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Video: Discussing health matters at the Humana Challenge
The inaugural Humana Challenge was a success well beyond the golf course. Under the direction of former President Bill Clinton, the PGA Tour event formerly known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic was also the backdrop for a first-ever "Health Matters" Summit on the Tuesday prior to the first round, with a number of distinguished speakers addressing a range of health and wellness topics.
From left to right: Casey Wasserman, Chairman and CEO, Wasserman Media Group; Bob Lanier, Special Assistant to the Commissioner and NBA Cares Global Ambassador; Michael McCallister, CEO, Humana; James Curleigh, CEO, KEEN Footwear; Travis Bogard, CMO, Jawbone; and Jerry Tarde, Chairman and Editorial Director, Golf Digest.
The golf world was well represented, including Golf Digest's own Editorial Director Jerry Tarde, who moderated a lively discussion on health in the workplace on a panel that also included, among others, former NBA star Bob Lanier and Humana CEO Mike McCallister. A video of that discussion can be seen below.
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From left to right: Casey Wasserman, Chairman and CEO, Wasserman Media Group; Bob Lanier, Special Assistant to the Commissioner and NBA Cares Global Ambassador; Michael McCallister, CEO, Humana; James Curleigh, CEO, KEEN Footwear; Travis Bogard, CMO, Jawbone; and Jerry Tarde, Chairman and Editorial Director, Golf Digest.The golf world was well represented, including Golf Digest's own Editorial Director Jerry Tarde, who moderated a lively discussion on health in the workplace on a panel that also included, among others, former NBA star Bob Lanier and Humana CEO Mike McCallister. A video of that discussion can be seen below.
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True to recent form, Woods opens with a 70
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- If three rounds of golf can be simultaneously fascinating yet predictable, then these were those. First there was Rory displaying his usual range of attack and adventure, birdies and bogeys. Then there was the latest version of Tiger: hitting 17 of 18 greens, but, significantly, failing to make the putts he once took for granted. And then there was little old Luke, the occasional dodgy drive his only departure from the straight and narrow -- the rest, as ever, steady as she goes.
In other words, they played, funnily enough, just about as you'd expect them to play.
McIlroy was the low man in the group with an opening 67. Photo by Getty Images.
The scoring wasn't bad, either. All three broke par over the 7,600-yard Abu Dhabi GC course: McIlroy's five-under 67 three better than Woods, who outscored Donald by one. Understandably then, it was the U.S. Open champion who was in the best fettle of the three, even if he "didn't feel like I played that good."
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In other words, they played, funnily enough, just about as you'd expect them to play.
McIlroy was the low man in the group with an opening 67. Photo by Getty Images.The scoring wasn't bad, either. All three broke par over the 7,600-yard Abu Dhabi GC course: McIlroy's five-under 67 three better than Woods, who outscored Donald by one. Understandably then, it was the U.S. Open champion who was in the best fettle of the three, even if he "didn't feel like I played that good."
Podcast: Geoff Shackelford on course rankings, Humana, and Matt Every
Following the release of Golf World's inaugural PGA Tour course ranking, Geoff Shackelford joins GolfDigest.com editor Sam Weinman to talk PGA Tour reaction, the new-and-improved tour stop in Palm Springs, and why he thinks a little bit of controversy isn't always a bad thing in golf.
Listen to the podcast here or download it free on iTunes.
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Listen to the podcast here or download it free on iTunes.
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Norman's appearance in desert a testament to Clinton
LA QUINTA, Calif. - As Greg Norman walked into the interview room Wednesday at the Humana Challenge, he was kidded by a long-time acquaintance who asked what he was doing there. With that trademark smile, Norman tapped the logo of the Clinton Foundation on the microphone he was holding and said, "That right there, you see?"
Indeed, that is the message of the week here at the revived tournament once known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Humana, the health benefits provider, and the William J. Clinton Foundation have breathed new financial life into an event on the endangered species list a year ago.
Even if he isn't expected to contend, Norman remains a draw. Photo by Getty Images.
And, oh yes, having a former President of the United States as the face of the tournament doesn't hurt, either. "I'm here for one reason," said Norman, whose only previous appearance at the Hope was in 1986. "I got a phone call I could never say no to."
Indeed, that is the message of the week here at the revived tournament once known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic. Humana, the health benefits provider, and the William J. Clinton Foundation have breathed new financial life into an event on the endangered species list a year ago.
Even if he isn't expected to contend, Norman remains a draw. Photo by Getty Images.And, oh yes, having a former President of the United States as the face of the tournament doesn't hurt, either. "I'm here for one reason," said Norman, whose only previous appearance at the Hope was in 1986. "I got a phone call I could never say no to."
Related: A new role for Bill Clinton
Read moreVideo: Wagner punches ticket to Augusta with win
Lost in the fuss surrounding Johnson Wagner's curious choice in facial hair is how he overcame an impressive collection of players to secure his second trip to the Masters. Wagner earned his first trip to Augusta National in more dramatic fashion, winning the 2008 Shell Houston Open the week prior to the Masters to lock down that year's final invite.
This time, he'll have three months to prepare -- and to reconsider his mustache. Right now, though, as the highlights below indicate, it seems to be working for him.
This time, he'll have three months to prepare -- and to reconsider his mustache. Right now, though, as the highlights below indicate, it seems to be working for him.
His immediate future secure, Finchem looks ahead
HONOLULU - Tim Finchem believes potential candidates to succeed him as commissioner of the PGA Tour currently work in the organization.
"A number of them. No question," he said.
Just the same, there is no rush.
The PGA Tour Policy Board on Tuesday renewed Finchem's contract through June 2016. Finchem, 64, succeeded Deane Beman in June 1994.
"I love the job," said Finchem, who has steered the PGA Tour successfully through a sharp economic downturn the last four years. "The contract was coming up this year, and I decided I'd wait until after television to really think about it. My youngest daughter is going to college, so I figured I'd wait to talk to my wife about it, and the environment with kids gone, just talk about whether it made sense family-wise. But in terms of the job, it was kind of a no-brainer decision.
"A number of them. No question," he said.
Just the same, there is no rush.
The PGA Tour Policy Board on Tuesday renewed Finchem's contract through June 2016. Finchem, 64, succeeded Deane Beman in June 1994.
"I love the job," said Finchem, who has steered the PGA Tour successfully through a sharp economic downturn the last four years. "The contract was coming up this year, and I decided I'd wait until after television to really think about it. My youngest daughter is going to college, so I figured I'd wait to talk to my wife about it, and the environment with kids gone, just talk about whether it made sense family-wise. But in terms of the job, it was kind of a no-brainer decision.
"Plus, when we got done with television, the more I thought about the
runway for 10 years out I figured we could really do some good stuff
long-term planning wise, and the more I thought about it, I feel like we
have as much opportunity and I'm as optimistic as I've ever been; I'm
really excited about the future."
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To eliminate guesswork, Wilson and caddie take to a script
KAPALUA, Hawaii - If the pre-shot routine is integral to a golfer's performance, then what Mark Wilson is trying this year is perhaps the next logical step.
He has instituted a pre-shot routine with his caddie, Chris Jones, before his pre-shot routine.
In an attempt to foster an even greater comfort level with each swing, Wilson came up with the idea of formulating what one might call a script that he and Jones can follow, depending on the situation, when they discuss the next stroke at hand.
"We thought that maybe we need a better process for each shot, a little more consistent process of communication for how to deal with a shot," Wilson explained at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the season-opening event on the PGA Tour. "Chris has always been good at reading me, and if I pull the club and show confidence he needs to just let me go. And vice versa, if he sees me hesitating and repeating the numbers for the yardages, he needs to step in and give his opinion."
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He has instituted a pre-shot routine with his caddie, Chris Jones, before his pre-shot routine.
In an attempt to foster an even greater comfort level with each swing, Wilson came up with the idea of formulating what one might call a script that he and Jones can follow, depending on the situation, when they discuss the next stroke at hand.
"We thought that maybe we need a better process for each shot, a little more consistent process of communication for how to deal with a shot," Wilson explained at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the season-opening event on the PGA Tour. "Chris has always been good at reading me, and if I pull the club and show confidence he needs to just let me go. And vice versa, if he sees me hesitating and repeating the numbers for the yardages, he needs to step in and give his opinion."
Still recovering, Holmes forced to withdraw from Shark Shootout
The comeback of J.B. Holmes from brain surgery was put on hold Monday when the PGA Tour¹s longest driver called tournament host Greg Norman to withdraw from the Franklin Templeton Shootout.
Feeling that he wouldn't be competitively ready, Holmes pulled out saying he didn't want to disrespect the event. He had surgery for Chiari malformation of the brain on Sept. 1 at John's Hopkins University Medical Center. Doctors just cleared him to hit driver last Friday.
"I'm not a guy who likes to quit, but I physically I haven¹t been able to walk 18 holes and with five rounds of that, I don¹t know where I'd be," Holmes said. "I'm just not ready. It stinks to say that, but when you get right down to it that's as simple as it gets."
Holmes was scheduled to play with Kenny Perry. They finished second in 2009. The tournament will replace Holmes with Scott Stallings, rookie winner of The Greenbrier Classic.
"If I could have been cleared earlier it might have been different," Holmes said. "I understand people would have been understanding but it still would be on national TV. I don't want to hit some shots that are normally not possible, but with the situation we're in now are possible."
-- Tim Rosaforte
Feeling that he wouldn't be competitively ready, Holmes pulled out saying he didn't want to disrespect the event. He had surgery for Chiari malformation of the brain on Sept. 1 at John's Hopkins University Medical Center. Doctors just cleared him to hit driver last Friday.
"I'm not a guy who likes to quit, but I physically I haven¹t been able to walk 18 holes and with five rounds of that, I don¹t know where I'd be," Holmes said. "I'm just not ready. It stinks to say that, but when you get right down to it that's as simple as it gets."
Holmes was scheduled to play with Kenny Perry. They finished second in 2009. The tournament will replace Holmes with Scott Stallings, rookie winner of The Greenbrier Classic."If I could have been cleared earlier it might have been different," Holmes said. "I understand people would have been understanding but it still would be on national TV. I don't want to hit some shots that are normally not possible, but with the situation we're in now are possible."
-- Tim Rosaforte
Woods looking to build on success Down Under at Chevron
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Was Australia an illusion or a turning point for Tiger Woods? Are more than two years of injuries and distractions behind him as the new Sean Foley-crafted swing kicks in or was that Sunday singles success at the Presidents Cup another one-off tease?
Nothing that happens this week at the Chevron World Challenge will provide definitive answers to those questions surrounding Woods. That will come next year in full-field tournaments, especially the majors. But it will be fascinating to see if Woods can build on his success Down Under.
For Woods, this week's Chevron World Challenge feels more like the first tournament of 2012 than the last event of 2011. Photo by Getty Images.
"Playing Oz for two weeks, it was fantastic," Woods said on Wednesday after the pro-am round at Sherwood CC. "I hit all shots and all shapes. I was trusting my trajectory again. You get exposed in the wind. I felt very comfortable in that wind."
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Nothing that happens this week at the Chevron World Challenge will provide definitive answers to those questions surrounding Woods. That will come next year in full-field tournaments, especially the majors. But it will be fascinating to see if Woods can build on his success Down Under.
For Woods, this week's Chevron World Challenge feels more like the first tournament of 2012 than the last event of 2011. Photo by Getty Images."Playing Oz for two weeks, it was fantastic," Woods said on Wednesday after the pro-am round at Sherwood CC. "I hit all shots and all shapes. I was trusting my trajectory again. You get exposed in the wind. I felt very comfortable in that wind."
Related: Tiger's dramatic past two years
If the weather forecasters are correct, Tiger's new swing and growing confidence will certainly get another good test in Thursday's first round of the Chevron. The prediction is for sustained wind of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 mph. "If it blows like that, it will be a challenge," he said.Local Knowledge continues
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