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Crazy finish gets 35-year-old journeyman into the US Open

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Some people go nuts for U.S. Open qualifying narratives, and some golf fans are more tuned out to the 36-hole sectionals. But even if you’re not heavily invested or terribly interested, Chris Naegel’s story is pretty cool.

The 35-year-old Wildwood, Mo., native had partial status on the Web.com Tour. Mostly, however, he has toiled on mini-tours in his career. In 2012, he won the eGolf Tour’s Oldfield Open and the Adams Tour’s Buffalo Run Casino Classic in 2015. Naegel has made just four starts on the PGA Tour.

Currently No. 1,081 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Naegel looked to be out of the running for one of the three qualifying spots available at Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond, Texas, Monday.

Four strokes off the qualifying pace with five holes to play, Naegel birdied the 14th and 15th holes. However, disaster struck at the par-4 16th, where he carded a bogey five.

However, he bounced back with a birdie at the 17th hole and then eagled the 18th hole to get to 10 under par for his 36 holes. The score was good enough to get him into a playoff for the last qualifying spot.

After forcing the playoff, Naegel then took down Blaine Hale, an incoming senior at Oklahoma, to earn his first ever start in a major championship.

Nagel primarily played college golf at Missouri Baptist. He played on the Hooters Tour from 2008 to 2012 while also teeing it up on the Adams Tour, Minor League Golf Tour, and eGolf Tour.

He finished 89th on the Web.com Tour money list in 2016. Playing 21 events in 2017, he finished 117th. He has limited status on the Web.com Tour this year after finished tied for 57th at Q-School.

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19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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