The Florida Swing Commences on the PGA Tour while LIV Golf Heads to Saudi Arabia – Sky Bulletin

PGA TOUR

COGNIZANT CLASSIC IN THE PALM BEACHES

Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Course: PGA National (Champions). Length: 7,125. Par: 70.

Total prize fund: $9 million. Champion’s portion: $1.62 million.

Broadcast schedule: Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (NBC).

Past winner: Chris Kirk.

Leader in FedEx Cup standings: Matthieu Pavon.

Previous event: Jake Knapp triumphed at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.

Notes: The event commences the Florida swing with a fresh title sponsor – Cognizant, replacing Honda Classic… Rory McIlroy has made a return to strengthen his preparation for the Masters. His last appearance at this event was in 2018… Six of the past seven PGA Tour winners this year were ranked outside the top 50 in the world rankings, except for Wyndham Clark, who was No. 10 when he clinched a win at Pebble Beach… Top 10 leaders in FedEx Cup points and top five players in the “swing category” have their last chance in this event to qualify for Bay Hill next week… Nick Dunlap, the U.S. Amateur champion, who turned pro post his win at The American Express, has had less favorable results lately and is participating this week… Sponsor exemptions include NCAA champion Fred Biondi, who went pro last year… The tournament includes five of the world’s top 25 players.

Upcoming event: Arnold Palmer Invitational and Puerto Rico Open.

Official website: https://www.pgatour.com/

___

LPGA TOUR

HSBC WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Location: Singapore.

Course: Sentosa GC. Length: 6,749. Par: 72.

Total prize fund: $1.8 million. Champion’s portion: $270,000.

Broadcast schedule: Wednesday-Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).

Returning champion: Jin Young Ko.

Leader in Race to CME Globe: Lydia Ko

Past event: Patty Tavatanakit claimed victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Notes: The event marks the second of three consecutive weeks in Asia featuring a robust field thanks to its 2008 inception… Jin Young Ko is vying for her third consecutive title in Singapore… The course record was set by Lorena Ochoa in 2008 with a score of 268… Lacking in the top 10 women’s world ranking are Nelly Korda and Charley Hull… Atthaya Thitikul is out of action due to an injured left thumb until the end of March… In Gee Chun, former U.S. Women’s Open champion, received a sponsor’s invitation… Minjee Lee enters the LPGA Tour for the first time this year… Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis announced assistants Paula Creamer, Angela Stanford, Brittany Lincicome, and Morgan Pressel for the matches in Virginia this year.

Next tournament: Blue Bay LPGA.

Official website: https://www.lpga.com/

___

LIV GOLF LEAGUE

LIV GOLF JEDDAH

Location: King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.

Course: Royal Greens Golf & CC. Length: 7,048. Par: 70.

Total prize fund: $20 million. Champion’s portion: $4 million.

Broadcast schedule: Friday-Sunday, 3-8 a.m. (CW app); Saturday, 12:30-5:30 p.m. (CW Network-tape delay); Sunday, 1-6p.m. (CW Network-tape delay).

Past champion: Brooks Koepka.

Points leadership: Dustin Johnson.

Previous event: Dustin Johnson triumphed at LIV Golf Las Vegas.

Notes: Brooks Koepka attempts his third consecutive LIV victory in Saudi Arabia… Anthony Kim is anticipated to debut with LIV Golf as an individual, not having competed since 2012… Dustin Johnson has won in each of the three LIV Golf seasons… Included in the Saudi event, multiple winners outside of LIV Golf, such as Johnson, McDowell, Varner III, and Ancer… Jon Rahm maintains the lead in the team standings after two events… Joaquin Niemann, the only LIV Golf player invited to the Masters this year, was invited due to his European tour off-season… Patrick Reed is no longer ranked in the top 100 worldwide.

Following event: LIV Golf Hong Kong.

Official website: https://www.livgolf.com/

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf