Categories
Panorama

Scheffler Unfazed by Jail Stint: Fires 66 at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach, California — Scottie Scheffler demonstrated remarkable composure this week, posting a 5-under 66 on the course shortly after an unexpected morning detention. The world’s top-ranked player kept his focus intact, with the incident ultimately having minimal impact on his opening round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

“I saw myself on the TV and then I saw they delayed it so I thought oh, maybe I could get out of here and still play,” Scheffler told reporters, reflecting on the situation with characteristic calm.

The PGA Tour event at Pebble Beach Golf Links runs through February 15, with a purse of $20 million on the line. Scheffler enters as the tournament favorite, though he faces stiff competition from several contenders.

## Rising Stars and Defending Champions

Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, headlines a strong field alongside emerging talent Chris Gotterup. The American has captured two victories in his last three starts—claiming the Sony Open and Phoenix Open—establishing himself as the tour’s hottest player heading into this event.

Justin Rose, fresh off his Farmers Insurance Open victory, rounds out the top contenders. The field also features solid DACH representation, with German pro Stephan Jäger posting a T7 finish last year, while fellow countrymen Matti Schmid and Austria’s Sepp Straka—a four-time PGA Tour winner—look to make their mark this week.

## International Action Continues

Beyond Pebble Beach, the golfing world is in full swing across multiple tours and formats. LIV Golf League heads to Adelaide, Australia, for its opening event of the southern hemisphere campaign, while veteran sensation Bernhard Langer pursues his sixth Chubb Classic title on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in Florida.

The women’s game also takes center stage with the PIF Saudi Ladies International kicking off the Ladies European Tour season in Riyadh. German stars Esther Henseleit, Laura Funfstuck, and Helen Briem lead a strong contingent of DACH competitors competing for the $5 million purse.

This week exemplifies golf’s global reach, with elite competition spanning multiple continents and formats simultaneously.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
Panorama

Gotterup’s Meteoric Rise: From 206th to World Top 5

Chris Gotterup’s ascent through professional golf has been extraordinarily swift. Just twelve months ago, the American was ranked 206th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Today, following his third PGA Tour title in eleven starts, Gotterup sits at world number 5—a trajectory that few players achieve in such a compressed timeframe.

The 26-year-old has captured victories at the Sony Open and the Phoenix Open in recent weeks, establishing himself as one of the tour’s most in-form players heading into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week. His momentum is undeniable, and his name now sits prominently among the favorites for the tournament.

Rising Star Takes Center Stage at Pebble Beach

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins February 12–15 on the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links course in California. With $20 million in total prize money and $3.6 million for the winner, the event marks the first PGA Tour Signature Event of the season and attracts both elite golfers and celebrity participants, including NFL star Travis Kelce.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy will compete alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler. However, Gotterup’s recent form has him squarely in contention. After reaching the top 206 a year ago, his rapid progression underscores both his talent and his newfound consistency at the professional level.

DACH Players Target Success Across Multiple Tours

German players Stephan Jäger and Matti Schmid will represent Central Europe at Pebble Beach, with Jäger posting a top-10 finish last year. Austrian golfer Sepp Straka, who has claimed four PGA Tour victories, also competes this week and finished T7 a year ago.

Meanwhile, on the Champions Tour, Germany’s legendary Bernhard Langer, 68, seeks his sixth Chubb Classic title at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. Langer holds the all-time record with 47 Champions Tour victories.

Across the Atlantic, the Ladies European Tour begins its season at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh, with German players Esther Henselelt, Laura Funfstuck, and others competing in what is the largest Ladies European Tour event outside the majors. Funfstuck arrives as the reigning PIF London Championship winner.

Gotterup’s rise represents a compelling narrative in professional golf—rapid progression rooted in recent tournament success rather than sudden, unexplained emergence. Whether his exceptional form continues at Pebble Beach will provide further clarity on whether his ascent represents a sustained career trajectory or a hot streak.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
Panorama

Anthony Kim Returns to LIV Golf After Signing with 4Aces GC

Anthony Kim has secured a season-long contract with LIV Golf League side 4Aces GC, replacing Patrick Reed on Dustin Johnson’s roster. The deal begins this week at the LIV Golf Adelaide event at The Grange Golf Club in Australia.

Kim’s path back to competitive golf has gathered momentum in recent weeks. The American re-qualified for the LIV Golf League through the Promotions Event and has been playing some of his best golf since his comeback. His assignment to 4Aces GC represents a major milestone in his return to professional competition.

Kim’s Momentum in Comeback Year

The Oklahoma native took an extended break from professional golf before making his return. His recent performances have demonstrated improved form and consistency, culminating in re-qualifying for the LIV circuit through competitive selection. This season-long opportunity with 4Aces GC provides stability and structure as he continues to rebuild his career.

With the Adelaide event kicking off this week, Kim will join Johnson’s team alongside other roster members for both individual and team competition. The event features a prize pool of $30 million USD, with individual and team prizes available.

Kim’s addition to 4Aces GC underscores the depth of talent across the LIV Golf League and provides another established name on the competitive circuit as the season progresses.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Ciganda’s Ace Highlights Star-Studded Saudi Ladies International

The Ladies European Tour kicked off its season in style this week at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh, where Carlota Ciganda delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with a casual ace that had galleries buzzing.

The Spanish golfer’s hole-in-one came during competition at Riyadh Golf Club, showcasing the kind of precise shotmaking that defines elite women’s professional golf. With a purse of 5 million USD—the largest in Ladies European Tour history outside of major championships—the tournament attracted the world’s best female competitors.

Elite Field Convenes in Saudi Arabia

Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit returned to defend her title, joined by a stellar field including Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, Danielle Kang, and Amy Yang. The event marks a significant moment for professional women’s golf, with the tournament serving as the season opener for many competitors.

The DACH region sent a strong contingent to compete. Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who serves as a Golf Saudi ambassador, was joined by fellow German players Laura Funfstuck—the 2025 PIF London Championship winner—Olivia Cowan, Helen Briem, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm. Austria contributed Emma Spitz, while Switzerland’s entries included Chiara Tamburlini, Kim Metraux, and Albane Valenzuela.

Growing Investment in Women’s Golf

The tournament represents continued investment in women’s professional golf, with significant prize money reflecting the sport’s increasing commercial appeal. Ciganda’s ace exemplified the level of skill on display, adding to the spectacle of a competition that continues to elevate the profile of women’s professional golf internationally.

The season is now in full swing across multiple tours, with PGA Tour events, LIV Golf League competitions, and Champions Tour action competing for attention across the professional landscape.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
Korn Ferry Tour

Nicholas Captures First Korn Ferry Tour Title at Country Bogota

James Nicholas secured his first Korn Ferry Tour title with a memorable finish at Country Bogota, capping off a breakthrough moment in his professional career with a walk-off eagle that will long be remembered.

The victory represents a significant milestone for Nicholas, who has been working toward this achievement throughout his time on the developmental tour. His grandmother’s longstanding belief in his abilities to produce such moments—particularly eagles—came to fruition in dramatic fashion on the final hole.

A Dream Realized

For many professional golfers, the first tour title carries special significance. It validates years of dedication, practice, and perseverance through the ranks of professional competition. Nicholas’s walk-off eagle at Country Bogota provided exactly that kind of validation, delivering the kind of finishing moment that becomes part of a player’s career narrative.

The Korn Ferry Tour serves as an important pathway for developing talent in professional golf, offering players the opportunity to compete at an elevated level while working toward their goals on major professional circuits. Victories on this tour frequently serve as launching points for players seeking to establish themselves at higher levels of competition.

Looking Forward

Nicholas’s breakthrough victory provides momentum as he continues his professional journey. The confidence gained from a first title win often translates into improved performances in subsequent competitions, as players combine technical skill with the psychological benefit of having achieved a significant goal.

For those following Nicholas’s career, this moment marks a turning point—evidence that the hard work and dedication have yielded tangible results on the course.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
LIV Tour

Anthony Kim Joins 4Aces GC for Remainder of 2026 LIV Season

Anthony Kim has secured a team placement for the remainder of the 2026 LIV Golf League season, joining Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC. The move marks a transition from his previous status as an independent Wild Card player to a full-time team member.

Kim’s placement represents a significant development in LIV Golf’s competitive structure, as the league continues to refine its team compositions ahead of the Adelaide event this week. The 4Aces GC roster now features a strengthened lineup as the season progresses through its early events.

Team Structure and Season Momentum

The 4Aces GC joins other competitive teams in the LIV Golf League as they prepare for the Adelaide event at The Grange Golf Club this week. With prize money reaching 30 million USD for the tournament—including 4 million for the individual winner and 3 million for the team champion—teams are actively positioning themselves for strong performances throughout the season.

Kim’s integration into the 4Aces GC roster comes as the league has introduced Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for LIV Golf events, adding another dimension to competition. The transition from Wild Card status to permanent team membership provides Kim with consistency and team support as the season develops.

The move underscores LIV Golf’s continued evolution in team dynamics and player positioning as it establishes itself within the broader professional golf landscape.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
Ladies European Tour

Ciganda’s Ace Highlights Week of High Stakes Across Global Tours

The golf calendar this week, February 10-16, 2026, brings high-profile action across multiple tours and continents, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among the headliners competing at the season’s premier events.

Pebble Beach and LIV Golf Adelaide Lead the Week

The PGA Tour‘s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins February 12 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, offering $20 million in prize money with the winner receiving $3.6 million. Scheffler, the world number one, will face defending champion McIlroy, along with in-form Chris Gotterup, who has notched two victories in three weeks following wins at the Sony Open and Phoenix Open. Justin Rose, fresh from his Farmers Insurance Open victory, also headlines the field.

The tournament represents the first Signature Event of the season and features the traditional celebrity pro-am format, with notable participants including Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. German representatives Stephan Jäger and Matti Schmid will compete, with Jäger finishing tied-seventh last year. Austria’s Sepp Straka, a four-time PGA Tour winner, aims for a strong showing after a similar finish in 2025.

Meanwhile, the LIV Golf League moves to The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia, for LIV Golf Adelaide, running February 12-15. The $30 million event marks the league’s first tournament offering Official World Golf Ranking points. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau headline a field seeking to dethrone defending champion Joaquin Niemann. The Ripper GC team, buoyed by Elvis Smylie’s remarkable debut victory in Riyadh last week at age 23, will compete on home soil with teammates Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert.

Champions Tour and International Action

The PGA Tour Champions hosts the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida, February 13-15, where Bernhard Langer pursues his sixth title at the event. The 68-year-old German veteran holds 47 career Champions Tour victories, a tour record, and sits one Chubb Classic win away from equaling his own tournament record of six titles. Justin Leonard defends, while fellow past champions Davis Love III and Darren Clarke compete for the $1.8 million purse. Germany’s Alex Cejka, 55, also features in the field.

The Ladies European Tour opens its season with the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club, February 11-14, a $5 million event—the largest on the calendar outside major championships. Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit returns to face Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, and Amy Yang. Germany’s Laura Funfstuck, who captured the PIF London Championship in 2025, leads a strong contingent of DACH representatives including Esther Henseleit, who serves as a Golf Saudi ambassador. Helen Briem, newly competing on the LPGA Tour in 2026, also appears in the field alongside Olivia Cowan, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm. Austria’s Emma Spitz and Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, Albane Valenzuela, and Kim Metraux round out the regional presence.

Carlota Ciganda’s ace this week highlighted the competitive spirit evident across all competition levels. Her hole-in-one marked the season’s first for the professional circuit, capturing the kind of individual brilliance that defines tournament golf.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

Categories
PGA Tour

McIlroy Eyes Pebble Beach Defense After Historic 2025 Run

Continue reading “McIlroy Eyes Pebble Beach Defense After Historic 2025 Run”
Categories
LIV Tour

Elvis Smylie Makes History with First OWGR Points in LIV Golf

Elvis Smylie has become the first player to benefit from the Official World Golf Ranking’s recognition of LIV Golf League events, climbing from 133rd to 77th in the world rankings following his debut victory in Riyadh last week.

Continue reading “Elvis Smylie Makes History with First OWGR Points in LIV Golf”
Categories
European Tour

McIlroy Opens 2026 DP World Tour Season with Impressive 66

Continue reading “McIlroy Opens 2026 DP World Tour Season with Impressive 66”