Tag: live-highlight-tours

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LIV Tour

US Open awards starting places to LIV golfers

US Open exemption for LIV Golfers. (Photo: Getty)
US Open exemption for LIV Golfers. (Photo: Getty)

Until now, LIV golfers could only qualify directly for the biggest tournaments of the year via the world ranking, unless they had already qualified for majors through past successes. Without world ranking points, however, this becomes more and more difficult, which is why the USGA now provides a full exemption for a LIV golfer at the US Open 2025.

US Open introduces qualification criteria for LIV golfers

Already this year, a place in the field will be awarded to the best LIV golfer who has not yet qualified for the US Open at Oakmont Country Club and is in the top 3 of the LIV Golf individual rankings (as of 19 May 2025). In addition, the top 10 in the LIV Golf individual rankings (as of 7 April 2025) will receive a place in local qualifying for the major tournament and can therefore also qualify.

In 2026, there will additionally be a direct starting place for the best, not yet qualified LIV Golf player from the top 3 of the 2025 final ranking, as well as places for local qualifying based on the top 10 of the final ranking.

‘The USGA continues to evaluate the opportunities that exist to e“The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil is delighted by the news. “We’re pleased that the USGA has formally created a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the U.S. Open and appreciate Mike Whan’s leadership and commitment to growing the game of golf. Every golf fan in the world longs to see the greatest players in the world competing on golf’s biggest stages at the majors.

The US Open is the first major tournament to follow this path. The PGA Championship has extended a special invitation to LIV golfer Joaquin Niemann, as it did in 2024.

Categories
Professionals

Rory McIlroy: “Three goals for the rest of my career”

Rory McIlroy on his career goals. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy on his career goals. (Photo: Getty)

In an interview with BBC Sport, Rory McIlroy spoke about the big goals he has set himself for his golf career: “Winning the Masters, winning an Olympic medal and winning another away Ryder Cup, they are my three goals for the rest of my career,” said McIlroy. While the possibility of an Olympic medal will not become a reality again until 2028, he could realise victories at the Masters and the Ryder Cup as early as this year.

The desire for the green jacket

Rory McIlroy is still missing the Masters for the Grand Slam. The four-time major winner won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 and added another major victory in 2014 with the British Open.

Despite significant recent successes, such as the FedEx Cup victory in 2022, and his consistent presence as one of the best players in the world for over a decade, his last major win was several years ago. In 2024, victory at the US Open seemed within reach, but McIlroy finished a close second to Bryson DeChambeau. This year, he has resolved to play fewer tournaments and concentrate fully on the majors: “All of my practice, all of my prep, even the tournaments that I’m playing, it’s all geared towards being ready for those four events”, said McIlroy.

At the start of each year, his focus is on a single week in April – the week when the Masters takes place at Augusta National Golf Club and offers him another chance to finally secure that long-awaited green jacket. This year, the Masters will be held from 10 to 13 April. A win at the Masters would give McIlroy the Grand Slam and cement his status as one of the best golfers of all time.

He also has his sights firmly set on the US Open at Oakmont Country Club and the British Open, which will be held in his home country of Northern Ireland this year: “I’ve realised that all I can control is myself. What’s right for me right now is to fully focus on myself and to get the best out of myself and get back to winning the biggest tournaments in the world.”

The away Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup will take place on the Bethpage Black Course in New York in autumn 2025. After the European team achieved a clear victory in Rome in 2023, it will do everything in its power to defend the Ryder Cup in 2025. However, history shows that it is extremely difficult to win a Ryder Cup on foreign soil. In 2012, the European team managed to do so with Rory McIlroy after trailing by four points – a comeback that became known as the ‘Miracle of Medinah’. The American team has not won in Europe for over 30 years. McIlroy describes winning a Ryder Cup away from home as “one of the greatest achievements in the game right now”.

Under the leadership of captain Luke Donald, the European team will do everything in its power to triumph again in 2025. “It’s a very strong American team, a very partisan crowd. But we’ve got a wonderful captain and we’re going to have a wonderful team and we’re relishing the challenge”, said McIlroy.

This text was written on the basis of information from BBC Sport.

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Highlights Tours

The Open Championship Returns to St Andrews in 2027

The 150th British Open took place on the Old Course at St Andrews in 2022. (Source: Getty)
The 150th British Open took place on the Old Course at St Andrews in 2022. (Source: Getty)

The R&A announced on Thursday that The Open Championship will be held in St Andrews in 2027. The connection between The Open and St Andrews is one of the most traditional in golf: the Major will be held on the historic Old Course for the 31st time. The club first hosted the tournament in 1873.

From 15 to 18 July 2027, the St Andrews Golf Club in Scotland will open its doors for the 155th Open. The Open Championship is the only one of the four majors to be held on European soil. It traditionally marks the end of the major season in July.

A special anniversary will be celebrated in 2027: 100 years ago then, in 1927, amateur Bobby Jones triumphed at The Open in St Andrews and celebrated his second of a total of three Open Championship victories.

The Open Championship and St Andrews: A Shared History

The last time The Open Championship was held in St Andrews was in 2022 to mark its 150th anniversary. Back then, Cameron Smith won the tournament with an overall score of 20 strokes under par. The first event on the Old Course took place in 1873, still over 36 holes. Tom Kidd won back then with rounds of 91 and 88 – the highest winning score over 36 holes in the history of the tournament.

In 2024, the St Andrews Links Trust, the R&A, the Scottish Government and VisitScotland agreed on a long-term partnership. This agreement ensures that The Open Championship will return to Scotland on a regular basis over the next eleven years.

Mark Dabon, Chief Executive of the R&A, emphasized the importance of the tournament: “St Andrews is the home of golf and it generates a unique atmosphere for the fans and the players as well as providing an amazing spectacle on television and digitally for millions of viewers around the world. It promises to be another milestone occasion at one of sport’s greatest and most historic venues and we will be doing everything we can to make it a memorable experience for everyone involved.”

Before returning to St Andrews in 2027, the tournament will be held at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland on 17-20 July 2025 and Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England in 2026.

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Top Tours

Rory McIlroy: Clear Message to Tom McKibbin – “I Wouldn’t Make That Decision”

Rory McIlroy shares his perspective on Tom McKibbin’s potential move to LIV Golf. (Photo: DP World Tour)

Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin – two golfers from the small Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland, whose careers could not be more contrasting. While McIlroy has established himself as one of golf’s all-time greats, McKibbin is still carving his path. Now, at just 22, McKibbin faces a pivotal choice: a possible move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour.

“He’s Giving Up A Lot To Not Really Benefit That Much”

“I’ve known Tom since he was, I don’t know, 10 or 11 years old. As soon as he got the offer, he rang me,” McIlroy said ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

This call was unsurprising, as McIlroy has long served as a mentor to McKibbin. “We had a really good conversation, and I’ve talked to him multiple times over the course of December to sort of get a feel of what he was thinking and what he was going to do,” he added. McIlroy didn’t hold back: “I told him that if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you’re thinking of making.”

McIlroy’s advice to his compatriot was unequivocal. For him, the drawbacks of switching outweigh the benefits. He highlighted McKibbin’s promising career trajectory and the potential he sees in him.

“I think working so hard to get your tour card in the States, which he really did to achieve that goal last year, was a big achievement. I think what he’s potentially sacrificing and giving up—with access to majors or a potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on how he would play—wouldn’t be worth it,” McIlroy emphasized.

A Career at a Crossroads

Despite his strong opinions, McIlroy made it clear that he didn’t intend to pressure McKibbin into any decision. “I’m not in his shoes. He’s a grown man at this point and can make his own decisions. All I can do is try to give him my perspective,” McIlroy said. Still, he admitted he’d be personally disappointed if McKibbin joined LIV Golf: “I think we all see the potential that he has, and I definitely think he can be a top-10 player in the world. But obviously his ranking won’t show that for the next couple years if he makes one decision over another.”

McIlroy’s LIV Golf Stance Remains Firm

While McKibbin reflects on his future, McIlroy is focusing on his game. As the defending champion of the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy is aiming for his third consecutive victory at the event, held at the venue of his first professional win in 2009.

Yet, LIV Golf continues to cast a shadow over the tournament. “What I would say is, there is still a ton of money to be made on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour,” McIlroy remarked. “But at the same time, I feel like he’s giving up a lot to not really benefit that much, you know.”

Whether McKibbin will ultimately choose LIV Golf remains to be seen. But McIlroy leaves no doubt about his own stance: “At the end of the day, he has to make his own decision, and when he does, whatever way that goes, I’m always going to be a fan of his,” McIlroy said. “I’m always going to try to help him in whatever way that I can.”

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Highlights Tours

Bernhard Langer: One last time at The Masters

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

Bernhard Langer, a pioneer of golf in Germany, will take part in the Masters Tournament in Augusta for the last time in 2025. After four decades on the famous course and two victories in 1985 and 1993, the 67-year-old will finally bid farewell to the stage that has played a key role in shaping his career.

End of an era: Bernhard Langer plays his last Masters in 2025

‘It’s time to say goodbye,’ says Langer, the 67-year-old from Anhausen. A post shared by the PGA Champions Tour and the PGA Tour confirms Bernhard Langer’s decision to play his last Masters in 2025. This was actually already planned for 2024 before ‘Mr Consistency’ ruptured his Achilles tendon. After decades that have shaped the sport of golf, the German golf legend is bidding farewell to the stage that made him famous. The Masters was always more than just a tournament for him – it was the stage on which he made golfing history in 1985 and 1993.

 
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Between triumph and tradition

In 1985, Bernhard Langer slipped into the green jacket, the symbol of victory at the Masters, for the first time. His triumph was not only a milestone for him personally, but also for golf in Germany. His performance brought the sport out of its niche and into the limelight. Eight years later, he repeated this success at Augusta National Golf Club and proved that his first victory was no fluke.

The challenge of the new generation

At the age of 67, Langer has now achieved almost everything that is possible in golf. Nevertheless, he himself describes the increasing physical demands of the game as one of the reasons for his retirement. ‘It’s a totally different course for the young players,’ he explained. ‘They are 80 to 100 yards ahead of me at times. They are hitting a wedge and I got a 2-hybrid off a sidehill, downhill lie,’ he reflected with a grin.

Despite these challenges, Langer has managed to remain competitive. On the PGA Champions Tour, he set the all-time record with 47 victories.

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Highlights Tours

More money for U.S. Ryder Cup team: $200,000 available for the first time

Team USA celebrates the 2021 Ryder Cup victory - at that time without payment (Photo: Getty)
Team USA celebrates the 2021 Ryder Cup victory - at that time without payment (Photo: Getty)

The PGA of America has made a historic decision: Effective immediately, American Ryder Cup players and captains will receive direct compensation. Of the total 500,000 dollars that each player receives for their participation, 300,000 dollars will continue to go to charitable organizations. However, the remaining 200,000 dollars can be used freely by the athletes for the first time. The new regulation is causing discussion on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ryder Cup: Pay to play – or paid to play?

The PGA emphasized in its statement that the players had not actively asked for compensation. Nevertheless, the PGA believes it is justified to reward the players’ achievements. An official statement said: “The players and captains of the past and present are responsible for making the Ryder Cup one of the most special competitions in golf and one of the most sought-after events on the international sporting scene.” Since 1999, the amount of 200,000 dollars for charity has not been adjusted.

The news of the new compensation scheme triggered controversial reactions. European players such as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry made it clear that for them the honor of taking part in the Ryder Cup was above all else – so much so that they would even pay for it. Tiger Woods countered these comments with a clear statement: “If the Europeans want to pay for the Ryder Cup, that’s their decision.”

Despite the new addition, the American team seems to be keeping charity in mind. Captain Keegan Bradley announced that the players could donate the entire amount of 500,000 dollars. However, the decision of how to use the 200,000 dollars is up to each player. The discussion over the payments has sparked an unexpectedly emotional December – nine months before the 2025 Ryder Cup at the iconic Bethpage Black. While the USA is changing its structure, Europe is sticking to its tradition of playing exclusively for charity.

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Live

Ryder Cup 2025: Bethpage Black Sold Out Within Hours

eam Captains Luke Donald of England and Keegan Bradley of The United States pose for a photograph with the Ryder Cup Trophy during the Ryder Cup 2024 Year to Go Media Event at the Statue of Liberty on October 08, 2024 in New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
eam Captains Luke Donald of England and Keegan Bradley of The United States pose for a photograph with the Ryder Cup Trophy during the Ryder Cup 2024 Year to Go Media Event at the Statue of Liberty on October 08, 2024 in New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Hot Stuff: What a fuss there was about tickets for next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. ‘Scandal, profiteering, we’re being ripped off’, was the cry in view of the 750 dollars excluding fees etc. for a day ticket to the continental competition on a public golf course, for which the green fee is 75 dollars. But what can we say: the event was sold out within a few hours.

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According to the organising PGA of America, the tickets were sent to 47 countries, including 2,500 tickets to Europe. In addition to the 750 dollars per day, there were also 200 dollars in fees and 60 dollars for a parking ticket. Those who arrived too late can at best hope to be successful with SeatGeek, the PGA of America’s partner for the resale of tickets.


Written by Michael Basche

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Equipment Highlights Tours

Rory McIlroy WITB with TaylorMade at the DP World Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy's WITB. (Photo: Getty).
Rory McIlroy's WITB. (Photo: Getty).
Victory in the Race to Dubai was safe for Rory McIlroy, but the outcome of the DP World Tour Championship remained exciting right down to the last few holes. With two late birdies, McIlroy prevailed over Rasmus Hojgaard and his Callaway bag to win the DP World Tour season finale and the season ranking for the third time in his career. A look inside the Northern Irishman’s golf bag reveals that he remains loyal to his sponsor TaylorMade.

DP World Tour Championship 2024: WITB Rory McIlroy

(Image: TaylorMade)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9°)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15°, 18°)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Irons: TaylorMade P 760 (4) Irons: TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46, 50, 54, 60)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
(Image: TaylorMade)
Ball: TaylorMade TP5X
Categories
PGA Tour

Presidents Cup 2024: Team USA Triumphs by a Clear Margin

Team USA won the Presidents Cup against the International Team. (Source: Getty)
Team USA won the Presidents Cup against the International Team. (Source: Getty)

At the Presidents Cup at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada, the US team led by Jim Furyk achieved a convincing 18.5:11.5 victory over the international team. Scottie Scheffler and Co. brought their lead from Saturday into the clubhouse without any major worries in the final individual matches and ultimately secured a clear victory.

Presidents Cup: A strong final day brings the decision

The decisive Sunday began with a certain thrill: despite a 13:7 lead after the pairings on Saturday, the international team could theoretically have caught up with a strong individual performance on the final day. But Furyk relied on his stars and targeted his strongest players to bring about a preliminary decision as early as possible – and his tactics worked. The USA opened the final matchday with Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley and Patrick Cantlay in the front positions. It was a conscious decision to demonstrate US dominance early and prevent the possibility of an international comeback. This strategy paid off in full, as the US team took 3.5 out of a possible 5 points from the first five matches. “I have some great leaders on this team and these guys have taken command,” said Furyk as he stood on the 18th green at Royal Montreal. “They’ve taken control of the team.”

Schauffele, who was looking to make amends after a mixed performance at last year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, made a clear statement. He won his match against Australian rookie Min Woo Lee 3&2 and earned the first point of the day for the USA. Russell Henley also secured a dominant 4&3 win against Sungjae Im and left no doubt about his strength in singles play. Patrick Cantlay, who was already regarded as one of the strongest match play players on the US team, won a close duel against Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama with 2&1. Cantlay’s strong putt on the 17th hole gave him the victory and further increased the USA’s lead. Burns fought his way to a hard-fought draw against South Korea’s Si Woo Kim, giving the Americans another half point. Scottie Scheffler, the world number 1, also put in a convincing performance. Although he only secured a draw against the in-form Tom Kim, Scheffler played aggressively and courageously, especially on the back nine, and ensured that he did not concede another point to the international team.

Keegan Bradley Secures the Decisive Point

The emotional highlight of the tournament came when Keegan Bradley, the future Ryder Cup captain, won the decisive point. In his match against South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Bradley once again proved his strong nerves. With a solid 4&2 victory, he sealed the overall win for the US team even before all the matches had been completed. The remaining matches no longer had any effect on the final result. “It’s like a fairytale, almost like a movie,” said Bradley, visibly emotional after the win. “I can hardly believe it. You just have to work hard and good things happen.” After the tournament, the newly crowned Ryder Cup captain praised Furyk’s leadership style and announced that he wanted to adopt many of the principles implemented in Montreal. “Jim has created a culture of cohesion here and we will take a lot of that with us to Bethpage,” said Bradley.

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Highlights Tours

Presidents Cup 2024: Team USA Dominates the Saturday Matches

Patrick Cantlay celebrates after a putt on the 18th green during the Saturday Foursomes of the Presidents Cup 2024 (Photo: Getty)
Patrick Cantlay celebrates after a putt on the 18th green during the Saturday Foursomes of the Presidents Cup 2024 (Photo: Getty)

The Presidents Cup 2024 is turning into an up-and-down affair for the international team. After a disastrous 0:5 start to the tournament, the team fought back furiously the following day and went into Saturday’s fourballs and foursomes with a 5:5 score. There, however, the Americans dominated again and won both rounds 3:1. So the defending champions will go into the twelve singles matches on the final day with a score of 11:7.

Presidents Cup 2024: Team USA with 11:7 Lead Going Into the Final Day

There were not many positives for the international team in the Saturday fourballs and foursomes. The Americans got the day off to a perfect start with victories in the first two fourballs of the morning. The first point was secured by the duo of Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa against Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith (2&1), the second by Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele against Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes (3&2). In the third match of the day, Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim gave Team International some breathing space: the duo won against Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark with a comfortable 4&3 and the shot of the day. However, the next setback came in the fourth game of Saturday’s fourballs. There, the Americans in the form of Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns managed the third point of the day against Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im (2&1).

The afternoon’s foursomes were similarly modest from the international team’s perspective. In the first foursome, Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley increased the score to 9-6 for Team USA in the overall standings (3&2) in their clash with Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im. The rest of the afternoon was to develop into a thriller. All three remaining matches were decided on the last hole: First, Taylor Pendrith and Adam Scott took the second and so important point of the day for Team International. With a one-shot lead, they went up against Max Homa and Brian Harman on hole 18, where a par was enough to win the match (2 up). The international team failed dramatically on the last two holes: both the Conners/Hughes duo against Morikawa/Burns and the Kim duo against Cantlay/Schauffele were tied on hole 18, but in both cases the Americans held their nerve and won the two holes in front of their home fans. To euphoric cheers, Patrick Cantlay put the finishing touches to what was a bitter day for the international team.

So Team USA goes into the final day with an 11:7 lead. Despite the good starting position for the defending champions, everything is still wide open. After all, a whole twelve points are still up for grabs in the individual matches. It remains exciting in Canada.