Patrick Reed Singles Out Rory McIlroy To Defend His Latest Rules Run-In

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This one warrants more investigation given the source and only a brief CBS showing of Rory McIlroy’s third shot on 18 at the Farmers. But in defending his latest rules run-in, Patrick Reed took to Twitter and suggested McIlroy took embedded ball relief at the 18th without calling an official. Beyond suggesting his situation was in the clear, it is not evident what the inference is beyond suggesting Reed is being unfairly targeted.

An account since deleted called YumYum Ravioli started this notion picked up by Reed.

Yes I just typed that.

The traditional Reed family burner account has also been pushing the McIlroy story in manic fashion after Saturday’s Farmers Insurance Open happenings.

A sampling of replies, of which there were way too many to link and post:

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McIlroy discussed the Torrey Pines rough after his round but made no mention of any situation on 18.

However, Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner took to Twitter to validate Reed and YumYumRavioli’s claim based on reporting by Todd Lewis.

When I find video evidence or Golf Channel shows that incident, I’ll post it. But the suggestion is that the McIlroy behavior was questionable and hopefully the network will produce the goods Sunday.

**Staff, reporting from San Diego for PGATour.com has more on the McIlroy situation after tape surfaced Sunday and was aired on GolfChannel. McIlroy was cleared.

On the surface, the situation looks similar in the way the ball lands and supposedly “embeds”. However, what we don’t see is how McIlroy approached the ball or how quickly he put his hands on it. I find it hard to imagine it was anywhere near Reed’s search for a better lie.

It should be noted McIlroy had an equally horrible lie after his drop:

McIlroy discussed after the round:

Patrick Reed Continues To Bulldoze The Spirit Of The Rules

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Apparently no one told Patrick Reed to not touch the ball unless absolutely necessary. Golf’s like soccer that way.

And you certainly don’t do anything around the ball that could look like you are improving your lie. At least, in the old days before the PGA Tour transitioned to a players-first culture when Tim Finchem retired and marketers took over the executive ranks.

So even with an image-killing incident at the 2019 Hero World Challenge and other run-ins with lie improvement, Captain America has resumed his assault on the most important rule of all: playing the ball as it lies.

Sadly, his 2021 Farmers Insurance Open third round actions were not denounced by the PGA Tour in any way. Official Ken Tackett, who has stood down Bryson DeChambeau’s more absurd relief requests, was debuting in a new role for CBS that will see multiple rules staffers sit in to explain situations. Just a half hour into the new role he was put to a test and mopped up for Reed, sadly. In his defense, Tackett’s paycheck comes from the players. He technically works for Patrick Reed and a cult of personality based in Florida that believes PGA Tour golfers are above golf’s rules. Still, that Tackett could not call out Reed’s premature touching of his ball despite the incredulous reactions of CBS’s broadcast team, has a nefarious aging very poorly.

If you were not watching or following on social media this all sounds a tad silly so we’ll review the facts below for posterity. But there has been a great deal of focus placed on the way Reed’s ball bounced and then purportedly embedded. It is very true that it was almost impossible to embed and therefore need relief. However, Reed was clearly told by a volunteer that she did not see the ball bounce. Fine.

But any elite golfer does not engage in what Reed proceeded to do next: pick up the ball and drop it aside while declaring it embedded, but wanting a second opinion too. If it’s even possibly embedded, you mark and slightly lift up, holding the ball with two fingers to replace it as it sat, and do this preferably under the supervision of a playing partner or official.

Instead, this is what happened:

A careful or proper approach did not happen because Patrick Reed has a complicated relationship with playing the ball as it lies. Especially since after an incident like Saturday’s where he’s (reportedly) told his actions were “textbook,” as he claimed in post round interviews. (A follow-up interview of PGA Tour rules official John Mutch confirmed this to Golf Channel.)

Let’s review some of the evidence, starting with the tape of Reed approaching his ball and starting off ok by yelling to his playing partners he was checking for an embedded lie—but then spiraling from there.

The volunteer was wrong, the ball did bounce and while that was an unfortunate mistake, Reed picking up the ball as quickly as he could AND discarding it, instead of holding it in his fingers to replicate the lie should it not be embedded, suggested he had no intention of ever playing from that lie.

By the time rules official Brad Fabel arrived, there was nothing much for him to look at but the “lip” of the embed he apparently detected under finger after having asked where the ball had gone.

Then there is the bounce issue. The PGA Tour was supposed to have a rules official monitoring telecasts and this would have been a fine moment for that official to radio in that the tee shot bounced. This would signal that Reed’s ball probably did not embed. However, everything transpired quickly and with Reed having moved the ball, it may have all been moot.

The bounce shows an embed was highly unlikely:

After the round CBS stayed on many minutes past their allotted time to break down the situation and wait out Reed, who was busy on his cell phone. The entire time the CBS on-air was skeptical of the story and claims, including lead announcer Jim Nantz who interviewed Tackett after hearing Reed’s case. Tackett made an even less compelling case that Reed had conducted himself professionally the second time around.

Jay Rigdon at Awful Announcing covered the first effort just 35 minutes into the telecast, which was also did not inspire confidence.

Twitter was also not kind to the on-air official.

The quibbling will continue and Reed will have to live with the consequences. But make no mistake: he has openly exhibited a contempt for the spirit of the rules. The PGA Tour has not given any indication this is a problem.

In the good ole days this would have just been one of those “silly rules of golf” things that people could have mocked. However, with legalized betting and the PGA Tour’s hard push of that new revenue source, a cavalier approach to the rules and the players who bend them will ultimately prove disastrous.

PGA Tour Now Has A Live-Odds Leaderboard Devoid Of FedExCup Projections

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No Titleist insignias next to player names, no FedExCup projections, just the tournament standings and the live odds from one of two options: PointsBet or, if you click “To Win (All)” at the top, a readout of all the PGA Tour’s preferred sports gaming (budget responsibly!) partners.

You can check it out here.

As for the algorithm putting Tony Finau at +550-+700 while in a multi-player second place tie at the Farmers Insurance Open? One that includes folks who’ve won more and more often at a similar or higher price? That’s a conversation for you and your preferred gaming outlet.

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WSJ: "For Golf, Covid Is Even Better Than Tiger"

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There were some odd lines in this Jinjoo Lee and Spencer Jakab WSJ piece and it’s always uncomfortable to read about golf’s spike in play given the pandemic’s toll. (Thanks reader John for sending.)

After noting the stock price gains for Dick’s, Acushnet and Callaway, they write:

Sports-apparel and equipment giant Nike shocked many by exiting the golf business in 2016 and competitor Adidas sold off some brands the following year. Retailer Golfsmith declared bankruptcy in 2016. Between 2003 and 2017 the number of U.S. on-course players fell to fewer than 24 million, from nearly 31 million. Part of that was a “negative hangover” following the financial crisis that led to less business golf, says Randy Konik, an analyst at Jefferies.

But equipment sales began to rebound soon after. In 2019 the number of first-time U.S. players hit 2.5 million, exceeding the previous high of 2.4 million in 2000 when Tiger Woods was racking up trophies and inspiring young players. One reason is that more baby boomers have started taking up golf.

“People aren’t giving enough thought to how much of America is getting older,” says Mr. Konik. “Golf is the perfect sport for that part of the population.”

This was odd given, well Tiger’s back surgery last month but we get it.

A more recent boost for the sport comes from younger professionals now working remotely. Fitting in 18 holes on a weekday was once an expensive and time-consuming way to cultivate business contacts. More flexible schedules make hitting the links closer to home easier.

What could make golf’s recent upswing even better? The sort of excitement that Tiger Woods created in the late 1990s could be rekindled by some of the young players now on the scene, such as Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Tiger himself is showing flashes of his old brilliance.

Cleeve Hill Saved! New 125-Year Lease Awarded

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Robin Hiseman calls Cleeve Hill “the links in the clouds”, and as one of the historic courses biggest advocates ,the golf architect is one of many who deserves credit for highlighting the importance of Old Tom Morris’s design.

And now its uncertain future has been resolved.

MASHIE golf managing director Nick Hovey and local businessman Sam Foyle have agreed to a 125-year lease at Cleeve Hill after winning a bid conducted by the Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Cookie Jar Golf’s Sam Williams broke the news and recorded a podcast with the new lessees.

A podcast snippet is below followed by the original Cookie Jar video that highlighted the importance of Cleeve Hill, prompting calls from all of the world and the likes of Nick Faldo to save this gem.

When Asking For A Mark Might Have Saved Xander Schauffele A Shot (Or Two)

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As a connoisseur of backstopping gone bad I so rarely get to enjoy the spoils of the nefarious practice now that players seem to have gotten the message that ball marks are their friends.

Full enjoyment of this Farmers Insurance Open round one incident is not possible since we don’t know if Jordan Spieth was desperate to mark his ball, only to have Xander Schauffele prioritizing fast play.

But as Christopher Powers writes for GolfDigest.com, the doozy of a bad break led to a Schauffele bogey and Phil Mickelson quickly asking Spieth to mark the same ball that sent Xander’s pellet running.

The setup from Powers:

The hole is only 322 yards, and Schauffele had blasted his drive just left of the green, leaving him with a difficult sidehill lie to a tucked left pin. Up on the green, Jordan Spieth, one of Schauffele’s playing partners, had not yet marked his ball. Schauffele went ahead and hit anyway, and would you believe it, his ball hit Spieth’s and ricocheted all the way off the other side of the green. Take a look:

Again, there are two ways of looking at this: a very bad break, or he had it coming since he didn’t ask Spieth to mark his ball. Protect the field, as they say. Something tells us the fine folks on Golf Twitter will be leaning toward the “karma” argument, but we can’t be too sure.

I looked and found two Tweets from the Schauffele Legion. This either speaks to my searching skills or the audience size for round one of the Farmers.

Somewhere a gambler was happy as Spieth ended up beating Schauffele in a group match bet by just a a stroke for those where sports betting is legal.

Someone else wasn’t so happy though they have yet to blame the backstop gone bad for their financial suffering.

The offending shot in a small embed (go to GolfDigest.com to see it in a larger version):

Patriot Golf Day Moved To Memorial Day

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One of the best days of the golf calendar gets more attention and hopefully, even more courses signing up to add that extra buck to green fees to raise funds for disabled veterans.

Note the link at the press release end golf course operators:

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2021) – PGA REACH, the 501(c)3 charitable foundation of the PGA of America, and the Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members will jointly host the 15th Patriot Golf Day over Memorial Day Weekend. This is the first time the nationwide annual fundraiser will be conducted in conjunction with the holiday that commemorates those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Patriot Golf Day began as a grassroots fundraising initiative over Labor Day Weekend in 2007, with golfers nationwide encouraged to add an extra dollar to their green fees to fund Folds of Honor scholarships for families of fallen and disabled Veterans. Over the last 14 years, the effort has grown to encompass a variety of fundraising events, tournaments and golf marathons led by PGA Professionals and golfers in all 50 states and 41 PGA Sections. As a result of these events, and other year-long fundraising activities, more than 29,000 scholarships have been funded.

This marks the second year the two organizations have joined together to expand and grow annual fundraising efforts for both PGA HOPE and Folds of Honor, to better serve the needs of Veterans and their families through the game of golf. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program includes a developmental six- to-eight-week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. In 2019, PGA HOPE programming impacted 2,500 Veterans nationwide.

“We are proud of the work that PGA Professionals have done through PGA HOPE to utilize the game of golf as a dedicated means of therapy and rehabilitation for Veterans,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “By partnering with Folds of Honor on Patriot Golf Day over Memorial Day Weekend, we are expanding our outreach to the families of those we serve through golf. This is a natural extension of our long-standing mission to support our nation’s heroes.”

“We are grateful for the support over the last 14 years that the golf community and individuals have provided Folds of Honor and the military families we serve,” said Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, PGA, Founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. “Working closer with the PGA, we can now offer opportunities and services that benefit both our Veterans through PGA HOPE and their families through educational scholarships funded by Folds of Honor. I am very proud to stand with my fellow PGA Professionals and work with PGA HOPE, to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Join us this Memorial Day for the most heroic round of the year, go to patriotgolfday.com and register -- this is your call to duty.” 

Golf properties across the country can get involved in Patriot Golf Day by registering at patriotgolfday.com.

Bryson Sets Launch Plan For Bay Hill's 6th Green

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We’ve long past the farcical nature of launch angle golf. Still, it should be fun to hear about drivable par-5’s around the time governing bodies are slated to update us on their distance insights.

Given that John Daly took his share of practice round cracks at Bay Hill’s sixth green, it’s only fitting to hear Bryson DeChambeau wants to try in the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Luke Kerr-Dineen kindly did the transcribing from this Sean Zak chat with DeChambeau:

“If I play this year I will definitely do it,” Bryson told GOLF.com’s Sean Zak during a one-on-one interview last week, sponsored by CDW. “Number six at Bay Hill is one of those I’ve been eyeing. I think I can do some pretty cool things on it.”

Bryson added that the only thing that could throw a wrench in his plans is if the wind swirls unexpectedly. He won’t try it if the wind gusts into him, obviously, but if it’s a little downwind as usual, it’s a “100 percent go.”

Rory’s Running For PAC Chairman, Should Knox And Streelman Even Bother?

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Rory McIlroy must really love talking slow play and strategic alliances because as Rex Hoggard reports, the Northern Irishman-turned-Floridian is setting himself up for a full time job in addition to playing: Player Advisory Council Chairman.

McIlroy would become the first non-American to ascend to the job, which also puts the election victor on the PGA Tour Policy Board.

Meetings in a natural light setting await!

From Hoggard on McIlroy’s interest in boosting the recently announced “landmark strategic alliance” between the PGA Tour and European Tour:

“I’ve enjoyed being on the PAC the last couple of years and I think that with what’s happening between the PGA Tour and the European Tour I have the ear of the PGA Tour and I have the ear of the European Tour,” McIlroy said following his opening-round 68 at the Farmers Insurance Open. “I just feel like I’ve been around a long time and I feel I can maybe help facilitate things and maybe guide things in a certain direction for what I think is better for everyone.”

He also likes conference calls and votes that count:

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know more about the Tour business, I’ve enjoyed being a part of the calls that went into being able to play out here with COVID conditions,” McIlroy said. “Sometimes on the PAC it’s great to be involved and it’s great to have your voice heard but that’s all it does. You don’t have a vote and being PAC chair, being on the policy board you have a vote and your voice actually counts.”

Dartmouth Reinstates Golf Programs After Pressure Campaign; Hanover CC Still Set For Closure

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Shuttered amid budget shortfalls and short-sighted thinking, Dartmouth has bowed to legal pressure over Title IX sexual discrimination and an alumni campaign to reinstate the sports ended last July.

The men’s and women’s golf teams are part of the announcement.

Not saved, at least as of now, is Hanover Country Club, the charming 121-year-old home course to the teams controlled by the university.

The news landed just a day after Global Golf Post’s Jim Nugent filed this opus on the saga that included some headscratching revelations.

More than 100 athletes were impacted. As many as 15 athletic department jobs were eliminated. At the time, Hanlon (Dartmouth Class of 1977) said these measures would save about $2 million.

As the weeks wore on and reality sank in, golf team members felt that that school was not being transparent, that the decision just didn’t add up. They were silent for months, working closely but quietly with an alumni group called Friends of Dartmouth Golf (FODG) to see if they could get the decision reversed in a non-confrontational way.

Even worse was an alumni package put together, as detailed in the story, to free the school of obligations while adding many perks for non-golf students. That was declined.

This was embarrassing but not shocking:

Elimination of the Dartmouth golf teams didn’t stop the school from squeezing every last dollar from alumni. The fiscal year ended on June 30. One golf alum was contacted six times in the month of June alone.

Nine days after the fiscal year ended, and after FODG had just completed its highest fund-raising effort in history, including financing for a new team van and upgraded indoor practice facilities, the eliminations were announced.

“They knew the programs were being shut down, but they continued to fundraiser. Unbelievable,” said one former player.

Alumni relations were not helped by the move…

Jake Gehret, class of 1981, donated to FODG for the six-figure van. It was delivered last March. But the golf teams never got to use it due to COVID-19. Gehret has not heard from anyone about the fate of the van. No one in FODG knows about its whereabouts or usage.

A significant contributor to Dartmouth through the years, Gehret cut all ties to the school.

And this is the capper:

The FODG calculated that the operating costs for both teams added up to $350,000 annually. Seventy-one percent of that came from alumni contributions, including the coaches’ salaries. The remaining $100,000 came from the school.

Hopefully next up on the to do list: somehow saving at least part of Hanover CC as a team and community asset.

PGA Tour's New HQ Already Has A Name And It's NOT Terminal A

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Foster and Partners are not known for working cheap so I apologize for suggesting their new PGA Tour headquarters—sorry, Global Home—looks like an airport terminal.

I realize that’s unfair since the terminal is partially fronted by a moat. More suited to yacht-docking.

Garry Smits files a lengthy and detail-rich story that lands like an alligator in the front lobby amidst a pandemic, last year’s layoffs and when $65 million collaborative work spaces won’t be cool for a while.

It sounds beautiful, except in a Cat 4 storm:

Thanks to five large skylights, a “collaborative atrium” connecting the two wings and floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light is one of the main features of the building designed by Foster + Partners and built by Clark Construction – which also built the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in 2007.

“It’s 100 percent intentional,” said Kirsten Sabia, the Tour’s vice-president for integrated communications on Thursday after leading a media group through the building. “Prior to designing it, Foster interview a number of employees and asked them what they desired in a new building. The top-two answers were natural light and meeting space. You feel energized when you walk into this building and you feel energized when you walk out.”

Better than feeling fleeced!

The Tour initially is planning on 25 percent occupancy and will continue to give employees the option of working at home until the pandemic subsides.

But how will they feel energized? Other perks of the building…

• Nearly 100 meeting spaces, ranging from small rooms with a table and several chairs to the conference room off Monahan’s office that can seat around two dozen participants.

So, like a third of the vice presidential core.

• A fitness center with aerobic machines, weights, rooms for yoga, pilates and Zumba classes and full locker rooms and showers.

Did I miss a memo? Zumba is back?

Wouldn’t it have just been cheaper to buy everyone a Peloton, an Aeron and a 27-inch Mac? Maybe throw in a home simulator for the six golf nuts left?

But then they’d miss this vital component…

• A dining area that includes a salad bar, sandwich bar and pizza oven. Food purchases will be made from area vendors, produce wholesalers and even farms, and plans are to start a vegetable and spice garden.

The things you can grow in a converted swamp these days.

• A coffee bar where the staff will bake their own pastries and bread.

OFFS.

Stewart Moore, senior director of communications, said the amenities of the Global Home will enable the Tour to compete for talent in areas such as finance, legal, media, digital, broadcasting, data and technology and marketing — since part of the deal to get tax and utility incentives from St. Johns County was to add 300 new jobs over the next 10 years.

I know 50 or so you can add back.

“This is going to be an amazing recruiting tool,” he said. “You talk to people and they want a café, coffee shop, a fitness center.

All key for staying awake watching launch angle golf.

“Having this modern space where they want to come to work will help us keep bringing in the brightest people to keep growing our business.”

Eh em…that’s growing the charitable giving, remember?

The Global Home also will be in full view of fans coming to The Players Championship for years to come.

Goosebump alert!

While the old headquarters buildings were tucked away on the main road leading to the Players Stadium Course, the new digs will remind fans that the Tour is unique among professional sports in that its headquarters, signature event and signature are in the same location.

I couldn’t have said it more confusingly myself.

The Times-Union version of the story includes this photo gallery. Just think, Greg Norman’s newly listed home only would run you about $5 million less. But I bet his staff can’t back their own pastries and bread.

Will January Torrey Glory Foreshadow U.S. Open Summer Success?

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My Thursday Quadrilateral News and Notes turned mostly into an all-things USGA and U.S. Open edition, with a look at the 2008 Buick-U.S. Open combo and what we can learn watching this week’s Farmers at the 2021 U.S. Open venue.

Other notes include some revealing thoughts from Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, two favorites at Torrey this year and the USGA’s return of U.S. Open qualifying.

Subscribing is easy here.

More on The Quadrilateral here.

Shark Lists His Florida Estate For $59.9 Million

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You too can maintain the same shrubs that Greg Norman nearly cut off his hand pruning along with a 1900 bottle cellar and 30-car parking area for staff.

There is a tennis court but no sign of golf. Not even a putting green?

Welcome to “Tranquility”. One of the original ocean-to-Intracoastal estates on Jupiter Island, the stunning full compound of buildings, situated on a sprawling 8.31-acre lot, was built for a barefoot elegance lifestyle. It boasts 31,820 total SF of living space, including the Main House, Coach House, Pool House, Tennis House, Boat House, Carriage House, Beach House & 5,000 SF basement. With 10BR,12+6BA,172’ of oceanfront, & 370’ of WF on the Intracoastal Waterway, the estate sports a modern tropical/yacht-inspired feel with dockage for a 150’ yacht. Remote & set back, the estate is a true escape, offering the utmost in privacy, and one-of-a-kind amenities including a US open sized tennis court, fitness center, movie theater, elevator, 2 main pools, spa, wine cellar, bar & gourmet kitchen.

R&A Turns To Niall Horan "To Support Fresh Drive To Get More Young People Into Golf"

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Another day, another governing body reaching out to the kids.

At least (A) we know Niall Horan really does love golf and isn’t doing this just as an “influencer” (B) I don’t have a B.

For Immediately Painful Release:

THE R&A APPOINTS MODEST! GOLF TO SUPPORT FRESH DRIVE TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO GOLF

27 January 2021, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has appointed Modest! Golf to work on designing and developing a series of future grassroots programmes aimed at inspiring more young people into golf and retain them within the sport.

The new programmes will be launched later this year and provide more opportunities for young people to be introduced to golf through offering fun and accessible formats of the sport that are more in tune with how today’s generation uses its leisure time.

The arrangement will see focus on increasing the appeal of golf for young people by leveraging the power of influencers from the sports and entertainment world to present the sport in a more positive light to new audiences and challenge some of the more unhelpful perceptions that exist about golf.

Oh, how 2019 of you.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Offer at The R&A, said, “Modest! Golf has a wealth of expertise and insight from the entertainment and sports industries that will be combined with our experience of developing golf around the world to establish exciting new initiatives aimed at reaching new audiences and inspiring more young people into playing golf with their family and friends.

“Our relationship with Modest! Golf is built on a shared ambition for golf to be viewed as a fun, friendly and accessible sport that is inclusive of all people no matter their age, gender, ability or background. We look forward to working together to broaden its appeal through our networks in golf and encourage young people to enjoy its many social and health benefits.”

Niall Horan, founder of Modest! Golf, said, “I am so proud to work alongside The R&A in developing programmes to encourage and inspire more young people to play the game of golf. It is something my company Modest! Golf is hugely passionate about and I am honoured that the chief executive Martin Slumbers, Phil Anderton and The R&A are entrusting my agency to help drive the game forward.

“The R&A has a long legacy within the game and I look forward to helping to create new and modern initiatives to showcase to the younger generation just what a great sport golf is.”

Modest! Golf evolved from entertainment agency Modest! Management and was founded by Niall Horan and Mark McDonnell in 2016. It is responsible for the management of professional golfers including Tyrrell Hatton, Leona Maguire, Connor Syme, Olivia Cowan and Guido Migliozzi as well as world top 5 disability golfer Brendan Lawlor.

It also aims to promote inclusivity and opportunity through renowned events like the ISPS Handa World Invitational and the Horan & Rose charity tournament which has raised over £2 million for children’s charities across the world.

The campaign kick off…

Players Championship To Have 20% Capacity, No Chainsmokers Reunion

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The upcoming Waste Management Open will feature a reduced 16th hole corporate hospitality, 5000 a day where America’s highest infection rate currently resides and take the PGA Tour where they are begging spring training to stay away.

So by that measure and many others, The Players appears to have a more sensible plan based on Executive Director Jared Rice’s comments.

From Will Brown at the Jacksonville Business Journal detailing the 20% capacity plan for the March 11-14 event.

“…From a hospitality perspective, we have modified everything. So, that means in hospitality zones we will have open-air venues. We’re looking for ways to make sure it's as safe as possible, limiting some access there. From a fan perspective, we are looking at ways we can focus on social distancing as part of the food and beverage experience and make it great for our fans.”

Rice also announced The Players will begin selling tickets to previous attendees on Feb. 1. Tickets for the general public will be made available on Feb. 16.

Masks will be required and social distancing will be strongly encouraged.

The tournament will feature digital ticketing, contactless commerce as well as altered food and beverage protocols at The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. There will not be a Military Appreciation Concert this year, but there are plans to honor members of the armed forces as has been the case in years past.

The Chainsmokers probably won’t be back for a while and that’s ok on many levels.