News

Holly Sonders’ move to Fox is the right next step

Published

10 years ago

Jul 13, 2014

It’s again onward and upward for Holly Sonders: The Golf Channel host is leaving the NBC-owned network to join Fox Sports.

Reports indicate Sonders will do sideline reporting at NFL games in addition to, presumably, anchoring the network’s coverage of the 2015 U.S. Open and other USGA events.

For Sonders, whose popularity in the golf world has continued to grow, it’s another step forward.

Born Holly Niederkohr in Marysville, Ohio, Sonders was a top-tier junior golfer. She won the 2001 AJGA in Kingswood, Texas and the UCT National at Disney World before attending Michigan State University. She played golf all four years as a Spartan and maintained a 78.47 scoring average for the top-20-ranked team.

Sonders had knee surgery after her junior season and it seems she had difficulty regaining her previous form. Although a 2008 piece in the Marysville News suggested she might try her luck on the Futures Tour, it doesn’t seem she ever did that.

Sonders graduated from Michigan State in 2009 with a degree in journalism

After leaving East Lansing, Sonders worked as a sideline reporter on the Big Ten Network and as a news reporter for KATV-TV in Little Rock, Ark.

Golf Channel brought her on board as a member of the newly minted “Morning Drive” in 2011 in a minor role giving 90-second news updates.

Her ascendency at the network was significant: At the time of her departure, she co-hosted “Morning Drive,” “School of Golf,” and “Playing Lessons.” The latter two shows were extended from 30 to 60 minutes during her tenure.

Sonders, just 26, is leaving the NBC-owned Golf Channel for Fox Sports after contract talks stalled. Her bio page has been taken down and she hasn’t tweeted since July ninth. “We wish her the best in her future endeavors,” was the only word from a Golf Channel spokesperson.

As Sonders star continued to shine ever brighter, the Golf Channel created roles to suit her. However, making the move to Fox allows her to take a few significant steps forward.

Contributing to major championship coverage: She was never likely to depose the likes of Terry Gannon at Golf Channel, and she could play the Kelly Tilghman role at some the Women’s Open. Additionally, she could contribute to the 2015 U.S. Open (albeit not as a host, since that’s Joe Buck’s job for the foreseeable future), which will be significantly more widely viewed than any of the Golf Channel’s tournament telecasts
Breaking into football: Obviously, the opportunity to cover the most popular sport in America is something that wasn’t going to happen in her role at Golf Channel (although one could argue she’d have been able to do that thanks to parent NBC). Also, Pam Oliver, Fox’s current sideline reporter, is 53.
More money: It’s difficult to imagine Fox isn’t paying Sonders more, considering her expected dual role coupled with the fact that the network is wooing her away from her current employer.

It would be a strange amalgamation if she played the roles of both, say, a Jim Nantz and a Craig Sager. You have to imagine she’ll eventually be primarily an anchor or primarily a sideline reporter.

Regardless of the specifics, the “Sonders to Fox” story is the logical next step forward for the Ohio native and deprives Golf Channel of its one of its best and most popular on-air personalities.

See Photo Gallery of Holly Sonders

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88 Comments

Concettina Gildersleaves

Mar 4, 2023 at 5:25 am

Inside of Mouth Peeling: Causes, Treatments

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Mr. James B

Dec 29, 2014 at 8:18 pm

“…coupled with the fact that the [Fox] network is wooing her away from her current employer.”

Somehow I doubt that. Too many people I have talked to , including red blooded men, where getting more than a little bored with the growing domination of Holly Sonders parading around in skin tight cocktail dresses and 9 inch heels when we tune in to see serious talk of golf.

Her ‘home wrecker’ persona is better suited for the football sidelines that the golf course (IMO).

Reply Report comment
- Timothy Parker Moore
  
  Dec 31, 2014 at 6:04 pm
  
  Wow,,, you probably have no idea, just how much you told everyone about yourself. Sad
  
  Reply Report comment
- JMC
  
  Mar 6, 2015 at 12:23 pm
  
  I bet you listen to Coldplay on repeat, huh James?
  
  Reply Report comment
Paul P

Nov 17, 2014 at 5:42 pm

I am a retired expat living in Thailand.
I miss Holly and even took the time to Google “Where is Holly Sanders”.
I was directed to this article and now I know where she is.
I will enjoy seeing Holly on Fox and will not be watching much Morning Drive any more (It is boring now. Too many guys trying to be funny…Geez, give me a break!
Just curious though, Why is the Golf Channel still using her name in their ads for Morning Drive, and Playing Lessons????

Reply Report comment
Mike

Oct 31, 2014 at 3:08 am

The morning drive is a ghost show now, i used to wakw every morning and put it on immediately, Now i barely watch it such a shame. The entire show feels forced. Good for her to make a move to fox but i havent seen her at all on the sideline as previously reported. The Playing lessons show is terrible now. The Golf channel should either bring back Winn or find someone in her or Hollys league. Talented, personable and easy on the eyes! The channel is failing

Reply Report comment
- Mark
  
  Dec 11, 2014 at 1:28 pm
  
  Dude your spot on– morning drive without holly Saunders is like a Sunday of a major without tiger in the mix
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Dec 17, 2014 at 11:30 am
    
    You’re right, Mark, things have definitely gotten a bit dull since she left. That said, I have yet to see her doing anything else. I know she’s got a new gig, but when’s she going to start. Haven’t seen her anywhere since she left the show.
    
    Reply Report comment
- elpatoreal
  
  Dec 14, 2014 at 12:59 pm
  
  Did you watch Golf Channel before the rise of Holly?
  
  Reply Report comment
Desmond

Oct 28, 2014 at 1:08 am

Since Holly has left, MD has been in a free fall. No continuity, no eye candy, lack of male-female banter … a lack of chemistry.

It’s a frankenstein of a show … bits and pieces that don’t fit together.

Reply Report comment
James Alexander

Oct 24, 2014 at 2:02 pm

TWC is more interesting than TGC now.

Good for her, she was easy on the eyes and charming. TGC is even more of a no talent wasteland now. The only other people that should be on camera are Martin Hall and Michael Breed, the rest should be waiting tables at AppleBee’s.

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Oct 31, 2014 at 3:08 am
  
  agreed
  
  Reply Report comment
- Mark
  
  Dec 11, 2014 at 1:30 pm
  
  You did forget one talent fehrety.l he and sonders springboards TGC ratings 2 years ago. Now it’s abyss
  
  Reply Report comment
EatonHolly

Oct 23, 2014 at 9:56 pm

I can’t believe all the haters posting here! Wtf! She made “Playing with Pros” fun to watch! If you think Holly is homely, then you probably go to Star Trek Conventions and/or Comic-con and/or still wear jammys. In other words, you’re a goober! Take a look in the mirror before you judge others!

Reply Report comment
Pat

Oct 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Holly looked fake and has had too much plastic surgery. Paige was fugly. Winn was the only decent looking chick on GC. Bring her back!!!

Reply Report comment
- James Alexander
  
  Oct 24, 2014 at 2:09 pm
  
  Joke of a contract offer and she wasn’t as comfortable on camera as she needed to be.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Dec 17, 2014 at 11:32 am
    
    James: where did you see her?
    
    Reply Report comment
- Mark Lar
  
  Oct 29, 2014 at 10:12 pm
  
  Yes!! Thank you. Holly was too fake, and really wasn’t that pleasant to look at.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - DonW
    
    Jan 14, 2015 at 6:36 pm
    
    If you did not think she is pleasant to look at …
    
    Reply Report comment
- Bart
  
  Nov 7, 2014 at 1:34 pm
  
  I agree .. There was nothing ‘girl next door’ with her look. Excruciatingly disproportionate bolt-on breasts. Her legs were so thin and boney, she still had no calf curve when she wore sky high heels. The make-up was caked on and she had the phony hair color that you typically see on a 45 year old chain smoker at the corner tap room. The only thing hot about her was her game. Give me a curvier, more natural, wholesome look on the GC, sans the obvious plastic.. Now go be a bubble brained side line reporter, Holly, and you can now ask those relevant questions such as ‘So coach, what’s your game plan today?’
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Philo
    
    Jan 8, 2015 at 7:27 pm
    
    Haters gonna hate.
    
    Reply Report comment
dave

Oct 20, 2014 at 7:59 pm

hey, why not give Jan Stephenson Holly’s old job, whatever happened to her anyway ? I still have her maxfli golfball tub picture. You young guys remember her ?

Reply Report comment
- Larry
  
  Oct 21, 2014 at 12:58 am
  
  If we are remembering Jan we also have to think about Laura Baugh when it came to good looking golf pros in the late 70’s and 80’s….
  
  Reply Report comment
- Ruben Acosta
  
  Oct 22, 2014 at 8:55 pm
  
  I was never more depressed about The Golf Channel than when Holly mysteriously quit appearing. They did the same thing with Win McMurray. All of sudden she was gone and her and Holly’s contributions were considerable. Both of these women embodied what best about great journalism, they had great rapport with most of their guests and that always demonstrated a great interview, playing lesson. Does anybody remember when they hired Matt Ginella and they put him with Holly on the picks of winners for the next tournament. I mean what the hell was that all about, she was leading team in points for picks (Win also was good at this)and then Holly ended up with this lame. WHy did he have to be teamed with anybody? I think that The Golf Channel has a problem with power women. I also heard that it had something to do with her husband trying to bring both of their contracts together, but even if he is overstepping his worth what does that have to do with Holly. I watch Golf Channel much less now. They talk all about growing the game then why don’t they televise more LPGA than they are. I mean they rebroadcast the men’s tournaments two or three times. I thought Holly was a great journalist and was a great player of the game. With much more talent than most of people she worked with. Shame on GC for not only renewing her contract but for denying her from her fans on the rest of her contract.
  
  Reply Report comment
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James B

Jul 30, 2014 at 2:57 pm

Whoever is responsible for letting Holly Sonders to from Golf Channel should be fired. Whatever your opinion about her, she was a rising star on Golf Channel. She drew viewers and attention the The Channel.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Jul 30, 2014 at 7:26 pm
  
  Well watch the playing lessons with jimmy walker and look at her wrinkly face , the bags under her eyes even the lazy eye, and you can see why they let her go with out a fight . Shes is not that great other than she can play golf. Think of the hours of make up that some lucky person no longer has to do and the few dozen horses that get to keep there manes and tales now because she is no longer wearing them .
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Frank Brandon
    
    Aug 5, 2014 at 3:55 pm
    
    Jim, Don’t trip over your seeing eye dog. I love golf but outside of their Major’s coverage, there is no reason that I tune into the Golf Channel without the hopes of seeing Holly.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - SBoss
      
      Oct 27, 2014 at 7:46 am
      
      Frank, I think you’re the one that needs a seeing eye dog. Holly “Sonders” is a fake from her name through her chest. She looks like a man with heavy makeup.
      If somebody tuned into Morning Drive or TGC just to see Holly, they’re missing the boat. The fact that she married a 45 year old cheating D-Bag is proof that she’ll likely implode at some point because she’s lacking good sense. The fact that the cheating D-Bag was cheating with HER is proof that she’s sleazy.
      Holly probably wakes up every day and asks “how can I fool them again today”? I don’t blame TGC for not paying her. By 35, she’ll look like an old hag. There’s natural beauty and then there’s Holly.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Joe
        
        Nov 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm
        
        Wow! You sound like a jilted stalker. Did she slap a restraining order on you? I can’t imagine why else you would have so much venom for a person you don’t know. Get over her and find another stalking victim.
        
        Reply Report comment
- Doug
  
  Sep 5, 2014 at 3:43 pm
  
  Yes,
  I think you are right on this one. Holly did not need to be a former tour player to be successful as she could do sexy, smart and stylish. Paige Mac appears to be in line as the replacement, but she is more comfortable changing the role to match her skills.
  Holly will be able to pull off NFL and other needs and will make it at Fox. It would have been fun to see how far she would have made it at the Golf Channel; they are an odd group anyway as every time they create a personality ( Winn McMurray is a good example), they go in a different direction. It is just a game and too much techy swing talk is boring… something that you could never say about Holly….
  
  Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Nov 1, 2014 at 5:59 pm
  
  They should be fired, but they’ll be out of a job soon enough anyways. I don’t see how how the golf channel can survive so many poor decisions in a row. Loosing Holly was just plain stupid. She was eye candy with a legit golf resume who could outplay 95% of viewers! Male or female. I think that’s why most of these haters hate her, they know she would smoke them like their cheap cigars.
  
  Reply Report comment
steve williams

Jul 23, 2014 at 11:53 am

I always said to myself. “It’s amazing what a pound of makeup and fake hair can do”

Reply Report comment
- steve williams
  
  Jul 23, 2014 at 11:54 am
  
  Maybe she was trying to hide her big nose
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Larry
    
    Oct 16, 2014 at 4:40 pm
    
    We had her out here in Palm Springs playing in the Humana Golf Tournament last January….She was amazingly nice and without all the camara makeup she is still very nice looking..and in very excellent shape…..
    
    Reply Report comment
- JillC
  
  May 5, 2015 at 11:04 am
  
  Just like you should use, fat boy!!
  
  Reply Report comment
don davis

Jul 16, 2014 at 1:43 am

Got to admit I didn’t like her at first but she can hold her own on tv. Compared to some of the other talent on golf channel Holly is one of the better ones. I still get funny looks from my wife when she sees Holly Sonders on tv. “They put a cart girl on TV!”

Reply Report comment
Tom

Jul 15, 2014 at 11:50 pm

Wonder if she will wear the stripper pumps on the sideline in New England in December when it’s 10 degrees.

Reply Report comment
Darin Fowler

Jul 15, 2014 at 8:40 pm

Good for Holly, can’t hate on her for moving up in her profession of choice. I still think Fox’s golf will be terrible though. As for her looks, she’s still pretty but looking very fake as time goes on. Back in the day when I would see her on her home course (Flagstone) in Marysville she was a natural beauty.

Reply Report comment
darren

Jul 15, 2014 at 8:08 pm

maybe there is a god…and if he’s listening, there’s a few more i’d like gone

Reply Report comment
Tony

Jul 15, 2014 at 2:17 pm

Glad to see the plastic Barbie move on. Hard to take her seriously when she always wore stripper pumps.

Reply Report comment
- J. Evans
  
  Jul 15, 2014 at 4:20 pm
  
  whats wrong with stripper pumps???
  
  Reply Report comment
benseattle

Jul 15, 2014 at 1:44 pm

Ben Alberstadt is a completely uninformed amateur. This:

<>

ANCHORING??? You CANNOT BE SERIOUS. Anchoring a golf telecast is not a role a teleprompter-loving studio host can jump into. And apparently “Ben” hasn’t heard that Fox has already announced that Joe Buck will be anchoring the network’s USGA telecasts, helped by Greg Norman as analyst. For Alberstadt to simply ASSUME that Sonders will “presumably” anchor the network’s U.S. Open broadcast is not merely shoddy journalism; it’s a joke.

You watch: she’ll be doing pre-round interviews on the practice range. No booth, no “foot soldier” work such as Feherty or Maltbie.

Sonders’ paycheck just doubled while her total exposure will be reduced by HALF.

Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Nov 1, 2014 at 4:24 pm
  
  It much more than doubled my friend, much more. Her air time may have been halved, but her exposure will quadruple at minimum. More people will see her in five minutes at Fox than saw her in a month on Golf Channel, and the exposure is going to increase exponentially as opposed to declining exponentially at golf channel. The golf channel is becoming the one thing it has fought so hard against. It is becoming a seasonal tv channel. And Holly was smart enough to make sure she is a girl for all seasons. Alas, poor golf channel, I knew it well.
  
  Reply Report comment
RAT

Jul 14, 2014 at 8:36 pm

Agree with Jeff.
Also bring back Winn!

Reply Report comment
Derrick

Jul 14, 2014 at 8:15 pm

Notice how GC has gone down hill since NBC bought it? It used to be a show worth watching but now it’s just loaded with a bunch of am’s who want to hit balls on the simulator and give advice to others…like Damon Hack knows what he’s talking about, right? He’s hasn’t broken 80!!!!

Matt Ginella travels around the world playing courses and staying at resorts that 99.9% of their view audience will never visit nor can afford. So, why even waste our time talking about it, along with other courses that Gary Williams and Charlie Rymer play.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Jul 15, 2014 at 11:46 pm
  
  Totally agree on Ginnella. Seems like a nice guy but I don’t care where he travels to. Chances are I won’t ever go there, and even if I do, it won’t be anytime soon.
  
  Reply Report comment
david

Jul 14, 2014 at 5:18 pm

Maybe she just wanted a job where she could wear a few more clothes.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jul 14, 2014 at 4:41 pm

I don’t understand all the judging. The American dream is about using your physical attributes, talents and hard work to achieve success and happiness. Shouldn’t we applaud this woman?

Reply Report comment
golfa8

Jul 14, 2014 at 3:25 pm

How about Jenny Dell?

Reply Report comment
blott0

Jul 14, 2014 at 12:35 pm

That’s too bad, she had a great personality and even better body.

Reply Report comment
Big Wally

Jul 14, 2014 at 12:06 pm

Most overexposed woman, literally and figuratively, in sports television.

Reply Report comment
JEFF

Jul 14, 2014 at 11:39 am

Golf channel needs to get rid of Chamblee and tilman and it might be tolerable!

Reply Report comment
- Jake
  
  Jul 14, 2014 at 12:11 pm
  
  I couldn’t agree with you more!
  
  Reply Report comment
- pb
  
  Jul 14, 2014 at 1:12 pm
  
  Agreed.
  
  Reply Report comment
- steve
  
  Jul 14, 2014 at 2:28 pm
  
  Agreed, when Tilghman is hosting MD I can’t watch. It is just as hard to watch Brandel “I know everything” Chamblee
  
  Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Jul 15, 2014 at 7:09 pm
  
  it’s hard to listen to guys on that show, especially Chamblee, who, if they ever played on tour, never amounted to very much. Yet they sit there and have the gall to tell us what’s wrong with Tiger’s game, or Phil’s game, what they can do to fix it. These guys aren’t even qualified to shine Phil’s shoes, much less criticize his game, or any one else on tour, for that matter. FOX Sports has a huge audience, and as much as I like Holly, it will interesting to see if its viewers take this Golf Channel alumn seriously when she talks football.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Donnie
  
  Oct 24, 2014 at 11:17 am
  
  +1 agreed. NBC has practically killed it. I hope for their sake their content contracts are secure, I think there might be room for competition.
  
  Reply Report comment
JEFF

Jul 14, 2014 at 11:37 am

Plastic woman will always have a job!

Reply Report comment
John K

Jul 14, 2014 at 11:37 am

Bring back Winn….way better….the GC make up team will get a rest based on this move!

Reply Report comment
adam

Jul 14, 2014 at 10:00 am

Jay and Dan and now Holly. Damn you Fox.

Reply Report comment
Mr. McMurry

Jul 14, 2014 at 9:29 am

Too much icing on this cupcake, maybe Winn will return now!

Reply Report comment
steve

Jul 14, 2014 at 8:34 am

Her anchoring the U.S Open? They really do have a death sentence for golf. It might make it unwatchable

Reply Report comment
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N

Jul 14, 2014 at 2:45 am

Niederkohr….. lulz

Reply Report comment
ILOVEHER

Jul 14, 2014 at 2:19 am

It’s all about the sex.

Reply Report comment
MHendon

Jul 13, 2014 at 10:15 pm

Hey Golf Channel I have a suggestion for her replacement. Cheyenne Woods, she’s pretty hot, has a hell of a golf swing, and can get you on the inside track for those Tiger Woods interviews.

Reply Report comment
marty

Jul 13, 2014 at 9:58 pm

Mid range hooker? Thats harsh. Haters in the house.

Reply Report comment
- Donnie
  
  Oct 24, 2014 at 11:19 am
  
  Butter face.
  
  Reply Report comment
Boner

Jul 13, 2014 at 8:50 pm

Hasn’t she been 26 for the past 3 years? How come everybody else grows older but she doesn’t. BTW she looks like she is 36.

Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Jul 14, 2014 at 1:22 pm
  
  Couldn’t agree more… I was actually shocked to hear she is in her mid-20s. Too much makeup has done a number on her skin. I’d rather see Paige Mackenzie or Win McMurray any day.
  
  Reply Report comment
snowman

Jul 13, 2014 at 8:47 pm

Bring Back Win McMurray! Holly was way over-hyped at GC. I never thought she was that hot and agree with others that she looked like a “mid-range’ hooker most of the time. I am not looking forward to seeing her on FOX; seems to me she is living the peter-principle; rising to the level of her incompetence. As far as I know she has nothing different or special to offer on NFL broadcasts, so she’ll just be the token sideline chick on the broadcast. As far as anchoring Fox golf broadcast, she is not even close to being in the same class as Terry Gannon, Nantz (et. al)… Could be an epic fail……

Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Jul 14, 2014 at 11:42 am
  
  Apparently, most of you haven’t seen many hookers.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Frank
    
    Jul 14, 2014 at 1:48 pm
    
    I think she’s “that hot” !!! Who cares , way too much seriousness here. It’s just golf
    
    Frank
    
    Reply Report comment
  - marty
    
    Jul 14, 2014 at 2:20 pm
    
    Lololololol
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Jul 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm
    
    Desmond: Or maybe they have seen a lot of them. They seem to know what they look like.
    
    Reply Report comment
Ty

Jul 13, 2014 at 8:24 pm

I won’t miss her nasally drone but I guess FOX will make me listen to it more.

Reply Report comment
Bill

Jul 13, 2014 at 7:31 pm

Enough of Holly and her fake smile and chest. Sex sells but this was getting ridiculous. TGC had to put her on any and every program it could wearing as short a skirt as she could fit in. Bring back Win and let Fox deal with Holly and her ego.

Reply Report comment
ih8

Jul 13, 2014 at 7:29 pm

This is a tough loss for golf channel. She’s one of the few personalities there that actually knows anything about golf.

I can see why she’s leaving though; she’s as technically knowledgeable as anyone on GC yet has go through hours of hair and makeup (which, I agree, is monstrously overdone and makes her look awful….she might actually be pretty underneath it all, who knows?) and dress in spike heels and tight/short dresses (i.e. like a mid-range prostitute). If I were her, I would be demanding 15-25% more pay than anyone on GC.

At least Fox sports is a potential step towards legitimacy. And like Ben said, it’s covering not golf, i.e. she’ll be covering real and not niche sports.

Reply Report comment
Randall

Jul 13, 2014 at 6:45 pm

That’s what the nfl needs, another girl on the sidelines with no knowledge asking easy “how do you feel” questions. I hope they have better makeup artists at fox, she’s getting rough

Reply Report comment
- Enrique
  
  Jul 13, 2014 at 6:47 pm
  
  Good, Im not the only person who thinks she cakes on the makeup – she ain’t all that. eek!
  
  One more reason NOT to watch Fox.
  
  Reply Report comment
John C

Jul 13, 2014 at 6:20 pm

The right next step is to dump ESPN-tainted Erik Kuselias… she’s at rival Fox Sports now after all.

Reply Report comment
- Curt
  
  Jul 13, 2014 at 6:24 pm
  
  Yeah, Erik seems like a very creepy guy!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Cate
  
  Jul 16, 2014 at 4:58 pm
  
  Apparently that has happened according to “The Big Lead”.
  
  http://thebiglead.com/2014/07/16/erik-kuselias-package-deal-attempt-with-his-wife-holly-sonders-blows-up-in-his-face-and-he-loses-tv-job-at-nbc/
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Gene Catalano
    
    Oct 12, 2014 at 5:53 pm
    
    Why has Holly Sonders not appeared anywhere on Fox?
    
    Reply Report comment

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News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

7 hours ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

1 day ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

1 day ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.