Phil Being Phil Takes On New Dimensions After Saudi Arabia Decision

The focus on Phil Mickelson’s decision to play in Saudi Arabia next January continues to center around his choice more than any other player’s, largely because he should know better, writes GolfDigest.com’s Max Adler:

Now, there are other prominent American golfers likely banking large appearance fees for participating in the second edition of the Saudi European Tour event—like Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Tony Finau, and Brooks Koepka—but the heat is on Phil because presumably he should know better. A worldly man on the cusp of 50, knowledgeable on subjects as wide ranging as wine, dinosaurs and subcutaneous fat (and really almost any topic you care to bring up, many golfers say), should know that the staging of a popular western sport in a country whose values are so antithetical to our own comes with certain dilemmas that cannot be quickly dismissed. See the uproar between China and the NBA that’s now lasted over a month. Just last year Saudi Arabia directed the assassination of a dissident journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, and so hosting a professional golf tournament is a stunt to rehabilitate its global image that the New York Times calls “Sportswashing”. Phil has to be aware of all this.

While Mickelson has rightfully taken his share of the heat, I find it remarkable that the European Tour has escaped equal criticism for sanctioning the event, even after the incriminating evidence against tournament host Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has mounted since the initial playing of las year’s event.

Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch addressed the larger topic of where players should be asked to draw the line on politically sensitive issues.

USGA Revamps Executive Committee Structure, Retires Women's Committee

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The annual Executive Committee shuffle came with a new wrinkle: a shuffling of responsibilities within the USGA.

Gone is the Women’s Committee, two-year presidencies (now three) and in: more staff responsibility.

Of course, how this all addresses the distance issue, I have no idea.

Stu Francis Nominated as 66th USGA President 

The USGA will also reorganize its volunteer structure to enhance opportunity and volunteer experience

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Dec. 4, 2019) – J. Stuart Francis, of Hillsborough, Calif., has been nominated to serve as the 66th president of the United States Golf Association (USGA).

Additionally, Christopher Cupit of Johns Creek, Ga., and Courtney Myhrum of Pittsburgh, Pa., have been nominated to the 15-member Executive Committee, a volunteer group that provides strategic and financial oversight as the policy-making board of the Association.

“The USGA continues to benefit from having an exceptional group of candidates to choose from who reflect our mission and believe in our obligation to serve the game,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Led by Stu Francis, who brings his lifelong amateur competitive golf experience along with his over 40-year business career, each candidate brings a unique perspective and expertise that will make a lasting impact on the organization.” 

Francis has been a member of the USGA Executive Committee for five years and has served on the Compensation, Equipment Standards and Governance committees in addition to four years as chair of the Championship Committee. An accomplished amateur golfer, Francis has competed in three U.S. Amateur Championships, two NCAA Championships and three Canadian Amateur Championships. Francis earned his B.A. from Princeton University, where he was named First Team All-Ivy League and All-American as co-captain of the men’s golf team. Francis, who also earned an MBA from Stanford University, is currently a senior managing director for Evercore, a global investment banking advisory firm, where he leads the Silicon Valley technology practice. 

Executive Committee elections will take place at the USGA’s Annual Meeting on Feb. 29, 2020, in Pinehurst, N.C. Retiring from the Executive Committee will be Robert Kain, current president Mark Newell and general counsel Richard Shortz. Current members nominated to continue their service are Anthony Anderson, Michael Bailey, Stephen Beebe, Paul Brown, Thomas Barkin, Kendra Graham, Martha Lang, Fred Perpall, Deborah Platt Majoras, Nick Price, Sharon Ritchey and William Siart. 

Cupit was introduced to the USGA as a competitor in the 1986 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and went on to compete in two U.S. Amateur and two U.S. Mid-Amateur championships. He joined the Mid-Amateur Championship Committee in 2006 and has served as a Rules official at 28 USGA championships. Cupit has also served the game through board roles with the Georgia State Golf Association, Atlanta Junior Golf Association and The Evergreen Society. Professionally, Cupit is the owner and general manager of Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek, Ga., a family-owned club that his father founded in 1973. 

Myhrum began her USGA volunteer experience at the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in 1998 and has gone on to serve at more than 50 championships. Myhrum was introduced to the game at 8 years old and began playing competitively after completing her two-sport collegiate career in field hockey and lacrosse at Denison University. Since then, she has competed in 14 USGA championships, including the U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. She has served as a USGA Women’s Committee member since 2011, including as chair in 2019. Myhrum is currently the owner and president of Organized By Court, a consulting firm that offers custom solutions for individuals, families and small businesses to achieve greater productivity and efficiency. 

 

As part of a regular review to continue to enhance the effectiveness of the USGA governance structure, starting in 2020, Executive Committee member terms will increase from one year to three years, with a two-term limit. The president’s term will also increase to three years with a one-term limit.  Additionally, the elected secretary, treasurer and general counsel roles on the Executive Committee will be retired and those functions will be assumed internally by the organization’s staff leadership. 

The USGA is also strategically evolving its volunteer committee structure to improve efficiency, increase opportunity and enable greater diversity in assignments. Under this approach, volunteers will be able to better tailor their experience based on where, when and how they wish to serve. As part of the overall restructuring, the USGA Women’s Committee will also be retired in 2020. With the USGA’s evolution over the last decade resulting in many of the Women’s Committee’s duties being fully assumed by the executive management team and the Executive Committee, it was recognized that there is no longer a need for a separate committee. The USGA is grateful to and proud of the Women’s Committee for its important contributions over many years, which have significantly enhanced the development and health of women’s and girls’ golf and the overall game. Under the new volunteer structure, current members of the Women’s Committee will continue to play important volunteer roles both in supporting the women’s game and in contributing to the USGA in many other ways. The modifications reflect the results of a multi-year review of current practices and procedures that included extensive feedback from current volunteers. 

About the USGA             

The USGA is a non-profit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.

Tiger Talking Modern Game "Speed" At Drama-Free Hero World Challenge

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For a silly season event—albeit one with world ranking points on the line—this Hero World Challenge has none of the baggage and sadness of some previous editions. As I wrote here for Golfweek, the tournament host arrives with the green jacket, a healthy body and only the burden of hosting the week before he serves as captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Good times!

In Tuesday’s press conference, I tried to tee up Woods on the speed push in golf and if there are any dangers to it. His answer was insightful, though he stopped short of suggesting a remedy to minimize the increase in injuries. I explain for Golfweek.com here.

Woods tees off in round one of the Hero at 11:35 am ET.

Phoenix Stop Disappointed To Lose Phil, Welcomes Him Back Should He Decide To Play In His 50s

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Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com talked to Waste Management Open tournament director Tim Woods about losing longtime marquee entrant Phil Mickelson to Saudi Arabia’s second year European Tour event.

"Just one player doesn't move the needle for us," Woods said. "Think about Tiger. For me, I'd be lying again if I didn't want Tiger in our field, but when he doesn't play, we still break attendance records. And so it tells you that we're doing something above and beyond what's actually happening between the tee and the green."

If Mickelson does decide to return to the Phoenix Open, Tim Woods said he won't be rebuffed.

"Yeah, we're disappointed," Woods said, "but Phil is always welcomed back."

Mickelson is eligible to play in 2021 despite turning 50 next year. Though in one of the more unusual Twitter replies, Mickelson seemed to think hitting the half-century mark rendered him unable to ever play in Scottsdale again.

Tiger Declined Enormous Saudi Arabia Appearance Fee

On the heels of Phil Mickelson taking an unusually high amount of criticism for agreeing to play next year’s European Tour event in Saudi Arabia, Bob Harig reports for ESPN.com that Tiger Woods declined a fee in the neighborhood of $3 million.

"I just don't want to go over there," Woods told ESPN. "It's a long way.''

Woods addressed the topic and Phil Mickelson in a televised press conference this way, reports Ewan Murray in The Guardian:

"I understand the politics behind it," Woods said Tuesday of the controversy. "But also the game of golf can help heal a lot of that, too. It can help grow it. And also a lot of top players are going to be playing there that particular week.

And Then Tiger And Joey Sat Down To Watch The 2019 Masters

Great stuff here from The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster sharing Tiger’s retelling of watching the 2019 Masters final round broadcast with caddie Joe LaCava.

“I sat down and watched it with Joe [LaCava],” added Woods of a success that re-ignited his bid to chase down the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus after a drought of nearly nine years. “He came down to do a TV spot then he and I just sat there, had a few beers and watched it. We spoke about the conversations that we had over each shot; some of our friends and family who were there were like ‘Oh my God, you guys really talked about that?’

“But that’s what we were talking about, that’s what was going on. We were running through all the scenarios, Joe looking at the boards, I am looking at the boards. We were trying to figure out what was going on; who birdied what, who was 
making a move.

CBS Adds Nobilo, Immelman To Broadcast Team, Wie Joins Masters Digital

So much to read into this, both timing and personnel wise. Hard to say all of the ramifications, but I did note a few elements to the news here at Golfweek.com.

The full CBS release:

CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ROSTER MOVES FOR 2020 GOLF SEASON

Frank Nobilo Expands Role to Full-Time Analyst

Masters Champion Trevor Immelman Joins CBS Sports Golf Coverage

Dottie Pepper Named Lead On-Course Reporter

Mark Immelman and Andrew Catalon Duties Increase; Michelle Wie Joins CBS Sports

CBS Sports announces additional roster moves for the 2020 golf season for the Network’s television coverage of the PGA TOUR, Masters and PGA Championship.

Frank Nobilo, who has contributed to the Network’s golf coverage for the past five seasons, will expand his role and serve as an analyst for the full CBS Sports golf season. Nobilo, a veteran broadcaster, retired from golf in 2002 after winning 15 tournaments worldwide. 

Masters Champion Trevor Immelman joins as an analyst contributing to the Network’s PGA TOUR coverage as well as CBS Sports’ cross-platform coverage of the Masters and PGA Championship. Throughout his distinguished playing career, Immelman won 11 events worldwide – including the 2008 Masters – and was also a two-time participant in the Presidents Cup in 2005 and 2007.  

Dottie Pepper, who joined the Network in 2015, has been elevated to lead on-course reporter. Pepper is a 17-time LPGA winner and two-time Major Champion, winning at the Nabisco Dinah Shore (now the ANA Inspiration) in both 1992 and 1999. She was honored in 1992 as the LPGA Player of the Year.

Analyst and Coach Mark Immelman, who joined CBS Sports in 2016, will increase his duties with the golf team this season, working the majority of the Network’s PGA TOUR schedule. Additionally, he will continue as part of CBS Sports’ cross-platform coverage of the Masters and PGA Championship. He also currently serves as the Director of Golf at Columbus State University.

Andrew Catalon, who has contributed to CBS Sports’ multimedia coverage of the Masters and PGA Championship since 2011 and 2012, respectively, also will increase his golf duties on the broadcast side, serving as host for select PGA TOUR events. In addition to golf, Catalon serves as play-by-play announcer for CBS Sports’ coverage of the NFL and college basketball, including the NCAA Tournament.

Additionally, Michelle Wie, the five-time LPGA TOUR winner, will contribute to CBS Sports’ multimedia golf coverage this season, including the Masters. 

Earlier this year, Davis Love III was also announced as full-time golf analyst for CBS Sports. For the 2020 golf season, newcomers Trevor Immelman and Love will join veterans Jim Nantz, Nick Faldo, Ian Baker-Finch, Nobilo, Pepper, Mark Immelman, Amanda Balionis and Catalon throughout CBS Sports’ coverage of the PGA TOUR, Masters and PGA Championship.

Mickelson To End Incredible Phoenix Open Run For Crown Prince's Cash, Grow The Game Opportunity

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As Alex Myers notes, Phil Mickelson has made 30 Phoenix Open starts, including 27 in a row, but the ASU great will end that run this year to play the second ever European Tour event in Saudi Arabia. The event is the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, attempting to westernize the image of Saudi Arabia while regularly attacking journalists, including arresting more just last week on top of likely ordering the Jamal Koshaggi murder and dismemberment.

“I am really looking forward to playing in Saudi Arabia in January,” Mickelson told the Saudi Gazette. “I watched Dustin win the title last year and thought the course looked like an interesting challenge. Having so many talented players on show also made it look like a much more established tournament than one in its inaugural year. I have enjoyed my previous visits to the Middle East and am looking forward to playing in a new country and doing my bit to grow the game in the Kingdom.”

While other players deserve their fair share of grief for supporting the regime by accepting lavish appearance fees, Mickelson is too enlightened, worldly and successful to be falling back on the “grow the game” sham.

Given the Saudi stop’s date, this likely rules out Mickelson from playing his hometown Torrey Pines event. He skipped last year’s Farmers Insurance Open in an effort to target events with course design and setup more befitting his style of play. What the Saudi event does, besides replenish a bank account, is beyond me.

First World Alert: Thanksgiving Passes Without New PGA Tour TV Contract

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To many, the notion of urgency in a sports television negotiation amounts to a silly notion. Especially one that does not change hands (potentially) until 2022.

But as I explain for Golfweek, with the passing of Thanksgiving weekend, the hoped-for conclusion to the PGA Tour’s media partner future came and went. Not surprising, really, with something so complex and uncertain. Nonetheless, the intrigue continues and with two high-profile events over the next two weeks, resolution to what is a major behind-the-scenes power struggle involving America’s biggest media companies, remains a huge topic of conversation within the golf business.

At Decade's End: PGA Tour Winners Get Noticeably Younger

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Nice work here by Robopz to use the end of decade opening to look at average PGA Tour winner age from 2000-2009 vs. 2010-2019. Give him a follow for doing all of this math.

This should not be a recipe to turn pro at 18 or to give up the game at 40, but will please those pushing players to peak younger. I am a bit surprised given the falloff in 40+ winners given how much better players age, particularly as major championships have not been won by many youngsters. But other factors like bloated bank accounts, faster greens and the distance chase easily offset the Pilates and chia seed lunches.

Ratings: LPGA's Season Finale Down 33%; RSM Classic Not Great Either

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2019’s final weekend of official tournaments drew very few eyeballs.

According to Sports Business Journal’s weekend roundup, the CME Tour Group Championship drew a .3 and an average of 395,000 viewers on NBC, down 33% from last year’s final round on ABC. The rating made it by far the lowest rated sports event on network TV last weekend and as Paulsen notes at Sports Media Watch “easily” the lowest since its run on broadcast TV dating to 2015.

Figure skating, on tape, drew double the audience.

Meanwhile the PGA Tour’s 2019 RSM Classic’s compelling final round won by Tyler Duncan over Webb Simpson in a playoff did not land in the top 150 cable shows among the 18-49 year olds, meaning only two rounds of the entire fall showed up on those lists (the ZOZO Sunday and delayed Monday rounds featuring Tiger Woods).

It should be noted: the CME and RSM aired in matching time slots, further dividing the audience.

Also to be noted: Loud House on Nicktoons is geared toward 6-12 year olds, yet with its .3/122,000 still earned a spot in the top 150 for a 10 pm showing while the RSM Classic did not.

Sergio Returning To The Scene Of His Saudi Meltdown Free Of Charge!

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The Telegraph’s James Corrigan reminds us that (A) the European Tour is again returning to Saudi Arabia for the Crown Prince-inspired Saudi International, and (B) Sergio Garcia will turn up again despite damaging greens and throwing hissy fits at the inaugural playing.

But there is good news! He’s not asking for an appearance fee. The Crown Prince entered code FOOTDRAG in the online request form and Sergio is showing up free of charge.

But as the Spaniard tries to make reparations for his outrageous meltdown, he will agree to participate without an appearance fee this time around.

It is understood this was one of the conditions placed on the 2017 Masters champion by the European Tour as it spared him a suspension.

What some guys will sacrifice not to be suspended!

García received in the region of £500,000 for this year’s tournament and was not asked to return any of it, despite smashing his putter into one of the greens in anger and then continuing this fit of pique for the next hour or so, as he raked up as many as four other greens. 

There was that.

When Too Much Money Is Still Not Enough: European Tour Chief Confronts "Optionality" Issues

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European Tour Chief Keith Pelley chatted with media during round three of the DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai conclusion. And while it’s been a successful year, there are signs in Europe and in the United States that big money is reducing the urge to play often.

Alistair Tait at Golfweek noted the Rolex Series both succeeding at maintaining a certain status quo of quality while also not giving the boost promised. In defending the state of affairs, Tait says Pelley made his point that the money and options are probably too plentiful.

“I had an interesting discussion with Victor Perez, who is ninth in the Race to Dubai. Last year he was a Challenge Tour player but he got into the WGC-HSBC Champions but he doesn’t want to play four in a row, so he made a decision not to play in Turkey or South Africa.”

If a relative unknown like Perez can afford to skip two tournaments worth a combined $14.5 million, it sends a pretty strong signal. It’s why Pelley is looking at ending the 2021 schedule with just two Rolex Series events instead of the current three.

Another problem is that some Rolex Series sponsors are still having to shell out appearance money to lure the top stars. So potential sponsors have to dig deeper into their coffers to stage tournaments, and that’s not an easy sell in the current financial climate.

John Huggan at GolfDigest.com quoted the Chief Executive using a word that only Tim Finchem could love when confronted with stats showing stars playing less.

Expanding on his point, Pelley pointed out the modern reality of professional golf in the 21st century. Awash with cash, the top players are tending to compete less often than they used to. On average, that very best performers teed-up 24.9 times as recently as 2015. That number is now 22.3.

“If we expected the top players to play on a weekly basis, then out expectations would be unrealistic,” Pelley said. “There is unbelievable optionality for the players right now. There are probably less than 10 golf tournaments in the world now that are mandatory. And there are 35 tournaments offering prize money of at least $7 million. So there is no point in us obsessing over any of the above.”

Maybe there needs to be obsessing over culling the herd a bit before the sponsors do it on their terms?

Todd Comes Up Short In Quest For Three Straight, Pro Laments Why We Miss Out On More Great Potential Stories Like Brendon's

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Brendon Todd finally flatlined after a dominant run of late on the PGA Tour (Adam Schupak reports for Golfweek).

But the former four-time All-American at Georgia who struggled with swing yips and confidence inspired many fans with his recent run and also prompted golf professional and former amateur golf great Steve Scott to offer this thought on Instagram before Sunday’s finale on Sea Island.

Brendon Todd’s average driving distance for last 6 seasons= 278.3. This year it’s up to 294.5, but still ranking him 136th...well behind more than half of the @PGATOUR. (And this is before the big guns start to play) ‪

These last 3 courses he has conquered are amongst the top 7 shortest on TOUR, all under 7,100 yds, so his timing couldn’t be better as far as his game matching up with these courses like Port Royal, Mayakoba and Sea Island. ‪

He’s on a remarkable run, but sadly it wouldn’t even be possible at venues like Torrey Pines, Quail Hollow or Bay Hill which boast venues north of 7,450 where the bombers almost always rule. ‬ ‪

It’s just sad that the correlation between distance and world ranking are so tight nowadays and we miss out on more great potential stories like Brendon. ‪Keep it up B Todd and close out that rare trifecta tomorrow!‬

Wishbone! Ogilvy Scores Walk-Off Ace In Throwback Club Fundraiser

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John Ashworth’s annual gathering of golf professionals playing retro equipment at Goat Hill to benefit junior golf ended in rather spectacular fashion: a Geoff Ogilvy hole-in-one in sudden death to win the persimmon wood exhibition match with partner Chris Riley over Xander Schauffele and Dean Wilson:

Another view from Matt Ginella:

It wasn’t Jones at St. Andrews in ‘27, but still a fun scene:

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As pure as it gets. Pros, persimmons, mini muny, no ropes, more kids than adults, there were even puppies charging greens, all for charity and the good of the game. Today makes me believe in unicorns, guardian angels and Golf Gods. The Goat gives back in magical ways. There are countless tales of the unexpected. @katie.ginella and I had our wedding reception here, which was a good party. And then there was today. Chris Riley and Geoff Ogilvy vs. Dean Wilson and Xander Schauffele in the third annual Wishbone Brawl at Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, Calif. With Wilson and Xander as heavy favorites, it was Riley early who did most of his talking with his putter. Which is saying something. Wilson and Schauffele didn’t have the lead all day. It was all they could do to get even. Which they did on 7, 13 and 18. Which meant there was a playoff. Everyone scrambled to the 9th green, which is a golf coliseum. John Ashworth was proud of the new mulch around the back of the green. The putting surface was littered with long shadows. Wilson went first, middle of the green. Xander was tight, until it spun off the front, down the slope. “Goated!” And then Ogilvy grabbed wedge. From 132. He had hit full wedge over the green earlier. He would dial it back. And he dialed it IN. Swish. As you can see, off the lip. Pandemonium. And the forever question: “Where were you when?” It just doesn’t get any better than what just transpired. Set aside the adults for a second, there were hundreds of kids who walked away reflecting on a day in which they got prioritized, up front, in the mix of all the fun. It wasn’t long, it wasn’t slow, it wasn’t expensive, it wasn’t about the money. It was about giving back, paying it forward, and a can’t-write-that-script finish. “Ogilvy is back!” Was one spectator’s observation. “Chris Riley is still one of the best putters in the world,” was Ogilvy’s first humble retort. But when pressed for more... “It’s crazy! How do you make that up?!” You don’t. You just go to www.wishbonebrawl.com and click on “online auction.” And now we celebrate. Ogilvy is buying! (Video courtesy of @foredagolf & @jbarto22)

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