The DP World Tour and PGA Tour delivered dramatic conclusions over the weekend, while LIV Golf faced further player departures and financial scrutiny.
Sean Crocker Secures DP World Tour Card
American Sean Crocker, 30, entered the Genesis Championship ranked 103rd in the Race to Dubai standings, with only the top 100 retaining full playing privileges. After a nervous front nine of 3-over 39, Crocker rallied with birdies on holes 10 and 11 followed by four consecutive birdies on holes 15-18, shooting a back-nine 5-under 29. His final-round 68 lifted him inside the cut line, preserving his tour card. In a post-round interview, Crocker said: “It’s not easy being a Tour player, being away from my family, especially when you’re on the bubble. Obviously I’m not the only person but the last thing you want to do is start a little family and then get demoted or lose some of your playing rights.”
Austin Smotherman Wins Bermuda Championship Playoff
Weather forced the cancellation of Sunday's final round at the Bermuda Championship, reducing the event to 54 holes. A Monday playoff on a par-3 hole decided the title between Austin Smotherman and Seamus Power, who were tied after three rounds. Smotherman prevailed after three playoff holes, securing his second consecutive victory after going winless in his first 99 PGA Tour starts. The win moved him from 80th to 51st in the FedEx Cup standings and earned him exemptions into the PGA Tour Championship Series through the 2029 season. CBS Sports commentator Patrick McDonald remarked: “Can't wait for 2029 when everyone is asking how Austin Smotherman is playing in the PGA Tour's Championship Series.”
John Catlin Claims Hong Kong Open
American John Catlin, 35, fired four rounds of 66 or better to finish 20-under-par and win the Hong Kong Open by five strokes over Kalle Samooja and Matthew Cheung. The victory earned Catlin invitations to the Masters and The Open, marking his first appearance at Augusta National and his sixth major championship start. Catlin, who began the week ranked 447th in the Official World Golf Ranking, has now won six national opens: the 2026 Hong Kong Open, 2026 English Open, 2024 Saudi Open, 2021 Austrian Open, 2020 Irish Open, and 2019 Thailand Open. The leaderboard featured numerous LIV Golf alumni, including Caleb Surratt, Thomas Pieters, and Lee Westwood.
LIV Golf Exodus Continues
LIV Golf saw further departures as Tyrrell Hatton and Lucas Herbert left the league, following Louis Oosthuizen's decision to step down as captain of the Southern Guards. According to the Financial Times, only 15 players remain interested in LIV Golf 2.0. Journalist Sujeet Indap reported: “NEW: LIV 2.0 lives for a few more days. 15 players interested outside of the Weil/Reed Smith groups with some in those two groups expected to commit later in week.” Meanwhile, court documents revealed that LIV Golf executives received $15 million in retention payments over the summer, with CEO Scott O'Neil collecting approximately $6.4 million, while players, vendors, and small businesses seek payments through bankruptcy proceedings.
