🏌🏻 Rory's Tribute To Tiger

Plus: Nick Dunlap's huge rank jump, and more

January 23, 2024

Good morning. Two Golf legends make headlines this morning - find out how Woods ‘inspired’ McIlroy to win Dubai, Nick Dunlap makes a huge jump at world golf rankings, and we dive into the incredible odds against sponsor-exempted golfers.

That, and a tip on how you can use your thumbs to improve you short game in today’s edition of Golf Reporter.

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⛳ This day in history: On this date in 1954, the U.S. Golf Association established the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor it bestows. The first recipient in 1955 was Francis Ouimet; the 2023 award went to two-time major champion Johnny Miller.

ALBATROSS
Rory’s Win Inspired By Tiger

Photo: Getty Images | Source: Mirror

Rory McIlroy paid tribute to his good friend and 'hero' Tiger Woods following his epic comeback win at the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods won the event on two occasions, and McIlroy admitted that following in his hero's footsteps makes it extra special.

"I think it's the only way to be able to compare yourself to the people that you grew up idolizing. So I grew up - my hero was Tiger Woods. I wanted to do what Tiger did. I'll probably not have the career that he's had, but I still look at the trophies that I've won and my name is on those same trophies that his are on, as well..."

- Rory McIlroy

McIlroy also alluded to the success of 22-year-old Michael Thorbjornsen, who became the leading amateur at this event for the second-straight year. He hopes to have the same effect on the young American that Tiger has had on his career. al

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TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Dunlap Jumps 4,000+ Spots In OWGR

Source: Golf Digest

Nick Dunlap has jumped 4,061 places in the latest OWGR update to now be ranked 68th in the world following his victory at The American Express. He has joined an exclusive club of just five amateurs to have won on the PGA Tour in the last 70 years.

While he did make an incredible jump in the rankings, he won't be able to claim any money from The AMEX purse, as he's still an amateur. The $1,512,000 winner’s check goes to runner-up Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

What's Next for Nick Dunlap?

Dunlap can take up PGA Tour membership at any point this season. He would have to turn pro and take up Tour membership to participate in the remaining seven signature events this season.

If he does turn professional, he would still be exempt into the Masters and the PGA Championship as a PGA Tour winner.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

Farmers Insurance Open: Nick Dunlap has become the latest golfer to withdraw from the event at Torrey Pines, following in the footsteps of Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler. He will return to Alabama to spend time with his family and friends.

TGL: Justin Rose has joined Collin Morikawa's Los Angeles TGL team. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL is on hold for a year after its purpose-built arena was damaged in November 2023.

LPGA Tour: Former World No 1 and 5-time Major winner Yani Tseng will play in an LPGA Tour event for the first time in over two years, having confirmed her participation in this week's Drive On Championship. She was last seen in action at the Volunteers of America Classic in July 2021.

International Series: Multiple LIV Golf stars including Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Anirban Lahiri will play at the opening International Series event of the Asian Tour season in Oman. The event is scheduled to take place from February 22-25.

BIRDIE
Only 12 Golfers Win PGA Tour Post Sponsor Exemption Since 1990

Source: Golfweek

Since 1990, there have been 1000+ PGA Tour events, but just 12 golfers have won a tournament after getting a sponsor exemption.

Phil Mickelson (1991)

Phil Mickelson won the Northern Telecom Open at Tucson National Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 22, 1995, as an amateur at Arizona State.

Tiger Woods (1996)

A 20-year-old Tiger Woods won the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational in a playoff over Davis Love III. He played the event thanks to a sponsor exemption quota and collected his first winner’s check as a professional.

Adam Scott (2003)

Adam Scott won the 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston after participating in the event as a sponsor exemption. It was Scott's first title on the PGA Tour.

Nick Dunlap (2024)

Nick Dunlap won The American Express and became the first amateur since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win on the PGA Tour. He was ranked 4,129th in the world before the event and only managed to participate because of a sponsor exemption.

DRIVING RANGE
Thumbs Are Key To Your Short Game

In this video, learn how focusing on the thumbs can give you more control while putting or chipping and eliminates the unnecessary extra wrist movement.

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