News
Rory McIlroy won’t watch Tiger-Phil match, claims the event has “missed the mark”
Last month, Justin Thomas stated that there was zero chance of him watching Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson battle it out in Las Vegas for $9 million. Now, Rory McIlroy is the latest Tour player to say he won’t be tuning in.
McIlroy, while speaking on Tuesday at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, told reporters that Phil Mickelson had even offered to cover the pay-per-view fee for the Irishman when they discussed the match during a FedEx Cup playoff event earlier in the year. But McIlroy made it clear today that he wasn’t in the least bit interested in the event, stating
“Look, if they had a done it 15 years ago, it would have been great. But nowadays, it’s missed the mark a little bit.”
McIlroy’s comments should not be surprising. The 29-year-old is no stranger to speaking his mind, and we can only speculate on what exactly he meant with his statement that the showdown has “missed the mark a little bit.” If McIlroy is suggesting that this event has missed the mark due to the match airing on PPV, then he is likely to find many supporters of the game in agreement with him — the $19.99 price tag for the exhibition has not gone over well. Or, if the fact that neither player is putting up a dime of their own money for the contest is what has failed to pique McIlroy’s interest, then he is again likely to find many who agree with his view.
However, whether the showdown between Woods and Mickelson would have been a greater spectacle fifteen years ago compared to present day is debatable. Woods is currently a prohibitive favorite to win the contest on Thanksgiving Friday with odds of -225. But in 2003, an untouchable Woods against a major-less Mickelson could very well have been a mismatch.
The Match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson takes place on November 23 at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
What do you make of Mcilroy’s comments, GolfWRXers?
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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Bill
Nov 15, 2018 at 11:00 am
Rory doesn’t get it. Who would pay to watch Rory – Spieth. Or Rose – Koepka. It’s just good golf. A game I don’t have.
Gerry Elbridge
Nov 15, 2018 at 12:42 am
“It’s missed the mark”…so has Rory’s wedge game as of late.
Alphonzo Davidson Jr
Nov 14, 2018 at 10:20 pm
So what they are pass their prime! How many prize fighters have fought pass their prime. Do you watch the senior tour? YES you guys love watching Couples, Daly and others. Enjoy the spectacle for what it is an exhibition. The money, the sponsors are paying that. $20 bucks that’s less than you would pay for a ball cap. If you play golf you have some interest. So enjoy it.
There’s two common things in golfers that runs deep sandbagging handicaps and CHEAPNESS give it a rest.
James
Nov 14, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Rory hasn’t won much lately. I’m thinking he just can’t afford the PPV.
Tom
Nov 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm
After those pics from Tiger’s roadside arrest, I would pay to watch him drive in a demolition derby….”Tiger, Tiger, where is grampa’s automobile?”
Jim K
Nov 14, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Might have been interesting if they had a 2-man best ball match with Tiger & Phil v. two of the younger stars (Spieth & Thomas?). Players can take a lot more chances in best ball and there’s a lot more strategy involved.
Robert Edgar
Nov 14, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Boring. You could not pay me enough to watch this. A money grab from the suckers that watch.
Buster Douglas
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Rory is jealous. Its that simple. He only wishes he was in on it. P.S. Gianni change that photo, you look like a fruit.
Curt
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:08 pm
All I know is it’s worth watching without McIlroy and Dechambooo in it. As far as I’m concerned there’s no such thing as a good golfer anymore. There skill is all about modern equipment.
Dingo
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Tell me again Curt, how many extra chromosomes do you have?
Chuck
Nov 14, 2018 at 11:45 am
Rory said 10 years ago, not 15… Anyhow, it’s a boring match from two hasbeens. Weak sisters trying to relive their glory days. Wasted money and those watching are fools wasting their money.
kevin
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:21 pm
LOL its twenty bucks….ironically on the same day as most people wait in long lines to buy crap they don’t need.
to each their own, but 20 bucks for 4 hours of entertainment isnt a problem. this should be more entertaining than a typical match. there will be banter, side bets, drone footage, …
but hey, enjoy those black friday lines
Jack Nash
Nov 14, 2018 at 11:37 am
Rory is 100% correct. Two old guys reminiscing about the old days when this event might have been watchable, but certainly not now. This event could be similar to Gerardo’s Al Capones Vault.
Greg V
Nov 14, 2018 at 9:18 am
Rory just got dropped from Phil’s Christmas card list, which is fine by me.
The match is a stupid idea, and tone deaf with the destruction going on in California.
Mike
Nov 14, 2018 at 10:32 am
What? Does that mean the NFL should cancel all their games until a California wild fire is put out? I don’t think you should go to work until every immigrant child is reunited with their parents. There’s always a tragedy happening somewhere.
HearingImpaired
Nov 16, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Tone deaf with the destruction in California? I do hope you’re kidding, otherwise that’s quite possibly the most nonsensically self-righteous nonsense I’ve ever read. Good grief.
steveie
Nov 14, 2018 at 9:17 am
yes, would have been great anytime before 2008, and if they put up their own $$$. could not pay me to watch, LOL.
James Awad
Nov 14, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Funny …. I think the only way I might watch this greedfest is IF it was free & they WERE playing for their own money 🙂 – like 20% of their bank account death match…
JThunder
Nov 14, 2018 at 1:01 am
The golf world can think of nothing better to do with $9 million than have two guys at the end of their career play with no gallery and likely no TV audience… It’s a bit sick.
How about they both pony up $4.5 mil (nothing to either of them) and the money goes to the winner’s cause. SoCal wildfires? Education? Homeless? Vets without healthcare? Environment?
Johnny Penso
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:31 am
I’m all for people being free to speak their mind but IMO this is one of those things where if you have nothing nice to say, then shut the hell up. I don’t see what purpose it serves for a leading player in the game to throw shade at a one off event that he isn’t even participating in. Is your sport better off for you having trashed the event? Shut up, say it’s fine and you’ll probably watch it and hope it takes off and turns into a full on match play type event and you get invited at some point. Or don’t. It’ll live or die by it’s own merit and throwing shade on it before it’s even happened just makes you look bitter and envious and attention seeking.
Chilly P
Nov 13, 2018 at 8:58 pm
cool how you made the case that it was a stupid idea 15 years ago too. this is a yawner. No one cares. made more odious by the purse. makes them look bad. hopefully they will salvage a little face and donate the cash. feel like this will actually be awkward to watch.
Gunter Eisenberg
Nov 13, 2018 at 6:56 pm
Rory’s right. For me, if it was 17 years ago it would’ve been really relevant. Back then Tiger and Phil weren’t be best of friends back then and really wanted to beat each other up. I personally thought both were at the peak of their careers back then too. Remember, they were the final pair at the 2001 Masters. Go watch videos of it on Youtube. You could feel the tension between them and I don’t think they spoke a word to each other during that round.
Brian
Nov 13, 2018 at 5:50 pm
The winner gets 9 million for one round of golf. The Fed Ex cup winner, which the PGA tries to promote all year, has a playoff system, and is supposed to be the ultimate goal outside of majors, gets 10 million. That’s why the tour players hate it. It makes a mockery of their sport and it so called best player for that year.
DB
Nov 14, 2018 at 1:34 pm
You’re exactly right. I don’t plan on paying the PPV fee, but I’m sure many will given that Tiger and Phil are still extremely popular. The tour players giving the match a negative review are just upset that they aren’t in on the 9 million. You can guarantee if they were invited to the match they would suddenly think it’s a great idea.
8thehardway
Nov 13, 2018 at 5:26 pm
Here’s what would draw me in… They each get $1/2M to show up and $4M to bet, say $1/2M minimum, $1M max, one press allowed on the back 9, all bets must be called.
Bonus adrenaline rush – give caddies $1/2M each to bet with each other with $1K minimum.
larrybud
Nov 13, 2018 at 4:48 pm
It’s even more than that. I don’t mind the timing, even though they’re obviously both past their prime. But the fact that it’s PPV, and that there are no crowds. I mean, the crowds is what would make it fun. Who are these guys going to talk to? Who’s going to laugh at the lame jokes?
kevin
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:28 pm
i’m guessing a small crowd of 100 or so of who’s who among celebs and media.