PGA Tour golf best bets: Waste Management Phoenix OpenPGA Tour golf best bets: Waste Management Phoenix Open
The PGA Tour heads to Scottsdale this week for the Waste Management Open. Our experts offer their best bets for the event.
Day: February 3, 2021
Grosjean to make return from injury in IndyCarGrosjean to make return from injury in IndyCar
Romain Grosjean will compete in a select number of IndyCar races this season for Dayle Coyne Racing.
McIlroy: Volunteer stepped on embedded ballMcIlroy: Volunteer stepped on embedded ball
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Rory McIlroy had a forgettable finish at the Farmers Insurance Open, his final-round 73 dropping him into a tie for 16th place. Still, he was having trouble moving on after a Rules incident from the 18th hole in Saturday's third round. McIlroy's ball veered into the right rough, and when he got to it, he saw that the ball was embedded. He took relief, but when he later watched videotape of the shot, it was clear that it had bounced once, so it hadn't embedded in its own pitch mark. So how, then, had it embedded? “I was sort of questioning myself on Sunday,” McIlroy said Wednesday from TPC Scottsdale, where he will be making his first career start at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. “Did I do the right thing? Did I play by the Rules? Did I see something that wasn’t there? "It was a bit of a rough Sunday night," he continued. "I just started to doubt myself a little bit, which is not like me.” As it turned out, McIlroy said, the PGA TOUR got an email Monday that explained it: A volunteer confessed to having stepped on the ball. "The TOUR got an email on Monday from a volunteer saying that he didn’t tell me at the time and he should have, but he stepped on the ball to find it," McIlroy said. "... I guess at the end of the day I almost took the wrong relief because I should have taken relief for a stepped-on ball, which means you can place it instead of drop it. At the time I didn’t have that information." The incident received additional scrutiny because eventual winner Patrick Reed also had taken embedded-ball relief earlier in the round at the par-4 10th hole. Rules officials stressed that both McIlroy and Reed took proper relief. "I at least felt better about my actions knowing I did the right thing, that I did take relief for a ball that was embedded or stepped on," McIlroy said. "So it sort was nice that that came to light, because I was questioning myself on Sunday a little bit. It’s funny how these things all work out at the end."
DeChambeau flattered by role in regulation talkDeChambeau flattered by role in regulation talk
Bryson DeChambeau said it’s “really cool” to see conversation about potential changes to regulations to control distance off the tee.
History says Chiefs likely will lose: Why it’s so hard to repeat as Super Bowl champsHistory says Chiefs likely will lose: Why it’s so hard to repeat as Super Bowl champs
A repeat champion has happened eight times before (twice by the Steelers) in 54 Super Bowls.
Goff: Rams wanted to move on; ‘feeling’s mutual’Goff: Rams wanted to move on; ‘feeling’s mutual’
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff said he’s “happy, grateful, ready for a new opportunity” after his time with the Rams ended in last week’s blockbuster trade.
Introducing the college basketball transfer rankings for 2021-22Introducing the college basketball transfer rankings for 2021-22
Buckle up. Every current player in college basketball will have eligibility in 2021-22, which figures to yield massive roster turnover.
NHL Power Rankings: Biggest disappointment for all 31 teamsNHL Power Rankings: Biggest disappointment for all 31 teams
We update our rankings as February gets rolling. Plus, which players (or other factors) have been a bummer so far?
Brian Gay, Thunderbirds share in support of Mia's MiraclesBrian Gay, Thunderbirds share in support of Mia's Miracles
For Brian Gay, it was a very quick decision. A nondecision, really. In November, following his fifth career PGA TOUR win at the Bermuda Championship, Gay received a congratulatory letter from the Thunderbirds - host organization of this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open - saying they would be making a donation to the charity of his choosing. Gay and his wife, Kimberly, immediately thought of Camilo Villegas, a four-time TOUR winner. Villegas - a University of Florida product, like Gay - and his wife, Maria, had recently laid their daughter, Mia, to rest. Mia was just 22 months old. Not long after her passing, the Villegas family started a foundation in her name, Mia's Miracles. "Our hearts go out to Camilo and Maria," Gay said, "and our family wanted them to feel supported in their journey of persevering and making a difference in the world - through Mia’s memory." The best efforts of the doctors at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami couldn't save Mia, who was diagnosed with high-grade glioneuronal tumors on her brain and on her spine last March. "It’s tough to describe, obviously, the love you feel as a parent," Camilo said to PGATOUR.COM's Helen Ross in November. "And then when you started interacting with her and she’s just giving you so much love and energy, it’s awesome. "That’s why I’m actually so thankful about not playing golf during those months. You know, my shoulder (injury) happened for a reason. ... It's not what we wanted, but, hey, I got to enjoy Mia for 22 months. If I would have been playing golf, you know how our schedules are, busy and crazy." Mia died on July 26. Her parents, though, are determined that Mia's life will have meaning beyond the 22 short months and two hours that the toddler spent on this earth. The mission of Mia's Miracles is to provide small blessings with large impacts, bringing smiles and positivity to children and families facing challenging circumstances. Mia's Miracles very first fundraiser, Mia's Morning Walks, raised over $80,000 with the support of friends around the world. In addition, their Grant a Christmas Miracle initiative raised another $20,000 to provide children and families in Colombia, where Maria and Camilo were both born, with a memorable Christmas. "I’m sad, of course," Maria said. "I have days where it’s so hard and I miss her physical presence all the time, but I know I’ll be OK. I know we’ll be fine, and I know we’ll just honor her name. "That’s our mission now." To learn more about the mission, please visit www.mias-miracles.org.
Aon Risk-Reward Challenge returns to reward PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour playersAon Risk-Reward Challenge returns to reward PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour players
A round of golf is full of strategic decisions. Should I aim for this flag or go for this par-5 in two? Is the wind helping or hurting? Playing on the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour is about more than just hitting shots. Professional golfers must assess the data, calculate the risks and use insights in real-time, skills that take time to master. That's why Aon created the Risk Reward Challenge, to honor those players who are consistently able to make informed decisions and execute the desired shot on the holes that require adept decision-making. This season-long challenge showcases how the world's best players analyze risk and utilize data-driven insights when it matters most. The Aon Risk Reward Challenge mirrors the work that Aon does with its clients. Just like a caddie uses data to help his player make the right decision, Aon uses proprietary data and analytics to advise and deliver insights that drive outcomes for its clients. This will be the Aon Risk Reward Challenge's third season on PGA TOUR. Nick Taylor won last year's competition. "It was a huge honor to win the 2019-20 Aon Risk Reward Challenge, and I feel very fortunate to have pulled it off. Strategizing on each Challenge hole throughout the year added an extra element – it felt like a tournament within a tournament. I'm glad our strategy and risks paid off. It's an accomplishment I'm really proud of, and I'm looking forward to competing for the trophy again this season." On the LPGA Tour, Aon honored players' request to use the $1 million prize to fund a new tournament, the Drive On Championship. That event provided valuable playing opportunities for LPGA members after many events were cancelled by the pandemic. With Aon committed to providing equal pay to the best men and women in the world, the $1 million first prize will once again be presented to the Aon Risk Reward Challenge winner on each tour. The season-long competition is based on players' performance on a selected hole each week. The holes that comprise the Aon Risk Reward Challenge highlight the most decisive and strategic shot selections from around the world of golf. On the PGA TOUR, this includes the 18th hole on Torrey Pines' South Course, a reachable par-5 that is guarded by water; the drivable par-4 17th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the scenic par-5 finishing hole at Pebble Beach and Riviera Country Club's classic par-4 10th hole, which players can reach off the tee but they must be wary of the deep bunkers that guard this tiny green. This program authentically builds on the process a player undergoes when determining and executing a strategy and has successfully engaged players, caddies and fans by providing an in-depth look at the designated holes and asking them to consider how much risk they want to undertake in their pursuit of the $1 million prize. Enjoy following along as the world's best players showcase the importance of strategic decision-making. To learn more about the Aon Risk Reward Challenge, click here.