Latest news with #DPWorldTourChampionship
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eugenio Chacarra, former LIV winner who ripped league, returns to PGA Tour at Scottish Open
Eugenio Chacarra said early this year his new professional goal was to play on the PGA Tour. He accomplishes that feat this week. The former LIV Golf winner will make his return to the PGA Tour this week at the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. He played the first three years of his professional career for LIV Golf, leaving Oklahoma State to join the league in 2022, but he was not re-signed in the offseason. Since then, he won the Hero Indian Open in March while playing via sponsor exemption, which earned him status for the remainder of the DP World Tour season. Now, he's 19th in the season-long standings, with the top-10 players earning PGA Tour membership following the DP World Tour Championship in November. And this week, he finally gets a chance for a life-changing week. Chacarra was the first past golfer to publicly chastise LIV Golf, ripping the league in an interview earlier this year. '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. "It's frustrating, but I'm excited for the new opportunity and to see where my game takes me. "I see what it's like to win on the PGA Tour and how your life changes. How you get major access and ranking points. On LIV, nothing changes, there is only money. It doesn't matter if you finish 30th or first, only money. I'm not a guy who wants more money. What will change my life is playing in Hawaii and qualifying for the majors, qualifying for the Masters, the Ryder Cup." Earlier this year, Laurie Canter became the first former LIV player to compete in a PGA Tour event at the Players Championship. Two weeks ago at the Rocket Classic, James Piot, the 2021 U.S. Amateur winner and former LIV golfer, received an exemption to play in his home-state event. Chacarra had four starts in PGA Tour events before joining LIV Golf, making the cut at the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship, and two major appearances, though he has never been a full-time member. Now, Chacarra joins the group of former LIV'ers to play on the PGA Tour, but he wants it to be an arrival, not an appearance. A strong finish in Scotland would go a long way in making that happen.
Al Etihad
01-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE plays key role in global golf development
1 July 2025 14:20 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship has long been one of the most prestigious and recognisable events on the DP World Tour. For 18 consecutive years, it served as a popular early season stop, attracting some of the world's top players and shining a spotlight on the UAE as a world-class golfing statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Tom Phillips, Director of the Middle East at DP World Tour, said, 'In close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, we made the strategic decision to move the Championship from its traditional January date to a new position in November. This shift reflects a shared vision to further elevate the tournament's impact and maximise its contribution to the growth of golf across the region.'He explained that recent changes to the global golf calendar presented a timely opportunity to reimagine the role of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.'By aligning it with the DP World Tour Championship, we created a season-ending fortnight of world-class golf in the UAE - a compelling narrative that enhances fan engagement, commercial value, and the region's global profile in a busy sporting landscape,' he repositioning, he said, also reinforces the UAE's role as a powerhouse in professional golf, with Abu Dhabi at the forefront of that growth. The new November date ensures the championship benefits from increased visibility, momentum, and integration within a broader festival of also revealed a long-term partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation, saying, "This partnership builds on a relationship with the region that stretches back to 1989, and reflects a shared commitment to both the grassroots and elite tiers of the partnership has already led to impactful initiatives, including the allocation of 30 player slots across two HotelPlanner Tour events, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Ajman, to provide competitive opportunities for emerging Emirati talent. Some spots have been exchanged with international federations, giving UAE players exposure to global tournaments and valuable experience. Phillips concluded by highlighting a milestone achievement by Ahmad Skaik, the UAE's top amateur, becaming the first UAE-born player to make the cut in a 72-hole professional event at this year's UAE Challenge at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club - a landmark moment and a testament to the progress being made.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Collin Morikawa ready to blast off at Rocket Classic with new caddie
DETROIT — Collin Morikawa has won two major championships and hit some incredible shots during the first six years of his PGA Tour career, but the one that popped in his head when he was asked to name the best of the bunch happened on the 18th hole at the 2021 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. 'I've watched the shot many times on YouTube because I'm like how do I make it that easy,' he said on Wednesday during a press conference ahead of the Rocket Classic. 'Front left pin, water on the left, had 4-iron I think out of the first cut and I hit it exactly where I wanted. I mean, I could miss it in the water, lose the tournament; hit it in the bunker, not make up and down. It was picture perfect. And it's rare you get to do that, but that's, you know, that's why we keep practicing. Like I'm telling you, it's inches, margins, centimeters, degrees. We're crazy, but we love it.' Morikawa, 28, is searching for that feeling again at Detroit Golf Club, where at No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking he is the top-ranked player in the field at this week's Rocket Classic. Two years ago at this tournament, he posted four rounds of 67 or better and lost a three-man playoff to Rickie Fowler. 'Pretty good memories,' he said of his lone previous appearance at this event. 'I mean, '23 was not a rough year, but at a time where I wasn't playing great, to be able to come out and put together some good golf to then go through the rest of the season and into Playoffs, that's what I'm looking for right now as well.' Morikawa jumped out to a flying start, finishing runner-up at The Sentry and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but victory has remained elusive. He's hit a rut of pedestrian finishes by his high standards, failing to record a top-10 finish since the Players Championship in March, including T-42 last week at the Travelers Championship. Morikawa is trying to shake things up by changing caddies yet again. He parted ways with longtime caddie J.J. Jakovac in April and split with veteran caddie Joe Greiner ahead of his appearance in Motor City after just five events together. 'I think people, they're going to be surprised but the way I put it is just because two people are great at what they do doesn't mean they're going to be great together. I think Joe is an amazing caddie, but…we were just a little bit on a different page,' Morikawa said. 'We spend more time with (our caddie) than anyone else in the world, honestly. I spend more time with them than my wife sometimes. It's a true relationship.' While he said he hasn't determined a long-term replacement yet, Morikawa has his former Cal Golden Bear teammate KK Limbhasut, who competes on the Korn Ferry Tour, filling in on the bag this week. 'I appreciate him doing that and we're going to go out and have a blast,' he said. Much of Morikawa's frustration stems from the glaring absence on his resume this season – a victory. A six-time Tour winner, he's searching for his first title since October 2023. The biggest culprit holding him back? His putter. He ranks 109th in Strokes Gained: Putting and lost more than 8 strokes to the field at the U.S. Open two weeks ago and still more than 2 strokes to the field on the greens at the Travelers Championship. To find an answer for his putting woes, Morikawa delved into the world of high-tech solutions. Equipment site GolfWRX reported that last week that he 'implemented Vertex Golf motion sensors, which are lightweight sensors that attach to the putter shaft to help measure different parameters such as face angle, lie, path, club head speed, and stroke tempo, under the supervision of putting coach Stephen Sweeney.' Fortunately, Morikawa is gaining strokes tee-to-green in 2025 at a clip better than anyone not named Scottie Scheffler and ranks sixth in SG: Approach the Green. And yet the quest continues to dial in his trademark fade a little more. 'You work so hard to make this game so precise,' he said. 'We're talking about 1, 2 degrees that we drive ourselves crazy, but that's what we do. At the core root of it, we're just really good at controlling little, little minute movements throughout our swing and it's finding what works. We're on a good path even though the results haven't shown.'
Dubai Eye
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Rory McIlroy to return for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Five-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links this November to compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, as he continues his bid for a record-extending seventh Race to Dubai crown. Scheduled for November 6–9, the tournament marks the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs and the penultimate stop before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. McIlroy leads the Race to Dubai standings following his Masters win at Augusta National and a strong performance at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic earlier this year. Hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour, the Championship will welcome the top 70 available players from the season standings for its 20th edition, making it one of the key Rolex Series events of the year. 'I've started the year well and I've got a good record at Yas Links so hopefully I can continue doing what I'm doing and give myself a chance of finishing the season strongly and having a shot of getting another Race to Dubai under my belt,' said Mcllroy. The event continues to play a significant role in promoting sports tourism in the UAE and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global golf destination.
Gulf Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
FMAC wins SPIA Middle East 2025 Award for Best Sports Event of 2024
In a remarkable sporting achievement that highlights its organizational excellence and professionalism, Fujairah Martial Arts Club was awarded the Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) Middle East 2025 for Best Sports Event of 2024, in recognition of the outstanding success of the 11th Fujairah Open International Taekwondo Championship. The event attracted over 2,000 athletes from across the globe and stood out as a premier sporting platform on both regional and international levels. This prestigious recognition is a reflection of the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and President of Fujairah Martial Arts Club, whose strategic direction continues to elevate Fujairah's status as a global destination for elite sports events. The award ceremony took place at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of key figures from the regional sports sector, decision-makers from across the Mena region, and representatives from leading media outlets. The award was supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, underscoring the institutional synergy in celebrating and empowering sporting excellence in the region. The category featured strong competition from globally recognized events, including the DP World Tour Championship, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, further affirming the prominence of the Fujairah Open among the region's top-tier sports organizers, and the growing global recognition of Fujairah as a leader in sports event management. Commenting on the award, Nader Abushawish, Director of Fujairah Martial Arts Club, stated: 'We proudly dedicate this award to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the visionary leader and primary supporter of sports in Fujairah. This recognition crowns years of dedicated work and seamless team coordination, and reflects the international sports community's trust in our standards of excellence.' The Fujairah Open International Taekwondo Championship (G2) is regarded as one of the most prestigious combat sports events globally, attracting top athletes and international referees to highly competitive matches. Each year, it offers participants the opportunity to push the limits of excellence and determination in the sport of Taekwondo. In 2025, the championship made history by entering the Guinness World Records, with a record-breaking 2,332 participants, earning the title of the world's largest international Taekwondo competition by participation. Founded in 2012, the SPIA Middle East Awards are held under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and serve as the region's official platform to honor influential leaders, organizations, facilities, and initiatives that contribute to the development of the sports industry in the Middle East.
