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. 14
PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE 2018, Part 2
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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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21/06/2018 12:54