PGA Tour Responds To Garcia Heckling Concerns

I've noticed a greater tolerance of loud and rude types at PGA Tour events and the conspiracy theorist in me chalks it up to fear of upsetting the only people who matter (18-34 y.o.'s). Hopefully I'm wrong. And while it's part of the fun at Scottsdale and good times are not to be discouraged in the appropriate places, there is a concern with too many drunks getting too close to the action. Because as we saw at The Players, where the group behind the 17th tee desperately needed to be coralled, folks worldwide noticed.

The Guardian's Ewan Murray followed up with the PGA Tour and a statement was issued to clear the air, preventing an international incident. For now.

“If players were subjected to inappropriate comments and heckling during their rounds at The Players, that behaviour is completely contrary to our goal. Over the last several years, we doubled uniform police, significantly increased our private security presence and hired more senior officers to help with crowd control.

“We will continue to evaluate ways in which we can be more diligent in reducing any distraction to players and ensuring our no-tolerance policy is implemented. Fans who act inappropriately and affect the tournament experience with disrespectful behaviour will be ejected immediately.

“The Players 2015 was one for the record books and we are dedicated to ensuring a few poorly behaved fans do not impact the competition or the experience for our players and fans.”

Video: 30 Days From The U.S. Open At Chambers Bay

Do I notice a little more green after the recent rains? Of course, when this feature 30 days out from local TV news cuts to the shot of Rory at Quail Hollow, Chambers Bay still looks wonderfully lean, barren, crunchy and other-worldly.

Chris Francis reports for KIRO TV on the various preparations, with updates from on-site man Danny Sink and footage of the repaving effort on that one road leading in that the golf world will get to know too well!

Update on 2015-05-19 15:22 by Geoff

**Twitterers, nice follow here leading up to the U.S. Open. Photographer Mike Seidl (@mikeseidlphoto) Tweeting an image a day leading into Chambers Bay's big week.

Some Pebble Beach 17th Photos Under Construction

Thanks to reader Jay for these photos of the revamped 17th at Pebble Beach under construction/grow in. The green has been sodded, in case you were wondering.

The reclaimed square footage and basic bunker shapes look excellent. The final details remain TBD.

Thanks Jay:

Plenty of drainage in the approach!

Update on 2015-05-18 16:06 by Geoff

**I finally found the side view from the old days and compared to today's NCGA image, it would appear the green will be more hourlass than in the original Chandler Egan design, which I wrote about in Golf World.

“On a 7500 yard golf course Rory McIlroy hit 9-iron or less into 15 of 18 holes”

Rory McIlroy posted a spectacular 61 at Quail Hollow to erase his previous course record. It's hard to take such a moment and highlight the absurdity of the ball going too far, but it has to be done! This is in no way a disparagement of McIlroy's accomplishment, merely a consideration of whether this is good for the professional game when 7,500 yard courses appear too short to defend themselves without resorting to absurd measures?

A deeper look at the numbers should be wake-up call No. 20,391 for the authorities that the "test" for elite players just isn't what it used to be and that nothing positive is gained from stretching the "championship" distance serves the long term interests of the sport.

Thanks to J Held for posting this chart of all the short irons McIlroy had into what was once thought of as a strong test. Maybe more shocking than hitting 9-iron or less into 15 of the 18 holes? Look at the long par-3 clubs.

Quail Hollow hosts the 2017 PGA Championship when the ball will (theoretically) fly longer and the course could have more roll.

The McIlroy highlights...