Teeing Up This Week’s Breaking News - January 27

Reporting live from the first hole, where we are ready to tee off and hammer away with this week’s breaking news in the vast green landscape of golf. My name is Tessa Lapradez, and I am here to give you an update about the sport and all things golf on and off the court. With the 2024 end-of-the-year TV deal secured between LIV and FOX Sports and the debut of TGL, this is the year of innovation for golf. Off into the course we go! 

Media Moves:

Justin Thomas is reaching out to his fellow PGA class to help bring up ratings ahead of the first tournament broadcast at Torrey Pines. In a letter first obtained by The Athletic, Thomas suggested that player interactions with the broadcast during the round would help to engage more viewers. He is putting in the work as a member of the PGA Tour Advisory Council, and one can hope that other players give more to the program!

Politics and Putts:

In another one of his unwarranted rants, Trump bragged that he could resolve the LIV and PGA conflict in only 15 minutes during his appearance on the “Let’s Go!” podcast. PGA confirmed that Trump invited Commissioner Jay Monahan to play a round in West Palm Beach, Florida. The following day, Trump went to a UFC event and spoke with Yasir al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, who funds LIV. It’s almost like he is trying to prevent the separated tours from reaching an irreparable divorce.

Tour Tracker:

The home of the Genesis Invitational is moving to Torrey Pines this year. Because of the devastating Los Angeles Wildfires, the iconic Riviera Country Club will not be hosting the event, where celebrities and athletes come to watch their favorite players compete. Many PGA pros shared their excitement and support of the change. “No pushback from me,” Ludvig Åberg said in a statement.