Tiger V. Phil On November 23rd: Pay Per View Price May Be Shockingly Inexpensive

I'm growing increasingly excited about Tiger v. Phil, which ESPN.com's Bob Harig says will be Friday, November 23rd at Shadow Creek and on pay-per-view.

The winner-takes-all $9 million was a compromise to keep the $10 million FedExCup first prize the top one in golf. However, in return it sounds like the PGA Tour has signed off on some blatant gambling elements, like presses or side bets that will have a charitable component. There may also be a heavy Las Vegas, in-match betting element that would have made Commissioner Moonbeam freak out, but which could lay the foundation for the future of fan betting. 

As for the timing, late afternoon/prime time streaming seems to be the goal:

Although a time for the event was not announced, Mickelson said he hoped for a prime-time finish in the East and perhaps even playing the final few holes in Las Vegas under the lights.

Love the lights, love the holiday weekend play and my sources are saying the streaming price will not be substantial. Some--other than millennials who like to share passwords--will find dirt cheap, in the $5 to $15 range, $20 likely the top end depending on how you access. The goal is to make this available via as many options as possible, not to launch and promote one entity. 

Yes, TNT will be announcing, which means Ernie Johnson welcoming us in a PGA Championship Thursday flashback. But as our poll last month showed, 22% of you were willing to pay in that price range. 

Much Needed Animal Golf Course Video Surfaces! Fox Steals Golf Ball

It's been too long. With slow play fights leading to severed digits and other bleak news in the world, we are faced with the FedExCup and it's completely moribund format as a diversion.

Thankfully a wee critter has come along to give us hope for humanity. Or, at least for young animals.

From Springfield CC and while I recognize it's no dancing bear, we'll take it:

Video: Ridgewood From Above

I won't even begin to try and convince you to get excited about the first round of the Playoffs (C), nor will I try to figure out the composite course in use for Ridgewood Country Club in this week's Northern Trust Open. 

Instead, just whet your appetite on a return to a A.W. Tillinghast gem thanks to Evan Schiller's drone shots:

Ryder Cup: Tiger And Furyk Talk About Tiger Woods

Pretty funny to imagine Tiger Woods shifting to third person mode to assess his potential as a Captain's pick, though why we are pretending it's a serious discussion at this point is beyond me.

Ryan Lavner with the best revelation from Tiger's press gathering Tuesday at Ridgewood CC in advance of the Northern Trust:

“I’m one of the guys on the short list, and sometimes I have to pull myself out of there and talk about myself in the third person, which is a little odd.”

Poll: Are 59's Losing Their Luster?

I was at a golf course snack bar when the Golf Channel was showing highlights from Brandt Snedeker's 59 at the Wyndham Championship. It was the 10th such round in PGA Tour history and when some golfers looked up and asked if he'd shot 59, I said yes and they went, "ah that's great" and then went about decorating their hot dogs.

A decade ago, I'm pretty sure we all would have stopped what we were doing to watch all of the highlights and regale in the history playing out before our eyes. 

Throw in a 58 by Jim Furyk and it seems like the 59 has gone from golf's equivalent of a perfect game to a no-hitter. Still an amazing feat and worth dropping what we're doing to see a player break the barrier, but also not quite as satisfying as it should be.

Is this because of how many have occurred since Al Geiberger broke golf's sound barrier, perhaps coupled with the 13-under-par nature of the first three when par-4s sometimes actually required a long-iron approach?

Or has the role of distance, improved technology, amazing agronomy and golf courses put in a strategically untenable position played a role in making them a little less magical?

First, our Golf Central discussion, followed by a poll...

Are 59s Losing Their Luster?

Yes, they no longer are as incredible as they first seemed

No way, a 59 is a 59

Eh...somewhere in between

 

pollcode.com free polls

First World Alert: Players Looking To Abolish The Secondary Cut, Reduce 36 Hole Cut Size

Instituted to help pace of play, Saturday cuts on the PGA Tour occur when more than 78 make the weekend. Players, reports GolfChannel.com's Rex Hoggard, have decided they don't like the Saturday cut and are looking for an alternative. That alternative seems like a bizarre solution given the incentives to make cuts and the "playing opportunities" mantra of the Tour. 

The alternative that’s being studied is to reduce the cut at all Tour events from the lowest 70 players and ties to the lowest 65 players and ties. This would allow the circuit to eliminate the secondary cut at all events.

So they would eliminate as many as five (and often more players) on the weekends because they don't like a few people who post a big score to be cut on Saturday? 

Don't be surprised if a year from now they are revisiting a solution to a problem only the first world could have found.

Time For Amateurs To Look Like Amateurs Again

Stories recommending how to make the U.S. Amateur more relevant have been written for some time now.

Doug Ferguson wrote this one back in 2005 that I blogged about.

I penned a Golfweek story last year suggesting that U.S. Amateur winners retain their U.S. Open exemption whether they turn pro or not.

Once counted as a major by Jack Nicklaus and a vital championship on the golf calendar, the U.S. Amateur has drifted to the back pages and in the ratings division. The amateur game has been weakened by few lifelong amateurs and players turning pro at increasingly younger ages.

But after last week's U.S. Amateur, I'm convinced the event is also undermined by players looking like pros. Maybe it's too subliminal and maybe the trend is irreversible, but I was struck by how many people noted when a player wore a corporate-affiliated hat or looked too much like a professional golfer.

College gear didn't seem to offend even though some of America's finest institutions might as well be corporations. Seeing a player advertising their school reminds us they are still an amateur. But young players looking like PGA Tour pros, down to scripted outfits and an overpolished look envisioned in a corporate meeting room, strips the event of its integrity.

Here is what the USGA's FAQ on Amateur Status says about free equipment and, in particular, clothing:

Yes. Even if you have golf skill or reputation, you may accept a reasonable amount of golf balls, golf clubs, clothing, shoes and other merchandise from a company or source dealing in these types of equipment (e.g., equipment manufacturer or golf shop). However, if you are considered to have golf skill or reputation, you must not advertise or promote the source of the equipment.

The act of wearing a scripted, logoed outfit and hat would seem to fall under the definition of advertising or promoting the source of your free equipment. Particularly the hat. 

The USGA did once try to regulate the logos, according to former Executive Director David Fay, who recalled amateurs at the 1989 event even being asked to cover manufacturer logos with duct tape. The USGA even offered the amateurs who made it to the TV rounds a free host-Club logo hat.  

"But it all started to feel (and look) silly to duct tape “Titleist”, when more and more 15 handicappers started wearing equipment-manufacturer hats and carrying equipment-manufacturer bags and head covers," says Fay.    

Indeed, golf has the equivalent now of cyclists who stumble into Starbucks in the logo-clad tights, as if they'd just finished the Bourg-Saint-Maurice Stage in the Tour De France. Logos are pervasive in our culture and even an attempt to look stylish or to subscribe to some sort of lifestyle brand. 

Nonetheless, amateurs sporting their preferred manufacturer's logos as a thank you for free equipment constitutes advertising as defined by the Rules of Golf. Worse, the look undermines the amateur in United States Amateur.

Bring back the duct tape. 

Slow Play Files Gone Mad: Of Course A Man Bit Another Man's Finger Off Over Not Playing Fast Enough

The finger biterer

It probably comes as little surprise that the severed digit story involved slow play (sorry to those who had "just plain hungry" and "someone drove into them" in the pool). 

Emily Sweeney of the Boston Globe reports on Derek Harkins' arraignment on charges of assault and battery after biting off Daniel Menton's finger in a Plymouth, Massachusetts brawl over slow play. 

Menton told police that he and seven others were playing the ninth hole when Harkins’s father, John, arrived in his golf cart and complained they were playing too slowly and cheating during an ongoing tournament.

Sevensome? What could go wrong?

Menton told police that he saw Derek Harkins following his father in his own golf cart “at a fast rate of speed” and that he had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. He said Harkins then sprang from the cart and punched him in the face.

Menton told police that they were wrestling on the ground when Harkins bit his finger.

Even better, there's video!

One of the golfers shared with the police a video of the moments when the combatants separated. “While viewing the video it was clear Derek Harkins was acting out of control and was trying to be restrained by the other individuals,’’ the report said. “It should be noted that there was blood coming from his mouth and face.”

What a fine story and image for the royal and ancient game!

On a serious note, the severed digit cannot be reattached. 

Wyndham Ratings Up A Bit, U.S. Amateur Flat For Final Match

While it's more fun to look at Tiger Woods-infused ratings, SBD's Josh Carpenter reported on the 2018 Wyndham Championship on CBS and U.S. Amateur ratings on Fox.

Neither was particularly staggering, but neither was a negative story either. 

The Wyndham's 1.9 for Brandt Snedeker's win was up from a 1.6 in 2017 and the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach drew a .4, the same as last year's thrilling finale between Doug Ghim and Doc Redman.

For Some Unknown Reason, Mark King Has A Job In Golf Again

Overcompensated retread alert!

Honma Golf USA is apparently unable to do basic Google searches to read up on how Mark King is not the man to run your equipment company unless you want an unhappy ending. 

The former Undercover Boss star who wheeled out multiple Taylor Made drivers in a year in a move that set the company back with consumers, advocated 15 inch cups, sat on the two-meeting PGA of America task force to grow the game and eventually found himself stashed in Adidas North America offices somewhere, is back running Honma Golf USA.  

Mike Stachura reports on King joining the Honma brand in what the former Taylor Made CEO calls a consulting role, though employees are already calling that nonsense. Great start!

“He’s in charge,” said one former Honma employee who requested anonymity. The employee indicated King’s position was announced internally at Honma last month. “It’s been in the works for awhile. Mark’s taking over everything.”

Got to love his description of the new boss, Chairman Liu of Honma.

“There were two things that made this attractive to me and the first one right away was him,” King said. “He doesn’t speak a lot of English, but his enthusiasm is mesmerizing. On top of that, with this brand, I see the opportunity to do different things, the right things for this brand, to understand who its customer is and how to reach that customer.

“He was interested in having someone help him who understands golf and understands golf in North America and how to present that brand to the market. My role is to help them build the brand.”

PGA Tour Enters A Legal Sports Betting State For The First Time Since Supreme Court Ruling...

The playoffs arrive in New Jersey and Ridgewood CC for the first time in a sports-betting legal state.

Rex Hoggard reports for GolfChannel.com on what this means in 2018. In a nutshell, the PGA Tour does not expect any issues.

Although New Jersey was among the first states to embrace sports betting, wagers are currently limited to a few casinos and racetracks.

“I wouldn’t say the gaming would be any different than what’s currently being offered in Las Vegas or elsewhere, win bets and that type of thing,” said Andy Levinson, the Tour’s senior vice president of tournament administration.

There is one potential area of intrigue: soft-launched mobile betting apps in beta form according to this item by Devin O'Connor. 

Resorts, one of the six Atlantic City casinos with sports gambling underway, received authorization with partner DraftKings from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (D) earlier this month for a soft-launch of mobile sports betting.

The app was released to a limited number of users. The DGE hasn’t said when it might permit Resorts and DraftKings to open up the app to the general public. Other casino sportsbooks are also in the process of releasing mobile sports betting platforms.

Of note will be if any of these mobile platforms offer negative outcome bets where a fan could interfere with play and profit. Presumably these beta apps are not offering anything that could derail their popularity or their coveted relationship with pro golf in the coming years. Presumably. 

Putting A Bow On The 2018 U.S. Amateur: Hovland Defeats Bling, Pebble Shines, Jack Provides Link To The Past

Viktor Hovland

Pebble Beach did not disappoint as a venue for the 118th U.S. Amateur and its fifth time hosting dating to 1929.

Viktor Hovland dominated his opponents all week including finalist Devon Bling. Hovland's winning scores in 2018 U.S. Amateur Match Play:

3&2
2&1
7&6
7&6
3&2
6&5

Yowsers!

Even better, Hovland is a big personality with a bigger brain and strong all around game that has even more upside. The first Norwegian to win the Amateur now heads back to Oklahoma State with likely spots in the Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship as well as a chance to be a great international ambassador for amateur golf. 

The game stories are worth your time on this one giving the many dimensions to Hovland.

Ron Driscoll gives us the nuts and bolts of a match where Hovland dominated, yet had Bling just been a bit better, would have made very interesting, a compliment to his skill and persistence. 

Brentley Romine for Golfweek takes the college angle and explains how Hovland was an accidental find for OSU coach Alan Bratton, who was on the bag this week.

Ryan Lavner at GolfChannel.com has a wild anecdote about how Hovland killed some time in between the morning and afternoon sessions. If you had reading up on a philosophic debate over affirmative action in the pool, you win!

Dave Shedloski dives a little deeper into Hovland's wit and big personality.

Chris Keane's images from the final capture a bit of everything to perfectly sum up the combatants, the venue and the championship. 

Hovland's highlights in three minutes:

A week of great play at Pebble Beach has Viktor Hovland leaving with the #USAmateur 🏆 and Sunday's @Lexus Performance of the Day! pic.twitter.com/AZrAx6IJyi

— USGA (@USGA) August 20, 2018

As for Pebble Beach, I believe my views are fairly well documented in past blog posts about some of the lost architectural potential of the course. But in a week that is a big sacrifice for the Pebble Beach Company to give up the course, all in all the assessment is a positive one.

The nostalgic fan of golf history in me welcomes any chance to celebrate the 1929 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, arguably the tournament I'd most love to go back in time to experience. So check out Joe Bissen's story about the winner back then, Jimmy Johnston, a stockbroker from St. Paul. 

And as The Forecaddie notes, it was a fantastic, amazing and slightly bizarre sight of having Jack Nicklaus walking the course early in the week (and not getting recognized by one player). Also, because of his history at Pebble Beach, here is a little-known link to that 1929 U.S. Amateur that Golden Bear buffs will enjoy. 

To really bring it full circle, Nicklaus Tweeted his pride at the effort by winner Hovland and runner-up Bling:

Congrats #ViktorHovland! What an incredible year for you—an @NCAA title with @OSUCowboyGolf & now a #USAmateur! All before turning 21. From Norway to North Palm Beach, we are very proud of you! Also proud of @dbling65. Just 18, you went from 312 golfers Monday to finals Sunday! https://t.co/NgTl3jCuwT

— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) August 19, 2018

Best European Team On Paper Update: Olesen Jumps Ahead Of Poulter, Casey

I'm not sure if the best European Ryder Cup team on paper remains so in Monty's mind after this week's move by Thorbjorn Olesen, but we have time to mull! At least on current form, however, getting Olesen on the team appears to be a positive. Particularly since Captain Thomas Bjorn has already said he will be hard-pressed to pick his fellow countryman for fear of looking biased.

Will Gray reports for GolfChannel.com on Olesen's second place in the Nordea Masters boosting his spot on the World Points list and within shouting distance of Tommy Fleetwood on the European Points list.

Even if Olesen fails to qualify automatically for Paris, the 28-year-old continues to bolster his credentials for a possible pick from his countryman, Bjorn. Olesen won the Italian Open in June, finished second at the BMW International Open three weeks later and has now compiled four top-12 finishes over his last five worldwide starts including a T-3 result at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational earlier this month.

Also on the outside looking in: Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia. 

Lexi's Back, Contending And Adds Another Rules Infraction

Lexi Thompson is back on the LPGA Tour after taking a short leave to get refreshed and to gather her thoughts after a rough 2017.

And she's back to bad luck on the rules infraction side of things, though this one is most definitely on her shoulders. 

Kevin Casey explains why her taking lift, clean and place relief caused the infraction. 

U.S. Amateur Final Set: Bling v Hovland For The Havemeyer Trophy

A 65 by Devon Bling and six-under-through-16 by Viktor Hovland sets up a battle of two prototypical modern stars in the making. The first 18 commences at 7:30 am PT with streaming coverage at USGA.org starting at 9:30 am PT prior to Fox network coverage of the afternoon 18 from Pebble Beach (1:30 PM PT/4:30 PM ET).

Brentley Romine at Golfweek sets up the final match-up for the Havemeyer Trophy.

Ryan Lavner with GolfChannel.com "snapshots" of the two combatants. 

If Tale Of the Tape is your preferred angle, Mike Trostel breaks down the two finalists by the numbers.

Dave Shedloski with more on Bling playing for his late mother.

If you're in the area, it'll be the best $25 you've ever spent walking the fairways of Pebble Beach watching two players displaying all-around talent.

As I write for Golfweek, it's been another grand amateur at Pebble. (With some architectural quibbling.)

Chris Keane and J.D. Cuban's images from Saturday capture just some of the incredible golf on display.

Hovland's highlights:

5 straight birdies on the back 9 will earn you a spot in the #USAmateur final! Congrats Viktor Hovland! pic.twitter.com/PpAj0AIc9B

— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2018

Bling's highlights:

The California kid is having himself quite the week at Pebble Beach! @uclamensgolf’s @dbling65 is on to the #USAmateur final! pic.twitter.com/YmZDFZwme8

— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2018