The past week offered a rich mix of high-stakes playoffs, breakthrough victories, and lingering controversies across the golfing world.
PGA Tour – The FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind launched the FedExCup Playoffs in style. Justin Rose, 45, fired six birdies over his last eight holes, forcing a playoff with J.J. Spaun and sealing his 12th PGA Tour title on the third extra hole. Rose became the oldest European winner in the modern PGA Tour era, taking home part of the $20 million purse. Scottie Scheffler continued his remarkable streak—twelve straight top-8 finishes since March—while only the top 50 advanced to the BMW Championship. Off-course, a sponsor exemption controversy erupted after Korn Ferry awarded a spot to its own finance manager, sparking criticism over tour integrity.
LIV Golf – At LIV Golf Chicago, Dean Burmester overcame a shaky start to capture the individual title in a playoff, with his Stinger GC also winning the team event. Rising star Jose Luis Ballester, 21, featured in the playoff after turning professional earlier this year. While fans praised the 54-hole, team-format model, critics pointed to its absence of OWGR points—a dispute keeping Joaquín Niemann at No. 103 despite five wins this season.
DP World Tour – Grant Forrest delighted home crowds at the Nexo Championship in Scotland, claiming his second tour title with a four-shot victory despite a closing double bogey.
PGA Tour Champions – Steve Allan secured his third win of the season at the Boeing Classic, moving to the top of the Charles Schwab Cup standings. The event took place despite speculation of a mid-season break.
Ladies European Tour – Laura Fünfstück claimed her first LET trophy at the PIF London Championship, rallying after losing a three-shot lead. The team event went to a squad led by Danielle du Toit.
U.S. Amateurs & Junior Golf – Megha Ganne finally lifted the Robert Cox Trophy at the 125th U.S. Women’s Amateur, never trailing in her 4 & 3 victory over Brooke Biermann. At the Western Amateur, Jase Summy became the first University of Oklahoma player since 1950 to win, earning a spot in a 2026 Korn Ferry Tour event. Junior events, including the AJGA’s Randy Wise Junior Open, attracted college scouts but few national headlines.
Controversies – Beyond the sponsor exemption row, OWGR point eligibility for LIV Golf remains a flashpoint. Niemann has called for the ranking board to “do the right thing,” while maintaining that birdies matter more than rankings. Meanwhile, speculation grows over potential LIV-to-PGA Tour returns; Hudson Swafford, suspended until 2027, has hinted that stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm could rejoin once contracts expire in late 2026.
Looking Ahead (Aug. 11–17) – The BMW Championship at Caves Valley GC will feature the FedExCup’s top 50, with Keegan Bradley defending and Scheffler chasing another top finish. The PGA Tour Champions head to Calgary for the Rogers Charity Classic. The U.S. Amateur begins at Olympic Club, and junior golf stays active with the Randy Wise Junior Open. In Japan, the ISPS HANDA Explosion in Hokkaido promises a birdie-filled showcase.
From playoff pressure to policy disputes, golf’s competitive and political landscapes remain as compelling as the action inside the ropes.