Noticeable Uptick In Americans At European Tour Q-School

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Steve Elling talks to the American duo of Peter Uihlein and Brooks Koepka about their successful run of golf in Europe. With the new PGA Tour structure that requires Web.com Tour play to graduate to the big tour, and even then with no guarantee of the chance to play, Europe may increasingly become an answer.

This was eye-opening:

In 2011/12 combined, 85 Americans signed up for European Q-School. This year alone, 83 entered. Moreover, three Americans made it to the finals last year, while 11 are playing for a full tour card this week in Spain.

And...

“People say BK and I are trailblazers, but it’s also the changes with the Web.com that are a big part of this,” Uihlein said.

European Q-School chief Mike Stewart said American players have cited the lack of direct access as a huge reason for their record presence in at the final stage in Spain, plus the fact that Q-School in the States costs roughly US$5,000 (Dh18,400). European Q-school costs half as much at £1,350 (Dh7,879). The third reason was both popular and easy.

“I suspect that the success of Uihlein and Koepka has also played a part,” Stewart said in an email from Spain.

Phil On Morning Drive: WGC's, Playoffs Taking A Backseat In '14

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Phil Mickelson talked about his work with KPMG on their Reading Relay initiative, The Open at Muirfield, Pinehurst in 2014 and his upcoming schedule. Other than dropping the Humana Challenge, he said he's playing most of his traditional early season schedule. But since one can only play so much golf, it looks like he'll be dropping a WGC and playoff events later in the year.

"The first half of the season won't be too different. My performance levels off and goes down a bit as we start to go into the second half of the year," he added. "I think where the changes are going to have to take place are in the second half of the year ... Those events to me are going to have to take a backseat, because I physically and mentally just wasn't able to perform at the level I expect."

The video:

 He also discussed the 1999 U.S. Open and preparing for 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst:

State Of The Game Podcast 31: David Eger

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A lot about David Eger was learned in his recent Golf Digest My Shot, but we decided to have the Champions Tour player and former USGA/PGA Tour executive on to talk about a variety of subjects. Yes, the Tiger drop at the Masters is revisited, as are the usual State of The Game issues. Eger is one of the more interesting figures in the game and certainly a player who has the experience and knowlege to back up his opinions. I think you'll enjoy hearing from him.

As always, you can listen and subscribe via iTunes, download the MP3, download prior episodes here or hit the play button below:

Video & Roundup: Lyle's Emotional Return

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From Martin Blake's account of Jarrod Lyle's return to golf:

And tear up he did. "It was nice to get out there and see everybody that I love standing around the tee, and even people that I've never met before,'' he said later. "The crowd at the first tee was something that I wasn't expecting. To hear Lusi (his infant daughter) call out 'Daddy' ... I turned around and thought 'I'd better give her one last cuddle'. That was the end of me once that happened. I was an absolute mess. I hit that first tee shot with tears through my eyes. Normally I would've backed off but I thought 'I just want to get it over with'.''

Bruce Matthews in the Herald Sun includes many photos and video.

Brent Read in The Australian documents Lyle's return and reports the first tee moment proved emotional for his playing partners.

Even his playing partners were battling to contain their emotions.

"It hit me harder than I thought it might," said Geoff Ogilvy.

"I felt myself wanting to look away. I didn't really know how it was going to be. Two years ago the Presidents Cup first tee, the atmosphere was incredible.

"This was more moving. Everyone feels like they're part of the whole story."

The story only got better from there. Lyle walked off the first with par and then lashed another drive down the fairway at the 2nd. Among the gallery was jockey Glen Boss, who has become friends with Lyle during his fight with cancer. Lyle made a beeline for the hoop to shake hands.

And Matt Murnane in the Sydney Morning Herald:

On the second hole, a former world No.1 and three-time major winner was getting set to drive and the layout of this course means he have right of way.

There were 28 people in the gallery following the legendary Vijay Singh.

Why so many? Oh sorry, go on...

Too many to count had their eyes fixed on Lyle.

The Victorian two-putted for a par, picked up his ball and raised it to his supporters.
As he headed to the second, a fan with impeccable timing summed it up nicely: "Welcome back, Jarrod."

Welcome back indeed.

Golf Channel, which resumes coverage tonight at 9 pm ET, has posted the entire video of Lyle's first tee shot and it's definitely worth a couple of minutes of your time:

Rejoice! Champions Tour Class Of '14 Includes Ames, Durant!

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Jeff Rude was actually serious in expressing his excitement over the Champions Tour's class of 2014.

I do believe this was said without a trace of irony...

I mean, Davis Love III, Scott Verplank, Billy Andrade and Lee Janzen turn 50 next year, and I’m fairly certain I remember watching them before they could shave.

The new crop also includes Woody Austin, Jeff Maggert, Joe Durant, Stephen Ames, Paul Goydos, Kevin Sutherland and Skip Kendall.

Oh yeah, the Champions is set for the next decade!

Golf Channel's Baldesarra Heads To CNN...

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Merrill Knox reports on Golf Channel's Lara Baldesarra heading to CNN International after working at Golf Channel.

Baldesarra had worked on shows like the Grey Goose 19th Hole and Golf Central.

CNN announced today that Lara Baldesarra is joining the network’s sports unit in Atlanta. Starting in December, she will anchor World Sport, the flagship sports news program on CNN International, and contribute to sports-related event coverage across all CNN platforms.

“We’re thrilled with Lara’s addition to CNN’s global sports operation,” said Bill Galvin, senior vice president of sports programming and development for CNN. “Her expertise as a leading voice in the sports world aligns perfectly with CNN’s commitment to providing a thoughtful perspective across a broad range of news and events.”