JACKSON SUBER RETURNS HOME FOR VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP
PGA TOUR rookie Jackson Suber is experiencing a homecoming at this week’s Valspar Championship, returning to the Tampa area where he honed his skills at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club. The historic club, dating back to 1916, shaped Suber’s development as he progressed from playing just the first two holes on repeat into twilight hours to mastering the full course. Even as a youngster, Suber showed his competitive spirit by refusing the traditional “breakfast ball” mulligan off the first tee, not wanting an asterisk if he ever broke the course record. The club has a rich history, including Walter Hagen’s tournament victory there in 1935, and hosts the prestigious Gasparilla Invitational amateur event.
MCILROY DEFEATS SPAUN IN MONDAY PLAYOFF AT PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Rory McIlroy emerged victorious at The Players Championship after defeating J.J. Spaun in a three-hole playoff that concluded Monday morning due to darkness on Sunday. McIlroy had built a three-shot lead following a four-hour rain delay on Sunday but saw his advantage disappear as Spaun refused to back down. Both players finished regulation at 12-under 276, setting up the Monday playoff at TPC Sawgrass. “I’m standing here feeling like I should be going home with the trophy today,” McIlroy said Sunday evening. “But it’s all right. I’ll reset and try to go home with the trophy tomorrow.” The victory marks McIlroy’s first win of 2025 and comes at an ideal time with the Masters approaching in April.
MCILROY COMMITS TO HOUSTON OPEN BEFORE MASTERS
Fresh off his victory at The Players Championship, Rory McIlroy has committed to play in next week’s Houston Open, which will be his final tournament before the Masters. McIlroy, who is still seeking to complete the career Grand Slam with a Masters victory, has played the Houston Open three times previously, with his best finish being a tie for seventh in 2014. “I’ve always enjoyed playing the week before majors,” McIlroy said. “It helps me stay sharp and maintain competitive rhythm.” The Houston Open returns to Memorial Park Golf Course for the fifth straight year and has moved back to its spring date after several years as a fall event.
MCILROY RULES OUT CHAMPIONS TOUR FUTURE
Rory McIlroy has made a definitive statement about his future in golf, declaring he will not play on the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50. “Absolutely not,” McIlroy said with a smile when asked about the senior circuit. The four-time major champion acknowledged his history of changing positions on various topics but was adamant about this particular stance. “Look, I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back,” he said. “But I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.” McIlroy indicated he would prefer to retire while still competitive, “with a little bit left in the tank.”
TIGER WOODS UNDERGOES ACHILLES SURGERY
Tiger Woods announced he has undergone a less invasive surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon, adding another setback that will likely keep him out of the Masters and possibly other major championships this year. “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,” Woods said in a social media post. While the minimally invasive procedure typically allows for quicker recovery than traditional surgery, most patients cannot put weight on their foot for at least a month. Woods set the Masters record last year by making the cut for the 24th consecutive time but has not competed outside of his indoor league — except for 18 holes of the Seminole Pro-Member — since missing the cut at the British Open last summer.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER REVEALS MASTERS CHAMPIONS DINNER MENU
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler has announced his menu selections for the traditional Champions Dinner to be held Tuesday night of Masters week. Scheffler, who won his second green jacket in 2024, has chosen a Tex-Mex themed menu reflecting his Texas roots. The world No. 1’s selections include chips and queso, tortilla soup, and beef fajitas as the main course, accompanied by Mexican rice, refried beans, and grilled vegetables. For dessert, Scheffler selected Texas pecan pie served with vanilla ice cream. “I wanted to bring a taste of home to Augusta,” Scheffler said. The Champions Dinner tradition dates back to 1952 when Ben Hogan organized the first gathering for past winners.
VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP UNDERWAY AT INNISBROOK
The PGA Tour has arrived at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida for the 24th edition of the Valspar Championship. Peter Malnati returns as defending champion after capturing his second PGA Tour victory last year, ending a nine-year winless drought by defeating Cameron Young by two strokes. The field includes several notable players including Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley, and Sam Burns, who won back-to-back Valspar Championships in 2021 and 2022. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is taking the week off after his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and runner-up finish at The Players Championship. The Copperhead Course is known for its challenging “Snake Pit” finishing stretch (holes 16-18), which consistently ranks among the toughest three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour.
JACOB BRIDGEMAN LEADS VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER FIRST ROUND
Jacob Bridgeman shot a 4-under 67 during Thursday’s opening round of the Valspar Championship, sharing the lead with Keith Mitchell, Stephan Jaeger, and Rafael Castillo. Bridgeman’s strong performance came despite his attention being divided by March Madness, as his alma mater Clemson is participating in the NCAA basketball tournament. The leaderboard remains tight with Ryan Fox, Nicolai Echavarria, and Sami Välimäki just one shot back at 3-under.
AKSHAY BHATIA WITHDRAWS FROM VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Akshay Bhatia has withdrawn from the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. No reason was given for the 23-year-old American’s withdrawal, which comes just days after he tied for third place at the Players Championship. Bhatia’s schedule adjustment means he avoids playing six tournaments in seven weeks. He is also skipping next week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open but is expected to defend his Valero Texas Open title the following week, just ahead of the Masters. Bhatia, a two-time PGA Tour winner, made history as the first person to participate in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National as a child and later qualify for the Masters as a professional.
JORDAN SPIETH SHARES MASTERS EXPECTATIONS
In a casual conversation at The Players Championship, Jordan Spieth shared insights about what to expect at the upcoming Masters Tournament. The 2015 Masters champion discussed course conditions at Augusta National, noting expectations for firm playing surfaces this year. Spieth, who has finished in the top three at Augusta five times in his career, remains one of the most consistent performers at the venerable major championship despite recent inconsistency in his overall game.
FORMER AUGUSTA NATIONAL WORKER SENTENCED FOR MEMORABILIA THEFT
Richard Globensky, a former Georgia warehouse worker for Augusta National Golf Club, has been sentenced to one year in prison for transporting millions of dollars’ worth of stolen Masters tournament memorabilia, including one of Arnold Palmer’s iconic green jackets. The 40-year-old pleaded guilty last year to one count of transporting stolen goods across state lines. “I deeply regret the decision that led me to this moment,” Globensky said during his sentencing in Chicago’s federal court. In addition to prison time, he must pay more than $3 million in restitution and face one year of supervised release.
ANGELA STANFORD NAMED 2026 U.S. SOLHEIM CUP CAPTAIN
The LPGA has announced that Angela Stanford will captain the United States team for the 2026 Solheim Cup. Stanford, a six-time LPGA Tour winner including the 2018 Evian Championship, has represented the U.S. in six Solheim Cups as a player. Her appointment comes as the Americans look to reclaim the trophy after three consecutive losses to the European team. The 2026 Solheim Cup will mark the 20th edition of the biennial competition between the United States and Europe.
LPGA ANNOUNCES PACE OF PLAY POLICY UPDATES
The LPGA Tour has implemented additional updates to its pace of play policy for the 2025 season. The changes aim to improve the flow of tournament rounds and reduce overall playing times. Key modifications include stricter timing procedures, increased fines for slow play violations, and more efficient group management techniques. Players have generally responded positively to the changes, recognizing the importance of maintaining an appropriate pace for both competitive and broadcast purposes.
ON THIS DATE: BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS WINS FIRST LPGA MAJOR
March 19 marks the anniversary of Babe Didrikson Zaharias winning the 1947 Titleholders Championship, the first major championship of the LPGA era. Zaharias, widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, dominated women’s golf in the 1940s and early 1950s. Her victory at Augusta Country Club helped establish the foundation for women’s professional golf and the LPGA Tour, which was formally established in 1950. Zaharias won 10 major championships during her illustrious career before her untimely death from cancer in 1956 at age 45.
FINAL FIELD SET FOR FORD CHAMPIONSHIP
The LPGA Tour has announced the final field for the upcoming Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. The tournament, which will be held next week in Phoenix, Arizona, features a strong international lineup including world No. 1 Nelly Korda, defending champion Lydia Ko, and recent tournament winners Lilia Vu and Brooke Henderson. The event marks the continuation of Ford’s growing presence in women’s golf sponsorship and offers a $2.5 million purse, reflecting the ongoing growth in financial opportunities in the women’s game.
NEW YORK GOLF CLUB UPSETS LOS ANGELES IN TGL SEMIFINALS
In a surprising result, New York Golf Club has upset Los Angeles Golf Club 6-3 in the TGL semifinals. The technology-focused golf league, backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has been gaining attention for its innovative format combining simulator play with a specialized short game area. New York will now face Atlanta Drive GC in the finals after Atlanta defeated Boston Common GC in the other semifinal match. The inaugural TGL season has generated significant interest despite Tiger Woods’ absence due to injury.
ATLANTA DRIVE GC ADVANCES TO TGL FINALS
Atlanta Drive GC has secured a spot in the TGL finals after defeating Bay Golf Club in a closely contested semifinal match. The team, led by Patrick Cantlay, showcased impressive skills on both the simulator and the short game area known as “the green.” Atlanta will face New York Golf Club in the championship match, scheduled for next week. The innovative indoor golf league has attracted substantial viewership in its first season, with fans embracing the unique format that combines technology with traditional golf skills.
CANTLAY SEALS WIN AND FINALS SPOT FOR ATLANTA IN TGL
Patrick Cantlay delivered a clutch performance to secure Atlanta Drive GC’s victory over Bay Golf Club in the TGL semifinals. Cantlay’s precise putting and strategic play in the match-play format proved decisive in the 9-3 victory. “We’ve been building momentum throughout the season, and it’s great to see it all coming together when it matters most,” Cantlay said after the match. The finals will feature Atlanta against New York Golf Club in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the inaugural TGL season.
VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP BROADCAST DETAILS ANNOUNCED
ESPN+ will provide extensive coverage of the Valspar Championship with PGA TOUR LIVE offering four separate feeds each day of the tournament. Coverage begins at 7:45 AM ET on Thursday and Friday, with weekend coverage starting at 8:00 AM ET. Featured groups, marquee groups, and dedicated coverage of the challenging “Snake Pit” finishing holes (16-18) will be available throughout the tournament. The Valspar Championship marks the continuation of the Florida swing on the PGA Tour schedule before the circuit moves to Texas in preparation for the Masters.
