Today in Golf

We break down the player revolt at Riviera regarding the redesigned 4th hole, Tiger Woods’ firm stance on the Masters, and the viral rumors plaguing the golf world on this Friday, February 20th, 2026 edition.THE GENESIS INVITATIONALThe 100th anniversary at Riviera is being overshadowed by a player revolt over the architectural changes to the par-three 4th. The new 275-yard length clashes with sticky Kikuyu grass on a Redan template, making the intended ground game impossible and leaving pros fuming.Rory McIlroy argued there is "no correct shot" available, while Collin Morikawa labeled the strategy "hit and hope" due to the massive dispersion.Amidst the complaints and "Preferred Lies" due to 34mph winds, JJ Spaun offered necessary perspective on the community healing following the Palisades fires.TIGER WOODS PRESSERTiger Woods held court, confirming he has zero intention of skipping the 2026 Masters. However, he admitted that his heavy boardroom duties are currently preventing him from committing to the 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy.News Breaker: The Genesis Invitational is eyeing a massive schedule change, potentially moving to August in 2027 to join the FedEx Cup Playoffs.OFF THE COURSEWe tackle the ugly side of AI as Paige Spiranac is forced to debunk fake rumors regarding Charlie Woods, while the 4 Aces release footage revealing a 714-day timeline to recruit Anthony Kim.The Ratings Gap: The PGA Tour pulled 3.3m viewers at Pebble Beach compared to LIV’s 331k in Adelaide.Fun Fact: Tommy Fleetwood was spotted carrying a Lightning McQueen car, proving dads are dads everywhere.Quick HitsJordan Spieth says organizers "over tinkered" • Orlando Pope on course saturation • Dustin Johnson’s 2-year recruitment plan

We break down Tiger Woods’ viral press conference on the eve of the Genesis Invitational, the massive proposal to reshape the PGA Tour schedule, and the controversy surrounding Riviera’s setup.TIGER’S STATE OF THE UNIONTiger steals the headlines before tee off with a viral "smirk" regarding his 2026 Masters status and explains why the 2027 Ryder Cup Captaincy is on hold while he works with Brian Rolapp on the Future Competition Committee.Quote: "I'm a little bit older than Willy Z." — Tiger on his recovery timeline.The Angle: Woods offers emotional praise for Anthony Kim’s redemption win at LIV Adelaide, signaling a potential thaw in the professional game.CALIFORNIA DREAMING (IN AUGUST?)A bombshell proposal is on the table to move the historic California swing—specifically Torrey Pines and the Genesis—from February to August to escape the NFL’s broadcast shadow.The News: Genesis extends their title sponsorship through 2030, securing the event's future regardless of its calendar slot.Course Critique: Rory McIlroy slams the lengthened 275-yard par-3 4th as "horrible" due to the Kikuyu apron, while Max Homa raises concerns about the eucalyptus lines on the 12th.THE NEXT GENERATIONCharlie Woods commits to Florida State University (Class of '27) and makes a shocking business pivot, signing with agent Allen Hobbs over his father’s longtime rep, Mark Steinberg.The Controversy: Debate rages over established star Sahith Theegala receiving the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption, an honor usually reserved for up-and-comers.Quick HitsMorikawa’s swing changes (Sportsbox AI) • Coachman picks Hideki (+2200) • 2026 Season Outlook

We break down Anthony Kim’s historic redemption at LIV Adelaide and Collin Morikawa’s life-changing week at Pebble Beach on this February 17th, 2026 episode.THE RETURN OF AKAnthony Kim completes the greatest comeback in modern golf, firing a final-round 63 to erase a five-stroke deficit and defeat Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau by three at LIV Adelaide.Quote of the Week: "Doctors told me I had two weeks to live... I wanted Bella to know her dad is not a loser."The Stakes: Kim rockets from 847th to 203rd in the OWGR, officially opening a path to U.S. Open qualification.PEBBLE BEACH & THE WOODS FAMILYCollin Morikawa captures the Pebble Beach Pro-Am with a new "anti-mechanics" mindset, while revealing he and his wife are expecting their first child in May.Tiger Update: The host is out of the Genesis Invitational recovering from L4/L5 disc replacement, but the legacy continues as Charlie Woods commits to Florida State.Gear Change: Morikawa credits the win to switching to a TP5x ball and "stealing" a mallet putter from Kurt Kitayama.Quick HitsTravis Kelce spikes Pebble ticket prices • LIV claims Adelaide is the "Fifth Major" • Happy Gilmore turns 30

On February 16th, 2026, we break down Collin Morikawa’s emotional return to the winner's circle at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the wild weather that defined the week.THE RETURN OF COLLINCollin Morikawa finishes at 22-under par to snap a winless streak dating back to the 2023 Zozo Championship. It took a Friday night mental reset with coach Rick Sessinghaus and a clutch 30-foot birdie on the 15th to seal the deal."I needed to stop caring about making cuts or top twenties." — Morikawa on his mindset shift.The celebration included a tearful hug with caddie Jonathan Jakovac and a surprise pregnancy announcement with his wife, Katherine.SCOTTIE’S SUNDAY CHARGEScottie Scheffler nearly stole the show with a final round 63 (-9) and a historic three-eagle performance on Saturday. He played with an aggressive "Wolf Game" gambling mentality that ignited a massive Sunday charge.On his 18-tournament top-10 streak: "I could not care any less."Despite the brilliance, Scheffler fell just short, proving that even the World No. 1 can't win them all.PEBBLE BEACH CHAOSThe venue showed its teeth with wind and rain forcing officials to slow greens to a 9.5 Stimp. Akshay Bhatia’s 47-hole bogey-free streak ended in a Sunday collapse, while Sepp Straka navigated the soft greens with "off-speed" iron shots.Jake Knapp pulled off the rare feat of eagling both the 1st and 18th holes in a single round.Quick HitsTravis Kelce hits a fan • Fleetwood’s pro shop hoodie • Kitayama’s stolen putter

We recap a wild Moving Day at Pebble Beach defined by perfection from Collin Morikawa, rules scrutiny on leader Akshay Bhatia, and plenty of celebrity chaos.MOVING DAY MADNESSCollin Morikawa puts on a ball-striking clinic with a historic 10-under 62, hitting 18 of 18 greens in regulation after switching to a mallet putter he jokingly admitted to "stealing" from Kurt Kitayama.Leader Akshay Bhatia sits at 19-under but faces heat regarding Rule 10.1b, forcing him to issue an Instagram denial that his broomstick grip is "two inches short" of anchoring to his chest.Maverick McNealy is identified as the dangerous local sleeper heading into a wet Sunday finish.CLIFFS, KELCE & EAGLESThe "Swiftie Economy" takes a literal hit as Travis Kelce strikes spectator Edenne Flinn on the 18th, while Mary Meeker makes history alongside Keegan Bradley as the first female Pro-Am team winner.Jordan Spieth provides the day's heart-stopping moments with a dangerous cliff shot on 18 and an emotional reunion with cancer survivor Dylan, calling the kid's junior win "one of the biggest flexes in the world of golf."The round started with fireworks as Jake Knapp and Sam Burns carded back-to-back hole-out eagles on the very first hole.RORY’S HOT TAKERory McIlroy makes headlines off the course, rejecting the idea of The Players as a "5th Major" and drawing a sharp comparison to the LPGA major structure.McIlroy also turns heads with an equipment change, moving back to blade irons as he tries to find form.Quick Hits"Cashmere Keith" Mitchell • Sunday rain forecast • Spieth’s "biggest flex" comment

We break down the halfway point at Pebble Beach, where rumors of Taylor Swift drove ticket sales and Akshay Bhatia battles Ryo Hisatsune for the lead.THE SWIFTIE STIMULUS PACKAGERumors of Taylor Swift’s attendance generated an $81,000 spike in ticket sales, but Travis Kelce stole the show inside the ropes. Paired with Keith Mitchell in matching cashmere, Kelce survived a "malnourished" putt and a lucky tree-bounce par save on the first.Highlight: Mitchell nearly aced the 112-yard 7th hole while Kelce brought the "swagger."YOUTH MOVEMENT & RICKIE’S RESURGENCEAkshay Bhatia celebrates his 100th career start with a bogey-free run to co-lead at 15-under alongside Ryo Hisatsune, who is thriving on the tricky Poa annua greens. Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler sits one back, revealing he played through a major shoulder injury last season to keep his card.Stat: Chris Gotterup strung together nine consecutive birdies across two tournaments.RORY’S HOT TAKE & SCOTTIE’S BAD LUCKRory McIlroy made headlines off the course, rejecting the idea of a fifth major by citing the LPGA as a "cautionary tale." On the course, Scottie Scheffler was denied a hole-in-one by a brutal flagstick rejection on the 15th.Fun Fact: A herd of deer went viral for sprinting across the green during the broadcast.Quick HitsSam Burns puts on a putting clinic • Spyglass Hill playing significantly harder than Pebble • Jack Nicklaus built the par-3 5th in 1997

On this Friday, February 13th edition, we break down Anthony Kim’s shocking return to the leaderboard in Adelaide and the celebrity chaos unfolding at Pebble Beach.LIV GOLF ADELAIDEAnthony Kim shocks the field with an opening 67 to sit T3, while Bryson DeChambeau co-leads despite a skulled drive on the 10th that mirrored his infamous 2021 Players Championship mishap.AK on his past self: "I want nothing to do with that twenty-something year old kid."The real reason AK joined the Four Aces? Dustin Johnson just wanted someone cool to hang out with.AT&T PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AMRyo Hisatsune leads at 10-under, but the amateurs stole the show as Travis Kelce "false started" on the 10th tee and Jim Nantz narrated his own shot live on the broadcast.Kelce’s clapback to Keith Mitchell: "I wear cashmere too."Chris Gotterup shares a hilarious story about an awkward lunch line encounter with Scottie Scheffler.NEWS & NOTESGary Player is publicly feuding with Augusta National regarding playing privileges for his grandsons, noting he accepts the club's decision "with sadness."Rory McIlroy decides to stick with blade irons after testing cavity backs.Justin Thomas withdraws for back surgery while Patrick Reed chases a PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour.Quick HitsLIV Adelaide moving to Kooyonga in 2027 • JJ Spaun’s near ace on 12 • Jordan Spieth’s wrist update

On February 12th, 2026, we break down Charlie Woods’ massive commitment to Florida State, Rory McIlroy’s surprising welcome to returning LIV stars, and the historic consistency of Scottie Scheffler.FSU'S NEW SUPER TEAMCharlie Woods verbally commits to Florida State University, joining forces with phenom Miles Russell to create a collegiate juggernaut that is already shaking up the amateur landscape.Tiger Woods weighs in on the process, humorously comparing the relentless texting of modern recruiting to the "snail mail" era of the 1990s.The move signals a massive shift in NCAA golf attention, with FSU poised to become the center of the amateur golf world.RORY BURIES THE HATCHETIn a stunning pivot at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Rory McIlroy welcomes Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour, citing a necessary "pendulum swing" in the sport's power dynamics.Despite a messy legal history with Reed, Rory is putting personal grievances aside to focus on a unified future for the game.Fun Fact: Rory shares a hilarious story about his agent donating his specific 7-iron to Augusta National without his knowledge or permission.CHASING TIGER'S SHADOWScottie Scheffler secures his 17th consecutive top-10 finish, a run of form so dominant that Rory McIlroy officially compares it to Tiger Woods' prime.We break down Wyndham Clark’s technical "Seven Ball Drill," a specific practice routine he is using to shape shots into Pebble Beach’s notoriously small greens.The debate heats up: Is Scheffler’s consistency the new gold standard for the modern era?ADRENALINE DOWN UNDERLIV Golf heads to The Grange in Adelaide featuring the new 72-hole format, though the field takes a hit with withdrawals from Phil Mickelson (family health) and Lee Westwood (wrist).Jon Rahm opens up about the difficulty of managing adrenaline and heart rate while playing the raucous "Watering Hole."The event looks to maintain its reputation as the loudest stop on the tour despite the roster changes.Quick HitsJT cleared for play following spinal surgery • Rory kills the "Players as a 5th Major" debate • TGL ratings top LIV’s opener • Tiger’s affordable course "The Loop" opens April 15th