The next best thing to playing golf is watching golf, especially when you’re able to watch today’s top golfers battle for top titles, trophies, tour jackets and general fame.
The 2024 Summer Olympics certainly gave us some great golf to watch, thanks to the 120 top women and men golfers from around the world vying for medal contention over four days.
But the Olympics don’t have to be the end of your televised golf fun: serious golfers know that there’s always some kind of tournament to tune into throughout the year. Even if you don’t live near a tournament spot or can’t attend one on a vacation, you can get many chances to watch these events on TV or streaming services. Watching these competitions can let viewers see different courses and even visualize how they would play certain holes if they ever have the chance. Continue reading for a run-down for what’s already in the works and what’s ahead for your golf viewing pleasure, and get inspired to practice with bulk used golf balls of your own!.
Presidents Cup, Sept. 26-29
This tournament began Sept. 26 and wraps up Sept. 29. Its location is the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Cup, which takes place every other year, traditionally features a 12-man team from the U.S. against a 12-man International team made of players from everywhere except for the U.S. and Europe. (The European vs. U.S. competitions take place every other fall at the Ryder Cup – the next one is in New York in 2025.)
The Presidents Cup is fairly new, beginning in 1994. The U.S. has the distinction of never losing when it’s the host country, and only losing once, in 1998, and tying in 2003. Going into this year’s event, the U.S. team had a solid 12-1-1 ranking.
It’s also an event that actually attracts presidents and other world leaders. For instance, President Barack Obama was declared honorary chair in 2017 and other recent presidents have attended. It’s an opportunity for current top figures to show off their game, which in past years have included Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
Golf fans are excited about seeing contemporary players in action, including recent Olympian gold medal champ Scottie Scheffler at the top of the U.S. team.
Sanderson Farms Championship, Oct. 3-6
This tourney takes place Oct. 3-6 at the Country Club of Jackson near Jackson, Miss. The elegant course has been PGA-affiliated tour events since 2014.
Sanderson Farms presents plenty of appeal to players and spectators, including a well-maintained Southern course as well as up to $8.2 million in prize money for top participants.
The event has developed a good reputation for top players as a way to earn some serious money before the end of the year.
For 2024, organizers have made some changes from past years, including free admission each day for military and first responders. Spectators also can visit The Outpost which is a popular open-air pavilion found on the 10th green.
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Oct. 3-6
This course takes players back to their roots: St. Andrews, considered the world’s first official golf course. As part of the European tour, Alfred Dunhill is scenic but also has a nice purse – up to $5 million up for grabs.
Alfred Dunhill, billed as “Golf at its Finest” and the longest-running European competition, invites players to tee off at The Old Course, Carnoustie Golf Links, and Kingsbarns Golf Links over the course of the tournament. The courses are 7,318 yards, 7,394 yards, and 7,228 yards respectfully. Each course provides its own history and unique terrain that tests your mettle as a golfer.
The arrangement of players is unique: members of Team DP World Tour vs. Team Championship, which includes amateur and pro partnerships. This creates interesting dynamics as well as provides an opportunity for amateurs to be part of a serious tournament and mingle with pros that they usually may not qualify for on their skill alone.
Some notable names have already signed up for the 2024 event, including Rory McIlroy, Sebastian Soderberg, Guido Migliozzi and Robert Macintyre. All of these were winners at various Global Swing events such as Opening Swing, International Swing, and Closing Swing.
RSM Classic, Nov. 21-24
At Sea Island Golf Club in Georgia, this PGA tournament is a good way for participants to earn a few extra points for their tour cards. It’s the final event of the year, so someone who is just a little low on their points can potentially dig a little deeper and drive a little further and hopefully earn a playoff spot in 2025. Or, if they’re not quite there, they can at least enjoy a good game of golf with their peers.
The event started as the McGladrey Classic in 2010 but changed to RSM in 2015 when a different title sponsor came aboard.
Viewers know to expect some high-stakes play – though there’s always a sense of friendly competition, since it is golf, there are still some rivalries, including many pros who live nearby and are used to playing their home course. It’s also a decent fund-raiser – the Davis Love Foundation uses the tournament to help national charities and to date has brought in more than $42 million. Along with the main play, there are plenty of other fun side fund-raisers including a celebrity putting event and a wiffle ball challenge.
CME Group Tour Championship, Nov. 21-24
The LPGA Tour wraps up for the year with this annual tournament at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. It brings in some of the top women 60-point holders from tournaments throughout the year, and offers a generous purse as well. Total value is $11 million, with $4 million going to the top player, which currently stands as the largest single prize in women’s golf. The second-place winner receives $1 million.
Players also take part in a popular pro-am during one day of the event. Some of the pros also offer their time to a Family Golf Clinic.
In 2023, Amy Yang from South Korea brought home the top prize, which was “only” $2 million, with 6 under 66. This was her first American LPGA title. Lydia Ko was first in 2022 and Jin Yong Ho had her career best game in 2022 with 63.
Hero World Challenge, Dec. 2-8
Get away to the Bahamas to play golf? Yes please! Help Tiger Woods raise money to help kids. We said yes please! Even if you’re not on the invite list to this exclusive tournament hosted by Tiger Woods, you can at least tune in to see some of golf’s top-ranked players having fun at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas. The elite event started in 2000 and moved to the Bahamas in 2015. It typically features a field of 18-20 men.
The 2023 event was dominated by Scottie Scheffler who had lost to Victor Hovland in 2021 and 2022.
Though Tiger Woods hosts the events, he hasn’t won since 2011. He actually withdrew from play in 2022 due to a foot injury but has already said he plans to be part of the 2024 lineup. In the meantime, get a taste of golfing like Tiger Woods by ordering some Bridgestone Tour B X golf balls (currently on sale!). “I know what the ball is going to do. I know how close it’s going to be, I know where it’s going to land, it’s going to land on the number I want it to with the correct spin.” Woods said.
The lineup hadn’t been announced as of late September so many are speculating on who could be part of this. One guest who was absent in 2023 was Rory McIlroy who had a full fall schedule and couldn’t make this one.
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