Connect with us

19th Hole

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

Published

on

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.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 67
  • LEGIT20
  • WOW13
  • LOL18
  • IDHT9
  • FLOP15
  • OB5
  • SHANK190

19th Hole

TaylorMade signs 15-year-old AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year to an NIL contract

Published

on

This week, TaylorMade Golf announced that they’ve signed AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year, Miles Russell, to an NIL contract.

In a statement, TaylorMade called Russell “nothing short of remarkable”.

“Miles’ record setting success at his young age is nothing short of remarkable and we are excited he chose us to support him in his growth as a golfer to continue to accomplish his career goals. Identifying and developing the top junior talent in the world has always been a priority for us at TaylorMade. Miles and his family epitomize the type of athlete and human being we are looking to add to Team TaylorMade.”

Russell has broken plenty of records in recent months. This season, he was named American Junior Golf Association’s Rolex Boys Player of the Year, making him the youngest male player to receive the award. The record was previously held by Tiger Woods who was about 10 months older than Russell at the time he received the award.

At age 14, J he became the youngest player ever to win the Junior PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass at age 14.

The 15-year-old also played in his first Korn Ferry Tour event on Thursday, the LECOM Suncoast Classic, and shot a first-round 68.

In the aftermath of the agreement, Russell released a statement.

“I have had a great relationship with the team at TaylorMade for years now and couldn’t be more excited to continue to work with them in the future. TaylorMade has a history of developing the top junior talent in the world to help reach their goals of becoming PGA TOUR and major championship winners. I am looking forward to working with the team to reach those and other goals I have laid out for my career.”

Your Reaction?
  • 9
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Group of PGA Tour caddies sign endorsement deal with underwear company

Published

on

In an interesting turn of events, a group of PGA Tour caddies have signed an endorsement deal with an underwear company.

Geno Bonnalie (Joel Dahmen), Aaron Flener (J.T. Poston), John Limanti (Akshay Bhatia) and Joel Stock (Will Zalatoris) and John Ellis (Wyndham Clark) have signed a deal with the underwear brand, SAXX.

Here are some details about the endorsement deal:

  • The deal eclipses six figures in total value, extending what last year marked the first significant apparel agreement with a group of pro caddies. Of note, Geno and John Ellis appeared in the Netflix docuseries, Full Swing.
  • The caddies will wear SAXX underwear, shorts and polos on and off the course.
  • SAXX will donate $100 to the Testicular Cancer Foundation for every birdie made by the caddies’ players for the rest of the season.
  • SAXX will bring the Ball Masters to the masses at the Travelers Championship, hosting a fan activation with underwear giveaways, photo opportunities, appearances from the Ball Masters and more.
  • Fans can become an honorary Ball Master, which includes a year’s worth of underwear, among other things. Go to SAXX.com/ball-master-application from now until June 15 to enter.

The partnership is great for the caddies and also represents a great cause.

Check out the video they shared on YouTube:

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 2
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Man charged with stealing millions of dollars worth of memorabilia from Augusta National

Published

on

Augusta National

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, a man has been charged in Chicago with stealing millions of dollars’ worth of memorabilia from Augusta National.

The man, Robert Globensky, was charged with transporting the memorabilia across state lines.

The report states that between 2009 and 2022, Globensky allegedly transported “millions of dollars’ worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and historical memorabilia” from Augusta National “and transported to Tampa, Florida, knowing the same had been stolen, converted and taken by fraud.”

The document was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Per the court records there is no mention that Globensky worked for the golf club.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 1
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW1
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK2

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending