The major U.S. golf tours are now all incorporating team events into their schedules. The newest addition is the American Family Insurance Championship, hosted by renowned golfer Steve Stricker, which will take place next year at TPC Wisconsin in Madison—a course that Stricker played a significant role in designing in his hometown.
The tournament will feature the top 38 players from the PGA Tour Champions who will partner up for a 54-hole competition. This event will include two days of better ball play, followed by a scramble format on the second day. Scheduled for June 6-8, the championship boasts a prize pool of $3 million, with each member of the winning duo receiving $300,000. Stricker noted that the timing of the tournament’s move to a new venue presents an excellent opportunity to experiment with a fresh format.
In addition to this event, the PGA Tour hosts its own team competition, the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, while the LPGA Tour features the Dow Championship in Michigan. Moreover, the Grant Thornton Invitational is set to take place from December 13-15 in Naples, Florida, featuring both LPGA and PGA Tour players. Lydia Ko and Jason Day will be returning to defend their title at the Tiburon Golf Club, which will field a competitive 16-team lineup. Notable participants include Nelly Korda, the top-ranked female golfer globally, who will team up with Tony Finau. Korda, Ko, and Lilia Vu are part of a strong representation with five of the top 10 female golfers participating, while Sahith Theegala, ranked 13th among male players, is also set to compete alongside Rose Zhang.
The LPGA Tour counts 14 out of 16 players from the top 50 in women’s golf rankings, with only Jennifer Kupcho and Mel Reid falling outside this group. Meanwhile, the PGA Tour includes 11 players from its top 50 rankings, with Billy Horschel pairing with Andrea Lee and Matthieu Pavon teaming up with fellow French golfer Celine Boutier. Jake Knapp will make his tournament debut alongside fellow UCLA alum Patty Tavatanakit.
Turning to LIV Golf, it has been revealed that Greg Norman had signed a four-year contract when he took over as CEO of LIV Golf Investments in late 2021. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Norman confirmed that his current tenure will run until next August. Reports suggest that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is considering replacing him as CEO, though he is likely to remain in a senior role. Norman asserted his commitment to LIV, stating, “My commitment to LIV has been unquestioned, and my commitment into the future is also unquestioned.” He plans to focus on plans for 2025 and beyond.
The former golfer indicated that he is puzzled by the PGA Tour’s reluctance to engage in discussions with the newly formed league. He also clarified that he has not been part of the negotiations involving PIF and the PGA Tour regarding potential investments. Norman expressed optimism about the future of LIV Golf, stating, “Thirty-six tournaments in three years is nothing compared to the PGA Tour’s history.”
In another development, LIV announced a second promotional event scheduled for December 12-14 in Saudi Arabia, where only a single player will earn a spot in the LIV Golf League. The top ten players and ties will receive full exemptions into the International Series events on the Asian Tour.
J.T. Poston recently triumphed at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas, raising questions about the future of the tournament itself, as it appears Shriners might end its title sponsorship after 18 years at TPC Summerlin. Bob Roller, a vice president at Shriners, acknowledged the strong partnership with the PGA Tour but provided no further details about the decision.
Although the Sanderson Farms Championship was poised to conclude its sponsorship in Mississippi, it has opted to extend for at least another year. The PGA Tour has previously transitioned sponsors in Napa with Procore and Charlotte with Truist. The future of the Las Vegas tournament remains uncertain as it navigates potential sponsorship changes.
The PGA Tour Champions has long been considered a second chance for players over 50, with plenty of attention on those still winning substantial earnings. Padraig Harrington sees things differently. After winning the Simmons Bank Championship—his third title this season and the 30th overall from various tours—he emphasized the thrill of revisiting past victories. “It was about reliving those moments. I may not be saying I’m validating my past, but I am certainly reliving it,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, the Korn Ferry Tour will consist of 26 tournaments, with the Compliance Solutions Championship now integrated into the Korn Ferry Tour Finals as it shifts from the Boise Open to The Patriot Club in Oklahoma. A new event will also debut in Mexico, making it the seventh tournament located outside the U.S. The season will start in the Bahamas at the Ocean Club, with Golf Channel airing 10 select tournaments.
In noteworthy statistics, Nelly Korda is on track to clinch LPGA Player of the Year for the first time, contingent on her participation criteria. Should she succeed, it would mark the first consecutive American winners in 30 years, with Lilia Vu claiming the title last year. Charlotte Country Club is set to host both the 2028 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the 2033 U.S. Senior Open.
Additionally, at the Zozo Championship, Nico Echavarria became the seventh player this year to secure a win with a final-hole birdie. The International Crown, featuring inter-country competition on the LPGA Tour, will return next year at New Korea Country Club after being held every other year. The R&A also announced a substantial 11-year partnership with the Scottish government and Visit Scotland, contributing £11 million towards staging major events in Scotland through the year 2034.
Finally, projections indicate that around 31 of 43 tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule this year may see players practicing in the dark due to varying daylight conditions.
In closing, Nico Echavarria reflected on his Zozo Championship victory, stating, “It’s incredible to win a tournament that Tiger has won. This is my second victory, so I just need 80 more to catch him. I’m on my way.”