Tour News
Top 10 celebrity golfers from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
By Dennis de Jesus Jr.
GolfWRX Contributor
Lost in the high profile theatrics of Phil Mickelson’s big win over not only the field, but Sunday Tiger Woods himself, was the fact that this was the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Event, with a small emphasis on the “Am”. The amateur component of the tournament adds an extra something to make it unique, as if the beautiful backdrop of cliffs rolling into the pacific ocean wasn’t enough, am I right?
One of the selling points for the tournament was the key pairing of Tiger Woods and Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo. What better way to draw viewers in and fans into another non-major golf tournament but by assigning one of the marquee-celebrity-amateur-golfers with THE needle-moving marquee pro golfer on the tour? It does raise an eyebrow however, because in the 156 amateur-pro pairings, is it really “fair” to couple a really good amateur golfer with an absolutely great pro golfer? That would be like me and Metta World Peace (aka Ron Artest) playing Michael Jordan and any of the Harlem Globetrotters on a two on two street “pro-am” basketball tournament.
Tony Romo is no slouch on the course. In fact, it is reported that the Cowboys starting QB holds a 1 handicap on the course, even though some people (like Tiger himself) argue that Romo is more of a scratch golfer. It made me wonder – of the various sports/film/tv celebrities that entertain us and fashion golf as a serious hobby, which of them are really that good and who are destined to call up Golf Central to be Hank Haney’s next project?
Here is my list of the top ten handicaps of very well known celebrity golfers:
10. Tom Cruise – Film Actor (Hcp: 23)
Looks like Mr. Scientology has plenty of time away from philosophical studies to hit the links as well. I can’t say that I’ve actually seen him swing a club, but I’m sure knocking the handicap down a few strokes isn’t Mission: Impossible.
9. Ray Romano – TV Actor (Hcp: 18)
The “Everybody Loves Raymond” star recently worked with Hank Haney to help improve his game and find ways to be consistent from setup to follow through. A strong showing in this year’s 2012 Pro-Am proves that it might have worked and may tame with his normally tongue in cheek negative attitude on the course.
8. Will Smith – Film Actor (Hcp: 14)
It comes as no surprise that an actor who has been involved in a golf film would have an appreciation of the sport. The star of films such as Men in Black, I Robot and The Legend of Bagger Vance is said to have a pretty strong short game and may or may not have spent time honing these skills on the links of Bel-Air…
7. Bill Murray – Film Actor (Hcp: 13)
Even to this day, fans chant for a Carl Spackler quote any time this hall of fame comedian steps on the course. Unfortunately for Murray, there was no Groundhog Day performance this year and he wasn’t able to repeat as champion for the 2012 edition of the AT&T Tournament.
6. Kevin Costner – Film Actor (Hcp: 12)
I try to think of any other actor who could have played Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy and I draw a blank. It was as if the role was suited for him perfectly. What I do know is if I played as reckless as he did in the movie, there is no way I could even be close to a 12 handicap. Maybe a 112.
5. Clint Eastwood – Film Actor/Director (Hcp: 11)
At 81 years young and at a very respectable near single digit handicap, it is conceivable for this Hollywood legend to score his age for any given round. Maybe it’s his ability to stay in good physical shape throughout the years, but I really believe it’s his ability to read greens accurately with his perma-squint that has brought him success even to this day.
4. Sylvester Stallone – Film Actor (Hcp: 10)
It’s hard for me to imagine Rambo walking around with a golf bag over his shoulders, Judge Dredd standing over a putt or Rocky yelling “fore” from the teebox. But as it turns out, Sly is pretty good with the sticks. Okay – I can actually picture him at the teebox after an errant shot, “YO, ADRIAN!!!!”
3. Michael Jordan – NBA Hall of Famer (Hcp: 4)
After basketball, golf is admittedly MJ’s favourite sport. In an interview, His Airness claimed that golf was an incredible sport because it is one of those skills “you can never perfect.” Given that statement, it makes sense why the greatest basketball player of all time retired from the NBA in 2003. He perfected it.
2. Tony Romo – NFL QB (Hcp: 1)
It’s widely known in golf circles that Romo could conceivably earn a PGA Tour Card if he dedicated a little more time to refine his skills. Given his competitive nature and natural athleticism, perhaps Romo is already setting up his retirement plans after the NFL (he probably has a better chance of winning some sort of championship in his golf career anyways).
1. Kenny G – Musician (Hcp: Scratch)
Like a golfer, an instrumental musician has to be good with his hands. They both have to be creative and see/hear things like a true artist would. Luke Donald is an accomplished painter in his spare time, so it makes sense that a world class musician would be an accomplished golfer in his spare time. Maybe we’ve solved what the “G” stands for?
Oh by the way, a big congratulations to Harrington/McManus and Harman/Ontiveros for winning the Pro-Am portion of the 2012 AT&T Tournament. Makes me think that with the right teammate, I might have a chance against Michael Jordan and the Harlem Globetrotter.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship
GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.
While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.
Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Michael Block – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Patrick Reed – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cam Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Josh Speight – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Takumi Kanaya – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kyle Mendoza – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Adrian Meronk – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jordan Smith – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jeremy Wells – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jared Jones – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Somers – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Larkin Gross – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tracy Phillips – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jon Rahm – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Keita Nakajima – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Kazuma Kobori – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- David Puig – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Ryan Van Velzen – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brad Marek – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rich Beem WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Phil Mickelson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Matt Dobyns – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Lucas Herbert – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Jason Dufner – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- John Daly – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Taylor Gooch – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dean Burmester – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
- Dustin Johnson – WITB – 2024 PGA Championship
Pullout Albums
- Ping putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Bettinardi covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Cameron putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
- Max Homa – Titleist 2 wood – 2024 PGA Championship
- Scotty Cameron experimental putter shaft by UST – 2024 PGA Championship
- Joaquin Niemann – new Ping putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Brooks Koepka’s new Cameron putter – 2024 PGA Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s Cobra bag and Aerojet driver – 2024 PGA Championship
- Super Stroke grip – 2024 PGA Championship
- Tiger Woods – 2024 PGA Championship
- Michael Block’s new TaylorMade “Proto” 7-iron, from address – 2024 PGA Championship
- Odyssey putter covers – 2024 PGA Championship
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Lauren Conrad
Feb 16, 2012 at 11:15 am
I was hoping that maybe you’d mention me in the article and almost thought you did when you spoke of a great golfer with a perma-squint. I’d love to be your teammate against MJ. Michael, you’ve little chance…
LC