Inside the Field: Sony Open in Hawaii

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tradition and progress comingled on Augusta National’s first tee Thursday. The first shots struck at each Masters represent an opportunity to look back before the quest for the Green Jacket becomes the focus. This year, that ceremony included Lee Elder, the first Black man to compete in the Masters. He joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who combined to win nine Masters, in hitting the honorary opening tee shots. As the nation reckons with issues of race, Elder’s inclusion celebrated his groundbreaking appearance at this tournament in 1975. Elder’s name was listed atop the board on the first tee that announces the starters, He was the first to arrive, raising his left arm triumphantly in the air as he received a standing ovation. Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, wearing their Green Jackets, stood at the back of the tee, along with Cameron Champ. Champ’s grandfather, Mack, picked up golf as a caddie in segregated Texas and is the one who introduced Cameron to the game. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley introduced Elder by celebrating his groundbreaking appearance at Augusta National. “Lee Elder is the first Black man to compete in the Masters and in doing so, blazed a trail that will inspire the game of golf and future generations of players,” Ridley said. “Today, Lee Elder will inspire us and make history once more. Not with a drive, but with his presence, strength and character. Lee, it is my privilege to say, ‘You have the honors.’” Black PGA professionals and representatives from Paine College, a historically Black college and university in Augusta, sat along the ropes lining the first tee. The announcement that Elder would participate in Thursday’s ceremony was accompanied by the news that Augusta National would endow a Lee Elder Scholarship for one man and one woman on Paine College’s golf teams (Augusta National also paid to start a women’s golf team at Paine). Many of Elder’s friends and family were there Thursday, as well, wearing green hats celebrating Elder’s first Masters appearance. The words “Stay the Course” were written on the side, a tribute to Elder’s pioneering journey from the all-Black United Golfers Association tour to Augusta National. The standing ovation Elder received Thursday reminded him of his first Masters, when he received a warm reception at the greens and tees. “It was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever been involved in,” Elder said about Thursday’s tee shot. “It was something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Click here to read the full article…

The Super Season comes to a close this week. The TOUR’s top 30 performers are at East Lake Golf Club to for the finale of a 50-event run that included six major championships. Under the TOUR Championship’s Standing Strokes format, a player’s performance in the previous 49 events will determine his standing before he tees off Thursday (click here to see what the leaderboard will look like before play begins). Only one man can win the FedExCup but just making it to East Lake is an impressive accomplishment. Here’s a quick look at the 30 men who separated themselves from the pack and made it to this year’s TOUR Championship. RELATED: Course, field preview for The TOUR Championship | FedExCup 101 | How they will begin with ‘Starting Strokes’

Click here to read the full article…

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The 2017 Presidents Cup takes place this week at Liberty National. With views of the Statue of Liberty from various parts of the course, and Manhattan just across the Hudson river, the scenes from Liberty National should be majestic this week. Here’s how to follow the action if you’re unable to attend the tournament (all times ET). TELEVISION NBC and Golf Channel will carry live coverage all four days. The schedule: Thursday’s Foursomes – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Golf Channel Friday’s Four-balls – 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Golf Channel Saturday’s two sessions – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on NBC Sunday’s Singles – Noon to 6 p.m. on NBC Click here for coverage information in other countries.  PGA TOUR RADIO Live coverage available on the PGA TOUR’s digital platforms as well as Sirius 208/XM 92. Thursday/Friday – Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday – Noon to 6 p.m. VIRTUAL REALITY/360 Live VR coverage is being produced in partnership with NBC Sports. Coverage will include the driving range and the opening holes, with Golf Channel hosts Robert Damron, Rex Hoggard and Bailey Mosier providing commentary. The app in the Oculus store can be found at “Presidents Cup VR Live,� providing both live and on-demand experiences. In addition, the 360 video stream will be available via PGA TOUR, Presidents Cup and Golf Channel Twitter and Periscope platforms. Click here for more info.  

Click here to read the full article…