Christo Lamprecht, South Africa’s latest PGA TOUR member, has confirmed his place in this December’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he looks to go one better than his runner-up finish here last year.

Lamprecht will compete at the spectacular La Réserve Golf Links, Heritage Resorts, from 18-21 December having just secured his PGA TOUR playing privileges for the new season.

The 24-year-old heads to Mauritius on the back of a groundbreaking debut season on the Korn Ferry Tour where he claimed a victory on his way to finishing ninth overall among the top 20 who earned their PGA TOUR cards.

Lamprecht made a spectacular debut in the 2024 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open where he challenged for the title before finishing tied second with Dylan Naidoo two shots behind champion John Parry.

NEW GENERATION

He returns to the island representing a new generation of South African golfers which he believes is one of the strongest to emerge from the country in recent years. Lamprecht names several young South Africans who’ve competed in Mauritius over the years on this list, including Naidoo.

“We’re a strong group of golfers in our generation, from Dylan Naidoo to Aldrich Potgieter and Wilco Nienaber, Jayden Schaper, Deon Germishuys, Garrick Higgo, Luca Filippi and so many others. I think it’s one of the strongest generations that has come through South Africa in a long time, and it’s awesome to be a part of that.”

Both Lamprecht and Naidoo used their runners-up finishes in Mauritius to build to bigger things, with Naidoo going on to secure his full DP World Tour card for the first time in his career.

The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open was certainly a defining week for Lamprecht early in his professional career.

“I think it helped that I had my family with me and I just treated it as a holiday week, which is easy to do in Mauritius.”

Japan's Miyu Yamashita produced a stunning final round to clinch the Maybank Championship on a playoff after she overturned an eight-shot deficit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

The 24-year-old won her second LPGA Tour title in three months after turning in a flawless 65 in her final round, with her eighth birdie in the first play-off hole sealing the win over Australian Hannah Green and South Korea's Choi Hye-jin.

At a rain-interrupted Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, all three golfers were tied for 18-under-par 270, which took the action into extra time.

With the stakes high, Yamashita -- who is in her debut season on the LPGA Tour -- kept her composure to sink a clutch putt.

Overnight leader Choi, who led from the first round and came into Sunday's showdown with a four-stroke advantage, saw her lead evaporate midway through the round.

Despite sinking a birdie on the eighth hole for a three-shot lead, Choi's momentum sputtered after she committed three bogeys in the next four holes.

Choi’s slip paved the way for Yamashita to share the lead with Green when the Japanese fired in a close-range seventh birdie on the 16th hole.

Play was suspended for an hour because of dangerous weather conditions, with Green and Yamashita holding on to a one-shot advantage.

Choi stormed back into contention with her second birdie, on the 16th hole, enough to force a three-way playoff, before another rain stoppage.

The Maybank Championship is one of the most lucrative events on the Asian swing with a prize purse of $3 million.

Akie and Chisato Iwai were born just a minute apart and now the identical twins from Japan are making history together on the LPGA Tour.

Competing in their debut seasons on the top professional women's golf circuit, Chisato won the Riviera Maya Open in Mexico in May for her first LPGA title.

Not to be outdone, Akie – nominally the older of the twins – triumphed in Portland just three months later.

The 23-year-olds are the first twins to secure silverware on the LPGA Tour.

"I didn't think I would win on the Tour this year," Akie told AFP this week at the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.

"But my sister won first, and her victory inspired me. I did my best and felt the power in me to win.

"This is a special year for the both of us."

Chisato echoed Akie's sentiments as the siblings push each other on to even greater heights on their rookie seasons on the LPGA Tour.

"We inspire each other a lot, so it's a special feeling for both of us to win," she said.

The LPGA Tour has witnessed its fair share of title-winning siblings.

They include Sweden's Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam, Thailand's Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, and US sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda.

The Americans have 21 Tour titles between them, and counting.

As the first twins to win on the tour, the Iwais are a source of particular intrigue, even if they are actually quite different in some respects.

Akie is described as quieter and is more inclined to wear baseball caps. Chisato is more outgoing and prefers wearing a visor.

They also differ out on the course.

Chisato is said to be a stronger putter while Akie is known to hit the baller farther.

They like to leave the golf talk out on the course.

"We do not talk about golf. Just about life in general," said Chisato.

Going into Sunday's final round in Malaysia, Akie was tied for seventh. Her sister was out of the running in tied 28th.

Akie, who is enjoying the course atmosphere, was out to have fun after shooting her best round of 66 on Saturday.

"The results do not matter, I just want to smile and have fun," she said.

Hye-Jin Choi is closing in on her first LPGA Tour victory after recording a 5-under-par 67 on Saturday to take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Everyone showed out for moving day but Hye-Jin Choi still remains on 🔝

LEADERBOARD HERE ⬇️ https://t.co/wNtLcdR154 pic.twitter.com/ZNpKNQxfBh

— LPGA (@LPGA) November 1, 2025

Choi collected six birdies against one bogey on Saturday to reside at 19-under 197 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club course.

"I've been waiting for this a really long and I'm going to try my best (on Sunday)," the 26-year-old South Korean said. "I think I will feel like I'm making the dream and I just imagine on it. I'm just looking for a victory (on Sunday)."

Choi placed second at the 2017 US Women's Open as a 17-year-old amateur.

China's Liu Yan carded seven birdies during her bogey-free round of 65 on Saturday to sit in second place at 15-under.

HYE-JIN CHOI LOCKS IN AND BIRDIES HOLE 18 💪

A four-stroke lead after round 3 of the Maybank Championship puts her in a strong position for her first LPGA win 👀 pic.twitter.com/EtlUsfx88L

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) November 1, 2025

"Well, I just feel very good in my game, from the driver to the putting. Everything feels great," Yan said. "I think today at the course I just really relax. Golf cannot be perfect, so I made some mistakes. ... So I just stay patient, yeah."

Yan is one stroke ahead of Australian Hannah Green (67), who collected eight birdies to overcome a double-bogey on No 3 and a bogey on No 18.

Green knows she needs her putting game to be on point if she wishes to catch up to Choi.

"I think she's going for her first LPGA Tour win so she might be feeling a little bit more nervous than I am," Green said. "She looked calm and collected, so who knows. Yeah, hopefully make some more birdies and give it my best shot."

Hye-Jin Choi is locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/s4iGrViPc9

— LPGA (@LPGA) November 1, 2025

A Lim Kim of South Korea ascended 20 places into a tie for fourth place at 13-under after she shot a 64 on Saturday. She highlighted her round by sinking a 25-foot putt for an eagle on the par-5 18th hole.

"Yeah, today I make a lot of putts and then read is better than first round, but I have one more day so keep working on it," said Kim, who had four birdies on her first five holes.

Kim is tied with World No 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who collected birdies on her final three holes to finish with a 65 on Saturday.

Japan's Ayaka Furue (67) is also tied for fourth at 13-under.

Defending champion Ruoning Yin of China shot 69 to sit at 12-under, tied with New Zealand's Lydia Ko (68) and Linn Grant of Sweden (68).

Michael Brennan wrapped up an unforgettable week with a 5-under-par 66 on Sunday to seal his runaway win at the Bank of Utah Championship in Ivins, Utah.

 

From sponsor exemption to fully exempt PGA TOUR member.

Coming off three wins on @PGATOURAmericas, Michael Brennan earns his first TOUR victory @BOUChampionship. pic.twitter.com/fPx6S8sLjy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 26, 2025

 

Brennan, 23, received a sponsor's exemption this week to make his third PGA Tour start, and his first since turning pro. The win guarantees him a full tour card for the next two years.

That inexperience didn't cause any nerves for the youngster, who credited his resolve to the people around him.

"I was probably more nervous eating breakfast this morning," he cracked.

But it feels amazing. I get that belief from my family and friends, my team. I mean, Jeff, my caddie believes in me I think more than anyone, maybe other than my parents."

Brennan finished at 22-under 262 over four days at Black Desert Resort, which left him four strokes clear of the Philippines' Rico Hoey (67 Sunday). The Wake Forest product seized the lead in the second round and kept it Saturday thanks to a round of 64.

On Sunday, Brennan stuck his approach at the par-4 second hole to 3 feet and his tee shot at the par-3 third to 6 1/2 feet to set up his first two birdies. He made five of his seven birdies on the front nine as he sped away from the pack and became the seventh player since 1970 to win a PGA Tour event within his first three starts.

Talking about his game's improvement, Brennan said, "A lot of mental maybe fortitude or focus has gotten a lot better. Definitely been some technical things that have improved a lot around the green and on the green. I think that showed this week."

Brennan gets to bypass the Korn Ferry Tour, where he was set to play in 2026. He received Korn Ferry eligibility by placing No 1 in the Fortinet Cup standings on the third-tier PGA Tour Americas this season.

"It really hasn't set in. It's an amazing feeling, really an amazing feeling. Winning golf tournaments is one of the better feelings in the world. I mean, it takes a lot to play professional golf, and I just have such a great team behind me."

Hoey, meanwhile, jumped a projected 30 spots to No 61 in the FedEx Cup Fall points race by earning 300 points with his second-place finish. Golfers who finish 51st to 60th in the FedEx Cup Fall points are guaranteed entry into the first two signature events of 2026. There are three tournaments remaining on the fall schedule.

"Start of the fall I was outside of the top 100 and I think now projected me up pretty high," Hoey said. "Kind of nice to know hopefully I have a secured card for next year and going to Sony next year. That will be fun."

Defending champion Matt McCarty – who, like Brennan, won this event in his third career start – posted a 70 and tied for third at 16 under with David Ford (67), Justin Lower (67), Pierceson Coody (69), Canada's Ben Silverman (67), and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (68).

Aldrich Potgieter said he withdrew from the Bank of Utah Championship due to illness, at least temporarily quelling rumours that the young South African is contemplating a move to LIV Golf.

Potgieter carded an opening round 71 on Thursday but withdrew before the start of the second round at Black Desert Golf Course.

He took to Instagram to explain the sudden withdrawal.

"Hey everyone, just wanted to clear things up since I've been getting a lot of messages. I had to withdraw after Round 1 because I came down with some pretty bad food poisoning (or a stomach bug)," he wrote. "Nothing serious, just need some rest to recover. Appreciate all the messages and support."

Potgieter, 21, has enjoyed a strong rookie season on the PGA Tour. The big-hitting young star finished runner-up in Mexico before claiming his maiden win on tour at the Rocket Classic in June.

The win secured Potgieter's status on the PGA Tour for the next two years, but his name has been tied to recent speculation about players who may be in discussions to sign with LIV Golf for 2026.

Potgieter, who sits outside the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking, has not publicly addressed the rumours.

 If he can rise into the top 50 by the end of the FedEx Cup Fall season, Potgieter would earn a spot in the first two signature events on the PGA Tour next season.

"I think to get into those first two big events, it's important to start off your year strong," Potgieter said in an interview with the PGA Tour.

"To get into those two big events would give me a head start against some of the other guys."

Meanwhile, the Sports Business Journal reported that Potgieter is expected to switch agencies from GSE Worldwide for Entertainment Sports Partners, which also represents fellow South African and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.

"Many have tabbed Potgieter as a player who may join LIV Golf this offseason. Els has been outspoken against LIV since its launch," the SBJ reported.

The Bank of Utah event has suffered from several withdrawals. Lanto Griffin withdrew during the first round, Potgieter and Vince Covello pulled out before the second round and Emiliano Griffin, Camillo Villegas and Gordon Sargent all withdrew during the second round.

Michael Brennan, in his first PGA Tour start as a professional, held a one-shot lead at the Bank of Utah Championship when play was suspended due to darkness on Friday evening in Ivins, Utah.

Brennan shot a 6-under-par 65 in the second round, boosting him to 10-under 132, one ahead of Jackson Suber (67 on Friday), Justin Lower (67) and Pierceson Coody (64).

The first round on Thursday did not finish before darkness fell at Black Desert Resort, either, leading play to be backed up on Friday. More than 50 golfers will conclude their second rounds Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m. local time. The projected cut line currently stands at 1 under.

Brennan, 23, played this season on the PGA Tour Americas, which feeds into the Korn Ferry Tour. Brennan finished No 1 in the third-tier tour's Fortinet Cup standings and will be fully exempt on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2026.

However, he is playing the PGA Tour this week on a sponsor's exemption, and he is making the most of it. His Friday round included five birdies, an eagle at the par-5 ninth hole and just one bogey.

"I've been driving the ball really nicely, putting the ball in the fairway a lot, giving myself some good wedge and short iron opportunities," Brennan said. "I've also made some nice mid-range putts the first two rounds, which always great to see those go in.

"But just kind of looking to stay a lot of the same this weekend. Hopefully driver stays hot because if you're not in the fairway, it's trouble out here. So, yeah, putting the ball in play is important."

Coody carded a bogey-free 64 that was the low round of the tournament thus far. The 25-year-old is a three-time Korn Ferry winner but is seeking his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour. He also hopes to secure his spot on the top tour for next year.

"I still feel like there is the big goal of I can get in the top 100," Coody said. "I don't know what the points are, but I know I have at least three or four events to do that and some really nice weeks I could accomplish that goal. To retain my status for the first time on the PGA Tour would be really nice."

Defending champion Matt McCarty (65) and Japan's Takumi Kanaya (68) are tied at 8 under par along with David Ford, who had six holes to play in his second round.

McCarty shot a 7-under 28 on the front nine Friday, with seven birdies and two pars.

Defending champ is feeling it 💪@MattMcCarty21 birdies 6 of his first 7 holes to start Round 2 @BOUChampionship. pic.twitter.com/pL1SO6uoFJ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 24, 2025

"Made a few putts early and just had it going," he said. "Always fun to go, you know, sub-30. (A) 28 on the front was great. Yeah, fun day."

Sahith Theegala (67) is tied for eighth at 7 under par as he continues to come back from a neck injury that robbed much of his summer. Max Homa shot a 66 on Friday to get to 6 under par and ensure he will reach the weekend.

David Lipsky eagled his final hole and found himself part of a four-way tie for the lead when play was suspended due to darkness at the Bank of Utah Championship on Thursday in Ivins, Utah.

Lipsky posted a 6-under-par 65, as did Sweden's Jesper Svensson and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen. Austin Cook was 6 under through 13 holes when play was halted at 6:47 p.m. local time. The round will resume Friday morning.

The tournament at Black Desert Resort is in its second season as part of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall schedule. Players who finish the fall inside the top 100 are guaranteed full tour cards for the 2026 season.

That means Thursday's strong start is good news for Lipsky, who entered the week No 99 in the standings, as well as Svensson (No 115), Olesen (No 116) and Cook (No 204).

Lipsky, 37, has won on the European and Asian tours but not yet on the PGA Tour.

At the par-5, 610-yard finishing hole Thursday, his second shot traveled 292 yards and settled less than 9 feet from the pin, allowing him to sweep in an eagle putt to close a round with five birdies and one bogey.

Lipsky said of his approach shot on No 18, "Luckily (it) was a little into the wind, which actually helped the shot. So it sort of took (hitting too) long out of play, so I could hit it as hard as I wanted to. Pulled off the shot, got the right bounces."

He added, "I hit it close a lot today, so I had a lot of tap-in birdies. I also had quite a few like mid-range putts, like 10 to 15 feet, and burnt a lot of edges today. So I was really happy to see that last one go in and give me some confidence going into tomorrow."

Svensson had back-to-back birdies twice during his bogey-free round.

He admitted that his game wasn't in the best shape entering the tournament, but he added, "Sometimes it's quite nice to go in and it's not really feeling well. You have no expectations of really doing anything good. Like my short-range putts still didn't feel great today. Rolled in a few good little longer putts which made up for it."

Olesen birdied five of his last seven holes after beginning his round on the course's back nine.

"It was a nice surprise," Olesen said of his hot finish. "... Felt like the body and the swing was a lot better than last couple of days. Yeah, felt like I hit a lot of good iron shots, rolling some nice putts, especially on the last nine holes."

One stroke off the pace, a seven-way tie included former PGA Tour winners Cameron Champ, Nick Dunlap and Ryan Gerard at 5-under-par 66.

Sahith Theegala, working his way back from a neck injury that disrupted his summer, opened his tournament with a 3-under 68, as did Australia's Jason Day.

Matt McCarty, the tournament's inaugural champion, shot a 2-under 69 on Thursday.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said the recent change in invitation criteria announced by the Masters was driven by the increased international representation at the tournament.

Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A jointly announced on 26 August a change in qualification criteria to ensure "strong international pathways into both major championships."

That included removing automatic Masters qualification for winners of FedEx Cup Fall events, while awarding invitations to the winners of six national opens beginning in 2026.

Speaking ahead of this week's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai, which also grants a place in the Masters and Open Championship fields to the winner, Ridley said the Masters tournament committee was compelled to reward "historic" national opens.

"International competition has always been a big part of the Masters Tournament. That representation internationally has grown over the years to where it's pretty much 50/50, and maybe even a few more, international players," Ridley said on Thursday at the Emirates Golf Club, per Golf Digest.

"So, we thought it was appropriate to sort of carry on that tradition and the culture that we've established at the Masters."

Masters invites are now extended to the winners of the Australian Open, Scottish Open, South African Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open and Hong Kong Open. England's Marco Penge earned a spot in the 2026 Masters by winning the Spanish Open while last week's Japan Open was won by Naoyuki Kataoka, who entered the tournament ranked 500th in the world.

"Golf is a global game, and I think we always want to recognise that," Ridley said. "We felt that not only were we living true to our values, but we also were hopefully maybe just as this championship has inspired young amateurs around the Asia-Pacific region, we hope that that incentive of awarding the winners an invitation, a spot in the Masters Tournament as well as The Open Championship, would also generate additional interest in those countries.

"I know that in Japan recently that was the case. I think it will be the case in all these countries. So we are very excited about that change in our qualifications."

The R&A qualifies golfers for The Open Championship through the R&A's Open Qualifying Series, which consists of 15 tournaments across 13 countries.

"We (also) believe golf is a global game and we want the strongest international fields at our respective tournament and championship," R&A CEO Mark Darbon said.

The 90th edition of the Masters is scheduled for 9-12 April, 2026.

The 154th Open will be played 16-19 July at Royal Birkdale in England.

Drought conditions impacting the Plantation Course at Kapalua led the PGA Tour to cancel the annual event in Maui scheduled for January.

Not long after the Tour announced the event's cancellation, Kapalua Golf said the Plantation Course would re-open 10 November.

No replacement course was available, leading the Tour to revise its schedule and open the 2026 season with the Sony Open in Honolulu – played at Waialae Country Club – from 15-18 January . 

The PGA said in September the event would only be held if it could be relocated.

"Since it first became a possibility that the PGA Tour would not be able to play at The Plantation Course at Kapalua due to the ongoing drought conditions on Maui, we worked closely with our partners at Sentry to assess options for contesting The Sentry in 2026," PGA Tour chief competitions officer Tyler Dennis said on Tuesday in a statement.

"While it is unfortunate to arrive at this decision, we are appreciative of the collaboration and dedication from Sentry Insurance, a tremendous partner of ours."

Recent drone footage of the area showed the extent of the unwatered course, contrasted from its usual brilliant bursts of green and blue to the current shades of tan and yellow.

A star-studded field is the norm at The Sentry. It was scheduled to include the top 50 in the 2025 FedEx Cup final standings and all winners from the previous season. Previous Sentry winners exempt only through that victory are now added to the RBC Heritage field.

Drought conditions prompted restrictions on all irrigation and required restoration efforts for many surfaces on the popular and scenic Plantation Course.

Recent improvement led to officials modifying the restrictions to "Tier 2," which allows the course "60 per cent" irrigation.

Kapalua Golf closed the Plantation Course and Bay Course on 2 September before informing guests on Tuesday afternoon of plans for a soft re-open on 10 November. 

The Plantation Course will be open despite ongoing work to restore two greens.

However, the Bay Course will remain closed.

Alex Cejka of Germany shot a 1-under-par 71 on Sunday to finish with a three-stroke win at the PGA Tour Champions' SAS Championship in Cary, N.C.

 

"I was a bit emotional ... and I held myself together."

A win to remember for @AlexCejka as he got to play alongside his idol and overcome tough conditions @SASChampionship. pic.twitter.com/Y3jFwS4RL0

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) October 12, 2025

 

On a high-scoring day at Prestonwood Country Club, Cejka managed one of the lower scores of the final round by weathering a slow start and finishing hot. Cejka suffered bogeys on Holes 4, 12 and 15 that balanced against birdies on the sixth and 13th to leave him at 1 over going into the final three holes.

That came in contrast to his Saturday, when he shot a tournament-best 6-under 66 to give him a three-stroke cushion coming into the final round.

But Cejka recaptured some of that magic and closed with birdies on his final two holes to finish 9-under 207 and secure his first title since the 2023 Senior Open Championship, which also was earned in rugged weather. The 54-year-old collected a $315 000 check for his troubles.

"It's tough golfing out there when you have a tough track, conditions like this, windy, rainy," Cejka said. "I don't know, maybe I focus better. Maybe I – I honestly can't tell you why. Maybe I focus a little bit more, I don't know. I'm just happy the day is over today, let me tell you."

'LITTLE BIT EMOTIONAL'

Fellow German Bernhard Langer, who was second coming into the day, fell off the pace into a tie for seventh (2 under) with his 3-over 75. But he cheered on his countryman through the difficult conditions.

"I was really a little bit emotional. It's the first three-round tournament I won," Cejka said. "Especially playing alongside my idol, Bernhard Langer, who I admired for the last, I don't know, 34 years. Being with him in the final round and in tough conditions on a tough golf course, and I held my stuff together. I'm really, really proud. I cannot even put it in words what it means to me."

 

A champion’s finish in Cary! ⛳️

Alex Čejka takes home the 2025 SAS Championship title after an incredible final round on Championship Sunday. 👏

Congratulations, @AlexCejka! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/uCuZvpVHdj

— SAS Championship (@SASChampionship) October 12, 2025

 

South Africa's Ernie Els finished second thanks to his 4-under 68, which gave him the distinction of Sunday's low round. Only three other golfers broke 70.

Els' day featured birdies on Holes 4, 8, 10, 12 and 17 with a bogey on No 15.

Third on the podium was New Zealand's Steven Alker, who finished 4 under after his 1-under 71 Sunday.

Tied for fourth were Steve Flesch (71), Tim O'Neal (71) and Sweden's Robert Karlsson (72).

Xander Schauffele recorded his 10th career PGA Tour victory with a one-stroke win over Max Greyserman at the Baycurrent Classic on Sunday in Yokohama, Japan.

Schauffele collected eight birdies against one bogey to card a 7-under-par 64 on Sunday and finish at 19-under 265 at the Yokohama Country Club. He pocketed $1.44 million for his first-place finish.

 

XANDER SCHAUFFELE. SO BACK.

He gets his first W of the year and TENTH career PGA Tour victory with a one-shot win over Max Greyserman. pic.twitter.com/ABGkVNJhs2

— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) October 12, 2025

 

Greyserman, who had seven birdies and one bogey, shot a 65 on Sunday to reside in second place at this tournament for the second time in as many years. He remains in search of his first PGA Tour title.

The victory held even more weight for Schauffele, given he has maternal grandparents living in Japan and his mother grew up in the country. To boot, Schauffele's wife, Maya, is half Japanese and grew up in Okinawa.

"I've been coming here since I was about 9 years old to visit my grandparents," Schauffele said. "I sort of fell in love with this country a long time ago. I can't wait to bring my son here when he's old enough to sort of understand and appreciate the culture here in Japan.

"Yeah, the ties run deep for the Schauffele family here in Japan."

 

While you were sleeping, Xander Schauffele won his 10th PGA Tour title at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/219NWhwsgk

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) October 12, 2025

 

Schauffele recorded three birdies on his first six holes and answered a bogey on his par-3 seventh with another birdie on No 8. He was kept on his toes by Greyserman before Schauffele two-putted on the par-4 18th to seal the win.

"I think every player in any sport at some point in time you feel like you're on top of the world and then you feel like, not that you've lost it, but you feel less confident," Schauffele said. "I have a really good team around me; they pick me up when I'm down. You know, this is really special for me. Sooner than I thought, to be fair. I was running out of events in 2025 to sort of put my mark on it.

"I'm sure when I look back on 2025 at the end of my career, I'll smile and think it was a great year."

Greyserman admittedly had mixed emotions following the final round. After all, he either held or shared the lead after each of the previous three rounds.

"I could take this a few different ways. Another second would be one thought, disappointed would be another thought, but also on the flip side, I could say I played really well," Greyserman said. "I shot 65 on Sunday when I was tied for the lead and in the last group, so a lot of good. It's like I don't really know how to feel because I'm obviously very disappointed, but it's the PGA Tour. You need to play exceptional on a Sunday to win a golf tournament.

"I played great, but I just didn't play good enough."

Last year, Greyserman lost to winner Nico Echavarria by one stroke after the latter sank birdie putts on two of his final three holes.

Michael Thorbjornsen carded a 64 on Sunday to finish three shots behind Schauffele.

 

Inches from forcing a playoff 👀

Max Greyserman nearly holed out from 182 yards on the final hole @Baycurrent_Clsc. pic.twitter.com/XfgVdEupsQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 12, 2025

 

Tiger Woods said on Saturday he has had lumbar disc replacement surgery to address severe back issues, the latest setback in a string of injuries that have stalled his return to the PGA Tour.

The 15-time major champion, sidelined since missing the British Open cut in July 2024, said Friday's procedure was successful after months of persistent pain and limited mobility.

"After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with doctors and surgeons to have tests taken," Woods said in a statement.

"I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back."

Woods, 49, had surgery in March to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon and has played a limited schedule since his February 2021 car crash.

Serving as tournament host, Woods did not appear on the initial player list released earlier this week for the 4-7 December Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas.

Xander Schauffele and Max Greyserman are three shots ahead of the field heading into Sunday's final round at the Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama, Japan.

Schauffele carded a 4-under 67 in Saturday's third round at Yokohama Country Club to catch Greyserman atop the leaderboard at 12-under 201.

 

Xander Schauffele holds share of 54-hole lead at Baycurrent Classic.

• First 54-hole lead since 2024 PGA Championship
• Seeking first win since 2024 Open Championship
• Seeking 10th win in 200th career PGA Tour start pic.twitter.com/V7IYyy7tnM

— Underdog Golf (@UnderdogGolf) October 11, 2025

 

Schauffele made the turn at 4-under before balancing two bogeys and two birdies in wet weather on the back nine, including a birdie at the par-4 17th to share the clubhouse lead.

"This is the first time I've been in contention all year, I believe, so it's nice," Schauffele said. "Been playing pretty good golf. The weather's been tricky, so proud of the fight today."

With an even-par 71, Greyserman booked a spot in the final pairing for a second straight year after losing by one stroke last year to Colombia's Nico Echavarria.

Echavarria (69 on Saturday) is part of the chasing group at 9-under, along with Michael Thorbjornsen (66), South Koreans Byeong Hun An (66) and Si Woo Kim (69) and South Africa's Garrick Higgo (68).

Greyserman made three birdies to overcome his double-bogey at the par-3 seventh hole and a bogey at the par-4 11th hole.

"I didn't play very well. I played fine, just made maybe two mistakes that I don't normally make. It was wet. It was not really cold, but the ball wasn't going very far. The course is playing really long, really, really long," Greyserman said. "Honestly, just happy to get those 18 holes over with the way I kind of was hitting the ball on some of those holes."

 

Bogey free and thriving 💪

Xander Schauffele joins two others at T2 @Baycurrent_Clsc. pic.twitter.com/xuIVqLgTfG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2025

 

Greyserman is seeking his first PGA Tour title but understands that the fans will likely be backing Schauffele, the two-time major winner.

"Whether I play with Xander or, I don't know, Tiger (Woods) in his prime or any other guy out here, it's the same golf. So, I do think the crowd is rooting for Xander a little more than other people, I could sense that a little bit today," Greyserman said. "But plenty of past experience. Final group on a Sunday, I've done that before, done that probably a couple times. Just go out there and do the same thing I do every day."

 

In case you missed it… Xander Schauffele might be back. 👀

A sensational 67 on Saturday in Japan gets him a share of the lead. He is going for his first win of 2025. pic.twitter.com/74IK0cqG3d

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) October 11, 2025

 

Schauffele has a familial connection to Japan and his supporters on site include his grandparents.

"It would be special, obviously. My grandparents here, my mom growing up here with her brother as well. That's far away from now, but yeah, to think into the future, it would be an incredible feeling," Schauffele said.

Japan's Minami Katsu maintained a two-stroke lead at the LPGA Buick Shanghai with a 4-under-par round of 68 in the third round on Saturday.

One day after setting the course record with a sizzling 61 at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club, Katsu carded six birdies and two bogeys to move to 17-under as she chases her first title on the LPGA Tour.

 

Minami Katsu extends her lead to three 👌

Tune in to Moving Day coverage now on NBC Sports Digital 📺 pic.twitter.com/5q0K0VzSM2

— LPGA (@LPGA) October 11, 2025

 

Katsu will have her work cut out for her on Sunday trying to hold off multiple major winners Minjee Lee of Australia and Jeeno Thitikul, who are tied for second at 15-under.

With a victory, Katsu would become the 12th first-time winner this season, which would tie for the most in LPGA history. She also would become the 27th different winner in 2025, which would set an LPGA Tour record.

"I didn't know about that, there were no multiple winners this season," said Katsu, 27. "That was the first time I heard about that. So a bit surprised about that. Also, it's very competitive out here and I feel like there is a chance for everyone. Everyone is grinding hard each day, and ever since I turned professional, I felt that everybody has the same opportunity and chance. So feel like that's kind of a surprise. But feel like everybody has a chance."

Lee climbed into contention with a 7-under 65 on Saturday that included a field-leading nine birdies. She delivered five consecutive birdies from holes Nos. 7-11 while coping with temperatures in the mid-90s.

"I can't control what anyone else is doing, so I'm just going to focus on what I can do and do it to the best of my ability," Lee said of her approach to the final round. "So, you know I'm just going to try and execute every single shot like 100 per cent and just try and be super committed. Like I said, it's really hot out there, so just trying to be, you know, mentally focused and try to put one foot in front of the other is going to be important."

Lee is looking for her 12th win on the LPGA Tour and second of the season after taking the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Thitikul shot a clean 6-under 66 – six birdies, zero bogeys – and is chasing her sixth title and second of the season after winning the Mizuho Americas Open.

Jenny Bae (68 on Saturday) and South Korea's Somi Lee (67) are tied for fourth and three shots off the pace at 14-under.

Xander Schauffele closed in on his first win of the year after grabbing a share of the lead Saturday heading into the final day of the US PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic in Japan.

The American carded a third-round four-under-par 67 at a rain-soaked Yokohama Country Club to move level with Max Greyserman on 12-under, three shots clear of their nearest challengers.

Schauffele won the British Open and the PGA Championship in 2024 but has yet to lift a trophy this year and has only finished in the top 10 three times.

The 31-year-old, part of the losing US Ryder Cup team two weeks ago, said confidence was "a tricky thing".

Bogey free and thriving 💪

Xander Schauffele joins two others at T2 @Baycurrent_Clsc. pic.twitter.com/xuIVqLgTfG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2025

"It takes a while to grow and then it goes away quickly," he said.

"I'm just trying to put one walk after the other and slowly grow that confidence. So far we've been doing that."

Schauffele hit six birdies and two bogeys to close the gap on fellow American Greyserman, who led by four shots at the start of the day.

Constant rain presented the players with a different challenge after strong wind on the opening day was followed by mild conditions for the second round.

"The weather has been tricky, so I'm proud of the fight to stay in it today," said Schauffele.

"Round one felt like survival, round two felt like the course was pretty gettable and today felt like a bit of survival with pockets of a little bit less rain."

Greyserman saw his lead slip away with a double bogey on the seventh hole and he finished with an even-par 71.

"Job's not finished until it's over. So put on the gas."@maxgreyserman heads into the weekend with a four-shot lead @Baycurrent_Clsc after finishing as a runner-up in Japan a year ago. pic.twitter.com/dp54ecwYZ8

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2025

The 30-year-old went into the final day of last year's tournament in Japan in contention for the title before finishing runner-up to Colombia's Nico Echavarria.

Greyserman said he would take the positives from last year's experience as he looks to win his first career title.

"I played a good round last year on Sunday and I got beat, I don't think I gave up the tournament by any means," he said.

"I thought I handled everything well and competed well and executed well, so that's the plan for tomorrow."

Defending champion Echavarria was in a group three shots behind the leading pair, along with South Koreans An Byeong-hun and Kim Si-woo, South African Garrick Higgo and American Michael Thorbjornsen.

Schauffele's Ryder Cup teammate Collin Morikawa was 10 shots off the pace on two-under while Japan's Hideki Matsuyama was four-under after a late double bogey.

Xander Schauffele moved four shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the US PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic in Japan after carding a sizzling eight-under-par 63 on Friday.

The American, who played in his country's Ryder Cup defeat to Europe two weeks ago, shot eight birdies against no bogeys at Yokohama Country Club to sit tied for second behind sole leader Max Greyserman.

Bogey free and thriving 💪

Xander Schauffele joins two others at T2 @Baycurrent_Clsc. pic.twitter.com/xuIVqLgTfG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2025

Two-time major winner Schauffele made a blistering start to his second round, carding five birdies on the front nine including four in succession.

He finished his round with two more straight birdies to leave him in contention for his first title of the year heading into the weekend.

"Yesterday felt like you were just trying to survive the round and at some points it felt like there's almost no wind today," said Schauffele, who finished a blustery opening round on even par.

"If you're hitting good shots you were getting rewarded for them, so I was able to take advantage of a lot of that."

Rain is forecast for all of Saturday's play.

"The plan is not to change anything, just kind of keep doing what we're doing," said Schauffele.

Greyserman began the day in a share for the lead and was on song again as he moved to 12-under overall.

The American carded a bogey-free 63, sinking an eagle on the par-five fourth hole to go with his six birdies.

Greyserman, runner-up in Japan last year when the tournament was known as the Zozo Championship, said he liked "everything" about his round.

"Job's not finished until it's over. So put on the gas."@maxgreyserman heads into the weekend with a four-shot lead @Baycurrent_Clsc after finishing as a runner-up in Japan a year ago. pic.twitter.com/dp54ecwYZ8

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 10, 2025

"I've been doing things well this week from the start and so just need to keep doing what I'm doing," he said.

"Go have some lunch, go practice for a little bit, fine-tune a couple things that I want to do a little better tomorrow and just keep doing what I'm doing."

Schauffele was in a share for second on eight-under with Sweden's Alex Noren and American Alex Smalley.

Last year's champion, Nico Echavarria of Colombia, was one stroke behind along with South Korea's Kim Si-woo and Americans Sahith Theegala and Brian Campbell.

American Collin Morikawa was on three-under, while Japan's Hideki Matsuyama was one shot behind.

Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol carded a bogey-free 8-under-par 64 on Thursday to secure a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA's Shanghai tournament.

Yubol birdied her first three holes and added another on the par-4 sixth hole at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club. She didn't let up at the turn, collecting a birdie on Nos. 12, 14, 16 and 17 to notch her lowest round of the 2025 season, besting the 66 she recorded in the first round at The Standard Portland Classic.

"I think my putter is (working) today and then my short game, some holes I hit like close to make (a) chance to make birdie," Yubol said. "This week like I try to trust myself more for my iron. Normally I hit draw, but this time I hit a little bit like cut fade. ... Like normally I aim to the right, but this time I aim to the left and just trust myself and then just keep going."

Yubol, 23, is seeking her first victory on the LPGA Tour. She has nine career wins on the Thai LPGA Tour and one on the Taiwan LPGA Tour. She missed the cut in her last start at the Lotte Championship.

Yubol holds a one-stroke lead over a five-golfer contingent. Rolex Rankings No 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand totalled 10 birdies in the first round, including four in a row on Nos. 5-8 and three straight on Nos. 13-15.

Three-time major champion Minjee Lee of Australia benefited from the use of her broomstick putter to join Thitikul, rookie Jenny Bae and South Koreans Jenny Shinn and Ina Yoon by shooting a 65 on Thursday.

"Yeah, I think I just don't have as much pressure with it. Obviously it's freed me up a lot and gives me a lot of freedom to stroke the putt," Lee said of her putter.

"If that is – if it goes in the hole or doesn't, like as long as I put a good stroke on it I have no other control outside of that. So I think in terms of the actual fundamentals of it it's quite simple, so I just like the fact that it is."

Amateur Menghan Li made a hole-in-one on No 11 with an 8 iron.

Li is tied for 27th place after shooting a 70, one stroke ahead of defending champion and fellow China native Ruoning Yin.

Last year's runner-up Max Greyserman is back atop the leaderboard following the first round of the Baycurrent Classic on Thursday in Yokohama, Japan.

Greyserman was tied with fellow Americans Bud Cauley and Brian Campbell at 4-under 67 at the Yokohama Country Club in the PGA Tour's only stop in Japan.

Greyserman finished one stroke behind Colombia's Nico Echavarria last year when the event was known as the Zozo Championship and held at Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan.

"I love playing in Japan. It's a great culture, respectful people, respectful fans," Greyserman said. "... So it's fun being over here. Good food too, I'm not going to complain about that."

Greyserman made the turn at 3-under and drained a 40-foot birdie putt at No 11 to take the lead. After dropping a shot at the 12th, he canned a 19-foot birdie putt at No 15.

Tee times were moved up on Thursday to avoid any potential impact of a typhoon located off the coast in the North Pacific Ocean.

"In those difficult conditions, I'll take that any day," Greyserman said.

Cauley played a bogey-free opening round with birdies on both par-5 holes on the front nine and birdies at Nos. 10 and 12.

"It was tough," Cauley said. "The winds were difficult, just trying to manage that. But yeah, I felt like I hit a lot of good shots, made a couple putts, and nice to not make any bogeys on a day like today, that was difficult."

Campbell had a much more eventful day on his first trip to Japan, mixing five birdies, three bogeys and an eagle from 83 yards out at No 8.

"It's awesome. The crowds and the spectators are just some of the best in the world," Campbell said. "They truly love golf, they love supporting, they're always there to cheer you on when you make a good save or anything. It's been awesome and I can't wait to explore a little more."

Eight players were a stroke behind the co-leaders, including Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard, Australia's Adam Scott, Japan's Takumi Kanaya, the Philippines' Rico Hoey, Kevin Roy, William Mouw, Sahith Theegala and Sam Ryder.

Seven more were two shots back at 2-under, including Sweden's Alex Noren, South Korea's Byeong Hun An, South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Taiwan's Kevin Yu, Beau Hossler, Alex Smalley and Michael Thorbjornsen.

Defending champion Echavarria posted a 1-under 70 with four birdies and three bogeys.

Ryder Cup teammates Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa were both four shots off the lead after Thursday's opening round of the US PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic, as they struggled to cope with windy conditions in Japan.

The American duo both carded level-par 71s at Yokohama Country Club, less than two weeks after playing in the USA's defeat to Europe at Bethpage Black in New York.

Americans Max Greyserman, Bud Cauley and Brian Campbell shared the lead after shooting four-under 67.

A typhoon is lurking off the coast of Japan and players had to deal with blustery conditions, despite tee times being moved earlier to avoid the worst of the weather.

Schauffele, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, hit three birdies but also carded three bogeys, including one on the final hole.

Morikawa, who won this tournament in 2023 when it was called the Zozo Championship, damaged a promising round with bogeys on the 15th and 16th before birdieing the 17th.

Cauley said it was tough to deal with the conditions but was satisfied with his bogey-free round.

"The winds were difficult, just trying to manage that," said the 35-year-old.

"I felt like I hit a lot of good shots, made a couple of putts, and nice to not make any bogeys on a day like today, that was difficult."

The highlight of Campbell's round was on the 340-yard par-four eighth, his second last, when he holed a wedge for an eagle two.

"I was about 83 yards out and actually thought I chunked it," said Campbell.

"But it was straight at the pin and ended up going in the hole, so just one of those days."

Australia's 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott was one of eight players tied for fourth, one shot behind the leaders, and seemed to enjoy the conditions.

A tidy 68 to kick things off in Japan 👀

Adam Scott sits just one shot off the lead after Round 1 @Baycurrent_Clsc pic.twitter.com/2bSCSMDDRJ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 9, 2025

"I actually think the wind kind of helps me so I don't mind if it blows a little bit tomorrow," said Scott, who carded four birdies in his first six holes.

"Maybe not this hard, but I'd like to see some wind the rest of the week, I think it kind of levels it all out a bit in my favour."

Japan crowd favourite Hideki Matsuyama, another former Masters champion, was five strokes off the pace after a one-over 72 that contained four bogeys and just two birdies.

The Baycurrent Classic is the only US PGA Tour event currently staged in Asia.

It was previously known as the Zozo Championship and first held in 2019 when Tiger Woods was the inaugural champion. Matsuyama won it in 2021.