News

Daly withdraws from Greenbrier, engages Jason Sobel on Twitter

Published

11 years ago

Jul 6, 2013

It’s not clear exactly what knotted John Daly’s American flag-patterned knickers, but he wasn’t happy with Golf Channel Senior Writer Jason Sobel.

It seems Long John wasn’t pleased by the insinuation of Sobel’s headline for the writer’s piece on Daly’s withdrawal from the Greenbrier Classic, his tweets, or both.

Before we get to the headline in question or the Twitter back-and-forth (because that’s how real men air their grievances in 2013), it’s fair to make the following point: It’s not clear what Sobel’s original headline was. Further, having some experience in writing for online outlets, I can say that the “teaser” headline on the front page is under the editor’s control, rather than the writer’s, generally speaking.

So, the click-through headlines on various portions of the Golf Channel website read:

“Daly facing elbow surgery, adds to WD total”

“Daly nears 40 career Tour withdrawals at Greenbrier”

However, the headline of Sobel’s piece (which he certainly could have changed during/after the brouhaha) reads, “Daly WD’s from Greenbrier, headed for surgery.”

All this by way of saying, we don’t know exactly what steamed Daly’s clams, or whether it was solely Sobel’s keystrokes.

The second possibility is that Daly didn’t read the article/see the headline and simply reacted negatively to this tweet from Sobel:

It’s pointless to speculate as to what Daly thought Sobel was insinuating with the tweet/headline. One guess, however, is that he felt Sobel was saying he withdrew too much/unnecessarily.

Of course Sobel, never one to let sleeping dogs lie, responded via Twitter. Daly, being of the same mind, replied too:

What are the “true facts” that Daly is referencing? Apparently the fact that he has a torn tendon in his elbow, which he has seemingly been playing with for some time, as per this tweet.

With this in mind, Daly also might be less-than-thrilled by this passage from Sobel’s column:

With Tiger Woods already sidelined because of a sore left elbow and unable to compete in this week’s Greenbrier Classic, one of the tournament’s other big draws, John Daly, bowed out early in his second round with a similar injury.

Sure, the injury is similar, in that it’s a malady of the elbow. However, a torn tendon requiring surgery is a bit more severe than Tiger’s tennis elbow.

Regardless, it’s been clear for some time that Jason Sobel isn’t a Loudmouth Golf pants-wearing member of the JD fan club. There are numerous examples of this, such as this 2010 piece he penned for ESPN titled, “Retired or not, Daly truly is done” — the tone of which you can surely guess.

Of course, when Daly tweets, “You kick players while they’re down is that what u report? Now, I understand what players meant about u! #scum,” you don’t get the feeling he has a Jason Sobel book sitting on his nightstand. Further, Daly seems to indicate that many pros are of the same mind toward the former ESPN journalist.

Whether you’re on Team Sobel or Team Daly on this one (or in general), it’s pretty clear that Twitter wasn’t the best venue for a discussion of differences and that a reconciliation between the two won’t be showing up in your Twitter feed anytime soon.

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Ben Alberstadt

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20 Comments

Tyboooo

Jun 30, 2014 at 12:22 pm

I wish they would quit giving him extensions. It’s not fair to the other guys out there.

He misses cuts more than he makes them. And if he does make a cut he is never close to the top of the leader board. Time to start earning your starts.

Reply Report comment
jc

May 28, 2014 at 5:29 pm

there are lots of guys who have won a major or two and you can find them on the minor tours trying to EARN their way back in. I last saw Daly at Riviera in L.A. IT was a warm day and john is wearing a heavy windbreaker and playing like crud. Of course he missed the cut. He should just quit and run a golf course (not the bar) and sell tshirts or something.

Reply Report comment
qabloona

Jul 10, 2013 at 2:43 pm

Don’t know anything about Sobel but if you watch PGA practice sessions at pro tournaments it is obvious that the other players have a genuine fondness for Daly. Watching them on the practice putting green at any tourney and and you see any number of players coming up to him and wishing him well.Wish him well.

Reply Report comment
wtfci

Jul 8, 2013 at 1:29 pm

Honestly, call your mark if you need to react. Like I want to know every spat you have. Spare me.

Reply Report comment
Søren Skadhede

Jul 8, 2013 at 3:33 am

“Talking” via Twitter like that certainly isn’t helping anybody. Now, I’m both on twitter, FB, linkedin etc., so this is not a bashing on modern communication means. But there are some drawbacks to places like twitter and facebook. To me, the clearest analogy – particularly here with JD & JS – is road rage: you sit in your own car with closed windows and doors locked screaming at everybody. Would you seriously do that if you where on a bicycle, or pulling into the same gas station and getting out of the car?

Thankfully, most people won’t, but very often services like twitter provide you with the same “protective bubble” as the cars does. One major difference though: the yelling in the car usually stays in the car – tweets remain and recycle…

Reply Report comment
PGAPankey

Jul 7, 2013 at 10:49 am

Regardless of who’s side you are on the fact is that Daly is taking a spot that could go to another player. These sponsors exemption spots are usually given to bigger name players in an attempt to draw fans. Totally understandable when the tournament organizers are in the business of getting more fans and bigger tv ratings. But whenever I see a story like this is always wonder about the “last guy out” who’s spot was taken by Daly. Playing in a PGATour event is a big deal for some guys, you hope that these sponsore exemptions really appreciate the opportunity. With surgery coming up it seems obvious that this wd is for good reason, but with 30+ in his career you have to wonder if a few wern’t a bit cynical.

Reply Report comment
- Ryan
  
  Jul 7, 2013 at 12:56 pm
  
  Yeah, normally I’d side with Daly and say Sobel is being a jerk, but I mean, 38 career withdraws? Find someone else who has half that and I’d be shocked. We can’t keep doing the same, oh I feel so sorry for John, his 38th withdrawal is just as credible as the first. Sure, Sobel was being kind of a jerk, but there is a point where John Daly has to reconnect with reality and see the consequences of his actions, which frankly should mean sponsors exemptions going to up and coming kids with talent and desire like Jordan Speith or something like that. Giving them to Daly is just a waste and an embarrassment at this point.
  
  Reply Report comment
- c
  
  Jul 7, 2013 at 1:00 pm
  
  I dont see how John is taking someone else’s spot, the guy has won two majors and attracted huge galleries and new fans. You can say the same thing about Tom Watson, why is he playing, what is he trying to prove. I don’t think John wanted to have to WD it just happened
  
  Reply Report comment
Joe Golfer

Jul 7, 2013 at 12:33 am

Seems like the writer of this article on GolfWRX has it right.
Daly seems to be responding to past slights against him by Sobel.
I don’t see anything in the current “tweets” that should set Daly off like that. He totally over-reacted, in this particular instance.
As for Sobel, I’m really not familiar with him, so I can’t give an opinion on his reputation or if he is a “negative writer”, but his brief tweets don’t sound malicious or as Daly asserts, kicking a player while he is down.

Reply Report comment
- Pat M
  
  Jun 16, 2015 at 5:15 pm
  
  Sobel reminds me of Rich Lerner and Chris Berman. Nobodies with a big mouth who never played the game.
  
  Reply Report comment
D T

Jul 6, 2013 at 10:46 pm

I think it’s sad that adult men are settling their differences going back and forth on Twitter, Facebook, etc., instead of talking face to face like men. At least make a phone call. The description of a man is changing for the worst daily.

Reply Report comment
- donald davis
  
  Jul 7, 2013 at 1:03 am
  
  I am not a fan of either jason sobel or john daly. The golf channel has become unwatchable at times. Predictions and cliches and “johnny tour pros” everywhere. Boring. Bring back John Hawkins.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Marty
  
  Jul 7, 2013 at 2:28 pm
  
  definition of a man, lol
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Marty
    
    Jul 7, 2013 at 2:29 pm
    
    Oop sorry, description of a man.
    
    Lol
    
    Reply Report comment
- stephenf
  
  Jul 14, 2013 at 2:53 am
  
  Seriously. I was just thinking what a girl fight this was, but somebody will probably post and tell me that’s sexist. They’re probably right. I have a wife and two daughters at home (the only ones remaining out of five), and I don’t think any of them would fight it out with twitlanguage and phones over something like this.
  
  Reply Report comment
Im nobody:(

Jul 6, 2013 at 9:55 pm

Poor John Daly the circus act is over:) maybe he should just fade off into the sunset:) he is taking up a spot that could be better used for an amateur player!

Reply Report comment
c

Jul 6, 2013 at 8:37 pm

Jason Sobel is a 25 handicap journalist on a good day

Reply Report comment
fairway fitter

Jul 6, 2013 at 6:44 pm

Sobel’s writing is sophomoric at best. Simply put; too many golf writers out there for GC to employ this guy.

Reply Report comment
- Steve
  
  Jul 7, 2013 at 8:07 am
  
  Absolutely agree — Maybe he can get a job on ‘Morning Drive’ with the other yellow journalists.
  
  Reply Report comment
Joey5Picks

Jul 6, 2013 at 12:59 pm

John Daly long ago became a circus act. A non-competitive time bomb tournaments would give a sponsor’s exemption to to draw fans. His self-destructive personality traits and lifestyle caught up with him. Personally, I have no interest in watching him play.

While Sobel’s articles may have been critical of Daly, are they wrong? Daly has WDed 30-whatever times. It’s a fact. No malice in reporting that as it’s part of a pattern.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 PGA Championship

Published

21 hours ago

May 14, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship.

While we see fewer equipment changes and new gear seeding at major championships, we get a look at custom gear and looks into the bags of players we rarely see, which is just as exciting. In the case of the PGA Championship, this means a look at the gear some of the PGA Professionals who qualified for the tournament will be gaming, and LIV players, such as Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed.

Check out links to all our albums from Valhalla below and check back throughout the week as we continue to update.

General Albums

2024 PGA Championship – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

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Morning 9: Is it Rory’s time? | Stricker WDs | Why Valhalla is a great major venue

Published

23 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up for the PGA Championship from iconic Valhalla.

1. Is now the time Rory finally ends major drought?

BBC’s Iain Carter…”But given the imperious form he showed in Charlotte last week, perhaps this is the PGA Championship to rekindle the ruthless streak of old. And not just because he is back at Valhalla (the Nordic word for the hall of the fallen).”

“It also became clear last week that McIlroy is somewhat persona non grata to the PGA Tour’s Policy Board. His views on a global future for this damagingly split sport do not seem to chime with the American dominated body.”

“His offer to return to the board from which he resigned earlier this year was rejected and he has been left as a mere non-voting member of the “transaction committee” dealing with a potential deal with Saudi Arabia.”

“McIlroy insists there are “no hard feelings” but there should be.”

“No player has worked harder for their sport during this period of unprecedented tumult and the board has rejected someone many people regard as the game’s most articulate and enlightened international voice.”

“Now is, surely, the time for McIlroy to feel slighted and respond with his clubs. Play as though he has a chip on his shoulder, but in the knowledge that he is generationally the most consistent golfing force out there.”

Full piece.

2. Scheffler in for PGA Champ after birth of child

Jaclyn Hendricks for PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler and wife Meredith’s bundle of joy has arrived.”

“The couple welcomed their first child, just weeks after Scheffler claimed his second Masters victory in three years.”

“Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig tweeted Saturday that the baby was born and Scheffler will play in this week’s PGA Championship — the second major of the season.”

“There’s been nothing official from Scottie Scheffler, his team or the Tour… But word is he will be at Valhalla for the PGA next week after winning four of his last five tournaments, including the Masters. He is currently on the Tuesday interview schedule for 3:30 p.m. #babyborn,” Harig wrote over the weekend.”

Full piece.

3. “Erik van Rooyen, friends and family live in honor of ‘Trazzy’”

That’s the headline of Ryan Lavner’s superb piece on Erik van Rooyen and his departed best friend Jon Trasmar. An excerpt would be an injustice. Go read it!

Full piece.

4. Stricker out of PGA citing fatigue

AP report…”Steve Stricker decided Sunday to withdraw from the PGA Championship at Valhalla, citing the difficulty of playing four times in a span of five weeks.”

“Stricker, 57, was eligible by winning the Senior PGA Championship last year. He, John Daly and Phil Mickelson are the only players to have competed at Valhalla each of the previous three times the PGA Championship was held there.”

Full piece.

5. Why Valhalla is a great venue for major championships

Garrett Morrison for The Fried Egg…”But before we start slinging mud (of which there will be plenty in Kentucky this week), let’s pause to think about why Valhalla tends to generate close final-round battles featuring elite players. It’s not magic: the course has long par 3s and 4s, narrow fairways, and smallish greens surrounded by rough and bunkers. This style of design and setup, which practically defines the PGA Championship’s modern brand, gives an outsize advantage to a skill that many star players share: power. Length off the tee and the ability to muscle the ball out of rough to a well-protected green will be near-prerequisites for contending at this week’s PGA Championship. If Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau show up with any kind of short-game and putting form, they will be in the mix on Sunday. And the presence of such A-listers on the leaderboard will further burnish Valhalla’s reputation as a serious venue.“

“It does not follow, however, that Valhalla is a great golf course. In fact, I find it a fairly mediocre and bland one. Very few holes offer multiple options of the tee (the exceptions being the short par-4 fourth and the double-fairway par-5 seventh), most of the greens lack memorable contouring, and the recovery shots from around the fairways and greens are one-dimensional and repetitive. So even if Sunday turns out to be a barn-burner, the first three rounds, when the focus will be on the course and the shots demanded, will probably be sleepier, aside from the inevitable Blockie walk-and-talk.”

Full piece.

6. Dunne resigns from policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Jimmy Dunne, who last year helped negotiate the PGA Tour’s controversial framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, resigned from the tour’s policy board on Monday.”

“In Dunne’s resignation letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN, Dunne wrote that “no meaningful progress has been made towards a transaction with PIF” and that “my vote and my role is utterly superfluous” now that player directors outnumber independent directors on the policy board. Dunne’s resignation was effective immediately.”

“It is crucial for the Board to avoid letting yesterday’s differences interfere with today’s decisions, especially when they influence future opportunities for the tour,” Dunne wrote. “Unifying professional golf is paramount to restoring fan interest and repairing wounds left from a fractured game. I have tried my best to move all minds in that direction.”

“Along with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, Dunne and policy board chairman Ed Herlihy secretly negotiated the framework agreement with the PIF, which is financing the rival LIV Golf League. Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced the deal on June 6. Most PGA Tour players — including some player directors — were unaware of the deal until it was announced on TV.”

Full piece.

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Tour Rundown: Rose blooms, Rory rolls

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2024

Ronald Montesano

This week last year, I found myself praying to the weather goddesses and gods that Rochester would be spared their wrath over the next seven days. The 2023 Oak Hill PGA Championship (that was slated for August when the contract was signed) was on the horizon, and I wanted my region to show well. Things turned out fine, with all four seasons making an appearance, a PGA Professional (Blockie!) stealing hearts, and a proven champion in Koepka (although I was pulling for Viktor.)

This year, no concerns. Louisville will shine this week at Valhalla, but we’ve matters to consider before we look to four days of coverage this week. Nelly did not win on the LPGA this week, so who did? The PGA Tour held two events in the Carolinas, and Tour Champions celebrated a major event in Alabama. Four noteworthy events to run down, so let’s head to RunDownTown and take care of business.

LPGA @ Founders Cup: Rose blooms

There was a sense that Rose Zhang might have a role in the 2020s version of the LPGA. After winning everything there was in amateur golf, she came out and won her first tournament as a professional. That was last May and, let’s be honest, who among us thought it would take 12 months for Zhang to win again? Rhymes with hero, I know.

This week in New Jersey, eyes were on Nelly Korda, as she made a run at a sixth consecutive win on the LPGA circuit. Korda ran out of gas on Saturday, and that was just fine. Madelene Sagstrom and Zhang had turned the soiree at Upper Montclair into a battle of birdies. Gabriela Ruffels came third at nine-under par. No one else reached double digits under par but Sagstrom and Zhang. They didn’t just reach -10…they more than doubled it.

Sagstrom had the look of a winner with five holes left to play. She was three shots clear of Zhang, at 23-under par. The Swede played her closing quintet in plus-one, finishing at 22-deep, 13 shots ahead of Ruffels. That performance we’d anticipated from Zhang? It happened on Sunday. She closed with four birdies in five holes to snatch victory number two, by two shots. Spring is a lovely time for a Rose in bloom.

Take a look back at hole No. 1… @rosezhang is living life on the edge ? pic.twitter.com/o6z6SK7TRA

— LPGA (@LPGA) May 12, 2024

PGA Tour @ Wells Fargo: Rory the Fourth is crowned in Charlotte

Xander Schauffele is a likable lad. He has an Olympic gold medal on his shelf, and a few PGA Tour titles to his credit. Even X knows that even par won’t get much done in a final round unless conditions are brutal. They weren’t brutal at Quail Hollow on Sunday. X posted even par on day four. It kept him ahead of third-place finisher Byeong Hun An but gave him zero chance of challenging for the title.

Paired with Xander in round four was the King of Quail, Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman had previously won thrice at the North Carolina track, and he was champing at the bit to gain some momentum on the road to Louisville. While Xander scored increasingly worse along the week (64-67-70-71) McIlroy saved his best round for the final round. Thanks to five birdies and two eagles, McIlroy ran away with the event, winning his fourth Wells Fargo by five over Schauffele.

HOLE-OUT EAGLE FOR RORY!!!

He now leads by SIX! pic.twitter.com/UE49lwfwNC

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2024

PGA Tour @ Myrtle Beach Classic: a little CG won the inaugural week

It always seemed odd that the PGA Tour had zero stops along the Grand Strand each season. This week’s event seemed odd in that the golfers played the same course each day, and there were zero handicaps involved. Most events at Myrtle Beach involve hundreds of amateurs at dozens of courses, with all sorts of handicaps.

The Dunes Club is a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, down toward Pawley’s Island. It claims what used to be considered an unreachable, par-five hole, the watery 13th. Nothing is unreachable any longer, including a 22-under par total for a six-shot win. Chris Gotterup, a former Rutgers and Oklahoma golfer, played sizzling golf all week and won by a sextet of shots. Gotterup opened with 66, then improved to 64 on Friday. His Saturday 65 sounded a beacon of “come get me,” and his closing 67 ensured that second place was the only thing up for grabs.

Chasing the podium’s second level were a bunch of young Americans. In the end, Alastair Docherty and Davis Thompson reached 16-deep, thanks to rounds of 64 and 68 on Sunday. They held off six golfers at 15-under par. The victory was Gotterup’s first on tour and should be enough to get him a Wikipedia page, among other plaudits.

Leader by SIX!
@ChrisGotterup | @MyrtleBeachC pic.twitter.com/TVdA6ZPYc4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2024

PGA Tour Champions @ Regions Traditions: Vindication for Dougie

Doug Barron, if I recall correctly, was suspended by the Powers That Be, way back in 2009, for testosterone. He was naturally low in the hormone, so he took supplements. This did not sit well with certain admins, so he was put on the shelf for 18 months. Not cool.

In 2019, Barron came out on the Tour Champions. He won in August. The next year, despite the craziness of Covid, he won again. Barron hit a dry spell for a few years. He kept his card, but accrued no additional victories. In late April, Barron showed serious signs of life, with a t2 at Mitsubishi. This week in Birmingham, he jumped out to a lead, lost it, then gained it back on Saturday. With major championship glory on the line, Barron brought the train into the station with 68 on Sunday.

Stephen Alker, the man who could not lose just two years ago, gave serious chase with a closing 63. He moved up 11 slots, into solo 2nd on Sunday. He finished two shots back of the champion. Two shots ain’t much. Cough once and you drop a pair. Third place saw a three-way tie, including last year’s winner (Steve Stricker) and runner-up (Ernie Els.) Despite the intimidating presence of the game’s greats, however, Doug Barron had more than enough of everything this week, and he has a third Tour Champions title to show off.

At the @RegionsTrad, all champions receive a green bike.

Doug Barron decided to take a victory lap ? pic.twitter.com/bEzENMjZwv

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) May 13, 2024

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