Financial prospects for Koepka, relief for Faldo, Tiger Woods’ birthday bash, a bold burglary, Daly’s new campground. The Back Nine.
Not everyone was pleased: Vijay Singh literally uses the career earnings exemption at the \”tender\” age of 62 – and naturally some voices complained, arguing that the Fijian star takes away starting spots from players who urgently need tournament access to secure their livelihoods. There is some truth to that, as Singh’s career prize money exceeds $71 million, so he likely has no worries about daily living expenses. Still, the three-time major champion is a fierce competitor and a \”training beast\” who wants to compete again – 24 years after his PGA Tour debut at age 29 and 34 tournament wins later. He is motivated by challenging much younger players. Moreover, if the rule allowing a tour card based on career earnings exemption exists for one season of choice, then he is entitled to it.
Singh made an immediate impact upon his Tour restart. The veteran qualified for the weekend of the Sony Open with rounds of 68 and 70 strokes. Barely, but it counts. This made Singh the oldest player since Fred Couples in 2023 at the Masters to make a PGA Tour cut. Additionally, by playing the weekend in Hawaii, Singh achieved the rare feat of making a PGA Tour cut in his fourth decade as a pro. He has now made 506 of 638 cuts overall and finished tied for 40th in the tournament with rounds of 68 and 69 for five under par.
Koepka allowed to compete for FedEx Cup millions
Another Lex Koepka? The LIV returnee could still earn substantial money this season. Originally, Brooks Koepka agreed to rejoin the PGA Tour under conditions that involved donating five million dollars to charity, waiving shares in the PGA Tour Player Equity Program, and foregoing FedEx Cup bonus pool participation for five years. The FedEx Cup pool, which will payout 40 million dollars at the 2026 Tour Championship, has now been classified by the Tour as official prize money. This means the five-time major winner can compete for the 10 million dollar winner’s check and other prize money, 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 has undergone open heart surgery in the USA and is now reporting back cheerfully 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 preventively by renowned heart surgeon Dr. Lars Svensson at the Cleveland Clinic. \”Never felt so good at home,\” Faldo shared, who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his last of three Green Jackets (1989, 1990, 1996) at the 90th Masters next April.
Highlights from Tiger’s 50th birthday celebration
As a matter of record: Here are some impressions from the gala event hosted by Tiger Woods’ TGR Foundation at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida for his 50th birthday