5. We’ve done our due diligence!
So says European Tour chief Keith Pelley regarding the upcoming event in Saudi Arabia.
- Geoff Shackelford…”European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley is attempting to get out front of the looming disaster that is a professional golf tournament in Saudi Arabia only months after the dismemberment of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi last fall. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was credited with bringing the European Tour event to his country, likely ordered the killing at his country’s Turkish consulate. “
- “Pelley focused more on player security in spinning the decision to forge ahead with an event despite the murder. From G.C. Digital’s story:”
- “Our main focus is on the safety and security of our players and staff,” Pelley said Sunday on “Morning Drive”. “Like many global companies who operate in the region, we monitored the situation. … Having looked at that – and having done our due diligence in terms of the safety and security – we’re obviously moving forward and looking forward to this new chapter on the European Tour.”
Full piece, including link to GC story
6. Renovations ahead for Torrey ahead of 2021
The Forecaddie…“With an outdated irrigation system and the U.S. Open returning in 2021, the City of San Diego is taking $14 million from its golf fund for a renovation project starting March 1. Scheduled completion is in September, so if you have a tee time at the South this summer, expect two holes to be closed and some sort of modified version to be in play.”
“What is Torrey getting for $14 million? The extensive bid specs say golfers can expect 84 rebuilt bunkers featuring capillary concrete liners, re-grassed green surrounds and design modifications to the fourth and 17th holes. Throw in some cart path changes, five rebuilt tees, surface drainage work, and the price tag is a confounding leap from the $3.5 million spent for Rees Jones’ 2001 renovation.”
7. Woodland’s WMPO win a bright spot amid darkness
Looking both back to last year and ahead to this week’s tourney…
- Nate Fain of the Arizona Republic, syndicated to Golfweek…”In March of that year, Woodland withdrew from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Days later, he announced that his wife, Gabby, who was pregnant with twins, had lost one of the children due to complications.”
- “Three months later, Gabby gave birth to their son Jaxson 10 weeks premature.”
- “Gabby and Jaxson spent much of the months that followed in the hospital. The little one’s condition weighed heavily on Woodland as he continued playing.”
- “Over time, Jaxson’s health began to mirror his father’s game. Both gradually improved. Jaxson was released from the hospital. Woodland was a playoff hole away from capturing a win that had eluded him for years.”
- “And as the Kansas Jayhawk made a short putt to beat the Sun Devil and win the Phoenix Open, Jaxson and Gabby rushed out to the green to share the moment with him.”
- “Seeing my son come out onto the green surprised me. I didn’t even know he was there,” Woodland said.”
8. Karrie considering
Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols on why Karrie Webb is play more golf in the year ahead rather than less.
- “Instead, she’s committed to eight to 10 events in 2019, maybe more if she qualifies for additional late-season starts. Webb still has the game to compete on the LPGA. She tied for second at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in 2017. But her presence on tour carries weight that travels far deeper than scores.”
- “We need more people like her,” said Stacy Lewis. “I wish people would play longer just because you start to get a different perspective on things.”
- “For years Webb, a winner of 41 LPGA titles, has been a go-to voice for peers and journalists alike. At last year’s Ricoh Women’s British Open, her final event of 2018, Webb indicated that even in her 40s, she’s still finding her voice as an athlete. On a tour that’s largely dominated by youth, Webb’s perspective on meaningful issues stands out.”
- “The longer I’ve been out here and the older I’ve gotten,” said Webb from Royal Lytham, “you know, when you see other female athletes standing up for their rights, it starts to make you think about how much we’ve just said, ‘Oh that’s just the way it is in golf.’ And maybe we shouldn’t be like that anymore.”
9. Red or pink?
Is the dress blue and white or black and gold…
Tiger Woods, in a sign of the apocalypse, wore a Sunday shirt that was not immediately identifiable as red. Either that, or he’s now selecting the shade or red based on his perceived win probability. 10 shots back of the leader? A light pink. 54-hole leader? Blood red.
Anyway, the shirt is below. Debate away (and yes, pink is a shade of red, so ultimately, it’s red no matter what…)
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Paul Starr
Jan 28, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Give it up already. No one really cares about Woods anymore, least of all, what color shirt he wears. He can’t really compete with these young guys.
The Procurist
Jan 29, 2019 at 8:24 am
Yes, the guy who won the Tour Championship in September can’t compete. I really hope you’re a just troll.