Fresh off another team victory for captain DJ’s 4Aces in London (can you say, dynasty?), the two-time major champion promptly hopped on a yacht with wife Paulina Gretzky and a few friends and headed for France. Gretzky, naturally, has documented it all on her Instagram story. Seems like a time is being had:

Quite the lifestyle these two have, and they make no apologies for it. You have to respect it. 

Johnson, who just turned 39 a few weeks ago, remains as athletic as ever, as evidenced by the video Paulina posted in one of the most recent frames of her IG story. Check out the FORM on this backflip:

The golf world: imploding

The unbothered king of the sport: pic.twitter.com/NiDXYOQ3xs

— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) July 11, 2023

As unbothered as ever. You think he’s watching the big Senate hearing on Tuesday? Actually, a better question would be, do you think Johnson has any idea it’s happening? We’re going to go with no and no. 

By the way, no coincidence that the next Summer Olympics are in (checks notes) Paris, France. Perhaps DJ can do double duty as a member of the U.S. golf squad and diving team. The athlete’s athlete.

The post Dustin Johnson nails backflip off a yacht. Next stop: Summer Olympics appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

It’s Dustin Johnson’s birthday and to celebrate Paulina Gretzky showed off her golf swing to the internet’s glowing approval.

On Thursday, Golf dot com’s Claire Rogers posted a drive from The Great One’s daughter, and it quickly became one of the few tweets in Golf Twitter history with unanimous approval.

Paulina! pic.twitter.com/DF4Ex5aCbk

— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) June 22, 2023

“Paulina!” really says it all here, as Gretzky’s swing looks better than the majority of our staff’s. That’s a hell of a lot of rotation and clubhead speed, and the comments underneath the original post are overwhelmingly positive. “Yeah swing is getting Gooooooood!!” says one user. “Her move is so good,” writes another. Even the doubters have to give it to her: “That is not bad at all. Far better than what I was expecting.”

Dustin Johnson tuning up for the PGA Championship by giving Paulina Gretzky a late-night golf lesson. pic.twitter.com/BeOjMc3YXH

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) May 17, 2023

We know that DJ has been giving late-night golf lessons to his wife. He even helped with her swing before the PGA Championship. That’s dedication. Johnson has also given some tutorials to his young son who already knows what he’s doing. This entire family is a golf powerhouse.

Our one quibble is that it does look like Gretzky is hitting into the group right in front of her. There are seemingly two carts resting not far from where she’s aiming her drive. With the power behind that swing, we might be witnessing a concussion in the making. Hopefully, everyone’s all right. We definitely know Paulina’s doing just fine.

The post This video of Paulina Gretzky’s updated golf swing has the internet in awe appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Ryan Herrington
While Dustin Johnson and his fiancée Paulina Gretzky have been a happily engaged couple now for nearly eight years, the question always lingered: When might they actually tie the knot?

Earlier this week, Gretzky seemed to be hinting that the day is coming soon. She took to social media to post images of herself dress shopping with Vera Wang.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paulina Gretzky (@paulinagretzky)

This was happening while Johnson was playing at the Valspar Championship, where his mind was far away from wedding bells. Instead, it was focused on trying to figure out a game that has been off from the peak form that lifted Johnson to the FedEx Cup title, return the World No. 1 and earn him his second major championship title at the November Masters.

A balky putter proved costly for Johnson at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course as he posted rounds of 71-68-74. After entering the tournament ranked 112th in strokes gained putting—a stat he was 48th in last season—Johnson was 61st out of the 69 players who made the cut in the stat this week, including losing more than two strokes to the field on the greens on Saturday alone.

On Sunday, he told Golfweek that he had five lip-outs on his first 12 holes. A closing two-under 69 left him two under for the week and tied for 48th. Johnson hasn’t a top-10 finish in his last six starts since the Genesis Invitational—including a missed cut in his title defence at Augusta National last month—after finishing with eight top-10s in his nine previous PGA Tour starts.

So what about a wedding sometime in DJ’s future? Johnson told Golfweek on Sunday that they are getting closer but when asked about a specific date, he didn’t offer much.

“We don’t have one yet.”

Or at least not one that he’s going to share right now with the public.

The post Dustin Johnson says no date set ‘yet’ for wedding with Paulina Gretzky appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Brian Wacker
The green jacket is hanging in a closet at home. No need for a coat in Maui.

“I’ve worn it a couple of times, not a whole lot,” Dustin Johnson said Wednesday at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. “I’ll put it on every once in a while at the house.”

This week marks Johnson’s first start since winning the Masters in November, an achievement that was celebrated a day later with a plush vacation in Saint Barts, where he was joined by fiancee Paulina Gretzky, caddie and brother Austin and his wife, as well as a contingent of friends. There, they enjoyed the spoils of victory and the offseason, which included imbibing a few well-deserved shots and playing a giant Jenga.

Once Johnson returned home, there was a TaylorMade shoot in South Florida, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and more R&R, this time in the Bahamas, sandwiched in between.

Re-watching his Masters triumph? He hasn’t even done that, at least not yet. For now, a link to the broadcast sits in his email undisturbed, much like his clubs.

“Haven’t played a whole lot of golf,” he said. “But that was on purpose.”

This week it’s back to work.

Dustin Johnson smiles during the green jacket ceremony after he won the 2020 Masters. Rob Carr

Johnson, reigning champion of the FedEx Cup, arrived in Hawaii the day after Christmas and in the days leading up to this week flaked off any rust by pegging it up at Makena Golf Club, on the southwest coast of Maui, before eventually making the hour drive up the coast to the Plantation Course on Sunday.

“It’s OK to be a little bit rusty,” he said. “The fairways are nice and wide and there’s still some shots, you got to hit some really quality golf shots, but I feel like I’ve had the last week or so to play a little bit. I’m rusty, but not too rusty.”

Not that there figures to be that much rust anyway, even with two months of downtime. In Johnson’s last seven starts dating to the PGA Championship in August, he has finished no worse than sixth, won twice and finished second twice.

The Plantation Course is also the perfect place for the 36-year-old World No. 1 to resume competition. He’s won the TOC twice before, the most recent of those victories coming in 2018. A year ago, he tied for seventh.

“Everything feels pretty similar,” Johnson said. “Obviously not quite as sharp as I was probably back at Augusta, but I’m seeing a lot of the same shapes and I feel like I’m doing everything pretty well, even though I haven’t practised a whole lot here lately.”

And what about the possibility of a letdown following a year in which he won three times in 2020, finished runner-up four times, third once and had three other top-10s in 18 worldwide starts?

“Motivation for me, it’s not that hard,” Johnson said. “I like being the best.”

The post In Maui, Dustin Johnson shaking off rust after Masters triumph and well-earned vacation appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Even Austin Johnson’s Masters caddie bib is making the rounds—with The Great One getting a taste.

We just hope Johnson doesn’t have to return his coveted coat in April. Getting to keep it for only five months doesn’t seem fair—for both DJ and those following along on Instagram.

WE’RE BUYING

Robotic Dustin Johnson: What a clinic this guy put on at Augusta National. What a heater he’s been on the past few months. And he barely even gives a fist pump. Amazing. We’ve had plenty of World No. 1s the past few years, but Johnson is the undisputed heavyweight champ heading into 2021 following a record-breaking Masters win that caps a brilliant run of six top-two finishes in his past seven starts (the other start was a T-6 at the U.S. Open NBD).

Ben Walton

More importantly, Johnson got a big—and dare I say, deserved—boost to what was already a Hall-of-Fame resume. With his latest spurt that also includes a FedEx Cup and a second PGA Tour Player of the Year Award, Johnson now has essentially the same accomplishments (24 PGA Tour wins and two majors) as Johnny Miller. Based on his personality, we’re not projecting the same broadcasting career as Johnny, but you get the point. He’s among the greats. And at 36, he’s not nearly finished adding to that résumé.

RELATED: Dustin Johnson’s play in 2020 redefines his golf legacy

Emotional Dustin Johnson: We joke about Johnson’s robotic-like reactions, but after everyone flipped away to watch football, he returned to the 18th green donning his new green jacket and finally showed he’s human. These tears were real—and they were spectacular. Kudos to CBS’ Amanda Balionis for handling it so well.

Winning the Masters is a dream come true for Dustin Johnson. pic.twitter.com/2gGJ9HuMSJ

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 15, 2020

Wow. . . It’s getting DUSTY in here!

WE’RE SELLING

Tiger Woods’ 10: As Tiger deposited an entire sleeve of Bridgestones into Rae’s Creek, there was one thought that kept running through my head: Thank goodness this didn’t happen on Sunday last year. In other words, SAY AMEN AT THE CORNER!

Ben Walton

But seriously, that was pretty wild. A year after everyone around Woods got wet on No. 12, Tiger recorded the worst score of his career. Of course, he proceeded to birdie five of his final six holes because he’s the freaking GOAT. Hopefully, aspiring golfers—and some of his fellow tour pros—were taking notes. Despite that 10, TIGAH WOODS WAS ONE UNDAH! And while we’re sad we can no longer refer to Tiger as the defending Masters champ, there’s this:

Bubba Watson
2012: won Masters
2013: made 10 on 12th hole on Sunday
2014 won Masters

Tiger Woods
2019: won Masters
2020: made 10 on 12th hole on Sunday
2021: ?

It's science?

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) November 15, 2020

So you’re telling me there’s a chance. . .

RELATED: How Tiger Woods turned a 10 on a par 3 into an inspired performance

Playing behind Bryson: Already known as one of the more, um, deliberate players on the PGA Tour, now you have to wait for him to go for every par 5 in two and try to drive any par 4 under 400 yards because HE HITS THE BALL LIKE A GORILLA! And then there are the search parties caused by his erratic misses. After Friday’s round, Jon Rahm was asked if he was involved in the search for Bryson’s golf ball. Rahm’s response? “Which one?”

"This place plays like a par 67 for me." pic.twitter.com/JYKHOQqk3F

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) November 12, 2020

Well played, Jon. JON RAHM IS DA BOMB! Although, the next day he hit a punch shot backward off a tree and into some bushes setting off another search party. The golf gods are always listening.

Suspenders: Arguing about hoodies on the golf course seems like a distant memory after watching Sandy Lyle navigate Augusta National looking like a bank teller from the 19th century. That being said, the 1987 Masters champ had a good reason for wearing the suspenders, which are apparently called “braces” in the U.K. (the more you know).

Rob Carr

“I do it because I am so fed up with my shirts coming out and coming down here and constantly having to tuck it in,” Lyle said. “And when it’s so warm like this and you’ve got grubby hands, you tuck your shirt in, you pull your hand out and the shirt comes with it.”

TMI, Sandy. Let’s just agree that if you’re over 60 and a Masters champ, then you can wear whatever you want. I don’t think Chris Vernon ever addressed the suspenders, but he did say LARRY MIZE FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II when he found out he was two under. Maybe next time.

ON TAP

The PGA Tour heads to the RSM Classic, AKA that tournament I attended last year and expensed a lot of BBQ and milkshakes. Sadly, I will not be at Sea Island Golf Club this year, but it’s actually a really good field thanks to the proximity to Augusta National. WHERE IS CHARLEY HOFFMAN?! We missed the perennial early-round leader at the Masters, but he’ll be back in action this week.

Random tournament fact: When Tyler Duncan beat Webb Simpson in a playoff last year, it was his first win anywhere on any level since the 2011 Indiana Amateur. We’re pretty sure he’s the first player in history to pull off that elusive double.

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—I will consume more calories this week than during last year’s RSM: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds
—Dustin Johnson will lose the green jacket in the Caribbean: 3-to-1 odds
—Dustin Johnson will not be playing golf for the next few days: LOCK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Huge shout-out to Grind producer Ben Walton for a big week of TAKING PICS ON THE COURSE! Here was my favourite:

RELATED: Dustin Johnson’s emotional (seriously) interview wound up being the best part of Masters Sunday

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

HOLY GATOR?: take a look at this massive gator walking through Valencia Golf Course in Naples. He looks like he belongs in Jurassic park!

?: Tyler Stolting pic.twitter.com/skr3Du9EBQ

— Nicolette Perdomo (@NickiPerdomo) November 12, 2020

Good lord, that thing is massive. A T-REX IS ON THE COURSE! A T-REX IS ON THE COURSE!

THIS WEEK IN PROS ARE JUST LIKE US! (SORT OF)

Tyrrell Hatton let everyone in on quite a tale from his Augusta rental house. “We actually rented the house in 2018, so it’s quite nice kind of going back to something that feels familiar. I just hope that my manager doesn’t leave a knife in the oven this year and melt it.” Hatton added that they left an awkward note and money for a new knife set. Wow. TYRRELL’S MANAGER ALWAYS MELTIN’! OK, so Chris Vernon didn’t say that, but he did say, “PAUL CASEY ALWAYS SMILIN’!” And he’s right. Even when he’s in trouble on the course, Paul Casey is always smiling.

THIS WEEK IN TOUR PRO PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

YO DJ, WHERE PAULINA AT?! Actually, we all saw where she was as she rushed the 18th green after Johnson had officially won. Unofficially, she’s believed to be the first WAG to do that at Augusta National. What a trailblazer! And they walked off into the sunset hand in hand. Sort of.

Rob Carr

Awww. Notice also how Paulina was rocking a green jacket of her own. Talk about having confidence in her man.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Favourite tradition . . . For me, I don’t know if it’s really a tradition, but my favourite thing about the Masters is the sandwiches.” —Dustin Johnson. Loved this response, but I’ve got a feeling he might answer differently if asked the same question in April.

THIS AND THAT

Kirk Herbstreit says he turned down Tom Izzo’s invite to play Augusta National three times. And suddenly, I’m questioning whether to remain a Kirk Herbstreit fan. . . . The PGA Tour will be going to Delaware for the first time with the 2022 BMW Championship moving to Wilmington Country Club. All I can think of is Wayne’s World: “Hi, I’m in . . . Delaware.” . . . The Masters had its lowest final-round TV ratings since 1957 proving once again that it’s tough to compete with the NFL—and Tiger in contention. Also, if you listened to last week’s Local Knowledge podcast on Augusta National’s history, you’d know the Masters has been televised since 1956. Speaking of that podcast. . . Not to toot our own horns, well, actually, definitely to toot our own horns, but that podcast reached No. 1 on the charts!

How long did we stay there? I have no clue. But we’ll always have that moment. Thanks for listening. OK, now where do we go to accept the golf podcast green jacket?

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

How many majors will Dustin Johnson wind up winning?
Is Dustin Johnson the first Masters champ who can dunk?
Is Tom Izzo looking for someone to play Augusta National with him?

RELATED:

The post Dustin Johnson (and Paulina Gretzky) make Masters history and a crazy gator sighting appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

DJ’s swing is mostly self-taught
Dustin grew up watching the swings of other golfers at Weed Hill Driving Range in Columbia, S.C., and applied it to his own game. His father, Scott, was a club pro, and took DJ to the range when he was 6. “Little DJ had a swing with rhythm and tempo, and he could hit the fool out of the ball,” facility operator and teaching pro Jimmy Koosa told our Jaime Diaz.

Photo By: Getty Images

Dustin’s coach is Butch Harmon’s son, Claude Harmon III
His swing isn’t completely homegrown. DJ worked a lot on his posture, setup and balance in college. He worked a lot on making his swing more efficient with Butch Harmon, and now works with Butch’s son, Claude Harmon III.

Photo By: This content is subject to copyright.

A distinct swing characteristic: Johnson’s bowed wrist
Johnson has always had a bowed left wrist at the top of his backswing. His clubface is typically shut to the target line, which might be a no-no to conventional golf instruction, but as Butch Harmon said in a 2012 article in Golf Digest: “That’s his thing. We don’t touch it.” To offset the bowed wrist, Johnson turns powerfully through the ball.

Photo By: Getty Images

Johnson is no stranger to bizarre rules scenarios
He nearly won the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, but was hit with a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in a waste bunker. He missed a playoff with Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson by two shots.

Photo By: Getty Images

Johnson has a win in his first 10 straight seasons
Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are the only other players to do so. Not bad company.

Photo By: 2016 Getty Images

No surprise: Dustin’s power stats put him at the top of the PGA Tour
You’ll appreciate his talent through these his power analytics: His driving distance in 2016 was 310.1 yards, second on the PGA Tour; ball speed at 181.40 mph, sixth-best on tour; clubhead speed at 122.08, ranking eighth.

Photo By: Getty Images

Johnson’s only the fourth player ever to finish runner-up at the U.S. Open and win it the next year
After his three-putt on the 72nd hole in 2015 at Chambers Bay, DJ followed up the second-place finish with a win at Oakmont. He joins only Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods as the only other players to follow up a second-place at a U.S. Open with a win the next year.

Johnson’s engaged to Paulina Gretzky
Paulina, daughter of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, and DJ have been inseparable since 2013.They have two sons, Tatum and River.

Photo By: 2016 Getty Images

His peers not only vote Johnson as the most talented golfer on tour, but also the most athletic
In our 2015 survey, Dustin Johnson narrowly edged out Gary Woodland as the most athletic golfer on tour.

Photo By: AFP/Getty Images

Johnson took a leave of absence from golf in 2014
He announced his decision was “To seek professional help for personal challenges.” Golf.com cited unnamed sources that Johnson had been suspended for failing a third drug test. Johnson denies those reports and cites off-course stress perpetuated his excessive drinking and partying.

Photo By: Getty Images

Johnson had his share of off-the-course trouble when he was younger
At age 16, DJ was convicted of second-degree burglary of a handgun in a 2001 incident. He was later pardoned. In 2009, he was arrested for DUI, which was dismissed when he pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

Photo By: Getty Images

His grandma played a huge part in choosing Coastal Carolina for college
DJ’s paternal grandmother, Carole Jones, called Coastal Carolina men’s golf coach Allen Terrell to explain how badly Dustin wanted to play college golf. DJ was going to Midlands Technical College in Columbia to make up credits, but after the call from Johnson’s grandma, Terrell went to Coastal Carolina’s president, explained the situation and got him into school.

Photo By: Getty Images

Dustin’s father, Scott Johnson, was a South Carolina All-State wide receiver for tiny Chapin High School
That explains part of DJ’s athleticism. In addition, DJ’s grandfather, Art Whisnant, is a former All-ACC basketball player at South Carolina. Johnson can dunk easily, and beat former NBA pro Shane Battier in a three-point shooting contest in 2015.

Photo By: Getty Images

DJ’s younger brother, Austin, is his caddie
Dustin initially had Joe LaCava, Tiger Woods’ current caddie, and Bobby Brown on the bag. Austin and Dustin are very close, with DJ calling him his “best friend” at the U.S. Open. Austin affectionally refers to Dustin as “Chia Pet,” for being able to grow a beard within a week.

Photo By: Getty Images for Dodge

Big suits guy: DJ estimates he has some 30 Prada and Dolce & Gabbana suits
In 41 long — and he says half of them still have tags on them!

The post 15 Things You Need To Know About Dustin Johnson appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Like many of us, DJ’s bored at home, holed up during the coronavirus pandemic. And like many of us, he’s killing time with an in-home putting mat setup. His fiancee, Paulina Gretzky, posted a video to her Instagram of the couple rolling some putts with the Golf Sply Perfect Practice putting mat…and we have to say, his stroke looks pretty darn solid.

If Dustin and Paulina are any indication, we are going to see unprecedented good putting when this is all over. pic.twitter.com/RjS2rMEatq

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) March 26, 2020

Perhaps DJ will emerge from the hiatus—whenever that may be—putting the way he did when he reached world No. 1.

DJ isn’t the only guy who’s been making good use of the Perfect Practice mat. Here’s Patrick Rodgers, who currently ranks 12th in sg/putting, rolling a perfect putt.

My @toulondesign San Diego makes putts indoors too #StayHome pic.twitter.com/EVKH07evvG

— Patrick Rodgers (@PRodgersGolf) March 25, 2020

And here’s some Golf Digest writer on a quixotic quest the perfect his stroke.

A word of advice: try left-hand low. I have most definitely found something. Whether it carries over to the course is another story entirely.

The post Will Dustin Johnson emerge from the hiatus as the best putter on Tour? This video suggests he might appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

But seriously, people, stay safe out there. Or, rather, IN there. this is no joke and the sooner we all do our part, the sooner we’ll be able to return to focusing on much sillier stuff like Tiger’s pursuit of Jack, LeBron’s pursuit of MJ, and (gulp) even the Masters. Just listen to the man himself:

There are a lot more important things in life than a golf tournament right now. We need to be safe, smart and do what is best for ourselves, our loved ones and our community.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 16, 2020

Good to hear from him, by the way. It had been a while. Anyway, of course, we’ll still talk about the sillier stuff here. So crank up your Wi-Fi, find a comfy spot to sit, and let’s get to it.

WE’RE BUYING

Playing golf (for now): This might already not be an option where you live—as we are reminded constantly this is a “fluid” situation—but there are also many golf courses taking plenty of safety precautions. And if you walk, carry your bag, avoid all handshakes/fist bumps, and Venmo all bets, you should be fine. As our Mike Stachura points out, being outside playing this great game is also a great way to relieve stress. And as someone cooped up with a wife and a two-year-old for the foreseeable future, let me know if you have a spot in your foursome. Please.

Greg Eason: Believe it or not, there was still some golf being played on the All Pro Tour, where Eason claimed the Coke Dr. Pepper Open—instantly my favourite tournament name ever. But as our friend Ryan French points out, the bigger deal here is that this was a guy who just three years ago failed to break 90 for three consecutive (brutally windy) rounds on the Korn Ferry Tour:

Greg Eason once had 3 consecutive rounds in the 90's on the KFT Tour…
Yesterday he won on the APT after making 26 birdies and just 3 bogeys over 72 holes.
His 68-63-66-68 (-23) beats the 170 player field, and he wins 35K #NeverGiveUp

— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) March 15, 2020

Now that’s a bounceback.

Padraig Harrington’s backyard: If you’re a tour pro, you may as well take this time as an opportunity to work on your short game:

Padraig Harrington’s home wedge practice area ? pic.twitter.com/SRb7rhQhSm

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 16, 2020

Nice setup, Paddy. There are certainly a lot worse places to be on lockdown.

Paula Creamer’s pad: As in, I’d love to buy this place and ride out this Coronavirus there if I had an extra $6.35 million. Just look at the fitness center:

OK, I’d still never use that. But how about the game room and the home theatre:

And I wouldn’t even have to do any decorating because that Tiger mural is already up!

WE’RE SELLING

Paula Creamer’s timing: What a month to put your mansion on the market, huh? Probably aren’t going to be a lot of open houses for the next few weeks. But again, at least Creamer has plenty of space and amenities during these crazy times.

Hideki Matsuyama’s timing: Poor Hideki. The dude is trending toward returning to the winner’s circle, then opens with a course-record-tying 63 at TPC Sawgrass to take a two-shot lead, and the PGA Tour’s flagship event promptly gets cancelled.

Cliff Hawkins

Instead of possibly picking up his biggest win, Matsuyama left with the same $52,083.33 check given to all 144 players who teed it up. Let’s just say the two guys who shot 79, Nick Watney and Patton Kizzire, got a better deal.

COVID-19: It goes without saying that in the seven-year-plus history of The Grind, I have never wanted to sell anything more than this devastating disease. And while sports are certainly at the bottom of the priority list these days, we still miss them—not only for their entertainment, but for the way they connect us. Hang in there, everyone. Again, “in” being the keyword.

ON TAP

The PGA Tour was supposed to finish the Florida Swing this week at the Valspar Championship, but, well, you know. It’s unclear when we’ll see the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, European Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, etc. again and that sucks for fans and players, but it also sucks for those who work so hard all year to put on these events and for the communities and charities that profit from them. To that point, here was a great message from Billy Horschel:

Let’s help out the charities and organizations that are effected by the cancellation of the upcoming tournaments! Thank you! @THEPLAYERSChamp @ValsparChamp @DellMatchPlay @valerotxopen @CoralesChamp pic.twitter.com/8e3hU5BNts

— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) March 13, 2020

Let’s hope things get back to normal soon.

Random tournament fact: The Valspar has been sneaky-great the past few years, check out these results (just pay no mind to the top one. . . )

Paul Casey’s three-peat will have to wait until next year.

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—Tiger Woods will win the Masters—at some point this year: 16-to-1 odds (Actual odds)
—Kramer Hickock will win this week’s All Pro Tour event: 7-to-1 odds (Also, actual odds)
—Vegas sports books are going to struggle for the next couple months: LOCK

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

If you’ve ever been to the Players Championship, you know Friday (and Saturday) afternoon is an absolute party. Well, not this year:

An eerily quiet and empty TPC Sawgrass on an otherwise spectacular Friday afternoon after @THEPLAYERSChamp is canceled … pic.twitter.com/KB4nXINXOl

— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) March 13, 2020

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

#StayAtHomeChallenge – Golf ???‍ pic.twitter.com/cMsvrllVQ2

— Matthias Schwab (@schwab_matth) March 16, 2020

Impressive, but Matthias better bar his doors because people are going to come after his toilet paper stash.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A week ago, things seemed relatively normal in the U.S. Sports were being played, stores were fully stocked with toilet paper, and Rory McIlroy was giving great quotes like this on Pete Dye courses:

“Yeah, going on from there [Whistling Straits], winning at Kiawah, winning at Crooked Stick, winning here, I’ve started to quite like them. But as you said, an acquired taste. They’re like beer when you’re younger. You sort of don’t like it but then you think it’s cool to drink it and then you sort of acquire a taste for it.”

Maybe we can keep the Rory press conferences going even when there aren’t tournaments?

THIS WEEK IN DUSTIN JOHNSON-PAULINA GRETZKY PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

going to be a long break for DJ… pic.twitter.com/luXARuCm8V

— Eric Patterson (@EPatGolf) March 14, 2020

Cute, but yeah. . . Pray for DJ.

THIS WEEK IN PHIL BEING PHIL

After arriving home safely and with a month off, I could sense things were going to go one way or the other. I was either going to use this time to workout, get fit and stronger or I was going to lay in bed, watch shows and eat. After day 1, the latter is in the lead.

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) March 15, 2020

I’m with you, Phil. The COVID-19 15 is going to become a thing.

THIS WEEK IN OTHER TOUR PROS BEING QUARANTINED

Marc Leishman has even more time to take care of his lawn:

Marc Leishman is wasting no time getting to work prepping his beloved lawn for the spring. What an absolute Dad legend. pic.twitter.com/mYC1ku8ks5

— Outside The Cut (@OutsideTheCut) March 13, 2020

My father-in-law does the same thing. WILD. And Justin Thomas fired a 65 against Rickie Fowler—and lost. By FIVE strokes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9w9ZbehMK_/?utm_source=ig_embed

Nice job, Rickie, but maybe save those for the Sundays that really count. . .

THIS AND THAT

In addition to Augusta National postponing the Masters, the club is completely closing down until further notice. We’re guessing the members aren’t getting any refunds on this year’s dues. … Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm joined Rory McIlroy in declaring their allegiance to the PGA Tour. With the top three players in the world saying no to the Premier League, RIP PGL. … As of now, the 2020 HGGA Championship is still set for this summer in Pinehurst. Moving our annual golf trip from June to August has never looked smarter. (Fingers crossed.) … And finally, it took my wife and I—brother-in-law through FaceTime—SIX hours to assemble this kids’ kitchen for my daughter’s second birthday:

We finished at 2 a.m. and I have never been more exhausted, frustrated, and proud in my life. Look at that thing! It might be even nicer than Paula Creamer’s kitchen! I just hope the Father of the Year Awards haven’t been cancelled yet.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Who would have won the Players?
What did people do before TV/the Internet?
How long will my soda supply last?

The post Tiger Woods breaks his silence, and Dustin-Paulina dance on, Paula Creamer puts her pad on the market appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

WE’RE BUYING

Sungjae Im: Tales of this young man’s ball-striking were not exaggerated. He is the real deal. And he won’t turn 22 until the end of the month. Congrats to Im on picking up his first PGA Tour title at the Honda Classic. And the Presidents Cupper did it in rather impressive fashion by firing at the flagstick on both of the vaunted Bear Trap’s par 3s. Those shots that set up two clutch birdies were so impressive that runner-up Mackenzie Hughes paid his playing partner the ultimate sign of respect:

Mackenzie Hughes perfectly sums up Sungjae’s Sunday at Honda.

(Wait for it.) pic.twitter.com/K92B2FINk2

— Skratch (@Skratch) March 1, 2020

Transatlantic Twitter war: With so many awful things going on in the world, it’s great having Golf Twitter getting up and arms about something an announcer said. Here’s the clip that nearly reignited the Revolutionary War:

Is paul Azinger a complete moron??? 'THAT' tour…. and a wobble of the head at @WestwoodLee s amazing wins on the #europeantour .
Who the hell is Mark Wilson also.??? pic.twitter.com/l2G1niQ5bX

— SHanny (@HansonStuart) March 1, 2020

Was Azinger’s tone condescending? Yes. Did he (and others involved in NBC’s broadcast) focus too much on the fact that Tommy Fleetwood, a five-time European Tour winner and Ryder Cup star, has yet to win on the PGA Tour? Probably. But like it or not, it is a fact that the PGA Tour is the better tour and that Fleetwood has yet to win on it. And it’s a fact that Fleetwood is well aware of and agrees with:

From Fleetwood’s own mouth. His words, not ours. Not trying to devalue winning tournaments around the world. Winning anywhere is extremely hard. But these guys know that winning in the US is a step in their careers. That’s all. Not sure what all the fuss is about. pic.twitter.com/2lNhflNNIT

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) March 1, 2020

And as rough as it was seeing Fleetwood find the water on the 72nd hole and blow a chance at the maiden PGA Tour title, European Golf Twitter would have been insufferable. Although I do love seeing British slang like “bollocks,” “wanker,” and “shiite.” I need to start incorporating those words more.

Lee Westwood: For one thing, it’s always nice to see a late-career revival. For another, I loved Westwood’s “Ask your parents” response when he gets asked about what it was like in the 90s. And finally, yes, I had a little money on the man, both to win (sigh) and finish top 10 (cha-ching). Our Christopher Powers dubbed Lee’s 2019 Open Championship run “Westy’s Last Stand,” but he’s still got plenty in the tank.

Rickie Fowler’s schedule: The PGA Tour star said he spends 25 to 30 days per year with sponsors, including shooting commercials. I’m totally buying it because his face is everywhere during a golf broadcast and he looks like a NASCAR driver with all those sponsors on his shirt. He’s also over 30, married, and out of the top 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Hey, you’ve got to pay the bills somehow.

WE’RE SELLING

Tiger’s new schedule: Tiger Woods skipping the Arnold Palmer Invitational isn’t reason for his fans to panic, but the latest indication that the rest of his career will consist of a very limited schedule is still sad. In an effort to avoid back-to-back starts, Tiger is opting not to play at a place where he’s won eight times and possibly the spot that gives him the best chance for a record-breaking 83rd PGA Tour title. But Woods is far more concerned about increasing his major total, and considering he also skipped this event last year, maybe this isn’t the worst news. . .

Andrew Redington

Brooks Koepka’s responses: I love Blunt Brooks or Candid Koepka as much as the next guy, but in the span of a few days he claimed he once made a hole-in-one at Augusta National and forgot about it later that day, said $200 million wouldn’t change his life, and insisted he played well two days in a row despite not coming close to making the cut at the Honda Classic. As the guy ventures further and further into too-cool-for-school territory, we’re starting to take some of his remarks with a huge grain of salt.

Being quarantined: Edoardo Molinari and Lorenzo Gagli were initially pulled from the Oman Open and placed in solitary confinement by the European Tour out of fear they had the Coronavirus. Fortunately, they didn’t, but it didn’t sound like a fun experience:

For everyone asking, I am absolutely fine. No symptoms at all, no fever, no cold, nothing wrong at all…just very bored and annoyed. Hopefully this nightmare will be over soon!

— Edoardo Molinari (@DodoMolinari) February 27, 2020

Both players were eventually reinstated and Gagli even finished T-10. But yeah, that couldn’t have been a great feeling.

ON TAP

The PGA Tour continues its Florida Swing with the Arnold Palmer Invitational, AKA that place where Tiger Woods used to win every year, but now skips every year. It was more fun when he was winning every year.

Random tournament fact: Last year, Francesco Molinari became the first player in PGA Tour history to sink the winning putt with the flagstick in.

?? @F_Molinari's clutch birdie on the 72nd hole @APinv is even more exciting when called by @GOLFTV's Italian broadcasters. ? pic.twitter.com/uFE5INGzNq

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 10, 2019

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—Zinger will say, “That European Tour” on this week’s broadcast: 1-MILLION-to-1 odds
—Francesco Molinari will win this week: 90-to-1 odds
—Francesco would rather miss another cut than be quarantined like his brother: LOCK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This guy just keeps on going:

Stan Badz

That’s a remarkable 41st career PGA Tour Champions title for Bernhard Langer (hence, the pose), bringing him within four of Hale Irwin’s record. That also pushed the 62-year-old past $29 million in earnings on the senior circuit. He made $10 million on the PGA Tour. Remarkable.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (MUSICAL DIVISION)

Our man Sam Harrop is back with another fantastic song parody. This time, it’s a plea for Anthony Kim to come back:

Not quite sure how one is supposed to follow-up something like that Tony Finau video, but, well…here's where I ended up.

And, if all else fails, I'm pretty sure I speak on behalf of the entire golf community when I say, AK – we want you back.

RTs appreciated, as ever ? pic.twitter.com/Q7VS1PmHtk

— Sam Harrop (@sam_golf) February 27, 2020

This is beautiful—and important—work. Well done, Sam. And hope you’re listening, AK.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (FAIL DIVISION)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9K5NqxJM3v/?utm_source=ig_embed

LOL Luke McDonald?! The guy is a former World No. 1 for crying out loud! Where’s the respect?!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’m not even sure that he’s polarizing. I’m not sure there’s too many people on the other side, you know what I mean? I mean, ‘there is no God’ was the first thing I said after he’d won last week. There is no God, you know, that’s proof of it right there. Amazing. I mean, he is amazing. He’s Captain Oblivious, just can let everything run off his back. I’ve never seen anything like it.” —David Feherty on Patrick Reed. My word! Tell us what you really think, David!

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLFERS

Turns out, Mike Trout can smoke a golf ball even harder than he hits a baseball:

Mike Trout hitting rockets isn’t exclusive to the baseball field. pic.twitter.com/tuEyIzxqQ5

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) March 2, 2020

Decent athlete, that one.

THIS WEEK IN PGA TOUR PRO-WAGS PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

FOLKS, we have a GRETZKY wedding alert!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Pk4xnHKlQ/?utm_source=ig_embed

Sorry, hope you didn’t get too excited. It was Ty getting hitched, not Paulina. But Paulina and DJ were there looking fancy. And The Great One was there making heartfelt toasts. And one of these days we’ll finally get the golf royal wedding we’ve been waiting for since 2013. Right? Maybe? Fingers crossed, because there’s going to be a lot of CONTENT when it does happen.

THIS WEEK IN PHIL BEING PHIL

Phil Mickelson might be even better playing Pebble Beach on a simulator than he is at playing Pebble Beach in real life:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9MwYADjY2g/?utm_source=ig_embed

Speaking of content, please attempt that in the real tournament next year. Please.

THIS AND THAT

Sami Valimaki, 21, won his first European Tour title just 18 months removed from finishing up his required military service for Finland. Guessing the food in player dining is just a bit better than at his previous gig. . . . Dustin Johnson said he will not play in the Tokyo Olympics later this year, even if he qualifies for the U.S. team. Is this a hint of a July wedding? . . . Tiger Woods has been officially announced as a finalist for the World Golf Hall of Fame 2021 class. Fingers crossed he has the votes to get in. . . . And finally, I’m in the midst of a dental emergency stemming from a root canal I underwent two years ago. I will spare you a photo, but suffice it to say, THE GRIND has extra meaning behind it this week.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Who will deliver Tiger’s Hall-of-Fame introduction speech?
How many days a year did Maria Sharapova spend with sponsors?
How many days this year am I going to have to spend at the dentist?

The post A Transatlantic Twitter war, a heartfelt plea to Anthony Kim, and a Gretzky wedding (just not the one you’re thinking) appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

10-gallon Stetsons and double entendres aside, Paulina and DJ also enjoyed some dancing (nice dip DJ!) . . .

. . . group photo ops . . .

. . . friends . . .

. . . and, of course, a few saloon libations.

Unforgiven this ain’t, but still, it’s good to see everyone enjoying themselves, especially ahead of majors season when DJ won’t have quite as much time for his true passion: Wyatt Earp cosplay. Oh, and speaking of majors season, make sure check back during Masters Par 3 Contest for more Paulina Gretzky wearing all white. A tradition unlike any other, indeed.

The post Saddle up for photos of Dustin Johnson wearing a cowboy hat at Paulina Gretzky’s brother’s wedding appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.