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PGA Tour

Who’s the Favorite to Claim the Players Championship 2025?

Players Championship 2025: Who's the Favorite to Win? (Photos: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler has dominated the Players Championship for the past two years. In 2025, he has the opportunity to make history as the first player to win three consecutive titles at TPC Sawgrass. But with a strong field set to challenge him, can anyone break his stranglehold on the tournament?

Scottie Scheffler: The Quest for a Historic Three-Peat

For the past two years, TPC Sawgrass has belonged to Scottie Scheffler. He cruised to a five-shot victory in 2023 and followed it up with a 20-under-par performance in 2024 to successfully defend his title. Now, he stands on the brink of a historic three-peat. However, unlike previous years, Scheffler enters without a win this season. His results—third at the Genesis Invitational and a top-10 at Pebble Beach—suggest he’s close, but not quite at his dominant best. A win at The Players would mark his first title of 2025—and reinforce his standing as the player to beat at Sawgrass.

Rory McIlroy: The Prime Contender?

Few players boast the pedigree of Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship. A past champion in 2019, the Northern Irishman knows how to navigate TPC Sawgrass under pressure. Recent course modifications—extended yardages and thicker rough—could play to his strengths, as he remains one of the best tee-to-green players on Tour. If anyone is poised to disrupt Scheffler’s reign, it’s McIlroy.

Collin Morikawa & Ludvig Åberg: The Next Generation

Collin Morikawa enters The Players in excellent form, though he has yet to secure a win. Yet, in 2025, he has found himself in the frustrating position of being consistently close, but not quite over the line. Runner-up finishes at Maui and Bay Hill, the best ball-striker on Tour this season – if he can close out a tournament, Sawgrass could be the breakthrough moment.

On the other hand, Ludvig Åberg is no longer just a promising young talent—he’s a serious contender. The Swede finished eighth in his Players Championship debut last year and has already claimed a PGA Tour victory in 2025. With expectations now higher than ever, the question remains: Can Åberg handle the heat over four grueling rounds?

Schauffele’s Window of Opportunity

Xander Schauffele has been close to lifting the Players Championship trophy before. He finished second in 2024, missing out by a single shot, and also recorded a runner-up finish in 2018. His consistency is undeniable – he currently holds the longest active made-cut streak on the PGA Tour – but the question remains whether he can finally turn those near-misses into a victory.

Sepp Straka: The Dark Horse

He may not attract as many headlines, but Sepp Straka has quietly built an impressive resume. A winner at the American Express Championship earlier this season, and a fifth-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational propelled him into the world’s top 15. Could he be the dark horse to watch at Sawgrass?

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PGA Tour

Players Championship Tee Times: The World’s Top Three in One Group

The Players Championship Tee Times. (Photo: Getty)

When the best golfers in the world arrive in Florida, one thing is certain: It’s time for the Players Championship. TPC Sawgrass is set for four days of elite competition, with a $25 million purse, a world-class field, and a course that challenges even the greatest players. Scottie Scheffler has the chance to make history by becoming the first golfer to win three consecutive Players Championship titles. However, with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in his group, the tournament will be anything but a walk in the park.

Players Championship Tee Times: McIlroy, Scheffler & Schauffele in One Group

The Players Championship is contested on one of the toughest courses in the world – the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Tight fairways, deep bunkers, and lightning-fast greens test every aspect of a golfer’s game. And then there’s the 17th hole, the legendary island green that delivers high drama year after year. A perfect shot can shift momentum, while a mistake can end title hopes. In 2024, the course has been lengthened by nearly 70 yards, making the challenge even greater.

The tee times for the opening round have been released, and one grouping stands out: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele will play together. The trio will tee off at 1:29 PM on Thursday from the first hole, followed by an early start at 8:24 AM on Friday from the 10th tee. And by the time they reach the 17th, nerves could be running high.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Jäger and Straka kick off with the world leaders

The PGA Tour tee times (Photos: Getty).
The PGA Tour tee times (Photos: Getty).

The Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025 on the PGA Tour will take place from March 6 to March 9 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, enters the tournament as the defending champion, facing a star-studded field that includes nine of the world’s top ten players. As one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, the tournament features a $20 million prize purse, with the winner earning $4 million and 700 FedEx Cup points. German-speaking golf fans will have their eyes on Stephan Jäger and Sepp Straka, who are both in the field.

Alongside Scheffler, other top stars in action include Rory McIlroy, a former API champion, Xander Schauffele, returning from a rib injury, and Ludvig Åberg, the recent Genesis Invitational winner.

PGA Tour Round 1 Tee Times

Ludvig Åberg from Sweden begins his first round at 3:00 PM CET, alongside defending champion Scottie Scheffler.

Stephan Jäger from Germany tees off at 6:00 PM CET, playing with Corey Conners from Canada.

Sepp Straka from Austria starts his round at 6:35 PM CET, alongside Tony Finau from the USA.

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry from Ireland follow at 7:00 PM CET.

Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, both from the USA, begin their round at 7:10 PM CET.

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PGA Tour

LIV golfer qualifies for PGA Tour

Laurie Canter plays on the PGA Tour next week (Photo: Getty).
Laurie Canter plays on the PGA Tour next week (Photo: Getty).

For the first time, a former LIV golfer will participate in a regular PGA Tour event: Laurie Canter has qualified for The Players Championship and will tee off next week at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

The 35-year-old Englishman finished in second place at last week’s Investec South African Open after losing in a playoff against South African Dylan Naidoo. This result pushed Canter into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), allowing him to participate in the tournament. Canter will be the first LIV Golf player to compete in a regular PGA Tour event that is not a major.

Laurie Canter was an active member of the LIV Golf League during its first three seasons. In 2022, he joined as a founding member of Cleeks GC and played a significant role in the league’s first year. In 2023, he was a reserve player before participating in the first two LIV events in Mexico and Mayakoba in 2024. However, he has not played for LIV Golf since February 2024.

Start spot secured at the Players Championship on the PGA Tour

Thanks to his second-place finish in South Africa, Canter has qualified for The Players Championship, which will take place from March 14-17, 2024. The tournament is considered one of the most prestigious in the golf calendar and is often referred to as the “fifth major.” The PGA Tour invites the top 50 players from the OWGR to this event. Since it has been more than a year since he last played for LIV Golf, his eligibility for the PGA Tour has been reinstated, allowing him to compete in Florida. The PGA Tour prohibits non-members from participating until a year after their last LIV appearance.

In recent months, Canter has established himself on the DP World Tour. In addition to his victory in Bahrain and third place in Dubai, he finished the past season with six Top-25 finishes, including a win at the European Open in June.

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PGA Tour

From Prison to The Open: Former Inmate Qualifies for Major

Ryan Peake secures victory in New Zealand and books his spot at The Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

In 2019, Ryan Peake walked out of prison after serving a five-year sentence. Just six years later, he is preparing to tee it up in one of golf’s most prestigious championships. With his victory at the New Zealand Open, part of the PGA Tour of Australasia, Peake secured a spot in The Open 2025 at Royal Portrush.

Golf Career After Five Years in Prison

Peake’s journey is unlike any other in professional golf. Once a promising amateur, he was sentenced to prison for assault at 21 while also being involved with the outlaw motorcycle gang “Rebels.” His connection to the sport was nearly severed—until his former coach, Ritchie Smith, reached out while Peake was still incarcerated. Smith encouraged him to return to golf after his release, and Peake committed fully to rebuilding his career.

This season, he earned his first tour card and immediately made an impact by winning in New Zealand. Since the tournament is part of The Open Qualifying Series, his victory secured him a place at Royal Portrush in July 2025.

Peake’s participation in the event was uncertain even before he teed off. Due to his criminal record, he was initially denied entry into New Zealand, only arriving at the tournament site, Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown, on the Tuesday of tournament week. Despite the late arrival, he settled quickly. Starting the final round four shots behind the leader, he kept his scorecard bogey-free. On the 18th green, he faced a decisive putt from just over two meters—and holed it, avoiding a playoff against three tied runners-up.

Peake: “I’ve Just Changed My Life”

“I’ve just changed my life,” Peake said after securing his biggest career victory. “This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I’m just out here playing golf.”

Peake emphasized the role his support system played in his comeback. “My coach, my family, my team, everyone believed. Most of all, I believed as well.”

With his win, Peake not only secured a place in The Open but also earned $112,000 and full status on the Asian Tour, ensuring more opportunities to test his game at the highest level.

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Uncategorized

OWGR: Jon Rahm out of Top 50

(Foto: Getty)
(Foto: Getty)

The Genesis Invitational caused some movement in the top 10 of the world rankings. At the top of the world golf rankings, Scottie Scheffler unsurprisingly remains in first place, followed by Xander Schauffele in second, while Rory McIlroy missed out on catching up with Schauffele thanks to a mediocre weekend performance. Ludvig Aberg’s win sees him move up from 6th to 4th place, while Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama both drop one place as a result. Places 7 to 10 include Wyndham Clark, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Thomas, who improved from 11th to 9th with a top finish at Torrey Pines, and Tommy Fleetwood, who moved up from 12th to the top 10. Thomas is back in the world’s top 10 for the first time since the spring of 2023.

Further down, Jon Rahm drops out of the top 50 in the world rankings for the first time since 2017. Since his switch to LIV in December 2023, he has missed out on quite a few world ranking points and is ranked 52nd this week. Interestingly, team-mate Hatton, who switched at a similar time, is still successfully holding his own in the top 10 thanks to his excellent record on the DP World Tour, including two victories.

See the complete Official World Golf Ranking here

How the OWGR works

The World Golf Ranking lists all professional golfers who have collected world ranking points. It refers to the last two years. Points collected more than two years ago expire at the end of the corresponding calendar week. The player who has the best points average in relation to the number of tournaments played is at the top of the world golf ranking list and not necessarily the player who has collected the most points in absolute terms (points collected: number of tournaments played). The maximum number of tournaments included in the World Golf Ranking is 52. If a player plays more in the relevant scoring period, the last 52 results are counted. The minimum divisor is 40. How many points are awarded for the World Golf Ranking for a tournament depends on the strength of the field taking part.

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Panorama

The Tough Reality Behind the Dream of the PGA Tour

Golf professional and coach Alex Romo breaks down the financial reality of mini tour golf in a social media video. (Source: Instagram @alexromogolf)

The road to the PGA Tour is paved with talent, dedication, and financial risk. For many aspiring professionals, mini tours provide a proving ground, but as Alex Romo recently highlighted, they come with a steep price—and no guarantees.

$2,500 Upfront – and No Promises

Reaching the PGA Tour is a long and costly journey. Most players start on mini tours—small, regional circuits designed to give professionals competitive experience. Unlike the PGA Tour, however, these events offer no guaranteed income. Players pay entry fees, cover travel expenses, and hope to play well enough to turn a profit.

Golf professional Alex Romo recently shared the financial breakdown of a week on the Asher Tour: a $1,350 entry fee, $600 for accommodations, $280 for gas, $60 for golf balls, and $200 for food. That totals roughly $2,500 before hitting a single shot.

For players who fail to make the cut, the financial loss is immediate. There are no appearance fees, no safety nets—just the reality of professional golf at an unforgiving level.

Breaking Even Requires Elite Play

Even for those who make the cut, turning a profit is far from guaranteed. At the event Romo analyzed, tournament winner Michael Feagles finished at 16-under par over three rounds, earning $20,000. A strong payday, but the numbers below him tell a different story.

To break even, a player needed to finish at least seventh, which required shooting 10-under par. Romo pointed out that a scratch golfer—typically considered elite at the amateur level—would average around 75 on this course. To contend, a player needed to perform at the level of a +6.3 handicap, just shy of Scottie Scheffler’s +7.5.

On the PGA Tour, that kind of golf is worth millions. On a mini tour, finishing seventh merely covers expenses. Those who barely made the cut but finished near the bottom saw little return. The last-place finisher after the cut earned just $600—well below the $2,500 needed to break even.

No Clear Path to the PGA Tour

Unlike the Korn Ferry Tour or international development tours, mini tours do not offer Official World Golf Ranking points or direct promotion pathways. Instead, they serve as testing grounds—players who consistently perform well may attract sponsor interest or receive exemptions into higher-level events. But success on a mini tour does not guarantee a PGA Tour opportunity.

For Romo, this particular event ended with a missed cut by three strokes. His 72.5 scoring average translated to a +2.5 handicap—a strong showing on a demanding course. But without making the cut, there was no prize money. And without prize money, the $2,500 investment became just another expense in the pursuit of a bigger dream.

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PGA Tour Tee Times: Scottie Scheffler with defending champion Matsuyama

Tee Times at the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Tee Times at the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour. (Photo: Getty)

The Genesis Invitational will take place at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, USA under host Tiger Woods. As part of the PGA Tour, the tournament offers a par of 72 and features a prize fund of $20,000,000. The defending champion is Hideki Matsuyama. Broadcasting begins Thursday and Friday at 3:15 PM, Saturday at 5:00 PM, and Sunday at 4:30 PM on Sky.

PGA Tour Tee Times for Highlight Players at Genesis Invitational

Wyndham Clark begins his tournament with fellow Americans Tony Finau and Justin Thomas. They tee off at 10:03 in the first round and at 11:09 in the second round.

Rory McIlroy is grouped with Viktor Hovland from Norway and Adam Scott from Australia. They start at 10:14 for the first round and at 11:20 in the second round.

Jordan Spieth, who received a tournament invite, pairs with Thomas Detry from Belgium and Ludvig Aberg from Sweden. Spieth’s tee times are 11:09 in the first round and 10:03 in the second round.

Scottie Scheffler joins defending champion Hideki Matsuyama from Japan and Collin Morikawa, another American. They begin at 11:20 in the first round and continue at 10:14 for the following round.

Keegan Bradley plays alongside Cameron Davis from Australia and Sungjae Im from South Korea. Their start times are 10:47 in the first round and 09:41 in the second round.

Round Time Player Teammate 1 Teammate 2
1 10:03 Wyndham Clark Tony Finau Justin Thomas
1 10:14 Rory McIlroy (GBR) Viktor Hovland (NOR) Adam Scott (AUS)
1 10:47 Keegan Bradley Cameron Davis (AUS) Sungjae Im (KOR)
1 11:09 Jordan Spieth Thomas Detry (BEL) Ludvig Aberg (SWE)
1 11:20 Scottie Scheffler Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) Collin Morikawa
2 09:41 Keegan Bradley Cameron Davis (AUS) Sungjae Im (KOR)
2 10:03 Jordan Spieth Thomas Detry (BEL) Ludvig Aberg (SWE)
2 10:14 Scottie Scheffler Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) Collin Morikawa
2 11:09 Wyndham Clark Tony Finau Justin Thomas
2 11:20 Rory McIlroy (GBR) Viktor Hovland (NOR) Adam Scott (AUS)
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Highlights Tours

PGA Tour: Tiger Woods Withdraws from Genesis Invitational

Just days after confirming his participation, Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the PGA Tour event. (Photo: Getty)

Tiger Woods will not be teeing it up at this week’s Genesis Invitational. The 15-time major champion made the decision to withdraw, citing the recent passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, who died last week. His anticipated return to official PGA Tour competition at Torrey Pines—his first since the 2024 Open Championship—will have to wait.

“I’m Just Not Ready”

Woods had signaled his intent to return to the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational, marking a significant step in his comeback following his latest back surgery. The 48-year-old, who had spent much of the past year recovering, had gradually reintroduced himself to competition through select exhibition events late last year.

However, the emotional toll of his mother’s passing proved too much. Three days after confirming his participation, Woods reversed course, explaining that he simply isn’t ready to compete.

“I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready,” Woods said in a statement on X. “I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.”

A Tribute to Kultida Woods

Throughout his career, Woods has often credited his mother for her unwavering support. Kultida Woods was a fixture at many of his most significant triumphs, a quiet but resolute presence in the background. Her influence was profound, and Woods has frequently described her as his “biggest fan and greatest supporter.”

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” Woods wrote in a statement. “My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible. She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.”

The Wait for Woods’ Return Continues

The Genesis Invitational was expected to mark Woods’ first official PGA Tour start since the 2024 Open Championship. After undergoing yet another back surgery in September, Woods had made only limited appearances, notably alongside his son Charlie at the PNC Championship in December. His participation at Torrey Pines was eagerly anticipated, with fans and tournament organizers alike hopeful for a competitive return.

Woods’ health has been a persistent storyline in recent years, including last year’s Genesis Invitational, where he withdrew during the second round due to illness. This year, with the tournament relocated from Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines due to California wildfires, Woods would have been returning to one of his most iconic venues—the site of his legendary 2008 U.S. Open victory on a broken leg. However, for now, golf takes a backseat.

A New Opportunity in the Field

With Woods’ withdrawal, his spot in the Genesis Invitational field will be filled by Jake Knapp, who now has an unexpected chance to compete at Torrey Pines. Meanwhile, Woods has expressed hope that he may still make an appearance at the event later in the week, albeit in a non-playing capacity.

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PGA Tour Tee Times: Scheffler and Home in top flight for the party event

Scheffler's and Homa's tee times for the PGA Tour Phoenix Open 2025. (Image: Getty)
Scheffler's and Homa's tee times for the PGA Tour Phoenix Open 2025. (Image: Getty)

The WM Phoenix Open is held at TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. This tournament is part of the PGA Tour and offers a total prize money of $9,200,000. The course has a par of 71, and the defending champion is Nick Taylor. 

All tee times for the Phoenix Open 2025

PGA Tour Tee Times

Justin Thomas begins his first round at 7:53 AM alongside Nick Dunlap (USA) and Luke Clanton (USA). For his second round, the trio tees off at 12:33 PM.

Jordan Spieth, another prominent name, starts his first round at 8:04 AM, playing with Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) and Nick Taylor (CAN). Their second round is scheduled for 12:44 PM.

Max Homa starts at 12:44 PM, playing alongside Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Joohyung Kim (KOR). They begin their second round at 8:04 AM.

Rickie Fowler takes his first tee at 12:55 PM, accompanied by Billy Horschel (USA) and Sahith Theegala (USA). Their second round initiation is at 8:15 AM.

Daniel Berger joins his partners Thomas Detry (BEL) and Mac Meissner (USA) for the first round at 1:39 PM, and they continue the second round at 8:59 AM.

Round Time Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
1 07:53 Justin Thomas Nick Dunlap Luke Clanton
1 08:04 Jordan Spieth Hideki Matsuyama Nick Taylor
1 12:44 Max Homa Scottie Scheffler Joohyung Kim
1 12:55 Rickie Fowler Billy Horschel Sahith Theegala
1 13:39 Daniel Berger Thomas Detry Mac Meissner
2 08:04 Max Homa Scottie Scheffler Joohyung Kim
2 08:15 Rickie Fowler Billy Horschel Sahith Theegala
2 08:59 Daniel Berger Thomas Detry Mac Meissner
2 12:33 Justin Thomas Nick Dunlap Luke Clanton
2 12:44 Jordan Spieth Hideki Matsuyama Nick Taylor