RG's "Fairway Focus" is a weekly look at golf's major tours. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights. Elliott previews the PGA TOUR in the Sunshine State this week, starting the Florida Swing at the Cognizant Classic. The LPGA’s “Asia Major” at HSBC and a review of this week's TGL action.
PGA TOUR Starts Florida Swing with Masters Slowly Coming into Sights
The PGA TOUR's Florida Swing kicks off this week at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, where defending champion Austin Eckroat looks to accomplish something not seen in over 45 years – winning back-to-back titles at PGA National Resort's Champion Course.
Austin Eckroat Back to Defend
Eckroat, who captured his maiden TOUR victory here last year with a three-shot triumph over Min Woo Lee and Erik van Rooyen, aims to become the first player to successfully defend at this event since Jack Nicklaus in 1977-78. Last year's winning score of 17-under-par 263 by Eckroat marked the lowest total in relation to par since Justin Leonard's victory in 2003, setting up what promises to be another compelling chapter in this tournament's rich history.
Compelling Storylines at PGA National
The field features several compelling storylines, headlined by Jordan Spieth making his PGA National debut as he continues his comeback from wrist surgery. The three-time major champion has shown flashes of form early in 2025, including a T4 finish at the WM Phoenix Open.
World No. 17 Russell Henley, the highest-ranked player in the field and 2014 champion here, leads a strong contingent that includes Shane Lowry (No. 18) and Sepp Straka (No. 19). Lowry, who finished runner-up at PGA National in 2022, comes in with confidence after a second-place showing at Pebble Beach earlier this year.
Local favorite Rickie Fowler returns to familiar territory. The Jupiter, Florida, resident captured the 2017 title and has accumulated four top-10 finishes at this event. He's among nine past champions in the field looking to reclaim glory at one of the TOUR's most demanding venues.
The "Bear Trap" Awaits
PGA National's Champion Course, measuring 7,167 yards as a par 71, presents a stern examination with water hazards lurking on 15 of 18 holes. The infamous "Bear Trap" – holes 15 through 17 – traditionally plays a decisive role in determining the champion. This year's setup features a newly converted par-5 10th hole, stretched to 550 yards, and widened fairway corridors restored to their 2012-13 specifications.
Next Week's API on Players Minds
This week's tournament also marks the final opportunity for players to earn their way into next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, a favorite stop on the TOUR schedule, via the Aon Next 10 and Aon Swing 5 qualifying criteria. Fresh off his breakthrough victory in Mexico, Brian Campbell makes his first start as a TOUR winner, having vaulted from 114th to 4th in the Aon Next 10 standings.
The action begins Thursday with coverage available on Golf Channel (2-6 p.m. ET Thursday-Friday) before shifting to NBC for weekend afternoon coverage.
TGL Roundup: Playoffs Coming Into Focus
MONDAY'S ACTION:
LA Golf Club Roars Back to Beat New York Golf Club
Los Angeles Golf Club staged a remarkable comeback against New York Golf Club on Monday, securing a playoff spot in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 overtime victory. Trailing 4-0 at the 12th tee with just a two-percent chance of winning, LAGC mounted an improbable rally led by Sahith Theegala's clutch 28-foot birdie putt. Tony Finau, playing on a one-match contract for LAGC, delivered under pressure with a crucial birdie on the 13th after excellent course management and timeout usage. Collin Morikawa completed the comeback by draining a 6-foot birdie on the par-3 14th to force overtime.
Atlanta Drive Secures Playoff Spot With Win Over Boston
Atlanta Drive GC secured their playoff spot with a commanding 6-3 victory over Boston Common Golf on Monday night, improving to 3-1 on the season. The match turned decisively at the 12th hole when Patrick "Patty Ice" Cantlay's precise approach shot, combined with a successful hammer play, gave Atlanta a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Billy Horschel sealed the victory with a clutch birdie on the par-3 14th, immediately celebrating with team owner Arthur Blank. Despite strong early play from Rory McIlroy, Boston Common Golf fell to 0-3-1, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
TUESDAY'S ACTION:
Bay Golf Club Remains Undefeated with Victory Over Jupiter Links
The Bay Golf Club maintained their perfect record with a convincing 6-3 victory over Jupiter Links, making a statement with Warriors-inspired jersey choices and Andre Iguodala leading them into SoFi Center. Min Woo Lee and Shane Lowry provided the fireworks, with Lee contributing his second chip-in of the season - a TGL first.
The match turned decisively during Triples when The Bay executed a masterful strategic play on the ninth hole. After accepting Jupiter's Hammer, Lee delivered a spectacular 258-yard approach to six feet. The Bay then returned the Hammer, setting up Lowry's eagle putt that pushed their lead to 5-1. Despite some entertaining moments from Kevin Kisner, including a self-proclaimed "spatial awareness" issue and calling his own shank, Jupiter Links couldn't mount a comeback. They remain in fifth place, with their playoff hopes now requiring both a win and help from others.
LPGA Tour Preview: "Asia's Major" The HSBC Women's World Championship
The LPGA Tour continues its Asian swing this week as 66 of the world's top players head to Singapore for the HSBC Women's World Championship, often dubbed "Asia's Major." The prestigious tournament returns to The Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club for its 17th edition, featuring a stellar field competing for a $2.4 million purse over 72 holes.
Hannah Greens Ready to Defend
Defending champion Hannah Green returns to the site of her dramatic 2024 victory, where she sealed the win with a clutch 27-foot putt on the final hole to edge out Celine Boutier. That victory sparked a career year for the Australian, who went on to capture two more titles in 2024. Green enters this week in solid form after a fourth-place finish at the recent Founders Cup.
A Stacked Field Comprised of the World's Best
Nine of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings will tee it up in Singapore, including world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who arrives fresh off a third-place finish at last week's Honda LPGA Thailand. The Thai star has an impressive track record at Sentosa, with a fourth-place finish in 2022 and a top-10 in 2023.
The tournament's prestige is reflected in its past champions, with 12 of the 14 previous winners also holding major championships. Two-time champion Jin Young Ko seeks her third victory at Sentosa after consecutive wins in 2022 and 2023, while 2021 winner Hyo Joo Kim also returns to the no-cut event.
The field includes all three 2025 LPGA Tour winners thus far: A Lim Kim, Yealimi Noh, and last week's champion Angel Yin, who captured her second career title in Thailand. Three rookies will make their tournament debuts: Miyu Yamashita, Miranda Wang, and Rio Takeda, with Takeda carrying momentum from a top-10 finish in Thailand.
Local Favorite and Sponsor Invites
Local interest centers on Singaporean Shannon Tan, who received one of five sponsor invitations. Tan enters with confidence after claiming her first Ladies European Tour victory in 2024 and representing Singapore at the Paris Olympics. The remaining sponsor invites went to veteran Danielle Kang, Muni He, LPGA Tour rookie Miranda Wang, and Singaporean amateur Xingtong Chen.
With its combination of elite talent, historic venue, and significant purse, the HSBC Women's World Championship continues to live up to its reputation as one of the most important stops on the LPGA Tour calendar.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
