A good thing for the game
Superstar charity matches could become a new norm
THE charity match last weekend, featuring golf superstars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and US football NFL quarterback legends Tom Brady and Peyton Manning picked up so much traction that there is now every likelihood that it will become an annual event.
Mickelson, who teamed up with six-time Super Bowl winner Brady and lost one-down to Woods and Manning at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, quickly called for the likes of basketball stars Steph Curry and Michael Jordan to be roped in future challenges.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Mickelson said “having a partner provided for more interaction”and singled out the buggy cameras as a bit special.
Last Sunday’s match raked in US$20mil for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and came hot on the heels of a similar charity clash that featured world number one Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff.
But while all this was going down, many kept an eye trained on the developments surrounding the preparations for Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas from June 11-14 that will mark the restart of the PGA Tour.
The world’s top Tour has been shut down since mid-March because of Covid-19 and when it gets going in Texas next week, it will be without fans on the sidelines - or anywhere near the course for that matter.
In their 37-page document to players and officials, ahead of the resumption, the PGA Tour has outlined measures that will be in place and include a strict testing regime, as well recommendations for travel and accommodation.
“We are working with the Federal government to facilitate the return of players and caddies who are currently residing outside the US and we’re optimistic that is going to occur,” said PGA Tour senior vice president for Tournament Administration Andy Levinson.
The PGA Tour has indicated that they would test every player and official at each event, which equates to some 400 tests a week.
In another development, the PGA Tour announced the cancellation of the John Deere Classic.
A statement from the Tour said “local and state-related challenges” forced the cancellation of the event that was scheduled to be held from July 9 to 12. It added that the tournament as “set to return to the PGA Tour in 2021” with its 50th edition.
PGA Tour Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer Andy Pazder said: “We understand and respect that the Quad Cities market has dynamics and challenges that prevent the playing of the John Deere Classic in 2020.
“As we’ve seen through the years, the community support for the John Deere Classic is unwavering and I have no doubt the event will return stronger than ever in its 50th playing in 2021.”
Tournament director Clair Peterson added: “Because of the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 John Deere Classic. And while we considered several alternatives for the Classic, this was the choice that made the most sense for our guests, the players and the community at large.”