Connect with us

19th Hole

New LIV signing claims ‘money was not a factor’ in decision to join breakaway tour

Published

on

The third LIV Golf event gets underway this week from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, with three new signings poised to make their debut. 

Last week, Jason Kokrak and Charles Howell III joined Henrik Stenson in signing with LIV Golf, with Howell III’s announcement coming as a bit of a surprise.

The 43-year-old had not previously been linked to the Saudi-backed breakaway Tour and had amassed over $42 million in career earnings with his play on the PGA Tour.

On Wednesday, speaking ahead of his debut with LIV Golf, Howell made the surprising admission that “money was not a factor” in his decision to defect from the PGA Tour.

“For me, I’ve been there for 22 years, and it’s been awesome. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about the PGA Tour, what they’ve given me, the opportunities, et cetera.

“But when this came along, I’m 43 years old, I’ve done a lot of that. I still love the game. I love the game more today than I did five years ago. Now that my son is playing competitive golf, I’m even more incentivized in the game. This is something really new and exciting.”

What may have been a factor in Howell’s decision to join LIV was the spearhead of the group, multiple major champion Greg Norman, who the Augusta native grew up idolizing.

“Greg Norman was my hero as a kid growing up. I mean, every year at the Masters and Augusta, I couldn’t wait to get out there and watch Greg Norman play. 

“Man, he was an idol. I had a life-sized cardboard cutout of Greg in my room way back in his Spalding days. He was just the man.”

Interestingly, Howell also revealed how Bryson DeChambeau headhunted the 43-year-old, with the team aspect an exciting prospect for the three time PGA Tour winner.

“Bryson (DeChambeau) reaches out and says, I’d love for you to be a part of my team. That’s a compliment, but it’s also a responsibility.OK, I’ve got to play well; I’m responsible not only for myself but for Paul (Casey), for Bryson, for others. It’s new and exciting.

“Not that the PGA Tour got boring, but I’m extremely excited to be here for the next few years, and yeah, it’s a new venture, and at this age and this part of my life, it’s perfect.”

Your Reaction?
  • 19
  • LEGIT3
  • WOW2
  • LOL16
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP3
  • OB0
  • SHANK24

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

Published

on

On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 11
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW0
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

Published

on

While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 19
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW2
  • LOL4
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP3
  • OB0
  • SHANK26

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

Published

on

While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT7
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending