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Report: Several players’ drivers deemed to be non-conforming at the Safeway Open

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According to Reuters, several players at last week’s Safeway Open were deemed to be using non-conforming drivers, with the PGA Tour’s new driver testing policy now in full effect for the 2019/20 season.

Per the report, the non-conforming drivers include those belonging to major brand’s TaylorMade, Titleist and Cobra, with Corey Conners, Robert Streb, Jason Dufner, Michael Thompson and Mark Hubbard all believed to be among those whose drivers failed the test.

The report also suggests that players have been sending their drivers back to their manufacturers for re-testing, with many unsure of the accuracy of the Tour’s new testing method.

Speaking on the potential reasons behind the failed driver tests last week, an equipment manufacturer representative told Reuters that

“They all start off legal and then the face starts to deform and the CT number increases,” he told Reuters, explaining that even non-conforming clubs confer little if any advantage. It doesn’t necessarily correlate to higher ball speed. This will become a non-topic next year.”

The new policy involves a traffic light system with players receiving one of three colors after the assessment of their driver has taken place. The system works as follows:

  • Green – The club is conforming and may be used in subsequent rounds.
  • Yellow –The club is conforming and may be used in subsequent rounds but the result is within the USGA published tolerance.
  • Red – The club is deemed to have been damaged into a nonconforming state and as such may not be used in subsequent rounds.

The process for testing the drivers involves a pendulum device designed by the USGA which measures the time that there is contact between the clubface of a driver and the ball used in the testing apparatus at the moment of impact.

In an email to Reuters Joel Schuchmann, vice president of communications on the PGA Tour, stated

“We will not be commenting publicly on items such as the PGA Tour tournaments scheduled for testing or results from testing.”

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Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

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On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

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19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

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After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

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As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

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