Golfing News & Blog Articles

Monday’s final round of the Tour Championship on NBC drew a 2.4 rating, essentially the same as the previous week’s BMW (2.23). However, that event finished later in the day and on a Sunday. It also featured arguably the most spectacular late dramatics since Tiger’s 2019 Masters win.

But the Tour Championship is also supposed to be the culmination of the PLAYOFFS(C) and now features an easier-to-follow, if flawed, format. Drawing a number consistent with other “Return to Golf” events might be disappointing to the event backers.

Also, TV folks say Labor Day Monday is generally tougher for ratings in normal times. Yet with fewer people traveling, not as many kids returning to school and absolutely no significant sports competition that day, this year’s edition seemed primed for a large audience.

The rating could be seen as a positive given that a fan-free East Lake was even more mojo-free than normal and the event lacked certain ratings draws.

Ratings positives courtesy of NBC and Golf Channel:

Heard someone place 45k on me to win the open at 75-1 (pays 3.3 mil)
Hoping for both of us I have a 3 shot lead on 18 tee.

You have to love Lefty’s sense of humor as the U.S. Open returns to Winged Foot where he had a strong chance to win in 2006, on of six (!) runner-up finishes in the national championship.

He replied to the news that someone has faith in his abilities next week, as reported by William Hill where the wager was placed.

Whoa! Someone dropped $45k Thursday on Phil to win @usopengolf at #WingedFoot for a potential return of $3.375 million with @WilliamHillUS in Vegas.

Guy may or may not have been wearing aviators and lost a lot of weight recently.

With the 14th, the mid-back nine closing stretch is where Winged Foot West gets a little less memorable in my view. While this 452-yarder features a beautiful uphill, obstructed view tee shot. I’ll be curious to see if the tight, bending fairway contour forces 3-woods off the tee. Even then it’ll still be a short iron in for today’s jocks.

That said, the 14th is a hole to keep an eye on. The green sets up for a right-to-left bending shot but lacks a greenside bunker that players from 2006 will not see. Instead, deceptive cross bunkers are its main defense in addition to the usual Tillinghast contours.

Dan Hicks, NBC’s lead voice on the broadcast and a Winged Foot member, shared this about the 14th when talking about the course this week:

But there are so many that are, they're all good and I think probably the hole that probably looks, it will look the most different from all of them is 14. It's got that little cloverleaf bunker over the teeing area as you go out to the fairway. They brought a bunker in that's going to, that could cause some problems on the approach. But the biggest difference is the tree removal. That 14th green looks totally different from the fairway because as you look up it has this infinity look to it, it's absolutely gorgeous. They took away that bunker short left of the green, so I think that hole will look the most different of all of them.

Here’s the flyover in advance of next week’s tournament courtesy of the USGA and Deloitte:

In golf architecture we have seen Mother Nature’s natural features accepted no matter how annoying. While design elements created by humans are typically met with derision.

Then we have unnatural objects accepted as part of a tournament setup: grandstands, temporary boundaries and other infrastructure. In recent years, grandstanding has become a thing at recent PGA Tour stops in Austin and Detroit, where players intentionally using unnatural objects to get a good bounce or drop.

And now, the ultimate backstopping at this week’s ANA Inspiration. The reachable par-5 18th, normally backed by a small stand for humans, features a blue tarp wall with sponsors promoted. However without fans, such an option was unnecessary and is not only stopping balls from entering the water long, but getting used as a backboard by those mulling a go at the green in two.

Ryan Lavner reports for GolfChannel.com on the player’s “surprise” at seeing the blue wall.

“I was actually thinking about what 18 would be like without the bleachers, because visually, that is just a protector for most of us,” said Madelene Sagstrom, who shot 67. “I know there’s water behind it, and I don’t think that would visually be a very nice shot to go for in two. I don’t really know the reasoning for the thing, but I’m kind of happy it’s there if I want to go for it in two, to be honest.”

First-round leader Nelly Korda said that fellow competitor Megan Khang threw a ball underneath the structure and it still rolled into the water behind the green.

“Honestly, I wish they didn’t have that wall there, because I think it would play really cool as an island green,” Korda said. “It’s, like, really close to the green this year. Usually the palm trees, you have to play around them or they come into play, but this year it’s very close to the green.”

North Carolina’s John Locke Foundation “believes in free markets, limited constitutional government, and personal responsibility” and clearly holds no affinity for the state’s governor, Roy Cooper. The organization’s founder Art Pope, was the budget director for former Republican governor Pat McCrory, who lost to Cooper.

Some political stuff to keep in mind in Kari Travis’s story talking to two of their researchers charged with monitoring the state’s government and no fans of the legislative deal to bring more USGA to the Tar Heel State.

In a nutshell: they are not fans of deal re-written legislation passed and hastily signed this week securing 35 $80k+ USGA jobs, the move of various departments from Far Hills, and future majors for North Carolina.

“I’m so tired of these things, I can’t even work up fire for it,” Joe Coletti, JLF’s senior fellow for fiscal and tax policy, said after the USGA announcement. “This is the state helping Pinehurst Resort with something that was probably gonna happen anyway.”

Coletti has spent countless hours tracking North Carolina’s economic struggle through the governor’s COVID-19 shutdown. In short, he’s exhausted. And now, despite the state’s significant tax losses and slumping economy, the legislature managed to scrape together enough money for a golf deal. 

As with many states in the COVID era, North Carolina’s hospitality industry is in trouble and Colletti takes issue with the lack of any immediate effort to help the sector.

The project will yield $2 billion for North Carolina’s economy over 25 years, USGA estimates. 

“None of these numbers are real, except for what’s being paid out by the state,” Coletti said. 

The last time Winged Foot hosted, Geoff Ogilvy won with an incredible up-and-down at 18 to edge a host of players, including Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie. (Geoff joins Andy Johnson on the Fried Egg podcast to discuss that and other topics, as always a great listen.)

At GolfDigest.com, Joel Beall makes a reasonable case that Phil Mickelson cost himself that U.S. Open with plenty of other shots. But let’s be real, it’s the 18th hole still being discussed 14 years later.

This week on an NBC conference call to discuss next week’s tournament, Roger Maltbie offered this about the moment he witnessed firsthand as on-course commentator:

Well, certainly for some period of time it was as talked about as anything that I've ever witnessed, whether it was Tiger's putt two years later in 2008 that Danny called so well at Torrey Pines or -- good or bad, the question that I received over and over again and I obviously have no answer for is, what was he thinking? I don't know. I don't know. Phil carries that bravado and aggressive style of play with him all the time, but there is a real line there as to what is aggressive, what is bold, and what is foolhardy. And I think he ventured on to the side of foolhardy and tried a shot that, hey, it was not the right decision to make and he paid the price, a big price.

And this from Dan Hicks, who helmed the broadcast alongside Johnny Miller and will do so again this year. He’s also a member at Winged Foot and will bring that extra bit of insight to the proceedings:

The thirteenth is a solid par-3 and a fine test of skill, but this one just doesn’t capture hearts and minds like the tenth. It could be the location or the distance or the more seemingly generous opening to the green.

That relative simplicity of the left-to-right favoring look is offset by the pitch, contours and all but impossible back hole locations. Just a tough par-3.

Winged Foot's 13th is a 212-yard par 3 that puts a premium on distance control. The front two-thirds of the green slope significantly from back to front, so landing on the wrong level will result in a very challenging two-putt.

In collaboration with @DeloitteUS. pic.twitter.com/6f23EC2Nr5

At 633 yards with a giant tree blocking the way for players trying to get home in two, we might have an actual three-shotter on our hands. Winged Foot West’s 12th bends to the left and even after a stock 330-yard drive does open up a view of the beautifully restored putting surface.

Note the roll 2/3rds of the way through the green where the surface goes away from the player. A very different twist on a course where many greens slope steeply back to front.

The 633-yard, par-5 12th at Winged Foot is the longest hole on the course. Clearing an 80-foot-tall tree at the turn of the dogleg with the second shot is imperative to allow a clear view of the green.

In collaboration with @DeloitteUS. pic.twitter.com/CBgdFrlGRr

As a 501(c)3, and also the organization started to run national championships, protect the amateur game and make rules, I continue to struggle with this notion of the USGA moving into the business of growing the business of golf while tabling a decision on distance.

Besides giving a huge gift to Pinehurst Resort—which at least provides an elite tournament venue and is an American institution any golfer can appreciate—they’ve secured future U.S. Opens and new office space in a temperate climate. All good. (Well, except when when put in this carnal manner by a USGA ambassador.)

But it’s a bit odd to be reading how an amateur golf organization is actively looking to expand a role into areas that might include businesses they also regulate for the good of the game (alongside the R&A).

In Mike Stachura’s GolfDigest.com piece about Wednesday’s ceremonial signing in North Carolina, he quotes the USGA’s Chief Brand Officer Craig Annis, a former candy bar executive who positioned Mars as a leader in health and well being.

Annis explains the timeline of the deal announced today and suggests the USGA pursued government assistance, not the other way around.

Any concerns you had that next week’s U.S. Open was all business, only allowing essential folks on site and not just Hale America 2, can rest assured, Danny Noonan is only coming out of retirement for the practice rounds, reports the New York Post’s Mark Cannizzaro.

The story is a fun look back at some of actor Michael O’Keefe’s backstory in jokingly throwing this idea out at Golf.com and his interesting tie to Winged Foot, along with the pro golfer who will go for the stunt, Danny Balin, and the looping gig broker, Michael Breed.

Asked if he plans to bring a lighter carry bag for O’Keefe next week, Balin said, “No, he’ll be carrying the full tour bag. I’m going to put him to work.’’

Balin said he DVRed “Caddyshack’’ on Tuesday night even though he estimated he’s watched the movie “15 or 20 times.’’

“I’m going to have to watch it to get the one-liners down so I can give it to him,’’ Balin said. “Because I’m going to be all over him during this whole … stunt.’’

Michael Breed, the former Golf Channel instructional personality who now teaches at Trump Ferry Point, was the middle man to this transaction, reaching out to Balin, his fellow Met Area pro, and pitching the idea of O’Keefe caddying for him.

“I try to take this somewhat serious, so I would never do this during a tournament round,’’ Balin said. “But I was like, ‘Yeah this will be cool. Danny Noonan. Monday and Tuesday.’ It’ll be a fun couple of days. It’ll lighten the mood up.’’

The USGA plans to have some fun with this, making it a social media event on its platforms.

Thank you for the warning.

The other short par-4 at Winged Foot is a visual gem with granite, strong fairway slope, attractive bunkering and a picturesque second shot.

The 384-yard 11th is arguably one of the more memorable on the property and could highlight how the game has changed since the West Course last hosted in 2006.

Given its distinct fairway tilt and narrowness, the intrigue during this year’s tournament may center around whether players automatically lay-up with an iron, or, use their strengthened ransverses abdominis’ to carry the ball 330 and gouge a lob wedge onto the green.

Another enjoyable flyover courtesy of the USGA and Deloitte:

Since we’ve had some idea what was coming—state funded incentives to bring more tournaments and USGA facilities to North Carolina—the main headline for golf fans involves the acceleration of a U.S. Open rota, as noted in the press release below. The positives are obvious: more regular returns to great venues, the downside being the excitement and intrigue that comes from occasional visits to a Merion, Los Angeles Country Club or Bethpage.

For Immediate Release…with interruptions.

USGA Announces Plans for Golf House Pinehurst, Test Center and 
Five U.S. Open Championships at Pinehurst

Agreement establishes a golf innovation hub in North Carolina and the
organization’s first U.S. Open anchor site  

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Sept. 9, 2020) – In an effort to expand its impact in golf and extend its mission to champion and advance the game, the USGA will establish “Golf House Pinehurst” in North Carolina, to include a new equipment-testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitor center and offices by 2023, and host five U.S. Open Championships in the golf-rich state by 2047.

We were delighted to welcome former Open champion Paul Lawrie to officially open our new 7th hole on the Championship Course 😊 Taking time out from this week's @tartanprotour event, Paul even made birdie at the first attempt! Look out for the footage soon... 👌 📸 @johnpaulfoto . . . #royaldornochlinks #friendsofroyaldornoch #lawrie #theopen #scottishhighlands #seventh #scenic #instagolf #golflife #linksgolf #photography #film

It’s not often that a nearly perfect golf course to get just a bit more perfect, so this a salute to Royal Dornoch for hosting the Lawrie Series/Tartan Pro Golf and unveiling a revamped 7th.

If you’ve had the privilege or dream of some day getting there, you likely know the walk from 6 to 7 at Royal Dornoch is one of the best in golf and while the view is elite, the revamp allows you to keep enjoying that scenery while playing a better-positioned version of the old hole.

As for the Tartan event, Chris Maclean subsequently won with rounds of 66-69. That’s some fine play.

The epic view looking down on the sixth and tenth before turning to the new seventh (you may need to click on the image and hit play to see the video):

CBS Sports President Sean McManus previewed the NFL season and Sunday, November 15th came up—aka rescheduled 2020 Masters week.

The final round sounds as if it’ll have a similar setup to the 2019 Masters when tee times were moved up to get play in before inclement weather. This time, however, the expedited start will be making room for a mash up of mediocrity between 2019’s 5-11 Miami Dolphins against the 7-9 New York Jets.

What Clifford Roberts might have said to member/NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on that news? Maybe a passive-aggressive Heidi reference? Or a reminder that the Masters only happens once a year? Or…if you’d like to keep wearing that green jacket you’ll move this massive meeting of mediocrity?

Anyway, a 7:30-9 am or so setup, featuring threesomes off split tees, will be used again to accommodate the NFL on CBS based on the below Tweet and confirmation I received of the general window from CBS:

CBS sports chairman Sean McManus says Masters final round will end by 2:30 or so on Nov. 15 to make way for 3 NFL games at 4:05,including Fins-Jets.Also, in this ongoing call with writers,Romo explained to me why he likes how Dolphins are doing this rebuild.(More on this shortly)

I couldn’t help but scratch my head reading Laura Douglas’ excellent Pilot story on the forthcoming marriage of the USGA and Pinehurst, complete with more majors, more USGA jobs and more exposure for golf lovers to the organization’s collection.

The downside? Some will not be thrilled at all of the tax breaks given to a for-profit resort and a tax-exempt 501(c)3 which specifically mentions such charitable organizations are forbidden from attempting “to influence legislation”:

County leaders unanimously approved a 10-year incentive grant for the project primarily in the form of tax breaks calculated as 90 percent of the total property taxes paid above and beyond the current property tax value — provided the USGA meets job creation and capital investment goals. Funding would be paid from new tax revenues collected as a result of the organization’s investment.

More disconcerting for those who believe the USGA is to govern the game is the suggestion of trying to create a new golf manufacturing and business community in Pinehurst. These are the folks in charge of regulating such matters, yet seem to be in the business of trying to be part of growing the overall golf business in North Carolina.

From Douglas in the Pilot:

John Dell reports for the Winston-Salem Journal on the USGA moving its museum, Arnold Palmer Golf History Center, Green Section and ball testing from the recent multi-million dollar renovated Golf House to Pinehurst. The move comes less than a week after North Carolina’s legislature voted on a bill to subsidize a significant chunk of the cost for new facilities with the USGA on the hook for at least $5 million worth.

”Project Woodpecker” requires the creation of 35 new local jobs and a staff of 50 for ten years, along with multiple championships and a corporate hospitality tent for local politicos.

From Dell’s report:

The moves of the museum, the ball-testing facility and the agronomy department from headquarters in Liberty Corner, N.J., were confirmed Tuesday by a source who did not want to be identified. A news conference at the Pinehurst Resort to make a formal announcement is expected Wednesday morning.

In exchange for up to $43 million in incentives from N.C. lawmakers to the USGA, golf fans in the state can expect to see more USGA events, including its most high-profile, played more often in North Carolina. Legislation requires the USGA to host a major men's championship at least once every five to seven years and one major women's championship at least every 10 years.

The best player of the year award for my money is free of politics and top secret votes. Unfortunately, it lands well before 2020’s schedule has played out. With two majors to go, the PGA of America has opted to acknowledge the PGA Tour’s wraparound schedule pandemic push that centered around the FedExCup holding its dates, followed by a “new” season this week in Napa.

In return, the system used to determine winner failed to acknowledge the FedExCup champ in the top 4 spots despite an incredible run by Dustin Johnson, putting the playoff’s place in a surprising historical context given the shortened season placing even more emphasis on those events (theoretically at least).

PGA Tour players and the Golf Writers Association of America will award POY winners in September and December, respectively.

For Immediate Release:

JUSTIN THOMAS CAPTURES SECOND CAREER PGA OF AMERICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Webb Simpson wins his first Vardon Trophy

Mike Dougherty of the Rockland/Westchester Journal News stopped in at Winged Foot where the rescheduled U.S. Open is set to start next week.

The focus appears to be on winning scores and rough, which is too bad since such projections rarely end well.

There is plenty of good stuff about the agronomic shift the club had to make due to the pandemic and the tournament’s new mid-September playing.

Speaking to superintendent Steve Rabideau about the hoped for outcome of preparations, it seems a high winning score would be gratifying.

As he reached into the rough to retrieve the golf ball Tuesday, Rabideau quietly offered a familiar refrain.

“Plus-8. Plus-8. Plus 8. … That would cap a very difficult summer,” he said. “And my guys know that’s what I’ve been thinking.”

Several of them were applying fertilizer to the rough nearby.

While it’s hardly a surprise that September in the greater Palm Springs area is dangerously hot, seeing the forecast for this week’s rescheduled ANA Inspiration still elicits the obvious question: why?

Obviously television and other tournament needs somehow left this date to the women for 2020’s second major championship.

Still, the Desert Sun’s Larry Bohannan tackles the very legitimate question: how hot is too hot?

The LPGA decided last week to allow caddies to use carts.

My daily Tour Championship Mindfulness session started after the 15th hole and ended with Dustin Johnson in the 18th fairway. In between I had this strange dream that he announced he was donating a nice chunk to a Tour charity hit hard by the pandemic AND finally marry Paulina. That’s why they’re called dreams.

Anyway, the 2020 playing at East Lake was mildly interesting at times, but without fans and only two dangerous shots to a PGA Tour (as Paul Azinger noted…8th and 15th tees), this 2020 Tour Championship will elicit as many fond memories as the year it was played.

Year two of the staggered scoring system ultimately rewarded the best player in the playoffs, where Dustin Johnson was -45, well clear of next closest competitor Jon Rahm (-29). But due to the staggered start, Johnson had to work much harder than necessary given his playoff dominance. I point this out for those taking seriously the importance and excitement of the season long race and playoffs.

The twist: a legit scoring system would have been even less dramatic Sunday if the old format was in place, with Xander Schauffele winning a Tour Championship and Johnson the FedExCup.

As Brian Wacker reports for GolfDigest.com, this is Johnson’s 23rd PGA Tour win and installs him as the favorite at Winged Foot in just over a week. The FedExCup as a piece to his Hall of Fame puzzle was noted by Sean Martin at PGATour.com.