LPGA Modifies Founders Cup; Still A Pro-Bono Week For LPGA's Finest

Beth Ann Baldry on the changes made to the charitable distribution for the LPGA's inaugural Virtual Purse Classic.

The purse will drop from $1.3 million to $1 million, but the entire amount will go to charity – $500,000 to the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and $500,000 to designated charities of the top 10 finishers.

It’s a good move by LPGA commissioner Mike Whan, who listened to the concerns of several top players. The discrepancy in the total purse and the amount given to charity was the main concern of Paula Creamer, who had yet to commit to the event.

“I certainly could have done a better job of initially articulating the details to players and media,” said Whan, “as that has led to some confusion about the tournament’s goals and objectives.”

I'm not any less confused.

"They wouldn't even let me leave early before Shabbat."

Jill Painter files a story about Wade Morris, a former Angeles National Golf Club employee who was banned from the Northern Trust Open qualifier at the course because he has filed a discrimination complaint after the course fired him. It's a bit confusing because the Southern California PGA runs the qualifier, but it appears they are the ones who complied with the course's wish to ban Morris.

This year, he and Hull went through the Southern California PGA to get permission to play at Angeles National, where Morris felt he would have an advantage since he played the course and worked there from 2006-09. Morris said he was told on Friday that he couldn't play because the PGA-sanctioned event would follow the rules of the club. Hull said Angeles National filed paperwork so that Morris couldn't play there.

given the option to play another qualifying event in Southern California. He played at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills. He shot an 80 and didn't advance through qualifying.

The next qualifier is Monday.

The 25-year-old Morris said when he worked at the club he was not given Jewish holidays off or time to attend temple.

"I was a salaried employee and manager as well," Morris said. "I would request time off for holidays, and they wouldn't give it to me.

"They wanted to pay me the same amount, no matter how much I worked. I requested four to five Jewish holidays off and no luck. They wouldn't even let me leave early before Shabbat."

Frank Chirkinian In Hall After "Emergency" Vote

It was a topic raised here not long ago and it seems the folks running the hall made their second unorthodox move in the last year (after Tim Finchem's call to jam his undeserving crony George Bush in the hall). At least in this case the man is considered a pioneer in his field.

Michael Bamberger on the surprise move.

Freddie Will Crawl To Riviera's First Tee If He Has To

Jill Painter on Fred Couples' back acting up again. Warning, it's hard to read if you've ever had a back injury.

And sleeping, well that's not happening much these days, either.

Yet Couples, who has a home in Pacific Palisades, is always a fan favorite at Riviera and plans to commit to play in next week's Northern Trust Open.

If his back cooperates.

"I know it's my favorite tournament, beside Augusta, obviously the TPC," Couples said Tuesday in a conference call.

His love for the Los Angeles event, which he won in 1990 and 1992, is so great he's planning to drive from his home in Palm Springs and tee it up. He finished the drive last week, so he figures he can do another one.

"I drove home from Arizona around 6, and I stopped in Quartzite, and you're going to laugh. ... I didn't even get gas," Couples said laughing. "I walked around the car. I went in and got a candy bar, and I stopped in Blythe, which is only another 50 miles, and I made it into Palm Springs. I took an Epsom bath. I feel like I'm 400 years old."