No, he didn't win the RBC Heritage. But he was in the conversation for the first time in 10 months. That's no small thing in a condensed schedule with three majors still looming.
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So Yeon Ryu closed with an even-par 72 to win the Korea Women's Open on Sunday. The two-time major champion donated her over $200,000 in prize money to coronavirus relief funds.
A father vowed to play Pebble Beach with his three boys. Two years before he died, he did it.
Come to Hilton Head Island and act like it never happened!
Or something like that, at least if you go by post-round comments at the RBC Heritage where players wondered if Nick Watney was an unlucky victim of a lax distancing and mask scene.
Justin Thomas was probably the most blunt about the scene, as Joel Beall reports for GolfDigest.com.
"Yeah, obviously, I was bummed [about Watney]. I don't want to—it's a shame because ... we have done such a great job these first two weeks,” Thomas said. “I mean, no offense to Hilton Head, but they're seeming to not take it very seriously. It's an absolute zoo around here. There's people everywhere. The beaches are absolutely packed. Every restaurant, from what I've seen when I've been driving by, is absolutely crowded. So I would say it's no coincidence that there's got to be a lot of stuff going on around here.
“Unfortunately, that's not on Nick because I know he's very cautious and has done everything he can, but I would say a lot of people in this area of Hilton Head just aren't.”
On a white board somewhere in Ponte Vedra Beach, there was a list of reasons why PGA Tour needed to be careful in returning before most American sports.
I think we’d all agree that a top 3 lock sounded something like player and caddie safety in a time of pandemic. Next, there was surely something about doing damage to efforts at keeping golf or all other sports viable. Shoot, maybe something about not hurting the image of the game. Well, the PGA Tour.
Anyway, I’m fairly certain another top three reason would have been wishing the virus on a fellow player. Actually, no one in their right mind would think a player might…oh, wait, you said Sergio’s playing this week?
Sigh.
Following a third round 65 that has him two strokes off the RBC Heritage, Sergio Garcia accomplished at least one thing: he got Rory McIlroy out of the lead for the week’s Most Regrettable Comment.
Webb Simpson managed only one birdie on the back nine Saturday at Harbour Town, and that was just enough for him to post a 3-under 68 and join a four-way share of the lead at the RBC Heritage.
Chris Kirk won the Korn Ferry Tour's King & Bear Classic on Saturday at World Golf Village, a year after taking a leave of absence from the PGA Tour for personal reasons.
If it weren't for his fitness tracker showing an elevated respiratory rate on Friday morning, Nick Watney wouldn't have felt the need to request a COVID-19 test that came back positive, Sergio Garcia said on Saturday.
He tested negative when he arrived on site. Three days later, he tested positive. Along the way, his case uncovered some holes in the PGA Tour's system and showed again that this ongoing return remains complicated.
The PGA Tour announced Saturday that 11 people who were in contact with Nick Watney were administered COVID-19 tests and all the results came back negative after the golfer on Friday became the first player to test positive for the virus.
You’re here because it’s the day before Father’s Day and you’re just now thinking about what to get dear old Dad. Or maybe you’re here because you like a good discount. Not only are we compiling some of the internet’s best Father’s Day gift ideas for the procrastinators of the world, but we’re guaranteeing that every one of them is a bargain.
What is MyGolfSpy Deals? You’ll likely recognize some past winners from Most Wanted tests, MGS Labs and 59 Awards. We’ll also toss in some staff favorites or products we’re actively looking to purchase ourselves. Beyond that, it’s a potpourri of items we think you might like or timely deals on seasonal gear. Only the best hand-picked deals will be posted. Only the most trusted merchants will be listed.
We find the best deals and pass the savings along to you.
The Best “Day After Father’s Day” Gift Deals
1. Srixon Z565 Driver
A #MostWanted winner for only $139….what?? That’s a no-brainer.
PGA Tour Statement On Nick Watney
News of Nick Watney becoming the first PGA Tour player to test positive for COVID-19 was met with a fairly consistent chorus of “a matter of when, not if”.
However, a quick review suggests the PGA Tour “bubble” has burst in just week two of the “Return to Golf.”
There will be wide-ranging implications for public health, Watney’s peers, golf tournaments going forward and even the entire sports business world. The “matter of when, not if” view discounts what appears to be sloppiness by Watney at the very least, and signs early on that PGA Tour policies were too lenient or simply not enforceable due to player apathy.
A review, starting with this sequence of events from AP’s Doug Ferguson reporting from the RBC Heritage on Watney’s movements.
Webb Simpson sank a 6-footer to birdie his final hole for a 6-under 65 and a one-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau and Corey Conners on Friday at the RBC Heritage.
Nick Watney became the first player on the PGA Tour to test positive for the coronavirus and then withdrew from the RBC Heritage.
Bryson DeChambeau has added pounds -- of muscle, he'd like you to know -- in a short time. The change increased his swing speed and added length off the tee. All he has to do is point to his scores to provide proof of his plan.
June 19, 2020
We Stand United–NCGA Statement Against Racism and Injustices
The NCGA is committed to delivering our vision to ensure the game of golf is vibrant, inclusive and accessible to all. We know this is a challenging and hurtful time for many of our members and golf community.
We stand with you against racism and the injustices that have occurred.
Although we’ve made progress and are more diverse than most golf associations, there is always more that can be done to achieve equality for all.
While we can’t change the past, we can continue to work towards a better future for all our minority members, and those who have historically been excluded.
The Staysure Tour for players 50 and older announced Friday it has canceled the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s start with a statement so obvious it’s almost not worth mentioning. The only thing better than bombing a drive…is bombing a drive several yards farther.
In fact, it’s probably safe to assert that there isn’t a golfer on the planet who would turn down a bit more ball speed by simply switching drivers.
I know, “you can’t buy a game.” Blah, blah, blah. But, you can buy better technology…right?!
In our Most Wanted testing, Honma’s TR20 driver finished 4th overall and produced the 4th highest average ball speed. Moreover, Honma states that nearly every professional who has tested the TR20 has picked up speed. Prior to his departure, former staffer Justin Rose stated that Honma’s driver was 4-5 MPH faster than the comparable TaylorMade model.
Is it hyperbole or a bona fide Japanese driver that can hang with the big boys?
