By John Strege
The 18th green on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course that unexpectedly took a starring turn in the 2020 ANA Inspiration will again garner attention this week, but this time for reasons that aren’t likely to invite controversy.

For the second straight year, the ANA Inspiration that begins on Thursday will be played without spectators and thus without the grandstand that, pre-pandemic, was always erected behind the 18th green. Last September, a structure, dubbed by Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols “the Great Wall of Dinah,” was put there to replicate the grandstand.

Several players, including the winner Mirim Lee, used the structure as a backstop for their second shots on the par 5 to prevent their golf balls from running through the green and into the water behind it.

The structure is not there this year, which will force longer hitters, at least, to decide between laying up short of the water or going for the green in two and running the risk of the ball reaching the penalty area.

MORE: How the ‘Great Wall of Dinah’ played a controversial role in the outcome of the ANA Inspiration

“When they have the tee back, I won’t be going for it, especially with this wind, with it being into,” Lexi Thompson, a past champion here, said on Tuesday. “But once they move the tee up, if I get a good number, I hit 4-iron in today and just placed the ball there and it stopped. It has to be a really good number for me to go for it.”

Sponsor signage that appears to be immovable has been erected behind the 485-yard tee box at 18, and word is that the hole will play at that length of shorter all four rounds. Wherever the LPGA decides to place the tees, they are likely to create even more interest on a hole that already historically proved interesting.

The greens here this time of year play firm and fast, adding to the challenge.

“It’s pretty firm,” Canada’s Brooke Henderson said of the 18th green, “so I think 3-wood is definitely out. If I can hit maybe a high 7-wood into the wind it will hold and a hybrid will hold for sure.”

Nelly Korda, who had a chance to win last September but fell to Lee in extra holes, summed up the dilemma based on her practise rounds this week.

“You’re definitely going to think about going for it,” Korda said. “I hit a 6-iron just short of the green and it rolled up to the middle and then I also tried to hit like a little 5 yesterday to land it in the middle of the green and it went over. So it definitely is going to be very hard to hold.”

Last September, Lee used the backboard to stop her second shot there on the 72nd hole of the tournament, then chipped in for eagle to erase a two-stroke deficit. In a playoff with Korda and Henderson, Lee again used the backboard, leading to a winning birdie.

The post ‘The Great Wall of Dinah’ is gone and what it will mean for players at the ANA Inspiration appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Keely Levins
Brandel Chamblee fired off a hot take on Twitter, saying LPGA rookie Anne Van Dam might have the best swing in golf. GolfWeek’s Beth Ann Nichols tweeted about Dam’s impressive length off the tee, (she’s No. 1 in driving distance, averaging 292 yards) and Chamblee responded with the below:

She may well have the best swing in golf right now. https://t.co/w7QaWupYUY

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) March 26, 2019

We know what you’re thinking, But what about Adam Scott? Rory McIlroy? Louis Oosthuizen? We hear you. But Chamblee may have a point on this one. Take a look at her swing below and decide for yourself. We hope you didn’t have plans for the rest of your day, because you’re going to want to watch this sweet move on loop. All. Day. Long.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtWut_QlB-k/?utm_source=ig_embed

This isn’t the first time people have fallen in love with Van Dam’s swing. In the fall of 2018, golf Twitter went crazy for a video of her swing.

The post Brandel Chamblee says this swing might be the best in golf appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Alex Myers
There were many people who wondered whether Phil Mickelson deserved to tee it up in Sunday’s final round of the 2018 U.S. Open after that bizarre decision to hit his golf ball while it was still moving on the 13th green on Saturday. Apparently, even Phil Mickelson was one of those people.

Mickelson’s wife, Amy, told Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols that her husband offered to withdraw from the event during a phone call to USGA executive director Mike Davis on Saturday. The five-time major champ was prompted to pick up the phone after hearing a widespread opinion that he should have been disqualified.

FEINSTEIN: Why the USGA got it wrong with Phil Mickelson

“When he heard that, he called Mike Davis and said, ‘If I’ve done something that crosses the line that much, then I need to withdraw immediately,” Amy said while her husband signed autographs after a final-round 69 to finish T-48.

“You know, it’s not his finest moment, but hopefully, he’ll learn from it,” Amy went on. “Like anybody, good people make mistakes.”

Mickelson didn’t seem as repentant on Saturday, claiming that taking the two-shot penalty was a calculated move.

“If somebody’s offended by that, I apologize,” he said. “But toughen up.”

Mickelson declined to speak with the media on Sunday.

The post U.S. Open 2018: Phil Mickelson offered to withdraw, according to his wife appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.