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Jack Nicklaus is being sued by his own company
82-year-old golf legend Jack Nicklaus is being sued by his own company.
Just a week ago, reports revealed that the 18-time Major champion was the initial target, before Greg Norman, for the Saudi Golf League, and now Sports Illustrated disclosed that Nicklaus Companies have sued GBI Investors Inc. and Jack W. Nicklaus for failing “to live up to or has worked against the company directly.”
According to the summons, the “defendants (GBI and principle investor Nicklaus) are reneging on a deal worth more than $145 million, in which they agreed to transfer the exclusive rights to valuable intellectual property and services. Despite being paid an enormous sum, Defendants have wrongfully continued to use these rights, acted in bad faith, wrongfully diverted opportunities to the detriment of Plaintiff’s business.”
As stated by the summons, there are several complaints to answer, including wrongfully declaring that he (Nicklaus) still retains ownership of his “golf design services and commercial endorsements – the core businesses sold by GBI to the Company in 2007.”
The 39-page document also alleges a “direct contravention of Nicklaus’ Companies’ exclusive rights to the Nicklaus IP” after the Golden Bear had agreed to make promotional appearances at the Soudal Open, a recent event on the DP World Tour.
”Although Nicklaus Companies had been told that Mr Nicklaus was considering attending the Soudal Open as a guest, the Company was not informed of any request from the promoter of the event for an endorsement from Mr Nicklaus, any license for the promoter to use any of the Nicklaus IP to advertise or market the event, or any payment being solicited for Mr Nicklaus to provide his endorsement services or licence the Nicklaus IP.”
Further claims are that Nicklaus had not consulted with Nicklaus Companies over negotiations with a gaming company that was in the process of developing a video game based on The Masters and the Nicklaus image; that Nicklaus had risked the reputation of the company by associating himself with the Saudi-backed league over the PGA Tour and, that in 2021, “Nicklaus Companies learned that an agent of Mr Nicklaus in the Nicklaus Family Office had been negotiating with a national financial advisory group (‘Advisor’) with respect to a personal services agreement for Mr Nicklaus to market and promote the various services offered by Advisor and its affiliates—that would have meant no revenue for the Company.”
The Nicklaus Companies’ website lists New York business executive Howard Milstein as its executive chairman and Jack Nickalus II as the number two, and the six-time Masters winner responded to the board with a recent statement, stating, “The claims made by Howard Milstein are untrue. Our relationship has been a difficult one, at best. I have little doubt about the outcome, but I don’t intend to make this a public spectacle if it can be avoided.”
The plaintiffs responded with a plea for a harmonious settlement:
“We have great admiration and tremendous respect for Jack and his legacy and have tried everything to avoid taking this step. We are asking the court to sort out the legal responsibilities of the parties so that there is no confusion or misunderstanding going forward.”
“We are saddened to be put in a situation that now requires intervention from a court, but we have a responsibility to Nicklaus Companies and its employees, as well as to our customers and partners, to ensure that nothing disrupts the ongoing business of the company. We are confident that working together we can resolve this quickly and amicably.”
Depending on where and to whom the complaint was served, Nicklaus senior has between 20 and 30 days to “appear or answer” or else “judgement will be taken against you by default, in accordance with the complaint herein.”
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Five Things We Learned: Saturday at the PGA Championship
Moving Day is a term applied to round three of a four-round tournament. It suggests that competitors need a solid or spectacular round on Saturday, in order to position themselves for potential Sunday victory. Among the favorites in contention after 36 holes, only Scottie Scheffler fell out of contention. The Texan suffered a par-double-bogey-bogey start, and could not recover. Three more bogeys damaged his score even more. Scheffler begins day four at seven-under par, eight shots behind the leaders.
As for those leaders, it’s a familiar pair, and we’ll get to them. We saw Justin Rose return to major-championship contention for the first time in a while. He’ll need 63 on Sunday to matter, but it’s still good to see the two-time major winner (Olympic Gold counts!) in the mix. Bryson DeChambeau carried the LIV flag into the day-four conversation, and with a low 60s score, he’ll have a chance at a second major title. Even the home-state feloow, Justin Thomas, found a way to matter. He’s on the outside, looking in, but a 60 is not inconceivable, and 11-under would certainly win the day, if not the week.
UNBELIEVABLE! Justin. Thomas.
The Kentucky guy holes out for birdie! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/YVeNslCW37
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 18, 2024
1. Xander holds the lead
There’s a burden that comes with posting a score of 62. Media, fans, and even the player hope and even expect to see it again. Xander Schauffele wasn’t on track to repeat that number of Saturday, but he stood in the middle of the 15th fairway and thought about how low he could go. Three-under par on the day, coming off birdie at 14, with a pitch to the green, and he went for the flag and missed.
Schauffele made an unanticipated mistake and it cost him two shots. His most immediate competitor was in his group and made birdie, retrieving three shots in one hole. That’s the sort of moment that goes down in history as a gut check. Schauffele’s gut responded. He leveled the wings with par at 16, then closed with birdies at 17 and 18, to returne to 15-under par. The X Man will tee off again in the final pairing, and take a run at his first major title. The fifteenth hole might loom large again in the outcome; hopefully, a lesson has been learned!
This ball wanted to build some suspense!
Xander Schauffele holds on to the top spot with this putt from distance ???#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/kM4LZwUSLu
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 18, 2024
2. Morikawa can taste another PGA
For two years, Collin Morikawa was that guy. He won this tournament in 2020, then collected the Open Championship jug at Sandwich in 2021. Win two majors, and everyone heads down the career grand slam discussion. Three years on, Morikawa has the same number of majors on his dossier, and two more professional wins to show. He’s probably antsy for another major.
The California native stumbled early on Saturday. He made bogey at the two-shot second hole, then dug in with everything he had. A birdie at three balanced the card, and four more came his way. None was bigger than the three that he made at the 15th, as the leader was making double bogey in his group! Morikawa took a one-shot lead there, then closed with birdie at the last to reach Sunday morning tied at the top with Xander Schauffele.
Sunday will fill with drama, but it won’t involve just that grouping. When Morikawa tees off at 2:35 Louisville time, a move will have been made. Someone close by (one at -14, three at -13, two at -12) will be a few under par, and the thermometer will have risen. Our guess, simply, is that Morikawa will need 66 to win outright on Sunday. 20-under par should get it done, and to go down as one of the greats, he’ll need to be great.
Bounce-back birdie for Collin Morikawa at the 3rd ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/enpc0mkbcc
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 18, 2024
3. Shane shares PGA record
Shane Lowry goes down as one of the most popular major champions of this era. His Open Championship win at Royal Portrush in 2019 kicked off a massive celebration of Irish pride and delight. Lowry hasn’t added to that major total of one, but the cask-chested, smile-and-a-beard doesn’t need to. He’s the sort who can take a two-man win, as he had this season with Rory McIlroy in New Orleans, and elevate its worth. He’s the sort who anchors an international side, as he does every two years in the Ryder Cup.
This week in Kentucky is different. Lowry has the chance to keep the hot hand and claim a second major title. These opportunities don’t come around that often. Lowry was fire on Saturday. He posted the first, sub-thirty nine of the tournament on the outward half. HIs six birdies and three pars gave him 29, and he looked for all the world to be the man to chase. The inward half wasn’t quite as volcanic, but the card was clean, and he came home in 33. His score matched Schauffele’s opening round, for the all-time low, 18-hole score, in PGA Championship history.
What’s to do? Make putts early. Find a way to get back in the zone and ride that spaceship to the final green. Lowry most likely needs to finish Saturday in 65 strokes or fewer, and posting 127 on a major championship weekend is unheard of. That’s why they play, though, isn’t it? Why not Shane, why not today?
A fist pump we’ve been waiting for! ?
Shane Lowry loves it too. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BysfhGOeZ3
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 18, 2024
4. Theegala lost, then found
As far as I was concerned, Sahith Theegala was yesterday’s news. Consecutive bogeys at five and six, supported by zero birdies through eight holes, destined him for the also-ran section of the leader board. I was frightfully incorrect.
Theegala found some inspiration at the ninth tee. Maybe it was a kick in the arse by his caddie, or by him, but a flame ignited. Theegals made the first of six birdies at the outward home hole, and posted 31 coming home. Birdie at the final hole ensured that he would tee off in Sunday’s penultimate group, with Shane Lowry.
It is often written that all should be wary of the wounded, as they fight for survival. Theegala dislocated a rib two weeks ago, at Quail Hollow. This week, he has been under the weather with some bug. With his mind focused on health, rather than score, he has done quite well. If he stays that course, one last round, he might have to do a heavy lift on Sunday, with the Wannamaker trophy in his hands.
Sahith Theegala with the magic touch!#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/jYu5dZcig0
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 18, 2024
5. The Prediction!
Despite all the kind words I’ve written about the aforementioned four gentlemen, none of them will exit Louisville with the happiest of visages. The winner, however, will not let us down in the smiles department. Viktor Hovland teed off in the final pairing last year, at Oak Hill, and had a front-row seat in the Koepka Koaster, as Brooks Koepka showed the Norwegian how to win a major championship. Rest assured that Hovland took copious notes. His frustration at a Masters missed cut in April has been channeled into his performance this week.
What will go down? Hovland will have at least one holed shot from off the green on Sunday’s outward nine. He’ll find a groove and the putter will warm up quickly. Hovland will sign for the third 62 of the week, but will have to wait as each of the final four golfers has a chance to tie at the final hole. One will, and they will head to a play-off, where Hovland will emerge in overtime.
Viktor Hovland has made back to back birdies to move to T3 ? pic.twitter.com/bdEbcz6DS1
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) May 18, 2024
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Five Things We Learned: Friday at the PGA Championship
Early on Friday morning, a vendor working for the PGA Championship was struck and killed by a tournament shuttle bus. Nearly at the same time, as he arrived for his second round of tournament play, Scottie Scheffler attempted to detour around the scene, and was arrested, booked, then released. Somehow, Scheffler returned to Valhalla and played his second round of the tournament. Despite the jokes and memes of some in the golf industry, the tournament took a back seat to life and humanity on Friday morning. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the vendor, as well as with all involved.
Day two of Valhalla’s fourth PGA Championship did not see a repeat of the record-setting 62 posted by first-day leader, Xander Schauffele. The low card of 65 was returned by five golfers, when play was suspended by darkness. Five golfers still on the course, were on the positive side of the expected cut line of one-under par, while 12 more either had work to do, or knew that their week had come to an end.
The best 70 golfers and ties would advance to the weekend. 64 golfers figured at minus-two on Friday evening, with another 15 at one-under par. The most likely scenario saw those at even par, headed home. The formula was simple: finish under par and stick around. Play resumed at 7:15 on Saturday, to sort through the last six threesomes. Before the night turned over, we learned five important things to set us up for a weekend of excitement and excellence. It’s a pleasure to share them with you.
This was a wild par save from Cam Young! ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/EnpUR5hiJM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
1. The 65s
On Thursday, three golfers etched 65 into the final box on their card of play. On Friday, nearly twice that number finished at six-under par for the round. Collin Morikawa moved from top-five into a spot in the final pairing. The 2020 PGA Champion at Harding Park teed off at the tenth hole, and turned in minus-two. He then ran off five consecutive birdies from the fourth tee to the eighth green, before finding trouble at the ninth, his last hole of the day. Bogey at nine dropped him from -12 to -11.
The same score moved Bryson DeChambeau from 11th spot to T4. Joining the pair with 65s on day two were Matt Wallace and Hideki Matsuyama (each with 70-65 for T11) and Lee Hodges (71-65 for T16.) Morikawa, Matsuyama, and DeChambeau have major championship wins in their names, while Wallace has been on the when to break through list his entire career. Hodges epitomizes the term journeyman, bu the PGA Championship is the one major of them all when lesser-known challegers find a way to break through.
Collin Morikawa takes the lead!
That’s 3-straight birdies for the 2020 PGA Champion. pic.twitter.com/GoZSoHx5q2
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
2. The Corebridge team of PGA Professionals
Last year’s Cinderella story, Michael Block, did not repeat his Oak Hill success. Block missed the cut by a fair amount. Of the other 19, however, two were poised to conclude play and reach the weekend’s play. Braden Shattuck had finished at one-under par, while Jeremy Wells (-2) and Ben Polland (-1) were inside the glory line, each with two holes to play.
With three holes to play on the front nine, Kyle Mendoza sits at even par. His task is simple: play the final triumvirate in one-under par or better. If Mendoza can pull off that feat, and if the aforementioned triumvirate can hold steady, the club professional segment of the tournament will have four representatives in play over the weekend.
Braden Shattuck, PGA makes a CLUTCH birdie putt on No. 8 to get inside the cut line!? pic.twitter.com/Tx3ipS2dFg
— PGA of America (@PGA) May 17, 2024
3. Scottie Scheffler
In his post-round interview, Scheffler admitted that his second round, following the surreal nature of the early morning’s events, was made possible by the support he received from patrons and fellow competitors. The new father expressed his great sadness for the loss of life, and also praised some of the first responders that had accompanied him in the journey from course to jail cell. Yes, jail cell. Scheffler spoke of beginning his warm-up routine with jail-house stretches.
Once he returned to Valhalla, Scheffler found a way to a two-under, opening nine holes. He began birdie-bogey-birdie on holes ten through twelve, then eased into a stretch of pars, before making birdie at the par-five 18th. His second nine holes featured three birdies and six pars, allowing him to improve by one shot from day one. Scheffler found himself in a fourth-place tie with Thomas Detry, and third-round tee time in the third-last pairing. Scheffler’s poise illustrated grace under pressure, which is the only way that he could have reached this status through 36 holes.
Scottie Scheffler birdies 3 of the last 5 holes!#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/8isjEJrXw3
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
4. Sahith!
It’s a little bit funny that the fellow who followed 65 with 67, is nowhere to be found on the video highlight reels. He’s not alone in that respect, as Thomas Detry (T4) was also ignored by the cameras. Theegala has won on tour, and has the game to win again. The Californian turned in four-under par on Friday, then made an excruciating bogey at the par-five tenth. He redeemed himself two holes later, with birdie at the twelfth hole.
Theegala is an unproven commodity in major events. He has one top-ten finish: the 2023 Masters saw him finish 9th. He did tie for 40th in 2023, in this event, at Oak Hill. Is he likely to be around on Sunday? Yes. Will he be inside the top ten? If he is, he has a shot on Sunday. If Saturday is not a 67 or better, Theegala will not figure in the outcome of the 2024 championship.
5. X Man!!
After the fireworks of day one, Xander Schauffele preserved his lead at the 2024 PGA Championship. He holds a one-shot advantage and will tee off in the final pairing on Saturday, with Collin Morikawa. Eleven holes into round two, Schauffele made his first bogey of the week. The stumble stalled his momentum, as he had played the first ten holes in minus-four. Will the run of seven pars at the end signal a negative turn in the tide of play for Schauffele? We’ll find out on day three. One thing is for sure: minus twelve will not win this tournament. Schauffele will likely need to reach twenty under par over the next two days, to win his first major title.
Long birdie putt? No problem for Xander Schauffele! ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/ZqRaBGMFPO
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.
“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.
“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”
Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.
Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:
“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.
“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”
“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.
“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”
“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”
Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024
Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
*Update*
Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler charges
– 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
– Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
– Reckless driving
– Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/bX8mFF2Xay— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
*Update*
According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.
*Update*
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.
After being detained by police earlier this morning, Scottie Scheffler was released and is back at Valhalla Golf Club for his second round of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/KvS5Hwo6PS
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024
*Update*
The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.
Scottie Scheffler’s statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.
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Pingback: ‘Jack’s a hypocrite!’ – Greg Norman slams Nicklaus over LIV Golf stance – GolfWRX
Noticer
May 31, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Jack is getting j e w e d.
Wally Detler
May 25, 2022 at 6:11 pm
Good. Jack is useless POS and should be banned from all PGA reference including the history of the PGA. His easy to get records should be taken away from this racist clown.
I wish Tiger was healthy and 15yrs younger so he could get the record for the majors.
Jack is pro trump which is disgusting and he wants to partner with the sick Saudi’s.
Strip Jack of everything!!
Herr yee
Jun 4, 2022 at 7:35 pm
I agree. You are very smart pee pee.
TMTM
Jun 5, 2022 at 6:22 am
Tiger is also pro Trump and a conservative as well. Seems like you’ve never seen all the pictures up of him and Trump together.
MICHAEL
Jun 5, 2022 at 11:33 am
Guess your (probably young) dumb ass wasn’t around when Jack was THE dominant force for nearly 2 decades while facing much hungrier competition.
Can’t you left-wing idiots make a simple golf comment w/o getting political? I don’t like Trump but it makes me so happy that you’ve let him crawl up your ass & annoy you some 2 years after the election! LUV IT!!!
Max Turner
Jun 9, 2022 at 8:47 pm
Greed
j
Jun 7, 2022 at 2:09 am
Crawl back into your hole gremlin.
Tarnished Bear
May 25, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Just sad.
MhtLion
May 23, 2022 at 1:43 pm
Takeaway – Nicklaus Companies has nothing to do with Jack Niklaus.
Moshe
May 23, 2022 at 11:41 am
Milstein.
Every single time. Never get in bed with the SoS KM.