19th Hole
Lee Westwood brands senior golf writer a b**l e*d after ‘disrespectful’ Bland post
Lee Westwood has been battling both on the golf course and on social media all week, with his spat with Golf Digest’s senior golf writer Joel Beall coming to an end on Friday after being blocked on Twitter by the reporter.
The feud began when Beall took aim at the 48-year-old for his links to the Saudi Golf League, tweeting: “Imagine going from hosting the PGA Championship to hosting a battle between Jason Kokrak and 49-year-old Lee Westwood.”
Westwood responded by calling the writer a “coward” for not tagging him in the Tweet, as well as suggesting the journalist was “ageist”.
Following that spat, Westwood turned his attention to GolfWeek and GolfChannel’s Eamon Lynch.
A discussion broke out on social media over the lack of outrage over the LPGA players’ decision to play in Saudi compared to that of the men.
Westwood took the opportunity to call out Lynch and others, branding the prominent writer a hypocrite before Lynch ended the spat by claiming that Westwood was an expert on making shameless excuses for working for a regime that beheads critics.
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
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
On Friday evening, it was time for round two between Westwood and Beall.
In a polarizing tweet, Beall posted that:
“There’s an 80 percent chance Dustin Johnson looks at Richard Bland tomorrow and thinks an Austin Country Club member accidentally walked onto the first tee.”
While some believed the tweet was a joke aimed towards Johnson, others, such as columnist for The Scotsman ,Martin Dempster, responded: “One of the most disrespectful comments I’ve come across in my time covering golf. I think you owe Richard Bland an apology.”
Westwood’s response to the post from Beall was far more blunt, calling the writer a b**l e*d, British slang for, well, use your imagination.
The result? The Golf Digest writer blocked the 48-year-old with Westwood looking quite pleased with himself, posing for a photo with the evidence and caption: “Did I touch a nerve?”
Did I touch a nerve? @GolfDigest @JoelMBeall ??? Great photo work @sunnysidejohnn1 pic.twitter.com/YCtx3iWoj8
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) March 26, 2022
As it happens, Richard Bland will take on Dustin Johnson in today’s round of 16 after he overcame Westwood on Friday afternoon in Austin.
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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 pic.twitter.com/ulrtBHcyB6
— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) May 7, 2024
“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…
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 8, 2024
“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.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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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. @NUCLRGOLF @Daniel_Rapaport @PGA https://t.co/8Snkq0l2Vg
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
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
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
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. ???? @NUCLRGOLF @Daniel_Rapaport @acaseofthegolf1
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
“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.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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On Tuesday, the full field for the PGA Championship at Valhalla was released. In some surprising news, a handful of LIV players were granted exemptions including Dean Burmester, Patrick Reed, Lucas Herbert and Adrian Meronk.
The most surprising omission was Louis Oosthuizen. The South African has been one of the most consistent players on LIV this season, and also won two DP World Tour events in the fall.
According to the AP’s Doug Ferguson, Oosthuizen was actually given an invitation, but declined due to “personal commitments”.
Turns out PGA offered Oosthuizen an invitation. He turned it down because of personal commitments. Not sure what those were.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) May 7, 2024
In total, there will be 16 LIV golfers teeing it up next week at Valhalla.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
New here?
- LIKE20
- LEGIT5
- WOW6
- LOL5
- IDHT3
- FLOP8
- OB3
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