Justin, welcome to the BMW PGA Championship. This is a bit of a home game for you. Just tell us how much you enjoy being here at Wentworth.

JUSTIN ROSE: Obviously great to be playing so close to home. The BMW PGA Championship obviously a flagship on the DP World Tour. It feels that way.

It feels like a great tournament. I always feel like this tournament is so well supported.

It does have a good buzz about it, and then obviously there’s the local feel of friends and family coming out to play.

Yeah, a very special week. I always feel like when I start getting my head around the tournament, there’s a month to go, I’ve got to play the course, oh, the course is closed.

I feel like I don’t do a good enough job early enough in the year to get the home course advantage set.

Obviously we all know this course so well. We’ve been coming here for many, many years. Yeah, it’s a wonderful week.

It’s obviously been a pretty positive season for you. How are you feeling coming into this week?

It’s been a good season for sure. I feel like my good golf has been very, very good, and maybe haven’t accessed that good golf as much as I would have liked.

There’s always things to look back on and say, you know what, I would have preferred this or I need to push harder on that.

There’s definitely areas of my game that are holding me back, which I think provide a for the off-season and what I need to work on to continue to compete at the highest level.

I’m excited with where I’m at, what I feel I’m still capable of.

It would be nice to have a strong finish to the season. To compartmentalise the year into the PGA TOUR, FedExCup, and then postseason with the Race to Dubai for the DP World Tour.

Now this sort of next phase is beginning in my mind with some really strong events.

A couple of bucket list tournaments I’d love to win in my career remain, which is this one and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Those are two events that definitely are always on my radar.

Two things, please. Your high point of the year, and then what’s the most significant thing that’s happened in golf this year?

My high point of the year would have been record score at Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance, now known as The Sentry as of next year.

Winning by seven, that was a nice runaway victory, which I haven’t had many of in my career.

Seeing Tiger Woods play great golf at Torrey Pines in my lifetime, to have the accolade of having a record score there was incredible. The golf I played that week was amazing. So that’s the highlight for me.

Then what’s the biggest thing that’s happened in golf? Maybe it’s happening at the moment with just sort of the structures of the Tours.

There’s been a lot of rumbling for a number of years, but I feel like the PGA TOUR has finally set its destination, set its intention, and set its structure.

Rivalling Tours are sort of finding their way through the transition as well at the moment.

Yeah, I think we’re in the final throes of all that playing out, which is probably the biggest thing.

Is it better now than it was at the beginning of the year?

I think there’s more clarity, which I think players want. I think that when there’s clarity, you know what you’re aiming for, you know what you’re practising for, you know what you’re trying to achieve. That’s a good place for players to be.

I feel like it’s — I’m speaking obviously from very much a PGA TOUR lens at the moment, which is obviously not the be-all end-all in golf, don’t get me wrong, but from that point of view, it does tend to have a knock-on effect for other areas of the game.

There’s a meritocracy there. There’s enough capacity for everybody. These 120-man fields versus 50s and 70s, which is very cutthroat, and I think you get a lot of top players missing out in those scenarios too.

I feel like the structure is very exclusive, very hard earned, but yet there’s enough opportunity there for everybody to play. So I think it’s a nice balance there.

We’ve heard rumours from 2028 onwards about a global fall series, DP World Tour and PGA TOUR combined. I’m just curious, is there anywhere you’d like the DP World Tour to go to that it hasn’t been before or maybe somewhere it doesn’t currently go?

For me personally, places that I would personally like to play more golf again that I have played in my career would be Japan and Australia.

I think they’re great venues that have a great golf history, great golf heritage, great golf fan base that I personally feel I haven’t really had the opportunity to go and play in the last decade at least.

For me, just sweeping statement, that’s what I would like, yeah.

Really, 2028, the fall of 2028 feels like a long time away. So certainly don’t have any strong thoughts on that.

You talked about this being a bucket list event. What do you feel has held you back here in the past?

I mean, there’s a lot of tournaments I haven’t won. I guess I’ve been close. I’ve had two seconds.

Lost in a playoff to Anders Hansen back in the day, 2007, and duked with out with Luke Donald in 2012. I’m sure I’ve had some opportunities since then, but nothing is close.

Sometimes a bit of circumstance. Other times — yeah, nothing I can really put my finger on. Is it a busy week for me? Yeah. Is there too much distraction? Maybe.

If I had to choose one thing, it would just be the distraction of playing at home. It hasn’t always been home for me. I can’t really make that as an excuse. That’s really only been recent years. Yeah, hard to put my finger on it.

Q. And you mentioned the restructuring of Tours and things over the next couple of years. Where do you hope to see the DP World Tour when that kicks in in 2028?

JUSTIN ROSE: I think obviously having a really strong presence. I think the PGA TOUR has become more intense in terms of the competition to have your spot, and also the calendar has condensed as well. It’s very much cutthroat. It’s very much packed in. It’s very much quality event after quality event, but it leaves a lot of room open in a 12-month calendar.

So it leaves huge opportunity as well for some very special events and for players to enjoy travelling the world playing a sport that they love. I think there’s huge opportunity for the DP World Tour going forward, yeah.

Q. Could you talk about the difference between Luke Donald when he first became captain and what he’s like now.

I think I’ve said — I’m not sure if I’ve said it publicly, but I’d be willing to, I think that Luke has used the captaincy so incredibly well to sort of grow as an individual and so impressively so.

I think that he has really taken on that leadership role with all that he’s got.

I think he’s really challenged himself to read up about leadership, to surround himself by great people.

I’m sure he’s learned so much along the way, and he’s just been such a steady, safe, and calm pair of hands but so well-versed. I think he’s created a lot of trust because of that.

As a player and maybe as a character, he’s sort of naturally introverted, which maybe doesn’t necessarily — like wouldn’t be your preconceived idea to sort of think what a leader is all about, but I think what Luke brings is that calm, steady, very much meticulous approach that served him so well with his own career.

Yet he’s sort of found it within himself to become incredibly inspiring as well, which I think is a great combination.

Q. Have there been any courses that you’ve played this year that have been particularly badly affected by weather?

Royal Birkdale. Obviously it was one of those summers we had at Muirfield, I think 2013 it was.

Not badly affected in a bad sense, but when you think of how an Open is going to play out, it played very differently to that.

When you structured your game plan at the beginning of the week, by the end part of the week, you were doing something completely different just because you started to understand what was in your mind, the previous penalty for a miss was no longer there anymore because it was burnt out or for whatever reason.

I would say that’s where weather affected how you saw and how you played a golf course for sure.

What irons does Justin Rose use?

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From discovering golf at the age of seven alongside his father to leading England Golf through one of the most challenging and transformative periods in the sport’s history, the journey of England Golf’s CEO has been shaped by competition, leadership and a deep belief in the game’s ability to bring people together.

In this wide-ranging interview with Matt Nicholson, he reflects on the experiences that prepared him for the role, the enormous pressures of the Covid lockdowns and the remarkable surge in participation that followed. He also looks at the changing face of golf, the impact of the World Handicap System, the success of iGolf and the challenges facing clubs across England.

Perhaps most importantly, he explains why the future of the game depends on making golf feel more welcoming, accessible, and relevant to everyone – while respecting the traditions that have made it such a special sport for generations.

• How did your own journey into golf begin, and what was it about the game that first hooked you?

My entry into golf was an easy one. I had a father who was a consummate sportsman. He was a fencer, and a cricketer. He always used to participate in sport over his weekends, and as his knees started to give way playing cricket, he then wanted to find another sport.

So part of the deal with my mother when he presented golf as his next sport to her, was that he had to take at least one of the children with him.

Then one day, when I was seven, he returned home, presented me with a pair of golf shoes, a set of golf clubs, and a junior membership of Redhill & Reigate Golf Club, and stated that: “You’re going to come out and play golf with me.” So I did!

It was a sport that immediately got me hooked and I instantly took to, it was challenging and very competitive which I loved, and also something I could do with my dad.

• Was there a moment early on when you realised golf would play a major role in your professional life, not just personally?

Yes, it happened in my first job. I was working for an insurance broker called Lowndes Lambert.

Not long after joining the business, someone in management discovered that I played off a scratch handicap. Before long, the Managing Director reached out to me. Not only did he want to meet me, but he also invited me to play golf with him.

We played at Walton Heath, a magnificent course, and had a fantastic day. It made me feel incredibly valued. As you might expect, I came away thinking, “Wow, perhaps this sport can have a positive impact on my career as well.” Little did I know just how far that would take me.

Golf has a remarkable way of opening doors. For an ambitious young person at the start of their career, it creates opportunities to build relationships, learn from experienced leaders, and gain exposure to people you might not otherwise meet. Looking back, that round at Walton Heath was the first glimpse of the role golf would go on to play throughout my professional life.

• Before becoming CEO of England Golf, what experiences best prepared you for leading the national governing body?

There have been several defining experiences, really.

Professionally, I have worked in the golf industry since 1990 and was fortunate, in a previous role, to lead an important part of the world for the Titleist and FootJoy brands. It was a phenomenal opportunity and provided me with a first-class education in leadership, brand management, and the disciplines required to build and sustain world-class organisations.

Away from my professional career, I have always loved competitive golf. Over the years, I have had the privilege of representing my home county, Wiltshire, at junior, colts, first-team and senior levels, a journey that has now spanned 44 years and counting.

I have also represented my region at both first-team and senior level, which gave me a deep understanding of amateur representative golf across almost every stage of the game.

Alongside playing, I became increasingly involved in the administration and governance of the sport. I served on my golf club committee, captained both Wiltshire and the South West region, and sat on their respective committees.

These experiences provided valuable insight into how golf clubs operate, how counties and regions are managed, and the challenges and opportunities involved in growing the game.

When I look back, it is the combination of these professional, playing, leadership and governance experiences that has shaped my perspective and stood me in good stead throughout my career

• The Covid period was one of the most challenging times golf has faced, what were the pressures like when courses were forced to close?

To be honest, the impact was enormous.

I had been in post for only around two and a half months when the first national lockdown was announced. On 23 March 2020, I signed and sent a letter to every golf club in England directing them to close for the foreseeable future.

At that moment, the health of the nation had to take priority. Looking back, those were extraordinary times, and you do not fully appreciate the magnitude of what you are writing and communicating in the moment.

Within a week or two of lockdown beginning, England Golf was receiving calls and emails from many clubs across the country, expressing concern about their financial future.

There was genuine uncertainty. Golf clubs wanted to know how they would survive, how long restrictions would last, and what support might be available to them.

During that period, we held weekly Zoom calls with the Minister for Sport alongside the leaders of other national governing bodies.

Together, we were seeking answers, sharing information, and exploring how sport could safely return when restrictions were eventually lifted. Much of our focus was on developing practical and responsible ways for people to get back to playing while protecting public health.

What I remember most was the incredible sense of unity and camaraderie across the sporting landscape. Everyone was facing the same challenge and working towards the same goal.

What happened next was remarkable. In the early weeks of lockdown, I was genuinely concerned that many golf clubs could face severe financial difficulties.

Yet within a matter of weeks, the narrative began to change dramatically. We started receiving dozens of calls and emails from clubs reporting unprecedented levels of interest from prospective members. Even during lockdown, demand for golf was growing.

A powerful shift in attitudes towards health, wellbeing and outdoor recreation had begun to emerge. Former members who had not belonged to a club for years wanted to return.

Footballers, cricketers, rugby players and tennis players were all discovering, or rediscovering, golf. As many team sports remained restricted, golf offered an opportunity to be active, social and outdoors.

The demand came from people of all ages and backgrounds. Golf clubs across England quickly began filling their membership and, in many cases, developing waiting lists.

The turnaround was extraordinary. In fact, on some of the later governing body calls, I almost felt uncomfortable talking about the growth golf was experiencing when so many other sports were still facing significant hardship.

For golf, it was a period of unexpected resurgence. At a time when there was so much uncertainty, the game demonstrated just how valuable it could be to people’s physical health, mental wellbeing and sense of community.

• Did the responsibility of those decisions affect you personally, away from the job title?

If you genuinely care about what you do, it is difficult for it not to affect you personally.

I was still relatively new in the role and having to learn at an extraordinary pace about the responsibilities that came with it. I brought a broad range of experience to the position, but governance was a new environment for me, so there was a great deal to absorb and understand in a very short space of time.

I can honestly say that the role has changed me as a person. One of the biggest lessons has been the importance of bringing people with you when making decisions. In a membership organisation, that means listening, engaging and seeking to build consensus wherever possible.

The pressures were significant and, at times, stressful, but I count myself as one of the fortunate few who gets to do a job they genuinely love.

Every day, I have the privilege of promoting and standing up for a sport that has given me so much throughout my life. It becomes more than just a job, it becomes a vocation.

When setbacks come, they can be hard to take personally, but you quickly learn that resilience is vital. You have to dust yourself off, support one another as a team, and keep moving forward.

One of the most important lessons from the pandemic was that golf needed to present itself differently.

For too long, the sport had often spoken to itself rather than to new audiences. Many people still held outdated perceptions of golf, seeing it as exclusive or inaccessible.

The pandemic highlighted the need for the game to communicate with greater openness, humility and relevance if it was to continue growing.

While nobody would ever wish to experience another pandemic, it did create an opportunity for golf to challenge perceptions and rethink how it engaged with the wider public.

That work continues today, and we remain committed to showing that golf is a modern, welcoming and enjoyable sport for people from all backgrounds.

As we emerged from the pandemic, there were many influential voices who questioned golf’s place and were unhappy that the sport was able to reopen as early as it did. At times, that was difficult to hear and harder still to accept.

However, those challenges encouraged us to think differently and helped inspire initiatives such as Respect in Golf, which reflects our belief that golf should be a sport for everyone.

Our aim is simple: to ensure people see golf for what it truly is, an inclusive, accessible and welcoming game that can be enjoyed by all.

• Looking back now, what lessons did England Golf learn from navigating the pandemic?

As already noted, there were many lessons and opportunities that emerged from that period.

Perhaps the most important was the need to rethink how we present golf and ensure that it is seen as the inclusive and welcoming sport it truly is.

We had to challenge outdated perceptions that golf was a sport only for older people or a select few. The reality is very different.

Golf is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability or disability. These are the sport’s greatest strengths and things we should celebrate far more confidently.

We learned that we needed to tell that story more effectively. Promoting golf positively could no longer be left to chance; it required a disciplined and structured approach.

We needed to highlight the breadth of our membership, showcase the many pathways into the sport, and demonstrate the physical, mental and social benefits that golf can provide. Most importantly, we had to help people see that there is far more to the game than many of its traditional stereotypes suggest.

Those challenges became a catalyst for change. They directly influenced the development of our 2025 strategic plan, Let’s Inspire More Golfers, and helped shape the Respect in Golf movement.

Together, they have informed our approach to some of the most important priorities facing the game today, including safeguarding, sustainability, inclusivity and participation.

Looking back, I believe the pandemic accelerated our thinking and challenged us to become a better, more outward-looking organisation. It encouraged us to communicate more effectively, engage with a broader audience and take a more modern approach to growing the game.

Of course, with growth comes responsibility.

The post-pandemic surge in participation brought many new people into golf, and our focus now is on ensuring they remain part of the sport for years to come. We want every golfer to have a positive experience, because people who enjoy the game become its greatest advocates.

Ultimately, our ambition is simple: to create an environment where more people feel able to say, “Golf is a game for me.” And even better to have young people stating that “golf is cool!” If we can achieve that, those golfers will, in turn, inspire the next generation to pick up a club and discover everything the sport has to offer.

• Post-Covid, the game has experienced a remarkable participation boom, why do you think golf resonated so strongly at that time?

There are no two ways about it. Coming out of the pandemic, people began thinking much more seriously about their health and wellbeing, and golf answered that need admirably.

Golf is a wonderful sport because it offers so much more than competition alone. It gets people outdoors, provides gentle but meaningful physical exercise, and presents a constant mental challenge. It is one of the few activities that benefits both body and mind in equal measure.

There is a saying that when you’re playing golf, you cannot think about anything else. The game demands your full attention.

In a world that often feels busy and distracting, that makes golf a great escape. To play well, you have to focus completely on the shot in front of you, and that combination of challenge, concentration and enjoyment is one of the reasons people keep coming back to it.

The post-pandemic period also saw renewed investment across the sport. Whether from established golf clubs or new entrepreneurs, golf once again became an attractive proposition.

New facilities emerged, offering a wider variety of formats and experiences for golfers of different ages, abilities and interests. That innovation has helped broaden the game’s appeal and sustain its growth.

We also saw a significant influx of participants from other sports. Many activities remained restricted for longer than golf, and people who may never previously have considered playing the game decided to give it a try.

What many discovered was that golf complements other sports exceptionally well. As a result, golf has become the second sport of choice for countless footballers, cricketers, rugby players, tennis players and athletes from many other disciplines.

That is one of golf’s unique strengths. It does not have to take over your life. You can continue to play your primary sport while enjoying golf alongside it.

In many ways, golf is as much a lifestyle activity as it is a sport, offering flexibility, enjoyment, friendship, competition and personal challenge throughout every stage of life.

As a sport, and alongside many valued stakeholders, our responsibility is to build on that momentum.

We are committed to creating opportunities for everyone who wants to play, ensuring that golf remains accessible, welcoming and relevant to future generations.

• How important is it to convert those new and returning golfers into long-term participants, and how is England Golf supporting that?

It is hugely important that every golfer, whether new to the game, returning after time away, or already actively involved, feels welcome, valued and part of a sport that is relevant to them.

That principle sits at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to develop and strengthen the ways in which we communicate with golfers and prospective golfers across the country.

One of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been the response from golf clubs themselves.

Clubs across England have embraced the influx of new members and, importantly, have recognised the value that greater diversity brings to their communities.

More younger people and more women are choosing to take up the game, and clubs are increasingly seeing the benefits of creating environments that are welcoming and attractive to a broader audience.

Our role is to support clubs as they continue to evolve. That includes helping them develop progressive membership models, providing greater flexibility, and ensuring their offer appeals to the widest possible demographic. The goal is simple: to make it easier for more people to discover, enjoy and remain connected to the game.

This is where a strong strategy with a clear purpose becomes so important. Our approach is built around four fundamental principles: ensuring golf is safe, inclusive, sustainable and inspiring. Together, these pillars provide a framework for the long-term growth of the sport and help ensure that golf remains relevant, accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.

Ultimately, if we can create a sport where people feel welcomed, respected and inspired, then golf will continue to thrive, attracting new players while retaining those who already love the game.

• The introduction of the World Handicap System was a major shift, how do you assess its impact so far?

The simple reality is that the facts continue to show that the World Handicap System (WHS) has been extremely positive for the game.

It is easy to forget that, in the decade leading up to the introduction of WHS, golf clubs in England experienced year-on-year declines in membership. At the same time, the number of golfers returning competition scores and submitting scores for handicap purposes also fell consistently over that period.

The launch of WHS changed that landscape significantly. It reignited interest in handicapping and encouraged more golfers to engage with the process of measuring and tracking their performance.

Suddenly, more players wanted to submit scores, maintain an accurate handicap, and better understand how their game compared over time.

Is WHS perfect? No. Like any major initiative, there are aspects that can be refined and improved.

That is why we continue to work closely with The R&A and the USGA to review feedback, address concerns and explore ways to enhance the system. Continuous improvement is an important part of ensuring the handicap system remains fair, relevant and fit for purpose.

However, the underlying trends are clear. We have never seen more scores being submitted by golfers who want to hold and maintain a handicap. That reflects a growing desire among players to challenge themselves, track their progress and measure their performance in one of the most demanding and rewarding sports there is.

At its heart, golf remains a game built on integrity. Whether scores are returned in competition or through general play, the system relies on honesty and trust from every golfer. That principle has always existed and remains fundamental to the sport today.

While debate about the finer points of WHS will undoubtedly continue, the overall impact has been overwhelmingly positive. It has increased engagement, encouraged more score submissions, and helped more golfers participate in handicapping than ever before. In doing so, it has played an important role in supporting the continued growth and popularity of the game.

• What would you say to golfers who were initially sceptical of WHS but are now using it week in, week out?

To any golfers who were sceptical of the World Handicap System when it was introduced, or who remain frustrated by aspects of it today, I would encourage them to keep an open mind and consider the bigger picture.

Before WHS, the handicapping landscape was facing significant challenges. Participation levels were declining, fewer golfers were returning scores, and engagement with the handicap system was falling year after year. The introduction of WHS was designed to address those issues and create a more modern, accessible, and globally aligned approach to handicapping.

WHS is now firmly established as the future of handicapping and is here to stay. While no system is perfect, the overall trends are undoubtedly encouraging. More people are playing golf than ever before, more golfers are maintaining handicaps, and more scores are being submitted throughout the year. Those are all positive indicators for the long-term health of the game.

Of course, with any significant change, there will be aspects that work well and others that require ongoing review and refinement. Listening to golfers and continuing to improve the system remains an important part of the journey. Constructive feedback has a valuable role to play in helping the game evolve.

However, when viewed holistically, the evidence suggests that WHS has delivered meaningful benefits for golf. It has increased engagement, encouraged greater participation, and helped more golfers connect with the challenge and enjoyment of measuring their progress through handicapping.

My hope is that those who still have reservations will continue to judge WHS not only on individual frustrations or experiences, but on its broader impact on the game. The statistics tell a compelling story, and they point to a system that has played an important role in supporting the growth, accessibility, and continued popularity of golf.

• iGolf has been a significant step in widening access to the game, how proud are you of its success?

We are incredibly proud of the success of the iGolf platform and the positive impact it has already had on the game.

Often, the hardest part of any innovation is making the decision to act. Once we had established how best to support and serve independent golfers, and launched iGolf, the programme quickly exceeded expectations and has gone from strength to strength.

At the outset, some stakeholders were understandably concerned that thousands of golfers might leave their clubs and choose to become iGolf subscribers instead. In reality, that simply did not happen. Golf club membership offers far more than just the ability to hold a handicap. It provides a sense of belonging, regular competition, social connection and access to a golfing community, all of which remain highly valued by golfers.

In fact, rather than undermining club membership, iGolf has helped strengthen the overall golfing ecosystem. To date, in excess of 30,000 iGolf subscribers have gone on to join affiliated golf clubs, demonstrating that iGolf can act as a gateway into club membership rather than an alternative to it. With around 83,000 registered iGolfers currently participating, that represents a remarkable success story for the sport.

Perhaps most importantly, iGolf has given thousands of independent golfers the opportunity to obtain and maintain an official handicap, enabling them to track their progress and measure their performance wherever they choose to play. In doing so, it has made the game more accessible and inclusive, opening the door to people whose lifestyles or circumstances may not suit traditional club membership.

That is why we see iGolf as such an important development for the future of the game. It provides greater flexibility, broadens participation and creates new pathways into golf, all while supporting the long-term growth of clubs and the wider sport. Ultimately, it reinforces a simple but important principle: there should be a place in golf for everyone.

• Do you see iGolf as a gateway into club membership, or as a long-term alternative in its own right?

Absolutely. iGolf has proven to be an excellent gateway into golf club membership, although it is important to stress that England Golf does not place any pressure on iGolf subscribers to join a golf club.

What iGolf has demonstrated is something many of us in golf already understood, once people obtain a handicap, they become more engaged with the game and increasingly motivated to test themselves. As golfers begin measuring their progress and comparing their performances, a natural desire for greater competition often follows.

For many, the most rewarding and straightforward way to satisfy that ambition is through golf club membership. That is borne out by the fact that over 30,000 iGolf subscribers have already transitioned into club membership, and I have every confidence that many more will do so in the years ahead.

Of course, joining a golf club offers far more than access to organised competition. It provides a social environment, a sense of belonging, lasting friendships and the unique camaraderie that exists within golf communities across the country. Those experiences are at the heart of what makes club membership so valuable and enjoyable.

At the same time, iGolf continues to thrive in its own right. It has given thousands of independent golfers the opportunity to enjoy the game on their own terms while maintaining an official handicap and feeling connected to the wider golfing community. In doing so, it has become a powerful example of how greater flexibility and inclusivity can benefit both golfers and golf clubs alike.

Ultimately, iGolf is helping more people engage with the game, whether they choose to remain independent golfers or eventually join a club. Either outcome is positive for the sport, and together they are contributing to a stronger, more welcoming and more inclusive future for golf.

• What are the biggest challenges currently facing golf clubs in England?

Golf clubs are, of course, independent businesses in their own right, whether they operate as proprietary facilities or member-owned organisations. While many clubs face similar issues, each has its own circumstances, priorities and challenges, meaning there is no single solution that fits every club.

If I were to highlight some of the most significant challenges currently facing the sector, ongoing financial pressures would certainly be among them. Rising payroll costs, increasing business rates and broader economic uncertainty continue to place considerable strain on many golf clubs as they seek to balance investment, service standards and long-term sustainability.

Another increasingly important issue is water security. Access to reliable water resources is fundamental to maintaining golf courses and ensuring that members and visitors can continue to enjoy quality playing conditions. As environmental pressures grow and regulations evolve, water management is becoming a critical strategic consideration for many clubs across the country.

England Golf works closely with clubs to help them navigate these challenges, providing guidance, support and advocacy where appropriate. We also continue to represent the interests of the game with government and other key stakeholders, ensuring that the voice of golf is heard clearly on issues that have a direct impact on clubs and their future sustainability.

While the challenges are real, the resilience of golf clubs should not be underestimated. Across England, clubs continue to adapt, innovate and invest in their futures, and we remain committed to supporting them as they do so.

• How does England Golf balance protecting the traditions of the game while ensuring it evolves for modern players?

Personally, I believe there is room in golf for both tradition and innovation. The game’s rich heritage is one of its greatest strengths, but it is equally important that we remain open to new ideas, formats and ways of participating. Golf is currently enjoying an extraordinary period of popularity, and with that comes an exciting opportunity to embrace the many different ways people choose to engage with the sport.

Whether someone is a dedicated competitive golfer, a casual fair-weather player, a driving range enthusiast, or enjoys playing on simulators, they are all part of the wider golfing community. The sport has evolved significantly in recent years, and that evolution should be welcomed. As long as we continue to prioritise inclusivity and accessibility, there is every reason why historical traditions can exist alongside new ones, enriching the game for everyone.

The key is ensuring that golf remains relevant, welcoming and enjoyable for people from all backgrounds and at every stage of their golfing journey. By broadening opportunities to participate, we can continue to attract new audiences while preserving the values that have made the game so special for generations.

Above all, Respect in Golf must remain central to everything we do. There should be no place for discrimination of any kind within our sport. Golf should be a game where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to participate with confidence. If we can continue to uphold those principles, the future of the game is incredibly bright.

• Looking ahead, what does success look like for England Golf over the next five to ten years?

We’re on a really positive path, guided by a clear and simple compass: “Let’s Inspire More Golfers.”

That clarity of purpose makes success easier to define. For me, success is ensuring that golf is a safe, inclusive, sustainable and inspiring sport for everyone who wants to play. If we continue to focus on those principles and communicate them effectively, the future of the game will remain incredibly bright.

Our responsibility is to create an environment where people feel welcome, valued and able to participate in whatever way suits them best. Whether they are taking their first steps into the game, returning after many years away, or are lifelong golfers, everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits that golf can offer.

If we continue to make the sport accessible, relevant and enjoyable, while supporting clubs, facilities and golfers across the country, I am confident that participation will continue to grow.

Ultimately, the ambition is simple: to inspire more people to discover, enjoy and stay involved in the game we all love. If we can achieve that, then golf will continue to thrive for generations to come.

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Ryan Fox reveals how he tamed Royal Birkdale’s fiery fairways and tricky greens to win the Open Championship

How does it feel to be Champion Golfer the Year?

Surreal, to be honest. It’s something you dream of. I used to get up in the middle of the night to watch this tournament when I was a kid back home. To even get a chance to play in it seemed like a pipe dream, so now to be an Open champion, to be the Champion Golfer of the Year, it’s unbelievable, crazy. I don’t have enough words in my vocabulary to explain it, to be honest.

And the second champion from New Zealand following on from Sir Bob Charles; that’s quite a distinction in itself?

It is. 1963, wasn’t it, at Lytham? So yeah, that’s huge for New Zealand golf. I think we’ve got four major champions from New Zealand now: Michael Campbell, Lydia Ko, a multi-major champion, and Sir Bob, so to be able to join them is amazing. To have my own little piece of history too is amazing.

Your sporting heritage with your dad and the All Blacks, and your grandfather as the New Zealand cricket captain, is well documented and something you’ve constantly been reminded of, so what does it mean to sort of stand shoulder to shoulder with them?

 Yeah, we’ve got a great history in our family. I think the other great thing is I had no pressure on me to follow in any of their footsteps. I was lucky enough to carve my own path there and had support from both my grandfather early on and obviously mum and dad through the whole thing. I don’t know if this tops their achievements, but it’s certainly right up there. I guess there’s no pressure on my kids going forward now!

Would it be fair to say that that’s probably the best golf you’ve ever played in your life, the way you tackled that 18th hole? And can you talk about the emotions coming up there?

Yeah, definitely the first part. I mean, I hit two shots exactly how I wanted to hit them. I didn’t feel anything for the putt; everything was shaking that much. I was just happy to hit it somewhat near the hole, and to see it go in was incredible.

I did say to my caddie, Dean, on the tee that we were going to take it on, that I was going to try to win the tournament, and I’d live with the consequences if I stuffed it up. To go out there and execute, and to hit it in the fairway and give myself a chance, was huge.

Then I landed on a good number. I think I had 175 yards to the hole. The breeze was a little down off the left. Obviously everything is a bit jammed up there, so it was just a solid 9, and I hit it exactly where I wanted to hit it. I think I screamed to it, ‘Please be good’ in the air, and it was.

To cap it off with a putt — everyone practises on the green, I guess, you’ve got to a putt to win a major championship, to win The Open. It’s not like that in real life. It’s not a very comfortable feeling, but it’s certainly very enjoyable when you see it go in.

Your best finish in this championship before today was tied for 16th at Royal Portrush in 2019. What clicked for you this week?

I just always loved links golf from the first time I played it. I just love the creativity needed. Growing up in New Zealand, we play in a fair bit of wind, so getting to do that and having to control your ball and hit some not proper golf shots or not normal golf shots is really cool, and that’s probably what I enjoy about golf and links golf specifically, the most.

I feel like I’ve played well in Opens before but just never really put four rounds together. I probably wouldn’t say I put four rounds together this week either. I put three together to give myself even a chance today after yesterday’s round. You’re not expecting that going out, even though you feel like you can shoot a low score early, to go out and shoot 62 and go from 52nd place to be out in the last group on Sunday doesn’t happen very often.

To go out with the pressure on, with a chance to win The Open, and to actually do it – I didn’t know what I was going to feel going out there today. I did say to my caddie a few holes in, I feel better than I thought I was going to feel, but I probably still didn’t feel that comfortable. But got a little bit more comfortable down the stretch.

Why do you think it’s Birkdale in particular where you’ve won your Open Championship?

Honestly, I don’t know. I played here in 2017 and really liked the course. Even though I missed the cut, something felt good about it. It’s a golf course I feel comfortable on. I like how its played this week, firm and fast, and that you could take it on a little bit. If you were aggressive and pulled it off, you could shoot a score. I think it’s one of the best courses on The Open rota, and the changes they made for this year were incredible. I can now say I’m looking forward to coming back whenever it is going to be here next time.

How pivotal was the birdie on 13 in terms of igniting your momentum. You looked really relaxed after hitting that great shot in there. Did that help you kick on from there?

 Yeah, obviously not — I’d hit a bad shot into 11 and 12. It was a pretty good up-and-down on 12 to kind of not do too much damage. That tee shot on 13, I hit driver off it every day this week and executed it twice and not executed it twice, but played it even-par for the week, which I guess is pretty good overall. I kind of took the theory around the whole golf course this week that, if you take it on, at least if you miss it, you can kind of get it up to a wedge out. If you don’t take it on and lay back and stuff it up, you’re in a really bad place. So that tee shot was huge. I hit it exactly where I wanted to hit it and kind of had a laugh with Radar [Sky Sports Golf on-course commentator Wayne Riley] saying, is that the right club down there or not? He’s like, it doesn’t matter when you hit it there. To take advantage of that, obviously I hit a lob wedge in there and holed a 15-footer, probably just snuck in the right edge. But yeah, that started the momentum on that back nine.

You didn’t turn professional until you were in your mid-20s. At that stage did you still feel that you could get to the point where you are today?

When I turned pro, my goal was just to get on tour. I said to my team last night over dinner that if you’d have given me my career up until yesterday when I turned pro, I’d have jumped at that. I don’t know what to think now, to be honest. Yeah, it is something that’s always there. You dream of being a major champion. You want to do it whether you think it’s a reality or not. I guess I probably didn’t until the last couple of years. I wasn’t in the major championships consistently until the last couple of years, so to sit here as the Champion Golf of the Year, is, as I’ve already said, slightly surreal.

People were marvelling at how fast you play. Can you just explain what that strategy does for you as a player and maybe where you developed that, where you learned it?

 I was always that way as a kid. I see things fast. I was the same when I was playing cricket growing up. I played almost every sport as a kid. At tennis I just wanted to hit the ball hard, and I was the same at cricket. Everything just happened fast. I was never methodical at anything, to be honest, and it just carried over into golf.

It’s not that difficult to pick a shot and pick a club. I get in there, and it all happens quick. I just see the shot quickly, pick a shot quickly, and the less time I have to think about it, the less bad stuff can creep in there.

Your caddie, Dean, was talking about some work that you’ve done on your mental game behind the scenes. Could you share a little bit about what you’ve been working on?

Yeah, we changed things up a little bit this week. We actually had less discussion on clubs so I could own it a little bit more. Dean probably was getting a few earfuls from me being in between clubs and I was taking it out on him. I was talking with my sports psychologist, Karl Morris, when he was here earlier this week, and we chatted about how I’m better when I create a shot, and creating a shot is almost getting the data off Dean,, and then I make the decision of everything else, and then I verbalise what I’m going to do to him.

I did that really well the whole of this week, especially coming down the stretch today. The other thing we worked on was, especially over the putter, was to take some deep breaths. I do tend to get a little quick at times, and just taking a second longer, especially over a putt, just get myself ready, get myself relaxed. I did that a lot down the stretch. I’m pretty sure you could probably see it on camera as well. There was a lot of deep breaths walking down some fairways just trying to compose myself. It obviously worked pretty well.

The crowd seemed to be pulling for you over the closing holes, especially once Tommy was no longer able to win. How did that help you?

The crowd was amazing. There seemed to be alot of Kiwis in the crowd. You could definitely hear them loudly over all of this week, especially today. It felt like the English crowd also got behind me. I was trying not to get too caught up in it coming down the stretch, just focusing  on what I could control. The reception coming into 18 was one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced. I can’t thank the fans enough for their support. It was awesome.

What do you think winning this will do for golf in New Zealand?

It will be pretty big. I know it’s going to ruin a lot of guys’ Monday mornings! But, look, I think we punch above our weight a little bit in New Zealand anyway. Dame Lydia Ko has won, three majors and she’s not even 30 yet. It’s pretty crazy. I think this will be huge for New Zealand golf. Recreationally the game has been booming pretty much since COVID, and that momentum has kept going. Hopefully this adds a little bit to that.

We’ve seen guys on tour coming out younger and younger each year, it seems. Your career arc has been completely different. Sort of a slow burn and a late bloomer. Why do you think that’s been? Have there been any stages throughout your career where you thought, professional golf is not for me, I’m going to go do something else?

I’ll answer the second bit first. During my second year on the PGA of Australia Tour, I was pretty close to giving it up. I think I had three events left in the season, and I was not enjoying it. I played well enough in pro-ams to make a little money, but I had not played well on Tour, and I was well outside keeping my card. I remember getting to the Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne. It was the second-to-last event of the year. I had just missed the cut at the Australian PGA. My dad came over and caddied for me, and he said to me, ‘why do you play this game?’ And I said, well, it’s supposed to be fun. But it wasn’t really very fun at the time. He goes, well, let’s just go out this week and try to have some fun.

I think I finished fifth that week, and that made enough to keep my card for the year. Took the pressure off the rest of the year, and I came back the following year and played really well. Yeah, I was very close to giving it up at that point.

Why it’s a slow burn? I don’t know. I was a rookie on the DP World Tour at 30. I was a rookie on the PGA TOUR at 37 and now I’m a major champion at 39. I’m definitely not following the trend at the moment. But if I can just keep getting a little bit better every year, I’ll be pretty happy with that.

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Speaking to the media following his stunning victory at the 108th PGA Championship, Aaron Rai reflects on the hard work that he, his family and his support network have put into making him such a hard man to beat.

How proud are you to become the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since 1919?

AARON RAI: I wasn’t aware of that fact coming into the week, but it got mentioned a couple of times during media interviews on Saturday, so I was aware of it coming into today.

So, yeah, I extremely proud. There have been a lot of incredible English golfers over those hundred-plus years who have gone on to achieve incredible things and had phenomenal careers, so to win this event and then to be the person that’s the first one to have won it in a long time from England is an amazing thing and something to be extremely proud of.

Can you just describe your emotions as you’re playing those final few holes, and your amazing birdie putt 17. How did you manage to keep so calm and produce the kind of golf that you did?

I think, firstly, the golf course really demands it. It was a true major championship setup in terms of how difficult it was, and how penalising it was, but it also rewarded good play. The nature of the course, and the nature of the shots that are required over the last few holes, just require a lot of focus.

The putt on 17 was incredible. I was just trying to focus on speed and get it close. It started to look good line-wise with probably about 15 feet to go, and it slowed up nicely as well – but it was a real bonus to see that one go in.

Aaron, two shots prior to that putt really stood out for me on that back nine. Firstly, the long bunker shot on 13, and secondly your approach on 16. Could you walk us through what you were thinking about on both of those and how pleased you were to pull off those shots in that moment?

Those were two really good shots. The bunker shot on 13 was on a slight upslope, which in a way helped me to stay really aggressive on it. But the upslope also made it difficult because it was such a long bunker shot. It was probably 40 yards or so. I just stayed really committed and tried to trust the strike, and it came out extremely well. I was actually trying to hit that probably 12 feet short, and it came out probably a little fast, but it worked out fine in the end.

And the shots on 16. I hit a great tee shot to hold the fairway there. That was a really hard fairway to hit. And the second shot was a great number for a 5-iron. The wind was off the left. The ball was slightly below my feet. So it kind of just suited a shot that was falling off the wind. I hit it very well, great strike, and kind of worked its way down there to 15 feet or so. They were probably two of my best shots on the back nine.

I know your parents made a lot of sacrifices for you to get here, especially your father, who got you into the game. Can just reflect on what all that means and kind of how they got you here?

It’s probably hard for me to really express everything that I feel towards them. I think I’ll get way too emotional to speak. Yeah, starting with my dad, he was with me every day that I went to practice from the age of 4 or 5 years old. He quit his job and started to focus on my golf from a really young age.

I used to read a lot about golf. He used to obviously be active in everything he did with me around the game. My mum has been absolutely incredible as well. She worked extremely long hours to just provide for the house, especially with my dad also not working as much. So, she did a lot of things, and her support has been phenomenal.

Obviously, I would love to share this with them. It would be amazing if they were here. I can’t put into words how much they’ve done in terms of the support, in terms of the care, in terms of love. Again, I wouldn’t be here without them.

You’ve won big tournaments before, but when you looked at that jam-packed leaderboard today, what gave you the belief that you were going to be able to win your first major championship?

That’s a great question. Honestly, I didn’t look too much at the leaderboard. Obviously I knew there were a lot of people that were relatively close, but I think regardless of how bunched that it was, it still required a really good, strong round of golf. Again, the course really demanded it this week, and it was very punishing. As soon as you lost a split-second of focus at any time, whether it was a tee shot, an approach or a putt, you were in danger of dropping shots.

So I think the focus was very much on the golf course, on continuing to run through some good processes, and to just see where that put me during the round. I didn’t really look at too many leaderboards. I had a sense of how things were going from the crowds, but I just did a really good job of playing the golf course and not worrying about anything else.

You’re obviously very connected to your heritage and your Indian and Kenyan roots. I was just wondering what a vision is of modern English sporting success really to have somebody with your background achieving something like this?

I’m very proud to be from England. That’s where I grew up and that’s where a lot of my family still live. But of course, I’m very proud of my Indian and Kenyan roots as well. My mum grew up in Kenya and her side of the family lived there for a number of years before they moved to England. My sister lives in Kenya now and my mum still spends a lot of time there.

Going back a couple of generations, both of my sets of grandparents from my mum and dad’s side were from India. All I can say is I’m very proud to be a mix of all of them.

Golf instruction is at the heart of the PGA Championship, and you have such a longstanding relationship with Me and My Golf. Wondering if you can talk about that, how deep it goes back in your life, and what it means to have their support and win on this stage and celebrates golf instruction?

They’ve been phenomenal. Andrew Proudman and Piers Ward are the two guys involved with Me and My Golf. I’ve known Andrew since I was four years old. He used to work at the pro shop on the driving range me and my dad used to go to. I was four, he was 18, so he was there before he turned professional.

I met Piers when he was 8 or 9 years old. So we grew up in the same city. They started to coach me very soon after that. I was probably 10 years old. When I call them my coaches, I almost feel disrespectful calling them just my coaches. They’ve been so much more to me than that from a young age, also as a teenager, and also on this journey as a professional golfer. They’ve been my mentors, my big brothers. They’ve almost been like family to me.

And the number of times that we’ve been on a golf course or on a driving range in cold winters. I remember we played the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth probably six years ago now, and Piers was on the putting green with me until 11.30pm on a Tuesday night, and then he had to drive two hours back to Wolverhampton, and he was just with me the whole day.

They just go above and beyond for me in every single way. They’ve played a huge part in this trophy and a huge part in my development as a golfer.

Aaron, I know people always like to ask you about the iron covers and the gloves and a few things that you do differently. Golf can often be a game that pushes people to conform a certain way. I’m curious if you felt that pressure, especially as a junior golfer, and how you were able to double down on being yourself?

That’s a great question. I think my dad played a really big role in that. For the most part, it was just the two of us who used to go onto the golf course and practice together, probably up until I was 13 or 14. So I think he was very much an advocate to really just stay in your lane, focus on the things that you can do.

And I didn’t really mix with a lot of other junior golfers, which didn’t give me a perspective of what was normal. So I think he kind of sheltered me to be able to develop in a way that made sense for me, in a way that I guess was a little bit unique with the two gloves and the iron covers.

By the time I began to play more club golf and professional golf, I felt like I was strong enough in why I did certain things to be able to continue to move that forward. I knew the reasons why I do them. I believe in the reasons why I do them. So I had no reason to shift from that as I got older. So, yeah, that’s probably the main reason behind it.

You said you didn’t really mix with other junior golfers. Why was that?

That’s a really good question. Up until the age of around 12 years old I used to play off basically a customised course length, which gradually got longer and longer every year from the age of kind of 7 to 12. I was 12 when I played off ladies tees for the first time. Before that, I was playing off the fairways and trying to make the course short enough for me to score par or better, even as an 8, 9, 10-year-old.

I thought it was a great idea. My dad thought it was a great idea. But that naturally that kind of kept me away from club golf and medal golf. I would still play in junior events, but only in my age group, just to really protect myself and what we were trying to work on and what we were trying to kind of build towards.

Then, when I was about 13 or 14, I was long enough to be able to play off the men’s tees, and that’s when I started to play a little bit of club golf. Again, by that age, I’d gotten so used to practicing a certain way and that started to feel really comfortable. So even though I was maybe good enough and long enough to compete at club level, I didn’t play a huge amount of it. Then within two or three years of that I turned professional, so that was pretty much my journey through to that point.

Was that a method that you borrowed from someone else, or was that one of your father’s own ideas?

I used to play in a tournament called the Wee Wonders, which had a local stage, a regional stage, and a national stage. If you managed to progress through all of those, you qualified to play in the US Kids World Championship. I was fortunate enough to qualify for that at the age of 8 years old.

When we got to America, this was a system that a lot of juniors had adopted at that age of forward tees and gradually making the course longer as you grow, and my dad really thought that idea was great in terms of just installing the abilities and the skills to be able to score and the distance would just follow with age and with growth. So it was after that point that we really stuck to that for the next four years.

Can you just run us through who’s on Team Rai, who your support system is?

Professionally, starting with my sponsor, Shabir Randeree. He’s almost been like a second father to me. He supported me with my golf and travel and expenses. He supported my education as well. He paid for me to go to a private school. He’s been there since I was a kid and gave me so many opportunities that I never would have had otherwise.

Andrew Proudman and Piers Ward from Me and My Golf. Andrew Caldwell from Active Therapy, he’s my trainer and physio. I’ve worked a lot with John Graham over the last two years as well. So, yeah, I’ve got a really close-knit team.

Do you have an idea of what’s next? Are you much of a goal setter in your career? Do you think about things such as Ryder Cups or other titles to tick off?

I try not to consciously focus on it too much. These things are always around, whether it’s the Ryder Cup, whether it’s the next event, whether it’s the next major. So those are things that you can never completely ignore, but I try not to focus on them as real motivations to push me forward.

I hope to continue to move forward in a pretty similar way in terms of practice, training, application towards the game, and we’ll see where that takes me.

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As he prepares to take part in his third Master Tournament, Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg talks about his preparation and confidence heading into the season’s firs major championship after strong recent results, as well as his growing familiarity with Augusta National. He also reflects on what he has learned from his first two appearances and how he approaches the course, including managing its challenges and maintaining consistency, and discusses the tournament’s traditions, the competitive field, and personal aspects such as his experiences off the course.

You’re coming into Masters week with great momentum from your strong results in March. How is your preparation going, and how much confidence does that give you returning to Augusta with two Top-10s already under your belt?

Yeah, for sure. Every time I think about Augusta, it makes me smile. So I always look forward to it. Obviously, it’s the first major of the year. There’s a lot of buzz around the tournament, which I really love. It’s cool to be part of such a great tournament. I feel like I’ve had a nice couple of weeks leading into this. I had a good tournament last week. Now I’m coming here with fresh legs and I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum.

Now that you have two full Masters behind you, do certain parts of the Augusta National course feel more —or less — challenging?

Yeah, I think looking back at the last two times I’ve been here, I’ve put a lot of work into getting to know the golf course. This year feels a little different. I feel like I know it better. There are certain shots where, during the practice rounds, we’ve hit some extra chips or putts. I feel like I understand those spots more than I did a couple of years ago. Does that make it easier? Maybe. But you still have to execute the shots. Augusta is a place where certain shots and certain misses are very important. It really rewards patience and discipline. That will be the biggest challenge this week, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve taken from your first two appearances here, and how have they shaped your approach this time around?

Yeah, I think Augusta is a place where you can’t really force it. You just have to hit every shot as well as you can and execute. You try to come up with a game plan that eliminates big mistakes. You almost have to let it come to you instead of trying to force things or make something happen. I think that’s what I’ve done well over the last two years when I’ve been here. It’s definitely something I’m trying to do again this year. My strategy and game plan don’t really change. But you still have to hit the fairways, hit the greens, and make the plays.

Many veterans lean on decades of course knowledge here. Heading into just your third Masters, how do you make up for that experience gap, especially on these incredibly complex greens?

Yeah, the greens are tricky. We have a general idea of where they’re going to place the pins. Based on the last couple of years, we kind of know what they’ve done. I lean a lot on my caddie. Our partnership is very valuable to me, and it’s been that way since the first time I came here. We always have conversations about certain things. Sometimes you just have to take your medicine. It’s a very visual golf course. It can trick you into trying shots or going for things that might not be the best play. But overall, I think we have a pretty good idea of what to do.

How does your practice week here at Augusta differ from a regular Tour event? What is your absolute main focus right now?

Yeah, it’s a tricky balance. With the Par 3 course, it’s different from a normal tournament. Usually, Wednesdays are more like a Pro-Am-day. But today we were able to relax a bit and spend time with friends and family. That’s a really cool tradition they have here. Other than that, because it’s a long week and there’s a lot going on, I try to limit my practice. I focus on maintaining and conserving energy more than anything else. We also took an earlier trip here a few weeks ago—two or three weeks ago—just to play the course. That’s not something I would normally do for a regular tournament. It makes Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday a bit easier during tournament week.

There is such a rich history of European Masters champions — from Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, to Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett and most recently, Rory McIlroy. How motivating is the thought of joining that elite list, and what’s the final piece of the puzzle for you to win the Green Jacket?

Yeah, obviously the green jacket is one of the most sought-after prizes in golf. There’s a reason for that—because it is Augusta National and the Masters. I met Sir Nick Faldo today and shook his hand, which was pretty cool. I’ll be playing with Jon Rahm tomorrow, who obviously won here a few years ago. There’s a long tradition of great golfers winning this tournament, and hopefully one day I can be one of them.

Looking at the field this week, who do you see as the absolute strongest contenders, and who are you most excited to go up against?

I’m looking forward to playing with Jon Rahm tomorrow. I’ve actually never played a tournament round with him. We’ve played some practice rounds together at the Ryder Cup. He’s obviously one of the best players in the world, and I’d expect him to be up there on Sunday. There are a few others as well—Scottie, Rory, and Xander come to mind when I think about it, but we will see what happens in a couple of days.

Away from the golf course, what is your number one ‘must-do’ during Masters week? Have you established any personal traditions here yet?

Not quite. We’ve moved around a little bit. We’ve stayed in houses in roughly the same area, but we’ve switched houses every year. So I haven’t really had the same place each time. I try to keep things very light. It’s a long week and on Monday after the Masters I felt a bit exhausted. You want to have the most energy on Sunday. But you also need to maintain that energy throughout the week and still spend time with your family. I’ve got my parents and my sister here, which is really cool. They don’t come over very often, so it’s great to have everyone together in the house. That’s the main thing—just spending time and hanging out together.

Augusta is famous for its Pimento Cheese and Egg Salad sandwiches. Be honest: Are you actually a fan of the legendary Masters food, or do you stick strictly to your own diet during tournament week?

I don’t love the Pimento Cheese, I’ve tried it multiple times. Every year I feel like I have to have it once, but the flavor is just very strong for me, so I don’t necessarily love it. The club sandwich is my favourite, or the ham on rye — that one’s always good too.

Driving down Magnolia Lane is one of the most iconic experiences in golf. If you could pick any dream car in the world to make that drive, what would it be and why?

I would choose the one I’m currently driving, the Mercedes-Benz GLE. I just love it — it’s a classic car, it’s sporty, and I feel like it really suits me. So I would pick that one.

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As Tiger Woods marks 30 years since turning pro and hosts the 100th Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, he reflects on legacy, Ryder Cup captaincy, recovery and growing his foundation’s impact beyond golf.

Tiger, it seems like we’ve done this several times through the years, but kind of feels a little different this year. As tournament host, what does it mean to you and the event to be back celebrating the 100th playing of the event?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, playing the 100th championship here is pretty amazing. For me as a So Cal kid who grew up coming here, coming to this event, LA Open, coming here to Riv, it’s an iconic site. And then to see major championships here, we’ve had our event here, and for a 16-year-old kid just to be able to start here and then now host his own tournament at the same golf course is pretty special.

2026 is a year full of milestones on and off the course, 30 years since you turned pro, your foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the original Learning Lab in Anaheim celebrating its 20th anniversary. You’ve talked about the great legacy being off the golf course for you. What do these milestones mean to you and the future of the TGR Foundation?

Yeah, our first Learning Lab opened up 20 years ago here in Anaheim. To go from that to now expansion at Lulu’s Place here in Southern Cal, and we just opened up a facility in Cobbs Creek in Philadelphia last year and now we’re going to Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia. We’re expanding quickly.

We’re serving the underserved, and I think that’s the more important thing is that yes, golf has been a big piece of my life, but it’s not the only part of my life. The educational side and the opportunities that Stanford has provided me and the people that I’ve been able to meet there and that if I didn’t work on my grades, I didn’t work on my education side of it, then I wouldn’t have had that opportunity to go to such a great university

A lot of these kids that we’re serving are first-gens. They don’t really have an opportunity that they deserve, and it’s up to us to be able to facilitate them and give them what they truly deserve, which is an opportunity to be supported. That’s what the TGR Foundation has done for 30 years and we’ll continue to do so.

Q. I’m wondering, how do you feel after all these years knowing that people admire, respect you, and you have so much influence, not only in the game of golf but in sports in general?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I mean, I’ve had a great career, I think, of 30 years. I’ve played out here, been able to chase my dream, which is playing the PGA TOUR, winning golf tournaments, winning major championships, and I’ve met a lot of people along the way, a lot of sportsmen, a lot of great people all around the world. I would never have met any of those people or had relationships with them if it wasn’t for the game of golf, or probably where it all started was with your interview.

Q. Talk just a little bit about Pops, how he got you on the right road.

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, Dad was unbelievable. He was not only my dad, he was my best friend. He was a lot of different things.

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Returning to one of his most successful stops on the LIV Golf calendar, Smash GC captain Talor Gooch steps back onto familiar ground in Adelaide. An individual champion here just a few seasons ago, Gooch reflects on past triumphs, leadership, and the confidence that comes with proven success.

What does this event mean to you, and how excited are you to be back here in Adelaide again?

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, this event will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first win out here on LIV. For all of us players that have been here from the beginning, this is kind of the event that we feel kind of really kicked us off and kind of shot us in a really good direction.

Obviously the fans are incredible. The tournament is incredible. The golf course is always in incredible condition.

It’s always great to be back here. A little bit bittersweet that this is the last time we’ll be here at this course, so hopefully we can end with some good memories.

Q. Team sports are obviously hugely popular around the world, and that’s certainly the case here in Australia. As a new team captain of Smash GC, can you just talk about your mindset as a captain and the camaraderie that exists with this year’s lineup with Smash?

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, I grew up playing team sports. I love the locker room. I love being with the boys. I love when we’ve had a good round and we’re in the locker room after kind of talking and celebrating, and I love when we’ve had a tough round like the last Saturday in Riyadh we didn’t play great, didn’t have a great day, but we were all there and kind of picking each other up.

It’s an honor to be able to lead this team, and we have four, I think, really good players, really good dudes. We all get along really well. It’s an easy group to hang out with.

It’s a blast, and most importantly, we all want to win. We all want to compete. It’s pretty motivating when you’re looking at each other and you’re seeing how much work they’re putting in and how much they want to do well for each other, right?

It sounds cliche at times, but winning is great, but winning with your team is greater, plain and simple.

Q. 2023 was just an amazing year; you came back and won last year. How many times are you going to win this year, and can you tell us which ones, just to give us the inside word?

TALOR GOOCH: Man, I’m just going to win the rest of them. I’m just going to win the next 13, 12 events, whatever we’ve got left. I’m going to win them all.

Winning is so hard out here. Look at the guy who’s probably played the best golf out here the last couple years, Jon Rahm. He’s played unbelievably well but he hasn’t won a whole lot.

I think that really exemplifies how hard winning is. At this level, when you win, you just need some luck. You need things to go your way. When you win, you need to cherish it because you never know when the next one is going to come.

I would love to get a win here this week and kind of rekindle some of the 2023 good vibes, and that would be amazing.

Q. Talor, can you talk about the infusion of youth into LIV Golf? Obviously you were an original member here in 2022. Elvis wins last week; he’s 23 years old. You see all the other young guys. There’s kind of been an evolution of how the roster has switched up in the last few years.

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, I played with Elvis in the final round. What an incredible golfer and such a good kid. 23 years old is crazy to think about. I was not nearly as mature as he is when I was 23 and not nearly as good of a golfer as he is.

It’s awesome seeing such young great golfers. It’s incredible, since I’ve turned pro, how much better these dudes are when they turn pro than what we were 10 years ago when we turned — it’s unbelievable the shift in that.

Obviously Puig and Surratt and McKibbin and these dudes out here are so good at such a young age, it’s overly impressive. And motivating, too. I don’t want to lose to a kid that wasn’t born in, like, significant life events. It’s like, you’re so young, you weren’t around when — coming off a Super Bowl, it’s like, you don’t know who Kurt Warner was. You don’t know who these guys — it’s crazy to think about how young some of these guys are. It’s motivating. You don’t want to lose to this young pup.

It’s definitely driving and motivating to want to beat them, but it’s also awesome to see, and you cheer hard for them, too. You see how hard they work out here.

Yeah, it’s awesome. Really if you look at the spectrum of things, you see a 23-year-old Elvis that just won, and the first time I had met him was this last week, and to see him putting all the time in, and he’s literally 30 years younger than some of the other guys out here.

To see the full spectrum of things, it’s incredible. It’s a tribute to this game. I think it’s a tribute to how — it’s so awesome to see how hard everybody works out here and how much discipline and diligence everybody has.

Everyone every week feels like they’re fighting their nuts off to win each week. Partly because we don’t have 25, 30 events, so each week is paramount. It’s so important that, like, you want to take advantage of each week. You don’t want to have a lapsed week where you don’t really put the time in. You’re just like, on to the next one. We can’t afford to take weeks off mentally.

It shows when you’re here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and you see everybody putting all the work in.

I got a little off topic, but yeah, seeing all the young kids, it’s awesome, man.

Q. Going back to 2023, backing up a 62 with another 62, that doesn’t happen all that often in golf. How special — when you look back at that, that was a really special moment, those two rounds, really, back-to-back.

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, I mean, I’d be lying if I said I think I’ll do that again in my career. I’d be curious in professional golf how often that’s happened. It was definitely one of those weeks, and those two days in particular, everything felt so easy. It’s like, you wish you could just bottle up how easy golf was for those two days and sprinkle it through the rest of your career because golf is just not that easy, but for whatever reason those two days it was really, really easy, and I’m very jealous of that; I wish I could do that more often.

Q. Running the clock back and reuniting with 2023, stablemate Harold Varner III, what’s he bringing to the new Smash GC, sort of the Smash GC under you, and are you guys going to get up to any mischief while you’re down in Adelaide?

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, we might have had a little fun yesterday with the Super Bowl and watching some football and maybe a couple of adult beverages. Like I said, the four of us get along so well. Obviously anybody who knows Harold, he is a lightning rod of energy. It’s easy to smile when you’re with him and be in a good mood.

He’s the one that when things are tough and golf is not good, he’s going to be able to keep us smiling and enjoying ourselves.

But he doesn’t show it as much as the fun, go-lucky guy. He’s competitive as can be. We landed at 12:30, 1:00 in the morning or so Sunday night/Monday morning, and he and I were out here at 7:00 a.m., six hours later.

He’s competitive as can be. It’s just great having him on this team, and I think we’re going to play a lot of good golf, and we’re going to have a lot of fun.

Q. World ranking points, now 72 holes. A few years ago when you were in hot form, it was all over the media that you spoke about how the majors should be accessible to everyone who’s in good form in world golf. What does that mean to you? You just missed out on the points last week. How much has that changed your approach for the 2026 year?

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, I mean, for us, obviously the majors are the driving factor. Like how do we get into the majors, and the OWGR is one of those routes.

I have to go play great golf, plain and simple. We all have to go play great golf to get into the majors and then hopefully to play great in the majors.

At the end of the day it doesn’t really change things. I’m still working my butt off. I’m still trying to play great golf. It’s just now there’s another opportunity to get into the majors, which is great, and hopefully those opportunities and pathways continue to expand and become more ample for us.

Q. You spoke in really strong terms last week about LIV needing to hold its identity, not stray too far from what it was about. On that note, is there any angst about the potential for any other departures if it continues to stray, and what would be your message to any colleagues who are perhaps considering their future or coming off their contracts?

TALOR GOOCH: I mean, none of us really think about that. Like I said, we have 14 weeks out here that we are trying to take advantage of, right. That’s our focus. If you’re worried about what other people are doing, your mind is in the wrong place.

I know everybody that I talk to is obviously over the moon excited to be here, and specifically this week in Australia and excited for this opportunity. Like I said, we have 14 great opportunities, and with the world ranking and majors and things kind of softening up on all of those fronts and kind of the ecosystem starting to accept us slowly but surely, I think it’s going to continue to make this place more and more enticing for people.

Everyone is excited. There’s obviously some frustrations with us not getting the whole pie, let’s just say. But you know what, at least we got some pie and let’s keep trying to get some more pie.

Q. Family is obviously important to you, obviously with the work you do with your foundation and things like that. How do you juggle family life when you’re on tour, and do they come with you often?

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, what we do, it’s so unique as a job. The awesome thing is we actually have an off-season now. I have two kids. I have a four-year old girl and then a two-year-old boy, and my girl was born when I was still playing on the PGA TOUR. I had extended time away from her early in her life.

I had to learn early, like, how does this work, how do I continue to balance chasing my dreams and trying to become the best golfer I can be and go try to accomplish all these goals while also keeping my family my priority.

It’s super challenging. Thankfully I have an incredible wife that is the absolute rock of our family that when I’m away from home like last week and this week — thank goodness for FaceTime. I don’t know how dudes did it 30 years ago doing this life. It’s hard to fathom.

But yeah, I have such a great support system, so when I’m away, I can still stay in touch, and I know everything is good. Then when I’m home, I can really be home. Like I said, having an off-season, we were off for a few months, and it’s — I cherish that time.

That’s one of the great things here about LIV is having an extended off-season.

Q. Do you want to give us a quick snapshot of the foundation and the good work you’re doing there and what drives you to do that?

TALOR GOOCH: Yeah, my wife and I for years, we just wanted to give back. How can we make an impact, how can we make a difference back home in our community. So we started a foundation in 2021, and we’ve raised millions of dollars, and we really do — it’s kind of three pronged. We want to continue to help junior golf in Oklahoma, state of Oklahoma. We want to give kids an opportunity to play tournament golf, whether they can afford it or not. We want to open up those opportunities for golfers to chase competitive golf. We want to get more kids into golf.

There’s a few things that we do through that, but golf has been such a blessing to me, but it’s not my only thing. It’s not the most important thing in my life.

We don’t want to just continue to focus strictly on golf and junior golf. We’ve partnered with a few different organizations back home such as Positive Tomorrows, which is a school for homeless kids from six months all the way until they’re 12 years old, and what they do in Oklahoma City is incredible. Whether these kids are living under a bridge or at a cousin’s house or whatever the case may be, the school is able to go and locate and find these kids, bring them to school, go pick them up, clothe them, feed them, educate them, socialize them and try to get — if parents are still involved, try to lift them up and get them on their feet from job interviews and clothing and just helping the families.

That’s an organization we’ve done a lot with. We’ve bought and purchased school buses and clothes and supplies.

Then the other organization we’ve really invested in is called Hope is Alive, which is an addiction rehabilitation organization back in Oklahoma and throughout the States now. They’re in 12 States back in the United States.

It started in Oklahoma, and they have houses all throughout the state that they bring people dealing with addiction in and hem rehabilitate them through Christ. It’s incredible what they do.

You talk about the word “legacy” has been used a lot in the last few years in golf, and I hope I win all the tournaments I play, and I hope I win all the majors and all the great things, but more importantly to me, my legacy is going to be how many lives have we impacted, and that’s always going to be through our foundation and through what we’re doing there.

It’s absolutely a focus of me and my wife and our foundation, the people involved. It’s an everyday effort for us and focus and something we’re really proud of. It’s the good stuff, man.

At the end of the day, like I say, I want to make birdies. I want to be great. But when you see kids back home that don’t have a home, birdies become irrelevant. So how do we help — especially in my community. How do I help my community. That’s what we’re going to continue to focus on.

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Nelly Korda reflects on brutal conditions, mental discipline and trust in her process after a weather-shortened victory,  as she opens the season with confidence, and a new driver in the bag in one of the finest rounds of her career at Lake Nona.

Q. Nelly…Take us through the week.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, Thursday, Friday were great. The weather was maybe getting a little bit windier on Friday but conditions were super nice.

We knew ten days before this or a week before this that Saturday and Sunday were going to be really tough, especially with the wind projection for Saturday afternoon and then the cold temps that it was bringing for Sunday.

So it was just kind of mentally prepare for it. Yesterday was probably one of my best rounds I’ve ever played in my career. Just really proud of everything that Jay and I went through to get to that point of the process, the mental clarity of my shots, and commitment to each one of them.

So overall, just really happy.

You know, Orlando threw lot at us in a few days.

Q. Take us through the process of when you got to the course and getting ready to hopefully go out there and competing today and finding out the news.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I was fully mentally preparing foregoing out and playing 18, battling for the win.

You know, it was definitely getting a little bit antsy just sitting in dining kind of waiting to see what was going to happen throughout the day.

I knew once the girls were going to go out and finish the third round I just wanted to get out and just start my routine no matter what happened.

So went to the gym, warmed up, and then went to the putting green, did my routine there, and then walked to the range. Was still very routine-oriented. I tried to get into the mindset, because a couple years ago I was three back with two to play, so I was trying to give myself the mindset like anything can happen; just go out and still stick to your own process.

Q. Another tournament for you and Jess to share, both winning the event. Just how special is it when those moments overlap?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it’s crazy. Super grateful for that, that we get to share the sport, all these memories together. Wish she was out here like I was for hers.

Overall, just grateful for this game bringing us closer together and sharing so many great things that we get to look back on.

Q. Kind of piggybacking on that, when your sister won here Mardy Fish also won the celebrity side. How cool is that that not only do you share the tournament win, but also Mardy Fish seems to be a good luck charm for the Kordas.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, Mardy is great. I’ve known him for so many years obviously with the tennis background. He played really well, too. He’s such a solid great golfer.

So, yeah, I actually didn’t know that, that he won that year and he won the same year I did. But overall, I love spending time with Mardy. We haven’t (sic) gotten to play a couple times together, but every single time we have shared the golf course together it’s been a blast.

Q. When was the last time you won a tournament without hitting a shot on the final day?

NELLY KORDA: Probably never. (Laughter.) I don’t think so. As I said, every win of mine is very interesting always. But, yeah, to answer that question, probably never.

Q. An unusual way of going about it, but just to get the year off with a win, especially after coming close but not being able to last year.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, golf is a game of centimeters. You know, there were so many times last year where I wished I had an inch here or a centimeter there where it would’ve changed the story completely.

That’s how it goes sometimes. As long as you are mentally 100% in it and preparing to your best ability, that’s all you can control at the end of the day; same with weather.

So I was so close. I played really well last year. Obviously didn’t get the win, but I played some amazing golf the first three days this week and I’m really proud of myself, my team, and all the work that we have put in when no one was watching and everyone was talking about it.

So just very happy to get the first win of the year, and hopefully that leads into a great year, too. No matter what, like I’m always going put 100% into it. With results, when it comes to sports, you just never know. The only thing you can control is the level and the input that you put into your craft and your sport. I will always be doing that.

No matter the results, I know that mentally I’m doing that every single day I step on the golf course, and that’s what I’m proud of.

Q. Congratulations, first of all.

NELLY KORDA: Thank you.

Q. So this is a game of centimeters. Is there anything over the first three rounds that you can look at that you feel you did better than on the whole of last year?

NELLY KORDA: I did a lot of good last year. Just kind of wasn’t going my way. I guess I was just so focused on being really present, which I told myself to do that last year, too. Maybe the outside noise did make its way in a little bit more than I wanted to.

I learned a lot from that. I actually — there are times where it’s like, okay I’m very grateful to go through the lows because they make me appreciate the highs so much and make me appreciate what I need to really pay attention to and what is actually relevant to me.

As long as my team knows who I am and that I’m putting 110% into it and they’re on the same wave length of putting 110% in it, that’s all that matters to me.

Q. With the celebrities out there playing were you surprised that you guys didn’t tee off earlier? Looking at the forecast tomorrow were you surprised that Monday wasn’t an option?

NELLY KORDA: Listen, I think the LPGA is always going to do what’s best for the players. When it comes to the internal decisions, I like to focus on myself and prepare for what’s to come with the information that I have at hand.

I know from a bunch of girls that were out there playing and practicing before, probably 110% came back in and were like what are we doing right now?

So at the end of the day, I mean, what we have on the line versus what the celebrities have on the line is a little bit different. I think the LPGA made the decision to look after their players, and at the end of the day we can’t do anything about that. All we can do is prepare with the information we are told.

Q. Kind of unique conditions out here that you don’t normally see in a professional tournament with the wind and cold.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. You said you played one of your best rounds ever yesterday. What does that do for where mental fortitude knowing you can overcome the tough conditions and still perform?

NELLY KORDA: In 2024 I played in some brutal conditions. I’ve played in AIG British Women’s Open where the conditions are brutal. You really have to lock in. The more you play in those conditions the more you learn to really have the word patience just constantly going through your mind.

You’re going to hit some bad shots that will end up really poorly. It’s all about — in those circumstances it’s all about finding your ball, hitting it again, finding it, hitting it again, and kind of then diverting to the mindset of, okay, let’s see what we can do here. What do we have at hand.

At the end of the day those situations make me very present and I have to really dial in to, one, my target and, two, just commitment to the shot. Like everything is just about being 100% committed. I’ve had shots where it’s perfectly sunny out, 80 degrees and I’m in between two clubs, and I’m not committed to one and I kind of fly it out to the right because I’m not committed to it.

That had to go out the window in those conditions. Even if it’s the wrong decision, you have to be 100% committed to it.

Q. Sharing that stage with Mardy Fish, you went back and forth with the trophy a little bit. Who gets to take it home?

NELLY KORDA: I don’t know. He said he already has one of them and I don’t, so I guess I would take it.

Q. When a win like this happens, does it feel like a weight has been lifted for the rest of the season, and how do you look at the rest of the season?

NELLY KORDA: No, not necessarily. Like I want to perform week in and week out. I knew that everything I was doing last year was good enough to win; I just didn’t win.

It’s all about just your commitment and your practice. Like if you give your craft 100% and you know that you’re prepared week in and week out, you’re giving yourself the best opportunity to perform.

At the end of the day like that’s what we can control and that’s what I’m going to try and control.

Q. Nelly, you pointed so much to your team as a credit for your success. What role did they play in helping you get the win this week?

NELLY KORDA: Just keeping me very grounded and patient. Jay and I are out on the golf course, and then Kim off the golf course. I think we all just make sure that the outside noise is outside noise and what we’re doing internally, just to stay committed to that and just to stay very patience because we are doing the right thing and checking the boxes correctly and when the time was right, it was going to happen.

Q. Did you feel a sense of pressure being lifted off just getting last year behind you, no longer having the title defenses, and having a fresh year here?

NELLY KORDA: In a sense maybe, yeah. You know, I’m always so excited to come out and tee it up against the best players in the world. The day I don’t feel that is going to be a very bad day for me.

Still, even last year, you know, title defense, obviously you have a little bit of added pressure to yourself, but there is something so fun and exhilarating about those moments. I’ve said it a couple times: There is nothing better than going down the back nine when you’re in contention and feeling the rush of emotions.

But in a sense, yeah, it does feel nice for it to be a fresh year. You can say that it’s a fresh month, too. Last year I could have been like, okay, it’s October 1st; whatever I did this year is behind me.

But it’s all just honestly just mindset.

Q. You never want to take too much for granted, but what was the mental shift when you heard it was not going to go 72, it was only going to go 54?

NELLY KORDA: I was fully preparing that I was going to go out and play 18 until I saw that e-mail and until I saw that it was going back to 54.

But then I still had the mindset — because in Bradenton, I was three back with two to play and I knew she still had a chance. You know, there has been some crazy things happen in the game of golf or in sports in general.

So still preparing for maybe playing a playoff, but I was still 100% trying to dial in mentally.

Q. Wanted to ask one more about outside noise. Where do you mostly hear outside noise and do you try to filter things out on social media or whatnot?

NELLY KORDA: I’ve definitely taken a step back from social media. There were weeks, especially last year, where I went like a month for without evening logging into my social media. Yeah, even if you don’t want to see it, it kind of still pops up. So I definitely unfollowed a lot of golf accounts. I have done that.

And I’ve just tried to — if I’m on social I try not to look at stuff. I think it’s just a distraction at the end of the day.

Q. Do you watch golf on TV?

NELLY KORDA: Rarely. No. And if I do — when I did it was always when Tiger played. So not really. I’ll watch the highlights now.

Q. Congratulations. I know this tournament has been one where you’ve won at this property before, not this event. You’ve had five Top 5s. How good does it feel to get this one knocked off the list finally?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it feels amazing. I’ve played some really solid golf out here. I’ve come close; just haven’t notched the victory.

But to play the golf that I played yesterday was, as I said, I think that’s one of my best rounds that I’ve ever played in my entire life.

To come out on top just feels amazing. To do that in front of my family and friends, fiance for the first time, was really special.

Q. Having him in the crowd, and I know you have such a happy life off the golf course right now, do you think that settles you? Do you really look at things like that?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, for sure. I love having him at events. I would say I’m a little bit of a hermit crab when I’m playing tournaments. I go to the golf course and I go to the hotel and maybe do I go out to dinner three times a week.

It’s nice. When my sister left and she got pregnant I think that was a really big mental adjustment for me not having my dinner buddy and having the person that I was so close to, so now I get to appreciate it when Casey comes out and weeks like this to have that — even if it’s in silence having a comfort there.

Q. What do you focus on when you play?

NELLY KORDA: Well, depends on the conditions. What do I focus on when I play? Usually Jason gives me three numbers. It’s the front of the green — well, actually a couple numbers, sorry.

The front of the green, the pin, and just over the green, and then we have a landing number. So when it comes to that, I focus in on my landing number, and then depending on the wind, if it’s left to right, right to left, I focus in on an exact target and keep it really simple.

NELLY’S NEW DRIVER

Nelly Korda played the same driver for over two years. In fact, she’s played that same driver head shape for eight years. So, why would she switch from something that helped her win 15 LPGA Tour titles and two major championships?

Simply put, the gains are real with Qi4D driver. In one start in 2026 with Qi4D, Nelly has one win (career win No. 16) after her dominant third round at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

“Immediately when I put this thing in the bag I loved it. It’s doing exactly what I want… having it under pressure on the golf course is what’s most important.” Nelly Korda

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As the new season begins in unexpected cold, Charley Hull talks mindset, momentum and why enjoying the challenge still brings out her best golf

Charley Hull does not need much convincing to enjoy Lake Nona. As she arrives back at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, her first reaction is simple and instinctive. “Yeah, it’s great,” she says. “I really like this golf course. It’s super nice.”

What she did not expect was the temperature. “It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” she laughs, already setting the tone for a week that feels both familiar and slightly surreal.

A course that suits her eye

Hull has always gravitated towards courses that demand imagination, and Lake Nona fits that mould. The fast greens and tight lies around the putting surfaces force players to be precise, especially when chipping. “There is quite tight lies all round the golf course you’re chipping on,” she explains. “It’s a bit different to what it’s been like in the UK.”

More than anything, she likes the feel of the place. “It’s a good warm up to the season, tests your game, and I just like it. It’s just got a good vibe to it.”

Finding her rhythm again

Coming into the week, Hull is refreshingly honest about where her game stands. “I wouldn’t really know to be fair,” she admits. Winter has meant plenty of indoor practice at home, with only a short trip to Dubai providing outdoor golf. “I went to Dubai for a few days and practised and played well out there.”

This week, though, is about more than results. “Obviously I want to win this week. It’s a great event,” she says. “It’s good as well for a warm up to get back into the season.”

A glimpse of what is coming

One of the biggest talking points around the game is the WTGL, and Hull’s enthusiasm is unmistakable. Seeing it in person left a lasting impression. “I watched and I was like, wow, this is pretty unbelievable,” she says. “We need one of them in the UK actually when it’s cold.”

She was struck by the detail and realism. “The way that green moved round, how the ball reacted when I chipped on it, how it putted, the screen… honestly, I was so impressed by it. They’ve done a great job.”

Having a swing studio at home means the concept is not entirely foreign, but the scale is. “You need to go there in real life to get the full gist of everything because it’s pretty unbelievable to see.” For Hull, the overriding feeling is excitement. “I think it’s going to be super fun. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Keeping it simple

As she looks ahead to the new season, Hull is not overcomplicating things. “Not too much different from last year to be fair,” she says. “Just go out there, have fun. I know what you’ve got to do to win. Not put too much pressure on myself and just enjoy it.”

That mindset was reinforced by her win at the Kroger event last year. “I went into that week with an injury, so I didn’t have too high expectations,” she recalls. The lesson stuck. “I sometimes expect too much of myself. When I’m not too focused about golf, that’s when I play my best golf.”

Easing back into competition

Despite a strong season behind her, Hull admits to nerves this week. She has played just one full round in the past six weeks due to poor weather at home. “I’ve been practising loads, working on my swing,” she says, “but it’s different when you’ve got 18 holes and a scorecard in your hand.”

Rather than viewing this as a reset, she prefers a gradual build. “It’s good to slowly build up for the season.”

Cold weather character

Hull’s relationship with cold weather is almost contradictory. Back home, she will happily head out in freezing conditions. “On New Year’s Day it was minus six and frosty and I went out and played, carried my bag,” she says. “I wasn’t that cold.”

Florida, however, has caught her out. “Yesterday morning I was absolutely froze. My feet were frozen,” she says, laughing. “Florida cold is completely different to England cold.” The solution involved a hair dryer in the locker room and some amused looks from fellow players.

She puts it down to circulation and contrast. “I was in Thailand before, it was 35 degrees. As long as I keep moving, I’ll be fine.”

Gratitude over grievance

When asked about comments suggesting men and women should be competing together in the WTGL, Hull’s response is measured. “I’m just grateful for them giving us an opportunity,” she says. “Fair play to them. I really respect that.”

She sees it as a foundation to build on. “You never know, in a couple of years’ time they could do something like that.”

Life beyond golf

Away from the course, Hull’s warmth comes through when talking about her close friend Georgia and her pregnancy. With several nephews already, Hull has taken on an advisory role. “I’m really good with babies. She’s not really good around babies,” she says, smiling, recounting conversations filled with practical tips and gentle teasing.

Managing the body

Cold weather does bring physical challenges, particularly after last season’s injuries. “My lower right back and my hip,” she says. “I’ve got to make sure I warm up properly and keep moving.” Spectators may notice her constantly shifting between shots. “You see me shuffling out there, you know why.”

Loving the test

For all the complaints about the cold, Hull thrives in tough conditions. “I love it,” she says. “I like the mental toughness of it. I like being outside.”

She enjoys courses that ask hard questions, and Lake Nona will do just that this week. “Last time I hit gap wedge into the last hole. Yesterday I hit four iron,” she says. “It’s going to be tricky out there, but I enjoy that.”

In the end, her outlook is simple and unmistakably Charley Hull. “You just put me on the golf course, I’ll enjoy it anyway,” she says. “Let’s get excited for the next shot and prove to myself I can execute it.”

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