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Tiger withdraws, re-injures surgically repaired back

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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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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

88 Comments

  1. 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.

    • 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…

  2. Welcome1

    Aug 5, 2014 at 10:51 am

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

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

    • 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.

  6. 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?

  7. 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.

    • 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.

      • 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

      • 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???

        • 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.

          • 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.

        • 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.

      • MHendon

        Aug 4, 2014 at 4:36 pm

        Hell Phil’s just as crooked with the driver.

    • 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.

      • 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • 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.

    • 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.

  8. 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!

    • 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

      • Christosterone

        Aug 4, 2014 at 2:05 pm

        He won 5 tournaments last year including the Players. Youre right, total joke.

      • Fred

        Aug 4, 2014 at 2:44 pm

        Didn’t Jason Day withdraw because he wasn’t playing well?

        • 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.

  9. 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.

    • 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.

      • 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.

  10. KK

    Aug 4, 2014 at 10:08 am

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

  11. 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.

    • 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.

      • 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’.

        • 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?

          • 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!

      • 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.

      • 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 🙂

    • 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.

      • 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.

      • 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.

        • 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.

        • Mark

          Aug 5, 2014 at 6:39 am

          +1 MHendon

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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!

    • 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.

  16. 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

  17. Roger

    Aug 3, 2014 at 10:06 pm

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

    • 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.

  18. 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.

    • 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.

  19. 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

    • Fred

      Aug 4, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      Have you ever seen Tiger in person? He doesn’t come across as being that big.

      • 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.

  20. 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.

    • Curt

      Aug 4, 2014 at 11:23 am

      Talking about someone’s dead father is really off limits, a__hole!

      • MHendon

        Aug 4, 2014 at 4:52 pm

        I agree his father came across as a class act to me.

  21. Rich

    Aug 3, 2014 at 8:36 pm

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

  22. 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.

    • Brian

      Aug 3, 2014 at 8:09 pm

      agree with everything you say – I just don’t think it’s in his DNA –

    • 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.

      • 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.

  23. 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.

  24. Jim

    Aug 3, 2014 at 5:44 pm

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

  25. cody

    Aug 3, 2014 at 5:24 pm

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

    • Kyle

      Aug 3, 2014 at 5:35 pm

      You’re an idiot

      • 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.

        • MHendon

          Aug 3, 2014 at 6:40 pm

          Hmmm interesting article Brian.

          • 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.

      • 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!

  26. 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!

    • 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)..

      • 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?

        • 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.

      • 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

      • 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.

        • 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.

    • 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)

    • Fred

      Aug 4, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      It’s like Kyle said. And since you’re so adamant about it – prove it!

  27. 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.

    • Fred

      Aug 4, 2014 at 12:19 pm

      Marty: don’t think you can join the Senior tour until you’re fifty.

  28. Double C

    Aug 3, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    Time to call Dr. Galea

  29. Johnny thunders

    Aug 3, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    Stick a fork in him. He’s done.

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News

Morning 9: Wyndham Clark on back injury | DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take | Houston Open photos

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the Houston Open gets underway.

1. Wyndham Clark hurts back…still hopes to play

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…”Reigning U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark injured his back while working out at home Monday, but he hopes to play in this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open, which starts Thursday at Memorial Park Golf Course.”

  • “Clark, the fourth-ranked golfer in the world, said he was lifting weights and “got caught in an awkward spot doing a lift and [his] back went.”
  • “It’s not something that happens regularly, but it happened and you live and you learn,” Clark said. “I’m trending in the right direction. I’m hitting it or feeling stronger and more mobile every day. I’m going to give it my best effort tomorrow and hopefully I can play and compete. If not, I’ve got to get ready for tournaments to come after this.”
Full piece.

2. DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take

Our Matt Vincenzi…”While speaking on the Subpar podcast, former PGA Tour winner and current PGA Tour Champions player Chris DiMarco said he hopes LIV buys the Champions Tour.”

  • “We’re kind of hoping that LIV buys the Champions Tour,” he said.
  • “Let’s play for a little real money out here. I mean this is kind of a joke when we’re getting $2 million. There were like seven guys last week from TPC (Sawgrass, at the $25 million PLAYERS Championship) that made more money than our purses.”
Full piece.

3. Charley Hull’s course management problem?

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Charley Hull came just short of her third LPGA Tour victory over the weekend at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship when she played her last two holes at 3 over to slip all the way to 10th on the leaderboard.”

  • “After the round, Hull was blasted by Sky Sports commentator and former LPGA Tour player Trish Johnson for her lack of golf course management.”
  • “While speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Johnson spoke harshly of Hull.”
  • “I’m probably her harshest critic, because I know how good she is. She doesn’t win anywhere near enough for her talent, and she doesn’t get involved enough, in all honestly.
  • “The thing with Charley is that you’re never going to change her. I read something the other day that said how much she loves the game and it’s her love of the game [that costs her]. She’s never going to change and she’s just going to go for every pin.
  • “In theory that’s great, but it won’t win you golf tournaments, it just won’t because she’s not that much better than anybody else.
Full piece.

4. Sahith’s interesting idea

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Which brings Theegala to his big idea: “There’s got to be something, like a fan challenge or – I think it would be awesome to see a scratch handicap go out and play like the Monday after a tournament, keep the same conditions and see what they would shoot just to put it into perspective how hard a PGA Tour golf course is.”

  • “Theegala loves the thought so much that he’d even come out and watch.”
  • “Shoot, I’d commentate on it,” Theegala added before continuing, “I have a pet peeve, sometimes when I watch golf on TV, a great example is hole 8 at Valspar last week. It’s a 230-yard par 3, the green’s 12 yards wide and someone will hit the middle of the green and, you know, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, really smart shot there.’ I’m like, ‘Well, no, he’s absolutely laced this 4-iron in the middle of the green, that’s right where he’s looking and to hit a 4-iron that straight is really, really hard.’ … Even like chipping, a lot of the stuff just looks flat on TV, but then when you get over the chip, like, oh, great, I have to land it over a mound on a downslope down grain?”
Full piece.

5. Top am Rachel Heck not going pro

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”As Rachel Heck nears the end of her college golf career, she has decided that the LPGA isn’t for her.’

  • “Heck, the 22-year-old Stanford senior who won an NCAA individual title as a freshman and has climbed as high as second in the world amateur rankings, penned a first-person essay for No Laying Up in which she explained her reasoning for remaining amateur after graduation this summer and starting an internship not in professional golf but rather private equity. Heck, a political science major, also will be pinned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.”

Read her piece on No Laying Up: https://nolayingup.com/blog/why-im-remaining-an-amateur

Full piece.

6. DJ’s new LIV signing

Golf Monthly’s Elliott Heath…”Dustin Johnson‘s LIV Golf team 4Aces GC has announced former TravisMathew CEO Chris Rosaasen as the side’s new General Manager.”

  • “Rosaasen, who is a long-time friend of Johnson, is also the founder of the team’s apparel sponsor Extracurricular and has been CEO of the Omniverse Group for the past four years.
  • “He joins with more than 20 years of “brand-building, marketing, and business leadership” according to LIV Golf, which says his “record of innovation in the golf industry will strengthen and accelerate the growth of the 4Aces GC brand.”
Full piece.

7. Photos from the Houston Open

  • Check out all of our photos from this week’s event!
Full piece.
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Four books for a springtime review

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One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.

There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.

        

Rainmaker

Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.

Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.

My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.

Decision: Buy It!

The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor

Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.

Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.

My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.

Decision: Buy It!!

Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal

Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.

One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.

Decision: Buy It!!!

Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie

Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.

Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.

My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.

Decision: Buy Them!!!!

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.

As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.

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