1. Woods out at U.S. Open and Quicken Loans National
Writer: Wire Report
Source: PGATour.com
Excerpt: Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will not play in next week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont. Woods also wrote in a statement on his website that he will attend the following week’s Quicken Loans National, which is run by his foundation, but will not play in the event.
“While I continue to work hard on getting healthy, I am not physically ready to play in this year’s U.S. Open and the Quicken Loans National,” Woods wrote. “I am making progress, but I’m not yet ready for tournament competition. READ IT
2. One-and-Done: FedEx St. Jude Classic
Writer: Rob Bolton
Source: PGATOUR.com
Excerpt: All right, so we went 0-for-6 at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. At the risk of sounding defensive, if you consider yourself a fantasy gamer, then you and your league have been there. Trophies aren’t handed out just because. It’s why they play. And these are the reminders that help soften the sting. READ IT
3. Shell to end PGA Tour sponsorship after 2017
Writer: Will Gray
Source: TheGolfChannel.com
Excerpt: Shell Oil Company has informed the PGA Tour that it will not renew its title sponsorship of the Shell Houston Open beyond the 2017 tournament. Shell has sponsored the event, annually held at the Golf Club of Houston the week before the Masters, since 1992. Only the Honda Classic (1982) and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (1986) have had longer runs with their current sponsors. READ IT
4. Newcomers invade the FedEx St. Jude Classic
Writer: Sean Martin
Source: PGATour.com
Excerpt: MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Three college stars, two trick-shot artists and a legend seeking a Grand Slam victory. In the theme of the 12 Days of the Christmas, let us present Four Days of Memphis, where the FedEx St. Jude Classic welcomes a wide spectrum of players to TPC Southwind. Phil Mickelson headlines the field in his last start before he heads to Oakmont, where he’ll take a third crack at the career Grand Slam. READ IT
5. Ping Unveils New Putters at FedEx St. Jude Classic
Writer: Rob Sauerhaft
Source: Golf.com
Excerpt: This week, Ping is rolling out a new line of putters at the PGA Tour’s FedEx St. Jude Classic. Company officials confirm that its new Vault family includes blades (Anser2 and Voss) and midsize mallets (Bergen and Oslo), in satin and black finishes. Additional details are not available at this time. READ IT
6. Fox points to technology in vowing improvement for 2016 U.S. Open
Writer: Martin Kaufmann
Source: GolfWeek.com
Excerpt: During a conference call to discuss Fox Sports’ coverage later this month of the U.S. Open, a writer asked anchor Joe Buck what most excited him about the tournament. “I’m excited, first of all, for green grass and a white ball landing on green grass,” Buck deadpanned. The comment drew laughter from Buck’s colleagues on the call. The lingering image of last year’s U.S. Open, Fox’s first as the U.S. Golf Association’s broadcast partner, was of TV viewers squinting to try to see balls against the tawny, sun-splashed turf at Chambers Bay. READ IT
7. Golfer’s botched 2-inch putt keeps him out of 2016 U.S. Open
Writer: Kyle Porter
Source: CBSSports.com
Excerpt: Two years ago, Erik Compton was the toast of the 2014 U.S. Open. Outside of Martin Kaymer, anyway. Kaymer ran away and hid with the trophy that week, but Compton who is a two-time heart transplant recipient showed out and finished in the top five. His performance was a revelation. It was also about the exact opposite of what happened in a sectional qualifier on Monday as Compton tried once again to qualify for his country’s national championship. According to Ryan Reiterman of Golf Channel, who was at the qualifier (which is not televised), Compton missed a two-inch putt during his second round on Monday. Two inches! He finished one shot out of a six-man playoff for five spots in the U.S. Open. READ IT
8. Condoleezza Rice on diversity: ‘Golf needs to look more like America’
Writer: Luke Kerr-Dineen
Source: USAToday.com
Excerpt: Talk to any major player in the golf industry and they’ll tell you the three biggest problems facing the sport of golf: Lack of time, lack of money, and lack of diversity. If golf wants to grow and attract more people to the game, it simply needs to broaden its tent. The last of those three — golf’s lack of diversity — is arguably the problem that has plagued golf the most throughout its history. Donald Trump’s divisive run for president (Trump owns a number of golf courses that host PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events) has only increased the perception. But now, Condoleezza Rice is trying to change that. READ IT
9. The son of a Silicon Valley legend is one of the best amateur golfers in the world, but he may never turn pro
Writer: Emmett Knowlton
Source: BusinessInsider.com
Excerpt: Maverick McNealy is shaping up to be the latest in a long line of Stanford golf royalty destined for PGA Tour greatness. The only problem is that McNealy may never even turn pro. In a fascinating story in The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, McNealy said that he is not certain that the lifestyle of a professional golfer is the one he wants, or the one he believes he ought to pursue, considering his privilege. READ IT
10. For players in Women’s PGA Championship, Sahalee beautiful and confounding
Writer: Scott Hanson
Source: SeattleTimes.com
Excerpt: Sahalee translates to “high heavenly ground” in the language of the Chinook, and this tract of land atop the Sammamish Plateau fits that billing with its amazing array of colors — the rhododendrons that reach 30 feet, the grand, old red cedars and Douglas firs, and the brilliant blue of the ponds. Sahalee Country Club is a beautiful place, indeed. But put a golf club in your hand here, and things quickly can turn ugly. READ IT
