FedExCup update: Thompson moves inside top 125 after strong opening round

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Phil Mickelson has been using a Project X HZRDUS T1100 shaft for years, and in multiple different Callaway driver heads, but he showed up to the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship with an Aldila Rogue Black 130 MSI 60TX shaft in his Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero driver. Mickelson, at 48 years old, has been gushing publicly about his newly-found clubhead speed with the driver, and he’s currently averaging 120.31 mph in 2019, placing him 19th on the PGA TOUR. By coupling his trusty Project X T1100 shaft with the Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero driver head, however, he found his tee ball was hanging out to the left rather than turning over, according to Callaway TOUR rep Johnny Thompson. “He’s been playing that T1100 for a long time and it’s been a really good partner with some of the driver heads we’ve had in the past,� Thompson told PGATOUR.COM. “But with [the Epic Flash, he’s] kind of having more of a hanging miss. It wasn’t a slice; it just hung out there. It wouldn’t release.� While Mickelson is currently averaging 304 yards off the tee (T27) on measured drives in 2019, according to PGATOUR.COM stats, he’s ranked 204th on the PGA TOUR in driving accuracy percentage, and he’s ranked 213th – last on TOUR – in left-rough miss percentage, hitting it in the left rough off the tee 21.19% of the time. After a testing session last week at the Ely Callaway Performance Center in Carlsbad, California, Mickelson found that he was hitting the Aldila Rogue Black shaft on the center of the face more often, and “it was helping him square the clubface a little bit easier,� Thompson told PGATOUR.COM. The Aldila Rogue Black has a slightly softer profile than the Project X HZRDUS T1100 shaft he had been playing. “He’s really excited about some of the club head speed that he’s picked up,� Thompson told PGATOUR.COM. “High-launch, low-spin draws are kind of his thing right now, and that shaft definitely helps him square of the face and he’s definitely hammering it. He’s hitting it very hard.� By hitting more of a draw with the Aldila Rogue Black driver shaft, and hitting the center of the face more often, look for Mickelson to increase his fairways-hit percentage, and reduce his left-rough tendency off the tee. That is, if he does decide to put it in play come competition time on Thursday.

Click here to read the full article…

NEW YORK – Today, 2K set a tee time for PGA TOUR 2K23, the forthcoming entry in the golf simulation video game franchise from HB Studios. PGA TOUR 2K23 Deluxe Edition and PGA TOUR 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition are scheduled for worldwide release on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, followed by PGA TOUR 2K23 Standard Edition on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Featuring PGA TOUR icon and all-time sports great Tiger Woods as the cover athlete, PGA TOUR 2K23 celebrates Woods’ legacy by introducing him as both a playable in-game pro and an Executive Director advising the game development team. “It’s not only great to be back on the cover of a video game, but the Executive Director role makes this a truly unique opportunity,” said Tiger Woods. “2K is the perfect partner for me and I am excited to continue impacting the game and culture of golf beyond my play on the PGA TOUR.” Woods leads a roster of more than 14 male and female pros at launch*, including Justin Thomas, Lexi Thompson, Tony Finau, Lydia Ko, Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, Brooke Henderson and more. Players can step into the tee box as one of the pros in Exhibition, multiplayer and Divot Derby play, or go head-to-head with them in a battle to climb the leaderboard and claim the FedExCup in PGA TOUR MyCAREER mode. In addition to the pros, the broadcast-style presentation and commentary team of Rich Beem and Luke Elvy also return, with the addition of English golf pro and broadcaster Henni Koyack. PGA TOUR 2K23 will include 20 licensed courses at launch. New additions include the South Course of Wilmington Country Club, The Renaissance Club, St. George’s Golf and Country Club and more. The industry-leading Course Designer also returns, offering players the opportunity to build their dream courses and share them with a global online community**. MyPLAYER personalization returns and players can equip their MyPLAYERS just like Tiger with Nike Golf, TaylorMade and Bridgestone Golf apparel and gear. Even more apparel options are available from licensed brands, including Callaway Golf, FootJoy, Malbon Golf, Nike Golf, PUMA, Titleist, TravisMathew and more***. Clubs and balls from brands including Bridgestone Golf, Callaway Golf, COBRA, Mizuno, Odyssey Golf, Scotty Cameron, TaylorMade, Titleist and Wilson are available to deck out players’ golf bags and keep them swinging with swag. In addition to the returning analog stick swing, a three-click swing option is also available for an added level of customization so players can play the way they like. PGA TOUR 2K23 offers new casual modes to help rookies get into the game, while giving seasoned players new challenges and opportunities to work on their skills. The introduction of Topgolf offers a unique experience emulating the popular golf entertainment phenomenon, where players can aim for targets and try to earn the highest score. Training mode offers multiple ways to develop skills, including swing calibration, lessons, chipping practice, a driving range and a putting green. Online multiplayer features also return for PGA TOUR 2K23. Online Societies encourage players to squad up with friends for custom tournaments and full seasons, while Clubhouse Pass will provide post-launch content and goals for players to enjoy well into the future. PGA TOUR 2K23 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5 (PS5™), PlayStation®4 (PS4™), and Steam. The game will be available in multiple editions, each with unique cover art depicting painted portraits of Tiger Woods: PGA TOUR 2K23 Standard Edition: • Physical and digital versions for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 consoles, includes the base game; • For PC, includes the base game and the Golden Club Pack, which includes a Golden Putter, Golden Driver, and four Uncommon consumable golf ball sleeves; • Players who pre-order any version of the Standard Edition will receive the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack, which includes playable sports icon Michael Jordan, as well as four consumable Common golf ball sleeves; • Players who purchase the Standard Edition of the game for Xbox Series X|S (physical or digital version) or PlayStation 5 (digital version only) consoles which includes cross-generation dual entitlement will also receive the Golden Club Pack for the game on Xbox One or PlayStation 4, respectively. PGA TOUR 2K23 Deluxe Edition: • For Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5 consoles, includes the base game with cross-generation dual-entitlement, as well as the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack, Golden Club Pack, and Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack, which includes 1300 VC (Virtual Currency), a hockey stick putter, gold baseball cap, gold glove, and three Rare consumable golf ball sleeves; • For PC, includes the base game, as well as the Michael Jordan Bonus Pack, Golden Club Pack, and Deluxe Edition Bonus Pack. PGA TOUR 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition (available in digital format only): • Includes all the contents of the Standard and Deluxe Edition for the purchased platform; • Includes the Tiger Woods Edition Bonus Pack – which includes a Tiger Woods TaylorMade wedge set, Nike TW Golf tee shirt, and three Epic consumable golf ball sleeves – plus the Tiger Woods Signature Sunday Pack, which includes a red polo, black pants, black hat, Nike TW Golf shoes, Nike TW Golf belt, and Bridgestone Golf TOUR B XS, Tiger Edition Golf Ball. For more information on PGA TOUR 2K23 and 2K, visit PGATOUR2K23.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PGATOUR2K23 or subscribe on YouTube.

Click here to read the full article…

After a week that showed so much promise, Tiger Woods was left lamenting his lackluster putting after a final-round 72 saw him finish in a tie for 23rd at the Memorial Tournament.

Click here to read the full article…