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Panorama

Outlook on golf development: “Golf is still in great health”

While the number of rounds played in the first three quarters of 2024 decreased compared to 2023, the figures for the fourth quarter reflect a different trend: in the period from October to December, the average number of rounds played in the UK rose by 17%. As a report by Sporting Insights shows, more golf was played on British courses at the end of 2024 than in the same period the previous year. The statistics allow conclusions to be drawn about how the popularity of golf is developing globally. Sporting Insights has been recording all rounds played on commercial golf courses on the British mainland since 2000.

Golf development: Optimism despite slight decline

“Upon publishing the half-year figures last year, we suggested that a lot of underlying indicators for growth were still strong. After a Q3 that was effectively flat against 2023 and now a strong Q4, we still feel that analysis holds,” said John Bushell, joint MD of Sporting Insights.

Play was particularly high in the north of England: There, the increase was 30%.The southern and northern regions of the UK saw a slight increase over 2023 throughout the year. As a result, despite the decline in the first three quarters, the average number of rounds played for the year fell by just 2% nationally, and is slightly higher than 2022 levels. There were also more average tee times used in 2024 than in 2023.

Sporting Insights believes that assessment of golf’s popularity falling back to pre-pandemic levels is exaggerated. According to Bushnell, the results show that the supposed decline in popularity has been overestimated: “As fashionable as it can be to put golf down, the truth is that the sport has demonstrated now over multiple years a sustained boost in participation, especially female participation, and in the total amount of play. Key metrics don’t get much more key than that.”

Difficulties due to rising costs

Nevertheless, there are challenges, as Bushnell acknowledged: “Golf is not immune to economic pressures affecting discretionary spending, and we know that many clubs are also feeling the pinch of rising operational costs, which will be a theme of 2025 and beyond. However, the bottom line is that golf does appear to have become a critical part of so many people’s lives that it is so far weathering the economic storm, at least as far as appetite to step up to the tee goes. […] Golf is still in great health and we are positive for 2025.”

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Panorama

Mourning in the Woods household: Mother Tida passes away at the age of 80

At the age of 80, the mother of golf legend Tiger Woods passed away on Tuesday, February 4. The world star made the announcement in a statement via his social media channels. Born in Thailand, she was an important pillar for Woods and is also said to have been the origin of the legendary “Sunday-Red” shirt. Most recently, she attended the TGL match in her adopted home of South Florida last week.

Touching statement from Tiger Woods

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh,” Woods said in a social media statement. “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. Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom.”

Tida, as she was often called, is said to have been a major influence on Tiger’s career. She always demanded respect and sporting behavior from him. “ She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding… I love her so much, but she was tough,” Tiger said about his mother in an interview with USA Today in 2017. She was also the driving force behind Tiger’s red shirts on finals days. “Mom thought being a Capricorn that my power color was red, so I wore red as a junior golfer and I won some tournaments,” Tiger Woods said at the launch last year of the Sun Day Red brand. “I go to a university that is red — Stanford is red. We wore red on the final day of every single tournament, and then every single tournament I’ve played as a professional I’ve worn red. It’s just become synonymous with me.”

Kultida met Earl Woods in the 1960s during the Vietnam War as a soldier in the US Army when they were both stationed in Thailand. Tida followed Earl to New York, where they married. They moved to California and in 1975 Eldrick Tont Woods, who would later make golf history as Tiger, was born. Her husband Earl died in May 2006.

TGL holds a minute’s silence for Tida

Tiger’s mother was also remembered at yesterday’s TGL event. Just a few hours after the news broke, fans and golf stars held a moment of silence for Tida at the SoFi Center. Afterwards, ESPN TGL presenter Matt Barrie addressed the audience: “Sad news today in the golf world as everyone here at TGL, TMRW Sports and ESPN is remembering Tida Woods, the mother of Tiger Woods, who died this morning at the age of 80. Tida was a towering figure in Tiger’s life, someone he described as ‘a force of nature all her own.’ Prior to the match tonight here at SoFi Center, we held a moment of silence honoring Tida Woods, who was so instrumental in Tiger’s life and his success. Throughout his amateur career as a young phenom in California and through his major championships and even here at TGL, the very league her son co-founded, she was here to support him. Last week, in fact, last Monday, Tida was ever present here at SoFi Center, cheering on Tiger, who got the win. Our thoughts and prayers with Tiger, Charlie and Sam and everyone for the loss of Tida Woods. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Co-host Scott Van Pelt also had his say and shared a little insight into his encounter with Tida on the golf course. “Getting to know her was such a treat,” Van Pelt said. “We developed a little tradition through the years, on Sundays of majors. I’d see her, as her son teed off — she was in red, always, of course — and she’d ask me, ‘What do you think, Scott?’

“I’d say, ‘Well, Tida, I think your saw is going to do what you taught him to do.’ She’d always smile and say, ‘We’ll see.’ And then we did.”

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Shane Lowry’s ball hits Volunteer

In the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday, an incident in the leading flight caused a brief moment of shock: Shane Lowry hit a ball that then struck a volunteer.

Lowry slightly misjudged his tee shot on hole 15 of the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links and missed the fairway on the right-hand side. A volunteer was standing there and the ball hit him on the left shoulder in flight. He fell to the ground, but fortunately remained uninjured: CBS reporters announced shortly afterwards that the volunteer was fine and in good health.

Shane Lowry’s behaviour criticised

The incident caused a lot of discussion on social media. The particular misfortune of the volunteer, who was in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time, was summarised by a comment on X: “Wow… that’s like getting struck by lightning. What are the odds? He’s all by himself too”.

Sky Sports commentator Andrew Coltart criticised Shane Lowry for not warning the volunteer loudly: “Didn’t hear him shout ‘fore’. We need to be hearing players shout ‘fore’.” But some fans on X defended Lowry: “That volunteer was irresponsible. He should have been looking at the ball or standing further in the rough. There’s no reason for him to be standing that close to the fairway”. One suggestion from the community was: “I’ll never understand why the spotters in the landing areas aren’t given hard hats with sponsor logo??!! Perfect opportunity for volunteer safety and good pr for sponsor!!!”

Another volunteer who was on site at Pebble Beach posted in the comments and confirmed that the person concerned was fine, but that he would still be feeling the pain the next day. It is also said that the volunteer received a medal from a PGA rules official.

Shane Lowry went into the final round in a tie for second place and played for the title in the final flight together with Rory McIlroy and Sepp Straka. Lowry finished the tournament in second place behind McIlroy with a round of 68 (-4).

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Panorama

Storm Éowyn destroys golf courses

Damage report: ‘Storm Éowyn caused severe devastation in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Friday,’ reported the news agency Agence France Press (AFP), for example. ‘Gale-force winds with record wind speeds of over 180 kilometres per hour uprooted trees, knocked down power lines and caused train and flight cancellations. In Ireland, a man was killed when a tree fell on his car, according to police reports. In total, almost a million households were temporarily without power.’ Und naturally, Éowyn also hit a lot of golf courses. The most prominent ‘victim’, for example, was the world’s most famous opening hole. On hole 1 of the Machrihanish Old Course on the Scottish peninsula of Kintyre, known as the Battery, where a cut in the Atlantic Ocean has to be played over from the tee, the storm drove the sea inland and flooded the fairway. Until further notice, the round therefore begins with hole two.

There are also documents of destruction from other places; the comments speak for themselves:

It remains to be seen what further damage will be reported – especially in terms of coastal erosion, which by its very nature affects link courses in particular.

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Fun Panorama

Watch: DP World Tour Stars receive influencer training

Chapeau to the DP World Tour social media team. It couldn’t be more imaginative and funny. Whether it was the staged round table to find a Ryder Cup team captain or the self-help course in anger management for Tyrrell Hatton – it was all world class, including the cinematic realisation. The creative team’s latest coup is an influencer training course for tour professionals aka: How do I put myself in the limelight in the best and most effective way, how do I generate maximum attention. It goes without saying that there is a pinch of self-irony and a wink. But enough words, the result speaks for itself:

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Panorama

Big TGL premiere with a clear winning team

On Tuesday night, the long-awaited TGL finally premiered on ESPN in prime time. The indoor league led by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy made its first big appearance and after much has been reported about the format and features of this entertainment product, many were eager to see what the final product would look like.

TGL: Clear victory for Bay GC

On the first day of play, Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark and Ludvig Åberg played for the Bay GC against Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick from the New York GC. In two hours, they competed in a match over 15 holes, with Bay GC as the clear winner: 9 to 2 was the final score.

The players hit their long shots onto a video screen, some from real grass, others from turf, and bunkers filled with real sand from Augusta National Golf Club. Once the teams got to within 45 metres of the pin, it’s on to a short game complex – with a green set on a 37-metre-wide turntable and around 600 pieces of equipment underneath to change the contours. Over the first nine holes, all three players compete at the same time, taking turns to hit the ball. The last six holes are played 1 against 1.

Shane Lowry hit the first tee shot in league history and a few minutes later Ludvig Åberg secured his team’s first birdie and the first hole won. From then on, the Bay Golf Club was unstoppable. With a ‘hammer’, the team immediately secured two points on hole 3 and after six holes they were 6-0 up. That was not to be expected, explained Wyndham Clark afterwards. In a practice match the day before, Schauffele & Co. were already 6-0 up after three holes. But when it counted, they had the system and its tricks down pat.


The ‘hammer’ is one of the special features of the TGL. Each hole is normally worth one point. The team in possession of the hammer can ‘throw’ it and thereby increase the value of a hole in order to gain an advantage or increase the pressure on the opponent. The hammer then becomes the property of the opposing team. If the hammer is thrown before the start of a hole, it is automatically accepted; if it is thrown after the tee shot, the opposing team has the option of rejecting it. In return, however, it automatically loses the hole.


New York GC scored the first point after nine holes, but was ultimately unable to catch up.

The TGL will have to prove itself in the long run

The reactions to the first event show a lot of enthusiasm, but also room for improvement. The players emphasised how much fun they had during the event: ‘It’s a game, it’s not necessarily pure golf, it’s a bit more game and trick,’ said Wyndham Clark after the team victory. ‘I feel like we were very comfortable with it. I have to say we had a lot of fun.’

Paige Spiranac wrote on Twitter, ‘It’s fun to see the boys a little more relaxed! I think we’ll really let their personalities shine in this format,’ and both journalists and players praised the shot clock for keeping the game brisk and the energy high. The fans on site were enthusiastic, cheered the players – and also acknowledged bad shots with boos.

There is still room for improvement. As a TV viewer in particular, you have to be prepared for a lot of background noise between the players’ conversations, commentators, interviews and music from the hall. Michael McEwan (Bunkered) describes the event as ‘entertaining, but largely forgettable’ and James Colgan (Golf.com) is also of the opinion that the TGL still needs to find the ‘balance between flash and substance’.

Tiger Woods, however, seemed satisfied. ‘It was just a dream,’ he said on the ESPN broadcast. ‘Rory and I have talked about it; it’s hard to believe that this dream has become a reality and we’ve been able to take golf into another stratosphere, really.’

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Panorama

Wildfires in LA threaten historic Riviera Country Club

The dramatic images from Los Angeles show the destructive power of the fires that have been ravaging the region for days. While over 50,000 people have had to leave their homes, a golfing landmark is also in danger: the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. The flames are not only threatening a place steeped in history, but also the planned Genesis Invitational, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Wildfires in LA: Thousands of people fleeing the flames

The fires started near the Pacific Palisades Highlands and spread rapidly due to strong Santa Ana winds. Within hours, more than 1,200 hectares of land were covered and the evacuation zone grew steadily. Firefighters battled under difficult conditions as water hydrants failed in some areas. Thousands of people, including prominent residents of the neighborhood, had to leave their homes, often with little more than the bare essentials.

A historic golf course under threat

In the midst of this tragedy, the Riviera Country Club also becomes the target of the flames. The golf course, a masterpiece of architecture and home to the Genesis Invitational, is considered one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world. For players such as Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, Riviera is a place that is highly praised – a “sanctuary” for golf.

In addition to its sporting significance, the course is deeply rooted in history. It has not only hosted legendary tournaments, but will also host the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2031 US Open in the coming years.

The Genesis Invitational in danger?

The Riviera Country Club is not only a place for golf enthusiasts, but also home to the prestigious Genesis Invitational, which is due to take place in a few weeks’ time. The tournament, organized by Tiger Woods’ foundation, is a highlight of the PGA Tour calendar. But now everything is in doubt. As the flames relentlessly approach, it remains unclear whether the course, as part of the evacuation zone, can be saved in time.

Firefighters try to keep the flames away from the course, but the danger remains real. This is not the first time golf courses have been affected by natural disasters. The Atlas Fire of 2017 damaged infrastructure at the Silverado Resort in Napa, but the current situation in Los Angeles could be more devastating.

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Panorama

Lexi Thompson: Proposal in the snow

Private happiness: At the end of May last year, Lexi Thompson announced her extensive retirement from the tournament circuit in order to escape the constant public spotlight and have more time for her personal life. The 29-year-old explained that she wanted to get married and have a family. The first step in this direction has now been taken: In the Canadian ski resort of Whistler, a good hour and a half’s drive from Vancouver, boyfriend Max Provost got down on one knee in front of the eleven-time Tour winner on New Year’s Day and proposed to her. Naturally, Lexi Thompson said yes and posted the emotional moment on Instagram with appropriate comments. The comment bar reads like a who’s who, by the way:

Lexi Thompson’s future plans

The future husband works as a salesman and expert in the field of medical technology and specifically in surgical robotics and has been on Lexi Thompson’s bag at several Pro-Ams. Speaking of the bag: the professional life is not quite over for the 2014 major winner (then Kraft Nabisco Championship, now Chevron Championship). Thompson has always emphasised that she no longer wants to play a full LPGA Tour schedule, but that leaves one or two back doors open. For example, for the 2025 Chevron Championship: ‘Even though it’s a different venue and a different sponsor now, it’s still a memory that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life because I won my first major at that event,’ she said in a recent interview. And: ‘Yes, it’s probably one of the events I have circled in my calendar.’ It will be interesting to see.

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Panorama

A Golf Year in Review 2024: The Emotional Highlights

Golf in 2024 was marked not only by outstanding performances on the course but also by moments off the greens that highlighted the human side of the sport. From personal milestones to emotional victories, this year was filled with stories that went beyond birdies and bogeys.

An Alpine Fairytale Wedding: Martin Kaymer’s Personal Highlight

Martin Kaymer turned Castle Elmau in the Bavarian Alps into a picturesque venue for love and camaraderie. Celebrating with his wife Irene Scholz, Kaymer hosted a festive wedding ceremony two years after their private vows. Their son Sam, born in early 2022, took part in the festivities, carrying the rings in a touching moment. Fellow golfers, including Adrian Meronk, shared glimpses of the joyous occasion.

A Painful Loss: Grayson Murray’s Absence Felt Deeply

On May 25, 2024, the golf world was stunned by the tragic news of Grayson Murray’s passing. The 30-year-old, who had celebrated victory at the Sony Open earlier in the year, took his own life after a long struggle with mental health challenges.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan remarked, “We lost not only a talented golfer but also a unique individual. The Tour is like a family, and this loss affects us all deeply.”

Olympic Gold: Scottie Scheffler Reaches a Career Pinnacle

The Olympic golf event at Le Golf National became the stage for an intense final. Scottie Scheffler secured the gold medal with a flawless 62 in the last round, clinching the title with a decisive birdie on the 17th hole.

During the medal ceremony, Scheffler tearfully sang the U.S. national anthem as the flag was raised.

Bernhard Langer’s Final Curtain in Europe

Bernhard Langer, the German golf legend, bid farewell to European tournaments in 2024. Despite an Achilles tendon injury that nearly ended his season, the 66-year-old returned to compete in the BMW International Open, his last major European event.

The crowd honored Langer with standing ovations, acknowledging a career that spanned decades. Teeing off with Martin Kaymer and Marcel Siem, Langer reflected on the changes in the game, joking, “The courses are getting longer, and I’m getting shorter.”

Rory McIlroy: US Open of Missed Opportunities

The US Open 2024 at Pinehurst was supposed to be Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited breakthrough, nearly a decade after his last major victory. With a two-shot lead over the final five holes, everything seemed to be going according to plan. But the drama unfolded: two short putts, missed at the 16th and 18th holes, cost McIlroy the title. McIlroy left the course without comment and withdrew from public life for several weeks. Later, he admitted, “It was a tough day, probably the hardest of my career.”

Bryson DeChambeau: Major Win and a Path Back to the Fans’ Hearts

While McIlroy faltered down the stretch, it was Bryson DeChambeau who emerged as the hero at Pinehurst. With a spectacular bunker shot on the 18th hole, which he later called “the shot of my life,” DeChambeau secured his second US Open title after his 2020 triumph. The victory was not only a sporting milestone but also marked a remarkable image transformation.

Once considered a polarizing figure, particularly due to his involvement in the LIV Golf controversy, DeChambeau showed a new side in 2024. In his post-win press conference, he dedicated the victory to his late father and golf legend Payne Stewart, who won the US Open at the same venue in 1999. “I wanted to do it for them,” he said, tears in his eyes.

His behavior on and off the course noticeably shifted. He engaged more with fans and earned praise for his emotional display. The US Open victory thus became both a sporting and personal triumph, symbolizing the evolution of a player committed to change.

A Rising Star: Robert MacIntyre Triumphs in Canada

The RBC Canadian Open 2024 was a breakthrough moment for Robert MacIntyre. The Scotsman demonstrated nerves of steel on a tense final day to secure his first victory on the PGA Tour.

It was not just the sporting achievement that made the story special. His father served as his caddie and shared the defining moment with him. “This is a dream I’ve shared with my dad since childhood,” said an emotional MacIntyre.

Team Spirit and Karaoke: McIlroy and Lowry Win in New Orleans

At the Zurich Classic, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry showcased the power of friendship on the course. With a playoff victory, the Irish duo clinched the title, proving how much fun golf can be as a team. “Winning with Shane by my side was something special. We’ve known each other for over 20 years – it makes this success even more meaningful.”

The fun didn’t stop on the course: after their victory, McIlroy and Lowry celebrated with gusto, surprising fans with a karaoke rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Images of the singing duo with their WWE-inspired championship belts went viral, making their win one of the year’s most entertaining moments.

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PGA Tour

TGL Los Angeles Golf Club: Star Power and Experience Combined in California

The TGL is in the starting blocks and the Los Angeles Golf Club is getting ready for its launch in January. Founded by Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, the team is aiming to establish the new league as a pioneering golf innovation in Los Angeles. “Los Angeles is the perfect home for our TGL team. This city embodies the intersection of sports, technology, and entertainment, making it an ideal backdrop for the innovation and excitement we aim to bring to the world of golf and its fans,” explains Ohanian. The aim is to make golf accessible to everyone.

TGL: The Players at Los Angeles Golf Club

The team is made up of Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood and combines experience, star power and numerous successes.

Collin Morikawa, a native of Los Angeles, is a two-time major winner. In addition to his major successes, he has won several tournaments on the PGA Tour and won the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Sahith Theegala, who also grew up in California, has been playing on the PGA Tour since 2022. He has already won a title there and achieved several top 5 finishes.

The LAGC also has a very experienced player in Justin Rose. The Englishman turned professional in 1998 and has enjoyed numerous successes since then. His outstanding achievements include five Ryder Cup appearances, winning the 2016 Olympic gold medal and eleven titles on the PGA Tour. As a former world number one, Rose is one of the most consistent players of his generation.

Like Rose, the fourth team player, Tommy Fleetwood, comes from England. Fleetwood has already proven his strength in team events on several occasions. His match at the 2023 Ryder Cup was the deciding point. While he has already celebrated several victories on the DP World Tour, he has so far been denied a title on the PGA Tour, although he has already finished second and third there several times.

TGL: The Most Important Information about the “Los Angeles Golf Club” at a Glance

Team Name Los Angeles Golf Club
The Four PlayersCollin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala (both from the USA), Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood (both from England)
InvestorsAlexis Ohanian, Seven Seven Six, Neal Hubman, Serena Williams, Venus Williams
Limited PartnersAntetokounmpo Brothers, Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco, Michelle Wie West, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Shonda Rhimes
LogoThe letters “LA” in the foreground, a driver in the background
Team ColorsBlack, White

Match dates

January 14, 2025: vs. Florida Jupiter Links GC
February 4, 2025: vs. Boston Common Golf
February 17, 2025: vs. Atlanta Drive GC
February 24, 2025: vs. New York Golf Club
March 3, 2025: vs. The Bay Golf Club