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Printed Dec 19, 2023 • 6 minute learn
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The Masters already has the smallest subject of the majors. The 2024 version may very well be one of many smallest in years, relying on the primary three months of the PGA Tour season.
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With no vital tournaments the remainder of the yr, it seems to be as if 11 gamers who end within the prime 50 can be added to the sector. That might carry the sector to 77 gamers amongst these anticipated to compete.
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That features three gamers who can be making their Masters debut with out ever having received on the PGA Tour or European tour — Adam Schenk, Eric Cole and Denny McCarthy. Schenk certified by reaching the Tour Championship for the primary time.
The 11 anticipated to get in by means of prime 50 on this planet rating are Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee, McCarthy, Will Zalatoris, Justin Rose, Harris English, Cole, J.T. Poston, Adrian Meronk, Adam Hadwin and Nicolai Hjogaard.
4 gamers — Luke Checklist, Erik van Rooyen, Camilo Villegas and Ludvig Aberg — earned invites by profitable PGA Tour occasions within the fall.
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One extra participant would be the winner of the Latin American Newbie Championship in January. In any other case, the cross down Magnolia Lane in April comes from profitable a full PGA Tour occasion — there are 14 of them earlier than the Masters — or being within the prime 50 on April 7, the week earlier than the Masters.
There additionally may very well be a particular invitation for worldwide gamers who should not PGA Tour regulars.
Augusta Nationwide prefers the sector to be below 100, a quantity it final exceeded in 1966 when 103 gamers have been within the subject. That might seem like protected.
Amongst these narrowly lacking out are Chris Kirk (No. 52) and Matt Kuchar (No. 54), the latter who’s used to being on the bubble.
“I believe I used to be actually shut final yr, as nicely,” Kuchar mentioned.
His hopes ended when he misplaced within the fourth spherical of the Match Play. The earlier yr, he was runner-up within the Texas Open when solely a win would have gotten him again to Augusta.
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Kuchar no less than helped himself within the fall by turning into eligible for a pair of $20 million signature occasions at Pebble Seashore and Riviera. So he is aware of what he has to do. He’s simply not overly consumed by it.
“I’ve by no means been one to suppose, ‘I have to play nicely this week as a result of I’m 53rd on this planet.’ If you happen to didn’t inform me the place I used to be on this planet rating, I couldn’t have advised you,” Kuchar mentioned. “I’ve all the time thought your finest probability to play good golf is to only exit and do it, and never as a result of it’s a must to do it.”
TIGER AND THE SWOOSH
Hypothesis has been swirling about Tiger Woods and his relationship with Nike, which started when he turned professional in 1996.
Woods had little interest in the subject on the PNC Championship, saying solely that “I’m nonetheless carrying their product,” and sternly repeating the phrase when requested if this was the tip of his deal.
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He has solely performed seven occasions (10 weekend rounds) since his February 2021 automobile crash. He returned from that carrying FootJoy footwear. Nike put out an announcement of assist, however 18 months later, he nonetheless was solely carrying the swoosh on his shirt, not his footwear.
One other totally different look was his son, 14-year-old Charlie, not carrying a purple Nike shirt on Sunday however a purple tone and the brand of Greyson Clothiers, a model additionally worn by Justin Thomas.
Is that an NIL deal? It positive regarded that approach when retired Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald posted on Instagram of Charlie and wrote, “Welcome to the @greysonclotheirs household, Charlie.”
Amongst golf ambassadors for Greyson are Thomas, Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, Erik van Rooyen, Luke Checklist and Alison Lee on the LPGA Tour.
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As for Woods? He seemingly received’t be at one other event till the Genesis Invitational at Riviera in February.
IS IT A HOBBY?
Kevin Kisner is beginning the brand new yr at Kapalua for the sixth time, solely this time with out his golf equipment. NBC goes to strive him out within the broadcast sales space.
Kisner, who likes to say that golf “ain’t no pastime,” would be the lead analyst for NBC at The Sentry, which is held Jan. 4-7. He additionally will work the WM Phoenix Open.
NBC has been trying to exchange Paul Azinger because the Ryder Cup once they couldn’t agree on a contract renewal. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley of Eire crammed in on the Hero World Problem within the Bahamas earlier this month.
Nonetheless to be decided is how a lot golf the 39-year-old Kisner performs. He shut down his tour schedule in the midst of June final yr when he was enjoying poorly and was torn by eager to be at house extra usually along with his three youngsters in Aiken, South Carolina.
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“We expect his model will translate nicely to the viewers at house,” mentioned Tommy Roy, lead producer for NBC’s golf protection.
BIONDI PASSES ON MASTERS
Fred Biondi already has his bachelor’s diploma from Florida. He’ll wait to get his Masters, and that entails a distinct training.
Biondi received the NCAA particular person title final yr, making him eligible to play within the Masters so long as he stayed beginner. However the native of Brazil determined to show professional as an alternative. He was at Q-school for the PGA Tour and tied for tenth.
As a result of he was No. 1 within the PGA Tour College rating, Biondi is assured of getting within the first 12 Korn Ferry Tour occasions.
“The Masters is the head of golf,” Biondi mentioned. “I sat down with my household and coaches to decide only for my very own sake. I used to be prepared to show skilled. I received my diploma from Florida. It made extra sense to show skilled and begin a brand new chapter.”
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COGNIZANT STEPS IN
New Jersey-based Cognizant first received closely concerned in golf when it grew to become a company associate of The Presidents Cup and a title sponsor for the Founders Cup on the LPGA Tour. Now it’s extending itself much more as title sponsor of what for years was the Honda Traditional.
The Cognizant Traditional can be performed from Feb. 29 to March 3 at PGA Nationwide, with Chris Kirk because the defending champion. The seven-year deal is thru 2030.
It is going to be the primary time since 1980 the south Florida occasion isn’t sponsored by a automobile. In one other change, the event can be run by the tour’s “Championship Administration” group.
What doesn’t change is the charity. The Nicklaus Youngsters’s Well being Care Basis will proceed to be the first beneficiary.
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The event dates to 1972 when it was the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Traditional. American Motors grew to become the title sponsor in 1981 and Honda took over the next yr.
DIVOTS
Raul Pereda has put the Mexican flag again on the PGA Tour. The 27-year-old from Mexico, who performed at Jacksonville College, earned one in every of 5 playing cards by means of Q-school. Mexico didn’t have anybody with a full card since Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz defected to Saudi-funded LIV Golf in 2022. … The LPGA Tour says the inaugural Arizona Championship can be held at Seville Golf and Nation Membership on March 28-31, a course situated simply southeast of Phoenix. … British Open champion Brian Harman is enjoying the Dubai Desert Traditional on the European tour. The event is 2 weeks after The Sentry at Kapalua and two weeks earlier than the primary $20 million signature occasion at Pebble Seashore. Cameron Younger is also enjoying in Dubai.
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STAT OF THE WEEK
Of the 5 gamers who earned PGA Tour playing cards by means of Q-school, Blaine Hale Jr. is the one one who has by no means performed in a PGA Tour occasion.
FINAL WORD
“He was a thin rail of a child. He wasn’t like he’s now, constructed and robust and all that. However he was wholesome, had large clubhead velocity and a starvation for the sport. And also you simply knew he was going to do greater than most.” — Bernhard Langer enjoying with an 18-year-old Tiger Woods for the primary time within the 1994 Johnnie Walker Traditional.
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