April is not only Masters month for the world of golf, it's also a time to reflect on the past financial year and see which golfers have earned the most money.

With massive prize funds given out each week across the PGA Tour, the LIV Golf League and the DP World Tour, the best players in the world are racking up huge bank balances throughout the season.

Rory McIlroy has just added another $4.5m to his career earnings thanks to his incredible triumph at Augusta National. That'll give him a nice head start for next year's totals, but it doesn't help him surpass one other golfer for the 2025-26 tax year.

The data comes from Sportico, breaking down the earnings of the top-10 highest paid golfers in the world, with details as to how much they earned on the course and off it through sponsorship deals and the like.

McIlroy was in the top two, and led the way in off-course income, but it's actually Jon Rahm who earned the most in total for the last year.

Rahm benefits massively from his contract with LIV, of course. It is though the Spaniard was offered $300m to join the breakaway tour, with half paid upfront and the other $150m paid equally across the years of his contract.

Last year, Rahm is said to have earned a total of $102m, and is the only golfer to break the $100m barrier. Of that figure, $92m came from on-course earnings, with another $10m in sponsorship payments.

The 31-year-old didn't actually win an event throughout the LIV Golf season in 2025, but he still claimed enough points to come out on top in the individual leaderboard. That earned him a massive $18m, which is exactly how much he beat McIlroy by in the money charts.

McIlroy is arguably the most marketable golfer in the world, especially after his remarkable double Masters win. It speaks volumes that McIlroy's net worth was thought to be around $294m in 2023, and will be much higher now.

But, for 2025-26, he is reported to have earned $84m from golf. $29m of that comes from event payouts, while a whopping $55m comes from off-course deals. That actually makes McIlroy the leader in commercial income, narrowly beating Tiger Woods.

Still, McIlroy's closest competitor is Scottie Scheffler, who recorded $81m in earnings last year. Not surprisingly, given his dominance on the Tour, $51m of that came from winnings on the course, while he's thought to have earned a huge $30m from sponsorship deals with the likes of Turtlebox, Nike, TaylorMade, and Huntington Bank.

Looking elsewhere, there's quite a gap between that top three and the rest of the top-10 highest paid golfers. Bryson DeChambeau is next in line, but his earnings stood at around $65m, with $45m of that coming from his lucrative deal with LIV.

Woods, as we mentioned, is the second highest-earner when it comes to commercial deals. $54m of his total came from that side of the game, while only $200,000 was earned from his performances on the course.

Rounding out the rest of the top-10, Tommy Fleetwood enjoyed a successful year thanks to his Tour Championship win in August. That netted the Englishman a mega $10m payout which contributed to his $42m earnings.

Joaquin Niemann is the third and final LIV golfer in the top 10. The Chilean won five events last year, so it's not surprising that he's up there, with earnings of $41m in total.

Beyond that, we have Hideki Matsuyama sitting at $31m. That's largely thanks to his endorsement portfolio, which contributed $25m. Xander Schauffele ($30m) and Collin Morikawa ($28m) complete the list.

Highest-Paid Golfers 2025-26

Since gaining his card in 2014, Hideki Matsuyama has be a star name on the PGA Tour.

He has 11 wins to his name in America, including two Waste Management Phoenix Opens and a FedEx St. Jude Championship.

His most notable win, though, came at the Masters in 2021 where he edged out Will Zalatoris by one shot.

His caddie, Shota Hayafuji, was notably seen bowing to the pin on the final hole after his victory. The image went viral and he commended a lot of plaudits after such a beautiful mark of respect.

However, Hayafuji - who has been on the bag since 2019 - is not with Matsuyama for the Rocket Classic this week.

Due to visa issues, he was not able to be in Detroit, even though he was at the Travelers Championship last week.

The Japanese golfer has therefore called upon the help of a professional caddie called Mei Inui to be by his side. He has known her for a long time and she reportedly works in his office back in Japan.

Coincidentally, Matsuyama's wife's name is Mei. But, it has been confirmed that it is not his wife and is in fact a different person.

This is not the first time the pair have been on the course together either as she also caddied for him at the 2016 Hero World Challenge, where he won the tournament. That was his third success in a row at the time.

This is not a permanent switch and it is expected that Hayafuji will be back alongside Matsuyama once he has sorted his visa issues. The return date is so far unknown, though.

He also missed the Japanese's FedEx Cup playoffs last year due to the pair and coach - Mikihito Kuromiya - being robbed in a restaurant in London, where he had his passport stolen.

That time around, the 32-year-old had Taiga Tabuchi by his side. Tabuchi previously worked with PGA Tour and DP World Tour pro, Ryo Hisatsune.

Since being appointed in 2019, the pair have enjoyed an incredibly successful time together. This includes his 2021 Masters win and five of his PGA Tour successes.

Although winning at the start of the season at The Sentry, Matsuyama has endured a fairly quiet campaign so far.

Other than that victory, he has failed to enter the top-10 of any tournament he has played and has missed the cut on three occasions.

He has started well at the Rocket Classic this week, though, shooting a six-under-par first round - four shots off the lead - thanks to a couple of late chip-ins down the stretch.

It's set to be a soft Quail Hollow this week following downpours on Monday in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and more rain on the way according to the PGA Championship weather forecast.

Fans were not allowed on-site all day before a downpour hit in the afternoon to leave the course waterlogged.

Footage emerged of the heavy rains on social media before a now-viral clip surfaced of PGA Championship hopeful Hideki Matsuyama grinding on his putting.

The green Matsuyama was putting on appeared to be flooded, and unplayable, but it didn't stop the 2021 Masters champion going through his drills alongside his dedicated team, one of which was holding an umbrella over him as the rain continued to thud down.

The clip was posted on Instagram by two-time PGA Tour winner Austin Eckroat with the caption of: "This guy wants it."

Matsuyama is among the favorites in the PGA Championship betting odds this week, with the World No.7 finishing T5th and just three back of winner Justin Thomas the last time Quail Hollow hosted the PGA in 2017.

His backers will surely be impressed by his work ethic shown on Monday, but perhaps a little concerned that he may be dealing with some issues on the greens.

The 11-time PGA Tour winner, who was last victorious at The Sentry in January with a remarkable 35-under-par winning score, currently ranks 80th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the 2025 PGA Tour season.

He finished T17th at last week's Truist Championship, where he closed with a disappointing 73 and lost over 2.7 strokes on the greens.

He has made every single one of his 12 PGA Championship cuts, with his best finishes of T4 and T5 coming in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

After a record score in winning last week, Hideki Matsuyama had one of the most memorable holes ever at the Sony Open but perhaps not for the right reasons.

The Japanese star shot a PGA Tour record 35 under to win The Sentry last week, but he hit the headlines at the Sony Open for different reasons in the second consecutive event in Hawaii.

Matsuyama carded a first-round 67 to sit on three under, just three shots off the first round lead at Waialae Country Club - but that only begins to tell the story of his eye-catching ninth hole.

It started with the former Masters champion loading up to hammer a drive on the scoreable par-5, although to give it too much effort as his driver came out of his hands and cartwheeled into the crowd.

The 32-year-old raced over to the fans to apologise and check everyone was alright, but there was still more to come.

Facing a tricky second shot of around 180 yards, Matsuyama had some classic Hawaian palm tress in his path so had to take evasive action.

However, he didn't catch his shot properly and his ball headed right at the trees, but managed to find the smallest of gaps to fit through and fly off towards the green.

Matsuyama shocked himself with that one and looked more than a touch embarrassed with what was a bit of a fluke shot.

And just as golf is, Matsuyama then chipped up from 30 yards short of the green and casually knocked in a seven footer for birdie.

It all added up to the most unlikely but most watchable birdie of the season so far and one that makes for great viewing even if not packed with the usual quality you'd expect from Matsuyama.

Professional golfers are always looking for ways to save shots and, quite often, they will analyse their fellow peers to see how they can gain an advantage in tournament play.

In the case of Hideki Matsuyama, the former Major winner reportedly noticed that more players on the circuit are now experimenting with centre-shafted putters and, after using one for himself at The Sentry, the Japanese star has set a new PGA Tour record.

Playing in his first PGA Tour event of 2025, Matsuyama fired rounds of 65, 65, 62 and 65 to finish 35-under-par and win the title, setting the new PGA Tour scoring record in the process.

Obviously, the score was down to his overall game but, one other reason is down to his move to game a prototype Scotty Cameron 009M putter that featured a centre shaft.

According to reports, Matsuyama asked Scotty Cameron to build him one with these specs, claiming "I saw somebody else using it and I thought 'this looks good,' so I had them make one and I'm using it this week."

Certainly, the move worked for Matsuyama, as he gained +5.419 in the Strokes Gained: Putting department, ranking him third for the week. On top of that, the 32-year-old ranked second in terms of both 'feet of putts made' (98') and 'putts per GIR' (1.56).

Speaking after his win, the now 11-time PGA Tour winner remained tight-lipped about the putter though, simply stating: "I received the putter after Christmas, and I used the putter for the first time here. I'm not sure (why the putter worked so well), but it went in, so..."

Although unclear as to whether the Scotty Cameron 009M prototype will remain in the bag for Matsuyama, we do know that Matsuyama does possess a large number of Scotty's himself, with Cameron revealing that Matsuyama has the largest collection of his putters.

"Early on he was a Cameron fan," stated Cameron to Golf Monthly back in 2021. "He was at school then got into college and our fitting studio in Hamamatsu, Japan is where he would hang out. Hideki has been coming there since he was 16 and he maybe gets the most putters made for him.

"He loves to be surprised with a new putter, he says it energises him and gets him re-focused and excited on something new. He's always looking for the next greatest Scotty, so I'm gonna say probably Hideki has one of the greatest collections."

In Matsuyama's last three victories on the PGA Tour he has gamed different Scotty Cameron models. Along with the 009M prototype in Hawaii, he primarily uses a Newport 2 style model, which secured him his Masters title in 2021.

Matsuyama also put a Scotty Cameron Craftsman tour prototype in the bag for his FedEx St. Jude Invitational last year, as well as a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Timeless GSS tour prototype putter for his Genesis Invitational win in February 2024.

Hideki Matsuyama set a new PGA Tour scoring record over 72 holes on his way to winning The Sentry by three strokes on Sunday.

The 2021 Masters champion carded a final round of 65 (-8) to finish the week on 35-under and break Cameron Smith's record by one shot. Smith had set the previous benchmark at the same tournament and course three years prior, but a birdie on the final hole for Matsuyama helped the Japanese golfer create more history.

Matsuyama's fourth round featured a hole-out eagle at the third before he extended an extraordinary record of consecutive birdies on the fifth hole by landing his 20th in succession.

A rare bogey before the turn gave runner-up, Collin Morikawa brief hope, but the American was struggling to generate any real momentum on the front side and watched helplessly as Matsuyama reeled off four birdies over the next five holes to reestablish complete control.

After three pars between the 13th and 15th holes, it looked as though the scoring record might evade Matsuyama, but the 32-year-old found gains at the 16th and 18th to stand alone and pick up his 11th PGA Tour title and third in the past 12 months.

Speaking via a translator immediately after the final putt had dropped, Matsuyama said: "I was able to have a great off-season and get a fresh start this week and play well this week, so it was a great way to start.

"I knew Collin was going to play good today, so I was going to say, hey, I'm going to shoot 10-under today, and that's the attitude I had today.

"That last putt, it felt like if I make it, then it's going to be the record, so I'm so happy that it went in."

While there was delight for Matsuyama, his Sunday playing partner Morikawa felt the sting of regret after starting the day trailing by one before his six-under 67.

The American said: "Just going through the shots I left out there. There was a good handful that I wish I could have back. When you don't get it done, that's where your mind goes to.

"I know there is a lot of positives, and it's going to take me a few hours or a day to get over it. It's just, how do you clean things up for four rounds?

"It's tough to win, and I've seen it over this kind of past year. And like I said, I love being in this position, this is a position you want to be in, I want to keep giving myself chances, I know they're going to come.

"When Zozo happened you just know if you keep knocking at the door and, you know, we're going to go on a roll pretty soon, it's just hopefully sooner rather than later."

Sungjae Im finished third on 29-under, four strokes ahead of Jhonattan Vegas in fourth. Ludvig Aberg, Thomas Detry, and Corey Conners all ended in a tie for fifth on 24-under-par.

A lower back problem has forced Hideki Matsuyama to withdraw from the BMW Championship just ahead of the second round in Colorado.

The Japanese golfer shot a five-under 67 at Castle Pines Golf Club to sit just a shot behind leader Keegan Bradley after the first round, but suffered back pain while warming up for round two on Friday morning.

The former Masters champion came into the event in great form after winning the FedEx St Jude Championship last week, and after a fine start was a favourite to contend again.

But after warming up, he said the back pain he felt made it "impossible to play" in the second round, so was forced to withdraw from the tournament.

"I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the BMW Championship after experiencing lower back discomfort while warming up this morning, which made it impossible to play today," Matsuyama said in a statement.

"Thank you to BMW and the Western Golf Association for a great experience here at Castle Pines."

Matsuyama teed off at Castle Pines in third place in the FedEx Cup standings, with only Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler ahead of him.

Winning the first FedEx Cup Playoffs event last week gave him an added bump up the standings, after previously winning the Genesis Invitational back in February.

The full extent of his injury has not been disclosed, but despite withdrawing from the BMW Championship, Matsuyama will still be able to play in next week's Tour Championship if he is fit.

His place in the standings is secure enough that even with collecting no points this week he'll still be in the top 30 that will make it to the final event at East Lake.

The timing of the injury is still a concern for Matsuyama though, with not only the Tour Championship coming up next week but also the President's Cup on the horizon next month.

Matsuyama is set to be one of the International Team's leaders and he was obviously in a rich vein of form when you throw in the bronze medal he won at the 2024 Paris Olympics before then going on to win the St Jude.

Hideki Matsuyama regained his composure to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a birdie-birdie finish after earlier seemingly having blown his big 54-hole lead at TPC Southwind. 

He started the final round on -17 with a five-shot advantage over his nearest rival, Nick Dunlap. The Japanese pro, who won bronze at the Olympics, then had a huge escape in the final round when he avoided a two-shot penalty for treading down a pitch mark in the vicinity of his line when off the green.

But the episode on the seventh, which was brought to Matsuyama's attention on the 12th, threatened to derail his round as he then made his first bogey on the 12th before dropping three further shots , including going on the water on the 14th in Memphis. 

Yet Matsuyama belatedly regained his composure after briefly losing the lead to Viktor Hovland before he finished brilliantly with birdies on the last two holes. That completed an even par round to disappoint Hovland and Xander Schauffele in the clubhouse on -15 hoping for a play-off. Schauffele shot a superb 63, which even included lipping out with a chip at the last.

Matsuyama's 10th win on the PGA Tour, to earn  $3.6 million, was just days on from an incident in London where he, his caddie Shota Hayafuji, and his coach were victims of a robbery. The pro had his wallet taken while both caddie and coach were dispossessed of their respective passports, forcing them to return back to Japan for new ones.

Elsewhere there was drama down the leaderboard too as the likes of Nick Dunlap, Cam Davis and Max Greyserman secured top 50 spots in the FedEx Cup ahead of the BMW Championship next week while Tom Kim missed out.

FedEx St Jude Championship Leaderboard

-17 Hideki Matsuyama

-15 Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland 

-14 Scottie Scheffler 

-13 Sam Burns, Nick Dunlap

-12 Wyndham Clark, Robert MacIntyre

-11 Denny McCarthy

-10 Billy Horschel, Seamus Power

Updates from...

Welcome

Hello to all and welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of the FedEx St Jude Championship final round at TPC Southwind.

The first round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs is heading towards its conclusion, and although it appears as if Matsuyama will be claiming the title, there is no shortage of storylines and interesting threads to follow for the other 69 players involved. 

The leaders are due off at 12:40pm CT (6:40pm BST), so sit back and enjoy as we bring you all of the key moments until a champion is crowned. Thank you for tuning in!

GREAT START FOR BURNS

Burns has started with a bang and a birdie in his bid to put Matsuyama under pressure. After a 302-yard drive down the fairway, he put his wedge from 107 yards to 18 feet and drained the putt. Boom.

SCHEFFLER UNDERWAY AS FINDS FAIRWAY

Scottie Scheffler has begun his hunt. He has split the fairway with a 268-yard drive and has 147 yards to the pin. If he comes from behind to win today that would eclipse his best comeback to triumph which was from five shots back earlier this year over Brian Harman at the Players. Scheffler is 40 yards behind playing partner Viktor Hovland who took driver instead.

Wyndham Clark is on a tear

Clark is up to -9 following a -3 start for five holes today. 

SCHEFFLER WITH AN EARLY BIRDIE LOOK ON THE FIRST

World No.1 and new Olympic champion Scheffler has fired in a wedge from 148 yards to eight feet at the first which he converts. That will boost his confidence with the flat-stick. 

MATSUYAMA FINDS THE FAIRWAY OFF THE FIRST

Matsuyama is underway with a three-wood off the first with a 274 yard drive which he drills in close from 141 yards in an impressive start but his putt slides by from about eight feet as playing partner Nick Dunlap makes birdie from close range to cut the lead to four. 

SCHEFFLER HANDS SHOT STRAIGHT BACK AT SECOND

After an opening birdie, Scheffler has made a mess of the second and handed his gain straight back. Scheffler missed the fairway on the right off the tee, found sand and splashed out past the flag to 20 feet.

Open champion Xander Schauffele climbs into potential contention

Troon hero Xander Schauffele is -2 today for three holes and -10 in total as the in-form American makes an early move. Denny McCarthy is also up to -10.

MATSUYAMA OPENS WITH SECOND SUCCESSIVE PAR

Matsuyama has gone close with a long birdie try on the second but gets another stress free tap in par. Meanwhile in the pack behind him Sam Burns has picked up a second birdie in three holes to get to -12.

PACK CONTINUING TO BUNCH UP BEHIND LEADER

After opening with successive pars, Matsuyama will have a good birdie chance at the par 5 third where he is pin high in two in the fringe. But behind him the likes of Hovland and Scheffler have made ground and are both -1 today.

SCHEFFLER PLAY FINE SHOT INTO FIRST PAR 3

Scottie Scheffler has played a decent shot in at the fourth to the 191-yard par 3 , which has water on the left. Scheffler will have a birdie look from 21 feet. 

PRESSURE FOR THOSE TRYING TO MAKE TOP 50 TOO

There is not just pressure at the top of the leaderboard because pros are competing to make the top 50 to make the BMW Championship in the FedEx Cup. 

MATSUYAMA AND DUNLAP FAIL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FIRST PAR 5

Disappointment for Matsuyama on the par 5 third after the Japanese bronze medallist from the Olympics put his fairway wood pin high in the rough from his second. He then fluffed his chip and remains level par today.

MATSUYAMA CONTINUING TO PLOD ALONG AT FOURTH

Leader Matsuyama has flown the par 3 fourth with his tee shot and will do well to make par again. He has then chipped up to four feet but it looks to be above the hole leaving a downhill putt which he makes. 

Xander Schauffele makes another birdie 

If Matsuyama is scoreboard watcher, he might be getting slightly concerned now by Xander Schauffele coming up the rails fast. The Open champion is in a tie for third now after going -4 for six holes after a birdie on the sixth. 

DUNLAP BOOMS A BIG DRIVE DOWN FIFTH BUT STRUGGLING TO MAKE PAR

Dunlap has driven his tee shot 334-yards at the long par 4 fifth. He has given himself a decent angle into the green from 168 yards but he didn't get a good lie and his effort comes up short. He is then unhappy with his chip which runs past the hole as he drops a shot but Matsuyama has a tap in par though as he restores his five-shot lead.

SCHEFFLER JOINS SCHAUFFELE IN CHASE

Scheffler is now -2 for his round after a birdie at the sixth and is -12 in total in a tie for second. The Olympic golf medallist put a wedge from 115 yards to 10 feet and holed the putt. 

MATSUYAMA WITH A BIRDIE LOOK AT THE SIXTH

Matsuyama is still searching for his first birdie of the day after opening with five straight pars. He has a putt for a birdie three on the par 4 sixth after a wedge from 115 yards to 15 feet. It stays out though as the leader remains -17 which gives the pack hope including playing partner Dunlap who makes a decent up and down to stay -12 - five behind.

GREAT FINISH FROM Maverick McNealy

Fantastic finish from McNealy who was -3 for his final three holes, including an eagle from the sand, to get into the top 10 here and move into the top 50 in the FedEx Cup points to in all likelihood book his spot for next week.

SCHEFFLER FIRES IN GOOD SHOT AT PAR 3 EIGHTH

Scheffler has another birdie look to cut Matsuyama's lead after a fine tee shot straight at the flag at the par 3 eighth which will leave him a putt from 18 feet. 

CONTRASTING FORTUNES FOR FINAL PAIR AT THE SEVENTH

Dunlap and Matsuyama both hit decent drives down the seventh but Matsuyama's wedge from 125 yards came up short and spun backwards to leave a chip from 33 feet while Dunlap's approach came in over the flag and is six foot away. Dunlap makes his putt but the leader gets up and down.

OMENS LOOKING GOOD FOR MATSUYAMA 

Matsuyama, who began with his biggest ever 54-hole lead, is level par after seven holes which is what he produced when he won the Masters. He has now hit the eighth green too where he will have a 38 feet putt for birdie which he drops.

LAST YEAR'S FEDEX CHAMP VIKTOR HOVLAND RIGHT UP THERE

Hovland, who won the FedEx Cup last season and $18million, is -2 at the turn and -13 in total as he moves to within five of the lead after birdies on the eighth and ninth. 

MATSUYAMA -1 FOR HIS ROUND AT THE TURN

Matsuyama continues to go along steadily after reaching the turn -1 and -18 in total. He is five ahead and it will take something special to beat him on the back nine as he is driving the ball well and doesn't look to have any big errors in his game at the moment...but we thought that last week with Max Greyserman too! 

SCHAUFFELE HAS A CHANCE TO GET TO -13 

Cracking approach from 119 yards from Xander Schauffele at the 12th to give him a great birdie chance from four feet. That would get him to -13 and into a tie for second as he makes it.

MATSUYAMA GOES OVER THE BACK OF THE 10TH

Matsuyama is over the back of the par 4 10th despite having 140yards with his approach. He now has a tricky chip back over a ridge to a front flag which he executes superbly to four feet as he makes par and Nick Dunlap three putts.

IS SCHAUFFELE COMPILING ANOTHER VINTAGE FINAL ROUND?!

Schauffele has won two Majors this year with brilliant final round displays and he is building another one here after a birdie on the 13th to get to -6 for his round and -14 in total in second place by himself with five holes left.

MATSUYAMA CONTINUES TO BE SUPER FRONTRUNNER

Every time someone threatens to haul Matsuyama back, the Japanese pro drops a birdie to keep his big lead. It is now five shots after a cracking two at the par 3 11th which is an island green. 

HUGE DRAMA AS MATSUYAMA ASSESSED FOR A TWO SHOT PENALTY

Big developments as Matsuyama has been approached by tour officials over repairing his pitch mark when he was off the green on the seventh which was potentially in his line of play. But he has escaped with no penalty. He can consider himself fortunate there as he clearly trod on his own pitch mark even though he was off the green. He has escaped after insisting it wasn't on his line as his chip pitched further left. 

MATSUYAMA'S SUFFERS FIRST BOGEY OF DAY AFTER TALKING TO BY RULES OFFICIAL

Matsuyama was spoken to by rules officials on the 12th over an incident at the seventh. He escaped a potential penalty but went on to drop a shot with his first bogey of the day.

MATSUYAMA DRIVES INTO SAND ON THE 13TH

Fresh from dropping his first shot on the 12th after being approached over a potential rules infringement en-route to his first bogey of the day, leader Matsuyama has now driven into the sand on the 13th but he has still found the putting surface and now has a clutch five-foot putt to save par which he makes.

GREYSERMAN SWEATING ON A TOP 50 SPOT

After his final round meltdown last week to blow his first PGA Tour title, Greyserman has finished well today and is hoping to get into the top 50. 

MATSUYAMA DUNKS HIS TEE SHOT IN WATER ON 14TH

Matsuyama appeared in total control on the front nine but has not looked so composed since being spoken to by rules officials on the 12th. Now at the 14th his round has hit a new low after he dunked his tee shot at the par 3 into the drink. He has taken a drop and chipped up close to six foot to crucially hole out for his bogey. 

GAME ON IN THE CLOSING STRETCH

Matsuyama's bogey on the 14th after going in the water means his once five-shot lead is down to two shots after birdies by Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland. We are set for an exciting finish here. 

MATSUYAMA'S MISSES THE 15TH GREEN WITH HIS APPROACH

Matsuyama's trials and tribulations continue at the 15th where he has missed the green with a wedge from 143-yards which has flown the green. He has then failed to get on the green in three with a poor chip before promptly quickly playing his fourth shot which comes up 20-feet short. The Japanese pro is +2 today and is clearly rattled. His double bogey means he is no longer leading. That privilege goes to Hovland who is -5 today.  

HOVLAND IS NOW LEADING ON HIS OWN AT -16

Hovland is -5 for the day and leading now after Matsuyama's dramatic meltdown. The Norwegian is on the 17th where he has missed the fairway on the right from where he has played up into a green side trap and splashed out past the hole. 

MATSUYAMA AND DUNLAP PUT ON THE CLOCK

Matsuyama's mind looks scrambled and now to add to his woes his pairing with Nick Dunlap have been put on the clock for being too slow as he has dropped four shots in his last four holes. But he could pull a shot back on the 16th where he is just short of the par five in two.

SCHAUFFELE IN THE CLUBHOUSE ON -15

Schauffele's brilliant 63 puts him in the clubhouse on -15. Will it be enough with Matsuyama in freefall after his chat with the rules officials while Hovland will do well not to drop a shot on the 17th.

HOVLAND DROPS A SHOT WITH BOGEY ON 17TH

Hovland is back to -15 after a bogey on the 17th and now Matsuyama could go back infront if he makes birdie on the par 5 16th but his effort misses and the duo are tied at -15 with Schauffele who is in the clubhouse 

HOVLAND MAKES FINE DRIVE UP THE LAST

Hovland could win this with a birdie at the last. He has boomed a 299-yard drive to open up the par 4 and stuck his approach from 174 yards in close but he fails to convert it and finishes on -15.

MATSUYAMA ON 17TH IN REGULATION

Joint leader Matsuyama is on the 17th in two and has a long birdie look from 26 feet which he has rolled in to get back infront as he pumps his fist in delight. 

MATSUYAMA NOW NEEDS A PAR AT THE LAST TO WIN AS MAKES GOOD DRIVE

Hovland's bogey , par finish means Matsuyama needs a par at the last to win the tournament after an extremely eventful final round. The bronze medallist has failed to find a single fairway on the back nine but has bombed a drive up the last on to the short stuff.

MATSUYAMA 280-YARD DRIVE LEAVES HIM IN PRIME POSITION

Matsuyama is in great shape needing a par at the last and he has 158 yards to the pin. Playing partner Nick Dunlap is already on the green in regulation as he looks to secure a top 50 place.

BRILLIANT APPROACH TO THE LAST FOR HIDEKI

Hideki has the title in the bag now surely after an outrageous approach to the last which went on an aggressive line over water straight at the flag. He now has a two putts from six foot for the title.

MATSUYAMA FINISHES WITH SUCCESSIVE BIRDIES

Matsuyama has finished birdie , birdie in style to win after looking like he had blown it when he lost the lead to Viktor Hovland. What a thrilling finish.

Hideki Matsuyama has detailed the robbery he and his team experienced in London that saw his caddie and coach both have their passports stolen.

The Japanese star says he was out in London during a stopover between Paris and Memphis when his caddie's bag was stolen at a restaurant.

It resulted in both his caddie and coach heading back to Japan to try and sort new passports, with his bagman Shota Hayafuji set to return to caddie duties in two weeks' time at the Tour Championship.

"It was an unfortunate situation. Luckily I only lost my wallet, but Shota, my caddie, and the coach, lost their passports, and we're trying hard now to get their visas back in line, and hopefully we can join us as a team as soon as possible," Matsuyama explained.

"We were just on our way back from Paris. We were just going to spend one night in London, and it happened in downtown London.

"We didn't even know it happened. We were just having a friendly dinner, and Shota was the first one, 'hey, where is my bag?' Of course it was frustrating, but we really didn't know it happened. It was just kind of all of a sudden.

"Yeah, he just took it and ran."

Matsuyama has Ryo Hisatsune's usual caddie Taiga Tabuchi on the bag for this week's FedEx St Jude Championship, and he said he did a "great job" in their first round together, where the Olympic bronze medallist shot a five-under-par 65.

"I have a new caddie on the bag. Kind of reminded me of the first time Shota was on my bag. We kind of worked through a couple things," he said.

"Really that was the main thing today is having teamwork with my caddie. Playing well, and I don't know how Shota is going to take it, but we'll work that out.

"My job is the same. It's just play golf. I talk to my coach every night on the phone. I've got a great caddie. Taiga did a great job today, so we'll just see how it goes."

Matsuyama currently ranks 8th in the FedEx Cup standings so is safe in the knowledge that he'll be at East Lake for the Tour Championship finale, where someone will lift the FedEx Cup and the $25m bonus.

Hideki Matsuyama, his caddie Shota Hayafuji and coach Mikihito Kuromiya were all victims of a robbery in London last week.

The Japanese group were in the English capital for a brief stopover following the Paris 2024 Olympic games - where Matsuyama claimed bronze - and were due to fly over to America for the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs.

However, while they were in London, Matsuyama had his wallet stolen and both Hayafuji and Kuromiya were robbed of their passports. The 2021 Masters champion did not have his bronze medal taken, thankfully, and was seen posing with it once he arrived in the US.

As a result of the theft, Matsuyama's caddie and coach were forced to return to Japan in order to have their passports and visas reissued. To add insult to what is already a traumatic situation, the very earliest they will be able to make it out to the United States of America is just before the Tour Championship in two week's time.

Speaking to Golf Digest Japan, Matsuyama said: "There's a chance they'll make it, but we have to go into [the FedEx Cup Playoffs] thinking it's close to zero."

Without Hayafuji at his side, the 32-year-old will have Taiga Tabuchi at his side for the Playoffs, the caddie who recently worked with PGA Tour and DP World Tour pro, Ryo Hisatsune.

Matsuyama express his gratitude to Tabuchi and says he plans to take on all of the responsibility for his game over the next fortnight.

The Japanese pro said: "I'm glad he accepted. He's worked with Hisatsune this year, so I think he knows the ropes, and he can speak English, so I can rely on him.

"I'm going to play golf as if I went back to the way I was before I had a coach. I feel like all the responsibility is on me. I'm looking forward to that for the first time in a while. I want to pass on to [Tabuchi] what I've cultivated with Shota [Hayafuji] on the course."

Matsuyama begins his Playoff campaign at the FedEx St Jude Championship - hosted by TPC Southwind - this week before likely moving on to the BMW Championship at Castle Pines via the top-50 in the standings days later.

The former World No.2 will hope to see both his long-standing caddie and coach return ahead of the Tour Championship at East Lake towards the end of the month, with the current FedEx Cup No.8 aiming to make up for last season's relative failure - it was the first time in his career that Matsuyama had failed to finish inside the top-30 at play for the FedEx Cup title.

Rory McIlroy's long-time friend and solo music artist, Niall Horan has taken up part ownership in the Northern Irishman's TGL club, Boston Common.

Horan's Greenbridge Ventures will back Boston in the new tech-infused league alongside Fenway Sports Group and McIlroy's own Symphony Ventures, with the former One Direction singer also serving as an ambassador for the team and bringing his combined social-media following of 72 million on board.

After meeting McIlroy in Sydney, Australia during 2014, the Irish singer - who is a huge golf fan himself and recently held a handicap of eight - has gone on to caddy for McIlroy at The Masters Par 3 contest, famously falling over while carrying the four-time Major winner's clubs. 

Horan has also travelled around the world to support McIlroy at various events, including the Ryder Cup and Dubai Desert Classic - as well as playing alongside the Northern Irishman in several Pro-Ams.

In a statement on Boston Common's website, Horan said: “Golf has been a lifelong passion of mine and I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting new venture alongside my investment group Greenbridge Ventures in partnership with Fenway Sports Group and Rory, who has been a longtime friend.

“I can’t wait to experience team golf in this unique format that merges technology with green grass play. Being able to combine my love for the game and my friendship with Rory into a relationship that helps launch a new concept in golf is truly special. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I think this new league backed by both Tiger Woods and Rory and team will bring a fresh perspective to the sport I adore.”

TGL will feature six teams of four players taking it in turns to hit shots into a giant simulator screen, finishing out the hole in the real-space short-game area which includes an adaptable green complex inside the bespoke SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The inaugural season - which begins in January 2025 following a year's delay - will include 15 matches per team, plus the end-of-term playoffs, in two-hour primetime slots on ESPN and ESPN+ at the start of the week.

Six teams are slated to compete next year, with Boston taking on Atlanta Drive GC, Jupiter Links GC, Los Angeles Golf Club, New York Golf Club and the Bay Golf Club. Among those teams, investors include high-profile athletes such as Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Steph Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Other backers include Arthur Blank, Steve Cohen, Alexis Ohanian, Marc Lasry, and Woods' Jupiter GC partner, David Blitzer.

And the newest player signing to the tech-infused league is Hideki Matsuyama - the World No.12 and 2021 Masters champion. The first Japanese man ever to win a Major will team up with McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, and Adam Scott in the Boston Common squad - replacing LIV golfer Tyrrell Hatton.

The Englishman was rendered ineligible for the PGA Tour-affiliated competition after his move to the 54-hole rival circuit in January, and McIlroy's squad moved to sign up a nine-time PGA Tour winner as his replacement.

Speaking to Boston Common's media team about the news, Matsuyama said: “I’m excited to join Boston Common Golf and be a part of TGL. Teaming up with Rory, Keegan, and Adam – three incredible players I deeply respect – fills me with excitement and anticipation.

"Together, I hope we can push the boundaries of golf and create an unforgettable new experience for fans around the world. Most importantly, I am looking forward to the four of us winning championships together.”

The four Boston players have all won at least one Major championship, with McIlroy owning four and his three teammates earning victories at the 2011 PGA Championship (Bradley), 2013 Masters (Scott), and 2021 Masters (Matsuyama).

The Common club bringing in Matsuyama not only offers them a quality player, but also a huge name in the Asian market - supplementing iconic faces from the US, Australia, and Europe.

Discussing the move, Boston Common Golf president and CEO, Mark Lev, said: “On behalf of Boston Common Golf and everyone at Fenway Sports Group, I want to express our deep appreciation to Hideki for joining this groundbreaking venture that will showcase team golf like never before.

“Hideki’s calm demeanor and resilience will perfectly complement Rory’s dynamic skills, Adam’s experience, and Keegan’s tenacity, making us a formidable force. His historic Masters victory, technical precision, and unwavering work ethic have solidified his place among golf’s elite, and with him, we become a team of players representing four continents, each a Major champion.

"His commitment to promoting golf globally and in Japan through youth clinics is inspiring a new generation and we are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Hideki Matsuyama suffered a dreaded double-hit when chipping at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, but responded in style with a chip-in eagle on the very next hole.

The Genesis Invitational winner finished his round on five under, tied for second just a shot behind leader Shane Lowry thanks to a rule change that prevented him from having any penalty strokes for his error.

The Japanese star's chip out of the greenside rough at 15 ballooned up into the air and caught his wedge a second time, which until a 2019 rule change would have cost him two penalty shots.

After missing a par save from 10 feet, it cost Matsuyama his one bogey of the day, but it's still better than what he initially thought.

And the former Masters champion responded like a Major champion should, as he chipped in from 50 feet on the par-five 16th for an eagle.

That helped him make a flying finish to his round of 67 that he feared could've been two shots worse after admitting he wasn't sure if a penalty was coming his way after the double hit.

"It wasn't like a difficult lie or anything, just hit it in the air," Matsuyama said after his round. 

"I was like, Oh, shoot, it hit. I wasn't sure if that was a penalty or not, but I asked the caddie, and he mentioned it's not a penalty, so I was able to keep my game going."

The double hit may have in part been caused by continuing back pain Matsuyama was struggle with during his first round - which he said caused him to take something off his shots throughout.

"My back was not feeling perfect," he addmited. "But I was kind of hitting, kind of protecting myself, so, but I feel like I was able to keep the momentum from the previous tournament, so I think that really helped.

"It happened maybe like two years ago. It didn't get worse since then. But my leg is a little numb right now, so it's really not the perfect condition."

It remains to be see how Matsuyama's back will hinder him for the second round or whether some treatment overnight will help loosen it up.

Matsuyama will not want to withdraw after maintaining some of the form that took him to his victory at Riviera last month - and if he can get away with a double hit and still be challenging he must be playing well.

The PGA Tour returns to Detroit this weekend for one of the most popular summer events in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Like what we saw last week at TPC River Highlands, where the winning score was well over -20, the world’s best should tear this course up again. 

With the lack of elevated status, this week’s field is as expected light without the top players in the world, as Tony Finau and Colin Morikawa lead the way amongst the highest ranked in the field. Let’s take a closer look at my top five for the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

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Rocket Mortgage Classic Odds

Rocket Mortgage Classic Course - Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, MI

Despite coming in at nearly 7,400 yards, longer than the Tour average, the best in the world have been known to eat this course (and its greens up). When the weather is nice, which we expect this week, the greens are amongst the friendliest on Tour. 

A Donald Ross design, Detroit Golf Club is a Par 72 that was founded in 1899, making it one of the oldest golf courses in regular rotation on the PGA Tour. One thing to look out for this week, the course suffered extreme damage due to a storm last weekend, and as such, some greens have been freshly surfaced. 

Rocket Mortgage Classic Power Rankings

Tony Finau (+1400) Bet $100 to collect $1,500 Get the best Tony Finau odds at DraftKings

Tony Finau dominated this event last year, winning with four straight days under 67 finishing the week at -27. He has been in a rut as of late since winning the Mexico Open in April, but this is the exact place to get the spark back. 

Rickie Fowler (+1400) Bet $100 to collect $1,500 Head to DraftKings for the best Rickie Fowler odds

The pain of losing the US Open has likely worn off for Rickie Fowler, as he returns to a place he’s had success at in the past. 

Collin Morikawa (+1400) Bet $100 to collect $1,500 DraftKings has the best Collin Morikawa odds

Making his debut here, Collin Morikawa finished T14 at the US Open and has quietly been playing some stellar golf despite last week’s missed cut. 

Max Homa (+1800) Bet $100 to collect $1,900 Go to DraftKings for the best Max Homa odds

Max Homa missed the cut at the US Open and last week at the Travelers but returns to a course he’s had success with an average score of 69.3 per round. 

Justin Thomas (+1800) Bet $100 to collect $1,900 For the best Justin Thomas odds go to DraftKings

There aren’t many tournaments left for Justin Thomas to make his debut, but he will be this week and comes in off a top 10 at the Travelers.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic is the next event set to get underway on the PGA Tour circuit. It’s the fifth annual edition of the RMC, held at Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan. The course has yielded red scorecards galore since its inception in 2019 when Nate Lashley set a first-round course record at -9-under-par en route to his -25-under-par victory at the inaugural RMC.

Last year, Tony Finau scorched the entire course, going -26-under-par to beat Lashley’s 2019 record by one stroke. Again, Finau leads the field at 12/1 odds for his current outright value. Still, his inconsistency in the last five events following his outright win at the Mexico Open makes him a risky favorite to pursue. Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, and Max Homa round out the top five outright betting favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, ranging from +1400 to +1800. 

It’s a relatively deep field despite the absence of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and World No. 2 Jon Rahm. Tom Kim and Cameron Young flashed in certain rounds at the 2022 RMC, plus Keegan Bradley is fresh off of a dominant -26-under-par outright win at Travelers. Sungjae Im is certainly a force with his irons. Cam Davis has been quietly producing quality, albeit inconsistent, finishes, returning to the only event he has won during his four years on the PGA Tour. Let’s explore the current outright betting odds, followed by previous winners, a few relevant betting stats, and an in-depth Detroit Golf Club course layout.

We’ll finish with my top players to target for outright betting tickets and explain why each one is worth wagering on ahead of Thursday’s opening round from the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. 

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Rocket Mortgage Betting Odds

2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic Betting Preview

Previous Winners

• 2022 - Tony Finau (-26)
• 2021 - Cam Davis (-18)
• 2020 - Bryson DeChambeau (-23)
• 2019 - Nate Lashley (-25)

Relevant Betting Stats

• Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green
• Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee
• Driving Accuracy percentage
• Strokes Gained Putting
• Birdie Average
• Scrambling

Course Layout

Detroit Golf Club is a Donald Ross design, playing as a par 72 that runs just under 7,400 yards. This is the first time in several PGA Tour events that four par 5 holes will be featured throughout the course, each running various lengths, including the 635-yard fourth hole. Narrow fairways with undulations are the main challenge to overcome at Detroit GC, as the greens are slightly under average in size but tend to cede plenty of birdies and eagles.

The tree-lined, doglegged fairways will create challenging lies with errant tee shots, while there are much fewer water hazards than we saw at TPC River Highlands. Greens have been modified recently to increase the pace of putting velocity, but Tony Finau and four other golfers netted -20-under-par or lower on their final scorecard last year. Accuracy off the tee will be huge, along with strokes gained off-the-tee, tee-to-green, and of course, strokes gained putting. Players who can hit greens in regulation while sinking putts on their first attempt is the specific skillset to target when competing at Detroit Golf Club.

Top Players To Bet For Outright Rocket Mortgage Classic Winner

Hideki Matsuyama (+1600) (Bet $100 to collect $1,700) Get the best Hideki Matsuyama odds at DraftKings

Any time we’ve seen Hideki Matsuyama at the RMC, he’s been solid, excluding his withdrawal after the first round in 2021. The Japanese native has been heating up lately, recording two T20 finishes in two of his previous three events played. Matsuyama is ranked 14th in strokes gained tee-to-green, 21st in approaching the green, eighth around the green, and eighth in scrambling. His putter has been a weak point in his game this season, but Matsuyama is rounding into form, returning to a course where he’s logged previous finishes of T13 and T21 in 2019 and 2020. At 16/1, let’s wager a healthy unit or two on one of the PGA Tour’s most proven players at a course that fits his skill set.

Cam Davis (+3000) (Bet $100 to collect $3,100) Head to DraftKings for the best Cam Davis odds

2021 RMC champion Cam Davis has climbed up to 30/1 for his outright odds after opening at 35/1 at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Aussie has only been on the PGA Tour for four seasons, with his lone win coming at Detroit Golf Club. When Davis is playing well, he can conquer any course, but his bad days can quickly erase him from atop the leaderboard. After missing the cut in 2019 and 2020, Davis won outright in a three-man playoff in 2021, then followed it up with a T14 finish in 2022. He went -12-under-par in his final two rounds at the 2022 RMC. Plus, he ranks ninth in strokes gained off-the-tee, 37th tee-to-green, and 12th in final-round scoring average. If he’s inside the top 20 once Sunday arrives, there’s a strong chance we cash his 30/1 outright odds, so let’s bet a unit or two for Davis to double-dip for his second career win at the same event, just like Corey Conners did at Valero earlier this year.

Brian Harman (+4000) (Bet $100 to collect $4,100) DraftKings has the best Brian Harman odds

Brian Harman has seen his outright odds climb from 40/1 to 35/1, so we need to get on this number ASAP before it gets even shorter. The 36-year-old Georgia native has two career wins, but he’s currently riding a six-year win drought. Harman has begun to find his rhythm lately, recording an impressive T2 finish at Travelers last week while recording a T7 at RBC Heritage a few months ago. Harman is either going to deliver a strong performance or miss the cut, but he’s only missed one cut in his last four events. Plus, he’s ranked 52nd in strokes gained putting, 46th off-the-tee, 32nd greens in regulation, and 30th in total driving. While he doesn’t completely dominate one metric, Harman’s constantly steady and positions himself nicely with sharp irons and tee shots, avoiding bad lies and navigating to pars and birdies. 35/1 is still good value; although Harman has been absent from the RMC the past two years after missing the cut in 2019 and 2020, but his current form overrides his course form for me, making him a solid prospect to bet a unit on for the 2023 RMC outright win.

Stephan Jaeger (+4500) (Bet $100 to collect $4,600) Go to DraftKings for the best Stephan Jaeger odds

German golfer Stephan Jaeger produced a T5 finish at the 2022 RMC, going -4-under-par or lower in each of his four rounds at Detroit GC. He has not had a strong year, logging one T25 finish in his last four events played, but he has made the cut in seven consecutive outings. The final round has been Jaeger’s Achilles heel, going 76-76-76-74 during this relative slump. I don’t expect that trend to continue at a course where Jaeger is comfortable playing, ranking 11th in strokes gained around the green, 31st tee-to-green, and finding greens in regulation over 68 percent of the time. Let’s sprinkle on the 34-year-old German’s 45/1 odds before he produces his signature low-scoring first round. 

The PGA Tour heads west to Detroit, Michigan, for the Rocket Mortgage Classic, a tournament that is still in its relative infancy. The event replaced the Quicken Loans National on the schedule and is the first PGA Tour event to be held completely in the Detroit city limits. Detroit Golf Club, an iconic Donald Ross design, is our host course, and while it may struggle to stand up to the modern game, it remains a wonderful course to watch golf on, and the event always produces great fan turnout and energy. 

While this is certainly a sleepy part of the jam-packed PGA Tour schedule, the Rocket Mortgage Classic will have its best field in tournament history, with 14 of the top 40 players in the Official World Golf Rankings. Tony Finau will return to defend his title, and he will be joined by the likes of Max Homa, Justin Thomas, Sungjae Im, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Tom Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, and recent Travelers Championship winner Keegan Bradley. I have always felt that this event deserves a stronger field, and it’s certainly exciting to see some of the World’s best show up in Detroit this week.

Before we get into our picks for the Rocket Mortgage Classic, make sure to take a moment to check out these awesome sports betting offers for this week. We have teamed up with OddsChecker to ensure that you turn $6 into $400 worth of guaranteed bonuses, or you can use one of the HUGE first bet offers to wager with more confidence on your 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic selections this week.

Rocket Mortgage Classic: Course Preview

Detroit Golf Club

Designed in 1916 by famed architect Donald Ross, Detroit Golf Club fits the prototype of a classical, tree-lined, Bent-grass course that pros tend to tear apart. While measuring a stout 7,370 yards on the scorecard, the golf course plays much shorter than that, as the average driving distance is nearly 10 yards longer than Tour average. Hot, humid, and muggy conditions aid in the distance, and this is not a golf course that in any way deters plays from bombing drivers on nearly every hole. Everything is all out in front of you at Detroit Golf Club, and there are no real hazards that players need to be concerned with. Last year, it ranked 35th out of 38 courses in a fraction of missed fairways that resulted in a penalty stroke and 37th out of 38 courses in penalty strokes per round. 

As a result, it should not be a surprise to see power hitters such as Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Davis, and Tony Finau win in the last three editions. While length off the tee is certainly advantageous at Detroit Golf Club, it’s far from a necessity. Wedge play and putting is still the name of the game. While elite drivers of the ball are not able to do much to separate themselves on this golf course, players who excel from inside 125 yards will have a huge advantage. Even more importantly, 40.1% of strokes gained at Detroit Golf Club have come with the flat stick, which certainly forces us to put the Ross design in the category of a “putting contest.” 

Like all Ross courses, these greens do have some character, and putting is the hardest strokes gained metric for players to gain strokes in, but the lack of firmness prevents these greens from truly having some bite. Putting inside 15 feet will remain absolutely essential this week, as scoring opportunities will be plentiful. I will primarily be looking for players who excel inside 125 yards, are elite at generating birdie looks, possess the ability to heat up with the putter and have a tendency to raise their baseline in easy scoring conditions.

Rocket Mortgage Classic Key Stats

• Long-term Proximity 100-150 yards
• Putting 5-15 feet
• Opportunities Gained

Rocket Mortgage Classic: Outright Winner

Tony Finau (+1200) (Bet $100 to collect $1,300) BetMGM has the best odds for Tony Finau

Despite being the defending champion, Tony Finau is flying relatively under the radar this week due to some understandable concerns about his recent form. While the six-time PGA Tour winner has failed to finish in the top 20 in his five starts since winning the Mexico Open, the ball-striking has never wavered. Finau is coming off a ho-hum 45th at the Travelers Championship, where he gained strokes in both ball-striking categories, including over three strokes off the tee. There’s absolutely nothing to prove in terms of course fit, and I would argue that Finau is a better player now than he was at this time last year. 

I would make that claim mainly due to the elevation of his approach play this season, as Finau remains the number two iron player in this field, behind only Collin Morikawa. Even more impressive is the fact that he ranks second in opportunities gained, third in birdies or better gained, first in par five scoring, and first in easy scoring conditions. My numbers suggest that despite a recent slump, Finau is still the class of this field, and this is the perfect time to buy on an elite talent that is playing far better than his results would suggest.

Mark Hubbard (+10000) (Bet $100 to collect $10,100) Head to DraftKings for the best Mark Hubbard odds

While I know Mark Hubbard disappointed many as a trendy pick last week at the Travelers Championship, I would not be so quick to hop off. Hubbard missed the cut on the number at TPC River Highlands while still gaining three strokes on approach. The 34-year-old’s irons have been absolutely on fire of late, as he has now gained over three strokes on approach in four straight starts. I love the way that Hubbard is hitting the ball right now, and I do not particularly feel that his lack of driving ability is really going to hurt him much at this course. 

With so many approach shots inside 125 yards, Detroit Golf Club should fit Hubbard’s ideal proximity ranges even better than the recent courses he has been tearing up. He also ranks 10th in this field in easy scoring conditions, and with strong performances at TPC River Highlands and TPC Deere Run, I have very little concern about his ability to keep up in a Bent-grass birdie-fest. While he has missed his last two cuts here, Hubbard finished 12th at the Ross design on debut and has gained ball-striking strokes in all three appearances. Coming off a very misleading missed cut, this is a great time to hop on one of the hottest approach players in the field.

You can see the power of odds comparison. OddsChecker has flagged that Mark Hubbard is +800 at BetMGM and Bet365 but +10000 at DraftKings. Claim an additional $200 in profit just by betting your $2000 on DraftKings this week.

Following his victory last month at the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka will undoubtedly enter this week’s US Open full of confidence. Along with his victory, the five-time Major champion also came close at Augusta National the month prior, when he faltered in the final round to finish second at The Masters to Jon Rahm.

However, the American made no mistake at Oak Hill in May as he put on a consummate and clinical ball-striking display to win by two strokes over Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland.

It marked a remarkable turnaround for the LIV golf star, who endured a torrid year with a knee injury in 2022, which saw him fail to make the cut at The Masters and The Open while finishing 55th at the PGA Championship and US Open that year. 

Knee injuries seemingly banished, and with impressive showings in the first two Majors of 2023, the 33-year-old will be one of the favourites to perform well at Los Angeles Country Club in a tournament that he has already won twice. 

Those back-to-back victories came in 2017 and 2018 and, with three top-five finishes as well, it is clear Koepka has the ability and know-how to thrive in the often difficult US Open conditions.

However, it is not just his impressive track record and recent form that points to Koepka being in contention at LACC, but also a statistical quirk based on recent winners of the US Open. 

According to Twitter's OWGR expert Nosferatu (@VC606), the average world ranking of the US Open winner in the last five and ten years was 13 which, coincidently or not, is the exact spot that Koepka currently resides in the world rankings. 

It remains to be seen whether Koepka can capture his sixth Major championship but, he will need to harness all his previous experience to stave off other contenders from the stellar 156-man field. 

Koepka gets underway at 1.54pm local on Thursday with 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama and World No.3 Rory McIlroy, who will look to build on his three successive top-ten finishes and capture his first Major since the 2014 PGA Championship.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick defends the trophy that he won at the Country Club in Brookline last year, while World No.1 Scottie Scheffler will seek to add to his Masters triumph in April last year. 

The war is over, but there’s still plenty to sort out between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour – with one major talking point being the reintegration of the so-called rebels back onto the main tour.

And in doing so, those players who stayed loyal to the PGA Tour want to see that loyalty rewarded, with Jay Monahan saying himself that it would be a major priority of his to make sure that happens.

So while the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka may have to stump up some of their LIV Golf cash to get back in their Tour’s good books – those loyal remainers will want some sort of financial recompense.

Rory McIlroy was not one of those though, as he revealed during his recent epic press conference that he’d never actually been offered any money by LIV Golf.

But just how much did some of them give up to ensure they remained on the PGA Tour playing in the blue chip league at the biggest and most historic events in golf? 

We don't have definitive numbers on some with these negotiations always done in private, but some of them reportedly passed up on a small fortune…

Tiger Woods - $700-$800m

There have been plenty of reports about just what Tiger Woods was and wasn't offered to join LIV Golf - but Greg Norman himself said they'd offered him around $700-$00m.

"Tiger is a needle-mover and of course you have to look at the best of the best,” Norman said. “So they had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO. So, yes, that number was somewhere in that neighborhood.”

Whether Woods even entertained the offer is another story, but it wasn't going to stop the ambitious LIV bosses from at least presenting the offer.

Tiger's an exception of course, and has a huge wealth already so whether he'd be seeking some sort of reward for his loyalty and backing the PGA Tour remains to be seen.

Hideki Matsuyama - $400m

Behind Tiger nobody has seemingly been offered more money to join LIV than Hideki Matsuyama, with a reported $400m put on the table for the Japanese star.

LIV recognised that as the best Asian player in the world right now he could open up a huge market for them, but the Masters champion decided against the move having been "torn between the money and his legacy" when weighing up his options.

Jon Rahm - $400m

Fellow Masters champion Jon Rahm is reported to have been offered around the same as Matsuyama to jump ship and join LIV Golf even though he's been a big defender of the PGA Tour himself.

The Spaniard hasn't been critical of players making the move though but as a golf historian he has always put legacy and winning Majors and big events first.

However, with Brooks Koepka thriving in Majors despite playing on LIV, Rahm may have been wavering as some reports suggest he was deep in talks and thinking of possibly making the switch just before the merger was announced.

Will Zalatoris - $130m

According to Fred Couples, Will Zalatoris turned down $130m to join LIV Golf - which was a hugely improved offer after an opening gambit of $35m was flat-out rejected.

Couples, who was busy mouthing off against anyone and everyone at LIV at the time, said: "I give Will a lot of credit; he wants (to stay with) the PGA Tour.”

Zalatoris has since had back surgery so has missed plenty of time on the sidelines and may just wish he'd have taken the money if he doesn't get back to the form that saw him regularly challenging in Majors.

Other players reported to have LIV offers

It was a surprise Patrick Cantlay never joined LIV Golf as he was one of the most strongly linked players right from the start, and never really denied an interest in moving.

However, it never materialised and he stayed on the PGA Tour with the likes of Justin Thomas, who did hold talks with Norman but never really warmed to the idea.

Jordan Spieth surely must have had an offer but he also never really entertained it while Scottie Scheffler is another PGA Tour loyalist who also seems incredibly happy just to be playing on Tour and doesn't strike you as a man who would go in search of such wealth.

Perhaps a list of exactly who and exactly how much was offered by LIV Golf will emerge in time, but we know certainly that several players seem to have lost out on huge life-changing sums only for the PGA Tour to merge with the Saudi backers anyway.

The 2023 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday is set to get underway at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Patrick Cantlay will try to secure his third outright win at the Memorial Tournament in the past five years. He’s currently 10/1 to pull off the win, which would be his first of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. Of course, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm, the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked golfers in the world, sit atop the outright betting leaderboard. 

It’s a newly Designated event, which means the 120 golfers in the field are among the best on the Tour. We get action from all of the top performers, plus a ton of value on quality players that are flying under the radar based on current form or historical performances at Muirfield. Jack Nicklaus designed this course in his hometown of Dublin, Ohio, and he’s made continuous tweaks to it over the decades since its inception on the PGA Tour in 1976. 

Precision will continue to be the way to stay atop the leaderboard at this course, as the doglegged fairways, fast-paced Bentgrass greens, and various hazards will challenge all phases of a player’s game. It will be worth it, with an elevated purse worth $20 million with $3.6 million reserved for the outright winner, plus 550 FedExCup points that will be crucial down the stretch with only a dozen events remaining before the FedExCup playoffs invite the top 70-ranked players on the PGA Tour later this summer. 

Before we get into our picks for the Memorial Tournament, make sure to take a moment to check out these awesome sports betting offers for this week. We have teamed up with OddsChecker to ensure that you turn $6 into $400 worth of guaranteed bonuses, or you can use one of the HUGE first bet offers to wager with more confidence on your 2023 Memorial Tournament selections this week.

Memorial Tournament Betting Odds

2023 Memorial Tournament Betting Preview

Previous Winners

• 2022 - Billy Horschel (-13)
• 2021 - Patrick Cantlay (-13)
• 2020 - Jon Rahm (-9)
• 2019 - Patrick Cantlay (-19)
• 2018 - Bryson DeChambeau 

Relevant Betting Stats

• Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green
• Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee
• Driving Accuracy percentage
• Scrambling
• Sand save percentage

Course Layout

Muirfield Village Golf Club is a par 72 that tips over 7,500 yards. Designed by Jack Nicklaus and Desmond Muirhead and opened nearly 50 years ago, this course has undergone several restoration efforts to implement a modern feel on a track that was inspired and named after Nicklaus' Open Championship win several decades ago. The greens are now fully Bentgrass, removing the old Poa Annua mixture, while several tee boxes have been adjusted with moves closer and further from certain holes. The final five holes on the back nine at Muirfield will be the toughest test, with what’s known as the hardest hole saved for last on the par 4 18th. 

There are four par 5s this week, creating more birdie and eagle opportunities, while the greens are roughly 5,000 square feet in regulation, putting them on the smaller side of average on the PGA Tour. The rough is nearly four inches in some spots, while water hazards, including a few creeks, rear up along and across certain fairways. High temperatures should keep the Bentgrass moving quickly, while the fairways will need to be hit to avoid deep rough that could create havoc on approach shots. Ultimately, precision off the tee and approaching the green will be paramount to success. Unless of course, players can navigate the high-velocity Bentgrass with their putter. 

Top Players To Bet For Outright Memorial Tournament Winner

Patrick Cantlay (+1000) (Bet $100 to collect $1,100) Get the best Patrick Cantlay odds at FanDuel

It might be a bit too obvious, but taking Patrick Cantlay’s outright odds at 10/1 feels like a steal, especially since he’s won twice in the past four events at Muirfield Village. The Californian is still seeking his first outright win of the season, but he’s collected seven T10 finishes, including a T9 at the second major during the PGA Championship. There are numerous metrics backing Cantlay this week, whether he’s ranked fourth in total strokes gained, seventh tee-to-green, first in total driving, and finding greens in regulation at over a 70 percent clip. Confidently back Cantlay’s precise irons and accurate putting into getting him his third win at The Memorial Tournament since 2019. 

Jason Day (+2800) (Bet $100 to collect $2,900) Go to FanDuel for the best Jason Day odds

Jason Day hasn’t won at The Memorial Tournament, but he came close in 2020, drawing a T4 finish here in July 2020. The 35-year-old Aussie just ended his five-year win drought at the AT&T Byron Nelson, so expect his confidence and game to be fully dialed in and rolling at one of the most difficult par 72 courses that he’ll face this season. Day is ranked 13th in strokes gained putting, 16th in total driving, and second in scrambling, and averages 4.36 birdies per round, which is seventh-best on the PGA Tour. At 28/1, we’re getting fantastic value betting on Day to collect his 14th career win, his second outright of the year, and first at Muirfield Village.

Sahith Theegala (+6000) (Bet $100 to collect $6,100) FanDuel has the best Sahith Theegala odds

Sahith Theegala is due for his first outright win on the PGA Tour. He’s earned seven T10 finishes this season and secured a T5 finish at Muirfield Village in 2022. The Californian has slipped outside the top 50 in his last two events played, including the second major of the season at the PGA Championship, which is why Theegala is such an immense value at 60/1 entering this Designated event. His metrics aren’t as eye-popping as other players. Still, Theegala had a lot of success at The Memorial Tournament in his debut last year and should rebound nicely, so don’t hesitate to sprinkle on his longshot 60/1 odds for his first career win on the PGA Tour. 

Michael Block has admitted that 'it feels like my life has changed' after the club pro sensationally climbed inside the top ten of the leaderboard at the PGA Championship following an outstanding three days at the tournament.

The 46-year-old, who is the head pro at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf club in California, was speaking during an on-course interview in his third round at Oak Hill and also revealed that he 'hadn't accepted a new client in five years.'

Block, who has competed in five PGA Championships and two US Opens, made the cut this weekend after going through the first 36 holes at level par, even after hitting a nightmare shank on the par 3 fifth. 

After shooting a solid 70 on Thursday, he followed that up with a 70 on Friday, rolling in birdies on the 10th, 12th and 14th and wrapped up his third round today with yet another 70, after scoring four birdies during today's round.  

Speaking to CBS Sports, the club pro, who made the cut for the first time in his last six Major events, admitted he felt like he was 'on cloud nine'.

"To say the least I'm living the dream," he said. "I hope I'm living the dream for all the Rochester folks out here because I'll tell you why. 

"The support I've been getting from the people in Rochester is absolutely unbelievable and honestly all across the country. It's an amazing experience and I'm living the dream.

"My life feels like it's changed a little bit. Honestly to tell you the truth. But I'm still on cloud nine and having a good time."

And he has certainly gained many new fans this week, impressing with his performance to go above some of the biggest names in the game after 54 holes, including the likes of Major winners Cameron Smith and Hideki Matsuyama.

Block charges $125 dollars for a 45 minute lesson and was questioned by CBS Sports commentator Trevor Immelman on whether that price will be going up, considering his performance this week.

The 2008 Masters champion said: "I hear at you're charging $125 dollars for a 45 minute lesson. Can I go ahead and lock that in now or is that price going up on Monday?"

Block replied: "So actually Trev it's $150 for an hour and I haven't accepted a new client in about five years. 

"I give a couple of lessons and I've learned that the people I give lessons to are the people I like to hang out with. 

"You know the first 10 to 15 years of instructing I would say yes to everybody because I was trying to put a dollar in the bank and raise a couple of boys and be home to my wife.

"Now I've been fortunate enough to play some decent golf in the last couple of years and make enough money to where I don't have to grind it out on the range all day long. But now I usually give about two to three lessons a week to people I love to be around."

In fact, he often plays socially with Patrick Cantlay and Beau Hossler and competed in the American Express and Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. 

It's a week he will surely never forget, with Block now having the best position by a club pro at the PGA Championship in 35 years after 54 holes.

And that is an impressive achievement, considering how difficult it has been to score at Oak Hill, with today's torrential rain making it even more difficult out there. 

Speaking on the conditions and the course, Block said: "It's been brutal. The rough is just, it's something unlike anything I've ever seen. 

"When it got wet it's just insanely hard. I'll tell you what, this course has dried out beautifully. I was worried when watching it on TV earlier but what they did with the drainage here is amazing and the greens are perfect.

"I just want to get on the green and make another put here and I'll be a happy camper."

Not long after that, he walked up to the green on the 14th and tapped in a birdie, before hitting yet another one straight after on the 15th. 

What Is Hideki Matsuyama's Net Worth?

Hideki Matsuyama is a Major winner, a multiple-time PGA Tour winner, a player with victories all over the world, and he has reached as number two in the world rankings. Not to mention he has played in several Presidents Cups. We can agree then that he has achieved a lot in the game but how much is he worth? Let's take a look.

A specific number is hard to estimate given how global Matsuyama is as a golf star, but it is reportedly in the region of $35 million.

Matsuyama has made over $40 million in PGA Tour career earnings which puts him inside the top-20. He has had eight wins on the PGA Tour, the first of which came back in 2014 at the Memorial Tournament. He beat Kevin Na in a playoff to win $1,160,000.

He has won the Waste Management Phoenix Open twice, in 2016 and 2017 which earned him roughly $3.3m. He has then won two WGC events which came with $1.6 million cheques too. But his biggest win to date came at the 2021 Masters Tournament. 

He managed to see off Will Zalatoris to win the Green Jacket and $2,070,000 in the process. Additionally this win resulted in many speculating what impact this could have on golf in Japan and according to sports marketing expert Bob Dorfman; "Barring any career-ending injury or scandal, I'd say a Masters win is easily worth $600 million for Matsuyama," he told Sportico. Whether this has or will happen remains to be seen but Matsuyama's win at Augusta National was impactful.

Speaking of sponsors, Hideki has a reasonable list of partnerships with companies at the moment. Starting with his clubs and ball, Hideki mostly uses Srixon throughout his golf bag as well as Asics shoes. He then wears Descente apparel. 

Away from his setup, Matsuyama also has sponsorships with Lexus, NTT Data and Nomura. 

For content on Hideki, learn about his caddie Shota Hayafuji, or who his wife is as well.

After a stop in North Carolina for latest designated event the Wells Fargo Championship, the PGA Tour heads to Texas for the AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.

Last year, K.H. Lee successfully defended his title in a low scoring final day when he edged out Jordan Spieth by a shot. The South Korean returns for this year’s event hoping for a hat-trick of wins. The man he beat last year had been in the field, too, but he has now withdrawn due to injury.

After opting to skip last week’s event, World No.2 Scottie Scheffler appears in his home state. The 26-year-old has been in excellent form this year, with wins in the WM Phoenix Open and Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass the standouts in a string of impressive results. 

Tyrrell Hatton put in a strong performance in last week’s event, finishing tied for third, and he will be keen to keep that momentum going before preparations begin for next week’s second Major of the year, The PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club.

Elsewhere, rising star Tom Kim has gone off the boil a little in recent months, and is without a top-10 finish since January’s tie for sixth in The American Express. The World No.19 will be hoping this is the week his form heads back towards its best in time for next week's Major.

Another high-profile player eager to go into next week’s event in good form will be 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. This will be the Japanese player’s first start since his tie for 15th at this year’s Augusta National tournament, as he goes in search of his first win since January 2022.

Sung Kang won the tournament in 2019, and he is looking for his first win since, while 2018 winner Aaron Wise also plays.

Other players to keep an eye on include Australian former World No.1s Jason Day and Adam Scott. Each has won the tournament, with Day achieving it in 2010 and Scott winning two years before him. World No.30 Tom Hoge, who finished tied for third in the Players Championship, appears too.

While it’s not a designated event, this week’s tournament should still have an excellent atmosphere thanks to the introduction of stadium hole similar to those at TPC Scottsdale for the WM Phoenix Open and the Grange Golf Club for LIV Golf Adelaide.

Players are competing for a purse of $9.5m, of which the winner will earn $1.71m.

Below is the full breakdown of the prize money and field for the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson.

AT&T Byron Nelson Prize Money Breakdown

AT&T Byron Nelson Field

• Alexander, Tyson
• An, Byeong Hun
• Armour, Ryan
• Baddeley, Aaron
• Bae, Sangmoon
• Barnes, Ricky
• Bezuidenhout, Christiaan
• Blair, Zac
• Blixt, Jonas
• Bramlett, Joseph
• Brehm, Ryan
• Brown, Scott
• Bryan, Wesley
• Byrd, Jonathan
• Chalmers, Greg
• Champ, Cameron
• Chappell, Kevin
• Cink, Stewart
• Cole, Eric
• Cone, Trevor
• Coody, Parker
• Coody, Pierceson
• Cook, Austin
• Crane, Ben
• Daffue, MJ
• Day, Jason
• Dou, Zecheng
• Dufner, Jason
• Duncan, Tyler
• Eckroat, Austin
• Endycott, Harrison
• Ernst, Derek
• Frittelli, Dylan
• Garnett, Brice
• Gerard, Ryan
• Ghim, Doug
• Gligic, Michael
• Glover, Lucas
• Gómez, Fabián
• Gordon, Will
• Goya, Tano
• Grant, Brent
• Gribble, Cody
• Griffin, Ben
• Haas, Bill
• Hadley, Chesson
• Hadwin, Adam
• Hahn, James
• Haley II, Paul
• Hall, Harry
• Harrington, Scott
• Hatton, Tyrrell
• Herman, Jim
• Hickok, Kramer
• Higgo, Garrick
• Higgs, Harry
• Hoffman, Charley
• Hoge, Tom
• Hubbard, Mark
• Hughes, Mackenzie
• Jaeger, Stephan
• Kang, Sung
• Killeen, J.J.
• Kim, Michael
• Kim, S.H.
• Kim, Si Woo
• Kim, Tom
• Kizzire, Patton
• Knauth, William
• Knox, Russell
• Kodaira, Satoshi
• Kraft, Kelly
• Kuchar, Matt
• Kuest, Peter
• Laird, Martin
• Lamely, Derek
• Landry, Andrew
• Lashley, Nate
• Lebioda, Hank
• Lee, K.H.
• Lee, Min Woo
• Lipsky, David
• List, Luke
• Long, Adam
• Lower, Justin
• Matsuyama, Hideki
• Matthews, Brandon
• McGirt, William
• McGreevy, Max
• McNealy, Maverick
• McNeill, George
• Meissner, Mac
• Merritt, Troy
• Micheluzzi, David
• Montgomery, Taylor
• Moore, Ryan
• Mullinax, Trey
• Murray, Grayson
• NeSmith, Matthew
• Noh, S.Y.
• Norlander, Henrik
• Norrman, Vincent
• Novak, Andrew
• Núñez, Augusto
• O'Hair, Sean
• Ogilvy, Geoff
• Palmer, Ryan
• Pan, C.T.
• Percy, Cameron
• Piercy, Scott
• Points, D.A.
• Power, Seamus
• Rai, Aaron
• Ramey, Chad
• Redman, Doc
• Riley, Davis
• Roy, Kevin
• Scheffler, Scottie
• Schenk, Adam
• Schmid, Matti
• Schwab, Matthias
• Scott, Adam
• Shelton, Robby
• Sigg, Greyson
• Sloan, Roger
• Smalley, Alex
• Smotherman, Austin
• Spaun, J.J.
• Stallings, Scott
• Stanley, Kyle
• Stevens, Sam
• Streb, Robert
• Stroud, Chris
• Stuard, Brian
• Suh, Justin
• Thompson, Davis
• Trahan, DJ
• Trainer, Martin
• Tway, Kevin
• Van Pelt, Bo
• Van Rooyen, Erik
• Walker, Jimmy
• Watney, Nick
• Werbylo, Trevor
• Werenski, Richy
• Westmoreland, Kyle
• Whaley, Vince
• Wise, Aaron
• Wu, Brandon
• Wu, Dylan
• Young, Carson
• Yuan, Carl

The Wells Fargo Championship sees the eighth elevated event of the 2022/23 PGA Tour season, with the world's top players heading to Quail Hollow to play for a $20 million tournament purse.

With the likes of Rory McIlroy returning following a disappointing Masters performance, the tournament will be without a trio of big names, with World No.1, Jon Rahm, and World No.2, Scottie Scheffler, opting to skip the tournament as the season starts to really ramp up. 

You may be wondering why the two Major winners aren't featuring in the event. Well, players on the PGA Tour are allowed to skip one elevated tournament a season, with the pair deciding that the halfway point of 2023 is the perfect time do so.

If players miss more than one elevated event then they will suffer a 25% deduction in their PIP earnings (Player Impact Program), which is a way of rewarding players who, according to the PGA Tour: "Generate the most positive interest in the PGA Tour.”

Back in mid-April, McIlroy opted to skip the RBC Heritage, just four months after he skipped the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Because he didn't play in these two elevated events, it meant that he would reportedly lose 25% of his PIP money, which equates to around $3 million.

Along with Rahm and Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama will also not be present at the Wells Fargo Championship, with the Japanese star releasing a statement to the PGA Tour which read: “Following the Masters, I returned to Japan to receive treatment for my neck pain and, unfortunately, it has not improved to the point of being able to compete. I want to thank Wells Fargo and the Charlotte fans for their support and look forward to returning in the future.”

Matsuyama's neck injury has certainly been an ongoing battle. Back in March, the 31-year-old was forced to withdraw from the WGC-Match Play, which was the second time in five months that he wasn't able to compete on the Tour, having been unable to play at the Houston Open in November 2022.

Patrick Cantlay has responded to criticism of his group’s perceived slow play during the final round of The Masters at Augusta National.

Brooks Koepka, who finished joint runner-up in the tournament behind Jon Rahm, slammed the pace of play, saying: “The group in front of us was brutally slow. Jon went to the bathroom like seven times during the round, and we were still waiting.”

The group in question consisted of Cantlay and Viktor Hovland, with the American, in particular, suspected of slowing play down. Indeed, Hovland was seen playing shots significantly before Cantlay was close, suggesting the World No.4 had been responsible.

According to Cantlay, though, that wasn't the case. The 31-year-old is preparing to compete in this week’s RBC Heritage at Harbour Town and, speaking ahead of the tournament, he explained there was a hold-up with the pairing in front of him, which was made up of Hideki Matsuyama and Russell Henley. 

He said: “Yeah, I mean, we finished the first hole, and the group in front of us was on the second tee when we walked up to the second tee, and we waited all day on pretty much every shot. We waited in 15 fairway, we waited in 18 fairway. I imagine it was slow for everyone.”

Despite the frustrations, Cantlay claimed that the issue of slow play is nothing new. He said: “One thing that's interesting sitting on the PAC [Player Advisory Council] is you get all the numbers and the data, and rounds have taken about the same length of time for the last 10 or 20 years that they currently take.“

He also pointed out that factors including the terrain at the course, the speed of the greens and conditions had plenty to do with it. He said: “When you play a golf course like Augusta National where all the hole locations are on lots of slope and the greens are really fast, it's just going to take longer and longer to hole out.

“I think that may have been what attributed to some of the slow play on Sunday, and then also when the wind is gusting and the wind is blowing maybe inconsistently, that's when guys will take a long time, too. I think that's just the nature of playing professional golf, where every shot matters so much.”

On the subject of shots mattering, Cantlay missed out on the RBC Heritage title in agonising fashion last year, when Jordan Spieth beat him in a playoff. That’s something he explained he’s hoping to put firmly behind him this week. He said: “For me it's always been a great tournament with lots of great champions over the years, so I'd love to have a chance to put my name up on the list.”

To do so, Cantlay will need to be at his best. The eight-time PGA Tour winner will be up against a strong field featuring 17 of the world’s top 20.

It may only be days since the conclusion of the 2023 Masters at Augusta National, but another high-profile tournament follows hot on its heels. That’s because the sixth designated event of the PGA Tour season takes place with the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town.

The top players have an obligation to play in the majority of designated events, and that means a stronger field than usual will be appearing in South Carolina this week.

There are some notable absentees. World No.8 Will Zalatoris has had back surgery which will keep him out for the rest of the PGA Tour season, while World No.3 Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the tournament despite it being the second designated event he will miss in 2023. Former World No.1 Jason Day and 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama are skipping this week's tournament too.

Despite those withdrawals, there are still 17 of the world’s top 20 taking part this week. Jon Rahm returned to the World No.1 position following his Augusta National win, and he heads the field hoping to take that stunning form into this week’s tournament. 

Rahm is the first Masters champion to play the following week on the Tour since Jordan Spieth in 2015, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on given the short time period between that gruelling victory and this week’s event. On the subject of Spieth, he is the defending champion following his defeat of Patrick Cantlay in a playoff last year.

Spieth has played in 11 PGA Tour events as defending champion and has yet to hold onto the title, so he will be hoping to draw a line under that unenviable run this week. It will be far from easy for the World No.16, though. As well as World No.4 Cantlay, he will also be up against the likes of 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland and Justin Thomas, who are all in the world’s top 10.

Beyond that, big names including two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa, US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Cameron Young also play. Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Im, Tom Kim and Kurt Kitayama, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, complete the list of those appearing from the world’s top 20.

Aside from Spieth, the field is packed with former winners too, including 2021 victor Stewart Cink, Webb Simpson, who won in 2020, and 2019 champion CT Pan.

Overall, the scene is set for an enthralling tournament as players compete for a purse of $20m, with $3.6m on offer to the winner. That is a larger amount than the purse on offer at The Masters, which was set at $18m, with $3.2m awarded to Rahm.

Below is the prize breakdown and field for the 2023 RBC Heritage.

RBC Heritage Prize Money 2023

RBC Heritage Field 2023

• Bezuidenhout, Christiaan
• Bhatia, Akshay
• Bradley, Keegan
• Brehm, Ryan
• Bryan, Wesley
• Buckley, Hayden
• Burns, Sam
• Cantlay, Patrick
• Champ, Cameron
• Cink, Stewart
• Clark, Wyndham
• Conners, Corey
• Damen, Joel
• Davis, Cam
• Detry, Thomas
• Donald, Luke
• Dufner, Jason
• Duncan, Tyler
• Echavarria, Nico
• Els, Ernie
• English, Harris
• Finau, Tony
• Fitzpatrick, Matt
• Fleetwood, Tommy
• Fowler, Rickie
• Fox, Ryan
• Frittelli, Dylan
• Furyk, Jim
• Gay, Brian
• Ghim, Doug
• Gibson, Tommy
•  Glover, Lucas
• Griffin, Ben
• Griffin, Lanto
• Grillo, Emiliano
• Hadley, Chesson
• Hedwin, Adam
• Hahn, James
• Hardy, Nick
• Harman, Brian
• Hatton, Tyrrell
• Henley, Russell
• Herbert, Lucas
• Herman, Jim
• Hickok, Kramer
• Higgo, Garrick
• Hodges, Lee
• Hoge, Tom
• Homa, Max
• Horschel, Billy
• Hossler, Beau
• Hovland, Viktor
• Hubbard, Mark
• Hughes, Mackenzie
• Im, Sungjae
• Jaeger, Stephan
• Johnson, Zach
• Kim, Si Woo
• Kim, Tom
• Kirk, Chris
• Kisner, Kevin
• Kitayama, Kurt
• Kizzire, Patton
• Knox, Russell
• Kodaira, Satoshi
• Kraft, Kelly
• Kuchar, Matt
• Laird, Martin
• Landry, Andrew
• Lashley, Nate
• Lee, K.H.
• Lee, Min Woo
• Lipsky, David
• List, Luke
• Long, Adam
• Love III, Davis
• Lower, Justin
• Lowry, Shane
• Malnati, Peter
• Martin, Ben
• McCarthy, Denny
• McGreevy, Max
• McNealy, Maverick
• Merritt, Troy
• Mitchell, Keith
• Montgomery, Taylor
• Moore, Ryan
• Moore, Taylor
• Morikawa, Collin
• Mullinax, Trey
• NeSmith, Matthew
• Palmer, Ryan
• Pan, C.T.
• Pendrith, Taylor
• Piercy, Scott
• Poston, J.T.
• Power, Seamus
• Putnam, Andrew
• Rahm, Jon
• Rai, Aaron
• Ramey, Chad
• Reavie, Chez
• Redman, Doc
• Riley, Davis
• Rodgers, Patrick
• Rose, Justin
• Ryder, Sam
• Schauffele, Xander
• Scheffler, Scottie
• Schenk, Adam
• Schwab, Matthias
• Scott, Adam
• Sigg, Greyson
• Simpson, Webb
• Smalley, Alex
• Smotherman, Austin
• Spaun, J.J.
• Spieth, Jordan
• Stallings, Scott
• Stevens, Sam
• Straka, Sepp
• Streb, Robert
• Streelman, Kevin
• Suh, Justin
• Svensson, Adam
• Tarren, Callum
• Taylor, Ben
• Taylor, Nick
• Theegala, Sahith
• Thomas, Justin
• Thompson, Davis
• Thompson, Michael
• Todd, Brendon
• Tway, Kevin
• Van Rooyen, Erik
• Walker, Jimmy
• Wallace, Matt
• Werenski, Richy
• Willett, Danny
• Woodland, Gary
• Wu, Brandon
• Young, Cameron
• Young, Carson

Brooks Koepka is one of the biggest names in golf, shooting to fame with a scintillating run at the Majors from 2017 to 2019. The American tuned pro in 2012, opting to begin his career in Europe until earning his PGA Tour card for the 2014/15 season. 

From there, he went from strength to strength, establishing himself as the game's dominant force, before injuries and a loss of form saw him struggle.

He made the move to LIV Golf, believing he couldn't match the PGA Tour stars due to his struggles, but he came roaring back when fit and confident in 2023.

It's often said a golfer's career is judged on how many Majors they win, so how many does Koepka have? 

How Many Majors Has Brooks Koepka Won?

Koepka has won five Majors, the first four all in a remarkable three-year run in which he established himself as the best player in the world. He captured his first Major at the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills. 

It was an unusually low-scoring affair at America's national championship, as a final-round 67 saw Koepka come from one behind to claim a four-shot victory over Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama. Incredibly, he would win his second Major at the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, becoming the first player to defend his title since Curtis Strange in 1989.

Koepka wouldn't have to wait long for his third Major, holding off a certain Tiger Woods less than two months later to win the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club.

His then survived a late scare in 2019 to successfully defend his PGA Championship at Bethpage Black and capture his fourth Major.

Then came injury, loss of confidence, a move to LIV Golf and insightful appearance on the Netflix 'Full Swing' docu-series before he finally found his way back.

He looked all out the winner at the 2023 Masters before he choked away the lead, in his own words, to Jon Rahm, but he insisted he had found out why and would use that the next time he was in contention.

And that next time came in the very next Major just a month later when he looked like the strutting, confident Koepka of old as he won the 2023 PGA Championship - lifting the Wanamaker Trophy for a third time.

Koepka started the final round at Oak Hill just a shot ahead of Viktor Hovland and Corey Conners but never flinched, carding a three-under 67 to beat Hovland and Scottie Scheffler by two.

He's now just the 20th player ever to win five Majors, joining the likes of the great Seve Ballesteros, Peter Thomson and Byron Nelson in the all-time list so will already go down as one of the best around - and he's not done yet.

"It's crazy. I try not to think of it right now," Koepka said after winning at Oak Hill. "I do care about it. It's just tough to really grasp the situation kind of while you're still in it, I think.

"When I'm retired and I can look back with Jena and my son and kind of reflect on all that stuff, that will be truly special, but right now I'm trying to collect as many of these things as I can. We'll see how it goes."

Brooks Koepka Major Record

Understandably, Koepka became known as something of a Major specialist during his assault to the top of the men's game, and after a down year with injuries he was right back to form. As well as his five victories, he has a number of top-10 finishes since his first appearance at the 2012 US Open. 

In fact, in 2019, he finished in the top-five at all four Majors, picking up one win. He is yet to win The Masters or The Open but has come close at both and will no doubt be keen to add them to his roll of honour and complete the career Grand Slam.

Here is his record in the four Majors:

The Masters
Appearances: 8
Best finish: T2 (2019, 2023)

The PGA Championship
Appearances: 11
Best finish: 1 (2018, 2019, 2023)

The US Open
Appearances: 9
Best finish: 1 (2017, 2018)

The Open
Appearances: 8
Best finish: T4 (2019)

8 Things You Didn't Know About Kazuki Higa

1. Higa started playing golf at 10 years old, he attended Tohoku Fukushi University and turned professional in late 2017. Fellow Japanese professional Hideki Matsuyama also went to the same university.

2. Since turning professional, he has played primarily on the Japan Golf Tour. His first win was at the 2019 RIZAP KBC Augusta. He won again in 2021 at the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup. He led the Japan Tour Order of Merit in 2022.

3. He has four other Japan Golf Tour tournaments which are the 2022 Kansai Open Golf Championship, BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship, Shinhan Donghae Open and Dunlop Phoenix.

4. His first appearance in a Major Championship came at the 2022 Open Championship hosted at St Andrews. Unfortunately he missed the cut with rounds of 73 and 76. 

5. He was born in Okinawa, Japan on April 23rd, 1995. He is five foot two inches and yet despite this averages over 290 yards off the tee. As impressive as this is, he still rates below the Tour average on the PGA Tour.

6. Higa competed for Japan at the 2016 Eisenhower Trophy alongside Junya Kameshiro and Takumi Kanaya. 

7. He looks to have a variety of sponsors at the moment, including Bridgestone, Nippon, Ulticore and Mitsubishi Chemical.

8. Higa's best ranking on the Official World Golf Ranking is 67th. This came as a result of winning the 2022 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament. He saw off players like Mito Pereira, Tom Kim, and Corey Conners to win by three strokes. He shot rounds of 69-65-65-64. 

There are 18 LIV Golfers in the Masters field this week but notably the Saudi-backed circuit's CEO is not on-site to watch his players around the famed Augusta National.

Norman, one of the best players to never win The Masters, noted to The Telegraph that he did not receive an invitation this year despite previously getting invited to Augusta as a past Major champion.

Norman described the lack of an invite as "petty".

“Funnily enough, I haven’t been invited,” Norman told Telegraph Sport. “As a Major winner I always was before, but they only sent me a grounds pass last year and nothing, zilch, this time around. I’m disappointed because it’s so petty but of course I’ll still be watching.”

Norman was also not invited to the 150th Open last year, with R&A CEO Martin Slumbers saying that the LIV CEO being at the championship would have been a "distraction".

Fred Ridley, CEO of Augusta National, has given a very similar reason to Slumbers as to why Norman was not invited to this year's Masters.

We did not extend an invitation to Mr. Norman," Ridley confirmed.

"The primary issue and the driver there is that I want the focus this week to be on the Masters competition, on the great players that are participating, the greatest players in the world, which, by our decision in December, we ensured that we were going to honor and be consistent with our invitation criteria.

"I would also add that, in the last ten years, Greg Norman has only been here twice, and I believe one of those was as a commentator for Sirius Radio. It really was to keep the focus on the competition."

Ridley couldn't hide his distain for LIV Golf in December when confirming that its players who had already qualified would still be eligible for this week's tournament.

"Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it," he said. "Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April."

A number of LIV players have won The Masters, including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, but none of the circuit's players feature in featured groups during the opening round.

This week's 87th Masters is the first time since July's Open Championship where the best PGA Tour and LIV Golf players will lock horns. 

The Masters is the first major championship of the season, each and every year, and as a result, the best players in the world have spent the year gearing up for what is the biggest event of the year.

This means the sportsbooks keep the very best players onside, and more often than not, one of the favorites win this tournament. 

The good news for those reading this, looking for the best value longshots at The Masters, is the fact that 4 of the last 10 winners have come into the week with odds of +4000 or bigger. 

That is the target we will set ourselves here then, as we look for five players at +4000 or bigger, that can win at Augusta this week.

Before we get into our favorite Masters longshots, make sure you first check out the very best Masters promos below. Here you can grab $350 worth of bonuses on your first Masters outright, and you can claim $1000's in first bet insurance so you can wager bigger this week.

Sungjae Im

Sungjae Im (+4100) Get the Best Odds on Sungae Im at FanDuel

Sungjae Im has played in three Masters, and either side of a missed cut in 2021, he has finished 2nd and 8th. 

In total Im has been inside the top 3 at the Masters after five of his ten rounds, and if you extend that to the top 8, he's been inside that number in eight of his ten rounds, which is remarkable consistency.

The two-time PGA Tour winner has finished inside the top 10 five times this season, three of which were top 6 finishes that came since the turn of the year.

A return to form when T6 at the Players Championship gave plenty of reason for optimism, and whilst he didn't make it out of his group at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, he beat Maverick McNealy 8&6 and Tommy Fleetwood 4&3, so he's playing well enough to contend at a course he loves.

Hideki Matsuyama

Hideki Matsuyama (+4600) Get the Best Odds on Hideki Matsuyama at FanDuel

Hideki Matsuyama feels like the ultimate risk/reward play at Augusta this week. 

On the face of it, you are betting on the 2021 Masters Champion who performed brilliantly in his title defense and has finished inside the top 20 in 7 of his past 8 starts at Augusta. 

The concern is that you are also betting on a golfer who has spent the last two seasons being injured on and off, and we don't know how well his neck and back will hold up at The Masters.

Matsuyama finished T5 at The Players Championship and T15 last week in Texas, and perhaps he made a wise decision to forfeit his last match at the WGC Match Play.

If he is fit, you are getting incredible odds on a player that definitely has winning upside. He was 2nd at the halfway stage last year and still finished 14th despite a tough weekend, and now he can come into the week without the stress of the many defending champion obligations.

Corey Conners

Corey Conners (+5000) Get the Best Odds on Corey Conners at FanDuel

Is there a better way to prepare for the first major of the year than with a win? Some players prefer not to play the week before, perhaps in fear of using up their winning form or luck a week too early, but that won't phase Corey Conners.

His win at the Valero last week was timely, as were his two wins in the group at the Match Play a week before and he now has momentum ahead of this illustrious event.

Conners' form has been in and out this season, but he now returns to perhaps his favorite course in golf. 

The Canadian missed the cut as an amateur here, but after winning the Texas Open as a Monday Qualifier in 2019, he then got his first shot at Augusta as a pro. He finished 46th that week, but he was 11th after round one and 16th after round two and that was perhaps a sign of things to come.

Since then, Conners has finished 10th, 8th, and 6th here, and he's been inside the top 10 at The Masters after each of his last six rounds.

He might struggle to win, especially back-to-back, but if Conners is ever going to win a major, it would be here, where his compatriot, Mike Weir won so brilliantly in 2003.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose (+6600) Get the Best Odds on Justin Rose at BetMGM

This will be Justin Rose's eighteenth start at The Masters, and he's not been too bad in his previous seventeen appearances!

He has twice been 2nd here, coming closest when losing to Sergio Garcia in a playoff in 2017, but he's been consistently brilliant around Augusta outside of those runner-up finishes as well.

Rose has finished inside the top 10 in 35.3% of his Masters appearances, which equates to 6 of his 17 starts, and whilst his best effort came in 2017, he's had multiple chances to win.

Way back in 2007, Rose headed into the final round at Augusta with a shot to win, as he was in 2nd place and just one shot back, before ultimately finishing 5th. Perhaps that effort came too early in his career, but he was unlucky to lose to Garcia 10 years later, and another 2nd in 2015 when Jordan Spieth pulled away from the field was another fine effort.

Even as recently as 2021, Rose led by four shots after round one and was still one shot ahead going into the weekend, before slowly surrendering his lead over the weekend, to finish 7th.

Rose loves a fast start here, having led after round one four times already, and being inside the top 6 at Thursday's end a further four times, so you'll know early whether Rose can compete here this week.

Danny Willett

Danny Willett (+21000) Get the Best Odds on Danny Willett at FanDuel

If the weather gets as tough as it suggests, one player that could come to the fore is Rose's fellow Englishman, Danny Willett.

Willett famously won here in 2016, capitalizing on a Jordan Spieth ejection, and this week he can go quietly about his business and perhaps perform some weekend heroics once again.

The Yorkshireman should absolutely have won the Fortinet Championship to kick off the season, but he made a mess of the final hole, allowing Max Homa to win. 

That win no doubt affected him, but he's still put in some solid performances since, making his last five straight cuts, headlined by his 18th place finish at Riviera and his 29th at The Players last time out.

His run on the PGA Tour has actually been one of the most solid starts to a season he has made Stateside, and whilst he's yet to show winning form, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see him in the mix here, especially as he continues to gain strokes on approach over the past four events, a foundation of his best golf.

After initially struggling here following his first win, Willett has since finished T25 in 2020 and T12 last year, so he's getting closer to contending at Augusta once more.

While the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play from last week most closely resembles the PGA Tour's March Madness concept, that event is compressed into just five days; thus, the focus must be expanded to capture the Tour's efforts fully. The extended run across March is a different type of madness, and this month has been no exception, with six tournaments spanning barely four weeks.

The fact that four of the six winners in March were PGA Tour debutants has been quietly making news, and the same thing wouldn't surprise me here in San Antonio, Texas. The Valero Texas Open, which begins this week and has produced four breakthroughs in its previous five iterations, makes sense as a spot for it to happen once again. 

Let's take a closer look at my five best players in this field.

Valero Texas Open Odds

The Valero Texas Open Course - TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

What is known about the Oaks course at TPC San Antonio is as long as you don't hit the rocks, it's rather forgiving off the tee. The greens are larger than normal, yet the percentage of them that are in play is lower than it should be. So, having a strong short game and the capacity to make par 5 birdies will be essential for success

The Valero Texas Open Power Rankings

Rickie Fowler (+1800) (Bet $100 to collect $1,900) Best odds for this Rickie Fowler pick are at DraftKings

It's true that the present narrative is that Rickie Fowler hasn't yet qualified for the Masters, but the fact that it even exists indicates a return to form that has been consistently strong. Six top 20 rankings produced by a balanced attack were among the nine consecutive paydays upon arrival. 

Si Woo Kim (+2200) Bet $100 to collect $2,300 Get the best odds for Si Woo Kim at DraftKings

Si Woo Kim has a 5-for-5 record at TPC San Antonio since 2017, with a T4 (2019) standing out among four top 25 finishes. He ranks 20th on the TOUR overall after winning the tournament at Wai'alae to start 2023.

Corey Conners (+2200) Bet $100 to collect $2,300  The best odds for this Corey Conners pick are at DraftKings

The breakout champion from 2019 serves as the model for what is effective at TPC San Antonio. Corey Conners has a scoring average of 69.81 and is 4-for-4 in made cuts.

Chris Kirk (+2800) Bet $100 to collect $2,900 Head to DraftKings for this Chris Kirk odds

Chris Kirk's triumph at PGA National a month ago earned him a spot in the Masters, but he has been a regular at TPC San Antonio for years. He's 4-for-6 since 2015, including three top 10s and a T13.

Cam Davis (+5000) Bet $100 to collect $5,100 DraftKings has the best odds for Cam Davis this week

He placed T6 at TPC Sawgrass and went 2-1-0 at the Match Play in his past two starts. Cam Davis' strong suit is tee to green, and in par-5 scoring, he placed T17.

The Valero Texas Open was founded in 1922 and represents the third longest-running event on the PGA Tour. It has been held in the greater San Antonio area since its inception, and the tournament has moved around to a bunch of different courses before finding its current home at the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio in 2009. 

The event has rotated through a number of different schedule spots as well before settling on the week before The Masters. This will be the final opportunity for all non-qualified players to earn a ticket to Augusta, and seven of the last ten winners of this event were not already qualified for the year’s first major. While many of the star’s biggest names will be resting up before The Masters, Tyrrell Hatton, Hideki Matsuyama, Corey Conners, and Rickie Fowler, amongst others, will all be in attendance in San Antonio. 

While Hatton, Matsuyama, and Conners are already in the field for next week and surely using this event as a tune-up, Fowler, as well as many others, must win this event to find themselves in The Masters. The final chance for players to punch their tickets to Augusta is sure to present plenty of excitement over the weekend in Texas.  

Before we get into our picks for the Valero Texas Open, make sure to take a moment to check out these awesome sports betting offers for this week. You can use one of the HUGE first bet offers to wager with more confidence on your Valero Texas Open selections this week.

Valero Texas Open: Course Preview

TPC San Antonio

The Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio was designed in 2009 by Greg Norman, and it plays as a par 72, tipping out to nearly 7,500 yards on the scorecard. The course features a fairly balanced distribution of short to long par threes and par fours, as well as an extremely stout group of par fives, with three measuring over 590 yards and featuring under a 30% birdie rate. 

Like nearly all courses in Texas, conditions are the name of the game, and the winning score will most certainly be determined by the amount of water the course receives leading into and in tournament week, as well as the amount of wind present. Between 2011 and 2017, as well as last year, the winning score has been between eight and 14 under. Yet between 2018 and 2020, under softer and more benign conditions, the winning score was between 17 and 20 under par. 

It remains to be seen what shape the Oaks Course will take this week. Still, I will most definitely be looking to identify those who can keep the ball in play off the tee, are solid overall iron players, who also possess an above-average short game, and take advantage of par fives.

Valero Texas Open Key Stats

• Good Drive Percentage
• Par Five Scoring
• Sand Save Percentage

Valero Texas Open Picks: Outright Winner

Davis Riley (+3400) (Bet $100 to collect $3,500) FanDuel has the best odds for Davis Riley this week

Davis Riley has done just about everything but claim victory at the PGA Tour level, and he finally finds himself in a weak enough field that should be prime for the taking. Prior to a group stage exit at the WGC Match Play, Riley finished top-20 at both the Valspar Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational, both longer Bermuda courses that place an emphasis on mid to long iron play and keeping the ball in play off the tee. 

The University of Alabama alumnus remains one of the best overall iron players in this field and checks nearly every box I am looking for this week from a statistical standpoint. The 27-year-old finally has the putter going and is trending in the right direction in all the categories I am focusing on this week.

As we can see above, the range of odds for Davis Riley is huge this week, and you can win an additional $1300 if he is triumphant on Sunday, just by betting at FanDuel. Always compare the odds of our picks, via the Odds Comparison Grid.

Robby Shelton (+10000) (Bet $100 to collect $10,100) Get the best odds for this pick at FanDuel

Robby Shelton possesses the rare combination of a downright elite short game and approach play. The 27-year-old is the only player in this field to rank top-10 in overall iron play, overall short game, mid to long iron play, and sand save percentage. I love capitalizing on the value of players that are coming off a missed cut yet gained strokes in both ball-striking categories, and that was the case with Robby Shelton at the Valspar Championship. His ball striking actually improved in both categories, yet we are still able to catch a big number on a largely unproven talent. 

Shelton has shown flashes, and he already has four Korn Ferry Tour wins to his name, proving that he is a proven Sunday closer. While he has not yet been in a position to claim victory at this level, Shelton has been scratching the surface with three top-25 finishes already this season, including a sixth at the American Express. I’ll take my chances and hope Shelton’s elite iron play helps him find his way into the mix come Sunday afternoon in Texas.

This might be the biggest disparity you see on the odds board this week, as you can win an extra $3000 just by placing your $100 wager on Robby Shelton at FanDuel rather than Caesars. This is why it is essential you compare odds every week.

Hideki Matsuyama was forced to withdraw from the WGC-Match Play in Texas due to a neck injury, which resulted in his scheduled opponent Max Homa going straight through into the round of 16.

Homa secures a knock-out place at the Match Play for the first time in three attempts after previously beating Justin Suh and Kevin Kisner this week, both by 3&2 margins.

With Matsuyama beating Kisner but losing to Suh, he could have forced a playoff with Homa had he beaten the American in Friday’s third match.

However, the neck injury that has been bugging the former Masters champion forced him to withdraw from the event before teeing off at Austin Country Club.

After arriving at the course, Matsuyama tried to warm-up and spent time on the range testing out his neck, but decided that he wasn't fit enough to play.

Worryingly for Matsuyama, it’s the second time in five months that he’s had to pull out of a tournament due to the neck injury – having also withdrawn from the Houston Open in November.

With the Masters coming up quickly, the 2021 champion must be concerned about his prospects of competing at Augusta National.

The 31-year-old had been in decent form as well, having finished fifth at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, so would have been well fancied to challenge again at Augusta.

For Homa, he gets to play the WGC-Match Play knockout rounds for the first time, to continue the good form he’s shown this season with two wins already, in the Fortinet Championship and Farmers Insurance Open.

Homa has moved up to a career-high sixth in the world and is second in the FedEx Cup standings behind Jon Rahm, and making the last 16 in Austin means he is guaranteed a T9 finish.

Golf fans could not take their eyes off the putting green at the WGC-Match Play as Hideki Matsuyama showcased the most elaborate putting drill we’ve seen in a long time.

In what looked more like a science experiment than a putting drill, Matsuyama had tee pegs everywhere, an aiming device and then the cherry on top – balancing a coin on top of his putter blade.

PGA Tour pros will go to extraordinary lengths to hone their craft, but even among the extremes this one looked a little over the top.

Most things are done with technology, electronic devices and computers these days, such as trackman, but this was a little more old school with the coin being used.

It paid off for the 2021 Masters champion as he went on to beat Match Play specialist Kevin Kisner 1up in his opening match of the tournament.

Nevertheless, his putting warm-up naturally enough drew plenty of reaction among golf fans watching in – both good and bad.

“This is absurd,” wrote one fan on Twitter, with another adding “this looks incredibly frustrating” and a third brand it as a “ridiculous waste of time” with many calling it overkill.

Plenty of fans sarcastically tagged in Will Zalatoris and said he should try out some of Matsuyama’s drills – given how the American took plenty of criticism for yet more short putting woes in Austin.

It’s the attention to detail, to those small margins that can often be the difference between success and failure in these big golf tournaments, that some people admire so much.

Some, though, believe that going into detail too much causes more harm than good – especially with the putter.

One Twitter user wrote: “Does it ever occur to them that going into that much analysis of it causes more problems?? Keep it simple, ‘back and through’”.

There’s obviously method in Matsuyama’s warm-up and even if it’s just to give him confidence in his putting stroke, every little advantage golfers can gain is worthwhile – and we know that they’ll try anything to get that advantage.

Srixon has become one of the standout brands in our annual iron testing. While it may not have the same mainstream profile as some of the industry's biggest names, it continues to build on a reputation forged through a string of outstanding equipment releases. Best known for producing some of the finest golf balls in the game, Srixon also manufactures some of the best golf irons on the market, offering performance to rival the best TaylorMade irons and best Titleist irons, often at a more competitive price.

And knowing how to choose golf irons is one of the most important equipment decisions you'll make. They account for the majority of the clubs in your bag and are used far more frequently than your driver, fairway woods, or wedges. Thankfully, Srixon's iron lineup caters to every type of golfer, from elite ball strikers to game-improvement players looking for maximum forgiveness.

In this guide, we've rounded up the best Srixon irons currently available and explained who each model is best suited to. For further reading, why not also take a closer look at some of our insightful guides to the best irons for low handicappers, best distance irons and most forgiving golf irons too.

The Quick List

Best Srixon Irons 2026

Best all-rounder

After the success of the ZX5 and ZX5 MK II irons, expectations were understandably high for the new ZXi5, and it doesn't disappoint. Right out of the box, the premium finish and beautifully sculpted cavity immediately stand out, giving the iron excellent shelf appeal. The clean monochrome styling adds to the sophisticated look, while the compact profile at address is particularly impressive for a game-improvement iron.

Despite offering plenty of forgiveness, the ZXi5 avoids the oversized appearance often associated with this category. Instead, it sits behind the ball much more like a player's iron, with a refined shape that better golfers will appreciate. Some golfers may still prefer a thicker topline for added confidence, but we felt Srixon struck an excellent balance between playability and aesthetics.

Performance during testing was equally impressive. Ball speeds and distance were excellent, but what really stood out was the feel. Distance irons often sacrifice feedback in pursuit of extra yardage, yet the ZXi5 delivers a smooth, solid sensation through impact that feels every bit as premium as it looks. Turf interaction was outstanding, allowing the club to glide cleanly through the ground and produce consistently high-quality strikes.

For mid-handicap golfers the ZXi5 is a superb all-around iron. It blends distance, forgiveness, feel and looks exceptionally well, while also pairing nicely with the ZXi4 irons in the longer irons for players looking to add a little more launch and forgiveness at the top end of the set.

• Read our full Srixon ZXi5 Irons Review

Best for higher handicappers

The ZXiR marks Srixon's first true entry into the game-improvement irons category, designed specifically to give higher-handicap golfers maximum forgiveness, easy launch and impressive distance.

At address the larger head profile immediately inspires confidence. A longer blade length, wider sole and increased offset make the ZXiR the most forgiving iron in the ZXi family, yet the premium cavity-back design and refined topline prevent it from looking oversized or cumbersome.

Srixon has also paid close attention to feel. The irons are constructed from i-FORGED material that's softer than traditional steel, helping to produce a solid, refined impact sensation that's uncommon in this category. Performance is further enhanced by the MainFrame face design, which boosts ball speed and forgiveness, while the Tour V.T. Sole promotes excellent turf interaction and helps prevent the club from digging on heavy strikes.

On the course, the ZXiR delivers exactly what its target golfer needs: a high, powerful ball flight, excellent stability on off-center hits and confidence-inspiring consistency. Progressive grooves and laser face milling also optimize launch in the long irons while improving spin control in the scoring clubs.

Overall, the ZXiR is an outstanding game-improvement iron that combines premium looks and feel with the forgiveness and easy launch higher-handicap golfers are looking for.

• Read our full Srixon ZXiR Irons Review

Best for distance

The ZXi4 is the distance-focused iron in the ZXi family, built around a hollow-body construction that generates impressive ball speed while offering the forgiveness less accomplished ball strikers need. The confidence-inspiring blade length and added offset make it particularly inviting at address, while still maintaining the refined appearance that runs throughout the ZXi lineup.

As with the rest of the family, feel is a real highlight. Despite its distance-oriented design the ZXi4 delivers an impressively soft, powerful sensation through impact, complemented by outstanding turf interaction. The Tour V.T. Sole once again plays a key role, helping the club glide smoothly through the turf while maintaining consistent contact across a variety of lies.

Visually, Srixon has struck an excellent balance. The ZXi4 looks premium without appearing oversized, offering a slightly friendlier version of the ZXi5 while retaining much of its player-inspired appeal. It delivers the confidence many golfers want from a game-improvement iron without looking overly bulky.

The only real criticism is the loft progression. The inconsistent loft gaps, particularly in the longer irons, feel a little unusual and may have been designed to maximize launch monitor numbers rather than maintain uniform spacing throughout the set. That aside, the ZXi4 is another outstanding iron from Srixon, combining distance, forgiveness, premium feel and impressive looks into a highly appealing package.

• Read our full Srixon ZXi4 Irons Review

Best feel

The ZX7 MKII irons set a very high standard, so expectations for the new ZXi7 were understandably high. Thankfully, Srixon has delivered a worthy successor, making meaningful improvements to feel and turf interaction while preserving everything that made the previous model such a favorite.

Visually, the ZXi7 is perhaps the least striking iron in the lineup. The styling is understated and the cavity design feels a little busy, which may not appeal to everyone. That said, once you set the club down behind the ball those concerns quickly disappear. The compact profile, clean topline and subtle offset create a classic player's look that inspires confidence without appearing intimidating.

As with the rest of the ZXi family the Tour V.T. Sole is a standout feature. Turf interaction is exceptional, allowing the club to glide effortlessly through a variety of conditions, particularly on firmer links-style turf. Feel is equally impressive, delivering the soft, responsive feedback you'd expect from a premium forged player's iron. It's right up there with the very best-feeling irons currently on the market, such as the TaylorMade P7CB and the Mizuno Pro 241.

When manufacturers update a successful iron the biggest challenge is improving it without losing what made it so good in the first place. Srixon has achieved exactly that with the ZXi7, refining an already outstanding iron to produce one of the best player's cavity-back models available today.

• Read our full Srixon ZXi7 Irons Review

Best for wide range

If you're looking for one of the best compact distance irons on the market, the ZX5 Mk II should be high on your shortlist. Building on the success of the original ZX5 irons, the Mk II introduces an updated MainFrame face design with variable-thickness milling and strategically placed cavities to increase face flex and generate even more ball speed.

At address the compact profile is more reminiscent of a player's iron than a traditional game-improvement model, making it particularly appealing to confident mid-handicap golfers. We found during testing that the ZX5 MK II sat neatly between the ZX7 MK II and ZX4 MK II for distance, ball speed and spin which was pleasing but the most impressive part of this iron set was the feel on offer - it feels both powerful but also slightly soft off the face, offering a bit more 'oomph' than what we felt with the ZX7. In terms of sheer feel and the experience you'll feel at impact of a well struck shot, it's right up there with the best golf irons.

The standout characteristic, however, is the feel. The ZX5 Mk II delivers a rare combination of speed and softness, producing a powerful yet refined sensation through impact that's among the very best in its class. Turf interaction is equally impressive, with the Tour V.T. Sole allowing the club to glide effortlessly through both soft parkland turf and firmer links conditions while maintaining excellent strike quality.

While the improvements over the original ZX5 aren't revolutionary, they are meaningful. The combination of enhanced feel, premium looks, consistent distance and outstanding turf interaction makes the ZX5 Mk II an excellent choice for golfers who want the performance of a player's iron with an added measure of forgiveness.

• Read our full Srixon ZX5 Mk II Irons Review

Most forgiving

The ZX4 MK II are the most user friendly iron of the ZX MK II family, with Srixon very much aiming them for those interested in equipping themselves with one of the best game improvement irons. Compared to the original ZX4 the Mk II benefits from a significant visual refresh, with a cleaner, more refined appearance at address. It retains the hollow-body construction that made its predecessor so easy to hit, while the slimmer topline gives it a more player-inspired look that should appeal to a broader range of golfers.

During testing, forgiveness was the standout feature. Off-center strikes retained impressive ball speed and stability, helping to minimize the penalty for imperfect contact. Distance was equally impressive but it never felt uncontrollable or inconsistent. The overall feel was another highlight, combining a lively, powerful sensation with excellent stability through impact. Much of that can be credited to Srixon's PureFrame technology, which helps reduce unwanted vibration and creates a more solid, refined strike.

The result is a game-improvement iron that delivers exactly what it's designed to do - plenty of distance, exceptional forgiveness, and premium feel - all wrapped up in a much sleeker package than you might expect.

• Read our full Srixon ZX4 MKII Review

Best workable model

We were hoping Srixon wouldn't make too many changes to the ZX7 Mk II simply because the previous model performed so well. Thankfully, rather than starting from scratch Srixon has refined an already excellent iron with a series of subtle but meaningful improvements.

The aesthetics have been enhanced too. At address, the ZX7 Mk II looks compact but remains inviting to hit, appearing noticeably larger than many of the best blade irons on the market. That extra size should inspire confidence without compromising the clean, player-preferred profile. It strikes an impressive balance, appealing to both low handicappers and accomplished mid-handicap golfers. Performance is equally strong, with the slightly stronger lofts helping it produce a little more distance than rivals such as the Ping i230 and TaylorMade P770.

As you'd expect from a forged player's iron, forgiveness isn't its greatest strength, but that's a worthwhile trade-off for the exceptional feel and acoustics on offer. The flatter, more penetrating ball flight will be particularly appealing to golfers who regularly play links courses or face windy conditions. While there isn't a huge amount of help on off-center strikes, confident ball strikers will appreciate the excellent workability and precise control. For golfers with faster swing speeds and the ability to consistently strike the center of the face, the ZX7 Mk II is a superb option and undoubtedly one of the best irons for low handicap golfers.

• Read our full Srixon ZX7 MKII Review

How we test Irons

At Golf Monthly we follow the same proven testing and rating procedure for every product to ensure our reviews and buying guides are as honest, insightful and comprehensive as possible. For golf clubs the process often begins by attending product launches, where we meet with manufacturers' R&D teams to gain a deeper understanding of the technology behind each new release.

Our testing process was further enhanced in 2026 with the introduction of Golf Monthly's Performance Lab. Powered by Foresight Sports, the facility features a GC3 launch monitor, Sim-In-A-Box simulator and FSX Pro software, allowing us to analyze new clubs in a highly controlled environment and gather accurate, consistent performance data.

Launch monitor testing is only one part of the process. Every iron is also tested extensively on the course, where we assess real-world performance across a variety of conditions, paying close attention to distance, consistency, forgiveness, feel, turf interaction, workability and overall playability.

Above all our reviews are completely independent. No manufacturer can buy a favorable verdict and every recommendation is based solely on the performance we see during testing.

How to choose a new set of irons

Consider your handicap and ability

The best place to start when choosing a new set of irons is by honestly assessing your skill level and ball-striking consistency. As a general rule, higher-handicap golfers will benefit most from cavity-back irons, which feature larger heads and are designed to maximize forgiveness on off-center strikes. Mid- to low-handicap players may prefer forged or more compact designs that offer greater workability and shot control. Above all, buy irons that suit the game you have now rather than the one you hope to have in the future.

We have great guides that go into more detail on this, so check out our guide on the most forgiving irons if you're a higher handicapper and our guide on the best irons for mid-handicappers.

Custom Fit

A custom fitting is one of the most valuable investments you can make when buying new irons, regardless of your ability level. A fitting ensures key specifications such as shaft flex, shaft length, lie angle and grip size are matched to your swing, helping you get the most from your equipment. While the process may seem intimidating if you're new to the game, it's the best way to ensure your clubs are optimized for your swing. Most golf retailers and PGA professionals offer custom fitting services.

Aesthetics

Performance should always come first but confidence at address is equally important. The shape of the head, topline thickness, offset and overall profile can all influence how comfortable you feel standing over the ball. Some golfers prefer a larger, confidence-inspiring head, while others favor a more compact, player-style look. Try a variety of models and choose the one that gives you the greatest confidence.

Price

Your budget will naturally influence your options. A quality set of cavity-back irons designed for forgiveness and distance will typically cost around $900, while premium forged or blade-style irons often start at $1,000 or more due to their advanced manufacturing processes and materials. Whatever your budget there are excellent options available and if value is a priority, be sure to check out our guide to the best budget irons.

FAQs

If Srixon isn't for you, don't worry as we have guides on some of the best club manufacturers in the business. So why not check out our guides to the best Cobra irons, the best Callaway irons and the best Ping irons.

 While Tiger Woods’ comeback for the Genesis Open may have stolen the weekend headlines, don’t forget we have a full 18 holes to finish up for the ‘Greatest Show on Grass’ on Sunday.

Scottie Scheffler carries a two-stroke lead into the final round while Jon Rahm (-11) and Nick Taylor (-11) are right on his tail. Scheffler, the defending champion, shot a -3 on Saturday, and he’ll look to become the first repeat winner at TPC Scottsdale since Hideki Matsuyama did it in 2017.

Sprinkling a little money on the WM Phoenix Open should serve as the perfect appetizer leading up to Super Bowl LVII, which will actually take place on the other side of the valley in Glendale. Let’s dive into my top two bets for Sunday’s action in Scottsdale.

WM Phoenix Open Picks

Scottie Scheffler To Win Outright (+115) (Bet $100 to collect $215) Get the best odds for this pick at DraftKings

I’ve been riding with Scottie Scheffler all week, so why would I stop now? The American won last year’s tournament and finished T7 the year prior, finishing both events at -16. So, saying he rounds out the round at -3 and collects another -16 would mean the closest competitor, Jon Rahm, would have to play a -5 just to force a playoff. I mean, it’s not impossible considering how red-hot Rahm is right now, but I’ll gladly take my chances with Scheffler.

Scheffler is also playing insanely well right now, and he’s no stranger to playing in high-stress environments. Let’s not overthink this one – Scottie’s up two strokes and he’s playing the best golf of his life over the last year-plus. 

Jordan Spieth To Beat Jason Day In Round Four (-115) (Bet $115 to collect $215) To get the best odds for this pick, head over to DraftKings now

Jordan Spieth is riding a fantastic Friday, where he shot 8-under par through the 18 holes. That pushed him to -8 for the event after shooting par on Thursday. Add on another -2 effort on Saturday, and the American is in contention for a WM Phoenix Open win at -10. As for Jason Day, he went -6 on Thursday, followed by a par-round on Friday and a -3 on Saturday.

Per my pick above, I obviously don’t think Scheffler blows this lead to anyone – let alone Jason Day, who’s four strokes off the pace. It seems like Day’s deficit is simply insurmountable. So what does that say about Spieth’s position? Even though it's only a one-stroke advantage, it feels like he’s in a different echelon heading into Sunday at -10. 

With that being said, I expect Spieth to come into Sunday’s action thinking he has a real shot to bring home a win. On top of the mental side, Spieth is always a threat at TPC Scottsdale. He’s posted the following finishes in the past: T4 in 2021 (-17), T7 in 2016 (-11), and T9 in 2017 (-12). Day’s only notable finish at the WM Phoenix Open was a missed cut in 2021. The Australian is uncharted territory, so I’ll ride with Spieth to golf a better fourth round than Day on Sunday.

WM Phoenix Open Odds - Live Odds Entering Sunday

After hosting three consecutive events in the Golden State, the PGA Tour will depart from California and relocate southeast to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open. It’s one of the most entertaining courses on the Tour circuit and will have a jam-packed field filled with top players like Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler, to name just a few. Players and fans will be treated to a more traditional, standard format at the WMPO, as the host course, TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, will be played all four rounds, with the cut-line enforced after the first two rounds conclude. 136 professionals will tee off starting Thursday morning with their sights set on claiming the $3.6 million purse as the outright winner.

We haven’t seen a field this packed in quite some time, as defending FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy will return from the DP World Tour, where he’s been crushing opponents with ease. Meanwhile, Scheffler returns to defend his title at the WMPO, where he earned his first of four outright wins in 2022, sparking a lucrative year and worldwide recognition. The last time we saw a back-to-back winner at TPC Scottsdale was Hideki Matsuyama, who rattled off wins of -14 and -17, the latter occurring after outlasting Webb Simpson in a four-hole sudden-death playoff round. Of course, we can’t forget Sam Ryder’s first career Ace on the par 3 16th hole, sending thousands of fans into a frenzy as he sunk a hole-in-one. The energy will be palpable after a rain-soaked, windy weekend at Pebble Beach, where professionals were paired with amateurs, slowing the pace of the event and forcing play into Monday afternoon. 

It’s always fun to construct PGA DFS lineups on a slate like the one we’re getting at the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open. The course rewards powerful tee shots and accurate ball striking. It has TiffDwarf Bermuda greens mixed with two-and-a-half-inch rough, surrounded by desert vegetation, 70 sand bunkers, and six bodies of water throughout its 18 holes. The par 71 track tips to 7,261 yards without any additional extensions this offseason. The higher altitude and warmer conditions should see tee shots, drives, and approach shots soar with precision while putting could gain velocity on the over-seeded putting surfaces. Historical winning scores fluctuate between -14 to -19-under-par, so there will be plenty of birdie opportunities for players. 

I’ve identified six of my favorite prospects who will have a lot of red in their scorecard to help us cash out our DraftKings and FanDuel lineups. Let’s find out why each of these players should be prioritized ahead of Thursday’s opening tee times. 

DraftKings - $50,000 Maximum Salary (6 players)

Rory McIlroy ($10,800)

We’ve only seen the reigning FedExCup champion play in one other PGA Tour event this season, where he collected the outright win at The CJ Cup in October, going 17-under-par for the win. McIlroy has been playing golf on the European leg, named the DP World Tour, where he’s continued racking up outrights, T5s, and T10s. We’ve only seen the 33-year-old Irishman compete once at TPC Scottsdale, earning a T13 finish (-13) back in 2021. McIlroy is right behind Jon Rahm with the highest odds to win outright at the 2023 WMPO at +850, which means oddsmakers expect a flurry of birdies and sharp irons. McIlroy’s game has hardly any flaws right now, so he’s a safe blue-chip prospect to build your DraftKings lineups around.

Tom Kim ($9,100)

Tom Kim will make his debut at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Thursday. The 20-year-old South Korean native burst onto the scene late in the season last year and wound up logging enough T10 finishes to qualify for the FedExCup playoffs, where he continued to deliver high-caliber performances. Kim is averaging over 92 FPPG on DraftKings and has only missed one cut, which he bounced back from with 26 birdies the following week. His irons are dialed, his driver is strong, and it’s a course that allows players with Kim’s skill set to thrive. Plug him in at a solid value of $9.1K on DraftKings. 

Sahith Theegala ($8,500)

Sahith Theegala was one of the more impressive rookies in 2022 and has looked every bit at the part to start the 2023 season. Theegala has logged four T10 finishes in nine events and has only missed one cut while averaging 81.1 FPPG on DraftKings. In 2022, Theegala had a fantastic outing at the WMPO, drawing a T3 (-15) finish after starting off -12-under-par across the first two rounds. If he can maintain his composure down the stretch, expect another T10 at the Stadium Course, with an opportunity to challenge for the outright win, which would be the first win of Theegala’s career. He’s a huge value at $8.5K, so insert him into lineups with maximum confidence. 

 FanDuel - $60,000 Maximum Salary (6 players)

Scottie Scheffler ($11,800)

We haven’t seen Scottie Scheffler play since The American Express a couple of weeks ago, but he’s been posting elite numbers, logging three T10 finishes, including a T3, to start his 2023 PGA Tour season. Scheffler is the defending champion at the WMPO and will look to be the first player to defend his title since Hideki Matsuyama did it in 2016 and 2017. Scheffler is converting over 76 percent of greens in regulation, ranked seventh on the Tour, while also possessing an accurate, strong driver that gives him the ability to find the green in fewer strokes with minimal difficulty. Putting has been a bit of an issue, but with how tight his irons have been in recent events, expect Scheffler to linger near the top of the leaderboard throughout the weekend. Pay up to acquire the reigning champion.

Max Homa ($11,100)

Max Homa has an elite ball-striking ability and has also mounted comebacks in clutch moments, including most recently during his sixth career win at the Farmers Insurance Open. Homa has logged a T10 and a couple of T25  finishes at the WMPO while also falling outside of the top 25 on a few occasions. He’s playing great golf right now, though, and his metrics reflect it. The 32-year-old native of California is ranked 23rd in strokes gained putting, 13th in strokes gained approaching the green, and ninth in strokes gained tee-to-green. He’s a birdie machine, averaging 5.2 per round, and converts 73 percent of greens in regulation. Homa is 22/1 to win outright this weekend, but even if he doesn’t achieve this feat, he’ll still be producing at a high rate to be a massive asset in FanDuel lineups despite the elevated salary. 

Si Woo Kim ($9,600)

My favorite salary-saver on FanDuel is 27-year-old South Korean native Si Woo Kim. We saw Kim earn an outright win at the Sony Open roughly a month ago, and he’s logged consecutive T25 finishes at The AmEx AND Farmers Insurance Open since winning in Hawaii. Kim has logged previous finishes of T26, T50, MC, MC, and T62, so it’ll be intriguing to watch him build off of recent momentum to crack a T25 finish at the WMPO finally. Kim is ranked fifth in total strokes gained, showcasing his accuracy with his irons while maintaining an accurate driver and converting over 71 percent of greens in regulation. At $9.6K on FanDuel, as long as Kim makes the cut and logs his first T25 finish at TPC Scottsdale, it’ll be enough to keep your lineups in the green once Sunday’s final round wraps up just before Super Bowl LVII kicks off down the road in Glendale, Arizona.

Despite not being as present on social media as he was 18 months ago, Phil Mickelson still occasionally pops up to give his thoughts on matters within golf or to communicate with his fans and fellow players.

On Saturday, during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open, Lefty posted his first tweet in over a month but, instead of it being about LIV Golf, it was instead about the outfit choice of tournament leader, Sam Ryder, specifically his joggers and socks...

Ryder, who at the time of writing is holding off the likes of Jon Rahm, Max Homa and Hideki Matsuyama, is currently donning a pair of maroon/purple joggers which cut off at the ankle, with the American also wearing some black ankle socks.

In all honesty, it shouldn't be a huge bug, especially with golf changing its image and allowing hoodies on the golf course for example. However, Mickelson didn't seem pleased by the fashion choice, with the six-time Major winner tweeting his views on his social media channel.

In the tweet, Mickelson stated: "The Tour doesn’t allow shorts but does allow this week's leader to wear joggers with ankle socks? Showing 4 inches of ankle? I’m no fashion guy, never will be, but there are some things I won’t ever understand."

It's not as if joggers are new to the professional circuit. Players like Justin Thomas and Erik van Rooyen have been regularly seen wearing them in tournament play, with there being plenty of brands producing them for the club golfer.

After moving to LIV Golf back in June, the Saudi-backed series has allowed players to wear shorts in their tournaments, something which is still prohibited on the PGA Tour. What's more, at The 150th Open Championship, CBS reporter, Kyle Porter, pointed out that it appeared Mickelson was wearing a t-shirt at St Andrews, something which is against the dress code of tournament play.

Farmers Insurance Open 2023 Live Stream

Jon Rahm will look to win three PGA Tour tournaments in a row at the Farmers Insurance Open this week. Hosted at Torrey Pines, Rahm has had several good experiences at the course, winning a Farmers and of course a US Open. He’s one of five of the top-10 on the Official World Golf Ranking set to compete as the PGA Tour West Coast swing continues. Joining him are Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Will Zalatoris, the latter of which finished as a runner-up last year in this event. Tony Finau, Max Homa and Hideki Matsuyama are also down to compete. 

Players alternate between Torrey Pines’ North and South courses for the first two rounds. The final two rounds are played on the South Course. Below are all the broadcast and streaming details you need to make sure you miss none of the action. Don't be caught out by the Wednesday first round and the final round being on Saturday!

Farmers Insurance Open Live Stream: How to watch from outside your country

There are loads of easy ways to watch golf in 2023 including in the US, UK and almost anywhere else in the world. Below we have a full list of options but anyone away from their home country can still watch the action by using VPNs.

VPNs allow you to get around any geo-blocking and and let you watch the same legal, high-quality golf live stream you would at home.

ExpressVPN is one of the best out there. It's easy to use, boasts strong security features, is very easy to setup and is compatible with most major streaming devices, including the  Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation.

Best of all, ExpressVPN comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. This is the #1 rated VPN in the world right now. You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get 3 months absolutely free.

US TV Schedule - 2023 Farmers Insurance Open

All times EST

Wednesday, January 25: 3pm-7pm (Golf Channel)

Thursday, January 26: 3pm-7pm (Golf Channel)

Friday, January 27: 3pm-5pm (Golf Channel), 5pm-8pm (CBS)

Saturday, January 28: 2.30pm-4.30pm (Golf Channel), 4.30pm-8pm (CBS)

NBC's Golf Channel will televise action during the week as will CBS when the tournament heats up over the weekend. Bearing this in mind you can access the Golf Channel through streaming options such as AT&T TV Now and fuboTV.

AT&T TV Now starts at around $55 a month but does have a 7-day free trial. While fuboTV also offers the Golf Channel and 100+ other channels and also has a 7-day free trial.

UK TV Schedule - 2023 Farmers Insurance Open

Wednesday, January 25: 5pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)

Thursday, January 26: 5pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)

Friday, January 27: 5.30pm-1am (Sky Sports Golf)

Saturday, January 28: 5.30pm-1am (Sky Sports Golf)

In the UK, Sky Sports should be your first port of call as Sky Sports Golf will televise action from the event. At the moment Sky has some great deals on Sky Sports for those looking to upgrade and those looking sign up to Sky for the first time.

You can get all eight Sky Sports Channels in HD for just £25 a month which not only includes all the golf action, but you can also watch the football, cricket, Formula 1, NFL and a whole host of other sporting events.

Australia TV Schedule - 2023 Farmers Insurance Open

Thursday, January 26: 5am-11am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Friday, January 27: 2am-11am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Saturday, January 28: 6am-12am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Sunday, January 29: 6.30am-12am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

The PGA Tour coverage in Australia obviously means getting something great to watch early in the morning. As ever in Australia the most comprehensive golf coverage is offered by Kayo Sports where you can watch Fox Sports that broadcasts the PGA Tour coverage. Not only can you watch the action from Torrey Pines here, it has all the PGA Tour, DP World Tour events and the Majors. It also has events on the LPGA as well.

It of course also offers access to over 50 sports live and on-demand, with some its big name channels including Fox Sports, ESPN, and beIN Sports.

It's also fantastic value at either $25 for Kayo Basic or $35 for Kayo Premium. Basic lets you stream sport on two devices at once, while Premium allows you to watch on up to three screens simultaneously, so it represents great value if your household has different sporting tastes or you're splitting the cost of the subscription. There's even a free 14-day trial.

As ever, Aussies out of the country can access their favorite streaming service just like they would at home can use a VPN to watch their PGA Tour live stream of choice.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service) 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. 

Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

This week sees the ninth running of the Latin America Amateur Championship to be held at Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama.

The winner of the event will earn an invitation to compete in the 2024 Masters, a start in the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, and a start in the 124th US Open at Pinehurst Resort and CC.

The background

Founded by The R&A, The Masters and The USGA, the Latin America Amateur Championship, or LAAC, was inaugurated with a view to developing the game in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

It followed the success of the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) that has been run since 2009 by The R&A and The Masters, together with the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation.

That event has proved hugely effective in growing the game in the Asia Pacific region, producing inspirational champions like Hideki Matsuyama.

The incredible prizes on offer at the LAAC have, in just eight years of its existence, inspired and incentivised players and federations in the region to focus their efforts and develop their elite programmes.

Since it was first contested in Buenos Aires in 2015, the 72-hole strokeplay tournament has produced great champions and a number of top players.

Joaquin Niemann of Chile who won the LAAC in 2018 on home soil in Santiago, is perhaps the best-known graduate.

Others to have played in the event include Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira and Alvaro Ortiz.

There have now been 24 victories by former LAAC players on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas.

The prizes

The LAAC champion receives an invitation to compete in the 2024 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club and  will automatically qualify for The 152nd Open at Royal Troon and, for the second time, will earn a spot in the US Open - the 124th instalment of which will take place at Pinehurst.

The winner also receives full exemptions into The 129th Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Championship and any other USGA amateur championship for which he is eligible.

Runner(s)-up will be exempt into the final stages of qualifying for The 152nd Open and the 124th U.S. Open Championship.

The vision

The LAAC is just one element of The R&A’s extensive and on-going work to promote and grow the sport of golf around the world.

The move in 2020 to offer the champion a place in The Open (as with the AAC) demonstrated how the event has grown and evolved in a relatively short space of time.

This year’s event will feature 108 players from 28 different countries in the Latin America region.

That region extends from Mexico through Central America, including the Caribbean, and down to South America. Host country Panama has seven representatives this year with Brazil, Argentina and Colombia represented by eight entrants.

The importance of the event in developing talent is demonstrated by the fact that no fewer than 65 of the 108 starters are either past, present or future students at U.S Colleges.

The youngest player in the field this year is 14-year-old Gustavo Ciacometti from Brazil. The oldest is Costa Rica's Alvaro Ortiz who is 55. Ortiz is one of just three players who have competed in each of the first eight instalments of the LAAC. The others are Jarryd Dillas of Bermuda and Miguel Ordonez of this year's host nation Panama. 

This will be the second time Panama has played host to the LAAC. The first time was in 2017, when the event was staged at Clube de Golf de Panama.

The course for 2024

A creation of Nicklaus Design, the course at Santa Maria offers striking views of the city skyline. Opened in 2012, it's a par-72, 7,153 yard track. It's a parkland track that has played host to a number of significant junior competitions in its short lifetime. The greens are testing, featuring a number of tricky undulations but it's the water features that probably provide the most significant protection. A number of holes are potected by lakes. Those that aren't tend to be well bunkered. It will be a precise and strategic approach that wins out this week.

History of the LAAC

The inaugural LAAC was won, in 2015, by Chile’s Matias Dominguez at Pilar Golf in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 22-year-old senior at Texas Tech University carded a four-round total of 11-under-par to finish one ahead of home player Alejandro Tosti.

The following year, over Pete Dye’s Teeth of the Dog course at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, 16-year-old Paul Chaplet from Costa Rica was the winner.

He held his nerve coming down the stretch to beat Venezuela’s Jorge Garcia by a single shot.

2017 saw the first and, so far, only playoff in the LAAC. It was Chile’s Toto Gana who came out on top at Club de Golf de Panama.

The 19-year-old defeated his countryman Joaquin Niemann and Mexico’s Alvaro Ortiz at the second extra hole.

Although disappointed to miss out in extra holes, both Niemann and Ortiz would have their days.

It was Niemann who triumphed 12-months later at the Prince of Wales Country Club in Santiago.

The 19-year-old became the third Chilean player in the first four years of the LAAC to take the title.

Niemann has gone on to enjoy significant success in the professional ranks.

A winner on the PGA Tour, he played in the 2019 Presidents Cup and is now on the LIV Golf Tour.

In 2019 the LAAC returned to the Dominican Republic where Mexico’s Alvaro Ortiz scored a deserving win.

It was his fifth and final appearance in the championship and he signed off in style with a two-shot win over Costa Rica’s Luis Gagne.

Ortiz became the first LAAC winner to make the cut in The Masters three months later and he then went on to turn professional.

In 2020, 17-year-old Abel Gallegos became Argentina's first LAAC champion. He posted an excellent final round of four-under-par 67 to win by four shots at Playa del Carmen in Mayakoba, Mexico. Conditions were tough for the week and Gallegos was the only player to beat par over 72 holes.

The Covid crisis meant no tournament was contested in 2021 but in 2022 the event returned for a third time to the Teeth of the Dog Course in the Dominican Republic.

In that event, 19-year-old Aaron Jarvis made history by becoming the first player from the Cayman Islands to win, and to compete in both The Masters and The Open Championship.

Jarvis held his nerve to finish one clear of a group of four players. It was quite a triumph for a player from a nation of just 70,000 people with just 27 golf holes on the three islands.

Last year in Puerto Rico, Argentina's Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira set a 72-hole scoring record of 23-under-par to finish four clear of Mexico's Luis Carrera. The University of Arkansas student had volunteered as a scoreboard carrier in the first ever LAAC at Pilar Golf Club in Buenos Aires. It was a great demonstration of how the event has inspired young players to excel at the sport.

Sony Open 2023 Live Stream

The PGA Tour stays in Hawaii this week for the Sony Open, and the tournament celebrates its 25th edition with Sony as the title sponsor. 19 of the 39 players who competed at the Sentry Tournament of Champions will make the island hop for the Sony Open.

Big name wise, Jordan Spieth sits atop the tree closely followed by Hideki Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Adam Scott, Billy Horschel, as well as Presidents Cup players Corey Conners, K.H. Lee and Christiaan Bezuidenhout. 

The course in question is Waialae Country Club measuring at just over 7,000 yards. Designed by Seth Raynor and recently renovated by Tom Doak, the course features tree-lined fairways and as many as 83 bunkers. 

Below are all the broadcast and streaming details you need to make sure you miss none of the action.

Sony Open Live Stream: How to watch from outside your country

There are loads of easy ways to watch golf in 2023 including in the US, UK and almost anywhere else in the world. Below we have a full list of options but anyone away from their home country can still watch the action by using VPNs.

VPNs allow you to get around any geo-blocking and and let you watch the same legal, high-quality golf live stream you would at home.

ExpressVPN is one of the best out there. It's easy to use, boasts strong security features, is very easy to setup and is compatible with most major streaming devices, including the  Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation.

Best of all, ExpressVPN comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. This is the #1 rated VPN in the world right now. You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get 3 months absolutely free.

US TV Schedule - 2023 Sony Open

All times EST

Thursday, January 12: 7pm-10.30pm (Golf Channel)

Friday, January 13: 7pm-10.30pm (Golf Channel)

Saturday, January 14: 4pm-6pm (NBC), 6pm-8pm (Golf Channel)

Sunday, January 15: 4pm-6pm (NBC), 6pm-8pm (Golf Channel)

NBC's Golf Channel will televise action during the week along with NBC itself over the weekend. Bearing this in mind you can access the Golf Channel through streaming options such as AT&T TV Now and fuboTV.

AT&T TV Now starts at around $55 a month but does have a 7-day free trial. While fuboTV also offers the Golf Channel and 100+ other channels and also has a 7-day free trial.

UK TV Schedule - 2023 Sony Open

Thursday, January 12: 5pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)

Friday, January 13: 6pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)

Saturday, January 14: 8pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)

Sunday, January 15: 6pm-12am (Sky Sports Golf)

In the UK, Sky Sports should be your first port of call as Sky Sports Golf will televise action from the event. At the moment Sky has some great deals on Sky Sports for those looking to upgrade and those looking sign up to Sky for the first time.

You can get all eight Sky Sports Channels in HD for just £25 a month which not only includes all the golf action, but you can also watch the football, cricket, Formula 1, NFL and a whole host of other sporting events.

Australia TV Schedule - 2023 Sony Open

Friday, January 13: 6am-2.30pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Saturday, January 14: 6am-2.30pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Sunday, January 15: 11am-2.30pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Monday, January 16: 10am-2pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

The PGA Tour coverage in Australia obviously means getting something great to watch early in the morning. As ever in Australia the most comprehensive golf coverage is offered by Kayo Sports where you can watch Fox Sports that broadcasts the PGA Tour coverage. Not only can you watch the action from Hawaii here, it has all the PGA Tour, DP World Tour events and the Majors. It also has events on the LPGA as well.

It of course also offers access to over 50 sports live and on-demand, with some its big name channels including Fox Sports, ESPN, and beIN Sports.

It's also fantastic value at either $25 for Kayo Basic or $35 for Kayo Premium. Basic lets you stream sport on two devices at once, while Premium allows you to watch on up to three screens simultaneously, so it represents great value if your household has different sporting tastes or you're splitting the cost of the subscription. There's even a free 14-day trial.

As ever, Aussies out of the country can access their favorite streaming service just like they would at home can use a VPN to watch their PGA Tour live stream of choice.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service) 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. 

Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

After last week’s dramatic victory for Jon Rahm at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, the second PGA Tour event of the calendar year, the Sony Open, remains in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club. 

In 2022, it was the scene of victory for Hideki Matsuyama, which included a shot of the year contender in the playoff against 2013 winner Russell Henley – a 276-yard three-wood that fell a foot short of the hole, to set him up for his eighth and, to date, most recent PGA Tour win.

The Japanese star returns this year in an effort to repeat the feat. To do so, he will need to overcome the challenges of several formidable opponents, most notably World No.14 Tom Kim and World No.15 Jordan Spieth. Kim is one of the game’s most exciting prospects, and that hype was justified again last week when he tied for fifth at the Plantation Course at Kapalua. That will give him the confidence he could add to his two PGA Tour wins this week.

Former World No.1 Spieth may not have been quite the force of old in recent times. However, his most recent win, a thriller in last April’s RBC Heritage, served as a reminder that he can be as good as anyone on his day. He will be attempting to draw on his 2017 performance in the Sony Open for inspiration, when he finished third.

While Matsuyama, Kim and Spieth are the highest-ranked players in the field, there are plenty of other notable participants, including several former winners. Among them is Matt Kuchar, who claimed victory in 2019, and Patton Kizzire, who won a year earlier. Jimmy Walker claimed back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015, and he also plays, as does 2010 winner Ryan Palmer. The winner in 2009, Team USA Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, and 2008 champion KJ Choi appear too. 

Spieth isn’t the only former World No.1 in the field. Australian Adam Scott, who reached the summit in 2014, is playing too. Scott recently reunited with former caddie Steve Williams, and he will hope the revived partnership yields a positive result this week after a disappointing finish of 29th at last week’s event. Other players of note include several who took part last week, such as World No.18 Billy Horschel, World No.25 Keegan Bradley, World No.34 Corey Conners and Adam Svenson, who claimed his maiden PGA Tour title in the RSM Classic in November.

Players will compete for a purse of $7.9m, an increase of $400,000 on last year's tournament. The winner will earn $1.422m.

Below is the full breakdown of the prize money and field for the Sony Open.

Sony Open 2023 Prize Money

Sony Open 2023 Field

• Akana, Blaze
• Albertson, Anders
• Alexander, Tyson
• An, Byeong Hun
• Armour, Ryan
• Baddeley, Aaron
• Barnes, Erik
• Bezuidenhout, Christiaan
• Blair, Zac
• Bradley, Keegan
• Bramlett, Joseph
• Brehm, Ryan
• Buckley, Hayden
• Castillo, Michael
• Choi, K.J.
• Cink, Stewart
• Cole, Eric
• Cone, Trevor
• Conners, Corey
• Cook, Austin
• Daffue, MJ
• Davis, Cam
• Dou, Zecheng
• Duncan, Tyler
• Echavarria, Nico
• Eckroat, Austin
• Endycott, Harrison
• English, Harris
• Garnett, Brice
• Gligic, Michael
• Glover, Lucas
• Gordon, Will
• Goya, Tano
• Grant, Brent
• Griffin, Ben
• Grillo, Emiliano
• Hadley, Chesson
• Haley II, Paul
• Hall, Harry
• Hammer, Cole
• Hardy, Nick
• Harman, Brian
• Harrington, Scott
• Henley, Russell
• Herman, Jim
• Hickok, Kramer
• Higa, Kazuki
• Higgs, Harry
• Hoge, Tom
• Horschel, Billy
• Hubbard, Mark
• Hughes, Mackenzie
• Huh, John
• Im, Sungjae
• Jaeger, Stephan
• Johnson, Zach
• Katsuragawa, Yuto
• Kelly, Jerry
• Kim, Michael
• Kim, S.H.
• Kim, Si Woo
• Kim, Tom
• Kirk, Chris
• Kitayama, Kurt
• Kizzire, Patton
• Knox, Russell
• Kraft, Kelly
• Kuchar, Matt
• Lashley, Nate
• Lee, Danny
• Lee, K.H.
• Lingmerth, David
• Lipsky, David
• Long, Adam
• Malnati, Peter
• Martin, Ben
• Matsuyama, Hideki
• Matthews, Brandon
• McCarthy, Denny
• McGreevy, Max
• McLachlin, Parker
• McNealy, Maverick
• Merritt, Troy
• Mitchell, Keith
• Montgomery, Taylor
• Moore, Ryan
• Mueller, Jesse
• Nakajima, Keita
• Norrman, Vincent
• Novak, Andrew
• Núñez, Augusto
• Okada, Kohei
• Onishi, Kaito
• Palmer, Ryan
• Piercy, Scott
• Poston, J.T.
• Putnam, Andrew
• Rai, Aaron
• Ramey, Chad
• Reavie, Chez
• Redman, Doc
• Roy, Kevin
• Ryder, Sam
• Sabbatini, Rory
• Schenk, Adam
• Schmid, Matti
• Schwab, Matthias
• Scott, Adam
• Semikawa, Taiga
• Shelton, Robby
• Sigg, Greyson
• Simpson, Webb
• Smalley, Alex
• Smotherman, Austin
• Spaun, J.J.
• Spieth, Jordan
• Stanley, Kyle
• Steele, Brendan
• Stevens, Sam
• Streb, Robert
• Streelman, Kevin
• Stuard, Brian
• Suh, Justin
• Svensson, Adam
• Taylor, Ben
• Taylor, Nick
• Thompson, Davis
• Thompson, Michael
• Todd, Brendon
• Tway, Kevin
• Walker, Jimmy
• Werbylo, Trevor
• Werenski, Richy
• Westmoreland, Kyle
• Woodland, Gary
• Wu, Brandon
• Wu, Dylan
• Young, Carson
• Yu, Kevin
• Yuan, Car

Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament, Fred Ridley, has announced today that Kazuki Higa and Gordon Sargent have both accepted invitations to compete in the year's first men's Major for the first time.

“The Masters Tournament prioritizes opportunities to elevate both amateur and professional golf around the world,” Ridley said. “Thus, we have extended invitations to two deserving players not otherwise qualified. Whether on the international stage or at the elite amateur level, each player has showcased their talent in the past year. We look forward to hosting them at Augusta National in April.”

Both players will enter a field featuring most of the world's best players - including those from LIV Golf.

Ridley announced in December that LIV Golfers who are already qualified for the Masters will be allowed to compete in the tournament while not hiding his distain for  Greg Norman's Saudi-backed start-up circuit.

"Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it," Ridley said.

"Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April. Therefore, as invitations are sent this week, we will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament."

This will mean that the strongest field will be present and both Higa and Sargent will have the chance to experience Augusta National for the first time.

Higa won four times on the Japan Golf Tour in 2022 and won the Order of Merit last year, an achievement that 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama earned in 2013.

Sargent is the reigning NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Champion and is currently a sophomore at Vanderbilt University. He became the first freshman to win the induvidual title since 2007 and is ranked No.4 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He becomes the first amateur to accept a special invitation since Aaron Baddeley in 2000.

The Masters begins on April 6 and this year will represent the 87th playing of the tournament.

Xander Schauffele makes his 2023 debut this week at the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua and he's doing so with some new equipment that has been very interestingly tweaked.

The World No.6 has the brand new Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver in the bag for the event and made some tweaks himself by adding some white sharpie lines to give the look of grooves. GolfWRX is on-site this week in Hawaii and revealed that Schauffele's caddie said: "Xander likes to see the face so he added sharpie lines (it’s not paint!)"

Hideki Matsuyama was disqualified from the Memorial Tournament for adding similar lines to his club face, although his markings were not made with a sharpie pen.

"Those markings were placed there by his club guy to help with alignment. Assistance with alignment by placing a small Sharpie mark on the face or small Sharpie line on the face is certainly allowed," PGA Tour Senior Tournament Director, Steve Rintoul, said at the time.

"But what was done there with that substance which is very much like a whiteout substance we would use at home, was a coating that was not only in the grooves but was very thick along the face, and now he's applied a substance to the face, which renders the club non-conforming. Under 4.1a under the rules of golf, a player is disqualified if he uses a non-conforming club."

A number of new Callaway Paradym driver heads recently appeared on the USGA Conforming Club list, with players set to use them in competition this week.

The event comes with an elevated $15m purse and a field that includes 17 of the world's top 20 players. Xander Schauffele won the event in 2019, where he shot a final round 11-under-par 62 to beat Gary Woodland by one. He has won seven PGA Tour titles and captured the Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020.

- Tour Gear Round Up - New Drivers and Player Signings

The Japan Golf Tour has joined forces with the DP World and PGA Tours by creating a formal pathway that will see its top three finishers in the 2022-23 season gain DP World Tour cards.

From there, Japan Golf Tour alumni can earn one of the ten PGA Tour cards awarded to the top finishers on the Race to Dubai rankings.

Some might have thought that the Japan Golf Tour was set to side with LIV Golf earlier in the year, with four Japanese players making up team Torque GC and strong rumours of Hideki Matsuyama - the first and only male Japanese Major winner - joining LIV.

All Japanese players from team Torque were surprisingly not in the field for the Boston event, and it was then confirmed that Matsuyama would be remaining with the PGA Tour. Matsuyama turned down a fee reported to be as high as $400m to join LIV, with the 2021 Masters winner said to be "torn between the money and his legacy." The PGA Tour also reportedly threatened Japan Golf Tour players with bans from the Zozo Championship and Korn Ferry Tour school if they teed it up in LIV events, according to a Sports Illustrated report.

With this new agreement, it is clear that any Japanese players appearing in the LIV Golf League events next year will be doing so at the expense of their Japan Golf, DP World and PGA Tour memberships.

The Japan Golf Tour will "work alongside the DP World Tour and PGA Tour on other key business areas, including strategic development and commercial growth, as well as further discussion about future areas of collaboration and support." The ISPS Handa - Championship debuts in Japan in April as part of the DP World Tour schedule.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, said, “The Japan Golf Tour Organisation has produced many incredibly talented players over the years, and we are delighted to establish this formal pathway as part of golf’s meritocratic system, defining clear routes for players from the other international Tours to earn status on the DP World Tour and potentially go on to play on the PGA Tour.

“There are players from 34 different countries exempt on the DP World Tour in 2023 and, alongside our first tournament in Japan next April, today’s announcement further underlines our position as golf’s global Tour.”

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA Tour, said: “Japan has a long, storied history of producing world-class golf talent that deserves the opportunity to compete on the game’s highest stage, and today’s announcement is recognition of that. Over the past 30 years, 25 players have claimed at least one victory on both the PGA Tour and Japan Golf Tour, including current Japan Golf Tour Chairman Isao Aoki, who in 1983 became the first Japanese-born player to win on the PGA Tour when he holed out for eagle on the 72nd hole to win the Sony Open in Hawaii. His legacy continues today with eight-time JGTO winner Hideki Matsuyama and will now endure for years to come under this new pathway.”

Looking for the perfect gift for the festive season? Check out the best Christmas Golf Gift Ideas

The results of the 2022 Player Impact Program have been revealed, with Tiger Woods edging out Rory McIlroy for the $15m first prize in a list of 20 players rewarded for their impact on fans and the media. 

However, three other players, including Hideki Matsuyama, were also awarded a financial bonus as they would have made the list under the criteria for the 2023 award. That news led to the popular golf Twitter account Flushing It suggesting the Japanese player deserved more for turning down the chance to sign LIV Golf, writing: “Hideki only getting 2 mill after turning down a reported 400 from LIV is criminal.”

However, one player who thinks the bonus money given to Matsuyama is unwarranted is Eddie Pepperell. The 31-year-old replied, saying: “Criminal in this day and age. In normal times, a $2m bonus for doing nothing extra would be considered a bit mad. But golf has entered a strange place.”

The PIP has been controversial since the outset. Indeed, eyebrows were raised after the 2021 award, when Woods won despite not playing during the period. However, while there are still question marks over the merits of awarding bonus money to some of the highest-paid players on the PGA Tour, the addition of the three extra players is likely to baffle many.

The 2023 award will replace two criteria - how it measures general awareness of a player in the US population and social media rankings – with surveys to determine a player’s popularity among the general population and fans. As well as Matsuyama, Cameron Young and Sam Burns would also have been in this year’s top 20 were those criteria in place, meaning they also receive a $2m bonus.

Matsuyama was heavily linked with a big-money move to LIV Golf in the summer, but so far, he has remained loyal to the PGA Tour. As for Pepperell, he has previously made fun of the vast sums of money that have entered the game following the introduction of LIV Golf. In August, he posted a video on Twitter where he stars as a player appearing to haggle over a big-money contract.

Check out the Golf Monthly website for all the latest news, reviews and the best Black Friday golf deals as we approach Christmas.

Tiger Woods has claimed his second successive Player Impact Program award to claim the first prize of $15 million and edge Rory McIlroy into second place.

The 46-year-old has only played in three tournaments so far in 2022. However, rather than performance, the results are based on five metrics ranking players based on how much they have resonated with fans and the media. As well as Google search data and media mentions, the ranking is also determined by Q-score, which tracks the US population’s “general awareness” of the player, MVP Index, which examines a player’s “reach, conversation and engagement metrics" and Neilson Brand Exposure, which considers how much TV time each player had.

Given the huge publicity surrounding Woods’ return to competitive action over a year after he suffered a career-threatening leg injury, it is perhaps not surprising that he has finished on top. Indeed, he finished at the summit of four of the five metrics, only slipping in the Neilson Brand Exposure - unsurprising given his relative lack of action.

For finishing runner-up, McIlroy wins $12 million of the $100m prize pot. Meanwhile, it was reported recently that US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick had finished eighth, which has now been confirmed. His prize is $5m. Other notable names include PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas in fourth, winning $7.5m, and Masters champion and former World No.1 Scottie Scheffler in sixth, earning $5.5m. You can see the full list below.

In total, 23 players have benefitted from this year’s award - the top 20 along with three others - Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Young and Sam Burns - who would have made the list had next year's PIP criteria been in place. They each win $2m. The 2023 PIP began on 1 October and runs until the end of September 2023. 

Check out the Golf Monthly website for all the latest news, reviews and the best Black Friday golf deals as we approach Christmas.

Player Impact Program 2022

Cadence Bank Houston Open 2022 Live Stream

The latest leg of the PGA Tour season moves to Texas for the 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open at Memorial Park, where the local crowd will be cheering on World No.2 Scottie Scheffler. There are some other standout names in the field including World No.12 Sam Burns, Tony Finau and Hideki Matsuyama. 

The tournament takes place at Memorial Park - a parkland course that originated in 1912 as a nine-hole course. The municipal course features unusual contoured greens and strategically placed bunkers. There is an increased purse for this season’s event. Last year, players battled for a $7.5m purse, however, for 2022 it has increased by $900,000 to $8.4m. The winner will claim $1.512m. Below are all the streaming details. 

Cadence Bank Houston Open Live Stream: How to watch from outside your country

There are loads of easy ways to watch golf in 2022 including in the US, UK and almost anywhere else in the world. Below we have a full list of options but anyone away from their home country can still watch the action by using VPNs.

VPNs allow you to get around any geo-blocking and and let you watch the same legal, high-quality golf live stream you would at home.

ExpressVPN is one of the best out there. It's easy to use, boasts strong security features, is very easy to setup and is compatible with most major streaming devices, including the  Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation.

Best of all, ExpressVPN comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. This is the #1 rated VPN in the world right now. You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get 3 months absolutely free.

US TV Schedule - 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open

All times EST

Thursday, November 10: 1pm-4pm (Golf Channel)

Friday, November 11: 1pm-4pm (Golf Channel)

Saturday, November 12: 1pm-4pm (Golf Channel)

Sunday, November 13: 1pm-4pm (Golf Channel)

NBC's Golf Channel will televise all the action during the week. Bearing this in mind you can access the Golf Channel through streaming options such as AT&T TV Now and fuboTV.

AT&T TV Now starts at around $55 a month but does have a 7-day free trial. While fuboTV also offers the Golf Channel and 100+ other channels and also has a 7-day free trial.

UK TV Schedule - 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open

Thursday, November 10: 6pm-9pm (Sky Sports Golf)

Friday, November 11: 6pm-9pm (Sky Sports Golf)

Saturday, November 12: 6pm-9pm (Sky Sports Golf)

Sunday, November 13: 6pm-9pm (Sky Sports Golf)

In the UK, Sky Sports should be your first port of call as Sky Sports Golf will televise action from the event. At the moment Sky has some great deals on Sky Sports for those looking to upgrade and those looking sign up to Sky for the first time.

You can get all eight Sky Sports Channels in HD for just £25 a month which not only includes all the golf action, but you can also watch the football, cricket, Formula 1, NFL and a whole host of other sporting events.

Australia TV Schedule - 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open

Friday, November 11: 5am-8am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Saturday, November 12: 5am-8am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Sunday, November 13: 5am-8am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Monday, November 14: 5am-8am Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

The PGA Tour coverage in Australia obviously means getting something great to watch early in the morning. As ever in Australia the most comprehensive golf coverage is offered by Kayo Sports where you can watch Fox Sports that broadcasts the PGA Tour coverage. Not only can you watch the action from Houston here, it has all the PGA Tour, DP World Tour events and the Majors. It also has events on the LPGA as well.

It of course also offers access to over 50 sports live and on-demand, with some its big name channels including Fox Sports, ESPN, and beIN Sports.

It's also fantastic value at either $25 for Kayo Basic or $35 for Kayo Premium. Basic lets you stream sport on two devices at once, while Premium allows you to watch on up to three screens simultaneously, so it represents great value if your household has different sporting tastes or you're splitting the cost of the subscription. There's even a free 14-day trial.

As ever, Aussies out of the country can access their favorite streaming service just like they would at home can use a VPN to watch their PGA Tour live stream of choice.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service) 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. 

Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

The latest leg of the PGA Tour season moves to Texas for the 2022  Houston Open at Memorial Park, where the local crowd will be cheering on World No.2 Scottie Scheffler. 

The American, who attended the University of Texas after growing up in the state, recently lost the World No.1 position to Rory McIlroy following the Northern Irishman’s win in last month’s CJ Cup. 

Even though Scheffler has failed to win a tournament since claiming his first Major in April’s Masters at Augusta National, he has still shown plenty of encouraging form, including finishing tied for third at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship at El Camaleon Golf Club. That included a final round of 62, and if he takes similar form into this week, he could regain the World No.1 position with a win. 

There are some other standout names in the field including World No.12 Sam Burns and World No.15 Tony Finau. The latter, in particular, has been in excellent form in recent months. As well as winning back-to-back tournaments in the summer’s 3M Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic, he also performed admirably in the season-closing FedEx Cup playoffs, with top-10 finishes in two of the three tournaments. However, Finau missed the cut in Mexico last week, but he will be keen to prove it was a blip in an otherwise solid run of results.

Former World No.1 Jason Day also appears along with US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson. World No.19 Hideki Matsuyama is also in the field. He finished tied for second behind Carlos Ortiz in the 2020 tournament and will be hopeful of going one better this year. Meanwhile, Russell Henley, who won in Mexico last week, also participates as he aims to replicate his 2017 triumph. One player who misses out is 2021 winner Jason Kokrak. Nowadays, the American plays for LIV Golf so is currently ineligible for PGA Tour events.

There is an increased purse for this season’s event. Last year, players battled for a $7.5m purse. However, for 2022 it has increased by $900,000 to $8.4m. The winner will claim $1.512m, but to do so, he'll need to get to grips with tree-lined parkland course with contoured greens and strategic bunkering. 

Below is a full breakdown of the prize money and field for the 2022 Houston Open. 

Houston Open 2022 Prize Money

Houston Open 2022 Field

• Alexander, Tyson
• An, Byeong Hun
• Armour, Ryan
• Barnes, Erik
• Blair, Zac
• Bramlett, Joseph
• Brehm, Ryan
• Burmester, Dean
• Burns, Sam
• Champ, Cameron
• Cink, Stewart
• Clark, Wyndham
• Cole, Eric
• Cook, Austin
• Daffue, MJ
• Dahmen, Joel
• Day, Jason
• Dou, Zecheng
• Dufner, Jason
• Duncan, Tyler
• Echavarria, Nico
• Eckroat, Austin
• English, Harris
• Finau, Tony
• Frittelli, Dylan
• Gligic, Michael
• Gordon, Will
• Grant, Brent
• Griffin, Ben
• Grillo, Emiliano
• Hadley, Chesson
• Hadwin, Adam
• Hahn, James
• Haley II, Paul
• Hall, Harry
• Hammer, Cole
• Henley, Russell
• Herman, Jim
• Hickok, Kramer
• Higgo, Garrick
• Hodges, Lee
• Hoffman, Charley
• Hossler, Beau
• Hubbard, Mark
• Hughes, Mackenzie
• Huh, John
• Jaeger, Stephan
• Johnson, Zach
• Kern, Ben
• Kim, Michael
• Kim, S.H.
• Kim, Si Woo
• Knowles, Philip
• Knox, Russell
• Kraft, Kelly
• Laird, Martin
• Lashley, Nate
• Lee, Danny
• Lee, Walker
• Lingmerth, David
• Lipsky, David
• List, Luke
• Long, Adam
• Lower, Justin
• Malnati, Peter
• Martin, Ben
• Matsuyama, Hideki
• Matthews, Brandon
• McCarthy, Denny
• McGreevy, Max
• McNealy, Maverick
• Mitchell, Keith
• Molinari, Francesco
• Montgomery, Taylor
• Moore, Taylor
• Mullinax, Trey
• Muñoz, Sebastián
• NeSmith, Matthew
• Noren, Alex
• Norlander, Henrik
• Núñez, Augusto
• Palmer, Ryan
• Pan, C.T.
• Pendrith, Taylor
• Piercy, Scott
• Putnam, Andrew
• Rai, Aaron
• Ramey, Chad
• Redman, Doc
• Riley, Davis
• Rodgers, Patrick
• Rose, Justin
• Ryder, Sam
• Scheffler, Scottie
• Schenk, Adam
• Schwab, Matthias
• Shelton, Robby
• Sigg, Greyson
• Smalley, Alex
• Smotherman, Austin
• Steele, Brendan
• Straka, Sepp
• Streb, Robert
• Streelman, Kevin
• Stroud, Chris
• Suh, Justin
• Svensson, Adam
• Tarren, Callum
• Taylor, Ben
• Taylor, Nick
• Theegala, Sahith
• Thompson, Davis
• Tway, Kevin
• van Rooyen, Erik
• Veerman, Johannes
• Vick, Travis
• Walker, Jimmy
• Wallace, Matt
• Watney, Nick
• Werenski, Richy
• Westmoreland, Kyle
• Whaley, Vince
• Willett, Danny
• Wise, Aaron
• Woodland, Gary
• Wu, Brandon
• Young, Carson
• Yuan, Carl

In this week’s Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings 56 of the top-100 players are from the continent of Asia. By contrast, in the current Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) – the men’s rankings – only seven players in the top-100 come from Asian countries. By those numbers, you would say that Asian male players have a long way to go if they are to emulate their female counterparts and dominate the professional game.

But there are signs that Asian male players are starting to move to the fore in greater numbers. This weekend past, 21-year-old Japanese amateur Taiga Semikawa won the prestigious Japan Open – the first time in the event’s 95-year history that it has been won by an amateur golfer. And this was no flash in the pan – Semikawa has won three professional events in a row. He’d previously claimed victory in the Panasonic Open Golf Championship and Japan Create Challenge in FukuokaRaizan. Semikawa is currently the World’s Number 1 ranked amateur. He follows fellow Japanese players Takumi Kanaya and Keita Nakajima in topping the amateur world ranking.

Semikawa attends the same college that another former Amateur World Number 1, Hideki Matsuyama, went to – Tohoku Fukushi University. Matsuyama’s victory in the 2021 Masters was an inspiring one for Japanese players and for Asian men’s golf in general. Players like K.H. Lee and Sungjae Im of South Korea have tasted victory on the PGA Tour as has their fellow Korean, 20-year-old Tom Kim, who is currently 15th on the OWGR following his recent wins in the Wyndham Championship and the Shriners Children’s Open. Since Matsuyama’s Major breakthrough at Augusta, there have been six wins by Asian players on the PGA Tour.

It’s not exactly as though the floodgates have been opened but it’s a steady flow of success from young Asian players who are inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. Success tends to breed success, particularly in golf where players often push on if they see peers performing at a high level. It’s the, “if they can do it then so can I” mentality.

It's highly likely that more Asian players will start to appear towards the top of the OWGR and will win more significant tournaments, including Majors- The talented amateur mentioned above, Taiga Semikawa, says his ambition is to win all four. He could well do.

Could Asian Men Dominate The Pro Game?

But will Asian players ever dominate the men’s game like they currently do in the women’s? I would guess not. One reason for that is the strength and depth of talent in international men’s golf. 

U.S. college programmes are increasingly the preferred route towards professional success in the men’s game. They provide the perfect training ground, producing rounded golfers with the right physical and mental skills to compete at the highest level. Scouts from those colleges look all over the world for the best players to fill their teams – from South America, to Australia, Europe, Africa and of course Asia. More Asian players will likely start taking the college route and progressing quickly to high level pro golf. But they’ll be doing so at the same time as young men from all over the world. 

Looking at the current top-100 in the OWGR, there are no fewer than 24 countries represented. Players from all corners of the globe are now pushing to play and win at the very highest level making it tough for any one nation or region to muscle its way in.

Another reason for that is the continued strength of the USA. 47 of the top-100 on the current OWGR are from the States. In the men’s game the USA is a golfing powerhouse that is, and has always been, nigh on impossible to dislodge as the dominant force. Of the last 50 Major championships contested, 27 have been won by players from the USA. 

Europe has had some success over the last four decades in stealing a little of the limelight from the USA but really, they’ve only stolen a little. It’s a tough ask to shift the Americans from the top of the pile and with the Europeans, the South Africans and Australians all pushing hard to do it, the challenge for Asian players is significant. Will they win more big events? Yes, for sure. Will they dominate the game on the men’s side? Not in the foreseeable future.

Japanese amateur, Taiga Semikawa, is flying up the World Rankings and has now made history at the Japan Open, as he becomes the first amateur winner in its 95 year history.

Along with the historic victory, it was also the 21-year-old's third professional title in a row, with Semikawa claiming the Panasonic Open Golf Championship and Japan Create Challenge in FukuokaRaizan prior to his home open title.

Heading into the final day, Semikawa had a resounding lead of six shots and actually extended this by two, with back-to-back opening birdies. It did begin to get slightly edgy though, as Semikawa dropped a shot on the fifth before a triple-bogey on the ninth. 

His lead was then cut to two after a bogey on the 17th, before a par finish sealed the win. Following his victory, the Japanese star stated: "I'm delighted to win this tournament.

"I didn't think I could save par on the final hole, but I knew my putt was going in when I saw it rolling toward the cup. I hit a good bunker shot to save par on the 10th after the triple-bogey. That was huge. I was able to regroup for the rest of the round." 

PGA Tour player, Adam Scott, was also present at the event and ended up finishing T6, but the day was all about Semikawa, who added “now that I have won twice, I’m going to raise the bar even higher and expect even more from myself. 

"Winning the Panasonic Open and now the Japan Open has changed my perspectives and mindset. I want to build on this. My dream is to win all four Majors.”

The World No.1 amateur has so far risen from 1851st to 516th in the professional rankings on the back of his incredible recent form, with it likely he'll make his way into the World's Top 350. 

Japan is becoming prolific in creating golf talent and this was even more apparent when Hideki Matsuyama won The Masters in 2021. Coincidentally, Semikawa also plays for the same university golf team that Matsuyama attended.

ZOZO Championship 2022 Live Stream

The PGA Tour heads to Japan this week for the ZOZO Championship and defending champion Hideki Matsuyama will look to win the tournament once again, after doing so by five strokes in 2021. 

He will have to hold off a stellar field of players though, including Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood. There are also a whole host of International Presidents Cup players in the field as well, including Sungjae Im, Tom Kim, Corey Conners, K.H. Lee, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Cam Davis, Si Woo Kim, Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz. 

The host course is Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, which is a par 70 and measures 7,079 yards. About 40 yards have been added to the official scorecard at the Narashino Country Club for this year’s iteration of the ZOZO Championship.

To make sure you miss none of the action, below are all the streaming details. 

ZOZO Championship Live Stream: How to watch from outside your country

There are loads of easy ways to watch golf in 2022 including in the US, UK and almost anywhere else in the world. Below we have a full list of options but anyone away from their home country can still watch the action by using VPNs.

VPNs allow you to get around any geo-blocking and and let you watch the same legal, high-quality golf live stream you would at home.

ExpressVPN is one of the best out there. It's easy to use, boasts strong security features, is very easy to setup and is compatible with most major streaming devices, including the  Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation.

Best of all, ExpressVPN comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. This is the #1 rated VPN in the world right now. You can try it out for a month for free or sign up for an annual plan and get 3 months absolutely free.

US TV Schedule - 2022 ZOZO Championship

All times EST

Wednesday, October 12: 11pm-3am (Golf Channel)

Thursday, October 13: 11pm-3am (Golf Channel)

Friday, October 14: 10.30pm-2.30am (Golf Channel)

Saturday, October 15: 11pm-3am (Golf Channel)

NBC's Golf Channel will televise all the action during the week. Bearing this in mind you can access the Golf Channel through streaming options such as AT&T TV Now and fuboTV.

AT&T TV Now starts at around $55 a month but does have a 7-day free trial. While fuboTV also offers the Golf Channel and 100+ other channels and also has a 7-day free trial.

UK TV Schedule - 2022 ZOZO Championship

Thursday, October 13: 4am-8am (Sky Sports Golf)

Friday, October 14: 4am-8am (Sky Sports Golf)

Saturday, October 15: 3.30am-7.30am (Sky Sports Golf)

Sunday, October 16: 4am-8am (Sky Sports Golf)

In the UK, Sky Sports should be your first port of call as Sky Sports Golf will televise action from the event. At the moment Sky has some great deals on Sky Sports for those looking to upgrade and those looking sign up to Sky for the first time.

You can get all eight Sky Sports Channels in HD for just £25 a month which not only includes all the golf action, but you can also watch the football, cricket, Formula 1, NFL and a whole host of other sporting events.

Australia TV Schedule - 2022 ZOZO Championship

Thursday, October 13: 2pm-6pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Friday, October 14: 2pm-6pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Saturday, October 15: 1.30pm-5.30pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

Sunday, October 16: 1.30pm-5pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

The PGA Tour coverage in Australia obviously means getting something great to watch early in the morning. As ever in Australia the most comprehensive golf coverage is offered by Kayo Sports where you can watch Fox Sports that broadcasts the PGA Tour coverage. Not only can you watch the action from Japan here, it has all the PGA Tour, DP World Tour events and the Majors. It also has events on the LPGA as well.

It of course also offers access to over 50 sports live and on-demand, with some its big name channels including Fox Sports, ESPN, and beIN Sports.

It's also fantastic value at either $25 for Kayo Basic or $35 for Kayo Premium. Basic lets you stream sport on two devices at once, while Premium allows you to watch on up to three screens simultaneously, so it represents great value if your household has different sporting tastes or you're splitting the cost of the subscription. There's even a free 14-day trial.

As ever, Aussies out of the country can access their favorite streaming service just like they would at home can use a VPN to watch their PGA Tour live stream of choice.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service) 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. 

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