Leaderboard: What’s happening at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational

As much as anyone, Tiger Woods understands mankind’s natural inclination to rise above. It’s a universal tendency that originates from one of two places; want or need. Woods’ insatiable desire to be the best the game of golf has ever seen continues to blow the minds of even the biggest skeptics. More significant, though, are the results which came from his need to come up big. In short, his desire to be the best is a one-man show. His need to emerge from physical and emotional setbacks has been contingent on help from others. For more than two decades now – pre-dating even his first Masters title in 1997 – through the TGR Foundation, Woods has made it his prerogative to help countless individuals and families find hope and opportunity in a setting where it may otherwise be next to impossible. Through the TGR Foundation and the Earl Woods Scholar Program, financial assistance affords students the chance to further their passions and desires through an education that would otherwise not likely be feasible. And, nowhere is that help more evident than at this week’s Genesis Open at The Riviera Country Club. Not only does the TGR Foundation open doors to brighter futures, but it unites people from all walks of life and sets them up to where rising above becomes an exciting desire. Karina Ramirez grew up in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with her parents and two brothers in a less-than-desirable Southern California area, riddled with gang activity. Karina, her mother and brother were once held up at knife-point. To make ends meet as best as he could, her father has worked as a waiter, gardener, factory worker and painter. “My parents past struggles serve me as a constant reminder that to achieve my goals, hardships will always be present,� Karina said. “But, it is the way I face those hardships that help me shape the person I am.� Thanks to the TGR Foundation and the Earl Woods Scholar Program, that spot-on attitude is now firmly in place to guide her into a promising future. Through the Earl Woods Scholar Program, Karina attended Oxford Academy High School and is presently an undergrad studying Economics at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. “As an Earl Woods Scholar, I have a second family I can count on for anything,� said Karina. “I have yet to find out what my future will hold, but I know that I will have the skills to be successful. This program develops each individual in multiple aspects. We are all driven to find what makes us fulfilled in life and plan to give back.� Esmerelda Solis’ parents left Mexico as teenagers in search of brighter days in America. With financial hardships that continue today, her mother presently works at Target and her father struggles to make ends meet as a mechanic. Through the Earl Woods Scholar Program, not only is Esmerelda a second-year student at UCLA with a passion to become a veterinarian, but she has also been able to find solace in her circumstances. “Their sacrifices have become the fire beneath my feet that keeps me moving forward,� Esmerelda said. “They have become my inspiration and have given me a reason to want to be successful.� Yohanne Ndoumbe was born in Cameroon in central Africa, but immigrated to the United States when she was eight. Her mother and grandmother now live in Washington D.C., while her father has remained in Cameroon. Yohanne and her sister live in Southern California. Thanks to the Earl Woods Scholar Program, Yohanne is presently a freshman at Woodbury University in Anaheim, California, with a passion for business. Like so many others impacted by the TGR Foundation, Yohanne has been able to fortify her spirit and place her focus on a bright future. “Moving to a new country is challenging,� Yohanne said. “There are a lot of hardships you will face, but it is what you decided to do with those hardships that matters. The challenges I faced when moving to the United States helped me appreciate the little things, but most importantly, it gave me strength and will needed to tackle anything put my way. I could not be more grateful.� Three individuals from three corners of the globe, each united under the TGR Foundation and the Earl Woods Scholar Program, are now rising above in the Los Angeles area. Earlier this week from The Riviera Country Club, the TGR Foundation announced its involvement in bringing the Carol Kimmelman Athletic and Academic Campus to life in Carson, California. As such, a TGR Learning Lab will bring academics and athletics to thousands of kids across Los Angeles. “The Foundation has grown so much in the past few years with our digital platforms and what we have been about to create,� said Tiger Woods. “So, our reach has gone from hundreds of thousands to just under a million served. We will be expanding into the millions probably within the next couple years. We are excited about that. We’re also excited about the Kimmelman project and what we’ll be able to do here in Southern California, where I grew up. We already have a Learning Lab in Orange County, so to be able to expand on that and to create more of an opportunity for kids to experience STEM is something that we are very proud of.� “I had a chance to go down to the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim,� said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “To be able to see that facility close to 15 years after it was conceived and to know of the number of young people that have gone through that facility, to know of the mentors around the country that are mentoring those young people, to know of the teachers that are coming in and being taught how to apply STEM research and technology…is remarkable.� To date, the TGR Foundation has impacted more than 800,000 students and produced nearly 200 college scholars. In all, more than $150 million has been raised and distributed. To celebrate the lives and futures of just some of those impacted by the TGR Foundation, at this week’s Genesis Open, Karina, Esmerelda and Yohanne were among those past and present Earl Woods Scholars in the Los Angeles community to serve as official starters at The Riviera Country Club. For Yohanne, the celebration was made more special as United Airlines, a TGR Foundation partner, flew her mother, Martine, from their Washington D.C. home to Los Angeles to surprise Yohanne at the United Airlines Putting Green in the Family Village at The Riviera Country Club, where Johanne was serving as a volunteer. In addition to the surprise, United hosted the family members inside the United Fairway Club. With respect to the game of golf, there’s no denying the unparalleled impact Tiger Woods has made. His achievements are discussed and celebrated everywhere from around office water coolers to across worldwide television and radio programs. In short, the 80-time PGA TOUR winner has helped make the sports world a more cohesive and interesting place. But, when the charitable efforts and achievements of an individual can help unite people from all walks of life and help them rise from the ashes of constriction, the story broadens in scope from being merely impressive to downright unforgettable. “This man’s golfing career is well-documented and still has a long way to go,� said Commissioner Monahan. “But, one of the most exciting things, as he said, is to continue to influence young people positively and take the great work that has been done by the TGR Foundation and accelerate it as we go forward. I would invite you to find any other athlete on this planet that has done more for young people than Tiger Woods.�

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The final round of The Open Championship takes place on Sunday from Royal Portrush. Here’s how to follow all the action. Round 4 leaderboard Round 4 tee times HOW TO FOLLOW TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 1:30 a.m.-4 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday, 4:30-7 a.m. (GC); 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (NBC). Sunday, 4:30-7 a.m. (GC); 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (NBC). PGA TOUR LIVE: None. FEATURED GROUPS (ALL TIMES LOCAL) MUST READS Tough weather conditions in store for Sunday, tee times moved up McDowell: Rory ‘won himself a lot of fans’ McIlroy’s charge falls short, misses cut by one shot Lowry, Holmes tied for lead, seeking first major victory Koepka, Spieth bringing their best to another major Westwood leads strong British contingent Tiger misses cut, cites lack of consistency Win probabilities Nervous day for six Irish golfers Duval makes a 14, shoots 91 in Round 1 Frittelli stays hot after John Deere win Royal Portrush shines in opening round Rory’s 61 at age 16 at Royal Portrush Five things about Royal Portrush Writers roundtable: Predictions

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(PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.) — Youth on Course the non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors, supporting dreams and transforming the lives of young people through opportunities on and off the golf course – has named PGA TOUR player Harold Varner III as its first national ambassador. To date, Varner III has contributed to YOC Carolinas through the HV3 Foundation and will be expanding support by substantially funding the Carolinas region’s programming in 2021. In his new role, Varner III serves as an official spokesperson for Youth on Course (YOC) and will advocate for the organization’s mission of providing affordable access to golf and bringing life-changing opportunities to young golfers across the country and in turn, help create a more inclusive and diverse future for the game. “Harold has been a vocal champion of our organization for years, not to mention his significant financial contributions which made a huge difference for young golfers in the Carolinas,” says Adam Heieck, CEO of Youth on Course. “With his community support through the HV3 Foundation and shared goal to grow the game, Harold is the perfect role model to represent Youth on Course on a national scale. We are so proud to have him join our team in an official role.” Varner III created the HV3 Foundation in 2019 to help bring awareness to the rising cost of entry and access in sports and provide kids with affordable opportunities to help negate those challenges. Through personal funding, fundraising, donations and sponsorships, the Foundation has been able to provide financial assistance for equipment, after-school programs, instruction and camps to cultivate young people’s passions. The HV3 Foundation also hosts an annual HV3 Invitational for junior golfers and is the tournament title sponsor for an American Junior Golf Association Junior All-Star event. “Youth on Course is a life-changing program for the golf industry. Allowing kids of all backgrounds to play the game without placing financial burdens on families is a game changer,” says Varner III. “I’m so appreciative of the support I had as a junior golfer and have been fortunate to be able to give back to the next generation of young golfers. I’ve always been passionate about making the game more open and accessible and YOC has shown they share my goals. I’m so excited to be a part of the team and help make a difference for these kids.” Committed to making the game more appealing, inclusive and accessible to nurture the next generation of lifelong players and lovers of the game, Youth on Course provides more than 100,000 members with affordable access to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at more than 1,400 courses across the country and in parts of Canada. Members also benefit from career opportunities through Youth on Course’s caddie and internship programs and can utilize support for continuing education through their college scholarships. To date, more than $2 million has been awarded through the scholarship program. In 2020, Youth on Course saw a significant rise in play with membership increasing by 56% and eclipsing one million rounds of golf played. Fueling the golf industry, 400,000 rounds of golf were subsidized, an increase of 100% from the previous year, and generated a total of $2.8 million back to golf courses from unused tee times. Juniors nationwide ages 6-18 may sign up for a Youth on Course membership at www.youthoncourse.org/join.

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