Monahan "Certain our tournaments and our players played a role in inspiring participation during the last few months"

I know the bubble’s thick down there in PVB—is it Norman Foster designed?—but this quote still gave me a hearty chuckle.

From Commissioner Jay Monahan’s state of the Tour press conference at East Lake:

Given that golf lends itself naturally to social distancing, recreational play has seen a surge in recent months. As one of the few professional sports competing earlier this summer, I'm certain our tournaments and our players played a role in inspiring participation during the last few months, and we look forward to building on all this momentum as we head into the end of the year and into 2021.

Recreational play was strong during the COVID-19 quarantine(ish) before the Tour restarted in June and was robust from the outset thanks to golf’s outdoor setting, safety and most of all, a huge increase in free time for active participants or wannabe players. Only in Cult Ponte Vedra could they believe they inspired the robust increase in play.

NGF: Afternoon And Evening Nine-Hole Rounds Up During Pandemic

The news isn’t too encouraging these days but for golf the signs are positive. And while we’re all sleeping better knowing the never-happy manufacturers are selling clubs and balls, it’s the course operators and lower-level clubs that form the backbone of golf. It seems, based on National Golf Foundation data, that the pandemic has freed people up for more afternoon and evening golf, a surefire way to hook and retain participants.

From the NGF report:

Golf course operators report that afternoon and evening tee times have been popular, which seems right given that Covid-19 has changed the contours of the work day for many. Sorting through recent NGF golf participation and engagement research, the number of short loops (as a percentage of total loops) is up over 15% in 2020.

Core golfers report that 33% of their rounds this year have been of the nine-hole variety, while occasional golfers tell us that nearly half (48%) of the rounds they’re playing are nine holes. This will be seen as good news by many, especially the USGA given their PLAY9 initiative, and would indicate that the “time barrier” to golf is being overcome by more golfers.

And I loved this perfect summation from the NGF:

We’ve talked about the increase in beginners and youth golfers, so clearly the late-day tee times aren’t just for the work-at-home crowd.

With late summer days, those nine-hole twilight rounds present the perfect opportunity for families to get to the course after an early dinner, or newcomers to get more comfortable with the game.

As for the graph above, it is discouraging to see 9-holers disappearing given the way the world is going, but maybe the numbers of late and fine documentation by the NGF can help save a few 9-holers wondering about their future. Particularly if they can reimagine themselves as late afternoon/evening places to play.

"Hosted Experiences" The First Effort To Welcome Back Golf Fans

Rex Hoggard looks at the “hosted experiences” apparent to viewers duing last week’s Wyndham through the eyes of Tournament Director Mark Brazil. He saw the addition of a few guests to get some sponsors on site and commence what will be a slow, challenging process in eventually welcoming spectators back to tournaments.

“It’s better than nothing and it allowed us to give a special thank you to Wyndham and all the key sponsors who stayed with us,” said Mark Brazil, the Wyndham Championship tournament director. “It wasn’t the 5,000 we planned on a day but I think the Tour has made the right call as far as fans go.”

Brazil built three hospitality-style tents adjacent to the 18th green to accommodate what the Tour has dubbed a “hosted experience.” What that means varies wildly from market to market depending on local and state COVID-19 regulations, but at the Wyndham it meant that 25 guests were allowed to gather outside and 10 were allowed inside the tents.

It seems, at least based on what we know now about COVID-19 spread, that the golf course and even outdoor hospitality areas will generally be safe if spaced. It’s getting to the site—without a long shuttle bus ride—that will be a long term issue for many tournaments.

Oh, and we’ll need some form of rapid testing and a system to confirm one is asymptomatic. And eventually, get everyone inoculated against the virus. No problema!

Chargers Coach Lynn Sought A COVID-19 Test After Hearing Of PGA Tour Golfer's Symptoms

Thanks to reader Steve for watching Hard Knocks so I don’t have to hear how Sean McVay has to tell his team where go No. 1 vs. No. 2, but also for the uplifting news that the PGA Tour’s return and some golfer’s misfortune prompted Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn to get tested. Who knows how many were spared after Lynn tested positive and quarantined, but no one can say the PGA Tour’s return was not also helpful in educating many, including well-paid coaches on how the symptoms go.

Jeff Miller of the LA Times reports.

He said he was watching a golf tournament during which one participant withdrew after testing positive. He said the golfer mentioned suffering from symptoms similar to the ones he felt.

“If I hadn’t been watching the golf event and saw that golfer complaining about back aches and soreness, I never even would have gotten tested,” Lynn said on the show. “I never even would have known it and probably got [other] people infected.”

I’m taking a wild guess here, but Denny McCarthy in July was the player most likely to have been the one given that he shared more symptons details.

Either way, as we learn more how to deal with this whole modern pandemic thing, it turns out the PGA Tour’s transparency, while painful for the guys who have tested positive, is actually a positive in ways you we can’t always imagine.

European Tour Is Not Messing Around, Files: American John Catlin DQ'd For Dining Outide The Bubble

This week’s English Championship on the European Tour will be minus world No. 242 John Catlin and his caddie after the two dined out Tuesday night.

From Ewan Murray’s Guardian report on the strict bubble and consequences for a violation in Europe.

Catlin said: “I apologise to my fellow players and everyone involved with the tournament this week for this error of judgement. I understand the European Tour’s decision and accept the sanction.”

Catlin will be replaced in the tournament by South African Wilco Nienaber.       

Among the other elements in this story noted by Murray: Catlin played last week and was familiar with the “bubble” policies.

Not noted but I can say as a fellow countryman: of course it was an American who couldn’t obey the bubble rules.

The full European Tour statement:

The European Tour has withdrawn American John Catlin and his caddie Nathan Mulrooney from this week’s English Championship at Hanbury Manor following a breach of its Covid-19 protocol.
The duo visited a local restaurant on the evening of Tuesday August 4 outside the tournament bubble, hence compromising the Tour’s health guidelines, and were withdrawn from the tournament with immediate effect as a result.

Catlin said: “I apologise to my fellow players and everyone involved with the tournament this week for this error of judgement. I understand the European Tour’s decision and accept the sanction.”

Catlin will be replaced in the tournament by South African Wilco Nienaber.

Branden Grace (T2) WD's After COVID-19 Positive Test Mid-Tournament

Major props to Branden Grace, tied for second after two rounds of the Barracuda Championship, choosing to alert PGA Tour officials to possible mild symptoms that could easily have been attributed to altitude. Unfortunately, he ended up testing positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from the opposite field event.

His voluntary admission is particularly noble given that Grace is 156th in the FedExCup, has fallen to 79th in the world and could use the good week he was primed for. He will likely WD from next week’s PGA where he has two recent top tens. Grace is also the only player to have shot 62 in a major championship.

The full PGA Tour statement:

PGA TOUR player Branden Grace has withdrawn from the Barracuda Championship prior to the third round after testing positive for COVID-19. 

 “I felt great all week,” said Grace. “Last night, I was tired and thought it had to do with the altitude. This morning, I notified the PGA TOUR about my symptoms before going to the golf course. I wanted to get tested out of respect for my peers and everyone involved with the tournament. While it is unfortunate given my position on the leaderboard, the most important thing is our health.”

 The PGA TOUR has implemented its response plan in consultation with medical experts, including working with those who may have had close contact with Grace. Grace’s caddie tested negative for COVID-19, but in accordance with CDC guidelines and TOUR health and safety protocols, he will quarantine for a period of 14 days. After conducting necessary contact tracing, the TOUR’s medical advisors are not recommending any additional testing at this time.

Grace will have the PGA TOUR’s full support throughout his self-isolation period of 10 days per CDC guidelines and TOUR health and safety protocols.

November's Australian Open At Kingston Heath To Be Rescheduled

11th hole at Kingston Heath (Geoff Shackelford)

No Kingston Heath later this year. Best case: January to March is an option.

For Immediate and Disappointing Release:

AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESCHEDULED

The Australian Open will not be played in 2020.

Golf Australia operations manager Simon Brookhouse remains very hopeful that the national championship, the fifth oldest in professional golf, will still be played this summer.

“These are very challenging times for all Australians and the uncertainty the global pandemic has caused makes it very difficult to be definitive in relation to future dates at this time,” Brookhouse said.

“We will continue our positive ongoing discussions with our major stakeholders which include the Victorian Government, our corporate partners, the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and other international tours about potential dates. However, it must be noted that there are many unknowns at the moment, which is problematic.”

The 105th edition of the Australian Open was to have been held in November, with multiple dates having been on the table. But Brookhouse said public health considerations had been the main reason behind making the decision to postpone.

“Then, when you consider the rescheduled major championships, particularly the Masters from 12-15 November, assembling the customary world-class field was also becoming increasingly difficult,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter of whether or not we could co-ordinate any international stars to visit. The uncertainty of the quarantine requirements for any players coming from outside Australia needed to be considered. These requirements would undoubtedly have an impact on our homegrown heroes before they would be able to consider playing, too,” he said.

“With all that in mind, we would like to think we could still play the Australian Open this summer and will work with the host, Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club, to find a date suitable for all.

“However it may have to be in the January-March 2021 window with so many variables still to play out.”

The decision means the Australian All Abilities Championship, which features the top 12 players on the World Rankings for Golfers with a Disability, will also be delayed as the tournament is played as part of the Australian Open field.

Brookhouse said Golf Australia and its event partner, Sportfive, would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when any additional information is available.

Milbank: “President Trump is not playing enough golf”

Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank thinks President Donald Trump could use more time on the golf course to apply the game’s values to the COVID-19 fight.

Above all, though, golf is a game of honor. If you hook your tee shot into the woods, you look for the ball for five minutes, then assess yourself a penalty stroke if you can’t find it. That may be the hardest lesson of all for Trump. According to those who have played with him, Trump doesn’t take a penalty stroke; he simply gives himself a “mulligan” — a free do-over. It lowers his score, but it’s cheating.

Maybe that’s why he has such trouble with the pandemic. He can get away with cheating on the golf course. But covid-19, as we have seen, does not allow mulligans.

Hey at least for a change a prominent columnist sees golf as a plus!

2020 Betfred British Masters: Paratore (Speedily) Wins European Tour's Restart Event

There is something especially comforting having the day start with some European Tour golf, even if the field won’t go down as one of the all time great assemblages in golf history. Those who tuned into the Betfred British Masters on Golf Channel were treated to a freakishly good (and fast) performance from 23-year-old Italian Renato Paratore, who played bogey-free for the first 62 holes.

The good news was flowing from Close House, including a triumphant return of European Tour play, a sponsorship extension and positive reviews from most players. But after the final round, host Lee Westwood opened up about his concern for traveling to the U.S. for upcoming majors and as The Guardian’s Ewan Murray notes, it was not the intent to overshadow the proceedings. But he probably did.

Either way, just one of many examples where Paratore wasted little time moving in when it’s his turn:

And he wastes no time! https://t.co/Ovl08gwULa pic.twitter.com/JuZmTbxnWJ

— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) July 25, 2020

The final round highlights:

Report(s): White House Lifts International Quarantine Rules For "Players caddies and essential personnel"

Reports from Rex Hoggard at GolfChannel.com, Bob Harig at ESPN.com and Brian Wacker at GolfDigest.com say a PGA Tour email to players confirms international players, caddies and essential personnel are not subject to quarantine rules, immediately. The stories all report that the new guidance was a direct result of White House intervention.

From Harig’s report:

According to the memo sent by PGA Tour executive Tyler Dennis, players, caddies and essential personnel are now exempt from quarantine rules "as these groups are subject to COVID-19 testing and screening through the Tour's rigorous health and safety protocols throughout a tournament week. This update replaces the 14-day quarantine period currently in place."

Lee Westwood is one of the last top players to have not made the voyage to the U.S. in advance of the upcoming PGA, and will not be despite the rule change. Harig notes this quote after Westwood completed hosting this week’s British Masters.

"It's just not the life I'm used to. I got out on the golf course and I am struggling for motivation a little bit. There is a lot more to consider. The two American tournaments, next week and the following week, I'm still concerned that America doesn't take it (the virus) as seriously as the rest of the world. It still seems to be one of the hotspots for outbreaks. I can control me not getting the virus and take all the measures I can, but somebody might pass it on. I don't really want to get ill with it and I'm slightly asthmatic. If I tested in Memphis I would have to stay there for two weeks... right now there are too many ifs."

Golf Inside The NBA Bubble Will Make You Feel Better About Your Game

76er Matisse Thybulle has been posting warts-and-all videos from the NBA bubble in Orlando. Thanks to reader BB for highlighting volume 4 that shows how NBA quarantine golf looks. In a nutshell: you’ll feel very good about your game seeing what’s taking place down there—albeit with clubs not made for some of the best and tallest athletes in the world.

I’ve embedded a version that starts at the golf portion, but if you are one of those plot zealots who just has to see their reality shows from the start, you can go here.

ESPN.com: PGA Championship Will Require Players To Test Negative For COVID-19

As the PGA of America gets ready to host the first major of 2020 at TPC Harding Park, they will be following the PGA Tour’s guidelines with one key exception, ESPN.com’s Bob Harig reports: negative COVID-19 test results.

Family members, agents and managers will not be permitted at Harding Park, but up to two coaches as well as a physical trainer and an interpreter (if necessary) will be allowed, subject to COVID-19 testing. No one will be allowed onto the grounds prior to getting a negative result, and all of the testing will be done away from Harding Park, starting on Aug. 2.

In recent weeks, the PGA Tour has allowed players continuing to test positive after experiencing some symptoms to play, or, in the case of some players, who’ve experienced no symptoms (and may have received a false positive test result.)

New Quarantine Rules Shake Up 100th New Jersey Open

Amateur Mike Muehr of Virginia had to WD due to a change in quarantine rules

Thanks to all who sent Greg Mattura’s story on amateur Mike Muehr having to WD from the 100th New Jersey Open despite being in contention, all because he’s from Virginia. The state was added to New Jersey’s 14-day quarantine list Tuesday and officials phoned Muehr to inform him that even after two rounds, he must withdraw.

Golfers making the cut to Wednesday's final round will be required to withdraw if in the past two weeks they have visited states added to the list: Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Virginia, and Washington.

"A very difficult decision for us to make, but the decision already has been made," Kevin Purcell, executive director of the New Jersey State Golf Association, said late Tuesday afternoon. "The policy was in place, and there's already been people who have withdrawn from the event because they had played in the states that had been on the list at that time."

Commissioner For A Day: The Email That Should Be Sent To Players, Jon Rahm Penalty Edition

Sunday, Jon Rahm won the Memorial Tournament despite a 71st hole penalty assessed for causing his ball to move.

If I were PGA Tour Commissioner this is the email I’d send to PGA Tour players regarding the increasingly problematic tendency to excessively ground the club behind the ball in any kind of lie.

Dear Greatest Athletes In All Of Sport,

It’s been an incredible run since the Return To Golf (© pending) started and I want to thank you for your continued use of a mask when getting Chipotle take-out. Amazing first step. Don’t hesitate to extend that face covering stuff in hotel lobbies or if you have not taken up the special NetJets offer we’ve highlighted (CODE: FLYINGCOMMERCIALSUCKS).

Meanwhile, our positivity rates are as low as the scores you’ve been shooting. Yes, that’s an unfortunate segue to the point of this email you will not read.

This is about the mashing. The pulping, the grinding, the grating, the smashing, the crushing, the squashing, the scrunching and the general pulverizing of grass behind your ball. As you may know by now, last week’s amazing Memorial Presented By Nationwide champion Jon Rahm (500 more FedExCup points) placed his club behind his ball and it moved ever so slightly. He meant nothing by it. However, under a very strict application of the rules, our staff assessed Jon a two-stroke penalty.

I highlight this because Jon is not alone in this habit of getting in there and really testing out that grass behind the ball. While I certainly understand the desire to get your money’s worth, I’d like to tell you a story. See, way back in 1744, guys not nearly as athletic as you, played a lot of golf at this trench-filled place call Leith Links. It was no TPC. The course was in Edinburgh, which you probably drove by when flying in for the The Open. Anyway, those rulemaking mid-18th century non-jocks came up with the original rules of golf. There was a line about playing the ball “where it lies.” Long, boring story short (for the agents possibly still reading this), that language evolved quickly into kind of this, like, big, big rule of golf that shaped all others. Miraculously, the whole play it as it lies creed was a thing for a solid 250 years, with hiccups along the way.

Anything you can do to not test the ground, press down, shard, grind, levigate, triturate or in general, look like you are improving your lie, would be appreciated. Especially when you’re in a featured group on PGA Tour Live or on one of our network partner broadcasts.

I would also point out that we’ll have a lot of rough at upcoming events, particularly with a PGA Championship and U.S. Open on the schedule. And of course The Playoffs© highlighting the season of championships. So talk to your teams about how to test out the ground and improve your feel for a shot by setting the club down NEXT to your ball instead of behind it where you might be seen improving your lie. Or in Jon’s causing the ball to move. Besides saving you penalty strokes and FedExCup points, this will make my next USGA/R&A rules meeting much more enjoyable.

Yours in the Return To Golf,

The Commissioner

Jack Nicklaus Reveals March Positive Test For COVID-19

As far as weather delay reveals go, Jack Nicklaus definitely dropped the most shocking of all during round four of the 2020 Memorial. Thankfully, he and wife Barbara (who also tested positive but did not experience symptoms, are both ok and grateful.

From Doug Ferguson’s AP story:

Nicklaus said his wife had no symptoms, while he had a sore throat and a cough. Nicklaus said they were home in North Palm Beach, Florida, from March 13 "until we were done with it" on about April 20.

"It didn't last very long, and we were very, very fortunate, very lucky," Nicklaus said. "Barbara and I are both of the age, both of us 80 years old, that is an at-risk age. Our hearts go out to the people who did lose their lives and their families. We were just a couple of the lucky ones."

Ferguson also notes this:

Nicklaus said that by having the antibodies, "theoretically we can't get it and can't give it. That's a nice position to be in.''

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a June 30 update, said it does not know if people who recover from COVID-19 can be infected again. It also said that even with a positive test for antibodies, "you still should take preventive measures to protect yourself and others."

The news capped a week started by Nicklaus insisting he could not pass the virus onto the Memorial winner during the traditional 18th green greeting. Now we know why he felt that way.

The full conversation with Jim Nantz: