Boo Weekley: "Honestly, this wraparound season sucks. It does, seriously."

Why provide commentary when I can just let Boo Weekley do all the heavy lifting? He's teeing it up as defending runner-up in the Sanderson Farms Championship and needs to make a nice check to offset the inevitable fines for conduct becoming of an honest PGA Tour member.

Weekley...

Q. How have you come to view the wraparound season and the importance of trying to get out to a big jump in the fall?

BOO WEEKLEY: Honestly, this wraparound season sucks. It does, seriously.

Q. It's long?

BOO WEEKLEY: It's just, it's stupid. I still ain't figured out this FedEx -- what does this FedExCup stuff do? It ain't doing nothing, but it is what it is. It's supposed to be the players tour. It's Tim Finchem and them's tour is what it is.

It's aggravating having to play this much, but yet it's important to come out and try to get a good start. I mean, it's good for the rookies, I think. It gives them something they can up can out and get their feet wet before they actually get into the bigger tournament. I think that's a good thing.

Q. Does it just feel like a warn out extension?

BOO WEEKLEY: It's just golf after golf after golf. Ain't no time for hunting and fishing, man. You know, you've got to come in here and bring my rods over here to go fishing, but you can't go fishing because you get out there and next thing you know somebody's aggravating you, and you can't actually enjoy going fishing.

HSBC Renews Commitment To Golf, Awkward Celebratory Pics

As he's prone to do, HSBC's Global Head of Sponsorship and Events made it sound dire before committing some of his bank's sizeable resources to sponsoring golf tournaments on the PGA and European Tours, along with The Open Championship. The latter was already secured, but on the eve of the WGC-HSBC in Shanghai, the company committed to a five year renewal in Shanghai.

Even better, the news led to arguably the most awkward golf photo ever taken.

For Immediate Release:

HSBC ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF GLOBAL GOLF SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME

HSBC, one of the most prolific supporters of world golf, announces renewal of its global golf sponsorship portfolio
 
SHANGHAI - November 3, 2015 - HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations, has announced the renewal of three key pillars of its global golf sponsorship portfolio and confirmed its commitment to the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, the HSBC Women’s Champions and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship following the news earlier this summer that the bank will continue as Patron of The Open Championship.
 
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events at HSBC, made the announcement on stage at the 2015 HSBC Golf Business Forum in Shanghai ahead of the 11th edition of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club later this week and against the backdrop of the bank’s 150th Anniversary.
 
Morgan, flanked by an impressive cast of PGA TOUR Commissioner, Tim Finchem; European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley; Chief Executive of the R&A, Martin Slumbers; Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han; HE Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Global Head of Golf at IMG, Guy Kinnings, announced HSBC’s wholehearted commitment to golf with the renewal of its title sponsorship position of all of the professional tournaments in its portfolio.  Multi-year extension contracts for the renewals of the HSBC Champions, the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship were all agreed this morning in Shanghai.
 
Morgan said: “In the last decade we have been involved in 45 tournaments and brought world class golf events to China, Singapore and the UAE.  Today we are re-stating our commitment to golf in Asia and the Middle East. Here in China, our flagship World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions event has proved to be the perfect stage for golf in Asia to come of age; in Singapore, HSBC Women’s Champions has become an annual highlight of the LPGA Tour, whilst the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has cemented its reputation as the jewel in the crown of Middle Eastern golf. We believe today’s announcement represents a major statement of intent as golf prepares to return to the Olympic Games following a 112 year absence – it’s a huge opportunity for the sport and one golf needs to grab with both hands.”
 
HSBC is one of the biggest supporters of golf worldwide with extensive youth and community programmes in place to underpin their commitment to elite golf . The presence of so many of the leaders in world golf at the announcement underlines just how significant HSBC’s contribution is considered to be to the game and how much the Tours each value the bank’s committed support.
 
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem: “We are delighted to be here today to be with Giles to announce this excellent news. The World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions is the flagship event in Asia for the PGA TOUR and a great example of collaboration with the different members of the International Federation of PGA Tours along with the CGA and IMG to deliver a world-class tournament. We are thrilled that with this five-year extension, the HSBC Champions will be a part of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup schedule through the 2020-21 PGA TOUR season. ”
 
European Tour Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, said: “Today’s announcement is wonderful news for The European Tour and continues our partnership with HSBC which stretches back to November 2005 when the first HSBC Champions tournament was part of our International Schedule. Since then, both the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship have become hugely significant events and to have them both part of The Race to Dubai for the next five years is fantastic news. We thank HSBC not only for their commitment to The European Tour, but to the game of golf as a whole.”

Uh, I guess this means the HSBC Champions will continue to be part of the Race To Dubai? Anyone else need to kiss up to HSBC? Oh, I see we have a line forming!

LPGA Commissioner, Mike Whan commented, “HSBC is a world class sponsor of women’s golf and it is fantastic to be here representing the LPGA as part of this important announcement for golf globally. HSBC Women’s Champions is one of the best events on our Tour and HSBC’s commitment to women’s golf is unwavering.”
 
Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han said, “We have been part of the HSBC Champions since 2005 and have enjoyed seeing this tournament grow and establish itself. It is great news that HSBC has guaranteed the future of the only World Golf Championships held in Asia.”

HE Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary welcomed the renewed partnership, saying: “HSBC has greatly contributed to the Championship since coming on board in 2011. With its support we have strengthened the field, significantly enhanced the spectator offering and hugely expanded our messaging outreach.  Through this partnership the Championship has become stronger year-on-year and we believe that will hold true for the coming half decade.”

Zhang Xiaoning, Vice President and Secretary General of the CGA said, “We welcome this traditional tournament to continue to take place in China. For a long time, CGA has enjoyed working with HSBC on this tournament and their junior programme and very much appreciate their commitment to golf in China.”

Anyone else need to get in a thank you quote? Going once...

Analytics Coming To Golf? PGA Tour, Microsoft Going To Try

I'm just a fan of analytics right now, what with all the championships they are winning for baseball teams, so why not quantify the sport least quantifiable!

Granted, if one or two stats come out of this, and we get some better uses of ShotLink to see how a course is playing, then it's a victory. But I can't wait to see some of the ideas about how to play the game that come out of this...

PGA TOUR and Microsoft Strike Three-Year Technology Agreement to Bring Instant Insights to Golf Fans Everywhere

Microsoft to provide PGA TOUR with engaging technology and media solutions for fans, players and broadcast commentators across TV and digital devices

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., and REDMOND, Wash. (November 2, 2015) –The PGA TOUR and Microsoft have entered a three-year relationship that will focus on utilizing Microsoft solutions to create new ways for fans, players and broadcasters to engage with the PGA TOUR. The solutions will be designed to instantaneously mine the TOUR’s vast video library and statistical information to enhance and simplify the way data is interpreted, providing fans, players and commentators new and engaging ways to access insight as never before.

 “The PGA TOUR is thrilled to enter into this relationship with Microsoft which, at its core, is designed to produce deeper, richer and more immersive content for our fans to consume across all of our platforms,” said Tom Wade, the PGA TOUR’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We also look forward to partnering with such an iconic global company to continue to improve the presentation of our sport to our fans.”

Over the next several months, the PGA TOUR is primed to adopt Windows 10, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office to make data analysis easier to interpret and understand for every golf fan, as well as players and broadcast commentators. Microsoft will create innovative solutions by helping the PGA TOUR analyze information faster and more efficiently, giving fans instant access to insight about players, courses and conditions.

When there's a stat that tells us how many eight-footers they make while their neck is tight or they are going through a divorce, then they'll have something.

“Through its collaboration with CDW on ShotLink, the PGA TOUR has been on the cutting edge of technology innovation and real-time insights around historical information, drives, putts and course conditions for golf fans everywhere,” said Chris Capossela, Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We believe the TOUR’s commitment to our Windows 10 platform and Microsoft Cloud offerings will enable fans and broadcasters to access ShotLink and other PGA TOUR content in ways that have not been previously possible across all digital devices.”

I know, four paragraphs before a Cloud reference.

There are several technology integrations underway, including the development of new apps for the latest Microsoft devices and platforms across Windows 10, Surface and Microsoft’s Lumia phones. Microsoft will also utilize the 80,000-plus hours of PGA TOUR library footage and other information to deliver this content to fans and commentators in new and engaging ways.

Additionally, the TOUR will look to enhance its employee productivity and infrastructure with the addition of Microsoft’s newest products as part of its backend business operation. This will include Windows 10, Office 365, Media Pilot and Cloud Services. Through this multi-faceted relationship, Microsoft becomes the “Official Operating System,” “Official Analytics Partner” and “Official Office Productivity Software” of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.

Surface's for everyone!

Big Changes Coming To Euro Tour Final Series, China Swing?

I'm glad someone went to Turkey for the start of the European Tour's Final Series, which now makes a weird leap to the HSBC Champions in Shanghai without some of Europe's best players. That, reports Alex Miceli at Golfweek.com, is about to come to end.

Miceli says there may be fleeing from HSBC and BMW from the current China swing that is carried out over the next two weeks, leading to big scheduling changes for both European and PGA Tours. The real domino may be HSBC ending its run in Shanghai:

The fate of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, however, remained uncertain.

HSBC, the London-based banking company, has sponsored the prestigious event since 2005 but reportedly was looking at not extending its contract with the World Golf Championships past this year because of increased scrutiny of the bank and its expenses.

“This is our last year of our golf portfolio, so we are in discussions with everybody,” Giles Morgan, HSBC’s global head of sponsorship and events, said at the Sports Matters industry conference in September in Singapore, according to Agence France-Presse.

Morgan has been outspoken (and maybe a tad inconsistent) about appearance fees as well, but carries a great deal of power in the golf sponsorship world.

Congrats And Enjoy Web.com Tour Grads (For One Week)!

The worst-conceived sports calendar on the planet wrapped up Sunday with Emiliano Grillo taking the Web.com Tour Championship to earn a PGA Tour card in 2015-16.

Tim Finchem's brainchild of finishing the season in October and starting it again in October, as $upported by his employers (the players), now has a week off. That's before the madness begins at the Frys.com Open, where the newest members of the PGA Tour would be wise to appear, even if they've played something like 11 of the last 13 weeks.

"I've played 11 tournaments in 13 weeks and I'm tired," Tom Gillis said Friday after withdrawing midway through the Web.com Tour Championship. "I want to see my family. I'll be back for the tournament in Jackson (Mississippi)."

Gillis, who lost to Jordan Spieth in the John Deere Classic playoff, did not have to complete the Web.com Tour Championship to ensure his 2015-16 card. Nonetheless, when players are burning out and being asked to turn around and start all over again, or pulling out of the playoff championship, is this really a quality product being put out by the PGA Tour?

Not that emotion was lacking, as John Strege noted, but compared to the annual event that was Q-School, the Web.com Tour Championship is not really coming close to registering.

BTW the 50 who are..."slotted in the Web.com Tour eligibility ranking (1-50)":

Remember, instead of a natural January to October calendar, the PGA Tour went to this calendar-year debac;e to supposedly save the four fall events, none of which will be seen by more people than before when they were off-the-radar tour events. As we head into a cramped 2016 calendar, it's worth remembering that the only reason to have gone to this model is for the enrichment of players and executives. Nothing about it makes sense if making the PGA Tour a better viewing "product" is the goal.

The $10 Million Question: What To Make Of Rory's Honesty

Judging by your comments, Rory McIlroy's pre-Tour Championship comments didn't do himself any favors, as James Corrigan wrote in his Telegraph item on the eye-opening $10 million remarks.

Bob Harig tried to decipher McIlroy's post-round one statement in light of the comments and examines the modern player's mindset. I'm not sure if he's convinces those of us wondering if this is that strange moment when fans sense there is simply too much wealth at the pro level.

McIlroy's comments after an opening 66 at East Lake.

Q. Yesterday, you were asked that question about playing for the 10 million dollars, all that, and I'm curious, when you turned pro you were so young, did you ever think about the money then when you were playing? And if so, was it important to get past that to be successful?

RORY MCILROY: No, money's never motivated me. It's never been a motivating factor in my life. My dad and mom together probably earned I don't know, 40, 50 grand a year. Combined. That was sort of our household income.

So it was never really a motivating factor to me because we never had that much to begin with. So, I probably don't -- I mean starting off, I started earning money at 18 years old and earning quite a lot, so I probably don't appreciate the value of money like some other people do. It's just never been that important to me. It's nice, it's nice to have it. It's nice to have that security for your future and for your family's future, I guess. But if I wanted to get into golf for the money, I would be in it for the wrong reasons.

Now, you could say this is wildly hilarious, full-fledged LOL talk coming from someone who took his former agent to trial over...money, money and more money. 

Ok I'll say it: he made me laugh very hard.

But once the laughter dies, I'm more fascinated by what kind of moment this could be for the pro game if his claims had gained news traction (they haven't).

Golf's appeal to some, in part, is having athletes who start from scratch every year. They're humble. The game keeps them in touch with some semblance of sanity. While they may have free clubs galore, private jets and courtesy cars, the game still keeps them in line.

Could having a golfer or golfers regularly suggest that $10 million does not mean much to them change that attractiveness?

"Like a Labor Day party guest who lingers a few weeks too long, the playoffs are still here."

As golf's playoffs re-appear with a thud after a week off, playoff supporter Jason Sobel says at ESPN.com that one last major tweak is needed: a Labor Day ending.

Unfortunately, if Tim Finchem stays on as Commissioner past next year, such a revision seems unlikely merely because unlike his peers at the NFL, Finchem is about what's best for his image and bonuses, not the common sense fan perspective.

Sobel with the backstory:

It all dates back to a rare miscalculation from PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who theorized nearly a decade ago that the playoffs would coexist in football's domain without any real issues.

"This is not just an event that's scheduled out there as an island into football," he said at the time. "This is a series of events that starts before football, runs two weeks pre-NFL, runs two weeks into NFL, is all tied together. ... I think it's like a growing tide during the course of the year; it will carry us in and have really solid ratings. We'll get nicked if it's a huge football game, but ... I feel very bullish about it."

The real head-scratcher is there is a fairly simple solution to this problem.

Think about it: With minimal tweaking, the playoffs could finish on Labor Day, perhaps on the West Coast, offering so many fans a primetime finale not just to the season, but the summer. If the hushed hum of golf telecasts resonates as one of the season's traditional sounds, then the last one should signify a conclusion to this time period, a gentle whisper that it's time to go back to school, back to work and, yes, back to the fantasy football draft room.