Bryson Drives It 370 Yards At Bay Hill's 6th

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He’s been pondering driving the green, gave it a bit of a look Friday and on Saturday of the Arnold Palmer Invitational but the wind wasn’t quite to his liking. We don’t know the wind numbers because NBC is resting their on-screen windometer for bigger events. Or it’s a COVID thing.

Saturday with apparently a wind to his liking, Bryson DeChambeau took the boldest line known in tournament history during a third round 68. He trails Lee Westwood by one heading into Sunday’s final round.

From Brentley Romine’s GolfChannel.com story on DeChambeau’s bold play:

"For the most part, that's a shot that I know I can do, and I was able to accomplish that," DeChambeau said. "I would have done it without the fans, but the fans definitely edged me on a little bit and it was fun to give them what they wanted."

Feeling the energy, DeChambeau stepped up to the plate, gave it a mighty lash and watched the ball sail over the water. With the ball still in the air, DeChambeau raised both arms in the air and pointed to the sky.

"It was amazing," DeChambeau said. "It felt like I won a tournament there."

Almost.

Romine also shared these numbers. Look at that 23 yards of roll! More than 5% of the 370!

Here are some of the numbers:

• Carry: 347 yards

• Total distance: 370 yards

• Clubhead speed: 137 mph

• Ball speed: 196 mph

• Smash factor: 1.43

• Launch angle: 11.9 degrees

• Apex: 124 feet

The big shot and World Long Drive reaction.

Roundup: This Special API Week Edition Of Not Playing It As It Lies

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This week in the PGA Tour’s assault on play it as it lies was busier than most!

We start in reverse order with round three of the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational where preferred lies (lift, clean, place) were invoked due to “anticipated wet conditions.”

The same golf course that was turning crispy Friday afternoon is apparently going to require preferred lies Saturday afternoon. The forecast does call for rain but as of 1:05 pm ET the drops had not fallen.**

A similar precog approach happened at Pebble Beach earlier this year. The AT&T is spread over two courses and equity was the goal for players spread between Spyglass and Pebble over the opening two rounds.

But the API is played at just one golf course, the conditioning has been raved about and did I mention rain had not fallen yet?

Next in assaulting the original founding principle of the rules, we go back to the API’s round one where Patrick Reed demonstrated he’s learned absolutely nothing from Torrey Pines earlier this year.

As this clip shows, he continues to spend an inordinate amount of time touching everything around his ball:

And last but potentially least, I’ve got this unidentified player below at 17-18 taps in his line. Could be 16. You get the idea.

While technically this is allowed under the rules, it’s a rather blatant example of bending the spirit of the rules. As many warned when the USGA/R&A softened standards on spike mark tapping, this kind of thing would eventually happen.

But this is also a reminder for those who care: the rule change was made in the name of repairing “damage”. How long before a player brings out their beloved (smooth) foam roller to ensure they have no “damage” to contend with?


**Other than a few drops and brief shower, the rain never came.

But the Tweets were fun.

Bryson Could Have Driven Bay Hill's Sixth If He Had One Of His "2,000 Spin" Drivers

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The bad news? Bryson DeChambeau passed on the chance to drive Bay Hill’s par-5 sixth on Thursday.

Good news? He shot 67 to open the Arnold Palmer Invitational and still may give it a go one of the next three rounds.

But his rationale for not trying was a bit of a surprise: the heavier driver he’s using to help hit more fairways (it worked, he hit 11 of 14).

From Brentley Romine’s GolfChannel.com story:

“If it was one of my normal drivers at 2,000 spin, I totally could have done it today,” DeChambeau said, “but if it's more downwind I'll be able to do it tomorrow, hopefully, or sometime during the weekend.”

DeChambeau explained that he would need at least a 10-mph wind to finally pull the trigger, and that breeze would need to be coming from the northeast. He’ll get both starting Friday, though it appears he may still aim 30 yards left of the putting surface, where the carry is about 10 yards less, and give himself just a pitch shot into the hole.

We love options in architecture!

With DeChambeau, who knows what he will decide to do? The only certainty is that all eyes will continue to be on the sixth hole whenever he steps to the tee.

“He said if he gets any downwind he's going to give it a go," Spieth said. "Hopefully I can just tee off first and get out of the way, get off to a good start, get off first, put one out there in the fairway and then just watch.

"You’re lying if you're not saying you're interested and going to be entertained.”

Sir Nick: Rickie Comment Probably "Born Out Of A Little Bit Of Jealousy"

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If you were on Twitter the last few days or you read today’s newsletter detailing the saga of Rickie and Sir Nick, you know the six-time major winner took some grief for a roasting.

The dreaded Tweet in question:

Rather impressively he took full ownership of the Tweet and even admitted that some jealousy might be involved given Rickie’s blue chip endorsement roster.

Faldo recorded this apology, his explanation of British humor for those wondering and even managed a plug for Sqairz…

"St. Andrews: The Road War Papers" Wins USGA's Herbert Warren Wind Award

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Well done to Roger McStravick on his second Herbert Warren Wind Award, this time for the incredible bit of research on St Andrews, the Road War and how it shaped both the course and town.

From the USGA:

'St. Andrews: The Road War Papers' Wins Herbert Warren Wind Award

USGA honors author Roger McStravick for second time for outstanding contribution to golf literature  

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (March 4, 2021) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has named “St Andrews: The Road War Papers” by Roger McStravick as the recipient of the 2020 Herbert Warren Wind Award.  

Established in 1987 and named for the famed 20th-century American golf writer, the Herbert Warren Wind Award is presented by the USGA Golf Museum & Library in recognition of outstanding contributions to golf literature through expert research, writing and publishing. 

'It is wonderful to receive the USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award for 2020,” said McStravick. “It is the highest honor for any golf writer and I am delighted to be this year’s recipient. Winning in 2015 changed my life. This award has the power to do that, and I am truly grateful to the USGA and the committee. This means the absolute world to me.” 

McStravick’s book takes readers through the “road war” that ensued in 1879 after the St. Andrews town council encouraged residents whose homes faced the Old Course to build a road from Golf Place to Grannie Clark’s Wynd, running over a portion of the ancient links. Local resident John Paterson emerged as a staunch and vocal critic of the plan, fighting in court for the preservation of the historic grounds. The case eventually made its way to the House of Lords.

McStravick gathers, transcribes and analyzes original archival documents from St. Andrews institutions to construct a vivid account of the legal conflict while telling the story of the town’s evolution and development around the Old Course. This research, compiled in the book for the first time, includes court testimony of local residents, including Old Tom Morris and three-time Open champion Jamie Anderson. 

“Roger backs a fascinating and engaging narrative with meticulous research to deliver an unparalleled look at how St. Andrews was shaped into the town we know today,” said Hilary Cronheim, director of the USGA Golf Museum & Library. “The book will serve as an invaluable resource for future researchers on the history of the game as well as any golf fan who wants to learn more about one of golf’s most historic towns.”

McStravick previously received the Herbert Warren Wind Award for his 2015 book, “St Andrews: In the Footsteps of Old Tom Morris,” which also garnered him the Murdoch Medal from the British Golf Collectors Society (BGCS). He is currently the editor of the BGCS magazine Through The Green and is a frequent contributor globally in print and on screen as one of golf’s preeminent historians. McStravick lives in St. Andrews with his wife and two children.

The book can still be purchased here including for U.S. residents.

"At Golf Channel, women say, sexism fuels a ‘boys club’ culture"

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The Washington Post’s Ben Strauss interviewed 16 former and two current Golf Channel employees after former reporter and Golf Central anchor Lisa Cornwell aired her concerns on the No Laying Up podcast. Strauss reports that the women described “sexism, misogyny and harassment they have endured at the network”.

Strauss writes:

Golf Channel has disputed Cornwell’s claims in a response to the EEOC. An NBC spokesman, Greg Hughes, said in an email that the network is “vigorously defending this matter.”

Presented with a list of allegations made by other women, Hughes disputed many of their claims and said “the vast majority” had been investigated and that “appropriate action was taken.” Others, he said, the network was only now hearing of and would investigate “promptly and thoroughly.” The network declined to make any employees available for interviews.

Many of the women spoke anonymously, citing fear of breaking the nondisclosure agreements they signed in exchange for severance when leaving the network and their future job prospects. Hughes said that former employees interested in speaking publicly could contact Golf Channel to be released from confidentiality agreements, but several women said they did not feel comfortable doing that.

“Golf Channel is committed to providing a workplace where all employees are treated equitably and respectfully, and regularly conducts training to support that goal,” Hughes said.

Of note: many of the situations detailed in the piece related to incidents over a decade ago and most of those who had complaints made against them were disciplined or are no longer at the network as a result of their behavior or cost cuts.

The reporting effort by Strauss is impressive. However, many of Cornwell’s accusations leveled in the NLU pod were not addressed even though some relate to the current culture under Comcast/NBC. Perhaps a product of the “EEOC” claim and need for confidentiality until that investigation is complete.

Quadrilateral: Major(s) News And Notes For March 4, 2021

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The Quadrilateral’s weekly news and notes editon goes to all subscribers and while you can read it here, what fun is that when you can have it delivered free in a mobile-friendly edition for safe keeping. Or reading in line at Trader Joes.

You can read more on how The Quad will work as we near the first major, or at the Substack landing page where you can see past editions. I’ve got a few fun Q&A’s lined up for the coming weeks, some looks at Augusta National’s architecture and more as we near the season’s first major.

Also, if you’re enjoying Substack as much as I am, consider downloading their reader beta where you can read all of your favorite Substacks in one spot.

"The moments before and after everything changed for Tiger Woods"

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As word of a “black box” subpoena from investigators surfaced in Tiger Woods’ single car accident, ESPN.com’s Bob Harig and Ramona Shelbourne have pieced together the days before and since in what is the most definitive account should you be up for reliving what could be a career-ending wreck.

Harig notes these questions remain.

According to doctors familiar with the back procedure Woods had, it is normal to be cleared to drive within several weeks of surgery if an individual's pain tolerance allows. Which meant it was up to Woods, and he likes to drive himself. He has almost always shown up for tournament rounds with his caddie Joe LaCava, or Steve Williams before that, or with friend Rob McNamara in the passenger seat. He has even been known to make the four-plus-hour drive from his home in Jupiter to the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, with people recognizing him along I-95 or at a gas station.

Woods had driven himself to Riviera on Saturday and Sunday. He'd driven himself to the set on Monday, filming various outtakes and scenes for Discovery-owned GolfTV. And he was familiar with the area from previous trips.

While locals who live near the crash site initially speculated Woods could have been surprised by the steepness of the grade going north on Hawthorne Boulevard, that does not appear to be the case.

The LA Times’ Meg James and Wendy Lee previous looked into the question of why he was driving at all for what was an extensive two-day shoot by Woods standards.

Skill Debate: On Rangefinders, Green Reading Books And Coincidences

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I wasn’t just inspired by reading Alistair Tait’s pleasurable rant on green reading books or the positive reaction to Jon Rahm’s comments.

Nor was I that taken by the coincidence in the news yesterday, as documented in today’s Quadrilateral for paying friends of the newsletter.

No, I just sense more golf fans have had enough with pros getting too much assistance that dumbs down the game. Whether this shift is an offshoot of the distance debate, the ugly sight of green reading books, or rangefinders at the upcoming PGA Championship, more folks are getting the whole “skill” debate in golf. Or they at least are open to the topic and the possibility that elite golf could be more interesting with less outside assistance.

Check it out here if you’re a subscriber and if not, well, you’ll have to ask around about that coincidence.

PGA Tour Aligns With Amazon Web Services To Build "Data Lake" For Golf History

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In a staggering move that has executives all over golf asking, why didn’t I think of that, the PGA Tour and Amazon Web Services have combined to create the single greatest piece of golf B-speak nonsense.

I’ll leave it to Sean Martin to reveal in this story for PGATour.com because it does involve the most exciting part of this announcement:

AWS will help the TOUR store real-time and historic content that will give fans and media access to content dating back to the 1928 Los Angeles Open. This “data lake” will contain video, audio and images that AWS technology will tag for easy cataloging. This will help the TOUR and its content partners search, review, annotate and package new content and give them instant access to key moments in the TOUR’s history.

Now that sounds fun. Let’s get that lake filled with data!

As for the real reason behind this deal...

In a newly announced partnership that promises to revolutionize how fans consume the game, the PGA TOUR has partnered with AWS as it looks to modernize the way golf content is created and distributed. The AWS partnership comes at the perfect time as the TOUR grows its global media services. A range of AWS services will be utilized in this new media landscape to simplify content delivery, create new digital experiences, and provide enhanced access to archived broadcast footage and highlights.  

“We are excited to utilize AWS media services to further enhance new and existing innovative services for our fans,” said Scott Gutterman, the PGA TOUR’s Senior Vice President, Digital Operations. “Features like Every Shot Live and TOURCast will now be powered by AWS, which will allow for a more streamlined process and overall better product for our fans.”

Translation: we’re going to help them get closer to real-time streaming so we can make live betting happen.

The Tour’s dreams of live betting is quite unattractive in a world where streamers get excited texts from their cable-subscribing friends and must wait ten seconds to find out what happeed.

These latency issues are hugely problematic when other fans (or other interested observers) can beat the linemakers and algorithms who are on a delay. AWS to the rescue for not just golf, but all of sports streaming.

Nice And Steady Ratings: WGC At The Concession Slightly Up

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Showbuzzdaily has last week’s ratings for the 2021 WGC Workday at The Concession (listed as WGC Mexico).

The 1.79 final round rating on NBC was up just a tick from last year’s 1.83 based on audience size specifics. Saturday was up nicely, too. The overall steady numbers do not include streaming data. In sports ratings right now it seems “steady” or even “slightly down” is a positive for the sport.

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"The rich vs the very, very rich: the Wentworth golf club rebellion"

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It’s been a while by Wentworth standards since we’ve heard of drama or another course renovation coming out of the English countryside.

But The Guardian’s long read is devoted to the club’s first world dramas and Chinese owner Yan Bin. Thanks to all who forwarded a fascinating read that’ll make you believe your club or condo board is perfectly sane.

The story author, Samanth Subramanian writes:

The ongoing clash between Yan Bin and his club’s members has witnessed several dramatic phases: threats, lawsuits, duplicity, negotiations, truces, even death. But the tale isn’t just about the preposterousness of the wealthy. Rather, it’s impossible to learn about all this turmoil – in a place called “the Island”, for crying out loud – and not see it as an allegory. With its groves of pine and rhododendrons, its houses named Heatherbrook or Bluebell Wood or Silver Birches, and the gentle hillocks of its club’s fairways, Wentworth Estate holds dear a vision of pastoral Englishness. But since the 1980s, Wentworth has been reshaped – just like England itself – by money: first the wealth of the homegrown 1%, which considered itself immune to the turmoil of change, but which then found itself subject to the whims of the globalised capital held by the 0.001% like Yan Bin. The saga is familiar: a small locality unsettled by the arrival of an outsider. Except that the outsider is a transnational holding corporation, and the locality is Wentworth Estate, a slice of England overtaken by the world.

Oh No Another Florida Swing? European Tour Considers Three Events This May

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Nothing says Europe like three weeks of Florida tournament golf.

But with restrictions on traveling to and from Spain and Portugal, the European Tour’s current post-Masters schedule has issues. And since playing opportunities are all that matters, they’ve turned to their new global strategic alliance partners reports The Telegraph’s James Corrigan.

What a gift. A second Florida swing because one wasn’t enough? Who needs Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Algarve when you can go to Tallahassee, Gainesville and the Villages?

Corrigan writes:

Not only has the PGA Tour given their sanction to the prospective tournaments, but it is understood they first proposed the idea as they saw their new partners struggling with the schedule due to the ongoing crisis.

Immediately after The Masters at Augusta, the Tour is down to visit Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Algarve. But with Spain banning visitors from the UK and South Africa and with Portugal on the red list, the “elite athlete” exemption would not apply.

On average, roughly a third of European Tour fields are made up by South African and UK pros, making it doubtful this trio of stops could justifiably go ahead. At the moment, the Tour is undergoing a frustrating four-week blank period of regular events and Keith Pelley, the wily chief executive, has made it his mission to give his membership ample opportunities.

Florida here they come!

Timetable Offered For Resurrection Of West Palm Beach Muni

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Tony Doris reports good news from West Palm Beach where a community trust will restore the shuttered muni. (Thanks to reader John for this.)

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh is the primary figure helping bring together all sides and donations for the project hoping to start this summer with a fall 2022 reopening planned. The site will return 18 holes designed by Gil Hanse along with a short course, full range and modest clubhouse.

Doris writes:

To date, $22 million has been committed by donors, he said. The founding group is prepared to contribute about $3 million and is looking for like-minded Palm Beach County golfers to join them, he said.

The total of $35 million required to build and sustain the project will include no money from city coffers. It will come from individual donors and a limited number of corporate partners, Waugh said.

The entrance will be off Georgia Avenue, no longer off Forest Hill Boulevard and Parker Avenue. Assistant City Administrator Armando Fana said that Georgia Avenue might require landscaping or other beautification but what form that would take and who would pay has not been decided.