I hadn't actually planned to blog today. But what else is there to do in this winter of our discontent?
Mayakoba Musings - The Tour will be in Mayakoba this week, otherwise the wraparound portion of the 2020-21 season is behinds us. While most of us are actively repressing all 2020 memories, Adam Schupak finds greater meaning in it:
The 2020-21 PGA Tour season is where winless streaks go to die. Who could be next to end victory drought?
It continued a current trend of Tour winners finding the winner’s circle after a long dry spell.
Streb’s victory drought was nothing compared to Stewart Cink, who was ranked No. 319 in the world when he claimed the season opener at the Safeway Open. Cink was the first and Streb the
latest of five players in the first nine tournaments of the wrap-around season who were ranked outside the top 300 in the world at the time of their victory and hadn’t tasted victory in several years.
For Cink it had been 11 long years since he had won the 2009 British Open, while Martin Laird and Brian Gay had waited seven years respectively between wins (Laird at the Shriners Hospitals to 2013 Valero Texas Open and Gay at the Bermuda Championship to 2013 Humana Challenge). That itch for victory can make the reward even more gratifying, even if the payoff for all the hard work took only half the time for Hudson Swafford, who won the Corales Puntacana Open (2017 American Express) and Sergio Garcia, Sanderson Farms (2017 Masters).
Don't you feel better now? I'm sure as Jay and the gang were spitballin' the restart, they were undoubtedly scheming for a return to prominence of Brian Gay and Robert Streb...
Adam then turns his analytic eye to this week's event and picks some names to similarly return to the winner's circle:
Early-season winners also feature the 40-something brigade. Garcia (40), Cink (47) and Gay (48) turning back the clocks could be just the inspiration these golfers need to get over the hump and hoist another trophy:
- Lucas Glover (41), last win: 2011 Wells Fargo Championship
- Luke Donald, (42), last win: 2012 Transitions Championship
- Kevin Streelman (42), last win: 2014 Travelers Championship
- Rory Sabbatini (44), last win: 2011 Honda Classic
Have they actually found a cure for Luke Donald Disease? Please tell me that hydroxychloroquine is involved...
But, since I'm a whore for the perfect segue, it just so happens that I have this open browser tab:
Rory Sabbatini has become the PGA Tour’s transcontinental man of mystery
Is he now? But is mystery really his defining feature?
The most remarkable thing about Rory Sabbatini, in the year 2020, is that he doesn’t wake upeach morning with a crippling identity crisis. The 44-year-old, who shot 65 to finish his opening round of the RSM Classic just a shot off the lead, is a one-man melting pot. He’s South African by birth but Slovakian by current residency (a product of his marriage to Martina Stofanikova, as well as his desire to play in the Olympics, for which he will almost certainly qualify). Meanwhile, you can’t help but notice as he spoke on Thursday that every once in a while, a southern accent crept into his speech. As in, southern American. When I screwed up my courage to ask him about it, he smiled.“I think it’s from living in Texas for 13 years,” he said.If Sabbatini, now in his 23rd season on the PGA Tour, is professional golf’s transcontinental man of mystery, his slow resurgence over the past four years, highlighted by a 36th-place finish in the FedEx Cup rankings in 2019, owes itself not to any global knowledge, but to a simple absence of pain. He played for years with an injured neck, and in 2016 he finally decided to get it fixed. The best option was an artificial disk replacement, and the results were immediate.
A couple of observations here. First, your humble blogger has the misfortune to be sufficiently old to remember the USGAs "A*****e Groups", the amusing process of identifying the guilty group in U.S. Open pairing. Alas, like Young Tom Morris retiring the Championship Belt, this guilty pleasure was denied us once it became apparent that all one needed to do was input CTRL:F - Sabbatini...
Think I'm masking this up? I refer you to this authoritative 2015 ranking:
Ranking The The PGA TOUR’s Biggest Douchebags
I'm sure it's official, otherwise they couldn't post it on the Internet...
Rory Sabbatini (Douchebag Ranking: 86.3)
Jimmy: Temper problems are just one of the many dick-qualities Rory Sabbatini possesses. He should’ve been kicked off the TOUR years ago for the Ben Crane incident. Douchebag Ranking: 85/100
Dave: The Saddam Hussein of the PGA TOUR. Total asshole. Douchebag Ranking: 99/100
Mel B: I’ve seen him smile, but I’ve also seen him explode. I don’t know what to really make of him, but there’s no doubt he belongs on this list. Douchebag Ranking: 75/100
That 86.3 score leaves him one slot off the podium, but we can surely agree that it's a very competitive category and, really, it's an honor just to be nominated.
There is this bit of amusement in the rankings as well:
Patrick Reed (Douchebag Score: 92.6/100)
Mel B: I’m going to give this kid a chance as he’s young. He doesn’t seem like a nice guy, but hey, maybe he’ll turn it around? Douchebag Ranking: 89/100
Five years have passed and Patrick is no longer quite so young... But he's every bit as much of a douchebag, so the more things change...
Amusement aside, I do have one serious point to make. Shane Ryan, who really should know better, passes off the Olympic angle as if it's the most natural thing in the world. I think we can all agree that the best part of the Olympics is the years of effort the athletes expend to qualify, the training and sacrifices involved.... Rory seems smarter than most of these guys, though, because it just so happens that all one needs to do is marry a Slovakian girl...
And to complete the argument, if qualification concluded this week, there is no room in the Olympic field for the following players:
Xander Schauffele
Collin Morikawa
Patrick Cantlay
Patrick Reed
Brooks Koepka
Tiger Woods
But there's a slot carved out for Rory Friggin' Sabbatini because he married a girl from Bratislava.... Writers such as Shackelford and Alan Shipnuck, folks I respect in most regards, keep telling us that Olympic golf is important for our game. Well, if it's so important, why is it such a joke?
The Road Ahead - Have you considered the possibility that 2021 could be every bit as awful as 2020? I know, but I've been tested and the results indicated dangerously low levels of Vitamin D and optimism...
Back to golf, where Shack has a post summarizing the status of the early-season events, and there isn't much good news to be found. First, as relates to the first full-field event:
Friends of Hawaii Charities, charity host of the Sony Open in Hawaii, one of the largest charity fund-generating sports events in Hawaii, announced that the 2021 PGA TOUR tournament, scheduled Jan. 11-17 at Waialae Country Club, will be played without fans in attendance.
All four rounds of the professional golf event are scheduled for live broadcast on the Golf Channel, Jan. 14-17. The Monday Pro-Am (Jan. 11) and Official Pro-Am (Jan. 13) will be held at Waialae Country Club.
The Pro-Ams are good news and progress of a limited sort, at least to those that recognize sponsors' needs. Though if one Pro-Am is "official", wouldn't the other be Unauthorized or Bootleg Pro-Am?
Torrey is in a similar mode:
The blow of no fans will be lessened, Gorsich said, because the County of San Diego did give itsapproval last week for pro-ams to take place on Monday and Wednesday of Farmers week. “To not have pro-ams would have been another big hit,” he said. “Getting pro-ams was a big win for us.”
The Tournament of Champions, Sony Open and American Express also will have pro-ams, and it figures that Riviera and Pebble will, too, if their local governments approve.
At the Farmers, pro-am participants pay about $8,000 to play on Wednesday and $4,000 on Monday. Of course, the experience will be very different this year, with only the golfers, the professional and his caddie allowed on the grounds, though Gorisch maintains that it can be a more enjoyable and “intimate” experience. There are no in-person draws parties, and at Torrey Pines the amateurs will warm up in indoor simulators at a nearby hotel.
As Shack appropriately notes, what could go wrong with keeping the amateurs in a small, enclosed indoor space?
But there's one event that seems uniquely affected by the pandemic, where the rampaging Tatar hordes are the whole point:
As of today, the host organization of the Phoenix Open, the Thunderbirds, say they are still determined to have a good-sized crowd at 16 for the four days of the event, but it will be significantly scaled back—and no doubt quieter—than in recent years.To have fans at all will be an anomaly on the 2021 West Coast Swing, with the Farmers Insurance Open on Monday announcing that it was joining the Sony Open in Hawaii and American Express in La Quinta, Calif., in not allowing spectators. The Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles are expected to follow suit.Scott Jenkins, the Thunderbirds’ chairman of the tournament for 2021, said on Monday that plans remain in place to build a one-story structure to accommodate fans at the 16th, though it will be noticeably smaller than what has essentially been a three-story stadium around the hole. In recent years, the tournament has packed 20,000 fans into that one area, while there are some events on tour that dream of having that many on their entire golf course. Ticket packages, Jenkins said, are being offered to a limited number of previous suite holders.
It'll probably look like it did for Tiger's hole-in-one back in the 90's...
About That Merger Partnership - A couple of follow-up items that highlight the profound silliness of that PGA-Euro Tour deal, first an unsigned Global Golf Post article that seems awfully credulous:
New Global Alliance Could Reshape Professional Game
I suppose it could... But can you help me understand how that might happen?
The new strategic alliance between the PGA Tour and the European Tour announced Friday willlikely have a profound effect on the global golf landscape, not just from a business perspective but on the competitive side as well.
Though the announcement made by European Tour chief executive officer Keith Pelley was long on aspiration and short on details, the result strengthens both tours while likely dealing a critical blow to the prospects for a Premier Golf League, for which discussions had begun.
While Pelley stressed two points – that the move is an alliance and not a merger, and that the European Tour was not motivated by financial distress – the PGA Tour’s investment in the European Tour’s global media rights and subsequent commercial opportunities should benefit both organizations.
Pelley's not the only one a little light on details...
From a competitive standpoint, the agreement points toward the creation of a more global schedule, though Pelley said any such decisions would be made down the line. He acknowledged there could be tournaments co-sanctioned by both tours within the next few years but did not offer details.
The agreement allows for the two tours to work closer together on global scheduling, prize money and providing playing opportunities though Pelley suggested those topics will be dealt with in the future.
Got it. It's not a merger and you're not in financial distress, but you rushed to cobble together a deal in 72 hours, the ramifications of which you'll figure out at some indeterminate future date... It's all good.
But about that not being a merger thing, legalistic dissembling seems an odd strategy:
When asked why this should not be seen as a merger between the two Tours, Pelley said the European Tour did not need to merge with the PGA Tour nor was it presented to the membership as a pathway to a merger, which would require 75 percent of the membership to vote in favor of such an agreement.
So, as I understand your argument, it's not a merger because you say it's not a merger... Of course, there's that pesky duck test:
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.
And then there's that second part of Pelley's mantra:
While Pelley strongly defended the European Tour against reports that it faces serious financial challenges, he acknowledged the tour had been approached by the Raine Group, which is behind the Premier Golf League concept. The PGL is an attempt to launch an international team structure featuring many of the game’s biggest stars.
Strongly? If by that you mean he frantically waved his arms and kept saying the same thing over and over again, for sure. If you mean that he made actual arguments that refuted the allegation, yeah, not so much....
There is this one little bit of analysis worth excerpting:
The notion of a more global schedule has been floated for years and this alliance could be a step toward that in some form. Among the strengths of the European Tour are its Middle East swing early in the year, the potential of having the Irish, Scottish and Open Championship played in successive weeks in mid-summer, the lucrative Rolex Series and the Race to Dubai late in the year, including the BMW Championship at Wentworth.
Strengths? Weaknesses, whatevah! The only real tent pole on the European schedule is the Open Championship, which ironically is not controlled by the Euro Tour.
As for financial viability, let me clue you in on what I think is the case. The only asset that truly drives value, is the Euro Tour's ownership interest in the Ryder Cup. That once-every-four-years opportunity is likely the source of Jay's interest, that and the ability to further control the global golf calendar. But the irony, she burns, as Jay's biggest problem in life is that he doesn't control any of the 4.5 events per year about which people care. Delightfully ironic, though, that his best opportunity to solve this void is through a hostile takeover of the European side of the Ryder Cup...
Oh, and about that best balance sheet evah? Alistair Tait has a question:
Really? Then why were nearly 70 employees made redundant this year because of Covid-19’s impact? The layoffs came in two tranches. I’m told the actual number is 68, but perhaps someone from the European Tour human resources department could correct me if I’ve got the figure wrong. Or is that also covered by an NDA?Since the tour is in “robust financial health” any chance of those 68 getting their jobs back? Or maybe the Tour IS in “robust financial health” because it shed those jobs.
The Euro Tour is not in financial distress, at least now that Jay's check has cleared.
'Tis the Season - It's all about closing browser tabs, so let's knock off some seasonal items from last week. A bit of a split verdict for some folks, as we'll lead with Joel Beall's gratitude tour, including these two that wouldn't be expected to populate the same list:
Bryson DeChambeau. There is nothing standard about this cat in a sport whose players tend to be of the cookie-cutter variety. That can produce the astonishing (his odyssey from man into mountain for distance gains that beget the U.S. Open) and … uh, astonishing (fire ants?). No matter where he is on the spectrum in a given instance, it’s never short on entertainment and curiosity.Bernhard Langer. The 63-year-old was last in the Masters field in driving distance, 60-something yards behind category leader DeChambeau. Langer finished at three under. DeChambeau, two under. Long live Bernhard Langer.
You sure you want to go with Bryson? I found most of Joel's list silly, except for ones like this that are mystifying:
The Rory Runs. We should be used to McIlroy’s five-hole heaters. Instinctively, we know they will end. But the kinetic magic in those stretches, in which McIlroy makes anything seem possible, is a magnetism that never tires.
Remind me, when was the last major in which Rory was a factor? It just so happens that Tom Weiskopf had these comments recently:
“I look at Rory McIlroy and I think golf is something just for (him) to do,” Weiskopf told Schupak. “I’ve said it for a while now that I don’t think he’ll win much more than the four (majors) he’s got or maybe five because I don’t see that determination and will to be the best.”
This is far from a radical opinion, given that it's been six long years since he won a major... The appeal of his five-hole heaters, which invariably happen with him at the back of the pack, are of little interest...
Eamon Lynch goes the same route as Joel Beall, but on a more personal level. He also leads with the Casino, though one intuits that the tongue is pressed firmly against the cheek:
It’s been such a woebegone year that one might think the only part of 2020 for which we can be thankful is that its end is nigh. Yet the grim realities of the pandemic and the attendant economichangover suggest that at least part of ’21 won’t be much better, so perhaps its more important than ever amid our shared gloominess to spare a moment to recognize the things we are thankful for. Here’s my list:
For Bryson DeChambeau, who single-handedly filled the long, dark days of summer with antics sufficient to fuel social media for an age. Blessed be his talent, his success, his work ethic and his stupendous absence of self-awareness. The PGA Tour and its fans are richer for all of the above.
I don't know, I'm always happy to listen to Bryson talk about his brand... And, you know, how it's the job of Golf Channel to protect it.
Who else does he take to the woodshed? The usual suspects:
For Brooks Koepka, whose most noteworthy shot during this truncated major season came at the PGA Championship, when he grazed his ex-pal Dustin Johnson in a Saturday night drive-by press conference. He also freely admitted that he wouldn’t share a protein shake with DeChambeau and that he’s not out to make friends on Tour, solidifying his reputation as a straight-shooter unafraid to flavor golf’s vanilla-centric menu.
For Patrick Reed. See above, minus the straight shooting.
Here he seems genuinely thankful:
For the USGA, the PGA of America and Augusta National Golf Club—three organizations often mocked as antiquated (sometimes fairly), but whose painstakingly meticulous approach to affairs saved three of the four planets around which the sport orbits. Call it karma that each was rewarded with a worthy champion.
As an Ulsterman, you'd think he's have something to say about the fourth of those planets, no?
I can do gratitude but, let's face it, it's not one of my compelling strengths. I'm much better in the Golfers Behaving Badly category, so this is much more in my wheelhouse:
Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Azinger and hoodie haters: Golf's biggest turkeys from 2020
Shall we see what Alex thinks of that Bryson guy?
Bryson DeChambeau
To be clear, Bryson had a fantastic 2020. He firmly established himself as one of the world’s longest and best players, won his first major and replaced Tiger/Phil as the most-talked-about golfer on the planet. But that last part wasn’t always good. Whether it was scolding people around him on the course (“sound travels”), getting into bizarre rules arguments (fire ants!) or making statements than came back to bite him (“This plays like a par 67 for me”), there were plenty of turkey-ish moments. So eat up, big guy. Or, drink up. Bryson will probably be guzzling turkey smoothies on T-Day.
Well, it is a Par-67 for him, but they don't always break par...
Here's one I completely missed... It's pre-Covid and of no import, though it is pretty smusing:
Honda Classic first tee announcer
This guy had one job and yet he made three mistakes during Luke Donald’s intro. First, mispronouncing Donald’s hometown in England. Fine. Then, saying Donald had won the tournament in 2016 instead of 2006. A little worse, but still, we’d let it slide. But then he announced Donald as “Luke McDonald.” Not acceptable! The man is a former World No. 1! And with two first names, he has one of the easiest names to remember! Turkey!
I can't explain it, but Luke McDonald makes me laugh...
Alex offers the perfect item on which to make a dramatic exit. I remember this video, but can't remeber whether I blogged it:
This guyWe don’t know his name, and that’s better for him—because this is just, wow. Sure, there are bound to be some first-tee jitters in front of a gallery at the world’s most historic golf course, but yikes, that’s rough.
Here's the video, and who wouldn't want video of your opening tee shot on the Old Course. What amused me this time was noting the rigorous pre-shot routine. Not only does he step into the ball purposefully, but he even mimics that iconic Justin Thomas pre-shot partial takeaway:
My brother's friends first shot at St Andrews is unforgettable pic.twitter.com/DsKHW3TizB
— Tom (@culley999) February 21, 2020
Though I think you'll agree that it's not exactly JT's ball flight....
No specific blogging schedule, so I'll be back when the mood strikes (and when golf news demands). Have a great week.
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