The fallout from the U.S. government’s release of files relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has created firestorms around two men whose companies have prominent ties to professional golf.
Casey Wasserman (left) and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
Andreas Rentz, Getty Images; Leigh Vogel, Getty Images for Concordia Summit
Casey Wasserman, whose eponymous talent agency represents several well-known tour pros, said in a memo to employees last Friday that he had begun the process of selling the agency following revelations of his past ties to Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Wasserman, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, will remain chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee.
The Wasserman agency’s golf clients include Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Nelly Korda, Cam Smith, Viktor Hovland and Jason Day.
Meanwhile, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chairman and chief executive of DP World, resigned last Friday in the wake of revelations of his close ties to Epstein. The Dubai-based global ports operator is the title sponsor of the DP World Tour. READ MORE
“We were joking around, Scottie [Scheffler] was following me at lunch and he’s like, ‘I’m just going to eat what you’re eating.’”
– Chris Gotterup, who won twice in his first three PGA Tour starts in 2026.
Brian Spurlock, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In advance of his title defense at Pebble Beach last week, Rory McIlroy weighed in on what had become a hot topic in the preceding days – whether or not the Players Championship should be considered a major.
“I think the Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world; I don’t think anyone disputes that or argues that,” said McIlroy, the reigning and two-time Players champ. “I think from a player perspective, it’s amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience it’s amazing. It’s an amazing golf course, location, venue.
“But I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships.
“It’s the Players, it doesn’t need to be anything else. I would say it’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute. So, from an identity standpoint, I think the Players has got it nailed. It’s an amazing tournament in its own right, and I don’t think it being classified a major or not a major makes it any more or any less. I’m still very proud to have won that tournament twice, as I’m sure all the other champions are. It stands on its own without the label, I guess.”
The age-old debate over the Players cropped up once again after the PGA Tour unveiled an ad campaign for the tournament utilizing the slogan “March is going to be major” and Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee argued that the Players is “the best major.”
Doctors have cleared Justin Thomas to return to competition following November back surgery, the two-time major champion posted on social media last Tuesday.
“After some follow up imaging and meeting with my Dr and team, I’m officially cleared for all golf activity!” Thomas wrote on his Instagram account. “It feels great to be swinging freely again and getting some reps in on the course. ... Can’t wait to get out there with the guys!”
Thomas underwent a microdiscectomy to correct a disc problem that had been causing nagging hip pain. He previously said he hoped to return during the PGA Tour’s Florida swing, which begins at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens on Feb. 26. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
Longtime roving reporter Roger Maltbie, 74, has signed a one-year contract to serve as lead on-course reporter for select events on Golf Channel, Golf Digest first reported. The gig started at last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. READ MORE
Sahith Theegala will be the recipient of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into this week’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, tournament host Tiger Woods announced. The exemption has been awarded annually since 2009 to a deserving golfer from a minority background. READ MORE
Nine-time PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker received the AT&T Legacy Award, recognizing the spirit of partnership and philanthropy, during last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
