Power Rankings: the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday

* Move is a significant boost to a global pathway for competitive golf *PGA TOUR to provide operational support and additional investment to the DP World Tour * DP World Tour prize fund levels set to grow annually The DP World Tour and the PGA TOUR have moved to significantly strengthen not only their existing alliance but also help develop players to compete at the pinnacle of men’s professional golf, by unveiling a ground-breaking new 13-year operational joint venture partnership. The partnership, through to 2035, builds on the success of the existing Strategic Alliance between the two Tours that was unveiled in November 2020 and which has already seen tangible benefits for members of both Tours, not least the co-sanctioning of the Genesis Scottish Open on the DP World Tour, alongside access for both memberships into the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship on the PGA TOUR. Collaboration has already borne fruit for the DP World Tour with the introduction of new tournament title sponsors such as Genesis and Horizon and new Tour partners such as Fortinet and Velocity Global. In addition, working together to drive prize funds and commercial revenue will not only benefit the entire range of both memberships immediately, but also develop immense strategic opportunities for all members of both Tours for the future. As part of the new joint venture, the PGA TOUR will increase its existing stake in European Tour Productions from 15 percent to 40 percent, while utilising the DP World Tour’s recognised international credentials and global footprint to continue to coordinate a worldwide schedule. The DP World Tour will guarantee growth in annual prize funds to its membership for the next five years, all above the record 2022 levels unveiled as part of the DP World Tour title partnership arrangement announced last November. The new joint venture will provide additional competitive opportunities for professional golfers of both Tours and also establish a clearly defined pathway for top players around the world. Players from the Sunshine Tour and ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, with whom the DP World Tour already has existing Strategic Alliances, now enjoy a formal pathway to the DP World Tour. With today’s announcement, DP World Tour members will now have direct and formal access to the very pinnacle of the men’s professional game on the PGA TOUR. To achieve that, from 2023, the leading ten players on the end of season DP World Tour Rankings [in addition to those already exempt] will earn PGA TOUR cards for the following season. Furthermore, the DP World Tour will work closely on the development and implementation of the new international events announced by PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan last week at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, and DP World members will gain access to those events. Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour said: “Building on the success of the existing Strategic Alliance between ourselves and the PGA TOUR, this move will significantly enhance the meritocracy that has successfully served the professional game on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 50 years. “It is a natural extension and progression of what we have been doing over the past few years and I passionately believe that this move is the right thing for our players, our Tour, our fans, and the game of golf in general. “Our two tours have undoubtedly drawn closer over the past few years and today’s announcement strengthens both Tours for the betterment of both memberships.” Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, said, “It was clear from the outset that our Strategic Partnership with the European Tour Group was a powerful agreement for both sides, and we are thrilled with today’s announcement of this expanded partnership. “We will continue to collaborate on a global schedule and key commercial areas as we draw our organizations and memberships even closer together while innovating to provide the most entertaining and compelling golf possible to fans around the world. On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I want to credit and commend Keith Pelley and his team at the European Tour Group for their incredible commitment to this effort.”

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SAN ANTONIO – 2017 champion Kevin Chappell returned to San Antonio today to participate in the Valero Texas Open’s annual Media Day and is among a list of early player commitments announced by tournament officials for the 2018 Valero Texas Open, scheduled for April 19-22 at TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Oaks Course. Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion and currently ranked 11th in the world, has committed and will be making his first start in the Valero Texas Open since 2010. The Spaniard has won 10 times on the PGA TOUR, including THE PLAYERS twice and 36 times worldwide. Garcia has played on eight European Ryder Cup teams since 1999 and has rarely fallen out of the top 15 in the world since 2000. Chappell is currently ranked 36th in the Official World Golf Ranking and 42nd in the FedExCup standings. He’s one of seven champions of the past decade committed to the third oldest PGA TOUR event on the schedule. Among them is World No. 23 Charley Hoffman (2016), 2016 PGA Champion Jimmy Walker (2015), Steven Bowditch (2014), Martin Laird (2013), Brendan Steele (2011) and two-time major champion Zach Johnson (2008, 2009) The tournament has also received commitments from World No. 17 and Olympic bronze medalist Matt Kuchar; World No. 21 Brian Harman; 2017 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, past FedExCup champion and major champion Jim Furyk; 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell; two-time major champions Martin Kaymer and Retief Goosen; 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink; FedExCup champions Billy Horschel and Brandt Snedeker as well as five-time PGA TOUR winner Ryan Moore and four-time PGA TOUR winners J.B. Holmes and Camilo Villegas. Chappell sank an eight-foot birdie putt in front of a huge crowd on the final hole Sunday for a one-stroke victory over 2017 U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, who was warming up on the range for a possible playoff. It was Chappell’s first PGA TOUR victory. Chappell finished tied for fourth in the 2016 tournament and now has three top-five finishes, including a runner-up in 2011, in his eight starts in San Antonio. “Prior to coming to San Antonio last year, Kevin had finished in a tie for 7th at the Masters and certainly was playing some great golf. His dramatic finish here marked the second consecutive year we had the winning putt occur on the final hole, adding more lore to our historic event,â€� Executive Director Larson Segerdahl said. “We look forward to seeing Kevin defend his title against the likes of Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar and other top PGA TOUR players this April.â€� Joaquin Niemann, the top-ranked amateur player in the world, has accepted a sponsor exemption to play in the tournament. Niemann, a 19-year-old from Chile, will turn pro after this year’s Masters, where he earned an exemption for winning the Latin American Amateur Championship last month. “We are excited to have this incredible young talent in our field this year,â€� Segerdahl said. “We have always prided ourselves on providing opportunities to promising young players and we look forward to seeing Joaquin use his start in the Valero Texas Open as a stepping stone to earning his PGA TOUR card.â€� This initial collection of players has accumulated eleven major championships and 106 PGA TOUR wins. Players have until Friday, April 13 at 5 p.m. ET to commit to the Valero Texas Open. They can withdraw from the tournament at any time.

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PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Canadian rookie Corey Conners kept the lead in the Valspar Championship and has a clear view of what he faces in the final round. Tiger Woods was right in front of him, and Conners could hear the roars all afternoon. Conners shot a 3-under 68 on Saturday for a one-shot lead over Woods, Brandt Snedeker and Justin Rose as he goes after his first PGA TOUR victory before a crowd rarely seen this side of a major. Woods tied the lead with a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 10, only to miss a pair of birdie putts inside 8 feet. He shot a 67. Rose had a 66 and will be in the final group with Conners. Woods plays right in front of them with Snedeker, who also had a 67.

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