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PGA Tour
The American Express
Venue: La Quinta, California.
Courses: PGA West (Pete Dye Stadium), Yardage: 7,210, Par: 72; PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament), Yardage: 7,147, Par: 72; La Quinta CC, Yardage: 7,060, Par: 72.
Total Prize Money: $8.5 million, Winner’s Share: $1.53 million.
Broadcast: Thursday to Sunday, 4-7 p.m. on the Golf Channel.
Reigning Champion: Nick Dunlap.
Current FedEx Cup Leader: Hideki Matsuyama.
Last Week’s Event: Nick Taylor clinched victory at the Sony Open.
Unfortunately, the anticipated strong lineup took a hit with the withdrawals of Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, the top two ranked players globally, in successive weeks. Currently, former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, ranked seventh, is the only top-10 player participating. Nick Dunlap made history last year as the first amateur to secure a victory on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991. Matteo Manassero from Italy returns for his first tournament this year after earning his PGA Tour card through the European tour.
Another notable participant is Michael Thorbjornsen, the top-ranked player from PGA Tour University last year, making his debut after withdrawing from the Sony Open due to illness. Additionally, Zach Johnson, a former Ryder Cup captain, received an exemption to play. The tournament also invited 17-year-old Blades Brown, who recently turned professional.
Upcoming Event: Farmers Insurance Open.
European Tour
Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Venue: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Course: Emirates Golf Club, Yardage: 7,428, Par: 72.
Total Prize Money: $9 million, Winner’s Share: $1.5 million.
Broadcast: Thursday-Friday, 2:30-8:30 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2-8 a.m. on the Golf Channel.
Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy.
Current Race to Dubai Leader: John Parry.
Last Week’s Event: The Team Cup was won by players representing Britain and Ireland.
Rory McIlroy returns to the course as the defending champion, having achieved seven victories in Dubai, including four at this event. The competitive field features five players from LIV Golf, notably Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed. Viktor Hovland will also make an appearance, recovering from a broken pinkie toe sustained in Hawaii. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is present following his observation of the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi. This event holds a Rolex Series status, with the next occurring during the Scottish Open in July. Akshay Bhatia has chosen to compete in Dubai rather than the ongoing PGA Tour, while Robert MacIntyre travels from Hawaii to join the tournament. Former PGA champion Jimmy Walker is also vying for victory, playing thanks to a sponsor’s invitation, among nine top-50 ranked players including Adam Scott.
Upcoming Event: Ras Al Khaimah Championship.
PGA Tour Champions
Mitsubishi Electric Championship
Venue: Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii.
Course: Hualalai Golf Club, Yardage: 7,107, Par: 72.
Total Prize Money: $2 million, Winner’s Share: $340,000.
Broadcast: Thursday-Saturday, 7-10 p.m. on the Golf Channel.
Reigning Champion: Steven Alker.
Last Tournament: Bernhard Langer won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
The PGA Tour Champions opens its season in Hawaii. Steven Alker continues his reign after winning the Charles Schwab Cup last season, while Bernhard Langer made headlines by winning on the senior circuit for the 18th consecutive year. Langer concluded his season by winning the PNC Championship alongside his son, Stefan. Steve Stricker returns to the field for his first official tournament since September. Despite having won the Cup two years ago, he has never participated in a postseason event. The winners-only event features several sponsor exemptions, including Fred Couples, David Duval, Tom Lehman, and Justin Leonard. Notably, Padraig Harrington is competing after opting out of early PGA Tour Champions events. Hualalai has hosted the tournament since 1997, and both Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez are three-time victors.
Next Tournament: Trophy Hassan II scheduled for February 6-8.
Korn Ferry Tour
The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic
Venue: Great Abaco, Bahamas.
Course: The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, Yardage: 7,141, Par: 72.
Total Prize Money: $1 million, Winner’s Share: $180,000.
Broadcast: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.; Monday-Tuesday, 2-5 p.m.; and Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. on the Golf Channel.
Previous Champion: Aldrich Potgieter.
Points Leader: To be determined after the Bahamas Golf Classic concludes on January 15.
Upcoming Event: Panama Championship, January 30 to February 2.
LPGA Tour
Next scheduled event: Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, January 30 to February 2.
Last Tournament: Jeeno Thitikul secured the title at the CME Group Tour Championship, becoming the Race to CME Globe winner.
Other Tours
Upcoming tournaments include the Latin America Amateur Championship at Pilar Golf Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with previous champion Santiago de la Fuente. It will be televised on Thursday and Friday from 1-4 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Sunshine Tour features the Mediclinic Invitational at Heron Banks Golf & River Resort in Sasolburg, South Africa, with previous champion Ryan Van Velzen.
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