The pain was real. On Thursday, just ahead of his first round at the Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy looked as likely to pull out of the finale of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season as he did hit his opening tee shot. The defending FedEx Cup champion tweaked his back earlier in the week before arriving at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, and struggled with his swing on the range as he tried to figure out if he was healthy enough to play or not. Ultimately, he gave it a go, grinding things out with an opening one-under 69 in hope he would feel better later in the week.

The decision seems worth it now. While McIlroy hasn’t been 100 per cent, he has still been impressive, a second-round 67 extending his streak of sub-par rounds at East Lake to 30 before seeing it come to an end with a one-over 71 on Saturday. Even more impressive, he’s been averaging 334.9 yards off the tee to lead the field in driving distance.

Cynics might question exactly how that could be. Cynics and smartie-pants, such as Charles Barkley, the basketball Hall of Famer who was around on Saturday at East Lake.

Barkley exchanged hellos with McIlroy after Rory’s round had finished, with this interesting exchange:
Barkley: “How is your back?”
McIlroy: “It’s … it’s OK.”
Barkley: “You got your speed up on one of these drives today. So I think you’re lying.”

When Charles Barkley and Rory McIlroy meet up, it's must see TV ? @TOURChamp pic.twitter.com/pRflOOnM7E

— Golf on CBS (@GolfonCBS) August 27, 2023

Barkley’s joke got laughs from those around, But just in case he wasn’t joking, McIlroy seemed to try to defend himself.

“But I can’t hit the ball up in the air, I got to keep it low,” McIlroy said.

Before letting McIlroy get away, Barkley wanted to make sure they were still all good.

“Good luck at the Ryder Cup,” he said.
“You mean that?” McIlroy replied. “Do you really mean that?”
“I really mean that,” Barkley said. “Hey, I don’t pull for teams, I pull for guys like yourself.”

The post Charles Barkley can’t help but give Rory McIlroy grief in the most Charles Barkley way appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

All this and much more in the December 2022 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

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No deal is imminent, he said, but the former CBS announcer has had two meetings with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, and a third meeting, via Zoom, is on his docket this week.

“You always have to listen to what someone has to say when they are interested in offering you a job, especially at my age,” McCord, who turned 74 in May, said by phone from his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. “I’m basically rounding third here, career-wise, and it’s kind of nice to have the phone ring.”

A former PGA Tour player and three-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions, McCord used his wry humor and irreverence to carve out a successful broadcasting career with CBS Sports over four decades starting in 1986. CBS opted to not renew his contract after the 2019 season. He currently co-hosts a weekly programme on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio called “The Dry Heave” with former CBS colleague David Feherty and Drew Stoltz.

LIV Golf made official on Friday what had been rumored for days when it announced that Feherty, who had been working for NBC, has joined its broadcast team. It is not yet known if Feherty can continue on the PGA Tour’s radio programme. The tour has banned all players who have moved to the Saudi-backed series that will stage its third event in the coming week at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.

McCord did not disclose any potential financial terms being offered because he doesn’t know and doesn’t want to know. “I told my agent not to mention any numbers because I don’t want to make a decision just based on money,” he said. “You know me. There are all sorts of things going on in my head.”

What intrigues him, he said, is the potential for reuniting on air with Feherty, who has remained a close friend after the native of Northern Ireland left for NBC in 2016, and perhaps also working more closely with Charles Barkley, the popular NBA analyst for TNT. McCord and Barkley have previously teamed up as broadcast partners for a couple of editions of ‘The Match’, a series of made-for TV golf showdowns that have aired on TNT.

Barkley recently confirmed that he also has had discussions with LIV Golf.

“Yeah, I think it would be fun to ride in that clown car with those two,” McCord said, laughing. “There’s a lot of potential there for some entertaining ways of doing this. Right now, I’m just listening and taking it all in and seeing where this thing goes. Whatever your feelings right now about LIV — and everyone has their opinions — you can’t deny it’s the biggest thing going as far as what people are talking about, and it will be interesting to see what golf looks like in the next five years.”

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The post Broadcaster Gary McCord in job talks with LIV as Feherty gears up for commentary debut at Bedminster appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By GolfDigestME.com

LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan told The Times that she would “take the call” if LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman ever wanted to talk to her about the LPGA.

“It’s my responsibility to evaluate every opportunity,” Marcoux Samaan said in the report. “I would engage in a conversation if it would achieve our aim of promoting women’s golf but there needs to be input from players and sponsors. There’s a lot of factors to consider before we do business with LIV Golf.”

Marcoux Samaan is clearly aware of the angst among LIV Golf and the PGA Tour in the men’s game and wants to avoid any situation like that if possible. The women already have six Ladies European Tour events sponsored by Aramco, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Company, and three top players from Europe are sponsored by Golf Saudi.

The piece ended with Marcoux Samaan saying that she “remains bullish about the future” and that “working together is always better than a fractured organization”.

Charles Barkley. Christian Petersen

Meanwhile, NBA legend-turned-broadcaster Charles Barkley met with LIV Golf CEO Norman amid rumours that he is considering a broadcast position with the circuit.

According to the New York Post, the NBA Hall of Famer — who has dabbled in golf broadcasting with TNT’s ‘The Match’ exhibitions — confirmed that he will be at next week’s LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will be participating in the pro-am.

Earlier this month Barkley joined golf personalities Drew Stoltz and Gary McCord on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio to discuss a potential move to the golf organisation, saying he would be “foolish” not to take a meeting given the outlandish money potentially on the table. However Barkley said the jump could cost him his job on TNT’s popular “Inside the NBA” show.

“I have no idea how TNT is going to respond,” Barkley said. “I don’t even know if they’ll let me do it. I might have to resign from TNT.”

“Some type of broadcasting would be fun. But if I’m gonna have to lose TNT and lose my sponsors, it will have to be something crazy numbers-wise. I’m taking this meeting, I got no idea what Greg’s gonna say to me, but if I’m going to lose TNT and my commercials, it will have to be a ridiculous number for me to move on.”

According to the New York Post, Barkley is currently in a three-year, $30 million deal with Turner Sports.

The development comes days after LIV Golf signed David Feherty to its broadcast team.

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By Joel Beall
Phil Mickelson isn’t playing in the latest iteration of “The Match,” the exhibition series instead shifting its focus to Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. But while Mickelson will be on the sidelines, he’s still very much a part of the proceedings.

On Tuesday Turner Sports announced that Mickelson, along with Charles Barkley, will provide commentary for the Brooks-Bryson post-Thanksgiving showdown.

Earlier this year Front Office Sports reported that Mickelson’s representatives were in exploratory talks with networks regarding a broadcasting position for Mickelson. However, this was before Mickelson captured the 2021 PGA Championship, becoming the oldest player to win a major championship.

This will be Barkley’s third time working the Match series, with the NBA Hall of Famer teaming up with Mickelson in “The Match: Champions For Change” last Thanksgiving. Brian Anderson will be handling play-by-play duties, with CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis serving as on-course reporter.

Mickelson is an executive producer of the Match series, with Turner Sports and Tom Brady’s 199 Productions producing the event.

The post Mickelson, Barkley to call Koepka-DeChambeau match appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Daniel Rapaport
It was the perfect day-after-Thanksgiving viewing. No one wants anything too serious when they’re still digesting the previous night’s feast, and this third edition of these made-for-TV matches—this one officially dubbed “The Match: Champions for Change”—never promised to be anything more than pure entertainment for wonderful causes.

It was certainly entertaining. Despite giving up some 16 shots in combined handicaps—at least allegedly, more on that in a second—the team of Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley dominated Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry on the type of cloudless late-November Arizona day that has you wondering why you don’t live out West.

Most importantly, the broadcast raised $5,455,000 for historically black colleges and universities, and will result in more than 3.7 million meals donated to those in need.

After losing the first hole, Team Barkleson won the next four in a row and never looked back, eventually cruising to a 4-and-3 victory at Stone Canyon just outside of Tucson. Here are six takeaways from a lighthearted afternoon.

Christian Petersen
Phil Mickelson putts on the second green as Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry look on.

PGA Tour pros are really, disgustingly, insanely good
This is not new information, of course. We know damn well that PGA Tour players are among the best golfers in the world. Moreover, we know that Mickelson is a legend of the game. And yet, Mickelson and Barkley were underdogs coming into this match. We’d guess the oddsmakers’ reasoning went something like this: The modified alternate-shot format (also known as Pinehurst) meant Mickelson would have to play more than a few of Barkley’s shots, and Barkley is an absolutely horrible golfer, while the other team features two pretty darned good golfers.

Turns out, if only one team in a golf match has a PGA Tour pro, you should back the team with the PGA Tour pro.

Mickelson did indeed have to play a number of Barkley’s shots, but it didn’t matter. He was able to limit the damage and often put Barkley in spots where he just had to lag a putt close enough for Phil to make it. Granted, Curry played pretty awfully for a plus-handicap, and Barkley did hit some good ones. And, of course, hindsight is 20/20. But looking back, those pre-match odds were something of a headscratcher.

Christian Petersen
Stephen Curry plays his shot from the 10th tee.

One bad round doesn’t mean Stephen Curry can’t play to his handicap
Curry did not play well. That much is indisputable. What’s also indisputable is that one round does not a golfer make. In other words, just because Curry played awful on Friday does not mean he’s some sort of vanity handicapper. Who knows how much he’s been playing lately? Recall that Curry broke his wrist just 13 months ago, and you have to think the doctor cautioned against playing a bunch of golf during the rehab process.

The odds are Curry hasn’t been playing as much as he had in the run-up to his two starts in professional events. In those events, he shot 74-74-71-86. He clearly has game, even it didn’t show up on Friday.

Christian Petersen
Charles Barkley was all smiles after he and Phil Mickelson defeated Stephen Curry and Peyton Manning in The Match.

If Charles Barkley doesn’t crack you up, check yourself

Charles Barkley is ready to call it before the turn. ? pic.twitter.com/RNjRV0YpmO

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 27, 2020

Barkley may be the funniest character on television. And it’s not just that he himself is funny, it’s that he inspires absolutely hilarious banter and trash talk from the people around him.

Some greatest hits from Friday:

—After going 4 up through 7, Barkley told the announcers to “Call Jeff Zucker and Craig Berry, tell them to get some of those ‘Law and Order’ re-runs ready in about five more holes.”

—Peyton Manning giving Barkley the following swing tip: “Open the fridge door, close the fridge door.”

—Shaquille O’Neal, who made one of a number of delightful cameo appearances on the broadcast, asking Charles, “If you can’t read words, how you gonna read the greens?”

But the funniest thing from the day, at least in this writer’s humble opinion, came courtesy of Curry’s former teammate/frequent playing partner, Andre Iguodala. After each of Curry’s many poor shots, Iguodala would simply whisper into his mic, “plus one.” That’s the kind of needling we always love to see on a golf course.

Teased unmercifully through the years for the terrible hitch in his swing, Barkley apparently has rid himself of it, and Mickelson figured out in a practide round that the best strategy was to have Chuck hit irons off of every hole, including par 5s. It worked especiallly well early, and Barkley also contributed a couple of times with impressive lag putts that were better than even Curry could manage.

Tiger was missed
There was one notable absence from this Match, as it relates to the first two: namely, Tiger Woods.

Now, the first iteration of this series was the $9 million match between Woods and Mickelson at Shadow Creek. That broadcast was dripping awkwardness, the golf was subpar, and it seemed the entire operation didn’t know if it was a serious golf match or entertainment. The second edition, which pitted Woods and Manning against Mickelson and Tom Brady, was a huge hit—largely due to Tiger.

Surely Woods brought at least half the eyeballs, because any time Woods plays, people watch. But it’s more than that—Woods’ interplay with Mickelson, his greatest rival throughout his career, was fascinating, as were his conversations with two of the best quarterbacks of all time. Plus, he played extremely well that day, which is always extra nice to see at this stage of his career. You can’t fault this broadcast for not having Tiger, but you couldn’t help wishing he was there.

A really wild golf course
In a commercial that ran during the broadcast, Mickelson put it simply: “I loved this club so much, I bought it.” What he bought was a dramatic piece of property and a somewhat bizarre golf course. Every shot seemed to be blind, there were long drives between seemingly every green and tee, and some of the tee boxes looked like genuine safety hazards.

This tee box at Stone Canyon. ? #CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/CPjxfVIhAG

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) November 27, 2020

In a way, it was the perfect venue for this distinctly un-serious event.

A fantastic cause
Golf’s long history of exclusion is no secret, so it’s terrific to see the game make an effort to reach and help people it has shunned for decades. And this follows Augusta National’s commitment to fully fund the woman’s golf program at an HBCU. Of course, it does not in any way mitigate golf’s ugly past on these issues, but it’s never too late to start doing the right thing. Finally, golf seems to have realised that.

The post The Match 3 entertained with chuckles more than great golf shots appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Dave Shedloski
In his first year as the head coach of the men’s and women’s golf programs at Howard University, which was also to be the school’s first in Division I, Sam Puryear didn’t get a chance to see his players compete, the fall season having been cancelled because of the ongoing pandemic.

Nevertheless, the year won’t be a total loss for his program and many others. In fact, Puryear expects it to end on a high note thanks to a golf event on the other side of the country.

Of great interest to Puryear and his players—and a lot of other college golfers—will be “Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change,” which begins at 3 p.m. EST Friday on TNT. The entertainment value shouldn’t disappoint with a cast of Phil Mickelson, Charles Barkley, Stephen Curry and Peyton Manning competing at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Ariz., outside of Tucson. The value to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and on a larger scale to minority participation in golf, has equally promising potential.

Proceeds from this third rendition of the “The Match” franchise will predominantly benefit HBCUs, with most funds directed towards supporting golf and sports journalism programs. WarnerMedia, parent of TNT and presenter of the event, has earmarked donations to Morehouse College, Howard University, Alabama A&M, Hampton University and Winston-Salem State University. Other recipients, as selected by the players, include Grambling State, Jackson State, Lane College, Southern University and Tuskegee University.

“To know that the impetus is to help HBCUs is, to me, pretty incredible,” said Puryear, who played golf collegiately at Tennessee State University and coached at Stanford and Michigan State before taking over at Howard, located in Washington, D.C. “The [financial] support is one thing, but what I think could be more meaningful is the exposure, the chance to showcase our programs and our schools and to show how strong they are structurally and educationally, as well as athletically.”

“It’s fun for me to take the game that has given me so much and to open it up to all people and to help create opportunities to those that haven’t had the same opportunities that I have had,” Mickelson said in August at The Northern Trust. “All sports have been exclusionary over the years, and every sport is trying to be inclusive now, and that’s phenomenal. And golf is no different. We have had moments in our past that we’re probably … that we’re not proud of, and we’ve all made a real effort to create opportunities for all people.”

Curry, a three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, has had a head start on creating opportunities at Howard. Through his foundation, the golf enthusiast who has competed in a handful of Korn Ferry Tour events, recently committed an unspecified sum to support the golf program for six years as it moved from a Division II program to Division I. “Last year I had the incredible opportunity to play a small role in the rich history of Howard University through the game of golf,” Curry said in a statement. “I truly believe an investment in HBCUs is an investment in our future, and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to support these great institutions.”

Jonathan Devich
Barkley says it’s important for minorities to learn to play golf so they can use it as a resource when they get into the working world. “It’s like a part of life skills. Listen, I’ve made so many deals on the golf course.”

Barkley, meanwhile, who has become a successful broadcaster for TNT following a Hall-of-Fame NBA career, is in the midst of a personal 10-year giving initiative that amounts to $1 million each for five HBCU schools in his native Alabama—Tuskegee, Alabama A&M, Clark Atlanta University, Miles University and Morehouse.

“I think the main thing is it’s very important because I want these kids to play golf, No. 1,” Barkley said. “If they can make it to the tour, that would be a blessing. But the main thing, when you go into the business world, you need to play golf. It’s like a part of life skills. Listen, I’ve made so many deals on the golf course. I mean, that’s amazing.”

Puryear couldn’t agree more with that assessment. But currently there are only about 30 golf programs at HBCUs. “Developing good players is a start, but attracting good players is important, too,” he said. “I think this could definitely help because right now there’s a lot of talent that is coming out of the HBCU schools, and young players need to know that their talent can be developed. A lot of times that’s just never heard about. All of a sudden, you can get some of your best minority players who go to HBCU schools.

“What I really hope, though, is that this would help spearhead the creation of new golf programs at other places while rejuvenating older golf programs.”

The Washington Post
Curry stepped up in 2019 to help fund the Howard men’s and women’s golf team for six years.

But again, the larger goal is to expose more college-age minorities to the game at a higher level, “so that they have an acclimation to what is, really, a corporate game, and help them segue into relationships and opportunities in corporate America,” Puryear said.

“I think it’s really important to the fabric of our country to grow the game at the collegiate level for minorities,” he added. “That isn’t hyperbole. I’m just speaking numbers here. These students need a place to go. And when they get to that place, in addition to a solid education, they need some of the best arenas, the training facilities and golf courses, the best coaches to compete with the majority of schools. I think what Steph and Phil and Charles and Peyton are doing is fantastic—not just while these kids are attending college, but what they might have the opportunity to do afterwards with their lives.”

The post New edition of ‘The Match’ is all about raising dollars and awareness for inclusion in golf appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Dave Shedloski
Having been out of the broadcasting game for more than a year, Gary McCord can be excused for not knowing some of the finer details of his latest assignment as an on-course reporter for “Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change” this Friday on TNT. For instance, he wasn’t quite sure if the third iteration of the franchise was to be played over nine or 18 holes.

Then he decided it didn’t really matter. “What the hell, you know me. I’ll talk for as long as they want me to talk,” the always-engaging septuagenarian said via phone from his home in Scottsdale.

Twitter would not find this fact in dispute.

For 35 years McCord was a wise-cracking one-liner machine for CBS Sports’ golf coverage until the network decided late last year to not renew his contract (or that of colleague and Scottsdale sidekick Peter Kostis). It was a sensational run for the former PGA Tour player who won twice on the PGA Tour Champions but truly found his calling once he stepped up to a microphone.

“The Match III” features five-time major champion Phil Mickelson teamed with TNT NBA commentator and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley against three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner. Proceeds primarily will benefit Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The first edition of “The Match” was staged the day after Thanksgiving two years ago when Mickelson defeated longtime rival Tiger Woods at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas in a $9 million winner-take-all event. In May, Woods and Manning teamed up in a second edition, beating Mickelson and Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady at Medalist Club in Florida that raised money for COVID-19 relief.

McCord, 72, said the offer to work this event, which will be held within driving distance of his home at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Ariz., “came way out of left field.” He agreed to participate for one simple reason. “Well, I’m doing OK, I’m not dead, but I am kind of bored,” he said. “I’ve had a year off, so … you know that whole deal. This should be entertaining.”

McCord still plays plenty of golf, mainly at Whisper Rock in Scottsdale, a haven for tour players and current and former athletes. But he can’t help but think his gift for gab should be the gift he keeps giving. McCord will co-host a one-hour program next year on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio. He also is teaming with Kostis and a few others on another entertainment project that he is not yet at liberty to disclose. His role, naturally, is to be “the creative guy.”

Well, of course. And he will try to be as creative as possible on Friday when Mickelson and crew are not trash talking to one another.

“That’s what we’re waiting to hear,” McCord said. “You know Phil is going to be in the middle of it. I was texting Charles during the telecast in May [Barkley was part of the broadcast crew] and told him he nailed it when he said, ‘We all have that friend who’s annoying; that’s Phil.’ So my deal is to prompt Phil when Charles drives into the desert and then just let him go.

“I’m not there to tell you, ‘Wow, he’s got an 8-iron from 180 yards.’ I’m there to step into the chaos and keep it going. I can still do that. I can do that all day.”

The post Gary McCord knows his role as he returns to golf broadcasting: ‘I’m there to step into the chaos and keep it going’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Dave Shedloski
Who could forget Charles Barkley’s brutal assessment of the quality of golf Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson displayed in the first rendition of “The Match” two years ago in Las Vegas?

“This is crappy golf. Y’all know that,” the NBA Hall of Famer-turned-broadcaster drawled with his typical honesty to a pay-per-view television audience. “I could beat these two guys today.”

Welp, give Barkley credit for stepping from behind the microphone onto the tee box to bring to the franchise his own brand of golf—which through the years has been chronicled to be uniquely, um … oh, heck … crappy. On Friday, the Round Mound of Sound (nee Rebound) teams with Mickelson in “Capital One’s The Match: Champions For Change” at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Ariz. Their opposition in the modified alternate shot competition is the duo of Stephen Curry, NBA All-Star, and Peyton Manning, retired NFL great.

“Obviously, I’m a golfing degenerate,” Barkley said with a chuckle during a telephone interview with Golf Digest.

And, obviously, he has no problem putting his game, such as it is, on display. Barkley, 57, is a regular competitor at the American Century Celebrity Golf Challenge. In July, he finished second-to-last in the 70-man field, scoring minus-68 points in the modified Stableford scoring format. (Curry, by the way, ended up fourth with 56 points.)

“Honest to God, I don’t know why he’s subjecting himself to this,” said Gary McCord, who will serve as an on-course reporter for the telecast, which begins at 3 p.m. EST on TNT. “He’s gone from talking about the chaos to stepping on the tee and creating chaos. He’ll be the agent of chaos in this thing, and it’s going to be really, really interesting.”

So, why is he doing it? “They invited me, and I couldn’t turn it down,” Barkley replied. “I was really flattered that they asked me.”

Christian Petersen
Barkley, along with actor Samuel L. Jackson, was part of the broadcast team for the original ‘The Match’ at Shadow Creek in 2018.

McCord, who plans to join Barkley on Tuesday for a practice round at Stone Canyon, said Barkley exhibits an acceptable level of proficiency away from prying eyes and cameras. “I’ve played with Chuck, and he’s OK,” the former tour player said. “The swing goes up, and the swing goes down. There’s no stopping. But he gets under pressure, there’s anxiety, and that hits him, and he gets to hitching on the downswing. Everything changes.”

Similar stories abound of Barkley showing decent form at the annual TNT cast and crew party he hosts at a Topgolf facility at the end of each NBA season.

Barkley intends to be ready for this latest public challenge. He said he has been practicing resolutely for months, “even before I got invited to the match.

“I have put the effort in, I put the work in, and I’m hoping I just can handle it under the pressure,” he said. “Let me just say this: I’m not bragging about it, but nobody has worked harder than me to be better at golf. I have hit balls five hours a day for the last six months. I just really wanted to get better at golf.

He credits former tour player/turned instructor Stan Utley with putting him on a path to enjoying the game again. “I met him at Tom Lehman’s golf tournament about two years ago, and he said, ‘Charles, can I work with you a little bit?’ I said, ‘Stan, I’ve done worked with every teacher in the land.’ And he says, ‘Well, one more won’t hurt.’ And let me tell you something, I have played better in the last year and a half than I played in the last 20 years. It’s fun for me to play again. It’s been amazing.”

Christian Petersen
Not all of Barkley’s swings, like this one from the American Century Reno-Tahoe event in July, are polished.

While flattered, Utley said he can’t take too much credit, having worked with Sir Charles only a few times. “I gave him hope,” Utley said. “No one is ever really fixed. When you work on the wrong thing for 20 years, you can’t just flip a switch. Every player has these neurological patterns programmed into them, and you cannot get rid of a neurological pattern. The good news is you can build a new pattern. That doesn’t mean the old pattern goes away. But with a lot of work, you can override it.

“I gave him something to work on, which is basically throwing the club from the top of the backswing with his wrists. It took about 40 minutes, and he got it. But I can only say I helped him a little. When he’s not hitching, he hits it well. He’s a big man. He’s so strong and can hit it really long if he does it right.”

If he does it right.

Preternaturally good-natured, Barkley takes his struggles—and the many barbs about his game—in stride. They’ve even come from his partner.

“I’m really appreciative of Charles Barkley, because Sir Charles is putting himself out there in front of the public in an area that he is not competent at all and taking all the hits,” Mickelson said. “I mean, that type of self-deprecation and ability to laugh at himself and put himself out there I have a lot of respect for. I’m honored to have him as my partner. I’m not overly optimistic about having him as my partner, but I do think we’re going to be able to come out on top. We’re going to find a way.”

More recently, he has been skewered in several match promos, and Manning said in one, “The only thing I can think about is, what will Charles not do?”

Well, there’s no telling. Barkley is sure of one thing, however.

“It’s definitely going to be fun,” he said. “I mean, as long as I don’t stink up the joint.”

The post Charles Barkley says he’s a new and improved golfer. Should we believe him this time? appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Yep, that’s me on the right with a couple co-workers at Pine Valley. Ever heard of it? Actually, my wife hadn’t when I told her about the invite, but luckily, I was able to whip out Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses list and show her that it’s No. 1. Ahead of Augusta National—which she had heard of—thus, granting me the right to leave her at eight months pregnant and with our lively two-year-old for the day. And to think, some people say those kinds of rankings don’t matter. Anyway, I won’t go shot-by-shot of my round because I don’t want to bore you. And because it was a LOT of shots. The important thing is that we had a great day, and I refrained from cleaning out the pro shop like J.R. Smith. OK, back to real life now.

WE’RE BUYING

Collin Morikawa: What. A. Stud. After losing a playoff at Colonial and having his cut streak snapped at the Travelers, the 23-year-old bounced back to win his second PGA Tour title in less than 12 months at the Workday Charity Open. And although he didn’t have Jack Nicklaus waiting for him on Muirfield’s 18th green, he happily settled for a particularly delicious victory milkshake:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjmctcFidb/?utm_source=ig_embed

Morikawa now has more wins on tour than missed cuts. Pretty amazing. Although, not as amazing as the fact that Tiger Woods won 43(!) times before missing his second cut. Sorry, Collin, but any young golfer having success has to be compared to Tiger. It’s written in the Golf Twitter Constitution. But seriously, the dude should be proud to be a part of such conversations. And when he sees Woods this week, he can tell him he passed him in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Tony Finau: Big Tone was not at Muirfield Village—good news for the milkshake makers there—but he still managed to draw the golf world’s attention, first by firing a course-record 59 at Victory Ranch:

My 2nd ever sub 60 round today at @VictoryRanchUT ?
59!! 3 shots better than my course record of 62 ?? pic.twitter.com/Wblv7ysykY

— Tony Finau Golf (@tonyfinaugolf) July 11, 2020

And then, after being inspired by Bryson DeChambeau to grip it and rip it even harder, showing off a 206-mph ball speed:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCgVyy6JBGq/?utm_source=ig_embed

Uh-oh. Bryson really started a movement, didn’t he?

Mardy Fish: There’s a different kind of movement in the upper echelon of celebrity golf as the former tennis pro won the American Century Championship for the first time. Fish reeled in the Super Bowl of celebrity golf by overcoming a couple ex-NFL players, 300-pound(!) Kyle Williams, who finished runner-up, and two-time defending champ Tony Romo, who was in fourth place before withdrawing ahead of the final round with a wrist injury.

Christian Petersen

Sorry, Tony, but Mardy is the new King of Celebrity Golf for now after a performance that included a 10-birdie(!) 63 to break the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course record. TEN birdies! In one round! By a tennis player! I’m taking this guy’s athletic résumé over Roger Federer’s any day of the week.

WE’RE SELLING

Justin Thomas’ finish: He’s great, he’s young, and he’ll bounce back, but this one had to sting JT. First, he blew a three-shot lead with three to play and then he had a 13th PGA Tour title taken from him after he made what looked like the winning birdie on the first playoff hole.

5⃣0⃣ FEET!@JustinThomas34 with an UNBELIEVABLE birdie on the first playoff hole.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/T6iuNZrcxH

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020

Before Morikawa answered with this:

WOW.@Collin_Morikawa with a MUST-MAKE putt to extend the playoff.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/RSYdWRI1sA

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 12, 2020

Even with the loss, Thomas is a strong 8-of-13 at closing out 54-hole leads. And at least he can say he lost one heckuva duel to another young star. Not that anyone could watch it on TV. . .

TV contracts: Look, we know this is a business and there were reasons why neither Golf Channel nor CBS showed the conclusion of this thrilling tournament live after final-round tee times were moved up due to bad weather, but c’mon. We’ve been saying for weeks how this is golf’s big chance to seize the sports stage and I had friends texting me why it wasn’t on TV. Sure, you could stream it once you found the link, but that’s a lot of effort for a casual fan to go through and this wound up being a big missed opportunity to generate buzz for the sport. A better system needs to be figured out. Period.

Caddies: We’ve seen golfers win at the highest levels with WAGs or friends filling in, but how about a tour pro winning without a caddie at all? Such was the case at the Austrian Open, where Marc Warren pulled off the victory while lugging his own bag around after his caddie failed a COVID-19 test earlier in the week. Although Warren was quick to say he missed having someone on the bag, the unusual circumstance did produce his first European Tour win in six years and meant he didn’t have to share 10 percent of the winner’s check. Plus, the 39-year-old also got some great exercise in. I know I’m going to get heat for this, but. . . Just saying. . .

Stuart Franklin

ON TAP

The PGA Tour heads to stays in Dublin, Ohio, for the Memorial Tournament, AKA that event played at Muirfield Village in which Jack Nicklaus actually plays host. It also happens to mark the PGA Tour return of Tiger Woods, who hasn’t played competitively in more than five months. Well, unless you count The Match. Speaking of the field:

?Stat of the week:

The 2020 @MemorialGolf SoF is set to break many #OWGR era records. As it looks now, this will be:

– strongest regular @PGATOUR event ever
– 1st regular PGA Tour event with SoF > 800
– stronger than any Playoff event ever
– stronger than the last 8 Masters pic.twitter.com/btBDoZrPsX

— Nosferatu (@VC606) July 13, 2020

Wow. This is major. Even though it technically isn’t.

Random tournament fact: Most golf fans know Woods has won the Memorial a record five times, but the person with the second-most wins at Muirfield Village? Kenny Perry. Thank you, Wikipedia.

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—Bryson DeChambeau will treat himself to a victory milkshake: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds
—Tiger will win this week: 25-to-1 odds
—Tiger is not happy about having the same odds as Hideki Matsuyama: LOCK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

No one documents the end of PGA Tour events better than Rickie Fowler.

Gregory Shamus

We appreciate the effort, Rick—especially because, again, we weren’t seeing anything on TV.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Finau’s 206-mph ball speed was impressive, but Bryson went back to the LAB and produced a 144-mph swing speed:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCheVzjjLMi/?utm_source=ig_embed

My. Word.

THIS WEEK IN TOUR PRO PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Last week, the talented Sam Harrop performed his latest parody song in honour of Ben An:

Here's my latest golf song – with credit, of course, to the Beatles.

I think we all know @ByeongHunAn is one of the good guys. So if you happen to see this, Ben, please know that it comes from a place of love!

RTs & YouTube subscribes (https://t.co/gumjIjqmhy) appreciated ? pic.twitter.com/rikpiMAEE9

— Sam Harrop (@sam_golf) July 6, 2020

This week, the good-natured An responded by stamping some of the lyrics on his wedge:

I had to do this for you @sam_golf ??? pic.twitter.com/brLtCjjd3v

— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) July 7, 2020

Social media certainly has its negatives, but stories like this are awesome. But seriously, Ben, if I keep betting on you, can you pick up the putting a little? Thanks.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’m never coming in last place again. You can take that to the bank. I’m never coming in last place again. Ever! Ever! Ever! Guaranteed!” —Charles Barkley before finishing in second-to-last place at Lake Tahoe. Good for you, Chuck. Eddie George must be unspeakably bad at golf.

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLFERS NOT NAMED MARDY FISH OR CHARLES BARKLEY

Trevor Lawrence played golf! Well, tried to play golf. It’s tough when you’re built like a Greek God and golf clubs snap on you like this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CClh0XZBlDi/?utm_source=ig_embed

Of course, after seeing the money Patrick Mahomes just got, it’s tough to feel bad for a star quarterback. That is, if football ever returns.

THIS WEEK IN PHIL BEING PHIL

At a quick glance, Phil Mickelson shooting even par for the week and finishing T-58 seems rather boring. Wrong! Phil drove a green in spectacular fashion:

? @PhilMickelson just hit his tee shot to 9 feet.

On a par 4. ?#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ipBk9TwoF0

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 10, 2020

Showed off some shades from his forthcoming “HIT BOMBS” apparel line:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCgc2ztDuDJ/?utm_source=ig_embed

And gave us arguably the golf GIF of the year:

Make an eagle. ?

Get your coffee back. pic.twitter.com/dFacVEFMqb

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 10, 2020

Nothing is ever boring with this guy.

THIS WEEK IN BROOKS BEING BROOKS

We need to start a new weekly category, because nothing is boring with this guy, either. First, he posts this, um, interesting GIF:

pic.twitter.com/DTjuc48hFp

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) July 7, 2020

Then, after being called “completely unprofessional” by Golf Channel’s Paige Mackenzie for what seemed like a cryptic dig at Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks took aim at Paige:

So that’s Bryson, Brandel, and Paige. And counting. Keep the feuds coming, Brooks!

THIS AND THAT

Viktor Hovland became the first player in the Shot Link Era (2004) to lead the field in strokes gained: tee-to-green in three consecutive events. Considering he didn’t win any of those weeks, it’s pretty easy to guess the part of his game that’s holding him back. . . . The PGA Tour Playoffs will be held without fans. This was the least surprising news of the week. . . . David Lipsky, who like Collin Morikawa attended L.A.’s La Canada High School, won his first Korn Ferry Tour title. Their high school is better than my high school at golf. . . . And finally, shout-out to the in-laws for hooking me up with some of my favorite BBQ sauce:

Sonny’s is the GOAT.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Why isn’t there a Sonny’s closer to where I live?
Why didn’t the PGA Tour pair Brooks and Bryson together?
Is anyone looking for a fourth at Pine Valley this weekend?

The post Celebrity golf’s newest king, Brooks Koepka’s latest feud, and a tour pro wins without a caddie appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.