Lydia Ko Notches 10th Win With Heavy Heart

Here is the summary from LPGA communications after Lydia Ko won the Fubon Taiwan Championship by nine, her tenth LPGA Tour win coming at nearly 3 1/2 years younger than Nancy Lopez's 10th win.

The victory returns the 18-year-old to the No. 1 ranking and the top spot on a list of incredible players under the age of 25.

Ko did it playing with a heavy heart after learning of the death of Patsy Hankins, New Zealand Golf President who was also one of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's first female members.

Ko dedicated the win to former New Zealand Golf President Patsy Hankins who passed away earlier this week and someone Ko considers a mentor in her junior days.

“And I think I was really playing for Patsy this week,” said Ko. “I think just hearing that on Friday morning broke my heart. She was such a huge factor into my life in my junior golf. To hear that she had passed away was very hard to hear that before you’re entering a round. But kind of just played for her the last three days, and I’m so happy that I can bring this win to her and her family.”

Ko had posted this tribute to Instagram earlier this week:

I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of NZ golf's former president Patsy Hankins. I have so many amazing memories with Patsy that I'll never forget. Patsy was more than just a president of NZ Golf, she was like a mum that loved and cared about each and every one of us. Also I want to thank Patsy for her unconditional support on and off the course. She has been a huge asset on growing golf in New Zealand. God has an angel by his side and I'm sure Patsy will be looking over and be proud of Team NZ. Rest In Peace Patsy... I will miss you so much

A photo posted by Lydia Ko (@lydsko) on Oct 23, 2015 at 3:33am PDT

And this selfie, thanking the sponsor right off the bat.

Thank you very much Fubon and all the other sponsors for your tremendous support! This week has been an amazing experience with so many special memories! This one is for you Patsy ❤️

A photo posted by Lydia Ko (@lydsko) on Oct 25, 2015 at 9:06am PDT

Ben Crane Cites Scripture, Writings Of Davis Love In Self-DQ

If only the feelings of guilt weighing on Ben Crane were as strong when self-reflecting on his daily golf course rudeness, better known as his glacial pace of play!

At least in disqualifying himself over a hazard grounding only he witnessed, Crane has indicated he is capable of feeling guilty. Just not about being the least considerate golfer on the PGA Tour.

It's a start!

Regarding his Shriners Hospital Open DQ, Crane cites the biblical interpretations of Davis Love on playersdevotional.com.

Honoring the rules of golf (even obscure ones) is 1 of the things that makes it special. Here's why I DQ'd myself ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dYkTN7Gzbf

— Ben Crane (@bencranegolf) October 25, 2015

 The writings of Captain Love, should Ben Crane ever decide to take them to heart in the slow play department.

Sorry: World Long Drive Succeeds On Many Levels

I couldn't disagree more with my GolfDigest.com colleague Joel Beall who felt robbed watching the World Long Drive Championship, suggesting what he saw reinforced why it's a "fringe event." He also suggests the Long Drive needs new presentation and format ideas, but as someone whose watched the event the last few years, including in person in 2013, I'd counter that the extended match play format had players better prepared when we got to the final nights. I just wish the landing grid was about 10 yards wider.

But more to the big picture status of the event: I love Long Drive because it genuine presents real athletes using their athleticism in a different way than PGA Tour players, featuring real stories of golfers doing amazing things to a ball. Beall is right that some of the PGA Tour driving distances make today's 400-yarders in the Long Drive seem less impressive, but considering the contest faced some headwinds, I found the numbers pretty astounding.

It's also refreshing to see different forms of golf succeed beyond the weekly stroke play. But golf is so tradition-based and uptight that the theatrics presented in the Long Drive make many uncomfortable. I get that. But as a lover of tradition, I'm also open to anything that shows how golf can be embraced in divergent ways that ultimately are about exposing us to people of extraordinary skill.

Meanwhile, the news was positive for new Long Drive owner Golf Channel, as Tuesday's rating for the live Round of 16 was up 263% over 2014, while the final night saw a 43% increase over 2014. Both ratings were in the vicinity of last week's Frys.com Open numbers. With replays and NBC airing in December, the Long Drive will be seen by many more eyeballs than any of the fall PGA Tour events.

Here is GolfChannel.com's video of the final match won by Tim Burke, now a two-time long drive champion.

Deals Coming! Communists Ban China Golf Club Memberships

Looks like the grow the game intiatives may need to look beyond China, as reports say the Chinese Communist Party has banned all 88 million of its members from joining golf clubs.

Thanks to everyone who sent the unbylined BBC story on the party updating is "discipline rules," which also targeted things like extravagant eating and drinking and abuse of power. And golf club memberships.

The new rule on golf states that members are banned from "obtaining, holding or using membership cards for gyms, clubs, golf clubs, or various other types of consumer cards, or entering private clubs".

If caught, members could either receive a warning or be removed from the party, depending on the severity of the violation.