Tiger, Spieth rocket up leaderboard at Players

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Three-time champion Phil Mickelson got off to a ho-hum start with an opening-round, 3-under 68 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Thursday. It wasn’t great. It wasn’t terrible. “I didn’t probably play my best,â€� Mickelson said. “I didn’t really putt great and didn’t drive it great. But I shot 3 under and it’s an OK start.â€� Mickelson hit just 5/14 fairways, and 14/18 greens in regulation. Neither stat was all that unusual for him, but he made only 43 feet of putts on the greens and finished the day in negative numbers in Strokes Gained: Putting. That was an aberration in light of his recent play. Mickelson is coming off a T2 at the Desert Classic two weeks ago, when he flirted with a 59 but settled for a 60 in the first round. He is enjoying a mini-career revival, which he credits in part to increased swing speed after leading the field in driving distance (302.5 yards on all tee shots) in the desert. The gain has been surprising given that he’s the oldest player in many fields. MUST READS: Round 1, Waste Management Phoenix Open Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas share house and lead at TPC Scottsdale Oklahoma State amateur Matthew Wolff impresses with unorthodox swing He also has enjoyed a resurgence in his short game. He was around the lead in Strokes Gained: Putting for much of last season, when he broke a nearly five-year win drought with his playoff victory over Justin Thomas at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship. He tried to focus on the positive Thursday, which was that he birdied 15 and 18 to end the day. “Tomorrow we’ll have a chance with an early morning tee time to hopefully get a hot round going,â€� he said. “I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, but I didn’t shoot myself out of it.â€� This marks his 30th start in the event, one of his two hometown tournaments. He first played here as an amateur sensation out of Arizona State in 1989, and has since won it three times (1996, 2005, 2013). “I just can’t believe that it’s been 30 years,â€� he said earlier this week. “It just has gone by so fast.â€�

Click here to read the full article…

Click here to read the full article…

Commissioner Jay Monahan sent a memo to the PGA TOUR’s membership Thursday to update them on players choosing to compete this week without the proper conflicting event and media rights release. In accordance with the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Regulations, the players competing this week without releases are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA TOUR tournament play, including the Presidents Cup. This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA TOUR: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Champions, PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. “Their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations,” Monahan wrote. “The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.” Also in accordance with PGA TOUR Tournament Regulations, the players who have resigned their membership will be removed from the FedExCup Points List when the official statistics following the RBC Canadian Open are posted on Sunday evening. These players will not be permitted to play in PGA TOUR tournaments as a non-member via a sponsor exemption or any other eligibility category. The memo included an additional commitment that the TOUR’s current membership will not be negatively impacted – in the way of Priority Rankings, tournament eligibility or eligibility to compete in the FedExCup Playoffs – by those suspended members who have yet to resign. “These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” Monahan wrote to the TOUR’s membership. “But they can’t demand the same PGA TOUR membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.” Monahan said in regards to additional questions about players’ ability to return to the TOUR in the future, “Trust that we’re prepared to deal with those questions and we’ll approach them in the same we have this entire process: by being transparent and respecting the PGA TOUR regulations that you helped establish.” “I am certain our fans and partners – who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner’s circle,” Monahan wrote. “This week, the RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you have created with the PGA TOUR: a star-studded field, a committed sponsor, sold-out hospitality offerings, record crowds and a global broadcast distribution. These elements are part of the TOUR’s DNA, built by the likes of Jack and Arnie, furthered by Tiger and countless others – whose legacies are inextricably linked, with each other and with the PGA TOUR. This collective legacy can’t be bought or sold.” The following players are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible for PGA TOUR tournament play: Sergio Garcia* Talor Gooch Branden Grace* Dustin Johnson* Matt Jones Martin Kaymer* Graeme McDowell* Phil Mickelson Kevin Na* Andy Ogletree Louis Oosthuizen* Turk Pettit* Ian Poulter Charl Schwartzel* Hudson Swafford Peter Uihlein Lee Westwood* (*- have informed the PGA TOUR that they have resigned their membership)

Click here to read the full article…