Major(s) News & Notes, May 12, 2022

The PGA at Southern Hills is here and I've got some final preview stuff. Plus, CBS and ESPN notes, U.S. Open Local Qualifying weirdness, Tulsa's big music news and Reads.

May 12

Days to the 2022 PGA Championship first tee shot: 7
Forecast for PGA week: Partly cloudy most days in the high 80’s and low 90s’s with slight chance of Sunday, May 22 evening thunderstorms.
Days to the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open first tee shot: 22
Days to the 2022 U.S. Open first tee shot: 35
Days to the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA first tee shot: 42
Days to the 2022 Open Championship first tee shot: 60
Days to the 2022 AIG Women’s Open first tee shot: 84

The second men’s major of 2022 is almost here and by all metrics looks to be a beauty. The PGA of America’s decision to upgrade Southern Hills from its 2030 date and dump Trump Bedminster looks better every day.

Players have been turning up for Southern Hills scouting trips and it feels like more than normal compared to recent major venues. At least, among the courses without one of the world’s great wine cellars and a driving range only for contestants.

Justin Thomas Tweeted his excitement after a Monday round there along with Jordan Spieth. Those two, also rumored to be friends, are playing their way into the PGA at this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson Classic. A Spieth victory would have allow him to join golf’s most exclusive club featuring only Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Pre-tournament favorites Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm also stopped in to see Perry Maxwell’s design. Tiger’s visit turned into a bit of a circus. But we’ve seen no sign he was deterred from returning to the site of his 13th major win. Meanwhile, Team Reed has pinned their GolfFACTS Tweet bitching about Woods’ special treatment. Nice family.

One absentee who remains in the field: defending champion Phil Mickelson. He’s been in contact with PGA CEO Seth Waugh, who made several intriguing comments on Gary Williams’ podcast while hardly sounding like he’s eager to see Mickelson turn up. During Wednesday’s CBS conference call, Jim Nantz acknowledged he had been in touch with Mickelson and said he’d like to keep their discussion private. However, Nantz did say later in the call that Mickelson is facing “a totally personal decision, he will be back” and that America is a “forgiving nation.”

Other than some video of a bearded and heavier Mickelson playing Rancho Santa Fe, he did briefly “Like” two supportive Tweets before covering his tracks and de-liking them. Or unLiking. Or something. (One was from a bro upset at his life cancellation and another from a Crypto bot. Not exactly encouraging signs we’ll know Mickelson surfaces.)

We may not see him until next month when he steps out of a black London cab for his shotgun start at Centurion Golf Club.

Alan Shipnuck’s forthcoming book is released next Tuesday and based on his most recent missive, we’ve probably read the worst of the revelations. However, Mickelson has apparently spoken to some other media over the years and the latest example of his pre-sabbatical mindset was delved into with this New York Post piece by Brian Wacker. Mickelson’s language was tamer but the unhinged mindset in search of more money only reinforces his off late career desperation.

Combine all this with the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf drama, Greg Norman’s quest to one-up himself with ghoulish defenses of Saudi’s Crown Prince’s murderous ways (“we’ve all made mistakes”), and a return by Mickelson would be an unfortunate spectacle. Sure seems like reappearing in a black London cab ride at the Centurion Club’s 4th tee would be better. Oh, and with his good buddy Sergio by his side. They could complain to each other about their sad plight.

PGA Preview Stuff

🆗 The April/May issue of Golf Oklahoma has an outstanding package of interviews and stories about club, course and players who might be a good fit for Southern Hills.

🅼 Chris Clouser files a fantastic look at Perry Maxwell’s evolution from golfer to architect.

🏌🏼‍♂️ Ken MacLeod talks to Southern Hills assistant Cameron Chhim about a recent practice round with Scottie Scheffler and it sounds like the Masters winner is in fine playing form.

⛳️ Tulsa World’s Bill Haisten profiles Southern Hills superintendent Russ Myers. And in case you missed it, The Quadrilateral spoke to Myers earlier this week.

👩‍💻 The PGA Championship app is updated in the Apple store for iPhone users and Android users can get it here in the Google store.

CBS Notes

CBS will be broadcasting its 39th PGA Championship armed with 140 cameras, 150 microphones and all of the visual upgrades that have made their recent broadcasts so impressive. During Wednesday’s media call CBS Sports head Sean McManus praised producer Sellers Shy as a big reason the network’s coverage is the “best its ever been.”

Besides sporting three “Atlas” depth-of-field cameras, multiple must-have drones commanded by Kaze Aerial and FlyCams, CBS has billed something of interest as we brace for “Maxwell Rolls” references: “Putting grids and topography shading will show what the golfers see as they line up their putt, providing viewers a different look at the greens and undulations that come into play.”

Also…

Jim Nantz returns for his 32nd PGA along with Nick Faldo, Ian Baker-Finch, Frank Nobilo and Trevor Immelman, supported by on-course reporters Dottie Pepper, Mark Immelman and Colt Knost. Amanda Renner will handle interviews while Verne Lundquist opted not to participate according to McManus.
A revolving group of PGA of America officials will be on hand to explain rules issues.
CBS weekend coverage fits into an easy-to-remember 1:00-7:00 PM, ET window both days, with broadcast coverage streaming live on Paramount+.
With wind in the forecast this is worth noting: “Numerous anemometers measuring wind speed, direction and daily wind trends will be strategically placed around the course to capture the wind statistics on each hole and how wind might influence shot choices.”
EyeVision 2.0 – On the 16th hole tee box, 20 “X-Mo” cameras will be stitched together to provide a 270-degree view of the players swings in slow motion, showcasing the full movement of each swing.
PGA Championship On the Range airs Thursday and Friday, May 19-20 (12:00 PM-2:00 PM, ET) featuring interviews, launch data and analysis. Luke Elvy hosts. It’s an odd choice since aggressively campaigning on Twitter for Greg Norman’s attention in what appears to be an audition for the Saudi Golf League’s YouTube telecasts—here, here, here and here—not to mention unprofessional and since-deleted trolling of Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee. The Saudi hopeful will be joined by Brian Crowell, Michael Breed and influencers Roger Steele and Hally Leadbetter. CBS’s McManus said the latter additions will add “context” to the coverage.
CBS Sports Network airs a “Clubhouse Report” show live “after the conclusion of play with highlights, analysis and player interviews on all four tournament days, beginning Thursday, May 20 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET). Kelly Tilghman hosts, along with Steele, Crowell, Leadbetter and former PGA Tour pro Bo Van Pelt.

ESPN Notes

ESPN depiction of Joe Buck and Michael Collins (ESPN)

As noted last week, a “Manningcast” is coming to ESPN’s coverage of the PGA. Notably, an hour ahead of the main coverage window and then moving to ESPN2 for another three hours. Joe Buck will be joined by “ESPN Senior Golf Analyst” Michael Collins and an impressive roster of guests that includes Peyton and Eli, Josh Allen, Troy Aikman, Charles Barkley, Fred Couples, Jon Hamm and Doris Burke.

Morning Read’s John Hawkins is already skeptical that the casual vibe will resonate with fans. From the announcement:

“Working with Omaha Productions, we are producing a telecast that is designed to reach a new and different audience and elevate the appeal of the PGA Championship even more,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN senior vice president, production. “We feel that this will ultimately help grow our viewership and provide fans with another fun and creative way that they can enjoy sports.”
“We loved doing Monday Night Football with ESPN and the entire Omaha team has been looking forward to producing alternate telecasts that celebrate other sports,” said Peyton Manning. “As one of golf’s majors, the PGA Championship is a perfect place to do our first one for golf and we look forward to working with Joe, Michael and everyone in ESPN’s golf team.”

The “alternative” telecast schedule:

ESPN+ will have coverage and multiple feeds running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m Thrusday to Sunday, with ESPN’s Thursday/Friday coverage on from 2-8 p.m. ET.

And for The Quad’s UK readers, here the your Sky Sports schedule.

Parker Coody: 2 Aces In 1 U.S. Open Local Qualifier

Texas Men's Golf @TexasMGolf

Have a day, @parker_coody !! 2⃣ hole-in-one's in the SAME round 🤘 US Open Local Qualifier | @forestcreekgolf #HookEm | #TakeDeadAim

The odds of such an occurrence are ridiculous—67 million to 1 according to the National Hole-In-One Registry—and needless to say, Parker Coody has advanced to U.S. Open Final Qualifying following two aces in a 69 at Forest Creek.

You can view all completed Local Qualifying results here.

Things were not so pretty at the Kansas City local: just 25 players broke 80 and a smooth 112 was turned in by someone paying off a fantasy football bet, first noted by Fire Pit’s Monday Q.

Golf.com’s Alan Bastable talked to the man who has no Index. He did not need one. He entered as a professional.

When In Tulsa: Dylan, Springsteen, Eagles

Just in time for PGA Championship visitors, the $10 Million Bob Dylan Center opened in Tulsa. And next door at the Woodie Guthrie Center, the “Bruce Springsteen Live!” photography exhibit has been open for a month.

Ben Sisario of the New York Times previewed the Dylan Center before the May 10 opening and says it gives, “at the tap of a finger, what generations of the most avid Dylanologists have only dreamed of: a step-by-step, word-by-word map of how Dylan wrote a song.”

Next door at the Guthrie Center is a temporary exhibit curated by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music and the Grammy Museum providing “fans with an intimate look into Springsteen’s creative process, shedding light on how he became—and remains— one of the greatest live performers in rock and roll history.”

And for live music, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra are accompanying the Eagles at the BOK Center Monday, May 16. The current iteration of the band will be performing the brilliant Hotel California in its entirety.