2022 rules controversies

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Good Wednesday morning golf fans as we move closer to the holiday season.

1. Augusta National claims it will not ban LIV golfers starting in 2023 Masters

Christopher Powers …”Augusta National, Golf Digest’s Christopher Powers Augusta National, announced Tuesday that LIV Golf will not ban LIV Golf players from the 2023 Masters Tournament.”

• “Augusta National and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley stated that he was disappointed by recent developments in the game. However, “our focus” is to continue the tradition of bringing together a top-ranked field of golfers.

• Ridley stated that invitations will be sent this week and that they will invite all those who meet our criteria to participate in the 2023 Masters Tournament. “We look at all aspects of the Tournament every year as we have done in the past. Any modifications or changes to the invitation criteria for future Tournaments are announced in April.”

2. An upcoming Ryder Cup locale?

Jamie Hall for Bunkered An English country property has ambitious plans to host 2031 or 2035 the Ryder Cup. Central Bedfordshire Council has received proposals to construct a championship course at Luton Hoo in order to bring the biennial clash back home for the first-time in over three decades.

• According to Luton Today, “The estate’s owners Arora Group believe the venue could become a frequent stop on the DP World Tour.”

3. Lavner: The LIV has been a good choice for the PGA Tour

Ryan Lavner Golf Channel. Yes, it hurts to not have Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith playing in Tour events, but LIV’s disruption forced an unchanging product to adapt. If they aren’t already, the best players will soon become generationally wealthy. The regular season should be more competitive and less cutthroat if there is a top-70 cutoff. Next year’s schedule, which includes elevated events and $20 million purses for top field winners, is a good start. The fall will be used only to qualify for status. 2024 should be more streamlined by the Tour as it seeks to strengthen its strategic alliance with DP World Tour. Although the Tour claims its mission is to provide playing opportunities for its members, it’s just not right business to treat Tiger Woods or Tyler Duncan alike. The Tour is now catering to the most prominent names and this can only be good for the product’s future.

GolfWRXers, it’s that time every year when we look back at the best content from the past twelve months.

• We’re counting down the top 10 equipment stories on GolfWRX as 2023 nears. After much internal discussion, heated debate (read: my editorial whims), it was decided that WITB articles should be included in the list.

• Here are a few… TOUR REPORT: This dominant PGA professional has been using hybrids (and even irons) since 11 years ago. Best driver 2022: Most forgiving driver…8. The best fairway woods in 2022: By club fitters who are experts!

• For more information, click the link.

5. The year’s most controversial rules

For Golf Digest, Christopher Powers assembled the following:

• One of the most recognizable…

• “You’re wrong”: Berger, Hovland, and Dahmen have a spat with Players

• “The Situation: Daniel Berger’s second shot at the par-5 16th green at TPC Sawgrass on Monday, the weather-delayed Monday Final Round of the Players Championship was so off course that he almost immediately said “water ball” after impact. This was when things really got testy. Berger believed that his golf ball had crossed land near the putting surface. He thought it was going to fall there. Viktor Hovland was Berger’s playing partner. He disagreed with him about the line and dropped it so close to the green in an #protectthefield moment. Joel Dahmen was the third member of the group and sided with Hovland. Both of them believed the ball had crossed land far further back than Berger thought.

• Hovland stated, “To be completely honest with you… I’m not really OK [with the drop] being up there.” “That’s not what I saw.”

• “The result: Dahmen, Hovland and Berger were in agreement so Berger decided to drop further back than he thought was necessary (he could have dropped from the last spot he believed it crossed but would have been at risk of being DQ’d if that was the wrong spot). Berger said, “It’s not a good drop, that’s what I’m saying.” He later added, “You know what, I’m going drop here for your sake, but you’re wrong.”

6. Millionaires abound

Tod Leonard, Golf Digest It is inarguable. There was more discussion about money in professional golf this year than ever before in its history. This conversation was made possible by LIV Golf, which is Saudi Arabia-backed and invested $750 million in its inaugural year. It changed how fans and tours saw the value of professional golf’s top players.

• “The dollar signs of LIV Golf were quite staggering. The millions of players who simply show up to events are not enough to make it worthwhile. However, the top performers earned huge amounts. Dustin Johnson was the top LIV cashier with $35.6 Million in eight starts. This includes an $18,000,000 bonus for winning the season-long individual point title. Branden Grace came in second with a total of $16.6 million.

• “The lowest-earning player among those who participated in at least seven LIV events?” South Africa’s Shaun Norris (40-year-old, one-time DP World Tour winner) earned $1,006,000. This is 52nd in the LIV money standings. He made seven appearances and was ranked 52nd.

7. What players think about LIV players in Masters

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak …” Golfweek questioned more than a dozen golfers, including former champions Jordan Spieth (2015), and Trevor Immelman (2008) to determine if LIV golfers should have the right to play in this year’s Masters. These are their answers.

• Trevor Immelman If they have met various criteria, then yes. The Masters will decide on the criteria, but it is an invitational.”

• Justin Thomas …” If they have qualified, and if they are good enough. It’s not a pity invitation. They’ve earned it, and they certainly deserve to play.

• Xander Schauffele If they have the qualifications, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed to.

• Jim Furyk I’m going to take the high road in this. It’s their tournament, and you can invite anyone you wish to join any private club. It’s their tournament and their club. They can invite anyone they wish. It will be fascinating. They are the first majors of the year, and that will be a precedent.

8. Six-year-old prodigy in golf signs NIL agreement with bag manufacturer

The Jason Daniels Much has been written about Charlie’s attention at such an early age. This is something that the 15-time major champion is keen to avoid. So imagine Charlie’s reaction when he heard that a six year-old golfer has signed a NIL agreement. Yes, SIX YEARS!

• Sunday Golf, a golf gear company, recently hosted a press conference featuring Patton Green and his father Matt. They discussed the news that Patton Green has signed the Name Image-Likeness agreement, making it the youngest such partnership in sports.

• Patton, despite his young age, has already won several titles including the 2022 Southern California State Championship for Six and Under, as well as nine other first-place finishes at competitive tournaments.

9. Augusta’s decision by Bryson