Connect with us

News

Tiger Woods and GolfTV strike content deal. What do GolfWRX Members want to see?

Published

on

Hot on the heels of experiencing an open-microphoned Tiger Woods on the golf course during the match against Phil Mickelson last Friday, fans can now expect to get even closer to the golfing legend in 2019.

Tiger Woods and Discovery have agreed to a multi-year deal that will feature an up-close and personal look at the “life, mind and performance” of the 14-time major champion. The content that will begin from the new year will stream on Discovery’s new channel GolfTV, in a joint venture alongside the PGA Tour.

If you’ve ever wanted some golf lessons from Tiger, and let’s face it, who hasn’t? Then that will be one aspect to look forward to in the new year, as the 80-time winner on the PGA Tour has stated his excitement at the prospect of both giving back to golf fans, and creating a brand new audience for the game through the new service.

“I want to talk to golf fans and golfers everywhere, directly, and straight from me. That’s important to me. Talking about what we care about: what’s happening on the course, how to play better, how can I shoot lower scores tomorrow, how can I beat my friends?

Getting the chance to do instruction is exciting. I’ve always been focused on my own game, and this experience can help players everywhere. Whether you’re a long-time player or a beginner, there are some things that help us all play better. If I can help the next generation enjoy the game more and play better, that’s pretty special.”

Golf fans in the U.S. will have to wait for the new addition from Discovery, which plans to begin by replacing the PGA Tour Live streaming service in international markets. Domestic streaming will continue on PGA Tour Live for the time being.

Speaking about the deal struck with Woods, Discovery CEO David Zaslav stressed how the new streaming service is “not going to be the traditional stuff” often provided by golf telecasts, as well as speaking about Woods’ enthusiasm for the venture who he says is “all in” after discussing the potential of the partnership.

So, just what can golf fans expect from the new service? Well, golf instructional videos are only one of the perks to look forward to, along with showcasing preparation routines used by Woods, and a behind the scenes look during his PGA Tour rounds.

Our members at GolfWRX have been discussing the deal here, and the news of the latest service has got some of them excited. Member alliikane, for example, believes that the competition from GolfTV will lead to companies delivering a better viewing experience all around.

“This is good. Competition for the Golf Channel. I like the Golf Channel, but some of their programming is getting a little tired. It will be great to have two choices for watching golf and some fresh new programming.”

However, not all of our members are sold on the new product from Discovery just yet, with Mattyo1984 stating that while he’s intrigued by the prospect of the deal, the awkwardness of last weeks open-microphoned match involving Woods is a major concern.

“Interesting to see how it works out, the promise of extra access to TW is in itself intriguing, although I would be sceptical as to how much genuinely interesting content it will result in. If it was anything like the banter during ‘The Match’ then oh dear.”

Along with instructional videos from Woods, which will no doubt prove popular, what other aspects would GolfWRXers like to see from the new up-close and personal service?

Your Reaction?
  • 49
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW2
  • LOL11
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP39
  • OB38
  • SHANK58

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

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. joro

    Nov 30, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    C’mon, enough of this Tiger worship. He had his day, with Golf and probably still the Trailer trash he drools over. The Golf Channel has become a joke with everything and anything about Woods. He is the past, a great player, but that was then. So he won again, so did 20 or so others. This is getting, or has gotten stupid, enough already.

  2. ogo

    Nov 29, 2018 at 12:00 am

    Yes… I so look forward to golf lessons and instruction from the Tiger…. and of course his insights into how to attack a golf course playing from the rough as well as the fairways. As for putting…..

  3. ogo

    Nov 28, 2018 at 11:57 pm

    Yes… I so look forward to golf lessons and instruction from the Tiger…. and of course his insights into how to attack a golf course playing from the rough as well as the fairways. As for putting, I think that is his forte, his g u a n o of golf knowledge condensed. Of course a discourse of chitchat and assorted trash talk would be good too. Whatever….

  4. ogo

    Nov 28, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    Yes… I so look forward to golf lessons and instruction from the Tiger…. and of course his insights into how to attack a golf course playing from the rough as well as the fairways. As for putting, I think that is his forte, his guano of golf knowledge condensed. Of course a discourse of chitchat and assorted trash talk would be good too. Whatever….

  5. Johnny Penso

    Nov 28, 2018 at 11:39 pm

    I’m not a Tiger fan but this is something I could get into so long as it’s somewhat “real”. I wouldn’t mind seeing the day to day, the preparation, the different events he attends, his house, his friends, what he does in his off time etc. but if it comes across as some douchey YT crap with over the top fake enthusiasm and full of tired old cliches, buzzwords, political correctness and virtue signalling it would be an instant turn off. Tiger is as vanilla as you can get most of the time but it would be great to see some of the veneer come off and see what really goes on behind the scenes.

  6. benseattle

    Nov 28, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    Oh please. This — very much like “The Match” — is yet another blatant cash-grab and another desperate attempt to hang on to fleeing relevancy. Tiger turns 43 in December. Just WHAT about this going-over-the-hill golfer don’t you know that you’re desperate to learn? Insights into Tiger’s uh, sorry… “personal” life, daily routine, workout, friends and challenges MIGHT have been somewhat interesting oh… perhaps FIFTEEN YEARS AGO but now? Seriously? And as for Instruction, just what can thus guy share that we haven’t observed over and over and over since he turned pro in 1996? Zero? I thought so.

  7. James

    Nov 28, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    How bout finally just showing all golf – good bad great ugly…sick of hearing about (I’m an uncaring bastard) sick caddies, pets, GF’s, Bro-cations or what a cat still anaylizing swings on last century BS HAS TO SAY.

    SHOW name brand cats – who made the last 3 cuts shoot 76-77 and go home. NOT TO EMBARASS THEM, BUT TO SHOW PEOPLE STRUGLING TO IMPROVE REAL LIFE GOLF. They loved showing Daly mess up – to rub it in, they ONLY show leaders melt down – ’cause they have to. Show 15x more actual golf and less talk.

    That, I’d watch

  8. Chuckle Barkles

    Nov 28, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    Oh jc, now that’s quality comedy right there, good stuff!! That made me laugh. Actually, that would be very interesting to hear how he picks his women of interest. Elin is still the Queen of ’em all. His latest hot mama, IMO, leaves a lot to be desired. She must do things……
    “So Eldrick, have you ever dated a woman of color, like a black, as our esteemed President refers to us? What is it about white women that you prefer over Mexican women? Have you ever dated a Muslim, a Canadian perhaps? And about your “black” Mercedes, what in fact did you hit that night that caused such extensive driver’s side damage from bumper to bumper? And about that dipping of your skull through impact, where did that come from? It is not as pronounced in previous versions of your swing, say between 1999 and 2001? Get back to us when you have a moment.

    Thanks Eldrick

    • cindy

      Nov 28, 2018 at 11:59 pm

      If you bite white you won’t go black….

  9. jc

    Nov 28, 2018 at 11:53 am

    he will tell us about his newest white girlfriend and why he is scared to death of women like serena williams.

  10. Tom

    Nov 28, 2018 at 11:40 am

    The Golf Channel shows nothing but Tiger….enough already!

  11. Scheiss

    Nov 28, 2018 at 11:08 am

    There will be initial excitement and a boat load of detail and activities and information from his and his whole gang.
    But then all of it will become distracting to him, as paying attention to disseminating information to others rather than focusing on the task at hand for himself, that is, winning more tournaments next year, will all of a sudden cut off the details and minutiae of content, and the fans will give the new channel, the show and its producers, as well Eldrick himself a lot of flack and negativity, for wasting everybody’s time.
    People will only get a slight glimpse in the end, because he will see a massive drop in his game while he does these shows, and he will quit doing the shows, to end up just focusing on winning again.
    So why bother?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

News

Five Things We Learned: Friday at the PGA Championship

Published

on

Early on Friday morning, a vendor working for the PGA Championship was struck and killed by a tournament shuttle bus. Nearly at the same time, as he arrived for his second round of tournament play, Scottie Scheffler attempted to detour around the scene, and was arrested, booked, then released. Somehow, Scheffler returned to Valhalla and played his second round of the tournament. Despite the jokes and memes of some in the golf industry, the tournament took a back seat to life and humanity on Friday morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the vendor, as well as with all involved.

Day two of Valhalla’s fourth PGA Championship did not see a repeat of the record-setting 62 posted by first-day leader, Xander Schauffele. The low card of 65 was returned by five golfers, when play was suspended by darkness. Five golfers still on the course, were on the positive side of the expected cut line of one-under par, while 12 more either had work to do, or knew that their week had come to an end.

The best 70 golfers and ties would advance to the weekend. 64 golfers figured at minus-two on Friday evening, with another 15 at one-under par. The most likely scenario saw those at even par, headed home. The formula was simple: finish under par and stick around. Play resumed at 7:15 on Saturday, to sort through the last six threesomes. Before the night turned over, we learned five important things to set us up for a weekend of excitement and excellence. It’s a pleasure to share them with you.

1. The 65s

On Thursday, three golfers etched 65 into the final box on their card of play. On Friday, nearly twice that number finished at six-under par for the round. Collin Morikawa moved from top-five into a spot in the final pairing. The 2020 PGA Champion at Harding Park teed off at the tenth hole, and turned in minus-two. He then ran off five consecutive birdies from the fourth tee to the eighth green, before finding trouble at the ninth, his last hole of the day. Bogey at nine dropped him from -12 to -11.

The same score moved Bryson DeChambeau from 11th spot to T4. Joining the pair with 65s on day two were Matt Wallace and Hideki Matsuyama (each with 70-65 for T11) and Lee Hodges (71-65 for T16.) Morikawa, Matsuyama, and DeChambeau have major championship wins in their names, while Wallace has been on the when to break through list his entire career. Hodges epitomizes the term journeyman, bu the PGA Championship is the one major of them all when lesser-known challegers find a way to break through.

2. The Corebridge team of PGA Professionals

Last year’s Cinderella story, Michael Block, did not repeat his Oak Hill success. Block missed the cut by a fair amount. Of the other 19, however, two were poised to conclude play and reach the weekend’s play. Braden Shattuck had finished at one-under par, while Jeremy Wells (-2) and Ben Polland (-1) were inside the glory line, each with two holes to play.

With three holes to play on the front nine, Kyle Mendoza sits at even par. His task is simple: play the final triumvirate in one-under par or better. If Mendoza can pull off that feat, and if the aforementioned triumvirate can hold steady, the club professional segment of the tournament will have four representatives in play over the weekend.

3. Scottie Scheffler

In his post-round interview, Scheffler admitted that his second round, following the surreal nature of the early morning’s events, was made possible by the support he received from patrons and fellow competitors. The new father expressed his great sadness for the loss of life, and also praised some of the first responders that had accompanied him in the journey from course to jail cell. Yes, jail cell. Scheffler spoke of beginning his warm-up routine with jail-house stretches.

Once he returned to Valhalla, Scheffler found a way to a two-under, opening nine holes. He began birdie-bogey-birdie on holes ten through twelve, then eased into a stretch of pars, before making birdie at the par-five 18th. His second nine holes featured three birdies and six pars, allowing him to improve by one shot from day one. Scheffler found himself in a fourth-place tie with Thomas Detry, and third-round tee time in the third-last pairing. Scheffler’s poise illustrated grace under pressure, which is the only way that he could have reached this status through 36 holes.

4. Sahith!

It’s a little bit funny that the fellow who followed 65 with 67, is nowhere to be found on the video highlight reels. He’s not alone in that respect, as Thomas Detry (T4) was also ignored by the cameras. Theegala has won on tour, and has the game to win again. The Californian turned in four-under par on Friday, then made an excruciating bogey at the par-five tenth. He redeemed himself two holes later, with birdie at the twelfth hole.

Theegala is an unproven commodity in major events. He has one top-ten finish: the 2023 Masters saw him finish 9th. He did tie for 40th in 2023, in this event, at Oak Hill. Is he likely to be around on Sunday? Yes. Will he be inside the top ten? If he is, he has a shot on Sunday. If Saturday is not a 67 or better, Theegala will not figure in the outcome of the 2024 championship.

5. X Man!!

After the fireworks of day one, Xander Schauffele preserved his lead at the 2024 PGA Championship. He holds a one-shot advantage and will tee off in the final pairing on Saturday, with Collin Morikawa. Eleven holes into round two, Schauffele made his first bogey of the week. The stumble stalled his momentum, as he had played the first ten holes in minus-four. Will the run of seven pars at the end signal a negative turn in the tide of play for Schauffele? We’ll find out on day three. One thing is for sure: minus twelve will not win this tournament. Schauffele will likely need to reach twenty under par over the next two days, to win his first major title.

 

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

Continue Reading

News

Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla

Published

on

As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.

“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.

“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”

Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:

There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.

Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:

“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.

“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”

“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.

“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”

“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”

Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.

Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:

*Update*

Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

*Update*

According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.

*Update*

Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.

*Update*

The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.

“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.” 

Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.

We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 26
  • LEGIT5
  • WOW22
  • LOL8
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP1
  • OB3
  • SHANK17

Continue Reading

News

Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship

Published

on

It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.

Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.

Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.

1. X marks this spot

Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.

The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.

2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.

Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.

3. LIV Check-In

It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.

4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels

Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.

In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!

5. All those other guys are here!

Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position.  Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending