The Week in Golf: Major momentum meets global ambition as tee times pack a punch
McIlroy, basking in Major glory, takes a deserved break this week. But the chase for glory continues, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returning to defend his title. Despite Rory's 2025 dominance, Scheffler remains in red-hot form, notching four Top-10 finishes already this year.
OWGR points are thick on the ground — the RBC winner stands to claim 64.77, dwarfing the 16.75 projected for the DP World Tour's Volvo China Open champion. No wonder the PGA Tour's top talent is all in. Look out for FedEx Cup front-runners Sepp Straka (2), Ludvig Åberg (3), Scheffler (4), Russell Henley (5), and Corey Conners (6).
Thomas Rising, Paratore Chasing History
Meanwhile, Dubai's Rayhan Thomas continues his steady climb on the Korn Ferry Tour, teeing it up this week at the $1 million LECOM Suncoast Classic in Florida. Ranked 50th in the season-long points race, the 25-year-old Indian golfer is fighting for a coveted PGA Tour card, awarded to the top 20 players come season's end.
In the UAE, the HotelPlanner Tour — formerly the Challenge Tour — rolls into week two of its Middle East swing with the Abu Dhabi Challenge at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
Defending champion Garrick Porteous, now Dubai-based, headlines a strong local lineup, including UAE amateur standout Ahmad Skaik, who made the cut last week in Al Zorah. He's joined by a host of UAE-based hopefuls: Rami Samawi, Jonathan Selvaraj, Sam Mullane, Mohammad Skaik, Neyl Cherrat, and Rayan Ahmed.
Egyptian amateur Issa Abou El Ella, 30, will also tee it up, thanks to a sponsor's invitation.
All eyes will be on Italy's Renato Paratore, who seeks a rare UAE double after last week's win in Ajman. The road to Mallorca continues — this is event eight of 29, with the top 20 in the year-end standings earning promotion to the 2026 DP World Tour.
What's On This Week – April 15–21, 2025
PGA Tour: RBC Heritage
Harbour Town Golf Links, South Carolina, US
Purse: $20 million
Dates: Apr 17–20
Korn Ferry Tour: LECOM Suncoast Classic
Lakewood National GC, Florida, US
Purse: $1 million
Dates: Apr 16–19
DP World Tour: Volvo China Open
Enhance Anting GC, Shanghai, China
Purse: $2.25 million
Dates: Apr 17–20
HotelPlanner Tour: Abu Dhabi Challenge
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, UAE
Purse: $300,000
Dates: Apr 17–20
LPGA: JM Eagle LA Championship
El Caballero Country Club, Los Angeles, California, US
Purse: $3.75 million
Dates: Apr 17–20
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