David Barron On Lance Barrows Working His Last Colonial

Plenty of good stuff in this Lance Barrow profile by David Barron in the Houston Chronicle. The longtime CBS golf producer is working his final Colonial tournament since joining the network in 1977.

There was this on his predecessor Frank Chirkinian:

Along with CBS veterans like Steve Milton and Jim Rikhoff, Barrow is one of the few network employees who worked with Chirkinian, who relished his nickname as “The Ayatollah.”

“My personality is different, but Frank taught all of us,” he said. “We used to call CBS the ‘Chirkinian Broadcast School.’

“If somebody compared our telecast with Frank’s, which is hard to do because of technology and all the things we have now, I would view that as the ultimate compliment. I’ve always tried to ensure that nothing gets in the way of covering the golf tournament and the competition, and that’s what Frank wanted to do, too.”

"Mic'd Rickie Fowler delivered good stuff, even if his game did not"

AP’s Stephen Hawkins covered the television angle to the “Return To Golf” and Rickie Fowler’s “mic’d up” approach got the most attention. Deservedly so. As I Tweeted at one point, had Fowler not done so I’m pretty sure the telecast would have been considered a real drag. But just getting inside the ropes with him a few times and overhearing other comments from his group, took us to some places we rarely get in a PGA Tour event.

And there was a bit of a rocky start when a normal microphone picked up an obscenity-infused compliment. Here is the offending moment, should be inclined.

From Hawkins’ story:

“Well, we were hoping for better audio with no fans, surrounding the course,” commentator Jim Nantz then said on the broadcast. “Apologize if anybody was offended with what they may have heard there.”

That threesome of the world’s top three players — No. 1 Rory McIlroy, No. 2 Rahm and No. 3 Brooks Koepka — was being followed by TV support people, a coach, a trainer and a small group of media during the first PGA Tour event in three months.

The expletive was audible even though none of the players in that group were wearing a microphone, like Rickie Fowler did throughout the first round of Charles Schwab Challenge.

As for Fowler, Brian Wacker at GolfDigest.com covers the highlights of what we learned and notes what just hearing these exchanges did to help in a fan-free environment.

In the process of shooting a three-over 73 that included four bogeys in the last five holes, he offered a PG-version of commentary that was mostly a terrific listen to a world so few have access to. It wasn’t explosive, but did provide added value, especially as the day wore on.

After the first two holes of silence—sans for the sounds of Fowler’s shirt moving as he walked—viewers were welcomed into the conversation as Fowler and his caddie, Joe Skovron, shared their thoughts on a 154-yard approach with a 8-iron that sailed about 10 yards too far.

He also details the very fascinating Inside Baseball discussion between Fowler and caddie Joe Skovron.

Draftkings: Schwab Challenge Round One Most Bet PGA Tour Event In Their History

JUST IN: @DKSportsbook tells me is Charles Schwab Challenge is the most-bet @PGATOUR event in its history ... and Round 1 hasn’t even ended yet.

Watch featured groups LIVE:https://t.co/J4IyL2VzJM

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 11, 2020

Guess we know why ShotLink was an essential service for the PGA Tour’s fan-free return: DraftKings reported its best day yet of PGA Tour betting (admittedly a brief life cycle of just under two years).

Now, as someone who has put a few bucks down here and there—never a dog track!—I did not even ponder the notion any sane individual would bet on golfers coming off an unprecedented three month hiatus. But that’s why they offer betting on anything, assuming you live in a sport-betting friendly state.

As Christopher Powers reports for GolfDigest.com, DraftKing’s Johnny Avello says the Texans got a lot of attention.

According to Avello, Jordan Spieth received the most money to win at Colonial at 45-to-1 odds. A few years ago, getting the three-time major winner at that number would be unheard of, but his recent struggles have caused his odds to skyrocket. Ryan Palmer, a member at Colonial, was a close second, along with Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner and Justin Rose—the latter opening with a seven-under 63.

Spieth was a good bet given his performance last year in the event. Still…

For Your Consideration: Bryson DeChambeau's "Quarantine"

I’m not particularly sure why Bryson DeChambeau chose Day One of the PGA Tour’s return to drop his take on quarantining in the COVID-19 era. But he did. While the length, caused by 13 minutes or so of moody filler, might make you hate “Quarantine”. I see it as a profound insight into the life of a 2020 professional golfer.

Whether it’s the bold decision to convert the garage into a gym, the 12 pieces of bacon for one man in one sitting, the convertible Bentley offering a needed respite from the Fox News viewing at home, or countless other bizarre moments, I promise you will thank me. Sure, it’s 15 minutes you’ll never get back but come on, how often do you get to see an Instagram video in all its almost-Terence Malick self-indulgence? With a side of Bobby Joe Grooves stuffing?

Or you can just read Sean Zak’s highlights here at Golf.com.

Or read about his body work as reported by Rex Hoggard following DeChambeau’s opening 65 (T7).

But live a little! Plus, be thankful you are not Bryson’s next home architect. It already has a name. And he’s wanting to see the limestone in person. And…oh just watch.

View this post on Instagram

Started quarantine feeling a little lost but slowly found ways to connect with things I haven't done in a while, refocused on new business ventures and found a renewed appreciation for the game and fitness. Ready to make the most of this week and what's to come on tour! The wait is over 💪🏼

A post shared by Bryson DeChambeau (@brysondechambeau) on Jun 11, 2020 at 5:21am PDT

"PGA Tour players already refusing to wear microphones are missing multiple points"

As the PGA Tour players grapple with viewers hearing their conversations, players were asked about efforts to enhance what we eavesdrop on. Reportedly, Rickie Fowler and Graeme McDowell have volunteered this week, but several other top players want no part of wearing a microphone. And the reasons seem to not have anything to do with the actual equipment, but the “content” potentially overheard.

Awful Announcing’s Jay Rigdon considered the comments of Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm in shooting down interest in letting us hear more and rebuts why they are point-missing.

Justin Thomas, it should be clear, plays a spectator sport for a living. And in a world without fans in attendance (a world that might become the new normal, for the foreseeable future), any way to remove more of a filter between the at-home audience and the action is a good idea. It also rings hollow considering the nature of the game itself; there are no signs or plays for competitors to steal, nor is there much of a strategy that other competitors could find useful for themselves.

There’s also the fact that other sports already do this! Not necessarily with a live microphone that broadcasts can throw to throughout coverage, but NBA, NFL, and MLB players routinely wear microphones that networks use for quick replay looks or for edited packages, even as the game progresses. Just as a random example, David Ross was mic’d up during Game 7 of the 2016 World Series and still managed to perform just fine, but Justin Thomas thinks that Saturday at the Charles Schwab Challenge is a stage too important for that kind of distraction.

This ultimately seems to be the divide here: players view the intrusion as harming the sanctity of events that fans do not regard with the same respect.

Schwab Challenge Tourney Director Predicts Huge TV Ratings For Colonial Return

Art Stricklin reports this bold prediction for ratings this week.

Fifteen of the top 20 players in the world are in the field, including all of the top five. Earlier in the week, Colonial tournament director Michael Tothe said he expects huge TV ratings.

“It’s won’t be the best ever [in golf], because we don’t have Tiger in the field and he drives everything, but I think we’ll do a 6.0 or higher,” Tothe said, referring to the Nielson [sp] ratings. “If we had Tiger we could do a 10.”

In the last decade, Colonial has never drawn better than a 2.0 rating.

6’s and 10’s would put the event in very elite ratings company.

Coverage windows and other broadcast details are here.

No COVID-19 Cases At Colonial, But Four Test Positive Within Korn Ferry Tour

Commissioner Jay Monahan told assembled media at Colonial that the players and caddies on site all tested negative for the COVID-19 virus. However, as players so far displayed signs of not taking all precautions as meticulously presented by the PGA Tour, one player and three caddies tested positive at home and will not be part of this week’s Korn Ferry Tour return.

Though Hoggard says it was “just” four results, the number highlights how pro golfers and those handling their golf course luggage are not immune.

One positive test was from a player and three were from caddies. All four of the positive results were from tests players and caddies took before traveling to the tournament city.

The Tour also administered 487 in-market tests at the Charles Schwab Challenge with no positive results. At the Korn Ferry Tour event, there were 407 in-market tests with no positive results.

Also noteworthy and important: the PGA Tour’s transparency in revealing numbers of tests and the positives.

The news is also vital since after the Tuesday practice round signs were not exactly encouraging on the caution/distancing front. Not coincidentally, the PGA Tour sent out this text to players, as reported by ESPN.com’s Michael Collins:

Spoke to a PGA Tour player last night who told me it was business as usual yesterday on the golf course. This morning the tour sent this out text: https://t.co/2thf0jWDdv pic.twitter.com/JcoTZrSDzr

— Michael Collins (@ESPNCaddie) June 10, 2020

Ryder Cup Debate Dominates Early "Return To Golf" Week Chatter

The PGA Tour’s “Return to Golf” at Colonial features influencer-enhanced global live content executions, predictions of record-shattering ratings and all-star field. Yet on the eve of coming back after three months of hiatus, the Ryder Cup remained a a bigger topic in press conferences.

While threatening to becoming as tedious as Major League Baseball’s bickering, the debate over a Ryder Cup with or without fans continued the Charles Schwab Challenge. Team USA Captain Steve Stricker suggested a compromise might make all sides happy.

From Rex Hoggard’s GolfChannel.com report.

Although no decision has been made on that front, Stricker was confident a compromise could be reached, pointing out that if Wisconsin were to allow 50-percent occupancy, that would be good enough for players.

Where that falls with two-time Ryder Cupper Brooks Koepka is not clear. The World No. 2 reiterated his belief that money is the only reason the matches would be contested without fans, and his view that players will not play if fans are not there, fist pumps would not be forthcoming.

From Brian Wacker’s GolfDigest.com item:

“If we’re not playing in front of fans, it’s just like us playing a game in Florida,” Koepka said. “If there's no fans out there you're not going to see guys fist pumping and that passion behind it.

“The Ryder Cup is a true sporting event. It’s different than any other golf tournament we play. It’s a true sporting event, and I think if we can have fans, that’s perfect, and if we can't, it just seems kind of like an exhibition—which it kind of already is. I just don’t want to play it without fans.”

Cohesion: McIlroy Suggests More Points Chasing Across Tours

Things I have not heard while the game has been on a COVID-19 break:

“When does the FedExCup chase start again?”

Another: “who is leading the Race to Dubai?”

And you’ll be shocked to learn no one has asked what a late fall finish for the LPGA means for the Race to the CME Globe. But I don’t get out much.

Yet Rory McIlroy mentioned the possibility of tour’s having more “cohesion” post pandemic and possibly leading to a streamlining. It just wasn’t quite the way that will put a many fans in seats unless he thinks this will consolidate schedules and bring top players together more (theoretically it could).

From Doug Ferguson’s AP story:

McIlroy had an idea, just not a solution.

''Whether it's European Tour events offering FedEx Cup points and some PGA Tour events offering Race to Dubai points, I don't know,'' he said. ''But just a little bit more cohesion, and then I think trying to figure out the schedule going forward this year.''

''The major bodies, they're thinking about one or two weeks a year,'' he said. ''And I think speaking to the PGA Tour, speaking to the European Tour, having everyone together and trying to figure this out has definitely opened some people's eyes to what actually goes on and how many moving parts there is. So I think the more that all these bodies can sort of work together for the greater good of game can only be a good thing.''

Well on the latter point, he is certainly correct.

And Then There Were Six: U.S. Increases Captain's Picks Due To Shortened Schedule

Team USA Points as of June 10, 2020

Certainly the rules and norms have changed in 2020 and questions remain if there will even be a Ryder Cup. Still, it’s hard to imagine why the change to six captain’s picks announced Wednesday prior to the PGA Tour’s restart was really necessary just looking at the current standings. Unless there is something we don’t know, such as some players signaling an unwillingness to play much due to the pandemic? Only great task force minds will know.

Anyway, from Bob Harig’s ESPN.com story:

"With all the various changes to the 2020 schedule, it quickly became apparent that we would need to amend our selection criteria," Stricker said Wednesday in a news release. "After many deliberate discussions, we collectively agreed that a smaller sampling of 2020 events -- including just one major championship -- would justify a one-week extension of the qualification window and an increase in the number of captain's selections from four to six.

Expectations? Who Knows Says Rahm At Quiet Colonial

Lots of good stuff from Kevin Robbins who is covering the Charles Schwab Challenge for GolfDigest.com, including noting the bizarre quiet across Colonial and this from Jon Rahm

“Expectations?” asked Rahm. “Who knows?”

Rahm has never played in a professional golf tournament that looks like a Sunday skins game. He actually hasn’t even played golf in seven weeks, he said, so the matter of expectations isn’t only about what Colonial will look like, or sound like, when the shots matter Thursday morning.

But it’s what he was thinking at his remote press conference (also a first). “Can you imagine if somebody makes a 30-foot bomb on 18 to win the tournament? Nothing? Crickets?” said Rahm, the 2017 champion at Colonial who, like everyone here, had more questions Tuesday than answers.

Here’s one answer he did have: “It’s going to be a little weird.”

For the punters of the world who are bullish on Rahm this week given his strong run prior to the play stoppage, news of how little he’s playing might have you reconsidering.

Bamberger Reports From Day One Inside The PGA Tour's "Bubble"

Golf.com’s Michael Bamberger is one of the few regular media members on site at the COVID-19 era’s first fan-free tournament and reports on day one.

The “bubble” at the Charles Schwab Challenge has some durability issues from the outset, starting with Bamberger noting not three, but FOUR hotels inside the player bubble, in addition to may stay in rental houses.

As always with Bamberger you’ll want to read the full thing. But there was this:

Some players and caddies, as they gathered on the 1st tee or 10th tee at the start of a practice round, made no effort to keep six feet apart. Likewise, some players and caddies were handing clubs back-and-forth as they normally would. They’re outside, in a hot wind. Nobody has ever confused tournament golf with meal-distribution at a nursing home. Around the clubhouse, in the club’s traditional milling areas, there was one instructor wearing his mask around his left upper arm, like an old-school USGA arm bandage. A few caddies wore them. The players did not.

Pepperdine's Sahith Theegala Wins The Ben Hogan Award

Pepperdine’s first Ben Hogan Award nominee is also the university’s first winner: Sahith Theegala.

Brentley Romine at GolfChannel.com on Theegala taking two of the more prestigious awards in golf and in the season after redshirting due to a wrist injury.

He won twice, at the Alister Mackenzie Invitational and Southwestern Invitational, and added four other top-6 finishes before his college career was cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic. In amateur competition, Theegala won the Sahalee Players Amateur and SCGA Amateur last summer and captured the Australian Master of the Amateurs in December, while also qualifying for match play at the U.S. Amateur and Western Amateur.

Before turning professional last week, Theegala was ranked fifth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and third in the Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking.

The Chino Hills, California, native headed to Chandler, Arizona, for his pro debut, at the Outlaw Tour’s Lone Tree Classic, where he opened in 62 and eventually tied for third. His first check amounted to $1,850.

He has already accepted a sponsor exemption into next month’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, which will mark his PGA Tour debut as a pro.

Here he is accepting the award:

Here's more reaction from @SRTheegala winning the @BenHoganAward:#WavesUp pic.twitter.com/WIfaOaHaWe

— Pepperdine Men’s Golf (@PeppGolf) June 10, 2020

Not What It Sounds Like: PGA Tour, Twitter Launch "Global Live Content Execution"

After hearing about cumbersome task facing CBS in returning during a pandemic and social unrest, it’s noteworthy that the first events back appear to be anything but a soft re-launch.

Down the road I see the merit here, but I’m not sure anyone really wants to hear from the influencer/presenter/personality sector just yet. But good news, it’s totally optional.

Though I am wondering how, after all those Zoom meetings, someone didn’t squelch the “execution” word. For Immediate Release:

PGA TOUR, Twitter announce innovative fan engagement initiative
TOUR’s return to golf to feature celebrity and athlete commentary across nine different live video streams

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, AND SAN FRANCISCO – To mark the PGA TOUR’s return to competition at the Charles Schwab Challenge, June 11-14 at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas, the TOUR and Twitter today announced a global live content execution that will be a first-of-its kind for the social media platform.

“Twitter Multicast” will take place on Thursday, June 11, from approximately 1-2:30 pm ET and will showcase athletes, celebrities and other personalities creating their own live, audio/video commentary in conjunction with PGA TOUR LIVE Featured Groups coverage during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Twitter Multicast will feature the likes of Danny Kanell, Dude Perfect, Darren Rovell, Darius Rucker, Annika Sorenstam, Golden Tate and others.

“The PGA TOUR is proud to be among the first major sports leagues to return to competition,” said Rick Anderson, Chief Media Officer of the PGA TOUR. “With no spectators on site, we want to work harder than ever to connect our fans to the event, across numerous platforms and devices in addition to the PGA TOUR LIVE, Golf Channel and CBS broadcasts. Working with Twitter on this all-new fan engagement initiative is a nod to how important fans are to the TOUR and our players.”

The Charles Schwab Challenge features the top-five ranked players in the world and 17 of the top 20 in the FedExCup Standings. The Twitter Multicast will offer nine versions of the live stream with distribution from more than 20 different Twitter accounts. The video streams will cover pre-game, practice sessions, and the first two holes of competition of players such as Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth. Each stream will carry PGA TOUR LIVE featured groups coverage complemented with live audio/video commentary from commentators who will provide their point of view on the return of the TOUR.

A full list of the guest commentators across nine video streams:
CBS Sports:  Charles Davis (@CFD22) and Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) 
SKY Sports/NBC Sports:     Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) and Conor Moore (@ConorSketches)
Discovery/GOLFTV:    Henni Zuel (@hennizuel) and Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie)
Golf Digest:     Hally Leadbetter (@hallylead) and David Leadbetter (@davidleadbetter)
The Action Network/GolfBet:Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell), Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) and guest
LPGA: Annika Sorenstam (@ANNIKA59) and Brittany Lincicome (@Brittany1golf)
Celebrity Stream:  Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) and Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate)
Celebrity Stream:  Dude Perfect (@DudePerfect)
Celebrity Stream:  Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) and Wells Adams (@WellsAdams)

“This first-ever Twitter Multicast will give golf fans a viewing experience they won’t find anywhere else,” says TJ Adeshola, head of U.S. sports partnerships for Twitter. “By adding conversation and commentary from a range of Twitter notables to premium golf content, the Multicast will have something for everyone, regardless if you’re looking for real-time reactions, analysis or just some laughs to pair with live footage from Colonial. This is a prime example of how to create a richer, more customized fan experience through the power of Twitter.” 

The Shack Show With Guest Gil Hanse

Gil Hanse

While the Colonial focus for this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge is rightfully on the “challenge” of putting on the first major COVID-19 era golf tournament, the course is always an integral part of Colonial week.

So I called up Gil Hanse, recently commissioned to do a master plan for the oft-changed classic (you won’t believe the list!). We also chatted about a few other topics I hope you’ll enjoy, plus me questioning his world top 10 published this week on Golf.com.

The Apple podcast option for listening and subscribing, or you can listen here on iHeartRadio:

**Here is one of the lost Colonial golf holes discussed in the show by Gil, courtesy of Mr. Maxwell! ;)

One of the holes lost Gil mentions, #8. https://t.co/e1aLBadAYv pic.twitter.com/dD6wcXdNiR

— Perry Maxwell (@DornickMaxwell) June 9, 2020