Opinion & Analysis
PGA President Ted Bishop calls Poulter a “Lil Girl,” loses his job
Editor’s Note: After this story was published, the PGA of America Board of Directors voted to remove Ted Bishop, the 38th PGA President, for insensitive gender-based statements he posted on social media toward Ian Poulter. The Board deemed the remarks to be inconsistent with the policies of the PGA.
“The PGA of America understands the enormous responsibility it has to lead this great game and to enrich lives in our society through golf,” said PGA Chief Executive Officer Pete Bevacqua. “We must demand of ourselves that we make golf both welcoming and inclusive to all who want to experience it, and everyone at the PGA of America must lead by example.”
“The Members and Apprentices of the PGA of America must uphold the highest standards and values of the profession, as well as the manner in which we conduct ourselves at all times,” said Sprague, the PGA General Manager and Director of Golf at Malone (New York) Golf Club. “We apologize to any individual or group that felt diminished, in any way, by this unacceptable incident.”
“We understand and respect the PGA of America’s decision regarding Ted Bishop. During Ted’s presidency, he accomplished many positive things and the PGA of America and the PGA Tour have worked in a much more collaborative and positive way as a result of his leadership. While his remarks on social media were unfortunate and inappropriate, Ted’s apology was heartfelt and sincere. We will always appreciate Ted’s commitment to the game of golf.”
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Ted Bishop, the President of the PGA of America, is on a scorching hot seat for using a schoolyard diss against Ian Poulter on Twitter on Thursday evening. Well, it’s not recess anymore Mr. Bishop — you’re the PRESIDENT of the PGA of America.
“Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl.” Bishop said in a Tweet directed toward Poulter, while Bishop was reportedly with Nick Faldo at the Greenbrier for the Faldo Series junior program.
Poulter put President Bishop in his place and said what everyone with a brain was thinking.
“Is being called a ‘lil girl’ meant to be derogatory or a put down?” Poulter said in the statement. “That’s pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America. No further comment.”
What spurred on the attempted “lil girl” insult? Poulter recently dropped his book entitled “No Limits,” where he was critical of both Nick Faldo, the losing captain of the European Ryder Cup team in 2008, and Tom Watson, losing captain of the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain.
In 2008, Faldo called Sergio Garcia “useless” and said that he had “emotional and physical problems.” Things were so bad that at one point, Garcia told Faldo he that didn’t want to play.
“Faldo has lost a lot of respect from players because of what he said,” Poulter said in his book, regarding Faldo’s comments to the media that day. He also pointed out that Faldo captained the only losing team in 15 years. “So who’s useless? I think Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror.”
Poulter also said that Watson’s decisions as Captain of the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup team “completely baffled” him.
Bishop, along with his Twitter post, took to Facebook as well, coming to the defense of Faldo and Watson, saying Poulter has an inferior major championship and Ryder Cup record. He noted that Watson has won eight major championships and has a 10-3-1 Ryder Cup record, while Faldo has six major championships and the record for most Ryder Cup points.
“Really? Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!” Bishop posted on Facebook in response to Poulter’s comments in his book.
Bishop’s two-term as president ends next month, and he appears to already be checked out. The PGA of America, within its Play Golf America initiative, brings young golfers of both genders into the game of golf. The “lil girl” comment used in a demeaning context is not a good look for Bishop or the PGA of America.
“Obviously I could have selected some different ways to express my thoughts on Poulter’s remarks.” Bishop told the Associated Press in an email. “Golf had always been a sport where respect was shown to its icons. That seems to have gone by the wayside.”
Respect shown to icons? How about some respect for the youth of America, Mr. Bishop.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 PGA Championship betting preview: Rising star ready to join the immortals at Valhalla
The second major of the 2024 season is upon us as the world’s best players will tee it up this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.
The last time we saw Valhalla host a major championship, Rory McIlroy fended off Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler and the creeping darkness that was descending upon the golf course. The Northern Irishman had the golf world in the palm of his hand, joining only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as players who’d won four major championships by the time they were 25 years old.
Valhalla is named after the great hall described in Norse mythology where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The course is a Jack Nicklaus-design that has ranked among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Courses” for three decades.
Valhalla Golf Club is a par-71 measuring 7,542 yards with Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens. The course has rolling hills and dangerous streams scattered throughout and the signature 13th hole is picturesque with limestone and unique bunkering protecting the green. The 2024 PGA Championship will mark the fourth time Valhalla has hosted the event.
The field this week will consist of 156 players, including 16 PGA Champions and 33 Major Champions.
Past Winners of the PGA Championship
- 2023: Brooks Koepka (-9) Oak Hill
- 2022: Justin Thomas (-5) Southern Hills
- 2021: Phil Mickelson (-6) Kiawah Island
- 2020: Collin Morikawa (-13) TPC Harding Park
- 2019: Brooks Koepka (-8) Bethpage Black
- 2018: Brooks Koepka (-16) Bellerive
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) Quail Hollow
- 2016: Jimmy Walker (-14) Baltusrol
- 2015: Jason Day (-20) Whistling Straits
- 2014: Rory McIlroy (-16) Valhalla
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Valhalla
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for Oak Hill to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Valhalla will play as a true all-around test of golf for the world’s best. Of course, it will take strong approach play to win a major championship.
Strokes Gained: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Shane Lowry (+1.25)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.09)
- Jordan Smith (+1.05)
- Tom Hoge (+.96)
- Corey Conners (+.94)
2. Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Valhalla will play long and the rough will be penal. Players who are incredibly short off the tee and/or have a hard time hitting fairways will be all but eliminated from contention this week at the PGA Championship.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Bryson DeChambeau (+1.47)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.11)
- Keith Mitchell (+.90)
- Alejandro Tosti (+.89)
- Ludvig Aberg (+.82)
Strokes Gained: Total on Nickalus Designs
Valhalla is a classic Nicklaus Design. Players who play well at Nicklaus designs should have an advantage coming into this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Nicklaus Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Jon Rahm (+2.56)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.48)
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.35)
- Collin Morikawa (+1.79)
- Shane Lowry (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Tee to Green on Very Long Courses
Valhalla is going to play extremely long this week. Players who have had success playing very long golf courses should be better equipped to handle the conditions of this major championship.
Strokes Gained: Total on Very Long Courses Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.44)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.24)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.78)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.60)
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships
One factor that tends to play a large role in deciding major championships is which players have played well in previous majors leading up to the event.
Strokes Gained: Total in Major Championships over past 20 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+3.14)
- Will Zalatoris (+2.64)
- Rory McIlroy (+2.49)
- Xander Schauffele (+2.48)
- Tommy Fleetwood (2.09)
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens
Valhalla features pure Bentgrass putting surfaces. Players who are comfortable putting on this surface will have an advantage on the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting on Bentgrass Greens over Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+1.12)
- Denny McCarthy (+1.08)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+0.99)
- Justin Rose (+0.93)
- J.T. Poston (0.87)
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways
Valhalla features Zoysia fairways. Players who are comfortable playing on this surface will have an advantage on the field.
Strokes Gained: Total on Zoysia Fairways over past 36 rounds:
- Justin Thomas (+1.53)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.47)
- Xander Schauffele (+1.40)
- Brooks Koepka (+1.35)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.23)
2024 PGA Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), SG: Off the Tee (22%), SG: T2G on Very Long Courses (12%), SG: Putting on Bentgrass (+12%), SG: Total on Nicklaus Designs (12%). SG: Total on Zoysia Fairways (8%), and SG: Total in Major Championships (8%).
- Brooks Koepka
- Xander Schauffele
- Rory McIlroy
- Scottie Scheffler
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Shane Lowry
- Alex Noren
- Will Zalatoris
- Cameron Young
- Keith Mitchell
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Billy Horschel
- Patrick Cantlay
- Viktor Hovland
- Adam Schenk
- Chris Kirk
- Sahith Theegala
- Min Woo Lee
- Joaquin Niemann
- Justin Thomas
2024 PGA Championship Picks
Ludvig Aberg +1800 (BetMGM)
At The Masters, Ludvig Aberg announced to the golf world that he’s no longer an “up and coming” player. He’s one of the best players in the game of golf, regardless of experience.
Augusta National gave Aberg some necessary scar tissue and showed him what being in contention at a major championship felt like down the stretch. Unsurprisingly, he made a costly mistake, hitting it in the water left of the 11th hole, but showed his resilience by immediately bouncing back. He went on to birdie two of his next three holes and finished in solo second by three shots. With the type of demeanor that remains cool in pressure situations, I believe Ludvig has the right mental game to win a major at this point in his career.
Aberg has not finished outside of the top-25 in his past eight starts, which includes two runner-up finishes at both a “Signature Event” and a major championship. The 24-year-old is absolutely dominant with his driver, which will give him a major advantage this week. In the field he ranks, in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and has gained strokes in the category in each of his past ten starts. Aberg is already one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the planet.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the great hall where the souls of Vikings feasted and celebrated with the Gods. The Swedes, who are of Old Norse origin, were the last of the three Scandinavian Kingdoms to abandon the Old Norse Gods. A Swede played a major role in the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and I believe another, Ludvig Aberg, will be the one to conquer Valhalla in 2024.
Bryson DeChambeau +2800 (BetMGM)
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the few players in the world that I believe has the game to go blow-for-blow with Scottie Scheffler. Although he isn’t as consistent as Scheffler, when he’s at his best, Bryson has the talent to beat him.
At The Masters, DeChambeau put forth a valiant effort at a golf course that simply does not suit his game. Valhalla, on the other hand, is a course that should be perfect for the 30-year-old. His ability to overpower a golf course with his driver will be a serious weapon this week.
Bryson has had some success at Jack Nicklaus designs throughout his career as he won the Memorial at Muirfield Village back in 2018. He’s also had incredible results on Bentgrass greens for the entirety of his professional career. Of his 10 wins, nine of them have come on Bentgrass greens, with the only exception being the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He also has second place finishes at Medinah and TPC Summerlin, which feature Bentgrass greens.
Love him or hate him, it’s impossible to argue that Bryson isn’t one of the most exciting and important players in the game of golf. He’s also one of the best players in the world. A second major is coming soon for DeChambeau, and I believe he should be amongst the favorites to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy this week.
Patrick Cantlay +4000 (FanDuel)
There’s no way of getting around it: Patrick Cantlay has been dissapointing in major championships throughout his professional career. He’s been one of the top players on Tour for a handful of years and has yet to truly contend at a major championship, with the arguable exception of the 2019 Masters.
Despite not winning majors, Cantlay has won some big events. The 32-year-old has won two BMW Championships, two Memorial Tournaments as well as a Tour Championship. His victories at Memorial indicate how much Cantlay loves Nicklaus designs, where he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total over his past 36 rounds behind only Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.
Cantlay also loves Bentgrass greens. Six of Cantlay’s seven individual wins on the PGA Tour have come on Bentgrass greens and he also was one of the best putters at the 2023 Ryder cup at Marco Simone (also Bentgrass). At Caves Valley (2021 BMW Championship), he gained over 12 strokes putting to outduel another Bentgrass specialist, Bryson DeChambeau.
Cantlay finished 22nd in The Masters, which was a solid result considering how many elite players struggled that week. He also has two top-ten finishes in his past five PGA Championships. He’s undeniably one of the best players in the field, therefore, it comes down to believing Cantlay has the mental fortitude to win a major, which I do.
Joaquin Niemann +4000 (BetMGM)
I believe Joaquin Niemann is one of the best players in the world. He has three worldwide wins since December and has continued to improve over the course of his impressive career thus far. Still only 25, the Chilean has all the tools to be a serious contender in major championships for years to come.
Niemann has been the best player on LIV this season. Plenty will argue with the format or source of the money on LIV, but no one can argue that beating players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith is an unremarkable achievement. Niemann is an elite driver of the golf ball who hits it farther than just about anyone in the field not named Bryson DeChambeau or (arguably) Rory McIlroy.
Niemann is another player who has been fantastic throughout his career on Bentgrass greens. Prior to leaving the PGA Tour, Bentgrass was the only green surface in which Joaco was a positive putter. It’s clearly a surface that he is very comfortable putting on and should fare around and on the greens this week.
Niemann is a perfect fit for Valhalla. His low and penetrating ball flight will get him plenty of runout this week on the fairways and he should have shorter shots into the green complexes than his competitors. To this point in his career, the former top ranked amateur in the world (2018) has been underwhelming in major championships, but I don’t believe that will last much longer. Joaquin Niemann is a major championship caliber player and has a real chance to contend this week at Valhalla.
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In my last post, I explained the basic performance dynamics of “smash factor” and “gear effect” as they apply to your wedges and your wedge play success. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
At the end of that post, I promised “part 2” of this discussion of what makes a wedge work the way it does. So, let’s dive into the other two components of any wedge – the shaft and the grip.
It’s long been said that the shaft is “the engine of the golf club.” The shaft (and grip) are your only connection to all the technologies that are packed into the head of any golf club, whether it be a driver, fairway, hybrid, iron, wedge or even putter.
And you cannot ignore those two components of your wedges if your goal is optimizing your performance.
I’ve long been an advocate of what I call a “seamless transition” from your irons into your wedges, so that the feel and performance do not disconnect when you choose a gap wedge, for example, instead of your iron-set-matching “P-club.” In today’s golf equipment marketplace, more and more golfers are making the investment of time and money to experience an iron fitting, going through trial and error and launch monitor measuring to get just the right shaft in their irons.
But then so many of those same golfers just go into a store and choose wedges off the retail display, with no similar science involved at all. And that’s why I see so many golfers with a huge disconnect between their custom-fitted irons, often with lighter and/or softer graphite or light steel shafts . . . and their off-the-rack wedges with the stock stiff steel ‘wedge flex’ shaft common to those stock offerings.
If your wedge shafts are significantly heavier and stiffer than the shafts in your irons, it is physically impossible for you to make the same swing. Period.
To quickly improve your wedge play, one of the first things you can do is have your wedges re-shafted with the same or similar shaft that is in your irons.
There’s another side of that shaft weight equation; if you don’t have the forearm and hand strength of a PGA Tour professional, you simply cannot “handle” the same weight shaft that those guys play to master the myriad of ‘touch shots’ around the greens.
Now, let’s move on to the third and other key component of your wedges – the grips. If those are not similar in shape and feel to the grips on your irons, you have another disconnect. Have your grips checked by a qualified golf club professionals to make sure you are in sync there.
The one caveat to that advice is that I am a proponent of a reduced taper in your wedge grips – putting two to four more layers of tape under the lower hand, or selecting one of the many reduced taper grips on the market. That accomplishes two goals for your scoring.
First, it helps reduce overactive hands in your full and near-full wedge swings. Quiet hands are key to good wedge shots.
And secondly, it provides a more consistent feel of the wedge in your hands as you grip down for those shorter and more delicate shots around the greens. And you should always grip down as you get into those touch shots. I call it “getting closer to your work.”
So, if you will spend as much time selecting the shafts and grips for your wedges as you do choosing the brand, model, and loft of them, your scoring range performance will get better.
More from the Wedge Guy
- The Wedge Guy: What really makes a wedge work? Part 1
- The Wedge Guy: The easiest-to-learn golf basic
- The Wedge Guy: Golf mastery begins with your wedge game
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Wells Fargo Championship betting preview: Tommy Fleetwood ready to finally land maiden PGA Tour title
The PGA Tour season ramps back up this week for another “signature event,” as golf fans look forward to the year’s second major championship next week.
After two weaker-field events in the Zurich Classic and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, most of the best players in the world will head to historic Quail Hollow for one of the best non-major tournaments of the year.
Last season, Wyndham Clark won the event by four shots.
Quail Hollow is a par-71 measuring 7,521 yards that features Bermudagrass greens. The tree-lined, parkland style course can play quite difficult and features one of the most difficult three-hole stretches in golf known as “The Green Mile,” which makes up holes 16-18: two mammoth par 4s and a 221-yard par 3. All three holes have an average score over par, and water is in play in each of the last five holes on the course.
The field is excellent this week with 68 golfers teeing it up without a cut. All of the golfers who’ve qualified are set to tee it up, with the exception of Scottie Scheffler, who is expecting the birth of his first child.
Past Winners at Quail Hollow
- 2023: Wyndham Clark (-19)
- 2022: Max Homa (-8)
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (-10)
- 2019: Max Homa (-15)
- 2018: Jason Day (-12)
- 2017: Justin Thomas (-8) (PGA Championship)
- 2016: James Hahn (-9)
- 2015: Rory McIlroy (-21)
Key Stats For Quail Hollow
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes gained: Approach will be extremely important this week as second shots at Quail Hollow can be very difficult.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Akshay Bhatia (+1.16)
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Corey Conners (+1.01)
- Shane Lowry (+0.93)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.82)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Quail Hollow is a long course on which it is important to play from the fairway. Both distance and accuracy are important, as shorter tee shots will result in approach shots from 200 or more yards. With most of the holes heavily tree lined, errant drives will create some real trouble for the players.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Past 24 Rounds:
- Ludvig Aberg (+0.73)
- Rory McIlroy (+0.69)
- Xander Schauffele (+0.62)
- Viktor Hovland (+0.58)
- Chris Kirk (+0.52)
Proximity: 175-200
The 175-200 range is key at Quail Hollow. Players who can hit their long irons well will rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Proximity: 175-200+ over past 24 rounds:
- Cameron Young (28’2″)
- Akshay Bhatia (29’6″)
- Ludvig Aberg (+30’6″)
- Sam Burns (+30’6″)
- Collin Morikawa (+30’9″)
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs
Players who thrive on Tom Fazio designs get a bump for me at Quail Hollow this week.
SG: Total on Tom Fazio Designs over past 36 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.10)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.95)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.68)
- Austin Eckroat (+1.60)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.57)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)
Strokes Gained: Putting has historically graded out as the most important statistic at Quail Hollow. While it isn’t always predictable, I do want to have it in the model to bump up golfers who prefer to putt on Bermudagrass.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Taylor Moore (+0.82)
- Nick Dunlap (+.76)
- Wyndham Clark (+.69)
- Emiliano Grillo (+.64)
- Cam Davis (+.61)
Course History
This stat will incorporate players that have played well in the past at Quail Hollow.
Course History over past 36 rounds (per round):
- Rory McIlroy (+2.50)
- Justin Thomas (+1.96)
- Jason Day (+1.92)
- Rickie Fowler (+1.83)
- Viktor Hovland (+1.78)
Wells Fargo Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: Off the Tee (23%), SG: Total on Fazio designs (12%), Proximity: 175-200 (12%), SG: Putting Bermuda grass (12%), and Course History (14%).
- Wyndham Clark
- Rory McIlroy
- Xander Schauffele
- Shane Lowry
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Viktor Hovland
- Cameron Young
- Austin Eckroat
- Byeong Hun An
- Justin Thomas
2024 Wells Fargo Championship Picks
Tommy Fleetwood +2500 (DraftKings)
I know many out there have Tommy fatigue when it comes to betting, which is completely understandable given his lack of ability to win on the PGA Tour thus far in his career. However, history has shown us that players with Fleetwood’s talent eventually break though, and I believe for Tommy, it’s just a matter of time.
Fleetwood has been excellent on Tom Fazio designs. Over his past 36 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Fazio tracks. He’s also been incredibly reliable off the tee this season. He’s gained strokes in the category in eight of his past nine starts, including at The Masters, the PLAYERS and the three “signature events” of the season. Tommy is a golfer built for tougher courses and can grind it out in difficult conditions.
Last year, Fleetwood was the first-round leader at this event, firing a Thursday 65. He finished the event in a tie for 5th place.
For those worried about Fleetwood’s disappointing start his last time out at Harbour Town, he’s bounced back nicely after plenty of poor outings this season. His T7 at the Valero Texas Open was after a MC and T35 in his prior two starts and his win at the Dubai Invitational came after a T47 at the Sentry.
I expect Tommy to bounce back this week and contend at Quail Hollow.
Justin Thomas +3000 (DraftKings)
It’s been a rough couple of years for Justin Thomas, but I don’t believe things are quite as bad as they seem for JT. He got caught in the bad side of the draw at Augusta for last month’s Masters and has gained strokes on approach in seven of his nine starts in 2024.
Thomas may have found something in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage. He finished T5 at a course that he isn’t the best fit for on paper. He also finally got the putter working and ranked 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week.
The two-time PGA champion captured the first of his two major championships at Quail Hollow back in 2017, and some good vibes from the course may be enough to get JT out of his slump.
Thomas hasn’t won an event in just about two years. However, I still believe that will change soon as he’s been one of the most prolific winners throughout his PGA Tour career. Since 2015, he has 15 PGA Tour wins.
Course history is pretty sticky at Quail Hollow, with players who like the course playing well there on a regular basis. In addition to JT’s PGA Championship win in 2017, he went 4-1 at the 2022 Presidents Cup and finished T14 at the event last year despite being in poor form. Thomas can return as one of the top players on the PGA Tour with a win at a “signature event” this week.
Cameron Young +3500 (DraftKings)
For many golf bettors, it’s been frustrating backing Cam Young this season. His talent is undeniable, and one of the best and most consistent performers on the PGA Tour. He just hasn’t broken through with a victory yet. Quail Hollow has been a great place for elite players to get their first victory. Rory McIlroy, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark all notched their first PGA Tour win at Quail.
Throughout Cam Young’s career, he has thrived at tougher courses with strong fields. This season, he finished T16 at Riviera and T9 at Augusta National, demonstrating his preference of a tough test. His ability to hit the ball long and straight off the tee make him an ideal fit for Quail Hollow, despite playing pretty poorly his first time out in 2023 (T59). Young should be comfortable playing in the region as he played his college golf at Wake Forest, which is about an hour’s drive from Quail Hollow.
The 26-year-old has played well at Tom Fazio designs in the past and ranks 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on those courses in his last 36 rounds. Perhaps most importantly, this season, Young is the best player on the PGA Tour in terms of proximity from 175-200 in the fairway, which is where a plurality and many crucial shots will come from this week.
Young is an elite talent and Quail Hollow has been kind to players of his ilk who’ve yet to win on Tour.
Byeong Hun An +5000 (FanDuel)
Byeong Hun An missed some opportunities last weekend at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He finished T4 and played some outstanding golf, but a couple of missed short putts prevented him from getting to the winning score of -23. Despite not getting the win, it’s hard to view An’s performance as anything other than an overwhelming success. It was An’s fourth top-ten finish of the season.
Last week, An gained 6.5 strokes ball striking, which was 7th in the field. He also ranked 12th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The South Korean has been hitting the ball so well from tee to green all season long and he now heads to a golf course that should reward his precision.
An’s driver and long irons are absolute weapons. At Quail Hollow, players will see plenty of approach shots from the 175-200 range as well as some from 200+. In his past 24 rounds, Ben ranks 3rd in the field in proximity from 175-200 and 12th in proximity from 200+. Playing in an event that will not end up being a “birdie” fest should help An, who can separate from the field with his strong tee to green play. The putter may not always cooperate but getting to -15 is much easier than getting to -23 for elite ball strikers who tend to struggle on the greens.
Winning a “signature event” feels like a tall task for An this week with so many elite players in the field. However, he’s finished T16 at the Genesis Invitational, T16 at The Masters and T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 32-year-old’s game has improved drastically this season and I believe he’s ready to get the biggest win of his career.
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Jem
Dec 6, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Good thing Hans and Franz aren’t around anymore. Their “girly man” needling would probably get Saturday Night Live pulled off the air.
howie
Nov 6, 2014 at 5:04 am
lil’ girls around the world are p.o.’d for being compared to ian “in a bunch” poulter.
Mad-Mex
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Gee, wonder why golf is loosing players,,,,,
SBoss
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:02 am
If that comment keeps somebody from playing golf, then I hope that kind of soft person stays away from golf. Our society is soft enough. They’re treating Bishop like he killed somebody. It’s an old school yard saying that is probably past it’s time, but it’s not a hanging offense.
The PGA of America not only fired him, they decided to eliminate all mention of Bishop in the history of the PGA. They’re going to pretend he never happened! In effect, the records will show NO President for the last two years.
I challenge everyone to think about if YOU’VE ever said something like it…or, said something that you regretted? Said something that wasn’t smart or had time to think through? If you have, then STFU about Ted Bishop. He didn’t kill anyone. He made a comment that wasn’t smart. But, his punishment has FAR exceeded the crime.
Pete Bevacqua better hope he is as pure and clean as he’s pretending to be in this situation. What a bunch of hypocrites. You wanna know why golf is in trouble? “Leadership” like Bevacqua and his cronies. Grow up and toughen up people. Somebody’s comment shouldn’t have that much power over you…unless you’re WEAK. USA=United Softies of America.
Mad-Mex
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Maybe this page needs emotion icons, my post was SARCASM, the PGA and the rest of the “governing” bodies need to get the proverbial stick out of their behinds! If they did this to him, why have they not applied the same “toughness” when Tiger yells out some choice words? This type of attitude displayed by the PGA is why the United Softies of America (love that) keep losing Ryder cups, because we have forgotten it is a GAME and not a matter of life and death. By the way, I agree 100% with your post.
Golfing
Oct 26, 2014 at 10:01 am
Hope something good is in line for the game.
Ken
Oct 26, 2014 at 7:33 am
Unfortunate comment by Mr. Bishop, but good grief, we elect people to responsible positions after having said much worse. In other sports this kind of stuff is exalted.
Bainz
Oct 26, 2014 at 3:06 am
Political correctness gone mad – if somone is moaning on like a small child why not call it like that??
To get into sexism debate over this is a joke, pretty soon no-one is going to say what they think and the world will be a sterile boring place.
Poulter has a book to sell and will no doubt do well out of this, Faldo will always tell you what he thinks – thankfully. And Gracia was out of sorts in 2008 and played poorly – stats don’t lie we lost.
With all the vitriol posted on internet the fact someone is sacked for calling someone a lil girl is a joke, and Faldo criticised for being honest shows how nuts the world is right now.
snowman
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:24 pm
Agree… the comment was not sexist… cannot believe all this PC crap about Golf needs to be inclusive and wanting to attract more females to the game etc,etc. The comment was not sexist or anti-female. It’s a figure of speech. Bishop was saying Poulter was Whining like a Child (yes, a female child; so what!) Poulter has always been and continues to be a shameless a self-promoter. Clothing line that no one wears, spiky hair, I’m sick of him. He gets way to much “ink” considering that he is a mediocre talent. When Poulter is rightfully forgotten, Watson and Faldo will still have 14 Majors. Poulter is boring anyway,
Colin Gillbanks
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:12 am
Is this your application for the vacant PGA Presidents job?
You might want to re-think it.
Gautama
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:48 am
Couldn’t agree more. The whole thing just completely astounds me, to the point that I’m embarrassed for the media people who are talking about it as if it were a legitimate story. Yeah, odd decision for a person of his position to get into a personal battle on Twitter, but the sexism angle feels completely fabricated. Sad really.
Dumb old golf pro
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:02 pm
The PGA of America is a weak organization that does not support their membership in any way. the overwhelming majority of Club Pros are making less money than a McDonalds Manager. They give up holidays, weekends any any chance at a normal life. not a shock for them to throw Bishop out. Right or wrong, the PGA just wants their Members to pay dues to support the upper echelon in Palm Beach. They don’t care about anything but money, born on the backs of their Members. PC is ridiculous. Screw the PGA of America.
Brian
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Let’s not forget, Ian is well know for some unsavory name calling on twitter
http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2014/3/9/5488298/ian-poulter-twitter-hideki-matsuyama-wgc-cadillac-championship-2014
Jeff
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:29 pm
The old white men will be flaming on about reverse discrimination and how sad this is for Ted Bishop. Everybody else is held to some standard of accountability in their lives so we all get it. Can’t do stupid stuff when you represent more than yourself.
Pat M
Oct 26, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Ae you speaking English? Try a refresher course in 4th grade grammar.
SBoss
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:15 am
The “old” White Men represent a time in the country where men were actually men. Where people stood on their own two feet without putting their hands into another “mans” pocket. When the USA actually was the envy of the world. When prosperity was at an all time high….
Accountability was the cornerstone of the “old” White Men.
You’re the generation of soft and sniveling little boys that whine and shirk accountability. The generation of believing that you’re entitled to have you’re hands in another’s pocket….grab a piece of his work.
You’re right, “old” White Men don’t see the big deal here. Because they’ve got enough sense to know that somebody else’s words only have power over you if you’re weak. They weren’t smart comments. But, everybody makes stupid comments. EVERYBODY. Today, you’ve got to act like you’re perfect, that you’re above it. What BS….grow up. Move on. Don’t ruin somebody’s professional life over something so stupid. The times today are changing and the country is in big trouble.
ChrisG
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Maybe we are soft compared to 50 years ago. Or maybe society has changed and we have decided to stand up against bullying, oppression, and discrimination. When you represent the PGA of America, the simple reality is that you are not allowed to do or say stupid things, because the people you represent do not want you to.
I think you are right that the country is changing. Though the only reason it is in trouble is because of the so called “old white men” who still think its 1950 and oppression, bullying, name calling, and discrimination are all okay, and “just part of life’ and that people need to get over it. You sir, and all those that think like you, and refuse to accept that comments like this are no longer tolerable, are the problem, as you continue to perpetuate this cycle of oppression.
And don’t talk about hand outs when corporate America and the super rich receive far more welfare than the average American ever will.
Jeremy
Oct 27, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Boom. Well said.
SBoss
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:00 pm
I guess I just don’t understand why calling somebody a “LIL Girl” requires an impeachment and expunging of his tenure from the record. It’s a soft society no question. It’s not a better society and you wouldn’t know the difference because you weren’t around.
We’re stuck now with a bunch of creampuffs who complain about everything and who moan about all of the bad things that happen to them.
You know, you actually called Lil Girl “bullying” and “oppression” so we can all see how weak minded that you are…also, when you complain about “corporate welfare” I’d suggest that most corporations keep sniveling little boys like yourself employed with benefits throughout your mediocrity.
Maybe you should stop complaining about all of the “evils” of the rich and take a look in the mirror. You should also understand that the super rich are simply doing more for the economy and other people than you are…they do things DAILY that wouldn’t do ONCE. Some guys work hard in golf, some work hard in business. It’s unbecoming to complain about the success of others when they work at it harder.
Life and golf are intertwined. You don’t always get what you deserve. But, you typically get what you deserve in the end. And, if you complain about the other guys “breaks” or the “super rich” or whatever…it doesn’t help YOUR OWN game. It distracts from the main issue, which is that you’re making your own bed. Worrying about the other guys score won’t help you even a little bit. Keep your eye on your own ball…and mind your own business. And words only hurt if you’re soft…
Captain Oblivious
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Amen to that! Well said!
John
Oct 28, 2014 at 11:09 am
I am an “old white guy” and Mr. Bishop should know better than to engage in petty name calling on social media. He’s the president if the PGA not the Saturday morning skins game. The US is not going to hell in a hand cart, the opposite as a matter of fact. I was around 50 years ago and things weren’t so great especially if you were a person of color, a female, gay, or eligible to go to Vietnam. We, as a country, have grown up a great deal since then. Mr. Bishop apparently hasn’t. I have a daughter BTW who is a stand up young lady who hasn’t whined about anything since she was about four years old.
She’s a good golfer too…just saying.
TheLegend
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:09 pm
“Lil girl” is really not that bad a comment. This is crazy to me. That comment is said all the time. Poulter is a lil girl. Everyone knows it now!
rer4136
Oct 27, 2014 at 10:08 am
He is headed the way of Colin Montgomery. What should we expect from a country that thinks same sex marriage is an important issue. Political correctness run a muck. Am I allowed to say that?
wineyax
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:45 am
I hope this quietens down Poulter’s twitter account for a bit.
Dick
Oct 25, 2014 at 9:08 am
Sounds like Faldo and Watson are the real culprits.
MikeH
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:47 am
Whether you like Poulter or not, what Bishop wrote was unacceptable and he had to go, period! Folks, the man was the President of the PGA!!! What on earth was he thinking or drinking? To be erased from history is brutal,no doubt, but it sends a very strong message that discrimination and sexism will no longer (because it was for a very long time) be tolerated. It was a sad week for American golf because Bishop’s comments undermined a lot of the progress that has been made to grow the game among women and minorities who were excluded because they were not considered equal. What a mess…deeply disappointing to say the least.
TheLegend
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:04 pm
This is America. He should be able to say what ever he want’s. The Man just lost his life over a comment. I just lost respect for the pga.
SB
Oct 25, 2014 at 2:59 pm
The man hardly lost his life….. He’s always held his well paid Professional position at his club in Indiana. Don’t shed a tear for this guy….. shed it for the thousands of PGA/LPGA Professionals that had years of hard work of growing the game of golf ruined on twitter….
TheLegend
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm
No one cares about this comment. Its not going to hurt golf.
SB
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Golf doesn’t need any more negative press… It’s obviously been in decline for years and this doesn’t help. You are likely right that the average golfer won’t care about his comments though….. because fewer and fewer care anything about golf at all.
SBoss
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:17 am
Really? Years of hard work ruined on Twitter? Man, you’re a drama queen. LOL.
pcv
Oct 27, 2014 at 8:04 pm
explain to me how the game of golf was ruined? It’s not stopping me from playing
Manny
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:29 pm
You mean “Merica” They took our jobs!!!
papichulosteve
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:57 pm
hahaha ‘WHAT ABOUT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS!!! DUUURRR!!!!’
the man, just like everyone else is free to say whatever they want, but that doesn’t mean what they say doesn’t have a consequence.
Jeremy
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:59 pm
This is America, and he is free to say whatever he wants. But that freedom does not come with a freedom from the consequences of his words and actions. Of course he has a right to say what he wants. And the rest of us have a right to hold him accountable for his words and actions in the court of public opinion.
Jeff R
Oct 26, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Freedom is speech gives you the right to speak about our government without action being taking against you. It does not apply or give you the right to say anything you want without consequences.
Will
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:21 pm
Golf is loosing players in part because it is run by too many out of touch people. Like it or not America is changing and the old mentality that sees no problem with this comment is going to push even more people away. Good for the PGA. The game needs inclusive leadership. It’s not about freon of speech, it’s about attitudes that make people see golfers as cultural dinosaurs.
MikeH
Oct 26, 2014 at 9:10 am
My friend, a position of President, regardless of context, carries with it leadership responsibilities that define the direction of an organization. Bishop’s comments were not in the best interest of the PGA nor golf in general…he had to go.
SB
Oct 26, 2014 at 11:06 pm
+1
Very well said.
Robert
Oct 25, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Gimme a break!
dwntnbrown
Oct 26, 2014 at 2:37 pm
let it be known that lil girls are more than responsible for the firing. if it were not for what they have between their legs there would be a bounty on their ears
TMElectric
Oct 25, 2014 at 6:37 am
100 posts in and nobody is defending the “lil girl” that Bishop referred to. Maybe she didn’t like being compared to Ian…????
Pat M
Oct 26, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Poulter routinely has kicked America’s arse at The Ryder Cup. Bishop should get over it. They should have done drug testing on US players 15 years ago but they wanted another Lance Armstrong.
travis
Oct 25, 2014 at 1:33 am
first time posting, and really wondering why….
We are still talking about the f***ing ryder cup and the f***ing ryder cup from 2008? Get over it. And both of these guys are wrong.
EvanJB
Oct 25, 2014 at 12:10 am
Roger Goodell hid information about a player bearing his wife and nothing happened. The head of FIFA said that female soccer players should play in bikinis to boost ratings, and nothing happened. Ted, a man who has done a significant amount for the women’s game, calls someone a girl and gets fired, and will never be recognised as PGA president. Ridiculous.
Joel
Oct 25, 2014 at 8:12 am
There is perfectly good reason for this…
1) Who cares about soccer
2) Ray Rice averages over 4 yds per carry in his career C’mon MAN!
3) Who cares about soccer
Xreb
Oct 25, 2014 at 9:00 am
Who cares about soccer ? – just about everyone in the world minus the USA
Guantanemo
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:06 am
Who cares about football? (I’m sorry, that’s what pretty much everyone else in the world calls it) What Xreb said, pretty much everyone in the world except for the USA.
Jeremy
Oct 25, 2014 at 11:22 am
The fact that those other figureheads did those things and didn’t lose their jobs doesn’t mean it’s wrong that Ted Bishop lost his. It’s wrong that they didn’t (at least in Goodell’s case, I’m not familiar enough with the FIFA situation to have an opinion).
Mccance79
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:51 pm
A man in his position should not take to social media like that nor make such an inappropriate remark as he did. He should of known better.
mrjoe
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Dumb move, Ted. You deserved to get canned.
Rich
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:12 am
+1, but Poulter is a whinger!
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 10:34 pm
I wonder if Tom Watson will be commenting on PGA of America firing his buddy Ted Bishop.
Matthew Carter
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Well done PGA.
Ian, you are the man!
Mr. Bishop crossed the line.
Now he has some time to reconsider his name calling…… What a dork.
Wm
Oct 24, 2014 at 10:24 pm
It seems the old boys club is alive and well in America. These derogatory comments are something we expect from inside the confines of a private country club on men’s night. How are you going to grow the game when guys like these are still running the PGA?
Jimbo
Oct 24, 2014 at 10:06 pm
White belts may not be “phaggy”, but they are symbol of douchebaggery.
HAHA
Oct 24, 2014 at 9:34 pm
The WORLD is laughing at American golf. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!
Sodapoppin
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:25 am
HAHAHAHAHA so true… First they fail to win the Ryder Cup, and now they have to call the European names… So LOL…
Sodapoppin
Oct 25, 2014 at 5:25 am
Europeans*
Gautama
Oct 28, 2014 at 8:56 am
750MM Europeans, 315MM Americans. It actually shouldn’t ever be close, should it?
Colin Gillbanks
Oct 28, 2014 at 11:51 am
This old chestnut again.
The numbers are irrelevant. A complete red herring.
Golf barely has any kind of professional presence in vast swathes of Europe. Over half of that number you’ve mentioned is made up by the likes of Russia and countries that came out of the old USSR. Golf is still considered a minority sport even in some of the western European countries like Spain and Germany also.
The world rankings tell the true picture. There’s no imbalance here.
gvogel
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:50 pm
It appears to me that this affair is casting the PGA of America as an irrelevant organization.
The sooner the PGA Tour takes over stewardship of the Ryder Cup, the better for everyone concerned.
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:48 pm
PGA president fired for ‘insensitive’ remarks
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/25/us-golf-pga-bishop-idUSKCN0ID2JD20141025
Desmond
Oct 24, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Never drink and tweet…
Dev
Oct 26, 2014 at 12:09 am
That was my first thought too.
Lance
Oct 24, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Attack, attack!!!- must protect golf’s unblemished image & “Grow the game”! Drug problem? What drug problem?
PC gone nuts
Tyler
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:51 pm
God the world is becoming over sensitive, there is war, people starving, people dying. But people get mad cause someone called someone else a lil girl, give me a break grow up and get a backbone and if someone calls you a lil girl more then likely your acting like one. Man up.
Rwj
Oct 24, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Exactly…but it’s only going to get worse. Taylor Swifts new album gets more attention then world problems…it’s all about money
Brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Wow I can’t believe he actually lost his job over this. When political correctness goes too far……
dr bloor
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Most of us refer to it as “living in the twenty-first century.” But if it will be easier on your testosterone-driven world view, just think of it as him getting canned because he’s wrecking a jillion-dollar brand that he was in charge of.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/bridgetbrennan/2013/02/07/pga-looks-to-women-to-grow-golf/
Mike
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Well this just in Bishop done
http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/pga-president-bishop-relieved-duties/
kloyd0306
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Wasn’t Poulter a Faldo Capt’s pick?
No winners here though. Both Poulter and Bishop look like clowns.
The PGA can do better and Poulter is desperate for limelight but his lack of talent gets in the way.
No Name
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:57 pm
I cannot wait for the day when Poulter finally falls of the face of the Earth. Such a pompous piece of dog excrement.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:04 pm
At least when Ted Bishop and Ian Poulter hurl childish insults on the internet they have the guts to offer their names. Seriously dude…
No Name
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Ahhh…the old internet tough guy. Don’t pretend you are all high and mighty because you used “your” first name. Your username shows no more about who you are than mine. Get over it.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm
Right. The guy anonymously calling people dog excrement is, I suppose, the clever and witty chap adding loads to the conversation, but I’m the “internet tough guy” for calling him out. Tough crowd, sheesh…
ashley
Oct 25, 2014 at 3:38 am
No name & Jeremy stop being a lil girl! Your as bad as poulter
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:15 pm
I’d say the majority of people worldwide will say that Ian Poulter has far better skills of his trade than Ted Bishop does… Right?
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Ian Poulter will play this for everything it’s worth. When the media asks Poulter questions about it he’ll take every opportunity to publicly express his dismay at Ted Bishop’s actions.
Poulter will absolutely love this and eat it up…all at PGA of America and Ted Bishop’s expense.
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:39 pm
Tour players shocked by PGA president’s ‘Lil girl’ shot at Ian Poulter
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nbc-yahoo-sports/tour-players-shocked-by-pga-president-s–lil-girl–shot-at-ian-poulter-142404033-golf.html
Shakers97
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Ted Bishop fails to see the irony of criticising Poulter for criticising someone when they themselves haven’t been there and done it.
bosse
Oct 25, 2014 at 4:02 am
+1 ! never understood why icons can’t be critiqued, or why they should avoid criticism for their leadership because they have x number of individual successes. that basically discriminate anyone but tiger and nicklaus to discuss golf.
jeez some more 2014 manners to pga please, such as not hiding drug abuse, allowing negative press. not arguing as the old white men they are but taking amore modern stand point to things..
and using female derogatory comments, is just old and so past due. step up!
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:25 pm
Ted Bishop must resign PGA presidency after sexist ‘Lil Girl’ comments aimed at Ian Poulter
http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2014/10/24/7057123/ted-bishop-ian-poulter-comments-lil-girl-ryder-cup-2014
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Graeme McDowell backs Ian Poulter after Ted Bishop calls him ‘little girl’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/11187034/Graeme-McDowell-backs-Ian-Poulter-after-Ted-Bishop-calls-him-little-girl.html
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:27 pm
PGA president Ted Bishop is a camera-obsessed buffoon and his petty insults towards Ian Poulter invite ridicule
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/rydercup/11185430/PGA-president-Ted-Bishop-is-a-camera-obsessed-buffoon-and-his-petty-insults-towards-Ian-Poulter-invite-ridicule.html
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:31 pm
PGA OF AMERICA PRESIDENT CALLING IAN POULTER ‘LIL GIRL’ PROMPTS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Sports/2014/10/24/PGA-President-Calls-Ian-Poulter-a-Lil-Girl-For-Whining-about-Faldo-and-Watson
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:33 pm
Looks like Ted Bishop has about the same leadership skills at Tom Watson!
Kevin
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Lost in this little tussle is the concept that maybe Sergio needs to accept his captain’s assessment of his poor performance. I find myself rooting for Sergio, but in the past he has proven himself to be very immature too often. I’m sure Faldo regrets saying it, and perhaps Poulter should have let Sergio fight his own battles. It’s obvious that in defeat, the Europeans don’t handle it any better than the Americans do.
AZ Golfman
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Poulter is irrelevant in golf. In 20 years it will be like he never existed in this game. After all the game and previous champions have given him and his family, he should thank them every day. These players forget that before guys like Watson, Nicklaus, Woods, etc., golf was looked at as a country club hobby and paid their players peanuts.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:14 pm
What you think of Ian Poulter, and his overall relevance in the game, is besides the point. It’s beneath the office of the president of anything but a high school juggling club to take to Twitter to lob childish insults at a member of his organization.
gvogel
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:56 pm
In the locker room, to a bunch of his buddies, Ted Bishop can call Ian Poulter whatever he wants. Why he would do that is beyond me, unless Poulter was talking in his (Bishop’s) backswing or something like that. Often, when we demean someone else, it really reflects upon our own insecurities.
In a public forum? Ted Bishop should know better. It’s not funny; it’s not even relevant.
B
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Ted Bishop needs to be relieved of his position immediately (post-haste). And, the PGA of America needs to issue a public apology to Ian Poulter.
Sounds like Bishop just can’t get over the heat of Tom Watson’s complete and dismal failure as the U.S.’s Ryder Cup Captain.
enrique
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:26 pm
agreed here
Jafar
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:42 pm
They make millions of dollars and play golf.
No one should be complaining about anything.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:35 pm
‘m certain we all say some pretty insensitive and obnoxious things amongst our friends when no one’s listening.
It’s quite another thing for the president of the PGA to broadcast such childish behavior on Twitter for the whole world to see. It doesn’t make a lick of difference if you like Ian Poulter or not. Ted Bishop acted immature and unprofessional and Poulter’s response was spot on.
Ty Webb
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:57 pm
All this political correctness makes me sick.
Gregg
Oct 24, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Amen……
Maybe they should have a cage match on WWE I’d pay to see Poulter get his a$$ kicked
spazo
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:49 pm
i like ted bishop a lot more today than i did yesterday.
wendell
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:10 pm
I love all the negative comments towards Poulter from all of these golf professionals who play on tour every week. lol
Geoff Martin
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Good job Ted, you just got me to buy Ian’s book.
Michael
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:22 pm
I understand that people think that people are too sensitive these days and I’m not saying that I disagree. However, someone employed as President of the PGA should not be arguing on a public forum with another person employed by the same organization. The reverse is true as well. Also, when the argument resorts to name-calling of any kind, then that makes it that much more unprofessional.
brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:19 pm
This is the product of of over sensitive media fishing for a story then trying to turn a sunfish into a whale. I would put this in the category of the ” tiger is wearing jeans” story.
Dpavs
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Have to agree and actually not sure Poulter is going to get much sympathy nor will most people find Bishop’s comments that appalling. They were certainly in bad taste but just not that worthy of an article focusing on the event.
I also have to agree that as a whole America if not the world has become over sensitive.
… and as for Poulter maybe if he did not agree with Faldo or even took offense with his book, it might have been better for him to just “suck it up” and move on rather than engage in a personal reprisal.
brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Poulter is going to milk this thing for for every thing its worth. Guy loves controversy and drama since his golf mediocre golf game isn’t exactly putting him in the headlines…
brian
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:24 pm
*his mediocre golf game
Ian
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:22 pm
*his mediocre golf game? *her mediocre golf game!!!
Machine
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Pussification of America. As a female, I can’t stand PC emo sissy boys who cry over nonsense.
John
Oct 24, 2014 at 7:13 pm
As a male, your opinion is irrelevant. See sexism doesn’t feel so good.
ashley
Oct 25, 2014 at 4:00 am
Machine don’t pretend to know what p.c means, leave the debating to the men. See i can be sexist to.
Los A
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:46 pm
People are overly sensitive nowadays. My son was upset that his high school golf coach (absolute legend) told him he looked like a ‘homo’ with a white belt. I laughed and told him coach was right. He could have used a little more tact, but my wife and I were fine with what was said because there was truth behind the statement. Why get upset or complain over silly stuff.
Jeff B
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Your son is going to kill you in your sleep. Way to stand up for your boy, jerk.
mrjoe
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Nothing like 3 adults teaming up to put down a high school kid! SMACKDOWN
Jeez, man. How old are you?
blink3665
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Wow… Just… wow…
Please tell me what a ‘homo’ looks like. I didn’t know that a whole group of people had a uniform. The homophobic statement by the coach needed to be corrected, not endorsed. If you disapprove of the sexuality of another human, keep your thoughts to yourself. There is no need to spread hate or inequality.
golfiend
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Funny comment … because I’m sure many if not most of us guys over 35 years old think the same way.
mgm
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:56 pm
I’m sure a high school golf coach is an absolute legend. An absolute legendary failure in life more like it.
Forsbrand
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Ha ha absolute legend, aka frank the tank , keep on chugging and homo bashing! INDEED
Phil
Oct 24, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Coach, you and your wife are disgusting…
AZ Golfman
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:04 pm
i would of b-slapped him with that white belt.
melrosegod
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Great parenting! With a dad like you in his corner, who needs an ignorant playground bully?
Shakers97
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:28 pm
You’re an utter moron. What a lucky boy your son is to have an idiot like you as his Dad.
Rich
Oct 24, 2014 at 4:57 pm
You are what’s wrong with this world. I feel sorry for your son that his parents see nothing wrong with some redneck jock insulting him. If that was my kid, I’d be marching straight into the office of the education department in my area and have the guy sacked. He should never be a teacher/coach ever again. You and your wife should be ashamed.
ChrisG
Oct 27, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Rich, (and everyone else who feels the “homo” remark is unacceptable, and the parental reaction even less so) I thank you for accepting the realities and values of the new millennium. Its nice to see people on a golf forum who are not stuck in 1950.
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:38 pm
See, sometimes it’s better to keep quiet than share your dumbest moments on the internet.
Sincerely,
Hetero with a white belt.
ChrisG
Oct 27, 2014 at 1:01 pm
How many pros wear white belts? For a coach to call a player a “homo” for his choice of belt color is beyond ignorant and implies that anyone that cares about how they look on a golf course is homosexual is unacceptable. I am pretty sure nobody called Rory a “homo” for wearing a white belt.
http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/no-wearing-of-the-green-for-rory-mcilroy-at-us-masters-as-adam-scott-claims-victory-203386391-238178731.html
But keep on keeping on the ignorant redneck American attitude.
Jeff
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Can anyone imagine the President of the European tour making a comment like this? About an American player? Because it wouldn’t happen. It’s always old, white, American men that think popular opinion is on their side and they can be unapologetic and childish, because they think they’re speaking only to like minds. In Bishop’s mind, all Americans feel this way, he’s only saying what the rest of them are too afraid to. Trouble is, its a smaller and smaller group all the time.
NOW enter Poults, a guy that has made his career at least the last few years on the PGA Tour in America. He lives in Florida and has children, has made his life here. Maybe he hasn’t won a major but he’s certainly earned his spot on the Ryder Cup teams, my point is, dudes worked hard to make it here from Europe. It’s offensive as hell to have the American president of the PGA say things comparing a modern player to two dinosaurs in a negative light. I haven’t Poulters book, but I will buy it now.
You don’t speak for me Ted. In fact you just cost a lot of PGA professionals money, nobody wants to be associated with sour grapes.
Kevin
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:43 pm
If you don’t like Poulter reminding you of Europe’s success, it’s pretty simple, just beat him. Referring to him as a little girl is however, quite sexist, and wrong on many levels. I have a delightful little niece. I would hate for her to think anything is wrong with being a little girl.
west
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:04 pm
You’re right, there is nothing wrong with being a girl. He should have called him a: “whinny baby”…
Jeremy
Oct 24, 2014 at 3:30 pm
There’s nothing wrong with being a baby.
west
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:07 pm
I like babies, just not whinny ones…
Colin Gillbanks
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:23 am
You should be fired from this forum for being ‘whine-ist’*.
*I realise this isn’t a real word. Or a real ‘ism’.
HP
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:39 pm
It’s what happens to Americans when they go to the UK. They listen to the candid, dry, running commentary from the hoi polloi and it just comes out that way. It’s tabloid banter at its best, and Bishop forgot that you can’t be so blunt in American media. Especially on Twitter or Facebook. Those things are not the Daily Mail or The Sun newspapers!
But that’s how people talk in the UK. And he’s just carrying on. Poulter should have laughed it off, but he’s Americanized now too much and his attempt to walk the high road isn’t helping him, since he went slagging off Faldo to begin with. They should both shake hands and just say it was all in good fun, all this smack talking! It’s what was missing from the Ryder Cup this time, actually!
golfiend
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:37 pm
He’s pretty hip referring to “Lil” … Lil Wayne, Lil Kim, Lil John, Lil Bow Wow, Lil Romeo, etc … now Lil Girl
Jeff
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Ted Bishop is what’s wrong with golf. He thinks he’s right, there’s no point even trying to convince him. His mind is made up. He is also wrong. Poulter obviously has less of a major championship record than Faldo and Watson. So does almost every golfer on the planet. 2 things Ted, Poulter is still reLevant in the world of golf, and he just won the Ryder cup, say whatever you like. you can’t change these two things.
Tank
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:30 pm
There has been a lot of gossip in the golf world lately! Hahaha I love it all.. Also makes for some amazingly terrible comments and opinions from people who think they aren’t idiots. Lots of laughs these days!! Thank you golf wrx for bringing together all these know-it-alls who collectively don’t have clue
adolfo
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Everyone knows that IJP will say whats on his mind and people either like it or not. Bishop was pretty much a child on this one. Way to take the low road teddy
Jake Anderson
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Ted Bishop’s comment showed a sexist and ageist attitude. He should no longer be president of the PGA of America.
SB
Oct 24, 2014 at 5:30 pm
100% agree with this comment. This is the real story here. His comments regarding Poulter’s record compared to Faldo are irrelevant. The story that will make headlines is that the President of the PGA of America is exactly what people think he is…. A rich, sexist, ignorant, old white guy in a stuffy suit who out of one side of his mouth says that golf needs more women and girls involved, and out of the other side makes comments that are degrading to the same demographic he claims to value so highly….. Somebody get this guy a PR consultant…..
West
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:56 am
Yeah, Poulter dresses like a drama queen and lives like a diva. Good golfer, but wouldn’t buy him a beer or ask for his sig if he walked into the same pub…
Ted has the right to draw his own line in the sand…but should tread cautiously when making his opinion public.
And since when is GolfWRX now the TMZ of the golf world???
Danny
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Nobody who is of age to buy someone a beer should be asking grown men for autographs.
west
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:09 pm
it wasn’t meant to be taken literally, but to represent “admiration.” But now that you have taken the time to be a troll, I want to buy you a beer and get your sig…
mo
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:51 am
Poulter can seem childish at times but referring to her as a “lil girl” by the leader of the PGA of America was unprofessional. 😀
Cris
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:47 am
I don’t like Ian Poulter. I admit it. However, Mr. Bishop has crossed the line. The PGA of America should terminate him with cause and issue a statement apologizing to Poulter.
Robert Boyd
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:43 am
This is out of control. The public figures in this mess should think before they speak or tweet or author a book or whatever. Silly school yard stuff.
Ben
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:42 am
I don’t care if Bishop wants to call out Poulter but using language that’s demeaning to women isn’t the right way to do it, especially when it comes to golf’s reputation as past-time for prejudiced old white men.
Danny
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:38 am
Poulter sucks, he is a nobody. Glad someone finally said it, just probably the wrong person, but I’m not going to hate on a guy for a)speaking his mind, b) speaking the truth. Johnny Miller gets slammed for doing the same thing.
Golf has turned into 2nd grade kids soccer where everyone plays and nobody has anything to say about anything. This is refreshing. I like it. We need more of it.
dr bloor
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:05 pm
*Please* reassure us and tell us that you don’t have any daughters.
Danny
Oct 24, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Stop being so sensitive, it doesn’t bring down women. You going to tell me it brings down children for being whiny? It’s a phrase, has been for years. If someone calls me a baby I don’t argue that it puts down newborns
mgm
Oct 24, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Danny: you suck and you are a nobody.
I am:
A) speaking my mind
And
B) speaking the truth
End of story
Golf used to pride itself on professionalism not just blind idol worship
nikkyd
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:36 am
Poulter a little girl? Finally! Someone said it! Hes more worried about his image than his golf game
MartyMouse
Oct 26, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Agreed! He’s a wuss! Uh oh, guess I be sh*t canned tomorrow! Seriously… Fired over this? Stupid waste of everybody’s time. Get some thicker skin folks.
Pccasstpro
Oct 24, 2014 at 11:05 am
Does Twitter fall under the PGA of America’s Code of Ethics Bylaws and Regulations ? Would this not fall under conduct unbecoming a Professional? I got pulled up in front of the ethics board years ago because I said , and I admit it , fairly loud profanity after hooking a ball OB during a tournament! Hold Ted Bishop to the same standards that apprentices, Class “A” , and Master Professionals are held to in a public forum ! Public ridicule , is not conduct becoming a professional , not matter how many spokeman you have to come out and correct you own mis-step. It is his Twitter account, not the PGA of America’s !