McDowell defends joining Saudi-funded golf tour

Michael Thompson loves to read, and for that, he surely has his mother to thank. She was an English teacher, and he was losing himself in the wonder of books long before he ever wrapped his fingers around the grip of a golf club. Even now, as he travels around the world making his living on the PGA TOUR, he always has at least one book in his suitcase to help him get his mind off golf. A bound book with words on paper, too – no Kindles or iPads for him. “No, I like the actual physical book,” Thompson says. “I like turning pages. I don’t like staring at a screen for very long, so I try to travel with the actual book.” Among Thompson’s go-to authors is Clive Cussler. He especially likes the Dirk Pitt series, which he started reading again earlier this year. Pitt is the larger-than-life adventurer and decorated aviator featured in Cussler’s novels from 1976 to 2019. It probably doesn’t hurt that Pitt’s character has a collection of classic cars, either. Thompson shares that interest with the protagonist — and Cussler the author, as well — and even taught himself how to rebuild a 1967 Ford Mustang fastback, as well as other special rides. One of Thompson’s favorite books of all time is Where the Red Fern Grows. He was an Eagle Scout, and the plot, which centers on a young boy in the Ozarks and his two redbone coonhounds, resonates with him, as does Jack London’s classic,The Call of the Wild. “I just love the story of being in the woods and a little boy growing up with his dogs and kind of the struggle of life as a kid and hunting and teaching your dog how to do the things you want to do,” he says. “And I always loved being outdoors. I was in the Boy Scouts growing up, so anything kind of mountain-to-cabin just was kind of real romantic to me.” Historical fiction is another of Thompson’s interests, along with biographies and autobiographies. The two-time PGA TOUR winner is also very process-oriented – remember the rebuilt Ford Mustang? – so he enjoys books that help with setting and accomplishing goals. “I like reading those as well because they’re encouraging and just motivating,” Thompson says. Lately, though, Thompson has found himself imparting his love of reading to the next generation. His mom has helped, too, sending some of the books she once read to Thompson to her grandson Jace and granddaughter Laurel. “I have two little kids now, so she’s been going through the closet at home and finding all the children’s books that we used to read and, and she’s given me a bunch of them,” Thompson says. “They have the date of one when we got them either Christmas or birthday gifts. “… It’s just cool to go back and see actually see the physical book and remember like how old I was when I first remember reading it and being read those books. It’s just cool.” Jace likes the Berenstain Bears and Dr. Seuss. But like most little boys, he’s also into lizards and snakes so there’s an amphibian encyclopedia that’s high on his reading list right now, too. And the precocious youngster also has a book that’s teaching him about weather. “He’s always asking, Daddy, let’s read it. Can you read this to me?” Thompson says, smiling broadly. “He’s got his favorite ones like there was one that was the green pit viper. He’s just all into snakes right now. … And then he likes reading about the haboobs and weather patterns, the big dust storms. “It’s fun to see him kind of latch onto some of that. And remember the facts and the statistics with regards to all of the characteristics of the different animals and that kind of thing.” Laurel, on the other hand, is a toddler, so her attention span is limited. “She’ll sit there for a little bit, but then she wants to run around and play,” Thompson says with a laugh. “But she’ll get into it.” And when Laurel does, Thompson and his wife Rachel will be ready. “It’s the fun part of being a parent,” he says.

Click here to read the full article…

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Russell Henley shot an 8-under 62, his lowest round in more than two years, to take the lead Thursday in the suspended first round of the Wyndham Championship. Henley birdied three of his final four holes for a two-stroke lead over Sung Kang, Ted Potter Jr., Chris Kirkand, Hudson Swofford, Scott Piercy and Michael Thompson in the PGA TOUR’s final Regular Season event. Adam Hadwin also was 6 under, but had two holes left when darkness ended play. A storm halted play for 2 hours, 7 minutes, with 30 players unable to finish. Past champion Webb Simpson and Kevin Kisner led a group of ten another stroke behind at 65 at Sedgefield Country Club, where many competitors are scrambling to make it into top 125 to advance to the FedExCup Playoffs that start next week at THE NORTHERN TRUST. Henley, at No. 46 in the standings, had no worries about the postseason, but came out fast with a bogey-free round in chasing his first PGA TOUR victory in four years. He moved in front with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 15th before closing with birdies on 17 and 18, the last with a 20-foot putt. He had with his lowest round on the TOUR since a career-low 61 at the John Deere Classic in 2019. Henley has played some solid golf of late. He was tied for the 36-hole lead at the U.S. Open in June, then had two straight top-20 finishes before missing the cut at the Open Championship. He returned this week, hoping he can carry his strong play to the end. “I haven’t won in years, so I feel like as well as I’ve been playing, I feel like I’ve underachieved a little bit,” he said. “My mindset,” Henley continued, “is I feel if I can play my game, play my normal game, then I can maybe give myself a chance and that’s kind of where I’m at.” There are several big names competing to keep their season’s alive. Adam Scott, who started at No. 121, and Matt Kuchar, at No. 124, both had strong starts at 66. “I would like to play well this week and get a chance to play next week and keep getting my game into place,” Scott said. Rickie Fowler, who came at 130th and needing a good week, didn’t help himself with a 71. Justin Rose, the Payne Stewart Award winner this week, has to finish in the top 10 to advance after coming in 138th. He opened with a 66, tied for 19th. Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama was at 69, tied for 89th. Olympic medalists Rory Sabbatini and C.T. Pan also are playing after the Tokyo Games. Sabbatini, who took silver for Slovakia behind U.S. gold medal winner Xander Schauffele, started with a 66. Pan, from Chinese Taipei, won a seven-man playoff for the bronze. He shot a 68.

Click here to read the full article…

Click here to read the full article…