Tag: Paul Casey

LIV Golf announces field for event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, leaves three spots open for new players

Who’s next to make the move to LIV Golf?

Get ready for three more players to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Greg Norman-led, Saudi Arabia-funded upstart circuit announced the field for its upcoming third event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 29-31, but three spots were left to be filled “in the coming days.” Teams have yet to be finalized, as well.

Paul Casey, a former UNICEF ambassador who once spoke out against competing in Saudi Arabia, will make his debut in the 54-hole, no cut team and player competition that boasts $25 million in prize money due to its backing from the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom. Speculation has run rampant on who will be the next to make the move to LIV after British Open champion Cameron Smith’s non-denial when asked if he was joining the upstart series.

“I just won the British Open, and you’re asking about that,” said Smith. “I think that’s pretty not that good. I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”

More: A week at a LIV Golf event
Report: Longtime NBC/Golf Channel broadcaster bound for LIV Golf

Others who have been linked to LIV include fellow Aussies Adam Scott and Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson and European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson.

Meet the confirmed field competing at LIV Golf Bedminster:

  • Abraham Ancer
  • Richard Bland
  • Laurie Canter
  • Paul Casey
  • Eugenio Chacarra
  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Hennie du Plessis
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Talor Gooch
  • Branden Grace
  • Justin Harding
  • Sam Horsfield
  • Yuki Inamori
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Matt Jones
  • Sadom Kaewkanjana
  • Martin Kaymer
  • Phachara Khongwatmai
  • Ryosuke Kinoshita
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Chase Koepka
  • Jinichiro Kozuma
  • Graeme McDowell
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Jediah Morgan
  • Kevin Na
  • Shaun Norris
  • Louis Oosthuizen
  • Wade Ormsby
  • Carlos Ortiz
  • Pat Perez
  • Turk Pettit
  • James Piot
  • Ian Poulter
  • David Puig (am)
  • Patrick Reed
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Travis Smyth
  • Hudson Swafford
  • Hideto Tanihara
  • Peter Uihlein
  • Scott Vincent
  • Lee Westwood
  • Bernd Wiesberger
  • Matthew Wolff

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Paul Casey, a former UNICEF ambassador, is the latest player to join Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf

Casey was previously against playing in the Kingdom, but has teed it up in the Saudi International the last two years.

NORTH PLAINS, Ore. – Another player is taking his talents to LIV Golf.

During the live stream of the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series event on Saturday near Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, the upstart circuit led by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced Paul Casey on air as its newest player.

The 44-year-old Englishman, a former UNICEF ambassador who is no longer listed on the organization’s website, had previously spoken out against playing the Saudi International event held in the Kingdom. He then flip-flopped on that decision after competing in the event – which now features the PIF in its title – the last two years.

LIV Golf has long been criticized as a way for the Saudi government to “sportswash” its human rights record with big money, no-cut events that are fan-friendly. Casey explained his decision to avoid the Saudi event in 2019 due to human rights violations, but his heel-turn decision to play wasn’t “taken lightly.”

“I wasn’t comfortable going in the past, but I have always been open-minded and willing to learn. I believe sport has the power to affect change. I’ve listened to the Saudi’s commitment to this and their vision for the future,” Casey said in a statement released to Golfweek and a few other select members of the media in 2020. “(Saudi Arabia) have successfully hosted two professional ladies tournaments which shows that Golf Saudi have big plans not only for professional golf, but more so for grassroots and the next generation.”

A royal decree in 2019 from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman loosened some restrictions placed on women – employment discrimination, registering births and deaths, the ability to travel internationally without being accompanied by a male guardian – but the Kingdom’s male guardian system still controls critical aspects of a women’s life.

Casey, ranked No. 26 in the world, finished third at the Players Championship in March but hasn’t played a full round since after conceding matches at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and withdrawing from the Masters before the first round.

Casey will join Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC and make his debut at LIV’s third event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, July 29-31.

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Paul Casey withdraws from 2022 Masters before first round

Paul Casey played the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday with his son Lex.

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The field for the 2022 Masters Tournament is now 90 after Paul Casey withdrew before the start of his first round.

Casey, ranked No. 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking, was scheduled to tee off at 10:53 a.m. ET alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith. A release sent by tournament officials said, “Due to injury, Paul Casey has officially withdrawn from the Masters Tournament prior to the start of his first round.”

There was no word on the injury or severity. Casey played the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday with his son, Lex. He also participated in practice rounds. In March, Casey withdrew from each of his three matches because of back spasms at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Texas.

Casey’s best Masters finish was a tie for fourth in 2016. He has 12 top-10 finishes in majors in his career. This would have been his 16th Masters appearance.

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Paul Casey concedes again at WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play due to back pain, unsure if he’ll play on Friday

Casey didn’t even show up to the tee box for his second-round match with Alex Noren.

AUSTIN, Texas — Paul Casey conceded his first match of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play on Wednesday after just two holes — one he won — citing back spasms as the reason.

On Thursday, he didn’t even show up to the tee box for his second-round match with Alex Noren at Austin Country Club.

Casey said he was taped, went through physio and had ice and heat treatments before realizing he simply couldn’t compete.

“Purely, it’s a thing when you get to your 40s. But that’s I guess what’s causing the pain in the spasms up the back,” he said. “I’ve had it, I’ve probably had this like four, five times in 20 years, but it’s, so it’s not an injury, it’s just, what is it? Fatigue? Could be back from still Players and the cold weather and all sorts of stuff and traveling.

“And I wanted to play today, but you just, you just saw it. I mean it’s like, it hurt — I was in there for a good hour this morning getting more treatment, hoping I could go, just tender on the putting green and then started to feel it on the chipping green and then couldn’t get past a 9-iron, so …”

WGC-Match Play: Yardage book | PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ | Thursday tee times, TV info

Casey was in contention at the Players Championship two weeks ago, finishing third in a tournament marred by windy, chilly conditions. He then withdrew from the Valspar Championship, a tournament he won back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

When asked if he’d try again Friday in a scheduled match with Louis Oosthuizen, Casey said he wasn’t certain, but added that he didn’t think he could do any long-term damage if he did play.

“I’m not going to injure it, but it’s a, it’s a muscular thing that’s just, it just hurts. So I can’t injure it. It’s not a skeletal type, bones out of place or anything,” he said. “I don’t know. I mean, I can’t go through, so it’s kind of like what’s the point? I hate to just give a guy a match, and that would be Louis tomorrow. I guess that makes it even, doesn’t it, I give one to Corey, about to give one to Alex.”

Even if he does play on Friday, Casey won’t be able to advance to Saturday’s Round of 16, something he’s done with consistency in his previous 11 starts at the match-play event. The three-time PGA Tour winner has two second-place finishes in this tournament and has reached the final 16 in all but four of those appearances.

With the victory on Friday, Noren is now 2-0 with one remaining match against Conners.

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Cameron Smith wins 2022 Players Championship with Monday finish at TPC Sawgrass

An early ace, rules drama, rain shower and compelling golf all made the Players’ Monday finish worth the wait.

An early ace, rules drama, another rain shower and compelling golf all made the Monday finish at the 2022 Players Championship well worth the wait.

A field of the PGA Tour’s best finally put to bed a wild, weather-filled week at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where Cameron Smith claimed the Tour’s flagship event at 13-under.

After finishing his third round in the morning, the 28-year-old shot a 6-under 66 in the final round to hold off Paul Casey and 54-hole leader Anirban Lahiri, Kevin Kisner and Keegan Bradley. For his efforts, Smith will take home the $20 million event’s top-prize of $3.6 million.

Players: Leaderboard | Best photos

The win is Smith’s fifth on Tour and second of the year following his victory at January’s Sentry Tournament of Champions. The Aussie also has two DP World Tour titles under his belt with the 2017 and 2018 Australian PGA Championships.

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Paul Casey positioned to claim his signature win at Players Championship but will have to do so without ‘Johnny Long Socks’

John “Long Socks” McLaren is in the midst of what he termed “an indefinite mental health break from the game.”

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – If Paul Casey is going to claim the signature win of his 22-year career, he’ll have to do so without his former caddie John “Long Socks” McLaren.

Casey finished off his second straight round of 69 on Monday morning to improve to 8 under through 54 holes, and trails leader Anirban Lahiri by one stroke heading into the final round of the Players Championship.

But McLaren, 55, is in the midst of what he termed “an indefinite mental health break from the game,” so Casey has veteran caddie Shannon Wallis, who usually works for Jonas Blixt (not in the field this week at the Players) on the bag.

Casey and McLaren, known for his colorful socks rising nearly to his knees, won the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship back-to-back in 2019-2020 and also teamed for multiple wins on the DP World Tour. Asked if he tried to talk his sidekick into sticking with him, Casey answered, “No, I didn’t. Johnny may come back. It was always a sabbatical. It was burnout. More time at home with the family. The stresses of flying back to London every weekend, and if he’s going to test positive for COVID and be in a hotel and all that stuff. It was just stressful for him. I’m sure I was stressful for him, too.”

Olympics: Golf-Mens
The shoes and socks worn by caddie John McLaren at the final round of the men’s competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Casey flashed a wry grin. Their partnership over the last six years started through friendship and grew into something much closer – bosom buddies perhaps. After he finished his post-round news conference Monday, Casey was asked to describe the bond.

“I miss him,” he said. “I miss the chat.”

Players: Leaderboard | How to watch Monday | PGA Tour Live on ESPN+

Earlier he added, “Everybody knows that we finished our six years together better friends than when we started, which is saying a lot. In this industry that can’t always be said. We’ve seen a lot of people who are ‘mutual agreement’ or ‘taking a break,’ which we all know is code for somebody got fired. Just nobody ever says that, but Johnny and I can generally look anybody in the eye and say, ‘We’re great mates and he just wanted a break’, and I fully support that.”

It was McLaren who helped Casey, who between 2005-2015 missed the cut five times at the Players and withdrew twice in eight appearances at TPC Sawgrass, develop a game plan for Dye’s masterpiece.

“He guided me around this place really, really well, and a lot of that has just stayed. There’s a way of playing this golf course,” Casey said.

Asked for specifics on what McLaren shared, Casey said, “Top secret, you know that. Yeah, I don’t tend to give away too many secrets. Johnny and I, we had some stuff – we had almost secrets, things that we’d work on, the way we would play certain shots that we feel nobody else was aware of, and we wouldn’t give that away. So, it’s our IP. We tend not to talk about it.”

Casey, 44, said he had texted McLaren after Thursday’s round when he started with a triple bogey on his first hole of the tournament, No. 10. Casey responded by making birdie at 11, a bogey at 12 and went 45 holes without another dropped shot until No. 13 of his third round on Monday. In his younger days, Casey conceded that not even McLaren could have settled him down from a disastrous start.

“I probably would have lost the head very quickly and exited stage left,” he said.

With maturity comes wisdom and sometimes patience.

“It was fairways and greens and try to slowly claw back the shots I gave away so quickly,” Casey said.

There’s also no quick fix to finding a new caddie to fill the void left by McLaren.

“I’m still looking for the caddie. It’s weird. I miss him,” Casey said. “Shan is just helping out. Shan was working for Jonas Blixt, and he’s worked for me before at various events. I know him, I’m very comfortable with him. He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. He’s funny. We’ll see, but I just have not decided what I’m going to do long-term yet.”

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Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson highlight loaded field of confirmed players for 2022 Saudi International

Some of the biggest names in golf are bound for Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Back in October, Golfweek reported that eight players asked for the PGA Tour’s permission to play in the controversial Saudi International.

On Monday when the tournament released a list of confirmed players for the 2022 on Feb. 3-6 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, all eight appeared on the list alongside a few other notable names.

Two-time winner Dustin Johnson, 2020 champion Graeme McDowell, Abraham Ancer, Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson, Kevin Na and Jason Kokrak will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Adri Arnaus, Rafael Cabrera Bello, Paul Casey, Jason Dufner, Shane Lowry, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Xander Schauffele, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Harold Varner III, Jhonattan Vegas and Bubba Watson in Saudi Arabia in 2022.

The PGA Tour previously said it would deny waivers for its members to take part in the Saudi International. In past years the Tour granted releases to its members for the first three Saudi Internationals when it was a European Tour event. Last summer the PGA and European tours announced a strategic alliance, which removed the event from the European Tour schedule and was widely interpreted as a joint effort to stymie any rival tours.

In its first year as part of the Asian Tour schedule, the 2022 Saudi International features the strongest field in the history of the tour.  The Saudis previously made a $100 million investment in the Asian Tour.

“History will reflect upon how developments like the Saudi International and Golf Saudi’s partnership with the Asian Tour helped see in a new era in the professional game,” said Cho Minn Thant, CEO of the Asian Tour, via a media statement. “With the right guidance, it’ll be the sport that benefits most, with more top athletes from across a wider geographical spectrum present at the very top level and more interest from a more diverse and committed group of stakeholders.”

Since the inaugural Saudi International in 2019, the tournament has been widely criticized as part of the government’s effort to “sportswash” its human rights abuses, same as LIV Golf Investments, the new golf venture backed by the Public Investment Fund which operates on behalf of the government of Saudi Arabia.

“Whilst this is a product of many factors, there is no denying the massive impact the best players in the world can have on creating multi-generational interest in the sport. This is why we place such importance on securing the strongest field possible, each and every year,” said Majed Al-Sorour, CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, via a media statement. “While we do not allow ourselves to be distracted from our long-term objectives by any external voices, we have been encouraged by strengthening discussions around the importance of fresh competition and innovation in the professional game.

“We are strong advocates for this, as we see it as the only way to achieve golf’s true global potential and realize the game’s considerable untapped value. All we will say is it is better for the sport if the competition remains healthy and respectful, as opposed to hostile, as all parties look at new ways to benefit this great game.”

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John “Johnny Long Socks” McLaren has caddied his last tournament in the United States after 31 year career

Jordan 1s, crazy socks and an unbelievable resume.

It’s rare for a caddie to make a lasting impact on the game of golf. John McLaren has done just that. And no, I’m not talking about his incredible on-course style. It’s the resume he’s built along the way that will make his departure a tough pill to swallow.

McLaren, for the last six years, has looped for Paul Casey, currently ranked 27th in the Official World Golf Ranking. During their partnership, Casey won back-to-back Valspar Championship titles (2018-2019) on the PGA Tour, along with two wins on the European Tour.

McLaren’s career, however, wouldn’t have been the same if not for his visa obtained during his time with Scott Dunlap.

Helen Konrad, an immigration law attorney, put together a list of Dunlap’s finishes before and after adding McLaren to his team, representing how much better Dunlap played during their partnership.

“It’s mostly for visiting artists. It’s pretty easy if you’re the only cellist in the world,” Dunlap told the Associated Press. “But when you’re selling yourself as a caddie, the powers-that-be can say, ‘Hell, anyone can carry a golf bag.’ Legally, you had to show you really want this guy.”

Despite the challenge, the O-1 visa was approved and McLaren officially became “an alien of extraordinary ability.”

Before he carried the bag for Casey, he worked with another Englishman, Luke Donald. During their time together, Donald reached No. 1 in the world and earned $30 million. Pretty lucrative pairing.

Unique on-course style

A detailed view of the sneakers worn by caddie John Mclaren during the second round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

McLaren wasn’t afraid to rock some pretty vibrant combinations on the course. Tie-dye Jordan 1s with the cartoon socks – it’s a vibe.

This look has become a McLaren staple, as you can see…

A detailed view of the sneakers worn by caddie John McLaren during the final round of the 2020 PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
A view of the socks and sneakers of caddie John McLaren on the 18th green, McLaren caddies for Paul Casey (not pictured) during the third round of the 2020 PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
John McLaren the caddie of John Casey draws the attention of fans on the 9th tee with his Jimmy Butler socks to go with his Air Jordan’s during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports

His visa will expire in a few months (February 2022), but it won’t be renewed. After a Dubai event on the European Tour at the start of next year, McLaren will call it a career.

This “break up” will add to the recent caddie changes we’ve seen over the last few weeks, a list which includes Justin Thomas/Jimmy Johnson, and Bubba Watson/Ted Scott.

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Meet the European Ryder Cup team’s wives and families

There’s plenty of bonding at the biennial event, and not just among the players.

Certainly, the team aspect of the Ryder Cup makes this a spectacle like none other in golf, and while the teams get an opportunity to bond in atypical style, so do the wives and girlfriends, who are often in the spotlight during the biennial event.

Scottie Scheffler, eager to make his first appearance for the U.S. team in this week’s tournament at Whistling Straits, explained during Tuesday’s press conference how important spouses and partners can be.

“The wives and girlfriends are really involved, which I think is fun,” Scheffler said. “I think with everybody’s wives being there it’s very comfortable for everybody just to be in the team room hanging out, wives, girlfriends all getting to know each other as well as — I would say that’s probably better — the wives and girlfriends get to know each other because they don’t see each other on a daily basis, because we do.

“I’ve seen these 11 guys at the same events for the past two years, so I know all of them pretty well, but our wives don’t necessarily know each other.”

With the first tee shot fast approaching, here’s a look at the wives and families of the 2021 European Ryder Cup team. (Significant others for Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick and Bernd Wiesberger were not included.)

Drivers being used by the European Ryder Cup team at Whistling Straits

See which golfers European stars like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Ian Poulter will be using at Whistling Straits.

It’s finally here after a year’s delay, Ryder Cup week.

As we explained last week, Whistling Straits, site of the Ryder Cup, is long and tough. The PGA of America can stretch it to as long as 7,390 yards. Alongside Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, and has holes that wander over sandy dunes that are flanked by bunkers, fescue grass and rugged terrain.

Last week we shared which drivers the players on the American Ryder Cup team are going to use. This week, we give you the 12 members of Team Europe and the drivers we anticipate them using in the biennial event.

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