🏌🏻 Blunders

Good morning. PGA Tour and LIV Golf saga is still making all the news as the merger deadline approaches. Apart from that, we take a look at the biggest rules controversies and blunders in 2023 and take a deep dive into Tiger Woods' earnings from last season.

We cover this and much more…

So, amidst the day's activities, let's take a quick journey into the latest in golf.

⛳ This day in history: American golf professional Charley Hoffman is more of a journeyman nowadays on the PGA Tour at age 47. He was born on this date in 1976. The San Diego native has four PGA Tour victories and two top-10s in majors. His highest world ranking was 20th.

ALBATROS
The 14 Biggest Controversies And Blunders of 2023

Each year, professional golfers engage in intense competition while navigating the complexities of the Rules of Golf. Despite their deeper understanding, professionals occasionally overlook these rules, succumb to pressure, or unintentionally breach them.

In some contentious cases, they may genuinely believe they haven't violated any rules. Last year, it was no different. Here are the biggest rules controversies from 2023 all in one place.

Matthew Fitzpatrick calls penalty on Collin Morikawa: Following the third round of the 2023 Hero World Challenge, Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion, incurred a two-shot penalty due to a breach of Model Local Rule G-11, which limits the use of green-reading materials among professional golfers. Fellow pro, Fitzpatrick, had interestingly reached out to Tour rules official Stephen Cox to inquire about the rule. Upon further inquiry, Fitzpatrick disclosed Morikawa's mistake, leading to the penalty being imposed.

Lydia Ko hit with 7-shot penalty: At the LPGA's Dana Open, Ko faced a substantial penalty. Unaware of the rule modifications for Sunday's play, the former World No. 1 proceeded to lift, clean, and place her balls on specific holes (3, 7, 9, and 11). Realizing her error after retrieving her ball on the 11th hole, Ko promptly summoned a rules official. Following discussion, she received two-stroke penalties for her actions on holes 3, 7, and 9.

Rory McIlroy gets away with incorrect drop: During the final round of the U.S. Open at LACC, Rory McIlroy encountered a situation where his approach shot became deeply embedded in the fescue along a steep bank of a greenside bunker. Following consultation with a rules official, it was concluded that McIlroy's ball was embedded, allowing him to take a free drop. Post-round, the USGA acknowledged the error in the drop but decided against penalizing McIlroy as the ball was placed within 18 inches of the correct spot and provided no advantage from the incorrect placement.

Cameron Young forgets to move ball mark back: At Oak Hill, Young made his initial putt on the 16th hole, leaving his ball approximately two feet away. Given that his ball obstructed his playing partner Tommy Fleetwood's putting line, Fleetwood requested Young to adjust his mark, which he did, shifting it one putter head to the right. However, after Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama finished their putts, Young proceeded to sink his two-foot putt without returning his ball to its original position—a breach of rule 15.3c. Young was subsequently penalized two shots.

Richard Bland gets slow-play penalty: During the July LIV event at Valderrama Golf Club, Bland and his playing group received a warning for slow play early in the second round. Subsequently, on the 15th tee, Bland took 1 minute and 49 seconds before hitting his drive. This action led to a two-stroke penalty for slow play, marking the first occurrence of such a penalty in LIV Golf.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Jay Monahan and Greg Norman In The Firing Line

PGA Tour's Jay Monahan and LIV's Greg Norman seem to be on the same boat - departure is looming large. 

When Monahan chose to collaborate with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund earlier in June, he was met with harsh criticism. Following the controversial framework agreement, PGA Tour members allegedly lost faith in Monahan's leadership; as a result, the commissioner could resign following the final decision on the deal being announced at the end of this year.

On the other hand, if the agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is approved, Greg Norman can potentially lose his position. When the merger was first announced in June, rumors started to spread that Monahan could terminate LIV Golf as a result of the agreement, which might cause Norman to resign as LIV Golf's CEO. However, things have changed since.

As it stands, the PGA Tour knows it cannot compete with the LIV's war chest of more than $700 billion, led by PIF. That puts Norman in a position of strength. And Monahan desperately trying to hold on.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

LIV v/s PGA: Tiger Woods will have a crucial role to play in the future of LIV golf stars if both the events can reach a commercial agreement before the end of this year. Woods is a player director on the tour's policy board alongside Charley Hoffman, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Jordan Spieth and Webb Simpson. The board has the authority to pass any potential changes as part of the merger discussions.

Caddie Corner: World No.11 Tom Kim has hired a new caddie in the form of Daniel Parratt. Meanwhile, long-time caddie Paul Tesori has parted ways with Cameron Young to join veteran Brendon Todd.

Golf-ball rollback: Six-time major champion Lee Trevino has hit out at the concept of ball rollback. The USGA and R&A plan to limit golf-ball distance for all golfers in the coming years and Trevino believes it is a 'bad idea'.

BIRDIE
Justin Thomas 'Inspired By Rivals'

Former World Number one Justin Thomas is inspired by Eric Cole and Adam Schenk, who secured places in next year's four majors due to their consistent performances despite the PGA Tour's division into two segments.

In the upcoming season, top-ranked players will compete in high-stakes £15 million events, while others will vie for around £6.7 million in alternate tournaments.

Thomas admires Cole and Schenk for their journey, being the sole individuals to ascend from beyond the top 150 rankings to the top 50 on the tour, considering them exemplary figures for aspiring golfers.

Thomas sees the ascent of Cole and Schenk as a testament to the potential for achievement, rather than focusing on the privileges top golfers receive.

Despite not clinching any tournament victories in 2023, both players' consistent performances propelled them up the rankings, paving the way for significant opportunities in the upcoming season.

Cole's journey spans a decade, navigating through minor tours, elevating from World No. 384 to an impressive No. 41. Similarly, Schenk's progression includes qualifying for the Tour Championship and securing spots in all major tournaments, showcasing continual improvement over the years.

DRIVING RANGE
Tips To Hit 50 to 120-yard Wedge Shots With Precision

In this video, Parker McLachlin shares the ingredients to improve your short game from 50,75, 90, 105 and 120 yards.