🏌🏻 Tiger's Plans To Dominate Golf

Good morning. Tiger signed a new deal and revealed his plans for the season ahead in a press conference yesterday. We’ve got all the scoop in our top story.

We also dive deeper into what the future holds for two LIV Golf stars and take a look at the most controversial incidents from the recently concluded WM Phoenix Open.

That, and a tip to generate more power in your swing, in today's edition of Golf Reporter.

Today's Trivia: Tiger Woods sits first on the PGA Tour's all-time money list with $122 million. Who is second? Answer at the end of the email.

Here are the main stories you’ll be reading:

• Tournament This Week

• Tiger Plans to Dominate Golf in 2024: Here’s How!

• Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson's LIV Golf Future

• 10 Most Controversial Moments At The 2024 WM Phoenix Open

⛳ This day in history: On this date in 1918, Patty Berg was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a founding member and the first president of the LPGA. Her 15 major title wins remain the all-time record for most major wins by a female golfer.

NEXT ON THE TEE

PGA Tour: The Genesis Invitational

📍 When and Where: Feb. 15-18, Riviera Golf Course
💰 Purse: $20 million
🏌🏻 Headliners: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland

ALBATROSS
Tiger Plans to Dominate Golf in 2024: Here’s How!

Tiger Woods has officially unveiled his new clothing brand, Sun Day Red in association with TaylorMade. With the new brand comes a new logo that depicts a tiger jumping, replacing the 'TW' logo Woods used most of his career.

But Tiger's press conference on Monday evening near Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles was not just about unveiling his new brand or his return to The Genesis Invitational - take a look at what he plans for the 2024 season.

🏌🏻 Woods - the Determined Golfer: Tiger believes that he's ready to play a tournament per month in 2024. That’ll kick off at the Genesis Invitational and continue through major championship season.

🏌🏻 Woods - the Golfing Politician: This era of the Tour was built on Woods’ star power. Even with the billions swirling about, the decisions in its next era will run through him too. Tiger is ready to play a decisive role in the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger and a lot more.

🏌🏻 Woods - the Impatient Patient: Talking about 'game speed' and its effect on his recovery, Tiger revealed that he no longer has the same excruciating ankle pain which affected his golfing schedule. But his latest journey back is still an experimental journey with an uncertain destination — and a lot of work along the way.

🏌🏻 Woods - the Ultimate Competitor: When Tiger loses his ability to compete, that’ll be it for him on Tour.

But the end is not near yet. Tiger believes he can still win.

TWEET
Worth Mentioning

EAGLE
Mickelson and Watson's LIV Golf Future Uncertain

Phil Mickelson could well be set to take on a non-playing role at LIV Golf alongside Bubba Watson, when the pair's current contracts with the league expire. Players will re-enter negotiations with league bosses towards the end of 2025, with Mickelson and Watson potentially becoming non-playing captains.

In 20 events on the LIV Golf circuit, Mickelson has just two top-10 finishes to his name, having struggled to replicate the form that made him one of the sport's greatest ever players during his time on the PGA Tour. Two-time Masters winner Watson has faced similar struggles too.

Watson recently admitted that he would be open to taking a non-playing role with the RangeGoats.

Mickelson has also vowed to retire from golf in recent years, but after winning the career Grand Slam - the U.S. Open the only major championship title he is yet to get his hands on.

LOCKER ROOM
What else is making news

WM Phoenix Open: The WM Phoenix Open has released an official statement apologising to fans for closing its gates and not allowing fans to enter the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course mid-way through the tournament. The event was chaotic with rough weather, rowdy crowds and round delays marring the action across all four days.

LIV Golf: Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC LIV Golf team has launched a community impact program to empower people through the game of golf. It has been named 'Smash For Success'.

Caddie Corner: Tiger Woods will have veteran caddie Lance Bennett on the bag for The Genesis Invitational at Riviera. He has previously been the bagman for Matt Kuchar, Sungjae Im and Davis Riley, among others.

Zach Johnson: Two-time Major Champion Zach Johnson has stated on record that he might not return to the WM Phoenix Open ever again. Johnson was repeatedly involved in heated exchanges with rowdy fans during the tournament last weekend.

New Ball: Tiger Woods will be using a new ball - the Bridgestone TOUR BX at The Genesis Invitational. This latest edition Tour BX ball becomes available to the public on Friday.

Record Alert: Kazuma Kobori registered a third Webex Players Series win in four starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The only other player in male golf history to secure three wins in his first 10 pro starts was Tiger Woods.

BIRDIE
Most Controversial Incidents At The 2024 WM Phoenix Open

The 2024 WM Phoenix Open saw some of the event's rowdiest scenes to date - here are the most controversial incidents. 

🤦 Fans Trampled: The sheer number of people who attended on Saturday combined with poor weather, led to a decision to temporarily shut the gates and stop alcohol sales after the grassy hills and walkways became unusable. Fans were getting trampled in the crowded areas.

🤦 Invader Makes Sand Angels In Bunker: A fan got onto the fairway and headed straight for the bunker, somehow landing on his neck in it before proceeding to make sand angels.

🤦 Fan Urinates In Public: One fan couldn’t wait for his turn in the bathroom, and instead chose to urinate in full view of other members of the crowd – and largely to their amusement.

🤦 Fans Annoy Players: A number of heated exchanges between fans and players were caught on camera. Pro golfers like Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Billy Horschel were involved in ugly altercations with rowdy fans.

🤦 Alcohol Thrown On Fans: Vessels and bottles containing alcohol were being emptied from the stands onto fans below.

DRIVING RANGE
How To Generate Power In Your Swing

In this video, we show you how important it is to clear your hips in the golf swing and how it can generate so much power in your golf shots.

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