Planet Golf News for Sunday, February 2, 2025

Rory McIlroy Excites Fans in Round 3 of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am; Sepp Straka Leads | A Lim Kim Maintains 3-shot Lead in LPGA Tour's Season-Opening Event at Lake Nona | Tarren leads by one in Bahrain after roller-coaster third round

Sunday, February 2, 2025

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Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes

Good Morning,

Ah, golf. The one sport where a tiny white ball can cause so much drama, excitement, and social media meltdowns all at once. This weekend’s action delivered it all, from Rory McIlroy smashing 353-yard drives like he’s playing a different game than the rest of us, to LIV Golf still trying to convince people it has a future despite, well, reality. Let’s dive in.

At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry reminded us why golf is at its most entertaining when played in borderline miserable weather. The Irish duo thrived in the rain and wind, each carding 7-under 65s to move within one shot of leader Sepp Straka. Pebble Beach, known for breathtaking views and heartbreaking bogeys, showed no mercy, but Rory’s bogey-free round was the stuff of legend. Oh, and he also casually launched a 353-yard drive over the trees, making the rest of the field question their life choices. Straka, to his credit, hung on to the lead with a late surge, setting up a final round that promises fireworks.

Meanwhile, over in the LPGA world, A Lim Kim is out here making golf look easy. The South Korean star maintained her three-shot lead in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, thanks to an eagle and a few clutch birdies. While Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda are trying their best to chase her down, Kim remains unbothered at 15-under. Adding a bit of flair, former NHL player Joe Pavelski currently leads the celebrity division, proving that apparently, hockey players can also excel at precision sports.

Then there’s LIV Golf, which enters 2025 with a brand-new CEO, a new TV deal with Fox Sports, and absolutely no new superstar signings. The Saudi-backed league is still struggling with credibility and its inability to secure world ranking points, leaving many wondering if it will ever be more than a glorified exhibition series with piles of cash thrown at it. The season opener in Riyadh will take place under the lights, which sounds dramatic, but without big-name additions, it’s just another event hoping people will tune in.

On the DP World Tour, Callum Tarren is clinging to a one-shot lead in the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, hoping to close out his first tour win. But Pablo Larrazábal is lurking just one shot back, proving that even with nearly 450 career starts, the nerves never go away. Expect a tense final round, where one bad swing could send someone from contender to afterthought in a matter of minutes.

Over in Panama, Johnny Keefer is leading the Korn Ferry Tour’s Panama Championship, trying to turn his third career start into his first professional win. With Pierceson Coody and Davis Chatfield breathing down his neck, Sunday is shaping up to be a nerve-wracking affair. The stakes? A $1 million purse and 500 precious points toward that elusive PGA Tour card. No pressure, Johnny.

And then there’s the TGL, golf’s attempt to go full esports-meets-nightclub. Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf squad takes on Los Angeles Golf Club this week, in a match that will feature… a lighthouse? That’s right—Hole 15 now has a literal lighthouse to “help players find their way,” because nothing screams traditional golf like a fake maritime structure in a simulator league. The question remains whether TGL will be golf’s next big thing or just a quirky side project.

Finally, in news that nobody saw coming, Zach Johnson might skip the WM Phoenix Open because last year’s event got a little too rowdy for his liking. Considering Phoenix is famous for its raucous crowds, this feels like someone showing up to a Metallica concert and complaining about the noise. Meanwhile, Viktor Hovland has withdrawn from the event, leaving a spot open for Paul Waring, who is probably still in shock that he’s now teeing it up in Scottsdale.

And let’s not forget the legend himself, Bernhard Langer, who is absolutely thrilled at the idea of Tiger Woods playing on the Champions Tour. Paul Azinger even thinks Tiger feels “obligated” to join the senior circuit, but let’s be honest—Tiger plays when he wants, where he wants, and how he wants. If he does show up on the 50-and-over tour, expect TV ratings to skyrocket, sponsorships to pour in, and every senior golfer to suddenly feel a lot worse about their chances of winning.

So there you have it—another week in golf filled with leaderboard shuffles, weather-related chaos, and existential questions about the future of certain tours. Whether you’re tuning in for a dramatic Sunday finish or just hoping for another ridiculous Rory McIlroy drive, one thing’s for sure: golf never fails to entertain, even when it makes absolutely no sense.

Today’s Top Golf News 

Major Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Rory roars up the leaderboard

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - PGA Tour - Spyglass Hill GC & Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, CA

The third round of the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am concluded with Sepp Straka maintaining his lead, despite facing challenging weather conditions at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links. Straka, who had impressed with two consecutive rounds of 65 earlier in the tournament, managed to card a 2-under 70 on Saturday, bringing his total to 16-under-par.

However, the day belonged to Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who both surged up the leaderboard with impressive 7-under 65 rounds. Their stellar performances in the difficult conditions, which included howling winds and sideways rain, put them in a tie for second place at 15-under-par, just one shot behind Straka.

The leaderboard tightened considerably, with Justin Rose, Tom Kim, and Cam Davis sharing fourth place at 14-under-par. Lucas Glover sits alone in seventh at 13-under, while Russell Henley occupies the eighth spot at 12-under. Austin Eckroat rounds out the top nine at 11-under-par.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler made a significant move, jumping ten spots up the leaderboard to share tenth place with four other golfers at 10-under-par. This group includes Sam Stevens, Taylor Pendrith, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Lee Hodges.

The challenging "Crosby Weather," reminiscent of the tournament's early days, tested the players' skills and adaptability. McIlroy, in particular, seemed to thrive in these conditions, delivering a bogey-free round that showcased his ability to navigate the exposed areas of Pebble Beach.

As the tournament heads into its final round on Sunday, the stage is set for an exciting finish. With only one shot separating the leader Straka from McIlroy and Lowry, and several other top players within striking distance, the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am promises a thrilling conclusion. The weather forecast for Sunday indicates improved conditions, with cloudy skies but no rain and moderate winds, which could lead to lower scores and more drama as players vie for the prestigious title.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Stories

A Lim Kim maintains 3-shot lead in LPGA Tour's season-opening event at Lake Nona

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament at Champions - LPGA - Lake Nona Golf & Country Club - Orlando, FL

The third round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, concluded Saturday.

A Lim Kim of South Korea is currently leading the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. As of the latest update during the third round, Kim holds a commanding position at 8-under par, maintaining a four-shot lead over her nearest competitors. Kim has shown impressive form throughout the tournament, demonstrating her skill and composure on the challenging Lake Nona Golf & Country Club course in Orlando, Florida.

Behind Kim, there's a tight race for second place. Linn Grant and Pajaree Anannarukarn are tied for second at 4-under par, both making moves in the third round with 2-under performances through 9 holes. Following closely are Yuka Saso and Rose Zhang, who are tied for fourth at 3-under par.

It's worth noting that several top-ranked players are also in contention. World No. 1 Nelly Korda is currently tied for 16th at even par, while defending champion Lydia Ko has made a significant move up the leaderboard, currently tied for 10th at 1-under par after a strong start to her third round.

As the tournament enters its final round, all eyes will be on A Lim Kim to see if she can maintain her lead and secure victory in this prestigious season-opening event on the LPGA Tour.

Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship - DP World Tour - Royal GC - Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain

The third round of the 2025 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship concluded yesterday at the Royal Golf Course in Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain. Callum Tarren maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard, but his lead has been reduced to a single shot after a challenging day of golf.

Tarren, who had a two-shot advantage after the second round, faced tough competition but managed to hold onto his lead. The English golfer is now in prime position to secure his first DP World Tour victory as the tournament heads into its final round on Sunday.

As the championship moves into its final day, all eyes will be on Tarren to see if he can maintain his composure and clinch his maiden DP World Tour title. However, with such a narrow lead, the stage is set for an exciting finish, with several players still in with a chance of victory.

With a prize fund of $2.5 million and valuable Race to Dubai points on offer, Sunday's final round promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this event.

The Panama Championship - Korn Ferry - Club de Golf de Panama - Panama City, Panama

The third round of the Panama Championship, a Korn Ferry Tour event, concluded Saturday at the Club de Golf de Panama in Panama City. Johnny Keefer has taken the lead heading into the final round, holding a one-shot advantage over Pierceson Coody and Davis Chatfield.

Keefer, who is making just his third start as a Korn Ferry Tour member, has shown impressive form throughout the tournament. His consistent play has put him in a strong position to claim his first tour victory.

Davis Chatfield, who held the lead after the second round, experienced a challenging day on the course. Two bogeys on the back nine proved costly, causing him to slip into a tie for second place. Despite this setback, Chatfield remains in contention and will be looking to bounce back in the final round.

Pierceson Coody has also played well, matching Chatfield's score to share second place. The leaderboard is tightly packed, with several players within striking distance of the lead.

The Panama Championship carries significant importance for the players. With a total purse of $1,000,000 and 500 points available to the winner, there is much at stake in the final round. The champion will not only receive a substantial financial reward but also gain valuable points towards earning a PGA Tour card for the next season.

The final round promises to be exciting, with Keefer aiming to maintain his lead and secure his first tour victory, while Coody, Chatfield, and other contenders will be pushing hard to overtake him. Golf fans can expect an intense battle on the challenging Club de Golf de Panama course as these talented players compete for the title.

Upcoming Tuesday: TGL

Upcoming Next Week: WM Phoenix Open

Today’s Best Golf Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Overheard in the Club House

UPCOMING TOURS

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