Phil Mickelson Backs Anthony Kim for Major Glory After Stunning LIV Adelaide Comeback

Anthony Kim’s remarkable victory at LIV Golf Adelaide has done more than add a trophy to his collection — it has reignited belief that the 40-year-old could once again contend on golf’s biggest stages.

After 12 years away from the sport, many fans were simply hoping Kim had found peace and stability in his return. Kim, however, had loftier ambitions. He believed he could win again — and in Australia, he proved it.

Trailing both Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau by five shots entering the final round, Kim stormed back to claim a three-shot victory, delivering one of the most unlikely comebacks in recent memory.

The performance quickly drew praise across social media, including calls from some corners for one of the four major championships to consider granting him a special exemption. Among those voicing support was six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who described Kim’s win as “one of the best stories in sports.”

Writing on X, Mickelson suggested Kim’s resurgence could extend well beyond LIV Golf.

“I wish the win got him in the four majors,” Mickelson wrote. “He might still get in by invite but he really earned it. Going head to head with Rahm and Bryson and winning was spectacular TV. Winning a major? I wouldn’t put it past him.”

While the idea of Kim lifting a major trophy again may sound ambitious, his past performances suggest it’s not entirely far-fetched.

After turning professional in 2006, Kim enjoyed a productive stretch in the majors between 2007 and 2011. He finished third at the 2010 Masters and memorably set a single-round Augusta National record with 11 birdies in 2009. At The Open Championship, he posted finishes of T7 (2008) and T5 (2011), showing a clear comfort on links layouts.

Kim was also consistent at the U.S. Open, making the cut in all four appearances with a best finish of T16. The PGA Championship proved more challenging, with two missed cuts and no finish better than the low-50s.

Ironically, the PGA Championship may offer his most realistic route back into a major field this year. Following his win in Adelaide, Kim surged more than 600 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking and now sits just outside the top 200. With five more LIV events remaining before May, a continued climb into the top 100 could put him in position when Aronimink hosts.

A return to Augusta National appears far less likely unless he receives a special invitation, similar to Joaquin Niemann’s path into the 2025 Masters. Otherwise, Kim could attempt to qualify for both the U.S. Open and The Open Championship if his ranking doesn’t rise high enough in time.

Regardless of how — or whether — he makes it back to a major, Kim’s victory has already reshaped the narrative around his comeback. What began as a feel-good return story is now something more ambitious.

And if Mickelson is right, the next chapter might be even bigger.

Legal Challenge Seeks to Block Trump Administration’s Overhaul of D.C.’s East Potomac Golf Links

The DC Preservation League and two District residents have filed suit in an effort to stop the Trump administration’s takeover and proposed redevelopment of East Potomac Park and its public golf course in Washington, D.C.

The plaintiffs filed for an injunction Friday in U.S. District Court, arguing that plans to transform East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-caliber course threaten the park’s historic character and public accessibility. The legal action follows the recent dumping of dirt and debris from the White House East Wing ballroom demolition onto the golf course grounds — activity the plaintiffs describe as “unlawful and possibly hazardous.”

In court filings reviewed by The Athletic, the group contends that the administration’s actions contradict Congress’s original 1897 mandate that the land be “forever held and used as a park for the recreation and pleasure of the people.”

“The East Potomac Golf Links is a unique cultural landscape that reflects the history of recreation in the nation’s capital,” said Rebecca Miller, executive director of the Preservation League, in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “Altering its historic character would undermine a site meant to be accessible to the public.”

The lawsuit was filed by the Preservation League along with residents Dave Roberts and Alex Dickson. They are represented by Democracy Forward, a legal organization focused on litigation and public policy advocacy.

Named as defendants are Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service acting director Jessica Brown.

“We are acting to save this priceless part of our national park system from being another casualty of a reckless administration,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward. “We are honored to partner with our plaintiffs in pushing back against this unlawful assault on cherished public spaces.”

According to the filing, the National Park Service has begun depositing approximately 30,000 cubic yards of fill — including wires, pipes and bricks — from the East Wing demolition at the golf course site. The plaintiffs warn the material could contain hazardous substances such as lead and asbestos, given the East Wing’s 1942 construction and later renovations.

The complaint references a separate lawsuit brought by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization against the National Park Service over the lack of an environmental assessment tied to the demolition project. It also cites remarks made by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on NBC’s Meet the Press in October, when he acknowledged that “parts of the East Wing could have been asbestos.”

Beyond environmental concerns, the plaintiffs argue that converting East Potomac into a tournament-ready course would likely increase maintenance costs and green fees, placing the facility out of reach for many local golfers.

“The envisioned course would be of a piece with the numerous championship-style golf courses that President Trump, who fancies himself an avid golfer, owns elsewhere,” the lawsuit states. “Predictably, the cost of a tee time at such a venue would inflate accordingly.”

The dispute stems in part from the administration’s Dec. 31 termination notice to the National Links Trust, which held a 50-year lease from the National Park Service to operate East Potomac and two other D.C. public courses at relatively affordable rates. The administration cited missed renovation deadlines, though the nonprofit has maintained it did not violate the lease. Lawmakers have questioned whether the required 45-day cure period was provided before termination.

Among them is Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who joined three other Democrats in sending a letter to federal officials asserting that the lease was illegally terminated.

“The public has a right to know what legal justification the administration has for this takeover, as well as any public health and safety risks resulting from their activities,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “These historic courses should remain safe and accessible to the local community, instead of whatever vanity project Trump has next in mind.”

The case now places the future of one of Washington’s most historic public golf courses in the hands of a federal judge, with preservation advocates seeking to preserve both its heritage and its affordability.

Troon Selected to Manage Westbrook Country Club in Mansfield, Ohio

Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage Westbrook Country Club in Mansfield, Ohio located halfway between Columbus and Cleveland. Troon Privé, the private club division of Troon, will oversee club operations, agronomy, food & beverage, retail, lodging and membership sales and marketing.

Originally founded in 1902, Westbrook Country Club features an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course. The historic, 6,935-yard layout is recognized as one of the top private courses in Ohio by Golfweek and has hosted two Ohio Amateur Championships, PGA Junior Series events, and an NCAA Division III Final.

The Club’s expansive clubhouse includes a brand new 34,000 square-foot addition, a 10,000 square-foot banquet and events center, three unique dining spaces and a state-of-the-art fitness center. In 2022, Westbrook unveiled a new resort-style swimming pool facility, complete with a zero-entry kiddie pool, dashing water features, and a spring diving board. Members enjoy a full aquatics program and individual swim lessons taught by certified lifeguards. A newly unveiled 19th hole has two Trackman indoor simulator bays for year-round play and a poker room.

“As we began planning the club's future, we explored several options for managing our Club.  In the end, we agreed that Troon was the best fit for us,” said Westbrook Country Club Owners Dan and Brenda Niss.  “We are excited to be partnering with the best golf management company in the world, and appreciate their enthusiasm for our members, our club and its rich history."

In addition to award-winning golf and outstanding member amenities, Westbrook Country Club also offers eight beautifully appointed Guest Suites, available exclusively to members, guests of members, guests of ownership and authorized golf guests. Suites include king beds, kitchenettes and living rooms, and come with access to Club dining, the resort-style pool, fitness center, and limited golf privileges.

“Westbrook Country Club represents everything that makes private clubs special – a storied Donald Ross design, meaningful recent capital investments, and a deeply engaged membership,” said Troon Senior Vice President of Operations Joe Langford. “Our role is to honor that legacy while enhancing the member experience and supporting the team with Troon’s operational depth and resources.”

For more information on Westbrook Country Club, visit www.westbrookcc.com.  

Tiger Woods Leaves the Door Open for a Masters Return While Juggling Tour Overhaul and Ryder Cup Decision

Tiger Woods isn’t ready to rule out Augusta National.

With the Masters less than two months away, the five-time champion stopped short of dismissing a return — even as his days are currently dominated more by boardroom strategy sessions than practice rounds.

Speaking Tuesday at the Genesis Invitational, Woods acknowledged that his playing future remains uncertain following his seventh back surgery — a disk replacement procedure last October. When asked directly whether the Masters, which begins April 9, was off the table, his answer was brief and pointed:

“No.”

It was vintage Woods — guarded, but not definitive.

At 50, Woods is eligible for the PGA Tour Champions, yet he has not set a timeline for his return to competition. He has yet to compete in TGL’s indoor matches and admitted that while he can hit full shots, it’s not consistent.

“I’m trying — put it that way,” Woods said. “I can hit it, but not every day and not very well.”

Last year marked the first season of his professional career in which he did not compete in a single tournament. A ruptured Achilles tendon sidelined him in 2025, though he says that injury is no longer limiting him. The bigger concern is his back — and the reality of recovery at age 50.

“My body has been through a lot,” Woods said. “Each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get stronger, trying to build endurance to get it to a level where I can compete at the highest level again.”

While his competitive future remains in flux, Woods has thrown himself fully into reshaping the future of the PGA Tour.

As a board member of both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Enterprises, Woods chairs the “Future Competition Committee,” a group tasked with building a more streamlined, high-impact competitive model. CEO Brian Rolapp has emphasized a schedule featuring fewer tournaments but greater significance for top players.

The new model likely won’t debut before 2027, but discussions are accelerating. Among the proposals: launching the season around the Super Bowl, staging major events in larger markets, and potentially shifting high-profile West Coast stops — including Riviera and Torrey Pines — into August as part of a postseason format.

“We’re looking at things like that,” Woods said. “How do we make our competitive model better?”

Moving the Genesis Invitational to late summer, he confirmed, “certainly is on the table.”

Amid those sweeping changes, Woods says the broader goal is creating opportunity for the next generation.

“We’re trying to create that turnover,” he said. “Eventually they’re going to take over the game.”

Then there’s the Ryder Cup.

Woods declined the U.S. captaincy two years ago, citing time constraints. The 2027 matches in Ireland remain undecided territory for him. The PGA of America previously delayed naming a captain for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black while awaiting his decision before ultimately selecting Keegan Bradley.

Now, Woods remains noncommittal.

“I haven’t made my decision yet,” he said. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re doing with our tour and whether I can give Team USA and the Ryder Cup the time it deserves.”

For now, Woods’ future includes equal parts rehabilitation, reinvention, and reflection. A return to Augusta isn’t promised — but it isn’t ruled out, either.

And with Tiger, that’s usually enough to keep the golf world watching.

Pebble Beach Company, Gil Hanse Reveal Plans for The Links at Spanish Bay

(PEBBLE BEACH, CALIF.) – Pebble Beach Company and Hanse Golf Course Design (“HGCD”) today released their plans to transform The Links at Spanish Bay, one of four championship courses at Pebble Beach Resorts. After the last round is played on March 17, 2026, the comprehensive redesign will elevate the course’s quality of experience to rival its illustrious neighbors along Pebble Beach’s famed 17-Mile Drive.

Under the guidance of Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, and the HGCD team, who have taken inspiration from the Monterey Peninsula’s other iconic courses, the 38-year-old Spanish Bay will be entirely reworked to take full advantage of its stunning coastal setting. The finished product will be more fun, playable, and strategic for all golfers, while also better suited to challenge today’s elite player. Some of the key changes will include:

Relocating several green sites, including the current 14th and 18th holes, creating room for an entirely new par-three that will replace the current 13th hole

Expanding putting greens by ~40% and completely resurfacing to provide smoother, more receptive targets and variety for hole locations

Replacing the rough in the green surrounds with low-cut turf to offer more recovery options

Widening fairways by ~30%, repositioning fairway bunkers, and adjusting contours to make the playing corridors more forgiving and strategic

Repositioning and redesigning tee complexes to open sight lines and options, reduce forced carries, and elicit excitement at each hole. In total, the forward tees will be ~500 yards shorter (4,705 total) and the championship tees ~375 yards longer (7,115 total) with the par changing from 72 to 71

Redesigning the cart path system to better blend into the landscape

The course’s year-round conditioning and sustainability will be improved with new drainage and irrigation systems, 12% less irrigated turf, and three more acres of environmental habitat area.  

“Working on a project like this is a golf course architect’s dream,” said Hanse, President and Lead Designer of HGCD. “The Spanish Bay site is one of the best we’ve seen for golf, one where all your senses are stimulated by the crashing Pacific surf, and we are excited by Pebble Beach Company’s commitment to creating another extraordinary golf experience on the Monterey Peninsula. This opportunity truly brings out the golf fan in me as much as the designer.”

Added David Stivers, CEO of the Pebble Beach Company, “We are highly confident in the HGCD team and their ability to transform Spanish Bay into a ‘must play’ course for any golfer visiting Pebble Beach. We have seen a brilliant vision emerge from the planning stages and look forward to watching it take shape over the coming year.”

The new Spanish Bay will be a crown jewel in Pebble Beach Resorts’ portfolio of world-renowned public courses, alongside Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, the Tiger Woods-designed 9-hole short-course, The Hay, and the historic Del Monte Golf Course. The new course will open to the public on April 17, 2027, just ahead of the 127th U.S. Open being played at Pebble Beach Golf Links for a seventh time. Bookings on the new course are currently available through Pebble Beach Resort Reservations.

Construction updates and documentary content will be shared throughout the process on Pebble Beach’s website and social channels. For general information about Pebble Beach Resorts, visit www.pebblebeach.com or follow Pebble Beach on Facebook and Instagram. 

Golf reservations can be made by visiting pebblebeach.com or calling 800-654-9300.

Designed for Zero Distractions: Srixon Unveils ZXi Black Chrome Irons

Adding to their acclaimed ZXi line, SRIXON announces the release of the Limited-Edition ZXi Black Chrome Irons, available in the ZXi7 and ZXi5 models. Designed for golfers who seek both performance and style, the ZXi Black Chrome Irons combine tour-proven precision with a sleek finish that enhances durability and reduces glare at address. The result is a bold, blacked-out aesthetic, all-while delivering the forged feel and control golfers expect from Srixon Irons.

The modern golfer is looking for more than just performance, they want their equipment to reflect their style and individuality too. With the Black Chrome Irons, we’re delivering on both fronts. Players get the precision and feel trusted on tour, along with a finish that stands out in the bag. -Casey Shultz, Srixon Senior Product Manager

Building on the excitement around the ZXi Black Chrome Irons, Srixon is also launching a limited-edition Blackout Collection of soft goods, with several Tour Staff players expected to wear and use pieces from the collection at The Genesis Invitational, bringing a bold new look to one of the PGA TOUR’s signature events. The lineup includes all-black golf bags, headcovers, and blackout headwear.

Tour-Proven Performance

Accumulating eight wins on the PGA TOUR in 2025 alone, the ZXi Iron line has earned its reputation on the professional stages and is trusted in the bags of some of the world’s best players. Now, with the Black Chrome finish, golfers can experience that same precision performance with a fresh edge.

At the heart of Srixon’s ZXi Black Chrome Irons is the brand’s advanced forging process called i-FORGED. Engineered to deliver unparalleled consistency, responsiveness, and control, this formula was developed to strengthen and enhance each Iron, while maintaining a softer feel for superior performance.

For the low-handicap player, the ZXi7 Players Irons feature compact shaping with a thinner topline, narrow sole, shorter blade length, and minimal offset. The result is maximum workability paired with a razor-sharp look at address. The ZXi5 Iron, Srixon’s most potent blend of power and playability, gives golfers the perfect mix of distance, forgiveness, and control, all in an ultra-clean profile.

For more information on Srixon’s ZXi Limited-Edition Black Chrome Irons and see the full blackout collection, visit us.dunlopsports.com/srixon.

Pricing & Availability

- ZXi7 Black-Chrome Irons (7pc Steel): $1,599.99

- ZXi5 Black-Chrome Irons (7pc Steel): $1,599.99

Components: ZXi Black Chrome Irons will be equipped with the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Gunmetal Shaft and Golf Pride MCC Grey Grip.

Blackout Collection:

- Blackout Collection Staff Bag: $549.99

- Srixon x Vessel Golf Stand Bag: $499.99

- Blackout Collection S3 Stand Bag: $279.99

- Blackout Tour Hat: $34.99

- Blackout Headcover: $49.99

Pre-Sale Date: February 17, 2026

Launch Date: March 3, 2026

Anthony Kim’s Redemption: From Disappearance to Glory at LIV Golf Adelaide

On May 4, 2012, Anthony Kim left a scoring trailer at Quail Hollow Club, placed his clubs in the trunk of his car, and disappeared from professional golf. For 12 years, the once-electric star faded from public view, his career seemingly over.

On Sunday in Australia, he completed one of golf’s most unlikely comebacks.

At LIV Golf Adelaide, Kim erased a five-shot deficit to overtake Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, firing a blistering 9-under 63 to claim his first victory in nearly 16 years. It was more than a win — it was vindication.

Playing before LIV’s largest and loudest gallery of the season at The Grange Golf Club, Kim delivered a vintage performance. Four consecutive birdies sparked leg kicks and fist pumps reminiscent of his swagger-filled peak years.

“I’m too old to be reacting like that,” the 40-year-old joked afterward, drawing laughter. “I think I pulled something in my hip.”

But beneath the humor was something deeper.

Kim has spoken openly about battling drug and alcohol addiction during his years away from golf — struggles so severe he considers it a miracle he survived. Sunday’s charge wasn’t just about chasing down Rahm; it was about confronting his past.

“Every putt that went in, I felt the struggle and I was overcoming it,” he said. “It was therapeutic.”

When the final putt dropped, his 4-year-old daughter Bella sprinted onto the 18th green and into his arms — a moment that eclipsed even the $4 million winner’s check.

“To share this moment — even though Bella won’t understand it now — one day she will,” Kim said. “For her to see her dad isn’t a loser was one of the most special moments of my life.”

Kim’s road back was anything but smooth. LIV Golf first signed him as a wildcard in 2024, where he routinely finished near the bottom of limited-field events. Even last season showed only incremental improvement — what he calls getting “1% better every day.”

He was relegated. He fought his way back through qualifying. A tie for fifth at the Saudi International offered hope. Then came another opportunity: Dustin Johnson signed him to the 4 Aces team after Patrick Reed departed the league.

In Adelaide, everything clicked.

Kim caught Rahm after nine holes and steadily pulled away. Rahm closed with a 71; DeChambeau stumbled with a 74 on a day when the field averaged 69.8. Kim’s three-shot victory marked his first since the 2010 Houston Open — his third and previously final title on the PGA Tour.

At his peak, Kim reached No. 6 in the world rankings and starred for the U.S. in the 2008 Ryder Cup, dismantling Sergio Garcia in singles at Valhalla. Now, after years in the wilderness, he has climbed back inside the top 200 thanks to LIV events earning ranking points.

For a league that recently lost marquee names, Kim’s resurgence felt meaningful. But inside the ropes, the victory resonated on a more human level.

“I cried,” said Australia’s Lucas Herbert.

“Man, he was a gun,” added Marc Leishman, who entered the PGA Tour during Kim’s rise. “To see where he’s come from — how close he was to not even being on this planet — it’s unbelievable.”

Mainstream headlines may have been dominated by the Winter Olympics, the Daytona 500 and the NBA All-Star Game. Kim knows that.

“I know the mainstream media might not pick it up,” he said. “But for the people who do hear about it, I want to be a good example.”

The brash prodigy who once seemed destined for superstardom vanished more than a decade ago. In his place stands a different Anthony Kim — sober, grounded, grateful — and once again, a champion.

The Pandion Club: Inside the Heathland-Style Golf Course and Timeless Low-Country Clubhouse Coming to Estero, Fla.

On a rare, serene parcel in Estero—minutes from everything yet worlds apart—a new private club is taking shape. When it opens in late 2027 (pending approvals), The Pandion Club will offer something increasingly uncommon in American golf: a pure, walkable, golf-first experience rooted in classic design traditions and wrapped in timeless Southern architecture.

Set on the former site of Old Corkscrew Golf Club, Pandion is being shaped by world-renowned golf course architect Kyle Phillips and clubhouse architect Matthew Kragh, principal of MHK Architecture. Together, they are building more than a course and clubhouse—they’re crafting a cohesive, rhythmic home club.

A Heathland Heart in Southwest Florida

Kyle Phillips

Phillips, whose four-decade career has been largely defined by his work across Scotland, Ireland, and continental Europe, speaks about golf design with reverence for its origins. Those formative years abroad—walking ancient links and studying the strategic nuance of early architects—fundamentally shaped his philosophy.

At Pandion, that philosophy comes to life in an 18-hole, par-71 layout stretching up to approximately 7,220 yards from the back tees. It’s a heathland-inspired course—strategic, understated, and built for firm, fast conditions. Indigenous grasses, native wetlands, and preserved specimen trees are woven into the design, reinforcing a sense of place rather than overpowering it.

The influence of Golden Age greats is unmistakable. Phillips cites the artistry of Tom Simpson, particularly in green complexes that subtly extend into surrounding landforms, allowing balls to feed, gather, or repel depending on angle and approach. The strategic sensibilities of Harry Colt—soft yet thoughtful green contours, intelligent routing, and emphasis on positioning over power—also echo throughout the property.

“Positioning will matter more than pure distance,” Phillips explains. Multiple lines of play invite decision-making. A longer hitter may challenge a bunker for a better angle; another player may opt for a safer route. The reward is often determined not by how far you hit it—but by where.

The Ground Game Returns

Central to Pandion’s identity is its embrace of firm-and-fast conditions. Tight mowing areas and expansive greens—larger than typical American targets—encourage creativity. Putters and bump-and-runs become viable options from well off the surface. The ground game isn’t a novelty here; it’s fundamental.

The greens themselves reflect that ethos. Their scale allows for diverse pin positions, meaning everyday member play can feel fair and inviting, while championship setups can utilize edges, corners, and interior transitions for added challenge.

Just as important as strategy is rhythm. Pandion was designed for walking. Tees and greens are intentionally close, transitions are short, and the routing flows naturally across the landscape. “Walking creates a rhythm,” Phillips says. “Conversations between friends. Stories told between shots.” That cadence is baked into every turn of the property.

The routing also supports everyday flexibility. Returning nines and internal loops allow members to play three, five, eight, or a quick afternoon circuit. Thirteen returns near the clubhouse; fourteen offers a convenient stopping point. It’s a thoughtful nod to how modern members actually use their club.

An Architectural Heart, Not a Showpiece

If the course defines Pandion’s soul, the clubhouse defines its spirit.

Kragh, who grew up immersed in Midwestern club life before earning his graduate architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, approaches private club design as both architect and lifelong golfer. For him, Pandion represents something rare: a true home club, not a resort or spectacle.

Matthew Kragh

The one-story clubhouse draws from Low-Country precedents and Old Florida sensibility, blending refined Southern character with materials and proportions suited to Southwest Florida’s climate. Metal roofing, vaulted gathering spaces, natural textures, and deep overhangs create a structure that feels established rather than newly built.

Notably, there are no interior hallways. Circulation unfolds along covered porches, connecting the golf shop, locker rooms, and dining spaces while maintaining constant visual and physical contact with the course. Turf stretches to the building. Cart traffic is discreet. The architecture reinforces that golf—not real estate—is the centerpiece.

Arrival is carefully choreographed. As members wind through the landscape, the clubhouse reveals itself gradually, anchoring the experience with a centrally positioned golf shop—an homage to traditional clubs where golf operations serve as the heart.

Seamless Collaboration

Phillips and Kragh worked in tandem from the earliest planning stages, ensuring sightlines, routing, and structure function as one unified composition. The putting green, first and tenth tees, and clubhouse porch are intentionally interconnected. From the first step onto the property to the final drink overlooking the finishing holes, the experience is fluid.

Standing on the first tee, members won’t be confronted by forced drama. Instead, the opening hole is welcoming—hazards built subtly into the terrain rather than elevated for intimidation. It’s an invitation to settle in, to focus, to begin.

On the porch afterward, the feeling shifts to ease. Expansive covered spaces encourage lingering. Members can watch play unfold, share stories, and move seamlessly from round to relaxation.

A Club Meant to Be Learned

What distinguishes Pandion may not reveal itself in a single round. Phillips emphasizes subtlety—the kind that unfolds over time. Strategic angles become clearer. Preferred approaches shift with conditions. Internal loops invite spontaneous evening play.

The property itself reinforces that intimacy. There are no surrounding high-rises, no visual intrusions. Despite its proximity to Southwest Florida’s growth corridors, the site feels calm, mature, and retreat-like—a rare quality in the region.

In the end, both architects share the same hope: that members finish a round wanting a few more holes—or at least eager to return tomorrow.

Pandion is not designed as a one-time destination. It’s built to be lived in, walked daily, and appreciated more deeply with every step.

The “Free Wesley” Movement: How Wesley Bryan’s Suspension Sparked a Fan-Led Campaign

In early February 2026, PGA Tour pro and golf content creator Wesley Bryan sat down for an in-depth conversation on the Dan on Golf YouTube channel — his first major public update on the situation since being suspended for competing in the LIV-linked event The Duels: Miami. His remarks have reignited discussion across social media and intensified the growing fan movement known as “Free Wesley.”

What Happened: The Suspension

In April 2025, the PGA Tour indefinitely suspended Bryan after he participated in The Duels: Miami — a nine-hole, made-for-YouTube scramble pairing six LIV Golf players with six golf influencers, including Bryan and his brother, George. The event was filmed at LIV’s Miami stop and streamed on Grant Horvat’s channel.

Although Bryan wasn’t a contracted LIV player, the Tour viewed his appearance as a participation in an unauthorized rival event. He was placed on probation the day after teeing off and officially suspended the day after the video aired. Bryan reported that he wasn’t told how long his suspension would last and immediately began the Tour’s appeal process.

Bryan’s Response and Appeal

Rather than expressing regret for playing, Bryan has consistently emphasized both his respect for the PGA Tour and his belief that he has a strong case in the appeal process. In his February 2026 interview and prior statements — including an earlier update to fans on his own YouTube channel — he argued that the rules weren’t written with modern content-creation events in mind and that what he did was mischaracterized.

He made clear that The Duels was fundamentally different from a full LIV Golf tour event and that he believes the rules governing suspensions were not intended to apply to a YouTube-style match. Those comments have energized supporters who see the suspension as harsh and outdated.

The “Free Wesley” Movement

Across golf forums like Reddit and Twitter, fans have turned Bryan’s case into a rallying point:

Many point out that notable players who did join LIV full-time — such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed — have already returned to PGA Tour competition, while Bryan’s suspension remains unresolved. This perceived inconsistency fuels frustration with tour discipline.

Community petitions and posts argue the punishment doesn’t fit the act — Bryan wasn’t paid as a LIV pro, didn’t sign with LIV, and merely took part in a fun, fan-oriented golf project.

Some fans have begun referring to his discipline as disproportionate and symbolic of a larger struggle between old restrictions and a digital era of golf entertainment.

Social Media and Fan Sentiment

On Reddit, threads with thousands of upvotes titled “Urge the PGA to reinstate Wesley Bryan without penalties” have highlighted fan perceptions of unfairness, noting that the Tour’s rules have not been clearly adapted to account for events that blend entertainment and competition.

Commenters often juxtapose Bryan’s situation with the reintegration of high-profile LIV players, arguing that if golf’s governing bodies can show flexibility for one group, they should for another — especially when the core issue isn’t leaving the Tour entirely but participating in a YouTube-centered crossover.

Where Things Stand

As of February 2026, Bryan’s suspension remains in effect and there has been no official public timeline for when his appeal might conclude or what its outcome will be. The PGA Tour has not softened its position despite returning players with LIV histories, according to recent reports.

The “Free Wesley” movement continues to advocate for his reinstatement — not just as a personal cause, but as a flashpoint in how professional golf balances competitive discipline with a rapidly changing media landscape. Whether the PGA Tour adapts its policies or maintains its current stance could influence how other players and creators navigate crossover events going forward.

Tickets Go On Sale for 30th Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am on Monday, February 16

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Tickets for one of golf’s most popular and enduring charity events, the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am, will go on sale Monday, February 16, at 10 a.m. This year’s pro-am is a milestone event, celebrating 30 years.

The event will be hosted on Monday, April 13, at The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort.

To help celebrate the 30th anniversary, organizers will be giving away prize packs to 30 lucky fans who will be randomly selected on the day of the event. Additional details for the giveaway will be shared via the tournament’s social media channels in the coming weeks.

General admission tickets, available for purchase through House of Blues and Ticketmaster, are $30 plus fees. Children 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

All general admission tickets must be picked up at Will Call, either prior to or on the day of the event. Spectators will be required to present their general admission ticket to board tournament shuttle buses.

Now entering its 30th year, the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am has built a reputation as one of the longest-running and most successful celebrity charity events in the game. The tournament annually attracts a star-studded field of professional golfers, athletes, actors, and musicians, all coming together in Myrtle Beach to support meaningful charitable causes.

Celebrities and professionals participating in this year’s event will be announced in the coming weeks via HootieGolf.com. Over the past three decades, the tournament has welcomed an impressive list of participants, including Arnold Palmer, Marcus Allen, Michael Waltrip, Anthony Anderson, Samuel L. Jackson, Craig Melvin, Ric Flair, and Jim Cantore, among many others.

Proceeds from the Monday After the Masters benefit the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, which supports educational initiatives for children in South Carolina, as well as the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation through a fully funded endowment. Since its inception in 1994, the event has raised nearly $10 million for charity.

Additional event details and celebrity announcements will be released closer to tournament week. For more information, visit HootieGolf.com and follow the event on social media: Facebook (@MondayAfterTheMasters) and Instagram (@MonAfterMasters).

Troon Selected To Manage Lawrence Yacht And Country Club

Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, a private facility in Lawrence, New York. Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf and racquet sports operations, property agronomy, and sales and marketing for the club.

Founded in 1924 on the South Shore of Long Island, Lawrence Yacht and Country Club has been a fixture of New York golf for more than 100 years. The private club features an 18-hole, Devereaux Emmet and Jeff Lawrence-designed golf course, nine Har-Tru tennis courts, two pickleball courts and a 135-slip marina nestled in a protected basin along Bannister Bay.

“We’re thrilled to be working with the members at Lawrence Yacht and Country Club,” said Troon Director of Operations Alex McGann. “With a blend of waterfront access and outstanding amenities, this facility has an incredible history and an even brighter future.”

Lawrence Yacht and Country Club’s clubhouse features a welcoming lounge, a full-service restaurant, and the ability to host large-scale events, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, engagement parties, and golf outings.

“After receiving extensive feedback from the community and conducting a thorough review of the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, the Mayor, Board of Trustees, and Club Liaisons unanimously agreed that the club has the potential to deliver significantly greater value to the community at large,” said Mayor Nahmias, along with Trustees Felder, Roz, Parnes and Gottesman.

A number of new and exciting offerings and enhancements are currently in development, including complimentary water and soda refreshments, towel service, expanded apparel selections, and streamlined digital membership renewal and sign-up processes. This marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club.

Augusta National’s $20 Muni Makeover: ‘The Patch’ Returns With a New Look and a Bigger Mission

As the golf world descends on Augusta this spring for the Masters, a different kind of spotlight will shine just a few miles away. Augusta Municipal Golf Course — affectionately known as “The Patch” — is set to reopen to the public the Wednesday after tournament week, unveiling a sweeping renovation backed by Augusta National Golf Club.

And true to its roots, the price of entry remains accessible. Weekday resident rates begin at $25 for 18 holes, with seniors and juniors paying even less.

Three years ago, Augusta National entered into a new 50-year lease with the city and committed to reimagining the longtime public layout. The goal: preserve an important community institution while expanding public golf access and creating local job opportunities. To bring the vision to life, the club enlisted Tiger Woods, Beau Welling and Tom Fazio, tasking the trio with modernizing the course while honoring its original character.

For decades, affordability made The Patch a hub for Augusta’s public golfers — especially Black golfers who historically had limited access to the city’s most famous private club. Over the years, it wasn’t uncommon to see local legend Jim Dent, one of the game’s most accomplished Black professionals, walking its fairways. His son, Jim Dent Jr., later served as the course’s head professional, and in 2020 the entrance road was renamed Jim Dent Way in tribute.

The 16-month overhaul significantly reshaped the property. The clubhouse has been relocated to the corner of the site, and the routing has been redesigned. Based on course renderings, five original holes remain intact, portions of six others have been incorporated, and seven entirely new holes have been added. While an official scorecard has yet to be released, the new layout appears to be a par 73, featuring five par-5s, four par-3s and nine par-4s. The former driving range now plays as part of the 15th hole, while a new practice facility — complete with Trackman Range technology — sits near the former First Tee practice grounds.

Beyond the main course, the updated facility includes a Woods-designed short course called “The Loop” and a 12-hole putting course that will be free to use — further reinforcing the emphasis on community access and player development.

The Patch will reopen fully to the public on April 15, with limited play beginning next month during a soft launch period.

Green fees are structured to balance accessibility with sustainability:
Local residents: $25 Monday–Thursday, $35 weekends
Senior/Junior residents (60+ and 18 and under): $20 Monday–Thursday, $30 weekends
Non-residents: $85 weekdays, $95 weekends

In addition to the physical transformation, Augusta National has partnered with Augusta Technical College’s golf course management program and the First Tee of Augusta to oversee course operations, tying workforce development and youth programming directly into the project’s long-term mission.

While Augusta National remains one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, its latest investment ensures that just down the road, a revitalized public course continues to offer opportunity — and a tee time most golfers can afford.

Charlie Woods Picks College, Stepping Out of Tiger’s Shadow

Charlie Woods is bound for Tallahassee.

The 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods announced Tuesday on Instagram that he has verbally committed to Florida State University and plans to join the Seminoles in the fall of 2027. For a player who has grown up under relentless attention, the decision represents more than just a college choice — it’s another step toward carving out his own identity in the game.

Earning It

Woods currently sits No. 21 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, a reflection of steady progress that extends well beyond the made-for-TV moments at the PNC Championship. His résumé includes a victory at last year’s AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational, proof he can deliver in elite junior fields.

At The Benjamin School in South Florida, Woods has been a central figure in the program’s success. Last fall he fired a team-best 68 during the state championship run, the kind of performance that resonates with college coaches and signals readiness for the next level.

A Program Built for Pros

Florida State, led by longtime coach Trey Jones, has developed a reputation as a launching pad to professional golf. Alumni such as Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger emerged from Tallahassee before moving on to the PGA Tour, and the Seminoles finished ninth at last spring’s NCAA Championship — missing match play by a single shot.

Woods is also set to join an elite recruiting class that includes Miles Russell, the nation’s top-ranked junior, who committed to FSU last summer. On paper, it’s a pairing that could quickly elevate the Seminoles into national-title contention.

Tiger’s View

Tiger Woods has taken a measured approach to his son’s development and recruitment. Speaking last fall at the Hero World Challenge, he emphasized that Charlie’s opportunities are a product of his own performance.

“It’s fun to be a part of the process with Charlie and go through it and see where the opportunities that he has that he has created for himself,” Tiger said.

The official signing period won’t arrive until November, but the direction is clear. Charlie Woods is heading to Florida State — not simply as Tiger’s son, but as a rising prospect ready to build a legacy of his own.

Rory McIlroy Pushes Back on ‘Fifth Major’ Talk as Brandel Chamblee Elevates The Players Above the Majors

Rory McIlroy isn’t buying the “fifth major” label — even as others in the golf world are trying to crown The Players Championship as something even bigger.

Speaking ahead of the 2026 U.S. season debut at Pebble Beach, McIlroy made it clear he has little appetite for rebranding The Players Championship, despite the PGA Tour’s renewed interest in elevating its flagship event. In fact, his stance comes as Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee recently went a step further, boldly claiming The Players is not just a fifth major — but better than the four traditional majors.

McIlroy? He’s not on board.

“Look, I’d love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great,” McIlroy said with a laugh. “But I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships.”

For McIlroy, the hierarchy in golf is settled history: the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship. Full stop.

The debate has resurfaced amid broader conversations about how the PGA Tour can grow its product — including adopting certain elements of the NFL model under former NFL executive Brian Rolapp. The Tour has examined everything from schedule adjustments to marketing strategies, and with that has come renewed attention on The Players as its marquee, Tour-owned spectacle.

The NFL has the Super Bowl — a singular, culture-stopping event that defines its season. The PGA Tour doesn’t quite have that equivalent. The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is the closest thing, boasting one of the strongest fields in golf and one of its most recognizable finishing holes. But McIlroy believes it doesn’t need a new title to validate its importance.

“It’s the Players. It doesn’t need to be anything else,” he said. “I would say it’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute. From an identity standpoint, I think the Players has got it nailed. It stands on its own without the label.”

That comment alone subtly underscores the tension. While McIlroy respects The Players’ stature — even suggesting it currently has a clearer identity than one of the four majors — he draws a firm line at rewriting history to elevate it.

Chamblee, however, has no such reservations. The outspoken analyst recently argued that The Players boasts a deeper field than any of the majors and, from a competitive standpoint, surpasses them all. In his view, the concentration of top-ranked players and the difficulty of Pete Dye’s Stadium Course make it golf’s strongest championship — regardless of legacy.

It’s a compelling argument in the modern era, where strength of field can be measured precisely. But for McIlroy, majors are about more than numbers.

They’re about history. Ritual. Cultural weight. Augusta in April. The U.S. Open’s grind. The Open’s links tradition. The Wanamaker Trophy.

“You want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women’s game,” McIlroy added. “I don’t know how well that’s went for them.”

His point wasn’t dismissive so much as philosophical: adding labels doesn’t automatically create prestige. Prestige is earned over generations.

Ironically, as the PGA Tour looks to the NFL for inspiration — studying its short season, marketing cadence and event-building genius — McIlroy himself admits he’s not even much of a football fan.

“I’ve tried really hard with football,” he said. “I could watch a game of cricket for five days and be mesmerized. I didn’t grow up with it.”

Still, he appreciates the NFL’s model from a business standpoint. What he doesn’t seem ready to embrace is manufacturing a Super Bowl equivalent in golf by decree.

For now, McIlroy’s stance is clear: The Players Championship is elite. It’s essential. It might even have a sharper identity than one of the majors.

But it’s not a fifth major — and certainly not superior to the four that have defined the game for more than a century.

Whether that traditionalist view holds as the Tour evolves remains to be seen. But if the Players debate proves anything, it’s this: in modern golf, even history isn’t immune from revision attempts.

Invited Clubs Completes $22M Reimagination of Braemar CC, Unveiling Mulholland Hills CC

Invited Clubs, the largest owner and operator of private membership clubs in North America, today announced the completion of a $22 million renovation and reimagination of the historic Mulholland Hills Country Club, formerly known as Braemar Country Club in Los Angeles. The transformation ushers in a new era for the storied property honoring both its deep roots in Southern California history and a bold vision for the future.

Originally established in the late 1950s, Mulholland Hills has long held a special place in Los Angeles—serving as a gathering point for generations of families, golf enthusiasts, and social leaders. The rebranding to Mulholland Hills reflects a renewed commitment to elevated experiences, timeless design, and world-class amenities that speak to the evolving lifestyle of today’s Angeleno, while preserving the club’s legacy of unparalleled service.

“Mulholland Hills was the second country club to join the Invited portfolio, and it has played an important role in Los Angeles club culture for decades,” said David Pillsbury, CEO of Invited Clubs. “This club has been a place where families have grown, friendships have formed, and memories have been made. With Mulholland Hills, we are proud to begin a new chapter — one that introduces three reimagined golf courses and extraordinary culinary experiences that will define the member journey for years to come.”

The name Mulholland Hills pays homage to one of Los Angeles’ most iconic symbols — Mulholland Drive — an enduring emblem of the city’s ambition, glamour, and cinematic history. Stretching from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific Coast Highway, Mulholland has long represented the intersection of natural beauty and cultural influence. The club’s new identity draws inspiration from this legacy, as well as from the property’s mid-century modern architecture and Hollywood’s Golden Age. Its new logo features an “MH” lettermark designed to echo the rolling hills that frame Los Angeles’ most celebrated landscapes.

Central to the transformation is the complete reinvention of all three championship golf courses: Trails Course (formerly U.S. Open), Vista Course (formerly Western), and Canyons Course (formerly Masters). The redesigns are led by Lanny Wadkins, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and one of the game’s most respected figures. Wadkins’ work at Mulholland Hills builds on his recent redesigns for Invited properties including TPC Craig Ranch (Texas), Diamond Run Golf Club (Pennsylvania), and The Clubs at Stonebridge Ranch (Texas). A 21-time PGA TOUR winner, Wadkins brings both competitive insight and architectural excellence to the project.

Beyond the fairways, Mulholland Hills introduces a new culinary vision anchored by Sage & Vine, an upscale dining destination that has quickly become the social heart of the club. The restaurant blends California sophistication with subtle Hollywood inspiration, offering a refined yet approachable dining experience. Complementing it is Goldie’s Grill, a more casual concept that opened in fall 2025, paying tribute to legendary golfer and three-time major champion Ralph “Goldie” Guldahl.

The club’s racquet facilities have also been fully revitalized. All 18 tennis courts and eight pickleball courts have been resurfaced with new nets and posts, alongside the debut of Pickle Perch, a new social hub featuring shaded seating, umbrellas, and a portable bar designed to foster connection and community.

With its sweeping renovations, thoughtful rebranding, and deep reverence for Los Angeles history, Mulholland Hills Country Club stands as a modern reimagining of a beloved institution—where legacy meets lifestyle in the heart of Southern California.

Can the Players Ever Be a Major? The PGA Tour Wants It to Be — History Isn’t So Sure

Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour’s still-new CEO, understands a stubborn truth about the sport he now runs: the Tour doesn’t own golf’s most precious real estate. The Masters belongs to Augusta National. The Ryder Cup belongs to everyone and no one. The British Open, U.S. Open and PGA Championship have histories and custodians far older than the modern Tour.

Brandel Chamblee

What the Tour does own is the Players Championship — born as the Tournament Players Championship in 1974 and permanently housed at TPC Sawgrass since 1982. If the Tour has a signature event, this is it. And if the Tour had its way, winning the Players would be celebrated on the same plane as winning a major.

That push was on full display again this week at the WM Phoenix Open, where Brandel Chamblee said, “The Players, to me, stands alone and above the other four major championships as not just a major — it is, in my estimation, the best major.”

Chamblee has been making some version of this argument for years. Context matters. He played the event a dozen times. He has covered it annually for Golf Channel since 2004. Golf Channel, of course, is contractually tied to the PGA Tour through 2030 and serves as the Tour’s primary Thursday–Friday broadcast partner. None of that makes Chamblee a mouthpiece — his career has been defined by independent thinking — but it does make him human. Human nature is undefeated.

His latest comments arrived neatly alongside the Tour’s new promotional push for the Players, which runs March 12–15. As my colleague Dylan Dethier noted, the Tour’s slick new 30-second ad closes with a bold proclamation in all caps: “MARCH IS GOING TO BE MAJOR.” The soundtrack is a pulsing 2016 club hit — an aesthetic more at home in Ibiza than in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Marketing can elevate an event’s vibe. It cannot manufacture its meaning.

Meaning comes from memory. Tiger Woods made Torrey Pines sacred in 2008 because of what that U.S. Open demanded of him — and what he gave back. You can’t quantify that kind of resonance. There’s no metric for it, no algorithm to reverse-engineer it. It simply accumulates, over decades, through moments that lodge themselves in our collective imagination.

Some players do buy the Tour’s argument. Michael Kim responded on X to Dylan’s story by saying he’d “honestly be prouder of winning the Players over the PGA.” I don’t doubt his sincerity. The Players purse now dwarfs the PGA Championship’s — Rory McIlroy earned $1 million more for winning at Sawgrass last year than Scottie Scheffler did for winning the PGA.

But would Scheffler trade titles with McIlroy? Not for a second. He’s chasing history, the same way Tiger, Jack, Phil, Rory, Watson, Seve and every other all-time great chased it. And history still lives with the majors — all four of them.

You can argue, if you like, that men’s golf really has only three Grand Slam events: the Masters and the two Opens. The math gets uncomfortable fast. Jack Nicklaus won five PGAs, often against fields filled with club professionals. Tiger Woods won four, against deeper fields on more demanding courses. Remove the PGA from the ledger and Nicklaus drops from 18 majors to 13. Woods from 15 to 11. Tom Watson stays at eight; Arnold Palmer stays at seven.

That accounting will never stick — not because it’s illogical, but because it’s impossible. Too many players, too many places, too much memory stand in the way. You don’t casually demote Hogan at Oakland Hills or Koepka at Bethpage. You don’t reclassify Pebble Beach or Olympic Club with a press release.

If the PGA Championship truly wanted to separate itself from the other majors, it would need radical imagination — say, an annual Pebble Beach home with a 54-hole stroke-play qualifier followed by a weekend match-play finish at Cypress Point. That’s a fight for another decade.

For now, the Players remains what it has always been: the Tour’s crown jewel, its richest prize, its most polished product — and not a major.

Which begs a response to Chamblee’s claim that the Players is the first of five majors: Have you ever met a kid on a sunburned August afternoon, standing over a five-footer on a beat-up practice green, whispering to himself, “This is for the Players”?

The Three Best Ohio Golf Courses Under $100

Manakiki

Here are three excellent golf courses in Ohio that are widely regarded as among the best you can play for under $100 per round — offering a great mix of quality design, condition, and value:

1. Manakiki Golf Course (Willoughby, OH)

One of the most highly rated municipal courses in Ohio, designed by Donald Ross with interesting shot values and challenging holes.

Known for great greens and overall layout for the price.

Typical green fee tops out well under $50 — easily under $100 even with a cart.

Sleepy Hollow

2. Sleepy Hollow Golf Course (Brecksville, OH)

Listed as one of the best golf courses you can play in Ohio under $100 — scenic, classic layout originally a private course and now public.

Highly rated for design difficulty and beauty — great value for how good the course is compared to many pricier tracks.

Weekend and peak green fees still stay below $70-$80, so under your $100 limit.

3. Stonelick Hills Golf Course (Batavia, OH)

Frequently ranked among the top public courses in Ohio and offers a very strong golf experience for rates typically under $100.

Players praise the conditioning and layout — akin to a “country club” level feel without the private club price.

Even peak weekend greens fees rarely exceed your budget.

Bonus mentions (also great and usually well under $100):

Blacklick Woods Golf Course – excellent Columbus area value, some rounds under $50 early or with resident rates.

Split Rock Golf Club – solid 18-hole course near Columbus with very affordable green fees.

Zoar Village Golf Course – fun challenging course in Dover with great value.

Troon Selected to Manage Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort in Landmark Move for Sierra County, New Mexico Tourism

Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, has been selected to manage Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort in Elephant Butte, New Mexico. Under the agreement with resort owner PreReal Investments, Troon will oversee all aspects of the golf experience at Turtleback Mountain, including daily operations, agronomy practices, golf sales/marketing, retail, food and beverage integration, and digital marketing initiatives. The company’s involvement is expected to accelerate the resort’s growth trajectory and support its broader development plans.

Home of the New Mexico Open and one of the most scenic desert golf destinations in the Southwest, Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort features an 18-hole 7,306-yard, par-72 layout designed by Dick Phelps with picturesque desert mountain views. The property recently added a practice facility and pickleball courts. Future plans include a full-service hotel, a spa, fitness facilities, tennis courts, outdoor amenities, and more than 1,300 residential home sites, all designed to support a lifestyle destination.

The agreement marks a significant milestone for Sierra County’s growth as a tourism and recreation destination in southern New Mexico.

“Troon sets the global standard for golf and hospitality operations,” said James Prendamano, Co-Founder and CEO of PreReal Investments. “Their expertise and service standards will elevate the guest experience and expand Turtleback Mountain’s appeal as a golf and lifestyle destination.”

As a Troon-affiliated facility, Turtleback Mountain will participate in the industry-leading Access rewards program, as well as the popular Access Premium / Premium+, Troon Advantage and Troon Golf Vacations programs. The collaboration is expected to strengthen the resort’s brand presence and expand its reach to golfers across the region and beyond.

“The addition of Troon places Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort alongside many of the golf resorts and private clubs people admire around the world,” said David Berman, Co-Founder of PreReal Investments. “For us, this is about raising the standard here at home and helping Sierra County grow into a destination people are proud to live and visit.”

The partnership is expected to increase tournament activity, visitor traffic, and regional visibility for Elephant Butte and surrounding communities while positioning Turtleback Mountain among recognized golf destinations nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort and contribute to the next chapter of this remarkable property,” said Troon Chief Operating Officer Mike Ryan. “The landscape, the community, and the potential here are extraordinary. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional playing conditions, memorable guest experiences, and a strategic approach that positions the resort and the community for long‑term success.”

For more information on Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort, visit www.turtlebackmountaingolfandresort.com.

LPGA owned its messy call at the season opener — but the questions won’t go away

 The LPGA made a mistake. Its commissioner admitted as much. And yet, days later, the debate over how the tour handled its season opener still hasn’t cooled.

Craig Kessler has been on the job barely six months, but the 40-year-old LPGA commissioner already has pushed through significant change: a new broadcast deal, new commercial partnerships that promise more money for players, and a high-profile alignment with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL venture.

Last Sunday, though, Kessler faced a very different test — one that played out in real time, under a microscope, and without the benefit of being on site.

As unseasonably cold temperatures gripped the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona, Kessler was 1,000 miles away at his home in Dallas, trying to determine whether the tournament could — or should — be completed.

“On the phone, reading materials from sunup until sundown,” Kessler told GOLF.com this week. “Constantly trying to source as much information as possible in order to make an informed decision.”

That information came from everywhere: tournament and rules officials, LPGA executives, players, caddies, grounds crew members and partners. Ultimately, though, the responsibility landed squarely with Kessler. He had to decide whether to shorten the event to 54 holes and declare Nelly Korda the winner without a single shot being struck Sunday.

“One of the tougher calls I’ve had to make in my six months with the LPGA,” he said. “No matter what we decided, there were going to be people who disagreed.”

They did.

Much of the criticism centered on whether Lake Nona was actually unplayable — or simply unpleasant.

Below-freezing temperatures greeted players Sunday morning. Amy Yang, one of eight players who hadn’t completed her third round Saturday, described the greens as “frozen” and “unplayable” when she arrived for the scheduled 10 a.m. restart.

Ricki Lasky, the LPGA’s chief tour business and operations officer, said the early feedback from players raised concerns.

“The grounds were really hard and it was changing the trajectory of their shots,” Lasky said. “The balls were releasing when they weren’t supposed to.”

The tour pushed back tee times repeatedly — from 10 a.m. to 11, then noon, then 1 p.m. — before finally settling on a 2:15 p.m. start. By then, there wasn’t enough daylight left to complete both the third and fourth rounds.

That decision raised eyebrows, particularly because the celebrity portion of the event had gone off at 10 a.m. Among those in the field was Annika Sorenstam, who told Golfweek she was surprised play hadn’t resumed for the LPGA.

“It’s difficult, it’s cold, but it’s as fair as anything,” Sorenstam said.

Yang, after finishing her third round with a 69 and securing solo second, echoed that sentiment. “It got much better,” she said. “Still very cold, but much better than the morning.”

What wasn’t communicated publicly on Sunday — but surfaced later in a memo from Kessler to players — was his concern about player safety. In that note, Kessler acknowledged that the decision ran counter to earlier statements and admitted his worry that hardened turf could lead to injuries.

“Hand on heart, based on the information I had available when the call needed to be made, I had real concern about the potential for player injury,” Kessler said.

There is precedent for tournaments being shortened after 54 holes, but almost always because weather makes play impossible not only Sunday but Monday as well. Ending an event over the risk of wrist injuries or stingers is virtually unheard of at the professional level.

Still, Kessler believed the circumstances were exceptional — especially in Week 1 of the season.

The other unresolved question: why not finish on Monday?

“We weren’t fully prepared,” Kessler said.

That preparation gap spanned everything from staffing and volunteers to broadcast and sponsor obligations. The LPGA simply wasn’t equipped to host a fifth day of competition for 39 players.

“In hindsight, I wish we had spent a little bit more time thinking about solutions that would have allowed us to get all 72 holes in,” Kessler said.

He declined to detail what those solutions might look like, though future options could include more aggressive scheduling ahead of poor forecasts. What he did concede was that the tour’s communication fell short.

In his memo to players, Kessler apologized directly: “Our communication around the decision wasn’t clear or timely enough. Your frustration is valid — I own that, and I’m sorry.”

Korda, the beneficiary of the decision after her brilliant third-round 63, largely backed the tour.

“At the end of the day, the LPGA made the decision to look after their players,” she said.

Kessler insists he has no regrets about the call itself — only about the preparation and the messaging that followed.

“The two themes are preparation and communication,” he said. “Plan A, B and C — and explaining our decisions in plain English so people understand why we made them.”

The LPGA now has time to reset. Its next event doesn’t begin until Feb. 18 in Thailand, launching a three-week swing in Asia.

“I know I made a tough call from a very good place,” Kessler said. “There’s been fallout. But I’m proud of the momentum we’re building, and I hope we can get back to that quickly.”

The apology was necessary. The questions, though, aren’t going away — and next time, the LPGA will be judged not just on the decision it makes, but on whether it’s truly ready for it.

LIV Golf Finally Gets World Ranking Points — But on the OWGR’s Terms

LIV Golf players will begin earning Official World Golf Ranking points this season, though the long-awaited approval arrives with significant limitations.

The OWGR announced Tuesday that its governing board unanimously voted to award ranking points to LIV events beginning with this week’s season opener in Saudi Arabia. The decision, however, comes with caveats that place LIV events closer to opposite-field PGA Tour tournaments than full-strength global competitions.

Only the top 10 finishers in each LIV event will receive ranking points, and each tournament’s field rating will be modest. Winners are projected to earn approximately 23 OWGR points this week — roughly in line with opposite-field PGA Tour events.

For context, William Mouw earned 24 points for winning last year’s ISCO Championship, played opposite the Genesis Scottish Open. By comparison, Justin Rose received 56 points for winning last week’s Farmers Insurance Open, while DP World Tour winner Frederik Schott earned 20 points at the Bahrain Championship.

The move represents a compromise after nearly two years of negotiations. LIV first applied for OWGR recognition in 2023 but withdrew its application in March 2024 amid concerns about the league’s competitive structure, specifically its lack of meaningful promotion and relegation.

“In order to obtain inclusion in the OWGR system, it is necessary for you to develop a structure that invites new players based on objective, recent performance and relegates under-performing players more quickly and equitably,” then-chairman Peter Dawson wrote to LIV in an October 2023 letter.

At the time, LIV offered four total pathways into the league — three via a promotions event and one through a season-long International Series points list. That number has since increased to five, with three spots now awarded through the promotions event and two via the International Series.

Current OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman indicated in December that discussions were ongoing and suggested a resolution could be reached before LIV’s 2026 season began.

“This has been an incredibly complex and challenging process,” Immelman said. “We fully recognized the need to rank the top men’s players in the world, while also ensuring fairness to the thousands of players competing on tours with established meritocratic pathways.”

The OWGR governing board includes PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings, and representatives from the PGA of America, the R&A, Augusta National Golf Club, the USGA, and participating eligible tours. Immelman does not hold a vote.

“We respect today’s decision by the Official World Golf Ranking governing board and the considerable time the board and chairman Immelman committed to this process,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.

Promotion and relegation remain the central concern — and likely the reason ranking points will be awarded only through 10th place at LIV events. Among the other 24 professional tours recognized by OWGR, all players who make the cut earn points.

LIV, while welcoming the decision, made clear it views the system as flawed.

“We acknowledge this long-overdue moment of recognition, which affirms the fundamental principle that performance on the course should matter, regardless of where the competition takes place,” LIV said in a statement. “However, this outcome is unprecedented. Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th.

“We entered this process in good faith and will continue to advocate for a ranking system that reflects performance over affiliation. The game deserves transparency. The fans deserve credibility. And the players deserve a system that treats them equally.”

“We Didn’t Sign Up for 72”: Bryson DeChambeau’s LIV Criticism Raises New Questions About His Future

Bryson DeChambeau has long been LIV Golf’s most visible and vocal star — its standard-bearer, salesman and marquee attraction rolled into one.

That’s why his latest comments should make LIV executives uneasy.

DeChambeau remains under contract and has committed to playing the 2026 LIV season. But with his current deal set to expire later this year — and with Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed already headed back toward the PGA Tour — DeChambeau’s future is increasingly central to LIV’s long-term stability.

And in a new interview with Today’s Golfer, the two-time U.S. Open champion delivered his clearest signal yet that his loyalty to the league has limits.

A lukewarm response to Koepka’s exit

Koepka officially departed LIV in late December, then became the first high-profile player to rejoin the PGA Tour under its new Returning Member Program. That pathway was extended only to Koepka, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and DeChambeau — instantly igniting speculation about who might follow next.

At a LIV Media Day the following week, all three remaining stars publicly rejected the offer. DeChambeau’s answer, however, stood out for how little enthusiasm it conveyed.

“I’m contracted through 2026, so I’m excited about this year,” he said.

It was a technically clear answer — and an emotionally hollow one. DeChambeau didn’t mount a full-throated defense of LIV, and he notably avoided committing beyond his current deal.

‘We didn’t sign up to play for 72’

In his Today’s Golfer interview, DeChambeau went further, openly questioning one of LIV’s most significant recent changes.

Beginning in 2026, LIV tournaments will expand from 54 holes to 72 — a move widely viewed as an attempt to gain Official World Golf Ranking points. The shift also eliminates one of the league’s defining differentiators.

While DeChambeau previously voiced public support for the change, his tone has now shifted.

“It’s definitely changed away from what we had initially been told it was going to be,” DeChambeau said. “So there is some movement that we’ve all been… going, ‘Why that movement?’ Because we were told it was going to be this.”

Then came the bluntest line of all.

“Is it what we ultimately signed up for? No,” he said. “We didn’t sign up to play for 72.”

Though DeChambeau reiterated that he will play out his contract, he again stopped short of pledging anything beyond it.

“I’ve got a contract for this year, and we’ll go through it there and see what happens after that,” he said.

Even as he tried to strike a conciliatory tone — calling the new format “great for our team” and expressing hope it might grow on him — the uncertainty lingered.

“Hopefully it weighs positively on me over the course of time,” DeChambeau said. “But you never know.”

Not an isolated view

DeChambeau isn’t alone in his skepticism. Paul Casey told Today’s Golfer the change “wouldn’t have been the thing I would have changed,” while Louis Oosthuizen said the 54-hole format “was a bit more unique.”

Together, the comments underscore a growing tension inside LIV: a league built on being different now reshaping itself to look more traditional — and risking the buy-in of its biggest stars in the process.

The 2026 LIV Golf season begins Wednesday, February 4, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Whether DeChambeau will be part of LIV beyond it remains very much an open question.

Inside Megalodome: The Ambitious Plan to Build a Full-Scale Indoor Golf Course Outside Chicago

Montreal winters are not kind to golf handicaps.

Just ask Bertrand Quentin. By the time October rolls around, he’s usually battled his way into single-digit territory. Then winter hits, courses close, and six months later he’s starting over.

“It’s a cycle,” Quentin told GOLF by email. “I’ll fight my way down to a single-digit handicap by October, only to wake up as a 12-handicap when the season finally opens in May. That six-month layoff is a real momentum killer.”

For golfers in cold climates, the options are familiar: install a simulator, book a winter golf trip, or simply wait it out. Quentin chose a more radical path.

His solution is called Megalodome Golf — a massive indoor golf complex unlike anything currently in existence. Plans call for it to open outside Chicago in late 2027.

The concept went viral this week after images and details began circulating on social media. The renderings looked futuristic: a sprawling, Arizona-style golf environment complete with palm trees, cacti, water features and sandy waste areas — all under a series of interconnected domes. The site is in Oswego, about an hour west of downtown Chicago, though Quentin said he can’t yet disclose the exact location.

Despite the name, Megalodome has nothing to do with prehistoric sharks. It’s about scale.

Indoor golf, of course, isn’t new. Facilities like the SoFi Center in Florida, home of the TGL league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, have pushed the concept forward through simulator-based competition. But Quentin insists Megalodome is fundamentally different.

“Put simply, there is nothing else like this in the world,” he said.

The plan features four massive domes. Three will house a nine-hole executive course — six par-3s and three par-4s, playing to a par of 30 — designed by Montreal-based Huxham Golf Design. The course will be built on artificial turf engineered to bounce, roll and react like real grass. A fourth dome will be dedicated to a full practice facility.

The scale is hard to miss. The practice area will include a short-game complex and 50 hitting stalls, with a range stretching more than 275 yards. A clubhouse will sit between the course and practice facility, offering sightlines Quentin said will extend roughly 900 feet in each direction.

“The scale is truly unprecedented,” Quentin said.

Quentin, a 65-year-old forest engineer, traces the idea back seven years, when a friend first planted the seed. What followed, he said, has been an “intense journey” from concept to concrete planning.

Ambitious ideas require ambitious funding. Quentin said he and his partner, Alain Desrochers, are preparing to launch a $50 million investment fund and are already in advanced discussions with major financial groups. He believes the project is on track to meet its 2027 opening target.

Chicago was a deliberate choice. It’s a massive golf market with a long offseason — exactly the problem Megalodome is designed to solve. And if the first location succeeds, Quentin sees no reason it couldn’t expand to other cold-weather cities.

For now, though, the focus remains on bringing a slice of desert golf to the Midwest — inspired by a style of golf Quentin knows mostly by reputation.

“I would like to play there,” he said of Arizona, “but it’s very expensive, I’ve heard.”