This Week In Golf: Our regular look at the biggest stories in professional golf, tournament previews and other key details you need to know.
The golfing world was locked into a grandstand finish at The Players Championship on Sunday, where Cameron Young birdied the iconic 17th before edging past Matt Fitzpatrick by a single stroke.
With the unofficial fifth Major now in the rearview mirror, we can really start to amp up the excitement regarding The Masters, which gets underway in three weeks' time.
So what's happening this week? We have the final Florida Swing event before the PGA Tour heads for Texas, while there are returns from the DP World and LPGA Tours as well as a brand new event on the LIV Golf League.
So, here are all of the key stories you need to know about which have either already happened or are set to occur in golf this week...
Valspar Championship
The PGA Tour returns to Innisbrook Resort near Tampa for the Valspar Championship, which draws a conclusion to the Florida Swing.
Viktor Hovland defends his title against a strong field featuring the likes of Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Brooks Koepka, Jacob Bridgeman and Patrick Cantlay.
There have been a swathe of withdrawals early this week, though, including Robert MacIntyre, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Keith Mitchell and William Mouw. Koepka's participation has upped the field size from 133 to 135 and seen Seamus Power and Matt Kuchar secure spots.
Innisbrook's Copperhead Course is known for its 'Snake Pit', the three-hole closing stretch featuring two tough par 4s and a 200-yard par 3. The event is much-loved by PGA Tour pros and is also notable for its caddie bibs, where players can choose whatever they wish written on their loopers' vests.
The players will compete for a $9.1m prize pool, with $1.638m going to the champion.
LIV Golf South Africa
Entering “The Lion’s Den” should be fun this week 🫢💪🏻 #longlivgolf #livsouthafrica pic.twitter.com/X1CM0jOXntMarch 16, 2026
It's a big week in the LIV Golf League with The Club at Steyn City hosting the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa tournament.
Southern Guards (formerly Stinger GC) will be the home favorites in front of big crowds as 90,000 tickets have been sold. Many fans will be camped out at the 'Lion's Den' par 3 17th, which is a stadium-style par 3 similar to the Watering Hole in Adelaide.
The course has previously hosted the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour and is home to species including impala, antelope and springbok.
It will also mark Phil Mickelson's LIV Golf return. The six-time Major champion, who has missed the first four events of the season so far due to a family health matter, makes his first start since August.
Jon Rahm leads the standings and LIV Golf money list heading into South Africa, which is the circuit's final event before The Masters.
Hainan Classic
The DP World Tour returns after a one-week break for the Hainan Classic on Hainan Island, China.
Marco Penge won the title here last year in his incredible break-out season, and this time around the event will look very different.
That's because it's a pro-am format for the first 36-holes, with 120 tour pros and 120 amateurs competing in teams of two across Mission Hills' Blackstone and Vintage courses - and all competitors will be allowed to use carts.
In the individual professional event, the top 65-and-ties will make it through to the final two rounds.
LPGA back stateside
Following the usual early year Asia swing, the LPGA Tour is back on US soil this week for the Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club between San Francisco and San Jose, California.
The event pays tribute to the LPGA Tour's founders and dates back to 2011.
With Nelly Korda skipping the Asia swing again, this will be the World No.2's first start since her 16th LPGA Tour victory at the Tournament of Champions on February 1st.
Yealimi Noh defends the title in a strong field featuring World No.1 Jeeno Thitikul, Korda, Minjee Lee and many other established LPGA stars.
It's the start of a strong run of tournaments for the LPGA, with the Ford Championship taking place next week in Arizona before the inaugural LPGA Aramco Championship in Las Vegas and LA Open leading into the Chevron Championship.
Still no Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods did not make his 2026 TGL debut this week for Jupiter Links in the SoFi Cup Playoffs where his Floridian team took on (and defeated) Rory McIlroy's Boston Common.
McIlroy played despite recent back troubles, but it does leave Woods' potential Masters return in perhaps a little doubt.
The 15-time Major winner said last month that The Masters is not off the table and he is back hitting full shots now, so it was a surprise not to see him. But, after the match, Woods pumped the brakes on hopes that he could return to playing at Augusta National.
It seems unlikely he'll play either of the upcoming PGA Tour events in Texas, so his only other pre-Masters tune-up is the Hoag Classic on the Champions Tour next week.
The event is in his hometown of Los Angeles at Newport Beach CC, and he can use a cart, so it isn't unthinkable to see him make his senior debut... but it does feel unlikely.
90 years of The Masters
Excited for The Masters? Not yet? This video will do the job.
Augusta National released a '90 Years of The Masters' promo across social media on Monday evening featuring some of its iconic moments and photographs through the years.
Reminder: The 90th Masters begins in three weeks' time!
TASTE OF THE MASTERS
Fast becoming a key part of the opening men's Major of the year, the Taste Of The Masters menu has been unveiled for 2026.
Containing iconic sandwiches like pimento cheese, egg salad, and pork bar-b-que, the latest menu is available to purchase wherever you are in the world, thus allowing fans to sample some of the flavors which have helped to make The Masters what it is.
As well as the key sandwich items, there are other snacks like cookies, chips, popcorn and moonpies.
A 'Large Hosting Kit' - which serves 12-14 people - costs $189 while 'The Classics Kit' serves 4-6 people and is priced at $99. Alternatively, the 'Azalea Cocktail Kit' is also $99 and designed for six people.
SH KIM DESTINED FOR MILITARY SERVICE
Even if SH Kim somehow qualifies for The Masters this year, he will not be going. Instead, the South Korean is destined to return home to fulfill his mandatory military service.
The 27-year-old graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour last year after finishing 8th in the points list and has enjoyed a couple of top-20s on the PGA Tour so far this term, but his final event of 2026 will be at the Valero Texas Open.
He is set to be based in South Korea for the next two years and will return to play shortly before his 30th birthday. According to ESPN, PGA Tour officials are "in the process of finalizing an arrangement where Kim can get a medical extension and still play at home on the Korea PGA circuit during the weeks he wouldn't be eligible on the PGA Tour (majors and signature events)."
Mini twigs: what else to know
- The LET's Aussie swing concludes with the Australian WPGA Championship this week at Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club in Queensland
- Tommy Fleetwood has confirmed he will defend his title at the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club from October 15-18
- Players Champion Cameron Young has moved to a career-high of 4th in the OWGR
- Justin Rose has overtaken Dustin Johnson to move up to 5th in the PGA Tour Career Money list with $75,951,420
- Travis Smyth wrapped up the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit to earn a 2027 DP World Tour card and qualify for the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale
- John Daly has confirmed appearances at Topgolf Augusta during Masters week on Thursday and Friday at 6-9pm following the closure of Hooters, his usual Masters-week hang-out
- The HotelPlanner Tour has announced it has rescheduled the upcoming UAE Challenge as well as the Abu Dhabi Challenge due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Both events were due to take place next month, but they are now scheduled to begin in September and October, respectively
- LA defeated Atlanta Drive 6-4 while Jupiter Links saw off Boston Common 9-5 to reach TGL's SoFi Cup Playoff Final, which takes place next week
