Expert Picks: BMW Championship

ALBANY, Bahamas – The future looks bright for Tiger Woods after the 79-time PGA TOUR winner successfully negotiated all four rounds at the Hero World Challenge in his long-awaited comeback from back surgery. Woods, who had his back fused just seven months ago, bounced back from an average third round with his lowest round of the tournament on Sunday. In his traditional Sunday red shirt and black pants, Woods added a 4-under 68 to his opening rounds of 69-68-75 to finish at 8 under for the tournament and sits mid-field in the 18-man event at Albany. Showing speed and power with his full swings and seemingly without any discomfort despite four back surgeries to his name the two-time FedExCup champion proved a return to regular PGA TOUR duties is far from beyond him. The 14-time major champion will turn 42 on December 30 and his likely schedule is yet to be confirmed, however, there were enough positives from the four rounds to suggest Woods can be a regular contender again. If history is anything to go by, the likely return to his first full-field TOUR event will come at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January, the last place Woods played in an official event.

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The PGA TOUR is putting service excellence at volunteers’ fingertips – literally.  Underscoring its Fan First initiative, the TOUR recently unveiled an array of new fan-focused, personalized digital options on the PGA TOUR mobile app for Apple and Android users that will significantly enhance volunteers’ ability to help tournaments deliver the ultimate on-site fan experience. With just a few swipes, volunteers can use the app – available to be downloaded free of charge in the App Store and through Google Play – to help fans locate their favorite players on the course; navigate each hole using satellite imagery; obtain real-time scoring and highlight video; find restrooms, concessions, dining options and hospitality venues; access an interactive pairings sheet; and even purchase tickets.  The user-friendly platform operates like a centralized digital toolkit, leveraging GPS locator technology and state-of-the-art customization tools to create a highly interactive, personalized resource for volunteers and tournament fans alike.   “The PGA TOUR app is designed to reimagine the way spectators experience tournaments on-site, while providing volunteers with the tools to quickly and efficiently deliver world-class service to our fans,� said Ali Quinn, Senior Product Manager, PGA TOUR Digital.  “With countless activities occurring simultaneously and a multitude of information for volunteers to absorb, the mobile app is sure to become an essential asset in volunteers’ service arsenal.� In addition to using the PGA TOUR mobile app themselves to address many of the questions that fans experience at tournaments, volunteers will play an important role in serving as ambassadors for the newly-enhanced platform.  By recommending that fans download the app and create a profile to personalize the digital experience, volunteers can help fans more fully enjoy the breadth of opportunities available to them at TOUR events.  Online profiles enable users to receive updates, take advantage of special offers, and follow leader boards at tournaments throughout the year.  In addition, fans at home will find the app invaluable for quickly accessing player stats and other information to enhance the broadcast viewing experience. To download the PGA TOUR app, users may visit the App Store, search “PGA TOUR,� click on the blue PGA TOUR logo, and hit “download.� Once the app is downloaded, fans can search for desired information or use the bottom tab bar to navigate through the various menu options. For more information about the PGA TOUR mobile app, visit www.pgatour.com.

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