19th Hole
Rickie Fowler gives surprising update amid heavy links to LIV Golf
As players prepared for the third major of the season, fears were that those returning from last week’s inaugural LIV event would attract all the attention.
However, there seems to have been some genuine respect shown by those involved with the publicity-seeking rebel tour and the world of golf looks forward to four days of tough competition at Brookline.
This does not, of course, stop rumor and speculation as who may be the next player to jump ship and Sky Sports caught up with one of those names continually banded about – Rickie Fowler.
Formerly ranked world number seven, Fowler is at Brookline as second alternate, and was asked on Tuesday what life was like being in that position.
The 33-year-old conceded, “Can be a little out of place, being an alternate..playing nine today, play nine tomorrow…we’ll see what happens”
Was he hoping someone puts a toe out of place so he can grab a starting slot?
“I don’t wish bad on anyone” said Fowler. “But, you know, if two slots open up…..we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Fowler, former world amateur number one and winner of five PGA Tour and two European tour titles was then asked the obvious.
He gave his view on being mentioned as a candidate for the “huge topic in golf at the moment”, after several sources previously reported that the 33-year-old was set to sign with the LIV Golf Series…and it contradicted those reports.
“Unfortunately, there has been a lot of false accusations. I haven’t made any sort of decisions.”
Having been inside the world’s top-50 for 10 consecutive years from 2010, and in the top-100 over the last couple of seasons, he clearly has an affection for the PGA Tour, but admits there is a need to change.
“I believe the PGA Tour is the best place to play, has been and certainly is. I would love to see it be that way in the future but some things do need to evolve, change. So that’s kind of where I’m at”
After admitting the PGA Tour is becoming “more and more divided”, he mentions that, “with LIV, it is a very different format.”
Fowler would like to see them “co-exist”, and expands on that.
“I mean, you have traditional, 72 holes of golf, and then then 54 with the team aspect, so, yeah, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and enjoy playing on tour and see what happens.”
Having been runner-up in the 2014 US open at Pinehurst, and with further second place finishes finishes at The Masters and Open Championship, as well as 3rd at the PGA Championship, Fowler has excellent back-form in majors.
However, with only four top-10 finishes in his last couple of seasons of regular play, he has drifted to a place just inside the world’s top 150.
It looks all but assured that Rickie won’t get the chance to tee it up this week, as he remains second alternate just hours away from the opening day’s action at Brookline.
You can catch the full interview here.
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19th Hole
“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene
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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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.
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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19th Hole
Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’
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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19th Hole
Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam
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.
Tiger Woods sits down with Carson Daly to talk about golf, growing up in Southern California, his father and his new apparel line, Sun Day Red. pic.twitter.com/2TFbSNxzxq
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 1, 2024
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