World Golf News

14/12/2025

England's Charley Hull and playing partner Michael Brennan sit one shot off the lead going into the final round of the Grant Thornton Invitational mixed-team event.

American Lauren Coughlin holed a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 17th hole, as she and Andrew Novak teamed for a stout 4-under 68 in foursomes to build a one-shot lead after two rounds.

They were at 19-under and lead by one shot over Hull and Brennan, who were poised to share the lead until a three-putt bogey on the final hole when Hull lipped out from just outside three feet.

"We played pretty steady," Hull said afterwards.

"It was a shame I missed that short putt at the last, but it's obviously a harder format, foursomes. We played decent today.

"It's just easy going [playing with Brennan]. "I really, really enjoy his game. I like the way he is and his game's great. Like I'll definitely be sitting down watching the PGA Tour more now to see how he gets on.

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/11071/13482936/grant-thornton-invitational-charley-hull-and-partner-michael-brennan-sit-one-shot-off-lead-ahead-of-final-round

14/12/2025

The 2025 Alfred Dunhill Championship is reaching its conclusion but only after being reduced to 54 holes following a deluge of rain on Saturday.

The course at Royal Johannesburg was completely washed out earlier this weekend and staff did an incredible job of making it playable again for a period on Saturday.

However, following yet more delays due to rain, the decision was made to reduce the tournament by 25% and allow those who had already started round three to complete their trips on Sunday.

Having also started earlier than originally planned today, the tournament is now into the back nine and we are expecting a winner to be crowned very shortly.

ALFRED DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD
-16 Shaun Norris
-14 Eugenio Chacarra
-13 Louis Oosthuizen
-13 Oliver Bekker
-13 Jayden Schaper
-12 Martin Couvra
-12 John Parry
-12 Christiaan Burke

https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/live/alfred-dunhill-championship-leaderboard-report-2025

14/12/2025

A golf club crowned the best in England has lodged plans to upgrade its facilities in a bid to continue hosting major competitions.

Royal St George’s in Sandwich has submitted proposals for a new greenkeeping area to ensure the course remains up to tournament standard.
Currently, the team’s facilities sit within the main cluster of buildings alongside the clubhouse and shop.

The club now wants to separate those services to improve its layout and operations.

The application sets out plans for the new project near the driving range, improving traffic flow and safety between visitors and greenkeepers.

Within the 3,500 sq ft site, Royal St George’s hopes to build a machinery store, covered storage bays, water tanks, a pump house and a fuel store.
Twenty car parking spaces for greenkeeping staff would also be added if Dover District Council (DDC) approves the scheme.

Documents explain how the club wants to enhance its grounds to strengthen its appeal as the nation’s top course.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sandwich/news/england-s-best-golf-course-plans-upgrades-for-major-competit-333647/

11/12/2025

Dustin Johnson will begin his 2026 season by making his debut in a DP World Tour event.

The LIV Golf man has become the latest high-profile player to commit to the $9m Dubai Desert Classic.

The Rolex Series event, played over 22-25 January at Emirates Golf Club, will also have Masters champion Rory McIlroy and several of his European Ryder Cup teammates in the field.

Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton - the champion in 2025 - will also be teeing it up.

For Johnson, it represents the first time he has played in the prestigious tournament.

Former world number one Dustin Johnson has become the latest high-profile golfer to commit to the Dubai Desert Classic.

11/12/2025

World No 2 Nelly Korda has said the key to performing in team events in golf is "never saying sorry", as she prepares to play in the Grant Thornton Invitational with Denny McCarthy, live on Sky Sports Golf.

The tournament, which started in 2023, is a mixed team event featuring PGA and LPGA Tour stars and employs three different formats over three rounds.

Friday is a scramble format, the second round will be played in foursomes (alternate shot) and the third round will be a modified four-ball, where both players tee off and switch balls for their second shots before then playing that same ball until it is holed.

Watch 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational live on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm on Friday; Nelly Korda speaks to media ahead of playing in the event alongside Denny McCarthy; Mixed team event features PGA and LPGA Tour stars and employs three different formats over three rounds

08/12/2025

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen fought off the challenge of Major champion and home favourite Cameron Smith to claim his maiden DP World Tour title at the Crown Australian Open.

The Dane began the final day at Royal Melbourne Golf Club with a two-shot lead, but was tied with Smith as the pair made their way down the 18th.

After missing the green, the 26-year-old faced an uphill battle to save par, but he rose to the challenge, getting up and down courtesy of a nerveless ten-foot putt to pile the pressure on Smith’s par putt. And with Smith unable to find the cup, Neergaard-Petersen celebrated a one-shot victory, finishing the week on 15 under par after signing for a closing 70.

Smith finished on his own in second on 14 under, one ahead of South Korea’s Si Woo Kim in third.

Neergaard-Petersen is no stranger to the winner’s circle, having tasted victory three times on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2024 on the way to topping the Road to Mallorca Rankings. But despite enjoying a remarkable 2025 season on the DP World Tour to earn dual membership with the PGA TOUR, he was not able to win.

He entered the final round in New South Wales with a two-shot advantage but saw his lead evaporate in the early stages as he bogeyed the fourth. He regained the outright lead with a tap-in birdie at the sixth, but dropped shots on the ninth and tenth to sit two strokes behind Smith at the start of the back nine.

A long-range birdie at the tough 12th led to a two-shot swing, as Neergaard-Petersen grabbed a share of the lead once more, before birdieing the 13th from close range to hit the front on his own.
After his tee shot at the 14th landed under the trees on the right side, the Dane did well to save par but was caught at the top as Smith made birdie on the same hole.

With both playing finding birdies at 17, there was nothing to separate the pair with one hole remaining, however Neergaard-Petersen produced a big finish when it mattered to win and earn his spot at next year’s Masters Tournament.

Si Woo Kim, Michael Hollick and Adam Scott all qualified for The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale through the Crown Australian Open, which is part of The R&A’s International Qualifying Series.

08/12/2025

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama beat Sweden's Alex Noren in a one-hole play-off to win his second Hero World Challenge title in Albany.

Matsuyama, 33, birdied the replayed 18th hole to take victory at the Tiger Woods-hosted event and claim the $1,000,000 (£750,000) prize pot.

Both players had finished with eight-under-par rounds of 64 to end tied on 22-under on Sunday.

The third round began with five players tied for the lead, but it was Austrian Josef Straka who led two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler by one shot heading into the final round.

Straka carded 68 to finish one shot back in third position, while world number one Scheffler finished tied fourth with fellow American JJ Spaun at 20-under.

England's Justin Rose was sixth at 18-under after completing his best round of the week with 66.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama beats Sweden's Alex Noren in a one-hole play-off to win his second Hero World Challenge title in Albany.

08/12/2025

Kristoffer Reitan threatened to blow a five-shot lead before clinging onto a wire-to-wire victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player.

Reitan left the door open for playing partners Jayden Schaper and Dan Bradbury after an inconsistent start to his final round at Gary Player CC in Sun City, where he mixed four birdies with three bogeys during an eventful front nine.

The Norwegian's bogey at the 15th saw his lead to a single stroke, before a three-par finish closed a level-par 71 to remain on 17 under and secure a second DP World Tour title of 2025.

Kristoffer Reitan claimed his second DP World Tour title after claiming a one-shot win over Jayden Schaper and Englands Dan Bradbury; Reitan has dual membership on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in the 2026 season

04/12/2025

That I continue to write so extensively on the World Handicap System (WHS) suggests to me there’s something inherently wrong with it. I am clearly not flogging a dead horse when I ask for change. In fact, I’m patting the neck of a very lively horse that’s desperate to leave the starting gate and gallop away at full speed.

As I’ve said before, WHS isn’t suited to the competitive culture of club golf that’s long established and deeply engrained in the British Isles. The feedback from golfers on articles I’ve written suggesting ways WHS could be altered and improved has been heavily in favour of what I’m saying.

I recognise the echo chamber effect, and that there will be golfers in the UK and Ireland who are delighted with WHS. Indeed, there are some people who are happy with the system are are sick of scratch golfers complaining they can't win handicap competitions.

If you are one of those people who think WHS is tip-top, then please do leave a comment in the box below the article… Do that if you have any thoughts on the subject, positive or negative.

I’m quietly confident that the overwhelming consensus on WHS among club golfers in the home nations is that it doesn’t suit us very well. But the governing bodies are either not listening or are in denial.

I think the best way to clarify the golfing public’s view on WHS would be to conduct a nationwide survey – all four of our home golfing unions should collaborate to ask the 4 million golfers across our Isles specific questions on WHS.

Is it fit for purpose? Do you enjoy golf more or less since its introduction? Is it fair? Is it being manipulated? Basic questions and on to more detailed questions with options for clarifications and suggestions.

If the response showed (as I very much think it would) that people are not happy with WHS – especially low-handicappers – then the powers that be would have an obligation to make some changes.

Currently, they can just swat away objections by saying it’s the loud voices of an angry few and the majority are having a great time under the new system.

I don’t think it’s just a few who believe WHS is not working for regular golfers in this country. A recent bit of correspondence from my club demonstrates it.

As from next year, if you want to enter one of the main club knockout tournaments at Banchory, you will need to have completed at least four counting rounds towards handicap throughout the previous season.

The email went on to say that although WHS has no set rules on this, we as a club can set the criteria for players to compete in certain competitions and we want to make sure the comps are fair for all players.

The club is having to take matters into its own hands to prevent players with inflated or incorrect handicaps from entering and winning the most prestigious club competitions.

I’d love to know if other clubs are being forced to take such drastic action to add criteria to competition entries because they believe WHS is not working sufficiently well. If your club has done something similar, please let us know in the box below.

I think we have given WHS a fair shot. It’s been in place for five years now and the hope, my hope at least, was that it would bed in and be tweaked where necessary to deliver a better golfing experience for all of us who enjoy playing competitive amateur golf on a weekly basis.

It hasn’t for me and, increasingly, I believe it hasn’t for the majority of established club golfers in the UK and Ireland. With individual clubs now having to deal with member disaffection at WHS at ground level by putting in caveats and extra criteria for key competitions, it’s surely time for a proper review.

Let’s have that full and specific WHS survey. Give golfers their say. If the results show that we’re all happy and content with the new system, I’ll eat my golf cap and accept defeat. If it shows we’re not, then can we make some changes please?

Fergus Bisset wonders if the administrators’ inaction on player dissatisfaction with the World Handicap System is forcing individual clubs to take steps

04/12/2025

A war veteran said he was "very surprised" after being crowned a champion at his golf club at the age of 101.

Archie Hemsley beat about 30 of his peers in an over-80s competition at Luffenham Heath Golf Club in Rutland to secure The Eley Trophy.

Mr Hemsley, who served in the Fleet Air Arm during World War Two, said he had won "very few" golf competitions before.

"I'm not all that keen on winning. Other people like that," he said.

Mr Hemsley returned to the sport after having his prostate removed two years earlier.

He now plays several times a week at the club with his daughter Clare.

He won the competition, which was played on a shortened course over nine holes, after "putting very well".

But getting out in nature means more to Mr Hemsley than simply competing.

"It's lovely seeing the birds and the bees, and exercise," he said.

"If you don't exercise, you die, I think."

Mr Hemsley served as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, a branch of the Royal Navy that operated aircraft from navy ships.

He was responsible for deterring submarines from attacking naval convoys in the North Atlantic.

Archie beat about 30 of his peers at his golf club to lift the over-80s trophy.

04/12/2025

Anahita Golf & Spa Resort has unveiled, on the 1st of December, its new identity: The Bay Club at Anahita. Set on the stunning bay of Mauritius East coast, the new brand celebrates a refined seaside lifestyle-where life unfolds by the water, on the water, and along the gentle flow of the lagoon. Guests and residents are invited to savour the island’s tropical charm and rediscover one of its most exceptional estates.

Nestled within lush greenery and vast lagoon horizons, The Bay Club at Anahita offers a complete lifestyle experience: luxury accommodation, a GLOW Spa inspired by local traditions, two championship golf courses (designed by Ernie Els at Anahita Golf and Bernhard Langer at Ile aux Cerfs), two private beaches including exclusive access to Ile aux Cerfs, elegant dining venues, and an extensive range of sports and water activities.

With effortless movement across the estate-whether by buggy, boat shuttle or along shoreline pathways, The Bay Club offers an intuitive connection to the bay and its rhythm. The rebrand marks a defining milestone for Anahita-honouring its heritage while embracing a renewed art of living.

A WORLD WITHIN A WORLD

As the newest member of the Sunlife portfolio – alongside Sugar Beach, Long Beach, La Pirogue and Ambre – The Bay Club at Anahita strengthens the group’s commitment to delivering distinctive, meaningful experiences rooted in Mauritian hospitality.

With its deep blue and pastel palette, the new identity reflects the harmony between lagoon, tropical greenery, and the serene atmosphere of the estate. More than a resort, The Bay Club is a lifestyle community where daily life flows seamlessly between the fairway, the marina, the lagoon and the shoreline-with everything within easy reach.

ACCOMMODATION: ELEGANCE IN EVERY DETAIL

The Bay Club at Anahita features a curated collection of suites and villas, blending understated luxury with authentic Mauritian character.
Junior Suites - elegant and intimate
Prestige Suites - spacious, with private pools and stunning views
Deluxe Villas - ideal for families and extended stays
Prestige Villa - the estate’s flagship residence with private butler
An array of private villas are also available for short-term rental stays.

TWO PRESTIGIOUS GOLF COURSES

Through its newly structured Golf Cluster, Sunlife now brings together two of the island’s most iconic 18-hole courses:

Anahita Golf, designed by Ernie Els - celebrated for its lagoon views, signature holes and immaculate playability.
Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, designed by Bernhard Langer - a spectacular course set on its own island, accessible by boat shuttle for a truly unique golfing journey.

Anahita Golf further strengthened its expertise by welcoming professional golfer Thomas Levet as Head Pro of the Academy in 2024. Together, the two courses position The Bay Club at Anahita as a premier golf destination in the Indian Ocean.

GLOW: A DEEPER PATH TO WELLNESS

Located just off Place Belgath, the GLOW Spa offers a tranquil retreat inspired by natural ingredients, island rituals, and Sunlife’s holistic wellness philosophy. Designed to encourage vitality and inner radiance, GLOW creates a seamless connection between the experiences found across Sunlife’s resorts.

CULINARY EXCELLENCE

Gastronomy is central to the estate’s lifestyle, with three distinctive dining venues:
Origine - seasonal menus shaped by local produce
Signature - refined, creative cuisine
Il Forno - Mediterranean flavours overlooking the golf course
Bliss – a relaxed beachfront atmosphere offering light, refreshing dishes inspired by the sea

The Bay Club Spritz Collection introduces sparkling signature cocktails inspired by Mauritian afternoons by the bay—light, refreshing and perfect for sunset.

COME ALIVE COLLECTION: SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

As part of this new chapter, The Bay Club at Anahita is also introducing a selection of lifestyle moments from its Come Alive Collection, curated especially for the estate. The Bayside Picnic offers a relaxed, stylish outdoor moment with artisanal bites, seasonal flavours, and a glass of rosé or something sparkling set in three beautiful spots across the estate.

Sunrise Rituals invite guests to begin the day in harmony with nature, through calming Yin yoga or a mindful coastal walk as the lagoon awakens with the first light. The Beach Squad brings effortless comfort and personalised service to poolside or beachfront moments, ensuring relaxation comes naturally. For a touch of playful elegance after dark, Brilliant Bocce—a glow-in-the-dark bocce experience under the stars.

THE VISION: A REFINED COASTAL LIFESTYLE

The Bay Club at Anahita is defined by community, connection, and the simple pleasures of coastal living-rounds of golf at sunrise, terrace lunches, lagoon adventures, sunset gatherings, and the ease of moving freely around the bay. Under the leadership of Christophe Ramdiane, General Manager since March 2025, the estate is embracing a renewed lifestyle philosophy. “The Bay Club at Anahita is an extraordinary playground. Our vision is to elevate our guests’ experience through a complete art of living: premium accommodations, inventive gastronomy, an exceptional golf offering, wellness, and attentive service,” shares Christophe Ramdiane.

LAUNCH EVENT AT PLACE BELGATH

The new brand was officially launched at Place Belgath, in the heart of the estate, in the presence of partners, residents, and guests.

Joelle Edwards-Tonks, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer of Sunlife, stated:
“It is truly meaningful for us to accompany this special place into its next chapter. The Bay Club at Anahita reflects everything we believe in: space to breathe, time to slow down, and moments that feel effortlessly personal. Our aim is simple-to make every guest feel at home, cared for, and connected to the beauty of this estate. We are proud to support this transformation and to see The Bay Club at Anahita take its place as a destination unlike any other in Mauritius.”

Anahita Golf & Spa Resort has unveiled, on the 1st of December, its new identity: The Bay Club at Anahita. Set on the stunning bay of Mauritius East coast, the new brand celebrates a refined seaside lifestyle-where life unfolds by the water, on the water, and along the gentle flow of the lagoon. Gue...

03/12/2025

Rory McIlroy is relishing his return at the Crown Australian Open, saying the country has been "starved" of top level golf.

McIlroy leads the field at Royal Melbourne in what is the 108th edition of the tournament with Golf Australia opting to end it's dual-gender tournament that was introduced three years ago and return to its traditional format.

The DP World Tour now co-sanction the Australian Open, with McIlroy chasing his first victory Down Under in 12 years and a second Stonehaven Cup.
McIlroy won the Australian Open back in 2013 after beating Adam Scott in a play-off at The Royal Sydney GC and has been open about his desire to return and bring "top level" golf more consistently to Australia.

"It hasn't been a secret that I've wanted it to come back as well," McIlroy said. "I think obviously the wonderful golf courses that we're playing the next couple of years, also the change in the format, going back to the traditional Australian Open has probably helped that too. Just really excited to be back.

Rory McIlroy is excited to return to the Australian Open as he looks to claim victory there for the first time since 2013; Tournament has returned to traditional format; watch the Australian Open from 8pm on Wednesday December 3, live on Sky Sports Golf