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Newsweek
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
LIV Golf Star Reveals 'Fractured' PGA Tour System After 5-Year Ban Shocker
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For years, there has been a lingering question in professional golf: What happens when LIV Golf pros want to find their way back to the PGA Tour? Would they be welcomed? Penalized? Or quietly reinstated under new terms? Hudson Swafford, a 37-year-old ex-LIV Golf pro and three-time PGA Tour winner, appears to have found the answer the hard way. The American golfer recently appeared on the "Subpar" podcast and revealed that he's been handed a five-year suspension by the PGA Tour, barring him from competition until 2027. The decision, he says, came after months of silence and uncertainty from Tour officials. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, looks on during the trophy presentation after the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass... PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, looks on during the trophy presentation after the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 17, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by) More Getty Images Swafford, who joined LIV Golf in its inaugural 2022 season, played all seven events that year and returned last year (2024) as one of two wildcards. Unfortunately for him, despite competing in all 14 tournaments last year, he finished 55th in the individual standings and ultimately failed to qualify through LIV Promotions. With his contract expired and no playing rights on either tour, Swafford attempted to return to the PGA Tour last season. But the response wasn't what he expected. "I know they're basing that on a couple of people's contracts being up after the '26 season," Swafford told "Subpar" hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. "So then they can kind of change rules in favor of everybody coming back." "I know some guys who didn't have any status on the PGA Tour, it's a hard one-year (suspension), not PGA Tour-sanctioned events, but then you can come back and play," he added during the same interview. "But problem is if I come in and talk to them, it's like, 'OK, I can come back and play in '27 (2027), but what does '27 on the PGA Tour really look like?' The ex-LIV Golf pro believes the timing of the suspension is no coincidence According to Swafford, several high-profile LIV contracts, including those of Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, are set to expire at the end of 2026, and the PGA Tour may be positioning itself to reintegrate top talent under revised rules. PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 02: Hudson Swafford gestures during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 02, 2024 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo... PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 02: Hudson Swafford gestures during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 02, 2024 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by) More Getty Images Still, he's skeptical about what the PGA Tour will even look like after these five years. "They're already reducing fields. So I would go ahead and bet and say that the past champions category is pretty much done going forward after this year." "We can agree or disagree, but it just seems like that and they've kind of told me," Swafford expressed on Subpar. The 37-year-old pro's journey with LIV wasn't without controversy. He was part of the 11-player antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour in 2022, alongside Talor Gooch and Matt Jones. Their request to play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs was denied, and all parties eventually withdrew. The legal battle ended with the 2023 framework agreement, but tensions between the tours, as seen, remain unresolved. "We knew there would be some repercussions," Swafford said in the podcast, later posted on YouTube. "Didn't know how long. I didn't think it would be this fractured this long." He continued, "I still think it needs to come together. I don't know how it's going to come together. As a golf fan, you want to see the best playing together. I don't think this fracture is good for the game. But on the flip side, the PGA Tour needed to be shanked up a bit." Even Rory McIlroy, once LIV's fiercest critic, admitted earlier this year that the PGA Tour should've been more open-minded in its approach to the LIV Golf deal. His comments, made during an interview at "How Leaders Lead with David Novak" podcast, echoed the growing sentiment that the sport's division has dragged on too long. Swafford voiced frustration with LIV's decision to withdraw its OWGR application LIV Golf withdrew the OWGR application under former chairman Greg Norman's reign. The application was filed again by the Saudi-backed club under Scott O' Neil before this year's Masters. "We came over here on the consensus that you were going to fight for us... and then we just throw our hands up like 'oh well, we didn't get it.' That's kind of bull----," Swafford exclaimed in front of Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. He recalled a conversation with Peter Dawson, former OWGR chairman, who supported LIV's global reach but questioned its credibility due to the lack of a clear relegation system. "He said 'If there was a true cut-off and everybody abided by those rules and you had to go to like a Q-School, then the talks would be real.' "He said 'LIV is not personally for me' because he's a traditional golf guy, but he goes 'I love that there's new competition and that it's travelling around the world.' According to reports, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil expects negotiations to begin soon, though upfront payments will no longer be part of new deals. Whether the PGA Tour will revise its stance by then remains to be seen. More Golf: 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship: odds, predictions for the playoff opener
USA Today
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Creator Classic at East Lake details announced: Field, format, how to watch, prize money
The third and final Creator Classic series for 2025 will be held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, site of the PGA Tour's Tour Championship, and there's some familiar golf content creator names in the lineup. Officially called the "Creator Classic at East Lake", the event will be live-streamed at 3:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the day before the Tour Championship starts. On Monday, event organizers released details, including the field and the format. Where to watch the Creator Classic at East Lake If you want viewing options, they got them: Who's in the field for the Creator Classic at East Lake? The 2024 Creator Classic at East Lake winner returns along with some other well-known creator names. Saloner, known as the Short Game King, earned his spot after winning a qualifier. What is the format for the Creator Classic at East Lake? The format calls for eight holes of stroke-play golf starting on the 10th hole. After those eight holes, the low four golfers and ties move on to a sudden-death playoff on the 18th hole. What is the prize money for the Creator Classic at East Lake? There is a $100,000 winner-take-all prize awaiting the top creator in this event. Who won the first two 2025 Creator Classics? Grant Horvat claimed the title in March at TPC Sawgrass. Josh Richards, Brad Dalke and Erik Anders Lang defeated the group of Marques Brownlee, Sean Walsh and Sabrina Andolpho in a team format May at Philly Cricket.
NBC Sports
12-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
A renewed Rory McIlroy? Certainly seems so after he grabs share of Scottish lead
New do, renewed Rory? It sure seems so. Rory McIlroy arrived at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, after a two-week break that included a move to London, some proper grand-slam reflection – oh, and a buzzcut. Now, he's in position to end this Genesis Scottish Open with his second win in three years. McIlroy, who for months has seemed tired and frustrated through what he called a 'lull,' has continued to improve his recently shaky ball-striking each day on a firm and fast Renaissance layout, ranking third in strokes gained approach in Saturday's 4-under 66. The score launched him into a tie for the lead with Chris Gotterup at 11 under. 'It's my first realistic chance to win after the Masters, and I've had a great season,' said McIlroy, who also won at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass before grabbing that elusive green jacket at Augusta National in April. 'When you do something that you've been dreaming your whole life to do, it was a huge moment in my life, my career. I think I just needed that little bit of time. And to be back here for last couple weeks and feel like I could actually digest all of it, I feel like I came to this tournament with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the rest of the year.' McIlroy gained some momentum about midway through his third round, rebounding from a bogey at the par-4 seventh, his only blemish on the card, with a birdie from 7 feet at the par-4 eighth. He then hit two stellar strikes into the green at the par-5 10th, and even though he missed the 13-footer for eagle, he was pleased with birdie. He birdied Nos. 14 and 16, too, and nearly had one at the par-4 15th as well, his bunker shot hitting the stick and settling just inches away. Because of impending fog, players will go out in threesomes and off split tees on Sunday, so McIlroy will be grouped with Gotterup and Wyndham Clark, who is tied for third at 9 under with Matt Fitzpatrick, Jake Knapp and Marco Penge. Gotterup, Knapp and Matti Schmid (T-7) are also currently in position to punch the final tickets to next week's Open Championship via the Open Qualifying Series, which gives spots to the top three Scottish Open finishers not otherwise exempt. 'Hopefully get the business done early-ish, and I can watch the last two or three sets of the Wimbledon final,' said a noticeably more relaxed McIlroy, who next week will return to his native Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush. The last time The Open came to Portrush, in 2019, McIlroy turned in an emotional missed cut. Based on his post-Masters performances so far this year, it looked as if McIlroy would be incapable, both physically and mentally, of contending for his second Claret Jug. He had two top-10s in his last six starts before this week but neither time scared the podium. He also was a non-factor at the PGA Championship (T-47) and had to rally on Sunday just to tie for 19th in the U.S. Open, all while battling with both the media and his emotions, the latter boiling over at Oakmont with thrown clubs and smashed tee markers. On the surface, one could point to the driver, which McIlroy had to replace after his old one failed its CT test ahead of the PGA. But it's been McIlroy's approach play losing strokes more than any other facet. And in general, not seeing shots and balls going through the right windows added to whatever McIlroy was already dealing with as part of his Masters hangover. And yet, somehow, that all seems like forever ago. McIlroy was asked on Saturday evening if he was having fun playing competitive golf again. He downplayed that notion. 'I think when you're playing the way you want to play and the ball is coming out of the window that you're looking, that's certainly more enjoyable than if it's not,' McIlroy said. But there's clearly more to all this. McIlroy spoke earlier this week about the sense of detachment from the grind of the PGA Tour when one arrives in the U.K. for links season. He's since given that thought more credence. He proclaimed himself at about 80% following Thursday's first-round 68, where he shook off some rust with three straight birdies to end his day. He's not had any big misses with the big stick, either. Finally, everything is coming together once again – and just in time for Portrush, where McIlroy will undoubtedly have to keep those recent demons down if he wants his redemption in front of the home fans. 'I think I'm pretty close to being back to the level I was at going into the Masters,' McIlroy said. 'I think I've had a little bit of a lull, which I feel is understandable. So, I'm just getting back to the level that I know that I can play at.' And what about the haircut? 'I'm getting a little gray, as everyone probably knows, and I stupidly thought that by going shorter, it would take the grays out,' McIlroy said. 'And if anything, I think it makes me look more gray. 'But it will grow back, that's the good thing.' As such things often do.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Charlie Woods, Cameron Kuchar commit to Junior Players, will walk in fathers' footsteps
Charlie Woods and Cameron Kuchar will double the number of sons of past Players Championship winners to compete in the American Junior Golf Association Junior Players Championship Aug. 28-31 at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Woods and Kuchar registered with the AJGA for the tournament on July 9. The Junior Players will be contested for the 19th time at the home course of The Players, the PGA Tour's marquee event. Charlie Woods will compete in the Junior Players Championship Aug. 28-31 at the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course, where his father Tiger won two Players Championships on the PGA Tour. Woods, the son of 2001 and 2013 Players champion Tiger Woods, and Kuchar, the son of 2011 Players champion Matt Kuchar, registered for the tournament ahead of the July 15 deadline. Invitations formally went out on July 8. Advertisement Woods became eligible for the AJGA invitational on May 28 when he won his first AJGA title at the Team Taylor Made Invitational at the Streamsong Resort, vaulting 585 spots on the AJGA Rolex Rankings from 609th to 14th. Woods is 18th on the current rankings and Kuchar is 12th. The top 58 on the points list as of July 8 were eligible for the tournament, which has been a Labor Day Weekend tradition on the First Coast since 2007. Miles Russell, Tyler Mawhinney also register The AJGA also received commitments from No. 1-ranked Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach, No. 9 Tyler Mawhinney of Fleming Island and No. 28 Lucas Gimenez of Jacksonville. Advertisement Russell won the Junior Players in 2023 and was the youngest player to win AJGA Player of the Year at 15, beating Tiger Woods' record. Mawhinney was part of the winning U.S. Four-Ball championship team this year with Will Hartman of Charlotte, N.C. What other Players winners' sons have competed in Junior Players? Tyler McCumber tied for 31st in the 2009 Junior Players. His father, Mark McCumber, won The Players in 1988. Dru Love tied for 73rd in the 2010 Junior Players. His father, Davis Love III, won The Players in 1992 and 2003. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Charlie Woods, Cameron Kuchar commit to Junior Players Championship
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spaniard veteran sizzles, claims another major crown
Miguel Angel Jimenez has won the Kaulig Companies Championship for his fourth PGA Tour Champions victory of the season, rallying to force a playoff and beating Steven Alker with a 20-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole. Two strokes down after playing partner Alker birdied the par-5 16th, Jimenez made a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th and an 18-footer on the par-4 18th. "I knew I had to make birdie-birdie to have any chance," Jimenez said. "I make birdie on the 17th, gives you wings to go to 18th, and then the rest is history." Tied for the lead entering Sunday's third and final round at Firestone South, the 61-year-old Jimenez and 53-year-old Kiwi Alker each shot two-under 68s to finish at 10-under 270 in the major championship. They each parred the 18th on the first playoff hole, with Jimenez missing an 18-foot birdie try and Alker holing a three-and-a-half footer to send it back to tee for a second extra hole. Before Jimenez's winning putt, Alker missed a 20-foot birdie try after a recovery shot from the trees right of the fairway. Cue the victory cigar 🔥Jiménez drained his birdie putt on the 2nd playoff hole to win @KauligChamp — PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 22, 2025 Jimenez won his third major title after taking the Regions Tradition and the Senior British Open — both in 2018 — and earned a spot next year in The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass. The Spanish star has 17 career victories on 50-and-over tour. "It's very special," Jimenez said. "I win here and put my name beside of all the great names through the history of the golf tournaments here on this beautiful golf course. "Amazing that my game is still nice ... I hope it's not the last one." Jimenez beat Alker by two strokes in the Trophy Hassan II in February in Morocco, then won the Hoag Classic in March in Newport Beach, California, and the Principal Charity Classic in a playoff three weeks ago in Des Moines, Iowa. Stewart Cink (66) was third at eight under and fellow American Steve Flesch (65) was another stroke adrift. Australian's Richard Green (72) and Michael Wright (73) tied for seventh at three under, while compatriots Mark Hensby (71) and Steve Allan (69) also enjoyed top-20 finishes. The US Senior Open begins on Thursday at the Broadmoor in Colorado. With AAP.
