19th Hole

Webb Simpson becomes the latest player to split with caddie

Published

1 year ago

Mar 20, 2023

After 12 years of solid partnership, Webb Simpson and caddie Paul Tesori have decided to go their separate ways.

For a player of major standard, it’s been a long time between drinks, with his last victory being in June 2020 at the RBC Heritage, his second win of that year, following a play-off victory at Phoenix.

Despite his best result in 25 events – tied-seventh at Valspar last week – the decision was clearly the result of some long-term discussion.

In a post on social media, Simpson revealed that the pair had reached the “incredibly difficult decision……after spending many hours in prayer, seeking counsel from mentors, and having countless conversations together.”

After seven PGA Tour victories, including the 2012 U.S Open and the 2018 Players Championship, Simpson admits he “could have never done this without Paul by my side,” and that Tesori and his family “will always be part of Team Simpson. Their family has become our family and our family has become theirs.”

On his struggles over the past 18 months, Simpson gave a nod to his religious beliefs.

“Honestly, I think my faith has been the number one piece,” he said. “Just trusting that God’s working. Even in the struggles, even in the hardships, there’s still a purpose in it. Which helps me get out of bed in the morning.”

He admits that the numbers could have got him down:

“Because if I was only result-oriented and results-based there’s a lot of evidence for me to be kind of down sad and no hope. But the Lord’s asked me to work hard for His glory and I feel like I’ve done that. So, as hard as it’s been and as frustrating and at moments wanting to snap every club in my bag, I’ve had a lot of peace through this last year and a half, which has been nice.”

Tesori is set to partner another Wake Forest graduate in Cameron Young, 21 years younger than his previous boss, and one who has twice finished in the top three in just five goes at a major – tied-third at the 2022 PGA before having every chance at the 150th Open Championship, eventually finishing just one shot behind winner Cameron Smith.

Recently, reporters had asked Simpson about his coffee habits, with those involved comparing them with world number one Scottie Scheffler.

The irony is not to be lost that as another hugely promising maiden, Scheffler replaced his then caddie with Ted Scott, far more experienced and with two major championships in the bag.

Simpson has yet to state who his new looper will be.

pic.twitter.com/ueJztrt6vj

— Webb Simpson (@webbsimpson1) March 20, 2023

Butch Harmon reveals what he worked on with Rory McIlroy during visit earlier this year

Published

13 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

While speaking on the “Son of a Butch” Podcast, legendary swing coach Butch Harmon revealed what he worked on with Rory McIlroy when the four-time major champion went to visit him after the Players Championship this season.

Butch Harmon on what he worked on with Rory:

“The work I did with him wasn’t a tremendous amount of changing what he did, it was his attitude and the way he played certain shots. From 150 yards and in he made a full swing like he was hitting a driver and I wanted him to make…

— Matt Vincenzi (@MattVincenziPGA) May 15, 2024

“The work I did with him wasn’t a tremendous amount of changing what he did, it was his attitude and the way he played certain shots. From 150 yards and in he made a full swing like he was hitting a driver and I wanted him to make more 3 quarter swings and chop the follow through off a little. He’s a very high ball hitter, but with short irons high balls aren’t good, it’s hard to control, we wanted to bring the ball flight down.”

The work certainly seemed to help McIlroy, as he went on to win the Zurich Classic alongside Shane Lowry and the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in back-to-back starts.

Rory will now tee it up at Valhalla for the PGA Championship, which is the site of his most recent major victory in 2014.

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19th Hole

Brandel Chamblee says this technological development was key to Phil Mickelson winning major championships

Published

13 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

While speaking with GolfWRX, Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee shared that he believes the solid core golf ball helped Phil Mickelson win major championships.

“One of the consequences of the solid core golf ball coming around was it put the straightest of hitters in the rough.

“Phil started winning majors in 2004, I don’t think that’s any coincidence. I think he started winning majors after the solid core golf ball came along and put everybody in the rough.

“And so [Phil] is like ‘I got you in the rough, I’m going to kick your a**. This is my game. I’ve been in the rough my whole career. I can go over trees, through trees, around trees.’

“Because he’s got that amazing creativity and Phil is an underrated iron player, phenomenal iron player. Great, great great out of the trouble. If you put the top-40 players on a list and ranked them in terms of accuracy, he would be 40th.

“So, I think that was one of the consequences of the solid core golf balls was it allowed Phil to win major championships.”

Mickelson went on to win the Masters in 2004 as well as five additional majors from 2004-2021 including three total Masters, two PGA Championships, and an Open Championship.

Check out the full interview with Chamblee below:

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19th Hole

Former Augusta National employee pleads guilty to transporting stolen Masters memorabilia; Arnold Palmer’s green jacket among stolen items

Published

13 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, a man was charged in Chicago with stealing millions of dollars’ worth of memorabilia from Augusta National last month.

The man, Robert Globensky, was charged with transporting the memorabilia across state lines.

The report states that between 2009 and 2022, Globensky allegedly transported “millions of dollars’ worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and historical memorabilia” from Augusta National “and transported to Tampa, Florida, knowing the same had been stolen, converted and taken by fraud.”

The document was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Since then, more details have emerged about the case.

According to Darren Rovell of Cllct, one of the items that was stolen was Arnold Palmer’s green jacket.

The Chicago Tribune also reported that Globensky was able to steal the merchandise due to his role as a former warehouse coordinator at Augusta National who oversaw the Masters merchandise that was sold.

Rovell states that “A source with intimate knowledge of the case said an Augusta National member, who knew the jacket was missing, contacted a well-known collector who had gained a reputation for tracking down rare items. The member’s goal was to return the jacket to Augusta under the guise of purchasing it in a private sale.”

The plan worked, and the man agreed to sell the jacket for an agreed upon price of $3.6 million. After the sale was complete, the FBI swarmed the house of the thief.

Cllct also reported that Globensky pled guilty in a federal court in Chicago on Wednesday and now faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Chicago Tribune adds that Globensky’s plea deal includes an agreement to provide the government a cashier’s check for $1.5 million in the next few days.