Saudi Arabia Prepares To Welcome Patrick Reed, New Jack Nicklaus Design

Banner times in the Kingdom as a strong field is set to turn up at glorious Royal Greens for appearance fees, maybe some grumbling about the state of oil and presumably a safe week outside Riyadh. They’re having a little COVID uptick there, though nothing like Arizona where the PGA Tour is teeing it up this week.

Patrick Reed, fresh off his totally-perfect, by-the-book ball drop will be joined by Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and last week’s winner Paul Casey in the Saudi Invitational.

Meanwhile the country will also be welcoming Jack Nicklaus and his design team who announced their first-ever Middle East effort. From Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk:

Nicklaus, the most decorated player in the game’s history, commented: “I am excited by this project and my first golf course design in the Middle East.  To be selected as one of the first international designers to work in the Kingdom is a great honour. I’ve already spent time looking at the topography of the land, images of the backdrop and terrain, and discussing with our design team a strategy for the course.  The design will fully integrate the natural environment and the beautiful Qiddiya landscape, bringing together green spaces and mountainous terrain to form a picturesque canvas for both a beautiful and challenging golf course.” 

Oh yeah he totally said that.

The full press release is here.

Open de France Returns To Le Golf National In May

Not long ago we were leaving the European Tour and pro golf in France for dead, so it’s nice to see Gregory Havret has been signed up to host and keep the Open de France going this May.

From the press release:

Continental Europe’s oldest national Open, first played in 1906, returns to the European Tour’s International Schedule after being cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like other tournaments on the 2021 Race to Dubai, the Open de France will be played under the auspices of the European Tour’s health strategy which will continue to evolve in line with French Government guidance. The European Tour and the Fédération Française de Golf acknowledge the recent changes to travel in and out of the country, and will continue regular dialogue with the French authorities, with the intention of staging the event without general admission in May.

It will be the fourth tournament in a five-week spring stretch on European soil between the first two Major Championships of 2021 - the Masters Tournament and US PGA Championship – the Open de France joining the Tenerife Open, Gran Canaria Open, Portugal Masters and Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett.

Like the latter event, the Open de France will also have a tournament host this year, with three-time European Tour winner Havret becoming the first player to take on the ambassadorial role.

Havret is joint fifth on the all-time list of most successful French players on the European Tour and he finished runner up in the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, one shot behind winner Graeme McDowell.

CBS Golf Enjoys A Strong Start To 2021

Live drone shot over the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open

You know how the old saying goes: one man’s suspicious embedded ball relief is another man’s gain.

The 2021 Farmers Insurance Open breathed some much needed life into the PGA Tour schedule by returning to scenic Torrey Pines with a strong leaderboard, multiple (compelling) storylines and a well-produced broadcast. But it was CBS’s strong production and announcing effort that sustained the shows much needed drama until Reed’s lead became insurmountable.

With Sellers Shy taking over for Lance Barrow, we knew several innovations and tweaks were coming. Other changes were more evident in adding zip to the normally dreary task of broadcasting golf. Random observations from the weekend:

—The new lower right scoreboard will be a fantastic addition. It may take some getting used to for viewers and camera operators. During Sunday’s show it was already apparent the camera operators were trying to better incorporate it into the frame. The new feature was helped by a close tournament and it cleverly keeps the leader displayed at all times, adding just a bit more understanding and even urgency to the proceedings.

New lower right scoreboard

—Shy Shows Less Standing Around. Many times CBS came right up to player as they were pulling the club back. This meant more live shots but also a little less time seeing players addressing the ball, mashing down rough with their club or conversing with caddies. That also may have been intentional for another reason…

—Sound seemed less prevalent overall. Almost as if they are worried about picking up less-than-savory player comments? This was a setback from 2020’s focus on sound to make up for the lack of crowds. And remember my motto: the least interesting player-caddy conversation is almost always more informative than anything an announcer can add.

—The drone shots were (even more?) spectacular. Maybe the Kaze Aerial team upgraded the camera or the soft light helped, but the shots seemed even sharper and more mesmerizing. Make sure to thank Torrey Pines in your Emmy acceptance speeches.

—The Goodyear Blimp still has its role. We’re spoiled on CBS shows with both the blimp showing a shot from above while the drone provides birdseye scenics. Without fan energy, these extras help make a slow sport more visually attractive on modern televisions. And note to beancounters: breathtaking views are appreciated by all demos.

—Quick departure to Eye On The Course. Too much of our time has been wasted hearing music and a slow toss to an Eye On The Course break. That ended this weekend where the split screen of a commercial and golf happened abruptly. The pivot was jarring at first, but was soon welcomed in moving the telecast along. So was the addition of Eye on the Course as the on-tape CEO interview played. Let’s keep shrinking that CEO box to the size of the leaderboard and expanding the live action, please. Pretty please?

—College Basketball ate into the telecast again and this year, perhaps because of the breaking news or a return to old form, CBS did not start on Golf Channel as they did during last year’s West Coast Swing to great acclaim.

—Nantz in Monterey. The remote effort worked well. There was no detectable delay. Given how little Jim Nantz can roam around under CBS COVID protocols, he may be doing more events from there. You know Sean how I love Memphis in July and the people at FedEx, but I see there’s been a tiny outbreak near Southwind and you know, just to be safe…thinking of my carbon footprint too. What do you think?

—Smartcart graphics. The new hole graphic showing ShotLink scatter charts akin to technology Fox and Turner have tried, was used sparingly. It has great potential and just looks cool on screen. Let’s face it, anything that demonstrates an effort to stay current will help golf broadcasts. Another plus: host Amanda Balionis and others could see it well, Tony Finau who said he liked the new “cool technology”.

—Painful FanDuel integration. At least Frank Nobilo pounced on Nick Faldo’s bold selection of west coast native Xander Schauffele likely excelling in the coming weeks at west coast venues. The banter helped save some otherwise stilted and painful sponcon that made the announcers uncomfortable.

—Sunday’s opening segment recapping Reed’s situation ate into vital tournament storytelling time, but it was the national buzz and a recap proved both necessary and compelling. As I noted in The Quadrilateral analyzing the various responses to the ruling, the announce team’s willingness to explain why this was just not normal behavior came through loud and clear. The Tour may not have liked it but as sports television the conversation was compelling. The only thing lacking? Perhaps a segment on tape with one of the team members explaining how most elite would have approached the situation and what they would have done to avoid the reaction Reed got. But this would have contradicted the rules official’s claim Reed did everything right and highlights my final point…

—The in-booth rules official role must go independent. This was the reaction I had when CBS announced the new plan and within a half hour it was apparent the experiment, while forward-thinking, will not work as long as the official is also paid by the players he’s commenting on. Ken Tackett was thrown into the fire immediately, as Jim Nantz said Sunday in a follow-up chat regarding the Reed situation. Having a rules expert will be huge given how much CBS leaned on Tackett over the weekend. But the role will need to be someone independent similar to network NFL rules experts. As a paid employee of the Tour, Tackett and other officials in the planned rotation will not be able to analyze or educate, something the Reed situation should have allowed for.

Reed Mess Highlights The PGA Tour's Complicated Relationship With Golf

So many forces and so many strange things happened down at Torrey Pines this weekend. There were winners, losers and warning signs.

I tried to put them together and what this means for the game, the rules and the rulemakers (who also run majors…The Quadrilateral’s focus).

This one is for paid subscribers only.

But the membership committee is not opposed to new subscribers.

"He's protected by the Tour and that's all that matters, I guess.”

It was the final line in Xander Schauffele’s post-round 2021 Farmer’s Insurance Open press conference but it should also set off alarm bells in the Global Home.

Q.  Did you have a chance to see what happened with Patrick Reed yesterday?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE:  Not ‑‑ I didn't search for the videos, I just have heard talk amongst the boys out here.

Q.  Have you ever ran into a situation like that on the golf course?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE:  I would not put myself and create a situation like that. That's kind of ‑‑ I wouldn't. If my ball's embedded, I usually will wait and call someone and kind of wait until everyone's on the same page, wait to look at video. So I try to avoid situations like that just for that reason.

Q.  Just to be clear, you wouldn't have picked the ball up?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE:  No. I would wait for an official. You can put a tee in the ground and check your ball. I mean, he did everything by the book according to the official and everyone stood by there. Obviously the talk amongst the boys isn't great, I guess, but he's protected by the Tour and that's all that matters, I guess. 

Oh boy.

Protected by the Tour is not a good perception to have players sense about a player, particularly one with a less than stellar body of work.

Well Xander, say hi to Ross Berlin for all of us. Loves the ponies and has great stories to tell along with taking excellent notes for the folks back at the Global Home.

Farmers: PointsBet Refunds All Pre-Tournament Outright Win Bets Not On Patrick Reed

PointsBet Sportsbook, NBC and the PGA Tour’s top preferred gaming partner, announced a refund after Patrick Reed’s Farmers Insurance Open win for those who bet pre-tournament on an outright winner other than Reed.

Given the nefarious drop excused by on site officials but widely panned by most everyone else, including his peers, the result was tainted even with Reed ultimately securing a five stroke win. It’s a brilliant ploy by PointsBet for publicity and setting the tone of doing the right thing as gambling enters American wagering.

The dollar amounts were likely miniscule at this point, making the gesture a brand-building play as much as anything. Still, it’s not a glowing endorsement of the Tour’s handling of Reed while setting a bold precedent.

That said, this also highlights the issues golf will face when perceived cheating, questionable rulings, undisclosed injuries or even course setup gaffes could lead the betting public to feel the “product” is untrustworthy.

Will Gray explains at PointsBet where the announcement even came with a graphic.

⚠️KARMA KOMMITTEE ALERT⚠️

There was no shortage of Patrick Reed talk on his way to winning the Farmers Insurance Open...

If you bet on a different golfer, we have your back! PointsBet is refunding ALL pre-tournament outright winner wagers on all other golfers in Free Bets! pic.twitter.com/SHH8OfslgV

— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) January 31, 2021

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

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:

So... this just happened pic.twitter.com/W3OEMenUpv

— Jacob Hallex (@jacob_hallex) January 31, 2021

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.

Keep in mind that Rory did do just that on 18. He picked up his ball and determined it was embedded. https://t.co/DlgRzYUBks

— Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) January 31, 2021

**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:

Rory McIlroy takes embedded ball relief on No. 18 during Round 3. pic.twitter.com/9D4HH4Gv5g

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 31, 2021

McIlroy discussed after the round:

Patrick Reed Continues To Bulldoze The Spirit Of The Rules

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:

It took Reed less than 10 seconds after he got there to pick up the ball and palm it.

— Andrew H (@andyhart4444) January 31, 2021

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.

⬇️ Patrick Reed on 10 ⬇️pic.twitter.com/AqxPgJdOMU

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) January 30, 2021

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:

This is Reed’s ball ON THE BOUNCE! And he got embedded ball relief! pic.twitter.com/NPN5GfpmSM

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) January 30, 2021

No way that ball was imbedded pic.twitter.com/VgAxLUKwZ4

— Pete Benedetti (@Benedetti346) January 30, 2021

Here's Reed on #10 from the time he hit his approach. Decide for yourself. pic.twitter.com/pHQSF3ly9T

— Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood) January 30, 2021

@NoLayingUp here’s the convo with the rules official, twice telling him it didnt bounce. Use at you will. pic.twitter.com/1ohSXYnYKv

— James Else (@Elsey6) January 30, 2021

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.

Standing ovation for CBS. They absolutely did not let Tackett off the hook, revisited the video, asked probing questions, and questioned him when the answers were clearly ridiculous. Nantz, Faldo, all exceptional. Amanda's questions to Reed were the right questions. Wild stuff.

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) January 30, 2021

Nantz's face listening to Tackett. lmao pic.twitter.com/Yl1p22CF6X

— CYC (@chrisycram) January 30, 2021

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

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.

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

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

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joe McDonnell (@joemcd_golf)

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

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.

Genuinely shocked this lost.

Not a great day for Schauffele, who’s beaten a stroke by Spieth ❌ https://t.co/yRYKST7q0N

— Smart Staker 🟢 (@SmartStaker) January 28, 2021

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

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

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?

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.”