News

Morning 9: Tiger’s new design | New LIV team names | Phoenix Open photos

Published

2 months ago

Feb 8, 2023

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco and Matthew Vincenzi.

For comments: [email protected]

February 8, 2023

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as attention turns to the first PGA Tour elevated event of the season – the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

1. Brett White: A Monday qualifier with a helluva story making first Tour start

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”White, 29, might be the best story among the trio. The Eastern Michigan alum nearly died six years ago when he contracted viral encephalitis. He was hospitalized for three weeks and needed to re-learn how to do basic tasks, including walking and talking. Just a month after getting out of the hospital, he was swinging a golf club with support from a gait belt. Nine months after that he was playing tournaments again.”

“It’s been a wild ride,” White said two years ago at Q-School. “Over a long journey, sometimes you go back and go, wow, I gotta be thankful for where I’m at. There was a point in the hospital where it was, hey, let’s make sure you can be on your own; and then it was, OK, I want to be able to run around with my kids; then it was, let’s play golf for fun; and it just kept on progressing. I’ve tried to get better every day, and I don’t think I’ve stopped.”

“White earned his KFT card for the first time prior to last season after advancing to the final stage of Q-School and earning eight guaranteed starts. But he had just two top-25s in 20 starts and was back at final stage this past year. He’s yet to get into any of the three KFT events this season.”

Full piece.

2. Tiger’s new 8,000-yard Utah design

Alex Vejar for the Salt Lake Tribune…”The world’s most famous professional golfer will add his touch to the golf landscape in the Beehive State.”

“Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will design a new, 18-hole professional course at the upcoming members-only Marcella Club in Heber City. Marcella Club is a partnership between the yet-to-be-built communities of Marcella Mountain and Marcella at Jordanelle Ridge.”

“The new course will be Woods’ first in Utah through his company TGR Design.”

“Utah is an incredible place, with favorable year-round weather that offers opportunities to be active outdoors throughout all four seasons – golfing, skiing, biking, hiking, and fishing – the list goes on and on,” Woods said in a news release. “I’m thrilled to be designing a course in such a special location; this new course is uniquely beautiful and will offer engaging play for every ability.”

Full piece.

3. 2023 LIV team captains, new teams revealed

Adam Woodard for Golfweek gives a rundown of the new names for 2023, including Bubba Watson leading ‘RangeGoats GC’…

Full piece.

4. LIV 2022 revenue reportedly near zero

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…”As the LIV Golf League prepares to start its second season in Mexico later this month, the circuit being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is generating virtually no revenue, according to federal court documents.”

“The LIV Golf League’s attorneys made that admission in a motion filed with the U.S. District Court for Northern California on Monday. LIV Golf asked U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman to deny the PGA Tour’s motion for leave to add the Public Investment Fund and its governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, as plaintiffs in the tour’s countersuit against LIV Golf, in which it alleges LIV Golf interfered with its contract with players.”

Full piece.

5. LIV Golf lawyers argue PGA Tour is ‘exploiting litigation’

Golfweek’s Adam Woodard…”Lawyers for the upstart circuit led by Greg Norman and financially supported by the Public Investment Fund argued “the Tour is exploiting litigation delay to choke off air to LIV and players” and that the current timeframes are “not only workable, but critical to the careers of the Player Plaintiffs and the viability of LIV as a legitimate competitor to the Tour.”

Full piece.

6. List narrows for new Honda Classic sponsor

Tom D’Angelo for the Palm Beach Post…”The Honda Classic is not going anywhere.”

“No longer will it be the Honda Classic following this year’s event that starts Feb. 23 at PGA National. But there will be a classic. What’s it is called is still being negotiated.”

“The (PGA) tour has no interest in dropping us off the schedule,” executive director Andrew George said.”

“We’re really excited about what ’24 and beyond is going to look like. The excitement of a new title (sponsor)and 42 years of building blocks (with Honda) and now let’s take it up a notch again.”

Full Piece.

7. Forget the 16th…

Adam Schupak for Golfweek…”Theegala isn’t the only one to stand on the 17th tee and realize its make-or-break time with the title on the line. And that’s the brilliance of the hole – players can make anywhere from eagle to double bogey and flip the script. While the par-3 16th hole has become iconic for good reason, the 17th lives in its shadow and is grossly under appreciated.”

“From Kyle Stanley recovering from a prickly lie to hold on for the title in 2012 to Rickie Fowler losing the tournament with water balls in 2016 to Brooks Koepka pitching in from a brutal lie 45 yards right of the green, it’s 17 that has become pivotal to determining who hoists the trophy on Sunday.”

“It also has its place in history as home to Andrew Magee’s hole-in-one, which remains the only ace on a par 4 in Tour history. In case anyone dares to forget it, there is a plaque recognizing the feat.”

Full Piece.

8. Beer showers banned?

Golf Digest’s Christopher Powers…”That’s why in 2023, with the tournament ramped up even more thanks to its designated-event status and $20 million purse, measures are being taken to reduce the risk of injury or damage to the course (and people) should another ace occur. Ryder’s hole-in-one was the first on the 16th hole in seven years, so it’s not like it’s a common occurrence (though it did happen again the following day with Carlos Ortiz). But it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“According to the PGA Tour, the measures that are being taken include, but are not limited to, the following:

• All alcoholic beverages on the 16th will be served in commemorative plastic cups

• Fans will not be allowed to enter the 16th from other areas with a canned alcoholic beverage

• Elevated security and police presence in both the General Admission and Hospitality areas on the 16th

• A social-media campaign on this policy

• Signage in General Admission and Hospitality areas of Zero Tolerance for throwing anything on the course

Full Piece.

9. WM Phoenix Open photos

Check out all of our galleries from Phoenix this week!

Full Piece.

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News

Morning 9: LIV golfers’ Masters expectations | Reed wants LIV Masters win | ANWA champ 4-stroke penalty

Published

9 hours ago

Mar 30, 2023

GolfWRX Staff

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the Valero Texas Open gets underway where players have their last chance to clinch a spot at next week’s Masters.

1. Don’t expect awkwardness

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…”Speaking to reporters ahead of this week’s LIV Golf League tournament at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida, Reed said Wednesday that the first major championship of the season won’t be about the competing circuits.”

“…Augusta National Golf Club elected to keep the same qualifying criteria it used in the past to determine the field for the 87th Masters. There are 18 players in the 89-man field from the LIV Golf League, including four other past champions: Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel.”

“Obviously, the media and the storylines are going to be obviously LIV versus PGA Tour and all that kind of stuff, but really, at the majors, top players in the world are going and playing against each other no matter where they come from,” Reed said. “For us, at least for myself, it’s going to be business as usual going out and playing.”

Full piece.

2. Reed: I’d love if a LIV golfer won the Masters

James Corrigan for The Telegraph…”Reed is one of six former Augusta champions on the Saudi-funded circuit, but says that if he replicated his 2018 success it would be a bigger deal.”

“If you’re able to go out and win, it brings a boost not only to yourself, but to the league and the team that you’re on,” he said, here at the Orange County National Golf Course where the third LIV Golf event of the season begins on Friday.

“Now it’s just not sharing it with yourself and your inner circle but you’re sharing it with these guys out there. It would just be huge for morale.”

Full piece.

3. Zhang leads ANWA

Beth Ann Nichols for Golfweek…”Rose Zhang said her father, Haibin, feverishly swept away the pine needles that were in the line of her 50-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole Wednesday at Champions Retreat.”

“He was doing it like a maniac,” said Zhang, “and I was low-key kind of telling him to calm down in terms of trying to help me get the little stuff out of the way.”

Top-ranked Zhang drained the putt and later thanked dad for the assist. It was one of six birdies on the day for Zhang, who posted a record 6-under 66 at Champions Retreat, besting the previous record of 68 carded by 2019 champion Jennifer Kupcho and Zoe Campos in the opening round in the inaugural event. Zhang birdied all four par 5s and leads Ole Miss senior Andrea Lignell by one stroke.

“With the round being so soft and being muddy,” said Zhang, “I can’t really expect anything more out of my game today.”

Full piece.

4. Defending champ hit with 4-stroke penalty

Brentley Romine for Golf Channel…”Anna Davis’ title defense got off to a rough start Wednesday morning at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.”

“On the opening hole of the 17-year-old’s opening round at Champions Retreat, the par-4 first on the Island nine, Davis committed two rules violations in which she lifted, cleaned and placed her ball in the rough, or second cut. The news was first reported by GolfChannel.com, which spoke to several witnesses.”

“Preferred lies are in effect for the first two rounds, but only in “areas cut to fairway height or less,” according to a memo sent by the competitions committee. Players were informed on Tuesday night that Model Local Rule E-3, which allows for preferred lies, would be adopted.”

“The verbiage of the MLR includes, “The use of this local rule outside the fairway in the general area is not recommended.”

“After her round, Davis was officially handed a pair of two-shot penalties under Rule 9.4 for, per an official statement from the tournament headquarters, twice lifting her ball and failing to replace it in its original spot.”

Full piece.

5. Bubba and Brooks on LIV tensions at Augusta

Cameron Jourdan for Golfweek…”In recent weeks, there has been plenty of discussion about how LIV golfers would interact with those from the PGA Tour and whether it would be tense. However, Watson and Koepka said don’t expect anything to happen.”

“I’m going to be honest, man. It’s only awkward in the media,” Watson said. “I’ve talked to people that are going to be there. I’m going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the par 3. Some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds. Media is the only one that is pushing it. I have nothing against anybody. If you change jobs, I’m not mad at you. If you start reporting for somebody else, hey, man, it’s a better decision for you and your family.”

“Added Koepka: “I think that’s one of the big things. Down in Jupiter, we see each other — I was just with Rory (McIlroy) and J.T. (Justin Thomas) yesterday, and I think Keegan (Bradley) was there. We see each other quite a bit. I mean, there’s a lot of conversations. I was talking with Rory for probably about 30 minutes just about the ball and all the other stuff that’s going on. No one is angry at anybody from what I’ve seen.”

Full piece.

6. Patrick Reed wonders if Augusta’s new 13th hole has lost ‘a little bit of excitement’

Evin Priest for Golf Digest…”Even Dustin Johnson was laying up. That’s the takeaway from 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed after seeing Augusta National and its new, lengthening par-5 13th during a two-day reconnaissance trip to the famed course with his fellow green jacket winner and Harold Varner III last week.”

“At last year’s Masters, the iconic 13th measured 510 yards from the tips. But this year, it will max out at 545 yards according to the 2023 Masters media guide Augusta National. The hole is now 60 yards longer than when Tiger Woods won his first Masters in 1997.”

“D.J. laid up both days,” Reed said Wednesday at Orange County National, ahead of this week’s LIV Golf Orlando tournament. “I laid up [once]. Tournament time I would have laid up, but since we’re out there seeing it, I of course went [full] send.”

Full piece.

7. Rickie Fowler WITB

Driver: Cobra Aerojet LS (9 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Prototype 70 X

3-wood: Cobra Aerojet LS (14.5 degrees @13.5 degrees)

Shaft: Aldila Tour Green 75 TX

5-wood: Cobra LTDx LS (17.5 degrees)

Shaft: UST Mamiya LINQ 8F5

Irons: Cobra King Tour (4-PW)

Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+

Wedges: Cobra King Forged (54, 56 and 58 degrees)

Shafts: KBS Tour 610

Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird

Grip: SuperStroke Tour 3.0 17-inch

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2023 Valero Texas Open

Published

10 hours ago

Mar 30, 2023

GolfWRX Staff

Ah, the Valero Texas Open — a tournament as rich in history as it is in Texan charm. The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar.

Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw. But the real star of the show? That would have to be the legendary Texan wind, which can turn a benign par-4 into a 500-yard monster faster than you can say “y’all.”

Per usual, GolfWRX was on site to check out what the pros are playing with the Masters just a week away.

Check out links to all our galleries, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Join the discussion in the GolfWRX forums.

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Equipment

Spotted: Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K Three “anti-right” prototype putter

Published

1 day ago

Mar 29, 2023

Brian Knudson

Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K putters have really taken off on tour, and we have seen a handful of models in tour player’s bags. The latest version we spotted out on tour is a very unique design.

Odyssey makes this putter head with a standard flow neck that offers plenty of toe hang for golfers who prefer or need that weighting. This prototype has a long slant neck installed more near the center of the putter head that lets the toe sit slightly up in the air when held horizontally. This is pretty different since most putters sit with the toe hanging down towards the ground or are face balanced (face sits parallel to the ground). A full shaft offset looks to be achieved with the slant neck and the look at address is definitely different.

We spoke to Callaway PGA Tour manager Joe Toulon about the putter and he had the following to say

“On course [we had a player who] had a little push bias that didn’t necessarily show up in practice but it is something that he felt on course. So we wanted to build something that was a little easier to release and maybe not necessarily open the toe as much in the back stroke and not have to work as hard to release it in the through stroke. That was kind of designed to give a little offset and when you rested it on your finger it would rest toe up a little bit. We thought for that player it would help him square the putter face at impact rather than leave it open a little bit.

“It was more of a concept we had and will continue to work on it. When we had it on the truck and we were hitting some putts with it we noticed that you had to work really hard to push this putter. We wanted to make an anti-right putter. Just a fun little concept that we have an idea and work with our tour department to test things out.

“It isn’t something that ended up in a player’s bag but we learned some things in that process and will keep in mind for future builds and projects.”

The finish also looks to be a little different than the standard Tri-Hot 5K putter’s black and silver motif. The face and neck are finished in silver and the rear done in more of a blueish-gray tone. The White Hot insert looks to be standard and the sole still contains two interchangeable weights.

The shaft looks to be painted in the same metallic red as their standard Stroke Lab shaft, but we don’t see a steel tip section. Not sure if this putter has a full graphite shaft or painted steel.