19th Hole
‘Hypocrisy at its finest’ – Lee Westwood clashes with journalists over LPGA Saudi treatment
The Saudi Golf League drama continues.
This time, it was Lee Westwood sounding off on three media members who have been highly critical of Mickelson and others who have reportedly flirted with the idea of joining the breakaway league.
It started with this tweet from Michael Collins, posing the question of why there was no outrage over the LPGA players decision to play in Saudi last week.
A friend asked me, "Where was all the angst and rage about Saudi golf when LPGA Tour players and stars played there last week? They took the money just like the guys and no one was screaming about them. Hell, they put it on tv!" I didn't have an answer for my friend. Anyone?
— Michael Collins (@ESPNCaddie) March 22, 2022
Westwood replied, tagging Joel Beall, Brandel Chamblee, and Eamon Lynch. The three analysts that have been extremely vocal in bashing anyone rumored to be associated with Norman and LIV Investments.
@chambleebrandel @eamonlynch or @JoelMBeall will know.
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) March 22, 2022
The exchange continued with Lynch claiming “there’s a difference between need and greed”, and Westwood questioning why Golf Channel “needed” to televise it.
Ahh i see. So your employers the @GolfChannel must have “needed” to show the ladies and mens tournaments from Saudi. Looking forward to your next appearance on @GCGolfToday where you admonish a severe reprimand or even quit in disgust?
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) March 22, 2022
Lynch fired back.
Surely even you can grasp that legal contracts to broadcast various tours might pre-date the creation of Saudi events on those tours? But don't let that keep you from muddying the waters to excuse Saudi abuses for your own purposes.
— Eamon Lynch (@eamonlynch) March 22, 2022
Lee then accused Lynch of “hypocrisy at its finest”.
I said there's a difference between a tour going there & leaving members little option (as with the LET) vs. an individual on a lucrative tour opting to work directly for a regime that beheads critics, then making shameless excuses for it. But I defer to your expertise on that.
— Eamon Lynch (@eamonlynch) March 22, 2022
Lynch ended the spat by claiming that Westwood was an expert on making shameless excuses for working for a regime that beheads critics.
With how this saga has gone, it’s safe to say there will be more drama surrounding the Saudi breakaway league going forward.
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19th Hole
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
While speaking with Hugo Costa of Golf Channel Latin America, Jon Rahm indicated that he wasn’t too well recieved by some PGA Tour players at The Masters.
“Some did. I expected it. And then, there was someone else who I expected to be a little tougher… and one of them hugged me. I think that, among all the relationships I have, it has been everything what I expected. My friends are still my friends. And then someone, with whom I was very cordial and had a positive relationship (in quotes), has not even looked at me”.
“If someone changes their opinion of me, it is more their problem than mine. I am not worried”.
According to Costa, Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa were the two who were hostile towards Rahm
“Important players with whom Jon Rahm had a good relationship, such as Patrick Cantlay or Max Homa, could have had gestures of contempt towards the Spaniard in this Masters.”
Rahm will tee it up next at LIV Adelaide in a few weeks.
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19th Hole
Report: Greg Norman spotted following a surprise grouping on Thursday at the Masters
Greg Norman is at this week’s Masters tournament but found himself in a situation where he had to buy himself a ticket to enter the grounds.
Speaking to the Washington Post, Norman explained why he was at Augusta National:
“I’m here because we have 13 players that won 10 Masters between them. So I’m here just to support them, do the best I can to show them, ‘Hey, you know, the boss is here rooting for you.’ ”
So who was Norman following during the opening round of this year’s Masters? Well the answer may surprise you.
Per Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig, Norman was spotted following the LIV-less grouping of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
Spotted in the gallery at Augusta: Greg Norman following Rory McIlroy ? (and Scottie and Xander)
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) April 11, 2024
We’ll find out a little later today whether Norman will make his third appearance in as many days at this year’s opening major.
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19th Hole
Collin Morikawa makes surprising late putter switch at Masters
Collin Morikawa has had plenty of success with a blade in his hands over the course of his young career, but after a lean spell on the greens lately, it appears that the 27-year-old is ready to try something new.
The California-native began the year with his TaylorMade TP Soto before switching to a Logan Olson proto last month. Now at this week’s Masters, Morikawa has been spotted with a Spider Tour X, the same flatstick that Scottie Scheffler will be using at Augusta.
The move would represent a big change, but it has been a very frustrating year on the greens for Morikawa, who will hope the TaylorMade mallet can offer him a similar upturn in fortune to that of Scheffler. In 2024, Morikawa ranks 164th for Strokes Gained: Putting, and 157th for Total Putting.
We’ll keep an eye whether Morikawa puts the mallet into action on day one of the Masters.
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