🏌️ Rory Moving To LIV?

Good Morning and Happy Leap Day! 

A strong field is set to tee off at the Cognizant Classic in PGA National - we showcase what we’re betting on with our top picks for this tournament.

Headlining the tournament, Rory McIlroy is also making much news and made it to our top story today!

Trivia: The OWGR top 20 has only 1 golfer in common between now and the last time Anthony Kim played a pro golf event (in 2012). Who is the player? Answer at the end of the email.

⛳ This day in history: On this date in 1948, Lawson Little won the St. Petersburg Open over Bobby Locke, by three shots. He is believed to be the last player to win a tour event on a Leap Day.

ODDS AND PICKS
Our Top Picks For Cognizant Classic

🚩 The 2024 Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches kicking off this morning has a strong field of competitors, highlighted by top players from the OWGR and a host of PGA TOUR winners.

Here are our top picks we’re betting on:

🚀 Most Likely to Win: JT Poston (+2800) stands out as a strong favorite for the tournament, with a solid putting strokes gained over the last six months.

🚀 Key Player in the Top 5: Matt Fitzpatrick (+3300), ranked World No. 9, has shown consistent performance and is likely to secure a spot in the top 5. His participation adds significant depth to the field.

🚀 Key Player in the Top 10: Rory McIlroy (+750) is our pick for a Top 10 finish. His ranking as World No. 2, and solid ball striking off the tee makes this a great choice.

🚀 Key Player in the Top 20: 2022 winner Sepp Straka (+4000) is our pick to perform well and secure a spot in the top 20.

🚀 Underdog Likely to Emerge: Among the newer or less heralded players, Min Woo Lee (+4000) stands out as a potential underdog who could make a significant impact. Despite not being among the top-ranked players, his talent and potential make him a dark horse in the competition.

All odds via BetMGM, at the time of publishing.

ALBATROSS
Rory Doesn’t Deny LIV Golf Switch

Rory McIlroy is yet to tee off at PGA National but he's already making headlines for his statements ahead of the tournament.

⚠️ LIV Golf Rumors: McIlroy's former agent Andrew "Chubby" Chandler recently revealed that the Northern Irishman could possibly move to LIV Golf in the near future.

McIlroy didn't deny the possibility and in fact, added more spice to it.

🚫 Not Bothered By Gooch: LIV Golfer Talor Gooch had taken a dig at McIlroy stating that there would be an "asterisk" on his career Grand Slam if he wins the Masters in the absence of top golfers due to LIV Golf stars being stripped of OWGR points.

McIlroy is not bothered by the comments and has given Gooch the benefit of the doubt that the reporter was directing him to this controversial response during the interview.

🏌️The State Of His Game: McIlroy is happy that he has played some impressive golf so far this season especially on the DP World Tour. He feels that his game is in good shape heading to the Cognizant Classic.

⛳️ Pre-Masters Trip To Augusta National: One of the primary reasons McIlroy has such a crowded schedule is to ensure he is as prepared as possible for the first Major of the year, The Masters, in April. That is the one Major title that eludes the 34-year-old, and he also revealed a trip to Augusta National is on the cards to assist his preparations.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Best Players At The Cognizant Classic

As the Cognizant Classic tees off, we explore the best players at the PGA National over the last five seasons.

🏌️Sepp Straka: Straka won the tournament in 2022 and notably finished T-5 last year.

His finishes: T-5 (2023), 1st (2022), T-33 (2021), T-27 (2020) and MC (2019).

🏌️Shane Lowry: Lowry has been one of the most consistent players in this tournament across the last five years despite not winning the title even once.

His finishes: T-5 (2023), 2nd (2022), T-36 (2021) and T-21(2020)

🏌️Chris Kirk: Kirk is the reigning champion and despite missing the cut twice in last five years, he makes this list due to his performances in the recent editions.

His finishes: 1st (2023), T-7 (2022), T-25 (2021), MC (2020) and MC (2019)

🏌️Daniel Berger: Berger has made only three starts at this tournament in the last five years and he has been impressive in all of them.

His finishes: 4th (2022), T-4 (2020) and T-36 (2019)

🏌️Sungjae Im: Im won the title in 2020, defeating Mackenzie Hughes by one shot.

His finishes: T-42 (2023), MC (2022), T-8 (2021), 1st (2020) and T-51 (2019)

Read the full article.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

PGA Tour: Five-time PGA Tour winner Camilo Villegas has been named Chairman of the Player Advisory Council (PAC) for the remainder of 2024 and will replace Jordan Spieth as one of the Player Directors on the PGA Tour Policy Board.

LPGA Tour: Star golfers Lilia Vu, Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang and Brooke Henderson among others have confirmed their participation in the Seri Pak Championship in Los Angeles scheduled to be held from March 21-24.

Memorabilia: The clubs Babe Zaharias used for her improbable 1954 US Women's Open victory are being auctioned on thegolfauction.com.

Michelle Wie West: Michelle Wie, one of the most gifted golfers and popular players in LPGA history, will be the subject of a new documentary produced by NBC Sports, the USGA and Campfire Studios. It will premiere on NBC in May and stream on Peacock.

Bartlett Award: Jim and Tabitha Furyk are being honored by the Golf Writers Association with the Charlie Bartlett Award, presented annually to a professional golfer for "unselfish contributions to the betterment of society."

Webb Simpson: PGA Tour Policy Board's player director Webb Simpson has listed out 6 golfers the Tour would likely welcome back from LIV Golf - Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith.

BIRDIE
Schmelzel Leads In Singapore, Ko Off To A Disastrous Start

The HSBC Women's World Championship had an action-packed opening day in Singapore with its own share of the and spills.

🔝Schmelzel Sole Leader: American Sarah Schmelzel birdied two of of her final three holes for a 4-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead after Round 1. Since turning pro in 2016, Schmelzel has not yet won an LPGA Tour event.

🏌️Vu's Strong Start: World No 1 Lilia put up an impressive show carding a 3-under for T-2 and is a part of the chasing pack alongside Esther Henseleit and Linn Grant.

🔻 Ko Falters: Lydia Ko needs one point to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame but only a miracle would help her accomplish that in Singapore. She had a poor first round and is placed T-53.

⛳️ Stars Show Their Class: Top-ranked golfers like Ruoning Yin, Kim Hyo-joo, Allisen Corpuz and Leona Maguire all occupy the top 10 spots and are very much in contention for victory.

HSBC Women's World Championship Round 1 Leaderboard 

Watch Round 1 Highlights

DRIVING RANGE
Improve Your Putting Distance Control

In this video, PGA professional Piers Ward demonstrates a drill to help control your distance when putting and improve your overall short game.

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