It's been another big week in the golf world, from stacked leaderboards to caddie switches and plenty of torque.
Scroll down for a quick hit of the biggest stories doing the rounds.
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⛳ Weekend Preview
PGA Tour ➜ Hero World Challenge (Bahamas)
Leaders at -6: 🇺🇸 A. Bhatia, 🇺🇸 W. Clark, 🇺🇸 S. Scheffler, 🇺🇸 J.J. Spaun, 🇦🇹 S. Straka.
DP World Tour ➜ Nedbank Golf Challenge (South Africa)
Leaders at -11: 🇳🇴 K. Reitan & 🇫🇷 A. Saddier. |
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🐅 Why Players Love the Hero World Challenge
With the Hero World Challenge teeing off this week, it’s easy to see why top players make room for it. The event is a small-field, no-cut week that lets them ease back into competition without FedExCup pressure.
It also supports Tiger Woods’ foundation and offers a relaxed setup in the Bahamas, making it one of the most appealing stops of the off-season. |
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📺 Round 1 Highlights – Hero World Challenge 2025
Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Wyndham Clark, Sepp Straka and Akshay Bhatia all opened with a 6-under 66 to share the early lead.
Here’s the clean cut of the biggest swings and early leaderboard action.
👉 Watch the R1 highlights
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🎯 The Rise of Zero-Torque Putters
The rise of zero-torque putters has been nothing short of explosive this past year. With more than 35 models now on the market, it begs the question: is this just another big-brand push to cash in on a few tour wins, or is Zero Torque truly the future of putting?
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🏆❌ PGA vs LIV Merger Update
Early optimism faded fast. Talks collapsed when PIF pushed for a board seat and the PGA rejected it. LIV keeps spending 💸 but still struggles for viewers and credibility.
New PGA CEO Brian Rollap is open to conversations but is not pursuing a deal.
👉 Bottom line: LIV has plenty to gain, the PGA has little to win. A merger looks very unlikely. |
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🧢 Akshay Bhatia Rolls Out a New Caddie
Akshay Bhatia arrived at the Hero World Challenge with veteran caddie Joe Greiner on the bag. Greiner worked with Max Homa and several top players in 2025 and has committed to Bhatia for 2026.
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🎙️ Podcast of the Week
The Rough Cut crew debate who would really be World Number 1 if the OWGR fully reflected today’s game 🔥
👉 Watch the episode here
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💵 PGA Tour Adds New Support Grants for 2026
With full Tour cards dropping from 125 to 100 next year, the PGA Tour has rolled out two new grants to soften the blow for players on the edge of the rankings. One offers up to $150,000 for those just outside the top 125, while another gives $15,000 to rising prospects from Korn Ferry, PGA Tour Americas and PGA Tour U.
The message from the Tour is clear ➜ help developing players stay competitive and give those who narrowly miss out a financial bridge back to full status. |
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That’s a wrap on this week’s issue.
Got a moment, meme, or story we should include next time? Hit reply and drop it in — we read every one.
– Team Zire
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