Golf World news in brief

Golf World news in brief

By Neville Idour

Team wants Luke Donald for 2027 Ryder Cup

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Team Europe Captain Luke Donald poses with The Ryder Cup trophy at Garden City Hotel on September 29, 2025 in Garden City, New York. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Tommy Fleetwood has made it clear that all of this year’s winning Ryder Cup team want Luke Donald to remain as captain for the 2027 edition of the cup.

Fleetwood said: “He’s been an unbelievable captain and leader. Watching how Luke, a very close friend, has grown as a leader from captain in Rome (2023) to the leader he is now is amazing. I feel the story has still got a little bit to go. But it’s completely his choice.

“I think we were unbelievably well prepared for Bethpage Black (in New York). We were confident as a team.”

Having won with Donald as captain in Rome and New York it is hardly surprising that the team want him to stay on.

Fleetwood added: “I felt that Saturday evening at the course (at Bethpage) was the most special atmosphere I have ever seen.’'

McKibbin's LIV move the right one, says McGinley

European Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley says rising star Tom McKibbin has made the right career choice moving to LIV Golf. McGinley believes LIV Golf now provides a better opportunity for young players to progress.

“I think going to LIV has benefitted his career because he’s playing more regularly with better players. Always important for a young player’s progress.

“He is also fortunate to be in a team with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to help him. Not being banned he will be able to play many DP World Tour events in addition to the LIV schedule. So he is playing as much golf as he would have staying on the PGA Tour.

“It certainly would not surprise if other up and coming European players follow in his footsteps this (northern hemisphere) winter.’'

DeChambeau compares rollback ball

Significant differences in distance were the result of Bryson DeChambeau’s drives with his current golf ball and the so-called rollback ball.

The rollback ball refers to the proposed rule change in golf that will limit how far golf balls can be hit, particularly for professional and elite players.

With the rollback ball, DChambeau smoked it 315 yards carry at ball speed of 187 mph with his driver.

With his current ball he hit his driver a little skinny and it carried 331 yards with a ball speed of 192 mph.

DeChambeau said: “Were they saying it would be 10/11 yard difference? Nah, it’s 15/20. If I had hit that one good it is probably 25. I don’t like it.”

On the other hand Rory McIlroy firmly believes that the golf ball rollback will be positive for the game.

“I don’t understand the anger about it. It will make no difference to the average golfer. It will put golf back on a path of sustainability and bring back certain skills in the pro game that have been lost in the last two decades.”

Add to this the fact some of the great old traditional courses were becoming obsolete because of the distances players are hitting the ball and you have a strong argument for the rollback ball.

Lexi Thompson honoured with Dow Award

The LPGA and sponsor Dow were proud to honour Lexi Thompson with the inaugural Dow Impact Award. She was the winner from a strong group which included sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Jennifer Kupcho, Gaby Lopez and Rose Zhang all prominent in philanthropic activities.

The award recognises the gold standard in professional sports for athletes who don’t just excell at their sport but also make extraordinary contributions to their communities.

Thompson is a more than worthy recipient fulfilling every aim of the award. Thompson’s vast charitable work impacts young female golfers and veterans and supports breast cancer research through the Lexi Thompson Foundation.

Greg Norman: ``I’d do it again’'

Greg Norman recently opened up to Brad Clifton from Golf Digest on the abuse his players and he himself had to cop on LIV Golf.

First he said he “enjoyed his time on LIV” but it was hard and very draining and he was working 100 hour weeks.

Throughout his time as chief executive, Norman regularly defended the players that joined LIV, labelling the abuse as disgusting. What hurt him the most was the lack of understanding of why people would judge him and give him the abuse they did.

“I will happily sit down and talk about things. If I’m wrong I’ll admit it. But don’t judge me or what LIV is truly about.”

Some of the players reached out to Norman with appreciation. He mentioned in particular Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

So what is Norman up to now? He is working with the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games organising committee. In his new role he reiterated that if he was asked to do the LIV Golf thing again, he’d do it “in a heartbeat.” But ``I’d do it a little differently.”

LPGA’s landmark deal with Golf Saudi

A landmark deal for the LPGA with Golf Saudi will see the launch of a brand new tournament. Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas will host the Aramco Championship from March 30-April 5. It will be co- sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET). It will be part of the LET’s five event PIF Global Series featuring 120 players and $US4 million prize money. This will make it the third highest non major championship purse for 2026.

This will be the first LPGA event backed by the PIF (Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia) although LET has worked with Golf Saudi for several years. LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler said this will fit nicely into building the global schedule for the tour. It is a spectacular west coast setting in the United States and an iconic course. One has to ponder if there is a LIV Golf tour for women in the wind.

PGA Tour on the punishment trail again

PGA Tour players who want to play in the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida from January 8-11, 2026, may face punishment despite there being no PGA Tour event that week. This qualifying school event was previously held in the middle east of the United States in December. This will be the first in the USA.

The PGA has labelled LIV Promotions an “unauthorised event” due to LIV’s decision to hold the 72-hole event in Florida. Per the tour rules, players cannot be given release to play a conflicting event in the USA. This means sanctioning for any PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour or Champions Tour players who opt to play in the LIV qualifier. Two places will be up for grabs this year and $US1.5 million will be on the line.

… but not the DP World Tour

Unlike the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour is unlikely to sanction any players who play in the LIV Promotions event. The DP World Tour spokesperson confirmed to Scottish golf magazine bunkered.co.uk that as long as there is no tournament clash, members will not be required to apply for a release to play the LIV event.

Any player who has won on the DP World Tour in 2024 and 2025 automatically qualifies for stage two of Promotions, as are the leading 10 available players from within the top 30 of the DP World Tour rankings.

Ryder Cup players from 2021 and 2025 can also go straight to stage two. It is illuminating that despite both tours being in the same position it is the DP World Tour that has adopted an inclusive approach. This wise course can only have the benefits of stronger fields for some events on the tour, as has been the case.

Fleetwood: ``Rather win The Open over the Masters’'

Winning a green jacket at Augusta is considered by many as the top golf achievement.

Not so for popular Englishman Tommy Fleetwood. Asked whether he would prefer to win The Open or The Masters his reply was unequivocal: “The Open. It’s not even close. The Masters would be second. The Open is amazing.

“I would rather win at Royal Birkdale than St Andrews as it’s my home course. But I won’t be picky.”

Well he is going to get that opportunity in 2026 as The Open goes to Birkdale for the 11th time.

LIV Golf Adelaide world’s best again

For the third year in a row, LIV Golf Adelaide has once again been named the world’s best golf event, according to World Golf Awards, which is based on votes from golf professionals, media, and the public.

This highlights LIV Golf’s standing as a world class event experience and this tournament’s international impact, not to forget South Australia’s growing reputation for world class sport and entertainment.

In 2025 LIV Golf Adelaide welcomed another record breaking 102,000 fans. The Adelaide event is redefining how professional golf events are held and experienced and also providing a lead for other live events according to Ross Hallett, LIV’s executive vice president and head of events.

American golf fans support Reed

Following Patrick Reed’s expressions of disgust at the behaviour of unruly fans at the Ryder Cup many American golf fans have come out in united support of Reed.

Comments covered the full spectrum. Such as “On both counts he is 100 er cent correct.”

“Embarrassed to be an American that weekend. It’s not a New York problem. It’s the entire country’s problem, full of brainless ………! Immaturity through the roof.”

“We embarrassed ourselves as Americans. The US team members should have strongly admonished the crowds but they didn’t. I’m unsure the cup will ever be the same again.”

“It’s a black eye for American fans to the world.”

“Reed should have been picked based on his Ryder Cup record and his form heading into the event.”

“Reed is 100 per cent right.”

“US fans weren’t cheering for the US team, instead they were heckling/cheering against Team Europe. It was awful.”

“Good for him (Reed). If fans want to be rowdy they can go to a football game. It was atrocious behaviour by a small minority and the paid first tee MC (emcee). Had Reed been selected he would have added value to the team.”

The wholehearted support must have felt unusual for Reed but would no doubt have been a filip to his feelings and confidence.

Bubba Watson’s unflattering accolade

In 2015, a poll by sports media company ESPN on the person each player would not help in a fight in the parking lot produced a surprising winner (loser).

Rory Sabatini and Robert Allenby were probably no surprise with nine per cent of the votes each. Meanwhile Patrick Reed was second with 11 per cent. The winner, if that is the right word, was Bubba Watson with 23 per cent. No question Watson is the kind of player who can attract fans yet divides his fellow professionals.

He was never averse to strongly criticising his caddies or losing his cool with fans if they made too much noise or getting frustrated with the course if he wasn’t playing well. However he took the news he was potentially the most unpopular player on the PGA Tour in remarkably good grace.

“I take it as I need to improve as a man. I take it with pride and I need to get better. I think I have gotten better. Obviously there is more room to improve, so hopefully it does. I’m glad it came out.”

Watson also revealed he had voted for himself anyway.

``I put my name on there, because I’m not going to call out anybody else. There’s nobody I dislike on tour.”

His attitude in response was commendable in its humility. It would be a fascinating to see the results of a similar poll carried out today with golf more divisive and the number of players who have been outspoken and affected their popularity.

Gary Player backtracks on claim to abolish Ryder Cup

Gary Player insists his recent comments to abolish the Ryder Cup were intended as a warning to organisers that fan behaviour is getting out of control. He said: “Recent media reports that stated I wish to see an end to the Ryder Cup couldn’t be further from the truth. I hold its organisers, the PGA of America and the Ryder Cup Europe in the highest regard.

“My comments were intended to be a warning that if the recent behaviour in New York is allowed to continue or even escalate this great tournament would be at risk of ending.

``I love the Ryder Cup format and want to see it continue to grow in a manner that allows it to meet the needs of sponsors and partners.”

Player said he wants the Ryder Cup to be a permanent fixture and mentioned the thousands of supporters and workers at Bethpage Black who behaved admirably.

Schauffele roasts Jay Monahan

Former PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan isn’t one of Xander Schauffele’s favourite administrators.

Schauffele says that throughout the saga with LIV Golf and the ``secret'' merger that has never eventuated, Monahan didn’t face the music.

“He didn’t take a stand when anyone left or face the public. Historically in tough situations you need a strong leader who can make us feel better about what we are doing.

“We need someone to stand up and lead the charge, whatever direction we are going in and wear the hard shots. Whether I trust him or not doesn’t matter. There are about 250 guys on tour.”

So it is unlikely Schauffele will cry any tears over Monahan’s leaving, especially knowing how much money he took home in 2024 — and that is another story.

Only Scott Scheffler made more money than Monahan in 2024

It is hard to believe that only Scottie Scheffler took home more money than former PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan in 2024.

Scheffler won seven times that season to bank $US29 million plus change while Monahan was paid $US19 million plus. Xander Schauffele was next with $18 million. Rory McIlroy only won a paltry $10 million. Add Colin Morikawa’s $8 million to McIlroy’s and combined they still fell short Monahan.

Looking at LIV Golf players, only Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann took home more than Monahan. It is no surprise some players see LIV as an attractive option. Maybe there is a principle involved here, after all isn’t it the stars of the game like McIlroy, DeChambeau and Rahm amongst others who bring the fans and the dollars into the game?

Charity golf fundraiser

Forty seven years for a charity golf tournament is some achievement.

The most recent event was again held at the Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights. The latest event was rebranded as the Skyline Charity Golf Classic and doubled as a fundraiser for the Lakes District Hospital Foundation. Since 2016 the foundation has raised about $1.8 million.

$1.2 million of it has supported a CT (computed tomography) scanner and most of the balance has funded a family room to accommodate the families of out of town patients and nurse training. Skyline Enterprises has committed to the tournament until at least the 50th tournament in 2028. They think it is the longest single golf sponsorship in New Zealand and possibly the longest in sport.

Fuzzy Zoeller dies aged 74

Fuzzy Zoeller, who was known for his quick wit and laid back disposition, died in late November. He turned professional in 1973 and won his first title, the Andy Williams Invitational, in 1979. He then competed in his first Masters and won in the first sudden death playoff in tournament history with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson. No player since has won in their Masters debut.

A two time major winner, his other win came at the 1984 US Open where he beat Greg Norman in an 18 hole playoff by eight strokes with Norman waving the white towel as they reached the 18th.

Unfortunately after retiring his reputation was marred by perceived racially insensitive remarks to reporters in regard to Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters win.

“Tell him not to serve fried chicken or collard greens,” Zoeller said.

Speaking to Golf Digest in 2008 about his comments he said: “Terrible, the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life. I got death threats against me, Dianne and my kids and threats against the house. I received hundreds of terrible mostly anonymous letters and they are still coming, nine years later.

“I’ve cried many times and apologised countless times for words said in jest that aren’t a reflection of who I am. Many of my friends are people of colour who will attest to that.”

Zoeller won 19 times globally and played in three Ryder Cup teams.

Twenty-event PGA Toiur is mooted

The latest upheaval to professional golf has just reared its head.

Yes, cutting the number of PGA Tour events on the calendar roughly in half to 20 events. This has posed lots of questions which we won’t go into here.

Harris English, not given to loose talk, asserted the tour was about to undergo a drastic transformation.

He said: “They want all the best players playing together more often. I think, maybe in 2027 they are going to have all the tournaments equal and the top players playing every event.”

This will mean an end to the eight elevated events and regular events. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out if it happens. Which tournaments will be axed or retained? How many scorned sponsors will be cast aside or will decide we don’t need this?

Garvey ready for home time

Cantabrian Amelia Garvey has had an encouraging season on the world golf scene particularly with her move to the Ladies European Tour. Some consistent performances have seen her world ranking rise to 183. Her best finishes were a second at the recent Wistron Ladies Open and three thirds in a four week stretch mid year at the Irish Open, German Masters and Hulencourt Women’s Open.

Garvey said: “After 19 countries across five continents this year I’m definitely ready for some time back home. This game never ceases to amaze me with the opportunities it brings. The places and people I have met along the way this year have been the highlight over any success that I have had. I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for me.

“Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way.”

Pegasus for sale

After the collapse of an ambitious development projected to inject a one-off $75 million into the region and an ongoing annual visitor spend of $83 million, Pegasus Golf Club owner Sam Huo has again put the Canterbury property on the market. In July 2023 he signed a joint venture agreement with a Hong Kong company to invest $90 million into the project but it did not eventuate.

Late 2024 Huo put the entire property on the market but it did not sell. Now just the mortgaged land for the resort development is for sale by tender with a December 11 deadline.

The original project was to take up to 15 years to develop. The hotels, spa, swimming and hot pools, country club, golf school and apartments were to sit alongside the 18 hole Pegasus course. Resource consent approval was in place but Huo was unable to secure bank finance or overseas funding. It is a case of wait and see what happens next. Whatever happens we can only hope the outstanding Pegasus golf course is not affected in the long run.

Nelly Korda engaged

Nelly Korda announced her engagement to Casey Gunderson. Understandably there were many messages of support, none more pertinent than one by her sister Jessica who jokingly wrote: “Sorry boys, she’s off the market.”