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Highlights Tours

Invitation Accepted: Tiger Woods to Play the US Open 2024

Tiger Woods last played the 2024 US Masters (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods last played the 2024 US Masters (Photo: Getty)

It is the first time in almost 30 years that Tiger Woods has not automatically qualified for a major tournament. Thanks to his countless successes, Woods has not missed a single major qualification since the 1996 PGA Championship, in which he took part as an amateur. In 2024, he will have to rely on a special permit for the first time.

While he enjoys a lifetime entry into the US Masters and the PGA Championship and is allowed to play in the British Open until the age of 60, his eligibility to play in the US Open expired this year. He last received a five-year exemption for the US Open following his victory at the 2019 US Masters, but this expired at the beginning of the year.

Tiger Woods plays the US Open 2024 thanks to special permit

Tiger Woods celebrated his last major success in 2019. His victory at the 2019 US Masters was considered the greatest comeback in golf history – since then, Woods has been plagued by various injuries that have repeatedly made it impossible for him to play golf. He has since competed in several major tournaments again. He has announced about one start per month for this season. This includes participation in the US Open 2024.

However, Tiger Woods needed special permission to do so: “The U.S. Open, our national championship, is a truly special event for our game and one that has helped define my career. I’m honored to receive this exemption and could not be more excited for the opportunity to compete in this year’s U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst, a venue that means so much to the game.”

Will Tiger Woods make history once again?

Woods last won the tournament in 2008 and this year, from June 13-16, it will be decided whether the 15-time major champion will triumph once again. “The story of the U.S. Open could not be written without Tiger Woods,” USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said in a statement. “From his 15-stroke victory at Pebble Beach in 2000 to his inspiring win on a broken leg at Torrey Pines in 2008, this championship is simply better when Tiger is in the field, and his accomplishments in the game undoubtedly made this an easy decision for our special exemption committee.”

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Live

Watch: DP World Tour Highlights from Round 1 of the Volvo China Open

Tied for the lead: Romain Langasque at this weeks DP World Tour event. (Image: Getty)
Tied for the lead: Romain Langasque at this weeks DP World Tour event. (Image: Getty)

The first round of the Volvo China Open, part of the DP World Tour, took place at the Hidden Grace GC in Shenzhen, China. The DP World Tour Highlights from the first round showcased some impressive shots. The tournament sees golfers competing for a total prize money of 2.25 million USD.

DP World Tour: Tie at the top of the table

The Volvo China Open Highlights bring into focus the top performers of this round. France’s Romain Langasque and Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg, both sharing the top position on the board with total scores of 63, nine under par. They are closely followed by China’s Haotong Li, whose total score is 64, eight under par. The fourth position is shared by Gordan Brixi from Czech Republic Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and Julien Guerrier from France, all posting a total score of 65 and seven under par.

The accompanying video provides an encompassing view of the best moments of the first round.

show Volvo China Open Leaderboard

Volvo China Open: The DP World Tour round 2 highlights

About the European Tour

The DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) is the largest European professional golf tour. With 45 events, the tour’s tournament calendar is packed with highlights. In addition to the majors, the DP World Tour organizes other co-sanctioned events with the PGA Tour. The DP World tour is also a guest in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, hosting at least one tournament in a total of 25 countries. The prize money on the DP World Tour is lower than on its American sister tour, but with the basic salary introduced in 2023, players who have played at least 15 tournaments will receive at least 150,000 dollars. The season finale of the overall earnings ranking, the “Race to Dubai“, will be held in a play-off format after five “Global Swings” and the “Back 9”. The final DP World Tour Championship will determine the winner of the season in Dubai in November.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: 16-Year-Old Golfer Kris Kim To Debut in CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Teenage prodigy Kris Kim will debut in Texas this week. (Photo: Getty)

At just 16 years old, British golfer Kris Kim will compete against the creme-de-la-creme of international players, including former world number ones Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, and Jason Day in the PGA Tour. This major sports milestone for the teenage prodigy will occur on Thursday, May 2nd at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, hosted in McKinney, Texas.

Kim has rapidly ascended the ranks in the junior golf world, drawing attention after his critical contributions to Europe’s victory in last year’s Junior Ryder Cup. His recent achievements also include winning the Boys’ Amateur Championship, the European Individual Championship, and the McGregor Trophy.

The Rising Star from a Golfing Lineage

Kris Kim’s entry into the professional golf scene is bolstered by his lineage; his mother, Ji-Hyun Suh, is a former LPGA player from South Korea. Suh, who started her professional career in the late 90s, has been instrumental in coaching her son. Kris mentioned the invaluable advice and strategic insights he receives from his mother, emphasizing her role in his mental and technical preparation for the game.

Educational Commitments and Inspirations

Despite his rigorous sports schedule and now the PGA Tour, Kim is also managing academic responsibilities, specifically his preparation for the GCSE exams. He acknowledged the difficulty in balancing his studies with his golf career but remains committed to excelling in both arenas.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: The British Golfers Tee Off At CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Discover the PGA Tour Tee Times of your favorite British golfers. (Photos: Getty)
Discover the PGA Tour Tee Times of your favorite British golfers. (Photos: Getty)

The PGA Tour brings us The CJ CUP Byron Nelson, which will take place in McKinney, Texas, USA. The event will be sprawled on the lush greens of the TPC Craig Ranch Club. The tournament, carrying a prize purse of $9,500,000 will see last year’s defender, Jason Day, attempting to maintain his title. The tournament will be played on a par 71 course.

See all Tee Times here

The PGA Tour Tee Times and Groups for the British Players

Ben Taylor from England is all set to play the first round at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson at 13:12, where he will pair up with his group members, Ryan Palmer and Josh Teater from USA. The second day will see the same group teeing off for round two.

Next, Matt Wallace, another English golfer, will kick off his tournament at 13:23 in round 1. His group includes Daniel Berger and Cameron Champ from USA. Wallace will stick with the same group for the second round with the PGA Tour Tee Times mentioned in the table below.

English-man Callum Tarren is scheduled for a later tee time of 14:18 with his group members Maverick McNealy and Chesson Hadley representing USA. They will return together for the second-round together at the same time.

From Scotland, Robert MacIntyre will play alongside Ze-cheng Dou from China and Raul Pereda from Mexico, starting their round at 14:29. They will keep the same setup for the second-round.

The 16-year old British golf prodigy Kris Kim will be teeting off at hole 10 15:02 with American Duo Max Greyserman and Norman Xiong.

Harry Hall from England will begin his participation at 18:22. He will play alongside David Lipsky from the USA and Sung Kang from Korea. The three will team up yet again at the same time for the second round on the following day.

Martin Laird from Scotland will begin his first round of play in the afternoon at 19:17 along with Troy Merritt and Ryan Moore representing the USA. The trio will join forces again for round two.

The other player from England, Aaron Rai is scheduled to tee off at 19:28 in round one, sharing the greens with Henrik Norlander from Sweden and Sam Ryder from the USA. This lot is grouped together for the second round as well.

David Skinns, another player from England, tees off at 20:12 with Tom Whitney from the USA and Paul Barjon from France. They will maintain the same grouping in the second round.

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Panorama

Tiger Woods Discusses Sun Day Red and Masters Memes on Jimmy Fallon

Tiger Woods visited Jimmy Kimmel's Talkshow on Tuesday. (Source: Youtube)

Tiger Woods appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where he offered both humor and deep insights into his illustrious career and recent ventures. Beyond his unmatched legacy in golf, Woods is now making waves in the fashion world with his Sun Day Red apparel line, which was a key topic of discussion during the show.

An Evening of Insights and Laughter with Tiger Woods on Jimmy Fallon

Woods described the line as being crafted to boost athletic performance, bringing a fresh aesthetic to golf wear. He emphasized that the focus is on the athlete, aiming to enhance performance through thoughtful design.

He also delved into the history behind the brand, linking it to the red shirts he famously wore during Sunday tournaments—a nod to his mother’s belief that red was his “power color.” Despite experimenting with blue, Woods shared with a chuckle that he quickly realized red truly was the better choice as his game seemed off in other colors.

“The red story is actually a good one. It comes from my mom. My mom thought it was, being a capricorn, whatever, it was power color, some BS thing like that. I end up wearing red and winning some junior golf tournaments. And then to spite her, I wore blue and I did not win those tournaments, so, Mom is always right.”

The episode wasn’t solely about fashion; it also included a humorous discussion about a viral meme from this year’s Masters Tournament, showing Woods seemingly greeting a tree.

Woods shared personal anecdotes as well, particularly about his children, shedding light on his role as a father amidst his sporting achievements. He recounted how his son Charlie started imitating golf swings early on, using whatever was at hand around the house.

The friendly banter continued with Woods challenging Fallon to a ping-pong match, hinting at a lighthearted rivalry beyond the golf greens.

While delving into new fields, Woods’ passion for golf remains steadfast. He discussed his recent play at the Masters and his preparation for the upcoming PGA Championship, underscoring his readiness to compete at elite levels.

Watch Tiger Woods full appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”

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LIV Tour

LIV Tour 2024: Chicago to Host Individual Championship

Championship. (Photo: Getty)
Championship. (Photo: Getty)

Bolingbrook Golf Club is preparing to host the LIV Tour Individual Championship 2024 from September 13-15. As the final tournament before the LIV Golf Team Championship, it will also serve as the last chance for players to earn points in the individual standings.

The Culmination of the LIV Tour in Chicago

Bolingbrook Golf Club will be the venue for the individual championship and the 13th tournament of the LIV Tour season, located about 30 miles from downtown Chicago. The golf course, designed by Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest, is known for its challenging 156-yard island green at the 15th hole and attracts golf enthusiasts with its rolling fairways and elevated greens spread around seven lakes. The facility, which hosted the PGA’s Forme Tour in 2021, offers a challenging 600-yard par 5 for LIV Tour golfers. The tournament will not only attract golfers but also numerous fans who want to experience the atmosphere of the LIV Tour up close.

Tickets for the championship will be available for sale starting next Wednesday, May 8, at 10 AM on LIVGolf.com.

The Individual Championship of the LIV Tour

The tournament plays a crucial role for players who want to position themselves in the individual rankings and qualify for the 2024 Team Championship. Players who make it into the so-called Lock Zone (Top 24) secure their spot in the league for 2025, while those in the Open Zone (rank 25-48) remain as free agents, who can be re-signed by their current team or picked up by another team. Players in the Drop Zone (rank 49 and below) are relegated from the league and qualify for the 2024 LIV Golf Promotions Tournament.

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Panorama

Virpiniemi Golf Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence in Finnish Golf

News about Virpiniemi Golf. (Image: Instagram/@virpiniemiegolf)
News about Virpiniemi Golf. (Image: Instagram/@virpiniemiegolf)

On April 28th, 2004, Virpiniemi Golf‘s journey began. Today, marking two decades since its inception, the club pauses to reflect on its evolution and the vision for its future. In commemoration of its corporate anniversary, the crucial early figures and the pivotal moments that have defined Virpiniemi Golf are brought to the fore.

In an interview, Matti Heikkinen—one of the founding members and a long-standing supporter—offered insights into the journey. Heikkinen’s extensive involvement, right from partnering with architectural firm Uki Arkkitehdit Oy to shape the technical design of the course, demonstrates a deep-seated commitment to elevating the golfing experience.

Celebrating two decades of operation, Heikkinen expressed satisfaction with the progression of the course, noting the initial challenges encountered. ‘It’s incredibly rewarding to see how the course has developed and improved year after year. Establishing a presence as a prime golf course has been a significant achievement,’ he stated.

The inception stemmed from a collective desire among the founding members to enhance golf activities beyond just course management. Their original ideas found little traction with their previous affiliation, leading to the birth of their own golf club. Virpiniemi was chosen after careful consideration and navigating a maze of possibilities, finalizing after a years-long process.

Certainly, there were hurdles. The proposal met with resistance and numerous objections, yet the undeterred team foresaw the enduring joy it would bring to local golf enthusiasts.

Looking to the future, Heikkinen’s aspirations include maintaining the course’s condition and the eventual expansion by adding nine more holes. Such enhancements must seamlessly integrate without disturbing the existing layout, benefiting the broader golf community and particularly junior programs.

On this significant anniversary, Virpiniemi Golf extends heartfelt gratitude to all individuals and entities that have supported its remarkable twenty-year journey thus far, laying a foundation for continued success and development in Finnish golf.

News from Virpiniemi Golf

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Panorama

Rushden Golf Club Ladies Open: Secure Your Spot!

News about the Rushden Golf Club. (Image: Instagram/@rushdengolfclub2019)
News about the Rushden Golf Club. (Image: Instagram/@rushdengolfclub2019)

If you’re looking to be part of a golfing event that’s both competitive and social, mark your calendars for Friday, October 11th. Rushden Golf Club is hosting its customary Ladies Open, and this year’s edition promises to be as electrifying as ever. As the competition heats up, the call to action for interested participants is urgent – spots are filling up at a brisk pace, and the opportunity to enter a team is becoming scarce.

For a fee of £32 per person, visitors can join teams of three and revel in an offering that extends beyond the fairways. The entry fee not only covers participation in the event but also includes warm hospitality with coffee or tea upon arrival and a hot meal to round off the experience after you’ve tackled the course.

A noteworthy addition to this year’s event is the return of the Surprize Shop, an established purveyor of ladies golf clothing and accessories. Players will have the chance to explore a variety of golfing wares, making it the perfect occasion to stock up on the latest trends and essentials for the golf season.

To ensure participation in the Ladies Open, aspiring entrants are encouraged to proceed to the booking link featured in the promotional image or can reach out directly via email to the organizers. With organizational ease a priority, the Rushden team stands ready to assist with the booking process.

News from Rushden Golf Club

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Panorama

Gareth Griffths Triumphs at the 16th Kauko Cup at Korineum Golf & Beach Resort

Korineum Golf & Beach Resort once again played host to the 16th Kauko Cup, a tournament memorializing the vision of Finnish businessman and golf enthusiast Kauko Rastas. This year’s edition saw 65 contenders vying for the title, with an array of international participants converging from various countries, including Finland, to honor the legacy that helped birth the stunning course in Northern Cyprus.

Emerging victorious was Gareth Griffths, whose impressive 41 points earned him the top spot on the leaderboard. Griffths’ performance was the highlight of an event that equally celebrated the communal spirit of the golfing fraternity and the competitive zest that characterizes this annual gathering.

The trophy for Best Gross was clinched by Soner Yetkili, showcasing exceptional skill and consistency throughout the tournament. Süha Akpınar followed closely, securing the Second Place, with Lee Ivers rounding out the top three amidst intense competition.

In the special categories, James Jang took home the Longest Drive Men’s title, while Pirjo Kortesoja reaffirmed her prowess with the Longest Drive amongst the ladies. Yet, it was Tima Hamalainen who delivered the tournament’s marquee moment with a Hole in One, capturing the Closest to Pin accolade and sparking celebrations.

The 16th Kauko Cup not only celebrated the game but fostered the bonds of friendship and sportsmanship that remain the cornerstone of the Korineum Golf & Beach Resort.

News from Korineum Golf & Beach Resort

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Live

DP World Tour: Matthew Baldwin and Co. Start at the Volvo China Open

Starting at this week's DP World Tour event: Matthew Baldwin. (Image: Getty)
Starting at this week's DP World Tour event: Matthew Baldwin. (Image: Getty)

The DP World Tour is moving to Shenzhen, China, for the Volvo China Open. The tournament, held at the Hidden Grace GC, has a prize fund of $2.25 million and a par-72 layout.

See all Tee Times here

British, Welsh and Scottish Players’ DP World Tour Tee Times

The first UK player scheduled at the tee box is Englishman Matthew Baldwin, set to start his first round at 06:50 on Thursday from the 10th tee. His co-players include Spanish Angel Hidalgo and Chinese Xiang Fang. His second round kicks off at 11:50 on Friday from the 1st tee.

Scottish player Richie Ramsay will start at 07:00 from the 10th tee on Thursday, paired with Dutch player Joost Luiten and South African Ockie Strydom. His second round is scheduled for 12:00 on Friday from the 1st tee.

The second round of participants includes Englishman James Morrison beginning at 07:10 on Thursday from the 1st tee, alongside Clément Sordet from France and Chinese Haizhao Tang. His 2nd round commences at 12:10 on Friday from the 10th tee.

Matthew Jordan from England starts his rounds with Italian Edoardo Molinari and Marcus Kinhult from Sweden at 07:20 from the 1st tee on the first day and at 12:20 from the 10th tee on day two.

Tom McKibbin from Northern Ireland will pair with German Yannik Paul and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, kicking off at 07:30 from the 10th tee on Thursday and 12:30 on Friday from the 1st tee.

Scottish golfers Scott Jamieson and Connor Syme start their rounds at 07:50 on Thursday from the 1st and 10th tees respectively. Jamieson is with Santiago Tarrio Ben from Spain and Chinese Han Xue while Syme plays with Englishman Jordan Smith and Chinese Lian-wei Zhang. They both tee off at 12:50 on Friday from the 10th and 1st tees respectively.

English player Jordan Smith will compete with Lian-wei Zhang from China and Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer. The group will start on Thursday at 7:50 from the 10th tee and Friday at 12:50 from the 1st tee.

More Tee Times can be seen via the Tee Times link above.

This text was generated by AI.