Tag: Webb Simpson

PGA Tour Enterprises launched with nine players, including Tiger Woods, on board of directors

The more significant news was the naming of retired Tour pro Joe Ogilvie to the board.

The newly formed PGA Tour Enterprises announced its first board of directors on Wednesday.

The 13-member board has nine PGA Tour Directors, approved by the Tour’s Policy Board, and four Strategic Sports Group Directors, appointed by the SSG investor group. This board will lead all commercial activities related to the PGA Tour and will focus on driving fan engagement and growth, as well as developing new media, sponsorship and commercial opportunities.

All six current Player Directors from the Tour Policy Board will simultaneously serve on the Tour Enterprises Board of Directors: Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods.

The more significant news was the naming of retired Tour pro Joe Ogilvie to the board.

“Given the significant time investment required from the players to serve on both Boards – and as part of the Tour’s governance review – the Player Directors identified the benefit of having a ‘Director Liaison’ on both Boards as well,” the Tour said in a news release. “Ogilvie will join the PGA Tour Policy Board and the PGA Tour Enterprises Board of Directors.

Joe Gorder, who serves as an Independent Director on the Tour Policy Board, and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan round out the Tour representation on the Enterprises Board. Monahan will serve as the CEO of Enterprises, and Woods will serve as the Vice Chairman of the Board.

As announced in January, SSG – a consortium of American sports team owners led by Fenway Sports Group – joined PGA Tour Enterprises as a minority investor, providing an initial $1.5 billion of capital that will “unlock investment opportunities to grow the Tour and enhance the game of golf around the world.”

The four SSG Directors will be:

  • John W. Henry, Principal, Fenway Sports Group; Manager, Strategic Sports Group
  • Arthur M. Blank, Co-Founder, Home Depot; Owner and Chairman, AMB Sports and Entertainment (Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Drive GC, PGA Tour Superstore)
  • Andrew B. Cohen, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder, Cohen Private Ventures; Vice Chairman, New York Mets
  • Sam Kennedy, Partner/CEO, Fenway Sports Group; President & CEO, Boston Red Sox

The PGA Tour Enterprises Board will elect a chairman at an upcoming meeting.

“Today’s announcement is another milestone for our organization, as I believe we have arrived at a PGA Tour Enterprise’s Board of Directors with the right composition, expertise and balance necessary to take our organization into the future,” said Monahan. “Our current and former players will provide essential insight into our members’ priorities and needs. And we welcome key SSG members to the leadership team, whose exceptional track records and achievements in global professional sports will lend a wealth of knowledge into the opportunities ahead for the PGA Tour. Their expertise will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the success and growth of our commercial initiatives.

“It’s an opportunity for us to shape something special that will not only create more value for the PGA Tour, but will also benefit and grow our fanbase,” the Player Directors and Liaison Director said in a joint statement.  “We’re ready to get started.”

“Our role on the Enterprises board will focus on hearing Player Director ideas and working alongside them to ensure the sport’s commercial growth occurs in a way that creates the best possible product for fans,” said Henry. “All of us at Strategic Sports Group see a bright future for the PGA Tour and the constitution of the Enterprises Board is an important first step in realizing that future.”

In addition to Ogilvie’s forthcoming appointment, Monahan will be a voting member as well, which will expand that Policy Board from 12 to 14.

Player Directors

Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods

Liaison Director

Joe Ogilvie

PGA Tour Commissioner

Jay Monahan

Independent Directors

Edward Herlihy, Jimmy Dunne, Mark Flaherty, Mary Meeker, Joe Gorder

PGA of America Director

John Lindert

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PGA Tour player questions sponsor exemption recipients into signature events: ‘Seems suspect’

Getting into the signature events on the PGA Tour means more now than ever.

Getting into the signature events on the PGA Tour means more now than ever.

Elevated purses. More FedEx Cup points. More chances for someone to have a life-changing victory.

However, trying to get into those events, if you’re on the outside looking in, is difficult.

Sure, a player can play their way in through the Aon Swing 10, the top-10 players not already exempt from the FedExCup standings, or the Aon Swing 5, the top-five FedExCup points earners not already exempt from the swings of full-field events leading up to each signature event. And then there’s sponsor exemptions.

However, the players who have been given sponsor exemptions seem to be ruffling some feathers.

Dylan Wu, a 27-year-old PGA Tour pro who has made three cuts in six starts this season, said the selection process seems suspect for how players get chosen for sponsor exemptions. He posted his thoughts on social media on Saturday in response to a post saying Adam Scott was receiving his third straight exemption into a signature event, and Webb Simpson was receiving one, too.

Both Scott and Simpson are Player Directors for the Tour.

“Great players and major champions,” Wu wrote in his post. “I can’t say much because I missed the cut hard this week but getting more than one sponsor exemption into elevated events doesn’t seem fair. Seems like if you’re a player director, you’ll get an invite into an elevated event. Seems suspect…..

“And trust me, they’re both great players that probably deserve it but this new model is all about meritocracy. Sponsor exemptions going to the same players every elevated event doesn’t seem to follow the “play better” saying. Seems like “be more famous” or “know the right people.”

Scott has made three starts this season, his worst finish being a T-20 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He finished T-8 at the WM Phoenix Open.

Dating to last March, Simpson in the same span has one finish in the top 30, a T-5 at the Wyndham Championship. He’s ranked 235th in the world.

As Wu mentioned, he hasn’t played well enough this season to play his way into the signature events, but he’s likely not the only PGA Tour pro who has these thoughts, including some who may be just on the verge of possibly receiving an exemption.

There have been plenty of discussions about the Tour trying to serve its stars first and then focusing on those who make up a majority of the Tour.

As Wu states, Scott and Simpson have done enough throughout their careers, and in Scott’s case a strong performance this season, but the question is whether past performance should be awarded more than current form.

For Wu, his thoughts are clear. And it’s likely others in his position think the same way he does.

PGA Tour board member Webb Simpson on greed in golf, why legacy still matters and why he’s concerned more sponsors may bail

Webb Simpson, as always, offered his perspective on the world of golf.

HONOLULU — On the morning of June 6, a day that will forever live in infamy on the PGA Tour, Webb Simpson was in Toronto at an RBC outing when a couple of the Tour’s independent directors phoned to let him know about the framework agreement that was about to be announced by Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

“I said, ‘I’m so confused, I have so many questions but I have to go because I’m doing a clinic,'” Simpson recalled on Friday after shooting even-par 70 at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

It’s fair to say that Simpson is still a little bit confused on how the pending deal is going to shake out despite being one of the six player directors serving on the Tour’s board of directors. But Simpson, a seven-time winner during his career, including the 2012 U.S. Open, is always thoughtful when answering questions and generous with his time and proved to be the most willing player director of late to speak candidly on the record.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Simpson touched on greed in golf, why legacy should still matter and his concern that more sponsors could take their money and run to other sponsorship opportunities. [This conversation has been edited for clarity.]

With PGA Tour cards on the line, these pros missed the cut at 2023 RSM Classic

The cut at Sea Island Golf Club had more of a sense of finality for some.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — A prominent swing instructor summed up why he could cut tension on the range at the RSM Classic with a rusty nail.

“Some of these guys don’t know whether they will ever tee it up at a PGA Tour event,” he said.

This week is the 54th and final Tour event of the 2022-23 season and so the 36-hole cut Friday had more of a sense of finality for some, especially those battling to make the top 125 and full status for next season or Nos. 126-150 and secure conditional status.

Peter Malnati, who entered the week at No. 116, shot 69-71 (140) and missed the cut and said he’ll be playing the waiting game all weekend. He’s projected No.122. Two three-putts in the first round was uncharacteristic of Malnati and the putter remained cold in the second round. But at least he had the right perspective.

“With or without a Tour card, I’m going to be awesome but I’d rather have one,” he said.

Harry Higgs, who started the week at No. 132 and had missed three straight cuts, made birdie on two of the last three holes to shoot 70 on Seaside Course and make the cut on the number.

All told, 78 golfers shot 4-under 138 or better at Sea Island’s Seaside and Plantation Courses. Higgs didn’t need anyone to let him know what what at stake when he made an 11-foot birdie putt on 18 at Seaside to make the cut.

“No, I know. I know it all too well after this year. Oddly, I wasn’t really that worried about it or focused on it,” he said. “For the last two years I’ve been stressing, worrying about all this shit. And for some reason, I don’t know why, I don’t know that I even said it aloud, I might have just thought it briefly, like I’m just not really going to worry about it this week.”

Patton Kizzire, who entered the week at No. 130, channeled the same philosophy and made birdie on his final two holes at the Plantation Course to make the cut and give himself two more rounds to jump up a few more spots. He’s projected No. 129.

Four players ranked between No. 120 and No. 126 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings entering the week missed the cut: No. 120 Matti Schmid, No. 121 Doug Ghim, No. 123 Troy Merritt and No. 126 Henrik Norlander.

Here’s more about them and some other pros who weren’t so fortunate and had their season come to a premature end. And here are the Saturday tee times for those who did make the weekend.

Top 50 or bust? Why advancing in FedEx Cup Playoffs this week offers huge head start for 2024 PGA Tour season and not everyone is happy about it

Only the top 50 on Sunday will advance to next week.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Justin Thomas fell to the ground Sunday at Sedgefield Country Club when his pitch shot at 18 hit the flagstick but wouldn’t drop, leaving him on the outside looking in at No. 71 in the final regular season FedEx Cup point standings.

The FedEx Cup Playoffs begin at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, with the top 70 players in the standings through the Wyndham Championship qualifying (down from 125 in 2009-2022). The top 50 players after the first event will advance to the BMW Championship and also qualify for all eight Signature Events (formerly known as the Designated Events) on the PGA Tour schedule in 2024.

The level of disappointment that Thomas experienced on being left out of the playoffs is only expected to be ratcheted up this week. Those moving on to the BMW in Chicago next week will gain admission to a world of $20 million purses, jacked up FedEx Cup points and limited field, no-cut events with guaranteed paydays in many cases. (The Players Championship will still have a full field and cut to 65 and ties while the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial will have fields of no more than 80 players and a cut to 50 and ties.)

Two tours?

“I don’t like the idea of creating two tours, which is what it’s doing,” said veteran pro Brandt Snedeker. “I don’t think it’s good for golf, for our tour, for our sponsors.”

Fellow veteran pro Kevin Streelman, who previously served as a player director on the board and remains involved as a member of the Player Advisory Council, argued that the player who ends up at No. 50 receives too much of a jumpstart on keeping his card and remaining in the top 50 compared to the player who finishes No. 51.

2023 3M Open
Kevin Streelman hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the 3M Open. (Photo: Matt Krohn/USA TODAY Sports)

“It seems like a pretty extreme reward,” he said.

Ryan Armour, a fellow member of the PAC, who dubbed rank-and-file players of his ilk “the mules” of the organization, agreed.

“The fifth ranked player on the PGA Tour and the No. 55 player on the PGA Tour, why should their schedule be so vastly different than what they are going to become next year?” said Armour when he joined the 5 Clubs podcast. “There is a big discrepancy between No. 5 and 55, but there isn’t between No. 49 and 55. That to me is what irked everybody.”

Fewer events, more points at the majors

In 2024, the season returns to a calendar year, running from January through September’s Labor Day Weekend and condensed from 44 to 36 events, plus three playoff tournaments. Meanwhile the number of limited-field events increase from two (Sentry Tournament of Champions and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play) to eight. Add in that 750 FedEx Cup points will be allocated to the winners of the four majors and the Players Championship, an increase from 600, and 700 for the Signature events, up from 550, compared to 500 for winners of regular full-field events and 300 to winners of opposite-field events, and it’s clear how membership in the top 50 has its privileges.

It’s unprecedented change and has many players who won’t be in the top 50 concerned that the deck is stacked against them.

2023 Wyndham Championship
Michael Kim lines up a putt on the 18th green during the third round of the 2023 Wyndham Championship. (Photo: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports)

“My initial reaction was, ‘What the hell is this?’” said Michael Kim, who finished No. 79 and missed the playoffs. “I’m trying not be too knee-jerk reaction.”

Players outside the top 50 still will have other avenues to qualify for the Signature events. Thomas, for instance, is No. 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking and players in the top 30 will be automatically eligible. Should his ranking no longer satisfy the criteria, he likely would be a popular candidate for one of four sponsor exemptions.

The Tour also created categories called the “Next 10” and the “Swing 5.” The Next 10 is “composed of the top 10 members, not otherwise exempt,” from the current FedEx Cup standings. The Swing 5 are the “top five FedEx Cup points earners, not otherwise exempt, from the swing of five full-field and additional events that precede each signature event.”

‘Path is stacked against you’

Speaking earlier this season, Rory McIlroy proclaimed, “You play well for two or three weeks, you’re in a (signature) event. You know, then, if you keep playing well, you stay in them.”

But that may be an oversimplification. Will the 30 Korn Ferry Tour grads, 10 DP World Tour grads and five PGA Tour Q-School grads get enough starts on the West Coast Swing? They also may endure a three-week sabbatical in the middle of the season if they don’t qualify for the U.S. Open. For those who do play their way in, how can they sustain energy to make the opportunity a success? If they don’t play well, they’ll be right back in the full field event and likely gassed from playing upwards of five events in a row.

2023 3M Open
Gary Woodland hits from a greenside bunker on the 13th hole during the second round of the 2023 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)

“They are giving you opportunities to play your way in, but the path is stacked against you,” said 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland, who remains exempt to the four majors and hopes to play his way into the invitationals or else receive sponsor invites. “The top guys had leverage at the time, they had Jay (Monahan) in a tough spot. Jay was losing guys left and right and the guys that wanted to stay made a play and set the Tour up in their favor. I don’t have a problem with that. The sponsors will benefit from having more of the top players playing every week. Is it good for the Tour as a whole? Only time will tell. If you play well, you will be rewarded and that’s probably how it should be.”

The Tour has crunched the numbers, running over a thousand simulations, and predicts the churn of players being replaced in the FedEx Cup top 50 year after year to be between 14 and 22 players.

“I wouldn’t have thought that,” said Peter Malnati, one of the player directors on the board, noting earlier this year, “It seems kind of hard to believe.”

Play well and you’re in

Webb Simpson, another player director on the Tour’s board who voted in favor of the Signature events despite being outside the top 50, said he believes the Tour created enough play-in opportunities – some 20 per event – to reward the hot hands.

“I’ve always had the attitude that you adapt to how the system changes and if you play good enough you’ll be in those fields. I know some guys probably have a problem with that statement, that there needs to be more fair opportunities for everybody, but if you play well enough you’ll get in them,” he said. “I think at the end of the day, the PGA Tour is not here to showcase the best 200 players in the world. I think we’re here to showcase the best 75-100 players in the world. I think that’s what fans want, TV wants, and some people may not like that but that’s the truth. Sure, we want to take care of everybody as much as we can but at the end of the day, can guys qualify for these? Absolutely.”

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2023 PGA Championship: Rickie Fowler, Tom Kim, Cameron Young among notables to miss the cut

Several big names are leaving New York early.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Cut day brings both joy and misery to the field of 156 that began on Thursday with a chance of hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy.

Some such as Tyrrell Hatton, who bounced back from an opening-round 77 with a 68, and world No. 4 Patrick Cantlay (74-67) have renewed faith that they can continue to vault up the leaderboard and join the trophy hunt. Harold Varner III was on the cutline after a double bogey at No. 11 and responded brilliantly. He closed with five consecutive threes on the card, four of them birdies, and is back in the mix at 1 over. Defending champion Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, who is seeking to complete the career Grand Slam with a win, both needed to sink 8-foot putts to make the cut and they drained them. In all 76 golfers made it to the weekend at 5-over 145 or better.

But for the men on this list, the chase is over and they’re none too happy about it. A couple of them blew up, shooting 80, while another made bogey at the last to have the weekend off. Here’s the bad news for some of the best in the world who didn’t have their good stuff this week.

Webb Simpson and caddie Paul Tesori split after 12 years, one U.S. Open title

Simpson announced the move on social media on Monday and revealed that Tesori would be taking over the bag of a budding star.

After 12 years together, which included a U.S. Open title, Webb Simpson and Paul Tesori are parting ways.

Simpson announced the move on social media on Monday and revealed that Tesori, one of the hardest-working caddies on the PGA Tour, would be taking over the bag of budding star Cameron Young, the 25-year-old reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year who is still seeking his first Tour title.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us, but one that we have thoroughly considered after spending many hours in prayer, seeking counsel from mentors, and having countless conversations together,” Simpson wrote in a tweet.

In addition to winning the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Simpson and Tesori teamed to win the 2018 Players Championship near Tesori’s childhood home of Jacksonville, Florida, represented the U.S. in multiple Ryder and Presidents Cups and climbed to a career-best of fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I am happy for the great opportunity Paul has in going to work with my fellow (Wake Forest) Demon Deacon and friend, Cameron Young,” Simpson wrote.

Tesori, who was a good enough player to earn his PGA Tour card before flaming out and switching to caddying, previously worked for Vijay Singh and Sean O’Hair.

Simpson, 37, has battled injuries and struggled on the course since 2020, the year of his last victory at the RBC Heritage. He surged into contention last week at the Valspar Championship to earn a late tee time in the second-to-last pairing, but shot 2-over 73 on Sunday and finished T-7, his first top 10 in 16 months. On Saturday, Simpson credited his faith for helping him through the latest valley in a career of many high points.

Paul Tesori, left, with former player Webb Simpson, has been on the bags for wins with Vijay Singh and Sean O’Hair, too.

“Just trusting that God’s working. Even in the struggles, even in the hardships, there’s still a purpose in it, which helps me get out of bed in the morning,” Simpson said after Saturday’s third round at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. “Because if I was only result-oriented and results-based there’s a lot of evidence for me to be kind of down sad and no hope. But the Lord’s asked me to work hard for His glory and I feel like I’ve done that. So as hard as it’s been and as frustrating and at moments wanting to snap every club in my bag, I’ve had a lot of peace through this last year and a half, which has been nice.”

Simpson did not disclose who would be taking over for Tesori as his caddie.

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2023 Players Championship: Here are the notables, including Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut

“Very blah,” said McIlroy on his performance. “You just have to be really on to play well here.”

PONTE VEDRA BEACH —The cutline at the Players Championship was cruel to some of the game’s biggest stars, a reminder that there should be no guarantees of a paycheck at the highest levels.

Rory McIlroy, who has been an advocate of reduced field, no-cut designated events beginning in 2024, finished his second round on Saturday morning but will have the rest of the weekend off.

“Just very blah,” McIlroy said of his rounds of 76-73—149 at TPC Sawgrass. “Yeah, I guess the course, you just have to be really on to play well here. If you’re a little off, it definitely magnifies where you are off. It is, it’s a bit of an enigma. Some years I come here, and like it feels easier than others.”

Play was suspended on Friday afternoon due to inclement weather, and on Saturday morning the course played easier as the wind laid down and the greens softened. It made scoring easier but not enough to hold the cutline at 1 over. It moved back a stroke to 2-over 146, allowing 75 players in the 144-man field to continue in the trophy hunt. That included the following players who made it on the number: Shane Lowry, Tom Kim, Justin Thomas, Eric Cole, who eagled 16 to make it on the number, and 56-year-old PGA Tour Champions regular Jerry Kelly, who bogeyed his final hole to finish 2 over but it held up to become the oldest player to make the cut.

It also marks the end of Jon Rahm’s Tour-best streak of 25 straight made cuts. He withdrew from the tournament before the second round with a stomach ailment, snapping his streak. The new leader for most cuts made in a row is Xander Schauffele, who extended his streak to 18 this week.

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Here are some of the other big names who left town empty-handed.

What some of your favorite players will be wearing at The Players Championship

Get an early look at what players like Jon Rahm, Max Homa and Jordan Spieth will be wearing at TPC Sawgrass.

The Players Championship is one of the most anticipated events of the season, and many of your favorite golfers will be wearing the latest and greatest options from their sponsors.

Some player’s clothing is easy enough to remember – we get it, Tiger, you like red on Sundays – but if you’ve ever wondered about the best way to dress like the pros, we’ve got a few new examples in mind.

Check out the list below to get an early glimpse at what Tour favorites like Jon Rahm, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose and more are scheduled to wear at the 2023 Players Championship.

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Matt Fitzpatrick highlights notable PGA Tour players to miss the cut at the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Check out the players who came up short on the Monterey Peninsula.

Poor weather has wreaked havoc at this week’s PGA Tour stop on the Monterey Peninsula, setting up for a rare Monday finish.

After the conclusion of the third round early Sunday afternoon, Justin Rose held the 54-hole lead at 12 under, with Peter Malnati and Kurt Kitayama T-2 at 11 under. On the opposite end of the leaderboard, fan-favorite and past champion Jordan Spieth barely made the cut on the number at 1 under.

But what about those who weren’t so lucky? Check out the notable PGA Tour players who missed the cut and went home early at the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

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