Financial outlook for Koepka, relief for Faldo, Tiger Woods party, a bold burglary, Daly’s new campsite. The Back Nine.
Not everyone was pleased: Vijay Singh literally plays the money list tour card, still at the \”tender\” age of 62 – and naturally, there are some voices complaining. For example, that the man from Fiji is taking away a starting spot from those who urgently need tournament appearances to secure their livelihood. There is some truth to that, as Singh, with career prize money exceeding $71 million, likely doesn’t have to worry about daily bread. But the three-time major winner is a highly competitive sportsman, especially a \”training beast,\” and wants to try again – 24 years after his PGA Tour debut at age 29 and 34 tournament wins later. He is tempted by the challenge of competing against much younger players. Also: If the rule granting a tour card through career prize money exemption for a chosen season exists…
And Singh made a strong start at his first restart on tour. The veteran qualified for the weekend at the Sony Open with rounds of 68 and 70 strokes. Barely, but still. This makes Singh the oldest player since Fred Couples at the 2023 Masters to have made a cut on the PGA Tour. With weekend play in Hawaii, Singh achieved the rare feat of making a PGA Tour cut in his fourth decade as a pro. Overall, he now has 506 cuts made out of 638 attempts and finished tied 40th at five under par after rounds of 68 and 69.
Koepka Allowed to Compete for FedEx Cup Millions
Another Lex Koepka? The LIV returnee could earn big money this season after all. Originally, Brooks Koepka agreed to rejoin the PGA Tour as a member and directly come back to the circuit under conditions to donate $5 million to charity, forgo shares in the PGA Tour Player Equity Program for five years, and waive participation in the FedEx Cup bonus pool, which will be funded with $40 million in 2026, paid out at the Tour Championship. However, this bonus money has now been declared official prize money by the Tour. Thus, the five-time major winner may compete for the $10 million winner’s check and prize money for other places, provided 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 underwent open-heart surgery in the USA and now reports back cheerfully on social media. The six-time major winner, now 68, spent two weeks with wife Lindsay in Cleveland and had preventive repair of his enlarged aorta by renowned heart surgeon Dr. Lars Svensson at the Cleveland Clinic. \”Home has never felt so good,\” Faldo said, who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his last of three Green Jackets (1989, 1990, 1996) at the 90th Masters this coming April.
Tiger Woods’ 50th Birthday Gala Highlights
Chronicle duty: Here are some highlights from the gala event for