Major(s) News & Notes May 5, 2022
Stars prep for the PGA by...resting. Plus, Captain America in Tulsa, a guide to Southern Hills, Waugh questions the responsibility of long range USGA venue selection and much, much more.
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Days to the 2022 PGA Championship first tee shot: 14
Forecast for PGA week: Sunny, temps in the high-70’s and low 80’s.
Days to the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open first tee shot: 29
Days to the 2022 U.S. Open first tee shot: 42
Days to the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA first tee shot: 49
Days to the 2022 Open Championship first tee shot: 67
Days to the 2022 AIG Women’s Open first tee shot: 91
Two weeks from the second men’s major and just six of the world top 30 have turned up to prepare via the Wells Fargo Championship. Based on the OWGR numbers, the British Masters is also no major in the making.
This odd state of affairs could be interpreted a number of ways:
TPC Potomac, standing in this year as the Wells Fargo host, is no Quail Hollow for players wanting a big pre-PGA test.
The Masters run-up and hangover still hasn’t worn off for top players. And maybe the rest of us as well.
For the super-elite, compacted major schedule prioritizes rest for the upcoming three majors. Or other obligations due to sponsorship deals and lucrative paydays.
While this is primarily a PGA Tour problem, we are deprived of some buzz leading in to the PGA or much sense of player form. Nonetheless, we march on to Tulsa but not before a summary of off-course efforts to upend and defend the PGA Tour model:
The Premier Golf League has sent another letter to players and agents calling BS—only spelling it out—on the PGA Tour’s claims of having Allen & Co. vet their proposal. The World Golf Group is still offering players an ownership structure concept in an effort to re-imagine the men’s pro golf model.
The PGA Tour, according to this story from Rex Hoggard heavily quoting Vice Commissioner McIlroy, seems to be spending much of its time in this existential battle fretting about the Fall portion of the schedule. Even though making Fall events part of the FedExCup has weakened the PGA Tour and European Tour on multiple fronts, including with stars who complain about the lack of an off-season.
Sky Sports asked Lee Westwood about playing the upcoming LIV Golf event and he gave a more palatable answer than most regarding his desire to take the Kingdom’s cash. He noted his independent contractor status and that he’s received releases to past events in Saudi Arabia. Westwood pointed out the other sports doing business with the Public Investment Fund and receiving less pushback than golf. His answer needs work on discussing the Saudi regime’s efforts at change. But it was still better than Commissioner Norman’s assessment based on witnessing women dining in restaurants.
LIV appears ready to partner with the same production company currently behind the PGA Tour’s production. But the SBJ story reporting the news also says LIV does not have a television deal and talks with Fox died a few weeks ago.
Now, on to the championships that matter.
Captain America Came To Tulsa
Team Reed’s presumed family Twitter account took issue with Tiger Woods getting insider info from Southern Hills pro Cary Cozby.
Derek Lawrenson, writing in the Daily Mail after @useGolfFACTS made their grievance claim:
How can you get it so wrong? Causing such a petty commotion is certainly embarrassing for one player who will be at the PGA, but it isn't Tiger.
Attention to detail is just one more area where Woods has excelled over the years, so it's hardly surprising that he should seek out Cozby and pick his brains. Isn't that what great players have always done? I'm sure Cozby would extend the same courtesy to Reed if he took a week off from playing poorly and made it to Tulsa.
But as you’ve seen in the image above, Reed has already visited Southern Hills in preparation for the PGA. By all on-site accounts he worked hard and was a pleasant guest. And Reed also found time to film an upcoming episode of ESPN+’s America’s Caddie, complete with a Captain America-themed helmet and golf scooter. Perhaps he forgot to mention this to @useGolfFACTS?
A Little Southern Hills Homework
The Fried Egg has posted a podcast with architect Gil Hanse discussing the renovation of Southern Hills and this 10-minute “guide” to the course. Good stuff and lots of sweet visuals so study up!
Waugh On USGA Venue Selections Way Into The Future: “Possibly Irresponsible”
On the latest edition of the Five Clubs podcast, Gary Williams welcomes PGA Of America CEO Seth Waugh. Among the topics: the former Deutsche Bank CEO’s life in golf, the current friendliness between the Five Families, the distance issue and, as Williams puts it, answering why there is a “race” to secure future major championship venues so far into the future.
In response to Williams, Waugh makes clear he’s “all over the place” on the topic. He realizes that “it’s fun” for organizations to engage in such venue selection work but also says he thinks “it’s kind of wrong.” He makes clear he would not have committed the PGA of America as “far as we’ve committed out” because “life can change.”
But the USGA going committing much farther down the road?
“Frankly, when you say 20-25 years, I think it’s a little bit, possibly irresponsible, because who knows what’s going to happen between then and now,” he said. “You certainly don’t need that much time to lock something in. When I made the decision to move to Southern Hills a year and a half ago, we had thirty-plus venues that were willing to take us on.”
The U.S. Open has selected host sites for 18 of the next 29 years, with at least two more storied courses soon to be announced for 2028 and 2031.
The PGA has been awarded out 10 of the next 12 years.
You can watch this portion of Waugh’s appearance on the podcast via the embed above, watch the full episode here, or download in your favorite podcast app.
Strong Entry Numbers For U.S. Open’s As Qualifying Begins
The USGA announced a record 1,874 entries to attempt qualifying for the June 2-5 U.S. Women’s Open championship at Pine Needles. This breaks—by one entry—2015’s record of 1,873. It was the presenting sponsor that put ‘em over the top.
“The large number of entries confirms the growing worldwide interest in competing in the U.S. Women’s Open and is a testament to ProMedica and the USGA for their combined work elevating all aspects of the championship,” said USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer.
The USGA received 9,265 entries for this year’s U.S. Open at The Country Club. Notably, former U.S. Open champions, Lucas Glover (2009) and Graeme McDowell (2010)will attempt to qualify.
Local qualifying is underway and runs through May 23rd. You can view the early results here.
Another Postage Stamp Is Born
A First Call report says golf architect Martin Ebert has created another Postage Stamp at Royal Troon. This one can be found on his redesign of the club’s nine-hole, par-27 Craigend course features a par 3 and it’s called the Wee Postage Stamp, an homage to the infamous 8th hole at Troon.
Measuring exactly 123 yards, with identical bunkering and green surrounds, the new hole sprung from the mind of past club captain Alasdair Cameron. He posited that such a replica hole would be ideal for older or younger members who couldn’t handle the rigors of the rugged Open venue, but still craved the Postage Stamp experience.
Royal Troon most recently hosted the 2020 Women’s Open won by Sophia Popov and next hosts The Open in 2024.
This, That And Reads
Bill Haisten on Bill Warren’s persistence in bringing the 2001 U.S. Open to Southern Hills.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has announced that Clive Brown will serve as Captain in 2022-23. The traditional “driving-in” ceremony will take place on Friday, September 23rd. Brown captained the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team in the 1995 and 1997 matches.
60 Minutes explored the origins of “the birds aren’t real” faux conspiracy theory. There’s hope for kids. And never forget: if it flies, it spies.
Finally, The Iconic Yellow Leaderboards
The R&A has posted another nice mood-setter for the 150th, this time a look at the evolution of its scoreboards. What a pleasure to see the various ways fans have tracked The Open. Enjoy!
TPC Potomac? Pretty telling when the only thing I can remember about the course is that it was the last site that Ken Venturi broadcast from for CBS. Now that was memorable. The course not so much. I guess they got it on the cheap being a TPC?
In June of 1996 Southern Hills was awarded the 2001 US Open. My how things have changed!