Maui, Hawaii—The PGA Tour, working in conjunction with Sentry Insurance, made an historical decision regarding its current schedule on Wednesday by announcing the complete cancellation of The Sentry tournament for its 2026 season. The $20 million signature tournament typically kicking off the calendar year is now at the mercy of the continued severe drought and water use restriction issues on the island of Maui.

The announcement, delivered to players in the days leading up to the news, represents only the first cancellation of a PGA Tour event outside of the COVID pandemic since 2020.

Kapalua Unplayable

Long-time home at the Plantation Course at Kapalula Resort is no longer playable, is the key factor in cancelling the event was the golf tournament. According to The PGA Tour’s statement early September 16 that they did not feel the course would be able to host the event scheduled from 8th Jan. to 11th Jan. 2026 due to water restrictions.

Because of significant drought, Maui County has imposed strict water conservation mandates that govern the indoor and outdoor use and consumption for all residents, including those in Kapalua. Kapalua is in need of water and conservation mandates have impact Kapalua’s agronomic conditions negatively, leaving the once luscious (over flow), Plantation Course in dire conditions to be prepared to the high standards of maintenance during a regular PGA Tour event. Beyond this, the extended lead time required to secure Tour standard playing conditions would even limit chances to recover for January 2026, assuming weather improved.

Logistical Hurdles Are Too Great

With Kapalua ruled out, the PGA Tour collaborated closely with Sentry Insurance to identify a different suitable location for their signature tournament. Reports indicated that discussions included searching for a replacement course within Hawaii and possibly on the mainland.

Eventually, staging a major, limited-field tournament on short notice turned out not to be operationally viable. The Tour cited significant hurdles, including strict shipping deadlines for necessary equipment, the complicated construction of eveent infrastructure, and obtaining necessary vendor commitments—all of which were made even more difficult due to Hawaii’s remote location.

“Since it became possible that the PGA Tour might not be able to play at the Plantation Course because of the continuing drought conditions on Maui, we have worked with our partners at Sentry to explore options for playing The Sentry in 2026,” said Tyler Dennis, PGA Tour Chief Competitions Officer. “This decision is unfortunate, and we appreciate the cooperation and commitment of Sentry Insurance.”

Sony Open to Take Season-Opening Position

Following the cancellation of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Hawaii is being upraised to the season-opening spot on the 2026 PGA Tour schedule. The $8.7 million tournament remains at its traditional home, Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, from 15th January to 18th January.

With The Sentry off the schedule, the 2026 Signature Event count drops from nine to eight. The Tour addressed this by creating a “make-good” exemption for recent tournament winners who had qualified for The Sentry but were outside the FedExCup Top 50, ensuring they still get an extra Signature Event start.

Sentry Confirms Long-term Partnership

The tournament’s title sponsor, Sentry Insurance, began its partnership in 2018 and is formally contracted with the Tour until 2035.

“The Sentry is a jewel in the PGA Tour schedule, “Stephanie Smith, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer at Sentry said. “We were set on finding a way to play a signature-level event in 2026 – to honor the traditions of the tournament and the quality competition for the players and fans they look for. Unfortunately, it became impossible to do that though the Tour’s best efforts.”

Smith stressed that Sentry remains committed to its partnership with theTour and to the future of this tournament, the question about if, or when, The Sentry will return to Kapalua in 2027 is still unknown while Maui address water issues and disputes.

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black wasn’t just a sporting event, it was an adventure. Over three days, the iconic, unforgiving golf course produced a story of persistence, tactics, and shifting whims that will be part of Ryder Cup history.

From feeling the icy wind on Friday morning to hearing the cheers of victory on Sunday afternoon, both Team Europe and Team USA competed against each other and against the brutal inclination of competition against the already lofty demands of one of golf’s most challenging venues.

Day 1: Fighting the Worst of Each Other and Nature

Friday morning started with cold reminders of what the reputation Bethpage Black afforded: swirly winds, and greens that were firm and fast – each shot a test of nerve and precision.

The morning Foursomes saw an early swing toward Team USA, who, bolstered by the home crowd support and what seemed an innate understanding of the course, took an early lead that was only no more than a point or so.

Accordingly, we saw solid pairings like Scheffler/Cantlay and Morikawa/Homa grind out vital, and at times, pars where Team Europe were struggling for birdies.

Morning Foursomes Score: USA 2.5 – 1.5 Europe

When the afternoon Fourball matches began, the European spirit was revived. Players like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, who are seasoned competitors and often alongside some exciting first timers, found their rhythm and began making crazily improbable putts and hitting big, long drives.

The matches started to become tighter, several going to 18 holes, leading to an astounding atmosphere. Europe was able to gain some ground and create a tense morning match up for Saturday.

Afternoon Fourball Score: USA 2 – 2 Europe

Overall Day 1 Score: USA 4.5 – 3.5 Europe

Day 1 Standings:

USA: 4.5 points

Europe: 3.5 points

The day ended, and the USA led, but Europe’s tenacity coming into the afternoon matched the energy for an incredible day. There were difficulties, clearly.

The heavy rough swallowed bad shots, and the undulating greens required tremendous touch – and were unforgiving even for the slightest misread on the approach.

Day 2: Europe’s Momentum and the Shifting Ground

Saturday was less windy than the previous day, but the teeth of Bethpage Black remained sharp. Morning Foursomes showed golf strategy at its best, with both teams playing conservatively and effectively.

Team Europe looked rejuvenated after their Friday afternoon performance with fresh energy.

Their partnerships seemed stronger, and the putters were hotter. Rahm and Hovland were, in particular, unstoppable, destroying their American pair with ease.

Morning Foursomes Score: USA 1.5 – 2.5 Europe

The afternoon Fourball matches completely flipped the momentum. The European charge was almost relentless.

The younger European players, who looked a little overwhelmed the previous day, were now oozing the confidence of youth. Birdies were flowing, and the “olay” chants from the European fans got progressively louder.

The American fans were also cheering, but their cheering felt subdued, as Europe was pulling away with half-points and turning potential losses into draws.

Afternoon Fourball Score: USA 1.5 – 2.5 Europe

Overall Day 2 Score: Europe 8.5 – 7.5 USA

Day 2 Standings:

Europe: 8.5 points

USA: 7.5 points

Not only had Europe overcome the deficit, but they also had reclaimed a one-point lead, showing resilience and adjustment in their strategy. The tough conditions at Bethpage Black were still putting pressure on every player, particularly the long par-3s and long par-4s.

While Europe may have struggled in those conditions 24 hours prior, it did not show, as they found lines and angles that had evaded them the previous day.

Day 3 – The Singles Showdown to the Finish

Sunday. Singles Day. The anticipation in the air was electric. With a razor-thin one-point lead for Europe, the Ryder Cup was to be decided in twelve matches. The pressure on any player playing was immense and amplified by the New York crowd.

The early matches were a rollercoaster of emotions. The USA, buoyed by the home crowd, made a strong charge early. Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay secured points, pulling the USA momentarily back into the lead.

Yet, Europe did not back down and responded with their elite players, Jon Rahm went to battle with Scottie Scheffler and pulled out an emergency point, followed by Viktor Hovland’s excellent play.

The final nine holes of Bethpage Black became the scene for ultimate drama. Holes 15, 16 and 17, with their precision required fairways and tricky small greens, devoured hopes and created legends. The European mid-order, featuring young players short of expectations all week, began making ground with every passing round.

A critical half point from a just-made birdie on the 18th from a European rookie began to ease the hopes of fans watching the scorecard.

As the late matches came to a close, the scoreboard began to tell the story. Team Europe reached a total of 14.5 points for victory when a devastated Tyrrell Hatton, after a hard-fought match all along, made a five-foot putt on the 17th green, making the point that confirmed Team Europe’s win.

Final Score: Europe: 15 – 13 USA

Final Score:

Europe 15 Points- Winners of the 2025 Ryder Cup

USA 13 Points

Challenges and Final Success

The 2025 Ryder Cup was characterized by challenges. Even under normal weather conditions, Bethpage Black is a tough test for golfers. The and the difficulties of fat shots, deep bunkers and elevation changes means that hitting greens in regulation was a daily challenge

The mental aspect of recovering from a terrible shot, or merely making a critical putt under debilitating pressure, separated the champions from aspirants.

Team Europe’s true success was not winning the Ryder Cup, but defeating Bethpage Black on American soil, against a courageous American team, and demonstrating a committed team spirit.

Their ability to adapt to the course after the first day of extremely difficult conditions, their determination in each other’s abilities, and their overall mental game allowed them to pick up the trophy.

The 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage Black will be forever remembered as the epitome of teamwork, resilience, and great golf.

The Ryder Cup is golf’s clash of titans. Team spirit, national pride, suspense—everything woven together in a way regular tournaments just don’t manage. This isn’t about an individual going low on the scorecard. Here, Europe and the United States line up face-to-face every two years, pushing match play to the front. It’s gritty. It’s unpredictable. And each match counts.

But let’s pull back the curtain. What sets the Ryder Cup’s design apart from the rest?

Team Selection: A Mix of Numbers and Nuance

Each side gets 12 spots. The process is deliberate—part earned, part chosen. It starts with automatic qualifiers, players whose results speak loudest across months of competition, and ends with the captain’s picks, a decision laced with hope and calculation.

• Automatic Qualifiers: Most slots go to players who rack up points during the qualifying window. Performance matters—on courses that test everything. For Europe, that means results from the DP World Tour and major championships. The US leans on PGA Tour events and majors. The message is simple: show up when it counts, and you get a shot at glory.
• Captain’s Picks: This is where strategy moves from the spreadsheet to the gut. Once the automatic qualifiers are locked in, the captain has a handful of discretionary choices—usually four to six. These are the captain’s picks. They matter. Each pick is a calculated decision: current form, course fit, team dynamics. Chemistry can’t be left to chance. A captain might go with experience, lean on raw talent, or simply choose someone who makes the whole lineup click. Sometimes, it’s not just about stats. It’s about trust.

When the 12 are named, the real challenge begins. The captain joins forces with vice-captains. Their mission: turn twelve golfers into one team. Collaboration matters. It’s about cultivating confidence and unity. Match play thrives on more than skill—it feeds on team spirit.

Ryder Cup Formats: The Thrill of Match Play

The Ryder Cup stands apart—it’s all match play, all the way. Not your routine round of stroke play. Here, every hole is a fresh contest. Win a hole, move ahead. Lose it, fall behind. The math is simple: first side to an insurmountable lead wins. For example, if you’re 3 Up with only 2 to play, that’s it. 3&2. Match over.

This drama plays out over three days, each with its own rhythm:

Days 1 & 2: Fourball and Foursomes

The first two days are all about variety. You’ll see “Fourball” and “Foursomes” matches, split into two sessions—morning and afternoon.

• Fourball (Better Ball): Picture this—two players from Team Europe, two from Team USA, all teeing off with their own ball. Every shot counts, but only the lowest score from each side determines who wins the hole. Lower score takes the point. Simple. Because each player has backup, risk-taking goes up. Expect bold moves—one player can play safe, the other takes chances. It’s this setup that creates those exciting birdies and recovery shots. You might catch a fourball pair studying the green, reading every angle.
• Foursomes (Alternate Shot): Now things get tougher. Same two-on-two, Europe vs. USA. But this time, teams share one ball and alternate shots—one tees off, the next hits the approach, and so on. Players even alternate who starts each hole. It’s a true partnership test. Every shot is for both. One mistake? The pressure shifts fast. This format leans on good communication and trust. Some duos thrive. Others struggle. It’s clear: foursomes reveal the real dynamics between players.

The daily rhythm: four foursomes in the morning, four fourballs in the afternoon—or the other way around. All twelve players might see action if the captain decides it’s time. Every choice counts.

Day 3: Singles Matches

The Ryder Cup’s last act. Day three is all about the singles. No teams. Just twelve matches. One-on-one, Europe versus USA. Each side sends out every player. Individual duels, played simultaneously. Pressure is everywhere.

This is where the story pivots. The singles—these matches determine the winner. The entire event can shift on a single putt. Players feel the weight. Fans buzz with anticipation. Every hole is watched. Every shot matters.

Scoring in the Ryder Cup

The system is straightforward:

• A win gives that player’s team 1 point.
• A tied match, known as “halved,” gives each team 0.5 points.

That’s it. No bonuses for style or margin. Clean and direct: win, lose, or split. Across three days, the event adds up to 28 possible points. Day 1 and Day 2 offer 8 matches each. Day 3 steps up with 12—the singles showdowns.

Winning the Ryder Cup

To claim the Ryder Cup, a team must reach at least 14.5 points. Simple math. Big stakes.

If the tournament ends 14-14, the trophy doesn’t change hands. The previous winners keep it. This isn’t just a footnote; it changes everything for defending teams. They feel the extra pressure. They know that, away from home, a tie just isn’t enough.

The Ryder Cup goes beyond golf. It’s competition, psychology, and team spirit. Match play formats twist the usual golf formula. The scoring is clear, and so are the stakes. It’s tense right to the end. Every point matters. Every moment counts.

Golf leans heavily on tradition. Few formats, though, match the pure tension and excitement of match play. Most pro events measure every swing with stroke play add up all your shots over four days, lowest number wins. Not match play. Here, it’s you versus your opponent, hole by hole.

The Ryder Cup thrives on this difference. It turns golf into something more personal. More unpredictable.

Early Roots of Match Play

Before leaderboards and scorecards, match play ruled golf’s earliest days in Scotland. Success wasn’t about the total count—it was about winning more holes than your rival. Rivalry was built in. Lose a hole? There’s another ahead. Blow them away on one green, and suddenly the tide shifts. It’s resilient by design. This is partly why match play still appeals to weekend golfers. Games stay lively, even if not everyone is a scratch player.

Birth of the Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup came to life in 1927. USA versus Great Britain at first. Then, the British team grew—first Ireland joined, then all of Europe. The field leveled out. But the event held fast to its roots: a schedule of foursomes, fourballs, and singles. All under match play rules. This isn’t just golfers tracking their own scores.

In the Ryder Cup, every point shapes the team’s future. Every match is for something bigger.

Why Match Play Feels Different

Stroke play is a race against a scorecard. The clock ticks. It’s you against par and leaderboard pressure.

But Ryder Cup match play? Different terrain. Each hole is a battle. Each putt carries fresh weight. This isn’t just about mechanics; the mind plays constant defense and offense. One hole: risk. Next hole: restraint. Every move lands directly on your opponent’s doorstep. Choices matter more.

The tension spikes, and the stories linger, think Justin Leonard’s putt in 1999 or Europe’s comeback at Medinah in 2012. Unforgettable moments, made by the format.

Team Spirit in an Individual Sport

The Ryder Cup takes golf’s solo tradition and breaks it wide open. Suddenly, it’s about unity. Teamwork at the tee, strategy in every handshake, partnerships that live or die on chemistry.

Captains calculate and gamble, choosing who pairs up, who holds back. Their decisions can shift everything. National pride seeps in, amplifying nerves. Team golf, rarely this raw. Tactics and emotion—equal parts of the game.

Bringing the Ryder Cup to Your Game

The Ryder Cup works because it’s fast, straightforward, and never settled. Momentum is always up for grabs—no time for comfort.

You don’t need a PGA card to taste this thrill. GemGolfers lets you build your own Ryder Cup day, assembling teams and match play just like the pros. The setup is simple, the excitement real. Play with friends, feel the camaraderie, create your own stories.

The 53-year-old beat Justin Leonard and Thomas Bjorn as his final round of 67 took him to 16 under for the tournament.

Harrington joins Darren Clarke, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Bob Charles as the only men to win both editions of the Open.

He won the Open in back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008.

It is a third Senior major for Harrington, who also won the US Open in 2022 and in June this year.

He also finished tied for second at the Senior PGA Championship after missing out to Angel Cabrera by one stroke.

Northern Ireland’s Clarke finished tied for 51st after he finished two over for the tournament.

Memorial Tournament final leaderboard

-10 S Scheffler (US); -6 B Griffin (US); -5 Straka (Aus); -4 Taylor (Can)

World number one Scottie Scheffler continued his stunning form with a four-shot victory at the Memorial Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.

The American shot a two-under-par 70 to beat compatriot Ben Griffin, whose challenge faded on the back nine.

After bogeys on the 12th and 13th, Griffin eagled the 15th and birdied the 16th to move to within a stroke of Scheffler.

But he double-bogeyed the 17th to ease the pressure on his rival, who went on seal his third win from his previous four tournaments.

The victory follows his triumph in the PGA Championship in May, Scheffler’s third major win.

He dropped just one shot in his final round when he bogeyed the 10th hole, but made birdies on the seventh, 11th and 15th.

Scheffler’s victory makes him just the second player to win the Memorial in consecutive years, following Tiger Woods’ victories in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Justin Thomas made a birdie putt from 21 feet out on the first playoff hole to win the RBC Heritage on Sunday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C., winning a tournament for the first time in nearly three years.
Thomas and Andrew Novak, who was seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour, were at 17-under 267 through 72 holes. Novak was in the last pairing for the third time this season but couldn’t find a way to win.

Thomas, a two-time major champion, hadn’t won since capturing the 2022 PGA Championship.
Thomas shot 3-under 68, ending his bogey-free round with three consecutive pars. Novak was off the mark on a would-be winning 8-foot birdie putt on the last hole of regulation and also had 68 for the round.
Thomas led after the first and second rounds. He went ahead on the 15th hole Sunday with a 24 1/2-foot birdie putt, but Novak countered with a birdie from about 17 feet away on the 16th.
Daniel Berger (65 on Sunday), Brian Harman (69), Maverick McNealy (70) and Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes (67) tied for third place at 14 under. England’s Tommy Fleetwood (70) was seventh at 13 under.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler had climbed the leaderboard with three birdies in a five-hole stretch until a double-bogey 7 on the 15th hole and a bogey on No. 17 doomed his round. He shot 70, tying for eighth place with Russell Henley (70) and third-round leader Si Woo Kim of South Korea (74) at 12 under.
Kim was 2 over through 12 holes and his troubles continued with a double-bogey 5 on No. 14.
Bud Cauley’s 64 marked the best score of the final round. That put him at 7 under and tied for 32nd place.

Rory McIlroy claims play-off victory over Justin Rose to win The Masters and claim elusive fifth major; McIlroy becomes just the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam after an extraordinary final round at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy ended his long wait for a fifth major title and completed the career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose at The Masters.

McIlroy recovered from losing his overnight two-shot advantage with an opening-hole double bogey to initially take control at Augusta National, only to blow a four-shot lead over his closing six hols.

The world No 2 bogeyed the last to close a one-over 73 and slip back to 11 under alongside Rose, who overturned a seven-stroke deficit and posted a stunning final-round 66 to force a play-off.

The players returned to the 18th for the play-off, where McIlroy made amends for his 72nd-hole blunder by firing a stunning approach to within three feet of the pin and making the birdie putt required for a life-changing win.

McIlroy’s fifth major title is his first since the 2014 PGA Championship and makes him just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Lahore, Pakistan – The prestigious 11th J.A. Zaman Memorial Open Golf Championship is set to take place from April 6 to April 13, 2025, at the iconic Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club. Organized with the highest standards of excellence, the championship continues its legacy as one of Pakistan’s premier golfing events, attracting top professional and amateur golfers from across the country.

Continuing their valued partnership, Gem Golfers once again powers the championship with their cutting-edge digital experience. Their innovative live scoring technology has become a hallmark of the event, delivering real-time leaderboards accessible to both participants and fans. Whether following personal scores or tracking favorite players across various formats, spectators can stay fully engaged throughout the tournament via the Gem Golfers platform.

Having grown tremendously over the years, the J.A. Zaman Memorial Open has earned its place among the biggest golf tournaments in the nation, featuring a massive prize purse of PKR 9.0 million for professional players. This remarkable figure not only underscores the tournament’s stature but also reaffirms its commitment to promoting the sport of golf in Pakistan.

Golfers, fans, and media are invited to witness a week of high-stakes competition, remarkable talent, and top-tier golfing action at the Lahore Gymkhana Golf Club this April.

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