Tag: PGA Tour

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PGA Tour: Spectator catches ball after professional tees off

A fan has caught the ball out of the air on the PGA Tour. You can see his horror. (Source: X @PMTsportsbiz)
A fan has caught the ball out of the air on the PGA Tour. You can see his horror. (Source: X @PMTsportsbiz)

During the third round of the PGA Tour’s team event, a rare incident occurred when Brant Snedeker, the nine-time PGA Tour winner, hit his tee shot on the par-3 3rd. With water to his left and a strong wind from the right, Snedeker sent his tee shot onto the 185 metre hole hoping for a left turn through the wind, but the ball just wouldn’t budge and took a hop along a path before being caught by a spectator, to the amazement of all.

Spectator catches ball on the PGA Tour

What at first sounds like a made-up story actually happened. A fan saw Snedeker’s ball coming, went to his left and skilfully caught the Titleist out of the air. The catcher quickly turned to his friends, possibly to brag about his performance. Then the surrounding spectators reminded him where he was. Shouts rang out from the crowd: ‘NO! No. No. No!’ The fan dropped the ball and his horror at his own behaviour was clear to see. The group of spectators began to laugh and quickly dispersed. I guess no one wanted to be associated with the guy who caught a ball at a PGA Tour event. Even the commentators on the US channel ESPN could hardly believe their eyes: ‘Oh no!’ exclaimed an ESPN+ commentator. ‘He just caught the ball!’ ‘It’s all good,’ replied the co-commentator. ‘That’s a kid who plays a lot of baseball. He just forgot about it.’

But in fact all was well. According to the Rules of Golf, Rule 11.1a states: ‘If a player’s ball in motion accidentally strikes a person (including the player) or an outside influence, there is no penalty.’ Since the ball was not at rest, Snedeker simply played his ball from the spot where the fan dropped it. In the event that the fan had carried the ball away, Rule 11.1b states: ‘The player must place the original ball or another ball at the estimated spot directly below where the ball first came to rest on the person, animal or moving outside influence.’ Fortunately, it was all half as bad, but the faux pas is something the fan will probably not forget for the rest of his life. Snedeker and Reavie were oblivious to the whole thing. They played par on the course, but could only manage a 72 in the easier of the two formats this week.

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Panorama PGA Tour

Team McIlroy/Lowry Celebrate Victory with a Round of Karaoke

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry celebrate thei PGA Tour victory with a round of karaoke. (Image: getty)
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry celebrate thei PGA Tour victory with a round of karaoke. (Image: getty)

The Zurich Classic is one of just a few team events in professional golf. Naturally, the pros make a special point of playing with their mates not only in the practice rounds, but also in a tournament. One example is the Irish duo Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. The long-standing friendship between these two players is no secret and both enjoyed a weekend of top-class golf. To top it off, they even claimed victory in their first appearance as a team at the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic 2024.

Rory McIlroy: “To win any PGA TOUR event is very cool, but to do it with one of your closest friends is awesome”

“We went out there, we had loads of fun, and we won the tournament. You couldn’t ask for a better week,” Lowry said after their win. And McIlroy added: “To win any PGA TOUR event is very cool, but to do it with one of your closest friends … Think about where we met and where we’ve come from, to be on this stage and do this together – just awesome to be able to do it alongside this guy.” And all of this happened because McIlroy “proposed” to Lowry at a “drunken lunch”, as the Northern Irishman told Claire Rodgers before the event.

In addition to the trophy, the duo received WWE-style belts. Well, for McIlroy it was a good fit and a perfect addition to the outfit. Shane Lowry, on the other hand, had a little trouble putting it on.

To celebrate McIlroy’s 25th career PGA Tour victory and Lowry’s first win since 2019, the pair took to the stage after the tournament and sang a perfect rendition of ‘Don’t stop believing’ by Journey.

Team McIlroy/Lowry celebrate with a round of karaoke

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Live

Watch: PGA Tour Highlights From Round 4 Of The Zurich Classic of New Orleans

AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 28: (L-R) Shane Lowry of Ireland and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland look on on the seventh green during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 28, 2024 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The fourth round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, part of the PGA Tour, has concluded at the TPC Louisiana golf course in Avondale, Louisiana, United States. More than 80 players participated in the tournament, facing one another in an intense quest for the $8,900,000 prize purse.

The Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry topped the leaderboard with a total score of -25, tying with the pair Ramey/Trainer. After a one-hole-playoff the Irish Duo emerged victorious. Following close behind was duo Brehm and Hubbard at -24. Meanwhile, four teams, Higgo/Fox, Stevens/Barjon, Blair/Fishburn, and Echavarria/Greyserman, tied for the fourth place with their impressive total score output of -23.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a PGA Tour highlight, delivered yet another thrilling round with golfers going head to head, strife for par on every hole and scrambling to climb to the summit of the leaderboard.

Show Zurich Classic of New Orleans Leaderboard

Zurich Classic of New Orleans: The PGA Tour round 4 highlights

About the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the largest American professional golf tour. There are 36 tournaments on the tour’s schedule this season. The tournaments mainly take place in the USA, but there are also some international venues over the course of the season. The signature events introduced in 2023 offer higher prize money and a smaller field of participants. There will be a total of eight of these events in the 2024 season. The four Majors and the Players Championship are also part of the PGA Tour. At the end of the tours season, the 70 best players in the FedEx Cup season rankings will play in a three-tournament play-off for overall tour victory and an extra 18 million dollars in prize money.

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Live

Watch: PGA Tour highlights from round 1 of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 25: Shane Lowry of Ireland and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland react on the 15th hole during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 25, 2024 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which is famous for its team event in the first two round of the tournament, have played their first round at the well-renowned golf course – TPC Louisiana, located in Avondale, Louisiana. As golf enthusiasts around the world had their eyes glued to this compelling event, the highlights of the play were much anticipated.

Sitting at the pinnacle of the leaderboard are the following players: Brehm/Hubbard, Kohles/Kizzire, Rai/ Lipsky, and McIlroy/Lowry all tied at the first position. Each of these teams sported a total score of -11. Coming at fifth place, Thompson/Novak, Detry/MacIntyre, and Champ/Daffue are tied with a total score of -10.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans laid out a substantial prize fund of $8,900,000 for this tournament. The amount, untouched by any adjective statement or valuation, speaks for itself in the world of golf.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans on PGA Tour brought together a plethora of international talent, with players showcasing their golfing prowess and providing audiences with a spectacle worth witnessing. As the tournament heads towards its epic climax, golf fans around the globe remain on the edge of their seats.

Show Zurich Classic of New Orleans Leaderboard

Zurich Classic of New Orleans: The PGA Tour round 1 highlights

About the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the largest American professional golf tour. There are 36 tournaments on the tour’s schedule this season. The tournaments mainly take place in the USA, but there are also some international venues over the course of the season. The signature events introduced in 2023 offer higher prize money and a smaller field of participants. There will be a total of eight of these events in the 2024 season. The four Majors and the Players Championship are also part of the PGA Tour. At the end of the tours season, the 70 best players in the FedEx Cup season rankings will play in a three-tournament play-off for overall tour victory and an extra 18 million dollars in prize money.

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Professionals

 How Much Prize Money Has Rory McIlroy Earned? 

Rory McIlroys career earnings. (Image Getty)
Rory McIlroys career earnings. (Image Getty)

Rory McIlroy is one of the best-known players on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. With several major titles and Ryder Cup appearences, he has earned a fair share of prize money. But exactly how much has the Northern Irishman earned in his career to date?

This is how much Rory McIlroy has earned in prize money in his career

Since becoming a professional player back in September 2007 Rory Since turning professional in September 2007, Rory McIlroy has quickly become one of the top golfers on both the European and American Tours. With good finishes, he started to make the big money in 2009 with his victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) and his first PGA Tour title in 2010 at the Quail Hollow Championship. He followed his success with four major titles in 2011, 2012 and 2014 and increased his winner’s share to almost ten million in 2012 and 2014. After a few years with “only” smaller earnings, he won his first Tour Championship and the Players Championship in 2019, bringing his prize money for the year to a whopping 20 million, surpassed only by his 22′ prize money, which totals 40 million dollars. With his second FedExCup win and top finishes in all four major championships, McIlroy climbed back to the top of both tours and won the DP World Tour season standings.

Year Total Earnings
2007 $0
2009 $1,212,219
2010 $3,104,280
2011 $2,321,859
2012 $8,047,952
2013 $1,802,443
2014 $8,395,096
2015 $5,113,312
2016 $5,790,585
2017 $2,430,182
2018 $4,450,296
2019 $22,785,286
2020 $5,428,415
2021 $8,475,559
2022 $40,456,566
2023 $5,333,285

Rory McIlroy and the “Players Impact Program”

In addition to his tournament prize money, McIlroy collected a considerable sum from the “Players Impact Programme” introduced in 2021. A third place in 2021 earned him 3.5 million dollars, in 2022 a second place behind Tiger Woods earned him 12 million and in 2023 he received 15 million for his first place in the PGA Tours popularity rankings.

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Highlights Tours

Live Blog: Jon Rahm Finishes The Masters 2024 Over Par

Jon Rahm at the Masters Tournament 2024. The Live Blog. (Image: Getty)
Jon Rahm at the Masters Tournament 2024. The Live Blog. (Image: Getty)

The 2024 Masters Tournament will be a special one for Jon Rahm. As last years champion the Spaniard will attempt to defend his title, just months after his transfer to the LIV Golf League. In last years Masters he secured his win with a solid last round, finishing the tournament at -12 with a four shot lead over fellow LIV golfer Brooks Koepka.

Follow all Masters Tournament Live Scores

Jon Rahm and the Masters Tournament

Since turning pro back in 2016 Jon Rahm captured several top 10 positions across the four major tournaments. With a fourth place both at the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship in 2018 he stepped close to a major titel, but had to wait for another three years befor he checked in his first title. At the 2021 US Open Rahm took the win, all while landing in the top 10 of all other majors in that season. Just two years after that in 2023 he landed his first green jacket at Augusta National.

In a tight race with major-specialist Brooks Koepka Rahm entered the last round in Augusta in 2023. He kept his nerves and locked in a -3 69 round, while Koepka struggled and endet up tied in second place with Phil Mickelson.

Rahm’s chances at the Masters Tournament 2024

Looking back at Rahm’s past result at the seasons first major the odds for a title-defence are everything but bad. With strong top 10s for years now Jon Rahm is always a player to consider for a major title.

Altough the Spaniard is just five tournaments in to the new season and his new golf home, the LIV Golf League, he already delivered some amazing results. With three top five finishes and two other top 10s he demonstrated a good form with his “Leagion XIII” in various locations around the globe.

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Equipment What's in the Bag

WITB Akshay Bhatia 2024: Victory with Callaway and Odyssey

Akshay Bhatias winning WITB with Callaway and Odyssey at the Valero Texas Open 2024 (Image: Getty)
Akshay Bhatias winning WITB with Callaway and Odyssey at the Valero Texas Open 2024 (Image: Getty)

The 22 year old Akshay Bhatia secured his top spot on the leaderboard early on. But in a stunning final round Denny McCarthy closed Bhatias lead and forced a playoff. But Bhatia stayed cool and secured his second PGA Tour win at the Valero Texas Open 2024. In his Bag is a mix of Callaway Classics and new models of the 2023/24 season.

Akshay Bhatia WITB fpr April 2024

(Image: Callaway)

Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9°)

(Image: Callaway)

3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15°)

Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW prototype (19°)

Utility iron: Callaway X Forged UT (21°)

(Image: Callaway)

Irons: Callaway Apey TCB Raw (5-PW)

(Image: Callaway)

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50, 54, 60°)

Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 360

(Image: Callaway)

Golf ball: Callaway Chrome Tour

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Panorama

Justin Thomas And His Caddie Part Ways Before The Masters

Justin Thomas has announced that his caddie and him are parting ways. (Image: Getty)
Justin Thomas has announced that his caddie and him are parting ways. (Image: Getty)

A little over a week before the Masters in Augusta, Justin Thomas has now announced his split from his caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay. Who will stand on the side of the 30-year-old from now on is not yet known.

End of Collaboration between Justin Thomas and Jim Mackay

As Justin Thomas has announced, the collaboration between him and his caddie Jim Mackay has come to an end. Their three-year-partnership marked a quite successful period for the 58-year-old caddie alongside the former world number one. In 2022, Thomas secured his second major title at the PGA Championship after 2017. “The things we’ve been able to accomplish together – the PGA Championship in 2022, the Presidents Cup, the Ryder Cups were all unforgettable experiences,” writes Thomas via Instagram. However, after Thomas failed to win a PGA Tour title in 2023 for the first time since 2015, it was perhaps time for a change for the American. Although Justin Thomas achieved four top-12 finishes in his first five tournament appearances this year, he recently missed the cut at the prestigious Players Championship in Sawgrass.

Jim Mackay: One of the most experienced caddies on the Tour

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay is one of the most successful caddies on the PGA Tour and is known to golf fans primarily for his long-standing partnership with Phil Mickelson. The partnership with the five-time major champion lasted a total of 25 years, ending in 2017. “While incredibly difficult for me to say, Bones and I have parted ways. I’m going to be forever thankful for him joining me on the bag in 2021,” explains Justin Thomas. “His wisdom on and off the course has been a blessing during a tough stretch of my career and he was there every step of the way. I know there are great things coming for both of us down the road. I wish him the best of luck and will always count him and his family amongst my friends,” Thomas adds.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Harman, Homa, Morikawa and Co. at the Valero Texas Open

Brian Harman, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa tee off on the PGA Tour. (Photos: Getty)
Brian Harman, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa tee off on the PGA Tour. (Photos: Getty)

The upcoming PGA Tour event, the Valero Texas Open, is set to take place at TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course) in San Antonio, Texas. The notable tournament holds a grand prize of $9,200,000, attracting a myriad of top-tier players from worldwide including the United States. This tournament carries a Par rating of 72 and the reigning champion is Corey Conners.

See all Tee Times here

Detailed PGA Tour Tee Times for Valero Texas Open

Max Homa and Collin Morikawa, accompanied by Canada’s Corey Conners start the round at 07:53 am for Round 1. In Round 2 the two American top players will start at 01:08 pm.

Brian Harman is partnered with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Adam Scott from Australia, who will tee off at 08:04 am. The second round will start at 01:19 pm for the trio.

The next American top player is Rickie Fowler, who will start the tournament at 1:08 pm with Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. On the second day the three superstars start their round at 07:53 am.

Next in line are Jordan Spieth and Lucas Golver, accompanied by Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama. They will start the first round at 01:19 pm and the second round at 8:04 am.

Russell Henley and Akshay Bhatia, accompanied by South Korea’s Tom Kim start the round at 01:19 pm for Round 1. In Round 2 the two American top players will start at 08:04 am.

PGA Tour Tee Times: The Roster and Schedule

Please note that the tee times could be subject to change owing to uncertain weather conditions or player’s health and conditions.

The Valero Texas open not only brings forth the sport talent from around the world but also serves as a precursor for the upcoming Masters Tournament. Fans and players alike are eager for the play to tee off and are looking forward to four days of excellent golf. Having this information handy allows for all golf fans to be aware of their favourite player’s tee times and to not miss any action at the Valero Texas Open.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Fleetwood, Fitzpatrick & Co. in Spotlight at Valero Texas Open

Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are England's biggest stars on the PGA Tour. (Photos: Getty)
Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick are England's biggest stars on the PGA Tour. (Photos: Getty)

The PGA Tour is headed to San Antonio, Texas, this week for the Valero Texas Open. The action will take place at TPC San Antonio on the Oaks Course, known for its challenging fairways and greens. With a prize fund of $9,200,000 up for grabs, the event draws some of the biggest names in the sport. Current champion Corey Conners will be looking to defend his title.

See all Tee Times here

British, Welsh, and Scottish Players’ PGA Tour Tee Times at Valero Texas Open

Aaron Rai from England will commence his participation in the first round on Thursday with a start at 07:31 am. He will be grouped with Canada’s Roger Sloan and the American player Ryan Palmer. In the second round, Rai, Sloan, and Palmer will play at 12:46 pm.

Matthew Fitzpatrick from England will join the tour with his tee time scheduled at 08:04 am. He will be playing alongside Adam Scott from Australia and Brian Harman from USA. The group’s tee time for the second round is 01:19 pm.

English player’s Ben Taylor and Luke Donald PGA Tour Tee Times are 08:37 am and 12:35 respectively in the first round. Ben Taylor would be participating in the golf adventure with Greyson Sigg from USA and Davis Thompson, also from USA. For Luke Donald, his tournament mates are Ben Griffin from USA and Matthias Schmid from Germany. In the second round, both players will play at 01:52 pm (Taylor) and 07:20 am (Donald).

The last English player, Tommy Fleetwood, starts the competition at 01:08 pm. He will be playing with Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Rickie Fowler from USA. Fleetwood’s group will play at 07:53 am on the second day.

PGA Tour Tee Times: The Roster and Schedule

Please note that the tee times could be subject to change owing to uncertain weather conditions or player’s health and conditions.

The Valero Texas open not only brings forth the sport talent from around the world but also serves as a precursor for the upcoming Masters Tournament. Fans and players alike are eager for the play to tee off and are looking forward to four days of excellent golf. Having this information handy allows for all golf fans to be aware of their favourite player’s tee times and to not miss any action at the Valero Texas Open.