Tour can’t duck The Donald at Doral
Trump puts circuit in tight fix; stop’s future in question
On golf Musings from this week’s news in the golf world:
Of course, the backlash in golf came when Trump was thought to be an extreme long shot in his candidacy for president. Now that he’s the GOP front-runner, will the tour feel the same urgency to separate itself, given the abundant history at Doral?
The tour is not yet showing its hand. It said in a statement, “Immediately after the completion of the 2016 tournament, we will explore all options regarding the event’s future.”
The tour also said Trump’s previous comments about Mexicans and Muslims “are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.”
Cadillac’s six-year sponsorship of the World Golf Championships event is coming to an end and a new sponsor needs to be found. Who that sponsor is and how comfortable it is being associated with a Trump property might be a key piece of the tournament leaving Doral or staying.
In a news conference Wednesday, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy playfully tried to deflect questions about Trump with, ‘I’m not an American.”
Pressed, McIlroy said, “He is not going to be the leader of my country. It doesn’t bother me too much.
“Look, I’ve been following it and ... I really thought I knew what politics were until I started to watch some of these presidential debates. I mean, not saying that the political system in Northern Ireland is too strong at the moment either. It’s shocking.
“I can’t vote, and if I were to vote, I’m not sure I would want to vote for any of the candidates.”
Schooled by his agent to “deflect hard” questions about Trump, Bubba Watson joked Tuesday about the candidate taking heat off him.
“It’s great if there’s a big ruckus when he shows up,” Watson said, “because the media gets away from me and you don’t hear bad comments I say or twist them.”
With a limited field of 66 this week, Doral has the privilege of hosting the first major-like showdown of the season, with McIlroy, Watson, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott all competing.
As the top three players in the world, Spieth, Day and McIlroy will be grouped together for the first two rounds. It will be only the second time the three have played together in competition. New grip: McIlroy said he will reintroduce a left-hand-low putting grip at Doral. He first used the technique when he debuted as a pro in 2008.
“I felt like over the past few weeks my right hand was becoming a little bit too dominant,” McIlroy said. “Practiced over the weekend ... and it felt really, really good. I’m going to give it a try this week and see where we go with it.”
Rory McIlroy says that if he were an American citizen, he’d have a hard time choosing a presidential candidate for whom to vote.
In that case, he’s more American than he could possibly imagine.
Jason Day says he spent 50 minutes on the phone with Tiger Woods to talk about mental approach to the game.
This is a title we thought we’d never give Tiger: life coach.
In a tweet Tuesday, John Daly endorses Donald Trump for president.
Classic. And thus Trump secures another key faction in America: the Hooters block.
PGA Tour announces that cellphones can be used anywhere at tournaments “away from areas of play.”
It’s nice that the tour has joined this century, but fans are going to keep clicking away during play. They just can’t help themselves, and the poor marshals are outnumbered by thousands.
More changes in Fox Sports golf broadcasts with announcement that Curtis Strange is replacing Corey Pavin as on-course reporter.
Thumbs up. Pavin was far too bland, and Strange is that familiar voice from ABC that provides air of credibility. Upside for Strange: He can ditch the ties.
Golfer Jason Bohn’s life is saved when EMT at Honda Classic insists he go to hospital; the former heavy smoker had a “widow maker” blockage of 99 percent.
Bohn said it best: “The greatest mulligan ever!”