19th Hole
Rory McIlroy accused of being ‘out of touch’ following post-round comment at Bay Hill
Bay Hill played difficult on Sunday. As a result, fans got to see a back-and-forth event with the leaderboard constantly in flux for much of Sunday’s final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It was an exciting finish, and Kurt Kitayama (200-1 pre-tournament) ending up pulling off the shocking win over stars such as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrrell Hatton.
When speaking after his round, Rory McIlroy gave a bit of a strange response to what he believes fans want to see.
Rory today: "The lead's changing hands with guys making bogeys, not really birdies. So don't know how people find that entertainment value."
This is a point players, Tour often miss. We like when it's hard! We like seeing bogeys! Birdies aren't cool when everyone's making them!
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) March 6, 2023
Dan Rapaport of Barstool Sports added his opinion, saying,
“This is a point players, Tour often miss. We like when it’s hard! We like seeing bogeys! Birdies aren’t cool when everyone’s making them!”
Most of the twitter users replying to the tweet agreed.
I prefer birdies over bogeys however today was glorious
— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) March 6, 2023
What separates players is not the easy but the challenging, fair but demanding. When you make it easy and favor birdies, you eliminate the mental grind side of the game, which makes it the most addictive
— Bhrett McCabe, PhD (@DrBhrettMcCabe) March 6, 2023
Kind of out of touch comment from Rory. Fans love tough golf more then 27 under micky mouse ? cupcake ? golf. Seeing the best have to struggle makes us all feel better about ourselves stinking. Not to mention more drama and unexpected twists then Birdie ? fest golf.
— Drizza77 (@drizza77) March 6, 2023
It was a fantastic leaderboard with 4 guys at 8 and 3 at 7 in the last hour. What’s the problem?
— Todd Bailey, PGA (@ToddABailey) March 6, 2023
Such an odd take by Rory. It’s almost like he’s become a bit detached from real golf and become one of the elite who doesn’t understand what fans want.
— Golf Lover UK (@GolfloverUK) March 6, 2023
I'd rather watch and play a Tournament where Par on the last 9 Sunday is actually worth something. This Course set up where 6 to 7 birdies are made from dartboard greens is boring stuff.
— Scott Hend (@hendygolf) March 6, 2023
That’s why a hard US Open is such a good watch.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) March 6, 2023
IMO Rory is out of touch with the audience here. Majority of golf fans that tune in every week enjoy watching players tackle new obstacles, new course challenges, not partake in birdie fests.
— Alec Kowalczyk (@AlecKowalczyk4) March 6, 2023
I think we can all agree that a difficult test on Sunday and watching the world’s best struggling a bit on the golf course to see who overcomes the challenge is what most golf fans want to see!
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- Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
- Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
- ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?
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19th Hole
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.
Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour:
Flights: $2600
Work Visa: $350
Food: $377
Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week! ?
Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car ??…— Hannah Gregg (@hannahbggg) April 26, 2024
“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350
- Food: $377
- Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
- Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!
- Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car
- Gas: $165
- Entry Fee: $130
- Lounge Pass for caddie: $50
- Gym: $0
- Yardage book: $0
- Total expenses: $3672
Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”
When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.
With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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