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Morning 9: ANWA anticipation builds | Finau’s Masters shoe | Tiger’s Masters checklist

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5 years ago

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By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

April 2, 2019

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans.
1. Anticipation building
Golf Digest’s Ryan Herrington filed a look at the ramp up to the ANWA in general, and the competitors taking the course at Augusta National in particular.
  • “With the most anticipated debut of a golf tournament in decades beginning in earnest on Wednesday, many compelling questions regarding the ANWA remain unanswered. How will one of the world’s most historic courses play when the world’s top female amateurs attempt to make history of their own? Competitors will tee it up from a version of Augusta National’s members tees playing 6,365 yards. But will the greens be as speedy as they are a week later when the Masters is played? And where will the scores fall? Plus, what will it be like for contenders to have the competition pause for a day mid-tournament? How will nerves factor into the entire affair for the entire 72-player field that will christen the championship?”
  • “The unknowns add their own intrigue to an already exciting event…”I think that’s what’s one of the trickiest parts here,” said Mexico’s Maria Fassi, a senior at Arkansas who is No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. “We’re all so excited about having the opportunity to play at Augusta, but we’re also supposed to be competing out there. Once I’m there, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I think it will be all about business when I’m on the golf course. But in between shots, and before and after, I’ll make sure to enjoy just the opportunity of being at Augusta National.”
2. Kuchar, Garcia: It’s time to move on
Well this is…interesting…
Bill Speros at Golfweek…”Speaking Monday together from Austin, Texas, while in a golf cart, the two veteran golfers issued a joint “it’s all good” statement via Instagram video. Kuchar held his smile nearly the whole time, with his outstretched arm behind Garcia who sat forward in the driver’s seat.”
  • “It was nice to run into Matt Kuchar at Austin Golf Club today. A lot has been said about Saturday and most has been misconstrued. We’re all good here. Nothing but respect for each other and it’s time to move on,” Garcia wrote on Instagram.
  • “We are going over what happened with our match, and the aftermath,” Kuchar says in the video. “What’s gone on in the aftermath is just incorrect. Wrong. Shouldn’t have happened. I want to tell you Sergio handled the thing extremely well.
3. Tiger’s Masters checklist
Excellent stuff from ESPN’s Bob Harig examining to the state of Tiger Woods game as he heads to Augusta.
  • He writes…”Still, it’s hard not to believe that Woods’ game is in far better shape than it was in 2018 heading to the Masters, even if the preceding results might not be as impressive. He’s stronger, seemingly healthier and has his equipment dialed in.”
  • From Harig’s breakdown of Woods’ putting…”This continues to be a concern. Forget the putt Woods missed that would have extended his match against Lucas Bjerregaard on Saturday. He missed a couple of short ones earlier that day and has had shaky moments throughout the year. Six three-putt greens at both Riviera and Mexico cost him higher finishes at both tournaments. He seemed to find a groove on smoother greens in Florida at The Players. His issues at Austin Country Club during the Match Play seemed to center around difficulty reading the greens at a tricky layout. A lack of rounds there certainly didn’t help, either.”
  • “Whatever the case, Woods ranks just 78th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting. He is also 84th from 4 to 8 feet and 150th from 5 feet. All of that suggests too many misses from a range that is so important.”
4. The people’s champ
Daniel Rapaport at Sports Illustrated on Kevin Kisner, the PGA Tour start for the common man.
“Kevin Kisner is not one of those guys. The 35-year-old-who just picked up the biggest win of his career at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play-is 5 feet, 10 inches of candor, humor and humility. Fans, journalists and other players appreciate Kisner because he keeps it real, and that’s why his victory on Sunday was so popular within the golf world.”
“Kiz was asked about the $1.74 million he took home for the win. True to form, he responsed: “I’m the cheapest guy in the world. I hoard that money like crazy, because I don’t want it to run out. I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to make 10-footers,” he said.”
“You would be wrong. In an interview with Barstool’s Fore Play podcast, Kisner was asked about his odds at each of the four host venues this year.
  • On Augusta: “They changed No. 5 to 495, so that adds another bogey for me.”
  • On Bethpage Black: “PGA, Bethpage, got no chance there.”
  • On Pebble Beach: “I can play decent if the USGA wasn’t running it.”
  • On Royal Portrush: “I’ve got no idea about Ireland.”
5. Shop With Golf — and Bill Murray
Alexandra Bruell at the Wall Street Journal reports NBC is getting into something…interesting…
  • “Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal, known for programming like “Friends,” “This Is Us” and the “Real Housewives” franchise, wants to sell you golf socks and polos. The company plans to introduce e-commerce marketplaces, seeking a new revenue stream from brands that aren’t necessarily buying costly national TV ads.”
  • “The first marketplace, called Shop With Golf, will be aligned with NBCU’s Golf Channel, selling products from brands that cater to fans of the sport. William Murray Golf, an apparel brand from actor Bill Murray and his five brothers, is among the 30-plus brands initially slated to sell products on the website.”
  • And this…”NBCU tapped Mr. Murray to help it promote Shop With Golf. In a 30-second TV ad set to run for 13 weeks across various NBCU properties including MSNBC and CNBC, Mr. Murray loosely evaluates his own performance on the golf course-a joke for golfers who are notorious for inflating their scores. Mr. Murray and his five brothers also star in an online music video accessible on the website, among content featuring other brands.”
6. ANWA tee times
Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols with the details…”Jennifer Kupcho, No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, heads out first alongside Olivia Mehaffey of Northern Ireland and Thailand super teen Atthaya Thitikul.”
  • “The 9:36 a.m. group features one of the hottest junior players in the country in Alexa Pano as well as Maria Fassi, the 2018 ANNIKA Award winner and Wenyung Keh of New Zealand.”
  • “Teeing off on No. 10 at that time (9:36 a.m.) is another notable threesome -Andrea Lee, who recently set a school record for tournament wins at Stanford, former NCAA champ Virginia Elena Carta and USC’s Jennifer Chang.”
7. Rory Foundation closed
Not jumping to any conclusions, but this is interesting. Per an Irish News report…
  • “The charitable foundation set up by Co Down golfer Rory McIlroy has closed, it has emerged. The Rory Foundation, which was established in 2013 to offer support to children’s charities, is understood to have ceased operations in December.
  • However, no major announcement has been made about its closure. A spokeswoman for the company which handled press enquiries for the foundation, last night confirmed the closure.
  • “The Rory Foundation is no longer active,” she said. “Rory is adopting a private philanthropic policy”.
8. Masters field update
Golf Digest’s Joel Beall on the Masters field as it stands now…which is as one of the smallest in 20 years.
“But as big as this Masters may appear, it will actually be quite small. At least in terms of the field.”
“Justin Harding and Shane Lowry qualified for the Masters on Sunday, finishing inside the Official World Golf Ranking top 50. Their invitations bring the number of competitors to 86. If that figure holds, it would be the fewest amount of players to tee it up at the Masters since the 1997 tournament.”
“There is still one spot up for grabs at this week’s Valero Texas Open, as the winner receives an invitation if he’s not already eligible.”
9. Finau’s Masters shoe
There wasn’t a better golf-related April Fools joke than this…
For those looking to go a bit further down the rabbit hole of silliness, Nike released a short video about the development of the shoe.
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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Published

3 days ago

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Apr 23, 2024

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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

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See what GolfWRXers are saying about our photos from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the forums.

 

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Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

Published

3 days ago

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Apr 23, 2024

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

  • “After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”
Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

  • “A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”
  • “It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”
Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

  • “The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”
Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

  • “Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”
Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

  • “The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”
  • “I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”
Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

  • “On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”
  • “Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”
  • “Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”
  • “Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”
Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

  • “While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”
  • “Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”
  • “Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”
  • “I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.
Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

  • “One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”
  • “He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”
Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.
Full piece.
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Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

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4 days ago

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Apr 22, 2024

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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