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
I'm out watching PAC 12 golf but I know you need an outlet to express your joy at the heartwarming news of Vijay's acquittal on admitting to having purchased a banned substance.
**John Strege explains the decision.
And the statement...
PGA TOUR Statement Regarding Vijay Singh
The PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program, which has been in effect since July 2008, closely follows the International Anti-Doping Standard set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) particularly as it relates to the interpretation and application of the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.
In a January 28, 2013 article that appeared on SI.com, Vijay Singh was quoted as admitting to his use of a deer antler spray supplement. Subsequently, Mr. Singh confirmed his use of deer antler spray in a statement he issued. Deer antler spray contains IGF-1, a growth factor listed on both the WADA and PGA TOUR Prohibited Lists, which the TOUR warned players about in August 2011. After the SI.com article came out, WADA also issued a warning about deer antler spray on February 5, 2013.
There is no test for IGF-1 currently available in routine blood testing. However, the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy provides that an admission to the use of a prohibited substance is a violation of the policy even if there is no positive drug test. After confirming the presence of IGF-1 in the deer antler spray product provided to the TOUR by Mr. Singh through tests at the WADA-approved UCLA laboratory, the TOUR proceeded with the matter as a violation of the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy, and a sanction was issued. Mr. Singh subsequently appealed the sanction under the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program guidelines. During the appeal process, PGA TOUR counsel contacted WADA to confirm a number of technical points. At that time, WADA clarified that it no longer considers the use of deer antler spray to be prohibited unless a positive test results. Indeed, on April 30, WADA subsequently provided written confirmation to the TOUR that:
“In relation to your pending IGF-1 matter, it is the position of WADA, in applying the Prohibited List, that the use of "deer antler spray" (which is known to contain small amounts of IGF-I) is not considered prohibited.
On the other hand it should be known that Deer Antler Spray contains small amounts of IGF-1 that may affect anti-doping tests.
Players should be warned that in the case of a positive test for IGF-1 or hGH, it would be considered an Adverse Analytical Finding.”
Based on this new information, and given WADA’s lead role in interpreting the Prohibited List, the TOUR deemed it only fair to no longer treat Mr. Singh’s use of deer antler spray as a violation of the TOUR’s anti-doping program.
Since his initial quote was made public, Mr. Singh has cooperated with the TOUR investigation and has been completely forthcoming and honest. While there was no reason to believe that Mr. Singh knowingly took a prohibited substance, the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program clearly states that players are responsible for use of a prohibited substance regardless of intent. In this regard, Mr. Singh should have contacted the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program Administrator or other resources readily available to players in order to verify that the product Mr. Singh was about to utilize did not contain any prohibited substances, especially in light of the warning issued in August 2011 in relation to deer antler spray.
Going forward, the PGA TOUR is committed to increasing its educational initiatives to remind players of the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program and the risk of utilizing any product without a full understanding of the ingredients contained in that product. Such educational initiatives will include reinforcing with its members the many resources available to them on a 24/7 basis to respond to any questions they may have concerning any product.
The PGA TOUR recognizes that the science of anti-doping is an ever evolving subject, and the TOUR will continue to work with its consultants and WADA to stay abreast of all current developments in this area. This will include staying abreast of developing policies and procedures, specifically with regard to testing for growth hormone and IGF-1. When fully implemented tests for those substances become available in routine blood testing, the TOUR will continue to monitor the situation and make changes to the policy as necessary or appropriate.
In case there were any 59 Truthers out there, it seems In Play with Jimmy Roberts located unseen footage of the last few holes of Al Geiberger's historic 59 in Memphis and showed it to him for the first time in this week's episode.
Adam Schupak with the details:
“A 22-year-old rookie announcer – I’m sorry, but I don’t remember his name now – was sent to the tournament with a cameraman. He was ready to leave the course. He got Gary Player and whoever was there. It was hotter than hell. Well the guy had moved 12 times since then. The last time his wife said, ‘Get rid of those boxes in the attic.’ So he went through them and found one that said ‘Geiberger’ on it. Well, he was a real golf enthusiast. He said, ‘Oh, my goodness. It’s the tape.’ He thought it could be dust by now. He took it to the studio and had it put on a disc.”
The In Play trailer followed by the footage...
And the footage, including the putt for 59.
John Strege reports that Geiberger is auctioning the clubs from his 59 via Green Jacket Auctions.
Ryan Herrington has the details on the main annoucements Wednesday from Masters Chairman Blly Payne, namely an increase in the number of players making it to the weekend (44 and ties to 50 and ties), exemptions for PGA Tour winners of fall events and modifying of other exemptions from the U.S. Open and PGA Tour money list.
After intense merger talks between lawyers for FedExCup(C) and The Playoffs(C), PGA Tour Communications has announced major structural and terminlogy changes to the 2013-14 ResetCup.
The resets are firmly in place and the whole thing is all about the algorithm writers and not the players, so rest assured nothing was changed there.
But we have a new official name for the playoff portion of the proceedings: FedExCup Playoffs. Along with it comes a highly unoriginal caddie bib for the current leader ripped off inspired by the Champions Tour's Schwab Cup, which ripped off took inspiration from the Tour de France.
The bib is distinguishable with orange accents on the shoulders and pocket.
I guess a few accents are better than dressing up the caddie in a FedEx uniform?
• The Playoffs officially become the FedExCup Playoffs (with new logo)
Me thinks someone paying lavishly to sponsor the cup wanted more bang for their buck...
• We no longer refer to the Regular Season; we reference the PGA TOUR Season and the FedExCup is the season-long competition that culminates with the FedExCup Playoffs
Got that Lerner? I want that taped to your refrigerator door.
That goes for you, too, Hicks, Nantz, Gannon and the entire Communications Department.
Just curious, do we writers have to capitalize regular season or face parking in the volunteer lot?
• Once the schedule begins to bridge calendar years, the season reference will include both years, as in: the 2013-2014 PGA TOUR Season
• Reference to a specific tournament will still be by the calendar year in which it is played, as in: XXX is defending champion of the 2013 Frys.com Open (which is part of the 2013-14 PGA TOUR Season)
• There no longer will be a “Fall Series” on the PGA TOUR; those tournaments should be referred to as “season opening events”
Darn, and I had Fall First in the pool.
• The 2013 PGA TOUR Season will include 36 events before the FedExCup Playoffs
Therefore prompting Websters to add PGA Tour to its definition for "oversaturation."
• Three Additional Events, played the same weeks as certain Major Championships and World Golf Championships, will offer a slight increase in FedExCup Points (winners receive 300 points, vs. 250 in 2012)
• An off week during the FedExCup Playoffs will fall between the second and third events (rather than the third and fourth)
• The 2013 PGA TOUR Season and the FedExCup Playoffs end in late September with the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola
• The 2013-2014 PGA TOUR Season officially begins 3 weeks later; the season-opening events begin awarding full FedExCup points
Ugh, I spoke to soon. We get three whole weeks off! Thankfully, I know this new shortened off-season and increased workload has meant more pay for the hard working PGA Tour staff. Well, at least at the VP and up level.
• The CIMB Classic and World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions become official events on the PGA TOUR (official victory, full FedExCup points, official money; winners qualify for Hyundai Tournament of Champions)
Alas, no fixing the format...again.
But why fix what's broken?
It will be interesting to see what the players at the Valero Texas Open have to say about it as a pre-Masters venue this year due to a scheduling quirk that has put the Shell Houston Open--and its Augustaeque setup--next week on the schedule.
Phil Mickelson explained why he's not playing at the Valero, home to the reviled TPC San Antonio, even though it's not his preference. Bob Harig reports:
"For me personally, I like playing in a tournament that's similar to what we'll be playing," Mickelson said. "For a long time, we had a pretty good tournament before the U.S. Open. I don't remember what it was [Westchester] but now it's Memphis. It's so hot, I run out of energy and going to the Open, I'm drained so I don't play there anymore.
"This year, having a windy, tight course [in San Antonio] really isn't conducive to getting ready for Augusta. That makes it difficult for me personally so I'll end up going to Augusta a few days early and what have you. I've got to make some adjustments, just because the tournaments before the majors are not helping us at all get ready."
Mickelson is a man of his word, added the Scottish Open last year to his schedule. And with a return to Castle Stuart this year along with an NBC weekend telecast, chances are decent he'll do the same.
Champions Tour rookie and winner of his first event, Rocco Mediate, held court today in the Toshiba Classic interview room.
Specifically, he talked about his win at the Allianz Championship despite those pesky on-course interviews by Billy Ray Brown. The same mid-round chats that would cause today's PGA Tour players to whine endlessly about the sheer horror of having to speak while maneuvering their scalpel so close to the patient's brain stem.
ROCCO MEDIATE: Yeah, on‑course interviews. We would love you to talk to people on the course, you know. Billy Ray and I have talked 600 times already in the first two weeks. I went, I can't wait for that to happen because we should do that on the regular tour. See, it's not any different. That's what drives me crazy. Like, oh, you can't talk to the guys because they're playing. What? It's still a trophy. I don't care if it's a million dollars or 300,000 to win. It's a trophy. So why is the Tour going, You can't talk to the guys because God forbid if you talk to them? It's horse crap. There's no difference. It's just as ‑‑ I mean, winning anywhere is the same or being in contention is the same. Why can't you say something walking on the fairway?
Could you imagine talking to Tiger coming down the last hole? Wouldn't it be cool though? What he's actually thinking? He might be going, yeah, I'm thinking of dinner tonight, thinking of where I'm going to dinner. Who knows what he'd say? But I'd like to hear it, see. As a fan, I'd like to hear what he's thinking. It's got to go that way because, you know, money is tough to come by. They need something else. We have it here.
Following up on last week's chat with select media members (reported here and here), Tim Clark and Adam Scott sat down with Golf Channel's Todd Lewis for their first TV interview to defend the rights of putter anchoring. Both players do their best to make their case, and Lewis asks some different questions which help clarify a few key points. (I've transcribed highlights as the Golf Central videos disappear into cyberspace in a week.)
Both players tell Lewis they were surprised by the announcement of the proposed rule change last fall, but remain respectful of the governing bodies place in the game. But asked why he switched, Clark said he "never felt I was a very good putter, still don't feel I'm a very good putter" and explains his medical condition.
I have a bit of a congenital arm issue where I can't supinate my forearms, so the short putter was just never very comfortable in my hands. I always looked awkward over it and it just felt awkward.
Lewis interrupts, asking for clarification whether the conditions is "uncomfortable or painful?" Clark:
"More uncomfortable. I mean, it's extremely hard to putt with tight forearms and you know, I picked up the long putter and it took me a long time to take it out into competition."
Lewis asks about nerves playing a part and both players were taken aback by the suggestion that anchoring eliminates nervous twitches. "Flabbergasting to me," said Clark, while Scott says those are "Completely unqualified comments" by anyone making that assertion.
Clark made clear he wants "to play by the rules" and appreciates Tim Finchem for finding the decision "unfair and unjust." Not sure he used such strong words...
Lewis asks if they'll be anchoring in 2016. Both players are optimistic and Scott noted that he thinks he'll be able to putt with any putter he wants. Of course, the wording of the rule change does not impact the putter in any way so that statement is certainly true.
As for the European Tour supporting the governing bodies, Clark says they changed their stance shortly before supporting the USGA and R&A:
"The interesting thing is that a week and a half ago we thought the European Tour would follow what the [PGA] Tour was going to do. I guess in a span of five or six days they completely changed their position. So that was a shock. You know we thought these guys have a good handle on what is going on and they're going to do the right thing. Obviously they changed their minds and we're not sure way. Obviously that was a bit troubling."
In the most newsworthy portion of the conversation, Lewis asks if the ban happens whether the players would pursue "maybe a legal right to fight whomever to use anchor styled putter." Clark:
"There's no way I want to be in a situation where I'm the only guy using something out there. So that would never be something I'd ever look to do."
Scott:
"I haven't given it that much thought at all. Because you can't make decisions on assumptions and foresight like that. I can only go with what is happening right now and we're dealing with this the best way we feel we can."
You feel for both during the interview but ultimately, their case is not going to be strong enough.
None of these tours are as powerful as the PGA Tour, but a unified front from the "other" tours is quickly putting a damper on Tim Finchem and the PGA Tour's recently announced stance against the proposed anchoring ban. 
The latest and perhaps most powerful written statement yet comes from South Africa and the Sunshine Tour:
For Immediate Release:
PRETORIA, March 1 – The Sunshine Tour today confirmed that it would not oppose the controversial ‘anchoring’ ban proposed by the game’s rule makers, the USGA and R&A, should it go ahead as planned at the beginning of 2016.
“The issue here is not whether we, as the controlling body for professional golf in Southern Africa, agree with the proposed ban or not,” said Sunshine Tour Executive Director Selwyn Nathan. “It is about respecting the bodies who are tasked with the sometimes unenviable job of making changes to the Rules of Golf from time to time. In our case, the body from which we take this lead is the R&A and, as we have always done, we will continue to play the game in accordance with the Rules of Golf as set out by them.”
The USGA and R&A announced the intention to ban the anchoring of putters to the player’s body during the putting stroke in late 2012 and allowed for a period of comment. The proposed rule change will come into effect on 1 January 2016.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
