Golf enthusiasts are in for a diverse week as the professional tours span the globe. The PGA Tour heads to Utah, featuring a competitive field vying for FedEx Cup Fall standings. Simultaneously, South Korea becomes a hotbed of golf activity, hosting the thrilling team-format LPGA Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown and the crucial European Tour Genesis Championship, a key event for Race to Dubai qualification and PGA Tour cards. Adding to the excitement, the PGA Tour Champions continue their postseason quest in Arkansas.
This week presents a unique global showcase for professional golf, with major tours hosting tournaments spanning the United States, South Korea, and other international locales. From the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall grind to pivotal qualification events on the European and LPGA circuits, the stakes are high and the storylines compelling for golf fans worldwide.
The PGA Tour: Bank of Utah Championship Heats Up the Desert
The PGA Tour is back in action at the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah, following an open week. This marks the second year for the tournament, now boasting a title sponsor. The field, though without some of the tour’s biggest names, is far from lacking in talent, featuring five of the top 50 players in the world. Notably, Alex Noren (No. 17) and Maverick McNealy (No. 19) lead the charge among those looking to make a significant move in the standings.
The FedEx Cup Fall series is critical for players outside the top 70, as only the top 100 after these events will secure fully exempt status for 2026. Players ranked 51-70 are also battling to clinch spots in the initial Signature Events of 2026. This week’s tournament offers a $6 million purse, with the winner taking home $1.08 million. Defending champion Matt McCarty, who won after a stellar 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season, will be looking to repeat his success. Local ties are also a strong theme, with all four unrestricted sponsor exemptions going to players with Utah connections, including local favorite Preston Summerhays and Utah Tech freshman David Liechty. Fans can follow the action on the Golf Channel and through the official PGA Tour website.
LPGA Tour: The International Crown Crowns a Champion in South Korea
South Korea takes center stage for the LPGA Tour this week, hosting the highly anticipated Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown at New Korea CC in Goyang. This unique team competition pits seven countries and a “rest of the world” team against each other in a battle for national pride. The event, which debuted in 2014, features players whose participation was determined by the Women’s World Ranking.
The format sees teams divided into two pools, competing in four-ball matches from Thursday to Saturday. The top two countries from each pool advance to Sunday’s semifinals and finals, which consist of one foursomes and two singles matches. This year’s competition includes powerhouses like the United States, South Korea, Australia, Thailand (the defending champions), Japan, Sweden, and China. A notable change is the addition of a World Team, allowing top-ranked players like Lydia Ko (New Zealand) and Brooke Henderson (Canada) to participate. Unfortunately, Nelly Korda withdrew from the U.S. team due to nagging injuries, a significant development for the American squad. More details on the teams and their matchups can be found on the LPGA Tour’s official site.
International Crown Team Lineups & Pool Structure:
- Pool A: No. 1 United States, No. 4 Australia, No. 5 Thailand, No. 8 People’s Republic of China
- Pool B: No. 2 Japan, No. 3 Republic of Korea, No. 6 Sweden, No. 7 World Team (Brooke Henderson, Charley Hull, Wei-Ling Hsu, Lydia Ko)
European Tour: Genesis Championship – The Road to Dubai Narrows
Also in South Korea, the European Tour hosts the Genesis Championship at Woo Jeong Hills CC in Cheonan. This event is immensely significant as it marks the final opportunity for the leading 70 players to qualify for the tour’s two concluding tournaments for the Race to Dubai. The stakes are high not just for European Tour status, but also for those vying for PGA Tour cards, with Keita Nakajima (No. 9 on the PGA Tour card list) in the field.
The tournament boasts a $4 million prize purse and features an impressive international field, including former Masters champions Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott. Home-country favorites like Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim will undoubtedly draw significant local support. While Rory McIlroy holds a substantial lead in the Race to Dubai, the battle for the top 110 spots, which guarantee full European Tour cards for 2026, remains fierce. Players like Dylan Frittelli and Bernd Wiesberger are currently on the bubble, making this a tension-filled week. Fans can stay updated via the DP World Tour website.
PGA Tour Champions: Playoffs Intensify in Arkansas
Stateside, the PGA Tour Champions continues its postseason journey with the Simmons Bank Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas. This is the second of three playoff events, where the field of 52 players will be cut to the leading 36 who advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship next month in Arizona. The tournament’s return to Arkansas for its middle playoff leg adds a fresh dynamic to the senior circuit.
A major storyline to watch is 68-year-old Bernhard Langer, who, despite not being in this week’s field, has only one tournament left to extend his remarkable streak of winning at least once every year since turning 50. Last week’s winner, Justin Leonard, made history with an eagle on the final hole to secure his victory and became the seventh multiple winner on the PGA Tour Champions this year. Padraig Harrington is the defending champion, and Miguel Angel Jimenez currently leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings. The competition for a spot in the season finale is intense, making this a must-watch event for senior golf fans.
Other Tours Around the World
Beyond the major tours, golf action continues globally with several other significant tournaments:
- Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship: Emirates GC (Majlis), Dubai, UAE.
- Asian Tour: International Series Philippines, Sta Elena GC, Santa Rosa, Philippines.
- Ladies European Tour: Wistron Ladies Open, Sunrise Golf and CC, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
- PGA Tour of Australasia: Webex Players Series-South Australia, Willunga GC, Willunga, Australia.
- Sunshine Tour: Blu Label Unlimited Challenge, Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa.
- Legends Tour: Sergio Melpignano Senior Italian Open, San Domenico GC, Puglia, Italy.
- Japan LPGA: Nobuta Group Masters, Masters GC, Hyogo, Japan.
- Korea LPGA: Gwangnamilbo-Happiness Open, Happiness CC, Naju, South Korea.
This week highlights the truly global nature of professional golf, offering a wide array of formats, venues, and crucial season-defining moments for players across all major tours. Whether it’s the individual grind for status on the PGA Tour, the intense team dynamics of the LPGA International Crown, or the high-stakes qualification on the European Tour, fans have plenty to follow.
