Martin Blake reports that not only is he a nice guy, but Rory McIlroy's price to show up at a tournament where such enticements are allowed is far lower than you-know-who. IMG is exploring options to get McIlroy to Perth for October's new European Tour event there.
The $2 million Perth International at Lake Karrinyup from October 18-21 has emerged as the most likely tournament to draw the new world No. 1, since it is co-sanctioned by the European tour. Although his asking price is estimated to be at least $750,000, IMG, the new tournament's promoter, says it would love to have the Northern Irishman.
''We haven't had any discussions with him, but there's no tournament in the world [that] wouldn't love to have him,'' David Rollo, IMG's head of golf, said yesterday. ''It's difficult with scheduling, but we'd be stupid not to explore it.''
Pete Finchreports in Golf World Monday that The Donald is officially threatening to halt further development of his Scottish resort over the offshore turbines that threaten his course's views. Finch says Trump has made a donation of "nearly $16 million" to a group Called Communities Against Turbines Scotland.
Okay, I get that Rory McIlroy won for the fifth time in his very young pro career, held off Tiger Woods shooting 62 in the Chosen One's adopted home state and in general, is just an awesome talent who will deservedly be a huge favorite to win the Masters.
In case you haven't heard, Rory McIlroy is battling Q-School grads and algorithms today and the Bear Trap looms with different winds Sunday. Tiger's looming after a great start and the weather looks like it's going to hold off. Jack figures to stop in the booth. And starting tomorrow, it'll be 355 days before we have to hear the words "Bear Trap" again. A great day.
I have another post coming with an overall take on this year's Golf Industry Show (I know, you'll be hitting refresh all weekend in eager anticipation), but in the meantime enjoy GCSAA TV's Fuzz Martin reporting on David Feherty's address. It was the talk of the floor for all of the usual Feherty reasons--ED jokes, a rich assortment of anal humor and a war on Islam remark--and because he was the hit of the show.
Robin McMillan with an excellent Met Golfer story taking us inside the USGA testing center, including images of the secret conference room whiteboard (nice algorithms!) and suggestions that Dick Rugge might be retiring soon.
Finally, after all of these years you can get Golf World delivered to you Wednesdays after a tournament weekend and to your desktop. Now I don't hit the readers of this site up for contributions and only occasionally remind you that subscribing to our magazine will
Here I had Miceli on the second tier behind the Feinstein/Elling/(and now) Diaz level of people who handler Glenn Greenspan will give the hilarious evil eye to. But now, well, I just don't know what to do with the lovable Golfweek and Golf Channel contributor after he got the evil stare today from Michael Corleone Tiger Woods following a rough exchange that is probably making newscasts nationwide as I post this.
Q. I'm sorry, the book thing is out there and you guys have commented about it; specifically in regards to being a Navy SEAL and considering being a Navy SEAL during the height of your career, was that something you were considering?
WOODS: I've already talked about everything -- in the book, yes, I've already commented on everything, Alex.
Q. Then I must have missed you answering that question.
TIGER WOODS: Well, I've already commented on the book. Is that in the book? Is it in the book?
Q. That's a fair question, right, you guys are suggesting that there's something wrong with the excerpts in the book. I'm just trying to find out if that's true or not.
The transcript left out Tiger saying, "You're a beauty you know that?" And as the tour media official tried to move things along, it then finished with one more Miceli question not picked up and...
As for Tiger's almost comical inability to handle this in a way that makes the book go away or minimizes the sales impact (he just helped sell another bunch of copies today on a relatively minor revelation), I'm envisioning a clever opponent pulling a first tee Trevino.
Here's how it goes.
Player is rifling through his bag looking for something on the first tee of a major while paired with Tiger, and as he's trying to find whatever is buried so deep, out comes a copy of Hank's book, only it comes flying out a la the fake snake at Merion. Everyone busts up except you-know-who!
Geoff Shackelford
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning Drive, is co-host of The Ringer's ShackHouse is the author of eleven books.
