Golfing News & Blog Articles

As Ryan Herrington notes at GolfDigest.com, there was a nice show of emotion from Michael Thompson after winning the 3M Open by one over Adam Long. With the win he gets in the upcoming PGA and U.S. Open, enjoys a two-year exemption and upgrades to the WGC FedEx this week.

The full interview with CBS’ Amanda Balionis.

What it's all about. ❤️🏆

An emotional Michael Thompson discusses why winning the @3MOpen means so much. pic.twitter.com/8ulQJBQaiB

Michael Thompson, who entered the week 151st in the FedEx Cup standings, won the 3M Open by two strokes on Sunday.

There is something especially comforting having the day start with some European Tour golf, even if the field won’t go down as one of the all time great assemblages in golf history. Those who tuned into the Betfred British Masters on Golf Channel were treated to a freakishly good (and fast) performance from 23-year-old Italian Renato Paratore, who played bogey-free for the first 62 holes.

The good news was flowing from Close House, including a triumphant return of European Tour play, a sponsorship extension and positive reviews from most players. But after the final round, host Lee Westwood opened up about his concern for traveling to the U.S. for upcoming majors and as The Guardian’s Ewan Murray notes, it was not the intent to overshadow the proceedings. But he probably did.

Either way, just one of many examples where Paratore wasted little time moving in when it’s his turn:

And he wastes no time! https://t.co/Ovl08gwULa pic.twitter.com/JuZmTbxnWJ

The final round highlights:

Richy Werenski birdied three of the last four holes Saturday to erase a four-stroke deficit and catch Michael Thompson for the 3M Open lead.

Reports from both Bob Harig at ESPN.com and Brian Wacker at GolfDigest.com say a PGA Tour email to players confirms international players, caddies and essential personnel are not subject to quarantine rules, immediately. Both stories report that the new guidance was a direct result of White House intervention.

From Harig’s report:

According to the memo sent by PGA Tour executive Tyler Dennis, players, caddies and essential personnel are now exempt from quarantine rules "as these groups are subject to COVID-19 testing and screening through the Tour's rigorous health and safety protocols throughout a tournament week. This update replaces the 14-day quarantine period currently in place."

Lee Westwood is one of the last top players to have not made the voyage to the U.S. in advance of the upcoming PGA, and will not be despite the rule change. Harig notes this quote after Westwood completed hosting this week’s British Masters.

"It's just not the life I'm used to. I got out on the golf course and I am struggling for motivation a little bit. There is a lot more to consider. The two American tournaments, next week and the following week, I'm still concerned that America doesn't take it (the virus) as seriously as the rest of the world. It still seems to be one of the hotspots for outbreaks. I can control me not getting the virus and take all the measures I can, but somebody might pass it on. I don't really want to get ill with it and I'm slightly asthmatic. If I tested in Memphis I would have to stay there for two weeks... right now there are too many ifs."

Italy's Renato Paratore maintained remarkable consistency to win the British Masters by three strokes, retaining his overnight lead and finishing at 18-under overall at Close House in Northumberland.

International players on the PGA Tour may compete in events in the United States without delay, according to a memo which said the White House had lifted various quarantine rules in place due to the pandemic for "players, caddies and essential personnel."

Michael Thompson and Richy Werenski topped the 3M Open leaderboard going onto the weekend, Tony Finau and Talor Gooch climbed to within a stroke, and stars Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood struggled again Friday.

Italy's Renato Paratore extended his bogey-free run to 56 holes to retain a one-shot advantage after the third round of the British Masters at Close House in Northumberland.

There were glimmerings of possible Premier Golf League activity recently when Jon Rahm was overheard discussing something team-driven to Viktor Hovland (perhaps influencing why the world No. 2, on the cusp of moving to No. 1, did not make the Memorial Featured Group coverage).

Now The Guardian’s Ewan Murray reports several interesting developments: formal offer letters have been sent to players, the European Tour issued a soft non-denial denial over possible partnership discussions, hundreds of millions in guaranteed money are on the table despite the global pandemic, and Murray even references the PGA Tour’s new TV deal possibly funding “commercial incentives” to players.

Those who have been linked with the breakaway include Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Paul Casey. The PGL declined to comment on recent events when approached. Yet whether the PGL can convince elite golfers to offer a commitment against the PGA Tour in particular remains to be seen. As part of a recently agreed broadcasting deal, the PGA Tour agreed to offer commercial incentives to players who provide the greatest value.

The idea of directly paying some players would be a new path for the PGA Tour after remaining principally an independent contractor-driven organization.

Meanwhile in Europe, Chief Keith Pelley has been largely dismissive of the concept even though his Tour and the PGL seem like a potential partnership fit, particularly now that the pandemic has hit the Tour especially hard. This week’s British Masters is playing for 1,250,000 Euros.

Tiger Woods, who tied for 40th at the Memorial Tournament last week, will skip the World Golf Championship event next week in Memphis, Tennessee.

Do you want more spin from your wedges? Sure, we all do.

Forgive us for making this sound like an infomercial, but it’s a fact that most golfers would kill for a bit more wedge spin, especially on those delicate little shots around the green. If you’re one of the nine golfers selected to test Cleveland Golf’s new ZipCore wedges, you might just find what every other golfer is looking for.

There’s plenty of tech packed into these wedges, and playability is at the forefront of the design. To that end, Cleveland doesn’t just promise more spin, but also more consistent spin. Doesn’t that sound good?

Testers Wanted

We are looking for nine dedicated golfers who will provide an in-depth, four-to-six-week commitment to testing the ZipCore wedges.

Testing is open to golfers in the U.S.

With the PGA Championship in less than two weeks, player quarantining is a looming issue for the three postponed 2020 majors. Each may see defections on the international front, with potential questions about the legitimacy of the event without players either able to reasonably gain entry or get situated to play.

The PGA is in very good shape after a recent contender in several majors, England’s Tommy Fleetwood, put in two weeks and then went golfing in the Hamptons before turning up at this week’s 3M Championship.

Other major winners whose situations remain unclear: Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Francesco Molinari, along with Lee Westwood.

Eddie Pepperell is the first player to pass up his exemptions to the PGA at Harding Park and the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

Ewan Murray of The Guardian explains Pepperell’s thinking and includes this quote implying some players have not bided by the quarantine rules:

Three tours, three famous golfers, all teed off and each stopped mid-round for reasons both normal and abnormal.

Most alarming with a major championship looming and having recently recorded a win at the Travelers was Dustin Johnson, who posted 78, talked about his round at the 3M and never mentioned a bad back that was cited for his WD.

From Brian Wacker at GolfDigest.com:

Johnson made no reference to his back in the post-round interview before pulling out of the tournament 30 minutes later.

What it means for him moving forward remains to be seen. Johnson has twice won at TPC Southwind, site of next week’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, and the 2019-’20 season’s first and only major, the PGA Championship, is the following week. Though it’s unlikely he will miss any time.

“He absolutely plans to play,” Johnson’s agent, David Winkle, told Golf Digest in a text message. “He was experiencing some tightness in his back, which requires rest and treatment, both of which he’ll get the next few days."

Johnson missed the cut at last week’s Memorial Tournament with rounds of 80-80.

Richy Werenski broke a tie with Michael Thompson with his ninth and last birdie on a warm, windy afternoon at the 3M Open, which he leads after the opening round thanks to a 63.

Nick Watney, who tested positive for the coronavirus on June 19, shot 66 to share the first-round lead at TPC-Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.It is the first time he shot in the 60s since March.

Tony Finau has split with longtime caddie Greg Bodine. "On a personal level I love the guy and on a business level, I felt it was time for a change in my situation and something just different," he said.

Italy's Renato Paratore produced a fine round of five-under-par 66 to lead at the halfway stage of the British Masters at Close House on Thursday as host Lee Westwood battled to make the cut.

Dustin Johnson withdrew following an opening-round 78 at the 3M Open on Thursday, citing a back injury.

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