Major(s) News & Notes, October 3rd, 2024
St Andrews takes center stage, Augusta post-Helene, RIP Maxwell Berning, Reed speaks out on major access, Beck is headed to '25 majors, Asia-Pacific Am, R&A participation numbers, This, That and Reads
Days to The Masters opening tee shot: 186
A compelling field has been assembled for the Alfred Dunhill Links at the Old Course, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns. The (cold) fun takes place at an intriguing moment with no shortage of compelling figures showing up in the Grey Auld Toon.
But for those interested in the direction of pro golf, the Korn Ferry Tour is preparing to graduate what might be its final full class of new PGA Tour cardholders. A recent Tour social media post highlighted just how impressive the 2014 class turned out to be in a reminder of the beauty in this event or Q-School. That was before star players took board seats and started hitting Control-At-Delete on the PGA Tour’s model by mirroring LIV instead of sticking to what made the entity different.
The 2014 photo mentioned above included Commissioner Jay Monahan, who, a decade later, is playing the Dunhill pro-am in St Andrews through Saturday. He will destroy his carbon footprint Sunday flying the Steamboat Express if he intends to salute the top 30 card earners in French Lick. Among the “bubble boys” there is Sam Bennett, who contended at the 2023 Masters and earned low amateur honors.
Monahan might want to stay overseas and take in a Sunday morning nine at Anstruther to avoid cranky Korn Ferry grads. That’s because in Ryan French’s story predicting sweeping changes to the PGA Tour player development model, we learn they will need to brace for a reduction in field sizes, the elimination of ten Korn Ferry graduate cards, fewer Monday qualifying spots, and even downsizing of past champion or sponsor exemptions.
“Among the reasons the proposal stated for the change,” writes French of field size reduction, “is to give players enough time to get physical therapy following rounds.”
[Blank space here to let Quad subscribers laugh.]
With the giggles out of the way and in a continuation of the theme plaguing the beleaguered professional game: the St Andrews early week focus has centered around power-player pairings and not the excellent field of pros or stars assembled by host Johan Rupert. Apparently this is because folks think the hapless Monahan and H.E., a.k.a. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, will be discussing deal points while digging out balls from burns in what is an arranged pairing by Rupert. But we know how golf world. They’ll just be lamenting the temperature and dreaming of a warm meal while letting lawyers sort out the mess they’ve made.
There are, however, improving signs that off-course peace talks will finally bring all of the world’s best together on one stage. This will allow sportwashing to do its thing but not undo the damage done by spoiled brattery, the ball-going-too-far, and oversaturation of a bloated “product.”
More intriguing might be other names popping up at the Alfred Dunhill from across the globe. Is, say, Ari Emmanuel really there to get some fresh Scottish air or has the talented dealmaker joined the merger/framework/whatever discussions? Either way, the Dunhill now easily surpasses the watered-down AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as the ultimate gathering of stage, screen, sport and boardroom.
News of the Monahan-H.E. pairing was broken early in the week by The Telegraph’s James Corrigan, who noted that Monahan’s presence may be as simple as ensuring the Saudis and the DP World Tour are not “jumping in together and creating a properly funded global schedule.” It’s hard to believe they haven’t already made such a deal. Particularly after a fall when the DP World Tour’s schedule consisted of quality courses and solid events that delivered a wonderful tonic after the dreary PGA Tour “Playoffs.”
Talking to BBC Northern Ireland ahead of the Dunhill, Rory McIlroy suggested things are looking up for those hoping to see the off-course mess resolved.
“You know, there's no better place than the home of golf to get everyone together and talking.
“It's a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are playing together on Thursday. I think it is a step in the right direction. Time will tell if things go in the direction I want them to or a lot of people want them to.
"I think we all understand it is not easy and, you know, change for the most part in golf is resisted because it is such a traditional sport.
"But I think at this point in time I think change is needed to sort of try and drive the game forward and hopefully we can get to that point."
In far graver matters deserving of more attention than anything related to the post-round recovery therapy needs of some pro golfers, millions of residents of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee continue to be without power after Hurricane Helene.
Augusta, Georgia took a direct hit and reports continue to show severe damage to the community that will take months or even years to repair.
Helene's intensity and speed at landfall meant high winds pushed far inland.
The eyewall prompted a rare “extreme wind warning,” an alert only issued for Category 3 or stronger hurricanes. A gust as high as 82 mph was measured in Augusta. Social media posts have documented unimaginable damage. But because cell service and electricity remain at a premium, the extent of damage has not been fully realized.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited the town on Wednesday.
Augusta National has remained silent since issuing an initial statement.
There are indications the club property may have suffered the worst damage in its history. Hundreds or even thousands of trees may be down.
A briefing on the impacts to The Masters will come at the appropriate time. Given the human suffering and ongoing efforts to help those impacted, damage to 18 golf holes pales in comparison.
Susie Maxwell Berning (1941-2024)
A three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion, 11-time LPGA winner and member of the 2022 World Golf Hall of Fame class Susie Maxwell Berning died on Wednesday. She was 83.
One of only six players to win three or more U.S. Women’s Opens, her triumphs came in 1968, 1972, and a successful title defense in 1973. She is also credited with four career majors for winning the 1965 Women’s Western Open when it was counted as an LPGA major.
Maxwell Berning was inducted into the WGHOF along with Tiger Woods, Tim Finchem and Marion Hollins as part of the 2022 ceremony.
“Susie was a true trailblazer from the moment she picked up a golf club,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “When I reflect on the incredibly short list of golfers – male or female – who have claimed three U.S. Open titles, alongside four Major Championships, it puts into perspective just how extraordinary her achievements were. Even more inspiring is the decision she made to step away from the competitive game to prioritize her family, a choice that resonates deeply with so many of us. Her legacy will forever be a source of admiration and respect."
Berning didn't begin playing golf until she was 14 yet won three consecutive Oklahoma high school state championships and the 1963 Oklahoma Amateur eight years after she started.
Ron Sirak has more on her wonderful life and times.
Here is Judy Rankin’s presenter speech, followed by Maxwell Berning’s induction acceptance:
Reed Speaks Out On Lack Of LIV Access To Majors
“Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘To be great, is to be misunderstood,’” Patrick Reed told Bunkered’s Michael McEwan. “And I often think I am greatly misunderstood.”
Now we know what Reed has been up thanks to LIV’s lighter schedule: delving into mid-19th century literature.
The LIV defector, playing in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links, spoke to McEwan about the major aspirations of LIV golfers.
“The reason we all play this game is to win golf tournaments and to compete and win major championships against our peers, no matter what tour they play on or from.
“Depriving LIV golfers the opportunity to compete in majors simply because we do not play on the PGA Tour is not a good enough reason or acceptable to me. And insinuating or suggesting that LIV players do not care about majors as a way to justify or create an excuse as to what is actually going on in major championships is simply wrong and not true.
“Anyone who is accepting of such a suggestion is out of touch with the players and our views.”
Reed’s qualification status in majors courtesy of his 2018 Masters win is down to his lifetime invitation to the Tradition Unlike Any Other.
In 2024, he received an invitation to the PGA Championship at Valhalla where he finished T53. He finished T12 at the Masters.
Over the last five years, Reed has three top 10’s in majors. All were at The Masters where he’ll play for another, gulp, thirty years.
Evan Beck Plays His Way Into Two 2025 Majors
Evan Beck’s 9-and-8 U.S. Mid-Amateur victory over Bobby Massa at Kinloch Golf Club puts the 34-year-old into 2025’s Masters and U.S. Open.
A two-time runner-up in USGA match finals—including last year’s defeat to Stewart Hagestad at Sleepy Hollow—Beck became the first Virginian to win the Mid-Am. He also became the first stroke-play medalist in a decade to win the Mid Am.
“It's pretty sweet,” said Beck of winning a USGA event and in his home state. “I’ve always dreamt of winning one of these. It's incredible that it happened so close to home.”
A Wake Forest University graduate ranked 32nd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Beck is now 12-2 in U.S. Mid-Amateur match play.
In addition to his major championship invitations, Beck is exempt to the next two U.S. Amateurs and has positioned himself to make the 2025 Walker Cup squad at Cypress Point.
Three-time champion Hagestad lost in the round of 32 to Will Davenport, 3&2.
Preview: Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is underway at Taiheiyo Club Gotemba in Gotemba, Japan. A field of 120 amateurs from 40 countries are vying for a trophy with huge perks: an invitation to the 2025 Masters and exemptions into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush and the 129th Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s (provided amateur status is retained).
The 15th annual event is again organized by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament, and the R&A.
Defending champion Jasper Stubbs of Australia headlines a field that includes China’s Wenyi Ding (WAGR No. 4), Xihuan Chang (No. 35), Justin Bai (No. 79) and former U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Lukas Michel.
Other notables: world No. 70 Enrique Dimayuga of the Philippines, No. 87 Anh Minh Nguyen of Vietnam, No. 99 Quinnton Croker of Australia and No. 108 Rintaro Nakano of Japan.
The field also includes a 12-year-old from Jordan and a 66-year-old from Lebanon.
Host venue Taiheiyo Club Gotemba is located at the base of Mount Fuji and will host the Championship for the first time. The tree-lined Shunsuke Kato design is set on a hillside and has hosted previous events such as the illustrious Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters and the 2001 WGC EMC World Cup won by Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.
The Championship returns for just the second time to Japan, which last hosted the second edition of the event in 2010.
U.S. broadcast times:
Thursday, Oct. 3
ESPN2 1a-4a ET
Friday, Oct. 4
ESPN2 1a-4a ET
Saturday, Oct. 5
(live) ESPN+ 11p-2a ET
ESPN2 3a-6a ET
Sunday, Oct. 6
(live) ESPN+ 11p-2a ET
ESPN2 3a-6a
4:30-5p ET ESPN2 (highlights)
Other worldwide broadcasters: TBS (Japan), ESPN (Latin America), Fox Sports (Australia), iQIYI (China), SBS Sports (Republic of Korea), Sky Sports (United Kingdom), SPOTV (Pan-Asia), SuperSport (Africa), TSN (Canada) and Warner Bros. Discovery (Europe).
R&A: Golf Participation Growth Continues
New research commissioned by the R&A revealed “an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport” from 2022 to 2023.
The research pegs the number of worldwide golfers outside of the USA and Mexico (USGA territory) at 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole). The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022.
The growth trend “is now accelerating faster than the 2020-2022 pandemic period when there was an average of 2.5 million new on-course golfers per annum.” This increases the number by 44% from the 29.6 million on-course players in 2016.
62.3 million adults (outside USA and Mexico) “consume the sport in some format, an increase of 1.1 million since 2022.” This includes “alternative-only formats, such as pitch & putt, indoor simulator golf and driving range use.”
The top five adult on-course markets overall: Japan (11.4 million), Republic of Korea (8.7 million), Canada (6.3 million), England (4.2 million) and Germany (2.4 million).
Among R&A affiliated regions, Asia is the leading region for people “engaging with golf” at 26.2 million. Europe is next highest with 19.7 million adults “having some form of golf engagement.”
A decrease from 21.6 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023 was found in adults who only played formats other than 9 or 18-hole golf. The report concludes that “this is likely to positively reflect on those moving instead to full-length on-course golf.”
This And That
Erin Hills, host of 2025’s U.S. Women’s Open May 28-June 1, will host five USGA amateur championships over the next 15 years: the 2027 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, 2030 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, 2033 U.S. Women’s Amateur, 2035 U.S. Amateur, 2039 U.S. Junior Amateur.
The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) announced that Hoiana Shores in Vietnam will host the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship next March 6-9, 2025. This will be the first time Vietnam has hosted the championship which launched the careers of three major champions, Yuka Saso, Patty Tavatanakit, Ayaka Furue, and Jeeno Thitikul.
The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, The Masters and The R&A announced that the 16th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be contested at Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), October 23-26, 2025. The home of the Dubai Desert Classic will host the AAC’s second trip to the Middle East.
Veteran broadcaster Bob Papa is hosting his final college event this week for Golf Channel, where he has been the steady lead voice of coverage since 2014. According to Rudy Martzke, the network did not renew Papa’s contract.
Quotable
Keegan Bradley on the Presidents Cup week and the possibility of serving as a player-Captain at 2025’s Ryder Cup. “I would love to join these guys and play next year. I don't know how that would ever be possible, but seeing what Jim [Furyk] did, seeing how nervous I was today to play. But I'm going to push that down the road. Like I said, if I make the team on points, I'll consider playing, but outside of that, I won't do that because this is really important to me next year. I don't care about my personal gains of playing in the tournament, I only care about winning the Ryder Cup. I think the best way to do that is to let these boys play and let them do what they do. We'll see. I don't see it happening, but we'll see.”
Sahith Theegala on his first Presidents Cup experience. “I understand why these team events are held on such a pedestal. There's nothing else like it. It exceeded my expectations. I had really high hopes. All you kind of hear about, biggest events in golf, the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup. I know Ryder Cup is a different beast as well, but these team events are just -- now that I've played one, I can say they're just the best.”
Reads
💪 Brentley Romine on how the UNC Asheville women’s golf team is faring after Helene devasted the town.
⛳️ Mike Cole on the efforts to improve conditions at Brookline Golf Course next to The Country Club.
👱🏼♀️Penelope Green on the life and acting career of Kathryn Crosby, who took over as host of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am after the passing of her husband, Bing Crosby.
Enjoy the Dunhill!
"Now we know what Reed has been up to thanks to LIV’s lighter schedule: delving into mid-19th century literature."
More likely it was something from the "Quote of the Day" desk calendar all of the LIV boys got from H.E. for Christmas (along with a check with more zeroes than Reed's Augusta University transcript).
Geoff, very sad to read the news of Susie Maxwell Berning passing away. I was a friend to her late brother, Roger, for many years here in Arizona. Up until about 2018, Roger maintained one of the most impressive and extensive private golf memorabilia collections at his home. He converted a 4-car garage on his property to be able to display tens of thousands of artifacts. His stories about his sister and her career were pretty special. And I'll never forget the way he proudly showcased an autographed enlarged copy of Susie on the cover of one of the golf magazines from the 1970's. Susie was certainly a legend, and Roger's recollections of her successes was legendary. It was a beautiful thing to see Susie inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 with her family (including Roger) in attendance. I would suggest anyone wishing to know more about this woman search up her speech from that event. It was all class.