Tiger On Playing The Masters: "God, I hope so."

/
47FA8A24-8422-4370-88D9-E132EDBDFB6A_1_105_c.jpeg

Tiger Woods looked better in person than the cameras made him appear in a 12 minute booth stint. The Genesis Invitational host briefly touched on his foundation’s 25th anniversary before questions from Jim Nantz about the state of the back.

From Bob Harig’s ESPN.com story:

"I'm feeling fine, a little stiff," Woods said. "I've got one more MRI scheduled, and then I can start doing more activities. I'm still in the gym doing rehab activities before gravitating towards more."

Woods would not commit to playing a tournament before the Masters, and when asked specifically about the year's first major championship, he said, "God, I hope so. But I've got to get there first. I don't have much wiggle room left. I've got only one back."

Harig, however, noted this:

The recovery from the procedure, which was believed to be one level up on the spine from where his previous ones occurred, was expected to take two and a half to three months. He was said to be hitting balls a few weeks later, but Woods' words indicated he has not done the heavy practicing necessary for a return.

Part of the segment during final round play:

Genesis Third Round Recap: Sunny Skies And A Play Stoppage

/

We were primed for such a perfect day but the winds and gusts were too much. But so were the green speeds, which I wrote about here in The Quadrilateral.

Saturday’s 2021 Genesis was called due to wind gusts around 10:07 am and resumed after a four hour delay. Here was tournament director Steve Rintoul explaining what happened.

GolfChannel.com’s Rex Hoggard explains how it unfolded and shares some player views.

The forecast called for winds in the 10-15 mph range at 10 a.m. with the worst of the conditions not expected to arrive until 4 p.m., which would have been about an hour after play was scheduled to finish. Forecasts aren’t perfect, though, and as the field mulled around the iconic clubhouse searching for shelter, they weren’t looking for someone to blame so much as they just wanted to get back to work.

“It was just very extreme,” said Wyndham Clark, who was on the 16th hole when play was halted for the day for darkness. “We weren't to the really hard holes. I mean, seeing some of the pin placements and how they played after we went back out and how tough they were, it was definitely unfair I think earlier, for sure.”

Heading into Sunday’s 6:50 am restart and final round Sam Burns holds a two-stroke lead over Matthew Fitzpatrick and a three-stroke margin over Wyndham Clark, Dustin Johnson and Max Homa.

Clark is the most surprising given the loud grunt he let out on the first tee after tweaking his back during pre-round warm up exercises. Rex Hoggard here on Clark’s view that he might have withdrawn if not in such good position.

Fitzpatrick put on a wild show Saturday, with seven birdies in the 17 holes he played, as Daniel Rapaport notes here for GolfDigest.com.

Here was the leader Burns making an impressive birdie at the par-4 10th during more wind gusts:

Without fans and without play midday, we lucky few on site saw some things this tournament has not witnessed in its 95 years. A few of my photos:

Players and caddies lounge on the range during the play stoppage

Players and caddies lounge on the range during the play stoppage

C1AEF90A-5FC4-4830-84C1-B6724CCC56FE_1_105_c.jpeg
Rain delay evacuation vans on a sunny day

Rain delay evacuation vans on a sunny day

Players and caddies wait out the winds including Francesco Molinari

Players and caddies wait out the winds including Francesco Molinari

E45DE765-8990-4E12-98AF-358DF7A493A8_1_105_c.jpeg
D972AF31-CD2E-4B5A-ADA9-9061DBA5F6AD_1_105_c.jpeg
After Play resumption, Patrick Rodgers prepares to use wedge from the 10th hole putting surface (He did)

After Play resumption, Patrick Rodgers prepares to use wedge from the 10th hole putting surface (He did)

Michelle Wie Has A Response For Rudy Giuliani

/

Nice to see Michelle Wie-West’s pushing back after the segment airing last week in which Rudy Giuliani told a creepy and sexist story about leering at her while playing golf with Rush Limbaugh.

Also of note: the major golf news outlets are only recognizing this story after Wie-West’s response, but ignored the Giuliani remarks until essentially forced to highlight it by her Twitter response.

Genesis Set To Get Tougher, Windier: "It's one of those rare weeks"

/
Screen Shot 2021-02-19 at 1.06.57 PM.png

From Riviera my Quadrilateral dispatch available to all for free since this isn’t a major, it’s a Friday night and I want to make sure you don’t miss what figures to be fun weekend of PGA Tour golf.

A few notes following round two of the Genesis:

36-hole cut: 67 professionals at even-par 142 from a field of 117 professionals and three amateurs 

Second-Round Leaderboard

Sam Burns                          64-66—130 (-12)

Tyler McCumber                67-68—135 (-7)

Jason Kokrak                      67-68—135 (-7)

Dustin Johnson                  68-67—135 (-7)

Joaquin Niemann              67-68—135 (-7)

  • Sam Burns holds the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history (five strokes) and ties the 36-hole tournament scoring record (130)

  • Five-stroke margin through 36 holes marks largest on TOUR since 2019 PGA Championship (7/Brooks Koepka)

  • Burns holds the third 36-hole lead/co-lead of his PGA TOUR career, finishing T7 on both prior occasions

  • Tyler McCumber sits T2 after having surgery on his left index finger Tuesday

  • Dustin Johnson posts his 18th round of 67 or better at Riviera since 2008, most of any player in that span

  • Chile’s Joaquin Niemann seeks to become second consecutive international winner of The Genesis Invitational and sixth international winner this season

  • Rory McIlroy misses a cut on TOUR for the first time since 2019 The Open Championship, snapping the TOUR’s longest active made-cut streak (25)

  • Notables to miss the cut include McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson and Bryson DeChambeau

Second-Round Lead Notes

4            Second-round leaders/co-leaders to win The Genesis Invitational since 2000

(Mike Weir/2004, Rory Sabbatini/2006, Phil Mickelson/2008, Dustin Johnson/2017)

5            Second-round leaders/co-leaders to win in 2020-21 

(Most recent: Harris English/Sentry Tournament of Champions)

130        Low 36-hole score at The Genesis Invitational 
              (Sam Burns/2021, Shigeki Maruyama/2004, Mike Weir/2004, Davis Love III/1992)

 American broadcast windows:

Screen Shot 2021-02-20 at 7.36.31 AM.png

Scatter Chart Horror: Riviera's 10th Hole, Round One Genesis

/
F7362FBA-9349-4030-958A-E88D9DD047A6_1_105_c.jpeg

The silliness above is on the governing bodies for not doing anything. Riviera for allowing the green to evolve as it has, and on someone else for not at least getting a tee extension ordered up.

Players now regularly say they aim for the trees left and hope. Is this how golf treats its elders? Oh right, yes it is.

Jordan Spieth’s description is just more forthright than most. But to think a whole ingeniously masterminded no longer gets to present the best players the intended options on a grand stage like the Genesis Invitational, is a stain on the game.

Yeah, so the idea was to hit a 3-wood over the left bunker into those trees. I mean, for real. You can get stymied and not have a shot and if that's the case you just have to kind of punch it forward. And then--but that angle's the best angle to be chipping into the green from. It was blowing pretty hard so I knew I needed to kind of hook it in order to get it over that bunker. So I went a little left of where I wanted, ended up in one of those spots that was not ideal because the palm tree happened to be right in the line I wanted to go. Ended up choosing to go to the left side of it and actually kind of almost cut it out of the rough from about 60yards. That shot was the shot of the day for me. That could have easily been a 5 and it turned out to be a 3.

Sponsor Invite Wins His Third Genesis With 16th Hole Ace

/
Screen Shot 2021-02-18 at 8.35.24 PM.png

An ace in your first PGA Tour event is pretty wild, but earning a Genesis G80 to go with the other two Genesis’ you’ve won is just a little crazy.

The shot is below but Ben Everill at PGATour.com explains how sponsor invite Tae Hoon Kim keeps picking up all of these luxury cars.

Kim made an ace on the par-3 16th hole at Riviera from 168 yards with a 7-iron which earned him a 2021 Genesis G80 during a rollercoaster 2-under 69 that left him in a tie for 19th place.

The 35-year-old Korean is in the field courtesy of winning the 2020 Genesis Championship on the Korean Tour last October – a result that also yielded a Genesis GV80 to go with the invitation to make his PGA TOUR debut.

The four-time Korean Tour winner also picked up a Genesis GV70 for leading the order of merit on the Korean Tour in 2020, making it three vehicles added to his garage in just over four months.

“I gave the first two cars to my parents but I’m not sure yet what I’ll do with this latest one,” Kim said through a translator after the round.

And Then Rudy Giulliani Told That Story About Golf With Rush And Michelle Wie...

/

Nothing grows the game like hearing Rudy Giuliani tell stories about golf with the late Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Wie until, of course, it veers where you’d expect with this delusional member of elite clubs like Sebonack.

But as revolting as this is, the clip is worth watching just for the look on Steve Bannon’s face as America’s Mayor descends into creepy old coot territory.

Spieth: "It's nice to be going to bed wanting to do what you love to do and you get to go do it."

/

I saw enough of Jordan Spieth playing round one of the Genesis Invitational to safely say his mojo is back. Whether it translates to the form of years past remains to be seen, but after an opening 68 in tricky conditions, he is primed for a third straight week contending in a PGA Tour event.

After the round he reflected on the improved state of his game, dutifully answering questions about his resurgent form.

Q. Can you just characterize what the battle has been like since your last win, trying to find these things? Obviously they're starting to come back to you, but just the level of patience that it's taken for you and how much of an inner battle that maybe is.

JORDAN SPIETH: Sure. It's kind of the first time in my life where I've had a significant dip in success. It had kind of been a nice uptick every single year. So just kind of learning how to deal with that and doing it--and having to do it in such a public way was very difficult, can sometimes present even more challenges. But at the same time, the idea is to get to the bottom of it, turn it around, make progress each day and recognize that's the past and I can use it as having some scar tissue and use it to my advantage going forward. But ultimately I'm just in the same search that everybody else is that steps on the first tee, which is feeling really in control of the golf ball and shooting low scores. Everybody's search for that is a different path and I'm living mine right now.

Q. I assume you feel a sense of momentum that's generated over the last little bit; is that true? And are you a believer in momentum and has that been something you've been chasing, just let me get it going?

JORDAN SPIETH: Yeah, yeah, I feel some moments where I kind of hit the shot and I have that kind of step of confidence that I just, it's kind of been missing. I'm gaining I think I can use the word momentum into just gaining confidence, gaining confidence in what I'm working on. And that kind of belief has me going to bed at night wanting to go to work tomorrow and wanting to go out there and trust what I'm doing. Whether we pull it off or not, just to make progress. It gets me really excited about playing golf and for me that makes me happy. I mean, it's nice to be going to bed wanting to do what you love to do and you get to go do it. Can't take that for granted and I'm glad to be on this side of it right now. And I do feel that there's positive momentum right now, but if I get complacent, that's the worst thing that could happen. It's just about pushing through. Now's the time where I work harder than ever and continue to trust what I'm doing.

**Spieth’s group has been added to Friday’s Featured Group coverage…

2021 Genesis Preview: Riviera Can't Play Any Faster And There Is No Rain In Sight

/
Riviera is ready but devoid of the usual tournament build out (Geoff Shackelford)

Riviera is ready but devoid of the usual tournament build out (Geoff Shackelford)

Tiger Woods is hosting but not playing following end-of-2020 back surgery. We might see him Sunday to hand out the stunning trophy and three-year exemption that goes to the $9.3 million Genesis Invitational winner.

Without fans due to the pandemic the parrots and sea breezes will have to provide the ambient noise. But a stellar field with 8 of the world top 10 should put on a stellar show this week. Riviera is immaculate, amazingly firm for this time of year, and drying out as I type thanks to crisp Santa Ana winds.

Brooks Koepka had this to say about the course:

BROOKS KOEPKA: It's as fast and firm as I've ever seen this place. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think scores will be a little bit higher just because you see a couple balls on the greens releasing a little bit more than they have in maybe previous years. I'll tell you what, the greens are flying, so it will be interesting to see, especially if the wind picks up, what they'll do with it; if they slow the greens down a little bit, maybe not cut them, just roll them. It will be interesting to see how the week plays out.

Yes it will!

As for prognosticating, three players with local or Riviera ties who are coming in on form and worth a longshot look: Max Homa, Cameron Tringale and Doug Ghim. The first two are southern Californians, the latter was runner-up in the 2017 U.S. Amateur at Riviera coming off a T5 in the American Express and a T21 last week at Pebble Beach.

Rob Bolton breaks down the field here and puts his money on the big names.

First round play starts at 6:40 am off both tees and here is the full tee time list.

And don’t forget there is significant Golf Channel bonus coverage thanks to PGA Tour Live supplemental coverage. CBS is on for three or so hours each weekend day. Enjoy!

The Genesis Invitational airtimes:

First Round Noon-2 PM, 2-6 PM, 6-8 PM ET Golf Channel (PGA Tour Live bonus coverage)

Second Round 2-6 Golf Channel

Third Round 3:00-6:00 PM (CBS)

Final Round 3:00-6:30 PM (CBS)

Haney v. PGA Tour Moves To Restricted And Sealed Phase

/

Rex Hoggard updates us on Hank Haney’s lawsuit against the PGA Tour for interfering in his ability to make a living. It sounds like the sides are talking.

Silence. There is a predictable ebb and flow to legal action when it comes to the Tour, and if this week’s filings were any indication, Hank Haney might be on the winning end of the recent silence.

Haney sued the Tour in 2019 after he was fired by Sirius XM Radio for racist comments regarding the LPGA. After being initially suspended by Sirius XM Radio, Haney was fired because, according to his lawsuit, the Tour had “long attempted to disrupt and interfere in Haney’s business” following the release of his book, “The Big Miss,” in 2012 that chronicled his years as Tiger Woods’ swing coach.

On Wednesday, the U.S. District Court of the Florida Southern District ruled that the docket for Haney’s case was “restricted/sealed until further notice” as the two sides continue mediation and discovery.

The Tour’s policy is to not comment on ongoing litigation, but if previous lawsuits are any indication (see Singh, Vijay) sealing the file is not a good sign for the circuit.

Pains Me: There Is No Good Reason To Lay-Up At Riviera's 10th

/
Screen Shot 2021-02-16 at 10.08.29 PM.png

I fought the good fight. I wanted so badly to believe laying up could still matter. I even argued with a few players who were good sports in at least listening to my case.

They were right. These athletes today are just too much for Riviera’s 10th. The yoga, the Pilates, the organic foods, the fiber, it’s too much for Riviera’s tenth at 315 yards. With some Santa Ana winds likely making it downwind, the one condition Jack Nicklaus would consider driving the green in, driving irons may be enough to get there Thursday.

The tenth at Riviera is just a long par-3. Still a compelling and weird one, but with its bizarre design evolution and the extra squats by today’s players, it is not the best short par-4 on the PGA Tour. That’s because it’s a par-3.

Now, don’t let me dampen your Genesis Invitational plans because we have a stellar week on hand despite the lack of fans. Perfect weather, elite field, great course and expanded television coverage. All swell as long as your electricity is working.

That painful admission made, the comments and numbers do not lie.

Collin Morikawa:

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Most likely I'll be hitting driver every single day or whatever gets me to that front edge, kind of just rolls over. I keep looking at the wedge shot. I keep saying yes, we can hit a 70-yard wedge shot, we can hit a 100-yard wedge shot, but when you look at the green and how narrow and shallow it is, it just doesn't make sense in my head. Like especially how firm the greens are, that first bounce is going to bounce so far, so you're working with two yards, two, three yards. When you're on, you're going to hit that shot, but if you're off a little bit and there's wind or it's cold or whatever, that can cost you being in the short bunker, that can cost you being over. You hit driver, hit it down there, most likely you'll hopefully have a chip shot. If you don't have it at the pin, you'll have a chip shot at the middle of the green, two-putt, you know. If I'm even par, I'm not going to be sad, I'm not going to be happy, I'm going to be just okay with even par because I don't think I'm really losing any shots to the field if I'm even par through four rounds on that hole.

Q. So it's basically saying the wedge shot's no guarantee so there's no real advantage?

COLLIN MORIKAWA: Absolutely.

Xander Schauffele:

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Statistically, I am--as my dad made aware to me today thatI'm not very good from 50 to 125 yards, I would not be laying up on that hole. That would leave me about 50 to 125 yards in. So I will be going for it like I have every other year and kind of rely on getting up and down and a couple good bounces here and there. The 10th is a special hole here, it's a key hole for the tournament and it can kind of either make or break your week.

Q. So no matter what the pin, you're going for it?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I will be pulling some sort of furniture out on the tee.

Less risk-reward and more hit-and-hope.

There are solutions of course, The hole needs extra length until the USGA/R&A local rules come into play, and the green desperately needs to be restored size-wise.

Anyway, I’m procrastinating. The numbers from the always stout Shotlink team:

Par 4 10th Hole - Riviera Country Club

According to ShotLink

2nd Second toughest par 4 under 350 yards on TOUR since start of 2013-14 season (3.94)

197th The drivable par-4 10th hole at Riviera Country Club was the 197th easiest hole on the PGA TOUR last season (-0.12).

4 The 10th hole at Riviera Country Club has played under par in four of the last five seasons

-222 Field combined score to par on the par-4 10th hole in the last five seasons

12 total players six under or better on this hole in the last five seasons

-10 Byron DeChambeau’s cumulative score to par on the par-4 10th hole in the last five seasons (best of any player)

61.81% Green in Regulation percentage from inside 75 yards on the 10th hole in last 10 seasons, toughest green to hit in regulation from within this distance on TOUR (min 300 attempts)

3,289 Since 2011, there have been 3,289 shots played on the 10th hole from inside 75 yards and the field has hit the green in regulation on 61.81% of those approach shots (2,033 of 3,289).

87.20% Last season the average TOUR player from inside 75 yards hit the green 87.20% of the time from this distance and players hit the green in regulation from inside 75 yards 63.29% of the time on this hole in 2020 (7th highest GIR percentage since 2003).

96.0% Last season, James Hahn has the best Greens in Regulation percentage from this distance of any player, hitting the green 96.00% of the time.

79.52% of the field went for the green and were a combined 63-under par. The remaining 20.48% of the field choose to layup were a combined 18-over par. This marked the highest Going for the Green percentage on this hole in the ShotLink era.

Well and that’s why it’s a par-3 now.

376 In 2020, there were 376 tee shots on the par-4 10th hole at Riviera Country Club

7,629 Since 2003, there have been 7,629 tee shots on the 10th hole. Players going for the green are a combined 789-under par compared to just 117-over par combined for players laying up.

Alright you made your point already.

-20 Aaron Baddeley has the best cumulative score to par on the par-4 10th hole of any player in the ShotLink Era (-20)

3 The most times a player has hit the green off the tee on the par-4 10th hole in the ShotLink Era (Scott Verplank, Scott Brown, Matt Kuchar, Aaron Baddeley & Sung Kang)

16 Total rounds played by Patrick Cantlay on the 10th hole at Riviera CC since 2012 without making a bogey or worse (most of any player)

51.6% Since 2012, players only manage to salvage par 51.6% of the time when the flagstick is on the back-right side of the green.

72% / 31% Since 2003, 148 tee shots hit the green and 107 made birdie or better (72%). Keeping your tee shot left on the 10th hole is key. Historically, 1 out of every 3 players to hit their tee shot in the right rough come away with bogey or worse (31%).

Ratings: CBS's 2021 Pebble Beach Telecast's Up, Most Watched Regular Season Event In Two Years

/
Screen Shot 2021-02-17 at 11.56.32 AM.png

The Jordan Spieth bounce? Daytona in a rain delay? Either way a nice jump in ratings for CBS’s broadcast of the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Golf Channel lead-in ratings were also up across the board.

According to ShowBuzzDaily, the Saturday broadcast was almost identical to last year’s number, but was minus the pro-am’s traditional celebrity-heavy broadcast. Sunday’s final round saw a nice leap in the only demo that matters from an average of 488,000 to 792,000 viewers.

Streaming numbers are not made available.

CBS is touting the numbers as the most watched “regular season” PGA Tour broadcast in two years.

Screen Shot 2021-02-17 at 11.57.47 AM.png

It's Official: Mike Whan Is The USGA's New CEO

/

For Immediate Release and do note the nice plug for Mike Davis’s next career move…

The United States Golf Association Names Mike Whan Its New Chief Executive

Current LPGA Commissioner will become the USGA CEO starting in summer of 2021 

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Feb. 17, 2021) – The USGA announced today that Mike Whan will join the organization this summer as CEO, and will become the eighth top executive in USGA history. 

Last month, Whan announced his intention to step down as LPGA Commissioner in 2021, after his organization completes a search for the next Commissioner. His transition follows an impressive 11 years at the helm of the LPGA, during which the organization experienced historic growth in virtually every aspect of the business. 

As USGA CEO, Whan will be responsible for leading all aspects of the association’s operations, including its core functions, essential programs, and human and financial resources. He will also represent the USGA on a variety of national and international boards. 

“Mike Whan is a proven, successful and transformative leader, not only in the golf industry but throughout his entire career,” said USGA President Stu Francis, who oversaw the CEO search process. “He has shown a unique ability to understand how the environment is changing in global golf and how to quickly and thoughtfully adapt an organization to meet those changes. Importantly, Mike is already a trusted peer for so many key stakeholders in the industry, and his existing relationships will not only help the USGA, but will also help advance the game.”

Whan started his career at the Procter & Gamble Company in 1987, where he rose to Director of Marketing for Oral Care before leaving to pursue a passion for sports. Whan’s sports business career began at Wilson Sporting Goods as a Vice President and General Manager in the golf division. He joined the TaylorMade Golf Company as Vice President of Marketing in 1995 and later served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Executive Vice President/General Manager for Taylormade-adidas Golf. In 2002, Whan became the President and CEO of Mission Hockey, a hockey equipment company. 

Since joining the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 2010, Whan increased the number of tournaments on the LPGA Tour’s schedule to 34 from 24, increased purses from $41.4 million to $76.5 million, and grew television hours from 125 hours per season, to over 500 hours. Under his leadership, the LPGA became a truly global business – with players, tournaments, sponsors and fans coming from all over the world. Currently, the LPGA Tour is televised in over 170 countries each week. Whan’s leadership resulted in the expansion of the LPGA to now include both the Symetra Tour, the recently announced joint venture with the Ladies European Tour, as well as a nearly 50% increase in LPGA’s teaching division. Whan’s focus on growing the game for junior girls has led to a significant expansion of the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program, which had 5,000 members when he joined the organization to 90,000 girls now engaged in the program.  

“As someone who grew up loving this game, I have always had huge respect for the USGA and its role in leading our sport,” said Whan. “The game has given me so much throughout my life, both personally and professionally. I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m truly excited about this role, as it gives me the opportunity to not only give back to the game, but to also work hard to leave it stronger.”   

Current USGA CEO Mike Davis, who joined the USGA in 1990 and became the Association’s seventh executive director in 2011 and first CEO in 2016, will depart later this year to team with Tom Fazio II in a new course design venture, Fazio & Davis Golf Design. 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike Whan for many years and I view him as a trusted, strategic leader who has a proven track record of building collaborative partnerships,” said Davis. “I know the USGA will be in great hands, and I look forward to partnering with Mike to ensure a smooth and successful transition for the USGA.”

Report: USGA Selects Mike Whan As New Leader

/

Golf’s Alan Shipnuck reports that the USGA has landed on former LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan as their new CEO (the Executive Director position alluded to is no more).

Current CEO Mike Davis announced after last year’s U.S. Open that he would be stepping down after a replacement was found and turning his attention to golf course design work.