After Will Zalatoris won his first ever PGA TOUR event in dramatic fashion, his former mentor Scott Fawcett took to Twitter to criticize NBC’s broadcasting team.

• Related: Controversial ESPN host says he’s ‘disgusted’ by Tiger Woods in unpopular rant

Fawcett’s tweets (now deleted) were directed at Dan Hicks and Brad Faxon, who made a few comments about Zalatoris’ putting stroke that Fawcett took exception to.

• Related: ‘I can’t believe I said that’ – Will Zalatoris blasted critics after key moment in Memphis win

The comments were captured and slammed by Justin Thomas, and reader beware, they feature plenty of expletives.

Hey Scott. Twitter saw your incredibly egregious and aggressive tweets. Congrats on your “win” but show some class and respect if you are as professional as you claim to be. Giving other coaches and those involved in golf a really bad look. Nobody likes a sore winner pic.twitter.com/AHeb0eldds

— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) August 14, 2022

Fawcett was a coach of Zalatoris’ in his junior playing days and caddied for him when he won the 2014 Junior Amateur Championship.

The next day, Fawcett went on The Loop podcast and defended his comments.

“Find me a single tour player that has met me in person that says I’m not a good guy and does all I can to help them. Go find me one, I’ll give you $1 million.”

Despite Zalatoris’ previous relationship with Fawcett, he made it clear on ‘Golf Today’ on Wednesday, that he does not support the comments made attacking Hicks and Faxon.

“Scott Fawcett is not a paid member of my team. I in no way condone or support anything that was said in those tweets. I personally reached out to Dan Hicks and Brad Faxon and echoed that I don’t condone what he said. Any interviews he’s given have been unauthorized.

He has tried to reach out to me and I have not spoken to him. I’m thankful to him for everything he helped me with in the ups and downs in junior golf but those statements are not a reflection of my values or me.”

Amongst the many controversies and stories surrounding the LIV Golf Series, the contract details have been a constant subject of scrutiny.

• Related: Cam Smith heckled over LIV Golf links during first FedEx Cup Playoff event

Two months ago, renowned analyst Brandel Chamblee claimed that LIV prize money was counted against the signing bonus. This claim was then refuted by the winner of the opening event of the breakaway tour, Charl Schwartzel.

• Related: Patrick Reed’s lawsuit against Golf Channel, Brandel Chamblee features explosive allegations

Fast forward to last week’s trial surrounding three LIV golfers who were attempting to be allowed in the FedEx Cup playoff field, and a LIV attorney appeared to let slip that money won in tournaments was “recouped against the LIV contract.” A comment which prompted the LIV COO to issue a memo to clear up the confusion saying, “Prize money is of course separate from the contractual monies that players earn. As you already know, prize money is not subtracted from a player’s contractual earnings.”

While the talk about what is and what isn’t true when it comes to LIV prize money rumbles on, a draft contract obtained by the Wall Street Journal has shone a light on many different aspects of the restrictions, expectations and bonuses expected and available to new players of the Saudi-backed Tour.

Per the WSJ, “it isn’t clear whether such terms are included in all LIV contracts or can be negotiated by individual players,” but here’s a rundown of the key details on the draft LIV contract, which includes a hefty bonus for any major championship win: 

• Players are supposed to wear LIV apparel, even when playing in non-LIV events.
• Players are instructed to refrain from giving interviews without approval.
• Players agree to assist in recruiting other players to LIV, when requested.
• Players need approval for most of the logos they wear and branded products, such as coffee mugs that they use at events. 
• Players are awarded a $1 million bonus for winning any of golf’s four major championships. 

Per the report, a federal court judge is expected to rule on a motion by the Tour to unseal the LIV contracts this week, meaning more should be revealed soon.

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Kyle Berkshire, two-time winner of the World Long Drive Championship, has blown away his previous ball speed record, now setting the bar at an eye-popping 236mph.

• Related: Kyle Berkshire plays first pro tournament in 6 years

Put into perspective, Cameron Champ, current leader of the ‘ball speed’ averages on the PGA Tour, can muster an average of 188.94mph through 56 rounds, his fastest figure being 194.64mph. Whilst driving it on the course is completely different to a wild slash, Berkshire remains over 41mph faster.

• Related: Bryson DeChambeau explains why you should start TOPPING the ball on the range

Filming alongside fellow 2021 Long Drive competitor and host for the day, Bryson DeChambeau, the pair were providing content for pro golf net supplier The Net Return when Berkshire hit the new unofficial record.

Having warmed up with figures in the DeChambeau region of 220, the Foresight GCQuad recorded his first few shots at between 230 and 232mph.

And then the big one.

Broadcast live on his Instagram account, Berkshire was confident he could reach 235mph, itself a record – “100 percent I can do it.”

He then did.

With a 5.5? Cobra LTDx LS driver in hand, Berkshire stopped the speedo at the record 236mph, with his host seemingly more excited than the player himself.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kyle Berkshire (@kyleberkshire)

The comments on his social media show that the distance travelled may have been incorrect – ” plenty will point out that “it only carried 291 yards” (this is due to a misread on spin… at these speeds spin is very hard to pick up when the ball only travels a short distance)” – but as the camera pans down to the screen, it clearly indicates the stunning figure.

Addressing those of his 191k followers that may have watched live, or will see the clip, Berkshire commented, “the fact is when you spend your life doing what you’re passionate about, it brings about a special feeling of happiness and satisfaction with life. This is how I feel about the sport of long drive (and breaking speed records/pushing limits) and I hope everybody reading this finds their passion in life and takes it as far as they can ????.”

Having abandoned his idea of getting a PGA Tour card, Berkshire is currently miles clear in the 2022 Professional Long Drivers Association standings, and will start a red-hot favourite for the world championships at the end of September.

More from the 19th Hole

• ‘Your tee times at Augusta are numbered’ – Wife of Masters legend lashes out at Bryson DeChambeau
• Why Phil Mickelson’s Open playing partner told Lefty that he’s hated him for 11 years
• YouTube sensation ejected by Brooks Koepka at Open Championship party