Players want Sergio Garcia banned after latest tantrum

The Sanderson Farms Championship, in its first iteration as a full FedExCup event, gave us a 17-year-old in his pro debut (Akshay Bhatia), a veteran showing he might yet crawl out of a slump (Zach Johnson) and, ultimately, an exciting International shootout between a bevy of Presidents cup hopefuls. Ultimately, Sebastián Muñoz from Colombia nudged out PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im in a playoff at the Country Club of Jackson. Welcome to the Monday Finish. Related: What’s in Muñoz’s bag? | The stats behind Muñoz’s first TOUR win THREE KEYS TO SUCCESS 1. A blistering 9-under 63 on Saturday was the catalyst to Muñoz having a chance at his first title. Having opened 70-67, it was Saturday’s nine-birdie effort that sent him surging into contention. 2. Recovery from missed fairways. Muñoz finished 42nd in driving accuracy after hitting 29 fairways, but he was 12th in greens hit (57 of 72). His iron play was good enough that he didn’t have to make a putt longer than 15 feet for any of his 21 birdies. 3. A little motivation and advice from a friend. After seeing Joaquin Niemann win the week before at A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier, Muñoz talked to his friend about closing the deal on the plane ride to Mississippi. “Him winning last week was the last piece of the puzzle that I needed to know that we’re good enough to compete, that we’re PGA TOUR members and we play to win,â€� Muñoz said. OBSERVATIONS The path to the PGA TOUR is clear cut for some. Some playera are born into golf families with unlimited access to facilities. Of course, they all work hard to get there – talent alone is never enough. But then there are the other stories, ones of players who had to overcome much steeper odds. Sebastián Muñoz never thought he’d make the PGA TOUR, let alone win. Do yourself a favor and read about his improbably journey here.  Ernie Els was probably a little concerned a month ago as he started thinking about the options for his four captain’s picks for December’s Presidents Cup at Australia’s Royal Melbourne. While there are plenty of eligible players he can choose from, including those with pedigree as impressive as Jason Day and Branden Grace, the play of those players had been a little questionable. Over the last two weeks, his smile must have grown, as more and more names are making a case to be selected. Joaquin Niemann and Sebastián Muñoz have both now won on the PGA TOUR. Sungjae Im continues to contend. Ben An has reemerged as a serious contender. The next few weeks are going to be huge for those trying to prove their worth. Read more about potential International team picks here. Akshay Bhatia may have missed the cut in his pro debut, but remember, he’s just 17. The youngster had a chance to make the weekend had he made birdie on his final hole – a pretty impressive feat in itself for the youngest-ever Walker Cup competitor. Ultimately, he missed out, but with starts over the next few weeks up his sleeve, it was a great learning experience. Should be fun to follow his on-course education. Read about Bhatia’s optimism moving forward here.  QUOTEBOARD “I never really thought I was going to be a PGA TOUR professional. I didn’t think I was that good.” – winner Sebastián Muñoz “I’m trying to treat each week as a phenomenal opportunity to get better.â€� – two-time major winner Zach Johnson, who had his first top-25 finish (T14) since April. “I haven’t played a skins format in quite some time, so it will be fun to try something a little different and add a few strategic elements as we compete. There has already been some friendly banter between us and that will continue until we get to the first tee.â€� – Tiger Woods after it was confirmed he will take on Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama in a skins game in Japan.  SOCIAL SNAPSHOT

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A strategy that was born a little more than 10 years ago when Jack Nicklaus brought on Howard Milstein as a partner to grow the business, institutionalize the Nicklaus and Golden Bear brands, and create a transition to the future of one of the golf industry’s most enduring and recognizable companies has reached a juncture where Jack Nicklaus has decided to step away from the day-to-day commitments of the Nicklaus Companies and re-prioritize his time and focus. The foundations of the Nicklaus Companies were created almost 50 years ago, with the mission to promote the game of golf, preserve its great traditions and grow the game. Over those decades, Nicklaus Companies and its predecessors have been committed to efforts to enhance the golf experience, and to bring to the national and international consumer, golf-related businesses and services that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus. Products and services include golf-course design, development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of golf products and services. Earlier this year, the National Golf Foundation recognized the Nicklaus Companies as one of the Top-100 Businesses in Golf. Jack Nicklaus is committed to ensuring that the company remains among the industry’s most respected and successful. “I have spent my life building the Nicklaus Companies, and there has come a time in my life when I need to reduce my level of involvement and pursue many other things I am very interested in, such as charity work—specifically efforts focused on children’s healthcare—supporting the industry’s initiatives to grow this great game, and being involved in many other things outside of my involvement in the Nicklaus Companies,� Jack Nicklaus said. “I am 78 years old, and while my health is excellent, and I have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, it became apparent by last fall that it was time for me to spend more time on these other activities. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, and there is no reason for me to do so, because I will continue to support the Nicklaus Companies and I want the company to be successful. However, my life has changed and I wish to support my wife, as well as other family members, in any endeavor they are involved. I have said many times that Barbara spent much of her life supporting me and my career, and for the last few years, I have tried to dedicate my time and energies to supporting her and what she is involved in. I am enjoying that aspect and want to continue to devote my time to her and these other life-changing efforts, and to enjoy our lives together. I would like to thank Howard. He has enabled me to monetize what I have built in this company, take care of my family, and allowed me the time to focus on these other priorities in my life.� In 2004, a year before Jack played his final competitive round in a major championship, the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation (nchcf.org) was founded. Since then, the Foundation has raised more than $83 million for pediatric care programs in South Florida and beyond. In 2015, world-renowned Miami Children’s Hospital was renamed Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. In November 2017, the entire Miami Children’s Health System was rebranded to Nicklaus Children’s, including 14 outpatient facilities up the Southeast Florida coast and west to Naples. In 2007, Jack Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein to help further the growth of the company and to realize the full potential of the brands and branded businesses. Howard Milstein is Chairman of New York Private Bank & Trust, the country’s largest family owned and operated bank. Nicklaus-branded products have been marketed worldwide since 1962. The Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear-branded lifestyle collection of products includes: golf academies; ice cream; restaurants; beverages; beverageware; wine; home appliances; apparel; footwear; and golf equipment. Many of these have been introduced in the last decade, as the focus was placed on building the brand. Meanwhile, Nicklaus Design continues to be recognized as the world leader in golf course design, with 415 courses open for play in 45 countries and 39 U.S states. Jack Nicklaus has designed, co-designed or re-designed over 300 courses around the globe, more than 100 of which have been ranked in various national or international Top-100 lists. He will continue to support the golf course design projects currently under development. Jack Nicklaus will remain as Co-Chairman of the Nicklaus Companies, while Milstein will assume the role of Executive Chairman. The Nicklaus Family will continue to be the majority owner of the Company, with Emigrant/Milstein being a significant investor, and Jack Nicklaus II and Gary Nicklaus continue to serve as members of the Board. In addition, Jack Nicklaus II, who has active golf course design projects all over the world, including Malaysia and Vietnam, remains President of Nicklaus Design. “Jack Nicklaus has basically spent a lifetime building a successful company and brand that is viewed as the strongest in golf, and we embrace the opportunity and responsibility to make certain this great brand—one that represents excellence—continues to grow in global prominence,� Milstein said. “Jack has also built a company with experienced, talented, innovative and hard-working people, and those colleagues are as much a part of his legacy as the company itself. From CEO John Reese to the management team and the entire staff at the Nicklaus Companies, we have enormous confidence in their ability and are positioned so that the next generation of the Nicklaus Companies will build on the strength Jack and his family created, and that Jack will remain very proud of the legacy he has established. Jack will ensure that the company and the people behind it continue the success enjoyed to date, and he will be a part of it for many years to come.� Milstein, whose passion for the game of golf has led him to acquire in recent years a number of golf-related businesses—such as True Spec, GolfLogix, Miura, and, just this week, GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com—applauded Jack Nicklaus’ commitment to the game and to his many efforts aimed at giving back to the game. “Everywhere you turn, Jack Nicklaus has left his imprint on the game of golf,� Milstein added. “About 50 years ago, he was instrumental in creating the enormously successful PGA TOUR we know and enjoy today. In 1976, he created the Memorial Tournament—his gift to Central Ohio that has become one of golf’s most prestigious events. He has been a national co-chair and Trustee of The First Tee, and he and the company have become a Trustee of the PGA of America’s charitable arm, PGA REACH. Jack has certainly given far more back to the game than it has given him, and I know he will continue to impact the game and charity on a daily basis. I am proud to call him a partner.� For more information on the Nicklaus Companies, please visit nicklaus.com.

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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – The biggest surprise on the PGA Championship leaderboard is not how many Brooks Koepka leads by… it is that one of his closest chasers is Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond. At just 23, he is already a three-time Asian Tour winner and also has a win on the Japan Tour. If he keeps up his form at Bethpage Black, we could be seeing a lot more of him – including in the Presidents Cup this December at Royal Melbourne. Should he finish second alone, he could jump to as high as second on the International Team standings for Ernie Els team. He is currently 16th on the list. Here’s what you need to know about the Thai star. His first name is actually Atiwit. His father was a huge fan of jazz music and gave his son the nickname Jazz. His surname is pronounced “JANNA’-watta-NON’-nond.  He’s a pocket rocket at just 150 pounds and 5-feet, nine-inches tall. He was a member of PGA TOUR Series-China in 2015 as a 19-year old (finished 22nd at Q-School) and went on to play one event, tying for sixth in Zhengzhou.  This is his fourth PGA TOUR start. He missed the cut at the 2017 Charles Schwab Challenge, was T39 at the 2018 CIMB Classic and missed the cut at the 2018 Open Championship. In 2019 he has won the Singapore Open, and has five other top five finishes around the world at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship (5th), the New Zealand Open (4th), The Maybank Championship Malaysia (3rd), the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open (T5) and the Singa Chiang Mai Open (T4). He is currently ranked 72nd on the Official World Golf Ranking.  Became the youngest golfer to make the cut on the Asian Tour. Turned pro at 14 in 2010. Won his first Asian Tour event at the 2017 Bangladesh Open. Spent two weeks as a monk in Thailand one off-season (2016) and claims it was the key to becoming a winner. He is using a local caddie this week at Bethpage – Jack Miller. Miller is 63 and worked at Bethpage Black since 2009, but is a full-time Frozen Food Manager for King Kullen Grocery Company. He had never been to New York before.

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