When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Yet another gem from the European Tour team, this time the pranksters were Matt Wallace and Søren Kjeldsen joining forces with “Fake Pundit” Seán Burke. They put the abrsplen Scottish Open field through awkward interview questions. Tip of the cap to Sky Sports for loaning the real mic and stage. And to mostly non-Americans for showing up to do an interview at all, even if it was for purely viral reasons.
While I’d like to find humor in the awertwqret Scottish Open situation involving Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, this could have been a total disaster. Apparently post-COVID there needs to be a reminder that marshals and security guards are needed more than ever to protect players from fans. Or fans from players.
Two beauties over the last two days:
Here's an angle that shows the thieving golf fan prepare to tee off with Rory McIlroy's club and club head cover. But he took to long though... pic.twitter.com/gpdnLQkSMr
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 9, 2021
**Update: the players were asked and were not alarmed by it. They aren’t paid to be smart. From ESPN.com’s Connor O’Halloran’s story:
"I was surprised. Everyone saw what happened on TV," McIlroy said when asked about the incident. "It was handled efficiently and everything was OK. I had no idea who it was."
"Me and Rory didn't say anything," added Jon Rahm, who set the early clubhouse target with a 65 to go 11 under overall on Day 2. "He was holding a 6-iron and I didn't want to get hurt.
"It didn't put anyone off. If anything, it put a smile on our faces. It will be a pretty good story to tell in the future."
The one that comes with a knife next time will be a story to tell, too.
Also, the gentleman treating the trespasser as if he was asking for directions is rather astoundingly kind. We love the Scots and their hospitality but in this case? Where is Stevie Williams when you need him?
An AP account included this statement from the European Tour:
“At approximately 8am on Friday morning, a spectator entered the tenth tee area,” a statement from the European Tour read. “He was quickly escorted from the tee by security personnel and the matter is in the hands of Police Scotland.”
If that’s a quick escort from the tee…
And here is Vijay Singh hitting this recovery shot at the U.S. Senior Open. Why the fans were not moved a little wider is beyond me, or what was in that ball to cause the poor man to go down so hard is also a mystery. I’m sure Vijay got him another beer though.
Turned on the US Senior Open for one second and this is what comes on. @BrendanPorath @the_woke_yolk pic.twitter.com/dYncnextUR
— Ben Cousins (@cousins_ben) July 8, 2021
You may recall Brandon Stone’s wife got him some Longhorn-themed hickories during what turned out to be a victorious 2018 Scottish Open win. While he was mostly enamored with burnt orange grips applied at the Jack White shop in Gullane, the South African and Texas Longhorn went on to take his hickories to the Old Course.
I mention all this to point out he was not going into this sampling session for GolfTV without hitting hickories before. His strikes with the old irons are particularly impressive. And so is Stone’s swing, no matter what club he’s hitting.
How about try old equipment with the modern ball?
— Mark Salazar (@salazama) July 7, 2021
Taking cover on The Maiden, a long time ago (A History Of Royal St George’s Golf Course)
This Quad went out to all subscribers because not much excites me more than links season kicking off, all two weeks of it on the men’s side (though we do get the Women’s Open at Carnoustie this year as a bonus). ‘
I’ll also be revisiting the course history and other topics like cross-country golf in upcoming Quadrilaterals, so make sure you sign up and join to ensure a full-Open Championship experience.
Jonathan Caldwell won the Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam and featuring 78 men and 78 women competing against each other for the first time. Alice Hewson finished solo third. Mike Purkey with the details here.
Caldwell’s emotional interview:
Caldwell's emotional winner's interview 😢#ScandinavianMixed pic.twitter.com/asCJiB7RXL
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 13, 2021
I thought this was particularly nice work by the European Tour’s social team to document the differences in bags. I didn’t see the women outnumber the men with wedges:
Equipment used at the #ScandinavianMixed.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 13, 2021
Data provided by @SMSInc_UK. pic.twitter.com/TGV7Q6iFer
I remember it clear as day and still have no idea how Seve Ballesteros cut a shot into The Belfry’s bizarro 10th green. That was the 1989 Ryder Cup and it turns out, he also did it 1985 (embed below).
For this week’s Betfred British Masters, host Danny Willett was joined by Pablo Larrazabal & Renato Paratore in trying to recreate one of the most iconic shots in course history.
The yardage: 265 yards. The trio used replicas of Seve’s persimmon driver.
I won’t spoil too much but you might guess, it took a while to get adjusted to the old clubs. Extra kudos for the creativity, effort and cheap entertainment.
Richard Bland’s Betfred British Masters win made for an extra-gratifying Saturday viewing experience, as the ultimate journeyman captured win one in 478 European Tour appearances.
The 48-year-old overcame Italian Guido Migliozzi’s best effort—including a huge par at the difficult (well, maybe goofy) 18th—to win a sudden-death playoff.
The win was noticed and celebrated all over the world.
While it won’t earn him a spot in next week’s PGA, he is lining up for a U.S. Open spot should he desire. From the European Tour notes:
The victory also puts him in pole position for a chance to earn a place in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in June. The top ten aggregate Race to Dubai points earners (not otherwise exempt) at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA and Porsche European Open will earn a place in the third Major Championship of the year.
Bland sunk this long birdie putt to ultimately land in a playoff against Migliozzi:
What a way to finish! 👏👏👏@blandy73 // #BetfredBritishMasterspic.twitter.com/6brTREgx3j
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 15, 2021
Even the consummate pro interviewer (and Bland’s instructor) Tim Barter let his guard down and had a discernible throat lump. A teaser of the interview below, which can be viewed in full here including an wonderful video chat with his parents.
"I've done it."
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 15, 2021
In his 478th event on the @EuropeanTour, @blandy73 made his dream a reality. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/r0KDrweleN
The Guardian’s Ewan Murray wonders why the Golf Saudi-backed Super Golf League is not dying the same quick death as the European Super League:
Mickelson, DeChambeau and others can apparently entertain offers from the Saudis of eye-watering sums of money without anyone focusing on why they might associate with such a controversial – or abhorrent, depending on one’s level of background reading – regime. Authoritarianism for golfers? “How big is the cheque?”
When the European Super League crashed around the ears of the very executives who thought they had devised the perfect closed shop, it was against the backdrop of fury from supporters. There is no golf equivalent of that; save the Ryder Cup, which takes place once every two years, this really is not a tribal environment. Another key difference is that football clubs had already committed to their lucrative breakaway. Golfers have thus far only been in lengthy negotiations over a plan that would result in the PGA and European Tours losing players to a 14-event global environment where team and individual elements combine.
Given that the money is definitely from the Crown Prince’s Golf Saudi and not entirely sexy from a fan perspective—given reports of a Middle East-heavy schedule—it is odd the Premier Golf League ripoff is lingering.
Padraig Harrington shared his views of the proposed Super Golf League backed by Golf Saudi, including possible Ryder Cup ramifications.
Harrington fears that if the Saudis do keep pushing on, the issue could end in court, particularly as the SGL seems only to be planning for 10-12 events a year and not the 18-20 first mooted. “It is interesting because you could see somebody playing the SGL’s 12 tournaments and also playing 15 Tour events to satisfy their membership regulations,” the Irishman said.
That’s a big schedule for today’s stars who are, in part (after the money), intrigued by these proposed concepts because they reduce the schedule and theoretically work around the majors.
It’s fascinating to see how many players who will not rule out the latest world tour concept even as it’s been revealed to be even more directly funded by Saudi Arabia. Or that it’s a possibly-stolen concept and all of this after PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan (reportedly) drew a line in the sand.
Fascinating given that it feels like a shift for some players from a year ago when the Premier League concept was discussed. But why?
Do players see signs of the European Tour either fading away or getting swallowed (and inevitably muzzled to death) by Cult Ponte Vedra? That would condense their loyalties have been condensed to a pair of options.
Also surprising: there are more blatant Saudi ties to the “SGL” concept and the money source does not seem to have caused players much concern.
Anyway, GolfChannel.com’s Rex Hoggard filed this look at player comments and the surprising open-mindedness or shifting curiousities. One standout portion:
Asked about the then-PGL concept last year, Adam Scott also seemed to be squarely in the “interested” category.
“Selfishly, for me, there is some appeal. I might have the opportunity to park myself up in Australia for a little bit if I’m being selfish,” Scott said.
And Patrick Reed said this, “Honestly I have my team grabbing all the information about it, and I don't know enough about it yet to really say anything about it, but once we get all the information, I'll go make my mind up later on."
Tommy Fleetwood appears to have adjusted his outlook toward the SLG since he was asked about the proposed circuit last year.
“Money is one side of it, world ranking points is a side of it. The Ryder Cup is always such a huge thing on people's minds, European and American,” he said. “There's a lot that goes into the criteria of why people play where they play. … I know [Monahan] has a very, very firm stance on it. We'll see where that leads.”
Nice work by the Firepit Collective’s Alan Shipnuck to report on the difference between this week’s leaked Super Golf League concept, back by Golf Saudi, and the idea we’ve recently known as the Premier Golf League.
The reason for the confusion in early reports appears a simple one: Golf Saudi has taken the framework for the “PGL” and made it their own.
I can confirm from a well-placed source and separate of Shipnuck’s report: the PGL remains a separate entity with aspirations still tied to their initial plans first revealed here a year ago.
The confusion stems from Golf Saudi essentially lifting the format and concept. I know, you’re shocked.
Shipnuck writes:
After the idea for the PGL was born in 2019 there were advanced discussions with Golf Saudi to underwrite the all-star new tour. A deal was never consummated and now Saudi Arabia is making its own play with the Super Golf League. “They 100% stole our idea,” says the PGL investor, who hails from Europe.
There are substantial differences between the two would-be tours. The Super Golf League is conceived as 10-12 tournaments a year based in the Mid East and in particular Saudi Arabia, which has a stated goal of building dozens of new golf courses and introducing a million citizens to the game over the next decade. Golf Saudi’s motivation in creating the SGL is continued reputation-laundering for the brutal regime that supports it.
The Premier Golf League was backed by Raine Group for a time, but are no longer fronting the PGL concept after merger talks with the European Tour fell through. Shipnuck explains where the PGL stands:
Having parted ways with the Saudis, the PGL is now staked by three dozen investors described by the insider as “guys who own existing sports franchises, high net-worth individuals who love golf and multinational corporations.” It is a mix of mostly American and European interests. The schedule would be comprised of 18 tournaments running January-October. The Tour would begin in Florida, migrate to Australia and Asia before returning the Southeastern U.S. ahead of the Masters. Ensuing tournaments would be played Stateside through the U.S. Open, followed by a long swing through Europe and then a return to Asia, with the grand finale contested back in America. Each tournament would have 48 players vying for a purse of $20 million. (Winner’s checks would approach $4 million while last place would pay out $250K; there is no cut.) Each event would crown an individual stroke play champion but there would be a concurrent, season-long 4-man team competition that would be decided in the season finale.
That does leave behind specifics on a team element that was a huge part of the PGL concept (and which I think remains fascinating both for fans and perhaps changing the commercialization of pro events).
Shipnuck’s story goes on to detail the world of Saudi Arabia if you are interested.
Rory McIlroy has steadfastly disliked the various iterations of the Super Golf League and even sarcastically noted some of its past names before offering this prior to the Wells Fargo Championship.
I was surprised at the cash grab angle, but otherwise the remarks are consistent with his past disdain for the concept.
And then with the SGL, yeah, look, they first contacted me back in 2014, so this is seven years down the line and nothing has really changed. Maybe the source of the money's changed or the people that are in charge have changed, but nothing has happened. No sponsorship deals, no media deals, no players have signed up, no manufacturers have signed up.
Manufacturers? They don’t sponsor events and rarely get near grow the game initiatives so I’m not sure they will be joining the frey.
There's been so many iterations at this point. I think people ‑‑ you go back to what happened last week in Europe with the European Super League in football. People can see it for what it is, which is a money grab, which is fine if that's what you're playing golf for is to make as much money as possible. Totally fine, then go and do that if that's what makes you happy.
BTW, FYI…500 FedExCup points on the line this week!
But I think the top players in the game, I'm just speaking my own personal beliefs, like I'm playing this game to try to cement my place in history and my legacy and to win major championships and to win the biggest tournaments in the world. That's why I'm playing this game. Golf has been very good to me obviously over the years by playing in Europe starting off, coming over to the PGA Tour and playing here. I honestly don't think there's a better structure in place in golf, and I don't think there will be.
You have the strategic partnership as well between Europe and the PGA TOUR and that's only going to strengthen the structure of golf going forward as well in terms of scheduling and all sorts of other stuff and working together a little bit more.
Yeah, I mean, I don't think it was a coincidence that the news came out yesterday just as the PGA TOUR's having their annual player meeting and Jay's addressing the membership. Yeah, I think you all know my feelings on it and I'm very much against it. I don't see why anyone would be for it.
I could see someone finding 30 million reasons that still allows them to play the majors. And not have to sit in a policy board meeting talking slow play.
Those strong words uttered by Shane Lowry to RTE Radio’s Greg Allen were a blow to the European Tour’s future prospects.
The Irish Golf Desk’s Brian Keogh with the full remarks from the 2019 Open Champion:
“[My daughter] Iris has just turned four and she starting school soon so we have big decisions to be made in the next six months,” Lowry told RTE Radio’s Greg Allen on Saturday Sport. “I think this is where golf is going to be for the foreseeable future, if you want to play at the highest level.”
Alistair Tait reviewed where this leaves the European Tour’s potential star power “drain” and wonders if the “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour may not have addressed the issue. I know, shocking.
Tait writes:
Thankfully, the European Tour still has the Rolex Series events to attract the top Europeans back to their home circuit. However, Covid-19 has had an impact on that series. It consists of just four events this year, down from a high of eight despite a hoped for 10 when the series was announced.
Ryder Cup participation is another reason for the top stars to play in Europe, since only European Tour members can play in the biennial match. But membership only requires a handful of regular starts along with the majors and World Golf Championships.
Whatever way you cut it, the European Tour has its work cut out to stop the talent drain to the PGA Tour becoming a flood. Wonder if that subject was discussed when the “strategic alliance" was agreed?
Begin the countdown clock to the end of the European Tour…I mean, revel in the historic milestone that unfolded as the European Tour welcomed PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan to his first European Tour board meeting.
For Immediate Release and Consternation in Europe:
An historic milestone in the evolution of the Strategic Alliance between the European Tour and the PGA TOUR unfolded today when PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan attended his first European Tour Board Meeting.
Commissioner Monahan’s position on the Board came as part of the partnership – announced last November – which saw the PGA TOUR acquire a minority investment stake in European Tour Productions (ETP), the European Tour’s Media Production company, which produces and distributes content internationally.
David Williams, Chair of the European Tour, welcomed Commissioner Monahan to the virtual meeting from the PGA TOUR’s Florida base, where he is currently involved in a series of meetings with European Tour CEO Keith Pelley.
“I am delighted to welcome Jay Monahan, representing the PGA TOUR, to the Board of the PGA European Tour at this important and historic time for the Tour and for golf development worldwide,” he said. “This illustrates how closely we are aligned now and how closely we will be aligned moving forwards.”
Jay Monahan said: “When we announced the Strategic Alliance last year, I said I was looking forward to working even more closely with the European Tour for the benefit of the men’s professional game and for golf fans around the world. Today was an important step in that journey.”
Veering dangerously to Lepetomane territory with these quotes. And the capitalization…
The Strategic Alliance will see golf’s two major Tours explore all facets of collaboration, working together on strategic commercial opportunities including collaborating on global media rights, as well as in areas such as global scheduling, content, prize funds and playing opportunities for the respective memberships.
Because nothing gets the fan more excited than hearing about playing opportunities.
Granted, it wasn’t golf’s strongest field Antoine Rozner beat in the Qatar Masters but he did it in grand fashion (embeds below).
After leaving himself a long way from the pin on the last, it looked like Rozner needed two putts for a play-off but he drained an incredible double breaker over the ridge to sign for a 67 and finish at eight under.
India's Gaganjeet Bhullar and South African Darren Fichardt finished alongside Migliozzi a shot off the lead, two clear of Welshman Jamie Donaldson and England's Richard McEvoy.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMZ9nMcnQ_F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
