QBE Shootout

QBE Shootout: Bubba Watson says his game is just fine

Bubba Watson: “People forget I won three times in 2018 and was ranked just out of the top 10 in the World Ranking at the end of the year.”

[jwplayer FZwyJKCw-9JtFt04J]

Bubba Watson is not finished nor is he wallowing in golf purgatory, or even remotely disturbed about the status of his game.

The reports from the critics or golf nerds on social media, noticing he is nowhere near Australia and the Presidents Cup this week, are running the gamut on what and why is wrong with the popular Watson.

Watson, while being besieged for autographs at Tiburón Golf Club after the QBE Shootout pro-am, delivered what amounted to a stern “state of Bubba’s golf game” message.

“The critics and social media are very premature with my situation and they just continue to make up stories,” said Watson, who lives near Pensacola and is involved with numerous business ventures in the Florida Panhandle.

“I didn’t win a tournament this past year so everyone says that’s it for a 41-year-old. I plan on winning again as soon as next year.”

QBE SHOOTOUT: Round 2 tee times, TV info

What prompted the growing chorus of concern about the two-time Masters winner was a year when he missed six cuts, had only three top-10 finishes, saw him drop to his current World Ranking of 41, and 81st in the FedEx Cup standings.

“People forget I won three times in 2018 and was ranked just out of the top 10 in the World Ranking at the end of the year,” said Watson, making his fifth appearance in the QBE Shootout.

Fueling additional speculation on his status was Watson not being a captain’s pick for the Presidents Cup team or even a vice-captain, a position he served at the 2016 Ryder Cup.

“I told Tiger at his tournament in the Bahamas last week that I’m probably way down the alternate’s or vice-captain’s list and I joked with him that I might hole up on the plane and show up at Royal Melbourne,” he said. “I do have a lot of confidence that I have the leadership skills to be helpful with team events.

“I enjoy helping, even if it’s just getting a team member a sandwich or a bottle of water. I still view being selected as a captain for a team event a Hall of Fame moment, an honor and privilege. Now other considerations have come into the selection process like trying to get the right people for TV ratings.”

While Watson is focused on getting back closer to the top or into a team event, he has a good reason to be happy when he comes home.

“In the old days there was a special feel when they selected you, but today the only thing I feel special about is having a wonderful wife and two great kids,” he said. “I would give up my two green jackets for their happiness.”

Watson joked that he would be a different captain, especially with a player like Tiger Woods.

“I would tell Tiger ‘You’ve won 82 times, just sit here and eat ice cream,’” he said.

Watson is teamed up with Charles Howell III. They shot a first-round 13-under 59. They are four back of Harold Varner III and Ryan Palmer, who tied the tournament mark with a 55.

Ace for Hoffman

Charley Hoffman was planning on an expensive post round cocktail hour after making a hole on the 207-yard par-3 12th hole with a 6-iron.

“I played the shot high in the air to the right and then let it come back in,” Hoffman said. “It landed soft and Kevin told me it rolled right in.”
Partner Kevin Kisner was waiting to start the celebration.

“He owes me some drinks starting right now upstairs,” Kisner said.

Hoffman’s partner last year, Gary Woodland, made a hole in one on the eighth hole.

“Neither one of us won a car,” Hoffman said. The ace was his fifth in PGA Tour competition and the 15th overall.

OSU coach watches Hovland, Wolff

Oklahoma State coach Alan Bratton followed former players Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff during the first round on Friday.

“You never know how you’re going to do out here,” Bratton said in an interview with Golf Channel’s Billy Ray Brown. “I know they would end up out here eventually, but I’m just really proud of the performance that they’ve had so far. Hopefully their career looks like this and just keeps taking off.

“We had Viktor for three years prepping him, whether it was Coach (Donnie) Darr and I, and all of our former players. It’s nice, OSU has four of the 24 players this week. They’ve had plenty of mentoring. They’ve been set free now, and they’re ready to take on the world. And hopefully they keep doing what they’re doing.”

The proteges didn’t do something they’d like to keep doing Friday, shooting a 7-under 65 and sitting in last place.

“We hit it good today but made no putts,” Wolff said. “This was my first scramble ever in competition but we’ve got two days left so we need to put up some low numbers.”

Greg Hardwig contributed to this article.

[lawrence-related id=778016461,778016466]

Unlikely pairing of Harold Varner III, Ryan Palmer lead by two at QBE Shootout

Ryan Palmer and Harold Varner III closed with an eagle by Palmer on No. 17 and a 20-footer for birdie on No. 18 by Varner.

[jwplayer FZwyJKCw-9JtFt04J]

NAPLES, Fla. — Ryan Palmer and Harold Varner III were an unlikely pairing.

But the two did something Friday that’s never been bettered in 31 years of the QBE Shootout.

Palmer and Varner shot a 17-under-par 55 to tie the record for the scramble format, and take a two-shot lead at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.

Some of the 12 two-person teams are set up ahead of time. Maybe they’re close friends, or have the same agent, or something like that. Then others are simply matching together two of the remaining players.

“Ryan was in and I was the odd ball out and I talked to Taylor (Ives of management company Wasserman Sports) and it worked out,” Varner said.

“He’s got a 66 scoring average for the weekend, so I’ll take him,” Palmer said.

QBE SHOOTOUT: Saturday’s Round 2 tee times

Varner hadn’t played since the Mayakoba Classic in Mexico a month ago, and had spent that time moving into a new house.

“I like playing golf, but the best thing that happened was when I got here, Ryan was like, ‘I want to have a chance to win,’ and I’m like, ‘All right, bro. I haven’t touched a club in a while,'” Varner said.

Nevertheless, Palmer and Varner paired together fantastically. They closed with an eagle on No. 17 by Palmer, and Varner drained a 20-footer on No. 18 to tie a record held by four other teams.

“(Palmer) almost made it, so I just tried to hit it close to where he hit it, just a little firmer, and lucky enough for it to go in,” Varner said.

“They played incredible golf,” said Jason Kokrak.

So did Kokrak and J.T. Poston, just not as good. They shot 15 under and are two back. Kevin Tway and Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Kisner and Charley Hoffman — who had a hole-in-one — are tied for third at 14 under.

Former Oklahoma State teammates Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland struggled to a 7-under 65 and are in last. LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson and two-time winner Sean O’Hair shot a 64. Defending champions Brian Harman and Patton Kizzire are 10th at 10 under.

Teams will play modified alternate shot on Saturday, with each golfer teeing off, one drive being chosen, and then players alternating the rest of the hole.

Palmer and Varner birdied every hole but No. 5 and No. 16.

“Yeah we’re going to go back and talk about those two holes,” Palmer joked. “We had a little mental lapse.

“We brought it back hard. I told Harold ‘Take 17 off, hitting driver, 5-wood and making the putts.'”

Palmer credited Varner for making most of the 15 birdies, many times, just like on No. 18, after he had come close.

“I was fortunate enough to hit some good putts that didn’t go in and he just rolled them right in,” Palmer said. “The putts he made, I’m curious how many feet of putts he made today, which was pretty good. We hit a lot of close ones, too.”

Correspondent Dave Kempton contributed to this article.

Round 1 scores

Players	Score
Ryan Palmer-Harold Varner III	-17
Jason Kokrak-J.T. Poston	-15
Rory Sabbatini-Kevin Tway	-14
Charley Hoffman-Kevin Kisner	-14
Billy Horschel-Brendon Todd	-13
Charles Howell III-Bubba Watson	-13
Kevin Chappell-Chez Reavie	-12
Corey Conners-Andrew Putnam	-11
Graeme McDowell-Ian Poulter	-11
Brian Harman-Patton Kizzire	-10
Sean O’Hair-Lexi Thompson	-8
Viktor Hovland-Matthew Wolff	-7

Where: Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort

When: Through Sunday

Info: qbeshootout.com

TV: Saturday, Golf Channel, Noon-4 p.m.; Sunday, Golf Channel, Noon-4 p.m.

[lawrence-related id=778016466,778016183]

QBE Shootout Round 2 tee times, TV information

The 54-hole event features 12 two-player teams competing for $3.5 million in prize money.

[jwplayer FZwyJKCw-9JtFt04J]

The 2019 QBE Shootout is underway at the Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.

The 54-hole event started Friday. There are 12 two-player teams competing for $3.5 million in prize money. The duo of Harold Varner III and Ryan Palmer hold the first-round lead by two shots over J.T. Poston and Jason Kokrak.

LPGA star Lexi Thompson is playing for the fourth year in a row. She’s paired with Sean O’Hair, who has won the QBE with two different partners, Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry.

Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman won in 2019. Greg Norman is the tournament host.

All times listed below are ET.

TV info

Saturday, Golf Channel, Noon-4 p.m.

Sunday, Golf Channel, Noon-4 p.m.

Round 2 tee times

Tee time	Players
10:20 a.m.	Sean O’Hair-Lexi Thompson, Viktor Hovland-Matthew Wolff
10:32 a.m.	Graeme McDowell-Ian Poulter, Brian Harman-Patton Kizzire
10:44 a.m.	Kevin Chappell-Chez Reavie, Corey Conners-Andrew Putnam
10:56 a.m.	Billy Horschel-Brendon Todd, Charles Howell III-Bubba Watson
11:08 a.m.	Rory Sabbatini-Kevin Tway, Charley Hoffman-Kevin Kisner
11:20 a.m.	Ryan Palmer-Harold Varner III, Jason Kokrak-J.T. Poston

[lawrence-related id=778016461,778016466,778016183]

Greg Norman talks Tiger Woods, bad backs, surgeries, more at QBE Shootout

“I think it’s great what he’s done coming back,” Greg Norman said of Tiger Woods. “It’s not that easy when you go through surgeries.”

QBE Shootout founder and host Greg Norman is a World Golf Hall of Famer and held the No. 1 ranking for 331 weeks, bested only by Tiger Woods.

Norman, 64, and Woods are having a different kind of “competition” with a number of surgeries. Norman said he’s had 12 golf-related ones, and Woods has finally recaptured his game to quite the degree after another surgery, this one a spinal fusion in April 2017 for his fourth back surgery and ninth overall.

Woods came back to win the Masters this year, and won in Japan this fall to tie Sam Snead with 82 tour victories.

“I think it’s great what he’s done coming back,” Norman said. “You know, it’s not that easy when you go through surgeries to get back to where you were. He’s not — he’s swinging great, but he’s swinging within himself, which is much better to see.

“So therefore, he’s learned a lot about what the old swing did and what damage it did on his body because speed and power is going to break down somewhere sooner or later.”

Woods isn’t alone as far as surgeries for top players go. Brooks Koepka withdrew from the Presidents Cup due to a knee injury, and Dustin Johnson is just returning from knee surgery in Australia this week.

“Everybody only has so much in their joints to deliver and if you have that constant wear and tear on it,” Norman said. “I mean, you look at all the power players in the world, (Jack) Nicklaus has got a bad back, I’ve had a bad back, bad knees. I’ve had 13 surgeries because of golf. Actually, 12 because of golf.

“It’s because we put so much load on our body. You’re swinging the clubhead at 126, 127 miles an hour like I used to do with those old heavy pieces of equipment we used to play with, it tells us something’s going on in your body when you’re doing it thousands and thousands of time on a repetitive basis, no matter how fit and strong you are.”

While players are hitting it longer partly due to equipment, they’re also using a refining another technology — training — to allow them to generate that power.

“I think the technology with health and wellness with the players has really elevated,” Norman said. “I think they listen to their coaches, they listen to their trainers, they listen to their physiotherapists, so they build their own physical program around their own body, because that’s the right way to do it because your body’s your fingerprint.

“I wouldn’t work out like (Dustin Johnson) works out and I wouldn’t work out like (Justin Thomas) works out. I work out because I know what works for me. So everybody’s independent on that and I think the longevity’s there.”

Norman was part of the International team when it won its only Presidents Cup, back in 1998. That was at Royal Melbourne, where this week’s is being held. Prior to Thursday night’s matches, the Internationals had taken a 4-1 lead following Wednesday’s play.

“I think what (captain) Ernie (Els) did,” Norman said. “I think he had the decision of making it the four-ball instead of the foursomes first up was great. Probably a few lingering things with the American team, whether it’s jet lag or not knowing Royal Melbourne as well as some of the International players, would have messaged down to the guys who hadn’t played Royal Melbourne.

“They had been there probably over the weekend before so they would have got to know the golf course a little bit better. But it’s an information highway about that golf course. You need to know it and you need to know the little nuances of what it’s all about.”

[lawrence-related id=778016147,778015735,778015803]

QBE Shootout: Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter paired for first time since 2008

Ian Poulter said: “In this kind of format you can lean on your partner and he can lean on me and if you get on a roll you can shoot lights out.”

NAPLES, Fla. — Eleven years ago they were newcomers to the PGA Tour’s silly season, still without a U.S. Open title or any Ryder Cup fame or car collection.

This week Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter would be considered parental by many of the players in the 2019 QBE Shootout field at the Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.

The Englishman (Poulter) and Ulsterman (McDowell) are a combined 83-years-old but still remain determined to make additions to their resumés.

The previous results are impressive, for Poulter, $45 million in golf earnings, including $25 million in the U.S. Best known for making clutch putts in the Ryder Cup, he’s also an avid car collector with 14 Ferraris, Bentleys or Aston Martins sitting at home in Orlando.

McDowell is just a step behind with $30 million-plus in golf winnings that ranked No. 1 in Northern Ireland until Rory McIlroy joined the PGA Tour. McDowell won the U.S. Open in 2010, his fourth tour title last year in Puerto Rico, and owns two of Florida’s most successful restaurants, Nona Blue, in Orlando and Ponte Vedra Beach.

Graeme McDowell tees off on the 5th hole during the 2019 QBE Shootout Pro-Am. Photo by Chris Tilley/Naples Daily News

The pair, playing together for the first time since 2008, have enjoyed their success in the Shootout.

Poulter won in 2010 with Dustin Johnson, while McDowell has finished second the last two years with Shane Lowry and Emiliano Grillo.

“I mean, the game’s good with a little time off,” Poulter said. “Obviously this kind of format you can lean on your partner and he can lean on me and if you get on a roll you can shoot lights out.”

“Certainly one of my favorite weeks of the year is coming down here, but I haven’t played a whole lot the last three months so I’m starting to gear back up with Kapalua and Sony coming up in the new year,” McDowell said.

McDowell and Poulter are playing with the two youngest players, rookie stars Matt Wolff, 20, and Norway’s Viktor Hovland, 22.

Both of the youngsters are excited to be paired with the veterans.

“Young guys come out and fire quickly but it’s really cool for us to be able to play with guys we’ve watched on TV,” Wolff said.”I watched Ian since I started golf and it’s cool to see all the generations play together.

“Anyone who plays golf knows the name Greg Norman, but to be able to meet him (Tuesday) night and talk with him a little, special.”

“I was too young to watch Norman but I certainly watched a lot of Graeme, Poulter and Charles Howell,” Hovland said. “It’s cool to be part of the next lineage of players.”

McDowell and Poulter accept the aging notoriety.

“Poults and I are getting to that stage in life where we’ll be the older guys in the field,” McDowell said.

Poulter interrupted, “I’ve had the tag already, oldest man and that’s a bit scary.”

Nevertheless, the passion remains intact.

“Desire is still there, very much so,” said McDowell, who lists playing in last summer’s The Open Championship at Royal Portrush near his home as one of the highlights of his career. “We both work as hard as we ever did,”

“If the desire drops off, you won’t see me playing golf, period,” Poulter said. “I want to feel competitive because I have never worked harder and I’m just as hungry as my first year on tour in ’99.”

Poulter enjoys discussing his car collection and comparing himself to other collectors.

“Not even close to the top, I would be in like the eighth division,” he said. “I’m entry level behind car collectors, real car collectors and super special car collectors.”

[lawrence-related id=778015735,778015803]

QBE Shootout odds, predictions, picks and PGA Tour best bets

Here are some of the best bets, predictions at picks for the QBE Shootout.

[jwplayer Ua72YDNh-9JtFt04J]

Twelve two-player teams will compete in the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, this weekend. The 54-hole event runs three days, from Friday through Sunday.

The first round is played under scramble rules, whereby both members of each team will play every shot with the better ball being taken each time. Round 2 consists of “greensomes”, where both players tee off on each hole and the alternate shot is played from the spot of the better ball.

The final round is played under standard four-ball rules with each golfer playing the hole on their own and the best score being taken.

Looking to place a bet on this tournament? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

The 7,288-yard venue plays as a par 72. The teams compete for a $3.5 million purse, but it is not an official money event and no FedEx Cup points are awarded.

QBE Shootout – Odds, picks and best bets

Matthew Wolff. (Rob Kinnan – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Viktor Hovland-Matthew Wolff (+600)

The two combine for just 42 years of age, making them younger than several of the individual golfers in this event. Hovland is expected to be a top contender for PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, while Wolff came up just short of the award last year.

Hovland, 22, placed solo fourth at last season’s Wyndham Championship for the best result of his young career. He’s ranked 96th by the Official World Golf Ranking, while Wolff, who got his first career win at the 3M Open last summer, is 117th in the world. Their odds are lower as fan favorites, but the youngsters have the length and putting, and the motivation for the early-career win in an uninspired field.

Charles Howell III-Bubba Watson (+800)

Watson, ranked 44th by the OWGR, is coming off a last-place finish at last week’s Hero World Challenge. Howell, ranked 54th in the world, missed the cut at the RSM Classic as his last event. The two combined for four victories in 2018.

Howell finished tied for third here last year with partner Luke List. Watson was sixth with Harold Varner III.

Charley Hoffman-Kevin Kisner (+1200)

Hoffman also finished T-3 a year ago (with partner Gary Woodland), while Kisner finished last with playing partner Cameron Champ. Kisner tied for seventh at last week’s Hero World Challenge exhibition. The two have plenty of length off the tee, and Kisner, who’s the defending match-play champion, can get hot and carry the team with his putter.

Complete odds

Players	Odds
Billy Horschel, Brendon Todd	+400
Viktor Hovland, Matthew Wolff	+600
Corey Conners, Andrew Putnam	+650
Jason Kokrak, J.T. Poston	+750
Charles Howell III, Bubba Watson	+800
Ryan Palmer, Harold Varner III	+800
Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter	+900
Brian Harman, Patton Kizzire	+1000
Charley Hoffman, Kevin Kisner	+1200
Kevin Chappell, Chez Reavie	+1600
Rory Sabbatini, Kevin Tway	+1600
Sean O’Hair, Lexi Thompson	+5000

Get some action on this tournament by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[jwplayer RCAB9CQ5-9JtFt04J]

[opinary poll=”does-purse-size-make-a-professional-even” customer=”golfweek”]

[lawrence-related id=778011740,778013591]

Matthew Wolff, Viktor Hovland team up at QBE Shootout

Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland didn’t need to make any introductions when they found out they were paired together for the QBE Shootout.

The two have known one another for years. Well, maybe not “years” but relatively speaking if that can be the case for a 20-year-old and a 22-year-old, respectively.

“I would love to play with Viktor,” Wolff said when his agent presented him with the idea last year. “That’d be awesome because we played together so much in college and I’ve known him since he was — I was like 15 and he’s 16 and stuff.”

They couldn’t resist taking some digs at one another during their Wednesday media session.

“I think our games kind of complement each other where he has a lot of length and my strengths are kind of more consistency and I think we can really feed off of each other,” Hovland said when asked about the pairing.

QBE SHOOTOUT: Tee times, TV info

“A little burn,” Wolff replied.

“I know you can take it,” Hovland responded.

“I’m not consistent enough,” Wolff added with a chuckle.

“My strength is more consistency,” Hovland said, smiling. “You bomb the crap out of it, is that what you wanted to hear?”

“Yeah, you make me feel so good,” Wolff said.

Both played at perennial national power Oklahoma State. And they more than added to the legacy that the men’s team already has.

Wolff made the putt to clinch the 2018 national title for the Cowboys, then won the NCAA individual title this spring. He turned professional and won his fourth event, the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota.

Viktor Hovland tosses his golf ball to his caddie during the QBE Shootout pro-am in Naples, Florida on Dec. 11, 2019. Photo by Chris Tilley/Special for Naples Daily News

Hovland, who is from Norway, spent the last two summers putting his name on leaderboards.

First, he won the 2018 U.S. Amateur, then this year he earned low amateur honors at the Masters (tied for 32nd) and the U.S. Open (he was 12th). The last golfer to be low amateur in both of those was Matt Kuchar in 1998. Hovland also broke Jack Nicklaus’ amateur record of 282 with a 280 in the U.S. Open.

So they’ve been ticketed for stardom and appear on their way.

Part of what they attribute to that is staying away from setting results goals.

Obviously, winning a golf tournament doesn’t fall into that, but there’s no way Wolff is shying away from that.

“If you win on the PGA Tour, it’s never a fluke,” Wolff said. “I’m sorry for anyone who might say it is. If you win on the PGA Tour, you beat the best players in the world and it’s the top tour in the world.

“But it definitely takes the stress off my shoulders. It frees me up. Playing in events like these, it gets you into that. It allows you to really give you the confidence that you can do it and know that you’re there for a reason.”

Hovland, who has two top-10 finishes since turning professional, sets his goals more on his game.

“It’s more process goals where, OK, if I’m struggling right now hitting a low cut with my irons, which is kind of the preferred shot that I like to hit, right now it’s launching a little too high and drawing maybe a little bit, that’s just what I had right now and that’s what I’m working on trying to get back to that little low cut,” Hovland said. “It’s not ‘OK, I need to make X amount of birdies and we need to finish so-and-so this week; I just care about my golf game. Week in and week out, that’s all I think about.”

And the other part of it for them is the success they’ve already had to lean back on.

“We know that our best is good enough to win,” Wolff said. “I feel like that’s why we don’t like to set goals of we need to do this, we need to win this many times, because we know if our game is where it needs to be, then the results will come.”

Wolff and Hovland don’t have a ton of experience with traveling to the same event and playing the same courses year after year, yet they didn’t really check in with each other that much.

And of course a question about that led to some more jabs.

“Not too much because we only see each other on the road and we were so used to seeing each other in college every day …” Hovland said.

“He’s sick of me by now is what he’s trying to say,” Wolff said.

“This is true. It’s going to be a long week,” Hovland said.

“It took a lot more convincing for him to play with me than it did for me to play with him,” Wolff said.

[lawrence-related id=778015797,778015803,778011740]

Sean O’Hair competing in first event in 10 months at QBE Shootout

“Your oblique tore off, came back around, shredded,” Sean O’Hair was told. “It was an absolute mess. You had so much scar tissue.”

Sean O’Hair has been completely off the golf radar for almost all of 2019.

O’Hair, 37, struggled in 2017-18, finishing 108th on the money list. In the 2019 portion of the 2018-19 season he tied for ninth in the Desert Classic at La Quinta, so things were looking good.

Then everything went sideways. More accurately, directly to the muscles in O’Hair’s side.

“I actually didn’t think I was going to come back,” O’Hair said matter-of-factly Tuesday at Tiburón Golf Club, where he will play in the QBE Shootout this week for his first event in 10 months. “It was bad.”

QBE SHOOTOUT: Tee times, TV info

O’Hair missed the cut in Phoenix in February, then withdrew from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. And he hasn’t played in a tournament since then.

First, after an MRI, it was thought the pain in O’Hair’s left side was from broken ribs.

Then a doctor finally got to the bottom of it. O’Hair, a four-time PGA Tour winner, had completely torn his left oblique muscle, to the point he had to have surgery. The recovery included “dry needling” where needles over 2 inches are inserted to help break up scar tissue, of which O’Hair had a lot.

“It’s been a long, long road back,” O’Hair said.

After the broken ribs diagnosis, O’Hair took a month off and tried to return at the Valspar Championship near Tampa. That lasted nine holes. He saw another doctor, who made the correct diagnosis. After surgery, the doctor shared what he found.

“Your oblique tore off, came back around, shredded,” O’Hair was told. “I couldn’t tell the difference between your inner and outer oblique. It was an absolute mess. You had so much scar tissue.”

The doctor thought O’Hair had built up scar tissue over the years, and then the muscle finally gave out. O’Hair said he had been working extra hard in the gym and hitting balls, and maybe that had finally aggravated it to the point he felt something.

“I didn’t know about it,” he said. “I didn’t feel any tightness, I didn’t feel any pain, I didn’t feel any soreness. It just gave out.”

The simple recovery from that type of surgery — “He had to make the planes of muscles wide,” O’Hair said. “There was a lot of stitching and a lot of cutting.” — coupled with the dry needling and physical therapy itself took quite a toll.

“Just a lot of pain,” he said.

O’Hair did make a workout decision after coming back. He’s focused on stretching, yoga and Pilates.

“I think I’ve seen my last day of the gym for sure,” he said.

O’Hair has been hitting balls for two months, so he’s already apologizing to his teammate this week, LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson, whom he’s known since she was a little girl pounding golf balls at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs. O’Hair grew up playing against her older brother, Nicholas.

“I’ve got a great partner,” he said. “She’s going to be doing some heavy lifting this week.

“It’ s a fun event and I’ve had some good partners. With Lexi, it’s going to be really cool. It’s going to be fun to watch her play. I hope she doesn’t beat me too bad. but I’m telling you, she’s going to have to do some heavy lifting. but I think she’s going to be up for it.”

Bearded Shark?

Tournament host Greg Norman showed up at Tiburón Golf Club looking quite different Tuesday afternoon.

Norman had a beard.

“What?” Norman said chuckling when asked about his appearance. “I was in the mountains at my ranch. It was cold. It was snowing. I said ‘I’m just going to leave it.'”

Norman, 64, said he had a beard before when he visited Africa, but shaved it off on the way back.

“This is two weeks (without shaving),” he said.

Norman offered no predictions on how long it would last, or if he would maybe go with a goatee.

Rucker, Kelley back

Country music stars Darius Rucker and Charles Kelley, of Lady Antebellum, are playing in the pro-am again Wednesday and Thursday. But they’ll be sticking around for Live Fest on Saturday, the inaugural concert featuring the two acts, along with Jordan Davis and local outfit the Ben Allen Band.

Rucker and Kelley will be playing with pro Kevin Kisner on Wednesday and Kevin Chappell on Thursday.

ESPN’s Chris Berman also is returning again, and will play with Sean O’Hair on Wednesday and Viktor Hovland on Thursday.

Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier had to stay back in Washington, D.C., because of the impeachment coverage.

[lawrence-related id=778015772,778015741,778015697]

QBE Shootout Round 1 tee times, TV information

The 54-hole QBE Shootout at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, starts Friday. Greg Norman is the tournament host.

The 2019 QBE Shootout is at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.

The 54-hole event starts Friday. On Wednesday and Thursday are pro-am events.

There are 12 two-player teams competing for $3.5 million in prize money.

LPGA star Lexi Thompson is playing for the fourth year in a row. She’s paired with Sean O’Hair, who has won the QBE with two different partners, Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry.

Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman won in 2019. Greg Norman is the tournament host.

All times listed below are ET.

TV info

Friday, Golf Channel, Noon-2 p.m.

Saturday, Golf Channel, Noon-4 p.m.

Sunday, Golf Channel, Noon-4 p.m.

Round 1 tee times

Tee time	Players
10:15 a.m.	Rory Sabbatini-Kevin Tway; Corey Conners-Andrew Putnam
10:30 a.m.	Ryan Palmer-Harold Varner III; Jason Kokrak-J.T. Poston
10:45 a.m.	Kevin Chappell-Chez Reavie; Billy Horschel-Brendon Todd
11 a.m.	Graeme McDowell-Ian Poulter; Viktor Hovland-Matthew Wolff
11:15 a.m.	Sean O’Hair-Lexi Thompson; Charley Hoffman-Kevin Kisner
11:30 a.m.	Charles Howell III-Bubba Watson; Brian Harman-Patton Kizzire

QBE Shootout odds, predictions, picks and PGA Tour best bets

Analyzing the 2019 QBE Shootout and which teams of golfers are the best options for the event. Who will win at Tiburon Golf Club?

Twelve two-man teams will compete in the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., this weekend. The 54-hole event runs three days, from Friday through Sunday.

The first round is played under scramble rules, whereby both members of each team will play every shot with the better ball being taken each time. Round 2 consists of greensomes, where both players tee off on each hole and the alternate shot is played from the spot of the better ball.

The final round is played under standard four-ball rules with each golfer playing the hole on their own and the best score being taken.

Looking to place a bet on this tournament? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!

The 7,288-yard venue plays as a par 72. The teams compete for a $3.5 million purse, but it is not an official money event and no FedExCup points are awarded.

QBE Shootout – Odds, picks and best bets

Matthew Wolff. (Photo Credit: Rob Kinnan – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Viktor Hovland-Matthew Wolff (+600)

Charles Howell III-Bubba Watson (+800)

Howell finished tied for third here last year with partner Luke List. Watson was sixth with Harold Varner III.

Charley Hoffman-Kevin Kisner (+1200)

Get some action on this tournament by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]