Watch: John Daly tops opening tee shot at PGA Tour Champions event

We’ve long become accustomed to JD hitting tape-measure drives, which is what made this swing so startling.

Nerves on the first tee – we’ve all had them. Even two-time major winners such as John Daly.

We’ve long become accustomed to JD hitting tape-measure drives, which is what made the following swing so startling. On Friday, the 57-year-old got off to an inauspicious start, topping his opening tee shot during the first round of the 2024 Hoag Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event held at Newport Beach Country Club in Newport Beach, California.

We’ve pretty much seen it all from The Wild Thing during his rollercoaster career but topping his opening tee shot may have been a first. Daly looked anxious to hit and nearly did so before the first-tee announcer had a chance to call his name. Daly backed off the tee shot when his name was announced and re-started his routine. Daly made “Grip it and Rip it,” a household catchphrase among golfers and led the PGA Tour in driving distance 11 times, but Long John was short of the forward tees with his dribbler off the tee, at least on this occasion.

Daly, who has been struggling with injuries all season, shot 74-75 and was in last place out of the field of 77 heading into Sunday’s final round. Earlier this season, Daly needed an injection in his left hand after his osteoarthritis flared up, and he shot 87 at an event in Morocco. But no matter what, Daly always entertains. The video below shows his one-of-a-kind pre-round warm-up routine. Unfortunately, it turns out he wasn’t ready to roll this week, unless they were referring to his opening topped shot, which is destined for a long future in golf bloopers. Here’s hoping better days are ahead for Big John.

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Tommy Fleetwood made a 10 at Bay Hill’s famous par-5 sixth hole. Here’s how he did it

Somewhere, Arnold Palmer is smiling.

The par-5 sixth hole at Bay Hill Club & Lodge is one of the more famous par 5s in golf.

There’s only about 350 yards between the tee box and the green, but between that is a giant lake that snuggles the left side of the fairway from tee box to green. It’s an incredibly difficult tee shot and approach, but players can be rewarded with two strong shots.

The same can’t be said for Tommy Fleetwood, who carded a 10 on the hole Friday during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Fleetwood’s tee shot found the fairway, but he hit not one, not two, but three approach shots into the lake before finally finding the putting surface with his eighth shot.

Two putts later, and Fleetwood walked away with a 10.

Tommy Fleetwood carded a 10 at Bay Hill on No. 6. (Photo: PGA Tour)

It was a struggle for Fleetwood on the opening nine, as he carded a 9-over 45. Even for the best players in the world, Bay Hill can be a beast.

The 10 isn’t even close to the highest score on the hole. John Daly famously had an 18 in 1998.

Somewhere, Arnold Palmer is smiling.

John Daly shoots 87, Angel Cabrera T-39 after two rounds in Morocco on PGA Tour Champions

Good scores have been hard to come by this week.

John Daly had to withdraw last week after injuring his left hand, but he’s back in action this week on the PGA Tour Champions, which is in Morocco for the Trophy Hassan II.

Perhaps the hand is still a bit tender, as Daly slogged his way around Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco, to the tune of a 14-over 87. His scorecard showed seven bogeys, two doubles and a quad. He did close with a birdie but is last in the 66-man field at 17 over.

Angel Cabrera is tied for 39th after two rounds. Playing in his first event on the Champions tour since getting out of prison, Cabrera shot 79-72 and is beating 21 others after Friday’s second round.

Good scores have been hard to come by this week. With 132 rounds played so far, there have been only eight rounds in the 60s. Meanwhile, there have been four scores in the 80s.

There’s a tie at the top of the leaderboard between Y.E. Yang and Ricardo Gonzalez, both at 7 under. Thomas Bjorn, Steve Pate and Mark Hensby are tied for third at 5 under. The final round is Saturday.

The PGA Tour Champions returns stateside in two weeks for the Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona.

John Daly among five major champs committed to upcoming PGA Tour Champions event

Reigning champ Bernhard Langer will not have a chance to defend his title as he recently tore his Achilles.

Five past major champions, including John Daly, are among the latest collection of golfers to join the field for this year’s Chubb Classic, set for Feb. 16-18 at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples.

Daly, the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship winner will make his first appearance at the Chubb since 2020. The perennial fan favorite recorded a hole-in-one at the 2018 tournament en route to an eighth-place finish, his best showing at the Chubb.

Also announced Wednesday as tournament commits: Ernie Els, David Toms, Mike Weir, Steven Alker, and Stephen Ames.

Els, a two-time U.S Open (1994, 1997) and Open Championship (2002, 2012) winner and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, has more than 75 professional victories worldwide during his illustrious career. He finished tied for 10th place at the 2023 Chubb Classic.

Toms, the 2001 PGA champion and 2018 U.S. Senior Open champion, finished tied for sixth place at the last year’s Chubb. Including the U.S. Senior Open, Toms has four PGA Tour Champions victories, including two in 2023.

Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, will be the first Canadian to captain the International Team at the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will take place at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec.

Alker, the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship winner, 2022 Charles Schwab Cup winner, and 2023 Charles Schwab Cup runner-up, also has two consecutive Champions victories: last year’s Schwab Cup Championship and this year’s season-opening event, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

Ernie Els
Ernie Els plays from the fairway on the 18th hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Ames, the 2006 Players Championship winner, is a six-time Champions winner, including four victories in 2023.

They join a group that features World Golf Hall-of-Famers Davis Love III, Colin Montgomerie and 2024 inductee Padraig Harrington as well as former World No. 1 ranked players and major champions David Duval and Tom Lehman.

Reigning champ Bernhard Langer will not have a chance to defend his title as he recently tore his Achilles.

Past Chubb champions Steve Stricker (2021), Miguel Angel Jimenez (2019), Joe Durant (2018), Lee Janzen (2015) and Kirk Triplett (2014) have also committed to play in the event. One former winner who won’t be competing is two-time defending champion Bernard Langer. The winningest golfer in Champions history tore his Achilles tendon in a training exercise last week and will be unable to pursue his sixth Chubb Classic title.

The final members of the tournament field will be announced at 5 p.m. Friday. A total of 78 players will compete in the 54-hole championship for a share of the $1.8 million purse. All three rounds will be shown live on the Golf Channel.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Chubb Classic, including exclusive hospitality and general admission. All 2024 tournament tickets will be completely digital and will be emailed after purchase. E-tickets can be viewed on either a mobile device or printed out to be scanned at the main gate.

Now in its 37th year, the Chubb Classic is the longest-running Champions Tour event in the same metropolitan area, getting its start in Southwest Florida at The Club Pelican Bay in 1988 and has been at Tiburón since 2021.

 

Meet the 20 teams of PGA Tour, LPGA players and their families competing in the 2023 PNC Championship

The defending champions lead 18 returning teams who will tee it up this week in Orlando.

Golf’s silly season continues this week with the 2023 PNC Championship, the annual hit-and-giggle that features major champions and their family members.

This year’s event will run Dec. 14-17 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando and feature 20 teams, including 18 from last year’s competition, where Vijay Singh and Qass Singh claimed a two-shot win. Out of the field this year are Gary Player and his son, Jordan, as well as Jordan Spieth and his father, Shawn. Replacing them will be Steve Stricker and his daughter, Izzi, and Retief Goosen and his son, Leo.

Get to know all 20 teams comprised of LPGA and PGA Tour players below.

Six past winners highlight early commits for 2023 PNC Championship field

Vijay and Qass Singh will be back to defend their title in Orlando.

Six past champions have confirmed their entry for the 2023 PNC Championship, including defending champions Vijay and Qass Singh.

Vijay will be joined by colleagues John Daly (winner in 2021), Justin Thomas (2020), David Duval (2016), Stewart Cink (2013) and Bernhard Langer (2005, 2006, 2014, 2019) for the annual parent-child event at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes on Dec. 14-17.

“I can’t tell you what it meant to win last year with Qass after 16 attempts. This tournament is so special to us, and it is such an important week for our family every year,” said Vijay. “We love everything about the tournament, from playing amongst so many legends of the game, to getting to know their kids, to just spending quality time with my son as we enjoy this unique inside-the-ropes experience together. I have played in so many tournaments all around the world over the years, but it genuinely is hard to think of a week that I look forward to and enjoy more than the PNC Championship.”

This year’s event, the 12th with PNC Bank as the title sponsor, will be broadcast live on NBC, Golf Channel and Peacock. Last year the PNC Championship boasted a field with 73 major titles. The tournament features 20 players and their relatives competing in a two-day, 36-hole scramble for the Willie Park Trophy. To qualify, players must have won a major championship or the Players Championship, and their partner must not hold any status on a professional tour.

Past champions

1995 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr. 

1996 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr. 

1997 – Raymond Floyd and Raymond Floyd Jr. 

1998 – Bob Charles and David Charles 

1999 – Jack Nicklaus and Gary Nicklaus 

2000 – Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd 

2001 – Raymond Floyd and Robert Floyd 

2002 – Craig Stadler and Kevin Stadler 

2003 – Hale Irwin and Steve Irwin 

2004 – Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson 

2005 – Bernhard Langer and Stefan Langer 

2006 – Bernhard Langer and Stefan Langer 

2007 – Larry Nelson and Josh Nelson 

2008 – Larry Nelson and Drew Nelson 

2012 – Davis Love III and Davis “Dru” Love IV 

2013 – Stewart Cink and Connor Cink 

2014 – Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer 

2015 – Lanny Wadkins and Tucker Wadkins  

2016 – David Duval and Nick Karavites 

2017 – Angel Cabrera and Angel Cabrera, Jr.  

2018 – Davis Love III and Davis “Dru” Love IV 

2019 – Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer 

2020 – Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas

2021 – John Daly and John Daly II

2022 – Vijay Singh and Qass Singh

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John Daly posts best finish in 15 months on PGA Tour Champions at Sanford International

Welcome back, John Daly.

Welcome back, John Daly.

The big hitter and fan favorite had his best week of golf in more than a year at the 2023 Sanford International, breaking 70 for just the fourth and fifth time all season during the first and second rounds. He finished with an even-par 70 and a tie for eighth.

Daly’s previous best finish in 2023 was a tie for 38th in July at the Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club. Daly’s average finish this season is 65th and he has WD’d from two events.

This week, he opened 66-64 at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He finished 10 under.

Prior to this week, he had just three rounds in the 60s in 30 rounds played. Daly’s last top-10 finish was a tie for eighth at the American Family Insurance Championship in June of 2022. He withdrew from the Sanford in 2022.

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‘Growing Up Grovey’: A story of football and unconditional love

The 3-part documentary, produced in 2021, made its debut on the university’s HogsPlus.com website last week.

“Growing Up Grovey” is more than just a football story.

It’s a story about life, perseverance and a former Razorback’s unconditional love for his mom.

The three-part documentary, produced in 2021, made its debut on the university’s HogsPlus.com website last week, allowing fans a glimpse of Quinn Grovey’s courageous journey, from high school and college football legend, to that of a humble son, dedicating his life to comforting his ailing mom, Bobbye Jean, in her final years.

The first two parts will be nostalgic for fans of Duncan High School in Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas, at least for those over 50 years old. The younger generations can enjoy a lesson about one of the most successful quarterbacks in program history.

I was fortunately enough to be a part of this production, writing the script and inputting some of the historical tidbits to the story. I became friends with Quinn early in our college days before he ever took an official snap for the Hogs. We sat in the back row of a freshman English Comp class, jawing about each other’s prowess on video games. From that point, I got a first-hand look at one of the best athletes and genuine human beings that I have ever been lucky enough to know.

Quinn has always been one of the most prepared and motivated people walking the planet, so when he asked me to be a part of this project, I was truly honored and jumped at the opportunity. We completed the documentary with a crew of four primary contributors – Quinn and myself, along with producers and film gurus, Tracy Anderson and Russell Schaap. We were proudly named a Silver Award winner at the 42nd Annual Telly Awards last year, in the category of Television Documentaries.

Quinn’s early football heroics led Duncan to an Oklahoma state championship in 1984, before he went on to orchestrate one of the most successful tenures in Razorback history. He ranks second on the all-time wins list, behind only Bill Montgomery, and is still the only Arkansas quarterback to ever lead the program to back-to-back outright conference championships, and consecutive Cotton Bowl appearances.

The film is narrated by Arkansas golf great John Daly and state-native radio personality Bobby Bones. It reflects on Quinn’s relationships with his mentor, Frank Broyles, as well as that of his coach and pseudo father-figure, Ken Hatfield, along with a host of former high school and college teammates. It also takes a long look back at a pair of classic battles with Texas in 1988 and 1989, two title bouts with Texas A&M, and relives Quinn’s epic showdown with Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware on Oct. 28, 1989, as he led Arkansas to a 45-39 victory over Houston in what is still regarded as one of the greatest games in Razorback history.

After transitioning into the corporate world following his playing days, Quinn served as an executive at Walmart and Home Depot. But he never forgot his deep roots in Duncan and the parents who raised four outstanding young men – Quinn was the youngest of the brothers. So, when his mom was diagnosed with the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease in 2006, he did only what his heart led him to do.

Quinn and his wife, Stacy, eventually moved Bobbye Jean from Duncan to Fayetteville, to live under their roof and care. And for nearly a decade, Quinn devoted his life to assuring that his mom lived her final days safely and in comfort. Up until October, 17, 2015, the day Bobbye Jean passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her youngest son.

Quinn has since become a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s support and research, speaking to many groups about his struggles and triumphs in the fight. His primary focus for wanting to share his story is with the hope that his journey may help others who are facing a similar fate.

He now balances those efforts with his current duties as the Senior Director of Development for the Razorback Foundation, as well as being the radio color analyst for Arkansas football. His plate is always full, but so is his heart and desire to help others.

I hope you tune in to “Growing Up Grovey”, either on HogsPlus.com or Yurview.com. It will bring joy to many and tears to some. But, either way, this journey is sure to touch the heart. Enjoy.

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Championships set following rain-soaked day at 2023 Golfweek Senior National Match Play

Duke University Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina, is playing host.

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The 2023 Golfweek Senior National Match Play event began with 42 of the country’s top senior golfers ranging in age from 55 years old to 75 and up, now finds eight players vying for one of four championships.

With Duke University Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina, playing host, 16 players teed it up in search of continuing their quest towards 1,200 Golfweek Player of the Year points. With just a few events left in the season, every shot matters as the season begins its final stretch.

NOTE: Seeding for this event was based off of the Golfweek Player of the Year rankings as of August 1st. If the player was not ranked in Golfweek’s PoY rankings, random draw or national ranking was used.

Senior Bracket (55-64)

After a no-contest in the first round and a 3 and 2 victory over No. 1 seed Todd Hendley in the quarterfinals, No. 8 Craig Hurlbert squared off with No. 4 Brian Keenan.

Winning three of the first six holes, Hurlbert took a 2 up lead into the par-5 7th. Both Hendley and Hurlbert walked away with bogeys as Keenan looked to gain a bit of momentum before making the turn.

Knotting it back up with wins on Nos. 8 and 9, Keenan was able to use a hot putter to get the match back to all square.

“Nine was another little turning point,” Kennan told Golfweek. “I hit a so-so chip shot…I curled it [the putt] in and got it to even through the turn.”

After Hurlbert won No. 11 with a par, Keenan drained a 50-foot downhill sliding putt on the par-3 12th to tie the match back up before an hour-long rain delay forced players off of the course.

“That was another one I was just trying to get close,” Kennan said. “It just trickled, trickled, trickled and it went right in the middle. He [Hurlbert] just started to shake his head a little bit, but he’s a good competitor and a friendly, good guy to play against.”

After the rain delay, both players exchanged pars before Keenan was able to win No. 16 with a par. With two holes left to play, pars were exchanged with Keenan coming away with a 1 up victory and an even par round of 72.

Facing Keenan in Friday’s championship match is the hot-handed 6-seed, Ken Kinkopf.

En route to the championship round, Kinkopf has won his matches 8 and 7, 4 and 2 and finally a 6 and 5 victory over No. 7 seed Kirk Wright.

Kinkopf needed just 49 shots through 13 holes to advance past Wright and earn his spot in the championship match. An eagle and four birdies highlighted his card on Thursday. For the week, Kinkopf is officially even through 47 holes of golf. Unlike many of his competitors, Kinkopf continues to play after his match is over to keep his game sharp. The strategy is clearly paying off as both he and Keenan are in top form heading into Friday’s championship match.

Super Senior Bracket (65-69)

No upsets took place in the eight-man Super Senior bracket Wednesday as all four of the top seeds advanced to Thursday’s semifinals.

In the No. 1 versus No. 4 matchup between Marcus Beck and Keith Waters, it was Waters who was able to squeak by the top man in the division with a 2 up win.

No. 2 James Starnes and No. 3 John Armstrong battled it out for 17 holes as Starnes solidified his spot in the finals with a pair of birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.

Legends Bracket (70-74)

Advancing to the semifinals with back-to-back 4 and 3 wins, five-seed Pete Allen looked to take down No. 1 George Walker.

Averaging 225 yards off of the tee, Allen gave up 75+ yards to Walker who, despite his age, is able to drive the ball over 300 yards at times. Tack on the fact that Walker got a first-round bye and Allen needed 30 holes to advance to the semis and Allen would appear to be the David to Walker’s Goliath.

Nicknamed ‘Pointblank Pete’ by John Daly following a pro-am event back in 1994, Pete Allen took the fight to Walker, quickly gaining a 3-up advantage through the first three holes.

It wasn’t until the par-3 8th that Walker was able to get on the board. Two down and making the turn, the horn blew and the match was paused as storms moved through the area.

“It [the rain delay] helped me because I was fading,” Allen told Golfweek.

After the quick rest, Walker returned the hot start Allen had to begin the day with three straight wins on holes 10, 11 and 12. Down in a match for the first time all week, Allen knew he had to get something going if he was going to advance.

Tied through No. 14, Allen made birdie on the par-3 15th with a chip-in birdie to take a 1-up advantage. Holding on to the lead the rest of the way, Pete Allen’s run to the championship continues Friday, facing off against No. 3 Bev Hargraves.

Hargraves defeated second-seeded Sam Robinson 3 and 2 to advance.

Super Legends Bracket (75+)

After a 7-and-5 win in the quarterfinals, top-seeded John Blank looked to continue his strong play against No. 5 Joe Pavoni.

Doing just that, Blank advances to the title match after defeating Pavoni 4 and 3.

Meeting him there is No. 2 George Owens.

Playing his way into the semis with a 5-and-3 win on Wednesday, Owens was in control of his match against No. 6 seed John Casstevens. 1 down through 12, Casstevens elected to withdraw for reasons unknown, setting up a one-two matchup with 1,200 Golfweek Player of the Year points on the line.

Former champion John Daly withdraws from 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill

The 1991 PGA champion withdrew on Monday due to injury.

The field at the 2023 PGA Championship will be without a former winner after an early week WD from a fan favorite.

John Daly withdrew from the second men’s major of the season at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York, on Monday due to injury and will be replaced by Stephan Jaeger.

Big John won the first of his two major titles at the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, but hasn’t made the cut at the event since his T-18 finish in 2012. In five starts this year on the Champions tour, Daly has managed just one top-40 finish and one round in the 60s.

MORE: PGA Championship live updates

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