The 2014-15 PGA TOUR season has rejoined battle for the 2015 portion of the campaign. As usual, the first January stop is Hawaii. Good choice.
Ah, Kapalua. There are few courses in the world that can rival the views at Kapalua. They could probably televise amateurs playing the course, and I’d watch at least a few holes of the coverage just for the scenery. While many of us are locked in winter’s embrace, at Kapalua it’s endless summer. There are surfers, paddleboarders, sailboats, and whales a-plenty to help us forget about the snow and ice outside at least for a little while.
While Kapalua signals the return of the PGA TOUR to the airwaves, the important tournaments are still weeks away. But isn’t it good to have some great golf to watch again? And if the competition wanes, there are always the whales. It’s a Monday finale, but Jimmy Walker and Hideki Matsuyama are tied for the lead after 54 holes.
Here is some of what you may have missed over the last several weeks. Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: The Super Bowl, Tiger, and the Loudest Hole in Golf
Starting my year off at Phoenix & Torrey back-to-back weeks. I’m ready to go. Should be a lot of fun. http://t.co/sRnFLf6NvM
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 9, 2015
Hole #2: Should We Just Play Through?
It’s bad enough to find your ball in a hazard, but what about a body? That is just what happened to a Chicago-area couple trying to get in a late December round at Geneva Golf Club. When they looked in a creek for an errant shot, they found the body of a 74-year old man. No foul play was suspected. [Link]
Hole #3: Schwartzel Swoons, Sullivan Stuns
Andy Sullivan got his first European Tour victory at the South African Open when Charl Schwartzel squandered a four-stroke lead over the final five holes. Sullivan made birdie on the first playoff hole to best Schwartzel. [Link]
Hole #4: Cart Paths Only
A man was arrested in California in December for driving a golf cart on a Pasadena freeway, drunk, naturally. He was in the slow lane, at least. (OK, so it was a 9-seat “golf cart,” but we’re going to count it anyway.) [Link]
Hole #5: Silly Season, Personified
Small wicker baskets held by Dubuisson and Sergio contain the tiny, remaining bits of their pride and self-esteem. pic.twitter.com/9pRjK9pm5W
— Steve Elling (@EllingYelling) December 9, 2014
Hole #6: The Language of Pros
Have you ever thought that TOUR pros seem to say the same things over and over? You would be right. [Link]
Hole #7: It’s Tough to Be #1
Perspective on the chaos of being #1: Rory wiped 8 phones last yr to avoid calls from journalists. I’ve had same # since college. It's 503-
— Ben Crane (@bencranegolf) December 9, 2014
Hole #8: Booted, Baby!
Jeff Overton (the "Boom, BABY!" guy) reportedly got ejected from Madison Square Garden last night: http://t.co/wnco1xo7uT
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) December 10, 2014
Hole #9: The Luck of Gus
He’s 103 years old, he still plays golf regularly, and he just made his eighth hole-in-one. Oh, and he’s also won the lottery, multiple times. It’s good to be Gus. [Link]