Financial outlook for Koepka, relief for Faldo, Tiger’s celebration, a brazen burglary, Daly’s new campsite. The Back Nine.
Not everyone was pleased: Vijay Singh literally earns his tour card based on money rankings at the age of 62 – of course, there are some voices complaining that the Fijian player is taking a start spot away from those who need tournament participation to secure their livelihood. There’s some truth to that, as Singh’s career prize money exceeds $71 million, so he likely has no worries about daily expenses. But the three-time major winner is a competitor and training enthusiast who wants to prove himself again – 24 years after his PGA Tour debut at age 29 and 34 tournament wins later. He relishes competing against much younger players. Moreover, the rule granting a tour card based on career earnings exemption for one season does apply…
And Singh made a mark right at his first tour restart. The veteran qualified for the weekend at the Sony Open with rounds of 68 and 70 strokes. Just barely, but he made it. This makes Singh the oldest player since Fred Couples in 2023 at the Masters to make a cut on the PGA Tour. With his weekend play in Hawaii, Singh achieved the rare feat of making a PGA Tour cut in the fourth decade of his pro career. Overall, he has now made 506 of 638 cuts and finished tied 40th with rounds of 68 and 69, five under par for the tournament.
Koepka Now Eligible for FedEx Cup Millions
Another Lex Koepka? The LIV returnee could make substantial earnings this season. Originally, Brooks Koepka agreed to rejoin the PGA Tour under conditions including donating $5 million to charity, forfeiting shares in the Player Equity Program for five years, and giving up FedEx Cup bonus pool participation, which in 2026 will be funded with $40 million paid out at the Tour Championship. However, this prize money has now been declared official prize money by the Tour. The five-time major winner is thus eligible to compete for the $10 million winner’s check and other prize money if he qualifies for the season finale at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Sir Nick Faldo Undergoes Open-Heart Surgery
Looking ahead to the Masters: Sir Nick Faldo recently underwent an open-heart surgical procedure in the USA and is now cheerfully back on social media. The six-time major champion, now 68, spent two weeks in Cleveland with his wife Lindsay and had his enlarged aorta corrected at the renowned Cleveland Clinic by heart surgeon Dr. Lars Svensson. \”Never felt better at home,\” Faldo reports, as he prepares to celebrate 30 years since his last Green Jacket at the 90th Masters next April.
Highlights from Tiger’s 50th Birthday Celebration
In a chronicle duty: here are some impressions from the gala celebrating Tiger Woods’ 50th birthday, hosted by the superstar’s TGR Foundation at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Jon Bon Jovi performed for the GOAT and Arthur Blank, owner of the NFL