- Planet Golf News
- Posts
- Planet Golf News for Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Planet Golf News for Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Are TGL simulators accurate and why are players struggling in the bunkers? Rory McIlroy has answers | 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am starts tomorrow | "I'm not gonna push it": Nelly Korda names her 'number one goal' for the 2025 season
| OWGR | FedExCup Points | TUGR | Subscribe |
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
PlanetGolfNews + Marie Birdie

Marie Birdie is a clothing brand dedicated to providing young women with the sense of empowerment and individuality. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores. NOW OPEN the Marie Birdie Store @ 7170 S Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, FL
[ THE LEADERBOARD ]
Today’s Top Golf News in Three Minutes
Good Morning,
The golf world is never short on drama, innovation, and a little bit of chaos—just the way we like it. Take Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s latest TGL showdown, for example. The numbers were down compared to Tiger’s grand debut, but hey, maybe it’s not that people are losing interest. Maybe they just weren’t thrilled about having to tune in at 6:30 p.m. on a Monday. The peak viewership did hit 1.1 million, which suggests that once people figured out what was going on, they stuck around. The match even went to a chip-off, adding a touch of suspense that the format desperately needed. If only golf fans weren’t still scratching their heads about how this simulator-driven league actually works.
Speaking of the simulator struggles, Rory McIlroy is out here trying to assure the world that, no, he and Tiger aren’t suddenly terrible at golf. Turns out, playing in a dark room, hitting shots into a screen, and pretending it’s the 18th hole at Augusta isn’t exactly a seamless transition. Short-game shots, especially bunker play, have been particularly challenging. So while TGL continues to “evolve,” we’ll just have to accept that even the best golfers in the world will occasionally shank a virtual wedge.
McIlroy is also making headlines for expressing concern over what he calls the “diminished” PGA Tour product. In a world where you can watch everything from traditional tournaments to golf reality shows and virtual leagues, he’s worried the market might be oversaturated. His solution? Keep the traditional competition intact while sprinkling in some interactive elements for fans. As long as it doesn’t involve another simulator, we’re open to ideas.
On the Tiger front, he made the tough call to move The Genesis Invitational from Riviera to Torrey Pines due to California wildfires. Nobody loves Riviera more than Tiger, but even he had to admit that a golf tournament probably shouldn’t be held where there’s, you know, a disaster zone. The plan is to return to Riviera in 2026, but for now, Torrey Pines will do just fine.
Over at Pebble Beach, the PGA Tour is ready to roll out its next signature event with a $20 million purse. The field is stacked with stars like Scottie Scheffler (who somehow injured himself making ravioli), Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas. Defending champ Wyndham Clark will be hoping the weather cooperates better than last year, when high winds turned Pebble Beach into something closer to a British Open. For those wondering, the 7th hole—arguably the most famous par-3 in golf—remains a beauty, albeit one that has only produced 16 aces in professional competition.
Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour is kicking off its season at Lake Nona with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Lydia Ko is back to defend her title after an all-time 2024 season, while World No. 1 Nelly Korda is entering the year with sky-high confidence. She even spent her offseason cooking goulash, proving that you can be an elite golfer and a decent home chef all at once. The event will feature LPGA winners alongside celebrities competing in a separate tournament, so expect a mix of serious competition and lighthearted moments—kind of like a charity pro-am but with real money on the line.
Over on the DP World Tour, the Bahrain Championship is back, with Dylan Frittelli looking to defend his title against a field that includes Pádraig Harrington and Patrick Reed. The event is also leaning into sustainability, boasting solar-powered facilities and hydrogen-powered transport. Who knew the golf world was getting so eco-friendly?
As for the Korn Ferry Tour, the Panama Championship is on deck, offering players a shot at securing a PGA Tour card. Defending champ Isaiah Salinda is back, and while it might not be the flashiest event, it’s a crucial stop for players hoping to make the leap to the big leagues.
Finally, in the “things you didn’t know you needed” department, Ely Callaway’s lost memoir is set to be released with an AI-generated audiobook using his own voice. Because if we can’t have golf legends narrating their own stories from beyond, is technology even progressing?
So there you have it—a week filled with Tiger, Rory, simulator struggles, Pebble Beach storylines, and golf’s ongoing attempt to balance tradition with the future. Whether you’re here for the competition, the chaos, or just to see if Scottie Scheffler can avoid any further kitchen-related injuries, golf continues to deliver.
Today’s Top Golf News
Today’s Feature Golf Reads
Major Golf Tournaments happening this week
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - PGA Tour - Spyglass Hill GC & Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach, CA
The 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the second PGA Tour signature event of the season, is set to take place from January 30 to February 2 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California. The tournament features a star-studded field of 80 professionals and 80 amateurs, with a total purse of $20 million and $3.6 million going to the winner.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is making his season debut after recovering from hand surgery, and he enters as the betting favorite. Other top contenders include Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa. Defending champion Wyndham Clark returns after his weather-shortened victory in 2024.
The tournament format has been reimagined, with amateurs competing alongside professionals for the first two rounds, and the final two rounds limited to professionals only at Pebble Beach Golf Links. This marks the second year of the event's status as a PGA Tour Signature Event, attracting 45 of the world's top 50 golfers.
Notable past winners in the field include Justin Rose, Tom Hoge, and Jordan Spieth, who is also making his return from injury. The event promises to be a thrilling showcase of golf talent at one of the sport's most iconic venues.
Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament at Champions - LPGA - Lake Nona Golf & Country Club - Orlando, FL
The 2025 LPGA Tour season is set to kick off with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, from January 30 to February 2. This prestigious event brings together LPGA Tour winners from the past two seasons to compete for a $2 million purse, with the winner taking home $300,000.
Defending champion Lydia Ko will return to defend her title after a stellar 2024 season that saw her win multiple tournaments, including two majors and an Olympic gold medal. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who dominated the 2024 season with seven victories, will be looking to start the new year strong.
The field of 32 players includes other notable names such as Brooke Henderson, Hannah Green, Rose Zhang, and 2024 major winners Ayaka Furue and Yuka Saso. Five South Korean players will also be competing, including former world No. 1 Ko Jin-young and rising star Ryu Hae-ran.
Adding to the event's unique format, approximately 50 celebrities from sports, entertainment, and music will join the LPGA players, competing in a separate tournament for a $500,000 purse using a modified Stableford scoring system.
The tournament will be broadcast nationally on NBC, Peacock, and Golf Channel, showcasing the start of the LPGA's 75th anniversary season. With a total of 33 official events and over $131 million in prize money up for grabs throughout the year, the 2025 LPGA Tour is set to be the most lucrative in the tour's history.

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy deliver TGL's best night. Did they find formula for long-term success?
TGL Recap - Headlines from the Monday, January 27th match
TGL's chip-off overtime rule work? Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy developed finale
David Ortiz Delivers On-Brand (NSFW) Message At Boston Common TGL Debut
Insider Alleges Tiger Woods Put On a Sham Show at TGL Amid Growing Backlash for Majors Claim
Tom Kim says 'it's personal now' after beating McIlroy on TGL debut
Rory McIlroy emphatically denies TGL issue: "I had the same concerns"
The man behind TGL: How he persuaded Woods and McIlroy to create it
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy Fall Short in Boosting TGL Ratings
Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship - DP World Tour - Royal GC - Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, a DP World Tour event, is set to take place from January 30 to February 2, 2025, at the Royal Golf Club in Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain. This prestigious tournament marks the third event of the DP World Tour’s ‘International Swing’ and is the penultimate stop on the Persian Gulf before the Tour heads to Qatar.
The Panama Championship - Korn Ferry - Club de Golf de Panama - Panama City, Panama
The Panama Championship, a Korn Ferry Tour event, is set to take place from January 30 to February 2, 2025, at the Club de Golf de Panama in Panama City, Panama. This tournament is part of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour schedule, which features 26 events across seven countries and 17 states. The Panama Championship is one of the tour's international events and has been a fixture on the schedule for many years.
The tournament carries a purse of $1,000,000, offering a significant opportunity for players to earn points towards their PGA TOUR cards. Isaiah Salinda is the defending champion, having won the previous edition of the event. The Club de Golf de Panama, which has hosted the tournament for several years, will once again serve as the venue for this prestigious event.
Today’s Best Golf Videos
What’s in the Bag (WITB)
Overheard in the Club House
UPCOMING TOURS

Marie Birdie is a female-founded and owned golf and active wear brand for tween and teen girls. Our mission is to inspire, delight, and empower girls to enjoy an active lifestyle while playing golf. Now available at select PGA Tour Superstores.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up HERE for FREE