Latest news with #CenturionClub
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Stars returning to PGA Tour and broken promise - Three years of LIV Golf summed up
LIV Golf held its maiden event at the Centurion Club three years ago, and despite drawing in a number of high-profile players, the breakaway league still faces substantial challenges LIV Golf is celebrating its third anniversary, having made a significant splash in the world of golf when it launched in 2022. The breakaway banner's inaugural tournament took place at the Centurion Club, and after Talor Gooch's victory at Valderrama in Andalusia, the contentious series is back for LIV Golf UK at the JCB Golf and Country Club this weekend. In its brief existence, the league has experienced both triumphs and trials, including robust financial support, a divisive format, struggles to gain mainstream recognition, and crucial ranking points. While LIV Golf has undoubtedly shaken up the golfing world, it faces important challenges in the near future. An unfulfilled promise LIV Golf has yet to secure world ranking points from the Official World Golf Rankings despite being three years on from its first tournament. It submitted an application in July 2022 but was informed in October 2023 that its request had been rejected due to insufficient player pathways to the league. There are no weekly qualifiers in LIV Golf, nor is there a regular rotation of players. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, LIV Golf only promoted one player through its Promotions Event, and no one qualified via the Asian Tour's International Series. In March 2024, LIV Golf announced it was withdrawing its OWGR bid. The absence of ranking points is a significant setback for LIV Golf players, preventing them from qualifying for major tournaments or the Ryder Cup. Eugenio Chacarra openly criticised the series, claiming he was misled about receiving Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points upon signing. Speaking to FlushingItGolf, Chacarra said: "When I joined LIV, they promised OWGR and majors. But it didn't happen. I trusted them. I was the first young guy, then the others came after I made the decision. "But OWGR and majors still hasn't happened. I saw you last year when they pulled the bid. It's frustrating, but I'm excited for the new opportunity to see where my game takes me." Returning to the PGA Tour After an initial exodus of stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka to LIV Golf, the trend of players switching allegiance has slowed. Some players have already made their way back to the PGA Tour, and there's speculation that the original high-profile signings might follow suit. Golf legend Fred Couples suggested that Koepka is keen on returning to the PGA Tour, while the five-time major winner himself has not ruled out a comeback, which would be a significant loss for LIV Golf. Koepka said: "Like I've said before, I'm not in those rooms," referring to his ongoing negotiations, adding: "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. "Right now I'm just focused on how do I play better, how do I play better in the majors, how does this team win, and then we'll figure out next year and how to play better again. It's the same thing. It's just a revolving cycle. I've got nothing. Everybody else seems to know more than I do." Major struggles Koepka clinched the 2023 PGA Championship and DeChambeau triumphed at a thrilling 2024 US Open, yet they are the sole LIV Golf icons to have secured a major after making the move despite the league boasting some of the globe's top golfers. Jon Rahm and Cam Smith haven't expanded their major collection since joining, while Phil Mickelson has also found majors challenging. Paul McGinley highlighted the drawbacks for LIV Golf players against their PGA Tour counterparts regarding majors, explaining to the Golf Channel: "Coming back with all the jet leg is not that easy - it's a whole lot easier staying in one country then playing the Major in that same country. "Going to LIV, yes there's a lot of upside and they got a lot of money to do so, but because it's a start-up and they have to travel around the world it gives a lot of disadvantages when it comes to these Major championships. Bar Brooks and Bryson, the rest have not turned up seriously since they've gone to LIV in these Major championships."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Tiger Woods' response to 'mind-blowingly enormous' LIV Golf offer sums him up
Three years on from LIV Golf's maiden tournament in the UK, here's a look back on Tiger Woods' stance on the controversial breakaway tour, which ripped the sport in half Tiger Woods showed his true colours by snubbing an 'enormous' offer to defect to LIV Golf. Three years on from its controversial launch, the rebel tour is back in the UK, which hosted the tour's maiden tournament at the Centurion Club in Hemel Hempstead. This weekend, the JCB Golf and Country Club near Uttoxeter will host LIV stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson. One of the top players who declined to join LIV was Woods. Greg Norman, who was LIV's CEO in 2022, approached the sporting icon about joining the breakaway series. In addition to his 15 major titles, only surpassed by Jack Nicklaus with 18, Woods is renowned for his daring and fearless approach to the game, which has made him a fan favourite. Woods' exceptional talent inspired a generation, including making him Rory McIlroy's childhood hero, so it's no surprise that Norman wanted him at LIV. Norman, a two-time major winner himself, disclosed his offer to Woods when LIV launched three years ago. Norman described his offer to Woods as "mind-blowingly enormous." He revealed: "We're talking about high nine digits." However, Woods showed no interest in joining LIV Golf and emulating Mickelson's move. For a long time, Woods and Mickelson were the top two players in the world, holding the No.1 and No.2 positions in the rankings. Woods, when questioned about joining Mickelson at LIV, said: "He has his opinion on where he sees the game of golf going. "I have my viewpoint, how I see the game of golf. I've supported the Tour, and my foundation has run events on the Tour for a number of years. I just think that what Jack (Nicklaus) and Arnold (Palmer) have done in starting the Tour, breaking away from the PGA of America, and creating our tour in 1968... I just think there's a legacy to that." Highlighting his commitment to the PGA Tour, he added: "I've been playing out here for a couple of decades, and I think there's a legacy to it. I still think that the Tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity. "I understand different viewpoints, but I believe in legacies. I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There's plenty of money out here. The Tour is growing. "But it's just like any other sport. It's like tennis. You have to go out there and earn it. You've got to go out there and play for it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. It's just not guaranteed up front." Woods has demonstrated his commitment to the PGA Tour following LIV's inception, joining the PGA Tour's Policy Board in 2023 and playing a key role in discussions about a potential merger between the tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which bankrolls LIV. Talks over the end of golf's civil war remain deadlocked following the "framework agreement" of 2023, which was supposed to pave the way to a peace deal. However, Woods' wish for the divisive Norman to step aside was realised earlier this year.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Leishman finishes strong to chase leader Meronk in LIV
Marc Leishman birdied four of his last six holes to claw his way into contention after the opening round of the LIV Golf tournament in Hemel Hempstead. The Australian was even par on the front nine before storming home with birdies on the 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th for a four-under 67. He is two behind a trio of leaders comprising Adrian Meronk of Poland, Chilean Joaquin Niemann and Branden Grace at Centurion Club. Meronk used a run of five birdies in six holes for his 65. Bubba Watson is in a three-way tie for fourth place at five under with Englishman Lee Westwood and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico. The group of four joining Leishman at four under, tied for seventh overall, comprises England's Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton, and American Caleb Surratt. Meronk was a mere one under through seven holes after a bogey five at the sixth. He had consecutive birdies at Nos.8 and 9 before making par on the par-five No.10. He then rattled off three consecutive birdies, including the last at the 639-yard, par-5 13th hole. After winning the season-opening event at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February, Meronk has his game back on track. "It's nice to be in this position again, obviously getting off to a good start this season," Meronk said. "Finally I'm enjoying myself on the course and playing good golf again, which is quite exciting. It's great to be back in this position, and I'm really looking forward to this weekend and to three more tournaments this year." Niemann had four birdies on the front nine and finished off a bogey-free round with a par on the final five holes of the day. With three events remaining in the season after this week, all in the United States, Niemann sits atop the player standings. "I think I'm on a really privileged situation to be on the top of the rankings and being chased by Jon (Rahm) and Bryson (DeChambeau)," said Niemann, who has won four times this season. "It just makes me a better athlete. I like that pressure. I like playing like that. I've just got to try my best." Grace was at seven under on the day before a bogey at the par-4 15th hole. He finished his round with three consecutive pars. Watson was set to join the leaders at six under until a bogey at the 244-yard, par-3 17th hole. He entered the week 31st in the overall standings and is in the "Open Zone" as relegation approaches, but well above the "Drop Zone" line. "There's a lot more stress, 100 per cent," Watson said. "... There's a lot of having to step up and hit great golf shots because they know what's on the line to be in an elite league like this. "They want a contract. They want to be able to play here next year, so there's a lot of stress out there for sure." Westwood is in 45th place in the overall standings and much improved after a strong showing in the LIV event at Virginia in June. "Golf is the type of game where you feel like you've finally got it and it doesn't give you the score that you think you should do, right? It never quite lets you," Westwood said. "But then that final round (at Virginia), I shot nine-under I think, and that was kind of the trigger to give me some confidence that the good stuff I was working on on the range and on the putting green and on the short game area was paying off score-wise." Australian Cameron Smith is at three under and in a tie for 11th with Lucas Herbert a shot further behind. Smith at one stage was five under and tied second but was cruelled by back-to-back closing bogeys. Matt Jones is at one under and equal 24th.
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Charley Hull Back in Business After Collapsing at Evian Championship
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. LPGA Tour star and fan favorite Charley Hull confirmed her commitment to the upcoming PIF London Championship. The tournament is part of the PIF Global Series, formerly known as the Aramco Team Series. This event will also mark the Englishwoman's third consecutive tournament in a three-week span, which speaks volumes for her health after collapsing during the first round of the Evian Championship last week. As you may recall, Hull managed to play 12 holes during the first round at Évian-Les-Bains, but on the third hole (the 12th of the round for her), she had to sit on the side of a bunker due to severe discomfort. She managed to finish the hole but collapsed again on the fourth tee and had to withdraw. Hours later, Hull herself explained that it was all due to a virus that had been affecting her for several days, but which coincidentally worsened on the first day of the tournament. The two-time LPGA Tour winner's return will take place next week at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. A week later, she will compete in the AIG Women's Open, the final major of the season, at Royal Porthcawl, Wales. The following week, Hull's schedule will include the PIF London Championship at the Centurion Club, completing three of the toughest weeks of British golf. Charley Hull of England walks off the 15th green during the second round of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2025 at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on May 23, 2025 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Charley Hull of England walks off the 15th green during the second round of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2025 at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on May 23, 2025 in Playa del Carmen, Hull has been a Star of the PIF Global Series Coincidentally, Charley Hull withdrew from last year's London event due to illness. A year earlier, she had finished second, four strokes behind current World No. 1 Nelly Korda. She also finished second in the team tournament that year. Hull has been very successful in the Aramco Team Series, now the PIF Global Series, with two wins (New York in 2021 and Riyadh in 2024) and four second-place finishes in individual tournaments. She has also achieved two other runner-up finishes in the team tournaments. This success has opened some doors for her among golf-related organizations in Saudi Arabia. Hull is currently an ambassador for Golf Saudi, an institution closely associated with the Public Investment Fund, which is also the title sponsor of the Global Series. The PIF London Championship will be the second event in the series this season. The series will then call on Houston in September, and Shenzhen, China, in November. More Golf: Scottie Scheffler's bold golf confession gets backed by US Open winner
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nelly Korda shares gruesome photo from last year's dog bite incident in Seattle
Nelly Korda posted a flashback photo on social media from a day that's impossible forget. While there were many highs in 2024, Korda's time in Seattle was an extraordinary low. One day after a shocking second-round 81 left Korda in tears at the KPMG Women's PGA, she was bit by a dog the next day while at a coffee shop. The incident forced the world No. 1 to withdraw from the Ladies European Tour's Aramco Team Series event at the Centurion Club in London, a tournament she'd won the year prior by four strokes. Korda didn't share any photos at the time, other than to say that she was bitten on her thigh. Interestingly, Korda was one of three LPGA players who suffered dog bites in 2024. European Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist was bitten while walking on a beach in Thailand early last year. American Alison Lee, the hottest player on tour at the end of the 2023 season, was bit by her boyfriend's rescue dog, a black Pomeranian aptly named Bear, at the end of January. The ordeal landed Lee in the hospital where she ultimately required surgery to get rid of the infection. The injury forced Lee to withdraw from the Aramco Saudi Ladies International, where she'd just won in the fall, as well as the Honda LPGA Thailand.
