Author: Max Hollweck

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PGA Tour

PGA Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy Within Striking Distance of the Top

Rory McIlroy sits on the upper end of the leaderboard after his first round at he the PGA Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy sits on the upper end of the leaderboard after his first round at he the PGA Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)

Rory McIlroy came to the PGA Championship 2024 in Kentucky with two victories under his belt. McIlroy was able to build on his good form on the first day. The 2014 winner proved his ability with a flawless performance, especially on the second half of the course. At the end of his round, McIlroy is within striking distance of the top of the leaderboard.

He started the round with a birdie on 10, taking advantage of the par-5 with a fantastic shot on the green. He already went two-under on 13. On 17 McIlroy hat to note down his only bogey of the day, landing in the green bunker after playing from the fairway bunker. He got that shot back on hole 1 and added a birdie series on holes 5, 6 and 7 for a round of 66. That puts him four shots behind leader Xander Schauffele.

View all live scores for the PGA Championship 2024

Rory McIlroy in Contention at the PGA Championship 2024

Q. 5-under 66 but felt like you might have left a few out there. How would you categorize this round?

RORY McILROY: I don’t know about that. I sort of felt like it was pretty scrappy for the most part. I don’t really feel like I left many out there. I thought I got a lot out of my game today. Some good up-and-downs, the chip-in on 6.

I had a little bit of a scrappy part around the turn there, but overall really happy with — not really happy with how I played but at least happy with the score.

Q. A bit of an adventure on 18 but you got out with a par. Could you go through that hole?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, so I was pretty sure it was in the water off the tee, and then when I got up there, I guess the two ball-spotters or marshals said they didn’t really see it or couldn’t really hear it. I went over to the other side just to check, but was pretty sure it was in the water.

Yeah, dropped and took my medicine, and yeah, made a great up-and-down from about 120 yards to make par, which was important after making bogey on 17. That kept any momentum that I had going into the next nine.

Q. Is it the kind of golf course that you feel like can get harder as the week wears on, or do you feel like you’re going to have to keep the pedal to the metal all week?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, the greens could get a little bit firmer, so that could make it a little more tricky. But even if the fairways dry out, the zoysia, the ball doesn’t really go anywhere when it lands.

I could see it getting a touch firmer, but I still think it’s going to be pretty low scoring.

Q. Was it nice to be inside the ropes and just to concentrate on golf? Obviously other things going on this week.

RORY McILROY: It’s always nice to be inside the ropes.

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Q. We always ask players about compartmentalizing. Is that something you’re good at and you’re going to have to rely on this week?

RORY McILROY: Happy to be here.

Q. You hit a bunch of good wedge shots today. You mentioned one just earlier. I know that was something that Butch said you guys kind of talked about. Is there anything you’re going to that’s just helping you with that stuff?

RORY McILROY: I think just the same feelings I’ve been having with my golf swing, feeling strength in the club face on the way back, and then trying to keep that strength so that it forces me to really get out of the way on the down swing. That’s the thought with the wedges and with the irons.

Q. It seems like the scores are a little bit lower today. Did you see anything out on the course and conditions that may have led to that?

RORY McILROY: It’s soft. Greens are really soft, especially for the guys that played last week at Quail Hollow where the greens were particularly firm. You come to greens like this, second shots are easier. Chip shots are easier if you do miss the greens.

I think just the difference between last week in Charlotte and this week, it’s a big difference, and I think for the guys that played last week. It’s just a little less challenging at the minute around the greens.

Q. You’ve already touched a little bit on the 18th hole, but I was hoping you could expand a little more not just on saving par there, but then the very next hole it hits the flagstick and you get birdie. How key was that two-hole stretch to you getting this round today?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it was. It was huge. I could have easily bogeyed 18 and been back to even par, and then again, that ball on 1 could have hit the flagstick and went anywhere. I could have made bogey from that. Potentially being 1-over par through 10, I’m 2-under. So it’s a three-shot difference. It’s a big swing.

Rory McIlroy’s Tee Times at the PGA Championship 2024
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PGA Tour

PGA Championship 2024: The Best Field in Golf is Coming to Valhalla

The field of the PGA Championship 2024 includes all of the biggest names in golf. (Source: Getty)
The field of the PGA Championship 2024 includes all of the biggest names in golf. (Source: Getty)

The PGA Championship 2024 takes places from May 16th to May 19th at the Valhalla Golf Club. Valhalla, nestled in the beauty of Kentucky, is no stranger to hosting major golfing events, and this marks its fourth time hosting the PGA Championship. Past championships at Valhalla have seen golfing legends like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy claim victory, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling tournament.

Brooks Koepka Eyeing Another Title at the PGA Championship

Leading the pack is the three-time and defending PGA Champion, Brooks Koepka. Koepka’s dominance on the course is undeniable, and he will be a force to be reckoned with at Valhalla. Joining him is an impressive field of 16 PGA Champions and 33 Major Champions, each poised to leave their mark on this prestigious event. The diversity of the field is a testament to the global appeal of golf, with players hailing from countries all around the world. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, the 2024 PGA Championship promises to showcase the best talent the sport has to offer. With two spots reserved for winners of this week’s PGA Tour events, the field is sure to see some last-minute additions.

PGA Championship 2024 Field

Player Country
Åberg, Ludvig SWEDEN
An, Byeong Hun REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Beem, Rich Austin, TX
Bevell, Josh Nashville, TN (CFT)
Bezuidenhout, Christiaan SOUTH AFRICA
Bhatia, Akshay Wake Forest, NC
Björk, Alexander SWEDEN
Blair, Zac Orem, UT
Block, Michael Mission Viejo, CA (CFT)
Bowser, Evan Naples, FL (CFT)
Bradley, Keegan Woodstock, VT
Burmester, Dean SOUTH AFRICA
Burns, Sam Shreveport, LA
Cantlay, Patrick Jupiter, FL
Clark, Wyndham Denver, CO
Cole, Eric Tequesta, FL
Cole, Preston Charlotte, NC (CFT)
Collet, Tyler Vero Beach, FL (CFT)
Conners, Corey CANADA
Daly, John Cleawarter Beach, FL
Davis, Cameron AUSTRALIA
Day, Jason AUSTRALIA
DeChambeau, Bryson Dallas, TX
Detry, Thomas BELGIUM
Dobyns, Matt Glen Head, NY (CFT)
Donald, Luke ENGLAND
Dufner, Jason Auburn, AL
Dunlap, Nick Tuscaloosa, AL
Eckroat, Austin Edmond, OK
English, Harris Sea Island, GA
Finau, Tony Lehi, UT
Fitzpatrick, Matthew ENGLAND
Fleetwood, Tommy ENGLAND
Fowler, Rickie Murrieta, CA
Fox, Ryan NEW ZEALAND
Garnett, Brice Gallatin, MO
Glover, Lucas Jupiter, FL
Gooch, Talor Oklahoma City, OK
Griffin, Ben Chapel Hill, NC
Grillo, Emiliano ARGENTINA
Gross, Larkin Center Cross, VA (CFT)
Hadwin, Adam CANADA
Harman, Brian Saint Simons Island, GA
Harrington, Pádraig IRELAND
Hatton, Tyrrell ENGLAND
Henley, Russell Columbus, GA
Herbert, Lucas Orlando, FL
Hisatsune, Ryo Japan
Hodges, Lee Athens, AL
Hoffman, Charley San Diego, CA
Hoge, Tom Fort Worth, TX
Højgaard, Nicolai DENMARK
Højgaard, Rasmus DENMARK
Homa, Max Scottsdale, AZ
Horschel, Billy Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Hoshino, Rikuya JAPAN
Hossler, Beau Mission Viejo, CA
Hovland, Viktor NORWAY
Hubbard, Mark The Woodlands, TX
Hughes, Mackenzie CANADA
Im, Sungjae REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Jaeger, Stephan GERMANY
Johnson, Dustin Jupiter, FL
Jones, Jared Houston, TX (CFT)
Kanaya, Takumi JAPAN
Kaymer, Martin GERMANY
Kellen, Jeff Rockford, IL (CFT)
Kim, Si Woo REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Kim, Tom REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Kirk, Chris Watkinsville, GA
Kitayama, Kurt Las Vegas, NV
Knapp, Jake Costa Mesa, CA
Kobori, Kazuma NEW ZEALAND
Koepka, Brooks West Palm Beach, FL
Kohles, Ben Dallas, TX
Lawrence, Thriston SOUTH AFRICA
Lee, Kyoung-Hoon REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Lee, Min Woo AUSTRALIA
List, Luke Augusta, GA
Lowry, Shane IRELAND
MacIntyre, Robert SCOTLAND
Malnati, Peter Knoxville, TN
Marek, Brad Berkeley, CA (CFT)
Matsuyama, Hideki JAPAN
McCarthy, Denny Jupiter, FL
McIlroy, Rory NORTHERN IRELAND
McNealy, Maverick Stanford, CA
Mendoza, Kyle Oceanside, CA (CFT)
Meronk, Adrian POLAND
Micheel, Shaun Colliersville, TN
Mickelson, Phil Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Mitchell, Keith Saint Simons Island, GA
Molinari, Francesco ITALY
Moore, Taylor Southlake, TX
Morikawa, Collin La Canada, CA
Mueller, Jesse Phoenix, AZ (CFT)
Murray, Grayson Raleigh, NC
Nakajima, Keita JAPAN
Niemann, Joaquin CHILE
Noren, Alex SWEDEN
Norrman, Vincent SWEDEN
Oakley, Zac King of Prussia, PA (CFT)
Ogletree, Andy Alpharetta, GA
Olesen, Thorbjorn DENMARK
Otaegui, Adrian SPAIN
Pavon, Matthieu FRANCE
Pendrith, Taylor CANADA
Perez, Victor FRANCE
Phillips, Tracy Tulsa, OK (CFT)
Polland, Ben Teton Village, WY (CFT)
Poston, J.T. Sea Island, GA
Puig, David SPAIN
Putnam, Andrew University Place, WA
Rahm, Jon SPAIN
Rai, Aaron ENGLAND
Reed, Patrick The Woodlands, TX
Rodgers, Patrick Avon, IN
Rose, Justin ENGLAND
Schauffele, Xander San Diego, CA
Scheffler, Scottie Dallas, TX
Schenk, Adam Vincennes, IN
Scott, Adam AUSTRALIA
Shattuck, Braden Aston, PA (CFT)
Smith, Cameron AUSTRALIA
Smith, Jordan ENGLAND
Soderberg, Sebastian SWEDEN
Somers, John Clearwater, FL (CFT)
Speight, Josh Dallas, TX (CFT)
Spieth, Jordan Dallas, TX
Straka, Sepp AUSTRIA
Stricker, Steve Madison, WI
Svensson, Adam CANADA
Svensson, Jesper SWEDEN
Svoboda, Andy Oak Brook, IL (CFT)
Taylor, Nick CANADA
Theegala, Sahith Spring, TX
Thomas, Justin Louisville, KY
Todd, Brendon Watkinsville, GA
Tosti, Alejandro ARGENTINA
Valimaki, Sami FINLAND
van Rooyen, Erik SOUTH AFRICA
van Velzen, Ryan SOUTH AFRICA
Villegas, Camilo COLOMBIA
Walker, Jimmy Terrell Hills, TX
Wallace, Matt ENGLAND
Wells, Jeremy Estero, FL (CFT)
Widing, Tim SWEDEN
Woodland, Gary Topeka, KS
Woods, Tiger Jupiter, FL
Worthington II, Wyatt Las Vegas, NV (CFT)
Yang, Y.E. REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Young, Cameron Jupiter, FL
Zalatoris, Will Dallas, TX
Categories
Professionals

Jim Furyk and Mike “Fluff” Cowan part ways after 25 years

Jim Furyk and Mike "Fluff" Cowan go their separate ways after 25 years. Cowan returns to the PGA Tour. (Source: Getty)
Jim Furyk and Mike "Fluff" Cowan go their separate ways after 25 years. Cowan returns to the PGA Tour. (Source: Getty)

For over a quarter of a century, caddie legend Mike “Fluff” Cowan and golf pro Jim Furyk formed an inseparable duo on the course. But now they have parted ways by mutual agreement, as Cowan has found his way back onto the PGA Tour.

Separation from Jim Furyk: Mike “Fluff” Cowan returns to the PGA Tour

Cowan, who already stood on the green alongside Tiger Woods in the late 1990s, is now returning to the big stage of golf. At this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas, he is supporting Taiwanese professional C.T. Pan. “It’s hard to say goodbye after 25 years,” Cowan commented to Golfweek. “But sometimes it’s necessary to make the right move, even if it’s difficult.” The decision comes at a time when Jim Furyk has been sidelined by injuries for the last two years. His best result on the Champions Tour this season was a tied 33rd place at the Hoag Classic in March.

“We’re playing for two million dollars. They’re playing for 8, 20, 25 million,” Furyk wrote in a message to Golfweek. “I knew it was a good opportunity for him, and C.T. is playing pretty well. (Fluff) was hesitant. Because he’s a great person at heart. But I pushed and we both knew it was the best thing for him and his family.” Compared to Furyk’s modest earnings of 19,464 US dollars this season, the 32-year-old Pan has already earned 674,187 US dollars. For Furyk’s son Tanner, the split has created a special opportunity to caddie for his father at three or four events this summer.

Cowan can look back on an impressive career in which he has worked for golfers such as Ed Sabo (1976-78), Peter Jacobsen (1978-96) and Tiger Woods (1996-99).

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Live

PGA Tour: Spectator catches ball after professional tees off

A fan has caught the ball out of the air on the PGA Tour. You can see his horror. (Source: X @PMTsportsbiz)
A fan has caught the ball out of the air on the PGA Tour. You can see his horror. (Source: X @PMTsportsbiz)

During the third round of the PGA Tour’s team event, a rare incident occurred when Brant Snedeker, the nine-time PGA Tour winner, hit his tee shot on the par-3 3rd. With water to his left and a strong wind from the right, Snedeker sent his tee shot onto the 185 metre hole hoping for a left turn through the wind, but the ball just wouldn’t budge and took a hop along a path before being caught by a spectator, to the amazement of all.

Spectator catches ball on the PGA Tour

What at first sounds like a made-up story actually happened. A fan saw Snedeker’s ball coming, went to his left and skilfully caught the Titleist out of the air. The catcher quickly turned to his friends, possibly to brag about his performance. Then the surrounding spectators reminded him where he was. Shouts rang out from the crowd: ‘NO! No. No. No!’ The fan dropped the ball and his horror at his own behaviour was clear to see. The group of spectators began to laugh and quickly dispersed. I guess no one wanted to be associated with the guy who caught a ball at a PGA Tour event. Even the commentators on the US channel ESPN could hardly believe their eyes: ‘Oh no!’ exclaimed an ESPN+ commentator. ‘He just caught the ball!’ ‘It’s all good,’ replied the co-commentator. ‘That’s a kid who plays a lot of baseball. He just forgot about it.’

But in fact all was well. According to the Rules of Golf, Rule 11.1a states: ‘If a player’s ball in motion accidentally strikes a person (including the player) or an outside influence, there is no penalty.’ Since the ball was not at rest, Snedeker simply played his ball from the spot where the fan dropped it. In the event that the fan had carried the ball away, Rule 11.1b states: ‘The player must place the original ball or another ball at the estimated spot directly below where the ball first came to rest on the person, animal or moving outside influence.’ Fortunately, it was all half as bad, but the faux pas is something the fan will probably not forget for the rest of his life. Snedeker and Reavie were oblivious to the whole thing. They played par on the course, but could only manage a 72 in the easier of the two formats this week.

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Professionals

Tommy Fleetwood As Caddy on the Challenge Tour

Rollentausch bei Tommy Fleetwood. Der Engländer ist der Caddie seines Stiefsohns Oskar auf der Challenge Tour. (Quelle: Getty)
Rollentausch bei Tommy Fleetwood. Der Engländer ist der Caddie seines Stiefsohns Oskar auf der Challenge Tour. (Quelle: Getty)

Tommy Fleetwood, one of the most famous names in professional golf, is returning to his roots on the Challenge Tour this week – not as a player, however, but as a caddy for his stepson Oscar at the UAE Challenge in Abu Dhabi.

Tommy Fleetwood Back on the Challenge Tour

Although it has been over a decade since Fleetwood himself competed in a Challenge Tour event, this tour remains a special place for the current world number 11. In 2011, he secured his first Challenge Tour victory at the Kazakhstan Open and finished the year in first place on the money list, which enabled him to move up to the DP World Tour. The decision to caddy for Oscar shows not only the bond within the Fleetwood family, but also an appreciation for the foundations on which Fleetwood’s own career was built. The family moved to Dubai two years ago and live at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the venue for the DP World Tour, where Oscar is a member and trains as part of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy under the watchful eye of his coach Jackson Bell.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – APRIL 25: Tommy Fleetwood caddying for his stepson Oscar Craig (not pictured) during day one of the UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on April 25, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Oscar, just 17 years old, has already won a number of amateur events in the UAE and after his victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Men’s Open has rightly secured a place at this year’s UAE Challenge event at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. As one of 30 invitations awarded by the Emirates Golf Federation, he will have the chance to compete against rising stars from the DP World Tour and put his skills to the test.

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PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Multimillion Bonuses for Top Players

Tiger Woods and other top players receive large bonuses as part of the PGA Tour's Player Equity Program. (Source: Getty)
Tiger Woods and other top players receive large bonuses as part of the PGA Tour's Player Equity Program. (Source: Getty)

In February, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan unveiled the Player Equity Program. The PGA Tour had struck a deal with Strategic Sports Group to make an immediate investment of 1.5 billion dollars in a new for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises. Part of the investment includes the Player Equity Program, designed to reward players for their loyalty to the PGA Tour. The 193 eligible recipients were notified of their equity shares by Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who is also CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises. “It’s about making sure our players know that the PGA Tour is the best place to compete and showing them how much the Tour appreciates them being loyal,” said Jason Gore, the Tour’s Chief Player Officer, in one of six informational videos the Tour has produced for members, which are available to Golf.com.

How the Money Is Distributed Among the PGA Tour Players

The plan envisages that around 930 million US dollars will be distributed to 193 players, taking into account four main categories. The players will not receive the money immediately, but in the form of shares in PGA Tour Enterprises, which will house the Tour’s commercial activities. Led by the Tour’s top stars, 36 players will receive a share of 750 million US dollars based on their performance over the last five years. That’s just over 80% of the prize that goes to only a few dozen pros. Points are awarded based on the number of years as a Tour member, participation in Tour Championships and victories, with special achievements such as Major titles, victories in the Players Championship and the FedEx Cup earning additional points. The second group, consisting of “consistent performers and up-and-coming talent”, will receive 75 million US dollars for 64 players. Their participation is based on FedExCup points over the last three years. A further 30 million US dollars will be awarded to 57 players in the third group, based on career earnings and the number of top 125 finishes in the FedExCup points. The fourth group, comprising “Legends of the Past”, including names such as Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, will receive 75 million US dollars. These funds are awarded on the basis of the “Career Points” system and are earmarked exclusively for living golf legends.

A key element of the program is the eight-year commitment period. Participations reach 50% of their value after four years, 75% after six years and the full 100% after eight years. At this point, players can sell their holdings to PGA Tour Enterprises. This arrangement is designed to strengthen player loyalty to the PGA Tour. Strategic Sports Group valued the PGA Tour at US$12.3 billion when it joined and this value is expected to increase over time.

What’s In It for the Top Players

According to a rough estimate by Golf.com, Tiger Woods will receive 528 career points, Rory McIlroy just 199, while Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have both accumulated a similar number of just under 100 points. All four players are expected to be part of Group 1 and all will receive substantial grants, but the difference in career points is expected to bring some differences in value. In short, Woods will receive the highest grant value (possibly by a wide margin) and McIlroy’s will be the second highest. Golf journalist Joe Pompliano estimates that Woods’ shares could be worth up to $100 million, double Rory McIlroy’s $50 million.

Further Bonuses Expected In the Coming Years

In addition to the initial investment of 1.5 billion US dollars, the players will receive a further bonus of around 600 million US dollars in the coming years. These funds, amounting to USD 100 million per year from 2025 to 2030, will be awarded based on the performance and results of the Player Impact Program, with a particular focus on young talent.

Categories
Professionals

Rory McIlroy Considers Return to the PGA Tour Policy Board

Rory McIlroy is considering taking a position on the PGA Tour Policy Board again. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy is considering taking a position on the PGA Tour Policy Board again. (Source: Getty)

It was only last November that Rory McIlroy stepped down from his position on the PGA Tour Policy Board. McIlroy justified his move by saying that he wanted to concentrate more on his golf game. The Northern Irishman is now considering a return to the board. Sources familiar with the situation have told the UK Guardian that the roles for McIlroy as a director on both the PGA Tour Board and PGA Tour Enterprises will be put to a vote on Wednesday after Webb Simpson tendered his resignation with an explicit request for the Northern Irishman to take his place.

Rory McIlroy: “I think I can be helpful”

Webb Simpson is likely to step down before the end of his term of office, which runs until 2025. This raises the possibility of McIlroy returning at a time when the PGA Tour is still battling for supremacy with the LIV Golf League. McIlroy himself has recently commented on the benefits of a united golf world: “The game is much better when we’re all together,” the 34-year-old emphasized. Despite personal and professional commitments, McIlroy continues to show interest in playing an active role in the PGA Tour’s decision-making. “The golf world is facing big challenges and I’m ready to play my part,” McIlroy said in an interview. “It’s important that we come together as a sport and move forward together.”

The Northern Irishman, who is currently competing at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, could support the PGA Tour in negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The agreement with the PIF could pave the way for a deal between the traditional tours and the LIV League. “I think I can be helpful,” McIlroy said. “I don’t think there’s been much progress in the last eight months and I was hoping there would be. I think I could be helpful in the process. But only if people want me to be there,” said McIlroy during an interview at the Zurich Classic. “We have to overcome the differences and work together to find a solution,” said McIlroy. “Only through unity can we unlock the full potential of golf and ensure it remains relevant for generations to come.”

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Panorama

Alex Fitzpatrick completes trio of BAL.ON brand ambassadors

Alex Fitzpatrick joins Esther Henseleit and Matti Schmid as BAL.ON brand ambassador. (Source: BAL.ON)
Alex Fitzpatrick joins Esther Henseleit and Matti Schmid as BAL.ON brand ambassador. (Source: BAL.ON)

Since its official market launch in August 2023, the BAL.ON Smart Kit, the first intelligent training tool for golf from Continental, has been inspiring PGA professionals, tour pros and amateur golfers with its technology, functionality and wide range of applications in training and on the course. BAL.ON recently announced its collaboration with DP World Tour Professional Alex Fitzpatrick, who will represent the brand as a global ambassador alongside Matti Schmid and Esther Henseleit.

Alex Fitzpatrick becomes brand ambassador for BAL.ON

Alex Fitzpatrick played for the college team at Wake Forest University in North Carolina for four years before turning professional in 2022, during which time he represented Great Britain several times at international tournaments. In his first full year as a professional, the now 25-year-old secured full playing rights on the DP World Tour, including a tied 17th place at the Open Championship in Royal Liverpool, a second place at the ISPS Handa World Invitational and his first victory as a professional at the British Challenge on the Challenge Tour. This season, Alex has already achieved six top 20 finishes in Europe’s top class and was portrayed together with his brother in the second season of “Full Swing” on Netflix.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Alex Fitzpatrick (@alex_fitz9)

“A real everyday tool – easy to understand and use.”

“I am delighted to be working with BAL.ON and to be part of this phenomenal team. The technology and ease of use of the Smart Kit is truly impressive. It’s a tool that golfers can use in every area of the game,” says Fitzpatrick. “On tour I use the BAL.ON Smart Kit mainly to make sure I rotate properly on iron shots and in my short game without the center of pressure shifting too far left or right – something I struggled with a bit at the start of the season. Luckily, with the Smart Kit from BAL.ON, I have a tool that allows me to immediately check this data, which is not visible in the video, no matter where I am. This helped me to get back on track very quickly. Things are a little different on the tee. Here, my coach Mark Blackburn and I want the greatest possible separation between the center of pressure, which moves forward in the downswing, and the center of mass, which remains behind the ball. Without the BAL.ON Smart Kit, I wouldn’t be able to work so consistently with my tight tournament schedule because I simply wouldn’t have the data. It has become a real everyday tool for me – easy to understand and use.”

“We are very happy to have Alex, Esther and Matti as global brand ambassadors for BAL.ON. Not many young sports brands enjoy the trust of professional athletes so early on and get the chance to work with them. We are already offering the best players in the world great added value for their training and development. Their feedback makes us confident that our data advantage can also significantly improve the game and technique of amateurs. Alex, Esther and Matti will help us spread our message to PGA professionals, retailers and golfers.” – Martin Bock, Head of Marketing at BAL.ON

Specifications, availability and price

The BAL.ON Smart Kit is the first fully mobile and affordable solution on the market that measures the pressure distribution over the entire golf swing. This data is combined with high-resolution video material in the smartphone. While pressure measurement systems, which provide fundamental data on biomechanics, have so far only been used occasionally and mainly in competitive sports, Continental is now making this technology palatable to the masses.

The BAL.ON Smart Kit consists of a pair of 2mm thin, pressure-sensitive soles that are inserted into the golf shoes, Smart Pods and a smartphone app for iOS and Android devices, packed in a practical training case. The Smart Kit is available in four different sizes, from S (EU 36 – 38) to XL (EU 45 – 47) at an RRP of €549.

(Text: BAL.ON)

Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour: How the Zurich Classic Team Format Works

The format of the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic. (Photo: Getty)
The format of the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic. (Photo: Getty)

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans takes place this year from April 25-28. Although the tournament has been an integral part of the PGA Tour for many years, for a long time it was “just” a tournament like many others. In 2017, it was given a new look and no longer takes place in single counting play. Instead, the format was changed to a two-man team event, but retained its status as a fully-fledged tournament with generous prize money and numerous FedEx Cup points. In 2020, the tournament had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, it returned to the tour in 2021.

The starting field consists of 80 teams, with the top players allowed to choose their own teammate. The only prerequisite for the selection is that the partner is eligible to play on the PGA Tour or has received a sponsor invitation. The teams will play in fourball format on Thursday and Saturday and in foursome mode on Friday and Sunday. As usual, the cut will be made after the second round and only the top 33 teams and tied players will progress to the third round. A total of 8.9 million US dollars will be distributed among the teams, with the winning duo also pocketing 800 FedEx Cup points (400 each).

Click here for the Zurich Classic leaderboard

PGA Tour: Upswing through uniqueness

Andy Pazder, Chief of Operations of the PGA Tour, explained the reasons for the change at the time: “We have seen the growth in popularity of biennial team competitions such as the Ryder Cup and the World Cup of Golf and also the excitement these tournaments generate. We believe that fans would like to see this type of competition as a regular part of our season.” This format makes the Zurich Classic exceptional on the PGA Tour, as the last time there was a comparable team event on the PGA Tour was almost four decades ago at the Walt Disney World National Team Championship in 1981.

The response since the announcement of the change has been consistently very positive. “The team format is an incredibly great new element on the Tour,” says Olympic champion Justin Rose. And even four years after the experiment, both fans and organizers are positively surprised by the “resurgence of the PGA Tour’s annual stop in New Orleans”. The change from the classic 72-hole counting game format was of course subject to risk, but ultimately led to stronger starting fields and increased interest in this unique Tour event.

Categories
Travel

Adventures in Golf: Devastation at a Hawaiian Golf Gem

The Kapalua Golf Course on Maui. Erik Anders Lang visited the island shortly after the devastating forest fires as part of the Adventures in Golf series. (Source Youtube, Adventures in Golf, Skratch)
The Kapalua Golf Course on Maui. Erik Anders Lang visited the island shortly after the devastating forest fires as part of the Adventures in Golf series. (Source Youtube, Adventures in Golf, Skratch)

On the picturesque island of Maui, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, lies the small town of Lahaina. Amidst this backdrop is a golf course that is not only a dream location for golf lovers, but also a symbol of a community’s strength and determination in the face of tragedy. In the new season of Adventures in Golf, Erik Anders Lang tells the story of Kapalua – a golf course in the place that was the scene of the deadliest wildfire disaster in America in the century.

Maui devastated by forest fire

In August 2023, images of the devastating forest fires on Maui, which almost completely destroyed some places on the island, went around the world. Lang, who usually visits the golf courses directly on his travels, first meets Archie, a local leader and water activist who was one of the first to take a stand against the fire. “The reason for this fire was a lack of water,” he explains. Kapalua and the surrounding communities were threatened by the dry heat of the fire. Now Archie and his fellow campaigners are working to reclaim the water they so desperately needed. Steve Sims, a former Air Force veteran and lover of Hawaiian culture, whom Lang meets next, has also joined the fight. Together they are now working to restore the island’s water sources and bring the vital rivers and streams back to life.

Adventures in Golf: The history of golf in Kapalua

One of the most fascinating personalities in Kapalua’s history is golf legend Arnold Palmer. Palmer played a crucial role in the development of the Kapalua Golf Course in its early days. His dedication and passion for the game was instrumental in making Kapalua the renowned golf destination it is today. Mark Raling, a legend in the golf commentary circuit, has also been instrumental in shaping the history of golf on Maui. Among other things, Raling was the tournament director of the first international tournament on the golf course, the Kapalua International. Since the early days of the event, which began in the 1980s, the golf course has had a long tradition of top-class competitions. One of the most famous tournaments is the annual Tournament of Champions, formerly known as The Plantation Course Championship. This event marks the official start of the PGA Tour season and attracts the best golfers in the world. In the video, Raling recalls the humble beginnings of Kapalua Golf Course in the 1970s. “We basically started from nothing and built this little community,” he says.

The Kapalua Golf Course on Maui. (Source Youtube, Adventures in Golf, Skratch)

The importance of Kapalua extends far beyond golf. After the devastating fire, the resort opened its doors to those who had lost everything. Harrison Delgado, Director of Room Operations at the Ritz Carlton, right on the golf course, remembers the emotional time after the fire. “The tables were covered with blankets and pillows, and it was a free space for anyone who needed help,” he says. “It was about supporting each other in a time of need and being a community.” Despite the tragedy and loss, Kapalua has shown amazing resilience. Tanata, principal of a local school, proudly recounts how the school reopened just three weeks after the fire, providing a stable environment for the children. “Our school is more than just an educational institution,” she says, “it’s a place of hope and cohesion that helps the children get through the difficult times.”