Wittenberg Passes On PGA Tour Spot And Wins On Nationwide Tour

Ryan Ballengee explains the terrific move by Casey Wittenberg to pass on the Travelers Championship, even though he was guranteed a spot based on this T-10 at the U.S. Open. He instead stuck to the Nationwide Tour where he is playing in hopes of earning a PGA Tour card and won this weekend's Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open by two.

Earning $108,000 for the win, Wittenberg jumped from 10th to second on the Nationwide Tour money list, all but ensuring a return to the PGA Tour in 2013. The top 25 players on the Nationwide Tour money list earn full PGA Tour status.

I wonder if a player will do that in 2013 when the Nationwide money list may not mean as much, all because of the atrocious playoff system that looms?  Assuming they ever figure it out.

Rory Sabbatini's Predicted Ace, 16th @ The Travelers

Jim Nantz notes based on Rory Sabbatini's immediate reaction, someone called the ace before it happened. I couldn't find any articles online explaining the backstory.

"Caroline Wozniacki says McIlroy love match will not stop Wimbledon success"

Neil McLeman talks to the former women's tennis world No. 1 about her relationship with Rory McIlroy and whether it is somehow to blame for her on-court struggles.

This was an interesting comment..

“After some losses for me, I need to get back. You need that blood on your teeth again – that hunger. I don’t think anything ever happens that you can’t take some good from. It’s all part of the learning curve.

“You can’t be No.1 in the world for 20 years – unless you are Tiger Woods! Rory is only 23 years old as well.”

Beau Returning To Congressional On Sponsor's Invite

Jonathan Wall on the AT&T National jumping on the Beau Hossler bandwagon by giving the high schooler and recent U.S. Open contender a spot in this year's field at Congressional, where he played in last year's national championship.

Ryan Ballengee says Hossler hoped for an all-UT pairing but the tour won't be going that direction.

The 17-year-old hoped to be grouped with a pair of Texas Longhorns in current player Jordan Spieth and alumnus Justin Leonard. Hossler, entering his senior year of high school in the fall, has already committed to the University of Texas for his collegiate golf. However, the PGA Tour will not group the trio, a Tour official said.

Update on 2012-06-25 02:38 by Geoff

**Barry Svrluga talks to Hossler and profiles him for the Washington Post.

When the AT&T National begins Thursday at Bethesda’s Congressional Country Club, Hossler will be the youngest member of a 120-man field. Eleven of those players, most notably tournament host Tiger Woods, have won major championships. But only three of them led the most recent major, the U.S. Open: Woods, Jim Furyk — and Hossler.

“The whole experience just helped my confidence,” Hossler said. “I just respect the games of those players so much. They’re the best in the world. But now, I think if I play well, I can play with them and compete.”

Friday Fun: "Phil Mickelson's Shower Caddy Recommends Sudsy 9-Iron"

From the folks at The Onion.

News Of The Weird Dept: Euro Tour Caddie Caught Discarding 15th Club In Bush

An unbylined Sky Sports report on an unnamed caddie for Jose Manuel Lara attempting to conceal an extra club and getting noticed by playing partners. Lara shot 69 but was DQ'd.  The Euro Tour's John Paramor explains:

"He was seen entering the bush with the bag of clubs by his playing partners (Ireland's Damien McGrane and Swede Peter Hedblom), who thought it was a little bit suspicious.

"They went and asked the chap 'What are you doing?' and he sort of fumbled out an answer saying 'I've got this wrong - I've done something bad. I wish it hadn't happened, etc etc'.

"It was clear the club was out of the bag and in the bush at the time. He admitted it straight away and regretted his action.

"A ruling was sought over what was the penalty for carrying an extra club and he was given two shots for the first hole and two for the second."

There is video of John Paramor talking about the incident here.

Looking Ahead To Merion

Mark Wogenrich of The Morning Call has an update on the efforts to prepare for the U.S. Open at Merion next year and it sounds, well, complicated. But hey, the corporate hospitality will be close to the course while the players and media are a mile away. Hope everyone soaked up the ease of Olympic Club!

To address capacity problems, the USGA has capped attendance at 25,000 spectators daily. It also will build grandstands to accommodate 17,000 of those fans across the property, hoping people fill those seats to alleviate course crowding.

In addition, the East Course's focus will be almost exclusively on golf. Merchandise, concessions and restrooms will be located on the course's perimeter. Players' locker rooms and practice facilities will be located on the West Course, with shuttles running the mile in between.

"Normally, we try to put facilities in locations where we expect spectators to be," Jones said. "At Merion, it's going to be the opposite. We're putting spectator services on the edges, where we can."

Corporate hospitality, which is being operated by the Bethlehem-based MSG Promotions, will be located at Haverford College and on Golf House Road, which runs along the East Course's back nine. Bridges will be constructed from Haverford to the championship site, and corporate tents will take over some grounds of the posh neighborhood.

The Much Vaunted World Record For A Golf Ball Landing In Speeding Car While Cameras Look On, Has Been Broken

Or is it paid for and then established?

Anyway, if you have five minutes of your life to give away for a clever Mercedes Benz ad, check out Formula 1's David Coulthard and pro-golfer Jake Shepherd trying to hit and land a golf ball in a AMG Roadster travelling at 178 mph. Thanks to reader Greg for this.