6 things you missed this weekend

There’s never a dull week in golf and, as always, the weekend delivered.

It was crunch time on the DP World Tour, as players battled to secure their card for next season at the Qatar Masters, as qualification for THE Masters was underway.

Meanwhile, records were smashed on the LET and Ryder Cup heroes have been dishing the dirt on this year’s win.

So, from Luke Donald and Viktor Hovland to qualifying for the Masters and PGA Tour suspensions, here are six things you missed the weekend.

PGA Tour suspends two pros for betting

The PGA Tour announced on Friday that two Korn Ferry Tour members have been suspended for placing bets on competitions.

Vince India and Jake Staiano were handed bans for violating the PGA Tour’s Integrity Program.

Neither player placed bets on tournaments they competed in but are now suspended from PGA Tour-sanctioned competition.

India was given a six-month ban running from September 18 to March 17, 2024. Meanwhile, Staiano is banned for three months from September 11 to December 10.

• Winners and losers from DP World Tour regular season finale

• Sir Nick Faldo takes another swipe at LIV Golf

Luke Donald doesn’t want Ryder Cup captaincy to end

Ryder Cup hero Luke Donald has admitted that this year’s Ryder Cup captaincy was so memorable that he doesn’t want it to end.

The Englishman led Team Europe to a convincing success in Italy and was delighted to hear his players call for him to retain the role.

Donald told the Times: “When you’re part of something so memorable like that, you don’t want it to end.

“It was certainly very gratifying to hear the players shouting, ‘Two more years,’ afterwards and it would be an amazing challenge.”

Despite talking up the prospect, the 45-year-old declared he will still need to decide with his family because ‘it’s a big ask’.

Viktor Hovland: “I believe I am” the best in the world

It’s been quite the year for Viktor Hovland, who became the 2023 FedEx Cup champion by winning the Tour Championship.

That was his sixth PGA Tour title and fourth this season, as the Norwegian made huge inroads on his short game, which had previously let him down.

Speaking on The Smylie Show, Hovland said: “I was good, and I had a pretty golf swing… but I was never the best.

“I looked up to the guys around me – my peers- they were way better than me, way more talented.

“The way I’ve played the last couple of months, I would say I believe I am (the best in the world).”

• Nordvqvist pays emotional tribute to late husband Kevin McAlpine

• Major bosses shut down talk of LIV exemptions 

Five-time winner hangs on to DP World Tour card

Englishman Ross Fisher clung onto next season’s DP World Tour card after making every shot count in a closing 69 at Doha GC on Sunday.

The 42-year-old, who was formerly ranked 17th in the world, finished 116th on the Race to Dubai standings – the final spot to earn playing rights for 2024.

Fisher took to X and said: “What an end to an extraordinary season.

“Only myself to blame putting myself in this position. Plenty of opportunities this year, but just didn’t take them.

“So pleased with how I played this week under the pressure.”

Alison Lee smashes LET records

The 36-hole scoring record on the Ladies European Tour was 128 shots, set by Kylie Henry in 2014.

That was until 28-year-old Alison Lee went six shots better this weekend, firing in back-to-back rounds of 61 at the Aramco Team Series in Saudi Arabia.

Both of Lee’s opening two rounds featured 11 birdies as she went on to claim a second LET title.

It was a week for breaking records, too, as the American also set another LET record by carding eight birdies in a row.

• Pro launches expletive-filled rant at troll

• PGA Tour ‘turns down’ partnership opportunity

Aussie amateur books major tickets

Australia’s Jasper Stubbs edged a thrilling play-off at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship to earn his place in the 2024 Open and Masters.

The 22-year-old came from six shots back to enter the nervy shootout with Sampson Zheng and Wenyi Ding at Royal Melbourne.

After Ding’s par putt lipped out and Stubbs tapped home to seal a dream 2024, he said: “The Masters is something every kid’s ever dreamed of.

“It’s the one tournament that every golfer wants to play in their life and now that that’s going to be the reality for me, I’m speechless, it’s life-changing.

“I’m really excited for April now and also for The Open.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.