News in brief

By Neville Idour

Dustin Johnson Prevails In Liv Tulsa Playoff

Dustin Johnson returned to top form with his second LIV Golf victory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States.

Following the hugely successful Adelaide event, the playoff in Tulsa was probably the perfect follow-up with three rounds of at times extraordinary golf. None more so than the third round when Cameron Smith shot 61 to make the playoff. This was matched by Harold Varner and also Branden Grace in the first round.

On the final day when play resumed on the most difficult par four 10th hole after a two hour weather delay, Johnson seemed to be in control with a three shot lead. A poor drive led to him finding the water left of the green with his second shot. A triple bogey left him a shot adrift of Grace. He birdied No 11 to level with Grace. Meanwhile Smith birdied his final hole to be the clubhouse leader at 17 under par.

Grace finished 17 under but Johnson needed birdie on his final hole to make the playoff. Faced with a 10 footer he calmly slotted it, then with a spectacular eagle on the first playoff hole, stole the win.

“Next time I’d like to win without a playoff. It would be a lot less stressful,” Johnson said after the win.

World Class Field For Australian Pga

Burgeoning Aussie star Min Woo Lee is the first signing for the $A2 million Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane from November 23-26.

It is the first event on the 2024 DP World Tour calendar and is again expected to attract a world class field featuring Australia’s stars such as Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman and other up and coming stars.

Lee, 24, from Perth, has finished in the top five in the last two PGA Championships in the United States and was sixth at this year’s Players’ Championship. He now foots it with the world’s best on the DP and PGA Tours. This year’s event is expected to attract about 6000 visitors to Queensland.

Pga And Dp World Tour Sponsors Withdraw

Is this a sign of things to come?

It would appear to be, according to British newspaper The Guardian that Porsche has withdrawn its sponsorship which began in 2015, of the European Open in Hamburg in Germany. This was hardly surprising following the banning and sanctions, including cumulative fines imposed on LIV Golf, players meaning they would no longer feature in any more DP World Tour events.

Starting with the European Open, the fines against 26 players which are on a case by case basis, range from 25,000 to 100,000 pounds for each LIV or LIV backed Asian Tour event they play up to a maximum of eight tournaments. It is no surprise that so many former European Tour stars have given up their memberships. As Henrik Stenson said: “They left me with no other choice than resignation.”

The sanctions on Paul Casey, who is sponsored by Porsche, and Martin Kaymer, one of Germany’s most accomplished players, has raised doubts over whether Porsche would continue backing the tournament. A spokesperson for Porsche said it was in discussions about the event’s future with the promoter and the tour.

United States magazine Golfweek has reported that AT&T, which sponsors both the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic and the Pebble Beach Classic, wish to withdraw it’s Byron Nelson Classic sponsorship from next year. It has been involved since 2015.

The most notable loss is the 42-year longest running continuous sponsorship deal on the PGA Tour. Honda and its Honda Classic had always been one of the tour’s most popular events drawing one of the best fields for many years. But no longer. In 2015 it was the third strongest field outside the major championships with 15 of the top 25 players on hand. Roll on to 2021 and just five top 50 players were there and two top 20. In 2022 it had 12 top 50 players.

The PGA Tour caused its demise when scheduling two elevated events immediately before it and two immediately following. Formerly one of the richest events on tour, this year’s final edition sported $US8 million against the $US20 million for the events either side of it. The reasons for change from Honda were diplomatic in corporate speak about changing strategies in marketing but one tour pro summed it up beautifully. “It is unfortunate to lose a loyal sponsor because of the decisions we made sandwiching them and not business struggles. It’s like you did us wrong, now we are gone. They are probably mad. I would be.”

JASON DAY’S FIVE-YEAR DROUGHT ENDS

Jason Day’s sensational final round 62 at the Byron Nelson Classic ensured his popular return to the winner’s circle after precisely five years at the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship. The gap was bridged by 105 starts marked by ongoing battles with injuries and illness and a drop in world rankings to 175th last September.

Several recent top 10 finishes this season have signalled his health recovery.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries with my back and at one point thought I might not be able to play again. Then it was a case of just trying to get through those two years where simply getting through a tournament was difficult “ said Day.

“So to be healthy and feeling good about my game and finally winning again, there is no better feeling.”

The other factor in his renaissance is working with Chris Como since 2021 producing a swing to avoid his back issues and also his chipping. Como had come well recommended and Day found him to be the perfect mix.

Day’s mother Dening died from cancer a year ago so it was an emotional sight to see her name etched on his caddie’s bib during the week. As for his wife Ellie, Day said: “The amount of sacrifice she’s made for me and my career, I can’t thank her enough.”

It was certainly an inspirational and lovely sight to see her and their delightful four children there in support, especially the proudly pregnant Elle cradling the gorgeous youngest daughter in her arms.

Grange Looks Forward To Liv Return

Despite a few grumblers, the general manager at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide said there had been minimal damage to its courses. This was in response to claims from a few members that the event infrastructure and 77,000 spectators left a huge mess.

One member told the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper that “we will have a mess for six months then it is back again.”

The newspaper wrote that on social media along with comment that furious members said they don’t want it back again. So that was the bad news which unfortunately made headlines around the world despite the facts and stats which say otherwise.

A club survey showed 86 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with LIV Golf, seven percent were neutral and seven percent were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

General manager Barry Linke confirmed that within days both courses were back in play and the club was remedying the minimal damage caused by grandstands particularly around the stadium style par three.

“Members are enjoying excellent playing surfaces and the LIV event has not affected playing areas so we look forward to planning the next event. It was fantastic to see the world’s best players in action.”

Members only missed eight days of play and received free tickets to LIV Golf on four of those days as well as being able to play at other clubs during the whole of the eight days. But isn’t it always the way in these instances. There are always those vocal few, usually those members who have no interest in anything other than playing golf on their home course. Thankfully they are usually a very small minority as in this case.

Koepka Is A Softie

Media personality Paige Spirinac is miffed at the way Brooks Koepka is often portrayed by some media and targeted by trolls with hate online. She feels it is unfair he is set up in a negative way. She has enjoyed the drama between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf but draws the line at Koepka’s treatment.

“I have always been a big Brooks’ fan and I don’t think there are a lot of good clips of him.”

She said she has witnessed his good side seeing him fist bump and laughing as he goes snail butterfly which is the action of sea snail that swims like a butterfly.

On the range “he is a sweetheart”.

“He stops for kids more than anyone else. He smiles and jokes with everyone and people don’t see that side.’’ Spirinac would like the world to see that side.

LIV WOMEN’S ON THE AGENDA

Greg Norman revealed before the Adelaide event that LIV officials have a women’s series on the agenda. Norman said they regularly discus it internally. He said he has discussed the possibility with individual LPGA and Ladies European Tour players. “They love our product and ask how can we get involved. We would love to see a LIV ladies series.

He said a women’s league would be discussed once the 2023 season concluded. Golf Saudi is already heavily involved in women’s golf hosting six events on the Ladies’ European Tour (LET) called the Aramco Series, one of which is in the United States.

Almost all the top women have played in Saudi events. Lexi Thompson and the Korda sisters will be top targets. All are obviously non committal when asked.

However the interesting point is that unlike the men’s big tours the ladies chief executives will be only too happy to sit down with LIV and discuss any proposals. LPGA commissioner Mollie Samaan said she would listen to any pitch from LIV if it was lucrative and achieves it’s aim of promoting women’s golf.

Input would also be sought from players and sponsors. How refreshing to have a mature reasoned response unlike the childish throw the toys out of the cot snubs of Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley from the PGA and DP World tours.

Mcilroy Plans To Sidestep Liv Narrative

Finally Rory McIlroy has seen the light it would appear. He has been a most vocal PGA Tour spokesman against LIV Golf but says he will draw the line under that in future. There have been concerns it has affected his game.

Faced with various questions by media ahead of the PGA Championship in the United States last month he gave two one-word answers to questions about the future and sidestepping the endless comments about LIV.

Billy Foster Saddened By Resignations

Billy Foster has spoken out with Irish gambling company Boyle Sports about the various resignations from the DP World Tour.

Foster, who caddies for Matthew Fitzpatrick, obviously has strong feelings about Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter resigning and therefore effectively ending their association with the Ryder Cup and any chance of captaining Europe.

With all the cumulative fines DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has been handing out, which have reached the million pound mark in some cases, the players seem to have been left with no option. Foster, who has caddied for both Westwood and Garcia previously, said he was dismayed at the way ”the saga has unfolded. Personally speaking something needs to be worked out.”

He can understand both sides but still feels it is a “travesty” they will not be captains after what they have done for the European Tour over so many years. He concedes that some people say they made their choice but also feels you can’t blame them for their decision.

Foster concluded saying having grown up with these lads for up to 30 years and seen what they have done it is so sad.

IS WOODS IN DENIAL?

A story by Rick Broadbent in British newspaper The Times recently suggested Tiger Woods is in denial after watching his forlorn and painful play in The Masters in the United States in April.

Woods made a record-equalling 23rd consecutive cut, a nebulous accolade in the scheme of things along with back to back double bogeys for the first time in his Masters’ career. Add to that being six over par through seven holes in the third round.

His fight against age and worse, his self inflicted injuries, shows no signs of ending. His right foot was the problem at The Masters and now it has been revealed he has undergone ankle surgery with no date for his recovery.

Yes, he has announced he will return to competitive play on a more limited schedule around the majors, his events including father and son, providing everything goes well with his recovery. Maybe Broadbent is right about denial. Time will tell.

BROKEN FRIENDSHIPS — REAL FRIENDS?

True friends really stand by each other in loyalty through thick and thin as they say. Normally it should only take some significant disloyalty or serious action to end a friendship. However that appears to not be the case when you play on the LIV Golf tour.

Bryson DeChambeau revealed his (so he thought) good friend and mentor Tiger Woods has cut him off. The pair used to play practice rounds together. DeChambeau said he has been a great friend. “I texted him on his birthday. It is what it is.”

The Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia friendship came to an abrupt end with McIlroy cutting Garcia off with caustic comments. This did no one any good and only inflamed the situation with Garcia responding that McIlroy was lacking maturity. McIlroy was groomsman at Garcia’s wedding but this obviously meant little to McIlroy.

Then we had the public termination by that pillar of decency Fred Couples of his great friendship with Phil Mickelson. However, these and a few less public ones, are the exception. DeChambeau says apart from Woods he gets along fine with other players. Bubba Watson said he gets on fine with his fellow players and has nothing against anyone. He feels the media stirs things up and makes it awkward.

USGA’S CUNNING MOVE TO EXCLUDE LIV PLAYERS

United States’ Golf Association (USGA) chief executive Mike Whan copped a blast from Phil Mickelson over a cunning move that will exclude Talor Gooch from a deserved place at the US Open.

Criteria for the US Open has always been that those players who qualified for the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship qualified for the following year’s US Open field.

However the USGA changed that to “those players who were qualified and eligible” in February 2023 for the end of season PGA Tour Championship. That of course ruled out any LIV golfers who qualified in 2022 but were then banned by the tour for joining LIV Golf. That ruled out Talor Gooch who played in The Masters, the PGA Championship and will also play in The Open in England.

Whan defended the move but that did not wash with Mickelson who stuck up for Gooch’s unfair treatment. The only way Gooch can qualify is by being in the top 60 of the world rankings by the two cut off dates ending June 12th. He is currently just outside the top 60.

Pga Money Chest A Reality

Phil Mickelson suggested earlier in 2022 that the PGA Tour had plenty of money at its disposal that could be offered to its players.

Tiger Woods strongly denied that the tour was flush with money. He said: “We (PGA Tour)” took out an enormous loan during the pandemic and the tour would only have lasted through one more year of the pandemic.”

That turned out to be a load of hogwash, according to the PGA Tour. It confirmed no loan was taken out. It used reserves and mitigating actions.

Mickelson revealed the bald available facts that are available to all. He said you can Google the figures in 2018 which show $US1.6 billion in stocks, $US700 million in cash and $US1.15 billion in non liquid assets. All from the non profit section.

The for-profit section has not been stated since 2012 but was more than the non profit section at the time. The recent actions of the PGA Tour in unlocking enormous millions to double and treble and more the prizemoney for so many of its events would tend to suggest Mickelson was on the money.

Liv Players Respected The Masters

Despite various rumblings, LIV players did everything they could to honour and respect The Masters experience in April. There were no LIV logos or team logos worn by players despite warnings there would be.

Apparently the players in the field held a meeting beforehand and agreed not to wear LIV Golf logos out of respect for the tournament. Brooks Koepka sported the Nike logo. Despite media trying to stir him with questions about why he wasn’t wearing his team logo he simply said: “I have a team but I’m sponsored by Nike.”

Dp World Tour An Upmarket Korn Ferry Tour

That is the word according to three- time Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher. He feels the DP World Tour’s strategic alliance with the PGA Tour may lead to it being an upmarket Korn Ferry Tour which is the secondary golf circuit to the PGA Tour in the US. Gallacher made the remark to James Corrigan of British newspaper The Telegraph.

Gallacher, who was on the board of the former European Tour, said it always wanted to retain its independence and own decision making. However, it always found ways for its best players to play the PGA Tour through World Golf championships and the majors. But it was only the very top end able to do so. But with the top 10 each year certain to get PGA cards now, he fears they will just become an upmarket Korn Ferry Tour. That may even be a generous rating.

He has merely reiterated the words of Lee Westwood who has been saying for some time that the DP World Tour is now just a feeder for the PGA Tour. A recent regular DP World Tour event, the Saudal Open in Belgium, offered $US2 million prizemoney and probably supported the words of Gallacher and Westwood.

I may be open to a minor correction but it appears there were only two top 100 players in the field ranked 84 (finished third) and 87 (seventh}. The winner ranked 242nd, second ranked 161 and of the rest of the top 15 finishers only three ranked higher than 218. A majority in the field seemed to be in the 300, 400, 500 and much higher rankings.

Golf Booms In Australia

Australia is like New Zealand enjoying the golf boom. Club membership in Australia is at 426,384 which is up 2.7 percent. Women and girls’ share is 79,704, up four percent.

Total participation numbers in Australia are 2.7 million which is made up of 800,000 just on course (not including driving ranges, mini golf centres and simulators). There was a total of 700,000 both on and off course and 1.2 million just off course.

A get into golf programme for adults grew by 65 percent with an 84 percent jump for females. The overall membership increases are the second largest since data collection began in 1970.