First Preview: PGA Tour Heads To Coore And Crenshaw's Trinity Forest

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Big week for minimalism!

The AT&T Byron Nelson Classic moves from the many-times remodeled TPC Las Colinas Four Seasons to the year-old Trinity Forest Not A Four Seasons Golf Club. 

The recently opened Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw course is built on a landfill next to the Trinity Forest and is decidedly linksy in appearance.  I'm getting a firsthand look and will be filing a review for Golfweek and Morning Drive coverage for Golf Channel, but in the meantime here is some preview coverage to whet your appetite...

Graylyn Loomis filed this preview for Links and featured this quote from Bill Coore on the design philosophy:

“We couldn’t make the course look like a prototypical Dallas layout with streams, trees, and lakes,” says Coore. “You can’t plant a tree because the roots break the cap. We knew early on there couldn’t be a stream or water, either. The focus had to be the rumpled ground created as the landfill settled over the decades and we tried to highlight those features.”

The intrigue will be in watching player comments to see how the design style is embrace given the lack of major visual eye candy and the general propensity of today's pros to find the ground game offensive. 

Jordan Spieth, who makes Trinity Forest his primary practice facilities, was asked about the course at The Players:

Q. You got your home game next week; what's the scouting report on Trinity?
JORDAN SPIETH: It looks as good as I've seen it since -- and I've been going out there since before the greens were even sprigged. It looks really good. It's grown on me a lot over the past six months, and in the springtime, I think it's at its best. It's in his best condition that it can be now or the next month or two. I think the weather looks like it's going to really cooperate to give it a good first showing.

A lot of big grandstands. It's like an American links. You've kind of got to play it from the air, not really a bounce the ball up kind of links, but it is still a links-looking golf course. So it's weird, it's unique. It's actually -- Birkdale was kind of the closest comparison I've found to a links course that you kind of have to attack from the air. You get maybe four or five, six holes where you can bounce the ball up, but the way to get balls close is to come in with a higher shot. That's not necessarily true links. I don't want to say that about Birkdale because of the history and everything, but it's just the way I've found to play it well is that route.

Here is a sampler from the AT&T Byron Nelson:

Andy Johnson broke down the 6th hole in this flyover. Check out that green!

The turf looks ready!

Rick Reilly's Back On The Golf Beat

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He's never short on energy, one-liners or a passion for telling the stories of players, so it'll be fun to watch how longtime writer Rick Reilly adjusts to the modern PGA Tour player assuming the Deep Golf State is out to expose their battle with athlete's foot.

The Forecaddie talked to Reilly about what's changed since he was last on the beat and why on earth he'd leave Tuscany.

It's NCAA Men's Regional Week: Golfweek And Golfstat Are Your Friends

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With the men's NCAA Division I regionals getting underway, there is, of course, only one place to go and that's the hub of all things college golf: Golfweek. The firm of Romine, Casey and Ringler will have the lowdown. 

Lance Ringler noted this in his handy primer on the various regions and players to keep an eye on, especially for conspiracy theorists who grumble about teams hosting a regional (count me in!):

Teams that have hosted a regional are 28 of 38 (73.6 percent) in advancing to the NCAA finals.

  • Teams that are hosting a regional and seeded within the top 5 are 23 of 26 (88.5 percent) in advancing to the NCAA finals.

  • Teams that are hosting a regional and seeded outside the top 5 are 5 of 11 (45.4 percent) in advancing to the NCAA finals.

For scores, you MUST download the updated and modernized Golfstat app, available for both iPhone and Android. The desktop options are great too.

May We See You In March: Webb Simpson Wins The Players

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The final Players in May went out in a blaze of red number glory, with winner Webb Simpson's -18 under total in no way undermined by the 71.275 scoring average, a whopping two strokes lower than 2017’s 73.291.

Immaculate conditioning, humidity keeping the turf moist enough and a course that Tiger Woods noted for playing incredibly short all week, did well to stand up to today's finest. Though noteworthy is May's 63 trend with Webb Simpson and Brooks Koepka posting course-record tying 63’s in 2018, meaning six of the eight 63s were posted in May. 

Webb Simpson will defend next March when the course is overseeded with rye grass, the wind is blowing more and in less predictable directions and likely plays faster. While this won't address the incredible vulnerability of the par-5's, the course may play effectively narrower when the Bermuda grasses role is muted.

Steve DiMeglio's USA Today game story notes that Simpson wasn't at his finest Sunday but the best and most impressive work was behind him.

Mike McAllister on how the long Sunday wait, the pressure, TPC Sawgrass, the early charges all made a seven stroke leader much harder to hold on to than Simpson imagined.

Brentley Romine at Golfweek with notes, quotes and shots of the final round.

Simpson's mixed bag of sticks courtesy of David Dusek. 

Ben Everill went deep on Simpson's remarkable putting week and how it's now a strength of his game. 

Simpson spoke frankly all week about issues he faced in changing his putting style as a result of the anchor ban, admitting after the win how, in a roundabout way, he's grateful now for the anchoring ban as I write for Golfweek.

Tiger Woods finished at 11 under and was in a tie for 11th, but gave the crowd a thrill and continued to assert that he's well ahead of schedule. DiMeglio's Woods roundup is here. 

Dan Kilbridge with a Golfweek wrap on Tiger's week that started out ok and almost evolved into something epic. 

He sure moved the ratings needle.

Video: Brooks Koepka's 16th Hole Albatross, 2018 Player Championship

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6-iron, 208 yards out and a final round 63. What a way to wrap up a week that started with a freak injury.

Monahan On The Players: "This product works in May, this product works in March."

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He hasn't rolled out a Finchem-esque coterminous or compaction reference, but Jay Monahan has definitely picked up a case of B-speak during a week of Players Championship meetings.

From a chat with GolfChannel.com's Rex Hoggard, updating us on the schedule, the Tiger-Phil pairing and the state of the Players. 

“To bring the best field in golf here, early in the season and to be able to use this platform and have tent-pole events, big events, every month March through July and get the playoffs to a position where we’re really excited about where we’re going, that’s good for the overall schedule.

“When you look at how we make this product [The Players] better, this product works in May, this product works in March. You need to pick the areas where you need to improve.”

Mom: Webb's 19-Under-Par And Leading By An Insurmountable 7, But Hey At Least Tiger And Jordan Are Playing Together!

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Webb Simpson has a seven-stroke Players lead over Danny Lee, and as Garry Smits reports in the Florida Times-Union game story, it's a Webb-inar in great play.

There is also a clever new approach to greens that is working quite nicely (I detail here for Golfweek). There is also some incredible putting: 9.773 strokes gained to lead the field, and a Tim Clark-inspired grip detailed here by GolfChannel.com's Ryan Lavner.

Since no one has ever coughed up a 7-stroke lead in PGA Tour history according to Justin Ray, mom's across the country will undoubtedly ask what they usually want to know on Mother's Day: why is it we are watching this golf?

Great news!

This is the last time the Players will battle with Mother's Day--and the historic final May Players. Goose bumps! Maybe Dan and Johnny will cry as they sign off and say goodbye to May memories. 

Okay, that didn't work.

So try this: Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth are -8 and teeing off at 2:05 ET! 

And Ian Poulter's raging! All is right with the world. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Coverage begins on NBC at 2 pm but Golf Channel and PGA Tour Live Under Par have plenty of pre-telecast coverage as well. 

Roundup: Tiger Posts Lowest Round Of 2018

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Bob Harig of ESPN.com focused on this being Tiger's lowest round ever at TPC Sawgrass, a fairly amazing number given that he's a two-time Players champion and one-time U.S. Amateur winner here.

The numbers were much better on many fronts for Woods, my roundup for Golfweek.

Dan Kilbridge feels the round is the culmination of Woods efforts to come back, even if there was a sense it might have gone deeper. 

Christopher Powers at GolfDigest.com with the what-might-have-been angle after yet another Tiger bogey at the 14th.

Dylan Dethier of Golf.com noted the buzz and huge crowds for Woods, even as Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were on course.

The lone dissenter on Tiger's round: Brandel Chamblee, who says the Big Cat didn't "answer all the questions.  The implication that Woods faltered when he shifted to being in contention is an odd one.

The Golfweek Tiger Tracker should you need to relive the round. 

Eamon Lynch on playing partner MacKenzie Hughes and his respectable 68, goosebumps and one past encounter with Tiger.

“I’ve had a pretty poor year and to be in an environment like that really gets the juices flowing,” Hughes said. “It’s 90 degrees but I can assure you I had goosebumps and shivers at times out there when you hear some of the roars and realize, ‘Hey, I’m playing with Tiger Woods!’ It was fun.”

The scorecard:

The lowest round of Tiger's career at @theplayerschamp. From T68➡️T8.

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour) on

 

The scene at 17:

Video: Logoclad Karl At The Players Fits Right In As A Tour Player

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Fun stuff from Skratch dressing  up Karl in a logo clad shirt and turning him loose on the grounds. Selfies, fist bumps with his fellow, uh, pros...it's all in good fun, but also speaks to how many players look like...a PGA Tour pro.

Silvies Ranch: Caddying Gone To The Goats!

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The Oregonian's Lizzy Acker the innovative caddie goat program at Silvies Valley Ranch in Seneca, Oregon, which is a working goat and cattle farm with three golf courses. The program was developed by ranch owner Tygh Campbell who called on Seamus Golf's Akbar Chisti to help with the saddle bags used by the goats. (Thanks reader Art.)

The process of getting a bag that would stay on Bruce, the first goat selected for caddie duties, was iterative.

"The first time we kinda failed because the clubs would fall out," Chisti said. "We took those experiences and improved it."

The final bags don't just hold clubs. The also hold a six-pack of beer and, as a treat to the goats, Chisti said, "each bag had to have a pouch for peanuts."

The Gauntlet course will these noble creatures will carry your clubs opens July 10. Here's a fun video from Seamus:

Roundup: A Better Than Most Players Championship Day One

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With light rough and a golf course that changed pretty dramatically as the day went on, the mega-pairings wheeled out some so-so play while an impressive six rounds of 66 were posted in the 2018 Players.

Steve DiMeglio of USA Today on the more fizzle-than-sizzle Woods-Mickelson-Fowler opening day grouping that saw Woods shoot even par, Mickelson 79 and Fowler 74. Tiger thought the course was gettable and hopes for a big Friday morning, writes Golfweek's Dan Kilbridge.

Woods' day was highlighted by this eagle at the 9th.

One of those 66ers, Dustin Johnson, turned to AimPoint to solve the TPC Sawgrass greens and longtime user of the method, Adam Scott (69), as I write for Golfweek along with details on Johnson's new Taylor Made putter.

Randell Mell wonders if Dustin Johnson is underappreciated.

Defending champ Si Woo Kim is lurking after an opening 67, notes Will Gray.

Jordan Spieth felt constrained by the dome that is TPC Sawgrass, writes Rex Hoggard for GolfChannel.com.

Brian Wacker with the freak Brooks Koepka injury update and explanation for Golf World.

Dylan Dethier at Golf.com isn't a fan of mega pairings, sensing this was more of a PGA Tour Live play than anything else.

Rory McIlroy sees no cause for concern in Spieth's struggles here, writes Eamon Lynch for Golfweek..

Phil stumbled to a 79 due to fatigue but defended his new shirts with his usual dry wit, as I write for Golfweek.

ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco followed the group and has some of the better gallery comments directed Phil's way.

Mr. Style shared his thoughts:

Round 2 TV times and groupings.

Grayson Murray (72) shared his special way of bypassing traffic. AKA, Living Under Par. A screen capture of his Instagram story:

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The first round highlights:

Virus, Schmirus: How About Those Baylor Women!

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Golfweek's Beth Ann Nichols reports on the impressive fortitude of the Baylor women's golf team advancing to the NCAA Championships via the Austin regional.

This, despite losing a player in final round play to a bizarre virus that swept the region, while another played sick.

East Carolina was forced to forfeit and health officials have no answers as to what caused the mystery virus to spread at University of Texas Golf Club.

Puffy Shirt Return: Phil Signs With Mizzen+Main To Allow "Move From The Board Room To The Golf Course"

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The Forecaddie on Thursday-and-beyond's return of...the shirt. 

The full, and frankly spectacular, press release here:

Mizzen+Main Announces Partnership with American Golfer Phil Mickelson

Dallas, Texas, May 10, 2018: Transformative menswear brand Mizzen+Main announces a new partnership with one of the most renowned golfers and professional athletes of all time, Phil Mickelson. The five-time major champion has signed on as an official Brand Ambassador of the hyper growth, performance menswear line that has transformed an industry with its “best damn dress shirt.”

The long-term partnership makes Mickelson an equity holder in the company, joining Houston’s JJ Watt as a major partner in Mizzen+Main.

“I was waiting to find the perfect apparel partner that allowed me to move from the board room to the golf course. Mizzen+Main’s performance dress shirts enable me to do that. A big part of why I’m so thrilled to partner with them is I know all my endorsement partners and the thousands of professionals that work at those companies will love this shirt for their day to day too. These dress shirts not only look incredible but are so comfortable and versatile I can actually play golf in them. It’s remarkable to have a dress shirt I can wear from a meeting to the course. The game has changed,” remarked Mickelson.

Mickelson made waves in the sports world after wearing Mizzen+Main in a practice round with Tiger Woods at Augusta in April this year. His record as one of the best golfers of all time who represents several of the world’s greatest companies, along with being a maverick who charts his own path makes him a perfect fit for the brand.

“I started Mizzen+Main six years ago to make a dress shirt that performed at the same level as athletic apparel. Partnering with Phil is an extraordinary opportunity as one of the most renowned global athletes puts our product to the test on the course in a fun and unique way. We’re thrilled to have Lefty lead the way in the years ahead,” said Mizzen+Main Founder and CEO Kevin Lavelle.

As Brand Ambassador, Mickelson will wear Mizzen+Main’s performance fabric dress shirts regularly in tournament play, kicking off this week at the Players Championship®.

"PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan proves to be what tour needed"

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Steve DiMeglio of USA Today profiles Commissioner Jay Monahan a year into the job and notes the strong run of late securing sponsors, including nine tournaments with 10-year deals.  He is pleased and humbled by the opportunity.

“Honestly, I don’t think about me and my job but I think about what we are doing,” Monahan said. “I feel like the product is our players — how they perform, how they relate to each other, how they relate to the fans. And our financial contributions are significant. We are part of the fabric of so many communities, which brings a whole level of responsibility and energy. We are in a good place with all of that.”

I'm not sure about this that Davis Love bought into, but it makes for a good story from Commissioner 60 Is The Mandatory Retirement Age For Everyone But Me:

“Tim paid Jay a very high compliment one time when he said to me, ‘You know, I don’t really want to retire, but Jay is so ready. I need to get out of his way,’” said Davis Love III, one of four players on the Tour’s policy board. “That’s the highest of compliments.

And I think we'll all remember this next time a PGA Tour player leaves a ball down as a backstop in defiance of honor and integrity.

“There are so many things I love about golf,” he said. “Its meritocracy — nothing is given, everything is earned. The values of the game — honor, integrity, respect, sportsmanship.”