Tommy Fleetwood’s switch to new ball pays off

ALBANY, Bahamas — Rickie Fowler and Tiger Woods both had cause for celebrations large and small at the Hero World Challenge. Fowler rallied from a seven-shot deficit by opening with seven straight birdies at Albany Golf Club and closed with an 11-under 61 Sunday for his second victory worldwide. It was the second time in his eight years on TOUR that he won multiple times around the world. Woods had his best finish in four years. Playing for the first time in 10 months while recovering from a fourth back surgery, Woods closed with a 68 despite a bogey-bogey finish. Even so, his back felt good and he was swinging at full strength. He tied for ninth in the 18-man field, his best result since a playoff loss at this holiday event in 2013.

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Byeong Hun An has set a target of qualifying for the FedExCup Playoffs finale, the TOUR Championship, in August and hopes to light up the International Team’s chat group along the way as he seeks his first PGA TOUR victory. The 28-year-old Korean rising star tees up at The American Express in California for the first time this week where he hopes to maintain his strong start to the 2019-20 PGA TOUR season. During the fall, he posted three top-10s and a T14 at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions and is currently 20th on the FedExCup points list. As a late inclusion in the Presidents Cup last month in Australia, An played all five sessions and delivered two points in the International Team’s narrow 16-14 loss to the United States “Hopefully I can keep the momentum going from the Asian swing,� said An, who finished T6 at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in Korea and T8 at the inaugural ZOZO Championship in Japan. Since playing full time on the PGA TOUR in 2017, An has flirted with qualifying for the TOUR Championship, which is exclusive to the top 30 from the FedExCup points list. His best FedExCup finish to date was 42nd in 2017 while he was 53rd last season. A former U.S. Amateur winner, An is hopeful a revised playing schedule will propel him to a first visit to East Lake in August. Over the last few years, he competed in the Middle East on the European Tour to begin a new year, but he will play the West Coast over the next three weeks, including the Farmers Insurance Open and Waste Management Phoenix Open. “It’s nice to have a good start (in fall) compared to the last two years where I didn’t play that many,� he explained. “I’m starting earlier in the West Coast as well and I hope to have a quick start and eventually get into the TOUR Championship … that’s my main goal this year.� An took notice when Rory McIlroy talked about how tweaking his tournament schedule enabled the Irishman to lift the FedExCup for a second time last season. With An’s wife Jamie due to give birth to their first child next month, the Korean made the easy call to swap his travel plans. “In the past, I would only start in Phoenix after the Middle East and I’ll be like in 100th place on the points list and it’s hard to chase the guys,� said An. “That’s why I added this week and the next two. I want to get my FedExCup ranking as high up as possible early on. I’ve been close (to the TOUR Championship) and I feel I need to play more and it seems to be working out.� He is also fired up after watching Australia’s Cameron Smith secure a first individual PGA TOUR title at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday and now dreams of emulating his International Team member. An said the International Team’s Whatsapp group chat has been buzzing recently as Adam Scott won the week after the Presidents Cup, Louis Oosthuizen came close at the South African Open (finishing second to his former International Team partner Branden Grace) and Joaquin Niemann contended at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. “It was incredible to see Cam win. Hopefully I can break through and win one day. Our group chat has been going crazy of late. Hopefully this week someone else can step up, hopefully me or Sungjae (Im) or someone else. It shows the Presidents Cup has helped us. The group chat is still running and it’s great,� An said. Although the International Team came close to toppling the U.S. Team after leading into the final day’s Singles session, An believes the experience of playing for Captain Ernie Els earned him memories to last a lifetime. “It was good because I got a late call from Ernie,� An said. “I wasn’t expecting to play in all five matches which were incredible. I did lose a couple, won one and tied two matches which was fun. It was something I never experienced before and Ernie did a great job. Everyone trusted him and stuck to the game plan. No one had any say on who we wanted to play with and we just had faith in Ernie to pick the pairings. We got the points on Thursday, Friday and Saturday but lost in the end. On paper, the U.S. is a really good team and we were disappointed.� “We just didn’t play well enough in the Singles to beat them. But we showed we could play better in Foursomes and Four-Ball than previously. That’s a great takeaway from the week and it showed Ernie had the right formula. I enjoyed it as it had so much passion as we were playing as a team and not playing for ourselves. When Adam or Sungjae made a putt, I was probably happier than they were! I played for Ernie and I played for the International Team, which was a difference and I guess that was why I showed the passion on the course. “Of course I want to get back into the team … that’s another goal in two years’ time.�

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Golf Digest recently published an updated list of the Top 30 nicest guys on the PGA TOUR. Our PGA TOUR writers – Mike McAllister, Sean Martin, Ben Everill, Cameron Morfit – held a roundtable to discuss their views of golf’s nice guys. MIKE McALLISTER: OK, Golf Digest’s list is out. What’s your reaction? Any surprises? SEAN MARTIN: I want to know why ties weren’t resolved. Charles Howell III and Peter Malnati should have to duke it out for 19th and 20th place. A nice-off. CAMERON MORFIT: Most glaring omission is Ben Crane, who is the only player I ever interviewed who insisted on making me lunch. He also wanted to play tennis after. BEN EVERILL: It’s brilliant to see Gary Woodland get a place on this list [at No. 2]. He’s a quiet guy who has been through a lot but those close to him have always known he’s a class act. The world saw more of it with his relationship with Amy Bockerstette. Also, I’m proud to see four Aussies on the list — even though I could make a case for a few more! MARTIN: It’s a strong list, but the amount of nice guys on TOUR isn’t limited to 30. EVERILL: Sean is right. You could add many more to the list. I have a soft spot for Cameron Smith. Many don’t know this guy hosts young Australian amateurs from his home state, at his house, in Ponte Vedra Beach each year. Takes them out on TPC Sawgrass and gives them a real taste of TOUR life. He also likes to buy me coffee … so maybe I am extra biased. McALLISTER: I’m actually surprised Paul Casey is that low [26th]. Was at a dinner prior to Masters last April where he spoke to a small group of writers and he was so personable, so honest, told some great stories and seemed to actually enjoy himself. He’s always been a go-to guy for me. Alas, he opened with an 81 and missed the cut, but I don’t think he’ll hold it against us. MORFIT: Yeah, Mike, I agree on Casey. I can’t think of anyone happier to be out there, or more approachable. Stewart Cink didn’t make the list, and probably should be on there. He was so accommodating and introspective for a long Q & A years ago. He posed for a picture lying down on a couch as if he was in therapy. After the article ran, Zach, his ski buddy, called him the Basket Case. McALLISTER: Why am I not surprised that Ben pointed out the Aussies. Honestly, though, I think there should be five. Geoff Ogilvy is always interesting to talk to, and he’s the most recent winner of the GWAA ASAP/Jim Murray Award for interaction with the media. Maybe it’s because he’s taken a step back from playing this year after he moved home to Australia. EVERILL: John Senden, Greg Chalmers … I could go on … but let me throw up an American then. Great to see Harold Varner III so far up on the list [No. 7 on the list]. He’s a genuine champion of a human. MORFIT: Harold is amazing. When he says he’s in it to help people, you believe it. EVERILL: Yeah, Cam, for sure. And HV3 always comes at you with a smile and questions of his own about you before you can even try to ask about him. MORFIT: I’ve never dealt with Jason Bohn for anything substantive, but every time I talk to him, he smiles and seems delighted to talk. The youngest and best player on TOUR who didn’t make this list but should is Keith Mitchell. Fabulous guy. EVERILL: I would make an early vote for Viktor Hovland. I reckon he will make the list next year. Kid’s smile is infectious. MARTIN: I always enjoy talking to Charles Howell III because he may be the biggest golf nerd on TOUR. He just loves talking about the game and engaging in conversation about it. I approached him after he shot a good score in the first round of THE PLAYERS and told him, “I don’t have any questions about you. I just have a question about Tiger.” He didn’t blink an eye, then told a great story about how he cried when he lost to Tiger at the 1996 U.S. Amateur. MORFIT: Yeah, Howell always says hi. Of course, he calls me “Bud,” but that’s OK. McALLISTER: As media types, we probably view the “nice” factor in a slightly different way than the fans behind the ropes. Given his popularity with fans, it doesn’t surprise me that Rickie is No. 1. Of course, from that same fan perspective, I’m surprised Phil’s not on the list. Phil and Rickie share the same kind of appreciation for their fans. MORFIT: Rickie is serious when he says he models himself after Arnold Palmer. You can really see it. EVERILL: Rickie is a class act. No doubt about that at all. I already liked him but when my old mate Jarrod Lyle was sick and eventually passed away, Rickie was a driving force behind helping out with his family. Didn’t matter what the ask was, he did double. McALLISTER: We’ve already mentioned a few guys who aren’t on the list. Any others? MORFIT: I would definitely add Crane, and I think he’s top 10, maybe top five. I’d add Cink. Sam Ryder is a good guy, very down to earth. I would add him. And I might add J.T. Poston, although I don’t know him that well. Can we add Parker McLachlin? His status isn’t that great, but he’s a super good guy. Oh, and definitely add Keith Mitchell. MARTIN: Kevin Na. He’s become a fan favorite because he’s open and honest about his struggles and is willing to accept criticism. McALLISTER: Na was great at Colonial. Of course, it helps that he won. Everybody’s happy after a win. But I like his honesty. Always good for us. EVERILL: I agree on Na, Sean. He’s always just so open and fun to talk to, and I think that goes for his interactions with the fans, too. McALLISTER: As a proud Texan, I’d include Ryan Palmer. Spent some time earlier this year at his house where he did a shoot for PGA TOUR Entertainment. Has a great family, heavy into the charity side. You can tell he’s one of those down-to-earth guys who’d be great to have a beer with at the nearest sports pub. Plus, he cooks a mean BBQ, and he’s a Dallas Cowboys fan. I’ll forgive him for going to Texas A&M and not my alma mater, Texas Tech. MORFIT: I like Palmer, too. Easy guy to talk to. EVERILL: For me, guys I would have advocated for include Smithy, John Senden and Snake Chalmers like I mentioned above. At the 2013 Masters after his first round, Sendo reached into his bag and pulled out a stuffed Masters bear. He’d signed it. It was for my first kid I had few months earlier. He had forgotten to give it to me on practice days but put it in his bag, for the round, because he knew he’d see me after. Doesn’t seem like much but I found that amazing. I also think Anirban Lahiri is a legend. He’s gone out of his way to approach me a few times in places like airport restaurants to talk cricket and other things. Abraham Ancer is another I’m starting to like a lot. MORFIT: Lahiri! Gotta have him on the list. He’s top 10 for sure. EVERILL: I do have one from left field, though … McALLISTER: Go on … EVERILL: Tiger. He was certainly not the nicest guy for some time. He was so insular. So focused. But now, he’s different. McALLISTER: I can see it. Tiger’s underrated, especially when you factor in the demands on his time. I didn’t cover him back in his heyday – the first major I covered for the PGA TOUR was the 2008 U.S. Open; I didn’t expect it to take 11 years before I’d see him win another — but people who did cover him in the early 2000s say he’s more approachable now. Glad to see him wearing a smile on his face more often. EVERILL: Padraig Harrington says something great in an article about Adam Scott. “Relative to ability to play … he’s a world beater.” The sentiment is the better the player, the harder it might be to seem nice. McALLISTER: Speaking of Harrington … well, you guys probably aren’t surprised I’m advocating his name big-time. My personal favorite. I always learn something from him every time I interview him. He’s been at the top of my list ever since 2008. Of course, he won two majors that year. Ah, the good ol’ days. MORFIT: I’m really championing  Ben Crane. This is a guy who is blindingly nice on the personal level, but also, with his wife, Heather, is trying to make the world a better place, too. Close runner-up: Jay Haas. I still remember how bad he wanted me to try fried chicken gizzards and experience the splendor for myself. MARTIN: I’m going to go with Webb Simpson. I’ve always enjoyed walking pro-ams with him and his caddie, Paul Tesori. He’s another guy who has been through some struggles. I think there’s a theme here. The hard times can humble us and help us become better, kinder people. And those All-Star Kids Clinics that Tesori’s foundation puts on for kids with special needs are a great act of service. Several players on this list, including Simpson and Spieth, help with those. McALLISTER: Webb is No. 5 on the Golf Digest list. The four ahead of him are Rory (4), Spieth (3), Woodland (2) and Rickie (1). Can’t argue with any of them. Of course, I’ve got a fondness for the Texan. I went to one of Spieth’s junior clinics at the AT&T Byron Nelson one year. He was really engaging with the kids, seemed to be having fun. I feel like he was just an older version of them. He’s good with the kids — that’s a big plus in anybody’s book. Anybody have a good personal story about any of those top 4? MORFIT: I was out to dinner with some other writers at THE PLAYERS Championship last year and we all sort of noticed Jordan was there. He noticed us. We exchanged nods. He was there with his wife, and they got up to leave. When we went to pay, we were told he’d taken care of the drinks. Wait. Ben, were you there at dinner? I think it was me and you and the Big Man (Mark Cannizarro of the New York Post) and Evin (Priest of Australian Associated Press). EVERILL: I was at that dinner, Camo! Yeah, that was awesome of Spieth. MARTIN: Sensing a common theme that if a player bought your food … McALLISTER: Don’t make me go back and check if you guys expensed drinks that night.

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