The PGA Tour season is underway, but star players are already sidelined with injuries. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele are both missing from the early tournaments, casting a shadow over the excitement of a new year. Meanwhile, the new TGL league, with its innovative technology and fast-paced format, has yet to capture the attention of viewers, with its early matches lacking in competitiveness.
A new season in any sport is ripe with optimism and enthusiasm, and that’s how PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan sounded when he delivered a year-end video message that promised innovation and excitement. Unfortunately, the table included ravioli at the home of golf’s best player. Scottie Scheffler confirmed that’s what he was preparing over Christmas when glass punctured the palm of his right hand and required him to have minor surgery.
Scheffler had to withdraw from the season opener at Kapalua and then The American Express last week in the California desert, and he won’t decide until later this week at the earliest if he’ll be at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “I’m anxious to get back, excited to get back,” Scheffler said Monday. “But I’m also not going to rush back just to rush back.” Give it time, hopefully not as much time as it took the final group Sunday in The American Express. The threesome took just short of 5 hours, 40 minutes, almost as long as it takes for three TGL matches (and about as competitive as TGL) thanks to great play from Sepp Straka. It helps that Hideki Matsuyama polished off his credentials when Japan’s biggest star won The Sentry at Kapalua by setting records for lowest score to par (35 under) and most birdies or better (35) in a 72-hole tournament. And that Nick Taylor revived a sleepy Sony Open by chipping in for eagle on the final hole and showing his Canadian clutch gene to win a playoff. But the MVP has been MIA. And now joining Scheffler on the injured list is Xander Schauffele, the PGA and British Open champion and No. 2 player in the world. “Medical” was the reason given for his withdrawal from The American Express, and no explanation was required for the San Diego native not playing this week at Torrey Pines for the first time in his career because he never entered. Golf Channel reported he has a soft tissue injury in his rib. Schauffele said he had nothing to offer when the AP messaged him over the weekend. Adding to his absence at Torrey — golf’s first week on network television (CBS) — is Collin Morikawa. The No. 5 player in the world had to withdraw with what his manager said were flu-like symptoms. The Wednesday start to avoid the NFL conference championships on Sunday probably didn’t help. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, made his debut last week in Dubai and spoke about playing less this year because “I’m not getting any younger.” He makes his U.S. debut next Monday in the TGL, and then he flies across the country to Pebble Beach. TGL showed plenty of promise with its technology and fast-moving format, right up until it was time to keep score. The first two matches were blowouts, and the most memorable shots were Kevin Kisner blading a bunker shot off the pin and nearly taking out his teammates, and Tiger Woods hitting a wedge some 30 yards over the green on the monster simulator screen. The shot clock has been a nice addition (could have used one at PGA West), though it leaves little time for more conversation even when the right characters (Schauffele, Shane Lowry) are playing. Television ratings for TGL have been around 1 million. Whether that can be sustained is the real measure. A close competition wouldn’t hurt. Three weeks into the season and the Masters can’t get here soon enough. Scheffler and Schauffele surely will be back by then
PGA Tour Scottie Scheffler Xander Schauffele TGL Golf Injuries Tournament Updates Sports News
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Xander Schauffele Gears Up for Dual Season Openings: PGA Tour and TMRW Golf LeagueXander Schauffele is kicking off his season with back-to-back tournaments in a span of seven days. He'll first compete at The Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, followed by the inaugural TMRW Golf League in Florida. Schauffele is particularly excited about the TMRW League, which features a unique indoor format with team play, simulators, and a rotating putting surface.
Read more »
LIV Golf to Conclude 2025 Season Simultaneously with PGA Tour PlayoffsLIV Golf's 2025 schedule will see its final three tournaments, including the season-ending team championship, held concurrently with the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs. The Saudi-backed league will visit Florida, Virginia, and Michigan, culminating in the LIV Team Championship in Plymouth, Michigan, the same week as the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Read more »
Matsuyama Edges Morikawa in Thrilling Duel at PGA Tour OpenerHideki Matsuyama leads Collin Morikawa by one shot after a remarkable round of 62 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Read more »
Matsuyama Shatters PGA Tour Scoring Record at Sentry TournamentHideki Matsuyama made history at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, setting a new 72-hole PGA Tour scoring record with a remarkable 35-under par 257.
Read more »
LIV Golf Announces 2025 Schedule with Clash Against PGA Tour PlayoffsLIV Golf has released its 2025 schedule, revealing a number of changes including new locations and a controversial overlap with the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.
Read more »
Weeks after earning PGA Tour card, 22-year-old linked with move to LIV GolfABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Tom McKibbin could be headed to LIV Golf, a few weeks after securing a card to play on the PGA Tour.
Read more »