ARMCHAIR GOLF BLOG

Scott's Masters Win Boosts Rounds Down Under

2013-05-17T14:10:00.000-04:00

Adam Scott (Flickr)

THAT GREEN JACKET FOR ADAM SCOTT is sending positive ripples through Australia and its golf industry.

John Holmes of PGA.com reports:

The latest report from the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC), issued earlier today, indicated that April delivered the highest number of competition rounds played in any month over the entire financial year to date (July through June), while total rounds growth over the April 2012 period was just less than 1 percent.

"April proved to be a positive month with the largest number of competition rounds recorded for a month in the year to date," said Golf Australia CEO and AGIC Chairman Stephen Pitt.

"There is absolutely no doubt that Adam's win will have a significant impact on the Australian golf industry. His achievement and the people it inspires cuts through on all levels of golf."

2013 HP Byron Nelson Championship TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2013-05-16T16:52:00.005-04:00

THE 2013 HP BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP is underway at TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas. Keegan Bradley is the clubhouse leader after firing a 60. The first round is still in progress.

Purse: $6.7 million
Winner’s share: $1.17 million
Defending champion: Jason Dufner

2013 HP Byron Nelson Championship Leaderboard

The field
Tee times
The course
Tournament overview
Tour report
HP Byron Nelson Championship website

TV SCHEDULE

TV coverage of the 2013 HP Byron Nelson Championship is on Golf Channel and CBS.
All times ET.

Thu, May 16
3:00-6:00p GOLF

Fri, May 17
3:00-6:00p GOLF

Sat, May 18
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

Sun, May 19
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

SIRIUS-XM PGA Tour broadcast times

Rocco to Tiger: Please Sign My Pin Sheet

2013-05-15T18:39:00.008-04:00

ROCCO MEDIATE RECENTLY APPEARED ON 'FEHERTY.'

In the above clip, the six-time PGA Tour winner shares an anecdote about an autograph request to Tiger Woods after the two battled in an 18-hole playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open, which Woods famously won even though he was hopping around Torrey Pines on a broken leg.

Golf Channel's Will Gray detailed Mediate's request at GolfTalkCentral:

According to Mediate, at the 2009 Players Championship he placed in Woods' locker a picture of the two of them from the playoff, in addition to his copy of the pin sheet from the fifth day of competition at Torrey Pines.

Mediate added a note, asking Woods to autograph them with a personalized inscription so that they could be added to his home collection.

"Look, sign these for me, write something on there, personalize it and then sign the pin sheet," Mediate recalled of his request of Woods. "Because I'm going to put them on my wall somewhere."

So, what happened?

I guess you'll have to watch the clip.

Rhonda Glenn: 'Giving Voice to Women's Game'

2013-05-14T21:34:00.001-04:00

Rhonda Glenn (USGA)

LONGTIME JOURNALIST RHONDA GLENN has left the USGA, but she'll continue to write about women in golf.

Glenn's so-called retirement will include working on her ninth book, an autobiography of LPGA great Nancy Lopez. Lisa Mickey profiled Glenn in "Giving Voice to Women's Game" in the New York Times:

Glenn, 67, retired last week after nearly 50 years as a journalist and an employee of the United States Golf Association. Her desire to document the strokes, triumphs and challenges of players often far from public view shaped her career as a writer-historian.

Glenn literally wrote the book on women's golf, the landmark work "The Illustrated History of Women’s Golf," published in 1991.

" ... I'd see these women chasing their dreams, and there was a certain nobility to that," Glenn told Mickey. "That's when I decided to become a journalist, because I didn't want their stories to be lost."

Glenn got started as a teen, working as a radio announcer and sports director in Florida. She interviewed Louise Suggs, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, all future Hall of Famers.

"I wasn't afraid," she said. "What was important was the interview."

Glenn moved on to a newspaper in Texas and then into television in Virginia, eventually landing a job as a golf commentator for ABC. She became the first female sportscaster for ESPN in 1981.

Glenn's work at the USGA included the establishment of a Mickey Wright Room alongside the Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer rooms at the USGA Museum. Wright is appreciative of Glenn's dedication to the women's game.

"That room in the museum is not just a tribute to me," Wright said in the article. "It's a tribute to all the women before me."

Glenn may have retired from the USGA -- because of the extensive travel, she said -- but she hasn't retired from telling stories.

Happy Mother's Day Win for Tiger Woods

2013-05-13T16:43:00.001-04:00

I'M COVERING THE MOTHER'S DAY angle of Tiger Woods's victory at The Players Championship. It might be the only angle left.

Moderated by Laura Neal of the PGA Tour, Tiger talked to the media after he wrapped up his second win at TPC Sawgrass and 78th career title on the PGA Tour.

"Tiger," Neal said, "you said you might have caused your mom (Kultida) a heart attack out there. Give us some reaction to the hard‑fought day you had out there."

"Yeah, she's probably not too happy with me," Woods said, "especially after the tee shot at 14. But it was a tough battle. I mean, the golf course played tricky today. It was fast and difficult, and I hit it so good today, it was fun. I hit it high, low, left to right, right to left, whatever I wanted, except for that tee shot at 14. I didn't really miss a whole lot of shots. I pured a lot of putts, too. Could have been something pretty low today, just had a bunch of lip‑outs. But they were all good putts, and we were joking on the front nine, through nine, Joey [LaCava] said, you might want to hit a bad putt, maybe it might go in. So I hit one on 14 (laughing)."

A member of the press later posed this question to Woods: "You've obviously won a couple big tournaments when your dad was still with you. Can you talk about how it feels to win a big tournament on Mother's Day?"

"It's fantastic," Tiger replied. "I haven't got a chance to talk to her yet. I will after the round. I talked to her this morning. I'm sure that she'll give me a ration of grief for the shot on 14 and what I did with her blood pressure, but I'm sure it's all good now, though.

Yep, all good.

Other stuff happened, stuff that people talked a lot about on TV, and also wrote a lot about, for that matter.

But, in the end, Tiger probably fears his mom way more than anyone or anything on a golf course. Which probably has something to do with why he's such a relentless closer on Sundays.

So while yesterday looked like Tiger's day, Tiger knew it was actually her day.

Happy Mother's Day, Kultida. Er, belated.

Tiger the Goat Impresses at Top-Ranked Kauri Cliffs

2013-05-10T09:54:00.001-04:00

Tiger the Goat is a valuable member of the staff at Kauri Cliffs Golf Club. (Mandarin Media)

By Mandarin Media

KERIKERI, NZ -- IN A LAND BETTER KNOWN for its sheep, on a golf course better known for its lofty world ranking and 5-star accommodations, Tiger the Goat has impressed staff and guests of Kauri Cliffs Golf Club with her outgoing personality, cart-driving prowess and social media skills.

"It's important that we don't overlook Tiger's grazing abilities. That's her bread and butter, and it comes in handy on those steep sections of the course that need trimming," said Ryan Brandeburg, director of golf at Kauri Cliffs GC.

"Of course, Tiger has the run of this entire place. She's welcome in the pro shop and goes out on the course with our staff. I suppose there might be a golf club somewhere that has adopted a goat as mascot. But does that goat have it's own Facebook page? I doubt it."

Tiger has indeed plunged headlong into the social media movement. Brandeburg hastened to point out that Tiger isn't out there, online, for any reasons untoward; her basic Facebook information is most clear -- "In a relationship". Be sure to "like" Tiger and her friends at Kauri Cliffs, as Brandeburg revealed the staff is mulling whether to equip Tiger with a wireless GoatCam this spring.

Maintenance Solution

Tiger enjoys her golf habitat. (Mandarin Media)

Tiger arrived at the prestigious Kauri Cliffs GC (Golf Digest ranks it 19th among all courses located outside the U.S.) in 2011, with no such online ambitions. Brandeburg and his staff were looking to solve a maintenance issue.

"The right side of our range is very difficult to maintain; it's just too steep to mow traditionally," he explained. "There's a natural wetland at the bottom, and with the wind coming off the ocean -- combined with the fact that most golfers slice -- we lose thousands of golf balls over there. We keep penned cattle over there but they tend to break out and wander off. So we acquired Tiger to nibble away at that steep hillside.

"She's done a great job but we've realized we would honestly need 30 goats to tackle that job. We've also learned how expensive it is to keep a goat, even one as hard working and genial as Tiger. She drinks only clean water; we must hand-feed her these pellets to supplement her diet; we have to clean her goat house daily... I don't think we could afford 30 more goats."

Kauri Cliffs GC and its adjoining, award-winning lodge (#16 on Travel+Leisure's Top 100 Hotels list for 2012) both reside on a massive, 2630-hectare property that features all manner of wildlife, including rare birds and herds of sheep and cattle that graze the outlying areas, on course and off. Tiger fits right into this milieu, proving useful to and extraordinarily at ease among the humans.

"She's a frequent guest at our Tuesday evening putting contests and she goes out on the course with the boys, no leash necessary. She never leaves their side," Brandeburg said.

"Goats have a bad reputation for eating anything and everything. But Tiger has never chomped on any turfgrass. If she had, she would never have so endeared herself to our maintenance staff."

Kauri Cliffs and its sister course on NZ's North Island, Cape Kidnappers GC in Hawkes Bay, have both developed worldwide reputations for environmental stewardship -- adoption of a pet goat would seem the latest development and the next logical step in this long eco-narrative.

Cape was the first golf course in New Zealand to gain certification with Audubon International as a designated Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and Kauri soon followed suit.

Why 'Tiger'?

The goat got her name from Robertson, the American investor whose most successful and prolific venture was The Tiger Fund.

While Tiger is neither an endangered species nor indigenous to the Kauri Cliffs property, she is fully ingenious. One picture on the Facebook page shows Tiger behind the wheel of a golf cart.

"I can neither confirm nor deny the fact that Tiger has developed any driving skills," Brandeburg said. "But I will say this: She's a quick study."

2013 Players Championship TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2013-05-09T15:54:00.004-04:00

THE 2013 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP is underway at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Roberto Castro is the clubhouse leader after a 63. Other scores: Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson posted 66s. The first round is still in progress.

Purse: $9.5 million
Winner’s share: $1.71 million
Defending champion: Matt Kuchar

2013 Players Championship Leaderboard

The field
Tee times
The course
Tournament overview
Tour report
Interviews

TV SCHEDULE

TV coverage of the 2013 Players Championship is on Golf Channel and NBC.
All times ET.

Thu, May 9
1:00-7:00p GOLF

Fri, May 10
1:00-7:00p GOLF

Sat, May 11
2:00-7:00p NBC

Sun, May 12
2:00-7:00p NBC

SIRIUS-XM PGA Tour broadcast times

Book Excerpt: 'King of Clubs' By Jim Ducibella

2013-05-08T16:03:00.004-04:00

* * *

Available at Amazon / Barnes & Noble

J. Smith Ferebee was born and raised in what today is an affluent section of Virginia Beach, Va., known as Broad Bay. While living in Chicago, he gained a reputation for doing anything on a dare—including once swimming for 30 minutes with his hands and feet tied behind his back.

In 1937, he and Chicago friend Fred Tuerk bought 296 acres of land adjacent to what had been the family home in Virginia. An offer soon came to purchase the land, which sent Ferebee and Tuerk into a disagreement that threatened their friendship. When a business trip to Milwaukee fell through, Ferebee invited Tuerk to Olympia Fields Country Club in an attempt to repair the rift. While there, Ferebee played 90 holes from dawn to mid-afternoon, leading Tuerk to propose a wager he thought would end their impasse.

Instead, it turned out to be a prelude to the most extraordinary bet in golf history—a story that captivated America for the rest of the summer of '38.

As some of the crowd around Ferebee’s locker at Olympia Fields moved off, Tuerk inched closer and heard Ferebee talking about that day’s scores. As usual, they’d been in the mid-80s. Ferebee joked that he’d never be club champion, unless the winner was the guy who played the most holes. Tuerk rolled his eyes.

“I’ve thought about this for a while,” Ferebee began, slowly pulling on his trousers in what Tuerk interpreted as an obvious effort at building suspense.

“One of these days I’m going to play all four courses here twice in the same day. Hell, I would have done it today if some of the slowpokes around here had gotten out of my way.”

That clinched it for Tuerk. It was time to call Ferebee’s bluff. No one, he reasoned, could play 144 holes in one day. Tuerk reinforced that conviction loudly by offering Ferebee a one hundred dollar bet.

“One hundred bucks? I guess you’re not doing as well as you let on,” Ferebee needled. “Put up some real money and we’ll talk.”

Tuerk was pretty sure he knew where Ferebee was steering the conversation—to their property in Virginia—and he happily went along. This disagreement between them could be broken in his favor, but only by outwitting Ferebee. Tuerk negotiated firmly.

“Before I put up another dime, we’ll need some rules.”

“Let’s hear them.”

Ferebee would walk every step of the 144 holes, and every step between holes. He would tee the ball himself at the start of every hole. Any 18-hole score higher than 95 and the match belonged to Tuerk. Once he started, Ferebee had to finish all 144 holes by midnight. There would be no rainchecks.

Ferebee consented.

“Then we’ll play for the land,” Tuerk proclaimed. “Winner takes all.”

“You’re on, Fred.”

Witnesses had no idea what they were talking about, but that didn’t stop them from jumping into the fray. By the time Ferebee finished combing his hair and straightening his tie, he had taken on another $2,500 in bets.

Tuerk wanted the matter settled the next day. Ferebee suddenly froze: he had never told his wife of his change in plans. For all Angeline knew, he was in Milwaukee on business.

Even after nine years of marriage during which he had collected on a slew of crazy bets—“hooey angles,” as his wife, Angeline, called them—Ferebee knew she would be adamantly opposed to risking the precious Virginia property over a triviality like golf.

No, he implored Tuerk, this must be handled discreetly. Angeline was starting a vacation in Virginia on August 4.

He would see Tuerk at Olympia Fields on August 5.

* * *

King of Clubs won 2012 book of the year from the International Network of Golf.

Yes or No: Is the Players the Fifth Major?

2013-05-07T18:22:00.004-04:00

IS THE PLAYERS THE FIFTH MAJOR?

No, not to me. Yes, I'm middle-aged. Yes, I tend to be a golf traditionalist. But no, The Players Championship is not the fifth major. It just doesn't have that major feel, those special major qualities.

Others see it differently.

Listen to the anecdote Sports Illustrated's Michael Bamberger tells in the above video. And surprise, surprise, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee is on the fifth-major bandwagon.

While discussing the famous par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass with Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo and Tommy Roy during today's media conference call, here's what Chamblee said:

BRANDEL CHAMBLEE: I really do think this tournament should be a major. I absolutely think this tournament should be a major. I think one of the things that keeps it from really getting its due is the 17th hole. If you look at the way Augusta National or the Masters become a major, it grew into a major organically. There was a reverence there, an awe there, and over a period of time, people looked at it and went, this is a major. You can't deny the quality of the people and the quality of this golf course. But there's a contrived part of that 17th hole that makes it great TV; that makes it great drama; that I think just makes the feel of the golf course quirky. The rest of the golf course is fabulous. But, like Johnny, I love watching it as an analyst.

Interesting. What do you think?

Mexican Esteban Toledo Snags Win on Cinco de Mayo

2013-05-06T19:35:00.002-04:00

WHAT COULD BE MORE FITTING THAN a Mexican-born Champions Tour rookie winning on Cinco de Mayo?

Via Esteban Toledo on Twitter

That's what happened on Sunday at the Insperity Championship in The Woodlands, Texas, when 50-year-old Esteban Toledo won in his ninth start on the Champions Tour. Toledo fired a 67 in the final round, and then beat Mike Goodes on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Toledo is the first Mexican to win on the Champions Tour. That he broke through on Cinco de Mayo, which marks the Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, is even better.

"It's a special day for me," Toledo said.

"It's a holiday and it's just winning on that day is the most incredible thing I've ever done, because winning on the Champions Tour, it's hard. I have dreams and goals in my life that I was going to win on the Champions Tour, and I think I'm going to keep winning."

Toledo was seven shots behind leader Sauers starting the final round. He eagled the first hole, setting the tone for a charge that saw him catch the 54-hole leader. Sauers, with a 74, also made it into the playoff, but exited on the second hole after making a double bogey.

Born in Mexicali, Toledo began his golf career in 1986 at the Mexican Open and has represented the country in five world championships since then. Recently, he competed with hundreds of golfers to qualify for a spot on the Champions Tour. Toledo’s first event was in mid March at the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, California.

Toledo is the golf ambassador for Los Cabos, Mexico.

PGA Tour Life Special to Air on CBS Sports

2013-05-03T06:51:00.000-04:00

From PGATour.com:

PGA TOUR 2013: Seven Days presented by Mercedes-Benz, a one-hour CBS Sports Special airing on Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. ET, chronicles seven different PGA TOUR stars on seven different days of the week. With access both at home and PGA TOUR venues, the program will show fans the unique personalities of some of the game's biggest stars.

Here's the lineup:

Day 1 – Graeme McDowell

Day 2 – Russell Henley

Day 3 - Martin Kaymer

Day 4 - Rickie Fowler

Day 5 – Scott Langley

Day 6 – Justin Rose

Day 7- The RBC Heritage

2013 Wells Fargo Championship TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2013-05-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

THE 2013 WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP is underway at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Purse: $6.7 million
Winner’s share: $1.17 million
Defending champion: Rickie Fowler

2013 Wells Fargo Championship Leaderboard

The field
Tee times
The course
Tournament overview
Tour report
Wells Fargo Championship website

TV SCHEDULE

TV coverage of the 2013 Wells Fargo Championship is on Golf Channel and CBS. All times ET.

Thu, May 2
3:00-7:00p GOLF

Fri, May 3
3:00-7:00p GOLF

Sat, May 4
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

Sun, May 5
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

SIRIUS-XM PGA Tour broadcast times

Point/Counterpoint: Mediate and Trevino Dish on Long Putter

2013-05-01T05:12:00.000-04:00

Rocco Mediate (Allison)

I SAW THESE RECENT COMMENTS on the long putter/belly putter from Champions Tour rookie Rocco Mediate and Hall of Famer Lee Trevino.

First, Rocco.

"Here's what I think—and sums it up. If it was the answer, if it makes it easier to putt, why isn’t everybody using one?

"I don’t think it's an advantage," Mediate added. "You still have to make the putter move. The USGA can make rules. I will always abide by them … I don't know if it's warranted."

Believe it or not, Mediate is actually using a conventional-length putter at the moment. He starting using the long putter nearly 20 years ago due to chronic back issues. "It was all about (the back) for me, not the yips," he said. "I became quite efficient with it but it takes a long time."

After struggling on the greens at the Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf, Trevino put a belly putter (TaylorMade Ghost model) in play for the first time ever. Here were his comments, before and after.

"I had the yips so badly with that little putter yesterday that I thought I had bleeding ulcers," Trevino said. "My belly was burning up so much that I thought I had eaten some jalapeno peppers.

"Now I see why they want to make this one illegal. It's like cheating. I swear to God. This is the easiest thing I've ever seen to putt with, is that belly putter."

PGA Tour Clears Vijay Singh in Doping Case

2013-04-30T17:25:00.003-04:00

Vijay Singh will not be suspended for using deer antler spray. (dareneilert / Flickr)

PGA TOUR STATEMENT ON VIJAY SINGH:

The PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program, which has been in effect since July 2008, closely follows the International Anti-Doping Standard set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) particularly as it relates to the interpretation and application of the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.

In a Jan. 28, 2013 article that appeared on SI.com, Vijay Singh was quoted as admitting to his use of a deer antler spray supplement. Subsequently, Mr. Singh confirmed his use of deer antler spray in a statement he issued. Deer antler spray contains IGF-1, a growth factor listed on both the WADA and PGA TOUR Prohibited Lists, which the TOUR warned players about in August 2011. After the SI.com article came out, WADA also issued a warning about deer antler spray on Feb. 5, 2013.

There is no test for IGF-1 currently available in routine blood testing. However, the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy provides that an admission to the use of a prohibited substance is a violation of the policy even if there is no positive drug test. After confirming the presence of IGF-1 in the deer antler spray product provided to the TOUR by Mr. Singh through tests at the WADA-approved UCLA laboratory, the TOUR proceeded with the matter as a violation of the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Policy, and a sanction was issued. Mr. Singh subsequently appealed the sanction under the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program guidelines. During the appeal process, PGA TOUR counsel contacted WADA to confirm a number of technical points.

At that time, WADA clarified that it no longer considers the use of deer antler spray to be prohibited unless a positive test results. Indeed, on April 30, WADA subsequently provided written confirmation to the TOUR that:

“In relation to your pending IGF-1 matter, it is the position of WADA, in applying the Prohibited List, that the use of "deer antler spray" (which is known to contain small amounts of IGF-I) is not considered prohibited.

On the other hand it should be known that Deer Antler Spray contains small amounts of IGF-1 that may affect anti-doping tests.

Players should be warned that in the case of a positive test for IGF-1 or hGH, it would be considered an Adverse Analytical Finding.”

Based on this new information, and given WADA’s lead role in interpreting the Prohibited List, the TOUR deemed it only fair to no longer treat Mr. Singh’s use of deer antler spray as a violation of the TOUR’s anti-doping program.

Since his initial quote was made public, Mr. Singh has cooperated with the TOUR investigation and has been completely forthcoming and honest. While there was no reason to believe that Mr. Singh knowingly took a prohibited substance, the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program clearly states that players are responsible for use of a prohibited substance regardless of intent. In this regard, Mr. Singh should have contacted the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program Administrator or other resources readily available to players in order to verify that the product Mr. Singh was about to utilize did not contain any prohibited substances, especially in light of the warning issued in August 2011 in relation to deer antler spray.

Going forward, the PGA TOUR is committed to increasing its educational initiatives to remind players of the PGA TOUR Anti-Doping Program and the risk of utilizing any product without a full understanding of the ingredients contained in that product. Such educational initiatives will include reinforcing with its members the many resources available to them on a 24/7 basis to respond to any questions they may have concerning any product.

The PGA TOUR recognizes that the science of anti-doping is an ever evolving subject, and the TOUR will continue to work with its consultants and WADA to stay abreast of all current developments in this area. This will include staying abreast of developing policies and procedures, specifically with regard to testing for growth hormone and IGF-1. When fully implemented tests for those substances become available in routine blood testing, the TOUR will continue to monitor the situation and make changes to the policy as necessary or appropriate.

Billy Horschel Wins Battle of New Orleans

2013-04-29T10:57:00.002-04:00

Billy Horschel

BILLY HORSCHEL CLAIMED HIS FIRST PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Horschel, who has come close this season, broke through by firing a final-round 64, which tied the course record. It included a clutch 27-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole to beat D.A. Points by a stroke. Kyle Stanley finished solo third.

"I read it right away," Horschel said about the winning putt. "I knew exactly the break on it and everything. ... And I was like, if it's my time, this putt needs to go in."

Horschel posted rounds of 67-71-66-64 for a 20-under total of 268. He played the last 45 holes in 18-under par, including six consecutive birdies in the fourth round.

"This is something that I've wanted since I've turned pro," Horschel said, "and I've always felt I was good enough to win out here. I just felt I had to check every box. Some guys get out here and win right away and then they struggle. Other guys it takes longer for them to get to that process.

"You know, I've had some injuries that hurt me and some other stuff and then I had to deal with my emotions a little bit better, but to finally get the first victory means a lot to me. There are a lot of people ... ever since I started playing golf from a little kid until now there's always been someone who has helped me in some way, whether it be big or small. They mean a lot to me. This win is for them too as well as for myself."

As PGATour.com reported, Horschel was ready to win. The 26-year-old Floridian has made 22 consecutive cuts and finished in the top 10 in his last three tournaments, including a T2 at the Shell Houston Open.

Now Horschel can exhale and let the career milestone sink in. His next start will be The Players Championship in two weeks.

Nearly 10,000 Enter 2013 U.S. Open

2013-04-26T11:58:00.001-04:00

By USGA

THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED that it has received a record number of entries for the 2013 U.S. Open Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. The total of 9,860 entrants eclipses the previous mark of 9,086 for the 2009 championship at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y. Among the record total are 52 players, including 11 past champions, who are currently fully exempt into the field.

“The fact that we have a record number of entries, from across the world, is a testament to both the great appeal of the U.S. Open and the historic nature and grandeur of Merion Golf Club,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis.

“We look forward to both local and sectional qualifying, conducting the 2013 championship in the Philadelphia area and identifying this year’s United States Open champion.”

The U.S. Open will be held for the fifth time at Merion on June 13-16. To be eligible, a player must have a USGA Handicap Index® not exceeding 1.4, or be a professional. Local qualifying, which will be played over 18 holes at 111 sites in the United States, will take place between May 3-16.

Sectional qualifying, played over 36 holes, will be conducted at two international sites (May 27 in Japan and England) and on Monday, June 3, at 11 sites in the United States, ranging from New York to California. The USGA established two international sectional qualifiers in 2005.

Webb Simpson, the 2012 champion, and 10 other champions are fully exempt from having to qualify for the championship.

Brief Numerical History of U.S. Open Entries

11: Number of entries for the first U.S. Open at Newport (R.I.) Golf Club (in 1895)
131: Number of entries in 1912, the first year entries exceeded 100
319: Number of entries in 1924, the first year of sectional qualifying
1,064: Number of entries in 1928 (Olympia Fields), the first year entries exceeded 1,000
2,132: Number of entries in 1958 (Southern Hills), the first year entries exceeded 2,000
8,455: Number of entries in 2000 (Pebble Beach), the first year entries exceeded 8,000
9,048: Number of entries in 2005 (Pinehurst), the first year entries exceeded 9,000
9,860: Number of entries in 2013 (Merion), a U.S. Open record

2013 Zurich Classic TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2013-04-25T13:43:00.002-04:00

THE 2013 ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS is underway at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. Ricky Barnes is the clubhouse leader after firing a 64. The first round is still in progress.

Purse: $6.6 million
Winner’s share: $1.152 million
Defending champion: Jason Dufner

2013 Zurich Classic Leaderboard

The field
Tee times
The course
Tournament overview
Tour report
Zurich Classic website

TV SCHEDULE

TV coverage of the 2013 Zurich Classic is on Golf Channel and CBS. All times ET.

Thu, Apr 25
3:00-6:00p GOLF

Fri, Apr 26
3:00-6:00p GOLF

Sat, Apr 27
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

Sun, Apr 28
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

SIRIUS-XM PGA Tour broadcast times

'Shall We Make It a Shilling a Hole?'

2013-04-24T15:21:00.000-04:00

JAMES BOND (SEAN CONNERY) AND AURIC GOLDFINGER (Gert Fröbe) certainly had a memorable golf match at Stoke Park Club in the Bond classic Goldfinger.

"Shall we make it a shilling a hole?" queried Bond.

Later...

Collecting on a golf bet can certainly be awkward.

I must say, though, that "Oddjob" is an apt name for a caddie-chauffeur-bodyguard.

(From the ARMCHAIR GOLF archives.)

Tianlang Guan: 'There's Wi-Fi in the Crow's Nest'

2013-04-23T16:32:00.001-04:00

Tianlang Guan

PLAY IN THE MASTERS, CAUSE A STIR, get slapped with a slow-play penalty, do homework. Not exactly the life of your average eighth grader, but most certainly the life of Chinese amateur star Tianlang Guan.

Actually, homework is the one thing that's been normal for the 14-year-old. While away from home for the last month or so, Guan's parents have made sure the golf prodigy has kept up with his studies. Homework has been part of the daily routine except during the four tournament rounds at Augusta National Golf Club where he shot 73-75-77-75--300 to earn low amateur honors.

Guan is now in New Orleans for the Zurich Classic, in the field thanks to a sponsor's exemption. He hopes to play faster than he did at Augusta, where "the wind swirls ... so [it was hard] to make decisions in a quick time."

He'll keep working on his game and cracking open the books, just like he did at Augusta. Apparently, he's not one to make excuses about his golf or shirk the opportunity to study far away from home.

"There's Wi-Fi in the crow's nest," Guan said.

Follow Tianlang Guan on Twitter

McDowell 'Very Excited' About RBC Heritage Win

2013-04-22T18:36:00.003-04:00

By Brian Keogh

Brian Keogh is a golf correspondent for The Irish Sun and a contributor to The Irish Times, Golf Digest Ireland and other golf publications. The following excerpt from Brian’s Irish Golf Desk is used with permission.

Graeme McDowell

WINNING, AS TIGER WOODS REMINDED US in that recent commercial, takes care of everything. In that regard, Graeme McDowell is no different to the world number one.

While 2012 was a good year for the Ulsterman in so many ways, his relief at claiming Woods’ World Challenge at Sherwood last December was palpable as it underlined the psychological importance of getting over the line in a game where you’re almost always a loser.

Claiming the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town in a play-off on Sunday was huge for the 33-year old in so many ways. Not only did he take care of two of his season’s ambitions in one go—a PGA Tour victory and a big move towards a re-establishing himself in the world’s Top-5 with a 10 place jump to eighth—he reinforced his belief that he’s on the right track mentally, physically and emotionally.

Having claimed the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, McDowell’s career has been all about proving that major win was no one-hit wonder. It’s a quest that goes on despite his stellar play since that memorable June evening on the Monterey Peninsula.

Getting into the final group at the US Open and The Open last year only to come away empty-handed hurt the affable Portrush man. Gaining some semblance of revenge over Webb Simpson for that runner-up finish in the US Open at Olympic Club last year will not have registered with him. What will have given him confidence was the way he drove the ball in the final round on Sunday night. After all, it was driving that undid him in the US Open last year.

Short-Game Improvement

A player with no major weaknesses in his game, McDowell has added a smidgen of length this season and also worked hard to improve his short game—especially his bunker play, his putting and his hybrids.

Those are the weapons that will bring him major number two but he admitted on Sunday night that getting some tangible feedback on those improvements means more than anything.

“To win Tiger’s event end of last year, unofficial, small field, blah, blah, I took a lot of confidence from that, also, because I had a solid season last year and got nothing from it,” said McDowell, who was fully aware thaT he had never won an event in an odd-numbered year until Sunday.

“So this is probably one of the more special ones in my career because it feels right. It feels good. My first real win on this side of the pond as a PGA Tour player. I feel this is building blocks for something good this year and beyond. I’m very excited about this.”

McDowell has never been in such a good place, either professionally or privately. Engaged to be married to fiancée Kristin Stape later this year, he has a solid on-course partner in the respected Mancunian caddie Ken Comboy, a reliable management team at Horizon and a raft of blue chip sponsors, including RBC.

Having recently decided to become a partner in a restaurant business near his Orlando base at Lake Nona, he kept his promise of a free bar at Nona Blue on Sunday night.

McDowell’s greatest asset, apart from charming personality and his ability to hit fairways, is his strength between the ears and his courage. He’s also smart enough to avoid obsessive behaviour that drives others to distraction. He’s hard with a soft-centre, which makes him one of the most popular players in the game.

Brian Keogh covers golf for The Irish Sun and contributes to a variety of golf publications. Pay him a visit at Irish Golf Desk.

James Driscoll Makes 7 Birdies for Boston

2013-04-19T15:05:00.003-04:00

James Driscoll

JAMES DRISCOLL WAS PLAYING GOLF TODAY at Harbour Town Golf Links in the RBC Heritage, but his heart and mind were in Boston, his hometown. Driscoll has a Boston apartment that is two blocks from where bombs went off on Monday near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Driscoll has pledged $1,000 to The One Fund Boston for every birdie he makes on tour. The money will aid families affected by the tragedy.

From Brian Wacker at PGATOUR.COM:

Driscoll missed the cut at the RBC Heritage, but he made seven birdies in the process, including three on Friday. His efforts will continue next week in New Orleans.

As much as he tried to concentrate on golf, Driscoll admitted that at times he couldn't help but think about his hometown, which was on lockdown as authorities were on a massive manhunt for one of the two suspects.

"Before the round I was glued to the TV and the news," he said. "It's crazy when you watch the news. It's like you're watching a movie. It doesn't seem real.

"I just hope they catch whoever did it and seek justice."

Driscoll shot 74 and 70 to narrowly miss the cut at Harbour Town. He has played in 11 events this season and has one top-10 finish, earning $307,208.

2013 RBC Heritage TV Schedule and Tournament Notes

2013-04-18T16:51:00.002-04:00

THE 2013 RBC HERITAGE is underway at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Brian Davis is the leader in the clubhouse after shooting a 6-under 65. The first round is still in progress.

Purse: $5.8 million
Winner’s share: $1.026 million
Defending champion: Carl Pettersson

2013 RBC Heritage Leaderboard

The field
Tee times
The course
Tournament overview
Interviews
Tour report
RBC Heritage website

TV SCHEDULE

TV coverage of the 2013 RBC Heritage is on Golf Channel and CBS. All times ET.

Thu, Apr 18
3:00-6:00p GOLF

Fri, Apr 19
3:00-6:00p GOLF

Sat, Apr 20
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

Sun, Apr 21
1:00-2:30p GOLF
3:00-6:00p CBS

SIRIUS-XM PGA Tour broadcast times

Inbee Park Is New No. 1 in Rolex Rankings

2013-04-17T10:38:00.000-04:00

Inbee Park (Allison)

YANI TSENG, STACY LEWIS AND NOW Inbee Park. It has been musical chairs in recent weeks at the top of the Rolex Rankings, otherwise known as the world golf rankings for the ladies. Park recently won the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the year's first major, and then slipped by Lewis on Monday. Lewis was on top of the world for a month.

"This is a very big day in my golf career," Park said at the LPGA Lotte Championship being played this week in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii.

"I'm so happy to share it with my family, who are here in Hawaii with me. It's nice to reach this goal, but I know a lot of players are close to No. 1. It gives me something else to play for every week."

Lewis is not far behind in the points standings. Nor is Tseng, who was No. 1 for 109 weeks before Lewis knocked Tseng off the pedestal after two early season wins.

"Nobody else, though, can leave the event [LPGA Lotte Championship] with the No. 1 ranking, according to LPGA projections," wrote Randall Mell at GolfChannel.com.

The Jack-and-Arnie Hand-Painted Shoes

2013-04-16T16:33:00.003-04:00

THESE ARE DIFFERENT. A PAIR of Jack-and-Arnie hand-painted shoes from Kikkor Golf. There is just one pair, available on eBay to the highest bidder. All proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.

Information from Kikkor Golf:

Perhaps the most epic shoe we have ever made, maybe even the most epic golf shoe ever made, the Limited Edition Kikkor Masterer is truly one of a kind (only one pair made!). Hand painted by Social Statement, it features two of golf’s most notable Masterers, Jack and Arnie, along with the unmistakable Masters Leaderboard, and unique Kikkor-Masterer branding.

Purchasing Info - 100% of the proceeds will go to the charity of your choice. You can bid on the item on eBay, or buy it outright now for the listed $5,000 USD.

Sizing Note - Pair is US men's size 9, but really are you going to play in these shoes? We suggest you keep them in the trophy case.

The current bid is $510. Bidding closes on April 17, 2013.

Click here to have a look on eBay

Adam Scott Puts a Green Jacket and Proud Nation on His Shoulders

2013-04-15T18:11:00.003-04:00

A MASTERS VICTORY IS ENORMOUS. But a Green Jacket for an Australian? That's historic.

Adam Scott made history on Sunday evening at Augusta National Golf Club, defeating 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera on the second hole of a playoff to become the first Aussie to slip on the coveted Green Jacket. Scott, soft spoken and thoughtful, credited lessons learned from bitter near misses, his caddie Steve Williams, his father and the Australian poster boy of heartbreaking finishes in majors, Greg Norman.

"Australia is a proud sporting nation, Scott said, "and this is one notch in the belt we never got.

"It's amazing that it came down to me today. But there's one guy who inspired a nation of golfers, and that's Greg Norman. He's been incredible to me and all the great golfers. Part of this belongs to him."

And all of Australia rejoiced.

You don't just win for yourself as an Aussie. Especially if you're the first countryman to claim the Masters, which, inexplicably, had rolled along for more than 75 years without a champion from Down Under.

Australian newspapers showered Scott with praise like the steady spring rain that fell during his afternoon walk to an epic victory.

Sydney Herald

"IN AUSTRALIAN PANTHEON, SCOTT FIRST AMONG EQUALS"

"A DAY WHEN A NICE GUY FINISHES FIRST"
Decades of heartbreak were wiped away with the swipe of an elongated putter.

"FINAL FRONTIER ENDS DECADES OF HEARTBREAK"
Yes! Adam Scott has landed himself a new green jacket and the great white whale of Australian sport.

Herald Sun

"SCOTT RESTORES AUSSIE DIGNITY"
He has just scaled a monumental mountain, pushing past the bodies of countless countrymen who caved within sight of the summit, creating a wondrous slice of sporting history.

"SCOTT'S TIMELY BIT OF MAJOR KARMA"
Adam Scott has had his share of bad luck, particularly in major championships.

The Telegraph

"SCOTT FINISHES WHAT HIS IDOL STARTED"

The Courier-Mail

"AT LAST SCOTT SHOWS ROAR TALENT"
Urged to stir the tiger within, Queensland's Adam Scott unleashed a roar which echoed around the world yesterday.