Kirk goes low at Sea Island, takes 1-shot lead

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Longtime PGA TOUR executive Charlie Zink, whose distinguished career with the organization began in 1986, has announced his retirement, after fulfilling his role as Chairman of the recent Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. Zink, who initially joined the TOUR as Chief Financial Officer, eventually rose to Co-Chief Operating Officer, a position he held from 2002-2016, with oversight responsibility for many TOUR business areas. His duties included oversight of consolidated financial, executive board and administrative activities; TPC and Golf Course properties operations; The First Tee and World Golf Hall of Fame development and operations (since inception); and Championship Management Tournament activities, including THE PLAYERS Championship, the Presidents Cup and TOUR Championship. “Charlie’s primary responsibilities during his time as Co-Chief Operating Officer were extensive, during a period of enormous growth for the PGA TOUR,� said former PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Charlie has played an integral role in the PGA TOUR’s growth and success over the past three decades, providing invaluable knowledge and leadership across a broad spectrum of our business areas,� said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “The entire PGA TOUR family is extremely grateful for his many contributions, including his Chairmanship role of providing valuable oversight to assure the Presidents Cup’s successful first venture into the New York City market. We all wish Charlie the very best as he transitions into the next phase of his life. “It has indeed been a privilege to have this magnificent opportunity to work for the PGA TOUR and all of the players in a variety of leadership capacities over the past 31 years,� said Zink. “The PGA TOUR stands for the highest level of integrity and individual performance-based accomplishment, and it also has a keen focus on communities and charitable endeavors. I am extremely proud of the PGA TOUR, the players and all my colleagues, and I know we have a highly capable, professional team leading the TOUR’s efforts going forward. I have been truly blessed to be here.� Last year, Zink was named Chairman of the 2017 Presidents Cup, the biennial event between the U.S. and International Teams, which was held September 26-October 1.

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The golf competition at the Olympic Games gets underway Wednesday in the Eastern Time Zone. The United States is the only country that had four players qualify for the 60-man field. It includes PLAYERS champion Justin Thomas and The Open champion Collin Morikawa. With Xander Schauffele also on the squad, Team USA features three of the top five players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Rory McIlroy will represent Ireland alongside 2019 Open Championship winner Shane Lowry. Great Britain will be represented by Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood as they look to match countryman Justin Rose’s gold-medal winning performance from 2016. Australia is represented by the same pair that teamed up to win this year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith. Here’s everything you need to know to follow the action. Leaderboard, tee times HOW TO FOLLOW (All times ET) Television: Wednesday-Saturday, 6:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Live streaming: Visit NBCOlympics.com. MUST READS The First Look Looking back at the 2016 Olympics Five things to know: Olympic Games golf course A virus threat took Marc Leishman’s Olympic dream once, but not this time From childhood friends to medal contenders?

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Those keeping a close watch on equipment coverage often take notice of gear made specifically “just for the” PGA TOUR or “tour issue.” It’s every gearhead’s dream to find a way to procure a tour-prototype or something directly off a truck. Every now and then, the equipment manufacturers will make those “tour-issue” projects available in limited quantities. This week, Titleist Master Craftsman Bob Vokey released the tour-favorite T-Grind wedge — featuring a low-bounce and a narrow crescent surface — via WedgeWorks, the company’s custom-order arm. “Wedge play is an art, and the T-Grind brings out the best in the artist,” Vokey explained. “The leading edge stays low to the playing surface as the wedge is rotated which allows you to hit a variety of shots from tight lies. This is the wedge that really made Vokey Grinds an important part of our process and still to this day is a great option.” Designed for players looking for a shallow angle of attack in firm conditions, the Vokey T-Grind lob wedges both feature in the bags of PGA TOUR stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Vokey Wedge representative Aaron Dill provides the lowdown on the new T-Grind: GolfWRX: What was the origin of the T-Grind? AARON DILL: “The T-grind started with the collaborative efforts of both Bob Vokey and Tom Pernice. Tom has an incredible short game and ability to articulate feedback that Bob trusts when designing and studying soles. Together they created the T; today one of the best low bounce offerings we have.” GolfWRX: Who is it for? DILL: “The T is a great low bounce option that caters to players wanting the ability to slide under the ball in the open position. The wedge fits firm conditions and firm bunkers, or players with impeccable technique who want the most versatility.” GolfWRX: What do Jordan and JT like about it? DILL: “Both Jordan and JT love this grind because it sits so close to the ground when open. This visual inspires confidence and gives them the freedom to be aggressive in every short game situation. “A great example of that was when Jordan was using a 60-04L — this wedge was in the bag for a while and the biggest adjustments we made to the wedge was in the profile reducing the par height to look slightly smaller and increase topline curvature. This profile was precisely the look Jordan needed to see to feel comfortable and it was my focus with every wedge I made. “One day at Trinity Forest, Jordan was working with coach Cameron McCormick and saw an old rusty wedge resting against the wall. When Jordan picked it up, he realized it was an old 60T that he has used ages ago. The moment this wedge was put in the playing position that old feeling came back. Jordan called me and said, ‘I have this old 60T in my hands. I just love this thing. Do you still make this wedge?’” The T-Grind features the same technology found in Vokey’s SM8 wedges, which includes a reimagined progressive CG pushed forward from the face for increased MOI designed to provide improved distance, trajectory control and better feel. The wedges also include 100%-inspected spin milled grooves that aim to produce maximum spin and shot control. The WedgeWorks T-Grind (RH only) is available for custom order in golf shops and on Vokey.com in both 58-degree and 60-degree lofts in Tour Chrome and Raw finishes. Each wedge costs $199, which includes custom stamping, custom ferrule, and custom shaft band options.

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