John Daly
Steven Garcia, Getty Images
John Daly’s annual Masters sideshow will take up a new residence in Augusta this year.
The two-time major champion, who has sold merchandise, signed autographs and communed with fans at the now-demolished Hooters restaurant on Washington Road in Augusta during the Masters for nearly three decades, will hold court at Topgolf Augusta on Thursday and Friday evening during this year’s tournament, the golf entertainment venue announced.
“This week has always been about the fans as much as the golf, and I’ve spent a lot of great nights hanging out with them over the years,” Daly said. “This time we’re bringing that energy to Topgolf, where people can grab a drink, take some swings and just have a good time together. I’m looking forward to kicking back, meeting some folks and keeping the party going after the rounds.” READ MORE
The USGA and R&A have proposed a single-date implementation of the updated test conditions for the Overall Distance Standard – widely referred to as the golf ball rollback – effective across the whole game from Jan. 1, 2030, they announced in a letter circulated last Tuesday.
The proposal follows the governing bodies’ mid-January request for feedback from stakeholders regarding the previously announced phased schedule, which stipulated a 2028 implementation for elite competitors and a 2030 implementation for recreational players. In their latest letter, the USGA and R&A solicited additional responses from stakeholders. READ MORE
Ewen Murray, a commentator on Britain’s Sky Sports golf broadcasts for 35 years, said he will retire following this year’s major championships. Speaking on the Sliced podcast, the 71-year-old Scotsman said the fan behavior he observed during last year’s Ryder Cup, particularly on Saturday afternoon, contributed to his decision.
“I heard stuff in that half-hour that I can’t repeat to you, it’s that bad,” he said. “Not fired at Rory [McIlroy] but at Rory’s family. I walked back and I thought, ‘Do you really need to be part of this any more?’ That’s when I decided to finish commentary. By the time I got on the plane on a Monday, I looked out over New York and thought it’s been a fantastic journey, but if that’s our future I really don’t want any part of it.”
Murray also criticized the PGA of America and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley in connection with first tee emcee Heather McMahan leading a profane chant targeting McIlroy. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
A transgender woman has filed a lawsuit claiming that a 2024 policy change unlawfully barred her from participating in a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier last year, the Associated Press reported last Friday. Hailey Davidson named the golf club hosting the qualifier along with the USGA, the LPGA and three LPGA officials in a lawsuit filed Thursday in New Jersey. READ MORE
Golf Australia will nominate seven-time major champion Karrie Webb to captain the Australian Olympic golf team for a second time at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, it announced. READ MORE
The anticipated fifth golf course at Florida’s Streamsong Resort will be known as Bone Valley, the resort announced last Tuesday. The David McLay Kidd layout is expected to open in the fall. READ MORE
Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, Texas, has reopened following what owner Arcis Golf calls an “extensive entertainment-driven transformation.” The renovation of the Dallas Cowboys-themed facility includes redesign of its 18-hole course by architect Beau Welling, a high-tech driving range featuring game-used AT&T Stadium turf and an 18-hole putting course. READ MORE
The 2027 PGA National Club Championship will be conducted at Pinehurst Resort next March, the PGA of America announced last Tuesday. The championship features amateur club champions from facilities throughout the United States that have a PGA professional on staff. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
