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19th Hole

‘Next time have the courage to tag me’ – Tour pro responds to journalist amid Bay Hill range controversy

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This week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational is not only a welcome stop for many of the top professionals in the game, but also something of a tribute to the man known as the ‘The King’.

One of the greats of the modern game, the seven-time major winner is honored at many courses around the world, and particularly at Bay Hill, scene of ‘his’ tournament that starts today.

However, one PGA Tour player has been accused of ”golf felony” by Golf Digest reporter Dan Rapaport, after repeating an act seen as sacrilege to the fans of golf history.

Rapaport originally replied to a post from March 2021, by Billy Horschel’s caddie, Mark Fulcher, showing a player practicing in the space historically reserved for Arnie, with the looper’s comment, “Seems like Mr Palmer’s spot is no longer sacred.”

The writer retweets with the hope that, “API week means it’s the one-year anniversary of this Golf Felony. Let us hope this Golf Felony is not repeated this year.”

However, alongside is a separate image showing it has been, this time revealing the identity of the felon – Dylan Frittelli, with the header, “Oh man. Picture from the ground shows that same man committed the same Golf Felony for the second consecutive year!”

The South African, winner of the 2019 John Deere Classic replied, “I’m sure Arnie would’ve let me hit some balls from his spot while he ate lunch or went to play 9 holes.”

Golf fans weren’t so sure.

“Might as well stomp on Arnie’s grave. Prediction: Frittelli misses the cut due to the Palmer curse.” said one, to which the player responded, “Let’s see if you’re right.” Another offered the comparison, “Do you think if the Lakers designated a seat on the bench for Kobe players would sit in it?”

The 31-year-old did have some support however, with one fan posting that, “If you don’t want someone hitting there, rope it off! If not, it’s fair game. Unwritten rules aren’t rules.”

Outwardly undisturbed by the events, Frittelli pleaded ignorance to the unwritten rule saying “Nobody ever told me this spot was his? It’s my third time here”, after hitting back at Rapaport, saying “Have the courage to tag me next year Daniel!”

Frittelli tees off with Charles Howell III and Danny Willett at 12.35pm.

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19th Hole

3-time PGA Tour winner calls for LIV to buy Champions Tour to fix ‘joke’ purses

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While speaking on the Subpar podcast, former PGA Tour winner and current PGA Tour Champions player Chris DiMarco said he hopes LIV buys the Champions Tour.

“We’re kind of hoping that LIV buys the Champions Tour,” he said.

“Let’s play for a little real money out here. I mean this is kind of a joke when we’re getting $2 million. There were like seven guys last week from TPC (Sawgrass, at the $25 million PLAYERS Championship) that made more money than our purses.”

In 2024, the Champions Tour had a total of $67 million in prize money over the course of 24 events.

DiMarco also defended LIV players for taking the money and said he would take it also.

“They wanted to play for a lot of money, and they deserve it. They have had some great careers, why not go and get some money?”

DiMarco also offered insight on Graeme McDowell’s move to LIV.

“I saw Graeme McDowell at the Old Memorial Pro Member, and he goes, ‘Listen, I went up to Jay Monahan and said I love the tour but I am struggling to keep my card and these guys are offering me all this money and less golf. I’m sorry, I’m going.’ And I do not blame him one bit, and I said I would have too.”

DiMarco was ranked as high as 6th in the world in 2006.

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19th Hole

‘It won’t win you golf tournaments’ – Golf analyst rips Charley Hull’s course management

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Charley Hull came just short of her third LPGA Tour victory over the weekend at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship when she played her last two holes at 3 over to slip all the way to 10th on the leaderboard.

After the round, Hull was blasted by Sky Sports commentator and former LPGA Tour player Trish Johnson for her lack of golf course management.

While speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Johnson spoke harshly of Hull.

“I’m probably her harshest critic, because I know how good she is. She doesn’t win anywhere near enough for her talent, and she doesn’t get involved enough, in all honestly.

“The thing with Charley is that you’re never going to change her. I read something the other day that said how much she loves the game and it’s her love of the game [that costs her]. She’s never going to change and she’s just going to go for every pin.

“In theory that’s great, but it won’t win you golf tournaments, it just won’t because she’s not that much better than anybody else. If you put Charley against Nelly Korda, then I’m picking Nelly every single day of the week.”

Johnson also made a fascinating comparison between Hull and a famous male golfer, John Daly.

“Golf-wise that’s the way she plays the game and it’s a little bit like watching John Daly I suppose.”

“There’s something that John Daly had that made him a major winner and a winner, but Charley is kind of lacking that. Her talent is not in question, but maybe her application is. Maybe it’s just the case of her never changing and that will cost her golf tournaments, there’s no two ways about it. You cannot go for every pin because that’s the way you play and it being fun, as other players are better than that and you have to have course management.”

Hull is still only 27, and therefore has plenty of time to work on her flaws to achieve the success her talent should allow.

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Former agent lifts lid on being fired by ‘zombie’ Tiger Woods

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Discussing his new book “Rainmaker” with the Daily Mail, Tiger Woods’ former agent, Hughes Norton, recounted the events leading up to and after his split with the 15-time major champion.

Norton was abruptly fired by Woods in 1998 after his 1997 Masters win and monster deal with Nike.

In the book, Norton talks about the way Tiger views his relationships, calling him a “zombie.”

The solace I can take, which doesn’t provide much, is this: He was an equal opportunity zombie with relationships, his swing coaches, his lawyer, the guy negotiated the IMG representation deal, with caddies, When it’s over, it’s over.”

Norton added:

“It is the way he terminates relationships with everyone. Whether it’s girlfriends, whether it’s his former golf coaches. It’s ironic, really. In a way he’s so good at confrontation on the golf course. If he’s playing you, he will beat your brains out every single time.

“But when it comes to confronting things like me and other people that are in his life, he has no social skills whatsoever. It’s maddening, actually.”

After he was fired by Woods, Norton was let go by IMG, which he believes was due to Woods’ influence.

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