A Wild And Wacky Local Qualifier

Garry Smits reports on Monday's US Open qualifier at Sawgrass. It included a DQ for a non-conforming wedge and one player qualifying in spite of a one-shot penalty for slow play.

There also was a controversy over the FSGA's pace-of-play policy, which requires groups to not only finish their rounds in a given time, but finish within 15 minutes of the group ahead of them on both nines.

Six players in two groups didn't make the deadline of four hours, 40 minutes to complete 18 holes; and were more than 15 minutes behind the group ahead of them. Included was Harman, whose 70 was changed to a 71 with the one-stroke penalty. He angrily berated tournament officials for not giving his group a warning during the round. He qualified anyway.

Under the FSGA policy, initiated two years ago, warnings are not issued during play. Stroke penalties can be assessed at the turn and when a group finishes, and can be waived at the discretion of the committee if players were held up by rulings or having to look for lost balls.

"They received the pace-of-play policy in a packet mailed to them before the tournament, got another copy on the first tee, and the policy also is posted on six holes on the course," Dudley said. "There's no excuse for them not knowing it. They don't need warnings from rules officials to know what the policy is. All they have to do is read the information they've been given."

Donald May Not Be Running, But Doesn't Mean People Will Stop Scrutinzing Scotland Project

Even though his presidential bid is over, there's still plenty of scrutiny of The Donald and much of it involves his work in the golf business.

Andy Wightman, a self-described "independent writer and researcher on issues of land and democracy" posts a paper looking at the many issues, brouhahas and other facts related to Trump's Scotland project. I haven't had time to do more than scan it, but there appears to be some interesting stuff.

And the Washington Post's Annie Gowen looks at Trump's environmental record. A photo gallery accompanies the piece.

Over the years, Donald Trump — the “Celebrity Apprentice” star, real estate mogul and impossible-to-ignore presidential candidate — has developed 11 luxury golf courses around the world, leaving a trail of happy golfers but angry residents and environmentalists in his wake. He infuriated neighbors in California for trying to plant trees to shield pedestrians from flying golf balls and in Northern Virginia for taking them out.

His fight with five gritty Scots who refused to move from the stone cottages standing in the way of his $1.6 billion golf course in Scotland inspired a film, “You’ve Been Trumped,” that played to sold-out crowds at Toronto’s documentary film festival this month. (Choice scenes: Trump worrying over his hair at a press conference on a windswept bluff and accusing one of the holdouts of living “like a pig.”)

What's unfortunate about reporting like this is that non-golfers will continue to associate all of golf with the Trump vision. Not helpful.

Michael Hiestand reports there is also this:

HBO's latest Real Sports on Tuesday includes a feature on Donald Trump building a lavish golf course and hotel in historic northeast Scotland — a project that sparked local environmental protests. But on HBO, Trump says: "You can't improve on God's work. But I'm changing it around just a little bit so we can putt." How considerate.

Tate The Golfer

I had noticed that James Tate - the clever prom date proposer who became a Facebook and morning news show sensation - was wearing an awful lot of golf shirts. Thanks to Mike O'Malley for tweeting this item that notes Tate is indeed, family.

Tate, who is a co-captain of the high school's golf team, was out on the course during the announcement, but spoke to a Connecticut Post reporter in the driveway of his Waverly Road home Saturday afternoon.

"I heard there was some kind of decision, but I didn't really know what was happening," said Tate as he kicked a clod of dirt. "I'm feeling great. I'm glad the correct decision was finally made. But I also feel bad that Dr. Smith was put in this position. I understand she has to maintain a position as a disciplinarian. It's not the policy that needs to be changed, it's the punishment."

Hope Rises For Another Season Of Trump's Wonderful World Of Golf As The Donald Passes Up Presidential Bid

I'm struggling with the shock of the news because it just seemed like such a lock that The Donald would run, but he blinded us with today's announcement.

"I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election," Trump said in a statement on Monday. "I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."

In the end, however, his decision almost certainly had more to do with his lucrative NBC television contract for his "Apprentice" franchise than anything else. Trump was running out of time to decide whether he would sign on for another season of the "Celebrity Apprentice." Sources close to Trump said negotiations ran to the 11th hour with reports of Trump on hourly calls with NBC executives throughout the weekend who were trying to convince Trump to continue to helm the show.

There's a fun job!

Quick 2011 Players Roundup

Cameron Morfit suggests that K.J. Choi is a horse for tough courses.

"He plays good, focused golf on tough courses," said Andy Prodger, Choi's caddie for a dozen worldwide victories. "I put it in his head that he was going to win this week because he's been playing very well."

Coming into the Players Championship, where his best result was a tie for 16th place in 2006, Choi had tied for third in New Orleans, tied for eighth at the Masters and tied for sixth at Bay Hill. Said Steve Bann, his Australian swing coach for the last six years, "A win was coming."

Bob Harig focuses on David Toms' decision to go for No. 16 in two. Ironic since Toms famously laid up on a par-4 in his most famous win, the 2002 PGA.

Toms had 233 yards to the front of the par-5 16th green, the one that has a pond to the right of the putting surface. It is a birdie hole, and at worst Toms should have made par.

"When he got up to me, he said, 'Do you like 2-hybrid?'" Gneiser recalled. "I said, 'I like it.' With a 1-shot lead, I'm thinking just get it left of the green, chip it down. And if K.J. doesn't make birdie we've got a 2-shot lead."

But Toms did not catch it solid, the ball drifting to the right and into the water. Instead of a possible birdie, it led to a bogey. Instead of a 1- or 2-shot lead, Toms and Choi were tied.

"And now I'm second-guessing myself," Gneiser said.

Toms put it on himself.

I was standing behind 16 green and just assumed he would lay up because of the hanging lie, which never really shows up very well on television. And when he took a full swing, well...it was a shocker.

Jason Sobel on "Chois Boys," the gang that has been following KJ around for six years and who made their presence felt all week with their shirts and cheers.

When they returned this year, the group came outfitted in black t-shirts with its lyrical name printed on front. They wore ‘em every day, following their new favorite player all over the course, ignoring all social mores about cheering loudly for a non-superstar and keeping hygiene issues to a minimum.

“We’re probably a little rank,” Page admitted after four days in his shirt. “We’ve been wearing these since Thursday.”

Gene Wojciechowski wasn't too inspired by the "Champions Tour Lite" Players.

This is the supposed "fifth major," but the guy who won it hasn't cashed a tour victory check since the 2008 Sony Open. The guy he beat, David Toms, hasn't won on tour since the 2006 Sony. And the guy who finished third, Paul Goydos, hasn't won since the 2007 Sony.

PlayStations for everybody!

Choi turns 41 this Thursday. Toms is 44. Goydos is 46. It was like the Champions Tour Lite.

In fact, Toms actually mentioned that a win here Sunday would have given him a five-year exemption on the big boy tour -- almost long enough, he said half-kiddingly, to get him to age 50 and the Champions Tour.

David Whitley, on the other hand, kind of liked it

It’s understandable that golf wants to push fresh, young faces. But being a geezer myself, it was heartening to see guys born during the Johnson Administration show they still have it.
Toms hadn’t won a tournament since the 2006 Sony Open. Oddly enough, Choi’s last win was the 2008 Sony Open. Goydos’ last win was the 2007 Sony Open.

By far the biggest win among them was Toms’ 2001 PGA Championship. His interest in golf waned until his son started playing. Carter Toms thinks like a 13-year-old golfer.

“He’s watching Rickie Fowler and all those young guys,” his dad said. “And dressing like them.”
It’s okay to dress like them, but Carter should still watch how his dad operates. Especially on an exacting course like Sawgrass, where guile and experience count as much as talent as swagger.

"I was on the range with him for a half an hour on Tuesday."

A few of you noticed something we scribes missed during Tim Finchem's press conference to discuss various topics, including Tiger Woods. Steve Elling writes:

Making his first comments to the print media in two months, Finchem strongly reaffirmed statements he made on television earlier in the week after a Golf Channel analyst asserted on the air that Woods only played this week because he had been pressured by the tour to appear at its flagship event. Woods withdrew after nine holes after claiming that he had re-injured his ailing knee.

The tour called the Golf Channel and strenuously complained about the report and Finchem still seem riled about it on Sunday.

"Well, it's not about him, it's any player," he said. "I don't twist players' arms, and as far as Tiger being hurt, guys, that's a decision he has to make, and I had no information that he wasn't ready to play golf.

"I don't think anybody did. I don't think he did. I was on the range with him for a half an hour on Tuesday.  He was hitting it really well. He went and played nine holes, and he didn't have a problem. He played the next day, he didn't have a problem. He stayed on the range that day, he didn't have a problem."

Finchem was with Tiger for a half hour while he hit balls? No wonder Tiger got out of town. He needs to practice in peace!

First 2010 Players Question: How Did The Course Look?

I had to file a story for Golf World so I haven't had a chance to read the accounts of the final round nor share many thoughts about the week, but I am curious if the immaculate condition of the course and greens was apparent watching on television?

After last year I heard a lot of comments about how the greens looked "dead." That certainly didn't happen this year (nor last year). But in the HD era it is amazing how reaction to a course varies and how the slightest blemishes are noticed.

I can tell you from walking around, the conditions were incredible. How'd they look on your end? (And save your flower bed gripes for another day...that question is coming!)

"So it's all nonsense as far as I'm concerned, and I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Brian Wacker sums up and shares some highlights from the Commish's impromptu meet and snipe session this morning outside the media center while Tim Finchem nursed a cup of green tea.

Here's the full transcript.

TIM FINCHEM: I'd be happy to try to answer anything you want to talk about.

Shortest introductory comments ever!

Q. You were on CNBC on Thursday talking about the incident with Tiger and being forced to play here.

TIM FINCHEM: I'm answering questions.

Q. I'll ask you a question.

Off to a roaring start!

It seems like irrespective of Tiger, it's not unusual for the commissioner to contact players to see if they're going to play in an event or try to tell them how important it is to play in an event, is it?

TIM FINCHEM: Well, I think the question that was put to me, and I'll answer the question that was put to me, it's been rumored that I pressured Tiger Woods to play in the tournament, and my response was no, I did not do that.

Q. Can you answer my question, then?

TIM FINCHEM: We communicate with players all the time with weak fields, weak field events, and we encourage players to move their schedule around and try to include a weak field. We never go to a player and say, would you please, please, please play this event, this event or any other event, ever, and I don't recall ever talking to any player in my tenure about whether or not they were going to play THE PLAYERS Championship unless they came to me and said, I want you to know I'm not playing THE PLAYERS Championship or I want you to know how delighted I am that I am going to play THE PLAYERS Championship. I hope that sets the record straight.

Not really.

Q. You seem to have been put off by the situation that you would twist Tiger's arm to play when he might be hurt.

TIM FINCHEM: Well, it's not about him, it's any player. It's any player. I don't twist players' arms, and as far as Tiger being hurt, guys, that's a decision he has to make, and I had no information that he wasn't ready to play golf. I don't think anybody did. I don't think he did. I was on the range with him for a half an hour on Tuesday. He was hitting it really well. He went and played nine holes, and he didn't have a problem. He played the next day, he didn't have a problem. He stayed on the range that day, he didn't have a problem. So it's all nonsense as far as I'm concerned, and I don't want to talk about it anymore.

See, he's not put off by the question!

Q. Have you been in touch with Mark Steinberg about Tiger since he left here or do you expect to be?

TIM FINCHEM: No, I sent a note to Tiger saying sorry you couldn't finish the tournament, good luck on your rehab and hopefully we'll see you soon, as you would expect. I do that with pretty much any player that has a problem.

He's been sending a lot of notes to Tiger lately. I wonder if Doug Barron ever got such a note?

Q. After five years are you happy with the date in May?

TIM FINCHEM: We like the flow of May, we like the weather. We had the storm yesterday, but it's the first rain delay we've had in the five years. You go back and look at the previous 24 years it's been irregular. We've gotten to the point, we're still working on getting this golf course ready, and this year we were helped by the weather, but we did a lot of things during the course of the year that should help us should we get another date.

Get another date? Don't you set the date? Or is that Dick Ebersol's decision?

So we like it, players like it, fans like it, and we're very pleased with it thus far.

Unless you get another date!

As for the fans, they haven't been coming out as much according to those who attended in March. Or are they coming dressed as stadium mounds and I just don't see as many? Anyway, my contribution to the proceedings:

Q. Deane Beman on has a new book out about his career. I don't know if you've read it, but in it he says that had he known that the governing bodies would have handled the equipment issues the way they did, he wouldn't have left when he did. Do you have any comment on that?

TIM FINCHEM: Well, no. We handled them the way we did. We think we've handled them quite well, but I'm not going to publicly get into a debate with Deane. Maybe over dinner one night.

I guess if it's a public debate that would ensue, it's safe to say he does not agree with Beman's take.

We did learn about the likely timing of the next television negotiations.

Q. Can you talk about the scheduling and television negotiations?

TIM FINCHEM: It isn't set. It isn't set. It's a combination of schedule, it's a combination of us finishing up some pieces of business that we would get done before we sit down with television. It's largely about schedules and time frames. Different networks have different things going on. Also NBC just came through this merger. But my guess is sometime this summer we'll get to it.

Bad news, the FedExCup format isnt changing, at least not until they get new dates.

Q. Do you envision the FedExCup Playoffs being virtually in the format we're in now, and do you expect FedEx to stay on through 2013 and beyond?

TIM FINCHEM: Yes and yes at this point. We like the flow of the schedule. I suppose that -- I suppose there are things out there that could impact that from a scheduling standpoint. There's an awful lot of speculation about where the NFL is going to land on their schedule, but that probably affects the first quarter more than our playoff schedule, although you just don't know.

I would say generally yes, but I wouldn't say -- don't hold me to that.

Oh we will!

Spain Showing Late Speed In '18 Ryder Cup Derby?

Lawrence Donegan says that's the case in this analysis of Tuesday's announcement.

The French bid boasts a great course – Le Golf National near Versailles – and has reportedly offered the greatest financial support to the European Tour over the long run. It has also been the bookies' favourite – an assignation never to be underestimated. But in the past week or so the weight of expectation has fallen behind the efforts to stage the biennial contest between Europe's best and their American counterparts in Madrid.

Financially this would make sense. Spain has long been one of the tour's strongest markets, staging more tournaments most years than any other European nation (seven in 2011, compared with two in England). To deny Madrid would be to risk losing Spanish support for the European Tour into 2018 and beyond – a prospect that will weigh heavily on tour officials.

The annoucement will be broadcast live online Tuesday.

2011 Players Final Round Open Thread

Graeme McDowell holds a one shot leading heading into the Players finale. I've just walked around and the wind is picking up, the air is dry and with a nice leaderboard, there's the potential for fireworks.

Here are the scores and the tee times. First Johnny self-reference over/under: 2:05 EST

"It looks like one of Donald Trump's homes."

That was Johnny Miller complimenting Taj Tim the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse during early morning coverage of the Players final round.