Pat Perez Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Pat Perez shares heartbreaking post about his brother’s death

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:07:35 +0000

Jeff Gross

In a heartbreaking post, LIV golfer Pat Perez said his younger brother Mike, who was 43, died on Monday.

“This is the saddest day of my life,” Perez, 47, wrote on Instagram. “My little brother Mikey has passed. I don’t know what to say as I thought this day would never come. We had so much fun together growing up and he was always in my corner. We did everything together. He wanted nothing but my happiness and was so proud of me. He was the life of the party.

“Everyone that knew him loved him and he was always happy and upbeat. It’s hard to believe that I won’t be able to call him anymore and we won’t be able to spend time with each other. He was such a big part of my life and losing him is beyond devastating. I’m really at a loss for words. Gonna be a long life without him in it. I Love you little brother.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pat Perez (@patperezgolf)

The Perez’s father, Tony Perez, posted about Mike’s death on Twitter and said, “Sleep with the angels my beautiful son. I will miss you forever!”

Sleep with the angels my beautiful son. I will miss you forever! pic.twitter.com/x9Yh2AjTFA

— Tony Perez (@OperationGameOn) July 24, 2023

The cause of Mike Perez’s death has not been disclosed.

Pat Perez ended his post with, “I hope we get to see each other again one day and I hope you find your peace.”

Pat and Mike Perez were high-profile players on the junior golf scene while growing up in San Diego. They both attended Torrey Pines High School, and there is an old family story, told by their dad, that when Pat beat Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines in the 1993 Junior World Championships, the brothers were wrestling on the grass when it came time for Pat to receive his trophy. Mike initially pursued a professional golf career like Pat. But he did not share his brother’s talent. In 2010, he played in one event each on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour, missing the cut in both.

Pat Perez is a three-time PGA Tour winner who played 515 events on the circuit until he moved over to LIV Golf in 2022.

The post Pat Perez shares heartbreaking post about his brother’s death appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Pat Perez’s list of PGA Tour stars who texted him congrats for his LIV success might surprise you

Golf Digest Middle East — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 09:15:00 +0000

By Alex Myers
Many have been led to believe over the past few months that there’s a huge rift between golfers on the PGA Tour and LIV. A real world Jets v Sharks situation unfolding over grass courses instead of paved city streets. Well, according to Pat Perez, that Cold War between these two tours might not be so cold after all.

The always outspoken veteran appeared on the “Son of a Butch with Claude Harmon” podcast this week and he talked about all the support he’s received in the wake of helping the 4 Aces win the inaugural LIV Golf Team Championship. And a couple of the names sending congratulatory texts might surprise you.

Perez told Harmon he received a nice message from Jon Rahm, who has been one of the more vocal opponents of LIV. But maybe that’s not too surprising considering Rahm and Perez both have Arizona State ties, and Rahm has been on a real nice-guy kick of late after helping out Max Homa and his wife with food after the birth of their first child. But then there’s this.

“I got a text from Justin Thomas,” Perez says. “Monday morning. He said, ‘Hey man, I’m so happy for you, congrats.’ That’s pretty cool.”

Like Rahm, Thomas has been very vocal in his support of the PGA Tour v LIV. Very vocal. But he congratulated Perez, who had struggled since joining the new tour, for coming through in the finale at Doral for teammates Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Talor Gooch.

That being said, the 46-year-old Perez points out he might draw more of a positive reaction from the anti-LIV crowd because of his particular situation.

“I think people have realised here’s a guy who’s kinda been an average player his whole career, and grinded it out, kept his card forever, and he got a break and he had to show up on Sunday to help his team, and he did,” said Perez, who also listed Webb Simpson and Aaron Baddeley among those PGA Tour pros reaching out. “I think those guys realise I’m not a threat to Justin Thomas or any of those top players. They know I’m not a threat, and they can’t really be mad that I left. I think they were genuinely happy for me. They don’t see me as a threat, they were genuinely happy for me.”

“Justin Thomas is a phenomenal player, phenomenal, and he’s obviously anti-LIV for whatever reasons he is. And that’s fine,” Perez continued. “But the fact that he reached out and congratulated me, I thought that was pretty awesome.”

At least from Perez’s story, it’s possible for PGA Tour and LIV guys to get along.

The post Pat Perez’s list of PGA Tour stars who texted him congrats for his LIV success might surprise you appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Perez set to bring LIV Golf party to Asia for Thailand and Saudi Arabia events

Matt Smith — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 08:59:33 +0000

By Matt Smith
Following Cameron Smith’s sensational triumph at Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago, LIV Golf has truly brought the party to the golfing world.

The 54-hole, no-cut, shotgun extravaganza heads to Asia for the final two main-season events in Thailand and Saudi Arabia in October.

First up to the stop at Stonehill Golf Course in Bangkok on October 7-9 before the inaugural series wraps up its individual season at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah from October 14-16. The Team Championship concludes at Trump National Doral Miami at the end of the month.

Dustin Johnson leads the individual standings and his 4 Aces team of Patrick Reed, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch has thrived in the upbeat atmosphere. In Chicago, the team earned its fourth consecutive team trophy thanks to Reed’s final-round 68 — including two chip-ins for eagle and birdie — a 69 from Perez, and a birdie putt for 70 from captain Johnson on the last hole. Their final score of 24-under overall placed them one ahead of the Smash team of Peter Uihlein, four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, his brother Chase and Jason Kokrak.

The 4 Aces praised the fans for the atmosphere they have brought to the tournaments throughout the season, with Johnson labelling the supporters ‘unbelievable’.

“The fans have been amazing at every event,” added Perez. They are behind us, they’re for it. They get to see top players every day. You’re getting top players to compete every day. It is incredible, and the fan support has been amazing out there every week.”

The post Perez set to bring LIV Golf party to Asia for Thailand and Saudi Arabia events appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

‘I am behind LIV 100 per cent’ says Pat Perez after opting out of lawsuit against PGA Tour

Matt Smith — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 12:12:18 +0000

By Tod Leonard
Pat Perez has said he removed himself from the lawsuit that LIV Golf players have brought against the PGA Tour.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Perez said: “I have no ill feelings toward the PGA Tour or any of the players. I’m a LIV guy 100 per cent. I’m going to play for them. But I don’t feel any need to go after the PGA Tour. They gave me a wonderful opportunity for 21 years. I’ve got nothing against them, no hard feelings toward anybody. I earned everything I got out there, don’t get me wrong.

“I chose to leave and I’m not looking to come back. I’d like to maybe play the Champions Tour one day if that can work out and that’s why I have not given up my membership. But there is no benefit to doing this. I have an unbelievable deal with LIV and I’m behind them 100 per cent.’’

Eleven players were originally part of the lawsuit, but now Perez and Carlos Ortiz have opted out. On Thursday US District Judge Beth L Freeman set a tentative date for summary judgment for July 23, 2023, where the PGA Tour will likely seek to dismiss the case, with a trial date expected to begin on January 8, 2024.

Only four years away from being eligible for PGA Tour Champions, Perez signed a four-year deal with LIV earlier this year, and in the two tournaments he’s played, the 46-year-old has earned just over $1.8 million.

The post ‘I am behind LIV 100 per cent’ says Pat Perez after opting out of lawsuit against PGA Tour appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

LIV Golf Invitational Series: New boy Carlos Ortiz leads the way in Portland from Dustin Johnson and Pat Perez

Matt Smith — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 08:26:21 +0000

By Matt Smith
New face Carlos Ortiz was the toast of Portland on Thursday as the Mexican upstaged Dustin Johnson to take a one-stroke lead at the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

The 31-year-old shot an impressive five-under 67 to lead American 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters champion Johnson in the second of the Saudi-backed series events.

Another new boy and fan favourite Pat Perez it T3 on three-under alongside Japan’s Hideto Tanihara and Branden Grace — the South African finished third in London last time out.

[parone_video_player campaign=”281″ defaultlang=”en” feed=”51-all-videos”/]

London runner-up Hennie Du Plessis is T6 on two-under with debutant Brooks Koepka and Australian Wade Ormsby.

Just like in London, there was a festival atmosphere in Oregon as a trio of US Navy Seals parachuted onto the course ahead of the shotgun start, each bearing the Stars and Stripes flag for all to see and confirm LIV Golf’s arrival in the US at Pumpkin Ridge. A bald eagle flew over the driving range and fans chanted U-S-A! (It is Fourth of July weekend, after all.)

The players have been clear in their justification for being here: “I’m here to play golf and entertain the fans. The fans on-site wanted to watch the golf, and they wanted to be entertained. There were fathers and sons. Couples, young and old. Families with young children. It was a similar line from the fans as the players: We’re here to watch the golf.”

There was, however, one isolated incident. On his first hole of the day, Brooks Koepka missed a four-foot putt. A fan yelled “That’s what you get for playing here!” His playing partners and their caddies feared it would be the beginning of an onslaught of heckling. It was the only chirp they heard all day.

Leaderboard

1 Carlos Ortiz (MEX) -5
2 Dustin Johnson (USA) -4
T3 Pat Perez (USA) -3
T3 Hideto Tanihara (JPN) -3
T3 Branden Grace (RSA) -3
T6 Brooks Koepka (USA) -2
T6 Hennie Du Plessis (RSA) -2
T6 Wade Ormsby (AUS) -2

The post LIV Golf Invitational Series: New boy Carlos Ortiz leads the way in Portland from Dustin Johnson and Pat Perez appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

What Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and the rest of the new LIV golfers said in their first pressers

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 08:52:23 +0000

Brooks Koepka during practice prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. LIV Golf

By Dan Rapaport
For Greg Norman and LIV Golf, Tuesday’s press conferences are a victory lap of sorts — an opportunity to show off six big-name golfers they have signed up from the PGA Tour. This being the first time Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Wolff, Abraham Ancer, Brooks Koepka, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed have addressed media regarding their decision, nearly every question has been a version of the same core quandary: Why did you do it?

[parone_video_player campaign=”281″ defaultlang=”en” feed=”51-all-videos”/]

Money, of course, is the chief driver here, and it’s the main reason those six are in Oregon. But it is not the only reason.

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau speaks to the media in Portland. LIV Golf

The crown jewel of this recruiting class, DeChambeau was efficient with his words, disciplined in the scope of his comments. He stayed on message, and his agent, Brett Falkoff, gave him a pat on the back after he walked out of the media centre. Job done. It was a noticeable departure from DeChambeau’s rambling exchanges back in his PGA Tour days, before he stopped talking to writers due to perceived slights. It’s as if someone finally got through to Bryson to tell him that this is what he should say, and that he does not need to say anything else.

DeChambeau talked about his entrepreneurial spirit, his desire to use the money to give back to the communities in his hometown in California and to build a multisport complex in Dallas, where he currently resides. He spoke of the freedom the schedule gives him to rest and to pursue his own content-making opportunities on YouTube. DeChambeau said he wants to focus on “moving on,” “looking forward” and using the game as a force of good — almost verbatim to Phil Mickelson’s answer to this question.

“I understand people’s decisions and their comments and whatnot,” DeChambeau said. “But as it relates to me, I’ve personally made that on my own as my own decision. And I won’t say any more on that because there’s no need. We’re golfers at the end of the day. And I think that I respect everybody’s opinion, that’s the most important thing.

“But golf is a force for good and I think as time goes on, hopefully people will see the good that they’re doing and what they’re trying to accomplish.”

DeChambeau also said he tried multiple times to get onto the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council to work on changing the tour from the inside, but he was not successful. He said he did not know what the PGA Tour could’ve done to avoid his departure but did say he has not resigned his membership and hopes to play both tours.

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

Matt Wolff

Matt Wolff. Sean M. Haffey

Wolff seemed the most genuine of the bunch. He is a different cat, not afraid to discuss his challenges with life on the road and the cold competitiveness of the PGA Tour. He said he felt isolated, depressed, dejected. He simply hasn’t been happy for long stretches, and he seems to view LIV as a much lower-stress option to the life he lived 12 months ago. Wolff absolutely loved his time at Oklahoma State — he has said he regrets leaving Stillwater early, and spent most of his time there during his hiatus from the game last year — and revelled in the team environment. He is a deeply social person, perhaps not cut out for the rugged individualism of the PGA Tour. He knows that, and he’s OK with that.

“I just think that like this just gives us such a good opportunity and getting back to (why I joined),” Wolff said. “You’re going to try so hard for your team and it just gives you so much more opportunity to enjoy yourself and have little small wins and feel good about yourself rather than shoot 75 on Sunday (and feel like) I could’ve played better, I could have done this, I could have done that.”

Abraham Ancer

Abraham Ancer. Sam Greenwood

Ancer fancies himself an entrepreneur. He co-launched a successful drinks company with Mark Wahlberg and has his eyes on other business projects. The influx of cash, he said, coupled with a lighter tournament schedule will allow him to live a balanced life between his golf, his family and his business. All three players spoke of the lighter schedule, though LIV is expected to expand to a 14-event schedule for 2024, and all three said they’re keen on continuing to play the majors, which would bring the total to 18.

“I actually made a list of a lot of pros and cons and it wasn’t definitely an easy decision,” the Mexican said. “If it was just a business decision then yeah, it was extremely easy, right? But now it’s came down to quality of life. And I felt like in the last two or three years I’ve been giving my all to golf and business outside of golf as well. So I haven’t really had a life outside of golf in business. So I feel like I haven’t seen my family that much. So yeah, just talk to everybody that’s close to me and kind of put the cards on the table.”

Ancer was also pressed on whether he’s worried that his golf game will suffer now that he’s not playing against PGA Tour competition every week and dealing with a 36-hole cut. He brushed that one aside, suggesting he’s way too competitive a person to simply go through the motions in any competition.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka. LIV Golf

Koepka, who said did not have discussions with LIV Golf until after the US Open, took a rather combative and dismissive tone throughout his 30 minutes at the podium. When asked what changed from when he vehemently supported the PGA Tour, he simply said “my opinion”. When asked to give specifics on that, he declined. When asked if he’s concerned about future access to the majors, he said that playing well will take care of itself but didn’t seem too bothered either way: “I made a decision,” he said. “I’m happy with it, and whatever comes of it, I’ll live with it.” The most illuminating part of his presser came when he discussed his injuries and how the lighter schedule will benefit his worn-down body.

“I came back to play three weeks after surgery on a knee where they’re like you’re not going to play for six months,” Koepka said. “Just because I didn’t feel like I was going to miss the whole season next season. It was just bad timing. Where now, I mean, got, what, seven more events to play? I mean, you’re not doing a month on the road anymore. You know, life does go on even though when we’re not playing golf. So being away from home for a month. I don’t have any kids that I know about. So being at home is not really a thing for me, but life does go on. And like there’s some things we miss at home, being friends, family, a lot of birthdays. It would just be nice to be home a little bit more. I think that’s a big thing that everybody, every one of these 48 players will say the same thing.”

Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed. Ben Jared

Reed, wearing a LIV Golf hat, said he had resigned his membership from the PGA Tour. Reed also did not shy away from criticising Ponte Vedra. He was asked what the tour could’ve done to keep him and said “listen to the players for once”. He said the FedEx Cup schedule forced him to play for weeks on end and of the burnout that comes with multiple weeks on the road.

“We have a smaller schedule,” Reed said of LIV. “We actually have an off season where not only can we get healthy, work on our bodies, but we’re basically allowing ourselves throughout the year to, you know, try to peak at the right times is when you’re playing rather than feeling like you have to play every single week. And on top of it, just the quality of life for us as players now, you know, having less events, being able to spend more time at home with the family, if you have kids, being able to spend time with your children, and not sitting there and having to play three, four weeks in a row, then have a week off, and during that week off you’re preparing trying to get ready for the next week. You’re able to actually now set out a schedule, go out and put all you have in every single event. You’re not having to conserve energy ever.”

Interestingly, he suggested a shotgun start is the best way to identify a champion because everyone is playing at the same time.

Pat Perez

Pat Perez. Robert Laberge

Perez kept it real: he’s 46, he’s played over 500 events on the PGA Tour, and for him, this is like “winning the lottery”. He will play much less than he did for the past two decades and he will make more money.

“I’m a 30- to 33-week guy,” he said of his past PGA Tour schedule. “Every year I’ve done it and now I don’t have to. And I get to be with them. I get to be with my family. At my age this is an absolute golden opportunity for me. I get to play. DJ is my captain. I get to play seven this year and whatever else in the future. It’s a no-brainer for a guy my age that’s been on the road. I just had three weeks off. I feel great. I couldn’t be more excited about this, and that’s the bottom line.”

He spoke passionately against the PGA Tour’s handling of the situation and said he has not resigned from the PGA Tour because he feels he has done nothing wrong, and that he should be able to play on the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50.

“(Jay Monahan) doesn’t listen to the players. Somehow the tour they keep talking about, oh, yeah, we work for you, we work for the players, we work for the players. It’s the opposite. Seems like we work for them. We don’t have a say in anything.”

Perez drew perhaps the only laugh in a very tense room when he said that “at world No. 170, I’m not concerned about the majors”.

The post What Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and the rest of the new LIV golfers said in their first pressers appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

LIV Golf: Top stars DeChambeau, Koepka, Ancer and Reed set for debut in Portland as new captains announced

Matt Smith — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:30:53 +0000

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau

By Matt Smith
LIV Golf has announced the global field of players and the 12 team captains that will tee off at the second tournament of the season, the LIV Golf Invitational Portland, taking place June 30-July 2 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon.

[parone_video_player campaign=”281″ defaultlang=”en” feed=”51-all-videos”/]

Among the headline players making their LIV Golf debuts are four-time major champion and former world No. 1 Brooks Koepka, 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, 2018 Masters champion and Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, and international sensation and current world No. 20 Abraham Ancer. Pat Perez, a fan favourite who boasts 74 top-10 finishes including four professional wins, and Yuki Inamori, a four-time winner on Japanese tours with 39 top-10 finishes as a pro, also make their bows.

Three weeks after LIV Golf’s historic launch at Centurion Club in London, the Portland field will showcase nine of the last 21 major winners, four former world No. 1 players and nearly half of its competitors currently ranked in the top 100. The global field represents 12 different countries and a combined 20 major titles, as well as future stars of the game who earned an NCAA National Championship, US Amateur Championships and professional tour wins among their accomplishments. Players will compete for $25 million and the chance to become the second individual and team champions for LIV Golf.

Charl Schwartzel, Hennie Du Plessis and Branden Grace on the podium in London

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

Players confirmed for the LIV Golf Invitational Portland

Abraham Ancer, MEX, Rank: 20, Three professional wins
Richard Bland, ENG, 69, Two career wins
Itthipat Buranatanyarat, THA, 607, Three wins on the Asian Development Tour
Laurie Canter, ENG, 122, One professional win
Bryson DeChambeau, USA, 30, Major champion; 10 professional wins
Hennie Du Plessis, RSA, 134, Three professional wins; runner-up at LIV Golf Invitational London
Sergio Garcia, ESP, 59, Major champion; 36 career victories
Talor Gooch, USA, 39 Two professional wins
Branden Grace, RSA, 125, 14 professional wins
Justin Harding, RSA, 114, 11 professional wins
Sam Horsfield, ENG, 77, Three professional wins
Yuki Inamori, JPN, 106, Four professional wins
Dustin Johnson, USA, 16, Former World No. 1; Two-time major champion
Matt Jones, AUS, 72, Four professional wins
Sadom Kaewkanjana, THA, 119, Former Asian Tour Order of Merit leader (2 wins)
Martin Kaymer, GER, 224, Former World No. 1; Two-time major champion
Phachara Khongwatmai, THA, 136, Youngest player to win pro event (2013)
Sihwan Kim, USA, 137, Two Asian Tour wins
Ryosuke Kinoshita, JPN, 91, Three professional wins
Brooks Koepka, USA, 19, Former World No. 1; Four-time major champion
Chase Koepka, USA, 1,607, Six professional top-10 finishes
Jinichiro Kozuma, JPN, 109, Two professional wins
Graeme McDowell, NIR, 372, Major champion; 16 victories
Phil Mickelson, USA, 83, six-time major champion; World Golf Hall of Fame
Jediah Morgan, AUS, 251, 2021-22 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit
Kevin Na, USA, 34, Nine professional victories
Shaun Norris, RSA, 76, 12 professional wins
Louis Oosthuizen, RSA, 23, Major champion; 20 professional wins
Wade Ormsby, AUS, 285, Four professional wins
Adrian Otaegui, ESP, 169, Three professional wins
Pat Perez, USA, 170, Four professional wins; 74 top-10 finishes
Turk Pettit, USA, 615, 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Champion
James Piot, USA, 1,785, 2021 US Amateur Champion
Ian Poulter, ENG, 98, 19 professional victories; former World No. 5
Patrick Reed, USA, 38, Major champion; Nine professional wins
Charl Schwartzel, RSA, 123, Major champion; LIV Golf Invitational London winner
Travis Smyth, AUS, 405, International Series Order of Merit Qualifier
Ian Snyman, RSA, 379, International Series Order of Merit Qualifier
Hudson Swafford, USA, 96, Four professional wins; 12 top 10 finishes
Hideto Tanihara, JPN, 183, 16 professional victories
Peter Uihlein, USA, 329, Former No. 1 Amateur; Four professional wins
Scott Vincent, ZIM, 92, Four professional wins
Lee Westwood, ENG, 85, Former World No. 1; 44 professional wins
Bernd Wiesberger, AUT, 97, 13 professional victories
Blake Windred, AUS, 269, Earned first professional win in 2021
The final three players will be announced in the coming days

[parone_video_player campaign=”279″ defaultlang=”en” feed=”51-all-videos”/]

Greg’s delight

“Coming off our successful launch in London, we take another leap forward with our strengthened field for Portland,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf. “Record-setting champions, global ambassadors and rising stars are showing that players are eager to get involved with our innovative model that stresses camaraderie, competition, and above all, fun, that drives a new and entertaining product for today’s golf fans. The response after one event has been overwhelming. Free agency has officially come to golf. I’m proud of this field and our entire team that is committed to creating a new and exciting future for this sport.”

The 48-man field in Portland will play across 12 teams of four players each. Teams for Portland will be announced on Tuesday, June 28 following a draft during which team captains will select players from the field.

The team captains announced for the Portland Invitational

Stinger GC — Louis Oosthuizen
Crushers GC — Bryson DeChambeau
Majesticks GC — Lee Westwood
Torque GC — Hideto Tanihara
4 Aces GC — Dustin Johnson
Cleeks GC — Martin Kaymer
Punch GC — Wade Ormsby
Niblicks GC — Graeme McDowell
Smash GC — Brooks Koepka
Hy Flyers GC — Phil Mickelson
Fireballs GC — Sergio Garcia
Iron Heads GC — Kevin Na

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel earned first prize in the individual competition at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational London at Centurion Club. Stinger GC, Schwartzel’s team captained by major champion Louis Oosthuizen, took the team honours with fellow South Africans and teammates Hennie du Plessis and Branden Grace finishing second and third, respectively. The Stingers finished with a total score of 20-under, besting the second-place competition by 14 strokes.

The post LIV Golf: Top stars DeChambeau, Koepka, Ancer and Reed set for debut in Portland as new captains announced appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Priceless: Charl Schwartzel reflects on famous moment at LIV Golf after a long, long wait

Matt Smith — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 22:44:31 +0000

By Matt Smith
First place in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series competition: $4 million
Share of first place in the inaugural team competition during the same three days: $750,000
A hug from the kids and a first trophy in six years: priceless

King Charl ??#LIVGolf | @CA_Schwartzel pic.twitter.com/2K1x3daus0

— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) June 11, 2022

Charl Schwartzel made history on Saturday to win the first ever LIV Golf event at Centurion Club and the relief on his face after holing the final putt was more to do with victory in its own right rather than the whopping pay cheque that came with it.

Yes, the South African took away $4.75 million for his work over 54 holes in Hertfordshire this week, but the 2011 Masters winner honestly just looked more delighted to embrace his son and daughter and prove he could be a champion once again.

Schwartzel’s last win came way back in 2016 before some steely nerves and a hot putter took him home by one stroke at Centurion Club on Saturday.

https://twitter.com/LIVGolfInv/status/1535712056313249793

He was clear by five at one point but hit the wobbles on the back nine, and had to hold it together to hole out for a one-stroke triumph over ‘Stinger’ teammate and fellow South African Hennie Du Plessis with the final shot (third-placed Branden Grace and skipper Louis Oosthuizen made up the winning foursome).

The definition of domination ?#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/CvPFv5jGbr

— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) June 11, 2022

“I really wanted to win again,” Schwartzel told the media here, with both individual and team trophies sitting beside him. “I worked very hard the last few years and there were signs of good golf and just haven’t really been able to be in contention, and I played really god the first 11 holes. I hit a wayward shot on 12 and it sort of derailed me.

“From there on, I was just trying to hang in. Hennie was playing some really good golf, he was hitting good shots and playing pressure.

“It was a little bit like ‘just get in the house’ at the end. But I couldn’t be more pleased and happy with how it turned out today.”

“I’m tired,” he joked after the three-day shotgun tournament, as opposed to the usual 72-holes. “I came here last Saturday. I played Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. So I’ve played a full week of hard preparation, and I think for the amount that’s at stake, what LIV has put up, I could see myself doing that for almost all the event, really trying to prepare like I did for majors. Majors I used to come early and be real prepared. Because you have got three rounds now, so you don’t have four rounds to maybe catch up if you were behind. You have to play well all three rounds, otherwise you won’t win.

“So, 54 holes was the tournament, but my week has been very long.

The Masters champion also reflected on what this week meant compared to his famous week at Augusta back in 2011.

“I don’t know if there’s anything that will ever come close to a green jacket. Majors are what define our careers. Obviously I was fortunate to win the green jacket and I’m very proud of that.

“Money is one thing but, there, you’re playing for prestige, history. Yeah, winning a major will always top anything you do.”

Du Plessis took $2.875 million for his week’s work and he was quizzed how he felt after it was suggested he had just tripled his career earnings.

“Obviously I’ve worked hard to be in this position and to earn this amount of money,” he said after his near miss for the title. “I’ve got LIV Golf to thank for that, for giving me the opportunity. It’s been an incredible week and I’m very grateful and I’m very happy.

“It’s hard not to think about the money. But you’re still trying to win a tournament and put a decent result in. So I didn’t really think about the money. I just thought about the trophy.”

There was a real camaraderie in the Stinger team, as they are all South African, and captain Oosthuizen admitted that was part of his plan from the start. He is aiming to keep them together for the next LIV event in the US at the end of the month.

“So Charl and Branden are in my team going forward to the next event in Portland,” he said. I sort of looked them up and said I want them on my team. I would love to have a full South African team every week.

“I know Hennie has got a few things struggling with visa appointments and stuff like that with the backlogs, and so, if he can sort that out, there’s a space on my team for him. If it works out, the four of us play the next ones.”

It was quite a closing day in St Albans as — following the announcement of Bryson DeChambeau on Friday — both Patrick Reed and Pat Perez were confirmed as signing up to LIV Golf, despite the confirmation of suspension from the PGA for any player who made such a move.

During the event, Reed joined the commentary team in London online to explain his decision: “I’m super excited. Just the thought of being a part of an evolution and a change in golf for the better for me, it’s unbelievable. I have been watching all weekend and the format and just the way everything is, I’m super excited and can’t wait to be a part of it.

“I have been talking to a few of the guys after the first round and second round and they have told me how well not only the tournament is run but also the turnout with the fans and the excitement and energy — and I think that’s the biggest thing is the energy seems so lively and every player seems so pumped and ready to go. Portland can’t get here fast enough.”

Fellow Pat, Perez, added shortly afterward: “DJ (close friend and former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson) was about 100 per cent the reason that I have this deal. He wanted me to be part of it. A deal like this doesn’t really come across to a guy with my rank and this and that, even though I’ve been on tour 21 years and I’ve got three wins and I’ve made 335 cuts.

“But DJ wanted me on his team and you know, the opportunity to follow a world-class player like that, two majors and FedEx, 24 wins and world No. 1 for a really long time, it’s really an honour to be by his side and to be on his team.”

You might also like:
AS IT HAPPENED on Day 3 at Centurion
Highlights from Day 2
Final round pairings
All you need to know for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational event at Centurion Club in England
The LIV Golf teams are announced
Big Phil confirms LIV Golf participation
Analyzing the 42 players who have signed up for LIV Golf
Your top players to watch at LIV Golf Invitational
DJ to headline LIV Golf Invitational

The post Priceless: Charl Schwartzel reflects on famous moment at LIV Golf after a long, long wait appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Pat Perez on why the PIP is ‘horsesh–,’ why he can’t wait to turn 50 and the one pair of shoes missing from his legendary collection

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:41:21 +0000

Meg Oliphant

By Christopher Powers
Not all podcast guests are created equal. Pat Perez, who is among the best-unfiltered voices in professional golf, is living proof of that.

The three-time PGA Tour winner joined us on this week’s episode of “Be Right,” where his gift of gab was on full display ahead of the Tito’s Shorties Classic Pitch and Putt Match, which will air at 7 p.m. ET on Golf Channel Wednesday evening. The pre-recorded event, which was filmed in Austin, Texas, features Perez, Harry Higgs, Joel Dahmen and Harold Varner III playing a game of Wolf for charity. Tito’s, the official vodka of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, will donate $10,000 for each point a player wins to their charity of choice, with an overall donation totalling over $500,000.

Perez, who served as an analyst in the first edition of “The Match” between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, called the Shorties Classic “my favourite event I’ve ever done.”

“I didn’t even really know what to expect when I got there,” he added. “But, I swear, it was one of the best events I’ve ever had. Obviously dealing with Harold [Varner III] and Joel [Dahmen] and Harry [Higgs], I mean, we had a blast. We didn’t really know what to expect when we got there, and it all just kind of fell into place. It was awesome. It’s just too bad it wasn’t longer.”

Fortunately for us, Perez didn’t just discuss the Shorties Classic, which golf fans should definitely tune into on Wednesday night. The 46-year-old also told us why he can’t wait to turn 50 and he revealed the one (or possibly two) pairs of shoes missing from his legendary collection. He also dished out some spicy takes on the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program, which Perez described as “horsesh–.” Not surprisingly, it was one of the better interviews we’ve had the pleasure of conducting on “Be Right.” And yes, we did preview the Sentry Tournament of Champions, too.

Please, have a listen to our first full episode of 2022 below:

The post Pat Perez on why the PIP is ‘horsesh–,’ why he can’t wait to turn 50 and the one pair of shoes missing from his legendary collection appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Japan’s golfing ‘Elvis’ in control at Zozo, Morikawa suffers the S-word and Pat Perez is predictably funny in the booth

Golf Digest Middle East — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 23:14:04 +0000

Atsushi Tomura
Hideki Matsuyama lines up a putt on the 12th green during the third round of the Zozo Championship.

By Tod Leonard
The Golf Channel did something savvy this week. With undoubtedly smaller broadcast audiences because most of the U.S. has been asleep during the heart of play at the Zozo Championship outside Tokyo, the network took a bit of a leap by rotating in players after their rounds. Rickie Fowler was the first guest, followed by Charley Hoffman during the second round, and then the ever-colourful Pat Perez on Saturday.

Perez came through by providing some keen insight into the task Hideki Matsuyama faces as the Masters champion and now sporting icon tries to close out a victory on home soil in the Zozo Championship.

“I played behind Hideki [on Friday], and it’s like seeing Elvis,” Perez said.

With another solid round on Sunday (Japan time), Matsuyama will have the chance to deliver the kind of triumph that his now legion of fans will talk about for the rest of their lives. In April, he became the first Japanese player to capture the Masters, but there was also deep disappointment when he couldn’t bookend that in the Olympics, where Matsuyama lost in the playoff for bronze.

Thousands of adoring Japanese golf fans are following the 29-year-old around every hole at the tree-lined and pristine Narashino Country Club. Yet, remarkably, he has hardly showed any nerves. On a clear and breezy Saturday following Friday’s frigid round, Matsuyama shot a second-straight two-under 68 to get to 10 under and take a one-shot lead over Cameron Tringale.

The margin would have been two, but Matsuyama suffered a rare terrible miss from the 18th tee, hooking his ball so badly it ended up jailed in the adjacent fairway. From there, he eventually was short of the green on his third shot and went on to make bogey.

Still, Matsuyama would seem to be a happy frontrunner. In two appearances now in the Zozo in Japan since the event was inaugurated in 2019 (it was moved to Sherwood Country Club in 2020 because of the pandemic), Matsuyama hasn’t shot worse than 68. And this course isn’t going to yield a 62 like Collin Morikawa shot last week in challenging winner Rory McIlroy in Vegas.

After Matsuyama striped his tee shot on the par-3 16th to short-range—an opportunity he would convert for birdie—Perez grunted in the booth and said, “That’s just going to be hard to catch. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a phenomenal player.”

More than his play, Perez marvels at the way Matsuyama handles all of the attention that comes his way.

“He has so many cameras around him all of the time,” Perez said. “I tried to say hello. I told him I don’t know how you deal with the cameras all of the time. He said, ‘I pull my hair out sometimes.’ … He’s had it for so many years now. It’s second nature to him. I can’t believe being the guy he is in the country right now. Everybody wants him to win. And here he is leading. And the pressure … it doesn’t look like it phases him at all.”

Here are three other takeaways from Round 3 of the Zozo.

Tringale soaking up the challenge

Atsushi Tomura
Cameron Tringale hits his tee shot on the 10th hole during the third round of the Zozo Championship.

There’s one player who will have the best shot at catching Matsuyama, and that’s the 34-year-old Tringale. He’ll be grouped with Matsuyama for a second straight day after matching him with a 68 in the third round.

Tringale is clearly enjoying the fight. He appeared to be a man trying to make lifelong friends, waving and giving a thumbs up so much that the announcers joked that he was channelling Phil Mickelson.

“I’m not obviously going to win anyone over, but I’m just enjoying the moment,” Tringale said. “The crowds are really respectful and fun and happy, so I’m trying to mirror that back to them and let them know I’m enjoying being here.”

This is yet another shot for Tringale to earn his first tour win. This is his 314th start, and he’s earned more money than any other player without a victory. Three more shots behind him on the board are Sebastian Munoz, Brendan Steele and Matt Wallace. Perhaps the pressure and expectations being squarely on Matsuyama’s shoulders on Sunday will help Tringale in his latest pursuit of a victory.

Morikawa actually suffered the dreaded S-word

Atsushi Tomura
Collin Morikawa stands on the fourth tee during the third round of the Zozo Championship.

Morikawa could have begun his press briefing by discussing his best shot of the day—his chip-in on the 18th hole that polished off a three-under 67 that put him in eighth, six shots off Matsuyama’s pace.

Instead, Morikawa—ever honest and self-effacing—started his interview with one of the most shocking shots he’s hit as a pro. He didn’t even have to talk about it, mind you, since it was too early in the television coverage for anybody to have caught it. We’ll let the reigning Open Championship winner describe it …

“Well, I did something in my career that I haven’t done yet, [which] was shank a shot,” Morikawa said. “I don’t think many people know this. I was in the middle of the fairway on 6, the par 5. … Yeah, shanked a pitching wedge straight in the trees. So really good way to start the day after being one under through five.”

Hackers rejoice. The S-word can happen to the best of them. Morikawa bogeyed 6 and had to battle through a round that really only looked respectable because, after missing the green pin-high at 18, he chipped in for an eagle 3.

This was decidedly not one of those rounds when one of the world’s best ball-strikers was sending missles at the pins.

“It was kind of a grind,” Morikawa said. “I really had no clue where the ball was going to go. I was kind of just trying to make contact and, thankfully, the putting was working today.”

Perez comes through with a comical Charles Barkley story
Putting Perez on the air with a live mic was seemingly as bold as Roy Kent being tabbed as a TV pundit on “Ted Lasso.” Roy proceeded to toss blue insults all around, causing his studio partners to cringe. Perez can be hilarious, but away from the cameras he’s not exactly PG-rated. So kudos to Golf Channel for giving him a shot, even if it meant some guy in the production truck had his finger poised an inch above the delay button, ready to strike at the first f—.

Perez turned out to be a predictably colorful guest, even if his mood was not the best after a third-round 73 that concluded with a bogey. He provided details about the coiffing of his mullet and shared a funny story of the text he got early Saturday morning from Charles Barkley: “He texted me, ‘Did you retire? I haven’t seen your name on the leader board. And if you did retire, let me know so I can buy you a gift.’ “

Perez chuckled. “I might just take the gift anyway,” he said.

Perez, 45, said he soon will make his 500th start on the PGA Tour in a career in which he’s won three times and never lost his card.

“If you had told me at 22 that I’d have three wins, 500 starts, and not lose my card, that I’ve had that kind of career, I think I would have taken it,” Perez said.

The post Japan’s golfing ‘Elvis’ in control at Zozo, Morikawa suffers the S-word and Pat Perez is predictably funny in the booth appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.