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FILE - Japan's Jumbo Ozaki watches his tee shot on the third hole during his opening round of the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., April 10, 1997. (AP Photo/Bill Waugh, File)

Jumbo Ozaki dies of cancer at age 78. He had the most wins of any Japanese golfer

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, whose 113 worldwide victories were the most of any player from Japan, died Wednesday in his home country after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour said. He was 78.

Ozaki was revered in Japan, a big hitter with a sense of style who won 94 times over 29 years on the Japan Golf Tour, the last one coming at the 2002 ANA Open when he was 55.

He rose to No. 5 in the world ranking in 1996 at age 49. Ozaki often got overlooked for never winning outside Japan except for the New Zealand PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

“He is an indispensable, one-of-a-kind figure in discussing men’s golf, both now and in the future,” the tour said in a social media post.

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Jumbo Ozaki, the winningest Japanese golfer in history, dies at age 78

The Associated Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

TOKYO (AP) — Jumbo Ozaki, the winningest Japanese golfer in history, dies at age 78.

Brooks Koepka is first player to defect from LIV. The next step is if PGA Tour will take him back

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Brooks Koepka is first player to defect from LIV. The next step is if PGA Tour will take him back

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka became the first player to defect from LIV Golf, a significant blow to the Saudi-funded league that raises questions whether the PGA Tour will find a way for him to return.

LIV Golf posted an announcement to its website under a statement that Talor Gooch is the new captain of the Smash team that Koepka had led.

Scott O'Neil, the new CEO of LIV, said Koepka and LIV “amicably and mutually agreed” that Koepka will no longer compete in the league.

“Brooks is prioritizing the needs of his family and staying closer to home,” O'Neil said. “We appreciate the significant impact he has had on the game and wish him continued success, both on and off the course.”

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

FILE - Brooks Koepka, of the United States, acknowledges the crowd on the 5th green during the first round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)
FILE - Brooks Koepka, of the United States, acknowledges the crowd on the 5th green during the first round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)

Brooks Koepka becomes the first player to leave Saudi-backed LIV Golf

The Associated Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brooks Koepka becomes the first player to leave Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Indoor TGL set to begin 2nd season. Tiger Woods will have to wait

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 8 minute read Preview

Indoor TGL set to begin 2nd season. Tiger Woods will have to wait

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 8 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Billy Horschel recalls a certain buzz about the tech-infused indoor TMRW Golf League when it began last year, and there was plenty of curiosity where it would fit into the golf landscape.

Curiosity has given way to a degree of optimism and a little growth when the second season of TGL begins Sunday at 3 p.m. on ABC and ESPN+.

The graphics have been upgraded. Spectators in the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will have ear buds to listen to play banter more easily. Golf course architects — Jack Nicklaus, Gil Hanse and Beau Welling among them — are designing holes. And each team will have a signature hole that reflects their city.

It starts with a rematch of the TGL final last year when Atlanta Drive beat New York in a couple of one-point matches that produced some drama. Horschel is part of Atlanta Drive that will not have Justin Thomas, who is recovering from back injury. And yes, he's excited.

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

FILE - Fans watch play during a match of the TMRW Golf League (TGL) between Jupiter Links Golf Club and Boston Common Golf, Jan. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
FILE - Fans watch play during a match of the TMRW Golf League (TGL) between Jupiter Links Golf Club and Boston Common Golf, Jan. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Ryan Gerard flew across 2 oceans and 2 seas. The payoff was a Masters invitation

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Ryan Gerard flew across 2 oceans and 2 seas. The payoff was a Masters invitation

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Ryan Gerard left his home in south Florida at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 for a trip he never imagined taking this year, and one he certainly didn't regret.

He returned home nine days and some 20,000 miles later after stops that included Italy on his way to a small island off the coast of Africa, and an eight-hour layover in Paris on the way back that gave him enough time to see the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

“I am looking at the Eiffel Tower,” Gerard said by phone Monday afternoon. “Pretty sick.”

Oh, and along the way he picked up an invitation to the Masters.

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

FILE - Ryan Gerard watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, May 16, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
FILE - Ryan Gerard watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, May 16, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Mito Pereira was one hole away from winning a major. Three years later the Chilean is retiring

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Mito Pereira was one hole away from winning a major. Three years later the Chilean is retiring

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Three years after Mito Pereira was one hole away from winning a major, the 30-year-old from Chile announced on social media Monday that he was retiring from professional golf.

Pereira joined the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League in 2023 and earned just over $11.5 million in three seasons. But he finished at No. 51 in the standings this year and was relegated out of the league.

When asked about his plans three weeks ago, his manager said in a text to The Associated Press that Pereira had broken his collarbone in a bicycle accident and was waiting to get fit to figure out his next step.

Pereira said on a post to Instagram he had been contemplating retirement for some time.

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

FILE - Mito Pereira, of Chile, waves after making a putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
FILE - Mito Pereira, of Chile, waves after making a putt on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Kuchars win PNC Championship. Schaper takes Mauritius Open for 2nd straight victory

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Kuchars win PNC Championship. Schaper takes Mauritius Open for 2nd straight victory

The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Matt Kuchar couldn’t imagine a better ending to a year when he lost his father than to finally win the PNC Championship with his son. There was no stopping them Sunday in a record-smashing performance that led to an 18-under 54 and a whopping seven-shot victory.

The tournament that is all about family and fun ended with Kuchar wiping away tears as his voice cracked while speaking about how much it meant without his father, who died in February.

Cameron Kuchar, who was able to use one tee box forward as a high school student, hammered another drive and watched his father hit 7-iron to 18 inches. Kuchar gave his son the honor of tapping in for the final touch on an unforgettable week for the Kuchar family.

Peter Kuchar died in February of a heart attack while swimming when he was on a Caribbean cruise with his wife, Meg, to celebrate her birthday.

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Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Matt Kuchar, right, gets a fist bump from his son Cameron Kuchar after sinking an eagle putt on the third green during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Matt Kuchar, right, gets a fist bump from his son Cameron Kuchar after sinking an eagle putt on the third green during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Matt Kuchar lost his father in February and ends the year with emotional PNC victory with his son

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Matt Kuchar lost his father in February and ends the year with emotional PNC victory with his son

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Matt Kuchar couldn't imagine a better ending to a year when he lost his father than to finally win the PNC Championship with his son. There was no stopping them Sunday in a record-smashing performance that led to an 18-under 54 and a whopping seven-shot victory.

The tournament that is all about family and fun ended with Kuchar wiping away tears as his voice cracked while speaking about how much it meant without his father, who died in February.

The finish was simply surreal to him.

Cameron Kuchar, who was able to use one tee box forward as a high school student, hammered another drive and watched his father hit 7-iron to 18 inches. Kuchar gave his son the honor of tapping in for the final touch on an unforgettable week for the Kuchar family.

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Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Matt Kuchar, right, and his son Cameron Kuchar hold the championship belts after winning the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Matt Kuchar, right, and his son Cameron Kuchar hold the championship belts after winning the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Masters fields reaches 86 players with 13 from the world ranking

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Masters fields reaches 86 players with 13 from the world ranking

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Ryan Gerard made his 10,000-mile trip worth the effort Sunday when he was runner-up at the Mauritius Open, good enough for him to join 13 other players who qualified for Masters invitations by finishing the year in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

That brings the field to 86 players who are likely to compete — a list that includes Tiger Woods, who has not announced if he is playing — going into the new year.

Players can still earn invitations by winning a PGA Tour event (opposite-field events excluded) or getting into the top 50 a week before the Masters.

While the final world ranking will not be published for another week, there are no other tournaments that affect the top 50 and the OWGR already has projected the top 50. Sam Stevens will finish at No. 50 by a narrow margin over Taylor Pendrith of Canada.

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Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose after the final round at the Masters golf tournament, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose after the final round at the Masters golf tournament, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

See how players have qualified for the Masters

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

See how players have qualified for the Masters

The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Players expected to compete in the 90th Masters on April 9-12 and how they qualified for their invitations. Players listed only in the first category for which they are eligible (a-amateur):

Masters champions (lifetime)

Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Charl Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Zach Johnson, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Fred Couples.

PGA champions (five years)

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Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose after the final round at the Masters golf tournament, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose after the final round at the Masters golf tournament, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Ryan Gerard flew across two oceans to play in Mauritius. It paid off with a Masters invitation

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Ryan Gerard flew across two oceans to play in Mauritius. It paid off with a Masters invitation

The Associated Press 2 minute read Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

BEL OMBRE, Mauritius (AP) — Jayden Schaper made it back-to-back titles Sunday by winning the Mauritius Open in a playoff over Ryan Gerard, the American who flew across two oceans for the final event of the year and returns home with an invitation to the Masters.

Schaper birdied three of his last four holes for an 8-under 64, and then chipped in for eagle to win on the second playoff hole. He won last week in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa by making eagle in a playoff.

Gerard had reason to feel like a big winner, too.

He was No. 57 in the world — the Masters awards invitations to the top 50 in the final world ranking of the year — and chose to fly from Florida to Mauritius, a small island about 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) off the eastern coast of Africa.

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Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

FILE - Ryan Gerard hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament, Aug. 14, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, file)
FILE - Ryan Gerard hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament, Aug. 14, 2025, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, file)

Canadian golfer Alena Sharp says she played most of 2025 with an injured knee

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canadian golfer Alena Sharp says she played most of 2025 with an injured knee

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Hamilton's Alena Sharp says she finished the LPGA Tour season despite having a torn meniscus in her left knee.

Sharp posted a photo to Instagram of her smiling in a hospital bed.

The 44-year-old says she injured her knee "at some point in July."

Despite that, she still played in five LPGA Tour events from August onward, including the CPKC Women's Open, Canada's national golf championship.

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Alena Sharp, of Canada, watches her putt during a practice round for the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Alena Sharp, of Canada, watches her putt during a practice round for the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt Kuchar team leads by 2 over John Daly in PNC. Their sons carried the load

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Matt Kuchar team leads by 2 over John Daly in PNC. Their sons carried the load

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 4 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Matt Kuchar and his college-bound son made birdie on all but three holes for a 15-under 57 to build a two-shot lead over John Daly and his college son in the PNC Championship on a gorgeous Saturday when both sons carried the load in a scramble format.

“He's the horse and the saddle. That's all there is to it,” Daly, the two-time major champion, said of John Daly II, the Southern Amateur champion and a senior at Arkansas.

Cameron Kuchar, who is going to TCU next year, drilled a driver and hit wedge to a foot on the first hole for birdie. Kuchar followed with a drive, wedge and a putt for birdie on the next. That's when Cameron got the idea to keep track of “solo birdies” made on their own shots.

“He ran a tally up. It was way higher than my tally of solo birdies,” Kuchar said of his son. “He got the best of my today.”

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

FILE - Gary Woodlands watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, May 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - Gary Woodlands watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, May 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Immelman says how LIV Golf fills its roster is part of discussion toward getting ranking points

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Immelman says how LIV Golf fills its roster is part of discussion toward getting ranking points

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Immelman said Friday he is in constant contact with the CEO of LIV Golf in his role as chairman of the Official World Golf Ranking as the board tries to work through issues that include how the Saudi-funded circuit populates its 54-man league.

LIV Golf has not received world ranking points since it launched in June 2022, and only six of its players are among the top 100 in the world from points earned in majors or events on the Asian Tour or European tour.

LIV's first application to be part of the OWGR system was rejected in October 2023. It filed a new application last summer under Scott O'Neil, the CEO hired to replace Greg Norman.

Immelman, the former Masters champion and now a CBS golf analyst, took over as OWGR champion in April. He said he speaks regularly with O'Neil and even texted with him during his pro-am Friday at the PNC Championship.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

FILE - International team captain Trevor Immelman waves toward the gallery before a foursomes match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Sept. 22, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
FILE - International team captain Trevor Immelman waves toward the gallery before a foursomes match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Sept. 22, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Gary Woodland is playing the PNC Championship with his father. It’s a celebration for both

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Gary Woodland is playing the PNC Championship with his father. It’s a celebration for both

Doug Ferguson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Gary Woodland returned to golf four months after doctors had to cut a baseball-sized hole in his head to remove a lesion on part of the brain that caused unfounded fears of dying. He felt fortunate to still be playing, and the emotions were strong.

Turns out the former U.S. Open champion was coping with much more at the 2024 Sony Open.

He received a phone call from his mother on the Saturday before that event that his father, Dan, had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma. It's been a lot, and that's what makes playing in the PNC Championship so special.

“This is a special week for both of us for perspective,” Woodland said.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

FILE - Gary Woodlands watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, May 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - Gary Woodlands watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, May 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

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