First Look At Hanse's Doral Plan

Pete Finch in Golf World Monday talks to The Donald about his plans for Doral and more interesting, we get to see what the first Gil Hanse plan looks like.

Changes to the final redesign will surely take place based on all of the cooks in the kitchen offering their herbs and spices, but the real eye-opener comes at 15 and 16 where new water is being added. The 16th, which became a more interesting driveable par-4 thanks to the regulatory malfeasance of the governing bodies, appears to be solidified as a driveable par-4 with distinct options.

Rory's Asking Price: $750,000

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.''

Deep Inside The USGA Testing Center

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.

Azinger's Increasingly Strange Tweeting Habits

Deadspin compiled Paul Azinger's increasingly bizarre Twitter ranting following the sudden passing of Andrew Breitbart Thursday and it's becoming clear why the best television commentator in golf is not getting work.