News

WATCH: Phil Mickelson purposely hits the ball while moving at the U.S. Open (updated with Phil’s response)

Published

6 years ago

Jun 16, 2018

Update: In a post-round interview, Phil had this to say: “I took the penalty, no disrespect to the game, I didn’t feel like going back and forth and I’ve always wanted to take the two-shot penalty, and I finally did… It’s meant to take advantage of the rules the best you can. I’d gladly take the two shots over continuing that display.”

—–

You don’t see Phil Mickelson lose his cool very often, but that’s seemingly what happened on Saturday — his 48th birthday — at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

After blowing his bogey putt by the hole on No. 13, Phil ran after his ball and decided to hit it while it was still moving. Phil finished out the hole in 8 shots; adding in the two-stroke penalty for hitting the golf ball while moving, and it was a 10 on the scorecard.

Check out the bizarre scene that Phil Mickelson put on at the 13th hole below:

Wow. I’ve never seen that before.

Phil Mickelson ran after his putt before it stopped, which is a two stroke penalty.

Really, really odd #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Hu08036qjo

— Cam Rogers (@MrRogers99) June 16, 2018

Phil was four-over par in the round going into the 13th hole, and exited the 13th hole at 10-over par after the fiasco. He is currently continuing his third round as regularly scheduled.

Wow.

Your Reaction?

LIKE59
LEGIT7
WOW23
LOL33
IDHT3
FLOP1
OB5
SHANK55

Related Topics:featured

Up Next

GolfWRX Morning 9: How Brooks Koepka channeled Jack Nicklaus | It happened again | Mickelson theories abound

Don't Miss

WATCH: Ian Poulter, sitting 1 back of the lead, completely butchered his 17th hole

Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

39 Comments

Sam McAvenue

Jun 18, 2018 at 2:21 pm

The USGA is comprised of a bunch of bureaucratic type a ssholes. I am proud of Phil giving them a swift kick to the nuts.

Reply Report comment
Austin

Jun 18, 2018 at 10:52 am

What he did is disrespectful to the game of golf. Abide by the rules, the course conditions are the same for everyone. There is no excuse for this and he should withdraw from the tournament. He is lucky he did not get disqualified…

Reply Report comment
John

Jun 18, 2018 at 4:30 am

First of all, let me point out that I am in no way defending Mickelson because I’m a fan. I’m far from it. His betrayal of Tom Watson in the post-Ryder Cup press conference was unforgivable in my eyes and belied his ‘nice guy’ image (which I never really bought in the first place).

To the matter in hand… although his actions were clearly not in the spirit of the game, the penalty he incurred is the one laid down in the rules and no further action should be taken against him. The question nobody seems to be asking is what action is going to be taken against the people responsible for setting the course up in such a way that the world’s best golfers looked like weekend hackers? The PGA came out and stated that they’d got it right this year and there would be no repeat of the errors of the recent past. This was probably the biggest shambles of them all yet no one is demanding the people responsible step down. Mickelson acted out of frustration as much as anything and even if they subsequently decide to DQ him I’m sure he won’t lose any sleep over it.

Reply Report comment
Stixman

Jun 17, 2018 at 12:51 pm

I’m with the opening commenter, Gozieboy.
I’m also looking at this from outside the USA, not bein part of the current US culture and am comfortable with my observations and the timeline of the events. Mickelson deliberately prevented the ball from going into an unfavorable position, not merely ‘hitting a moving ball’. The line taken by him and the USGA official is a ‘Post Truth’ in the best traditions of politically conditioned lying.
DQ…no question.

Reply Report comment
GozieBoy

Jun 17, 2018 at 9:04 am

The issue most are ignoring, or don’t seem to care about, is that Phil very deliberately broke the rule. He not only violated the letter of the rule, but he violated the spirit of the game. According to 1-2, and the very decorum of the game, that to me demands DQ. Because of that, this is not subject to any further discussion.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Jun 17, 2018 at 2:07 pm
  
  Completely agree. He should have been DQd. Bad judgement on the USGAs part.
  
  Reply Report comment
Phil Underhill

Jun 17, 2018 at 6:39 am

He just did it to make a statement about the greens

If he actually wanted to use the rules to his advantage, he’d have been better off letting the ball run out and then declaring it unplayable and replaying the previous putt for a one stroke penalty

Reply Report comment
Wiger Toods

Jun 17, 2018 at 5:07 am

I don’t understand AT ALL why anyone thinks he should be DQd or should quit. There’s an exact, prescribed penalty of 2 shots, and he was within his rights to do it. Anyone saying anything about a DQ and/or quitting need to look in the mirror, because they’re guilty of flat-out snobbery and are the people who are a drag on the game of golf.

Reply Report comment
- sjn
  
  Jun 17, 2018 at 5:31 pm
  
  You’re complelety wrong and ignorant of the rules. 14-5 does not expressly permit what Mickelson did or expressly prohibit what he did. It simply is an add-on to the penalty he committed by changing the direction of the ball. he broke both rule 14-5 and 1-2 and D/Q was warranted
  
  Reply Report comment
Steve

Jun 17, 2018 at 3:17 am

There are better ways to make a statement. How many kids were watching that over and over today? If Phil defies the rules does that make it ok? Who needs to “toughen up” doughboy?

Reply Report comment
- Bob Tee
  
  Jun 17, 2018 at 8:16 am
  
  It’s a travesty when all golfers, both pro and amateurs cannot see and realize that the USGA is at the root of Phil’s personal decision. Phil has always epitomized professionalism and respect for the game. When the USGA displays the lack of fairness and lack of knowledge in preparing a golf course, both pros and amateurs suffer.Phil maintained his dignity and respect through this incident and not once did he show disdain for his actions. You need to chastise the USGA. They need to bear this cross, not Phil.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Hogan Fan
    
    Jun 17, 2018 at 9:48 am
    
    Exactly.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - commoner
    
    Jun 18, 2018 at 6:10 pm
    
    What a great sense of humor!!
    
    Reply Report comment
Peter

Jun 16, 2018 at 10:15 pm

If he wanted to really drive home the point of how ridiculous some pin placements were, he should’ve putted back and forth for a while and held up play. I think he should of been disqualified, most anyone else would of been.

Reply Report comment
Tim Armington

Jun 16, 2018 at 9:22 pm

Phil stays i stay!
Phil goes i go!!
Its a 2 shot penalty and he pegs it Sunday morning in the 2nd group out.
All the golf purists having anxiety attacks over this need to relax.
Judge smail must have rolled over in his grave!!!!!

Reply Report comment
Bruce Ferguson

Jun 16, 2018 at 8:30 pm

Why doesn’t the USGA just put windmills on the greens like at the putt-putt recreation centers? The greens are about that ridiculous.

Reply Report comment
Kyle M

Jun 16, 2018 at 8:04 pm

I thoroughly enjoyed what Phil did. Throw a little shade at the USGA. Who knows how many of these you have left. They’ve gone out of their way on numerous occasions to make the Open course nearly unplayable and at times unwatchable. For an organization that wants to grow the game it doesn’t make sense to make it look impossible. The Fox announcers would make you believe that Phil just murdered someone.

Side note: Joe Buck is the worst sports broadcaster in the modern day.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Jun 17, 2018 at 12:01 am
  
  It’s bad enough listening to him during football season!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Hogan Fan
  
  Jun 17, 2018 at 12:10 am
  
  100% Agreement. The USGA makes the Open qualifiers play a game no one would play. If we were to try to play like that, we couldn’t even find it in the rough, we couldn’t stop it on the green, we couldn’t 2 putt anything and our greens would be dead inside a week. Hmmmm. No other golf course is ever like this (except the week of the Open) so how is anyone supposed to get really good at playing in these conditions? I would rather the USGA tee up the Open at a 6400 yard Muni with smallish greens that run about 8 on the stimp and then see who wins. They would at least be playing the same game we play and when the shoot 58 we would know what that means. I have no idea how what I’m watching even relates to what I do at the local golf course.
  
  Reply Report comment
PhilDSnuts

Jun 16, 2018 at 6:35 pm

Atta baby phil!!!!!! Fire up the haters!!!!!!

Reply Report comment
- Chuck Barkley
  
  Jun 16, 2018 at 8:29 pm
  
  Of course, a clown named PhilDSnuts chimes in with the “Everybody’s a hater,” nonsense!
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck Barkley

Jun 16, 2018 at 5:46 pm

Krik Triplett or Payne Stewart pulled the shenanigans at the Olympic Club’s US Open in 2012. Come on Pickelson, you clown!!

If Oh’Bama did something like that, INSTANT DQ!! Get Pickle off the track for Sunday’s round, having no regard for

protecting the field. He’s dodger of the rules and couldn’t care less!

Reply Report comment
- Harry Balsagna
  
  Jun 16, 2018 at 10:51 pm
  
  I doubt it was Payne Stewart, since he died 13 years prior to the 2012 US Open.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Chuck Barkley
    
    Jun 16, 2018 at 11:16 pm
    
    Harry, your a brilliant specimen! Thanks for your historical and mathematical save. And yes, it was
    
    was the 2012 US Open when Mr. Triplett protested and stopped his ball from trickling down the slippery slope.
    
    What would we do without the astute Balsagna?
    
    Reply Report comment
- Geohogan
  
  Jun 16, 2018 at 11:02 pm
  
  Your right Chuckie!
  
  He let Putin invade Crimea.
  Obama would deserve DQ and a fine.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Chuck Barkley
    
    Jun 17, 2018 at 12:23 am
    
    Geo!!! Another brilliant WRX’er!!
    
    Reply Report comment
Geohogan

Jun 16, 2018 at 5:39 pm

David Fey was correct, Phil should be DQ’d.

Ping eye II, insider trading…. Phil’s character is well known.

Reply Report comment
Billie

Jun 16, 2018 at 5:29 pm

Phil knew what he was doing, and I didn’t think he was mad, or out of sorts, other than he wanted to stop the madness. Took his 2 strokes and moved on. He was smiling ????

Reply Report comment
Brett Weir

Jun 16, 2018 at 5:20 pm

Phil knew he was going to get penalized the minute he took a swat at the ball when it was still moving and accepted what was coming to him as a man.

Reply Report comment
- Geohogan
  
  Jun 17, 2018 at 8:01 am
  
  Brett, you the man.
  Speaking of ‘man’, Kim Jong-Il back in 1994, the North Korean dictator, scorched the 7,700-yard Pyongyang Golf Course in a stunning 38-under par, 34.(His first round of golf ever, BTW)
  he never resorted to hitting a moving ball ruling.
  
  When DT invites Chairman Kim to play at Miralargo, they should invite Chairman Phil, the “Man”.
  
  and David Fay can keep score.
  
  Reply Report comment
Bart Broesamle

Jun 16, 2018 at 4:11 pm

If he followed the rules as written then whats the problem.Just chuck it in the fu@#it bucket and move on!

Reply Report comment
LJ

Jun 16, 2018 at 3:48 pm

Never seen that before? John Daly on 5 at Pinehurst if I remember correctly. Tried to run it up the hill long left of the green with a putter and hit it again on its way down the slope

Reply Report comment
- stevet
  
  Jun 16, 2018 at 3:59 pm
  
  Yup…. and both Phil and John did this as contempt for the extreme slopes on these greens. John’s was more contemptful because the ball came back to him and would have rolled off the green it he didn’t stop it… LOL
  
  Reply Report comment
  - geohogan
    
    Jun 16, 2018 at 4:45 pm
    
    Phil also admitted that he intentionally stopped the ball to incur two stroke penalty. The alternative could have been worse (off the green, more putts).
    In other words he admitted he broke the rule 1-2 (serious breach to gain advantage over the field) and should have been disqualified.
    
    A player is deemed to have committed a serious breach of Rule 1-2 if the Committee considers that the action taken in breach of this Rule has allowed him or another player to gain a significant advantage.
    
    Why is what he did any different from a golfer stopping his ball from rolling into a hazard.
    Simply hit the moving ball closer toward the hole and take a two stroke penalty? I dont think so.
    
    Isnt the first time Phil has messed with the rules. Played banned Ping clubs, taken to court over insider trading etc. His character has long been known. The USGA needs to answer for their decision today. Should have been DQ’d, “fire the SOB”.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Geohogan
      
      Jun 16, 2018 at 5:42 pm
      
      as our feckless leader would say.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Geohogan
        
        Jun 16, 2018 at 5:46 pm
        
        as our feckless leader would say. On learning Phil is a follower of our feckless leader, DT would give him a PARDON…. “treated unfairly”.
        
        Reply Report comment
    - gunmetal
      
      Jun 16, 2018 at 7:43 pm
      
      I’m pretty sure Phil would have been completely fine with a DQ as well. What’s the harm in sending a little message (your pin placements have become unplayable) when you know you’re completely out of the tourney? I’d wager the rest of the field was happy that he did it.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Geohogan
        
        Jun 16, 2018 at 9:48 pm
        
        Whats the harm?
        The integrity of the game. Watch every neanderthal on the course begin doing the same as Phil.
        
        Some are trying to make a living. Money and ranking means something to them.
        
        Phil will take whatever he can get away with/ or without, paying taxes in California.
        
        I wager the rest of the field is sick of the self absorbed jerk.
        
        Reply Report comment
      - Peter
        
        Jun 16, 2018 at 10:26 pm
        
        If he really wanted to send a message, he should of putted back and forth for awhile and held up play. I think he should of been disqualified for what he did. By his actions he disrespected the game of golf not the USGA. Hard to have respect for the USGA when they didn’t have the balls to disqualify him. Nobody is or should be bigger than the game.
        
        Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

2 days ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

Your Reaction?

LIKE1
LEGIT0
WOW0
LOL0
IDHT1
FLOP0
OB0
SHANK0

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

3 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

Your Reaction?

LIKE9
LEGIT0
WOW0
LOL2
IDHT0
FLOP1
OB0
SHANK0

News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

3 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.