The USGA announced the entry process, field composition and competitive format for the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open, the association’s 15th national championship which will showcase the world’s best golfers with disabilities July 18-20 at Pinehurst No. 6.
Entries into the championship opened last week and will close on May 4, with the final field to be posted on May 18. Eligibility is open to both male and female professional and amateur golfers with a World Handicap System handicap index of 36.4 or less and an eligible impairment confirmed by a WR4GD Pass.
The field will include 96 players, with at least five male players and two female players in eight impairment categories, which are – arm impairment, leg impairment, multiple limb amputee, vision impairment, intellectual impairment, neurological impairment, short stature and seated players.
“The USGA has long been committed to providing the world’s greatest golfers a platform to showcase their skills, and we are proud to give the adaptive golf community the same opportunity to compete for a national championship,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director, championships. “Pinehurst will serve as a wonderful backdrop as these incredible athletes compete to leave their mark on this great game.”
The championship will be contested over 54 holes of stroke play on Pinehurst’s No. 6 course, determining overall male and female champions and runners-up as well as male and female winners in each impairment category. Carts will be permitted for all players and caddies.
A player’s individual handicap index will be the primary factor for determining the field, while up to 20 spots will be filled by a USGA selection committee to assure representation from key demographics.
For additional information or an application to play, visit usaoc.usga.org.
The R&A has unveiled an initial squad of 12 players from which the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 42nd Curtis Cup match at Merion on 10-12 June will be selected. The visitors will be seeking a first win on American soil since 1994, but captain Elaine Ratcliffe is encouraged after last year’s 12½-7½ defeat in Wales.
“There were really encouraging signs in the team’s performance at Conwy,” she said. “With a number of the players returning to join this year’s squad, there is a strong foundation to build upon.”
The English trio of Annabell Fuller, Charlotte Heath and Caley McGinty combined to form a strong backbone of the 2021 line-up, contributing 6½ points between them, and another three of their compatriots have also made it onto the long list.
The full squad is: England’s Rosie Belsham, Fuller, Heath, McGinty, Emily Price and Amelia Williamson; Scotland’s Hannah Darling and Louise Duncan; and Ireland’s Beth Coulter, Anna Foster, Lauren Walsh and Lottie Woad.
Despite Phil Mickelson’s December claim that he won the top bonus in the PGA Tour’s inaugural $40 million Player Impact Program in 2021, the list revealed last week after a final audit by the tour showed Tiger Woods at the top.
Despite missing the entire PGA Tour season recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash in February 2021, Woods finished first on the list followed by Phil Mickelson in second place. Woods was awarded an $8 million bonus and Mickelson $6 million. Rory McIlroy was third followed by Jordan Spieth, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas in the top six who each received $3.5 million. The next four – Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson – each got $3 million.
The PIP uses a compiled score from five criteria – Nielsen ratings, Google searches, MVP Index, Meltwater Mentions and Q-Rating, based on a player’s appeal and popularity on social media. Woods topped three of the five categories, while DeChambeau topped the Nielsen ratings and Watson led the MVP Index.
Mickelson had announced on Twitter in late December that we won the PIP: “I’d like to thank all the crazies (and real supporters too) for … helping me win the PIP!!” The PGA Tour did not confirm Mickelson’s premature claim, noting that the fall quarter Nielsen ratings would not be available until February before a final audit of the results could be compiled.
Mickelson did end his tweet with a statement that proved prescient: “P.S. I’ll try and find another hot controversial topic soon,” adding a thumbs-up emoji.
Three accomplished golf contributors from Hamilton, Ontario – tireless volunteers Ruth and Ian Giles along with esteemed golf journalist Garry MacKay – will be acknowledged for their tremendous contributions to the sport as the 2022 recipients of Golf Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. “Their contributions have been incredibly impactful to golf in their community as well as at the provincial and national level,” said Golf Canada president Liz Hoffman. “Each of their collective efforts has left a meaningful mark on the Canadian golf landscape and it is with great respect and admiration that we honour each of them for their passion and commitment to our sport.” The presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to this year’s honourees will be celebrated in person during the week of the 108th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, July 19-22 at Westmount Golf and Country Club in Kitchener, Ontario.
Tap-Ins
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Staff and Wire Reports