Morikawa outguns Thomas in dramatic PGA playoff

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan is one of more than 160 CEOs from leading companies around the world who have signed a pledge in support of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, announced today as the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As a signatory, Monahan pledges that the PGA TOUR will actively cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion, and where corporate initiatives can be shared via a unified hub, CEOAction.com, to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. “This is a very important societal issue and deserves our full attention and support,� Monahan said. “Diversity of thought and background is vital to our success as an organization and while we have implemented programs that point to solid growth for the TOUR, we have a long way to go.  We want our employee demographics to reflect those of our target audience, as well as the communities in which we play. What makes the CEO for Diversity & Inclusion so exciting is that it includes companies from 50 different industries, so the pledge itself represents diversity. Collectively, we are focused on solutions and real change for our society. If we’re successful, not only can we transform our own workplaces, we also will address one of the most challenging issues of our time.� Monahan said the opportunity to become involved with the initiative was brought to him at THE PLAYERS Championship in May by Tim Ryan of PwC, a proud sponsor and supporter of THE PLAYERS. Ryan is U.S. Chairman and Senior Partner of PwC, and chairman of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ steering committee. “We are living in a world of complex divisions and tensions that can have a significant impact on our work environment. Yet, it’s often the case that when we walk into our workplace – where we spend the majority of our time – we don’t openly address these topics,� Ryan said. “CEOs across the country understand this isn’t a competitive issue, but a societal issue, and together we can raise the bar for the entire business community. By sharing best known actions and programs, we are helping to create a more inclusive environment that will encourage all of us to bring our greatest talents, perspectives, and experiences to the workplace.� The CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is led by a steering committee of CEOs and leaders from Accenture, BCG, Deloitte US, The Executive Leadership Council, EY, General Atlantic, KPMG, New York Life, P&G and PwC. The coalition represents more than 50 industries, all 50 U.S. States, and millions of employees globally. Each signatory has committed to taking the following steps to increase diversity and foster inclusion within their respective organizations and the larger business community: 1.     Continue to cultivate workplaces that support open dialogue on complex, and sometimes difficult, conversations about diversity and inclusion: Companies will create and maintain environments, platforms, and forums where their employees feel comfortable reaching out to their colleagues to gain greater awareness of each other’s experiences and perspectives. By encouraging an ongoing dialogue and not tolerating any incongruence with these values of openness, companies are building trust, encouraging compassion and open-mindedness, and reinforcing their commitment to a culture of inclusivity. 2.      Implement and expand unconscious bias education: Companies commit to rolling out and/or expanding unconscious bias education within their companies in the form that best fits their specific culture and business. By helping employees recognize and minimize any potential blind spots, companies can better facilitate more open and honest conversations. Additionally, the initiative will be making non-proprietary unconscious bias education modules available to other organizations free of charge. This training will live on the unified hub, CEOAction.com. 3.     Share best known—as well as unsuccessful—actions: Companies commit to working together to evolve existing diversity strategies by sharing successes and challenges with one another. This will include creating accountability systems within their companies to track their progress and share regular updates with each other in order to catalog effective programs and measurement practices. In the fall, the signatories will convene for the first-ever CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ Summit to assess initial progress, understand fundamental gaps, and determine the next phase of this work. Companies that currently are not implementing the elements of the pledge can use the hub and Summit as an opportunity to learn from others that are already doing so, while companies that are already implementing some or all of the actions can use this platform to drive greater engagement within their own programs, submit best known actions as well as mentor others on their journey. For more information on the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ or to get involved, please visit CEOAction.com.

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FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy will attempt to become the first player to win back-to-back season long titles after deciding against resting a rib injury. The Northern Irishman had hinted he might sit out the FedExCup Playoffs after finishing T22 at the PGA Championship last week but has since committed to THE NORTHERN TRUST field to be held August 24-27 at Glen Oaks Club in New York. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,â€� McIlroy had said after his final round at Quail Hollow. “You might not see me until next year. You might see me in a couple of weeks’ time.â€� The four-time major winner had complained of rhomboid spasms and numbness in his left arm, putting the rest of his season in doubt. “I feel like a sense of not duty, but I’ve missed a lot of time already. If I’m capable of playing, I feel like why shouldn’t you,â€� he added. “But then at the same time, if you are not capable of playing at your best, why should you play. It’s a Catch 22.â€� After seeking treatment back home this week he has decided to front up in New York to try to join Tiger Woods as the only two-time FedExCup champion. Woods won in 2007 and 2009 leaving McIlroy with the chance to become the first player to go back-to-back. “I feel like I’m capable and playing well enough to give myself a chance in it,â€� McIlroy said of the FedExCup. He is currently 41st in the standings, a mark that could drop slightly after the Wyndham Championship wraps up this week. McIlroy is the all-time FedExCup Playoffs leader in terms of wins having claimed the Dell Technologies Championship in 2012 and 2016 along with the 2012 BMW Championship and of course last year’s TOUR Championship where he claimed the FedExCup. He won the 2016 FedExCup after starting the Playoffs in 36th position. McIlroy will also retain the services of good friend Harry Diamond as his caddie for the Playoffs.

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