Golf, schedules and tournaments of this week

After the conclusion of significant tournaments in Florida, the PGA Tour shifts its focus to Texas, where it will remain for two weeks leading up to the Masters, starting with the Texas Children’s Houston Open. Meanwhile, the DP World Tour continues its journey in the East with the Hero Indian Open, the second stop of the Asian Swing, featuring seven Italian players. LPGA professionals head to Arizona for the Ford Championship, while LET players land in Australia for the NSW Women’s Open.

Golf, events

Here are some key highlights of the major tournaments this week:

PGA Tour – Texas Children’s Houston Open The PGA TOUR returns to Houston after skipping 2023 for the Texas Children’s Houston Open at the Memorial Park Golf Course.

Defending champion Tony Finau faces stiff competition from world number one Scottie Scheffler, fresh off consecutive victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.

Played at the Memorial Park Golf Course, a par 70 course spanning nearly 6,800 meters, the tournament offers a prize purse of $9,100,000, with the winner pocketing $1,638,000, 500 FedEx points, and the penultimate Masters invitation. Memorial Park, a municipal course founded in 1912, underwent significant renovations in 2019 by Tom Doak, with many holes modified and numerous bunkers redesigned.

Texan Will Zalatoris aims for redemption after an early exit at The Players. Peter Malnati returns after his victory at the Valspar Championship, marking his first PGA Tour title in over 3,000 days.

Other notable contenders include Sahith Theegala, Jason Day, and Nick Dunlap.

With the conclusion of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, the opportunity for Masters entry via OWGR ends. Byeong Hun An is virtually assured to remain in the top 50, while other players vie for remaining spots.

DP World Tour – Hero Indian Open The DP World Tour heads from Singapore to India for the Hero Indian Open, the second event of the Asian Swing.

Hosted at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Delhi, the Hero Indian Open marks the second of five events in this swing, followed by a one-week break before the Masters. The DLF Golf & Country Club, featuring a challenging Championship course designed by Gary Player, hosts the tournament for the fifth time.

Last year’s champion, Marcel Siem, will not compete due to recent hip surgery, but past champions Stephen Gallacher and Anirban Lahiri aim to make their mark. Notable contenders include Rasmus Hojgaard, Matteo Manassero, and Darius van Driel, along with emerging talents like Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Kazuma Kobori.

LPGA – Ford Championship presented by KCC With just two events before the season’s first major, the Chevron Championship, the Ford Championship presented by KCC offers a chance for players to fine-tune their game.

Hosted at the Seville Golf and Country Club in Arizona, the tournament boasts a strong field, including top-ranked Nelly Korda, fresh off her recent victory. Notable contenders include Ryann O’Toole, Lydia Ko, and Cristie Kerr, all vying for success and qualification into the LPGA Hall of Fame.

LET – NSW Women’s Open After a brief hiatus, the Ladies European Tour returns to Australia for the NSW Women’s Open, followed by the Australian Women’s Classic.

Featuring a field of 132 players, including professionals from LET, WPGA, and regional qualifiers, the tournament offers a prize purse of $300,000. Defending champion Maja Stark is absent, creating opportunities for top contenders like Bronte Law, Alessandra Fanali, and Meghan MacLaren.

With diverse representation from 36 countries, including three sisters competing together, the NSW Women’s Open promises exciting competition at the Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club.