5. “We know we have more work to do”
John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s senior managing director of championships, appeared on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive and had this to say, per Golf Channel…
- “It’s very clear there is a certain level of discomfort with some Tour players, certainly not all, and we are working to address that with certain rules,” Bodenhamer said. “We know we have more work to do.”
- “With the amount of change this was, we thought there would need to be clarification, and there still will be. We are only eight weeks into this. Things are going to continue to happen. We are going to have to continue to talk about it and engage with players. That’s the key, and we are going to make a concerted effort to do that, and to continue to do that throughout the season.”
6. A heartwarming VJ story?
Golf.com’s Joel Beall tells the tale of, some 20 years, ago watching a top player practice at the range, getting stiffed for an autograph before being consoled by…none other than Vijay Singh.
- “Emerging from thin air was an arm that seemed as big as my body, and it wrapped around my shoulder like a tentacle. As I turned my head to the right to see this massive limb, a voice boomed from above: “Hi son. How are you doing?”
- “I gazed up to see a towering man, his glasses tucked underneath a Wilson visor and his shirt so drenched it appeared he had fallen into Ike’s Pond. And smiling. I’ll never forget that smile from Vijay Singh.”
- “His arm still around my shoulder and a rope in between us, Singh guided me from the practice area to the side of the clubhouse. As we walked, he peppered me with question after question: “How was your day? Is this your first time here? What was your favorite hole?” He treated each answer with interest, as if I had unlocked Hogan’s secret. He told me how much he enjoyed Augusta National, and what a delight it would be if he could win the green jacket. “I don’t think I would ever take it off!” he laughed.”
7. The vaunted Seminole Pro-Member
The Forecaddie writes…”With Seminole’s Pro-Member attracting seven of the world top 10, The Forecaddie wonders if maybe it’s time to give out world ranking points?”
Seriously, though, it basically features a stronger field at the top than the Honda Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational…combined
- More….”The Man Out Front jests, but it’s still a mighty statement for this annual post-Honda Classic gathering of Seminole members and pros the Monday after the stop at PGA National. That event, with its $6.8 million purse, drew just three of the world top 10.”
- “The Seminole event dates to 1937 and what was once a Calcutta died after a USGA crackdown on such events in the 1960s. The one-day event returned with a new format in 2004. The honor roll of past champions, displayed in Seminole’s quaint clubhouse, includes Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.”
8. The caddie’s shank
Golf Channel’s Randall Mell on how exactly Adam Schenk’s caddie earned his player a controversial penalty.
- “Adam Schenk said his caddie wasn’t lining him up in the video footage at the Honda Classic that led to his two-shot penalty for violating the new rule designed to prevent caddies from aligning players.”
- “He said he was talking to his caddie about where to land the bunker shot he faced at the 17th green in Friday’s second round, the shot that led to the retroactive penalty, assessed 40 minutes before he teed it up in Saturday’s third round.”
9. All the Tour news…
Our Ronald Montesano rounds up all the professional golf action every Monday morning, and while I’m slightly biased, I think it’s the best way to quickly get up to speed with everything that happened outside of the Big Tour.
Here’s his entry for Mark O’Meara’s PGA Tour Champions win at the Cologuard Championship
“Did you hear the one about the professional golfer who birdied eight consecutive holes? On Friday, it was Mark O’Meara. After opening with par at the first, he didn’t make another until the 10th. Turning in 28, O’Meara slacked his way in with eight consecutive pars, then a bogey at the last. Despite the unconscious display of brilliance, all O’Meara had to show for his efforts was a tie for second, one shot behind Kenny Perry. As the leader tumbled on Saturday, O’Meara played a decent round (70) to take a one-shot lead over three golfers. With everything on the line on day three, O’Meara made eight birdies against one bogey for another 66, and claimed his first Champions Tour title since 2010, by four strokes over Willie Wood, Kirk Tribplett, Darren Clarke, and Scott McCarron.”
|
Lee & Denny
Mar 4, 2019 at 8:08 pm
My best golf friend and I always watch golf with the volume off, instead of listening to Bones or Feherty with their comedy routine. Web.com and European tour is much more enjoyable to listen to. Concerning the players complaining about the rules, since they have swing coach, nutritionist’s, mental coaches, why don’t they just hire rules coaches? They can certainly afford it. Grow up Boys! Learn the rules of your trade, just like everyone else does.