PGA Tour Crafts a 2025 Without Relying on LIV, Boosted by SSG's $1.5 Billion Injection
Recent Launches by Leading Brands, Matsuyama's Win in the Initial FedEx Cup Playoff, and More Highlights from Last Week's Golf Scene
Hello, dear GBR family,
As competitions head into the final phase of the season, this week has particularly felt like August, with a noticeable slowdown in golf business news. However, here are the key topics we've curated for you:
2025 PGA Tour Schedule Unveiled: We can now start planning our golf getaways for 2025, as the PGA Tour has revealed the complete schedule for the upcoming season.
PGA-PIF Agreement Stalls: There seems to be no immediate prospect of a PGA-PIF agreement, with Monahan's annual speech before the FedEx Cup Playoffs echoing the "usual rhetoric."
New Releases from Major Brands: TaylorMade launches Hi-Toe 4 Wedges, and Mizuno unveils the new JPX925 Hot Metal Irons.
Matsuyama's Victory: Matsuyama wins in Memphis at the first playoff of the FedEx Cup.
Historic Win: For the first time, a Spaniard wins the US Amateur Championship.
Let's get started!
PGA Tour 2025 Schedule Released
Along with the latest updates on negotiations regarding the PIF merger and Jay Monahan’s health, the PGA Tour announced the 2025 schedule.
The second year of the reimagined schedule provides a similar mix to the 2024 season.
The FedExCup and Playoffs remain at the heart of the regular season, supplemented by eight Signature Events, The Players Championship, and the four major championships.
Here's a breakdown of the season ahead, starting with The Players Championship, which offers the biggest prize fund on the PGA Tour and will be held at TPC Sawgrass between March 10th and 16th.
Below The Players are the eight signature events, which for 2025, are:
The Sentry (Dec. 30-Jan. 5)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Jan. 27-Feb. 2)
The Genesis Invitational (Feb. 10-16)
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 3-9)
RBC Heritage (April 14-20)
Truist Championship (May 5-11)
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (May 26-June 1)
Travelers Championship (June 16-22)
The PGA Tour has also confirmed the criteria for entry into a signature event, which comprises of:
Top 50 players from the 2024 FedExCup standings.
Fifteen members who can play their way in through the Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5;
Current season tournament winners (excluding Additional Events)
PGA TOUR members inside the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking
Four sponsor exemptions earmarked for PGA TOUR members;
The three player-hosted events (Genesis, API, Memorial) have one tournament host exemption, not restricted to PGA TOUR members.
2025 FedExCup Regular Season
The FedEx Cup Regular season kicks off at the first signature event at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. With every player resetting to zero FedExCup points, the quest for the FedExCup Playoffs begins. The Sony Open acts as the first full-field event of 2025 before moving back to the mainland.
January and February comprise the traditional west coast swing with traditional stops at Pebble Beach and Riviera before the tour heads east.
March to June
The tour swings through Florida to rendezvous with the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
The run-up to the first major of the year, The Masters Tournament in April, is marked by intense competition across Texas and South Carolina, where events like the Valero Texas Open and the RBC Heritage challenge players to fine-tune their games for Augusta National.
The schedule gets more busy as the tour moves into late spring and early summer. The Canadian national championship, the RBC Canadian Open, will debut at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Following the U.S. Open, the tour heads to Connecticut for the final Signature Event of the regular season, the Travelers Championship.
FedExCup Playoffs and Beyond
As July gives way to August, players will push to gain entry to the FedExCup Playoffs.
The top 70 players in the FedExCup standings will begin their playoff journey at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee.
The top 50 will advance to the BMW Championship in Maryland before the Tour Championship at East Lake crowns the 2024/25 FedEx Cup champion.
The 2025 FedExCup Fall will determine the final standings and eligibility for the 2026 season, providing one last opportunity for players to secure their spot in The Players and beyond.
“The new schedule and competitive changes introduced in 2024 were significant steps toward creating the best version of the PGA TOUR for our fans and players.”
“As we enter the second year of this reimagined schedule, one thing remains a constant — winning on the PGA TOUR continues to rank among the most difficult and rewarding accomplishments in sport.” - Jay Monohan, PGA Tour Commissioner.
Monahan Addresses The Media: The Story Stays The Same
On the eve of the first round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan took to the stage to provide us with what we hoped would be a positive update on the negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Monahan's appraisal of the situation comes as little surprise to the assembled media and the rest of golf. There has been no change.
Monahan effectively repeated the same lines he has used throughout the year when dealing with the media:
Negotiations are very complex
Conversations are going well
Monahan remains hopeful of a conclusion in the not-too-distant future
Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski covered Monahan’s latest encounter with the media and reported that the evolution of the PGA Tour is the backdrop to this ongoing dialogue. With the creation of PGA Tour Enterprises and a $1.5 billion investment deal with Strategic Sports Group (SSG) finalized in January, the Tour has positioned itself strongly. This investment is more than just a financial windfall; it's a vehicle for innovation and growth to ensure the Tour remains at the forefront of professional golf.
With SSG’s capital infusion, Monahan now holds a stronger hand in the ongoing negotiations with PIF—a potential step towards reunifying men’s professional golf or, at the very least, securing PIF's investment in PGA Tour Enterprises.
As the Playoffs begin, Monahan's focus remains firmly on the Tour's achievements and the opportunities ahead. Beyond the ongoing negotiations, 2024 has, at times, been a trying year. Long-time sponsors such as Wells Fargo and Honda are no longer title sponsors.
RBC has tentatively penned deals to continue sponsorship of the Canadian Open and Heritage.
The positives include a new title sponsor, The Truist Championship, replacing Wells Fargo, and a new title sponsor for the FedEx Cup fall series opener in Napa, The Procore Championship.
We have also seen the PGA Tour embrace the social media world. Some of YouTube’s top golf influencers fought it out to qualify to play in the Myrtle Beach Classic, and the recent announcement of the “Creator Classic,” which again will bring together YouTube’s top golfers for a televised event on the eve of the Tour Championship at East Lake in a few weeks.
Monahan also had time to discuss his health status as we marked the first anniversary of his return to the PGA Tour after taking a leave of absence not long after the bombshell announcement of the merger between the PGA Tour and PIF last June.
“I feel great, and I feel great because what I just talked about to be here on the eve of the FedEx Cup playoffs and to have the momentum that we have behind the PGA Tour and to have accomplished so much alongside our players and my teammates; that has been very inspiring,” - Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner.
TaylorMade Launch Hi-Toe 4 Wedges
Coming hot on the heels of the new P.770 and P.7CB irons, TaylorMade has revealed the fourth iteration of its popular Hi-Toe wedge series.
The raw face design is at the heart of the Hi-Toe 4 wedges—a feature that might be familiar to those who’ve swung previous models. This unplated face offers a superior and consistent level of spin, giving control over shots.
Additional features TaylorMade have incorporated into the Hi-Toe 4 are:
The Spin Tread Technology - advanced laser milling on the face channels moisture away.
Improved CG - The high center of gravity (CG) is a critical factor in maximizing spin and controlling trajectory. In earlier models, TaylorMade optimized the CG by milling out large cavities low on the club, but the results were visually polarizing, to say the least. For the Hi-Toe 4, TaylorMade has softened these features, offering a more streamlined and visually appealing design. Now, there’s just a single, subtle cavity on the toe side of the sole, which not only moves the CG toward the center but also pairs beautifully with the club’s signature copper finish.
The Hi-Toe 4 wedges cater to a range of playing styles and conditions, offering lofts from 50 to 60 degrees in two-degree increments.
TaylorMade has also taken the opportunity to introduce five new sole grinds for the Hi-Toe 4 range, comprising of:
ATS (All Terrain Standard): Available across the entire line. It’s the reliable, go-to option suitable for all swing types and turf conditions.
ATV (All Terrain Versatility): Designed for golfers with a shallow angle of attack, this grind is perfect for tight lies and firm turf.
ATX (All Terrain XTRA): The ATX is a mid-bounce option with a triple sole design. It’s engineered to prevent digging with its leading edge. Available in the 56- through 60-degree models.
ATC (All Terrain C): This classic C-grind is the lowest bounce option and is only available in the 58- and 60-degree lofts. It’s perfect for firm conditions and golfers with a shallow angle of attack.
ATW (All Terrain Wide): The most forgiving sole in the lineup, the ATW is designed for steep swingers, soft, wet conditions, and sand shots. Available in the 56- through 60-degree lofts.
The Hi-Toe4 wedges are available now in right and left-handed models (some left-handed models need to be custom-ordered).
RRP $179.99 (£140, €165)
Mizuno Reveals New JPX925 Hot Metal Irons
Mizuno Golf unveiled its latest creation, the JPX925 Hot Metal Iron family.
Three models within the lineup cater to different levels of golfers and offer the option of blended sets through a custom-fitting process.
The three new models are:
JPX925 Hot Metal: Built for maximum speed and consistency, this model features the innovative CORTECH Design and Contour Ellipse face, which provides unparalleled distance control. A new color-coding system on the back of each clubhead—white for Hot Metal, black for Hot Metal Pro, and blue for Hot Metal High Launch—simplifies the fitting process, making it easier for golfers to find the perfect club for their game.
JPX925 Hot Metal Pro: For golfers seeking a slimmer, more refined profile, the Hot Metal Pro combines advanced technology with a compact design. The inclusion of Chromoly 4140M, a high-strength material known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, allows for a thinner face and a pliable hosel, enabling precise fitting.
JPX925 Hot Metal High Launch: This model is designed to offer maximum launch and spin, making it ideal for golfers who need help elevating their shots. It features the same cutting-edge technology as its counterparts but in a wider, easier-to-elevate package.
The JPX925 Hot Metal Irons also benefit from Mizuno’s latest technology, such as:
The CORTECH design and Contour Ellipse Face introduce a multi-thickness face profile that is 30% thinner than its predecessor, enhancing ball speed and ensuring maximum speed retention throughout the impact zone.
Multi-material construction incorporates tungsten weighting in the 4-7 irons, positioning the weight low to facilitate a higher launch and a lower sweet spot.
Seamless one-piece cup face geometry of the irons, which maximizes the rebound area for unparalleled ball speed across the entire face.
Variable sole thickness enhances the overall face flex area, contributing to increased CORAREA (Coefficient of Restitution), while the balanced stability frame improves control without sacrificing forgiveness.
Tour-preferred vibration and sound, thanks to Mizuno's Harmonic Impact Technology and Acoustic Sound Ribs.
The JPX925 Hot Metal Iron family will be available for presale starting September 5th and will be fully released on September 19th.
RRP - To Be Confirmed
Matsuyama Prevails In Memphis
Hideki Matsuyama overcame a minor crisis to capture the FedEx St Jude Classic at TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN.
Matsuyama had played 27 holes without a bogey and had created a five-shot lead for himself deep into the back nine on Sunday.
His wobble started with a three-putt bogey on 12. He followed his mishap on twelve by finding the water with his tee shot on the next hole and did well to make another bogey. Worse followed on 15 with a double-bogey, and there was a sense that Matsuyama was in full meltdown and the chasing pack could sense blood.
17 and 18 played the toughest holes on the course throughout the week. Matsuyama hit a safe approach to 25 feet on 17 and calmly rolled the putt in for a much-needed birdie.
With a one-shot lead restored, Matsuyama hit his second shot on 18 to 6 feet to set up another birdie, which he duly converted to claim a 2-shot victory.
Matsuyama's victory also meant:
He rises from 8th to 3rd in the FedEx Cup standings
Records his 10th PGA Tour victory
Wins his first FedEx Cup playoff event
Additional notable stories from TPC Southwind as the field as players jostled to get into next week's playoff event, the BMW Championship at Castle Pines, or have a chance of reaching the Tour Championship at East Lake were:
Victor Hovland showed a welcome return to form finishing T-2 moving up him up to 16th and a guaranteed visit to East Lake and the opportunity to defend his BMW Championship title he won last year.
Xander Schauffele remains second in the FedEx Cup standings after racing to a final day 63 and T-2 with Hovland.
Nick Dunlap secured his spot in next week's BMW Championship after parring the last hole at TPC Southwind.
Tom Kim became the unfortunate player to finish 51st in the standings after a disastrous 6-6-6 finish.
“I felt today's victory slipping away at that point because 17 and 18 are difficult holes enough, let alone to birdie them. But I was fortunate enough to birdie 17. I immediately thought," Oh, man, this is going to be a tough tee shot. I've got to keep it on the fairway'' I'm grateful I was able to do it.” - Hideki Matsuyama, Winner of FedEx St. Jude Championship.
“It was weird. I went from thinking I could win the tournament to wondering if I was even going to make the top 50. It was very stressful.” - Nick Dunlap.
Ballester Becomes First Spaniard To Win U.S. Amateur
Jose Luis Ballester, a senior-to-be at Arizona State University, etched his name into the annals of golf history as the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Amateur Championship.
Ballester celebrated his 21st birthday the same day as the final, facing Iowa's rising star, Noah Kent, in a grueling 36-hole match.
Taking the lead on the second hole, Ballester never trailed in the but didn’t have it all his own way.
Despite being 4 down after the first 18 holes, Kent fought back with a long eagle putt on the 25th hole that breathed life into his campaign, narrowing the gap to just two holes.
Yet, Ballester remained unshaken even after his lead was cut to one hole after 34 holes played. However, there were no more opportunities for Kent after Ballester parred the final two holes, sealing his victory.
In becoming the first Spaniard to capture the U.S. Amateur, Ballester is now guaranteed a spot in the 2025 editions of the U.S. Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open.
The silver lining for Noah Kent finishing second is that he has also secured a spot in the same majors next year.
“We have many great Spaniards, many great legends. Being able to add my name into that history is pretty sweet.” - Jose Luis Ballester, 2024 U.S. Amateur Champion.
What We Are Reading
LIV Golf celebrated its 100th competitive round during the first round of the LIV Greenbrier. Golfweek's Eamon Lynch analyzes the impact of the disruptor league as it reaches a major milestone.
Josh Sens explores the unique Furnace Creek Golf Course in Death Valley in his article on Golf.com, highlighting its role as a lush oasis in one of the hottest places on Earth.
Scott Kramer, an expert in golf and technology, has reviewed Mustard, the new swing analysis app, and shares his findings in this Forbes article.
That´s all for today, friends.
Stay safe!!!!