🗓🏌🏽♂️April 2025: the Must-See Competitions on the PGA Tour🏆(*post updated with the Winners)
- clairebambino
- Mar 26
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 29
Last update: April 29, 2025
🇺🇸 🏌🏽♂️ Valero Texas Open – Apr 3-6, 2025 – TPC San Antonio, Texas • USA
The Valero Texas Open is held annually in San Antonio, Texas, and has been a part of the PGA Tour schedule since 1922, making it one of the oldest professional golf tournaments in North America.
⛳️ The event is played at the TPC San Antonio, which features the Oaks Course 📐 designed by Greg Norman, with consultant Sergio Garcia. 🧐 Greg Norman, the renowned "Great White Shark" is a celebrated figure in the world of golf, having transitioned seamlessly from a dominant professional golfer to a highly respected golf course architect. His firm, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD), is a leading international golf course design company with over 100 courses completed in 34 countries.
The tournament has been won by many legendary golfers over the years, including Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, and Ben Crenshaw.
Akshay Bhatia emerged victorious at the 2024 Valero Texas Open, securing his 2nd PGA Tour title. After holding a commanding six-shot lead, Bhatia faced a thrilling playoff against 🇺🇸Denny McCarthy. Despite a late stumble, his resilience and clutch performance ultimately earned him the coveted trophy. This win solidified Bhatia's position as a rising star on the PGA Tour and marked a significant milestone in his young career.
💰 Purse: $9,500,000
💯 FedExCup: 500 pts
Previous winner: 🇺🇸 Akshay Bhatia ($1,656,000)
🏆 Winner 2025: 🇺🇸 Brian Harman ($1,710,000) - Age: 38 - Turned Pro in 2009.
Brian Harman demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament, ultimately finishing at 9-under par with a final score of 279 (66-66-72-75). Despite challenging conditions, particularly on the final day with wind and cooler temperatures, Harman managed to hold off his competitors. He started the final round with a three-shot lead and while Andrew Novak mounted a strong challenge, Harman's steady play, including crucial birdies on the back nine, secured his victory by three strokes over Ryan Gerard, who finished as the solo runner-up. This win marked Harman's fourth career PGA Tour title and his first since his Open Championship triumph in 2023, providing him with significant momentum heading into the Masters Tournament the following week.
🇺🇸 🏌🏽♂️ Masters Tournament – Apr 10-13, 2025 – Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia • USA
The Masters Tournament is one of the 4 major championships in professional golf and is widely considered the most prestigious golf event in the world.
Held annually in Augusta, Georgia at the Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters has been contested every year since 1934, with the exception of the war years of 1943-1945.
🧐 The Masters is always held at the same private golf club, Augusta National, which was founded in 1932 by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and businessman Clifford Roberts. The course's iconic features, such as Amen Corner, the par-3 12th hole, and the green jacket awarded to the champion, have made the Masters one of the most recognizable and celebrated sporting events globally.
📐 The primary architects of Augusta National Golf Club are Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie. 🔎 Bobby Jones (1902-1971) won the U.S. Open four times, the British Open three times, the U.S. Amateur five times, and the British Amateur three times. Known for his sportsmanship and integrity, his nickname was "The Immortal" He retired from professional golf at the age of 28 to focus on course design. Alister MacKenzie (1870-1954) was a renowned Scottish golf course architect known for his artistry and strategic design principles.
Only a select field of players qualify to compete in the Masters each year, making it an exclusive and highly competitive tournament. Winning the Masters is a career-defining achievement, as the champion is celebrated with a lifetime invitation to the event and earns a cherished green jacket.
Scottie Scheffler has won the Masters Tournament twice, in 2022 and 2024.
Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most Masters Tournament wins. He has won the prestigious tournament a remarkable 6 times.
💰 Purse: $21,000,000
💯 FedExCup: 750 pts
Previous winner: 🇺🇸 Scottie Scheffler ($3,600,000)
🏆 Winner 2025: NIR Rory McIlroy ($4,200,000) - Age: 35 - Turned Pro in 2007.
👏🏽 🟢 Rory McIlroy finally conquered Augusta National, winning The Masters 2025 in a dramatic playoff against Justin Rose to complete his career Grand Slam. This momentous victory, his 5th major championship and 1st green jacket, makes him only the 6th player in history to achieve this coveted feat, joining the legendary company of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
🎢 The final round was a rollercoaster of emotions for McIlroy. Starting with a two-shot lead, he stumbled with a double bogey on the very first hole. However, he showed incredible resilience, battling back to regain control and even build a four-shot lead. The closing stretch proved to be a tense affair, with McIlroy bogeying the last hole to fall back into a tie with a charging Justin Rose, who carded a stunning final round of 66.
Returning to the 18th for the sudden-death playoff, McIlroy displayed nerves of steel. After a perfect drive, his approach shot was exquisite, landing within three feet of the hole. He calmly rolled in the birdie putt, unleashing a primal scream of elation and relief after years of trying to master Augusta. This victory ends an eleven-year major drought for the Northern Irishman and solidifies his place among the game's all-time greats. The win was particularly sweet alongside his caddie and long-time friend, Harry Diamond, with whom he shared an emotional celebration.
Scottie Scheffler, who won The Masters twice (in 2022 and 2024) finished in 4th place. Despite being the defending champion and one of the favorites, Scheffler couldn't quite capture his 3rd Masters title in four years. While he didn't secure the victory, his strong performance resulted in another top finish at a major championship.
🔎 In addition to the monetary prize won, the winner of the Masters receives several privileges and honours, including:
The Green Jacket: the most iconic symbol, which the winner can wear for one year and keep afterwards at Augusta National Golf Club.
The Trophy: a silver replica of the Masters trophy representing the Augusta clubhouse.
A Gold medal: commemorating his victory.
Honorary Member: becomes an honorary member of Augusta National Golf Club.
Lifetime Invitation: the winner is invited to play in the Masters every year for the rest of his or her life.
Exemption from other major tournaments: the winner receives an exemption from the other 3 major tournaments (the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship) for several years. He also receives an exemption from playing on the PGA Tour for several years.
Invitation to the Champions Dinner: every year, on the Tuesday before the tournament, the previous year's winner organises a dinner for former winners, where he or she chooses the menu.
🇺🇸 🏌🏽♂️ RBC Heritage – Apr 17-20, 2025 – Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina• USA
First played in 1969, the event is held at the Harbour Town Golf Links, a course designed by renowned golf course architects 📐 Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus.
The tournament is known for its picturesque seaside setting, featuring the iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse that serves as a backdrop to the 18th hole.
The RBC Heritage is the only PGA Tour event played in South Carolina and is one of the most popular stops on the Tour. It attracts a strong field of players seeking to claim the plaid champion's jacket, a nod to the tournament's tartan-themed branding.
Past champions include golfing legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Davis Love III, who holds the record with 5 RBC Heritage titles.
In 2024, just a week after claiming his 2nd Masters title, Scottie Scheffler showcased his exceptional form and skill on the challenging Harbour Town Golf Links. His consistent play and clutch performances throughout the tournament allowed him to secure a comfortable victory.
💰 Purse: $20,000,000
💯 FedExCup: 700 pts
Previous winner: 🇺🇸 Scottie Scheffler ($3,600,000)
🏆 Winner 2025: 🇺🇸 Justin Thomas ($3,600,000) - Age: 31 - Turned Pro in 2013.
Thomas ended a near three-year winless drought in dramatic fashion, securing his 16th PGA Tour victory. The final round saw a tight battle unfold, with Thomas ultimately finishing tied at 17-under par with Andrew Novak after both carded final rounds of 68. The tournament concluded in a sudden-death playoff on the 18th hole, where Thomas showcased nerves of steel, sinking a birdie putt from just outside 20 feet. The pure strike and the ball disappearing into the cup sparked immense joy and relief for Thomas, as he celebrated with his caddie. This hard-fought victory at the prestigious RBC Heritage, a signature event on the PGA Tour, earned Thomas a significant prize of $3.6 million and 700 FedEx Cup points, propelling him further up the world ranking and Ryder Cup standings.
🇩🇴 🏌🏽♂️ Corales Puntacana Championship – Apr 17-20, 2025 – Puntacana Resort & Club, Puntacana • Dominican Republic
The tournament was first played in 2016 and is one of the newer additions to the PGA Tour schedule.
The course, designed by renowned architect 📐🇺🇸 Tom Fazio, features stunning ocean views, challenging water hazards, and lush tropical scenery. Tom Fazio (born in 1945) has designed over 200 courses worldwide, many of which are ranked among the best in the world.
Despite its relative youth, the Corales Puntacana Championship has quickly gained popularity among players for its scenic tropical setting and enthusiastic local fan support. Past champions include Wyndham Clark, Mackenzie Hughes, Joel Dahmen and Graeme McDowell.
Billy Horschel emerged victorious at the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship. This marked his 8th career PGA Tour victory and solidified his position as a consistent contender on the circuit.
💰 Purse: $4,000,000
💯 FedExCup: 300 pts
Previous winner: 🇺🇸 Billy Horschel ($720,000)
🏆 Winner 2025: 🇿🇦 Garrick Higgo ($720,000) - Age: 25 - Turned Pro in 2019.
Higgo, who entered the final day trailing leader Joel Dahmen, carded a steady final round of 72 to finish at 14-under par (274 total). The victory wasn't without its drama, as Dahmen, who held the lead for the first three rounds, faltered down the stretch, bogeying the final three holes to finish tied for second. Higgo's composed performance under pressure allowed him to capitalize on Dahmen's misfortune, securing his 2nd PGA Tour victory. The challenging winds throughout the week made scoring difficult, highlighting Higgo's resilience and consistent play across all four rounds. His victory marked a significant moment in his career, adding another PGA Tour title to his name after his maiden win in 2021 at the Palmetto Championship. Before his success on the PGA Tour, Higgo also won 3 times on the European Tour in 2020 and 2021. He is a left-handed player who attended the University of Nevada-Las Vegas for a year before turning professional.
🇺🇸 🏌🏽♂️ Zurich Classic of New Orleans – Apr 24-27, 2025 – TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana • USA
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans was first played in 1938. However, it wasn't played annually until 1958.
It is a unique PGA Tour event that features a team format. Unlike traditional individual tournaments, teams of 2 professional golfers compete together throughout the 4 rounds.
The TPC Louisiana was designed by 📐 Pete Dye who created some of the most iconic and demanding courses in the world. Dye's courses are often characterized by dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and water hazards that can make or break a golfer's round. His most famous designs include TPC Sawgrass and Whistling Straits.
⚜️ The winners of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans receive a Waterford crystal fleur-de-lis trophy and championship belts. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of New Orleans.
Winners of past editions:
2023: Nick Hardy & Davis Riley,
2022: Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele,
2021: Marc Leishman & Cameron Smith.
💰 Purse: $9,200,000
💯 FedExCup: 400 pts
Previous winners 2024: 🇮🇪 Shane Lowry, (NIR) Rory Mcllroy ($1,286,050)
🏆 Winners 2025: 🇺🇸 Andrew Novak & Ben Griffin ($1,329,400 each) - Age: 30 and 28 - Turned Pro in 2017 and 2018.
Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak secured their 1st PGA Tour victories as a team. The duo finished the tournament at an impressive 28-under par, with a total score of 260, narrowly edging out the 🇩🇰 twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard by a single stroke. Griffin sank a crucial birdie putt from nearly 35 feet on the 17th hole during the final round's alternate-shot play, which proved to be the decisive moment. Their win at TPC Louisiana was particularly sweet as they have a long-standing friendship dating back to their junior golf days and had often discussed teaming up for this event. Notably, Novak's victory comes just a week after a playoff loss at the RBC Heritage, making him the 1st player since Patrick Cantlay in 2022 to follow a playoff defeat with a win the very next week. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry (the 2024 winners) teamed up again to defend their title. However, they finished in a tie for 12th place with a total score of 22-under par.
Louisiana Tournament Players Club
