News
Woman hit by Koepka’s tee shot, blinded in one eye, speaks with media
The woman hit by Brooks Koepka’s tee shot at the Ryder Cup has spoken with the media for the first time. 49-year-old Corine Remande was struck in her right eye by Koepa’s drive at the par-4 6th hole at Le Golf National, Sunday.
As multiple outlets have reported, Remande, who lives in Egypt but traveled to the competition with her husband, has permanently lost sight in the eye.
“The doctor said immediately to my husband that it was a very big explosion in my eye and it was impossible for me now to see again with this eye,” she told BBC Sport. “I don’t know how to live with only one eye. I like walking, sport, going to the gym and playing golf.”
From a hospital in Lyon, Remande said she is planning legal action and hopes to improve public safety. However, it’s not clear exactly what form this would take.
She claims marshals didn’t warn spectators a tee shot was approaching or make clear players were attempting to drive the green at the par 4. She also says signage about spectator risk was inadequate. Remande also says officials neither checked on her after she was struck nor visited her at the hospital
The European Tour says “fore” was shouted by players and marshals and, per the BBC, “Ryder Cup tickets contained ground regulations which clearly stated that spectators acknowledge the general risks associated with golf, including risks with errant shots.”
Remande says she doesn’t hold Koepka responsible.
Ahead of the Dunhill Links Championship, Koepka told reporters, “I was told the news and obviously I am really heartbroken. My stomach sank. It’s sad and I’m really torn up about it.”
He also tweeted the following, Tuesday.
— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) October 2, 2018
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Equipment
Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tommy Fleetwood’s TaylorMade Spider Tour X Prototype putter
Tommy Fleetwood has been attached to his Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 putter for years now. However, this week at the Wells Fargo Championship, we did spot him testing a new putter that is very different, yet somewhat similar, to his current gamer.
This new putter is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X head but with a brand new neck we haven’t seen on a Spider before. A flow neck is attached to the Spider head and gives the putter about a 1/2 shaft offset. This style neck will usually increase the toe hang of the putter and we can guess it gets the putter close to his White Hot Pro #3.
Another interesting design is that lack of TaylorMade’s True Path alignment on the top of the putter. Instead of the large white center stripe, Tommy’s Spider just has a very short white site line milled into it. As with his Odyssey, Tommy seems to be a fan of soft inserts and this Spider prototype looks to have the TPU Pure Roll insert with 45° grooves for immediate topspin and less hopping and skidding.
The sole is interesting as well in that the rear weights don’t look to be interchangeable and are recessed deep into the ports. This setup could be used to push the CG forward in the putter for a more blade-like feel during the stroke, like TaylorMade did with the Spider X Proto Scottie Scheffler tested out.
Tommy’s putter is finished off with an older Super Stroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip in blue and white. The Mid Slim was designed to fit in between the Ultra Slim 1.0 and the Slim 3.0 that was a popular grip on tour.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
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Equipment
Rickie Fowler’s new putter: Standard-length Odyssey Jailbird 380 in custom orange
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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Curt
Oct 6, 2018 at 11:23 pm
Players hit it so far now it’s really difficult to keep an eye on the ball. Along with distance goes the angle as well, could be looking directly at it and just not see it thanks to sunlight. Unfortunately fans are brave enough to stand in the general drive zone and drivable par 4’s require some savage swings.. Maybe it’s time to slow down the distance a bit, shrink the drivers to make pros think a little more than swinging as hard as possible thanks to a giant face.. Imagine if the MLB let there equipment get stronger every year how dangerous foul balls would be nevermind players in the in field along with how big the stadiums would be lol. I guess I’m one of the rare ones who find Driver Wedge over and over again boring.
Dunn
Oct 5, 2018 at 9:34 pm
People need to take responsibility for themselves….people blame everything on everyone….I was hurt very bad (changed my life forever) and could have sued but I didnt cuz it was my own friggen fault!
Dunn
Oct 5, 2018 at 9:21 pm
These spectators get way too close to fairway, seen hundreds of people inches from path these guys are swinging on….if your gonna go to these events and you golf well you know how it is…..stay out of line of fire, feel bad for this woman and many others just like her but hey, you have to be a bit pro active and and know that balls are coming your way if you choose to stand near landing zones of these shots…sucks for Bruce too cuz now he has this on his conscience and he is just trying to play golf……give these guys some room, pay attn to shots being hit and if if you cant see the ball dont look up….
HDTVMAN
Oct 5, 2018 at 2:54 pm
She is an avid golfer, traveled to France for the Ryder Cup, has probably been to other tournaments, and has seen golf on TV. There is a risk at golf tournaments and baseball games at being struck by a ball. It was an unavoidable accident, and there is nothing to sue for. On TV we’ve seen people get hit and bleed, but you can’t sue. There are no legal grounds. On cross examination, you’ll be asked if you’ve seen spectators hit by a golf ball on TV? You’ll be asked why you weren’t paying attention? It has been stated “fore” was yelled several times, and players on the tee pointed to the ball going into the crowd. Why didn’t you turn your head and duck? If the person next to you ducked and you were struck, would you sue them for moving and allowing the ball to strike you? What about suing the crowd for loudness if you didn’t hear the warning? Let’s face it…it was an accident and no one is at fault.
Deegee
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Some of the remarks on here are disgusting. I’m sure you would be making such flippant comments if it was your own daughter or son who has lost an eye and their life has changed forever.
I hope that a loophole in the law is found and she gets judgement to help her future.
For example, a lot of small print is irrelevant if it’s not understandable…perhaps it is written in English and she doesn’t read that language.
Of course, there’s always a signed glove from the offending Golfer to fall back on.!!
NormW
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:51 pm
She is reported to say that she likes watching sports and playing golf. You don’t need fine print to explain the obvious. Life ruined? My club has a golfer with sight in one eye who plays to a 2 and is Club Champ.
Barry
Oct 5, 2018 at 3:32 pm
It is called a ‘life changing’ injury for a reason
joro
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:38 pm
It is almost as stupid as the Liberal Fords accusations. You go to a Tournament where anything is possible, You stand there in the hitting area yards from the Fairway and then are surprised you got hit. I feel very sorry for her but she has no case other than Money. Phoooey.
Klondiko
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Gives real meaning to the term “Keep your eyes on the ball”.
Evan
Oct 5, 2018 at 1:26 pm
You’re a doofus. STFU
Jonathan wright
Oct 5, 2018 at 10:30 am
As I feel very bad for what happened to her, I pray that she wins nothing in this stupid lawsuit. She’s old nothing, but if Brooks himself wanted to help her out with some of the medical bills, I would see that as being very honorable.
You enter at your own risk in any professional golf tournament.
Robert
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:37 pm
In Europe we have an incurance, so the medical bills will be paid.
MeanJeanOkerlund
Oct 4, 2018 at 7:04 pm
I feel bad for her and it sucks big time, but she’s talking like she might not be able to go on in life. Clearly, she needs to pay a visit to her local Veteran’s Rehab Center. She’ll learn quickly that this is minor in the grand scheme of life and she just needs to suck it up, make adjustments where needed, and carry on.
Tom
Oct 4, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Tragic accident…..all she can say is “Aaaarrrrggghhhh!”
Terry
Oct 4, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Not that he has to, but hopefully BK provides some financial support on the low down.
Bob Parsons
Oct 5, 2018 at 8:41 am
Absolutely underrated comment, LOL.’
BOOM BABY,
BP
Golf Golf Golf
Oct 4, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Sorry about your eye… but the disclaimer on tickets usually indemnifies the player, course and tournament sponsor from this very thing. Enter at your own risk. Sadly its your loss (pun intended)
LawDontGoRoundHere
Oct 4, 2018 at 7:00 pm
You know nothing of what you speak of. Those disclaimers don’t mean jack in a court of law. People do sue and do win in these cases.
Jamie
Oct 5, 2018 at 2:38 am
Whose court? Those disclaimers do stand up here. Yes, there is a world outside of Libtardville.
Bob Parsons
Oct 5, 2018 at 8:42 am
I’m not sure you understand the concept of indemnity….
Herbie
Oct 4, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Lol
Jamie
Oct 4, 2018 at 1:36 pm
“It’s not my fault! It’s my right to be happy and unoffended!”
-Every Socialist in history
Geoff
Oct 4, 2018 at 11:34 am
Fell bad for her…but maybe less mimosa’s and more watching the event and this could have been avoided.
Dave
Oct 4, 2018 at 11:00 am
This is sad but what does she hope to accomplish? Are we going to have to line the fairways with nets to protect spectators? This rush to litigation is so prevalent these days. I feel for her but at some point, take a little blame for not paying attention at a sporting event where golf balls are being hit.
Kevin
Oct 4, 2018 at 10:50 am
Wear a hat and pay attention.
Luke
Oct 4, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Such sympathy!
Kevin
Oct 5, 2018 at 10:00 am
Your sympathy will bring her eyesight back? My good advice could help others in the future.
Jamie
Oct 4, 2018 at 10:13 am
Germany, Italy, and Spain will pay for it. Socialism works.
DrRob1963
Oct 3, 2018 at 11:38 pm
This is the risk we all take whenever we walk onto a golf course. It is possible, it does happen!
rymail00
Oct 3, 2018 at 10:34 pm
Wow that’s awful, and extremely unfortunate for her. But I think we all know what the out come will be from this, much like baseball games, and hockey, you basically waive all rights once you buy the ticket unless it turns into a Detroit basketball game where your physically attacked by player. Any injury from foul ball or errant drive your basically screwed if you get hurt. Its unfortunate but thats the risk.
I can’t imagine losing eye sight or some other type of sense due to attending a sporting event….
James
Oct 3, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Sad news… and I feel for this woman.
Not specific to her because I don’t know the details but I am always amazed at most of the spectators lining the fairways who are not even looking back at the tee. They are often the ones who are hit by an errant tee shot.
Tomt
Oct 3, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Wow your life can change so fast! Sad story
Johnny Penso
Oct 3, 2018 at 10:11 pm
If you don’t know exactly where the ball is, you should be looking away. You’re not going to get very injured getting hit on the back of your body. All the important stuff is at the front.
Paulie
Oct 5, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Abe Lincoln would argue that Johnny.
Bruce Ferguson
Oct 3, 2018 at 4:59 pm
A very sad and regrettable accident. Reminds me of an incident a few years back where a young lady was struck by a hockey puck at a hockey game.
As rare as these incidents are, they are always possible.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/girl-killed-by-stray-hockey-puck/