Brooks Koepka’s December 23rd exit from LIV has reignited golf’s most divisive debate. Should players who left for guaranteed millions be welcomed back without consequences? Billy Horschel recently spoke up, echoing what Bryson DeChambeau and Brandel Chamblee said.
“There’s a punishment that can be put in place that isn’t too harsh,” Billy Horschel said after his winning TGL match. “Sort of makes those guys on the PGA Tour feel a little bit better that there’s just not an open-door policy to come back and play.”
For Horschel, it is about finding balance: some consequences, but nothing extreme. The PGA Tour pros who stayed back 3 years ago shouldn’t be the ones suffering now, when a few golfers have had the realization of wanting to compete in majors and championships without much hassle. Although the Tour pro who did not move to LIV was rewarded in some ways, like the PIP program, signature events, and Comcast bonuses.
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Horschel’s thoughts on LIV have changed drastically. Earlier, he wanted a punishment to be there for golfers who defected, but now, he thinks from the game’s standpoint. If everyone wants the game to get better and the PGA Tour to grow, bringing Koepka back will be a smart decision, as he surely will add value.
Koepka’s credentials add weight to this debate. Before his $125 million LIV contract in 2022, he dominated the Tour with nine wins, including 2 PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens. He won his third PGA Championship, or fifth major, in 2023, becoming the first LIV golfer to lift a major trophy. Bringing him back will elevate the Tour field and might even solve some of the viewership woes.
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The road back, however, won’t be immediate. Under PGA Tour rules, players who competed in unauthorized events face a one-year ban, meaning Koepka can’t play Tour events, or even reapply for his membership, until at least August 2026. His last LIV appearance was in Indianapolis from August 15 to 17.
Now, as Koepka walks away from his hefty LIV contract a year early, citing family priorities and wanting to stay closer to home, everyone has something to say about his return.
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Xander Schauffele, the world’s No. 4 golfer, expects reactions to Koepka’s return will split cleanly along self-interest lines.
The process of Koepka’s return can be fairly simple. The 35-year-old has to reapply for PGA Tour membership and then deal with whatever sanctions or punishment the Tour decides on. After that, the Tour can bring him back whenever it wants, with all the power.
The debate over his return remains divided. But his departure raises an even bigger question: if LIV’s biggest star is walking away, what does that signal about the league’s future?
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LIV’s uncertain future after Brooks Koepka’s exit
Brooks Koepka’s departure isn’t just about one player leaving. This is the first big player to leave since LIV started in 2022. Now, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are the league’s main participants. What worries me even more? Earlier this year, Koepka said he was upset that LIV wasn’t as far ahead as he had imagined. When your star athlete says in public that they are unhappy, that’s a red flag.
LIV couldn’t have picked a worse time. The league hasn’t been able to get any new star players for the third time in the last four offseasons. They’ve only signed two players, Victor Perez and Laurie Canter, for the 2026 season, which starts in February. At the same time, the PGA Tour has rejected recent offers from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to bring the professional golf game together. It seems like the doors of reconciliation are firmly shut.
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Now, LIV might have a domino effect. Bryson DeChambeau has decided not to sign a new agreement yet, even though his current one ends in 2026. “Things have got to change. Things have got to improve,” he said. LIV doesn’t need that kind of confidence boost right now when its biggest star is publicly unsure about his future.

Tiger Woods turned 50 on Tuesday, making the 15-time major championship winner eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions circuit once he recovers from his latest health setbacks.
Woods hasn’t publicly said whether he intends to play on the former Senior PGA Tour, which allows golfers to use carts and has a 54-hole format at most tournaments outside of the 72-hole majors.
This past season was the first time Woods didn’t compete in a single tournament on the PGA Tour. He was scheduled to compete in the Genesis Invitational but pulled out, saying he wasn’t ready to compete after the death of his mother, Kultida, on Feb. 4.
Then Woods ruptured his left Achilles tendon in March while ramping up training and practice at home in Florida for the Masters. He had what is believed to be his seventh back surgery Oct. 10 to replace a disk in his lower back that caused pain and mobility issues.
During a news conference at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Dec. 2, Woods said he had only recently started putting and chipping and wasn’t close to being able to take full swings.

When asked recently whether Brooks Koepka would play for LIV in 2026, CEO Scott O’Neil gave a lukewarm non-answer: “He is signed for 2026.” That carefully hedged response sent a signal—and the PGA Tour has no formal plan for what comes next.
Golfweek columnist Eamon Lynch torched that ambiguity on December 20, arguing the Tour needs a codified readmission policy before a LIV star comes knocking. The path back, Lynch wrote, “isn’t complicated.” But the Tour’s current posture, an unwritten rule forged in the heat of 2022’s defections, offers nothing but silence and suspension threats.
That emotional response won’t survive the 2027 overhaul that Tiger Woods and Brian Rolapp are building. Woods now chairs the Future Competition Committee, a nine-member panel redesigning the PGA Tour’s competitive model. Rolapp, the former NFL executive who became CEO in June, set three guiding principles: parity, scarcity, and simplicity. Together, they’re incentivized to replace punishment with pragmatism—because a premium television product cannot succeed without elite stars.
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“The goal is not incremental change,” Rolapp declared at the Tour Championship in August. “The goal is significant change.”
Woods has embraced the mandate with characteristic intensity. The committee has met three times, with members talking daily. At the Hero World Challenge in December, Woods offered a glimpse of the blank-slate approach driving their work.
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“There’s going to be some eggs that are spilled and crushed and broken,” he said, “but I think that in the end we’re going to have a product that is far better than what we have now for everyone involved.”
That product-first logic collides directly with the Tour’s culture-war posture toward LIV defectors. Rolapp spent 22 years in the NFL, where talent plays if it improves the show. His philosophy strips sentimentality from the equation: “You get the product right, you get the right partners, your fans will reward you with their time.” The NFL doesn’t exile players for disloyalty; it manages them as competitive assets. Rolapp views golf through the same lens.
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Lynch’s column crystallizes why the unwritten rule cannot hold. Only recent major winners—Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith—could realistically argue they still have status. The Tour wouldn’t “waste the effort on seat-warmers,” Lynch wrote. It would have to be “someone of stature whose defection would be a clear plus for the PGA Tour.”
Koepka fits that profile—and his 2025 struggles sharpen the stakes. The five-time major winner went winless on LIV Golf this year, finishing 30th in the individual standings, a recent report noted. He missed the cut at the Masters, PGA Championship, and Open Championship, with his best major result a T12 at the U.S. Open. His form has cratered, but his ceiling remains elite. DeChambeau, meanwhile, delivered a T5 at Augusta and T2 at Quail Hollow. Both represent inventory that the Tour’s premium product desperately needs.
And LIV’s declining leverage only strengthens the Tour’s hand.
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Why the PGA Tour holds all the cards on LIV Golf readmission
Lynch painted a damning portrait of the Saudi-backed league’s trajectory. Two years have passed since LIV’s last newsworthy signing in Jon Rahm. Viewership remains “stubbornly meager.” Sponsor support is “virtually absent outside of companies protecting an existing Saudi relationship.”
That decline reshapes the calculus entirely. When LIV posed an existential threat, the unwritten ban served as a loyalty test. Now, with the league listing, readmitting a Koepka or DeChambeau wouldn’t signal capitulation—it would signal strategic acquisition. LIV paid for their development; the Tour collects the upside.
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The locker room remains divided. One Tour veteran told Lynch his reaction to a potential returnee:
“F*** them. They made their choice.”
But others have softened. The player-directors on the policy board will ultimately decide, and Tiger Woods—a pragmatist who prizes winning above all—carries enormous weight in that room.
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Fans, meanwhile, are exhausted by the politics. They want matchups, not morality plays. Woods himself framed the 2027 overhaul as “fan-based,” designed to deliver “the best product we possibly can.” A formal readmission policy—merit-based, written, stripped of emotional residue—fits that vision cleanly.
Lynch is right that the Tour needs a plan. He may not need to worry. Tiger Woods is likely already writing it.

It’s clear that Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler have drawn a lot of comparisons over the years, but by 2026, Scheffler could break a record that Woods won’t be able to get back.
Comparisons between Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler have become increasingly common in recent seasons, and 2026 could see the current world number one take over a PGA Tour record that has long belonged to Woods.
Woods’ overall career achievements still dwarf Scheffler’s at this stage, but the similarities are clear. Both players have shown rare dominance, relentless competitiveness and a level of talent that places them among the very best the Tour has ever seen. As in any elite sport, however, legacy is not only about trophies — it is also about the money earned along the way.
Scheffler on track to challenge Woods’ PGA Tour earnings mark
Tiger Woods remains comfortably ahead of every golfer in history when it comes to career earnings. Between prize money and decades of lucrative sponsorships, Woods has earned around $120 million on the PGA Tour alone, setting a benchmark that once seemed untouchable.
The modern era of golf, however, is awash with more prize money than ever before. As a result, Woods’ long-standing position at the top is no longer entirely secure. Heading into the 2026 season, Scheffler has already surpassed the $99 million mark in Tour earnings. That leaves him roughly $27 million behind Woods and only around $8 million shy of Rory McIlroy in second place.
Given that Scheffler earned more than $27 million during the 2025 season alone, a similar year would be enough to see him claim the top spot. If his current trajectory continues, it is not unrealistic to imagine his career PGA Tour earnings eventually pushing into the $250–300 million range.
Why Scheffler’s earning power differs from Woods’
While Scheffler’s prize money continues to climb rapidly and endorsement deals add to his income, his commercial profile is very different from Woods’. Tiger was a global phenomenon — a magnetic figure who transcended golf and thrived under intense spotlight.
That level of charisma and global appeal created endless commercial opportunities, amplifying his earnings far beyond the course. Scheffler, by contrast, projects a quieter image. He remains highly marketable, but his appeal is rooted in consistency and results rather than showmanship. Some have even labelled his style “boring,” though it has proven relentlessly effective.
By the time Scheffler’s career comes to an end, the comparison with Woods will extend beyond trophies and victories to total earnings. Whether he matches Woods’ overall financial legacy remains to be seen, but in terms of PGA Tour prize money alone, history may soon be rewritten.

The past 12 months had a little of everything — a career Grand Slam, Ryder Cup chaos and so much more. With 2026 on the horizon, our writers look back at the most memorable moments from 2025 and explain why they mattered.
No. 15 — The zero-torque putter movement
No. 14 — ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ takes golf world by storm
No. 13 — Joaquin Niemann’s big 2025 (and crucial 2026)
No. 12 — J.J. Spaun slays Oakmont
No. 11 — The Internet Invitational
No. 10 — Jeeno Thitikul’s record-setting year
Stories of 2025 No. 9: Tiger Woods’ next role
One of the oddities — and, from a scenery and lodging perspective, one of of the real joys — of covering professional golf is that the sport’s most iconic figure reliably speaks once per year, at a relatively chill, limited-field golf tournament in a quiet corner of the Bahamas.
And so the week after Thanksgiving I flew to Nassau, where (with all due respect to Hideki Matsuyama) the main event of the Hero World Challenge was Tiger Woods’ pre-tournament press conference, his first public give-and-take in months. He showed up two minutes early, stayed for a half-hour and gave us a window into how he envisions his future as it relates to professional golf. He’s still recovering from another back surgery, and he hinted towards another playing comeback — but for the first time in Woods’ extensive injury history the assembled media seemed just as interested in his golf-related activities away from the course. Woods was sharp and measured. He connected his past to his future. And he was, for him, unusually forthcoming. The line I keep coming back to is this one:
“I know I’m not really saying a whole lot but I’m trying to say as much as I possibly can because there’s so many moving parts to this and it changes all the time,” Woods said, speaking on the PGA Tour’s future. Re-read the first half of that sentence: that’s a half-apology for not saying more, which is something I doubt Woods did a single time during his competitive prime. But this is a different era for Woods, and for his place within the PGA Tour ecosystem, and for that Tour’s new frontman, Brian Rolapp. Rolapp was in the Bahamas, too, golf’s exciting new outsider pairing with golf’s great insider. To Woods, professional golf is everything. To Rolapp? It’s his next business challenge.
Below is what I wrote from the Bahamas on what could be a complementary collision.
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THE FINAL QUESTION of Tiger Woods’ Tuesday press conference at the Hero World Challenge yielded an unexpectedly poignant answer.
“You’re chairing the Future Competitions Committee,” a reporter began. “l’d like to know, personally, what is your motivation to contribute heavily to the strength of the PGA Tour?”
It’s a question central to the present and future of men’s professional golf. Woods has enough money, prestige and time to do just about anything, of course — but he’s chosen to fill his days with Zoom calls and strategy meetings in an attempt to reinvent a tour on which his own competitive days are numbered. Is Woods careless with his time? Nobody thinks that. But nobody knew how carefully he’d thought about his decision to moonlight as a golf bureaucrat. Not until Woods answered the question.
“Well, the PGA Tour gave me an opportunity to chase after a childhood dream,” he said. “I got a chance to hit my first ball in my first PGA Tour event when I was 16 years old. I know that’s what, 33 years ago, but I’ve been involved with the PGA Tour ever since then.
“A little kid from Cypress, California, growing up on a par-3 course got a chance to play against the best players in the world and make it to World No. 1. I got a chance to be involved in a lot of different things on our Tour. This is a different opportunity to make an impact on the Tour.
“I did it with my golf clubs, I made a few putts here and there and was able to do that. Now I’m able to make an impact in a different way for other generations to come. Not just generations that I played against, but for future generations. Like a 16-year-old looking for a place to play, maybe hoping to play the PGA Tour.”
Woods’ monologue hit on a theme we haven’t heard much recently: That the PGA Tour isn’t a [winces] product in need of [winces again] optimization and [bangs head on desk] profit maximization. It asked us to remember that the PGA Tour is also something else entirely: A place where childhood dreams come true.
As Woods reminded us, his first Tour appearance came 33 years ago. He’s set to turn 50, which means he’s lived two-thirds of his life as a PGA Tour golfer. Anybody who watched Tiger Woods play much golf — we’re all old. The multiples and fractions all sound unbelievable. Like this one: Woods has lived more than half his life since hosting the Hero World Challenge tournament for the first time; he launched his first limited-field invitational at the ripe age of 24 … 25 years ago. In this year’s field, only Akshay Bhatia — who turns 24 next month — is younger than Woods was then. Tom Lehman won the 2000 Williams World Challenge. He’s 66 now. Again, we’re all old.
“The guys that I played with when we first had the World Challenge early in the 2000s, they’re all — I’m the youngest one,” Woods said. “I’m about ready to turn 50, so those guys are all on the Champions Tour or even retired from the game of golf. They don’t play anymore.”
A glance around the media center served as a reminder that Woods’ longevity isn’t just about the players — he’s outlasted just about everybody. Reporters, Tour officials, industry trends. How many newspapers had golf writers covering that first event? By my count there were zero this time around.
Time wins and time changes. But that makes Woods’ new role so interesting. The self-described last member of the old guard is now responsible for leading a coalition taking a bulldozer — or at least a pair of sharpened shears — to the Tour schedule and structure as we’ve come to know it. The ultimate insider seems an unlikely fit to rethink the current structure, but that’s Woods’ directive as chairman of the new Future Competition Committee, whose stated goal is to create an “optimal competitive model” for professional golf.
“I mean, to be honest with you, we started with a blank slate,” Woods said. “What would be the best product we can possibly create? What would it look like?”
Enter his partner-in-revolution, new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.
In generations past, candidates for Tour commissioner were graded on an unofficial rubric of traits like “golf background” and “golf handicap.” Rolapp, who was the NFL’s No. 2 before taking the Tour’s top job this summer, is woefully unqualified by those metrics but the envy of the sports world in nearly every other. In this strange time in golf, Rolapp’s golfing inexperience is treated as an advantage rather than a hindrance. His outside perspective means he has a fresh set of eyes. He and Woods are an unlikely pair — but as the ultimate insider and ultimate outsider, perhaps they’re perfectly complementary, too.
On Tuesday evening at Albany — the glitzy, exclusive Bahamas retreat that serves as Hero host — Woods and Rolapp led an on-site meeting for players on the progress of the Future Competitions Committee. The subtext was clear: the Tour’s two leaders were going to address the future.
Since his hiring, Tour pros have consistently described Rolapp using two words — “impressive” and “direct.” In no small part because of a general distrust of Tour leadership since the surprise LIV peace accords of June 2023, players make those two attributes sound like a ringing endorsement. The FCC’s plans are not finalized, but an unofficial player poll on Wednesday yielded positive reviews on their process and delivery. Rolapp is transparent. He makes things sound simple. He’s aware of the power of tradition but isn’t personally bound by it. He’s a pragmatist with a laser focus. And every player on site was reportedly in attendance at the meeting, a small but critical show of credibility.
Scottie Scheffler praised Rolapp’s smarts and his work ethic.
“I’ve been very pleased with the conversations that I’ve had with him, the things that I’ve been hearing,” the World No. 1 said. “Think they’re looking at things the right way and I’m excited about some of the changes they’re looking to make.”
Keegan Bradley praised his urgency.
“I think Brian’s trying to make changes right away and he’s definitely got a great vision to make the Tour the best as it can be,” the Ryder Cup captain said. “I really love the fact that we’re not waiting, like this isn’t ‘we’re changing in three years, four years.’ No, we’re doing this next year.”
As for Woods’ assessment?
“Brian’s been fantastic,” he said. “What he’s done so far in a short time with his leadership skills and his personality and how he handles situations, his calmness, his thoughtfulness, his directness, transparency, all the things that we were looking for and we needed on the Tour — he has delivered in spades.”
Now comes the hard part: Action.
Rolapp has met one-on-one with dozens of Tour pros, in person or over the phone. There’s concern about change on the horizon, but many players are cautiously optimistic. After all, there’s a widespread understanding that the Tour has been operating inefficiently for decades — the product of another old guard that revered traditions even when they didn’t always make sense. Why is every event owned and operated by somebody different? Why isn’t the Tour in Chicago or Boston or Seattle or New York? Why is the Tour in Memphis in August? When you have Signature Events and Alternate Events on the same schedule, what does it really mean to win a PGA Tour event? Some things could use simplifying. Some traditions could use a shake-up. Time wins and time changes.
This is why Tiger Woods became a bureaucrat, and this is why he cares about Zoom calls: Because he knows that the old guard is replaced eventually — even when the old guard is Tiger Woods.
But the childhood dream lives on.

Brooks Koepka might be looking for a way out of LIV Golf. At least that’s what the tabloids say. Even Scott O’Neil hinted at that. With the LIV Golf CEO not confident about him signing a new contract, maybe the 5-time major winner might be looking for a return to the PGA Tour. But a PGA Tour veteran doesn’t care what Koepka wants.
Speaking to Eamon Lynch of Golfweek, he said, “F*** them. They made their choice. If they’re that important, how come no fans followed them to LIV?”
Lynch didn’t name the veteran, probably because they didn’t want the spotlight. But they weren’t shy to express their opinion. They believe that the LIV Golf pros dug their own grave by skipping the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Anyone who is looking for a way back needs to go through the tough tests that lie ahead of them.
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It’s unclear what must have driven their strong opinion against Koepka’s possible return. But Laurie Canter’s recent actions might have played a role in them. After leaving LIV Golf, the English enjoyed an excellent season on the DP World Tour. He also earned his PGA Tour card. But once Scott O’Neil called again, Canter backed out of it and joined LIV Golf again.
The veteran pro might not have faith in Koepka’s intent as well. Then again, who would? He hasn’t clarified his intent so far. The 35-year-old has not commented on whether he would like to stay with LIV Golf or move to the PGA Tour.
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But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t said anything at all that might cause a rift. In fact, Brooks Koepka released a carefully curated statement when he was questioned about a possible move.
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Is a return to the PGA Tour on Brooks Koepka’s mind?
Brooks Koepka’s possible return to the PGA Tour has been the talk of the town for a few months now. In fact, back in March 2025, even Fred Couples decided to share his opinion about it.
The golf legend was confident that he knew what was going on in Koepka’s head. He said, “He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour.” He believed that the LIV Golf pro craved a possible return to his former employer.
Koepka was asked to respond to Couples’ statement. And he made a peculiar reply, “I’ve got a contract obligation out here to fulfill, and then we’ll see what happens. I don’t know where I’m going, so I don’t know how everybody else does.”
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Neither did he debunk Couples’ claims, nor did he clarify that he wanted to move to the PGA Tour. Even in March 2025, Brooks Koepka was still uncertain if he wanted to stay in LIV Golf or not. After another winless season, we doubt there’s anything that might have convinced him to sign a new contract with them.

In February on the same night, Sean Baker took home two of the top guild trophies, from the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America, for Anora. The rare double victory was seen as significantly boosting his film’s chances of winning the coveted best picture Oscar — which it eventually did — after it also captured the top prize from the Writers Guild of America for which it was eligible, best original screenplay.
Anora‘s sweep of the guilds and the top Oscar signified strong industry consensus about the indie darling.
Clean sweeps like this don’t happen often: In the past 15 years (since the Academy expanded its best picture category from five to as many as 10 nominees, just like the PGA Awards, which also has a similar preferential ballot voting style), it has occurred only four times— in 2010 with Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker, in 2013 with Ben Affleck’s Argo, in 2023 with Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s Everything Everywhere All at Once and in 2025 with Baker’s Anora.
Other films came close. Take, for example, The Shape of Water, which won the DGA, the PGA and the best picture Oscar in 2018 but didn’t prevail at the WGA Awards, where Jordan Peele’s Get Out took home the original screenplay trophy.
In 2022, CODA collected the PGA prize, the WGA adapted screenplay accolade and the top Oscar, but the DGA honored Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog instead of Sian Heder.
And in 2024, Oppenheimer almost had it all, save for the WGA adapted screenplay award, which went to American Fiction.
WGA eligibility rules dictate that the guild considers only titles by writers who are members or are under contract from an affiliate guild or titles that are written under the WGA’s basic agreement. There were four features during the past 15 years that were denied a possible sweep because of those WGA eligibility rules: The King’s Speech in 2011, The Artist in 2012, Birdman in 2015 and Nomadland in 2021.
Will we see a four-peat this season? And who will do it? Well, there are few contenders that could win the three top guild honors and the best picture Oscar as well, with One Battle After Another, Hamnet, Sinners, Marty Supreme and Frankenstein among the possibilities. We’ll just have to wait and see how awards season plays out once the 78th annual DGA Awards kick things off Feb. 7.
The Clean Sweep
A WGA, PGA and DGA win, followed by a best picture Oscar trophy: Only four films in the past 15 years have been able to pull off this feat.
The Hurt Locker (2010)
Kathryn Bigelow’s film won the top DGA, PGA and WGA awards (the latter for original, while Up in the Air earned best adapted screenplay) and then went on to receive the best picture Academy Award.
Argo (2013)
Ben Affleck’s Argo also swept the three guilds (Zero Dark Thirty won the WGA’s best original screenplay award), and nabbed best picture at the Oscars.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2023)
It was no surprise that after this film from Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert won all the guild awards (with Women Talking in adapted), it also nabbed best picture, along with six other Academy Awards.
Anora (2025)
Sean Baker won the PGA and DGA awards on the same night last awards season, then went on to take the WGA’s original screenplay prize, while Nickel Boys won adapted.
Short of the Complete Set
Four films came close to snagging all four awards, but WGA membership requirements derailed their chances.
The King’s Speech (2011)
The King’s Speech won the DGA and PGA awards and Oscars for original screenplay and best picture, but it was ineligible for the WGA award. Inception and The Social Network took home the statues.
The Artist (2012)
The Artist almost had it but was deemed ineligible at the WGA. Midnight in Paris and The Descendants took home the honors for original and adapted screenplay, respectively.
Birdman (2015)
It was a yes from the PGA, DGA and the Academy, but because Birdman’s writers were not guild members, the WGA went with The Grand Budapest Hotel (original) and The Imitation Game (adapted).
Nomadland (2021)
Due to guild regulations, Nomadland was not eligible for the WGA Award (Promising Young Woman and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm won original and adapted, respectively). Nomadland took the three others.

Scottie Scheffler isn’t just one of the best players in the world – he’s also built a reputation for his mental game.
Scottie Scheffler has become almost as admired for his mindset as for his shot-making ability, with his calm, controlled presence now a defining feature of his dominance on the PGA Tour.
While his technical skill is unquestioned, it is Scheffler’s mental discipline — the way he handles pressure, momentum and expectation — that continues to separate him from the field. That composure, however, is not accidental, and Scheffler has been open about the effort required to maintain it.
Scheffler’s approach to managing the mental side of golf
Speaking during the summer of 2025, Scheffler explained that staying mentally sharp is about being fully present in whatever situation he finds himself in — on or off the course. Rather than allowing golf to dominate every moment, he deliberately separates different parts of his life.
Scheffler has said that when he is at the course, his focus is entirely on golf, but when he is away from it — whether with friends, at home, or spending time with his wife — he makes a conscious effort not to let swing thoughts intrude. That balance, he believes, allows him to get the most out of every situation, whether it is hard work or downtime.
Crucially, he admits this is not easy. Scheffler described the process as a “constant battle,” highlighting that mental clarity requires ongoing attention, not just natural talent or confidence.
Why this mindset keeps Scheffler ahead of the field
Scheffler’s outlook helps explain why expectations around his career have shifted from if he will win again to how many more majors he will collect. His current level of consistency makes further major victories feel inevitable rather than speculative.
Heading into 2026, Scheffler is widely expected to contend across the biggest events on the calendar, with a third green jacket at the Masters often cited as the most realistic next milestone. His ability to stay grounded, even as the pressure intensifies, only strengthens that position.
By combining relentless competitiveness with an unusually healthy mental balance, Scheffler has put himself in a rare position on the PGA Tour. Right now, he is not just the man to beat — he is the standard everyone else is chasing.

The PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger conversation has been dragging along for nearly four years now. But with Scott O’Neil now pushing for OWGR sanctioning, the Saudi-based league might not be as eager to shake hands as they were before. The pros from both sides are also against the idea. Notably, Rory McIlroy suggested that the Tours might not find common ground. And now a LIV Golf pro has bluntly rejected the idea.
Ian Poulter held a Q&A session on his Instagram stories a few hours ago. That led to him responding to a number of fan questions about his career and life. One of the fans asked him if the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger will happen. Poulter clearly replied by writing, “Nope.”
The Majesticks GC captain barely skimmed through the Open Zone in the 2025 season of LIV Golf. Despite that, he’s always been a strong supporter of the league. And he has never looked back at his time on the PGA Tour.
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Moreover, Poulter has also spoken up against McIlroy at every opportunity he has received. The Englishman expressed his disappointment in McIlroy when he talked about feeling betrayed by his fellow Europeans moving to LIV Golf. However, there has never been much bad blood between them. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that their opinions on the merger align. In fact, like McIlroy, Poulter also probably sees the reality of the mountains both Tours need to climb to find neutral ground.
McIlroy had stated, “I just think with what’s happened over the last few years, it’s just going to be very difficult to be able to do that [complete the merger].” The relationship between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has gotten so fractured since 2022 that it will be challenging for both sides to trust each other.
Golf will need a catalyst that will act as a magnet to bring both the leagues together. Interestingly, that is what Bryson DeChambeau is also hoping for.
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Bryson DeChambeau also mostly agrees with Rory McIlroy
What golf needs is someone who can remain neutral and move the needle for both sides. An influential individual like Tiger Woods, who supported the unification, would have acted as a perfect catalyst for the merger. Or maybe a big event that would have brought both Tours together. Even Bryson DeChambeau believes that would have worked.
During an interview with Fox Sports, DeChambeau told Ryan Morik, “I wish something major would happen, but I don’t think it’s going to in the immediate future. I think there are too many wants on both sides and not enough gives on the other.”
He believes that there is just too much hostility between the two Tours. The animosity that was created due to the rivalry between Greg Norman and Jay Monahan will drag on for quite a few years. So it’s hard to imagine the PGA Tour and LIV Golf resolving them and shaking hands.

The year 2025 started with a heavy cloud for Matt Kuchar. His beloved father, Peter, passed away suddenly, and this loss left a giant hole in the heart of the nine-time PGA Tour winner and his family. However, December brought something magical for the Kuchar family at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in sunny Florida. Matt and his son, Cameron, played like golf gods to win the PNC Championship, crushing the old record by five shots with a stunning 33-under-par total, seven shots ahead of the second-place team Love.
And after the final putt, the PGA Tour shared a video that showed a tearful Kuchar hugging his family while fans cheered their success. “I know Pops is giving big fist pumps up in the sky,” the caption read. Matt could not stop his tears as he thought about his father watching them. “It’s certainly been tough for me. Dad—Dad is missed,” the golf star said. “I definitely got very emotional there coming in, thinking about this moment and how much it would mean to Dad if he was here. So I know Pop’s giving big fist pumps up in the sky.”
He also thanked Rob Reilly and the PNC team for making this event possible, and the emotional victory felt like a warm hug from heaven for the entire family. The victory felt extra special because of the funny memories shared on this course. “Kooch” laughed through his tears while remembering his father’s silly golf mistakes. “I still remember Dad chunking a chip from close to the water here,” Matt shared. His son, Cameron, had wanted those famous red Willie Park belts for many years. Now, the future TCU star finally has the trophy his grandfather would have loved. “To know that Dad’s looking down on us, it—um, chokes me up, for sure.”

For a while, it seemed the PGA Tour’s fate was again in the hands of LIV. An alleged “eight-figure” offer made to Si Woo Kim caused quite an uproar last week. In what looked like a cat-and-mouse chase between the two, the doors of the deal remained ajar – until now.
Posting a story on his Instagram, Kim has affirmed his decision to stay loyal to the PGA Tour. “I will be playing on pga tour,” a simple text flashes across the screen.
Kim had earlier allegedly declined LIV’s offer to be a part of the new Korean-based Becko East GC franchise – earlier known as the Ironheads GC. The talks, reportedly, were reopened with an attempt to poach him as well as Byeong Hun An.
“Si Woo has added to his Instagram story that he will be playing on the PGA Tour next season. I want to reiterate this, it’s a huge blow for LIV Golf if they don’t get these Korean-born players. Substantial offers have been made, and they’ve been a major target for months now,” says Flushing It Golf through their X account.

This PGA Tour pro seems to be extremely confused about what he wants to do in the future. Just a week prior, the South Korean pro golfer was touted to captain the rebranded Ironheads GC squad. Surprisingly, even as things were looking all set, the golfer suddenly announced that he will not be signing with the Saudi-backed league. Instead, the PGA Tour pro pointed out that he will be participating in the upcoming Sony Open.
So who are we talking about? Well, it is none other than Si Woo Kim. Notably, his latest act has left fans confused. Cementing his allegiance to the PGA, he wrote a week back, “Okay guys see you @sonyopenhawaii.” Surprisingly, it was found that Kim had deleted his post regarding his participation at the Sony Open. And this has once again sent golf fans into a frenzy.
Following his earlier announcement, fans were bracing up to see Kim kickstart his year with a win. After all, he has already won the Sony Open back in 2023. Unfortunately, now that the post has been taken down, it is uncertain whether Kim will be making an appearance at the event or not. Moreover, this action has also resulted in some widespread speculations regarding whether Kim is currently reconsidering his decision about joining the LIV.
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After all, the situation was pretty much a done deal between the two. As per the reports, Scott O’Neil confirmed that Kim would replace Kevin Na at the Becko East GC. Unfortunately, right at the last moment, an alleged fallout between the two resulted in Kim backing out. Reporting the same, Flushing It wrote on X, “It is true that Kim Si-woo, like many Korean players, has been offered a recruitment. However, Kim Si-woo finally expressed his intention to remain on the PGA Tour.”
With Kim seemingly reconsidering, here’s why the LIV decided to try and recruit him in the first place.
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Reason behind LIV Golf aiming to sign Asian golfers like Si Woo Kim
In the last season of 2025, LIV Golf pulled off quite a few successful events in Asian countries. However, most of the events were hosted in similar venues, and that included Hong Kong and Singapore mostly. But amid these events, one particular event in Asia indeed turned out to be impeccable. In South Korea, the Saudi-backed league organised the inaugural LIV Golf Korea tournament at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. It was held from May 2 to 4 in 2025. And it turned out to be a grand success.
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The event garnered a huge viewership and was a success even in terms of attendance. Bryson DeChambeau and the Crushers GC won the event. This event acted as the catalyst behind pushing the LIV Golf authorities to expand their league in Asia.
While LIV decided to approach Min Woo Lee to execute their plan, he rejected the offer. And that convinced them to reach out to Si Woo Kim and SungJae Im. Now, as the situation appears chaotic, only time will reveal how the future will turn out for the league.

For most golfers, earning a PGA Tour card is emotional enough. But for Marcelo Rozo, the tears that followed his final putt at the Q-School weren’t just about his grind over the years. They were about loss and the people whose presence he still feels, even in their absence.
“I was telling myself that it was going to happen,” Rozo said. “It was my day, and I was built for this; I’ve worked my entire life for this moment,” Rozo told the Golf Channel after he earned his PGA Tour card. “I don’t know if you guys could tell when I look up in the sky. I thought about him… not only him, but also my grandfather. I knew they were present and that they helped me get the toughest hook off for me,” Rozo said.
Rozo pulled his cap down with tear-filled eyes when he sank the final putt, capping a gritty 1-under 69 in windy conditions to claim his PGA Tour card. The celebration was not just about years of grinding or missed cuts. It was a tribute to his lost ones, who he knew were watching from above and were by his side. So, when the final putt dropped at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course, Marcelo Rozo looked towards the sky with emotion. Rozo’s older brother died in 2001 at just 19 after complications from what was supposed to be a routine surgery.
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Mateo was an aspiring college golfer whose discipline and fun-loving spirit inspired Rozo. Marcelo Rozo was just 11 years old when Mateo “went in for a nose surgery to alleviate some allergies,” as per Golf Channel. Unfortunately, due to some complications, he developed an infection in the operating room and died three months post-surgery, and sadly, just days before his 20th birthday.
This one was also for his late grandfather, Vicente Falaschini, a revered Argentine golf professional and course designer who taught Rozo the game before passing in 2004.
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What made this moment even more emotional for Rozo was that Mateo used to play with Camilo Villegas, who, too, was at the Q-School last week. Villegas not only played competitive golf with Mateo but also was Rozo’s role model growing up. And it was Villegas’ gesture towards Rozo that added another layer to all the emotion.
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Camilo Villegas Witnessed Marcelo Rozo’s PGA Tour Dream Come True
There was another layer to Rozo’s moment, one that made the celebration even heavier in the best possible way. Standing nearby was Camilo Villegas, the player Rozo grew up watching and the idol who helped shape his golfing dreams. Villegas had just endured his own heartbreak at Q-School, missing out by a single shot, yet he stayed. He waited. He watched Rozo finish the job and earn his card.
“To see Camilo there and kind of congratulate you… It meant the world to me,” Rozo said. “For him to stay after missing that part on the last… which I didn’t even know at the time… it meant everything. As I said, I grew up watching him, having him as a role model, as an idol kind of thing,” he added. It was evident that Villegas’s small gesture stayed with Rozo.
And Camilo Villegas, a five-time PGA Tour winner, knows that feeling better than most. The 43-year-old Colombian has lived both extremes, from breaking a nine-year winless drought in Bermuda two years ago to grinding again for status. His fight at Dye’s Valley was tough, and he ended up just one stroke short of making it. But instead of hanging his head low, he stayed to celebrate Rozo, a small gesture that spoke loudly and one Rozo won’t soon forget.

‘We anticipate this funding will impact more than 7,500 athletes at the middle and high school level across Metro Atlanta.’
Athletes run drills during the fifth annual Girls Flag Football Showcase hosted by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, chaired by Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank, announced Wednesday $6.3 million in grants for flag football and other programs at several metro Atlanta school districts. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, in partnership with Atlanta United, the Atlanta Falcons and the PGA Tour Superstore, announced Wednesday it is providing grant funding totaling $6.3 million to six metro Atlanta school districts over three years to increase access to sports at the middle and high school level.
The grant was distributed to the following school districts:
Clayton County to create the district’s first coaching development program in partnership with A Better Way Athletics for its 27 middle and high schools.
DeKalb County to establish girls flag football programs at 18 middle schools and to alleviate the cost to participate in middle school girls flag football.
Fulton County for participation and transportation costs in high school boys and girls soccer, golf, tennis and wrestling; and to provide high-quality performance equipment in these sports.
Griffin-Spalding to establish boys and girls soccer programs at all four middle schools; launch girls flag football programs at the middle school level; alleviate the cost to participate in middle school boys and girls soccer and girls flag football; and improve the quality of athletic fields at its four middle schools.
Gwinnett County to establish girls flag football programs at 14 middle schools beginning in 2026; alleviate the cost to participate in boys and girls soccer at the middle school level; install field lighting to improve safety; and enhance scheduling capabilities at six athletic fields across the school district.
Rockdale County to help with the participation and transportation costs for boys and girls soccer, girls flag football, tackle football and volleyball at the middle school level, and in boys and girls golf, swimming, tennis and wrestling at the high school level. The funding will also be used to improve field conditions and play-space access at four middle schools and provide high-quality performance equipment at the middle and high school level for athletes in these sports.
“The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and AMB Sports and Entertainment recognize and prioritize the importance of providing kids the opportunity to participate in sports,” AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO and AMBFF associate board member Rich McKay said in a statement. “We are proud to partner with these six school districts to remove barriers of entry to sports and enhance the sports experience for their students. We anticipate this funding will impact more than 7,500 athletes at the middle and high school level across Metro Atlanta.”

Don Padgett III, longtime PGA Tour executive and former Kaulig Companies Championship executive director, has started as senior director of strategy at Akron Children’s Foundation.
Padgett was also senior director of PGA Tour Champions before moving into the new role with the hospital system’s foundation.
Akron Children’s donors and community partners will know Padgett by his reputation, Akron Children’s Foundation Chief Development Officer Shelly Brown said in a prepared statement.
Don Padgett III is transitioning from a director role in golf to one at Akron Children’s Foundation — a move that comes as the annual pro tournament he coordinated at Firestone Country Club arrives at a critical juncture.
The foundation named Padgett senior director of strategy, a role in which he will collaborate with the foundation’s team on current and new donor engagement, according to a news release from Akron Children’s.
Padgett has been an executive with the PGA Tour for the past 25 years, the release said.
Padgett led the last 19 professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club. He most recently held the titles of executive director of the Kaulig Companies Championship, the annual Firestone tournament for senior golfers in PGA Tour Champions, and senior director of PGA Tour Champions, said Akron Children’s spokesperson Kathy Johnson.
What might Padgett’s new role mean for the Kaulig event?
David Utlak, who has been a longtime member of the PGA Tour, has been named the interim executive director of the Kaulig Companies Championship, PGA Tour Vice President of Communications Stewart Moore said via email.

Last October, a cloud of worry hung over the Country Club of Jackson’s greens because after 13 great years, Wayne Sanderson Farms finished its run as the main sponsor. This puts a historic streak dating back to 1968 at risk for the Magnolia State’s only professional golf show. So now, if a new sponsor does not step up soon, this long-running tradition will vanish forever.
Tournament Director Steve Jent shared some very tough news with the Clarion Ledger this Tuesday afternoon, admitting that the state will most likely not host the tournament during the 2026 season. This is because the clock is ticking fast, and the runway for finding a new partner is almost empty. However, there is still a small flicker of hope for the fans in Mississippi, as Jent believes the chances of the event returning in 2027 are around 80 percent.
“There most likely won’t be a tournament for 2026. As the calendar flips, we are working hard to see what we can do for 2027, whether that is a PGA Tour or a Champions Tour. The Centuries Club’s mission remains the same: to impact Mississippi charities through golf. “We just have to figure out what that looks like,” Jent shared on Golfweek.
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Jent also said that he needs to figure out what the future looks like for the event. Whether it stays on the main tour or moves to the senior circuit, it requires a sponsor. “It takes that title sponsor. So, if we can work with some companies and find a partner, we can go back to the PGA and make it work,” the director said.
Jent prefers a local Mississippi company, but he is open to help from anyone. Wayne Sanderson Farms has been the primary sponsor of this event since the 2013 season. Last year, the company had a last-minute change of heart to sponsor the 2025 event, and that one-year extension gave organizers a small window of hope to find a new permanent partner.
Fall events must now pay an extra $125,000 just to stay on the active schedule, and that fee will double to a massive $250,000 for the upcoming season very soon. These financial rules of the PGA Tour are also making things much harder for everyone.
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Despite the uncertainty, the 2025 event proceeds allowed Century Club Charities to donate $1 million to the Friends of Children’s Hospital. So it would be a blow to several Mississippi charities, and especially the Children’s Hospital, if the event is canceled, as it has raised nearly $19 million for Children’s of Mississippi and $2.75 million for other Mississippi charities since 2013. That is why the event is so important.
And while the future looks cloudy, let’s look back at how this golfing heartbeat first began on the Mississippi soil.
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From Hattiesburg to Jackson, a half-century of survival on the fairways
This legendary journey began on May 19, 1968, in Hattiesburg. It was first called the Magnolia Classic and played at the Hattiesburg Country Club. A rookie named B.R. “Mac” McClendon won the very first trophy in a nine-hole sudden-death playoff against 53-year-old Pete Fleming and earned only $2,800 for his win. Since that humble start, the event has survived for 57 years.
Throughout this journey, the tournament has changed its name many times as different companies stepped up to help. It was the Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic from 1986 to 1998. Then it became the Southern Farm Bureau Classic for several years in the early 2000s. After that, Viking Range took over from 2007 to 2011 to keep the dream alive, with each name representing a new era of survival for this beloved Mississippi golf tradition.
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And this is not the first time the tournament has faced a scary moment without a sponsor. Organizers called the tournament the True South Classic because it had no main backer in 2012. That temporary fix bridged the gap until America’s third-largest poultry producer, Sanderson Farms, took over the lead in 2013. They spearheaded the move to Jackson and helped the tournament grow into a premier event where players like Payne Stewart and Craig Stadler once played.
The PGA Tour will announce the full fall schedule for 2026 in the next month. Until then, Steve Jent and his dedicated team will keep hunting for a new sponsor.

Retired PGA Tour pro and golf analyst Johnson Wagner is in line to vacate his role at Golf Channel. The timing is notable as it comes just days after Cara Banks signed off on studio programming. Wagner will join CBS Sports as a walking analyst, per sources. This indicates a strategic move by CBS to reshape its broadcast team ahead of the 2026 season.
Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter shared the news through an X post. “Wagner is not expected to continue with his ‘Live From’ segments at Golf Channel, though similar executions could still happen at CBS,” Carpenter wrote.
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Starting in 2026, Wagner will join on-course reporters Dottie Pepper and Mark Immelman for golf broadcasts. The retired pro has 3 PGA Tour titles under his name. With the golf experience he had, he joined Golf Channel in 2023. Thanks to his “Live From” shot reenactments, he quickly attracted the attention of a lot of fans. Notably, many of his clips even went viral on social media platforms.
The segment became so popular that he also recreated some iconic Tiger Woods shots from his dominant 2000 season, traveling across the country earlier in 2025 for this very purpose. Although Johnson Wagner may not continue the “Live From” segment at CBS Sports, it won’t be surprising to see him do something similar there.
This move comes only days after Cara Banks’ exit. Banks joined Golf Channel in 2015, when she moved from England to the US to co-host Morning Drive. She hosted her final show with Golf Channel on December 13, 2025. “End of an era! Today marked my last ever show on @golfchannel,” she captioned an Instagram post revealing her move.
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Banks will be transitioning full-time to NBC Sports ahead of Golf Channel’s separation from NBCUniversal under Comcast’s Versant spin-off in early 2026. However, her job profile will remain somewhat similar. She will handle weekend golf interviews, Premier League soccer, Olympics, and winter sports coverage for NBC. Her departure leaves a void in Golf Channel’s studio lineup, including Golf Central Live From at majors.
With both Cara Banks and Johnson Wagner gone, Golf Channel will be looking for someone to fill their spots. But CBS Sports has already taken care of the vacant spot on its roster.
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Wagner is moving in to fill the spot left by Colt Knost. Unlike the vacancy at the Golf Channel, the spot left by Colt Knost is not because he left the organization. Knost had been an on-course analyst for CBS Sports since 2019. But now, he moves to the booth alongside Jim Nantz, Trevor Immelman, and Frank Nobilo. He is replacing the retired Ian Baker-Finch. Since Knost is moving to the booth, Johnson Wagner will take his position.
Wagner’s rise was fueled by his honest takes on golfers and golf events.
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Johnson Wagner’s honest views on the failing PGA Tour Fall season
The former PGA Tour pro critiqued the PGA Tour’s fall schedule during a recent 5 Clubs interview. He suggested that it should rather be condensed or canceled to create “scarcity” and boost relevance. He argued from a media perspective that fans “flat out don’t pay attention” to the numerous fall events. Co-panelist Brendon De Jonge supported Wagner’s view. He added that a shorter schedule would let casual fans miss golf and anticipate January’s return.
The numbers indicate that he is right about one thing: low attention. The PGA Tour’s fall series suffers from low fan interest,. There’s not ample engagement, and the absence of the top golfers like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and others in the top-50 makes it even worse. Thus, despite its role in determining the top-100 FedEx Cup standings for card retention, it not that appealing to fans.
Purse values are also dropping. In 2024, there were 8 events in the Fall schedule, and the total prize money accounted for $58.3 million. This year, the Las Vegas event was removed, and the purse dropped to $45 million over seven events.
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Johnson Wagner’s potential move to CBS reflects both his growing influence as a broadcaster and the industry’s appetite for candid, experience-driven voices.

YouTube TV will launch a new sports-only subscription package in early 2026.
The new plan will include ESPN Unlimited, FS1, NBC Sports Network and Golf Channel, among others.
This package offers a more affordable option for sports fans who do not want a full cable bundle.
Full details, including the price and a complete channel list, have not yet been announced.
Cord-cutting golf fans, rejoice. A new way to watch golf (and lots of other sports) will be here soon.
YouTube TV plans to roll out 10 different genre-specific channel packages early in 2026, including a sports-only plan for ball watchers around the country who are tired of paying for channels they never use. Subscribers will have access to ESPN Unlimited as well as sports cable networks like FS1 and NBC Sports. Golf Channel will also be included YouTube TV’s new sports package, Golfweek confirmed with a spokesperson from Versant, the network’s parent company.
This is likely music to the ears of many golf fans, as Golf Channel will remain the official cable broadcast partner of the PGA Tour through 2030 and access to ESPN Unlimited means this new bundle will also include PGA Tour Live, TGL and extra coverage of the Masters — all under one umbrella with one price tag. Early reports indicate the new sports package will be less expensive than YouTube TV’s current $82 monthly fee for the full base plan, and subscribers will have the option to add on extras like NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone.
The announcement of this new offering comes on the heels of a weeks-long dispute between YouTube TV and ESPN’s parent company, Disney, which angered sports watchers across the U.S. The two sides reached an agreement on Nov. 14 after a 15-day holdout during peak football season.
In the end, all of that hassle may have been worth it, though. Full details regarding YouTube TV’s Sports Plan — such as the price, complete channel lineup and when it will be available — have yet to be released, but considering this is something seemingly every sports fan has been clamoring for, there’s reason to be excited.

Greg Norman has seen golf weather its share of power struggles. From being a renowned PGA Tour golfer loved by all to LIV Golf CEO hated by many, he has seen it all. But his recent remarks suggest that the sport has reached a level where unification doesn’t matter anymore, at least not for him. And that’s because what he wanted to achieve is already in motion.
“Will the PGA Tour LIV get together? It doesn’t matter anymore, right? They both found their footing. Their foundation is there. Private equity’s here, private equity is there. I’m happy,” said Greg Norman on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
Norman served as LIV Golf’s inaugural CEO until early 2025, when Scott O’Neil took over. The Australian golfer had recently clarified that his ambition behind joining LIV was not to destroy the PGA Tour. That’s a narrative that, according to him, the golf media has created. He, on the other hand, just wanted to create a better opportunity for golfers to create generational wealth.
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In a conversation with Mark Bouris, Norman revealed how the PGA Tour holds the intellectual property rights of PGA Tour members. Notably, back in the day, even the prize money was not that great. Therefore, he joined LIV to bring private equity to the sport. He reflected on the same on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, too.
“My whole objective was to give the players more opportunity to make more money. How do we do that? You have to create competition. And at the end of the day, when you look at what happened with LIV, with the private equity coming in, substantial billions of dollars into it, it went all in the right direction, right? And it created this competitive landscape for the players and the institutions in a lot of ways because they had to step back and take a look, and now look where it is today. They’ve also made changes because of it. They have had private equity coming in. So you go hallelujah, that’s what it’s all about,” Greg Norman said.
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LIV’s inception has done wonders for golfers on every tour. Firstly, the purse money has increased significantly over the years. Besides that, the PGA Tour has also introduced a program to allow some golfers to hold private equity in the organization. This can enable PGA Tour members to build more wealth over the years.
Greg Norman also pointed out how LIV doesn’t hold a golfer’s IP rights. He cited the example of Bryson DeChambeau and how he could have his own YouTube channel because of this. PGA Tour golfers can’t do that because of the IP rights limitation.
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The Australian’s comment on the merger comes amid ongoing delays. The merger news first came to highlight in 2023, when Jay Manohan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced a collaboration framework. It was done so secretly that even Norman had no idea about it until 5 minutes before the news was on the internet. The merger was supposed to happen on December 31, 2023. However, the merger is still stalled.
LIV Golf reportedly offered $1.5 billion deal for the merger, but to no avail. Even Donald Trump got involved to resolve the issue, but there’s still no progress. But it does not matter anymore to Greg Norman because golfers on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf now have an opportunity to create generational wealth.
The former LIV Golf CEO even gave the example of the Indian Premier League (IPL), reflecting on how it has benefited athletes and the sport itself. The worth of the teams playing in the IPL has increased multifold since the league started back in 2008. And Norman is happy that, although not at the same level, golfers and the game of golf also have similar opportunities now.
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While Greg Norman helped golfers become wealthier by building competition, the new CEO aims to stay away from combative tactics.
Differences between Greg Norman and Scott O’Neil’s leadership
Greg Norman’s leadership at LIV ended in 2025 when Scott O’Neil took over. While both have the same intention to see LIV flourish, their leadership styles are quite different. A writer at The Athletic, Gabby Herzig, highlighted the difference between the two on the 5 Clubs podcast.
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She said that O’Neil takes an “anti-establishment approach” and has adopted a “wider perspective” for better integration into golf’s ecosystem. Unlike Norman’s aggressive stance against PGA Tour control, O’Neil focuses on collaboration.
Since joining LIV Golf, O’Neil secured a pivotal Fox Sports broadcasting deal. This helped improve visibility after low CW viewership. He oversaw LIV’s transition from 54-hole to 72-hole formats starting in 2026, emphasizing the “purity of the game,” a sentiment Herzig says Norman never expressed. O’Neil praised Fox executive Eric Shanks as an “extraordinary” partner despite U.S. market challenges.
Scott O’Neil’s top 2026 priority is securing Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for LIV events. He has made many changes, like transitioning to a 72-hole format, adding more places on the roster for Asian golfers, rebranding the teams, and more, to make that happen. This would ease LIV players’ reliance on external performances or exemptions for Majors, enhancing legitimacy while preserving the league’s identity.
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Greg Norman believes his mission has already reshaped professional golf. Thus, the merger debate is now far less significant than it once was. Scott O’Neil has taken over Norman’s role in a different way, but both have helped LIV Golf reach where it is today.

Horschel has always liked the idea of a global tour, one that would see top players regularly competing around the world.
But he knows that is not something most American golfers are interested in, and recognises it puts him in a minority.
Therefore, a shorter Tour schedule would be acceptable to Horschel, as it would enable him to participate in more DP World Tour events across the globe.
He explained on the Golf Channel podcast: “I think ideally, in my eyes, I would love to see a global tour work, but I honestly don’t think that will ever materialise, unless you sign players to a contract that requires them to go and play overseas and to support these events.
“I just don’t see Americans, honestly, travelling outside of America. They are very comfortable with being in America, playing American events. The financial rewards of playing in America are evident, so there is no need for them to play globally.
“Unless they see themselves as a global player, unless they have an infatuation with putting their name on trophies and comparing themselves to others before them who travelled globally, and created a legacy and reached the entire world of golf, that will never happen.
“I love travelling, I love playing overseas. I think there is an opportunity, from what I have heard, if we had a smaller schedule, there would be an opportunity to travel around the world a little bit more and play these events. So that is something that entices me, because I am like, ‘Man, this may work out well for me.’
“We may not create a global tour, but if we create a window of the PGA Tour, it opens up a window for me and the guys who like to travel, to go around the world and play some of these events that we have supported before, or some of these events that I would love to have gone and played.”
Billy Horschel highlights DP World Tour stops he wants to hit
Horschel pointed out a few DP World Tour events he would like to play if the calendar opens up a bit.
One of those is the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player Country Club in South Africa, which was held just two weeks ago.
He added: “[I would like to play] The Nedbank. Go and play down there at Leopard Creek and the Alfred Dunhill Links, and go over to Australia to play. I have only played there once in my life.
“There are other parts of the world I want to go and play, and other tournaments I grew up watching on TV.
“Seeing some of these guys play that I looked up to in the game of golf, I want to experience it and play these courses and see if I can add my name to the trophies that already have Hall of Famers, trophy winners, and legends in the game of golf.”

In December 2021, John Daly II stood over a putt at the PNC Championship with millions watching. He drained it, clinched a tournament-record 27-under, and beat Tiger Woods and his son by two strokes. The 18-year-old had announced himself as a winner.
John Patrick Daly II was born on July 23, 2003, in Clearwater, Florida. The son of two-time Major champion John Daly and his fourth wife, Sherrie Miller, he arrived in a household already fracturing under the weight of public scrutiny. His parents divorced in 2007, triggering one of the most acrimonious custody battles in sports history.
The court awarded John Daly Sr. primary custody. Miller was later held in criminal contempt for repeated failures to adhere to visitation orders. By December 2010, the father had full custody of his seven-year-old son.
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What he inherited was sobering. The boy could barely read or write after missing 84 days of kindergarten. Daly Sr. homeschooled him while taking him on Tour. Daly II once recalled those early years simply: “I don’t really remember too much from back then, other than I used to heckle the Tour guys on the putting greens,” as covered in a previous report.
That unconventional childhood produced a golfer now ranked inside the top 65 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Currently a junior at the University of Arkansas — his father’s alma mater — Daly II has emerged as one of the most decorated amateur players in the country. Off the course, he has no confirmed girlfriend, with his public focus remaining squarely on golf and academics.”
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His 2025 season delivered the validation. He captured the 119th Southern Amateur Championship at 10-under par, becoming the only player in the field to shoot par or better in all four rounds. Weeks later, he advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club. He won the Blessings Collegiate Invitational as the only player under par. He claimed the Columbia Spring Invitational via scorecard playoff. The SEC named him Golfer of the Week twice.
His collegiate numbers reflect the consistency: a 72.25 career scoring average, a low round of 66, and a low 54-hole total of 206. He currently sits at No. 31 in PGA Tour University standings — a top-25 finish by his senior year would guarantee Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour Americas membership.
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John Daly II’s parents & siblings, ethnicity & nationality
John Daly II is American, of Caucasian ethnicity, and a practicing Christian. He marks his golf ball with a cross — a ritual he adopted after hearing the Casting Crowns song “Nobody” during his junior career.
His father, John Daly, won the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship. His mother, Sherrie Miller, has no current public relationship with her son. The de facto matriarch of the Daly household is Anna Cladakis, John Sr.’s fiancée since 2014.
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Daly II has two older half-sisters: Shynah Hale Daly, born in 1992 to Bettye Fulford, and Sierra Lynn Daly, born in 1995 to Paulette Dean. Shynah works in photography and merchandising within the family business. Sierra maintains a private life away from the spotlight.
Team Daly has competed at the PNC Championship since 2016, when Daly II was just 13 years old. They have finished inside the top 10 in every appearance, including runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2022. The 2021 victory remains the high-water mark — back-to-back rounds of 57 and a two-stroke win over Tiger and Charlie Woods.
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What is John Daly II’s net worth — golf earnings and sponsorship
As an amateur, John Daly II earns zero prize money. The $200,000 check from the 2021 PNC Championship victory went to his father.
His income comes entirely from Name, Image, and Likeness deals. Industry analysts place his annual NIL valuation between $625,000 and $850,000, ranking him among the top five highest-earning collegiate golfers. His estimated net worth sits between $1 million and $1.5 million.
In April 2022, Hooters signed Daly II as their first-ever NIL ambassador — a natural extension of his father’s decades-long relationship with the brand. He also holds an equipment deal with TaylorMade and wears Loudmouth Golf apparel during televised events.
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A professional debut is likely in 2026. For now, the 21-year-old continues building a résumé that no longer requires his father’s name as a footnote.

A few hours ago, Rory McIlroy finally claimed one of the few accolades that had eluded him: the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025. The Northern Irishman had been nominated for the award a few times in the past, but always missed out, making this win feel like a long-awaited homecoming. And his triumph sparked celebrations across the golfing world, with applause coming from both LIV Golf and PGA Tour stars.
When the BBC posted the achievement on their Instagram, LIV star Tyrrell Hatton was one of the first few to congratulate McIlroy, applauding, “👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.” European Team captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, Luke Donald, also commented, “Hard to explain how good this guy is and an incredible leader.”
The win also drew appreciation from Justin Rose, who went a step further and reposted McIlroy’s win on his Instagram story, “Congratulations @rorymcilroy what a year…”
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Amid the praises online, an emotional moment also stood out. Tommy Fleetwood, representing the European Ryder Cup team at the awards, was the first person McIlroy hugged after the announcement, a gesture that captured both personal friendship and professional admiration.
For McIlroy, this SPOTY honor adds to a year that already included Masters glory, Ryder Cup triumph, and a long list of personal milestones. Just two golfers have won this award in its 70-year history. “2025 has been the year I made my dreams come true. From Augusta to the Ryder Cup and everything in between. It’s the year dreams are made of,” McIlroy reflected, when he was overcome with emotion as he accepted the award.
This is a developing story…

For the first time in three years, the PGA Tour did not release the voting percentage when Scottie Scheffler won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the tour’s best player. It brings to mind the catchphrase from his famous soliloquy this summer at the British Open.
What’s the point?
This outcome was as predictable as 10 of the 11 times Tiger Woods won the award. It had all the drama of Scheffler winning a major (he’s led by at least four shots walking up to the 18th green in all four of his major wins).
Rory McIlroy produced the biggest moment, for him and for golf, when he won the Masters for the career Grand Slam in a final round that rivals any of the previous thrillers at Augusta National. It was the best year of his golfing life and he is wholly satisfied with that.
The best golf? Numbers usually tell the most complete stories, and a few of them stand out in Scheffler’s astonishing season:
— The final 15 tournaments of the season without finishing worse than a tie for eighth
— 21 consecutive rounds in the 60s
— Two majors
The only time a double major winner was not voted PGA Tour player of the year was Nick Faldo in 1990, the year the award began with players doing the voting. There was a simple explanation for that and it was nothing personal: Faldo wasn’t on the ballot because he wasn’t a member.
Scheffler won six times this year on tour, twice as many as McIlroy, who at least won the year on emotion and style points.
Of course, the most wins doesn’t guarantee the Jack Nicklaus Award. It was only two years ago when Jon Rahm won four times, including the Masters, and Scheffler won the award based on his staggering consistency. There also was that small matter of Rahm defecting to Saudi-funded LIV Golf halfway through the two-week voting period.
The tour said Scheffler won with 38% of the vote in 2023. It did not mention what percentage of the vote Rahm received.
The reason votes were released in percentages was because the tour would rather not disclose how many players — or how few — actually voted.
One snapshot of that was a particularly close race for rookie of the year between McIlroy and Rickie Fowler in 2010. Fowler won the award without having won a tournament. Asked for his reaction the day after the result was announced, Dustin Johnson said, “Man, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for.” Um, never mind.
There is nothing terribly flashy about Scheffler except the numbers he compiles, whether it’s six victories, matching the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record or leading in 17 of the 28 scoring categories the PGA Tour keeps. He finished in the top five in all but five of them.
“Overall the thing that I’m most proud of when I look at the last couple years is just consistency,” Scheffler said Monday when he received the Jack Nicklaus Award for the fourth straight time. “It’s not very easy to just show up and finish in the top 10 each week.”
He makes it look that way. The key to what happens Thursday through Saturday is the dedication to be ready during those days he’s not at a tournament.
Scheffler doesn’t get too caught up in statistics. He said they confirm what he already feels in his game, what’s working and what needs polished. But if there was one he found particularly pleasing it would be leading the tour in scoring average in each of the four rounds.
The last player to do that was Woods in 2000.
Scheffler was paired with Woods in the final round of the 2020 Masters when both were miles out of contention. It was a pivotal moment for him, watching Woods — with nothing left to prove in his career — giving each shot his utmost attention.
“I felt like early in my career I wasn’t bringing the proper intensity to the first few rounds of the tournament,” he said. “It was almost like when the lights came on on the weekend I was better than I was earlier in the week when there almost was lower stakes. A lot of that has just been trying to bring that same intensity to each round and every shot, which is a lot easier said than done.”
Scheffler is constantly looking for improvement, and the putter was a big step this year. He ranked 22nd in the key putting statistic, down from 77th a year ago. Most pleasing was going from 139th in 2024 to 33rd this year in putting inside 10 feet.
He led the tour in 16 main statistics, 11 of those involving scoring. That makes sense for someone who won the Byron Nelson Award for the lowest adjusted scoring average at 68.131. That was nearly three shots better than the tour average, and nearly a full shot lower than McIlroy.
And to think the year started with stitches in his right hand after slicing it open with a wine glass because that was all Scheffler could find to cut ravioli for Christmas dinner.
“I think he made enough money to hire a chef,” McIlroy jokingly said when Scheffler returned from his injury at Pebble Beach in February.
Maybe it’s a good thing Scheffler didn’t, and McIlroy suggested as much after the British Open when he said, “I also had the three wins when Scottie wasn’t quite on his game.”
McIlroy won at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship, two big stages. Throw in the Irish Open, another title as Europe’s No. 1 player and another road Ryder Cup victory. It was a big year, one McIlroy wouldn’t trade for any award.
The best year? The answer was easy even without revealing the vote.

In no surprise to golf fans around the world, Scottie Scheffler has been names the Jack Nicklaus PGA Tour Player of the Year. The honor marks the fourth consecutive year Scheffler has claimed the award. The accomplishment places him alongside Tiger Woods as the only players to achieve that feat.
Competition for the 2025 award was fierce. After outstanding seasons from fellow nominees Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, and Ben Griffin, Scheffler ultimately earned the most votes from his fellow PGA Tour members.
Despite the close race, Scheffler’s 2025 season stood out as one of the most dominant in recent history. The American recorded six victories, including two major championships. He won 30 percent of his 20 starts. He finished inside the top 10 in 17 events, and placed inside the top 25 in every tournament he entered.
Scottie Scheffler’s 2025 Season
Scheffler’s 2025 campaign was one for the record books. To kick off the year, Scheffler suffered a holiday hand injury, delaying the start of his season. He wasn’t able to tee off until the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he finished T9.
By April, Scheffler secured his first win of the season at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. A tournament he dubbed as “kind of my home event.” Here, he tied the 72-hole PGA Tour scoring record, shooting a 31-under 253.
From there, Scheffler’s season took off. Two weeks later he won the PGA Championship. He followed that by successfully defending his title at The Memorial. He then took first at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, and claimed victory at the BMW Championship. Scheffler then capped off the season with first-place finish in Napa, California at the Procore Championship.
Comments on the Award
In a press teleconference with reporters, Scheffler spoke on the award, stating,
“I think overall the thing that I’m most proud of when I look at the last couple years is just consistency,” said Scheffler. “It’s not very easy to just show up and finish in the top 10 each week. I think that’s something that’s very difficult to do, and something I’m very proud of, bringing the intensity that I need to in these tournaments and being prepared as I need to in order to perform well week in and week out.”
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp also spoke on the accolade, stating,
“On behalf of the PGA Tour, congratulations to Scottie Scheffler on being named PGA Tour Player of the Year and Aldrich Potgieter on earning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors for 2025,” Rolapp said. “Scottie’s consistent level of success has been nothing short of spectacular as he continues to chase history on the PGA Tour, and we’re excited to see what he will deliver in 2026.”
Scheffler’s Possible Future
With major victories at the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2025, Scheffler is now just a U.S. Open title away from competing the career Grand Slam, an achievement McIlroy accomplished earlier this year.

While most professional golfers have a meticulous media schedule, one specific golfer on the PGA Tour is receiving heaps of praise for speaking his mind. Veteran NBC broadcaster and Golf analyst Steve Sands also believes the same. Sands even goes on to say that Jordan Spieth is even better than Scottie Scheffler or any other current professional in that aspect.
“Look, Scotty’s always accessible, but he doesn’t give you as much, per se, as Jordan Spieth. I think Jordan Spieth, to me, and Justin Thomas are the two who give the most and aren’t afraid,” Steve Sands said on The Smylie Show when asked about who handles the media best among today’s golfers.”
“Now, that doesn’t mean Scotty doesn’t give enough. That doesn’t mean Rory doesn’t give enough. I just mean if you’re going to take the combination of a great player, a Hall of Fame kind of player, and success on the golf course regularly, getting interviewed regularly, and not being afraid to give your opinion, and not just about whether we need to roll the ball back, I would say Jordan Spieth right now. I think Justin has grown into that role here in the last few years. But I think Jordan Spieth has handled that amongst the players today.”
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Steve Sands is someone who has asked questions to golfers across generations like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and much more. So if he says that Spieth is the clear winner here, he probably is. And this isn’t just a mere personal opinion, Spieth’s interactions with the media go on to prove his point.
Spieth has given blunt assessments of his own game, openly acknowledging when his swing, ball-striking, and putting are off. For instance, he was struggling with form in 2024. When Amanda Balionis interviewed him ahead of the John Deere Classic, he pointed out the hole where his concentration lapsed, and he ended with a bogey.
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Similarly, Jordan Spieth was open when addressing sponsor invitation criticism. Many golf analysts said that the high number of invitations he receives makes it unfair for others.
“Yeah, because I don’t… I didn’t like asking for exemptions this year at all,” Spieth said ahead of the Wyndham Championship. “I was fortunate to receive a lot of them, but you just never know.”
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Jordan Spieth has addressed the criticism, while many golfers choose to remain silent and let it all pass.
On the other hand, others like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy usually choose measured approaches. McIlroy recently made headlines for skipping or shortening media availabilities at majors. He even said that he is frustrated with the media and has “earned the right” to skip media press conferences if he chooses to do so.
The same goes for Scottie Scheffler, who tries to stay clear of any controversial topics. At the BMW Championship, Scheffler even showed irritation towards the line of questioning. When multiple press conferences veered toward Ryder Cup speculation instead of the current event, Scheffler showed irritation, steering answers back to the event at hand. Even around his 2024 arrest at Valhalla, his public remarks were tightly controlled.
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While Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are the current two golfers doing it right, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are the ultimate best for Steve Sands.
Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer handled the media better than Jordan Spieth
Steve Sands says that a golfer or any other sports athlete needs to keep a balance of how much they share with the media. He reflected on a joke he used to share with Tiger Woods. Sands said that it is okay to tell the media what a golfer had for dinner, but not where he or she had it.
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According to Sands, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer knew how to maintain this balance perfectly.
“If you go back in time, nobody was better with the media than Jack and Arnie,” he said. “They understood you want them on your side. You don’t want to give them everything, but you want to give them enough that they’re going to give you a pass if you have a hiccup here or there down the road.”
Nicklaus has repeatedly said he always saw it as part of his job to face reporters. And he tried to be the same whether he played well or poorly. He emphasized never ducking the press after bad rounds and maintaining a calm, courteous tone.
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“And, for you to do your job, you need to talk to me,” the 18x major winner said.
This helped build long‑term trust and ensured his side of the story was always heard.​ While Jordan Spieth is good enough, he is not as good as Nicklaus and Palmer.
Arnold Palmer used to be the same as Jack Nicklaus when it came to interacting with the media. His rapport was a natural extension of how he treated fans. He made eye contact, listened intently, and spoke in simple, vivid language that broadcasters loved.
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His willingness to engage, sign autographs, and share stories helped create “Arnie’s Army.” Even reporters amplified and branded this fan moment in headlines. He was credited with making golf more popular than anyone else. This made him “The King” and golf’s first true TV superstar.

For decades, the LPGA Tour has delivered world-class golf. And more often, the moments have remained hidden behind tape delays and fragmented coverage because of limited visibility. But now, fortunately, the imbalance is being directly addressed. Despite producing some of the most technically sound players in the sport, the tour has long been asked to grow without being fully seen. And it’s time for the impeccably talented girls to get the same rights as men that they never received.
It has just been 120 days since Commissioner Craig Kessler has been in the role. And he has introduced a vision that was indeed overdue. Record prize money, and a comprehensive live television coverage across North America. And this isn’t just a mere administrative move. It’s a step towards treating women’s golf as worthy of real-time attention and high-quality broadcasts. Right after this update hit the headlines, a retired LPGA Tour pro shared her unfiltered opinion on the matter.
Former LPGA Tour icon Michelle Wie West joined sports analyst RJ Ochoa in his Golf Talk podcast. While having a quality candid conversation, the host reflected on how the LPGA Tour has recently been introduced to a few changes under the administration of Kessler. He stated that it’s not about a “political gain” but how finally, people could manage to move past the stereotypes as the LPGA would be broadcast live. “Every single round will be broadcast live. That is such a huge thing… fans of golf have begged for this for forever”, the host added, asking for Wie West’s take on the scenario.
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Michelle Wie West immediately started off by stating, “I mean, it’s huge news, but it also at the same time feels so simple, right?” She explained her take and said, “It’s like wait, we haven’t been live. And it’s it’s those small steps that are hugely monumental. And I think what people don’t really understand is that, you know, we’re directly in competition, you know, with the men in terms of TV viewership, seasons, time, it’s not like one can play during the day. We’re playing exactly the same time. So, you know, 100% or almost 100% of our rounds being broadcasted live is huge.”
Wie West further continued, “I’m extremely excited for 2026, and you know for for golf giving space to fans to show up, and that is everything for women’s sports. We just have to provide space for the fans to show up and really look at it as a great media product.”
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Looking forward to better days, the retired tour pro stated, “I think they’re starting to integrate more and more technology Trackman data but we obviously have a ways to go still, and I think it’s just you know we’re just chipping away at it and chipping away to make the best media product that we can.” And Nelly Korda herself has voiced her excitement about this new change in the LPGA.
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Nelly Korda welcomes LPGA’s new era under Craig Kessler’s leadership
Right after joining the LPGA as the newly elected CEO, Craig Kessler was aiming for quite a few major changes to be introduced in the tour. And the one he chose to start off with was to sign a deal with mutual insurer FM for upgrading the broadcast production. Right before the end of the season, Commissioner Kessler stated, “When you start a partnership, it’s important to come out of the gates strong. And if you execute well, it opens up the possibility for lots of amazing things to happen. It’s no different here.”
Showing enthusiasm towards such huge news, Korda exclaimed, “For us to finally get our shot at having live TV and for people investing in our product out here has been amazing.” Nelly Korda further added, “I can’t wait to see where it’s going to go, but it all comes down to having great leadership, and that’s what we really do have here at the LPGA.”
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Kessler’s run towards getting better doesn’t stop here. He recently stated, “I hope the LPGA is quickly perceived as one of the best partners in all of sports. We do what we say we will do, and we’ll have to take that into account as we bring to life what we believe is the optimal schedule.” This change marks a major step forward for the LPGA.

Aldrich Potgieter earned the 2025 Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year. The South African won the vote over a competitive field that included Michael Brennan, Steven Fisk, William Mouw, and Karl Vilips. Potgieter becomes the third South African to win the honor, following Ernie Els (1994) and Trevor Immelman (2006).
Potgieter’s Accomplishments
Potgieter was still not quite 21 year old when he became the ninth-youngest PGA Tour winner since 1983, after taking home first place at the 2025 Rocket Classic. He was one of five rookies to win on Tour this year, and the only one to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
“What Aldrich has achieved at such a young age is truly remarkable,” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in a press release. “He has captivated fans across the globe including his home country of South Africa and the Tour is thrilled to see what his future holds.”
In addition to winning the Arnold Palmer Award, Potgieter led the Tour in driving distance, averaging 325 yards per drive. He totaled 35,754 yards across 110 measured drives, beating out World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who averaged 323 yards. Potgieter also led the Tour in ball speed. Taking 1st with an average 190.14 mph, well above the Tour average of 174.36 mph.
Currently ranked 81st in the Official World Golf Ranking, Potgieter has climbed as high as 49th. He boasts three top-10 finishes, and one PGA Tour victory.
Potgieter’s rise has been rapid. At just 17 years old, he won the 2022 British Amateur Championship, becoming the second-youngest winner in the event’s history. In 2023, he won the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley by 10 strokes and turned professional later that year. By 2024 he made history again as the youngest winner on the Korn Ferry Tour with his victory at the 2024 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at age 19.
Potgieter’s Future
Potgieter was one of 36 rookies on Tour during the 2025 season. His strong performance earned him a No. 56 finish in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. This placement secured him an invitation to the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as well as the 2026 Genesis Invitational.
Fellow PGA Tour players praised Potgieter’s performance following the announcement.
“He hits it long, I don’t know if you guys were aware,” Ben Griffin said with a smirk. “He hits it very far, farther than every other golfer on Tour. So its pretty incredible to see that.” Griffin went on to say, “Young kid. Tons of firepower, obviously tons of talent, got in the mix a few times this year. I think his future is incredibly bright and yeah he’s definitely done a lot to earn that Rookie of the Year.”
Andrew Novak echoed Griffin, stating, “I’ve played with guys who hit the ball far, and he hits it very far. Probably as far as any of them. Usually they don’t putt like he does. Usually like there’s something like okay this doesn’t work. He can play. From what Ive seen from his game, it is very very impressive.”

Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, who claimed his fourth consecutive PGA Tour Player of the Year award just hours ago, has added a new milestone ahead of the 2026 season. And no, it’s not another award! The 29-year-old Texan, after winning numerous tournaments in 2025 and becoming golf’s most consistent player, has inked yet another partnership.
That new deal? It’s with Huntington National Bank, a large regional bank based in Columbus, Ohio, with $223 billion in assets. The organization, which has been around since 1866, has made Scheffler its main golf ambassador. This is a big step forward in its sports marketing efforts. Well, both have been working together since 2018, when Scheffler initially teamed with Veritex Community Bank in Texas.
However, at that time, Veritex was his second corporate sponsor as he was still making his way up the professional ladder. Veritex, also known as the Golf Bank of Texas and led by C. Malcolm Holland III, helped him go from being a promising amateur to a major champion. So, when Huntington bought Veritex, it didn’t just get accounts; it also gained a connection with golf’s biggest star. However, the financial details of the deal haven’t been disclosed yet.
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Malcolm Holland, now chairman of Texas for Huntington, emphasized the depth of this connection. “We’ve grown with Scottie Scheffler, and like all of our relationships, the foundational value is trust,” he said. “It’s meaningful that the best athlete at his profession, in the world, shares a belief in Huntington’s values and will continue his journey with us.”
Holland noted that Scheffler represents character and integrity in their sport, qualities that align with the bank’s approach to business.
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So, what makes this deal different from others? Huntington will continue supporting philanthropic groups important to Scheffler. And those groups will include Behind Every Door and the College Golf Fellowship, which he has championed throughout his career.
Brant Standridge, president of Consumer and Regional Banking at Huntington, highlighted how the partnership reflects their broader philosophy. “With values that shine on and off the course, Scottie reflects the same people-first spirit that guides how we serve our customers, communities, and each other,” Standridge explained.
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Huntington’s logo will be on Scottie Scheffler’s golf bag, under his name. This way, the bank will be visible at every tournament the world number one plays in.
Vijay Konduru, Huntington’s chief marketing officer, reflected on the parallels between banking and golf. He said, “At Huntington, we see money as a craft. Just like golf, it requires skill, focus, and the right team.”
In the next few months, the bank will name more golf ambassadors. This is in addition to Veritex’s earlier promises to fund Texas golf programs, such as the Byron Nelson Junior Championship.
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The 2025 action doesn’t stop with traditional tournaments and million-dollar deals, though. The 19-time PGA Tour winner is taking center stage in a new format designed for primetime audiences.
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Scottie Scheffler’s leadership at the center of the Optum Golf Channel Games
Scottie Scheffler will lead his four-man squad at the 2025 Optum Golf Channel Games. This new primetime golf tournament incorporates timed and skills-based tasks. The world’s top two golfers will captain the December 17 event at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. Scheffler’s Americans will play Rory McIlroy’s internationals. The format comprises fast-paced head-to-head challenges such as driving, short-game accuracy, a 14-club challenge, and team relays.
Scheffler’s team includes Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, PGA Tour champion Sam Burns, and rising star Luke Clanton. Meanwhile, McIlroy’s team will include veterans Luke Donald and Shane Lowry, as well as DP World Tour winner Haotong Li. This makes for a balanced yet tough fight between the two captains.
Unlike stroke-play contests, the Optum Golf Channel Games feature a fast-paced sequence of challenges that test basic skills under time and strategic pressure. Organizers said this format will illustrate how diverse and entertaining the players are, which will appeal to a large audience on Golf Channel and USA Network.
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Billy Horschel returned to the first tee at Wentworth in September as the reigning champion. It had been four months since he had played. He had hip surgery, which ended his hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup. He missed the cut by one stroke at the BMW PGA Championship, with rounds of 73 and 70 putting him one-under par, barely below the cutline. Months after that difficult return, the 38-year-old has finally opened up about his recovery period.
In May, Horschel was positioned 16th in the Ryder Cup standings after a runner-up finish at The Open. But he withdrew from the Zurich Classic. Reason? Hip surgery: A preventive measure, he confirmed.
“I was disappointed,” Horschel said on the Golf Channel. “Being in the best position of my career… to make a Ryder Cup team. I was coming off playing well in majors in ’24 and was really excited about ’25. I thought this was going to be the year I finally win a major and make a Ryder Cup team, finally checking some of the boxes that are still unchecked.”
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Still, Horschel found a way to channel that frustration. He had always prepared mentally for injury, having been a professional for close to two decades.
“I hit a lot of golf balls and I practice,” Horschel explained. “At some in time the body was going to just wear and tear, and something needed to be fixed.”
He considered himself fortunate that it was a hip issue and viewed it as “the easiest thing you can get fixed.”
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That break became unexpectedly valuable.
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Horschel reflected on the 16 years of his career, what he had done, what remained to achieve, and how he intended to start the next chapter post-surgery. He was concerned about how people saw him in public, especially on the ropes versus during TGL, where his Atlanta Drive team won the championship.
“When I’m competing, I can be very serious, and it doesn’t always look like I’m enjoying it,” the golfer said. “But inside, I am enjoying the challenge.”
However, the physical recovery tested his patience in different ways.
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The rehab followed a straightforward process, but the mental game proved harder. Around the eight-to-ten week mark, Horschel felt his hip was ready and wanted to push harder. He lifted heavier weights and accelerated training. His physical therapist, Sophie, kept applying what he called “a handbrake.”
“I gave her a hard time,” Horschel admitted. “But she was really good with my rehab. I thank her a lot for everything she’s done. We’re in a position we are now because of her.”
When Horschel returned to competition, the psychological hurdles matched the physical ones. He wasn’t worried about reinjury. When the body feels good and pain-free, confidence returns. But there was an issue he observed almost instantly.
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“There were just times, I’m like, ‘Gosh, I have no speed,’ and I feel like, ‘God, this sucks, am I going to be this slow for the next six years of my life?’” the golfer said.
As his body continued to improve, those fears faded. His mobility came back. He wasn’t completely happy yet because he knew he could still improve his speed after surgery. But he had gotten stronger because of it.
Horschel’s missed cut at Wentworth hurt, and he missed his chance of playing in the 2025 Ryder Cup. But he has promised to return as a full-time DP World Tour player in 2026.
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Billy Horschel eyes full 2026 slate with OWGR position in play
Billy Horschel will compete in 2026 thanks to his Official World Golf Ranking. He was rated 45th in the OWGR after tying for 11th at the Bank of Utah Championship in early December 2025. This kept him in the top 50 bubble, affecting his early-season starts and major invites.
He will receive an invitation to the 2026 Masters at Augusta National and a greater priority in early PGA Tour events if he maintains a position in the top 50 by year’s end. They get better signature event access. This allows them to design their schedule without sponsor exclusions or category reshuffles.
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A decent performance in Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas was enough to secure the PGA Tour veteran a qualifying spot.
Currently ranked 48th, Billy Horschel may play most PGA Tour tournaments in 2026 because he is exempt and in good standing.
Since returning from hip surgery and playing events in 2025, Horschel has maintained his ranking. Instead of resting, he is competing during the winter. This shows that he wants to build momentum and enter the biggest tournaments, including majors and other tours that shape the competitive arc in 2026.

Slow play has long tested the fans’ patience with five-hour-plus rounds and endless routines. To curb this, the PGA Tour launched the Fan Forward initiative in 2024. Additionally, former Commissioner Jay Monahan announced a ‘Speed of Play Working Group’ to prioritize the viewer experience. So, the league started testing stroke penalties on the Korn Ferry Tour. But fast forward to now, and the slow play debate has ignited again.
A popular golf account, Skratch, recently posted a video clip on X, captioned, “Is Ludvig Åberg fast or is everyone else just…slow?” It featured a candid conversation between broadcaster Dan Rapaport and the Swedish golfer, in which Rapaport asked whether he feels he is actually that fast or if the standard for professional golfers is simply too slow. Åberg didn’t hesitate before answering: “Absolutely.”
And when Rapaport pressed him further about the golf world’s obsession with his rapid pace, Åberg answered, “Yeah, it’s more of a perspective, isn’t it? I think in college, I never thought of it once. That was just the way it was. And then turned pro, and it became more of a thing, like I’m pretty fast over the ball, but I’m not that fast when it comes to routine and process and talking to Joe [Skovron]. I don’t like to rush things. But is golf slow? Absolutely.”
Now, that isn’t just big talk. The data back him up. Golf Digest writer Christopher Powers put this reputation to the test at THE PLAYERS Championship. Powers used a stopwatch app to time every single shot Åberg hit on the front nine, and the results were massive, proving Åberg’s average time from arriving at the ball to impact was just 33 seconds. PGA Tour official Stephen Cox noted that the average time for a shot is typically 38 seconds.
Though five seconds seems small and might not sound like much, compared to the standard Tour pace it adds up significantly over a full round of 70 shots. So, the veteran writer complimented, “It’s something every player, regardless of status in the game, should aspire to. More importantly, it’s something we should celebrate.”
And you might think playing fast leads to sloppy mistakes, but the young Swede changes that stereotype entirely.
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Ludvig Åberg’s 2025 season silenced that argument
In February, Åberg claimed his second PGA Tour title at the Genesis Invitational. He fired a final-round 66 to win by one stroke at the historic Riviera Country Club. Then he contended brilliantly at the 2025 Masters, finishing 7th after a late Sunday stumble. Even in the pressure cooker of Augusta National, he refused to slow his natural speed. Then came the heroics at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage when his singles victory over Patrick Cantlay helped Team Europe to secure their back-to-back Ryder Cup in a hostile environment.
Åberg’s profile for the season tells the same impressive story of efficiency. He ranked 14th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and 14th in Driving Distance during the 2025 season.
“I would like to think that I’m quick, and I would like to think that I make my decisions pretty fast. I think that’s something that is a good thing,” Åberg said. “When I played, I didn’t want to be the guy that people were waiting for. I just don’t like playing slow, and I want the round to sort of have a nice tempo and a nice flow to it, I guess. So if it comes from that, I don’t know. But it stuck with me.”

This should come as a surprise to no one, but the winningest golf ball brand on the PGA Tour was once again the “No. 1 ball in golf.”
Titleist golf balls took the cake again this year by winning a whopping 26 of the 46 PGA Tour events played last season, which is more than triple the next closest competitor, which had eight victories.
Why is that unsurprising? Because Titleist has long been the most dominant player in the golf ball space on the PGA Tour and this past season, 73 percent of all golf balls played on the PGA Tour were Titleist, according to Darrell Survey, compared to nine percent for their closest competitor.
What’s interesting about Titleist’s winning ball count is that many of the victories come with previous model golf balls, which the company gladly continues to produce for specific Tour players. Golf ball tech certainly has improved year to year, but pros aren’t always looking to max out spin or speed. They usually like to keep whatever they are most comfortable with over their careers
For example, Scottie Scheffler’s six wins this season came with the 2021 model Titleist Pro V1. Viktor Hovland also won with the same ball at the Valspar. Altogether, the Pro V1 won 14 times, with the ’21 model accounting for half of that total. The current generation 2025 Pro V1 had four wins while the even older 2017 Pro V1 had three wins, being used by Harris English, Brian Harman and Adam Schenk.
The Pro V1’s spinnier sibling, the Pro V1x, accounted for the other 12 wins, with half of those coming from either the 2025 or 2023 models. Interestingly, two of those victories came with CPO prototypes in the 2023 Pro V1x+ for Aldrich Potgieter and the 2025 Pro V1x Double Dot for Cam Young.
Either way, it was another dominant year for Titleist golf balls on the PGA Tour. Keep reading below to see the winningest golf balls on the PGA Tour in 2025.
No. 1 Titleist Pro V1 (14 wins, 9 different players)
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
The Greatest Combination of Speed, Spin and Feel Pro V1 golf balls are the optimal premium performance choice for most players and the most played model in golf. Why Play Pro V1? Pro V1 is recommended to players who are looking for mid-trajectory flight, very low long game spin and maximum short game spin, with softer feel. Comparison to Pro V1x Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1 has a lower flight than Pro V1x. A softer gradient core produces a softer feel and slightly less spin than Pro V1x.
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The Pro V1 is the softer, lower-spinning and lower-flying of the two retail Titleist Pro V1 golf balls. Scottie Scheffler’s six wins with the 2021 model make up the bulk of the victories here. Other winners this year include Harris English, Joe Highsmith, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, Garrick Higgo, Ryan Gerard, Michael Brennan and Adam Schenk. Young up-and-comers Highsmith, Higgo, Gerard and Brennan won with the latest ’25 V1.
No. 2 Titleist Pro V1x (12 wins, 12 players)
Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls
Total Performance With Higher Flight And More Spin Pro V1x golf balls are the optimal premium performance choice for players looking for maximum distance, higher flight and more stopping power. Why Play Pro V1x? Pro V1x is recommended to players who are looking for high-trajectory flight, low long game spin with maximum short game spin, and firmer feel. Comparison to Pro V1 Due to its unique dimple pattern, Pro V1x has a higher flight than Pro V1. A high-gradient dual core produces slightly more iron and wedge spin than Pro V1.
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The Pro V1x was the winningest golf ball last season when considering individual players who won with the model. Ten of the 12 winners used retail versions of the ball, but Cam Young and Aldrich Potgieter used more elusive CPO versions of the Pro V1x. Potgieter won in his first week since switching to the even higher-spinning 2023 Pro V1x+. Likewise, Young won in his first start with the Pro V1x Double Dot, which we don’t have a ton of information on yet, but we believe to be a lower-flying Pro V1x variant. Ludvig Aberg, Justin Rose and Sami Valimaki won with the 2025 model.
No. 3 Srixon Z-Star XV (5 wins, 3 players)
Srixon Z-STAR XV Golf Balls
Z-STAR SeriesWhether you’re chasing major championships or your next personal best, the all-new Z-STAR series is the choice for serious players everywhere. Featuring reformulated cores and covers across the line, this generation of Z-STAR golf balls delivers greater distance, optimized spin, and tour-level stopping power around the green. It’s a formula designed to give you one thing: pure performance when it matters most. Z-STAR XV provides maximum ball speed for unmatched Driver and Iron distance. Its premium 3-piece construction gives skilled players complete tour performance, tee to green.
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Hideki Matsuyama, Sepp Straka and Ryan Fox all use the latest version of the Srixon Z-Star XV golf ball.
T4. Maxfli Tour X (3 wins, 1 player)
Maxfli Tour X Golf Balls
Best for golfers seeking more spin and speed with a higher launch, from every club in their bag.
While Titleist beat everyone in the win count, perhaps no golf ball brand had a more important year for its brand than Maxfli. Ben Griffin used the new 2025 Maxfli Tour X golf ball to win three times on the PGA Tour this season, the first three wins for the brand since 2002.
T4. TaylorMade TP5 (3 wins, 1 player)
TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls
The all-new 2024 TaylorMade TP5 Golf Balls are the softest 5-layer Tour ball, delivering a notably softer feel and enhanced spin around the green with lower driver spin than previous generations. TOUR SPIN WITH NEW SPEED WRAPPED CORE The TP5, the softest 5-layer Tour ball, delivers a notably softer feel and enhanced spin around the green with lower driver spin than previous generations. It is engineered with a new Speed Wrapped Core that delivers a softer sound while promoting a faster, more responsive overall design. For golfers who prioritize touch and feel in their short game, the TP5 provides precision greenside performance. TP5 YELLOW WITH ENHANCED VISIBILITY & DURABILITY While many high-visibility golf balls rely solely on a painted finish, we doubled down for added durability. An enriched yellow urethane cover means that your golf ball stays brighter for longer with no chipped paint and better color retention.
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Rory McIlroy’s switch to the higher-spinning, lower-launching 2024 TP5 golf ball from his previous TP5x golf ball was the catalyst to the hot start to his season that ultimately ended with his career grand slam-clinching Masters win. McIlroy found the added control from the softer golf ball allowed him to add more 3/4 swings to his game, which helped his awesome ball-striking at the beginning of the year.
T4. Srixon Z-Star Diamond (3 wins, 3 players)
Srixon Z-STAR DIAMOND Golf Balls
Z-STAR SeriesWhether you’re chasing major championships or your next personal best, the all-new Z-STAR series is the choice for serious players everywhere. Featuring reformulated cores and covers across the line, this generation of Z-STAR golf balls delivers greater distance, optimized spin, and tour-level stopping power around the green. It’s a formula designed to give you one thing: pure performance when it matters most. With a blend of greenside control and long-game distance, the new Z-STAR ♦ DIAMOND also delivers the unique benefit of increased spin on long and mid Iron shots.
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J.J. Spaun, Keegan Bradley and Andrew Novak each used the latest 2025 Srixon Z-Star Diamond for their 2025 wins.
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Rory McIlroy’s 2025 schedule isn’t over yet, with the Northern Irishman now looking ahead to the Golf Channel Games.
But after the exhibition match against Scottie Scheffler, he’ll get a break, something he’s probably looking forward to after a packed 2025 calendar.
It hasn’t just been busy; it’s been successful. His win at The Masters stands out as the headline moment of the year.
Add to that a Ryder Cup win and his involvement in TGL’s first season, and it’s clear why McIlroy might need some time off before thinking about what comes next.
Michael Thorbjornsen signs with Rory McIlroy’s TGL team for 2025
The league, co-founded by McIlroy and Tiger Woods, is scheduled to return for its second season in January. There’s already been a notable change to one of the teams.
McIlroy broke the news on The Shotgun Start: “We have a new member of the team who I practiced with this morning, Michael Thorbjornsen.
“I am breaking some news! So we have some fresh blood. I think that could make the difference.”
Speaking about why he made the decision, he explained: “Hideki and Adam are world travellers. Hideki will be in Japan and Adam will be in Australia for the first game we play on January 2nd.
“So Michael has come in and it’s going to be Michael, Keegan and myself. We are feeling pretty good!”
Who is Michael Thorbjornsen?
Thorbjornsen, an American player who turned pro in 2024, has made 45 starts on the PGA Tour up to this point.
While he’s still searching for his first win, he did finish second at this year’s Corales Puntacana Championship and also took third place at the Baycurrent Classic.
The 24-year-old has come close twice with runner-up finishes and has earned $3,568,248 so far in his PGA Tour career.
McIlroy says any Ryder Cup issues with Keegan Bradley are behind them
The topic came up again in 2025, this time because of his TGL teammate, Keegan Bradley.
When asked if any tension was still there, McIlroy said: “There might have been for like a week or two after that but we have gotten past that!”
Bradley didn’t take the loss well, having captained the US team to a disappointing defeat against Europe at Bethpage Black.
Since then, he’s played in The Skins Game alongside McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammates Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood. He took home $2.1 million from that event – not a bad consolation prize – and with another TGL season coming up, there’s plenty for him to focus on outside of the Ryder Cup result.