News
Report: Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka almost fought after Ryder Cup
Update 10/3: Koepka denied the report. Speaking with reporters ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he said: “This Dustin thing, I just don’t get. There was no fight, no argument. He’s one of my best friends. I love the kid to death. We talked on the phone Monday and yesterday, so you tell me how we fought. People like to make a story and run with it. It’s not the first time there’s been a news story that isn’t true that’s gone out.”
It sounds like Jupiter, Fla.’s most famous golf workout buddies were anything but chummy following U.S. side’s Ryder Cup beatdown. In fact, according to a report by The Telegraph’s James Corrigan, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka nearly gave one another a beating.
Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte confirmed the pair had to be separated after an incident in the European team room Sunday night following the loss.
There’s no word on the substance of the dispute. Johnson’s fiance, Paulina Gretzky was close by, as was Koepka’s girlfriend, Jena Sims, according to reports, but there’s no evidence she was involved in the dispute.
According to European player’s wife quoted in The Telegraph, Gretzky was “clearly shocked and upset by the nastiness, which was very threatening.”
What isn’t clear is what could bring to pair of long-time friends, both of whom are eminently easygoing, to the verge of a physical conflict.
Koepka and Johnson lost to Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose in their Saturday afternoon foursomes match.
Adding further intrigue, as Luke Kerr Dineen spotted, a report by Ben Cadiou in Le Equipe said the pair were involved in a dispute on the flight over to France.
Johnson has not commented on the alleged dust-up. Koepka’s agent, Blake Smith, told Golf Digest the story is “made up.”
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Morning 9: Wyndham Clark on back injury | DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take | Houston Open photos
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News
Four books for a springtime review
One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.
There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.
Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.
Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.
My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.
Decision: Buy It!
The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor
Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.
Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.
My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.
Decision: Buy It!!
Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal
Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.
One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.
Decision: Buy It!!!
Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie
Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.
Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.
My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.
Decision: Buy Them!!!!
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.
As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.
General Albums
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Thorbjorn Olesen – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jesse Droemer – SoTX PGA Section POY – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- David Lipsky – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Martin Trainer – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Zac Blair – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Daniel Berger – WITB(very mini) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Chesson Hadley – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Callum McNeill – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Rhein Gibson – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Patrick Fishburn – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Raul Pereda – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Pullout Albums
- Tom Hoge’s custom Cameron – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Piretti putters – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ping putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Kevin Dougherty’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Bettinardi putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Tony Finau’s new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Dave
Oct 4, 2018 at 7:57 am
I’ve lost count of the number of fights as a kid and bust ups later in life I’ve had with my best mate of 50 years!Mostly over sporting rivalries and failures. It means nothing.
Your President Trump
Oct 4, 2018 at 3:12 am
Fake news
Lovejoy
Oct 3, 2018 at 3:29 am
Is Alberstadt now the Golfwrx boxing and gossip correspondent?
Tom
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:27 am
Remember the old jingle, “things go better with coke.” might apply here?
Joeg Voll
Oct 5, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Can I quote you on that?
shawn
Oct 3, 2018 at 12:14 am
Where is grandpa Wayne Gretzky in all of this Dallas-esque intrigue..???
Jack
Oct 2, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Real story is that Paulina was still next to DJ.
They should have just fought before the cup to sort things out rather than have bad chemistry throughout.
shawn
Oct 3, 2018 at 12:13 am
ex-Playboy bunnies tend to be gregarious and promiscuous … ya think?!!
Brooks
Oct 2, 2018 at 8:21 pm
Will McKenzie, and Jason Dufner, use to be good friends with DJ too. Both are now divorced from their wives…..DJ cant be trusted… bet the truth all comes out real soon
shawn
Oct 3, 2018 at 12:06 am
OoOoOoOooh… hanky panky… in flagrante delicto too …?!!
toyzrx
Oct 2, 2018 at 5:23 pm
Well, good friends fight sometimes and I hope they went at each other and worked it all out.
shawn
Oct 2, 2018 at 5:29 pm
Low IQ athletes will resort to physical confrontation to resolve their differences… because they don’t have the intelligence to do it peacefully and logically. They are brutes and not to be idolized … plain & simple….!
s
Oct 2, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Wives and girlfriends….. *sigh*
shawn
Oct 2, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Wives and long suffering girlfriends with children born out of wedlock…!!
Tim Armington
Oct 2, 2018 at 8:34 pm
How old are you? 108???? Child born out of wedlock??? You are showing your low iq.
oppie
Oct 2, 2018 at 9:01 pm
It’s not “iq”…. it’s “IQ” or Intelligence Quotient…. “iq” is dopey…
None of your business
Jul 8, 2023 at 11:43 pm
It is still a valid term even now, and if it some how hurts your feelings, how about women with baby daddy’s , is that something that doesn’t hurt your delicate sensibilities.
roger
Oct 2, 2018 at 3:06 pm
Ain’t teamwork grrrreeeeaaaat … 😛
shawn
Oct 3, 2018 at 12:04 am
U.S. Ryder Cup players in near physical conflict…. U.S. democracy in political turmoil… Trump hammers out new deal with Mexico and Canada…. stock market soaring … only in the good ol’ US of A … 😮
Tom
Oct 2, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Gotta believe Brooks vs. DJ fight as a pay-for-view would outsell Tiger vs. Phil golf at Thanksgiving.
Bob
Oct 2, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Adds fuel to the rumor DJs fall at Augusta was a Koeoka push… Some people never learn to respect OPP
Zac
Oct 2, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Pretty sure brooks would destroy dj
~j~
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:57 pm
I’d go with DJ. Brookes has the look of someone who’ll get popped in the face and immediately walks away or concedes, hence why Jena runs his show.
ORRRR Better question, Jena or Paulina???
Scott
Oct 2, 2018 at 12:30 pm
I like the old days when American pros focused their aggression on Brits. Dave Hill threatening to wrap his 1-iron around Gallacher’s head, now that’s boss.
James
Oct 2, 2018 at 12:58 pm
What is a 1-iron???
Nolan
Oct 2, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Your 4 iron lol
big jones
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:08 pm
lol!
Ciaran
Oct 2, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Apparently the loser has to play with Patrick Reed in 2020, some say they’re still fighting….
big jones
Oct 2, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Who cares?
shawn
Oct 2, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Hero worshiping gearheads and wannabes…
Ardbegger
Oct 2, 2018 at 12:01 pm
…”and these are The Days of Our Lives”
JP
Oct 2, 2018 at 10:58 am
The story is not made up.
Brooks dropped some Tiger news to his friend giving him a heads up. Paulina told DJ that Brooks was telling him a lie. And that is where this whole thing started. Whether DJ & Paulina want to stay together for the kids sake is up to them. Paulina knew about DJ’s other fling and this was a way to get back at him. It’s all screwed up. Good luck to them.
C
Oct 2, 2018 at 11:49 am
Source?
Nolan
Oct 2, 2018 at 1:03 pm
I could believe the scorned woman part. Dangerous combo right there.
the dude
Oct 2, 2018 at 2:40 pm
what did you just say??????
Kevin
Oct 2, 2018 at 6:02 pm
R u saying tiger flurted w dj’s children’ mum?
Johnny Penso
Oct 2, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Why so cryptic? Just say what you have to say without all the riddles.
CrashTestDummy
Oct 3, 2018 at 12:11 am
Haha. Exactly. I didn’t understand a word of that. Some sort of code. Lol.
shawn
Oct 3, 2018 at 12:10 am
Tiger and Paulina ….??!!!! 😮 😮 😮
big jones
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:09 pm
The team did more than swap golf partners maybe?
oppie
Oct 3, 2018 at 1:59 pm
… one big happy family… doin’ it …. 😮