The DP World Tour gives ten US Open tickets to players via the European Qualifying Series. (Photo: Getty)
The USGA has confirmed the spots in the field at The Country Club, Brookline, will be allocated to the top ten aggregate points earners, not otherwise exempt, at the conclusion of the mini-series consisting of: the Betfred British Masters Hosted by Danny Willett (May 5-8), the Soudal Open (May 12-15), Dutch Open (May 26-29) and the Porsche European Open (June 2-5).
It is the third consecutive year the European Qualifying Series has taken place in this format having previously been a 36-hole European Final Qualifying event. Local Qualifying will also take place at 109 sites in the United States and Canada from April 25-May 23, followed by Final Qualifying on Monday May 23 and Monday June 6.
The third edition of the European Qualifying Series
Keith Waters, the DP World Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The European Qualifying Series has been a big success since it was introduced in 2020, so we are pleased to continue our collaboration with the USGA again this year.
“The series adds further excitement and focus on our events, which take place in four different European countries in England, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. We therefore look forward to offering our players the chance to secure one of the coveted ten spots in the field at The Country Club, Brookline, in June.”
Last year, Marcus Armitage, Richard Bland, Dave Coupland, Thomas Detry, Adrian Meronk, Guido Migliozzi, Edoardo Molinari, Jordan Smith and Matthew Southgate earned their places in the field at Torrey Pines via the European Qualifying Series.
Italian Migliozzi went on to finish in a share of fourth position in just his second Major Championship appearance, four shots behind winner Jon Rahm of Spain.
Golf in Gran Canaria is a mix of parkland golf inland and spectacular panoramas on the coast. (Photo: Golf Post)
Gran Canaria is not a privileged place, neither for “tourists on foot” nor for golfers. But although visitors to the Canary Islands flock to the beaches and bars, the third of the seven islets off the African coast guarantees a relaxing time. Gran Canaria seven golf courses have a lot to do with this great experience and are not to be missed, reason enough for an island getaway.
South Vs North environment
There are four golf courses in the south of the island, and three in the northeast. In the west of the island, which is sparsely populated and has so far seen little tourist traffic, golf courses are sought after in vain. In the south, Gran Canaria offers golf courses for party-goers (Playa del Inglés) as well as for visitors seeking tranquillity (Meloneras). Only a few kilometres of dunes separate both golf courses. These are mostly green oases in an arid landscape.
In the north, on the other hand, the land is much greener, which is due to the mountains in the middle of the island, which stop the rain when there is a constant wind from the north. At the same time, this makes the weather in the southern half more stable than in almost any other holiday destination, with pleasant temperatures.
Golf in the south of Gran Canaria
Lopesan Meloneras Golf
The 18-hole Lopesan Meloneras Golf course is not far from the tourist strongholds around Maspalomas. It offers peace and relaxation. While the first nine are inland and offer a view of the mountains in the centre of the island, the last nine take you directly along the sea for the most part.
The course condition is excellent, great to play in summer. Although the course is ready for the main season during the winter, the great care allows play at any time of the year. Large greens and wide fairways make the holiday round a pleasurable experience. Keeping your concentration on the second nine is the real difficulty due to the beautiful landscape and picturesque views.
From begining of October to end of April, Gran Canaria golf courses set their high season, and the 18-hole green fee costs 137 euros. In the low season (1 May – 30 September), the price drops to 80 euros. A cart costs 20 euros, but also has a GPS system on board that measures distances and explains the holes. The field is a leg-breaker due to the up and down hills all thoughout. Therefore, renting a cart is always a good choice.
Anfi Tauro Golf
Another highlight on Gran Canaria is Anfi Tauro Golf a little further west than Lopesan Meloneras Golf. Only opened in 2007, the par-72 course is the youngest on the island. It was designed by Hagge, Smelek and Baril, who were also responsible for the layout at Doral Country Club in Florida.
The maintenance in the hilly terrain matches the the spectacularity of the views of the sea. The holes have been integrated into the landscape. The green fee is between 80 (summer) and 120 euros (winter). However, you have to add the fees for a cart, because you don’t want to walk around this area – especially not on holiday.
Anfi Tauro Golf in Gran Canaria. (Photo: Twitter.com/@ZanardelliGolf)
Salobre Golf & Resort
Salobre Golf & Resort is home to two courses, the Old Course, which opened in 2000, and the New Course, added eight years later. The 36-hole course is the only one of its kind in Gran Canaria.
The Old Course is a par-71 that plays a little longer than the New Course as par-72, with a 400m difference. Like everywhere in the south of the island, the terrain is hilly and interspersed with ravines. This also makes Salobre Golf & Resort a holiday experience with lasting memories. The green fee ranges from 100 to 120 euros in winter, and in low season you have to shell out 56 to 67 euros.
The Salobre Golf&Resort at a glance. (Photo: Twitter.com/@SalobreGolfGC)
Maspalomas Golf
Maspalomas Golf is directly behind the aforementioned dune landscape that separates party people from those seeking relaxation. The surprisingly flat par-73 holes stretch over almost 6,400 metres. The layout is not particularly imaginative, the holes are wide and straight through the landscape, which is rather unspectacular here compared to other courses. For an 18-hole round, 109 to 118 euros are charged in the winter months, 65 euros in the low season.
Golf in the north of Gran Canaria
Real Club de Golf Las Palmas (Bandama Golf)
The Real Club de Golf Las Palmas is the oldest golf club in Spain and was founded in 1891. Unfortunately, you can feel this here and there in the rooms of the clubhouse, which are in need of an overhaul. The course is in a fantastic location – on a high plateau in front of Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. At the same time, the location explains the lenght of the short par-71 course, less than 6,000 metres from the back tees. Guests are welcome from Monday to Friday, on weekends the course is reserved for members.
Real Club de Golf on Gran Canaria seen from Pico de Bandama. (Photo: Golf Post)
Las Palmeras Golf Club
The northernmost club on Gran Canaria is Las Palmeras Golf Club. Opened in 2006, the par-3 course is very short, with only two holes longer than 100 metres, but the course is definitely a challenge. Sloping fairways, deep bunkers and some water hazards make missed greens a real challenge. The fun, which is definitely conducive to iron play, costs 25 euros green fee per person, guaranteeing the sea view in some spots.
Las Palmeras Golf, the par-3 course in the north of Gran Canaria. (Photo: Twitter.com/@LP_GOLF)
The Golf Post recommendation
Basically, you can’t go wrong with the courses in the south. The favourites here are Lopesan Meloneras Golf, Anfi Tauro Golf and Salobre Golf & Resort. Although you have to dig deep into your pockets during the high season, many hotels offer packages with discounts on green fees. The courses in the north are a bit outdated, but they also offer what makes golf in Gran Canaria a highlight. That is of course picturesque panoramas and impressive nature.
Attractions and excursions on Gran Canaria
Along the coast
In addition to golfing, Gran Canaria offers many other activities. In the summer you can even witness dolphin species a few kilometres off the coast. During winter, the whales take over and also pass by the island. These can be observed excellently from large and small excursion boats.
The wild interior
The interior of the island is also a must. Whether on foot on hikes or in a rented convertible on lonely mountain roads, many picturesque mountain villages can be discovered in the mountains in the middle of Gran Canaria. The highest point on the island, the Pico da las Nieves, also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole island.
The south coast
Along the south coast, there are numerous villages directly by the sea. Despite numerous bed castles in the foothills of the mountain ranges, they have for the most part retained their own identity.
You can explore all or several of them along the coastal road GC-500. There, you can still find family-owned orchards with sun-drenched mangoes and other delicacies.
A must-see, of course, is the island’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Whether in the old town with its grand cathedral, on the beach or in the newer quarters. Here you will find something for everyone, from the art museum to the street food festival.
There is still one “insider tip”
The caves of Barranco de Guayadeque. In spectacular mountain scenery, you will find numerous caves here that were actually inhabited in the past. Today, some of them have been converted into restaurants and offer excellent food for little money away from the tourist crowds.
The Guayadeque Museum also provides information about the original way of life of the valley inhabitants. At the end of the valley, a fantastic view to the south awaits you.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club to host 2024 Solheim Cup (Photo: getty)
The LPGA announced that Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, will host the 19th Solheim Cup in September 2024. Located on Lake Manassas, just 35 miles west of Washington D.C., this will be the first major women’s competition held at the club, which served as host for the first four Presidents Cups held in the United States.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club is proud to host the prestigious event
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to host this prestigious event and believe our club is an ideal venue for this competition,” said George Cantrell, president of Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. “Under the leadership of Tournament Chair Penny Lee, our club and membership look forward to welcoming the top U.S. and European women golfers and fans from across the globe.”
“The terrain is aesthetically perfect”
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, which opened in 1991, was founded and designed by famed golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. who considered the layout to be one of his finest designs. “The terrain is aesthetically perfect,” he said. “I don’t think we could have done anything better anywhere.” Anchored by a stately Georgian-style clubhouse, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club plays to a par 72. The course and its designer have long worked to join the game of golf with the American presidential lineage, with Jones first installing a putting green at the White House in 1954 for President Dwight Eisenhower. The club was the host venue for the 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2005 Presidents Cups, with four presidents serving as honorary chairmen, as well as the PGA Tour’s 2015 Quicken Loans National, won by Troy Merritt.
“We are honored and excited to bring the 2024 Solheim Cup to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. RTJ has a strong tradition of hosting world-class international competitions, and we can’t wait to add the Solheim Cup, one of the flagship events in women’s golf, to the list,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “Playing the Solheim Cup on this magnificent golf course near our nation’s capital will provide the perfect backdrop for these elite athletes to battle for the Cup. I have no doubt that the club and its members will serve as wonderful hosts, and that fans from around the world will enjoy an experience of a lifetime.”
Schedule for the 2024 Solheim Cup
Dates for the 2024 Solheim Cup will be announced as the LPGA Tour and the LET finalize their 2024 playing schedules. 2024 will mark the competition’s return to an even-year rotation, opposite the Ryder Cup, and just the second time in history it will be held in consecutive years, along with 2002 and 2003. The 2023 Solheim Cup will be held at Finca Cortesin in Spain on Sept. 22-24, with Stacy Lewis serving as captain for Team USA and Suzann Pettersen serving as captain for Team Europe.
Information on tickets and sales packages will be available later this summer.
Phil Mickelson has earned a lot of criticism lately. (Photo: Getty)
In recent weeks and months, there have been repeated rumours that players like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau would switch to the aspired Saudi League. Mickelson, in particular, continued to fuel the discussion about a move from the PGA Tour by regularly publicly criticising the American professional tour. Now, the multiple major winner posted a lengthy statement apologising for his choice of words in the interview with Alan Shipnuck and announcing a hiatus from professional golf.
Mickelson’s Saudi Support Caused Much Criticism
For a long time it was rumoured that the Saudi League wanted to lure the big names of the PGA Tour with surreal sums of money. Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson in particular were to be the focus of the tour. DeChambeau and Johnson, however, denied a move from the PGA Tour last week. The duo announced that they would continue to compete with the world’s best on the PGA Tour. American Mickelson has already been firing against the PGA Tour in recent weeks. At Saudi International, Mickelson attributed ‘vile greed’ to PGA Tour
Recently, golf author Alan Shipnuck published an interview with Phil Mickelson, in which Mickelson allowed himself a daring choice of words. According to Shipnuck, Mickelson called the people who finance the Super Golf League “scary motherfuckers to get involved with”. Furthermore, Mickelson added that he would not be involved at all with people from a country with such a poor human rights record, but that he saw it as an opportunity to improve the PGA Tour. Big names in golf criticised Mickelson for these words. For example, Rory McIlroy calling Mickelson’s statements a “selfish statement”.
Phil Mickelson regrets choice of words
Even the long-time partner KPMG declared their partnership to be over after Phil Mickelson’s statements. Following this severe criticism, Mickelson released a lengthy statement on Tuesday afternoon. “Although it doesn’t look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans.,” the 51-year-old wrote on Twitter. In addition, Mickelson said he deeply regretted his reckless and offensive choice of words and was deeply disappointed in himself.
However, Mickelson also stressed that the alleged interview with Alan Shipnuck were “off record comments”. These had been taken out of context and published without his consent. Golf writer Alan Shipnuck reacted angrily to Mickelson’s accusation. He said that Mickelson knew he was working on a biography about him. Moreover, asked Mickelson himself for the interview to discuss media rights and his complaints about the PGA Tour. “Not once in our texts or when we got on the phone did Mickelson request to go off-the-record”, Shipnuck elaborated on TheFirePitCollective. Moreover, he said, Mickelson texted him immediately after the publication denying any of this. Shipnuck called his actions “false and duplicitous”.
Phil Mickelson also announced in his statement that he would retire from professional golf for a while. One of the reasons for this was that he had been letting himself down lately. Furthermore, he felt the pressure and stress affecting him, especially in the last ten years. In doing so, he added that he “desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.” Mickelson did not mention the PGA Tour in his statement.
Tony Bennett, Mike Jones, Kipp Popert and Keith Pelley (Photo: Getty)
The DP World Tour (former European Tour) has reinforced its commitment to inclusivity in the game of golf with the launch of the newly named G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour, which incorporates an expanded 2022 schedule and a transformational package of financial, commercial and media support for the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA).
DP World Tour: Commitment to EDGA
As part of the agreement, the 2022 G4D Tour’s international schedule will feature a minimum of seven tournaments – increased from five in 2021 – with new events taking place at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, the Porsche European Open, the Horizon Irish Open, the BMW PGA Championship and the Estrella Damm N.A Andalucía Masters.
The DP World Tour, through the European Tour group’s Golf for Good initiative, has also committed to a financial support package which will see EDGA move from a volunteer led organisation to a semi-professional one.
This enhanced support is part of the pledge to drive positive community impact made by the European Tour group and DP World last November at the launch of the DP World Tour.
It will further strengthen EDGA’s commitment to broaden opportunities for individuals to get involved with golf, develop new markets, and enhance the player pathway from sampling to competition.
Also included in that package will be accommodation and travel support for players, as well as increased commercial support and media exposure through the DP World Tour’s communications and social media channels.
Seven Events in six different countries
The 2022 G4D Tour schedule features seven events in six different countries. The stars of G4D will tee off their season at The Belfry in England, from May 2-3, ahead of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett.
The Tour will then land in Germany for the first time ahead of June’s Porsche European Open, before Mount Juliet Estate plays host ahead of the Horizon Irish Open. The ISPS Handa World Invitational Presented by Modest! Golf Management will once again welcome the G4D Tour from August 8-9 at Galgorm Resort in Northern Ireland.
For the first time, the G4D Tour will visit Wentworth Club ahead of the prestigious BMW PGA Championship – a Rolex Series event – from September 5-6, before taking on Spain’s famous Real Club Valderrama for the first time from October 10-11, ahead of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.
Once again, the season will culminate at the G4D Dubai Finale ahead of the final Rolex Series event of 2022, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, where the qualifiers from the previous six events will battle it out at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 14-15.
The Golf for Disabled initiative was first launched at the 2019 Betfred British Masters at Hillside Golf Club. Within the programme, the European Tour group and EDGA committed to holding events on the same golf course and during the weeks of DP World Tour events for leading golfers from the gross World Ranking for golfers with a disability (WR4GD). Since the 2019 announcement, seven events have already been held, with players from 15 countries on five continents competing. The 2022 qualifiers will continue to showcase the inclusive nature of golf while encouraging others to take up the sport.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said: “We are committed to ensuring inclusivity in the game of golf – one of the key pillars of our business – and this is another chapter in the evolution of our fantastic relationship with EDGA.
“As has been proven in the two years since we began this partnership, Golfers with Disabilities are deserving of the same exposure and adulation as our DP World Tour players – they are incredibly talented golfers and great ambassadors for our sport. When you watch these golfers play, you immediately talk about their ability rather than their disability.
“That is the reason why we are pushing for golf to be included in the Paralympics, and our enhanced support of the G4D Tour is undoubtedly another important step on that journey.”
Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, said: “For 50 years the European Tour group has been at the forefront of golf performance, and today’s announcement is a game changer that will inspire individuals with disability across the globe to try golf for the first time or continue their participation in the game. We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with The European Tour group.
“Golfers with a disability at all levels will benefit from this support. Together we will accelerate the development of systems, programmes and tools that build capacity in the golf industry, expand delivery of coaching education and outreach sessions in traditional and non-traditional golf venues, and open golf to individuals with a disability.”
Mike Jones, EDGA Player Representative, said: “The new G4D Tour is a huge step for golfers with a disability globally. Our incredible elite players have inspired us all by opening new pathways for golfers with a challenging condition, and in the process helping raise the profile of our sport to a whole new level. With this boosted level of support from the European Tour group and an even closer association with its flagship DP World Tour, it really is the best time for anyone with a disability to pick up a club and play golf. There’s a whole new exciting world of opportunities out there, so come and get involved.”
Kipp Popert, the number one ranked player in the gross World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability, said: “The EDGA has been doing amazing work for more than 20 years and this new collaboration with The DP World Tour will create opportunities for more golfers with a disability to showcase their talents and compete on a global stage. Golf is unique in that it can be a fully inclusive sport. It is my aim to capitalise on every opportunity throughout my career, in the hope that I can help inspire more people with disabilities to take up golf and enjoy its benefits. The G4D Tour is an exciting initiative which will benefit many.”
Even the fire brigade was unable to extinguish the fire in time. (Photo: Twitter/@PeterFinchGolf)
At 10 a.m., a fire broke out for unknown reasons in the clubhouse of the Oakland Hills Country Club in the US state of Michigan. Despite a large-scale firefighting effort, the fire could not be extinguished in time and the roof collapsed. Several hours after the fire broke out, a firefighter described the clubhouse as “almost a total loss”.
President Rick Palmer: “A painful day for Oakland Hills”
Oakland Hills Country Club has hosted 14 golf majors in the past, including six men’s U.S. Opens and two U.S. Senior Opens. With such a history of the club, irreplaceable golf tournament memorabilia as well as artwork accumulated in the clubhouse, all of which has now sadly been destroyed with the uncontrollable fire. The clubhouse was completed in 1922 and was the pride and joy of the golf club. The next two U.S. Women’s Opens are planned for 2031 and 2042 at the Oakland Hills Country Club, for which the South Course was even recently renovated by the two architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner.
Images from the current fire at Oakland Hills CC are chilling. Building dates back to 1922. Awful.
“This is a painful day for Oakland Hills. While we know that none of the members or staff were injured, we have lost our iconic clubhouse,” Club President Rick Palmer said of the burnt clubhouse. Despite the sad incident, he said he was looking forward and wanted to pay special tribute to all those involved in the construction and maintenance of the building. Architect Gil Hanse also mourns the loss of the iconic Oakland Hills Country Club clubhouse. “This is a truly sad day for the history of American golf,” Hanse emphasised. Former professional golfer Andy North describes the situation as “unbelievable”, but is sure that a “great clubhouse” will be built again at the traditional golf course.
We show the most popular drivers of the Golf Post community. (Photo: Callaway, PING)
Numerous golfers already maintain their digital golf bag on Golf Post. With this function you have the possibility to collect all your equipment digitally and to see which products are played by other golfers. You can add clubs from our comprehensive club database to your bag or, if a club is not available, you can add it manually. You haven’t filled out your bag yet or you have new clubs in your bag? Then fill out your digital golf bag at Golf Post here:
Based on the golf bags of the Golf Post community, we were able to identify the most popular clubs that our community is currently using on the golf course. We present you the most popular drivers. Golf Post community members particularly often go for Callaway or Titleist.
Callaway Big Bertha: By far at the top
The most popular driver in the Golf Post Community comes from the Callaway Big Bertha club series. The Big Bertha drivers are most often found in the bags of the Golf Post Community. With the latest model Callaway Big Bertha B21, golfers are offered support and help in every situation on the course. Above all, the driver combats the well-known slice and thus brings the golf game of higher handicappers to a better level overall. The driver impresses with its sporty, dynamic design and a colour combination of black, white and blue. In addition, the driver is also offered as a women’s model with the Callaway Big Bertha Reva. However, not only the latest model of the Big Bertha series is found in many golf bags, but also the predecessor models enjoy particular popularity. This means that the Callaway Big Bertha drivers are used more than twice as often on the golf course in the Golf Post community as the second most popular driver models.
Ping G400 impresses with increased ball speed
The Ping G400 driver is the second most popular driver in the Golf Post community after the Big Bertha series. With the Ping G400, you get a driver model that focuses primarily on high ball speed. However, it is not only the driving distances that are increased with this model, but also the forgiveness on longer shots. The club head design is kept simple for the most part, so that only individual copper-coloured details stand out from the basic black colour. The colour of the shaft runs from copper to black and prevents any possible distraction at the address position. The model was released in 2017, but still offers a competitive driver for today.
Callaway Rogue: Inspiring versatility
The Callaway Rogue Driver is the second driver from Callaway in the top 3 most-used drivers and is only just behind the Ping G400. The Callaway Rogue includes three models that offer golfers of all levels the right driver. Basically, Callaway enables more power on drives and thus longer distances with this club series. In addition, the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero is offered, which is primarily intended for the experts among the golfers, as the model allows even more length, but at the same time also lowers the fault tolerance. On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue Draw suits the golf game of higher handicappers, who can benefit most from a more forgiving model.
Titleist 917 D2 and D3: A club for advanced players
Titleist also makes it with their 2016 Titleist 917 D2 and D3 drivers. The models are designed exclusively for advanced golfers. Both drivers are also forgiving, but mainly provide more power behind the ball and thus longer drives. The D2 has a comparatively higher ball launch and more spin and is generally intended for ambitious players. The D3 model, on the other hand, has a lower ball launch with less spin, which means that only the best players should use this driver.
Cobra King F9 Speedback: Speed, speed and more speed
Finishing just behind the Titleist model is the Cobra King F9 Speedback Driver. The model launched in 2019 brings exactly what is in the name. The speedback technology used, among other things, noticeably improves the driving distances. Cobra provides a suitable model depending on the level of play, including a children’s model as well as the Rickie Fowler edition, in which the shaft is slightly shorter. The design of the driver is particularly striking and consists of the colour combination yellow, red and black.
Phil Mickelson calls the PGA Tour a dictatorship. (Photo: Getty)
Phil Mickelson has been in the headlines repeatedly for weeks and months. The reason for this is not his sporting achievements but his comments on the Saudi Golf League. In November, he spoke with Alan Shipnuck about his motives for his Saudi lobbying. In the conversation with Shipnuck, the American compares his (actual) home tour to a dictatorship and at the same time justifies his looking the other way when it comes to the origin of Saudi money.
Phil Mickelson: “They’re scary motherf_s to get involved with”
Phil Mickelson is well aware of who is behind the Saudi Golf League: “We know they murdered [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a terrible human rights record. They execute people there because they are gay. Why would I even consider that, knowing all that?” For Mickelson, the answer is clearly summed up in one point: “Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the way the PGA Tour operates.
They were able to deal with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no way to fight back. As nice as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across, if you don’t have leverage, he’s not going to do the right thing. And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage.” So it’s all about Mickelson taking a swipe at the PGA Tour and making big bucks in the process. But he doesn’t seem entirely convinced about the new league, as he let slip to Shipnuck. “I’m not sure I even want the SGL to succeed, but just the idea of it allows us to work things out with the PGA Tour.”
“The PGA Tour is sitting on billions of dollars”.
In the further course of the interview, Phil Mickelson explains his dissatisfaction and criticism of the PGA Tour’s media handling. He is concerned with the possible assets behind the media rights and image materials of the players and tournaments. According to Mickelson, these are worth billions of dollars in NFTs. But these digital value tokens of individual images are not due to the PGA Tour, according to Mickelson, but to the players who are featured on the media. “I don’t want to say it’s annoying, but it’s definitely beyond frustrating,” Mickelson said of the image and media rights situation.
“The Tour is sitting on billions of dollars worth of NFTs,” Mickelson said in the interview. “All of that has to belong to the players. We made these shots, we created these moments, we should be the ones benefiting from it.” Mickelson’s biggest point of criticism is the PGA Tour’s handling of its revenue. “How the hell is it legal for them to have that kind of money at their disposal?” he asks Shipnuck, noting that the Tour is actually a nonprofit organization. Mickelson promptly provides the answer himself, “Not at all. But they want more and more. They have to control everything. Their egos don’t allow them to make the concessions they need.”
“The PGA Tour is a dictatorship”
Mickelson has harsh words for the PGA Tour and the way it operates: “The Tour acts like it’s a democracy, but it’s really a dictatorship. Instead of catering to the broad mass of players, the PGA Tour only supports the top players, he says. Mickelson would like to see a turnaround and a better perception of the large mass of “middle-class players. He wants to achieve this with the Saudi money and the pressure on the American tour behind it.
Tiger Woods talks about potential comeback (foto: Getty)
Just over a year ago, Tiger Woods was involved in a devastating accident and nearly lost his life. The coming months were an up and down ride on his way back to a normal life. This week the Genesis Invitational is taking place at Riviera Country Club, Tiger Woods is also part of the tournament. He is unfortunately not yet fit enough to play himself, but will be at the tournament this week as Tournament Host. In a press conference on Wednesday of the tournament week, the 46-year-old commented on his health, how things will continue for him in professional sports and what he thinks about Mickelson’s accusations against the tour.
When will Tiger Woods make his comeback?
“Will I be back? Yes. Am I coming back and play a full tournament schedule? No,” he asked, answering. “That’s never going to happen again. I can play a few events here and there, but at a full-time level, no, that’s never going to happen again.” Tiger Woods’ press conference before the start of this year’s Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour is sobering for his fans.
Many of the day’s questions revolved around his rehabilitation back to the Tour and how his fitness and golf game are faring. For him, and certainly for his supporters, the process is slow, perhaps too slow to have high hopes for a comeback anytime soon. When asked how his health and his game on the tour are doing, and if he is making much progress, he admitted: “Short game, yes, I can do that. As for the long game, no, that’s not going so well yet, because that means more strain, more rotation of the leg,” he said. “I still have a long way to go. My leg wasn’t in a good position about a year ago, and I had to go through a lot of different surgeries and scenarios.”
“Will I have sore muscles? Yes, but I can handle it.”
The possible comeback to professional golf seems a very long way off. A reporter asked him if he could imagine, or if it would even be physically possible, to play in the par-3 contest before the Masters and if a comeback was possible via that route. Woods clarified: “I’m talking about playing golf. By that I mean practice rounds plus a pro-am day, or if it’s a major, it’s even more,” he explained. “It’s the competitive nature of it that takes a toll on you mentally, physically and emotionally. I didn’t prepare for any of that. Going for a walk and playing a par-3 contest, I can handle that. Will I have sore muscles? Yes, but I can handle it.”
While this statement does not rule out possible participation, the answers Tiger has at the ready show one thing very clearly: golf like it used to be is still a very long way off for him, perhaps even completely impossible. His focus 12 months after the accident is still on the basics: “I’m still working on running. My foot was a little banged up about a year ago, so running is something I’m still working on, strength and development in that area. That takes time.”
Tiger Woods optimistic about players’ media rights
Tiger Woods, despite these adverse circumstances in his life, is grateful for what he still has after that fatal day. However, you can clearly see the frustration and strain on him. “The fact that I still have my right leg is great,” said Woods, who turned 46 in December. “I still have a lot of problems with it, but it’s mine and I’m very grateful for that. What’s frustrating is that it’s not on my schedule. I want to be at a certain point, but I’m not. To keep working, and getting better, yes, but not at the speed and pace I would like. You also have to consider the age factor. The healing process is not as fast anymore, which is frustrating.”
On the sidelines of his health issue, the conversation also briefly turned to Phil Mickelson’s statements and how Tiger Woods felt about them. The former world No. 1 was cautious in his comments on the subject. He is of the opinion that the media rights are a topic for Jay Monahan – Tour Commissioner of the PGA Tour. However, he said he was convinced that good talks were being held between the players and the tour and hoped that an agreement would be reached soon between the individual parties.
Hunter Nugent posted several shots of herself and Bryson DeChambeau. (Photo: Instagram/@hunter.nugent)
Recently, Bryson DeChambeau has hinted on Instagram that he seems to be back in the loving game. DeChambeau dates his new girlfriend, the one and only 21-year-old Hunter Nugent. In love, she posted a picture of a floral attention on Valentine’s Day: a bouquet full of red and pink roses. This photo DeChambeau shared on his page, confirming that there seems to be a new woman by his side. Bryson DeChambeau and his new girlfriend are surely trending topic all over social media now.
She also swings a golf club
On Hunter Nugent’s Instagram profile, in addition to other hints of a relationship between the two, we can see numerous shots of her on the golf course. She has been attending the University of Texas at San Antonio since the summer of 2021 where she plays for its Women’s golf team. There, she stated Dustin Johnson was her favorite golfer. Whether that is (still) entirely true… Who knows.
Just a few weeks ago, she cut together a short film with video footage and photos, where she appears with Bryson DeChambeau in Hawaii. This romantic trip showed up on social media on January 19th – shortly after the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Maui. In addition to a selfie together on the beach, Nugent also shows brief scenes of DeChambeau on the golf course. Also in the game: Martin Borgmeier, German long-drive professional. As a friend and training partner of DeChambeau, he seemed to accompany the two lovebirds on Hawaii.
Bryson DeChambeau kept his previous relationship very private. Since 2018, Instagram model Sophia Phalen Bertolami was by the golf pro’s side. Most recently, it was unclear whether the two are still a couple or not. The new shots on social media of DeChambeau and Nugent answer the question pretty clearly. Perhaps there will be more insight into his new relationship.
