Latest news with #CharlesSchwabCupChampionship
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
2025 Masters: Five bold predictions include Rory McIlroy playoff scenario
Hear this story AUGUSTA, Ga. – As the Masters gets underway, here are sports columnist Dan Wolken's five bold predictions for how this week will turn out. This year will produce the lowest (real) winning score since 2015 Putting aside Dustin Johnson's 20-under par during the COVID Masters played in November 2020 when course conditions were completely different than in the spring, nobody has come close over the past decade to Jordan Spieth's 18-under in 2015. The winner this year will need to be around that neighborhood because of the ideal scoring conditions in store this weekend. In recent years, Augusta National has been impacted by severe weather on at least one or two days including last year when ridiculous 30-40 mph winds swept through Thursday and Friday. But this year, there's really no wind in the forecast and only a small chance of rain Friday, which would do nothing but soften the course a bit. Combined with the rain the course received Monday, it's going to be about 70 degrees and sunny every day with calm conditions. It should be a birdie assault on Augusta. The winner of the Masters will eagle No. 13 on Sunday Lengthening the 13th hole to 545 yards with the new back tee box seems to have had a big impact on scoring. There were just 108 birdies for the entire tournament each of the past two years since the change and only 12 combined eagles on the hole known as 'Azalea.' Compare that to, say, 2019 when there were 158 birdies and 17 eagles. Increasing the distance from 510 yards has brought the average score up fractionally, from around 4.6 strokes most years to around 4.7 and change the past two. Of course, weather plays a big factor so it'll take several more years to see the true impact of making the hole 35 yards longer. But Fred Ridley, the tournament chairman, said Wednesday he believes more players are going for the green in two because drives that leak out to the right are not reaching the trees like they used to. 'Our motivation was to create more excitement and have more players go for the green,' he said. With more players trying to eagle the hole but fewer actually doing it, it makes sense that someone is going to hit the right approach and create separation on the leaderboard at that key spot on the course. Why not this year? Phil Mickelson will be in the mix Sunday Lefty feels a little bit like a museum artifact these days, given that he's 54 and hasn't won an official tournament since the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on the senior tour in November 2021. But he does know his way around Augusta, as he proved two years ago by sneaking into a tie for second behind Jon Rahm with a final round 65. Interestingly, that was only Mickelson's third top 10 since he last won the tournament in 2010. But what's more important is that he seems to be in good form lately with a third and a sixth place in the past three LIV events. Winning the event is probably beyond his reach, but it's not a shock to see an old guy on the leaderboard at the Masters simply due to knowing how to play the course. This feels like a good spot for the three-time champion to make one last big run at the title. Rory McIlroy will lose the Masters in a playoff At this point, the world's No. 2-ranked player has lost majors in just about every heartbreaking way known to man, especially the past few years. Couldn't make a birdie putt in the final round at St. Andrews. Couldn't hold off Wyndham Clark at L.A. Country Club. Couldn't close the deal against Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst. What's the one thing he hasn't done? Lose a major in a playoff. Before McIlroy wins his career Grand Slam at the Masters, he has to complete has Grand Slam of disappointments. You can say he already has his what-if moment at this course back in 2011 when he had the lead going into the back nine on Sunday before blowing up with a triple bogey on No. 10 and a four-putt on No. 12. But that was a long, long time ago and the current Rory cycle demands that he lose a major in a playoff before he starts winning them again. Those are the rules. There will be a first-time Masters winner this year Who beats McIlroy in the playoff? It will be someone crowned as a major champion for the first time. The highest-ranked player without a major is a fairly obvious pick: Ludvig Aberg, the 25-year-old Swede who finished second last year in his Masters debut. But Aberg hasn't played that well lately, missing the cut in his two most recent events. Next on the list is Russell Henley. Russell who? He's not a household name, but the native Georgian is playing the best golf of his life at 35 and ranked No. 10 in the world after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month. After that comes Viktor Hovland, who would admit that his swing is a mess. Then Maverick McNealy, who has never played the Masters or finished better than 23rd in a major. Then it's Tommy Fleetwood, who can't seem to put it all together when it counts. Next comes Sepp Straka, who is too streaky to pick. Then we get to Patrick Cantlay, who is probably due to win a major and has played well this year. So that's the pick. It's Cantlay. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Dan Wolken on social media@
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Are older players winning more now on the PGA Tour Champions? Here's a look at the stats
Are older players winning more now on the PGA Tour Champions? Here's a look at the stats Show Caption Hide Caption Strong winds hit the first day of the Galleri Classic golf tournament Strong winds hit Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage on the first day of the Galleri Classic golf tournament Bernhard Langer, 67, is leading the Galleri Classic, a senior golf tournament where most winners are in their 50s. Langer attributes his success and the increasing number of older winners to improved fitness and health awareness among golfers. He believes this trend of golfers competing at a high level in their 60s will continue. Langer hopes his longevity inspires people of all ages to take up golf. There's been a lot of talk in the world of sports recently about certain pro athletes still playing at a high level despite being among the oldest players in their sport. LeBron James at age 40 is still one of the best players in the NBA. Alex Ovechkin at age 39 is currently in the top five in the NHL in goals scored. But if you're looking for a player who's excelling in his pro league despite being older than the rest of the competitors, please consider Bernhard Langer on the PGA Tour Champions, golf's senior tour. To be on the senior tour, a golfer must be 50 years old. As you might imagine, almost all of the winners on tour are in their 50s, and then there's Langer. Langer is currently 67 years old and he is tied for the lead after the first day of the Galleri Classic thanks to an age-matching 5-under 67 in his first round at the Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills Country Club on Friday. He is a serious exception to the rule, as it's quite rare for a player in his 60s to win on this tour. Let's crunch the numbers. A whopping 96.77% of all winners on the PGA's senior circuit, dating back to its inception in 1980, have been in their 50s. Only 48 times has a player 60 years old or older won a tournament on this tour. Of those 48 times, 14 of them have been won by Langer. Only one player has ever won on this tour older than age 63, and that is Langer who has done it six times. Langer won twice at 64, three times at 65 and again last year at 67 when he won the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship event. Langer believes it's not just him that is making 60 the new 50 on the senior tour. He said he believes you'll see more winners from the 60-plus age group moving forward. "When I first came out here, I was told, and the statistics proved it, that you win most of your tournaments between 50 and 55. By the time you reach age 60, you have no chance, basically. That's what the statistics proved," Langer said Thursday in the lead-up to the Galleri Classic. "Well, we proved the statistics wrong and it's not just me, there's other guys that have won in their 60s and they're very competitive. I think that will be the trend in the future as the guys stay fitter and stronger and stay committed to the game." Langer hit on the keyword "fitness." Langer, who is from Germany, is in tremendous shape and he feels like staying fitter longer is a trend he's seeing on the tour. That high fitness level helps players perform, of course, but also recover faster. Case in point, Langer tore his Achilles tendon in February of 2024, returned to action in May and still finished seventh in the season-long points race despite missing one-third of the season. Steve Stricker, at 58, said during media day for this event that he agrees with Langer's perception that the tour as a whole is thinking smarter about their health. 'People just taking better care of themselves, being a little more dedicated to that aspect,' Stricker said. 'Eating better, working out, stretching, We want to continue playing, most of us do anyway, as long as you possibly can. It's a great game to be able to play into our late 50s or potentially like Bernhard into our mid-60s.' More: Here's your 7-iron, dad. At Galleri Classic, sons and daughters share time with dad as caddies Langer was asked after his bogey-free round Friday if he feels like he's inspiring others on tour to play longer into their careers. He took a broad approach, hoping that he's inspiring everyone of all ages to take up the game he loves. "Hopefully everywhere (not just on this tour)," he said. "Hopefully, young people to pick up the gameand hopefully all the people who keep playing or even start the game. Yeah, certainly I think the mindset has changed on this tour. I think people are thinking differently these days." Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Sun. Reach him at
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bernhard Langer, at 67, is tied for Galleri Classic lead. How rare is a winner over age 60?
Bernhard Langer, at 67, is tied for Galleri Classic lead. How rare is a winner over age 60? There's been a lot of talk in the world of sports recently about certain pro athletes still playing at a high level despite being among the oldest players in their sport. LeBron James at age 40 is still one of the best players in the NBA. Alex Ovechkin at age 39 is currently in the top five in the NHL in goals scored. But if you're looking for a player who's excelling in his pro league despite being older than the rest of the competitors, please consider Bernhard Langer on the PGA Tour Champions, golf's senior tour. Advertisement To be on the senior tour, a golfer must be 50 years old. As you might imagine, almost all of the winners on tour are in their 50s, and then there's Langer. Langer is currently 67 years old and he is tied for the lead after the first day of the Galleri Classic thanks to an age-matching 5-under 67 in his first round at the Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills Country Club on Friday. He is a serious exception to the rule as it's quite rare for a player in his 60s to win on this tour. Let's crunch the numbers. A whopping 96.77% of all winners on the PGA's senior tour dating back to its inception in 1980 have been in their 50s. Only 48 times has a player 60 years old or older won a tournament on this tour. Of those 48 times, 14 of them have been won by Langer. Only one player has ever won on this tour older than age 63, and that is Langer who has done it six times. Langer won twice at 64, three times at 65 and again last year at 67 when he won the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship event. Langer believes it's not just him that is making 60 the new 50 on the senior tour. He said he believes you'll see more winners from the 60-plus age group moving forward. Advertisement "When I first came out here, I was told, and the statistics proved it, that you win most of your tournaments between 50 and 55. By the time you reach age 60, you have no chance, basically. That's what the statistics proved," Langer said Thursday in the lead-up to the Galleri Classic. "Well, we proved the statistics wrong and it's not just me, there's other guys that have won in their 60s and they're very competitive. I think that will be the trend in the future as the guys stay fitter and stronger and stay committed to the game." Langer hit on the keyword "fitness." Langer, who is from Germany, is in tremendous shape and he feels like staying fitter longer is a trend he's seeing on the tour. That high fitness level helps players perform, of course, but also recover faster. Bernhard Langer looks down from the first tee before starting off the first round of The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Friday, March 28, 2025. Case in point, Langer tore his Achilles tendon in February of 2024, returned to action in May and still finished seventh in the season-long points race despite missing one-third of the season. Advertisement Steve Stricker, at 58, said during media day for this event that he agrees with Langer's perception that the tour as a whole is thinking smarter about their health. 'People just taking better care of themselves, being a little more dedicated to that aspect,' Stricker said. 'Eating better, working out, stretching, We want to continue playing, most of us do anyway, as long as you possibly can. It's a great game to be able to play into our late 50s or potentially like Bernhard into our mid-60s.' More: Here's your 7-iron, dad. At Galleri Classic, sons and daughters share time with dad as caddies Langer was asked after his bogey-free round Friday if he feels like he's inspiring others on tour to play longer into their careers. He took a broad approach, hoping that he's inspiring everyone of all ages to take up the game he loves. Advertisement "Hopefully everywhere (not just on this tour)," he said. "Hopefully, young people to pick up the gameand hopefully all the people who keep playing or even start the game. Yeah, certainly I thinkthe mindset has changed on this tour. I think people are thinking differently these days." Shad Powers is a columnist for The Desert Sun. Reach him at This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Bernhard Langer, at 67, is co-leader of Galleri Classic on PGA Tour Champions
USA Today
12-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tiger Woods undergoes surgery after rupturing left Achilles tendon, will miss Masters
Tiger Woods undergoes surgery after rupturing left Achilles tendon, will miss Masters Show Caption Hide Caption Scottie Scheffler on the pressure of being No. 1 in the world Scottie Scheffler dished on the challenge of being the No. 1 player in the world at the Players Championship. Tiger Woods is going to be out for some time. The 15-time major champion announced Tuesday he ruptured his left Achilles tendon while training recently. He had surgery Tuesday morning to repair the tendon, and he will be out indefinitely. "As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured," the social media post said. "This morning, Dr. Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon. "The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery," added Dr. Stucken. "I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support." The injury is just the latest in a long line of surgery Woods has undergone in recent years. Last September, he had another back procedure and had yet to make a start on the PGA Tour this year. He had played in four TGL matches and was expected to tee it up next month in the Masters, but following in Bernhard Langer's footsteps from last year, he's going to be out indefinitely recovering from the latest procedure. On Feb. 1 last year, Langer tore his Achilles but returned three months later, even winning the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November. A three-month timeline seems aggressive for Woods, considering the difference in the injuries, but if he were able to return that quickly, the U.S. Open is in three months. However, Langer's recovery likely isn't the best to compare to Woods. Although the two-time Masters champion is one of golf's ironmen, there's a big difference in the types of injuries. Langer suffered an Achilles tear while Woods ruptered his tendon. An "Achilles tear" generally refers to any injury to the Achilles tendon where fibers are torn, while an "Achilles rupture" specifically describes a complete tear of the Achilles tendon, meaning the tendon is fully severed, according to Mass General Brigham. It wouldn't be a shock to see Woods not play until the Hero World Challenge in December, his silly-season event in the Bahamas. Next month at the Masters Champions Dinner should give a good glimpse, or at least an idea, how how his recovery is going, that is if he attends. But in the meantime, only time will tell when, or if, Woods will play competitive golf again. He turns 50 later this year.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tiger Woods injury update: Achilles surgery forces golf star to miss 2025 Masters
Tiger Woods had recently been ramping up his training regimen in an effort to play in the 2025 Masters. However, he appears to have pushed himself a bit too far. On Tuesday, March 11, less than one month away from the start of the tournament, Woods announced that he had undergone surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg. As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be morning, Dr. Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon… — Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 11, 2025 Although Woods has not played in a PGA Tour event since the 2024 Open last summer, there was still hope that he'd be able to make it to the Masters, a tournament he has only missed once since 2018 (2021). Woods had previously expressed intent to play in the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, but was forced to withdraw just days before the competition after his mother passed away. Golf News: Scottie Scheffler dishes on the challenge of being the No. 1 player in the world Woods ruptured his Achilles while training. Woods has undergone numerous surgeries over the past several years, and even had one as recently as September 2024, when he underwent back surgery. It's unclear at this time, but a similar Achilles injury happened to fellow golfer Bernhard Langer in February last year. He returned just three months later and even won a tournament, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, that November. While Langer (67) is much older than Woods (49), Woods' injury history and the injury itself are much more serious, which makes a three-month timetable rather aggressive, according to Golfweek's Cameron Jourdan. Jourdan explains that while Langer tore his Achilles, Woods ruptured it, meaning the tendon is fully severed. Tiger Woods: A list of Tiger Woods' injuries through the years This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger Woods injury update: Will miss Masters after Achilles surgery
