USGA, R&A: "Golf will best thrive over the next decades and beyond if this continuing cycle of ever-increasing hitting distances and golf course lengths is brought to an end."

The USGA and R&A issued an embargoed statement summarizing their Distance Insights Study and handed it out to select folks, who then shared it all over the place. The shoe shine guy at Dulles probably has a copy by now.

Here is my summary of the Distance Insights Study “conclusions”: the report features the strongest language in the sport’s history regarding the state of affairs as the governing bodies see distance. While not an all-out admission of regulatory malfeasance, the report opens the door for bifurcation of the rules via a local rule that would open the door to different equipment. While that idea is not the least bit original, it has been resisted by the organizations until now.

The report also delivers lines about distance such as how it must be “brought to an end” and how the governing bodies intend to “break the cycle”. There is even an early reading of 2002’s Joint Statement of Principles” to confirm that the line has been crossed as suggested in that document. There is a sound synopsis put forward explaining why the sport has been harmed in recent years by a distance pursuit and why a continued effort will do no one any good.

Certainly it’s a far cry from the old “nothing much to see here” stance.

The bad news?

Now we spend the next year under a review.

Until the full summary and report is made available online, here are the highlights from the 15-page document, starting with the bold “brought to an end” line.

In summary, we believe that golf will best thrive over the next decades and beyond if this continuing cycle of ever-increasing hitting distances and golf course lengths is brought to an end. Longer distances, longer courses, playing from longer tees and longer times to play are taking golf in the wrong direction and are not necessary to make golf challenging, enjoyable or sustainable in the future.

Again, not newsworthy to a portion of the population who knew this long ago, but a stunning reversal for these organizations. As is this, the most newsworthy component and only about 30 years overdue.

1. We will assess the potential use of a Local Rule option that would specify use of clubs and/or balls intended to result in shorter hitting distances. The concept is that equipment meeting a particular set of reduced-distance specifications – for example, a ball that does not travel as far or a club that will not hit a ball as far – might be a defined subset of the overall category of conforming equipment. This could allow committees that conduct golf competitions or oversee individual courses to choose, by Local Rule authorized under the Rules of Golf, whether and when to require that such equipment be used. Such a Local Rule option could be available for use at all levels of play, and golfers playing outside of a competition could also have the option to make this choice for themselves.

There also will a new look at the Overall Distance Standard.

2. We will also review the overall conformance specifications for both clubs and balls, including specifications that both directly and indirectly affect hitting distances. The intended purpose of this review is to consider whether any existing specifications should be adjusted or any new specifications should be created to help mitigate the continuing distance increases. It is not currently intended to consider revising the overall specifications in a way that would produce substantial reductions in hitting distances at all levels of the game.

Here’s the timeline on action that will excite no one except outside counsel for the manufacturers:

This paper provides notice to equipment manufacturers of this overall area of interest under the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures. This means that we are identifying research topics that have the potential to lead to an Equipment Rule change but that no proposals are being made today. We invite input from manufacturers and other stakeholders in the golf community concerning potential equipment-based options to help achieve the objectives identified above. To facilitate that input, within 45 days we will publish a more specific set of research topics. It is anticipated that this important step of gathering input will take at least 9-12 months. After the research is completed and comments are evaluated, if we then decide to propose any rule changes, manufacturers will receive notice of these proposed changes (including a proposed implementation plan) and an opportunity to comment under the Equipment Rulemaking Procedures. The time allotted for this step in the process leading up to a final decision on any proposed rule change would depend on the nature of the proposal.

Waste of time. The remedies have been decided, even the shoe shine guy at Dulles knows that. Let’s just get to the whining and litigation stage now.

I’m reluctant to copy, paste and comment on the narrative surrounding golf courses and the “altered skill challenge” artfully presented in the paper. But this was profound and speaks to the shift toward a power game, discriminating against those with less power but other skills.

The unifying principle is that success should depend on a golfer’s skill and judgment in choosing among 14 different clubs for tee shots, long and short approach shots, bunker shots, pitching, chipping, putting and a wide variety of recovery shots. This involves many elements of skill, such as hitting distance, distance control, accuracy, shape of shot, trajectory, spin, bounce and roll, and how to play from all types of lies. The player needs to use his or her imagination and judgment in making constant strategic choices about which type of shot to play among many options that differ in style, difficulty and risk/reward potential. Being challenged to display this wide range of skills is part of golf’s essential character, giving players of very different sets of abilities and relative strengths and weaknesses a chance to compete and succeed.

As for courses, this was a noteworthy paragraph:

Increasing distance can ultimately have a serious effect on where golf is played in elite male competitions, and the game is already seeing this begin to play out. It is unfortunate that courses that once held the highest-level competitions are no longer doing so because they are not considered long enough. More pressing for the future, many more of the most renowned golf courses around the world face a similar risk because it may not be practical for them to get much longer. Such courses may try to retain their challenge by adjusting other course conditions, but this can only go so far given a course’s nature and design integrity and, in any event, such changes eventually can still be outmatched by increasing hitting distance.

Line left out of this but I’M SURE MADE THE FULL REPORT: and we were the primary drivers of the idea to make those poor courses add all that length.

This was a more subtle point about how the yardage of a course may impact the bottom line, or even viability of some courses. Not a point the governing bodies would normally be expected to make, but it’s an important one for everyday courses and clubs.

For a course of, say, 6000 to 6500 yards, the issue is not about hosting elite male events, but about potentially losing the ability to attract and keep golfers who may come to perceive the course as too short from the longest tees. Even if not widely known or used for premier tournaments, such courses can be highly valued by local golfers and communities and are at risk from increasing hitting distances.

Distance is relative, and somewhere Dr. MacKenzie is cussing under his breath…

The game’s essential character and test of skill do not depend on the absolute length of a golf shot or a golf course; the relative relationship between hitting distance and hole length is what matters most. Continuing increases in overall hitting distances will not make golf a better game as a whole. For example, while it is remarkable that long-drive competitors can hit a ball as much as 400+ yards, golf would not be a better sport if anything close to that became a norm for play or if course lengths increased to match it. Similarly, the fact that male golfers on average can hit the ball farther than female golfers does not make the game of golf played by men inherently better than the game played by women.

This concept of relative distance has broader implications for the non-elite game.

Here’s the “break the cycle” language that’ll have ‘em raging in some parts.

For all the reasons stated above, we believe that it is time to break the cycle of increasingly longer hitting distances and golf courses and to work to build a long-term future that reinforces golf’s essential challenge and enhances the viability of both existing courses and courses yet to be built. In reaching this conclusion, we recognize that some have the view that the governing bodies might have done more in addressing the implications of the continuing increases in hitting distances and course lengths.

Yep, there is that.

There are always uncertainties about the future, and an inherent part of our role is to incorporate the lessons of experience, continue to monitor and assess ongoing developments, and develop consensus on issues that should be addressed.

Whew, scared me there for a minute. Thought they might say we screwed the pooch. Oh well, wrap it up…

Our views have evolved as events have unfolded and new information has become available, just as they may evolve in the future, and we believe that it is never too late to do the right thing for the future of the game. By stepping back to take this long-term view in the Distance Insights Project, we believe that we are in position to address this set of issues from all perspectives and to search for effective long-term solutions.

Let the whining about possible lost distance begin!

Golf Saudi CEO Confirms Interest In Premier Golf League, Past Discussions With PGA Tour

Martin Dempster reports from the first ever Saudi Golf Summit in King Abdullah Economic City where CEO Majed Al Sorour revealed several intriguing nuggets.

After just wrapping up the hosting of the European Tour, the CEO suggested a second Euro event is on the agenda as are hopes for visits from the Asian Tour, the LPGA Tour and even the PGA Tour where discussions involved a World Cup.

"We have the Ladies European Tour and they merged together with the LPGA, so hopefully we get to the point where we have an LPGA event.

"And, of course, we’d love to have a PGA Tour event. One and a half years ago, I sat with Ty [Votaw, the PGA Tour's chief marketing officer) and had a great conversation on having an idea of putting a PGA Tour event in Saudi Arabia.

"One of the things that we also want to discuss with him is a World Cup and how we’re going to do that in Saudi Arabia, if that’s possible."

You may recall it was just last week that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan emailed players about the hostile Tour siphoning players away and highlighted that funding was coming from Saudi Arabia, home to public beheadings, among other human rights violations. A more cynical person than I might suspect he was suggesting the money was, uh, not clean.

As for rumored backing of the Premier Golf League from the Crown Prince and his Kingdom-backed Golf Saudi, Al Sorour sounds excited.

“We can address it in multiple ways," he said. "Is it good for the game or not? This is what we’re thinking. If something is good for the game, we should just listen to the people who are leading it, sit down with the PGA Tour if the time permits.

"We’re just here to listen. We love the game and our love for the game will do whatever it takes to make the game great."

That is, if the time permits.

If the CEO were to speak to Monahan this week, he’d have to do it in between rounds of the AT&T National Pro-Am where the Commish is taking a working vacation.

Take Note Golf: MLB Faces Class-Action Suit From DraftKings Players Over Astros, Red Sox Cheating

Thanks to reader F.X. for seeing the below story and recalling back when Patrick Reed was knocking away sand last December that some saw such a cheating effort as pretty terrible.

And it will be exponentially worse when America legalizes betting. As the opportunities arise to gamble on golf—with the PGA Tour actively encouraging the action—gamblers will not be comforted that Reed took a 2-sroke penalty like a gentleman when he goes on to keep contending in an event he should have been disqualified from.

(Reed’s case is just one example of the potential issues arising from controversial rulings by a tournament staff.)

Carson McCullough of Courthouse News writes about DraftKings players suing MLB. While some will laugh off the suit, expect these shenanigans when questionable behavior during competition is not addressed properly.

What fantasy players were not aware of, according to the lawsuit, was that despite this wholehearted support of DraftKings and their competitions, the MLB was hiding the fact that the games themselves were anything but fair.

“Throughout this period, MLB was well aware that its member teams were engaging in corrupt and fraudulent conduct that rendered player performance statistics dishonest and undermined the validity of its fan wagers on DraftKings’ fantasy baseball contests,” the complaint states.

The suit claims that the MLB failed to inform their fans and player base of the truth behind these games, leaving devoted players to put money and time into contests the MLB knew or should have known were corrupted.

MLB also has a partnership with DraftKings.

Greg Norman On Proposed World Tour: "I saw it 25 years ago, but maybe the time is right now"

Few refute that Greg Norman’s vision for a world tour was shrewd, but as he noted in comments Sunday, he did not have all of the pieces of the pie aligned.

This makes Norman’s suggestion that the World Golf Group’s proposed tour having “more legs” eye-opening. (That Norman is not involved but still complimenting the idea is notable. Then again he knew who his hosts were in Saudi Arabia, rumored investors in the league.)

From The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster, reporting on the Golf Saudi Summit in King Abdullah Economic City.

"It’s just a matter of getting all the right components together, whether players stay together," said the 64-year-old as he reflected on his own bid, which he tried to push through at a time when he was the world No 1.

"With my original concept, some players loved it and others didn’t like it. I had corporate, I had television, but you need 100 per cent of the pie to be together before we can bake it. From what I’m seeing here, this one has every chance of getting off the ground."

And this is particularly noteworthy given the sense players will not defect.

“Today is that way for sure now. Restraint of trade is not as prevalent - you can’t do it basically in this day and age - so that’s why this one probably has a little more legs.”

Brooks Koepka Only Sure Of One Thing After A Week In Saudia Arabia: No In-Round Interviews

The soon-to-be-former World No. 1 as of this week, Brooks Koepka traveled to Saudi Arabia for a huge appearance fee, changed drivers, changed putters and finished T17 after a final round 72.

So while Brooks Koepka works out his bag and what to do with the Crown Prince’s cash before resurfacing at Riviera, he has no doubts about the kind of in-round chat that flustered GMac enough to put him on the clock.

From Martin Dempster’s Scotsman report:

“To be honest with you, I don’t know any other sport that does interviews in the middle of play,” said Koepka, inset, a four-time major winner, in offering his view after catapulting himself into the top ten in the $3.5 million event on the Red Sea coast with a five-under-par 65.

“I know in football you’re not doing it, unless it’s in the Pro Bowl basketball you’re not doing it unless it’s half-time. This is the only sport where you’re talking to people while they are playing. I won’t do it. I’m not interested in talking about what just happened or the difficulty of the holes ahead. I’m just focussed on one shot at a time, where my ball’s at. I understand why it might be beneficial for the fans, but I don’t get it.”

As the first world turns…

We discussed today on Morning Drive:

Premier Golf League: Gary Player Laments Greed Of Today's Players While Appearing At Saudi Golf Summit

Gary Player undoubtedly flew to Saudi Arabia for the Golf Saudi Summit hoping to better the game. Free of charge.

I also have no doubt that if Player were in his prime he’d have already denounced the idea of accepting massive up-front money to join the proposed Premier Golf League for the opportunity to make less money.

And of course there was some shock in seeing Player lament the proposed golf league, even though some of its funding is rumored to be coming from the same folks hosting the Golf Saudi Summit. (And Golf Saudi is part of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman sportswashing effort.)

From John McCauley’s report:

"I find a lot of greed in the sport now,” Player added. “When someone comes along like this, what do you do?

“Do you discard the PGA Tour where you've played all your life? Are you just going to say ‘to hell with you now?’ I don't like that. It is crazy to say you don't like money, but it's not as though they are struggling.

"I think Rory McIlroy made $23 million last year without even taking in his contracts. How much money do you want? Loyalty to me is very big."

Player did question the idea of a tour with just 48 players, though his suggestion of the current 125 PGA Tour card limit not being enough seems a stretch given ratings for events featuring non-top 100 types.

Player said: "I don't know all the intricacies, but I'd say it is not for me. It might happen, but it doesn't mean to say it is right. I hope it doesn't come to this as I don't want to see a tour with just 48 players.

"Why are we getting so selfish that it is down to 48 players? Next, some guy will come in and make it 20. What we have just now with 125 players is not enough."

Homework Assignment: Brush Up On 2002's Joint Statement Of Principles In Preparation For Tuesday's Distance Report

This blog started shortly after the USGA and R&A issued their Joint Statement of Principles. That was in 2002 and while I know most of you have memorized the key lines, I’m suggesting there could be a pop quiz on it Tuesday when the governing bodies release their Distance Insights findings.

For the fun of it, I’d suggest giving it a read and ponder what’s happened since the issuing in 2002.

Of course there are those pesky key paragraphs. Will they somehow ignore them again?

The R&A and the USGA believe, however, that any further significant increases in hitting distances at the highest level are undesirable. Whether these increases in distance emanate from advancing equipment technology, greater athleticism of players, improved player coaching, golf course conditioning or a combination of these or other factors, they will have the impact of seriously reducing the challenge of the game. The consequential lengthening or toughening of courses would be costly or impossible and would have a negative effect on increasingly important environmental and ecological issues. Pace of play would be slowed and playing costs would increase.

The R&A and the USGA will consider all of these factors contributing to distance on a regular basis. Should such a situation of meaningful increases in distances arise, the R&A and the USGA would feel it immediately necessary to seek ways of protecting the game.

After TV Interview-Infused Slow Play Warning, McDowell One Bad Time Away From Penalty As He Leads

Graeme McDowell holds a one-stroke lead over Victor Dubuisson heading into the finale of the Crown Prince Classic in Saudi Arabia. But as part of the European Tour’s crackdown on slow play, he faces another twist in search of his first ET win since 2014: a penalty.

Under the new guidelines recently updated after the PGA Tour announced an updated policy, McDowell’s warning earlier in the week means he’s one more away from a stroke penalty. Adding to his frustration? The warning came after doing a mid-round interview with Sky’s Tim Barter.

Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk with all the details. This was particularly wild:

Under the new regulations, he could have called to the referee during his allotted time and asked for a once-per-round "time extension" and an extra 40 seconds.

"I actually jokingly called a time out after the shot because I thought he'd have given me the benefit of the doubt, but he was like, 'no, that's a bad time’,” he told reporters. “I'm like, brilliant mate!"

Feeling rushed as he played his approach on the seventh, TV cameras caught him grumbling loudly.

"Such a rush to hit this shot!" he said as he sized up his approach from the rough. "It's a joke.”

And we wonder why players are resistant to mid-round interviews. This won’t help the “product.”

Stenson: Proposed Premier Golf League "Both exciting and turbulent"

Because of his global status, Henrik Stenson might be a candidate for one of the 12 founding player-captain franchises in the proposed Premier Golf League. So like nearly all players queried, he could not shoot down the concept.

Stenson is quoted in a story by The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster reporting on a European Tour email to players:

“It was a bit of both, I’d say. Probably more towards stamping down that not. I obviously know what everybody else has seen and read and it seems to be both exciting and turbulent a little bit at the moment.

“It is still early. I don’t think everything has been put on the table from every person or entity involved. It depends on where you are coming from as well. We’ve got a lot of different angles – we’ve got fans, we’ve got sponsors, we’ve got TV viewers, we’ve got players, we’ve got promoters. We are all in this together and the best way going forward would be to try and find a solution where everyone can benefit.”

The final comments are noteworthy. Add Stenson to the list of players noting the need for a solution to problems we were not aware existed until this proposed tour came along.

Tiger Woods Might Have Good Reason To Jump To The Premier Golf League

There is widespread agreement that everything hinges on Tiger Woods.

The proposed Premier Golf League’s potential to steal players from other tours and form a new lucrative circuit could conceivably move forward with most of the world’s best and not Tiger. Alan Shipnuck made the case in his weekly mailbag.

AP’s Doug Ferguson says the World Golf Group’s proposal “doesn’t stand a chance” without Woods, and in making his case notes the many uncertainties of the largely secretive pitch, and this, regarding most pro golfers:

Among many challenges facing Premier Golf League is the robust health of the PGA Tour — increasing prize money, stable sponsorship, a new broadcast deal. That might make it tough for any player to risk membership, and to risk the appearance of turning its back on the tour that helped make them famous.

None of those factors mean a thing to Woods at this point of his career as he shifts to a limited schedule designed to protect his physical health. No one begrudges him for doing so, because his passion to win when he shows up remains impressively strong. But given the potential offerings for a Premier Golf League franchise owner and other perks as a founding owner in the league, he will have to entertain their offer.

In no particular order, reasons Tiger will be tempted to join the Premier Golf League:

—After win number 83, he only needs PGA Tour events as major champioship prep. Woods has reached the Hogan post-accident stage where another huge piece of history is around the corner with his 83rd win. That victory will set the new mark for most PGA Tour titles. But once secured, PGA Tour appearances are nothing but tune-ups for the major championships.

—The money could be insane. When news of a $15 million Players purse broke last week, the thinking in Ponte Vedre clearly was a show that money is flowing back into player coffers. But given the Premier Golf League’s plan, the value of their financial offerings could make even the Players purse look average. The PGL is floating of $10 million weekly purses split among 48 players instead of 65 or so making a PGA Tour cut. On top of the purse, a season long pool for individual and team competitions will be in play. Then there is a structured appearance fee concept based on world ranking just for the players to show up. And reportedly huge travel perks such as private jet flights covered by the league. Even then, should Tiger care about purses when…

—The money could be really insane for him. Holding all of the cards, Woods is expected to be offered substantial incentive to join the tour as a franchise founder. A lump sum payment north of $100,000,000 million seems like a good starting place, though I’d bet he gets more. His franchise will immediately be the most valuable should he ever decide to sell to a billionaire owner some day.

—Deal packaging could make him look insane if he says no. Major backers of this league can put together other elements to entice Woods: golf course design opportunities, expansion of his Foundation, hiring his TGR Live to run events, etc, etc... He may be looking at solidifying his post-career business in ways that only Michael Jordan and a few others can relate to.

—He could be convinced at ten events. While my reporting said the concept had been knocked down to ten events before the season ending championship, the PGL insists they are shooting for their original concept of 18. Woods will never play that many along with the majors. Maybe he negotiates a legend’s clause to only play a select number. However, common sense says he’s not alone. Ten events, the majors and two or three PGA Tour events (Genesis, Memorial, Bay Hill?) will be the maximum for Woods, with other elites wanting a similar schedule. And remember, there will be no more pleas to play the FedExCup playoffs, WGC’s in Memphis in July, and other cumbersome obligations at this stage of his career.

—The Hero World Challenge would be an ideal PGL stop. One other guaranteed Woods appearance each year: the 18-player Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. While sanctioned by the PGA Tour, this could become a stop on the PGL circuit depending on various out clauses and other components to the event’s PGA Tour arrangement.

—A PR hit can be overcome. If Tiger were to flee for another tour, he can bank on a few things happening. Haters will say he’s bailing on the Tour that gave him an opportunity for a big check and they won’t be wrong. He can point out that Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were key players in of overthrowing the PGA of America in the early sixties and they suffered no long term image damage. Fans will accept if Tiger makes such a move as long as they can still see him finish off his career in majors, in the Genesis and occasional Memorial, or when he plays the Premier Golf League. As long as their media platform does not overcharge for the privilege.

—The PGA Tour Brand Is Strong But… Within short time, if enough players defect, “The League” or the “PGL” could become synonymous with golf. A solid 99.5% of the sports viewing public cannot tell you the difference between the PGA Tour and the PGA of America. Or who runs what major events. While Woods could be seen as a deserter and the man who left the PGA Tour in the dust, memories fade faster than ever and as strong as the PGA Tour is, as profound as their charitable efforts are ($3 billion mark passed recently) and as beloved as many tournaments have become in their community, it’s not a dealkiller for Woods, and possibly Mickelson. Other players? Maybe.

Podcast: Talking New World Tour Possibilities With Hank Haney

We chatted about Torrey Pines week and the new world tour concept.

As always you can subscribe to The Hank Haney Podcast wherever pods are found, or listen below:

Sergio Was Caught By Surprise At Sergio Damaging Greens, Melting Down

You may recall a year ago, while trying to grow the game for an approximate $640,000 appearance fee, Sergio Garcia was DQ’d for damaging greens and unfurled one of the most power temper tantrums in his portfolio of pouting.

A year later, he’s giving the Saudi’s a comp’d return appearance.

From Martin Dempster’s Scotsman report on Sergio returning and admitting his surprise that Sergio would act that way.

“It was tough and is something that you never want to be a part of, and it kind of catches you by surprise," said Garcia when asked about his last visit here.

He went on to mention family and the pressures of the public eye starting at a young age.

Coronavirus: LPGA Cancels Blue Bay Event, Will European Tour Be Next?

The LPGA Tour’s Statement on the Blue Bay LPGA:

Given the current health concerns and significant travel restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus in China, the LPGA along with our partners in China have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Blue Bay LPGA, which was scheduled to take place March 5-8 on Hainan Island. Any time you cancel an event, it is a difficult decision and we appreciate how hard our title partner (Blue Bay), IMG, the China LPGA and the China Golf Association have worked to host an incredible event. The health and safety of our players, fans and everyone working on the event is always our highest priority. While we are disappointed that the tournament won’t take place this season, we look forward to going back to Blue Bay in 2021 and for many years to come.

The next significant golf event scheduled for the country deemed unsafe for Americans to travel to: the European Tour’s Volvo China Open, April 23-26.

The Regionals: Premier Golf League Has A Feeder Tour Concept In Mind, Too

I recently mentioned on a podcast or two what I saw as one apparent gaping hole in the World Golf Group’s proposed Premier Golf League: where will the next stars come from? And where might players struggling in the league lland if they are not playing at an elite level?

Turns out, the group addressed this too.

Anyone can imagine forming a 12-team, 48 player league now that we’ve seen basic details. But golfers come and go. Games peak and deteriorate. It’s a cruel sport.

As we’ve seen in recent years, fans, marketers and the precious M’s are eager to see new talents break through.

The PGA Tour and European Tour, at their finest, showcase elite talents but prove just as satisfying when a journeyman makes a life changing run or a young player graduates to the winner’s circle.

The World Golf Group has actually addressed finding a place for 264 professionals. A well-placed source highlighted plans for “The Regional Series” to bring more players into the Premier Golf League equation.

The key points:

—Planned as a year-two concept following the establishment of the primary Premier Golf League. This means 2023, based on the current proposed timing.

—The “tiered feeder structure” plays under a “Global Series” format, featuring three tiers defined by region: America, Europe and Asia.

—It will provide “enhanced earning opportunities for the “leading 264 touring professionals” to “cater for and enfranchise the next layer of professional golfers and generate a coherent, compelling and correlated, multi- layered seasonal narrative." B-speak translation: feeder tours taking on the PGA Tour/Korn Ferry/Asian Tour/European Tour.

—The three regions will each create a winner and provide “guaranteed, exclusive access to the Premier Golf League.”

—The Premier Golf League intends to fill “any gap” in earnings compared to current standards on their respective tours, and offer this less-than-subtle jab: “although should such a situation arise it would suggest that the leading players are currently subsidizing the earnings of less well-known players on existing tours.”

—The PGL will pay a “subsistence fee” to cover travel and accommodation costs.

Obviously, there are still huge questions to answer about available venues, media interest and just how many players not invited to the initial Premier League would jump ship. But this does at least address how the organizers have envisioned the development of stars, or redevelopment of top talent.

We've Got A Taker! JT Vows To Play Olympics Under All Scenarios If He Qualifies

Finally a top male pro golfers is vowing to play Tokyo, one who is currently qualified and based on recent play seems destined to make it.

Will Gray on Justin Thomas, sending a different message than Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson this week about turning up at the 2020 Olympic Games.

“There’s no scenario for me (to skip the Olympics if qualified),” Thomas said. “It’s just different. It’s once in every four years, and you have the opportunity to do it.”

Now just need to get this awful coronavirus under wraps and all should be fine.