Can The Players In March Foreshadow Masters Glory?

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3rd at TPC Sawgrass in March, 2019 (Geoff Shackelford)

3rd at TPC Sawgrass in March, 2019 (Geoff Shackelford)

We’re in year three of the Players back in March, but only one tournament completed so far.

But from 1982 to 2006 the TPC Sawgrass hosted the world’s best as the last big pre-Masters championship. While three weeks now separate these two great tournaments, we’re still so close that a little analysis is warranted.

As I did with Riviera and Bay Hill a few weeks ago, I wanted to see how Masters winners and runner-ups fared at the Players. Here it is for Quadrilateral subscribers.

And this traditional reminder: The Quadrilateral is a newsletter dropping once a week for free to all. You can read back issues here, join the paid subscriber base here and get all newsletters, or check out the website for a full explanation here.

"The PGA Tour pro who saw COVID-19 coming"

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COVID-19 has been awful, unpredictable and it remains hard to fault most leaders for decisions they made with so many unknowns.

So it’s a bit much though not unexpected to see the PGA Tour trying to weave a fresh narrative related to last year’s Players Championship cancellation.

Two long features with identical details went live today (here and here) carving out the executive decision-making as historic, if slightly caught off-guard by last year’s cancellations in other arenas. Golf was the last major sport to shut down and did so reluctantly.

The Tour tried to forge ahead with a disastrous TV deal rollout and the Players even though warning signs of potential trouble were in place for weeks.

Lee Westwood, who stayed in England, could see the PGA Tour was moving slow to grasp reality. Lucas Glover lamented the lack of a proactive approach. And C.T. Pan was also not surprised by the direction of the virus and withdrew on Players eve (the only player not compensated for his time as a result).

GolfDigest.com’s Dave Shedloski caught up with Pan about his foresight, which looks downright prophetic compared to that of executives who still allowed a concert and first round to go on with fans, then told fans they could not come for round two before eventually cancelling the tournament.

Though it pained him to do so—truly, because the Players Championship is one of his favorite events—Pan withdrew that morning from the tour’s flagship tournament after it became obvious the strange new virus that he had heard about for months not only had gained a foothold in America but now was beginning to rage across the country. The coronavirus pandemic was taking hold.

“Yes, things happened fast between Arnold Palmer and Players, but to us, given what we had heard, we didn’t think things moved fast enough overall,” he said hesitantly, not wanting to offend or be critical of anyone. “Honestly, it’s hard to track the original time, but it seemed to have started back in November [2019] in China. It took only a few months to really spread with the European countries hit first. No one was really ready for it anywhere. The WHO [World Health Organization] was not telling us much. All I’m trying to say is that by last year at API it was already here.”

DeChambeau Outlasts Field At Bay Hill Where They Dared To Play The Ball Down Sunday!

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It was a livelier weekend than most at Bay Hill. And in between the Players promos, the Players reminders, Players featured groups, the Players history, gobs of commercials, more promos and a few synergistic aerials of Universal Orlando, we saw some compelling golf even if it took the leaders a stout 4:30 or so to get around in twosomes.

But most impressive of all? On Sunday they played the ball down. Like grownups have managed to do for a few hundred years!

The grit!

The stones!

As I wrote for The Quadrilateral’s loyal supporters, it wasn’t entirely on the up-and-up rules-wise over the weekend and at least Roger Maltbie can still call it like he sees it. But anticipatory preferred lies won’t end well for all involved.

Regarding Bryson DeChambeau’s Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard win, it came on a windy final day where the 17th and 18th played unbelievably tough:

Golf.com’s Michael Bamberger on another wild and wacky DeChambeau win:

When DeChambeau smashed a drive on the par-5 6th hole almost within spitting distance of the green, he raised his hands, Rocky-style. When Westwood followed, in spirit but not remotely in length, he raised his hands, too. He was having himself a good time, his girlfriend-caddie smiling beside him. He earned $1 million for finishing second. And that’s rounding it down.

Bryson made that winning putt on 18, and he shook the ground right through his Pumas. The connection to Arnold was complete. How many golfers have won the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Open, Jack Nicklaus’ tournament (the Memorial) and Arnold’s tournament? TWO! Tiger and Bryson. That’s some club. Bryson said that Tiger sent him a text Sunday morning.

While there was rightful focus on DeChambeau’s drives, his “long” approach play was the difference according to former Golf Channel stats guru Justin Ray:

Runner-up Lee Westwood delivered a fun play on DeChambeau’s Saturday reaction:

But it was Bryson’s second straight insanely bold play at 6 and a few other moments that proved to be the biggest highlights:

Tiger Texts Bryson "Out of the blue" Before Bay Hill Final Round

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News on the status of Tiger Woods has been almost impossible to obtain. Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker, who shares an agent with Woods, said he had not “heard too much lately” and said it’s way too early to talk about an assistant captaincy role for Tiger, reports Golfweek’s Steve DiMeglio.

News related to his accident continues to focus on the investigation, with the USA Today calling out the LA County Sheriff for not taking into account Woods’ past accidents and prescription drug issues.

So against that limited backdrop, it was a bit of a shock to hear that Woods was texting Bryson DeChambeau from his hospital bed.

After his Arnold Palmer Invitational win, DeChambeau shared this:

Q. Can you talk about, a little bit more about the text you got this morning from Tiger?

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Well, it was obviously personal, I would say, for the most part, but pretty much to sum it up, he -- he texted me this morning out of the blue and I wasn't expecting anything. When I got that text, I'm like, wow, that's pretty amazing that he is thinking of me when he's in his tough times that he's going through right now. So I just texted him, I said, Keep moving forward, keep going forward. You're going to get through it. You're the hardest working person I've ever met and you'll persevere through this pretty much. One of the things that we talked about was, it's not about how many times you get kicked to the curb or knocked down. It's about how many times you can get back up and keep moving forward. And I think this red cardigan is not only for Mr. Palmer, but I would say it's a little bit for Tiger as well, knowing what place he's in right now.

Mickelson's Incredible Top 100 Streak Ends At 1425 Weeks

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Say what you want about the world rankings, but I doubt anyone can argue with the incredible streak ending Sunday at 27 years-plus in the top 100.

Mickelson started 2021 at world No. 66.

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.