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19th Hole

Players wary of ‘unfair’ Royal St. Georges

Published

3 years ago

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It’s the first Open Championship for two years, but a trip down south to Royal St. George’s hasn’t got every golfer excited for the week ahead, with some high-profile players not exactly thrilled with the venue.

The ever candid Brooks Koepka spoke on Tuesday about the course, where he made it clear that it’s not one of his favorite courses, with the many blind tee shots not to his liking.

“It’s not my favorite venue that we have played. I think Portrush and St Andrews are definitely the favorites. I haven’t seen all 18, I’ll see the back nine today. But quite a few blind tee shots, kind of hitting to nothing. Fairways are quite undulating. I don’t know, it’s not my favorite of the rotation, put it that way.

“This one, it’s just not as exciting. I don’t know why. Whether it be a couple shots to nothing, a couple of blind tee shots or shots in where you can’t really see much. I’m not too big of a fan of that.”

Bernhard Langer, who finished in the top-3 here three times in his career, is another who isn’t a fan of the English golf course, telling the Daily Mail on Tuesday that: “It is, to me, the most unfair of all the courses on the rota.”

It’s also fair to assume that the course isn’t number one on Rory McIlroy’s list of favorites either, who speaking on a podcast last year, stated: “Can’t we just skip St George’s and go straight to St Andrews?”

However, it seems the Irishman has had a change of heart over the course, as speaking to media this week, McIlroy revealed that after playing a softer Royal St. Georges at the weekend, the venue seems improved to him:

“Even before all the rain, the course was quite lush and green and we weren’t seeing the bounces that we’re accustomed to getting here,” he said. “I walked away after the weekend thinking this is a much better golf course than I remember.”

As for the big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau, it appears that the 27-year-old is prepared to dial it back this week in order to stay out of the “diabolical hay” surrounding the fairways.

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

19th Hole

Report: Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy returning to policy board; Will be the only player negotiating directly with Saudis

Published

19 hours ago

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May 9, 2024

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According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has soured.

Last week, reports surfaced that McIlroy, who was a member of the PGA Tour policy board during most of the past few years, was looking to rejoin the board, presumably taking Webb Simpson’s seat.

However, on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he will not be rejoining the policy board, due to people on the board being “uncomfortable” with that “for some reason.”

The Telegraph has reported that Tiger Woods was among the players who voted against McIlroy returning to the policy board.

The divide is apparently due to McIlroy pushing for the game of golf to unify, whereas Woods, reportedly, believes the PGA Tour is in a fine position where it currently stands.

The Associated Press added another wrinkle to the situation, reporting that Woods is the only player who will be negotiating directly with the Saudis.

The other members of the committee are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group, and Joe Ogilvie, who was a former PGA Tour player.

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19th Hole

Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

Published

2 days ago

on

May 8, 2024

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On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.

“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”

Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.

“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”

While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.

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19th Hole

PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites

Published

2 days ago

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May 8, 2024

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This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.

PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.

“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”

“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”

“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”

Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.

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