This Week in Golf: U.S. Open at Oakmont and top tournaments around the world
The next seven days promise drama, dreams, and the roar of the crowds as golf's global spotlight turns toward one of the game's greatest stages.
Whether you're a major-hunting fanatic, a fan of rising stars, or just looking for feel-good fairway stories, this week in golf has something for everyone.
Here's what to look forward to on courses around the world.
Golf's toughest test returns in grand fashion
From June 12–15, the eyes of the sporting world lock on to Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, host of the 125th U.S. Open Championship. Known for its slick greens, punishing rough, and no-nonsense setup, Oakmont has long been a crucible for greatness.
Expect thrills and heroics as the world's top golfers chase immortality in one of the sport's four majors. The likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, and a hungry field of challengers will battle nerves and nature in pursuit of the U.S. Open trophy, one of the most iconic trophies crafted by Tiffany & Co., the renowned American luxury jeweller, who is also one of the world's most prestigious trophy makers since 1837.
The original U.S. Open trophy was first awarded in 1895. It's not just a tournament - it's golf at its punishing best.
Europe's Stage: The Kaskada Golf Challenge
Across the Atlantic, the Czech Republic hosts the Kaskáda Golf Challenge - a proving ground for the stars of tomorrow.
This Challenge Tour event tees off at the scenic Kaskáda Golf Resort in Brno, starting June 15. For Europe's next generation of pros, this is more than a paycheck - it's a stepping stone to the DP World Tour and beyond.
While the U.S. Open grabs headlines, the Kaskáda Challenge reminds us that every great player starts somewhere.
Women's Schedule
Meanwhile, the Women's game features two tournaments but one purpose.
The stars of the LPGA Tour roll into Blythefield Country Club, where power meets precision in this fan-favorite event. Past editions have featured stacked leaderboards and final-round fireworks — and this year promises the same.
More than a tournament, the Meijer LPGA Classic supports the Simply Give campaign to feed local families in need - proof that golf can uplift both on and off the course.
Also lighting up the leaderboard this week is the Ladies European Tour, as it heads to Belgium for the Hulencourt Women's Open. It's a golden opportunity for rising stars and LET regulars to grab some momentum as the season heats up.
From Pennsylvania to Prague, Michigan to Belgium, the week ahead showcases golf's diverse global spirit. At the pinnacle sits the U.S. Open — where history waits to be made. But just beneath, the rhythm of professional golf continues to pulse through every tee time, every putt, and every dreamer stepping onto the first tee.
So grab your coffee (or your clubs), clear your schedule, and tune in. This week in golf promises magic.
Worldwide Tournaments
2025 U.S. Open
Kaskáda Golf Challenge
Dates: June 15–18, 2025
Location: Kaskáda Golf Resort, Brno, Czech Republic
Prize money: €270,000
Part of the Challenge Tour, the European developmental circuit
LPGA Tour
Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
Dates: June 12–15, 2025
Location: Blythefield Country Club, Belmont, Michigan, USA
Prize fund: USD 3 million
Ladies European Tour
Hulencourt Women's Open
Dates: June 12–15, 2025
Location: Hulencourt (Belgium)
Prize fund: €300,000
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Khaleej Times
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- Khaleej Times
Turkish Airlines' historic move to IGA ushers in a new era of aviation excellence
When Turkish Airlines completed the largest airport relocation in aviation history in just 33 hours, the world took notice. But what followed was even more extraordinary. The move from Atatürk Airport to the newly-built Istanbul Airport (IGA) — a state-of-the-art mega hub built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was more than a logistical feat. It marked the beginning of a transformative era for Turkish Airlines, one that would elevate its global standing and redefine operational excellence. 'We didn't just change airports; we changed the future of our airline,' says Erol Senol, Vice-President of Sales (Middle East & Cyprus) at Turkish Airlines to Khaleej Times in Istanbul. 'The move to IGA has been instrumental in helping us achieve ambitious growth, unlock operational potential, and enhance the overall passenger experience.' A Strategic Leap Forward For years, Turkish Airlines had been constrained by the limitations of Atatürk Airport. Overcrowding, limited runway capacity, and mounting congestion were beginning to clash with the airline's global growth ambitions. The solution arrived in the form of Istanbul Airport — a next-generation aviation hub, developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and operated by IGA (Istanbul Grand Airport). Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Istanbul Airport has emerged as one of the world's most influential air gateways since its inauguration in 2018. With a projected capacity of over 200 million passengers annually upon completion of all phases, the airport currently serves over 100 airlines flying to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Its current infrastructure, spanning three operational runways and a massive terminal with a 90-million-passenger capacity has dramatically elevated Turkish Airlines' capabilities. 'Approximately 80% of IGA's capacity is dedicated to Turkish Airlines,' explains Senol. 'This gives us the flexibility and infrastructure to scale rapidly, handle more aircraft movements, and serve more destinations than ever before.' The numbers tell the story. Aircraft movement capacity has surged from 70 per hour at Atatürk Airport to 120 per hour at IGA, thanks to the addition of a third runway. Waiting times for aircraft have dropped from 5% to less than 1%, drastically improving fuel efficiency and on-time performance. Turkish Airlines has also taken full advantage of expanded ground facilities, doubling the size of its CIP lounges, enlarging check-in zones, and enhancing passenger flow through better boarding infrastructure. Powering Passenger Experience At the heart of Istanbul Airport's success is its digital-first strategy. From AI-powered customer service tools and biometric boarding to contactless check-in and real-time decision-making at its Airport Operations Centre (APOC), IGA is redefining the airport experience. The facility leverages big data analytics and location-based services to optimize everything from baggage handling to air traffic flow. This technological backbone has been a game-changer for Turkish Airlines. 'The seamless integration of our operations with IGA's smart infrastructure allows us to offer a world-class, efficient, and stress-free travel experience,' says Senol. 'It's not just about moving passengers. It's about moving them smartly.' The Cargo Boom Beyond passengers, Turkish Airlines has seen explosive growth in cargo operations since the move. Cargo capacity has more than doubled from 1.2 million tonnes at Atatürk Airport to 2.5 million tonnes at IGA, with future projections reaching 5 to 6 million tonnes annually. Central to this surge is SmartIST, Turkish Airlines' proprietary next-generation cargo facility. 'We designed SmartIST ourselves to match the speed and sophistication required by global logistics standards,' Senol notes. 'As a result, we've climbed from 9th to 3rd in IATA's global cargo traffic rankings as of 2025.' SmartIST is now recognised as one of Europe's most advanced cargo terminals, incorporating automation, robotics, and real-time tracking technologies to optimize throughput and reliability. Overcoming Aviation's Greatest Operational Challenge The transition itself from Atatürk to IGA remains one of the most complex and flawlessly executed operations in aviation history. The 46-kilometre move involved 1,056 trucks transporting over 47,000 tonnes of equipment, executed in under 33 hours without a single workplace accident or significant service disruption. 'We had to shut down operations at Atatürk and go live at IGA overnight,' recalls Senol. 'Any misstep could have triggered massive disruptions. But through rigorous simulations, weather contingency plans, and pre-positioned response teams, we pulled off what many thought was impossible.' Independent Growth in a PPP Giant While IGA's core airport infrastructure — runways, terminals, and control towers was financed under the PPP framework, Turkish Airlines made a deliberate choice to independently invest in its own support facilities. These include SmartIST, custom-built lounges, upgraded check-in areas, crew facilities, and a dedicated ground services ecosystem. 'This strategic independence allowed us to tailor every aspect of our operations to our standards,' Senol explains. 'It ensures flexibility, brand consistency, and long-term cost-efficiency.' This infrastructure, fully aligned with Turkish Airlines' operational vision, is designed not just for current demands but also for future scalability as the airline expands its global footprint. Fleet Strategy Today, Turkish Airlines operates a fleet of 481 aircraft —134 wide-body and 347 narrow-body jets divided between 201 Boeing and 280 Airbus models. Looking ahead, the airline has already placed orders for 355 new aircraft: 250 A321 Neos and 105 A350s. 'We're still in talks with Boeing, but we're approaching procurement with a balanced strategy,' Senol says. 'Our mixed-fleet model allows us to deploy the right aircraft on the right routes.' This flexibility is key to Turkish Airlines' growth model. Istanbul's geographic advantage means the airline can access 78 cities in 41 countries within three hours, and over 140 cities within five. This unique proximity to global centers empowers Turkish Airlines to offer high-frequency, cost-efficient services across continents. Unlocking IGA's Full Potential Despite remarkable progress, Turkish Airlines is far from finished. Istanbul Airport is expected to reach full capacity by 2028, and Turkish Airlines is gearing up accordingly. By 2033, the airline plans to operate a fleet of 813 aircraft, fly to 400 destinations, and serve 171 million passengers annually, generating an estimated $52 billion in revenue. 'With the synergy between Turkish Airlines and IGA, we're ready to double our capacity,' says Senol. 'We're expanding our footprint in underserved markets and reinforcing our presence in strategic regions.' Secondary cities in Europe, growing African economies, and emerging Asian hubs are all on the radar. By deploying smaller aircraft with higher frequency, Turkish Airlines is increasing accessibility while maintaining efficiency. Already serving 353 destinations in 131 countries including 53 domestic and 300 international stops —Turkish Airlines continues to grow its global map. New destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Tripoli, Benghazi, Denver, Santiago, and Damascus, with upcoming routes targeting Seville and Cambodia. 'Our goal is simple: to connect more places more effectively,' Senol explains. 'It's about responding to demand, entering new markets, and enhancing existing partnerships and hubs.' Lounge network expansions and strategic codeshare agreements are also on the horizon as part of Turkish Airlines' strategy to enhance customer experience across all touchpoints. From smashing records in cargo and passenger numbers to embracing cutting-edge technology and gaining more autonomy in operations, the airline is shaping the future of global travel. 'Our network now reaches more countries than any other airline in the world,' says Senol with pride. 'It's something we've even secured a Guinness World Record for.'
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Club World Cup: Al Ain carry UAE flag against Europe's elite with knowledge they have beaten Juventus before
While all the sides at the Fifa Club World Cup are – by dint of the fact they qualified in the first place – champions in their own right, some champions are more equal than others. Take Sunday's Group C opener between Bayern Munich and Auckland City FC. The forward line for the German giants will be led by the €95 million England captain Harry Kane, with an array of household name teammates beside him. By contrast, one of the main goal threats for their opposition is a refugee-turned-car mechanic who commutes 90 minutes each way to get to Auckland City's twice-weekly training sessions. That might be an extreme case. Not all disparities are quite so significant, but they do exist elsewhere in the competition, too. For the UAE's entrant, Al Ain, the opening two matches in particular, are the stuff of dreams: Juventus and Manchester City. The prospect of lining up against the gilded names of European football's elite might be simultaneously thrilling and daunting. But Al Ain have something to lean on from the past, which shows success is achievable. Beating Juventus? They have been there, done that, got the YouTube footage. There might be some cyber dust on it. But the grainy clip shows Mohammed Omar, the former UAE captain, rampaging past the Juventus defence and firing a shot past the great Gianluigi Buffon. It happened in the seventh minute of a mid-season friendly between Al Ain and Juventus in January 2003. And for the remainder of the game, the Marcelo Lippi-coached side of such stars as Pavel Nedved, Alessandro Del Piero, Edgar Davids, David Trezeguet and Antonio Conte could find no way past Al Ain. That might have predated the involvement of any of the current vintage. But the lessons of history have been passed down to Al Ain's Class of 2025. 'I think we have an opportunity to win against Juventus,' said Kaku, Al Ain's Paraguayan playmaker. 'Twenty years ago, Al Ain won against Juventus and I hope, again, we can take three points.' Al Ain's No 10 says there is no reason for the players to fear what they are going to be faced with when the competition starts. Rather, they should see it as an opportunity. 'When you play against big teams, your motivation is different,' Kaku said. 'The mentality of the team changes, and I think we have opportunities. For me, I have played against Brazil and Argentina, so I don't have to be scared about Juventus or City. I'm confident in myself.' It does stand to reason, though, that the players could be starry-eyed. For example, Park Yong-woo, Al Ain's South Korean midfielder, might conceivably take his autograph book to the City game, given his reverence of Pep Guardiola, the opposition manager. 'I love Guardiola,' Park said. 'I love his style, his philosophy. I love all of him. 'Maybe we will play all defenders against them! If we defend very well, then create two or three chances of our own, I believe we can score against them.' Al Ain are giants of UAE football, and have twice been Asia's best side. They took several significant scalps on their way to becoming the first Emirati participants in this new event. Their extraordinary journey to AFC Champions League glory last season included wins over the Al Nassr of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Al Hilal of – the albeit injured – Neymar. In the final, they demolished a Yokohama F Marinos side who were coached by Harry Kewell, and not so long ago by Ange Postecoglou. They are no respecters of reputations. In fact, the bigger the names, generally the better they have performed. 'Last season, when we played big games we were different,' Park said. 'Our spirit was different, our attitude was different, and maybe at the Club World Cup we will be different, too. If we show our best, nobody knows what will happen.' They are going to need to revive the spirit of last season if they are to make a mark in the United States, as this campaign has been deeply troubled. Vladimir Ivic, who is overseeing their Club World Cup challenge, was Al Ain's third coach in a campaign in which their Champions League defence faltered without even a whimper. Hernan Crespo paid for a torrid start to the campaign as he was axed in November. Leonardo Jardim lasted 14 games before departing in February. Now Ivic has been tasked with raising the misfiring side. They finished fifth in the UAE Pro League, but Ivic was satisfied they have improved on his watch, and suggested they could have been as high as second if refereeing decisions hadn't counted against them. 'From the moment we started to play after Ramadan, we played good in all the games and we deserved to win the games,' Ivic said. 'It is frustrating. When you work, and you have players who fight, when you lose the game and it is not your fault, it is hard to take. 'I have seen the players adapt. They have had good performances and played good football, and created a lot of chances.' Ivic has coached in Greece, Israel and Russia, as well as briefly with Watford in England, before he arrived in the UAE. Such diverse experience will be useful given what lies ahead. The style of play his side will have to employ in the US will likely be a marked difference to how they play usually. As one of the dominant forces of the Pro League, with an enviable following, Al Ain are expected to be on the front foot, playing attacking football. Trying to do the same against the likes of Juve and City could be folly. 'It is a totally different competition,' Ivic said. 'We respect all of our opponents that we will face in our group. 'We will work and do our best to show our best face, and all of the players will be extra motivated. 'It is a World Cup. It is the best teams in the world. We believe we can show our best there and we will fight.'
