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19th Hole

Daniel Berger has never watched golf on TV (not even the Masters). Do you think he’s alone among pros?

Published

6 years ago

on

Daniel Berger doesn’t watch golf. The 25-year-old Floridian said as much in his Golf Digest “My Shot.”

“I’ve never watched it [golf] on TV except out of the corner of my eye. Not one round of the Masters, or even an episode of “Golf Central.” I’ve never seen the Feherty show. If I’ve watched a couple of hours of golf, total, I’d be surprised…I follow golf through Twitter, Instagram and the PGA Tour app. I’m very weak on golf history, because you pick up a lot of that on TV. I know Jack Nicklaus has 18 majors, and that Tiger has 14, but I have no idea who’s third.”

Is this shocking? Do we think most golfers spend their few off-weeks watching the PGA Tour on television, tuning into PGA Tour Live on their phones? Do we think the PGA Tour’s young stars are settling down with a Bobby Jones biography or catching up on their Bernard Darwin? (To be fair, Berger clearly does watch highlights via Twitter, the PGA Tour app, etc)

There’s a quasi-expectation in golf that Tour pros are students of golf history. To suggest that the PGA Tour’s finest didn’t grow up glued to the family TV set during Masters week (at least!) is sacrilegious, in the minds of some, at least.

Berger expands on his blissful ignorance with this exposition of his pre-Masters exposure to Augusta National.

“When I played in my first Masters, in 2016, I knew nothing about Augusta National except what I’d seen playing the Tiger video game. I had a couple of invitations to play the course in advance and appreciated them but was like, “Thank you, but I’m good.” Not knowing what a big deal it was is probably why I didn’t play a full practice round. I walked the front nine on Tuesday with a wedge and putter and played the back nine on Wednesday. I tied for 10th that first year.”

Video games! Berger hasn’t missed the cut in three Masters starts, and his worst showing is a tie for 32nd. Even so, should we be appalled by his lack of reverence for the venerable course and its history? Or does it not matter?

Further, PGA Tour pros have little to gain from the admission that they didn’t grow up watching golf and aren’t students of the game’s rich history, so it’s not surprising we haven’t heard many similar statements. That said, Berger can’t be alone in his position. How many pros do you think are in the same boat (an appropriate metaphor, since Berger says he prefers relaxing on his vessel to watching golf).

Let us know what you think, GolfWRX members. You can read Berger’s full “My Shot” here.

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19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

Published

3 days ago

on

Apr 26, 2024

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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  
  • 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.

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19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

Published

4 days ago

on

Apr 25, 2024

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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.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

Published

4 days ago

on

Apr 25, 2024

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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.

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WITB

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