GOLF - Sport News

GOLF

Tiger Woods and Ex-Wife Elin Nordegren Spotted Chatting at Son Charlie’s Golf Tournament

By Admin November 11, 2024

Tiger Woods and his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, are supportive of son Charlie’s dreams of following in his father’s footsteps.

Tiger, 48, and Nordegren, 44, were spotted at the Class 1A Region 4 tournament in Miami on Monday, Nov. 4 as 15-year-old Charlie and the Benjamin School boys golf team advanced to the state championships, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The legendary golfer wore a white ballcap and sunglasses with his polo shirt and navy shorts, per the Post. A black sleeve was reportedly visible on Tiger’s right leg underneath his clothing.

READ: Tiger Woods Expensive Car Collection: The Lavish Lifestyle of Golf Legend Explored

Nordegren sported a white sun hat and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers T-shirt at the tournament, where she reportedly rode in the same golf cart as her ex-husband.

The two were seen chatting throughout — notably on the twelfth hole, according to the Post.

The outlet reported that Tiger didn’t appear to say much while watching Charlie — who finished sixth in the competition — and sat in his golf cart for most of the outing. Nordegren, meanwhile, was reportedly the first to greet Charlie after his final putt.

Tiger and Nordegren were married for nearly six years when the golf legend’s 2009 infidelity scandal blew up. They divorced in 2010 and now the mental health counselor is “living her sweetest dream” with her new partner — retired NFL tight end Jordan Cameron.

Together, Cameron, 36, and Nordegren — who first got together in 2017 — have a blended family of six kids. Cameron was already dad to a son, Tristan, from a previous relationship. In addition to the Swedish model’s two kids with Woods — Charlie and daughter Sam, 16 — Nordegren also shares Zeta, Freya and Arthur with Cameron.

Years after her split from Tiger, a source told PEOPLE that the former couple are co-parents and close pals.

“They’re friends now,” the source said. “Everything that happened in the past is in the past. They both decided to be adults and to do what was best for the kids. So they get along really well. Tiger says really great things about Elin. He never complains about her, ever. … The kids love them both.”

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods Expensive Car Collection: The Lavish Lifestyle of Golf Legend Explored

By Admin October 30, 2024

The legendary golfers are known to be lavish when it comes to their choice of cars.

I mean take John Rahm’s or even Jordan Spieth’s car collection for example, both golfers have extraordinary cars worth millions in their collection. So, what about the GOAT? Does Tiger Woods have a car collection? Well yes, and an amazing one at that.

Tiger Woods is surely known for his golfing skills but his lavish lifestyle is also pretty well-known so I don’t think you’re going to be too surprised with his collection of four-wheelers. Like many things in the golfer’s life, Woods’s car collection is also a real showstopper so let’s take a closer look.

READ: LIV Golf star facing bleak LIV Golf future after previous comments about Tiger Woods

Buick LaCrosse

The first one in line is Tiger Woods’ go-to ride also known as his sleek Buick LaCrosse and it’s easy to see why. With its powerful 3.6L V6 engine and smooth 8-speed automatic transmission, this car is a joy to drive. Plus, with advanced safety features like forward collision alert and cozy amenities like heated seats and touchscreen infotainment, the car becomes extraordinary automatically. These amazing features surely speak for its price which is a decent $45,000 as it provides Woods with comfort so he can cruise around town in style.

Buick Enclave

Next in line is Woods’ Buick Enclave which is priced at an affordable $50,000. Now, the cost may seem too much for the word affordable but the car’s modern build speaks for the price. This family-friendly SUV offers ample space which makes it perfect for road trips with loved ones and we know Woods has got two of them, his son Charlie and daughter Sam.

With its powerful 3.6L V6 engine and smooth 6-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave becomes a powerhouse of style and reliability. Additionally, the heated seats, touchscreen infotainment, and amazing cargo space make long drives a joy for Woods and his family.

2009 Lexus LS 460

Now the game is really beginning, as we step into luxury territory with Woods’ 2009 Lexus LS 460, per Money Magnets on YouTube. This fabulous car is valued at $80,000 and before you get all ‘It’s way too expensive for a sedan’, let us explain why why it is priced that much. The refined sedan features a powerful 4.6L V8 engine which gets paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and leather upholstery to complete the look. To add to that, climate control and a premium Mark Levinson sound system add to the luxury by delivering unparalleled sophistication and elegance. All these features combined together take Woods’s driving experience to new heights. And let’s face it, for a Lexus, it is pretty decently priced!

2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG

Next in Woods’ impressive collection is the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG which is a powerhouse of a sedan that commands attention with its $230,000 price tag. This luxury vehicle promises a driving experience that is nothing like you’ve seen before. With its mighty 6.0L V12 engine, which is handcrafted by AMG engineers, and lightning-fast 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the S65 AMG unleashes raw power and precision. Add sport-tuned suspension and exclusive amenities, and you’ve got a high-performance sedan that just rules the road.

Lamborghini Murciélago

Woods’ supercar collection starts with the iconic Lamborghini Murciélago, priced at $300,000. This Italian beauty is a masterpiece of design and engineering and you’ll get to know why soon enough. Under the hood, the ‘bat’ packs a potent 6.2L V12 engine, paired with state-of-the-art all-wheel drive technology. This combination unleashes breathtaking performance and exceptional handling and with its striking scissor doors and dramatic adjustable rear wing, the Murciélago turns heads wherever it goes. As the crown jewel of Woods’s collection, this Lamborghini adds to the golfer’s lavish lifestyle.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Next in Woods’ supercar collection is the revered Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, a $500,000 powerhouse born from the collaboration of two automotive legends: Mercedez Benz and McLaren. This sleek marvel combines a roaring 5.5L V8 engine with a seamless 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering electrifying performance.

But what truly sets the SLR McLaren apart is its cutting-edge tech: a lightweight carbon fiber chassis, adaptive suspension, and innovative aerodynamics for its time. The result? A driving experience that’s both exhilarating and refined. As a testament to Tiger Woods’ passion for exceptional engineering, the SLR McLaren embodies the perfect blend of style, substance, and rarity.

Porsche Carrera GT

Last but certainly not least, we’ve got the ultimate showstopper: the Porsche Carrera GT! This sleek supercar is the crown jewel of any collection, and its $2 million price tag proves it. So, what makes this rare beauty worth every penny? For starters, its 5.7L V10 engine delivers heart-pounding performance, paired perfectly with a 6-speed manual transmission. And with its lightweight construction, this Porsche is built for speed and agility. It’s also earned itself the moniker of ‘widowmaker’ in the car community. It’s a masterpiece that’s as thrilling to drive as it is stunning to look at!

Unfortunately, his collection hasn’t been immune to setbacks and we have seen the golfer get into a lot of accidents which has resulted in damaging some of his prized possessions which include the Hyundai Genesis GB80 and Cadillac Escalade.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Phil Mickleson furiously confronted golfer in locker room after remarks about his outfit

By Admin October 25, 2024

Phil Mickelson once exploded at Vijay Singh in the locker room at The Masters during a row over the now-LIV Golf star’s spikes.

Back in 2005, tensions were rising between the sport’s best players, with Mickelson, Singh, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els sharing frosty relationships.

Singh had little issue getting under the skin of his rivals. Then the top-ranked player on the PGA Tour, the Fijian is claimed to have complained about Mickelson’s spikes on the 12th hole at Augusta National.

The story goes that Singh called over an official to protest that the spikes on Mickelson’s soles were leaving significant marks in the ground. The American, who had switched from 6mm to 8mm spikes a few days before, was informed that someone would file them down.

JUST IN: LIV Golf star facing bleak LIV Golf future after previous comments about Tiger Woods

Stuart Appleby, Mickelson’s playing partner, is said to have quipped: “What are they going to send? A blacksmith?”

The chair of Augusta National’s competition committee later revealed that the spikes were never filed and said: “One of our officials talked to Phil to see if there was a burr on the side of one of his spikes. He very generously, as you know he would, said he would change them when he got in if there was a problem. There wasn’t.”

Mickelson felt that Singh could have handled the situation more sensitively, perhaps making officials aware at the end of the round.

He reflected afterwards: “I was extremely distracted and would have appreciated if it would have been handled differently or after the round. After sitting in the locker room for a while, I heard Vijay talking to other players about it, and I confronted him. He expressed his concerns. I expressed my disappointment with the way it was handled.’’

However, Mickelson’s version of events are reported to be extremely watered down. According to Golf WRX, he entered the locker room to hear Singh criticising him to other players. It is claimed that Mickelson yelled at his rival, called him a “motherf*****”, and offered to settle their differences outside.

That version of events was largely backed up by Tiger Woods’ caddie at the time, Steve Williams, on the Chasing Majors podcast.

I think it was just Phil and Vijay,” said Williams, who added that Mickelson’s spikes were “certainly legal”. He continued: “I understand there was a bit of a heated conversation in the locker room. There’s no love lost between those two, that’s for sure.”

Mickelson finished 10th that year with Woods going on to win. There was a third green jacket for the now-54-year-old 12 months later, though.

And when Singh was criticised in 2020 for taking a place in a Korn Ferry Tour event, Mickelson leapt to his defence, saying: “It’s no secret VJ and I aren’t close, but I’d like to say on his behalf that in addition to being a member of the HoF, he’s a big part of the PGA Tour’s success which financially subsidises, and always has, the KFT. He has earned the right to play when and where he wants.”

Sing, though, is yet to repay the compliment to Mickelson following his decision to join the LIV Golf tour in 2022.

Keep Reading

GOLF

LIV Golf star facing bleak LIV Golf future after previous comments about Tiger Woods

By Admin October 25, 2024

A LIV Golf star, whose wife publicly slammed Tiger Woods after his high-speed car crash in 2021, is facing a tough battle to avoid being demoted from the tour next year.

Pat Perez has had a dismal year on the LIV circuit, narrowly avoiding relegation by the slimmest of margins. The Arizona-born golfer finished the 2024 LIV season in 48th place, just one spot and 1.56 points above the automatic drop zone.

If Kalle Samooja hadn’t shot a final-round 71 in the last LIV event of the year, Perez’s fate might have been sealed. However, assuming a team signs the former PGA Tour star during the free agency period, Perez will retain his LIV contract going into 2025.

READ: Tiger Woods to miss his own event again as major health questions asked about golf icon

But with his back already against the wall, defending his position could prove even more challenging next year if Perez’s form continues on a similar downward trend.

Perez is no stranger to controversy, having been embroiled in a war of words with Woods in the past. Woods, a vocal critic of the LIV project since its inception, has claimed that players who left the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed league are only motivated by money.

Perez fired back at the golf legend, saying “that’s the stupidest —- I have ever heard of in my life” on an episode of the Son of a Butch podcast.

He remarked: “Now, next year you might; they finally got the perks. But last time I checked, he signed a $40 million deal right out of college, was flying on the Nike jet. He found incentive. He could have shut it down right then.”

Yet, Pat isn’t the sole Perez to take a swipe at Woods, as the LIV sensation’s spouse, Ashley, didn’t hold back either. Her dig came in the wake of Woods’ harrowing car accident in 2021, which many feared spelt the end of his career, with Ashley scathingly posting on Instagram: “Literally why driving under the influence is ILLEGAL. I don’t feel bad for him. Thank god he didn’t kill anyone. See ya.”

At the time, Woods was cleared of any allegations of driving under the influence, leading to a swift removal of the post by Perez’s wife.

Perez won three titles during his time on the PGA Tour: the Bob Hope Classic in 2009, the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in 2016 and the CIMB Classic in 2017. He finished in a tie for third at the Players Championship in 2006 and has one top-10 finish at the majors, which came in 2005 at the PGA Championship (finishing in a tie for sixth).

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods to miss his own event again as major health questions asked about golf icon

By Admin October 23, 2024

The Hero World Challenge has revealed its line-up, with Scottie Scheffler leading the charge. However, the notable absence of Tiger Woods is hard to ignore.

Woods’ absence from the Hero World Challenge is especially conspicuous as he is the host of the event. The tournament is part of the PGA Tour schedule, but being an unofficial event, players do not earn FedEx Cup points or official funds.

The 2024 edition of the event boasts a total prize fund of $4.5 million (£3.5m), with the winner set to bag $1 million (£770k). Despite this, the tournament often attracts the biggest names in golf, although on this occasion, Woods will not be participating.

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy get wish as personal roadblock to LIV Golf merger removed

At present, the confirmed competitors include Scheffler, Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama, Sam Burns, Brian Harman, Sahith Theegala, Tony Finau, Sungjae Im, Tom Kim, Aaron Rai, Billy Horschel, Keegan Bradley, Russell Henley, Matthieu Pavon and Bob MacIntyre. Three additional exemption spots are yet to be announced.

There is a chance that Woods could be awarded one of these exemption spots to compete in the Hero World Challenge, aligning with his plans for the rest of the year.

The 48 year old golf legend’s schedule has hit an unforeseen snag after he announced another setback with his health, pausing his participation in the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship due to recent back surgery.

Woods took to social media in mid-September to inform fans about his latest medical procedure aimed at tackling severe discomfort that hindered his 2024 season, fraught with injury bouts. Conducted by Dr. Sheeraz Quereshi, the operation is reported to be a success.

In his statement, Woods said: “The surgery went smoothly, and I’m hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season,” and continued, “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”

Undergoing his sixth back surgery, expectations are high for Woods to make a strong return in 2025, particularly with the anticipation surrounding his involvement in The Golf League, his partnership with Rory McIlroy aiming to compete with LIV Golf.

Despite potential risks of recurring pain that previously plagued him, as Woods confided to Golfweek in December 2023 regarding his challenges during competitions, fans remain optimistic about his recovery and presence at the Hero World Challenge come December.

Woods bluntly described the pain endured from last year’s competitions with a single word, “Everywhere,” when pressed about where he felt soreness. He further explained: “My leg, my back, my neck. Just from playing and hitting shots, trying to hold off shots. It’s just different at game speed, too. Game speed is a lot different than at-home speed.”

Despite dealing with discomfort during the Hero World Challenge in 2023, Woods maintained optimism about participating in at least one tournament each month throughout 2024. However, his plans hit a snag in July when he announced he would take the rest of the year off for recovery, admitting his initial schedule was perhaps overambitious.

Reflecting on the challenges, Woods admitted, “I thought I could play a little bit more earlier in the year. I think I was a little bit too optimistic,” He ruefully added, “At the end of last year, it was tough, and I haven’t played a whole lot. I think that, as the year has gone on, I have gotten better. I just wish I could have played a little bit more, but I’ve been saving it for the majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it.”

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy get wish as personal roadblock to LIV Golf merger removed

By Admin October 16, 2024

Greg Norman will stay at LIV Golf – but is set to be replaced as CEO of the Saudi Arabia-funded series.

LIV Golf’s arrival as a rival to the PGA Tour sent shockwaves throughout the world of sports. LIV Golf immediately made its presence felt, signing some of the game’s biggest names in an attempt to fracture the PGA Tour’s grip on professional golf.

Norman has signed the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm to LIV Golf. But in June 2023, reports emerged suggesting LIV Golf had agreed to merge with the PGA Tour to end golf’s divide.

READ: ‘Uncle’ Tiger Woods’ Hearty Gesture Might Have Pushed Serena Williams’s Daughter Away From Tennis, Reveals Alexis Ohanian

The merger ensured the pending legal dispute between the tours was to be placed on the back burner to attempt to co-exist as a single entity, with a signed agreement seemingly set to combine the PGA Tour and LIV’s commercial operations and rights into a new company, along with the DP World Tour.

Tense negotiations have been ongoing for some time now, with both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy insisting Noman needed to step down to end “animosity” between the two tours. McIlroy in particular declared he believed Norman “had to go” in order to push through a merger.

He said in November 2022: “There’s a few things that I would like to see on the LIV side that needs to happen. I think Greg needs to go. I think he just needs to exit stage left. He’s made his mark, but I think now is the right time to sort of say, ‘Look, you’ve got this thing off the ground, but no one is going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.”

Woods echoed Mcilroy’s statements, with the 15-time major champion suggested the Australian was looking to “destroy” the PGA Tour. “Greg has to go,” Woods said back in 2022. Asked whether LIV and golf’s traditional tours can co-exist, Woods said: “Not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening.

As Rory said, I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you? They sued us first. I see that there’s an opportunity out there if both organizations put a stay on their litigation but that’s the problem, they’ve got to put a stay on it.

“I think it has to start with leadership on their side. Understanding that what is happening right now is not the best fit or future for the whole game of golf. Now, what is the best way for our game to grow? It’s not this way. You need to have the two bodies come together. If one side has so much animosity, someone trying to destroy our tour, then how do you work with that?”

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV Golf, has been looking for a new CEO for the circuit to take over from Norman. Once the new hire is installed, Norman is expected to maintain a leadership role within LIV Golf.

At the recent Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan played alongside Yasir Al-Rumayyan and McIlroy throughout the week. DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings was also playing, leading fans to believe that a breakthrough in negotiations is imminent.

Keep Reading

CELEB NEWS

‘Uncle’ Tiger Woods’ Hearty Gesture Might Have Pushed Serena Williams’s Daughter Away From Tennis, Reveals Alexis Ohanian

By Admin October 14, 2024

At the age of seven, we are pretty sure Olympia Ohanian Jr. has played more sports than any other kid her age.

First, it was soccer, then she was interested in tennis, and now it seems the eldest daughter of Serena Williams and Alex Ohanian is an avid golfer. And all the credit might go to Tiger Woods. Yes, Williams and Ohanian share a pretty close relationship and even share a business with Woods. The Ohanian family owns the LAGC team in Woods’ venture TGL, and even Olympia has a share to her name.

And what else she has is a golf club set gifted by Woods. In an appearance on the Gayle King in the House radio show, the Reddit co-founder shared that he and Olympia Ohanian Jr. started playing golf every Sunday, all thanks to Woods. Talking about Olympia’s sudden interest in golf, Ohanian added, “I’m her daddy caddy I don’t know how to play golf I never played golf but Uncle Tiger gifted some clubs and I was like Olympia you better learn how to play golf.” Thus, their golf journey started, but being a kid, Jr. is more intrigued by her uncle’s name and has asked if it is actually ‘Tiger.’

JUST IN : [VIDEO] How was Tiger Woods No. 1 for so long? He answered with 14 words

Regardless, courtesy of her playing golf, Alexis has also bought clubs for himself and is playing the sport. However, he revealed that he usually stays on the range while Olympia Ohanian Jr. goes to the course with her instructor Brittany Ferrante. Olympia turned 7 last month, and her father shared on Instagram how he needed to buy her new clubs as she was growing out of the gift from Tiger Woods. Surely, he would have gifted her the new set and their Sunday golf tradition has been followed. Just two weeks ago, Ohanian posted on Instagram and shared that Olympia made a bogey.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alexis Ohanian Sr. (@alexisohanian)

The Reddit co-founder usually shares Olympia Ohanian’s progress with fans on Instagram and it seems unlike soccer and tennis, she has not lost interest in golf just yet. While Ohanian expressed that he supported every hobby of his daughter and didn’t expect her to follow one thing, what does Mama Williams think of Jr. sliding away from tennis?

As an athlete, Serena Willaims surely hoped that her daughter Olympia Ohanian Jr. would follow in her footsteps just like Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie Woods. From an early age, Jr. played tennis to some extent, but slowly her focus shifted to different things. So when Williams appeared on the CBS News’ Person to Person with Norah O’Donnell show, she unveiled how Olympia “doesn’t actually like to play tennis too much.”

Williams shared how it was a bit disappointing because Olympia plays good tennis and she has the talent to be great one day. So what’s the solution? The 43-year-old revealed that she was trying various things to get her back to tennis and said, “Maybe I can push her into tennis by getting other kids to have a group lesson. I think that’s what I’m gonna do.” But it seems that it has not worked yet!

With her father’s support and Ohanian being a daddy caddie, Olympia is in her golfing era and not leaving it soon. Who knows, she may stick to it this time, and Tiger Woods‘ thoughtful gift may give the golf world the next generation of golfing legends!

Keep Reading

CELEB NEWS

[VIDEO] How was Tiger Woods No. 1 for so long? He answered with 14 words

By Admin October 14, 2024

Jason Day laughs now, because it’s funny to him on a few levels. For one, Tiger Woods answered his question self-deprecatingly. But there’s also a nugget of hard truth to the response that makes Day smile too.

The query?

What kept you at No. 1 for so long?

Day was talking on this week’s “The Smylie Show” — which you can listen to in full here — where part of the conversation looked at Day’s time atop the golf world, and specifically the commitment to get there. The podcast’s host, Smylie Kaufman, noted that Day’s devotion reminded him of Woods’, and that led to this response:

READ: Tiger Woods to design second Texas golf course as PGA and LIV Golf merger talks progress

“You had to have, it was — to get to the best, it’s a lifestyle choice,” Day said on the podcast. “Your whole life has to be in on that goal of being the best. You can’t — it’s very difficult. Some of the guys can do it. Like a Dustin Johnson and some of these other guys, they can naturally just get to No. 1, and just like, how do you do it so easily? … They don’t practice as hard as you or I, they’re kind of just naturally gifted in a way that they can do it and it just doesn’t look like it affects their lifestyle much.

“And then there’s people like me and even Tiger, for instance.”

Woods? Really? At this point in the podcast, Day shared the story of his question — and Woods’ 14-word response.

“I always laugh at this because — hey, what kept you at No. 1 for so long?” Day said on the podcast. “And he would look at me and go, I’m not as talented as you so I had to work harder than you.

“I’m like, that is such a load of crap. You’re way more talented than me. But again, what he did great was that he matched great technique with unbelievable work ethic and also a great mental game. When you have that three-prong effect, it’s just going to give success.”

Was Day more talented than Woods? Did Woods work harder than Day to the tune of 69 more wins than him? (Woods has 82 victories; Day 13.) Was Woods poking fun at himself? Was he jabbing Day? We’ll let you figure that out.

“It’s a lifestyle choice.” @JDayGolf reflects on what it took for him to reach golf’s pinnacle, the setbacks that came from it, and memorable conversations with the legend who led the way, @TigerWoods.

New episode available now on Youtube and wherever you get your podcasts,… pic.twitter.com/tua9RCa1A8

— The Smylie Show (@thesmylieshow) October 9, 2024

But Day also appreciated Woods’ drive. Day, too, left no golf ball unturned.

“Getting back to being No. in the world, it was, what am I eating, how am I sleeping, is there any drama in my life that I need to get rid of?” Day said on the podcast. “Because the amount of stuff that happens personally at home affects you on the golf course, so you got to understand that having a toxic relationship or having drama off the golf course actually affects you on the golf course. Then you go, how’s my practice schedule, how’s my gym work and then you got to attack it from all different angles and go, OK, well, everything’s working in order, go out and play, and then my goal, if I’m wanting to do it and I’m willing to push it, then you’ll, at some point, if have all those things working in order, you’ll get there.

“But, god, it’s hard.”

Keep Reading

Uncategorized

Jon Rahm faces awkward encounter just weeks after refusing to pay LIV Golf fines

By Admin October 5, 2024

Jon Rahm recently met with DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

This meeting took place just a few weeks after Rahm declared he wouldn’t be paying any fines to the Wentworth-based circuit for participating in LIV Golf events. Rahm is back on the DP World Tour this week, aiming to play four events to maintain his Tour membership and secure his eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup.

His last-minute scramble to meet the quota comes after spending most of 2024 playing on the LIV circuit. After joining the breakaway league late last year on a record-breaking deal, Rahm has been crowned LIV’s individual champion for 2024, pocketing just under $35 million in prize money during that period.

READ: Tiger Woods to design second Texas golf course as PGA and LIV Golf merger talks progress

However, his move hasn’t been without consequences. Rahm has faced financial penalties and suspensions from the DP World Tour for each LIV event he participates in. To return to the European circuit this autumn, Rahm had to appeal the decision, which has allowed him to compete in the Spanish Open, Dunhill Links, and the Andalucia Masters later this month, reports the Mirror US.

While the appeal currently allows the former world No. 1 to compete freely, there will come a time when he’ll have to choose between the Wentworth-based circuit and the LIV competitor. The outcome remains uncertain, but Rahm has already stated he won’t pay a penny of what he owes.

“I’m not a big fan of the fines. I think I’ve been outspoken about that,” the Spanish star said of his DP World Tour punishments at LIV Chicago last month. “I don’t intend to pay the fines, and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.”

This could potentially cause a significant rift between the European Tour and one of their most valuable players, Rahm. Despite the off-course politics, Rahm and the circuit’s CEO, Kinnings, appeared to be on good terms as they walked the course together ahead of this week’s event in Scotland.

Away from the controversy, Rahm’s attention shifted to the tournament at hand on Thursday, where he made a strong start, scoring an impressive seven-under-par 65 in the opening round at Carnoustie. The Spaniard is renowned for his aggressive play from tee to green, but it was his performance with the putter that stood out on the first day.

“My putting was really good today. I hit it well. Felt comfortable out there,’ he stated on Thursday. “But the amount of putts I made from 15 to 20 feet, it’s more than the average for sure today rather than — that’s what it takes on a golf course like Carnoustie to post a score. Hopefully, I can keep playing like this for the next few days.”

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods to design second Texas golf course as PGA and LIV Golf merger talks progress

By Admin October 4, 2024

Tiger Woods is set to design a new golf course in Texas as he takes on another project away from the course, with the 15-time major winner also in talks with LIV Golf

Tiger Woods is expanding his design portfolio with a second golf course in Texas, announcing a major new venture.

The 48-year-old golf icon revealed on Thursday that he’s collaborating once more with the Bluejack Ranch brand to create a new course in Aledo, Texas. On their website, Woods expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m grateful for the encore opportunity to reteam with Bluejack National and home-towners Andy and Kristin Mitchell to design a course around this incredibly special property and community.

READ: Tiger Woods’ business empire blitzes his career earnings despite ditching £500m deal

“It’s extremely motivating for me to contribute to the golfing legacy of Fort Worth, and I’m excited to see what we’ll build together. We’ll share more after our next design meeting in Aledo.”

Amidst these developments, Woods continues to be a key figure in negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) regarding a potential merger with LIV Golf. These discussions have been active for over a year, with Woods playing a pivotal role while simultaneously pursuing other interests.

In addition to his latest design project, Woods is also gearing up to launch a new golf league in January with fellow PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy. The innovative TGL league will showcase 24 leading PGA Tour players in weekly televised games at a purpose-built arena in Florida.

Golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have teamed up with top golf course designer Beau Welling to revolutionise the game by creating digital holes for a state-of-the-art 1,500-seater arena at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens. They’re set to light up the stage along with stars such as Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Rose.

Woods, juggling a plethora of projects including his involvement in crafting a virtual golf experience for the innovative TGL, promoting his clothing line Sun Day Red, and designing new courses, is carving out less time for traditional golf rounds. He’s running on a light schedule these days with an anticipated appearance at the Hero World Challenge on Dec.5.

Over a decade ago, I designed my first U.S. course at Bluejack National. I’m excited to announce that @tgrdesignbytw, @BluejackNation, and the Mitchell family are teaming up again to create @BluejackRanch, an exceptional new golf community in Aledo, Texas.… pic.twitter.com/k2nNCR82nB

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) October 3, 2024

While Woods may be entering the twilight of his playing career, he’s been handed the significant role of shaping golf’s future. The PGA Tour, in negotiations with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), saw Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Arabia’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan present a stunning framework agreement last June that remains unsigned, some 18 months on.

According to ESPN, Woods had discussions with PIF representatives in New York recently.

The golf icon has been tight-lipped since giving an update at The Open Championship in July, where he hinted at positive developments, saying: “I can tell you we’re making progress. I can’t tell you more than that just because we’re not going to negotiate on the outside.”

He emphasised confidentiality and optimism about the ongoing dialogues, mentioning: “We’ve got to keep everything at a high level and private, but things are moving and things are changing… There’s a good interchange of ideas and thoughts on how the game could look going forward. It’s just a matter of putting that all together legally.”

“Obviously we have the DOJ with oversight looking into that as well and making sure that we don’t do anything improperly there, as well, but also making sure that all the players benefit from this as well as everyone who’s involved. They want to make money as well. They want to make that return.”

Keep Reading