Official PGA TOUR Essential Guide to Golf: 2018 Part 2

PGA TOUR PGA TOUR PGA TOUR MACKENZIE TOUR PGA TOUR CANADA

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cOmmISSIONER’S mESSAGE

image: Pga TOUR

o

A Welcome messAge

ur announcement in March that Ernie Els and Tiger Woods would serve as opposing captains for the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in Australia was a special day for the PGA TOUR. Suffice it to say, that day I felt humbled to be sitting on stage between these two greats of the game.

They are men, after all, who 15 years ago were called to have an audience with Nelson Mandela, arguably the most inspirational leader of the 20th century.

To this day, Ernie and Tiger speak of that meeting with reverence. After all that Ernie and Tiger have accomplished as premier global athletes, to feel the passion and hear the enthusiasm they still have for our game, the Presidents Cup and what the event stands for was truly invigorating.

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It reinforced the faith I have in our mission at the PGA TOUR and all the work that so many selfless people do to achieve it.

But as much as Ernie and Tiger got us longing for the 2019 Presidents Cup, we all know that there is so much to savor between now and then. As we prepare for the remainder of the 2017-18 season, what will usher us into the FedExCup Playoffs and our season-ending TOUR Championship will be a new advertising campaign that showcases the quality of our players’ talents inside the ropes, while widening the lens to show that it’s so vibrant outside the ropes, too.

The campaign, “Live Under Par,” was launched in mid-April, and we’re thrilled with the message it sends: That there are so many layers of excitement and excellence within the PGA TOUR, from our players to

our fans to our communities that benefit from the great game of golf.

Tiger Woods said he asked Mr. Mandela once why he was being so precise about the simple act of folding a newspaper. It was owed to his years in prison where Mr. Mandela said he learned “to slow down time.” That allowed him to embrace a deep appreciation of the world around him.

What a beautiful thing to say and how we all wish we had such a brilliant skill in this busy world. But I suggest that if we study this “Live Under Par” campaign, we’ll slow down, step back and see the PGA TOUR and this great game like we never have before. I think you will find that it will be an inspiring view. ■ Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR Commissioner PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2018, Part 2

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2017/2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2017/2018, Part 1

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2017/2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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2017/2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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The Hope Starts Here campaign helps connect families, donors with the only children’s hospital in the region

Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, serves the Southeastern United States and beyond, accepting all children, regardless of their ability to pay. As a not-for-profit organization, Wolfson Children’s Hospital relies on donations to provide lifesaving care to kids like Claire and Christian.

A nine-year-old girl with a rare form of leukemia, Claire was given the gift of life by her younger brother. The two were a perfect match, and pediatric oncologists at Wolfson Children’s Hospital were able to perform a bone marrow transplant to save Claire; she is thriving today.

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Donations through the “Hope Starts Here” campaign will benefit the infants and children Wolfson Children’s Hospital serves, making it possible for our specially trained doctors and team members to provide world-class care close to home.

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Together, you can continue our not-for-profit mission and provide world-class care to every child who needs our help. Donate now by visiting the Hope Starts Here website at HopeStartsHere.com or call 904.202.2919.

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CONTENTS

Essential Guide

CONTENTS

LIVE UNDER PAR

celebrates the energy and A new advertising campaign and inside and outside the ropes spirit of today’s PGA TOUR 120 pp. s, of the fan acknowledges the importance

INTRODUCTIONS 7 Commissioner’s Welcome, Jay Monahan 14 Editor’s Welcome, Bill Fields

FEATURES 22 Tournament Schedules 27 Star Power

IMAGES: US PGA TOUR; GETTY IMAGES

Defending FedExCup champion Justin Thomas found himself in a familiar spot midway through the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season—atop the FedExCup standings

34 Vanquishing Act

Buoyed by friendship and faith, Webb Simpson ran away from a star-packed field at THE PLAYERS Championship with a magical performance on a course where he has struggled

41 Captain America

PGA TOUR star Jim Furyk has played in the Ryder Cup nine times, giving him a wealth of experience as he leads the Americans in the 2018 contest in France

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44 Immersed in the Action

New digital technologies enabled fans watching THE PLAYERS Championship to have a dynamic experience and feel part of the event as never before

50 Winning Ways

Bernhard Langer and Steve Stricker are among those to claim victories during the first portion of the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Langer, the four-time Charles Schwab Cup Champion, continues to amaze with his competitive longevity

54 Status Seekers

The Web.com Tour offers talented and ambitious players no guarantees but a great opportunity to prove themselves

58 Succeed and Advance

It doesn’t take long to make an impact at the highest levels of professional golf. The following young players have all shown they’ve got what it takes

62 Three Tours, Many Champions

The continuing success of the PGA TOUR’s international tours has resulted in an important path to recognition and advancement for a growing number of players

PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2018, Part 2

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contents

Welcome

67

Winning fitness

72

Taking Charge of Your health

76

Getting a Grip

82

Special Occasions

92

Gifted and Grounded

96

Life’s a Golf Course

120

Live Under Par

fROm ThE EdiTOR

On site at THE PLAYERS Championship in early May, during a week of good weather and great galleries that concluded with a convincing victory by Webb Simpson, I was struck by how the week reflected what has been a compelling first half of the PGA TOUR season.

Golf can be at its best when there is a blend of themes—new and old, fresh and familiar—and the PGA TOUR certainly has been a place for those story lines in 2017-18.

Simpson’s triumph at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course (skillfully chronicled by Jim McCabe on page 34) broke a 4½ -year drought for the 2012 U.S. Open winner. Heading into the final round Simpson had a commanding lead and closed out the victory over a host of strong challengers including a resurgent Tiger Woods who already had threatened to win this season (see page 192).

By the time a field of the world’s best players arrived at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., defending FedExCup champion Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Patton Kizzire and Bubba Watson each already had won twice this season. Thomas, vying to become the first player to win the FedExCup title in consecutive years, was denied a third victory at the WGC-Mexico Championship by Phil Mickelson in a playoff as Lefty won for the first time since 2013, his 43rd career TOUR win at age 47.

Mickelson’s win thrilled the fans in Mexico, as Cameron Morfit details in one of a half dozen defining moments for your reading pleasure (page 82). Young Patrick Cantlay’s breakthrough victory in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open after dealing with injury and loss is another. My contribution is a look at Rory McIlory’s finishing flourish in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard as the star from Northern Ireland displayed his explosive game to win for the first time since the TOUR Championship in 2016.

Indeed, there has been plenty to savor. And there is a lot to anticipate as spring gives way to summer and a full slate of tournaments on the way to the FedExCup Playoffs.

In this edition of the PGA TOUR Essential Guide, we look back at what has occurred so far and set the stage for the season’s second half—not only on the PGA TOUR but PGA TOUR Champions and the Web.com Tour as well. David Barrett’s tournament overviews are must-reading for the details of forthcoming TOUR events.

We hope this edition of the Essential Guide helps you enjoy the action.

Bill Fields, Editor Fairfield, Conn.

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Massage Envy is an Official Sponsor of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions along with the Official Total Body Care Sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s Player Performance Centers. It marks Massage Envy’s first major sports partnership and the relationship coincides with the introduction of Massage Envy’s new assisted stretching service called Total Body Stretch

The health-giving benefits of golf—in addition to the strong physical and mental aspects we bring into play—are significant when it comes to reducing our risk of heart disease and dementia

The onset of arthritis doesn’t have to keep you off the golf course. Advice from the Arthritis Foundation brings hope to many as well as raises awareness of the positive steps you can take

The first half of the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season had its share of defining moments. Six writers reflect on some of the most memorable

PGA TOUR standout Marc Leishman nearly lost his wife, Audrey, to illness three years ago, a crisis that reinforced his perspective on playing golf for a living. The affable Australian shares his thoughts about a career on the rise and how he and his wife are helping other families deal with difficult situations

In our regular travel section, we visit some familiar and some not-so-familiar destinations that will deliver a memorable experience, always with golf in mind

A new advertising campaign celebrates the energy and spirit of today’s PGA TOUR inside and outside the ropes and acknowledges the importance of the fans

2018 ToURNAmeNT oveRvieW 127

The final Stretch A thrilling conclusion of the season at the FedExCup Playoffs, strong sites for three major championships and a move to the state of Kentucky highlight the latter portion of the 2017-18 PGA TOUR schedule

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CONTENTS

PGA TOUR EVENTS 128 the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide

Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio, May 31-June 3

130 FedEx St. Jude Classic

TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tenn., June 7-10

132 U.S. Open Championship

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y., June 14-17

136 Travelers Championship

TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn., June 21-24

138 Quicken Loans National

TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, Potomac, Md., June 28-July 1

140 A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier Resort (The Old White TPC), White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., July 5-8

142 John Deere Classic

TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Ill., July 12-15

144 Barbasol Championship

Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course), Nicholasville, Ky., July 19-22

146 The Open Championship

Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Scotland, July 19-22

150 RBC Canadian Open

Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville, Ont., Canada, July 26-29

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Xander Schauffele

Dustin Johnson

Justin Thomas

152 Barracuda Championship

Montreux Golf & Country Club, Reno, Nev., August 2-5

154 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational

Firestone Country Club (South Course), Akron, Ohio, August 2-5

158 PGA Championship

Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Mo., August 9-12

162 Wyndham Championship

Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, N.C., August 16-19

164 THE NORTHERN TRUST

The Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J., August 23-26

168 Dell Technologies Championship

TPC Boston, Norton, Mass., August 31-September 3

172 BMW Championship

Aronimink Golf Club, Newton Square, Pa., September 6-9

176 TOUR Championship

East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Ga., September 20-23

PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS 2018 182 The Season Ahead 182 Principal Charity Classic

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Patience.

Repetition.

Dedication.

Time.

That’s what it takes to become a professional golfer.

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CONTENTS

Bernhard Langer Publisher & CEO Kevin J. Harrington Managing Editor Charles Ford Editor Bill Fields Tournament Editor David Barrett

Kevin Sutherland

Sub Editor Annalisa D’Alessio

183 American Family Insurance 187 The Ally Challenge Championship

University Ridge Golf Course, Madison, Wis., June 22-24

183 U.S. Senior Open Championship

The Broadmoor Resort (East), Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28-July 1

184 Constellation SENIOR

PLAYERS Championship Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park, Ill., July 12-15

184 The Senior Open

Championship presented

by Rolex Royal and Ancient Golf Club (Old Course), St. Andrews, Scotland, July 26-29

185 3M Championship

TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minn., August 3-5

185 DICK’S Sporting Goods Open

En-Joie Golf Course, Endicott, N.Y., August 17-19

186 Boeing Classic

The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, Wash., August 24-26

186 Shaw Charity Classic

Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 31-September 2

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Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich., September 14-16

187 Sanford International

Minnehaha Country Club, Sioux Falls, S.D., September 21-23

188 PURE Insurance Championship

Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach, Calif., September 28-30

188 SAS Championship

Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, N.C., October 12-14

190 Dominion Energy Charity Classic

The Country Club of Virginia (James River), Richmond, Va., October 19-21

190 Invesco QQQ Championship Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, Calif., October 26-28

191 Charles Schwab Cup Championship

Art Editor Friyan Mehta Production Director Joanna Harrington Office Coordinator Adam Linard-Stevens Official PGA TOUR Essential Guide 2018, Part 2 is published

by BH Sports under license from PGA TOUR, Inc. Tel: (312) 572 7728 Email: tourgolf@bhsports.net © BH Sports, 2018. All rights reserved.

All material in the Official PGA TOUR Essential Guide, 2018, Part 2 is wholly copyrighted, and reproduction, without the written permission of the Publisher, is strictly forbidden.

The information in this publication is carefully researched and produced in good faith, however, neither the Publisher nor the Editor can accept responsibility for any errors.

Printed in the USA PUBLISHER’S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks to the following at PGA TOUR: Chris Smith, Senior Director, Business Public Relations; Mark Stevens, Director, Business Public Relations; Kristen Fuller, Director, Licensing & New Ventures; Kathie McCarthy, Specialist, Licensing & New Ventures.

IMAGES The montage images on pp.8-11 show the fun and excitement of THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in May 2018. For a full report, see also pp.34-38.

PGA TOUR PGA PGA TOUR TOUR

Phoenix Country Club, Phoenix, Ariz., November 8-11 MACKENZIE TOUR

LAST WORD

PGA TOUR CANADA

192 Comeback Tale

The return of a healthy Tiger Woods to the PGA TOUR in pursuit of his first victory since 2013 is something not to be missed

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COVER: Official PGA TOUR Essential Guide 2018, Pt 2

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SCHEDULES 2018

PGA TOUR® 2018 DATE

TOURNAMENT/TELEVISION

GOLF COURSE

LOCATION

MAY 31-JUN 3

the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

Muirfield Village GC

Dublin, OH

7-10

FedEx St. Jude Classic Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

TPC Southwind

Memphis, TN

14-17

U.S. Open FS1, Fox

Shinnecock Hills GC

Southampton, NY

21-24

Travelers Championship Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

TPC River Highlands

Cromwell, CT

JUN 28-JUL 1

Quicken Loans National Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm

Potomac, MD

5-8

A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

The Old White TPC

White Sulphur Springs, WV

12-15

John Deere Classic Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

TPC Deere Run

Silvis, IL

19-22

Barbasol Championship Golf

Keene Trace GC

Nicholasville, KY

19-22

The Open Championship Golf, NBC

Carnoustie GL

Carnoustie, SCOTLAND

26-29

RBC Canadian Open Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

Glen Abbey GC

Oakville, Ontario, CANADA

AUG 2-5

Barracuda Championship Golf

Montrêux G&CC

Reno, NV

2-5

World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

Firestone CC (South)

Akron, OH

9-12

PGA Championship TNT, CBS

Bellerive CC

St. Louis, MO

16-19

Wyndham Championship Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

Sedgefield CC

Greensboro, NC

23-26

THE NORTHERN TRUST Golf, CBS, LIVE, Radio

Ridgewood CC

Paramus, NJ

AUG 31-SEP 3

Dell Technologies Championship Golf, NBC, LIVE, Radio

TPC Boston

Norton, MA

6-9

BMW Championship Golf, NBC, LIVE, Radio

Aronimink GC

Newton Square, PA

20-23

TOUR Championship Golf, NBC, LIVE, Radio

East Lake GC

Atlanta, GA

28-30

Ryder Cup Golf, NBC

Le Golf National

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, FRANCE

KEY Golf Channel - Golf | 22

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PGA TOUR LIVE - LIVE

|

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SCHEDULES 2016/2017 2018

PGA TOUR ChAmPiOns® 2018 DATE

TOURNAMENT/TELEVISION

GOLF COURSE

LOCATION

JUN 8-10

Principal Charity Classic Golf

Wakonda Club

Des Moines, IA

22-24

American Family Insurance Championship Golf

Madison, WI

The Broadmoor GC

Colorado Springs, CO

12-15

Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship Golf

Exmoor CC

Highland Park, IL

26-29

The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex Golf, NBC

Old Course at St. Andrews

St. Andrews, SCOTLAND

AUG 3-5

3M Championship Golf

TPC Twin Cities

Blaine, MN

17-19

DICK’S Sporting Goods Open Golf

En-Joie GC

Endicott, NY

24-26

Boeing Classic Golf

The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge

Snoqualmie, WA

AUG 31SEP 2

Shaw Charity Classic Golf

Canyon Meadows G&CC

Calgary, AB, CANADA

14-16

The Ally Challenge Golf

Warwick Hills G&CC

Grand Blanc, MI

21-23

Sanford International Golf

Minnehaha CC

Sioux Falls, SD

28-30

PURE Insurance Championship Golf

Pebble Beach GL, Poppy Hills GC

Monterey Peninsula, CA

OCT 12-14

SAS Championship Golf

Prestonwood CC

Cary, NC

19-21

Dominion Energy Charity Classic Golf

The CC of Virginia (James River)

Richmond, VA

26-28

Invesco QQQ Championship Golf

Sherwood CC

Thousand Oaks, CA

NOV 8-11

Charles Schwab Cup Championship Golf

Phoenix CC

Phoenix, AZ

images: Us geTTY IMAGEs: PGAimages TOUR

University Ridge GC

JUN 28-JUL 1 U.S. Senior Open Championship FS1, Fox

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SCHEDULES 2018 2016/2017

WEB.COM TOUR 2018 TOURNAMENT/TELEVISION

GOLF COURSE

LOCATION

MAY 31JUN 3

Rex Hospital Open

TPC Wakefield Plantation

Raleigh, NC

7-10

Rust-Oleum Championship Golf

Ivanhoe Club

Ivanhoe, IL

21-24

Air Capital Classic Supporting Wichita’s Youth

Crestview CC

Wichita, KS

JUN 28-JUL 1

Lincoln Land Championship

Panther Creek CC

Springfield, IL

5-8

LECOM Health Challenge Golf

Peek’n Peak Resort (Upper Course)

Findley Lake, NY

12-15

Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank Golf

Oakridge CC

Farmington, UT

19-22

Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Heartland Chevy Dealers

The Club at Indian Creek

Omaha, NE

26-29

Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper

Highland Springs CC

Springfield, MO

AUG 2-5

Digital Ally Open

Nicklaus GC at LionsGate

Overland Park, KS

9-12

Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae

TPC Stonebrae

Hayward, CA

16-19

WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft-Heinz Golf Pumpkin Ridge GC (W. Hollow)

North Plains, OR

23-26

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship Golf

OSU GC (Scarlet Course)

Columbus, OH

AUG 30SEP 2

DAP Championship Golf

Canterbury GC

Beachwood, OH

13-16

Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft Nabisco Golf

Hillcrest GC

Boise, ID

20-23

Web.com Tour Championship Golf

Atlantic Beach CC

Atlantic Beach, FL

Photo Us

by Pga GreGory images: TOUR ShamuS/Getty ImaGeS

DATE

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30/05/2018 12:30

coVEr StorY

Star Power

Defending FedExCup champion Justin Thomas found himself in a familiar spot midway through the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season—atop the FedExCup standings—with Jason Day, Phil Mickelson and other stars in close pursuit

By Bill Fields

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iven the caliber of the players who have been FedExCup champions, it makes total sense that someone, despite the difficulty of the task, would have won backto-back titles. But it hasn’t happened—yet.

Midway through the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season, though, Justin Thomas is doing his best to change that.

“I think the hardest part is going to be staying in the moment and recognizing

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that it’s a new year,” Thomas, the 2016-17 FedExCup champion, said last December. “It’s a new opportunity for great things, and I just need to continue to work hard.”

Suffice to say Thomas’ words were far from hollow. Through THE PLAYERS Championship, Thomas was right where he ended the FedExCup Playoffs at the Tour Championship last September: atop the FedExCup standings.

Moreover, he also had overtaken Dustin

Justin Thomas, who has a chance to become the first player to win the FedExCup in consecutive years, shared the joy of his victory at The Honda Classic with caddie Jimmy Johnson.

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After a six-hole playoff at Torrey Pines, Jason Day was happy to pose with the spoils of victory.

That was Watson’s second victory of the season, to go with a victory at the Genesis Open. But Thomas and Watson weren’t the only multiple winners. Australian Jason Day won the Farmers Insurance Open and Wells Fargo Championship, while Patton Kizzire won the OHL Classic at Mayakoba and the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Following Webb Simpson’s victory at THE PLAYERS, Thomas led the FedExCup standings followed by Day, Mickelson, Kizzire, Patrick Reed, Watson, Johnson, Simpson, Jon Rahm and Tony Finau. Everyone in the top 10 except Finau had at least one victory, Reed’s coming at the Masters, where he held off Sunday charges by Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler to win his first major championship.

Thomas joins Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker and Spieth as the only FedExCup champions with multiple wins in the season following their FedExCup victory. Thomas’ second title, at The Honda Classic on the Champion Course of PGA National in a playoff over Luke

images: Us pga toUr; getty images

Bubba Watson reacts after winning the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club.

Johnson as the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, assuming the top spot after climbing the leaderboard on the weekend at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass to finish T11. The 21st player be No. 1 in the OWGR since it was instituted in 1986, Thomas backed up his five-victory 2016-17 with two wins through early May: playoff victories at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES and The Honda Classic.

Thomas, 25, came close to winning on two other occasions. He closed with 62-64 at the World Golf ChampionshipsMexico Championship and finished his final round at Club de Golf Chapultepec with a 119-yard hole-out for eagle. Mickelson defeated Thomas on the first extra hole, snapping a drought that dated to The Open Championship in 2013. Thomas also advanced to the semifinals of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play before losing to Bubba Watson, who went on to win the title.

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Phil Mickelson received a trophy named for one of golf’s all-time greats, Gene Sarazen, after breaking a victory drought at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Patton Kizzire needed six playoff holes before winning the Sony Open in Hawaii.

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List, didn’t come easily. There was a host of contenders including European standouts Alex Noren and Tommy Fleetwood and the “Bear Trap” of difficult, water-guarded holes to negotiate in the closing stretch.

“This was a hard win,” Thomas said after earning his eighth career TOUR victory. “I tried to stay patient. There were a lot of great players that were up around the lead.

That’s the first time I’ve had to play the Bear Trap in that much pressure, and it was pretty nerve-wracking. To get it done this week—I’m just very excited.”

Mickelson certainly had those same emotions when he beat Thomas the following week in Mexico City for his 43rd career TOUR victory. The World Golf Hall of Fame member had recorded 20 top-10 finishes without lifting a trophy since collecting the Claret Jug in July 2013.

“This is a very meaningful win,” Mickelson said. “I can’t really put it into words given the tough times over the last four years and the struggle to get back here and knowing that I was able to compete at this level w w w.pgatour.com

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but not doing it and the frustration that that led to. To finally break through and to have this validation means a lot to me. I’m very appreciative of the people that have supported me through the tough times.”

Mickelson, 47, wasn’t the only legendary golfer in the mix early in 2018. Woods, 42, was in contention several times—Valspar Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, THE PLAYERS Championship—as he continues a comeback from major back surgery in 2017, the 79-time TOUR winner seemingly close to rediscovering his winning ways.

“I know he wants to make another run at us young guns,” said Thomas. “It’s great for golf, it’s great for him. I’m happy for him and cherish the opportunity to potentially be going down the stretch with him to win a golf tournament or potentially a major. All I’ve done is watch it and enjoyed it.”

Going up against Woods for a title would be uncharted territory for Thomas, but he has proven multiple times that he knows how to navigate a challenge. 

Tiger Woods’ performance at the Valspar Championship almost earned him his first victory since his comeback from surgery.

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THE PLAYERS

VANQUISHING ACT Buoyed by friendship and faith, Webb Simpson ran away from a star-packed field at THE PLAYERS Championship with a magical performance on a course where he had struggled

By Jim McCabe

N

ot that it will find itself alongside Houdini’s “Belly of a Whale Escape” or David Copperfield’s act with the Statue of Liberty, but Webb Simpson making a field of world-class golfers vanish at THE PLAYERS Championship in May was a magical marvel.

One moment they were all assembled, even gift-wrapped into star-power groups: Tiger Woods with Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler; Rory McIlroy with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas; Jason Day with Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia.

Then, they were gone, either via spotty play—McIlroy missed the cut (71-74) as did 34

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Fowler (74-71) and Mickelson (79-73)—or left in the dust of Simpson’s brilliant play. That Simpson matched the tournament record for low 18 (Friday’s 9-under 63), low 36 (129), and low 54 (197) were impressive; that he built a record seven-stroke cushion through three rounds changed the complexion of Sunday’s Mother’s Day finale.

Pink out?

More like a wipe out.

“I don’t want to wake up,” said Simpson’s veteran caddie, Paul Tesori, shortly after a third-round 68 ended in a fashion that typified his man’s week: A 17-footer to save par, just

Webb Simpson and his caddie, Paul Tesori, aren’t only a team on the course but good friends who support each other.

Continuing to contend in a comeback from injury, Tiger Woods gave the fans something to cheer for in the final round.

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THE PLAYERS

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A scenic view of the 17th Hole during the third round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

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his 28th putt of the round, one day after so Simpson had to believe in Tesori, who requiring a measly 23. preached faith.

Shaking his head, Tesori added: “From “Paul is such a great caddie with such a where we were a year ago at this point, it’s great résumé,” said Simpson. “He never got amazing.” frustrated.”

Perfect place to segue into the feel-good Never with Simpson’s lack of success at the slices of a story that intersected at this year’s Stadium Course, nor with a stretch of lackluster $11 million showcase event on THE PLAYERS play in 2016 and the early part of 2017 that Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass—the left the 2012 U.S. Open champ dejected. “He friendship that galvanizes Simpson and Tesori, would try to give me a pep talk,” Simpson said. the love of the Stadium Course that consumes “To go through that, you need someone more Tesori, and a former PLAYERS Champion’s than a caddie; you need a friend.” respect for a fellow competitor that helped So, too, did Simpson benefit from Tim pave the way to Simpson’s first win since 2013. Clark’s friendship. The 2010 PLAYERS winner, “Amazing,” repeated Tesori. like Simpson, was forced to change his putting Not so much the numbers, though clearly method when the USGA and R&A banned Simpson’s trips of 66-63-68-73 for 18-under anchoring as of Jan. 1, 2016.

270 would qualify. The “I saw him [at the 2017 scores produced a four-stroke PLAYERS] and asked him how “From where we were margin over Charl Schwartzel, he was putting,” said Clark, a year ago at this Jimmy Walker and Xander who has been sidelined with an point, it’s amazing.” injury for more than a year. “He Schauffele that would have been greater had Simpson not said it wasn’t good.”

—Paul Tesori let his guard down and made Employing what is a double-bogey on the 72nd hole. No, it was described as “the Matt Kuchar style,” with the remarkable stuff beneath the surface. the grip of the belly putter running up the Start with Simpson’s lack of history at the left forearm, Simpson held the club lefthandStadium Course. Eight prior starts, four cuts low. The South African shook his head. missed, only four of 24 rounds in the 60s, “I simply suggested he try putting right w w w.pgatour.com

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THE PLAYERS

radiates love and provides a sense of purpose to Paul and Michelle Tesori’s life. Their foundation supports other families who have children with special needs, and annually before THE PLAYERS there is a charity event that Simpson, Spieth, Greller and a half-dozen other caddies attend.

Faith and friendship usher them there, not fanfare.

Simpson connects off-course to Tesori and seamlessly brings that inside the ropes. “A coworker,” he said, though in this case Tesori is a co-worker with an uncanny feel for the work environment.

“I just love [the Stadium Course]. I just love that there isn’t one forced carry [on the par 4s and par 5s],” said Tesori, who grew up in the area and still lives nearby. Good enough to earn a PGA TOUR card back in the 1990s, Tesori just was not good enough to keep it. “Allergic to nylon,” he laughed, meaning that he just never played well “when the ropes went up.”

He figures he’s played the Stadium Course “700 times, conservatively,” and was bullish on Simpson’s chances all week. Unlike a year ago “when I wasn’t sure if we’d ever putt well again,” said Tesori.

But Simpson preached faith and Tesori believed in his player.

Truly amazing what you can do together. 

Jimmy Walker (left) and Xander Schauffele (right), claimed a share of second place, four shots behind winner Webb Simpson.

IMAGES: GEtty IMAGES; US PGA tOUR

hand low with ‘the claw’ grip and I showed him,” said Clark.

Simpson gave it a shot, finished joint 16th at the 2017 PLAYERS and gradually a comfort level set in. Okay, not to the point where Simpson was the focal point headed into this year’s championship. No, sir, that storyline still belonged to Woods, who in his first PLAYERS since 2015 didn’t disappoint.

After making the cut on the number, 1-under 143, Woods blitzed the front nine twice—30 Saturday, 32 Sunday—to tickle the leaderboard.

He closed 65-69 for a share of 11th and further confirmation that his game is surely trending.

It just wasn’t near enough to wrestle away the bear-hug Simpson put around this championship Friday when he made seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch starting at the par-5 ninth. Nor could it dent the inspiring camaraderie between Simpson and Tesori, who is far more than a caddie.

“He’s as quality as a person as you’ll find,” said caddie Michael Greller, who arrived untested and unknown alongside rookie Jordan Spieth in 2013 and was immediately embraced

by Tesori. “One of the absolute best persons I’ve ever met.”

The center of Tesori’s world is 4-year-old son Isaiah. Born with Down Syndrome, Isaiah

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Webb Simpson received the trophy from Si Woo Kim, who won THE PLAYERS in 2017.

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05/12/2017 16:36

ryder cup

Captain ameriCa

PGA TOUR star Jim Furyk has played in the Ryder Cup nine times, giving him a wealth of experience as he leads the Americans in the 2018 contest in France

By Helen Ross

IMAGES: US PGA TOUR; GETTy IMAGES

J

im Furyk, the 2018 United States Ryder Cup captain, has a unique perspective on the event.

Not only has the PGA TOUR veteran and 2010 FedExCup champion competed in nine of the biennial competitions between America and Europe, Furyk has also scored the winning point in one—while watching as his opponent clinched the Cup on another pivotal Sunday.

Talk about the agony and the ecstasy.

At The Belfry in 2002, Paul McGinley made a 12-footer at the 18th hole to halve his singles match with Furyk—a putt that gave the Europeans the half-point it needed to retain the Cup. While Furyk knew his match was just one out of 12 that Sunday in Sutton Coldfield, England, the defeat still stung.

“I guess it’s like being at a baseball game and striking out and being the last out in the

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ninth I think,” Furyk recalled. “I understood, and it hurt at the time. I had a hard time looking [Captain] Curtis [Strange] in the eye that evening.”

Six years later at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., though, Furyk closed out his singles match with Miguel Ángel Jiménez on the 17th hole, and this time, the Americans celebrated as his point clinched the Cup. “It might have healed a few wounds from The Belfry in 2002,” Furyk acknowledged. “I think it gave me perspective, being in that situation in 2002.

“Each and every match we have, someone on either side is going to be in those shoes, and most of the time I’ve kind of made my way over and shook that person’s hand or put my arm around them and realize how they feel, whether it was on the opposing team or ours.”

Jim Furyk will be attempting to guide the U.S. to its first Ryder Cup victory on European soil since 1993.

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ryder cup

Jim Furyk was an assistant captain for the U.S. Team at the 2017 Presidents Cup.

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Furyk will, no doubt, be similarly empathetic when the matches are played Sept. 28-30 on the Albatros course at Le Golf National outside Paris. It’s the first time the matches will be played in France.

His American team will have momentum, of sorts, after a dominant performance in 2016 at Hazeltine National that resulted in a 17-11 victory. However, that was just the second U.S. win in the last eight Ryder Cup matches.

And while we’re talking streaks, consider this one. The Europeans have not lost on home soil since 1993 when Tom Watson’s squad took a 15-13 win at The Belfry.

“It’s 25 years,” Furyk said. “So the more that adds up, the more pressure we put on ourselves and the more difficult it becomes.”

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, born in April and July, respectively, in 1993, were in diapers then. And Masters champion Patrick Reed, who partnered with Spieth for four victories in the 2016 Ryder Cup, was just three years old. And in case you were wondering, look for their run to continue.

“Looking at it from face value right now, it’s hard to split that team up,” Furyk said.

Those three, along with Dustin Johnson, will form the nucleus of the team that Furyk takes to France. There they are sure to face a vocal and partisan crowd on a Le Golf National course well-known to the Europeans

after hosting the Open de France, a European Tour event, 25 of the last 27 years.

This year’s renewal will be played June 28-July 1 and you can bet Thomas Bjorn’s European hopefuls will be in attendance.

Tommy Fleetwood, who is a safe bet to make his first Ryder Cup team, is the defending champion.

“One thing that Europe’s done well is they play on courses where they hold European Tour events,” Furyk said. “Most of their players have access to courses that our players haven’t seen before.”

Furyk doesn’t expect members of his team to play in the Open de France, but he would like to see the top candidates try to sneak in a round or two there sometime during the summer. But the one thing the Americans can’t prepare for are the crowds.

“They are loud,” Furyk said. “They are boisterous and we’ve been outplayed. They are going to set the golf course up to their liking to where they think they have an advantage. Those are all obstacles that we’ll have to face.

“And what I’m looking for is 12 guys that relish that; that enjoy going over there and knowing that it’s going to be difficult, knowing that their fans are going to make a lot of noise, and they are going to enjoy that and want to show off for the world.

“That’s the 12 guys I want.”  w w w.p gat our.com

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02/05/2018 11:19

PGA TOUR INITIATIVES

Immersed In the ActIon New digital technologies enabled fans watching THE PLAYERS Championship to have a dynamic experience and feel part of the event as never before

By Kevin Prise

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HE PLAYERS Championship has a strong field, with THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass providing a variety of risk-reward options for golfers pursuing one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes. Moreover, the tournament offers a very engaging atmosphere for fans, who have great vantage points to watch the action unfold, a priority when the design opened in the early 1980s.

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New techNologies The PGA TOUR’s signature event has been a leader in providing enhancements for spectators in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., but what if new technologies allowed digital viewing to mirror the on-site experience?

A virtual reality camera on the 17th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on May 11, 2018, in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

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(introduced this past March with launch partner Mastercard, and available for free exclusively in the App Store for iPad and iPhone users) showcased the famed “Gauntlet” of holes 16-18, allowing fans to view three-dimensional hole models on a flat surface.

Fans could view real-time shot trails of groups coming through, providing an additional dimension to the traditional Shot Tracker viewing experience via the website or app leaderboard, and could also take a look back to examine how specific players fared on Nos. 16-18 in previous groups and rounds.

Fan beneFits

No. 17, THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

enhanced experience In all, the TOUR’s AR and VR LIVE offerings provided fans a comprehensive, immersive experience as they followed the competition at TPC Sawgrass.

“PGA TOUR VR Live and PGA TOUR AR enhance the fan experience by offering views and perspective of competition that can’t be seen at home or on the course,” said Devon Fox, Director, Digital Platform Innovation for the PGA TOUR. “The AR app in particular demonstrates the physical features of the most iconic holes in golf and live data visualizations.”

PGA TOUR AR made its PLAYERS debut this year, while PGA TOUR VR LIVE returned for its second year of partnership with Intel, bringing significant enhancements. Last year’s VR LIVE debut had three cameras on No. 17, but eight cameras were utilized on the 12th and 17th holes in 2018.

being part oF the action This year’s VR LIVE content, produced with Intel® True VR technology, offered fans continuous action as players navigated two of the Stadium Course’s most pivotal holes, with supplemental PGA TOUR LIVE coverage providing context to the imagery.

IMAGES: pGA tour

The two-dimensional nature of Shot Tracker allows fans to see the distance a player faces on an approach shot, as well as looming hazards and obstacles, but augmented reality (AR) technology provides the opportunity to view a hole’s nuances such as fairway contours and green slopes.

Essentially, PGA TOUR AR signifies an evolution of Shot Tracker, using existing data gathered by ShotLink powered by CDW. PGA TOUR VR Live provided fans a virtual reality experience for all four competition days of THE PLAYERS, integrated with PGA TOUR LIVE coverage on the Stadium Course’s risk-reward, drivable par-4 12th hole and signature island-green, par-3 17th hole. With 34 hours of coverage, fans could gain a sense

of the action on the 12th tee, fairway and green, as well as 17th tee, drop area, green and gallery, via a variety of broadcast platforms.

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Fans had access to VR or Panoramic viewing mode, depending on the device, with the user having the ability to control his or her experience via camera selection of the tee, fairway/drop area or green complex.

Methods of access include Twitter/Periscope 360, the PGA TOUR VR LIVE Oculus App (Gear VR), the PGA TOUR VR LIVE app (Daydream), and the PGA TOUR Mobile app via Cardboard or Panoramic viewing mode.

Fans on-site will have the opportunity to engage in virtual reality as well, via the TPC Sawgrass Interactive VR Experience. Across a variety of locations on-site, players can take three swings (tee shot, drop zone and green) to get a sense of how they would handle the iconic 17th hole.

Not all TOUR fans are able to attend THE PLAYERS, but each year, the TOUR finds new ways to bring fans even closer to the action.

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A PGA TOUR AR screenshot on an iPad device.

The PGA TOUR won “Best Use of Virtual Reality Technology” at the 2017 Cynopsis Digital Model D Awards for their PGA TOUR LIVE VR coverage at THE PLAYERS Championship. [l-r]: Chris Wandell (PGA TOUR), Marcus Reed (Intel), Devon Fox (PGA TOUR), Blake Rowe (Intel), Kalpana Berman (Intel), Zane Moulton (PGA TOUR). w w w.pgatour.com

19/06/2018 11:39

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31/05/2018 15:11

PROFESSIONAL GOLFER GETS THE “MULLIGAN” OF A LIFETIME With two professional wins under his belt, a beautiful wife and two young sons, professional golfer, Jason Bohn, felt like he was on top of the world.

However, when he suddenly began experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath during The Honda Classic, nobody yelled “fore!” to warn him these were signs of a heart attack.

“I had just finished up my second round and was in the locker room when I felt tightness in my chest,” Jason recalls. “I didn’t think much of it, but I knew I didn’t feel right.”

He called over the onsite medics, who gave him an EKG to test his heart and immediately saw that something was wrong.

“I was going to just go shower and then drive myself to the hospital, but the medics said they were taking me on a stretcher to the hospital in an ambulance,” Jason says.

“That’s when I knew this was bigger than what I had first anticipated. It was at that moment that I felt scared. All I could think about was my family and wishing I could see them.”

Jason was immediately rushed to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, a center of excellence in cardiac care. Having been the first hospital in Palm Beach Country and the Treasure Coast to perform open heart surgery in 1983, the hospital has since been dedicated to creating new services and programs to offer innovative cardiac solutions. From routine screenings and stress tests to interventional cardiology and minimally invasive surgery, the cardiovascular specialists work together to develop an individualized care plan for every single heart they encounter.

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ADVERTORIAL

When Jason arrived at the emergency room, he went through a battery of tests, one of which came back positive, suggesting he may have had a heart attack. He did not feel that his body had ever given him signs that his heart could be shutting down.

bottom, it was a great experience for me at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. I am so lucky this was the hospital they brought me to.”

“I was in complete shock,” he recalls. “I’m not overweight, I exercise, and there’s no history of heart disease in my family.

Could this really be happening to me?”

“I am so thankful for my family, and I tell them every day how appreciative I am of them,” he expresses. “I let them know how much they are loved and cared for.”

Now, Jason is at home and has a completely different perspective on life after going through a near-death experience.

Dr. Jyoti Mohanty, an Interventional Cardiologist on the medical staff at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, arranged a special team for Jason to undergo a cardiac catheterization to find out exactly what was going on with his heart.

“I was extremely anxious about the procedure, but the doctor totally put my mind at ease,” Jason shares. “He told me how common it was and that everything would go smoothly.”

The test confirmed that he did in fact have a heart attack and that 99% of a main artery in his heart was blocked. The blockage was in his left anterior descending artery, also known as the ‘widow maker’ because it can lead to a major heart attack.

The most important message Jason wants to tell people is that regardless of how healthy you think you are, always get checkups, and if you are feeling any sort of pressure or pain in your chest, go to the hospital immediately.

“I know this isn’t going to take me down, and I feel fortunate to have a second chance. When you drop that mulligan, that second ball is always better than the first.”

Jason Bohn

“It’s important for me to educate my friends and family about that,” he says.

After Jason’s heart attack, he encouraged his mother to see a doctor and have a stress test performed. It was discovered that she needed to have triple bypass surgery and he believes it saved her life.

Jason has since recovered and is back to playing the game he loves.

“I know this isn’t going to take me down, and I feel fortunate to have a second chance,” he shares. “When you drop that mulligan, that second ball is always better than the first.”

Little did he know that his trip through the infamous bear trap was almost his last.

The interventional cardiologist inserted a balloon, followed by a stent to open up the artery. Afterwards, Jason spent a few days recuperating in his hospital room.

“The whole time I was being tended to,” he shares. “The doctor, along with other hospital staff members, kept me informed and comfortable about my situation. As a patient, you can’t ask for anything more than that. From top to

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20/06/2018 14:43

PGA TOUR ChAmPiOns

Winning Ways

Bernhard Langer and Steve Stricker are among those to claim victories during the first portion of the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Langer, the four-time Charles Schwab Cup Champion, continues to amaze with his competitive longevity

By Bill Fields

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or a few weeks this winter it looked as if a predominant plot on PGA TOUR Champions over the last decade might be changing. In three consecutive starts, four-time Charles Schwab Cup champion Bernhard Langer wasn’t close to being in contention, finishing T36, T54 and 58th at the Chubb Classic, Cologuard Classic and Toshiba Classic respectively.

Could the 60-year-old’s amazing run of dominance on the 50-and-over circuit be coming to an end?

Well, not exactly.

It turned out that those three lackluster performances were a blip not a trend. Langer 50

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promptly turned his amazingly durable game around, closing with a 66 to crack the top 10 in his next appearance at the Rapiscan Systems Classic. Then he tied for second at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic and (with partner Tom Lehman) the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge.

No one was too surprised, then, when Langer regained his winning touch in his next start, the Insperity Invitational, the ninth event on the 2018 PGA TOUR Champions schedule.

Langer opened with a 63 to take the first-round lead at The Woodlands Country Club in The Woodlands, Texas, and overcame

Bernhard Langer has won in a record 12 straight seasons on PGA TOUR Champions.

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Langer’s Insperity Invitational victory was his fourth at the event, allowing him to join Irwin and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win a PGA TOUR Champions event four or more times. (Irwin won the Kaanapali Classic/ Turtle Bay Classic six times and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship four times; Nicklaus won the Regions Tradition four times.)

Despite the way Langer turned around his play, it won’t be an easy path to another Charles Schwab Cup title. Stricker, 51, who is splitting his time between the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, has been formidable in limited senior appearances the last two seasons. His victory at the Cologuard Classic in early March came on the heels of five top-three finishes in seven career Champions starts, including a T2 in the Chubb Classic in February.

“It’s a relief to tell you the truth,” said Stricker, a 12-time PGA TOUR winner, after taking the Cologuard Classic. “I’ve been putting a little bit of extra pressure on myself to win out here. I’ve been close, been in the top-three a bunch. So that keeps building

Steve Stricker had threatened to win a handful of times prior to claiming the trophy at the 2018 Cologuard Classic.

Images: getty Images

a rough patch on the front nine of the final round to claim his first victory of the season and 37th of his PGA TOUR Champions career.

Just like that, Langer moved past Steve Stricker, the only two-time winner on Tour in 2018 through the Insperity, into the top spot in the Charles Schwab Cup standings with earnings of $802,721. Jerry Kelly, Joe Durant and David Toms—still searching for his first senior win but racking up top-10 finishes— rounded out the top five.

“He’s a freak, we all know that, an aberration,” Lehman said of Langer. “There is that statistic that, once you get past age 56 or 57, whatever it is, the percentage of winning is quite low.”

Not for Langer, though.

Now having moved within just eight victories of Hale Irwin’s PGA TOUR Champions total of 45, a mark long considered invincible, Langer has won four times since his 60th birthday, breaking out of a tie with Irwin in that category. He also surpassed another record he shared with Irwin at The Woodlands, his triumph giving him a win for the 12th consecutive season.

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when you’re not winning. So it feels great to finally have won.”

Other than Stricker’s twin victories, success has been spread around in the early going of the 2018 calendar, with Jerry Kelly, Joe Durant, Mark Calcavecchia, Kirk Triplett, Paul Broadhurst and Steve Flesch joining Langer as winners through the Insperity Invitational.

The season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs will have a new look this year. The Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which previously featured a points reset at the season’s last event, will now feature double points awarded to the 36-player field, as approved by the Tour’s Policy Board.

“The Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs have delivered a unique level of excitement to the PGA TOUR Champions season each of the last two years, and we are confident that this change to the points structure will allow that momentum to continue in 2018 and beyond,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Greg McLaughlin. “With double points at each of the three Playoffs events, we now have a platform of consistency which allows for fans to better engage with these tournaments as we determine our seasonlong champion.”

The first two Playoffs events, the Dominion Energy Charity Classic and Invesco QQQ Championship, feature $2 million purses and double points. With the new format, players will compete for a $2.5 million purse at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and now also earn double points at that event, which was won by Kevin Sutherland in 2017.  Joe Durant is off to a good start in 2018 and is in contention to win the Charles Schwab Cup.

After winning twice in 2017, Jerry Kelly didn’t waste any time in finding the winner’s circle this season.

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07/03/2018 09:37

Web.com Tour

StatuS SeekerS The Web.com Tour offers talented and ambitious players no guarantees but a great opportunity to prove themselves

By Kevin Prise

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artin Trainer entered the 2018 Web.com Tour season without any status, having finished 173rd on last year’s money list after making just one cut in seven starts as a conditional member.

For a player such as Trainer, 26, the path to a Tour start is challenging yet clear-cut: earn one of a limited number of sponsor invitations, or survive an open qualifier.

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Neither path is easy, with dozens if not hundreds of qualified players requesting invitations and competing in open qualifiers on an event-to-event basis. So when Trainer survived the qualifier for the El Bosque Mexico Championship by Innova in early March, he knew he needed to make the most of the opportunity. The University of Southern California alum

The 23-event 2018 Web.com Tour Regular Season can be a proving ground for motivated golfers.

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web.com tour

did just that, and then some, posting four rounds of 70 or better at El Bosque Country Club to earn his first Web.com Tour title in his eighth career start.

Just like that, Trainer went from a state of perpetual uncertainty to being a full-fledged Web.com Tour member who is exempt through 2019, with the inside track on one of “The 25” PGA TOUR cards awarded upon the conclusion of the Regular Season in late August.

No easy task

Two years ago, Poston played his way into the United Leasing & Finance Championship via a Monday qualifier, where he made eagle on his final hole Sunday to secure a top-25 finish and a spot in the Rex Hospital Open.

There, he finished third to earn Tour status for the remainder of the Regular Season.

A consistent summer allowed him to finish No. 10 on the money list and earn a PGA TOUR card that he has not relinquished.

Former University of Texas standout Beau Hossler began 2017 without status because an injury had prevented him from competing in the previous fall’s Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. The California native open-qualified into the Wichita Open Supporting Wichita’s Youth, finishing second, and also added a runner-up finish at the LECOM Health Challenge en route to finishing 23rd on the Regular Season money list.

ChasiNg suCCess For the hundreds of talented aspiring PGA TOUR pros, the track record is there. It’s up to them to chase it.

IMAGES: GEtty IMAGES; US PGA tOUR

There are no guarantees on the Web.com Tour, but there are certainly opportunities.

“I think I’ve just improved a lot since the last time I played on the Web.com Tour,” Trainer said after his unlikely victory in Mexico. “I’ve been playing well the last few months, but honestly had no idea this was a possibility, to win a Web.com Tour event. In the end, it’s just golf, and you keep hitting it.”

Turning no status into a PGA TOUR card is not an easy task, but players like J.T. Poston and Beau Hossler have proven it can be done.

Sungjae Im became the second-youngest winner in Web.com Tour history when he earned the trophy at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay.

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Web.com Tour

Players who do begin the season with status, of course, have the upper hand.

Early in the 2018 season, the lineup of future TOUR card-holders is beginning to take shape, and it starts with Sungjae Im. The South Korea phenom quickly asserted himself in his final year as a teenager, earning strong status with a runner-up finish at Final Stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament last December, then winning his first Tour start, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay by four shots over Carlos Ortiz.

Im became the second-youngest winner in Web.com Tour history at age 19 years, nine months and 17 days. He’s in elite company—Jason Day (2007 Legend Financial Group Classic) is the youngest.

As word of Im’s great ball-striking quickly spread among his Tour peers, he had a runner-up finish at the following week’s The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club to assure that he will be a TOUR member in 2019.

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“Turning no status into a PGA TOUR card is not an easy task, but…it can be done.”

—Daniel Berger

J.T. Poston (below, right) and Beau Hossler (below, left) made the most of their Web.com Tour opportunities in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Other promising prospects include Louisiana State alum Sam Burns, who won the Savannah Golf Championship by a stroke with three consecutive birdies to finish the tournament, just over a month after recording a memorable top-10 finish at the TOUR’s Honda Classic (playing alongside Tiger Woods on Sunday, to boot), as well as Stanford alum Maverick McNealy, who matched Stanford’s all-time victory mark (11) previously attained by Woods and Patrick Rodgers.

The 23-event Web.com Tour Regular Season provides several opportunities for members to chase and achieve their TOUR dreams. But as Trainer proved in Mexico, any pro can make his mark in any given week. 

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25/10/2017 11:47

YOUNG PLAYERS

SUCCEED AND ADVANCE It doesn’t take long to make an impact at the highest levels of professional golf. The following young players have all shown they’ve got what it takes

By Kevin Prise

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very year, Web.com Tour graduates have proven they’re not afraid to contend and win on the PGA TOUR, a trend that has stood the test of time. Recent examples include 2017 graduate Austin Cook, who won The RSM Classic less than two months into his rookie TOUR season, and Wesley Bryan, the 2016 Web.com Tour Player of the Year who won last year’s RBC Heritage.

The level of play on the Web.com Tour mirrors that of the PGA TOUR, and graduates arrive on the PGA TOUR with the knowledge of what it takes to succeed, the ability to do so and the confidence to make it happen.

Each year, the Web.com Tour provides 25 PGA TOUR cards via the Regular Season and 25 more via the Web.com Tour Finals.

Who is poised to earn a TOUR card and thrive in the near future?

WEB.COM TOUR PLAYERS SAM BURNS The 2017 NCAA Division I Player of the Year while at Louisiana State, Burns successfully navigated the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in his first attempt and proved his mettle immediately.

The Louisiana native finished runner-up at the Club Colombia Championship in February, then captured the inaugural Savannah Golf Championship title in early April, making birdie on his final three holes to finish one better than Roberto Castro.

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alongside Tiger Woods, Burns fired a bogey-free 68 to record a top-10 finish and gain entry into the Valspar Championship.

Burns spent last fall living in the house of longtime Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Kyle Williams, known in professional football for his tenacious work ethic, and the 21-year-old has shown a similar commitment to the game and the work it takes to perform at a high level.

Through seven events, Burns stood No. 4 on the Web.com Tour Regular Season money list, on the verge of securing a PGA TOUR card. Once he gets there, it wouldn’t shock fellow pros to see him raise a trophy sooner rather than later.

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YOUNG PLAYERS

SUNGJAE IM The 20-year-old South Korea native attracted the curiosity of Web.com Tour fans when he shot a 60 in the third round of Final Stage at last fall’s Qualifying Tournament, en route to a runnerup finish and strong Tour status for 2018.

That was just the beginning.

Im arrived at the season-opening The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay with plenty of confidence that he could contend for a title. His precision throughout the week impressed fellow competitors, and he fired a final-round, 7-under 65 to cruise to a four shot victory, becoming the second-youngest winner in Web.com Tour history (behind only Jason Day).

The following week, Im finished runner-up at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, all but securing his first PGA TOUR card for the 2018-19 season.

Im is from Jeju, the island that hosts THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, an early-season PGA TOUR event, and he should have the opportunity in the near future to play in front of his home fans.

If he can maintain his spot at No. 1 on the Web.com Tour combined Regular Season and Finals money list by year’s end, he’ll earn a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship in 2019, looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow South Koreans K.J. Choi and Si Woo Kim as titleholders at TPC Sawgrass.

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

BEN TAYLOR The fun-loving Englishman had to return to Final Stage of Q-School after finishing No. 80 on the Web.com Tour money list as a rookie in 2017, and he accepted the challenge with aplomb, closing with 64-63 to finish T16 and secure eight starts in 2018.

Taylor channeled the momentum into the early part of the season, and his play at the Club Colombia Championship was perhaps the most impressive performance of the Tour’s early season international swing, as he shot 15 under in demanding conditions at Bogota CC to win by six shots.

The 25-year-old is not one to shy away from the moment—

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he holed the winning putt for Louisiana State at the 2015 NCAA Championship—and he stood No. 5 on the Web.com Tour Regular Season money list through seven events, well positioned to earn his first PGA TOUR card via The 25.

Taylor’s game has steadily progressed since he moved to the United States as a teenager, through his time at Nova Southeastern (where he began his collegiate career), at LSU, on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and now on the Web.com Tour. Once he earns his TOUR card, that progression should only continue.

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UP-AND-COMING PLAYERS JARED DU TOIT The 22-year-old Canadian thrilled his home country with a memorable run at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open, where he finished T9 as an amateur, and early indications point to a long and productive PGA TOUR career in his future. The Arizona State product turned pro last year and played the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, finishing No. 23 on the Order of Merit with seven top-25 finishes in 11 starts. He earned

PGA TOUR Latinoamérica status for 2018 via a fourth-place finish at the Qualifying Tournament’s Mexico site, and he’ll have the opportunity to play both PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and the Mackenzie Tour this summer, with an eye on earning Web.com Tour status for 2019 via either Tour’s Order of Merit. Du Toit played alongside Jon Rahm at Arizona State, and he’d relish TOUR back-nine Sunday duels with Rahm.

AUSTIN SMOTHERMAN The 23-year-old Californian rose to the occasion at PGA TOUR Latinoamérica’s 59 Abierto Mexicano de Golf, firing a four-day total of 18 under to win by four shots and give himself a leg up in the race for Los Cinco (the top five on the season-ending Order of Merit) and Web.com Tour status for 2019. The Southern Methodist alum finished No. 30 on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica

money list as a rookie in 2017, including a runner-up finish at the season-ending Shell Championship, and he’s primed to build on his inaugural campaign.

The outdoors enthusiast plays out of Trinity Forest Golf Club in the Dallas area, new home of the AT&T Byron Nelson, and if his career progression continues, he’ll be playing his way into that event soon.

GEORGE CUNNINGHAM The University of Arizona senior competed at the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada Q-School in early April, finishing third at the Arizona site (Wigwam Resort) to secure starts this season. The native of Tucson, Ariz., arrived in college as the No. 2-ranked junior (rated

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and he has steadily progressed as a collegiate. This season so far, he has recorded four top-10 finishes, including a victory at the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate. He’ll hope to make a quick impact on the Mackenzie Tour, with an eye on a top-five finish on the money list and 2019 Web.com Tour status.

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FREE DIGITAL EDITION PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO GOLF

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE WITH TOURNAMENT OVERVIEWS AND ALL THINGS PGA TOUR

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18/06/2018 12:38

THE INTERNATIONAL PGA TOURS

Three Tours, Many ChaMpions The continuing success of the PGA TOUR’s international tours has resulted in an important path to recognition and advancement for a growing number of players Introduced by Laury Livsey

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ith PGA TOUR Series-China taking the 2017 season off but the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica both playing, the last time the three PGA TOUR international developmental tours all played at the same time was a while ago.

On September 4, 2016, the Mackenzie Tour contested the Cape Breton Open in Eastern Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica staged the Flor de Cana Open in Nicaragua and the Yulongwan Yunnan Open was the sixth event of the 13-tournament PGA TOUR Series-China season.

But 532 days passed before the three Tours gave it a go simultaneously again, and that happened on March 15 of this year when the regular seasons opened in China (Chengdu Championship) and Latin America (Guatemala Stella Artois Open), with the Mackenzie Tour 62

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holding its first of five Qualifying Tournaments in sunny Southern California.

There is more of that to come as all three Tours are ready for their busiest seasons in their histories, lots of tournaments, lots of opportunities and each Tour featuring players ready to make the next steps in their career— to the Web.com Tour. The plan has worked for players such as Cody Gribble, Mackenzie Hughes, Tony Finau and Zecheng Dou—PGA TOUR players all—and these three Tours will continue to be places where players can hone their games and then take their talents onward and upward, eventually to the world’s biggest stages.

“The players play 72-hole events set up by our rules officials, they’re traveling, they’re dealing with and preparing themselves for the same realities they see on the PGA TOUR.

James Marchesani won the Clearwater Bay Open on PGA TOUR Series-China last October.

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THE INTERNATIONAL PGA TOURS

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES; uS pGA Tour

So, they’re steps ahead of where they would otherwise be thanks to that experience,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan when asked about the three international developmental Tours. “Plus, [the players] are coming through and having success.

That success reaffirms the commitment we made. As we go forward, it’s going to be really exciting to see how this develops.

There’s nothing more we could have done to accelerate growth in those regions than to create these Tours and demonstrate our commitment and apply ourselves to those markets. I’m proud of the work our teams have done there.”

PGA TOUR Latinoamérica is the veteran of the bunch, its seventh season underway.

The Mackenzie Tour is a bit behind, with five seasons in the record books. PGA TOUR Series-China is embarking on its fourth season.

Monahan is glad to emphasize his point again. “If you look at the numbers and you look at the quality of players coming through those Tours to the Web.com Tour, with some of them making it to the next stage—the PGA TOUR—then those Tours are doing exactly what they were intended to do.” ■

give Marchesani a chance to make it two in a row in the Fragrant Harbor.

“It feels great to be back playing, seeing the players getting excited for what promises to be an action-filled season,” said PGA TOUR Series-China Executive Director Greg Carlson.

“We are visiting new cities and golf courses while also sprinkling in places we’ve played before on courses that are both challenging and familiar.”

The last time the players saw action prior to this year, China’s Huilin Zhang was winning the Buick Open in late-November, the final tournament of the 2016 season. On Thursday, March 15, China’s Yi Cao hit the first tee shot of the 2018 season at the Chengdu Championship at Luxehills International Country Club. The following week, Cao won the Chongqing Open for his first title.

Yi on the tee meant one thing: PGA TOUR Series-China is back. Now that the Tour is playing again, it’s as if it was never gone in the first place. ■ Laury Livsey is the PGA TOUR’s Senior Director, Communications & PGA TOUR History.

Haotong Li, PGA TOUR Series-China Player of the Year in 2014, is on the PGA TOUR and finished third at The Open Championship last summer.

Zecheng Dou of China has progressed from the developmental tour in his home country to the Web.com Tour and is a PGA TOUR member for the 2017-18 season.

PGA TOUR China

By Laury Livsey Since the PGA TOUR Series-China last held a tournament, Zecheng Dou and Xinjun Zhang spent a year on the Web.com Tour and moved on to the PGA TOUR, where they are currently playing. Haotong Li, the 2014 PGA TOUR Series-China Player of the Year, finished third at the 2017 Open Championship and, meanwhile, a tournament—the Clearwater Bay Open—that was part of the official PGA TOUR SeriesChina 2016 schedule but wasn’t in 2017 crowned a champion last October, with that champion, James Marchesani, earning Series membership.

After taking a hiatus in 2017 to ensure that the Series’ purposes were in alignment with the China government’s Ministry of Sport (it is), PGA TOUR Series-China is returning this year with a full slate of action.

Following the opening two events of the season, the Chengdu Championship and the Chongqing Championship in March, PGA TOUR Series-China will hit China destinations in the north, south, east and west along with another stop in Hong Kong just to w w w.pgatour.com

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PGA TOUR Latinoamérica

By Kevin Prise Last year’s PGA TOUR Latinoamérica money winner, José de Jesús Rodríguez, has wasted no time making a quick impact on this year’s Web. com Tour. The 37-year-old affectionately known across the golf community as El Camarón—“The Shrimp”—stood 14th on the money list through five events, with three top-25 finishes.

This year’s crop of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica players can use Rodríguez as an example as they navigate the 2018 schedule, which began at the Guatemala Stella Artois Open in mid-March, as they chase spots on the Order of Merit, which assures them of Web.com Tour membership in 2019.

Getting off to a strong start is always helpful in the quest for Order of Merit success. And none started faster than Ben Polland, a 27-year-old Minnesota native who fired four rounds of 70 or better at La Reunion Golf Resort in Guatemala, taking the trophy in his maiden Web.com Tour event.

Polland has spent time as an assistant club professional at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y., but he wasn’t quite ready to give up the dream of a PGA TOUR card.

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to chase that dream, and if he can maintain the form displayed in Guatemala throughout the season, he’ll be one step closer upon its conclusion.

Another player of intrigue this season is MJ Maguire, 25, older brother of Web.com Tour player Jack Maguire. The elder Maguire captured medalist honors at the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Qualifying Tournament’s United States event in mid-January, and hopes to join his brother on the Web.com Tour.

Old Dominion alum Eric Onesi, 30, was low man at the Qualifying Tournament’s Mexico site; England native Charlie Bull, 26, finished clear of the field at the event’s Colombia iteration; and Florida State alum Cristobal Del Solar, 24, medaled at the Qualifying Tournament site in Argentina. In April, Del Solar won the 87 Abierto OSDE del Centro by five shots.

With stops in Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador also scheduled on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica’s spring calendar, players’ travel mettle as well as their golf games will be tested as they chase Web.com Tour membership. ■ Kevin Prise is a PGA TOUR writer and Digital Content Producer, Web.com Tour.

José de Jesús Rodriguez, shown after winning the Abierto del Paraguay-Copa NEC last year, led Los Cinco and is on the Web.com Tour in 2018.

Charlie Bull of England led qualifying at his site for the 2018 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

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THE INTERNATIONAL PGA TOURS

Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada

By Robert Thompson Bigger purses, more tournaments and players breaking through to the PGA TOUR. That’s what the continued evolution of the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada looks like for the 2018 season.

New events for the year include a return to Windsor, Ontario, a tournament in Lethbridge, Alberta, and an event in the Toronto area.

In all, 13 tournaments are expected for the season, a significant breakthrough, says Scott Pritchard, vice-president of the Mackenzie Tour.

“That’s a really key event for us,” Pritchard said, referencing the addition of a new tournament, pushing the total number to more than 12 for the first time since the PGA TOUR took over the Canadian Tour in 2012. “The theme for us is the Tour continues to have a lot of success. Our qualifying schools sell out in minutes, our players are doing well when they graduate beyond the Mackenzie Tour, and we cracked the million-dollar mark for charitable donations again last year.”

In the case of the Windsor tournament, the charity is the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, a community-based facility that provides compassionate care, with a minimum donation of $100,000 for the first year of the tournament. The Mackenzie Tour had played tournaments in Windsor at Roseland, a municipal course, but this year’s event will be held at Ambassador, a modern links-style facility designed by Canadian Thomas McBroom. Ambassador held the Tour’s Freedom 55 Financial Championship seven years ago.

But beyond new events, the Tour’s real success is measured by its graduates, many of whom are playing on the PGA TOUR. This year’s batch of Mackenzie Tour alumni includes Canadians Ben Silverman, as well as Listowel, Ont., native Corey Conners, who held the lead at the Valspar Championship before a challenging final round pushed him down the leaderboard. Others, like Brandon Harkins, who is part way through a breakthrough year on the PGA TOUR, along with past Order of Merit winner J.J. Spaun, and of course, PGA TOUR winners like Tony Finau and Mackenzie Hughes demonstrate the Tour’s role in developing the next wave of talent.

“The theme of the Tour is really our continued success of our players on the PGA TOUR,” says Pritchard. “What was a great experiment that was envisioned when the w w w.pgatour.com

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PGA TOUR took over the Canadian Tour has really become a system that helps players develop their potential,” and Pritchard added, “I think truthfully that players and college coaches—people who have a lot of influence— have come to recognize that the path to success for most of their players is through Canada.” ■ Robert Thompson is President, Golf Journalists Association of Canada.

J.J. Spaun (gray shirt) and Corey Conners (blue shirt) are examples of Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada alumni who are currently on the PGA TOUR.

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SPONSORED FEATURE Too much repetitive torque and compression during a golf swing can stress any joint or strain the lower back.

PLAYING IT SAFE I

f you’re one of the nation’s 25 million avid golfers, an eventual golf-related injury is one of the hazards of the game. Whether you putt for a living or walk the course on the weekend, overuse and faulty technique can wreak havoc on a golfer’s body.

“Most golf injuries are the result of overuse and poor swing mechanics,” says Daryl C. Osbahr, MD, chief of sports medicine at Orlando Health.

Dr. Osbahr treats injuries in athletes at all levels of the sport, from casual weekend golfers to the professionals he sees as a medical director for the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and an orthopedic consultant for the PGA TOUR®, LPGA and Symetra Tours.

Caliber of play can determine the extent of injuries and affected body parts. Pro golfers usually have better swing mechanics—and caddies to carry their bulky bags. Their injuries generally result from the stress of hitting hundreds of golf balls daily.

“Professional golfers power their swing with a lower-body and core-based explosion that generates a lot of force as the body coils around the spine,” says Dr. Osbahr. “This repeated rotation to create ball speed can result in more back injuries, followed by wrist, then shoulder injuries.”

Weekend golfers’ problems typically arise when they are out of shape, don’t warm up properly and/or have poor swing mechanics.

“Rather than generating proper force with their lower body and core, amateur golfers tend to drive their shots with their arms,” says Dr. Osbahr. “This makes them most likely to injure the elbow, followed by the back and shoulder.”

Single-sport specialization is another concern for golfers of all levels. “When you play only one sport all the time, you put a 66

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significant amount of stress on the same parts of the body,” says Dr. Osbahr. “Long term, this can lead to injury.”

Repetitive straining, jarring impact, forceful gripping of the club and arm rotation through ball impact can overload tendons in a golfer’s wrist, elbow and shoulder, resulting in tendinitis or tears. Too much repetitive torque and compression during a golf swing can stress any joint or strain the lower back.

To prevent injuries, it’s crucial for amateurs who play a lot to master the appropriate technique through lessons, says Dr. Osbahr. Savvy golfers will also incorporate a conditioning program to build flexibility and strength into their entire body, including the core, hips and back.

However, if you do experience pain, see a physician dedicated to treating golfers to identify the correct diagnosis and treatment, says Dr. Osbahr. “No golfer can or should play through the pain. That usually only leads to further injury.”

For golfers sidelined by pain, the first round of treatment may includes sessions with a physical therapist trained and experienced in treating golf injuries; anti-inflammatory drugs and rest.

“Our goal is first to provide a treatment plan aimed at improving symptoms while avoiding surgery,” says Dr. Osbahr.

“But sometimes surgery is the only option to return the player to the game and potentially avoid further injury. Regardless of initial treatment, our next goal is to alleviate each golfer’s pain, then develop a transition to play program that slowly gets the golfer back on the course safely and effectively without re-aggravating prior symptoms or creating a new injury. I always remind patients not to rush it.” 

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Advice from Orlando Health on how best to avoid golf injuries, as well as effective therapies to get you back on the course

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health & fitness

Jonas Blixt (left), Jamie Lovemark, Massage Envy CEO Joe Magnacca and Justin Thomas.

WINNING FITNESS

Massage Envy is an Official Sponsor of the PGA TOUR® and PGA TOUR Champions along with the Official Total Body Care Sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s Player Performance Centers. It marks Massage Envy’s first major sports partnership and the relationship coincides with the introduction of Massage Envy’s new assisted stretching service called Total Body Stretch

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n the interview that follows, Massage Envy CEO Joe Magnacca gives insight into the company’s new role in golf, as well as some best-practice fitness advice for all golf fans.

Q. Why is the partnership so important to you, PGA TOUR players and all recreational golfers?

The game has changed so much. Players truly take pride in caring for their body as a way to improve performance and longevity. And data tells us that fans of the PGA TOUR are also interested in and engage in the types of services Massage Envy provides. Golf is perhaps the only sport where anyone can play the same course with the same equipment and literally walk the same path as the professionals they follow. They can take care of their bodies the same way that TOUR players do, so they can do more of what they love to do. The PGA TOUR and the TOUR Player Performance Centers are a natural fit for our business, providing Total Body Care services. We are very excited about debuting Total Body Stretch in the Player Performance Centers at the same time we are launching, in our nearly 1,200 franchise locations

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HeAR iT fROm THe PROs JUSTIN THOMAS: “The things Massage Envy provides are an integral part in what we do in our sport to remain healthy and making sure everything is moving properly, injury-free. It’s a long season, so to make sure that everything is moving how we need it to without having to take any breaks for injuries is very important for all of us.”

JAMIE LOVEMARK: “Golf takes a toll on your body.

I’ve been injured in the past. I’ve had back surgery, so I know how important it is to stay healthy, stay flexible, maintain my body.”

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health & fitness

Trainer Jeff Hendra stretches PGA TOUR player Jamie Lovemark in the Massage Envy Player Performance Center.

across the country. This professionally assisted stretching service will help players get ready for their round and recover from their round.

Q. I think most people know what stretching is. What is assisted stretch?

Assisted stretching is done with the help of a professional service provider or stretching ’coach.’ Virtually every professional and elite athlete uses assisted stretching in their training and conditioning routines, but Massage Envy is bringing this service to people of all fitness levels and lifestyles.

Q. What are the benefits of Massage Envy’s new Total Body Stretch?

Conditioning, recovery and wellness routines aren’t complete without assisted stretching. Everyone knows how to stretch, but Massage Envy’s science-based assisted stretching service, done by a professional service provider, creates far better results. Total Body Stretch increases mobility, flexibility and blood flow and improves how muscles function. It helps people perform at their highest level and recover faster and regular assisted stretching can make injuries less likely. Your muscles have their own natural resistance. When a stretch professional does it for you, your muscles move beyond that resistance, so you get a deeper, more w w w.p gat our.com

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effective stretch. As workouts go beyond the gym, assisted stretching is even more important. Today, active people are passionate about things like golf, biking, CrossFit and mud runs and they’re doing them later in life.

Q. What makes up a Total Body Stretch?

The Massage Envy proprietary Total Body Stretch service uses the Streto method, a new, professionally assisted stretching protocol.

The Streto Method combines research and the expertise of an acclaimed chiropractor, massage therapist and an ergonomist who collaborated to develop the method for Massage Envy. It is built around a sequence of 10 targeted stretches that work from the top down, helping your muscles reach maximum flexibility.

Used as part of a wellness routine, Total Body Stretch can increase mobility and boost everyday performance.

Q. How are your Massage Envy ambassadors able to help you achieve your objectives?

We were meticulous in selecting a tremendous team of 10 players to work with to bring their personal stories to life. These are players that implement the role of conditioning, massage therapy and stretching into their wellness routines for various reasons. Our team of players know first-hand what assisted stretching can do for their performance on the course.  PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2018, Part 2

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The 0 - 100 speed of the golf swing can put a tremendous amount of stress on the body; especially on our spine and joints. And majority of golfers today have experienced some sort of golf related injuries listed below. Pure Wave’s powerful percussion massage helps golfers to prevent injury by loosening up the muscles and improving mobility.

BACK PAIN – The rotational stresses of the golf swing can place considerable pressure on the spine and muscles.

Multiply that with the fact that golfers spend countless hours in a bentover stance, repeating the same motion countless times, it is no wonder that playing golf can cause muscle spasms in the back that can easily lead to debilitating injuries.

TENDINITIS is the most common condition

affecting the elbow and wrists to golfers worldwide. Elbow tendinitis is frequently referred to as “tennis elbow” when the inflammation is to the outer tendon, and “golfer’s elbow” when pain is to the inner elbow. The risk of getting tendinitis increases with age and is higher for golfers due to the repetitious nature of the game, impact and the hyperextension at impact.

KNEE PAIN – Knee pain occurs from the strain placed on the pivot knee to stabilize the rotation of the hip during the downswing. Extreme force placed on the knee can result in torn ligaments and may further exacerbate arthritis over time.

ROTATOR CUFF – Pain may be felt in the shoulder either at the top of the backswing or on the follow thru of the downswing. Injuries to the rotator cuff can be sustained through traumatic force resulting from a poor mechanics, improper warm-up, taking a deep divot, and/or from overuse.

Golfers can develop tendinitis, bursitis, and tears in the rotator cuff due to the repetitive motion of the golf swing.

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HIP INJURIES – The hip joint is

vulnerable to injury during golf, since high amount of pressure is placed on the joint and surrounding muscles during the swing. During the golf swing, the external rotation of the hips during a swing can put significant strain on the joint when practiced frequently. It is these rotational and shear forces that cause injuries such as groin strains and low back injuries.

SOLUTIONS:

Improving swing mechanics, participating in golf-specific workouts, buying properly fitted equipment, avoiding long practice sessions, always performing a warm up routine before practice and play, and (golfspecific) stretching frequently will help to reduce injuries.

Incorporating Pure Wave massaging as par t of your warm up routine can significantly improve your mobility during your round. And using Pure Wave post round can help heal scar tissues and inflammation of the tendons and muscles.

Pure-Wave " Incorporating massaging as part of your

warm up rountine can significantly improve your mobility during your round.

"

BY

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HEALTH AWARENESS

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH The health-giving benefits of golf—in addition to the strong physical and mental aspects we bring into play—are significant when it comes to reducing our risk of heart disease and dementia

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ver the last half of the century, growing awareness that maintaining a healthy body and mind has had a significant positive impact for many. We know more today about what’s good for us and what’s bad for us than ever before.

However, while scientists tell us that there are no guaranteed ways of avoiding heart disease—or the onset of Alzheimer’s—there are steps we can take to reduce our risk of developing both of these conditions.

RECOGNIZING THE BAD With no proven way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, what measures should we take to reduce our risk?

First, we must look at the factors that increase our risk of heart disease, as the same factors can also increase our risk of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Important factors that may be involved include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, excess weight, diabetes and also: • A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables.

• High blood cholesterol.

• High blood pressure.

• Lack of exercise.

• Obesity.

• Poorly controlled type-2 diabetes.

• Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.

FOLLOWING THE GOOD Second, we should follow the key positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle. For example, the scientists’ advice for reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is to take the same measures that everyone should take to help

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avoid heart disease—through regular physical activity whilst maintaining a balanced diet in the Mediterranean tradition.

From a good health perspective, playing golf also has much to recommend it, in terms of both mental and physical activity. For example, studies have found an association between lifelong involvement in mentally and socially stimulating activities and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Also low education levels— less than a high school education—appear to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2009 the Wall Street Journal investigated the benefits of playing golf for those already suffering from Alzheimer’s, informing us that golf is such an enjoyable game to so many that even when significant memory is lost in the later stages of Alzheimer’s, the ability to remember playing golf is not. Dr. Bert Hayslip, a researcher from the University of North Texas, noted that there is something about the game of golf that “imprints itself on people’s minds,” going on to reveal that some of the individuals studied, who could no longer remember what day it was or where they lived, were able to keep score, hold a golf club and make a 15-foot putt.

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE With research ongoing into the causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s, current advice is to keep active, keep playing golf and maintain a healthy lifestyle—physically, mentally and socially. This will make our lives more enjoyable and may also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. ■

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IT’S NOT JUST A WAY TO IT’S A WAY TO BE. #LIVEUNDERPAR

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HealtH awareness

GettinG a Grip The onset of arthritis may look set to ruin your future on the golf course. But advice from the Arthritis Foundation helps millions while raising awareness of the positive steps you can take

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The serenity of the setting, the anticipation of the next swing, the strategy behind the next great shot…nothing beats the pleasures of golf. But imagine if your next round were to be your very last.

Unfortunately, many suffering from the onset of arthritis have to face exactly this situation— giving up their passion for golf because of arthritis. Not only can the condition put a halt to golf, it may cause a struggle with everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, dressing and running errands or spending time with children or grandchildren.

The common thread through most forms of arthritis is inflammation and stiffness of the joints. There are four important warning signs that should prompt you to talk to a health care provider. pain Pain from arthritis can be constant or it may come and go. It may occur when at rest or while moving. swelling Swelling that lasts for three days or longer or occurs more than three times a month should prompt a visit to the doctor. stiffness Morning stiffness that lasts longer than an hour is good reason to suspect arthritis. difficulty moving a joint It shouldn’t be that hard or painful to get up from your favorite chair. staying on the green While you may worry that exercising with osteoarthritis could harm your joints and cause more pain, research shows that people can and 76

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should exercise when they have osteoarthritis. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation says that exercise is considered the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement in patients with osteoarthritis.

Exercises help maintain and improve muscle strength. Strong muscles can support and protect joints that are affected by arthritis. warm up A good conditioning program is essential for all golfers, but especially if your joints need extra protection. And swing smart: • Play from the 150-yard markers if you begin to get tired.

• Keep your grip on the shaft light and consistent.

• If you have back pain, you may find that the classic swing is more comfortable for you.

• End it early—at the three o’clock position, rather than the one o’clock position.

• Focus on sweeping through the ball.

Transferring weight from one leg to the other is easier if you allow your heels to lift. some facts and figures As the No. 1 cause of disability in America, arthritis causes 172 million missed workdays, 7 million hospitalizations and $300 billion in lost wages and medical expenses annually.

Surveys by the Arthritis Foundation underscore the challenges, noting that, “among our constituents, 73 percent struggle with arthritis daily, and 87 percent say physical activity helps improve their joint pain. But twothirds say they limit their activity because of arthritis.”

Today, arthritis is still perceived by most people as an inevitable part of aging. But the fact is that two-thirds of those with arthritis are under 65. ■ w w w.pgatour.com

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HealtH awareness

Help the Arthritis Foundation keep more people on the green for longer.

Donate and get involved.

Visit arthritis.org/LetsGripArthritis.

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SHOULDN’T BE PAR FOR THE COURSE IN YOUR LIFE.

A new treatment is giving orthopedic doctors another option to provide longer-lasting pain relief.

IF YOU CAN’T FINISH A ROUND OF GOLF WITHOUT FACING THE PAINFUL AFTERMATH OF AN ARTHRITIC KNEE, YOU’RE NOT ALONE!

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the lifetime risk of developing symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is 45%.1

You could live for three decades or more after diagnosis — so how do you decide when and if it’s time to do something about it?

OA is the most common form of arthritis. It is sometimes called degenerative joint disease, or “wear and tear” arthritis. It most frequently occurs in the hands, hips, and knees.2

You start with your doctor, of course.

There are multiple options to consider when it comes to relief from joint pain — from rehabilitation and medications to injections or surgery3 — and your doctor will know which one is right for you.

Among athletic adults, the diagnosis of OA is often delayed and difficult because active individuals have a high tolerance to pain, as well as a driving desire to return to play quickly.1 Arthritis is no longer strictly for older adults, either. More than half of all people with symptomatic knee OA are younger than age 65.1

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And there’s a relatively new treatment that some orthopedic physicians are not yet familiar with, so you will want to be sure you and your doctor learn more and consider it.

With the growing opioid epidemic, joint pain sufferers have alternate treatment options available. Here are some helpful answers to important questions to consider.

What are the current options available for treating OA knee pain?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, physicians might recommend any number of interventions to treat chronic pain.3 Rehabilitation through physical therapy may be one of the first methods of treatment. It is often covered by insurance and offers additional benefits in strengthening the body.

Another treatment commonly used is dosages of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs.) These medications will reduce swelling of the tissues and pain; however, they can also cause minor side effects such as upset stomachs or gastrointestinal

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bleeding. Prolonged NSAID use can also raise blood pressure and negate the effects of blood pressure medications.4 When it comes to stronger prescription medications such as opioids, the medical community is quickly learning that addiction is a serious consequence.

Even worse, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42,000 people across the country died from overdoses involving prescription opioids in 2016.5 That leaves interventional therapies such as intra-articular steroid injections, which can provide a few weeks, or even a couple of months’ worth of relief for some patients. These injections may increase the risk for infection and have been found to accelerate cartilage degeneration in some cases.6 While knee replacement surgery can provide the most profound and longestlasting relief, it’s often viewed as the “last resort.” With today’s artificial hip and knee joints lasting around 20 years — and life expectancies and mobility increasing with each generation — having surgery too soon could mean additional surgeries later in life.7

So, IF surgery isn’t an option, what may be the next best treatment available for pain relief?

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses an electrode-containing probe that heats up and deactivates the nerves carrying pain signals to the brain.

The RF energy leaves motor nerves intact to preserve function. Standard RF technologies require very specific positioning of the probe. It must enter at a specific angle which leaves little room for error. Success is limited to chance and clinical precision.8 A novel cooled radiofrequency technology called COOLIEF* has drastically improved the ability of RF to reach

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critical nerves. COOLIEF* uses a watercooled probe that safely deactivates difficult-to-reach sensory nerves in areas such as the knee and hip joints — and is proven to provide relief for up to a year in certain patients.9 In fact, it was recently cleared by the FDA for use in treating OA knee pain.

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Does Cooled RF work for both acute and chronic pain?

Chronic and acute pain are very different. With acute pain, there is an event, such as a traumatic injury, or a surgical procedure where you could point and say, “this is when my pain started.”

Doctors work with the patient using any one of the treatments mentioned here to hopefully decrease the pain over time. Often acute pain is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, injections, and only if necessary, a short course of opioid medication.

Chronic pain is different because it often develops slowly over time. It may increase gradually for no apparent reason — making you feel like there is no end in sight. In the case of chronic pain, it’s especially important to consider the consequences of long-term medications or injections.

Several studies have shown that use of opioids for chronic pain may actually worsen pain and functionality. Surgery is commonly considered — unless you are too young or simply not a candidate for knee replacement surgery.

Antonia Chen, MD, MBA, an orthopedic surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital said, “In my experience with COOLIEF*, it has been very useful for treating both chronic pain and postoperative patients. “My patients who have chronic pain from osteoarthritis that are not surgical candidates or are not interested in (continued)

In this age of medicine, options are everything.

The more options you give your patients, the happier they are.

— Antonia Chen, MD

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A longer-lasting pain relief option for OA knee pain.

COOLIEF* Cooled Radiofrequency (RF) provides up to 12 months of pain relief.1 Expand your pain relief options and consider COOLIEF* Cooled RF. When compared to intra-articular steroid injections, COOLIEF* Cooled RF was found to provide: • Significantly greater and longer-lasting pain relief • Improved physical function • Higher patient satisfaction1

Irritating throbbing

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Excruciating pain

What is your level of pain? COOLIEF* Cooled RF may be your best treatment option.

Visit myCOOLIEF.com/golf to see our commercial and learn why you may no longer need to live with pain.

Davis T. Study: Cooled RF Ablation Superior to Corticosteroids in Knee Osteoarthritis. Pain Medicine News 2017 Feb. *Registered Trademark or Trademark of Halyard Health, Inc. or its affiliates. © 2018 HYH. All rights reserved.

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(continued) undergoing a surgical procedure may be eligible for COOLIEF* to help manage their pain. My patients who are undergoing surgical procedures, such as total hip and knee replacements, have been able to reduce their postoperative pain by utilizing COOLIEF* preoperatively, as well. In terms of my relationship with patients, it gives me a nonnarcotic option to decrease pain while improving the long-term treatment in a way that is beneficial to everyone.”

How long does Cooled RF last?

Many patients with OA knee pain must delay or don’t qualify for total knee replacement surgery. But as pain worsens, pain treatment options, such as steroid injections and opioids, only offer short-term relief or carry too much risk.10 COOLIEF* Cooled RF provides up to 12 months of pain relief for OA of the knee. For patients diagnosed with OA of the knee, for example, study results conclude that COOLIEF* Cooled RF provides significantly greater and longer-lasting pain relief, improved physical function and higher patient satisfaction than intra-articular steroid injections. Patients are able to resume normal activity much quicker than with surgery, and with reduced need for narcotics. Additionally, their physical function improves and their pain and disability decreases.

To find a COOLIEF*-trained physician or to learn more visit myCOOLIEF.com/golf or call 1-833-4-COOLED.

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If you are a physician unfamiliar with COOLIEF* Cooled RF you should read this: For David Lindley, DO, a pain management specialist at Interventional Pain Management of Texas, the best way to evaluate the cooled RF procedure was to incorporate it into his own practice.

“I had a practice where I was using COOLIEF* Cooled RF for half of the week, and a traditional radiofrequency procedure the other half of the week, and I saw a tremendous benefit in the COOLIEF* patient population,” he says.

“There was a higher percentage of patients achieving 50% or more relief with COOLIEF* Cooled RF than traditional RF, and that’s ultimately why I went with the COOLIEF* procedure 100% about two or three years ago.”

How it works: COOLIEF* Cooled RF employs the technology of cooled radiofrequency ablation—a procedure in which clinicians administer COOLIEF* Cooled RF, the only currently available thermal radiofrequency system using water-cooled technology to deactivate pain-causing sensory nerves.8 Water flowing through the hollow lumina of the probe creates a cooling effect by

removing heat from the probe.

This unique feature allows more heat to dissipate to surrounding tissues than traditional probes by maintaining the integrity of the tissue. A larger lesion is created which increases the probability of disrupting nerve branches—the mechanism that ultimately produces analgesia.

“I tell my patients to expect between six to 18 months of 50% or more of relief, and my patients usually fall in the later range of that,” Lindley says.

Clinical Data: COOLIEF* is an option for a wide range of chronic pain patients, and studies have shown effectiveness in treating sacroiliac joint, facet, and discogenic back. Cooled RF studies have also shown promise for patients with OA of the knee.8 A large study that randomized 151 patients with OA of the knee to receive cooled RF (n=76) and the intra-articular steroids (n=75). 12 months following treatment, the cooled RF group experienced a mean decrease in NRS of 4.3 points from baseline and 65% of patients reported pain decrease of greater than or equal to 50%.

Function improvement was also

noted with a 17.3 point change in Oxford Knee Study scores, which was significantly better than their baseline (P<0.0001).9 Antonia Chen, MD, MBA, an orthopedic surgeon at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital adds, “Another big benefit I see in the COOLIEF* procedure is that I can offer another option to my patients for pain relief for their arthritis symptoms that other modalities may not allow.

In this age of medicine, options are everything. The more options you give your patients, the happier they are.”

Antonia Chen, MD, MBA, orthopedic surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

David Lindley, DO, pain management specialist at Interventional Pain Management of Texas

Physicians can learn more about COOLIEF* at myCOOLIEF.com/golf

There are inherent risks in all medical devices. For more detail on indications, cautions, warnings and contraindications, visit myCOOLIEF.com/golf 1 Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis By the Numbers / Book of Trusted Facts & Figures. 2018; v2; 4100.17.10445 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osteoarthritic fact sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm. Accessed May 3, 2017.

3 https://iprcc.nih.gov/sites/default/files/HHSNational_Pain_Strategy_508C.pdf 4 Park, HJ, Moon, DE. Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Pain. Korean J Pain. 2010 Jun; 23(2): 99–108.Published online 2010 May 31. doi: 0.3344/kjp.2010.23.2.99 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886242/.

5 https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html (opioid overdose) 5 https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html (opioid overdose) 6 Hauser, Ross A., MD. The Deterioration of Articular Cartilage in Osteoarthritis by Corticosteroid Injections, Journal of Prolotherapy, Volume 1, Issue 2, May 2009 8 Ho KY, Hadi MA, Pasutharnchat K, Tan KH. Cooled radiofrequency denervation for treatment of sacroiliac joint pain: 2-year results from 20 cases. Journal of Pain Research. 2013:6 505–511.

9 Buvanendran A, et.al. 12- Month follow-up of a prospective, multi-center, randomized, trial comparing safety and effectiveness of cooled radiofrequency ablation to corticosteroids injection for management of osteoarthritic knee pain. Free Paper Session 06: Chronic Pain Management. esra7-0369 10 Halyard Health. OA Pain Landscape & Patient Journey: Research Results. PowerPoint Presentation. Share-out Session: December 7, 2015. *Registered Trademark or Trademark of Halyard Health, Inc. or its affiliates. © 2018 HYH. All rights reserved.

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DEFINING MOMENTS

SPECIAL OCCASIONS The first half of the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season had its share of defining moments.

Six writers reflect on some of the most memorable

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here has been no lack of excitement or intrigue so far during the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season.

Lots of plots have caught our attention but some of the drama stands out, as evidenced by the half dozen accounts

here detailing a variety of developments on the TOUR schedule.

Established stars rediscovered their winning ways, while rising stars fulfilled their potential. Regardless of their station in the sport, they owned a key moment and made it memorable for all of us.

Phil Mickelson defeated Justin Thomas in a playoff to become the oldest winner of a WGC event.

MICKELSON ENDS DROUGHT AT WGC-MEXICO CHAMPIONSHIP

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hil Mickelson broke a nearly five-year winless streak when he beat Justin Thomas on the first hole of a suddendeath playoff at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship.

The oldest man in the field (47) hugged his brother/caddie, Tim; shook hands with Thomas; was congratulated by tournament officials and waiting friends Jon Rahm and Brendan Steele; and was swarmed by delirious fans. They’d photo-shopped his face on a man in a bumblebee outfit from a long-ago Mexican TV show.

They’d called him Felipe or “Pheeeel,” as in “Venga, Pheeeel!”

And their full-throated support had paid dividends. After the longest drought of his career, including a runner-up finish to Henrik Stenson at the 2016 Open Championship, plus star turns at the 2017 Presidents Cup and 2016 Ryder Cup, Lefty had finally secured his 43rd PGA TOUR victory.

“This is a very meaningful win,” Mickelson said. “I can’t really put it into words, given the tough times over the last four years, and the struggle to get back here and knowing that I was able to compete at this level but not doing it, and the frustration that that led to.”

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The oldest winner of a WGC event at 47 years, 8 months, 16 days, Mickelson insisted he was a long way from finished. Asked if he could get to 50 TOUR wins, he gave an emphatic yes. A few days later, an earlier exchange between him and Thomas made the rounds on Twitter.

“Phil says, ‘When I’m done playing, I have a couple things that will take you to the next level,’” Thomas had told the Associated Press. “‘They’re going to be so helpful you’re going to be borderline unbeatable.’

“I’m like, ‘Okay, what are they?’” Thomas continued. “He says, ‘I’m not telling you now.’”

“True story,” Thomas tweeted after Mexico. “...British Open last year. Either he is/was messing with me, or I hope he retires soon so he can tell me!”

Retire? Fans hope for nothing of the sort. Although Mickelson’s Spanish is admittedly scratchy, the appeal of his victory at Club de Golf Chapultepec translated loud and clear.  Cameron Morfit is a staff writer at the PGA TOUR and an award-winning writer and editor in integrated media and video production.

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by Cameron Morfit

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DEFINING MOMENTS

CANTLAY OVERCOMES LAYOFF, TRAGEDY TO WIN FIRST TOUR TITLE

By Tom Yantz

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atrick Cantlay’s first PGA TOUR victory was the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open early this season in Las Vegas.

But what happened in Vegas shouldn’t be recognized only there. It merits proclamation as a prominent TOUR comeback.

That’s because less than two years earlier Cantlay’s caddie and close friend Chris Roth was killed in a hit-and-run accident. This occurred when Cantlay had been sidelined with a stress fracture in his back (he played in only six tournaments from June 2013 to January 2017). “...It feels like someone put the pause button on playing,” Cantlay said after his initial TOUR victory, in which he entered the final round four strokes out of the lead and responded with a 67.

After all as an amateur, Cantlay was No. 1 in the world rankings for 55 weeks and set the TOUR record for lowest amateur round (60) in the 2011 Travelers Championship.

Such dominance didn’t continue, though,

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after he had turned pro in 2012. Then came his injury and Roth’s death. “The other part is so separate, and it was such a heartbreaking deal that I don’t even—it’s not even on the same level as golf,” Cantlay said.

Still, he kept on trying because he knew Roth, a high school golf teammate in Southern California, would have wanted that.

Cantlay’s TOUR-triumph quest ended at TPC Summerlin on the second playoff hole against Alex Cejka and Whee Kim. As for Cantlay’s elite, contemporary TOUR class that includes Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, he said: “...Looking forward to working hard and hopefully having some battles with them in the future.”

As Cantlay strives to climb up the FedExCup standings to reach more career peaks, he will be grounded by the detours and heartbreak he has overcome.  Tom Yantz worked 42 years for the Hartford Courant and covered the PGA TOUR’s tournament in Cromwell, Conn., from 1984-2017.

Patrick Cantlay lifted the trophy in Las Vegas after persevering through tough times.

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DEFINING MOMENTS

POULTER MATCHES MOMENT (AGAIN)

By Art Stricklin

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youngster Beau Hossler, still looking for his first PGA TOUR victory (Poulter has 17 professional wins), but the young Texan shouldn’t feel too bad. In the past, Poulter has made a habit out of crushing the hopes of the best American players and most avid fans in various Ryder Cups and other high-profile events.

Poulter, nearly lost his TOUR playing status last year, and had only one final chance to qualify for the 2018 Masters Tournament, win in this year’s Houston Open. So with all the golf chips pushed up on the 18th green, he did what he has done so many times—perfectly executing a clutch putt at a key moment.

“I knew he was going to make the putt,” Hossler said. “He always does.”

We all did, Beau. We all did.  Art Stricklin, veteran Lone Star State golf writer and former president of the Texas Golf Writers Association, has covered the Houston Open since 1992.

Ian Poulter was working off a familiar script when he sank a big putt at the Houston Open.

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he setting was a sunny spring Sunday for the final round of the 2018 Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston, but it easily could have been a fall afternoon at the Ryder Cup. This was another big golf moment for England’s Ian Poulter, who faced a must-make 20-foot putt on the 18th hole to extend the day. The putt, the make, the chest-pumping, eye-bugging celebration, the clutch effort and the ultimate victory were part of a movie I’ve seen before.

The script is always the same. Poulter is a cold-blooded putting machine when the pressure is the highest in a closing moment of a big event. That’s the first thought that came into my mind when I watched Poulter make a 20-foot par putt on the 18th this year’s Houston Open to force a playoff which, of course, he won on the first extra hole.

In this case, the victim was American

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DEFINING MOMENTS

RAHM LOOKED SET TO WIN THE CAREERBUILDER CHALLENGE FROM THE START

By Larry Bohannan

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t was fascinating to sit in the media center of the CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, Calif. and hear people question, well, not Jon Rahm as the No. 3 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, but perhaps wonder about the system that had given the young Spanish star such a lofty perch.

Yes, Rahm had three wins in the previous 12 months, but his last PGA TOUR win had been 51 weeks earlier at the Farmers Insurance Open. Did those victories and a handful of topfive finishes around the world justify Rahm’s meteoric rise to No. 3 in the OWGR? For his part the 23-year-old Rahm seemed unfazed by any talk of rankings. He was more interested in talking about his sponsorship deal with nearby Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, his love of the American southwest, his dilemma of playing PGA TOUR events rather than European Tour events and how local high school star Charlie Reiter, in the CareerBuilder field, could fly it by Rahm on a regular basis. By the end of Rahm’s first round at the CareerBuilder, a flawless

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10-under 62 at La Quinta Country Club, no one was questioning Rahm’s ranking.

Easily the best player in the field based on his ranking—in fact the first player ranked as high as third to start in the tournament since 2005—Rahm never slowed down.

The former Arizona State star added three more solid rounds, including a final-round 67 on the treacherous Stadium Course at PGA West. Yes, Rahm had to survive a four-hole playoff against Andrew Landry in the dusk as the sun set behind the Santa Rosa Mountains, but Rahm completed what seemed like his tournament to win from the start.

Rahm was no longer the guy who nearly a year ago on the PGA TOUR, or had won in Europe but not converted all that often in the United States. And he was no longer the No. 3 player in the OWGR. He was No. 2 with an eye on moving higher.  Larry Bohannan has been the golf writer and columnist for the Desert Sun newspaper and desertsun.com since 1986.

Unfazed by his ranking, Jon Rahm was interested in winning.

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DEFINING MOMENTS

REED BELIEVED IN HIMSELF LONG BEFORE MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

By Jim McCabe

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the country in his car with his wife, Justine, parlayed his Monday qualifiers into 12 starts, piled up $302,977, and ended the year T-22 in the Qualifying Tournament to earn PGA TOUR status. He’s never looked back, a sort of throwback to the days of yesteryear if ever there was one.

Determination makes for the sturdiest of foundations, though, and upon his Reed mounted five PGA TOUR wins. Often, though, he was reminded of his less-than-stellar performances in the major championships.

In fact, his tie for second at the 2017 PGA Championship was his first top-10 in 16 major starts, but such selective edits of his past failed to rock Reed’s resolve.

When Reed, 27, recorded his sixth PGA TOUR win, it was draped in an iconic bit of clothing and shaded by just one memory—the time he was asked what carried him through all those Monday qualifiers. “I just believe in myself,” he said.  Jim McCabe was an editor and staff writer with Boston Globe Media for more than 23 years and a senior writer for Golfweek. He is currently a staff writer for the PGA TOUR.

Patrick Reed wore the green of a Masters champion six years after a gritty beginning to his TOUR career.

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nly one view of Patrick Reed should have resonated April 8, 2018—the one of him wearing the storied green jacket. When you stand where legends have stood and wear what the greats have worn, you deserve to bask in the accolades of a Masters Tournament triumph.

But, okay, if allowed to let the mind wander, here was a memory of the 2018 Masters champion that played out in my mind as Reed closed with 71 for 15-under 273 to hold off Rickie Fowler by one: The year 2012 when a then 21-year-old Reed made it through not one, not two, not three, but six Monday qualifiers in an effort to prove he had what it takes to play on the PGA TOUR. There are rising stars who get that many sponsor exemptions in a season, but Reed knew he didn’t “fit the mold” so he didn’t have a problem doing it the old-fashioned way.

He earned it.

“You have to feel and believe in yourself to be successful,” said Reed in the spring of 2014 when his determined effort had led to his first Masters appearance. From zero status to start 2012, Reed crisscrossed

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DEFINING MOMENTS

MCILROY’S VICTORY CHARGE HAD A PALMER FEEL

By Bill Fields

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n a sunny day with a stacked leaderboard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla., Rory McIlroy had a bounce in his step. The way the Northern Irishman carries himself when things are going well should come with a caution light for those trying to beat him, because those peppy strides usually are taking him from something good to something better.

In the case of the final round at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, McIlroy was buoyantly traveling toward an 8-under 64 and a come-frombehind victory. It was the 14th win of McIlroy’s PGA TOUR career but first since the TOUR Championship on Sept. 25, 2016, the same day Arnold Palmer died at age 87.

McIlroy first entered Palmer’s event in 2015 but has played it every year since.

Six weeks shy of turning 29 when he teed off trailing by two strokes Sunday at Bay Hill, McIlroy still faced a deficit as he made the turn. The back nine was a story of two established stars—McIlroy and a resurgent Tiger Woods—and a budding one, Bryson

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DeChambeau, but McIlroy ultimately would own the afternoon after a charge reminiscent of Palmer in his heyday.

Putting naturally and magically after a tune-up from Brad Faxon—he had only 24 putts Sunday and 100 for four rounds, the latter a personal TOUR best—McIlroy birdied five of the last six holes to beat DeChambeau by three. Just like that, McIlroy had reasserted himself in a hierarchy of young talent and turned a page on an injury-plagued and frustrating 2017, the first year since 2008 that he failed to win somewhere in the world.

“I wish he would have been at the top of the hill to shake my hand when I came off the 18th green,” McIlroy said of Palmer, “but hopefully he’s proud of me with the way I played that back nine. [I] tried to be as aggressive as I could and tried to take on shots when I needed to, just like he would have.”

There was no doubt Palmer would have approved—and that McIlroy was back.  Bill Fields, editor of the Essential Guide, has written about the present and past of golf for a variety of outlets since the mid-1980s.

Rory McIlroy birdied five of the last six holes at Bay Hill to shoot a closing 64.

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Vistage Worldwide

Pursuit of Excellence What is Vistage all about?

What is the key to your success?

We are the world’s leading CEO membership organization with more than 22,000 CEOs, business owners and key executives in 20 countries. Since 1957, we’ve been helping high-integrity leaders make great decisions that benefit their companies, families and communities.

We see it very simply. Our success comes from our steadfast dedication to, and company alignment with, our purpose of helping high-integrity leaders make great decisions that benefit their companies, families and communities. In addition, every decision that we make is based on creating more value for our members. This is our north star and our reason for being.

Members gather monthly with a confidential group of highcaliber peers to solve challenges and pursue opportunities.

Members come from non-competing industries so they can speak candidly and gain agenda-free advice from others who’ve faced similar challenges.

Why do CEOs, business owners and key executives join Vistage?

With Vistage, business leaders have a trusted sounding board — a group of peers who can vet their decisions, offer alternatives and provide feedback with no agenda other than helping each other succeed. Vistage is often considered the world’s most effective decision support system. Our members get a competitive advantage because they gain fresh perspectives, knowledge and inspiration from peers who share similar goals. Vistage members roll up their sleeves and get things accomplished. They are committed to pursuing a journey of constant improvement.

We always say that success has no finish line, and our members share this belief.

What is unique about Vistage?

Vistage has a time-proven formula of bringing the best people together and using the most effective processes and highly beneficial resources for the ultimate in business growth and leadership advancement. For maximum effect, we take a holistic approach to support both the business and personal challenges of CEOs and senior business leaders. We help them make important, difficult decisions, and provide them with a strong foundation to tackle other problematic decisions that have significant impact on their businesses, personal lives and communities.

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What are the key attributes that make a great CEO (and prime candidate for Vistage)?

Great leaders are those who have an unrelenting belief that things can always be better. Vistage members are high-integrity leaders who have a deep-seated drive to succeed and an exceptional commitment to each other’s mutual success.

They pursue excellence and know that it’s a long-term quest.

They are authentic, have a willingness to be vulnerable and know that they might not have all of the answers.

Why is golf important to Vistage?

Golf is important to us because we are looking for a way to further build our brand and expand awareness among business leaders. We know that golf is one of the main hobbies, habits and lifestyles of CEOs. Golf is over-indexed in business leaders, in terms of watching, supporting and playing the sport. So it was a logical connection for us to launch “Team Vistage” this year, which includes three outstanding professional golfers: Marc Leishman, Charley Hoffman and Stewart Cink.

We were conscientious in our selection. We chose these players because they share so many attributes and values of our own community: a relentless pursuit of excellence, a dedication to their families and their support of important causes within their communities.

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Relentless. Excellence has no finish line.

It‘s a lifelong pursuit. It takes rigor. And that’s why it’s reserved for a select few.

Our purpose is to help high-integrity leaders make great decisions that benefit their companies, families and communities. If you’re an accomplished business leader dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, then we should talk.

Our members outperform the competition.

Learn more at vistage.com/excellence.

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INtErVIEw

Gifted and Grounded

PGA TOUR standout Marc Leishman nearly lost his wife, Audrey, to illness three years ago, a crisis that reinforced his perspective on playing golf for a living. The affable Australian shares his thoughts about a career on the rise and how he and his wife are helping other families deal with difficult situations

By Helen Ross

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hen Marc Leishman was 13 he won the club championship at Warrnambool Country Club in his native Australia.

Among the players he beat? His father, Paul, a 1-handicapper who has won the same title seven times.

“We actually played together in the final round so that was pretty cool,” Leishman recalled. “It would have been a massive buzz for him. I didn’t realize how big it was at the time.”

Check out Warrnambool’s website and you’ll see an entire page devoted to that once precocious teen’s burgeoning résumé, which has grown to include three PGA TOUR victories, as well as one Web.com Tour title and five international wins.

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The affable Leishman, who decompresses by mowing his practice green at home—“It’s fun getting the stripes on the grass,” he says—is one of the most understated players on TOUR. Yet, his play continues to get him noticed, with two of those wins coming last year, and what he calls the steady “small steps” he’s taken are paying big dividends.

Off the golf course, Leishman couldn’t be happier, too, as his wife Audrey—whom he met during an otherwise forgettable stretch of seven straight failed Web.com Tour Monday qualifiers early in his career—has her health again. The birth of their third child, Eva, last year is evidence of how far she’s come.

Marc Leishman’s wife, Audrey, and the couple’s children Oliver, Harvey and Eva with Marc after he won the 2017 BMW Championship.

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INTERVIEW

you’re traveling and playing tournaments and they just prepare you for everything you’re going to face when you’re a professional golfer.

You book your own travel. They give you media training. Basically everything you’re going to encounter on TOUR they’re going to prepare you for. And I turned pro when I was 21. The year I turned pro I was playing tournaments, national tournaments and not playing that great but I was winning them. So I was like, all right, it’s time.

Q: You played in Korea and on the Von

Marc Leishman steadily climbed the competitive ladder and has now won three times on the PGA TOUR.

Audrey nearly died in 2015 after contracting toxic shock syndrome, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. But the couple has turned that near-tragedy into the Begin Again Foundation, raising more than $1 million in just two years.

Leishman had just finished playing in a pro-am when he took time for this Q&A with the PGA TOUR Essential Guide to Golf.

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Q: Your dad got you started in golf but

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you also played cricket, football and tennis.

You surfed, too. When did you get serious about the game?

LEISHMAN: Probably at about 15, I guess.

I started winning men’s tournaments and a lot of junior tournaments. You never know where you’re going to get to—whether you’re going to get to the PGA TOUR or you’re going to be a club pro or a teaching pro—but I thought that my life was probably going to be in golf when I was about that age.

Q: After high school you enrolled in the Victorian Institute of Sport. How did that help your development?

LEISHMAN: You’re basically a professional golfer then. You’re not playing for money, but

Nida Tour before heading to the U.S. to play full-time. Two years later, you’re the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year and now you’re coming up big in majors. How would you assess your career so far?

LEISHMAN: My whole career’s been small steps. Going from one tour to another, getting on this TOUR and working my way up to contending in majors consistently. One of the things is definitely confidence. Belief. And then your game has to progress as well. I’ve improved every year, I feel, even if the results maybe haven’t turned out certain years. But there’s been things I’ve been working on, and I feel like I’ve made good progress every year. That’s all I want to do. I don’t set goals, like results-driven goals. I don’t say I want to get to this world ranking or I want to win this tournament or this many tournaments. I want to do this better, I want to do that better and continue to be a good dad and then the results will take care of itself. It’s what I do for a living but that’s not all me. I feel like I’m not a golfer. I feel like I’m a person who happens to be a golfer. And I feel like that’s how I play my best golf.

Q: You met Audrey a few days before you tried to Monday qualify for the Web.com Tour event in Williamsburg, Va. You fell in love and got married. How did her illness change you?

LEISHMAN: I think I had a good perspective beforehand, but I think it made me not take things for granted. It’s pretty easy. You’re playing on the best tour in the world. You can get whatever you want, really. It’s pretty easy to take things for granted. I didn’t think that I did but you take your health for granted or you take your kids for granted. You’ve got to appreciate everything. Now we enjoy the little things more. Enjoy my wins more now. I feel like I didn’t celebrate my win at the Travelers in 2012 enough. So I celebrated the two last year more than enough. But you know, if you don’t do that then why are you playing?

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Q: The doctors gave Audrey a five percent chance of survival. Is it amazing to think where things are now?

LEISHMAN: It is for sure. You never want to wish that on anyone—saying, well, what you think is going to be your last goodbye to your wife, at least that’s what the doctors said might happen. Before they put her in a coma they said there’s a good chance she’s not going to wake up. This is her only chance. It was hard.

She’s kicking and screaming and doesn’t want to get basically put to sleep. And I’ve got to sign a bit of paper to put her to sleep. But it was her only chance. I’m obviously very glad that I did it now. She wanted to say goodbye to the kids, but she couldn’t because I had to do it right then.

Q: Did she understand what was going on?

LEISHMAN: No. She couldn’t get two words together. She was so out of it. Her lungs were done. She kept passing out mid-sentence. Yeah, it was hard to do that. But sometimes you’ve got to just trust the doctors. They know a whole lot more about that than I do. Just lucky we had a good one.

Q: Something good came from Audrey’s battle.

LEISHMAN: Oh yeah, for sure. We’ve always tried to be positive about it. Not be why did it happen to us or we’re so unlucky. It happened to us and we’re lucky that Audrey was strong enough to survive it and determined enough to survive it. And now we’ve helped a couple of thousand families. Maybe someone else might not have survived it. Maybe if she did get a chance to say goodbye to the boys she might not have survived it. Who knows? We just look at the positives. It’s really filled a hole in Audrey as well because she’s always wanted to help people. She wanted to be a social worker going through college, met me and got sort of sidetracked with traveling the country and going to golf tournaments. So we feel like we’re really lucky and we want to make the most of it and change people’s lives for the better. 

Marc Leishman poses with his wife Audrey after winning the 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

Q: The Begin Again Foundation helps survivors of toxic shock syndrome, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome like Audrey.

LEISHMAN: Audrey had all three of them.

With sepsis alone there is a 40 percent chance of dying, and then every organ you add on top of that adds 30 percent. And she had four or five organs that were shutting down so her chances were like 100-and-whatever percent of dying. We were lucky that it didn’t break us financially. But it could—it does break people financially. So we just wanted to take a bit of the stress off so they can think about getting better rather than thinking about how they’re going to pay their rent or pay their mortgage or pay their electricity bill or whatever it might be. We give grants and we fund the social work department at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters at Virginia Beach. Say a family’s child is well enough to go home, but they need a machine to be on for two hours a day and their electricity grid might not support that machine. So we’ll upgrade their power for them so it will support that machine. And then, rather than spending two extra weeks in the hospital which would cost them $20,000 to $40,000 dollars, they can go home and it will save them that. So we don’t give massive amounts out, but we’re giving to a lot of people. We’ve helped over 2,000 families so far.

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travel An aerial view of part of the golf course at the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort.

Life’s

A Golf Course In our regular travel section, we visit some familiar and some not-so-familiar destinations that will deliver a memorable experience, always with golf in mind

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or the many who play the great game, who catch themselves day dreaming about that inch-perfect stroke on the perfect green, it’s true—life’s a golf course.

So when it comes to vacation planning, the tantalizing question is always: Which destinations and resorts offer the finest golf experiences? In our regular roundup of where to play golf, in this issue of the Essential Guide we visit—and in some cases revisit—the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia and Mississippi.

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Fall in love with our tranquil beaches.

Grace Byers

visitcaymanislands.com

Photo credit: Rebecca Davidson

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Winning Charm

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CAYMAN ISLANDS

lthough the Cayman Islands are best known for providing divers with one of the richest, most diverse underwater worlds on the planet, the Islands’ three golf courses have become an increasing attraction.

For a romantic week or a family vacation, the islands have something for everyone—diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, hiking, to mention a few—and of course, golf.

Grand Cayman has just one 18-hole championship course— par 71, 6,605 yards with a rating of 73.1 and slope of 139. It is by any standards a charming course offering challenging play in an idyllic setting. This is the North Sound Club, which is open to the public, also offering a full-service practice facility and quality club rentals. In addition, there’s a full-service pro shop along with customized instruction.

What kind of challenges does the course offer? There are the prevailing Caribbean trade winds and water coming into play on 15 of 18 holes. And the five sets of tees allow an enjoyable opportunity for even the novice golfer. The signature hole, No. 11, is a long par 3 that usually plays into the wind with the majestic North Sound as a backdrop.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman, has a ninehole course designed by Greg Norman that is well worth a visit.

The Blue Tip Golf Course was designed in a way to make its

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North Sound Club, Grand Cayman’s only 18-hole championship course.

470-yard-hole play feel like 600, and is perfect for those who want to play one or multiple rounds in a day. The resort Golf Club also offers a pro shop, customized instruction and equipment rental.

Although this is not a public course, seasonal and annual memberships are available for individuals and corporations.

As for accommodations, The Ritz-Carlton has to be a top choice, offering all the luxuries you could wish for when on vacation in this beautiful and exotic Caribbean setting.

Finally, there’s the Britannia Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first signature Jack Nicklaus golf course featuring a nine-hole regulation course with slightly undulating terrain. The course has all the natural challenges and hazards of a traditional seaside or links layout. On some holes, blind tee shots, pot bunkers and two-tiered greens test the golfer.

Getting there…

There are direct flights to the Cayman Islands from many major cities including Boston, Houston, Miami, New York, Newark, Orlando and Washington, with scheduled flights by American Airlines, Cayman Airways and Delta, to mention a few.

It’s also possible to hire a private jet flight to or from Cayman Brac Gerrard Smith Airport in Cayman Islands.

For prices call +1 (866) 726-1222.

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TRAVEL No. 6, Cinnamon Hill Golf Course at Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa.

“Wah Gwan”

JAMAICA

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The Clubhouse at Half Moon Golf Course.

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or those who’ve been there, done that: they keep coming back; and the opinions are unanimous: a golf vacation in Jamaica is a pretty special experience—you get everything you could wish for in the way of tropical sea and scenery on an island that has no fewer than 11 courses to go along with that famously laidback local charm.

The island’s courses range in difficulty to suit every level of player, with most being in or around the resort areas, making it ideal to play at one course in

the morning and a different one in the afternoon

MANDEVILLE A charming and beautiful town, Mandeville is less than 10 miles from the southern coast of Jamaica.

A popular tourist retreat, its chief claim to fame is the nearby Manchester Golf Club opened in 1865, making this the oldest golf club in the Caribbean.

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TRAVEL

is set on undulating terrain and well-placed bunkers ensure players have their fair share of challenges.

IMAGES: CINNAMON HILL; WHITE WITCH; HALF MOON

MONTEGO BAY Cinnamon Hill, Half Moon, White Witch and Ironshore Golf & Country Club are located in Montego Bay. A region known for superior club facilities, diverse, challenging courses and spectacular settings, the famous Montego Bay lies at the northeastern end of the island. Here there are four notable resorts, making this a very popular golf destination.

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setting is perfect for golfers of any age.

Interesting to note is that near the 15th green is the site of a memorable scene in the James Bond movie “Live and Let Die,” and also nearby is Cinnamon Hill Great House.

Other nearby courses are Half Moon, offering a three-night minimum stay and allowing you to enjoy unlimited rounds on the 18-hole par-72 championship course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Also both White Witch and the Ironshore Golf & Country Club have much to recommend them to vacationers seeking great golf and relaxation.

More choices...

Jamaica’s other notable resorts also provide renowned courses such as Constant Spring and Caymanas in

No. 5, Cinnamon Hill Golf Course at Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. Half Moon Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., is an 18-hole par-72 championship course.

No. 11, Half Moon Golf Club.

Par-3 No. 17 at White Witch Golf Club.

Kingston and Negril Hills on the west end of the island.

Tryall, former home of the Johnnie Walker professional event, has built some of the fastest putting greens south of Augusta, and the course is probably still the toughest test on the island.

Golf courses in the Ocho Rios area include Sandals Golf & Country Club and Jewel Runaway Golf Resort.

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Jamaica is famous for many things…its people, culture, hospitality and natural beauty. What is not as well known, is that it is a golfer’s paradise. Jamaica, the Home of All Right, is a year-round vacation destination and with ease of access from most major US gateways, visitors can arrive in the morning and tee off by noon.

With four major championship courses in close proximity, it all means you can play four courses on a four-day trip, each offering a mix of challenging design and spectacular vistas, all followed by late afternoons on the beach.

Not only does Jamaica boast some of the best courses, but on most days you have them all to yourself and your caddy, who are mandatory in Jamaica. Each course has its unique character; local caddies are expertly trained and are very familiar with the nuances of their courses.

For any golfer to Jamaica, Montego Bay is the natural focal point, and for many avid golf travelers it has been the Caribbean island of choice for the last few years. The destination features an amazing selection of courses with stunning views, pleasant weather, and upscale resort products that allow for rest and relaxation after a long day on the course.

When it comes to Caribbean golf, Jamaica’s collection is about as good as it gets. Whether it’s playing between regal royal palm trees, along the invitingly warm Caribbean sea, or down the side of a lush mountainside, Jamaica is a golfer’s tropical paradise with fun, challenging and stunningly picturesque courses.

Our amazing golf courses allow visitors to completely embrace the beauty of the island and experience some exceptional golf.

Make Jamaica your next choice for a golf vacation destination!

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Choose your season September through May temperatures average 70-75 degrees, with the more northerly islands around 5 degrees cooler than the southern islands.

Humidity is higher during summer months and temperatures average 80 to 85 degrees.

Treasure Islands

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the latter being super exclusive, with condo units renting for $2,500 to $6,000 per night, we feature three locations that offer good value.

Situated on Nassau & Paradise Island, the royal Blue at Baha Mar is a 7,189-yard, par-72 course designed Jack Nicklaus. It’s one of his 290 signature courses and features a challenging island green and elevations that take advantage of the local landscape and tropical native vegetation.

For your accommodations, and located nearby, you might wish to check out sandyport Beach resort, which has spacious residential-style guest rooms and suites, all located within the colorful canal-front or there are Lagoon Beach-front villas just a short stroll from the ocean beach.

(Children under 12 stay free.)

BAHAMAS

The ocean Club Golf Course is also on Nassau & Paradise Island. This is an award-winning, championship Tom Weiskopf-designed course featuring magnificent ocean and beach signature holes (especially Nos. 4 and 17) that bring a whole new meaning to the Bahamian bunker shot. This resort course hosts the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic, played this year in January and won by Brittany Lincicome.

Step ashore on Great Exuma, and you’ll find the Greg Norman-designed sandals emerald Bay Golf Course. This is a 7,200-yard, par 72 Oceanside golf course that features six signature holes hugging the perimeter

of Emerald Bay’s scenic peninsula overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is home of The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, a Web.com Tour event won in 2018 by Sungjae Im. Getting there…

By air—there are direct flights from Miami, New York and Fort Lauderdale.

By sea—currently just one-ferry route runs between United States and Grand Bahama operated by a single ferry company, Balearia Caribbean.

The Fort Lauderdale to Freeport ferry crossing operates weekly with a scheduled sailing duration of approximately 3½ hours.

images: Baha mar; Ocean cluB gOlf cOurse

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ith some 700 islands comprising the Bahamas, planning your golf vacation may be your toughest—though most pleasurable—decision this summer, as there seem to be almost as many golf courses and resorts. No surprise, then, that many top course designers have been attracted to these island where, it is said, you can play golf 365 days a year—an idea that may appeal to many reading these pages.

There are courses to play designed by Jack Nicklaus (The Royal Blue at Baha Mar), Robert Trent Jones (Grand Lucayan-Reef Course), Tom Weiskopf (Ocean Club Golf Course), Greg Norman (Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course) Ernie Els (Albany Golf Course) and Tiger Woods (Jack’s Bay).

With this array of course designers and resorts, some of

A view of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar with the Royal Blue Golf Course in the background.

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Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course at Sandals Emerald Bay, a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course in Great Exuma, Bahamas ®

exhilaration relaxation 66

The Bahamas' Bahamas' The Best Golf Golf Hotel Best Hotel

TH E B A H A M A S ’ U LT I M AT E G O L F, S P A There are few places as idyllic as the Exumas, and no other resorts as luxurious as Sandals Emerald Bay. With a thousand shades of blue surrounding a lush landscape, this tropical utopia is made for water and land sports enthusiasts alike. Golfers enjoy challenging greens with attention-grabbing views on a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship course recognized as one of the Caribbean’s best by the World Golf Awards. The course also serves as host site to the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, the season opener on the Web.com Tour— the path to the PGA TOUR. And everyone at this casually sophisticated retreat,

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G R E AT E X UM A , B A H A M AS

Host of The Web.com Tour Jan. 10-16, 2019

BE A C H RE S O R T

set along a mile-long stretch of unspoiled beachfront, is lavished with every amenity and luxury. Six-star beachfront suites and villas — all Club or Butler Level — are designed for romance. Savour 5-Star Global Gourmet ™ dining at 11 extraordinary restaurants, and indulge in endless pours of premium spirits at six bars. Land and water sports, including daily scuba diving for certified divers, makes every day a new adventure. Bask beneath a sun-drenched sky and relish the cool tranquility of two dazzling pools, each just steps from the sea. Best of all, it’s all inclusive— even tips, taxes and Sandals transfers* — at the Bahamas’ ultimate resort.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SANDALS.COM, CALL 1800SANDALS, OR CALL YOUR TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL The Wor ld’s Only 5-Sta r Lu x u ry Inclu ded® Resorts

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Visit www.sandals.com/disclaimers/ptapril2018 or call 1-800-SANDALS for important terms and conditions.

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TRAVEL No. 14, Coco Beach Golf Club at Gran Meliá Golf Resort.

Ever Popular The Bahia Beach Golf Course at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.

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uerto Rico has some 300 miles of beaches around the island, plus the islands of Vieques, Culebra, Caja de Muertos and also offshore nature preserves.

Puerto Rico has for many years been a popular vacation destination, especially for those who love to play and watch golf.

The location has become well-established owing to some outstanding courses, such as Puerto Rico’s premier championship course

CHOOSE YOUR SEASON The golf season continues year-round, although green fees at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort vary according to season.

Mid-April through June is recommended, with the summer months considered “high season.”

IMAGES: GRAN MELIA (COCO BEACH); ST REGIS BAHIA BEACH

PUERTO RICO

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With over 135 hotels, 165 open tourist attractions, 4,000 restaurants, 16 casinos and 13 golf courses Puerto Rico is open and ready to welcome visitors. Puerto Rico offers world class golf courses with amazing vistas and perfect weather for playing year round. The pros have taken notice; and for the past 7 years the island has hosted the Puerto Rico Open, the longest running official PGA TOUR event in the Caribbean. Come get into the swing of things today.

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designed by Tom Kite at the Coco Beach Golf Club that has become home to the PGA TOUR’s Puerto Rico Open. This event takes place in March, but was not played this year because the island was still recovering from Hurricane Maria; it was replaced by the Puerto Rico Open Charity Day, with celebrity players taking part to help to raise funds for those still recovering from the natural disaster.

TPC Dorado Beach, at the Dorado Beach Resort & Club, is home to three legendary championship golf courses, plantation-style resort residences, world-class cuisine and beach activities for the whole family. The famous East Golf Course originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., is located in a secluded seaside sanctuary along two miles of Puerto Rico’s northeast shores. Although the East is considered a stern challenge for professionals, multiple tees provide a fun challenge for players of all skills. The original panoramic sightlines to the ocean were restored on 12 of 18 holes.

guests can confirm their tee times through the golf club administrative staff or the St. Regis Concierge.

Singles are accepted and may be paired upon request.

Group arrangements are coordinated through the Bahia Golf Club representative, and can be booked at the same time as hotel reservations are made.

Getting there...

The closest airport to Bahia is José Aponte de la Torre Airport (RVR). Travel distance approximately 22 miles.

Options for getting to and from the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort include private transportation with first-class chauffeurs.

Gran Meliá Golf Resort in Puerto Rico.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort offers white sandy beaches as well as a course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

IMAGES: GRAN MELIA (COCO BEACH); ST REGIS BAHIA BEACH

ST. REGIS BAHIA BEACH RESORT Golf remains such a big deal in Puerto Rico that the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort offers, among other options, a “Deluxe Golf Room.”

This room accommodates two guests in luxurious surroundings and provides impressive views of the Bahia Beach Golf Course, a course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., one of the world’s leading golf course architects.

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n Mexico’s Pacific coast, the coastline provides many beautiful beaches and bays. One of the larger bays is Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Flags), located at latitude 20°N. Paradise Village Resort Nuevo Villarta is set on a beachfront at the end of a private peninsula. This is a well-appointed, all-suite resort set in gardens on the Nuevo Vallarta Channel.

It’s a 10-minute walk from the water rides at Aquaventuras Park and just a short distance from El Tigre Golf Club.

Casual studios with balconies and kitchenettes come with free wi-fi and flat-screen TVs. Suites add full kitchens and separate living rooms. Most units

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MEXICO

provide water views, and room service is available 24/7.

There are three restaurants and two snack bars, as well as two lagoon-style pools with waterfalls, caves and slides.

Other amenities include a full-service spa, tennis, beach activities and a playground.

In order to establish El Tigre Golf Club, the challenge given the team of designers, von Hagge, Smelek and Baril, was to “create the most exciting championship golf course in Mexico!” What resulted is a 7,239-yard masterpiece.

Many vacationers have rated the clubhouse as one of the most beautiful

and best-designed in Mexico. Facilities include an expansive practice range featuring tees on both ends, multiple target greens as well as areas to work on your bunker play and chipping. There are also PGA instructors available and full equipment rental options.

A current five-night Golf Getaway Package includes: • Five nights luxury accommodations.

• Unlimited rounds of golf including practice balls, bottled water and cold towels.

• Daily breakfast for two.

• Complimentary shuttle service between the Paradise Village Hotel and El Tigre Golf Course, every 30 minutes.

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At the northern point of the Bahia de Banderas is Punta Mita, one of Mexico’s most prestigious gated communities and resort destinations. Here you’ll find two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses with extraordinary ocean views and world-class play.

Here we also have the first St. Regis property in Latin America, the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. This hotel has all the luxury and allure we have come to expect from St. Regis properties. The resort’s accommodations are indeed luxurious, the staff friendly and attentive, while guests can feel both energized through the many outdoor activities, as well as pampered by the treatments in the deluxe Remède Spa. The hotel’s bars and restaurants give guests no fewer than six dining options.

Getting down to golf… the Bahia Course has rolling greens and fairways that offer players of all skill levels a challenging yet fun round.

Measuring 7,035 yards, the par-72 layout offers five par 3s, eight par 4s and five par 5s, with fairways meandering through Punta Mita’s exclusive residential communities. With an approach shot accompanied by panoramic views of Banderas Bay and the Puerto Vallarta skyline, the 15th hole is one of the most unforgettable in Mexico.

With breathtaking views to match the Bahia Course, the 7,014-yard, par-72 Pacifico Course features eight oceanside holes, 112

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highlighted by Hole No. 3B, which is optional to play.

Known as the “Tail of the Whale,” this one-of-a-kind par-3 requires golfers to play their first shot from an onshore tee box to an island green located 194 yards away on a natural rock formation in the Pacific Ocean. At low tide, a submerged stone path to the green becomes passable.

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort currently has a range of offers; for example, there’s a Weekdays Luxury Escape that might compel you to unwind during the weekdays and enjoy a 20 percent discount from the hotel’s ”preferred rate.”

Getting there...

Punta Mita in the state of Nayarit is just 30 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, while Paradise Village Resort Nuevo Vallarta is a mere 15 minutes from the same airport. The airport is served by many airlines including Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Interjet, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, VivaAerobus and Volaris.

The various bars and restaurants at the St. Regis Punta Mita offer guests six different dining options.

Punta Mita is one of Mexico’s most prestigious resort destinations.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers world-class golf as well as breathtaking ocean views.

IMAGES: ST. REGIS PUNTA MITA RESORT

DISCOVER PUNTA MITA

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Stay Exquisite Experience a modern sanctuary in natural splendor at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. Nestled in a captivating setting near one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most alluring beaches, immersing guests in unsurpassed luxury.

Š2016 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort Punta Mita Riviera Nayarit Mexico t. +329 291 5800 stregis.com/puntamita

Stay exquisite at more than 40 St. Regis hotels and resorts worldwide. @stregishotels

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No. 14, TPC Cartagena.

COLOMBIA

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f you sailed south-southeast from Kingston, Jamaica, for 465 nautical miles you would reach Cartagena, the important port on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, although most would probably fly.

Parts of Cartagena are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the port, the fortresses and the group of monuments—and region has museums, restaurants, beaches and golf courses.

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including golf, tennis, fitness center and spa.

TPC CARTAGENA Formerly the Karibana Golf Club, the TPC Cartagena development has become popular largely due to the 18-hole course by Nicklaus Design, which has a spectacular setting on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. This is an exceptional and challenging course that hosted the Web.com Tour’s Karibana Championship.

TPC Cartagena and the Karibana community are offering several Stay & Play golf vacation packages, including:

• “Holiday Inn Stay & Play”— one-night accommodations at the Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros; one round of golf at TPC Cartagena + other benefits (from $194 per person).

• “Custom Golf Vacation Experience”—play TPC Cartagena’s par-72 Jack Nicklaus Design championship course, with overnight accommodations at one of a number of local and historic hotel partners, plus complimentary range balls, practice-facility access and beach and amenities access (from $194 per person).

• “Radisson Stay & Play”—onenight accommodations at the

Radisson Ocean Pavilion; one round of golf at TPC Cartagena (from $222 per person).

• “Charleston Santa Teresa Stay & Play”—two-night accommodations at the Charleston Santa Teresa; one round of golf at TPC Cartagena (from $590 per person).

(Rates for the above four packages include daily breakfast buffet, transport to TPC Cartagena, and other benefits. For availability and additional information, visit tpc.com)

Getting there…

The Rafael Núñez International Airport, Cartagena, is the busiest airport in Colombia’s Caribbean region.

IMAGES: TPC CARTAGENA

Great Golf

No. 10, TPC Cartagena.

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travel TRAvEL Windance Country Club, one of Mississippi’s most famous golf courses.

The Magnolia State

Mississippi

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ississippi has earned its reputation as a golf host, with the PGA TOUR’s Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson and PGA TOUR Champions’ Rapiscan Systems Classic in Biloxi held annually.

The state’s full portfolio of private and public courses has plenty more to offer golfers of all skill levels.

Mississippi’s 140 courses highlight the diverse geography of the state, from the rolling Hills and Pines regions to the varied landscapes of the Capital/River region and the wide vistas of the Delta and Gulf Coast. The roll call of premier designers who have courses in the state includes legends

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Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Jerry Pate.

One of the state’s most distinguished courses, Windance Country Club, has brought golfers to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for more than three decades.

Designed by 1988 THE PLAYERS champion Mark McCumber, Windance Country Club’s 18 holes unfold over 6,600 yards of breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills and lush greens. This course has challenged the best of the best while hosting the stops on various professional tours, earning a four-star rating from Golf Digest and landing on Golfweek’s “Best Places You Can Play” roundup for eight consecutive years.

Windance became part of the Island View Casino Resort in 2007, a premier destination giving visitors relaxing sunset views of the Gulf of Mexico and exciting gaming action and nightlife. Golfers can also catch a show featuring world-famous entertainers and dine on fresh seafood and a variety of cuisine at numerous restaurants, cafés and grills.

Unlimited golf packages start at $99, including unlimited golf at Windance with a cart and range balls, one-night deluxe hotel accommodations and much more. Call 1-877-774-VIEW (8439) or visit windancecc.com for the latest information, rates and tee times.

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Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder.

s the capital of the state of New Mexico, you might expect Santa Fe to be able to offer a good day out on a challenging golf course. In fact the city does better than that, with the Towa Golf Club giving us three nine-hole courses each with dramatic elevation changes, some seasonal weather conditions and scenery of extraordinary beauty.

The Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder has been named “Best Golf Resort in North America” as well as, “New Mexico’s Best Golf Hotel” by the World Golf Awards.

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architect William Phillips. Each hole takes advantage of the natural topography, unique rock formations and vegetation indigenous to the region, providing excellent separation of the individual holes.

Located in the dramatic scenery of northern New Mexico’s Pojoaque Valley, 12 miles north of the Santa Fe plaza, Towa’s three courses, The Boulder Nine, The Piñon Nine and The Valley, can challenge low handicappers, while also giving a very enjoyable experience for golfers of all levels.

The average green size for the course is 6,500 sq. ft., which is slightly larger than the national average of 6,300 sq. ft. The 27 holes have a USGA slope of 136 and USGA

rating of 73.1 from the back tees. From the front tees, the holes have a slope of 101 and a rating of 62.3.

This Hilton resort itself is 587-acre oasis with the relaxing ambiance and luxury amenities of a world-class spa and golf resort, with the Resort and Casino’s upscale rooms and suites featuring an elegant, Native American-inspired décor.

There are also Homewood Suites, which are spacious one or two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and living rooms.

If you’re looking for more choices for your golf vacation then Santa Fe has other great

options. Take the Cochiti Golf Club located in Cochiti Lake. Here you’ll find an 18-hole public course designed

by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The green fees including cart are $54/18 holes with a discounted afternoon rate of $33. ($43 Saturday/Sunday).

For a vacation rental opportunity, Quail Run Santa Fe could well be a perfect choice if you’re looking for relaxation.

Quail Run offers members access to a nine-hole golf course, complete fitness center with certified Personal Trainers, Yoga, Spa Services, Indoor Lap Pool and Tennis Programs.

IMAGES: HILTON SANTA FE BUFFALO THURDER PRESS ROOM

New Mexico’s Gem A SANTA FE

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Discover all that is Santa Fe

Experience the arts, discover new flavors, spend a night on the town, or enjoy all of the above.

In Santa Fe, the possibilities are endless. Discover The City Different at santafe.org 2 0 1 7 W O R L D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S B E S T AWA R D S

15 Cities Top #2 Top #11 Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the U.S. 15 Cities

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LIVE UNDER PAR

R A P R E D LIVE UN UR ars, the PGA TO ye 0 2 n a th re o e in m d to capture e n g si e d n For the first tim ig a p d advertising cam day’s TOUR. Title to f launched a new o it ir sp d n a oring e energy golf’s unique sc n o and celebrate th ys la p c ti a y r,” the them of excellence b it u rs “Live Under Pa u p ss e tl n rtray the rele ey embrace the th w o h d language to po n a ly e well oth competitiv and respect, as ip TOUR players, b sh n a sm rt o ort like sp giving back. f o values of the sp n o si is m d e R’s ingrain as the PGA TOU

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LIVE UNDER PAR

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LIVE UNDER PAR

#LIVEUNDERPAR

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Live Under Par

A new advertising campaign celebrates the energy and spirit of today’s PGA TOUR inside and outside the ropes while acknowledging the importance of the fans

By Jim McCabe

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ournaments stretch into other continents. A deep roster of international stars crisscrosses the globe. Three recent winners of THE PLAYERS Championship could be paired together anywhere in the United States and greet each other in Spanish, Korean and Swedish. In many ways, the PGA TOUR has never felt smaller.

So, what a perfect time to make the picture bigger.

To savor not only what goes on inside the ropes, but to celebrate all the vibrations outside.

It was the incomparable John Updike who, in explaining his passion for golf, pointed to this reason among many: “In no other sport must the spectator move.” A vintage Updike observation and one that was not lost on the PGA TOUR’s marketing department in the quest to launch a new ad campaign for the first time in 20 years.

“These Guys Are Good” served the PGA TOUR

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exceedingly well for 20 years, but with “Live Under Par” there is an acknowledgment that so, too, are the fans not only good, but they are a massive part of the sport. “We have a very intimate sport where our fans can get close to the athletes and really see and feel what’s happening on the course,” said Joe Arcuri, the PGA TOUR’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“By capturing and celebrating the energy and spirit of today’s TOUR, the campaign is a call to action for all fans to participate with our game and our TOUR. It does this by showcasing the authentic and exciting storylines that happen each week, both inside and outside the ropes.”

The time is right, according to Arcuri, to “widen the camera lens” and show that while the eagles and birdies by world-class athletes are the power source, that electricity travels deep into crowds outside the ropes to fans who are PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2018, Part 2

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Live under par

stakeholders in the game. They “live it, breathe it, and feel it anywhere in the world,” as the voice-over tells us in one of the many promotions that began airing in mid-April.

“The campaign provides fans with new ways to engage in all the PGA TOUR has to offer and celebrates the shared mindset and spirit behind the constant pursuit of greatness,” said Gilbert Haslam, executive creative director of Troika of Los Angeles, the PGA TOUR’s new roster agency. “‘Live Under Par’ is unique to the game, but with meaning that resonates far beyond it.”

Fitting that this “Live Under Par” campaign was launched at a time when the appeal of the PGA TOUR has swept across different generations and cultures as never before.

In 2016-17, of the top 125 players in the final FedExCup standings, 41 were foreign-born, and 28 of 47 tournaments were won by players in their 20s.

Consider how that flavor has continued in 2017-18: One week after 41-year-old Ryan Armour won for the first time, 24-year-old budding star Patrick Cantlay did too; and not long after 23-year-old Spanish standout Jon Rahm won his second PGA TOUR tournament, 47-year-old Phil Mickelson—a mentor, of sorts, to Rahm—defeated reigning

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Player of the Year Justin Thomas, 24, in a spirited playoff in Mexico City at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

EclEctic and ElEctric “Today’s PGA TOUR represents a great portfolio of multigenerational star players as well as a broad and diverse fan base that produces great competitive drama and authentic and engaging fan moments,” said Arcuri.

Clearly, the campaign slogan is built around golf’s unique scoring language where “Par” is the threshold and for competitive purposes it’s best to be under it. But Arcuri said “Live Under Par” symbolizes “a pursuit of excellence inside and outside the ropes...a way to play and a way to be.”

What punctuates the timing of the ad campaign are the many subjects pictured in the promotional clips— Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia, just to name a few of the faces—who are of the social media generation and have embraced fan engagement since making it onto the PGA TOUR. In other words, they believe in what sits at the heart of this campaign, that golf “unifies both players and fans to share our love of the game.” 

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Kona

Spend at least one day avoiding the sand, sea and lava. #LetHawaiiHappen #VisitislandofHawaii

Waimea

SEN TRY TOU R NA M EN T OF CH A M PIONS S O N Y O P E N I N H AWA I I

Kapalua, Maui

Wai‘alae, O‘ahu

M I T S U BI S H I E L E C T R IC C H A M PIO N S H I P AT H UA L A L A I

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Tom Lehman, 2011 winner of the Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup

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2018 TOURNAmENT OvERvIEw

The Final STreTch

A thrilling conclusion to the season at the FedExCup Playoffs, strong sites for three major championships and a move to the state of Kentucky highlight the latter portion of the 2017-18 PGA TOUR schedule

image:s: aronimink golf club

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his year’s FedExCup Playoffs get underway with THE NORTHERN TRUST at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey, which is hosting the Playoffs opener for the fourth time and first since 2014. The action then turns to TPC Boston, the site of the Dell Technologies Championship. The third Playoffs event, the BMW Championship, will be held outside Philadelphia this year at Aronimink Golf Club, which has previously hosted the PGA TOUR’s National in 2010 and 2011. After a week off, the season reaches its climax when the FedExCup Champion is crowned at the TOUR Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake.

On the way to the season’s conclusion, the summer major season kicks off in June when the U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock Hills on Long Island. The tradition-laden course is hosting the event for the fourth time since 1986, with Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin and Retief Goosen the winners of the first three. The following month, across the

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Atlantic, The Open Championship goes to Carnoustie in Scotland, one of the most challenging courses in the Open rotation.

Padraig Harrington won in 2007 on the Open’s last visit.

The same week as The Open, the Barbasol Championship will be held at Keene Trace Country Club outside Lexington, Ky., marking the first PGA TOUR event in the Bluegrass State since 1959 (there was a PGA TOUR Champions event in Lexington from 1983-97). The Barbasol moves from Alabama, where it was held in its first three years.

The year’s final major is the PGA Championship, which will be played at Bellerive Country Club outside St. Louis.

Bellerive has hosted two majors, the 1965 U.S. Open and 1992 PGA Championship, and was also the site of the 2008 BMW Championship in the FedExCup Playoffs. 

No. 18, Aronimink Golf Club, site of the 2018 BMW Championship.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

May 31-June 3, 2018

the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Location Dublin, Ohio Muirfield Village Golf Club

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HOW BRYSON DECHAMBEAU WON

Course Information

Bryson DeChambeau bounced back from a three-putt bogey on the 72nd hole to birdie the second extra hole and win a playoff over Kyle Stanley and Byeong Hun An. Stanley also bogeyed the 72nd hole after an unlucky ricochet off a tree on his tee shot, and bogeyed the first playoff hole to drop out. DeChambeau won it with a birdie from 12 feet the third time around on the 18th hole.

DeChambeau held the 54-hole lead, surrendering it to Patrick Cantlay before regaining it on the back nine. Stanley rallied with four consecutive birdies ending at the 17th hole to grab a share of the lead, while An birdied 17 on the way to a 69 and ended up in a playoff when the other two closed with bogeys.

Opened in 1974, Muirfield Village Golf Club is the dream creation of Jack Nicklaus, who wanted to bring a world-class golf tournament to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Working with land planner Desmond Muirhead, Nicklaus designed a strategic course over 240 rolling, wooded acres that places a premium on accuracy as it winds through trees and over bunkers and water hazards. Nicklaus has tweaked nearly every hole over the years to make it a better test.

Yardage 7,392; par 72

2017 Winner Jason Dufner, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets Weekly badges or a ticket pack for the week cost $185, available through memorialbadges.com. Daily tickets available only MondayWednesday, in advance or at the gate. A junior ticket for ages 18 and under is free when accompanied by a ticketed adult (limit of four juniors per adult). Military and veterans receive up to four free tickets on Wednesday.

Social Media

“Seeing putts go in is huge. It’s very big for somebody’s morale. I was able to do it early this week and just kept the trend going.”

—Bryson DeChambeau

Byeong Hun An shot in the 60s each day, including a final-round 69 that put him in a playoff.

 DeChambeau hit only five of 14 fairways on Sunday, but managed to hit 12 greens in regulation and saved par on five of the six he missed.  DeChambeau ranked first in Scrambling for the week, saving par 80 percent of the time, and was sixth in Strokes Gained: Putting.  DeChambeau ranked fourth in driving distance at 306.3 yards.

Kyle Stanley birdied four straight holes late in the final round to earn a playoff berth.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

DeChambeau won against a field that included eight of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Field: 120 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $8.9 million Winner’s Share: $1,602,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner Winner Exemption: 3 years

charity Benefit

The Tournament’s primary beneficiary is Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus and its Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The Tournament has an alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and also contributes to numerous other local organizations, donating a total of more than $31 million since 1976.

X At 24 years, 8 months and 18 days, DeChambeau became the fourth youngest winner of the Memorial Tournament presented

by Nationwide. Hideki Matsuyama was 22 years, 3 months and 7 days when he won in 2014, and Tiger Woods was younger in 1999 and 2000.

X Patrick Cantlay aced the eighth hole in the third round and ultimately finished one stroke out of a playoff. If he had won, he would have

joined Kenny Perry (1991), Jim Furyk (2002) and Steve Stricker (2011) as players making a hole-in-one on the way to a Memorial victory since 1983.

X For the third time in four years, the winning score was 15-under 273. David Lingmerth (2015) and William McGirt (2016) also posted that total while Jason Dufner won at 275 in 2017.

leaDerBoarD 2018 2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Bryson DeChambeau

1

69

67

66

71

273/-15

500.00

$1,602,000.00

Byeong Hun An

T2

68

67

69

69

273/-15

245.00

$783,200.00

Kyle Stanley

T2

67

66

70

70

273/-15

245.00

$783,200.00

Patrick Cantlay

4

68

69

66

71

274/-14

135.00

$427,200.00

Peter Uihlein

5

69

70

70

66

275/-13

110.00

$356,000.00

images: getty images; Us Pga tOUR

Pos 1

Patrick Cantlay was fourth, one stroke out of a playoff, and had an ace on the eighth hole in the third round.

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Tournament host Jack Nicklaus congratulated Bryson DeChambeau after the 24-year-old became the fourth youngest winner of the event.

Renovations over the past decade have made the finishing stretch one of the most arduous in golf. The par-3 16th was redesigned with a pond guarding the front and left of the green, the long par-4 17th was given new fairway bunkers and a new tee was built on the dogleg right par-4 18th stretching it to 484 yards.

fan eXPerience

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Player

notaBle course features

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check this out

Special venues open to all include The Patio at Patron Village with a golf experience called the “Bunker Challenge” and many food and beverage options; Adirondack chairside wait service at the Hill on No. 12; Pub 18 and the Champions Pavilion, an open-air venue featuring TVs, food and beverage service and plenty of seating. The 19th Hole, located just outside the sixth tee entrance, is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with live music Wednesday to Saturday.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

June 7-10, 2018

FedEx St. Jude Classic Memphis, Tenn.

TPC Southwind

Course Information Ron Prichard, known for his restorations of designs by noted architect Donald Ross, and with help from former major champions Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller, created a challenging course on a former dairy farm outside Memphis that features undulating fairways and natural hazards— streams, ponds and lakes— to enhance the layout’s beauty and challenge.

Yardage 7,238; par 70

2018 Champion Dustin Johnson, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets A Week-Long Ticket costs $65 in advance, while a OneDay Ticket for any day Wednesday to Sunday is $40, available at www.stjudeclassic.com.

A Week-Long Youth Ticket for ages 15 and under is $15.

Military members can buy discounted tickets for $20.

Social Media

“By the reaction of the crowd, I thought it might have gone in, but I couldn’t see it. What a cool way to end.”—Dustin Johnson

Andrew Putnam shared the 54-hole lead and finished second after a 72 on Sunday.

HOW DUSTIN JOHNSON WON

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Location

Dustin Johnson put an exclamation point on a runaway victory at the FedEx St. Jude Classic by holing out from 170 yards for an eagle on the par-4 18th hole for a 19-under total and a six-stroke margin over Andrew Putnam. The spectacular 9-iron shot from just off the fairway gave Johnson a final-round 66.

Johnson and Putnam began the final round tied for the lead at 15-under, five clear of the rest of the field.

Johnson went two strokes ahead when Putnam double bogeyed the first hole of the final round. The lead was still two when Johnson holed a 16-foot par putt on the 12th to preserve that margin, then he pulled away with birdies on 13 and 16 before the closing eagle.  Johnson had a 6-under 29 on the front nine (his second nine) in the second round, holing out from 111 yards for an eagle on the par-4 first.  Johnson ranked second in Strokes Gained: Approachthe-Green for the week and fourth in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee.  Johnson didn’t miss a putt from inside seven feet as he ranked 12th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

A closing 67 lifted J.B. Holmes into third place.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

QUICK FACTS

No. 18, TPC Southwind.

 Field: 156 players  Format: 72 holes stroke play  Purse: $6.6 million  Winner’s Share: $1,188,000  FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

CHARITY BENEFIT

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis has been the sole beneficiary since 1970, with total contributions from the tournament exceeding $38 million. The tournament has earned the PGA TOUR award for “Best Charity Integration” the past three years, with annual activities including TOUR players visiting the hospital and a FedEx aircraft being named in honor of a St. Jude patient, whose parent is a FedEx team member.

 Dustin Johnson (2012, ’18) became the seventh player to win the FedEx St. Jude Classic more than once. Dave Hill won four times (1967, ’69, ’70, ’73), Lee Trevino three times (1971, ’72, ’80), and Nick Price (1993, ’98), David Toms (2003, ’04), Justin Leonard (2005, ’08) and Daniel Berger (2016, ’17) twice each.

 Johnson’s 19-under 261 total was the lowest since TPC Southwind became a par-70 course in 2005. The tournament record is 26-under 258 by John Cook in 1996.  Johnson’s six-stroke victory matched the second largest winning margin, behind Cook’s seven strokes in 1996. Raymond Floyd (1982) and David Toms (2004) also won by six strokes.

LEADERBOARD 2018 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

1

67

63

65

66

261/-19

500.00

$1,188,000.00

2

67

64

64

72

267/-13

300.00

$712,800.00

J.B. Holmes

3

69

67

68

67

271/-9

190.00

$448,800.00

Stewart Cink

T4

68

68

64

72

272/-8

122.50

$290,400.00

Richy Werenski

T4

68

67

66

71

272/-8

122.50

$290,400.00

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

His week highlighted by a third-round 64, Stewart Cink was T4.

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Richy Werenski tied for fourth, his first top-10 finish on TOUR this season.

The two par-3s on the back nine of TPC Southwind are particularly noteworthy. The 162-yard 11th is surrounded by water, reminiscent of the 17th at TPC Sawgrass except there is more fringe area and two bunkers in back of the green as well as a small one in front. The 239-yard 14th, with water front and right, is annually one of the toughest holes on the course.

FAN EXPERIENCE

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Dustin Johnson Andrew Putnam

NOTABLE COURSE FEATURES

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CHECK THIS OUT

All youth 15 and under attending the Youth Exhibition on Wednesday will receive a complimentary Youth Ticket for the week. The party continues Friday night after play with a Family Fun Night with a fireworks show on the practice range. Seersucker Sunday presented by Brooks Brothers rounds out the week, with spectators encouraged to “show their stripes” by wearing seersucker.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

June 14-17, 2018

U.S. Open

conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Location Southampton, N.Y. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Course Information Shinnecock Hills was founded in 1891 and hosted the 1896 U.S. Open, but most of the current course, including the entire back nine, was designed in 1931

by William Flynn. The course is laid out on links-like terrain, with firm fairways and greens guarded by tall fescue rough.

Wind is a nearly constant factor at the Eastern Long Island location. After waiting 90 years for a second U.S. Open in 1986, Shinnecock Hills has also hosted the event in 1995 and 2004.

Yardage 7,445; par 70

2017 Champion Brooks Koepka, U.S.

Media Coverage FS1/FOX

Tickets General admission tickets through usopen.com cost $60 to $75 for the practice rounds, $125 on Friday and $145 Friday through Sunday available at www.theopen.com. A three-day practice round ticket goes for $125, a four-day championship package for $450 and a seven-day weekly package for $500. Junior tickets for ages 18 and under are available at Will Call and never sell out (limit two juniors per one adult ticket holder).

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“I played really solid from the moment we got here on Monday all the way through until today. The ball-striking had to be solid today, especially with the wind.”—Brooks Koepka

CHECK THIS OUT  Brooks Koepka’s victory followed those of Jordan Spieth in 2015 and Dustin Johnson in 2016, marking the first time since 1998-2000 that Americans won the U.S. Open in three consecutive years.  This marked the ninth consecutive U.S. Open without a playoff, surpassing 1976-83 as the longest stretch ever.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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 Koepka’s 16-under total matched the championship record of Rory McIlroy (2011).

Previously, only McIlroy and Tiger Woods (12-under in 2000) had finished double digits under par in a U.S. Open. Seven players finished 10-under or better in 2017.  Justin Thomas’ 63 tied the U.S. Open 18-hole record of 63 by Johnny Miller (1973), Jack Nicklaus (1980), Tom Weiskopf (1980) and Vijay Singh (2003). It was the first time a player shot 9-under in a round; Miller was 8-under and the others 7-under.

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HOW BROOKS KOEPKA WON

Brooks Koepka birdied three straight holes down the stretch at Erin Hills to pull away from the field as he shot a final-round 67 to claim his second PGA TOUR victory and first major. The 27-year-old finished with a 16-under 272 total, tying the U.S. Open record, four strokes ahead of Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama.

With six holes remaining, Koepka was tied with 54-hole leader Harman.

Koepka holed a ninefoot par putt on the 13th to stay that way, and followed with birdies from five, 10 and 17 feet on Nos. 14-16 at about the same time Harman was bogeying Nos. 12 and 13. Harman finished with a 72, while Matsuyama surged into a tie for second with a 32 on the closing nine for a 66.

Koepka started the final round one stroke behind and asserted himself quickly with birdies on the first two holes. He hit 17 greens in regulation, making six birdies against a lone bogey. Justin Thomas was also one behind after a 63 in the third round, but closed with a 75 and finished T9.  Koepka led the field in Greens in Regulation Percentage, hitting 62 of 72 greens.  Koepka was T4 in Driving Accuracy Percentage (87.5 percent) and seventh in Driving Distance (322.0 yards).  Koepka made five putts of longer than 20 feet during the week.

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2018 tournament overview

quiCk faCts

No 12, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

Field: 156 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $12 million (2017) Winner’s Share: $2,160,000 FedExCup Points: 600 to the winner

Charity Benefit The USGA collaborates with a number of national partners who serve the game at the grass-roots level, supporting programs that make golf more welcoming and accessible.

These include the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship, LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, The First Tee and many more.

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notaBle Course features

Nearly 450 yards have been added to Shinnecock Hills since the 2004 U.S. Open, with 10 holes playing considerably longer due to new tees. Only three of those holes are on the back nine, but there are significant differences with the par-4 14th and par-5 16th each gaining 76 yards to 519 and 616, respectively, and the par-4 18th going from 450 to 485.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Brooks Koepka

1

67

70

68

67

272/-16

600.00

$2,160,000.00

Brian Harman

T2

67

70

67

72

276/-12

270.00

$1,050,012.00

270.00

Hideki Matsuyama

T2

74

65

71

66

276/-12

Tommy Fleetwood

4

67

70

68

72

277/-11

Rickie Fowler

T5

65

73

68

72

278/-10

$1,050,012.00 $563,642.00

110.00

$420,334.00

Bill Haas

T5

72

68

69

69

278/-10

110.00

$420,334.00

Xander Schauffele

T5

66

73

70

69

278/-10

110.00

$420,334.00

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fan eXPerienCe

The USGA has introduced “Top of the Hill,” a socialcentric ticket option, for the 2018 U.S. Open.

The open-air facility in a beer-garden atmosphere offers a panoramic view of Shinnecock Hills. Ticket holders will enjoy a lively, sociable atmosphere with open-deck seating and a large-screen broadcast.

Also new this year will be an interview area in Fan Central where celebrities, VIPs and industry insiders will spend time discussing their love of the game.

images: Jon Cavalier / @linksgems

No 9, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

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“ A�racts new golfers to“Attracts our new golfers to our and adds revenue” “ So much fun, and course, and adds revenuecourse, .” so easy “We played 18 holes in to ride. ” under 3 hours”

“So much FUN, and so

“ We played easy 18 to holes ride” in under 3 hours! ”

Includes Heavy-Duty Bag Holder, Sand Bo�le, Cooler, and aScooter pla�ormincludesthat holds • Powerful quiet 1200 Scorecard, Pencil, and and of watt motor course, a Drink.

•

Removable “quick-swap” Lithium Ion Battery • Heavy-Duty bag holder holds Some of the courses enjoying the benefits of the Fat Tire Golf Scooter: even the largest Tour bags • Cooler and Sand Bottle The Wes�n Kierland (AZ) Marina Bay (Singapore) • Platform for scorecard, Orange County Na�onal (FL) Legend Oaks (SC) pencil, tees, and a drink Itasca Country Club (IL) Lake Valley Country Club (CO)

Ridgemont Country Club (NY)

Great Life (KS)

Just some of the courses enjoying the benefits of the Fat Tire Golf Scooter : The Westin Kierland (AZ) Orange County National (FL) Ridgemont Country Club (NY) Itasca Country Club (IL)

Marina Bay (Singapore) Legend Oaks (SC) Lake Valley Country Club (CO) Plantation Golf Course (TX)

www.FatTireGolfScooter.com Arizona ATV.Rev4.indd 1

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

June 21-24, 2018

Travelers Championship Location Cromwell, Conn.

TPC River Highlands

Course Information Originally built in the 1920s, the course joined the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network in 1984 after a redesign by Pete Dye. In 1989, it was renamed TPC River Highlands after further design work by Bobby Weed, with PGA TOUR professionals Howard Twitty and Roger Maltbie as Player Consultants.

The course underwent a bunker renovation in 201516, with infrastructure improvements and viewing-area enhancements as part of the project.

Yardage 6,841; par 70

2017 Champion Jordan Spieth, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets Tickets start at $22, while day-specific tickets are available for a range of prices available at www. travelerschampionship.com.

Children 15 and under are free with a ticketed adult.

Admission is free for all active, reserve and retired military service members, veterans and their dependents.

“To win a golf tournament, play a shot that actually wins a golf tournament that’s not a putt, it’s something that not many people get to experience.”—Jordan Spieth

Charley Hoffman’s closing 66 moved him into T3.

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HOW JORDAN SPIETH WON

Jordan Spieth holed out from a greenside bunker on the first extra hole to win a playoff against Daniel Berger. Spieth led from wire to wire after an opening 63, but couldn’t pull away in the final round as he shot an even-par 70 for a 268 total, with three of his shots on the back nine narrowly missing water hazards.

Berger caught him with a 67 that included birdies on three of the last six holes. Playing in separate twosomes, both saved par from a bunker on the 72nd hole. Spieth found the same bunker in the playoff after his drive hit a tree, bouncing into the fairway but 230 yards from the hole on the par-4 18th. His 60-foot shot from the sand was perfect.  Spieth opened the tournament with five birdies on his first eight holes on the way to a 63 in the first round.  Spieth was 1-over on the eight par 5s over the course of 72 holes, but was first in Par 4 Scoring Average at 3.77 (11-under).  Spieth ranked second in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green at 1.506 per round.

Daniel Berger earned a playofff berth after birdies on three of the final six holes.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

Jordan Spieth celebrates with caddie Michael Greller after holing out from a greenside bunker at No. 18.

Field: 156 players Format: 72-hole stroke play Purse: $7 million Winner’s Share: $1,260,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

charity Benefit

check this out

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Jordan Spieth

1

69

66

70

268/-12

500.00

$1,224,000.00

63

Daniel Berger

2

68

67

66

67

268/-12

300.00

$734,400.00

Charley Hoffman

T3

69

67

68

66

270/-10

162.50

$394,400.00

T3

68

67

68

67

270/-10

162.50

$394,400.00

T5

68

68

66

69

271/-9

100.00

$248,200.00

Patrick Reed

T5

67

66

72

66

271/-9

100.00

$248,200.00

Boo Weekley

T5

66

68

65

72

271/-9

100.00

$248,200.00

images: getty images

Danny Lee broke 70 each day en route to a T3 finish.

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England’s Paul Casey shot a final-round 69 to earn a share of fifth place.

The signature stretch at TPC River Highlands is Nos. 15-17, which play around a four-acre lake. The 15th is an enticing, drivable par 4 of 296 yards with water to the left, while 16 is a par 3 playing over the lake.

The 17th is a strong doglegright par 4 with the lake to the right on the tee shot and a water carry on the approach.

fan eXPerience

18 20

Danny Lee Paul Casey

notaBle course features

18 20

X For the second time in his career, a hole-out from a bunker was the key to a Jordan Spieth victory. He holed out from sand on the 72nd hole of the 2013 John Deere Classic and then won in a playoff.

X Spieth became the third player to lead wire-to-wire, with no ties, at the Travelers

Championship, joining Gene Littler (1958) and Tim Norris (1982). A total of 10 winners have held or shared the lead after each round.

X Spieth became the fourth player to win the Travelers Championship in his first start at the event, joining Ted Kroll (1952), Sam Snead (1955) and Phil Blackmar (1985).

The Travelers Championship generated $1.7 million for more than 165 charities throughout the region in 2017, including the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp which was founded in 1988 by actor Paul Newman. The Travelers Championship has raised more than $38 million since the tournament began in 1952.

In addition to distributing net proceeds, the tournament has a Birdies For Charity program in which charitable organizations solicit donations and also receive a bonus from the tournament.

The Fan Zone is the destination for fans at the Travelers Championship, with interactive activities, a Kids Zone including mini golf, a variety of concessions and the Concert Series after play is finished on Friday and Saturday. The Patriots’ Outpost has free food and beverages for all active, reserve and retired military service members, veterans and their dependents.

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June 28-July 1, 2018

Location Potomac, Md. TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm

Course Information TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm reopened in 2009 following a throrough redesign of the former TPC at Avenel course.

Architects Tom Fazio and Pete Dye collaborated with PGA TOUR pros Fred Funk and Davis Love III. The historic Rock Run Creek, which flows along five of the holes on the back nine, was restored as part of the redesign.

The course is hosting the Quicken Loans National for the second consecutive year.

Yardage 7,107; par 70

2017 Champion Kyle Stanley, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets Competition grounds tickets are valid any one day Thursday through Sunday and cost $35, available at www. nationalgolftournament. com. Tickets for Wednesday’s pro-am are $15. Youth 15 and under are free with a ticketed adult; high school and college students can get discounted daily tickets for $25. Active, retired and reserve military and National Guard are admitted free; veterans can get tickets for a 50 percent discount.

Social Media

“This golf course is very difficult, so you know if you are a few shots back you can make it up with a pretty good round. Once I made a few birdies on the front nine and the leaders weren’t doing much, I knew I had a chance.”—Kyle Stanley

Runner-up Charles Howell III, who also was second at the site in 2004, lost on the first extra hole.

HOW KYLE STANLEY WON

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Quicken Loans National

Kyle Stanley made up a four-stroke deficit with a final-round 66 and defeated Charles Howell III with a par on the first playoff hole to take his second career PGA TOUR victory five years after his first. David Lingmerth led after each of the first three rounds, but opened the door with a 73 on Sunday to finish T5. Stanley gained a share of the lead at the 10th hole, but never led outright in regulation.

Paired with Howell, the two of them matched 66s including pars on the last four holes after a Howell eagle and Stanley birdie on the short par-4 14th.

After finishing at 7-under 273, both missed the green on the first playoff hole, Stanley claiming the win with a five-foot par putt.  Stanley led the field in Strokes Gained: Off-theTee at 1.464 strokes per round and was T3 in Driving Accuracy Percentage at 71.43.  Stanley ranked fourth in Strokes Gained: Approachthe-Green (1.705) and first in Greens in Regulation Percentage (76.39).  The good showing in ball-striking helped Stanley overcome lackluster putting, as he lost .276 strokes per round on the greens.

Rickie Fowler had a strong weekend to finish T3, including a final-round 65.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

No. 10, TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.

Field: 120 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $7.1 million Winner’s Share: $1,278,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

charity Benefit

All proceeds from the Quicken Loans National benefit tournament host Tiger Woods’ TGR Foundation.

The foundation supports thousands of students in the Washington D.C. region and nationwide through various STEM education and college-access programs.

check this out

X Kyle Stanley’s comeback from four strokes behind was a record in the 11-year history of the Quicken Loans National. The previous best was three strokes by Anthony Kim (2008) and Justin Rose (2014).

X The 7-under winning total was the second highest relative to par in tournament history.

Justin Rose won at 4-under at Congressional in 2014.

X It was the second runner-up finish at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm for Charles Howell III, albeit on a course that has changed significantly. He finished second in the 2004 Booz Allen Classic when the course was known as TPC Avenel.

X The playoff was just the second at The National. Justin Rose defeated Shawn Stefani in 2014.

images: getty images; Us Pga tOUR; tPc POtOmac

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Kyle Stanley

1

70

67

66

273/-7

500.00

$1,278,000.00

Charles Howell III

2

71

69

67

66

273/-7

300.00

$766,800.00

Rickie Fowler

T3

70

72

68

65

275/-5

162.50

$411,800.00

Martin Laird

T3

67

72

69

67

275/-5

162.50

$411,800.00

Martin Laird closed with a 67 to gain a share of third place.

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Kyle Stanley’s fourstroke comeback on the final day was a tournament record.

18 20

Player

70

The 14th hole is a 299-yard par 4 that offers the player a chance to drive the green if he is willing to flirt with the creek to the right. The alternative, to lay up left of fairway bunkers and leave a wedge approach, also offers a reasonable shot at birdie. There were 15 eagles recorded on the hole in 2017.

fan eXPerience

leaDerBoarD 2017

18 20

notaBle course features

Family Village is a destination for young fans and families to share a memorable experience while taking a break throughout the day.

Family Village features mini golf, interactive games and activities tailored to the younger crowd, including face painting and mascot visits. A cornerstone activity within Family Village, the TGR Learning Lab Youth Activity Zone features different stations highlighting TGR Foundation’s core curriculum. Also for kids is the Youth Golf Exhibition on Wednesday afternoon with a PGA TOUR pro.

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July 5-8, 2018

A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier Location White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. The Greenbrier Resort (The Old White TPC)

Course Information

Yardage 7,286; par 70

2017 Champion Xander Schauffele, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets For information, go to www.greenbrierclassic.com.

“We looked at a pitching wedge and 9-iron, and under the gun you never want to swing something soft, so we grabbed the pitching wedge real quick.”

—Xander Schauffele

HOW XANDER SCHAUFFELE WON

17 20

The Old White TPC opened in 1914 with President Woodrow Wilson among the first to play. It is named for the Old White Hotel, which stood on the grounds from 1858 to 1922. Charles Blair Macdonald designed the course and modeled several holes after some of the most famous in Europe. The course underwent restorations in 2006 and 2017, the latter after the flood of 2016.

Xander Schauffele birdied two of the last three holes to edge Robert Streb by one stroke and claim his first PGA TOUR victory. The 24-year-old rookie birdied the 16th hole with a 12-foot putt to tie for the lead and then hit a pitching wedge to three feet to a difficult hole location on the par-3 18th and made the putt for a lead that held up for the win. Schauffele finished with a 67 to come from three strokes behind in a round that included four birdies and one bogey, finishing with a total of 14-under 266. Sebastian Munoz opened the tournament with a 61 and led through each of the first three rounds, but closed with a 72 and tied for third with Jamie Lovemark two back. Streb shot a final-round 69 marred by a double bogey at the 13th.  Schauffele led the field in Greens in Regulation Percentage, hitting 59 of 72 greens.  Schauffele was second in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee at 1.218 per round.  Schauffele made four putts of longer than 20 feet in the first round, and five for the week.

Jamie Lovemark tied for third, two strokes behind the winner.

Runner-up Robert Streb was hurt by a double bogey on No. 13 in the final round.

Social Media Twitter: @GBRMilitary Instagram: @gbrclassic Facebook: www.facebook. com/TheGreenbrierClassic 140

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

QUICK FACTS

No. 18, The Old White TPC at The Greenbrier Resort.

 Field: 156 players  Format: 72 holes stroke play  Purse: $7.3 million  Winner’s Share: $1,314,000  FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

CHARITY BENEFIT

The emphasis in charitable donations from tournament proceeds this year will be organizations that help veterans. Neighbors Loving Neighbors, the organization that helped West Virginians recover from the severe 2016 floods, also will be a beneficiary.

 In the seven years of the Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, no 18-, 36-, or 54-hole leader has gone on to win.  Xander Schauffele became the third rookie to win the event, joining Scott Stallings (2011) and Ted Potter Jr. (2012).  Robert Streb finished second for the

second straight time at the Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. He lost to Danny Lee in a four-man playoff in 2015 (the tournament was not held in 2016 due to flooding).  Of the 28 rounds played by the seven champions of the event, only one was in the 70s, a 70 by Scott Stallings in the first round in 2011.

Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Xander Schauffele

1

69

66

67

266/-14

500.00

$1,278,000.00

64

Robert Streb

2

65

68

65

69

267/-13

300.00

$766,800.00

Jamie Lovemark

T3

69

64

66

69

268/-12

162.50

$411,800.00

Sebastian Munoz

T3

61

67

68

72

268/-12

162.50

$411,800.00

Russell Henley

T5

68

64

68

69

269/-11

105.00

$269,800.00

Kelly Kraft

T5

67

66

67

69

269/-11

105.00

$269,800.00

With a 64 in the second round, Russell Henley went on to earn a share of fifth.

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An opening 61 put Sebastian Munoz in the lead, which he maintained after each of the first three rounds en route to a T3.

Modeled after No. 15 at North Berwick, in Scotland, the par-3 eighth is a Redan hole measuring up to 234 yards. The preferred shot into the green is right-to-left. A miss short and left brings the course’s deepest bunker into play. The 18th hole is also a par 3, and at 177 yards it presents a birdie opportunity.

However, the green features a large horseshoe ridge that dissects the green and creates difficulty if the tee shot is not precise.

FAN EXPERIENCE

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IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES; US PGA TOUR; THE GREENBRIER CLASSIC

LEADERBOARD 2017

18 20

CHECK THIS OUT

NOTABLE COURSE FEATURES

Patrons Park located near the 17th green has umbrella table seating, food from The Greenbrier’s Dining Collection and live tournament coverage. There is also a Kids Zone interactive area on the 12th hole and kid friendly concessions.

Tuesday is Youth Day, and all week there is a Kids autograph zone located at the practice putting green.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

July 12-15, 2018

John Deere Classic Location Silvis, Ill. TPC Deere Run

Course Information TPC Deere Run, a stadium layout built specifically for spectator viewing as well as championship golf, opened in 2000. Created

by Illinois native and former PGA TOUR professional D.A. Weibring and Chris Gray, it is on the site of a former Arabian horse farm by the Rock River. Weibring preserved the natural, rolling landscape to create a par-71 course framed by oak trees and accented with small ponds and deep ravines.

Yardage 7,268; par 71

2017 Champion Bryson DeChambeau, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets Anyday grounds tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the gate. Active duty and retired military receive free admission along with one guest; kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Ages 13 to 18 get half-price gate tickets and college students are admitted for $20.

“I wasn’t making very many putts on the front nine, just barely missing edges, barely misreading putts. I was still striking it well. I knew if I just kept doing it the tide would eventually turn.”

—Bryson DeChambeau

Daniel Berger had three sub-70 rounds en route to T3.

17 20

HOW BRYSON DECHAMBEAU WON

Bryson DeChambeau shot a 6-under 30 on the back nine to charge to his first PGA TOUR victory at age 23. The 2015 U.S. Amateur and NCAA champion trailed Patrick Rodgers by four strokes entering the final round, but birdied Nos. 10, 11, 13, 14, 17 and 18 down the stretch to shoot a 6-under 65. The last birdie came on a 14-foot putt to pull even with Rodgers, and ultimately provided the one-stroke margin of victory when Rodgers bogeyed the 17th, one of four bogeys in a final-round 70. With the win, DeChambeau earned a spot in The Open Championship the following week. Wesley Bryan and Rick Lamb tied for third, two strokes back, while past John Deere champions Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson and Jonathan Byrd were part of a five-way tie for fifth.  In addition to his back-nine 30 in the final round, DeChambeau had a 30 on the front nine (his second nine) in a second-round 65.  DeChambeau ranked second in Strokes Gained: Putting and made 14 putts between 10 and 20 feet on the week.  DeChambeau hit 17 greens in regulation in the final round.

Rick Lamb was T3 on the strength of a third-round 63.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

No. 17, TPC Deere Run.

Field: 156 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $5.8 million Winner’s Share: $1,044,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

charity Benefit

check this out

2009-11. His 64 on Sunday was his ninth round of 64 or better.

X Zach Johnson ran his streak of par-orbetter rounds at the John Deere Classic to 37, 33 of which have been in the 60s. His T5 gave him seven top-five finishes in the event, including a win in 2012.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Bryson DeChambeau

1

66

65

70

65

266/-18

500.00

$1,008,000.00

Patrick Rodgers

2

65

64

68

70

267/-17

300.00

$604,800.00

Wesley Bryan

T3

66

71

67

64

268/-16

162.50

$324,800.00

Rick Lamb

T3

69

70

63

66

268/-16

162.50

$324,800.00

T5

69

67

63

70

269/-15

93.00

$189,840.00

T5

70

65

67

67

269/-15

93.00

$189,400.00

Zach Johnson

T5

65

67

70

67

269/-15

93.00

$189,400.00

Scott Stallings

T5

71

64

64

70

269/-15

93.00

$189,400.00

Steve Stricker

T5

73

67

65

64

269/-14

93.00

$189,400.00

images: getty images

Runner-up Patrick Rodgers got off to a hot start, shooting 65-64.

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Wesley Bryan’s closing 64 moved him into T3.

The signature hole at TPC Deere Run is the par-3 16th, named “Mother Earth.” The 158-yard hole, one of the prettiest in the Midwest, is adjacent to the Rock River with bunkers protecting its flanks.

It offers a chance for birdies as the players hit the finishing stretch, playing to a 2.842 average in 2017.

fan eXPerience

18 20

Daniel Berger Jonathan Byrd

notaBle course features

18 20

X Bryson DeChambeau was playing in his second John Deere Classic, having received a sponsor exemption in 2015 as an amateur. He missed the cut in that appearance.

X Steve Stricker’s T5 finish was his eighth top-10 and sixth top-five in 16 starts in the tournament, including consecutive wins in

The tournament raised $12.2 million for 521 local and regional Quad Cities charities in 2017, mostly through the innovative Birdies for Charity program through which charitable organizations solicit pledges based on the number of birdies in the tournament. On top of that, the tournament delivers an additional check to each charity from tournament revenues, direct contributions and the John Deere Foundation.

The air-conditioned John Deere Family Zone has interactive activities for kids all week and on Tuesday hosts McDonald’s Youth Day, which also features a driving-range clinic. All ticketholders get in free for the pro-am on Wednesday and there is a charity concert Wednesday evening. On Saturday, military guests are invited to the villa behind the 15th green for complimentary food and beverages.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

July 19-22, 2018

Barbasol Championship Location Nicholasville, Ky. Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course)

Course Information The Champions Course at Keene Trace Golf Club outside of Lexington was built in 1987 and designed by noted architect Arthur Hills. Ranked among the top courses in Kentucky, it has hosted the NCAA Championship, U.S. Senior Amateur and numerous Kentucky Opens. In preparation for the first PGA TOUR event in Kentucky since 1959, four new tees have been built and about 300 trees removed.

“I was in control. I didn’t get out of my game plan once. I was going to let them make the mistakes instead of myself.”—Grayson Murray

Yardage 7,270; par 72

Grayson Murray, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel

Tickets Daily grounds passes for Thursday through Sunday range from $30-$40 and a week-long pass for all four days is $100, available in advance at www. barbasolchampionshipky.com.

Kids under 16 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

HOW GRAYSON MURRAY WON

17 20

2017 Champion

PGA TOUR rookie Grayson Murray moved into contention by shooting 64-64 in the middle rounds and prevailed on Sunday in a tight battle where the lead changed hands among several players. Scott Stallings led through 54 holes, but fell back on the front nine of the final round on the way to a 71. Tag Ridings was in front late on the back nine before making a double bogey on the 16th hole. Murray, who had eagled the 13th, made a birdie on 16 to move in front on the way to a 68 and a 21-under 263 total in the tournament’s last year at the Robert Trent Jones Trail’s Grand National Course in Alabama. Chad Collins missed a six-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that would have put him in a playoff.  Murray led the field in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee at 1.518 strokes per round as he ranked third in Driving Distance and T8 in Driving Accuracy.  Murray ranked third in Greens in Regulation Percentage, hitting 62 of 72 greens.  Murray had 26 birdies and an eagle to rank T1 in Par Breakers.

Brian Gay’s final-round 65 moved him up into T3.

Chad Collins’ secondround 60 broke the tournament record by three strokes.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

No. 18, Keene Trace Golf Club.

Field: 132 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $3.5 million Winner’s Share: $630,000 FedExCup Points: 300 to the winner

charity Benefit In its first year in Kentucky, the Barbasol Championship is launching its “Birdies for the Bluegrass” campaign in which donors can make a pledge to a participating charity based on the total number of birdies. The tournament will match dollars up to 10 percent and will also make direct contributions to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, the Woodhall Community Center and Wounded Heroes.

X Chad Collins shot a 60 in the second round and Scott Stallings a 60 in the third round to set the tournament 18-hole record.

In the first two years of the event that started in 2015, the best score was 63 by six players.

X After the first two winners of the Barbasol Championship were past PGA

TOUR winners in their 30s (Scott Piercy and Aaron Baddeley), Grayson Murray won at age 23 and claimed his first PGA TOUR win.

X Grayson Murray’s 72-hole total of 263 was the lowest in the tournament, surpassing Scott Piercy’s 265 in 2015.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Grayson Murray

1

67

64

64

68

263/-21

300.00

$630,000.00

Chad Collins

2

67

60

69

68

264/-20

165.00

$378,000.00

Brian Gay

T3

69

63

68

65

265/-19

83.33

$182,000.00

Tag Ridings

T3

66

67

63

69

265/-19

83.33

$182,000.00

Scott Stallings

T3

69

65

60

71

265/-19

83.33

$182,000.00

On the strength of a 60 in the third round, Scott Stallings was T3.

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T28.Barbasol Championship.indd 145

Tag Ridings was T3 after shooting 69 in the final round.

The nines will be reversed from their usual configuration in order to better accommodate spectators and hospitality venues. That means the course will end on a par 3 of 200 yards over water.

The 17th hole is a reachable par 5 with the same lake running down the entire left side.

fan eXPerience

18 20

images: getty images; DaviD Coyle/bD global

Player

notaBle course features

18 20

check this out

The Kentucky Proud Village at the end of the 16th hole will feature grilled beef, pulled pork and a craft beer selection. Also open to the public are the Natty Shack on the 11th, the Grey Goose 19th Hole and the Michelob Ultra Bar. A premium ticket affords entry to the air-conditioned Man O’ War Paddock with a premium food and beverage menu.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

July 19-22, 2018

The Open Championship Location Carnoustie, Scotland Carnoustie Golf Links

Course Information Carnoustie Golf Club was founded in 1839 with a 10-hole course laid out by the top professional of the day, Allan Robertson. Four-time Open champion Tom Morris Sr. extended the course to 18 holes in 1867 and five-time Open champion James Braid oversaw sweeping changes in 1927, leading to the course hosting its first of seven Open Championships four years later. With thick rough and Barry Burn threading through the layout, Carnoustie is known for its exceptional difficulty.

Yardage 7,421; par 71

2017 Champion Jordan Spieth, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/NBC

Tickets Daily grounds tickets for championship days are £70 Thursday and Friday and £80 on the weekend, with youth tickets (ages 16-24) half price and free tickets for juniors (under 16). A new weekend bundle for Saturday and Sunday is £140 (£70 for youth). A weekly ticket is £270 for adults, £130 for youth.

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“I was so confident and then all of a sudden the wheels have kind of come off everything. And how do we get back on track to salvage this round and just give yourself a chance at the end?”

—Jordan Spieth

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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HOW JORDAN SPIETH WON

After spending 13 holes like he was trying to throw the tournament away, Jordan Spieth turned things around in spectacular fashion to win at Royal Birkdale.

Starting the final round with a three-stroke lead, Spieth had fallen into a tie when he hit his drive on the 13th way to the right and had to declare the ball unplayable.

Taking his penalty drop on the practice range, Spieth hit a blind 3-iron to near the green and got up and down for a bogey to go 4-over for the round and one stroke behind Matt Kuchar.

Spieth didn’t stay behind for long—he birdied the 14th with a near ace, holed a 40-foot putt for an eagle on the par-5 15th, and for good measure birdied 16 and 17. He finished with a 1-under 69 for a 268 total and his third major title. Kuchar shot a more conventional 69 to take second place, three behind.  Spieth had no bogeys in the first and third rounds, shooting 65 each time, but four bogeys in the second round and five in the final round.  Spieth eagled the 14th hole in both the second and fourth rounds, enabling him to shoot 1-under 69 in each round.  Spieth ranked T59 in Fairways Hit (24 of 59) but T3 in Greens in Regulation (50 of 72).

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2018 tournament overview

Field: 156 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $10.25 million (2017) Winner’s Share: $1,845,000 (2017) FedExCup Points: 600 to the winner

charity Benefit Each year, The R&A invests more than £5 million in support of golf worldwide.

In recent years, through the Working For Golf program, there has been a focus on financing development in countries where golf is relatively new. Grassroots initiatives have been supported in countries across five continents.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Jordan Spieth

1

69

65

69

268/-12

600.00

$1,845,000.00

330.00

65

Matt Kuchar

2

65

71

66

69

271/-9

Haotong Li

3

69

73

69

63

274/-6

Rafa Cabrera Bello

T4

67

73

67

68

275/-5

135.00

$480,000.00

Rory McIlroy

T4

71

68

69

67

275/-5

135.00

$480,000.00

X Jordan Spieth joined Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win three legs of the Grand Slam before their 24th birthday, Spieth having won the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015. He turned 24 four days after The Open Championship.

X In the modern era (post World War II), only Tiger Woods, with 15, has more wins on the PGA TOUR before turning 24 than Spieth’s 11.

X Spieth became the fifth player to win The Open with four rounds in the 60s, joining Greg Norman (1993), Nick Price (1994), Tiger Woods (2000) and Henrik Stenson (2016).

X Spieth shared the first-round lead and led after each of the other rounds, becoming the 13th player to either lead or co-lead after every round (including seven who led outright after every round).

Matt Kuchar, who battled hard for the title throughout the final round before finishing second, commented, “You work so hard to get to this position and to have a chance to make history and win a championship. You don’t get that many opportunities. And to be this close, to taste it with five holes to go, it’s a hard one to sit back and take.”

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The 487-yard par-4 18th hole is one of the hardest in golf, with Barry Burn snaking around to guard both sides of the fairway on the tee shot and the front of the green on the approach, forcing a layup if the drive finds a questionable lie in the rough or a bunker. It played to a 4.611 average in the 2007 Open, with 44 double bogeys and 10 triple bogeys or worse.

fan eXPerience

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check this out

$1,067,000.00 $684,000.00

18 20

notaBle course features

The Spectator Village has a number of food and beverage offerings, giant TV screens, a dedicated kids’ play area and the HSBC Golf Zone where fans can test their golf skills.

Bring headphones to use with the championship’s mobile app for live video, radio broadcasts and live scoring. The Open Camping Village is a free place to camp for holders of a youth ticket (ages 16-24).

images: aCTiON images; aLamY

quick facts

No. 17, Carnoustie Golf Links.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

July 26-29, 2018

RBC Canadian Open Location Oakville, Ont., Canada Glen Abbey Golf Club

Course Information The first solo design of 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus, Glen Abbey is hosting its 30th RBC Canadian Open since opening in 1976. It also serves as home to Golf Canada and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. Built on a former Harold Watson course, Glen Abbey features numerous mounds and water hazards, including Sixteen Mile Creek.

Yardage 7,253; par 72

“My ball-striking was great this week, which is something I’ve been struggling with the last few weeks.”—Jhonattan Vegas

2017 Champion Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela

Golf Channel/CBS/ TSN/Global

Tickets Advance grounds tickets cost $65-$75 for tournament days, varying by day, or $75 for an Any Single Day ticket, available at www.rbccanadianopen. com. A weekly ticket costs $150. Children 17 and under are admitted free.

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HOW JHONATTAN VEGAS WON

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Media Coverage

Jhonattan Vegas had missed the cut in five straight events, but a return to the site of his 2016 victory turned things around as he successfully defended his title, defeating Charley Hoffman in a playoff. Vegas trailed 54-hole leader Hoffman by three strokes entering the final round, but the Venezuelan came out blazing with a 5-under 30 on the front nine to pull even.

It was a nip-and-tuck battle on the back nine, with Vegas inching ahead but Hoffman forcing a playoff with a birdie on 18. Vegas followed up his closing 65 with a birdie on the first playoff hole, No. 18, despite his second shot grazing the lip of a fairway bunker on the par 5 before carrying the water and finishing near the green. Ian Poulter finished one stroke back after a final-round 64.  Vegas had only five over-par holes all week, four bogeys and one double bogey.  Vegas made three birdie putts longer than 20 feet in the final round, including a 40-footer on the ninth hole.  Vegas ranked fifth in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green at 1.788 per round.

Third-round leader Charley Hoffman had a solid Sunday but lost in a playoff.

On the strength of a second-round 63, Gary Woodland finished fourth.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

No. 18, Glen Abbey Golf Club.

Field: 156 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $6.2 million Winner’s Share: $1,116,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

charity Benefit

check this out

X The win was the fourth in a row for an international player at the RBC Canadian Open, with the two wins by Venezuela’s Vegas following South Africa’s Tim Clark (2014) and Australia’s Jason Day (2015).

X Since 2008, only one 54-hole leader has won the event (Brandt Snedeker, 2013).

leaDerBoarD 2017 Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Jhonattan Vegas

1

66

69

67

65

267/-21

500.00

$1,080,000.00

Charley Hoffman

2

68

66

65

68

267/-21

300.00

$648,000.00

Ian Poulter

3

67

69

68

64

268/-20

190.00

$408,000.00

Gary Woodland

4

70

63

68

68

269/-19

135.00

$288,000.00

Tony Finau

T5

69

67

66

68

270/-18

100.00

$219,000.00

Robert Garrigus

T5

70

69

62

69

270/-18

100.00

$219,000.00

Brandon Hagy

T5

65

68

69

68

270/-18

100.00

$219,000.00

England’s Ian Poulter charged up the leaderboard with a closing 64 to finish third.

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Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus helps kick off the 2017 RBC Canadian Open by shooting a hockey puck at #TheRink during Hall of Fame Day.

The most striking and challenging stretch at Glen Abbey is Nos. 11-15, known as the valley holes, which incorporate Sixteen Mile Creek. The 457-yard par-4 14th, which calls for a risk/ reward tee shot that flirts with the creek, was the toughest on the course in 2017.

fan eXPerience

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images: getty images; rbc canadian open

Player

notaBle course features

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X Jhonattan Vegas became only the third player to win the RBC Canadian Open in consecutive years since 1945, joining Jim Ferrier (1950-51) and Jim Furyk (2006-07).

X Vegas’ 72-hole total of 21-under 267 was one off the low total when the event has been played at Glen Abbey. Tiger Woods posted a 22-under 266 in 2000.

The official charity of the RBC Canadian Open is the Golf Canada Foundation. As the leading source of golf philanthropy in Canada, the foundation has awarded more than $6 million in grants and scholarships since 1982. The foundation’s mission is to support and promote programs that increase participation in golf by engaging players of all ages and abilities across Canada.

In addition to world-class golf, fans will enjoy onsite destinations such as The Rink, Spectator Village and Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. #OurOpen is a festival golf experience for spectators and event enthusiasts of all ages.

Admission is free for all on Tuesday for a fun, interactive Official Opening Ceremony as part of Hall of Fame Day and fans are encouraged to wear Canada’s colors for Red and White Day on Friday.

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August 2-5, 2018

Barracuda Championship Location Reno, Nev. Montreux Golf & Country Club

Course Information Opened in 1997, this Jack Nicklaus Signature Design located between Lake Tahoe and Reno flows dramatically through both high desert and pine forests.

Tree-lined fairways and natural water hazards make for a demanding traditional test, while strong elevation changes add to the scenic beauty and challenge.

Yardage 7,472; par 72

2017 Champion Chris Stroud, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel

Tickets Good Any One Day tickets for grounds admission Thursday through Sunday cost $27.25 and a Season Pass is $59.95, available at www. barracudachampionship. com. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult (limit three children per adult).

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“Eleven years I’ve waited for that. So it’s a dream come true.”

—Chris Stroud

Seeking his first PGA TOUR win, Greg Owen was eliminated on the first playoff hole.

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HOW CHRIS STROUD WON

Chris Stroud charged from 13 points behind and T22 through 54 holes with a 20-point final round in the modified Stableford format and after a wait of two hours, including two weather delays, won a three-way playoff. Stroud hit a 5-wood to five feet and eagled the par-5 18th hole in regulation, then birdied 18 in both holes of the playoff, the second with a 5-iron to 12 feet and a two-putt birdie to beat Richy Werenski after Greg Owen had been eliminated on the first extra hole.

Stroud had nine birdies, an eagle, three bogeys and five pars in what would have been a stroke-play 64 as he claimed his first victory in 11 years on the PGA TOUR. Owen and Werenski both birdied 18 in regulation to reach the playoff, but Owen lost a five-point lead through 54 holes.  Stroud’s 20-point final round was three points better than any other score on the week. Ryan Palmer had 17 in the final round.  Stroud birdied the first three holes on Sunday and also birdied Nos. 13-15 to set up his eagle on 18.

Richy Werenski lost on the second extra hole but enjoyed his best finish on TOUR.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

No. 18, Montreux Golf & Country Club.

Field: 132 players Format: 72 holes modified Stableford Purse: $3.4 million Winner’s Share: $612,000 FedExCup Points: 300 to the winner

charity Benefit The Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation oversees the Barracuda Championship, with proceeds benefiting more than 100 charities. The event has donated nearly $4 million to nonprofits in its 19-year history. Additionally, there are the Birdies for Charity pledge program and the Chip in For Education voucher program that raises money for local schools.

check this out

X Stroud was the ninth player in the 19-year history of the Barracuda Championship to make it his first PGA TOUR victory. The other two players in the playoff, Greg Owen and Richy Werenski, were also looking for their first win.

X Stroud had missed the cut in all three previous appearances in the event.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Chris Stroud

1

+9

+3

Greg Owen

T2

+9

+14

+12

+20

+44

300.00

$594,000.00

+14

+7

+44

135.00

$290,400.00

Richy Werenski

T2

+11

+15

+4

+14

+44

135.00

$290,400.00

3

Stuart Appleby

T4

+14

+10

+8

+9

+41

72.50

$145,200.00

Tom Hoge

T4

+11

+9

+10

+11

+41

72.50

$145,200.00

images: getty images

A strong opening 36 holes boosted Stuart Appleby to T4 in the modified Stableford format.

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Tom Hoge’s steady play earned him a tie for fourth place.

The 17th and 18th holes provide a dramatic finish. The tee at the 464-yard, par-4 17th sits 131 feet above the fairway, with a meandering creek making it one of the toughest holes on the course.

The 616-yard, par-5 18th offers the chance for an eagle, but with water to the right of the green and out of bounds lining the left side it also has double-bogey danger.

fan eXPerience

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X Chris Stroud’s 20 points on Sunday were two short of the single-round tournament record set in 2015 by Kyle Reifers. The tournament has used the modified Stableford format for six years.

X Stroud was the first player to come from behind and win in the final round since Matt Bettencourt in 2010.

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notaBle course features

Your 2018 Barracuda Championship ticket gets you entry onto The Patio on the 18th Green presented

by RenoTahoe, where great barbecue and ice-cold drinks are available for purchase.

All tournament attendees are invited to join the party and admire the spectacular views from the 18th Green.

The Discovery at Barracuda Presented by Circus Circus Kids STEAM Zone features family activities, including interactive demonstrations, brainteasers, fun giveaways, golf-themed science exhibits and more. The Fairway Independent Mortgage Heroes Hangout is an exclusive viewing area for military members (including veterans) and first responders. Upgraded tickets give access to the Lexus Chalet at the 18th green or Tito’s Terrace at the ninth.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 2-5, 2018

Location Akron, Ohio Firestone Country Club (South Course)

World Golf ChampionshipsBridgestone Invitational

Course Information Firestone Country Club, established in 1929 by Harvey Firestone, has been well known to tournament golfers for decades. The club features 54 holes, but the South Course is its jewel.

Bert Way designed the South Course when the facility opened and Robert Trent Jones Sr. redesigned it prior to the 1960 PGA Championship—the first of three times Firestone held that event. The layout, which has hosted a series of PGA TOUR events over the years, has a notable collection of long and rugged par 4s.

Yardage 7,400; par 70

2017 Champion Hideki Matsuyama, Japan

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets Good-Any-One-Day Firestone Passes are $48 and a Weekly Firestone Pass is $145, available at BridgestoneInvitational.com.

Tickets to the upgraded ULTRA Club are priced at $125 daily and $230 weekly. Youth 18 and under receive free grounds admission with a ticketed adult.

Social Media

“I just couldn’t believe that anyone could shoot 61 on this golf course.”

—Hideki Matsuyama

Zach Johnson, a 54-hole co-leader, closed with 68 to finish second.

Shooting 133 on the weekend, Charley Hoffman finished in third place.

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Thomas Pieters of Belgium broke par in two of the four rounds and finished fourth.

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Paul Casey closed strong to earn a share of fifth place.

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HOW HIDEKI MATSUYAMA WON

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama shot a 61 in the final round to surge past the leaders and win by five strokes at Firestone with a 16-under 264 total. Matsuyama trailed Zach Johnson and Thomas Pieters by two strokes entering the final round and grabbed the lead with a 30 on the front nine, sparked by a chip-in for an eagle on the par-5 second. Still, victory wasn’t assured until Matsuyama birdied the last three holes, all with putts from inside 10 feet.

Matsuyama said he didn’t know what to expect after a bad warm-up session before the round, but he must have used up his bad shots before reaching the course. The 61 tied the tournament record and was the best round of the week by four strokes.

Johnson closed with a 68 and had to settle for second, while Charley Hoffman claimed third with a 66.  Matsuyama had seven birdies, six bogeys and only five pars in a first-round 69 that included a streak of four straight birdies.  Matsuyama made only three bogeys over the last three rounds, none on Sunday.  Matsuyama had 23 birdies and one eagle to lead the field in Par Breakers.  Matsuyama was T1 in Greens in Regulation Percentage at 75.00, hitting 16 greens in the final round.  Matsuyama ranked T4 in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green and T1 in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green.

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2018 tournament overview

Field: Approx. 75 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $10 million Winner’s Share: $1,755,000 FedExCup Points: 550 to the winner

charity Benefit The tournament’s signature charities are Akron Children’s Hospital and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, with others including the LeBron James Family Foundation, Flashes of Hope, The First Tee and the Ronald McDonald House.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

1

69

67

67

61

264/-16

550.00

$1,660,000.00

2

69

67

65

68

269/-11

315.00

$1,045,000.00

200.00

Charley Hoffman

3

68

69

67

66

270/-10

Thomas Pieters

4

65

70

66

71

272/-8

$572,000.00 $422,000.00

Paul Casey

T5

70

69

67

67

273/-7

101.00

$268,500.00

Adam Hadwin

T5

68

69

67

69

273/-7

101.00

$268,500.00

Russell Knox

T5

66

71

68

68

273/-7

101.00

$268,500.00

Rory McIlroy

T5

67

69

68

69

273/-7

101.00

$268,500.00

check this out X Hideki Matsuyama’s 61 in the final round matched the Bridgestone Invitational record of Tiger Woods (2000 and 2013) and Sergio Garcia (2014). It set the record for lowest score in the final round.

X Matsuyama also won the WGC-HSBC Champions earlier in the 2016-17 campaign and joined Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson as the only players to win more than one 156

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World Golf Championships events in a season. He became the 12th to win more than one in a career.

X Matsuyama became the seventh international player to win the Bridgestone Invitational, and the first from Japan.

X The 61 by Matsuyama was the lowest final-round score by a winner in any World Golf Championships event by three strokes.

The signature hole at Firestone’s South Course is the 667-yard, par-5 16th, known as “The Monster,” which Arnold Palmer nicknamed during the 1960 PGA Championship after making an 8. Guarded by a pond in front of the green, it used to be considered unreachable in two shots, but due to the downhill nature of the hole and firm fairways, long hitters have been able to give it a go in recent years.

fan eXPerience

18 20

Hideki Matsuyama Zach Johnson

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notaBle course features

The Pennzoil Fan Zone presented by Firestone Complete Auto Care features the 16th Hole Green Monster Challenge, where spectators can hit shots to a replica of the famous 16th hole, and a variety of activities at Kids Landing.

The Lawn at Water Tower Way is an enhanced area next to the clubhouse with an autograph area for kids, cornhole, a large screen of the telecast and more. Food is a major feature, with local favorites located throughout the course.

images: geTTY images; us pga Tour

quick facts

No. 18, Firestone Country Club (South Course).

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20/06/2018 15:10

CLUB SELECTION IS EVERYTHING

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17/05/2018 11:28

2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 9-12, 2018

PGA Championship Location St. Louis, Mo. Bellerive Country Club

Course Information Bellerive Country Club was founded in 1897, but the current course dates to 1960 when the club moved to a new site west of St. Louis and hired Robert Trent Jones Sr. to design the layout on what had been farmland. He built a long, strong course that quickly was chosen to host the 1965 U.S. Open, won by Gary Player. Later events include the 1992 PGA Championship, 2004 U.S. Senior Open, 2008 BMW Championship and 2013 Senior PGA Championship. Jones’ son, Rees, did a remodel and renovation in 2006.

Yardage 7,300; par 70

2016 Champion Justin Thomas, U.S.

Media Coverage TNT/CBS

Tickets Thursday through Sunday tickets are sold out, and so are season ticket packages. Regardless of the sellout, juniors 17 and under are free at the gate with an accompanying ticketed adult (limit four juniors per adult). Active duty, military retirees, active reserve, National Guard and accompanying guest (limit one) receive complimentary daily grounds tickets.

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“I just had an unbelievable calmness throughout the week, throughout the day.”

—Justin Thomas

CHECK THIS OUT  Thomas’ victory marked only the third time in the last 21 PGA Championships that the winner didn’t come from the final pairing. Thomas was in the next-to-last twosome with Hideki Matsuyama.  Francesco Molinari’s T2 matched the best finish by an Italian at a major championship (Costantino Rocca, 1995 Open Championship).

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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HOW JUSTIN THOMAS WON

 Justin Thomas’ father, Mike, and grandfather, Paul, are both PGA professionals.  Kevin Kisner failed in his bid to become the 10th player since the PGA became a stroke-play competition in 1958 to win after holding at least a share of the lead after every round. He finished T7 after a closing 74.  Louis Oosthuizen’s T2 gave him a runner-up finish in each of the four majors to go along with a win at the 2010 Open Championship.

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Justin Thomas shot a 3-under 68 in the final round to come from two strokes behind and emerge from a crowded field of contenders for a two-stroke victory with an 8-under 276 total at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.

Thomas was 1-over for the day through three holes but played the next 14 holes in 5-under before a meaningless bogey on 18. Back-to-back birdies on Nos. 9 and 10 brought Thomas squarely into the mix. The key blows down the stretch for the 24-year-old in winning his first major came on the two par-3s on the back nine, a 40-foot chip-in for birdie on the 13th and a 7-iron to 15 feet to birdie the 17th. Thomas led Hideki Matsuyama by only one stroke through 15 holes, but converted a six-foot par putt on the 16th while Matsuyama bogeyed to fall two back.

With Matsuyama and 54-hole leader Kevin Kisner fading on the last three holes, Francesco Molinari (67), Louis Oosthuizen (70) and Patrick Reed (67) tied for second at 278.  Thomas led the field in birdies with 20 for the week.  Thomas ranked first in Driving Distance (328.0) yards, but hit only half the fairways to rank T62 in Driving Accuracy Percentage.  Thomas ranked fourth in Strokes Gained: Putting and made 10 of 21 attempts between 10 and 20 feet.

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2018 tournament overview

Field: 156 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $10.5 million (2017) Winner’s Share: $1,890,000 FedExCup Points: 600 to the winner

Charity Benefit PGA REACH is the 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact lives by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf through flagship programs such as PGA Junior League for youth, PGA HOPE for the military and The PGA WORKS Fellowship for diversity and inclusion.

When Rees Jones redesigned Bellerive in 2006, he eliminated a pond in front of the par-5 17th hole (a creek remains on the right side of the entire hole). This gives players a better chance to go for the green in two on the 597-yard hole, which could create excitement down the stretch. Conversely, Jones added a pond at the front left of the green on the par-4 second hole, while shortening it by 20 yards to 410.

No. 11, Bellerive Country Club.

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Justin Thomas

1

73

66

69

68

276/-8

600.00

$1,890,000.00

Francesco Molinari

T2

73

64

74

67

278/-6

230.00

$784,000.00

Louis Oosthuizen

T2

70

67

71

70

278/-6

230.00

$784,000.00

Patrick Reed

T2

69

73

69

67

278/-6

230.00

$784,000.00

Rickie Fowler

T5

69

70

73

67

279/-5

115.00

$388,500.00

Hideki Matsuyama

T5

70

64

73

72

279/-5

115.00

$388,500.00

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fan eXPerienCe

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

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notaBle Course features

The 100th playing of the PGA Championship is a significant milestone for the PGA of America, which will celebrate the rich history of the championship and glance toward the next century to embrace the future of the sport.

images: action images; courtesy of the Pga of america

quiCk faCts

The Wanamaker Trophy at Bellerive Country Club, home of the 2018 PGA Championship.

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20/06/2018 15:16

CONTINUING TO BELIEVE WE’RE NEXT IS ALL WE HAVE.

MAKING THE NEXT STEP WILL CHANGE EVERY THING. WATCH THE JOURNEY UNFOLD ON THE WEB.COM TOUR. PGATOUR.COM/WEB.COM

THE PATH TO THE PGA TOUR

© 2018 PGATOUR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Player appearance subject to change.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 16-19, 2018

Greensboro, N.C. Sedgefield Country Club

Course Information

Founded in 1926, Sedgefield Country Club’s Donald Ross design features gently rolling fairways leading to the architect’s small, undulating greens. The layout first hosted the PGA TOUR in 1938. After a 31-year absence, the Wyndham Championship returned to Sedgefield in 2008.

Architect Kris Spence completed a restoration of the course in 2007 while lengthening it to accommodate the modern player. In 2012, the greens were changed from bentgrass to Champion Bermuda.

Yardage 7,127; par 70

2017 Champion Henrik Stenson, Sweden

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets

Advance grounds tickets are $10$20 for practice rounds and $35 in advance but increase incrementally to $50 per day during tournament week. Tickets are available through www.wyndhamchampionship.com or Ticketmaster. Good-Any-Day tickets are $60; weekly grounds tickets are $150. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult (one per ticketed adult). Military members and veterans receive up to two complementary tickets per day after online registration, teachers representing Piedmont Triad K-12 institutions and Piedmont Triadarea first responders are admitted free with one guest.

Social Media

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“I played some fairly solid golf in the last couple of tournaments, but you never know when a win is around the corner.”

—Henrik Stenson

Buoyed by a secondround 63, Kevin Na was T4.

HOW HENRIK STENSON WON

17 20

Location

Wyndham Championship

Henrik Stenson birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th holes in the final round, and he needed them all to hold off Ollie Schniederjans, who birdied Nos. 15, 17 and 18 to finish one behind.

There was a four-way tie for the lead early in the back nine before Stenson and Schniederjans pulled away. Stenson was around the lead all week, opening with 62-66 to trail by one each of the first two days, adding another 66 to take a one-stroke lead, and then firing a final-round 64. Schniederjans, playing ahead of Stenson, hit an approach to two feet on 18 for a birdie and a 64 of his own, but the Swede clinched it with a 30-foot birdie putt on 17 and par on 18.  Stenson shot a 31 on his first nine of the tournament, the front nine on Thursday, and finished with a 31 on the back nine on Sunday.  Stenson made eight birdies in each of the first, third and fourth rounds and five in the second round.  Stenson didn’t use a driver all week but ranked third in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green.

Ollie Schniederjans nearly holed out for eagle on the 72nd hole to force a playoff but settled for birdie narrowly missing his maiden PGA TOUR victory.

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2018 tournament overview

quick facts

No. 18, Sedgefield Country Club.

Field: 156 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $6 million Winner’s Share: $1,080,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner

charity Benefit

The Wyndham Championship is presented by the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation with donations in the areas of youth/ education, community and the environment. Beneficiaries include multiple children’s backpack programs, the Kevin Harvick Foundation, The First Tee of the Triad, the American Junior Golf Association, the Paul Tesori Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

X Henrik Stenson’s 72-hole total of 258 was a tournament record, breaking the mark of 259 by Carl Pettersson (2008) and Si Woo Kim (2016).

X Stenson’s victory was the sixth by an international player in the last 10 years of the Wyndham Championship and third of the last four (Camilo Villegas, 2014; Si Woo Kim 2016).

X Stenson’s sixth career PGA TOUR victory moved him past Pettersson and Jesper Parnevik for the most wins by a player from Sweden.

X Martin Flores shot a final-round 63, including a hole-in-one at 16, to move from 139th to inside the top 125 in points and qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

Earnings

Henrik Stenson

1

62

66

66

64

258/-22

500.00

$1,044,000.00

Ollie Schniederjans

2

66

63

66

64

259/-21

300.00

$626,400.00

Webb Simpson

3

63

64

68

67

262/-18

190.00

$394,400.00

Ryan Armour

T4

66

71

62

64

263/-17

115.00

$239,733.34

Kevin Na

T4

67

63

65

68

263/-17

115.00

$239,733.33

Rory Sabbatini

T4

65

68

66

64

263/-17

115.00

$239,733.33

images: getty images

Ryan Armour’s wonderful final 36 holes (62-64) allowed him to climb to T4.

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2011 Wyndham Championship winner Webb Simpson enjoyed a good week in his home state, shooting 18-under to take third place.

The toughest hole at Sedgefield for the Wyndham Championship is the 507-yard 18th, a par 5 for the members that plays as a par 4 for the pros. The tee shot is downhill, leaving a difficult uphill approach off a downhill lie to a green with a significant back-to-front slope that makes it tough to putt.

fan eXPerience

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FedExCup Points

notaBle course features

18 20

check this out

Complementary attractions for all patrons include Margaritaville at the Wyndham with live music and upscale food and beverages, an enhanced Kids Zone near the main entrance, a chance to win prizes at Wyndham’s Key to Wyn location which will become a new home for a Habitat for Humanity family, the BB&T Fan Pavilion, the Sunbrella Comfort Zone and Sunbrella Sun Deck, Adirondack Alley at the 17th green and more. Upgraded tickets are available for the Legends Club or viewing platforms featuring an open bar at multiple locations.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 23-26, 2018

THE NORTHERN TRUST Location Paramus, N.J. The Ridgewood Country Club

Course Information The Ridgewood Country Club has 27 holes, with three strong nines designed by A.W. Tillinghast that opened in 1928. THE NORTHERN TRUST is played on a composite of the East, Center and West nines. In recent years, architect Gil Hanse has undertaken a restoration that has brought back original Tillinghast features. The club has hosted the 1935 Ryder Cup, 1990 U.S. Senior Open, 2001 Senior PGA Championship and THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2008, 2010 and 2014.

Yardage 7,385; par 71

2017 Champion Dustin Johnson, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/CBS

Tickets Advance grounds tickets for a specific day Tuesday to Sunday range from $40 to $70, and a Good-Any-One-Day ticket is $75, available at www.thenortherntrust.com.

A weekly pass costs $195. Children 18 and under are admitted free with a paying adult, and admission is free for military.

“The back nine was a lot of fun. I knew it was going to be tough and come down to the end—and it did.”

—Dustin Johnson

Three rounds in the 60s led Paul Casey to a fifth-place finish.

Runner-up Jordan Spieth held a threestroke advantage through 54 holes.

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HOW DUSTIN JOHNSON WON

Boosted by a second-round 65, Jhonattan Vegas finished T3.

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Jon Rahm tied for third place, four strokes out of the playoff.

Two of the top players in the world separated themselves from the field and ended up in a playoff, with Dustin Johnson defeating Jordan Spieth on the first extra hole at Long Island’s Glen Oaks Club.

Spieth had a three-stroke lead entering the final round and extended his lead to five strokes through five holes. However, he double bogeyed the 6th and was on the wrong end of a two-stroke swing on the 9th, while Johnson birdied the 10th and 11th to tie the lead at 11-under.

Both players made two birdies over the last eight holes, but the drama at the end of regulation was provided by Spieth’s 19-foot par-saving putt on the 17th and Johnson’s 17-foot par save on the 18th to shoot 66 and match Spieth’s 13-under 267 total, four strokes clear of the rest of the field.

In the playoff, Johnson smashed a 341-yard drive over water and hit a wedge approach to four feet for a birdie and his 16th PGA TOUR title.  Johnson made only four bogeys all week, none in the final round.  Johnson’s ball-striking was outstanding, ranking first in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and second in Strokes Gained: Approachthe-Green. He was a respectable 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.  Johnson ranked second in Driving Distance, T8 in Driving Accuracy Percentage and T3 in Greens in Regulation Percentage.

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Field: Top-125 players in the FedExCup standings Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $9 million Winner’s Share: $1,620,000 FedExCup Points: 2,000 to the winner

charity Benefit The official charity of THE NORTHERN TRUST is Tackle Kids Cancer of the Children’s Cancer Center Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center, with other main beneficiaries including The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, K9s for Warriors and the YMCA. Since its inception in 1967, the event has donated more than $45 million to local New York/ New Jersey charities.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Dustin Johnson

1

69

67

66

267/-13

2,000.00

$1,575,000.00

65

Jordan Spieth

2

69

65

64

69

267/-13

1,200.00

$945,000.00

Jon Rahm

T3

68

68

67

68

271/-9

650.00

$507,500.00

T3

69

65

72

65

271/-9

650.00

$507,500.00

5

69

68

66

71

274/-6

440.00

$350,000.00

check this out X Dustin Johnson won THE NORTHERN TRUST for the second time, his victory at Glen Oaks Club added to one at Plainfield Country Club in 2011. He became the sixth multiple winner, joining Vijay Singh with four and Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia with two each.

X Johnson’s fourth victory of the season moved him to No. 1 in the FedExCup standings with three Playoffs events remaining. He would finish the season No. 4.

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X In addition to winning THE NORTHERN TRUST in the FedExCup Playoffs, two of Johnson’s four total 2017 victories came at World Golf Championships events: the WGC-Mexico Championship and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. He also won the Genesis Open in February.

X The playoff between Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth was the first time the event went into extra holes since Matt Kuchar defeated Martin Laird in 2010.

The uphill, 291-yard par-4 12th hole is known as the “Five and Dime” hole, getting that nickname from when Hall of Famer Byron Nelson used to play the hole with a 5-iron and a wedge— then known as a 10-iron— while serving as assistant pro at The Ridgewood Country Club in the 1930s. The hole is driveable, but the narrow green presents a small target, and getting up and down from either side isn’t easy.

fan experience

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Jhonattan Vegas Paul Casey

18 20

notaBle course features

Along the 17th fairway, fans will have access to the Garden State Marketplace, which will feature top Metropolitan-area restaurants including Shake Shack, Momofuku and Luke’s Lobster. Fans can also enjoy great food and drinks and views of golf from inside The First Round Beer Garden on the 12th hole. Check out www.thenortherntrust.com for more details on what to expect while attending THE NORTHERN TRUST.

images: geTTY images, us pga Tour; The ridgewood CounTrY Club

quick facts

No. 14, The Ridgewood Country Club.

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19/06/2018 15:00

CLUB SELECTION IS EVERYTHING

TPC San Antonio

TPC Potomac

TPC Summerlin

TPC Deere Run

LOOKING FOR THE BEST IN GOLF? LOOK FOR TPC.® From the deserts of Arizona, to the beaches of Puerto Rico, only 32 golf courses exceed the expectations of the PGA TOUR. For the ultimate golf experience, join the TPC Network.

Play with the confidence of a champion. Play TPC. TEE TIMES

VACATIONS

Visit TPC.COM

PGA TPC2.indd 1

MEMBERSHIPS

It’s a good day for golf.

17/05/2018 11:29

2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 31-September 3, 2018

Dell Technologies Championship Location Norton, Mass.

TPC Boston

Course Information Opened in 2002, TPC Boston is situated on nearly 400 acres that was once used for charcoal production and later as a gravel mine. Arnold Palmer was the original designer, winding the course through natural terrain, woodlands and wetlands. Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, with help from PGA TOUR player Brad Faxon, oversaw a renovation in 2007.

Yardage 7,342; par 71

2017 Champion Justin Thomas, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/NBC

Tickets Daily grounds tickets range from $25-$55, with a Good Any One Day Ticket priced at $60 and weekly grounds ticket at $185, available on www. pgatour.com/tournament/delltechnologies-championship. html. Kids 15 and under are free with a paying adult.

Social Media

“I got off to a pretty good start, and it was like I wasn’t even there. I don’t know if it worked out to my advantage, but it just kind of helped with me staying patient all day.”—Justin Thomas

Jon Rahm closed with a 68 to finish T4.

A front-nine 30 in the final round buoyed runner-up Jordan Spieth.

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IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES, US PGA TOUR

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HOW JUSTIN THOMAS WON

Marc Leishman was third after a closing 70 on an up-anddown day.

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Paul Casey tied for fourth, shooting a final-round 70.

Justin Thomas weathered front-nine charges by Jordan Spieth and Marc Leishman and persevered with a closing 66 to claim his fifth victory of the year. Thomas began the final round tied for the lead with Leishman, but Spieth surged ahead when he played the first four holes in 5-under.

Spieth shot a 6-under 30 on the front nine, but Leishman moved into the lead with a 30 of his own. Thomas stayed within hailing distance with a 32, then added a 1-under 34 on the back nine while the other two contenders fell back. Spieth shot a 37 on the back for a 67 to finish second, while Leishman bogeyed three straight holes starting at the 10th and shot a 40 for a 70 and third place. Thomas picked up birdies on 13 and 15 and a nifty par save on 16 to finish at 17-under 267, three ahead of Spieth.  Thomas shot an 8-under 63 in the third round, with all eight of his birdies coming on par 4s.  Thomas made only two bogeys all week, going without one for a stretch of 50 holes from his 14th hole of the first round to the 11th hole of the final round.  Thomas ranked first in Strokes Gained: Tee-toGreen (2.881 per round) and eighth in Strokes Gained: Putting (1.122).

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quick facts

Paul Casey, No. 18, TPC Boston.

Field: 100 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $9 million Winner’s Share: $1,620,000 FedExCup Points: 2,000 to the winner

charity Benefit The three primary benefitting charities of the Dell Technologies Championship are Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and MassGeneral Hospital for Children, with other local charities also receiving support.

TPC Boston’s 18th hole is a par 5 of 530 yards that offers possibilities for eagle or birdie, but it’s no pushover, especially after a 2011-12 renovation that made the green smaller and more elevated.

There is a bunker to the right of the green and a drop-off to the left that make getting up and down difficult from either side. Strategically placed bunkers guard the tee shot and a wetlands area fronts the green.

leaDerBoarD 2017 Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Justin Thomas

1

71

67

63

66

267/-17

2,000.00

$1,575,000.00

Jordan Spieth

2

72

65

66

67

270/-14

1,200.00

$945,000.00

Marc Leishman

3

67

69

65

70

271/-13

760.00

$595,000.00

Paul Casey

T4

70

65

67

70

272/-12

490.00

$385,000.00

Jon Rahm

T4

67

66

71

68

272/-12

490.00

$385,000.00

X Justin Thomas, 24, was the fourth consecutive winner of the Dell Technologies Championship in his 20s, joining Chris Kirk (2014), Rickie Fowler (2015) and Rory McIlroy (2016).

X Starting with the 2014 Dell Technologies Championship, 11 of 13 winners in the FedExCup Playoffs have been in their 20s.

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X Vijay Singh (2004, 08) and Rory McIlroy (2012, 16) are the only multiple winners of the Dell Technologies Championship, which began in 2003.

X Thomas would go on to join Singh (2008), Henrik Stenson (2013) and McIlroy (2016) as the only winners of the Dell Technologies Championship to win the FedExCup title in the same year.

fan eXPerience

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Player

check this out

18 20

notaBle course features

All spectators receive access to numerous destinations, featuring entertainment, games and signature food and beverage items perfect for a Labor Day getaway. The Kids Village offers interactive activities for families, including a nine-hole mini golf course, mascot meet-and-greets and trophy visits all week.

The Fairway Fanzone features food trucks, the Dell Technologies Fan Experience and the GREY GOOSE Lounge, while on the 11th hole is the William Hill Estate Wine Lounge. w w w.pgatour.com

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PGATOUR.COM/CHAMPIONS

© 2018 PGATOUR, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PLAYER APPEARANCE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

PGA Champions.indd 1

17/05/2018 11:22

2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

September 6-9, 2018

BMW Championship Location Newtown Square, Pa. Aronimink Golf Club

Course Information Aronimink Golf Club dates to 1900, with the current course opening in 1928 designed by famed architect Donald Ross, who called it his “masterpiece.” The course was restored by Ron Prichard in the late 1990s, with a further restoration

by Gil Hanse in the last two years after the discovery of early photos.

Aronimink has hosted the 1962 PGA Championship, 2003 Senior PGA Championship and the PGA TOUR’s National in 2010 and 2011.

Yardage 7,237; par 70

2017 Champion Marc Leishman, Australia

Media Coverage Golf Channel/NBC

Tickets Advance grounds tickets are $78-$82 for tournament days, $30 for any practice day, available at www.bmwchampionshipusa. com. A weekly grounds booklet is $290. Juniors 16 and under receive complimentary grounds admission when accompanied by an adult (limit four juniors per adult). Military and veterans receive a complimentary ticket each day.

Social Media

“I didn’t get too worried, just tried to keep doing my own thing and give myself chances.”

—Marc Leishman

Jason Day, who in 2015 tied the tournament 72-hole scoring record, was fourth.

Justin Rose earned a share of second place after closing with a 65.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

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HOW MARC LEISHMAN WON

Matt Kuchar’s T5 was his eighth top-10 finish of the 2016-17 season.

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Clad in his usual Sunday orange and white colors, Rickie Fowler shot a 67 to finish T2.

Marc Leishman led from Day 1 when he shot an opening 62 at Conway Farms outside Chicago and went on to take a five-stroke victory with a 21-under 263 total.

Leishman was two shots in front after the first round, extended it to three after a 64 in the second round and to five after a 68 in the third. Things did tighten up during the final round, Justin Rose pulling within two on the back nine before Leishman closed it out with birdies on 15, 16 and 18 for a 67. It was a redemptive finish for Leishman after losing a two-stroke lead on the back nine of the previous event, the Dell Technologies Championship. The Australian’s second win of the year sent him to the TOUR Championship at No. 4 in the FedExCup standings. Rose shot a closing 65, while Rickie Fowler made three late birdies for a 67 to tie for second.  Leishman had 10 birdies in the first round and ranked first with 29 for the week.  Leishman shot a 5-under 30 on the front nine in the first round and a 31 in the second.  Leishman’s 62 was the best score in the first round and his 64 matched the best score in the second round.  Leishman ranked second in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green and fourth in Strokes Gained: Putting.

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Field: 70 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $9 million Winner’s Share: $1,620,000 FedExCup Points: 2,000 to the winner

Charity Benefit The Western Golf Association conducts the BMW Championship, with all 2018 proceeds going to fund Platt Evans Scholarships for caddies at Penn State and to establish a scholarship house at Penn State-University Park.

Since 2007, the event has raised $27 million for Evans Scholarships.

leaderboard 2017 Player

Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Marc Leishman

1

64

68

67

261/-23

2,000.00

62

Earnings $1,575,000.00

T2

65

64

70

67

266/-18

980.00

$770,000.00

T2

67

68

66

65

266/-18

980.00

$770,000.00

Jason Day

4

64

65

70

69

268/-16

540.00

$420,000.00

Matt Kuchar

T5

67

68

67

67

269/-15

420.00

$332,500.00

Jon Rahm

T5

69

68

65

67

269/-15

420.00

$332,500.00

CheCk this out X Marc Leishman’s 72-hole total of 261 was a tournament record, breaking the mark of 262 set by Tiger Woods (2007) and Jason Day (2015).

X Leishman was the 13th player to go wire-to-wire for a victory in the BMW Championship, which dates to 1899, but only the fifth since 1934. The others were Nick Price (1993), Tiger Woods (2003), Camilo Villegas (2008) and Jason Day (2015).

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X Xander Schauffele played the last six holes in 6-under to shoot a final-round 67 and move into the top 30 on the FedExCup points list to qualify for the TOUR Championship—which he would win.

X Patrick Cantlay qualified for the TOUR Championship by virtue of a birdie on the 72nd hole that moved him to 29th in FedExCup points.

Aronimink has a strong set of par-3s, with three of them (Nos. 8, 14 and 17) ranking among the four toughest holes on the course the last time the PGA TOUR visited Aronimink for the 2011 National. The 238-yard eighth, which plays to a narrow, angled green bisected by a mound, was the third-toughest par 3 on the TOUR that year, yielding only 15 birdies and producing a 3.379 scoring average.

fan eXPerienCe

18 20

Rickie Fowler Justin Rose

18 20

notaBle Course features

The tournament provides perks for BMW owners: BMW Owners’ Parking with a private shuttle service to the main gate, a BMW Concierge to assist with tournament entry and the BMW Owners’ Pavilion, a premier viewing area overlooking the 17th green with culinary delights and beverages in a stylish, spacious atmosphere. The Owners’ Pavilion is open to BMW owners and a guest.

images: geTTY images; us pga Tour; © russell KirK/golflinKsphoTographY.com

quiCk faCts

No. 14, Aronimink Golf Club.

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20/06/2018 11:12

2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

September 20-23, 2018

TOUR Championship Location Atlanta, Ga. East Lake Golf Club

Course Information Tom Bendelow’s 1908 design gave way to a complete overhaul just five years later by Donald Ross, which is the configuration on which Bobby Jones learned the game. George Cobb did a renovation prior to the 1963 Ryder Cup and Rees Jones restored the Ross layout in 1994. East Lake, original home of the Atlanta Athletic Club, hosted the TOUR Championship in 1998, 2000, 2002 and each season since 2004.

Yardage 7,346; par 70

2017 Champion Xander Schauffele, U.S.

Media Coverage Golf Channel/NBC

Tickets Advance daily grounds tickets are $25 to $65 depending on the day, Wednesday through Sunday, available at TOURChampionship. com. A weekly grounds pass costs $150. Admission is free for kids 18 and under with a paying adult.

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“Five months ago, two months ago, three hours ago, I wasn’t really expecting a whole lot.”—Xander Schauffele

Justin Thomas won the FedExCup title after shooting a final-round 66 to finish in second place.

Kevin Kisner was T3 after a closing 70.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

Paul Casey held the 54-hole lead en route to finishing fifth.

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Georgian Russell Henley had a good finish in his home state, T3, after a 65 in the final round.

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HOW XANDER SCHAUFFELE WON

Xander Schauffele put an exclamation point on an outstanding rookie season on the PGA TOUR with a victory at the TOUR Championship thanks to a 68 in the final round that gave him a one-stroke victory over Justin Thomas, whose runner-up finish enabled him to take the FedExCup season title.

Schauffele turned his season around with a T5 at the U.S. Open, won the Military Tribute at The Greenbrier the next month, and moved into the top 30 on the FedExCup points list to qualify for the TOUR Championship thanks to a fast finish at the BMW Championship. Schauffele was two strokes behind 54-hole leader Paul Casey entering the final round and took advantage as Casey slipped to a 73. Thomas shot a 66 in the final round and birdied 16 and 17 to tie Schauffele at 11-under.

But Thomas managed only a par 5 at the 18th and Schauffele, playing behind him, hit the fringe in two and ended up making a birdie putt from two feet, five inches for the victory.  Schauffele shot 66-65 in the middle rounds, finishing the second round with five birdies on the last six holes.  For the week, Schauffele played the eight par 5s in 7-under to rank T1.  Schauffele led the field in Strokes Gained: Off-theTee at 1.153 strokes per round.  Schauffele missed only two putts inside 10 feet all week.

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2018 tournament overview

Field: 30 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $9 million Winner’s Share: $1,620,000 FedExCup Points: 2,000 to the winner

charity Benefit The primary beneficiaries of the TOUR Championship are the East Lake Foundation, established in 1995 to lead the revitalization of the East Lake neighborhood, and The First Tee. More than $2.5 million was donated from the 2017 tournament, with a total of more than $27 million invested in local nonprofits since the event was first staged at East Lake Golf Club in 1998.

leaderBoard 2017 Pos 1

2

3

4

Total Score

FedExCup Points

Earnings

Xander Schauffele

1

69

66

65

68

268/-12

2,000.00

$1,575,000.00

Justin Thomas

2

67

66

70

66

269/-11

1,200.00

$945,000.00

Russell Henley

T3

67

71

67

65

270/-10

650.00

$511,875.00

Kevin Kisner

T3

68

68

64

70

270/-10

650.00

$511,875.00

Paul Casey

5

66

67

65

73

271/-9

440.00

$350,000.00

check this out X Xander Schauffele became the first rookie to win the TOUR Championship or any FedExCup Playoffs event.

X At 23 years, 10 months, 30 days, Schauffele became the third youngest winner of the TOUR Championship, behind Jordan Spieth in 2015 (22 years, 2 months) and Tiger Woods in 1999 (23 years, 10 months, 1 day).

X Schauffele became the fifth player to win the TOUR Championship in his first appearance, 178

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joining Chad Campbell (2003), Bart Bryant (2005), Bill Haas (2011) and Henrik Stenson (2013), not including Tom Watson’s win at the first TOUR Championship in 1987.

X With Justin Thomas winning the FedExCup title, 2017 was the first year since 2009 that the TOUR Championship winner didn’t claim the cup. In 2009, Phil Mickelson won the tournament while Tiger Woods took the FedExCup.

The reversal of nines from the way East Lake plays for members has made for exciting finishes in both years it has been instituted. The par-5 tournament 18th is listed at 590 yards on the scorecard, but was set up at between 567 and 572 in three of the rounds in 2017 to encourage players to go for the green in two.

fan eXPerience

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Player

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notaBle course features

Introduced in 2014, the SO Cool Zone, located near the 14th and 15th greens and 16th tee, has become the hangout for fans. It features fantastic local food options from Atlanta restaurants in shaded seating areas, big-screen video boards featuring the live telecast, and more. The Peachtree Porch, a viewing platform overlooking the eighth and ninth greens, also offers local food favorites.

images: Us Pga TOUR; geTTY images

quick facts

No. 18, East Lake Golf Club.

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WORLD GOLF VILLAGE | ST. AUGUSTINE, FL | worldgolfhalloffame.org

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2016 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW 2018

June 8-10, 2018

Principal Charity Classic

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Yardage

6,831; par 72

Tournament Record:

197, Gil Morgan, 2006; Jay Haas, 2012

Tournament 18-hole Record

63, John Bland, 2002; Tommy Armour III, 2010; Billy Andrade, 2016

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information

www. principalcharityclassic.com

Course Insight

The Wakonda Club was founded in 1922 and has been the site of several major amateur events, including the 1963 U.S. Amateur won by Deane Beman. William B. Langford designed the rolling parkland layout that features tree-lined fairways and several water hazards.

It underwent a major restoration following a flood in 1994 and has hosted the Principal Charity Classic since 2013.

HOW BRANDT JOBE WON

Brandt Jobe held off a charge by his UCLA roommate, Scott McCarron, and a finishing eagle

by Kevin Sutherland to claim his first PGA TOUR Champions title by one stroke. Defending champion McCarron birdied six straight holes in the final round, ending at the 13th, to tie Jobe for the lead.

But Jobe birdied the 15th to move back ahead and parred in from there for a 69 and 12-under 204 total.

Jobe had made six straight birdies himself during a second-round 66 that catapulted him toward his first victory since a victory in Japan 19 years earlier.

“It lets me know the things I’m doing are good, and to keep doing them,” said the 51-year-old. Sutherland (68) holed a 46-yard shot for an eagle on the short par-4 18th, his second eagle on the back nine, to tie McCarron (66) for second.

Bernhard Langer (67) was another shot back.

CHARITY BENEFIT The Principal Charity Classic benefits non-profit organizations that support children throughout the state of Iowa. The tournament raised more than $3.5 million last year, bringing the total amount since 2007 to approximately $13.5 million.

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

he second half of the PGA TOUR Champions season is highlighted by the third year of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, a three-tournament sequence that closes the season in thrilling fashion culminating in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. The portion of the schedule starting in June also features three majors and a pair of new tournaments.

The three majors are played in a five-week span starting in late June, with two weeks off mixed in. It starts with the U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado, which hosted the event in 2008 with Eduardo Romero winning. Next comes the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Exmoor Country Club outside Chicago, the first time the tournament has been played in the Midwest since 2006. The major stretch concludes with the Senior Open Championship presented

by Rolex, which will be played for the first time on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, the site of 29 Open Championships.

Following a run of established tournaments in August are two exciting new events on the schedule in September, one at a familiar site and one in a brand-new setting. The Ally Challenge brings PGA TOUR Champions players to Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in the Flint, Mich., area, where many of them competed in the Buick Open on the PGA TOUR. That is followed by the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, S.D., the first PGA TOUR Champions event to be played in that state.

The Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs get underway in mid-October, with 72 players competing in the Dominion Energy Classic in Richmond, Va. The top 54 players travel across the country to the next playoff event, the Invesco QQQ Championship at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif. After a week off, the top 36 compete in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship finale, which will be played for the second consecutive year at Phoenix (Ariz.) Country Club. 

Location

Wakonda Club, Des Moines, Iowa

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THE SEASON AHEAD

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

June 22-24, 2018

June 28-July 1, 2018

U.S. Senior Open Championship

American Family Insurance Championship

Yardage

7,024; par 72

Tournament Record: 199, Kirk Triplett, 2016

Tournament 18-hole Record 63, Gene Sauers, 2016; Paul Broadhurst, 2017

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information

www. amfamchampionship.com

IMAGES: GETTY

Course Insight

Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed University Ridge in 1991 on a ridge overlooking the city of Madison, and the course is home to the University of Wisconsin golf teams. The front nine is wide open, rolling through a preserved prairie and marshland, while the first six holes of the back nine are cut out of a dense woodland before opening up again at the par-5 16th, which features three fairways and 16 bunkers. The course hosted the 1998 NCAA Women’s Championship and the American Family Insurance Championship since its 2016 inception.

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Fred Couples played the first 11 holes in 6-under to set up a final-round 66 as he came from three strokes behind to win. It was the first tournament in nearly two months for the 57-year-old after resting his bad back. “I can take time off and hit the ball, that’s not really the problem,” said Couples after claiming his 13th PGA TOUR Champions victory. “It’s the scoring part.” Couples opened with rounds of 67-68 and his final round was spiced with birdies on Nos. 2, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 while he went without a bogey all day. Paul Broadhurst held a two-stroke lead through 36 holes after opening 63-69, but the Englishman slid to a final-round 73 to finish fifth.

Scott Verplank took second place, two strokes behind at 203, with a closing 69, while tournament host Steve Stricker (69) and Joe Durant (67) tied for third at 204.

CHARITY BENEFIT The American Family Insurance Championship raised $1.6 million for charity in 2017.

Approximately half the total was distributed to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, with 65 primarily local charities sharing the rest.

Yardage 7,256; par 70

Tournament Record: 264, Kenny Perry, 2017

Tournament 18-hole Record 62, Loren Roberts, 2006; Kirk Triplett, Brandt Jobe, 2017

Media Coverage FS1

More Information www.2018ussenioropen.com

Course Insight This year marks the 100th anniversary of The Broadmoor Resort, where Donald Ross designed the original course in 1918.

Robert Trent Jones designed a new nine for the resort in 1952, which was eventually incorporated into the East Course as holes 7-15 after another Jones-designed nine holes were added in 1964 with the 36 holes divided into East and West.

The East Course, with its scenic mountain backdrop, has hosted five USGA championships, including the 1959 U.S. Amateur won

by Jack Nicklaus, the 1995 and 2011 U.S. Women’s Opens and the 2008 U.S. Senior Open.

HOW KENNY PERRY WON

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Location

University Ri dge Golf Course, Madison, Wis.

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HOW FRED COUPLES WON

Location The Broadmoor Resort (East), Colorado Springs, Colo.

In a week of low scoring, a round of mostly pars earned Kenny Perry his second U.S. Senior Open title. Perry parred the last 12 holes at Salem (Mass.) Country Club for a bogey-free 2-under 68 and a record 264 total. Kirk Triplett, who opened with a 62, led Perry by one through 54 holes, but struggled early in the final round and fell behind by as many as four strokes before recovering for a 71 to apply some pressure, ultimately finishing two behind. The 56-year-old Perry had four rounds in the 60s, with 65-64-67 in the first three rounds. He also won the championship in 2013. “To be a two-time champion…I’m honored to be a part of it with all these great names on this trophy,” he said. Brandt Jobe, who had a 62 on Saturday, was third at 271.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The USGA collaborates with a number of national partners who serve the game at the grass-roots level, supporting programs that make golf more welcoming and accessible.

These include the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship, LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, The First Tee and many more.

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July 26-29, 2018

July 12-15, 2018

The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex

Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship

Location

261, Jack Nicklaus, 1990; Kenny Perry, 2013

Tournament 18-hole Record 62, Olin Browne, 2012; Fred Couples, 2013

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.pgatour.com/ champions/tournaments/ constellation-seniorplayers-championship.html

Course Insight Exmoor Country Club was founded in 1896 and three years later was one of the 11 founding clubs of the Western Golf Association.

The original H.J. Tweedie course was redesigned by Donald Ross in 1914 and a restoration was completed

by Ron Prichard in 2003.

Chick Evans, who won the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in 1916, was a member of Exmoor. The Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship will be the first senior major played in the Chicago area since 1997.

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Scott McCarron emerged as the champion when Bernhard Langer, vying to win the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship for the fourth straight year, made a double bogey on the 17th hole of the final round to fall one behind. Langer’s tee shot found the water on the par-3 17th and he ultimately missed a four-foot bogey putt. He then missed a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th and finished with a 73. McCarron was six strokes behind through 54 holes and made his move with six birdies on the first 10 holes on Sunday. He parred the last eight to shoot a 6-under 66, which proved to be good enough for the 51-year-old’s first major victory with a 270 total at Caves Valley in Maryland. “I’ve been working so hard for this,” said McCarron. “That was one of my goals this year, to win three events with one of them being a major.”

CHARITY BENEFIT

Proceeds from the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship will benefit several local and national charities: the Evans Scholars Foundation, Special Olympics of Chicago, Girls in the Game, the Big Shoulders Fund and Habitat for Humanity.

Location Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland

Yardage 7,202; par 72

Tournament Record: 263, Tom Watson, Carl Mason, 2003

Tournament 18-hole Record 62, Jim Colbert, 2003

Media Coverage Golf Channel/NBC

More Information www.europeantour.com/ staysuretour/senioropen

Course Insight Golf has been played on the grounds of the Old Course since about 1400, with the course evolving naturally.

Played in an out-and-in fashion mostly due to double greens, the course was reduced from 22 holes to 18 in 1764, setting the standard for golf. The famous links has hosted The Open Championship 29 times, but this is its first Senior Open. The course hasn’t changed much through the years, but recently it has been lengthened with the addition of new tees and some bunkers were moved or added in a 2013-14 renovation.

HOW BERNHARD LANGER WON

Bernhard Langer claimed his third Senior Open Championship and his third major title of 2017 with a 4-under 280 total in difficult conditions at Royal Porthcawl.

Only Jack Nicklaus, in 1991, had claimed three senior majors in one year, and the victory ran Langer’s record total of career major titles to 10. “It’s pretty neat to do something that nobody else has done before,” said the 59-year-old Langer. “Like winning 10 senior majors, it’s not easily done.” Langer led after the first round with a 69, was in a five-way tie at the top after a 74 in strong winds on Friday and grabbed a four-stroke lead over Corey Pavin with a 65 in the third round on the only calm day.

Pavin pulled within two strokes midway through the final round, but that was as close as it got as Langer closed with a 72 for a three-stroke margin over Pavin.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The R&A, which runs the championship along with the European Tour, invests more than £5 million each year in support of golf worldwide, including grassroots initiatives, coaching, public facilities and more.

IMAGES: US PGA TOUR; GETTY IMAGES

Tournament Record:

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Yardage 7,124; par 72

HOW SCOTT MCCARRON WON

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Exmoor Country Club, Highland Park, Ill.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 3-5, 2018

August 17-19, 2018

3M Championship

DICK’S Sporting Goods Open

Tournament Record: 191, David Frost, 2010

Tournament 18-hole Record 60, Paul Goydos, 2017

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.3mchampionship.com

Course Insight

IMAGES: US PGA TOUR

Built on a former sod farm, TPC Twin Cities, which opened in 2000, was the 20th course to be built in the TPC Network. Arnold Palmer designed the layout, which is consistently ranked among the top courses in Minnesota. Palmer tapped Minnesota native and 1996 Open champion Tom Lehman to help create a natural rolling layout featuring native prairie grasses, wetlands and 27 bodies of water, all framed by mature trees, including oaks, pines and spruce.

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Yardage 7,114; par 72

HOW PAUL GOYDOS WON

Paul Goydos shot a 60 in the second round to move into a share of the lead and went on to win the next day in a playoff over Gene Sauers.

Goydos, who shot a 59 in the 2010 John Deere Classic on the PGA TOUR, played the last four holes in 5-under for his 60, making an eagle on the par-5 18th. “It was just one of those weird days,” Goydos said. “The whole key to that round was to stay completely out of your own way and whatever happens, happens.” Tied with Sauers and Kenny Perry at 130 through 36 holes, Goydos matched Sauers with a 66 in the final round. On the first playoff hole, the 18th, Sauers hit his second shot into the water in front of the green and Goydos’ second barely cleared the hazard on the way to a winning birdie. Brandt Jobe, Steve Stricker and Kevin Sutherland tied for third, two strokes behind.

CHARITY BENEFIT

Proceeds from the 3M Championship are donated to healthcare programs at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Mercy Hospital and United Hospital, all part of Allina Health.

En-Joie Golf Course, Endicott, N.Y.

Yardage

6,974; par 72

Tournament Record:

195, Lonnie Nielsen, 2009

Tournament 18-hole Record

59, Kevin Sutherland, 2014

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.dsgopen.com

Course Insight

En-Joie was created by George F. Johnson, owner of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, and designed

by Ernie Smith, opening in 1927. Johnson was a huge lover of golf and wanted his employees to enjoy the game, so he built the course as a recreational outlet for them. Veteran course designer Dr. Michael Hurdzan renovated the layout in 1998-99. The course was the longtime host (1971-2006) of the B.C. Open on the PGA TOUR, and has hosted PGA TOUR Champions since 2007.

HOW SCOTT MCCARRON WON

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Location

Location TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minn.

Scott McCarron birdied the last three holes to outduel Kevin Sutherland and win by one stroke with a 20-under 196 total. The pair were tied for the lead after 36 holes, McCarron shooting a 61 in the second round, and were still tied with three holes to play. Sutherland birdied 16 and 18, but McCarron matched those and also birdied 17 to finish with a 64. “To go low like I did the last couple days, I’ve never played that kind of golf for two days,” said the 52-year-old McCarron after his fifth career PGA TOUR Champions victory. Sutherland, who shot a 59 at En-Joie in 2014, holed out for an eagle on the par-4 ninth and shot a 65 in the final round, but it wasn’t enough. He finished six ahead of the third-place trio of Woody Austin, John Daly and Joey Sindelar.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Open is operated by Broome County Charities Inc., which has donated more than $16.4 million since its founding in 1973.

It funds health-care related organizations, particularly the UHS Foundation and Lourdes Hospital Foundation, and various civic organizations.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

August 24-26, 2018

August 31-September 2, 2018

Boeing Classic

Shaw Charity Classic

Location Location

Tournament Record: 197, Jerry Kelly, 2017

Tournament 18-hole Record 61, Scott Simpson, Tom Jenkins, 2006

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.boeingclassic.com

Course Insight The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, established in 1999, is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the Pacific Northwest.

The course has dramatic elevation changes, with dense stands of towering firs framing wide fairways, picturesque water features and panoramic mountain views creating strategic diversity and a breathtaking backdrop.

PGA TOUR Champions rookie Jerry Kelly claimed his first victory in his 13th start, taking a share of the lead after a first-round 65, going ahead by three after a second-round 66, and winning by one with a closing 66 for a 19-under 197 total. “It’s definitely my first wire-to-wire win,” said Kelly, who won three times on the PGA TOUR. “Does it count, wire-to-wire, even though I lost the lead at one point today?” Jerry Smith shot a final-round 64 and went ahead of Kelly by one with his eighth and final birdie of the day on the 15th hole. Kelly birdied the par-4 16th from three feet and the par-3 17th from 15 feet to regain the lead, and it stayed that way as he and Smith each missed birdie attempts on the par-5 18th. Kelly and Smith both played bogey-free final rounds. Two-time Boeing champion Bernhard Langer (65) and Billy Mayfair (66) tied for third at 200.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The primary beneficiary of the Boeing Classic is the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, an international leader in autoimmune disease research.

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Yardage 7,086; par 70

Tournament Record: 191, Rocco Mediate, 2013

Tournament 18-hole Record 61, Fred Couples, 2014; Miguel Ángel Jiménez, 2015

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www. shawcharityclassic.com

Course Insight Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club was established in 1953, but the course didn’t open until 1957. Otto Anderson designed the parkland layout, and members gradually changed it through the years, mostly through tree plantings. A 2006 renovation included greens improvements, new tees and bunker upgrades.

HOW SCOTT MCCARRON WON

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Yardage 7,172; par 72

HOW JERRY KELLY WON

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The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, Wash.

Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Scott McCarron grabbed a two-stroke advantage with rounds of 63-64 and never lost the lead during the final round, but it was close at the end as he ended up winning by one stroke over Miguel Ángel Jiménez. At the 18th hole, Jiménez missed a long eagle putt and finished 15-under, while McCarron made a three-foot par putt for a 67 and a 16-under 194 total. “It felt like 20 feet,” McCarron said of the final putt. “I just missed a couple short ones before, so I didn’t even want to think about it too long. I set it up and made a good putt finally.” The highlight in the final round for McCarron was an eagle on the par-5 11th, his third eagle of the week, the other two coming on the 18th.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The Shaw Charity Classic’s Birdies for Kids presented by Alta Link program supports more than 160 participating charities, which solicit pledges based on the number of birdies in the tournament, supplemented by up to an additional 50 percent from the tournament. Last year the tournament raised more than $8.3 million.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

September 14-16, 2018

September 21-23, 2018

Sanford International

The Ally Challenge

Yardage 7,127; par 72

Tournament Record: New event

Tournament 18-hole Record New event

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.theallychallenge.com

IMAGES: MINNEHAHA COUNTRY CLUB; WARWICK HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Course Insight Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club opened in 1957, designed by James Gilmore Harrison on former farmland, with Joe Lee doing a redesign in 1967. The course was the site of the PGA TOUR’s Buick Open from 1958-69 and 1977-2009. Tiger Woods won three times, and among current PGA TOUR Champions players Vijay Singh won three and Kenny Perry two. Recently, under the direction of architect Chris Wilczynski, a tree removal program has begun with more than 100 trees removed that had overgrown fairways or bunkers.

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NEW EVENT

The Ally Challenge represents a return to Warwick Hills for the PGA TOUR, this time with a PGA TOUR Champions event. The course hosted the Buick Open on the PGA TOUR 44 times, the last in 2009, and the current PGA TOUR Champions players who competed in that event have fond memories of the course and community support.

“It’s incredible to have an opportunity to come back to Grand Blanc, the greater Flint area and Warwick Hills,” said Mark O’Meara, who played in the Buick Open 18 times. “This community was a great host to PGA TOUR players for a number of years, and we received tremendous support from the fans.” The tournament features a $2 million purse, with a threeyear agreement with Detroitbased Ally Financial Inc. “We are very proud to be part of the spirit and legacy of PGA TOUR Champions,” said Ally Financial chief marketing and public relations officer Andrea Riley. “Our sponsorship of the tournament not only brings an exciting sporting event to the area, but also reflects our deep commitment to doing right in our communities and making meaningful contributions to the places we live and work.” Net proceeds will benefit qualified non-profit organizations in the Flint area.

Location Minnehaha Country Club, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Yardage 6,437; par 71

Tournament Record: New event

Tournament 18-hole Record New event

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www. sanfordinternational.com

Course Insight Minnehaha Country Club was founded at an existing nine-hole course in 1905, with the current course at a new site dating to 1922, designed by the team of William Langford and Theodore Moreau. The course has been frequently updated including redesigns by Dick Nugent in 1976 and Robert Lohmann in 2014.

The course borders the Big Sioux River on rolling terrain with tree-lined fairways.

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Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich.

NEW EVENT

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Location

The Sanford International will be the first PGA TOUR Champions event to be played in South Dakota, featuring a $1.8 million purse in 2018 and a five-year agreement through 2022.

“The Sanford International will benefit from the passionate golf fans of South Dakota, and I am confident that this will quickly become a premier event on our annual schedule,” said PGA TOUR Champions president Greg McLaughlin. “Sanford Health is rooted in the Dakotas, but the work we are doing to improve health care extends across the world,” said Sanford Health president and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft.

“The Sanford International represents our commitment to caring for people on a global scale and gives us the opportunity to tell our story to a national and international audience.”

Two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North will be the host of the Sanford International and Jack Nicklaus will serve as ambassador. “I have seen first-hand what an incredible emphasis Sanford Health puts on doing things the right way,” said North.

“That includes everything from taking care of patients to leading the way on bringing major events to the community.” The tournament will benefit the Sanford Health Foundation, which includes the Children’s Miracle Network and Cure Kids Cancer.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

September 28-30, 2018

October 12-14, 2018

Pebble Beach: 6,864; par 72 Poppy Hills: 6,898; par 71

Tournament Record: 198, Bernhard Langer, 2017

Tournament 18-hole Record 63, Craig Stadler, 2004; Scott McCarron, Kenny Perry, 2017

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.pureinsurance championship.com

Course Insight Famed Pebble Beach Golf Links has been the site of major championships and a regular PGA TOUR event as well as host site of the PURE Insurance Championship.

The course was designed

by California Amateur champion Jack Neville in 1919 and has undergone numerous tweaks through the years but remains true to its original concept.

Poppy Hills, formerly in the rotation of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, is a tree-lined layout that Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed in 1986 and underwent an extensive renovation in 2013-14.

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Bernhard Langer broke the tournament record by three strokes with a 17-under 198 total as he won for the first time since turning 60 the previous month. “It was a magical week in terms of golf, as nice as this place is and the weather was and the people I played with, and my game was really good,” he said. Langer led after opening with 64-67, but was tied by Jerry Kelly through 12 holes of the final round. The German star promptly birdied Nos. 13, 14 and 15 to pull away to a three-stroke victory as he shot a 32 on the back nine for a 67. Kelly also had a 67, setting a PGA TOUR Champions record with his 14th consecutive round in the 60s. Langer also won the pro-junior competition with partner Justin Potwora of The First Tee of Greater Portland (Ore.).

CHARITY BENEFIT

Monterey Peninsula Foundation, which also hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, stages the PURE Insurance Championship to benefit The First Tee. A special aspect of the tournament is that First Tee participants from around the country are selected to partner with professionals.

Location Prestonwood Country Club, Cary, N.C.

Yardage 7,237; par 72

Tournament Record: 198, Mark Wiebe, 2007

Tournament 18-hole Record 61, Tom Kite, 2003

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.saschampionship.com

Course Insight Prestonwood Country Club has three courses designed

by Tom Jackson. The SAS Championship is played on a composite of the Highlands and Meadows courses. All three courses were renovated in a project completed in 2011 by Jack Nicklaus protégé Rick Robbins, a resident of Prestonwood. Robbins had the greens rebuilt to enable more hole locations, and he replaced some bunkers with collection areas and grass hollows.

HOW COLIN MONTGOMERIE WON

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Yardage

HOW BERNHARD LANGER WON

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Location Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach, Calif.

SAS Championship

Colin Montgomerie made only two bogeys in the tournament, none in his last 32 holes, as he pulled away with a 64 in the final round for a three-stroke victory.

After starting with rounds of 69-67, Montgomerie was tied for the 36-hole lead with Jerry Kelly and Phillip Price.

While his fellow co-leaders fell back on Sunday, other challengers made a move to keep Montgomerie in attack mode. “I was pressed hard early on, so I had to keep it going,” said the 54-year-old Scotsman after his sixth career PGA TOUR Champions victory.

“That was nearly as good as I can do, 8-under around there.” Montgomerie finished strong with a 5-under 32 on the back nine, making birdies on three of the last five holes to hold off Vijay Singh and defending champion Doug Garwood, who both closed with 66s. Corey Pavin shot a 67 to finish fourth at 204.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The host charity of the SAS Championship is the YMCA of the Triangle. The tournament annually contributes the single-largest donation to Y Learning, a tutorial program for students in grades K-8.

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

PURE Insurance Championship

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20/06/2018 16:08

EVERY PRINCE HAS H I S PA L A C E .

Mark O’Meara PURE member since 2015 Five-time AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Champion

The Prince of Pebble is no exception. PURE was built exclusively for financially successful individuals and families. We exist to make our members smarter, safer and more resilient. All this, so they can spend more time with their 9-iron—or whatever passion they pursue—with greater confidence.

If your home is insured for $1M or more, contact a PURE-appointed independent broker, call 888.814.7873 or visit pureinsurance.com to learn more.

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h i g h v a l u e h o m e o w n e r s | a u t o m o b i l e | w a t e r c r a f t | j e w e l r y, a r t & c o l l e c t i o n s | p e r s o n a l e x c e s s l i a b i l i t y | f l o o d | f r a u d & c y b e r PURE® refers to Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange, a Florida-domiciled reciprocal insurer and member of the PURE Group of Insurance Companies. PURE Risk Management, LLC (PRM), a for-profit entity, serves as PURE’s Attorney-In-Fact for a fee. PURE membership requires an executed Subscriber’s Agreement & Power of Attorney. Visit pureinsurance.com for details. Trademarks are property of PRM and used with permission. ©2018 PRM. All Rights Reserved. 44 South Broadway, Suite 301, White Plains, New York 10601. PURE HNW Insurance Services, CA Lic. 0I78980.

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

October 19-21, 2018

October 26-28, 2018

Invesco QQQ Championship

Tournament Record: 200, Bernhard Langer, 2017

Tournament 18-hole Record 63, Kevin Sutherland, 2016; Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, 2017

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.pgatour. com/champions/ tournaments/dominioncharity-classic.html

Course Insight The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course, one of three courses at the club, was designed in 1928 by renowned architect William Flynn. The front nine is more low-lying, and the back nine goes up into the hills and has more undulation. The courses hosted the U.S. Amateur in 1955 and 1975. Architect Lester George oversaw a renovation in 2003-04, bringing back strategic elements of the original design while building new fourth, sixth and 18th holes.

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Bernhard Langer made an 18-foot putt for an eagle on the par-5 finishing hole to leapfrog Scott Verplank and win the opening event of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs by one stroke. “I was missing so many putts today and finally I made one,” said Langer, who entered the final round with a three-stroke lead after shooting 67-63 but needed the closing eagle to shoot a 70 for the winning 16-under 200 total.

Langer didn’t make a bogey in the first two rounds, and only two for the week. Verplank made a run from five strokes behind with a final-round 66, but missed a birdie putt from five feet on the 18th. Vijay Singh, who had a 63 in the second round, tied for third at 204 with Billy Mayfair and Kenny Perry.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The tournament beneficiaries are Virginia Values Veterans, which creates employment opportunities for transitioning service members, and the Raymond Fisher House, which provides free onsite housing for military families of hospitalized veterans at the McGuire Holmes VA Hospital.

Additionally, the tournament’s Birdies for Charity program gives local charities a chance to generate contributions.

Location Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Yardage 7,006; par 72

Tournament Record: 203, Tom Pernice Jr., 2016

Tournament 18-hole Record 64, Tom Pernice Jr., 2016

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.goinvescoqqq.com

Course Insight Located in a beautiful setting at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, Sherwood Country Club was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1989. The course makes use of the natural elements of land elevations and valleys, waterfalls, running streams and unique rock formations to make for an aesthetically rich and strategically challenging layout. The par-72 course deviates from the norm with five par-5s balanced by five par-3s. The adjoining Lake Sherwood got its name when the area was used for the filming of “Robin Hood” in 1921.

HOW BERNHARD LANGER WON

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Yardage 7,025; par 72

HOW BERNHARD LANGER WON

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Location The Country Club of Virginia (James River), Richmond, Va.

Bernhard Langer won his second consecutive Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs event, his seventh victory of the year, by holing a 30-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to defeat Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

Langer had missed a birdie putt on a similar line on the first playoff. “The first one almost went straight,” said Langer. “The second was a little different angle. We read it about a cup out and it broke nicely at the end.”

Langer opened with a pair of 69s and was tied for the 36-hole lead with Jiménez and David Toms. Langer and Jiménez both shot 67 in the final round, Langer taking the lead with birdies on 12, 13 and 14, and Jiménez tying him with an eagle on 16. Toms closed with a 69 to finish third.

CHARITY BENEFIT

The benefiting charities are the Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation, Sherwood Cares, supporting local programs that serve children and families, and The First Tee of Los Angeles.

Also, for every daily grounds ticket sold between June 10 and Oct, 12, the tournament will donate a ticket to a local charity.

IMAGES: US PGA TOUR

Dominion Energy Charity Classic

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2018 TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

November 8-11, 2018

Charles Schwab Cup Championship Location Phoenix Country Club, Phoenix, Ariz.

Yardage 6,763; par 71

Tournament Record 195, Paul Goydos, 2016

Tournament 18-hole Record 60, Jay Haas, 2012

Media Coverage Golf Channel

More Information www.pgatour.com/ champions/tournaments/ charles-schwab-cupchampionship.html

IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES

CHARITY BENEFIT Through Tickets Fore Charity, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship gives local charitable organizations the opportunity to sell tickets and retain 100 percent of the proceeds.

In 2017, the tournament also contributed to Elevate Phoenix, the Junior Golf Association of Arizona and The First Tee of Phoenix.

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COURSE INSIGHT Phoenix Country Club was founded in 1899 and moved to its current site on a course designed by Harry Collis in 1919. Located near downtown, the course has evolved from its desert roots to an urban oasis with a green landscape and tree-lined fairways. The layout was renovated in 2002 by John Fought and current PGA TOUR Champions player Tom Lehman. The course has a long history as a tournament site. Phoenix Country Club hosted the Phoenix Open on the PGA TOUR 40 times between 1932 and 1986, and this is the second year it is hosting the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

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HOW KEVIN SUTHERLAND WON

After many close calls, Kevin Sutherland broke through with a victory on PGA TOUR Champions, and he did it at the right time as he won both the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and the Schwab Cup. Sutherland shot a 66 in the final round for a 15-under 198 total and a one-stroke victory over Lee Janzen and Vijay Singh. It was Sutherland’s 15th top-10 finish of the year.

He ranked fifth in Schwab Cup points heading into the season-ending championship, where points were reset and the top five were assured of claiming the Cup with a victory.

“I played really well all year and just couldn’t find a way to get a win,” said Sutherland. “So, to win this tournament, it’s unbelievable. I keep pinching myself.” Sutherland won once on the PGA TOUR, but had eight runner-up finishes as a senior before his first victory at age 53. Bernhard Langer, who won seven tournaments in 2017 including the first two in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, finished T12 and second in the Schwab Cup. Sutherland opened with 69-63 and trailed defending champion Paul Goydos by two strokes. Goydos closed with a 72 to finish T9, while Singh shot a final-round 63 and Janzen 68. John Daly, David Frost and David Toms tied for fourth at 200.

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the last word

ComebaCk Tale The return of a healthy Tiger Woods to the PGA TOUR in pursuit of his first victory since 2013 is something not to be missed

By Bill Fields

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“If you would have asked me at the beginning of the year that I would have had a chance to win two golf tournaments,” Woods said on Sunday evening at Bay Hill, “I would have that taken that in a heartbeat.”

Such an admission is not only an observation of where Woods is but where he was at the depth of back woes—debilitating nerve pain in his back and legs, having a hard time walking short distances and seriously doubting whether he would have a chance to resume his playing days.

“My back was fried,” Woods said prior to this year’s Masters. “I was trying cortisone shots, epidurals, anything so maybe I might be able to withstand a week. Nothing worked. My disk was gone. So given how I feel now versus then, it’s just night and day.”

Even without winning, Woods has smiled more in 2018, his comeback already a success if measured by the fact that he is inside the ropes with a scorecard in his pocket again. The wins will happen or they won’t, but given how close he already has come, only a fool would count him out. 

Tiger Woods connected with fans as he walked to the seventh tee during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, where he tied for fifth.

images: Us Pga TOUR

ind was not the only thing to be felt in March. At consecutive tournaments in Florida (large galleries where it helped immensely to be on the tall side) and wherever those events were followed from afar (it was a banner fortnight on social media for emoji of a certain jungle cat), Tiger Woods was a story to absorb and appreciate.

It was because he hadn’t been there—in the hot, tense mix of contention late on a Sunday, that time of the week that he used to own—in a long time. Now 42 years old, he didn’t know if he would ever be physically able to be in that position again. Yet, at the Valspar Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, Woods was very much a factor.

For the first time in a while, his playing career, once in a singular orbit but derailed by a serious lower-back problem that required April 2017 spinal fusion surgery after several previous procedures, didn’t seem as if it was going into a breeze.

Woods came up short, tying for second on the Copperhead Course of Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club and tying for fifth at Bay Hill Club and Lodge as Paul Casey and Rory McIlroy broke respective droughts of their owns.

At Innisbrook, Woods holed a monster putt on the 71st hole that sent him to the final hole with momentum and opportunity, but he wasn’t able to hit his approach shot to reasonable birdie range. At Bay Hill, McIlroy’s stellar closing 64 would have made him hard to catch regardless of what anyone else did, but Woods sealed his fate with an indecisive drive that went out-ofbounds on the par-5 16th hole.

But if a golfer with 79 PGA TOUR career victories—second to Sam Snead’s 82—who once decried anything less than a top finish can said to be winning when he didn’t, the Valspar Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard were such occasions.

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Golf taught me: Perseverance Respect Confidence All of the above

In elementary schools, on golf courses and at youth centers across the country, The First Tee is teaching life-enhancing skills that empower young people to make decisions for their future. Get involved today. www.thefirsttee.org

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Introducing the Andersen® Architectural Collection of luxury windows and doors. *Based on 2016 homeowner survey and 2016 survey of trade contractors; Andersen family of brands aggregated. **Andersen received the second highest numerical score among 16 companies in the J.D. Power 2017 Windows & Patio Doors Satisfaction Study, based on 1,904 total responses, measuring the experiences and perceptions of customers who purchased windows and/or patio doors in the previous 12 months, surveyed February – March 2017. Your experiences may vary. “Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2018 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

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A-Series casement, picture and transom windows with colonial and specified equal light grille patterns and folding doors with Black exterior color.

Explore the possibilities at andersenwindows.com/golf

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