Bryson Apologizes To His USGA "Family"

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Bryson DeChambeau, whose side-saddle putter was ruled non-conforming by the USGA, missed another cut and vented about having to abandon the method because he could not use his preferred blade.

Brian Wacker reports from the Honda Classic.

“It [was] a long conversation,” DeChambeau said after a 71 to miss the cut by four shots. “But the USGA essentially doesn’t like me doing it.

“I’m pretty much done with it. They’re not a good organization, and you can quote me on that. I’m part of their family and as family it’s very frustrating to see them stunt the growth of the game.”

I'm not sure about this "family" he speaks but one presumes there are not secret handshakes, just USGA championships which bond the winners with the USGA family.

Anyway, DeChambeau took to Twitter to apologize, though he made similar comments at Torrey Pines.

DeChambeau is mercifully off this week and has a chance to hit a reset button that has included launching new irons at the PGA Show, then trying to play that same week at Torrey Pines. He has also tried to change putting styles and has taken on the weight of "growing the game" which, while very admirable, may be just too much on his plate given how competitive the PGA Tour can be.

Poulter On Borrowed Time: Six Starts To Keep Card

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Ian Poulter may be the most intriguing player to watch as this week's Honda Classic develops. The tournament is one of six remaining starts on a major medical exemption and the former world no. 5 needs $220k or so to retain PGA Tour status.

Doug Ferguson with Poulter's story.

When he returned in the fall, he had 10 events on a major medical extension to keep his card. He played four times on the PGA Tour and missed two cuts. Going into the Honda Classic, he has six tournaments remaining to earn either $220,301 or 154 FedEx Cup points.

That's in the neighborhood of a fifth-place finish.

"I'm on borrowed time," Poulter said. "Yeah, I need to perform well. ... A win would be nice. I have to think that I've got a chance, I really do. The situation I'm in, I have to be aggressive, but I've got to be careful. I can't make many mistakes."

"Are pro golfers losing their longevity?"

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That's the topic tackled by the WSJ's Brian Costa in light of injuries to top players, huge purses, wraparound calendars and signs that we may see shorter runs by tour players.

After setting up the premise, Costa includes this:

Of course, no one wants to end up exactly like Woods, no matter how many tournaments they win along the way. His present is painful and his future appears increasingly bleak. And there are plenty of ways today’s stars can avoid the same fate.

Day said he is making a slight swing change this year that will make it easier on his back even if it is likely to cost him a few yards off the tee. Players are becoming ever smarter about the way they approach fitness. And if more of them break down at earlier ages, their peers can draw lessons from that.

“If these guys only have 10-year careers, that will be more learning for golf,” said 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy. But if they have 20-year careers, that might well be enough for some of them.

Thomas Pieters, a 25-year-old Belgian who is one of golf’s rising stars, said for as much as he wants to win major championships now, he wants to do something else by the time he is in his mid-40s. He has thought about joining some of his friends in the real estate business one day.

“There is more to life than golf,” he said.

Roundup: Rahm's (Seemingly Special) Farmers Win

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Maybe it's that we've been hearing what a supreme talent he is, or perhaps it's just how impressive Jon Rahm was in his post-round press conference. Either way, his back nine 30 over a host of players who vied for the 2017 Farmers title moves him to the seemingly endless list of emerging talents.

Now at world No. 46 after joining 91 spots (according to GolfChannel.com's Will Gray) and, reports CBSSports.com's Kyle Porter, Rahm is the fastest to make $2 million in PGA Tour history (passing Spieth who passed Woods)

He also charmed everyone with his infectious blend of class and enthusiam over winning at Torrey Pines, as noted in Teryn Schaefer's PGATour.com roundup that includes some fun behind-the-scenes footage of his trophy ceremony and celebration.

Doug Ferguson does a nice job telling Rahm's story in this AP look at Sunday's winner.

Golfweek's Jeff Babineau wrote this of Rahm:

Sunday evening, Rahm made for a pretty proud picture sitting next to that beautiful copper trophy of a Torrey Pine that he’d just earned. He loved the golf course before he ever saw it in person, reciting various Torrey Pines’ South highlights (such as John Daly’s bunker shot) he has viewed through the years. It’s an iconic place, and to him, winning here was extra special.

Mark Whicker had some fun anecdotes in this OC Register column, including this from caddy Adam Hayes:

“The college game is so good now,” Hayes said. “If you win there, you can win here, as long as you don’t change anything.’

The most fascinating anecdote may have been Rahm's belief that his excellent English was best shaped by listening to hip-hop. Steve DiMeglio reports this aspect of the Rahm story for USAToday:

The cadence of rap appealed to the latest winner on the PGA Tour as he memorized tracks, especially two of his favorite songs — Eminem’s Love the Way You Lie, and Lamar’s Swimming Pools.

“Memorizing rap songs in English … helped me out a lot to pronounce and actually understand what was going on and keeping up with people in conversation,” Rahm said following his breakthrough win Sunday in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego. “You can look (those songs) up. They're good.”

For a deeper dive on Rahm, GolfChannel.com's Ryan Lavner chronicled Rahm's ASU career in 2015.

NYT: Sam Saunders Reflects On His Grandfather

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The New York Times' Karen Crouse catches up with Sam Saunders, who had a dreadful fall when he lost both of his grandfathers while also having to withdraw from the Web.com Tour Playoffs to care for his ill child, Ace.

But Saunders is back playing the Web.com Tour and able to reflect with great strength about what must be such a tough topic: his unexpected last call with grandfather Arnold Palmer.

The entire story is excellent and worth your time, but this stood out:

He was caring for Ace on Sept. 25 when Kelly reminded him to check in with Palmer, who was in a hospital in Pittsburgh preparing for surgery.

Saunders knew his grandfather would appreciate hearing from him. Since the death in 2003 of Mark McCormack — Palmer’s friend and business manager, who slipped into a coma after going into cardiac arrest while having minor surgery at a dermatologist’s office — Palmer had stubbornly resisted any medical procedure that required anesthesia, including hip replacement.

“For a guy who seemed so tough, he was scared of that,” Saunders said.

Palmer answered on the first ring, and their brief conversation sounded no alarms with Saunders, who said he was caught completely off guard when his father called a few hours later to relay the news that Palmer, 87, had died.

Nike Rolls Out Jason Day In A $90 Polo

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The new Nike man wore the orange on white combo in round one at Kapalua. Personally, I love that Nike is trying to re-imagine the collar but I'm not so sure about the super tight fit or the Hot Dog On A Stick colors.

Ironically Nike is promoting the shirts' ability to adapt to a long round with many changes in body temperature in the same week Day pronounced his intent to not hit a shot until he's darn well ready. Perhaps he's been emboldened by the Aeroreact technology!


Darren Rovell says the shirt will retail for $90.


The shorts and compression leggings look is still trying to hang around...

More Splashy Signings: Bubba To Volvik Ball, Lydia To PXG For $10 Million Over Five Years

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The high profile switches continue, and while we know Bubba Watson has moved the equipment needle before, can he make golf ball buyers go pink?

Golf.com's Michael Chawra says that's the color Bubba hopes to play even though the model he's selected is not sold in pink.

Bubba says it was his idea to play the Volvik ball after watching the World Long Drive. Jeff Babineau reports from Maui for Golfweek.com on Bubba's claim and notes this about world top ten golf ball usage:

With Watson playing a Volvik ball, five companies now are represented among the top 10 players in the world. With Rory McIlroy expected to return to Titleist (Pro V1x) when he competes in South Africa this month, Titleist will have four of the top 10 (two playing Pro V1, two playing Pro V1x). Also represented are TaylorMade (two), Callaway (two), Srixon (one) and now Volvik.

Continuing its high profile splash into the equipment business, my sources say PXG's Bob Parsons has signed Lydia Ko for a whopping $10 million over five years, while also adding Brittany Lang, Christina Kim and Ryan O’Toole as new members of the staff.

Beth Ann Baldry, reporting for Golfweek.com says Parsons is going after LPGA players in search of international sales:

“In 2016 we saw remarkable growth in international sales,” PXG founder Bob Parsons said in a news release, “but we recognize that we have only scratched the surface. Tour validation is important, and the ladies tour is wildly popular in many countries.”

Here is Lydia discussing her switch on Morning Drive, which will also include a PXG putter:

Ko also did a nice demo on Aimpoint Express, using Golf Channel's new virtual putting green.

The full PXG press release:

PXG Adds #1 Ranked Golfer Lydia Ko to Its Roster of Champions
2017 Tour Lineup Supports PXG’s International Growth Strategy
 
Scottsdale, AZ (January 3, 2017) – Today, PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf) revealed a tour strategy designed to help accelerate and capitalize on global excitement surrounding the company’s brand and revolutionary equipment. In a bold move, PXG has focused solely on signing LPGA Tour talent for the 2017 season. At the top of the list is world number one, Lydia Ko.

“This year PXG is looking at golf and the tour from a global perspective,” said PXG founder and American entrepreneur Bob Parsons. “In 2016 we saw remarkable growth in international sales, but we recognize that we have only scratched the surface. Tour validation is important, and the ladies tour is wildly popular in many countries. We had five exceptional ladies on staff in 2016 and this year that number has grown to nine. These players, as well as our top-notch PGA TOUR pros, will help us bring PXG’s unmatched technology to passionate golfers around the globe.”

New #PXGTroops include:
    •    Lydia Ko, 14 time LPGA Tour Winner
    •    Brittany Lang, Reigning U.S. Women’s Open Champion
    •    Christina Kim, 3 time LPGA Tour Winner
    •    Ryan O’Toole, 2011 Solheim Cup Team Member

“It was always my dream goal to become world number one,” Lydia Ko shared. “Now that I have reached that benchmark in my career, I am focused on consistently playing the best golf I can. When I first hit PXG’s clubs I was extremely impressed by how they felt. They felt solid and the performance was – wow!”

Known for developing leading technology that delivers indisputable performance. The company invests heavily in research and development, and does not prescribe to traditional product cycles.

“I’ve had PXG clubs in my bag for several months and all I can say is they are the real deal,” said Christina Kim. “The wedges have got to be the best I’ve ever played and the rest of the clubs are simply excellent. I couldn’t be more excited about being part of a company that is disrupting norms and taking risks in the name of innovation and performance.”

PXG’s professionals represent some of the very best talent on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour. The new players will join current #PXGTroops James Hahn, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III, Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk, Ryan Moore, Charl Schwartzel, Cristie Kerr, Alison Lee, Sadena Parks, Gerina Piller and Beatriz Recari.

“I have so much respect for PXG and Bob Parsons,” Brittany Lang said. “Being on staff is really a special opportunity.”

“From founder to fitter, every representative of PXG is passionate about golf and dedicated to making sure golfers are able to experience incredible results on the course. I have never been so impressed by a company,” Ryann O’Toole added. 

Look Out Sir Charles: MJ's Been Working On His Swing...

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Kyle Porter of CBSSports.com says "Michael Jordan's golf swing is nearly as bizarre as Charles Barkley's."

Way harsh Kyle!

That said, it's always fascinating to see what a world class athlete is doing to conquer the game and while MJ hasn't developed the, uh, swing fluidity issues that Charles Barkley is world famous for, he does appear to be working on something...something.

Dottie's Year In Review: Lydia Take Ownership

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As a few year-in-review stories pop up, Dottie Pepper's wrap for ESPN.com ably covers the highs and lows of the season.

Her effort to highlight the activity in Lydia Ko's golf life (firing caddy and instructor, equipment change coming) included this interesting bit related to the now-former teacher David Leadbetter.

Tournament time is when you put your work on auto pilot and play golf, not try to reinvent the wheel with a teacher stuck to you like cellophane. Leadbetter (and he's not alone in this) constantly shows up at the biggest events and is over-involved with the student, not just applying a bit of polish and a pop of confidence. I also found this particular case fascinating because Hogan was Lydia's day-to-day coach, not Leadbetter. But when the biggest events rolled around, Leadbetter was the one present.

Advice to Lydia: Take ownership of everything in your life and do your preparation in the quiet of your home, not in the public eye.

And Ko has, claiming the decision was hers, with consultation of her parents. Bailey Moisier reports for GolfChannel.com.