
    PGA Tour

    Video: Shane Lowry holes from 234 meters to the albatross

    Shane Lowry holed out for the albatross. (Photo: Getty)
    Shane Lowry holed out for the albatross. (Photo: Getty)

    In addition to a hole in one, many a golfer dreams of an albatross. A triple shot win on just one hole is a rare event in golf and worth just as much jubilation and excitement as a hole-in-one. For Shane Lowry, it happened on the fourth day of the Farmers Insurance Open and the 36-year-old PGA Tour winner holed out for an albatross. The magic happened on the first par-5 of the South Course at Torrey Pines. Shane Lowry holed his ball from 234 meters and celebrated. In the end, the Ryder Cup player finished tied 25th at the Farmers Insurance Open 2024.

    In the video: Shane Lowry holes out for an albatross

    Categories
    Professionals

    Adrian Meronk Rumored to Move to LIV Golf League

    Adrian Meronk looks set for a move to the LIV Golf League. (Source: Getty)
    Adrian Meronk looks set for a move to the LIV Golf League. (Source: Getty)

    Just recently, Adrian Meronk was named Player of the Year by his DP World Tour peers, but now the Polish golfer appears to be considering a move to the LIV Golf League. Meronk, who recently became a full-fledged member of the PGA Tour, is absent from the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, officially citing health reasons. However, speculations quickly arose linking his absence to a potential impending transfer.

    Adrian Meronk set to join the Cleeks

    Despite improving his world ranking to 39th after a strong performance in Dubai and securing a second-place finish at the Dubai Desert Classic, it seems the 30-year-old has made the decision to explore new opportunities. Initially reported by The Times in London, there are now numerous corroborating reports confirming Meronk’s imminent joining of Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks team. The Cleeks had a disappointing season on the LIV Tour, leading to the non-renewal of contracts with Bernd Wiesberger and Graeme McDowell. With the potential addition of Adrian Meronk, Team Captain Kaymer seems to have found a prominent player to fill one of the two vacant positions. A move to LIV Golf would likely result in Meronk being suspended from the PGA Tour before officially playing a round as a tour member.

    However, Meronk isn’t the only player considering a move to LIV Golf. Rumors suggest that Tyrrell Hatton, ranked 16th in the world, might also be contemplating joining the LIV Golf League. Although Hatton emphasized his commitment to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour last weekend in Dubai, LIV Golf seems to have renewed interest in the Ryder Cup player. An insider revealed that a deal with Hatton, strengthening Jon Rahm’s team, is imminent but not officially confirmed.

    Categories
    Equipment

    International exhibitors and attendees increase their presence at the PGA Show

    The german company Puttview at the PGA Show 2024. (Source: PGA Show)
    The german company Puttview at the PGA Show 2024. (Source: PGA Show)

    With around 200 exhibitors from 25 countries, in addition to the United States, and well over one thousand attendees from more than 80 countries, the PGA Show is proving every year its growing global reach and international impact.

    The PGA Show: An industry highlight

    “Since 2007, Trackman has consistently participated in the PGA show, with only one absence during Covid. Over the years, our presence has gradually grown, reaching its peak this year,” said Bernd Larsen Linde, Vice President of Marketing for Trackman, a renowned Danish manufacturer of simulators and range solutions.

    “Since our very beginning, Trackman has collaborated with top coaches, fitters, and global brands. We always look forward to the PGA Show as an opportunity to reconnect with the many PGA professionals who have been our valued partners over the years and get to meet exciting and new business partners,” added Larsen Linde.

    Trackman at the PGA Show 2024 (Source: PGA Show)

    Like Trackman, German technology firm Puttview, specialized on interactive putting greens, has grown its presence at the PGA Show since their debut in 2018. “It is one of the most important events of the year in terms of the golf industry. It is an easy way to reach out to businesses, clients, golf clubs, with everybody there and together in one place,” said Ann-Kathrin Nahl, Marketing and Communication Manager for Puttview.

    Puttview at the PGA Show 2024 (Source: PGA Show)

    Exhibitors from all over the world

    International exhibitors, like Trackman or Puttview, will make up about 12% of the Show Floor in 2024. They share the floor with education and meeting spaces, and exhibitors from the United States, some of which expand their operations beyond North America.

    “For years, the presence of Latin Americans at the Show has been very important. It promotes new relations and clients, interactions with people that meet you in person for the first time. And you get great feedback about the status of golf in the region,” said Juan Pina, Regional Manager for Latin America at Callaway Golf.

    While many of the exhibitors come from China, Canada, Korea; most of the regular international visitors to the PGA Show come from the Americas and Europe. However, all the continents and almost half of the world are represented through the combination of exhibitors and attendees.

    “The PGA of America is actively sourcing more opportunities to partner with like-minded organizations, golf facilities and mission-driven individuals across Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa,” said Sean D. Thornberry, Director of Global Development at the PGA of America.

    The PGA Show, organized by Reed Exhibitions (RX) in partnership with the PGA of America, showcases that global interconnection in the golf industry and the international outreach of both organizations.

    “To date, we have executed brand partnerships with golf facilities in 8 countries, merchandising relationships in China and South Korea, formalized an International Section with over 300 PGA of America Golf Professionals, introduced 1000s of golfers to player engagement programs and opened up education pathways to PGA Membership for non-US citizens and non-residents of the United States,” added Thornberry.

    Categories
    Equipment

    Arccos launches third generation of the Link Pro Device

    Arccos launches new link pro device (Source: Arccos Golf)
    Arccos launches new link pro device (Source: Arccos Golf)

    Arccos, the leader in connected A.I. golf products and the Official Game Tracker of the PGA Tour, announced the launch of the Link Pro. This device marks the 3rd generation in Arccos’ successful product line and introduces a host of new features designed to enhance the golfing experience.

    The features of the new Arccos Link Pro

    Available for purchase today at Arccosgolf.com and select retailers globally, Link Pro is designed to automatically track a player’s shots without the need for a phone, seamlessly capturing on-course data from the convenience of the player’s front pocket. The redesigned device addresses member feedback, delivering a superior experience for shot tracking. Key features of the New Link Pro include:

    • Works in Pocket: Automatically tracks shots in the pocket without the need for a phone.
    • Wireless Charging Case: Boasting up to 12 rounds on a single charge, the case is quickly rechargeable and about the size of an average wallet, providing exceptional convenience.
    • Enhanced GPS: A new GPS chip ensures an incredibly quick satellite lock at the start of each round, enhancing data accuracy on the course.
    • Multi-Mic Configuration: This leading-edge approach ensures highly accurate shot detection while the device remains in a player’s front pocket.
    • Pin Set Button: The introduction of a dedicated button with click feedback allows users to accurately mark the hole location while Link Pro is in the pocket.

    User-Friendly Design

    Dave LeDonne, Arccos Vice President of Product, expressed, “Our product vision is to continuously remove friction from on-course data capture, and Link Pro is a giant step in that direction for amateurs and elite pros alike. It’s a major technical breakthrough by our in-house hardware team. When you add all the other benefits, the result is a device that’s precise, less intrusive, easier to use, and always ready for your next round.”

    Compact and comparable in size to a car key fob, Link Pro (MSRP: $224.99) comes standard with the wireless charging case. Once paired with the Arccos app, Link Pro seamlessly integrates with Arccos Smart Sensors (sold separately) to track your game on the course. It allows players to choose how they want to use their phone during a round – keeping it in the bag, listening to music, taking a call, or leveraging Arccos’ A.I. Powered Rangefinder and caddie recommendations.

    Largest dataset in golf

    Link Pro is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and has already been approved for use under the Rules of Golf (Decision #2023-0650). The Arccos system, including Link Pro, is the only game tracking platform, other than ShotLink powered by CDW, approved for use on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, and PGA Tour Americas.

    As golf’s #1 game tracker, Arccos has compiled golf’s largest on-course dataset, with over 850 million shots and 1.5 trillion data points recorded during nearly 18 million rounds played by Arccos members. Trusted by amateurs and elite players worldwide, the Arccos system, consisting of a sensor in each club grip that pairs with a mobile app, has revolutionized performance tracking in the golfing community.

    Last year, Arccos announced a strategic fundraising round featuring golf’s biggest brands, including the PGA Tour, Ping Inc., TaylorMade Golf Company, Cobra Puma Golf, and Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. , among others. The company’s focus is to fully leverage and accelerate the growth of the game’s largest dataset to benefit the entire golf ecosystem, allowing players, coaches, club fitters, and product designers to make smarter decisions based on real performance data.

    (Text: Arccos Golf)

    Categories
    Uncategorized

    Edoardo Molinari named as new Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup

    Edoardo Molinari has been appointed as the Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)
    Edoardo Molinari has been appointed as the Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)

    Luke Donald has appointed Edoardo Molinari as his first Vice Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup which will be played at Bethpage Black, New York, USA from September 26-28, 2025.

    Molinari will return to Donald’s backroom team after a highly-successful stint in the role for the 2023 Ryder Cup in his native Italy, where Team Europe secured a memorable 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory against the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

    The Italian, alongside his brother Francesco, was part of the victorious European Team as a player in the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. He has also won three times on the DP World Tour and made 402 Tour appearances to date.

    The 42-year-old, a popular figure within the game, proved crucial to Team Europe’s success in Rome, with Captain Donald placing a key emphasis on Molinari’s statistical analysis model in the months leading up to, and during, the biennial contest.

    Molinari said: “I’m very happy. It’s something that I’m very proud of and probably means I did a pretty decent job last time, so I cannot wait to help the team and Luke again in Bethpage and I’m really looking forward to it.

    “Luke called me the very day he was named captain, a little before the official announcement, and said he really enjoyed working with me in Rome and would like my help again. We had another chat about a week later, maybe 30 or 40 minutes on the phone, chatted about a few things and he asked me and I said of course, I would happily do it all over again.

    “I think Rory put it best in the press conference after Rome, he said the most difficult thing in golf these days is to win an away Ryder Cup. It hasn’t been done in many years now, Luke was part of the team in Medinah, the last one that Europe won away, and hopefully we can produce something similar.

    “I cannot wait. I’ve never been part of an away Ryder Cup. I heard it will be very tough, very difficult, you need to have a lot of patience and calmness, but I cannot wait to get started. I cannot wait to be at Bethpage with the whole team, it’s going to be a long two years waiting for that week, but it will be extremely exciting and hopefully we can win again.”

    European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald said: “Edoardo is someone I have got to know very well over the last couple of years and he’s going to be a great addition again for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

    “He plays a very significant role. He’s playing full-time out here on the DP World Tour, he’s a good player, a Ryder Cupper and he knows what it’s all about. He’s around the players a lot and he works with a lot of players on their statistics as well.

    “I’ll lean heavily on him with the qualification criteria and then when we get close to the matches, how the team is forming, how their skillsets match to the golf course at Bethpage and whether they’re more foursomes-related pairings, fourballs-related players, and putting those pairings together.

    “We spent a lot of time together over the last couple of years, we grew very close. He was extremely important to the whole journey and the process and he’ll be even more important on this away one. If we can create some history and try and win away from home, it’s going to be a very, very sweet four years together.”

    Molinari and his brother Francesco followed compatriot Costantino Rocca into Ryder Cup folklore when they represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 2010 at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

    The Molinaris became the first brothers to compete against the United States since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt played in the 1963 Great Britain & Ireland team, when they played in the 2010 contest at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. They halved their fourballs match against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar, while Edoardo contributed another crucial half point in his singles match against Rickie Fowler as Europe triumphed 14½-13½.

    In addition to his three victories on the DP World Tour, Molinari was also the Challenge Tour Number One in 2009 and is a respected member of the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee.

    Before turning professional, Molinari won the 2005 US Amateur Championship and alongside Francesco, claimed the World Cup of Golf for Italy in 2009 at Mission Hills in China.

    Text: European Tour Group Communications

    Categories
    Live

    LPGA Tour: LPGA Drive On Championship 2024

    LPGA Drive On Championship 2024 Live Scores

    The LPGA Drive On Championship in the season 2024 is being played in Bradenton, Florida (USA) at the Bradenton Country Club. The tournament starts at the Thursday, 25th of January and ends at the Sunday, 28th of January 2024.
    The LPGA Drive On Championship is part of the LPGA Tour in the season 2024. In 2024 all players competing for a total prize money of $ 1.750.000.
    The course for the tournament at Bradenton Country Club plays at Par 71.

    LPGA Tour live

    The LPGA Tour is the largest tournament series in women’s professional golf. Most events are held in the USA, but the tour also has a global focus, for example with a strong Asian swing.
    Five major tournaments are organised on the women’s tour: the Chevron Championship, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open and, in cooperation with the Ladies European Tour, the Ricoh Women’s British Open and the Evian Championship.

    In addition to the LPGA Tour, there is also the second-tier Symetra Tour, which can be used to qualify for the next season of the big tour. Similar to the men’s tour, there are also qualifying tournaments, the annual Qualifying School, where you can earn the right to play on the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour or neither, depending on your ranking.

    The LPGA is the oldest continuing women’s professional sports organisation in the United States. It succeeded the WPGA (Women’s Professional Golf Association, 1944-1949). The LPGA was founded in 1950 by 13 founding women. Alice Bauer, Patty Berg, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Marlene Hagge, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson, Sally Sessions, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Louise Suggs, and Babe Zaharias.