Rory McIlroy thinks the PGA Tour has discussed a major change that could alter the landscape of professional golf

Round 3 of The American Express takes place Friday from PGA West’s Stadium Course. The deep field includes defending FedExCup champion Patrick Cantlay, world No. 1 Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and reigning Rookie of the Year Will Zalatoris. Here’s everything you need to know to follow the action, including Featured Groups for PGA TOUR LIVE and newly expanded and extended coverage on ESPN+. Click here for more details. Leaderboard Full tee times HOW TO FOLLOW (All times ET) Television: Thursday-Sunday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (Golf Channel) For outside of the U.S., click here for GOLFTV powered by the PGA TOUR Radio: Thursday-Friday, 1–7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.-7 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio) PGA TOUR LIVE ON ESPN+ FEATURED GROUPS Thursday – Marquee Group Matthew Wolff, Gary Woodland Featured Groups Jimmy Walker, Patton Kizzire Charles Howell III, Talor Gooch Friday – Marquee Group Jason Day, Justin Rose Featured Groups Russell Henley, Chris Kirk Sungjae Im, Abraham Ancer Saturday – Marquee Group John Rahm, Tony Finau Featured Groups Patrick Cantlay, Scottie Scheffler Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler MUST READS Patrick Cantlay leads by one at The American Express Will Zalatoris shoots 61 after making seven consecutive birdies Five things to know about PGA West’s Stadium Course

Click here to read the full article…

A minimally invasive procedure to alleviate a lingering herniated disc turned into a “life-threatening infection� in Jeff Overton’s spine, according to a Facebook post Sunday written by the PGA TOUR veteran’s wife. The infection prompted emergency surgery, and Overton has faced an extended recovery period. But his wife, Christina, says her husband has finally turned the corner. “After a month in the hospital and acute rehab center, many nights of excruciating pain and uncertainty, two months of IV antibiotics and ho home health care, we are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel,� she wrote. Christina made the Facebook post, which her husband tweeted, on Jeff’s 34th birthday. “Today we are celebrating his health and his life,� she wrote. Jeff acknowledged his wife’s support in his tweet. “These last few months have been surreal and certainly makes you appreciate life and health. @OvertonMezzo, you have been incredible.� Jeff has only played once this year on the PGA TOUR, shooting rounds of 76-70 and missing the cut at The Honda Classic in February. Prior to that tournament, the former Ryder Cupper had not played since the Barbasol Championship in July of 2015. Here is the complete text of Christina’s Facebook post: “Happy 34th birthday to this guy! My best friend and the guy who keeps me laughing. There is no one I know with a more positive outlook on life, who takes life as it comes. “After taking several months off of competitive golf due to a herniated disc, Jeff underwent a minimally invasive procedure in hopes of improving the area. Through the procedure, he acquired a life-threatening infection in his spine, forcing him to have an emergency surgery. After a month in the hospital and acute rehab center, many nights of excruciating pain and uncertainty, two months of IV antibiotics and home health care, we are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Today, we are celebrating his health and life. I’ve learned that life is precious and health is something we take for granted. I’ve also learned how to flush a picc line and make a chair very, VERY comfortable. “I want to thank all of our closest friends and family who have been near to us during this time. I’d also like to thank his doctor, who answered my texts at all hours and who has walked with us through this nightmare of a situation, holding our hands every step of the way.�

Click here to read the full article…

DETROIT – Webb Simpson and Chris Kirk share the second-round lead at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. A year after taking a leave of absence from the PGA TOUR to address alcohol abuse, Kirk has turned around his life and revived his career. Kirk had a 7-under 65 on Friday at the Detroit Golf Club, and Simpson later shot a 64 to pull into a tie atop the leaderboard at 12-under 132. RELATED: Leaderboard | Wolff: ‘Maybe I need to impress the old greats’ | Fowler rallies to make Rocket Mortgage Classic cut “I was out there thinking about him a little bit, just with his decision to take some time away from golf and take care of himself,” Simpson recalled. “I’m so proud of what he’s been able to do and come back and make the comeback he’s made, winning on the Korn Ferry Tour. And, now he’s out here trying to win a PGA TOUR event.” Kirk won a Korn Ferry Tour event two weeks ago. When Kirk stopped playing last year, he didn’t know what his future was in the sport. “I kind of just didn’t care at that point,” he recalled. “I was focused on doing what I needed to do to be healthy, to be a good husband for my wife and a good father to my kids. I was thankfully in a place financially where my career could wait.” The 35-year-old Kirk has won four times on the PGA TOUR, most recently in 2015. Simpson won the RBC Heritage two weeks ago in South Carolina, finishing at a tournament-record 22-under for his second win of the season and seventh of his career. He withdrew from the Travelers Championship last week because one of his daughters appeared to have COVID-19, but she later tested negative. Simpson and DeChambeau chose to come to the Motor City while many of the PGA TOUR’s top players skipped the tournament. “It’s a Donald Ross design and guys that played here last year that I talked to about it loved the golf tournament, they loved what Rocket Mortgage did,” Simpson said. Matthew Wolff, Seamus Power, Mark Hubbard, Ryan Armour and Richy Werenski also were a a shot off the lead going into the weekend. The 21-year-old Wolff put himself in position to take the the lead by himself with six straight birdies and eight over his first 10 holes after missing the cut in each of last two events. “I’ve learned the last couple weeks you definitely can’t win on the first two days, but you can sure as heck lose,” he said. The last time the former Oklahoma State star had six straight birdies, he won the 3M Open last year. Wolff joined Tiger Woods and Ben Crenshaw as winners of a PGA TOUR event and the individual NCAA title in the same year. Wolff missed opportunities to score on a pair of par 5s, including his 16th hole. His drive landed on an adjacent hole to the right and his second shot under tree branches caromed off a metal stake and landed in the rough on the left side of the No. 7 fairway. “It was just one of those shots you kind of have to laugh at,” Wolff said. “It was unfortunate it came on a day that I was hitting it so well, but it’s golf, you can’t hit every shot perfect.” Defending champion Nate Lashley missed the cut by a stroke as did Jason Day. Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson were two shots from making the cut.

Click here to read the full article…