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Augusta Chairman: I wish we had allowed women sooner

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Just days ago, we reported on Christina Kim’s view that Augusta National was ‘absolutely disgusting’ in its part which led to a change in venue for the first women’s major of the year.

The outspoken LPGA player also expressed unhappiness at the way the Augusta National Women’s Amateur was clashing with the event and how it was being run, so it will be interesting to hear her views on the latest press conference held by Fred Ridley, Chairman of the Masters and Augusta National.

Like so many clubs, Augusta opened as a male-only organization until a decade ago when they opted to allow two significant new members – former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina Financier Darla Moore.

At yesterday’s address, Ridley reflected on that decision:

“I don’t know about you, but when anything happens or any idea that you had turns out well and you’re pleased about it, initiative, whatever, you might always say, well, why didn’t we do that sooner? And that’s a fair, that’s a fair thought. And so I wish – I wish we had have.”

He continued by expressing the far-reaching impact of the role that women can play at Augusta National:

“Women members are a very important part of our membership, and you will continue to see over the years, if you look, more green jackets that are women. I’m going to make sure of that.”

“We have a number of women members who we are delighted to be part of our organization. I think you know, certainly, who some of them are. They have been great contributors to our organization, both I would say substantively and things they are doing to help us, both with the Masters and otherwise.”

It would seem coincidental timing, especially after much lamenting at the loss of Mission Hills as a venue for the first of the women’s majors, yet Ridley would be rightly proud of the way the ANWA has produced three potentially top-class winners, the latest being 16-year-old Anna Davis, who earned a spot at the US Women’s Open and Women’s British Open. 

The event, launched in 2019 by then Chairman William Porter Payne, was looked at with suspicion from the start – its timing seemingly clashing with what was then the ANA Inspiration. Payne, however, said it would have the “greatest impact on women’s golf,” and after the first winner of the newly titled Chevron Championship, that’s hard to argue with.

It was, of course, Jennifer Kupcho, winner of that inaugural ANWA.

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19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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