Paju, Korea - Casandra Alexander will target a long-awaited home victory at the Investec SA Women’s Open after a narrow playoff defeat at the Joburg Ladies Open extended her run of near misses this season.

The World No 40 arrives at Royal Cape Golf Club buoyed by a closing 66 that forced a playoff at Randpark, where she ultimately fell on the first extra hole despite a round featuring two eagles.

“It’s always a special week,” Alexander said. “In my eyes coming from Joburg, the Joburg Ladies Open is just as cool, but the SA Open is the big one. It’s your home title and it’s the one everyone wants to win, whether you’re male or female. It’s definitely a special week.”

The runner-up finish marked her third second place on the Ladies European Tour this season, alongside another on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, underlining both her consistency and frustration in equal measure.

“I actually got a Facebook reminder reminding me that I won the Sunshine Ladies Tour Order of Merit a year ago today,” she said. “So it’s pretty cool to see that this time last year I was top-100, and now we’re top-40. Hopefully we can keep going.”

Alexander, the highest-ranked player in the field, expects low scoring in Cape Town but warned of the challenge should conditions shift.

“It’s a good golf course,” she said. “I’ve been playing it since we were young… if the wind gets going it can get tough. It is very soft so I think the scores will be low this week. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Paju, Korea - Tickets for the Ryder Cup 2027 at Adare Manor will go on sale this week, with an exclusive window for residents of the island of Ireland opening on Friday April 24.

The priority access offers Irish-based fans the first opportunity to secure places for the September 13-19, 2027 staging, before the global public ballot opens on Wednesday June 3 for the rest of the world.

The centenary edition marks only the second time the contest has been held in Ireland, following its staging at The K Club in 2006, and demand is expected to be significant across all ticket categories.

Richard Atkinson said: “There is already tremendous excitement and anticipation about the Ryder Cup heading back to Ireland and to Adare Manor next year. We are therefore delighted to announce these details today of how fans both from the island of Ireland and from around the world, can attend the 100th anniversary edition of golf’s greatest team competition.”

Europe will arrive defending consecutive victories under Luke Donald, who aims to become the first captain to win three successive editions after triumphs in 2023 and 2025, adding further intrigue to a landmark week in Limerick.

Paju, Korea - The The Renaissance Club will host the Genesis Scottish Open through to 2030, continuing its role as home of Scotland’s national open when the Rolex Series event returns from July 9-12, 2026.

Set along the Firth of Forth, the venue has grown with the championship since 2019, delivering record crowds and an enhanced fan experience, while a rerouted layout will debut this season to create a more compelling closing stretch.

Rory Colville said: “The Renaissance Club has been a fantastic host venue for the Genesis Scottish Open over the past eight years and we are delighted to be able to call it our home through to 2030.

“The venue has grown and developed with the event in that time, and John and Jerry Sarvadi and their team have really been committed to providing a world-class experience for everyone on site.”

Chief executive John Sarvadi added: “We at The Renaissance Club are thrilled to extend our role as host venue for the Genesis Scottish Open, an event that has firmly established itself as one of the premier tournaments in world golf.”

Recent champions including Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Robert MacIntyre highlight the strength of field, while the event continues to count on both the Race to Dubai and FedExCup standings.

Paju, Korea - The Chevron Championship will be played from April 23-26 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston with a $9 million purse, marking a significant increase for the LPGA Tour’s first major of 2026.

The new figure represents a rise of nearly $6 million since 2022 and is $1 million higher than last year, underlining continued investment in the women’s game and its elite competitors.

“At Chevron, we are proud to continue elevating women’s golf by increasing the Tournament purse to $9 million and making this a special event for players,” said Laura Lane, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Chevron Corporation.

Beyond prize money, the championship provides a $10,000 stipend for players who miss the cut, courtesy cars, enhanced dining and exclusive benefits for past champions, including accommodation and additional amenities.

The winner will earn $1,350,000 along with the Dinah Shore Trophy and traditional custom western boots, as the championship continues to blend heritage with modern growth in women’s golf.

Paju, Korea - The DP World Tour will become the first professional sports organisation to use Amazon Leo satellite internet under a new agreement that makes the low Earth orbit network the Tour’s Official Satellite Connectivity Partner from 2026.

The partnership is designed to solve one of the modern challenges of staging global golf events. With tournaments played in 25 countries across five continents, the Tour often operates at venues where traditional internet infrastructure cannot deliver fast and reliable coverage across an entire course for players, spectators, media and staff.

“The DP World Tour needs connectivity for everything—not just the broadcast teams, but the scoring systems, merchandise tents, concession stands—all of it. They’re often setting up in more rural places where internet infrastructure just isn’t there. Leo helps to solve that problem. You show up, connect via satellite, and suddenly the entire tournament is connected and online,” said Chris Weber, Vice President of Amazon Leo Business & Product.

Amazon Leo uses more than 3,000 low Earth orbit satellites and, starting in 2026, the DP World Tour will deploy Leo Nano, Leo Pro and Leo Ultra antennas at selected venues. Leo Ultra is the most powerful of the three, capable of download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 400 Mbps, giving the Tour the capacity to support demanding enterprise applications without relying on miles of temporary fibre.

“The DP World Tour has been at the forefront of introducing new technologies at our tournaments that can get fans closer to the action,” said Michael Cole, Chief Technology Officer at the DP World Tour. “Whether it’s apps that can track shot and player location in real time, data-driven insights providing new levels of intelligence, or adoption of AI to guide fans around the venue—we want technology to enhance the experience for spectators both on-course and around the globe. This requires a reliable and fast internet connection across the course, and anyone who has ever been to a large sports or entertainment event will know the frustration of struggling at times to get connectivity. With Amazon Leo satellite technology coming to the Tour—a first in world sport—we are one step closer to realising our ambition of creating truly connected and intelligent courses, wherever we are in the world.”

Paju, Korea - Andy Sullivan will return to home soil for the Husqvarna British Masters at The Belfry from August 27-30, aiming to build on a strong season and impressive tournament record.

The four-time DP World Tour winner, 38, has four top-10 finishes at the event, including fifth place last year, and arrives fifth in the Rankings after a runner-up finish in Dubai.

“The Husqvarna British Masters is a special event on the schedule and I’m excited to tee it up in front of my home fans again,” Sullivan said.

The Belfry hosts its 23rd DP World Tour event, a venue steeped in history since first staging the Lada English Golf Classic in 1979, won by Seve Ballesteros.

“I’m fortunate enough to have won on home soil in the past, but to win so close to home in front of my friends and family would be very special,” he added.

Paju, Korea - Lucas Herbert will return to Sentosa Golf Club later this month for the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times, revisiting a venue that shaped one of the earliest milestones of his career.

The Australian, now competing on the LIV Golf League, is part of a deep field assembled for the April 23-26 event on The Serapong, where he previously tied for eighth in 2018 to secure a place in The Open Championship.

“It was a strong performance early in his career that came with the added bonus of qualifying for his first Open Championship,” the release noted, underlining the significance of that week in Herbert’s development.

Herbert arrives having already qualified for this year’s Open after finishing second at the New Zealand Open, and will look to build on his breakthrough Asian Tour victory at last season’s International Series Japan.

A formidable line-up awaits in Singapore, with multiple International Series winners, former Order of Merit champions, and a strong local contingent competing for places in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.

Paju, Korea - Switzerland’s Caroline Sturdza secured her maiden LET Access Series title with a closing birdie at the 2026 Madaëf Golfs Ladies Open in Morocco, overturning a three-shot deficit at Royal Golf de Fes.

Sturdza recovered from early bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes to stay in contention, picking up birdies on the seventh and ninth before a decisive finish that included gains at the 16th and final hole to reach seven-under-par.

“I feel super happy, super grateful and super thankful of everything I’ve done so far. It’s been a long journey and I’m glad I’m here where I am today with this trophy,” said Sturdza. “I came in today with the simple goal of focusing on myself and being in the present… Trying to focus on my process and my behaviour on the course because that’s the only thing I could control.”

The Stanford graduate credited her ball-striking despite a challenging day on the greens, noting: “My putting today was average… but on the last. I saved the best for the last. It could have been better, but my ball-striking was really solid.” She added that preparation proved key in translating her work into competition.

Fellow Swiss player Natalie Armbruester finished one shot back in second after a final-round 69, while Denmark’s Cecilie Leth-Nissen, the overnight leader, took third. Sturdza now leads the LETAS Order of Merit standings, with the next event set for May in Austria.

Augusta, GA - Rory McIlroy’s command of Augusta National continues to deepen, the Northern Irishman securing a second consecutive Masters title with a performance that blended early dominance with Sunday resilience.

A closing 71 completed a four-round total of 12-under-par 276, enough to hold off Scottie Scheffler by a single shot and confirm McIlroy’s place among a select group to successfully defend the Green Jacket.

The victory marked his sixth major championship and 30th PGA TOUR title, achievements that place him alongside some of the game’s most decorated figures. At 36 years, 11 months and eight days, McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as players to win back-to-back Masters titles, a feat rarely accomplished on these fairways.

As in many Masters triumphs, the foundation was laid early. McIlroy’s opening rounds of 67 and 65 established control of the tournament, earning him the low-round honours on both days and allowing him to dictate the pace. Even as the weekend introduced complications—including a double bogey on Sunday—he never relinquished his grip on the lead.

Scheffler, ranked No. 1 in the world, provided the sternest challenge. His weekend surge of 65 and 68 was remarkable not only for its scoring but for its precision—he became the first player in more than eight decades to play both the third and final rounds bogey-free at the Masters. Yet even that level of control proved just insufficient.

A group of four players shared third at 10-under-par 278, each offering a different path through the week. Tyrrell Hatton closed with a career-best 66 at Augusta National, Russell Henley celebrated his 37th birthday with a career-best major finish, Justin Rose produced the only four sub-par rounds in the field, and Cameron Young’s consistency carried him to the top of the FedExCup standings.

Elsewhere, Collin Morikawa rebounded from an opening 74 with three consecutive rounds in the 60s to finish tied seventh, while Keegan Bradley’s precision at the par-3 16th—birdieing it four times—placed him in rare company in tournament history.

For McIlroy, however, the week was less about moments and more about mastery over four days. He led after 18, 36 and 54 holes, converting the opportunity with the assurance that has come to define his best golf.

At Augusta National, where history is measured in green jackets and quiet authority, McIlroy added another chapter. Not merely a winner again, but a champion now firmly embedded in the tournament’s modern era of greatness.

There is a certain calmness about current Asian No. 1 amateur golfer, Pongsapak “Fifa” Laopakdee that feels almost misplaced as he prepares for a dream debut at the Masters Tournament this week.

In an era when sport is increasingly defined by hype and social media noise, the 21-year-old Thai arrives at Augusta National carrying something far less tangible, yet more enduring – calm, perspective and a mental strength that belies his young age.

When Fifa won the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Emirates Golf Club last October to fulfil his lifelong ambition of earning a Masters start, the slender Thai smiled his way from six shots back in the final round to triumph.

He did not fret over the deficit to 54-hole leader Taisei Nagasaki of Japan. Instead, his focus was internal, to compete against himself and resist any temptation to fantasise about the trophy and the coveted Masters invitation awarded to the champion. Fifa duly prevailed in a play-off, becoming the first Thai winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur.

Long before his breakthrough in Dubai, however, Fifa, whose nickname was given by his football-loving father in keeping with Thai culture, was simply a boy learning the game for the joy of it. There was no grand design imposed by his parents, no rigid pathway mapped out in pursuit of excellence.

His parents, particularly his father Peter, a golf teaching professional, made a conscious decision early on: let the game find Fifa. And it did.

Peter still keeps a photo of a two-year-old Fifa swinging a plastic club and striking table tennis balls around the house. It speaks not of precocity, but of environment. Golf was not forced upon him, it was introduced gently until it became part of who he is.

“Fifa enjoyed a typical childhood,” reflected Peter. “He played golf simply for fun and laughter. We never pressured him toward a specific sport. But with golf clubs around the house, he grew to learn about the equipment within his reach, leading Fifa to fall in love with the sport that was already a part of our daily lives.”

The emphasis on enjoyment became a guiding principle in Fifa’s upbringing. Peter and his wife, Dr Wipaporn Laopakdee fostered an ultra-positive environment at home, instilling in their eldest son the values of respect, humility and composure.

“In our family, we choose support over scolding. By reacting to his mistakes with encouragement instead of anger, he learned to prioritise his love for the game over the score. This environment has built his resilience. No matter how a hole ends, he heads to the next one with a smile and a positive mindset,” said Peter.

“We never let errors get the best of us. Our family uses real-match scenarios as case studies for Fifa. We discuss which behavior is acceptable and which is inappropriate and ask for his perspective so he can learn.”

At 13, Fifa earned a call-up to the Thailand national amateur team. His talent was evident, as was his determination to excel both on the golf course and in the classroom. Father and son would spend four to five hours at the range after school, often late into the evening, driven largely by Fifa’s desire to hone his swing. Weekends were reserved for the course, while Mondays were strictly no-golf days to allow him to simply be a boy.

“When Fifa was called up to the national team, it led to significant time away from the classroom. This prompted his teachers to express concern, even suggesting he might need to scale back his golf schedule to focus more on his studies,” said Peter. “However, Fifa was resolute. He made a promise to his teachers he would never neglect his education.”

Now a junior at Arizona State University, a renowned U.S. collegiate powerhouse whose alumni include Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm, Fifa carries that same resoluteness into every tournament. A double bogey does not linger. He smiles, resets and moves on.

What gives his parents greater pride is that his foundation extends beyond golf. “Fifa is a well-mannered and humble young man,” his father said. “He remains grounded and never boasts, always showing genuine respect to everyone he meets. Whenever a friend feels unwell, he takes the initiative to contact his mother to seek medical advice.”

The ultimate dream, Peter says, is to one day wear the Green Jacket, which has been worn by an Asian golfer only once in 89 previous editions of the Masters when Hideki Matsuyama of Japan won in 2021.

“As a young boy, Fifa watched the Masters on television and was captivated by the massive crowds and electric atmosphere. He asked what it would take to wear the Green Jacket. My answer was simple – ‘You must be a champion.’ ​

“That moment ignited a lifelong fire within him that one day, he will earn the right to wear that Green Jacket at least once in his life. Our goal is to make the cut (this week), but whatever the final result may be, it doesn’t matter.”

Augusta, GA - Eight young golfers walked away from Augusta National with more than trophies on Sunday. They left with memories that will linger far beyond the fairways, each crowned champion at the 12th Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Staged at one of golf’s most revered venues and broadcast live, the annual showcase once again underlined its purpose—to inspire the next generation. Conducted in partnership with the Masters Tournament, the USGA and the PGA of America, the initiative continues to provide a pathway into the game for boys and girls aged seven to 15, testing the essential skills of driving, chipping and putting.

From tens of thousands who entered qualifying across the United States, only 80 earned their place at Augusta National. There, under the most unique of pressures, the finalists competed across three disciplines, with precision and composure ultimately deciding the champions.

Among the girls, Riley Huang of Palo Alto claimed the 7–9 division in a playoff sealed by two holed 15-foot putts, her calm approach rooted in preparation and patience. “I did practice putting a lot, and my dad reminded me to take my time and not worry about winning,” she said.

Ava Chen of Brooklyn captured the 10–11 title, also through a playoff, her perseverance evident after multiple attempts to reach the finals. “I was extremely nervous, but I pushed through it. It was very special,” she reflected.

Lucy Cui of Honolulu surged in the 12–13 category, climbing the leaderboard before delivering under pressure on the greens. “It is really unimaginable because I never thought I’d actually do that,” she said. In the oldest girls’ division, Nirvika Koduru of Boca Raton produced a composed, balanced performance across all three disciplines, crediting her support system. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t have won today.”

The boys’ divisions offered equally compelling stories. Roy Moon of Bellevue set the tone early in the 7–9 group, combining strong driving with clutch putting. “It was always my dream to play at Augusta National,” he said. “It is such a great opportunity.”

Stephen Sanders of Grand Prairie made an immediate impact in his debut appearance, powering a 245-yard drive and maintaining consistency throughout. “It means the world to me,” he said of his victory.

Texas Terry of Austin delivered perhaps the most complete performance, winning the 12–13 division with consistency across all skills and claiming his second national title. Trust, he said, was key to “bring home another trophy to Texas.”

In the 14–15 group, Arno Wehle of San Jose returned with intent after competing in 2024, using sharp chipping and steady putting to secure victory. “Chipping and putting helped me get the job done today,” he said.

The format rewarded precision and composure. Points were accumulated across driving distance, chipping accuracy and putting, with additional bonuses for efficiency. Yet beyond the scoring, the day belonged to belief—young players stepping onto one of golf’s grandest stages and discovering what they could achieve.

At Augusta National, where history is written each spring, a new chapter quietly unfolded. Not of major champions, but of future possibilities.

Augusta, GA - Travis Smyth produced a moment every golfer imagines, holing a 20-foot eagle putt on the final green to win the International Series Japan by one in a finish that bordered on the surreal.

The Australian signed for a closing 64 to reach 15 under par at Caledonian Golf Club near Tokyo, his final stroke denying both Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita, who had already set the clubhouse target at 14 under.

“That’s what dreams are made of right there,” Smyth said of the winning putt. “As a young kid, you know, you’re on the putting green having putting comps with your mates, you’re trying to chip in to win, you’re trying to hole 25 footers to win. And that was unbelievable.

“You know, I won a tournament two weeks ago, probably a pretty similar putt downhill, left to right – just drew upon that. But yeah, for it to go in like that, it’s the best feeling ever.”

It was a finish that elevated an already compelling final day into something unforgettable. Pavit and Kinoshita had charged from well off the pace with rounds of 62 and 63 respectively, each threatening to steal the tournament outright. Pavit’s effort, the lowest round of the week, featured 10 birdies and just one bogey, while Kinoshita surged from the sixth-to-last group to apply late pressure.

“Today I played pretty much like perfect golf,” Pavit said. “I drove the ball very well; I hit my irons very good and I was putting well. So, everything was like on momentum. I sunk putts and had like a streak on the first nine, so I gained confidence with my putting.”

Smyth, who began the day two shots off the lead, built his round with purpose rather than haste. Birdies at the first, second and sixth moved him into contention, but with scoring conditions yielding a flood of red numbers, more was required. He delivered with birdies at the 13th and 16th to move within one, setting the stage for his decisive strike at the last.

“I’ve had a hard time trying to win tournaments,” he said. “People don’t understand how hard it is to win, you know. Like it’s such a mind game with yourself out there. In the past, like you’re always trying to come up with excuses as to why you might not be leading, or why you might not be hitting the shots under pressure that you want to, but I don’t know, I’ve been able to turn a corner.”

Behind him, the leaderboard told its own story. Korea’s Hongtaek Kim and Japan’s Shugo Imahira, who shared the overnight lead, were unable to match the pace, closing with rounds of 69 and 70. American Austen Truslow finished alone in fourth after a 65 that included a remarkable eagle on the par-four 16th, where a tee shot that struck overhead cables earned him a second chance he converted from 36 feet.

“On 16, I mean, that was a crazy situation,” Truslow said. “It hit the telephone pole line, got to re tee, and then I drove it to 36 feet and made the putt. And the first ball was going probably 20 yards right of the green. So that was insane. That’s the craziest eagle in my life. So that happened.”

For Smyth, the victory marked his first on The International Series and his second on the Asian Tour, continuing a sequence that has quickly gathered momentum. Having already won the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship last month and posted finishes of third and fifth in the opening events of the season, he now leads both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.

All of it, though, came down to one putt on one green. A familiar dream, realised under the heaviest of pressure, and delivered when it mattered most.

Augusta, GA - Maria Jose Marin became the first Colombian and Latin American champion of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur after a composed final-round 68 secured a four-shot victory on 14 under par.

The 19-year-old, ranked No. 7 in the amateur world, set a championship record total of 202 and closed with rounds of 65-69-68 to seal a landmark triumph at Augusta National.

“It’s now or never, I’m going for it,” Marin said of her decisive approach at the par-5 13th, where she chose aggression over caution and seized control of the tournament.

Marin began the day one shot back but surged ahead through Amen Corner, capitalising on a costly error by Asterisk Talley at the 12th before birdieing the 13th to take the outright lead.

Her composure under pressure was underlined by a crucial par save at the 10th and another birdie at the 16th, leaving her with a comfortable margin as she walked up the 18th.

“When I got off of 18… I want you to be the first ones I hug,” she said, reflecting on celebrating with her parents moments after completing the victory.

Andrea Revuelta finished second on 206, with Soomin Oh third on 207, as five players posted final rounds of 68 on a demanding Augusta National layout.

Marin’s win carried wider significance beyond the leaderboard, marking a breakthrough moment for golf in Colombia and across Latin America.

“I can just say dream big. Never give up on your dreams,” she said. “It’s just because all of my hard work and my perseverance and the love that I have for the game.”

Paju, Korea - Hannah Green, Casandra Alexander, Kelsey Bennett and Meghan MacLaren have been named nominees for the March 2026 Ladies European Tour Player of the Month following a strong Australian swing.

Three tournaments across New South Wales, Adelaide and the Gold Coast shaped the shortlist, with performances assessed by LET commentators Richard Kaufman and Sophie Walker after a competitive month Down Under.

“Hannah Green is on an unbelievable run,” the expert panel said. “Three wins, one red hot streak. Hannah Green is flying.”

Green headlines the nominees after winning on the LPGA in Singapore before returning home to claim back-to-back LET titles, becoming the first Australian winner of the Women’s Australian Open since Karrie Webb.

Cass Alexander leads the LET Order of Merit after three top-10 finishes, while Bennett secured a breakthrough maiden LET victory at the Australian Women’s Classic to underline her rise.

“The way Kelsey Bennett ended 2025, the next step was always going to be a breakthrough win,” the panel noted. “A first LET victory that also sealed the Australian’s place in this year’s AIG Women’s Open.”

MacLaren completes the shortlist after rediscovering form with two top-five finishes, continuing her resurgence following a challenging period.

“The Mac is back,” the panel added. “After 18 months in the wilderness, the future full of promise.”

Voting is open via the LET website and app until April 7, with fans invited to decide the standout performer from a compelling month of competition.

Paju, Korea - Spanish stars Ángel Hidalgo, Eugenio Chacarra, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Adri Arnaus and Jorge Campillo will lead the home charge at the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship at Real Club de Golf El Prat from May 7–10.

They join Pablo Larrazábal, Nacho Elvira and Ángel Ayora as the tournament дебuts on the 2026 Race to Dubai, forming part of the European Swing and the Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup.

“I’m really looking forward to playing the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship,” said Hidalgo. “Any time we get the chance to compete in Spain it means a lot. The support from the crowds gives you that extra boost, and to do it at a course like Real Club de Golf El Prat makes it even more special.”

Hidalgo returns seeking to rediscover the form that brought him a breakthrough victory at the 2024 Open de España, while Chacarra arrives as a rising force following his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2025 Hero Indian Open and a runner-up finish at this year’s edition.

“It’s always a privilege to represent Spain,” said Chacarra. “We have such a strong tradition in golf, and to be part of this new event in Catalunya is something I’m very proud of. I’m sure the atmosphere will be incredible, and I can’t wait to be part of it.”

Cabrera Bello adds experience and pedigree as a former Ryder Cup player and Rolex Series winner, while Arnaus returns to familiar surroundings after his breakthrough win in Catalunya in 2020. Campillo, a three-time DP World Tour winner, completes a formidable line-up following a recent runner-up finish in China.

“Playing at home is something you never take for granted,” said Cabrera Bello. “Spanish fans are knowledgeable and passionate, and they always create a fantastic environment. It’s great to see a new tournament in Catalunya and I’m excited to be there in May.”

“I’m really proud to see an event like this come to Catalunya,” added Arnaus. “Playing at home, especially at a venue like Real Club de Golf El Prat, is always very special.”

“We don’t get many opportunities to play in Spain during the season, so when we do, it’s special,” said Campillo. “Real Club de Golf El Prat is a brilliant venue, and I think it will be a great test.”

The event marks the first DP World Tour tournament at Real Club de Golf El Prat since 2015, with a strong Spanish contingent ensuring anticipation continues to build for a significant week in Barcelona.

Paju, Korea - The R&A, the Golf Foundation, England Golf and The PGA have launched ‘Road To The Opens’ at Royal Lytham & St Annes to inspire young golfers ahead of two major championships this summer.

The initiative connects The Open and the AIG Women’s Open with grassroots opportunities across schools, clubs and communities, aiming to engage more than 3,500 young people through structured participation pathways.

“We have a unique opportunity to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to try golf and take up the sport,” said Kevin Barker, Director of Golf Development – GB&I and Africa at The R&A.

Royal Birkdale will host The 154th Open from 12-19 July, while Royal Lytham & St Annes stages the 50th AIG Women’s Open from 29 July to 2 August, bringing global attention to the region.

With trophy tours, school visits and community programmes planned, the campaign is designed to ensure the momentum of elite golf translates into sustained participation and long-term opportunity.

Paju, Korea - Los Angeles Golf Club captured the 2026 SoFi Cup after defeating Jupiter Links Golf Club 9-2 in Finals Match 2, completing a two-match sweep at SoFi Center.

Having edged the opening match 6-5, Los Angeles required only 10 holes in the second contest to secure the title, overturning an early deficit and surging clear with a decisive run of scoring.

The momentum shifted after Los Angeles trailed 2-0 through five holes, responding by winning the next five holes and piling up nine points, highlighted by three consecutive eagles and four successful Hammers.

Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala each played key roles in the turnaround, with Rose setting up decisive moments including a close approach on No. 10 that led to a conceded eagle and clinched the SoFi Cup.

The victory completed a strong finish to the season for Los Angeles, who closed with five consecutive wins and added the title a year after falling in the semifinals, while Jupiter Links, featuring Max Homa, Tom Kim and Tiger Woods, settled for second place.

Paju, Korea - Lottie Woad will return to Dundonald Links this summer with history at her back and expectation at her side, confirming she will defend her title at the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open from July 23-26.

The world No.9 arrives as the reigning champion after a breakthrough performance last year, when she claimed a three-shot victory on her professional debut, finishing at 21-under par. It was a moment that capped a remarkable stretch, having already lifted the KPMG Women’s Irish Open as an amateur earlier that month before going on to finish tied third at The Amundi Evian Championship.

Woad’s rise has not slowed. She followed her Scottish triumph with a tied-eighth finish at the AIG Women’s Open, securing her third top-10 result in just eight major appearances across two years. This season, she has continued to build, recording three top-15 finishes and climbing to a career-high world ranking of No. 8, all within eight months of turning professional.

“I’m really excited to return to Dundonald Links this summer,” Woad said. “Last year was such a whirlwind, and winning on my professional debut was so special. I spend a lot of time in Scotland with my family, so to win the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open was amazing and definitely my favourite stop on the schedule so far. It’s been an incredible year, so I’m really looking forward to going back and having the chance to defend my title.”

She will be joined by Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, who brings both local support and proven consistency. A three-time winner of the Jock MacVicar Leading Scot award, Dryburgh posted six top-20 finishes on the LPGA Tour in 2025 and will look to contend on home soil.

“It’s always incredibly special to play in front of a home crowd, and the support I get in Scotland means so much,” Dryburgh said. “Dundonald Links is a fantastic venue and a true test of links golf, so I’m really looking forward to being part of such a strong field and putting in a great performance for the fans. It’s been amazing to see how this event has grown from strength to strength over the years.”

That growth was underlined with the announcement of a new £4.5 million funding agreement from the Scottish Government and VisitScotland, securing support for the championship through to 2028 and reinforcing its place on the global schedule.

The tournament returns to Dundonald Links for a fifth consecutive year, following a record-breaking 2025 edition that attracted more than 11,000 spectators. It will again stand as the only LPGA Tour event staged in Scotland this season.

For Woad, the setting is familiar, the memories vivid. Now comes the harder task—returning not as the surprise, but as the standard.

Paju, Korea - Hannah Green closed out a remarkable run in style on Sunday, pulling away at Sanctuary Cove to win the Australian WPGA Championship by four shots and complete a career hat-trick of victories in her last three starts.

The world No 7 signed for a final-round 69 to finish at 16 under par, lifting the Karrie Webb Cup after holding off Alexandra Försterling’s early push and adding another home triumph to the title she claimed at the Women’s Australian Open a week earlier. It also followed her seventh LPGA title at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore a month ago.

“It feels really amazing,” Green said. “Again, it hasn’t really sunk in, but it’s been a really crazy month. I guess it’s been four weeks since I won Singapore. But it’s been really special to be able to do that in Australia.”

Green began the final round with a two-shot lead and wasted little time asserting control. She birdied the second, third and fourth holes as playing partners Casandra Alexander and Vanessa Knecht slipped backwards, briefly tightening her grip on the championship before bogeys at the fifth and sixth opened the door.

Försterling, a four-time Ladies European Tour winner, surged into contention with four birdies in six holes during an outward 33 to reach 13 under par. For a spell, the German applied genuine pressure. Green, though, steadied herself, birdied the ninth and watched as Försterling dropped shots at the 13th and 15th, restoring the Australian’s cushion.

“I didn’t really know how I was going to perform this week, because in the past, when I have won, I haven’t come into tournaments with much form,” Green said. “I’ve kind of flown under the radar if anything and it’s hard to back up a win, especially at home after [the] Aussie Open. It was such a big week.”

There was still time for one more twist. Green made bogey at the 12th, but by then she had regained command. When she reached the par-5 18th in two, the finish became a formality, a two-putt birdie sealing a four-shot victory and touching off the celebration. Green, with husband Jarryd Felton on the bag for the week, was soon drenched in champagne by 2022 winner Su Oh, Amelia Garvey and Steph Kyriacou.

“I think when I knew that I was going to win was when I actually hit it on the green on 18,” Green said. “That’s when I probably started to think about it more. I tried to just imagine that we still have more holes to play just so that I wasn’t fluffing around it, in a sense.”

The victory gave Green her second Ladies European Tour title in as many weeks and made her the second player to hoist the Karrie Webb Cup, a detail that carried obvious meaning for one of Australia’s leading players.

“It’s amazing,” Green said. “Like I’ve said before, my best friend [Su Oh] has also won this tournament. Webby’s obviously one of the greatest golfers I think that Australia’s ever produced. I don’t think any of us will ever catch up with the amount of wins she’s had in her career, but she’s a true inspiration to all of us.”

Alexander finished tied for second at 12 under alongside Försterling after a turbulent final round that featured three birdies, three bogeys, an eagle and a double-bogey. England’s Meghan MacLaren was fourth on 10 under, adding to a formidable Australian record that already includes three wins and a runner-up finish at Magenta Shores two weeks ago. India’s Diksha Dagar and England’s Annabell Fuller shared seventh on eight under.

The result also reshaped the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, where Alexander moved past France’s Agathe Laisne into top spot on 815.83 points after collecting her second runner-up finish of the season. Australia’s Kelsey Bennett remained third on 677.50 points.

For Green, however, the larger number was three. Three starts. Three wins. One extraordinary month that has turned strong form into a statement.

Paju, Korea - MJ Daffue combined resilience with belief to secure a dramatic one-shot victory at the DP World PGTI Open, closing with a bogey-free 69 to finish at 21 under par at Classic Golf & Country Club.

The South African, who began the final day with a four-shot cushion, was tested throughout a tense Sunday but responded with the kind of control that has defined his recent rise. The win marks his second HotelPlanner Tour title in just two months and lifts him to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings.

“I’m really pleased,” Daffue said. “The first one gets something off your back, but this time, I believed I could do it.

“I knew I was comfortable, and I have brought some momentum from the last few weeks.

“I’ve been patient. I’ve been working with a sports psychologist, and my moto has been ‘dogged, determination and patience’ and that helped me out there today.”

Daffue’s path to victory began earlier in the day when he returned to complete his third round, signing for a 67 to reach 18 under par and maintain control heading into the final round.

The closing stretch, however, demanded nerve. After a steady but unspectacular start that saw him reach the turn level through eight holes, Daffue found his moment. A birdie at the ninth settled him before a decisive eagle at the par-five 14th provided the separation he needed.

“It wasn’t easy. The greens were a bit tricky, but I made some great swings, and my eagle was probably my only putt outside of six feet today.

“Momentum is a funny thing; it comes and goes. I have never shot an eleven under in a tournament, so all facets of my play were going well. I was putting well earlier on in the week, and I adjusted well to the course.”

Behind him, America’s Jhared Hack and India’s Saptak Talwar applied pressure to the finish, sharing second place at 20 under par, while Austria’s Lucas Nemecz finished alone in third, one shot further back.

The victory reshapes the season-long standings, with Daffue moving into first place on the Road to Mallorca. England’s Will Enefer climbs to second, with MJ Viljoen slipping to third, followed by Deon Germishuys and Davis Bryant.

With momentum now firmly on his side, Daffue heads to Italy for the next stop on the Road to Mallorca knowing that patience and belief — his guiding principles — are delivering tangible rewards.