News

Tiger withdraws, re-injures surgically repaired back

Published

10 years ago

Aug 3, 2014

Tiger Woods withdrew from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after hitting his tee shot on hole No. 9. The driver swing, which sent the ball left of the fairway, left him grimacing and bending over in pain.

He was 3-over par for the round when he was escorted off the course from the tee in a cart.

According to a post-round interview in the parking lot, where Woods was seen gingerly changing his shoes using the trunk of his car for support, the injury occurred on the second shot of the par-5 second hole. He hit an iron shot from an awkward lie on the lip of a fairway bunker, and fell back into the bunker off balance.

“It happened on the second hole when I hit my second shot, I fell back into the bunker, I just jarred it, and it’s been spasming ever since,” Woods said, according to a statement released after he exited the course. “It’s just the whole lower back. I don’t know what happened.”

According to other reports, Woods said the injury is a different pain, in a different spot than the back injury for which he had surgery earlier this year, and does not know how the injury will affect his participation in the PGA Championship, or any tournaments going forward.

After making birdie on No. 1, Woods hit a slew of poor shots throughout the remainder of his shortened round.

Woods chunked his iron shot into the pond in front of the green on No. 3, leading to a bogey. He then hit another poor iron shot from the tee on No. 5, par 3, that barely reached the fairway, but Woods managed to save par on the hole. On No. 6, Woods hit his second shot into a concession stand, and on No. 7 he hit his greenside bunker shot thin, which sent the ball over the green on the par 3. That lead to scores of bogey, double bogey, respectively on those holes.

The next tournament on Woods’ schedule is the PGA Championship next week at Valhalla, the season’s final major championship.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

88 Comments

Pat M

Aug 7, 2014 at 2:55 pm

Graham DeLaet said his recovery was 18 months. Tiger rushed it or something else. Either his doctor should be charged with malpriactice or Tiger does not listen to anyone. Stupid.

Reply Report comment
- tessie
  
  Aug 8, 2014 at 5:48 pm
  
  Golf is a sport for gentlemen not animals lacking self control. Tiger Woods should never have compared himself with Jack Nicklaus…
  
  Reply Report comment
Welcome1

Aug 5, 2014 at 10:51 am

Sad when the golfing community has to talk about Tiger Woods all the time.

Reply Report comment
al

Aug 4, 2014 at 8:07 pm

We don’t even know what kind of back surgery Tiger had so speculation so when the pundits say that he came back too soon, they are really talking out of their arse.

Reply Report comment
MK

Aug 4, 2014 at 6:30 pm

Haha another thread where 99.9% of the posts are Tiger bashing. They should rename this site to wehatetigerwoods.com

Bunch of hacks.

Reply Report comment
Brad B

Aug 4, 2014 at 6:18 pm

Just my opinion ….

The headline is a bit misleading. While we know it’s a back injury, “re-injures surgically repaired back” suggests the injury is to that which was surgically repaired. Right now, we don’t know that’s the case – the story suggests some sort of muscle injury, not a disc issue.

Hoping that’s the case.

Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 6, 2014 at 12:27 am
  
  I believe Tiger has stated that the problem is not with the surgically repaired area of his back.
  
  Reply Report comment
Sven Olsen

Aug 4, 2014 at 3:16 pm

I have always liked Tiger, but he has deteriorated these past years – and it is strange, that his old injury shows up, when he is playing badly.

Sad to see this – really! Tiger used to be a grand sportsman, but now?

Reply Report comment
Dan

Aug 4, 2014 at 1:48 pm

One thing I don’t quite understand is that if you are Tiger Woods, you just came off major back surgery, why would you risk further injury by playing such a shot. Chip it into the fairway and get off the edge of the bunker. What difference is one shot going to make when you are that far off the pace?

I think that its all very curious, but I guess it serves its purpose. He gets to miss the PGA, which he definitely would not have contended at, perhaps miss the cut. It solves his inability to make the Fed Ex cup and also spares him being left off the Ryder Cup team.

“He’s Hurt” End of discussion.

Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 2:48 pm
  
  Guess he just made Tom Watson’s decision on Tiger’s appearance at the Ryder Cup a lot easier. Unless he could have straightened out his drives by then, he [probably would have just embarrassed himself anyway, not to mention the US team. Would still like to see Phil play.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Sven Olsen
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 3:17 pm
    
    Tom Watson made the right decision, no doubt about it, and I, too, would like to see Phil on the team
    
    Reply Report comment
  - talljohn777
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 4:35 pm
    
    Tiger has never driven the ball in the fairway during his entire career. So, what is your point about his needing to drive it straight now???
    
    Reply Report comment
    - MHendon
      
      Aug 4, 2014 at 4:40 pm
      
      Tiger was the best driver in the game early in his career when he was under Butch’s tutelage playing that fade.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Pat M
        
        Aug 7, 2014 at 3:04 pm
        
        He should go back to Butch but I guess that is over. He is probably done.
        
        Reply Report comment
    - Fred
      
      Aug 6, 2014 at 12:33 am
      
      My point is this: when he continually hits the ball into the rough and in and around sand traps, it puts undo pressure on his back to get the ball back into play. Believe he proved this point when he hurt himself with that awkward stance he used to hit the ball situated in the rough above the bunker Sunday. He stated that that was when his back started hurting him again.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - MHendon
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 4:36 pm
    
    Hell Phil’s just as crooked with the driver.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Brad B
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 6:37 pm
  
  Your first paragraph makes all kinds of sense … the second does not, suggesting as it does that Tiger really isn’t that badly hurt, that he’s using a convenient “out” to avoid not making the playoffs, not getting selected for the Ryder Cup team, etc.
  
  You don’t win 14 majors running from a challenge.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dan
    
    Aug 5, 2014 at 9:57 am
    
    Challenge? This man is waaaay past challenges. Its all about image control for Tiger IMO. He bullies and manipulates the press, and appears to be functioning on bravado. His quotes are clearly fantastic (“I’m getting more explosive”, “I expect to win this week”, “I’m getting stronger and faster” and of course “I just need more reps”etc etc).
    
    What does he have to gain by playing? He wont contend at the PGA. If he doesn’t win, he gets left off the Fed Ex Cup. If he doesn’t play the Fed Ex, Watson leaves him off, if he hasn’t already.
    
    Its obvious to all that he came back waaaay too early. Whether he really thought he could win a Major or its just the way this guy thinks, that he’s a special case and can buck the odds is debatable. Maybe he’s so twisted about get 19 majors, that he did something foolish.
    
    I think its all very convenient, but one thing is clear, he needs to sit the rest of the season out. He not doing himself any good and he would only hurt the US RC team.
    
    Oh, the drama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Aug 6, 2014 at 12:36 am
    
    A lot of people thought he was faking it when he won the `08 U.S. Open while hobbling around on a bad knee. That stopped when he landed on the operating table less than a week later.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Dan
      
      Aug 6, 2014 at 9:40 am
      
      I thought it was a broken leg???????????
      
      Reply Report comment
- Philip
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 11:24 pm
  
  I never understood the shot. He only hit it 90 yards. He could of punched it with an iron or even his 5W and not have to fall back into the bunker behind him. He was only 147 yards from the hole so all he needed to do was to get the ball in play and not land it in the bunker in front. He even could of stood partially in the bunker and punched it to the immediate left – would of left maybe 140 yards.
  
  He did hit the bunker pretty hard though when he landed in it.
  
  Reply Report comment
JEFF

Aug 4, 2014 at 11:57 am

BOO HOO..IM PLAYING BAD SO I QUITE…..WHAT A JOKE!TAKE THE $AND RUN LITTLE KITTY!

Reply Report comment
- Chuck
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 1:59 pm
  
  Tiger is a effing joke! Exactly what I said, playing like crap so I’ll just withdraw using an excuse about his back… Although he was grabbing his knee but who cares! He’s been done since 2009, after Elin beat him with a club!!! Hahaha
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Christosterone
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 2:05 pm
    
    He won 5 tournaments last year including the Players. Youre right, total joke.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 2:44 pm
    
    Didn’t Jason Day withdraw because he wasn’t playing well?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Rich
      
      Aug 5, 2014 at 12:01 am
      
      No one knows. This website (nor any other) didn’t even bother reporting his withdrawal let alone why. A reoccuracne of his hand/thumb injury would be my guess. Yet we know all about boofhead.
      
      Reply Report comment
Kim

Aug 4, 2014 at 10:50 am

The next big Tiger news will be the firing of Sean Foley so Tiger has an excuse. The only major teacher he has not used is David Leadbetter, so watch for him in the Tiger camp. Tiger must adjust, smooth it out there 280-300 and win the big tournaments on iron play and experience, but he will not match Jack. If no majors in the next two years, he will retire.

Reply Report comment
- Christosterone
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 1:46 pm
  
  Sean Foley should be put in shackles for changing Tiger’s short game.
  This is tantamount to retouching the Mona Lisa.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Pat M
    
    Aug 7, 2014 at 3:06 pm
    
    LOL! Tiger is his own worst enemy. Fires Hank Haney and Stevie. Has his back operated on and comes back early. He **was** a good golfer but he lacks any common sense.
    
    Reply Report comment
KK

Aug 4, 2014 at 10:08 am

First time I think this is something Tiger may not overcome.

Reply Report comment
Mark

Aug 4, 2014 at 9:09 am

The fascination with Tiger amazes & disappoints me. He has been an incredible golfer but I am totally over him. I am also over Fox Sports. In the 3rd round Scott shot the equal lowest score 65 & what did Tiger shoot?…72. How many times did I see Scott (who also happened to be at that time No.1) on the telecast? I saw him hit 1 approach shot & a few putts but nothing until the 16th hole, unless I missed something earlier somehow. How many times did they go to Tiger?…I don’t know as I lost count. What a load of XXXXing BS!! I don’t want to see Scott when he’s playing crap or anyone else for that matter so why do we have to look at Tiger? The director calling the camera shots is obviously a fxxxwit & wants to sleep with Tiger.

Reply Report comment
- Captain Oblivious
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 9:38 am
  
  I must agree. Fox Sports’ coverage was miserable. In fact, they never showed one single bit of the tournament in my area.
  
  But, that could have been because it was televised on CBS.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Robeli
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 11:46 am
    
    Captain Oblivious, are you one of those that thinks everything revolves around USA? Or do you not realize that there is more than just CBS? In Australia and other parts of the world, Fox Sports is THE main sport channel. Just a little education to think a little ‘outside the box’.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - ken
      
      Aug 4, 2014 at 1:10 pm
      
      Uhh. CBS has the domestic(USA) rights to this particular event.
      Now, if your Fox Sports affiliate picks up the coverage, fine.
      It’s STILL CBS’ deal.
      Quite frankly, you are posting to a US based website, to a US based audience. And your problem is?
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Robeli
        
        Aug 4, 2014 at 4:07 pm
        
        As if a USA based website cannot be accessed from overseas and have non-USA members. HAHA!
        
        Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 11:51 am
    
    Captain: my understanding was that if the tournament wasn’t being covered by the Golf Channel, it was on CBS. I wasn’t aware that FOX had anything to do with the Bridgestone tournament.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Mark
    
    Aug 5, 2014 at 6:35 am
    
    You are correct Captain. I should have just mentioned the coverage, not what network it was as on..however, you get the drift of my comment. What dry wit you have 🙂
    
    Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 11:47 am
  
  Speaking as someone who’s worked in sports television, I can assure you that it’s all about viewership. Like it or not, more people care about what Tiger is doing than any other player on the tour. Period. The networks know this. The Masters suffered a 50% loss in viewers because Tiger wasn’t there. Sponsors don’t like that; it’s not good for business. Bottom line: regardless of how well he’s playing, the network will keep Tiger on the air, and viewers will keep watching. It will be interesting to see how many tune into the PGA if Tiger isn’t there.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - ken
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 1:17 pm
    
    Firday Ratings were a 1.6 in 2014 vs 2.5 in 2013..Yes Tiger moves the needle.
    I think after this incident, that will begin to wane.
    Tiger may very well not recovery from this.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - MHendon
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 4:45 pm
    
    Sad but true. Just goes to show most viewers are Tiger fans not fans of the game.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Rich
      
      Aug 4, 2014 at 11:56 pm
      
      I think people are tuning in to see the train wreck as much as anything else now.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - Mark
      
      Aug 5, 2014 at 6:39 am
      
      +1 MHendon
      
      Reply Report comment
jim

Aug 4, 2014 at 7:55 am

If his back was in spasm, or he had some sciatica as well there is no way he can swing a golf club. Unless you’ve had back problems there is no way to explain the unbelievable pain that it causes and how much swinging a golf club hurts even more. And it doesn’t take much to create the problem either, sometimes just hitting a jarring shot can do it and you’re done. However if he had the surgery then he most likely should be fine in 3-4 days, unless it’s something worse then longer. And the working out is actually very good for the back as a strong core helps to support the back difficulties. It isn’t hurting Rory to get in much better shape is it? Hopefully Tiger can come back and be respectable on the course, but getting to 18 majors is not looking too good any more.

Reply Report comment
Rich

Aug 4, 2014 at 4:33 am

So still no story about Rory’s win. I bet if this bloke won there would have been a story about it in 2 seconds. I guess it’s official. This website has now been transformed into TigerWRX.

Reply Report comment
carl marcus

Aug 3, 2014 at 11:28 pm

Of course he is faking, finally Faldo calls him on it.
Here is the proof: When he is “injured” and playing poorly he quits. When he is “injured” and playing well he continues.
I am to the point where I don’t even believe he had the surgery. Who the heck comes back from BACK SURGERY in THREE MONTHS!? No one!
I understand how much money he brings into the game, but enough is enough.
By the way, I don’t understand why he cares so much that he can’t perform anymore? He has NOTHING to prove! He has 14 MAJORS!
If I were Woods, I’d try to patch things up with Butch Harmon – I think he could back on track of he did.

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 1:03 am
  
  Haha hope you were kidding re: faking injuries……
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jack
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 2:49 am
  
  LOL, best post in the thread!
  
  Reply Report comment
Jack

Aug 3, 2014 at 11:27 pm

He has so many excuses, I’m not a cowboys fan but I watched Emmitt Smith play with a dislocated shoulder, getting tackled by NFL linemen, Rory is the new Man!

Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 12:03 pm
  
  Yes, and if you ask most physicians how smart it was for Smith to play with a dislocated shoulder, they would say the team docs were stupid for letting him do it – that is, if it was really dislocated. The Giants went after his shoulder on every play he ran. Did the Cowboys really need a win so bad that they would let the best running back in the game at that time play with a dislocated shoulder? To this day, there are sports medicine docs who don’t believe it was dislocated – the pain would have been too distracting.
  
  Reply Report comment
nikkyd

Aug 3, 2014 at 10:42 pm

Hey man. An aching back is a big deal. Not a fan of tigers character, but had i been there, i woulda helped the guy to his car. A bad back is nothing to joke around with

Reply Report comment
Roger

Aug 3, 2014 at 10:06 pm

He is finally finished, done! What a whimp can’t tuff it out….quitter:(

Reply Report comment
- Double Mocha Man
  
  Aug 3, 2014 at 10:42 pm
  
  I’m not a Tiger fan at all. I was once. But a bad back is the real thing… and it is so crucial to the golf swing. He may, in fact, be done. But he’s not whimping out. He wants to be there. He wants to win.
  
  Reply Report comment
kyle

Aug 3, 2014 at 9:49 pm

Funny how he can fight through a “broke” leg to win a major but when he is sucking it up he can’t finish a round and withdraws. Please Rory keep winning so there’s more to talk about than the princess.

Reply Report comment
- Jeff Trigger
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 10:19 am
  
  As someone who was in a car accident that required knee surgery and a back brace, I can tell you for a fact, that the back hurt a lot worse than the knee, and my knee had to be put back together. The knee hurt for a month. I still have back pains, and when it flares up, forget golf, I can’t even stand over it.
  
  Reply Report comment
Rcalfo

Aug 3, 2014 at 9:27 pm

Why does he continue to believe a large muscular frame is great for golf. Where is the spider monkey guy? He’s terrible swinging the club. Woodland is not great. Stopping continuing this Navy seal delusion and realize you are a golfer. No one believes you could ever be a soldier, you have been pampered your whole life. It’s funny about the steroid, hgh talk. He looks just like bonds, McGuire, and arod, small skinny hard gainers that now look like massive beasts. That’s not just weight lifting when your body doesn’t naturally gravitate towards large muscular build

Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 12:06 pm
  
  Have you ever seen Tiger in person? He doesn’t come across as being that big.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - MHendon
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 4:51 pm
    
    That’s the thing with television, it’s hard to really judge how big someone is. I to thought Tiger looks kind of small in person, but then I am 6 foot 235. No but really what makes him appear big on TV is how small his waist is. I’d say it’s no bigger than 30 inches about the same as mine was at 12.
    
    Reply Report comment
sean

Aug 3, 2014 at 8:43 pm

Well Well Well yes i am not a Tiger fan but cmon you just can’t ignore the fact the back gets attention after errant shots do you think for one minute if after the sand shot he goes birdie birdie birdie he would withdraw NO way. he’s got a poor attitude always has and why he should never be deserving of breaking a true winners legacy.Tiger grow up your a selfish ego maniac and you learned it from your father just ask around he was a chump as well most of the time.

Reply Report comment
- Curt
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 11:23 am
  
  Talking about someone’s dead father is really off limits, a__hole!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - MHendon
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 4:52 pm
    
    I agree his father came across as a class act to me.
    
    Reply Report comment
Rich

Aug 3, 2014 at 8:36 pm

What? No story about Jason Day’s WD? I can’t believe it!

Reply Report comment
Joseph

Aug 3, 2014 at 6:36 pm

Tiger has to take a good hard look at what he wants his legacy to be. His body can no longer withstand the violent nature of his swing mechanics. He talks of needing to be more explosive ? He needs to understand he’s 38 and no longer a 25 year old. McElroy is going to bomb it by him regardless of what he does getting some strength back. A new game plan is in order. Keep the ball in play, 280 off the tee with a great iron game and solid putting is his only chance of playing another 5 years and winning some more tourney’s.

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Aug 3, 2014 at 8:09 pm
  
  agree with everything you say – I just don’t think it’s in his DNA –
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Tony Lynam
    
    Aug 3, 2014 at 9:13 pm
    
    Great point.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Jack
  
  Aug 3, 2014 at 11:16 pm
  
  Yeah, just take a half swing every time. Good luck with that. Athletes are not like us. Their swings are much more powerful, and thus more stressful on the body. Not to mention they’ve done it many more times than any normal human would. This is not looking good for him. I think he should have taken longer. Most people were surprised at how quickly he came back.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Fred
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 12:15 pm
    
    Excellent point, Jack. And let’s face it: Tiger’s back problems would probably not be such a big issue if he could just figure out a way to drive the ball down the fairway instead of in the rough and on the edge of bunkers, where the swings tend to be more stressful on his back. I’ve often wondered if he and Butch Harman are simply not talking anymore. It seems to be such a logical move for Tiger to go back to the source. Butch was always his version of Yoda. It’s obvious at this point that Sean Foley is doing him no good.
    
    Reply Report comment
golfing

Aug 3, 2014 at 6:25 pm

It´s not working, open your eyes, butch will help you.
25 years of pro golf it´s not a joke…take it easy boy, you have
bean raised well to do it.

Reply Report comment
Jim

Aug 3, 2014 at 5:44 pm

Hes going to retire from golf i can see it coming sooner than later

Reply Report comment
cody

Aug 3, 2014 at 5:24 pm

Years of steroid use coming back to haunt him. Sad story.

Reply Report comment
- Kyle
  
  Aug 3, 2014 at 5:35 pm
  
  You’re an idiot
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Brian
    
    Aug 3, 2014 at 6:29 pm
    
    Looks like you may be the ‘idiot’…..
    
    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/tiger-woods-spent-200k-hgh-guru-doc-new-book-article-1.1860280
    
    ..walks like a duck, talks like a duck – too much coincidence here & this is an article from Jul 2014. We are yet to see the end of this story – golf is on the verge of it’s Lance Armstrong and I am sure they are biting their nails over this.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - MHendon
      
      Aug 3, 2014 at 6:40 pm
      
      Hmmm interesting article Brian.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Brian
        
        Aug 3, 2014 at 8:07 pm
        
        Thanks – I followed LA for 8 years leading up to the fall & while maybe not as extensive or corrupt, there are a lot of eerily similar parallels.
        
        Reply Report comment
  - carl marcus
    
    Aug 3, 2014 at 11:41 pm
    
    No you are Kyle! First for getting personal with Cody for telling the truth, and 2nd for being completely ignorant of the facts. Tiger Woods paid Canadian human growth hormone guru Anthony Galea and an associate almost $200,000 for 63 visits to the golfer’s home between September of 2008 and October of 2009; the PGA does not release these findings, ESPECIALLY when it’s their golden goose, or golden Tiger. Now that the tour tests more often, Woods cannot recover and it HAS taken it’s toll on his body.
    In fact, how do we know that the “back surgery” wasn’t really a 3 month suspension? We can’t believe anything when it comes to the PGA tour anymore. They are so covert, just look at Dustin Johnson’s statement, it sounded like HE made the decision to take time off, when in fact it was a suspension. The PGA tour needs to be cleaned up!
    
    Reply Report comment
Dreg Golf

Aug 3, 2014 at 3:03 pm

He’ll be back next year, I hope. I look forward to watching him get whupped by the likes of Sergio, McIllroy and Scott! Maybe he can learn some humility in those defeats?.
Nah, who am I thinking of …Baldrick is the biggest primadonna on tour!

Reply Report comment
- Christosterone
  
  Aug 3, 2014 at 3:27 pm
  
  Sergio is my favorite player…but to discuss him getting “whupped” by Tiger is ludicrous.
  Sergio has spent his career getting “whupped” by Tiger. As had Scott who cant putt conventially to save his life.
  Expect a meteoric fall for Adam come 2016(a significant part of his prime i might add)..
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dreg Golf
    
    Aug 3, 2014 at 5:57 pm
    
    Hmmmmm, seems to me I’m watching Sergio playing in the final round and Woods has WD’ed…..what was Woods…like literally 20 strokes behind when he left the grounds? If that’s not a whupping, dunno what is son?
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Christosterone
      
      Aug 3, 2014 at 6:09 pm
      
      Oh i understand now. You are referring to a single tournament.
      In that case, you are correct.
      It seemed as if you were so obtuse as to even have Scotts or Garcias career even in the same area code as tigers.
      Because both of those players careers barely match up to one or 2 Woods prolific single years…well, maybe not Sergio as he is much more accomplished than scott whose career is good but compared to woods it is not even worth noting.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - Fg
    
    Aug 3, 2014 at 6:26 pm
    
    His scoring average with the conventional putter wasn’t 90….he could putt. Same as now Nobody is gonna average 62
    
    Reply Report comment
  - carl marcus
    
    Aug 3, 2014 at 11:44 pm
    
    You may be right, but I am sure Fred Couples will be done, he couldn’t make a single put before the long putter.
    I wonder how Bradley and Simpson will do? It is going to be interesting – I can’t wait to watch it. Personally the ban on anchored putters couldn’t come soon enough.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Fred
      
      Aug 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm
      
      Carl: you make an interesting point. It amazes me that the USGA has deemed belly putters to be illegal, but is willing too let players keep using them for a few more years. Yet, in the same respect, if a player accidentally moves his ball an 18th of an inch, he gets penalized. If it’s illegal, it’s illegal.
      
      Reply Report comment
- Christosterone
  
  Aug 3, 2014 at 6:13 pm
  
  And one more thing if you dont understand.
  In 2013(which is last year if you are not aware)
  Woods won:
  PGA Player of the Year
  PGA Tour Player of the Year
  Vardon Trophy winner
  Leading Money Winner(while playing less tourneys than anyone in the top 50 other than Stricker)
  
  Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 12:18 pm
  
  It’s like Kyle said. And since you’re so adamant about it – prove it!
  
  Reply Report comment
marty

Aug 3, 2014 at 2:53 pm

He should sit out the rest of this year and next year. Then join the senior tour.

Reply Report comment
- Fred
  
  Aug 4, 2014 at 12:19 pm
  
  Marty: don’t think you can join the Senior tour until you’re fifty.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Robeli
    
    Aug 4, 2014 at 4:28 pm
    
    Well, it looks like his body of 50. 🙂
    
    Reply Report comment
Double C

Aug 3, 2014 at 2:45 pm

Time to call Dr. Galea

Reply Report comment
Johnny thunders

Aug 3, 2014 at 2:38 pm

Stick a fork in him. He’s done.

Reply Report comment

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

Published

1 day 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.